The last week of May has always been a busy one throughout my life. Many years were spent at state track, baseball or softball. But from birth – and before – it has also meant my parents anniversary and my father’s birthday.
I was talking to my mother about it just the other day and she informed me that while they are officially celebrating 58 years of marriage, they have now been together for 60 years. It took her two years to decide if she wanted to marry him, she tells me.
Then I thought to myself, wow, 60 years with someone. That is quite a long time.
To make it 60 years, I figure, you must really like that person and get along with them wonderfully, but you must also have to have the ability to block that person out.
I already practice this. I can honestly be in the same room as my wife and daughter while they are carrying on a conversation and completely block them out. Every once in a while I will hear, are you listening?
It’s not ignoring them, it’s preparing for the long haul. I don’t not look at this as a bad thing. I am practicing so I will be able to celebrate 60 years together at some point as well.
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Prep thoughts
The longest two days in sports. That is where local and area teams will head this weekend. To Wichita and the KSHSAA State Track and Field Meet.
It is dubbed the biggest state track meet in the country. Six classes, two genders. That is 12 state team titles and more than 250 gold medals to hand out. As a participant it is easy to not get awed by the number of people – both spectators and athletes – at the meet. You are focused on your own business.
But as a spectator, wow. I have been to several of the state meets. It can be near 100 degrees or it can be downright cold. But if you are there from the start Friday morning to the finish Saturday evening, I can guarantee you that you are exhausted.
Good luck to all the area coaches, athletes and fans this weekend at Cessna Stadium.
Former Barton
athlete/coach update
Barton has had a lot of good baseball players come through the school. One of the best was Ryan Phillips. Phillips was a standout pitcher for the Cougars in 2003 and 2004. He was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 11th round and pitched in the minor leagues for three seasons before injuries ended his career.
Phillips is now the head baseball coach at Edmund Santa Fe High School in Oklahoma. He took over prior to the 2013 season. This past season, his team went 26-8, missing out on the state tournament.
Just another in the long line of former Cougar baseball players that has moved into the coaching ranks.

And finally
I haven’t been to Wichita and the State Track Meet for a few years. But I have definitely been to my share. When I was working for the Hays Daily News I went nearly every year. Most of the time I would ride down with Steve Webster and Gerard Wellbrock from KAYS Radio in Hays.
We would all stay together in the same room. Three people, two beds. That is where the ‘Bed Challenge’ was born.
On the way to the meet, the three of us would play a round of golf. That is 18 holes to determine who gets to sleep by themselves. The winner would get a solo bed.
Now, golf is indeed a gentleman’s sport. But when the Bed Challenge was on the line, there was anything but good sportsmanship displayed.
It was not out of the ordinary to hear banging of feet in the golf cart on the back swing of your drive. Perhaps a flag being whisked at great speed through the wind on a putt.
It was one of the biggest golf events of the year. A major, if you will.
There were many fun times spent with Steve and Gerard over those two days. We did get on each other nerves as times, but hey, spending that much time together – working, driving and extra-curricular time – that is bound to happen.
It was the longest two days in sports, but it did provide some tremendous memories.

Mike Marzolf is a guest columnist for the Great Bend Tribune and his views don’t necessarily reflect those of the paper. He can be reached at MarzolfM@bartonccc.edu.