BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

LARNED -- After three months of inactivity, Larned Indian head football coach Tad Remy was happy with what he saw. More than 60 boys and 35 girls attended the first week of summer workouts and conditioning at Larned High School.

Most workouts were conducted in the early-morning hours with an evening session scheduled for those with daytime responsibilities.

Restrictions from the Kansas State High School Activities Association and Governor Laura Kelly had shut down high school activities since March 12 because of fear about the coronavirus. 

Larned coaches Mike Hensley; Tim Coles, Cody Coleman, Carl Nolan, Charles McNeil and Cuyler Cowart assisted Remy on the summer workouts. Larned's football team finished last year with a 4-5 record.

"Everyone was just joyful to be back and be around their friends and teammates," Remy said. "It was high energy and high enthusiasm. I'd seen a handful of guys around town every once in a while."

Remy had passed some training and weightlifting drills for three months.

"We'd kept talking back-and-forth, but it was fun being around everyone again," Remy said. "There's no doubt we get more done together with everyone pushing to get better.  Every single sport that Larned runs with represented. As football players, we're used to working during the summer. But it was the best non-football participation we've ever had.  We learned if we work like this, we're in position for success in our sports."

Larned started slowly and will operate stretching and running exercises for two weeks.

"We'll wait on weights for two weeks. Our returning football players; found a way to get things done without school," Remy said. "But we've focused on sprinting, jumping and a lot of stretching. Our guys stayed in pretty good shape."

Starting June 15, small groups will perform some weight training. Remy believes any mandated local restrictions will be lifted on group size in the near future.