Sports

The Lady Oilers tennis team is expected to show improvement this season, head coach Gary Bittner said. “I think we’re pretty locked in to what we need to do to be successful,” he said. “We may experiment with a few different lineups early, but it shouldn’t take us too long to get into a groove.

Members of the Lady Oilers volleyball team worked this summer to develop team chemistry and improve communication. Lisa Crites, who is in her fourth season as head coach, thinks the work will pay off this season when Central Plains takes the court. “This team never quits a ball,” she said.

The Central Plains cross country team returns two state qualifiers for the 2019 season. Juniors Hannah Redetzke qualified in both her freshman and sophomore years and Monica Short qualified her freshman year and sat out the 2018 season because of injury.

The Central Plains football team hopes to stretch its six-year playoff streak to seven years this season. In 2018, the Oilers posted a 13-0 record in 8 man, Division I, winning state titles in 2014 and 2018. Could it happen again?

Bob Powers expects his Wilson cross country team to earn a trip to Wamego this season. “[We have a] good chance of making it back to state,” said Powers, who is in his fourth year as head coach.“Totally dependent on how hard the kids want to work.

Wilson’s Lady Dragons have a new volleyball coach this season. Audi Hanzlick was the head coach at the junior high school before she moved to varsity. She follows Cindy Heinze. Her assistant is Mary Kratky. Returning players are juniors Kami Thrasher and Bryna Hill and sophomore Macy Hanzlick.

After a series of injuries over the years, the Wilson Dragon football team is due for some good luck, veteran head coach Tony Brokes said. At the same time, the Dragons must focus on simplicity, fundamentals and selfdiscipline in order to develop.

The Ellsworth High School volleyball team plays as a family. Head coach Amy Johnson considers that the team’s biggest strength. The Lady ‘Cats also have a group of seniors who know their way around a volleyball court.

The Ellsworth High School boys’ cross country team has a 2A regional title to defend and head coach Eric Coonrod expects that to be the focus of the 2019 season.