By Donnie A. Lucas

A group of seven girls and one boy are participating in cross country workouts this week, according to coach Tate Thompson.

Runners met Monday to plan for the season, starting workouts on Tuesday.

The coach set morning workouts at 8:00 a.m. until school starts. Practices will move to 6:15 a.m. beginning on Aug. 20.

“We have a couple of girls who have a very good chance of advancing to regional,” Thompson said.

The coach added that there may be a few runners who are currently involved in volleyball.

By Lynsi Musselman

In Moran this week, both the Bulldogs and the Lady Bulldogs began practices on Monday, Aug. 3.

The football players started at 7:00 a.m., and volleyball two-a-days got underway at 8:00 a.m.

Football

Moran football coach John Hughes said practice has gone well so far.

“We had 10 kids come for practice with two more coming next week,” Hughes commented.

The first varsity scrimmage will be at home against Baird at 6:00 p.m, and the first junior high game will be away in Rotan at 6:00 p.m.

By Donnie A. Lucas

After weeks of uncertainty, Albany Lion football is on track for a fairly normal beginning to the 2020 season with the start of summer workouts on Monday, Aug. 3.

“There will be a few adjustments,” head coach Denney Faith said. “Everyone will have to wear masks when they aren’t actively engaged in workouts. We will be making every effort to make sure we stay as safe as possible, including disinfecting equipment and indoor spaces.”

Faith said that he is expecting about 50 players in grades 9-12 to show up Monday.

By Donnie A. Lucas

All athletes planning to participate in two-a-day workouts that start Monday must complete a required medical history form that is available online.

Students who do not have a physical exam on file from last season or who answer “yes” to any of the first six questions on the medical record form must have a new physical exam completed by Monday in order to participate in workouts.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Workouts for the 2020 volleyball season start Monday, with scrimmages set for Saturday, Aug. 8 in Breckenridge.

Details for the season were in limbo much of the summer before the University Interscholastic League announced last week that Class 1A through 4A schools could start workouts as originally planned on Aug. 3. The two larger 5A and 6A divisions will be delayed until September.

Head coach M.J. Reneau is expecting around 38 girls to play this season, which will provide enough players for three teams.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A meeting is set Monday for high school runners interested in taking part in cross country track this fall.

The meeting is set for 8:00 a.m. Monday in the foyer of the main gym.

Coach Tate Thompson said he will hand out the required forms for runners to have signed by a parent, with the first actual workout following on Tuesday at 8:00 a.m.

Thompson will set up a workout schedule, as well discuss the season.

The coach said he doesn’t know how many runners to expect.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Two Albany Little League teams were still playing in the district tournament at press time on Tuesday, with the third group eliminated after their first game on Saturday.

League president Paul Hamilton explained that he and other coaches weren’t notified that there would be a district tournament until a few weeks ago. 

The regular season was shortened and didn’t start until until the second week of June.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany students ages six to 11 are invited to participate in a golf camp Monday through Wednesday, Aug. 10-12, 9:00-11:00 a.m. at the Albany golf course.

PGA golf professionals from the Abilene Country Club will be in Albany to give instruction during the three-day event.

The camp will be held at the driving range located behind the #8 green and #9 tee box at the course.

By Lynsi Musselman

While there are no back to school events planned, Moran Independent School athletes are gearing up for two-a-days to start Monday, Aug. 3 to 7.

Tuesday, Aug. 4 will be a late practice time starting at 6:00 p.m. to accommodate a staff training day for MISD employees.

Members of Moran First Baptist Church will serve lunch to the volleyball and football players during their lunch break at noon at the church.

Organizer Jo Hise said FBC will serve breakfast burritos, chef salad, super burritos, baked ziti, and pizza.

By Donnie A. Lucas

There is a lot more up in the air right now concerning high sports than footballs and volleyballs.

The fate of the fall sports seasons was in limbo awaiting an announcement from the University Scholastic League this week.

The UIL issued new guidelines for the 2020-2021 school year on Tuesday, with Class 1A-4A districts keeping the original schedule of  how and when high school sports will be allowed to proceed due to concerns over the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.