Skip to main content

Prep sports teams begin work today

Summer vacation is all but over for high school athletes in Ely and around the state.Practice sessions for all of Ely High School’s fall sports teams begin today.With season openers set for the end of the month or early-September, athletes begin their preparations this week.After a section championship season and an appearance in the state meet in 2003, Ely’s high school girls cross country team has high hopes for the 2004 season.Coach Jayne Dusich’s squad will have its first meet Sept. 2 at Babbitt.Ely’s high school football team, under the direction of sixth-year head coach Darren Visser, has two-a-day workouts and the program’s annual fitness pentathlon on tap.The Timberwolves, 4-5 a year ago, are gearing up for a Sept. 4 opener at Greenway.Coach Nancy Smrekar welcomes back a veteran high school girls swimming and diving team at today’s first practice. The senior-dominated Wolves participate in the Virginia Relays Aug. 26, with the first dual meet slated for Sept. 9.Mindy LaTourell is in her second year in charge of Ely’s high school volleyball program. The Wolves travel to Silver Bay for an Aug. 31 debut.Details related to the start of practices include:• Football - All boys in grades 8-12 are to report to the high school locker room at 8 a.m. Bring cleats and shorts to this first session. Boys in grades 10-12 will practice at both 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. through the first week. Boys in grades 8-9 will practice from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.• Girls Swimming and Diving - Practice begins today and a sign-up meeting was held late last week. Those who missed the meeting or those with questions should call Smrekar at 365-5439.• Girls Cross Country - Girls in grades 7-12 interested in joining the cross country running team should report to the girls locker room at 7 a.m., bring shoes and practice clothes, and be ready to run.• Volleyball - The first practice session for girls in grades 7-12 is from 3 to 5:30 p.m. today. All players should report to the gymnasium.All students must have physical examination forms on file before they will be allowed to practice.Parents or athletes with questions are asked to call athletic director Tim Omerza at 365-6166, extension 217, or to contact their coach.

Sign up for News Alerts

Subscribe to news updates