City prep practice begins

Coming off back-to-back winning seasons, Washburn Rural's football team already was excited for Monday's start of preparations for the 2010 season.

The ongoing installation of FieldTurf at Bowen-Glaze Stadium has added to that excitement.

Workers continued laying the artificial turf Monday as high school teams in all fall sports opened preseason practice.

Junior Blues coach Derick Hammes has been assured the turf will be ready for use in time for Rural's Sept. 3 season opener at home against Topeka West.

"Our hope is that we can get on it for our last Friday night scrimmage," Hammes said. "Hopefully we can have one run-through on it and then start practicing on it so it's not a big deal for the kids.

"They're excited about it, but we want to make sure that (opening) Friday night's about a football game, not about the new facility."

Rural becomes the fourth city school to play its home games on artificial turf, joining Topeka High, West and Seaman.

"Obviously, it's going to look nice and it's going to make our facility top notch," Hammes said. "I'm excited about that, and from a football standpoint, it gives you a consistent playing surface. You always know what you're going to get.

"I think the kids are going to enjoy practicing on it. We're told injuries lessen with turf and we'll be able to have good practices on it. I think it's going to benefit the program and the community a lot."

Six of seven city football coaches return from 2009, with West's Tim Brian the lone newcomer.

Hayden is expected to be a city power again after finishing second in Class 4A a year ago and winning the state crown in '08.

Practice also got underway Monday in volleyball, girls tennis, girls golf, boys soccer and boys and girls cross country.

Rural's volleyball team begins its quest for a fifth straight 6A state championship, faced with the task of replacing graduated four-year standouts Alexa Bordewick and Kelsey Lewis.

"After four seasons and four state championships with Alexa and Kelsey, we will have to have other people step into leadership roles," Rural coach Kevin Bordewick said. "We return a strong nucleus of experience, and our expectations will be very high."

Hayden's girls golf team is the two-time defending state champ in 4A, while Rural is the defending 6A boys soccer champion.

Hayden's volleyball team was second in 4A a year ago, while Seaman was third in 5A. Rural was second in 6A girls golf and boys cross country, while Hayden was third in girls tennis in 4A.

A new volleyball era begins at Shawnee Heights, with former Washburn player Carolyn Raynes replacing longtime coach Kerry Kapfer, who retired following the '09 season.

Girls golf and girls tennis are the first fall sports that can begin their seasons, with the first day of possible competition Friday.