Sports

PREP TO PRO High heat, drop kicks, random observations and points that amuse are all part of the wide, wide world of sports at the community and national levels. SHAWN RONEY When it comes to my life, Oscar Wilde is usually correct.

RICHMOND – While much of Ray County slept, varsity coach Staci Maddux and her Spartans kept a Richmond softball tradition going Monday morning. To commemorate the start of fall sports practices, the Spartans staged their version of Midnight Madness at Southview Park.

RICHMOND – Monday’s girls golf practice meant more than time spent chipping and putting to Richmond junior Kennedy Wrisinger. She reunited with fellow Spartans and Richmond coach Murray Dennis.

HARDIN – Varsity coach Brandee Doyle and her Bulldogs had to get out of the heat when Hardin-Central staged its softball camp last week. Originally, the Bulldogs were slated to convene in the afternoon July 26-29 and stage a 9-11 a.m.

RICHMOND – Jett Shane of the Dolphin Swim Team made Councilman Rob Kinnard and Melanie Hobbs go off the deep end Sunday. Of Southview Pool’s diving board, that is.

There needs to be more Olympic sports, especially Summer Olympic sports. This realization was sparked in part from watching parts of NBCSN’s marathon coverage of the XXXII Olympiad, slated to conclude Sunday in Tokyo.

RICHMOND – Based on what new Richmond varsity volleyball coach Crystal Turner has seen in open gym sessions and during team camp this week, this year’s sophomores will help form the nucleus for building a program.

ORRICK – Monday’s varsity 8-man football camp session gave Kirk Thacker, Orrick’s new coach, a sense of some issues he and his staff must address as the Bearcats prepare for the season. One of those issues is the team’s practice attitude.

NORBORNE – The start of this week’s camp proves to Norborne Hardin-Central lineman J.W. Doyle and varsity coach Andrew Watson that the Aggies have improved this summer.