Fall high school sports previews: Grain Valley
Here’s a look at the area high school sports teams competing this fall, continuing today with a look at the Grain Valley Eagles (see schedule below for the rest of the area schools).
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Head coach: Mike Painting
Assistant coach: Nick Small
Last year’s finish: second in conference
Returning letter winners: Josh Amos, jr.; Brandon Schrader, sr.; Cameron Nadeau, jr.; Chris Hughes, soph.; Theo Nichols, jr.
Others to watch: Austin Booth, soph.; Ben Baumer, sr.; Drew Pfeiffer, jr.; Tim Hinton, fresh.
Coach’s comments: “We are led by two-time state qualifier Josh Amos. This team can qualify for state. Our top three runners need to run in the top 10 at district and our fourth, fifth and sixth runners need to push each other and finish in the top 20.”
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Head coach: Mike Painting
Assistant coach: Nick Small
Last year’s finish: first in conference
Returning letter winners: Courtney Johnson, sr.; Rachel Reddell, jr.; Cory Henson, jr.; Alyssa Webb, sr.
Others to watch: Mackenzie Quintrell, jr.; Kayla Sanning, fresh.
Coach’s comments: “This is the strongest girls team to date in the five-year history of the program. We are deep to our seventh girl and have a good chance to qualify at state as a team. One thing we need to do is do a better job of is running more forward to the front of the pack as a group.”
BOYS SOCCER
Head coach: Jon Thompson
Assistant coaches: Matt Nelson
Current record: 0-2
Last season’s finish: fifth place
Returning letter winners: Jake Deselle, jr., MF; Aaron Winter, sr., MF; Tim Collins, sr., F; Tyler Whitton, sr., D; Spencer Picard, sr., D.
Others to watch: Trent Squires, soph., MF; Chris Eubanks, soph., MF; Michael Pellham, jr.; F; Riley Presnell, fresh., MF; Quinn Van Camp, jr., MF.
Coach’s comments: “Grain Valley has a great team with lots of technical expertise. We have a relatively young team as well – there are many sophomores and juniors on the varsity side. We try to maintain possession, play the ball to feet and keep the ball on the surface.”
SOFTBALL
Head coach: Jim Oliver
Assistant coaches: Katie Sorensen, Allison Hieber
Current record: 5-3
Last year’s finish: 20-7 overall, first in conference
Returning letter winners: Sydney Fairfield, sr., P; Hailey Herz, sr., OF; Sydney Fry, jr., C; Kelsi Hill, jr., IF; Mikayla Akers, jr., OF; Courtney Folk, jr., U; Jordan Orth, jr., IF; Brooklynne Simbeck, jr., P/IF; Annelise Sack, soph., IF; Taylor Mays, soph., OF.
Others to watch: Brianne Mays, sr., IF; Monica Hudson, jr., OF.
Coach’s comments: “(We) will pitch competitively and the lineup will feature a younger group with significant varsity experience. I look forward to watching them grow together, moving forward, and learning from past experiences.”
GIRLS TENNIS
Head coach: Randy Draper
Assistant coach: Mary Elliot
Current record: 3-1
Last year’s finish: first in conference, second in district
Returning letter winners: Lanae Wilke, sr.; Haley Porter, sr.; Nathalia Barr, soph.
Coach’s comments: “We graduated a tremendous group of players, but return three who had a lot to do with our success last year. If we get them some help, we can win the conference title for the fourth year in a row.”
VOLLEYBALL
Head coach: Keri Peterson
Assistant coaches: Corey Vuagnaiux, Sarah Swartz
Current record: 3-0
Last season’s finish: 19-11-1, tied for second in conference
Returning letter winners: Jordan Morrison, soph.; Devan Fairfield, soph.; Elise Gouldsmith, sr.; Jena Prue, sr.; Catherine Zuniga, soph.; Megan Epping, jr.
Others to watch: Brianna Nichelson, jr.; Abby Winter, soph.; Mikala Paul, jr.; Kaitlin Williams, jr.; Justine Gillum, jr.; Tori Squires, fresh.
Coach’s comments: “This year’s team has a lot of experience and has worked hard in the offseason. They have dedicated their time to club volleyball, the weight room, summer camps and leagues. I believe this is one of the strongest teams in Grain Valley history. Our volleyball experience is one of our strongest attributes. A weakness is being disciplined in our skills and performing them correctly at all times. As far as our goals, we are focusing on each week individually and as a team versus looking at the long term end of season goals. Let’s take care of each week, and we will achieve those end-of-season goals along the way.”