Sidelined

As Governor Kelly’s order to close detrimental to his recruitment. In the recruiting Kansas schools for the 2020 school process, most colleges and universities aim to sign year was announced, senior Gage athletes by their junior year. Callaghan felt lost. That March, he “That’s when you really start to develop as a was preparing to finish his junior player,” Callaghan said. “Coaches really start to year as the catcher on the baseball team. A few notice what you’re doing good and how they can days later, the Kansas High School Activities fit you into their program,” Association announced Because of this the cancelation of all athletic activities in the state. His days were usually structured around conditioning and “ They’re never going to get that year back, so you lost season, many colleges and universities will allow last year’s graduated athletes to keep their current practice, so filling his don’t make up for it, you spot on the team. time with video games and sitting around the just move forward and Ryan Prickett, sports information director house just didn’t feel right. “You just feel sick to hope to give this year’s group the best experience at Fort Hays State University, emphasized the stress this places on your stomach,” head baseball Coach Mike Hill said, shaking his head in defeat. “They’re that we can. ” colleges and universities. “It spills down to the high school level because you’ve got such never going to get that year back, so you don’t a stockpile of athletes here that are already on make up for it, you just move forward and hope scholarships,” Prickett said. “We only have X to give this year’s group the best experience that amount of dollars to give in scholarships or we can.” the university commits X amount of dollars at

With Callaghan’s hopes set on being offered conferences.” a position to play on a college team, losing last In short, since there are now fewer open spots year’s season his junior year could have been on most teams, the incoming freshman class will

Changes to college rules stress high school athletes

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pages by Hannah De Guzman story by Isis Norris

have less of an opportunity to play.

“It can put them in a grind too, because [incoming freshmen] might have thought they’re gonna start there, but now they might not because these [graduated] kids are going to come back,” Callaghan said.

In Callaghan’s case, playing on a club team over the summer gave him just enough time on the field to attract recruiters. Now, he is in talks with several NAIA schools.

Callaghan and Hill are both cautiously looking forward to the upcoming season. After the football, boys basketball and girls basketball teams all had to cancel several games due to COVID, Hill is hopeful that the coronavirus vaccine will help reduce the exposure and spread of the virus.

As one of the oldest members on the team, Callaghan feels the importance of his influence. He hopes to lead his team to the state championship, as the varsity team did when he was a sophomore.

“We have a lot of hard workers,” Callaghan said. “I’m personally just trying to pull that out of everybody so that we can be the best team that we can be and end on a high note.”

Spring Season Schedule

March 30 Shawnee Mission April 1 Shawnee Mission-North April 6 Olathe North High School April 8 Shawnee Missioin North West April 9 Shawnee Mission April 13 Olathe Northwest April 16 Shawnee Mission South April 19 Olathe West April 27 Mill Valley April 29 Olathe South May 4 Olathe East