IT WAS A GREAT YEAR FOR THE 806, UNTIL THE CORONAVIRUS CAME INTO THE PICTURE: WHAT DID IT COST US?

Ladies and Gentlemen, this was one of the best years in the 806 as far as athletics went! From Post and Lubbock-Cooper making deep runs in the Football Playoffs, to Shallowater, Nazareth and Gruver‘s girls winning State Titles in Basketball!

But, we have to look at the other side of the coin; the moments and memories that were robbed from us by the Historical Coronavirus that has really blew up anything that we thought was a mainstay in athletics and in academic. Here are some memories and events that we may never see due to the Coronavirus plague that has taken over the nation.

1. SLATON TRACK WAS ABOUT TO MAKE SOME NOISE!

Folks, Slaton‘s girls‘ track team was ranked third in the State! They had an impressive showing at the First United Pirate Relays and won the 4x100 over multiple 5A and 6A schools! Not to mention, the Tigers dropped the baton on the 4x200 and still almost won that race as well. TK Robinson picked up two Division One offers last week and I freel like she was about to explode over the next six weeks. I really think Slaton would’ve brought back the title in 3A on the girls side. Coach Klafka has a well-oiled machine over there in Tiger Country!

2. GRUVER’S BOYS WERE ABOUT TO WIN STATE IN BASKETBALL.

Gruver’s Greyhounds were on a tear this season, dismantling opponent after opponent on the way to State; just like last year‘s team who came up just a little short in the 2A Final. Carter Armes, Jalin Conyers and the rest of the ‘Hounds were clicking at the right time! We couldn’t help but to feel bad for them as they trekked all the way to San Antonio for the State Tournament, just to have to come back to Gruver because it was postponed. Remember, that’s an eight hour- and fifty minute drive one way! Jalin Conyers will go down as the best athlete in Gruver History, we just wish we could’ve seen him impose his will one more time on the court! No worries though, we’ll see him on the gridiron for Oklahoma this fall!

3. BASEBALL NEVER REALLY GOT STARTED

Baseball is what some kids really go to school for; it’s the American Pastime! There were great things happening for Monterey, Coronado, Estacado, Dimmitt and Tulia to name a few, but when the decision was made that no UIL athletic events would be held until at least May 4th, that really knocked out the baseball season. Sad for those Seniors that wanted to finish their seasons on the diamond!

4. BRENEN THOMPSON WAS ON COURSE FOR HISTORY

Spearman’s Brenen Thompson ran himself onto the National Radar after he ran a 10.18 100M and a 21.45 200M a couple of weeks ago at Canadian’s track meet and received offers from Illinois State, Nebraska and Baylor in the last week! That 10.18 is five-tenths of a second off from Michael Boiling’s state record 10.13! We all were tuned in and would have followed him to state to see possibly History... Right here in the 806!

5. ALL-STAR GAMES AND BANQUETS ARE DISAPPEARING QUICKLY

A lot of teams got their banquets in, but a lot of teams didn’t. Estacado, for example, had to cancel one date due to weather and then had to cancel it completely due to the Coronavirus. The Golden Spread All-Star games in Amarillo were also cancelled as well. There are more coming and hoping to be completed, but only time will tell. Here’s to hoping those still scheduled get to complete their events!

Praying for those Seniors that didn’t get to go out the way they wanted this year.

Jason Pearson

(806) 559-9996