Staff writer
Football
Goessel’s football team is looking for a bounce-back season after being bitten by an injury bug last year. Injuries impacted the team’s ability to practice well, play games, and be cohesive from one Friday to the next.
“We are looking forward to a fresh start, and we’re returning quite a few kids with starter experience on both sides of the ball,” coach Garrett Hiebert said.
Hiebert is building an atmosphere in which each player is invested in the success of each of his teammates just as much as they are invested in their own success.
“The idea that individuals succeed only when the team succeeds is important to us,” Hiebert said.
Top returning starters this year are Kyle Valdois, Noah Schrag, Jake Flaming, Eli Boden, Klay Willis, Luke Stucky, and Adam Wonser.
The Bluebirds opened up the season on the road with a loss to Bennington, 30-22.
Goessel will be back on the road again this Friday at Canton-Galva.
Volleyball
The core of Goessel’s 2022 volleyball team returns with key experience coming back in nearly every position.
“A highly athletic group, we are looking to make some noise in the Wheat State League again,” coach Crysta Guhr said.
Returning letter-winners are Jaicee Griffin, Alece Lehrnman, Alyson Roberts, Logan Bryant, Abbigail Funk, Aimee Funk, and Brooklyn Wuest.
“Little River will be the team to beat in the league,” Guhr said.
Goessel will meet up with Little River in October.
The Bluebirds opened the season with a 0-2 record and will begin Wheat State League action at Canton-Galva with matches against Peabody-Burns and Rural Vista.
This weekend the Bluebirds will be hosts for their Goessel Invitational starting at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.
Cross Country
Four boys and four girls have joined the cross country team this year in Goessel.
“I hope that both teams will make it to state,” coach Donna Washmon said. “I hope that we will win league with both teams.”
Top three runners on the team are senior Javin Schmidt, sophomore Delaney Gibson, and freshman Eli Gaeddert.
Cross country can be a tough sport physically and mentally, and Washmon wants her runners to have fun while doing it.
“They need to care about how others are doing in the race or after the race because we are family,” Washmon said.
Even though temperatures were far from ideal, the Goessel boys set impressive standards at their first meet at Great Life Golf Course in Abiline.
Javin Schmidt placed 17th, Eli Gaeddert came in 22nd, Levi Olson finished 30th, and Aidan Impson came in 37th.
Delaney Gibson led the girls, finishing inh 23rd place, with Cheyenne Sawyer crossing the finish line in 31st place. Braylyn Hoopes placed 33rd, and Finnja Kula in 38th.
The team will be heading to the Hesston Golf Course for a 3:30 p.m. meet Thursday.
Last modified Sept. 6, 2023