The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Kelly Carrington Staff Writer The Creighton Kodiaks have made a name for themselves in the world of high school athletics. In the high school level of competition, the Kodiaks earned three banners in individual sports last year. The 2011-12 school year was an impressive one for the school. 'We've had maybe more team success in the past...but individually we had a really good year,' said Ryan Trumbley, who coaches a number of sports with the school. Trumbley sees this school year as one filled with promise for the athletes coming up through the system. Members of last year's starting lineups of the senior boys basketball and volleyball teams are no longer at the school, with most of them having graduated. That has left some big gaps to fill, but Trumbley says there are plenty of promising young athletes entering the system this year. 'It's going to be one of those (years) where we're going to be weaker to begin with, but come November when things get put together, I think we could scare some people,' he said, speaking about volleyball especially. Last year, Trumbley says, the schools advanced in track and field but also excelled in basketball and volleyball. The senior boys basketball team started last season with a game against the defending Gold medalists. The senior girls were up against the Silver medalists. Though the Kodiaks didn't win any basketball banners last year, Trumbley said 'we were right there.' It wasn't for a lack of quality players, as the coach says 'if we would have had a different schedule, we probably would have ended up with a couple conference championships.' Looking to this season, the coach sees plenty of potential and chances to build off of last year's momentum. 'We lost a lot of our older, talented kids, but we have a lot of strong youth coming up,' said Trumbley. 'Good shape' After losing a number of senior male athletes, the coach says the boys' sports are going to be in 'good shape for the next couple of years' with all the new talent arising. Trumbley coaches senior girls' volleyball and basketball as well as track and field. On the courts, he has changed from Senior A to Senior B _ teaching more of the development portion of the sports. 'It's fun (and) it's nice to take a little bit of a break,' Trumbley said. With Senior B sports, Trumbley says it's fun to be able to see the development of the athletes as they move through the system. 'We've got lots and lots of promise this year,' he said. Currently, the Kodiak volleyball teams have been hitting their own court as well as a few out-of-town locations. 'We (should) do well in both,' Trumbley said, oft the male and female volleyball teams this season. For the girls, Trumbley expects them to do quite well in their conference and 'could potentially win it.' The girls have already had some success in weekend tournaments, though there have been rough patches along the way. 'But I think it's making them better,' Trumbley said. The boys have a lot of Grade 9s coming onto the court this year. The team has already picked up a B side win in Melfort and look to Carrot River this weekend coming. 'It will be a good chance to see where they are at,' said Trumbley.
