Senior Diary: Ken Wheeler excited about the upcoming cross country season

As our season is starting up there are already a lot of high expectations, a team packed with seniors, ranked 8th in the preseason regional rankings, and a great shot at a conference title that has been just barely out of reach for 9 years. I personally feel the pressure of competition because of a back injury that kept me out of track and slowed my summer training. These past few weeks though have been phenomenal as we met the new freshman and caught back up with old teammates. As our first meet is approaching, I'm sure one thing that is on everyone's mind is how will they individually compare to the competition and how will we as a team compete. Through it all, though, Coach [David] Chandler keeps our spirits focused on the bigger picture with this season's kind of unofficial slogan "run free." Free from all the worry and stress, and simply praising God with our gifts as we empty our hearts into the sport we love........Though it seems far away now, the big meets will be here before we know it, and I look forward to updating everyone on what amazing things God is doing in our lives and on our teams.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's press conference.
--KR

Watch McMurry games live and listen as well with McMurry Sports Insider

In case you missed it, read the release on becoming a McMurry Sports Insider. Basically live audio / video is available for all 10 football games, five volleyball matches, four men's and women's soccer matches, at least 22 games for both men's and women's basketball, and at least 10 baseball games.

Cost per game is $4.99, cost to subscribe monthly, which includes access to all sports for that month is $10.95, and a yearly subscription costs $69.99 which gives you access to over 75 events on the year.

Volleyball and soccer matches will be video only. Hope you take advantage of this opportunity to follow McMurry Sports. Email me if you have questions.

Listen to archived file of today's Sports Overtime Radio Show, video press conference coming shortly

Below is today's Press Conference Video: Guests were Cammie Petree, Sarah Anding, Hal Mumme and Chantz Purvis.



You can listen to today's McMurry Sports Overtime show in archived format by clicking here. On today's show were Petree, Anding, Purvis and defensive line coach Barris Grant.

Also, in case you haven't been checking the official McMurry Athletics site, the preseason ASC Volleyball polls were released. McMurry finished third in the ASC West Division voting including two first-place votes. Anding was named ASC West Division Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Read the Release here.

Stay tuned ...
-- KR

Senior Diary: Danielle Kelton prepares for her fourth and final season of volleyball at McMurry

This week was our first week of two-a-days, and while being the one and only senior is very exciting, it’s also very sad at the same time. This year is different; coming into this season I didn’t know what to expect because this year we have 24 players on the team. But, to my surprise it has been wonderful. Everyone came in excited and ready to work out hard, people have worked hard throughout the summer and you can really tell. The coaches have been very organized; we are getting a lot of conditioning and by setting up two nets during practice, everyone is getting a lot of touches on the ball. It is very exciting having this many people and so much talent on one team. Knowing that someone could take your place at any moment really makes everyone work hard and want to be the best of the best. The new girls are wonderful and I am so blessed to have them all on my team my last year at McMurry. We are really beginning to mesh well. I really feel confident in this team of 24. I can’t wait to see what the season holds for us.

-- Danielle Kelton

Listen live to McMurry's Sports Overtime, other notes in the news

Click here to get the weekly media press kit I give to the media and get the live link for Sports Overtime. It airs locally on ESPN Radio 1560 AM KZQQ. Also, we will archive the show and post it Tuesday.

Also, a couple of McMurry football stories in the Abilene Reporter News this week by Sam Waller (not to be confused with our player, Seth Waller). Be sure to drop him a line to appreciate what he's doing. Those guys often hear the negative, so McMurry fans should compliment sports writers when they cover our teams well, and Sam is doing a good job.

• McMurry Nation feels the Jackets' sting
  
• Roscoe's life beyond the Villanuevas

Stay tuned ...
-- KR

Senior Diary: Kat Alonso takes a look towards the 2009 season for women's soccer

We arrived at camp on Sunday the 16th with 5 returners and 10 freshmen. We started off with an easy pick up game and for once in the past few years of the women’s program, things look good. Everyone came into camp with a touch on the ball and ready to play. As the week has gone by we lost a player but picked up a few more and pulled together while putting a major emphasis on TEAMWORK. Every practice we focus on fitness and proper technique. We played our first scrimmage Saturday the 22nd and although we lost, we now know what we need to improve on to make us a better team and achieve our first win this Tuesday against Western Texas. We are a small team and we know that this season is not going to be easy but we are determined to turn it around and take it one game at a time. Coach Grove, Coach Tate and Coach Lindsey Grove have been extremely motivating throughout the week and we look forward to finishing up preseason and having a successful season with them.

-- Kathy Alonso

Monday, the lone senior on the volleyball team, Danielle Kelton, will write about her last first week of volleyball camp.

Stay tuned ...
-- KR