Spring Football 

‘We’re excited to be back out’ 

By Kevin Taylor

Alma Schools 

Spring football practice is about something other than winning games in early September. It's more about positioning yourself to win some games in early September. 

The Airedales started spring practice this week on the heels of a 7-4 campaign in 2023. Alma returns all 11 defensive starters but must mix and match offensively. 

"We're beginning to build that depth and see that growth that we've had over the last six or eight months," Bush said. "It's a good time of year. The weather is awesome and it's a good time to be back on the field."

Sophomore Samuel Schlegel and junior Michael Taylor, among others, are working hard to replace Jackson Daily. Michael Taylor and 

"We're excited to get back out here and start working toward the '24 season," Bush said. "We're ready to get out of the weight room. It's that time of year; everybody's been grinding.  It's good to see these young ones and it's good to see the kids we've got coming back"

As with most spring practices, the key phrase is depth. 

TRACK 

The Alma Airedales and Lady Airedales competed at the state track meet in Russellville. 

Alma’s Nevaeh Kangas earned a seventh-place finish in the girls’ 1600-meter run. She had a PR of 5:43.40, which nearly broke Melanie Gibson’s 45-year-old school record of 5:42.8 set in 1979. 

Alma’s 4x200 relay team finished 12th at 1:33.35 in a hotly contested race. Parkview won the event with a first-place finish of 1:28.43. 

The Alma squad included Jackson Mitchell, Landon Morris, Ayden Parker, and Byron Standridge. 

Standridge also competed in the 200-meter and 4X400 relay team, which placed 13th (3:35.99). Parkview won with a time of 3:26.55. 

Alma’s 4X400 squad also included Samuel Schlegel, Morris, and Parker. Schlegel also competed in the 110 and 300 hurdles. 

Alma’s John Crump finished 13th in the 110 hurdles and 16th in the 300. 

All participants earned all-conference honors. 

SOFTBALL  

Alma senior softball player Jada Wallis signed a national letter of intent to play college softball with Carl Albert State College in Poteau. 

Wallis started for three seasons for the Lady Airedales’ softball team. She would become the third player to play at the next level since 2022. 

Makenzie Martin is finishing her sophomore season at Eastern Oklahoma State. Makinzie Irwin is in her first season at the University of the Ozarks (Clarksville).