By Stephen Henderson

Spring sports at Patrick County High School have been in full swing for almost two weeks, and coaches and teams are looking forward to regular season competitions. Several teams competed in early scrimmages this past weekend, and more are scheduled for the upcoming days.

Here is a brief look at the varsity spring teams:

Lady Cougar softball

The Lady Cougars have 13 members on the team this year, consisting of six seniors, four returning juniors, plus two new juniors and one sophomore. Ten players are returning from last year’s squad.

According to Head Coach Roger Wilson, all six seniors will play an important role on this year’s team. They include Savannah Moorefield, Cassidy Largen, Abby Hutchens, Hanna Hylton, Melissa Pendleton and Melanie Roberson.

He has a very favorable impression of this year’s team. “We are very good fundamentally, and we should be a great defensive team. All of the girls are working really hard,” he said.

The goals for this year’s Lady Cougar squad is to keep everyone healthy mentally and physically during the regular season so that they can make a strong run at tournament time. “We just have to be tougher both mentally and physically than we have been in the past,” Wilson said.

“This team has the experience and the ability to win it all,” he said. “The only questions that remain are do they really want it and are they willing to commit to each other and reach that goal,” Wilson said.

Wilson is assisted by Nikki Handy. The JV Lady Cougars are coached by Megan Conner and assisted by Amy Conner. The middle school team is coached by Ryan Pendleton.

The Lady Cougars scrimmage Carroll County Thursday at 4:30 p.m. They open their season Monday, with a home game against Floyd County starting at 5 p.m.

Cougar baseball

First-year varsity Coach Eric Renegar sees the upcoming Cougar baseball season as one that will present an exciting challenge for the 14 players on this year’s team. Four seniors, nine juniors and one sophomore make up this year’s squad.

“These young men have been working extremely hard over the course of the summer, fall, winter and early spring to prepare for our season,” Renegar said. “This year’s squad had shown me that no matter the circumstances or adversity put in front of them, they will not shy away. I believe that energy is something that has been absent from our program for some time,” he said

Renegar states one simple goal for the season—to narrow the focus of the task at hand. “Our only real goal is to go 1 and 0.

The Cougars scrimmaged Salem High School Saturday afternoon and will host another scrimmage at 5 p.m. Thursday. The season opener is Tuesday, March 14, at Floyd.

Cougar soccer

The Patrick County men’s soccer team consists of 15 players, including four seniors, five juniors and six sophomores.

According to head coach Oscar Tejeda, he is looking at four powerful players to help lead this year’s squad. They include Bailey Holt, Jordan Dalton, Jesus Olivares and Jacob Donnelly. Tom Neureuther, a German exchange student, is expected to bring new talent to the team.

“This is just a handful of outstanding player; however, there are other players who are key to this team’ success as well,” Tejeda said.

After the first week of practice, Tejeda said that they still need some work. “We look better and more mature this year than last year,” he said. “We were a young team last year, and that’s not the case this year. Being young is not going to be an excuse this year. We plan on competing and improving our record significantly,” he said.

“Our goal this year is to improve last year’s record; we want to flip the record,” Tejeda said.

This is Tejeda’s third year as head coach for the Cougars. “I feel good about this team,” he said. “I think we will favor extremely well in our conference. We were able to compete last year, but we let some game slip away from us,” said Tejeda. “I believe this is the strongest and fastest team I have had since I started coaching at the high school, even my three years as assistant,” Tejeda said.

Adriane Edwards is the JV coach, and Rob Wilson coaches the middle school Cougars.

The Cougars host Floyd County Monday night at 7 p.m.

Lady Cougar soccer

Improving the team’s skill set is one of the goals Coach Sandra Rakes has for this year’s Lady Cougar soccer team. “We have a good team chemistry and everyone is working hard after our first week of practice,” Rakes said. “I think we should do pretty well. We have a good, strong base and with the new players added, I think we’ll have a good season,” she said.

She had 16 players on this year’s squad, consisting of eight seniors, four juniors and four sophomores.

Rakes is happy with several of her returning players, including Ariana Burnette and Alyson Nelson on defense. “We will have a strong base there,” Rakes said.

“Z Cole, Taylor Williams and Brooke Holt will be key at midfield,” Rakes said.

“Candace Freeman will be up front for us and Maya Watson is back in the goal,” she said.

“We also have some strong new players coming in that I am expecting a lot from,” Rakes added.

Chelsea Snow is coaching the JV Lady Cougars and Houstan Boles is coaching the middle school soccer team. “We are excited to be able to field our first middle school team,” Rakes said.

The Lady Cougars host Floyd County at 5 p.m. Monday, March 13, their first match of the season.

Boys and girls tennis and outdoor track will be covered next week.