Bertrand Volleyball Looks to Grow into Form this Season
For the Bertrand Volleyball team it will be an interesting change. Long time Head Coach Lisa Mason won't be on the sidelines after retiring following last year's campaign. But for the Vikings a familiar and consistent face is now at the helm, Kevin Lavene. Lavene has been an assistant coach with the Vikings since 2008, and since 2014 he has been co-head coach and has helped compile a record of 174-62. Amanda Gardine will serve as co-head coach for the Vikings now too.
For the 2022 season, Lavene says that this team will take time to take shape. "The Bertrand Vikings will look to replace 4 starters while shuffling others to different positions. The beginning of the season could be tough and being able to find the right combination of players and positions." Lavene went onto say though, he thinks this squad could be a competitive squad as the season rolls on. "If we can find a groove in the middle of the year, we could be a very competitive team by the end of the year."
Bethany Pelton will be a Viking to watch as in her sophomore year she had 68 kills, 29 aces, and 19 blocks from her middle blocker position. 5'10 sophomore Emma Brown will look to make an impact too after her 80 kill 51 ace season a year ago.
Bertrand will start the season on Thursday, August 25th at Southwest for a Triangular with the Roughriders and South Platte.
Bertrand-Loomis Cross Country Teams Full of Experience in 2022
Bertrand-Loomis's Cross Country teams have an interesting dynamic entering the 2022 season. We begin with the girls side, a number of runners return with experience including letter winners in senior Torrin Donaldson, and juniors Addie Hansen, and Libby Kugler. Head Coach of the Bertrand-Loomis Cross Country team, Jennifer Kaps, says that experience will be important this season. "We have a very determined group of girls who plan to use their experience to their advantage this season"
On the boys side, Bertrand -Loomis return some great runners, including five that ran at state last year. But Kaps mentioned a few that could have a big year. "We look for strong performances throughout the season from Wes Trompke, Marcus Hernandez, and Carter Horner. We hope to be a contender in the postseason."
Bertrand-Loomis will begin the season on Thursday, August 25th at the Medicine Valley Invite.
Viking Football Set Expectations High
Following a 6-3 season in 2021, the Bertrand Vikings will look to carry that momentum into this year as they bring back a number of key contributors. This includes one of the best players in eight-man football, Owen Kaps. Kaps will run the offense again for Bertrand and in his junior season he threw for 905 yards, while accumulating 805 rushing yards, and 23 touchdowns.
Kaps though will be dependent on his offensive line, which returns a couple of key pieces. Senior Myles Boggs who was an All-District performer and junior Nolan Edgren who started five games will be in charge of protecting Kaps. Also on offense, junior Gabe Bojorquez will be important in the ground game as last season he rushed for 453 yards.
Head Coach of the Bertrand Vikings, Steve Colfack, believes his team has a high ceiling. "I think we can be a top-10 team...I think this team has a chance to be good. We should be balanced on offense and five returning staters from a good defense last year.
Bertrand will start the season on Friday August 26th at home versus Overton.
