Storylines everywhere in Greene County

WRV senior Kylie Palmer accepts the sectional trophy Saturday at Clay City. Photo by Renee Wiggington

I am still in recovery from last weekend where a new story in local sports kept breaking. Linton football coach Brian Oliver earned his 100th career victory last Friday as the milestone would typically be the main story. Last weekend, however, too much was happening.

There was Bloomfield senior cross-country runner C.J. Sylvester nervously waiting to see if he earned a spot in the semi-state meet. You could tell it was an emotional moment for him to keep his running career going for one more week.

There was White River Valley volleyball going from the basement in SWIAC to a sectional champion in one season. Coach Angie York was having a tough time finding the words to describe the moment when I interviewed her. That is what happens when a team wins its first sectional in 26 years. A year ago, WRV did not win a conference game and now it is going to regionals.

There was Linton volleyball as it too won sectionals. The volleyball program keeps building itself as a regional power as the Miners have not lost a SWIAC game since I have covered them. I dare anyone to find a weakness in the program. Four players are on a college team this year as the Miners win academic honors too.

The story of the weekend was Eastern Greene football. This is the first time I have covered a team where a player died during the season. Eastern won a football game to honor Jedd Cummings at North Central as players and fans held one finger to the sky. It was not just another game. It was a moment of unity sports can provide.

Days later I still have not processed it all. In this industry, journalists and columnists move on the next thing. Always searching for something new. This is a time to go against the norm as the weekend we just had is rare and special.

Nathan is the Sports Editor of the Greene County Daily World and can be reached at npace@gcdailyworld.com