Three local athletes are getting a chance to step on the diamond this summer to play the game they love.
Madi and Allie Barrus of Belmond-Klemme and Jozey Gump of Eagle Grove thought their season was coming to an end – before it even started. Now, Glidden-Ralston, a 1A school located in Carroll County, has given them a chance to play. The Rolling Valley Conference school has accepted them to be Wildcats for the summer.
Madi Barrus
The school boards of Belmond-Klemme and Eagle Grove both voted not to sponsor summer sports – citing a spike in Coronavirus cases.
Madi Barrus
The Barrus sisters spoke with KIOW during their nearly 2-hour commute back home from practice number one.
A new mascot, home field, coach, teammates, conference, and opponents await the girls this summer. Both Madi and Allie were nervous but excited to get started Thursday afternoon.
Allie Barrus
Madi Barrus
Besides the postseason, in small-town high school sports, athletes grow up playing ball against neighboring communities. This season the Barrus sisters and Gump won’t have that.
Madi Barrus
This will also be the first time that the Barrus sisters and Gump will play alongside each other after playing against one another in years past.
Allie Barrus
The Wildcats take the field Monday against IKM-Manning to open their season.
“Oh… it’s going to be awesome!” – Allie Barrus
