I am two weeks into my new position as the sports editor. I tried begging Andrew to come back and help, but it sounds like he’s pretty comfy in Nashville. Although, he did say he wouldn’t mind if I outsourced some of the work to him.

So far, things have went fairly smoothly, and it’s because I have so many coaches calling me each night to tell me how their kids did. I really couldn’t do it without them. The Sports Page is about these athletes and for me to be able to put that into print is really neat.

I have a few features in the works that might be of interest. Lauren Klick who is an Albert Lea graduate has become an active member of a rowing team in college, Emily Mantor, a track and field athlete from United South Central has beaten a 30 year record and then beat it again, and four Albert Lea girls’ hockey players have made it onto a select team for the Minnesota Advanced program.

I will also be working on a series of “Where are they now” stories so if anyone knows of former athletes from the Albert Lea area that would make an interesting follow-up, shoot them my way.

Even though I don’t breathe, eat and sleep sports I have come to love my job. It really doesn’t feel like work when I cover games and get killer photos.

I have been fortunate so far to follow the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva girls’ basketball team at the state tournament and also see Bryce DeBoer of Albert Lea become the heavyweight wrestling champion at the state tournament in March.

I know there are many more successes to come and I know that many have already happened, maybe unnoticed. If anyone has a story idea please send it my way. Feature stories are my favorite part of my job because I get to meet some really neat people.

And I know Andrew has stressed this before, but please keep in mind that without the help of the community and coaches keeping me filled in, I can’t do my job. I am currently covering seven schools and five different sports alone. So with your help, I can be inclusive and make sure to recognize the wonderful things our local athletes are doing.