Monday marked the start of practice for all high school sports in Minnesota, and that makes it one of my favorite days of the year.

While I don’t go on a whirlwind tour of 32 football camps in a little more than a month like they do at ESPN during training camp, I am traveling to my area schools during a two-week span trying to get all the pictures and information I need for the Fall Sports Preview.

It is a hectic time but it is something that I truly enjoy doing year after year.

Getting a chance to walk onto a football field, volleyball court or any other fall sporting arena seems to be a sort of rejuvenation for me.

After a summer of fun at the ballpark it doesn’t take long once school starts to get that smell of fall in the air.

You know that soon Friday nights will be filled with football games, Saturdays will be dominated by tournaments and everyone is aiming for a trip to state.

I am always impressed with both the coaches and the teams they lead.

They are given roughly two weeks to go from the first day of official practice to the first game of the season. It is such a tight timeframe, but it shows the dedication that they have to put their best foot forward from day one.

This fall preview has added excitement because I am meeting many of the coaches I will be working with for the next few months for the very first time. I will also have a chance to meet and write about a whole new group of athletes.

This sports season is also different because I will be adding a couple of new sports to my coverage slate. I have covered tennis and soccer before, but not during the fall.

It will make for some busier nights, but it also looks like it will give me a chance to see some talented kids display their skills early on.

It will be a busy next two weeks for a lot of people, but I don’t think any of us would want it any other way.

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Monday morning I had the chance to watch some of the Western Heritage Roping Event. This was the first time I had ever covered anything like this, but I can honestly say I hope it won’t be my last.

I enjoy it when I have the opportunity to learn about sports that I am not very familiar with.

Monday was no different.

I was impressed with the effort, and at times the ease, with which these 4-H participants took to the competition.

It also did not hurt that nearly everyone that I came in contact with greeted me with a smile, and they were more than willing to answer any questions that I may have had.

Good action, good people and a lot of fun.

Always a good combination in my book.