Fallon senior Tristan Parrott, in air, heads the ball on goal during a light practice on Thursday at Churchill County High School. Official practices for all fall sports began on Thursday.
The fall season is underway.
And for the Fallon faithful, it brings newfound levels of expectations. Thursday was the official first day of practice for fall sports, and the Greenwave are serious threats in several venues.
The football team eyes a return to the Division I-A state title game after a disappointing 17-0 loss to Faith Lutheran last year.
Fallon will be led by senior quarterback Joe Pyle, running back Tyler Bagby (who was all-state at wide receiver last season), linebacker Riley Williams and all-state cornerback Nathan Heck, to name a few.
The roster is loaded with talent, but the Wave open with a challenging first game against Cardinal-Newman (Calif.) at the Honor Bowl in Loomis on Aug. 30.
On the court, the tennis teams aim to continue their run of state tournament appearances, while the boys doubles team of Tyler Wood and Martin Beyer are one of the best tandems in the IA and the North.
For the Lady Wave tennis team, they are coming off their first team qualification at state and aim for a repeat performance this season. They also had individual qualifiers in Becky Conner and the recently graduate doubles pair of Hannah Lindsay and Josie Bekiares.
Nevertheless, coaches John and Julie Moore have their programs on the right track.
On the pitch, Fallon’s soccer teams are still searching for their first state tournament appearance since realignment four years ago. The boys are led by all-state senior midfielder Corbin Waite, while the girls have a host of juniors aiming to get over the postseason hump.
The boys open the season on Sept. 5-6 at a tournament in Spring Creek. The Lady Wave kick off Aug. 29-30 at the Galena tournament.
On the volleyball court, Patty Daum’s group is still undecided as tryouts conclude Monday. However, the Lady Wave return versatile senior setter Ali Tedford plus a strong contingent of middle and outside hitters.
The Lady Wave also starts the season Aug. 29-30 at a tournament at Galena.
On the cross-country course, Tommy Thomson takes the reins as former coach Mitch Overlie’s replacement. Thomson has big shoes to fill.
The boys team earned its first state berth in more than 40 years last season and return a solid core of Tristen Thomson, Ethan Smith and Cameron Kissick.
Fallon’s girls team, meanwhile, loses one star (Patricia Leggett) and is searching for her replacement. Tommy Thomson, though, will have his squads ready for the first meet of the season on Aug. 29 at Douglas.
Over on the links, Fallon returns state qualifier Carissa Parsons who leads the Lady Wave. Fallon showed steady improvement under long-time coach Phil Pinder, but must play to another level to earn a state berth.
The Lady Wave is slated to tee off Sept. 3 at South Tahoe.