Sports shorts: Bison football camp, Bison tennis camp, Summer swim team, USA track qualifier

McCook Bison

football camp

set for June 5-8

The McCook Bison football team will host the annual Championship Football Camp for grades 2-8 (in fall of 2006) from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 5-8 at the McCook practice field.

Boys and girls are welcome. Cost is $30 and we will accept registrations up until camp starts.

The camp will be run by Bison head coach Jeff Gross and some of the McCook Bison championship staff.

In addition, many of the current and past Bison players will be there making this a very fun experience.

The camp will feature many of the players that helped McCook to four straight state football championship games.

The McCook Bison football program is coming off another storied season.

In 2005 the Bison Football team finished the season 12-1 and brought home the Class B state runner-up trophy.

All this after winning back to back state championships in 2002 and 2003 and a runnerup finish in 2004.

Gross and his staff would like to give the youth of the area an introduction and understanding to McCook Bison Football.

"The current and past players take pride in their program and they would like to pass this on to the next generation of football players," Gross said.

"McCook Bison football operates on one main philosophy 'we are one' and this is an opportunity to be a part of our football family."

This is a non-contact camp. All campers will be taught beginning fundamentals of playing football.

Skills taught include, passing, receiving, running, cutting, punting, kicking, blocking and tackling.

No equipment is necessary. Cleats are not needed.

All campers will receive instruction and a camp football.

Registration is open until June 6.

Forms may be picked up at the Sports Shoppe, McCook High School and have bent sent to the children's schools.

Bison tennis

camp starts

on June 5

The McCook Bison Tennis Camp open to all ages and playing levels. The camp is designed to promote a better understanding for the game and strokes of tennis.

Fundamentals will be stressed, as well the opportunity for match play experience.

Opportunities to play USTA tournaments throughout the summer will be offered as well.

The camp will take place at the MHS Bison courts and will begin June 5 and conclude July 28.

Each participant will be placed into a Monday/Wednesday beginner session or a Tuesday/Thursday advanced session.

The fee for the camp is $100 and includes a camp T-shirt. Deadline to register is May 26.

Registration forms are available at McCook Junior High School.

Anyone interested can contact Matt Wiemers at (308) 345-5204 or email him at wiemers@esu15.org for more information.

McCook summer

swim team

starts practice

on June 1

The McCook summer swim team will start practices June 1 at the McCook City Pool.

Practices will be from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Costs include a city pass to the pool, plus $20 league fees.

All ages (4-94) are invited to join. Meets take place Saturday mornings, ending July 15.

Registration forms can also be picked up at the YMCA or Sport Shoppe.

For more information and registration, contact Tracy Flaska at (308) 345-1959 (leave a message).

McCook to host

USA Track

qualifying meet

The McCook Optimist Club is again sponsoring the Nebraska USA Track and Field Junior Olympics qualifying meet.

This sanctioned event allows the top eight places to advance to the state Junior Olympics track meet in Omaha.

Medals and ribbons will be awarded to various age groups.

The meet will be May 21, at 2 p.m. on the McCook High School track. Registration deadlines is May 17. Age groups range from bantam (born in 1996 or after) through Intermediate (born 1990-).

Entry forms are being distributed to local schools and can also be picked up from the local physical education teachers in local schools, the Sports Shoppe and online at http://www.cornhuskerflyers.org/neb_jos.htm.

For more information contact Jim O'Dea at (308) 345-1555 or (308) 345-6968 or Bob Elder at (308) 345-4296.

The McCook Optimist club is a local service club with a mission of providing youth of our area opportunities to participate in various activities.

From academic decathalons to speech contests, the McCook Optimist Club is a "Friend of Youth."

The club meets regularly on Monday at noon at Pizza Hut.