BEHIND THE PLATE: Summer schedule has plenty of options

Another year of sports has flown by for both the Greenwave and Wolf Pack programs.

Fallon capped off the school year with a strong finish as both the baseball and softball clubs won state titles. The swimming, track and field, and boys golf teams also finished strong this spring as the Greenwave continue to prove every year that this Division I-A school is one of the most consistent in the state.

On the collegiate circuit, Nevada gave fans a reason to cheer this past spring as the baseball team had one of the best seasons in program history despite missing out on the NCAA Tournament. The team’s first three-game skid of the year came at the wrong time as the Wolf Pack concluded the regular season with a home loss to Air Force before being blown out by New Mexico and falling short to eventual tournament champ San Diego State in Reno.

With graduation looming tonight in Fallon, one can’t help but to relive the past sports season. From the football team reaching state again to the wrestling team under new management to the state titles in Las Vegas this spring, the Greenwave turned in another strong campaign.

And it didn’t hurt having a university an hour away making some noise with the football team getting a bowl bid and the baseball squad winning the conference title.

But what’s in store for the upcoming season? Will Fallon’s football team continue its success with a new quarterback for the second-straight season? Can Nevada’s men’s basketball team win the conference?

Before looking ahead to August when students begin the fall season with tryouts, it’s important to enjoy summer’s activities.

Here are some fun things we can look forward to this summer.

Rattlesnake, Top Gun will be busy next month

Motorsports is fun to watch and with high school and college sports not in the spotlight, summer is the perfect time to spend a weekend watching drivers duke it out.

From the dirt oval track at Rattlesnake to the dragstrip at Top Gun, the best come out from the area to compete in points standings, as well as special races like Octane Fest, which begins in two weeks. Top Gun will also be hosting the Pacific National Open Series during Octane Fest.

Jade Corkill returns to the Silver State

After making his home in Fallon, Jade Corkill has made a name for himself since joining the pro rodeo circuit.

He’s become one of the best ropers and will make a stop during his season when the Reno Rodeo begins next month. Corkill is Fallon’s most successful professional athlete and the winnings speak for themselves.

Rodeo is fun to watch considering Fallon used to host several key events, including the Silver State International Rodeo. Having a local, and one of the best in the world compete in Reno next month is pretty special.

All-star tournaments galore

The Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth baseball all-star tournaments have lost some of their luster recently, thanks to travel ball, but Fallon regularly competes as the winner advances to the regional with the next and final stop being the World Series.

Fallon and Spanish Springs have been the class of the Cal Ripken league, while Fallon has been consistent in the Babe Ruth tournaments after reaching the regional a couple years ago.

Don’t forget about the baseball and softball travel teams as youngsters try to improve their game as they inch closer toward competing in high school.

Giants, A’s and Aces plow through second third of season

One of the nice things about this area is the proximity of seeing professional sports.

With the Aces only an hour’s drive away, Northern Nevada gets to see Triple-A baseball for the seventh season since Reno acquired the Diamondbacks squad.

While this year’s club isn’t doing as well as the past teams, it’s still fun to catch a summer game.

If minor league ball doesn’t satisfy the urge, then the Giants and A’s are over the hill.

Sports camps take over Nevada campus

The summer provides the perfect opportunity for youngsters to participate in a sports camp to improve on their skills or learn a new sport.

The Nevada athletics department offers many camps over the next couple of months for kids to not only get some pointers from college coaches but to also get a glimpse of playing on a college campus. Whether it’s taking part in the football camp at Mackay Stadium, shooting hoops at Lawlor or picking some tips at the baseball or softball diamond, the Wolf Pack program is a great, convenient chance for the youth to spend their summer.

We can’t complain too much that there isn’t much to do with sports over the summer. The area offers many opportunities and events to experience, just in time for the new fall season to begin in three months.

Thomas Ranson can be contacted at lvnsports@yahoo.com.