By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
GREAT BEND — Another fall prep sports season is in full swing around the state of Kansas as Monday marks the first day of practice. Along with the many new athletes competing this year, Great Bend Activities Director Matt Westerhaus is excited about his new start. Westerhaus officially began his duties at GBHS on Aug. 1.
"When you've got great coaches and great people, it makes that transition pretty smooth and simple," Westerhaus said. "They know the requirements, and they know to get things in and get things taken care of. It hasn't been as chaotic as probably one would assume. It's been good, it's been great. Everybody has been awesome."
Westerhaus joined USD 428 after serving as the athletic director at Junction City High School. A native of Junction City, Westerhaus played high school basketball there before playing at Benedictine College in Atchison. He was hired for the Great Bend position in January and is already pleased with the facilities and staff.
"We've got wonderful facilities," he said. "Probably even more important are the people who take care of those facilities, whether it's the grounds crew, the custodial staff. Every time you walk on or into a facility, it's clean, it's ready to go for whatever is coming next. Kudos to the 428 group that makes that happen. Our kids probably don't realize how important that is, and don't recognize it, but I know our coaching staff does, and myself. It's just one of those little things that makes a big difference."
Westerhaus takes over for David Meter, who worked in the district for 43 years and served as activities director at GBHS for 22 years. Courtney Kelly takes over for Lana Wolf, who retired from the activities office last May after 34 years.
"Lana and Dave were staples in the activities department for a lot of years," Westerhaus said. "A lot of people leaned on them to make things happen and provide solutions. Courtney Kelly, my new assistant, and myself are the same thing. Our office is there to provide support for coaches, sponsors, and help them do what they need to do to make our programs and students successful."
Westerhaus also thanked the physicians and other workers who provided free physicals to student-athletes on Aug. 6.
"I'd be reminiscent to not thank the doctors and everybody in the community who came out and made the free physicals a huge success," he said. "I think we had over 250 families and students take advantage of that day. It's just another testament to the Great Bend community for being so helpful and making things happen."
The fall season at GBHS is a full one with football, volleyball, cross country, soccer, girls' tennis, and girls' golf. Westerhaus said many Panther athletes put in a good summer of workouts to prepare for the upcoming season.
"Probably over 60 of our student-athletes were in the weight room 95 percent of the time all summer," he said. "They have put the time, energy, and effort into helping themselves and their teams prepare for the upcoming season. It's exciting to see them putting the time and energy in, and hopefully it will pay off in the long run for all of our programs here in Great Bend."
With the sports season now in full swing, Westerhaus said he is ready to play his part in GBHS's success this year.
"I'm a pretty energetic guy, love to compete each and every day," he said. "I just look forward to getting to know people, getting to know our students. The Great Bend community has been very welcoming to my wife and myself the past two months."
Before the schedule hits full speed, GBHS is hosting its Meet the Panthers event in Jack Kilby Square on Sunday, Aug. 21 at 5 p.m. The Lady Panther volleyball team holds its scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 26 at 5 p.m. at GBHS, and the Panther football team hosts a jamboree with Hoisington and Scott City at 6 p.m. that evening.