Barker and Melendez named winners

Iola and Humboldt will share a piece of the pie as senior Casen Barker and freshman Elizabeth Melendez were voted August’s Allen County Area Athletes of the Month. 

Barker is a two-sport athlete at Iola High who played a crucial role in the AA Iola Indians’ run to state over the summer. For this fall, Barker has already displayed leadership and a willingness to do what is best for Mustangs football by relinquishing his role as quarterback to stepping back into his more natural position as a fullback.

Melendez is an incoming freshman at Humboldt High who will run cross country and track for the Lady Cubs. In many instances, first-year high school athletes don’t prepare themselves for the upcoming season, but not Melendez. She’s made it a priority to get in top shape to help her team compete for a cross country league title this fall.