“The most valuable thing we each own is our mind. Educate your mind and you are a very powerful person.”
Just about a year ago, former Kansas State University head basketball coach Frank Martin spoke to Iola High and Iola Middle School students. He told them it is true that a mind a terrible thing to waste.
“I have three simple rules. Be on time. Be prepared. Give me what you’ve got,” Martin told the students.
“When you are on time, you get chances to do more. If you come prepared for math class or prepared for basketball practice, you learn more. And all I ask is give me all you’ve got every day.”
Iola High’s Mustangs head into a tough game Friday night. They face the fifth-ranked Coffeyville Field Kindley High Golden Tornado.
The Golden Tornado has faster and bigger players. They’ve outscored their first two opponents 83-6.
So what.
When you face a “superior” opponent, you must have the mindset of I can do this or in this case — we can do this. Athletics is about teamwork and pushing not just your body to do its best, but your mind.
Martin talked of educating your mind and how powerful a tool the mind is for all of us. It reminded me of the story my Mom always read to us when we were little — The Little Engine Who Could.
“I think I Can. I think I Can, I think I Can, I think I Can.” And before he knew it, the Little Engine was up the hill and heading down.
No matter the odds, we have to approach games and life with a positive outlook. We have to think we can do something and then give it all we have until the end.
Maybe we don’t win the game but if we give our best to the final whistle, we can be proud of the progress we’ve made. You never know until you try what the outcome is really going to be.
THE IHS FILLIES showed signs of their potential Saturday at home. They pushed Pittsburg High’s Purple Dragons right to the end not once but twice in the IHS Invitational tournament.
The Fillies’ volleyball team earned wins over current league (Pioneer) opponent Prairie View and former league (Southeast Kansas) opponent Labette County. They couldn’t handle Burlington, but no one else could, either. The Wildcats won the tournament.
Positive thinking, Fillies, as you head into this weekend’s tournament at Pittsburg High.
IOLA HIGH’s cross country runners and tennis players will probably love competing today. Why? The cooler temperatures and lower humidity.
The cross country runners are near Parsons at Big Hill Reservoir along with area runners from Humboldt, Marmaton Valley, Yates Center and Crest.
