The summer sports calendar has gone quiet, but not for long.
Fall sports officially got underway at Bennington High School Monday, Aug. 10, marking the start of another busy season for the Badgers. With the first day of school this Wednesday, athletes are now settling into the familiar rhythm of classes, practices and competition.
Bennington’s fall varsity lineup includes football, volleyball, softball, unified bowling, girls golf and cross country, with boys tennis also getting underway later this month. After a summer highlighted by Legion baseball, the focus now shifts to a new group of Badger teams and athletes.
And fans won’t have to wait long to see them in action.
The first varsity competition on the calendar is Thursday, Aug. 13, when Bennington’s girls softball team hosts a matchup at 6 p.m. The softball team will then take part in a jamboree Saturday morning at Jack Anderson Ball Park, giving fans an early look at the team before regular-season games begin.
The following week brings the first full slate of fall competition.
On Thursday, Aug. 20, the girls golf team will compete in both the Millard North/Papillion Invitational at Miracle Hill Golf Course and a JV invitational at Country Drive Golf Course. That evening, Bennington volleyball will travel to Fort Calhoun for a triangular with Fort Calhoun and Plattsmouth.
Friday, Aug. 21, will feature another busy day, with the girls softball team competing in the Omaha Westview Tournament and Bennington football hosting its first home game of the season at 7 p.m.
The softball team will continue tournament play Saturday, Aug. 22, at Omaha Westview, while the reserve softball team travels to Ta-Ha-Zouka Park for a matchup with Norfolk.
The calendar gets even busier the following week.
Monday, Aug. 24, features girls golf at the Bennington/Bergan/Oakland-Craig Triangular at Oakland Golf Club, along with varsity softball hosting Bellevue East.
On Tuesday, Aug. 25, the girls golf team travels to the Beatrice Invitational, while Bennington softball hosts Gretna for a pair of varsity/JV matchups.
Thursday, Aug. 27, could be one of the busiest days of the early fall season. Bennington’s girls golf team will compete in the Crusader Classic at Benson Golf Course, while both the softball and boys tennis teams will be in action against Omaha Marian and Waverly, respectively. The day will wrap up with Bennington football traveling to Elkhorn High School to take on Elkhorn North at 7 p.m.
The week closes with another tournament-heavy Friday and Saturday. Bennington softball will compete in the LPS Tournament on Aug. 28, while volleyball travels to Bellevue West for a tournament. On Saturday, Aug. 29, Bennington boys tennis will compete in the Elkhorn High School Tennis Invite, and the volleyball team will continue tournament play at Bellevue West.
For local sports fans, it means the quiet stretch between summer and fall sports is about to disappear quickly.
With practices now underway and competition arriving almost immediately, the Badgers are officially back in action. The next few weeks will offer plenty of opportunities to get an early look at Bennington’s fall teams as they begin building toward the heart of their respective seasons.
