Sports 2020

When the coronovirus shut everything down, including sports, it left everyone wondering what to do. If you’re not a competitor, you’re a spectator, and if you’re not a spectator, you’re a fan, and even if you’re not a fan of any sports at all, you’re just a human and humans talk about sports whether you like it or not! Luckily for the Conleys, we love the sport of golf and golf courses have been thriving because it’s a socially distant sport. Jake has spent literally every day on the course. He’s competed in lots of tournaments on the KCJT tour and US Kids.

He went to Salina for a few days with Brian for a tourney and I sneaked a little note in his bag. I’m notorious for writing notes! I guess it’s obvious I like to write as I’m venturing into over 400 blog posts I think and my kids’ memory boxes are overflowing.

Brian sent me this picture of my note in Jake’s back pocket. I was told that he accidentally left the note in the hotel room and asked to go back up to room to get it so he could keep it on him during the round. These are the things that melt my heart and make me think I might be doing a decent job at this mom gig. I love you Jake!

Morgan has done some golf tourneys as well but she’s been very busy this summer being the most amazing nanny ever! Meet her two besties, Keelin & Ailie…

She ADORES these girls and has spent a ton of quality time with them this summer. I mean she is like a mom…so they aren’t getting away with much but they’ve had a lot of fun this summer too!

And last but certainly not least, Reece and Drew have been doing the Jr. PGA league through Lake Quivira. We’ve had such a blast watching them this season! Unfortunately, due to Covid, there is no All-Star tournament but we’re hoping that next year we’ll be back to normal.

Jake has played a bunch of baseball too and we LOVE watching him! He’s had a fantastic season with the KC Bulldogs and they had a lot of success!

And look at this….he trained (via Zoom) to be an umpire!! His first real job (other than mowing) and he’s doing great. I sent a spy out to get a picture of him. He’s so darn adorable. His hat is too big so I had to do a secret mom safety pinning job.

So much has gone on in regards to soccer and it’s been an emotional roller coaster for our family. Club tryouts actually occurred this year with precautions and a few things changed for us. Without going into a lot of upsetting details, Jake no longer plays club soccer, after 7+ years with KC Fusion Academy. Reece has made a change to a new club after 2 years with KC Fusion Academy. She now plays for Kansas Rush and it’s been a great change so far but definitely different seeing her in a new uniform. Drew is playing on the same two Toca FC teams he played for last year and Morgan is on her same Toca FC team from last year. This is her last season!

The high school kids have been working so hard this summer doing summer weights and workouts with safety measures in place. Olathe Northwest did a fantastic job of trying to keep the kids active despite so many restrictions. This weight room was constructed outside on our football field for the kids and they staggered workout times based on grade.

Of course Spring sports didn’t happen as a result of the shut down and we were so sad that we missed Morgan play her JV season. We were looking so forward to it.

Although Jake is not on his club soccer team anymore, he did tryout for his high school team and he did so well. He made JV as a Freshman. Way to go Jake!!

He’s looking so handsome suited up as a Raven!

After Reece changed soccer teams she also made a decision to make changes to gymnastics. After so many years at KGDC, she took her cubby home and said goodbye to Billie, the owner of the gym and many of her friends there. This was a very difficult time for her and for me, because honestly, my car went in and out of that gym so many times it was like a second home and she was spending 14 hours a week training there. I’m not sure if it’s the shut down that made her change her mind or just wanting more time to do other sports, but she has found another sport called tumbling and trampoline that she is trying. It’s a lot less hours in the gym and no conflicts with soccer.

Since this change, KGDC was forced to close it’s doors after 30+ years as an elite gym here in KC. We adore Billie and wish that KGDC could have weathered the Covid storm. I started taking Morgan there in 2007, then Jake, and then Reece caught the gymnastics bug and she still loves it so much.

Drew has continued to play basketball and when gyms opened back up after COVID he was back on the courts and also doing CrossFit. I LOVE that he is so into fitness. It’s awesome!

Brian and I are learning how to be responsible spectators! It’s different but we are just happy to be here!

Morgan secured her spot on the Varsity girls golf team for the 20-21 school year and we can’t wait to watch her play this season! It’s her last season and you better believe we will be there every minute watching her. We love you MoMo!

And lastly, does hunting count as a sport? Morgan has had a few opportunities to go with my dad after we got swindled into buying every permit possible at the KS Wildlife and Parks. Doesn’t he know he cannot send us in there!? We have NO CLUE what we’re doing or what we need!