The normal first-day-on-the-job jitters were nowhere to be seen for Lawrence High wrestling coach Mark Dulgarian or Free State girls basketball coach Brian Duncan.

But that’s typical of each.

Duncan, a former assistant for the FSHS boys basketball team, has been preparing for the start of winter sports since June. Monday, he was pumped.

“We’ve been ready to go for six months,” he said. “It’s new and hopefully exciting for everyone involved.”

The new part is big – Duncan has never coached girls hoops before.

Not that he’s too worried.

He has been an assistant for nearly 10 years and isn’t concerned about the differences between boys and girls.

“I think basketball’s basketball,” he said. “I’m not a yeller or screamer to begin with. I don’t think it’ll be a problem.”

With only two returning starters in senior Jayme Lisher and sophomore Jamie Stanclift, Duncan’s learn-as-I-do approach may suit the Firebirds, 6-15 last season. He’ll chose a varsity from about 22 juniors and seniors, though any of the 16 sophomores could play.

While Duncan’s new to the head-coaching game, Dulgarian is an seasoned pro.

The Lions’ new wrestling coach spent the last 11 years in Fort Scott, and another dozen or so in Warrensburg, Mo. Yet, a new school didn’t affect his system.

Free State High girls basketball head coach Bryan Duncan talks to girls during Monday's tryouts.

Consider his “Midnight Madness.”

At 12:01 Monday morning, Dulgarian opened the gym to 10 LHS wrestlers who wanted to get a jump on the season. They practiced for about an hour, then munched on french toast and bacon.

“I’ve been doing that since about 1974,” he said. “And, as far as I know, everybody made it to school on time today.”

If practicing in the middle of the night seems a little extreme, well, that’s akin to the sport itself.

“You try to look for any little thing that makes you feel like you get an advantage,” Dulgarian said. “And a lot of times, it’s fun for the kids to say they were the first people in the state to start practice.”

Those that attended the late-night version weren’t required to practice Monday afternoon. When it’s said and done, Dulgarian hopes to have about 30 wrestlers, though he’s dealing with some students that haven’t had a physical and some football players whose season ended last Friday.

Or if any other students might be interested in wrestling, Dulgarian certainly wouldn’t turn them away.

“I tell kids if they’re a good athlete and they get cut (from another sport), we’ll make them a wrestler,” he said.

Free State

First-year lawrence High wrestling coach Mark Dulgarian talks to his wrestlers during practice. Monday was the first day of practice for high school winter sports. The Lions had a voluntary midnight practice Monday at Lawrence High before their first full-squad workout Monday afternoon.

Boys basketball

The Firebirds held tryouts Monday, and will continue through Wednesday choosing varsity, JV and sophomore teams from the 25 juniors and seniors and 26 sophomores. With that kind of turnout, FSHS coach Jack Schreiner has a lot to choose from.

“These are as good of numbers that we’ve had since I’ve been here,” he said. “Basically what we’re looking for right now is who’s good enough to make the team and what they can give us.”

Boys swimming

With 19 swimmers at Monday’s practice, coach Annette McDonald just wanted to their muscles accustomed to swimming. So the Firebirds did a couple of land exercises, then hopped in the pool. After all, you can never spend too much time swimming.

“Right now, we’re just starting our aerobics to build a base,” said McDonald, who expects her four seniors to set the pace. “Then we’ll set some goals and go from there.”

Wrestling

FSHS coach Darrell Andrew doesn’t need an enormous team. He’s fine with the 28 hard-working Firebirds he has.

“You always wish you had 50 or 60 out,” he said. “But if we have 15 out that give 110 percent each day, in all honesty, I’ll take that.”

Besides, with a couple of state qualifiers returning in Kyle Frank and Matt Somers, along with 2001 qualifier Nick McGovern, Andrew doesn’t need much else.

Lawrence High

Boys basketball

The Lions enjoyed their best season in seven years last season, going 18-5 and winning the Sunflower League title. This season, coach Chris Davis is expecting to start slow, then build another solid season.

“I’m looking for guys that can contribute immediately,” he said. “We graduated a whole bunch of seniors. The first part of the season’s going to be a learning experience.”

Davis had 26 players at varsity tryout, which last through Wednesday, and another 25 sophomores. He expects about 10 more, most of them football players he let rest an extra day.

Girls basketball

Second-year coach Kristin Mallory has the majority of her offense back from last year’s 9-13 team, which means this season’s squad could be even better.

That’s fine with her.

“This year expectations are higher,” Mallory said. “With as many upperclassmen as we have, they should be.”

The Lions will have tryouts until Wednesday, when they’ll chose among the 34 girls at practice.

Boys swimming

Coach Alicia Jackson expects about 15 swimmers by the middle of the week, but four of them have never swum competitively.

Needless to say, that’s where she spent most of Monday’s practice.

“We had some cramping up in their legs, and we were working on their breathing techniques,” Jackson said. “Right now, we’re just getting into shape, getting into the pool and getting their muscles working again.”

Seabury Academy

Boys basketball

Seahawks coach Marcus Heckman has high hopes for his squad, which had 12 players at Monday’s practice.

Girls basketball

Coach Tracy Kitson said her team could struggle in its move to a Kansas State High School Activities Assn. schedule, starting with the Seahawks’ first game against Williamsburg on Dec. 6.

So until then, they’ll be working on the little things.

“We’re really going to be concentrating fundamentals.” Kitson said. “They know (it’ll be tougher), but they’re realistic about it too.”