With the new school  year right around the corner, dozens of Becker Bulldog athletes took to the courses, courts, pools, pitches and fields to begin practicing for the fall sports season.

Football, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls soccer, girls tennis, volleyball and swimming have all started practicing weeks before the first school day bell rings to kick off the new school year.

With the Great Minnesota Get-Together gearing up for their 12-day run, Becker coaches have arranged for practices this week and next under beautiful, sunny, cool weather.

Coaches Trish Reimer-Kealy and Dustin Weege rounded up some grassy areas on the property of Faith Lutheran Church along Sherburne Avenue to let their athletes stretch, do time trials, conjure technique and develop endurance during early morning hours. They start their season Aug. 29.

On the tennis courts, Nathan Bucher’s girls tennis team was busy practicing routines and fine-tuning methods with the season looming just days away. Bucher had them plod through calisthenics and abide by drills under the tutelage of their long-tenured instructor. Their first match is Aug. 22.

On Eppard Field, Coach Dwight  Lundeen and his plethora of gifted coaches had their players in helmets, jerseys and pants as they ran through drills to get their team ready for their season-opening opponent, the Monticello Magic. That game is their home opener and is on the calendar for Aug. 30. Lundeen had his squad dressed in game uniforms Thursday in anticipation of a team photo later that morning. 

Inside the high school, Greg Lynch has been busy prepping, instructing and conditioning his youthful team in preparation of their season that starts Aug. 29 at home against Centennial.

Nick Crowley and Arnold Changamire have the boys and girls soccer teams practicing at the BAC this week and next as well as Tina Tamm opening the indoor pool to get her girls ready for swimming and diving.

Come out and support your local high school athletes this season!