Sports writer Ian Smith headed to higher ground

BY IAN SMITH, Courier Sports Writer

July 24, 2008 12:45 pm

— I’m trading in my tennis shoes for ski boots. From now on I’ll be doing my sports reporting at approximately 10,000 feet.
I recently accepted a job at the Vail Daily in Colorado as a sports reporter. I couldn’t be more excited.
I was born in Littleton, Colo., before moving to Ames in elementary school. I’ll always be an Iowan, but the opportunity to return to the mountains was too good to pass up.
My job description will be quite different from the one I’ve enjoyed at the Courier. For starters, one of the requirements for the job is being able to ski intermediate slopes. I’ll definitely get a few bruises brushing up on those skills.
Even though I’m thrilled to be moving back to Colorado, there a lot of things I’ll miss about Ottumwa. I will definitely miss my co-workers who made coming into the office enjoyable. I’ll also miss the friendly people over at the YMCA.
As far as sports are concerned, I know I’m leaving before one of the most exciting basketball seasons in Indian Hills history. The Warriors were the highlight of my job last winter when they made an incredible run at the NJCAA National Tournament to finish sixth in the country.
Indian Hills will be even better this year.
Stars Dwight Hardy and Dwight Buycks lead the returnees to coach Jeff Kidder’s potent lineup. Other familiar faces should mix with new recruits to make the Warriors one of the best teams in the country.
It might be a good idea to book your hotel room in Hutchinson right now (Believe me, I learned the hard way by waiting too long).
Another team who could be making lengthy postseason arrangements is the Indian Hills volleyball team. The list of returning players is impressive and I’ve heard that coach Tori Fowler added one heck of a recruiting class.
The Warrior golf team can lend some advice on how to perform on the big stage. This past spring, Indian Hills took third in the country at the NJCAA Division I Tournament. With a number of its top players coming back for one more season, coach Mike Hagen’s team is poised for another high finish.
The Indian Hills softball, cross county and soccer teams should all see improvement next year, as well. Whoever inherits my job will be lucky to be covering such competitive athletic programs.
As for me, I’ll be covering a lot more outdoors stuff — like World Cup Skiing — and enjoying the cool mountain temperatures. I look forward to new adventures and learning how to fly fish.
Until we meet again — On Iowa, Go Hawks!

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