Fall sports underway despite smoky start

COLFAX - The fall sports season has begun, but challenges are already cropping up that have changed some practice times for teams.

The smoke from wildfire fires in Spokane and Whitman Counties has made it difficult area football teams to practice outdoors.

And with limited gymnasium space available for multiple teams to practice at each school, schedule adjustments have been made.

In Tekoa-Rosalia, practices for the week had been moved indoors for all sports.

Middle and high school football and cross country, middle school girls basketball and high school girls volleyball were all adjusting, with teams practicing in the early mornings, and with changing bus schedules transporting them to and from practices.

In Colfax, the football team was in "two-a-days" mode, scheduled to practice indoors for the first session and outdoors for the second.

But the Bulldogs had to adapt on the fly with declining air quality, then a change in the weather.

With the rain coming in late Monday and Tuesday, the smoke has somewhat passed, potentially allowing for outdoor practices to resume.

Shools are now looking at the rain trying to determine the best time for them to practice.

In Pullman, the volleyball team got in its first tryout and practice of the year Monday afternoon, Aug. 21.

The Greyhounds had a big turnout this season, and should expect strong teams this season.

All schools are practicing this week before next Monday, Aug. 28, when school starts.

Fall games begin next week, as well.