Arriving just in time for The Battle for Monterey Rock

Born in Wisconsin, returning to Wisconsin.

Educated at UW-Madison, the best five years of my life. Many others of my generation can make that claim, too.

Back when a student and family could actually afford a redshirt year at a Universities of Wisconsin school.

And now, returning to Wisconsin and honored to be landing in one of the most passionate sports places in America.

Sports matter in many towns, counties and municipalities throughout the country, but especially in Rock and Walworth Counties and I am here for it.

There’s not a better week to start work back in Wisconsin than during Craig-Parker Rivalry Week. Brushing up on my Rock River history and the meaning of The Battle for Monterey Rock.

Currently, we’re experiencing glorious ‘Summer’s Last Stand’ weather and that combined with The Battle make the scenario special.

I began covering high school sports more than three decades ago and have written about prep sports from Eastern Maryland to the Rocky Mountains having worked for The Wisconsin State Journal, The Washington Post, The Albuquerque Journal and The Taos (N.M.) News.

The joy, effort and sweetness of high school competition remains relatively unchanged across this country, at least in my experiences.

Yes, travel teams, speed coaches, TikTok, Twitch, Discord, ChatGPT, even Name, Image and Likeness have all encroached — or some may say, invaded — our high school sports, but the undeniable benefits of high school sports remain the same or a really close facsimile.

Friendship, community, triumph and defeat are all experiences that will be remembered because, for most young athletes, this is the highest level of athletic competition that the young athlete will ever experience. I look forward to documenting that here.

For me, that joy has deepened and expanded by seeing my daughter play for her high school varsity soccer team. There was something about hearing her name announced over a public address system in the starting lineup during a state tournament this past spring that hit me with a wave of emotion.

And what that was ... was high school sports. I have experienced that on many levels and now as a parent.

Junior hockey and minor league baseball capture much of that purity, too. I look forward to covering the Janesville Jets and catching Beloit Sky Carp games.

I recently communicated to coworkers that Antigo and Manitowoc were about the only places in Wisconsin that I haven’t visited, driven through or have a friend or acquaintance, but then I realized I had never driven State Highway 11 in the far southwest part of the state, so I drove that from West to East earlier this week.

Why did I take that road less traveled? Because it is truly a beautiful drive, I am back in Wisconsin and delighted to be in Janesville.

See you at Monterey Stadium tonight.