Rainy weather has hampered many of the Escalon High School spring sports squads, which are trying to fit in practices, scrimmages and non-league games ahead of the Trans-Valley League schedule getting underway.

Spring sports include baseball, softball, boys golf, tennis and track and field. Girls soccer, which used to be in the spring, has just completed its winter campaign. Boys soccer had been in the fall; that also moved to winter and the Cougar varsity boys were scheduled to start playoff action this week.

For the spring sports, Carrie Nash takes over as head coach for track and field, working with assistants Roger Beeman, Paul Anserlian and Michael Bower. Their first scheduled meet – weather permitting – is on the schedule for Saturday, Feb. 25 at Los Gatos for the Los Gatos All Comers meet starting at noon. The annual Oakdale Practice Meet is scheduled for Thursday, March 2 at 3:30 p.m. at Oakdale.

Due to the condition of Escalon’s track complex, they will not have any home meets this season.

On the baseball diamond, Greg Largent returns to serve as head coach for the varsity, Ken Baptista for the JV. The teams are scheduled to host Downey on Friday, Feb. 24 for games starting at 3:30 p.m. and then will travel to Calaveras for a Saturday, Feb. 25 contest. Sierra is scheduled to come to town for non-league action on Wednesday, March 1 for 3:30 p.m. games.

Softball has head coaches back at both the varsity and JV levels, with Art Brooks leading the varsity, Malinda Walker the junior varsity girls. Lodi is scheduled to come to Escalon for a Thursday scrimmage, Feb. 23, at 3:30 p.m. and then Calaveras comes in for games on Friday, Feb. 24, also at 3:30 p.m.

Action continues for the girls on Monday, Feb. 27 as they travel to Gregori in Modesto for non-league play at 3:30 p.m. and then come home to host Linden at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28. In league, Riverbank and Modesto Christian will not field JV teams.

Staci Diaz returns to serve as head coach for the tennis team, with the squad scheduled for its first action on Friday, Feb. 24 on the home court, hosting Orestimba at 3:30 p.m. Ripon Christian will be in town for a Tuesday, Feb. 28 match at 3:30 p.m., then the Cougars travel to Galt for a game at Liberty Ranch on Wednesday, March 1 at 3:30 p.m.

The golf boys are scheduled to travel to Lockeford Springs Golf Course on Thursday, Feb. 23 for a scrimmage with Bret Harte, weather permitting, and head coach Rusty Fachner returns for another season at the helm. Tuesday, Feb. 28, the Cougars are scheduled to host Orestimba at Oakdale Golf and Country Club, which serves as their home course. On Wednesday, March 1, the team will head to Spring Creek Country Club to face off with Ripon Christian.