OTSEGO COUNTY — The calendar may say school doesn’t start for another 3 1/2 weeks, but for athletes, the summer ends Monday with the dawn of fall practice.

Statewide Football, volleyball, soccer, swimming and cross country athetes will all be busy Monday — the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s first day of official practice.

Each team has their own version of this yearly opening-week tradition. Some travel far — like the Gaylord High cross country team, which holds its annual camp at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in the Upper Peninsula.

Others, like the Johannesburg-Lewiston football team, won’t leave, as the Cardinals will hold their year overnight camp at the school.

Some, like the Gaylord volleyball team, will practice with another team. In the case of the Blue Devils, it will be Lake Mills (Iowa) High School, who is visiting the Alpine Village for a week of work and play.

No matter what team takes what field, gym floor, trail or pool, all have the same goals in mind. Every team will sweat with visions of glory and success serving as the motivators. For it is the beginning of the season, and everyone has a clean slate.

Monday practice times:

Football: Gaylord High: 3 p.m. at Gaylord High Practice Field; St. Mary: 5 p.m. at St. Mary Practice Field

Volleyball: Gaylord High: Monday morning at Gaylord High School; 5:30-9 p.m. open scrimmage at Gaylord High School

Cross County: Gaylord High: Camp at Pictured Rocks; St. Mary: 9 a.m. at St. Mary School.

Soccer: Gaylord High: 10 a.m. at Gaylord High football practice field; 3 p.m. at Alpine Soccer Complex.

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