This week we are experiencing a typical start to the spring sports season. One day it’s 60 degrees and sunny and the next, we have a full fledged blizzard that somehow has thunder mixed in. Spring weather is unpredictable and chaotic, and spring sports sometimes bear the same traits. I’ve always said that spring sports are the most wide open season of them all. First, you have a short two month season filled with delays, postponements and weather that can cover a 60-degree range. Then throw in a little senioritis for the athletes who are thinking about graduation and you have many variables that can affect the outcome of postseason events. I’ve seen kids make it to state in track and field who weren’t even on the radar before the season, I’ve seen teams without any expectations make deep postseason runs, and I’ve also seen teams with big hopes struggle and fade early in the playoffs. As someone who has covered high school sports for two decades, the one factor that brings teams to the next level in spring is their ability to have fun. The softball team that creates a cheer to keep them going is never down for long, the runner who finds a purpose to tread through on a cold April day is going to have a chance, and a golfer who is able to laugh off a bad shot on the greens is going to recover quickly than one who has a temper tantrum. I don’t know exactly how this spring sports season will shape out, but I do know that joy will win in the end.   The post Hulne: Joy is crucial during the unpredictable spring sports season appeared first on Austin Daily Herald. ...read more read less