There are many changes in store for the Abingdon-Avon High School athletic department as they head into the new school year. The biggest change is the move from the Prairieland Conference to the Lincoln Trail Conference for all sports. Also, the Tornado basketball and baseball programs will have new head coaches.
According to Abingdon-Avon Athletic Director, Reid Kelso, Abingdon High School was one of the original members of the Prairieland Conference before consolidating with the Avon school district in 2013. With Prairieland Conference members, Bushnell-Prairie City, West Prairie, North Fulton and Peoria Heights already opting to play 8-man football, and more considering it, Abingdon-Avon thought it was prudent to look for a more stable conference. A-Town accepted an all-sports invitation from the Lincoln Trail Conference and will start league play this fall. Kelso says the LTC will be a great fit for the Tornadoes.
A-Town also approved two new head coaches at their latest school board meeting. Both are very familiar with Tornado athletics. Cory Link was announced as the new varsity boys basketball coach and Brent Dugan will be the new baseball head coach next spring. Both will be taking over for Kent Jones. Jones left A-Town to become an assistant coach on the men’s basketball staff at Spoon River College in Canton. Spoon River is head coached by Jones’ cousin, Chance Jones.
Kent Jones took over the Abingdon boys basketball program in 2012, one year prior to the consolidation with Avon, and won 150 games during his nine-year tenure. His 2015 ballclub won a regional title. Like Jones, Cory Link is a graduate of Abingdon High School and has served as Jones’ assistant at A-Town for five years. The 2010 grad also played basketball under Jones in junior high and high school.
Brent Dugan has assisted with the Abingdon-Avon baseball program for the past six years, with the last two under Jones. Dugan has also spent time on the baseball coaching staff at his alma mater, Monmouth College, and is currently the varsity girls head basketball coach at A-Town.
For the entire WRAM Morning Show interview with A-Town AD Reid Kelso, go to https://977wmoi.com/sports-podcasts/
