Sept. 9, 2022 Collegian

The student voice of Hutchinson Community College

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September 9, 2022

pinion

Laci Sutton describes her experience with reviving her standing in the HutchCC nursing program. Page 2

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www.hutchcollegian.com

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Blue Dragons to take a bite out of the “Big Apple” in 2024

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Stewart Steps Up

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Profiling 2021-2022 Educator of the Year Jennifer Wiens

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Vol. 64 Issue 1

ports

Football player Malik Benson proves he is one of the greatest wide receivers in the nation

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By Ainsley Trunkhill Staff Writer

While former Reno County detective Sheldon Stewart may have physically hung up the badge, he carries with him his 25 years of law enforcement as he accepts the position to be the new Department 2 Co-Chair at Hutchinson Community College.

Department 2, which covers Agriculture, Ag-Diesel, Automation and Electric Technology, HVACR, Welding, and Merge Programs, will present a new challenge for Stewart, a previous criminal justice instructor. A new challenge, however, mimics the unpredictability that originally enticed Stewart into police work.

Graduating from college with a Bachelor’s degree in biology and plans to be a game warden, Stewart instead grew captivated by the ever-changing daily duties of a police officer.

“It was the cliché … you just want to help,” he said. “You just want to make a difference.”

For 25 years, including 17 of those as a detective, that’s exactly what Stewart did. In 2014, he took on a role that allowed him to make a difference in a new way - teaching.

In discussing the difficulties of a police officer, Stewart said “the toughest out of all of it would

have been anything to do with children. . . up to the death of children.”

As he aged out of active police work, he became capable of focusing on, rather, the future of children as a teacher.

Stewart’s experience in law enforcement gives him a unique advantage in teaching criminal justice.

“The one thing that I enjoyed about Sheldon teaching is that it’s all from experience,” said Ashley Garcia, a former student of Stewart’s and current Reno County deputy. “He told his own personal stories and what things (were) like through his career.”

A common issue in many new law enforcement officers, likely fueled by TV shows like “NCIS and “Law and Order”, is the disparity between expectations and reality. By connecting the textbook to real life, Stewart said he hopes to divert this issue.

In 2019, COVID forced the HutchCC criminal justice program completely online, which has yet to come back in-person, intensifying an already-difficult human dynamic in the classroom.

COVID, however, hasn’t been the only challenge facing the program. Movements such as Black Lives Matter and All Cops Are

Collegian File Photo Sheldon Stewart is seen up at the podium as he lectures to his students during a 2020 class in Lockman Hall.

Bastards have galvanized the public against the police force. An inward look at systemic racism from these groups, accompanied by globally-encompassing social media, significantly harmed public opinion. Consequently, enrollment in criminal justice classes has dropped.

This year in August, the local arrest odd Allen brought this discourse to attention once more.

Allen, an ex-Reno County police officer charged with multiple accounts of sexual assault and kidnapping, displays an instance of an officer abusing their power for a decade.

“It pisses you off,” Stewart said. “Good cops don’t want bad cops around.”

Stewart, with a Blue Lives Matter flag hung above his head in his

office is Shears Technology Center, remains optimistic that this pendulum swing against law enforcement can result in positive change.

When Stewart retired officially from the police force, he was required, under stipulations, to retire from teaching as well in 2021. A year later, he came out of retirement to accept an administrative position, while still heading the criminal justice program at HutchCC. Despite little expertise in the individual fields of Department 2 that he now oversees, Stewart has countless years of qualifying leadership experience. His experience includes serving as an undersheriff for four years and graduating from a leadership training program from the FBI National Academy

Photo by Ainsley Trunkhill/Collegian HutchCC Department 2 co-chair Sheldon Stewart is pictured in his office inside Shears Technology Center.

in Quantico, Virginia.

Stewart said he is grateful for the department that he inherited and hopes to maintain what his predecessors created.

He is still, as a personal

philosophy, constantly looking for change and improvements.

“I’ve got some ideas.

They’re just that right now … ideas,” Stewart said.

Fair food and festivities for fairly frugal folks

By Carly Thompson Staff Writer

Like most things these days, the Kansas State Fair can be expensive for college students. However, there are several ways students can enjoy the fair without breaking the bank.

Abby Yutzy, a Hutchinson Community College freshman from Buhler, recommends going with friends.

“Going with friends makes the experience more enjoyable, and there are plenty of buildings to walk through and sights to see. My personal favorite is the animal barn,” Yutzy said.

She enjoys seeing all the other free entertainment around the fair as well.

Carson Moler, a Buhler freshman, is always on the hunt for cheap fair food. He also likes watching the different acts at the People’s Bank and Trust stage.

There are performances like Ron Diamond, who puts on a hypnotist show multiple times throughout the fair. There are also a variety of contests and bands performing that take place at the People’s Bank and Trust stage.

Bryan Schulz, the General Manager at the Kansas State Fair, recommends checking out the fair’s website for a list of entertainment and deals going on at the fair.

“One of the biggest days is Dillon’s Dollar Day,

which is Monday,” Schulz said. “If you are a Dillons money as they hope, they can enjoy the fair on a budget with a little bit of research and time planning Plus card member, you get in for free. If you’re not, before you go. it’s only a buck. Tuesday, it’s four dollars after 4 Daily admission is $10. p.m.”

Tuesday is also “Tasty Tuesday’’ and participating vendors will have $2 concession options. Fairgoers can pick up a flier at the front gate for a list of vendors participating.

Once you’re inside the fairgrounds, Schulz recommends checking out Gottschalk Park for the Flying Fools show. The Flying Fools are a group of acrobatic divers showcasing their skills. The show is free.

Also, keep an eye out for Max Power, a nine-foot-tall robot, and his mini monster truck friend, Nitro. They will be wandering around the fairgrounds.

Another mobile act is The Strolling Piano, a musician who sings and plays the Collegian File Photo piano on the go. While stuThe Kansas State Fair is a great place to get your fix of greasy fair food, dents may not have as much

Upcoming events September 9 —State Fair begins.

September 10 — HutchCC football vs Iowa Central September 10 — HutchCC soccer vs Neosho County September 12 — Dillons Dollar Day at the Kansas State Fair.

Dillons Plus card members get in free.

The happenings around campus

College Student Weather Report Friday High: 94; Low 63 I thought it was supposed to be fall...

Saturday High: 78; Low 55 That’s more like it!

Sunday High: 77; Low 50 Even better!!!

Weather source: Accuweather

Visit and follow us on social media @hutchinsoncollegian @HCC_Collegian the_hutchinson_collegian hutch_collegian

Opinion

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The Hutchinson Collegian Friday, September 9, 2022

The rise of ‘Dark Brandon’

Well folks, the time has come. For MAGA republicans, Dark Brandon has risen. For us normal, intelligent thinking individuals, the 46th president of the United States of America is finally … doing his job.

I know, it’s incredible. For the uninitiated, Dark Brandon is the new name for our legendary messiah of the dark Joseph Biden.

Ever since early 2020, Trump supporters have been using the misheard chant “Let’s Go Brandon” as a stand in for the phrase “F- - - Joe Biden”, because those who use “Let’s Go Brandon” are cowards who are too afraid to just come out and say they hate the president.

In an address last week, back lit with red lights (A fantastic touch, I may add, to the rising of our dark messiah), Biden referred to MAGA Republicans, or as I like to call them, Trumpublicans, as semi-fascists.

Imagine that, a group of people who actively try to drag our country backwards, perhaps into the rough period between 1930s and 1940s, almost fascists.

And now that they’re being called accurate labels, they’re very upset about it. Now, a true-blooded Trumpublican may take that as a chance to be transphobic and talk about misgendering

working for improvement there.

Oh, and in case you made it this far being a MAGA Republican, just to remind you. Abortion isn’t murder, Trump broke the law, Jan. 6 was perpetrated and encouraged by your politicians.

The same politicians who have benefited more from student loan forgiveness than any millennial with a “useless” degree ever will, and yes, the path you follow is one of pseudo fascism.

Get with the program and look in a mirror. You’ll find that you’re the one wearing the proverbial horns.

All Hail Dark Braedon Martin Brandon

Columnist

“Joe Biden” by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

trans folks being ‘accurate labels’.

No. Shut up. That has no place here, and I have no time to entertain your bigotry. Not when there is genuine praise to offer to the standing president.

After a summer full of attacks on civil liberties across the country, it’s rather refreshing to see our president, who did little when Roe v Wade was overturned, and the Supreme Court spoke publicly of overturning other

landmark cases for civil rights, now beginning to stumble down the right path - 10,000 dollars of student loan forgiveness, that’s a good start.

Numerous attempts to codify Roe V Wade, another good move. The FBI raid on Mar-A-Lago, fantastic. The inquiry into the Jan. 6 insurrection, good work.

Gas prices are moving down, and while ongoing sanctions and turmoil in Eastern Europe may change that, we can be sure that the government is

Braedon Martin is a Hutchinson sophomore studying journalism. He is the Collegian’s Opinion Page Editor and Managing Editor for Design.

The comeback is always better than the setback This will be my fourth year on staff with the Collegian and out of every story I’ve written, this is by far the most difficult.

Five years ago when I started my college career I never thought I would be where I am now. I had my future pretty much planned out for the next four years. I was going to take two years of prerequisites, spend two years in the nursing program, and graduate as an RN. Obviously, this isn’t exactly how things played out.

I did spend two years taking prerequisites, after which I did start the nursing program.

It seemed to be going as I expected until it wasn’t.

In the spring of 2022, I was in my final semester of nursing, just months away from

graduation and my plans came crashing down around me.

Life had started to catch up with me and after an unfortunate series of events, I withdrew from the nursing program.

I remember sitting in the parking lot after having that conversation with my instructor and having a full mental breakdown. I called my mom and just apologized.

I felt like I had let everyone down. My friends and family had been supporting me through the program and looking forward to my upcoming graduation, and I had failed them.

I was embarrassed. I felt broken and hopeless. I was disappointed in myself. I honestly felt like that was rock bottom

Columnist

Laci Sutton for me, and I had no idea how I was going to get myself back up.

I gave myself a few days to be sad and have a pity party before deciding this wasn’t how my story was going to end.

I was so close to what I’ve dreamed of since I was a little

girl and I’d be damned if I was going to throw it away now.

I decided I was going to go back and finish this no matter what it took. I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy process, but that didn’t matter. I was going to do whatever I had to do to make it happen.

I met with the program coordinator later that month and discussed my options. I was scared out of my mind just thinking about it, but she really helped ease my worries. She was encouraging and truly cared and wanted me to succeed.

I am proud to say I am currently on track to return to the program in January and finally add RN behind my name.

While this wasn’t a part of

my plan, it’s a part of my story and I’m not ashamed of it.

This doesn’t define me and this won’t make me any less of a nurse than if I had graduated in May. I hope someone can find my story as one of encouragement.

I know there are people out there who may have had similar experiences and haven’t yet had the courage to try again.

Let me be an example that it is possible. You can do it.

This is my comeback year, and I’m beyond excited to see where it goes.

Laci Sutton is a Nickerson senior studying nursing and journalism. She is on track to finish a journalism degree in December and nursing in May. She is the Collegian’s Managing Editor for Content.

Oliveria-Makhachev expected to be a knockout UFC 280 is shaping up to be an absolutely stacked card, one of the most starstuded promotions the UFC has ever set up.

However, despite this stacked card, the hype behind the main event between Charles Oliveria and Islam Makhachev has only increased, as the Oct. 22 matchup closes in.

Some recent trash talk from Islam’s Kahbib managed camp has also began to spill over through interviews and videos, disrespecting the reigning, undisputed champ.

The disrespect doesn’t stop there as official betting apps have Oliveira as

Columnist

Colton Fast

a +162 underdog, which is still much improved from the +345 underdog spot he was listed at the announcement of the fight.

However this is nothing new for Oliveria, even with his impressive 11 win streak over some of the best and most dynamic fighters throughout the promotion such as Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje and Tony Ferguson which are all former title holders, also holding the all time submission finish record at 16 and not having a loss since Dec. 2017.

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During Oliveria’s outstanding streak he’s finished 10 of the 11, even while being the betting underdog in nine of those 11, with almost all of his fights living up to the hype.

Oliveria’s Jiu Jitsu has obviously never been a problem, but in these last few years, we have quite literally seen his striking evolve right before our eyes, this being extremely prevalent in his knockout over Belator title holder Michael Chandler, with a perfectly set up hook and

follow up to end it early in round 2.

His performances against great strikers like Gaethje and Poirier also speak volumes for such a great Jiu Jitsu specialist like himself being able to hold his own on the feet.

With Oliveria’s resume, the confidence throughout the UFC community for Islam to get an easy win is more than puzzling.

Admittedly, Islam has had various dominating wins that do give us a taste of his kahbib-esqe wrestling pressure, he still has yet to prove himself to be a formidable striker at all and has not even defeated a ranked opponent yet.

Islam is no doubt one of the brightest upcoming prospects in the lightweight division and rightfully so, his time will come, but for now the champ has a name, and its Charles “do Bronx” Oliveria.

Colton Fast is a Nickerson sophonore studying journalism. He is the Collegian Sports Editor.

“File:UFC Logo.png” by AfonsoMuzzi1998 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Collegian Staff Managing Editor-Content Laci Sutton Managing Editor-Design Braedon Martin Opinion Page Editor Braedon Martin Sports Editor Colton Fast Online Editor Colin Shields

Staff members Sabrina Anzo, Mariah McGarraugh, Sam Ojeda, Sage Pina, Mason Poepperling, Ben Short, Lynn Spahr, Carly Thompson, Lea Thompson, Ainsley Trunkhill, Lee Wellman Collegian Adviser Brad Hallier

www.HutchCollegian.com

Letters to the editor The Hutchinson Collegian welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must include the author’s signature, address and phone number.

The Collegian reserves the right to edit letters for style, legality and length. Letters may not exceed 300 words.

Send letters to hallierb@hutchcc.edu.

Non-discrimination statement Hutchinson Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, military status, sexual orientation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law, or by college policy.

For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies contact: Christopher Lau, Coordinator of Equity & Compliance 1300 N. Plum Hutchinson, KS 67501 (620) 665-3500 equity@hutchcc.edu (www.hutchcc.edu/equity)

The Hutchinson Collegian Friday, September 9, 2022

Campus

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Puzzles

Courtesy photo A group of tourist including some from Hutchinson Community College visit the Colosseum in Rome.

Dragons take on the Big Apple

By Laci Sutton Managing Editor-Content

College students pay an average of $9,000 a year to live in a concrete box, better known as a dorm room. Thankfully that price is closer to around $3,700 at Hutchinson Community College.

HutchCC students, faculty, and community members have the opportunity to take a trip to the Big Apple and City of Brotherly Love for even less than that.

Dan Naccarato, better known around campus as “Coach Nac”, is a business instructor at HutchCC and is co-host for the Birthplace of America tour.

“HutchCC has hosted educational tours for many years in past decades, but when Professor Trudy Zimmerman retired, no one volunteered to lead any tours for six or seven years,” Coach Nac said. “Denny Stoecklein and I decided to start doing them again in 2018. We have led HutchCC students to Barcelona, Washington D.C, Rome, Florence, and Pisa.”

The Birthplace of America tour will take travelers to Philadelphia and New York City, and is scheduled for June 12-16, 2024.

The total cost for the trip can vary, depending on how soon individuals sign up and the options selected at the time of enrollment. EF College Study Tours, the travel partner for this adventure, is offering an early enrollment discount of $300 for anyone that enrolls before the end of September. That brings the cost of the trip to $3,469, paid for in monthly installments.

This price includes the daily itinerary, flights, hotels, admission to attractions, travel insurance, a charter bus from Philadelphia to New York City, a full-time tour director, local guides, and some meals.

Attractions include The Liberty Bell, The “Rocky” steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Battleship New Jersey, Chinatown, Times Square, 9/11 Memorial, Broadway (including a Broadway show), and so much more.

Stoecklein and Coach Nac conquered a tour to Italy in May 2022 with 47 travelers. This tour has seats for 38 travelers, with only 19 spots still available. Coach Nac expects full enrollment within the next month or two.

“We insist that travelers step outside their comfort zones when we host tours,” Nac said. “Everyone who goes with us experiences growth intellectually, personally, and professionally.”

“I was skeptical of going because I’m nervous when it comes to trying new things,” one member from the Italy tour said in a quote provided to Coach Nac. “It was the most spectacular thing I have ever done. I made new friends, had fun, and learned so much.”

HutchCC students also have the opportunity to earn course credit while exploring the city that never sleeps.

Interested students can enroll in HU120 Language, Lit, and Culture to earn three credit hours in conjunction with the summer 2024 tour.

Anyone interested in signing up, or anyone with questions about the tour, should contact Denny Stoecklein at stoeckleind@hutchcc.edu or Coach Nac at naccaratod@hutchcc.edu.

Award-winning educator

By Mason Poepperling Staff Writer

For many college students, an instructor or professor, can make or break a class. If a student goes into a class with a negative mindset regarding said class, and on top of that have to deal with a teacher that doesn’t necessarily teach in a way that’s beneficial to the student, things tend to go wrong for them.

However, in May, the Hutchinson Community College Student Government Association determined that one instructor, above her peers, was able to not only teach in a way that was best for the most students, but went above and beyond when it came to helping students with their education - chemistry instructor, and this years Educator of the Year, Jennifer Wiens.

“Pride is probably the most obvious one, because you’re being recognized by students for the contribution you’ve made to their education,” Wiens said when asked about her feelings on winning the award. “I’m humbled by it, because of all the great teachers that are at Hutchinson Community College, they chose me. I don’t know if I’m any more deserving of this award than any others that have been nominated and many others that haven’t been nominated.”

With a background in Fisheries Biology - which hasn’t been of much use in the middle of Kansas - Wiens journey into teaching was not one that happened overnight. With Kansas’ Department of Wildlife and Parks on a hiring freeze, Wiens decided to start substitute

Freshman jitters set in

As HutchCC newbies settle in they look for ways to fit in

By Mariah McGarraugh Staff Writer

Jennifer Wiens

teaching in order to help provide for her family.

It was during this time that chemistry teaching snuck its way into Wiens life.

“I started substitute teaching in our local school district, and through that job I realized I liked teaching. I started working part time on my teaching certificate to be able to teach high school science,” Wiens said. I finished that course work and interviewed for my first job and they said “you’re gonna teach chemistry”.

So, now armed with a background in chemistry teaching, it seemed as though this is where Wiens journey into the world of teaching would end.

However, this wasn’t the case.

While teaching high school chemistry, Wiens husband acquired what she describes as “his dream job”, a job that he holds to this day 25 years later, and around that same time, another opportunity revealed itself to Wiens.

“When my husband got his dream job and this job opened I thought ‘I’ll apply’ and here I am,” she said.

Freshman year at a big college campus can be intimidating for a lot of people. It’s a year when students have to make a lot of important decisions, like, what sports they want to join, what clubs they want to be involved in, what other activities they want to enroll in and possibly what major they want to strive for.

Elizabeth Kipp, a Hutchinson freshman starts her day at 8 a.m.

“I go to school from 8 till 11:30 Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays,” Kipp said. “Tuesdays and Thursdays, I go to school from 8-2:40, which for me is a long day, considering nights I work until close.” Some students balance school and a job, which can be a hard thing to do especially your freshman year.

“I like my classes a lot, but I regret taking the 8 a.m. classes, and will definitely not do that next semester,” Kipp said with a slight laugh.

There’s one thing most freshmen find new and sometimes intimidating when getting settled into classes at HutchCC - Learning Zone.

“I really don’t check Learning

Zone as much as I should, so a planner has helped me keep track of all my tests and assignments,” Kipp said. “I guess you could say I’m used to teachers ‘holding my hand’, so that was a very big difference switching from high school to college. I have to make sure I know when my assignments are due and where to find them, which really isn’t discussed in class.”

Then, there’s a complete opposite side of things like for Nylo Swank, a Hutchinson freshman.

“I think Learning Zone is a good effective way for students to keep track of school work as well as keeping students and teachers on the same page,” Swank said. “It’s easy access to my work, and every teacher has a syllabus and office hours you can find in Learning Zone.”

Students seemed happy to be at HutchCC even if that meant getting up at 8 a.m. till next semester. Delaney Brunch, a Hutchinson freshman, talked about how her favorite part of HutchCC was the people and community.

“My favorite part about college so far would have to be the people you meet and the activities the school, and even the professor set up,” Brunch said.

Being a freshman can be a lot to handle at first but having a good support system like frends, family, and even teachers can help ease the nerves.

There’s always teachers to lend a hand during and sometimes after office hours and even tutors on campus to help with the stress of tests and assignments.

Sports

The Hutchinson Collegian Friday, September 9, 2022

Page 4

One in a million

Athlete of the week

From unknown to superstar, Malik Benson has defied the odds

Photo courtesy of Hutch CC Sports Information Malik Benson (1) reaches to catch a pass in the Blue Dragons 42-0 season opening win vs Navarro College on Aug. 28 at Gowans Stadium

By Ben Short Staff Writer

In the United States there are 1,093,234 high school football players, and just 6.5% (or 71,060) of those players go on to play in college. Only 2.8% go on to NCAA Division 1 football, according to nfhs.org.

There are 65 junior college football teams, and out of all those players, 850 of them make an FBS roster. Only around 150 will play in a Power 5 conference - the SEC, Big 10, Pac-12, Big 12 and ACC - according to sbnation.com.

What are the odds of a kid from Kansas with zero offers out of high school committing to play football at Alabama?

One in a million?

Malik Benson, from Lansing in northeastern Kansas, near Leavenworth, was virtually un-

known out of high school before becoming the Benson that Blue Dragon fans know now.

“What contributed to me being overlooked was I didn’t make the grades, slacked in high school and didn’t take school work seriously,” Benson said.

How lucky was HutchCC to have landed this guy who turned his academics around and excels on the field?

After putting up more than 1,200 yards his freshman season with the Blue Dragons, he had 24 offers from schools including Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, Tennessee and others according to Rivals.com, before announcing his commitment to Alabama on July 5, via Twitter.

“I chose Alabama because I have good relationships with the coaching staff and some players, the culture is just

like Hutch, have one goal in winning a national championship and the best go against the best everyday in practice, so it makes the games easier just like Hutch,” Benson said.

After all this success he still gives credit to the Blue Dragon coaching staff. “(Head coach Drew) Dallas and (former assistant Kody) Cook always pushed me to be the best version of me on and off the field. Never let me get complacent,” Benson said.

Dallas, now in his third season, had nothing but great things to say about Benson.

“Just like any incoming recruit, you don’t really know what kind of success they will have in their time in your program until they get here and actually do it,” Dallas said. “However, we knew Malik’s skill set

was there to be very successful along with being a great kid and competitor. We did not know when that would happen, but with the hard work he put into it and his quick development made him an instant impact player for us in year one.”

Coming to Hutch and fighting to be seen by the masses and get recruited and finding success in that you might think one would get complacent after achieving great heights most players never reach right?

No. “Goals for my career are to be a national champion, win the Heisman, and get drafted in the first round,” Benson said.

The definition of one in a million is, a person that is very unusual, special, or admired.

Malik falls into the category of one in a million.

(Aug. 28-Sept. 3) Rodney Green Jr., Football The week: Green led a stout Blue Dragon defense in a 70-7 rout of Ellsworth on Satur- Green Jr. day in Iowa. On a day the Blue Dragons allowed just 179 yards of offense, including minus-55 yards rushing, Green was at the forefront with six tackles, two quarterback sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss for a total of 16 yards. He also had a quarterback hurry.

The season: Green, a sophomore defensive lineman from Apopka, Fla., is off to a strong start this season for the second-ranked Blue Dragons.

Despite playing limited minutes due to two lopsided wins so far, Green has 10 tackles, three quarterback sacks, 4.5 tackles for a loss for 27 yards, and one forced fumble.

Blue Dragon soccer opens home slate with shutout

By Colin Shields Online Editor

The Hutchinson Community College women’s soccer team used a stout defensive effort to pull past the Western Wyoming Mustangs in a 1-0 win Sunday at the Salthawk Sports Complex.

The win gave the Blue Dragons a successful home opener and also improved their record to 4-0.

Blue Dragons coach Sammy Lane was especially pleased with the back half of the Blue Dragons defense, as they held the Mustangs to just six total shots and zero shots on goal.

“We’ve basically limited teams to having to take shots from outside the box. Very rarely do teams get behind us into the box and score goals” said Lane. “I thought today we were good.”

Offensively, Sophomore Aimee Maher converted a penalty kick in the 25th minute to give the Dragons the early advantage.

The Dragons offense generated five shots on goal, and the Mustangs keeper, Alison Collinwood, was able to save four of the

shots.

Even with the win, Lane said he sees opportunity for continued improvement.

“We have to play much better than that,” Lane said. “We played great against KCK up there in Kansas City, and they’re a good team. We played really good there, and so I thought we turned the corner and it looked like we knew what we were doing and we were getting it in certain situations, and knowing exactly what we were doing when we attacked, and today it looked like we were back to the first day of training camp.”

A positive, however, was the noticeable effort the Blue Dragons put forth.

“There was a lot of effort, but it was just huff and puff and puff, there was no real pattern to our play,” Lane said.

“We’ll train in the afternoon Tuesday to make sure we’re used to the heat because the heat really does zap the girls and work on our pattern of play.”

The Blue Dragons then turned their attention to a conference road game on Wednesday at Garden City, where they won 5-0.

Photo courtesy HutchCC Sports Information Hutchinson Community College’s Aimee Maher takes a shot during an exhibition game earlier this season against Allen at the Salthawks Sports Complex.

Blue Dragon schedules. All home games, events in caps.

Cross country

Sept. 1, TERRY MASTERSON TWILIGHT, women second, men 10th Sept. 17, at Greeno/Dirksen Invitational, Lincoln, Neb. Sept. 30, at Chili Pepper Festival, Fayetteville, Ark. Oct. 14, at Ollie Isom Invitational, El Dorado Oct. 28, REGION 6, at Prairie Ridge Park Nov. 12, at NJCAA Championships, Tallahassee, Fla.

Football

Aug. 27, NAVARRO, Texas, W 42-0 Sept. 3, at Ellsworth, Iowa, W 70-7 Sept. 10, IOWA CENTRAL, 1 p.m.

Sept. 24, at Coffeyville, 7 p.m.

Oct. 1, BUTLER, 7 p.m.

Oct. 8, at Dodge City, 1 p.m.

Oct. 22, at Garden City, 1 p.m.

Oct. 29, HIGHLAND, 7 p.m.

Nov. 5, INDEPENDENCE, 1 p.m.

Nov. 12, at Iowa Western, 1 p.m.

Soccer

Aug. 26, vs. Western Nebraska at Sterling, Colo., W 3-2 Aug. 27 at Northeastern Colorado, W 4-3, OT Aug. 31, at Kansas City, W 3-1 Sept. 4, WESTERN WYOMING, W 1-0 Sept. 7, at Garden City, W 5-0 Sept. 10, NEOSHO COUNTY, 4 p.m.

Sept. 14, DODGE CITY, 6 p.m.

Sept. 17, at Johnson County, 5 p.m.

Sept. 21, at Cowley, 5 p.m.

Sept. 24, COFFEYVILLE, 2 p.m.

Oct. 1, at Butler, 6 p.m.

Oct. 5, BARTON, 6 p.m.

Oct. 8, GARDEN CITY, 2 p.m.

Oct. 12, at Dodge City, 6 p.m.

Oct. 19, COWLEY, 6 p.m.

Oct. 22, at Barton, 1 p.m.

Volleyball

Aug. 19-20, at Reiver Classic, vs. Indian Hills, Iowa, L 3-2; vs.Jefferson,Mo., L 3-0; vs. Missouri State-West Plains, W 3-2; vs. Iowa Western, W 3-2 Aug 22, OTTAWA JV, W 3-0; NEOSHO COUNTY, W 3-0; BETHEL JV, W 3-1 Aug. 24, at Dodge City, W 3-0 Aug. 26-27, at TJC Classic, vs. Eastern Wyoming, W 3-1; vs. Frank Phillips, Texas W 3-1; vs. Clarendon, Texas, W 3-1; vs. Casper, Wyo., W 3-0 Aug. 31, at Seward County, L 3-1 Sept. 2, CLOUD COUNTY, W 3-0; FRIENDS JV, W 3-0 Sept. 7, at Pratt, W 3-0 Sept. 9, at NJC Classic, vs. Casper, 3:30 p.m., vs. Western Nebraska, 8:30 p.m.

Sept. 10, at NJC Classic, vs. IndianHills, 12:30 p.m.; vs. Northeastern Colorado, 4 p.m.

Sept 14, at Colby, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 21, GARDEN CITY, 6 p.m.

Sept. 23, JEFFERSON, 4 p.m.; IOWA WESTERN, 8 p.m.

Sept. 24, MINERAL AREA, Mo., 11 a.m.; TRINITY VALLEY, 4 p.m.

Sept. 26, at Barton, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 28, DODGE CITY, 6 p.m.

Oct. 1, SEWARD COUNTY, 2 p.m.

Oct. 5, at Cloud County, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 7, at Grizzly Classic, vs. Missouri StateWest Plains, 1 p.m.; vs. Trinity Valley, 7 p.m.

Oct. 8, at Grizzly Classic, vs. Tyler, Texas, 11 a.m.; vs. Jefferson, 5 p.m.

Oct. 12, BUTLER, 6 p.m.

Oct. 15, COLBY, 3 p.m.

Oct. 17, PRATT, 6 p.m.

Oct. 22, at Garden City, 6 p.m.

Oct. 26, BARTON, 6 p.m.

Oct. 28, at Butler, 6 p.m.