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WICHITA AREA ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Andover Central’s Avery Unruh A new season brings a new group of teammates for Andover Central senior Avery Unruh, but her excitement for volleyball remains the same.

After losing several seniors from last season, Unruh is looking forward to seeing how the Jaguars come together while continuing to play alongside friends and build new relationships with younger teammates. “I am really excited to see how our team looks this year,” Unruh said. “We lost some seniors so I am looking forward to having new teammates. I am also excited to play with my friends again. I love playing volleyball so much and getting to do it with my friends is truly a blessing.” Unruh and her teammates have spent much of the offseason preparing for the upcoming season. The Jaguars participated in weight training throughout the summer and held volleyball open gyms, giving the team an opportunity to build chemistry before the start of the season. “It makes the season go so much easier when you already trust your teammates and know that they are going to show up for you,” Unruh said.

Unruh also attended open gyms with her club team during the summer, allowing her to continue developing her skills and get additional touches on the ball.

One of her primary focuses this offseason was becoming a more effective hitter. Unruh spent time working on her arm and shoulder strength with the goal of increasing her power and becoming more consistent offensively. “I want to improve on being a better hitter and a better leader,” Unruh said. “For hitting I did a lot of arm and shoulder strength exercises this summer to increase my power. Even with going through tryouts I feel better already.” Leadership is another area where Unruh wants to continue growing. She served as the Jaguars’ team captain last season and wants to use that experience to help guide a new group of players. “For being a leader I believe that I can always improve on leading and being a role model for the younger girls,” Unruh said. “I have read some leadership books and took on leadership roles in my school and with my club team.” Unruh’s experience as a captain last season gave her an opportunity to serve as a link between her teammates and coaches

while helping players through challenges.

“Last year I was the team captain, which I am so grateful that the team chose me to lead them,” Unruh said. “I was able to be a connection between the coaches and players, but also help my teammates if they were struggling.” This season, Unruh has set an individual goal of becoming a more consistent hitter and increasing her number of kills.

“Last year I did alright, but I would like to be more consistent and get more kills,” Unruh said.

As a team, the Jaguars have their sights set on reaching the state tournament. While Unruh acknowledges that making state is a familiar goal, she believes this year’s team has the potential to make that goal a reality. “I feel like that is the goal every year but this group of girls that we have makes it seem a lot more possible,” Unruh said.

For Unruh, however, success will not be measured solely by wins, kills or postseason accomplishments. She wants to see every member of the team grow, both on and off the court.

“I also just want everyone to improve in their own way,” Unruh said. “For some people that looks like getting better at volleyball, but for others who don’t plan on playing volleyball in college I want them to improve as human beings.”

DERBY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Derby’s Kaelin Scarth

The Panthers’ offensive lineman has spent the offseason preparing himself for a bigger role while continuing to pursue opportunities beyond the high school level. Scarth trained with James Tabor and PIAthletes and attended three Mega Camps and two Power Four camps during the offseason.

That work has also focused on improving one of the areas Scarth wanted to develop most: his speed. “This year I want to improve on my speed,” Scarth said.

He put that goal into action through multiple speed-workout sessions, lowering his 40-yard dash time to 4.84 seconds. “Some goals I have individually is to make all state again and even a top 11 selection,” Scarth said. “This year I want my team to accomplish the ultimate goal and win a state championship,” Scarth said.

With his senior season approaching, Scarth has one final opportunity to turn the offseason work into results on Friday nights — and help Derby chase the championship that has become the ultimate goal.

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While individual recognition is important, Scarth’s biggest goal remains centered on the Panthers. He wants his final season at Derby to end with the program reaching the top of Class 6A.

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The offseason preparation has given Scarth a chance to sharpen his athletic ability while entering his final season with lofty individual goals. After earning all-state honors previously, he wants to take another step forward this season.

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“I’m most excited for playing at Derby for my final season with my seniors,” Scarth said.

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For Kaelin Scarth, his final season at Derby High School is about making the most of every opportunity — especially the chance to play alongside the seniors he has grown up with in the program.

TEAM OF THE MONTH Andale Cross Country The Andale cross country program enters the season with a mix of youth, experience and a commitment to putting in the work. The girls team will rely heavily on a young group of runners, many of whom are new to cross country. Coach Matt Goetz said the group has already shown a willingness to learn and improve. “The girls team is young and a lot of the runners are new to running cross country,” Goetz said. “It is a good group of girls that are very coachable. It will be exciting to see what they can accomplish as the season gets rolling.” Sophomore Ayvah Banda is expected to provide leadership for the girls after a strong freshman season. Banda enjoys the competitive side of running and consistently brings a strong work ethic to the team. “Ayvah is a sophomore and coming off a great freshman season,” Goetz said. “She enjoys running and competing and giving her best effort is important to her. We will be looking at her to be a strong leader for our girls team.” On the boys side, Andale returns senior Sam Pavelski, who has been running cross country since his freshman year. Pavelski has built a

reputation for embracing hard work and enters the season following a productive summer of training. “Sam is a senior and has been running since his freshman year,” Goetz said. “He is accustomed to hard work. He has put in a great summer of training, while putting in a lot of hours working manual labor.” The Indians also will look to sophomore Levi Schmidt as an underclassman to watch. Schmidt’s willingness to push through difficult moments could make him an

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important part of the boys team. “Tough runner,” Goetz said. “Willing to embrace the hurt.” With the boys putting in consistent miles throughout the summer and the girls continuing to learn the demands of cross country, Andale enters the season eager to see how its preparation translates to competition. “The team has been working hard and been putting in some consistent miles,” Goetz said. “They are excited to put in another season of competitive racing.”

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PREP PERFORMANCE OF THE MONTH Griffin Galyon / Hutchinson After a standout sophomore season, Hutchinson junior Griffin Galyon is ready to take another step forward and help the Salthawks make their mark this season. Galyon was a major contributor for Hutchinson last season, earning first-team All-Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail Division I honors. He also earned second-team All-Class 5A recognition. Now, Galyon is focused on building off that success and helping a talented Hutchinson squad reach its potential. “What I am most excited for this season is to go out and show what I can do and what we can do as a team,” Galyon said. “We have a really solid squad this year and we are ready to showcase that.” Galyon spent much of the offseason preparing for another demanding high school season. He and his teammates put in work during team workouts, while he also attended identification camps and competed at the UPSL Nationals in California with CKU. “I’ve been doing a lot in the offseason to prepare for this upcoming season,” Galyon said. “We have put in a lot of work as a team at workouts, and I’ve been at ID camps and I went to UPSL Nationals with CKU in California.” One of Galyon’s biggest areas of focus during the offseason was developing his left foot. As a right-footed player, he has worked to become more comfortable and effective with both feet. “One area I’ve been really trying to improve is my left foot,” Galyon said. “I’ve put in a lot of work in the offseason to improve it.” Galyon enters the season with plenty of confidence after a productive previous campaign. He scored 18 goals and recorded 11 assists last season, establishing himself as one of Hutchinson’s top offensive threats. His individual goals for this season are straightforward: continue producing offensively while doing whatever he can to help the Salthawks succeed. “My goals this season individually is to score and contribute to the team as much as I possibly can,” Galyon said. For Galyon, however, team success remains the priority. He wants Hutchinson to focus on improving throughout the season while competing to win every night. “As a team, the biggest goal is to go out there and put on our best performance every night,” Galyon said. “The main goal is to get better every game and obviously try to win every game.”

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Wichita East’s Gannon Edson

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Wichita East runner Gannon Edson enters the season with an ambitious goal: helping the Blue Aces qualify for the Class 6A state meet while putting himself in position to earn a medal.

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Edson is especially looking forward to one particular race.

“With this upcoming season I am most excited to compete at Olathe Twilight and run on the fastest course in the state,” Edson said. Edson has spent the offseason building his endurance and preparing his body for the demands of another cross country season.

He has increased his mileage, extended his long runs and incorporated quality workouts into his training. He has also emphasized mobility and stretching as part of his preparation in an effort to stay healthy throughout the season.

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“To prepare for this season I have been running high mileage, such as lengthening my long runs, and been doing quality workouts,” Edson said. “I have also been working on my mobility such as stretching to prevent injury.”

While Edson has put considerable work into his physical preparation, he believes his biggest opportunity for improvement this season is mental. Edson wants to maintain his focus during races and workouts rather than allowing his mind to wander.

“This season I want to work on my mental focus during races,” he said. “I have a bad habit of zoning out and I want to be more focused during my races, and workouts.” That focus could be especially important as Edson pursues his biggest individual goal.

After finishing 30th in Class 6A at the state meet last season, Edson wants to take another step forward and finish among the medalists in his final high school cross country season. “As for myself I want to medal at state,” Edson said. “I feel like that would be a great way to end my high school cross country experience.” Edson also has his sights set on helping Wichita East make the state meet as a team.

“For my team, I really want us to qualify for state,” he said. “I have full confidence that we can.”

Edson enters the season with plenty of evidence that he can compete at a high level. Last cross country season, he recorded a personal-best time of 16 minutes, 36 seconds at the league meet before placing 30th at the Class 6A state meet. He continued that success during track season, running a 4:29 mile and a 9:59 two-mile.

Now, Edson hopes to translate that experience and speed into a strong final cross country campaign.

With increased mileage behind him, a renewed focus on staying healthy and an emphasis on sharpening his mental approach, Edson believes he has put himself in position for his best season yet.

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WICHITA VOLLEYBALL POLL WINNER

Hesston’s A.J. Reiff

“I am super excited to get started again!” Reiff said. “I think I am most excited to play some home games this season and compete with my best friends at a high level.”

Now, Reiff is focused on refining her game. She wants to improve her accuracy when setting the pins while also becoming more aggressive from the service line.

Reiff’s 723 assists were a major part of Hesston’s success as the Swathers made their first state appearance since 2018. She surpassed 1,000 career assists during the season. This year, however, Reiff has her sights set on an even bigger finish.

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“I have also done many workouts and gotten lots of touches,” Reiff said.

Her performance earned her a spot on the 2025 State All-Tournament Team, KVA All-State Second Team, First Team KVA All-Academic Team and First Team Central Kansas League. Reiff was also recognized on the Class 3A state alltournament team following Hesston’s return to the state tournament.

SEPTEMBER 2026

Reiff spent the offseason preparing for another productive campaign. She played extensive club volleyball, attended college camps and put in countless hours of workouts and skill development.

Reiff enters the season with plenty of momentum after a standout sophomore campaign. She finished with 723 assists, 229 digs, 75 kills and 36 aces while helping Hesston reach the state tournament.

“One of my biggest goals this season is to make it to Day 2 of State,” she said. “Last year, we made it to State, but this year I want to finish with a medal!”

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The junior setter is looking forward to another season with the Swathers, especially the opportunity to play in front of the home crowd and alongside her closest teammates.

“This season, I want to continue working on my accuracy to the pins, as well as becoming more aggressive with my serves to put more pressure on the opponents’ back row,” she said.

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After helping Hesston return to the Class 3A state volleyball tournament last season, A.J. Reiff is ready to take the next step.

USD261 HAYSVILLE/CAMPUS ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

Campus’ Aaron Foley As the Campus High School soccer season gets underway, Aaron Foley is looking forward to seeing how the team’s offseason work translates to the field.

Foley said he is excited to watch the team develop throughout the season and see the progress it makes as the year continues. “This season I am excited to see how our team grows throughout the season,” Foley said. “I am looking forward to seeing how all of our work over the summer will translate onto the field.” Foley spent the offseason preparing for the season by lifting weights, attending soccer camp and conditioning.

The work was designed to help Foley enter the season prepared to contribute while continuing to develop his game. One area Foley is focused on improving is his field awareness. He wants to do a better job of keeping his head up and knowing where his teammates are on the field, allowing him to make quicker decisions with the ball.

“I just want to do a better job of keeping my head up and knowing where my teammates are so I can make quicker decisions on the ball,” Foley said. Beyond his individual development, Foley wants to take on a leadership role with the team. His goal is to help his teammates improve throughout the season and push the team toward reaching its potential. “My goal this year is to be a leader on the team that helps us improve throughout the season so we can be the best we can,” Foley said.

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SEPTEMBER 2026

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While Foley is focused on the upcoming season, he also has plans

beyond high school. He hopes to continue his education and earn a college degree while exploring his options for the future.

“I want to continue to get my education and get a college degree,” Foley said. “I am still exploring my options but am looking forward to it.”

TOMMY LEACH’S SHELTER ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

Wichita Southeast’s Alina Lam

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Wichita Southeast senior Alina Lam enters her final high school golf season with high expectations and a clear goal: finish her career among the best golfers in Kansas.

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Lam is coming off a season in which she won the Greater Wichita Athletic League championship and finished fourth at the Class 6A state tournament. Her performance also earned her first-team All-6A recognition, establishing her as one of the top high school golfers in the state. Now, Lam is looking to build on that success while competing against some of the strongest golfers Kansas has to offer.

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“I am most excited about my senior season and having the opportunity to play against some of the best girls in Kansas,” Lam said. “After having a strong junior season, I am excited to build on that success and finish my high school career on a strong note.”

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Lam spent the offseason preparing for her senior campaign by staying active in competitive golf. She played in numerous summer tournaments while continuing to practice and work on different areas of her game. “During the offseason, I have been focused on staying consistent with my golf game and playing in many summer tournaments,” Lam said. “I’ve spent time practicing, playing competitive rounds, and working on the different parts of my game so I can be ready to perform throughout the season.” One of Lam’s biggest areas of focus has been her short game. She has worked on her chipping, pitching and putting in an effort to become more consistent around the greens. “I know improving my short game can help me save strokes and make a difference in close tournaments,” Lam said.

With another season of experience and a strong offseason behind her, Lam’s individual goals are centered on continuing to establish herself as one of Kansas’ top high school golfers.

Her goal is to compete at her best throughout the season and finish with strong performances at the biggest tournaments, including the state championship.

“Individually, my goal is to continue establishing myself as one of the top high school golfers in Kansas, compete to the best of my ability, and finish my senior season with strong performances at the biggest events,” Lam said.

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WICHITA AREA ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Clearwater’s Curtis Campa

Campa spends his free time unwinding with friends and hobbies off the field. “What I like to do on my free time is Playing NBA 2k, Rainbow6siege, and fishing,” he said. He also enjoys helping in the community. “My friend Jace Wineger and I smoke meat and help out some events if needed,” Campa said.

Whether he is lifting in “My favorite place in Clearwater is the gym” or putting on his headphones before kickoff — “I think about all the things that irritated me over the last week or so and I but my headphones on and focus on the game” — Campa said he is focused on being a leader, a trait shaped by teammate Dalton Wulf, who “gave me guidance of being a leader and he made sure that everyone around him was getting better as the days came.”

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On the field, Campa lines up at outside linebacker, a position that demands focus and toughness. “I play outside Linebacker

Away from football, Campa said his favorite subject is history, and he still remembers a teacher who made an impact. “My favorite subject in school is history and my favorite teacher from any grade is my old Fifth grade teacher Mr.Janzing,” he said.

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His favorite part of playing for Clearwater is not just the competition, but the connection. “What I enjoy the most about being a member of the team is the friendships I’ve made over the years,” he said. He describes the Falcons as more than just teammates. “What do I love most about my team and teammates is that we are one big brotherhood,” Campa said.

His favorite game memory came in a tight battle against a rival. “My favorite memory from a game is when we beat collegiate in a

tight game,” he said.

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Campa, who will be a senior in the fall, said one of his biggest inspirations is former NFL star Ray Lewis. “Ray Lewis because he showed that when times get hard and to difficult you fight through it and you fight the the painful times,” Campa said. That mindset has shaped how he approaches both football and life.

and the most difficult thing about it is trying not to get blindsided by the pulling guard or tackle,” he said. One of the wildest plays he has witnessed came from a former teammate. “The craziest thing I’ve seen on the field was an old teammate Cooper Williams one handed Mossed a kid,” Campa said.

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As Clearwater High School outside linebacker Curtis Campa heads into his senior season, he carries with him a love of the game, a sense of brotherhood and lessons he says will last long after the Friday night lights fade.

R AC H E L J A N E S ’ S H E LT E R AT H L E T E S P OT L I G H T S

Campus’ Jada Arneson Jada Arneson enters the season looking to continue improving as a runner while helping build a stronger girls team at Campus High School.

After putting in work during the summer, Arneson is focused on lowering her personal record and making history for

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Campus history to accomplish the feat she is pursuing.

Arneson spent the summer participating in conditioning and summer running sessions to prepare for the season. She also took on a leadership role, helping teammates when they needed assistance.

Arneson already has established herself as one of Campus’ top runners. She recently set a personal record of 20:58 and is a two-time state qualifier.

“I’m excited about growing more with the team and beating my PR from last year,” Arneson said.

“I went to summer running and was a helper when people need me,” Arneson said. Her individual goals are ambitious. Arneson wants to lower her personal record and become the first athlete in

“I want to beat my PR and be the first in Campus history,” Arneson said.

While Arneson has individual goals, she also wants to help the team grow. One of her goals is to bring more girls into the program and build a larger, more competitive team.

“My team goal is getting more girls to run and having a big team,” Arneson said.

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SEPTEMBER 2026

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“I’m excited about growing more with the team and beating my PR from last year.” - Jada Arneson

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TODD BENWAY’S STATE FARM COACH OF THE MONTH

Derby’s Koen Savaiano For four years, Koen Savaiano has been a familiar presence in the Derby High School boys soccer program. This season, however, his role will look different.

An injury will keep Savaiano off the field, but the senior midfielder still plans to make an impact for the Panthers through leadership, experience and energy.

“Obviously, I’m disappointed I can’t play on the field, but I can still contribute by being a leader and supporting the younger guys,” Savaiano said. Savaiano has spent four years learning Derby’s system and understanding what the coaching staff expects from its players. Now, he hopes to use that experience to help prepare the younger players on the team.

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“I’ve been a part of the team for four years, so I know the team and the system and what the coaches expect,” Savaiano said. “I want to be like an extra coach helping the younger guys, keeping everyone locked in and bringing the energy.”

The change in role is difficult for a player who has spent much of his high school career competing on the field, but Savaiano remains focused on finding ways to contribute.

“Even though I’m not playing, I still want to make an impact and win,” he said.

Savaiano enters his senior season after a successful junior campaign. He scored four goals and added two assists last season while earning Derby’s team MVP award. He also received honorable mention recognition as an AVCTL midfielder. His high school career has provided plenty of memories, many of which center around the relationships he has built with his teammates. “My favorite memories from high school soccer are all the connections I’ve made with my teammates, the long bus rides celebrating a win and celebrating goals with the team,” Savaiano said.

One memory stands above the rest. During his junior season, Savaiano scored the game-winning goal on Senior Night against Eisenhower before celebrating with the Derby student section.

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“Some of my best memories are when I was a younger player getting reps on varsity trying to prove myself and my junior year when I scored the game winner on Senior Night against Eisenhower and celebrated with the student section,” Savaiano said.

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Now, Savaiano hopes to create one final chapter with the Panthers, even if he has to do it from a different position of leadership.

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While he won’t be able to contribute with his play on the field, Savaiano believes his experience can still help Derby’s younger players develop and keep the team focused throughout the season. For Savaiano, making an impact doesn’t necessarily require being on the field. It means being a teammate, a leader and someone the Panthers can count on when they need him.

EMPRISE BANK’S ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Wichita North’s Jose Anima

Anima spent the offseason preparing for the season while also focusing on keeping his knee healthy. He completed workouts designed to help him stay in shape and ready to compete.

One area Anima wants to improve is his ability to take on defenders one on one and finish scoring opportunities quickly. To develop that part of his game, he studied one of soccer’s most creative players.

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“One way I worked for that area was watching Neymar Jr. and tried doing the same as him,” Anima said.

“As for team goals, I want to be able to win a plaque this season and improve as a team,” Anima said.

With his offseason preparation behind him, Anima is ready to turn his individual goals into production while helping Wichita North take another step forward.

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His individual goal is to score at least 27 goals this season. As a team, Anima hopes the Redhawks can continue improving and finish the season with a plaque to show for their work.

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Anima enters the season with ambitious goals for himself and the team. After recording six goals and six assists, he is looking to become an even bigger offensive contributor.

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“What I am most excited about this season is getting to play with teammates, getting to travel, and having multiple wins on the board,” Anima said.

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Jose Anima is looking forward to making the most of the upcoming season for Wichita North High School, with plenty of opportunities to compete, travel and build team chemistry along the way.

C O M M U N I T Y B A N K H AY S V I L L E / C A M P U S C OAC H O F T H E M O N T H

Campus’ Audrea Wilson Audrea Wilson’s interest in business began with a single class at Campus High School and quickly developed into a four-year journey that has helped shape her plans for the future.

Wilson, a senior at Campus, took her first business course as a freshman. The experience immediately sparked her interest in exploring the subject further. “I have been in the Campus business program for four years,” Wilson said. “Freshman year I took one business class and immediately knew I wanted to take more.”

Since then, Wilson has completed six business courses, taking advantage of the variety of opportunities offered through the program. While traditional courses such as accounting caught her attention, Wilson also appreciated the less conventional options available to students.

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“The assortment of classes offered by the business program caught my attention,” Wilson said. “There are typical classes like accounting and others that one may not initially think of like broadcasting available to students.”

For Wilson, the appeal went beyond simply learning about business in a classroom. She was drawn to the possibility of developing skills that could eventually help her become an entrepreneur.

“The thought that I could learn skills to create my own business and be an entrepreneur one day is awesome,” Wilson said.

One of the biggest opportunities Wilson experienced was working at Stompin’ Grounds, Campus High’s studentrun coffee shop. She worked as a team member during her junior year before moving into a management role as a senior. The experience gave Wilson an opportunity to apply the concepts she had learned in class in an actual business setting.

“The opportunity that captured my interest in the business program was our student-run coffee shop, Stompin’ Grounds,” Wilson said. “I was fortunate to work as a team member of the coffee shop my junior year and have the privilege of being part of the management team during my senior year.” Wilson also gained practical experience through Market Day, where students were responsible for developing and selling products while managing the various details involved in operating a small business. The experience showed Wilson how much coordination is required to successfully operate a business.

“We had to work together to organize a menu, market our product, organize materials, facilitate the logistics of picking up products and supplies, selecting and decorating our location for sales, the storage of hot items during the event, schedules, and cleanup,” Wilson said. Through those experiences, Wilson said she learned more than just the mechanics of running a business. The program also helped her better understand her own abilities and potential career paths. “Most importantly from the business program I learned about myself, my capabilities and potential career paths,” Wilson said.

MARK MAY’S ALLSTATE ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Derby’s Ben Perry

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Ben Perry enters the cross country season with high expectations for himself and the Derby High School team.

With a strong group of returning runners, Perry believes the Panthers have the potential to surprise opponents and compete for postseason success. “This season I am most excited about our team,” Perry said. “We have a great returning squad and I believe that we have the potential to do really well and surprise many others.”

Perry has put in significant work during the offseason to prepare for the season. He built his training volume to as many as 65 miles per week while incorporating threshold and longer workouts twice a week. He plans to maintain that mileage while adding faster workouts as the season progresses.

One of Perry’s primary individual focuses will be improving his top-end leg speed. He hopes that added speed will allow him to close races stronger and faster. “I want to improve on my top end leg speed, so that I will be able to finish stronger and faster towards the end of races,” Perry said.

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Perry enters the season with several ambitious goals. He wants to break his school 5K record of 15:34, win both the league and regional championships, finish in the top three at state and qualify for the Brooks XC National Championship.

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“We are aiming to win the league and qualify for state, and place as high as possible in every meet,” Perry said.

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As a team, Derby also has high expectations.

Perry has already established himself as one of Derby’s top runners. Last cross country season, he posted a personal-best 15:41 5K and finished second at league and fourth at regionals. During track season, he ran personal bests of 9:43 in the 3,200 meters. His track season, however, was cut short by an injury after he competed in just three meets. After recovering, Perry is ready to return to competition and make the most of his opportunity. “Thankfully I have been able to recover well from it and I’m ready to have a great comeback season,” Perry said.

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KANSAS TURNPIKE AUTHORITY DRIVING CHANGE ATHLETE

Wichita South’s Isaiah Morales KTA “Driving Change” Athlete Spotlight As Isaiah Morales enters his senior season at Wichita South High School, he is focused on more than his own performance. He wants to help build a culture that future South soccer players can carry forward. Morales said he is excited about his final season and the opportunity to help shape the program.

“I’m excited for, of course, my senior year and for the environment we are creating for future players to come into,” Morales said. “I also want to help pass down the passion and pride we have for South soccer.”

Morales has spent the offseason preparing for his final high school season by working out, attending tournaments and training two to three times a week. Injuries have also been part of his offseason, making his focus on getting healthy just as important as his preparation on the field. “I’ve been working out, going to tournaments, and training around 2–3 times a week,” Morales said. “I’ve been dealing with some injuries, so I’ve been focused on getting healthy and preparing myself for the upcoming season.”

Morales enters the season looking to build on a productive junior campaign. He scored seven or eight goals and recorded two assists last season, including two goals from penalty kicks. He played approximately 700 of South’s 960 minutes.

Individually, Morales is aiming for more than 20 goals while hoping to leave a lasting mark on the South soccer program.

“A personal goal of mine is to score more than 20 goals this season and make South soccer remember me and what my year has done,” Morales said.

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“One of my goals for the team is to make it to regionals,” Morales said. “With South’s record over the past few decades, I feel like making it to regionals would be a huge accomplishment for the team and the school.”

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Now, Morales has set ambitious goals for his final season. As a team, he wants South to reach the regional tournament, something he believes would represent a significant accomplishment for the program.

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“One thing I’m really wanting to work on is my accuracy from long range,” Morales said. “I’ve been working on it throughout the summer, and I’m excited to show the improvement I’ve made this season.”

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One area Morales has targeted for improvement is his longrange shooting. He has spent the summer working on his accuracy from distance and hopes that work will translate into more goals during the season.

DAV I D K AU F F M A N ’ S AT H L E T E S P OT L I G H T

Wichita East’s Jonathan Flores

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After putting together a strong junior season, Wichita East senior Jonathan Flores is looking to build on his success and help lead the Blue Aces to a deep postseason run.

Flores returns after recording 18 goals and 13 assists last season. The varsity standout also earned second-team All-State honors and enters the new season with high expectations for both himself and his team.

“I’m most excited to compete with my teammates, improve throughout the season, and see how far we can go as a team,” Flores said. “I’m especially excited for the big games and hopefully making a deep playoff run.”

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Flores spent the offseason working to become a more complete player. His training focused on conditioning, ball control, passing, shooting and strength. He also played pickup games and trained with teammates to stay in shape and continue developing his skills.

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One of Flores’ biggest areas of focus entering the season is his finishing around the goal. He worked on taking more shots, finishing with both feet and remaining composed in scoring situations.

“I worked on taking more shots, finishing with both feet, and staying calm when I’m in front of the goal,” Flores said. With another season ahead, Flores hopes his offseason work translates into greater consistency and production. Individually, he wants to contribute more goals and assists while building his confidence on the field. “I want to become a more consistent player, contribute more goals and assists, and improve my overall confidence,” Flores said. For Flores, however, the biggest goals extend beyond his individual statistics. He hopes East can put together a winning season, compete for a league championship and make a strong run in the playoffs.

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MORGAN’S STEAKHOUSE ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Derby’s James Lyman Instead of immediately building mileage and jumping into workouts with his teammates, Derby’s James Lyman has spent much of the offseason focused on something more important: getting healthy.

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The road to recovery began during track season, when persistent pain developed in his lower leg.

“About three-fourths of the way in the season, my lower leg began having persistent pain when I ran, then eventually all of the time,” Lyman said.

Initially, Lyman thought the pain was shin splints and believed he could continue training through it. As the discomfort increased, however, he talked with his coach and decided to begin his normal two-week break between seasons early.

The hope was that the additional rest would allow the pain to subside while giving Lyman a head start on summer training. Instead, the pain returned when he attempted to resume running. “After several weeks of rest, I tried to begin running, but the pain returned quickly,” Lyman said.

Lyman tried resting again, this time for an even longer period. When that did not solve the problem, his teammates encouraged him to see a physical therapist. That decision proved to be a turning point.

Following an MRI, Lyman learned he had early signs of a stress fracture. Even after several weeks of rest, the signs of the injury were still present. “After visiting a physical therapist, I was recommended several steps that would lead me to recovery,” Lyman said.

With prescribed physical therapy, Lyman began to see progress. The pain gradually receded, allowing him to slowly increase his mileage.

“The process of recovery has been very long-winded,” Lyman said. “As I did the prescribed physical therapy, the pain receded, and I have been able to increase my mileage as a result.” The recovery process has also changed the way Lyman prepares for his senior season. While his teammates have progressed through their normal summer training, Lyman has had to take a much more cautious approach. “I have been increasing my mileage far slower than everyone else, and am unable to do workouts,” Lyman said.

Although the slower progression has meant less time training with his teammates, it has also given Lyman more time for school and work. More importantly, it has allowed him to prioritize getting back to running without rushing the recovery process. After dealing with months of uncertainty, Lyman enters his senior season with relatively simple goals. He is not focused on setting an unrealistic time or making dramatic predictions. Instead, he wants to return to the level of performance he knows he is capable of.

“My goals for the season really aren’t that crazy,” Lyman said. “I’m just hoping to either match my PR or beat it by at least 10 seconds.”

SHARI LEWIS INSURANCE SHOPPE’S ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Wichita Northwest Volleyball Wichita Northwest volleyball enters the upcoming season with a young roster and plenty of opportunity.

The Grizzlies graduated six seniors from last season, leaving the program with several new faces and a chance for younger players to grow into larger roles.

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“This upcoming season will be a rebuilding year for our program after graduating six seniors,” Northwest coach DeJanae Bridwell said. “We will have several new faces bringing fresh energy, and they will experience tremendous growth throughout the season.” Among the key returners are junior middle blocker Johanna Fountain and sophomore Rylee Triplett, two players Bridwell will rely on as the season progresses.

Fountain is coming off a breakout sophomore season after spending her freshman year on the junior varsity team. The experience helped her adjust to the speed and demands of high school volleyball before making her mark at the varsity level.

“Johanna is a freakishly dynamic middle blocker with tremendous potential to continue growing and dominating at a high level,” Bridwell said.

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Fountain quickly established herself as a presence at the net, combining a strong blocking game with powerful attacks. Her athleticism also allows her to attack from behind the 10-foot line at times, adding another dimension to the Grizzlies’ offense. Her competitiveness and work ethic have made her one of the players to watch as Northwest begins a new chapter.

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Triplett also enters the season with valuable varsity experience despite being just a sophomore.

She first caught the coaching staff’s attention during summer open gyms because of her confidence, willingness to improve and coachability. Like Fountain, Triplett initially spent time developing at the junior varsity level.

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An opportunity came during the middle of the 2025-26 season when injuries opened a spot on the varsity roster. “When her number was called, she embraced the challenge and held her own with confidence and composure,” Bridwell said.

Triplett appeared in 27 varsity sets and finished with 37 kills on 112 attacks, a .223 hitting percentage and 1.4 kills per set. She also had 12 total attack errors. “Returners Johanna Fountain (Jr.) and Rylee Triplett (So.) will play a key role in helping our younger athletes navigate the pressures and expectations of varsity volleyball,” Bridwell said.

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WICHITA SOCCER POLL WINNER

Newton’s Victor Galvan

The Railer standout has spent the offseason working to prepare himself physically and mentally for the challenges ahead. Galvan participated in multiple individual and team training sessions while maintaining a daily weightlifting routine.

He also worked with college coach Jose Rojas as he prepared not only for the upcoming high school season, but for the next level as well.

“Some areas that I’ve focused on this offseason were working on my weak foot and getting bigger to not only prepare myself for this upcoming high school season but also for college,” Galvan

With the season approaching, Galvan has set ambitious goals for himself. Individually, he hopes to earn first-team honors and significantly increase his production from a year ago.

“My individual goals for this season are to get all first-team honors and to double my stats,” Galvan said.

But Galvan’s biggest goal is one shared by the entire Newton program: another trip to the state tournament. “My team goal is to go back to state,” he said.

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One of Galvan’s biggest priorities during the offseason has been becoming a more complete player. He focused on improving his weaker foot and adding strength, two areas he believes will help him both this season and as he continues preparing for a potential college career.

“I’ve been lifting every day and also having specific training days dedicated to working on my weak foot and using it just as much as my strong foot during individual and team training,” he said.

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“I’ve had multiple individual and team trainings that have helped me improve,” Galvan said. “I’ve also been lifting every day and working with a college coach, Jose Rojas, to prepare for the season and to also get myself mentally focused for this season.”

Galvan said his work has included specific training days devoted to his weaker foot, with the goal of becoming more comfortable using both feet in a variety of situations.

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“I am most excited to play with my teammates because they are the guys I grew up with,” Galvan said. “And to play in our home stadium because of the fans and the passion they bring to our team.”

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Newton’s Victor Galvan said one of the things he is looking forward to most is sharing the season with the players who have grown up alongside him.

ALEXANDRIA JOHNSON’S SHELTER ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Maize South’s Aldo Acosta

Eisenhower’s Jackson McCoy

A year after establishing himself as one of the area’s top soccer players, Maize South’s Aldo Acosta enters the new season looking to build on his success while helping the Mavericks take the next step as a team.

Eisenhower senior soccer player Jackson McCoy is most excited for the season to get underway, as well as the start of league play in the AVCTL Division II.

Acosta returns after scoring 17 goals and recording 11 assists in 22 games last season. His performance earned him first-team all-state, All-Metro first-team and AVCTL Division I first-team honors.

Rather than focusing solely on last year’s accomplishments, Acosta spent the offseason preparing to become a more complete player and a stronger leader for his teammates.

“I’m most excited to compete with my teammates and see how much we can improve together,” Acosta said. “I’m looking forward to the games, building chemistry with the team, and pushing ourselves to have a successful season.”

Acosta consistently worked out in the gym during the offseason, focusing on becoming stronger and improving his athleticism. He also attended the Maize South summer camp, where he continued developing his soccer skills while working on conditioning and his understanding of the game. Along with the physical preparation, Acosta placed an emphasis on strengthening his mental approach to the game.

“I’ve also been working on staying disciplined and becoming mentally stronger so I can handle pressure and challenges better during the season,” Acosta said.

One of Acosta’s primary goals entering the season is to improve his confidence and consistency on the field. He used the offseason to address both areas through additional training, extra touches on the ball and work in the gym. Acosta said becoming mentally stronger has been just as important as improving his physical skills.

“I’ve also focused on becoming mentally stronger and staying confident even when things don’t go my way,” Acosta said. With another season ahead, Acosta has individual goals that extend beyond simply matching last year’s production. He wants to improve his fitness and technical ability while becoming a player his teammates can depend on in important moments.

“Individually, I want to become a better and more complete soccer player, improve my fitness and skills, and be someone my teammates can rely on,” Acosta said. For Maize South, Acosta’s goals are centered on the team. He wants the Mavericks to develop strong chemistry, compete in every game and put themselves in position for a deep postseason run.

McCoy spent the offseason preparing with conditioning sessions and plenty of time on the field. The extra work allowed him to get more touches on the ball while building chemistry with both returning players and newcomers.

“Over summer, we had conditioning that I ran,” McCoy said. “We have just played a bunch, so I have gotten a lot of touches on the ball and built good team chemistry with all the new and returning players.” One of McCoy’s biggest areas of focus this season is his shooting. As a defender, he does not often have opportunities to get into the attack, making it important for him to capitalize when those chances come. “I want to improve on my shooting this year,” McCoy said. “Since I play defense, I don’t get the opportunity to score much, so I want to score with the limited chances I’ll have this year.”

McCoy used the summer to work on his shooting during small-sided games, which also helped him improve his ability to maintain possession and create opportunities in tight spaces.

“We played a bunch of small-sided games this year, so I have been able to work on shooting more and keeping the ball in tighter spaces,” McCoy said. McCoy recorded three assists last season while helping Eisenhower finish with a 10-6-1 record. His defensive efforts earned him first-team all-league honors.

This season, McCoy wants to add more offensive production to his résumé. He has set a goal of scoring at least five goals and recording at least three assists while earning first-team all-state recognition. As a team, McCoy has even bigger ambitions. Eisenhower is looking to bring home some hardware, whether that comes in the form of a regional championship or a state title.

“As a team, I want to win some sort of hardware this year, whether that may be a regional title or a state championship,” McCoy said. With only five home games on the schedule, McCoy also wants Eisenhower to take full advantage of playing in front of its home crowd. “We also only have five home games, so I would like to go undefeated at home,” McCoy said.

McCoy also has his sights set on the top of the AVCTL Division II standings. After contributing primarily on defense last season, he hopes his improved shooting can give Eisenhower another weapon as it pursues a league championship. “I would also like to try for first in our league, AVCTL DII,” McCoy said.

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“Most importantly, I want us to work hard for each other and have a successful season,” Acosta said.

“I’m most excited for the season to start and my individual league to start as well,” McCoy said.

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JODI OCADIZ’S SHELTER ATHLETE SPOTLIGHTS

Andover’s Ada Tantemsomboon Andover’s Ada Tantemsomboon will represent the Trojans as a singles player this season, after playing doubles and winning state last season. This season will give her an opportunity to test herself in a different role while helping Andover pursue another state championship. “I am most excited to represent my school as a singles player this year after playing doubles the last few years,” Tantemsomboon said.

Although her role on the court is changing, one thing that remains the same is the importance of her teammates. Tantemsomboon said the Andover team has always been a close-knit group, making practices, road trips and team dinners some of her favorite parts of the season. “We always have fun with each other, especially at team2 dinners,” she said.

Tantemsomboon has put considerable work into preparing for her senior season. During the offseason, she trained with a group of high-level players through a High Performance program that included drills, match play, mental training and athletic development.

She also traveled to Thailand during the summer, where she had the opportunity to practice and compete alongside advanced and national-level players.

Her physical preparation has been just as demanding. Tantemsomboon strength trains four to five times a week while incorporating functional training, mobility and plyometrics. She has also focused on nutrition to help with recovery, fueling and overall performance. As she transitions to singles, Tantemsomboon is focused on developing another important part of her game: her mentality. “This year, I want to improve my mentality and build more trust in myself on the court,” she said.

She has worked toward that goal by putting herself in match-like situations during practices and competing in USTA tournaments. Tantemsomboon has also spent significant time working with her coach to build confidence and prepare for different situations she may encounter during matches.

The Trojans enter the season with a championship standard. Andover has won five consecutive state team titles, and Tantemsomboon hopes to help extend that streak in her final season. “Evidently, I would like to win my own matches, but I also hope to finish my last year of high school tennis with no regrets, while also enjoying the process,” Tantemsomboon said.

Tantemsomboon enters the season with plenty of momentum after an outstanding junior campaign. She and her doubles partner finished 31-0 last season and captured the Class 5A state doubles championship. Now, with a new challenge ahead, Tantemsomboon is looking to make the most of her final season in an Andover uniform.

“Every season I’ve been a part of, as well as tennis in general, has taught me more about myself, and I aim to continue that as I move forward,” she said.

Andover’s Isabel Hawley Isabel Hawley has spent the offseason preparing for her final high school golf season with a simple goal in mind: trust the work she has put in. After a successful junior season that included an individual league championship, a third-place finish at sub-state and a 15th-place finish at state, Hawley is ready to make the most of her final season with the Andover Trojans.

“This season I’m most excited to round out my high school career with my teammates and coaches,” Hawley said. “Andover golf has given me such a supportive and fun community, I can’t wait to make some of my last memories with them.” Hawley spent much of the offseason competing in tournaments and continuing to develop her game. She had weekly lessons with her swing coach, Doug Atherly, while also working out and playing in the heat to prepare for the conditions she will encounter during the season. She also placed an emphasis on endurance by competing in 36-hole tournaments and adding swing-speed-focused movements to her gym routine.

“I really focused on playing in 36 hole tournaments, so lots of training to keep my endurance up,” Hawley said. “As well as endurance, I implemented more swing speed focused movements in the gym.” Hawley competed in South Central PGA and Central Links tournaments throughout Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, giving her plenty of opportunities to test herself against strong competition. As she enters the season, Hawley has identified one particular area where she wants to take another step forward: her short game.

Her offseason practice has shifted away from spending most of her time on the range and toward putting and chipping around the green.

“One area I want to improve on this season is my short game around the green,” Hawley said. “This has shifted my personal practice to be more putting and chipping focused rather than the range.”

Hawley has dedicated specific practice days to her short game, working to develop the feel and consistency she needs on the course. She has also found ways to make those sessions more enjoyable.

“Making up and learning productive games also helps to take the mundane feel of putting and chipping,” she said. That work is part of a larger goal for Hawley: becoming more confident in the game she has built through years of practice.

She wants to lower her season scoring average while trusting the preparation she has put in before each round. “A few goals I have for this season is to trust the time I put into my practice and lower my season average,” Hawley said. “Being able to be confident in myself has already positively affected my scores, so I’m excited to keep a good mindset going into this season.” Hawley’s confidence is backed by a strong junior campaign.

She finished last season with an 82.4 scoring average, won the league championship individually, placed third at sub-state and finished 15th at state. She also recorded two personal-best rounds, shooting a 75 before lowering that mark to a 71. And in one of the highlights of her junior season, Hawley recorded her first hole-in-one.

Now she hopes to build on that success while helping Andover compete for another strong postseason finish.

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Cheney’s Stratton Young Stratton Young enters the cross country season with a clear goal in mind: break the 16-minute barrier in the 5K. The Cheney standout already has established himself as one of Class 3A’s top runners. Young finished fifth individually at the 2025 KSHSAA Class 3A state meet at Rim Rock Farm with a time of 16:32.79. Young’s personal-record time is 16:24, leaving him within striking distance of his sub-16 goal. “I’m most excited about running with my team and being able to win a lot of meets,” Young said.

To prepare for the season, Young has focused on threshold workouts and tempo runs while targeting one particular part of the race: the final mile.

“An area I want to improve in is my mental ability in the last mile of the 5K because I know I have a little more left in me,” Young said.

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Young has incorporated challenging interval sessions into his training to strengthen both his physical and mental

endurance. One workout has him completing five total miles of 800-meter repeats, with the final repetitions testing his ability to maintain his focus when fatigue sets in. “I’ve worked on this by doing 5 miles total in 800 repeats in a session, and it gets very mentally and physically challenging in the last few reps,” Young said. That preparation could be important as Young looks to improve on his

“Our team goal is to make state, especially with the new KSHAA rule that will allow the sites to be more balanced.” - Stratton Young

state performance from a year ago. His 16:32.79 at the 2025 state championship placed him fifth in the 3A boys race. While Young has an ambitious individual target, his focus extends beyond his own performance. Cheney’s primary goal is to return to the state meet as a team. “Our team goal is to make state, especially with the new KSHAA rule that will allow the sites to be more balanced,” Young said.

With another season of experience and a state medal already on his résumé, Young enters the year looking to turn that experience into faster times and another opportunity for Cheney to compete at the state level.

RIKKI CASEY’S SHELTER ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Valley Center’s Elena Alvarez

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The relationships Valley Center’s Elena Alvarez have formed have become a major reason Alvarez enjoys volleyball, and she is looking forward to creating more memories with her teammates throughout the season. In particular, she is excited for the tournaments and the opportunity to see what the Hornets can accomplish together.

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“I’m excited to see what we can accomplish as a team and hope that we can compete well in every game,” Alvarez said.

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Alvarez spent the offseason taking a well-rounded approach to her athletic development. She went to the gym, lifted weights and ran while preparing for volleyball, softball and javelin.

For volleyball specifically, Alvarez focused on plyometrics to improve her explosiveness and running to build her endurance. “I have taken a more well-rounded approach because I want to improve in all of my sports, including volleyball, softball and javelin,” Alvarez said.

One of Alvarez’s biggest areas of focus entering the season is improving her serve receive and defense. She worked on passing drills during the offseason and believes the extra work has helped her become more consistent.

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Her experience during club season also provided valuable opportunities to develop those skills. Alvarez played back row, giving her additional time to work on both serve receive and defense.

“I hope the experience I gained during club carries over into the school season and helps me continue to improve in these areas,” Alvarez said. Alvarez enters the season with several individual goals, including maintaining a .200 hitting percentage, becoming a stronger leader on the court and consistently bringing positive energy to her team. She enters the season with confidence after hitting around .250 during the 2026 club season.

“I believe these goals are very achievable, especially since I maintained around a .250 hitting percentage during the 2026 club season,” Alvarez said. Last season, Alvarez recorded a 1.97 serve rating and a 1.65 serve receive rating. She also finished with 118 kills, 13 blocks, 135 digs and 36 assists while setting in only a few matches. Now, Alvarez hopes to use that experience to help Valley Center take the next step as a team.

One of her primary goals is for the Hornets to finish in the top three in the league and win sub-state. Valley Center had similar goals last season but did not finish in the top three. “This year, I want to improve on that and help my team reach those goals,” Alvarez said.

WICHITA GIRLS GOLF POLL WINNER

Kapaun Mount Carmel’s Reese Christenson

Now, Christenson is eager to return to competition alongside a group of teammates who helped make her first season memorable.

“What I am most excited for this upcoming golf season is playing with my incredible and supportive teammates again!” Christenson said. “We ended my freshman season on a great note and I can’t wait to achieve more goals with this team again this year.”

Her offseason work also produced some of the best golf of her career.

Christenson won the Wichita Area Women’s Golf

Christenson enters the season with both team and individual goals. After helping Kapaun capture a state championship last year, she wants the Crusaders to repeat that accomplishment.

“Goals I have this season for our team would be to win another state title again together!” Christenson said. “I think with our hard work and support we can all achieve that again.” Individually, Christenson wants to improve on her eighth-place finish at state. Her consistent play and postseason honors provide a strong foundation heading into the new season.

Christenson earned Second Team All-State and First Team All-Metro honors last season, and she hopes to use that experience to contend for an even higher finish this fall. “My individual goal is to place better at state this year than last year when I placed eighth,” Christenson said.

With a state championship already on her résumé and a productive offseason behind her, Christenson enters the season with confidence in both her own game and the team around her.

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“During the offseason I got new clubs,” Christenson said. “I’ve been working on consistency and my new distances. I played in many Central Links and U.S. Kids tournaments this summer to help prepare for the fall.”

“I would love to improve on my short game,” Christenson said. “I think it’s a very important part of your round and can help you save many strokes around and on the green.”

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Christenson spent the offseason working to improve her consistency while adjusting to a new set of clubs. She also competed in Central Links and U.S. Kids tournaments throughout the summer to prepare for the high school season.

Despite those accomplishments, Christenson has identified an important part of her game she wants to continue developing: her short game.

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Christenson helped the Crusaders win the Class 5A state championship last season while placing eighth individually with a twoday score of 167. She also finished in the top 10 at every tournament, including top-three finishes at the Greater Wichita Athletic League and the regional tournament in Salina.

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After a strong freshman season that ended with a state championship and a top-10 individual finish, Kapaun Mount Carmel golfer Reese Christenson is looking to take another step forward this fall.

WICHITA DRIVING SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

Valley Center’s Caris Claussen Caris Claussen is entering her senior season with the Valley Center High School volleyball team determined to make the most of every opportunity.

As a senior captain, Claussen is embracing a larger leadership role while helping the Hornets work toward a successful season and a sub-state championship.

“I’m most excited to see what this group of girls can do together,” Claussen said. “Since it’s my senior year, I want to make the most out of every opportunity.” Claussen, a 5-foot-8 right-side and outside hitter, said she wants to be someone her teammates can rely on both on and off the court. “As a captain this year, I’m looking forward to being someone my teammates can count on and step up as a leader on and off the court,” she said.

to improve, particularly as she works toward becoming a six-rotation player. Her club season helped her recognize the importance of confidence and learning from mistakes. “In the offseason I learned to be more willing to make mistakes and reflect on what I need to get better at in practice or open gyms,” she said.

The Hornets have set their sights on winning sub-state, but Claussen knows reaching that goal will require more than talent. The senior class created a team theme, “Shark Attack,” with each letter representing an important characteristic the team wants to bring to the court.

Two of those characteristics stand out most

Claussen has spent the offseason preparing for her final high school season through weightlifting, high school practices, private lessons and club volleyball open gyms.

to Claussen: aggression and resilience.

“We need to have more grit and play aggressive by not holding back,” Claussen said.

Claussen also has established process goals for herself. She wants to approach each practice as if it were a game, give full effort on every ball and use a reset word during competition to prevent one mistake from carrying over into the next point.

“I will not let one bad point lead to another,” Claussen said. She also has set a goal of recording a .200 hitting percentage each match while continuing to improve her serve receive.

Claussen enters the season coming off a year in which she recorded a .205 hitting percentage, a 92.4% serving percentage and an average of 0.8 blocks per match. While individual improvement is important, Claussen’s biggest focus remains the success of the Hornets. “I want to help my team start off strong and have a successful season being proud of everything we accomplish together,” Claussen said.

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Her offseason work also gave her opportunities to continue developing as a leader. During her club season, Claussen made encouragement and intentional support of her teammates a priority.

With one final high school season ahead, Claussen is ready to put her preparation, leadership and “Shark Attack” mentality to work.

“Stepping up as a leader is something I strive to continue working on,” Claussen said. “During club I made encouragement a focus and being intentional about supporting my teammates.”

“I’m also excited to compete against some tough teams in our league and push myself to be the best player I can be,” she said.

Claussen also identified serve receive as an area she wants

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THE GLASSMAN’S ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Derby’s Brodie Knight Brodie Knight is entering his final season with Derby soccer looking to make the most of his time with his teammates while helping the Panthers put together a winning season.

Knight, who primarily played left back last season, is excited for one final opportunity to compete alongside his teammates. “I’m most excited to train with all my teammates and win games, and have some fun while it is my last season with Derby soccer,” Knight said.

Knight put in work throughout the offseason to prepare for his senior season. He participated in Derby’s summer workouts and attended college showcases before getting additional individual training with the Newman University coach.

“I went to summer workouts for the high school then I also did college showcases,” Knight said. “Then I did some personal training with the Newman coach.” One of Knight’s biggest areas of focus was improving his finishing. While his primary position has been left back, he wants to become more dangerous offensively and be capable of finishing opportunities in tight spaces.

“Scoring as a striker,” Knight said when discussing his area for improvement. “I usually play left back so I had to train on my finishing in tight spaces.”

Knight enters the season after earning honorable mention all-league recognition last year. He finished with seven assists while playing primarily as a defender. This season, Knight has set individual and team goals that go beyond simply improving his own game. He hopes to earn second-team all-league recognition while helping Derby finish with a winning record.

“I’d like to make at least the second team league,” Knight said. “I would like us as a team to have a winning season.”

With another offseason of preparation behind him, Knight enters his final high school season determined to contribute wherever Derby needs him. After establishing himself as a reliable defender and playmaker, he hopes to add more offensive production and help the Panthers finish the season on a high note.

DEAN JONES’ STATE FARM ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Wichita Northwest’s Karissa Patterson Patterson is especially looking forward to the competitive nature of the Wichita City League, including Northwest’s first home match of the season against Carroll and Kapaun Mount Carmel.

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“For the upcoming season I am most excited to get back on the court and compete with my teammates,” Patterson said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how much we can improve throughout the season and building on all that we accomplished last year.”

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The early-season matchup against Carroll and Kapaun is one Patterson has circled on the calendar.

“I am especially excited to play Carroll and Kapaun for our first home game of the season,” she said. “Those are two of the toughest teams in our city league and always the best games of the year to play in.” Patterson spent the offseason preparing both physically and mentally for another demanding season. Her work included conditioning, strength training and skill development, while also challenging herself to improve in areas that gave her trouble last season.

Patterson also added sand volleyball to her offseason training, using it as another way to improve her endurance.

Patterson enters the season after producing 240 kills and a .216 hitting percentage last year. She ranked seventh in Class 6A in kills and added 205 digs, which ranked 13th in the Greater Wichita Athletic League. Her efforts earned Patterson GWAL honorable mention recognition and a spot on the Kansas Volleyball Association All-Academic First Team.

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“Some ways I have worked in that area during the offseason is getting plenty of reps with some of my past teammates and focusing more on trusting myself in those positions,” Patterson said. “I know that improving takes time, so I want to continue working on it throughout the entire season.”

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“I’ve focused on my conditioning, strength, and improving my skills,” Patterson said. “I’ve also spent time getting out of my comfort zone by practicing the things I struggled with last season so I can be more confident when those situations come up during games.”

One of her biggest goals entering the season is becoming more consistent in serve receive and defense. Patterson worked with some of her former teammates during the offseason to get additional repetitions and build confidence.

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After a successful junior season, Wichita Northwest volleyball player Karissa Patterson is eager to return to the court and see what she and her teammates can accomplish this fall.

OLD CHICAGO ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Bishop Carroll’s Lauren DeGroot doing tons of lifting.”

Lauren DeGroot enters the upcoming season with high expectations for herself and Bishop Carroll, but more than anything, she is excited to compete alongside a team she believes can make another deep postseason run.

DeGroot also hopes to take on an even greater leadership role for the Golden Eagles. She wants to set the tone through her effort in practices, workouts and matches.

“I am so excited and blessed to compete with my amazing team,” DeGroot said. “The girls are some of the most hardworking and dedicated people I know, and are so fun to be around.”

“Individually, I want to be the best leader I can for the team by putting 110% into every rep, lift, and game,” DeGroot said.

Her experience and production give Bishop Carroll another reason for optimism. Last season, DeGroot earned second-team All-Metro, first-team All-City and first-team All-Academic honors. She was also an AllTournament selection at Hays.

DeGroot is especially looking forward to the Topeka Seaman tournament and the opportunity to test the team against strong competition. She and her teammates spent the offseason preparing through team camps, open gyms, workouts and conditioning sessions. DeGroot also focused on her individual development, incorporating lifting and plyometrics into her training to become faster and more explosive.

“I have been doing a lot of lifting and plyometrics to work on becoming even faster and more explosive,” DeGroot said. One of DeGroot’s primary areas of focus heading into the season is becoming more powerful at the net while improving her vertical. She has worked toward those goals by getting in extra repetitions and spending time in the weight room.

DeGroot finished the season with 269 kills, a .312 hitting percentage, 156 digs and 33 aces.

Now, she hopes to use that experience to help Bishop Carroll accomplish its biggest goals. “As a team we are looking to take City League for the third year in a row, and host/win regionals to make a strong state run,” DeGroot said.

“I’m wanting to improve on my power when I hit, as well as my vertical,” DeGroot said. “To do this I’ve been getting in lots of reps, and

WICHITA AREA ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Eisenhower’s Emilee George

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Eisenhower senior Emilee George is looking forward to making the most of her final season on the volleyball court, especially with a group of teammates she has grown up playing alongside.

With six seniors on the team, George said the Tigers have developed a strong bond over the years. Many of the seniors have played together since seventh grade, creating a foundation of experience and chemistry heading into the season. “I am also excited for every gameday and tournament because I am getting to play with my best friends one last time,” George said.

One of George’s favorite parts of the season is the team’s bonding activities. As seniors, the players are assigned four or five underclassmen to form “families,” giving them opportunities to complete bonding exercises and drills together.

“It’s always fun and an easy way to get closer to my teammates,” George said.

George also looks forward to the team’s annual substate breakfast at Marilyn’s house, another tradition she said makes the season special.

While George values the team’s chemistry, she has spent the offseason working to improve her game. She has made an effort to get into the gym whenever she has free time, often going with friends but also taking advantage of opportunities to work on her skills on her own. Finding time has not always been easy because George also plays softball, but she has tried to make the most of the time she has available. This season, George is concentrating on becoming a stronger defensive player while improving the

consistency of her serve. She has worked on her positioning and staying low to better get through balls and keep them off the floor.

On the service line, George wants to become more consistent while making her serves more difficult for opponents to handle.

“I want to become more consistent while also making my serves tougher and harder for the other team to handle,” George said.

George enters the season with a strong résumé. Last season, she recorded 363 assists, 149 digs, 81 kills, 24 blocks and 23 aces. She also earned honorable mention all-league recognition and first-team academic honors.

As a senior captain, George has set both individual and team goals for her final season. She wants to surpass her assist total from last season, record more aces and improve her hitting percentage. She also wants to use her final season to help the younger players on the team.

“I also want to be the best role model for the underclassmen and the strongest leader I can be for my team as captain this year,” George said. The Tigers have set ambitious goals as a team: win the league title, host sub-state, win sub-state and compete at the state tournament.

George believes Eisenhower has the experience and chemistry necessary to make a deep postseason run. “We all have the same mindset this year and are willing to push each other to reach our goals,” George said.

For George, though, the season is about more than wins and statistics. With her final year of high school volleyball ahead, she wants to enjoy every opportunity to compete alongside the teammates who have been part of her journey.

“We are 100% capable of meeting these goals while also having fun,” George said.

C L A U D I A S E G OV I A N O ’ S S H E LT E R AT H L E T E S P O T L I G H T

Buhler’s Corbin Starkweather

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Corbin Starkweather enters her senior cross country season at Buhler High School with plenty of motivation and lofty goals.

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After helping the Crusaders win back-to-back state championships, Starkweather is looking to lead Buhler to a third consecutive Class 4A state title while pursuing an individual championship of her own.

“I hope to lead my team to our third consecutive State Title this year,” Starkweather said. “We have a very strong group of girls who are willing to do the work and make that happen. I also am hoping to capture the State Title individually to top off my senior season.”

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Starkweather spent the offseason preparing for another demanding season by consistently logging miles each week. She also incorporated strength training into her routine and worked to address weaknesses to help prevent injuries. While her physical preparation has been a major focus, Starkweather said she wants to improve her mental toughness the most this season.

“I primarily focus on consistent mileage during the summer, but the workouts that I did do were on my own, which is also something that helps challenge my mental strength in running,” Starkweather said.

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For Starkweather, summer training provides an opportunity to develop that toughness, particularly when conditions make running difficult. “I go to work on that during my summer training because it is especially hard to want to get up in the morning to run in the heat and humidity,” she said.

Starkweather already has built an impressive resume during her high school career. As a junior, she placed third at the state cross country meet while helping Buhler capture its second consecutive state championship. She also won regional and league championships and posted a personal-best 5-kilometer time of 18 minutes, 36 seconds.

Her success continued during the track season. Starkweather won the Class 4A state championship in the 3,200 meters and finished runner-up in both the 1,600 and 4x800-meter relay. She also set the all-time Kansas state record in the 2,000-meter steeplechase. Starkweather has established herself as one of Buhler’s most accomplished distance runners, holding school records in the 5K, 3,200, 2,000-meter steeplechase, 1,600, 4x800 and 4xMile. Despite the individual accomplishments, Starkweather said her teammates remain one of the biggest reasons she is excited to compete in her final high school season.

“I am very excited for the upcoming season because I get to spend it with my team,” Starkweather said. “I have a wonderful team, with some of the best coaches and girls, who make all of the hard work worth it!”

WICHITA AREA ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Maize South’s Caden Papacek

He often combined all of those elements into his training five days a week. The goal was to make sure he was prepared to take on an even larger role

“One area I have been wanting to improve on is scoring and creating,” Papacek said. “Mostly in the offseason I just worked on my stamina, dribbling, and shooting and most important confidence.”

That confidence will be important as Papacek looks to help lead a Maize South team that enters the season with high expectations. The Mavericks have already experienced what it takes to make a deep postseason

Now, Papacek wants to take the final step. “I hope to win state and lead my team there,” he said.

While Papacek has individual goals for improvement, he said personal statistics are not what motivate him most.

“I don’t really care for the stats as long as I lead my team in the right way,” Papacek said. Last season, Papacek contributed two goals and 13 assists in 21 games. His ability to create opportunities for his teammates helped him earn All-League honorable mention recognition.

Now, with one season remaining, Papacek is embracing the responsibility that comes with being one of the team’s experienced players. The numbers may not be his priority, but his impact on the Mavericks could be measured in much more than goals and assists.

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Papacek spent the offseason preparing for that opportunity with a demanding training schedule. His work included sessions with a private trainer, weightlifting, speed training and team high school sessions.

He spent the offseason working on his stamina, dribbling and shooting, while also placing an emphasis on building confidence.

run. Last season, Maize South went 182-1, finished second and showed it could compete with the best teams in the state.

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“I am very excited to play alongside my teammates one last year,” Papacek said.

One of Papacek’s biggest areas of focus has been becoming more effective offensively, particularly when it comes to scoring and creating opportunities.

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After helping the Mavericks finish 18-2-1 and reach the state runner-up spot last season, Papacek is eager to return to the field with his teammates for one final opportunity.

when the season began.

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With one final season ahead of him, Caden Papacek is focused less on personal statistics and more on helping Maize South make a run at a state championship.

JODI OCADIZ’S SHELTER ATHLETE SPOTLIGHTS

Andover Central’s Olivia Lewis Andover Central senior Olivia Lewis is embracing a new leadership role while helping the Jaguars chase a pair of championships and a trip to the state tournament. Lewis was voted a team captain alongside Avery Unruh, a responsibility she is eager to take on as she enters her final high school season. “I’m ready to embrace this role, and be there for my teammates however they need me,” Lewis said.

Lewis said the Jaguars’ chemistry and work ethic are among the biggest reasons she is excited for the season.

“I am the most excited to be with an amazing group of hardworking and dedicated girls,” Lewis said. “They truly are what makes school season so fun, and helps me show up every day.”

Lewis has spent much of the offseason preparing for her senior season. She has played volleyball since November, with breaks when her body needed them, while also putting an emphasis on weightlifting and her mental approach to the game.

“Weight lifting has played a huge role in my development as an athlete, and gives me confidence to play six rotations as an undersized player,” Lewis said. Her mental game has also become an important part of her development. Lewis credited Ben Flowers with helping her improve in that area and said the work has allowed her to approach the game with more confidence and enjoyment. “My mental game has been a huge part of my process, and has made the game much more relaxing and fun,” Lewis said. “Shoutout to Ben Flowers for helping me along the way.”

As a setter, Lewis has also focused on becoming more thoughtful in her decision-making. With more experience on the court, she has learned how to put her hitters in better positions while making it more difficult for opposing blockers to anticipate the offense.

“I’ve learned the best ways to keep my hitters successful while also keeping the opposing blockers on their feet,” Lewis said. Lewis enters the season with several individual goals, including improving her consistency with location, defense and serve receive. While setter remains her primary position, she is also considering the possibility of playing defensive specialist at the college level. “In the long run being a DS in college is a possibility, along with setting,” Lewis said.

She plans to continue getting as many touches as possible while being intentional with her work.

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Lewis also has two major personal goals for her senior season: reaching 2,000 career assists and committing to a college volleyball program.

Andover Central’s Emmy Kaberline Andover Central’s Emmy Kaberline is looking forward to playing alongside the Jaguars’’ six seniors, who she said have helped push her to become a better player.

“Our team is blessed with six amazing senior girls who are awesome on and off the court,” Kaberline said. “They push me to be better every day and I love to spend time with them.” Andover Central will have plenty of opportunities to grow together this season, including road trips to face tough competition. “Many of our games are pretty far away, but it will allow us to play some tough competition and grow through adversity, which is something that will help us in the future,” Kaberline said.

Kaberline spent the offseason working toward a specific goal. After her sophomore season, she set out to increase her vertical by 4 inches and reach a 10-foot approach touch by the end of the school year.

She put in extra work at the school weight room, a garage gym and the YMCA, focusing not only on her vertical but also on becoming stronger, quicker and more mobile.

“I am a firm believer that you don’t need fancy equipment or personal trainers to reach your goals, just a solid plan, people who support you and a strong work ethic,” Kaberline said. With help from her high school weights coach and her mother, Kaberline reached the goal she had set. “I hit the 10’ approach touch goal I set for myself,” she said.

Kaberline continued her preparation during the summer with her club team, competing in a preseason national tournament and AAU Nationals. Her club team finished tied for fifth in the Premier division at AAU Nationals. She and her parents also spent much of June and July traveling throughout the Midwest for eight to 10 college visits and camps. “It was a lot of fun and I made so many memories,” Kaberline said. “I got to meet some great people and play against some incredible competition.”

While Kaberline has established herself as a strong front-row player, she has identified serve receive as an area where she wants to make significant progress. “This year I am working hard to improve my serve receive to be a better all-around player,” she said. “While I do well in the front row, passing has always been a struggle for me.”

Kaberline spent additional time working on her passing during the offseason, including practicing in her driveway when she did not have access to a gym. When she did have gym access, she made a point of arriving early or staying late to get extra repetitions. She has also placed an increased emphasis on the mental side of the game, working on her focus before practices, games and individual drills.

L U X U R Y L AVATO R I E S ’ AT H L E T E S P OT L I G H T

Wichita North’s Max Bielefeld Wichita North’s Max Bielefeld enters the season looking to build on a strong junior campaign in which he recorded two goals and two assists while earning secondteam City League honors. He also scored one of the biggest goals of his career, a 40-yard strike that gave North an overtime victory in a home playoff game.

Now, with his final high school season ahead, Bielefeld has his sights set on helping North make a deep postseason run.

heading into his senior season.

“I’m most excited for one last opportunity to win a trophy with North,” Bielefeld said. “Our school is in a drought with our sports winning state and league titles with soccer, and I’m excited to get one last try to break that drought.” Bielefeld has spent the offseason preparing for that challenge through individual training and team conditioning sessions. His goal has been to sharpen his skills and become a more complete player

“I’m most excited for one last opportunity to win a trophy with North.” - Max Bielefeld

“One area I want to improve is advancing the ball into the box even while being a defender,” Bielefeld said.

That attacking mindset could give Bielefeld another way to impact games from the back line. His ability to contribute offensively was evident last season, particularly on his long-range playoff goal. Bielefeld also has individual goals he hopes to accomplish during his final season. He wants to earn firstteam Greater Wichita Athletic League recognition and a spot on the Kansas allstate honorable mention team. His biggest goals, however, are centered on the team. “My biggest team goal is to win the regional final and finish with a top five seed in the playoffs,” Bielefeld said.

Bielefeld earned second-team GWAL honors following last season, when North advanced to the regional championship.

With one season remaining in his North career, Bielefeld is determined to make the most of it. After spending the offseason preparing both individually and with his teammates, he hopes that work will help the RedHawks take the next step — and potentially end the program’s championship drought.

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DAV I S - M O O R E ’ S AT H L E T E S P OT L I G H T

Rose Hill’s Nora Marshall Nora Marshall’s father has served for 25 years and currently holds multiple leadership roles within the Kansas National Guard. He serves as the legislative liaison for the Kansas Adjutant General’s Department, working with Congress and the Kansas Legislature to secure funding and resources for the Kansas National Guard. He also commands the 184th Mission Support Group at McConnell Air Force Base. His demanding schedule often means time together as a family can be difficult to find.

“One thing I have learned about myself since my dad has been in service is how much I appreciate spending time with my family when we are all home,” said Marshall, who goes to Rose Hill High School. “With all of our busy schedules not aligning with his work schedule, it is very difficult for us to be home together.”

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Because those opportunities do not happen every day, Marshall has learned to make the most

the experience together.

“We were still able to communicate with him, and by taking it one day at a time, we were able to get through it together,” she said.

Those experiences have given Marshall a perspective she hopes can help other children who have parents serving in the military. of them.

“So when it ends up happening, we always make the most of it, whether it means watching a movie or sitting down and eating a meal together,” she said. Her father’s military career has also taken him around the world. He has traveled to Australia, Germany, Romania, Spain, France, Switzerland, Hawaii and Alaska, among other locations.

For Marshall, his travel has meant getting used to time apart from her father. For the past

three years, he has worked at the state Capitol in Topeka at least four days a week, making it difficult for Marshall to see him every day. One of the most challenging experiences came when Marshall’s father moved to Washington, D.C., for a year while she was in second grade.

“At such a young age, it was hard for me to understand why he had to move,” Marshall said. Despite the distance, Marshall and her family stayed connected with him and worked through

Her message is simple: They are not alone. “Know that they are not alone, and that thousands of kids have military parents and are dealing with the same thing,” Marshall said. She also encourages military children to take pride in their parents and the sacrifices they make.

“Be proud, because our parents work so hard,” Marshall said. “If they are willing to move or travel to a different location to serve our country, it shows that they want the best for us and that they care for us so much.”

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S I M P LY H Y G I E N E ’ S AT H L E T E S P O T L I G H T

Maize South’s Kaylee Brunton Kaylee Brunton believes making a difference in her community does not always require a grand gesture. Sometimes, helping others with basic needs can have a lasting impact. Brunton, a Maize South student-athlete, has volunteered with Simply Hygiene, an organization focused on providing hygiene products to people in need. Her involvement reflects her desire to support her community while setting an example for younger people who look up to her.

“I chose to volunteer at Simply Hygiene because I truly just want to help people in my community and Simply Hygiene is a fun and easy way to do that,” Brunton said. “They make it easy to get involved and actually make an impact. Their mission is straightforward and needed.” For Brunton, volunteering is about recognizing that people sometimes need help even when they do not ask for it. She believes small acts of kindness can have a significant effect on someone’s life.

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“Volunteering matters because people need help even if they don’t ask,” Brunton said. “It lets you support your community. It shows kindness in simple ways and it can make a big difference. It reminds me to stay

grateful.”

Brunton’s desire to serve others also comes from the influence she has on younger people. As a former Maize South basketball player, she understands that younger athletes often look up to high school players and see them as role models. “I am inspired by younger people who look up to me,” Brunton said. “It makes me want to set a good example. I want them to see how hard I work and how that’s paid off.” Her time representing Maize South also

reinforced the importance of being an example for others. Brunton said playing for the school was about more than competing on the basketball court.

“Playing for Maize South felt bigger than just basketball,” Brunton said. “I loved when younger girls would come and watch us. Every time we walked on the court we knew we were playing for each other and representing our school.” That same mindset has carried into her community involvement. Brunton hopes more people recognize the impact organizations such as Simply Hygiene can have by addressing needs that are often overlooked.

“Something I want people to know about Simply Hygiene is that it’s way more impactful than people realize,” Brunton said. “They focus on meeting basic needs that often get overlooked, and those small things can make a huge difference.”

For Brunton, volunteering with Simply Hygiene is another opportunity to lead by example and show that helping others can start with something simple.

“It’s a simple mission, but it reaches a lot of people,” Brunton said.

C I N DY WAG G O N E R ’ S S TAT E FA R M AT H L E T E S P OT L I G H T

Augusta’s Kaylee Cox Augusta’s Kaylee Cox is looking forward to soaking in her last season with her teammates and making the most of every opportunity to compete alongside them.

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“I am most excited to get to soak in my last season with my teammates this year,” Cox said. “I hope to just enjoy the season and have fun!” Cox spent much of the offseason preparing for another successful season. She competed in numerous tournaments, worked with golf instructors and continued to find opportunities to sharpen her game.

“In the offseason I have played in a lot of tournaments, and have gotten some golf lessons,” Cox said. “I also went out with my family for fun or went out to sharpen my skills on my own.” While Cox has continued to work on the physical side of her game, she said one of her biggest areas of focus this season will be her mental approach.

Cox said she has found herself becoming stressed during golf season in the past and wants to approach this season with a more relaxed mindset. “I am wanting to improve my mental state this year,” Cox said. “I have found myself being very stressed out during the golf season, and want to relax more this year and have more fun.”

That mindset could be important as Cox looks to build consistency into her game. Rather than focusing on one particular round, she wants to put together strong performances throughout the season. “A goal I have for myself this year is to be consistent,” Cox said. “I have to consistently shoot good scores.”

Cox enters her senior season with an impressive postseason résumé. She finished seventh at the state tournament as a sophomore and has been a regional runnerup three times, finishing second as a freshman, sophomore and junior. Now, with her final high school season ahead, Cox has an opportunity to add to that résumé while enjoying the experience with the teammates who have been part of her journey.

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SCCDAT ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Wellington’s Lane Heersche For Lane Heersche, making a difference in his school and community starts with small acts of positivity. A member of Wellington High School’s Sumner County Community Drug Action Team, Heersche joined SCCDAT as a sophomore with the goal of helping address drug use in the area.

“I joined SCCDAT in my sophomore year to make an impact on drug use around my area,” Heersche said. “Most of my friends were in it as well, so it was an easy choice to join.”

SCCDAT gives students opportunities to promote positive messages and encourage their peers to make healthy choices. The group meets once a month for activities designed to build school morale and remind students that they are valued. One of those activities involves writing positive messages that students can take with them if they are having a difficult day. Members also make positivity bracelets for middle school students and use sidewalk chalk to spread encouraging messages around the school.

For Heersche, the activities are more than just something to do during a monthly meeting. He believes they can have a lasting effect on students who may need encouragement. “I think SCCDAT makes an impact by making students feel more appreciated and wanted,” Heersche said. “It also shows kids that they don’t need drugs and that there is a way out.”

Along the way, Heersche has also made memories with his friends through the organization. SCCDAT lunches have become a source of friendly competition, with members challenging each other to see who can eat the most pizza slices. Sidewalk chalking has brought another competitive element.

“I also enjoy sidewalk chalking and making it a competition to see who can make the most positive messages,” Heersche said.

In 2023, over 91% of youth reported they have NOT had alcohol in the past 30 days.

While the competition and time with friends make SCCDAT enjoyable, Heersche said the organization’s larger purpose is what makes the experience worthwhile. He encourages other students to get involved and believes schools without an SCCDAT chapter should consider starting one. “Join it; you get to interact with your school more and keep the student body morale high,” Heersche said. “If you don’t have SCCDAT at your school, advocate for one.” Heersche believes students should not underestimate the difference they can make. Even a single voice, he said, can help create change. “Try your hardest to form it because every person making an effort to stop drug use matters,” Heersche said. “You never know how much your voice can matter and induce change.”

WICHITA GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY POLL WINNER

Hesston’s Avery Larson

The Swathers have won the Class 3A team state championship two consecutive years, and Larson believes the team’s chemistry could help Hesston make another run at the title this season.

One of Larson’s primary focuses heading into the season is improving her running form in hopes of lowering her times. She spent the offseason building strength in her arms and legs through repetition while alternating between sprint work and longer runs.

Now, she and her Hesston teammates are hoping to do it again.

Larson spent the offseason preparing for another opportunity to compete at the highest level.

Larson also continued her training outside

Larson enters the season with a career personal record of 19:49, which she

This season, Larson has set ambitious goals for herself. She wants to improve on her career-best time, qualify individually for the state meet and finish among the top 10 at state. Her team goals are even higher.

“Win every meet we compete in, complete the 3-peat by winning state again,” Larson said.

With a strong group of runners, a championship tradition and teammates who continue to push one another, Larson believes Hesston has the pieces necessary to make another run at the state title.

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This was her second summer training and competing with the Kansas Flyers. She participated in training sessions twice a week and competed in the AAU district, regional and Junior Olympic national meets. Her events included the 1,500 meters and 4x800 relay.

“Continuing to improve my running form to be able to improve my time,” Larson said of her biggest area of focus. “I’ve been trying to build up my arm strength and legs through repetition and rotating between sprints and long runs.”

Last season, Larson finished 14th overall at the Class 3A state meet with a seasonbest time of 20:13 as Hesston won its second consecutive team state title. She also placed 14th in the varsity blue division at the Rim Rock Classic, which featured 376 competitors.

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“We have built a strong bond between the girls on our team and we work to push each other every practice and meet,” Larson said. “We have a goal of winning state again and have four girls who could compete for all state honors.”

“I also ran independently on my off days from the Flyers and with the Distance Inc. organization on long Saturday runs,” she said.

ran at regionals in 2024. That season, she finished seventh at the Class 3A state meet in 19:57 and helped Hesston capture the team state championship.

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WICHITA COLLEGIATE’S ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Wichita Collegiate’s Clara Monahan Clara Monahan has spent her athletic career learning from the teammates and leaders around her. Now, as a captain at Wichita Collegiate, she has the opportunity to put those lessons into action.

Monahan enters her final volleyball season with an emphasis on leadership and building a team culture in which every player feels valued while being challenged to improve. “I’m most excited about the opportunity to lead this team as a captain and help create a culture where everyone feels valued and challenged to be their best,” Monahan said. “We have a talented group of athletes, and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together.”

For Monahan, leadership is a responsibility she does not take lightly. She has been fortunate to play alongside athletes who showed her that being a great teammate involves much more than individual talent.

“I’ve been fortunate to play alongside athletes who were not only talented but also incredibly selfless, and they’ve had a huge influence on the way I approach leadership and teamwork,” she said. Monahan’s preparation for her final volleyball season has been a year-round process.

As a three-sport athlete, she has remained active through volleyball, basketball and track. During the offseason, she participated in strength and conditioning workouts, open gyms and skill development sessions while continuing to compete with her club volleyball team. Playing multiple sports has helped Monahan develop as an overall athlete, while club volleyball has provided additional opportunities to sharpen her skills against strong competition. “Playing multiple sports has helped me improve my overall athleticism, while club volleyball has allowed me to continue developing technically and compete against strong competition,” she said. But Monahan believes her biggest area of improvement heading into the season is not necessarily a physical skill. It is leadership.

“As a captain, I realize leadership is about much more than volleyball skills,” Monahan said. “It’s about serving your teammates, creating positive energy, communicating effectively, and helping others succeed.” She spent the offseason reflecting on the qualities she has admired in leaders throughout her athletic and school career. She also focused on becoming a more encouraging and consistent presence for her teammates. That approach will be central to Monahan’s goals for her final season.

Individually, she wants to remain a dependable all-around player who can contribute in every aspect of the game while improving her consistency and volleyball IQ. She also wants to continue growing as a leader and help her teammates succeed.

For the team, Monahan wants to see Wichita Collegiate develop strong chemistry and trust while reaching its full potential.

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WICHITA GIRLS TENNIS POLL WINNERS

Kapaun Mount Carmel’s Caroline and Chloe Hocker The senior Hocker sisters - Caroline and Chloe - are entering the season with plenty of motivation after a breakthrough junior season that saw them finish as the Class 5A doubles runner-up and help the Crusaders place third as a team.

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Now, they are hoping to take the final step.

The sisters have already proven they can compete with the best in the state. They finished last season with a 30-3 record and advanced to the Class 5A doubles championship match. Their performance helped Kapaun Mount Carmel earn a third-place finish in the team standings. Their success has come from plenty of preparation.

The Hockers worked with a personal coach throughout the offseason and dedicated significant time to improving their games. Their summer schedule often included two practices a day — one in the morning and another with their school team.

Much of that work focused on the fundamentals.

“We both worked on our fundamentals as you can always improve on something,” they said. “We practiced a lot of footwork to help us improve on simple things in the sport. We worked on these by doing ladder drills and lots of drills.”

“Our ultimate goal is to win state as a doubles team and enjoy our last year as seniors,” the sisters said. They also have a team goal that extends beyond their own success.

They want the Crusaders to remain united throughout the season and make another deep run at the state tournament.

“Our goals for the team are to all be united and hopefully make a good run at the state level all together,” they said. For Caroline and Chloe, the opportunity is particularly meaningful because of how much they have accomplished together.

Their 30-3 record last season, state runner-up finish and third-place team finish established a strong foundation. Now, with one final season remaining, the Hockers have one more chance to turn that experience into a championship.

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The sisters know that even after reaching a state championship match, there is always another part of their games that can improve. They spent considerable time working on footwork, using ladder drills and other exercises to become more efficient around the court.

They now enter their final season with a clear goal: finish on top.

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“We have a personal coach that has helped us tremendously with our skills,” they said. “We usually practice twice a day, once in the morning and then at school practice. During the summer was where we dedicated a lot of time and energy to our practicing.”

That attention to detail has helped turn the Hockers into one of Kapaun’s most experienced doubles tandems.

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“We are most excited about seeing new faces and playing our last year together,” the Hockers said. “We are excited about the season and all of the fun memories that we make at out-of-school tournaments with our friends.”

VISIT SALINA WINNING EDGE PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Newton’s Naomi Koontz For Newton’s Naomi Koontz, her senior golf season is about competing with her teammates, returning to the state tournament and making the most of one final season with her father as her coach.

Koontz is especially looking forward to competing at Sand Creek Station, the Railers’ home course. Newton’s home tournament was rained out last season, making this year’s event something Koontz is eager to experience. “I am really excited for this golf season and playing with my teammates again,” Koontz said. “It’s my senior year and I think we will have a lot of fun!”

Koontz enters the season after a busy offseason of tournament competition. She played in several Oklahoma Junior Tour events, Central Links events in Kansas and AJGA tournaments. She also competed in large tournaments in California and North Carolina during the summer.

Along with tournament experience, Koontz has focused on improving her strength and swing speed.

“I’m always working on getting stronger and hitting the ball further to help improve my game,” Koontz said.

Those areas became an even bigger focus after an injury kept Koontz from playing for much of last high school season. Now fully recovered, she is looking forward to having the opportunity to compete throughout the entire season. “I’m glad I’m fully recovered from that so I can play in every tournament this year,” Koontz said.

Koontz already has plenty of accomplishments to build on. She averaged 72.3 strokes last season, set a course record with a 63 at Turkey Creek and finished third at the state tournament. With Newton reaching state last season, Koontz hopes to help the Railers make another trip this year. “Our team made it to State last year so our goal is to do that again,” Koontz said.

Individually, Koontz wants to save her best golf for the biggest stage. She has set a goal of lowering her scoring average into the 60s and playing her best at state. But beyond the scores and tournament results, Koontz has another reason to make her senior season memorable. Her father is her high school coach, giving the final season an added significance.

“My dad is also my high school coach so I just want to have a great last season with him,” Koontz said.

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Garden Plain’s Sawyer Ayres

For Sawyer Ayres, the farm has always been more than a place to work. It is where his passion for the outdoors began and where he has built some of his favorite memories.

Work Smarter. Cheer Louder. Grill Bigger.

The Garden Plain High School student grew up helping his dad with cattle and completing chores around the farm. Those early experiences eventually developed into a lifestyle he hopes to continue after high school. “My passion for the outdoors definitely began when I was a kid just doing simple things like helping my dad with cattle or doing chores with him around the farm,” Ayres said.

Today, Ayres spends much of his time farming and ranching, embracing the responsibilities that come with working outdoors. While the work can be demanding, he enjoys the lifestyle and the opportunity to spend time away from the distractions of everyday life. “The most appealing thing about the outdoors nowadays is probably just being able to get away from all the commotion and just being yourself and taking in the beauty of nature,” Ayres said.

For Ayres, being outdoors also provides a sense of peace. He said spending time away from the busyness of school and other responsibilities has made him appreciate the time he gets to spend on the farm even more.

“I personally enjoy it and it ain’t much of a big deal to me to be left alone for some time,” Ayres said. “I think it gets more peaceful once you’ve been away and realize what you missed out on.” His appreciation for farming and ranching is also tied to the memories he has made along the way. One that stands out happened on a cold, rainy winter day after school when Ayres and his cousin had to tag calves. “It was cold, but man, we had some fun getting them caught,” Ayres said.

The job turned into an experience the two still remember. They used a four-wheeler to get close enough to the calves before attempting to wrestle some of the larger ones to the ground. “Some of them cows about got us, but it was all worthwhile for the memories we made,” Ayres said.

Those experiences have helped shape Ayres’ view of the outdoors and his plans for the future. While many of his classmates may be preparing to leave the farm behind after graduation, Ayres sees agriculture playing a major role in his life. “I see the outdoors playing a major role in my life after high school,” Ayres said. “I plan on probably farming and ranching out of high school, and that is for a majority outdoors and reliant on the weather.”

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VISIT SALINA WINNING EDGE PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Kapaun Mount Carmel’s Mena Sarinana Kapaun Mount Carmel’s Mena Sarinana enters her senior season with plenty of accomplishments to look back on, including individual state championships in 2023 and 2024. Now, she hopes to add another title to her résumé while helping Kapaun continue its run of team success.

“I am most excited to be able to play one more year with my team and reach the goal of winning another state title,” Sarinana said. “I am proud of what me and my teammates have accomplished these past three years. Lastly, I’m excited and sad to do it all one more time with not just my teammates and my coaches but with the family we have become.” Sarinana spent the offseason preparing for her final high school season by working on her swing mechanics with her swing coach while also focusing on increasing her speed and distance. Her training has included golf-specific workouts, core-strength exercises, explosive movements and weightlifting. However, the biggest emphasis of her offseason has been improving the part of her game closest to the hole.

Following last year’s state tournament, Sarinana committed to making her short game a priority. She estimates that about 75% of her practice time has gone toward her short game, with the remaining 25% devoted to her long game.

She has incorporated completion and pressure drills commonly used by college coaches and players and has adopted a clock system for her wedges. The system allows her to develop multiple distances with each wedge and build confidence in knowing how far she can hit each shot. “If there is a day I don’t have enough time to practice all aspects of my game, my short game comes first,” Sarinana said.

The work has come with a clear goal in mind. Sarinana won individual state titles in 2023 and 2024, but she finished short of another championship in 2025. Rather than allowing the result to discourage her, she said the loss helped identify areas where she needed to improve.

“I have been very happy with my performance in my high school years and winning individual state titles 2023-

2024,” Sarinana said. “Unfortunately, in 2025 I came up short, but I feel like that loss opened my eyes on what I need to work on.” Sarinana enters the season looking to improve her scoring average and reclaim the individual state championship. She also wants to help Kapaun continue its team success while making the most of her final season with the Crusaders. “As a team I want to take in every last moment and make the best of it,” Sarinana said. “We want to continue to have fun and put in 100% every day to achieve our goal.”

Sarinana has already put together strong performances in preparation for the season. She won the Andover Invitational with a 1-under-par 71, captured first place at the Bishop Carroll Golf Invitational with a 72 and won the 5A regional tournament with a 2-under-par 68.

After high school, Sarinana will continue her golf career at the NCAA Division I level. She is committed to the University of Northern Colorado, where she plans to major in biology and eventually pursue dental school. Before making that transition, though, Sarinana has one final season with Kapaun Mount Carmel — and one final opportunity to chase another state championship with the teammates and coaches who have become family. “I’m excited and sad to do it all one more time with not just my teammates and my coaches but with the family we have become,” Sarinana said.

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“The area I have been really wanting to improve is my short game,” Sarinana said. “I feel like I have always been a really strong player off the tee

and in my iron game. I have struggled with 100 yards in and around the green and have not been very happy with my putting these last few years.”

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HUTCHINSON CLINIC’S ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Buhler’s Brendan Ronan For the first time at any level, Buhler soccer player Brendan Ronan will have a chance to play alongside his younger brother, Gavin, who enters the season as a freshman. “What is most exciting to me about the upcoming season is that I will have an opportunity to play alongside my brother Gavin for the first time at any level,” Ronan said. Although Gavin is a freshman, Ronan believes he and several other freshmen could see playing time during select games. Sharing the field with his brother would make the season especially memorable. “To be on the field with him at the same time will be a true highlight of the season for me,” Ronan said. While preparing for his final

high school season, Ronan has focused on improving his speed and explosiveness. Over the past several months, he has added extra work to his routine following summer workouts, spending hours running and lifting weights at the gym. “One area I have been trying to improve for the past couple months is my speed,” Ronan said.

That additional work has helped Ronan feel stronger and more explosive heading into the season. “I feel like I have thinned out and gotten more explosive,” Ronan said.

Ronan has set an individual goal of making significant strides during his senior season. He hopes his work in

the offseason translates into becoming one of the most improved players on the team. “For this upcoming season, I hope to be the most improved player on my team,” Ronan said.

As a team, Buhler has its sights set even higher. The Crusaders are looking to end a drought that has lasted since Ronan’s class was in its freshman season. The soccer team has not won a regional championship since then, giving Ronan and his teammates extra motivation heading into the season. “Our team believes we can achieve that and more this year,” Ronan said.

“For this upcoming season, I hope to be the most improved player on my team.” - Brendan Ronan

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KEN GOOCH’S SHELTER ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Udall’s Liberty Mason Udall’s Liberty Mason said one of the things she enjoys most about volleyball is the feeling she gets when she is competing.

“I am most excited about the thrill of playing this season,” Mason said. “I love the high I feel being on the court playing a sport I am so passionate about.”

Mason also is looking forward to becoming more of an outside hitter this season, giving her an opportunity to become a more well-rounded player.

To prepare, Mason played club volleyball for Alpha Volleyball Academy, participating in open gyms with the club and other programs. She also took part in Udall’s summer weights program to improve her strength and attended skills clinics at Cowley College and Butler Community College.

One of the highlights of her offseason was attending her first volleyball prospect camp. Mason participated in KSVB’s 23rd prospect camp, where she had the opportunity to learn from college coaches and compete in scrimmages throughout the day. “It was super cool,” Mason said.

As the season gets underway, Mason has a clear goal for her game: Stay aggressive.

“I want to stay aggressive and keep the other teams on defense,” Mason said. “I want teams to say, ‘Man, I hope Liberty doesn’t hit it at me.’” Mason has worked toward that goal by focusing on running the offense quickly during practice and putting herself in position to attack. Just as importantly, she said she is working on playing with confidence. “I am practicing this by working hard in practice on running my offense quickly and setting myself up for success by not playing scared and swinging hard at my opponents,” Mason said.

Mason also hopes her individual development can help Udall continue to take the next step as a team. The Eagles have had to rely on young players in recent seasons, but Mason said the experience gained by the program’s younger players is beginning to pay off.

“All my years at Udall we have had to work really hard considering we have always been a young team, and now we are all seniors and juniors all looking for good wins,” Mason said.

Her individual goals include improving on her statistics from last season and beginning the college recruiting process. Mason has aspirations of continuing her volleyball career beyond high school. “My personal goals for this season would be to build my stats higher than last season and to start talking to colleges to start looking for recruiting opportunities because I really do have the ambitions of playing at the college level,” Mason said.

Mason’s development has been noticeable since she first entered high school. She credits club volleyball with giving her additional repetitions and helping her better understand the game. “Comparing my freshman year to my sophomore year, you can see I really did figure it out and improve a lot,” Mason said. “Club volleyball definitely helped me get a lot more reps and court IQ to help with my game.”

WICHITA AREA ATHELTE SPOTLIGHT

Sedgwick’s Ella Vondracek

“We gained a lot of useful information and new tips to try,” she said. Vondracek also spent the summer working on speed, agility and strength.

But her goals extend beyond individual statistics. Vondracek believes strong communication and positive energy will be important ingredients for Sedgwick’s success. “As a team my goal is to have a high level of communication and energy,” she said. “Teams are successful due to their communication together and ability to support each other, celebrating and building up each other.”

With the preparation complete and the season approaching, Vondracek has high expectations for what Sedgwick can accomplish. She hopes the Cardinals can compete for a league championship and earn another opportunity to play at the state tournament. “I would love to see our team win the league and make it back to state,” Vondracek said.

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Sedgwick attended the Nebraska team camp over the summer, where Vondracek said the team gained valuable experience and new ideas to take into the season.

“I would like to improve my hitting this year,” Vondracek said. “I feel like I could be

Along with improving her hitting efficiency, Vondracek wants to increase her serving percentage and collect more blocks during the season.

SEPTEMBER 2026

Vondracek spent the offseason preparing for the demands of another season. She worked individually on her hitting, blocking and passing while also taking part in team activities designed to build chemistry and improve the Cardinals as a whole.

One of Vondracek’s primary individual goals this season is to become more efficient as an offensive player. She identified hitting as the area of her game she most wants to improve.

more efficient in my offensive game.”

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“I am most excited about getting back on the court and competing with my teammates,” Vondracek said. “I enjoy playing with the girls on my team and for my coaches.”

Those workouts helped her develop her explosiveness and endurance, two areas she hopes will translate to the court.

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The upcoming volleyball season is an opportunity to return to the court, compete alongside her teammates and continue pushing to become a more complete player for Sedgwick’s Ella Vondracek.

RUSS HERMAN’S STATE FARM ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Wichita Central Christian’s Levi Sturm Levi Sturm has already established himself as one of Central Christian Academy’s top cross country runners. This season, he is hoping to help the Lions reach a milestone the program has never achieved.

boys cross-country team to qualify for state,” Sturm said. “Individually, my goal is to place in the top five at this year’s crosscountry state meet.”

season.

“One of my goals for our team is to help make history by becoming the first CCA

He followed that with a 10th-place regional finish and a 37th-place finish at state in 2025, running 18:21.19 at the state meet.

Sturm has approached the recovery process gradually, increasing his weekly mileage while remaining consistent with his training.

Sturm’s goal is to help Central Christian qualify its boys cross country team for the state meet for the first time. Individually, he has set his sights even higher.

Since then, Sturm has focused on rebuilding his fitness and getting his body back to where it was before the setbacks.

Sturm enters the season with plenty of postseason experience. He placed fifth at regionals and 10th at the Class 2A state meet in 2024, becoming Central Christian’s first state cross country medalist.

“My running journey has had a few setbacks,” Sturm said. “After the state track meet in 2025, I underwent my first heart surgery, followed by a second heart surgery at the beginning of the 2026 track season.”

His preparation for this season has centered on consistency. Sturm followed his coaches’ training plans, running more than 40 miles per week while also participating in summer weight training. “I followed my coaches’ training plans and ran more than 40 miles per week,” Sturm said. “I also participated in summer weight training.” That work has taken on added significance following a challenging stretch in his running career. After the 2025 state track meet, Sturm underwent his first heart surgery. He then had a second heart surgery at the beginning of the 2026 track

“Since then, I have been working to improve my times by gradually increasing my weekly mileage, staying consistent with my training, and retraining my body after these setbacks,” Sturm said.

Despite the challenges, Sturm has continued to produce strong results on the track. In 2025, he finished sixth in the Class 2A 1,600 meters at the state track meet with a time of 4:31.67.

Now, his attention has turned back to cross country and the opportunity to lead Central Christian into uncharted territory.

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Campus Colts Football

After an 0-9 season in 2025, the Campus Colts enter 2026 with a much more experienced roster and plenty of optimism. Campus returns 18 starters from a team that started 18 sophomores a year ago, giving coach Cody Peabody’s team its first opportunity to take the field with an upperclass-heavy roster. “We’re looking to stay healthy and start strong in 2026,” Peabody said. Peabody enters his third season at Campus and will be assisted by Colby Leeper, Eric McCormack, Wade Spencer, Garrett Cantrell, Darren Robinson, Barrett Roads, Jeremy Love and Keegan Martin.

The Colts return eight offensive starters, led by junior quarterback Tatum Miller, who

will make his first start under center. Junior Donovan Simmons provides a receiving target, while junior Miyo Caldwell moves into the backfield after earning Division II All-League honors as a safety. The offensive line features juniors Robert Humphrey and senior Alex West, both of whom are former AVCTL honorable mention selections.

Campus also returns nine defensive starters. Junior linebacker Aiden Weaver earned Division II second-team All-League honors last season, while senior James Williams anchors the linebacking corps. The defensive front includes seniors Benjamin Pietz and junior Jay Rollings, while junior defensive backs D’Anthonni Crider and D’Lante Adkism add experience to the secondary.

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PRAIRIE STAR HEALTH CENTER’S ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Buhler’s Sofia Spies Buhler’s Sofia Spies finished last season with a 27-7 record, winning a league championship before placing second at regionals and second at state. This year, she is eager to see how her offseason preparation translates to competition.

this year.”

“I am most excited about showcasing my work over the summer,” Spies said. “I want to see how much I’ve improved and how much better I know I can be

Spies spent much of the summer competing and training. She participated in several tournaments, including an ITA event, while also taking part in weekly group lessons through the Mac Advantage program in McPherson.

players, as she coached youth groups in the mornings before participating in her own training.

She also attended two camps during the summer. One was held at the beginning of the summer with Gregg Le Sueur, while the Craig Holman Academy at McPherson College provided another opportunity to develop her game toward the end of the offseason.

One of Spies’ primary goals entering the season is to become more consistent and confident with her hitting style.

“I have worked on this in the offseason by hitting with more experienced players outside of the high school setting,” Spies said. “That has allowed me to take the pressures and stressers off of me on a mental level and allow me to physically alter my game without inner distraction.” Spies also knows that success on the court involves more than physical ability. Maintaining a positive mindset and learning how to respond when matches become difficult are areas she continues to emphasize.

The program also gave Spies an opportunity to work with younger

“Having a positive mindset is always an area to improve on when in tough situations for me, and learning to reset when necessary has been key to keeping my head in the game,” Spies said. Her goals for the season include carrying the lessons and skills

from the summer into high school match play. As a team, Spies hopes Buhler can compete for a regional championship and earn a strong finish at state. “As a team I would like to see us win regionals and place at state because I know it is very possible,” Spies said. “But at the end of the day, growing, maturing and doing our best as a team is what I value the most.”

For Spies, the lessons she has learned through tennis extend beyond wins and tournament finishes. She credits Buhler coaches Babcock and Goertzen for helping the team develop not only as athletes but also as people.

“Tennis is more than winnings and placings,” Spies said. “Coach Babcock and Goertzen have excelled at giving us the coaching and opportunities to achieve that, but most of all, they have showed us what our team should evolve around, and that is valuing our worth as people and working together to make the team more complete.”

With another season ahead, Spies hopes to use everything she learned during the summer to become a more confident, consistent player while helping Buhler reach its team goals. “I want to see how much I’ve improved and how much better I know I can be this year,” Spies said.

W I C H I T A B OY S C R O S S C O U N T R Y P O L L W I N N E R

Haven’s Isaiah Doherty Doherty is coming off a season in which he ran a personal-best 5-kilometer time of 16:32 at Sterling and placed 15th at the state cross country meet. Now, he has his sights set even higher.

While physical preparation has been important, Doherty also has worked

“Some goals I want to be a top runner and get our team to state,” Doherty said. “To be better than I thought I could ever be.” Doherty’s track season further demonstrated his potential. He ran a 9:50 in the 3,200 meters and finished sixth, giving him additional experience competing against some of the state’s best distance runners.

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“I have been working on the offseason with my mileage, research and eating habits,” Doherty said. “Focusing on my goals and working to achieve them. I attended indoor track at WSU to train as well.”

Doherty’s goals for the season are both individual and team-oriented. He wants to establish himself as one of the state’s top runners while helping Haven earn a spot at the state meet.

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Doherty spent the offseason focused on several areas of preparation, including increasing his mileage, researching ways to improve and paying closer attention to his eating habits. He also attended indoor track at Wichita State University as another way to continue developing as a runner.

“I wanted to work on my mental game and physical,” Doherty said. “So by that I have done more longer runs and just thinking of my future goals to influence my mental during this summer.”

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“I’m definitely most excited to win,” Doherty said. “I would like to be a top runner for state. To also beat my school record I set for Haven High during XC.”

to strengthen the mental side of his performance. He said he has incorporated longer runs into his training while keeping his future goals in mind.

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Isaiah Doherty enters the Haven High School cross country season with high expectations after a strong junior year that saw him finish among the state’s top runners.

YMCA for All Spotlight Kelly Hardwell Kelly Hardwell was chosen as the YMCA annual Coach of the Year. He was picked for this honor through a nomination process of staff members through the YMCA’s association. Each branch location is to nominate a Coach each year for this honor and one is announced as our Coach of the Year at our Annual Celebration. “Volunteering has helped me realize how much I enjoy mentoring and leading young athletes,” Hardwell said. “I’ve learned that I’m very patient, adaptable and able to connect with kids at different skill levels and personalities.”

Some of Hardwell’s favorite moments as a volunteer come from watching athletes overcome challenges and gain confidence through hard work and perseverance.

“Moments like a player scoring their first basket, diving on the floor for a loose ball, and seeing the joy on their faces when they’ve failed multiple times and finally succeed,” Hardwell said. “Those moments make the experience meaningful.” Hardwell encourages people to take the first step and focus on making a positive impact through the YMCA.

“I would recommend just getting started and being open to the experience,” Hardwell said. “You don’t have to be perfect — you just need to be consistent, positive and willing to learn.”

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Noah Beavers

Noah Beavers is a redshirt freshman at Hutchinson Community College, where he is a defensive lineman for the Blue Dragons. Beavers redshirted last season, but has played sparingly for the Blue Dragons this season, where he has recorded two tackles and half of a sack. Prior to playing for Hutchinson CC, Beavers played at Fort Hays State, where he attended after graduating from Hillsboro High School. At Hillsboro, Beavers was a first team all-league and all-state defensive lineman. During his senior season, Beavers’ recorded 42 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks

WICHITA AREA TEAM SPOTLIGHT

Kansas Girls Flag Football Kansas girls flag football is entering a new era, and coaches around Kansas are seeing players embrace the opportunity to compete in a sport that continues to grow throughout the state and beyond. For Wichita Northwest coach Brooke Collins, the first varsity season has gone well, with players embracing the opportunity.

“I am extremely happy with the girls and the passion and coachability they are showing for the game,” Collins said. “They are all working extremely hard and getting better every day.”

One challenge has been helping players understand the details of flag football while adjusting to the expectations of playing a varsity sport. Collins also sees roster expansion as important to the sport’s future, particularly through sub-varsity opportunities. At Maize, coach Shelby Hillman said the experience has remained exciting. Changes to rules and adjusting to a new league and schedule have provided challenges.

“It has gone well. It is still fun and exciting,” Hillman said. “People really want to see this sport grow and there are new

opportunities for girls daily.”

Interest remains strong at both schools. Collins said players have embraced the sport, and expects participation and support to increase as more people become familiar with the sport. “Girls are still so super pumped to play and be a part of it,” Hillman said. “Since we have known about it there has been more interest from people at the school and community.”

Both coaches have seen players develop. Collins said teamwork, adaptability and accountability have contributed to her team’s progress. Hillman said she has learned how to put players in positions to succeed.

Looking ahead, Collins wants larger rosters and more sub-varsity opportunities, while Hillman hopes more schools in the area join the sport. Both see participation and support as key to growing girls flag football in Kansas.

“I am extremely happy with the girls and the passion and coachability they are showing for the game. They are all working extremely hard and getting better every day.” - Coach Collins

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T I M O T H Y H O T T OV Y ’ S E DWA R D J O N E S AT H L E T E S P O T L I G H T

Rose Hill Boys Soccer With most of its roster returning, Rose Hill High School boys soccer enters the 2026 season with a clear objective: repeat as Class 4A state champions.

The Rockets finished 19-2 last season and will bring back a strong core from that championship team, giving coach Jerry Treat plenty of experience to work with as Rose Hill attempts to make another run at a state title. “Hope to repeat as 4A champions as we are returning the majority of our team,” Treat said.

Leading the way will be senior forward Brady Liebl, who is coming off a standout junior season. Liebl scored 24 goals and added 25 assists in 2025, finishing with 59 goals and 49 assists for his career.

Liebl was a first-team All-State selection last season and was also named to an All-Midwest Region team by the United Soccer Coaches. He has already committed to continue his soccer career at Creighton and will serve as Rose Hill’s team captain this season. “Very intense player with a very high soccer I.Q. and an equally high work rate,” Treat said of Liebl. Liebl will be joined by a talented group of seniors, including

midfielder Joshua Herrera, defender Caedmon Defoor and goalkeeper Nate Salinas.

Herrera enters his senior season with 33 career goals and 28 assists, while Defoor has contributed six goals and 14 assists during his career. Salinas will provide experience in goal as the Rockets look to remain among the top teams in Class 4A. Rose Hill also returns several key juniors.

Forward Caden Davis is coming off a strong stretch in his young career and enters the season with 16 career goals and 17 assists. Midfielder Sebastian Rodriguez has recorded five goals and 11 assists, while defender Jax Kaba has three goals and three assists. The combination of returning experience, offensive production and a championship pedigree gives the Rockets reason for optimism heading into the new season.

For Liebl, the expectations are particularly high. After producing 49 points last season and earning recognition at the state and regional levels, he will be counted on to provide leadership both on and off the field.

With Liebl leading a veteran group that includes several returning contributors, Rose Hill will look to turn last year’s championship into the beginning of a sustained run of success.

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WARTICK INSURANCE AGENCY’S ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Circle’s Avery Wartick Avery Wartick enters the upcoming season ready to take on a new role while helping Circle volleyball pursue a return to the state tournament. Wartick, who has played outside hitter and defensive specialist, is moving to libero this season. The transition has given her a clear focus during the offseason as she worked to strengthen her serve receive and defensive skills. “I’m moving to libero this season, so I wanted to really work on my serve receive and defense,” Wartick said. “In all of the different workouts and practices I did, I really focused on those specific skills by staying after and getting extra reps.”

Wartick put in plenty of work to prepare for the change. Her offseason included club volleyball during the winter, summer

camps, private lessons, school workouts and tournaments. She also spent time watching film to identify areas where she could improve.

That preparation comes after a strong junior season in which Wartick recorded 97 perfect serves with 28 aces, 209 digs and 112 kills, which ranked third on the team. She also earned KVA All-State Academic honorable mention and AVCTL Division 4 All-League honorable mention honors. Now, Wartick hopes to use her experience and defensive development to help the Thunderbirds take the next step.

statistics or team accomplishments. As a captain, she wants to provide leadership while continuing to develop her own game. “Individually, my goal is to be the best teammate I can be while improving my skills,” Wartick said. That leadership will be especially important as Circle works toward its postseason goals. Wartick is looking forward to competing alongside her teammates and making the most of the season.

“This season I am most excited about being on the court with my friends and hopefully leading my team to success,” Wartick said.

“We haven’t made a trip to the state tournament since my freshman year, so a goal I have is to make it back,” Wartick said. “Another goal I have is getting first in our league.” For Wartick, however, success is about more than

THE HALSTEAD BANK’S ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

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Sedgwick’s Lauren McGinn

Lauren McGinn is expecting the Sedgwick High School volleyball team to have plenty of firepower this season.

With several strong upperclassmen returning, McGinn believes the Cardinals have the experience and talent necessary to make a deep postseason run.

“I am most excited for the power we will have this season,” McGinn said. “We have strong upperclassmen returning that will all be key players for us this year.”

McGinn enters the season with a strong statistical résumé. Last season, she recorded 219 kills on 566 attacks for a .270 hitting percentage. She also contributed 76 total blocks, 33 digs and 16 assists while serving at a 93% rate. Her serve receive was another important part of her game. McGinn recorded 136

serve-receive attempts with 10 errors. While she has established herself as a productive player, McGinn spent the offseason working to become even more consistent.

She played her final season of club volleyball during the winter before joining her Sedgwick teammates for a team camp in Nebraska. She also spent time working individually on her skills.

“I have been working out and fine tuning my skills,” McGinn said.

One of McGinn’s primary areas of focus has been serve receive. Rather than looking for one major adjustment, she has concentrated on the smaller details that can make a difference. “One area I would like to keep improving on is my serve receive,” McGinn said. “I have really been working on the small things to help me be more successful in

that area of the game.”

McGinn also wants to become a more effective server while providing consistency in every part of the game.

“Some individual goals I have for this season are to improve my serve and be a consistent player in all aspects of the game,” McGinn said.

Those individual goals are tied closely to what McGinn hopes Sedgwick can accomplish as a team. The Cardinals have their sights set on competing for a league championship and earning a trip to the state tournament.

“Some team goals I have for us this season are to win our league and make it to state,” McGinn said.

R E B E C C A S H U M A M E R I C A N FA M I LY AT H L E T E S P O T L I G H T

Circle’s Perry Haines For Perry Haines, the excitement surrounding the upcoming season at Circle High School has as much to do with the people around her as it does with what happens on the court.

Haines is looking forward to taking the court with a group of teammates she knows well and building on the experience they have gained together.

“I’m most excited for the girls I’m playing with and the experience we all have!” Haines said. That shared experience has been a major part of Haines’ offseason preparation. She has spent time in the weight room while also attending showcases and camps, all with the goal of becoming a more complete Photo credit: @shotsbygage player.

“I’ve been doing a lot of training in the weight room, and a few showcases and camps to improve my overall game,” Haines said. One of Haines’ biggest priorities heading into the season is improving her ability to put the ball exactly where she wants it. She has also worked to become a versatile option on both pins, giving Circle another player capable of contributing in multiple areas.

“I want to improve on really placing the ball right where I want it,” Haines said. “I worked really hard this offseason to become a better versatile player on both pins to showcase my court vision for open spots.” That versatility could allow Haines to contribute wherever Circle needs her most. Rather than focusing on one specific role, she is embracing whatever responsibility her coach gives her. “Goals I have individually are excelling where my coach needs me to be, and

playing that spot with all my heart and effort I can give,” Haines said. While individual improvement is important, Haines’ biggest goal extends beyond her own performance. She wants to help Circle make a postseason run alongside the teammates who have made the experience special. “As a team, my goal is to go to state with the girls I love to play with!” Haines said.

With an offseason focused on strength, skill development and becoming a more versatile player, Haines enters the season prepared to embrace whatever role Circle needs — and determined to make the most of the opportunity with her teammates.

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WICHITA AREA ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Wichita North’s A.J. Chacon

Chacon enters the season coming off a strong junior campaign in which he recorded two assists and earned secondteam All-City honors as a defender.

One area he has placed particular emphasis on is his long passing.

“I’ve been wanting to work on long passes,” Chacon said. “Over the offseason I

For Chacon, the goals are ambitious on both an individual and team level.

Individually, he wants to earn first-team All-City honors and make the All-State team. As a team, he hopes North can capture a regional championship and advance deep into the state tournament.

“I’m most excited about playing my last year with all my closest friends that I’ve made throughout the past four years.” - A.J. Chacon

“I’m most excited about playing my last year with all my closest friends that I’ve made throughout the past four years,” he said.

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Chacon spent the offseason preparing through personal workouts and training sessions, whether he was working alone, with friends or alongside a trainer.

The RedHawks finished 8-6-2 last season and will look to make a deeper postseason run this fall.

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Now, he is looking to take another step forward.

That work is designed to help Chacon become an even more complete defender and give North another weapon when moving the ball up the field.

With his final season underway, Chacon has one more opportunity to compete alongside the friends he has made throughout high school while pursuing those goals.

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“I’m most excited about playing my last year with all my closest friends that I’ve made throughout the past four years,” Chacon said.

practiced pinging the ball toward a target.”

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For Wichita North senior A.J. Chacon, his final high school soccer season is about more than individual accomplishments. It is about sharing the field with the teammates and friends who have been part of his journey.

WICHITA AREA ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Cheney’s Landry Voth The excitement surrounding the upcoming volleyball season goes beyond competing on the court for Cheney’s Landry Voth. She is looking forward to the daily opportunity to grow alongside her teammates and help the Cardinals finish what they started a year ago. “We are all excited to show Coach Walkup everything we have worked on and play as hard as we can for her throughout the season,” Voth said. “Our whole team is excited to compete again. We left some unfinished business on the court last year, and we know we have a lot of work to do this year.” Voth enters the season as one of Cheney’s experienced players after earning Central Plains League first-team honors in 2025. She also was named to the Coleman Classic All-Tournament Team after

recording 238 kills, 376 digs and 445 serve receptions during the season.

Her preparation for another high school season has been extensive.

Voth spent the offseason weight training with Rashad Daniels while also competing in beach volleyball with P4:13 in Kansas City, Missouri. Locally, she trained with Ella Larkin and Riley Daugherty and attended numerous beach and indoor volleyball camps. She also competed at AVP and AAU nationals and spent considerable time playing club volleyball. Kevin Bittner also worked with Voth on her indoor game during the offseason.

“I have spent a lot of my time competing in club volleyball and working to become a better all-around player,” Voth said. That work has given Voth a specific area of focus heading into her senior season: becoming a more effective hitter.

She has worked on increasing her vertical, improving her ability to read blocks and making smarter decisions at the net rather than relying solely on power. “I have been focusing on reading the block better and finding spots that are open instead of always hitting it as hard as I can,” Voth said. Her experience playing beach volleyball has also helped develop that part of her game. With fewer players on the court, Voth said the sport has challenged her to remain engaged and make smart decisions on every play. “During beach volleyball season, I really focused on staying present, being engaged, and making smart decisions during each play,” Voth said. Voth also believes her understanding of volleyball continues to grow each season under Cheney coach Walkup.

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“Coach Walkup gives us a lot of information throughout the season, and I think each year my knowledge and understanding of the game improves,” Voth said.

Now, Voth wants to use that experience to help lead the Cardinals toward their biggest goal.

“Our main goal this year is to win a state championship,” Voth said. Individually, Voth wants to be the type of player her teammates can depend on when the pressure is highest. She hopes to provide leadership, energy and consistency while helping those around her reach their potential.

“I want to be someone my teammates can rely on in critical moments and someone who can always bring energy to the court,” Voth said. For Voth, though, the most rewarding part of the season may be watching the entire group improve together. “I am most excited to practice with my friends every day and see how much we grow together as a team,” Voth said. “I’m looking forward to seeing the growth of our returning players from last season to this season.”

WICHITA AREA ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Andover Central’s Corbyn Holcomb After getting her first taste of varsity volleyball as a freshman, Andover Central’s Corbyn Holcomb is entering her sophomore season with a greater sense of confidence — and an expanded leadership role. Holcomb started on varsity as a freshman and recorded 137 digs and 177 serve receptions. Now, she is looking forward to building on that experience while helping the Jaguars pursue a trip to the state tournament. “I am really looking forward to competing at a high level with a great group of girls and amazing coaches,” Holcomb said. “We have big goals to have a successful season and postseason.” Holcomb said one of the things she is most excited about is having another season with several of Andover Central’s upperclassmen. “I have some great upperclassmen that I am really looking forward to having one more season playing with,” she said. “Andover Central volleyball is a great program to be part of and I want our season to last as long as possible.”

Holcomb spent much of the offseason preparing for that opportunity. She played club volleyball with Shockwave 15-1s, with the season lasting until mid-June because of the team’s appearance at AAU Nationals. Shockwave finished fifth in the

Premier Division.

She also worked out throughout the winter, spring and summer at Omnicut and attended college camps at the University of Tulsa and the University of Central Missouri. Holcomb also participated in her team’s camp at the University of Nebraska-Kearney and trained with Andover Central throughout the summer.

While the physical preparation has been important, Holcomb has placed an emphasis on developing her leadership and communication on the court. “Last year as a freshman playing varsity I was finding my place and building my confidence,” Holcomb said. “During this club season, I really focused on communicating constantly with my team and controlling the defense.”

offseason, hoping to be better prepared for the demands of another varsity season. Her individual goals are centered less on statistics and more on helping the Jaguars succeed.

“My individual goal is to be the best teammate I can be and do everything I can do to help my team succeed,” Holcomb said.

Andover Central has its sights set on a postseason run, with the Jaguars hoping to win sub-state and earn a spot in the state tournament. The team’s slogan — “How you do anything is how you do everything” — reflects the approach Holcomb hopes the Jaguars will carry throughout the season.

“Our team goal is to put 100% effort and energy into everything, show up every day and compete,” Holcomb said.

Holcomb has also continued to work on her strength during the

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“I am really looking forward to competing at a high level with a great group of girls and amazing coaches. We have big goals to have a successful season and postseason.” - Corbyn Holcomb

WICHITA AREA ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Norwich’s Kori Murphy For Norwich High School senior Kori Murphy, athletics represent more than competition. They provide a chance to honor a community that has invested in its student-athletes and a team culture built on encouragement. “My community inspires me to play my best. It is such an honor to wear Norwich on the front of my jersey. Our community rallies around us by donating time and money and supporting us in a way that helps us be the best athletes we can be.” Murphy is active across campus and in the community. She participates in FFA, FCCLA, FCA, Yearbook Club, volleyball, basketball, track, cheer and powerlifting. She also serves as SADD president, manages KAY Club social media, contributes to the Booster Club and stays involved with her church.

That busy schedule reflects the discipline and responsibility Murphy says athletics have helped her develop.

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“Athletics has taught me so much, such as discipline, accountability, and leadership. Athletics has helped me prepare for the future by putting me in a laedership position to help encourage others to want to become their best. It has also taught me to enjoy the good times while they are still here. As my final seasons are coming to an end, I look back and appreciate the memories I have made throughout the years.”

Volleyball has given Murphy a close-knit group of teammates, including setter Jate

“Athletics has taught me so much, such as discipline, accountability, and leadership. Athletics has helped me prepare for the future by putting me in a laedership position to help encourage others to want to become their best.” - Kori Murphy Samuelson, a longtime friend and trusted teammate.

“The best setter on the team is Jate Samuelson. We have played volleyball together since we were little, she works hard, thrives to be her best, and communicates with her

hitters on where they want the ball to be set.”

Murphy appreciates the team’s ability to compete while maintaining a supportive environment. Whether teammates are celebrating momentum or recovering from a difficult stretch, they make a point to lift one another up.

“I most enjoy getting to work with my teamates and friends to represent Norwich. Every single teammate of mine shows respect and encouragement to one another on the team. It is such a blessing to be able to play a sport I love with my friends.” That encouragement comes in many forms. Murphy pointed to Madison Lee as the team’s vocal spark and Leighton Durr as a source of humor. She also praised Isabelle Shipley’s determination on defense. “Isabelle Shipley is always going to the floor to get the ball in the air. Even though she has faced some injuries, she works hard and encourages others in any way she can.” Murphy prefers a standing serve, explaining that her float serve can make returns more difficult for opponents. She knows tough environments can present additional challenges, particularly gyms with limited serving room or no air conditioning.

Outside of school and sports, Murphy enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing with pets, reading and working out. Her favorite local place is the city park, where she has created lasting memories around the sand volleyball court and baseball field.

“My favorite place in my hometown is our city park. I have made countless memories with my friends and teammates at the sand volleyball court and baseball field.” As her senior year moves forward, Murphy is especially grateful for the fellow seniors who have shared the experience with her.

“All of our senior girls has made an incredible impression on me. Being lucky enough to be placed with this group of girls will always be with me. We have always been with each other through the highs and lows.”

WICHITA AREA ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Central Christian’s Reese Swanson Reese Swanson has spent the offseason preparing herself for a bigger role with the Central Christian Cougars.

The senior outside hitter enters the 2026 season with plenty of experience and high expectations, both for herself and her team. After recording 303 kills and 230 digs last season, Swanson hopes to use her experience to help Central Christian make a postseason run. “The thing I am most excited for during this season is seeing where our team can go in the postseason,” Swanson said. “We continue to have great chemistry, and multiple girls are coming out and filling big varsity positions for us.”

Swanson put in plenty of work during the offseason to prepare for the upcoming season. She attended Central Christian’s volleyball camp as well as a volleyball camp at Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa. She also continued to practice volleyball and basketball on a weekly rotation while weightlifting multiple times a week.

That work has given Swanson opportunities to improve her physical skills while also developing a deeper understanding of the game. “One area I want to improve this season is to be a more strategic outside hitter,” Swanson

said. “Not only improving my swing but also improving my tips, rolls, etc. so that I can score strategically.” Swanson said working with coach Mary Ver Steeg during the summer helped her develop her volleyball IQ and become more intentional with her play. “I had lots of opportunities to increase my volleyball IQ and learn from my coach, Mary Ver Steeg,” Swanson said. Swanson’s production last season gives her a strong foundation heading into 2026.

“The thing I am most excited for during this season is seeing where our team can go in the postseason.” - Reese Swanson

She finished with a 95% serving percentage, a 34.8% kill percentage and a .202 hitting percentage while averaging 3.0 digs per set.

But Swanson’s goals extend beyond individual statistics.

She wants the Cougars to win the Heart of the Plains League tournament and believes the team has the chemistry and talent to accomplish that goal.

“One team goal I have is to be the Heart of the Plains League champions in our League tournament,” Swanson said. “I think we can truly accomplish that this year, and I’m looking forward to it!”

Individually, Swanson wants to become the type of leader her teammates need, even if that means pushing herself outside of her comfort zone.

“One individual goal I have is to be the leader that my team needs me to be and step out of my comfort zone,” Swanson said.

PGH CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS’ ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Buhler’s Macy Miller

“My older Sister, Haley, inspires me because she was a very successful student and athlete and I look up to her very much. She played on the golf team in high school and was a part of the 2019 4A state champion team. Haley is the one who introduced me to the sport I love.”

“I have worked the most to improve my short game. Putting is a huge part of golf and where most of your strokes come from. I have changed my putting a lot throughout the years in order to fix new habits created. My putting has gotten much better but there is always room for improvement.” Beyond scores and

“Athletics have taught me how important communication is and to always keep going even in the hard times. You will always have ups and downs in everything you do, so it is important to keep trying until you find your rhythm. Communication is something you will need all your life and as a student athlete it is important to communicate with your coaches on conflict or struggles you face.”

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“My favorite course to play is my home course, Carey Park Golf Course. I have played here for as long as I can remember and I’ve shot my best rounds there. It is not too difficult

She has especially focused on developing her short game, recognizing the importance of putting in competitive golf.

In the classroom, Miller has developed an appreciation for English, crediting teacher Mr. Kohls for helping her view writing and literature differently. Athletics has also given her lessons she expects to carry well beyond high school.

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Miller’s dedication to the game has led to memorable rounds at Carey Park Golf Course, her favorite place to play. The course is also where she posted the lowest score of her career, firing an 81 during the 2025 state tournament.

Miller said her 7-iron and 52-degree wedge are the clubs she trusts most. The 7-iron has become one of her most accurate and frequently used clubs, while the wedge has helped her lower scores and find more enjoyment in the game.

“I enjoy our team connection the most because we always have a good time. Even if we don’t perform as well as we hoped, we still bond very well together and always have a good laugh.”

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Golf holds a special place in Miller’s busy schedule, which also includes softball, cheerleading and bowling. Her connection to the sport began with someone close to home: her older sister, Haley.

of a course but will still give you challenges.”

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Buhler High School senior Macy Miller has built her athletic career around a love for competition, a willingness to improve and the relationships she has formed along the way.

individual improvement, Miller values the connection she shares with her teammates.

LITTLE STARS THERAPY SERVICES’ ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Andale’s Abbey McNeal Andale High School senior Abbey McNeal has built her volleyball experience around commitment, connection and an appreciation for the people who support her along the way. McNeal credits her mother as a major source of encouragement, particularly on difficult days. “My mom inspires me the most because days when I don’t have the right motivation or mindset she pushes me to get through and reminds me that I can do hard things.”

That support has helped McNeal handle the demands that come with being a student-athlete. She said athletics have strengthened skills that will matter long after her high school career ends. “Athletics have taught me that when you commit to something big there are sacrifices you will make that other people will not always understand. Time management is also something I have had to get better at being an athlete, because balancing school, sports and everything else is not always easy.”

On the court, McNeal values the familiarity and trust she shares with setter Abbi Winter. The two have played together since their freshman year and also were club volleyball teammates before arriving at the high school level.

appreciates the support surrounding the program.

That kind of chemistry contributes to what McNeal enjoys most about competing as part of a group. Whether the team is practicing, playing or spending time together away from volleyball, she values the relationships that make demanding moments easier.

“I prefer a jump serve because it is a lot tougher when playing and I have always done it that way.”

“I have played with Abbi Winter since freshmen year and before that in club volleyball. We have a very good hitter setter connection, so for me she would be the best setter on the team.”

“My favorite part about being on the Andale volleyball team is that we have fun spending time together whether it’s team bonding, practice, or games, and that even when practice is hard my teammates always make it better.”

“My teammates and coaches are so supportive on and off the court and we genuinely all care about each other’s success.”

When she is away from school and volleyball, McNeal enjoys spending time with friends, going on walks and working out. She prefers using a jump serve, explaining that its difficulty is part of the appeal. McNeal said Andale’s community support stands out most about her hometown.

“My favorite thing about Andale is how supportive and involved the community always is no matter what the event or team is.”

McNeal also

HITE, FANNING & HONEYMAN’S ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

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Wichita East’s Eliot Hill

For Wichita East High School senior Eliot Hill, athletics have never been just about individual success. After 13 years of playing soccer, Hill has developed an appreciation for the commitment, communication and trust required to compete as part of a team. Hill, who also practices basketball, has found inspiration close to home throughout his athletic career. His grandfather has been a constant presence in the stands, offering encouragement at every stage of Hill’s journey. “My grandpa who’s been to every one of my games for as long as I can remember (almost 15 years). He’s supported me and my many cousins in everything we do, and he’s a friend to everyone he meets. He always supports me when I play and inspires me to try my hardest every time I play.” That example of support has helped shape the way Hill approaches teammates and competition. Whether he is on the soccer field or basketball court, he values the shared responsibility that comes with representing a team. “I love being a part of something bigger than myself. I love having someone else’s

back and knowing they have mine and working together to overcome the challenges we face as a whole.” Hill’s soccer experience has also taught him the importance of staying composed in highpressure situations. He considers center back the most demanding position on the field because of the leadership and defensive responsibilities that come with it.

“The toughest position is probably center back because you have to direct the entire team while simultaneously guarding some of the best players on the field. Any mistake you make at this position very well might lead to a goal so you have to play perfectly in every interaction because there’s no one else behind you to bail you out.” While Hill has learned from professional stars such as Lionel Messi, a former East player has also had a lasting influence on his development. Jesus Garcia, the goalkeeper from Hill’s freshman year and now the school’s

C-team coach, helped him understand the demands of high school competition.

“The goalkeeper from my freshman year who is now the C team coach at east high, Jesus Garcia. He taught me a lot about the pressure playing high school sports and inspired me to be the best player I could be.”

Away from athletics, Hill enjoys biology and remembers his freshman-year history teacher, who has continued as his homeroom teacher for the past three years. In his free time, he watches movies, spends time with friends and continues training in basketball and soccer during both the season and offseason. Through sports, Hill has gained lessons that extend beyond game day.

“How to work as a team and how to overcome adversity. It has taught me discipline and commitment to whatever I’m passionate about.”

WICHITA AREA ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Buhler’s Jaydon Adcock Jaydon Adcock enters his senior year at Buhler High School with 14 years of soccer experience, a strong appreciation for his teammates and a perspective shaped by the support of his family. Adcock said his parents have been the biggest source of inspiration throughout his athletic career and beyond.

“I would say my parents have inspired me over the years by giving me support through the tough times I’ve endured with soccer and numerous other hobbies. They always have given me the motivation to push myself and do the best I can.” That support has helped Adcock continue developing in the sport he began playing as a young child. His favorite player growing up was Cristiano Ronaldo, whose style and powerful shots made a lasting impression.

coolest and, during my childhood I always watched Ronaldo since he was known for inhuman shots, so him as a player always stuck out to me.”

While soccer is a major part of his life, Adcock also values his time in the classroom. Math is his favorite subject, and he said he appreciates the teachers who have supported him during his school years. “My favorite subject is math, and I don’t have a favorite teacher, they all have been good to me.”

Adcock said being part of the Buhler soccer program has been a memorable experience, especially because of the bond shared among players. He sees the team as more than a group of athletes competing together. “Being a member of the member of Buhler High School soccer is the biggest blessing I could have asked for,

“I’ve been playing soccer for 14 years, and when growing most kids like whatever they think is the

the atmosphere that the team provides is out of this world, it almost feels like I’ve played with them my whole life the way our chemistry feels like they are a second family.” Adcock has spent most of his career playing defense, wing and midfield. Although he believes every position brings its own challenges, he said striker is the position where he has the least experience.

“I don’t think there is an extremely tough position on the field, because they all are challenging i their own way, but I’m weaker as a striker because all my life I’ve mostly played defense wing and midfield, I’ve seen very little time at the top.”

He also credits athletics with teaching him the importance of maintaining both physical and mental health. As a freshman, Adcock looked to the program’s seniors for guidance, confidence and experience. “The teamate/teammates I’ve always looked up to were the seniors when I was a freshman, they gave me so much experience when playing with them, they all were so helpful and boosted my confidence on the ball.”

WICHITA AREA ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Valley Center’s Micah Martin identifies his family as a daily source of encouragement.

“My family everyday just helping me along with all the little things,” Martin said.

“I enjoy watching everyone else grow and become better people,” Martin said.

“I usually just go home and watch some TV or play a game of some sort,” Martin said.

As Martin begins his senior year, he carries the perspective gained from more than a decade in soccer. His commitment to supporting teammates, learning from challenges and refusing to quit reflects the qualities he hopes will continue to serve him beyond high school. Direct quotations preserve the speaker’s original wording, consistent with AP guidance.

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Martin’s favorite professional player is Paulo Dybala, the Argentine forward known for his creativity and technical ability. On his own team, Martin values more than individual performance. He enjoys being part of an environment where teammates can improve as athletes and as people.

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“Even if it seems pointless there’s no point on giving up on something,” Martin said.

Away from the field, Martin prefers a quieter routine. After school and practices, he often relaxes at home by watching television or playing video games. His favorite academic subject is math, while Ms. Kaiser stands out as his favorite teacher from his school years.

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That support has helped shape Martin’s approach as he prepares for his senior season. While he has developed a love for the game, he also recognizes the persistence it requires. One of the biggest lessons he has taken from athletics is the value of continuing to work through difficult moments.

That team-first outlook is especially meaningful in a sport where every position brings a different responsibility. Martin believes goalkeeper is the toughest role on the field because of the pressure that comes with protecting the net and making key decisions in critical moments.

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Valley Center High School senior Micah Martin enters his final year of high school soccer with a long history in the sport and an appreciation for the people who have supported him along the way. Martin, who has played soccer for 14 years,

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T H E N E S T A N D R E D B I R D S E R V I C E C O .’ S A T H L E T E S P O T L I G H T

Cheney’s Gus Morehead For Cheney High School senior Gus Morehead, football is about far more than the responsibilities that come with playing cornerback. It is about relationships, preparation and the standards built through a close-knit team environment. Morehead, who is in his senior year at Cheney, said the support and example of his parents have shaped his approach to athletics and everyday life. “My parents inspire me because they are hardworking and teach me the importance of being responsible and respectful. They also encourage me to win each day by making the most of it.”

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That mindset has translated to the football field, where Morehead embraces one of the game’s most demanding positions. As a cornerback, he often lines up in isolated coverage situations, relying on confidence, discipline and quick decision-making.

program stands out as one of its greatest strengths.

“The best thing about being a member of our football team is the brotherhood we have here at Cheney. It really is like being a part of a family. I also like playing for our big crowd.” That family atmosphere has produced plenty of memorable moments, including a pair of victories that brought the home crowd onto the field.

“The craziest thing that I have seen on the football field was when we beat Andale twice and the whole crowd rushed the field.” Morehead also remembers the energy surrounding a teammate’s defensive score.

“I play cornerback. The hardest thing about the position is that you are 1 on 1 most of the time with your receiver predicting what they will do.”

The challenges of the position have helped Morehead grow, while his teammates have made his experience memorable. He said the bond within the

Sports Performance Training Facility along with Physical Therapy in Cheney, KS

“My favorite game memory is when my teammate got an

interception and ran it back for 6. We then all dog-piled on him in the end zone to celebrate.” Before kickoff, Morehead uses a routine that allows him to shift from a relaxed mindset into game-mode focus.

“To prepare for games, I usually start by listening to music until about 10 minutes before we head out to the field, then I sit in silence and think about my assignments for the game.” He credits teammate Jase Robertson for helping him improve through competition in practice. “Jase Robertson has left a big impression on me. I used to have to guard him everyday, and he is the one that made me better and helped me get to where I am today.” Beyond football, Morehead participates in basketball, track, golf, FCA and BPA. He said athletics has supplied lessons he expects to carry into the future.

“Athletics has taught me how to work hard, to be disciplined, and how to persevere.”

“The best thing about being a member of our football team is the brotherhood we have here at Cheney. It really is like being a part of a family. I also like playing for our big crowd.” - Gus Morehead

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Bishop Carroll’s Ella Avey Bishop Carroll senior Ella Avey brings experience, energy and a determined mindset to the volleyball court as one of the team’s seasoned setters.

Avey, a member of the Class of 2027, values the responsibility that comes with helping lead an offense. Still, she sees the setter role as a team strength rather than an individual spotlight.

“I’m one of the seasoned setters on our high school team, but our team is lucky enough to have another great setter on varsity and many others who could step in to set if we need it.”

That depth complements a group Avey believes is prepared to make an impact this season. She enjoys the talent and enthusiasm surrounding her each day in practice and competition.

“Our team is full of talent and energy that makes it very fun to play with. I am really excited to see what we will do this season when we combine all our strengths together.” Avey especially appreciates the hustle and encouragement her teammates provide. Regan Daugherty supplies a vocal presence

and is known for pursuing difficult balls, while Lauren DeGroot brings humor to the group.

“Regan Daugherty is the most vocal on the team and Lauren DeGroot keeps me laughing on and off the court.” “Regan Daugherty is the teammate who will always be rolling and sprawling for a ball to get a touch on it.” Her favorite serve is a jump serve, particularly because a well-hit float or topspin serve can make life difficult for opponents. Avey also enjoys the intensity of rivalry matches, identifying Kapaun’s gym as one of the most challenging places to compete.

“My individual goal for this season is to get as many assists as I can for my last season,” Winter said. “I hit 1,000 last season, but I want to see how much I surpass that mark by.”

One of the strengths Winter sees in the Indians is their ability to pass and attack, which should give her plenty of opportunities to run the offense from the setter position. “We have very good passers and hitters, so it

is very easy for me to get a good set for them,” Winter said.

Andale’s preparation began well before the start of the season. Winter and her teammates spent the summer participating in the school’s weight program, volleyball skills sessions and conditioning workouts. Winter said the weight program has been an important part of preparing the Indians physically. “At Andale, we have a very good weight program in the summer, and a lot of girls participate in it,” Winter said. “When we play volleyball, our coach, Scott, wants us involved in this because strength training is important.” The Indians also held volleyball skills sessions twice a week, giving the players an opportunity to get more repetitions and prepare for tryouts. The summer concluded with two weeks of early-morning conditioning sessions in the gym. The workouts focused on endurance and vertical jumping, two areas that can make a significant difference during a long volleyball season. While Winter has established herself as

an accomplished setter, she has identified communication as one area she wants to improve during her senior season.

“I think it is important to talk while playing because it helps the flow of the game move better,” Winter said. Winter wants to become more effective at communicating with Andale’s hitters, particularly after delivering a set.

“I want to be able to tell the hitters what spots are open after I set them, so they can swing to the open spot,” she said. She began working on that skill during summer competition, particularly during 6-on-6 sessions with her teammates. Andale uses a color system to identify areas of the court, giving Winter an opportunity to practice communicating where openings are located. “I would try to do that as much as I could,” Winter said.

With a strong offseason behind them and a talented group returning, Winter believes the Indians have plenty of reasons to be optimistic.

Her team goal is simple: improve throughout the season, win the substate championship and ultimately repeat as state champions.

“I want to win our substate, and then win state again,” Winter said.

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“I am excited to play with my returning and new teammates,” Winter said. “I think we have a chance to do very well this year.”

Her parents remain her greatest inspiration because of “their strength, kindness, determination, faith and the way they treat others to be the person I want to become.”

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Winter believes the Indians have the personnel to make another deep postseason run. Andale returns key players while also welcoming several new faces who Winter expects to contribute immediately.

Away from the court, Avey enjoys running, traveling and spending time with friends. History is her favorite subject, and she is active at Bishop Carroll as a senior house leader in the Community System, a St. Gianna Health Academy selection and a track athlete. She expects to complete at least 71 hours of community service by the end of the school year.

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Now, she wants to build on those accomplishments while helping Andale make another run at a state championship.

“Athletics has taught me about grit and determination, if you have a strong work ethic you can out work anyone in the gym.”

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The senior setter is coming off a strong junior season in which she averaged 12.8 assists and four digs per match while recording 0.4 aces per match with a 95.8% serving percentage. Winter also reached 1,000 career assists and earned second-team all-league honors.

Athletics has also shaped Avey beyond volleyball. She credits sports with teaching her perseverance and a willingness to work harder than the competition.

WICHITA AREA ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Andale’s Abbi Winter Abbi Winter enters her final season with the Andale Indians volleyball program with plenty of experience, confidence and lofty expectations.

“Kapaun’s gym is the toughest to play in. They are another Catholic school here in Wichita and are our rivals, which makes it fun to play them.”

AIRCRAFT & COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES’ ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Mulvane’s Rachael Langholz Mulvane High School senior Rachael Langholz has found more than a sport in volleyball. For Langholz, the game has created a support system, taught resilience and given her a chance to contribute to something beyond herself. “I enjoy having a built in family, I love being a part of something bigger than just myself and always having someone to rely on,” Langholz said. That sense of belonging is reflected in what she appreciates most about her teammates. “What i love most about my team is how we always have fun, and never let anything get to us,” she said.

Langholz draws inspiration from volleyball player Andi Jackson, particularly because of Jackson’s approach when things do not go as planned. “Someone that inspires me is Andi Jackson, because she never gets down even if she makes a mistake playing volleyball, she never herself getting down,” Langholz said.

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Her own experience in athletics has reinforced the value of that mindset. “Athletics has taught me that not everything is going to go your way all the

time, but if you keep a positive outlook, everything will be okay,” she said.

As a server, Langholz prefers the jump serve. The skill did not come immediately, but the transition became an important part of her development.

“I love jump serve, it took me so long to get my serve, in seventh grade i was still doing my underhand, and then 8th grade year i went straight to my jump serve, and it made it so much easier to perfect it,” Langholz said. She also recognizes teammates who have supported her along the way. “The teammate that had left the biggest impression on me was one of my club teamates Emersyn Preutt-Shea, and I love her so much, she was always there for me on the court even if i was having a rough day,” Langholz said.

remembers Mrs. Heersche, her eighthgrade English teacher, as a favorite. She is involved in National Honor Society and student council, where she takes part in service projects and school activities. When she has free time, Langholz likes being with friends and family, shopping, getting her nails done and catching up on sleep. After games or events, she has a familiar hometown stop in mind: Taco Bell.

Away from the court, Langholz enjoys science and

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LEADFOOT EXPRESS’ ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Cheney’s Kenadi Thome Cheney High School senior Kenadi Thome has learned that success in athletics is built long before game day. Whether she is competing on the volleyball court, participating in cheer or playing softball, Thome values hard work, connection and the lessons that come from consistently showing up for her team. Her biggest sports influence has been close to home.

“My dad has always inspired me in sports. He has taught me that things are never going to get easier so it’s best to just embrace it.” That perspective has helped shape how Thome approaches competition and the work required to improve. She believes the habits athletes build in practice carry directly into games and, eventually, life beyond high school. “Athletics has taught me that you only get what you put in. If you aren’t going to work hard or cut corners in practice, it’s not going to show up in a game. I think that is something valuable that will help everyone throughout their lives.”

Thome especially appreciates the relationships within Cheney’s volleyball program. The shared time at practices, games and tournaments has created a close-knit group that she says makes competing more meaningful.

“What I love most about my teammates is that we are all like sisters. With the countless hours we are together all day, we have a bond that is unmatched. I love that I get to play with some of my best friends and that we don’t have to dread going to a practice or a game because together we make it so much better.”

She pointed to Landry Voth as the team’s most vocal player and a teammate who has made a lasting impact. Thome also recognized Lucy Fouquet’s defensive effort and Berkley McKinley’s ability to keep teammates laughing.

enjoys shopping and spending time with friends and family. She also hunts and fishes each year with her father and younger sister. In school, math is her favorite subject, and she remembers Mrs. Harris, her seventh-grade teacher, as a favorite educator.

Thome remains active beyond volleyball through cheer, softball, National Honor Society and choir. Her involvement reflects the same commitment she brings to athletics: invest fully, support others and embrace the challenge.

On the court, Thome prefers the jump serve for the power and height it gives her while sending the ball over the net. She also sees value in the team’s different setters, noting each brings distinct strengths to the rotation. Away from competition, Thome

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- Kenadi Thome

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“Athletics has taught me that you only get what you put in. If you aren’t going to work hard or cut corners in practice, it’s not going to show up in a game. I think that is something valuable that will help everyone throughout their lives.”

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WICHITA AREA ATHLETE SPOTLIGHTS

Andover’s Brynn Eilert As a senior at Andover High School, Brynn Eilert has built her athletic career around a simple but demanding principle: showing up with purpose. A three-season athlete who also competes in basketball, track and swimming, Eilert brings an appreciation for effort and teamwork to every court, pool and track she enters. She is listed as a volleyball setter/right-side player and has also competed for Andover in basketball.maxpreps+1

“Athletics has continuously shown me how consistency can pay off. I play a sport in the fall, winter, and spring, so it’s not always easy to show up to practice with a good attitude. I’ve learned that you can control your attitude and effort and I choose to have a good attitude about playing everyday. It’s a blessing to be healthy and able to.” That outlook comes from home. Eilert credits her

parents for modeling the balance of drive and relationships that she hopes to carry forward.

“My parents inspire me because they are so hard working but also so patient. I strive to have their work ethic, yet still maintain great, healthy, close relationships.” Volleyball offers Eilert both competition and connection. She values the time teammates spend together away from matches, believing those moments make the group stronger when the pressure rises. “I enjoy all the team bonding on

Andover’s Brooke Parham

Andover High School senior Brooke Parham brings energy, competitiveness and a close connection with her teammates to the volleyball court. Parham, a 12th grader, values the people around her, both in athletics and away from school. She said her father has been one of the biggest influences in her life.

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“My dad inspires me because he is the hardest worker I know, but he is also the most humble and generous person I know. He pushes me to be better just like he pushes himself to be better.”

That example of persistence has shaped how Parham approaches competition. She said athletics has helped her develop skills that extend far beyond a game or practice.

“Athletics has taught me how to face

adversity and grow and adapt, I think I will use that throughout my whole life.”

Bouddhara, who also participates in girls basketball and National Honor Society, said athletics has helped her develop skills that will extend far beyond high school. “Sports has taught me how to fight through adversity and how to be a leader.”

That mindset shows in the way she approaches competition and supports the people around her. Bouddhara said teammate Kennadi Noyes has made a particularly strong impression because of the example she sets for the group. “Kennadi Noyes because she is very uplifting and always trying to do the right thing for the team.” On the court, Bouddhara prefers a jump serve, using the added force it gives her.

Eilert enjoys jump serving because of the pressure it can put on opponents, and she recognizes teammates who make an impact in distinct ways. She points to Brooke Parham’s communication, Kennadi Noyes’ dependable sets and Marleigh’s willingness to sacrifice for difficult plays.

Her favorite match atmosphere comes against Andover Central, where the cross-town matchup brings a loud, energetic crowd. Away from athletics, Eilert enjoys spending time with friends and family, attending Kansas State sporting events and doing arts and crafts. Her favorite subject is math, excluding calculus, and she remembers eighthgrade science teacher Mr. Hallmark as a favorite educator.

best setter and one of its most vocal players. Parham also said Eilert has made a lasting impact on her as a teammate.

Parham said the best part of being on the volleyball team is sharing the experience with people she knows well.

“The teammate that has left the biggest impression on me is Brynn Eilert because she holds me accountable but is also my biggest cheerleader on the court, we work well together and our competitiveness feeds off each other.”

That chemistry shows up in the team’s daily interactions. Parham appreciates an environment where players support one another while keeping practices and games enjoyable.

Outside of volleyball, Parham participates in broadcast, National Honor Society and track during the spring. Her favorite subject is Spanish, and she credits Mrs. Trevino, her Spanish 2 and 3 teacher, as her favorite teacher.

“What I enjoy most is getting to play with my best friends.”

“What I love most about my team is that we are always laughing and giggling with each other.” She identified Brynn Eilert as the team’s

Andover’s Bella Bouddhara

As a senior at Andover High School, Bella Bouddhara values the relationships, lessons and laughter that come with competing alongside her teammates.

this team. From bus rides, to dinners, to game days, I feel like by the end of the season we all have sister like bonds. I’m going to miss being able to see these girls every season.”

“Jump serve because i have more power”

She also appreciates the different personalities that make the team close. Brooke brings vocal leadership, she said, while Brynn Eilert helps maintain a lighthearted environment.

“I think Brooke is the most vocal and Brynn keeps us laughing.” Bouddhara said Eilert and Noyes are both strong setters, and she enjoys spending time with teammates beyond practices and games.

“Both Brynn Eilert and Kennadi Noyes are really great”

“We really enjoy eachother both on and off the court!”

Parham jump serves, a choice she prefers because it creates a tougher challenge for opponents. She also pointed to Kennadi Noyes for her effort defensively, saying Noyes is consistently hustling and diving for digs.

When she has free time, Parham enjoys being with friends and family. One favorite stop around town is 7 Brew, where she likes getting specialty drinks with friends. The team’s close bond is what Bouddhara values most. Whether the group is facing a demanding opponent or simply sharing a laugh, she said the players genuinely enjoy being together.

“We love hanging out with eachother and always make eachother laugh”

One challenging road trip is the trip to Ark City, where the length of the drive can make it harder to settle in before competition.

“Probably Ark City just because it’s a long drive so it takes a little bit to warm up.” Away from school and sports, Bouddhara enjoys spending time with friends and going out for food. Her favorite local stop is Peachwave frozen yogurt. In the classroom, history is her favorite subject, and Mrs. Anderson is her favorite teacher. Bouddhara also draws inspiration from her sister’s work ethic and commitment. “My sister inspires me because she is so hardworking and smart. She puts her full effort into everything she does”

DJ KAUFFMAN INSURANCE AGENCY’S ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Hutchinson Central Christian’s Avery Kauffman As a senior setter for Hutchinson Central Christian, Avery Kauffman embraces the responsibility that comes with helping lead her volleyball team. “My coach inspires me the most. She has high expectations and counts on me to lead the team,” Kauffman said.

Kauffman is the team’s setter, a position that requires quick decision-making, communication and a consistent presence during every point. She prefers the challenge of taking control at the service line, too. “I prefer to Jump serve. It’s more effective in general,” Kauffman said. While volleyball has brought competition and demanding environments, Kauffman values the relationships built through the sport even more. She said the closeness among teammates has made her senior season especially meaningful.

one another, whether celebrating a win or responding to a difficult loss.

“I love making life long friendships. We encourage eachother and we get along very well,” Kauffman said. One teammate who brings plenty of energy to the court is Avery Duft. Kauffman said Duft provides both vocal leadership and humor for the group.

“Avery Duft is the most vocal teammate and keeps all of us laughing,” Kauffman said.

Duft also stands out for her defensive effort. “Avery Duft will always put herself on the floor for a save or a dig,” Kauffman said.

Kauffman said Reese Swanson has also made a lasting impression through her growth and commitment to the program.

“Reese Swanson has left the biggest impression on me. She has improved so much since her freshman year and she has shown some much dedication to her team,” Kauffman said.

“I enjoy being friends with everyone on my team. We all get along and have so many memories together,” Kauffman said.

The senior said athletics has supplied lessons that reach

That bond shows up in the team’s ability to encourage

beyond volleyball. The sport has helped her learn how to respond to both the highs and lows that come with competition. “Being an athlete has taught me how to handle disappointment and victories, and how to be disciplined and determined,” Kauffman said.

Away from the court, Kauffman enjoys playing piano, singing, reading and spending time with family and friends. Her favorite school subject is American history, and she credits Mrs. Oswalt — her teacher in third, fifth and sixth grades — as her favorite teacher. Kauffman also serves as student council president, a life group leader and a member of her school’s worship team. In her hometown, she enjoys spending time with friends at Freddy’s.

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GARDEN PLAIN BOOSTER CLUB’S ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Garden Plain’s Hailey Brack

While Brack has individual goals for her final season, she also has high expectations for Garden Plain as a team. She wants the Owls to establish themselves through effort and toughness every time they take the court. “A goal I have for my team this season is to outwork and hustle every team we play,” Brack said. “Hopefully doing that will create trust between each other and set us up well for an amazing season.”

Garden Plain hopes to draw 700 people to this year’s volleyball game.

“I am most excited for Gold Rush,” Brack said. “It is such a fun and loud atmosphere to play in and I can’t wait!”

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The team also held a three-day volleyball camp before the start of the season, giving the Owls an opportunity to sharpen their skills and build

“One way my team and I are working on serve receive is just a lot of reps to help build muscle memory and refine our technique,” Brack said.

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Brack and the Owls put in plenty of work during the offseason to prepare for the season. Garden Plain’s volleyball players were up early for weightlifting Monday through Thursday throughout the summer while also participating in volleyball workouts on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

One area Brack has focused on improving is her serve receive, an important part of helping the Owls maintain control and build their offense.

One of the highlights of the season for Brack will be Gold Rush, a volleyball event Garden Plain started last year as a way to bring the community together. The event features prizes and auctions for fans throughout the night and creates an energetic atmosphere around the Owls’ volleyball program.

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“My goal is to end with no regrets,” Brack said. “This is my last season and I want to leave it all on the court and give my full effort every game for my team.”

chemistry.

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After recovering from ACL surgery and spending last season behind a seniorheavy varsity group, Garden Plain’s Hailey Brack enters this season ready for her first opportunity to compete as a full-time member of the Garden Plain varsity team.

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ELITE ATHLETIC TRAINING’S ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Maize’s Emery Atchison Maize High School senior Emery Atchison has built his soccer career around persistence, preparation and the relationships formed with teammates along the way. A team captain during his junior and senior seasons, Atchison brings the same steady work ethic to the field that he has admired in others throughout his life.

“He inspires me by his determination, motivation and the way he strives to reach his own goals. He is always pushing and encouraging me to be my best.”

“I am very inspired by my grandpa, he has always been a role model to me, a very hard worker who never gives up on anything he does. His work ethic is better than anyone I know and that has made a great impact on my life; watching him since I was a kid and learning to never stop trying.”

“I love being able to grow closer to my teammates and have fun while also working towards a common goal of winning. I really enjoy team dinners and bonding closer with my friends. I love being able to experience the highs and lows with my teammates, and becoming better together.”

His grandfather has been one of his biggest influences.

Atchison has also trained for several years at Elite Athletic Training with Vincent Martin, another person whose example has helped shape his approach.

Atchison began playing soccer at age 3 and has continued developing his game through individual training and a commitment to learning. He values the shared experience that comes with competing alongside friends and working toward a common purpose.

Captain for my own Junior and Senior years and I’ve used Roman’s example to encourage my teammates not only during regular practices & games but also organize and lead extra training and scrimmages.” Away from soccer, Atchison enjoys science, especially labs and experiments. He plans to major in environmental science at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where he has committed to continue his soccer career. His interest in Colorado also fits his love of hiking and spending time outdoors.

Athletics has helped Atchison develop skills that will carry into that next chapter.

“Being a student athlete has taught me many lessons, the main one is having to keep my priorities straight, being able to juggle school demands and soccer at the same time, as well as other extracurricular activities.”

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INMOTION’S ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Maize’s Cohen Myers

Myers has spent the offseason preparing for his final high school season through Maize’s summer workout program, which

“We only gave up 13 goals last year,” Myers said.

This season, Myers is focused on improving his 1-on-1 defending while also becoming a more vocal leader. He has traditionally led through his play, but he wants to expand his leadership role from the backline.

“I’ve always been a leader by example on the field, and this year I want to be more vocal and communicate better from the backline,” Myers said. He worked on that aspect of his

Myers also hopes to earn first-team AVCTL honors for a second consecutive season while pursuing All-Metro and All-State recognition.

But with his final high school season approaching, Myers’ biggest motivation remains the opportunity to compete alongside his teammates — and, for the first time, his younger brother.

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“My brother is a freshman on the team this year, and it’s the first and likely only time that we will get to practice and share the field together,” Myers said.

As a center back, Myers understands that his role often does not show up in a traditional stat sheet. Instead, his job is to help keep opposing teams from scoring and organize the defense.

“I really care about the team goals, they are the most important,” Myers said. “If we succeed as a team, I’m sure the individual awards will follow.”

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The season also carries a special significance for Myers because his younger brother is joining the team as a freshman. It gives the brothers an opportunity to share the field and practice together, something Myers knows may only happen once.

He also continued playing club soccer with Wichita Surf, giving him another opportunity to develop his skills and compete at a high level.

For Myers, however, individual accomplishments are secondary to what Maize can accomplish together. His primary goal is to help the Eagles win a regional championship and earn a trip to state.

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“With so many leaders on this team, we are hoping this is the year we can make a deep run, win regionals and finally make it to state,” Myers said.

includes weight training and scrimmages. The work has helped him maintain his fitness, build strength and prepare for the demands of the season.

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The Maize boys soccer team enters the season with plenty of experience, including a strong group of upperclassmen. Cohen Myers hopes that experience, combined with the team’s chemistry and leadership, can propel the Eagles to the state tournament.

game throughout the summer by making a conscious effort to communicate during workouts, scrimmages and training sessions.

B&B BUILDERS & RHINO STRONG’S ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

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Maize’s Isaac Steele

While Maize cross country runner Isaac Steele enjoys spending time with his teammates during road trips and overnight meets, including Rim Rock Farm, state and Nike Heartland Regionals, it is the competition that keeps him coming back.

course at state, where he finished in 16:27.

That competitive mindset has helped Steele establish himself as one of Maize’s top distance runners. Last season, he finished third at league, third at regionals and 13th at the Class 6A state meet. As a team, Maize won both the league and regional championships before finishing fourth at state.

Steele has continued that commitment to training throughout the offseason. Rather than taking an extended break, he trains year-round, combining summer and winter conditioning with the cross country and track seasons.

“The time I am most proud of was when I went 16:27 on the Rim Rock course at state,” Steele said.

“But what I love most is the races,” Steele said. “Being able to compete in races is the whole reason I run. And I find it really fun and exciting to push myself for a higher position, both for myself and for my team.”

His success has carried over to track, where Steele competed in the 800 and 1,600 meters. He posted times of 2:00 in the 800, 4:34 in the 1,600, 9:47 in the 2-mile and 6:47 in the 2,000-meter steeplechase. He won the 800 at regionals and qualified for state in both the 800 and 1,600.

Steele’s top cross country time last season came at league, where he ran 15:45. However, the performance he takes the most pride in came on the Rim Rock

That preparation also included physical therapy after a calf strain late in his track season. During the summer, Steele worked through the injury while continuing to prepare for the upcoming cross country season.

“Being able to compete in races is the whole reason I run. And I find it really fun and exciting to push myself for a higher position, both for myself and for my team.” - Isaac Steele

Maize’s team also traveled to Colorado for training, including a hike up Mount Blue Sky, adding another challenge to an offseason built around preparation and endurance.

One of Steele’s biggest areas of focus has been improving his tempo running. He said it has traditionally been one of his weaker areas, but his summer workouts have given him confidence heading into the season.

“I’ve had multiple workouts this summer and season that are 6-plus miles under 6-minute pace,” Steele said. “In the past that has been my weakest area, but I am hitting the workouts great so far.”

JON MORGAN’S KANSAS JOINT & SPINE ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Eisenhower’s Emmarie Barger After her junior season was cut short by a season-ending ankle injury, Eisenhower’s Emmarie Barger is entering her senior year with renewed motivation and a strong desire to help the Tigers break through the substate barrier. “I am most excited for the opportunity to make it to state,” Barger said. “We haven’t been able to make it past substate in the past years, and I think the girls we have this year and their grit to get better can make it happen.” Barger’s junior season ended after she played 65 of Eisenhower’s 81 sets. Despite missing the end of the season, she made a significant impact, finishing second on the team with a .251 hitting percentage and averaging 2.5 kills per set with 160 total kills. She also earned 5A All-League honorable mention honors in the AVCTL Division II.

“Between PT, team practices, conditioning, lifting, and skill work, I’ve put in a lot of hours to make sure I’m ready,” Barger said. One of Barger’s biggest priorities entering the season is regaining the explosiveness she had before her injury. She wants to become more effective both as a hitter and blocker, particularly after noticing differences in her jump, quickness and timing following her return. “I specifically worked on being more in tune with the hitters across the net and I’ve already seen a huge difference in my

blocking efficiency,” Barger said.

Playing club basketball throughout the spring and summer also helped Barger rebuild confidence in her movement. Now, she believes the work she put in during the offseason will translate to a stronger presence on the volleyball court.

With six seniors on the roster, Barger sees plenty of leadership within the Tigers and believes that experience can help the team improve on last season. “I think as we build more chemistry we can finish stronger than we did last year,” Barger said.

The team’s goals include winning a second consecutive league championship and making a state tournament appearance. Individually, Barger hopes to earn higher league honors while improving her hitting percentage and kills per set.

She also wants to embrace a larger leadership role as a senior.

Eisenhower finished 22-13 and captured the league championship.

“I’m excited to be a leader this year and showcase to everyone how I’ve become a better athlete in the offseason,” Barger said.

This offseason, Barger focused heavily on preparing her body to withstand a full volleyball season. Following two ankle surgeries, she spent three months recovering before being cleared to return to sports.

“Not being able to finish my junior year season really lit a fire inside of me,” Barger said. “I’m excited to see how much I’ve grown since then.”

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Her rehabilitation included strength, mobility and stability work, eventually transitioning into injury prevention and continued rehab. She also spent time working on agility, footwork and her vertical jump while balancing basketball, team practices, conditioning, lifting and volleyball skill work.

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After being forced to watch the end of her junior season from the sidelines, Barger is eager for the opportunity to compete through an entire season. The experience has given her an added sense of urgency heading into her final year.

WICHITA AREA ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Circle’s Cate Rogers Cate Rogers enters her senior season at Circle High School with high expectations for herself and the Thunderbirds.

After reaching 1,000 career assists as a junior and earning AVCTL Division III second-team honors, Rogers is focused on continuing to improve while helping Circle take the next step as a team.

“This season I am most excited to play with this group of girls, which I think have a lot of potential to become a really solid, competitive team,” Rogers said. “Also being led by the same coaching staff that helped me improve so much throughout all of the years I have been in the program.” Rogers spent the offseason preparing for the upcoming season through a variety of training opportunities. She attended summer weights, volleyball camps and workouts while also competing in club volleyball.

Her preparation has centered on becoming a more consistent setter. Rogers participated in private setting lessons and attended camps to specifically work on her placement. “I think I always have room for

improvement, and setting this specific goal has kept me staying intentional with every set I make,” Rogers said. That focus has also helped Rogers establish individual and team goals for her senior season. Individually, she hopes to earn first-team honors in her league. For the Thunderbirds, Rogers has bigger aspirations.

“A few goals I have for the team this year is to have a winning record and hopefully win substate and make it to State,” Rogers said.

With another year of experience and a milestone already behind her, Rogers hopes to use her final season to help Circle turn its potential into results.

“This season I am most excited to play with this group of girls, which I think have a lot of potential to become a really solid, competitive team.” - Cate Rogers

PA N D A P R O D U C T I O N S ’ A T H L E T E S P O T L I G H T

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El Dorado’s Daniel Bowlin

Daniel Bowlin believes El Dorado football has an opportunity to make a statement this season.

After difficult seasons in recent years, Bowlin sees a team growing more confident and competitive with each practice. He is excited to see what the Wildcats can accomplish against a challenging schedule. “The thing I’m most excited about for this season is the opportunity that our team has to compete with our schedule,” Bowlin said. “Even though we have had rough seasons in our school’s past, I firmly believe that our team this year can make a big comeback.”

For Bowlin, that comeback is about more than simply wins and losses. He believes the Wildcats are developing into a stronger team with each day of preparation.

“We are becoming confident and more competitive every day of practice,” Bowlin said. “I can’t wait to show everyone what El Dorado football will be like this year.” Bowlin put plenty of work into making sure he was ready for the season. During the offseason, he attended five football camps from May through July while also maintaining a demanding weight-training schedule. He did not miss a day of weights Monday through Thursday and also received private training from Midwest Passing Academy.

“This offseason has definitely been one of my most crucial and dedicated seasons throughout high school,” Bowlin said. “Overall, I had a great offseason. I felt so committed to everything I was doing to get better and better.” As the season approaches, Bowlin has identified field vision and reading keys as areas where he wants to continue improving. He wants to become more effective at identifying open gaps and making the right decisions to help the Wildcats’ offense operate efficiently. “I want to work on seeing open gaps more and finding ways to run the offense more efficiently,” Bowlin said.

Bowlin spent the offseason working through repetitions and focusing on his read keys. His goal is to make confident decisions regardless of the situation he faces on the field. “I want to be able to make very effective reads on any type of situation on the field,” Bowlin said.

While Bowlin has individual goals, his approach remains centered on the team. He wants to stay humble, continue working and focus on improving each day. “I understand what it’s like to get hyped up after a good play, but I always tell myself to stay humble, work hard and be kind,” Bowlin said. Bowlin also wants the Wildcats to maintain their focus

throughout each game, emphasizing the importance of taking things one play at a time.

“A team goal I would like to have this season is to stay focused on what comes next,” Bowlin said. “The next play, the next call and the next opportunity.” Bowlin believes that attention to detail and consistent effort can help El Dorado take another step forward.

“I want the team to put 100% effort in everything they do,” Bowlin said. “From drill to drill, to play to play, I want them to drive as much as they can every snap.”

Last season, Bowlin carried the ball 74 times for 11 yards and a touchdown while completing 53 of 130 passes for 508 yards and two touchdowns. Now, with a dedicated offseason behind him and a renewed belief in what the Wildcats can accomplish, Bowlin is ready to help El Dorado show what it can do. “I always tell myself that hard work pays off, and this summer is when I fully believed that,” Bowlin said.

BROTHERS ROOFING & CONSTRUCTION LLC & PRO-OP ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Valley Center’s Juan David Juan David has spent nearly his entire life chasing improvement on the soccer field.

Now entering his 14th year playing the sport, the Valley Center High School senior and captain is preparing for his final high school season with a combination of experience, ambition and a desire to leave a lasting legacy. For David, the preparation for a season extends well beyond game days.

“I don’t just enjoy game days, I enjoy the entire process,” David said. “That includes practices, nutrition, academics and my mentality. Everything is done with full intent to improve and not only be a better athlete, but a student as well.” David enters his senior season coming off a productive junior campaign in which he scored 19 goals and added seven assists. Valley Center finished 12-2-2 overall and 4-1-1 in district play, while David earned first-team AVCTL Division I honors as a forward.

With seven goals separating him from Valley Center’s career scoring record, David has his sights set on making history early in the season. “As mentioned before, my main goal is to break the school record of career goals scored,” David said. “I’m just shy seven goals and believe I can knock the record out early on in the season.”

“Roy Aguilar and Micah Martin have been the best teammates I could have asked

“I also believe that if we can figure things out early on in the season and start off strong, then we can go far and do well in the postseason, and ultimately win a third regional title in my four years,” David said. Preparing for that opportunity required plenty of work during the offseason. David participated in summer practices organized by himself and other seniors, attended nearby identification camps and continued individual training at home. He also spent much of his summer working for his father’s roofing company, creating another challenge as he tried to remain physically prepared for the soccer season.

“This year I look forward to beginning my last run as a senior and captain, and end strong,” David said. “But on top of that I look forward to what’s to come after my high school career and hoping this year increases my opportunities further.”

The season has already presented some ups and downs, but David has seen the team gain confidence during the preseason. Now, he is eager to see how far the group can go. “I am excited to see what this group of guys can accomplish,” David said.

“Roofing isn’t easy on your body, so to prevent injuries I prioritized recovery with foam rolling, stretching and proper nutrition and hydration at least three times a day, and made sure to get proper sleep as well,” David said. Balancing roofing work with soccer training became one of David’s biggest offseason challenges, particularly while working through the Kansas heat.

“I believe one of the greatest challenges I had to overcome was remaining fit and pitch ready while working every day in roofing in the hot Kansas weather,” David said. “But regardless of my circumstances I persevered and found a way to balance it and stay healthy to be able to continue performing on the pitch.”

That same commitment has helped shape David throughout his soccer career. As

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Valley Center returns several key seniors, including Roy Aguilar and Micah Martin, two players David has shared the varsity field with since his freshman year.

David also hopes to help Valley Center make a deep postseason run and capture another regional championship.

he prepares for his final season at Valley Center, he is focused not only on what he can accomplish now, but also on creating opportunities for his future beyond high school.

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While individual accomplishments are important, David’s focus extends to the success of his teammates and the legacy they can build together.

for and I’m glad to be able to finish off my high school career with them by my side just like we began,” David said.

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(316) 288-0239 | RUBEN@PROOPPDR.COM

T H E G AT H E R I N G C H U R C H & F LY M A N U FAC T U R I N G AT H L E T E S P OT L I G H T

Newton’s Christian Henderson Christian Henderson has seen the work it has taken to help turn Newton football around, and he is proud to be part of the group leading the charge.

As Henderson prepares for the upcoming season, he is most excited about playing alongside teammates who have put in the same level of work and commitment.

“I am excited to play next to the guys that have worked just as hard as I can to turn Newton Football around,” Henderson said. “I can safely say I have never been more proud of any team in my life than the one I get to stand and play with all season.” Henderson enters the season looking to make an impact on both sides of the ball. Last season, he recorded 34 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and three sacks defensively. As a receiver, he finished with 403 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

His preparation for the new season has focused on improving the skills needed at both defensive line and tight end.

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“I have done a lot of footwork and handwork training for D-line and for tight end I have been working on mobility,” Henderson said.

“I can safely say I have never been more proud of any team in my life than the one I get to stand and play with all season.” - Christian Henderson

The offseason workouts also emphasized explosiveness and agility. Henderson attended two college camps during the summer, giving him additional opportunities to develop his skills and compete against other players.

maintaining a low position.

“I want to work on using my hands and learning the strength that I have,” Henderson said.

For Henderson and the rest of the Newton football team, the ultimate goal is simple: finish what they start.

One of his biggest areas of focus has been improving his technique with his hands and learning to better use his strength. Throughout the offseason, Henderson concentrated on his technique, particularly punching with his palms while

That work has been part of Henderson’s larger goal of being dependable for his teammates. Rather than setting individual statistical goals, he wants to make sure he gives everything he has on every play. “My individual goal is to not let my team down and play to my full capability every single play,” Henderson said. “Team goals would be to finish out the games that we start and win,” Henderson said.

THE HALSTEAD BANK’S ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Halstead’s Bailey Bernal Halstead’s Bailey Bernal enters her senior season determined to help the Dragons reach their potential while building memories with some of her closest friends — including her younger sister, Brenley. “This upcoming season I am most excited to see what we can accomplish as a team,” Bernal said. “I have some of my best friends on this team which includes my little sister Brenley, so I just want us to do as good as we possibly can.” Bernal knows her final season will go quickly, which has made her approach to the season simple: work hard and leave nothing to regret.

“I don’t want to look back and regret what could have been,” Bernal said. “So I hope that we keep working hard and just try to perform our best.” Bernal has spent much of her high school career preparing for seasons by staying

She also competed for Halstead’s basketball team, continuing a busy routine that has seen her transition between sports throughout high school. “For the past three years of high school, I’d be going from basketball to volleyball multiple nights a week,” Bernal said. Now, as a senior, Bernal is looking to take another step in her development, particularly in her leadership. “I feel like I’ve been in a leadership role for a little while now on this team, but as a senior I’d like to step it up even more,” Bernal said. “I’ve been

trying to talk with the girls more and make sure that everyone is on the same page.”

Bernal believes communication can make a significant difference on the court and wants to use her experience to help her teammates throughout the season. “I feel like this is a very important part of the game and I’d like to utilize that,” Bernal said.

Bernal also enters the season with individual and team goals. She hopes to help Halstead make a deep postseason run while continuing to improve alongside her teammates. “For our team I’d like for us to make it as far as possible,” Bernal said. “As long as we are working as hard as we can, I think we could have a great year.”

Individually, Bernal has set her sights on reaching 1,000 career digs. She recorded 289 digs last season to go along with 421 kills and 31 aces. “For myself I’d like to reach 1,000 digs and leave it all on the line for this last year and again just not have any regrets,” Bernal said.

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With one final season ahead, Bernal is ready to embrace her role as a senior leader and make the most of her time with her teammates and sister.

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“This upcoming season I am most excited to see what we can accomplish as a team.” - Bailey Bernal

active year-round. This offseason, she played club volleyball from November through the end of June while also lifting weights and working on sprinting and jumping.

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CHARLSEN INSURANCE’S ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Newton’s Gracie Newhouse Newton’s Gracie Newhouse is focused on helping the Railers grow together, take advantage of their experience and establish themselves as one of the top teams in the league.

“This volleyball season, I’m most excited to see how much our team improves,” Newhouse said. “I’ve played with some of these girls since sixth grade, so I can’t wait to see us grow as players, step into our roles as seniors, and become stronger leaders on the court.” Newhouse has spent the offseason preparing for an expanded leadership role. She played club volleyball, practicing three times a week and competing in tournaments throughout Kansas and Oklahoma. She also stayed busy with Newton’s summer program, participating in a summer league, twice-weekly practices and morning weight sessions Monday through Thursday. She also attended Wichita State’s team camp and participated in other club open gyms to get additional repetitions and experience playing with different athletes.

While Newhouse primarily plays outside hitter and defensive

specialist for her club teams, she has taken on the role of setter for Newton during her junior and senior seasons. That transition has helped her develop a deeper understanding of the game.

“I’ve also been working to become a more aggressive setter,” Newhouse said. “This summer I worked a lot on my tipping placement when setting from the front row and being as aggressive as possible and gaining more confidence in myself as a setter.” Consistency is another area Newhouse has targeted heading into the season. She wants to become a dependable setter who puts her hitters in the best possible position to succeed.

Her responsibilities extend beyond setting the offense. As a senior, Newhouse knows she will be expected to provide leadership on the court.

“My primary goal is to be a strong leader for the team,” Newhouse said. “The setter controls the court so I need to step up as a setter and become a player that stands out and leads my teammates.”

As a junior, she recorded 253 assists, 212 digs and 141 kills. Her performance earned her Newton’s Most Valuable Player award and a spot on the AVCTL All-League Second Team. Now, she wants to use that experience to help Newton take another step forward.

“We have so many talented girls and our team has the potential to do extremely well this season,” Newhouse said. “We are fortunate to have played together for multiple years.” Newhouse hopes that experience translates into greater consistency and success throughout the season. One of her goals is for Newton to finish in the top three in the league. With a familiar group of teammates surrounding her and a new season ahead, Newhouse is ready to embrace her role as one of the Railers’ senior leaders. “I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together — and, of course, win more games!” Newhouse said.

Newhouse enters the season with a strong statistical resume.

P L A T I N U M P D R & PA I N T ’ S A T H L E T E S P O T L I G H T

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Newton’s Cason Horton

Newton’s Cason Horton is looking forward to his final Friday night lights, hoping to make an impact on the field while leaving behind an example for the younger players who will follow him.

“I am most excited for these last Friday night lights games and putting my mark out there as the best player I can be,” Horton said. “I am excited to be able to have this senior year to hopefully inspire the next coming high schoolers and also the youth to want to play football and ‘Be like that guy!’” Horton also embraces the physical and emotional intensity that comes with playing football under the lights. “I am also very excited to go hit some people in those pads,” Horton said. “The rush and thrill of being in your school uniform battling it out with blood, sweat and tears while your whole school and their parents are watching is an amazing feeling and I love it!” Horton spent the offseason preparing himself for his final season by taking part in five football camps, including one at the University of Northern Iowa. He also attended Newton’s summer workouts, participated in summer practices and conditioning, and completed additional workouts on his own. Much of his individual work

focused on improving his footwork and hand techniques as a defensive lineman. Horton also spent time studying film, watching NFL and college football games to learn from defensive ends at the highest levels. “I watched lots of old NFL and CFB football games so that I could see some professional defensive ends work and try my best to mimic or learn from them,” Horton said.

Entering the season, Horton wants to continue developing the strength he has built while adding more techniques to his game. He hopes having a variety of moves will allow him to find different ways to get past offensive linemen on both running and passing plays.

“One area I want to improve on is using the strength I’ve built in my legs and also knowing different moves to use when on the field in a game so that I have many ways to get past the offensive linemen on both run plays and pass plays,” Horton said. Horton worked toward that goal in the weight room and during conditioning workouts. He also wants to become more explosive off the line and improve his ability to get into the air to

knock down passes.

Last season, Horton recorded 41 tackles, leading Newton in tackles during the 2025-26 season.

This year, his individual goals include continuing to make plays and producing as many tackles and sacks as possible. But Horton said his biggest goals extend beyond his own statistics.

“A few goals I have for this season are to get as many sacks and tackles as I can and also be able to help the team win as many games as possible so that the future generation has something to look up to,” Horton said. Horton also wants to see his teammates constantly challenge one another, creating a competitive environment that pushes everyone to improve. “I want the team to push each other so hard that there’s always someone chasing the starting spot pushing the other to try even harder to keep that spot,” Horton said.

PEOPLES BANK AND TRUST’S ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Maize’s Ellie Wisdom Maize’s Ellie Wisdom is especially looking forward to sharing her final season with her younger sister and the teammates she has grown close to throughout her career.

“I’m most excited about playing my final season with a group of girls I’ve grown to love so much, as well as getting to play with my sister for the last time,” Wisdom said. “I’m looking forward to our schedule, traveling together, and all the memories we’ll make along the way.”

Wisdom’s offseason preparation has been a year-round process. With high school volleyball transitioning into club volleyball and then back into the high school season, she has focused on maintaining consistency in her training. “Honestly, there really isn’t much of an offseason,” Wisdom said. “We go from high school volleyball to club and then right back to high school, so my training has been built around consistency.” Wisdom has worked with performance and volleyball trainers throughout her career, focusing on both her physical development and skills as a setter.

“My performance trainer works with me year-round to help me be at my best physically and athletically,” Wisdom said.

“I’ve also had an incredible setting trainer for the past couple of years, and I look forward to continuing to work with him until I leave for college next fall.” As she enters her senior season, Wisdom plans to continue developing her setting while also becoming a more dependable defensive player. “I’m always working to become more consistent in my setting, and that will continue to be a focus this year,” Wisdom said. “I also want to continue developing my defensive skills and be someone my team can rely on in every part of the game.”

Those improvements will be important as Maize pursues its goals for the season. Wisdom said the Eagles are aiming to compete for a league championship and return to the state tournament.

“As a team, we definitely want to compete for a league title and make it back to state,” Wisdom said.

her career at state alongside her younger sister.

“I started my volleyball career at Maize with a state appearance my freshman year, and I’d love to end my senior year the same way,” Wisdom said. “It was special getting to experience state with my older sister, and I’d love the opportunity to experience it with my younger sister this year.” Wisdom has earned ACTVL Division 1 second-team honors in each of the past two seasons, in 2024 and 2025. As she prepares for her final high school season, however, her focus extends beyond individual recognition.

“Individually, I want to be the best leader and teammate I can be for the girls around me and help create a season full of great memories,” Wisdom said.

A return to state would carry special meaning for Wisdom. She began her Maize volleyball career with a state appearance as a freshman, when she had the opportunity to share the experience with her older sister. Now, she hopes to finish

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- Ellie Wisdom

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“As a team, we definitely want to compete for a league title and make it back to state.”

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KINGMAN HEALTHCARE CENTER’S ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Cunningham’s Sage Thimesch Sage Thimesch is entering her sophomore season with the Cunningham volleyball team focused on more than just wins and losses.

For Thimesch, the upcoming season is an opportunity to grow closer with her teammates, improve throughout the year and see what the Wildcats can accomplish together.

“I’m most excited to grow closer as a team, improve throughout the season, and see how far we can go together,” Thimesch said. Thimesch put in significant work during the offseason to prepare for her sophomore campaign. She played club volleyball, attended team camps and took individualized lessons designed to strengthen several areas of her game.

Her lessons focused on hitting, passing and serving, giving Thimesch opportunities to build her fundamentals and become a more well-rounded player.

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This season, Thimesch has identified

hitting as one of the biggest areas she wants to improve. In particular, she has been working on her vertical jump and making better contact at the net.

The goal is to become a more consistent and effective offensive player while continuing to contribute wherever her team needs her.

“My goal is to improve my skills, stay consistent, and become a stronger player for my team,” Thimesch said. As a freshman, Thimesch contributed 33 kills, 51 digs, 17 blocks and 13 assists. With a year of varsity experience behind her, she enters this season looking to build on that foundation.

together, work hard, and compete for a successful season,” Thimesch said.

With offseason preparation complete and another year of experience under her belt, Thimesch hopes her continued development will help Cunningham make strides throughout the season.

While individual improvement is important, Thimesch said the Wildcats’ biggest goals center on what they can accomplish as a team. “Our goal is to grow

“My goal is to improve my skills, stay consistent, and become a stronger player for my team.” - Sage Thimesch

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PEOPLES BANK AND TRUST’S ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Cunningham’s Gracie Smyth Gracie Smyth had hoped her final volleyball season at Cunningham High School would begin on the court. Instead, the senior is preparing to make an impact from the sideline while she works toward getting medically cleared to play.

Smyth was involved in a car accident this summer, resulting in her second concussion in six months. She must be cleared by a neurologist before returning to competition, and the earliest that could happen is expected to be in mid-September.

While the circumstances aren’t what Smyth envisioned, she isn’t allowing them to change her approach to the season. “My goal for this season is to play!” Smyth said.

Until she receives clearance, Smyth plans to remain involved with the team, attending practices and supporting her teammates every step of the way.

“I know this is something outside of my control, so I am going to make sure I am there for my team,” Smyth said. “I am still going to practice and I will be supporting them the whole way, even if it is just from the

sidelines for now.”

Smyth’s focus comes at an important time for a Cunningham team that features a blend of youth and experience. The Wildcats have several freshmen joining the program, bringing new energy, while returning players bring varsity experience into the season. “This year we have a lot of freshmen coming in with a lot of energy, as well as quite a few players returning with varsity experience,” Smyth said. After watching her teammates develop throughout the summer, Smyth is eager to see how much the Wildcats can continue to improve once the season begins.

“Everyone has gotten better throughout the summer and I am looking forward to watching everyone continue to grow and get better not only individually but as a team,” Smyth said.

Cunningham also has plenty of goals to chase this season, including serving and attacksper-game benchmarks, as well as a team record goal. For Smyth, however, success will begin with being there for her teammates, regardless of whether she is able to contribute on the court.

“I love this team, I want to see them succeed,” Smyth said. “Right now, my contributions will be from the sidelines, but I will be their biggest supporter!” And if Smyth gets the opportunity to return later in the season, she will be ready to rejoin her teammates and compete. Until then, she will embrace the role she can control — encouraging the Wildcats, celebrating their successes and helping them continue to grow. “Everyone has gotten better throughout the summer,” Smyth said. “I am looking forward to watching everyone continue to grow and get better not only individually but as a team.”

FABIOLA’S HAIR SALON’S ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Wichita East’s Jesus Guardado

While the season provides an opportunity to compete, Guardado has spent the offseason preparing himself to contribute to the team. He has focused on consistent training and maintaining good eating habits to make sure he is ready when the games begin.

“One area I wanted to improve on was to make sure my first touch was good,” Guardado said. “I worked on that by getting my touches in every day and training every day and just doing the little details no one else sees to make sure I do it.”

“My goal for this season is to make it far in the playoffs,” Guardado said.

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That attention to detail is something Guardado hopes will translate to the field throughout the season. After recording two goals and two assists last season, he enters the new campaign looking for ways to help the Blue Aces make an extended postseason run.

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“I have been training every day and eating

One of Guardado’s primary areas of focus has been improving his first touch. Rather than relying only on occasional practices, he has worked on the skill through daily repetition and paying attention to the small details that can make a difference during a game.

With preparation behind him and another season alongside his teammates ahead, Guardado is ready to see what Wichita East can accomplish.

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“I am excited to play alongside my friends and teammates this season,” Guardado said.

well to be ready for this season,” Guardado said.

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Wichita East’s Jesus Guardado said he is looking forward to playing alongside his friends and teammates as the Blue Aces begin another season.

PA T T E R S O N L E G A L G R O U P ’ S A T H L E T E S P O T L I G H T

Andover Central’s Jack Sizemore and Jax Van Hiel For Andover Central seniors Jack Sizemore and Jax Van Hiel, the upcoming season is about more than wins and losses. It is an opportunity to make the most of their final season in a Jaguars uniform, grow alongside their teammates and leave the program better than they found it. Sizemore, a four-year varsity player, is especially looking forward to one final opportunity to compete with the teammates he has shared the field with throughout his high school career.

“I’m most excited for my senior season and getting to play with my teammates one last time,” Sizemore said. “I’ve been on varsity for four years, so I want to make this last season one to remember and give it everything I have.”

Sizemore will have an added reason to make the season memorable. His younger brother, Auggie, is a freshman on the Jaguars’ team, giving the senior a chance to share his final high school season with his brother.

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Van Hiel is also looking forward to the competition that comes with the season, particularly the Jaguars’ biggest games. He wants to see the work put in during the offseason translate when Andover Central faces its toughest opponents.

“I’m most excited to compete with my teammates during the season and see how much we can grow throughout the season,” Van Hiel said. “I’m looking forward to the big games we have against our rivals, where we can test ourselves against good competition and see all of our hard work we put into the offseason translate to the field.” Van Hiel will also have a unique source of motivation when the Jaguars take the field. Several of his club teammates

attend other high schools, creating opportunities to compete against players he already knows well. “We all keep in touch during the high school season and of course push each other with some playful back and forth about who’s high school team is better,” Van Hiel said. Both seniors have spent the offseason working to become more consistent players.

Sizemore has focused on workouts, training and skill development, putting in extra time in the areas where he wants to improve. “One thing I want to improve this year is being more consistent,” Sizemore said. “I worked on that during the offseason by getting extra workouts in and putting more time into my skills.”

Van Hiel has taken a similar approach. He plays club soccer on an ECRL team during

the offseason, giving him additional opportunities to work on his game while also developing his strength, speed and conditioning. He has also focused on the small details of the game, including technique, footwork and passing.

“One area I want to improve this year is my consistency,” Van Hiel said. “I wanna be able to step on the field and know my teammates and coach can rely on me no matter what.”

Van Hiel believes consistency is built through the little things, which has led him to emphasize fundamentals and extra repetitions during his offseason training. He has also worked extensively on onetouch passing and accuracy. “I don’t want my teammates to ever have to come back to get a ball,” Van Hiel said. “I want to get better at predicting where they will be and lead them there.”

WICHITA AREA ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Sunrise Christian Academy’s Matthew Chilewa Sunrise Christian Academy runner Matthew Chilewa is looking forward to sharing the season with his teammates and fellow competitors as he prepares for his first full cross-country season.

“What excites me most about this upcoming season is getting to run alongside my teammates because they push me every day more than they know,” Chilewa said. “I am also looking forward to connecting with other cross-country runners at meets and hearing

how their running season is going.”

Chilewa has spent years running independently, but last season he got his first opportunity to compete in cross country when Sunrise Christian needed another runner for the HCAA State Championship. His coach had encouraged him to participate in cross country for years, but the timing had never worked out. When the opportunity finally came, Chilewa made the most of it.

He competed in his first-ever cross-country race against runners from more than 10 schools across the Midwest and finished as an HCAA State Championship medaller.

“It was a big part of why I did so well,” Chilewa said of the years he had spent running on his own. Now, with a full season ahead, Chilewa is preparing to take another step forward.

During the offseason, he regularly went on evening runs, using the time not only to improve physically but also to clear his mind.

“I have also been going on morning runs with my team to strengthen bonds and push each other’s limits,” Chilewa said.

Those workouts have helped Chilewa prepare

physically while also giving him more opportunities to build relationships with his teammates.

One of his primary goals this season is improving his endurance so he can maintain a faster pace throughout a race. To work toward that goal, Chilewa focused on four-mile tempo runs during the offseason, using the distance as a benchmark while monitoring his pace each mile. He also turned to basketball as another way to challenge his endurance. “Another way is playing basketball with my friends because it requires me to outwork my opponent, forcing me to forget about fatigue and play hard for a long period of time,” Chilewa said. Beyond improving his physical conditioning, Chilewa is focused on developing the mental toughness necessary to compete when races become difficult. His individual goal is to strengthen that mindset with every race and continue pushing himself even when fatigue sets in.

“Even when I feel like I should quit, I’ll have a mindset that will keep pushing forward at race pace until I cross the finish line,” Chilewa said.

WICHITA AREA ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Buhler’s Easton Fisher Easton Fisher spent his freshman year figuring out which sport he wanted to pursue.

“I’m most excited about being back playing soccer and competing with my teammates,” Fisher said. “After not playing last year, I realized how much I missed the game, so I’m excited to see what we can accomplish as a team.”

He ultimately chose football, but the decision did not last.

“I chose football, but midway through the season I realized how much I missed soccer

As Fisher prepares for his first varsity season, he has identified several areas where he wants to become a more complete player. One of his biggest priorities is becoming more comfortable using his left foot. “One area I really want to improve is becoming more

The work is designed to help Fisher establish himself as a reliable scoring threat for the Buhler offense. As a team, Fisher has his sights set on competing for a league championship and making a deep postseason run.

“As a team, one of my biggest goals is for us to compete for a league title and make a deep postseason run,” he said. “We have a lot of potential, and I want to do whatever I can to help us be successful.”

Individually, Fisher wants to become more than just a scorer. He hopes to improve his finishing, create opportunities for teammates and develop into a well-rounded striker.

“I want to become a more consistent scoring threat, improve my finishing, and create more opportunities for my teammates,” Fisher said. “I also want to keep developing into a more complete striker and be someone my team can count on in the big moments.”

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Because middle school soccer is played in the spring, Fisher was also able to play football. Heading into his freshman year, he was unsure which sport he wanted to pursue.

“I’ve tried to use the offseason to get as many touches and reps as possible so I’m ready to contribute this season,” Fisher said.

Fisher has also focused on improving his finishing around the goal. He has worked on one-touch finishing to become quicker and more effective when opportunities arise.

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Fisher’s return to soccer comes after years of playing the sport. He started at the YMCA when he was about 3 years old before transitioning to Club Azzurri in Hutchinson at age 5.

Fisher participated in three-day-a-week training sessions throughout the summer while also spending significant time in the gym working to build strength. He also gained valuable game experience playing in the McPherson League and a Striker Tournament.

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Now a sophomore at Buhler High School, Fisher is back on the soccer field and ready to make an impact at the varsity level.

That decision has fueled his preparation heading into this season.

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After choosing football, Fisher eventually realized there was another sport he could not stay away from.

and knew I wanted to come back,” Fisher said.

confident and consistent with both feet, especially with my dribbling and shooting,” Fisher said. “I’ve always been stronger with my right foot, so this summer I’ve spent extra time doing drills with my left.”

WICHITA AREA ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Eisenhower’s Tessa Carson Eisenhower’s Tessa Carson enters the season looking to build on a strong junior campaign. Last season, she earned ACTVL honorable mention honors and finished with 131 kills and 78 blocks. While those numbers provide a foundation for her senior season, Carson’s focus is on becoming a more complete and aggressive player.

“One area I really wanted to improve was my ability to handle ‘bad balls’ and put myself in a better position to attack,” Carson said. “I wanted to become more aggressive and find ways to turn difficult situations into opportunities to swing.”

Carson spent much of the offseason working toward that goal. From November through late April, she played competitive travel volleyball with Showtime, practicing three times a week while also attending individual lessons. During the summer, Carson participated in Eisenhower volleyball conditioning and summer tournaments. She also lifted on her own and looked for additional opportunities to get volleyball repetitions. “I wanted to make sure I was continuing to build strength and stay consistent with my volleyball skills heading into the season,” Carson said.

Those extra repetitions were especially important as Carson worked on adjusting to difficult situations on the court. Through club practices, individual lessons and additional work on her own, she focused on becoming more comfortable turning imperfect plays into opportunities to attack.

“My goal was to become more comfortable making adjustments and finding a way to get myself into a position where I can be aggressive offensively, even when the play doesn’t go exactly as planned,” Carson said. Now, with her final season ahead, Carson’s individual goal is straightforward: give everything she has.

Carson does not plan to continue playing volleyball in college or club after high school, making every match with the Tigers especially meaningful.

For Carson, success will not necessarily be measured by what appears in the box score.

“For me, success this year is not just about a number on the stat sheet, but knowing that I competed as hard as I could and gave my teammates everything I had,” Carson said.

As Eisenhower replaces several players from last year’s team, Carson also understands the importance of leadership. The Tigers graduated several players, leaving new players with opportunities to take on larger roles.

“We also have several girls experiencing their first varsity season, and I’m excited to see how they step up and rise to the occasion,” Carson said. Carson hopes the Tigers can develop into a team that remains competitive and focused from the opening serve to the final point.

“My biggest individual goal this season is to leave it all on the court,” Carson said. “I want to walk away from every game knowing that I gave everything I had and was aggressive and engaged throughout the entire match.”

“I want us to be a steady, intense, and relentless group,” Carson said. “I want us to be a team that never lets up, regardless of the score or situation.”

TARRANT AUTO DETAILING’S ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

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SEPTEMBER 2026

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Conway Springs’ Gabe Tarrant

After an early playoff exit last season, Gabe Tarrant and the Conway Springs Cardinals football team are determined to make a deeper postseason run this year, with the veteran running back embracing his role as a leader along the way. “I am most excited to be with my guys as a leader and to see how our line progresses throughout the year,” Tarrant said. Tarrant’s offseason was centered on preparing his body for an increased workload. Coming off a hip injury last season, he focused on getting stronger, staying healthy and preparing to carry the majority of the Cardinals’ carries this season. He added 20 pounds during the offseason while continuing to take care of his hip. Tarrant also credits the Cardinals’ work in the weight room for helping prepare the team for the season. “We’ve all been in the weight room,” Tarrant said. “We have a lot of leaders in the

weight room making all of us better.”

One of Tarrant’s biggest individual priorities this season is durability. He spent the offseason getting stronger, conditioning and remaining consistent with his workouts while also focusing on taking care of his body. “I also focused on taking care of my body so I can stay healthy and play at my best throughout the season,” Tarrant said. Tarrant’s individual goals are straightforward. He wants to stay healthy, improve each game and establish himself as someone his teammates can rely on.

For the Cardinals, the goal extends beyond the regular season. Conway Springs wants to work together and make a deep playoff run after last year’s early postseason exit.

“As a team we are excited to see where we can go in playoffs this year after an

early exit last year,” Tarrant said.

For Tarrant, the opportunity to experience postseason success with his teammates is especially meaningful. He hopes to help give his teammates a taste of the playoff success that many of them have yet to experience as players.

“A lot of us don’t know that feeling of winning in the playoffs when not being on the sidelines,” Tarrant said. “I’m excited to share that feeling with my teammates.”

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1927 | CELEBRATING 100 YEARS | 2027