VYPE Kansas_NCK_June 2025 by VYPE High School Sports Media

Sydney Parks Minneapolis

Ethan Wirth Rock Hills

Cooper Colson Salina Central

Haely Hagemann McPherson

Alonzo Guillen Salina Central

Drake Timson McPherson

State Track Records Broken

Aaron Shadid, Wichita Independent

State Track Records Broken

Presented by

6A BOYS HIGH JUMP

Alan Hanna Maize

(Previous: Jason Archibald, Garden City, 7-3.25, 1995)

5A BOYS 200

Jack Guthridge

Kapaun Mount Carmel, 21.19

(Previous: Kenny Wilson, Liberal, 21.44, 2003)

5A BOYS 400

Jack Guthridge

Kapaun Mount Carmel, 47.08

(Previous: Grant Lockwood, KC Piper, 47.86, 2022)

5A BOYS 1600

Daniel Enriquez

Kapaun Mount Carmel, 4:06:58

(Previous: Luke Brock, Kapaun Mount Carmel, 4:15:03, 2023)

5A BOYS 1600 RELAY

Dawson Grabendike, Will Niederee, Lucian Winters and Jack Guthridge

Kapaun Mount Carmel 3:17.67

(Previous: Hutchinson’s Robertson, Hodges, Eldridge and Cash, 3:19.27, 2009)

4A GIRLS LONG JUMP

Dru Zeka

Wellington, 19.0-75

(Previous: Julie Wilson, Ottawa, 18-7.25, 1977 and Marti Cisper, St. Thomas Aquinas, 18-7.25, 1984)

4A GIRLS 100

Rylee Meyer

Andale, 12.06

(Previous: Danyelle Cole, KC Piper, 12.12, 2010)

4A GIRLS 400 RELAY

Graysea Gardenhire, Callie Noland, Madison Williams, Kenzy McArtor Clearwater, 48.10

(Previous: KC Piper’s Vazquez, Brown, Simmons and Carter, 48.36, 2019)

3A BOYS 400

Timmy Ritchie

Wichita Collegiate, 47.0

(Previous: Kurt Pauly, Garden Plain, 48.32, 2009)

3A GIRLS 100

Ashley Lehman Hesston, 11.99

(Previous: Tonya Jopp, Cheney, 12.17, 1990)

3A GIRLS 200

Ashley Lehman Hesston, 24.63

(Previous: Stacy Keller, Halstead, 24.90, 1997)

3A GIRLS 400

Ashley Lehman Hesston, 54.64

(Previous: Ashley Lehman, Hesston, 56.16, 2024)

3A GIRLS SHOTPUT

Tatum Seyfert Beloit, 46-4.25

(Previous: Tatum Seyfert, Beloit, 45-11.25, 2024)

2A GIRLS 400

Julia Kilgore Sterling, 56.40

(Previous: Lauren Pickens, Peabody-Burns, 56.58, 2010)

1A BOYS 200

Aaron Shadid

Wichita Independent, 22.09

(Joseph Herron, Waverly, 22.09, 1995)

Shawnee Mission Northwest’s Keaton Wagler

By Joanna Chadwick

The stats that Shawnee Mission Northwest’s Keaton Wagler put up during his senior season as he led the Cougars to the second straight Class 6A title were eyepopping.

He averaged 18.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, while shooting 58.5% from the field, 44.8% from three-point range and 83% from the free-throw line. He signed with Illinois.

Wagler is the VYPE Kansas 2024-25 editor’s choice boys basketball player of the year sponsored by Shelter Insurance.

But stats weren’t what coach David Birch pointed to when asked about what made Wagler such a special player. Birch noted Wagler’s versatility and basketball IQ.

“He understands basketball, especially winning basketball,” Birch said. “He doesn’t miss defensive coverages, he doesn’t forget offensive plays, he can see mismatches.

“He knows who needs to touch the ball and how to get to his spots on the floor. He can play 1-5, really. He is a good passer, good shooter, good ballhandler, good defender, good rebounder.

“There’s nothing he can’t do on the basketball floor.”

Wagler played as a freshman because of his shooting ability and consistency in making the right play.

“I think my progress from my sophomore year to junior year to senior year was extraordinary,” he said. “From

sophomore year to junior year, I became a way better defender and ballhandler, being able to get downhill and make plays for others. From junior year to senior year, I made a big jump in all categories – scoring, rebounding, assists and steals.”

Birch credits the spring and summer AAU circuit in Wagler’s junior year as playing a part.

“(That) really gave him a lot of confidence that he can play with anyone, and he’s one of the top guys in the country.”

Wagler is ranked in the top 150 in the country.

But he also put in the work.

“I feel like every practice and workout, I give 100%, so that in games, it isn’t as hard,” Wagler said. “I also trust my coaches and my work to know that the things I work on, I can do in games and set myself apart from others.”

In at least half of SM Northwest’s games, Wagler didn’t sit the bench.

“He was our captain, our leader and greatly important to our team because we needed him out there all the time,” Birch said.

As one of the nation’s top players, eyes were certainly on Wagler – especially when the Cougars reached the 6A tournament with a second straight title on the line.

“I think early he may have felt some pressure, and when we got to the state tournament, felt some pressure,” Birch said. “But the great players love that pressure, and he was able to settle in and have a great season.”

SHELTER GIRLS BASEKTBALL WINNER

Blue Valley North’s Jaliya Davis

By Joanna Chadwick

The spotlight that has been on Blue Valley North’s Jaliya Davis only intensified her senior season as she was named a McDonald’s AllAmerican and signed with Kansas.

Yet that light never blinded her from being what coach Ann Fritz calls a total team player.

“Everyone on the team loves Jaliya,” Fritz said. “She works hard and will battle. Her intensity and toughness on the court spreads throughout the team.”

Davis is the VYPE Kansas 2024-25 editors choice girls basketball player of the year sponsored by Shelter Insurance.

At 6-foot-2, she averaged 25 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 2.1 assists and led BV North to two Class 6A titles in three seasons.

“She is a workhorse,” Fritz said. “She can handle contact and is very physical, finishes great. Never seen anything how teams would guard her – teams had two or three players on her, and she still got the job done.

“Averaged 25 points a game and handled all the double and triple teams like a true champion.”

Through her career, Fritz watched Davis improve consistently from one year to the next.

“She improved her all-around game,” Fritz said. “Her perimeter game got a lot better. She was stronger around the rim and more confident…. She was confident to take on any challenge to help the team win.”

But with Davis’ improvement came the pressure. She’s a Division I signee, a McDonald’s All-American, the focus of every defense.

Wagler also understood the importance of his team.

“Our team has been so good the past two years because we trust each other on the court, but we also have a lot of chemistry since we grew up around each other and played basketball since elementary school.

“... We loved coming in every day in practice to make each other better and compete every day, no matter if we won or lost. We were all very talented players that, if any of us played on a different team, we could have averaged 20 points.

“But we knew to win games, we had to play together and trust our coaches to put us in the right spots to win.”

“I’m super proud of Jaliya,” Fritz said. “With all her accolades, she is humble. She does not really like the attention. She did a great job in the McDonald’s game – 10 points, eight rebounds. It pushes her to get better.”

And Davis was an excellent teammate.

“She makes her teammates better and her teammates make Jaliya better,” said Fritz, who noted that Davis has never gotten less than an A and takes honors classes.

“She is very unselfish. She loves to celebrate her teammates’ successes.”

Brad Williams-Shelter Insurance Keaton Wagler

Fernando Garcia-Shelter Insurance / Jaliya Davis / Coach Ann Fritz

Chapman’s Maddie Harold

By Matt Browning

Chapman’s Maddie Harold is one of the top pitchers in Class 3A and being able to adequately take care of her arm during both the season and offseason is critical.

“After games there are stretches I do at home to help my arm recover quicker,” Harold said. “Some of my stretches involve me using a dumbbell and doing assisted bicep curls or laying on the ground and holding a dumbbell in the air while reaching towards the ceiling to stretch my trapezius and latissimus muscles. On days we don’t have games I will usually have a light throwing day at practice to let my arm rest for the next competition.”

The offseason recuperating process looks a little different for Harold than the regular season.

“Even in the offseason icing is always important

because your body is not always warmed up as much as it would be before a game,” Harold said. “My recovery process in the offseason mainly consists of using a tens unit to ease my bicep and triceps muscles. I don’t use the cupping and scraping methods as much because my bullpens aren’t as intense as if I was throwing in a game.”

While Harold’s arm is the most important part of her body for pitching, she also recognizes that maintaining her entire body is crucial, too. “I used to be so focused on taking care of just my arm and then I started experiencing pain in my quad and shins,” Harold said. “I have had troubles with a pulled quad muscle and I have been battling shin splints for about three years. It is so important that as a pitcher we focus more on our whole body and not just our arm. Ever since those injuries I have focused on taking care of my entire body.”

Favorite sport: Track and Field

DPT

Favorite activity/exercise to get in easy movement: Commuting to work on my bike has been a great way to get the blood flowing, get some easy cardio, and provide an opportunity to mentally transfer from home to work and vice versa.

Sports (if any) you played in high school: MidDistance Track, Cross Country

What you treat/specialize in: I treat general orthopedics, but I love working with high school athletes struggling with knee pain. I had the same struggle and never visited a PT, so athletes succeeding here means a lot to me.

Best tip for high school athletes: Strive for great posture and always stretch your calves.

Halstead Baseball and Softball

By Matt Browning

The Halstead School District was in need of upgrading its baseball and softball facilities and there was only one company for the job.

“Hellas helped design and build both baseball and softball fields from the ground up,” said Halstead athletic director Nick Barnes.

Hellas offered the whole package for Halstead and it was so much more than just the design and construction of the fields.

“We chose Hellas for our project because they offered everything we were looking for- great communication, professionalism, solid customer services, flexibility to meet our needs, and a high quality monofilament turf that addresses student safety and performance,” Barnes said. “Their team was easy to work with, responsive, and committed to delivering a high quality product. Most importantly, their solution fit our vision for building top quality baseball and softball fields.”

Barnes said there is no question that if any school needs upgrades to their facilities, Hellas is the way to go.

“I would strongly recommend using Hellas for your turf and facility needs,” Barnes said.

HELLAS BUILDS FOR SPORTS FROM START TO FINISH

Hellas provides a complete scope of services for sports surfaces and amenities including manufacturing, design/build, construction, installation, service, and maintenance.

Kaden Elmore

Moundridge

When the time comes for Moundridge’s Kaden Elmore to reflect back on his high school track career, his relationship with his head coach will always be the first thing that comes to mind.

“Coach Holloway has been a close friend to me since my freshman year and we were both happy with the potential I have to do better in the coming years,” Elmore said. “Coach Holloway has helped me through my challenges and fears I overcame and he will hold a special place in my heart for the rest of my life.”

Elmore has had a productive and solid senior season. At the time this profile was written, Elmore had already accomplished some incredible feats.

“A highlight of this season for me is winning three golds and one silver medal at league,” Elmore said. “The three golds were for my individual events and silver for our relay race.”

A certain time was the focus for Elmore throughout the season and he hopes that he can save his best showing for the last meet.

“An improvement I've wanted to always do is get 10.5 in the 100 meter dash,” Elmore said. “I still have time to do it and to get faster before state but I believe I can do it. My teammates have always been there supporting me and helping me reach my goals every day when it's at practice or at a track meet.”

PREP PERFORMANCE OF THE MONTH

By Matt Browning

Abilene’s Aaron Hartman

Abilene golfer Aaron Hartman thought if he could do just one thing this season, then he could become one of the better golfers in Class 3A.

“One thing I have been working to improve this year has been to be more consistent,” Hartman said. “Being able to play steady golf is important to shoot lower scores. The highlight this season so far has probably been just steadily improving my scores nearly each tournament. I have placed in the top 10 in most tournaments this year, which is a step up from last year.”

Hartman has made such substantial strides with his game that he now is going to keep playing competitive golf.

“Next year I will be attending Hesston College to continue my athletic and academic career on the golf team,” Hartman said. “I plan to major in

business and earn a degree in accounting.” Hartman also credited his coaches and teammates for being a calming force throughout the season. “My coaches have been a big help this year for me,” Hartman said. “We have a firstyear head coach this year and he is doing a great job adapting to the environment and pushing us to do our best. I enjoy being around my teammates during practice and on car rides. This year has been a lot of fun.”

Minneapolis’ Raelyn Robinson

By Blake Chadwick

Minneapolis senior Raelyn Robinson is one of the best golfers in the area simply because of the work she puts in, and the consistent standard she holds herself to.

“Raelyn is a fierce competitor in whatever ever sport she plays,” head coach and father Justin Robinson said. “If something isn’t going well or if she’s not performing like she wants, she always says ‘Dad we need to work on this’. She will work on it until she feels like it is perfected.”

Robinson has been playing golf for four years and has been through some ups and downs, and never wavers, especially as a senior leader.

“Raelyn is special in the way she handles adversity,” coach Robinson said. “She sets goals for herself at each meet. In the first meet of the season, I saw her hit a bad shot on her last hole. She needed to get up and down (chip and make put) to hit her goal after the bad shot. Even though she didn’t have a good lie, she did not let the bad shot bother her and got up and down to hit her goal.”

On top of being a standout athlete at Minneapolis High School, Robinson is also a part of the Minneapolis First Tee chapter. The chapter hired Robinson last summer to help get the program started. The senior teaches young children about the game of golf.

“I continued my service to golf by being a local first tee golf coach last summer at the Minneapolis golf course,” Robinson said. “I taught different age groups the principles of golf and important lessons to keep in mind like integrity. I plan to do the same this summer.”

COMMERCIAL TIRE CALL OF THE WILD ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

Ell-Saline’s Jocelyn Taylor

By Matt Browning

From the moment she was born, Ell-Saline’s Jocelyn Taylor thinks she was passionate about the outdoors.

In fact, just two weeks into her life, she was already on a horse with her dad.

The rest is history.

“I also grew up going hunting and fishing with him,” Taylor said. “I shot my first rabbit at age six and my first deer at age seven.”

The special memories Taylor has with her dad and grandfather is what she treasures most about being outdoors.

“What I enjoy most about the outdoors is the quality time it provides with both friends and family,” Taylor said. “While hunting I love to just sit, watch, and listen to all of the animals that are around me. I also feel closer to God and more grateful for all that He has given me.”

Taylor’s passion for the outdoors just isn’t about hunting, as it goes way beyond that.

“I hunt coyotes (both in the day and at night), deer, rabbits, bobcats, turkeys, pronghorn antelope, doves, pheasants and quail,” Taylor said. “I also work on my neighbor’s farm and ranch and run my own rope wreath and wood burning business.”

When Taylor goes hunting in Wyoming every year, it’s a total family affair. This past year Taylor set a personal record by shooting an antelope at 611 yards.

“These are some of the best memories because I get to hunt with my grandparents, uncle, cousins, dad, and sister,” Taylor said. “Also the ranch owners have become like family. They call us their Kansas family and we call them our Wyoming family.”

Salina Sacred Heart’s Dalton Dooley

By Matt Browning

Led by head coach Dalton Dooley, the Salina Sacred Heart baseball team went 18-8 this season and advanced to the regional semifinals.

Dooley is in his eighth year at Sacred Heart and has led the baseball program for seven of those years.

“I started my first year as an assistant and then I had the opportunity to become head,” Dooley said. “The people are what make Sacred Heart a great place. From the staff to the kids and the community, everyone wants to see you succeed whether that be in athletics or in the classroom.”

The Knights’ success this season stems from a combination of talent like Leon Rowe and Brady Wells, but also Dooley and his coaching staff emphasizing the importance of giving 100 percent game in and game out.

“We tell our guys every year at the first practice

to always bring a good attitude and effort,” Dooley said. “We want our kids to compete and have fun doing it.”

Seasons like 2025 are what stands out to Dooley when reflects on some of his favorite moments.

“The memories I will always cherish are being able to coach the great groups of young men that we have had in the program past and present and seeing them succeed,” Dooley said.

For any type of sports or age-related orthopedic condition, count on Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine for the region’s most innovative, comprehensive, and compassionate care. Our multidisciplinary team serves adults and children with everything from general orthopedics to robotic joint replacement, trauma care, and sports medicine.

“Our job is to help improve quality of life,” says orthopedic surgeon Travis Rump, D.O. “We do everything we can to help people get back to the things they enjoy.”

Minneapolis’ Wyatt Griffin

By Matt Browning

Minneapolis baseball coach Tyler Konrade had a straightforward description of his senior, Wyatt Griffin.

“Wyatt works hard and does everything that is asked of him,” Konrade said. “He has great character, and cares for and about others. He is a player that every coach wants to have on their team because you know exactly what effort and leadership you are getting from him.”

So when Griffin was asked what he wanted to improve on this year, his answer aligned up

perfectly to his coach.

“One thing I wanted to accomplish this year was improving my leadership and responsibility on the team,” Griffin said.

Griffin also credited his growth and development to Konrade and the Minneapolis coaching staff.

“My teammates and coaches are all great people,” Griffin said. “My coaches all want the best for us and the team. They understand us and have helped us improve significantly over the past year. Coach Konrade means a lot to me and is a significant male role model in my life. He shows what it is like to be a good, kind, caring person.”

Earlier in the season, Minneapolis defeated Republic County in the first game of a doubleheader. The Lions raced out to a big lead in game two, but saw their lead trimmed to one in the bottom of seventh.

Griffin’s most fond memory of the season came next.

“There were two outs with runners at first and second,” Griffin said. “I was playing third base and the ball was hit hard right to me so I fielded the ball and stepped on third and saved the game allowing us to win 9-8.”

McPherson’s Ethan Elder

By Cooper Chadwick

McPherson high school senior Ethan Elder is an athlete that is dedicated to his craft and has shown the results of all his hard work.

Elder runs the 800, 1600 and 3200 for the Bullpups track and field team as well as being a part of the cross country team and swim team at McPherson.

Despite all the different sports that fill up Elder’s time, he still finds a way to be thoroughly prepared for each one.

“My off-season in the winter actually isn’t an offseason because I am training for swimming. I did a lot of sprint swimming this winter which helped strengthen my quads and build some more explosiveness so that my turnover has alreaady improved this year,” Elder said.

Last year Elder placed seventh in the 800 with a time of 2:00 and his team got eighth in the 4x800. Elder is already improving on his times from last year with hopes of being a top runner in the state again.

“I have already beat my 800 time from last year by nearly 4 seconds and have also beaten my personal records in all other events by significant margins,” Elder said.

Elder’s work ethic is one of the reasons he

has made such a big leap from last season to this season.

“He and his fellow teammates push each other every day to be their very best. From his day to day preparation, to his warm up and cool down, Ethan has incredible attention to detail. He desires to be great as a competitor, and that shows up every meet. We are very proud of him,” head coach John Montgomery said.

By Matt Browning

One of the more appealing aspects to attending Hutchinson Community College is how easy it is to connect with the students and professors.

That was one of biggest reasons Brie Brawner, a Haven graduate, chose Hutch CC.

“Since being on campus, I’ve really come to appreciate the close-knit community,” Brawner said. “There’s a lot of pride in being a Blue Dragon, and you can feel that energy at games and events. The instructors are approachable and genuinely want to see you succeed.

The reputation Hutch CC has with its academics and athletics was another reason Brawner wound up a Blue Dragon.

I was looking for a place where I could grow and be challenged, and Hutch offered that balance,” Brawner said. “The coaching staff was very welcoming

and made it clear that they cared about me not just as an athlete, but as a person. Compared to other schools I was considering; Hutch had a more familyoriented feel.”

Brawner said that if any perspective student was interested in going to Hutch CC, they should know that if they are willing to put in the time, Hutch CC has all of the tools to help them succeed.

I would definitely recommend Hutch to any high school senior, whether they’re pursuing athletics or just looking for a good start to their college journey,” Brawner said. “It’s a place where you can grow, find direction, and be supported every step of the way. Take the time to visit campus, meet the people, and see what Hutch is all about.”

Brie Brawner

Without a committed team of coaches and athletic administrators, education-based athletics just wouldn’t be possible. Coaches are role models, educators, and advisors. They encourage excellence in and out of the classroom. Their work requires extraordinary amounts of time and energy, for very little pay. Simply put, they bring out the best in all of us.

This message presented by the Kansas State High School Activities Association and the Kansas Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.

TEAM OF THE MONTH

Wichita Trinity Soccer

By Matt Browning

Wichita

Trinity

girls soccer coach Andrew Hackett understands the impact the sport he coaches goes far past the wins and losses. He tries to convey that message throughout the season for the Knight, who just so happen to be the top team in Class 4-1A West.

“Goals and expectations can only be summed up by a mentor of mine, who only passed through my life for a short period,” Hackett said. “He is the head football coach at Whitworth University, Rod Sandberg. His coaching philosophy is something that I try to emulate. His take on winning: ‘What makes us different is that our program’s mission is to be LIFE-CHANGING. Not win games.’”

At the time of this profile being written, Trinity has only one loss and that was to Class 5A powerhouse, Kapaun. The Knights have the talent to certainly zoom past their regional championship this season.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY VISIT WICHITA

“Just two years ago, we finished my first season at Trinity with a 7-8 record before going on a winning streak all the way to the state final,” Hackett said. “Our successes are defined by what we have learned on and off the field, by the relationships we grew and cultivated, and by the memories we can share for a lifetime.”

Hackett has five key players that have set the tone for Trinity’s

successful regular season: Haley Green, JoJo Henderson, Abby Tofteland, Sophia Baker and Abby Diefenderfer.

“I think the girls have it in the back of their minds that we can win a state title,” Hackett said. “Although that should be the main prize, our goal at the beginning of the season was to get back into the final four. Then we will see what happens.”

Visit Wichita is proud to support sports in Wichita. Athletes, fans and events have a tremendous impact on our community, and we’re committed to helping bring more sports to our city. Learn more about how sports contribute to making Wichita a great place to live, work and play, head to VisitWichita.com/SportCity.

VisitWichita.com | 800.288.9424

Parents, coaches, principals, teachers and fans can nominate a deserving team by contacting Mike Cooper at 316.218.3579 or Mike.cooper@vype.com

Abbigail Williams, Hillsboro, Friends track

Bree Pickerell, McPherson, Sterling swimming

Gavin Stambaugh, Smoky Valley, Bethel football

Adalyn Herrera, McPherson, Kansas Wesleyan softball

Ciara Rawson, McPherson, Colby CC wrestling

Hunter Milum, Minneapolis, McPherson College football

Anthony Davies, Clay Center, Bethany tennis

Arihanna Koehn, McPherson, Cloud County CC track

Eva Ramey, McPherson, Hutchinson CC track

Gabe Pyle, McPherson, Hutchinson CC basketball

Ian Crump, Abilene, Central Christian basketball

Dotted Line.... Salina Area Signings

SE-Saline’s Landon Albrecht

By Matt Browning

Southeast of Saline’s Landon Albrecht grew up with grandparents who were farmers, so it was natural that he would also be interested in FFA.

However, he did not become passionate in the organization until he was in high school. Now he takes great pride in being competitive in FFA.

“In FFA there are numerous ways of competing,” Albrecht said. “Career Development Events or CDE’s are what most people think of when they think of judging contests. Competitions consist of identification, written tests, placing classes, sales pitches, and practical questions. Each different CDE is geared towards a specific area within agriculture such as poultry, livestock, agronomy, ag sales, vet science, etc. Leadership Development Events are contests designed to help students improve speaking and leadership skills.”

Whether a person is 100 percent invested like Albrecht or someone just willing to try something new, he said FFA can be for anyone.

“I would definitely say that what makes farming and the agricultural lifestyle so appealing is the element of honesty and hard work that led to the products that we all depend on,” Albrecht said. “This industry is filled with people who take what has been given to them-- seed, soil, animals, sunlight, and rain-- and they work to grow those things into the food, fuel, and fiber that provide for the world.”

Albrecht’s specific interest in FFA is crop science and agronomy.

“I find the process of one small seed growing into a plant much bigger than itself, which goes on to produce hundreds more of the same seed incredibly rewarding to see,” Albrecht said. “There is also the wonderful support that everyone within the ag industry gives to one another; all amounting to a very productive and rewarding lifestyle.”

Isaac Barnett, McPherson, Sterling baseball

Raegann McDonald, Clay Center, Missouri Valley basketball

Thomas Keener, Abilene, Ottawa baseball

Katja Blanchat, Smoky Valley, SW Oklahoma State volleyball

Riley Sponsel, McPherson, Baker wrestling

Will Johnson, Beloit, Wichita State track

Lexi Patterson, McPherson, Friends track

Lincoln Wichert, Hillsboro, MidAmerica Nazarene basketball

Sara Groening, Marion, Emporia State cheer Taytum Reed, Smoky Valley, Kansas Wesleyan track

Salina Central’s Tyler Zuege

By Hayden Swope

Salina Central’s Tyler Zuege started his golf career as a fun bonding moment, but little did he know that it would turn into something much more than that.

“I started playing in seventh grade about six years ago,” Zuege said. “I started because my grandpa bought me a golf set to play with him and I haven’t stopped since.”

Being his senior year, Zuege knew he wanted to play at the next level, so he spent the season working hard to prove himself.

“I have had many goals this season, one major one was to make a college team and make state,” Zuege said.

With lots of experience, Zuege still remembers one of the most defining points of his career, one that changed his perspective of the game.

“My most memorable point was last year shooting a 86 and being one away from state, alongside my teammate Tommy Pain,” Zuege said.

Zuege plans to continue on with his academic and athletic career after high school, finally getting to check one of his goals off the list.

“I am going to Kansas Wesleyan University for physics next year and playing for their golf team,” Zuege said.

Salina South’s Brady Oliver

By Hayden Swope

Brady Oliver, a track and field athlete at Salina South High School, had an exciting end to his season at the 2025 state track meet.

After helping get his team’s bid to state at regionals, it has only been up for Oliver and his 4x400 meter relay team.

Oliver’s training and workouts started early on, as he was also on the football and wrestling teams throughout his high school career. Staying in shape during the fall and winter seasons helped set Oliver up for success for the long spring season.

Along with relay teammates Gabe Autry, Bret Jones, and Jaxon Myers, Oliver took his place on the podium at the recent state meet held in Wichita.

The team placed sixth in the 4x400 meter relay with a time of three minutes and 24 seconds.

Oliver’s running career won’t be coming to an end any time soon, as he plans to continue and further his athletic and academic career at Kansas Wesleyan University this upcoming fall.

SALINA ORTHO’S ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Salina Central’s Cooper Colson

By Ken Hansard

Salina Central senior golfer Cooper Colson is enjoying his first season playing varsity golf for the Mustangs. As such, his goals coming into the season were pretty simple. He wanted to enjoy the sport; he wanted to enjoy playing with his teammates; and he wanted to play well enough to help his team. When asked about his role with the Mustangs, Colson responded, “I just want to be a good, reliable teammate and just try to shoot the lowest score I possibly can every time out to help the team.”

Colson says he is especially excited to help Central finish strong down the stretch, “I’m definitely pumped for regionals. We play Auburn Hills, which is a really tough course, but I think we have a good chance to make it to state, and I’d be excited to be a part of that.”

Before the season began, Colson spent a lot of time on the links practicing his craft, and particularly his ball striking and putting. “I spent a lot of time on the practice range and on the greens for putting sessions.”

Golf is a lifetime sport, and regardless of how the Mustangs’ season finishes, Colson has certainly accomplished his top goal for the season, which he says was, “I just want to have a fun time playing a round of golf. I want to enjoy the game.”

Following graduation, Colson plans to enroll and attend Kansas State University in the fall. He currently plans to major in architectural engineering.

McPherson’s Drake Timson

By Blake Chadwick

McPherson freshman Drake Timson may be young, but he has already made a huge impact in his short time at the high school. Timson is involved in everything athletically. The sophomore participates in football, basketball, and golf, and he competes in track and trap shooting during the spring.

“I played football last year but will run cross country this year,” Timson said. “I play basketball which is probably my favorite and I also do Track, Golf, and Trap Shooting in the spring. During the spring I would go to track practice first, then go to the golf course and play a round of golf, and then on Sundays I shoot trap with coach Pat Corcoran.”

While juggling everything, Timson makes sure that he still has time for homework and has maintained a 4.0 GPA his whole life.

“Drake is extremely hard working and is excellent in the classroom and displays many leadership qualities,” head golf and basketball coach Kurt Kinnamon said.

“Drake is a team player who is always thinking of the team first. He has the potential to be a standout in all his sports.”

Timson has a lot of time left to figure out what he wants to do after high school, but for right now he has his sights set on potentially running at the collegiate level.

“I think if I follow in my dad’s footsteps I could be a good runner,” Timson said. “He won the Drake relays, which is why my name is Drake. He also won multiple crosscountry, and track state titles in high school. I believe that I could probably end up going to college for any of the sports I participate in currently.”

VISIT SALINA WINNING EDGE PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Sterling’s Waylon Schmidt

By Matt Browning

Sterling’s Waylon Schmidt had the best season of his high school golf career, but more than anything else, he found a deeper love for the sport that he never had.

“I have really been able to enjoy golf a lot more,” Schmidt said. “I’ve played in several scramble tournaments and am planning to take a golf trip to Colorado with friends at some point this summer.”

In the past, Schmidt had not been able to avoid the disaster hole or recover after making a poor score on a hole.

But at the Cheney tournament this season, that changed.

“The highlight of my golf season was probably the Cheney tournament,” Schmidt said. “I struggled off the tee all day but kept finding ways to scramble and not put up a horrible score. I shot an 87 which is my career best.”

While Schmidt had one particular goal this season that he missed by one shot, he still found going to practice and tournaments every week to rewarding and enjoyable.

“One goal for me was to qualify for state individually because we couldn’t qualify as a team,” Schmidt said. “I missed qualifying by one shot so that really stinks. My teammates and coaches were awesome this year. Our team was funny and really got along very well. We had very competitive practices which helped us improve a lot.”

Salina South’s Mackenzie Langer

By Cooper Chadwick

Salina South’s senior Mackenzie Langer finished her high school softball career reaching goals she set in place for herself at the start of the season.

Langer, who is a center fielder, was first team outfield this year and made a big jump from earning only honorable mention as a junior.

Langer’s success came from the work she put in during the offseason to improve her confidence at the plate, something she lacked years before.

“During the offseason I go to the yard, getting in hitting and fielding reps with my friends. We also do preseason conditioning and open gyms that I go to,” Langer said. “I feel like what helped me most during the offseason to build confidence was just putting in reps. The more reps I took the more it helped me gain confidence while hitting.”

Even though Langer and the Cougars’ season didn’t end how they wanted, Langer still found the positives of her situation.

“Every girl on our team put their all into everything we did this season and it showed,” Langer said. “Us seniors played a big leadership role for our team. Which I think we all did a really great job at.”

Langer’s motivation, aside from getting higher accolades this year, was the fact it was her last season playing softball. Langer wanted to soak up all the memories and the fun times she had playing high school softball.

“I was most excited about playing with all my teammates,” Langer said. “I really wanted to do it not only for myself but for my teammates. I am still very proud how are season went ending with a 20-8 record.”

By Ken Hansard

For someone who was named an Honorable Mention All-AVCTL lineman in football and who was a state qualifier and Second Team All-AVCTL in wrestling, throwing weights around in track’s field events may seem second nature.

However, for Salina Central senior Alonzo Guillen, it never came easily; he had to work hard to get where he is now, “I’ve came a long way in the last four years – from being on JV my first three years to now being our top discus thrower. It was definitely a big jump.”

A “big jump” might be a bit of an understatement. Guillen, whose P.R. in the discus last year was 130 feet, recently unleashed a new P.R. of 155’2” at the Topeka Seaman Invite, a 25-foot increase, “During the offseason I worked on getting a lot stronger. It makes it a lot easier to throw heavy objects around.”

As a senior and full-fledged varsity thrower, Guillen realizes that his younger teammates now look to him for inspiration, “I think I’m a big motivator and a leader on the team. We have to understand that we all have off days, but we still can’t lose confidence in our abilities.”

Guillen’s ambition goes beyond P.R.’s and throwing varsity. He wants to finish his high school career on a podium, “I’ve set a goal to try to make bigger throws every meet and then hopefully to compete and place at state.”

Next fall, Guillen will be attending Butler County Community College. He will play football and would like to pursue a degree in the medical field.College

Salina Central’s Alonzo Guillen

Minneapolis’ Sydney Parks

By Matt Browning

There was one thing Minneapolis’ Sydney Parks wanted to accomplish this season: make it to the 3A Tournament.

After the Lions defeated Beloit in the regional championship, Parks’ mission was complete.

“The one thing I really wanted to accomplish this year was go to state,” Parks said. “We had a good chance of making it through our regional this year and we had been working hard all year.”

Beating Beloit again was especially sweet for Parks. The Trojans and the Lions have a rivalry, so beating them three times and the final time with a state bid on the line, was especially satisfying for Parks.

“Most of the girls on my team now were also on my team when we were younger and we have always had a rivalry with Beloit,” said Parks, who was an honorable mention allleague selection last season and is on her way to a first team all-league selection in 2025. “To beat them (Beloit) in high school, especially senior year, was a really fun experience.”

Parks, her teammates and coaches have a long

history together and those relationships mean so much.

“My teammates and coaches mean a lot to me,” Parks said. “My current coaches also coached me when I was first starting softball and many of my teammates and I have been playing together since then too.”

By Matt Browning

Rock Hills’ Ethan Wirth

During the 2024 high school golf season, Rock Hills’ Ethan Wirth shot a personal best score of 74.

That would be a difficult score to better in 2025, but Wirth was determined to do so.

“One of my individual goals was to improve my personal best score through 18 holes,” Wirth said. “Last year I achieved a score of 74 and this year I was able to beat that with a score of 71 even with two tournaments left to play.”

Wirth was not the only member of the Rock Hills’ golf team that improved this season. The growth he saw from his teammates made his senior season a special one.

“My teammates and I have had a tremendous amount of fun this year,” Wirth said. “They make every practice a very competitive and enjoyable experience for me which makes for the best few hours of my day each day. They all mean so much to me and watching our team scores do so much better as every kid improves each meet is a great display for the future of our young team.”

Rock Hills is one of the few Class 1A schools in its area that has golf, so Wirth typically played

with the same group of players at most of his tournaments. That was something he came to look forward to each week.

“I am usually paired with the same three or four other kids, and they always make the hours we spend together each tournament very enjoyable and memorable,” Wirth said.

Pamela Wirth

Monday-Friday: 8:30 am - 5 pm

McPherson’s Haely Hagemann

By Matt Browning

McPherson’s Haely Hagemann has had an accomplished softball career as a Bullpup, but this season brought perhaps one of her fondest memories.

“The highlight of my season so far was definitely winning the 18 inning game against Wamego,” Hagemann said. That game was the craziest game of my softball career and I’ve played hundreds of games. What I loved the most about it was it took the entire team top to bottom to get it done.”

What made that night also particularly memorable was the talent Wamego had on its team.

“Obviously we were facing one of if not the best pitcher in the state so anything we could scrap together was needed to win,” Hagemann said. “I thought the whole team did a great job of battling at the plate and getting something accomplished. I was extremely proud of us that night and that game will stick with me forever.”

Hagemann has a bond with her team that she will undoubtedly miss when she heads to Butler Community College next year. She considers this group of players some of her closest friends.

“The support is unmatched,” Hagemann said. “Everyone on this team wants everyone to succeed no matter where they are in the lineup

and I think that is something very rare to find. It’s going to be really hard to walk away from these girls, but I know they will always have my back no matter what.”

Last season, Hagemann found herself struggling with hitting consistently. But she thinks she turned the corner with that this season.

“There were times last season where I would hit great one game then barely get on base the next game,” Hagemann said. “I feel like I have definitely improved on that this year, but there is always something to work on and get better at.”

Don’t Let an Ankle Sprain Slow You Down –Here’s What You Need to Know

Ankle sprains, a prevalent injury that affects individuals in every age group and activity level, are among the most common injuries. These injuries occur when the ligaments surrounding the ankle joint are stretched or torn, usually due to sudden twisting or rolling motions. This blog will delve into the types of ankle sprains, their causes, symptoms, healing timelines, and how physical therapy can aid recovery and prevention.

Types of Ankle Sprains

• Lateral Ankle Sprain (Inversion Sprain)

The most commonly injured structures in a lateral ankle sprain are the lateral ligaments, including the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), and the posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL). These ligaments stabilize the outer part of the ankle.

Lateral ankle sprains account for approximately 85% of all ankle sprains, making them the most frequent type of ankle injury.

• Medial Ankle Sprain (Eversion Sprain)

This type of sprain involves the deltoid ligament complex (DLC), located on the ankle’s inner side and provides stability against eversion forces. The DLC is much more than the lateral ankle ligaments, making these sprains less common than lateral sprains, accounting for around 5-15% of ankle sprains.

• High Ankle Sprain (Syndesmotic Sprain)

High ankle sprains involve the syndesmotic ligaments, which connect the tibia and fibula above the ankle joint. These ligaments stabilize the two bones during movement.

High ankle sprains are less frequent but are more common in sports such as basketball, representing up to 10% of all ankle sprains.

Causes of Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains occur when the ligaments surrounding the joint are stretched or torn due to excessive force or awkward movements. The specific mechanism of injury varies depending on the type of sprain.

• Lateral Ankle Sprain

Often described as the classic “rolled ankle,” this occurs when the foot twists inward, overstretching the lateral ligaments (e.g., anterior talofibular ligament). It typically happens during activities involving sudden direction changes, missteps on uneven surfaces, or landing awkwardly after a jump.

• Medial Ankle Sprain (Eversion Sprain)

This occurs when the foot is planted and the ankle rolls outward. The stress placed on the deltoid ligament can result in tears or overextension. This type of injury often happens during sports involving sudden lateral movements or a fall where the foot remains fixed while the body twists.

• High Ankle Sprain (Syndesmotic Sprain)

High ankle sprains occur when the foot is planted and a strong external rotation or dorsiflexion force separates the tibia and fibula at the syndesmotic ligaments. These injuries are common in sports like basketball or football, especially during intense pivoting or when landing from a jump with the foot turned out.

Symptoms of Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains can present with varying symptoms depending on the type and severity of the injury.

• Lateral Ankle Sprain

Pain and swelling on the outer side of the ankle.

Bruising and difficulty bearing weight. Instability during walking or standing.

• Medial Ankle Sprain

Pain and tenderness on the inner side of the ankle.

Swelling and bruising around the medial aspect of the joint.

Pain with walking

• High Ankle Sprain

Pain above the ankle joint, especially when twisting or bearing weight. Difficulty with dorsiflexion and walking.

Pain with hopping

Ankle Sprain Healing Timelines: Different Stages & Recovery Duration

An ankle sprain’s healing timeline depends on the injury’s severity and any history of prior sprains. Sprains are typically categorized into three grades:

• Grade 1 (Mild):

Mild overstretching of the ligament with minimal pain, swelling, and slight tenderness.

Healing Time: 1-3 weeks, with proper rest and rehabilitation.

• Grade 2 (Moderate):

Partial tearing of ligaments, moderate swelling, and difficulty bearing weight.

Healing Time: 4-6 weeks, including physical therapy.

• Grade 3 (Severe):

Complete ligament tear, significant swelling, and instability.

Healing Time: 3+ months, and in some cases, surgery may be required.

Additionally, high ankle sprains typically take longer to heal due to the involvement of syndesmotic ligaments. Recovery can range from 6 weeks to several months, depending on severity.

Evolving Physical Therapy Treatment for Ankle Sprains

In the past, the standard approach to managing ankle sprains was the RICE method:

Rest: Avoid putting weight on the injured ankle.

Ice: Apply cold packs to reduce swelling.

Compression: Use bandages or wraps to limit swelling.

Elevation: Keep the ankle elevated above heart level.

While RICE aimed to reduce pain and inflammation, it often led to prolonged periods of inactivity, which could delay recovery.

The Shift to P.O.L.I.C.E.

Modern rehabilitation strategies now emphasize the POLICE protocol, which encourages a more active recovery process:

Protection: Avoid activities that could worsen the injury but allow safe movement.

Optimal Loading: Gradually introduce movement and weight-bearing to stimulate healing.

Ice: Used sparingly to manage pain, though excessive use may delay tissue repair.

Compression: Helps reduce swelling and supports the joint.

Elevation: Assists in controlling swelling in the initial phase.

Graded Exposure and Key Physical Therapy Techniques for Ankle Sprain Recovery

Physical therapists focus on graded exposure, a method that progressively reintroduces movement and weight-bearing based on pain levels. This approach ensures the ankle regains strength and mobility without overloading the injured tissues. For instance, if a certain movement causes mild discomfort, the therapist may advise reducing the intensity or frequency of that movement until the ankle can tolerate it without pain.

Key components of physical therapy for ankle sprains include:

Range of Motion Exercises: Gentle movements to restore flexibility.

Strength Training: Targeting the surrounding muscles for stability and support.

Balance and Proprioception Drills: Enhancing neuromuscular control to prevent future sprains.

Sport-Specific Drills: Preparing athletes for a safe return to their activities.

By adhering to these principles, physical therapy plays a pivotal role in accelerating recovery and reducing the likelihood of recurring injuries, providing reassurance and confidence in the healing process.

Take Control of Your Recovery: How Physical Therapy Can Help Heal and Prevent Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains, though common, are often underestimated injuries that can significantly affect mobility and quality of life. Understanding the types, causes, symptoms, and recovery timelines is crucial for proper management. By gaining this knowledge, you can take control of your health and recovery. Don’t let an ankle sprain keep you on the sidelines. Physical therapy can speed up recovery, improve mobility, and prevent future injuries. Ready to take the first step toward healing? Find a physical therapy location near you and start your journey to stronger, healthier ankles.