Andale’s Myah Rieger
Kapaun Mt. Carmel’s Will Niederee
Buhler’s Ava Koster
Valley Center’s Colby Newton
Wichita Trinity’s Caleb Tofteland
Belle Plaine’s Sawyer Ehrhart
Wichita Classical’s Greer Kice
Kapaun Mount Carmel’s Maddy Cartwright
Proud to support the neighborhood
McPherson’s Elley Paulsen
By Matt Browning
There have been a variety of injuries that has led McPherson’s Elley Paulsen to go to Advanced Physical Therapy.
From her ankle to her shoulder, Paulsen has depended on APT to provide her recovery from her injuries.
“I would recommend going to APT for any athlete because each person is very sweet and will talk with you through everything,” Paulsen said.
When it comes to her shoulder, a freak accident outside of volleyball caused the issue with her shoulder.
“I play volleyball and have overused it (my shoulder) and had many struggles with it,” Paulsen said. “Then while playing dodgeball, I threw a ball and it popped and
went numb. I did a lot of strengthening activities with resistance bands that seem to help a lot. For my shoulder I will go (to APT) for about a month and a half”
Six years ago, Paulsen went to APT for a different issue.
“I have gone to APT before for my ankles,” Paulsen said. “After my ankle surgeries about six years ago, for both of those I went to physical therapy for about two months.”
The way APT was able to lay out how Paulsen could effectively recover was impressive.
“Their mapping out of my treatment plan was giving me all of my appointment dates at the first appointment, while explaining the types of things I would be doing,” Paulsen said.
SPORTS FOR ALL
Sportsmanship Development
YMCA #YiBelong Spotlight Steve Joe
By Matt Browning
While Steve Joe has been volunteering for over 15 years at the YMCA, there is one sport he prefers to coach over others.
“I have coached everything from baseball, basketball and volleyball,” Joe said. “Volleyball being my favorite.”
Joe has been able to make memory after memory throughout his time with the YMCA, but there is one collective memory that stands out.
“There are so many memories to talk about,” Joe said. “But I would have to say it is watching all the players growing up in the sport and moving on to the next level.”
With a strong support system, Joe has been able to sustain his volunteering lifestyle.
“Volunteering can and could be difficult if I did not have a supportive wife and some great coaches to assist me and help me every step of the way,” Joe said.
There are two things Joe believes every volunteer must have in order to be dedicated to helping and influencing kids. These two attributes will make any prospective volunteer better as a coach, but more importantly as a person.
“With so many opportunities to volunteer, my one suggestion would be to just do it and have a heart and passion for helping others,” Joe said.
Mulvane’s Preston Grube
By Cooper Chadwick
Being the only senior on the offensive line, Mulvane’s Preston Grube is looking to step up and become a leader.
Grube, who is a left guard and a defensive tackle, is looking forward to seeing what this close knit team can do with all their talent.
Preparation is vital to any season and Grube believes that the preparation he and his team have done is enough for them to reach all their goals.
“To prepare for this season we all went to a football camp at Washburn, it was a great experience to bring us all together and challenge us with adversity so we can experience it before the season starts. We had summer weights and conditioning that had a great turnout,” Grube said. “Afterward we would have on field workouts with our position groups. Individually I would work out on my own every day to get better.”
Grube also knows trust and connections will help a team make a deep playoff run.
We will go out for breakfast or meals sometimes and I feel like it’s a great way for us to bond, and even helps us trust each other more on the field
Personal improvement is also a focus for Grube; who last year was just an offensive player, earning all-league second team honors.
“I also want to work on my defensive side of things,” Grube said. “I went to our d-line workouts over the summer to get better at my technique.”
Looking to major in engineering and not planning to play football in College Grube wants to cherish his last time playing.
“A personal goal is just to not take any moment for granted as each practice is one less we’ll get before the season ends,” Grube said.
TOMMY LEACH’S SHELTER ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
Wichita Southeast’s Irving Ortega
By Blake Chadwick
Wichita Southeast’s senior defensive end and tight end Irving Ortega is a guy who you can say is a ‘late bloomer’ as he started his football days just a couple years ago when he was a Freshman.
Ortega has always had a love for football and now as a senior he came into the season with a few big goals.
“My personal goals this year relating to football were to do my best on both sides of the ball to help my team win and have a better record than the previous four years while still having fun,” Ortega said.
For the senior, after missing some games due to injury. His plans have had to change a little bit.
“Missing games as a senior and a leader was very difficult for me to deal with because of the limited amount of impact that I had only being able to talk on the sideline and not on the actual field,” Ortega said. “This year as a leader I have tried to help the underclassmen build good habits as well as helping them understand that football is a team sport and not an individual sport so that they don’t become too selfish or disrespectful to their peers.”
As much as Ortega wants to play at the next level, he has other plans after high school.
“I personally don’t plan to play football at the next level, however if I get an opportunity to get my education paid for to play football I would definitely not take that chance for granted,” Ortega said. “My current future plans are to enlist in the Army and get a job in cybersecurity.”
Maize
Kinslea Jones
Earlier this season, Maize’s Kinslea Jones shot an historic 13-under 58 at the Buhler Invitational, which took place at Hesston Golf Course.
The previous KSHSAA record was 64, so Jones shattered the record. She is on her way to being one of the best female high school golfers in KSHSAA history.
That was the culmination of a scorching hot month of September for Jones.
“This year I have had three rounds so far,” Jones said. “At the Eisenhower Varsity Invitational at Auburn Hills I shot 66 and won by 19. Our team won by 50 shots. At the Dodge City Girls Invitational at Mariah Hills I shot a 68 and won by six. Our team placed second. At the Salina South Invitational I shot a 68 and won by five. Our team won by 12 shots. So far this season my average is a 67.33.”
Jones tried to balance between being the best high school player she can be, while also building her game towards college.
“One goal I have for the season was to be under par at every tournament but also to improve my game for the long run so I can be successful in college, too,” Jones said. “A team goal I have for us is to qualify for the state tournament for the fourth year.”
PREP PERFORMANCE OF THE MONTH ! GO
By Matt Browning
Dodge City High School
Hellas Construction recently made major updates to Memorial Stadium at Dodge City High School.
“The Hellas Team was transparent and organized,” Dodge City athletic director Jay Gifford. “We started with drawings that were approved by our BOE. The install team showed up on time and were on the job two weeks – finishing in time for us to also install a new track at the facility before we began playing games this fall.”
The Dodge City administration had a unique way to determine that Hellas was the best company to use for their renovations.
“Our district uses a scoring rubric to determine which company best fits our needs for our current project(s),” Gifford said. “Hellas scored strong in several areas: budget, customer service, past successful projects with the district, and quality of product.”
There were many reasons why Gifford thinks Hellas would fit the needs of most schools or
organizations.
“Hellas is an excellent product and team for many reasons,” Gifford said. “The customer service is excellent – and their product is high quality and easily accessible to schools in Kansas due to the number of schools in which they have installations. Also, their company has been around this area for several year – so you can find turf fields at various stages of usage/years – which is very helpful when trying to determine which company to use. Our district has been very pleased with Hellas at both our baseball, softball, and football facilities.”
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.
Oxford’s Connor Commerford
By Blake Chadwick
After being named an honorable mention all-league safety a season ago, Oxford football’s Connor Commerford is a big reason for the fast start from the Wildcats this season.
Commerford is a running back and safety who has been playing football since he was in third grade and now as a senior, he wants to make a deep playoff run.
As a senior and team captain, Workman is known for being an excellent communicator who leads with confidence. His versatility on the field allows him to excel in various situations, making him a reliable player that his teammates can count on. Despite past challenges, his leadership and resilience are stronger than ever.
“I believe my ability to read the field and play physical football helps me to stand out as a player,” Commerford said. “I also believe I am good at being a leader in crucial moments and helping to support my teammates.”
Commerford rushed for 10 touchdowns and had three interceptions a season ago but that doesn’t satisfy him. He knows he wants to be a lot better for his final year.
“I would like to make first-team all-league as a safety in the SCBL and possibly all-league on the offensive side as well,” Commerford said. “As for my team, I believe we are a strong contender in 8-man division 1 and a strong contender to win our district. I know if we continue to play physically and execute as well as we can, we should make a deep state playoff run.”
VISIT SALINA WINNING EDGE PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Augusta’s Elise Richardson
By Cooper Chadwick
Being the number one at your school since freshman year is impressive in itself but is the least of Senior Elise Richardson’s accomplishments throughout her high school career.
Richardson, a senior at Augusta High school has an impressive rap sheet from just last year. She finished fifth at state with an impressive record of 22-8 and she was league runner-up and regional runner up.
Though Richardson had an impressive year last year, she is looking to improve specific parts of her game to meet her goals of finding top three at each tournament and finishing in the top eight again at state.
“I am wanting to improve my shot placement this season. I am also wanting to improve more on my strategies,” Richardson said. “My coach and my dad have set up certain drills for me to practice on those items.”
In the offseason Richardson usually plays in USTA tournaments and USTA junior team tennis, where her dad helps coach her.
Richardson is very excited for this season but most especially her return to state and Augusta’s home tournament, her two favorites and the ones she hopes she does the best at.
Richardson also earns high praise from her August coach Nathan Stevens about her gifts on and off the court.
“Elise is a sweet kid, always willing to help teammates get better, and absolutely grinds it out on the court. She keeps the ball in play longer than almost anyone I’ve coached (had a 3-hour match with another ‘backboard’ player), but isn’t afraid to close the net when the opportunity presents itself,” Stevens said.
Wichita Classical’s Greer Kice
By Matt Browning
Being a single tennis player means you’re responsible for everything and that can be quite daunting for Wichita Classical’s Greer Kice.
“When you play singles you are out there all alone not knowing how long the matches will be and each opponent has a really different playing style,” Kice said. “That’s why it is so fun. It is creative and takes a lot of mental focus. Individual sports are so different. Praying before matches calms me down. It has really taught me patience and perseverance.”
Kice placed sixth at the state tournament last year and she is hoping to improve on that in 2024.
“I have a lot of respect for the caliber of players I will be going up against, and I want to be proud of how I play my senior season,” Kice said. “I am really close to my friends on my team and I want us to go far together.”
Tennis is not Kice’s focus as she is an all-state soccer player and is going to play at Nebraska next year. She views tennis as a fun release.
“Tennis and goalkeeping complement each other well with footwork, hand eye coordination and angles,” Kice said. “Tennis is a family thing. I grew up playing it with my two older brothers who both played tennis in college. My mom has been my coach since fifth grade.”
Andale’s Myah Rieger
By Matt Browning
Andale cheerleader Myah Rieger has seen significant improvement in her team that her excitement level for the season is through the roof.
“The thing that excites me the most for this season is the improvement of the whole team,” Rieger said. “We have already improved so much since this summer, and are only going to get better. In the offseason, we had practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays in June, and had cheer camp at Andale High School. Since it was just us at the camp, I think we learned so much more than we would have if it was a normal camp with other teams.”
Learning new skills and routines were just some of the focuses Rieger had heading into the 2024-2025 season.
“I think something I could definitely improve on is being more confident,” Rieger said. “Some goals I have for this season is just learning new skills. We already have a lot down, but getting better at what you’re doing is never a bad thing. Also making the foam football to the person I want it to go to in the crowd.”
Rieger, who is one of the leaders on Andale’s cheer team, has already received special accolades.
“Since I’ve been on the cheer team, I have gotten varsity All-American,” Rieger said. “I’ve been a flyer my whole time cheering, and it’s my favorite thing to do at practice or games.”
Sports Card & Autograph Memorabilia
Northwest’s Kam Stubbs
By Cooper Chadwick
Finishing seventh at state last year in doubles, senior Kam Stubbs is looking to place higher this year with a new partner.
Stubbs last year also finished with a 19-3 record, placing third in GWAL and 1st at regionals with her now graduated partner, Cayanna Sparks.
Being one of the few returning players with experience at state, Stubbs who is a naturally shy person had to step out of her comfort zone and into the role of a leader.
“I was most excited for get to build new relationships…and to be a mentor for the first year girls,” Stubbs said.
To improve on her seventh place finish last year Stubbs knew she had to put in the work in the offseason.
“In the off season I would go once every two weeks with friends to play tennis at a park. I would also work on agility,” Stubbs said. “At the beginning of the season I wanted to work mainly on directing where my shots land and on different spins on the ball. I worked on it a lot by changing the grip on my racket and angling my body to where it was to hit the same shot over and over.”
Stubbs worked hard in the offseason to meet many individual goals and help her team meet their goals as well.
“An individual goal I had for the season was to continue to progress as a player and not just stay monotonous the whole season,” Stubbs said. “For my team was to show effort and that they wanted to be there. Another goal I held for our varsity team is to try and qualify for state.”
Belle Plaine’s Sawyer Ehrhart
By Matt Browning
At the time of him breaking his ankle, Belle Plaine’s Sawyer Ehrhart didn’t understand why that could happen to him.
He felt empty without football.
But that injury changed his whole high school experience.
“I needed something else to fill my time,” Ehrhart said. “So I decided to join a club and after looking for a while I settled on our DAT team. I picked the SCCDAT team because the club wants you to lead a healthier and safer life through not just school but for the rest of your life.”
Belle Plaine’s SCCDAT program is involved so many different events and activities.
“The SCCADAT program runs the Snow Ball here at school, pitches in during Fall and Winter Homecoming, and completely runs Red Ribbon week,” Ehrhart said. “The SCCADAT program really puts the school first with every effort. Not a single thought in the club starts without ‘How could the school benefit from this.’ And I think that really helps keep things moving and safe at school.”
Being able to have a better understanding as to what he is consuming is just one reason why Ehrhart thinks SCCDAT has benefited him.
“SCCADAT has benefited me for the better by now not only by making me look out for drugs, but also by what I’m eating and putting into my body,” Ehrhart said. “Also how I’m spending my time, and if I could be doing something more productive. It has helped me be a healthier person.”
In 2023, Over 79% of youth reported there was no chance or very little chance of being seen as “cool’ if they used marijuana.
SCCDAT ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT
Andover’s Nicholas Workman
By Blake Chadwick
Being the best leader on the field isn’t new for Andover soccer player Nick Workman.
The senior has been playing soccer for 15 years of his life and has been a key part of Andover soccer throughout his last four years and now as a captain, he is ready to do even more.
“Nick is a workhorse who plays an aggressive game,” head coach Kevin Law said. “He wins 50/50 balls and looks to connect with his teammates. He is a good leader who is always looking for ways to help and get better.”
Workman has been focused on leaving the program better than when he first started playing his freshman year.
“I want to be named to the all-league team and the all-state team at the end of the year,” Workman said. “For the team, I would want to win the league and hopefully make it as far as possible in the postseason. I also would like for us to host a playoff game.”
Workman is a guy who has always put the work in, but hasn’t always gotten praised for it.
“I’ve never been the flashiest player on the field,” Workman said. “So what makes me special on the field is my game IQ. I’ve always been told that I have a mind for this game and that I’ve seen things that other players don’t.”
Andover’s Molly Gaddis
By Cooper Chadwick
Chasing a fourth state title in a row with the rest of the Andover Trojans, senior Molly Gaddis is looking to lead the charge with her powerful shots and increased work ethic.
Gaddis, who plays singles, has been putting in extra work during the offseason to prepare for this season and to reach her goal of winning an individual state championship.
“I was playing every day and going to the gym at least 2-3 times a week. I also played in a lot of tournaments to help get my ratings up. My coaches have helped me improve so much over the summer and after season to be the best that I can possibly be,” Gaddis said.
Andover Head tennis coach Steve Alexander, also had lots of great things to say about Gaddis and her work ethic coming off her 28-5 record last season.
“Molly obviously is an incredible tennis player, but what I have enjoyed watching most over the last 4 years is her growth as far as how she approaches the game. She has become much better at being patient and setting up her shots,” Alexander said. “As a freshman she was able to overpower almost anybody she was on the court with, but every once in a while she would take herself out of points too early by giving herself no margin for error.”
Since Gaddis is such a powerful player sometimes she relies on how good her shots are and does not pay enough focus to her well she moves her feet, which is why she made sure to make that a big time focus this offseason.“During the offseason I went to conditioning before practice, and went to the gym a few times a week. My coach also told me to run sprints, so I would do that in my free time,” Gaddis said.
Campus’ Nichodaemus Davis-Ludlow
By Blake Chadwick
Nichodaemus Davis-Ludlow is a senior cross country runner for the Campus Colts who has been running for only four years.
“Nic is a very kind and soft-spoken person,” head coach Cooper Clark said. “He is hardworking, ambitious, and a lot of our younger runners look up to him. He’s the kind of kid you can rely on. He has a great attitude, and wants to help everyone around him succeed.”
Davis-Ludlow is a hard worker who gives 100% every time he can, whether that is during workouts or during a race, everyone knows he will be the hardest worker.
“Nic is one of the hardest workers on our team,” Clark said. “He is one of the best success stories we’ve had in my tenure as head coach. He has cut more than 2 minutes off of his personal best from his junior to senior year, and has made himself a very valuable member of our varsity squad.”
Coming into the year, Davis-Ludlow wanted to make a name for himself and he has done just that.
The senior has only ever worked hard and never cared what others think. A mindset he lives by and one that he embodies daily.
Another thing that the senior also embodies is his “Thor-like” long blonde hair. A trait that has become one he has been known for most of his life.
“I have been growing out my hair for 14 years,” Davis-Ludlow said. “Because of my long hair many others used to make fun of me, but I never let that affect me in any way, and the fact that I still have my hair long is proof that I never cared what others said about me.”
Campus’ Morgan Parker
By Matt Browning
When Campus High School offered Morgan Parker a chance at taking sports medicine classes, she jumped at the opportunity.
“These classes are more than anatomy and physiology in my opinion,” Parker said. “You get to learn about taping athletes, how to assess injuries, and special tests to see if there is an injury. When I first started high school, I did not know much about this at all, but I knew I wanted to work in the medical field one day. So that led me to taking these classes and getting to where I am today.”
Being a student trainer, Parker has several responsibilities throughout the week – no matter what sports season it is.
“Every week night we have football and volleyball practice during the fall season,” Parker said. “Once fall season is over we go into winter sports, which are basketball and wrestling. We currently have seven trainers not playing any sports, so we all get to have
a day off during the week. All trainers meet in the training room after school and get your athletes to practice.”
These few years as a high school trainer are just the beginning for Parker and involvement in sports medicine.
“My future plans are to go to WSU and study Health Science, then apply to their Physical Therapy program,” Parker said. “I think that being an athletic trainer has shown me how much I love to help people. Athletic training has led me to the Physical Therapy path that I have chosen.”
Kapaun Mt. Carmel’s Will Niederee
By Cooper Chadwick
After placing 11th at 5A state last year senior Will Niederee is ready to lead a talented Kapaun Mt. Carmel cross country team to a state championship.
“As a senior, I hope to lead our team, especially the underclassmen, in improving our performances throughout the season. I am always working to improve my personal marks,” Niederee said.
Niederee and the rest of the crusaders put in lots of time in the offseason to prepare for the season as well.
“The team has been working hard, building our mileage and doing strength training. We have set high expectations for our season,” Niederee said. “Together as a team, we met more than five times a week and worked hard together, whether that was doing workouts or lifting weights.”
Head coach Gage Garcia also expressed how much of a leader Niederee is on this team, saying how Niederee leads the team by his actions not necessarily his voice. Leading through actions, being one of Niederee’s strengths means he continues to push himself to be better.
“I have challenged myself to place in the top 5 at city, regionals and state, as well as running sub 15:25,” Niederee said.
Apart from placing 11th at state last year Niederee who also runs track qualified in three events and even helped the crusaders win the state championship in the 4x400.
Garcia also stated that Niederee is one of the main reasons that the crusaders have record numbers this year.
“Will is an excellent young man. He is a hard worker, great teammate, and is also very smart. Will is someone that everyone on the team really enjoys having around because he is truly one of the funniest guys on the team. He brings a light hearted spirit to the team that makes everyone enjoy the sport even more,” Garcia said.
Buhler High’s Henry Trumpp: KTA “Driving Change” Athlete Spotlight
By Matt Browning
The Buhler cross country program is one of the best in the state and senior runner Henry Trumpp is hoping to continue the legacy this season.
“The thing I was most excited about this season would have to be the opportunity to take home another state trophy for Buhler,” Trumpp said. “Being a part of such a great team and great legacy of Buhler cross country teams has really been an honor and is the reason I love the sport of cross country as much as I do.”
Trumpp grinded all summer long so that his body was in pristine condition.
“This summer to prepare for the season I ran up to 40 miles a week with two faster workouts a week that would typically be either a tempo or threshold based effort,” Trumpp said. “And then a 10-mile long run to end the week.”
Much of those workouts were geared towards the latter portion of races, which was an area Trumpp wanted to improve on this year.
“Typically during my race I would positive split each mile, which means I would slow down each mile and that is not the most efficient way to run a 5k,” Trumpp said. “So to combat this I did a lot more strength based runs this summer like tempo runs and long runs so I would have the strength to run a more even race.”
Kapaun Mount Carmel’s Maddy Cartwright
By Blake Chadwick
Kapaun senior Maddy Cartwright has every intention of making sure the golf team wins their fifth straight state championship.
Cartwright has been golfing since she was eight years old but knew how special she could be in the eighth grade after she knew she would have to get better if she wanted to make the team in high school.
Now, three years later, Cartwright is a pivotal part on a championship team and now one of the leaders that will help lead them to another state championship.
“During my freshman, sophomore, and junior years, I always looked up to the senior girls who encouraged and supported the whole team,” Cartwright said. “It is my intention to be someone my teammates can look up to by being a positive example and supporting all of them individually. I have also enjoyed the chance to be a First Tee coach, working with kids to learn the game. I plan to continue helping after the season because I believe it is a fantastic program for our community.”
Thanks to all of the winning she has done, the senior has plans of playing at the next level and has been in contact with a few Division II teams but has a few more goals to check off her list first.
“A personal goal of mine going into this year was to enjoy my last high school golf season while still putting in the work to improve my game,” Cartwright said. “As a team, it is important to me that all of our players, returning and new, build a strong sense of friendship and support amongst one another. By doing this, we will be better prepared to take on the season. So far we have been successful because we work as a team to lift each other up and get better together. I’m very thankful for my amazing teammates and proud of them all.”
DAMM WELLNESS CLINIC DERBY ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
Derby’s Lucas Kreutzer
By Ken Hansard
The senior from Derby high school Lucas Kreutzer is running his last season of cross country as a Panther. In addition to cross country, Kreutzer runs track in the spring season as well.
This year, Kreutzer has set some big goals for the season. Kreutzer individually and as a team would like to win league and make it to the state tournament. State this year for 6A will be held in Lawrence on November 2nd.
As the season rolls on, Kreutzer has enjoyed spending time with teammates and wants to continue the season enjoying teammates. Kreutzer has always enjoyed competing at the meets. This year Kreutzer would like to leave it all on the course not just for him, but for his teammates.
Leading into the season, Kreutzer has worked on increasing miles. Kreutzer was running around 35 miles a week, but building into the season, Kreutzer increased to 55 miles a week to prepare for the season. With all the extra miles, Kreutzer hopes to beat last year’s season placing at league of 8th place. As a team, Derby placed 3rd at the league meet last season, something Kreutzer and the team are proud of.
Kreutzer obviously has a love for running since track and cross country are both sports Kreutzer participates in. During the winter season, Kreutzer also participates in swim. Outside of the school Kreutzer is actively involved in church youth group.
Although currently undecided of which college to attend, Kreutzer is interested in running cross country at the colligate level. Kreutzer would like to pursue a degree in sports management at a university.
Bishop Carroll’s Nate Smith
By Matt Browning
Being mentally tougher throughout the adversity of races is one area that Bishop Carroll’s Nate Smith wanted to improve on this year.
“I wanted to improve mentally especially during the middle of the race to not give into the voice in my head that tells me that the pain is too much to handle and I need to slow down,” Smith said. “That voice will always be there but every race and workout, I try to push back against what that voice tells me and to keep telling myself that I can handle the pain and keep pushing myself towards the finish line.”
Summer workouts were grueling for Smith and his teammates, but the hope is that it pays off in 2024.
“We had team summer conditioning every morning to help us stay in shape during the offseason,” Smith said. “We also had workouts during conditioning to help us improve and to get us ready for some of the harder workouts
when the season started. An individual goal I have is to be top 20 at the state meet and to go under the 16-minute mark. Our team goal is to get a podium finish at state.”
Smith saw some of the inexperienced runners step up last season, which has him optimistic about Carroll’s chances at state.
“After seeing our younger guys step up towards the end of the season, I was really excited to see how they and our team would improve as they started running varsity,” Smith said.
Andover Central’s Julia Smith Andover Central’s Andrew Clouse
By Blake Chadwick
Andover Central senior Julia Smith is a senior cheerleader for the Jaguars who is way more than just an athlete.
“Julia is a mature, thoughtful person,” head coach Desirae Moreno said. “She can see things from different angles, a skill that many high schoolers do not yet possess. She has been a leader in the school through STUCO as well as a senior captain on our cheer team.”
Smith has been a cheerleader since she was in seventh grade and has been excelling in everything and leading so that those around her excel as well. She has been an NCA All-American nominee three years and made the All-American team this year. Smith was also named as a Top-Gun Stunt finalist two years and Top-Gun Stunt champion. On top of being a section leader for the band, a National Honor Society member and a volunteer with the circle of friends and her church.
Smith truly embodies being a leader whenever she can.
“I feel what makes a leader is helping bring out the best in one another and not fearing mistakes,” Smith said. “I will strive to help lead and encourage returning and newer athletes to excel and grow their skills.”
Smith does have plans of being a college cheerleader that date all the way back to her younger days.
“Growing up, my grandparents took me to the Wichita State basketball games,” Smith said. “I always looked forward to watching the cheerleaders. From seeing them stunt during quarters and watching performances during halftime, I fell in love and dreamed of being a WSU cheerleader.”
By Cooper Chadwick
Being a leader is what the Andover Central Jaguars need and senior center back Andrew Clouse is ready to commit to that role.
As a three year starter Clouse knows what it takes to play against high level 6A competition.
“Andrew is a leader based on his tireless work ethic and demeanor. He is all business and very focused on our team’s goals,” Head coach Steven Huskey said. “He’s been asked to step up each year, and is the reason we’ve been able to hang in close games against top competition this year.”
Team oriented is exactly what a good leader needs to be and that is exactly what Clouse is.
“This year I want to be able to improve team chemistry through leadership. I believe this is a part of any team’s success which leads to our team having greater success come postseason,” Clouse said.
Clouse also talks about how during the off season he and the rest of the jaguars practiced three days a week in hope of winning their league title for the third year in a row.
Even though Clouse is all about the team he also has individual goals he wants to accomplish.
“A personal goal is to be First Team All-League this year. Another goal as an individual is I want to allow 12 or fewer goals this season. We have a very difficult schedule this season, but I believe these are achievable because of my strong defensive line and personal work ethic toward these goals,” Clouse said.
Maize South’s Maggie Harrison
By Cooper Chadwick
Senior Maggie Harrison who only started taking tennis seriously two years ago has made tremendous progress and is ready to show how much she really has improved.
The Maize South senior has done a lot this offseason to be ready for the start of the season.
“I played in USTA all over the Midwest, and traveled all summer. I have been involved in lessons and private work during the off season. Training was 10-12 and 1-3, almost five days a week. With workouts and training in between,” Harrison said.
With all the work she has put in for this season Harrison has high goals she wants to reach.
“I have a lot of goals for this season and some of which being, to get a league title, top 3 finish at regionals and to finish top 3 at state this year,” Harrison said.
Last year Harrison finished second at league, fourth at regionals and eighth at state with a record of 27-10. Despite a successful season she still notices that there are areas of improvement.
“I am wanting to improve my slice and volleys because it’s a good tool to have if you can use it well. I used a variety of different drills to help with consistency in those areas and I’ve already seen improvement,” Harrison said.
Head coach Frank Reyes also believes that Harrison is a special player and person.
“Maggie is a very good tennis player with an amazing work ethic,” Reyes said. “While she is a great player she is an even better person to be around. She is very encouraging & supportive to her teammates.”
Wichita Heights’ Jack Harty
By Blake Chadwick
Records were meant to be broken. Wichita Heights’ Jack Harty will etch his name in the history books this season as he is on pace to break the 5K school record which was set in 2002.
“This has been a goal for me and my coach since the beginning of the season when I was 40 seconds off,” Harty said. “After getting a personal record at the Emporia Invitational this season, I am now 10 seconds off and hoping to get the record in the upcoming meets.”
Harty who is a senior started running cross country while in middle school and will go down as one of the best cross country runners in Heights history.
“Jack is a quiet and humble person,” head coach Brandon McMillen said. “He listens well and is highly coachable. Jack has put in a lot of commitment to the sport throughout the summer and in season. His practices and races are very calculated. Jack and I like to review data from each rep in practice or each marker in a race and make adjustments, of which he will usually nail within one or two seconds of accuracy. When he is tired, he doesn’t show it. When he needs a challenge, he will ask for more.”
Harty’s dedication has been key to his success.
“Something that makes me stand out is my commitment to training and pushing myself to be the best I can,” Harty said. “By the end of my sophomore cross country season my personal best time was 18:00. It wasn’t until the summer after my sophomore year where I began to put more time and effort into my training.”
DAVID KAUFFMAN’S ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT
Derby’s James Middlebrook
By Joanna Chadwick
Derby’s defense has always been one of the best, if not the best, in the state year after year. This season is no exception.
Senior safety James Middlebrook is a big part of leading a shutdown secondary and setting the tone physically for every game.
“Being in the Derby program means a lot, and you learn many things that develop you as a person,” he said. “And if you embrace the program, it can help you in life.”
Through four games, the senior has 24 tackles, 10 pass breakups and a sack, despite only playing seven total quarters due to complete and total domination throughout.
Derby has outscored its opponents 235-21 and is 4-0.
Middlebrook has played football for 10 years and has always been a superb athlete who has used his quickness and physicality to put him in the right spots and fly around.
After making it to the Class 6A state championship game a season ago and losing to Gardner-Edgerton 22-19, Middlebrook intends to make it back there.
“I have not won a state championship since my class got here freshman year,” Middlebrook said. “This year, we have a chance to get after it. So I want to do that with my team before leaving.”
Wichita Collegiate’s Will Meyer
By Blake Chadwick
Not many people were born to run, but for Wichita Collegiate’s Will Meyer, running has been in his blood since he was in fourth grade when he clocked a sub 6:00 minute mile.
“Will has an incredible work ethic and a true passion for the sport,” head coach Mica Elkouri said. “He followed in his older brother’s footsteps when he got into running. His older brother, CJ Meyer, is a college sophomore running for TCU. They were training partners throughout high school until CJ graduated. Since then, it has been fun to see Will come on his own and take on a leadership role with our team.”
Meyer, a state champion and school record holder for the Spartans, isn’t content to rest on those achievements. For the senior, the hunger for success goes beyond titles—it’s about constant improvement and reaching their full potential.
“It’s important to tread lightly when making personal goals because they often become anchors mentally,” Meyer said. “My goal for myself and the team is to be healthy and give 100 percent of my fitness at state and post-season races.”
Despite all the good, the senior has also had his fair share of adversity though.
“I had one of the greatest sophomore years in the history of Kansas for running, but a combination of sickness and doubt took me out of form for a while,” Meyer said. “Now, I’m coming at the sport in a new way, with less pressure and more enjoyment.”
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Valley Center’s Colby Newton
By Matt Browning
Making a tackle, hearing the pads hitting each other and getting his juices flowing were what Valley Center’s Colby Newton was most looking forward to for his senior season.
“Playing football has a whole has a different energy about it,” Newton said. “I couldn’t wait for the first game and just getting to hit again, being an outside linebacker I get a lot of chances to hit.”
Newton made a conscious effort to improve his body in the offseason so he could withstand the rigors of a high school football season.
“First I needed to get bigger,” Newton said. “Last year being a smaller outside linebacker only weighing 155 pounds, I knew that was an area I needed to change. So over the offseason I made sure to eat more protein and eat more often and I was able to gain 20 pounds and I’m now weighing 175. Next was our summer lifting program. All summer I was lifting four days a week at 6:30am and then that night getting another workout in on my own.”
Last season, Newton recorded 63 tackles,
so improving on that number was goal No. 1 for him. Through five games, Newton had made 29 tackles.
“I always would like to have 85 tackles this season as I had 63 last year,” Newton said. “I would like to improve on that number.”
By Matt Browning
A 6-foot-1 guard from Derby, Kansas, Tyler Brown was Hutchinson Community College’s third-leading scorer in the 2019-20 season at 12.8 points per game. He shot 43 percent overall and was the Blue Dragons’ second-best three-point shooter at 36.4 percent, hitting 56 of 154 attempts. He was a 2020 All-Jayhawk West Honorable Mention selection.
Playing sparingly through the first two-thirds of his freshman season, Brown joined the Blue Dragon starting line-up in Game 19 of the 2018-19 season and never left. Brown’s entry into the starting lineup sparks the Blue Dragons all the way to the Region VI Tournament Championship game.
In 65 games as a Blue Dragon, Brown averaged 8.8 points per game. He was a career 39.3 percent shooter from threepoint range. His 92 career 3-pointers are the 16th most in Blue Dragon history. He ranks seventh in Blue Dragon history in 3-point percentage. Brown signed a national letter of intent to play at Ivy League school Brown University. He was the second Blue Dragon to sign with an Ivy League school. The only other Blue Dragon to sign in the prestigious league is Rowdy Meeks, a member of the 1988 National Champion Blue Dragons, who signed with Cornell University.
Tyler Brown
Physical Therapy Exercises for Hip Pain
Hip pain is common among all age groups and activity levels. A recent study shows hip pain injuries represent 28% to 45% of injuries in women and 49% to 55% in men. In fact, hip pain can be a debilitating issue that affects your daily activities, from walking and sitting to enjoying your favorite sports and hobbies. Whether caused by injury, overuse, or conditions like arthritis, hip pain can limit your mobility and reduce your quality of life. However, physical therapy exercises can be an effective way to alleviate discomfort and improve hip function.
In this blog, we’ll explore a variety of targeted exercises designed to strengthen the muscles around your hip, enhance flexibility, and promote healing. By incorporating these exercises into your routine, you can take significant steps toward managing and overcoming hip pain.
Common Causes of Hip Pain
The location of the hip pain can help determine the exact cause of your discomfort. Pain in the groin area can often signify a core muscle injury or a pelvic floor issue. Core injuries are usually the result of overusing or straining the muscles or soft tissues in the hip, groin, or abdomen during rigorous physical activity. Injuries like this can cause pain in the hip when the root problem could be somewhere else.
Another common hip condition that often develops with age is bursitis. Bursitis occurs when fluid-filled sacs surrounding and protecting your hip joint become irritated or inflamed. This condition results in pain that can be constant regardless of whether you move your hip or stay still.
untreated.
Hip fractures are another common cause of severe hip pain and are often the result of a fall or a traumatic impact injury. The risk for hip fractures increases with age as the bones become more brittle and weaker. If left untreated, hip fractures can result in conditions like avascular necrosis, in which the blood supply to the hip bones decreases, resulting in bone tissue death. Discovering the cause of hip pain is the first step to recovery and finding solutions that work for you.
Request an Appointment
If you’re experiencing persistent hip pain, don’t ignore it. We are dedicated to helping you regain mobility and live a healthier, more active life. Schedule an appointment today and take the first step towards.
How a PT Can Help
Physical therapists play a crucial role in managing hip pain and getting to the root cause of the pain. Here’s how a PT can help:
• Personalized Exercise Programs: Physical therapists can design tailored exercise regimens for hip mobility and strengthening.
• Assess: Physical therapists can assess all areas of your hip and back and check for various limitations keeping you from doing things you love!
• Educate: Physical therapists can help educate you on your injury and pain and come up with proactive ways to avoid re-injury
Highly active individuals are prone to hip injuries or conditions like tendonitis or hip impingements. Tendonitis can occur when the tendons are strained or overused, especially when individuals participate in activities that involve repetitive motions. Hip impingements are also very common in highly active patients but typically develop at a younger age when intense physical activities cause a patient’s hip bones to develop improperly. Not only can this cause pain and loss of mobility, but it can also increase the risk of other hip conditions if left
Contact us today to schedule your appointment!
TEAM OF THE MONTH
Salina Central Cross Country
By Blake Chadwick
Entering his ninth year at Salina Central and his 22nd season overall coaching cross country, Salina Central’s Brad Dix never thought he would be coaching this long.
“I was teaching at a small school, and the head coach moved, and the students asked me if I’d be interested and after talking it over with my family, I took the opportunity,” Dix said. “I didn’t know anything about coaching cross country, but my brother-inlaw, Bill Congleton, was a KSHSAA Hall of Fame coach at Manhattan, and he sat me down to show me the ropes. I never figured I’d be coaching it this long, but there’s something special about cross country kids.”
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Dix has coached a state champion, senior champion Katelyn Rupe, for the last two years and expects her to repeat this year. The Mustangs also return a whole load of underclassmen, including defending runner-up sophomore Kaylie Schulz, who make them a young team.
“We have a pretty young team with Katelyn being the only senior, but they have demonstrated a great work ethic over the summer and through the first half of the season,” Dix said.
Rupe currently has the secondfastest time in class 5A, and Kaylie Schulz currently has the thirdfastest time.
The 22-year veteran is the type of coach who ensures his athletes know they have a voice in his
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program.
“I want the kids to have a sense of autonomy when it comes to certain things,” Dix said. “The plan for the season is laid out, but I prefer to have conversations with our leaders and our runners to see how they’re feeling, and I want them to have a voice in what we do. It’s their program, and ultimately they are driving the bus.”
Rose Hill’s Kai Kirchhoff-Jones
By Matt Browning
With his parents in the military, Rose Hill’s Kai Kirchhoff Jones has a unique understanding on life – not just now, but in the future, too.
“Having family members in the military has impacted my life by helping me learn a little more about the military than the normal person,” Kirchhoff Jones said. “I understand the benefits and what everything is going to be like if I were to join the branch my parents were in. The things you receive after serving your time are worth it in the long run like military discounts at certain places.”
There have been obstacles Kirchhoff-Jones, a sophomore, has had to overcome throughout his life as a military kid.
“Some difficult times in my life were when my mom had to go away every few weeks and I had to live with my grandparents for a period of time,” Kirchhoff-Jones said. “My mom left late at night or early morning when I didn’t want her to.”
His parents’ impact, though, has far outweighed the difficult times for Kirchhoff-Jones and it has perhaps shaped his plans after high school.
“My parents’ time in the military has influenced me to be involved,” Kirchhoff-Jones said. “One reason is free college but the main thing is I have decided that if the career plans I have right now don’t work out I will be joining the Army or Marines infantry even though both of my parents were in the Navy.”
Wichita Trinity’s Caleb Tofteland
By Cooper Chadwick
Looking to grow the next generation of Trinity-Academy runners is senior Caleb Tofteland who is ready to lead his team by example this year.
The Knights led by Tofteland have won state the last three years and are looking for that four-year sweep and offseason for the Knights was a time for everyone to get better and build on their base mileage.
“Over the summer our team was up running at 6:30 every morning, doing workouts 2-3 times a week,” Tofteland said.
Tofteland placed 11th at state last year and is looking to improve this year by competing in higher level races.
“I have been blessed to be able to race at a high level in years past, but this year I want to compete to be one of the top guys,” Tofteland said.
Also Tofteland knows that getting better is not all about just running, it’s also about keeping your body and mind healthy.
“To improve I began focusing on the small things such as getting sleep, nutrition, and recovery,” Tofteland said.
Last year was a year of personal best for Tofteland who recorded a personal best of 15:39 in the 5K and at the state track meet he placed third in both the 1600m and 3200m with more personal bests of 4:17 and 9:26.
Buhler’s Ava Koster
By Ken Hansard
Buhler High School’s cross country runner Ava Koster has her eyes on the state meet. “Our girls’ team has a goal of going top three at the state meet.” In addition to a state appearance by Buhler, Koster, wants to work on improving as the season progresses and working on the mental part of running.
Koster loves competing at all the cross country meets. Besides state, Rim Rock was mentioned by Koster as a highlight this year. “Rim Rock is a bigger meet, and our team had the accomplishment of placing first in the blue division.” Other than running, Koster looks forward to spending time with teammates. “I have met some of my closest friends through running.”
During the summer, Koster went to a running camp in Iowa to prepare for the upcoming season. Over the entire summer, Koster participated in workouts in the mornings. All to prepare for the upcoming season.
An unexpected surprise last season for Koster and teammates was placing fourth at state. “That wasn’t expected of us.” Koster is proud of the progress in cross country of improvement and time drops over the years. Other aspects cross country has taught Koster is to persevere and mental toughness.
In addition to cross country, Koster does track and field in the spring with high jump being a favorite event for Koster. Koster is also involved in Rise Up Reno, FCA, and NHS. After this spring graduation, Koster would like to run cross country or track in college while pursuing a degree in biology. The next step for Koster would be to attend medical school or graduate school to further pursue something in medicine.
Wichita South’s Josephine Garcia
By Matt Browning
Trying to keep herself calm and reserved during games was Wichita South’s Josephine Garcia’s primary goal for the season.
“A goal I had for myself this season was to get my emotions on a leash and for the most part I have,” Garcia said.
She also wanted her team to take every opponent seriously and to not overlook anybody.
“A goal I had for the team this season was to not let outside sources affect our team and the way we play,” Garcia said. “We don’t play down to other schools.”
There were two key areas that Garcia focused on throughout the offseason.
“This season I wanted to improve my serves, hits, and overall attitude towards the game,” Garcia said. “My serves and hits got better because I really just walked around and did my approach every once in a
while. During the summer i stayed in shape by doing yoga and swimming a lot, which I enjoyed.”
Besides the newness of the 2024 season, which brings a combination of veterans and new faces, Garcia was also excited about who she gets to play volleyball with.
“I was most eager to play volleyball as a senior with my best friend Maliyah,” Garcia said. “I was excited to see how everyone’s personalities would mix and match on the team.”
Trinity Catholic’s Max Ryan
By Angela Brunk
Max Ryan has been preparing for senior year of cross country and track and field. Ryan competes for Trinity Catholic School in Hutchinson and has set high goals for the season. Ryan and teammates have their eyes on the final big win for all high school athletes, a state championship. Last season The Trinity cross country team were runners up at the state tournament, and currently the team is ranked second overall in the state.
One of Ryan’s favorite races is at Rim Rock. Now that Ryan and teammates have already competed at Rim Rock, Ryan is now focused on what’s to come, the state tournament. Ryan is not only working on preparing physically, but also is preparing by mentally focusing on the state tournament. During the summer, Ryan attended a running camp called Bridge 23 located in Iowa. “It really helped me to focus on the season ahead.” Not only did Ryan attend running camp but spent time in the gym weightlifting and focusing on milage over the summer.
During sophomore year of cross country, Ryan shared with Vype Magazine that he finished fifth at state, but Ryan improved placing during junior year at state to second place. Ryan also competes in track and was proud to compete in three events at state for track.
After graduation this coming spring, Ryan plans to attend Saint Mary University and run both cross country and track. Ryan’s academic focus will be Physical Therapy. In addition to track and cross country, during the winter months, Ryan plays on Trinity’s basketball team.
Rose Hill’s Trey Bias
By Ken Hansard
Last year, Rose Hill senior forward Trey Bias led the Rockets’ soccer team to a 13-5-1 record. They ended their season in the state quarterfinals, losing to Trinity Academy on a heartbreaking penalty kick. Fast forward to today. The Rockets return a strong nucleus from that club and have started this season like a team on a mission. They currently stand at 4-0-0 in league play (AVCTL Division III) and are firmly seated in first place in league standings. They are 9-1 overall and will roll into their next game on an eight-game winning streak.
That all is in no small part because of the efforts of Bias. Last year, Bias netted 28 goals and complemented that with four assists, accomplishments which helped him to earn recognition as First-Team All-League and Second-Team All-State. He was also named to the Wichita area All-Metro Second-Team.
As a senior and primary playmaker for the team, Bias naturally finds himself in a leadership role for the Rockets. When asked about his goals for his final season on the high school pitch, Trey responded, “I am looking forward to making a deep run in the playoffs and hopefully bringing home some hardware. I just want to help the team win in any way I can.”
As for the fast start to the season, Bias attributes that to the off-season work that he and his teammates put in, “We scrimmaged a lot because nothing beats game-like situations. The more we play, the better we get with linking up and scoring goals. Also, most of us hit the weight room, which helped us become better athletes in general.”
Even though the Rockets have found early success, and although the end goal is to finish the season with a deep playoff run, Bias knows that he and his teammates need to maintain focus on the here and now, “We are taking one game at a time, and the results are showing. We just keep trying to find ways that we can improve and beat teams.”
Bias grew up around athletics, and he says that competition is pretty much in his blood, “My family is very sports oriented, so it was just in my DNA to gravitate towards sports.”
When not competing on the pitch for the Rockets, Bias also competes in track. He was the 200-meter Regional Champion last year and also qualified for state in the 100 meters and with the 4x100 team.
Trey
Wichita North’s Nelly Puente
By Ken Hansard
Wichita North High junior cross country runner Nelly Puente loves to try new things, which is what led her to sports and running in the first place. “I was just born competitive, so that drive to win and compete was always there. As a youngster, I took P.E very seriously. I was always good at running and endurance-based activities. I did jump rope club and running club in elementary school, so naturally I joined cross country and track during middle school. I love many other sports like football, soccer, tennis, and volleyball, but in the end, I stuck with what I know I’m good at.”
Puente’s cross country and track coaches have to be pleased that she stuck with running, because she has proven to be good at it. As a sophomore, Nelly qualified for state in both cross country and in track, and she also won the GWAL Meet in track in the 3200. She placed 20th in the city in cross country last season.
Nelly took her freshman year off, but then joined the cross country team as a sophomore. “Cross country for me last year was more of a ‘let’s see how it goes.’” This season is anything but that, and it promises even better things for Puente. She has taken two minutes off her 5k time just since the summer. She did that through challenging herself – both physically and mentally, “I can overthink things sometimes. At times I’m scared about not playing it smart enough, and sometimes it costs me. The pressure can get to me, as well, so, I have to trust myself. I’ve become a lot more disciplined than I used to be, I did not miss a single day of running during conditioning for cross country. I’m going to do what is necessary because I know I won’t get what I want if I don’t.”
As for her other goals, Puente just plans to enjoy the ride and help her teammates to do the same, “I’ve had to step up this year with leading the girls’ varsity team. I know the underclassmen need someone to look up to, and I need to set an example for them. I also want to be someone my coaches can count on. And finally, I want to create memories, bond with my teammates, and learn lessons along the way.”
Besides running, Nelly has many diverse interests. She has been invited to join the prestigious National Honors Society. She volunteers for various charities and other organizations. She is active in her school culture and is involved in HALO, STUCO, and AVID. When asked about her various interests, Puente remarked, “I dabbled in BPA. I take honors and AP classes, and I’ve had artwork submitted to scholastics. I’m interested in many things, so I try to join or try out stuff and see how it goes.”
Nelly is a standout in the classroom, also, with a G.P.A. of 3.7. She still has another year and a half to figure out her goals for life after high school, but she plans to go to college and would love to continue running at the next level.
THE TIRE STORE’S ATHLETE
Wichita West’s TyJulio Torres Clark
By Ken Hansard
Wichita West High senior cross country runner TyJulio Torres Clark was named team captain in both cross country and track, and it is easy to see why he was bestowed these honors, because he has the kind of infectious attitude that all coaches would like to see in their players. “I am probably most proud of being named team captain. I like to bring smiles to my teammates’ faces and raise the overall morale and hype of the team.”
When asked about his goals for his final cross country season with the Pioneers, TyJulio kept it very basic, “I just want to see overall improvement for me and my teammates. My goal is to improve in all phases - improve my attitude, my mindset, and my times.”
Despite his stellar attitude, TyJulio’s journey has not come without its challenges, “I’ve had a few health issues. I have strained my hip three times, and I’ve also had to deal with heart issues due to anxiety. But I’ve really worked hard on my breathing and being able to control it.”
TyJulio also has set a couple of very tangible goals for himself, “I was happy to break 5:30 in the 1600 last season. My time to beat in cross country is 20:16 in the 5k.”
When asked where his love for cross country began, TyJulio had this to say, “I just really feel free, and I’m able to clear my mind while I run. I love the feeling of being free.”
When he is not competing for the Pioneers, TyJulio is extremely active in West High’s school culture. He is a member of AVID. He is Treasurer of the Pioneers’ chapter of the National Honors Society. He is Section Leader, 1st Chair, and a State Qualifier in Band. He is First Chair in Jazz Band, a state qualifier in Debate, and a National Qualifier in Forensics. Finally, he was also the Student Council Class President as a junior.
TyJulio is also strong in the classroom, boasting an impressive 3.7 G.P.A. After high school, he plans to attend a four-year university to major in music education. He would eventually like to become a music teacher.
Rose Hill’s Avery Tagtow
By Blake Chadwick
Rose Hill senior Avery Tagtow has been playing golf since he was about six years old, but it wasn’t until he was a freshman in high school when he started taking it seriously. Tagtow is also a motocross rider who puts a lot of his free time in doing that as well.
“I have never done motocross competitively but have always just raced with friends around my track at my house and at there,” Tagtow said. “Even though the two sports are very different in their own ways I have always had a strong love for them both in their own ways.”
That isn’t all there is for Tagtow, he also loves the outdoors.
“My love for the outdoors has always been strong since I was a little kid, it all started when my dad and grandpa pulled me out of school one day to go duck hunting with them,” Tagtow said. “From there the love for the outdoors continued to grow and discover most of my favorite hobbies I have now. Things like duck and deer hunting, fishing and just being outside.”
The senior knows that the outdoors and hunting will
COLEMAN FARMS’ ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT
Argonia’s Autumn Coleman
By Cooper Chadwick
Leading her team last year in kills, hitting percentage and kills per set as sophomore at Argonia, now junior Autumn Coleman is excited to be back and playing high school volleyball again.
Coleman, an outside hitter and left back, last year had a staggering 372 kills, 4.0 kills per set and a 0.242 hitting percentage, but still believes there is room for improvement.
“One area that I would like to improve on is my hitting,” Coleman said. “I worked on my hitting during our practices and small groups.”
Last year
Coleman earned accolades such as SCBL All League First Team and Class 1A DII KVA ALLSTATE honorable mention. As well as being on KSHAA Class 1A DII 2024 Volleyball Players to Watch in 2024 year.
Even with all the accolades, Coleman wants to improve.
“An individual achievement that I have is hopefully making SCBL All League First Team. I also hope that if we go to state, I hope that I can get Class 1A DII KVA ALL-STATE honorable mention or possibly even higher,” Coleman said.
Coleman also helped lead the raiders to a 38-9 season and a 9-0 league record, which she hopes to do again with her friends and even getting the opportunity to play with her younger sister, Lindsay.
Valley Center’s Katherine Anderson
By Matt Browning
Valley Center’s Katherine Anderson understands how distracting driving can be for teenagers, but she also hopes that she and other SAFE members can make a positive impact for said drivers.
I think within the school SAFE has a large impact, especially being in high school many students drive distracted whether that’s texting someone or just being distracted by passengers,” Anderson said. “But I feel like SAFE has brought awareness that it can be life threatening if you don’t wear a seatbelt.”
There are multiple events throughout the school year that Valley Center’s SAFE program puts on, but there are a couple that Anderson thinks make an impact.
“My personal favorite event is we set up a table at lunch where students can pledge to wear their seatbelts in order to be entered in a drawing to win a gift card,”
Anserson said. “Another favorite activity is at half of a basketball game where we picked two students to wear drunk goggles and try to shoot a basket while wearing them in order to promote safe driving and not driving
drunk.”
The SAFE program has made a personal connection to Anderson.
“It has benefited me because I haven’t been in a car accident, I don’t use my phone while driving and I try to minimize distractions,” Anderson said. “One of my close friends was in an accident where she was hit by a car. Luckily she was wearing her seatbelt so she came out with only some broken bones and a concussion.”
El Dorado Cross Country
By Blake Chadwick
El Dorado cross country head coach Patrick Todd is in his second year as the head coach of his alma mater.
Todd ran track and cross country back during his time as a Wildcat.
“I ran track and cross country at El Dorado back in the Stone Age and saw that the head coaching position opened up last year,” Todd said. “I have a background in coaching swimmers, runners and triathletes of all ages, but always wanted to come back to my alma mater and assist with the cross country team. I have a passion for the sport and wanted to share my joy of running with the kids.”
After a tougher year in his first season, the Wildcats runners have a new swagger about them.
“We have confidence as a team this year, which was lacking last year,” Todd said. “I believe they have accomplished far more than they expected at this point last season, and still have the opportunity for some standout performances in the coming weeks.”
The Wildcats are led by seniors Peyton Heilman, Michael Dillner, Thomas Dillner, John Deatrick and junior Brody Todd who have all made a big jump this season.
The team has put in a lot of work outside and in the gym working but thanks to the culture Todd is instilling, the Wildcats will continue to trend in the right direction.
“I believe in team building and solution-focused coaching,” Todd said. “If we have a problem, how do we fix it? If you have a time goal, how are you going to achieve it? I want to know what individuals and the team expect to accomplish at the end of the season. Without goals and solutions, it’s difficult to determine success. I also think team building is extremely important in sports like cross country. The team can’t succeed without every individual supporting each other and aspiring to a common goal.”
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