Centre’s Olivia Carlson – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Visit Salina
By Matt Browning Considering all she has been through, just being able to compete in diving again is something Centre’s Olivia Carlson is thankful for. “I suffered a severe neck injury in July of 2023 while doing gymnastics,” Carlson said. “I was attempting to learn a new skill and got lost in the flip, causing me to […]
McPherson’s Kenna Dale – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Galen Shields State Farm
McPherson senior Kenna Dale is a defensive midfielder for the Bullpups and has been playing soccer since she was three years old. “Kenna loves playing soccer,” head coach Chris Adrian said. “I think that’s the first thing that stands out when you watch her play. There’s a smile on her face and she has fun […]
Salina South’s Jackson Perry – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Tim VanDonge Farm Bureau Financial Services
By Ken Hansard Every golfer who has ever stepped onto a tee box understands that golf is very much a mental game that can humble even the greatest players in the sport. However, very few of those players can honestly make the statement, as Salina South senior golfer Jackson Perry does, “My main goal for […]
Salina South’s Bethany Hicklin – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Salina Ortho
By Hayden Swope Salina South’s Bethany Hicklin has made quite a statement over her high school track and field career after multiple state appearances and placings. Hicklin doesn’t plan to slow down any time soon. “This is my fourth season doing track and field for Salina South,” Hicklin said. “My main event is pole vault, […]
Salina Central’s Caroline Fields – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Daran Neuschafer American Family Insurance
By Hayden Swope While swimming has made a big impact on Salina Central’s Caroline Fields, a sport she did when she was younger set her up for recent success, and she wasn’t even expecting it. “I started swimming and diving for Salina Central High School when I was a freshman, but I did gymnastics for […]
Moundridge’s Brian Holloway – Coach of the Month – Presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic Clinic
By Matt Browning For 17 years, Brian Holloway has been a part of the Moundridge track program. His first year was an assistant under longtime coach, Perry Koehn. Then Holloway took over the program. “I learned so much from Perry about how to train and treat kids,” Holloway said. “He was a true gem.” While Holloway […]
Inman Girls Track – Team Spotlight – Presented by Visit Wichita
By Matt Browning The Inman girls track team is the defending Class 2A champions and the cupboard is plenty full for the 2025 season. Multiple state qualifiers return including seniors Kate Nichols and Dakota Nees, juniors Suttyn Harris, Morgan Froese and Allison Schrag and an emerging and talented sophomore class. “While we know the competition […]
Blue Dragon Spotlight – Ryan Ruggiero – Presented by Hutchinson Community College
By Matt Browning Hutchinson Community College’s Ryan Ruggiero has a unique situation as a Blue Dragon. Not only does the redshirt freshman play baseball, but he also plays in the jazz band. The fact that he was able to do both was one of the things that was so appealing about Hutch CC for Ruggiero. […]
Moundridge’s Cammi Unruh – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Bluestem Pace
By Cooper Chadwick Junior Cammi Unruh holds the Moundridge school record for long jump and the 200 meter dash; she hopes to hold even more records in her third year with the Wildcats. Aside from long jump and the 200-meter, Unruh also runs the 100-meter, 4×1, 4×4 and competes in the triple jump. Unruh has […]
McPherson’s Cora Pavlovich – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Nex-Tech
By Matt Browning The definition of hard work for McPherson softball player Cora Pavlovich is more than just the physical aspect of it. It’s being mentally tough, too. “These challenges can be during games, practices, or even in your personal life,” Pavlovich said. “Persevering through these issues is hard work and takes both effort and endurance.” […]