Marion’s Zayden Janzen and Josh Smith – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by 56 Express Tire & Service
Zayden Janzen and Josh Smith enter the cross country season with similar goals: improve individually, build on Marion’s success and help the Warriors return to the state championship. For Janzen, the upcoming season is about more than times and places. The Marion runner is excited about helping create a team culture built around hard work […]
Minneapolis’ Emmalina Stevens – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Scott Ausherman American Family Insurance
Emmalina Stevens enters her senior cross country season with familiar teammates, new additions to the roster and a clear goal in mind: getting back to the times she ran as a freshman. Stevens, who qualified for the state meet last season after running a 21:05 at the Riley County regional, hopes to return to the […]
McPherson’s Quinn Liebl and Avery Unruh – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Horizon Real Estate
The 2026 season is about McPherson’s Quinn Liebl and Avery Unruh getting one last chance to compete together. The McPherson High School doubles partners have been playing together since they were 11 years old, building a partnership that has already produced regional championships, league titles and a state doubles medal. Now, with their high school […]
Salina South’s Adrian Lara-Castro – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Salina Ortho
After a standout season for Salina South, Adrian Lara-Castro is eager to get back on the field and see what the Cougars can accomplish together. “I’m most excited to compete with my teammates and see what we can accomplish together,” Lara-Castro said. “I’m ready to get back out there.” Lara-Castro returns as one of Salina […]
Salina South’s Yaden Montanez – Soccer Poll Winner – Presented by WSU Tech
For Salina South soccer standout Yaden Montanez, the upcoming season is about more than individual accomplishments. It is an opportunity to continue playing a sport he loves alongside a longtime friend and teammate while pushing himself to improve. “The most exciting part for me this upcoming season is being able to play a sport I […]
Republic County’s Kymry Hoesli – Volleyball Poll Winner – Presented by Visit Wichita
Republic County’s Kymry Hoesli has spent the offseason preparing for her final season through a combination of individual work and team activities. She put in extra repetitions with teammates throughout the summer while also attending college camps, open gyms and Republic County’s summer weights program. “I’ve been putting a lot of reps in with a […]
Salina Central’s Kaylie Shultz – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Spencer Cleaning
Kaylie Shultz has accomplished plenty during her cross country career at Salina Central, but as she enters her final season, her focus is on making the most of every opportunity with her teammates. Shultz is coming off a remarkable junior season that included a Class 5A state championship and several other major honors. Now, she […]
Southeast of Saline’s Piper Brown – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Kelly Kitchener Shelter Insurance
After narrowly missing a trip to the Class 3A state cross country meet as a team last season, Southeast of Saline senior standout Piper Brown has a clear goal for the year ahead. She wants to return to Rim Rock Farm with her teammates. Brown was one of the area’s top individual runners last season, […]
Ellsworth’s Kristy Rodriguez – Coach of the Month – Presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic Clinic
Kristy Rodriguez has built her coaching career around more than wins and losses. For the Ellsworth head volleyball coach, the most rewarding part of the job is teaching the game, building relationships and watching her players grow. Rodriguez began her coaching career as an assistant under legendary Sacred Heart High School coach Mary Pat Weese. […]
Southeast of Saline’s Zachary Carlin – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Nex-Tech
After helping Southeast of Saline capture a Class 3A state championship last season, Zachary Carlin enters this year with a different responsibility. With two of the Trojans’ top runners and leaders gone, Carlin is ready to step into a larger leadership role and help guide a younger team. “I am most excited to take on […]