May/June 2026 North Central Kansas Magazine
McPherson’s Caden Wendercott – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Horizon Real Estate Services
Consistency has become the foundation of success for Caden Wendercott this season, and the McPherson standout thrower is seeing the results in both discus and shot put. After qualifying for state the past two seasons, Wendercott entered this year determined to take another step forward. His biggest goal was simple: become more consistent every meet […]
Republic County Track – Team Spotlight – Presented by Trigard Concrete Products
By Blake Chadwick The Republic County track and field program continues to build a culture centered on daily improvement, strong finishes and consistent competitiveness across boys and girls events. Now in his 10th year coaching track, head coach Blake Erkenbrack has shaped the program around steady growth and accountability. “My coaching philosophy is to try […]
Ellsworth’s Reagan Hansen – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Svaty’s Produce
By Hayden Swope As the season nears, Ellsworth’s Reagan Hansen is driven by a familiar goal — qualifying for the state meet — while embracing the camaraderie of a tight-knit team. “I am most excited for the opportunity to make it to state,” Hansen said. “I have been trying to make it and have gotten […]
Moundridge’s Heath Churchill – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Skatetime LLC
By Cooper Chadwick Helping Moundridge’s boys finish second at state last year, senior Heath Churchill is excited to see how much he and his teammates have improved since then. Churchill competes in the high jump, 110-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles and the 4×400-meter relay for Moundridge. His versatility gives him the opportunity to score valuable points […]
Canton-Galva’s Makinlee Hoppes – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Galen Shields State Farm
By Hayden Swope As her senior season approaches, Canton-Galva’s Makinlee Hoppes is looking forward to competing alongside familiar faces while embracing both the individual and team aspects of the sport. “I am excited to be able to compete against the same people I have been competing against since junior high,” Hoppes said. “Being a senior, […]
Salina South’s Jakub Szyndlar – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Kelly Kitchener Shelter Insurance
By Matt Browning Salina South’s Jakub Szyndlar saw significant progress in his javelin throwing toward the end of his junior season. He hopes that momentum carries into a successful senior campaign. “I want to build on the groundwork that I set at the end of last season,” Szyndlar said. “Improving not only in my form […]
Canton-Galva’s John Erskin – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Advanced Physical Therapy
By Matt Browning John Erskin has spent this track and field season focused on refinement, resilience and running faster in the sprint events for Canton-Galva. This season, he has recorded a 12.32 in the 100-meter dash and a 24.67 in the 200-meter dash while anchoring the 4×100 relay. His personal bests from the 2024 season […]
Salina South’s Jalen Cheeks – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Kelly Kitchener Shelter Insurance
By Matt Browning Last season, Salina South’s Jalen Cheeks made significant strides in his two main events, triple jump and 800 meter. Now the plan is to take last year’s momentum and continue it into the 2026 season. “I want to focus more on my triple jump and 800 meter this season,” Cheeks said. “I felt […]