New coach, same lofty goals
Even with a new head coach, the Iola High baseball team can count on having the same ultimate goal in the forefront of every practice and every game: to win a state championship.
Coach Levi Ashmore played baseball for Iola High as well as collegiately for Neosho County Community College and Emporia State University. The Iola native then served as an assistant coach at Emporia High School before returning to Iola in 2019 to assist with the school program.
This year’s Mustang squad has seven returning players with valuable starting time to lead the way. They are Jarrett Herrmann, Brandon McKarnin, Carter Hutton, Landon Weide, Mac Leonard, Korbin Cloud and Ashton Hesse.
“I think we have a good mix of upperclassmen who have been there and done it and some young kids who are com-
IOLA BASEBALL
mitted to getting better,” said Ashmore. “Our whole focus will be to get better every day and by the time we get to midMarch to be in a really good place and then continue to grow throughout the season as we play games.”
Last year, Iola’s leaders at the plate included Herrmann, McKarnin and Hutton. Some of the Mustangs’ top pitchers will be Cloud, McKarnin and Leonard.
Ashmore is inheriting a baseball powerhouse, taking the reins from Ryan Latta.
“We’re to a point where there’s a target on our back. Every time teams come to play us, it’s going to be a tough one and that’s where you want to be,” Ashmore said. “I want it to be even tougher. When people come to play us I want them to know it’s going to be a dogfight and it’s going to be hard to beat us.”
Santa Fe Trail, Anderson County and
Wellsville are expected to be some of the toughest matchups this year.
Last season Iola won its Class 4A regional before losing to Ottawa 5-3 in the first round of the state tournament.
Ashmore hopes to implement an aggressive style of play. He wants the Mustangs to be the team that makes the first impact and controls the flow of the innings. Efficiency will also be key for the Mustangs, especially on the mound where they hope to throw strikes, mix speeds and limit pitch counts.
“We bring back some guys who got some good innings on the mound last year. I think our style will just be to take it to the opponents in all aspects,” said Ashmore. “Throw a lot of strikes, get ahead in the count, mix speeds, and get guys out which will take us to the offensive side. We’re going to put tough at bats together, put the ball in play, not strike out and run the bases hard.”
“I think the biggest thing for me is there will be a lot of attention to detail,” Ashmore said of his new coaching responsibilities. “I’ll need to be highly focused on fundamentals but also give the boys tips on how to do different things to help at the plate and defensively, fielding and throwing the ball easier. There’s things I feel like I was really fortunate to have as a player that I can bring to them.”
Ashmore said the solid mix of returning and younger players should be an advantage.
“They are hungry, and they want to bring the league back to Iola,” said Ashmore. “It doesn’t take a whole lot to motivate them but I’m still going to. They know who beat us last year, who we beat, who the big teams are this year. Their mentality is just to get better every day, work hard and do some damage.”
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Mustangs offer talent, experience
The Iola High softball team will look to improve from its regional loss to Wamego last spring when Chris Weide begins his eighth season at the head of the program.
The Mustangs have a solid seven returners from last year’s squad who will look to make an even greater impact this season. Last season, Iola finished 10-10 overall with key victories over Wellsville, Osawatomie and Parsons.
“My only goal for the season is to come to practice and games ready to compete on every pitch and during every drill,” said Weide. “The wins and losses will take care of themselves if we can have that mentality.”
Iola finished in fourth place in the Pioneer League last year, one place behind Wellsville and one spot above Burlington. Prairie View and Santa Fe Trail finished as the top two teams in the league and are expected to be powerhouses again this season.
Aysha Houk returns for her senior season with the Mustangs. She is a two-year starter at shortstop and will be counted on both in the field and at the plate. Houk collected 20 hits and eight RBIs last season.
“We are looking for a ton of leadership from all three of our seniors,” said Weide. “Aysha has been a three-year starter in softball and other sports, too. She brings a lot of experience and knowledge she can pass on to the younger girls.
“Jadyn Kaufman started at second base last season and is one of the smartest players we have ever had,” Weide said.
Reese Curry will also be a pillar for Iola, coming off a sophomore campaign in which she knocked 20 hits, a home run and had a .333 batting average, good for second team All-Pioneer League.
Curry’s strong arm also will be counted on as the team’s starting catcher.
Elza Clift will likely lead the Mustangs on the mound. Clift ended last season with a 3-2 record and a 4.92 ERA. Clift also struck out 37 batters through 37 innings last season.
“Elza has put in some major work in the off-season so we are looking for big things from her,” Weide said.
The Mustangs will have a core group of veterans after
IOLA SOFTBALL
My only goal for the season is to come to practice and games ready to compete on every pitch and during every drill.
— Chrisgraduating five seniors last spring. Weide believes Houk, Kaufman, Clift and Curry can each serve as good role models for the younger players.
“I expect a ton of leadership from our seniors,” Weide said. “The freshmen and sophomores seem eager to learn so they should mesh well with the older girls. Our team motto is ‘One more.’ We are demanding they go 100% on one more pitch, out, inning, game or practice.”
“Some of these girls were a part of that regional win against Fort Scott and the loss to Wamego, so they bring that experience to the table,” said Weide. “We will bring it up from time to time this season to keep them focused on our goals.”
IOLA USD 257
OUR MISSION:
WE EDUCATE ALL STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE AND/OR CAREER READINESS.
OUR VISION:
TO BE AN IMPACTFUL FORCE IN A STUDENT'S LIFE, EMPOWERING ALL TO BE PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS.
Proud to support our athletes! HAVE FUN THIS SEASON!
Weide, Iola softball coachElza Clift returns as a sophomore for Iola softball.
Thinclads hit the track
Iola High’s track and field team is returning a trio of state qualifiers from a year ago in Jesse Taylor, Eli Adams and Karingten Hall. Taylor placed 10th in the 3200-meter race in the state track and field competition. Adams ran the 800 meters and Hall qualified in the 200-meter dash.
Dana Daugharthy is in his 10th season as head coach for the Iola Mustangs.
Iola’s full squad will feature 12 boys and seven girls with a load of experience including six seniors.
“On the boys’ side, this will be a very different year for us,” said Daugharthy. “Last year, we were led by one of the state’s best sprinters in Brett Willis. He was able to carry a lot of weight for our boys and made us very competitive in several meets.”
Iola lost Willis to graduation as well as leader Japheth Rutoh, whose family
moved from the area.
Seniors Travis Wanker and Jake Skahan participated in the 4x800 relay at the Pioneer League meet last season, coming in second.
Justin McCullough and Kyler Mittelemeier also return for their senior seasons.
“The difference this year is that our team will pick up points where it did not last year,” Daugharthy said. “Our distance crew has been strong for several years now, and it will continue to be strong. This crew is led by Jesse Taylor, Eli Adams, Cole Moyer, and Travis Wanker. Cole is a young runner who is going to have an awesome sophomore season.”
Along with qualifying for state, Hall finished in third place in the 200-meter dash at the regional meet as well as second place in the 100-meter dash at the
IOLA BOYS TRACK
IHS GIRLS TRACK
Pioneer League meet.
Junior Abigail Meiwes took third place in the 4x800 team at the Pioneer League meet.
“The leader of the girls’ team will be Karingten Hall,” said Daugharthy. “She qualified for state in the 200-meter dash, and she should have qualified in the 100-meter as well (she had a false start in the race which led to automatic disqualification). She is a great runner for us, and she is hungry to show that she has gotten faster over the years.”
Juniors Rebekah Coltrane and Keira Fawson were part of a third-place 4x800 relay team at the Pioneer League meet last season. Sophomore Alyssa Williams was also a part of that team while senior Jessica Kroenke was part of the 4x100 relay team at the Pioneer League meet.
“Our senior in this crew is Jessica Kroenke,” Daugharthy said. “She just missed out on state in the pole vault last year, and I expect her to have a very solid senior season in that event. We have a solid group of junior girls. For most of these girls, last year was their first year of track.”
Iola’s Xander Sellman, above, and Chris Holloway aim to return to the state golf tournament in 2023.
Iola swings for state tournament bids
The Iola golf team will look to send a pair of golfers to state who missed last year’s top competition by a number of strokes at regionals across the past two years.
Those Mustangs are juniors Chris Holloway and Xander Sellman. Holloway was a state qualifier in 2021 but missed state last year after falling only one stroke short at regionals. Sellman was a state qualifier last season but missed in 2021 by one stroke as well.
Iola also has junior Damien Wacker, sophomore Ethan Harris and freshmen Brennen Coffield, Baron Folk, Parker Andres and Briley Prather who will look to make an impact on the course.
“I am expecting to see a lot of success as a team this year. We should be one of the top teams in the 4A region,” said Iola head coach Jeremy Sellman. “I am expecting state qualifications from Chris and Xander and wouldn’t be surprised to see Brennen qualify too. We have a really good chance to qualify as a team for the state tournament. That is the goal.”
Sellman put in a lot of work through the offseason, competing at the Junior Wichita Tour as well as attending
a summer camp at the University of Kansas and many practice games at the Allen County Country Club.
“Competitive golf helps them think their way around the course,” Sellman said. “It prepares them for the next level. If they have their sights on the college level, I tell them I can get them there.”
COACH: Jeremy Sellman
Mustang tennis flush with newcomers
The Iola High boys tennis team has a full roster coming out this spring.
The Mustangs will carry eight athletes of which three are veterans. The top two returners looking to lead Iola are sophomore Ethan Riebel and senior Luke Wicoff.
“I expect to do as well as we can and try to reach at least a single new goal for each player,” said Iola head coach Chris Belknap. “If we never win a match, we want to try and win at least one game. It’s great that so many who have never played the sport have turned out for the team.”
Wicoff is returning from a season in which he competed in doubles competition alongside then-sophomore Kendall Glaze.
“Luke is involved in a lot of activities around town. Maybe he has persuaded some of the younger players to become involved,” Belknap said.
IOLA TENNIS
“And Ethan is really pumped to return and is doing well at singles.”
This is Belknap’s third year to coach boys tennis at Iola. He has coached the Mustang girls for four years.
Last season, the boys tennis season ended at the 4A regionals where Riebel, then a freshman, competed in singles play, falling to Labette County’s Cannon Dixon.
With so many newcomers to tennis this spring, Belknap hopes he can implement the positive atmosphere from last year’s team and translate it to the new tennis players.
“Everyone seems really excited to try tennis so it seems really positive,” said Belknap. “We’ve just talked about having fun and keeping it positive. It’s OK to not win as long as we bring something to try at practice and always learn something from each match even if you lose.”
Tennis singles is an extremely individualized sport, whereas doubles play requires constant communication between teammates and letting one another’s strengths come to the forefront.
“The sport is strongly independent and even playing doubles you have to work hard to be an efficient player,” said Belknap. “No matter how good a player is, there’s always something to work on.”
Belknap simply hopes his players can get better in the areas they want to improve in. The wins and losses won’t bother Belknap as long as the athletes give their full effort and are willing to improve.
Cubs bank on pitching depth
The Humboldt High baseball team will look to continue their winning ways from last season when they finished with a monstrous 20-2 record and won Tri-Valley League.
Mike Miller is in his 13th year as head coach and 14th season overall after serving as assistant for one year.
Many of the baseball players also play other sports during the season including Trey Sommer, Sam Hull, Colden Cook and Jacob Harrington. And they’re a multi-talented lot.
Logan Page will play as an outfielder and pitcher. Sommer will play mainly infield, catcher and pitcher. Hull plays outfield and pitcher. Cook plays outfield and pitcher. And Harrington primarily plays catcher and outfield.
Sommer returns after being named an All-League player last season with a .435 batting average and 26 RBIs at the plate. He had a 5-2 record as pitcher with 49 strikeouts.
Page was also All-League and had a .293 batting average with 21 RBIs.
He also secured a perfect 7-0 record with 51 strikeouts.
Hull was an All-League Honorable Mention with a .395 batting average with 19 RBIs.
“Last year was a great season for us,”
said Miller. “We didn’t achieve our ultimate goal of making and winning the state tournament but it was still successful. We had a really tough regional and competed to the end with one of the best teams in the state.”
“I think the guys we have returning will use that loss to motivate them and come back even stronger this year,” Miller continued. “We lost some really key pieces from our team last year. We also started a bunch of freshmen that really improved throughout the course of the season. I expect them to make a big jump for us this year.”
The strength of Humboldt’s team may be their pitching which returns three key starters in Kyler Isbell, Sommer and Page.
“Returning our top three arms will make our pitching staff our biggest strength. We have the potential to be a very good defensive team behind our pitchers as well,” Miller said. “Replacing the production offensively from the seniors we lost will be key for us. We have some really good hitters returning but the young guys will need to increase their production.”
The Cubs always have a goal of winning the Tri-Valley League title. This year is no different.
HUMBOLDT BASEBALL
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HUMBOLDT SOFTBALL
Karley Wools has been a key contributor for Humboldt High’s
team, which is looking for its 13th straight Tri-Valley League title in
Humboldt eyes league streak
The Humboldt High softball team expects to be knocking on the door of a state championship title this year.
The Lady Cubs are coming off a 9-1 season in 2022. Their lone loss was to Central Heights. Humboldt returns a number of players from that team including senior catcher Emily Ross who has signed to play at Neosho County Community College next fall.
“Our goal is always to win the league and get back to state,” Humboldt head coach Brad Piley said. “I think we’ve won the league the past 12 years. We’re anxious to get back to state. We’ve been a lot in the past, but we haven’t been
lately. We need to get back to state.”
Last season, the Lady Cubs won the Tri-Valley League and were runner-up at the regional tournament, just missing qualifying for the state tournament. Piley believes this year’s team has the experience to get over that hurdle.
Ross was an All-League player and finished 2022 with a .533 batting average. She will be joined by four other seniors with valuable starting experience. Carsyn Haviland returns after smacking a .493 batting average and grabbing an All-League honor.
“I have a lot of seniors this year and
there’s a lot of team leadership there,” said Piley. “Emily being a catcher and seeing the whole field along with Karley, Carsyn and the rest of the seniors, I think it’ll be a good group. I don’t think there will be much conflict with anybody.”
The other seniors include Karley Wools, Chloe Daniels and Morgan Sterling. Wools hit to the tune of a .486 batting average while earning All-League honorable mention. Daniels had a .333 batting average at the plate last year while Sterling sat at a .225 batting average.
Piley believes this year’s team has all the necessary experience with two good pitchers to boot. Speed will also be a key factor. Running the bases can be an easy way to get an edge at the high school level of play.
This is Piley’s 18th year coaching softball at Humboldt. He’s been to every level of the playoffs and understands the type of team it takes to reach the state championship. Piley is happy with this team’s pitching and defense most and hopes the bats come around at the right time.
“I think we will be very sound defensively. On offense, a lot of times it’s about getting key hits, so hopefully we can get those when we need them,” Piley said. “We played some summer ball in the high school league last year and did well there.”
The coach also knows Humboldt is the team to beat because of its success over the years but doesn’t want that to faze his girls.
“I think there is a target on our back,” said Piley. “Especially in league. Just like other programs that’ve been successful for quite a few years, everybody wants to beat them.”
HHS gunning for state
This year’s Humboldt High track and field team includes multisport athletes. In addition to running or throwing a javelin or shot put, they’re also playing baseball and softball.
Head coach Eric Carlson is confident the team can produce quality results with a number of senior leaders returning for one
final season. The Cubs have 12 senior runners, evenly divided between boys and girls.
Some of the seniors expected to step into leadership roles include Maddox Johnson and Karley Wools.
“Maddox made it to state last year in the discus, javelin and shot put,” Carlson said. “We’re looking for big things from him and he should be stronger this year.”
Carlson noted that Trey Sommer, also a senior, has joined the team after a long absence. It’s been since middle school that Sommer has participated in track.
“Other than that on the boys side they’re fairly inexperienced,” Carlson added.
The talent pool seems to be a mixed bag for Humboldt with many older and younger kids patrolling the track. In addition to Wools are juniors Kennisyn Hottenstein and Kinley Tucker who both just missed qualifying for the state meet last year.
“We have a great senior group of girls and I think they’ll really do a great job of leading and spearheading everything,” said Carlson.
Carlson believes his team will be strongest in the long distance races and throwing events.
“Our throws for both sides have been strong the last couple of years. Our distance running will be helped by the transition from cross country and I’m hoping we’re pretty good in a few of the relays.”
Carlson said good training techniques require not just going through the motions but doing everything with intention and having a purpose. This idea especially registers with the athletes intent on setting personal goals in their events.
“I spoke to them about being intentional with what you do, to have a purpose,” Carlson said. “Keeping focused on what you’re doing and the reason you’re doing it is what makes the difference.”
HHS hits the links
Only one senior, William Kobold, is returning for the Humboldt High golf team with freshmen and sophomores making up the balance.
“We’ve got to give it what we have,” said head coach Bret Hauser, saying he cares more about improving his golfers and making sure they are well-rounded athletes rather than winning meets.
“The main thing is we need to realize we may not be in contention for a lot of individual or team medals but just showing growth from day to day, week to week and improving our scores from March to when we finish in May, is the important thing.”
The backbone of the team includes sophomores Luke McGowen, Curt Shannon and Laken Splane and freshmen Layne Ellison, Aiden Galloway, Logan Hutton, Creed Shannon and Maddox Wehlage.
“We’re going to be developing a lot of players,” said Hauser. “I have one returning letterman from last year. I’m hoping William continues to show growth. This will be his second season, so he’s still pretty new to the game.”
Maintaining a steady mentality can be everything in the sport of golf. One bad hole and a golfer’s attitude and idea of how they wanted a hole to go can be entirely thrown off. Hauser believes keeping the mood light around the greens is key to overcoming obstacles and playing well.
“Being able to bounce back from a bad shot is key. You’re going to have them. It’s about figuring out a way to get rid of that shot in your mind and moving on to the next one. Trying to move on from the mistakes that are inevitably going to happen is what makes a good athlete.”
“I work on keeping the mood light and trying to find something for them to laugh about,” he added.
Hauser finds joy in coaching. He likes to help them improve on their skills throughout the spring season.
“All of the kids will have improved one way or another, from no longer swinging and missing to shooting in the 130s. Shaving off strokes off will lead to success.”
Wildcats banking on youth, experience
The Marmaton Valley High softball team returns eight players, meaning it will have to rely on lots of new talent this year.
Head coach Brenda Mills has coached the Wildcats ever since its start in 2006. She has worked at the high school for 27 years and is a longtime staple in the Moran community.
The line-up includes All-League Honorable Mention junior Payton Scharff who will likely start at catcher. Scharff has started the last two years and was honorable mention those years as well.
“We expect her talents on the field to continue as our catcher but she is a versatile player who we can use anywhere on the field,” said Mills. “She’s also a quick and smart base runner along with having a strong bat.”
Tayven Sutton will be the Wildcats’ top pitcher this season. Sutton has displayed a powerful bat and will look to contribute on both sides of the ball.
Mary Brown and Bailey LaRue will be the other pair of seniors on this year’s squad. Brown plays in the outfield while LaRue mostly starts games at designated hitter but has also played third base in the past.
“We will continue to stress fundamentals with our team having several new
and young athletes with little to no experience,” said Mills. “I’m happy that we have enough girls that are interested in playing so our program can continue. Some joined to help their friends that love the game and others just want to try something new.”
Juniors will include Brooklyn Adams and Zoe Sneed. Adams is a versatile player who has started at pitcher, second base and outfield. She has also been a solid hitter for the Wildcats.
Younger players to watch are sophomores Khiana Haynes and Alexis Bottini and Haylee Lanham, and freshmen Braelyn Sutton and Gabby Briggs.
“Braelyn will join her older sister on the field. She has experience since she has played summer league ball and will be a huge addition to the team,” Mills said. “Alexis didn’t see the field for multiple seasons but has worked hard to try to learn the fundamentals and Haylee ran track last year and decided to try something new this year.”
“My goals for the team will be to learn the game and have fun, then we have diehard softball players that love the game,” said Mills. “It’s going to take all of us to be dedicated and give 110% at practice and continue to learn the fundamentals and rules of the game.”
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Hopes high on the diamond for MV
The Marmaton Valley baseball team feels good about where it stands this season but the Wildcats also know the Three Rivers League always provides some tough competition.
The Wildcats return senior leadership in Dylan Drake and Wyatt Arndt. Drake led the team in batting averages last year and Arndt has proved he’s a high-quality pitcher and hits for power.
These Wildcats are an example of what head coach Matt Borth wants to instill — a culture of continuous improvement. Borth knows that if his athletes steadily improve, they will have a shot at going the distance.
“Our primary focus is to grow as individuals, grow as young men, be well respected and be respectful of those around us and grow into having a strong character,” Borth said. “They buy into that.”
As a unit, the team has increased from 10 to 15 ball players over last year and come with a string of good arms and a lineup to compete in one of the toughest conferences in Kansas.
Daniel Fewins in the outfield and Chase Smith catching behind the plate will help provide essential defense. Fewins and Smith will also serve as dependable hitters. Dominic Smith also hits well but it’s his arm that excites Borth more.
“That said, our goal is to grow that talent. Our veterans from last year have the ball popping off the bat better or they’re scooping up balls in the field that last year would have presented more of a chal-
See BASEBALL | Page 21
Piper Barney qualified for the state track meet in multiple events, including the 300-meter hurdles, in 2022.
Numbers up as expectations grow at MV
Marmaton Valley’s track and field team is carrying high hopes into a new spring season.
The team is deep in numbers with 21 signed up, of which four are seniors.
Jaedon Granere, Janae Granere, Kaitlyn Drake and Piper Barney are returning state-qualifiers from 2022.
Janae Granere and Barney medaled in the long-jump and triple-jump and Jaedon Granere participated in running events.
Head coach Steve Smith believes this year’s team can yield even more state competitors, seeing as how Kait-
lyn Drake did well in the high-jump, and Elizabeth Lewis and Lesleigh Cary, both juniors, are returning veterans.
“We’re a mixed bag. For the girls, we have been a fieldheavy team, participating in the long jump, triple jump and high jump. However we have been doing better in the running events and we’re hoping to build on that as well,” Smith said.
The boys’ side has been pretty similar.
Seniors Zach Allee and Bryce Ensminger will be expected to lead the runners. Brayden Lawson, Brevyn Campbell and Todd Stevenson will also take the track.
The Wildcats’ goal is to win league “once again” and to improve as the year goes on.
“I think we’re in a good spot. We have a lot of boys and girls coming back,” said Smith. “The girls were league champions the past two years. One of our goals is to win the league back-to-back-to-back.”
The boys expected to lead the bunch are Granere as well as seniors Zach Allee, Bryce Ensminger and Evan Kent.
“We have a few more boys this year and I feel good about that. I think a lot of them may step up,” Smith continued. “Overall, it’s positive.”
Smith said he loves seeing the athletes’ hard work pay off over the course of the season. Beating personal race records, earning more elevation on jumps or throwing the shot put or javelin farther, all come at the door of consistent conditioning.
“It’s great to see them exceed their goals. The hard work pays off,” Smith said. “I’m looking forward to watching the kids compete and grow, to put it all together and do well at state.”
Baseball
Continued from 19
lenge.”
Dominic Smith and Arndt will spearhead the pitching staff that Borth hopes can serve the team well all season long.
Pitching is critical against the likes of Crest, Southeast and Jayhawk-Linn.
“Last year we were very weak on the mound. We struggled to throw strikes, we threw the ball around and had a lot of errors in the field. The goal for this year is to clean up the things in the field and really work on our pitching,” Borth said.
Borth also believes his team’s hitting will continue to improve and be a tough one to bring down. Drake will certainly rake in a number of the runs while Fewins and Smith will be some nice pieces to have as well offensively.
“Everybody loves to hit, but let’s also focus on the fundamentals,” said Borth. “In the early season focusing on fundamental work isn’t fun, but it might be the most important thing you do all year.”
MARMATON VALLEY BASEBALL
Crest baseball primed for title run
The Crest High baseball team returns seven players from their Three Rivers League championship title season last year and have all the tools to finish even better this year.
The Lancers finished as regional champions before taking fourth place at the state tournament last season. Crest head coach Roland Weir believes the team’s pitching staff is good enough to carry the team even further this season.
Weir is in his sixth season as head coach of the Crest baseball program.
Pitching will be the dominant force that will help
Crest get to where it wants to be, Weir said. Senior pitcher Trevor Church has already signed to play baseball at Fort Scott Community College. Church finished last season with an 8-0 record and a .074 ERA.
“Trevor’s our ace, there’s no doubt about it,” Weir said. “He’s got all the tools, all the pitches, and he’s throwing harder this year.
“Stetson (Setter) throws hard and he throws strikes but doesn’t have as much command as Trevor. Avery (Blaufuss) is my third pitcher and he’s been improving every year, but he also catches for me. Kaden Nilges, Rogan Weir and Ryan Golden will also battle for a spot on
the mound.”
Setter went 5-0 on the hill, including two shutouts, allowing 1.73 runs per outing. Setter had a .527 batting average and smacked six home runs last season.
Jack White is also a dominant returning pitcher who allowed 1.73 runs per outing.
Crest will be able to rely on strong hitting from infielder Holden Barker, catcher Blaufuss and utility player Rogan Weir Jr. Barker was impressive last season when he hit a .453 batting average with 30 hits and 28 RBIs. Blaufuss had a .317 average with 20 hits.
Crest will be getting every team’s best shot after winning the Three Rivers League as well as regionals the past two seasons. To do this, Weir believes his team will have to be mentally tough, which falls on both the players as well as his coaching.
“We have to improve mentally and defensively to win a state tournament, as this is our ultimate goal,” Weir said. “It has been our downfall the last two seasons and I have to do a better job of coaching and preparing our players for this. I’ve got to keep their heads in the game and not let them get too down.”
The bulk of the Lancers have grown up playing baseball together as part of the school program as well as with travel and club programs including Precision, Garnett Rage and American Legion ball.
“That camaraderie helps tremendously. Those kids have been together and competed with each other since they were eight years old. That’s a testament to their dedication to the game and their love of the game. They all want to continue their baseball careers as long as possible.”
CREST BASEBALL
Cummings takes reins for Lancers
Kaitlyn Cummings is taking the reins as Crest High’s track and field track coach this year.
Cummings is no stranger to running. She has headed the school’s cross country team for the last five years.
It is a blessing, Cummings said, that she has six returning lettermen from last year and a full squad of Lancers. The leaders will be seniors Ethan Godderz and Brinley McGhee.
“Brinley and Ethan will use their experience to help guide the team,” said Cummings. “Their willingness to help motivate will be instrumental to the team. The mentality of our team is to be positive and strong.”
Godderz broke the school record in the triple jump last year, going 42 feet, .5 inches. Godderz also excelled at the long jump along with Gunner Ellington and Mia Coleman.
Some of the other Lancers looking to make an impact will be Kyree Puckett, Kinley Edgerton, Gentry McGhee and Breakin Jones.
“The experienced athletes are willing to work with the young athletes because they want to succeed as a team,” Cummings said. “Each athlete plays an individual role in the points we can score as a team.”
Crest returns an abundant number of runners compared to last year, a jump of 12 athletes.
“Our goal when looking at the upcoming season was increasing the number of athletes,” Cummings said. “This season we have way more than last season. Having more team members will play a huge role with scoring points at meets.”
Similar to the cross country team, Cummings hopes to see the athletes progress in a timely fashion. The cross country team set all sorts of records and medals throughout the fall season and the coach is looking for more of that.
The success of the program requires persistence, patience and dedication to putting in the work required,
Cummings said. Running competitively requires the athletes to learn they are training in the best way possible according to a specific schedule.
“The message to the team is that getting better doesn’t happen overnight,” said Cummings. “We are working each day to better ourselves and working toward being the best athletes we can be. Challenges will come and we have to work hard to overcome them.”
As long as the Lancers are giving maximum effort and working on improving themselves in practice every day, Cummings believes her team can achieve a lot. With the mix of older and younger students, Crest will benefit from experience and fresh legs.
“Our team identity is the willingness to try,” Cummings noted. “As we have increased our number of athletes this season, our new athletes are willing to try something new and our experienced team members are willing to step up and be mentors.”
CREST TRACK
COACH: Kaitlyn Cummings
Girls
Brinley McGhee 12
Mia Coleman 11
Delaney Ramsey 10
Aubrey Allen 9
Growing roster boosts Crest’s hopes
The Crest High softball team is gaining a number of players for this season, doubling their number from last season.
Kelly Ball is in her fifth year at the helm of the Lady Lancers. Crest has eight returning letter recipients and a number of new players to provide a good balance of players.
“We have doubled our numbers for this season,” said Ball. “I look forward to seeing what our new players have to offer with our returning players. I hope for a promising season with our incoming talent and returners working together.”
The senior veterans are Alyssa Adams, McKenna Hammond and Sydney Stephens. The returning juniors are Kaylee Allen, Liliana Blaufuss, Andie Burnett, Kayla Hermreck and Brooklyn Jones.
Hermreck was an All-League honorable mention in 2022.
Ball will depend on the veterans to guide the younger players through practices and games as well as how to handle themselves off the field. Good preparation is the calling card of every athlete and Ball knows her seniors can show the way.
“I want the senior leaders to show their team what it is to be a champion of character in taking their team forward,” Ball said. “The girls will be expected to show improvement on their skills and knowledge of the game, which will hopefully lead to more wins this season.”
“Our momentum comes from our returners who are pumped every day and pushing our younger girls to give their best every day at practice,” Ball continued. “I love that in softball you can have your individual skills but it all comes back to being a team.”
A decided advantage for the Lady Lancers is that most of the girls have played other sports together, either
through volleyball or basketball or both. That familiarity helps the girls feel comfortable with being around each other — the first step of forming a good team.
Hammond and Hermreck play all three sports while Adams and Jones play volleyball.
“We have some strong leaders in our returning players, plus their talent,” said Ball. “Our weakness may be our young newcomers.”
Ball has a simple recipe for success: Have fun and give 110 percent.
“Reminding the girls that they should have fun, love what they are doing, but also be giving their all for their team and themselves is how we’ll rise above the competition,” said Ball.
CREST SOFTBALL
COACH
12
12
12
12
11
11
11
11
11
10
10
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
YC native takes over for Wildcats
The Yates Center High baseball team’s new baseball coach is Jared McVey.
McVey has a rich history with the blue and white. His father coached YCHS cross country for 25 years there and was a longtime basketball coach, taking a few girls’ basketball teams to state in the late 1990s.
“I played baseball and my dad played baseball here,” said McVey. “I not only have the passion for helping youth succeed on the field but in life as young men. They learn a lot of skills, which they think they only need on the field.”
Yates Center has 18 signed up to play, including four from Altoona-Midway.
McVey said his goals are to get the boys to work together as a team, “picking each other up through the good and bad.” McVey tells the boys, “don’t let the wins go to your head or the losses to your heart.”
“I’m looking for the boys to get better each game and each practice.”
Wildcats Emmit George and Jayston Rice are expected to be standouts in this year’s Three River League. Canon Cavender will also provide some much-needed versatility in the lineup. Cavender was second on the team at the plate with a .333 batting average.
Cavender and Rice each shared a .500 on-base percentage while Emmett Brittain and Cavender have strong arms.
McVey said his challenges include “the ability to translate the games with the boys. To break the game down so they understand it’s a very daunting game mentally. If you can make small adjustments it can make a difference. If you’ve got those good foundations and you’re thinking ahead, the sky’s the limit.”
McVey takes a very positive outlook on scenarios. From a dropped third strike to a play at the plate, the possibilities of what could happen on a baseball diamond are unlimited.
“My philosophy is to correct them but you also have to tell them what they did right. I’m a glass half full person, there’s always a bright side to something and we’re going to build on that. I’m excited for the seniors to have a final go and to build a culture of team baseball.”
Three Rivers League always presents stiff competition. Some of Yates Center’s losses last year came from Southeast, Crest and Jayhawk-Linn.
YATES CENTER BASEBALL
Yates Center strives to stay atop TRL
The Yates Center High softball team will look a lot like it has in the past few years: Stellar.
Newly hired head coach Scott Grogg will take over a group of 20 players, up six from last year. The team includes six seniors who all have starting experience.
To Grogg’s advantage, he’s coached most of the girls in club ball and summer softball.
Molly Proper, a senior, will lead the Wildcats at the plate as well as on the mound. Proper set the school record in home runs last year.
“Molly will be one of the best pitchers in the league,” Grogg said. “Hopefully, some of our younger ones will step up. We have a senior, junior and a freshman that all pitch.”
Proper will be joined by Callyn Miller, Isabel Lewis and Grace Westerman to help lead the squad. More than half of the 20-member roster are juniors and seniors who have started in a lot of games, giving the Wildcats good depth in terms of leadership.
“I want the older kids to lead by example in everything they do. In practice, I expect them to outperform everybody,” Grogg said. “That makes the other girls strong and want to rise to their level. We try to educate them as much as we can in practice.”
The Wildcats finished last season at the regional finals at Central Heights.
Helping Grogg will be assistant coach Courtney Arell, who has experience coaching the catching position.
“Courtney is going to help our catching defense a lot. We’re going to try and play fast. We’re not real fast but every team we’ve ever played we have out-hit and we’re going to continue that style this year.”
Grogg likes what he sees at the plate but knows the work in the field will be crucial.
“We will score a lot of runs,” he continued. Keeping a high level of energy is what will carry the Wildcats through the season.
“I like a lot of energy,” Grogg said. “I like the girls to know that when we get to the field the goal is to do things right. There’s a whole lot more fun when you are doing it right.”
Yates Center traditionally has a reputation of being a good softball team. Grogg hopes to continue that string and bring along the younger players to lead the way in the future as well.
Ross Snovelle is one of three seniors leading the Southern Coffey County High track and field team in 2023.
Building team chemistry will come second nature for Southern Coffey County High’s track team this year.
That’s because the Titan track team is composed of players who participated in volleyball and basketball and their coach, Jeff True, is a familiar face.
The team is made up of 10 girls and eight boys.
Southern Coffey returns a trio of seniors with valuable experience including 2022 state qualifier Josie Weers in the javelin, as well as Jalea True and Ross Snovelle. True was best in the shot put, discus and javelin. Snovelle impressed in the sprints.
“They are ready to compete, they should be good,” said True. “Track isn’t about winning medals, it’s about getting better each day. The medals will take care of themselves. Our goal is to improve and get stronger each
week.”
Titan thinclads have high hopes in 2023 SOUTHERN
COFFEY CO. TRACK
The seniors will be joined by juniors Reeston Cox, Thomas Nickel and Jay Gillis as well as sophomores Karley Ohl and Emily Ludolph. Most of the younger athletes are quality throwers while Gillis does jumps and the 400-meter race.
“I like track because you get out of it what you put into it,” True said. “You find out a lot about yourself in track. The keys are to put in the work and stay healthy along the way.”
Southern Coffey opens its season at the Marais des Cygnes Valley Invitational in Lyndon on April 7 at 3 p.m.
The league meet will take place in Emporia on May 12 before regional get underway on May 19. The state competition is May 26-27.
“Our goal is to start peaking around the league and regional track meets and to qualify some athletes for the state meet at the end of May,” said True.
With a string of upperclassmen to lead the way and a balance of younger athletes to learn the ropes, the sky’s the limit for SCC this spring.