Sports Ink. May 2012

A magazine focusing on all things sports in northwest Kansas

INK. May 2012

Creature

Course of the

Russell golfer Jordan Hecker is ready to devour the competition on the links

The Hays Daily News

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What’s up?

A look inside this issue

6

8

Three letters no driver wants to see

A DNF can ruin a lot of nights for racers.

Creature of the Course

Russell’s Jordan Hecker is a dominant force for the Broncos on the links.

Given a boost Holding a football, Thaddeus Towns, Ellis, gets an elevated view of events while on the shoulders of Allen Augustine, Ellis, on April 5 during the Ellis High School Invitational Track and Field Meet in Ellis.

STEVEN HAUSLER, Sports Ink.

14

No Worries

Hi. I’m Lexi Riedel, and I’m back to dominate the track in Class 2A.

16

Just a Minute

Nick McQueen

chats with Hays

High track

phenom Adam

Deterding.

Cover photo by Raymond Hillegas rhillegas@dailynews.net Sports Ink. contributors: Nick McQueen nmcqueen@dailynews.net Conor Nicholl cnicholl@dailynews.net Steven Hausler shausler@dailynews.net Nick Schwien nschwien@dailynews.net

Volume 2, Issue 3 Sports Ink. is published and distributed by The Hays Daily News. Copyright © 2012 Harris Enterprises. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Sports Ink. is a registered trademark of The Hays Daily News, 507 Main, Hays, KS 67601 (785) 628-1081.

Jared Polifka prepares to return the ball during a game of Nine Square in the Air in Carl Junction, Mo.

A game for a new generation

T

he inventor will go down in history, with the likes of the name to suit our liking — got its start in, of all places, Carl Juncgreat James Naismith and anyone else who was the braintion, Mo. Prior to the 2012 CrossCurrent Mission Trip, Youth Paschild of a game played by millions around the globe. tor Derek Mayfield at Celebration Community Church ordered But there were no peach baskets and ladders involved. the connectors. We snuck into Joplin, Mo., to purchase the PVC Instead, it was wrapped in steel and barbed wire, a game only pipe and voila, the game was born — to us anyway. the strongest of willed would dare to play. A medicine ball with A light ball about 2 feet in diameter is used, and the goal is to spikes was the primary tool of the game. serve the ball and keep it going until it travels though another Sound scary enough? Sound like something you wouldn’t want player’s square and hits the ground or doesn’t make it back out to try? and up out of that player’s square with a hit.

OK, so it didn’t resemble the likes of a WWE steel cage match Sound easy enough? It is. taking place high above the ring, with the mat covered in nails The game has provided numerous laughs and fun each time and staples. it’s played. Sure, we’ve adapted rules and Actually, I might have embellished the added new ones, such as when a player gets FOR STARTERS earlier comments about the game. too wrapped up in the game and lets out too So sue me — not literally, though. much emotion, he or she gets flogged with a The game is called Nine Square in the Air, palm leaf. and it’s relatively new to the sporting world OK, I embellished a little there, too. (We — but it’s taking the globe by storm. actually call that a “T,” and the player then has OK, so I might have embellished a little to do 15 push-ups but isn’t actually forced to there, too. do them. We’re a church, for crying out loud.)

The game began in 2010 when a youth pastor invented the We’ve added rules such as no spiking, the “Jesus Rule” where game for his ministry. It’s since grown in popularity, and anyyou can save other players and also moved it up against a wall, one of all ages can participate. (For more information, visit allowing for spikes — but only off the wall — and weird, wild www.9squareintheair.com) bounces as well.

What is it? Well, it’s basically a semi-modified version of fourFor a game we started in Missouri, it’s been well-received in Kansquare, but, as you can guess, it has nine squares and is up in the sas. But who wouldn’t have expected that. air.

It probably sounds a little confusing, but if you have questions, Connectors hold PVC pipe that serve as legs, approximately 8 stop by and take part some Wednesday night. feet long, and then has more pipe hanging perpendicular above It’s a game on the verge of becoming one of the most popular in the ground at the top of the connectors. It basically looks like a the galaxy. grid in the air.

OK, maybe I embellished a little there as well.

Our version of Nine Square — yes, we already shortened the Or, maybe not. Only time will tell.

nick

SCHWIEN

Who’s That?

Notable performances in northwest Kansas Alex Hobelmann

The Smith Center senior fired a 77 in the Redmen’s season-opening invitational on their home course. Hobelmann is one of just three golfers for the Smith Center boys. He finished one shot ahead of runner-up Michael Dusin of Phillipsburg. Hobelmann, who has signed with Barton County Community College, shot a 78 to win the Osborne Invitational on April 10. He also was a first-team all-Mid-Continent League pick in basketball.

Michelle Glaze

The sophomore infielder and pitcher for the Colby Community College softball team had team-highs in home runs (12) and RBIs (25) through the team’s first 29 games this season.

Glaze, from Brighton, Colo., was hitting .372 during that stretch, tied for second-best on the team. Her .837 slugging percentage was tops on the team as well. Glaze was perfect on all four of her steal attempts, too.

Jameson Klein

The Plainville senior continued a dominating performance in the field events. Klein had an area best distance of 52 feet, 5.25 inches in the shot put and 152-7 in the discus — one of the top marks in the state. In 2011, Klein won the state title in the discus and was fourth in the shot put.

He also was an instrumental part of the Cardinals strong seasons in football and basketball as well.

Ryan Rusboom

The junior outfielders on the Fort Hays State University baseball team earned MIAA hitter of the week honors after a four-game series against Pittsburg State University in early April. Busboom drove in seven runs in a 25-5 win against the Gorillas in the third game of the series. In those four games, seven of his 10 hits went for extra bases, including five doubles and two home runs. He also had a key play defensively, gunning down a runner at the plate with a potential tying run in one of the games.

Got an idea of someone who you think should be included in Who’s That?

Send it to sportsink@dailynews.net with Who’s that? in the subject line, or call (800) 657-6017.

DNF Three letters that can ruin a driver’s night

I

n the grand scheme of things, most three-letter acronyms don’t cause grief.

But when the engines cool, the dust settles and drivers check the final results at the end of a night of racing, a simple three-letter symbol next to their name can mean the difference between the continuation or the end of a season.

And when track championships, state titles or IMCA national crowns hang in the balance, a DNF posted next to a driver can lead to a season’s goals slipping away.

The three letters stand for Did Not Finish, a distinction given to drivers who fail to take the checkered flag, whether it be for engine reasons, an accident or a black flag — the sign given to rough drivers or ones who have damaged cars so badly they are creating danger for the other competitors.

It might not seem like a lot, but in a normal 20-car feature at places such as RPM Speedway in Hays, the point differential from the front-runners to the tail-enders is large. Normally, the winner of a feature earns 40 points, while the runner-up earns 39, the third-place driver 38 and so forth.

“With the points system, if you have one DNF, there’s 20 points and 20 spots you have to make up,” said Troy Plummer, a modified driver from Oakley. “That’s consistency. That’s how Marty Clark won it last Page 6

“Keeping the car in one piece is

pretty dang important for the long run. If you want to have a car later on in the season,

you have to keep it straight. … Keeping it in one piece is definitely the key.”

Trenton Kleweno, sport mod driver

year. He … was in the claim area (nearly) every time. That’s what did it.”

Clark won his first track title last year at RPM in a tight race. He finished in the top five in seven of the 11 races that counted toward track points. The top 10 modified drivers at RPM were separated by just 55 points.

That consistency propelled him to the title. But after the first race of the season this year, Clark had a big, fat DNF next to his name after a failing engine sent him to the pits before the end of the feature.

Plummer knows all too well that feeling.

“It’s big,” he said about being able to finish races. “Last year, we blew two motors and didn’t even get to come to a couple races. Then we weren’t even in the top 10. Typically, I screw around the first part May 2012

of the year and do so bad it’s too hard to catch up. You have to be up there every week.”

DNFs can figure into track championships on a weekly basis at tracks such as RPM and WaKeeney Speedway. But they also can hinder a driver’s run at a national title in the IMCA ranks as well. IMCA is the main sanctioning body of dirt track racing in the country.

“It means a lot,” modified driver David Murray Jr. said. “One or two points can mean the difference between winning and losing it. The year before last year, I lost that deal by two points. It’s pretty important.”

Murray was on the cusp of winning his fifth national title in 2010. He’s won his fair share of races, even the 2004 Super SPORTS INK.

NICK SCHWIEN, Sports Ink. G.W. Fuller (1x) and Tyrel Smith get together coming out of turn two during the first race of the season at RPM Speedway in Hays.

Opposite: Tony Rost surveys the damage to his Northern sport mod after an accident at WaKeeney Speedway this year.

Nationals crown in Boone, Iowa.

One thing the legendary driver does to ward off any DNFs is his homework, as he calls it.

“You have to do your homework at home, I always say,” Murray said. “When you get to the track, that’s not the time to work on your car. You have to nut and bolt it and do your homework at home so when you get there, it’s ready to go and you don’t have to worry about anything falling off. That’s a big part of it. You still can get in accidents and stuff, but personal maintenance — and not putting yourself out — is a big deal.

“A lot of guys will get here, and a fitting will fall off, or a tire will lose air because they didn’t have the bead lock tight enough. Just stuff that puts themselves out. That’s the stuff I like to eliminate. And I was the same way, but you learn to take care of it at home.”

Sport mod driver Trenton Kleweno has hopes of making a charge for a few track titles this year. And the Hays driver has started the year off strong.

He has a solid maintenance program. But once he hits the track, he knows it’s important to avoid anything and everything.

“It’s pretty important,” he said about staying out of trouble and ending the night early. “Keeping the car in one piece is pretty dang important for the long run. If you want to have a car later on in the season, you have to keep it straight. … Keeping it in one piece is definitely the key.”

That’s not always easy when you start deep in the pack of cars and have to work your way to the front. Travis Sherfick experienced that in his first three races this year Sports Ink.

Terry Sherfick tightens the lug nuts on Dylan Sherfick’s car prior to a race at WaKeeney Speedway.

while maneuvering his way to finishes in the top five in each of those races.

“In the big picture of things, definitely for points, if you have a do not finish, obviously (that’s going to hurt),” the modified driver from WaKeeney said. “There’s going to be guys out here every year who don’t have a (DNF) and finish every race.

A (DNF is) just going to kill your points.

It’s very important.”

Starting in the back makes driving choices more important. Picking and choosing the right spot and line to get by cars can mean either cutting down a tire — or worse — or making your way to the front to battle for a title.

“A lot of it is getting your car to work on the top side,” said Sherfick, who credits his father, Terry, for excellent car maintenance May 2012

during the week leading up to races. “I remember when we were stock car racing and we were all on the bottom and freighttrain racing. We were bending fenders and bumpers and you name it. That was stock car racing, and that’s what makes stock car racing stock car racing.

“These modifieds and open-wheel cars, you just can’t do those things like we did in the stock car days. That’s why you have to make something different work than just following everyone around the bottom.”

Rubbing is racing, but too much can lead to a long night — and possibly a DNF. And if you’re in a hunt for any kind of title, those three letters can lead to the end of some great opportunities.

• NICK SCHWIEN, Sports Ink. Page 7

Creature story by Nick

McQueen

photos by raymond hillegas

Course of the

He might look like a normal teenager. But if you’re not careful, Russell’s Jordan Hecker will eat your lunch on the links

R

USSELL — Just 4 years old, Jordan Hecker already had made his first par at Russell Municipal Golf Course.

And, that’s just as far back as he actually can remember.

At the time, Hecker already was two years into learning the game but scored his first 3 on Hole 6, a short Par 3. He holed out from the women’s tee box, a distance he approximated was 100 yards.

Admittedly, though, his memory probably was a bit sketchy. Had it not been for a photograph his mother took, the humble Hecker probably wouldn’t know anything about it.

Still, it serves as a jumping point for what has become an identifiable characteristic of the soon-to-be Russell High School graduate — his golf game.

“That’s the first thing I remember,” said Hecker, speaking about the experience. “It was awesome — I guess, something to always remember.”

Since then, though, the lefty golfer has piled on the accomplishments to his ever-growing resume, a list that includes three high school state qualifications, a selection to the Kansas vs.

Nebraska all-star golf team, and more tourna-

ment medals than probably would fit in most standard golf bags.

Those are just the highlights from high school. Hecker also has competed with Northwest Kansas Junior Golf, the Kansas Golf Association, competing as high as the men’s amateur level.

“He just works at it and works at it,” said Russell coach Nick Coady, who has been coaching in Russell since 1996. “We come home from tournaments, and he goes out for an hour on the putting green.

“He might think he didn’t play well that day, so he comes out and practices. He just has that kind of drive.”

It’s a work ethic that not only has garnered attention in his own community, but also throughout northwest and north-central Kansas.

He’s become the face and the most recognizable name for high school golf in Russell.

“People seem to know me a lot more because of golf,” he said.

“When I got to play at other tournaments, and that night we’ll walk around the mall or something like that, someone will know me from the paper or PAGE 10 from golf — things like that.”

On the tee

Hecker has been told he was 2 years old when his father, Doug, first took him out on the course. Doug, who was just learning the game himself, hit a shot, and Jordan tried to do the same.

“I guess I teed one up, tried to mirror him,” Hecker said. “Ever since then, I guess I have just liked it.”

He started left-handed, even though he

actually is right-handed. Everything else, including shooting a basketball, Hecker does with his right hand. His golf clubs, though, are built for his 6-foot, lefthanded frame.

That youthful start turned into competing with the northwest Kansas juniors at approximately age 6, he estimates, all the way up to now, when he looks to cap his high school career with

an elusive state championship.

The past three years, Hecker has qualified for state. His best finish was fourth.

That came in his freshman season. He finished 10th as a sophomore and failed to medal last season in the finale, shooting an 85 to tie for 22nd — two strokes out of a medal.

All three of those tournaments were at the Class 4A level. Russell dropped to

Camaro Enough said.

3A for golf this spring.

“The last couple years, I’ve had higher expectations,” Hecker said. “First couple holes didn’t go so well, and I started to lose the confidence level a little bit.”

“The last two (state) tournaments, he would have done great if he would have just gone out and played his game,” Coady said. “He’s out there thinking, ‘We’re not going for pars.’ ”

Lead by example

For the past four springs, Hecker has been the No. 1 golfer for the Broncos.

All the while, he has been willing to help team members.

During a practice round in early April following his team’s first meet, Hecker was on the course with junior Nick Sells and sophomore Tanner Krug.

After each shot, Hecker would offer both applause and tips, if wanted, to his teammates, all the while working on his own game.

“I actually do enjoy giving guys tips,” Hecker said. “It seems like they like to ask me if they’re having trouble.

“They probably feel pretty comfortable with me. It’s a pretty good feeling to be able to help someone out.”

So much so, if his competitive golf career ends at the next level, he said he would consider coaching as an option.

“He’s just real good at leading by example,” Coady said.

“He will share his knowledge, but he has a good demeanor where he doesn’t try PAGE 12 and push himself on anyone.”

Jordan Hecker tees off during a practice round, above, and lines up a putt, opposite.

2917 Vine, Hays (785) 625-4830

Sells, who played with the Broncos as a freshman, did not come out for golf as a sophomore. He credits Hecker for being back for a junior season.

“He talked me into it,” Sells said during the practice round. “I wouldn’t be out here had it not been for him.”

The game, though, hasn’t taken away from academics. Hecker has kept his grades at a 4.0 grade-point average ever since his freshman year.

“It seems like golfers are known to be more educated,” Hecker said. “I just have always felt like my grades are pretty important.”

For love of … the game

Not particularly a religious person, Hecker admitted he probably should spend more time in church after a golf outing, but only for thinking bad thoughts out of frustration.

“Almost have to go to confession after a round,” he joked.

The game itself can get under your skin, even before you throw in competition from others.

“I enjoy the challenge,” Hecker said.

“Doesn’t matter how good you are, you always have somewhat of a challenge, because you can’t beat the game.”

It’s the frustration that detours many golfers.

“You know you’ve done better, and you know what your limits are,” Hecker said.

“You always try and push that.

“If you’ve played the perfect round or hit the perfect shot, you try and do that over and over again. But, you can’t do it very often — that’s what’s so frustrating.”

Still, Hecker considers himself a student on the course, learning each time what to do, but more importantly what not to do.

Gentlemen’s game

Hecker talks with sophomore Tanner Krug as they putt on a golf green during practice April 5 at Russell Municipal Golf Course.

“Some Saturdays and Sundays, he’s come out and played 54 holes. He just likes to play, and he can recall every hole he played,” Coady said.

Russell assistant coach Brad Banker, also one of Hecker’s teachers, quickly interjected. “(I) think he eats and sleeps golf,” Banker said. “He simply loves the game.”

It seems like with each week on the golf course, something new comes along.

New people are no exception. It’s an aspect of playing the game competitively that might get overlooked.

Throughout the course of his career, Hecker has made friends and developed rivalries. Being on the course competitively forces you to become more of a people person, he said.

“As a little kid, I used to go out and play in the summer with the older guys,” he said. “It teaches you to make new friends real quick, and to talk to people you’ve never met before.”

During his practice round in early April, Hecker sparked up several conversations, most of which were about University of Kansas basketball, of which he is a devoted fan, and Kentucky’s Anthony Davis, about which Hecker provided his own take on Davis’ “unibrow.”

“When you get into tournaments, you don’t always know the guy next to you,” Hecker said.

“You talk a lot before the end of a

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round. It pushes you toward being more social.”

ACIDIZING

CEMENT

TOOL RENTAL

The next level

Hecker already has signed to play golf with Hutchinson Community College in 2012-13.

During the past six years, the Blue Dragons have won five Jayhawk Conference championships, have finished first four times in the Region VI tournament and have finished at least 10th in the national tournament.

HCC also has had good placement of golfers in the NCAA Division I ranks, a big draw for Hecker.

“I just thought I could go there for a couple years, improve my game and hopefully go on to a Division I or Division II after that,” he said.

He does have dreams of making it big but is humble enough to know it is just that — a dream. But, not one that is unattainable.

“I’ll see where I am after college,” he said. “This is all a dream pretty much, but if I could get out there, I would maybe even try for the PGA. “If not though, I would still like to do something with the game. Maybe coach, or be a club pro — something like that.”

Dalton Werner, Plainville High School

Dalton Werner went 22 feet, 4.75 inches to win the long jump at the season-opening Ellis Invitational.

Werner, a junior and the defending state runner-up in the event, set a new personal best by 2 inches. Werner led Plainville to a team title at the meet and helped the Cardinals finish 1-2-3 in the long jump — along with seniors Andrew Casey and Kyle Becker taking second and third, respectively. Werner's leap is the seventhbest in Kansas this season, regardless of classification, according to track historian Carol Swenson. No other Class 2A jumper has come within a foot of Werner. Werner has set a goal to reach 23 feet this season and break the school record.

swiftinc@gbta.net P.O. Box 466, Ness City, KS 67560 Office: 785.798.2300 Cell: 785-798-5341

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No

Worries Trego’s Lexi Riedel is back, and she might be better than ever

I

n 2009 and 2010, WaKeeney-Trego Community sprinter Lexi Riedel established herself as one of Kansas’ top sprinters. At the Class 2A track and field meet, Riedel won eight combined medals as a freshman and sophomore.

Riedel had to run against Ellis’ Whitney Taylor and Peabody-Burns’ Lauren Pickens in ’09, and Pickens again in 2010. Five times Riedel took second place. Twice more she finished third.

Six of those top-three finishes came against Taylor, currently Fort Hays State University’s top sprinter, and Pickens, the only person in Kansas state track and field history to win the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes four times.

However, last year Riedel didn’t have an opportunity to run against Pickens again at state. Riedel attempted a field goal early in basketball season, came down wrong and suffered a devastating knee injury. She tore her anterior cruciate ligament, part of her medial collateral ligament and part of Page 14

“You don’t know how much easier it is now for me to run and how much you appreciate being fast and getting back to pretty much where you were before.”

Trego’s Lexi Riedel

her meniscus in her right knee. She tried to come back for part of track season, but was a shell of herself.

Riedel went to the state meet and watched as Pickens, now competing for Wichita State, won the final three gold medals of her career. The day after state, Riedel went in for a second surgery on her knee after doctors discovered she was in more pain than she should be experiencing.

“Going there and watching is tough, because I know I can compete with a lot of those girls,” said Riedel, now a senior.

Ten months later, Riedel returned to the track for the first time at the Ellis Invitational on April 5. She won all four of her events, the 100, 200 and 400, and ran a leg May 2012

of the 400-meter relay. She led the Golden Eagles to a team title. Riedel ran 12.74 seconds in the 100, 26.7 in the 200, 1.05.31 in the 400 and 53.21 seconds in the relay.

“You don’t know how much easier it is now for me to run and how much you appreciate being fast and getting back to pretty much where you were before,” Riedel said. “It was definitely a relief. I was nervous before, but I think I will be OK.” Riedel is arguably the Class 2A favorite in the sprints and can earn her first state crowns this season.

“I sure hope so,” Riedel said with a big smile. “You never know. There could be underclassmen or people coming up. I know when I was a freshman, sophomore, I was SPORTS INK.

pretty quick. So you never know. That’s definitely my hope is to get that gold medal.”

Riedel paces a strong track team that could contend for a top-three finish and team plaque. Three springs ago, Trego finished 10th at state. In 2010, the Golden Eagles scored 31 points and took fourth, one point out of placing.

Last year, Trego, without Riedel, tallied four points at state. All four points came from jumper and sprinter Jerris Reeder, a transfer from Chapman, who took fifth in the triple jump and seventh in the long jump.

This spring, Riedel is healthy, Reeder returns and Trego brings back a talented group that includes sophomore middle-distance runner Payton Nowlin. Veteran Golden Eagle coach Jeff Rhoden has emphasized the Golden Eagles’ potential.

“We have the possibility to do very good things this year,” Rhoden said.

“We have the possibility to score a lot of points at each meet and send quite a few girls to state and do well there, I believe. I have put the pressure on them from Day 1 that I thought we were going to do well and succeed, and we have got to start it right now. We can’t wait until mid-season to start it, and they are buying into it I think already. They are starting to step up.”

Riedel, also a talented basketball player, lost nearly all of her junior year because of the injury. Trego finished 6-15. She had the knee repaired and tried to return for track season. Riedel couldn’t sprint and ran a leg on the 3,200-meter relay at two meets before she ended her season the week of the Mid-Continent League meet.

Riedel had physical therapy in Hays and Colby and suffered the setback when she needed a second surgery.

“There were a lot of tears in rehab, definitely,” she said.

Riedel, who looks to possibly run for Kansas State University if her times continue to drop, talked with several college coaches before the 2011-12 basketball season.

They told her not to play basketball, but Riedel loved the sport and wanted to play. At the beginning of the season, she iced after every practice.

“It would be swollen, and it was pretty painful.

But as the season went on, I noticed it getting stronger and I didn’t have to ice as much,” she said.

Riedel helped Trego enjoy one of the area’s biggest turnarounds with a 14-8 record. She averaged 10.1 points and 3.8 assists per game, second-best in the area, according to maxpreps. com. The Golden Eagles’ point guard, Riedel collected second team all-league honors.

"She is a competitor, and she is a fighter,” girls’ basketball coach Ricky Snyder said.

For track, Riedel has worked full throttle in practices and normally does double workouts. After high school practices, Riedel will run at her house in the country. The family’s mailbox is about three-quarters of a mile from the house, so she’ll run there and back.

“Got a big hill, too,” Riedel said. “It’s pretty hard.”

In practice, Riedel ran a 13.04 in the 100 without blocks, well off her 12.2 best, but still a strong mark.

For the Ellis meet, Rhoden had what he labeled a “Plan B” and entered Riedel in the 800 if the knee acted up. Riedel enjoys sprinting more than middle distance and wanted to try sprints.

At Ellis, Riedel showed a return to form for the first time in two years.

“It’s good to finally see her running at full speed, really no limp and no hitch at all, be able to go out it full-tilt really,” Rhoden said. “… Looking at her today, I think she will be good to sprint. Not too worried about it.”

• CONOR NICHOLL, Sports Ink.

Just a Minute with Nick McQueen

Adam

Deterding Hays High School junior

Q: What’s the most important thing to remember to have success in the high jump?

A: You just have to stay relaxed and not try to over-coach or over-think yourself, because once you do that, you’re just going to flop around — won’t be too great.

Q: In your mind, what’s one of the biggest reasons for the HHS track program’s turnaround?

A: The team emphasis has been put in there by Coach (Ryan) Cornelsen. I wasn’t here before him, but everyone keeps saying how he put so much more emphasis on team, compared to past coaches.

That’s what I’m told, anyway.

Q: Outside of the regional and state, what’s a meet you look forward to?

A: It used to be the Kansas Relays, but I haven’t gone since my freshman year. But the KT Woodman in Wichita. They’ve got some of the best competition in the state – almost every team there. You get to compete not only in your class, but in that elite division as well. You can compete with the best, regardless of division.

Q: Who are some of your favorite athletes to follow?

A: My two favorites are Trey Hardee and Bryan Clay, both Olympic decathletes. I know they’re not as famous as a lot of people, but they’re my favorite.

Those are two of the most athletic guys in the world.

Q: Is this team to the point where you believe you can be a part of four state championships?

A: I believe we can — depends on how we perform, but we have the talent and just have to keep working to get there.

Q: How did you get started in track?

A: Seventh grade, I just started at Felten. At that point, I had every intention of playing baseball in high school — that was my first love and what I wanted to do past high school, possibly in college.

My eighth-grade year, my coach was shocked when I said I was thinking about not doing track. He was kind of the reason I continued with it, and it turned out for the best.

Q: Outside of athletics, what things do you enjoy?

A: I love working on random things, working with my hands, going fishing, hanging out with friends.

Working on vehicles is something I’ve liked to do — kind of a hobby.

Q: How does a good football season carry over into the rest of the year?

A: It keeps the momentum going. Me, it helps me keep focused and gives you something to look forward to, even for the next season. With the loss to Hutch last season, you come back and are working already. We just use that as motivation.

Q: Do you see yourself doing this at the next level?

A: The goal is to do track or football, whichever one has the best opportunity I guess, whichever one takes me where I want to go.

Q: What was it like coming in as a freshman and making an impact for the track team?

A: It was cool. That year, there was an awesome senior class, and we were accepted really well — all the freshmen. I probably learned more from them than I have anyone since then.

Ryan Cornelsen track coach

Derek Bixenman junior teammate

Cade Sharp junior teammate

Where do you think he’ll be in 10 years?

Training for the Olympics

Hopefully in a good job, with a good family

Running a successful business, making lots of money

What artist do you think is at the top of his iPod playist?

Backstreet Boys

Xzibit or Tupac

Justin Bieber

Whose team would he fit best on “The Voice?”

Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera

Cee-Lo

On which TV show would he be a good guest star?

“Big Bang Theory”

“Battle of the Exes”

“Jersey Shore”

What’s the first thing you think he does when he gets up in the morning?

Listens to my Eat a big fat motivational bowl of speech he cereal recorded

Makes sure he looks pretty

If he could be anyone else for one day, who would he choose?

Me, so he could do the Some famous rapper yelling for once.

ON

Thomas Robinson

Ink. BLOTS

A spattering from NW Kansas

If it’s not Hays High School boys’ track, Norton or Hoxie wrestling, or Smith Center football, the window of opportunity to win a state championship usually is small. This year, we’ve seen several state championship contenders fulfill the ultimate goal — or fall short. Thunder Ridge football and Hoxie girls’ basketball, each state favorites, both won championships. Plainville boys’ basketball, dominant all winter, lost by one point in the sub-state title game. This spring, Plainville boys’ track, led by several seniors, is an early favorite to win the Class 2A state crown. Hays High baseball and softball, each senior-laden, hunt for a title, too. The WaKeeney-Trego girls’ track team, led by senior sprinter Lexi Riedel, have a great opportunity for a top-three finish and state plaque. Seeing how high-expectation teams end up always is fascinating. For the coaches and athletes involved, it’s either an amazing or tough finish. — C.N. Ask around the area about the best athlete in any sport, and you’ll likely get a variety of answers. Best 11-man football player? Smith Center’s Mark and Jeff Simoneau, Norton’s Neal Philpot, Ransom’s

Nolan Cromwell, among others, could make cases. Best 8-man player? Opinions are mixed between Triplains-Brewster’s Derek Wright and Thunder Ridge’s Joel Struckhoff, but others are certainly in the conversation. Best girls’ basketball player? Hoxie’s Jacie Hoyt, TMP-Marian’s Kaylee Hoffman, Ellis’ Whitney Taylor are some who could make a case. One argument that’s on its way to be decided: Best male long-distance runner, Plainville’s Brady Johnson. Right now, the crown is held by Phillipsburg’s Billy Wuggazer, who ended his career in 1991. Johnson has two state titles (2011 cross country and 2011 3,200-meter crowns in 2A) to his credit and ran 9:31.57 in the 3,200 in the season-opening meet at Ellis to break a 31-year-old meet record and give him the fastest mark in the state, according to historian Carol Swenson. — C.N. Does a coach need to win a title — of any sorts — to be declared one of the greatest ever? It’s an argument many people can get wrapped up in. Roy Williams held that distinction while at Kansas, coming oh-so-close to winning an NCAA basketball title but never actually accom-

plishing the task. Then he left KU for North Carolina and won that elusive title. If he hadn’t won a crown, would he still make the Hall of Fame? Take Hays High School baseball coach Frank Leo. He’s served his time well as the Indians’ main man for more than 30 years, and he’s put the school on the baseball map. Perennially, the Indians are a state contender in 5A. This year is no exception. But try as hard as he might, Leo never has won a state title. He’s had some great teams and players, but never that final win. There’s another guy in town with the same resume. Meet Frank Leo, manager of the Hays Larks, the city’s summercollegiate baseball team. Several times, Leo has had great players and teams, only to fall short of that elusive National Baseball Congress title in August. When you see Leo after any loss, especially in title games, you realize what he pours into his teams.

It comes streaming out in tears. A coach doesn’t need to win a title to be one of the best. If Leo has to win a title to be considered that, then no Hall of Fame ever should have been established. Leo is a terrific coach who gets the most out of his players.

Hopefully one day, a title. — N.S.

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Members of the 2006 Fort Hays State University men’s basketball team celebrate a win at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays.

It doesn’t get any better

O

n just a normal day at The Hays Daily News office, I Atwater, whose rim-rocking jams exhilarated fans throughout sometimes am amazed at some of the calls that come Gross Memorial Coliseum when the Tigers were in town. Not to across my desk. Everything from sports fans wanting to mention, Atwater’s 22-point, 21 rebound-performance earlier in make small talk, to angry — let’s call them birds — ringing the the season against Metroplitan State College of Denver. line at least once a day.

That was huge.

Every once in a while, one call really will make you think.

Let’s go back a little more.

In one instance, a frequent caller posed a question in the midst I once saw a Hays High School senior by the name of Marcus of conversation.

Watts guide his Indian football team to a road win against peren“Nick, are you ever going to make it to the big time?” nial state power Liberal. It was in 2001, and the first win for Hays Seriously? Have you been paying attention?

High against Liberal in 11 years. Later that season, I saw Watts, Three years ago next month, I watched one of the most talnormally Hays High’s quarterback, make a great catch at wide ented athletes this area ever has seen capture four gold medals in receiver for a 44-yard touchdown in a rivalry game against Great impressive fashion at the state championships Bend. The Indians ended up losing, sufferThe Closer at Wichita’s Cessna Stadium, joining a rare ing the heartbreak of three straight defeats list of Kansas female athletes. Perhaps there to end the season. has been no better student-athlete to grace Even the heartbreak of a promising season the pages of The Hays Daily News through leaves a big impression. the years than Sharon Springs’ Hallie KuhlThe list of things I’ve seen is nearly countman, who again came back a year later to less in just 12 years in Hays. Just to name accomplish the same feat, winning the same a few more: A triple-overtime game in the rare combination of events, the 100-, 200-, and 400-meter dashes, semifinals of the Class 1A state championship tournament; a along with the 800-meter run. Had it not been for a knee injury, I miracle run by the Hays Larks to the title game of the NBC World probably would add another stellar performance to that list. Just Series, backed up by a pair of stud-like pitching performances last month, Kuhlman, now a senior, was back, helping her under- from Brock Nehls and Brad Hutt; Oh yeah, I saw current Royals dog Wildcat basketball team to the school’s first state championreliever Aaron Crow pitch at Larks Park, and current Oriole Nolan ship in girls’ basketball.

Reimold belt homers, nearly hitting the dike in Frontier Park; That’s big-time in my book. more track and field championships than I can count; great girls’ Go back further. In 2006, I flew with the Fort Hays State Unibasketball teams from Osborne that both won titles and fell just versity men’s basketball team to Winona, Minn., for the North short in four straight seasons at the Class 2A tourney in ManhatCentral Regional tournament, following one of the most successtan. ful seasons under head coach Mark Johnson. The Tigers, with the Those are just the things off the top of my head. best mix of basketball talent this community had seen since the So, while I pondered my caller’s inquiry as to if I ever would mid-1990s, were as impressive a team as I’ve seen — but only be- make it “big-time,” I thought about things I should have seen. cause they worked so hard to get there. The team’s excitement was Having the opportunity to witness these life-lasting experiences, highlighted by the jumping ability of Derrick Turner and Jeremy I honestly can say it doesn’t get much bigger than this.

nick

McQUEEN

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