involve. innovate. inspire. It’s the Magnet® way.
Stormont-Vail HealthCare has achieved Magnet® recognition once again as part of the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program®. The ANCC’s Magnet Recognition Program recognizes health care organizations that demonstrate excellence in patient care. Magnet recognition is the highest national honor for patient care excellence, serving as the gold standard for nursing practice.
The Magnet Recognition Program focuses on advancing three goals: promoting quality of care, identifying excellence in the delivery of nursing services to patients, and disseminating nursing care best practices. To excel in each of these areas, staff from across the organization must be involved, innovative and inspired to provide the most excellent care and experience for patients and their families.
1500 S.W. 10th Ave. • Topeka stormontvail.org
Andy Barnes, RN; Brandy Meyer, PCT; Scott Rowland, RN; and Sharde Ashraf, RN, Emergency and Trauma Department.
ON THE COVER Taylor Kirk, Senior, Rossville Jenny Metzger, Senior, Washburn Rural Savannah Moore, Senior, Washburn Rural Kelsee Henry, Senior, Washburn Rural Dani Spence, Senior, Seaman Megan Deiter, Junior, Silver Lake Ashlyn Lane, Senior, Silver Lake Madison Wegner, Sophomore, Silver Lake Jeris Thomas, Senior, Seaman
April 2014
CONTRIBUTORS Publisher & Editor Tara Dimick Photographer Rachel Lock Designer David Vincent
2013 1st Team All-State Returners
Account Executive Tara Dimick 785.217.4836 Subscriptions 785.217.4836 or taradimick@gmail.com
Contents PG 4 - Baseball & Softball Preview Leaders of the 2014 baseball and softball teams of Shawnee County.
PG 18 - Exceptional Athlete MVP interviews Hayden sophomore and 2013 State Tennis Champion, Tommy Hunter.
MVP Junior Board Alec Beatty, THS Justin Bibler, WRHS Logan Bledsoe, SLHS Alex Brun, SHHS Meredith Bender, TWHS Laura Dicus, TWHS Lindsay Dunekack, THS Madeline Hill, WRHS Michael Houghton, HPHS Jeremy Hurla, SHS Kylie Loewen, WRHS Kirah Lohse, HHS Mandy Madden, THS Andrea Rietcheck, RHS Katy Trupp, HHS Madi Wegner, SLHS Alisha White, HPHS
PG 20 - MVP to Business Owner
18
MVP talks with Mark Hobart, Highland Park alumni and current Hayden parent, on how sports have helped his career as the owner/operator of Hertz Car & Truck Rental and Sales of Topeka.
PG 22 - Lane Leaders With talent and state experience, look for these 13 girls to make every lap count and lead their high school to state.
PG 25 - Champions x2 Cair Paravel's girls basketball team are the Season Champions for both the MCAA Tournament and the KCAA Tournament.
PG 26 - 2014 Spring State Champions A showcase of the State Champions of Winter Sports.
PG 29 - Growing Golf in Topeka
30
MVP Sports Magazine PO Box 67272 Topeka, KS 66667
GreatLife Golf & Fitness of Topeka is growing golf participation in Topeka by helping teach young people to love the game of golf.
PG 30 - Athletes in Action sponsored by Plato's Closet
Special thanks to junior board members Katy Trupp, Madeline Hill and Alisha White for their awesome help with the all day baseball/softball photoshoot. Couldn't have done it without you all!!! Thanks to Bettis Family Sports Complex for the use of their baseball and softball fields for photos. Shawnee Heights softball player Grace Lady, and baseball Coach Ryan Schmidt thanks for your help with paperwork.
MVP Sports Magazine is published by E2 Communications, Inc. Reproduction or use of this publication in any manner without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of the information in the publication as of press time. The publisher assumes no responsibility of any part for the content of any advertisement in this publication, including any errors and omissions there in. E2 Communications, Inc. makes no endorsement, representation or warranty regarding any goods or services advertised or listed in this publication. Listings and advertisers are provided by the subject companies. E2 Communications, Inc. shall not be responsible or liable innaccuracy, omission or infringement of any third party’s right therein, or for personal injury or any other damage or injury whatsoever. By placing an order for an advertisement, the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publisher against any claims relating to the advertisement.
Laura Dicus thanks for help with the swim article! APRIL 2014 | MVPSportsMagazine.com | 3
NOMINATE A TEACHER WHO MAKES A DIFFERENCE Visit www.EducationalCU.org TODAY! ATE N I M O N YOUR ER H C A E T TO
P LUS a Visa Gift Card to the nominator of the winner!
WIN
ad AN iP Mini!
Nomination stories will be narrowed down to three finalists by a selection committee and displayed on ECU’s website, www.EducationalCU.org from May 5th - 9th for public voting. Voting will end on Friday afternoon, May 9th at 3pm. Federally insured by NCUA Official contest nomination rules can be found on our website www.EducationalCU.org
APRIL 2014 | MVPSportsMagazine.com | 7
APRIL 2014 | MVPSportsMagazine.com | 9
APRIL 2014 | MVPSportsMagazine.com | 13
APRIL 2014 | MVPSportsMagazine.com | 15
Whatever your financial goals ... We’ll help you reach them. Thrivent Financial offers a full range of products and services to help you achieve financial security, including: • Life insurance • Retirement options • Annuities • Health insurance • Mutual funds We’ll create a financial strategy that reflects your goals and values.
Philip “Tanner” Knowland, FIC Financial Representative Kansas Heartland Group 1609 SW 37th St. Topeka, KS 66611 785-554-9842 tanner.knowland@thrivent.com facebook.com/kansasheartlandgroup.thrivent Insurance products issued or offered by Thrivent Financial, the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton, WI. Not all products are available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services are offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415, a FINRA and SIPC member and a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent. Thrivent Financial representatives are registered representatives of Thrivent Investment Management Inc. They are also licensed insurance agents/producers of Thrivent. For additional important information, visit Thrivent.com/disclosures. Appleton, Wisconsin • Minneapolis, Minnesota • Thrivent.com • 800-THRIVENT (800-847-4836)
20328 R3-14
Also available at 900 N. Ks Ave
APRIL 2014 | MVPSportsMagazine.com | 19
Let us level with you. Call us for a smoother, safer playing surface.
(785) 608-0195 midwestlaserleveling.com
$15 OFF Little Feast Combo! (Serves 3 to 4. Regular price: $55.99) Offer expires April 30, 2014. Cannot be combined with any other offer, coupon, special or discount. No cash value. 2833 S.W. 29th (in the Brookwood Shopping Center) 785•273•7300 • B oss H awgs.com
APRIL 2014 | MVPSportsMagazine.com | 21
Lane Leaders With talent and state experience, look for these 13 girls to make every lap count and lead their high school to state in 2014.
Paige Alexander
Junior, Hayden Age Started Fun Energetic Swimming: Loud Optimistic Personable Goals:
6
Re-qualify for state individually and possibly go to college for swimming.
Admire:
My sisters, Hannah and Claire, because they have worked so hard to be swimming at UNO.
Mckenzie Kramer Senior, Hayden
Madelyn Konrade
Gabby Vosburgh
Age Swim Smart Career Began: Unique Ambitious Hard Working Honest
Senior, Hayden Age Swim Cheerful Energetic Career Began: Hearty Motivated Playful
Sophomore, Hayden Age Swim Quirky Ambitious Career Began: Dedicated Sassy Sincere
Favorite Event:
Favorite Event:
Favorite Event:
14
500m Freestyle
Goals:
Improve my times in my events and medal at state.
Admire:
My parents because they are always there for me.
22 | MVPSportsMagazine.com | APRIL 2014
8
Every event I do!
200m Freestyle
Goals:
Goals:
Admire:
Admire:
To have state qualifying times.
11
Drop more time and place at state.
My brother, because of his Judy Gregar, because she taught selfless devotion to me. I couldn't me that pursuing my dreams ask for a better big brother. takes dedication, determination, and self-discipline.
APRIL 2014 | MVPSportsMagazine.com | 23
Jacquie Gerant
Laura Dicus
Sophomore, Shawnee Heights
Fun Energetic Loud Optimistic Personable Favorite Event:
Junior, Topeka West
Age Started Swimming:
3
100m Breaststroke
Goals: To medal at state and to earn a college scholarship for painting.
Admire:
Gabbie Douglas, for her dedication.
Hannah McGowan
Affable Whimsical Playful Studious Bubbly Goals: I would like to be successful in my swimming career at state. In the near future, I would like to improve my times and gain more times at the national level. I would also like to swim in college.
Admire: I most admire my parents because they are so supportive and help me in all that I do.
Emily Hodge
Junior, Shawnee Heights
Dedicated Opinionated Caring Passionate Competitive Goals:
Junior, Topeka West
Age Swim Career Began:
Shy Determined Faithful Tough Warm-hearted
8
Win state, make Olympic trials, swim in college and continue to do what I love.
Admire: My current coaches, along with my childhood coach, Paul Monroe. Coach Monroe was my head coach from 9-15 years old. He taught me so much and pushed me past my limits to make me the competitor and swimmer I am today.
Goals: My goals are to keep dropping time in my events, and possibly swimming in college.
Admire:
I admire my parents because they are the ones who encourage me and push me to strive for new goals.
Camille Parman
Alex Millhuff
Junior, Topeka West
Inquisitive Energetic Gregarious Whimsical Loquacious
Senior, Topeka High
Competitive Dedicated Genuine Critical Reliable Goals:
Age Swim Career Began:
8
This season I want to drop time and make first team all state.
Admire:
I admire my childhood swim coach because he taught me that you are as successful as how hard you work for something. 24 | MVPSportsMagazine.com | APRIL 2014
Favorite Event: 100m Breaststroke
Goals: My main goals are to improve my times and technique.
Admire:
My parents because they support me in everything I do.
Christian Outgoing Determined Passionate Courageous Age Swim Career Began:
Halsey Handley
Friendly Competitive Athletic Ambitious Determined
Independent Competitive Strong-willed Empathetic Unique
5 Libby Pope
Age Swim Career Began:
5 Ashley Smith
Age Swim Career Began:
Sophomore, Washburn Rural
Senior, Washburn Rural
Goals:
Favorite Event:
Favorite Event:
To represent my school at the state swim meet in several events. In the future, I plan to stay actively involved in swimming, keeping my options open to participate, coach and motivate others in the sport I love.
50m Freestyle
50m Freestyle and 100m Backstroke
Admire:
Goals:
My siblings because they are all such a good example for me and have taught me to try hard and be myself.
Admire:
Senior, Washburn Rural
Admire: I admire my family the most when it comes to swimming, determination and strive. My parents are also my coaches and inspire me to lead others to the light of Christ.
6
To make state times and to just have fun. I admire my friends for always wanting to be better at what they do, and helping me achieve my goals.
Champions x2 Cair Paravel’s girls basketball team clutched Season Champions in the MCAA (Metro Christian Athletic Association) Tournament, held February 20-22 at Blue Ridge Christian School in Blue Ridge, Missouri. The team won their second championship at the KCAA (Kansas Christian Athletic Association) Tournament, held February 27-March 4 at St. John’s Military School in Salina, Kansas. Cair Paravel beat WAHAA of Wichita in the final game of the conference.
Honors:
Peyton Williams, SO Christian Team Player Award 1st Team MCAA All-Conference MVP of the MCAA Conference. KCAA All-Tournament Team MVP of the KCAA Tournament
Kristian Guenther, SR Christian Team Player Award Runner-Up MCAA All-Conference Amanda Hiebert, JR 2nd Team MCAA All-Conference KCAA All-Tournament Team
Photos Submitted
Players:
Kaitlin Coker, FR Gabby Kentch, SO Claudia Hickam, FR Erin Brown, FR Hermine Allen, FR
Yevgine Allen, FR
Kayla Stone, SO Peyton Williams, SO Kristian Guenther, SR Amanda Hiebert, JR
Head Coach: Dan Guenther Assistant Coaches: Jennifer Copeland Andrea Lindeman
APRIL 2014 | MVPSportsMagazine.com | 25
2014 WINTER
STATE CHAMPIONS
Tagen Lambotte SR Rossville 3A 152 lb. State Wrestling Champion
Haegan Schaefer JR Silver Lake 3A 126 lb. State Wrestling Champion
university| of tulsa | MVPSportsMagazine.com 26Freshman, APRIL 2014
Bryce Gfeller FR Rossville 3A 106 lb. State Wrestling Champion
Tyson Toelkes SR Shawnee Heights 5A 285 lb. State Wrestling Champion
APRIL 2014 | MVPSportsMagazine.com | 27
2014 WINTER STATE CHAMPIONS
Nick Badsky (L-R) John Fritsch JR WRHS; Nick Badsky SR WRHS; 6A 100 yd Backstroke Champion Bryan Hahn SR WRHS; Craig Haug SR WRHS Bryan Hahn STATE RECORD: 6A 200 YD MEDLEY RELAY STATE RECORD: 400 YD FREESTYLE RELAY
John-Martin Schmidt JR Hayden 5-1A 500 Yard Freestyle Swimming Champion 28 | MVPSportsMagazine.com | APRIL 2014
6A 100 yd Breaststroke Champion
Ashton Anderson SR Washburn Rural 6A Girls Bowling Champion
Growing Golf in Topeka The National Golf Foundation reported in the Golf Participation in America, 2010-2020 study that after substantial growth in golf participation (a 50 percent increase) from the mid-80s to the turn of the century, the numbers of golfers have plateaued since 2000 and are slowly declining. That same report forecasts that the growth rate of golf participation between 2010 and 2020 will be one percent. Rick Farrant, owner of GreatLife Golf & Fitness, is aware of these trends and has worked to increase golf participation since he took ownership of his first golf course, Lake Perry Country Club. In the 90s, Rick opened a summer golf camp at Lake Perry. The camp provided youth the opportunity to play an 18-hole scramble with their high school staffer, break for lunch and then spend their afternoon golfing, playing other sports or relaxing in the game room. I still remember all the kids that went to those camps,” Rick recalls. “And, all of them are still playing golf.” That camp helped inspire Rick to go to the school board to request that Jeff West High School have a girls’ golf team. The first team, in 1995, was a team of one—Rick’s daughter, Janelle. And the coach—Rick Farrant. Fast-forward to today, GreatLife Golf & Fitness is bringing back the golf camps, but now at more locations, Shawnee Country Club and Berkshire. The golf camps have a similar model as those from the days at Lake Perry Country Club, with the same objectives: grow the game of golf and teach young people a lifetime sport. “You don’t have to be a great golfer, or even a good golfer,” Rick said. “Through practice you will get better and learn to love the game—a game you will use the rest of your life.” GreatLife is currently looking for high school and college students to lead the summer camps. They are seeking individuals that know the game of golf and would enjoy teaching young people to apply for a summer job of golf, swimming, basketball and fun. If you are interested in applying for a staff position with the golf camps or to have your child attend the camps, go to www.GreatLifeGolf.com or stop in at any GreatLife location.
APRIL 2014 | MVPSportsMagazine.com | 29
All day summer camps
Junior Camp Development Program · · · · · · ·
Full Swing Development Short Game Development On Course Management Fitness Rules & Etiquette Life Values Other activities including swimming, basketball & more
$150/week members multiple weeks $175/week members one week $190/week non-members Availability June 2-6 June 9-13 June 16-20 June 23-27
Enroll by May 10th and save $10/week
GreatLife Day Camps offer young athletes an opportunity to experience the wonders of golf in a fun and positive environment close to home. We are confident golfers of all ability levels will leave with improved skills, higher self-esteem, new friends and more passion for the sport.
Available between 7:30am and 6:00pm 785.267.7888 // greatlifegolf.com
WHEN IT COMES TO SPORTS MEDICINE, HE’S OUR MVP.
Dr. Messmer is Sports Medicine Fellowship trained and specializes in concussion and sports medicine. Location: St. Francis Health Family Medicine Hunter’s Ridge 4646 NW Fielding Rd. Call 888-365-0440 to schedule an appointment.
Innovative Care with a Soul® www.stfrancistopeka.org