ST. JOHN TRACK (DONE)
Smith, Reed headline Tigers' track
ST. JOHN — Multi-state qualifier Quade Smith (800, 1,600) and distance runner Lydia Reed (800, 1,600) headline the St. John track team.
Smith ran a leg on the fourth-place 3,200-meter relay. Smith placed runner-up in the Central Prairie 400 meters and sixth in the 800 meters.
"Quade Smith is an outstanding runner who's enjoyed a strong career," said St. John coach Trish Wade. "Lydia Reed will be strong in the 800 and 1,600 meters."
Jace Reyes, Braxton Alpers and Jericho Mawhirter return from high quality relay teams.
The Tigers feature a trio of 1A state track place-winners from relay teams. Lydia Reed competed on the third-place 1,600 and 3,200-meter teams. The Tiger girls won the Central Prairie League 1,600 and 3,200-meter relays.
"We expect we'll have a good boys track team," Wade said.
The Tigers placed fifth in the Central Prairie League 400- and 1,600-meter relays.
TIGER STATE QUALIFIERS—1,600m relay—7—St. John, 4:19.24 (Bonner, Meyer, Fisher, Reed); 1,600m relay—3—St. John, 4:18.88 (Reed); 400m relay—4—St. John, 52.05 (Reed, Meyer, Bonner); 800m—6—Smith, 2:02.56; 1,600m relay—9—St. John, 3:39.95 (Reyes, Alpers, Smith); 3,200m relay—3—St. John, 10:30.82 (Reed); 3,200m relay—4—St. John, 8:49.32 (Smith); 800m—2—Quade Smith, 2:01.0; 800m—10—Reed, 2:31.14; 1,600m relay—10—SJ boys, 3:33.9 (Jericho Mawhirter, Jace Reyes, Braxton Alpers, Smith); 3,200m relay—6—SJ boys, *8:35.92 (Ian Dunn, Reyes, Alpers, Smith); Triple jump—12—Bonner, 32-111/2
TIGER ROSTER
SENIORS—Jorja Blakeslee (shot put/discus/javelin), Chris Fernandez (400/800/relays); Garrett McAlister (shot put/ javelin/ discus), Lydia Reed (400/800/ relays), Quade Smith (400,/800/1,600/relays); Camilia Sanchez, Aden Adame
JUNIORS—Braxton Alpers (high jump/triple jump/ javelin/ relays), Francis Duntz (200/long jump), Rafael Gonzales (1600/3200), Juan Ibarra (long jump/400/800/relays), Cody Newdigger (100/200/ relays), Jace Reyes (long jump/200/400/relays), Maylin Sanders (discus/ shot put)
SOPHOMORES—Kaden Foote, Jericho Mawhirter
NINTH-GRADERS—Juan Lozano, D.J. Barney
TIGER SCHEDULE—4-11—at Lyons; 4-17—at Larned; 4-22—at St. John JV; 4-25—St. John Blide meet; 4-29—at Hoisington; 5-6—at Jetmore; 5-9—at Ellinwood; 5-15—Central Prairie, St. John; 5-22/23—at 1A regional
*Lydia Reed Sr 800, 1600 not sure what else we’re gonna have her do because I only have four girls on the track team and none of them are runners except Lydia! Bummer.
*Camila Sanchez Sr Shot put Javelin first time going out for track she is a foreign exchange student from Mexico
*Frances Duntz Jr 400 Jav
*Teresa Miller Jr 100 200
*Quade Smith Sr 800 1600? 4x400 4x800
*Aden Adame Sr SP Jav
*Braxton Alpers Jr TJ Jav 4x800 4x400
*Jace Reyes Jr 400 4x400 4x800
*Julio Lozano Jr Discus
*Rafael Gonzales Jr 3200
*LJ Shepherd Jr Shot put Discussed Jav
*Wyatt Reed Fr
200 400
*Mikeal Nemec Fr
Discus Shot put
*Juan Lozano Fr
Discus sprints
*Jericho Mawhirter So
Hurdles 4x400
*Aaden Gonzales Fr
3200 1600 4x800
*Liam Knight Fr
1600 3200
*Kaden Foote So
1600 800
*Aaron Llanas Fr
Running HJ
*DJ Barney Fr
Hurdles relays not sure
Ruby Ibarra St
Manager
Tiger golf returns experienced trio
ST. JOHN – Regional qualifiers Brody Vieux, Weston Peterson and Averi Fisher headline St. John’s golf team.
St. John (484) finished fifth at the Halstead 1A regional. The Tigers (473) finished third in the Central Prairie League Tournament at Dodge City.
In 2024, Vieux (92) placed eighth at regionals and eighth at the Central Prairie League. Weston Peterson (94) placed sixth at the CPL meet at Dodge City.
"Brody Vieux and Weston Peterson do a great job pushing each other every day," said St. John coach Daniel Hilton. "They continue to practice hard and lead by example. Our upperclassman Josh Chapman, Averi Fisher and Cody Newdigger continue to improve each year. We have a bunch of newcomers. Our freshman can contribute right away. It'll be a fun golf season."
In 2023, Peterson (112) placed ninth at the Central Prairie League tournament and Brody Vieux (124) placed 12th.
St. John sisters Averi Fisher and Jalyn Fisher will compete in the spring since the Tigers don't sponsor a fall girls golf team.
TIGER ROSTER
SENIOR—Brody Vieux (REG 8TH—92; CPL—8TH—100; 12TH—124); Josh Chapman (REG 29TH—135; CPL—15TH—144)
JUNIORS—Averi Fisher (REG 19TH—118, Julio Lozano, Tanner Mawhirter, Cody Newdigger (REG 14TH—139; CPL 47TH—135), Weston Peterson (CPL 6TH—94; 9TH—112)
SOPHOMORE—Tanner Mawhirter, Sye Crockett
NINTH-GRADERS—Easton Alpers, Jalyn Fisher, Dylan Vieux
TIGER SCHEDULE 4-3—at Stafford JV; 4-7—at Wichita, Rolling Hills; 4-10—at Medicine Lodge JV; 4-14—at Kinsley JV; Stafford; 4-21—at Sterling; 4-22—at Larned; 4-24—at Hesston JV; 5-1—at Hesston; 5-5—at Sterling JV; 5-8—at Hutchinson, Carey Park; 5-12— Central Prairie, Dodge City; at Kinsley JV; 5-15—at Kinsley; 5-19/20—at 1A regional
Cougars feature two quality athletes
OTIS — Otis-Bison track coach Travis Starr returns two state medalists who competed at Wichita State. The Cougars' depth and relays will be boosted by seven freshmen tracksters.
Destiny Mitchell is a multi-event state qualifier who placed eighth in the high jump (5-0); 14th in the 3,200 (13:23.62); and returns from the Cougars' third place in the 3,200-meter relay (10:21.41).
"Destiny is a tough competitor who can compete in many events," said Otis-Bison coach Travis Starr. "She will start with the high jump and middle distance. We hope she can anchor a solid relay for us. With her work ethic and determination she has high expectations to go to state in multiple events.
At the Central Prairie League, Mitchell won the 3,200 (12:53.01) and high jump (5-3). The Cougars won the 3,200-meter relay (10:42.95).
Third-place medalists was Briana Croisant, shot put (32-7).
In the boys division, CPL first-place medalists were Ian Haselhorst, 200 (23.9); Gavin Alloway, triple jump (40-21/4). Runner-up medals were earned by Ismael Cortez, discus (137-0); shot put (45-61/2); Alloway, high jump (5-10).
"Ian Haselhorst excelled last year in the 200, 400, and high jump," Starr said. "He's set the bar high for himself and will work hard to try and achieve state success."
Starr believes the Cougars have good depth and quality athletes to enjoy a strong spring season.
"Our girls have potential to achieve good things," he said. "We have great senior leadership which sets a high standard for our track program. On the girls side, we've got solid sprinters, distance runners, throwers, and jumpers. We have a couple seniors. The majority of our team are freshmen so it will take some meets to get a good grasp on their potential."
Starr likes the boys leadership with Hoopingarner and Haselhorst.
"Our returning state qualifiers who will continue to improve and mentor our younger athletes," Starr said. "Our goal is work hard and improve every day to reach our potential by our league and regional meets.
COUGAR STATE QUALIFIERS
OTIS-BISON SQ 200m—7—Ian Haselhorst, 23.34; 400m—10—Haselhorst, 53.21; 3,200—14—Mitchell, 13:23.62; 3,200m relay—3—OB girls, *10:21.41 (Mitchell); High jump—8—Mitchell, 5-0; High jump—2—Haselhorst, 6-2; 5—6-2; Long jump—8—Alloway, 20-51/2; Triple jump—13—Alloway, 39-81/4; Shot put—11—Cortez, 44-7
COUGAR ROSTER
SENIORS—Destiny Mitchell (middle distance, HJ); Jake Hoopingarner (javelin, discus, TJ); Ian Haselhorst (sprints, jumps, relays); Ismael Cortez (throws); Memphis Jensen (middle distance); Briana Croisant (throws)
JUNIORS—Konner Schenk (throws); Gavin Alloway (jumps, sprints); Kelson Juno (throws)
SOPHOMORES—Lily Schwindt (jumps); Marissa Pechanec (throws); Maddox Firebaugh (middle distance); Travis Ross (sprints), Ricky Martinez (throws)
NINTH-GRADERS—Marcus Starr (shot, discus), Jade Holman, Shaelyn Richmeier (sprints, HJ), Brooklynn Roth (middle distance), Allie Smith (sprints, jumps), Aiden Ochs-Lohrey (discus, sprints), Kolten Cory (shot, discus)
OTIS-BISON SCHEDULE—4-3—at La Crosse; 4-15—at Ness City; 4-17—at Larned; 4-25—at St. John; 4-29—at Hoisington; 5-2—at Stafford; 5-8—at Victoria; 5-15—Central Prairie at St. John; 5-22/23—at 1A regional
State qualifier leads Chase golf
CHASE — Layd’n Hinderliter's inspirational golf story at Chase High School blew up last year when he qualified for the KSHSAA state sand greens tournament.
Layd’n Hinderliter has battled cancer since he was a third grader. He qualified for state at the third meet of the season. There are no regionals for sand greens, but you have to shoot a predetermined score during the season.
"We had newspapers, radio stations and a Wichita TV station come to do a story on him. It was something Lady'n will never forget," said Chase golf coach Mike Marzolf.
"Unfortunately, Lady'n had a treatment the week before the state meet and did not have the energy to compete at sand greens state," Marzolf said. "We made the trip to Tipton before he and his dad made the final decision. I felt bad for the young man not being able to play. But he was acknowledged by the state meet director and awarded a great ovation from those at the meet."
Chase's Layd’n Hinderliter said he's proud he achieved a goal of qualifying for state last year.
"It feels amazing knowing that you have wanted to do something that you dream of and you being able to achieve it," he said. "It just feels like you know you can do something."
He invests most of his practice time on short approaches and work around the sand greens.
"Honestly, I have worked on my short game so I can play better close to the green and be more precise and accurate."
Because of his relative lack of power off the tee, Hinderliter faces a constant challenge.
"It's a challenge that I know that other golfers are going to outdrive me because they have more power," he said.
Hinderliter has set a goal to be better than last year.
"I'm going to try to do better than what I did last year," he said. "I'm very proud of myself and know that other people are proud of me too."
Hinderliter said his best life advice is to concentrate of what you accomplish rather than look at limitations.
"I always just focus on what I can do in my life and try to ignore what I'm going through," he said. "I like to go outside to get the fresh air and think about what I can achieve what I want to do later on in life. You should go out and practice on what you plan on doing and just try to enjoy life while you can."
CHASE ROSTER
SENIORS—Eli Gillespie; Cameron Williams; Layton Winkleman
JUNIORS—Layd’n Hinderliter, Ali Black, Leland Rice
SOPHOMORE—Kasen Wood
NINTH GRADER—Robert Devorss
CHASE SCHEDULE—4-10—Chase; 4-17—at Cottonwood Falls; 4-24—at Ransom; 4-29—at Lyons; 5-6—at Downs; 5-12—Central Prairie at Kinsley; 5-13—at Tipton; 5-27—at Sande Green State, Cottonwood Falls
Oilers feature two state qualifiers
CLAFLIN — The Central Plains Oilers feature past state qualifiers Eli Hurley and Marilyn Soeken along with a first-place Central Prairie League 400-meter boys relay.
Triple jumper Eli Hurley (40-31/2) placed 11th at state last year. Marilyn Soeken (1:04.33) placed 16th at state in 2023.
Hurley, Joel Schreiber, Callun Rogers and Broc Klima captured the Central Prairie League 400-meter relay (45.85) last year.
Top three Central Prairie League boys finishers include Broc Klima, 110-meter hurdles, second; Schreiber, 200 meters, third; Hurley, long jump, triple jump, third.
At the Central Prairie League meet, top three girls include Taylin Davis, discus, second; 3,200, second; 1,600, third; Boston Robison, 100 hurdles, third; 300 hurdles, second; pole vault, second; Soeken, triple jump, third.
"We have a good group of kids who have been working hard," said Central Plains coach Dustin Robison. "Our coaching staff is looking for good things. We've got good numbers are our younger classes. We hope to be as competitive at league as last year and hope to qualify more athletes for state. The KSHSAA changing qualifying places for state will help us. It would've benefited several of our athletes over the past 10 years."
Robison likes the work ethic of the Oilers.
"Our returning athletes will work hard to improve last year's marks," he said. "We've switched up workouts and they've stepped up to the challenge. Track isn't easy. I'm proud these athletes are willing to accept the challenge and compete. Personal gains in track and field transition over to all their other sports and increase their mental toughness."
PAST STATE QUALIFIERS—400m—16—Marilyn Soeken, 1:04.33; Triple jump—11—Eli Hurley, 40-31/2
OILER ROSTER—SENIORS—Marilyn Soeken; Amelia Proietti; Eli Hurley; Joel Schreiber
JUNIORS—Kaylee Franson; Boston Robison; Isaac Heredia; Callun Rogers; Richard Stroud; Armando Vasquez
SOPHOMORES—Mea Chavez; Taylin Davis; Martina Espineira; Alli Klima; Julia Louro; Emma Wasson; Broc Klima; Ben Pflughoeft; Cameron Zink
NINTH-GRADERS—Levi Bloodworth; Peyton Kempke; Keeton Robison; Teagan Schepmann; Jimmie Soeken; Whitney Armstrong; Lynden Hekele; Eliza Jeffrey; Hailey Nash; Emery Siemsen
OILER SCHEDULE—4-1—at Larned JV; 4-3—at La Crosse; 4-11—at Lyons; 4-15—at Ellsworth; 4-22—at St. John; 4-25—at St. John; 4-28—at Tescott JV; 4-29—at Hoisington; 5-6—at Tescott; 4-9—at Ellinwood; 4-15—Central Prairie League at St. John; 5-22/5-23—at 1A regional
Tigers' jumper Carlson returns (DONE)
ROZEL — Pawnee Heights Tiger Brady Carlson placed runner-up in the 1A state triple jump (42-113/4) and sixth in the long jump (20-81/2) last year.
"Brady is going to jump at Fort Hays State next season," said Pawnee Heights coach Rick Carlson, Brady's father. "He's our lone state track meet returner."
Discus thrower Abby Hands placed fifth at 1A regionals, missing the state meet by less than two feet. "
"Abby will be a state contender this year," coach Carlson said.
Addyson Pelton rallied from a leg injury to place ninth in the triple jump at regionals last year.
"Addyson will be in the mix to make the state meet," Carlson said.
PAWNEE HEIGHTS TRACK
SENIORS—Brady Carlson (100m, 6TH—long jump, 20-81/2; 6TH—triple jump 42-113/4); Gage Gracey (1,600m, 3,200m)
JUNIORS—Augustus Baier (1,600m, 3,200m); Logan Enabnit (100m, long jump); Abby Hands (throws)
SOPHOMORES—Roberto Cordero (throws); Ryan Torres (100m, 200m); Addyson Pelton (triple jump, 400m)
NINTH-GRADERS—Cody Holste (100m-400m); Thomas Boese (throws)
TIGER SCHEDULE—4-4—at Kinsley; 4-15—at Ness City; 4-17—at Great Bend; 4-22—at Plainville; 4-25—at Montezuma; 5-2—at Greensburg; 5-9—at Dighton; 5-16—Southern Plains Iroquois at Spearville; 5-22—at 1A regional
The 2025 Pawnee Heights track team features front row—Roberto Cordero, Ryan Torres, Abby Hands, Addyson Pelton, Logan Enabnit; back row—assistant coach Regan Carlson, Thomas Boese, Augustus Baier, Brady Carlson, Cody Holste, head coach Rick Carlson. Gage Gracey missed the team photo.
Oilers feature five veterans
CLAFLIN — State boys tennis runner-up Central Plains graduated 3-time state runner-up Peyton Ryan, but return two state doubles teams and singles state qualifier Camden Stiles. With five returning state qualifiers, the Oilers are primed to contend for a regional tennis championship.
Peyton Ryan (31-1) lost to Kansas City Christian’s Caleb Bartels, 6-1, 6-3 to finish as a 3-1A state runner-up three consecutive years. Ryan (137-4) achieved a rare feat – losing four high school matches, all to state champions. Ryan lost 6-1, 6-2 to KC Christian's state champion Caleb Bartels in 2023 and 2024, Wichita Collegiate’s Nicholas Grabon in 2022 and Rossville’s Alex Sherer.
Oiler Camden Stiles (28-9) edged Hesston’s Will White 8-6 for seventh place. Lawrence Seabury’s Sebastian Borjas/Cole Shumaker, downed Oilers Paxton Dody/Peyton Dody (26-9), 9-8 (7-4) for seventh place. Smoky Valley’s Per Nelson/Nathan Nyquist defeated Nethan Cauthon/Alden Metro (26-9) defeated for 11th place.
Wichita Collegiate (44) finished ahead of Central Plains (32) for the 3-1A team title.
Three-time 3-1A state runner-up Peyton Ryan downed teammate Stiles 6-0, 6-0 in last year's regional. Peyton Dody/Paxton Dody defeated Meade’s No. 1 seed Orvin Dyck/Vincent Lynn, 6-4, 6-2 for a regional title. Oilers Nethan Cauthon/ Alden Metro defeated Cimarron’s David Mendez/ Landon Houseman, 6-3, 6-2 for third place at regionals.
Doubles entries Paxton Dody/Nethan Cauthon (21-14) and Peyton Dody/ Eli Hurley (20-10) also qualified for state tennis and lost two matches in 2023.
OILER ROSTER
SENIORS—Nethan Cauthon (D 21-14; 10-19), Paxton Dody (D 26-9; 21-14; 9-17)
JUNIORS—Peyton Dody (D 26-9; 20-10); Cale Thompson, Chase Vedder
SOPHOMORES—Camden Stiles (D 28-9), Alden Metro (D 21-14), Kaydon Looney, Kaden Willenberg
OILER SCHEDULE—4-1—at Lindsborg JV; 4-8—at Ellsworth; 4-10—at Scott City; 4-15—at Hoisington JV; 4-17—at Ellsworth; at Sterling JV; 4-21—Claflin home meet; 4-22—at Lindsborg JV; 4-24—at Hoisington; 4-29—at Hesston, at Hoisington JV; 5-1—at Pratt; 5-5— Claflin home meet 5-9—at 3-1A regional
