VOLLEYBALL
This team has a lot of volleyball experience with a combination of upperclassmen who have seen post-season challenges the past few years and have learned what it takes to overcome the emotions and pressure of playing in those moments. Their extensive club volleyball has prepared them both mentally and in their physical skill set to play at a very high level. I have a ton of confidence in these girls to perform when needed and play with a mature and intelligent mindset.
Kyndal Moore - Returning All-State performer and 4 year starter. She is our leader and will be expected to lead us on and off the court with production and her desire to achieve the ultimate goal of a state title. She is capable of doing just about anything for us on the court and has multiple ways she can score with power and finesse. She is a very smart player and makes us a better team with her mentality and playmaking ability.
Regan Widener- She is our statistical leader in offensive efficiency, a 4 year starter and also an All-State recipient from last year. She is a huge weapon to have on the right side and a threat teams have to contend with that only creates more opportunity for our other scoring options. Her defensive presence as a blocker has become a key aspect of our front row defense.
Mette Maxwell - Her court awareness and knowledge of the game is a threat in itself as well as her offensive production as a setter opposite of Alyvia. We will rely on her diverse scoring ability as an Outside hitter.
Alyvia Batchman - She is another returning All-State player and 3 year starter. Her athleticism is a huge weapon for us. She will continue to set in our 6-2 rotation and contribute as a scoring threat in the front row as an Outside Hitter. She has the ability to make that dynamic impact play during a match and we are driven by her ability and excitement for the game.
Alyvia was recovering from an ACL injury last season and looks very strong and confident this year. Mette also dealt with an ankle injury most of last season and she is healthy this year and playing at a much higher level.
Bennett Jacobs - I expect Bennett to have a big year as our libero. She is in her third year as a starter at the position and she continues to improve in the game both physically and mentally. She is exceptionally good on defense and will be solid once again as our leading passer and is also a legitimate serving threat.
Our Goal this year is to win with a relentless defense presence in the backcourt and an emphasis to win the contested points at the net. Combined with our explosive and dynamic offense we expect to control teams and set the tone with a fast paced style of play that keeps them under duress the entire match.
We are excited to continue to compete for another league Championship. We have won 8 straight and it is an expectation in our program to win our league on our way to the bigger goals of winning a state title. Our goals are to control our destiny by hosting Regional and Sub-State at home putting us in a position to earn the right to play for a state title on Championship Saturday in Dodge City.
ELLINWOOD — Eight-time defending Central Prairie League volleyball champion Ellinwood (42-5) graduated a senior class that compiled a 131-25 record.
Ellinwood seniors Kennedy Behnke and Lauren Ringwald graduated after a 153-25 record in four years. The Eagles swept the Central Prairie regular season and postseason titles.
ELLINWOOD
SENIORS—5—Regan Widener, 5-9, RS; 7—Kyndal Moore, MH/S
JUNIORS—3—Bennett Jacobs, Libero; 9—Alyvia Batchman, OH/S; 12—Reece Stickney, OPP; 15—Natalie Smith, DS/S; 16—Shyria Quintana, OH; 17—Addie Stickney, OH;
SOPHOMORES—1—Lexi Thomas, DS/Libero; 2—Eleanor Joiner, DS/Libero; 6—McKena Parker, S; 13—Mette Maxwell, S/OH; 18—Kaylynn Crawford, DS; 19—Raegan Wirtz, OH/DS; 22—Alya Ritchie, RS/MH; 23—Brynn Widener, DS/S; 24—Jaisley Andrasek, OH
Eagle girls carry state experience
ELLINWOOD — State 2A medal-winner Eleanor Joiner placed 15th and Jenna Borror earned 18th medalist honors to headline an Eagle girls team that placed seventh at state last year.
"The girls team returns after an impressive second-place finish at regionals, earning a well-deserved trip to state," said Ellinwood coach Jeff Zook. "Battling tough, muddy conditions in Wamego, the young Eagles gained critical postseason experience early in their careers."
Junior Madison Dombroski placed 27th at state and returns after a breakout sophomore year, ready to lead a talented group that includes newcomer Clarisse Masset. The strong sophomore class of Joiner, Borror, Ali Gonzalez (57th), and Kynlee Wesner (101st) had outstanding freshman seasons. Notably, Joiner and Borror return as all-state runners.
Zook said freshman Leah Steffan comes in with middle school experience and has shown strong progress through summer training.
"The Ellinwood Eagles cross country team is eager to kick off a new season and build on the momentum from a strong 2024 campaign," Zook said. "Both squads return quality runners, bringing valuable experience to the course."
Senior Ethan Robl, in his second season of cross country, returns after a 10th-place Central Prairie League and 17th-place regional finish.
"Juniors Ryan Pohlman, Shae Hoskins, Joe Brauer, and Caleb Zook — bring consistency and firepower," Zook said. "Pohlman adds valuable postseason experience, having previously qualified individually for state in cross country, as well as in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters on the track last spring.
The men's team came close to a state berth last year, finishing just one spot out as a team with a fourth-place regional finish. Now, with nearly the entire team returning and driven by that near miss, the Eagles are ready to take the next step.
Freshmen Caleb Herrman and Josh Zook round out the squad. Both come in with junior high experience and have shown steady improvement over the summer months.
Summer training has been relaxed and fun, helping the athletes build both fitness and team camaraderie. But now the Eagles are eager to toe the starting line and race.
Racing brings out the best in each athlete, and we’re curious to see what that looks like this season.
EAGLE ROSTER
SENIOR—Ethan Robl (R 17TH, CPL 10TH)
JUNIORS—Madison Dombroski (R 27TH, CPL 11TH), Joe Brauer (R 26TH, 33RD, CPL 12TH, 19TH), Ryan Pohlman (S 37TH, R 13TH, CPL 9TH), Shae Hoskins (R 17TH, CPL 11TH, 17TH), Caleb Zook (R 40TH, 44TH, CPL 15TH, 19TH), Clarisse Masset
SOPHOMORES—Jenna Borror (S 18TH, R 7TH, CPL 3RD), Ali Gonzalez (S 57TH, R 18TH, CPL 10TH), Eleanor Joiner (S 15TH, R 3RD, CPL 1ST), Kynlee Wesner (S 101ST, R 49TH)
NINTH GRADERS—Leah Steffan, Caleg Herrman, Josh Zook
ELLINWOOD TENNIS
Seniors- Shelby Steffan
Juniors- Lauren Ringwald, Vivian Klepper, Camila Frayre
Freshman- Jaci Sandberg, Maddie Kirkpatrick, Aliza Straub, Averie Siefers, Leighton Dillon
Top Players
-Lauren Ringwald: A Junior that has grown up playing tennis and played in middle school. The last two years she has played volleyball instead of tennis. She has decided to come out and play tennis now and our team is very grateful for her addition to the squad. She is naturally gifted and strikes the ball very well. She has a high tennis IQ and picks up on things quickly. Lauren will be very consistent combined with being athletic which helps her be able to get to certain spots on the court. Lauren should have an immediate impact on our team and I expect her to have a strong season.
-Vivian Klepper: A Junior who has had a great offseason and is hitting the ball with much more pace this year. Has made some adjustments to her serve that is much stronger. Vivian is versatile and can play a variety of different spots for us. She played doubles with Shelby last year with a record of (15-12). Being 1 of the 3 returning players for us she will be in a leadership role and has good experience going into this season and expect her to have a breakout year. Whether that be in singles or doubles.
-Shelby Steffan: A Senior that has been a varsity player for us as long as I've been here. She brings a lot of knowledge and experience being our only senior. For me as our coach it helps that she knows what I expect out of the team and what it takes to be successful on the court. Shelby went (15-12) last year at our 2 doubles spot. She will be a strong doubles player for us this year with whoever her partner may be. We are still constructing a roster to see where everyone fits best for us to get points at meets and also to get entries qualified for state. Being her last year I know she will be determined to put forth her best effort and strive her partner to do so as well. She had great teammates in State qualifiers from our last year's team Grace Sturtz/Marah Johnston who graduated. She had to battle them in practice and learn a ton of strategy so Shelby should be able to demonstrate how much she has learned and improved as a player.
-Camila Frayre: A Junior that was her first year last season playing organized tennis was a volleyball player previously. She is in the same boat as Lauren that has caught on very quickly and will have a big role on our team. She has had a year under her belt to grasp tennis IQ and understand how to position herself on the court and use angles well. Camila uses her hands well and gets to a lot of balls at the net.
EAGLE FOOTBALL
ELLINWOOD – For the second consecutive season, Ellinwood didn't survive competing in one of the state's toughest 1A football districts.
1A state champion Conway Springs (13-0) defended its state title. In recent years, the Eagles have lost to state champion Olpe in 2020 and 2021 and state runnerup Inman in 2022.
Ellinwood’s football team (4-5) swept non-district games against Stanton County 55-0, Syracuse 32-0 and Herington 55-0.
The Eagles were 1-4 in District, beating South Sumner 59-27, before losing to Sterling (41-35), Hutchinson Trinity (26-15); Conway Springs (34-21) and Medicine Lodge (42-22).
The Eagles own a 21-59 record the past nine years since their last winning record (6-3) in 2015.
Ellinwood football coach Brett Stindt earned all-league honors at Belleville- Republic County. He earned All-KCAC league honors for a pair of KCAC football champions at Kansas Wesleyan University.
RETURNING STARTERS—
SENIORS—5—Austin Brack, 5-7, 155, RB/OLB; 10—Ty Hammeke, 6-0, 165, WR/ DB; 21—Dominic Martinez, 5-8, 150, WR/CB; 22—Drake Hosman, 5-11, 170, RB/OLB; 32—Layton Wirtz, 6-0, 175, FB/MLB; 42—Dawson Sunderland, 6-2, 165, TE/DE; 52—Austin Shinliver, 6-1, 195, G/MLB; 74—Ethan Schlochtermeier, 6-1, 250, OL/DL
JUNIORS—3—Elijah Mitchell, RB; 6—Kellan Behnke, 6-0, 149, RB/WR; 12—Luke Heinz, 5-9, 155, QB/CB; 55—Nick Miller, 5-10, 245, T/DT; 68—Trace Tudor, 6-4, 280, C/DG;
SOPHOMORES—8—Cade Coleman, 5-7, 135, QB/WR; 9—Gavin Kubick, 5-5, 120, RB/CB; 31—Cannon Schartz, 5-6, 125, RB/CB
OTHER SENIORS—44—Adam Hayes, 130, OL/DL; 60—Tristan Keith, 190, OL/DL; 72—Clayton Davis, 190, OL/DL; 58—Keaton Lewis, 190, C/ DT; 77—Gabe Martinez; 88—Erik Grobe, WR/PK
JUNIORS—28—Greg Ringwald, C/ WR; 31—Cohen Gunn, 6-1, 145; 58—Keaton Lewis, T/DT, 190
SOPHOMORES—Kale Williams, RB; 28—Xander Houseman; 51—Will Miller; 54—Chris Martinez,
1A DISTRICT 7—Conway Springs 13-0 (5-0), Medicine Lodge 7-3 (3-2), Sterling 6-4 (4-1), Ellinwood 4-4 (1-4), , Hutchinson Trinity 4-6 (2-3), South Sumner 3-6 (0-5)
ELLINWOOD (4-4, 1-4)
*1A, DISTRICT 7
8-29—at Whitewater Jamboree
9-5—at Syracuse (32-0)
9-12—at Herington (47-0)
9-19—Stanton County (55-0)
9-26—*Sterling (35-41)
10-3—*at South Sumner (59-27)
10-10—*Hutchinson Trinity (15-26)
10-17—*Conway Springs (21-34)
10-24—*at Medicine Lodge (22-42)
