LARNED TRACK (DONE)
Larned's girls feature quality athletes
LARNED — Larned's Teagan Walker, Alexa Beltz and multi-event qualifier Kaylee Hagerman return from a state runner-up 400-meter relay (49.89) with Taeten Reynolds. Walker, and Cara Herbert return from a sixth-place 1,600-meter relay.
State placer Herbert has placed fourth and 11th in the 100-meter hurdles and ninth in the 300-meter hurdles. Hagerman has placed second and fifth in the long jump; sixth and 13th in the 200 meters, and seventh and 10th in the triple jump.
Herbert, Hagerman, Teagan Walker, Alexa Beltz and Taeten Reynolds run on relays.
Hagerman has won CKL titles in the 100 and triple jump. A career best 38-21/2 won a regional title.
"The girls are a strong point for our program, and have been for the last several years," said Larned coach Scott Upson. "The girls have the potential to do even better this year. It depends on how they perform."
Larned head track coach Scott Upson is assisted by Shane Weiszbrod (Sprints, Distance); Hannah Smith (Sprints, Distance); Keenan Rasmussen (Sprints, Jumps); and Cory Johnson (Throws).
"Our boys are showing improvement," Upson said "Hopefully we can qualify some boys for state track this season. The potential is there. It is up to our athletes to perform. Have to be not only physically tough, but mentally tough. The coaching staff will have them competing at a high energy, high performance level. Overall, we're young, but that will pay off for us later. Our expectations are high."
Key returners include Kaylee Hagerman (Sprints, Jumps); Cara Herbert,(Hurdles); Alexa Beltz (Sprints, Jumps); Taeten Reynolds (Sprints, Jumps); Cammy Upson (Throws); Teagan Walker (Sprints); James Seeman (Throws); David Colglazier (Sprints); Dalen Rasmussen (Sprints, Throws); Grady Pinkston (Middle Distance); Lane Elam (Hurdles, Sprints).
Larned's toughest meets will be Kingman, Hillsboro and the Central Kansas League.
"All of these meets have good athletes and we'll have to be at our best to place," he said.
LARNED STATE QUALIFIERS
100m hurdles—4—Cara Herbert, 15.87; 11—Herbert, 16.77; 200m—6—Kaylee Hagerman, 26.57; 13—K. Hagerman, 26.65; 300m hurdles—9—Herbert, 48.53; 400m relay—2—Larned, 49.89 (Teagan Walker, Alexa Beltz, K. Hagerman); 5—Larned, 50.26 (Beltz, K. Hagerman, Taeten Reynolds); 1,600m relay—6—Larned, 4:13.76 (Herbert, Walker); Long jump—2—K. Hagerman, L, 17-51/4; 5—K. Hagerman, 16-10; Triple jump—7—K. Hagerman, L, 34-61/4; 10—K. Hagerman, 35-4
LARNED ROSTER
SENIORS—Alexa Beltz, Kaylee Hagerman, David Lumpkins, James Seeman, Christopher Slattery, Teagan Walker
JUNIORS— Keaton Bartley, Cara Herbert, Caleb McDonald, Grady Pinkston, Leah Pinkston, Kooper Rasmussen, Addison Townsend
SOPHOMORES—— Emma Creamer, James Garetto, Zane Lakin, Taeten Reynolds, Cassidy Wachs, Taeten Reynolds
OTHERS—Kinley Atteberry, David Colglazier, Jeron Debes, Temperance Donecker, Lane Elam, Connor Gilliland, Eli Kelty, Aspyn Kingsbury, Maverick Munden, Mia Munden, Ashler Olivier, Kierstin Pinkston, Hunter Pontius, Dalen Rasmussen, Isaac Redgate, Richard Roberts, Mario Rohling, Levi Sanders, Allyson Simmons, Alexis Stewart, Elijah Webster, Matheu Wilder
INDIAN SCHEDULE—3-26—Larned JV; 3-28—at La Crosse; 4-1—at Salina JV; 4-5—at Lyons; 4-12—Larned; 4-16—at Kingman; at St. John JV; 4-26—at St. John; 4-26—at Hillsboro; 5-6—at Hesston; 5-9—Central Kansas, Larned; 5-19-22—at 3A regional
Larned tennis returns two key players
LARNED — Larned will continue to compete in Class 3-1A tennis based on a 45% (4A) and 55% (3-1A) split.
Larned coach Mark Lessard is starting his 20th year assembling a squad that competes favorably in the Central Kansas League.
The Indians return state qualifier Tristan Thompson and Troy Hemken. Thompson/Hemken (10-18) lost two state matches and placed sixth at regionals with a 6-1, 6-1 loss to Haven's Brady Peterson/Devin Boice.
No. 2 singles Hemken (5-12) defeated Hoisington's Leyton Mooney 9-8 (7-5) for fifth in the 2024 Central Kansas League tennis tournament. Haven's Peterson/Boice defeated Mason Mead/Tristan Thompson 6-4, 6-4 for third place.
"Tristan Thompson and Troy Hemken saw extensive varsity action last year and will play a pivotal role in our lineup," said Lessard. "Tristan will start out at No. 1 singles. Troy will either play No. 2 singles or team for doubles with a younger player..
"Our lineup will likely change throughout the season based on player chemistry and competition," Lessard said. "The guys are working hard and have shown great improvement from last year. Our four freshmen come into high school with two years of middle school tennis experience. That'll be a big help."
LARNED ROSTER
JUNIOR—Tristan Thompson
SOPHOMORES—Troy Hemken, Aiden O'Crotty-Perez, James Garetto
NINTH GRADERS—Hunter Hewson, Ryan Hill, Connor Rogers, Brayden Smith
LARNED SCHEDULE—4-1—at Ellsworth JV; 4-3—at Pratt; 4-8—at Ellsworth; 4-10—at Cimarron; 4-15—Larned meet; 4-22—Larned meet; at Hoisington JV; 4-26—at Garden City; 5-1—at Pratt; 5-5—Central Kansas at Hesston; 5-6—at Ellsworth JV; 5-9/10—at 3-1A regional
Pitcher leads Larned softball team
MCPHERSON – The underdog Larned/La Crosse softball team played its best 41/2 innings of the season to lead Andale/Garden Plains 2-0 in the 4A McPherson softball regional. Larned (12-11) were seven outs away from a huge upset.
But Andale won the battle of Indians with five runs in its final two at-bats to escape with a 5-2 semifinal victory. Andale (17-9) upset McPherson 8-5 to qualify for the 4A state softball tournament.
Larned’s Indian pitcher Madison Wood (8-8) threw four brilliant shutout Innings. Karley Lemuz doubled in the second inning. Camryn Ettleman singled home pinch runner Gillian Smith for a 1-0 lead. Kenzie Reinert doubled and scored on Teagen Walker’s fifth-inning single.
A 2-out error cost the Indians three unearned runs. Elsie Johnson delivered an RBI single and Maddison McKim converted a 2-run single. Emery Benson-Hladik hit an RBI single and Bella Cates scored on a wild pitch for a 5-2 victory. Andale pitcher Jayna Lies struck out five batters.
Larned head coach Jordan Haney is assisted by Amy Wilson and Brooke Stahlecker.
No. 1 pitcher Madison Wood (8-7) leads the pitching staff. Karley Lemuz (0-2) will share pitching duties. Returning starters include 2B/SS/LF Teagan Walker, 2B/SS/LF; P/3B Karley Lemuz, OF/SS Brooke Simmons, 1B Jillian Hagerman, 1B and OF/2B A'Tejia Thomas.
LARNED SOFTBALL
SENIORS—2—Ivy Hope, OF; 7—Madison Wood, P/3B/U; 9—Teagan Walker, 2B/SS/LF; 25—Karley Lemuz, P/3B
JUNIORS —1—Gillian Smith, OF; 8—Anne Bugner, OF
SOPHOMORES—4—Brooke Simmons, OF/SS; 6—Maya Wilson, IF; 10—Eowyn Hedding, C/IF; 13—Jillian Hagerman, 1B; 15—A'Tejia Thomas, OF/2B; 31—Jadyn Crosby, P/IF; 32—Alexis Stewart, OF
NINTH-GRADERS—3—Devora Bowersox, OF; 11—Jenna Fischer, OF; 28—Isabella Garcia, IF
LARNED SCHEDULE—3-31—at Cimarron; 4-1—Lyons; 4-4—at Ellis; 4-8—*Hoisington; 4-11—*Hesston; 4-15—*Smoky Valley; 4-17—*at Haven; 4-22—*Hillsboro; 4-24—*at Halstead; 4-28—Spearville; 4-29—Russell; 5-9—*at Nickerson; 5-13—*at Pratt; 5-19/20—at 4A regional
Indians have three veteran golfers
LARNED — Larned golf coach Dan Collins features a trio of veterans and a trio of newcomers for the 2025 Indians.
Gavin Collins placed 25TH (104) at regionals and 20TH at the Central Kansas League (91); Jace Holopirek placed 34TH at regionals (113) and 44TH at CKL (114); and Brennon Stahlecker finished 24TH (98) and 29TH (101) at regionals and 29TH, (98) at CKL.
LARNED ROSTER
SOPHOMORES—Gavin Collins (REG, 25TH, 104; CKL 20TH, 91); Jace Holopirek (REG, 34TH, 113; CKL, 44TH, 114); Brennon Stahlecker (REG, 24TH, 98; 29TH, 101; CKL, 29TH, 98)
NINTH-GRADERS—Koby Lang, Joeb Ratzlaff, Tristan Bauer
INDIAN SCHEDULE—3-31—at Lake Barton JV; 4-3— at Lake Barton; 4-7—at Hutchinson Crazy Horse; at Russell JV; 4-14—at Hutchinson, Carey Park; 4-15—at Hutchinson, Crazy Horse JV; 4-22—at Larned; 4-28—at Pratt JV; 5-5—at Hays, Smoky Hill; 5-6—at Ellsworth JV; 5-8—at Ellsworth; 5-9—at Jetmore JV; 5-12—Central Kansas League; 5-19—at 3A regional
Larned baseball reloads for CKL race
LARNED – Larned's competitive baseball program nearly secured a home 4A baseball site last year, but lost to Hoisington 4-3. Rose Hill scored six unearned runs to down Larned/La Crosse 8-2 in last year's 4A baseball regional. Larned (17-8) managed two hits in the 7-inning affair. Rose Hill (15-10) upset 2-time defending 4A state champion McPherson for a 4A state berth.
The Rockets took advantage of seven Larned errors, five walks and two hit batters. Rose Hill scored two runs on a wild rundown that would’ve made the Bad News Bears proud. Cooper Nace’s fly ball was misplayed, but Nace overran first base when the runners held. Larned committed an error and two runs scored when Nace was tagged out.
Larned (16-7, 13-5 CKL) returns two quality pitchers in Carson Shaver (6-2) and Tristan Regan (3-0). Position starters returning as multi-year starters are 2B/C Deacon Martin, RF Tristan Regan, LF Mason Miller and C/P Carson Shaver.
The Larned/La Crosse co-op baseball program features Reece Morgan, Connor Spreier, Eli Morgan and Hunter Hobbs from the Leopards.
"We feature seven players who had significant playing time – Carson Shaver, Deacon Martin, Mason Miller, Tristan Regan, Anthony Gonzalez, Reece Morgan and Andres Martinez," said Larned coach Chad Erway. "Carson Shaver will have a big senior year on the mound and at the plate. Senior Deacon Martin will be a pivotal player who will have to throw for us. If Tristan Regan, Reece Morgan, Anthony Gonzalez and Mason Miller enjoy solid years on the mound, we'll be successful. We have key skill positions that we will need to fill. Guys are battling for our middle infield positions."
Erway likes the Indian players are battling for three starting spots.
"It's competitive for three starting spots. We'll compete in a tough CKL League if we play beyond our ability and are mentally disciplined. Pratt ,Haven and Hesston will all be solid baseball teams. When you play in the CKL every game is tough because multiple teams make postseason runs."
Pratt, Hesston and Haven headline the Central Kansas League contenders.
"We'll need to play beyond our ability and be mentally disciplined if we plan on competing in a tough CKL League," Erway said. "Pratt, Haven and Hesston will be solid baseball teams, but when you play in the CKL every game is tough. Many CKL teams make a run in postseason play."
The Larned baseball Indians surprised Chapman and Pratt to qualify for the 4A 2023 state baseball tournament. State champion McPherson beat Larned 8-3.
INDIAN ROSTER
SENIORS—1—Corbyn Nance, IF; 2—Creighton Murray, OF; 3—Carson Shaver, C/P; 6—Cooper Rasmussen; 12—Camden Bird, IF/P; 13—Deacon Martin; 20—Angel Bowersox, C
JUNIORS—4—Conner Spreier; 8—Thedon Hedding; 9—Tristan Regan; 10—Mason Miller; 11—Antonio Torres; 14—Ryland Baalmann; 17—Tristan Young; 19—Luke Krehbiel; 21—Keaton Bartley; 24—Theodon Hedding; 26—Reese Morgan
SOPHOMORES—5—Slade Sundahl; 6—Andres Martinez; 7—Anthony Gonzalez; 19—Landis Hagerman; 22—Eli Morgan; 23—Cayden Shaver; 26—Crispyn Wilson; 29—Hunter Hobbs; 35—Kylier Green
LARNED SCHEDULE—3-28—Hays TMP; 4-1—Lyons; 4-8—*Hoisington; 4-11—*Hesston; 4-15—*Smoky Valley; 4-17—*at Haven; 4-22—*Hillsboro; 4-24—*at Halstead; 4-29—at Hugoton; 5-6—Russell; 5-9—*at Nickerson; 5-13—*at Pratt; 5-19/20—at 4A regional
