Bluestem’s Dani Orpen – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Jim’s Propane
By Matt Browning Just a freshman, Bluestem’s Dani Orpen was an honorable mention all-league shortstop last season. She followed up her 2024 campaign by leading the Lions to a 20-win season and a bid in the 2-1A Tournament, which included a 12-2 route of No. 2 seed Remington in the regional final. A first team […]
Wichita East’s Beau Adamson – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Supplement World
By Ken Hansard Wichita East senior singles player Beau Adamson finished his junior tennis season 24-3, succumbing at state in the second round. Heading into this year’s state tourney (story was sent to print prior to the state tournament), Adamson is 19-6 after finishing third at the GWAL meet, and he couldn’t be more excited about the thought […]
Wellington’s Wyatt Dickey – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by SCCDAT
By Ken Hansard Transferring from league rival Ark City to Wellington, Wyatt Dickey already knew the long-standing tradition of the Crusaders’ sports teams. “Coming into the season here, I was looking forward to playing with a new team of competitive guys who all have the same goal – to win.” And the Crusaders have been […]
Oxford’s Makhila Maupin – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Ken Gooch Shelter Insurance
By Ken Hansard When one is already a state champion in multiple events, meeting personal goals often means leaving a mark on Kansas’ track and field record books. Oxford senior Makhila Maupin is already a multiple-time state qualifier and a three-time state champ. She also owns the 2A record in the 200. This spring, she is […]
Wichita Heights’ Annalys Rivas – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by The Tire Store
By Hayden Swope Annalys Rivas, a soccer athlete at Wichita Heights High School, has played her fair share of games, and has had years of experience under her belt. Just this past year, Rivas was named a second team all-league athlete. Hoping to grow as an athlete physically, Rivas looked for multiple ways to better […]
Wichita Southeast’s Michael Cooks – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Tommy Leach Shelter Insurance
By Cooper Chadwick Junior Michael Cooks is an integral part of the 2025 Wichita Southeast Track and Field team. Cooks runs the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m, he has put in months of work and practice to help him make a difference in his first year for the Buffaloes. “I’ve been working with my coaches a […]
State Tournament Photos – Presented by Visit Wichita
Rose Hill’s Peirce Kehle – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Davis Moore Chevrolet
By Matt Browning For his entire life, Rose Hill’s Peirce Kehle has been fortunate that his step dad has been stationed in one place, allowing him to make friends and to set up roots. Kehle’s step dad is retiring after 23 years in the Air Force. “My life I don’t think had been affected in […]
McPherson Girls Soccer – Team of the Month – Presented by Visit Wichita
By Matt Browning Over the past ten seasons, the McPherson girls soccer program has made it to the Class 4-1A Final Four six times. They have been a model of consistency churning out multiple all-state and all-league selections, while also producing gaudy win-loss records. The 2025 Lady Bullpups finished with a record of 12-6 after […]
Valley Center’s Kinsley Plumer – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Wichita Driving School
By Cooper Chadwick As the sprint captain for Valley Center high school, junior Kinsley Plumer qualified for state in triple jump, 100 M hurdles and pole vault. Plumer spends a lot of her offseason with the WSU Shocker Track Club to improve her form and get a different perspective of coaching. “I want to improve […]