Derby’s Ava Hastings – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Wichita Heating and Air
By Cooper Chadwick As a freshman, Derby High School’s Ava Hastings is ready to make her mark on a talented and experienced team. Head coach Christy Weve is already impressed with what Hastings is going to bring to the panthers. “Ava works hard on and off the field. She is fast, has a strong arm […]
Garden Plain’s Jewel Gallagher – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Advanced Physical Therapy
By Blake Chadwick After a 2023 2A state championship in track where Garden Plain’s Jewel Gallagher qualified in the 4×4 and the pole vault, she returned with some more experience and a hunger to place better. As a junior, Gallagher and the Owls didn’t win a team state championship but became an individual state champion […]
Andover Central’s Ellie Damico – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Aegis Group LLC
By Ken Hansard Ellie Damico, senior center back and captain for the Andover Central soccer team, has a lot to be excited about in her final stint as a Jaguar. She has already committed to Fort Hays State to play soccer next year. She plays for a team that finished last season 15-3-1 and returns […]
Andover Central’s Reese Fleming – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Aegis Group LLC
By Ken Hansard Reese Fleming, Andover Central’s senior midfielder / centerback, understandably sounds like a kid in a candy store. The Jags are coming off a 15-3-1 campaign that saw them only narrowly missing state. She was named Second-Team All-AVCTL, Honorable-Mention All-State, and has also received All-Metro honors as a midfielder. But those are not […]
Kingman’s Macie Brannan – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Rogers Crop Insurance Inc
By Cooper Chadwick With a new head coach, things are bound to be different, but senior Macie Brannan is excited for what head coach Ashley Podschun will bring to the Kingman Eagles this year. “I am excited to have a new coach and get to know her and see how she coaches,” Brannan said. “I’m […]
Haven’s Sophia Faidley – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Hellas Construction
By Blake Chadwick After back-to-back league championships in 2023 and 2024, senior catcher Sophia Faidley will look to get the Haven Wildcats back and make a deep state championship run. “As a player, Sophie is very focused and determined, and she works hard to be a good catcher,” head coach Darin Ashworth said. “She’s a […]
Buhler’s Brayden Henry – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by HTeaO
By Ken Hansard Buhler’s Brayden Henry is a senior pitcher who also plays third and catcher. The Crusaders posted a record of 13-14 in Henry’s junior season, finishing 5-5 in the always tough AVCTL-Division III, but losing in the first round of regionals. As a senior, Henry is ready to lead the charge to what […]
Kingman’s Kory Meireis – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Eagles Pub & Golf Course and Newberry Family Motors
By Hayden Swope Kory Meireis of Kingman has done nothing but prove himself throughout his high school golf career. With one final season and a bright golf future ahead, Meireis spent his offseason working towards taking home the gold. “I have been working through a swing change as I have grown about six inches in […]
Haven’s Nash Wray – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Invision Investment Group – Kelli Altvater
By Cooper Chadwick After helping Haven finish with a winning season last year, senior Nash Wray is ready to compete and make his mark this season. Wray, who plays shortstop for the Wildcats, has prepared himself to have a stellar senior year. “What I have been doing in the offseason is getting in the weight […]
Derby Softball – Team Spotlight – Presented by Primerica – Rob Cooper
By Blake Chadwick The Derby Panther softball team is a program that consistently excels year after year. Now entering head coach Christy Weve’s 22nd season at the helm, the team aims to build on last year’s impressive 24-5 record and look to make it four straight state tournament appearances. “I expect the season to go […]