By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor

The Southeast of Saline Trojan softball team wrapped up their 2021 regular season with an afternoon split against the Russell Broncos on Friday.

With a loss of 2-1 and a win of 4-1 SES will head to the postseason at 15-5 and as NCAA league champions.

Russell, now 13-3, heads to Hays TMP to finish up their regular season next week.

Game one of the doubleheader was a true pitchers duel, with Carly Commerford dominating opposing hitters, striking out 12 and not allowing a single hit for a full seven innings.

Unfortunately for Southeast, four errors and three walks gave Russell the baserunners they needed to scratch two runs across and head into the final inning with a 2-0 lead.

The Trojans were able to score in the home half of the seventh but still came up just short, falling in game one 2-1.

Game two had a much different feel to it as SES immediately struck for two runs in the bottom of the first and another in the third.

The teams traded runs in the fifth but this time, the run support was enough as Lexi Jacobson slammed the door shut, striking out nine and allowing just one run on one hit in a 4-1 victory for the Trojans.

At 15-5, the Trojans will be in a strong position at the state regional, and will look to punch their ticket to state in Hesston on May 17th.

Stay tuned to the Salina Post for continuing coverage of the SES softball team throughout the 2021 postseason.

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599179528888.png" alt="This SES softball update is brought to you by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>This SES softball update is brought to you by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>The Southeast of Saline Trojan softball team wrapped up their 2021 regular season with an afternoon split against the Russell Broncos on Friday.With a loss of 2-1 and a win of 4-1 SES will head to the postseason at 15-5 and as NCAA league champions.Russell, now 13-3, heads to Hays TMP to finish up their regular season next week.Game one of the doubleheader was a true pitchers duel, with Carly Commerford dominating opposing hitters, striking out 12 and not allowing a single hit for a full seven innings.Unfortunately for Southeast, four errors and three walks gave Russell the baserunners they needed to scratch two runs across and head into the final inning with a 2-0 lead.The Trojans were able to score in the home half of the seventh but still came up just short, falling in game one 2-1.Game two had a much different feel to it as SES immediately struck for two runs in the bottom of the first and another in the third.The teams traded runs in the fifth but this time, the run support was enough as Lexi Jacobson slammed the door shut, striking out nine and allowing just one run on one hit in a 4-1 victory for the Trojans.At 15-5, the Trojans will be in a strong position at the state regional, and will look to punch their ticket to state in Hesston on May 17th.Stay tuned to the Salina Post for continuing coverage of the SES softball team throughout the 2021 postseason.

Trojan softball splits with Russell to cap off 15-5 regular season

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Carlos Rodón struck out eight in six innings, Zack Collins homered and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 3-0 on Friday night. 

The Royals were blanked for the second straight game in part of a six-game losing streak, all to division opponents. 

Rodón (5-0) limited the Royals to five hits. Kansas City threatened with two on and one out in the fourth, but the righty worked out of the jam with back-to-back strikeouts. Relievers Codi Heuer, Aaron Bummer and Liam Hendriks worked the final three innings to complete the shutout. Hendriks earned with sixth save.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Carlos Rodón struck out eight in six innings, Zack Collins homered and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 3-0 on Friday night. The Royals were blanked for the second straight game in part of a six-game losing streak, all to division opponents. Rodón (5-0) limited the Royals to five hits. Kansas City threatened with two on and one out in the fourth, but the righty worked out of the jam with back-to-back strikeouts. Relievers Codi Heuer, Aaron Bummer and Liam Hendriks worked the final three innings to complete the shutout. Hendriks earned with sixth save.

Carlos Rodón, White Sox beat Royals 3-0

HAYS - Fort Hays State head women's basketball coach&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/d5adcf9e-f654-4980-bd52-695e807f2996?elinkdata=164068" target="_blank">Tony Hobson</a>&nbsp;has announced the signing of Lauren West, a Division I transfer from Missouri-Kansas City.

West will join the Tigers as a redshirt-sophomore in the fall of 2021. West, a highly-touted recruit out of Millard North High School in Omaha, Neb., appeared in 30 games over the last two seasons with the Roos. She scored 64 points with UMKC, including a career-high 10 points earlier this season at Western Illinois (1/15/21). The 5-11 guard hit 13 shots from behind the 3-point line and poked away 11 steals over the last two years. West was one of the top recruits coming out of the state of Nebraska in 2019, earning numerous All-State honors in her time as a Mustang. She helped Millard North win the Nebraska Class A title in 2019, totaling 31 points and 13 rebounds in the state title game and her final high school contest. The Mustangs also reached the state tournament in her junior season (2018). West averaged 14.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game as a senior while hitting 42 percent from behind the arc. West earned first team All-Super State honors from&nbsp;The Lincoln Journal Star&nbsp;after her senior season and was a second team All-USA Nebraska Girls Basketball selection by the&nbsp;USA TODAY. She also earned all-state honors as a sophomore and junior in addition to multiple All-Metro honors from the&nbsp;Omaha World-Herald. She also earned multiple Academic All-State honors.&nbsp;&nbsp;

-<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com">fhsuathletics.com</a>-

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620423110645.jpeg" alt="Image courtesy <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com">fhsuathletics.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com">fhsuathletics.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>HAYS - Fort Hays State head women's basketball coach&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/d5adcf9e-f654-4980-bd52-695e807f2996?elinkdata=164068" target="_blank">Tony Hobson</a>&nbsp;has announced the signing of Lauren West, a Division I transfer from Missouri-Kansas City. West will join the Tigers as a redshirt-sophomore in the fall of 2021. West, a highly-touted recruit out of Millard North High School in Omaha, Neb., appeared in 30 games over the last two seasons with the Roos. She scored 64 points with UMKC, including a career-high 10 points earlier this season at Western Illinois (1/15/21). The 5-11 guard hit 13 shots from behind the 3-point line and poked away 11 steals over the last two years. West was one of the top recruits coming out of the state of Nebraska in 2019, earning numerous All-State honors in her time as a Mustang. She helped Millard North win the Nebraska Class A title in 2019, totaling 31 points and 13 rebounds in the state title game and her final high school contest. The Mustangs also reached the state tournament in her junior season (2018). West averaged 14.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game as a senior while hitting 42 percent from behind the arc. West earned first team All-Super State honors from&nbsp;The Lincoln Journal Star&nbsp;after her senior season and was a second team All-USA Nebraska Girls Basketball selection by the&nbsp;USA TODAY. She also earned all-state honors as a sophomore and junior in addition to multiple All-Metro honors from the&nbsp;Omaha World-Herald. She also earned multiple Academic All-State honors.&nbsp;&nbsp;-<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com">fhsuathletics.com</a>-

Tiger women's basketball signs UMKC transfer Lauren West

MANHATTAN –&nbsp;A pair of Kansas State defensive backs that concluded their collegiate careers in 2020 have earned their shot with NFL teams as the Detroit Lions announced the signing of&nbsp;AJ Parker&nbsp;and the Cleveland Browns have inked&nbsp;Kiondre Thomas. 

The duo joins&nbsp;Wyatt Hubert, a seventh-round draft pick by Cincinnati, as players on last year’s team to be added to NFL rosters.

Other Wildcats could sign undrafted free agent contracts with NFL teams, and those will be announced when they are made official by their respective franchises.

Parker was a 33-game starter for the Wildcats who played both nickelback and cornerback throughout his career. He was an Honorable Mention All-Big 12 pick in 2019 despite only playing in eight games as an injury cut his season short. That year, he totaled three interceptions and was tied for second in the Big 12 and 17th&nbsp;nationally in picks prior to his injury. A native of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Parker started nine contests last season, including the TCU game in which his interception-return touchdown in the second half was the difference in a 21-14 victory. Parker earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week and Jim Thorpe Award Player of the Week honors following the game against the Horned Frogs.

A graduate transfer from Minnesota prior to the season, Thomas played in eight games with starts in each of the final four contests of 2020. He had five tackles in the final two games of the year, while he batted away a pass in four different contests. Prior to K-State, Thomas played in 32 games with 16 starts in three years at Minnesota.

–&nbsp;<a href="http://k-statesports.com/" target="_blank">k-statesports.com</a>&nbsp;–

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620422807797.jpeg" alt="Image courtesy&nbsp;<a href="http://k-statesports.com/" target="_blank">k-statesports.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy&nbsp;<a href="http://k-statesports.com/" target="_blank">k-statesports.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN –&nbsp;A pair of Kansas State defensive backs that concluded their collegiate careers in 2020 have earned their shot with NFL teams as the Detroit Lions announced the signing of&nbsp;AJ Parker&nbsp;and the Cleveland Browns have inked&nbsp;Kiondre Thomas. The duo joins&nbsp;Wyatt Hubert, a seventh-round draft pick by Cincinnati, as players on last year’s team to be added to NFL rosters.Other Wildcats could sign undrafted free agent contracts with NFL teams, and those will be announced when they are made official by their respective franchises.Parker was a 33-game starter for the Wildcats who played both nickelback and cornerback throughout his career. He was an Honorable Mention All-Big 12 pick in 2019 despite only playing in eight games as an injury cut his season short. That year, he totaled three interceptions and was tied for second in the Big 12 and 17th&nbsp;nationally in picks prior to his injury. A native of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Parker started nine contests last season, including the TCU game in which his interception-return touchdown in the second half was the difference in a 21-14 victory. Parker earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week and Jim Thorpe Award Player of the Week honors following the game against the Horned Frogs.A graduate transfer from Minnesota prior to the season, Thomas played in eight games with starts in each of the final four contests of 2020. He had five tackles in the final two games of the year, while he batted away a pass in four different contests. Prior to K-State, Thomas played in 32 games with 16 starts in three years at Minnesota.–&nbsp;<a href="http://k-statesports.com/" target="_blank">k-statesports.com</a>&nbsp;–

Two Wildcats sign free agent contracts with NFL teams

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Fort Hays State women's soccer team placed 12 of its student-athletes on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll, announced Thursday by the league office. 

In addition to those 12 honors, the Tigers also had four MIAA Academic Excellence Award honorees and two Scholar-Athlete Award recipients. <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/d3fcff19-1355-4947-acf8-2f1bce497710?elinkdata=163938" target="_blank">Tessa Irvine</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/66c7ed26-e218-4409-82fe-47545259ad04?elinkdata=163938" target="_blank">Cailey Perkins</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/e3334d3a-9af6-40ca-adc8-0820afa9b311?elinkdata=163938" target="_blank">Maja Persa</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/4b90611c-e9ce-4a68-bda1-4778ee3c8f1f?elinkdata=163938" target="_blank">Emily Reitz</a>&nbsp;all earned the MIAA Academic Excellence Award for maintaining a perfect 4.00 GPA. It was the third-such honor for Perkins and Persa, while both Irvine and Reitz earned the award for the second year in a row. <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/a49f63f7-01a7-404c-8ba5-2c3bec02846c?elinkdata=163938" target="_blank">Macy Decker</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/360f3538-aa89-451f-b6f6-6a073b17f889?elinkdata=163938" target="_blank">Reilly Madden</a>&nbsp;both received the MIAA Scholar-Athlete Award due to earning All-MIAA honors on the pitch and maintaining at least a 3.50 GPA. It is the first such honor for both Tigers. Other FHSU representatives on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll include&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/4d6f458f-3358-46d6-afc0-7372fa59e749?elinkdata=163938" target="_blank">Katie Evans</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/c06d06e9-1703-42e0-9c7a-93b6821db713?elinkdata=163938" target="_blank">Meghan Groom</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/9e801869-8260-49cb-b35f-b0a4cf15c14f?elinkdata=163938" target="_blank">Amanda Rapaduski</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/8ca039a2-e8cb-4065-a21c-66d8353b6065?elinkdata=163938" target="_blank">Zariah Smith</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/df68e0d1-3c12-4f6d-a7d5-9ae8fbbfdc79?elinkdata=163938" target="_blank">Jordan Thompson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/abf0ec8c-e054-4c73-9fc6-a284037cdeed?elinkdata=163938" target="_blank">Deonna Wellbrock</a>. An MIAA Academic Excellence Award recipient must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 4.00 or better at the certifying member institution. The honoree also must have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. To qualify as a Scholar-Athlete an individual must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.50 at the certifying member institution. They must also have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. The student-athlete must also earn All-MIAA honors during the current season. To be recognized on the Academic Honor Roll, one must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.00 at the certifying member institution. The individual must also have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. Transfers and true freshman are recognized at the conclusion of the school year, after they meet the two terms of attendance requirement.&nbsp;&nbsp;

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Fort Hays State women's soccer team placed 12 of its student-athletes on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll, announced Thursday by the league office. In addition to those 12 honors, the Tigers also had four MIAA Academic Excellence Award honorees and two Scholar-Athlete Award recipients. <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/d3fcff19-1355-4947-acf8-2f1bce497710?elinkdata=163938" target="_blank">Tessa Irvine</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/66c7ed26-e218-4409-82fe-47545259ad04?elinkdata=163938" target="_blank">Cailey Perkins</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/e3334d3a-9af6-40ca-adc8-0820afa9b311?elinkdata=163938" target="_blank">Maja Persa</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/4b90611c-e9ce-4a68-bda1-4778ee3c8f1f?elinkdata=163938" target="_blank">Emily Reitz</a>&nbsp;all earned the MIAA Academic Excellence Award for maintaining a perfect 4.00 GPA. It was the third-such honor for Perkins and Persa, while both Irvine and Reitz earned the award for the second year in a row. <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/a49f63f7-01a7-404c-8ba5-2c3bec02846c?elinkdata=163938" target="_blank">Macy Decker</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/360f3538-aa89-451f-b6f6-6a073b17f889?elinkdata=163938" target="_blank">Reilly Madden</a>&nbsp;both received the MIAA Scholar-Athlete Award due to earning All-MIAA honors on the pitch and maintaining at least a 3.50 GPA. It is the first such honor for both Tigers. Other FHSU representatives on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll include&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/4d6f458f-3358-46d6-afc0-7372fa59e749?elinkdata=163938" target="_blank">Katie Evans</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/c06d06e9-1703-42e0-9c7a-93b6821db713?elinkdata=163938" target="_blank">Meghan Groom</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/9e801869-8260-49cb-b35f-b0a4cf15c14f?elinkdata=163938" target="_blank">Amanda Rapaduski</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/8ca039a2-e8cb-4065-a21c-66d8353b6065?elinkdata=163938" target="_blank">Zariah Smith</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/df68e0d1-3c12-4f6d-a7d5-9ae8fbbfdc79?elinkdata=163938" target="_blank">Jordan Thompson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/abf0ec8c-e054-4c73-9fc6-a284037cdeed?elinkdata=163938" target="_blank">Deonna Wellbrock</a>. An MIAA Academic Excellence Award recipient must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 4.00 or better at the certifying member institution. The honoree also must have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. To qualify as a Scholar-Athlete an individual must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.50 at the certifying member institution. They must also have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. The student-athlete must also earn All-MIAA honors during the current season. To be recognized on the Academic Honor Roll, one must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.00 at the certifying member institution. The individual must also have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. Transfers and true freshman are recognized at the conclusion of the school year, after they meet the two terms of attendance requirement.&nbsp;&nbsp;-<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com">fhsuathletics.com</a>-

12 from Tiger women's soccer on MIAA Academic Honor Roll

By KARISSA NIEHOFF executive director of the National Federation of State High School Associations

BILL FAFLICK executive director of the Kansas State High School Activities Association

After months of working with state government, education and health leaders, schools in all 50 states have been given the go-ahead to resume high school sports at some level of competition. Schools in the District of Columbia were the last to receive the green light on April 1. This is great news and signals that a return to normalcy may be on the horizon by the time schools begin sports and activities this fall.

Unfortunately, there is an ever-increasing issue that could put a kink in the return-to-play plans in Kansas and across the country – a shortage of officials, as in referees and umpires, that borders on catastrophic in some sports and in some parts of the nation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The shortage of officials in high school – and middle school – sports has been a growing concern for several years; however, the COVID-19 pandemic has moved the issue to heightened levels.&nbsp;

In some cases, schools that have waited months and months to “play ball” have had to cancel games or reschedule games. There are so many contests occurring, with some states currently playing football and other sports they were unable to offer last fall, coupled with regular spring sports now underway, there simply are not enough people to officiate all scheduled games.

According to the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), registration of officials across the country is down about 30 percent this year. In Kansas from 2019-20 to 2020-2021 we saw a 14% reduction of officials registering.&nbsp; Five hundred-twenty fewer officials registered in 2020-2021. In the past 10 years – since 2010-2011 we are down 26% - 1092 few officials registered in 2020-2021. Sports with the largest percent decrease were basketball and wrestling at approximately 17% reduction.&nbsp;

Tennessee and Georgia have reported declines in baseball umpires. In one county in Georgia, one middle school had to cancel its baseball season due to a lack of umpires.

In some cases, the number of available officials has declined due to health-related reasons – people opting out this year because of the pandemic. As vaccinations increase and the optics improve, many of these individuals hopefully will return.&nbsp;

For other officials, however, the pandemic was a secondary concern compared to the verbal abuse they receive from fans – mostly parents. It is particularly hard for rookie officials to overcome the verbal shots they hear from parents. In an article in the Salt Lake City Deseret News, Jeff Cluff, assistant director in charge of officials for the UHSAA, had the following to say about unruly fans in his state:&nbsp;

“Parents are out of control . . . Because of the club and super-league culture, they think these games mean everything; we don’t look at it that way in high school. Kids are learning, the officials are learning, the coaches are learning. We have lots of people who are interested in officiating. If we could keep these officials, we’d be fine.”

Schools in Kansas need two things: 1) more individuals to consider officiating high school sports and 2) an improvement in fan behavior so that officials don’t have to deal with verbal abuse and can feel good about continuing to officiate. Despite the fun and rewards that come with officiating high school sports, no one wants to continue if they are continually berated by fans.

The NFHS has been actively recruiting officials for four years through its #BecomeAnOfficial campaign. More than 50,000 individuals have expressed interest in officiating during this time. However, more individuals are desperately needed to keep the games going for the millions of students in middle school and high school sports. Anyone can sign up today at www.highschoolofficials.com.

More importantly, let’s do all we can to keep the men and women who are currently giving of their time to officiate middle school and high school sports. The next time you think about yelling at the referee during a high school contest, DON’T!

There is hope on the horizon that the pandemic will not keep kids off the playing fields and courts much longer. Let’s make sure boorish behavior doesn’t keep officials off the same fields and courts.&nbsp;&nbsp;

By KARISSA NIEHOFF executive director of the National Federation of State High School Associations and BILL FAFLICK executive director of the Kansas State High School Activities AssociationAfter months of working with state government, education and health leaders, schools in all 50 states have been given the go-ahead to resume high school sports at some level of competition. Schools in the District of Columbia were the last to receive the green light on April 1. This is great news and signals that a return to normalcy may be on the horizon by the time schools begin sports and activities this fall.Unfortunately, there is an ever-increasing issue that could put a kink in the return-to-play plans in Kansas and across the country – a shortage of officials, as in referees and umpires, that borders on catastrophic in some sports and in some parts of the nation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The shortage of officials in high school – and middle school – sports has been a growing concern for several years; however, the COVID-19 pandemic has moved the issue to heightened levels.&nbsp;In some cases, schools that have waited months and months to “play ball” have had to cancel games or reschedule games. There are so many contests occurring, with some states currently playing football and other sports they were unable to offer last fall, coupled with regular spring sports now underway, there simply are not enough people to officiate all scheduled games.According to the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), registration of officials across the country is down about 30 percent this year. In Kansas from 2019-20 to 2020-2021 we saw a 14% reduction of officials registering.&nbsp; Five hundred-twenty fewer officials registered in 2020-2021. In the past 10 years – since 2010-2011 we are down 26% - 1092 few officials registered in 2020-2021. Sports with the largest percent decrease were basketball and wrestling at approximately 17% reduction.&nbsp;Tennessee and Georgia have reported declines in baseball umpires. In one county in Georgia, one middle school had to cancel its baseball season due to a lack of umpires.In some cases, the number of available officials has declined due to health-related reasons – people opting out this year because of the pandemic. As vaccinations increase and the optics improve, many of these individuals hopefully will return.&nbsp;For other officials, however, the pandemic was a secondary concern compared to the verbal abuse they receive from fans – mostly parents. It is particularly hard for rookie officials to overcome the verbal shots they hear from parents. In an article in the Salt Lake City Deseret News, Jeff Cluff, assistant director in charge of officials for the UHSAA, had the following to say about unruly fans in his state:&nbsp;“Parents are out of control . . . Because of the club and super-league culture, they think these games mean everything; we don’t look at it that way in high school. Kids are learning, the officials are learning, the coaches are learning. We have lots of people who are interested in officiating. If we could keep these officials, we’d be fine.”Schools in Kansas need two things: 1) more individuals to consider officiating high school sports and 2) an improvement in fan behavior so that officials don’t have to deal with verbal abuse and can feel good about continuing to officiate. Despite the fun and rewards that come with officiating high school sports, no one wants to continue if they are continually berated by fans.The NFHS has been actively recruiting officials for four years through its #BecomeAnOfficial campaign. More than 50,000 individuals have expressed interest in officiating during this time. However, more individuals are desperately needed to keep the games going for the millions of students in middle school and high school sports. Anyone can sign up today at www.highschoolofficials.com.More importantly, let’s do all we can to keep the men and women who are currently giving of their time to officiate middle school and high school sports. The next time you think about yelling at the referee during a high school contest, DON’T!There is hope on the horizon that the pandemic will not keep kids off the playing fields and courts much longer. Let’s make sure boorish behavior doesn’t keep officials off the same fields and courts.&nbsp;&nbsp;

OPINION: More officials, better fan behavior needed in high school sports

CoSIDA named Fort Hays State Men's Basketball senior&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/a37494b1-806b-4bdd-ba0a-f89451a757a6?elinkdata=163964" target="_blank">Jared Vitztum</a>&nbsp;to its Academic All-District Team on Thursday.

Vitztum is one of just five student-athletes from District 7 (MIAA, NSIC, and GAC Conferences) to receive the honor. Sports Information and Athletic Communication professionals within District 7 vote on the Academic All-District Team, which honors a combination of academic and athletic accomplishments of the individuals selected. Vitztum owns a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average in his graduate studies at Fort Hays State, working on a master's degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance. He had a near perfect GPA during his time as an undergraduate student with a 3.92 GPA as a Finance major. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with his bachelor's degree in 2020. Vitztum is a three-time recipient of the MIAA Academic Excellence Award, a two-time recipient of the MIAA Scholar-Athlete Award for the seasons he earned All-MIAA honors, and a five-time member of the MIAA Academic Honor Roll. He was also a finalist for the MIAA Men's Winter Student-Athlete of the Year Award in 2021. On the court, Vitztum is a two-time All-MIAA selection, including first-team honors in 2021. Vitztum was one of just 11 players named to the NABC All-District Team for the Central Region. He led NCAA Division II in double-doubles for points and rebounds in the regular season with 12, averaging 18.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. Vitztum led the MIAA in rebounds per game and NCAA Division II in total rebounds per game (218) during the regular season. He became the 22nd&nbsp;player in FHSU Men's Basketball history to score 1,000 points, now with 1,118 in his career. He also became the eighth player in FHSU Men's Basketball history to score at least 1,000 points and pull down 600 rebounds in a career. As an All-District Selection, Vitztum will now be considered for Academic All-America honors to be voted on by Sports Information/Athletic Communication professionals nationwide in NCAA Division II. Below is the 2021 CoSIDA Men's Basketball Academic All-District Team in NCAA Division II for District 7. NCAA DIVISION II - ALL-DISTRICT 7 (Great American, Mid-America, Northern Sun) Adam Dworsky, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Sr., 3.81, Mathematics Parker Fox, Northern State University, Sr., 3.81, Sport Management Tyler Geiman, Washburn University, Sr., 3.53, Finance &amp; Economics Tyler Riemersma, Augustana University, Sr., 3.90, Data Science <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/a90a76ae-b7f2-447e-9d30-6b841785d185?elinkdata=163964" target="_blank">Jared Vitztum</a>, Fort Hays State University, Gr., 3.92/4.00, Business Administration

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620421559590.jpeg" alt="Image courtesy <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com">fhsuathletics.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com">fhsuathletics.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>CoSIDA named Fort Hays State Men's Basketball senior&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/a37494b1-806b-4bdd-ba0a-f89451a757a6?elinkdata=163964" target="_blank">Jared Vitztum</a>&nbsp;to its Academic All-District Team on Thursday. Vitztum is one of just five student-athletes from District 7 (MIAA, NSIC, and GAC Conferences) to receive the honor. Sports Information and Athletic Communication professionals within District 7 vote on the Academic All-District Team, which honors a combination of academic and athletic accomplishments of the individuals selected. Vitztum owns a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average in his graduate studies at Fort Hays State, working on a master's degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance. He had a near perfect GPA during his time as an undergraduate student with a 3.92 GPA as a Finance major. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with his bachelor's degree in 2020. Vitztum is a three-time recipient of the MIAA Academic Excellence Award, a two-time recipient of the MIAA Scholar-Athlete Award for the seasons he earned All-MIAA honors, and a five-time member of the MIAA Academic Honor Roll. He was also a finalist for the MIAA Men's Winter Student-Athlete of the Year Award in 2021. On the court, Vitztum is a two-time All-MIAA selection, including first-team honors in 2021. Vitztum was one of just 11 players named to the NABC All-District Team for the Central Region. He led NCAA Division II in double-doubles for points and rebounds in the regular season with 12, averaging 18.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. Vitztum led the MIAA in rebounds per game and NCAA Division II in total rebounds per game (218) during the regular season. He became the 22nd&nbsp;player in FHSU Men's Basketball history to score 1,000 points, now with 1,118 in his career. He also became the eighth player in FHSU Men's Basketball history to score at least 1,000 points and pull down 600 rebounds in a career. As an All-District Selection, Vitztum will now be considered for Academic All-America honors to be voted on by Sports Information/Athletic Communication professionals nationwide in NCAA Division II. Below is the 2021 CoSIDA Men's Basketball Academic All-District Team in NCAA Division II for District 7. NCAA DIVISION II - ALL-DISTRICT 7 (Great American, Mid-America, Northern Sun) Adam Dworsky, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Sr., 3.81, Mathematics Parker Fox, Northern State University, Sr., 3.81, Sport Management Tyler Geiman, Washburn University, Sr., 3.53, Finance &amp; Economics Tyler Riemersma, Augustana University, Sr., 3.90, Data Science <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/a90a76ae-b7f2-447e-9d30-6b841785d185?elinkdata=163964" target="_blank">Jared Vitztum</a>, Fort Hays State University, Gr., 3.92/4.00, Business Administration -<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com">fhsuathletics.com</a>-

Vitztum named to CoSIDA Academic All-District Men’s Basketball Team

GREAT BEND –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan fell to the Ottawa Braves 6-5 on Thursday night in the KCAC Tournament at the Great Bend Sports Complex.

The loss drops the Coyotes into the loser's bracket side of the draw, that switches to a unique bracket situation due to five teams remaining in the tournament. KWU will face top-seeded Oklahoma Wesleyan who was stunned by McPherson 6-5 earlier in the day.

Wesleyan jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/11824">Josh Sandoval</a>&nbsp;(SR/Glendale, Ariz.) doubled to score&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/10977">William Dryburgh</a>&nbsp;(SO/St. Joseph, Mo.) and a wild pitch allowed the second run to score.

Ottawa scored a run in the bottom of the second to make it 2-1, and the score would hold until the sixth.

The Coyotes added a run in the sixth when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/11801">Dalton Whitaker</a>&nbsp;(SR/Edmond, Okla.) singled and later scored when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/10935">Austin Cross</a>&nbsp;(JR/Montgomery, Texas) stole second, but the throw was errant.

Wesleyan added two more in the seventh as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/11802">Tristan Devane</a>&nbsp;(FR/Frostproof, Fla.) led off the inning with a walk and then&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/11828">Sisipako Vehikite</a>&nbsp;(JR/Santa Clara, Calif.) reached on an error. A wild pitch allowed the first run to score and Dryburgh drove in the second on a sacrifice fly.

Ottawa scored five in the bottom of the seventh to take the 6-5 lead.

The Coyotes put the go-ahead run on in the eighth, but could not get a run in.

Wesleyan had seven hits in the game, two by Whitaker.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/11821">Oscar Sanchez</a>&nbsp;(JR/Celina, Texas) went six innings for the Coyotes allowing a run on six hits with seven strikeouts, but did not factor in the decision.

-<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a>-

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620421242696.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>GREAT BEND –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan fell to the Ottawa Braves 6-5 on Thursday night in the KCAC Tournament at the Great Bend Sports Complex.The loss drops the Coyotes into the loser's bracket side of the draw, that switches to a unique bracket situation due to five teams remaining in the tournament. KWU will face top-seeded Oklahoma Wesleyan who was stunned by McPherson 6-5 earlier in the day.Wesleyan jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/11824">Josh Sandoval</a>&nbsp;(SR/Glendale, Ariz.) doubled to score&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/10977">William Dryburgh</a>&nbsp;(SO/St. Joseph, Mo.) and a wild pitch allowed the second run to score.Ottawa scored a run in the bottom of the second to make it 2-1, and the score would hold until the sixth.The Coyotes added a run in the sixth when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/11801">Dalton Whitaker</a>&nbsp;(SR/Edmond, Okla.) singled and later scored when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/10935">Austin Cross</a>&nbsp;(JR/Montgomery, Texas) stole second, but the throw was errant.Wesleyan added two more in the seventh as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/11802">Tristan Devane</a>&nbsp;(FR/Frostproof, Fla.) led off the inning with a walk and then&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/11828">Sisipako Vehikite</a>&nbsp;(JR/Santa Clara, Calif.) reached on an error. A wild pitch allowed the first run to score and Dryburgh drove in the second on a sacrifice fly.Ottawa scored five in the bottom of the seventh to take the 6-5 lead.The Coyotes put the go-ahead run on in the eighth, but could not get a run in.Wesleyan had seven hits in the game, two by Whitaker.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/11821">Oscar Sanchez</a>&nbsp;(JR/Celina, Texas) went six innings for the Coyotes allowing a run on six hits with seven strikeouts, but did not factor in the decision.-<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a>-

KWU baseball falls to Ottawa in KCAC Tournament

HAYS - CoSIDA named Fort Hays State Women's Basketball senior&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/6a5f7a3e-ca79-4662-9837-a2b96a20db76?elinkdata=163990" target="_blank">Whitney Randall</a>&nbsp;to its Academic All-District Team on Thursday.

Randall is one of just five student-athletes from District 7 (MIAA, NSIC, and GAC Conferences) to receive the honor. Sports Information and Athletic Communication professionals within District 7 vote on the Academic All-District Team, which honors a combination of academic and athletic accomplishments of the individuals selected. Randall has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA over four years of college as a Health &amp; Human Performance major at FHSU, with an emphasis in Teaching and Coaching. The Alva, Oklahoma native is a four-time recipient of the MIAA Academic Excellence Award and received the MIAA Scholar-Athlete Award this season for gaining All-MIAA honors on the court. Most recently, Randall was named the MIAA Women's Winter Student-Athlete of the Year, an award is based on the athletic, academic, and campus/community service accomplishments of an individual. On the court, Randall was an All-MIAA First Team selection in 2021, helping FHSU Women's Basketball to the MIAA Regular Season Championship and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Central Regional of the NCAA Tournament. She helped the Tigers to their sixth appearance in the NCAA Tournament in the last seven years, while leading the team in scoring (15.0 points per game). She scored in double figures in 21 of 26 games and reached at least 20 points in a game five times. During the 2020-21 season, she became the 22nd&nbsp;player in FHSU Women's Basketball program history to reach 1,000 career points at FHSU, now with 1,033. As an All-District Selection, Randall will now be considered for Academic All-America honors to be voted on by Sports Information/Athletic Communication professionals nationwide in NCAA Division II. Below is the 2021 CoSIDA Women's Basketball Academic All-District Team in NCAA Division II for District 7. NCAA DIVISION II - ALL-DISTRICT 7 (Great American, Mid-America, Northern Sun) Hunter Bentley, Washburn University, Sr., 3.97, Political Science Bailey Brown, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Sr., 3.90, Biology Gigi McAtee, University of Central Missouri, Sr., 4.00, Biology Erin Norling, Wayne State College, Sr., 3.93, Biology/Pre-Physician Assistant <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/9901e4e7-cf29-4b50-a31d-271e406bcf64?elinkdata=163990" target="_blank">Whitney Randall</a>, Fort Hays State University, Sr., 4.00, Health &amp; Human Performance&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620421034868.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HAYS - CoSIDA named Fort Hays State Women's Basketball senior&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/6a5f7a3e-ca79-4662-9837-a2b96a20db76?elinkdata=163990" target="_blank">Whitney Randall</a>&nbsp;to its Academic All-District Team on Thursday. Randall is one of just five student-athletes from District 7 (MIAA, NSIC, and GAC Conferences) to receive the honor. Sports Information and Athletic Communication professionals within District 7 vote on the Academic All-District Team, which honors a combination of academic and athletic accomplishments of the individuals selected. Randall has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA over four years of college as a Health &amp; Human Performance major at FHSU, with an emphasis in Teaching and Coaching. The Alva, Oklahoma native is a four-time recipient of the MIAA Academic Excellence Award and received the MIAA Scholar-Athlete Award this season for gaining All-MIAA honors on the court. Most recently, Randall was named the MIAA Women's Winter Student-Athlete of the Year, an award is based on the athletic, academic, and campus/community service accomplishments of an individual. On the court, Randall was an All-MIAA First Team selection in 2021, helping FHSU Women's Basketball to the MIAA Regular Season Championship and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Central Regional of the NCAA Tournament. She helped the Tigers to their sixth appearance in the NCAA Tournament in the last seven years, while leading the team in scoring (15.0 points per game). She scored in double figures in 21 of 26 games and reached at least 20 points in a game five times. During the 2020-21 season, she became the 22nd&nbsp;player in FHSU Women's Basketball program history to reach 1,000 career points at FHSU, now with 1,033. As an All-District Selection, Randall will now be considered for Academic All-America honors to be voted on by Sports Information/Athletic Communication professionals nationwide in NCAA Division II. Below is the 2021 CoSIDA Women's Basketball Academic All-District Team in NCAA Division II for District 7. NCAA DIVISION II - ALL-DISTRICT 7 (Great American, Mid-America, Northern Sun) Hunter Bentley, Washburn University, Sr., 3.97, Political Science Bailey Brown, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Sr., 3.90, Biology Gigi McAtee, University of Central Missouri, Sr., 4.00, Biology Erin Norling, Wayne State College, Sr., 3.93, Biology/Pre-Physician Assistant <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/9901e4e7-cf29-4b50-a31d-271e406bcf64?elinkdata=163990" target="_blank">Whitney Randall</a>, Fort Hays State University, Sr., 4.00, Health &amp; Human Performance&nbsp;&nbsp;-<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com">fhsuathletics.com</a>-

Randall on CoSIDA Academic All-District Women’s Basketball Team

The Southeast of Saline Trojan softball team has picked up the pace down the home stretch of their 2021 season, entering their final doubleheader tonight on a six game winning streak all by mercy rule.

SES has been a force to be reckoned with this season, outscoring their opponents 191-79 and winning ten games in run-rule fashion.

The production on the field has been a direct result of a team that has been ready to put in the work since day one after losing the 2020 season to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I love that I have to kick this team off the field every single day after practice,” SES head coach Pesha Ptacek said. “They will stay and hit and take extra grounders until the sun goes down every day if we let them.”

While this Trojan team plays like one of the more experienced in the state, Southeast is actually incredibly young this season, led by a number of freshmen and sophomores like Carly Commerford, Maddie Harris, Brielle Ptacek, Chase Gilpin and Lexi Jacobson.

With such a young squad, it took the Trojans some time to realize just how much talent they had on the field this season as the wins began to pour in.

“We had no idea what we had coming into this season,” Ptacek said. “It’s amazing how having a year off changes your entire perspective on things. Last year we would have been very senior heavy and this year we have just one girl who came in with significant varsity time.”

In the circle, Southeast has found a dominant pitching rotation in Commerford, Jacobson and freshman Bryna Baird, who have shut down opposing lineups this year, allowing four or fewer runs in 13 of the teams 18 games this season.

While this Trojan success with such a young squad has come as a surprise to many, it hasn’t shocked Coach Ptacek and her staff, who have enjoyed watching it all unfold this season.

“We are very young and I wouldn’t say that I have been surprised by the production we’ve gotten but it has been exciting to see what these girls are capable of,” she said.

SES will wrap up their regular season with a doubleheader against Russell on Friday before advancing to the state regional looking to punch their ticket to state.

“I can’t wait to see how this group responds in the postseason environment,” Ptacek said. “They are incredibly capable and I think that it would be very fair to say that anything short of a state berth would be disappointing both to us and to the girls.”

Stay tuned to the Salina Post for continuing coverage of the SES Trojan softball team throughout the 2021 postseason.

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599179528888.png" alt="This SES softball update is sponsored by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>This SES softball update is sponsored by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>The Southeast of Saline Trojan softball team has picked up the pace down the home stretch of their 2021 season, entering their final doubleheader tonight on a six game winning streak all by mercy rule.SES has been a force to be reckoned with this season, outscoring their opponents 191-79 and winning ten games in run-rule fashion.The production on the field has been a direct result of a team that has been ready to put in the work since day one after losing the 2020 season to the Covid-19 pandemic.“I love that I have to kick this team off the field every single day after practice,” SES head coach Pesha Ptacek said. “They will stay and hit and take extra grounders until the sun goes down every day if we let them.”While this Trojan team plays like one of the more experienced in the state, Southeast is actually incredibly young this season, led by a number of freshmen and sophomores like Carly Commerford, Maddie Harris, Brielle Ptacek, Chase Gilpin and Lexi Jacobson.With such a young squad, it took the Trojans some time to realize just how much talent they had on the field this season as the wins began to pour in.“We had no idea what we had coming into this season,” Ptacek said. “It’s amazing how having a year off changes your entire perspective on things. Last year we would have been very senior heavy and this year we have just one girl who came in with significant varsity time.”In the circle, Southeast has found a dominant pitching rotation in Commerford, Jacobson and freshman Bryna Baird, who have shut down opposing lineups this year, allowing four or fewer runs in 13 of the teams 18 games this season.While this Trojan success with such a young squad has come as a surprise to many, it hasn’t shocked Coach Ptacek and her staff, who have enjoyed watching it all unfold this season.“We are very young and I wouldn’t say that I have been surprised by the production we’ve gotten but it has been exciting to see what these girls are capable of,” she said.SES will wrap up their regular season with a doubleheader against Russell on Friday before advancing to the state regional looking to punch their ticket to state.“I can’t wait to see how this group responds in the postseason environment,” Ptacek said. “They are incredibly capable and I think that it would be very fair to say that anything short of a state berth would be disappointing both to us and to the girls.”Stay tuned to the Salina Post for continuing coverage of the SES Trojan softball team throughout the 2021 postseason.

Trojan softball picks up steam heading into 2021 postseason

The Southeast of Saline Trojan track and field teams have looked dominant in 2021, with the boys team running the table, winning every meet of the season so far.

“I knew we had the potential to do some really good things but the kids have progressed so much throughout the season,” SES head coach Wade Casselman said. “We didn’t really know what to expect after losing last season but the kids have been working hard to get better every single day.”

Despite all of the momentum heading into the league meet, both teams are taking their success in stride in preparation for the postseason.

“This group is staying incredibly humble,” Casselman said. “They know that at any time we could come up against a team that has really good athletes. We’re hoping we can stay healthy throughout the rest of the season and we’ll see where the chips fall come regionals and state.”

On the girls side of things Ashley Prochazka, Jentrie Alderson and Ivie Douglas have stood out among a very talented and very young Trojan team.

For the boys, Chase Poague and Eddie McVay have looked dominant in hurdles and sprints, Grant Stumpf has collected a number of top finishes in the high jump and Dylan Sprecker, Luke Gleason, Dominic Jackson and Joel Kejr have cleaned up big points in distance races this season.

Regionals are scheduled for May 21th, where Southeast of Saline has an opportunity to set themselves up for a run at a state title in Wichita on the 28st.

“If we can get everyone qualified that we’re hoping to for state and we continue to place where we have been, the potential is there for this team to win a state title,” Casselman said. “We’re still taking things one event at a time and one meet at a time but the potential is definitely there.”

Stay tuned to the Salina Post for continuing coverage of the SES Trojan track and field teams throughout the 2021 season.

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599179528888.png" alt="This SES track and field update is brought to you by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>This SES track and field update is brought to you by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>The Southeast of Saline Trojan track and field teams have looked dominant in 2021, with the boys team running the table, winning every meet of the season so far.“I knew we had the potential to do some really good things but the kids have progressed so much throughout the season,” SES head coach Wade Casselman said. “We didn’t really know what to expect after losing last season but the kids have been working hard to get better every single day.”Despite all of the momentum heading into the league meet, both teams are taking their success in stride in preparation for the postseason.“This group is staying incredibly humble,” Casselman said. “They know that at any time we could come up against a team that has really good athletes. We’re hoping we can stay healthy throughout the rest of the season and we’ll see where the chips fall come regionals and state.”On the girls side of things Ashley Prochazka, Jentrie Alderson and Ivie Douglas have stood out among a very talented and very young Trojan team.For the boys, Chase Poague and Eddie McVay have looked dominant in hurdles and sprints, Grant Stumpf has collected a number of top finishes in the high jump and Dylan Sprecker, Luke Gleason, Dominic Jackson and Joel Kejr have cleaned up big points in distance races this season.Regionals are scheduled for May 21th, where Southeast of Saline has an opportunity to set themselves up for a run at a state title in Wichita on the 28st.“If we can get everyone qualified that we’re hoping to for state and we continue to place where we have been, the potential is there for this team to win a state title,” Casselman said. “We’re still taking things one event at a time and one meet at a time but the potential is definitely there.”Stay tuned to the Salina Post for continuing coverage of the SES Trojan track and field teams throughout the 2021 season.

Trojan track prepares to put finishing touches on dominant 2021 season

The Southeast of Saline Trojan baseball team has been rolling in 2021, and with just one doubleheader remaining on the schedule has just one regular season loss at 17-1.

The team has been putting up unreal numbers throughout the course of the season, with a team batting average of .388 and a team ERA of just 2.73.

“Our pitching has done a really good job of minimizing walks and that’s the first step in playing good defense,” Trojan head coach Mike Garretson said. “Our fielding has been solid all around and with pitching and defense playing well you’re going to be in every game.”

SES has been near unhittable this season, allowing just 58 runs in 18 games. Evan Nickelson, Eli Harris, Bryant Banks and Landen Allen have formed a rotation that rivals any in the state, striking out a combined 89 hitters while allowing just 25 walks all season.

The Trojans have been extremely dangerous at bat as well, putting up a staggering 186 runs and winning nine of their 17 victories by mercy rule.

Even when Southeast has been held in check, the team has thrived in high pressure situations, winning six of the teams seven games decided by two or fewer runs.

“We’ve had pitchers who have given us a tough time but a few times through the lineup we’ve always been able to solve them,” Garretson said. “We always keep our composure and in the close games that’s made all the difference.”

SES has gotten monstrous production from their top five in the order, with Nickelson, Allen, Harris, and Jackson Gebhardt all batting over .400 this year.

Younger bats like Luke Gebhardt, who has slotted in as the DH after sitting out the front half of the season with a shoulder injury, have had a major impact as well following the long, Covid-induced offseason.

“I’m not surprised by the success that we’ve found,” he said. “I knew we had a lot of talent at every position coming into the season. We’ve had some younger guys really step up and everyone has chipped in in a big way this year.”

The Trojans will wrap up their regular season on Friday when the team hosts the Russell Broncos looking for wins number 18 and 19 on the year.

Following that, the team will head to regionals seeking their first state tournament berth in a very long time.

“If you wrote down the 8-10 best teams in 3A everyone would have us on that list,” Garretson said. “You have to win the games on the right day and there’s some good competition in our regional but if everyone plays up to their potential this team can compete for a state title.”

Stay tuned to the Salina Post for continuing coverage of the 2021 Trojan baseball season.

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599179528888.png" alt="This SES baseball update is brought to you by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>This SES baseball update is brought to you by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>The Southeast of Saline Trojan baseball team has been rolling in 2021, and with just one doubleheader remaining on the schedule has just one regular season loss at 17-1.The team has been putting up unreal numbers throughout the course of the season, with a team batting average of .388 and a team ERA of just 2.73.“Our pitching has done a really good job of minimizing walks and that’s the first step in playing good defense,” Trojan head coach Mike Garretson said. “Our fielding has been solid all around and with pitching and defense playing well you’re going to be in every game.”SES has been near unhittable this season, allowing just 58 runs in 18 games. Evan Nickelson, Eli Harris, Bryant Banks and Landen Allen have formed a rotation that rivals any in the state, striking out a combined 89 hitters while allowing just 25 walks all season.The Trojans have been extremely dangerous at bat as well, putting up a staggering 186 runs and winning nine of their 17 victories by mercy rule.Even when Southeast has been held in check, the team has thrived in high pressure situations, winning six of the teams seven games decided by two or fewer runs.“We’ve had pitchers who have given us a tough time but a few times through the lineup we’ve always been able to solve them,” Garretson said. “We always keep our composure and in the close games that’s made all the difference.”SES has gotten monstrous production from their top five in the order, with Nickelson, Allen, Harris, and Jackson Gebhardt all batting over .400 this year.Younger bats like Luke Gebhardt, who has slotted in as the DH after sitting out the front half of the season with a shoulder injury, have had a major impact as well following the long, Covid-induced offseason.“I’m not surprised by the success that we’ve found,” he said. “I knew we had a lot of talent at every position coming into the season. We’ve had some younger guys really step up and everyone has chipped in in a big way this year.”The Trojans will wrap up their regular season on Friday when the team hosts the Russell Broncos looking for wins number 18 and 19 on the year.Following that, the team will head to regionals seeking their first state tournament berth in a very long time.“If you wrote down the 8-10 best teams in 3A everyone would have us on that list,” Garretson said. “You have to win the games on the right day and there’s some good competition in our regional but if everyone plays up to their potential this team can compete for a state title.”Stay tuned to the Salina Post for continuing coverage of the 2021 Trojan baseball season.

Southeast of Saline baseball primed for a deep postseason run

CONCORDIA – Falling in a wild, 15-11, high-scoring explosion in game one, the Cloud County Community College softball team would send five sophomore players out with a win in their final home game of their careers with a 7-6 game-two victory to earn a split with Coffeyville Community College at the CCCC Softball Field in Concordia on Thursday. Moving to 8-26 overall, Cloud County is now 3-25 in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference with one road doubleheader in conference action remaining. Coffeyville sits at 9-27 overall and 8-20 in the KJCCC as the Red Ravens also have one more doubleheader remaining on the season. Game one An early surge from the Thunderbirds would see three hits and two Coffeyville errors equate to three runs in the bottom of the first as a sacrifice fly from&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fcloudtbirds.com%2froster.aspx%3frp_id%3d999&amp;c=E,1,e0qzM8tiqzrRdvBUp3nPyTgsEHBLA4bCyOPo6ATA-MduU6f2C2qKfI-LVuWXsuJlfSvK94xbCuv4an1vXRiyIASE7kfAm5nxlDuUSlCFKwsG_vkEZA,,&amp;typo=1" target="_blank">Emily Dunaway</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fcloudtbirds.com%2froster.aspx%3frp_id%3d1005&amp;c=E,1,MC30jaT8_Ie7HBU_Ku7tw19cXv-KRpOqnAaoTWjinVDSAdy4jLUegb8v7GD7-41W9p8Z_XQw-SEsY7wJbNUohNoTJJWXXgblDqB71WpfGhzAZndDlN4xcg,,&amp;typo=1" target="_blank">Kyra Meyer</a>&nbsp;RBI single would account for two of CCCC's three runs in the inning. The Red Ravens would get one of the three runs back in the top of the second on a leadoff double, sacrifice, bunt, and sacrifice fly, but Cloud County would respond with a&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fcloudtbirds.com%2froster.aspx%3frp_id%3d1004&amp;c=E,1,aFVBC7leHJp81BYmju9FBwVPfmbjG64SApXEoCgCtsuCKQFrVYmyNrvJLHWQs9xbvOFfHRLXD-y1uGVKiagxPWVt7GtVQN6p9lP6rA8pjILrI47dq2PfPpDAquc,&amp;typo=1" target="_blank">Kayla Lee</a>&nbsp;two-out solo home run to put the T-Birds back on top by a three-run margin at 4-1. Working around a leadoff single by Coffeyville in the third, Cloud County would be held scoreless in the third for their first scoreless inning of the game as neither team would have any luck in the fourth inning either. With the score still a 4-1 Cloud County lead in the top of the fifth, the Red Ravens would manage to put a pair of runners on with one out before a groundout and two-out single would drive in a pair of runs to cut the lead down to one at 4-3. In similar fashion to the second, CCCC would have a response as a fielding error would put the first of seven runners aboard in the inning as four hits, four errors, and a walk would produce four runs and make things an 8-3 contest heading to the sixth. Things would then take a turn as Coffeyville would put the first seven batters of the inning on base to plate three runs and pull back within two while having the bases loaded with one out. After a fly out that would not be deep enough to bring home a run, the Red Ravens would get a go-ahead grand slam to go up 10-8 as a strikeout by the next batter would end the inning. A pitching change by Coffeyville would be of little use as Cloud County would take advantage of another CCC error and fielder's choice to put runners on the corners with no outs. With Dunaway representing the go-ahead run, Cloud County would get an RBI single from the Crete, Nebraska native to keep the rally going as a sacrifice bunt and two-RBI single from&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fcloudtbirds.com%2froster.aspx%3frp_id%3d997&amp;c=E,1,cF-N05FV-vhXFP9I1lHT8leSWd4chXyc3BNZ18uP0IKbzBkWD7OYBsKRZfq_w_l1tvgAp0fC5P0Sl5cyiBq3s7UyebQU-VIb5T7-aR08kvM,&amp;typo=1" target="_blank">Taylor Burks</a>&nbsp;would give the T-Birds a one-run lead at 11-10. With the game far from over offensively, Coffeyville would come back up in the top of the seventh and use two singles to lead the inning off before a three-run go-ahead home run would allow the Red Ravens to re-take the lead at 13-11 as two more runs would come home in an inning that would see five total runs score on six hits. Cloud County would then be retired in order to end the game as the final tally would see 26 runs score on 27 hits between the two squads. Cloud County would finish with 11 hits to match their 11 runs as Lee, Dunaway, and Burks would all have two hits. Dunaway and Burks would each drive in a team-high two runs while Dunaway and Lee would account for the two T-Bird extra-base hits. Game two After letting an opportunity slip by the wayside in game one, Cloud County would be determined not to face the same fate in game two as the T-Birds would jump out all over Coffeyville in the bottom of the first. Getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the top half of the inning to flip momentum, CCCC would work three-straight two-out singles to load the bases for Burks who would connect on a pitch over the left field fence for a grand slam to put Cloud County up 4-0 after the first inning of play. Four hits in the top of the second would lead to two Coffeyville runs as the Red Ravens would cut the Cloud County lead in half in their next at-bat, but the T-Birds would have a response in their half-inning as a leadoff single from&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fcloudtbirds.com%2froster.aspx%3frp_id%3d1000&amp;c=E,1,cEEskeXHazOGFngf1rGsl8N4z239j2mZYNc72uPoakIShYZgcP8VvPVqBTnxbWRVncg7Xx3SSfvLFfDf0JR0XUsEqJm5RMR2ECehKYUlHVRvpdIuk4z_OUA,&amp;typo=1" target="_blank">Delaney Exon</a>&nbsp;would come around to score just two batters later on a Lee two-run home run that would sneak just inside the left field foul pole to add two more runs to make it a 6-2 CCCC lead. Another response from CCC in the top of the third would see the Red Ravens plate a pair of runs on two hits and an error as the T-Birds would find themselves once again with just a two-run lead which is where things would stay until the bottom of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, Cloud County would utilize a walk, one-out single, and fielder's choice that would see all runners safely advance to produce a run as the lead would grow to 7-4 with just two innings remaining. Coffeyville would find yet another way to produce offense in the top of the sixth as two one-out singles and a two-out walk would load the bases before a two-RBI single would bring the Red Ravens within a run. A wild pitch would then put the go-ahead run in scoring position along with the game-tying run at third, but a groundout to Dunaway at third would end the inning and keep the T-Birds on top by a run. With a chance to add to their lead one final time, Cloud County would wind up hitting into a double play that would erase an opportunity that had two runners on with no outs as the inning would end with a stranded runner and no runs pushed across. Getting the final three outs to preserve the win would then be anything but easy as the first two Coffeyville batters of the top of the seventh would reach on base hits before a fly out, strikeout, and pop out ended the game with the game-tying run stranded at second. Getting a win with a complete-game effort in the circle would be sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fcloudtbirds.com%2froster.aspx%3frp_id%3d1007&amp;c=E,1,O3EbnK_6335rts29-o9vBrK5ckMXN_3XxA-lX0G6ZQL1QmCfClzjKi5TyrQgeTgFxAmzq6DA-9C7z9tLWBls3MCBR9_qq9NLxG-0bcHwVETVgg,,&amp;typo=1" target="_blank">Brynn Riley</a>&nbsp;as the Emporia, Kansas native would strike out two and induce nine fly outs and nine groundouts on 92 total pitches. Helping out offensively for a second-straight game would be Burks as the Lawrence, Kansas native would go two-for-three with four RBI's and a walk while Dunaway would add three more hits and score once. What's next? In a previously announced change, Cloud County will be on the road tomorrow for a 2 p.m. doubleheader against Neosho County Community College in Chanute, Kansas. The games, which were originally scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, were moved up to Friday due to anticipated rain on Saturday as the Panthers were in Hesston on Thursday afternoon for a doubleheader with the Larks.&nbsp;&nbsp;

-<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com">cloudtbirds.com</a>-

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620351109726.jpeg" alt="Kayla Lee had a home-run in both games on Thursday, helping Cloud County split with Coffeyville. Photo by Jessica LeDuc courtesy <a href="http://cloudtbirds.com">cloudtbirds.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Kayla Lee had a home-run in both games on Thursday, helping Cloud County split with Coffeyville. Photo by Jessica LeDuc courtesy <a href="http://cloudtbirds.com">cloudtbirds.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>CONCORDIA – Falling in a wild, 15-11, high-scoring explosion in game one, the Cloud County Community College softball team would send five sophomore players out with a win in their final home game of their careers with a 7-6 game-two victory to earn a split with Coffeyville Community College at the CCCC Softball Field in Concordia on Thursday. Moving to 8-26 overall, Cloud County is now 3-25 in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference with one road doubleheader in conference action remaining. Coffeyville sits at 9-27 overall and 8-20 in the KJCCC as the Red Ravens also have one more doubleheader remaining on the season. Game one An early surge from the Thunderbirds would see three hits and two Coffeyville errors equate to three runs in the bottom of the first as a sacrifice fly from&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fcloudtbirds.com%2froster.aspx%3frp_id%3d999&amp;c=E,1,e0qzM8tiqzrRdvBUp3nPyTgsEHBLA4bCyOPo6ATA-MduU6f2C2qKfI-LVuWXsuJlfSvK94xbCuv4an1vXRiyIASE7kfAm5nxlDuUSlCFKwsG_vkEZA,,&amp;typo=1" target="_blank">Emily Dunaway</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fcloudtbirds.com%2froster.aspx%3frp_id%3d1005&amp;c=E,1,MC30jaT8_Ie7HBU_Ku7tw19cXv-KRpOqnAaoTWjinVDSAdy4jLUegb8v7GD7-41W9p8Z_XQw-SEsY7wJbNUohNoTJJWXXgblDqB71WpfGhzAZndDlN4xcg,,&amp;typo=1" target="_blank">Kyra Meyer</a>&nbsp;RBI single would account for two of CCCC's three runs in the inning. The Red Ravens would get one of the three runs back in the top of the second on a leadoff double, sacrifice, bunt, and sacrifice fly, but Cloud County would respond with a&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fcloudtbirds.com%2froster.aspx%3frp_id%3d1004&amp;c=E,1,aFVBC7leHJp81BYmju9FBwVPfmbjG64SApXEoCgCtsuCKQFrVYmyNrvJLHWQs9xbvOFfHRLXD-y1uGVKiagxPWVt7GtVQN6p9lP6rA8pjILrI47dq2PfPpDAquc,&amp;typo=1" target="_blank">Kayla Lee</a>&nbsp;two-out solo home run to put the T-Birds back on top by a three-run margin at 4-1. Working around a leadoff single by Coffeyville in the third, Cloud County would be held scoreless in the third for their first scoreless inning of the game as neither team would have any luck in the fourth inning either. With the score still a 4-1 Cloud County lead in the top of the fifth, the Red Ravens would manage to put a pair of runners on with one out before a groundout and two-out single would drive in a pair of runs to cut the lead down to one at 4-3. In similar fashion to the second, CCCC would have a response as a fielding error would put the first of seven runners aboard in the inning as four hits, four errors, and a walk would produce four runs and make things an 8-3 contest heading to the sixth. Things would then take a turn as Coffeyville would put the first seven batters of the inning on base to plate three runs and pull back within two while having the bases loaded with one out. After a fly out that would not be deep enough to bring home a run, the Red Ravens would get a go-ahead grand slam to go up 10-8 as a strikeout by the next batter would end the inning. A pitching change by Coffeyville would be of little use as Cloud County would take advantage of another CCC error and fielder's choice to put runners on the corners with no outs. With Dunaway representing the go-ahead run, Cloud County would get an RBI single from the Crete, Nebraska native to keep the rally going as a sacrifice bunt and two-RBI single from&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fcloudtbirds.com%2froster.aspx%3frp_id%3d997&amp;c=E,1,cF-N05FV-vhXFP9I1lHT8leSWd4chXyc3BNZ18uP0IKbzBkWD7OYBsKRZfq_w_l1tvgAp0fC5P0Sl5cyiBq3s7UyebQU-VIb5T7-aR08kvM,&amp;typo=1" target="_blank">Taylor Burks</a>&nbsp;would give the T-Birds a one-run lead at 11-10. With the game far from over offensively, Coffeyville would come back up in the top of the seventh and use two singles to lead the inning off before a three-run go-ahead home run would allow the Red Ravens to re-take the lead at 13-11 as two more runs would come home in an inning that would see five total runs score on six hits. Cloud County would then be retired in order to end the game as the final tally would see 26 runs score on 27 hits between the two squads. Cloud County would finish with 11 hits to match their 11 runs as Lee, Dunaway, and Burks would all have two hits. Dunaway and Burks would each drive in a team-high two runs while Dunaway and Lee would account for the two T-Bird extra-base hits. Game two After letting an opportunity slip by the wayside in game one, Cloud County would be determined not to face the same fate in game two as the T-Birds would jump out all over Coffeyville in the bottom of the first. Getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the top half of the inning to flip momentum, CCCC would work three-straight two-out singles to load the bases for Burks who would connect on a pitch over the left field fence for a grand slam to put Cloud County up 4-0 after the first inning of play. Four hits in the top of the second would lead to two Coffeyville runs as the Red Ravens would cut the Cloud County lead in half in their next at-bat, but the T-Birds would have a response in their half-inning as a leadoff single from&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fcloudtbirds.com%2froster.aspx%3frp_id%3d1000&amp;c=E,1,cEEskeXHazOGFngf1rGsl8N4z239j2mZYNc72uPoakIShYZgcP8VvPVqBTnxbWRVncg7Xx3SSfvLFfDf0JR0XUsEqJm5RMR2ECehKYUlHVRvpdIuk4z_OUA,&amp;typo=1" target="_blank">Delaney Exon</a>&nbsp;would come around to score just two batters later on a Lee two-run home run that would sneak just inside the left field foul pole to add two more runs to make it a 6-2 CCCC lead. Another response from CCC in the top of the third would see the Red Ravens plate a pair of runs on two hits and an error as the T-Birds would find themselves once again with just a two-run lead which is where things would stay until the bottom of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, Cloud County would utilize a walk, one-out single, and fielder's choice that would see all runners safely advance to produce a run as the lead would grow to 7-4 with just two innings remaining. Coffeyville would find yet another way to produce offense in the top of the sixth as two one-out singles and a two-out walk would load the bases before a two-RBI single would bring the Red Ravens within a run. A wild pitch would then put the go-ahead run in scoring position along with the game-tying run at third, but a groundout to Dunaway at third would end the inning and keep the T-Birds on top by a run. With a chance to add to their lead one final time, Cloud County would wind up hitting into a double play that would erase an opportunity that had two runners on with no outs as the inning would end with a stranded runner and no runs pushed across. Getting the final three outs to preserve the win would then be anything but easy as the first two Coffeyville batters of the top of the seventh would reach on base hits before a fly out, strikeout, and pop out ended the game with the game-tying run stranded at second. Getting a win with a complete-game effort in the circle would be sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fcloudtbirds.com%2froster.aspx%3frp_id%3d1007&amp;c=E,1,O3EbnK_6335rts29-o9vBrK5ckMXN_3XxA-lX0G6ZQL1QmCfClzjKi5TyrQgeTgFxAmzq6DA-9C7z9tLWBls3MCBR9_qq9NLxG-0bcHwVETVgg,,&amp;typo=1" target="_blank">Brynn Riley</a>&nbsp;as the Emporia, Kansas native would strike out two and induce nine fly outs and nine groundouts on 92 total pitches. Helping out offensively for a second-straight game would be Burks as the Lawrence, Kansas native would go two-for-three with four RBI's and a walk while Dunaway would add three more hits and score once. What's next? In a previously announced change, Cloud County will be on the road tomorrow for a 2 p.m. doubleheader against Neosho County Community College in Chanute, Kansas. The games, which were originally scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, were moved up to Friday due to anticipated rain on Saturday as the Panthers were in Hesston on Thursday afternoon for a doubleheader with the Larks.&nbsp;&nbsp;-<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com">cloudtbirds.com</a>-

Cloud County softball gets Sophomore Day split with Coffeyville

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Triston McKenzie bounced back from a rugged start to pitch one-hit ball into the sixth inning and the Cleveland Indians completed a four-game sweep by blanking the Kansas City Royals 4-0. 

It was the fifth straight loss for the Royals, who came into the series with the best record in baseball. 

Cleveland went 6-1 on its road trip and has won nine of 11. 

Franmil Reyes launched his eighth home run as he continued to hit well at Kauffman Stadium. He is batting .538 with two homers, six doubles and six RBIs in seven career games at the park. 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Triston McKenzie bounced back from a rugged start to pitch one-hit ball into the sixth inning and the Cleveland Indians completed a four-game sweep by blanking the Kansas City Royals 4-0. It was the fifth straight loss for the Royals, who came into the series with the best record in baseball. Cleveland went 6-1 on its road trip and has won nine of 11. Franmil Reyes launched his eighth home run as he continued to hit well at Kauffman Stadium. He is batting .538 with two homers, six doubles and six RBIs in seven career games at the park. Danny Duffy took the loss.

Indians top Royals for 1st 4-game sweep at Kauffman Stadium

CONCORDIA – Cloud County Community College Athletic Director&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fcloudtbirds.com%2fstaff.aspx%3fstaff%3d62&amp;c=E,1,U0cwG588rZ9CIwQcnA2vp4d1Ey0Zxz6i0EYfE7iYvjIstXiF38hEzHjMwhMOktYvp8ys_k5aey9IiJHgC1tt8VJm3D4zhsNcPzV6_mPsNQ,,&amp;typo=1" target="_blank">Matt Bechard</a>&nbsp;has announced the hiring of Devin Kastrup as the school's sixth men's basketball coach in the program's 55-year history. Kastrup comes to Concordia after spending the past two seasons at Southwestern Iowa Community College where he led the Spartans to 23 wins in two seasons and a 2021 NJCAA Region XI Championship game appearance. "Devin will bring a high level of energy, organization, and accountability to our men's basketball program" Bechard said. "I believe he will attract talented young men to Cloud County Community College and produce a product that will make our stakeholders proud."&nbsp; Two years removed from finishing third in all of NJCAA Division II, Kastrup would be tasked with taking over a SWCC that would finish with just three wins in 2018-19 and manage to more than triple the number of wins for the Spartans in 2019-20 as Southwestern would finish with 10 wins. Two players from the 2019-20 team would be named All-Region XI selections as Kastrup would then lead the Spartans to 13 wins this past season which included five Top-20 victories. Southwestern would beat NJCAA Division I number-four ranked Indian Hills in the regular-season to go along with a win over eventual NJCAA Division II National Champion Des Moines Area Community College as the Spartans would finish 11th nationally in scoring defense, 20th nationally in field goal percentage defense, third nationally in made three-point field goals, and 24 nationally in free throw percentage. Three players from the 2020-21 squad would be recognized on the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) All-Region Teams for SWCC. Prior to taking over the helm of Southwestern's men's basketball team, Kastrup was the assistant men's basketball coach at his alma mater, Western Colorado University. During his first year coaching at Western, 2017-18, he helped guide the program to more than double their wins from the previous year and earn more wins during a single season than the team had earned since 2012 as the Mountaineers made the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) playoffs for the first time in five seasons. The next two years, Kastrup would coach four all-conference selections, including one first team selection. The team led the RMAC in academic all-conference selections with seven in 2018-19. Kastrup played professionally for three seasons in Spain and China. During Kastrup's first season overseas, he was named Rookie of the Year. Kastrup's second season was cut short due to an injury. At that time, spring 2017, he returned to the United States and joined the coaching staff at the University of Maine at Presque Isle for the second half of their season. He was an associate head coach for The Force Basketball, in Colorado Springs, CO, during the summers from 2015-17. A native of Colorado Springs, Colo., Kastrup played collegiately at Southwestern Iowa Community College from 2011-2013 where he would earn his Associate of Arts Degree. Kastrup would then transfer to Western Colorado University where he finished his collegiate playing career while earning a bachelor's degree in exercise science and sports science with an emphasis in sport and fitness management. Serving as team captain for both the Spartans and Mountaineers, Kastrup would earn all-conference accolades while playing for the Spartans and led the Mountaineers in rebounds, blocked shots, and three-point field goal percentage.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620313768354.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CONCORDIA – Cloud County Community College Athletic Director&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fcloudtbirds.com%2fstaff.aspx%3fstaff%3d62&amp;c=E,1,U0cwG588rZ9CIwQcnA2vp4d1Ey0Zxz6i0EYfE7iYvjIstXiF38hEzHjMwhMOktYvp8ys_k5aey9IiJHgC1tt8VJm3D4zhsNcPzV6_mPsNQ,,&amp;typo=1" target="_blank">Matt Bechard</a>&nbsp;has announced the hiring of Devin Kastrup as the school's sixth men's basketball coach in the program's 55-year history. Kastrup comes to Concordia after spending the past two seasons at Southwestern Iowa Community College where he led the Spartans to 23 wins in two seasons and a 2021 NJCAA Region XI Championship game appearance. "Devin will bring a high level of energy, organization, and accountability to our men's basketball program" Bechard said. "I believe he will attract talented young men to Cloud County Community College and produce a product that will make our stakeholders proud."&nbsp; Two years removed from finishing third in all of NJCAA Division II, Kastrup would be tasked with taking over a SWCC that would finish with just three wins in 2018-19 and manage to more than triple the number of wins for the Spartans in 2019-20 as Southwestern would finish with 10 wins. Two players from the 2019-20 team would be named All-Region XI selections as Kastrup would then lead the Spartans to 13 wins this past season which included five Top-20 victories. Southwestern would beat NJCAA Division I number-four ranked Indian Hills in the regular-season to go along with a win over eventual NJCAA Division II National Champion Des Moines Area Community College as the Spartans would finish 11th nationally in scoring defense, 20th nationally in field goal percentage defense, third nationally in made three-point field goals, and 24 nationally in free throw percentage. Three players from the 2020-21 squad would be recognized on the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) All-Region Teams for SWCC. Prior to taking over the helm of Southwestern's men's basketball team, Kastrup was the assistant men's basketball coach at his alma mater, Western Colorado University. During his first year coaching at Western, 2017-18, he helped guide the program to more than double their wins from the previous year and earn more wins during a single season than the team had earned since 2012 as the Mountaineers made the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) playoffs for the first time in five seasons. The next two years, Kastrup would coach four all-conference selections, including one first team selection. The team led the RMAC in academic all-conference selections with seven in 2018-19. Kastrup played professionally for three seasons in Spain and China. During Kastrup's first season overseas, he was named Rookie of the Year. Kastrup's second season was cut short due to an injury. At that time, spring 2017, he returned to the United States and joined the coaching staff at the University of Maine at Presque Isle for the second half of their season. He was an associate head coach for The Force Basketball, in Colorado Springs, CO, during the summers from 2015-17. A native of Colorado Springs, Colo., Kastrup played collegiately at Southwestern Iowa Community College from 2011-2013 where he would earn his Associate of Arts Degree. Kastrup would then transfer to Western Colorado University where he finished his collegiate playing career while earning a bachelor's degree in exercise science and sports science with an emphasis in sport and fitness management. Serving as team captain for both the Spartans and Mountaineers, Kastrup would earn all-conference accolades while playing for the Spartans and led the Mountaineers in rebounds, blocked shots, and three-point field goal percentage.&nbsp;&nbsp;-<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com">cloudtbirds.com</a>-

Kastrup named Cloud County men's basketball coach

GREAT BEND –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan hit five home runs in Wednesday night's KCAC Tournament game against McPherson on the way to a 12-3 win over the Bulldogs at the Great Bend Sports Complex.

Three of the homers came off the bat of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/11801">Dalton Whitaker</a>&nbsp;(SR/Edmond, Okla.), who nearly completed the home run cycle, hitting a solo, a 2-run, and a 3-run homer. He finished the night 3 of 4 with six RBI and a walk. The one he didn't hit out, almost got there, pushing McPherson's left fielder up against the wall to make the catch.

Whitaker and the rest of the Coyote bats were not the only stars of the game.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/11924">Tyler Triano</a>&nbsp;(SO/Hollister, Calif.) was again phenomenal on the mound for the Coyotes, going eight innings, allowing three runs, only one earned and striking out 10 batters while throwing 126 pitches. All three McPherson runs came in the first inning.

After McPherson had scored three in the first, two in part thanks to an error by the Coyotes, it was Wesleyan's turn to get on the board with a 2 out rally.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/11824">Josh Sandoval</a>&nbsp;(SR/Glendale, Ariz.) got it started crushing a ball out to center, and Whitaker followed with his solo homer to make it 3-2 after an inning.

In the third, the Coyotes added two more on one swing by Whitaker. After Sandoval walked, Whitaker connected on his second of the night out to left which would give the Coyotes the 4-3 lead.

The Coyotes blew it open in the fourth with five runs.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/10956">Dalton Bishop</a>&nbsp;(JR/Colorado Springs, Colo.) led off the inning with a single and then scored on a fielder's choice by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/10977">William Dryburgh</a>&nbsp;(SO/St. Joseph, Mo.).&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/11807">Haydn Brown</a>&nbsp;(SR/Gardnerville, Nev.) then singled home a run setting up Whitaker's third homer of the night, a monster blast to left putting the Coyotes up 9-3.

Wesleyan added single tallies in the fifth on a RBI double by Dryburgh and another single tally in the sixth on a homer by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/11796">Trey Lopez</a>&nbsp;(SR/Burlington, Wash.).

McPherson threatened to score in the top of the seventh, getting runners on second and third with just one out, but Triano would strike out the final two batters of the frame to keep the Bulldogs off the board.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/10935">Austin Cross</a>&nbsp;(JR/Montgomery, Texas) drove in KWU's final run of the game with a single that scored&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/10970">Spencer Keane</a>&nbsp;(JR/Palm Springs, Calif.).

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/10960">Ethan Wilson</a>&nbsp;(JR/Thackerville, Okla.) pitched the ninth, getting a fly out and back to back strikeouts to close the game.

Bishop was 4 of 5 to lead the way for KWU while Whitaker had three hits and drove in six.

Wesleyan will play Ottawa on Thursday at 7 p.m. in its next tournament game.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620351413829.jpeg" alt="KWU's Dalton Whitaker. Photo courtesy <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>KWU's Dalton Whitaker. Photo courtesy <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>GREAT BEND –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan hit five home runs in Wednesday night's KCAC Tournament game against McPherson on the way to a 12-3 win over the Bulldogs at the Great Bend Sports Complex.Three of the homers came off the bat of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/11801">Dalton Whitaker</a>&nbsp;(SR/Edmond, Okla.), who nearly completed the home run cycle, hitting a solo, a 2-run, and a 3-run homer. He finished the night 3 of 4 with six RBI and a walk. The one he didn't hit out, almost got there, pushing McPherson's left fielder up against the wall to make the catch.Whitaker and the rest of the Coyote bats were not the only stars of the game.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/11924">Tyler Triano</a>&nbsp;(SO/Hollister, Calif.) was again phenomenal on the mound for the Coyotes, going eight innings, allowing three runs, only one earned and striking out 10 batters while throwing 126 pitches. All three McPherson runs came in the first inning.After McPherson had scored three in the first, two in part thanks to an error by the Coyotes, it was Wesleyan's turn to get on the board with a 2 out rally.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/11824">Josh Sandoval</a>&nbsp;(SR/Glendale, Ariz.) got it started crushing a ball out to center, and Whitaker followed with his solo homer to make it 3-2 after an inning.In the third, the Coyotes added two more on one swing by Whitaker. After Sandoval walked, Whitaker connected on his second of the night out to left which would give the Coyotes the 4-3 lead.The Coyotes blew it open in the fourth with five runs.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/10956">Dalton Bishop</a>&nbsp;(JR/Colorado Springs, Colo.) led off the inning with a single and then scored on a fielder's choice by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/10977">William Dryburgh</a>&nbsp;(SO/St. Joseph, Mo.).&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/11807">Haydn Brown</a>&nbsp;(SR/Gardnerville, Nev.) then singled home a run setting up Whitaker's third homer of the night, a monster blast to left putting the Coyotes up 9-3.Wesleyan added single tallies in the fifth on a RBI double by Dryburgh and another single tally in the sixth on a homer by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/11796">Trey Lopez</a>&nbsp;(SR/Burlington, Wash.).McPherson threatened to score in the top of the seventh, getting runners on second and third with just one out, but Triano would strike out the final two batters of the frame to keep the Bulldogs off the board.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/10935">Austin Cross</a>&nbsp;(JR/Montgomery, Texas) drove in KWU's final run of the game with a single that scored&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/10970">Spencer Keane</a>&nbsp;(JR/Palm Springs, Calif.).<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/3/10960">Ethan Wilson</a>&nbsp;(JR/Thackerville, Okla.) pitched the ninth, getting a fly out and back to back strikeouts to close the game.Bishop was 4 of 5 to lead the way for KWU while Whitaker had three hits and drove in six.Wesleyan will play Ottawa on Thursday at 7 p.m. in its next tournament game.-<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a>-

KWU baseball blasts McPherson to open KCAC tournament

Remembering the start of Jackie Robinson's historic baseball journey. From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Royals">Kansas City Royals</a> Facebook page:

Remembering the start of Jackie Robinson's historic baseball journey. From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Royals">Kansas City Royals</a> Facebook page:<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FRoyals%2Fposts%2F10158235473868691&width=500&show_text=true&height=372&appId" width="500" height="372" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>

On this day: Jackie Robinson begins with the KC Monarchs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Josh Naylor homered in the ninth inning, sending the Cleveland Indians to a 5-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals. 

Naylor greeted Wade Davis with a leadoff drive to right for his second homer. Nick Wittgren struck out the side in the eighth for the win, and James Karinchak worked the ninth for his third save. 

Cleveland trailed 4-0 after five innings. It has rallied to win in the first three games of the four-game set.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Josh Naylor homered in the ninth inning, sending the Cleveland Indians to a 5-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals. Naylor greeted Wade Davis with a leadoff drive to right for his second homer. Nick Wittgren struck out the side in the eighth for the win, and James Karinchak worked the ninth for his third save. Cleveland trailed 4-0 after five innings. It has rallied to win in the first three games of the four-game set.

Josh Naylor homers as Indians edge Royals 5-4

The Southeast of Saline Trojan baseball team secured a league title with a clean sweep over the Ellsworth Bearcats on Tuesday.

With wins of 2-1 and 12-2, the Trojans extend their record to 17-1, their winning streak to 10, and for a fourth consecutive season take home the NCAA crown.

Ellsworth came to Gypsum at 10-6 looking to test the Trojans at home, and came through on that promise early on.

Game one was a true pitchers duel, with no score through the first seven innings. Eli Harris and Dayton Davis put on a clinic, allowing no runs on five hits and striking out 18 batters to that point in the game.

Ellsworth was able to break the deadlock on an RBI single from Braden Schulte in the eighth, but the Trojans found a run of their own to tie it courtesy of a Bryant Banks RBI.

Nine innings wouldn’t be enough to settle this game, and after Ellsworth came up empty in their half of the tenth, SES went to work.

Evan Nickelson worked a walk to lead off the inning and came around to third, setting up a 2-1 walk-off win on a sacrifice-fly by junior Jayton Mathis.

That walk-off lit a fire under Southeast, who were not interested in playing another close game.

The Trojans rattled off twelve runs in game two and allowed just two of their own to take a 12-2 win by mercy rule.

The top of the order did most of the heavy lifting in the big win, with nine of the teams ten RBIs coming from the top five spots in the order.

Evan Nickelson and Drew Richardson looked dominant on the bump for SES, allowing just two runs on four hits and striking out three in five innings.

The Trojans will wrap up their regular season on Friday with one last home doubleheader against the Russell Broncos.

Stay tuned to the Salina Post for continuing coverage of the SES Trojan baseball team.

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599179528888.png" alt="This SES baseball update is brought to you by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>This SES baseball update is brought to you by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>The Southeast of Saline Trojan baseball team secured a league title with a clean sweep over the Ellsworth Bearcats on Tuesday.With wins of 2-1 and 12-2, the Trojans extend their record to 17-1, their winning streak to 10, and for a fourth consecutive season take home the NCAA crown.Ellsworth came to Gypsum at 10-6 looking to test the Trojans at home, and came through on that promise early on.Game one was a true pitchers duel, with no score through the first seven innings. Eli Harris and Dayton Davis put on a clinic, allowing no runs on five hits and striking out 18 batters to that point in the game.Ellsworth was able to break the deadlock on an RBI single from Braden Schulte in the eighth, but the Trojans found a run of their own to tie it courtesy of a Bryant Banks RBI.Nine innings wouldn’t be enough to settle this game, and after Ellsworth came up empty in their half of the tenth, SES went to work.Evan Nickelson worked a walk to lead off the inning and came around to third, setting up a 2-1 walk-off win on a sacrifice-fly by junior Jayton Mathis.That walk-off lit a fire under Southeast, who were not interested in playing another close game.The Trojans rattled off twelve runs in game two and allowed just two of their own to take a 12-2 win by mercy rule.The top of the order did most of the heavy lifting in the big win, with nine of the teams ten RBIs coming from the top five spots in the order.Evan Nickelson and Drew Richardson looked dominant on the bump for SES, allowing just two runs on four hits and striking out three in five innings.The Trojans will wrap up their regular season on Friday with one last home doubleheader against the Russell Broncos.Stay tuned to the Salina Post for continuing coverage of the SES Trojan baseball team.

Trojan baseball secures fourth consecutive league title with two wins over Ellsworth

Wichita State head coach Isaac Brown made another spring recruiting splash this week with the addition of high school forward&nbsp;Kenny Pohto.

The 6-foot-11 Pohto, a consensus top-150 pick among the national recruiting services, signed a financial aid agreement on Wednesday afternoon.

Originally from Sweden, he’s played the last three seasons at Sunrise Christian Academy, located just north of Wichita, and recently helped the school to a runner-up finish at GEICO Nationals.

Pohto will have four seasons of eligibility beginning this fall.

“Kenny fits the newer trend at our level -- mobile, skilled big guys who can play and guard multiple positions. Coach Luke Barnwell and the staff at Sunrise Christian Academy have done an outstanding job preparing him, both physically and mentally, for college basketball. He shoots, handles and passes the ball well, and he’s experienced success in high-pressure situations against some of the best players in the country. We’re excited to have him in the Yellow and Black next year,” Brown said.

Wichita State head coach Isaac Brown made another spring recruiting splash this week with the addition of high school forward&nbsp;Kenny Pohto.The 6-foot-11 Pohto, a consensus top-150 pick among the national recruiting services, signed a financial aid agreement on Wednesday afternoon.Originally from Sweden, he’s played the last three seasons at Sunrise Christian Academy, located just north of Wichita, and recently helped the school to a runner-up finish at GEICO Nationals.Pohto will have four seasons of eligibility beginning this fall.“Kenny fits the newer trend at our level -- mobile, skilled big guys who can play and guard multiple positions. Coach Luke Barnwell and the staff at Sunrise Christian Academy have done an outstanding job preparing him, both physically and mentally, for college basketball. He shoots, handles and passes the ball well, and he’s experienced success in high-pressure situations against some of the best players in the country. We’re excited to have him in the Yellow and Black next year,” Brown said.

Shocker men's basketball inks highly touted forward

Kansas Wesleyan's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/18/11444">Emily Monson</a>&nbsp;(SO/Cheney) has been named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) NAIA All-West Central Region team as an honorable mention selection.

Monson had a monster season at the libero position for the Coyotes. She led the KCAC in total digs and digs per set, totaling 804 on the season in 123 sets, averaging 6.5 digs per set. She set a new KWU school record for digs per set and a new total digs record as well. She broke the digs per set record of 6.34 set by Crystal Meadows in 2001 and bettered Haley Thompson's 781 digs from 2015. She also set a new record for digs in a match with 47 at Sterling on October 16. Monson finished the season ranked No. 5 in the NAIA in digs per set. She was also named KCAC Defender of the Week eight times during the season.

Monson was named to the All-KCAC first-team and was selected by KCAC coaches as the Volleyball Defender of the Year last month.

Kansas Wesleyan finished the season 20-13 overall and 16-8 in the KCAC. The Coyotes were the No. 4 seed in the KCAC Tournament and reached the quarterfinal round of the postseason tournament.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620244357676.jpeg" alt="KWU's Emily Monson. Photo courtesy <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>KWU's Emily Monson. Photo courtesy <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas Wesleyan's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/18/11444">Emily Monson</a>&nbsp;(SO/Cheney) has been named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) NAIA All-West Central Region team as an honorable mention selection.Monson had a monster season at the libero position for the Coyotes. She led the KCAC in total digs and digs per set, totaling 804 on the season in 123 sets, averaging 6.5 digs per set. She set a new KWU school record for digs per set and a new total digs record as well. She broke the digs per set record of 6.34 set by Crystal Meadows in 2001 and bettered Haley Thompson's 781 digs from 2015. She also set a new record for digs in a match with 47 at Sterling on October 16. Monson finished the season ranked No. 5 in the NAIA in digs per set. She was also named KCAC Defender of the Week eight times during the season.Monson was named to the All-KCAC first-team and was selected by KCAC coaches as the Volleyball Defender of the Year last month.Kansas Wesleyan finished the season 20-13 overall and 16-8 in the KCAC. The Coyotes were the No. 4 seed in the KCAC Tournament and reached the quarterfinal round of the postseason tournament.-<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a>-

Coyotes' Monson named to AVCA All-Region team

Kansas Wesleyan had four men's soccer players selected to the 2020-21 All-KCAC teams as announced by the conference office.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/7/11206">Steven Moya</a>&nbsp;(SR/Whittier, Calif.) was selected to the second-team, while&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/7/11215">David Palacios</a>&nbsp;(SR/Salina),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/7/11214">Andrew Quiroz</a>&nbsp;(SR/Murrieta, Calif.) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/7/11203">Riley Rudio</a>&nbsp;(SR/Los Angeles, Calif.) were selected to the honorable mention team.

The All-KCAC selections are nominated and selected by the conference coaches.

Moya led the Coyotes with five goals and an assist on the season. He ranked 10th&nbsp;in the KCAC in points per match and ranked No. 16 in the conference in total goals scored.

Palacios had two goals and four assists for the Coyotes during the season. He ranked 12th&nbsp;in the KCAC in total assists and assists per match.

Quiroz was a big part of the Coyote team from his defensive midfield position. He was a big part in helping the Coyotes stop many offensive sets from the opponent.

Rudio was big for the Coyotes at the outside back position. He helped shut down scoring opportunities for opponents before they could develop.

KWU finished the season 4-8-2 overall and 4-5-1 in the KCAC.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620243320339.jpeg" alt="Image courtesy <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas Wesleyan had four men's soccer players selected to the 2020-21 All-KCAC teams as announced by the conference office.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/7/11206">Steven Moya</a>&nbsp;(SR/Whittier, Calif.) was selected to the second-team, while&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/7/11215">David Palacios</a>&nbsp;(SR/Salina),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/7/11214">Andrew Quiroz</a>&nbsp;(SR/Murrieta, Calif.) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/22/7/11203">Riley Rudio</a>&nbsp;(SR/Los Angeles, Calif.) were selected to the honorable mention team.The All-KCAC selections are nominated and selected by the conference coaches.Moya led the Coyotes with five goals and an assist on the season. He ranked 10th&nbsp;in the KCAC in points per match and ranked No. 16 in the conference in total goals scored.Palacios had two goals and four assists for the Coyotes during the season. He ranked 12th&nbsp;in the KCAC in total assists and assists per match.Quiroz was a big part of the Coyote team from his defensive midfield position. He was a big part in helping the Coyotes stop many offensive sets from the opponent.Rudio was big for the Coyotes at the outside back position. He helped shut down scoring opportunities for opponents before they could develop.KWU finished the season 4-8-2 overall and 4-5-1 in the KCAC.-<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a>-

KWU men's soccer places 4 on All-KCAC teams

CHARLOTTE, NC - A Region VI Outdoor Track and Field Championship performance from Cloud County Community College sophomore track athlete&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fcloudtbirds.com%2froster.aspx%3frp_id%3d824&amp;c=E,1,fMW8ki9nZbkrx5eaAg7ciGwAEjUrEVPjTPlZRL06zqVUJ1l5TM7X33pSkCD3HTbciYF7RoFwcIUqUN5Kggwecw4wppgR43tJ-z_mZw2j1anpWOEQQAiVF_H6h8BhxA,,&amp;typo=1" target="_blank">Saba Khvichava</a>&nbsp;has led to NJCAA Men's Track and Field Athlete of the Week honors on Wednesday. Competing in three different events over the course of the three-day championship meet, Khvichava would earn one of CCCC's five NJCAA Region VI Championships by running the NJCAA's second-best time of the year in the 3,000 meter steeplechase with a time of 9:10.46. The native of Pototei, Georgia, also was part of a second Region VI Championship performance by running the second leg of the 4x800 meter relay team that would run a time of 7:40.67 and best the 10-team field in the event. Khvichava would also run a time of 1:55.34 in the 800 meters, scoring for the T-Birds with a fifth-place finish as Cloud County would finish as Region VI Runners-Up in the team scoring.&nbsp; Khvichava is the first Cloud County men's athlete during the 2021 outdoor track and field season to be named NJCAA Athlete of the Week and third men's athlete to be named an athlete of the week across the KJCCC, USTFCCCA, and NJCAA.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620243009273.jpeg" alt="Image courtesy <a href="http://cloudtbirds.com">cloudtbirds.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy <a href="http://cloudtbirds.com">cloudtbirds.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>CHARLOTTE, NC - A Region VI Outdoor Track and Field Championship performance from Cloud County Community College sophomore track athlete&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fcloudtbirds.com%2froster.aspx%3frp_id%3d824&amp;c=E,1,fMW8ki9nZbkrx5eaAg7ciGwAEjUrEVPjTPlZRL06zqVUJ1l5TM7X33pSkCD3HTbciYF7RoFwcIUqUN5Kggwecw4wppgR43tJ-z_mZw2j1anpWOEQQAiVF_H6h8BhxA,,&amp;typo=1" target="_blank">Saba Khvichava</a>&nbsp;has led to NJCAA Men's Track and Field Athlete of the Week honors on Wednesday. Competing in three different events over the course of the three-day championship meet, Khvichava would earn one of CCCC's five NJCAA Region VI Championships by running the NJCAA's second-best time of the year in the 3,000 meter steeplechase with a time of 9:10.46. The native of Pototei, Georgia, also was part of a second Region VI Championship performance by running the second leg of the 4x800 meter relay team that would run a time of 7:40.67 and best the 10-team field in the event. Khvichava would also run a time of 1:55.34 in the 800 meters, scoring for the T-Birds with a fifth-place finish as Cloud County would finish as Region VI Runners-Up in the team scoring.&nbsp; Khvichava is the first Cloud County men's athlete during the 2021 outdoor track and field season to be named NJCAA Athlete of the Week and third men's athlete to be named an athlete of the week across the KJCCC, USTFCCCA, and NJCAA.&nbsp;&nbsp;-<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com">cloudtbirds.com</a>-

T-Bird men's track athlete Khvichava receives NJCAA award

The Southeast of Saline softball team rolled to two more victories over Ellsworth on Tuesday to clinch the NCAA league title.

With wins of 14-1 and 16-6, SES moves to 14-4 on the year and remains undefeated in league play.

The Lady Trojans wasted no time jumping all over Ellsworth in game one, scoring five in the first, two in the second, three in the third and four in the fourth to secure a 14-1 run-rule victory.

Carly Commerford and Bryna Baird muted the Bearcat lineup, combining to allow just one run on five hits with five strikeouts from Commerford on the day.

Maddie Harris had an excellent 2/4 day at the plate, driving in three runs in the Trojan win.

Not content with one mercy rule victory on the day, SES kept the pressure on in game two, slowly and methodically striking for 16 runs to take a 16-6 win in six innings.

Ellsworth was able to capitalize on a few defensive miscues by the Trojans, with three of their six runs coming home as the unearned variety, but it still wasn’t enough as Lexi Jacobson and Bryna Baird slammed the door shut.

In the second game, Jacobson and Chase Gilpin did a majority of the damage at the plate, driving in seven runs in eight at bats.

With the league title already in hand, the Lady Trojans will be back in action on Friday to close out their regular season with a home doubleheader against Russell.

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599179528888.png" alt="This SES softball update is brought to you by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>This SES softball update is brought to you by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>The Southeast of Saline softball team rolled to two more victories over Ellsworth on Tuesday to clinch the NCAA league title.With wins of 14-1 and 16-6, SES moves to 14-4 on the year and remains undefeated in league play.The Lady Trojans wasted no time jumping all over Ellsworth in game one, scoring five in the first, two in the second, three in the third and four in the fourth to secure a 14-1 run-rule victory.Carly Commerford and Bryna Baird muted the Bearcat lineup, combining to allow just one run on five hits with five strikeouts from Commerford on the day.Maddie Harris had an excellent 2/4 day at the plate, driving in three runs in the Trojan win.Not content with one mercy rule victory on the day, SES kept the pressure on in game two, slowly and methodically striking for 16 runs to take a 16-6 win in six innings.Ellsworth was able to capitalize on a few defensive miscues by the Trojans, with three of their six runs coming home as the unearned variety, but it still wasn’t enough as Lexi Jacobson and Bryna Baird slammed the door shut.In the second game, Jacobson and Chase Gilpin did a majority of the damage at the plate, driving in seven runs in eight at bats.With the league title already in hand, the Lady Trojans will be back in action on Friday to close out their regular season with a home doubleheader against Russell.Stay tuned to the Salina Post for continuing coverage of the SES softball team in 2021.