INDIANAPOLIS - The Fort Hays State track and field teams will send 10 individuals to Pueblo, Colo., for the 2023 NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships next week. Those 10 student-athletes, including five men and five women, will be competing in 14 events, eight on the women's side and six on the men's side. Colorado State-Pueblo will host the 2023 outdoor championships May 25-27 at the ThunderBowl. The Tigers will have no less than three student-athletes competing each day, including two in multi-events, one in a field event final and four in running prelims on Thursday, two in multi-events and four in running prelims on Friday and three in field event finals and up to eight in the finals on the track on Saturday. A full schedule of events for FHSU student-athletes can be found below. Three seniors will compete in multiple events, including&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/d4ebfa80-a353-48ca-a6c1-3502e08debf1?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;(heptathlon, 100m hurdles, 400m hurdles),&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/250ef70e-da78-4067-9197-8dab0bd2fcc8?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;(100m dash, 200m dash) and&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/65db4fa0-97ce-40e8-b6ed-dcf36fef5904?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;(100m dash, 200m dash). Other accepted entries from the women's team include&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/54521053-c05a-4cee-bdc7-ffb09f176b9a?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Rhyann Brown</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/e7ef0d24-f2f8-4e31-8626-d1ce7ef35040?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Addie Berens</a>&nbsp;in the javelin and&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/9e29af67-b44f-43c8-8e7d-7d4c9cde9ba4?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Taylor Savolt</a>&nbsp;in the 400m hurdles. Four other men will make the trip to nationals, including&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/a686d6aa-78b1-4bfa-bc2e-e40713953ca2?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Nolan Churchman</a>&nbsp;in the decathlon,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/536abd3e-3edb-419a-a904-5b4e85d747d9?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Trever Medina</a>&nbsp;in the 800m run,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/c4c6ae06-ac53-4d82-ab90-3e693f0fbbcd?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;in the pole vault and&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/63bd0a70-1be1-4602-bb89-a6cc4b5b9b12?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Dayton Williams</a>&nbsp;in the high jump. Fort Hays State Accepted Entries - 2023 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track &amp; Field Championships Women Name - Event - Declared List Rank - Mark - Schedule <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/888d85b3-480d-4ea4-ace4-d8d00bac66bc?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Addie Berens</a>&nbsp;- Javelin - 3rd - 154-8 - Sa 12:30 <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/fdeeb2c4-cd5c-48be-adca-62c4688680a3?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Rhyann Brown</a>&nbsp;- Javelin - 1st - 159-10 - Sa 12:30 <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/8462feda-0e40-47a0-83d1-d38d3001934f?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;- 100m - 11th - 11.45 - Th 7:10 / Sa 7:35 <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/424f0783-d5c4-4bee-9087-f27da49d3247?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;- 200m - 21st - 23.82 - Fr 6:30 / Sa 8:45 <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/5ad27c40-0082-4f3d-8735-0467fef77e96?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;- 400H - 5th - 59.19 - Th 8:40 / Sa 8:20 <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/533a39fd-e2a5-4067-b45c-2bda63edfffb?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;- 100H - 22nd - 13.95 - Fr 7:35 / Sa 6:55 <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/27489cfc-4ed4-456f-9c07-4fa0aecb0b52?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;- Heptathlon - 9th - 5,163 - Th Noon /Fr 11:30a <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/8d4b3a08-cb80-4038-ad5c-dca52619d3a2?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Taylor Savolt</a>&nbsp;- 400H - 7th - 59.45 - Th 8:40 / Sa 8:20 Men Name - Event - Declared List Rank - Mark - Schedule <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/b92c87e9-3a4f-4a1d-b764-027f764e6956?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Nolan Churchman</a>- Decathlon - 7th - 7,158 - Th 11:30a /Fr 10:30a <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/2bac88a1-af69-4283-acc3-aca161f94dc7?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;- 100m - 11th -&nbsp;10.23&nbsp;- Th 7:25 / Sa 7:45 <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/9d67a122-41ce-4c50-85b7-16bbb43bef36?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;- 200m - 12th - 20.80 - Fr 6:45 / Sa 8:55 <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/a8442706-0996-4db4-9c87-5bbabafbbb8e?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Trever Medina</a>&nbsp;- 800m - 14th - 1:49.21 - Fr 7:15 / Sa 8:05 <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/791983c2-d3da-43a3-8dc4-91d2b0d21d92?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;- Pole Vault - 5th -&nbsp;17-7&nbsp;- Th 12:05 <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/9a9e1467-8ca0-4216-8de4-a19965d31c4c?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Dayton Williams</a>&nbsp;- High Jump - 17th - 6-11.5 - Sa 5:45 Bold&nbsp;indicates school record Stanley has his sights set on an unprecedented eighth All-American honor and a potential third national championship. He was the 2021 outdoor and 2022 indoor pole vault national champion. He's finished on the podium each time he has qualified for nationals. He set the outdoor school record with a clearance of 17-7 this year and set the indoor school record to win his indoor national title at 17-9.25 last year. Rossi is competing at nationals for the fifth time in her career overall and the third time outdoors. She has qualified to compete in the heptathlon each of the last three years and is competing in both hurdles events for the second year in a row. She is a seven-time All-American, including a second-place finish in the 400m hurdles last season. Holman is also competing in her fifth national championships, earning seven All-American honors at the previous four national meets. This is the third year in a row the Junction City, Kan. native has qualified for both the 100m dash and 200m dash outdoors. Landrum is making his seventh trip to the NCAA Championship, including four outdoor national meets and three indoor. He's earned three All-American honors in the past. This is his first time competing in the 100m dash at the national level and the third time he has qualified in the 200m dash (2x outdoor, 1x indoor). The Wichita, Kan. native set the school record in the 100m dash this season, running in 10.23. Churchman is headed to his fifth-consecutive national meet dating back to the 2021 outdoor meet. He's been on the national podium in the multi-events at each of the last three competitions, finishing fifth in the decathlon outdoors last season and seventh at each of the last two indoor heptathlons. He has four total All-American trophies, including one in the 4x400m relay. Berens is headed to the national meet in the javelin throw for the third year in a row. She earned All-American status each of the last two years, finishing fourth last year and 11th in 2021. Brown is also competing at nationals for the third year in a row. She enters the final meet of the season with the top qualifying mark amongst all competitors thanks to her top heave of 159-10 last month at the Central Nebraska Challenge. This is the first time Savolt has qualified for the outdoor national championships, joining two previous trips to the indoor national meet. Medina and Williams will all be making their first trip to the national meet next week. Fort Hays State Schedule of Events - 2023 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track &amp; Field Championships Thursday, May 25&nbsp;(all times Central) 11:30 a.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/59fc2c17-b877-4e66-a2fb-07582d7f8cdb?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Nolan Churchman</a>&nbsp;- Decathlon Day 1 Noon -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/1da57e7f-4e0b-4063-af96-ccc295f04921?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;- Heptathlon Day 1 12:05 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/feafe9a2-8853-4aa9-b14d-f7a0cad926e4?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;- Pole Vault 7:10 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/3eceb95d-53af-4de9-8701-ed8c0b97f5f1?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;- 100m Dash Prelims 7:25 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/62b3c5ba-4eb2-40b9-a8c9-0a342aea44f5?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;- 100m Dash Prelims 8:40 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/c5cbe9df-100a-4eae-a404-158d2e4cc35f?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;- 400m Hurdles Prelims 8:40 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/7eea8068-99fd-470b-8572-9b00c0a4493a?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Taylor Savolt</a>&nbsp;- 400m Hurdles Prelims Friday, May 26&nbsp;(all times Central) 10:30 a.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/8d8df54e-1fee-4c8e-b403-52ee9987c35f?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Nolan Churchman</a>&nbsp;- Decathlon Day 2 11:30 a.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/ad4d67a1-d9f8-4b84-b6e9-47bbd44befce?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;- Heptathlon Day 2 6:30 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/686fb762-0b39-435d-b70b-7dc3c1f4235f?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;- 200m Dash Prelims 6:45 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/37f9ea75-805b-452d-be19-94275cc50689?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;- 200m Dash Prelims 7:15 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/3b0b3ee1-d7e2-40fa-a04c-3253be5537d5?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Trever Medina</a>&nbsp;- 800m Run Prelims 7:35 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/ae4d1055-485b-4f9e-8d05-712d10eb9fc4?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;- 100m Hurdles Prelims Saturday, May 27&nbsp;(all times Central) 12:30 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/7f332b59-b28b-4cf4-aba5-319851249527?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Rhyann Brown</a>&nbsp;- Javelin 12:30 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/aa6e43f6-68fb-4afd-93f0-521343aac457?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Addie Berens</a>&nbsp;- Javelin 5:45 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/ce5dbe47-dea5-4f85-aa43-db56d64bb6e8?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Dayton Williams</a>&nbsp;- High Jump 6:55 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/415371a0-be5f-4227-9507-4c9a047f3ba6?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;- 100m Hurdles Finals 7:35 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/8d6608ee-ff5c-475e-9e06-dfd2e5c32fc4?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;- 100m Dash Finals 7:45 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/3b1e21c9-4cd0-41f9-ac47-6d7fdec122bf?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;- 100m Dash Finals 8:05 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/75eb4fcb-1cfa-4785-b389-d504cc0643be?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Trever Medina</a>&nbsp;- 800m Run Finals 8:20 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/cffe53a9-728e-4282-90e1-0c7c9f77d075?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;- 400m Hurdles Finals 8:20 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/943166d6-7026-41f9-96ed-2645d29c054f?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Taylor Savolt</a>&nbsp;- 400m Hurdles Finals 8:45 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/c6650777-1993-4e6d-9fa0-ae1a9b40ecb7?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;- 200m Dash Finals 8:55 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/cbcb8722-72c6-494c-b1dc-968cb5962555?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;- 200m Dash Finals&nbsp;&nbsp;

FHSU AthleticsINDIANAPOLIS - The Fort Hays State track and field teams will send 10 individuals to Pueblo, Colo., for the 2023 NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships next week. Those 10 student-athletes, including five men and five women, will be competing in 14 events, eight on the women's side and six on the men's side. Colorado State-Pueblo will host the 2023 outdoor championships May 25-27 at the ThunderBowl. The Tigers will have no less than three student-athletes competing each day, including two in multi-events, one in a field event final and four in running prelims on Thursday, two in multi-events and four in running prelims on Friday and three in field event finals and up to eight in the finals on the track on Saturday. A full schedule of events for FHSU student-athletes can be found below. Three seniors will compete in multiple events, including&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/d4ebfa80-a353-48ca-a6c1-3502e08debf1?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;(heptathlon, 100m hurdles, 400m hurdles),&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/250ef70e-da78-4067-9197-8dab0bd2fcc8?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;(100m dash, 200m dash) and&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/65db4fa0-97ce-40e8-b6ed-dcf36fef5904?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;(100m dash, 200m dash). Other accepted entries from the women's team include&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/54521053-c05a-4cee-bdc7-ffb09f176b9a?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Rhyann Brown</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/e7ef0d24-f2f8-4e31-8626-d1ce7ef35040?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Addie Berens</a>&nbsp;in the javelin and&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/9e29af67-b44f-43c8-8e7d-7d4c9cde9ba4?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Taylor Savolt</a>&nbsp;in the 400m hurdles. Four other men will make the trip to nationals, including&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/a686d6aa-78b1-4bfa-bc2e-e40713953ca2?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Nolan Churchman</a>&nbsp;in the decathlon,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/536abd3e-3edb-419a-a904-5b4e85d747d9?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Trever Medina</a>&nbsp;in the 800m run,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/c4c6ae06-ac53-4d82-ab90-3e693f0fbbcd?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;in the pole vault and&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/63bd0a70-1be1-4602-bb89-a6cc4b5b9b12?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Dayton Williams</a>&nbsp;in the high jump. Fort Hays State Accepted Entries - 2023 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track &amp; Field Championships Women Name - Event - Declared List Rank - Mark - Schedule <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/888d85b3-480d-4ea4-ace4-d8d00bac66bc?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Addie Berens</a>&nbsp;- Javelin - 3rd - 154-8 - Sa 12:30 <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/fdeeb2c4-cd5c-48be-adca-62c4688680a3?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Rhyann Brown</a>&nbsp;- Javelin - 1st - 159-10 - Sa 12:30 <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/8462feda-0e40-47a0-83d1-d38d3001934f?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;- 100m - 11th - 11.45 - Th 7:10 / Sa 7:35 <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/424f0783-d5c4-4bee-9087-f27da49d3247?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;- 200m - 21st - 23.82 - Fr 6:30 / Sa 8:45 <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/5ad27c40-0082-4f3d-8735-0467fef77e96?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;- 400H - 5th - 59.19 - Th 8:40 / Sa 8:20 <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/533a39fd-e2a5-4067-b45c-2bda63edfffb?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;- 100H - 22nd - 13.95 - Fr 7:35 / Sa 6:55 <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/27489cfc-4ed4-456f-9c07-4fa0aecb0b52?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;- Heptathlon - 9th - 5,163 - Th Noon /Fr 11:30a <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/8d4b3a08-cb80-4038-ad5c-dca52619d3a2?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Taylor Savolt</a>&nbsp;- 400H - 7th - 59.45 - Th 8:40 / Sa 8:20 Men Name - Event - Declared List Rank - Mark - Schedule <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/b92c87e9-3a4f-4a1d-b764-027f764e6956?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Nolan Churchman</a>- Decathlon - 7th - 7,158 - Th 11:30a /Fr 10:30a <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/2bac88a1-af69-4283-acc3-aca161f94dc7?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;- 100m - 11th -&nbsp;10.23&nbsp;- Th 7:25 / Sa 7:45 <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/9d67a122-41ce-4c50-85b7-16bbb43bef36?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;- 200m - 12th - 20.80 - Fr 6:45 / Sa 8:55 <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/a8442706-0996-4db4-9c87-5bbabafbbb8e?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Trever Medina</a>&nbsp;- 800m - 14th - 1:49.21 - Fr 7:15 / Sa 8:05 <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/791983c2-d3da-43a3-8dc4-91d2b0d21d92?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;- Pole Vault - 5th -&nbsp;17-7&nbsp;- Th 12:05 <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/9a9e1467-8ca0-4216-8de4-a19965d31c4c?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Dayton Williams</a>&nbsp;- High Jump - 17th - 6-11.5 - Sa 5:45 Bold&nbsp;indicates school record Stanley has his sights set on an unprecedented eighth All-American honor and a potential third national championship. He was the 2021 outdoor and 2022 indoor pole vault national champion. He's finished on the podium each time he has qualified for nationals. He set the outdoor school record with a clearance of 17-7 this year and set the indoor school record to win his indoor national title at 17-9.25 last year. Rossi is competing at nationals for the fifth time in her career overall and the third time outdoors. She has qualified to compete in the heptathlon each of the last three years and is competing in both hurdles events for the second year in a row. She is a seven-time All-American, including a second-place finish in the 400m hurdles last season. Holman is also competing in her fifth national championships, earning seven All-American honors at the previous four national meets. This is the third year in a row the Junction City, Kan. native has qualified for both the 100m dash and 200m dash outdoors. Landrum is making his seventh trip to the NCAA Championship, including four outdoor national meets and three indoor. He's earned three All-American honors in the past. This is his first time competing in the 100m dash at the national level and the third time he has qualified in the 200m dash (2x outdoor, 1x indoor). The Wichita, Kan. native set the school record in the 100m dash this season, running in 10.23. Churchman is headed to his fifth-consecutive national meet dating back to the 2021 outdoor meet. He's been on the national podium in the multi-events at each of the last three competitions, finishing fifth in the decathlon outdoors last season and seventh at each of the last two indoor heptathlons. He has four total All-American trophies, including one in the 4x400m relay. Berens is headed to the national meet in the javelin throw for the third year in a row. She earned All-American status each of the last two years, finishing fourth last year and 11th in 2021. Brown is also competing at nationals for the third year in a row. She enters the final meet of the season with the top qualifying mark amongst all competitors thanks to her top heave of 159-10 last month at the Central Nebraska Challenge. This is the first time Savolt has qualified for the outdoor national championships, joining two previous trips to the indoor national meet. Medina and Williams will all be making their first trip to the national meet next week. Fort Hays State Schedule of Events - 2023 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track &amp; Field Championships Thursday, May 25&nbsp;(all times Central) 11:30 a.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/59fc2c17-b877-4e66-a2fb-07582d7f8cdb?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Nolan Churchman</a>&nbsp;- Decathlon Day 1 Noon -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/1da57e7f-4e0b-4063-af96-ccc295f04921?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;- Heptathlon Day 1 12:05 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/feafe9a2-8853-4aa9-b14d-f7a0cad926e4?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;- Pole Vault 7:10 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/3eceb95d-53af-4de9-8701-ed8c0b97f5f1?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;- 100m Dash Prelims 7:25 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/62b3c5ba-4eb2-40b9-a8c9-0a342aea44f5?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;- 100m Dash Prelims 8:40 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/c5cbe9df-100a-4eae-a404-158d2e4cc35f?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;- 400m Hurdles Prelims 8:40 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/7eea8068-99fd-470b-8572-9b00c0a4493a?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Taylor Savolt</a>&nbsp;- 400m Hurdles Prelims Friday, May 26&nbsp;(all times Central) 10:30 a.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/8d8df54e-1fee-4c8e-b403-52ee9987c35f?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Nolan Churchman</a>&nbsp;- Decathlon Day 2 11:30 a.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/ad4d67a1-d9f8-4b84-b6e9-47bbd44befce?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;- Heptathlon Day 2 6:30 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/686fb762-0b39-435d-b70b-7dc3c1f4235f?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;- 200m Dash Prelims 6:45 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/37f9ea75-805b-452d-be19-94275cc50689?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;- 200m Dash Prelims 7:15 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/3b0b3ee1-d7e2-40fa-a04c-3253be5537d5?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Trever Medina</a>&nbsp;- 800m Run Prelims 7:35 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/ae4d1055-485b-4f9e-8d05-712d10eb9fc4?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;- 100m Hurdles Prelims Saturday, May 27&nbsp;(all times Central) 12:30 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/7f332b59-b28b-4cf4-aba5-319851249527?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Rhyann Brown</a>&nbsp;- Javelin 12:30 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/aa6e43f6-68fb-4afd-93f0-521343aac457?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Addie Berens</a>&nbsp;- Javelin 5:45 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/ce5dbe47-dea5-4f85-aa43-db56d64bb6e8?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Dayton Williams</a>&nbsp;- High Jump 6:55 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/415371a0-be5f-4227-9507-4c9a047f3ba6?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;- 100m Hurdles Finals 7:35 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/8d6608ee-ff5c-475e-9e06-dfd2e5c32fc4?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;- 100m Dash Finals 7:45 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/3b1e21c9-4cd0-41f9-ac47-6d7fdec122bf?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;- 100m Dash Finals 8:05 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/75eb4fcb-1cfa-4785-b389-d504cc0643be?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Trever Medina</a>&nbsp;- 800m Run Finals 8:20 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/cffe53a9-728e-4282-90e1-0c7c9f77d075?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;- 400m Hurdles Finals 8:20 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/943166d6-7026-41f9-96ed-2645d29c054f?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Taylor Savolt</a>&nbsp;- 400m Hurdles Finals 8:45 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/c6650777-1993-4e6d-9fa0-ae1a9b40ecb7?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;- 200m Dash Finals 8:55 p.m. -&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/cbcb8722-72c6-494c-b1dc-968cb5962555?elinkdata=211293" target="_blank">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;- 200m Dash Finals&nbsp;&nbsp;

FHSU sending 10, including Stanley, to DII championships

FAYETTE, Mo. –&nbsp;The Kansas Wesleyan baseball team had to wait a day to start its journey in the Fayette Bracket of the NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round due to inclement weather in mid-Missouri on Monday.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14237">Nathan Righi</a>&nbsp;(JR/Pekin, Ill.) tossed a gem from the mound, and the Coyote offense came through when it needed to, as the No. 16 ranked Coyotes defeated No. 25 ranked and host Central Methodist 3-1 at Estes Field on Tuesday.

Righi (11-2) was phenomenal for the Coyotes, tossing a complete game, just the third of the season for the Coyotes, striking out seven and holding the Eagles to just one earned run and five hits.

Neither team scored until the third inning despite chances in the second inning. The Coyotes got a lead-off double by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14201">Haydn Brown</a>&nbsp;(SR/Gardnerville, Nev.) in the frame, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14208">Zack Beatty</a>&nbsp;(JR/Maple Park, Ill.) walked, but an inning-ending double play would end the Coyotes' chance at plating a run.

Central Methodist scored in the third inning on a hit by pitch, followed by a ground out and single, then a wild pitch to allow the run to score.

Wesleyan scored its first two runs in the bottom of the frame with a 2-out rally.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14204">William Dryburgh</a>&nbsp;(SR/St. Joseph, Mo.) was hit by a pitch, followed Foster crushing a baseball well over the tall trees beyond the right field fence to give the Coyotes a 2-1 lead.

Righi and the Coyotes worked around an error in the fifth to keep the Eagles off the board and in the seventh again stopped a CMU scoring chance with a double play to end the inning.

Brown led off the Coyote seventh with a single, moved to second on a wild pitch and then scored on Beatty's single to center, giving the Coyotes a much-needed insurance run in the inning.

Righi got the Eagles to go down in order in the ninth securing the win.

Brown had two of KWU's four hits in the game, while Foster and Beatty added the others.

Wesleyan advances to the second round of the Opening Round Fayette Bracket, as the Coyotes face overall No. 1 seed and bracket No. 1 seed Southeastern (Fla.) at 11 a.m. at Estes Field. Southeastern defeated Madonna (Mich.) 3-2 on Tuesday.

The KWU/SEU winner advances to the bracket championship series set for 9 a.m., Thursday; while the loser falls into the loser's bracket, and will face the winner between Central Methodist and Madonna at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684349841296.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>KWU Sports InformationFAYETTE, Mo. –&nbsp;The Kansas Wesleyan baseball team had to wait a day to start its journey in the Fayette Bracket of the NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round due to inclement weather in mid-Missouri on Monday.The wait was worth it.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14237">Nathan Righi</a>&nbsp;(JR/Pekin, Ill.) tossed a gem from the mound, and the Coyote offense came through when it needed to, as the No. 16 ranked Coyotes defeated No. 25 ranked and host Central Methodist 3-1 at Estes Field on Tuesday.Righi (11-2) was phenomenal for the Coyotes, tossing a complete game, just the third of the season for the Coyotes, striking out seven and holding the Eagles to just one earned run and five hits.Neither team scored until the third inning despite chances in the second inning. The Coyotes got a lead-off double by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14201">Haydn Brown</a>&nbsp;(SR/Gardnerville, Nev.) in the frame, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14208">Zack Beatty</a>&nbsp;(JR/Maple Park, Ill.) walked, but an inning-ending double play would end the Coyotes' chance at plating a run.Central Methodist scored in the third inning on a hit by pitch, followed by a ground out and single, then a wild pitch to allow the run to score.Wesleyan scored its first two runs in the bottom of the frame with a 2-out rally.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14204">William Dryburgh</a>&nbsp;(SR/St. Joseph, Mo.) was hit by a pitch, followed Foster crushing a baseball well over the tall trees beyond the right field fence to give the Coyotes a 2-1 lead.Righi and the Coyotes worked around an error in the fifth to keep the Eagles off the board and in the seventh again stopped a CMU scoring chance with a double play to end the inning.Brown led off the Coyote seventh with a single, moved to second on a wild pitch and then scored on Beatty's single to center, giving the Coyotes a much-needed insurance run in the inning.Righi got the Eagles to go down in order in the ninth securing the win.Brown had two of KWU's four hits in the game, while Foster and Beatty added the others.Wesleyan advances to the second round of the Opening Round Fayette Bracket, as the Coyotes face overall No. 1 seed and bracket No. 1 seed Southeastern (Fla.) at 11 a.m. at Estes Field. Southeastern defeated Madonna (Mich.) 3-2 on Tuesday.The KWU/SEU winner advances to the bracket championship series set for 9 a.m., Thursday; while the loser falls into the loser's bracket, and will face the winner between Central Methodist and Madonna at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

Righi tosses gem as Coyotes ground Eagles in NAIA opening round

By RICHARD J. MARCUS Associated Press

SAN DIEGO — Salvador Perez hit a two-run double in Kansas City's five-run second, Brady Singer pitched six solid innings and the Royals beat the San Diego Padres 5-4 on Tuesday night to snap a four-game losing streak.

The Royals jumped on starter Seth Lugo (3-3) in the second, with Bobby Witt Jr., Nate Eaton and Matt Duffy also driving in runs. Lugo gave up five runs on four hits in his two innings. The Padres have lost eight of 10.

"That was really good for us tonight. That is a great win, you know, against a team like the Padres. They are a really good team," Perez said. "We scored five runs, and we got the game."

Singer (3-4) lasted six innings, giving up seven hits and four runs, two of which were earned. Scott Barlow got his fifth save with a scoreless ninth.

"The fastball had really good late movement on it. I was able to move that around the zone. The slider helped me a lot tonight," Singer said. "I think I attacked the zone pretty well tonight."

San Diego had a defensive highlight in the seventh when Fernando Tatis Jr. threw-out Vinnie Pasquantino trying to go from first to third on a single. After the play Tatis acted like he was putting a pistol back in a holster.

"I wasn't a big fan," Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of the attempt by Pasquantino to take third base. "We know he (Tatis) is super talented in every aspect of the game and throwing is certainly nothing he is lacking."

The Padres scored two unearned runs in the fifth after consecutive errors by Kansas City's MJ Melendez and Matt Duffy.

"Those things are going to happen. You just have to make pitches and pick them up," Singer said of the errors. "That is just part of baseball. ... You have got to be able to overcome that."

Kansas City reliever Ardolis Chapman pitched the seventh and threw a 104-mph fastball to Jake Cronenworth, which ties the fastest pitch of the 2023 season.

"That's amazing," Perez said of Champan's feat.

San Diego continues to struggle offensively and had two runners picked off first base in the game.

"It's just a little bit the way we've been playing," Padres manager Bob Melvin said of his team's losing skid. "It's just not in sync all the way around. You don't expect base-running to cost you."

Royals RHP Max Castillo was optioned to Triple-A Omaha, and RHP Jackson Kowar was called up from Omaha. Kowar had a 7.84 ERA over 20-2/3 innings coming out of the Omaha bullpen this season.

A day after Padres 3B Manny Machado was hit by a pitch on the left hand, he was out of the starting lineup Tuesday. Machado is experiencing soreness and swelling, but X-rays came back negative. It seems likely the Padres will sit Machado as a precaution on Wednesday for the series finale ahead of an off-day Thursday.

Padres RHP Yu Darvis (2-2, 3.16) gets the start to close the three-game series.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684349472936.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez reacts after hitting a two-RBI double during the second inning of a game against the San Diego Padres Tuesday in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez reacts after hitting a two-RBI double during the second inning of a game against the San Diego Padres Tuesday in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RICHARD J. MARCUS Associated PressSAN DIEGO — Salvador Perez hit a two-run double in Kansas City's five-run second, Brady Singer pitched six solid innings and the Royals beat the San Diego Padres 5-4 on Tuesday night to snap a four-game losing streak.The Royals jumped on starter Seth Lugo (3-3) in the second, with Bobby Witt Jr., Nate Eaton and Matt Duffy also driving in runs. Lugo gave up five runs on four hits in his two innings. The Padres have lost eight of 10."That was really good for us tonight. That is a great win, you know, against a team like the Padres. They are a really good team," Perez said. "We scored five runs, and we got the game."Singer (3-4) lasted six innings, giving up seven hits and four runs, two of which were earned. Scott Barlow got his fifth save with a scoreless ninth."The fastball had really good late movement on it. I was able to move that around the zone. The slider helped me a lot tonight," Singer said. "I think I attacked the zone pretty well tonight."San Diego had a defensive highlight in the seventh when Fernando Tatis Jr. threw-out Vinnie Pasquantino trying to go from first to third on a single. After the play Tatis acted like he was putting a pistol back in a holster."I wasn't a big fan," Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of the attempt by Pasquantino to take third base. "We know he (Tatis) is super talented in every aspect of the game and throwing is certainly nothing he is lacking."The Padres scored two unearned runs in the fifth after consecutive errors by Kansas City's MJ Melendez and Matt Duffy."Those things are going to happen. You just have to make pitches and pick them up," Singer said of the errors. "That is just part of baseball. ... You have got to be able to overcome that."Kansas City reliever Ardolis Chapman pitched the seventh and threw a 104-mph fastball to Jake Cronenworth, which ties the fastest pitch of the 2023 season."That's amazing," Perez said of Champan's feat.San Diego continues to struggle offensively and had two runners picked off first base in the game."It's just a little bit the way we've been playing," Padres manager Bob Melvin said of his team's losing skid. "It's just not in sync all the way around. You don't expect base-running to cost you."KC MAKES A MOVERoyals RHP Max Castillo was optioned to Triple-A Omaha, and RHP Jackson Kowar was called up from Omaha. Kowar had a 7.84 ERA over 20-2/3 innings coming out of the Omaha bullpen this season.TRAINER'S ROOMA day after Padres 3B Manny Machado was hit by a pitch on the left hand, he was out of the starting lineup Tuesday. Machado is experiencing soreness and swelling, but X-rays came back negative. It seems likely the Padres will sit Machado as a precaution on Wednesday for the series finale ahead of an off-day Thursday.UP NEXTPadres RHP Yu Darvis (2-2, 3.16) gets the start to close the three-game series.

Perez has 2-run double in KC's 5-run 2nd, Royals beat Padres 5-4

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor

After defeating Nickerson 15-0 earlier in the day, the Southeast of Saline softball team picked up right where they left off, knocking off Smoky Valley 15-5 to secure their spot in the regional finals.

Just like their first victory of the afternoon, this game did not take all seven innings to complete, as the Lady Trojans slammed the gas and never looked back, wrapping things up neatly in five.

Southeast scored seven runs in the first, and three in the second, third and fifth, to collect their 17th win of the season to come by mercy rule.

The Lady Trojans managed this on the strength of an astounding 17 hits, as six different members of the lineup recorded a multi-hit game, with five driving in at least two runs.

Carly Commerford led the charge from the leadoff spot, picking up three hits in as many at-bats, bringing two runs in to score, and crossing the dish once herself.

In the circle, Bryna Baird and Lexi Jacobson combined for five innings without allowing a single earned run, but did see five come across to score for the Lady Vikings thanks in part to a pair of Southeast errors.

On the other side of the bracket both favorites won their quarterfinal matchups, with Hoisington defeating Lyons 11-1, and Ellsworth knocking off Ellinwood 11-0.

The better seed continued to roll through the semifinals as the Lady Cardinals knocked off the Bearcats 6-0 in Lyons, ensuring that Southeast will see a new opponent in the regional final on Wednesday.

First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 pm at Lyons High School.

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599179528888.png" alt="Coverage of SES softball is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of SES softball is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>After defeating Nickerson 15-0 earlier in the day, the Southeast of Saline softball team picked up right where they left off, knocking off Smoky Valley 15-5 to secure their spot in the regional finals.Just like their first victory of the afternoon, this game did not take all seven innings to complete, as the Lady Trojans slammed the gas and never looked back, wrapping things up neatly in five.Southeast scored seven runs in the first, and three in the second, third and fifth, to collect their 17th win of the season to come by mercy rule. The Lady Trojans managed this on the strength of an astounding 17 hits, as six different members of the lineup recorded a multi-hit game, with five driving in at least two runs.Carly Commerford led the charge from the leadoff spot, picking up three hits in as many at-bats, bringing two runs in to score, and crossing the dish once herself.In the circle, Bryna Baird and Lexi Jacobson combined for five innings without allowing a single earned run, but did see five come across to score for the Lady Vikings thanks in part to a pair of Southeast errors.On the other side of the bracket both favorites won their quarterfinal matchups, with Hoisington defeating Lyons 11-1, and Ellsworth knocking off Ellinwood 11-0.The better seed continued to roll through the semifinals as the Lady Cardinals knocked off the Bearcats 6-0 in Lyons, ensuring that Southeast will see a new opponent in the regional final on Wednesday.First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 pm at Lyons High School.

Southeast softball sinks Smoky Valley, punches ticket to regional final

The Southeast of Saline baseball team took care of business in the Burlington regional quarterfinals on Tuesday, handing Eureka a run-rule shortened 10-0 loss to secure their spot in the second round.

With this win, the Trojans move to 14-7 overall, and will square off with 12-6 Fredonia in the semifinals at 4:00 on Wednesday.

This victory marks the eighth shutout of the Southeast season, thanks in large part to a combined two-hit effort by Trever Keller, Treytan Olson, and Killian Vaughan.

That trio tossed six innings of shutout ball, fanning eight while walking just three on a day that saw the defense behind them finish without a single error.

The Trojans won this game with a slow, steady attack, plating a run in the first, three in the second, four in the third, and one more in the fifth and sixth to close out their quarterfinal early.

Nine different members of the lineup concluded the contest with at least one hit, led by Landen Allen, who went 3/4 with two driven in on the day.

On the other side of their half of the bracket, Fredonia held on to escape a nailbiter, eliminating the hosts from Burlington in a 1-0 pitchers duel.

First pitch between the Trojans and Yellowjackets is scheduled for 4:00 at Burlington High School, with the regional final slated to take place at 6:00.

For continuing coverage of Trojan baseball all postseason long stay tuned to the Salina Post.

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599179528888.png" alt="Salina Ortho logo.png" />
 <figcaption>Salina Ortho logo.png</figcaption>
 </figure>The Southeast of Saline baseball team took care of business in the Burlington regional quarterfinals on Tuesday, handing Eureka a run-rule shortened 10-0 loss to secure their spot in the second round.With this win, the Trojans move to 14-7 overall, and will square off with 12-6 Fredonia in the semifinals at 4:00 on Wednesday.This victory marks the eighth shutout of the Southeast season, thanks in large part to a combined two-hit effort by Trever Keller, Treytan Olson, and Killian Vaughan.That trio tossed six innings of shutout ball, fanning eight while walking just three on a day that saw the defense behind them finish without a single error.The Trojans won this game with a slow, steady attack, plating a run in the first, three in the second, four in the third, and one more in the fifth and sixth to close out their quarterfinal early.Nine different members of the lineup concluded the contest with at least one hit, led by Landen Allen, who went 3/4 with two driven in on the day.On the other side of their half of the bracket, Fredonia held on to escape a nailbiter, eliminating the hosts from Burlington in a 1-0 pitchers duel.First pitch between the Trojans and Yellowjackets is scheduled for 4:00 at Burlington High School, with the regional final slated to take place at 6:00.For continuing coverage of Trojan baseball all postseason long stay tuned to the Salina Post.photo credit Kyler Boley

Trojans take down Eureka, move on to regional semifinals

The Southeast of Saline softball team handled their business against 8-seed Nickerson on Tuesday afternoon, collecting a dominant, run-rule shortened 15-0 victory to advance to the semifinals.

This win was the 16th of the season for the Lady Trojans by mercy rule and their ninth shutout, pushing their season run differential to +246.

Carly Commerford was nothing short of perfect in the circle, recording all nine outs, including seven via the K, without allowing a single baserunner all day.

On the other side, SES dealt their damage on the strength of seven hits, capitalizing on five Panther errors, and six additional walks.

The heart of the Lady Trojan lineup was firing on all cylinders, as Brielle Ptacek, Lexi Jacobson, Savannah Sutton, and Bryna Baird combined to go 6 for 10 and accounted for six of the eight driven in.

Southeast bookended a three-run second with six in the first and third to slam the door shut early and waltz into the regional semifinals where they will meet Smoky Valley, who knocked off Hesston 7-3 earlier this afternoon.

The winner of that game will play for a ticket to the state tournament in Lyons on Wednesday with first pitch set for 5:30 pm.

For continuing coverage of Lady Trojan softball all postseason long stay tuned to the Salina Post.

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599179528888.png" alt="Coverage of SES softball is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of SES softball is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>The Southeast of Saline softball team handled their business against 8-seed Nickerson on Tuesday afternoon, collecting a dominant, run-rule shortened 15-0 victory to advance to the semifinals.This win was the 16th of the season for the Lady Trojans by mercy rule and their ninth shutout, pushing their season run differential to +246.Carly Commerford was nothing short of perfect in the circle, recording all nine outs, including seven via the K, without allowing a single baserunner all day.On the other side, SES dealt their damage on the strength of seven hits, capitalizing on five Panther errors, and six additional walks.The heart of the Lady Trojan lineup was firing on all cylinders, as Brielle Ptacek, Lexi Jacobson, Savannah Sutton, and Bryna Baird combined to go 6 for 10 and accounted for six of the eight driven in.Southeast bookended a three-run second with six in the first and third to slam the door shut early and waltz into the regional semifinals where they will meet Smoky Valley, who knocked off Hesston 7-3 earlier this afternoon.The winner of that game will play for a ticket to the state tournament in Lyons on Wednesday with first pitch set for 5:30 pm.For continuing coverage of Lady Trojan softball all postseason long stay tuned to the Salina Post.

Lady Trojans knock off Nickerson, advance to regional semis

From <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KansasCityChiefs/">The Kansas City Chiefs Facebook page</a>:

From <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KansasCityChiefs/">The Kansas City Chiefs Facebook page</a>:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684273333188.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>

Chiefs release list of undrafted free agent signings

By JIMMY GOLEN AP Sports Writer

English soccer star Jimmy Fryatt was known for his ability to head the ball, and the proof of his prowess may be in the damage it did to his brain.

Still physically fit in his late 70s, Fryatt played tennis but couldn't keep score or remember which side of the net he was supposed to be on. He lived in Las Vegas for almost 50 years but started to get lost while riding his bicycle in the neighborhood.

"I had to put a tracker on him," his wife, Valerie, said this week. "I'd call him and say: 'Stop. I'm coming to get you.'"

A North American Soccer League champion who played 18 years in Britain, Fryatt is one of four former professional soccer players newly diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The Concussion Legacy Foundation announced Tuesday that English pro and Oregon State head coach Jimmy Conway, Scottish and Seattle NASL midfielder Jimmy Gabriel, and NCAA champion Franny Pantuosco also were found to have the degenerative brain disease that has been linked to concussions in athletes, combat veterans and others who have sustained repeated head trauma.

They are the first diagnoses among those who played in the NASL, a precursor to MLS as the top U.S. pro soccer league that attracted attention with high-profile signings — including Pelé — before folding in 1985.

Valerie Fryatt said her husband had several diagnosed concussions, but CTE researchers believe the disease can also be caused by repeated sub-concussive blows to the head.

"Jimmy was a prolific header of the ball. He was very skilled at that," Valerie Fryatt said. "A lot of players from that era said he was the best header of the ball they'd ever seen."

The new diagnoses come as soccer officials gather in Chicago for a Head Injury Summit, a conference cohosted by U.S. Soccer and the top American men's and women's pro leagues that promises "two days of presentations and panel discussions led by medical professionals, stakeholders and researchers."

But CTE researchers and families of those affected by the disease say that the agenda, the guest list — and even the name — belie a desire to only give the appearance of confronting brain injuries, part of a trend among sports leagues to downplay the long-term effects of concussions and delay measures that could prevent them.

"In rugby and hockey and, of course, still in football, we're so familiar with that," said Dr. Ann McKee, director of the Boston University CTE Center — the brain bank that has led the research into the disease that can cause memory loss, violent mood swings, depression and other cognitive difficulties.

"I'm sorry. I'm very, have a jaded point of view about these summits," she said. "I think they're largely a PR stunt production to make people think that they're taking the injury and the condition seriously. But they're so shallow in the representation ... that the outcome is a foregone conclusion."

A U.S. Soccer spokesman listed as the media contact on a summit release did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A Major League Soccer spokeswoman forwarded an agenda, which lists panels conducted by, among others, scientists, soccer officials and unnamed current and former players.

But no researchers from the BU CTE Center were invited to speak at the summit, even though McKee and Robert Cantu are two of the most-published, most prolific — and most outspoken — in the field. (U.S. Soccer Federation President Cindy Parlow Cone is among those who have pledged their brains to BU for research.)

"What happens with these large sports groups is they often invite a roster filled with people who minimize the long-term effects," McKee said. "And they come away saying: 'Here, we have held a summit. We looked at the evidence. It's not very strong, and the scientists are undecided.' And so it's sort of fait accompli that they don't have to do anything about it."

Even the title was a problem for Concussion Legacy Foundation co-founder Chris Nowinski, a former Harvard football player-turned-professional wrestler-turned Ph.D. who has been a leader in educating professional and amateur athletes about the dangers of concussions.

"'Head injury' is what you say when you don't take it seriously," Nowinski said. "To call it 'head injury' when you're actually talking about 'brain injury' is a tactic the NFL used to use."

BU researchers have diagnosed more than 100 football players with CTE; it also has been found in boxers and rugby players and professional wrestlers and members of the military. Cases among soccer players — at least in the United States — have been less common, but researchers expect the numbers to increase now that those who began playing the growing sport as children are reaching old age.

Last year, Scott Vermillion was announced as the first former MLS player to be diagnosed with CTE. His father, David Vermillion, said he would have made it his "first priority" to attend the summit if he had been invited.

Instead, he is going on a family vacation.

"They're not going to have people there that have dealt with it first-hand," Vermillion said. "Folks like that have all this knowledge, that can have input into trying to make things safer for the athletes, aren't going to be there."

Nowinski said he offered to connect summit organizers with families of those who died with CTE but was ghosted.

"It's not good for business, I assume," said Bruce Murray, a former U.S. national team member who has gone public with his cognitive difficulties.

"They need to hear the ugly side of it, too. I had an ugly side, and Scott Vermillion died very ugly," Murray said. "He was pretty normal and then he went upside down. I don't know if I'm going to go upside down again. There's no doubt that something's going on."

CTE can only be diagnosed posthumously. Vermillion, Fryatt and Conway died in 2020. Conway revealed 10 years before his death that he'd been diagnosed with dementia. Gabriel's family reported cognitive difficulties and depression for the last dozen years of his life before he died in 2021. Pantuosco also died in 2021.

All four had the most severe stage of the disease, McKee said.

McKee said the families of CTE victims are often the best source of information on how to recognize brain injuries, which can take years to develop and cause problematic behavior like alcohol abuse or violent mood swings that can destroy families uneducated to the underlying cause.

"These are human beings. These are the people that played the game, that made the owners rich, that caused the fans that have all the enjoyment, who are really responsible for the popularity of soccer today," McKee said. "And yet when they get into trouble, when they start to develop problematic behaviors, when their families start suffering, when they start suffering, no one pays any attention, including these summits."

By JIMMY GOLEN AP Sports WriterEnglish soccer star Jimmy Fryatt was known for his ability to head the ball, and the proof of his prowess may be in the damage it did to his brain.Still physically fit in his late 70s, Fryatt played tennis but couldn't keep score or remember which side of the net he was supposed to be on. He lived in Las Vegas for almost 50 years but started to get lost while riding his bicycle in the neighborhood."I had to put a tracker on him," his wife, Valerie, said this week. "I'd call him and say: 'Stop. I'm coming to get you.'"A North American Soccer League champion who played 18 years in Britain, Fryatt is one of four former professional soccer players newly diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The Concussion Legacy Foundation announced Tuesday that English pro and Oregon State head coach Jimmy Conway, Scottish and Seattle NASL midfielder Jimmy Gabriel, and NCAA champion Franny Pantuosco also were found to have the degenerative brain disease that has been linked to concussions in athletes, combat veterans and others who have sustained repeated head trauma.They are the first diagnoses among those who played in the NASL, a precursor to MLS as the top U.S. pro soccer league that attracted attention with high-profile signings — including Pelé — before folding in 1985.Valerie Fryatt said her husband had several diagnosed concussions, but CTE researchers believe the disease can also be caused by repeated sub-concussive blows to the head.In soccer, that means heading the ball."Jimmy was a prolific header of the ball. He was very skilled at that," Valerie Fryatt said. "A lot of players from that era said he was the best header of the ball they'd ever seen."The new diagnoses come as soccer officials gather in Chicago for a Head Injury Summit, a conference cohosted by U.S. Soccer and the top American men's and women's pro leagues that promises "two days of presentations and panel discussions led by medical professionals, stakeholders and researchers."But CTE researchers and families of those affected by the disease say that the agenda, the guest list — and even the name — belie a desire to only give the appearance of confronting brain injuries, part of a trend among sports leagues to downplay the long-term effects of concussions and delay measures that could prevent them."In rugby and hockey and, of course, still in football, we're so familiar with that," said Dr. Ann McKee, director of the Boston University CTE Center — the brain bank that has led the research into the disease that can cause memory loss, violent mood swings, depression and other cognitive difficulties."I'm sorry. I'm very, have a jaded point of view about these summits," she said. "I think they're largely a PR stunt production to make people think that they're taking the injury and the condition seriously. But they're so shallow in the representation ... that the outcome is a foregone conclusion."A U.S. Soccer spokesman listed as the media contact on a summit release did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A Major League Soccer spokeswoman forwarded an agenda, which lists panels conducted by, among others, scientists, soccer officials and unnamed current and former players.But no researchers from the BU CTE Center were invited to speak at the summit, even though McKee and Robert Cantu are two of the most-published, most prolific — and most outspoken — in the field. (U.S. Soccer Federation President Cindy Parlow Cone is among those who have pledged their brains to BU for research.)"What happens with these large sports groups is they often invite a roster filled with people who minimize the long-term effects," McKee said. "And they come away saying: 'Here, we have held a summit. We looked at the evidence. It's not very strong, and the scientists are undecided.' And so it's sort of fait accompli that they don't have to do anything about it."Even the title was a problem for Concussion Legacy Foundation co-founder Chris Nowinski, a former Harvard football player-turned-professional wrestler-turned Ph.D. who has been a leader in educating professional and amateur athletes about the dangers of concussions."'Head injury' is what you say when you don't take it seriously," Nowinski said. "To call it 'head injury' when you're actually talking about 'brain injury' is a tactic the NFL used to use."BU researchers have diagnosed more than 100 football players with CTE; it also has been found in boxers and rugby players and professional wrestlers and members of the military. Cases among soccer players — at least in the United States — have been less common, but researchers expect the numbers to increase now that those who began playing the growing sport as children are reaching old age.Last year, Scott Vermillion was announced as the first former MLS player to be diagnosed with CTE. His father, David Vermillion, said he would have made it his "first priority" to attend the summit if he had been invited.Instead, he is going on a family vacation."They're not going to have people there that have dealt with it first-hand," Vermillion said. "Folks like that have all this knowledge, that can have input into trying to make things safer for the athletes, aren't going to be there."Nowinski said he offered to connect summit organizers with families of those who died with CTE but was ghosted."It's not good for business, I assume," said Bruce Murray, a former U.S. national team member who has gone public with his cognitive difficulties."They need to hear the ugly side of it, too. I had an ugly side, and Scott Vermillion died very ugly," Murray said. "He was pretty normal and then he went upside down. I don't know if I'm going to go upside down again. There's no doubt that something's going on."CTE can only be diagnosed posthumously. Vermillion, Fryatt and Conway died in 2020. Conway revealed 10 years before his death that he'd been diagnosed with dementia. Gabriel's family reported cognitive difficulties and depression for the last dozen years of his life before he died in 2021. Pantuosco also died in 2021.All four had the most severe stage of the disease, McKee said.McKee said the families of CTE victims are often the best source of information on how to recognize brain injuries, which can take years to develop and cause problematic behavior like alcohol abuse or violent mood swings that can destroy families uneducated to the underlying cause."These are human beings. These are the people that played the game, that made the owners rich, that caused the fans that have all the enjoyment, who are really responsible for the popularity of soccer today," McKee said. "And yet when they get into trouble, when they start to develop problematic behaviors, when their families start suffering, when they start suffering, no one pays any attention, including these summits."

CTE cases in soccer players raise fresh questions about safety of heading ball

By BERNIE WILSON AP Sports Writer

SAN DIEGO — Michael Wacha has been closer to pitching a no-hitter than he came Monday night, when he didn't allow a hit until Michael Massey singled leading off the eighth inning.

It was still a thrill for the 31-year-old Wacha, whose strong effort in his eighth start with his new team helped the struggling San Diego Padres beat the Kansas City Royals 4-0.

"I've been one out away and three outs away as well. Been flirting with it a few times now," Wacha said after striking out a career-high 11 and ending the Padres' five-game losing streak. "When the time's right we'll see what goes down."

Massey's hit to right field came on Wacha's 103rd pitch and manager Bob Melvin immediately came out to pull the right-hander, who left to a standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 43,828. Nick Martinez came on and retired the side and then finished the combined two-hitter.

"I was doing the math in there. Would have loved a three-pitch inning there in the eighth and another one in the ninth," Wacha said. "Just trying to stay on the attack; maybe they would hit it to somebody, get some swing and misses in the zone. Just left a changeup there in the eighth and he put a good swing on it and hit the ball."

Wacha said he and catcher Austin Nola continued with their typical discussions between innings as the game went along.

"I would say everything was pretty normal," Wacha said. "I didn't like change jerseys or anything that I normally would. It was like, 'Hey, this jersey's working out pretty well for me right now.' I kept the same hat on. Usually I'm sweating through it. It was a nice night out there. I didn't sweat too much. Just rode with it."

There were a few moments of confusion at the end as a fan ran onto the field just as Nick Pratto took a called strike three. The umpires huddled and ruled that the pitch from Martinez counted.

Wacha (4-1), signed as a free agent on Feb. 16, walked one. He had a perfect game going before hitting Edward Olivares with a pitch with one out in the fifth. Wacha walked Bobby Witt Jr. with two outs in the sixth before first baseman Jake Cronenworth made a terrific diving stop of Vinnie Pasquantino's grounder to preserve the no-hit bid.

"He was getting a lot of swings and misses early," Melvin said. "He had them really off balance today. Early on you had a pretty good idea that he was going to pitch a good game. A little uncomfortable there with sending him back out there for the eighth. Obviously we were going to go hitter by hitter."

Joe Musgrove threw the Padres' only no-hitter on April 9, 2021, in his second start with his hometown team.

Melvin said he always agonizes "a lot" over pitch counts during a no-hit bid, and said he also had to keep in mind Wacha's history of injuries.

"Everybody else has a great time. I don't. My starting pitchers were giving me a little bit of a hard time because they were having a good time with it but they knew I was not," Melvin said.

Fernando Tatis Jr. had two hits, scored a run and drove in another as the Padres took advantage of Brad Keller's wildness to fix their offensive woes, for one night, at least.

Tatis singled leading off the first and advanced on Manny Machado's groundout and Keller's error. Keller then threw a wild pitch to the backstop that allowed Tatis to score.

Keller (3-4) walked four and hit a batter with a pitch to load the bases three times in the second, but the Padres were able to score only two runs. Tatis hit an RBI single and the other run came in when Machado was hit on the hand by a pitch with the bases loaded.

Tatis tried to score when a pitch briefly got away from Salvador Perez, but the catcher gathered it in and tagged him out. Juan Soto reloaded the bases with a walk before Xander Bogaerts grounded out weakly to end the threat.

Keller was pulled after issuing consecutive walks with two outs in the fourth, giving him eight for the night, against just two strikeouts. He allowed three runs, two earned, and three hits.

Padres: Machado came out of the game in the fourth. ... LHP Drew Pomeranz (elbow, neck) was transferred to the 60-day injured list.

Padres: Selected RHP Drew Carlton from Triple-A El Paso. Optioned LHP Ryan Weathers to El Paso.

Royals RHP Brady Singer (2-4, 7.71 ERA) and Padres RHP Seth Lugo (3-2, 3.18) are scheduled to start Tuesday night in the middle game of the series.

By BERNIE WILSON AP Sports WriterSAN DIEGO — Michael Wacha has been closer to pitching a no-hitter than he came Monday night, when he didn't allow a hit until Michael Massey singled leading off the eighth inning.It was still a thrill for the 31-year-old Wacha, whose strong effort in his eighth start with his new team helped the struggling San Diego Padres beat the Kansas City Royals 4-0."I've been one out away and three outs away as well. Been flirting with it a few times now," Wacha said after striking out a career-high 11 and ending the Padres' five-game losing streak. "When the time's right we'll see what goes down."Massey's hit to right field came on Wacha's 103rd pitch and manager Bob Melvin immediately came out to pull the right-hander, who left to a standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 43,828. Nick Martinez came on and retired the side and then finished the combined two-hitter."I was doing the math in there. Would have loved a three-pitch inning there in the eighth and another one in the ninth," Wacha said. "Just trying to stay on the attack; maybe they would hit it to somebody, get some swing and misses in the zone. Just left a changeup there in the eighth and he put a good swing on it and hit the ball."Wacha said he and catcher Austin Nola continued with their typical discussions between innings as the game went along."I would say everything was pretty normal," Wacha said. "I didn't like change jerseys or anything that I normally would. It was like, 'Hey, this jersey's working out pretty well for me right now.' I kept the same hat on. Usually I'm sweating through it. It was a nice night out there. I didn't sweat too much. Just rode with it."There were a few moments of confusion at the end as a fan ran onto the field just as Nick Pratto took a called strike three. The umpires huddled and ruled that the pitch from Martinez counted.Wacha (4-1), signed as a free agent on Feb. 16, walked one. He had a perfect game going before hitting Edward Olivares with a pitch with one out in the fifth. Wacha walked Bobby Witt Jr. with two outs in the sixth before first baseman Jake Cronenworth made a terrific diving stop of Vinnie Pasquantino's grounder to preserve the no-hit bid."He was getting a lot of swings and misses early," Melvin said. "He had them really off balance today. Early on you had a pretty good idea that he was going to pitch a good game. A little uncomfortable there with sending him back out there for the eighth. Obviously we were going to go hitter by hitter."Joe Musgrove threw the Padres' only no-hitter on April 9, 2021, in his second start with his hometown team.Melvin said he always agonizes "a lot" over pitch counts during a no-hit bid, and said he also had to keep in mind Wacha's history of injuries."Everybody else has a great time. I don't. My starting pitchers were giving me a little bit of a hard time because they were having a good time with it but they knew I was not," Melvin said.Fernando Tatis Jr. had two hits, scored a run and drove in another as the Padres took advantage of Brad Keller's wildness to fix their offensive woes, for one night, at least.Tatis singled leading off the first and advanced on Manny Machado's groundout and Keller's error. Keller then threw a wild pitch to the backstop that allowed Tatis to score.Keller (3-4) walked four and hit a batter with a pitch to load the bases three times in the second, but the Padres were able to score only two runs. Tatis hit an RBI single and the other run came in when Machado was hit on the hand by a pitch with the bases loaded.Tatis tried to score when a pitch briefly got away from Salvador Perez, but the catcher gathered it in and tagged him out. Juan Soto reloaded the bases with a walk before Xander Bogaerts grounded out weakly to end the threat.Keller was pulled after issuing consecutive walks with two outs in the fourth, giving him eight for the night, against just two strikeouts. He allowed three runs, two earned, and three hits.TRAINER'S ROOMPadres: Machado came out of the game in the fourth. ... LHP Drew Pomeranz (elbow, neck) was transferred to the 60-day injured list.TRANSACTIONPadres: Selected RHP Drew Carlton from Triple-A El Paso. Optioned LHP Ryan Weathers to El Paso.UP NEXTRoyals RHP Brady Singer (2-4, 7.71 ERA) and Padres RHP Seth Lugo (3-2, 3.18) are scheduled to start Tuesday night in the middle game of the series.

Wacha takes no-hitter into 8th, fans 11 in Padres' 4-0 win over Royals

Following a pristine 18-2 regular season that saw them capture an NCAA league title, the Southeast of Saline softball team is ready to begin their playoff push at home on Tuesday, as they prepare to host two rounds of the Lyons regional.

The Lady Trojans enter this year’s bracket as the undisputed 1-seed and will open quarterfinal play with 8-seed Nickerson in Gypsum.

Southeast cruised through the majority of their regular season contests, winning 15 of their 20 games by mercy rule including eight by shutout, and posting an absurd run differential of +231.

“I was very pleased with our regular season,” SES head coach Pesha Ptacek said. “We showed a lot more maturity than last year and having a lot of juniors and seniors instead of juniors and sophomores really made a big difference in our ability to put games away.”

Despite all of that success, the Lady Trojans know well that in a win-or-go-home format, there’s no time to dwell on the past, and Southeast will be prepared to battle when regional action gets underway on Tuesday.

“This really does feel like a brand new season,” Ptacek said. “Nothing that came before this week holds any water at regionals and we have to prove ourselves all over again here.”

In their playoff opener SES will square off with a Nickerson squad that has struggled mightily this season, limping into the bracket with a 1-19 overall record.

Despite those struggles, Southeast can ill-afford to look ahead, and taking care of business one game at a time remains the Lady Trojan’s top priority.

“There’s a fine line between confidence and overconfidence and I’m hopeful that we’ve found that sweet spot,” she said. “I want us to be hungry but I also want us to know that if we play ball the way we’re capable of this is ours to take.”

The winner of a 4-5 matchup between 9-9 Hesston and 6-12 Smoky Valley will await the victor between SES and Nickerson, and the two will square off in the semifinals on Tuesday looking to punch a ticket to the Lyons regional championship game at 5:30 on Wednesday.

Even as the heavy favorites to make it out of this bracket, Southeast is still committed, even now, to honing the finer details of their game, as they look to truly play their best softball down the stretch.

“We need to have even more consistency this week and it’s important that we don’t get caught up in the moment,” Ptacek said. “We need to do things the way we always do them regionals or otherwise. There will be a sense of urgency but we need that to be calm and controlled.”

First pitch between the Lady Trojans and Panthers will take place 30 minutes after the conclusion of the Hesston Smoky Valley game in Gypsum.

Meanwhile, in Lyons, one team among a group consisting of 15-4 Hoisington, 15-4 Ellsworth, 3-16 Ellinwood, and 1-17 Lyons will advance to the regional final on the other side of the bracket.

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599179528888.png" alt="Coverage of SES softball is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of SES softball is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>Following a pristine 18-2 regular season that saw them capture an NCAA league title, the Southeast of Saline softball team is ready to begin their playoff push at home on Tuesday, as they prepare to host two rounds of the Lyons regional.The Lady Trojans enter this year’s bracket as the undisputed 1-seed and will open quarterfinal play with 8-seed Nickerson in Gypsum.Southeast cruised through the majority of their regular season contests, winning 15 of their 20 games by mercy rule including eight by shutout, and posting an absurd run differential of +231.“I was very pleased with our regular season,” SES head coach Pesha Ptacek said. “We showed a lot more maturity than last year and having a lot of juniors and seniors instead of juniors and sophomores really made a big difference in our ability to put games away.”Despite all of that success, the Lady Trojans know well that in a win-or-go-home format, there’s no time to dwell on the past, and Southeast will be prepared to battle when regional action gets underway on Tuesday.“This really does feel like a brand new season,” Ptacek said. “Nothing that came before this week holds any water at regionals and we have to prove ourselves all over again here.”In their playoff opener SES will square off with a Nickerson squad that has struggled mightily this season, limping into the bracket with a 1-19 overall record.Despite those struggles, Southeast can ill-afford to look ahead, and taking care of business one game at a time remains the Lady Trojan’s top priority.“There’s a fine line between confidence and overconfidence and I’m hopeful that we’ve found that sweet spot,” she said. “I want us to be hungry but I also want us to know that if we play ball the way we’re capable of this is ours to take.”The winner of a 4-5 matchup between 9-9 Hesston and 6-12 Smoky Valley will await the victor between SES and Nickerson, and the two will square off in the semifinals on Tuesday looking to punch a ticket to the Lyons regional championship game at 5:30 on Wednesday.Even as the heavy favorites to make it out of this bracket, Southeast is still committed, even now, to honing the finer details of their game, as they look to truly play their best softball down the stretch.“We need to have even more consistency this week and it’s important that we don’t get caught up in the moment,” Ptacek said. “We need to do things the way we always do them regionals or otherwise. There will be a sense of urgency but we need that to be calm and controlled.”First pitch between the Lady Trojans and Panthers will take place 30 minutes after the conclusion of the Hesston Smoky Valley game in Gypsum.Meanwhile, in Lyons, one team among a group consisting of 15-4 Hoisington, 15-4 Ellsworth, 3-16 Ellinwood, and 1-17 Lyons will advance to the regional final on the other side of the bracket.

Lady Trojans fired up to begin postseason play at Lyons Regional

On the heels of a 13-7 campaign that saw them secure a share of yet another league title, the Southeast of Saline baseball team will open postseason play on Tuesday, when they square off with 7-seed Eureka at this year’s Burlington regional.

The Trojans enter this bracket as the two-seed having won six of their last eight games, and with a team run differential of +118, while the Tornadoes come in as the 7-seed at 1-15.

After a grueling campaign that saw them square off with a number of top teams competing in regionals across the state this week, Southeast is now free to turn all of their attention to their white whale; punching an elusive ticket to this year’s state tournament.

“We do feel like the real work begins now,” SES head coach Mike Garretson said. “We’ve had one thing on our minds all season long and that’s getting to state and getting something done while we’re there.”

While the Trojans will be heavy favorites in their opening-round matchup with Eureka, this remains a loaded bracket, with 19-1 Humboldt, 12-8 Council Grove, and 11-6 Fredonia all capable of giving anyone else fits.

Despite the stiff competition, Southeast remains optimistic, leaning not only on their previous regional experience, but on the lessons learned throughout their gauntlet of a schedule.

“We know that whether you’re ahead or behind you play out every pitch and you see what happens from there,” Garretson said. “There’s no killing the clock, there’s no taking a knee, you’ve always got a chance.”

This 2:00 bout between the Trojans and Tornadoes will be the first to kick off the action in Burlington, with the winner awaiting whoever emerges from a 4:00 battle between Fredonia and the hosts in 6-12 Burlington.

On the other side of the bracket opening round matchups will feature the 1-seed in Humboldt against 0-18 Hillsboro, and the 4-5 contest between Council Grove and 11-8 Neodosha.

In order to overcome their past struggles and make their triumphant return to Manhattan, SES must maintain command on the mound, an area that the Trojans have lived and died by in 2023.

“Simply put, we have to throw strikes this week,” Garretson said. “We’ll face some good arms on the other side and timely hitting is more valuable than almost anything but in terms of what we can control we have to throw strikes. If we can do that we give ourselves a chance to win any game.”

The semifinals and regional championship games are scheduled for Wednesday in Burlington, with a punched ticket to Manhattan up for grabs entering the week.

For continuing coverage of SES baseball all postseason long, stay tuned to the Salina Post.

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599179528888.png" alt="Coverage of SES baseball is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of SES baseball is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>On the heels of a 13-7 campaign that saw them secure a share of yet another league title, the Southeast of Saline baseball team will open postseason play on Tuesday, when they square off with 7-seed Eureka at this year’s Burlington regional.The Trojans enter this bracket as the two-seed having won six of their last eight games, and with a team run differential of +118, while the Tornadoes come in as the 7-seed at 1-15.After a grueling campaign that saw them square off with a number of top teams competing in regionals across the state this week, Southeast is now free to turn all of their attention to their white whale; punching an elusive ticket to this year’s state tournament.“We do feel like the real work begins now,” SES head coach Mike Garretson said. “We’ve had one thing on our minds all season long and that’s getting to state and getting something done while we’re there.”While the Trojans will be heavy favorites in their opening-round matchup with Eureka, this remains a loaded bracket, with 19-1 Humboldt, 12-8 Council Grove, and 11-6 Fredonia all capable of giving anyone else fits.Despite the stiff competition, Southeast remains optimistic, leaning not only on their previous regional experience, but on the lessons learned throughout their gauntlet of a schedule.“We know that whether you’re ahead or behind you play out every pitch and you see what happens from there,” Garretson said. “There’s no killing the clock, there’s no taking a knee, you’ve always got a chance.”This 2:00 bout between the Trojans and Tornadoes will be the first to kick off the action in Burlington, with the winner awaiting whoever emerges from a 4:00 battle between Fredonia and the hosts in 6-12 Burlington.On the other side of the bracket opening round matchups will feature the 1-seed in Humboldt against 0-18 Hillsboro, and the 4-5 contest between Council Grove and 11-8 Neodosha.In order to overcome their past struggles and make their triumphant return to Manhattan, SES must maintain command on the mound, an area that the Trojans have lived and died by in 2023.“Simply put, we have to throw strikes this week,” Garretson said. “We’ll face some good arms on the other side and timely hitting is more valuable than almost anything but in terms of what we can control we have to throw strikes. If we can do that we give ourselves a chance to win any game.”The semifinals and regional championship games are scheduled for Wednesday in Burlington, with a punched ticket to Manhattan up for grabs entering the week.For continuing coverage of SES baseball all postseason long, stay tuned to the Salina Post.

2-seeded Trojans prepare for playoff push in Burlington

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas State signed football coach Chris Klieman to a new eight-year contract Monday that will pay an average of $5.5 million annually and could keep him tied to the defending Big 12 champion Wildcats through the 2030 season.

The $44 million deal replaces a contract due to end after the 2026 season that paid Klieman an average of $4 million annually.

"What we have been able to accomplish in our first four years here is due to the culture that our players and staff have been able to create," Klieman said in a statement. "I am excited to continue to lead this football program and put a product on the field each year that can compete at the highest level."

Klieman added that Kansas State, which is situated about 2 hours from Kansas City and must overcome some geographic disadvantages when it comes to recruiting, has everything it needs to consistently contend for championships.

That includes a new indoor training facility that just opened next to Bill Snyder Family Stadium, which itself has undergone millions in renovations over the years, putting it in the upper echelon of major college football stadiums.

"Chris has done an unbelievable job building a program in four years that not only has won a Big 12 championship but even more importantly, one that players have taken great pride in and helped sustain a championship culture," said Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor, who hired Klieman away from North Dakota State to replace the retired Hall of Fame coach Bill Snyder.

"We want to continue the momentum that he and his staff have fostered," Taylor said. "We are excited that Chris will be the leader of out football program for many years to come."

The 55-year-old Klieman won four national titles in five years at North Dakota State, which plays a step down in the Football Championship Subdivision, but many still wondered whether that success would translate to college football's highest level.

Klieman went 8-5 and reached the Liberty Bowl in his first season, slipped to 4-6 during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, and went 8-5 again the following year with a win in the Texas Bowl that provided momentum into last season.

Led by All-American running back Deuce Vaughn and defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah, a first-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs, the Wildcats beat TCU in the Big 12 title game — before the Horned Frogs went on to the College Football Playoffs. It was the first conference title for Kansas State since 2012, when Snyder was in his second tenure in Manhattan, Kansas.

Klieman is 30-20 in four seasons with the Wildcats, while his overall college coaching record of 102-33 puts him among the best winning percentages in history. The 30 wins are the most by a Kansas State coach over their first four years.

Kansas State should contend for another Big 12 championship this season.

The Wildcats return quarterback Will Howard, all five starting offensive lineman and several playmakers on defense, including linebacker Daniel Green and safety Kobe Savage. They added Florida State transfer Treshaun Ward to replace Vaughn at running back, Iowa wide receiver Keegan Johnson and one of the best freshman classes in school history.

Kansas State opens the season Sept. 2 against Southeast Missouri State.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669756402283.jpeg" alt="Kansas State Head Coach Chris Klieman. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson, file)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State Head Coach Chris Klieman. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson, file)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports WriterKANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas State signed football coach Chris Klieman to a new eight-year contract Monday that will pay an average of $5.5 million annually and could keep him tied to the defending Big 12 champion Wildcats through the 2030 season.The $44 million deal replaces a contract due to end after the 2026 season that paid Klieman an average of $4 million annually."What we have been able to accomplish in our first four years here is due to the culture that our players and staff have been able to create," Klieman said in a statement. "I am excited to continue to lead this football program and put a product on the field each year that can compete at the highest level."Klieman added that Kansas State, which is situated about 2 hours from Kansas City and must overcome some geographic disadvantages when it comes to recruiting, has everything it needs to consistently contend for championships.That includes a new indoor training facility that just opened next to Bill Snyder Family Stadium, which itself has undergone millions in renovations over the years, putting it in the upper echelon of major college football stadiums."Chris has done an unbelievable job building a program in four years that not only has won a Big 12 championship but even more importantly, one that players have taken great pride in and helped sustain a championship culture," said Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor, who hired Klieman away from North Dakota State to replace the retired Hall of Fame coach Bill Snyder."We want to continue the momentum that he and his staff have fostered," Taylor said. "We are excited that Chris will be the leader of out football program for many years to come."The 55-year-old Klieman won four national titles in five years at North Dakota State, which plays a step down in the Football Championship Subdivision, but many still wondered whether that success would translate to college football's highest level.Turns out it does.Klieman went 8-5 and reached the Liberty Bowl in his first season, slipped to 4-6 during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, and went 8-5 again the following year with a win in the Texas Bowl that provided momentum into last season.Led by All-American running back Deuce Vaughn and defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah, a first-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs, the Wildcats beat TCU in the Big 12 title game — before the Horned Frogs went on to the College Football Playoffs. It was the first conference title for Kansas State since 2012, when Snyder was in his second tenure in Manhattan, Kansas.Klieman is 30-20 in four seasons with the Wildcats, while his overall college coaching record of 102-33 puts him among the best winning percentages in history. The 30 wins are the most by a Kansas State coach over their first four years.Kansas State should contend for another Big 12 championship this season.The Wildcats return quarterback Will Howard, all five starting offensive lineman and several playmakers on defense, including linebacker Daniel Green and safety Kobe Savage. They added Florida State transfer Treshaun Ward to replace Vaughn at running back, Iowa wide receiver Keegan Johnson and one of the best freshman classes in school history.Kansas State opens the season Sept. 2 against Southeast Missouri State.

K-State signs Chris Klieman to a new 8-year, $44M contract

With two games remaining in the regular season, the Salina Liberty have put themselves in an excellent position to defend their crown, and will look to secure even more of a foothold ahead of this year’s CIF playoffs.

At 6-2, Salina sits alone in third place, behind only 9-0 Omaha and a 7-2 Wyoming team that they will travel to play on the campaign's final day.

The only other squad within striking distance is Sioux City, who the Liberty will host this week, looking to permanently push the Bandits to arm's length.

In addition to already having locked up a playoff spot, Salina has secured a first-round home game, which they could trade in for a first-round bye and a second-round home game if they can win out and defeat the Mustangs in Gillette.

While this has undoubtedly been another successful season in Salina, it has not come without its fair share of hardship and adversity, but despite critical injuries, frequent turnover, and some internal drama, the Liberty have pushed through and overcome it all to stand where they do now.

“This is probably the toughest season I’ve ever been through, but I’ve been pleased with the perseverance I’ve seen from these guys,” Salina head coach Heron O’Neal said. “This team has been through it all, and we’ve needed a lot of hard work to keep putting our best foot forward but we’ve been able to do that and to churn out wins.”

While several key returners have made their impact felt on this team, this has been far from a “run it back” type of year, as a litany of newcomers have been called upon in big ways right out of the gate.

Despite the lack of experience, several of these new additions have risen to the challenge and will look to continue playing their best football down the stretch and into the playoff push.

“We need to continue evolving on the defensive side of the ball to hunt down some more turnovers,” O’Neal said. “We’re very young on that side of things with six rookies and inconsistent play comes with that sometimes.”

Around those rookies, several veterans have re-established themselves among the league’s best, as Travis Taylor leads the CIF with 10.5 sacks from the trenches, and Deetray Matthews sits fourth in the league with four picks.

On the other side of the ball, it’s been yet another dominant season for former league MVP Tracy Brooks, who leads the CIF with 432 rushing yards, and sits in second with 13 scores on the ground, leading all players at his position.

Despite working with four different quarterbacks it’s also been a year of excellence for the Salina receiving corps, as Dee Wash and Anthony Love have terrorized opposing secondaries, combining for 658 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The latest and greatest to deliver those passes is former FCF MVP Ed Crouch, who through three games, is already third in the league in yards per game (144) and could very well be the missing piece to back-to-back CIF titles for Salina.

“We’re awfully close to having all of the pieces to the contender that we want to build,” O’Neal said. “We could still use a little more consistency but I believe that now we have the personnel.”

The Liberty will return to the gridiron for one final regular-season tilt at home this Saturday when they host the Sioux City Bandits, before closing out the regular-season in Gillette to face the Mustangs on May 27th.

For continuing coverage of Liberty football all season long, stay tuned to the Salina Post.

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617409785202.png" alt="Coverage of Liberty football is presented by Ryan Roofing" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of Liberty football is presented by Ryan Roofing</figcaption>
 </figure>With two games remaining in the regular season, the Salina Liberty have put themselves in an excellent position to defend their crown, and will look to secure even more of a foothold ahead of this year’s CIF playoffs.At 6-2, Salina sits alone in third place, behind only 9-0 Omaha and a 7-2 Wyoming team that they will travel to play on the campaign's final day.The only other squad within striking distance is Sioux City, who the Liberty will host this week, looking to permanently push the Bandits to arm's length.In addition to already having locked up a playoff spot, Salina has secured a first-round home game, which they could trade in for a first-round bye and a second-round home game if they can win out and defeat the Mustangs in Gillette.While this has undoubtedly been another successful season in Salina, it has not come without its fair share of hardship and adversity, but despite critical injuries, frequent turnover, and some internal drama, the Liberty have pushed through and overcome it all to stand where they do now.“This is probably the toughest season I’ve ever been through, but I’ve been pleased with the perseverance I’ve seen from these guys,” Salina head coach Heron O’Neal said. “This team has been through it all, and we’ve needed a lot of hard work to keep putting our best foot forward but we’ve been able to do that and to churn out wins.”While several key returners have made their impact felt on this team, this has been far from a “run it back” type of year, as a litany of newcomers have been called upon in big ways right out of the gate.Despite the lack of experience, several of these new additions have risen to the challenge and will look to continue playing their best football down the stretch and into the playoff push.“We need to continue evolving on the defensive side of the ball to hunt down some more turnovers,” O’Neal said. “We’re very young on that side of things with six rookies and inconsistent play comes with that sometimes.”Around those rookies, several veterans have re-established themselves among the league’s best, as Travis Taylor leads the CIF with 10.5 sacks from the trenches, and Deetray Matthews sits fourth in the league with four picks.On the other side of the ball, it’s been yet another dominant season for former league MVP Tracy Brooks, who leads the CIF with 432 rushing yards, and sits in second with 13 scores on the ground, leading all players at his position.Despite working with four different quarterbacks it’s also been a year of excellence for the Salina receiving corps, as Dee Wash and Anthony Love have terrorized opposing secondaries, combining for 658 yards and 16 touchdowns.The latest and greatest to deliver those passes is former FCF MVP Ed Crouch, who through three games, is already third in the league in yards per game (144) and could very well be the missing piece to back-to-back CIF titles for Salina.“We’re awfully close to having all of the pieces to the contender that we want to build,” O’Neal said. “We could still use a little more consistency but I believe that now we have the personnel.”The Liberty will return to the gridiron for one final regular-season tilt at home this Saturday when they host the Sioux City Bandits, before closing out the regular-season in Gillette to face the Mustangs on May 27th.For continuing coverage of Liberty football all season long, stay tuned to the Salina Post.

Liberty look to strengthen foothold ahead of playoff push

Due to inclement weather concerns, the quarterfinals of this year's Burlington baseball regional have been postponed to Tuesday.

The semifinals and finals will continue as scheduled for Wednesday

Here then, is another look at Tuesday's schedule in Burlington.

2:00 - (2) SE of Saline vs. (7) Eureka 4:00 - (3) Fredonia vs. (6) Burlington 6:00 - (1) Humboldt vs. (8) Hillsboro 8:00 - (4) Council Grove vs. (5) Neodosha

For continuing coverage of this regional stay tuned to the Salina Post.

Due to inclement weather concerns, the quarterfinals of this year's Burlington baseball regional have been postponed to Tuesday.The semifinals and finals will continue as scheduled for WednesdayHere then, is another look at Tuesday's schedule in Burlington.2:00 - (2) SE of Saline vs. (7) Eureka 4:00 - (3) Fredonia vs. (6) Burlington 6:00 - (1) Humboldt vs. (8) Hillsboro 8:00 - (4) Council Grove vs. (5) NeodoshaFor continuing coverage of this regional stay tuned to the Salina Post.

Burlington baseball regional postponed to Tuesday

Due to inclement weather concerns, this year's Lyons softball regional has been postponed to Tuesday.

All games, including a pair of quarterfinals and a semifinal on the campus of Southeast of Saline High School, will be played at the same times as originally scheduled.

Due to inclement weather concerns, this year's Lyons softball regional has been postponed to Tuesday.All games, including a pair of quarterfinals and a semifinal on the campus of Southeast of Saline High School, will be played at the same times as originally scheduled.Here then, is another look at Tuesday's schedule in Gypsum.G1 1:00 - Hesston vs. Smoky Valley G2 (25 min after G1) - SES vs. Nickerson G3 (25 min after G2) - Winner of G1 vs. winner of G2For continuing coverage of this regional stay tuned to the Salina Post.