NEW YORK (AP)—Bill Walton, who starred for John Wooden's UCLA Bruins before becoming a Hall of Famer for his NBA career and one of the biggest stars in basketball broadcasting, died Monday, the league announced on behalf of his family. Walton, who had a prolonged fight with cancer, was 71.

He was the NBA's MVP in the 1977-78 season, a two-time champion and a member of both the NBA's 50th anniversary and 75th anniversary teams. That followed a college career in which he was a two-time champion at UCLA and a three-time national player of the year.

“Bill Walton,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said, “was truly one of a kind.”

Walton, who was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1993, was larger than life, on the court and off. His NBA career — disrupted by chronic foot injuries — lasted only 468 games with Portland, the San Diego and eventually Los Angeles Clippers and Boston. He averaged 13.3 points and 10.5 rebounds in those games, neither of those numbers exactly record-setting.

Still, his impact on the game was massive.

His most famous game was the 1973 NCAA title game, UCLA against Memphis, in which he shot an incredible 21 for 22 from the field and led the Bruins to another national championship.

“One of my guards said, ’Let’s try something else,” Wooden told The Associated Press in 2008 for a 35th anniversary retrospective on that game.

Wooden’s response during that timeout: “Why? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

They kept giving the ball to Walton, and he kept delivering in a performance for the ages.

“It’s very hard to put into words what he has meant to UCLA’s program, as well as his tremendous impact on college basketball," UCLA coach Mick Cronin said Monday. "Beyond his remarkable accomplishments as a player, it’s his relentless energy, enthusiasm for the game and unwavering candor that have been the hallmarks of his larger than life personality.

“As a passionate UCLA alumnus and broadcaster, he loved being around our players, hearing their stories and sharing his wisdom and advice. For me as a coach, he was honest, kind and always had his heart in the right place. I will miss him very much. It’s hard to imagine a season in Pauley Pavilion without him.”

Walton retired from the NBA and turned to broadcasting, something he never thought he could be good at — and an avenue he sometimes wondered would be possible for him, because he had a pronounced stutter at times in his life.

Turns out, he was excellent at that, too: Walton was an Emmy winner.

“In life, being so self-conscious, red hair, big nose, freckles and goofy, nerdy-looking face and can’t talk at all. I was incredibly shy and never said a word,” Walton told The Oregonian newspaper in 2017. “Then, when I was 28 I learned how to speak. It’s become my greatest accomplishment of my life and everybody else’s biggest nightmare.”

The last part of that was just Walton hyperbole. He was beloved for his on-air tangents.

He sometimes appeared on-air in Grateful Dead T-shirts; Walton was a huge fan of the band and referenced it often, even sometimes recording satellite radio specials celebrating what it meant to be a “Deadhead.”

And the Pac-12 Conference, which has basically evaporated in many ways now because of college realignment, was another of his many loves. He always referred to it as the “Conference of Champions” and loved it all the way to the end.

“It doesn’t get any better than this,” he once said on a broadcast, tie-dyed T-shirt on, a Hawaiian lei around his neck.

“What I will remember most about him was his zest for life,” Silver said. “He was a regular presence at league events — always upbeat, smiling ear to ear and looking to share his wisdom and warmth. I treasured our close friendship, envied his boundless energy and admired the time he took with every person he encountered.”

Walton died surrounded by his loved ones, his family said. He is survived by wife Lori and sons Adam, Nate, Chris and Luke — a former NBA player and now a coach.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716834153461.png" alt="FILE - Basketball Hall of Fame legend Bill Walton, left, jokes with Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic during a practice session for the NBA All-Star basketball game in Cleveland, Feb. 19, 2022. Walton, who starred for John Wooden's UCLA Bruins before becoming a Basketball Hall of Famer and one of the biggest stars of basketball broadcasting, died Monday, May 27, 2024, the league announced on behalf of his family. He was 71. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - Basketball Hall of Fame legend Bill Walton, left, jokes with Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic during a practice session for the NBA All-Star basketball game in Cleveland, Feb. 19, 2022. Walton, who starred for John Wooden's UCLA Bruins before becoming a Basketball Hall of Famer and one of the biggest stars of basketball broadcasting, died Monday, May 27, 2024, the league announced on behalf of his family. He was 71. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP)—Bill Walton, who starred for John Wooden's UCLA Bruins before becoming a Hall of Famer for his NBA career and one of the biggest stars in basketball broadcasting, died Monday, the league announced on behalf of his family. Walton, who had a prolonged fight with cancer, was 71.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The following has been released by the NBA. <a href="https://t.co/fdlty5X3F5">pic.twitter.com/fdlty5X3F5</a>&mdash; NBA Communications (@NBAPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBAPR/status/1795140623239926129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>He was the NBA's MVP in the 1977-78 season, a two-time champion and a member of both the NBA's 50th anniversary and 75th anniversary teams. That followed a college career in which he was a two-time champion at UCLA and a three-time national player of the year.“Bill Walton,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said, “was truly one of a kind.”Walton, who was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1993, was larger than life, on the court and off. His NBA career — disrupted by chronic foot injuries — lasted only 468 games with Portland, the San Diego and eventually Los Angeles Clippers and Boston. He averaged 13.3 points and 10.5 rebounds in those games, neither of those numbers exactly record-setting.Still, his impact on the game was massive.His most famous game was the 1973 NCAA title game, UCLA against Memphis, in which he shot an incredible 21 for 22 from the field and led the Bruins to another national championship.“One of my guards said, ’Let’s try something else,” Wooden told The Associated Press in 2008 for a 35th anniversary retrospective on that game.Wooden’s response during that timeout: “Why? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”They kept giving the ball to Walton, and he kept delivering in a performance for the ages.“It’s very hard to put into words what he has meant to UCLA’s program, as well as his tremendous impact on college basketball," UCLA coach Mick Cronin said Monday. "Beyond his remarkable accomplishments as a player, it’s his relentless energy, enthusiasm for the game and unwavering candor that have been the hallmarks of his larger than life personality.“As a passionate UCLA alumnus and broadcaster, he loved being around our players, hearing their stories and sharing his wisdom and advice. For me as a coach, he was honest, kind and always had his heart in the right place. I will miss him very much. It’s hard to imagine a season in Pauley Pavilion without him.”Walton retired from the NBA and turned to broadcasting, something he never thought he could be good at — and an avenue he sometimes wondered would be possible for him, because he had a pronounced stutter at times in his life.Turns out, he was excellent at that, too: Walton was an Emmy winner.“In life, being so self-conscious, red hair, big nose, freckles and goofy, nerdy-looking face and can’t talk at all. I was incredibly shy and never said a word,” Walton told The Oregonian newspaper in 2017. “Then, when I was 28 I learned how to speak. It’s become my greatest accomplishment of my life and everybody else’s biggest nightmare.”The last part of that was just Walton hyperbole. He was beloved for his on-air tangents.He sometimes appeared on-air in Grateful Dead T-shirts; Walton was a huge fan of the band and referenced it often, even sometimes recording satellite radio specials celebrating what it meant to be a “Deadhead.”And the Pac-12 Conference, which has basically evaporated in many ways now because of college realignment, was another of his many loves. He always referred to it as the “Conference of Champions” and loved it all the way to the end.“It doesn’t get any better than this,” he once said on a broadcast, tie-dyed T-shirt on, a Hawaiian lei around his neck.“What I will remember most about him was his zest for life,” Silver said. “He was a regular presence at league events — always upbeat, smiling ear to ear and looking to share his wisdom and warmth. I treasured our close friendship, envied his boundless energy and admired the time he took with every person he encountered.”Walton died surrounded by his loved ones, his family said. He is survived by wife Lori and sons Adam, Nate, Chris and Luke — a former NBA player and now a coach.

Bill Walton, Hall of Fame player and star broadcaster, dies at 71

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Brandon Lowe drove in three runs with a pinch-hit triple during Tampa Bay's four-run seventh inning, and the Rays stopped Kansas City's eight-game win streak with a 4-1 victory over the Royals on Sunday.

The Rays had lost a season-high six straight.

“To get a win that way, to show up in those high stress situations, it feels good and I feel like it really ignites everybody around it," Lowe said.

Kansas City's Michael Wacha (4-5) lost his perfect-game bid in the sixth, and was pulled after Harold Ramírez singled and Isaac Paredes had a double to start the seventh. John Schreiber then hit Randy Arozarena and permitted a fielder’s choice grounder before Lowe delivered on the first pitch he saw.

It was Lowe's second hit in 17 at-bats since returning from a strained right oblique.

Garrett Cleavinger (4-0) got three outs for the win, and Pete Fairbanks handled the ninth for his fifth save in six chances.

Batting with the bases loaded, Bobby Witt Jr. bounced to second for the final out of the game.

“It was a good ballgame," Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “Really well pitched game. They came up with a big hit when they needed it, and we fought back and just came up a little bit short.”

Wacha retired his first 15 batters on 54 pitches before José Caballero grounded a leadoff double down the third base line in the sixth. After a strikeout and grounder, Yandy Díaz drew a 10-pitch walk before Wacha struck out Jonny DeLuca to complete a 33-pitch inning.

“Those are always tough decisions," Quatraro said about sending Wacha back out for the seventh. "Some of them work. Some of them don’t. That one stings because it didn’t.”

Witt extended his hitting streak to nine games and put the Royals up 1-0 on a sixth-inning homer off Rays reliever Shawn Armstrong. He has homered four times in his last five games.

Witt was thrown out by Arozarena when he tried to score from second in the eighth on Salvador Perez’s one-out single to left.

“Look, we don’t get an out right there that rally just keeps going,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said.

Tampa Bay’s Taj Bradley allowed Adam Frazier’s opposite-field flare single to left in the second and walked three over five innings. After a pair of two-out walks in the fifth, the right-hander fanned Maikel Garcia for his sixth strikeout on his season-high 95th pitch.

Royals: OF Kyle Isbel has a small nose fracture to go with facial lacerations after fouling a ball off his face Saturday, but he avoided going on the 10-day injured list. “He’s very fortunate because the ball grazed the bat, grazed the helmet and (then) hit him,” Quatraro said. “But nothing that needs any time other than just the swelling to go down and get him back out there.” ... INF Michael Massey (lower back sprain) went on the 10-day IL.

Rays: Opening-day starter Zach Eflin (lower back inflammation) has resumed playing catch.

Royals: RHP Alec Marsh (4-1, 2.72 ERA) and Minnesota RHP Joe Ryan (3-3, 3.15 ERA) are Monday’s starters.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716760605243.jpeg" alt="Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Taj Bradley throws against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 26, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)" />
 <figcaption>Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Taj Bradley throws against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 26, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)</figcaption>
 </figure>ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Brandon Lowe drove in three runs with a pinch-hit triple during Tampa Bay's four-run seventh inning, and the Rays stopped Kansas City's eight-game win streak with a 4-1 victory over the Royals on Sunday.The Rays had lost a season-high six straight.“To get a win that way, to show up in those high stress situations, it feels good and I feel like it really ignites everybody around it," Lowe said.Kansas City's Michael Wacha (4-5) lost his perfect-game bid in the sixth, and was pulled after Harold Ramírez singled and Isaac Paredes had a double to start the seventh. John Schreiber then hit Randy Arozarena and permitted a fielder’s choice grounder before Lowe delivered on the first pitch he saw.It was Lowe's second hit in 17 at-bats since returning from a strained right oblique.Garrett Cleavinger (4-0) got three outs for the win, and Pete Fairbanks handled the ninth for his fifth save in six chances.Batting with the bases loaded, Bobby Witt Jr. bounced to second for the final out of the game.“It was a good ballgame," Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “Really well pitched game. They came up with a big hit when they needed it, and we fought back and just came up a little bit short.”Wacha retired his first 15 batters on 54 pitches before José Caballero grounded a leadoff double down the third base line in the sixth. After a strikeout and grounder, Yandy Díaz drew a 10-pitch walk before Wacha struck out Jonny DeLuca to complete a 33-pitch inning.“Those are always tough decisions," Quatraro said about sending Wacha back out for the seventh. "Some of them work. Some of them don’t. That one stings because it didn’t.”Witt extended his hitting streak to nine games and put the Royals up 1-0 on a sixth-inning homer off Rays reliever Shawn Armstrong. He has homered four times in his last five games.Witt was thrown out by Arozarena when he tried to score from second in the eighth on Salvador Perez’s one-out single to left.“Look, we don’t get an out right there that rally just keeps going,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said.Tampa Bay’s Taj Bradley allowed Adam Frazier’s opposite-field flare single to left in the second and walked three over five innings. After a pair of two-out walks in the fifth, the right-hander fanned Maikel Garcia for his sixth strikeout on his season-high 95th pitch.TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals: OF Kyle Isbel has a small nose fracture to go with facial lacerations after fouling a ball off his face Saturday, but he avoided going on the 10-day injured list. “He’s very fortunate because the ball grazed the bat, grazed the helmet and (then) hit him,” Quatraro said. “But nothing that needs any time other than just the swelling to go down and get him back out there.” ... INF Michael Massey (lower back sprain) went on the 10-day IL.Rays: Opening-day starter Zach Eflin (lower back inflammation) has resumed playing catch.UP NEXTRoyals: RHP Alec Marsh (4-1, 2.72 ERA) and Minnesota RHP Joe Ryan (3-3, 3.15 ERA) are Monday’s starters.

⚾️ Lowe hits a 3-run triple as the Rays stop the Royals' 8-game win streak

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post

The Salina Liberty continued their strong start to the season with a dominant win over Wichita on Saturday, routing the Regulators 54-25 in front of the home faithful.

With this result, the Liberty move to 3-1 on the year while Wichita falls to 1-3.

Salina wasted no time starting the scoring when Tracy Brooks punched in the first touchdown of the day from three yards out to give the Liberty a 12-0 lead in the first.

On the very next play, the Regulators looked to even the score, but Dontra Matthews had other ideas, housing a pick-six to double the Liberty lead on a lightning-strike score.

The teams would trade touchdowns before the end of the quarter, but Salina held a 19-7 advantage going into the second, where two more scoring swaps would make the score 33-19 going into the intermission.

The second half was all Liberty, and after extending their lead on two touchdown passes to Demarius Washington bookending another pick-six by Freddie McGee, the game ended as it began on Tracy Brooks’ second score from the goal line.

When the dust settled, Salina had won 54-25, the 29–point margin of victory representing their largest lead of the 2024 campaign.

Charles McCullum continued to cook under center, adding four more passing touchdowns without a single turnover in the win.

Salina will be back on the road next week when they travel to Dodge City to take on the Southwest Kansas Storm on June 2nd.

Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 and the game can be heard locally on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM), or online at 910KINA.com.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostThe Salina Liberty continued their strong start to the season with a dominant win over Wichita on Saturday, routing the Regulators 54-25 in front of the home faithful.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715632935741.png" alt="Coverage of Salina Liberty football is presented by Ryan Roofing" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of Salina Liberty football is presented by Ryan Roofing</figcaption>
 </figure>With this result, the Liberty move to 3-1 on the year while Wichita falls to 1-3.Salina wasted no time starting the scoring when Tracy Brooks punched in the first touchdown of the day from three yards out to give the Liberty a 12-0 lead in the first.On the very next play, the Regulators looked to even the score, but Dontra Matthews had other ideas, housing a pick-six to double the Liberty lead on a lightning-strike score.The teams would trade touchdowns before the end of the quarter, but Salina held a 19-7 advantage going into the second, where two more scoring swaps would make the score 33-19 going into the intermission.The second half was all Liberty, and after extending their lead on two touchdown passes to Demarius Washington bookending another pick-six by Freddie McGee, the game ended as it began on Tracy Brooks’ second score from the goal line.When the dust settled, Salina had won 54-25, the 29–point margin of victory representing their largest lead of the 2024 campaign.Charles McCullum continued to cook under center, adding four more passing touchdowns without a single turnover in the win.Salina will be back on the road next week when they travel to Dodge City to take on the Southwest Kansas Storm on June 2nd.Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 and the game can be heard locally on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM), or online at 910KINA.com.

Liberty rout Regulators, move to 3-1 on campaign

The 2024 KSHSAA state track meet is officially in the books, and below you can find results for all of our area athletes competing from Salina Central, Salina South, Abilene, Chapman, McPherson, Southeast of Saline, Ellsworth, Minneapolis, Smoky Valley, Sacred Heart, Ell-Saline, Solomon, Bennington, and Tescott.

Girls - Smoky Valley (51 pts - CLASS 3A KSHSAA STATE CHAMPIONS) - Salina Central (50 pts - 2nd in 5A) - Chapman (37 pts - 7th in 4A) - McPherson (38 pts - 8th in 4A) - Bennington (34 pts - 9th in 2A)

Boys - SE of Saline (43 pts - 6th in 3A) - Chapman (32 pts - 9th in 4A) - Abilene (30 pts - T10th in 4A)

Top performing individuals - Katelyn Rupe (Salina Central) - 5A girls 3200 - Elyssa Frieze (Chapman) - 4A girls 3200 - Haley Litzinger (Chapman) - 4A girls 100m dash - Judah Bowell (Abilene) - 110m hurdles - Judah Bowell (Abilene) - 300m hurdles - Tate Nurnberg (SE of Saline) - 3A boys high jump - Tate Nurnberg (SE of Saline) - 3A boys triple jump - Jordan Bartlett (Bennington) - 2A girls javelin

5A boys 4x400m relay Salina Central - 5th (3:26.95) Salina South - 7th (3:27.63)

3A boys 4x400m relay SE of Saline - 3rd (3:26.64) Smoky Valley - 6th (3:31.97)

4A girls 4x400m relay McPherson - 2nd (4:07.31) Abilene - 8th (4:17.03)

2A girls 4x400m relay Sacred Heart - 8th (4:34.08)

4A boys 200m dash Tyler Green (Abilene) - 4th (23.10) Gage Picking (Chapman) - 8th (23.79)

5A girls 2oom dash Elle Denning (Salina Central) - 7th (26.45)

4A girls 200m dash Jayla McLeod (McPherson) - 2nd (26.20) Renatta Heintz (Abilene) - 3rd (26.26) Haley Litzinger (Chapman) - 5th (26.58)

3A girls 200m dash Breanne Peters (Smoky Valley) - 2nd (25.77)

2A girls 200m dash Rori Miles (Bennington) - 7th (26.82)

5A boys 800 Bret Jones (Salina South) - 9th (2:00.40)

4A boys 800 Drew Elliott (Chapman) - 3rd (1:58.59) Dereck Klukas (Chapman) - 5th (2:00.28)

2A boys 800 Garrison Zerger (Ell-Saline) - 6th (2:02.22) Thayne Trout (Bennington) - 12th (2:05.47) Brayden Palenske&nbsp;(Bennington) - 16th (2:13.53)

5A girls 800 Kaylie Shultz (Salina Central) - 4th (2:16.69) Ava Lemaster (Salina South) - 10th (2:24.29)

4A girls 800 Eden Bathurst (Abilene) - 4th (2:22.12)

2A girls 800 Caroline Stone (Sacred Heart) - 16th (2:38.76)

4A boys 300m hurdles Judah Bowell (Abilene) - STATE CHAMPION (39.96)

5A girls 300m hurdles Tamia Cheeks (Salina South) - 8th (48.41)

4A girls 300m hurdles Arihanna Koehn (McPherson) - 6th (48.64)

3A girls 300m hurdles Elliana Smith (SE of Saline) - 8th (49.41)

2A girls 3oom hurdles Lauryn Mikkelson (Sacred Heart) - 8th (50.63)

2A girls javelin&nbsp; Jordan Bartlett (Bennington) - STATE CHAMPION (139-0)

3A boys 400m run Jacob Bircher (SE of Saline) - 7th (50.62)

5A girls 400m run Elle Denning (Salina Central) - 6th (59.57)

4A boys 4x100m relay Chapman - 7th (43.94)

2A boys 4x100m relay Bennington - 2nd (44.21)

4A girls 4x100m relay McPherson - 2nd (49.87) Abilene - 7th (50.90)

2A girls 4x100m relay Bennington - STATE CHAMPIONS (50.72) -&nbsp;Jaylee Moss, Taleigh Watson, Jordan Bartlett, Rori Miles Sacred Heart - 6th (51.85)

2A boys long jump Brogan Rowley (Ell-Saline) - 3rd (21-10.25) Payge Rodenbeek (Bennington) - 7th (21-3.50) Joseph Hiechel (Ell-Saline) - 10th (20-0)

4A girls shot put Claira Dannefer (Abilene) - 7th (36-0.75)

3A girls pole vault Breanne Peters (Smoky Valley) - STATE CHAMPION (12-8)

3A boys triple jump Tate Nurnberg (SE of Saline) - STATE CHAMPION (46-1)

4A boys 1600m Caleb Muehler (McPherson) - 2nd (4:25.01) Drew Elliott (Chapman) - 3rd (4:25.46)

3A boys 1600m&nbsp; Brayden Walker (SE of Saline) - 11th (4:32.94) Cayden Walker (SE of Saline) - 13th (4:36.58)

2A boys 1600m run Thayne Trout (Bennington) - 7th (4:34.29) Garrison Zerger (Ell-Saline) - 11th (4:45.52) Nick Williams (Bennington) - 12th (4:50.82) Carson Fouard (Ell-Saline) - 16th (5:04.23)

5A girls 1600m run Katelyn Rupe (Salina Central) - 2nd (4:55.19)

4A girls 1600m run Elyssa Frieze (Chapman) - 2nd (5:18.00) Eva Ramey (McPherson) - 11th (5:48.54)

3A girls 1600m run Piper Brown (SE of Saline) - 10th (5:44.70)

2A girls 1600m run Caroline Stone (Sacred Heart) - 5th (5:36.89) Mia Hamilton (Sacred Heart) - 10th (5:58.52)

1A girls 1600m run Breonna Peterson (Tescott) - 13th (5:53.10)

3A boys 100m dash Riley Stone (Ellsworth) - 8th (11.26)

2A boys 100m dash Manny McVay (Bennington) - 7th (11.26)

5A girls 100m dash Elle Denning (Salina Central) - 4th (12.40)

4A girls 100m dash Renatta Heintz (Abilene) - 4th (12.46) Haley Litzinger (Chapman) - 5th (12.48)

3A girls 100m dash&nbsp; Lainey Peshcka (Ellsworth) - 6th (12.95)

2A girls 100m dash Rori Miles (Bennington) - 3rd (12.74)

4A girls long jump Haley Litzinger (Chapman) - 6th (17-4) Claira Dannefer (Abilene) - T8th (17-2.25)

5A boys shot put Dammian Hightower (Salina South) - 16th (41-9.25)

3A girls triple jump Breanne Peters (Smoky Valley) - STATE CHAMPION (37-7) Trista Spitler (Smoky Valley) - 4th (36-4.75) Maci McClure (Minneapolis) - 6th (35-11)

5A boys 4x800m relay Salina Central - 15th (8:37.48)

4A boys 4x800m relay McPherson - 8th (8:20.66)&nbsp;

3A boys 4x800m relay SE of Saline - 2nd (8:17.12) Smoky Valley - 8th (8:31.01)

4A girls 4x800m relay Abilene - 7th (10:12.98) McPherson - 12th (10:35.09)

3A girls 4x800m relay Smoky Valley - 3rd (10:02.00) SE of Saline - 5th (10:03.76)

2A girls 4x800m relay Sacred Heart - 2nd (10:08.52)

5A girls shot put Aunisty McNeal (Salina South) - 10th (35-1)

4A girls pole vault Taya Rowley (Chapman) - T9th (9-0) Adelynn Kirkpatrick (Chapman) - 16th (8-0)

4A boys high jump Tyler Green (Abilene) - 5th (6-2) Kyden Thompson (McPherson) - 8th (6-2)&nbsp;

4A boys 110m hurdles Judah Bowell (Abilene) - STATE CHAMPION (14.84)

5A girls 100m hurdles Tamia Cheeks (Salina South) - 7th (15.90)

4A girls 100m hurdles Arihanna Koehn (McPherson) - 5th (16.17)

2A girls 100m hurdles Taleigh Watson (Bennington) - 6th (16.83)

5A boys 100m dash Kamryn Jones (Salina Central) - 10th (11.31)

4A boys 100m dash Gage Picking (Chapman) - 3rd (11.11) Jayce Schriner (McPherson) - 13th (11.49) Kameron Krogman (Chapman) - 15th (11.53)

3A boys 100m dash Riley Stone (Ellsw0rth) - 8th (11.35)

2A boys 100m dash Manny McVay (Bennington) - 8th (11.46)

5A girls 100m dash Elle Denning (Salina Central) - 7th (12.72)

4A girls 100m dash Haley Litzinger&nbsp;(Chapman) - STATE CHAMPION (12.59) Renatta Heintz (Abilene) - 2nd (12.82)

3A girls 100m dash Lainey Peshcka (Ellsworth) - 6th (13.12) Karlee Zurfluh (SE of Saline) - 10th (13.27)

2A girls 100m dash Rori Miles (Bennington) - 3rd (13.00)

1A boys javelin Justin Pasley (Tescott) - 3rd (162-5)

2A boys shot put Victor Ruiz-Torres (Ell-Saline) - 9th (46-6.50)

3A boys pole vault Mason Smith (Minneapolis) - 5th (13-6)

3A girls high jump Elliana Smith (SE of Saline) - 2nd (5-6)

2A boys high jump Brogan Rowley (Ell-Saline) - 2nd (6-6) Payge Rodenbeek (Bennington) - 12th (5-10)

2A girls long jump Skylar Douglas (Sacred Heart) - 12th (14-7)

2A girls shot put Alyssa Wolff (Bennington) - 6th (37-10.50)

2A boys triple jump Isaiah Garrett (Bennington) - 8th (40-11.50) Manny McVay (Bennington) - 11th (40-0)

3A girls 3200 run Esther Clark (Smoky Valley) - 7th (11:57.84) Molly Ehrlich (Ellsworth) - 8th (12:19.95) Anna Jackson (SE of Saline) - 1th (12:41.88)

3A boys 3200m run Brayden Walker (SE of Saline) - 5th (9:31.20) Cayden Walker (SE of Saline) - 6th (9:33.27) Levi Allen (SE of Saline) - 11th (9:51.28)

2A boys 3200m run Carson Fouard (Ell-Saline) - 9th (10:02.28) Spencer Ward (Bennington) - 15th (10:50.88)

2A girls 3200m run Eva Matteucci (Sacred Heart) - 8th (12:24.34) Libby Kierscht (Sacred Heart) - 12th (12:59.85)

1A girls 3200m run Breonna Peterson (Tescott) - 6th (12:20.62)

3A boys 4x400m relay prelims Smoky Valley - 5th (3:30.22&nbsp;q) SE of Saline - 6th (3:30.51&nbsp;q)

2A boys 4x400m relay prelims Ell-Saline - 9th (3:35.98)

2A girls 4x400m relay prelims Sacred Heart - 7th (4:16.56&nbsp;q)

2A boys javelin Brogan Rowley (Ell-Saline) - 14th (138-6)

1A boys pole vault Carter Peters&nbsp;(Tescott) - T10th (12-0)

2A girls pole vault Madison Simmons (Bennington) - 9th (8-6)

3A girls long jump Breanne Peters (Smoky Valley) - 2nd (17-11)

3A girls 200m dash prelims Breanne Peters (Smoky Valley) - 2nd (25.28 q)

2A girls 200m dash prelims Rori Miles (Bennington) - 6th (26.33&nbsp;q)

BY SALINA POSTThe 2024 KSHSAA state track meet is officially in the books, and below you can find results for all of our area athletes competing from Salina Central, Salina South, Abilene, Chapman, McPherson, Southeast of Saline, Ellsworth, Minneapolis, Smoky Valley, Sacred Heart, Ell-Saline, Solomon, Bennington, and Tescott.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716557308819.png" alt="Coverage of the 2024 KSHSAA State Track Meet is presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine: Your home-field advantage starts here" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of the 2024 KSHSAA State Track Meet is presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine: Your home-field advantage starts here</figcaption>
 </figure>Top performing teamsGirls - Smoky Valley (51 pts - CLASS 3A KSHSAA STATE CHAMPIONS) - Salina Central (50 pts - 2nd in 5A) - Chapman (37 pts - 7th in 4A) - McPherson (38 pts - 8th in 4A) - Bennington (34 pts - 9th in 2A) Boys - SE of Saline (43 pts - 6th in 3A) - Chapman (32 pts - 9th in 4A) - Abilene (30 pts - T10th in 4A)Top performing individuals - Katelyn Rupe (Salina Central) - 5A girls 3200 - Elyssa Frieze (Chapman) - 4A girls 3200 - Haley Litzinger (Chapman) - 4A girls 100m dash - Judah Bowell (Abilene) - 110m hurdles - Judah Bowell (Abilene) - 300m hurdles - Tate Nurnberg (SE of Saline) - 3A boys high jump - Tate Nurnberg (SE of Saline) - 3A boys triple jump - Jordan Bartlett (Bennington) - 2A girls javelinSaturday Results5A boys 4x400m relay Salina Central - 5th (3:26.95) Salina South - 7th (3:27.63)3A boys 4x400m relay SE of Saline - 3rd (3:26.64) Smoky Valley - 6th (3:31.97)4A girls 4x400m relay McPherson - 2nd (4:07.31) Abilene - 8th (4:17.03)2A girls 4x400m relay Sacred Heart - 8th (4:34.08) 4A boys 200m dash Tyler Green (Abilene) - 4th (23.10) Gage Picking (Chapman) - 8th (23.79) 5A girls 2oom dash Elle Denning (Salina Central) - 7th (26.45) 4A girls 200m dash Jayla McLeod (McPherson) - 2nd (26.20) Renatta Heintz (Abilene) - 3rd (26.26) Haley Litzinger (Chapman) - 5th (26.58) 3A girls 200m dash Breanne Peters (Smoky Valley) - 2nd (25.77) 2A girls 200m dash Rori Miles (Bennington) - 7th (26.82) 5A boys 800 Bret Jones (Salina South) - 9th (2:00.40) 4A boys 800 Drew Elliott (Chapman) - 3rd (1:58.59) Dereck Klukas (Chapman) - 5th (2:00.28) 2A boys 800 Garrison Zerger (Ell-Saline) - 6th (2:02.22) Thayne Trout (Bennington) - 12th (2:05.47) Brayden Palenske&nbsp;(Bennington) - 16th (2:13.53) 5A girls 800 Kaylie Shultz (Salina Central) - 4th (2:16.69) Ava Lemaster (Salina South) - 10th (2:24.29) 4A girls 800 Eden Bathurst (Abilene) - 4th (2:22.12) 2A girls 800 Caroline Stone (Sacred Heart) - 16th (2:38.76) 4A boys 300m hurdles Judah Bowell (Abilene) - STATE CHAMPION (39.96)5A girls 300m hurdles Tamia Cheeks (Salina South) - 8th (48.41)4A girls 300m hurdles Arihanna Koehn (McPherson) - 6th (48.64) 3A girls 300m hurdles Elliana Smith (SE of Saline) - 8th (49.41) 2A girls 3oom hurdles Lauryn Mikkelson (Sacred Heart) - 8th (50.63) 2A girls javelin&nbsp; Jordan Bartlett (Bennington) - STATE CHAMPION (139-0)3A boys 400m run Jacob Bircher (SE of Saline) - 7th (50.62) 5A girls 400m run Elle Denning (Salina Central) - 6th (59.57) 4A boys 4x100m relay Chapman - 7th (43.94)2A boys 4x100m relay Bennington - 2nd (44.21) 4A girls 4x100m relay McPherson - 2nd (49.87) Abilene - 7th (50.90)2A girls 4x100m relay Bennington - STATE CHAMPIONS (50.72) -&nbsp;Jaylee Moss, Taleigh Watson, Jordan Bartlett, Rori Miles Sacred Heart - 6th (51.85)2A boys long jump Brogan Rowley (Ell-Saline) - 3rd (21-10.25) Payge Rodenbeek (Bennington) - 7th (21-3.50) Joseph Hiechel (Ell-Saline) - 10th (20-0) 4A girls shot put Claira Dannefer (Abilene) - 7th (36-0.75) 3A girls pole vault Breanne Peters (Smoky Valley) - STATE CHAMPION (12-8) 3A boys triple jump Tate Nurnberg (SE of Saline) - STATE CHAMPION (46-1)4A boys 1600m Caleb Muehler (McPherson) - 2nd (4:25.01) Drew Elliott (Chapman) - 3rd (4:25.46) 3A boys 1600m&nbsp; Brayden Walker (SE of Saline) - 11th (4:32.94) Cayden Walker (SE of Saline) - 13th (4:36.58)2A boys 1600m run Thayne Trout (Bennington) - 7th (4:34.29) Garrison Zerger (Ell-Saline) - 11th (4:45.52) Nick Williams (Bennington) - 12th (4:50.82) Carson Fouard (Ell-Saline) - 16th (5:04.23) 5A girls 1600m run Katelyn Rupe (Salina Central) - 2nd (4:55.19) 4A girls 1600m run Elyssa Frieze (Chapman) - 2nd (5:18.00) Eva Ramey (McPherson) - 11th (5:48.54) 3A girls 1600m run Piper Brown (SE of Saline) - 10th (5:44.70) 2A girls 1600m run Caroline Stone (Sacred Heart) - 5th (5:36.89) Mia Hamilton (Sacred Heart) - 10th (5:58.52) 1A girls 1600m run Breonna Peterson (Tescott) - 13th (5:53.10) 3A boys 100m dash Riley Stone (Ellsworth) - 8th (11.26) 2A boys 100m dash Manny McVay (Bennington) - 7th (11.26) 5A girls 100m dash Elle Denning (Salina Central) - 4th (12.40) 4A girls 100m dash Renatta Heintz (Abilene) - 4th (12.46) Haley Litzinger (Chapman) - 5th (12.48) 3A girls 100m dash&nbsp; Lainey Peshcka (Ellsworth) - 6th (12.95) 2A girls 100m dash Rori Miles (Bennington) - 3rd (12.74) 4A girls long jump Haley Litzinger (Chapman) - 6th (17-4) Claira Dannefer (Abilene) - T8th (17-2.25) 5A boys shot put Dammian Hightower (Salina South) - 16th (41-9.25) 3A girls triple jump Breanne Peters (Smoky Valley) - STATE CHAMPION (37-7) Trista Spitler (Smoky Valley) - 4th (36-4.75) Maci McClure (Minneapolis) - 6th (35-11) 5A boys 4x800m relay Salina Central - 15th (8:37.48)4A boys 4x800m relay McPherson - 8th (8:20.66)&nbsp; 3A boys 4x800m relay SE of Saline - 2nd (8:17.12) Smoky Valley - 8th (8:31.01)4A girls 4x800m relay Abilene - 7th (10:12.98) McPherson - 12th (10:35.09)3A girls 4x800m relay Smoky Valley - 3rd (10:02.00) SE of Saline - 5th (10:03.76)2A girls 4x800m relay Sacred Heart - 2nd (10:08.52)5A girls shot put Aunisty McNeal (Salina South) - 10th (35-1) 4A girls pole vault Taya Rowley (Chapman) - T9th (9-0) Adelynn Kirkpatrick (Chapman) - 16th (8-0) 4A boys high jump Tyler Green (Abilene) - 5th (6-2) Kyden Thompson (McPherson) - 8th (6-2)&nbsp; 4A boys 110m hurdles Judah Bowell (Abilene) - STATE CHAMPION (14.84)5A girls 100m hurdles Tamia Cheeks (Salina South) - 7th (15.90)4A girls 100m hurdles Arihanna Koehn (McPherson) - 5th (16.17) 2A girls 100m hurdles Taleigh Watson (Bennington) - 6th (16.83) 5A boys 100m dash Kamryn Jones (Salina Central) - 10th (11.31) 4A boys 100m dash Gage Picking (Chapman) - 3rd (11.11) Jayce Schriner (McPherson) - 13th (11.49) Kameron Krogman (Chapman) - 15th (11.53) 3A boys 100m dash Riley Stone (Ellsw0rth) - 8th (11.35) 2A boys 100m dash Manny McVay (Bennington) - 8th (11.46) 5A girls 100m dash Elle Denning (Salina Central) - 7th (12.72)4A girls 100m dash Haley Litzinger&nbsp;(Chapman) - STATE CHAMPION (12.59) Renatta Heintz (Abilene) - 2nd (12.82) 3A girls 100m dash Lainey Peshcka (Ellsworth) - 6th (13.12) Karlee Zurfluh (SE of Saline) - 10th (13.27) 2A girls 100m dash Rori Miles (Bennington) - 3rd (13.00) Friday Results1A boys javelin Justin Pasley (Tescott) - 3rd (162-5) 2A boys shot put Victor Ruiz-Torres (Ell-Saline) - 9th (46-6.50) 3A boys pole vault Mason Smith (Minneapolis) - 5th (13-6) 3A girls high jump Elliana Smith (SE of Saline) - 2nd (5-6) 2A boys high jump Brogan Rowley (Ell-Saline) - 2nd (6-6) Payge Rodenbeek (Bennington) - 12th (5-10) 2A girls long jump Skylar Douglas (Sacred Heart) - 12th (14-7) 2A girls shot put Alyssa Wolff (Bennington) - 6th (37-10.50)2A boys triple jump Isaiah Garrett (Bennington) - 8th (40-11.50) Manny McVay (Bennington) - 11th (40-0) 3A girls 3200 run Esther Clark (Smoky Valley) - 7th (11:57.84) Molly Ehrlich (Ellsworth) - 8th (12:19.95) Anna Jackson (SE of Saline) - 1th (12:41.88)3A boys 3200m run Brayden Walker (SE of Saline) - 5th (9:31.20) Cayden Walker (SE of Saline) - 6th (9:33.27) Levi Allen (SE of Saline) - 11th (9:51.28) 2A boys 3200m run Carson Fouard (Ell-Saline) - 9th (10:02.28) Spencer Ward (Bennington) - 15th (10:50.88) 2A girls 3200m run Eva Matteucci (Sacred Heart) - 8th (12:24.34) Libby Kierscht (Sacred Heart) - 12th (12:59.85) 1A girls 3200m run Breonna Peterson (Tescott) - 6th (12:20.62) 3A boys 4x400m relay prelims Smoky Valley - 5th (3:30.22&nbsp;q) SE of Saline - 6th (3:30.51&nbsp;q)2A boys 4x400m relay prelims Ell-Saline - 9th (3:35.98)2A girls 4x400m relay prelims Sacred Heart - 7th (4:16.56&nbsp;q)2A boys javelin Brogan Rowley (Ell-Saline) - 14th (138-6) 1A boys pole vault Carter Peters&nbsp;(Tescott) - T10th (12-0)2A girls pole vault Madison Simmons (Bennington) - 9th (8-6) 3A girls long jump Breanne Peters (Smoky Valley) - 2nd (17-11)3A girls 200m dash prelims Breanne Peters (Smoky Valley) - 2nd (25.28 q)2A girls 200m dash prelims Rori Miles (Bennington) - 6th (26.33&nbsp;q) 2A girls 300m hurdle prelims Melvin Lutes (Ell-Saline) - 13th (45.42) 3A girls 300m hurdle prelims Elliana Smith (SE of Saline) - 3rd (47.07 q) 2A girls 300m hurdle prelims Lauryn Mikkelson (Sacred Heart) - 6th (48.62&nbsp;q) Jaylee Moss (Bennington) - 13th (50.42) 3A boys high jump Tate Nurnberg (SE of Saline) - STATE CHAMPION (6-6)3A boys 400m prelims Jacob Bircher (SE of Saline) - 7th (50.96&nbsp;q) 3A girls 400m prelims Regan Duran (SE of Saline) - 10th (1:02.37)5A boys javelin James MacKinney (Salina Central) - 9th (163-1) 2A boys discus Victor Ruiz-Torres (Ell-Saline) - 11th (135-8) 4A girls triple jump Mallory Holmes (McPherson) - 5th (36-4) Claire Wasylk (Chapman) - 10th (34-0.25) Kit Barbieri (Abilene) - 16th (30-10.25) 3A boys long jump Malachi Hopkins (SE of Saline) - 9th (20-6.25)2A boys 4x100m relay prelims Bennington - 2nd (44.35 q) 2A girls 4x100m relay prelims Bennington - 1st (50.17 q) Sacred Heart - 3rd (51.13 q) 3A girls 100m hurdle prelims Elliana Smith (SE of Saline) - 9th (15.90)2A girls 100m hurdle prelims Taleigh Watson (Bennington) -6th (16.50&nbsp;q) Jaylee Moss (Bennington) - 11th (16.84) Abby Gans (Bennington) - 16th (18.19)5A girls discus Aunisty McNeal (Salina South) - 10th (107-8) 4A boys shot put Weston Langvardt (Chapman) - 10th (47-0.50) Caden Wenderott (McPherson) - 15th (43-9.25) 5A girls pole vault Anna Hogeland (Salina Central) - T2nd (11-0) Bethany Hicklin (Salina South) - T2nd (11-0) 5A girls high jump Tamia Cheeks (Salina South) - 2nd (5-4)4A boys triple jump Kelan Gruver (Chapman) - 11th (40-11.75)4A boys javelin Ian Suther (Chapman) - 7th (147-7) Gavin Wedel (McPherson) - 12th (155-3) 4A girls discus Tanith Elliott (Chapman) - 2nd (119-0) 5A boys 4x400m relay prelims Salina South - 4th (3:25.81 q) Salina Central 7th (3:29.55&nbsp;q)4A boys 3x400m relay prelims Abilene - 14th (3:35.04)4A girls 4x400m relay prelims McPherson - 4th (4:11.12 q) Abilene - 7th (4:12.78&nbsp;q)5A boys 200m dash prelims Kamryn Jones (Salina Central) - 11th (22.65) 4A boys 200m dash prelims Tyler Green (Abilene) - 4th (22.41 q) Gage Picking (Chapman) - 7th (22.59 q) Jayce Schriner (McPherson) - 12th (23.01) 5A girls 200m dash prelims Elle Denning (Salina Central) - 8th (26.03 q)4A girls 200m dash prelims Haley Litzinger (Chapman) - 1st (25.87 q) Renatta Heintz (Abilene) - 2nd (25.92 q) Jayla McLeod (McPherson (7th 26.19 q) 4A boys 300m hurdle prelims Judah Bowell (Abilene) - 1st (40.68 q)5A girls 300m hurdle prelims Tamia Cheeks (Salina South) - 7th (48.24&nbsp;q)4A girls 300m hurdle prelims Arihanna Koehn (McPherson) - 6th (48.94 q) 5A boys discus Gage Gibson (Salina Central) - 14th (124-3) 5A boys pole vault Dylan Brice (Salina South) - 10th (12-6) 5A girls triple jump Tamia Cheeks (Salina South) - 7th (35-3.50) Amari DeHerrera (Salina South) 12th (31-6.75) 4A boys long jump Judah Bowell (Abilene) - 8th (20-7.50) Aiden Whitley (Chapman) - 10th (19-10.50)5A boys 400m prelims Jameer Moore (Salina Central) - 16th (53.08)5A girls 400m prelims Elle Denning (Salina Central) - 6th (1:00.33&nbsp;q)4A boys 4x100m relay prelims Chapman - 6th (44.05 q)5A girls 4x100m relay prelims Salina Central - 9th (50.58)4A girls 4x100m relay prelims McPherson - 2nd (50.33 q) Abilene - 5th (51.08 q) Chapman - 11th (52.05)5A boys 110m hurdle prelims Brady Hemmer (Salina Central) - 11th (15.89) 4A boys 110m hurdle prelims Judah Bowell (Abilene) - 1st (14.98 q) 5A girls 100m hurdle prelims Tamia Cheeks (Salina South) - 6th (15.70&nbsp;q)4A girls 100m hurdle prelims Arihanna Koehn (McPherson) - 8th (16.02 q) 5A girls 3200m run Katelyn Rupe (Salina Central) - STATE CHAMPION (10:18.09) Kaylie Shultz (Salina Central) - 3rd (10:45.10) 4A boys 3200m run Caleb Muehler (McPherson) - 2nd (9:31.81) Drew Elliott (Chapman) - 4th (9:46.90)4A girls 3200m run Elyssa Frieze (Chapman) - STATE CHAMPION (11:18.14) Lexi Patterson (McPherson) - 16th (13:06.53)

Final Area KSHSAA State Track Results

MARION, Ind. - Kansas Wesleyan Track and Field added a couple more All-America performances to the trophy case at the 2024 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships held at Indiana Wesleyan University.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/fbd5550a-32f6-445d-a172-f0cefc1dca48?elinkdata=10366">Carter Huyser</a> added two more All-America honors to his impressive career total, earning the honor in the 800m, placing eighth with a time of 1:51.71 in the finals. He qualified second in the preliminaries with a time of 1:50.76.

He was also part of the 4x800m relay team that earned All-America honors with an eighth place finish in the finals with a time of 7:41.11. KWU qualified fourth for the finals with a time of 7:35.77 in the finals along with <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0ed23eb0-1419-4510-bc59-db2ac1aa52b6?elinkdata=10366">Ty Davidson</a>, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4f7ecf0a-8e17-493f-b150-aef7cdd00a82?elinkdata=10366">Julian Avila</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/353e21fc-0194-4bba-9509-20cd436fc249?elinkdata=10366">Wyatt Johnson</a>.

KWU also had other student-athletes in the National Championships.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/11da8935-efa4-4ac0-972a-8029eef131b2?elinkdata=10366">Madisyn Ehrlich</a> placed 19th in the preliminary round of the 1500m with a time of 4:55.74.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c0316393-014e-40ad-8c2b-88d2f964038b?elinkdata=10366">Keegan Lott</a> placed 23rd in the discus with a mark of 44.12m.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5504b0e4-6a4f-445c-b5b5-3c65e7a80aa5?elinkdata=10366">Brenden Ellis</a> placed 26th in the preliminaries of the Steeplechase with a time of 9:42.00.

MARION, Ind. - Kansas Wesleyan Track and Field added a couple more All-America performances to the trophy case at the 2024 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships held at Indiana Wesleyan University.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/fbd5550a-32f6-445d-a172-f0cefc1dca48?elinkdata=10366">Carter Huyser</a> added two more All-America honors to his impressive career total, earning the honor in the 800m, placing eighth with a time of 1:51.71 in the finals. He qualified second in the preliminaries with a time of 1:50.76.He was also part of the 4x800m relay team that earned All-America honors with an eighth place finish in the finals with a time of 7:41.11. KWU qualified fourth for the finals with a time of 7:35.77 in the finals along with <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0ed23eb0-1419-4510-bc59-db2ac1aa52b6?elinkdata=10366">Ty Davidson</a>, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4f7ecf0a-8e17-493f-b150-aef7cdd00a82?elinkdata=10366">Julian Avila</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/353e21fc-0194-4bba-9509-20cd436fc249?elinkdata=10366">Wyatt Johnson</a>.KWU also had other student-athletes in the National Championships.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/11da8935-efa4-4ac0-972a-8029eef131b2?elinkdata=10366">Madisyn Ehrlich</a> placed 19th in the preliminary round of the 1500m with a time of 4:55.74.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c0316393-014e-40ad-8c2b-88d2f964038b?elinkdata=10366">Keegan Lott</a> placed 23rd in the discus with a mark of 44.12m.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5504b0e4-6a4f-445c-b5b5-3c65e7a80aa5?elinkdata=10366">Brenden Ellis</a> placed 26th in the preliminaries of the Steeplechase with a time of 9:42.00.

KWU Track has pair of All-America performances at NAIA National Championships

LEWISTON, Idaho - Kansas Wesleyan's run at the 67th Annual Avista NAIA World Series came to an end on Saturday as the Coyotes dropped an 11-5 decision to the Hope International University Royals at Harris Field.

Hope International scored eight of its 11 runs in the game when there was two outs in an inning, taking a page from the Coyote playbook where 2-out rallies played a big part of KWU's success throughout the season.

Things started well for the Coyotes in the top of the first inning as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2a1f53a3-32db-48c0-95ea-8c2a1f782f16?elinkdata=10345">Jacob Williamson</a> led off with a walk and then <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f0baf860-cd82-4f3a-bb2c-9f7b8669f8b3?elinkdata=10345">Kendall Foster</a> hit a 2-run homer to put the Coyotes up 2-0.

KWU got two outs in the bottom of the first on the Royals, but then Hope International got things going, loading the bases and then scoring twice on a 2-run double and added two more runs on an error by the Coyotes.

The Royals added another 2-out run in the bottom of the second, to make it 5-2, but the Coyotes got right back into it in the third. Foster led off the inning with a double and went to third on <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ad50062f-8d2a-4855-9ebf-ebe776f0e5e8?elinkdata=10345">Jarrett Gable's</a> ground out. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/dd461ead-d165-4853-9bc3-ea116de5343f?elinkdata=10345">Cruz Oxford</a> brought in a run with a ground out, and then <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/35dfc9e1-da00-4f7c-8def-454c5b3fefde?elinkdata=10345">Tyler Favretto</a> hit a homer to make it 5-4.

HIU added another 2-out run in the bottom of the frame to make it 6-4, and put three on the board in the fourth to extend the lead to 9-4.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a176b47d-97b9-47bb-b99f-7935e716cd2f?elinkdata=10345">Reece Bishop</a> homered for the Coyotes in the sixth, but the Royals got two more on the board, again with two outs to make it 11-4.

Foster and Gable had two hits each to lead the Coyotes on offense. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/847a8448-9ec9-4075-9be8-3144a032c992?elinkdata=10345">Brett Maddock</a> took the loss on the hill, allowing six runs, four earned, on seven hits. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/eca279ac-dec1-405e-9563-45f53e952eca?elinkdata=10345">Ritter Steinmann</a> pitched two thirds of an inning allowing three runs on four hits and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3bf610b4-b6b7-4239-84f0-1fbc51dda1db?elinkdata=10345">KT Gearlds</a> closed things out going four and two-thirds allowing two runs on three hits with a pair of strikeouts.

KWU finishes its best season in school history at 48-12 overall. The Coyotes set new school records for overall wins and conference wins, the 32 KCAC wins also setting annew KCAC record for wins in a season. The Coyotes also won their first-ever NAIA Opening Round Championship and made the program's first-ever appearance in the NAIA World Series.

LEWISTON, Idaho - Kansas Wesleyan's run at the 67th Annual Avista NAIA World Series came to an end on Saturday as the Coyotes dropped an 11-5 decision to the Hope International University Royals at Harris Field.Hope International scored eight of its 11 runs in the game when there was two outs in an inning, taking a page from the Coyote playbook where 2-out rallies played a big part of KWU's success throughout the season.Things started well for the Coyotes in the top of the first inning as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2a1f53a3-32db-48c0-95ea-8c2a1f782f16?elinkdata=10345">Jacob Williamson</a> led off with a walk and then <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f0baf860-cd82-4f3a-bb2c-9f7b8669f8b3?elinkdata=10345">Kendall Foster</a> hit a 2-run homer to put the Coyotes up 2-0.KWU got two outs in the bottom of the first on the Royals, but then Hope International got things going, loading the bases and then scoring twice on a 2-run double and added two more runs on an error by the Coyotes.The Royals added another 2-out run in the bottom of the second, to make it 5-2, but the Coyotes got right back into it in the third. Foster led off the inning with a double and went to third on <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ad50062f-8d2a-4855-9ebf-ebe776f0e5e8?elinkdata=10345">Jarrett Gable's</a> ground out. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/dd461ead-d165-4853-9bc3-ea116de5343f?elinkdata=10345">Cruz Oxford</a> brought in a run with a ground out, and then <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/35dfc9e1-da00-4f7c-8def-454c5b3fefde?elinkdata=10345">Tyler Favretto</a> hit a homer to make it 5-4.HIU added another 2-out run in the bottom of the frame to make it 6-4, and put three on the board in the fourth to extend the lead to 9-4.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a176b47d-97b9-47bb-b99f-7935e716cd2f?elinkdata=10345">Reece Bishop</a> homered for the Coyotes in the sixth, but the Royals got two more on the board, again with two outs to make it 11-4.Foster and Gable had two hits each to lead the Coyotes on offense. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/847a8448-9ec9-4075-9be8-3144a032c992?elinkdata=10345">Brett Maddock</a> took the loss on the hill, allowing six runs, four earned, on seven hits. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/eca279ac-dec1-405e-9563-45f53e952eca?elinkdata=10345">Ritter Steinmann</a> pitched two thirds of an inning allowing three runs on four hits and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3bf610b4-b6b7-4239-84f0-1fbc51dda1db?elinkdata=10345">KT Gearlds</a> closed things out going four and two-thirds allowing two runs on three hits with a pair of strikeouts.KWU finishes its best season in school history at 48-12 overall. The Coyotes set new school records for overall wins and conference wins, the 32 KCAC wins also setting annew KCAC record for wins in a season. The Coyotes also won their first-ever NAIA Opening Round Championship and made the program's first-ever appearance in the NAIA World Series.

Coyotes fall to Hope International 11-5 to end World Series run

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Nelson Velázquez homered and had an RBI double in a three-run 11th inning as the Kansas City Royals beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-4 on Saturday for their eighth straight victory.

After both teams scored once in the 10th, Velázquez opened the 11th with his hit and scored on Adam Frazier's run-scoring single off Richard Lovelady (0-3). Maikel Garcia also drove in a run with a hit.

James McArthur (2-2) allowed one run in two innings, and Nick Anderson worked a scoreless 11th to get his first save.

Kansas City's Kyle Isbel left in the seventh after a pitch by reliever Garrett Cleavinger hit him in the face while swinging. Isabel remained on his feet and walked off with a trainer holding a towel on his face. The team announced that Isbel has facial lacerations and will undergo additional tests.

Dairon Blanco pinch-hit for Isbel and put the Royals ahead 3-2 on a sacrifice fly.

Velázquez had a second-inning homer and Bobby Witt Jr. extended his hitting streak to a season-high eight games with an RBI single off Aaron Civale in the third.

Kansas City reliever Chris Stratton got the first out in the seventh with a nifty reach behind-the-back grab on Amed Rosario's comeback. The right-hander then hit a batter and issued a walk, and was replaced by Angel Zerpa, who allowed pinch-hitter Harold Ramírez's game-tying RBI single.

Kansas City’s Hunter Renfroe hit a towering fly with a runner on second and two outs in the ninth that Ramírez lost sight of in left field, but center fielder Jose Siri was backing up the play and made the catch.

Jonathan Aranda hit a solo homer in fourth off Royals starter Brady Singer.

Both Civale and Singer gave up two runs and four hits over five innings.

Royals: INF Michael Massey, who left Friday’s game with lower back tightness, didn’t play. Massey has had occasional back issues since spring training.

Rays: OF Josh Lowe went on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain. Lowe has played in just 14 games after starting the season on the IL with an injury in the same area.

Royals RHP Michael Wacha (4-4. 4.35 ERA) and Rays RHP Taj Bradley (1-2, 4.00 ERA) are Sunday’s starters.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716680537166.png" alt="Nelson Velázquez homered and had an RBI double in a three-run 11th inning-image Kansas City Royals" />
 <figcaption>Nelson Velázquez homered and had an RBI double in a three-run 11th inning-image Kansas City Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Nelson Velázquez homered and had an RBI double in a three-run 11th inning as the Kansas City Royals beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-4 on Saturday for their eighth straight victory.After both teams scored once in the 10th, Velázquez opened the 11th with his hit and scored on Adam Frazier's run-scoring single off Richard Lovelady (0-3). Maikel Garcia also drove in a run with a hit.James McArthur (2-2) allowed one run in two innings, and Nick Anderson worked a scoreless 11th to get his first save.The Rays have lost six in a row.Kansas City's Kyle Isbel left in the seventh after a pitch by reliever Garrett Cleavinger hit him in the face while swinging. Isabel remained on his feet and walked off with a trainer holding a towel on his face. The team announced that Isbel has facial lacerations and will undergo additional tests.Dairon Blanco pinch-hit for Isbel and put the Royals ahead 3-2 on a sacrifice fly.Velázquez had a second-inning homer and Bobby Witt Jr. extended his hitting streak to a season-high eight games with an RBI single off Aaron Civale in the third.Kansas City reliever Chris Stratton got the first out in the seventh with a nifty reach behind-the-back grab on Amed Rosario's comeback. The right-hander then hit a batter and issued a walk, and was replaced by Angel Zerpa, who allowed pinch-hitter Harold Ramírez's game-tying RBI single.Kansas City’s Hunter Renfroe hit a towering fly with a runner on second and two outs in the ninth that Ramírez lost sight of in left field, but center fielder Jose Siri was backing up the play and made the catch.Jonathan Aranda hit a solo homer in fourth off Royals starter Brady Singer.Both Civale and Singer gave up two runs and four hits over five innings.TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals: INF Michael Massey, who left Friday’s game with lower back tightness, didn’t play. Massey has had occasional back issues since spring training.Rays: OF Josh Lowe went on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain. Lowe has played in just 14 games after starting the season on the IL with an injury in the same area.UP NEXTRoyals RHP Michael Wacha (4-4. 4.35 ERA) and Rays RHP Taj Bradley (1-2, 4.00 ERA) are Sunday’s starters.

⚾️ Velázquez homers as Royals beat Rays for 8th consecutive win

LEWISTON, Idaho - <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/185b7487-ef46-4eae-adfa-e261b932b269?elinkdata=10324">Cruz Oxford</a> homered twice and drove in seven runs, but his outstanding effort wasn't enough as the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes dropped their NAIA World Series debut to Arizona Christian 17-10 on Friday at Harris Field.

Oxford hit two 3-run homers, one in the eighth and one in the ninth, to go along with a RBI ground out in the sixth inning for his seven RBI day.

The game was scoreless through the first two innings until Arizona Christian put three on the board in the top of the third inning, and then added another in the fifth.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/11e9e84a-5436-425c-85ae-9d05e123bd7b?elinkdata=10324">Zack Beatty</a> then drove in KWU's first-ever World Series run with a solo homer in the bottom of the fifth inning that made it 4-1.

ACU scored five times in the fifth inning to push the lead out to 9-1 before the Coyotes got a pair in the sixth on <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5635d08c-5e3d-49ee-8899-125a7d37c907?elinkdata=10324">Jarrett Gable's</a> sacrifice fly and Oxford's ground out.

The Firestorm added four more in the seventh and four more in the eighth before the Coyotes got on the board again.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a38af9bf-c177-45e8-86de-79f1a0024cc8?elinkdata=10324">Kendall Foster</a> doubled and Gable reached on an error with two outs setting up Oxford's 3-run shot over the batter's eye in center field. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/67c6477b-8278-4765-9866-bd8eeb728581?elinkdata=10324">Tyler Favretto</a> was then hit by a pitch and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6f7b7145-e45d-4947-86b9-b52ced047686?elinkdata=10324">Eric Romero</a> walked setting up Beatty's RBI double.

In the ninth, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5dd849ee-4a0c-4994-82c3-9f14750806da?elinkdata=10324">Jacob Williamson</a> was hit by a pitch and Foster walked to set up Oxford's second homer of the game.

Foster, Oxford and Beatty had two hits each for the Coyotes.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f2fa67d2-c5c7-4512-a333-f9fff3d77392?elinkdata=10324">Jarrett Brannen</a> took the loss for the Coyotes, going five and two-thirds innings, allowing nine runs on 11 hits with a walk and four strikeouts. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/db725b22-9dee-43a1-85c8-475dc698f215?elinkdata=10324">Thalen Wright</a>, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9ae45b8a-14c5-427c-b80f-289cca1fd102?elinkdata=10324">Cesar Rodriguez</a>, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/adcfcbae-8cc3-49f0-8560-ad4f8430c0c4?elinkdata=10324">Danny Ramirez</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4af5ac1c-0a06-4fe3-9c82-bf82ae863310?elinkdata=10324">Riley Gwin</a> all saw action on the mound for the Coyotes.

The Coyotes are back in action on Saturday at 10:35 Central Time, 8:35 Pacific Time, taking on No. 4 seeded Hope International in an elimination game. The Royals were defeated by Reinhardt 7-5.

LEWISTON, Idaho - <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/185b7487-ef46-4eae-adfa-e261b932b269?elinkdata=10324">Cruz Oxford</a> homered twice and drove in seven runs, but his outstanding effort wasn't enough as the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes dropped their NAIA World Series debut to Arizona Christian 17-10 on Friday at Harris Field.Oxford hit two 3-run homers, one in the eighth and one in the ninth, to go along with a RBI ground out in the sixth inning for his seven RBI day.The game was scoreless through the first two innings until Arizona Christian put three on the board in the top of the third inning, and then added another in the fifth.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/11e9e84a-5436-425c-85ae-9d05e123bd7b?elinkdata=10324">Zack Beatty</a> then drove in KWU's first-ever World Series run with a solo homer in the bottom of the fifth inning that made it 4-1.ACU scored five times in the fifth inning to push the lead out to 9-1 before the Coyotes got a pair in the sixth on <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5635d08c-5e3d-49ee-8899-125a7d37c907?elinkdata=10324">Jarrett Gable's</a> sacrifice fly and Oxford's ground out.The Firestorm added four more in the seventh and four more in the eighth before the Coyotes got on the board again.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a38af9bf-c177-45e8-86de-79f1a0024cc8?elinkdata=10324">Kendall Foster</a> doubled and Gable reached on an error with two outs setting up Oxford's 3-run shot over the batter's eye in center field. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/67c6477b-8278-4765-9866-bd8eeb728581?elinkdata=10324">Tyler Favretto</a> was then hit by a pitch and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6f7b7145-e45d-4947-86b9-b52ced047686?elinkdata=10324">Eric Romero</a> walked setting up Beatty's RBI double.In the ninth, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5dd849ee-4a0c-4994-82c3-9f14750806da?elinkdata=10324">Jacob Williamson</a> was hit by a pitch and Foster walked to set up Oxford's second homer of the game.Foster, Oxford and Beatty had two hits each for the Coyotes.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f2fa67d2-c5c7-4512-a333-f9fff3d77392?elinkdata=10324">Jarrett Brannen</a> took the loss for the Coyotes, going five and two-thirds innings, allowing nine runs on 11 hits with a walk and four strikeouts. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/db725b22-9dee-43a1-85c8-475dc698f215?elinkdata=10324">Thalen Wright</a>, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9ae45b8a-14c5-427c-b80f-289cca1fd102?elinkdata=10324">Cesar Rodriguez</a>, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/adcfcbae-8cc3-49f0-8560-ad4f8430c0c4?elinkdata=10324">Danny Ramirez</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4af5ac1c-0a06-4fe3-9c82-bf82ae863310?elinkdata=10324">Riley Gwin</a> all saw action on the mound for the Coyotes.The Coyotes are back in action on Saturday at 10:35 Central Time, 8:35 Pacific Time, taking on No. 4 seeded Hope International in an elimination game. The Royals were defeated by Reinhardt 7-5.

Oxford homers twice, drives in seven, but Coyotes fall short in World Series debut

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Seth Lugo became the American League's first eight-game winner, Michael Massey and Bobby Witt Jr, homered and the Kansas City Royals beat the Tampa Bay Rays 8-1 on Friday night for their seventh consecutive victory.

Lugo (8-1) allowed one run and four hits, lowering his AL-best ERA from 1.79 to to 1.74. Only Philadelphia's Ranger Suárez has more victories in the majors with nine.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716600609530.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo delivers to the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 24, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo delivers to the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 24, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)</figcaption>
 </figure>ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Seth Lugo became the American League's first eight-game winner, Michael Massey and Bobby Witt Jr, homered and the Kansas City Royals beat the Tampa Bay Rays 8-1 on Friday night for their seventh consecutive victory.Lugo (8-1) allowed one run and four hits, lowering his AL-best ERA from 1.79 to to 1.74. Only Philadelphia's Ranger Suárez has more victories in the majors with nine.The Royals are a season-best 14-game over .500 at 33-19. Kansas City was 15-37 after 52 games last season and did not get to 33 wins until Aug. 1.Massey put Kansas City ahead 5-1 in the fifth with a three-run homer off Tyler Alexander (2-3). Massey, who has 21 RBIs in his last 21 games, left in the sixth due to lower back tightness.Witt extended his hitting streak to seven games with a solo homer against Alexander in a two-run seventh that made it 8-1. Both dugouts were warned by the umpires after Alexander hit the next batter after Witt, Vinnie Pasquantino, with a 90.3 mph fastball.Tampa Bay has lost a season-high five in a row to fall to 25-27.The Rays loaded the bases with one out in the first against Lugo, but scored just once on Jonathan Aranda’s fielder’s choice grounder.After opener Shawn Armstrong went two perfect innings. Alexander gave up eight runs and 11 hits in five innings. Alexander took a perfect game into the eighth in his previous outing, a start May 17 at Toronto.TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals: Reliever Carlos Hernández (right shoulder impingement) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list. The righty had been out since opening day. To clear a roster spot, RHP Tyler Duffey was designated for assignment.Rays: OF Josh Lowe (right side strain) received a cortisone shot in an attempt to avoid going on the injured list. … RHP Shane Baz (Tommy John surgery) was optioned to Triple-A Durham after making four minor league rehab starts.UP NEXTRoyals RHP Brady Singer (4-2, 2.70 ERA) and Rays RHP Aaron Civale (2-4, 5.92 ERA) are set to start Saturday.