(BY STEVE CARPENTER)
(HUTCHINSON CC SPORTS INFORMATION)

TYLER, Texas – Freshman Katelyn Elstun shattered Hutchinson Community College volleyball’s single-game match record for kills on Friday as the Blue Dragons defeated Missouri State University-West Plains in a five-set thriller on Friday at the TJC Invitational as Wagstaff Gym.

The Blue Dragons defeated West Plains 25-21, 24-26, 27-25, 19-25, 15-13 in the first match of the Invitational. Host Tyler Junior College made it a 1-1 day for Hutchinson with a 25-12, 25-22, 25-20 victory over Hutchinson in the final match of the day.

Hutchinson is now 8-10 overall and will play only one match on Saturday. That will be against Panola College at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

WEST PLAINS RECAP
Elstun was unstoppable on Friday with her fourth match of 20-plus kills. She became the first Blue Dragon in team history to have a 30-kill match with 35 kills on 64 attacks and seven errors for a .438 hitting percentage. She had her fourth double-double of the season with 11 digs. Elstun added a season-high six blocks.

Two people held the previous single-match kills record for Hutchinson. Hall of Famer Mariana Blum had 28 kills in the 2004 NJCAA National tournament against MSU-West Plains. Page Hiebert tied that mark with 28 kills in the 2017 Blue Dragon Invitational against Iowa Western.

Freshman Camila Espejo had a season-high 20 kills on .296 hitting. Espejo did that on 54 attacks with 11 errors. Sophomore Eden Hiebert added seven kills.

Sophomore setter Eboni Sapien posted her first double-double with a career-best 32 assists and 12 digs. Freshman setter Lainey Robertson had a season-best 27 assists. Freshman setter Alissa Bautista finished with 27 digs.

The Blue Dragons had 13 team blocks against the Grizzlies. Freshman Jenna Thorne finished with eight total blocks. Freshman Morgan Armbrust had four blocks.

TYLER RECAP
The Apaches took charge of the Blue Dragons early and never let up in a sweep of the Blue Dragons in Match 2 on Friday.

Elstun led the Dragons with 11 kills, but on only .033 hitting on 31 swings. Espejo was next with six kills on .236 hitting. She had seven digs.

Sapien finished with 15 assists and Robertson had 10 assists. Bautista had 14 digs.

Hutchinson had only three blocks against Tyler.

(BY BAILEY PENNYCUFF)
(BLUEDRAGONSPORTS.COM CONTRIBUTING WRITTER)

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – In football, a strong mentality is just as important as strong physicality. Oftentimes, it is rare to have a variety of talented players who are also equipped with intense leadership qualities.

Sophomore defensive lineman Kirmari Gainous is one of those players on the Hutchinson Community College football team.

Especially with the big game this Saturday against second-ranked Butler, coach Rion Rhoades wants his mentality to trickle onto the whole team.

“Even with the magnitude of this game, I feel like it’s just another week to go 1-0,” Gainous said. “We don’t look too much at rankings, or who the teams are or who they have on the team; it’s just the next football game to be played.”

Rhoades has expressed how proud he is of his key players, including Gainous, no matter how different each player leads. The different techniques of leadership have steered the team in the right direction thus far.

“The group of guys that we get to work with this year as coaches – man, they’re special. Each one of these guys add an element of leadership to our team, some of them are vocal and some of them just lead by example,” Rhoades said. “I’m really proud of what they’ve meant to their teammates, and what they’ve meant to us as coaches trying to keep things on track and keep moving forward.”

Not only does Gainous display his leadership skills in game situations, but in practice and off the field as well.

“He’s done a really good job of welcoming guys to the program, but also making sure new guys to our program know how we do things and what the standards are; making sure they know what’s OK and not OK,” Rhoades said. “I think that’s a great thing when you have guys like that on your team.”

Additionally, Gainous provides yet another aspect to the team in which any coach would appreciate. Although he seems quiet and shy, Gainous is something of a jokester.

“I like to make people laugh. Sometimes I don’t even do it intentionally, it’s just me – my personality,” Gainous said.

He tries to implement humor when he sees a teammate in a bad mood, having a bad practice or maybe just doesn’t look like they’re having a good day. Gainous intends to cheer them up and oftentimes brings a laugh to the whole team.

Rhoades has heard of his jokester qualities, yet, does not see them as often as his other players do.

“I don’t get to see a whole lot of it. It’s like he turns the faucet off when I’m around,” Rhoades said. “He doesn’t wanna crack jokes or be funny when I’m there, but I do love it when I get to hear about their different personalities coming through.”

Little details like humor and other personality traits are what makes being a part of a team memorable according to Rhoades.

“As a head coach of a big team like what we have, you don’t always get to see some of their personality come through, but I love that it’s there,” Rhoades said.

His teammates have definitely recognized Gainous for the team comedian he is.

“He has a switch on him; he knows when it’s time to turn it on, and he knows when it’s time to get serious and turn it off,” sophomore quarterback Mark Wright said. “He’s one of those guys in our locker room who we hold high – everybody looks up to him.”

After Hutch, Gainous wants to see how far he can go in football.

“I’m really looking for somewhere I’m comfortable,” Gainous said. “I don’t need a big name school, I mostly want a lot of playing time and somewhere I fit in right.”

If the opportunities arise, Gainous would not be opposed to playing in the NFL; however, if football doesn’t take him that far, he has a back-up plan.

“If I stop playing football after college, I will be getting my degree in computer engineering,” Gainous said.

He does not plan on going back to his hometown of Tallahassee, Florida regardless of his career.

“I’m not one of those guys who will get stuck in the town they grew up in when there’s so much more out there,” Gainous said.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Salthawk football team (1-2) hosts the Salina Central Mustangs (1-2) Friday, Sept. 27, 2019 for a key Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League game.

The Salthawk football pregame show will begin on KWBW Radio 1450 AM/98.5 FM at 6:30 p.m. with kickoff at 7 p.m.

Join the Eagle Radio Sports crew with Glen Grunwald, “Coach Nac” Dan Naccarato, and Hutch High Senior Joe Blake on the sidelines. Streaming sponsored by Brown’s Shoe Fit and Papa John’s Pizza with Hutch High Junior Sarah Peterson providing the video stream for HutchPost.com and Culligan Water sponsoring the half-time activity report.

Tonight’s game will be streamed on the Salthawk Sports YouTube channel and later uploaded to the Salthawk NFHSNetwork.com page.

Kpreps Pregame Show On-Line              Salthawk Sports YouTube Channel                                                                        NFHSNetwork.com                             Hutch High Salthawk Audio Stream

 

Friday Morning Sports with KWBW

GREAT BEND, Kan. – Hutchinson High School Volleyball traveled to Great Bend and defeated Great Bend in 3 sets 17-25, 25-12, 25-21.  Dropped the opening match to Goddard 10-25, 25-14, 20-25.

McPHERSON, Kan. – Hutchinson High School Cross Country competed in McPherson Thursday. Final results for girls: Varsity Girls (3rd) Isabelle Kongable – 24:00 (14th) Perla Rodriguez – 25:17 (23rd) Sadye Patterson – 25:38 (26th) Emily Zeferjahn -25:44 (27th) Maritza Jimenez – 25:57 (28th) Kaylee Unruh – 26:23 (30th)

Boys results: Graham Barnes – 21:53 (31st) Thaddeus Blakley – 21:56 (32nd) Tracey Mason – 22:46 (35th) Brady Ollenburger – 25:53 (37th)

HAYS. Kan. – Buhler Soccer shut out Hays 5-0 in Hays Thursday.

SALINA, Kan. – In Tennis the Buhler Crusaders travelled to Salina South with a split squad and a little different lineup, but still had a solid performance taking 3rd place! Singles (open draw): Alex Hutton – 7th, Tana Warner 10th Doubles: Frederick/DeMeyer 3rd, Hickert/Ferneau 6th.

NICKERSON, Kan. – The Nickerson Panthers hosted a Volleyball Triangular.  Nickerson defeated Kingman 25-12, 25-5. dropped a close match to Sedgwick 23-25, 25-23, 23-25.

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas State High School Activities Association has signed an agreement with the NFHS Network for streaming of KSHSAA postseason events.

The NFHS Network serves 44 other state associations.

The agreement is for five years beginning with the 2019-20 school year. The NFHS Network will provide live streaming through its online subscription platform at www.NFHSNetwork.com.

“The KSHSAA is committed to highlighting the outstanding student-athletes and teams participating in the interscholastic arena across our great state,” said KSHSAA Executive Director Bill Faflick. “The partnership with the NFHS Network will allow for Kansas championship experiences to be enjoyed with a broader audience, provide educational opportunities for school broadcast team members, all while connecting Kansas kids with supporters across the Network audience.”

The NFHS Network, which streams events live and on-demand on its website at www.nfhsnetwork.com, is a joint venture of the NFHS and PlayOn! Sports. It aggregates the sports media and related rights of state high school athletic/activity associations to bring education-based, high school activities to millions of homes in America. The 2019-20 school year will mark seven years of operation. Nearly 230,000 events have been broadcast on the Network since its launch in 2013.

“This is an exciting announcement for the NFHS Network, KSHSAA and all our member state associations across the country,” said Mark Koski, CEO of the NFHS Network. “An important goal of the NFHS Network is to showcase high school sports and activities from every state and this partnership gets us closer to that goal. Friends and family should never have to miss their student compete or perform.”

While 40 Kansas schools have already joined, this agreement also allows access for more member schools to join the NFHS Network’s School Broadcast Program (SBP). Currently, the NFHS Network’s School Broadcast Program allows students to get involved outside of participating in the activity itself. In the SBP, students fill the roles of commentators, camera operators and producers, guided by a school advisor.

For more information on the SBP and the automated Pixellot program click here.

The NFHS Network has covered a diverse array of events, including those outside of traditional sports. Non-traditional broadcasts are provided on the network free of charge, and a subscription to sporting events on the NFHS Network is $9.95 per month.

Exclusive first rights to postseason events will belong to the NFHS Network. Declined inventory will be available for rights purchase through the KSHSAA Broadcast Agreements, digital or linear.

The broadcast schedule for this school year will be released at a later date.

 

—kshsaa.org—

DETROIT (AP) — Patrick Mahomes has led the Kansas City Chiefs to another strong start, setting records along the way. The reigning NFL MVP is the first player in league history to have at least 350 yards passing and three touchdown passes without an interception in three straight games. Mahomes is not coming to the Motor City cocky about his chances to match the mark after watching Detroit’s defense force three fumbles, recovering two of them, in a win at Philadelphia.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa-Iowa State game always draws enormous attention in the state, but this year talk has continued nearly two weeks after. More than Iowa’s one-point win, the focus has been on allegations Iowa State fans assaulted members of the Iowa band and an unrelated instance in which a fan has raised over $1 million for a children’s hospital after holding up a sign during a TV broadcast that pleaded for beer money. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has since honored that fan.

UNDATED (AP) — The Big 12 has long been a quarterback’s league. The conference has six Heisman Trophy winners in the last 18 seasons, and Oklahoma could possibly have a third in a row this year with graduate transfer Jalen Hurts. But the Big 12 also has a deep group of young quarterbacks leading offenses that can score points in a hurry. Texas is one of eight Big 12 teams that started non-seniors at quarterbacks in their last games, with junior Sam Ehlinger off to a record-setting pace.

UNDATED (AP) — Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts is aware that many consider him a top Heisman Trophy candidate. He just doesn’t care. Hurts leads the nation in passer efficiency and ranks 10th nationally in rushing yards per game, leading many to wonder if he can become the third straight Oklahoma quarterback to win the Heisman. He sees the hype as “rat poison” and is focused solely on the sixth-ranked Sooners’ matchup with Texas Tech on Saturday.

UNDATED (AP) — No. 24 Kansas State is coming off a bye week and looking to start its conference schedule with a win in first-year coach Chris Klieman’s opening Big 12 matchup. Oklahoma State is hoping to rebound after a close 36-30 loss to No. 11 Texas last week.

National Headlines

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) _ Jordan Howard scored three touchdowns and the Philadelphia Eagles handed the Packers their first loss by posting a 34-27 victory at Green Bay. Nigel Bradham picked off Aaron Rodgers’ pass in the end zone with 20 seconds left to secure the victory for the 2-2 Eagles. Rodgers completed his first 10 passes and finished 34 for 53 for 422 yards, two touchdowns and a fumble that set up a short Philadelphia scoring drive.

COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) _ Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon took part yesterday in his first practice since the final day of minicamp on June 13. Gordon missed training camp and LA’s first three games as he held out for 65 days in the vain hopes of getting a new contract. Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said he doubts Gordon would be ready to play this weekend, but he wants to assess his conditioning and agility during practices before making a final decision.

PITTSBURGH (AP) _ Clint Hurdle hopes to return for what would be his 10th season as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ manager in 2020. Hurdle has two more years remaining on his current contract, but the Bucs began the day just 67-91 this season and 23-46 since the All-Star break. He is completing his ninth season with the ballclub and led Pittsburgh to three straight playoff berths from 2013-15.

ATLANTA (AP) _ The Georgia Tech men’s basketball team has been banned from postseason play this season and slapped with four years of probation. The punishment follows major recruiting violations committed by a former assistant coach and a former friend of coach Josh Pastner. The sanctions handed down Thursday by the NCAA also included a reduction in scholarships, limits on recruiting and a fine of $5,000 plus 2% of the program’s budget.

NAPA, Calif. (AP) _ Adam Scott and Andrew Landry share the lead heading into the second round of the PGA’s Safeway Open in Napa, California. Scott’s 7-under 65 yesterday included six birdies and an eagle to make up for an early bogey. Landry teed off 4 1/2 hours later and played bogey-free with seven birdies. Francesco Molinari and Matthew NeSmith are one stroke back and one ahead of Cameron Champ, Adam Long and Chris Baker shot 67.

Thursday Scores

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Final Minnesota 10 Detroit 4
Final Texas 7 Boston 5
Final Chi White Sox 8 Cleveland 0
Final Oakland 3 Seattle 1
Final L-A Angels 4 Houston 3 (12 Innings)

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Final Milwaukee 5 Cincinnati 3
Final L-A Dodgers 1 San Diego 0
Final San Francisco 8 Colorado 3
Final Washington 6 Philadelphia 3
Final Miami 4 N-Y Mets 2
Final Pittsburgh 9 Chi Cubs 5

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Final Philadelphia 34 Green Bay 27

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State senior center Adam Holtorf is one of 71 FBS players and 185 from all NCAA divisions and the NAIA to be named a semifinalist for the 2019 William V. Campbell Trophy, the National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of Fame (NFF) announced Wednesday.

The award recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation.

A native of Seward, Neb., Holtorf is the sixth Wildcat semifinalist for the award in as many years, joining Tyler Lockett (2014), Stanton Weber (2015), Will Davis (2016), Trent Tanking (2017) and Dalton Risner (2018). Lockett, Risner and Tysyn Hartman (2011) were all named finalists for the award.

“These 185 impressive candidates truly represent the scholar-athlete ideal,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. “For more than 60 years, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete program has showcased more than 800 college football players who have been successful on the football field, in the classroom and in the community. And we are excited to celebrate the 30^th year of the William V. Campbell Trophy, which honors the best of the best. This year’s semifinalists further illustrate the power of our great sport in developing the next generation of influential leaders.”

The William V. Campbell Trophy criteria states a player must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of playing eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2, have outstanding football ability and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.

A career 28-game starter, Holtorf earned 2018 First Team Academic All-America honors in addition to First Team Academic All-Big 12 accolades for a second-straight season. Holtorf, who earned his bachelor’s degree in agribusiness in December 2018, completed his undergraduate work with a 3.916 GPA. He was one of four Wildcats that were nominated for Academic All-Big 12 honors last year with a perfect 4.0 GPA, while he also earned Second Team Academic All-America honors as a sophomore in 2017.

On the field, Holtorf has helped the 22^nd-ranked Wildcat start the 2019 season with a 3-0 record as they rank seventh nationally in rushing (280.0 yards per game), 13^th in scoring (44.0 points per game) and fourth in third-down offense (57.9%). Off the field, Holtorf has participated in Cats in the Classroom, Senior Cats and Special Olympics among other community-service initiatives.

No. 22 Kansas State travels to Oklahoma State on Saturday for a 6 p.m., game that will be shown on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. The Wildcats return home for a three-game homestand that begins on Oct. 5 against Baylor. That game kicks at 2:30 p.m., and will be shown on either ABC, ESPN or ESPN2.

– k-statesports.com –

NEW YORK (AP) — Jennifer Lopez and Shakira are going to bring the heat to the 2020 Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show.

NFL, Pepsi and Roc Nation announced Thursday that the superstar performers, who have released music in Spanish and English since the 1990s, will perform on Feb. 2 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Lopez and Shakira both posted a photo of them standing side by side on social media to announce the news. “Going to see the world on fire,” Lopez wrote.

“It doesn’t get any bigger than this! So excited about getting on that #SuperBowlLIV #PepsiHalftime stage!” Shakira wrote.

Both Lopez and Shakira have had major success the pop and Latin charts over the years with multiple hit songs and albums. Lopez released her multi-hit debut in 1999 and topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart with songs like “If You Had My Love,” ″All I Have” and the remixes of “I’m Real” and “Ain’t It Funny.” Lopez recently wrapped up a tour to celebrate her 50th birthday, and her latest movie, “Hustlers,” has been a box-office hit and has even earned her Oscar buzz.
Shakira released her first album in 1991 and crossed over with 2001′s “Laundry Service,” which featured the hits “Whenever, Wherever” and “Underneath Your Clothes.” The singer topped the Hot 100 chart with the Wyclef Jean-assisted anthem “Hips Don’t Lie.” Shakira has won 11 Latin Grammys and three Grammys.

“These two remarkable artists are setting a new precedent for what this show can become, and we’re confident that this will be an incredible performance for the ages,” Todd Kaplan, Pepsi’s vice president of marketing, said in a statement.

Jay-Z’s Roc Nation company is co-producing the halftime show. The big game and halftime show will air live on Fox and broadcast in 180 countries.