By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Three elementary school students at Westside Elementary School took a Hays Post reporter on a tour this week to explain their new family-style lunch program. 

Westside school serves elementary through high school students  who have emotional or behavioral issues that make it difficult for them to attend full days at their home schools. The students receive extra support at the school with the goal of transitioning them back to their home classrooms.

The students used to be bused to other schools for lunch.

One boy showed the reporter where he helps cut fruit for lunch. A second-grader read the question of the day that the students talk about during lunchtime with their peers and teachers.

The day's question was, "What's your favorite thing to do when it snows outside?"

A second grader talked about his high school friend that used to sit with him at lunch. That student is back at Hays High School full-time now, but the students still write notes to each other, and the HHS student visits for lunch occasionally.

The students were also excited to open a large drawer in the office that contained candy, coupons, trading cards and small toys that they can earn for positive behavior.

The students can turn in their positive behavior notes called "You did it slips" into a jar in the office after lunch.

The boys dug through the jar. One slip said you followed staff directions by staying calm. Another boy read his slips "staying quiet" and another "completing math."

The school received a $10,000 donation from the Robert E. and Patricia A Schmidt Foundation to purchase food service equipment and folding circle tables to allow students to eat lunch family-style at the school. 

The folding tables allow the space to be used for other programs throughout the day.

The program launched at the beginning of the school year.

"I love all our students, but sometimes our students with their trauma and back history, they feel better in chaos than being calm. We see great things happening," Lindy McDaniel, assistant special education director, said of the lunch program.

Younger students are paired with high school students to be friends at meals.

An older student helping a younger student at the lunch table can be a big step for both students, she said.

"We also have those little bursts of 'this feels really uncomfortable to be a leader or to do loving things,' so we are working through that process with a lot of the kids," McDaniel said.

"I would say at lunch every day, there is a shining moment of, wow, that's something they didn't do at the beginning of the year," she said. 

McDaniel cited research that showed students who feel purpose are more likely to come to school. This has been born out this year at Westside with increased attendance since the family-style meal program was implemented.

"Some of our kids if they have had a path of education where they were pretty dysregulated when they were younger and didn't have positive lunch experiences or positive school experiences, this gives them an opportunity to redo some of that through their younger peers," McDaniel said.

"We've had a student say, 'I was little Johnny when I was little. I screamed and kicked and did those things, and I want to help.'"

The students have five minutes before and after they eat their lunch to talk or play tic-tac-toe or a quick round of Pictionary.

The younger students, work on basic manners, such as "Please pass the ketchup." and "May I be excused?"

The donation pays for up to four adults to eat with the children to help build relationships with adults as well. Staff members eat regularly with the students, but the school has also brought in police officers and Superintendent Ron Wilson.

McDaniel said she also would like to have teachers from the students' home schools and even peers eat with the students at Westside in the future.

Although some of the Westside students already eat lunch with their peers at their home schools, the program is a good alternative for students who have days they struggle with their emotional regulation, McDaniel said.

The program also saves instruction time as the students don't have to be bused to other schools in the district to eat lunch.

Hays Westside students connect during family-style lunches

VICTORIA — There will be six homes open for a Victoria home tour from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3rd&nbsp;from 5-9pm.&nbsp; From 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, there will be seven homes open to tour.&nbsp; All homes are in or around the Victoria community.&nbsp; 

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. There will also be a raffle. Every admission ticket automatically receives one raffle ticket with the opportunity to purchase more.&nbsp;

Tickets can be purchased from one of the following people or from the parish office in Victoria.&nbsp;

Rosie Kreutzer 785-656-3298 Marcie Pray 785-259-0289 Brenda Dreiling 785-735-4141 Connie Windholz 785-735-8095 Andrea Schmidtberger 785-656-2208

All proceeds from this event will go to the Victoria Community Coalition, which is currently focusing on the restoration of the former St. John Rest Home.&nbsp; The rest home is now known as St John’s Place.&nbsp;

Victoria home tour kicks off Saturday

Click <a href="https://reindeerradio.cash/">HERE</a> to enter Jingle Cash&nbsp;🎄🎄🦌🦌🎁

New code words are announced every weekday at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on KAYS&nbsp;1400 AM / 94.3 FM.

😳 Hear the Jingle Cash codeword? Click here to win 💵

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Community Calendar

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The reopening of K-123 in Decatur and Sheridan counties has been delayed.&nbsp;

The reconstruction project was originally scheduled to be complete by the end of November but will require additional time due to construction setbacks and impending winter weather. The road is now expected to be reopened in late spring 2023.

Motorists are advised to continue using the signed detour on K-23, K-223 and K-383.

Reopening of K-123 in Decatur, Sheridan counties delayed

Extension will host new agent meet-and-greet in Hays

The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the 
Vietnam Veterans Memorial along with a mobile Education Center, is 
coming to Great Bend, KS on May 11th-May 14th, 2023 at Veterans Memorial
 Park&nbsp;and will be open 24 hours a day and free to the public.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Wall That Heals&nbsp;honors
 the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed 
forces in the Vietnam War and it bears the names of the 58,281 men and 
women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.

“We are excited to be able to host&nbsp;The Wall That Heals&nbsp;in Great Bend, said Larry Parson, Chairperson&nbsp;

for&nbsp;The Wall That Heals&nbsp;/ Great Bend Leadership Committee.&nbsp; "We 
have an opportunity to honor our Vietnam Veterans and our Hometown 
Heroes and the families to those listed on the Wall who have sacrificed 
so much for us.&nbsp;In addition, our students and citizens will get a rare 
opportunity to not only witness the Wall, but learn the history of the 
Vietnam War and the impact of the Vietnam Era from the educational 
mobile unit.&nbsp; We welcome&nbsp;The Wall That Heals&nbsp;to Great Bend."

“The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is pleased to bring&nbsp;The Wall That Heals&nbsp;mobile
 exhibit to Great Bend to allow local veterans and their family members a
 chance to experience The Wall,” said Jim Knotts, president and CEO of 
VVMF. “Hosting&nbsp;The Wall That Heals&nbsp;provides an opportunity to 
honor and remember all those who served and sacrificed in the Vietnam 
War and educate visitors on the continuing impact of the Vietnam War on 
America.”

The Wall That Heals&nbsp;is transported from community to community
 in a 53-foot trailer. When parked, the trailer opens with exhibits 
built into its sides, allowing it to serve as a mobile Education Center 
telling the story of the Vietnam War, The Wall and the divisive era in 
American history.

The three-quarter scale Wall replica is 375 feet
 in length and stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. Visitors will 
experience The Wall rising above them as they walk towards the apex, a 
key feature of the design of The Wall in D.C. Visitors are able to do 
name rubbings of individual service member’s names on The Wall.

The
 mobile Education Center exhibit includes: digital photo displays of 
“Hometown Heroes” - service members whose names are on The Wall that 
list their home of record within the area of a visit; digital photo 
displays of Vietnam veterans from the local area honored through VVMF’s&nbsp;In Memory&nbsp;program
 which honors veterans who returned home from Vietnam and later died; 
video displays that teach about the history and impact of The Wall; 
educational exhibits told through items representative of those left at 
The Wall in D.C.; a replica of the&nbsp;In Memory&nbsp;plaque; a map of 
Vietnam and a chronological overview of the Vietnam War. The exhibits 
tell the story of the Vietnam War, The Wall and the era surrounding the 
conflict, and are designed to put American experiences in Vietnam in a 
historical and cultural context.

The 2023 national&nbsp;The Wall That Heals&nbsp;tour is generously 
sponsored by USAA. Through a partnership with the Truckload Carriers 
Association (TCA), the trucking industry, and Blue Beacon, the exhibit 
is able to travel across the country. Local sponsors are&nbsp;the Dorothy Morrison Foundation and the Great Bend Foundation.

Since
 its debut in 1996, the exhibit has been on display in more than 700 
U.S. communities in addition to an April 1999 tour of the Four Provinces
 of Ireland and a visit to Canada in 2005.&nbsp;The Wall That Heals&nbsp;is a program of VVMF, the nonprofit organization that built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 1982.&nbsp;The Wall That Heals&nbsp;is
 the only traveling exhibit affiliated with The Wall in Washington, D.C.
 and includes the largest Wall replica that travels the country. Two 
VVMF staff members lead volunteers on site, educate visitors and 
students, and ensure the reflective atmosphere of The Wall. More 
information can be found at:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thewallthatheals.org/" target="_blank">www.thewallthatheals.org</a>.

About VVMF The
 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) is the nonprofit organization 
that built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall) in Washington, D.C. 
in 1982. VVMF continues to lead the way in paying tribute to our 
nation’s Vietnam veterans and their families. VVMF’s mission is to honor
 and preserve the legacy of service in America and educate all 
generations about the impact of the Vietnam War and era through 
programs, ceremonies and education materials. To learn more about VVMF, 
visit www.vvmf.org or call 202-393-0090.

Vietnam Memorial wall replica coming to Great Bend

HUTCHINSON - The Hutchinson-based <a href="https://climateandenergy.org/">Climate + Energy Project</a> (CEP) is excited to announce a new program that will begin in 2023:

The goals of this group include&nbsp;broadening the knowledge base of Kansans in order to increase their confidence in conversations about wind energy, and to help CEP staff recognize opportunities for wind energy outreach and education throughout the state. 

Through this advisory group, members will hear from subject matter experts in order to expand knowledge of various aspects of wind energy, connect with wind energy champions throughout the state, and identify action steps and ways to engage with their communities.&nbsp;

We are searching for Kansans who are curious about clean energy and feel passionately about connecting with their community to join this advisory group. 

Applicants of all backgrounds and interest in climate or clean energy are encouraged to apply.

Applications will be accepted until December 8th at bit.ly/CEPWEAG.

New CEP Wind Energy Advisory Group seeking applicants; due Dec. 8

LOGAN - The Hansen Museum’s continuing education program is excited to offer Encaustic Painting with Rebel Mahieu. 

Encaustic painting is painting with hot wax and color pigments. By using wax, the artist can render a three dimensional piece. Encaustic painting is an ancient artform that has seen a resurgence since the 1990s.

The class is for beginner or advanced creatives, and involves painting, sculpting, and layering like collage and is scheduled for Saturday, December 10, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the comfortable atmosphere of the Hansen Museum Community Room.

Registration fees for this workshop are $90.00 with discounts available to Patron and Sustaining Hansen Museum members. 

For more information, see the workshop registration form on our website under the Classes &amp; Workshops heading. 

If you have any questions, please call the Museum at 785-689-4846 or send an email to director@hansenmuseum.org. 

Please return registrations to the museum. Register soon; class size is limited.

The Hansen Museum is open weekdays 9-12 and 1-4; Saturdays 9-12 &amp; 1-5; Sundays and holidays 1-5. We are closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. The museum is handicap-accessible and thanks to the generosity of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, there is never an admission fee.

Learn ancient art form of encaustic painting Dec. 10 at Hansen Musum 

The Hays High Indians girls basketball team takes on Washburn Rural in the semifinals of the Hays City Shootout Friday at approximately 6:30 with the boys to follow at about 8:15 p.m. against Lawrence Free State.

Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/478467">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.

🏀🎥 WATCH LIVE Hays High vs Washburn Rural/Free State

The TMP-Marian boys and girls basketball teams take on Newton in the consolation semifinals of the Hays City Shootout Friday at Hays High School. The girls game is scheduled to tipoff at 3 p.m. with the boys to follow at approximately 4:45 p.m.

Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/478456">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.

🏀🎥 WATCH LIVE TMP vs Newton

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with Teacher, coach and author Rick Keltner.

🎤 Forward Ever: Teacher, coach and author Rick Keltner

A red flag warning has been issued Friday for much of western Kansas, the National Weather Service reported.

Southwest winds around 20 mph will begin to pick up in the afternoon, the NWS predicted, shifting to north-northwest and increasing to more than 30 mph later in the day. Gusts of 45 mph are expected, which will lead to areas of blowing dust and critical fire risk.

The high temperature Friday is expected to be in the mid-70s, dropping all the way to the mid-teens overnight. 

The high Saturday is expected to be 41, but high winds are expected to subside over the weekend. Highs in the low-to mid-50s are expected Sunday and Monday.

There is no precipitation in the forecast until Wednesday night, when there is a slight chance of showers or snow.

NWS warns of critical fire risk in western Kansas on Friday

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Recent obituaries and service times

	On November 10, the Kansas School Board voted 7-1 with two abstentions to pass a resolution.&nbsp; They recommend that schools drop their Native American (“Indian”) themed mascots. This came upon the recommendation of a commission, including representatives from four federally-recognized tribes with significant numbers here in Kansas.&nbsp; The resolution is not tied to funding or accreditation.&nbsp; Even so, several school districts including Atchison, Wichita, and Shawnee Mission had already stopped using such mascots, and more name changes are under consideration.

	Our region’s highest-profile team with such a name is of course the Kansas City Chiefs. Though they play in Missouri, the Chiefs Kingdom (as they call it) extends well into Kansas.&nbsp; The team name, stadium name, and arrowhead logo all reference Native Americans, and so do fan rituals such as the “war cry” and the “tomahawk chop.”&nbsp; With other sports teams having dumped such names, protests by local Native American groups to change the name are growing.&nbsp; A deep dive shows just how complicated such decisions can be.

	The Chiefs are named for former Kansas City, MO Mayor H. Roe Bartle, who was instrumental in moving the former Dallas Texans football team to KC.&nbsp; Bartle earned his nickname “The Chief” by founding a Boy Scout Camp near Osceola, MO, which is now named for him.&nbsp; He also founded a regional Scouting organization with the now politically-incorrect name, Tribe of Mic-O-Say, which has tens of thousands of fiercely loyal members and supporters, mostly in Missouri and Kansas.&nbsp; Many alumni and adult leaders have given generously of their time and money over the years to support the organization.

	Scouting legend holds that Bartle founded Camp Osceola after studying with Native American tribes in Montana.&nbsp; Impressed with their rituals in which boys become men, and long before a time when gender neutrality was an expected norm, Bartle created an imaginary “tribe” for Boy Scouts where they could practice similar initiation rites.&nbsp; To this day, boys (and now girls) recreate these rituals as part of their rites of joining the organization.&nbsp;&nbsp;

	Mic-O-Say is just one example of Scouting-connected “Indian” lore that is increasingly considered offensive today. &nbsp; Scouting itself is also in big trouble.&nbsp; Formerly called Boy Scouts of America, they are now in bankruptcy.&nbsp; Some Mic-O-Say youth and parents are weighing in with proposals for new themes.&nbsp; My favorite is Star Wars, but this of course would require an arrangement with the Disney Corporation.&nbsp; My entire immediate family are Mic-O-Say members, and I do hope that they find a way to preserve the organization and Scouting itself, with its commitment to team building and survival skills.&nbsp; This will require dialogue, respect and sensitivity toward Native American communities.

	As for the Chiefs, I am tempted to suggest that they keep their name but drop the “war cry” and “tomahawk chop.”&nbsp; Alas, fans may find this confusing.&nbsp; Instead, a complete name change may be inevitable, but there are further complications.&nbsp; For example, what about the popular “arrowhead” tattoo many fans have on their bodies?&nbsp; The team would also have to spend a great deal of money removing old signage and other branding, and irate and forgetful fans alike are likely to continue using the old names, rituals and symbols for years.&nbsp; After all, I still meet people who refer to Emporia State as “Kansas State Teachers College” — a name we dropped in the early 1970s.&nbsp; Finally, the whole thing could easily get sucked into our society’s wider culture war.

	Changing offensive names and showing respect for all cultures is vital work – but it sure does come with complications.

Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Past, present and future of KC Chiefs’ name

HUTCHINSON — Great Bend City Administrator Kendal Francis will 
be hired as the Hutchinson city administrator, pending the approval of 
his contract by the Hutchinson City Council in their meeting Tuesday.

According
 to the contract as printed in the meeting agenda documents, Francis 
will start in Hutchinson on Jan. 1 and receive&nbsp;a bi-weekly base
 salary of $6,730.77 and a one-time payment of $10,000&nbsp;for relocation, 
housing, down payment assistance and related incidentals.

The city
 also is going to contribute 3 percent of Francis'&nbsp;base salary 
on his behalf to a deferred compensation program of his choice.

He
 will also receive a $500 monthly vehicle allowance to use his own 
vehicle for city business and a $100 monthly cellphone allowance.

Francis
 has worked in municipal positions since at least 1994. According to his
 LinkedIn profile, he was a wastewater treatment plant operator in 
Beloit from 1994 to 2007 and foreman of the water plant from 2007 to 
2009, before being named director of water/wastewater operations in 
March 2009, holding that job until January of 2014.&nbsp;

He then
 became city administrator in Lakin for a year and a half, then 
Coffeyville for not quite three years, before coming to Great Bend in 
July 2018.

Interim City Manager Gary Meagher has been serving Hutchinson since Jeff Cantrell's contract was not renewed in mid-May.

Great Bend admin takes reins of Hutchinson city government

After a case lasting almost four years, the former owner of the Plainville Livestock Commission was sentenced Wednesday in federal court in Kansas City&nbsp; on a multimillion check kiting scheme.

Tyler Gillum, former owner of the Plainville Livestock Commission, per a sentencing agreement, was sentenced by Judge Daniel Crabtree to 60 months in prison and more than $7.2 million in restitution. 

Gillum's sentences on all counts will run concurrently. He will be required to serve three years of post-release supervision.

The restitution included $6.8 million to Landmark National Bank of Manhattan, Kan., $250,000 to Federal Insurance Company and $208,000 to TBK Bank of Dallas.

Gillum will owe an additional $3,300 in fines.

As a part of his sentencing agreement, he has agreed not to appeal his conviction or sentencing.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/85498496-95af-4704-8e67-6ed8943abcf9">Gillum was convicted on 33 federal counts, including 31
 counts of bank fraud, one count of making a false statement in 
connection with a Small Business Administration guaranteed loan, and one
 count of making a false statement in a loan or credit card application. </a>

In the aftermath of Gillum's crimes, payments to ranchers for the sale of their cattle were delayed almost a year, banks were defrauded of millions of dollars and a rural bank closed.

Gillum owned and operated Plainville Livestock Commission Inc. from 2006 until 2019. 

Between January 2015 and August 2017, Gillum wrote checks and made 
wire transfers between various accounts under his control at various 
banks in a scheme commonly known as check kiting, according to the U.S. 
Attorney's Office.

This is when checks are continually written
 back and forth to fraudulently inflate account balances, tricking banks 
into honoring checks written with insufficient funds. Gillum’s scheme 
resulted in losses of more than $10 million to the banking system, 
according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

Bank officials 
stepped in in February 2019. Almena Bank froze Gillum's accounts, 
including a custodial account, which was supposed to hold money due to 
ranchers who sold cattle at Gillum's livestock auctions.

<a href="https://archive.hayspost.com/2019/06/12/ranchers-express-frustration-as-plainville-livestock-funds-remain-in-courts-hands/">Checks
 from the Plainville Livestock Commission for two sales — one at the end
 of January 2019 and the other on Feb. 5, 2019 — bounced.</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5de67bc1897d147ad4bb1dfd">Ranchers who were due more than $900,000 in auction proceeds had to 
wait more than 10 months to receive payment for their cattle.</a>

<a href="https://archive.hayspost.com/2019/06/11/auction-set-for-bankrupt-plainville-livestock-commission-14m-owed/">Plainville Livestock Commission declared bankruptcy on March 1, 2019</a>

In October 2020, Almena Bank failed. "The $69 million-asset bank was closed by its state regulator, then sold by the FDIC  to Equity Bank in Andover," according to a story in the American Banker on March 26, 2021.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e0ef87c4-7036-4352-a580-28d25241adc0">The delayed payment to ranchers and Plainville Livestock Commission bankruptcy had lasting effects on the Plainville and area ag communities.</a>

Former Plainville Livestock Commission owner sentenced to prison, millions in restitution

DUBUQUE, Iowa — The Dubuque County Board of Health has selected Allie
 M. White as the director of the Dubuque County Health Department. White
 will succeed Patrice Lambert who retired at the end of 2021. Currently,
 Stacey Killian, executive director of the Dubuque Visiting Nurse 
Association is serving as the interim director.

"We are pleased to welcome Allie White as
 the director of the DCHD. &nbsp;We look forward to her leadership at this 
critical time of strategic planning while the Department continues to 
focus on meeting the health needs of all Dubuque County residents,” said Board of Health Chair Sandra Larson. “I am grateful for the opportunities that have prepared me 
for this role and I am excited to lead Dubuque County in the pursuit of 
expanding its health and wellness endeavors.”

&nbsp;White has been serving as the Health Services Coordinator
 for the Dubuque Community School District, and has previously served as
 a health professional in several capacities across the tri-state area. 
White has a master’s degree in nursing administration from Fort Hays 
State University in Kansas, and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from 
Clarke University in Dubuque. White’s duties as health director will 
begin in late December.

&nbsp;White was selected from a field of over 
50 applicants in a national search.&nbsp;

FHSU alum named health director for Iowa county

The Hays High girls got an early season test against one of the best programs Kansas has to offer. Washburn Rural entered the Hays City Shootout semifinals as the #1 ranked team in 6A and defending 6A champs.

Girls Hays 37 - #1-6A Washburn Rural 33

A 13-0 run during the first and second quarter and two late baskets propelled Hays to a 37-33 win over the Junior Blues.

Rural raced out to an 8-2 lead before Hays settled in and began their 12-0 run that lasted into the second quarter and resulted in a 15-8 lead. The Indians would maintain the lead and knock down four free throws in the final two minutes of the first half for a 22-14 lead a the break.

The Indians kept possession of the lead through the third quarter but were outscored 14-7 over the eight minutes. Rural eventually took the lead on a three pointer at 33-31 with 2:25 left in the game. Hays scored the only remaining points of the game. Carly Lang found Katie Linenberger for game tying basket at 33 points and then Jillyan Sheldon at 35-33. Molly Martin was fouled after a miss by Rural and knocked down both sides of a one and one opportunity for a 37-33 victory.

Carly Lang led the Indians with 11 points. Seven of the eight Indians that played scored in the game where they outrebounded Rural 23-11. Zoe Canfield led Rural with 13 points.

Hays moves into the tournament finals for the first time since 2017 where they will face Arkansas power Northside High School who won in the finals last year.

It was a rematch of the 2021 Hays City Shootout finals during the 2022 semifinals between Hays and #7-6A Lawrence Free State.

Free State opened the game on a 10-3 run over the first six minutes which included nine Hays turnovers. The Indians though found some rhythm late in the quarter closed the gap down to 12-10 on a 7-3 run.

Hays took their first lead at the free throw line where they scored their last six points of the second quarter and built a 25-22 lead at halftime.

Hays put back a missed shot to start the third quarter and built their biggest lead of the game at 31-26. That is when Free State caught fire and outscored the Indians 20-5 over the next seven minutes for a 46-36 lead heading to the fourth quarter.

Hays closed the gap down to four on one occasion in the second half but never got any closer, falling 59-54.

Jack Weimer scored a career high 20 and Kyreese Groen added 11. Zeek Brown led Free State with 15. Hays falls to 1-1 and will play Hugoton for third place on Saturday. Free State moves onto the tournament championship for a second straight year and will faceoff with Olathe West.

🏀 Hays girls knock off #1 Rural; boys head to 3rd place game

GOLDEN, Colo. - Fort Hays State Wrestling went 0-2 in a double dual against San Francisco State and Colorado School of Mines on Friday. Fourth-ranked&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/wrestling/roster/tereus-henry/7220">Tereus Henry</a>&nbsp;(197),&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/wrestling/roster/mason-turner/7231">Mason Turner</a>&nbsp;(133), and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/wrestling/roster/cade-lindsey/7240">Cade Lindsey</a>&nbsp;(174) each won both of their matches.

San Francisco State took an early 5-0 lead by a technical fall, but Fort Hays State responded when Turner (133) picked up a second-period fall to give FHSU a 6-5 lead. The Gators won the next four matches including two bonus-point victories to take a 19-6 lead. The Tigers made a comeback effort by winning the next three matches by decision, fall, and major decision to tie the score with one match remaining. Lindsey won 5-2 at 174,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/wrestling/roster/bryce-westmoreland/7235">Bryce Westmoreland</a>&nbsp;picked up the second-period fall at 184, then Henry rolled to a 10-2 major at 197 within the run to get the team scores even going into the final match. Ultimately the Gators scored a third-period fall in the final match to win 25-19.

The next matchup unfolded in a similar fashion as Colorado School of Mines won the first match, this time by fall, before Turner put Fort Hays State on the board with a 4-2 decision. The Orediggers won the next four matches, including a fall and a technical fall, extending their lead to 23-3. Lindsey snapped the CSM run with a technical fall at 174 and kept FHSU alive, but a decision for CSM at 184 pounds put the dual out of reach. Henry defeated sixth-ranked Anderson Salisbury for the second time this season in a 3-1 sudden victory at 197, but the Orediggers claimed a fall in the heavyweight bout to end on top 32-11.

The Tigers will be at home next weekend when they host the annual Bob Smith Open on Sunday (Dec. 11). Action is set to begin at 9 a.m. at Gross Memorial Coliseum.

San Francisco State 25, Fort Hays State 19 125 - Zach Wright (San Francisco State) over&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/wrestling/roster/rhett-koppes/7225">Rhett Koppes</a>&nbsp;(FHSU) (TF 20-4 5:00) 133 -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/wrestling/roster/mason-turner/7231">Mason Turner</a>&nbsp;(FHSU) over Stefano McKinney (San Francisco State) (Fall 4:18) 141 - Andre Dargani (San Francisco State) over&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/wrestling/roster/corbin-white/7241">Corbin White</a>&nbsp; (FHSU) (MD 12-2) 149 - Joshua Fuentes Norikiyo (San Francisco State) over&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/wrestling/roster/drew-burgoon/7249">Drew Burgoon</a>&nbsp;(FHSU) (MD 15-2) 157 - Josh Tolentino (San Francisco State) over&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/wrestling/roster/cody-hicks/7222">Cody Hicks</a>&nbsp;(FHSU) (Dec 4-2) 165 - Boltyn Taam (San Francisco State) over&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/wrestling/roster/blaise-ronnau/7228">Blaise Ronnau</a>&nbsp;(FHSU) (Dec 8-4) 174 -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/wrestling/roster/cade-lindsey/7240">Cade Lindsey</a>&nbsp;(FHSU) over Gage Mettler (San Francisco State) (Dec 5-2) 184 -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/wrestling/roster/bryce-westmoreland/7235">Bryce Westmoreland</a>&nbsp;(FHSU) over Gavin Funk (San Francisco State) (Fall 3:53) 197 - #4&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/wrestling/roster/tereus-henry/7220">Tereus Henry</a>&nbsp;(FHSU) over Laith Gilmore (San Francisco State) (MD 10-2) 285 - Emilio Franco Sandoval (San Francisco State) over Anthony Caldwell (FHSU) (Fall 5:35) Colorado School of Mines 32, Fort Hays State 11 125 - Weston DiBlasi (Colorado School of Mines) over&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/wrestling/roster/rhett-koppes/7225">Rhett Koppes</a>&nbsp;(FHSU) (Fall 1:19) 133 -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/wrestling/roster/mason-turner/7231">Mason Turner</a>&nbsp;(FHSU) over Tyler Krause (Colorado School of Mines) (Dec 4-2) 141 - Grayston DiBlasi (Colorado School of Mines) over&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/wrestling/roster/corbin-white/7241">Corbin White</a>&nbsp;(FHSU) (Fall 3:43) 149 - Teague Dilbeck (Colorado School of Mines) over&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/wrestling/roster/drew-burgoon/7249">Drew Burgoon</a>&nbsp;(FHSU) (Dec 5-1) 157 - Carter Noehre (Colorado School of Mines) over&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/wrestling/roster/cody-hicks/7222">Cody Hicks</a>&nbsp;(FHSU) (Dec 7-1) 165 - Jackson Damenti (Colorado School of Mines) over&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/wrestling/roster/blayze-standley/7230">Blayze Standley</a>&nbsp;(FHSU) (TF 18-3 4:05) 174 -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/wrestling/roster/cade-lindsey/7240">Cade Lindsey</a>&nbsp;(FHSU) over Wyatt Lewis (Colorado School of Mines) (TF 15-0 7:00) 184 - Ryan Cody (Colorado School of Mines) over&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/wrestling/roster/bryce-westmoreland/7235">Bryce Westmoreland</a>&nbsp;(FHSU) (Dec 5-3) 197 - #4&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/wrestling/roster/tereus-henry/7220">Tereus Henry</a>&nbsp;(FHSU) over #6 Anderson Salisbury (Colorado School of Mines) (SV-1 3-1) 285 - Deandre Rucker (Colorado School of Mines) over Anthony Caldwell (FHSU) (Fall 4:58)

🤼 Tigers come up short in a pair of duals

4oth Gerald Mitchell Hays City Shootout Day 2 Results

Girls - Championship Bracket Northside (AR) 52&nbsp; Olathe West 24 Washburn Rural 33&nbsp; Hays 37

Consolation Bracket TMP 32&nbsp;Newton 35- OT Hugoton 31&nbsp; Manhattan 39

Boys - Championship Bracket Olathe West 67&nbsp; Hugoton 61 Free State 59&nbsp; Hays 54

Consolation Bracket TMP 57&nbsp; Newton 55 Life Prep 40&nbsp; Manhattan 51

Day 3 Schedule Girls 7th Place - TMP v Hugoton - 10:00 - Hays Middle School 4th Place - Newton v Manhattan - 1:30 - Hays Middle School 3rd Place - Olathe West v Washburn Rural - 1:30 - Hays High School 1st Place - Northside (AR) v Hays - 5:00 - Hays High School

Boys 7th Place - Newton v Life Prep - 11:45 - Hays Middle School 4th Place - TMP v Manhattan - 3:15 - Hays Middle School 3rd Place - Hugoton v Hays - 3:15 - Hays High School 1st Place - Olathe West v Free State - 7:00 - Hays High School&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Hays City Shootout Day 2 Results; Day 3 Schedule

UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. - Fort Hays State sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-cross-country/roster/regan-hodsden/6990">Regan Hodsden</a>&nbsp;earned All-America honors after placing 40th at the 2022 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships Friday afternoon at Chambers Creek Regional Park. The Mitchell, Neb. native traversed the six-kilometer course in 21:20.8. After finding herself in 63rd place at the 600m split, Hodsden climbed into the top 50 by the one-mile post. She hovered around the 40th spot for the latter half of the race, passing one runner over the final kilometer to collect the last spot on the All-America podium. Hodsden beat 223 of the 263 competitors in the race to the finish line. Adams State captured the team title for the third year in a row with 75 points, 51 in front of second-place Grand Valley State. Hodsden was one of three MIAA student-athletes to earn All-America honors out of the 22 conference runners at the national meet. She is the second member of the FHSU women's cross country team to earn All-America honors during the NCAA DII era and the first since Leslie Nielsen in 1994. It is the second-consecutive All-American medal for the Colby CC transfer after she placed ninth at the 2021 NJCAA DI Championships. This is the second All-America honor for a Tiger during&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-cross-country/roster/coaches/dr-jason-mccullough/1149">Dr. Jason McCullough</a>'s tenure as head coach, joining Cory Keehn from 2015. Hodsden completed a trifecta of awards in the process, previously earning All-MIAA status after placing sixth at the league meet and picking up All-Region honors with her 15th-place finish at the Central Region Championships. Hodsden and the rest of her Tiger teammates will now turn their attention indoors for the track and field season, set to begin next weekend (Dec. 9-10) at the Boo Rodgers Combined Events and the Crimson and Gold Invitational in Pittsburg, Kan.

👟 FHSU's Hodsden earns All-America status at DII Championships

Hays High opened the basketball season by hosting the 40th Gerald Mitchell Hays City Shootout. The Indians opened with Newton on Thursday evening.

An 8-0 run in the first quarter proved to be the difference of the first half as the Indians led Newton 21-13 at halftime. Hays did not trail through the entire game after scoring a pair of free throws thirteen seconds in the game on the way to a 45-29 victory.

Carly Lang made all four of her first half free throw attempts moving her to 5th all-time in made free throws at 126. She passes Kristen Ackerman on the list.

The Indians lead was cut down to one at 22-21 a minute into the third quarter but Newton never gained the lead. The Railers picked up their 10th team foul with 1:29 left in the third quarter and Hays took advantage by attacking the rim and getting to the free throw line.

The Indians made 21 of 34 free throw attempts to keep Newton at arms length. Hays led by nine into the fourth quarter and by sixteen at the end of the game.

Molly Martin led the Indians with 12 points. Carly Lang added 10.

Hays opens the year at 1-0 and will face Washburn Rural in the semifinals. Newton is 0-1 and takes on TMP.

Hays took little time to establish their brand of basketball with a new coach and statistically new team. The Indians returned just 9% of their scoring and 10% of the rebounding and assists.

The Indians scored the first seven points of the game and never looked back leading by no less than four at any point on the way to a 65-40 win.

Hays led 19-3 after one quarter and 30-13 at halftime.

The Indians were never threatened in the second half leading by at least 15 points. Hays outscored Newton 21-11 in the fourth for a 65-40 victory.

Ten different players appeared in the game and all ten scored and all ten grabbed at least one rebound. Jack Weimer led the scoring with 11 points and Chason VanDerWege added 10, career high for both players. Camden Carr scored a game high 15 for Newton.

Hays starts the year at 1-0 and will face Free State Friday evening. Newton begins 0-1 and will play TMP.

🏀 Hays High sweeps Newton to open the season

HAYS, Kan. – In a game that had 15 ties and 22 lead changes, Fort Hays State forced overtime with a late free throw and went on to win 96-87 over Northeastern State in its MIAA opener on Thursday night at Gross Memorial Coliseum.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kaleb-hammeke/6897">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;scored a career-high 36 points, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/gabe-pieschl/6904">Gabe Pieschl</a>&nbsp;notched his second career double-double that included a career-high 15 points. FHSU moved to 6-1 overall, 1-0 in the MIAA, while NSU moved to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in the MIAA.

The 36 points by Hammeke is tied for the second most by a Mark Johnson coached team joining Hadley Gillum, Rob Davis and Craig Nicholson. Davis scored 42 at Emporia State in 2017 for the most by a Tiger under Johnson.

The Tigers looked to be gaining control early by opening the game on a 12-3 run, but the RiverHawks countered with a 14-4 run to take their first lead, 17-16, at 13:13 remaining before halftime. From that point, fans got treated to an amazing back-and-forth battle the remainder of the night. NSU took a 40-38 lead to the locker room.

The Tigers opened the second half with a 9-2 run to take a five-point lead at 47-42, fueled by five points from Hammeke and four from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/bjarni-jonsson/6901">Bjarni Jonsson</a>. However, the RiverHawks countered with a 12-5 swing to go back up by two just over six minutes into the second half. Neither team led by more than two in the see-saw affair until NSU used a 4-0 burst to go up five with 6:35 to play. The Tigers were struggling to get stops and managing fouls when Hammeke struck for a five-point swing of his own to pull the Tigers back even. He drew a foul on a 3-point shot, drained two free throws before FHSU got the ball back on a loose ball went out of bounds off NSU. He then drove to the basket, got fouled on a made layup, and converted the free throw. NSU scored again, but&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/traejon-davis/6896">Traejon Davis</a>&nbsp;hit a big basket to pull the Tigers back even. That triggered a 6-0 run of his own as he hit a layup and then a pair of then was flagrantly fouled and went to the line to hit a pair of charity tosses. FHSU led 79-75 with 3:37 to go.

Once again NSU was up to the challenge as it went on a 7-0 run to take an 82-79 lead with 26 seconds remaining. Hammeke was clutch again for the Tigers making a highly contested driving layup. Then NSU fumbled the in-bounds pass out of bounds, giving the Tigers the ball back with 16 seconds. The Tigers missed their first attempt at a game-winning basket, but the ball went out of bounds off NSU. Then, just before the clock hit zeros, Hammeke buried a 3-point field goal that sent Gross Memorial Coliseum into a frenzy. However, Jonsson was fouled setting the screen that sprung Hammeke for what looked to be the game winner. After officials consulted replay, it was clear that Jonsson was fouled well before Hammeke's shot and Jonsson had to go to the free-throw line with 2.5 seconds remaining. Jonsson buried the first attempt, tying the game at 82-82, before his second attempt rattled in and out. NSU took a timeout, but their in-bounds heave the length of the floor was stolen by Pieschl, forcing overtime. The Tigers would not be denied in the extra period, opening on a 9-2 run to take a seven-point lead. Jonsson hit a big 3-point field goal to push the Tiger lead to seven with 1:27 remaining. The lead eventually reached 10 when Hammeke hit a pair of free throws with 42 seconds to seal the victory and his career-high 36-point effort before the final margin settled at nine. Hammeke scored 24 of his 36 in the second half after having just six at halftime. He was a red-hot 11-of-14 from the field after halftime. Pieschl was already flirting with his double-double by halftime, coming up big early on with 15 points and nine rebounds, then added two more rebounds in the second half. He splashed all three of his first-half 3-point field goal attempts. Jonsson was just shy of a career high with 15 points, keeping the Tigers alive in the late going and avoided a fifth foul. Davis was also just a smidge shy of his career high with 11 off the bench, picking up six of those points in a crucial time for the Tigers in the second half. Hammeke also led the Tigers in assists with four. Rashad Perkins and Dillon Bailey paced NSU with 19 points each, while Agu had 18 points, Christian Cook had 15, and Tylor Arnold added 11. Bailey and Agu were a combined 18-of-20 from the free-throw line, Bailey being a perfect 10-of-10. Perkins had a team-best six assists. Even though the Tigers entered the game with the best scoring defense in the nation, NSU's offensive attack was for real as it finished just shy of its 89.8 points per game average entering the game. NSU was 71.4 percent from the field in the second half before not making a field goal in overtime. The RiverHawks finished the game at 53.2 percent, but the Tigers were up to the offensive challenge finishing at 50 percent as a team. Both teams hit 10 3-point field goals in the game. FHSU had nine more field goals which was a big difference, since NSU hit nine more free throws in the game. The Tigers return to action on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 3) against Rogers State. The Hillcats will enter at 5-2 overall, 1-0 in the MIAA, after a 20-point win at Nebraska-Kearney on Thursday night. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. at Gross Memorial Coliseum, following the women's contest at 2 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Career night from Hammeke lifts Tigers past Northeastern State in overtime

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas forward Kevin McCullar Jr. claimed the Jayhawks have “so many weapons that anyone can score 10-plus a game.”

McCullar returned from an injury to score 17 points and grab 10 rebounds, Jalen Wilson added 15 points and 13 boards, and six players hit double-figures for the No. 9 Jayhawks in their 91-65 victory over Seton Hall in the Big East-Big 12 Battle.

Gradey Dick also scored 15 points, KJ Adams contributed 11, DaJuan Harris Jr. had 10 with seven assists and Ernest Udeh Jr. finished with a career-best 10 for the Jayhawks (8-1), who now have more than a week to wait before they visit bitter rival Missouri for the first time in a decade next Saturday.

The Jayhawks romped past the Tigers 102-65 last year, when they resumed their series after a nine-year hiatus following Missouri's departure for the SEC. Kansas has not faced them on the road since losing on Feb. 4, 2012.

“There's no reason we shouldn't be rested before we play Mizzou,” Jayhawks coach Bill Self said, “and there's some things we definitely need to work on. Hopefully we'll be better equipped when we go over there.”

Kadary Richmond had 17 points, but also turned the ball over seven times for the Pirates (4-4), who were just 4 of 19 from the 3-point arc in losing their third straight game. Tyrese Samuel added with 16 points.

“Everything is a lesson. You can take a lesson out of this,” said Shaheen Holloway, who's in his first season coaching his alma mater. “You have to give those guys credit. They came out and played hard.”

The teams were meeting for just the third time and first since 2018, when the Jayhawks edged Seton Hall in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. They went on to play for the national championship this year.

Now the defending champs, Kansas built a big first-half lead against the Pirates on Thursday night. But rather than going on one of their familiar runs to take control of the game, the Jayhawks methodically extended their advantage over the first 20 minutes, taking advantage of their speed on the perimeter to get easy baskets at the rim.

“It's about us finding the best shot,” said McCullar, who'd been dealing with a sore groin, “and playing together.”

Kansas led 40-29 at the break. Harris was 4 for 4 by that point with five assists, the best of them coming midway through the half, when the diminutive guard found Adams for an ally-oop dunk that turned into a three-point play.

“It's great when we can all move the ball, share the ball and score,” Udeh said.

Meanwhile, Seton Hall couldn't make a shot.

The Pirates missed their first eight from beyond the arc, went 19 of 32 from the foul line and rarely got anything to go that wasn't at the basket. And that made digging out of their halftime hole seemingly impossible.

By the time KC Ndefo curled in their first 3, the Jayhawks had extended their lead to 50-31 with 14 1/2 minutes to go.

The poor shooting, coupled with turnover problems, proved too much for Seton Hall to overcome.

“Free throws. If we can make free throws, we're right there,” Holloway said. “We started to throw the ball away and were not making our free throws. I thought that was the difference.”

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