Hays High won their fourth game in a row which also put them into the championship of the Colby Orange &amp; Black Classic. The 62-48 victory over Colby marks the tenth time Hays has made the championship game in twenty-two tries.

The game was full of runs by both teams early. Colby opened the game on a 10-2 run in the first three minutes. Hays responded with 11-0 run during which they took their first lead of the game. The Eagles went on another first quarter run. Nine straight points by Colby recaptured the lead at 19-13.

Colby continued to lead 21-15 after the first quarter and still led by five at 27-22 three and a half minutes into the second quarter. The Indians went back on the attack and closed the first half with an 11-3 run that gave Hays a 33-30 halftime lead.

A strong third quarter propelled Hays to a double digit lead. The Indians outscored Colby 13-4 in a little over six minutes. That stretch put the Hays High lead up to 46-34 before Colby hit a pair of free throws to end the third quarter.

Hays scored the first five points of the fourth quarter and built a game high edge of 15 at 51-36. The lead for the Indians hovered between nine and twelve points for a majority of the fourth quarter. Hays made four of their last six free throws to win 62-48.

Colby(8-4) was 9 for 11 shooting in the first quarter. They made 10 of 36 shots rest of the way. Hays(7-4) shot 48% from the floor. Cooper Lindenmeyer grabbed a game high and career high nine rebounds for the Indians.

Hays will face Olathe North at 6:00 in the championship on Saturday.

Carter Lang 0; Johnny Cano 12; Trace Jacobs 0; Cooper Lindenmeyer 2; Trey Oakley 5; Tiger Johnson 12; Izaac Fox 14; Dawson Ruder 17.

Hays High won their fourth game in a row which also put them into the championship of the Colby Orange &amp; Black Classic. The 62-48 victory over Colby marks the tenth time Hays has made the championship game in twenty-two tries.The game was full of runs by both teams early. Colby opened the game on a 10-2 run in the first three minutes. Hays responded with 11-0 run during which they took their first lead of the game. The Eagles went on another first quarter run. Nine straight points by Colby recaptured the lead at 19-13.Colby continued to lead 21-15 after the first quarter and still led by five at 27-22 three and a half minutes into the second quarter. The Indians went back on the attack and closed the first half with an 11-3 run that gave Hays a 33-30 halftime lead.Highlights<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2017713353&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/hays-high-mbkb-highlights-v-3" title="Hays High MBKB Highlights v Colby Jan 24, 2025" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Hays High MBKB Highlights v Colby Jan 24, 2025</a></div></div>A strong third quarter propelled Hays to a double digit lead. The Indians outscored Colby 13-4 in a little over six minutes. That stretch put the Hays High lead up to 46-34 before Colby hit a pair of free throws to end the third quarter.Hays scored the first five points of the fourth quarter and built a game high edge of 15 at 51-36. The lead for the Indians hovered between nine and twelve points for a majority of the fourth quarter. Hays made four of their last six free throws to win 62-48.Coach Sean Dreiling<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2017714533&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/hays-high-mbkb-post-v-colby" title="Hays High MBKB Post v Colby Jan 24, 2025" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Hays High MBKB Post v Colby Jan 24, 2025</a></div></div>Colby(8-4) was 9 for 11 shooting in the first quarter. They made 10 of 36 shots rest of the way. Hays(7-4) shot 48% from the floor. Cooper Lindenmeyer grabbed a game high and career high nine rebounds for the Indians.Hays will face Olathe North at 6:00 in the championship on Saturday.Carter Lang 0; Johnny Cano 12; Trace Jacobs 0; Cooper Lindenmeyer 2; Trey Oakley 5; Tiger Johnson 12; Izaac Fox 14; Dawson Ruder 17.

🏀 Hays uses big runs to beat Colby; advances to championship

&nbsp;PITTSBURG, Kan. - The Fort Hays State track and field teams delivered an impressive performance at the Rumble in the Jungle Invitational Friday, highlighted by individual victories, NCAA Division II provisional marks, and multiple point-scoring efforts. The men's team secured a fifth-place finish with 44 team points, while the women's team tied for ninth with 18 points in a highly competitive field.

The men's team showcased a balanced effort across track and field events.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/christian-darrah/8512">Christian Darrah</a>&nbsp;headlined the day by capturing gold in the mile run, clocking an impressive time of 4:11.89 to earn 10 points. Teammate&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/brady-stegman/8503">Brady Stegman</a>&nbsp;also contributed to the team total with an eighth-place finish in 4:20.52, adding one more point.

<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/hayden-albright/8477">Hayden Albright</a>&nbsp;had a standout performance, finishing third in the 200m dash with a blazing time of 21.47, earning 6 points and achieving an NCAA Division II provisional mark. Albright followed up by placing sixth in the 400m dash, clocking 48.49 to add 3 more points to his tally. The Tigers' sprint crew showed their depth in the 60m dash prelims, with both Hayden and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/avrey-albright/8476">Avrey Albright</a>&nbsp;narrowly missing the finals after identical times of 6.91.

The Tigers were dominant in the pole vault, where&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jacob-clark/8482">Jacob Clark</a>&nbsp;claimed first place by clearing 16-8.00, securing 10 points and meeting the NCAA Division II provisional standard. Josiah Bell added to the team's success in the event with a fifth-place finish, vaulting 15-8.25 to collect 4 points, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/brady-deges/8485">Brady Deges</a>&nbsp;placed seventh with a mark of 15-2.25, contributing 2 additional points.

The men's 4x400m relay team of&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/avrey-albright/8476">Avrey Albright</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/hayden-albright/8477">Hayden Albright</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/drew-tolar/8535">Drew Tolar</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/mayan-paz/8498">Mayan Paz</a>&nbsp;delivered a strong performance, finishing fourth with a time of 3:16.81, earning 5 points for the Tigers.

The women's team was led by a stellar performance from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/emily-diercks/8393">Emily Diercks</a>, who dominated the 3,000m run with a winning time of 9:52.99, earning 10 points. Diercks' impressive finish set the tone for the Tigers on the track as she notched a provisional mark as well. Sprinter&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/reba-mader/8402">Reba Mader</a>&nbsp;and hurdler&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/donna-jackson/8400">Donna Jackson</a>&nbsp;both had solid outings, narrowly missing point-scoring positions. Mader finished 10th in the 400m dash with a time of 57.56, while Jackson placed 13th in the 60m hurdles, crossing the line in 9.34.In the pole vault,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/annabeth-baalmann/8389">Annabeth Baalmann</a>&nbsp;cleared 12-4.50 to finish fifth, earning 4 points and hitting the NCAA Division II provisional mark. Meanwhile, in the weight throw,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/emma-slade/8475">Emma Slade</a>&nbsp;recorded a strong fifth-place finish with a toss of 51-0.00, securing 4 more points for the Tigers.

The Tigers will return to action next weekend at the Washburn Open, scheduled for Friday (Jan. 31) through Saturday (Feb. 1) in Topeka, Kan. and the Charlie Foster Classic in Kearney, Neb.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737777706518.png" alt="Gene Cassell/Washburn Sports Information" />
 <figcaption>Gene Cassell/Washburn Sports Information</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU Athletics&nbsp;PITTSBURG, Kan. - The Fort Hays State track and field teams delivered an impressive performance at the Rumble in the Jungle Invitational Friday, highlighted by individual victories, NCAA Division II provisional marks, and multiple point-scoring efforts. The men's team secured a fifth-place finish with 44 team points, while the women's team tied for ninth with 18 points in a highly competitive field.The men's team showcased a balanced effort across track and field events.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/christian-darrah/8512">Christian Darrah</a>&nbsp;headlined the day by capturing gold in the mile run, clocking an impressive time of 4:11.89 to earn 10 points. Teammate&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/brady-stegman/8503">Brady Stegman</a>&nbsp;also contributed to the team total with an eighth-place finish in 4:20.52, adding one more point.<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/hayden-albright/8477">Hayden Albright</a>&nbsp;had a standout performance, finishing third in the 200m dash with a blazing time of 21.47, earning 6 points and achieving an NCAA Division II provisional mark. Albright followed up by placing sixth in the 400m dash, clocking 48.49 to add 3 more points to his tally. The Tigers' sprint crew showed their depth in the 60m dash prelims, with both Hayden and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/avrey-albright/8476">Avrey Albright</a>&nbsp;narrowly missing the finals after identical times of 6.91.The Tigers were dominant in the pole vault, where&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jacob-clark/8482">Jacob Clark</a>&nbsp;claimed first place by clearing 16-8.00, securing 10 points and meeting the NCAA Division II provisional standard. Josiah Bell added to the team's success in the event with a fifth-place finish, vaulting 15-8.25 to collect 4 points, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/brady-deges/8485">Brady Deges</a>&nbsp;placed seventh with a mark of 15-2.25, contributing 2 additional points.The men's 4x400m relay team of&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/avrey-albright/8476">Avrey Albright</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/hayden-albright/8477">Hayden Albright</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/drew-tolar/8535">Drew Tolar</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/mayan-paz/8498">Mayan Paz</a>&nbsp;delivered a strong performance, finishing fourth with a time of 3:16.81, earning 5 points for the Tigers.The women's team was led by a stellar performance from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/emily-diercks/8393">Emily Diercks</a>, who dominated the 3,000m run with a winning time of 9:52.99, earning 10 points. Diercks' impressive finish set the tone for the Tigers on the track as she notched a provisional mark as well. Sprinter&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/reba-mader/8402">Reba Mader</a>&nbsp;and hurdler&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/donna-jackson/8400">Donna Jackson</a>&nbsp;both had solid outings, narrowly missing point-scoring positions. Mader finished 10th in the 400m dash with a time of 57.56, while Jackson placed 13th in the 60m hurdles, crossing the line in 9.34.In the pole vault,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/annabeth-baalmann/8389">Annabeth Baalmann</a>&nbsp;cleared 12-4.50 to finish fifth, earning 4 points and hitting the NCAA Division II provisional mark. Meanwhile, in the weight throw,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/emma-slade/8475">Emma Slade</a>&nbsp;recorded a strong fifth-place finish with a toss of 51-0.00, securing 4 more points for the Tigers.UP NEXTThe Tigers will return to action next weekend at the Washburn Open, scheduled for Friday (Jan. 31) through Saturday (Feb. 1) in Topeka, Kan. and the Charlie Foster Classic in Kearney, Neb.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏃‍♂️ Tigers shine at Rumble in the Jungle Invitational

Hays High vs Colby Friday, Jan. 24th – 8:15 p.m.&nbsp; Colby, Kan. - Colby Events Center

Radio: KFIX (96.9)&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video: Hays High Sports Network <a href="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/2051610">CLICK HERE TO WATCH $$</a>

The Hays High boys have won three games in a row. A fourth consecutive victory would push them into the championship of the 40th Colby Orange &amp; Black Classic.

Hays(6-4) takes on the host school Colby(8-3). The Indians beat Concordia by twenty in the opening round. The Eagles took a double digit victory over Beloit.

Tip-off is set for 8:15 p.m. on the Hays High Sports Network.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694699014932.jpeg" alt="HHS Listen Live" />
 <figcaption>HHS Listen Live</figcaption>
 </figure>Hays High vs Colby Friday, Jan. 24th – 8:15 p.m.&nbsp; Colby, Kan. - Colby Events CenterRadio: KFIX (96.9)&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video: Hays High Sports Network <a href="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/2051610">CLICK HERE TO WATCH $$</a>The Hays High boys have won three games in a row. A fourth consecutive victory would push them into the championship of the 40th Colby Orange &amp; Black Classic.Hays(6-4) takes on the host school Colby(8-3). The Indians beat Concordia by twenty in the opening round. The Eagles took a double digit victory over Beloit.Tip-off is set for 8:15 p.m. on the Hays High Sports Network.&nbsp;

🏀🎥 Hays High faces Colby for tournament championship berth

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays Post

COLBY - Two undefeated teams entered the championship semifinals in the Colby Orange &amp; Black Classic Friday afternoon. Only Hays remained that way after a 74-72 overtime victory that gave Wellington their first loss.

Wellington led for the entire first half. Hays tied the score at five in the first quarter just over two minutes into the game. The Indians though went scoreless for the next 3:35 and fell behind 11-5.

Hays once trailed by a single possession several different times in the first quarter before Wellington took a 16-12 lead after the first eight minutes.

Wellington held three different six point leads early in the second quarter and led by nine at 26-17. The Crusaders' biggest lead came at 30-19 with three minutes remaining before halftime and led 36-25 at the midgame break.

Wellington took their biggest lead of the game early in the third quarter on a free throw at 37-25. Hays spend the next ten minutes chipping away at the lead.&nbsp;

The Indians trailed 40-29 midway through the third quarter when they took a chunk out of the lead outscoring Wellington 10-2. That run pulled Hays within a single possession at 42-39. The Crusaders pushed the lead back to six with a three pointer and led by four heading to the fourth quarter 47-43.

Hays took their first lead with 5:30 to go in regulation during another 10-2 run. Hays never trailed again. Wellington tied the game at 55 with 4:42 left before Hays scored the next eight points for a 63-55 edge with 2:40 remaining.

The Indians though scored just one point rest of regulation and Wellington ended the game on a 9-1 run to tie the game with 1:05 left. Wellington got the final look of regulation but the shot from just outside the block was blocked and the game went to overtime tied at 64.

Hays led by five twice in overtime at 71-66 and 73-68. The final five point lead with 1:17 on the clock proved to be just enough. Wellington scored four straight points over the next 25 seconds to pull within one at 73-72. The Crusaders had a chance to take the lead but couldn't connect on a shot. A final Hays free throw and steal in the final four seconds kept Hays undefeated with the 74-72 win.

Hays(11-0) will face either Colby or Beloit in the championship game at 4:00 on Saturday. It is the Indians second championship appearance. Their other title game was in 2019 during their first visit to the Orange &amp; Black. Wellington(10-1) plays for third place at 1:00.

Val Norwood, a Lindenwood signee, led Wellington with 22. Jenna Schmeidler and Molly Martin each scored 19. Katie Linenberger recorded a double-double at 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Janna Schmeidler 19; Annie Humphrey 0; Katie Linenberger 15; Molly Martin 19; Kenlee Winter 4; Morgan Armbruster 2; Kinslee Newell 0; Riley Dreher 3; Lynsi Kanak 2; Molly Buckles 0; Zoe Winter 10.

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays PostCOLBY - Two undefeated teams entered the championship semifinals in the Colby Orange &amp; Black Classic Friday afternoon. Only Hays remained that way after a 74-72 overtime victory that gave Wellington their first loss.Wellington led for the entire first half. Hays tied the score at five in the first quarter just over two minutes into the game. The Indians though went scoreless for the next 3:35 and fell behind 11-5.Hays once trailed by a single possession several different times in the first quarter before Wellington took a 16-12 lead after the first eight minutes.Wellington held three different six point leads early in the second quarter and led by nine at 26-17. The Crusaders' biggest lead came at 30-19 with three minutes remaining before halftime and led 36-25 at the midgame break.Highlights<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2017612149&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/01-24-25-hhs-wbkb-vs-wellington-highlights" title="01 - 24 - 25 HHS WBKB Vs Wellington Highlights" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">01 - 24 - 25 HHS WBKB Vs Wellington Highlights</a></div></div>Wellington took their biggest lead of the game early in the third quarter on a free throw at 37-25. Hays spend the next ten minutes chipping away at the lead.&nbsp;The Indians trailed 40-29 midway through the third quarter when they took a chunk out of the lead outscoring Wellington 10-2. That run pulled Hays within a single possession at 42-39. The Crusaders pushed the lead back to six with a three pointer and led by four heading to the fourth quarter 47-43.Hays took their first lead with 5:30 to go in regulation during another 10-2 run. Hays never trailed again. Wellington tied the game at 55 with 4:42 left before Hays scored the next eight points for a 63-55 edge with 2:40 remaining.The Indians though scored just one point rest of regulation and Wellington ended the game on a 9-1 run to tie the game with 1:05 left. Wellington got the final look of regulation but the shot from just outside the block was blocked and the game went to overtime tied at 64.Hays led by five twice in overtime at 71-66 and 73-68. The final five point lead with 1:17 on the clock proved to be just enough. Wellington scored four straight points over the next 25 seconds to pull within one at 73-72. The Crusaders had a chance to take the lead but couldn't connect on a shot. A final Hays free throw and steal in the final four seconds kept Hays undefeated with the 74-72 win.Coach Len Melvin<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2017612137&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/01-24-25-hhs-coach-len-melvin-interview" title="01 - 24 - 25 HHS Coach Len Melvin Interview" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">01 - 24 - 25 HHS Coach Len Melvin Interview</a></div></div>Hays(11-0) will face either Colby or Beloit in the championship game at 4:00 on Saturday. It is the Indians second championship appearance. Their other title game was in 2019 during their first visit to the Orange &amp; Black. Wellington(10-1) plays for third place at 1:00.Val Norwood, a Lindenwood signee, led Wellington with 22. Jenna Schmeidler and Molly Martin each scored 19. Katie Linenberger recorded a double-double at 15 points and 11 rebounds.Janna Schmeidler 19; Annie Humphrey 0; Katie Linenberger 15; Molly Martin 19; Kenlee Winter 4; Morgan Armbruster 2; Kinslee Newell 0; Riley Dreher 3; Lynsi Kanak 2; Molly Buckles 0; Zoe Winter 10.

🏀 Hays girls' wins overtime thriller over Wellington; remains undefeated

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — There are a lot of people that would love to be living Travis Kelce's life these days. He's a bona fide NFL star for the two-time&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bills-chiefs-afc-championship-preview-363a487f1cf6d97851dba5bb8baff6fc">defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs</a>. He's appearing everywhere from TV shows to advertisements, and he just happens to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-kansas-city-chiefs-houston-texans-468b074fb9dc4f03b743593670ffdf86">dating the biggest pop star</a>&nbsp;on the planet.

When Kelce thinks back to his days growing up, though, he always wanted to be like ... like Josh Allen?

Yep, Kelce always envisioned himself under center,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-playoffs-mahomes-allen-93deeaa4fb1312ca4a5d956788a8d8a6">just like the Bills quarterback</a>, making big plays with his arm and legs in the NFL. But it turned out that he never quite had Allen's arm talent, so somewhere along the way a very prescient coach&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-nfl-playoffs-37b066e08025915af603c9859a4c2c35">switched him to tight end</a>, and he has turned out to be one of the best at that position to ever play the game.

“Josh is who I used to dream of being like in the NFL,” Kelce said Friday, after a final practice before his Chiefs face Allen and the Bills at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday night in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ds/kansas-city-chiefs-buffalo-bills-nfl-ct14-nid54841-qid41135-syid16448-mid2763983-dataskrive-story">an AFC championship game</a>&nbsp;that has all the makings of a heavyweight fight.

“Big, athletic quarterback. Big arm. Being able to be a dual-threat guy,” Kelce continued, almost wistfully. “His ability to do everything — you can tell, he really took the bull by the horns and been their leader up front, and channeled that. Guys come in and out of the building and he's the main guy that makes them go, and I have a lot of respect for that guy.”

There are certainly some similarities between the two. Kelce is 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, which is about ideal for a tight end, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-mvp-award-finalists-71381d63b22e88f8b1eeb5015d772540">Allen stands 6-5 and goes about 240</a>. Both starred at colleges that often struggle for the spotlight, Kelce at Cincinnati and Allen at Wyoming. And both have continued to keep their teams near the top of the NFL pecking order.

The Chiefs are in the AFC championship game for the seventh consecutive season. The Bills are back for the second time in five seasons, trying to avenge a 38-24 loss at Arrowhead Stadium in 2021 that propelled Kansas City to a Super Bowl triumph.

While Kelce may not have Allen's big arm, he can certainly spin it. He threw for 1,523 yards passing with 15 touchdowns while running for 1,016 yards and 10 more scores his senior year at Cleveland Heights High School in Ohio.

He's even had a couple of chances in NFL games. During a 2020 matchup with the Raiders, he threw a 4-yard pass that picked up a first down. The following week against Tampa Bay, Kelce got another opportunity but threw incomplete.

Then there are the off-script throws. Kelce has filled an entire highlight reel of plays in which he catches the ball, laterals to someone else and watches them take off for more yardage. They are close-your-eyes moments for Chiefs coach Andy Reid and Kelce's good buddy, Patrick Mahomes, but he's earned the leeway to make such audacious plays.

“He does that in practice,” Mahomes said with a smile, “and it started off as kind of a joke, and now it's kind of become a thing. As long as he completes it, Coach is going to keep letting him do it. But he knows the consequences if he doesn't.”

It's unlikely that Kelce will do anything too crazy against the Bills, who led the NFL in turnover differential this season. But the Chiefs would certainly take another vintage playoff performance like he had in the divisional round against Houston.

The 35-year-old Kelce caught seven passes for 117 yards and a touchdown in the 23-14 victory last weekend.

There were a lot of folks who thought Kelce was washed up after a below-his-standard regular season, one in which he still had 97 catches for 823 yards. Those critics said he wasn't focused on football anymore, that Kelce spent too much time in front of TV cameras and globe-hopping with his girlfriend, Taylor Swift. And that he must be nearing the end of the road.

Kelce heard it all, by the way. But it didn't faze him one bit.

“I laugh at it,” he said. “It's fine, man. As long as we're going out there and winning, that's all that matters.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737776311609.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce addresses the media after the team's NFL football practice Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce addresses the media after the team's NFL football practice Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — There are a lot of people that would love to be living Travis Kelce's life these days. He's a bona fide NFL star for the two-time&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bills-chiefs-afc-championship-preview-363a487f1cf6d97851dba5bb8baff6fc">defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs</a>. He's appearing everywhere from TV shows to advertisements, and he just happens to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-kansas-city-chiefs-houston-texans-468b074fb9dc4f03b743593670ffdf86">dating the biggest pop star</a>&nbsp;on the planet.When Kelce thinks back to his days growing up, though, he always wanted to be like ... like Josh Allen?Yep, Kelce always envisioned himself under center,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-playoffs-mahomes-allen-93deeaa4fb1312ca4a5d956788a8d8a6">just like the Bills quarterback</a>, making big plays with his arm and legs in the NFL. But it turned out that he never quite had Allen's arm talent, so somewhere along the way a very prescient coach&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-nfl-playoffs-37b066e08025915af603c9859a4c2c35">switched him to tight end</a>, and he has turned out to be one of the best at that position to ever play the game.“Josh is who I used to dream of being like in the NFL,” Kelce said Friday, after a final practice before his Chiefs face Allen and the Bills at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday night in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ds/kansas-city-chiefs-buffalo-bills-nfl-ct14-nid54841-qid41135-syid16448-mid2763983-dataskrive-story">an AFC championship game</a>&nbsp;that has all the makings of a heavyweight fight.“Big, athletic quarterback. Big arm. Being able to be a dual-threat guy,” Kelce continued, almost wistfully. “His ability to do everything — you can tell, he really took the bull by the horns and been their leader up front, and channeled that. Guys come in and out of the building and he's the main guy that makes them go, and I have a lot of respect for that guy.”There are certainly some similarities between the two. Kelce is 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, which is about ideal for a tight end, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-mvp-award-finalists-71381d63b22e88f8b1eeb5015d772540">Allen stands 6-5 and goes about 240</a>. Both starred at colleges that often struggle for the spotlight, Kelce at Cincinnati and Allen at Wyoming. And both have continued to keep their teams near the top of the NFL pecking order.The Chiefs are in the AFC championship game for the seventh consecutive season. The Bills are back for the second time in five seasons, trying to avenge a 38-24 loss at Arrowhead Stadium in 2021 that propelled Kansas City to a Super Bowl triumph.While Kelce may not have Allen's big arm, he can certainly spin it. He threw for 1,523 yards passing with 15 touchdowns while running for 1,016 yards and 10 more scores his senior year at Cleveland Heights High School in Ohio.He's even had a couple of chances in NFL games. During a 2020 matchup with the Raiders, he threw a 4-yard pass that picked up a first down. The following week against Tampa Bay, Kelce got another opportunity but threw incomplete.Then there are the off-script throws. Kelce has filled an entire highlight reel of plays in which he catches the ball, laterals to someone else and watches them take off for more yardage. They are close-your-eyes moments for Chiefs coach Andy Reid and Kelce's good buddy, Patrick Mahomes, but he's earned the leeway to make such audacious plays.“He does that in practice,” Mahomes said with a smile, “and it started off as kind of a joke, and now it's kind of become a thing. As long as he completes it, Coach is going to keep letting him do it. But he knows the consequences if he doesn't.”It's unlikely that Kelce will do anything too crazy against the Bills, who led the NFL in turnover differential this season. But the Chiefs would certainly take another vintage playoff performance like he had in the divisional round against Houston.The 35-year-old Kelce caught seven passes for 117 yards and a touchdown in the 23-14 victory last weekend.There were a lot of folks who thought Kelce was washed up after a below-his-standard regular season, one in which he still had 97 catches for 823 yards. Those critics said he wasn't focused on football anymore, that Kelce spent too much time in front of TV cameras and globe-hopping with his girlfriend, Taylor Swift. And that he must be nearing the end of the road.Kelce heard it all, by the way. But it didn't faze him one bit.“I laugh at it,” he said. “It's fine, man. As long as we're going out there and winning, that's all that matters.”

🏈 Travis Kelce says he 'used to dream' of playing QB the way Josh Allen does

#8-5A Hays High vs #1-4A Wellington Friday, Jan. 24th – 3:00 p.m.&nbsp; Colby, Kan. - Colby Events Center

Radio: KFIX (96.9)&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video: Hays High Sports Network <a href="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/2051592">CLICK HERE TO WATCH $$</a>

There have been some reported issues logging in. Please contact Hudl support at 859-215-7979 the press 3.

The Hays High girls and Wellington play in one of the highest profile games in the state on Friday afternoon. The game is in the championship semifinals of the Colby Orange &amp; Black Classic.

#8-5A Hays(10-0) and #1-4A Wellington(10-0) both picked up double digit wins over their opponents in the first round. Wellington was the 4A State Runner-Up in 2024. Hays and Wellington are both at the top of their respective sub-state standings heading into the matchup.

Winner of this game will play in the championship game on Saturday.

Tip-off is set for 3:00 p.m. on the Hays High Sports Network.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694699014932.jpeg" alt="HHS Listen Live" />
 <figcaption>HHS Listen Live</figcaption>
 </figure>#8-5A Hays High vs #1-4A Wellington Friday, Jan. 24th – 3:00 p.m.&nbsp; Colby, Kan. - Colby Events CenterRadio: KFIX (96.9)&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video: Hays High Sports Network <a href="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/2051592">CLICK HERE TO WATCH $$</a>There have been some reported issues logging in. Please contact Hudl support at 859-215-7979 the press 3.The Hays High girls and Wellington play in one of the highest profile games in the state on Friday afternoon. The game is in the championship semifinals of the Colby Orange &amp; Black Classic.#8-5A Hays(10-0) and #1-4A Wellington(10-0) both picked up double digit wins over their opponents in the first round. Wellington was the 4A State Runner-Up in 2024. Hays and Wellington are both at the top of their respective sub-state standings heading into the matchup.Winner of this game will play in the championship game on Saturday.Tip-off is set for 3:00 p.m. on the Hays High Sports Network.

🏀🎥 Hays girls to face Wellington in battle of unbeatens

Curtis Hammeke, Fort Hays State University Director of Athletics, announced he will retire from his position effective in June of 2025. Hammeke will complete 21 years of service in his role at Fort Hays State at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. He has had a major impact on Fort Hays State's continued athletic success at the NCAA Division II level, while also making a tremendous impact on the community of Hays in his time as an administrator, coach, and student-athlete at FHSU.

A native of Great Bend, Kansas, Hammeke has spent nearly three decades at Fort Hays State University. His time began as a baseball student-athlete in the mid-1980s followed by five years as head coach of the Tiger baseball team from 1991-1996. He is currently in his 21st year of service as Director of Athletics for the Tigers, running from 2004-2025. He received his bachelor's degree from Fort Hays State University in Physical Education in 1985 and then completed his master's degree in Athletic Administration in 1993.

"Having spent the vast majority of my adult life engaged with this university, I'm thankful for the many opportunities I've been given as a student-athlete, baseball coach, and as director of athletics. I will always be grateful for the relationships developed through the years, and the people I've worked alongside both internally and externally," said Hammeke.

In Hammeke's time as Director of Athletics, Fort Hays State has enjoyed a total of 22 team conference titles in all sports combined since 2004. Numerous individual conference titles were also won on his watch. Hammeke was instrumental in FHSU's transition from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in 2006 to its current affiliation with the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), one of the most competitive NCAA Division II conferences nationally. Twenty of the 22 conference titles under Hammeke have been during the Tigers' membership with the MIAA. Current head coaches Chris Brown (football), Mark Johnson (men's basketball), Adrian Pilkington (softball), and Brian Flax (women's tennis), along with former head coaches Tony Hobson (women's basketball), Brett Parker (men's soccer), Craig Shaw (women's soccer), and Chas Thompson (men's wrestling) all set new records for wins at FHSU in their respective sports under Hammeke's guidance.

Fort Hays State served as host of several NCAA postseason events during Hammeke's 21 years of service, several based on the success of Fort Hays State's teams. FHSU was host of the NCAA Central Regional in women's basketball three times after the team earned the No. 1 seed (2015, 2019, 2022). Football hosted an NCAA playoff game in 2017 as the super region's No. 1 seed following an undefeated regular season. Softball also hosted an NCAA regional in 2013 as the No. 1 seed. FHSU was also selected as a regional host in men's wrestling and cross country within the last 21 years.

Fort Hays State Athletics has seen numerous facility upgrades over the past couple of decades thanks to Hammeke's guidance and the generous contributions and donations from the Tiger community. FHSU Soccer Stadium (2011), Schmidt-Bickle Indoor Training Facility (2013), FHSU Track and Field Facility (2016), and the ongoing construction of the Bickle-Schmidt Athletic Complex (projected for late 2025) highlight the new facilities built for Tiger Athletics during his time at the helm. He also orchestrated numerous upgrades to existing facilities, including Lewis Field Stadium, Gross Memorial Coliseum, Larks Park, Fleharty Family Field, and FHSU Tennis Courts. Several of the upgrades include chairback seating for fans, replacement of playing surfaces, videoboards and scoreboards, locker rooms, lighting, fencing, study space for student-athletes, and various other improvements to current infrastructure.

Hammeke has made a huge impact by making a strong connection with members of the Tiger community and working with several individuals who have made generous donations and contributions to FHSU Athletics. He created the existing Difference Makers group for FHSU Athletics, a group of families and individuals who have made major contributions to help fund major upgrades and improvements at FHSU. He was also instrumental in creating the annual Tiger Auction and Dinner, a highly-popular fundraising event among Tiger supporters held each summer. The Tiger Auction and Dinner, currently organized by Assistant Athletic Director Matt Cook, celebrated its 15th year in 2024.

Fort Hays State Athletics has also seen the addition of three new sports during Hammeke's post, which included men's and women's soccer in 2011 and women's wrestling in 2023, going from 16 to 19 intercollegiate sports overall. With the additional sports, Fort Hays State now has over 500 student-athletes competing annually at the NCAA Division II level.

Hammeke has built and provided strong stability for FHSU Athletics in his time at the helm. Five of the current members of the Athletic Administration Staff have served in their roles for at least 11 years, including one spanning two decades. The sports of football, men's basketball, women's basketball, men's wrestling, softball, tennis, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's track and field, and women's golf have all seen tenures of head coaches last more than a decade under Hammeke's guidance. Five of those head coaches are still in their positions today and three of the five have coached at least 20 years at FHSU.

"It is with a profound sense of gratitude and admiration that I recognize Curtis Hammeke's exceptional contributions as our Director of Athletics," said President of Fort Hays State University Dr. Tisa Mason. "Over the past 21 years, Curtis has not only elevated our athletic programs to remarkable heights, but also fostered a deep sense of community and connection with our student-athletes, coaches, and supporters. Working alongside Curtis has been an honor and a privilege. His dedication and vision have shaped the strong foundation we enjoy today, and his leadership will be greatly missed. I extend my heartfelt wishes for a fulfilling and joyful retirement and thank him for his years of service and the legacy he leaves behind."

Hammeke has enjoyed a lifetime of contributions to collegiate athletics in the state of Kansas. Following his graduation from FHSU in 1985, he served as Assistant Baseball Coach and Sports Information Director at Barton (Kan.) Community College from 1987 to 1991. Barton is where his journey as a collegiate student-athlete and administrator began in the early 1980s, surrounding his two years as a student-athlete at Fort Hays State University. Following his five years as head baseball coach at FHSU, Hammeke was Director of Athletics at Great Bend High School for two years and then took his first collegiate Director of Athletics position at Butler (Kan.) Community College from 1998 to 2003. Butler won a pair of football national championships at the junior college level on Hammeke's watch. He spent one year as Director of Athletics at Newman University in 2003-04 before returning to Hays to serve the last 21 years in his current role. In 2017, Hammeke was inducted into the Barton Community College Sports Hall of Fame for his time as both a player and coach at the institution.

Curtis and his wife Annette are blessed with three children, Father Andy Hammeke and Alicia Knight currently residing in Hays, and Nick Hammeke currently residing in Kansas City. All three were student-athletes and graduates of Fort Hays State University and have enjoyed great success in their lives beyond FHSU. Alicia and husband Kegan have four children – Emery, Kollins, Kolter, and Turner, while Nick and wife Olivia have one son – Jack.

"It is with a great sense of gratitude that I reflect on the last 30 years," Hammeke said. "The two cornerstones of my career have been the ongoing growth of my Catholic faith and the supportive presence of my wife Annette. We've been extremely blessed with our children, their spouses, and our grandchildren. Words can't describe what they all mean to us. Beyond faith and family, it is Fort Hays State University that I'm most grateful for. There's a certain degree of apprehension, along with excitement, which coincide with not knowing exactly what the next chapter of our lives will encompass. But regardless, I will cherish forever my time spent here with all the amazing people who work tirelessly on a mission to 'Defend the Fort.'"

Fort Hays State University will begin a nationwide search for its next Director of Athletics immediately.

Individuals interested in applying or sharing information about the position can access the link to the job posting here.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737742115838.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsCurtis Hammeke, Fort Hays State University Director of Athletics, announced he will retire from his position effective in June of 2025. Hammeke will complete 21 years of service in his role at Fort Hays State at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. He has had a major impact on Fort Hays State's continued athletic success at the NCAA Division II level, while also making a tremendous impact on the community of Hays in his time as an administrator, coach, and student-athlete at FHSU.A native of Great Bend, Kansas, Hammeke has spent nearly three decades at Fort Hays State University. His time began as a baseball student-athlete in the mid-1980s followed by five years as head coach of the Tiger baseball team from 1991-1996. He is currently in his 21st year of service as Director of Athletics for the Tigers, running from 2004-2025. He received his bachelor's degree from Fort Hays State University in Physical Education in 1985 and then completed his master's degree in Athletic Administration in 1993."Having spent the vast majority of my adult life engaged with this university, I'm thankful for the many opportunities I've been given as a student-athlete, baseball coach, and as director of athletics. I will always be grateful for the relationships developed through the years, and the people I've worked alongside both internally and externally," said Hammeke.In Hammeke's time as Director of Athletics, Fort Hays State has enjoyed a total of 22 team conference titles in all sports combined since 2004. Numerous individual conference titles were also won on his watch. Hammeke was instrumental in FHSU's transition from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in 2006 to its current affiliation with the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), one of the most competitive NCAA Division II conferences nationally. Twenty of the 22 conference titles under Hammeke have been during the Tigers' membership with the MIAA. Current head coaches Chris Brown (football), Mark Johnson (men's basketball), Adrian Pilkington (softball), and Brian Flax (women's tennis), along with former head coaches Tony Hobson (women's basketball), Brett Parker (men's soccer), Craig Shaw (women's soccer), and Chas Thompson (men's wrestling) all set new records for wins at FHSU in their respective sports under Hammeke's guidance.Fort Hays State served as host of several NCAA postseason events during Hammeke's 21 years of service, several based on the success of Fort Hays State's teams. FHSU was host of the NCAA Central Regional in women's basketball three times after the team earned the No. 1 seed (2015, 2019, 2022). Football hosted an NCAA playoff game in 2017 as the super region's No. 1 seed following an undefeated regular season. Softball also hosted an NCAA regional in 2013 as the No. 1 seed. FHSU was also selected as a regional host in men's wrestling and cross country within the last 21 years.Fort Hays State Athletics has seen numerous facility upgrades over the past couple of decades thanks to Hammeke's guidance and the generous contributions and donations from the Tiger community. FHSU Soccer Stadium (2011), Schmidt-Bickle Indoor Training Facility (2013), FHSU Track and Field Facility (2016), and the ongoing construction of the Bickle-Schmidt Athletic Complex (projected for late 2025) highlight the new facilities built for Tiger Athletics during his time at the helm. He also orchestrated numerous upgrades to existing facilities, including Lewis Field Stadium, Gross Memorial Coliseum, Larks Park, Fleharty Family Field, and FHSU Tennis Courts. Several of the upgrades include chairback seating for fans, replacement of playing surfaces, videoboards and scoreboards, locker rooms, lighting, fencing, study space for student-athletes, and various other improvements to current infrastructure.Hammeke has made a huge impact by making a strong connection with members of the Tiger community and working with several individuals who have made generous donations and contributions to FHSU Athletics. He created the existing Difference Makers group for FHSU Athletics, a group of families and individuals who have made major contributions to help fund major upgrades and improvements at FHSU. He was also instrumental in creating the annual Tiger Auction and Dinner, a highly-popular fundraising event among Tiger supporters held each summer. The Tiger Auction and Dinner, currently organized by Assistant Athletic Director Matt Cook, celebrated its 15th year in 2024.Fort Hays State Athletics has also seen the addition of three new sports during Hammeke's post, which included men's and women's soccer in 2011 and women's wrestling in 2023, going from 16 to 19 intercollegiate sports overall. With the additional sports, Fort Hays State now has over 500 student-athletes competing annually at the NCAA Division II level.Hammeke has built and provided strong stability for FHSU Athletics in his time at the helm. Five of the current members of the Athletic Administration Staff have served in their roles for at least 11 years, including one spanning two decades. The sports of football, men's basketball, women's basketball, men's wrestling, softball, tennis, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's track and field, and women's golf have all seen tenures of head coaches last more than a decade under Hammeke's guidance. Five of those head coaches are still in their positions today and three of the five have coached at least 20 years at FHSU."It is with a profound sense of gratitude and admiration that I recognize Curtis Hammeke's exceptional contributions as our Director of Athletics," said President of Fort Hays State University Dr. Tisa Mason. "Over the past 21 years, Curtis has not only elevated our athletic programs to remarkable heights, but also fostered a deep sense of community and connection with our student-athletes, coaches, and supporters. Working alongside Curtis has been an honor and a privilege. His dedication and vision have shaped the strong foundation we enjoy today, and his leadership will be greatly missed. I extend my heartfelt wishes for a fulfilling and joyful retirement and thank him for his years of service and the legacy he leaves behind."Hammeke has enjoyed a lifetime of contributions to collegiate athletics in the state of Kansas. Following his graduation from FHSU in 1985, he served as Assistant Baseball Coach and Sports Information Director at Barton (Kan.) Community College from 1987 to 1991. Barton is where his journey as a collegiate student-athlete and administrator began in the early 1980s, surrounding his two years as a student-athlete at Fort Hays State University. Following his five years as head baseball coach at FHSU, Hammeke was Director of Athletics at Great Bend High School for two years and then took his first collegiate Director of Athletics position at Butler (Kan.) Community College from 1998 to 2003. Butler won a pair of football national championships at the junior college level on Hammeke's watch. He spent one year as Director of Athletics at Newman University in 2003-04 before returning to Hays to serve the last 21 years in his current role. In 2017, Hammeke was inducted into the Barton Community College Sports Hall of Fame for his time as both a player and coach at the institution.Curtis and his wife Annette are blessed with three children, Father Andy Hammeke and Alicia Knight currently residing in Hays, and Nick Hammeke currently residing in Kansas City. All three were student-athletes and graduates of Fort Hays State University and have enjoyed great success in their lives beyond FHSU. Alicia and husband Kegan have four children – Emery, Kollins, Kolter, and Turner, while Nick and wife Olivia have one son – Jack."It is with a great sense of gratitude that I reflect on the last 30 years," Hammeke said. "The two cornerstones of my career have been the ongoing growth of my Catholic faith and the supportive presence of my wife Annette. We've been extremely blessed with our children, their spouses, and our grandchildren. Words can't describe what they all mean to us. Beyond faith and family, it is Fort Hays State University that I'm most grateful for. There's a certain degree of apprehension, along with excitement, which coincide with not knowing exactly what the next chapter of our lives will encompass. But regardless, I will cherish forever my time spent here with all the amazing people who work tirelessly on a mission to 'Defend the Fort.'"Fort Hays State University will begin a nationwide search for its next Director of Athletics immediately.Individuals interested in applying or sharing information about the position can access the link to the job posting here.

Hammeke announces retirement from Director of Athletics position; Set for June 2025

Friday, January 24
 KFIX: Hays High WBKB vs. Wellington, 2:40pm KFIX: Hays High MBKB vs. Colby, approx. 7:55pm

Saturday, January 25
 KFIX: Hays High WBKB (if
lose 1/23) vs. TBD, 12:40pm
 KJLS: Fort Hays State WMBKB at Central Oklahoma, 1:05pm KFIX: Hays High MBKB (if lose 1/23) vs. TBD, 2:10pm
 KHAZ: TMP-Marian WMBKB vs. Russell/Oakley, approx. 2:10pm
 KFIX: Hays High WBKB (if win 1/23) vs. TBD, 3:40pm
 KAYS: Kansas MBKB vs. Houston, 4:00pm
 KFIX: Hays High MBKB (if win 1/23) vs. TBD, 5:40pm Sunday, January 26
 KFIX: Kansas City
Chiefs vs. Buffalo (national broadcast), 5:30pm

Friday, January 24
 KFIX: Hays High WBKB vs. Wellington, 2:40pm KFIX: Hays High MBKB vs. Colby, approx. 7:55pmSaturday, January 25
 KFIX: Hays High WBKB (if
lose 1/23) vs. TBD, 12:40pm
 KJLS: Fort Hays State WMBKB at Central Oklahoma, 1:05pm KFIX: Hays High MBKB (if lose 1/23) vs. TBD, 2:10pm
 KHAZ: TMP-Marian WMBKB vs. Russell/Oakley, approx. 2:10pm
 KFIX: Hays High WBKB (if win 1/23) vs. TBD, 3:40pm
 KAYS: Kansas MBKB vs. Houston, 4:00pm
 KFIX: Hays High MBKB (if win 1/23) vs. TBD, 5:40pm Sunday, January 26
 KFIX: Kansas City
Chiefs vs. Buffalo (national broadcast), 5:30pm

🎧 Eagle Radio, Hull sports broadcast schedule

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Alysa Liu wore the smudge of blood on her dress at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships on Thursday night like a poignant badge of honor, symbolic of everything she has gone through over the past few years.

The 19-year-old has been through some battles.

The youngest American champion ever when she triumphed at 13, and then defended her title the next year, Liu walked away from the sport in 2022 content with her career. She had done everything that everyone had ever asked of her, and she was more than ready to move on to the next phase of her life, which meant enrolling at UCLA to study psychology.

But then, early last year, Liu decided to mount a comeback. And with the bright lights shining again, Liu delivered a brilliant and breathtaking short program in her return to nationals, scoring 76.36 points to take a solid lead over two-time U.S. champ Bradie Tennell and defending champion Amber Glenn heading into Friday night's free skate.

“I was emotional from the very beginning to the end,” said Liu, who had nicked the palm of her hand when she grasped her skate blade especially hard during the program. “And I really loved that for me, and I felt very connected to the ice.”

In the pairs competition earlier in the night, Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea scored 77.19 points in a near-flawless short program. It was more than four points better than their best in international competition, and put Kam and O’Shea more than eight ahead of second-place Emily Chan and Spencer Howe heading into Saturday night’s free skate.

This year’s nationals, just over a year out from the Milano-Cortina Games, should help identify the front-runners for the squad the U.S. sends to Italy. It also will go a long way toward deciding the U.S. team for the world championships, which are returning to American soil for the first time in nine years this March in Boston.

Who would have thought Liu might be there?

“I don’t remember the first time I won (nationals) or like, the feeling of it, honestly,” said Liu, who got back on the ice after a ski trip, when she realized had she missed the adrenaline of competing. “It feels like a different lifetime. And when I’ve seen like, old videos of me, it’s like that wasn’t me, you know what I’m saying? But it was, obviously. It was just so long ago.”

Liu's score Thursday night would have been the third highest in international competition this season, and it was more than five points clear of Tennell, who scored 71.23 to land in second. Glenn scored 70.91 after a mistake on her combination jump.

Tennell was still pleased with her performance, especially given the foot and ankle injuries that have hobbled her for years.

“It felt amazing,” she said. “This program is so lively and so energetic and so much fun for me to perform, and there's nothing like performing for your home country. Nationals always feels like coming home. And I'm very happy.”

The 25-year-old Glenn wasn't nearly as pleased, especially after a season in which she won every competition she entered.

“I didn't feel the attack or adrenaline going out there today," Glenn said. “I came into this event trained and ready but definitely more fatigued and not quite as — I'm trying to find a word for it — exhilarated as I'd like to be.”

Kam and O'Shea, who were fifth at the Grand Prix Final last month, opened their short program with a clean triple twist before landing side-by-side triple salchows. But it was their throw triple loop that highlighted their program, and Kam and O'Shea both knew it when their music came to an end — she punched both of her fists and he punched one of his own.

And their moms, who had clenched hands while watching from the stands, finally exhaled and celebrated.

“My mom and I share some high anxiety in pressure moments. I think she knows what I feel,” Kam said, “but being able to see them on the big screen, it's just really special for them to come to these events with us.”

Chan and Howe, the 2023 silver medalists at nationals, scored 69.10 points for their program to Lara Fabian's cover of “Je Suis Malade." The score was dragged down just a bit by a noticeable wobble going into their lift midway through.

Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, the reigning silver medalists, were right behind Chan and Howe with 69.03 points.

“We were both really happy with how we felt out there,” said Chan, who dealt with a concussion earlier this season that limited the amount of time the pair could spend on the ice. “We put our heads together and really made a lot of improvement and felt we were really happy with our training, and we wanted to put it out here tonight.”

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737687208394.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Alysa Liu wore the smudge of blood on her dress at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships on Thursday night like a poignant badge of honor, symbolic of everything she has gone through over the past few years.The 19-year-old has been through some battles.The youngest American champion ever when she triumphed at 13, and then defended her title the next year, Liu walked away from the sport in 2022 content with her career. She had done everything that everyone had ever asked of her, and she was more than ready to move on to the next phase of her life, which meant enrolling at UCLA to study psychology.But then, early last year, Liu decided to mount a comeback. And with the bright lights shining again, Liu delivered a brilliant and breathtaking short program in her return to nationals, scoring 76.36 points to take a solid lead over two-time U.S. champ Bradie Tennell and defending champion Amber Glenn heading into Friday night's free skate.“I was emotional from the very beginning to the end,” said Liu, who had nicked the palm of her hand when she grasped her skate blade especially hard during the program. “And I really loved that for me, and I felt very connected to the ice.”In the pairs competition earlier in the night, Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea scored 77.19 points in a near-flawless short program. It was more than four points better than their best in international competition, and put Kam and O’Shea more than eight ahead of second-place Emily Chan and Spencer Howe heading into Saturday night’s free skate.This year’s nationals, just over a year out from the Milano-Cortina Games, should help identify the front-runners for the squad the U.S. sends to Italy. It also will go a long way toward deciding the U.S. team for the world championships, which are returning to American soil for the first time in nine years this March in Boston.Who would have thought Liu might be there?“I don’t remember the first time I won (nationals) or like, the feeling of it, honestly,” said Liu, who got back on the ice after a ski trip, when she realized had she missed the adrenaline of competing. “It feels like a different lifetime. And when I’ve seen like, old videos of me, it’s like that wasn’t me, you know what I’m saying? But it was, obviously. It was just so long ago.”Liu's score Thursday night would have been the third highest in international competition this season, and it was more than five points clear of Tennell, who scored 71.23 to land in second. Glenn scored 70.91 after a mistake on her combination jump.Tennell was still pleased with her performance, especially given the foot and ankle injuries that have hobbled her for years.“It felt amazing,” she said. “This program is so lively and so energetic and so much fun for me to perform, and there's nothing like performing for your home country. Nationals always feels like coming home. And I'm very happy.”The 25-year-old Glenn wasn't nearly as pleased, especially after a season in which she won every competition she entered.“I didn't feel the attack or adrenaline going out there today," Glenn said. “I came into this event trained and ready but definitely more fatigued and not quite as — I'm trying to find a word for it — exhilarated as I'd like to be.”Kam and O'Shea, who were fifth at the Grand Prix Final last month, opened their short program with a clean triple twist before landing side-by-side triple salchows. But it was their throw triple loop that highlighted their program, and Kam and O'Shea both knew it when their music came to an end — she punched both of her fists and he punched one of his own.And their moms, who had clenched hands while watching from the stands, finally exhaled and celebrated.“My mom and I share some high anxiety in pressure moments. I think she knows what I feel,” Kam said, “but being able to see them on the big screen, it's just really special for them to come to these events with us.”Chan and Howe, the 2023 silver medalists at nationals, scored 69.10 points for their program to Lara Fabian's cover of “Je Suis Malade." The score was dragged down just a bit by a noticeable wobble going into their lift midway through.Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, the reigning silver medalists, were right behind Chan and Howe with 69.03 points.“We were both really happy with how we felt out there,” said Chan, who dealt with a concussion earlier this season that limited the amount of time the pair could spend on the ice. “We put our heads together and really made a lot of improvement and felt we were really happy with our training, and we wanted to put it out here tonight.”

Alysa Liu returns from 2-year absence and leads at US Championships in Wichita

CLAREMORE, Okla. – Fort Hays State picked up its first win in five tries at the Claremore Expo Center, defeating Rogers State 74-63 on Thursday evening. The big road win against a solid opponent pushed the Tigers to 13-4 overall and 6-2 in the MIAA, now alone in second place in the MIAA standings. Rogers State moved to 14-7 overall and 5-4 in the MIAA.

Just a little after the teams played to a 10-10 tie by the first media break of the contest, Fort Hays State used an 8-0 run to turn a one-point lead into a nine-point lead at 25-16 before a Hillcat 3-point field goal snapped the run. Between the 3:00 and 1:00 marks of the first half Lucas Hammeke&nbsp;hit back-to-back 3-point field goals to push a six-point lead to 12 for the Tigers, their largest of the first half, before they went into halftime with a seven-point lead of 34-27. 

Rogers State scored the first basket of the second half to cut the lead down to five, but over a two-minute span between the 18 and 15-minute marks the Tigers went on a 9-2 run to push their lead to 13. Following that run, the Tigers kept their lead in double figures all the way to the 1:00 mark when it dipped down to nine. But, a pair of Kaleb Hammeke&nbsp;free throws pushed it back up into double figures for good.

Grill led the Tigers in scoring for the evening with 20 points, just one off his career high of 21 set earlier this season. He played all 40 minutes of the game and did nearly half of his damage at the free-throw line, where he was 9-of-10. He added a 3-of-6 effort beyond the 3-point line. Grill tied his career high in rebounds with seven.

Davis and Shaun Riley&nbsp;each scored 13 points for the Tigers, while Kaleb Hammeke&nbsp;stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points alongside a team-high nine rebounds and five assists. FHSU's starters combined for 61 of the team's 74 points, while Lucas Hammeke&nbsp;provided eight points off the bench.

Fort Hays State shot 42.3 percent from the field and nearly matched the percentage beyond the 3-point line at 42.1 percent (8-of-19). Both teams hit 22 free throws in the game, FHSU going 22-of-28 and RSU going 22-of-27. RSU finished at 41.3 percent from the field overall, but the Tigers held the Hillcats to just 3-of-15 beyond the 3-point line.

Fort Hays State dominated on the boards, outrebounding RSU 34-21. The Tigers held a 13-3 advantage in second-chance points after pulling down 10 offensive rebounds and holding the Hillcats to just one offensive board. FHSU committed just five turnovers, which tied its season low.

Anthony Marshall, Jr. led the Hillcats with 16 points, followed by Jabryn Anderson with 14 and Caden Fry with 11.

Fort Hays State will face Central Oklahoma on Saturday in Edmond. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. at Hamilton Field House. The Bronchos have won two straight, now 10-8 overall on the season and 4-5 in MIAA play.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
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 </figure>FHSU AthleticsCLAREMORE, Okla. – Fort Hays State picked up its first win in five tries at the Claremore Expo Center, defeating Rogers State 74-63 on Thursday evening. The big road win against a solid opponent pushed the Tigers to 13-4 overall and 6-2 in the MIAA, now alone in second place in the MIAA standings. Rogers State moved to 14-7 overall and 5-4 in the MIAA.<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2016938019&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/mark-johnson-postgame" title="Mark Johnson Postgame at Rogers State (January 23, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Mark Johnson Postgame at Rogers State (January 23, 2025)</a></div></div>Just a little after the teams played to a 10-10 tie by the first media break of the contest, Fort Hays State used an 8-0 run to turn a one-point lead into a nine-point lead at 25-16 before a Hillcat 3-point field goal snapped the run. Between the 3:00 and 1:00 marks of the first half Lucas Hammeke&nbsp;hit back-to-back 3-point field goals to push a six-point lead to 12 for the Tigers, their largest of the first half, before they went into halftime with a seven-point lead of 34-27. Rogers State scored the first basket of the second half to cut the lead down to five, but over a two-minute span between the 18 and 15-minute marks the Tigers went on a 9-2 run to push their lead to 13. Following that run, the Tigers kept their lead in double figures all the way to the 1:00 mark when it dipped down to nine. But, a pair of Kaleb Hammeke&nbsp;free throws pushed it back up into double figures for good.<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2016937703&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/kyle-grill-postgame-interview" title="Kyle Grill Postgame at Rogers State (January 23, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Kyle Grill Postgame at Rogers State (January 23, 2025)</a></div></div>Grill led the Tigers in scoring for the evening with 20 points, just one off his career high of 21 set earlier this season. He played all 40 minutes of the game and did nearly half of his damage at the free-throw line, where he was 9-of-10. He added a 3-of-6 effort beyond the 3-point line. Grill tied his career high in rebounds with seven.Davis and Shaun Riley&nbsp;each scored 13 points for the Tigers, while Kaleb Hammeke&nbsp;stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points alongside a team-high nine rebounds and five assists. FHSU's starters combined for 61 of the team's 74 points, while Lucas Hammeke&nbsp;provided eight points off the bench.Fort Hays State shot 42.3 percent from the field and nearly matched the percentage beyond the 3-point line at 42.1 percent (8-of-19). Both teams hit 22 free throws in the game, FHSU going 22-of-28 and RSU going 22-of-27. RSU finished at 41.3 percent from the field overall, but the Tigers held the Hillcats to just 3-of-15 beyond the 3-point line.<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2016935811&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/fhsu-mbkb-highlights-vs-rogers-state-jan-23rd-25" title="Fort Hays State MBB Highlights at Rogers State (January 25, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State MBB Highlights at Rogers State (January 25, 2025)</a></div></div>Fort Hays State dominated on the boards, outrebounding RSU 34-21. The Tigers held a 13-3 advantage in second-chance points after pulling down 10 offensive rebounds and holding the Hillcats to just one offensive board. FHSU committed just five turnovers, which tied its season low.Anthony Marshall, Jr. led the Hillcats with 16 points, followed by Jabryn Anderson with 14 and Caden Fry with 11.UP NEXTFort Hays State will face Central Oklahoma on Saturday in Edmond. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. at Hamilton Field House. The Bronchos have won two straight, now 10-8 overall on the season and 4-5 in MIAA play.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Tiger men defeat Hillcats for first ever win in Claremore

GIRLS PREP BASKETBALL Olpe 48, Madison 34 Scott City 46, Hugoton 34 Topeka Seaman 59, De Soto 44 Bill Hanson Invitational Carthage, Mo. 35, Pittsburg 28 Olathe North 54, Webster Groves, Mo. 40 Colby Orange and Black Colby 61, Olathe East 30 Hays 54, Goodland 31 Wellington 74, Concordia 24 Eli J. Walter Invitational Berean Academy 43, Wichita Classical 35 Hoisington Winter Jam Hoisington 57, Victoria 39 LaCrosse 47, Otis-Bison 21 Hi-Plains League Tournament Deerfield 46, Elkhart 42 Syracuse 52, Sublette 19 Southwestern Hts. 49, Lakin 38 Ken Holt Memorial Classic Fredonia 52, Erie 49 Mid-Continent League Tournament TMP-Marian 38, Norton 29 Trego 38, Hill City 15 Ralph Miller Classic Wichita Sunrise 72, Louisburg 53 Reno County Shootout Fairfield 62, Chase 23 Salina Invitational Andover 81, Junction City 16 Twin Valley League Tournament Centralia 62, Doniphan West 34 Valley Heights 67, Hanover 54 Axtell 56, Linn 46 Washington County 38, Onaga 32

BOYS PREP BASKETBALL Burlingame 59, Marais des Cygnes Valley 25 Adolph Rupp Classic Liberal 67, Halstead 61 Bluestem Classic Emporia 72, Wichita Trinity 46 Kapaun Mount Carmel 83, El Dorado 14 Wichita Collegiate 70, Arkansas City 42 Chaparral Classic Conway Springs 70, Belle Plaine 37 Colby Orange and Black Classic Goodland 62, Pine Creek, Colo. 50 Hays 51, Concordia 31 Dodge City Tournament of Champions Junction City 50, Wichita Bishop Carroll 36 Wichita Heights 51, Maize South 37 Eli J. Walter Invitational Elyria Christian 35, Berean Academy 32 Frontenac Classic Fair Grove, Mo. 64, Pittsburg St Mary's-Colgan 36 Hoisington Winter Jam Ellinwood 60, LaCrosse 42 Minneapolis 52, Otis-Bison 46 Ken Holt Memorial Tournament Oswego 56, Jayhawk Linn 53 McPherson Invitational McPherson 78, Manhattan 53 Mid-Continent League Tournament Oakley 48, Ellis 46 Russell 44, Smith Center 42 (OT) TMP-Marian 56, Phillipsburg 45 Nemaha Central Classic Hiawatha 47, Jackson Heights 43 Marysville 66, Holton 52 St Marys 61, Rock Creek 55 Ralph Miller Classic Wichita Sunrise 64, Wichita Campus 51 Royal Valley Classic Royal Valley 71, Chapman 44 Shawnee Mission West Classic Shawnee Heights 67, SM West 39 Southeast-Cherokee Classic New Heights Christian, Mo. 72, Riverton 69 Sterling Invitational Smoky Valley 62, Kingman 45 Southeast of Saline 69, Hutchinson Trinity 48 Scott City 57, Hugoton 40 Tonganoxie Invitational Eudora 54, Metro Academy 50 Topeka Tournament Highland Park 62, SM North 50 Valley Center Tournament Wichita Northwest 71, Blue Valley 60

Associated PressGIRLS PREP BASKETBALL Olpe 48, Madison 34 Scott City 46, Hugoton 34 Topeka Seaman 59, De Soto 44 Bill Hanson Invitational Carthage, Mo. 35, Pittsburg 28 Olathe North 54, Webster Groves, Mo. 40 Colby Orange and Black Colby 61, Olathe East 30 Hays 54, Goodland 31 Wellington 74, Concordia 24 Eli J. Walter Invitational Berean Academy 43, Wichita Classical 35 Hoisington Winter Jam Hoisington 57, Victoria 39 LaCrosse 47, Otis-Bison 21 Hi-Plains League Tournament Deerfield 46, Elkhart 42 Syracuse 52, Sublette 19 Southwestern Hts. 49, Lakin 38 Ken Holt Memorial Classic Fredonia 52, Erie 49 Mid-Continent League Tournament TMP-Marian 38, Norton 29 Trego 38, Hill City 15 Ralph Miller Classic Wichita Sunrise 72, Louisburg 53 Reno County Shootout Fairfield 62, Chase 23 Salina Invitational Andover 81, Junction City 16 Twin Valley League Tournament Centralia 62, Doniphan West 34 Valley Heights 67, Hanover 54 Axtell 56, Linn 46 Washington County 38, Onaga 32BOYS PREP BASKETBALL Burlingame 59, Marais des Cygnes Valley 25 Adolph Rupp Classic Liberal 67, Halstead 61 Bluestem Classic Emporia 72, Wichita Trinity 46 Kapaun Mount Carmel 83, El Dorado 14 Wichita Collegiate 70, Arkansas City 42 Chaparral Classic Conway Springs 70, Belle Plaine 37 Colby Orange and Black Classic Goodland 62, Pine Creek, Colo. 50 Hays 51, Concordia 31 Dodge City Tournament of Champions Junction City 50, Wichita Bishop Carroll 36 Wichita Heights 51, Maize South 37 Eli J. Walter Invitational Elyria Christian 35, Berean Academy 32 Frontenac Classic Fair Grove, Mo. 64, Pittsburg St Mary's-Colgan 36 Hoisington Winter Jam Ellinwood 60, LaCrosse 42 Minneapolis 52, Otis-Bison 46 Ken Holt Memorial Tournament Oswego 56, Jayhawk Linn 53 McPherson Invitational McPherson 78, Manhattan 53 Mid-Continent League Tournament Oakley 48, Ellis 46 Russell 44, Smith Center 42 (OT) TMP-Marian 56, Phillipsburg 45 Nemaha Central Classic Hiawatha 47, Jackson Heights 43 Marysville 66, Holton 52 St Marys 61, Rock Creek 55 Ralph Miller Classic Wichita Sunrise 64, Wichita Campus 51 Royal Valley Classic Royal Valley 71, Chapman 44 Shawnee Mission West Classic Shawnee Heights 67, SM West 39 Southeast-Cherokee Classic New Heights Christian, Mo. 72, Riverton 69 Sterling Invitational Smoky Valley 62, Kingman 45 Southeast of Saline 69, Hutchinson Trinity 48 Scott City 57, Hugoton 40 Tonganoxie Invitational Eudora 54, Metro Academy 50 Topeka Tournament Highland Park 62, SM North 50 Valley Center Tournament Wichita Northwest 71, Blue Valley 60

🏀 Thursday's high school results

COLBY - Goodland has been a thorn in the side of Hays High at the Orange &amp; Black Classic in Colby. The Indians lost three consecutive years to the Cowgirls. Two of those times was in the semifinals and another in the first round.

Thursday Hays defeated Goodland 54-31. The Cowgirls led early on a three pointer and then held an 8-2 advantage three minutes in.

Hays the launched into a 18-1 run that lasted into the second quarter. Jenna Schmeidler scored the first 12 points of that stretch. The Indians led 16-9 after the first quarter and increased the lead to 20-9. Goodland broke a six minute scoring drought with a basket at 20-12.

Hays used a 6-1 spurt to lead 26-13 at halftime.&nbsp;

Hays was never threatened in the second half. The Cowgirls were never closer than 13 points. The Indians led by 18 after three quarters 38-20.&nbsp;

The biggest lead ballooned to 27 points at one time 51-24 before settling for a 54-31 victory.

Hays (10-0) will face #1-4A Wellington in the semifinals at 3:00 Friday. The Hertz Pregame Show starts at 2:40. Goodland (7-4) will play Concordia.

Jenna Schmeidler 15; Annie Humphrey 1; Katie Linenberger 10; Molly Martin 12; Kenlee Winter 0; Morgan Armbruster 5; Jaysa Roa 0; Kinslee Newell 0; Riley Dreher 0; Lynsi Kanak 0; Molly Buckles 6; Zoe Winter 4; Liz Cunningham 1; Rylen Harrington 0.

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays PostCOLBY - Goodland has been a thorn in the side of Hays High at the Orange &amp; Black Classic in Colby. The Indians lost three consecutive years to the Cowgirls. Two of those times was in the semifinals and another in the first round.Thursday Hays defeated Goodland 54-31. The Cowgirls led early on a three pointer and then held an 8-2 advantage three minutes in.Hays the launched into a 18-1 run that lasted into the second quarter. Jenna Schmeidler scored the first 12 points of that stretch. The Indians led 16-9 after the first quarter and increased the lead to 20-9. Goodland broke a six minute scoring drought with a basket at 20-12.Hays used a 6-1 spurt to lead 26-13 at halftime.&nbsp;Highlights<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2016888747&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/1-23-25-hhs-wbkb-highlights-v-goodland" title="1 - 23 - 25 HHS WBKB Highlights V. Goodland" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">1 - 23 - 25 HHS WBKB Highlights V. Goodland</a></div></div>Hays was never threatened in the second half. The Cowgirls were never closer than 13 points. The Indians led by 18 after three quarters 38-20.&nbsp;The biggest lead ballooned to 27 points at one time 51-24 before settling for a 54-31 victory.Coach Len Melvin<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2016888603&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/1-23-25-hhs-wbkb-coach-interview-v-goodland" title="1 - 23 - 25 HHS WBKB Coach Interview V. Goodland" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">1 - 23 - 25 HHS WBKB Coach Interview V. Goodland</a></div></div>Hays (10-0) will face #1-4A Wellington in the semifinals at 3:00 Friday. The Hertz Pregame Show starts at 2:40. Goodland (7-4) will play Concordia.Jenna Schmeidler 15; Annie Humphrey 1; Katie Linenberger 10; Molly Martin 12; Kenlee Winter 0; Morgan Armbruster 5; Jaysa Roa 0; Kinslee Newell 0; Riley Dreher 0; Lynsi Kanak 0; Molly Buckles 6; Zoe Winter 4; Liz Cunningham 1; Rylen Harrington 0.

🏀 #8 Hays girls advance in Colby tournament

By JONATHAN ZEWYGARDT Hays Post&nbsp;

HAYS - The TMP-Marian boys' and girls' basketball teams earned two wins Thursday in the consolation semifinals of the Mid-Continent League tournament, securing a spot in the fifth-place games Saturday in WaKeeney.&nbsp;

The TMP Lady Monarchs (5-5) used an 11-3 run in the first half and then held off a late Norton rally as they beat the Lady Jays 36-29.

TMP rushed out to an early 6-2 lead thanks to four straight by Brooke Koenigsman. Only to see Norton score five straight for a 7-6 lead.

Claire Schippers was able to give the Monarchs the lead back, scoring four straight putting TMP up 10-7.&nbsp;

The Monarchs led 10-8 after the first quarter.

A Hannah Rose three-point play sparked an 11-3 run to close out the first half and open the third quarter as&nbsp; TMP took a 21-11 lead.

Norton closed within two in the fourth quarter, but the Monarchs secured the victory at the free-throw line, 36-29.

Brooke Koenigsman led all scorers with 10 points and added nine rebounds.&nbsp;

The TMP-M (4-6) boys used a 21-2 run in the second half as they knocked off the Phillipsburg Panthers Thursday 56-45.

TMP scored the game's first six points, and Phillipsburg answered right back with six straight, tying the game at six. It was one of nine different lead changes in the first two before the Monarchs took control with the 21-2 run.&nbsp;

Grant Nehls scored eight points during the run, which was capped off by Will Eck's three-pointers, putting TMP up 45-30 early in the fourth quarter.&nbsp;

Phillipsburg threatened in the fourth quarter, trimming a 15-point TMP lead to seven with under four minutes left in the game, but TMP made their free throws down the stretch and secured a 56-45 victory.

Grant Nehls matched his career-high 18 points and added eight rebounds. Ty Schmeidler added 10 points.

The TMP girls will take on Russell in the fifth-place game at approximately 2:30 p.m.

The boys will play Oakley after the girl's game at the Trego Auxiliary Gym.

By JONATHAN ZEWYGARDT Hays Post&nbsp;HAYS - The TMP-Marian boys' and girls' basketball teams earned two wins Thursday in the consolation semifinals of the Mid-Continent League tournament, securing a spot in the fifth-place games Saturday in WaKeeney.&nbsp;GIRLS: TMP 36, Norton 29The TMP Lady Monarchs (5-5) used an 11-3 run in the first half and then held off a late Norton rally as they beat the Lady Jays 36-29.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2016899179&color=%23294b71&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/01-23-25-coach-john-linn-interview" title="01 - 23 - 25 Coach John Linn Interview" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">01 - 23 - 25 Coach John Linn Interview</a></div></div>TMP rushed out to an early 6-2 lead thanks to four straight by Brooke Koenigsman. Only to see Norton score five straight for a 7-6 lead.Claire Schippers was able to give the Monarchs the lead back, scoring four straight putting TMP up 10-7.&nbsp;The Monarchs led 10-8 after the first quarter.A Hannah Rose three-point play sparked an 11-3 run to close out the first half and open the third quarter as&nbsp; TMP took a 21-11 lead.Norton closed within two in the fourth quarter, but the Monarchs secured the victory at the free-throw line, 36-29.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2016899235&color=%23294b71&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/01-23-25-tmp-wbkb-vs-norton-highlights" title="01 - 23 - 25 TMP WBKB Vs Norton Highlights" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">01 - 23 - 25 TMP WBKB Vs Norton Highlights</a></div></div>Brooke Koenigsman led all scorers with 10 points and added nine rebounds.&nbsp;BOYS: TMP 56, Phillipsburg 45The TMP-M (4-6) boys used a 21-2 run in the second half as they knocked off the Phillipsburg Panthers Thursday 56-45.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2016899203&color=%23294b71&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/01-23-25-tmp-coach-bill-meagher-interview" title="01 - 23 - 25 TMP Coach Bill Meagher Interview" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">01 - 23 - 25 TMP Coach Bill Meagher Interview</a></div></div>TMP scored the game's first six points, and Phillipsburg answered right back with six straight, tying the game at six. It was one of nine different lead changes in the first two before the Monarchs took control with the 21-2 run.&nbsp;Grant Nehls scored eight points during the run, which was capped off by Will Eck's three-pointers, putting TMP up 45-30 early in the fourth quarter.&nbsp;Phillipsburg threatened in the fourth quarter, trimming a 15-point TMP lead to seven with under four minutes left in the game, but TMP made their free throws down the stretch and secured a 56-45 victory.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2016899203&color=%23294b71&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/01-23-25-tmp-coach-bill-meagher-interview" title="01 - 23 - 25 TMP Coach Bill Meagher Interview" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">01 - 23 - 25 TMP Coach Bill Meagher Interview</a></div></div>Grant Nehls matched his career-high 18 points and added eight rebounds. Ty Schmeidler added 10 points.The TMP girls will take on Russell in the fifth-place game at approximately 2:30 p.m.The boys will play Oakley after the girl's game at the Trego Auxiliary Gym.

🏀TMP girls and boys pick up MCL tournament wins; will play for 5th

CLAREMORE, Okla. - The 11th-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team shook off a slow start to pick up another double-digit win on Thursday, defeating Rogers State on the road 60-50. The Tigers improve to 15-2 overall and 6-2 in league play with the win, while the Hillcats are now 7-11 overall and 1-8 in league action.

Katie DeGarmo&nbsp;finished the night with a game-high 18 points, putting her over the 2,000-point plateau for her career. The Maize, Kan. native is just the second player to reach that milestone in program history.

Both teams struggled to light up the scoreboard in the first quarter, with the squads combining to hit just four field goals in the first 10 minutes. FHSU hit three of those, with the Tiger defense holding Rogers State to 1-of-11 shooting while creating seven turnovers in the opening frame.

After leading 9-5 at the end of the first quarter, tied for FHSU's lowest-scoring quarter in a game this season, the Tigers started to get things to fall in the second stanza. DeGarmo, Talexa Weeter&nbsp;and Olivia Hollenbeck&nbsp;all hit a pair of shots in the quarter, helping the Tigers shoot 53.8 percent (7-of-13) after shooting just 23.1 percent (3-of-13) in the opening quarter.

The lead changed hands four times in the first half, with neither side leading by more than four points. The Hillcats led with two minutes to go before halftime, but a jumper from DeGarmo gave the Tigers the lead for good with 1:49 left in the second. FHSU later went into the locker room up 27-23 when Weeter drilled a 3-pointer in the final minute of the half.

Rogers State hung around over the first five minutes of the second half, with the Hillcats trimming the deficit to two points on three separate occasions. Fort Hays State took control after the media timeout, however, with the Tigers finishing the frame on a 10-0 lead to push the lead to 43-31.

DeGarmo helped push the Tigers to the finish line in the fourth quarter, totaling 12 of her game-high 18 points in the final frame after hitting all five of her field goal attempts. In fact, the graduate student finished the game with seven-consecutive made shots after missing her first six from the floor.

Weeter contributed 17 points, two steals and two blocks, while Hollenbeck totaled 12 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Kate Dilsaver&nbsp;hit both of her 3-point attempts, helping the senior finish the night with 10 points. Dilsaver and DeGarmo tied for the team lead with four assists, while DeGarmo collected a team-high eight rebounds.

Rogers State outrebounded the Tigers by six, 34-28, just the second time FHSU has been outrebounded this season. The teams combined for 15 offensive rebounds, including 12 by the Tigers, however neither squad was able to record a second chance point.

After hitting just 23.1 percent (3-of-13) from the floor in the opening quarter, the Tigers proceeded to knock down 52.7 percent (19-of-36) over the next 30 minutes to finish the day shooting 44.9 percent (22-of-49). The Tiger defense held Rogers State to a season-low 27.9 percent shooting (17-of-61) and created 20 turnovers.

Fort Hays State's four-game road trip continues on Saturday, January 25 when the Tigers travel to Edmond, Okla. to take on Central Oklahoma beginning at 1:30 p.m. FHSU will then play road games at Washburn and Central Missouri next weekend before returning home on Thursday, February 6 to host Northeastern State

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737694759773.png" alt="FHSU Athletics photo/Gillian Lynch" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo/Gillian Lynch</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsCLAREMORE, Okla. - The 11th-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team shook off a slow start to pick up another double-digit win on Thursday, defeating Rogers State on the road 60-50. The Tigers improve to 15-2 overall and 6-2 in league play with the win, while the Hillcats are now 7-11 overall and 1-8 in league action.<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2016938371&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/talia-khars-postgame-interview-vs-rogers-state-jan-23rd-25-01" title="Talia Kahrs Postgame at Rogers State (January 23, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Talia Kahrs Postgame at Rogers State (January 23, 2025)</a></div></div>Katie DeGarmo&nbsp;finished the night with a game-high 18 points, putting her over the 2,000-point plateau for her career. The Maize, Kan. native is just the second player to reach that milestone in program history.Both teams struggled to light up the scoreboard in the first quarter, with the squads combining to hit just four field goals in the first 10 minutes. FHSU hit three of those, with the Tiger defense holding Rogers State to 1-of-11 shooting while creating seven turnovers in the opening frame.After leading 9-5 at the end of the first quarter, tied for FHSU's lowest-scoring quarter in a game this season, the Tigers started to get things to fall in the second stanza. DeGarmo, Talexa Weeter&nbsp;and Olivia Hollenbeck&nbsp;all hit a pair of shots in the quarter, helping the Tigers shoot 53.8 percent (7-of-13) after shooting just 23.1 percent (3-of-13) in the opening quarter.The lead changed hands four times in the first half, with neither side leading by more than four points. The Hillcats led with two minutes to go before halftime, but a jumper from DeGarmo gave the Tigers the lead for good with 1:49 left in the second. FHSU later went into the locker room up 27-23 when Weeter drilled a 3-pointer in the final minute of the half.Rogers State hung around over the first five minutes of the second half, with the Hillcats trimming the deficit to two points on three separate occasions. Fort Hays State took control after the media timeout, however, with the Tigers finishing the frame on a 10-0 lead to push the lead to 43-31.<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2016936667&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/fhsu-wbkb-highlights-vs-rogers-state-jan-23rd-25" title="#11 Fort Hays State WBB Highlights at Rogers State (January 23, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">#11 Fort Hays State WBB Highlights at Rogers State (January 23, 2025)</a></div></div>DeGarmo helped push the Tigers to the finish line in the fourth quarter, totaling 12 of her game-high 18 points in the final frame after hitting all five of her field goal attempts. In fact, the graduate student finished the game with seven-consecutive made shots after missing her first six from the floor.Weeter contributed 17 points, two steals and two blocks, while Hollenbeck totaled 12 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Kate Dilsaver&nbsp;hit both of her 3-point attempts, helping the senior finish the night with 10 points. Dilsaver and DeGarmo tied for the team lead with four assists, while DeGarmo collected a team-high eight rebounds.Rogers State outrebounded the Tigers by six, 34-28, just the second time FHSU has been outrebounded this season. The teams combined for 15 offensive rebounds, including 12 by the Tigers, however neither squad was able to record a second chance point.After hitting just 23.1 percent (3-of-13) from the floor in the opening quarter, the Tigers proceeded to knock down 52.7 percent (19-of-36) over the next 30 minutes to finish the day shooting 44.9 percent (22-of-49). The Tiger defense held Rogers State to a season-low 27.9 percent shooting (17-of-61) and created 20 turnovers.UP NEXTFort Hays State's four-game road trip continues on Saturday, January 25 when the Tigers travel to Edmond, Okla. to take on Central Oklahoma beginning at 1:30 p.m. FHSU will then play road games at Washburn and Central Missouri next weekend before returning home on Thursday, February 6 to host Northeastern State

🏀 DeGarmo reaches 2,000 points in Tigers win at Rogers State

COLBY - Hays High opened up the 40th Colby Orange &amp; Black Classic with a 51-31 victory against Concordia Thursday afternoon. The Indians are 17-5 in the first round of the tournament.

Hays trailed just once in the game at 2-0 when Concordia scored on the first possession. The Indians took the lead on a 7-0 run midway through the opening quarter. Concordia did cut the lead down to one by the end of the first quarter 7-6.

Hays opened the second quarter with a 6-0 run and closed it with 12-2 run. The Indians led 13-6 after the first run before the Panthers closed it down to one possession at 13-11. Hays closed the half with a 12-2 run that pushed their advantage to 25-13 at halftime. Concordia went scoreless for the last 3:45 of the quarter.

Hays took a 2o point lead in the first two minutes of the third quarter thanks to a 9-0 run. The Indians went scoreless for 3:50 but gave back just seven points. Back-to-back three pointers by the Indians broke the drought and put Hays ahead 40-21.

The lead was 17 heading to the fourth quarter and hovered around 20 for rest of the game with the final at 51-31.&nbsp;

Dawson Ruder recorded his second double-double of the season at 13 points and 14 rebounds. He had the double-double by halftime.

Hays (6-4) has won their last three games. Concordia (6-2) has lost their last two after winning six straight to start the season. Hays will face the winner of Colby and Beloit at 8:15 on Friday evening.

Carter Lang 0; Johnny Cano 11; Trace Jacobs 0; Cooper Lindemeyer 3; Brogan Albers 0; Trey Oakley 3; Tiger Johnson 10; Brody Harmony 0; Izaac Fox 9; Noah Smalley 0; Brecken Otte 0; Dawson Ruder 13; Alex Loving 2.

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays PostCOLBY - Hays High opened up the 40th Colby Orange &amp; Black Classic with a 51-31 victory against Concordia Thursday afternoon. The Indians are 17-5 in the first round of the tournament.Hays trailed just once in the game at 2-0 when Concordia scored on the first possession. The Indians took the lead on a 7-0 run midway through the opening quarter. Concordia did cut the lead down to one by the end of the first quarter 7-6.Hays opened the second quarter with a 6-0 run and closed it with 12-2 run. The Indians led 13-6 after the first run before the Panthers closed it down to one possession at 13-11. Hays closed the half with a 12-2 run that pushed their advantage to 25-13 at halftime. Concordia went scoreless for the last 3:45 of the quarter.Highlights<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2016768487&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/1-23-25-hhs-mbkb-highlights-v-concordia" title="1 - 23 - 25 HHS MBKB Highlights V. Concordia" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">1 - 23 - 25 HHS MBKB Highlights V. Concordia</a></div></div>Hays took a 2o point lead in the first two minutes of the third quarter thanks to a 9-0 run. The Indians went scoreless for 3:50 but gave back just seven points. Back-to-back three pointers by the Indians broke the drought and put Hays ahead 40-21.The lead was 17 heading to the fourth quarter and hovered around 20 for rest of the game with the final at 51-31.&nbsp;Coach Sean Dreiling<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2016768275&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/1-23-25-hhs-mbkb-coach-interview-v-concordia" title="1 - 23 - 25 HHS MBKB Coach Interview V. Concordia" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">1 - 23 - 25 HHS MBKB Coach Interview V. Concordia</a></div></div>Dawson Ruder recorded his second double-double of the season at 13 points and 14 rebounds. He had the double-double by halftime.Hays (6-4) has won their last three games. Concordia (6-2) has lost their last two after winning six straight to start the season. Hays will face the winner of Colby and Beloit at 8:15 on Friday evening.Carter Lang 0; Johnny Cano 11; Trace Jacobs 0; Cooper Lindemeyer 3; Brogan Albers 0; Trey Oakley 3; Tiger Johnson 10; Brody Harmony 0; Izaac Fox 9; Noah Smalley 0; Brecken Otte 0; Dawson Ruder 13; Alex Loving 2.

🏀 Hays boys open tournament play with victory

Hays High School won eight of the 11 events at its own boys’ swim meet Tuesday, bettering its seeding times for the meet in every single championship finish and recording several state-consideration times in the process.

Leading the way for HHS at Fort Hays State University’s Tiger Aquatics Center were senior Marshall Sook and juniors Karsen Flaska and Chase Zadina, who collectively were part of all eight of those championship performances.

Sook won the 50-yard freestyle with a state-qualifying time of 23.46 seconds, finished first in the 100-yard butterfly with a state-consideration time and joined Flaska and Zadina on the first-place 200-yard and 400-yard relay teams.

Flaska won the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard breaststroke. Zadina won the individual 200-yard and 100-yard freestyle races and might have saved his best for last when he anchored the 400-yard freestyle relay to its season-best time in the day's final race.

That winning time of 3 minutes, 49.21 seconds, not only crushed the Indians’ previous-best time by more than 7 seconds but also hit the state-consideration standard for that event.

Completing the foursome for that relay team was sophomore Cedric Durr, who also placed second in the 100-yard backstroke and third in the 50-yard freestyle races.

The final member of the 200-yard relay team was junior Jude Hileman, who also finished runner-up in the 100-yard butterfly and third in the 100-yard backstroke, a performance that helped the Indians claim a 1-2-3 sweep in that event.

Rounding out the list of top-three finishes for the Indians was junior Noah Schaeffer, who finished third in the 100-yard breaststroke, shaving more than 5 seconds off his previous season-best time.

Garden City and Junction City, which fielded enough swimmers to have several entries in each event, finished first and second in team scoring with 496 and 465 points, respectively. Because of their multiple championship efforts, the Indians scored an impressive 449 points to finish third in team scoring.

Next up for the Indians is Tuesday at the Topeka High meet at the Hummer Sports Complex’s Capitol Federal Natatorium in Topeka.

Hays PostHays High School won eight of the 11 events at its own boys’ swim meet Tuesday, bettering its seeding times for the meet in every single championship finish and recording several state-consideration times in the process.Leading the way for HHS at Fort Hays State University’s Tiger Aquatics Center were senior Marshall Sook and juniors Karsen Flaska and Chase Zadina, who collectively were part of all eight of those championship performances.Sook won the 50-yard freestyle with a state-qualifying time of 23.46 seconds, finished first in the 100-yard butterfly with a state-consideration time and joined Flaska and Zadina on the first-place 200-yard and 400-yard relay teams.Flaska won the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard breaststroke. Zadina won the individual 200-yard and 100-yard freestyle races and might have saved his best for last when he anchored the 400-yard freestyle relay to its season-best time in the day's final race.That winning time of 3 minutes, 49.21 seconds, not only crushed the Indians’ previous-best time by more than 7 seconds but also hit the state-consideration standard for that event.Completing the foursome for that relay team was sophomore Cedric Durr, who also placed second in the 100-yard backstroke and third in the 50-yard freestyle races.The final member of the 200-yard relay team was junior Jude Hileman, who also finished runner-up in the 100-yard butterfly and third in the 100-yard backstroke, a performance that helped the Indians claim a 1-2-3 sweep in that event.Rounding out the list of top-three finishes for the Indians was junior Noah Schaeffer, who finished third in the 100-yard breaststroke, shaving more than 5 seconds off his previous season-best time.Garden City and Junction City, which fielded enough swimmers to have several entries in each event, finished first and second in team scoring with 496 and 465 points, respectively. Because of their multiple championship efforts, the Indians scored an impressive 449 points to finish third in team scoring.Next up for the Indians is Tuesday at the Topeka High meet at the Hummer Sports Complex’s Capitol Federal Natatorium in Topeka.

Hays High excels at home swim meet

Fort Hays State (12-4, 5-2 MIAA) at Rogers State (14-6, 5-3 MIAA) Thursday, January 23 • 7:30 p.m. Claremore, Okla. • Claremore Expo Center

Radio:&nbsp;KJLS (103.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video:&nbsp;MIAA Network:&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>

Fort Hays State starts its key four-game road swing at Rogers State University on Thursday night in Claremore, Okla. This is the first of four-straight road games in MIAA play over a two-week span for FHSU. The Tigers enter at 12-4 overall, 5-2 in the MIAA, while the Hillcats are 14-6 overall and 5-3 in the MIAA.

Fort Hays State enters Thursday on a three-game win streak. The Tigers won all three of their games at home over the past couple of weeks, moving up to a second-place tie with Northeastern State in the MIAA standings. Washburn, the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, continues to lead the MIAA with an undefeated overall and conference record. The Tigers are coming off a 72-65 win over Northwest Missouri State this past Saturday, gaining their first regular season sweep of the Bearcats since 2012-13.

Rogers State won its most recent contest, a two-point win over Missouri Southern in Joplin this past Saturday. The Hillcats went up by two with about a minute and a half remaining and neither team scored the rest of the way. The last three wins overall for RSU since January 8 have been by three points or less. The Hillcats are 5-1 at home this season with the only loss occurring back on December 7 to Pittsburg State.

Rogers State holds a slight 5-4 advantage in the all-time series with FHSU, which started in 2019-20 when RSU joined the MIAA. The FHSU men are still in search of their first win in Claremore, where they are 0-4 so far. This will be the only regular season meeting with Rogers State in 2024-25. The teams met only once in the regular season last year, which was also in Claremore. The Hillcats won that contest 76-63.

Kaleb Hammeke&nbsp;is coming off MIAA Men's Basketball Athlete of the Week honors for the second time this season. Last week he averaged 17.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.5 steals per game in FHSU's pair of wins at home. He continues to lead the Tigers at 15.2 points and 4.7 assists per game. He went over 1,800 points in his career in the win over Northwest Missouri State this past Saturday.

Shaun Riley&nbsp;is leading the Tigers in rebounding at 6.9 per game. He adds 10.5 points per game. Riley is coming off his second double-double of the season with a 15-point, 11-rebound effort against Northwest Missouri State. The 11 rebounds were a season high for Riley. Kyle Grill&nbsp;has scored in double figures three-straight games and continues to rank second on the team in scoring at 11.9 points per game. Traejon Davis&nbsp;is coming off a season-high 18 points in the win over Northwest Missouri State.

Fort Hays State continues to lead NCAA Division II in scoring defense, allowing 58.4 points per game. The Tigers lead the category by 1.4 points per game over Miles (Ala.), which allows 59.8 per game and is the only other school allowing less than 60 per game on average. The Tigers rank fifth nationally in field goal percentage defense, allowing an average of 38 percent. The Tigers rank fourth nationally in fewest turnovers per game, averaging 9.3 per contest, which is just 0.5 shy of the national lead of 8.8 held by West Alabama.

Rogers State has three players averaging double figures in scoring, led by Kofi Hamilton at 15.6 points per game. Anthony Marshall, Jr. averages 13.8 per game and Caden Fry adds 11.4 per game.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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 </figure>FHSU AthleticsFort Hays State (12-4, 5-2 MIAA) at Rogers State (14-6, 5-3 MIAA) Thursday, January 23 • 7:30 p.m. Claremore, Okla. • Claremore Expo CenterRadio:&nbsp;KJLS (103.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video:&nbsp;MIAA Network:&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>Fort Hays State starts its key four-game road swing at Rogers State University on Thursday night in Claremore, Okla. This is the first of four-straight road games in MIAA play over a two-week span for FHSU. The Tigers enter at 12-4 overall, 5-2 in the MIAA, while the Hillcats are 14-6 overall and 5-3 in the MIAA.Fort Hays State enters Thursday on a three-game win streak. The Tigers won all three of their games at home over the past couple of weeks, moving up to a second-place tie with Northeastern State in the MIAA standings. Washburn, the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, continues to lead the MIAA with an undefeated overall and conference record. The Tigers are coming off a 72-65 win over Northwest Missouri State this past Saturday, gaining their first regular season sweep of the Bearcats since 2012-13.Rogers State won its most recent contest, a two-point win over Missouri Southern in Joplin this past Saturday. The Hillcats went up by two with about a minute and a half remaining and neither team scored the rest of the way. The last three wins overall for RSU since January 8 have been by three points or less. The Hillcats are 5-1 at home this season with the only loss occurring back on December 7 to Pittsburg State.Rogers State holds a slight 5-4 advantage in the all-time series with FHSU, which started in 2019-20 when RSU joined the MIAA. The FHSU men are still in search of their first win in Claremore, where they are 0-4 so far. This will be the only regular season meeting with Rogers State in 2024-25. The teams met only once in the regular season last year, which was also in Claremore. The Hillcats won that contest 76-63.Kaleb Hammeke&nbsp;is coming off MIAA Men's Basketball Athlete of the Week honors for the second time this season. Last week he averaged 17.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.5 steals per game in FHSU's pair of wins at home. He continues to lead the Tigers at 15.2 points and 4.7 assists per game. He went over 1,800 points in his career in the win over Northwest Missouri State this past Saturday.Shaun Riley&nbsp;is leading the Tigers in rebounding at 6.9 per game. He adds 10.5 points per game. Riley is coming off his second double-double of the season with a 15-point, 11-rebound effort against Northwest Missouri State. The 11 rebounds were a season high for Riley. Kyle Grill&nbsp;has scored in double figures three-straight games and continues to rank second on the team in scoring at 11.9 points per game. Traejon Davis&nbsp;is coming off a season-high 18 points in the win over Northwest Missouri State.Fort Hays State continues to lead NCAA Division II in scoring defense, allowing 58.4 points per game. The Tigers lead the category by 1.4 points per game over Miles (Ala.), which allows 59.8 per game and is the only other school allowing less than 60 per game on average. The Tigers rank fifth nationally in field goal percentage defense, allowing an average of 38 percent. The Tigers rank fourth nationally in fewest turnovers per game, averaging 9.3 per contest, which is just 0.5 shy of the national lead of 8.8 held by West Alabama.Rogers State has three players averaging double figures in scoring, led by Kofi Hamilton at 15.6 points per game. Anthony Marshall, Jr. averages 13.8 per game and Caden Fry adds 11.4 per game.&nbsp;&nbsp;