SHAWNEE, Okla. – Fort Hays State Softball fell twice on Tuesday to a pair of non-conference opponents. The Tigers came up short in a wild 13-11 game against Cameron University and then fell 3-0 to Oklahoma Baptist. Cameron 13, Fort Hays State 11 A&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5883">Loren Beggs</a>&nbsp;solo home run in the bottom of the first gave the Tigers an early 1-0 lead, but Cameron responded with a two-run homer in the top of the second to grab its first lead at 2-1.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5886">Elise Capra</a>&nbsp;responded with another solo homer for the Tigers in the bottom of the second to tie the game at 2-2. Cameron took a big lead in the top of the third with five runs due to command issues in the pitching circle and throwing miscues. The Aggies added on three more runs in the fourth with a three-run homer to take a commanding 10-2 lead. The Tigers did not go quietly though, storming back with four runs in the fourth to cut the lead in half.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5894">Grace Philop</a>&nbsp;started the rally with a walk, then&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5895">Kristen Reed</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5886">Elise Capra</a>&nbsp;each followed with singles to load the bases.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5889">Haley Fox</a>&nbsp;then promptly unloaded the bases with a grand slam, her first homer of the season, as it clipped the top of the wall in left center field and bounced over. FHSU trailed 10-6 after four innings. Cameron added another run in the fifth, but the Tigers kept charging in the bottom half of the inning. FHSU took advantage of some Cameron miscues to plate four more runs. A wild pitch allowed&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5884">Sara Breckbill</a>&nbsp;to score and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5885">Terran Caldwell</a>&nbsp;scored from third when the third baseman booted a ground ball. Fox set the Tigers up for success with a double to the right-center gap, putting runners at second and third. Capra came in to score on a dropped shallow fly ball by the second baseman and then Fox scored on another wild pitch. After five innings, the Tigers had the deficit closed down to one at 11-10. A Tiger miscue on defense in the seventh with two outs was costly as it allowed two runs to score, giving Cameron a 13-10 advantage. The Tigers put together a rally in the bottom of the seventh, but it came up just short. With two outs, Cameron committed two straight errors and then Beggs plated one of the Tiger runners with a double to the left-center gap. But Cameron would have a dazzling defensive play to end the game, which kept the Tigers from tying the game. Breckbill looped a ball to the left-center gap, but Cameron shortstop Brenna Busby made a diving over the shoulder catch for the final out of the game. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5887">Hailey Chapman</a>&nbsp;took the loss in the circle for FHSU, allowing seven earned runs. She surrendered 10 hits and nine walks. Since Cameron starter Bethany Hines did not go four innings, Jade Guzman got the win in relief despite giving up five earned runs to the Tigers. Anna Hammer picked up the save in 2.2 innings of work, not allowing an earned run to the Tigers. Oklahoma Baptist 3, Fort Hays State 0 Oklahoma Baptist did all of its scoring damage on a pair of home runs and shutout the Tigers for the second time this season. Sheyanne Sandoval led off the bottom of the first for OBU with a solo homer, then Cheyenne Demareer added a two-run homer in the fourth. Kayleigh Jones shutout the Tigers for the second time this season in the pitching circle. She scattered four hits all to different Tigers and walked just one, while striking out 11. She moved to 7-3 on the season.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5893">Michaelanne Nelson</a>&nbsp;took the loss for FHSU, allowing five hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Fort Hays State begins conference play on Friday at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo. First game of the doubleheader begins at 1 pm.&nbsp;&nbsp;

SHAWNEE, Okla. – Fort Hays State Softball fell twice on Tuesday to a pair of non-conference opponents. The Tigers came up short in a wild 13-11 game against Cameron University and then fell 3-0 to Oklahoma Baptist. Cameron 13, Fort Hays State 11 A&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5883">Loren Beggs</a>&nbsp;solo home run in the bottom of the first gave the Tigers an early 1-0 lead, but Cameron responded with a two-run homer in the top of the second to grab its first lead at 2-1.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5886">Elise Capra</a>&nbsp;responded with another solo homer for the Tigers in the bottom of the second to tie the game at 2-2. Cameron took a big lead in the top of the third with five runs due to command issues in the pitching circle and throwing miscues. The Aggies added on three more runs in the fourth with a three-run homer to take a commanding 10-2 lead. The Tigers did not go quietly though, storming back with four runs in the fourth to cut the lead in half.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5894">Grace Philop</a>&nbsp;started the rally with a walk, then&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5895">Kristen Reed</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5886">Elise Capra</a>&nbsp;each followed with singles to load the bases.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5889">Haley Fox</a>&nbsp;then promptly unloaded the bases with a grand slam, her first homer of the season, as it clipped the top of the wall in left center field and bounced over. FHSU trailed 10-6 after four innings. Cameron added another run in the fifth, but the Tigers kept charging in the bottom half of the inning. FHSU took advantage of some Cameron miscues to plate four more runs. A wild pitch allowed&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5884">Sara Breckbill</a>&nbsp;to score and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5885">Terran Caldwell</a>&nbsp;scored from third when the third baseman booted a ground ball. Fox set the Tigers up for success with a double to the right-center gap, putting runners at second and third. Capra came in to score on a dropped shallow fly ball by the second baseman and then Fox scored on another wild pitch. After five innings, the Tigers had the deficit closed down to one at 11-10. A Tiger miscue on defense in the seventh with two outs was costly as it allowed two runs to score, giving Cameron a 13-10 advantage. The Tigers put together a rally in the bottom of the seventh, but it came up just short. With two outs, Cameron committed two straight errors and then Beggs plated one of the Tiger runners with a double to the left-center gap. But Cameron would have a dazzling defensive play to end the game, which kept the Tigers from tying the game. Breckbill looped a ball to the left-center gap, but Cameron shortstop Brenna Busby made a diving over the shoulder catch for the final out of the game. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5887">Hailey Chapman</a>&nbsp;took the loss in the circle for FHSU, allowing seven earned runs. She surrendered 10 hits and nine walks. Since Cameron starter Bethany Hines did not go four innings, Jade Guzman got the win in relief despite giving up five earned runs to the Tigers. Anna Hammer picked up the save in 2.2 innings of work, not allowing an earned run to the Tigers. Oklahoma Baptist 3, Fort Hays State 0 Oklahoma Baptist did all of its scoring damage on a pair of home runs and shutout the Tigers for the second time this season. Sheyanne Sandoval led off the bottom of the first for OBU with a solo homer, then Cheyenne Demareer added a two-run homer in the fourth. Kayleigh Jones shutout the Tigers for the second time this season in the pitching circle. She scattered four hits all to different Tigers and walked just one, while striking out 11. She moved to 7-3 on the season.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5893">Michaelanne Nelson</a>&nbsp;took the loss for FHSU, allowing five hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Fort Hays State begins conference play on Friday at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo. First game of the doubleheader begins at 1 pm.&nbsp;&nbsp;FHSU Athletics

🥎 Tigers drop pair in Oklahoma Tuesday

BETHANY, Okla. - The Fort Hays State men's soccer team dropped a close match to Southern Nazarene on Tuesday afternoon 3-2. The Tigers scored twice within the final 20 minutes of action, but were unable to match SNU's three goals. Fort Hays State now sits at 2-1 in spring play, while Southern Nazarene improves their record to 2-1 as well.&nbsp; Down two goals late in the match, Fort Hays State finally found the back of the net in the 71st minute.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5678">Antonio De La Torre</a>&nbsp;sent a corner kick just in front of the net where&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5770">Kevin Black</a>&nbsp;cashed in on his second goal of the spring campaign. The Crimson Storm answered back with another goal just four minutes later which proved to be the difference in the match. With time running down, Black scored his second of the match off an assist from Agustin Meza to give the Tigers hope for a comeback. They had some chances late, but ultimately could not convert.&nbsp; Fort Hays State looks to get back in the win column with a neutral site match against Harding University on Saturday (Mar. 20). The Tigers and Bisons&nbsp;are set to kickoff from Claremore, Oklahoma at 3:30 pm.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615979184634.jpeg" alt="Kevin Black scores two goals in the Tigers loss at Southern Nazarene Tuesday (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Tylee Biera)" />
 <figcaption>Kevin Black scores two goals in the Tigers loss at Southern Nazarene Tuesday (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Tylee Biera)</figcaption>
 </figure>BETHANY, Okla. - The Fort Hays State men's soccer team dropped a close match to Southern Nazarene on Tuesday afternoon 3-2. The Tigers scored twice within the final 20 minutes of action, but were unable to match SNU's three goals. Fort Hays State now sits at 2-1 in spring play, while Southern Nazarene improves their record to 2-1 as well.&nbsp; Down two goals late in the match, Fort Hays State finally found the back of the net in the 71st minute.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5678">Antonio De La Torre</a>&nbsp;sent a corner kick just in front of the net where&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5770">Kevin Black</a>&nbsp;cashed in on his second goal of the spring campaign. The Crimson Storm answered back with another goal just four minutes later which proved to be the difference in the match. With time running down, Black scored his second of the match off an assist from Agustin Meza to give the Tigers hope for a comeback. They had some chances late, but ultimately could not convert.&nbsp; Fort Hays State looks to get back in the win column with a neutral site match against Harding University on Saturday (Mar. 20). The Tigers and Bisons&nbsp;are set to kickoff from Claremore, Oklahoma at 3:30 pm.&nbsp; &nbsp;FHSU Athletics

⚽ Black scores two goals in Tigers loss at Southern Nazarene

Hays Wrestling Club participated in the Kansas Folkstyle State Championships last weekend at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane. There were 1,765 wrestlers competing from 152 teams from across the state. 

HWC had 36 wrestlers and placed 15 of these wrestlers in the top six of their respective weight classes. The club finished 14th out of the 152 teams in the team scoring.&nbsp;

Those placing included: Sarah Zimmerman - State Champion Avryn Beiker - State Champion Harley Zimmerman - State Champion Jaylee Summers - State Runner Up Holden Lind - State Runner Up Kade Simon State Runner Up Ella Schumacher - 3rd Place Chloe Hearld - 4th Place Brian Prough - 4th Place Ava Ruiz - 5th Place Sela Sumaya - 5th Place Alysa Brown - 6th Place Kinslee Newell - 6th Place Lanie Becker - 6th Place Colter Conger - 6th Place&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615831910631.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hays Wrestling Club participated in the Kansas Folkstyle State Championships last weekend at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane. There were 1,765 wrestlers competing from 152 teams from across the state. HWC had 36 wrestlers and placed 15 of these wrestlers in the top six of their respective weight classes. The club finished 14th out of the 152 teams in the team scoring.&nbsp;Those placing included: Sarah Zimmerman - State Champion Avryn Beiker - State Champion Harley Zimmerman - State Champion Jaylee Summers - State Runner Up Holden Lind - State Runner Up Kade Simon State Runner Up Ella Schumacher - 3rd Place Chloe Hearld - 4th Place Brian Prough - 4th Place Ava Ruiz - 5th Place Sela Sumaya - 5th Place Alysa Brown - 6th Place Kinslee Newell - 6th Place Lanie Becker - 6th Place Colter Conger - 6th Place&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615831948056.jpeg" alt="Sarah Zimmerman" />
 <figcaption>Sarah Zimmerman</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615831961228.jpeg" alt="Avryn Beiker" />
 <figcaption>Avryn Beiker</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615831978991.jpeg" alt="Harley Zimmerman" />
 <figcaption>Harley Zimmerman</figcaption>
 </figure>

Hays Wrestling Club places 15, brings home three state titles

STERLING, Kan. – Fort Hays State Tennis took to road for the third straight match to open its 2021 spring season and defeated Sterling College 6-1 on Monday (Mar. 15). The Tigers are now 3-0 on the season. The Tigers grabbed the first team point of the match by sweeping doubles play from the Warriors. The No. 3 team of&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5753">Aliyah Frederick</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5751">Kylie Aufdengarten</a>&nbsp;held their opponent scoreless, but the other two matches were close. The No. 1 team of&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5755">Stefany Stemmer</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5749">Sydney McAdoo</a>&nbsp;won 6-4 and the No. 2 team of&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5754">Fiorella Mendez</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5748">Grace Holgerson</a>&nbsp;won 7-5. In singles play, the Tigers took five of the six contested matches for team points. Aufdengarten kept a clean slate against competition for the day, blanking her opponent at the No. 6 position 6-0, 6-0. Frederick nearly did the same by winning 6-0, 6-1 at the No. 5 position. Holgerson rolled with a pair of 6-1 sets at the No. 4 position. Mendez also won in straight sets at the No. 2 position, 6-4, 6-3. Stemmer was the Tiger to need three sets for a win, topping her opponent at the No. 1 position 4-6, 6-3, 10-2. McAdoo was the only Tiger to drop a singles match, falling 6-1, 6-4 at the No. 3 position.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5750">Kimberly Stone</a>&nbsp;played an exhibition match in singles play and won 8-5. The Tigers are scheduled to play a pair of exhibition matches in Great Bend on Friday against Barton Community College and Iowa Central Community College.&nbsp;&nbsp;

STERLING, Kan. – Fort Hays State Tennis took to road for the third straight match to open its 2021 spring season and defeated Sterling College 6-1 on Monday (Mar. 15). The Tigers are now 3-0 on the season. The Tigers grabbed the first team point of the match by sweeping doubles play from the Warriors. The No. 3 team of&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5753">Aliyah Frederick</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5751">Kylie Aufdengarten</a>&nbsp;held their opponent scoreless, but the other two matches were close. The No. 1 team of&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5755">Stefany Stemmer</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5749">Sydney McAdoo</a>&nbsp;won 6-4 and the No. 2 team of&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5754">Fiorella Mendez</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5748">Grace Holgerson</a>&nbsp;won 7-5. In singles play, the Tigers took five of the six contested matches for team points. Aufdengarten kept a clean slate against competition for the day, blanking her opponent at the No. 6 position 6-0, 6-0. Frederick nearly did the same by winning 6-0, 6-1 at the No. 5 position. Holgerson rolled with a pair of 6-1 sets at the No. 4 position. Mendez also won in straight sets at the No. 2 position, 6-4, 6-3. Stemmer was the Tiger to need three sets for a win, topping her opponent at the No. 1 position 4-6, 6-3, 10-2. McAdoo was the only Tiger to drop a singles match, falling 6-1, 6-4 at the No. 3 position.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5750">Kimberly Stone</a>&nbsp;played an exhibition match in singles play and won 8-5. The Tigers are scheduled to play a pair of exhibition matches in Great Bend on Friday against Barton Community College and Iowa Central Community College.&nbsp;&nbsp;FHSU Athletics

🎾 Tigers down Sterling 6-1, move to 3-0 on season

The
Western Athletic Conference has announced their all-league basketball team.
Senior Dayln Schwarz is the WAC Player of the Year and is one of three Indians
named to the first team along with juniors Jace Linenberger and Carson Kieffer.
Senior TJ Nunnery is on the second team. Alex Hutchins is the WAC Coach of the
Year.

Schwarz scored in double figures 18 times and had a pair of double-doubles. He averaged of 11.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.&nbsp;

FIRST TEAM Dalyn Schwarz - Hays - SR Jace Linenberger - Hays - JR Matt Friess - Dodge City - SR Tae Rosales - Garden City - JR Carson Kieffer - Hays - JR Player of the Year: Dalyn Schwarz Hays Coach of the Year: Alex Hutchins, Hays

SECOND TEAM AJ Ramirez - Liberal - SR TJ Nunnery - Hays - SR Cooper Scheck - Dodge City - JR Isaac Flores - Garden City - SR Cooper Loll - Dodge City - SO

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605269669292.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The
Western Athletic Conference has announced their all-league basketball team.
Senior Dayln Schwarz is the WAC Player of the Year and is one of three Indians
named to the first team along with juniors Jace Linenberger and Carson Kieffer.
Senior TJ Nunnery is on the second team. Alex Hutchins is the WAC Coach of the
Year.Schwarz scored in double figures 18 times and had a pair of double-doubles. He averaged of 11.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.&nbsp;2020-21 All-WAC BASKETBALL TEAMFIRST TEAM Dalyn Schwarz - Hays - SR Jace Linenberger - Hays - JR Matt Friess - Dodge City - SR Tae Rosales - Garden City - JR Carson Kieffer - Hays - JR Player of the Year: Dalyn Schwarz Hays Coach of the Year: Alex Hutchins, HaysSECOND TEAM AJ Ramirez - Liberal - SR TJ Nunnery - Hays - SR Cooper Scheck - Dodge City - JR Isaac Flores - Garden City - SR Cooper Loll - Dodge City - SO

🏀 Schwarz named WAC Player of the Year

Due to KSHSAA regulations, Hays Post and Eagle Radio was not allowed to stream video of the game live.

Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn0F3OHASKb9LHj-BNZ7tTw">HERE</a> for other games from the Monarchs' 2020-21 season.

Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKs_sLM8F8V2JhfEddvaAqQ">HERE</a> for Hays High games from 2020-21.

<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xtKN8ynQJ6A"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Due to KSHSAA regulations, Hays Post and Eagle Radio was not allowed to stream video of the game live.Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn0F3OHASKb9LHj-BNZ7tTw">HERE</a> for other games from the Monarchs' 2020-21 season.Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKs_sLM8F8V2JhfEddvaAqQ">HERE</a> for Hays High games from 2020-21.

🎥 REPLAY: TMP-M vs. Hesston in state semifinal

LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;– Picked as a No. 3 seed for the fifth time in program history, the Kansas men’s basketball team will make its 31st-consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The nation’s longest-active streak, and the best all-time, will start against the No. 14-seed Eastern Washington Eagles in the West Region on Saturday, March 20 at 12:15 p.m., CT inside Indiana Farmers Coliseum.

Kansas posted a 20-8 overall record throughout the 2020-21 season to this point, while going 12-6 in Big 12 play for a second-place regular-season finish. Eastern Washington held a 15-8 overall record and 12-3 in conference during the 2020-21 season, winning the Big Sky Conference Tournament for an automatic qualifier bid to the NCAA Tournament. &nbsp;The Eagles have won 13 of their last 14 games after a 1-4 start to the season.

This marks the fifth time and first since 2009 that the Jayhawks have held the No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament, where they hold an 8-4 overall record. The Jayhawks and Eagles have not met in the NCAA Tournament, with their only meeting coming on December 5, 2007 in Lawrence, where KU defeated Eastern Washington, 85-47.

ABOUT NO. 3 SEED KANSAS (20-8, 12-6 BIG 12)

No. 11/12 Kansas is 20-8 (12-6 Big 12) after 69-62 win against No. 25/24 Oklahoma on March 11. Kansas averages 73.1 points per game and has a +7.4 scoring margin. KU leads the Big 12 in field goal percentage defense (40.6%). KU also ranks in the upper half of 12 Big 12 statistical categories: scoring defense (second at 65.7), scoring margin (fourth at +7.4), rebounding (fourth at 38.0), 3FG% (fifth at 34.4), 3FG% Defense (fourth at 32.6), 3FGs made (fourth at 7.5), blocked shots (third at 4.1), assists (third at 13.7), turnover margin (fifth at +1.6) and assist-to-turnover ratio (fifth at 1.1).

ABOUT No. 14 SEED EASTERN WASHINGTON

Eastern Washington will make its third appearance in the NCAA tournament after earning an automatic qualifier bid by winning the 2021 Big Sky Conference Tournament over Montana State, 6-55. The Eagles average 78.0 points per game with a +8.6 scoring margin. Eastern Washington was led by Big Sky Tournament Most Valuable Player, Jacob Groves who averaged 16.4 points per game.

LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;– Picked as a No. 3 seed for the fifth time in program history, the Kansas men’s basketball team will make its 31st-consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The nation’s longest-active streak, and the best all-time, will start against the No. 14-seed Eastern Washington Eagles in the West Region on Saturday, March 20 at 12:15 p.m., CT inside Indiana Farmers Coliseum.Kansas posted a 20-8 overall record throughout the 2020-21 season to this point, while going 12-6 in Big 12 play for a second-place regular-season finish. Eastern Washington held a 15-8 overall record and 12-3 in conference during the 2020-21 season, winning the Big Sky Conference Tournament for an automatic qualifier bid to the NCAA Tournament. &nbsp;The Eagles have won 13 of their last 14 games after a 1-4 start to the season.This marks the fifth time and first since 2009 that the Jayhawks have held the No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament, where they hold an 8-4 overall record. The Jayhawks and Eagles have not met in the NCAA Tournament, with their only meeting coming on December 5, 2007 in Lawrence, where KU defeated Eastern Washington, 85-47.ABOUT NO. 3 SEED KANSAS (20-8, 12-6 BIG 12)No. 11/12 Kansas is 20-8 (12-6 Big 12) after 69-62 win against No. 25/24 Oklahoma on March 11. Kansas averages 73.1 points per game and has a +7.4 scoring margin. KU leads the Big 12 in field goal percentage defense (40.6%). KU also ranks in the upper half of 12 Big 12 statistical categories: scoring defense (second at 65.7), scoring margin (fourth at +7.4), rebounding (fourth at 38.0), 3FG% (fifth at 34.4), 3FG% Defense (fourth at 32.6), 3FGs made (fourth at 7.5), blocked shots (third at 4.1), assists (third at 13.7), turnover margin (fifth at +1.6) and assist-to-turnover ratio (fifth at 1.1).<ul>
 <li>Kansas is making its 49th NCAA Tournament appearance and has a 108-47 record in the event. The Jayhawks have advanced to 31 Sweet 16 contests, 15 Final Fours and three of their five national championships have been in NCAA Championship format (1952, 1988, 2008).</li><li>Kansas’ 31-consecutive NCAA Championship appearances, beginning in 1990, is the longest active streak and the longest consecutive in NCAA tourney appearances history.</li><li>Since seeding in the NCAA Tournament began in 1979, this is the fifth time Kansas entered the event a No. 3 seed. KU was also a No. 3 seed in 1985, 1991, 2005 and 2009. The Jayhawks are 8-4 all-time as a No. 3 seed.</li><li>This year marks the 21st-straight season that the Jayhawks have earned a top-four seed in the NCAA Tournament.</li><li>Kansas has won its last 13 NCAA Tournament first-round games, a string which started in 2007.</li><li>Kansas has two active players – Marcus Garrett and Mitch Lightfoot – who played in KU’s last Final Four appearance in 2018. Lightfoot was also part of KU’s 2017 Elite Eight run.</li><li>Under head coach Bill Self, Kansas is 38-15 (71.7 percent) in the NCAA Tournament with 10 Sweet 16s, eight Elite Eights, three Final Fours, one NCAA National Championship and one NCAA runner-up finish.</li><li>Kansas sports an all-time NCAA Tournament record of 108-47. The Jayhawks’ 108 wins trail only Kentucky (131), North Carolina (126) and Duke (115).</li><li>The Jayhawks will play their 156th NCAA Tournament game in its first round. The Jayhawks’ 155 games in the event rank third all-time in NCAA history, behind Kentucky (184) and North Carolina (182).</li><li>KU’s NCAA Tournament winning percentage of 69.7% ranks sixth all-time for a minimum of 20 games played.</li><li>KU is one of nine schools that has won at least three NCAA Tournaments. The Jayhawks won the NCAA crown in 1952, 1988 and 2008. The other schools are: UCLA (11), Kentucky (8), North Carolina (6), Indiana (5), Duke (5), Connecticut (4), Kansas (3) and Villanova (3).</li><li>Kansas has appeared in the Final Four 15 times, making KU one of just seven schools to reach the Final Four 10-plus times: North Carolina (20), UCLA (17), Kentucky (17), Duke (16), Kansas (15), Michigan State and Ohio State (10).</li><li>Five different Jayhawks have been named NCAA Championship Most Outstanding Player, including B.H. Born in 1953 and Wilt Chamberlain in 1957, who both won the award even though KU lost in the title game. Clyde Lovellette (1952) and Danny Manning (1988) also won the honor. Mario Chalmers won the Most Outstanding Player Award for the 2008 NCAA Championship.</li>
 </ul>ABOUT No. 14 SEED EASTERN WASHINGTONEastern Washington will make its third appearance in the NCAA tournament after earning an automatic qualifier bid by winning the 2021 Big Sky Conference Tournament over Montana State, 6-55. The Eagles average 78.0 points per game with a +8.6 scoring margin. Eastern Washington was led by Big Sky Tournament Most Valuable Player, Jacob Groves who averaged 16.4 points per game.<ul>
 <li>Eastern Washington enters the NCAA Tournament for the third time in school history and the first time since 2015.</li><li>The Eagles were a No. 13 seed in the 2015 NCAA Tournament, where they fell in the first round to No. 4 seeded Georgetown, 84-74.</li><li>In the 2004 NCAA Tournament, No. 15 seeded Eastern Washington fell to No. 2 seed Oklahoma State in the first round, 75-56.</li><li>Eastern Washington is 0-2 in the round of 64. Kansas Athletics</li>
 </ul>

🏀 Kansas selected a three-seed in the West Region

All season long, Wichita State has put its fans through the emotional ringer, winning&nbsp;close game after close game. Why should Selection Sunday be any different? The Shockers survived a potential bubble-bursting loss to Cincinnati in Saturday's American Athletic Conference semifinals and last-minute raids from various "bid-thieves" to secure one of the final at-large berths in this year's NCAA Men's Basketball Championship. No. 11 seed WSU is headed to the First Four where it will face fellow-No. 11 Drake&nbsp;on Thursday, Mar. 18 at Purdue's&nbsp;Mackey Arena in West Lafaeytte, Ind. The 5:27 p.m. CT tip will air on TBS. The winner advances to take on No. 6 seed USC at Bankers Life Arena in Indianapolis on Saturday, Mar. 20 (3:30 p.m. CT, TNT).&nbsp;&nbsp;

About the Shockers: Picked seventh in preseason, Wichita State (16-5, 11-2) won the American Athletic Conference regular season championship for the first time since joining the league four years ago. The Shockers are 10-2 in two-possession games. All but three contests against D-I foes have been decided by 10-points-or-less in either direction. The Shockers played shorthanded in their first three games – all against 2021 NCAA tournament squads -- due to COVID-19 protocol, but they've rebounded from a 1-2 start with wins in 14 of their last 17.&nbsp; WSU endured 10 postponements or cancelations during its conference season – all after COVID-19 positives at opposing schools. WSU in the NCAA Tournament: The Shockers have now qualified for eight of the last nine NCAA tournaments. They made seven-straight appearances from 2012-18 and advanced to the 2019 NIT semifinals. WSU was a consensus at-large pick for the 2020 NCAA tournament among the nation's many bracketologists prior to its cancelation. This is WSU's 16th&nbsp;NCAA appearance all-time. The Shockers are 18-16 all-time with Final Four appearances in 1965 and 2013. No experience required: While WSU is no stranger to March Madness, the majority of its roster is. No current Shockers have taken part in an NCAA tournament game. Senior walk-ons&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5696">Brycen Bush</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5699">Jacob Herrs</a>&nbsp;are the only holdovers from WSU's 2018 squad, which earned a No. 4 seed. WSU in the First Four: The Shockers are in the tournament's play-in round for the second time. The 2016 team was the second-to-last selected despite piling up 24 regular season wins and winning the MVC regular season title by four full games. Led by senior All-Americans Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet, those Shockers dismantled Vanderbilt, 70-50, to earn a spot in the main bracket. WSU led No. 6 seed Arizona by as many as 24 points in an eventual 65-55 win but ran out of steam in the second round against No. 3 seed Miami. WSU at Mackey Arena: The Shockers last played at Purdue's Mackey Arena 42 year ago. WSU is winless in two previous trips (both road games against the Boilermakers) in December, 1986 and December, 1988. Some Assembly Required: The Shockers' only previous visit to Assembly Hall also came in the postseason. WSU defeated host Indiana in the 2019 NIT quarterfinals, 73-63, to punch its ticket Madison Square Garden. WSU vs. Drake: The Shockers have faced former MVC rival Drake more than any other team in their history. WSU leads the series 104-47 and has won the last 11 meetings. The Shockers have not faced another MVC school since leaving for the American Athletic Conference four years ago. Coach&nbsp;for the Year&nbsp;of the Year: <a href="https://goshockers.com/coaches.aspx?rc=882">Isaac Brown</a>&nbsp;is the first rookie head coach to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament since Wisconsin's Greg Gard in 2016. Notably, Gard and Brown both began their respective seasons as interim head coach before winning the permanent job. Brown, who was named interim head coach on Nov. 17 after Gregg Marshall's resignation, is the American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and one of eight finalists for Joe B. Hall Award, given to college basketball's top first-year head coach. WSU exchanged his interim tag for a five-year contract on Feb. 26. Brown was a part of six NCAA tournament teams in 18 years as an assistant coach, including four times at WSU (2015-18), and once-each at Arkansas (2008) and South Alabama (2006). Brown becomes the third Shocker head coach to lead WSU to an NCAA tournament in his first season at the helm, joined by Eddie Fogler (1987) and Gary Thompson (1965). Brown's winning percentage (.762) is the highest by a first-year Shocker head coach in the program's modern era, topping Fogler .667 (22-11). Powered by Tyson: On the court, WSU is led by&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5698">Tyson Etienne</a>, the American Athletic Conference Co-Player of the Year. Etienne averages 17.0 points and 3.1 threes-per-game (14th&nbsp;nationally) on 39.9 percent accuracy. The Chosen One: Point guard&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5704">Alterique Gilbert</a>&nbsp;(10.3 ppg, 4.1 apg) earned third team all-conference honors. The redshirt senior and former McDonald's All-American will get his first taste of postseason play after suffering three season-ending injuries and one COVID shutdown during his four years at UConn. He transferred to WSU last spring in search of a fresh start. No Fly Zone: WSU ranks among the national leaders in field goal percentage defense (27th, .403) and three-point defense (16th, .295). Wichita State in the NCAA Tournament: 1964 – Ralph Miller -- 1-1, Regional Finalist 1965 – Gary Thompson – 2-2, Final Four (4th&nbsp;Place) 1976 – Harry Miller – 0-1, Round of 32 1981 [6] – Gene Smithson – 3-1, Elite Eight 1985 [11] – Gene Smithson – 0-1, Round of 64 1987 [11] – Eddie Fogler – 0-1, Round of 64 1988 [12] – Eddie Fogler – 0-1, Round of 64 2006 [7] – Mark Turgeon –2-1, Sweet 16 2012 [5] – Gregg Marshall – 0-1, Sweet 16 2013 [9] – Gregg Marshall – 4-1, Final Four 2014 [1] – Gregg Marshall – 1-1, Round of 32 2015 [7] – Gregg Marshall – 2-1, Sweet 16 2016 [11] – Gregg Marshall – 2-1, Round of 32 2017 [10] – Gregg Marshall – 1-1, Round of 32 2018 [4] – Gregg Marshall – 0-1, Round of 64 2021 [11] –&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/coaches.aspx?rc=882">Isaac Brown</a>

All season long, Wichita State has put its fans through the emotional ringer, winning&nbsp;close game after close game. Why should Selection Sunday be any different? The Shockers survived a potential bubble-bursting loss to Cincinnati in Saturday's American Athletic Conference semifinals and last-minute raids from various "bid-thieves" to secure one of the final at-large berths in this year's NCAA Men's Basketball Championship. No. 11 seed WSU is headed to the First Four where it will face fellow-No. 11 Drake&nbsp;on Thursday, Mar. 18 at Purdue's&nbsp;Mackey Arena in West Lafaeytte, Ind. The 5:27 p.m. CT tip will air on TBS. The winner advances to take on No. 6 seed USC at Bankers Life Arena in Indianapolis on Saturday, Mar. 20 (3:30 p.m. CT, TNT).&nbsp;&nbsp;About the Shockers: Picked seventh in preseason, Wichita State (16-5, 11-2) won the American Athletic Conference regular season championship for the first time since joining the league four years ago. The Shockers are 10-2 in two-possession games. All but three contests against D-I foes have been decided by 10-points-or-less in either direction. The Shockers played shorthanded in their first three games – all against 2021 NCAA tournament squads -- due to COVID-19 protocol, but they've rebounded from a 1-2 start with wins in 14 of their last 17.&nbsp; WSU endured 10 postponements or cancelations during its conference season – all after COVID-19 positives at opposing schools. WSU in the NCAA Tournament: The Shockers have now qualified for eight of the last nine NCAA tournaments. They made seven-straight appearances from 2012-18 and advanced to the 2019 NIT semifinals. WSU was a consensus at-large pick for the 2020 NCAA tournament among the nation's many bracketologists prior to its cancelation. This is WSU's 16th&nbsp;NCAA appearance all-time. The Shockers are 18-16 all-time with Final Four appearances in 1965 and 2013. No experience required: While WSU is no stranger to March Madness, the majority of its roster is. No current Shockers have taken part in an NCAA tournament game. Senior walk-ons&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5696">Brycen Bush</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5699">Jacob Herrs</a>&nbsp;are the only holdovers from WSU's 2018 squad, which earned a No. 4 seed. WSU in the First Four: The Shockers are in the tournament's play-in round for the second time. The 2016 team was the second-to-last selected despite piling up 24 regular season wins and winning the MVC regular season title by four full games. Led by senior All-Americans Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet, those Shockers dismantled Vanderbilt, 70-50, to earn a spot in the main bracket. WSU led No. 6 seed Arizona by as many as 24 points in an eventual 65-55 win but ran out of steam in the second round against No. 3 seed Miami. WSU at Mackey Arena: The Shockers last played at Purdue's Mackey Arena 42 year ago. WSU is winless in two previous trips (both road games against the Boilermakers) in December, 1986 and December, 1988. Some Assembly Required: The Shockers' only previous visit to Assembly Hall also came in the postseason. WSU defeated host Indiana in the 2019 NIT quarterfinals, 73-63, to punch its ticket Madison Square Garden. WSU vs. Drake: The Shockers have faced former MVC rival Drake more than any other team in their history. WSU leads the series 104-47 and has won the last 11 meetings. The Shockers have not faced another MVC school since leaving for the American Athletic Conference four years ago. Coach&nbsp;for the Year&nbsp;of the Year: <a href="https://goshockers.com/coaches.aspx?rc=882">Isaac Brown</a>&nbsp;is the first rookie head coach to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament since Wisconsin's Greg Gard in 2016. Notably, Gard and Brown both began their respective seasons as interim head coach before winning the permanent job. Brown, who was named interim head coach on Nov. 17 after Gregg Marshall's resignation, is the American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and one of eight finalists for Joe B. Hall Award, given to college basketball's top first-year head coach. WSU exchanged his interim tag for a five-year contract on Feb. 26. Brown was a part of six NCAA tournament teams in 18 years as an assistant coach, including four times at WSU (2015-18), and once-each at Arkansas (2008) and South Alabama (2006). Brown becomes the third Shocker head coach to lead WSU to an NCAA tournament in his first season at the helm, joined by Eddie Fogler (1987) and Gary Thompson (1965). Brown's winning percentage (.762) is the highest by a first-year Shocker head coach in the program's modern era, topping Fogler .667 (22-11). Powered by Tyson: On the court, WSU is led by&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5698">Tyson Etienne</a>, the American Athletic Conference Co-Player of the Year. Etienne averages 17.0 points and 3.1 threes-per-game (14th&nbsp;nationally) on 39.9 percent accuracy. The Chosen One: Point guard&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5704">Alterique Gilbert</a>&nbsp;(10.3 ppg, 4.1 apg) earned third team all-conference honors. The redshirt senior and former McDonald's All-American will get his first taste of postseason play after suffering three season-ending injuries and one COVID shutdown during his four years at UConn. He transferred to WSU last spring in search of a fresh start. No Fly Zone: WSU ranks among the national leaders in field goal percentage defense (27th, .403) and three-point defense (16th, .295). Wichita State in the NCAA Tournament: 1964 – Ralph Miller -- 1-1, Regional Finalist 1965 – Gary Thompson – 2-2, Final Four (4th&nbsp;Place) 1976 – Harry Miller – 0-1, Round of 32 1981 [6] – Gene Smithson – 3-1, Elite Eight 1985 [11] – Gene Smithson – 0-1, Round of 64 1987 [11] – Eddie Fogler – 0-1, Round of 64 1988 [12] – Eddie Fogler – 0-1, Round of 64 2006 [7] – Mark Turgeon –2-1, Sweet 16 2012 [5] – Gregg Marshall – 0-1, Sweet 16 2013 [9] – Gregg Marshall – 4-1, Final Four 2014 [1] – Gregg Marshall – 1-1, Round of 32 2015 [7] – Gregg Marshall – 2-1, Sweet 16 2016 [11] – Gregg Marshall – 2-1, Round of 32 2017 [10] – Gregg Marshall – 1-1, Round of 32 2018 [4] – Gregg Marshall – 0-1, Round of 64 2021 [11] –&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/coaches.aspx?rc=882">Isaac Brown</a>Wichita State Athletics

🏀 Shockers headed back to the NCAA Tournament

WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Fort Hays State women's basketball engaged in a back-and-forth battle with Central Missouri on Saturday night, but came up on the short end of a 72-68 score in the second round of the NCAA Division II Central Regional. The MIAA regular season champion Tigers ended another strong season under head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=947">Tony Hobson</a>&nbsp;at 22-4, while UCM moved on to the regional championship game at 21-4 and will play Nebraska-Kearney who knocked off Minnesota Duluth. Three of the four teams reaching the semifinals in the Central Region all had 20 wins on the season. FHSU topped the MIAA in the regular season and entered the tournament 22-3, while Nebraska-Kearney won the MIAA Tournament and also entered at 22-3. Central Missouri moved to 20-4 with a win in the opening round on Friday night before knocking off the Tigers on their home floor Saturday evening. The Central Region was the only region in the NCAA Tournament boasting three 20-win teams going into the semifinals on Saturday evening.

Fort Hays State started the game strong on a 6-0 run, but a turnover by the Tigers after a missed UCM shot led to UCM's first points of the game. That triggered a 10-0 run by the Jennies before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5847">Jaden Hobbs</a>&nbsp;snapped the run with a 3-point field goal. By the end of the first quarter, UCM held a slim 16-14 lead. The Jennies never trailed in the second quarter and stretched their lead to seven twice. A pair of Hobbs 3-pointers reeled the Jennies back in and the Tigers eventually took a one-point lead with 1:06 to go in the period on a&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5856">Jessie Sallach</a>&nbsp;jumper. However, UCM charged into the lead again with its seventh 3-point field goal of the half and added a free throw to lead 42-39 at halftime. The Jennies shot a red-hot 53.8 percent from the field in the opening half, including 58.3 percent beyond the 3-point arc. FHSU stayed with UCM in the frantic back-and-forth offensive battle, shooting 53.3 percent for the half. Hobbs had all four 3-point field goals for the Tigers at the half.

The Jennies pushed their lead to seven once again in the third quarter at the 5:11 mark, but the Tigers did not back down. Freshmen Sallach and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5858">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;accounted for an 8-2 Tiger run, each with four points to get the Tigers back within one, 53-52, at the end of the period. Both teams went blow for blow in the fourth as the lead changed hands eight times before entering the final three minutes of the game. FHSU took the lead by one four times, the latest on a&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5850">Whitney Randall</a>&nbsp;layup off a nice dish from Hobbs at the 4:05 mark. However, that was the last time the Tigers led in the game. Graycen Holden, who tied for a team-high 17 points and six rebounds for the Jennies, made a free-throw line jumper to put the Jennies ahead for good. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5851">Lauryn Reither</a>&nbsp;gave the Tigers a fighting chance late when she buried a right-wing 3-pointer to cut the UCM lead to two. Holden made just one of two free throws, giving the Tigers a chance to tie late. Unfortunately a Hobbs 3-pointer fell off the mark a couple of ticks before the buzzer and UCM was fouled on the rebound. Brooke Littrell put the game on ice for UCM by hitting the second of a pair of free tosses. Hobbs led the Tigers with 19 points, going 5-of-12 beyond the 3-point line. She also had a team-high six rebounds and three assists. Hobbs broke the FHSU single-season records for 3-point field goal percentage (44.9), passing Audra Binford's 44.4 percent from 2009-10, and assists per game (6.0), passing Maisha Prewitt's 5.4 per game in 1998-99. Hobbs played every minute of FHSU's final three postseason games this year (vs. Emporia State and Nebraska-Kearney in the MIAA Tournament, and Saturday's regional semifinal). Wagner finished with 13 points, while Sallach added 10 to join Hobbs in double figures. UCM had four players finish in double figures for scoring, led by Holden and Littrell. Olivia Nelson added 16 and Nija Collier dropped 11 before fouling out late. The Tigers enjoyed their 10th&nbsp;consecutive 20-win season under head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=947">Tony Hobson</a>, impressively reached during a regular season with just a maximum of 22 games. Central Missouri has the next-best active streak at half of that with five in a row. FHSU celebrated its third MIAA regular season title in the last seven years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615692645986.jpeg" alt="Jaden Hobbs led the TIgers with 19 points Saturday vs. Central Missouri in the NCAA II Central Regional semfinals (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Ryan Prickett)" />
 <figcaption>Jaden Hobbs led the TIgers with 19 points Saturday vs. Central Missouri in the NCAA II Central Regional semfinals (Courtesy FHSU Athletics, Ryan Prickett)</figcaption>
 </figure>WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Fort Hays State women's basketball engaged in a back-and-forth battle with Central Missouri on Saturday night, but came up on the short end of a 72-68 score in the second round of the NCAA Division II Central Regional. The MIAA regular season champion Tigers ended another strong season under head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=947">Tony Hobson</a>&nbsp;at 22-4, while UCM moved on to the regional championship game at 21-4 and will play Nebraska-Kearney who knocked off Minnesota Duluth. Three of the four teams reaching the semifinals in the Central Region all had 20 wins on the season. FHSU topped the MIAA in the regular season and entered the tournament 22-3, while Nebraska-Kearney won the MIAA Tournament and also entered at 22-3. Central Missouri moved to 20-4 with a win in the opening round on Friday night before knocking off the Tigers on their home floor Saturday evening. The Central Region was the only region in the NCAA Tournament boasting three 20-win teams going into the semifinals on Saturday evening.<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/1006385620&color=%23ff5500&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-814667509/03-13-21-fhsu-women-coach-int" title="#5 Fort Hays State vs. #20 Central Missouri Press Conference 031321" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">#5 Fort Hays State vs. #20 Central Missouri Press Conference 031321</a></div></div>Fort Hays State started the game strong on a 6-0 run, but a turnover by the Tigers after a missed UCM shot led to UCM's first points of the game. That triggered a 10-0 run by the Jennies before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5847">Jaden Hobbs</a>&nbsp;snapped the run with a 3-point field goal. By the end of the first quarter, UCM held a slim 16-14 lead. The Jennies never trailed in the second quarter and stretched their lead to seven twice. A pair of Hobbs 3-pointers reeled the Jennies back in and the Tigers eventually took a one-point lead with 1:06 to go in the period on a&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5856">Jessie Sallach</a>&nbsp;jumper. However, UCM charged into the lead again with its seventh 3-point field goal of the half and added a free throw to lead 42-39 at halftime. The Jennies shot a red-hot 53.8 percent from the field in the opening half, including 58.3 percent beyond the 3-point arc. FHSU stayed with UCM in the frantic back-and-forth offensive battle, shooting 53.3 percent for the half. Hobbs had all four 3-point field goals for the Tigers at the half.<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/1006385578&color=%23ff5500&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-814667509/03-13-21-fhsu-women-highlights" title="#5 Fort Hays State WBB at #20 Central Missouri Highlights 031321" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">#5 Fort Hays State WBB at #20 Central Missouri Highlights 031321</a></div></div>The Jennies pushed their lead to seven once again in the third quarter at the 5:11 mark, but the Tigers did not back down. Freshmen Sallach and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5858">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;accounted for an 8-2 Tiger run, each with four points to get the Tigers back within one, 53-52, at the end of the period. Both teams went blow for blow in the fourth as the lead changed hands eight times before entering the final three minutes of the game. FHSU took the lead by one four times, the latest on a&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5850">Whitney Randall</a>&nbsp;layup off a nice dish from Hobbs at the 4:05 mark. However, that was the last time the Tigers led in the game. Graycen Holden, who tied for a team-high 17 points and six rebounds for the Jennies, made a free-throw line jumper to put the Jennies ahead for good. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5851">Lauryn Reither</a>&nbsp;gave the Tigers a fighting chance late when she buried a right-wing 3-pointer to cut the UCM lead to two. Holden made just one of two free throws, giving the Tigers a chance to tie late. Unfortunately a Hobbs 3-pointer fell off the mark a couple of ticks before the buzzer and UCM was fouled on the rebound. Brooke Littrell put the game on ice for UCM by hitting the second of a pair of free tosses. Hobbs led the Tigers with 19 points, going 5-of-12 beyond the 3-point line. She also had a team-high six rebounds and three assists. Hobbs broke the FHSU single-season records for 3-point field goal percentage (44.9), passing Audra Binford's 44.4 percent from 2009-10, and assists per game (6.0), passing Maisha Prewitt's 5.4 per game in 1998-99. Hobbs played every minute of FHSU's final three postseason games this year (vs. Emporia State and Nebraska-Kearney in the MIAA Tournament, and Saturday's regional semifinal). Wagner finished with 13 points, while Sallach added 10 to join Hobbs in double figures. UCM had four players finish in double figures for scoring, led by Holden and Littrell. Olivia Nelson added 16 and Nija Collier dropped 11 before fouling out late. The Tigers enjoyed their 10th&nbsp;consecutive 20-win season under head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=947">Tony Hobson</a>, impressively reached during a regular season with just a maximum of 22 games. Central Missouri has the next-best active streak at half of that with five in a row. FHSU celebrated its third MIAA regular season title in the last seven years.&nbsp;&nbsp;FHSU Athletics

🏀 Tigers season ends in at the hands of the Jennies

ST. LOUIS - Fort Hays State senior wrestler&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5790">A.J. Cooper</a>&nbsp;earned All-American status after placing fifth in the 285-pound bracket of the 2021 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships. The Cimarron, Kan. native posted a 2-2 record in the tournament, including a 1-2 on Saturday (March 13) to finish the year at 13-4 overall. Cooper, the No. 5 seed in the 285-pound tournament, opened the day in the national semifinals against top-seeded Kameron Teacher of St. Cloud State. Teacher took control early, recording a pair of takedowns in the first round to lead 4-2 after three minutes. The eventual national champion added another takedown in the second period, leading 6-3 going into the final period. Cooper took several shots but could not convert, giving up an escape and a ride time point that led to an 8-3 decision in favor of Teacher. After moving into the consolation bracket, Cooper was matched up with sixth-seeded Lee Herrington of Nebraska-Kearney. The Loper jumped in front with first-period takedown before Cooper escaped just seconds before the end of the period. Cooper was in a bit of a precarious position in the second period as Herrington had a hold of Cooper's leg. But Cooper got out of trouble with his patented flip move. Cooper tied the score at 2-2 with a quick escape in the third period, but with Herrington holding more than one minute of ride time, there was still work to be done. The pair went back and forth before Herrington ultimately scored another takedown with less than a minute to go. Cooper wiggled free with 24 seconds left before incredibly taking the lead with a last-second lunge, catching Harrington off balance for a takedown. The match seemed destined for overtime with Cooper leading 5-4 and a ride time point looming, but Herrington was able to roll on top and take control for a reversal just before the horn rang out, giving the Loper a 7-5 decision. Cooper then moved to the 5th-place match, where he drew Tristen Weirich of Ashland. Cooper went on top in the first period with a takedown at the 1:26 mark before holding on for the remainder of the period. After choosing the bottom position, Cooper quickly escaped in the second period and later managed another takedown to log 34 more seconds of riding time. Cooper started the final period on top and managed to hold on for the full two minutes, tacking on two near-fall points midway through the period to give the senior an 8-0 major decision. Cooper earned 10 team points in the tournament, singlehandedly giving Fort Hays State a 26th-place finish on the team list out of 44 schools represented. FHSU finished higher than nine schools that had multiple qualifiers. The Tigers have now had at least one All-American wrestler in each of the last eight seasons. 285 |&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5790">A.J. Cooper</a>&nbsp;| 5th place | 10.0 team points | 2-2 Champ. Round 1 -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5790">A.J. Cooper</a>&nbsp;received a bye Quarterfinal -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5790">A.J. Cooper</a>&nbsp;won by decision over Freddie Nixon (Gannon) (Dec 6-1) Semifinal - Kameron Teacher (St. Cloud State) won by decision over&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5790">A.J. Cooper</a>&nbsp;(Dec 8-3) Cons. Semi - Lee Herrington (Nebraska-Kearney) won by decision over&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5790">A.J. Cooper</a>&nbsp;(Dec 7-5) 5th Place Match -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5790">A.J. Cooper</a>&nbsp;won by major decision over Tristen Weirich (Ashland) (MD 8-0)&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615695358840.jpeg" alt="Courtesy UIndy Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy UIndy Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>ST. LOUIS - Fort Hays State senior wrestler&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5790">A.J. Cooper</a>&nbsp;earned All-American status after placing fifth in the 285-pound bracket of the 2021 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships. The Cimarron, Kan. native posted a 2-2 record in the tournament, including a 1-2 on Saturday (March 13) to finish the year at 13-4 overall. Cooper, the No. 5 seed in the 285-pound tournament, opened the day in the national semifinals against top-seeded Kameron Teacher of St. Cloud State. Teacher took control early, recording a pair of takedowns in the first round to lead 4-2 after three minutes. The eventual national champion added another takedown in the second period, leading 6-3 going into the final period. Cooper took several shots but could not convert, giving up an escape and a ride time point that led to an 8-3 decision in favor of Teacher. After moving into the consolation bracket, Cooper was matched up with sixth-seeded Lee Herrington of Nebraska-Kearney. The Loper jumped in front with first-period takedown before Cooper escaped just seconds before the end of the period. Cooper was in a bit of a precarious position in the second period as Herrington had a hold of Cooper's leg. But Cooper got out of trouble with his patented flip move. Cooper tied the score at 2-2 with a quick escape in the third period, but with Herrington holding more than one minute of ride time, there was still work to be done. The pair went back and forth before Herrington ultimately scored another takedown with less than a minute to go. Cooper wiggled free with 24 seconds left before incredibly taking the lead with a last-second lunge, catching Harrington off balance for a takedown. The match seemed destined for overtime with Cooper leading 5-4 and a ride time point looming, but Herrington was able to roll on top and take control for a reversal just before the horn rang out, giving the Loper a 7-5 decision. Cooper then moved to the 5th-place match, where he drew Tristen Weirich of Ashland. Cooper went on top in the first period with a takedown at the 1:26 mark before holding on for the remainder of the period. After choosing the bottom position, Cooper quickly escaped in the second period and later managed another takedown to log 34 more seconds of riding time. Cooper started the final period on top and managed to hold on for the full two minutes, tacking on two near-fall points midway through the period to give the senior an 8-0 major decision. Cooper earned 10 team points in the tournament, singlehandedly giving Fort Hays State a 26th-place finish on the team list out of 44 schools represented. FHSU finished higher than nine schools that had multiple qualifiers. The Tigers have now had at least one All-American wrestler in each of the last eight seasons. 285 |&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5790">A.J. Cooper</a>&nbsp;| 5th place | 10.0 team points | 2-2 Champ. Round 1 -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5790">A.J. Cooper</a>&nbsp;received a bye Quarterfinal -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5790">A.J. Cooper</a>&nbsp;won by decision over Freddie Nixon (Gannon) (Dec 6-1) Semifinal - Kameron Teacher (St. Cloud State) won by decision over&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5790">A.J. Cooper</a>&nbsp;(Dec 8-3) Cons. Semi - Lee Herrington (Nebraska-Kearney) won by decision over&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5790">A.J. Cooper</a>&nbsp;(Dec 7-5) 5th Place Match -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5790">A.J. Cooper</a>&nbsp;won by major decision over Tristen Weirich (Ashland) (MD 8-0)&nbsp;&nbsp;FHSU Athletics

🤼 FHSU's Cooper earns All-American honors with fifth-place finish

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Fort Hays State track and field picked up two more All-American trophies Saturday (March 13) on the final day of the 2021 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field National Championships. The Tigers sent four athletes to Birmingham and are returning with four All-American finishes, one national title and three school records. All four national qualifiers broke at least one school record this season. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5931">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;opened the day with a strong performance in the pole vault. The Bennington, Kan. native earned his third All-American honor after placing fourth at the national meet for the second time (2019 outdoors). Stanley broke the indoor school record when he cleared the 16-11.5 bar on his first attempt, matching his collegiate best and surpassing the school record by .75 inches. He committed just one foul over the first four heights, clearing three of the four on his first attempt. The junior was the lone competitor to clear the initial height on his first attempt. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5966">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;capped off the event with an appearance in the 60m dash finals. Running in lane No. 3, the same lane in which she ran a school-record 7.53 in the prelims, Holman turned in a seventh-place finish with a time of 7.60. The junior earned FHSU two team points with her finish. Holman and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5994">Alexandra Hart</a>&nbsp;combined for 12 team points, placing Fort Hays State 16th on the team score list, its top national finish in 10 years (14th in 2011). Stanley and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5925">Matthew Pieper</a>&nbsp;combined for 7.5 team points, good for 33rd place out of 51 schools with at least one entry. Fort Hays State finished the year with eight broken indoor school records, including four on both the men's and women's teams. Men's records broken this year include Stanley in the pole vault, Pieper's top mark of 5,258 points in the heptathlon,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5917">Ethan Lang's</a>&nbsp;time of 1:10.91 in the 600y dash and the 4x400m relay team of&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5923">Jack Pakkebier</a>, Lang, Pieper and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5954">Kaden Wren's</a>&nbsp;combined time of 3:16.62. Women's records that went down this season include Holman's 7.53 in the 60m prelims, her time of 24.92 in the 200m dash, Hart's national-championship winning jump of 6-0 in the high jump and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5975">Mattie Rossi's</a>&nbsp;total of 3,450 points in the pentathlon. Full FHSU Results Heptathlon t-6th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5925">Matthew Pieper</a>&nbsp;- 5,115 @ 60m - 7.22 - 806 LJ - 23-3.5 - 838 SP - 37-0.5 - 563 HJ - 6-0.75 - 670 60mh - 8.81 - 788 PV - 13-1.5 - 617 1000m - 2:43.65 - 833 High Jump 1st -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5994">Alexandra Hart</a>&nbsp;- 6-0 ! @ # 60m Dash Prelims t-3rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5966">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;- 7.53Q # 60m Dash Finals 7th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5966">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;- 7.60 @ Pole Vault 4th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5931">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;- 16-11.5 @ # ! indicates NCAA DII National Champion @ indicates first team All-American # indicates school record&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615695538758.jpeg" alt="Courtesy FHSU Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy FHSU Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Fort Hays State track and field picked up two more All-American trophies Saturday (March 13) on the final day of the 2021 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field National Championships. The Tigers sent four athletes to Birmingham and are returning with four All-American finishes, one national title and three school records. All four national qualifiers broke at least one school record this season. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5931">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;opened the day with a strong performance in the pole vault. The Bennington, Kan. native earned his third All-American honor after placing fourth at the national meet for the second time (2019 outdoors). Stanley broke the indoor school record when he cleared the 16-11.5 bar on his first attempt, matching his collegiate best and surpassing the school record by .75 inches. He committed just one foul over the first four heights, clearing three of the four on his first attempt. The junior was the lone competitor to clear the initial height on his first attempt. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5966">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;capped off the event with an appearance in the 60m dash finals. Running in lane No. 3, the same lane in which she ran a school-record 7.53 in the prelims, Holman turned in a seventh-place finish with a time of 7.60. The junior earned FHSU two team points with her finish. Holman and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5994">Alexandra Hart</a>&nbsp;combined for 12 team points, placing Fort Hays State 16th on the team score list, its top national finish in 10 years (14th in 2011). Stanley and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5925">Matthew Pieper</a>&nbsp;combined for 7.5 team points, good for 33rd place out of 51 schools with at least one entry. Fort Hays State finished the year with eight broken indoor school records, including four on both the men's and women's teams. Men's records broken this year include Stanley in the pole vault, Pieper's top mark of 5,258 points in the heptathlon,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5917">Ethan Lang's</a>&nbsp;time of 1:10.91 in the 600y dash and the 4x400m relay team of&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5923">Jack Pakkebier</a>, Lang, Pieper and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5954">Kaden Wren's</a>&nbsp;combined time of 3:16.62. Women's records that went down this season include Holman's 7.53 in the 60m prelims, her time of 24.92 in the 200m dash, Hart's national-championship winning jump of 6-0 in the high jump and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5975">Mattie Rossi's</a>&nbsp;total of 3,450 points in the pentathlon. Full FHSU Results Heptathlon t-6th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5925">Matthew Pieper</a>&nbsp;- 5,115 @ 60m - 7.22 - 806 LJ - 23-3.5 - 838 SP - 37-0.5 - 563 HJ - 6-0.75 - 670 60mh - 8.81 - 788 PV - 13-1.5 - 617 1000m - 2:43.65 - 833 High Jump 1st -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5994">Alexandra Hart</a>&nbsp;- 6-0 ! @ # 60m Dash Prelims t-3rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5966">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;- 7.53Q # 60m Dash Finals 7th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5966">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;- 7.60 @ Pole Vault 4th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5931">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;- 16-11.5 @ # ! indicates NCAA DII National Champion @ indicates first team All-American # indicates school record&nbsp;&nbsp;FHSU Athletics

🏃‍♀️ Stanley, Holman All-American for FHSU on final day of indoor championships

#10 (No. 1 seed) Fort Hays State (22-3, 20-2&nbsp;MIAA) at #20 (No. 4 seed) Central Missouri (20-4, 19-3 MIAA) 2021 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship Central Region Semifinals Saturday, March 13 • 5 p.m. Warrensburg, Mo. • UCM Multipurpose Building Radio: KJLS (103.3-FM) <a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KJLS">LISTEN LIVE</a> The 10th-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team opens its quest for a national championship Saturday evening (March 13) in the central region semifinals of the 2021 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship. The Tigers will meet up with the regional hosts in the semis, No. 20 Central Missouri, beginning at 5 p.m. inside the UCM Multipurpose Building in Warrensburg, Mo. Fort Hays State earned the top overall seed in the tournament and received a bye to the semifinals. But because&nbsp;the NCAA made the decision to select predetermined sites to host the regionals due to extensive safety protocols, the Tigers will play a road game against the No. 4 seeded Jennies. Winners from Saturday's semifinals will play for the regional championship Monday evening at 6 p.m. No. 2 Nebraska-Kearney is playing No. 3 Minnesota Duluth in the other semifinal contest. Tickets are available in a reduced capacity for $10 per person. Fans are strongly encouraged to&nbsp;<a href="https://ucmtickets.universitytickets.com/">purchase tickets in advance</a>. A free live video stream will also be available on&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">The MIAA Network</a>&nbsp;courtesy of Central Missouri. Fans can also tune in live to Gerard Wellbrock, the voice of the Tigers, over the airwaves on 103.3 in the Hays listening area or&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KJLS">online</a>. The Tigers have now been selected to play in the national tournament six times over the last seven years after earning a bid just once in their first 23 years at the Division II level. It is the third time the Tigers have been the top overall seed over the last seven seasons. Fort Hays State received six MIAA postseason awards this year, including first team honors to&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5847">Jaden Hobbs</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5850">Whitney Randall</a>, All-Defensive team honors to&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5845">Cydney Bergmann</a>, honorable mention status for Bergmann and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5854">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>&nbsp;and Coach of the Year to&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=947">Tony Hobson</a>. It is the first time the Tigers have had multiple first team all-conference selections since 1994-95 (Kris&nbsp;Osthoff &amp; Kristin Wiebe). Bergmann is the ninth Tiger to be listed on the MIAA All-Defensive team and the first since current assistant coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=949">Paige Lunsford</a>&nbsp;in 2015-16. Hollenbeck is the first Tiger freshman to earn all-conference status since Kate Lehman in 2011-12. This is Hobson's fourth MIAA Coach of the Year honor. Despite playing a reduced schedule in the regular season,&nbsp;Hobbs is just 14 assists away from the program record of 166 in a single season (Kristi Leeper-Meis, 1990-91). The senior has hit 65 3-pointers this season, sixth-most in a single season in program history. She is also on pace to break the assists per game record (averaging 6.1 assists per game this season) and the 3-point shooting mark (45.1 percent this season). Randall and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5849">Madison Mittie</a>&nbsp;are the only players on the team who have appeared in an NCAA tournament game as a Tiger. Randall went off for 20 points in the last FHSU game in the national tournament (3/18/19 vs SWOSU). Freshmen are playing 42.8 percent of the minutes (2140:21) and scoring 43.9 percent of the points (31.5 ppg) for the Tigers this season. Four different true freshmen have started a game, including&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5853">Sydney Golladay</a>, Hollenbeck,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5855">Emma Ruddle</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5858">Katie Wagner</a>. Hobson enters the national tournament with 695 career wins. With at most five games remaining this season, Hobson could&nbsp;reach 700 career wins with a national title. The Tigers and Jennies are playing one year to the day after FHSU was scheduled to open the 2020 regional championship against Minnesota Duluth before the tournament was canceled. Central Missouri leads the all-time series 18-15, while FHSU is on a one-game winning streak.&nbsp;FHSU is 4-10 in Warrensburg, including a 3-7 mark under Hobson.&nbsp;Hobson is 13-13 against the Jennies, a team he has coached against more than all but one other school (29 games vs ESU).&nbsp;The Tigers and Jennies have met seven times in the postseason, including in each of the last three years. UCM is 5-2 against the Tigers in the postseason.&nbsp;The Jennies are 1-0 against FHSU in the national championship. Central Missouri is on to the regional semifinals after a 66-52 win over St. Cloud State Friday evening. The Jennies are 20-4 on the year, reaching 20 wins for the fifth straight season. The Jennies average 70.5 ppg and allow 59.8 ppg. They lead the conference in both offensive rebounds at 12.8 per game and rebounding margin at +7.7. UCM had five All-MIAA selections, including first teamer Nija Collier (15.4 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.5 bpg), second teamer Olivia Nelson (11.6 ppg, 3.2 apg), third teamer Graycen Holden (12.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg), honorable mention selection Gigi McAtee (4.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.0 spg) and defensive player of the year Morgan VanHyfte (2.2 spg, 5.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg). The Tigers and Jennies split the regular season series, with both teams winning on their home court. NCAA DII Central Region Championship Tournament Notables - The Tigers are the top overall seed for the third time over the last the last seven seasons. - FHSU is 5-5 overall, 2-1 in the semifinals, 4-2 as the No. 1 seed, 1-1 against the No. 4 seed, 0-1 in road games, 4-3 while ranked and 1-3 vs ranked teams while ranked in the Central Region Championships. -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5850">Whitney Randall</a>&nbsp;averages 6.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.6 assists in five career games in the NCAA Tournament. -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5849">Madison Mittie</a>&nbsp;averages 7.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in three career tournament contests. Career vs. UCM <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5847">Jaden Hobbs</a>&nbsp;- 18.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists in four games, never fewer than 14 pts <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5858">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;- 11.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists in two games <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5850">Whitney Randall</a>&nbsp;- 7.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, 0.5 assists in eight games, 3 games with 10+ pts <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5849">Madison Mittie</a>&nbsp;- 6.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists in five games <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5858">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;- 6.0 points, 3.0 rebounds in two games <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5854">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>&nbsp;- 5.0 points, 3.0 rebounds in two games&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615653620924.jpeg" alt="Courtesy FHSU Athletics (Tylee Biera)" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy FHSU Athletics (Tylee Biera)</figcaption>
 </figure>#10 (No. 1 seed) Fort Hays State (22-3, 20-2&nbsp;MIAA) at #20 (No. 4 seed) Central Missouri (20-4, 19-3 MIAA) 2021 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship Central Region Semifinals Saturday, March 13 • 5 p.m. Warrensburg, Mo. • UCM Multipurpose Building Radio: KJLS (103.3-FM) <a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KJLS">LISTEN LIVE</a> The 10th-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team opens its quest for a national championship Saturday evening (March 13) in the central region semifinals of the 2021 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship. The Tigers will meet up with the regional hosts in the semis, No. 20 Central Missouri, beginning at 5 p.m. inside the UCM Multipurpose Building in Warrensburg, Mo. Fort Hays State earned the top overall seed in the tournament and received a bye to the semifinals. But because&nbsp;the NCAA made the decision to select predetermined sites to host the regionals due to extensive safety protocols, the Tigers will play a road game against the No. 4 seeded Jennies. Winners from Saturday's semifinals will play for the regional championship Monday evening at 6 p.m. No. 2 Nebraska-Kearney is playing No. 3 Minnesota Duluth in the other semifinal contest. Tickets are available in a reduced capacity for $10 per person. Fans are strongly encouraged to&nbsp;<a href="https://ucmtickets.universitytickets.com/">purchase tickets in advance</a>. A free live video stream will also be available on&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">The MIAA Network</a>&nbsp;courtesy of Central Missouri. Fans can also tune in live to Gerard Wellbrock, the voice of the Tigers, over the airwaves on 103.3 in the Hays listening area or&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KJLS">online</a>. The Tigers have now been selected to play in the national tournament six times over the last seven years after earning a bid just once in their first 23 years at the Division II level. It is the third time the Tigers have been the top overall seed over the last seven seasons. Fort Hays State received six MIAA postseason awards this year, including first team honors to&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5847">Jaden Hobbs</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5850">Whitney Randall</a>, All-Defensive team honors to&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5845">Cydney Bergmann</a>, honorable mention status for Bergmann and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5854">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>&nbsp;and Coach of the Year to&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=947">Tony Hobson</a>. It is the first time the Tigers have had multiple first team all-conference selections since 1994-95 (Kris&nbsp;Osthoff &amp; Kristin Wiebe). Bergmann is the ninth Tiger to be listed on the MIAA All-Defensive team and the first since current assistant coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=949">Paige Lunsford</a>&nbsp;in 2015-16. Hollenbeck is the first Tiger freshman to earn all-conference status since Kate Lehman in 2011-12. This is Hobson's fourth MIAA Coach of the Year honor. Despite playing a reduced schedule in the regular season,&nbsp;Hobbs is just 14 assists away from the program record of 166 in a single season (Kristi Leeper-Meis, 1990-91). The senior has hit 65 3-pointers this season, sixth-most in a single season in program history. She is also on pace to break the assists per game record (averaging 6.1 assists per game this season) and the 3-point shooting mark (45.1 percent this season). Randall and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5849">Madison Mittie</a>&nbsp;are the only players on the team who have appeared in an NCAA tournament game as a Tiger. Randall went off for 20 points in the last FHSU game in the national tournament (3/18/19 vs SWOSU). Freshmen are playing 42.8 percent of the minutes (2140:21) and scoring 43.9 percent of the points (31.5 ppg) for the Tigers this season. Four different true freshmen have started a game, including&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5853">Sydney Golladay</a>, Hollenbeck,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5855">Emma Ruddle</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5858">Katie Wagner</a>. Hobson enters the national tournament with 695 career wins. With at most five games remaining this season, Hobson could&nbsp;reach 700 career wins with a national title. The Tigers and Jennies are playing one year to the day after FHSU was scheduled to open the 2020 regional championship against Minnesota Duluth before the tournament was canceled. Central Missouri leads the all-time series 18-15, while FHSU is on a one-game winning streak.&nbsp;FHSU is 4-10 in Warrensburg, including a 3-7 mark under Hobson.&nbsp;Hobson is 13-13 against the Jennies, a team he has coached against more than all but one other school (29 games vs ESU).&nbsp;The Tigers and Jennies have met seven times in the postseason, including in each of the last three years. UCM is 5-2 against the Tigers in the postseason.&nbsp;The Jennies are 1-0 against FHSU in the national championship. Central Missouri is on to the regional semifinals after a 66-52 win over St. Cloud State Friday evening. The Jennies are 20-4 on the year, reaching 20 wins for the fifth straight season. The Jennies average 70.5 ppg and allow 59.8 ppg. They lead the conference in both offensive rebounds at 12.8 per game and rebounding margin at +7.7. UCM had five All-MIAA selections, including first teamer Nija Collier (15.4 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.5 bpg), second teamer Olivia Nelson (11.6 ppg, 3.2 apg), third teamer Graycen Holden (12.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg), honorable mention selection Gigi McAtee (4.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.0 spg) and defensive player of the year Morgan VanHyfte (2.2 spg, 5.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg). The Tigers and Jennies split the regular season series, with both teams winning on their home court. NCAA DII Central Region Championship Tournament Notables - The Tigers are the top overall seed for the third time over the last the last seven seasons. - FHSU is 5-5 overall, 2-1 in the semifinals, 4-2 as the No. 1 seed, 1-1 against the No. 4 seed, 0-1 in road games, 4-3 while ranked and 1-3 vs ranked teams while ranked in the Central Region Championships. -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5850">Whitney Randall</a>&nbsp;averages 6.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.6 assists in five career games in the NCAA Tournament. -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5849">Madison Mittie</a>&nbsp;averages 7.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in three career tournament contests. Career vs. UCM <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5847">Jaden Hobbs</a>&nbsp;- 18.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists in four games, never fewer than 14 pts <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5858">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;- 11.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists in two games <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5850">Whitney Randall</a>&nbsp;- 7.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, 0.5 assists in eight games, 3 games with 10+ pts <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5849">Madison Mittie</a>&nbsp;- 6.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists in five games <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5858">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;- 6.0 points, 3.0 rebounds in two games <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5854">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>&nbsp;- 5.0 points, 3.0 rebounds in two games&nbsp;&nbsp;FHSU Athletics

🏀📻 No. 10 Tiger women opens NCAA play at No. 20 Jennies

HUTCHINSON – The TMP-Marian Monarchs could not overcome a
strong third quarter from Hesston as they come up short in the 3A state
semifinals Friday afternoon at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

The Monarchs (21-5) and the Hesston Swathers would go
back-and-forth early in the first quarter with neither team able to build much
of a lead. Down 14-11 TMP’s Gavin Unrein completed a three-point play tying the
game at 14. Hesston led 16-14 through one quarter of action.

With TMP trailing by four to open the second quarter the Monarchs
Lucas Lang scored eight straight and Jackson Schulte’s capped off a 10-0 run
putting TMP up six at 24-18.

Hesston finished the first half on a 12-3 run taking a 30-27
lead into the halftime break.

Jackson Schulte scored eight straight to open the second half
for TMP, part of 13 straight scored by Schulte going back to the second quarter,
putting TMP up 35-32.

Hesston retook the lead at 44-37 thanks to a 12-2 run to end
the third quarter. 

In the fourth quarter the Monarchs were able to close within
two and three points several times in the fourth quarter but never overcome the
Swathers as they pick up the 64-55 win.

Jackson Schulte led two in double figures with 23 points and
Lucas Lang added 14.

With no third-place game in 2021 the two teams that fell
short in the state semifinals finish third. 

Galena defeated Rock Creek in the final game of the day
48-41.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615609788081.jpeg" alt="The TMP-Marian Monarchs earn a third place finish at the 3A state tournament" />
 <figcaption>The TMP-Marian Monarchs earn a third place finish at the 3A state tournament</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON – The TMP-Marian Monarchs could not overcome a
strong third quarter from Hesston as they come up short in the 3A state
semifinals Friday afternoon at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.<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/1005775258&color=%23113366&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/tmp-mens-coach-interview-1" title="3-12-21 - TMP coach Bill Meagher" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">3-12-21 - TMP coach Bill Meagher</a></div></div>The Monarchs (21-5) and the Hesston Swathers would go
back-and-forth early in the first quarter with neither team able to build much
of a lead. Down 14-11 TMP’s Gavin Unrein completed a three-point play tying the
game at 14. Hesston led 16-14 through one quarter of action.With TMP trailing by four to open the second quarter the Monarchs
Lucas Lang scored eight straight and Jackson Schulte’s capped off a 10-0 run
putting TMP up six at 24-18.Hesston finished the first half on a 12-3 run taking a 30-27
lead into the halftime break.Jackson Schulte scored eight straight to open the second half
for TMP, part of 13 straight scored by Schulte going back to the second quarter,
putting TMP up 35-32.Hesston retook the lead at 44-37 thanks to a 12-2 run to end
the third quarter. In the fourth quarter the Monarchs were able to close within
two and three points several times in the fourth quarter but never overcome the
Swathers as they pick up the 64-55 win.<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/1005775264&color=%23113366&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-814667509/03-12-21-tmp-mbkb-vs-hesston-highlights" title="03 - 12 - 21 TMP MBKB Vs Hesston Highlights" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">03 - 12 - 21 TMP MBKB Vs Hesston Highlights</a></div></div>Jackson Schulte led two in double figures with 23 points and
Lucas Lang added 14.With no third-place game in 2021 the two teams that fell
short in the state semifinals finish third. Galena defeated Rock Creek in the final game of the day
48-41.

🏀 UPDATE: Monarchs come up short in state semifinals; earn third place finish

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Fort Hays State track and field had a strong showing on day 2 of the 2021 NCAA Division II Indoor Championships Friday (March 12), winning one national championship, lifting two All-American trophies, earning one trip to a finals race on Saturday and setting two school records. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5994">Alexandra Hart</a>&nbsp;finished an undefeated freshman season by winning the national championship in the high jump. The Rolla, Kan. native secured the win by being the only athlete to clear the 5-9.75 bar before going on to shatter her school record by 1.5 inches after soaring over the 6-0 bar on her second attempt. The jump is the seventh-best mark for an NCAA DII indoor high jump champion all-time, is tied for seventh on the all-time NCAA DII performance list and is the top mark by a Division II athlete since 2015. The mark could qualify Hart for the USATF Olympic Trials where she currently sits in a tie for 13th on the national performance chart. Hart is the first Tiger to clear 6 feet both indoors and outdoors. She is the eighth NCAA DII National Champion in the history of the women's program and the first since Madison Wolf (javelin) in 2018. She is the fourth indoor national champ and the first in 10 years (Christa Bergmann, weight throw, 2011). It is the third national championship in the high jump for a Tiger, joining Janet Eck's outdoor titles in 1998 and 1999. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5925">Matthew Pieper</a>&nbsp;earned All-American honors with his sixth-place finish in the heptathlon, collecting 5,115 points. The senior posted a time of 8.81 in the 60m hurdles before clearing the 13-1.5 bar in the pole vault. He entered the 1000m run 67 points behind sixth place and made up precisely that with a personal-best time of 2:43.65 to climb into a tie for sixth place. He earned the Tigers 2.5 team points with his finish. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5966">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;capped off the day with an incredible run in the 60m dash prelims. Running in lane three, Holman was in the middle of the pack until the final 25 meters where a late burst propelled her to a time of 7.53. The junior shattered her old school record of 7.59, set two weeks ago in her MIAA Championship victory. Holman's late push gave her a second-place finish in her heat and a tie for third overall, giving her a spot in the finals Saturday evening. The Tiger women are currently ninth overall in the team competition with 10 points, while the men's team is 30th with 2.5 points. The Tigers will wrap up competition at the National Championships Saturday with two more competitors. Holman will run in her finals at 6:10 p.m. after two-time All-American&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5931">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;competes in the pole vault beginning at 12:30 p.m. Full FHSU Results Heptathlon t-6th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5925">Matthew Pieper</a>&nbsp;- 5,115 @ 60m - 7.22 - 806 LJ - 23-3.5 - 838 SP - 37-0.5 - 563 HJ - 6-0.75 - 670 60mh - 8.81 - 788 PV - 13-1.5 - 617 1000m - 2:43.65 - 833 High Jump 1st -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5994">Alexandra Hart</a>&nbsp;- 6-0 ! @ # 60m dash Prelims t-3rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5966">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;- 7.53Q # ! indicates NCAA DII National Champion @ indicates first team All-American # indicates school record&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615605787557.jpeg" alt="Courtesy FHSU Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy FHSU Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Fort Hays State track and field had a strong showing on day 2 of the 2021 NCAA Division II Indoor Championships Friday (March 12), winning one national championship, lifting two All-American trophies, earning one trip to a finals race on Saturday and setting two school records. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5994">Alexandra Hart</a>&nbsp;finished an undefeated freshman season by winning the national championship in the high jump. The Rolla, Kan. native secured the win by being the only athlete to clear the 5-9.75 bar before going on to shatter her school record by 1.5 inches after soaring over the 6-0 bar on her second attempt. The jump is the seventh-best mark for an NCAA DII indoor high jump champion all-time, is tied for seventh on the all-time NCAA DII performance list and is the top mark by a Division II athlete since 2015. The mark could qualify Hart for the USATF Olympic Trials where she currently sits in a tie for 13th on the national performance chart. Hart is the first Tiger to clear 6 feet both indoors and outdoors. She is the eighth NCAA DII National Champion in the history of the women's program and the first since Madison Wolf (javelin) in 2018. She is the fourth indoor national champ and the first in 10 years (Christa Bergmann, weight throw, 2011). It is the third national championship in the high jump for a Tiger, joining Janet Eck's outdoor titles in 1998 and 1999. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5925">Matthew Pieper</a>&nbsp;earned All-American honors with his sixth-place finish in the heptathlon, collecting 5,115 points. The senior posted a time of 8.81 in the 60m hurdles before clearing the 13-1.5 bar in the pole vault. He entered the 1000m run 67 points behind sixth place and made up precisely that with a personal-best time of 2:43.65 to climb into a tie for sixth place. He earned the Tigers 2.5 team points with his finish. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5966">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;capped off the day with an incredible run in the 60m dash prelims. Running in lane three, Holman was in the middle of the pack until the final 25 meters where a late burst propelled her to a time of 7.53. The junior shattered her old school record of 7.59, set two weeks ago in her MIAA Championship victory. Holman's late push gave her a second-place finish in her heat and a tie for third overall, giving her a spot in the finals Saturday evening. The Tiger women are currently ninth overall in the team competition with 10 points, while the men's team is 30th with 2.5 points. The Tigers will wrap up competition at the National Championships Saturday with two more competitors. Holman will run in her finals at 6:10 p.m. after two-time All-American&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5931">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;competes in the pole vault beginning at 12:30 p.m. Full FHSU Results Heptathlon t-6th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5925">Matthew Pieper</a>&nbsp;- 5,115 @ 60m - 7.22 - 806 LJ - 23-3.5 - 838 SP - 37-0.5 - 563 HJ - 6-0.75 - 670 60mh - 8.81 - 788 PV - 13-1.5 - 617 1000m - 2:43.65 - 833 High Jump 1st -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5994">Alexandra Hart</a>&nbsp;- 6-0 ! @ # 60m dash Prelims t-3rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5966">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;- 7.53Q # ! indicates NCAA DII National Champion @ indicates first team All-American # indicates school record&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏃 FHSU's Hart wins high jump, Pieper All-American

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Fort Hays State senior wrestler&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5790">A.J. Cooper</a>&nbsp;guaranteed himself All-American status and moved on to the national semifinals with a 6-1 decision in the quarterfinal round of the 2021 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships Friday afternoon (March 12). After receiving a bye to the quarterfinals, Cooper, the fifth seed in the 295-pound bracket, faced off with fourth-seeded Freddie Nixon of Gannon. The pair wrestled to a scoreless stalemate in the first period before the Cimmaron, Kan. native chose bottom to start the second period. Cooper quickly escaped to open the scoring, but was later charged his second stalling penalty to tie the score at 1-1. Cooper proceeded to dominate in the third period, riding out the full two minutes before securing a four-point near-fall just before the horn sounded to seal the win. The Tiger also earned the ride time point to lock up the 6-1 decision. Now 12-2 on the season, Cooper will next face off with top-seeded and undefeated Kameron Teacher of St. Cloud State. The pair have never faced off in their collegiate careers. Saturday's Session II is scheduled to begin at noon, with Cooper slated to wrestle in the 39th bout of the day. He is guaranteed to finish in the top six with his advancement to the national semifinals.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Fort Hays State senior wrestler&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5790">A.J. Cooper</a>&nbsp;guaranteed himself All-American status and moved on to the national semifinals with a 6-1 decision in the quarterfinal round of the 2021 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships Friday afternoon (March 12). After receiving a bye to the quarterfinals, Cooper, the fifth seed in the 295-pound bracket, faced off with fourth-seeded Freddie Nixon of Gannon. The pair wrestled to a scoreless stalemate in the first period before the Cimmaron, Kan. native chose bottom to start the second period. Cooper quickly escaped to open the scoring, but was later charged his second stalling penalty to tie the score at 1-1. Cooper proceeded to dominate in the third period, riding out the full two minutes before securing a four-point near-fall just before the horn sounded to seal the win. The Tiger also earned the ride time point to lock up the 6-1 decision. Now 12-2 on the season, Cooper will next face off with top-seeded and undefeated Kameron Teacher of St. Cloud State. The pair have never faced off in their collegiate careers. Saturday's Session II is scheduled to begin at noon, with Cooper slated to wrestle in the 39th bout of the day. He is guaranteed to finish in the top six with his advancement to the national semifinals.FHSU Athletics

🤼‍♂️ FHSU's Cooper on to national semifinals

WARRENSBURG, Mo. - The Fort Hays State baseball team dropped the series finale against No. 14 Central Missouri on Friday (March 12) by a score of 16-4.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6043">Grant Schmidt</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6050">Corbin Truslow</a>&nbsp;both hit two-run home runs early in the game, but the UCM offense fought back with 12 hits to secure the win. Schmidt opened the game with a long ball over the fence in left in the top of the first, driving in&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6051">Kade Wallace</a>&nbsp;who drew a two-out walk to start the rally. Central Missouri responded with four runs in the home half of the inning before Truslow tied things up at 4-4 with another two-run in the third. The Mules answered with two more runs in the bottom of the third before tacking on three in the fourth, two in the fifth and five in the sixth. The game was delayed for one hour and 15 minutes in the top of the fifth inning due to rain, but things lightened up for play to resume around 1:45 p.m. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6055">Cole Zimmerman</a>&nbsp;(0-1) took the loss after allowing four runs on one hit and four walks over 0.2 innings of work. Wallace scored a pair of runs and was 1-for-3 with a walk.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6047">Garrett Stephens</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6057">Ed Scott</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6036">Tyler Olson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6018">Drake Angeron</a>&nbsp;also collected hits for the Tigers. Fort Hays State will return to Larks Park next weekend (March 19-20) to host Rogers State in another MIAA series. The Tigers and Hillcats will battle in a single game Friday afternoon beginning at 2 p.m. before facing off in a doubleheader Saturday beginning at noon.&nbsp;&nbsp;

WARRENSBURG, Mo. - The Fort Hays State baseball team dropped the series finale against No. 14 Central Missouri on Friday (March 12) by a score of 16-4.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6043">Grant Schmidt</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6050">Corbin Truslow</a>&nbsp;both hit two-run home runs early in the game, but the UCM offense fought back with 12 hits to secure the win. Schmidt opened the game with a long ball over the fence in left in the top of the first, driving in&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6051">Kade Wallace</a>&nbsp;who drew a two-out walk to start the rally. Central Missouri responded with four runs in the home half of the inning before Truslow tied things up at 4-4 with another two-run in the third. The Mules answered with two more runs in the bottom of the third before tacking on three in the fourth, two in the fifth and five in the sixth. The game was delayed for one hour and 15 minutes in the top of the fifth inning due to rain, but things lightened up for play to resume around 1:45 p.m. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6055">Cole Zimmerman</a>&nbsp;(0-1) took the loss after allowing four runs on one hit and four walks over 0.2 innings of work. Wallace scored a pair of runs and was 1-for-3 with a walk.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6047">Garrett Stephens</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6057">Ed Scott</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6036">Tyler Olson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6018">Drake Angeron</a>&nbsp;also collected hits for the Tigers. Fort Hays State will return to Larks Park next weekend (March 19-20) to host Rogers State in another MIAA series. The Tigers and Hillcats will battle in a single game Friday afternoon beginning at 2 p.m. before facing off in a doubleheader Saturday beginning at noon.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ Schmidt, Truslow homer for FHSU in series finale with Mules

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Tyson Etienne scored 20 points and hit a pair of foul shots with 8.9 seconds left to lift top seed Wichita State to a 68-67 win over ninth seed South Florida in the American Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals on Friday.

David Collins was called for a charge on the subsequent possession for the Bulls.

Alterique Gilbert had 12 points and Morris Udeze grabbed 11 rebounds for the Shockers.

Michael Durr had 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Bulls (9-13). Justin Brown added 12 points. Xavier Castaneda had 11 points.

The Shockers take on the winner of Cincinnati-SMU in a Saturday semifinal.

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Tyson Etienne scored 20 points and hit a pair of foul shots with 8.9 seconds left to lift top seed Wichita State to a 68-67 win over ninth seed South Florida in the American Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals on Friday.David Collins was called for a charge on the subsequent possession for the Bulls.Alterique Gilbert had 12 points and Morris Udeze grabbed 11 rebounds for the Shockers.Michael Durr had 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Bulls (9-13). Justin Brown added 12 points. Xavier Castaneda had 11 points.The Shockers take on the winner of Cincinnati-SMU in a Saturday semifinal.

🏀 Etienne lifts Wichita St. over USF on late free throws

For the second time in as many days, major conferences have called off tournament games due to COVID-19 concerns — this time involving No. 11 Kansas and No. 16 Virginia.

The Jayhawks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/basketball-david-mccormack-kansas-jayhawks-mens-basketball-coronavirus-pandemic-texas-longhorns-mens-basketball-6368c14f5725b0cbcce0681e6898522e">withdrew from the Big 12 Tournament</a>&nbsp;on Friday after a positive COVID-19 test within the program, which led to the cancellation of their semifinal matchup with No. 13 Texas.

And earlier Friday, the Atlantic Coast Conference canceled the league’s semifinal game between the top-seeded Cavaliers and Georgia Tech due to a positive test, quarantining and contact tracing within the Cavaliers program. The announcement came less than 12 hours before the Yellow Jackets and Cavaliers were set to play the first of two semifinal games.

It is unclear what the COVID-19 issues mean for the Virginia and Kansas going forward, though the Jayhawks released a statement that they would continue preparing for the NCAA Tournament.

What is clear is that Georgia Tech will advance to Saturday’s championship game to face the winner of the North Carolina-Florida State matchup. And in the Big 12, the Longhorns moved on to the title game to face the Oklahoma State-Baylor winner.

Cavaliers coach Tony Bennett described the outcome of the tests as a “gut punch.”

“I’m hurting for our players, especially our seniors,” Bennett said in a statement. “I told our young men they have every reason to be disappointed, but it is still very important how they choose to respond. We are exhausting all options to participate in the NCAA Tournament.”

Virginia athletic director Carla Williams said in the statement the school was “in communication with the appropriate officials regarding our participation” in the NCAA Tournament, which starts Thursday.

The cancellations came a day after Duke&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/duke-acc-tournament-positive-covid-ends-streak-1730784a03b97e0bcc2aad536cd9ac0b">withdrew from the ACC Tournament</a>&nbsp;and ended its season amid its own positive test before facing the 15th-ranked Seminoles in the quarterfinals.

The Jayhawks learned earlier this week they would be without center David McCormack and backup forward Tristan Enaruna due to COVID-19 protocols. They beat No. 25 Oklahoma 69-62 in the quarterfinals without them, and had gone the entire season without an outbreak that forced a cancellation or postponement.

“Obviously we are disappointed and our players are disappointed that they can’t continue to compete for the Big 12 championship,” coach Bill Self said in a statement. “While we have been fortunate to avoid this throughout the season, there are daily risks with this virus that everybody participating is trying to avoid.

“We have followed the daily testing and additional protocols that have been setup for us, unfortunately we caught a bad break at the wrong time. I look forward to preparing my team in probably a unique way for next week’s NCAA Tournament.”

NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn declined to comment Friday on the Virginia and Kansas cancellations.

Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner said on a Zoom call with reporters that the ACC should not cancel the rest of the tournament, even though the three teams left are already almost certain to be invited to the NCAA Tournament.

“We want to go win that game and put our name in the record book,” Pastner said, adding that he hopes the Cavaliers also get to compete next week after winning the last NCAA Tournament held in 2019.

“They’re the defending national champions. They’re our league champions,” he said.

ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips said in a statement that he was “heartbroken” for the student-athletes, coaches and support staff at Duke and Virginia and that the league will follow the lead of “our medical personnel.”

The NCAA Tournament will be held entirely in the state of Indiana to create what NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt has called a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-basketball-nhl-coronavirus-pandemic-mens-college-basketball-35c30bf6cdefbd788a68077a2705394f">“controlled environment”</a>&nbsp;instead of a bubble.

The tournament protocols include requiring each member of a team’s travel party to complete seven negative COVID-19 tests before leaving for Indianapolis. Gavitt has said a team can continue to play if it has five players available through those safety protocols.

“This whole year has been a lot different for everyone with the testing protocols, socially distancing, wearing masks, making sure you’re not seeing people outside of your bubble really,” Virginia guard Sam Hauser said after Thursday’s win against Syracuse on a last-second shot.

“Pretty proud of our guys. We were very disciplined throughout the year and continue to be, especially this time of the year when if you get a COVID bug like that, it could end your season. ... We’re just going to continue to take the right protocols, and we should be all right.”

For the second time in as many days, major conferences have called off tournament games due to COVID-19 concerns — this time involving No. 11 Kansas and No. 16 Virginia.The Jayhawks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/basketball-david-mccormack-kansas-jayhawks-mens-basketball-coronavirus-pandemic-texas-longhorns-mens-basketball-6368c14f5725b0cbcce0681e6898522e">withdrew from the Big 12 Tournament</a>&nbsp;on Friday after a positive COVID-19 test within the program, which led to the cancellation of their semifinal matchup with No. 13 Texas.And earlier Friday, the Atlantic Coast Conference canceled the league’s semifinal game between the top-seeded Cavaliers and Georgia Tech due to a positive test, quarantining and contact tracing within the Cavaliers program. The announcement came less than 12 hours before the Yellow Jackets and Cavaliers were set to play the first of two semifinal games.It is unclear what the COVID-19 issues mean for the Virginia and Kansas going forward, though the Jayhawks released a statement that they would continue preparing for the NCAA Tournament.What is clear is that Georgia Tech will advance to Saturday’s championship game to face the winner of the North Carolina-Florida State matchup. And in the Big 12, the Longhorns moved on to the title game to face the Oklahoma State-Baylor winner.Cavaliers coach Tony Bennett described the outcome of the tests as a “gut punch.”“I’m hurting for our players, especially our seniors,” Bennett said in a statement. “I told our young men they have every reason to be disappointed, but it is still very important how they choose to respond. We are exhausting all options to participate in the NCAA Tournament.”Virginia athletic director Carla Williams said in the statement the school was “in communication with the appropriate officials regarding our participation” in the NCAA Tournament, which starts Thursday.The cancellations came a day after Duke&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/duke-acc-tournament-positive-covid-ends-streak-1730784a03b97e0bcc2aad536cd9ac0b">withdrew from the ACC Tournament</a>&nbsp;and ended its season amid its own positive test before facing the 15th-ranked Seminoles in the quarterfinals.The Jayhawks learned earlier this week they would be without center David McCormack and backup forward Tristan Enaruna due to COVID-19 protocols. They beat No. 25 Oklahoma 69-62 in the quarterfinals without them, and had gone the entire season without an outbreak that forced a cancellation or postponement.“Obviously we are disappointed and our players are disappointed that they can’t continue to compete for the Big 12 championship,” coach Bill Self said in a statement. “While we have been fortunate to avoid this throughout the season, there are daily risks with this virus that everybody participating is trying to avoid.“We have followed the daily testing and additional protocols that have been setup for us, unfortunately we caught a bad break at the wrong time. I look forward to preparing my team in probably a unique way for next week’s NCAA Tournament.”NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn declined to comment Friday on the Virginia and Kansas cancellations.Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner said on a Zoom call with reporters that the ACC should not cancel the rest of the tournament, even though the three teams left are already almost certain to be invited to the NCAA Tournament.“We want to go win that game and put our name in the record book,” Pastner said, adding that he hopes the Cavaliers also get to compete next week after winning the last NCAA Tournament held in 2019.“They’re the defending national champions. They’re our league champions,” he said.ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips said in a statement that he was “heartbroken” for the student-athletes, coaches and support staff at Duke and Virginia and that the league will follow the lead of “our medical personnel.”The NCAA Tournament will be held entirely in the state of Indiana to create what NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt has called a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-basketball-nhl-coronavirus-pandemic-mens-college-basketball-35c30bf6cdefbd788a68077a2705394f">“controlled environment”</a>&nbsp;instead of a bubble.The tournament protocols include requiring each member of a team’s travel party to complete seven negative COVID-19 tests before leaving for Indianapolis. Gavitt has said a team can continue to play if it has five players available through those safety protocols.“This whole year has been a lot different for everyone with the testing protocols, socially distancing, wearing masks, making sure you’re not seeing people outside of your bubble really,” Virginia guard Sam Hauser said after Thursday’s win against Syracuse on a last-second shot.“Pretty proud of our guys. We were very disciplined throughout the year and continue to be, especially this time of the year when if you get a COVID bug like that, it could end your season. ... We’re just going to continue to take the right protocols, and we should be all right.”

🏀 Kansas withdraws from Big 12 Tournament after positive COVID test

The TMP-Marian Monarchs take on the Hesston Swathers in the 3A state semifinals Friday in Hutchinson.

The game is set to start at 3 p.m. Our coverage begins at 2:40 p.m. with the Hertz Rental Car Pregame show.

<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KHAZ">Click HERE to listen live on KHAZ 99.5 FM.</a>

Due to KSHSAA regulations, video of the game cannot be live-streamed by Eagle. Our crews will record the game for playback on HaysPost.com.

The TMP-Marian Monarchs take on the Hesston Swathers in the 3A state semifinals Friday in Hutchinson.The game is set to start at 3 p.m. Our coverage begins at 2:40 p.m. with the Hertz Rental Car Pregame show.<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KHAZ">Click HERE to listen live on KHAZ 99.5 FM.</a>Due to KSHSAA regulations, video of the game cannot be live-streamed by Eagle. Our crews will record the game for playback on HaysPost.com.

🏀LISTEN LIVE: TMP-Marian vs. Hesston

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Ochai Agbaji scored a career-high 26 points, Marcus Garrett added 17, and No. 11 Kansas held on after blowing most of a 20-point halftime lead to beat No. 25 Oklahoma 69-62 on Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament.

Mitch Lightfoot added 11 points for the No. 2 seed Jayhawks (20-8), who played without big man David McCormack and backup forward Tristan Enaruna, both of whom were caught up in COVID-19 protocols leading up to the tournament.

The seventh-seeded Sooners (15-10) trailed 35-15 at halftime, but they managed to close within 62-59 with 3 1/2 minutes to go when Elijah Harkless followed a miss by Austin Reaves with a bucket of his own. But the Sooners didn’t get another field goal to go until the final minute, by which point the Jayhawks had put the game away.

Kansas will play No. 13 Texas or No. 20 Texas Tech in the semifinals Friday night.

Reaves and Brady Manek scored 19 points apiece to lead Oklahoma, which ended a four-game skid with its first-round win over Iowa State but couldn’t capitalize on the momentum. Harkless added 15 points before fouling out.

Without McCormack at his disposal, coach Bill Self opted for a four-guard starting lineup with nobody taller than 6-foot-8 forward Jalen Wilson, and the smaller Jayhawks spent the first half buzzing around Oklahoma’s backcourt like a bunch of gnats.

After Manek gave the Sooners a 6-4 lead in the opening minutes, they only managed one more field goal — a 3 from Manek — over the next 10 minutes. And after Reaves curled in another 3-pointer to get them within 18-12, the Sooners went six more minutes without another field goal.

Oklahoma was 6 of 20 from the field with 13 turnovers, and its 15 points set a season low for scoring in a half.

It may have taken the Sooners 20 minutes to dig a 20-point deficit, but they needed just 10 to erase most of it.

The Jayhawks grew stagnant on offense with Agbaji and Garrett the only ones able to get anything to go, and their once-stingy defense became downright generous. Manek and Reaves took advantage of the newfound open looks with a barrage of 3-pointers, which opened up the lane for Harkless and De’Vion Harmon to slice to the basket.

By the time Reaves drilled a 3-pointer with 5 minutes to go, and Harkless followed Reaves’ miss with a layup a few minutes later, the Sooners were within 62-57 and had the roughly 3,000 fans in T-Mobile Center on edge.

Mitch Lightfoot’s basket with 2:22 left was the first in the second half by anybody but Agbaji and Garrett for Kansas, and Garrett answered Reaves’ free throw moments later with one of his own to make it 65-60 with 1:36 to go.

Reaves misfired from the top of the arc on the Sooners’ next possession, allowing Kansas to hang on the final minute.

Oklahoma finished with a season-high 18 turnovers. The Sooners also got just four points off the bench, and their inability to take advantage of McCormack’s absence in the paint was noticeable all game.

Kansas has struggled at the foul line much of the season, but Self’s team was 9 of 11 from the stripe Thursday night. Wilson made a couple free throws in the final seconds that ultimately sealed the victory.

The Jayhawks will face the Texas Tech-Texas winner for a spot in the championship game.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Ochai Agbaji scored a career-high 26 points, Marcus Garrett added 17, and No. 11 Kansas held on after blowing most of a 20-point halftime lead to beat No. 25 Oklahoma 69-62 on Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament.Mitch Lightfoot added 11 points for the No. 2 seed Jayhawks (20-8), who played without big man David McCormack and backup forward Tristan Enaruna, both of whom were caught up in COVID-19 protocols leading up to the tournament.The seventh-seeded Sooners (15-10) trailed 35-15 at halftime, but they managed to close within 62-59 with 3 1/2 minutes to go when Elijah Harkless followed a miss by Austin Reaves with a bucket of his own. But the Sooners didn’t get another field goal to go until the final minute, by which point the Jayhawks had put the game away.Kansas will play No. 13 Texas or No. 20 Texas Tech in the semifinals Friday night.Reaves and Brady Manek scored 19 points apiece to lead Oklahoma, which ended a four-game skid with its first-round win over Iowa State but couldn’t capitalize on the momentum. Harkless added 15 points before fouling out.Without McCormack at his disposal, coach Bill Self opted for a four-guard starting lineup with nobody taller than 6-foot-8 forward Jalen Wilson, and the smaller Jayhawks spent the first half buzzing around Oklahoma’s backcourt like a bunch of gnats.After Manek gave the Sooners a 6-4 lead in the opening minutes, they only managed one more field goal — a 3 from Manek — over the next 10 minutes. And after Reaves curled in another 3-pointer to get them within 18-12, the Sooners went six more minutes without another field goal.Oklahoma was 6 of 20 from the field with 13 turnovers, and its 15 points set a season low for scoring in a half.It may have taken the Sooners 20 minutes to dig a 20-point deficit, but they needed just 10 to erase most of it.The Jayhawks grew stagnant on offense with Agbaji and Garrett the only ones able to get anything to go, and their once-stingy defense became downright generous. Manek and Reaves took advantage of the newfound open looks with a barrage of 3-pointers, which opened up the lane for Harkless and De’Vion Harmon to slice to the basket.By the time Reaves drilled a 3-pointer with 5 minutes to go, and Harkless followed Reaves’ miss with a layup a few minutes later, the Sooners were within 62-57 and had the roughly 3,000 fans in T-Mobile Center on edge.Mitch Lightfoot’s basket with 2:22 left was the first in the second half by anybody but Agbaji and Garrett for Kansas, and Garrett answered Reaves’ free throw moments later with one of his own to make it 65-60 with 1:36 to go.Reaves misfired from the top of the arc on the Sooners’ next possession, allowing Kansas to hang on the final minute.BIG PICTUREOklahoma finished with a season-high 18 turnovers. The Sooners also got just four points off the bench, and their inability to take advantage of McCormack’s absence in the paint was noticeable all game.Kansas has struggled at the foul line much of the season, but Self’s team was 9 of 11 from the stripe Thursday night. Wilson made a couple free throws in the final seconds that ultimately sealed the victory.UP NEXTThe Jayhawks will face the Texas Tech-Texas winner for a spot in the championship game.

🏀 Agbaji scores 26, No. 11 KU holds off No. 25 Oklahoma

WARRENSBURG, Mo. - The Fort Hays State baseball team could not quite get things done Thursday (March 11), falling in both ends of a doubleheader at No. 14 Central Missouri. The Mules pulled away with a 9-0 win in the series opener before the Tigers battled to an 8-5 loss in game 2. The teams will attempt to get in game 3 beginning at 10:30 a.m. Friday, With rain in the forecast in the morning, stay tuned to fhsuathletics.com and @fhsubaseball on twitter for any further updates. Game 1 - No. 14 Central Missouri 9, Fort Hays State 0 Fort Hays State held the Mules at bay over the first three innings of game one, allowing just one run on two hits. But the Mules erupted for five runs on six hits in the fourth inning, including a pair of home runs to take a 6-0 lead. UCM pushed across three more runs in the sixth to pad its lead to 9-0. The Tigers were limited tofour hits, including one each from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6022">Jacob Bouzide</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6047">Garrett Stephens</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6043">Grant Schmidt</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6024">Griffin Brunson</a>. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6059">Jayce Meyer</a>&nbsp;(0-1) took the loss in his first collegiate start after allowing six runs on eight hits over 3.1 innings of work.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6046">Jake Steinbring</a>&nbsp;tossed 2.2 innings of relief, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out two.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6045">Brayden Smith</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6023">Ryan Brown</a>&nbsp;finished the game with each tossing one scoreless inning. Game 2 - No. 14 Central Missouri 8, Fort Hays State 5 The Tigers got the bats going in game two, jumping in front in the top of the first on a home run to right from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6047">Garrett Stephens</a>. The redshirt-senior drove in&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6051">Kade Wallace</a>&nbsp;who opened the two-out rally with a single to left center. Central Missouri responded with a run in the home half of the first, but Fort Hays State tacked on two more runs in the second to go up 4-1.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6053">Jaxson Webb</a>&nbsp;turned a 1-2 count into a walk after taking three straight pitches before moving to second on a single from Connor Kessler.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6024">Griffin Brunson</a>&nbsp;followed with a double into the left-field corner, plating Webb and Kessler. The Mules fought back with five runs in the next half inning, taking advantage of four hits and three hit-by-pitches. Central Missouri added another run in the third before being held scoreless in four consecutive innings. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6043">Grant Schmidt</a>&nbsp;helped the Tigers close the gap to 7-5 with an RBI double in the top of the fifth, plating Wallace. Kessler was 3-for-4 with one run in the second game, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6051">Kade Wallace</a>&nbsp;scored a team-high two runs. Brunson was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI while Stephens also drove in a pair of runs with one hit and one walk. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6026">Jake Campbell</a>&nbsp;(2-1) took the loss after allowing six runs on four hits over 1.1 innings of work.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6028">Jacob Ensz</a>&nbsp;tossed 4.2 effective innings of relief, giving up just one run on three hits while striking out four batters.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6027">Jacob Douglas</a>&nbsp;tossed the next 1.1 innings and allowed one run on two hits, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6058">Dustin Menard</a>&nbsp;came on for the final two outs, including one strikeout.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615553759198.jpeg" alt="Courtesy FHSU Athletics (Darrel Freund)" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy FHSU Athletics (Darrel Freund)</figcaption>
 </figure>WARRENSBURG, Mo. - The Fort Hays State baseball team could not quite get things done Thursday (March 11), falling in both ends of a doubleheader at No. 14 Central Missouri. The Mules pulled away with a 9-0 win in the series opener before the Tigers battled to an 8-5 loss in game 2. The teams will attempt to get in game 3 beginning at 10:30 a.m. Friday, With rain in the forecast in the morning, stay tuned to fhsuathletics.com and @fhsubaseball on twitter for any further updates. Game 1 - No. 14 Central Missouri 9, Fort Hays State 0 Fort Hays State held the Mules at bay over the first three innings of game one, allowing just one run on two hits. But the Mules erupted for five runs on six hits in the fourth inning, including a pair of home runs to take a 6-0 lead. UCM pushed across three more runs in the sixth to pad its lead to 9-0. The Tigers were limited tofour hits, including one each from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6022">Jacob Bouzide</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6047">Garrett Stephens</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6043">Grant Schmidt</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6024">Griffin Brunson</a>. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6059">Jayce Meyer</a>&nbsp;(0-1) took the loss in his first collegiate start after allowing six runs on eight hits over 3.1 innings of work.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6046">Jake Steinbring</a>&nbsp;tossed 2.2 innings of relief, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out two.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6045">Brayden Smith</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6023">Ryan Brown</a>&nbsp;finished the game with each tossing one scoreless inning. Game 2 - No. 14 Central Missouri 8, Fort Hays State 5 The Tigers got the bats going in game two, jumping in front in the top of the first on a home run to right from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6047">Garrett Stephens</a>. The redshirt-senior drove in&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6051">Kade Wallace</a>&nbsp;who opened the two-out rally with a single to left center. Central Missouri responded with a run in the home half of the first, but Fort Hays State tacked on two more runs in the second to go up 4-1.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6053">Jaxson Webb</a>&nbsp;turned a 1-2 count into a walk after taking three straight pitches before moving to second on a single from Connor Kessler.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6024">Griffin Brunson</a>&nbsp;followed with a double into the left-field corner, plating Webb and Kessler. The Mules fought back with five runs in the next half inning, taking advantage of four hits and three hit-by-pitches. Central Missouri added another run in the third before being held scoreless in four consecutive innings. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6043">Grant Schmidt</a>&nbsp;helped the Tigers close the gap to 7-5 with an RBI double in the top of the fifth, plating Wallace. Kessler was 3-for-4 with one run in the second game, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6051">Kade Wallace</a>&nbsp;scored a team-high two runs. Brunson was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI while Stephens also drove in a pair of runs with one hit and one walk. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6026">Jake Campbell</a>&nbsp;(2-1) took the loss after allowing six runs on four hits over 1.1 innings of work.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6028">Jacob Ensz</a>&nbsp;tossed 4.2 effective innings of relief, giving up just one run on three hits while striking out four batters.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6027">Jacob Douglas</a>&nbsp;tossed the next 1.1 innings and allowed one run on two hits, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6058">Dustin Menard</a>&nbsp;came on for the final two outs, including one strikeout.FHSU Athletics

⚾ FHSU baseball drops double dip at No. 14 Mules

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Baylor coach Scott Drew has always believed the team that advanced the previous night in the Big 12 Tournament has the advantage in the first half over the team that had a bye into the quarterfinal round.

The team with the fresh legs has the advantage down the stretch.

That played out in the second-ranked Bears’ survive-and-advance win over Kansas State on Thursday. It took big games from the backcourt of MaCio Teague, Davion Mitchell and Jared Butler along with some crucial plays in the closing seconds for the Bears to hold on for a 74-68 victory and avoid what would have been one of the biggest upsets in tournament history.

“I thought we were a little tentative,” Drew said. “In the first game you have a little jitters. A lot of our guys hadn’t played in the Big 12 Tournament. They were really excited and sometimes that makes you play hesitant. But give Kansas State a lot of credit. I thought they had a great game plan.”

The top-seeded Bears (22-1) rolled into T-Mobile Arena after their first regular-season conference title since 1950, three straight wins over ranked teams and with a No. 1 seed in next week’s NCAA Tournament nearly locked up.

Yet the Wildcats (9-20), who lost their two regular-season games to Baylor by an average of 40 points, never allowed the high-powered Bears to slip away. The plucky bunch of kids kept answering baskets until the final minute. Freshman Nijel Pack’s sixth 3-pointer got them within 70-66 with just over a minute to go.

Mitchell missed at the other end, but Kansas State couldn’t capitalize when Mike McGuirl threw a wild pass that Pack batted into the air. The Bears came down with the loose ball and Butler made a couple free throws to seal the win.

It sent Baylor into a semifinal matchup with No. 12 Oklahoma State on Friday night.

Teague finished with 24 points, Mitchell had 23 and Butler had 18 as the Bears’ starting backcourt scored all but nine of their points. But while Teague was solid with the ball, Butler and Mitchell had 13 of Baylor’s 21 turnovers.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. It’s hard to beat a team three times,” Mitchell said. “They had a really good plan. They played really hard, really tough. They won yesterday so they had a lot of momentum, so it’s good for us in the long run.”

Pack finished with 18 points, as did Davion Bradford, as the ninth-seeded Wildcats lost their ninth straight game against the top seed in the Big 12 Tournament. Kansas State had beaten No. 10 seed TCU in the opening round.

“It felt good for us to have courage and show the improvement we had from the beginning of the year to now, so it felt good,” Pack said. “It feels like we’re a whole new team. It’s like a preview of the years to come.”

Baylor struggled after a late-season, three-week pause because of COVID-19, barely squeaking past Big 12 bottom-dweller Iowa State and losing its only game at Kansas. But the Bears appeared to get their legs — and lungs — back with an overtime win at West Virginia followed by easy wins over ranked teams Oklahoma State and Texas Tech.

They must have lost their mojo again on the way to Kansas City.

The Bears struggled to control the 7-foot Bradford in the paint. They couldn’t track down Pack on the perimeter. They coughed up a dozen turnovers by halftime, and they were slow getting to just about every loose ball.

Kansas State hung around long enough to take a 37-36 lead, its first of the game, on Pack’s 3-pointer out of the break.

The Bears slowly regained control, and when Mitchell answered Pack’s fifth 3 with one of his own — and Teague converted a three-point play moments later — they finally had some breathing room for the first time.

They needed every bit of it down the stretch.

Kansas State had the second-most starts by freshmen in the country behind Kentucky, and it showed during a 13-game losing streak amid a 5-18 start. But the Wildcats may have been the most improved team in the league down the stretch, winning four of five capped by their win over TCU in the first round of the tournament.

Baylor struggled to handle Kansas big man David McCormack in its lone loss this season, and its inability to deal with post players showed up again Thursday. Bradford is far from polished in the paint, but he managed to get a series of easy points at the the rim, and that should concern Drew ahead of the NCAA Tournament.

The Bears will play the red-hot Cowboys on Friday night for a spot in the championship game.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Baylor coach Scott Drew has always believed the team that advanced the previous night in the Big 12 Tournament has the advantage in the first half over the team that had a bye into the quarterfinal round.The team with the fresh legs has the advantage down the stretch.That played out in the second-ranked Bears’ survive-and-advance win over Kansas State on Thursday. It took big games from the backcourt of MaCio Teague, Davion Mitchell and Jared Butler along with some crucial plays in the closing seconds for the Bears to hold on for a 74-68 victory and avoid what would have been one of the biggest upsets in tournament history.“I thought we were a little tentative,” Drew said. “In the first game you have a little jitters. A lot of our guys hadn’t played in the Big 12 Tournament. They were really excited and sometimes that makes you play hesitant. But give Kansas State a lot of credit. I thought they had a great game plan.”The top-seeded Bears (22-1) rolled into T-Mobile Arena after their first regular-season conference title since 1950, three straight wins over ranked teams and with a No. 1 seed in next week’s NCAA Tournament nearly locked up.Yet the Wildcats (9-20), who lost their two regular-season games to Baylor by an average of 40 points, never allowed the high-powered Bears to slip away. The plucky bunch of kids kept answering baskets until the final minute. Freshman Nijel Pack’s sixth 3-pointer got them within 70-66 with just over a minute to go.Mitchell missed at the other end, but Kansas State couldn’t capitalize when Mike McGuirl threw a wild pass that Pack batted into the air. The Bears came down with the loose ball and Butler made a couple free throws to seal the win.It sent Baylor into a semifinal matchup with No. 12 Oklahoma State on Friday night.Teague finished with 24 points, Mitchell had 23 and Butler had 18 as the Bears’ starting backcourt scored all but nine of their points. But while Teague was solid with the ball, Butler and Mitchell had 13 of Baylor’s 21 turnovers.“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. It’s hard to beat a team three times,” Mitchell said. “They had a really good plan. They played really hard, really tough. They won yesterday so they had a lot of momentum, so it’s good for us in the long run.”Pack finished with 18 points, as did Davion Bradford, as the ninth-seeded Wildcats lost their ninth straight game against the top seed in the Big 12 Tournament. Kansas State had beaten No. 10 seed TCU in the opening round.“It felt good for us to have courage and show the improvement we had from the beginning of the year to now, so it felt good,” Pack said. “It feels like we’re a whole new team. It’s like a preview of the years to come.”Baylor struggled after a late-season, three-week pause because of COVID-19, barely squeaking past Big 12 bottom-dweller Iowa State and losing its only game at Kansas. But the Bears appeared to get their legs — and lungs — back with an overtime win at West Virginia followed by easy wins over ranked teams Oklahoma State and Texas Tech.They must have lost their mojo again on the way to Kansas City.The Bears struggled to control the 7-foot Bradford in the paint. They couldn’t track down Pack on the perimeter. They coughed up a dozen turnovers by halftime, and they were slow getting to just about every loose ball.Kansas State hung around long enough to take a 37-36 lead, its first of the game, on Pack’s 3-pointer out of the break.The Bears slowly regained control, and when Mitchell answered Pack’s fifth 3 with one of his own — and Teague converted a three-point play moments later — they finally had some breathing room for the first time.They needed every bit of it down the stretch.BIG PICTUREKansas State had the second-most starts by freshmen in the country behind Kentucky, and it showed during a 13-game losing streak amid a 5-18 start. But the Wildcats may have been the most improved team in the league down the stretch, winning four of five capped by their win over TCU in the first round of the tournament.Baylor struggled to handle Kansas big man David McCormack in its lone loss this season, and its inability to deal with post players showed up again Thursday. Bradford is far from polished in the paint, but he managed to get a series of easy points at the the rim, and that should concern Drew ahead of the NCAA Tournament.UP NEXTThe Bears will play the red-hot Cowboys on Friday night for a spot in the championship game.

🏀 No. 2 Baylor holds off K-State in Big 12 quarters

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Fort Hays State track and field's Matthew Pieper&nbsp;sits in fifth&nbsp;through four events of the heptathlon at the 2021 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships. The senior collected 2,877 points on Thursday and sits less than 100 points out of third place. Pieper opened the day with a time of 7.22 in the 60m dash, fifth-fastest in the field, before clearing the second-longest distance in the long jump at 23-3.5. The Colby, Kan. native posted a top heave of 37-0.5 in the shot put before rounding out the day by clearing the 6-0.75 bar in the high jump. He came close to posting PRs in three of the four disciplines. Pieper will wrap up competition with the final three events on Friday beginning at 10 a.m. Two other Tigers will be in action at the national meet on Friday, with Alexandra Hart competing in the high jump beginning at 4:30 p.m. and Lyric Holman running in the 60m dash prelims at 7:45 p.m. Full FHSU Results Heptathlon 5th - Matthew Pieper&nbsp;- 2877 60m - 7.22 - 806 LJ - 23-3.5 - 838 SP - 37-0.5 - 563 HJ - 6-0.75 - 670&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615553970102.jpeg" alt="Courtesy Washburn Sports Information (Gene Cassell)" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Washburn Sports Information (Gene Cassell)</figcaption>
 </figure>BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Fort Hays State track and field's Matthew Pieper&nbsp;sits in fifth&nbsp;through four events of the heptathlon at the 2021 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships. The senior collected 2,877 points on Thursday and sits less than 100 points out of third place. Pieper opened the day with a time of 7.22 in the 60m dash, fifth-fastest in the field, before clearing the second-longest distance in the long jump at 23-3.5. The Colby, Kan. native posted a top heave of 37-0.5 in the shot put before rounding out the day by clearing the 6-0.75 bar in the high jump. He came close to posting PRs in three of the four disciplines. Pieper will wrap up competition with the final three events on Friday beginning at 10 a.m. Two other Tigers will be in action at the national meet on Friday, with Alexandra Hart competing in the high jump beginning at 4:30 p.m. and Lyric Holman running in the 60m dash prelims at 7:45 p.m. Full FHSU Results Heptathlon 5th - Matthew Pieper&nbsp;- 2877 60m - 7.22 - 806 LJ - 23-3.5 - 838 SP - 37-0.5 - 563 HJ - 6-0.75 - 670&nbsp;&nbsp;FHSU Athletics

🏃‍♂️ FHSU's Pieper fifth after four events in heptathlon at nationals

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - Fort Hays State's&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5776">Jonathan Gammelvind</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5675">Kieran Brown</a>&nbsp;received Great American Conference Men's Soccer Player of the Week honors on Thursday, March 11. Gammelvind was named the Defender of the Week, while Brown was named Goalkeeper of the Week. Gammelvind posted his first point as a Tiger last week, assisting on one of the three goals by Fort Hays State in a 3-0 win over Ouachita Baptist. He helped the Tigers produce their second straight shutout of an opponent to open the year. The Tigers limited Ouachita Baptist to seven total shots for the match. Brown is the Goalkeeper of the Week for the second straight week. He now has two shutout victories to open the season after FHSU's 3-0 win over Ouachita Baptist. He saved five of the seven shots taken by OBU in the match. Gammelvind and Brown join Ignacio Lerech, the Offensive Player of the Week from Newman, as this week's GAC Player of the Week honorees. FHSU Athletics

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615512762090.jpeg" alt="Courtesy FHSU Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy FHSU Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - Fort Hays State's&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5776">Jonathan Gammelvind</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5675">Kieran Brown</a>&nbsp;received Great American Conference Men's Soccer Player of the Week honors on Thursday, March 11. Gammelvind was named the Defender of the Week, while Brown was named Goalkeeper of the Week. Gammelvind posted his first point as a Tiger last week, assisting on one of the three goals by Fort Hays State in a 3-0 win over Ouachita Baptist. He helped the Tigers produce their second straight shutout of an opponent to open the year. The Tigers limited Ouachita Baptist to seven total shots for the match. Brown is the Goalkeeper of the Week for the second straight week. He now has two shutout victories to open the season after FHSU's 3-0 win over Ouachita Baptist. He saved five of the seven shots taken by OBU in the match. Gammelvind and Brown join Ignacio Lerech, the Offensive Player of the Week from Newman, as this week's GAC Player of the Week honorees. FHSU Athletics

⚽ FHSU's Gammelvind and Brown receive GAC Player of the Week honors

It was just a few months ago when I wondered if Fort Hays State University Tiger athletics would happen at all during the 2020-21 season. However, not only did our student-athletes take the field, they did so in a safe, winning fashion. Although the fall sports were delayed, all of our student-athletes have a chance to compete this semester. Competition, at least safe competition, would not be possible without the guidance and the hard work of some key individuals – those who comprise the team behind the teams. This includes, among many others, our team doctor, athletic trainers, coaches, facilities staff, and of course, the student-athletes themselves.

Since the fall semester, our team administered more than 1,300 COVID-19 tests for athletes alone. Only 1.3 percent of these tests were positive. Thus far, during the second semester, our test results have been below 1 percent positive. From Feb. 22 through the end of the semester, we project another 2,200 tests of athletes, coaches, trainers, and team managers.

Spring testing protocols include requiring members of the men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s indoor track and field, and wrestling teams to test their entire rosters weekly. The “travel party” that accompanies our teams is also tested the week of their scheduled departure. High-risk sports, such as football and volleyball, also test their entire rosters during the week of competition. Medium-risk sports, such as soccer, baseball, and softball, test entire rosters when traveling and utilize surveillance testing when not traveling. Low-risk sports, such as track and field, golf, and tennis, test the entire roster prior to traveling.&nbsp;

The testing protocols, when warranted, are followed by contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine. Testing is supplemented with numerous cleaning protocols, training and practice protocols, and a lot of open and regular communication with many partners. Our partners include FHSU student health, Ellis County Health, the athletic and medical staff of our rival universities, and MIAA and NCAA personnel.

Leading our team behind the teams is the truly remarkable Dr. Wally Wallstrom (Doc Wally), who works with the university through a cooperative agreement with Hays Medical Center. While we have always been grateful for the time and expertise of Doc Wally, his ongoing leadership and recommendations have clearly been the driving force behind our successful winter and spring seasons. Clearly, Doc Wally’s oversight is the reason we have the privilege to gather in the name of Tiger athletics.

“I can’t say enough about Doc Wally’s guidance throughout this process,” said Curtis Hammeke, FHSU athletics director. “We have turned to him repeatedly since last spring. He has consulted with Jason Kennedy, the Ellis County health director, and created protocols for us to follow from the weight room last summer, throughout the fall, and into the competitive winter seasons. He has made himself available on a regular basis to address issues in a timely fashion. We have always appreciated all he does for our athletes as our team doctor, but I don’t know how we would have navigated these challenges without him.”

Hammeke also noted that he is equally grateful for the tremendous effort the FHSU athletic training staff and Student Health have made to keep our athletes competing this spring. They have done everything from 5 a.m. daily health screenings of our student-athletes to supporting our coaching staff in maintaining appropriate protocols.

“While the entire athletic training staff has gone well above and beyond their normal responsibilities, associate athletic trainer Dustin Bradstreet has taken the lead on organizing and implementing the weekly testing,” Hammeke said. “Dustin has been unwavering in his commitment to the safety of our student-athletes and coaching staff. He has willingly taken on a considerable amount of responsibility with great professionalism and ethics. He is a great example of those throughout the country who have stepped forward to address these challenges head on.”&nbsp;

There are so many who deserve a spotlight in this article – too many to mention – but let me add just a couple more statements of praise through the eyes of our student-athletes.

“It’s definitely been good to get a full season in,” said Jared Vitztum, the leading scorer and rebounder for the Tiger men’s basketball team. “I attribute the success of our testing program to our training staff and the MIAA protocols. Dustin Bradstreet, our trainer, has been a big part of the success,” added Vitztum, a graduate student from Hays. “He is the one making sure we are wearing masks on trips, really keeping us tidy with the rules to follow on and off the court, and obviously all the coaches do their part as well.”

Whitney Randall of the Tiger women’s basketball squad agrees. “Our athletic trainers have been really great during the testing process,” said Randall, a senior from Alva, Okla. “I’m grateful for Carlee Lindsey and Dustin Bradstreet, because they are very knowledgeable and on top of things. As a team, we really appreciate all they do in being part of our success. The coaches and staff have also done a great job of making us stay on top of things through the process.”

Indeed, the team behind the teams works tirelessly to monitor and maintain the health and safety of our athletes, coaches, and staff. Responsible for our success story this winter, that team is also keeping FHSU athletes in the game this spring.

Several Tiger student-athletes participating in winter sports are still enjoying success this month and will be in action this weekend. The women’s basketball team won the MIAA regular-season title and qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament as the No. 1 seed in the Central Region. Four FHSU student-athletes qualified for the NCAA D-II National Indoor Track and Field Meet. And senior A.J. Cooper earned the No. 5 seed in the 285-pound bracket of the D-II National Wrestling Championships.

As we work toward what I would call an “adjusted normalcy,” we continue to proudly cheer on all our student-athletes. Go Tigers!&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575301942236.jpeg" alt="Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president</figcaption>
 </figure>It was just a few months ago when I wondered if Fort Hays State University Tiger athletics would happen at all during the 2020-21 season. However, not only did our student-athletes take the field, they did so in a safe, winning fashion. Although the fall sports were delayed, all of our student-athletes have a chance to compete this semester. Competition, at least safe competition, would not be possible without the guidance and the hard work of some key individuals – those who comprise the team behind the teams. This includes, among many others, our team doctor, athletic trainers, coaches, facilities staff, and of course, the student-athletes themselves.Since the fall semester, our team administered more than 1,300 COVID-19 tests for athletes alone. Only 1.3 percent of these tests were positive. Thus far, during the second semester, our test results have been below 1 percent positive. From Feb. 22 through the end of the semester, we project another 2,200 tests of athletes, coaches, trainers, and team managers.Spring testing protocols include requiring members of the men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s indoor track and field, and wrestling teams to test their entire rosters weekly. The “travel party” that accompanies our teams is also tested the week of their scheduled departure. High-risk sports, such as football and volleyball, also test their entire rosters during the week of competition. Medium-risk sports, such as soccer, baseball, and softball, test entire rosters when traveling and utilize surveillance testing when not traveling. Low-risk sports, such as track and field, golf, and tennis, test the entire roster prior to traveling.&nbsp;The testing protocols, when warranted, are followed by contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine. Testing is supplemented with numerous cleaning protocols, training and practice protocols, and a lot of open and regular communication with many partners. Our partners include FHSU student health, Ellis County Health, the athletic and medical staff of our rival universities, and MIAA and NCAA personnel.Leading our team behind the teams is the truly remarkable Dr. Wally Wallstrom (Doc Wally), who works with the university through a cooperative agreement with Hays Medical Center. While we have always been grateful for the time and expertise of Doc Wally, his ongoing leadership and recommendations have clearly been the driving force behind our successful winter and spring seasons. Clearly, Doc Wally’s oversight is the reason we have the privilege to gather in the name of Tiger athletics.“I can’t say enough about Doc Wally’s guidance throughout this process,” said Curtis Hammeke, FHSU athletics director. “We have turned to him repeatedly since last spring. He has consulted with Jason Kennedy, the Ellis County health director, and created protocols for us to follow from the weight room last summer, throughout the fall, and into the competitive winter seasons. He has made himself available on a regular basis to address issues in a timely fashion. We have always appreciated all he does for our athletes as our team doctor, but I don’t know how we would have navigated these challenges without him.”Hammeke also noted that he is equally grateful for the tremendous effort the FHSU athletic training staff and Student Health have made to keep our athletes competing this spring. They have done everything from 5 a.m. daily health screenings of our student-athletes to supporting our coaching staff in maintaining appropriate protocols.“While the entire athletic training staff has gone well above and beyond their normal responsibilities, associate athletic trainer Dustin Bradstreet has taken the lead on organizing and implementing the weekly testing,” Hammeke said. “Dustin has been unwavering in his commitment to the safety of our student-athletes and coaching staff. He has willingly taken on a considerable amount of responsibility with great professionalism and ethics. He is a great example of those throughout the country who have stepped forward to address these challenges head on.”&nbsp;There are so many who deserve a spotlight in this article – too many to mention – but let me add just a couple more statements of praise through the eyes of our student-athletes.“It’s definitely been good to get a full season in,” said Jared Vitztum, the leading scorer and rebounder for the Tiger men’s basketball team. “I attribute the success of our testing program to our training staff and the MIAA protocols. Dustin Bradstreet, our trainer, has been a big part of the success,” added Vitztum, a graduate student from Hays. “He is the one making sure we are wearing masks on trips, really keeping us tidy with the rules to follow on and off the court, and obviously all the coaches do their part as well.”Whitney Randall of the Tiger women’s basketball squad agrees. “Our athletic trainers have been really great during the testing process,” said Randall, a senior from Alva, Okla. “I’m grateful for Carlee Lindsey and Dustin Bradstreet, because they are very knowledgeable and on top of things. As a team, we really appreciate all they do in being part of our success. The coaches and staff have also done a great job of making us stay on top of things through the process.”Indeed, the team behind the teams works tirelessly to monitor and maintain the health and safety of our athletes, coaches, and staff. Responsible for our success story this winter, that team is also keeping FHSU athletes in the game this spring.Several Tiger student-athletes participating in winter sports are still enjoying success this month and will be in action this weekend. The women’s basketball team won the MIAA regular-season title and qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament as the No. 1 seed in the Central Region. Four FHSU student-athletes qualified for the NCAA D-II National Indoor Track and Field Meet. And senior A.J. Cooper earned the No. 5 seed in the 285-pound bracket of the D-II National Wrestling Championships.As we work toward what I would call an “adjusted normalcy,” we continue to proudly cheer on all our student-athletes. Go Tigers!&nbsp;