Former FHSU softball standout Maddie Holub visits about her career and recent induction into the Tiger Sports Hall of Fame.

Former FHSU softball standout Maddie Holub visits about her career and recent induction into the Tiger Sports Hall of Fame.<div><iframe title="Maddie Holub" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/25eyx-e43b22?from=pb6admin&amp;download=1&amp;version=1&amp;vjs=1&amp;auto=0&amp;share=1&amp;download=1&amp;rtl=0&amp;fonts=Helvetica&amp;skin=7&amp;pfauth="></iframe></div>

🎧 Defend the Fort Podcast: Maddie Holub

TOPEKA — With the results of the Kansas State School Board of Education vote Wednesday, the&nbsp;KSHSAA Executive Board met Wednesday afternoon. During the meeting, the Executive Board approved a&nbsp;Remote Learning Policy that districts may choose to implement for the fall semester. This new policy is&nbsp;available via “<a href="http://kshsaa.org/public/pdf/remotelearningpolicy.pdf">Remote Learning Policy</a>.”

Additionally, the Executive Board provided a final review of considerations for the resumption of fall&nbsp;activities. These considerations are available via “<a href="http://www.kshsaa.org/public/pdf/kshsaareturntoact-general.pdf">KSHSAA Return To Act - General</a>” and are intended to&nbsp;support your efforts in planning for the resumption of school activities with the upcoming fall season.

Additionally, activity specific considerations are available via “<a href="http://kshsaa.org/public/pdf/actspecificconsiderations.pdf">Activity Specific Considerations.</a>”

Finally, in regards to the fall season start date scheduled for Aug. 17, the Executive Board asked staff to conduct a survey of superintendents regarding the anticipated first day of school for respective districts.&nbsp;Pending results of the survey, the Executive Board would decide if it was necessary to convene the Board&nbsp;of Directors for a consideration of a possible modification to the start of the fall activity season. It is&nbsp;anticipated this survey, review, and determination by the Executive Board would be completed early next&nbsp;week.

KSHSAATOPEKA — With the results of the Kansas State School Board of Education vote Wednesday, the&nbsp;KSHSAA Executive Board met Wednesday afternoon. During the meeting, the Executive Board approved a&nbsp;Remote Learning Policy that districts may choose to implement for the fall semester. This new policy is&nbsp;available via “<a href="http://kshsaa.org/public/pdf/remotelearningpolicy.pdf">Remote Learning Policy</a>.”Additionally, the Executive Board provided a final review of considerations for the resumption of fall&nbsp;activities. These considerations are available via “<a href="http://www.kshsaa.org/public/pdf/kshsaareturntoact-general.pdf">KSHSAA Return To Act - General</a>” and are intended to&nbsp;support your efforts in planning for the resumption of school activities with the upcoming fall season.Additionally, activity specific considerations are available via “<a href="http://kshsaa.org/public/pdf/actspecificconsiderations.pdf">Activity Specific Considerations.</a>”Finally, in regards to the fall season start date scheduled for Aug. 17, the Executive Board asked staff to conduct a survey of superintendents regarding the anticipated first day of school for respective districts.&nbsp;Pending results of the survey, the Executive Board would decide if it was necessary to convene the Board&nbsp;of Directors for a consideration of a possible modification to the start of the fall activity season. It is&nbsp;anticipated this survey, review, and determination by the Executive Board would be completed early next&nbsp;week.

KSHSAA provides update on fall activities

Jacob Wyeth’s walk-off sacrifice fly lifted the Hays Larks
to their fifth straight win, a 1-0 shutout of the Colorado Roughriders.

Wednesday night’s meeting between the Larks and Roughriders
featured two really good pitching performances.

Larks’ starter Landon Shirer turned in his best performance
of the season. He allowed just two runs while walking four and striking out
four in six shoutout innings.

His counterpart, Colorado’s Matt Erickson allowed six hits
and struck out seven while allowing three walks in eight shutout innings.

But unfortunately for both neither one of them factored into
the decision.

It would take the Roughriders until the seventh inning to
get a runner to third but Larks’ reliever Drew Buhr was able to induce a double
play to end the inning.

The two teams combined to turn five double plays in the
game.

The Larks didn’t get a runner to third until the eighth
inning but left two on in the inning.

In the ninth inning Hays’ Palmer Hutchison led off the
inning with a bloop single to left then after a Grant Lung sacrifice bunt and a
Max McGuire single the Larks brought pitch hitter Jacob Wyeth to the plate as a
pinch hitter.

Wyeth jumped ahead in the count 2-0 and then lifted a pitch
to deep right field that allowed Hutchison to score easily, give Hays the
walk-off win.

Jacob Ensz worked two innings of relief for Hays and got the
win. He allowed just one hit and struck out three in two innings of relief.

Brady Strickert got the loss for Colorado. He allowed one
run on two hits in two-thirds innings of relief.

Matt Cavanaugh and Wyatt Divis each collected a pair of hits
for the Larks.

Hays improved to 17-6 on the season and will go for the
three-game sweep of the Roughriders Thursday at Larks Park.

Jacob Wyeth’s walk-off sacrifice fly lifted the Hays Larks
to their fifth straight win, a 1-0 shutout of the Colorado Roughriders.Frank Leo postgame<div><iframe width="100%" height="150" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/862842190&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-814667509/07-22-20-larks-post-interview" title="07 - 22 - 20 Larks Post Interview" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">07 - 22 - 20 Larks Post Interview</a></div></div>Wednesday night’s meeting between the Larks and Roughriders
featured two really good pitching performances.Larks’ starter Landon Shirer turned in his best performance
of the season. He allowed just two runs while walking four and striking out
four in six shoutout innings.His counterpart, Colorado’s Matt Erickson allowed six hits
and struck out seven while allowing three walks in eight shutout innings.But unfortunately for both neither one of them factored into
the decision.It would take the Roughriders until the seventh inning to
get a runner to third but Larks’ reliever Drew Buhr was able to induce a double
play to end the inning.The two teams combined to turn five double plays in the
game.The Larks didn’t get a runner to third until the eighth
inning but left two on in the inning.In the ninth inning Hays’ Palmer Hutchison led off the
inning with a bloop single to left then after a Grant Lung sacrifice bunt and a
Max McGuire single the Larks brought pitch hitter Jacob Wyeth to the plate as a
pinch hitter.Wyeth jumped ahead in the count 2-0 and then lifted a pitch
to deep right field that allowed Hutchison to score easily, give Hays the
walk-off win.Game highlights<div><iframe width="100%" height="150" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/862842238&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-814667509/07-22-20-hays-larks-highlights" title="07 - 22 - 20 Hays Larks Highlights" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">07 - 22 - 20 Hays Larks Highlights</a></div></div>Jacob Ensz worked two innings of relief for Hays and got the
win. He allowed just one hit and struck out three in two innings of relief.Brady Strickert got the loss for Colorado. He allowed one
run on two hits in two-thirds innings of relief.Matt Cavanaugh and Wyatt Divis each collected a pair of hits
for the Larks.Hays improved to 17-6 on the season and will go for the
three-game sweep of the Roughriders Thursday at Larks Park.

Larks win 5th straight in walk-off fashion

GREAT
BEND – A blowout win and frustrating loss for the Hays Senior Eagles Wednesday
night as they played their final doubleheader of the summer at the Great Bend
Sports Complex. 

The
Eagles (24-3) scored four runs in the first inning then seven in the second in
a 16-4 win in game one which was called after four innings by run rule. They outhit
the Chiefs (17-13) in the second game but lost 5-1 which ended a 12-game win
streak. 

The
Eagles loaded the bases with one out in the fifth then again with no outs in the
seventh but failed to score in both innings.

Great
Bend starter Collin Hall scattered six hits over five innings, striking out
seven. The Eagles opened the top of the seventh with three straight singles off
Chayse Gruber but a pop up, strikeout and lineout ended the game.

Hall
had back-to-back strikeouts to get out a one-out bases loaded jam in the
seventh.

Colby
Dreiling and Josh Haynes both had two hits in the nightcap. Brady Kreutzer
allowed five runs (three earned) on three hits but walked six with five
strikeouts and took the loss.

Remington
Cox had two hits and drove in five runs to lead the Eagles 13-hit attack in
game one. Brock Lummus, Carson Jacobs and Garrett Wellbrock also had two hit
games.

Starter
Garrett Wellbrock (5-0) allowed one run on two hits with three strikeouts and
four walks over three innings for the win.

The
Eagles close out their season at a tournament in Oak Grove, Missouri at the end
the month.

GREAT
BEND – A blowout win and frustrating loss for the Hays Senior Eagles Wednesday
night as they played their final doubleheader of the summer at the Great Bend
Sports Complex. The
Eagles (24-3) scored four runs in the first inning then seven in the second in
a 16-4 win in game one which was called after four innings by run rule. They outhit
the Chiefs (17-13) in the second game but lost 5-1 which ended a 12-game win
streak. The
Eagles loaded the bases with one out in the fifth then again with no outs in the
seventh but failed to score in both innings.Great
Bend starter Collin Hall scattered six hits over five innings, striking out
seven. The Eagles opened the top of the seventh with three straight singles off
Chayse Gruber but a pop up, strikeout and lineout ended the game.Hall
had back-to-back strikeouts to get out a one-out bases loaded jam in the
seventh.Colby
Dreiling and Josh Haynes both had two hits in the nightcap. Brady Kreutzer
allowed five runs (three earned) on three hits but walked six with five
strikeouts and took the loss.Remington
Cox had two hits and drove in five runs to lead the Eagles 13-hit attack in
game one. Brock Lummus, Carson Jacobs and Garrett Wellbrock also had two hit
games.Starter
Garrett Wellbrock (5-0) allowed one run on two hits with three strikeouts and
four walks over three innings for the win.The
Eagles close out their season at a tournament in Oak Grove, Missouri at the end
the month.

Senior Eagles split with Great Bend

RUSSELL
– The TMP-Marian Monarchs 18U had a couple of thrilling comeback wins over
Russell Wednesday night to close out their season. The Monarchs scored three
runs in the top of the sixth to tie game one then plated five in the top of the
seventh for a 9-4 win. They scored five runs with two outs in the seventh inning
of game two to win it 6-2.

Trailing
2-1, the Monarchs opened the seventh with a single from Bryce Connor and a Griffin
Schumacher walk. Schumacher later scored the tying run on a wild pitch. Ethan
Atherton’s base hit gave TMP the lead. After Jace Wentling scored on a wild
pitch, D Werth reached on an error which allowed two more runs to cross the
plate. 

Mark
Rack scattered six hits in the complete game victory, striking out four and
walking one.

Jace
Wentling had two of the Monarchs six hits and had the team’s only RBI.

Wentling drove in four in the first game. His double scored two runs to pull
the Monarchs within a run in the sixth. He then scored the tying run on a Noah
Gibson groundout.

Bryce
Connor’s single scored two runs to break the 4-4 tie in the seventh and gave
the Monarchs the lead for good.

Mason
Robbins allowed four runs (one earned) on eight hits for the complete game win.
Robbins struck out seven and walked none.

TMP-Marian
ends their season on a six-game win streak.

RUSSELL
– The TMP-Marian Monarchs 18U had a couple of thrilling comeback wins over
Russell Wednesday night to close out their season. The Monarchs scored three
runs in the top of the sixth to tie game one then plated five in the top of the
seventh for a 9-4 win. They scored five runs with two outs in the seventh inning
of game two to win it 6-2.Trailing
2-1, the Monarchs opened the seventh with a single from Bryce Connor and a Griffin
Schumacher walk. Schumacher later scored the tying run on a wild pitch. Ethan
Atherton’s base hit gave TMP the lead. After Jace Wentling scored on a wild
pitch, D Werth reached on an error which allowed two more runs to cross the
plate. Mark
Rack scattered six hits in the complete game victory, striking out four and
walking one.Jace
Wentling had two of the Monarchs six hits and had the team’s only RBI.Wentling drove in four in the first game. His double scored two runs to pull
the Monarchs within a run in the sixth. He then scored the tying run on a Noah
Gibson groundout.Bryce
Connor’s single scored two runs to break the 4-4 tie in the seventh and gave
the Monarchs the lead for good.Mason
Robbins allowed four runs (one earned) on eight hits for the complete game win.
Robbins struck out seven and walked none.TMP-Marian
ends their season on a six-game win streak.

Monarchs end season with sweep of Russell

HAYS - Four
Hays Larks pitchers combined on a two-hit shutout as the Larks opened their
eight game homestand with a 4-0 victory over the Colorado Rough Riders Tuesday
at Larks Park.

Starter Trevor
Munsch and Trey Riggs both pitched three scoreless innings. Brady Rose struck
out four over two innings of relief and Wyatt Divis fanned two in a one-two-three
ninth.

Riggs (1-0)
worked around a couple of singles with one out in the sixth and picked up the
win. The former Hays High standout struck out three without a walk.

Leadoff hitter
Leo Jiminian had three of the Larks seven hits, two of them doubles while
driving in a run and scoring a run.

Palmer
Hutchison led off the second inning with a double and scored on Grant Lung’s
groundout to give the Larks (16-6) the early lead.

Cameron Pehrson
gave the Larks a 3-0 lead an inning later with a two-run triple in the right
field corner.

Jiminian closed
out the scoring with a two-out RBI double in the bottom of the sixth.

The Larks got a
little help in their quest for the Rocky Mountain Baseball League title. The Colorado
Sox rallied for seven runs in the bottom of the seventh and beat the Gameday
Saints 10-9 giving the Larks are game and-a-half lead over the Saints and
Denver Cougars.

Game two between
the Larks and Rough Riders is Wednesday night which can be heard on KAYS
(94.3-FM, 1400-AM).

HAYS - Four
Hays Larks pitchers combined on a two-hit shutout as the Larks opened their
eight game homestand with a 4-0 victory over the Colorado Rough Riders Tuesday
at Larks Park.<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/862263523&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/larks-coach-frank-leo-postgame-interview-7-21-2020" title="Frank Leo Postgame Interview 072120" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Frank Leo Postgame Interview 072120</a></div></div>Starter Trevor
Munsch and Trey Riggs both pitched three scoreless innings. Brady Rose struck
out four over two innings of relief and Wyatt Divis fanned two in a one-two-three
ninth.Riggs (1-0)
worked around a couple of singles with one out in the sixth and picked up the
win. The former Hays High standout struck out three without a walk.<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/862263172&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-814667509/7-21-2020-hays-larks-vs-co-rough-riders-highlights" title="Hays Larks vs. Colo. Rough Riders Highlights 072120" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Hays Larks vs. Colo. Rough Riders Highlights 072120</a></div></div>Leadoff hitter
Leo Jiminian had three of the Larks seven hits, two of them doubles while
driving in a run and scoring a run.Palmer
Hutchison led off the second inning with a double and scored on Grant Lung’s
groundout to give the Larks (16-6) the early lead.Cameron Pehrson
gave the Larks a 3-0 lead an inning later with a two-run triple in the right
field corner.Jiminian closed
out the scoring with a two-out RBI double in the bottom of the sixth.The Larks got a
little help in their quest for the Rocky Mountain Baseball League title. The Colorado
Sox rallied for seven runs in the bottom of the seventh and beat the Gameday
Saints 10-9 giving the Larks are game and-a-half lead over the Saints and
Denver Cougars.Game two between
the Larks and Rough Riders is Wednesday night which can be heard on KAYS
(94.3-FM, 1400-AM).

Larks open final homestand with solid win over Rough Riders

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals have placed right-hander Jakob Junis on the injured list to allow him to continue preparing for the season. He missed the first part of summer camp following a positive test for the coronavirus. 

The 27-year-old Junis test positive for COVID-19 during initial testing several weeks ago. The Royals said he was cleared about a week ago to return to baseball activities. 

Junis went 9-14 with a 5.24 ERA in 31 starts last season.&nbsp;

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals have placed right-hander Jakob Junis on the injured list to allow him to continue preparing for the season. He missed the first part of summer camp following a positive test for the coronavirus. The 27-year-old Junis test positive for COVID-19 during initial testing several weeks ago. The Royals said he was cleared about a week ago to return to baseball activities. Junis went 9-14 with a 5.24 ERA in 31 starts last season.&nbsp;

Royals place Junis on injured list

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs began the intake process for first-year players Monday after the NFL gave them the go-ahead along with the Houston Texans, their opponent in the season opener Sept. 10. 

But it could be quite a while before they get on the field for training camp. All players must test negative twice before they are admitted to the facility, then they will spend a couple of days doing the more routine physicals and getting their equipment sorted out. 

Veterans are due July 28, and coach Andy Reid said it could be 10 days after that before full practices begin.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs began the intake process for first-year players Monday after the NFL gave them the go-ahead along with the Houston Texans, their opponent in the season opener Sept. 10. But it could be quite a while before they get on the field for training camp. All players must test negative twice before they are admitted to the facility, then they will spend a couple of days doing the more routine physicals and getting their equipment sorted out. Veterans are due July 28, and coach Andy Reid said it could be 10 days after that before full practices begin.

Chiefs rookies report to training camp

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -&nbsp;The 2020 MIAA Football Media Day presented by&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sb-kc.com/">Seigfreid Bingham</a>&nbsp;has been postponed until Wednesday, August 19, and will remain as a virtual event.&nbsp; For the third consecutive year, Seigfreid Bingham, a Kansas City-based law firm, will be the presenting sponsor of the event. Along with football media day, Siegfried Bingham is also the presenting sponsor of MIAA Basketball Media Day.&nbsp; The schedule for the 2020 Virtual MIAA Football Day will be announced at a later date.&nbsp;Fans can watch this year’s media day live on The MIAA Network.&nbsp;&nbsp;

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -&nbsp;The 2020 MIAA Football Media Day presented by&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sb-kc.com/">Seigfreid Bingham</a>&nbsp;has been postponed until Wednesday, August 19, and will remain as a virtual event.&nbsp; For the third consecutive year, Seigfreid Bingham, a Kansas City-based law firm, will be the presenting sponsor of the event. Along with football media day, Siegfried Bingham is also the presenting sponsor of MIAA Basketball Media Day.&nbsp; The schedule for the 2020 Virtual MIAA Football Day will be announced at a later date.&nbsp;Fans can watch this year’s media day live on The MIAA Network.&nbsp;&nbsp;MIAA Release

MIAA Football Media Day postponed until August 19

KANSAS CITY, Mo.&nbsp;- The MIAA and its member institutions announced a plan on Monday to delay the start of the fall sports practices until the week of August 31, and the start of fall competition until the week of September 28. The CEO Council will continue to monitor this plan and adjust it as necessary to protect the health and safety of all involved in MIAA athletics. "While we are still uncertain on what is going to be realistic for the fall in this ever-changing environment, the action taken by the MIAA and its member institutions represents a commitment to exploring every possible avenue for our student-athletes, coaches, and community," said FHSU Director of Athletics&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/staff.aspx?staff=5">Curtis Hammeke</a>. "Taking the additional time to evaluate the most recent developments and guidelines with our coaches, administration, and health care professionals, will ensure we've been as thorough as possible in determining how and when we'll be able to begin competition in a manner that is safe for all involved." The CEO Council supported the recommendation to delay the start of MIAA fall practices and competition; however, the group acknowledges that the ability to execute this plan is dependent on our students, employees and fans demonstrating socially responsible behavior during this public health crisis.In addition, it is important that student-athletes continue to practice socially responsible behavior to help protect the health of the team. "This plan allows our student-athletes to get back on campus and get acclimated with the student body before we begin practices and fall competition," said MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy. "We remain hopeful that the MIAA student-athletes will be able to practice and compete this fall, but we need to be patient and make sure that we are doing that in a healthy and safe environment for our student-athletes, coaches, and administrators." The plan will allow member universities to continue to monitor the COVID-19 Global Health Pandemic, and to make decisions about athletics and other campus activities based on conditions in that community and with guidance from local and state health officials. The health and well-being of student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and communities in the MIAA continues to be the Association's top priority. The MIAA is taking these unprecedented actions to help our campuses and communities continue to address this public health crisis. With this latest announcement, the first week of fall competition is now set for the week beginning Monday, September 28, if there are no further adjustments to the fall. The MIAA will not remake fall schedules. The first competition date listed on or following September 28 will be the first of the season for FHSU fall sports governed by the MIAA. There are no schedule adjustments yet for men's soccer, as the Great American Conference governs the sport.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.&nbsp;- The MIAA and its member institutions announced a plan on Monday to delay the start of the fall sports practices until the week of August 31, and the start of fall competition until the week of September 28. The CEO Council will continue to monitor this plan and adjust it as necessary to protect the health and safety of all involved in MIAA athletics. "While we are still uncertain on what is going to be realistic for the fall in this ever-changing environment, the action taken by the MIAA and its member institutions represents a commitment to exploring every possible avenue for our student-athletes, coaches, and community," said FHSU Director of Athletics&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/staff.aspx?staff=5">Curtis Hammeke</a>. "Taking the additional time to evaluate the most recent developments and guidelines with our coaches, administration, and health care professionals, will ensure we've been as thorough as possible in determining how and when we'll be able to begin competition in a manner that is safe for all involved." The CEO Council supported the recommendation to delay the start of MIAA fall practices and competition; however, the group acknowledges that the ability to execute this plan is dependent on our students, employees and fans demonstrating socially responsible behavior during this public health crisis.In addition, it is important that student-athletes continue to practice socially responsible behavior to help protect the health of the team. "This plan allows our student-athletes to get back on campus and get acclimated with the student body before we begin practices and fall competition," said MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy. "We remain hopeful that the MIAA student-athletes will be able to practice and compete this fall, but we need to be patient and make sure that we are doing that in a healthy and safe environment for our student-athletes, coaches, and administrators." The plan will allow member universities to continue to monitor the COVID-19 Global Health Pandemic, and to make decisions about athletics and other campus activities based on conditions in that community and with guidance from local and state health officials. The health and well-being of student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and communities in the MIAA continues to be the Association's top priority. The MIAA is taking these unprecedented actions to help our campuses and communities continue to address this public health crisis. With this latest announcement, the first week of fall competition is now set for the week beginning Monday, September 28, if there are no further adjustments to the fall. The MIAA will not remake fall schedules. The first competition date listed on or following September 28 will be the first of the season for FHSU fall sports governed by the MIAA. There are no schedule adjustments yet for men's soccer, as the Great American Conference governs the sport.FHSU Athletics

MIAA to delay the start of all sports practices, competition

OAK GROVE, Mo. - Carson
Jacobs had four hits including a walk-off, two-run single to lead the Hays
Senior Eagles to an 8-7 comeback win over the Raytown (MO) Diamondbacks in the USSSA July
Blast Off Tournament title game Sunday afternoon.

Jacobs
game-winning single to left scored Brady Kreutzer and Colby Dreiling to cap a four-run
rally in the bottom of the seventh as the Eagles overcome deficits of 5-0 and 7-3.

Garrett
Wellbrock drew a leadoff walk then Jack Fields singled to begin the rally in
the Eagles final at-bat. Brady Kreutzer and Colby Dreiling both reached on
back-to-back errors by the Raytown shortstop to close the gap to 7-5. Fields
scored on a passed ball to make it a one-run game. Brock Lummus walked to load
the bases a second time setting up Jacobs' heroics. 

Jacobs struggled in the start on the mound, allowing seven runs (three earned) on six hits but made up for hit at the plate, going 4-for-4 with three RBIs.

Brady
Kreutzer pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief for the win.

In the semifinals earlier in the day, Colby Dreiling
threw a complete-game three-hitter in a 1-0 win over Venom (MO) Baseball.

The Eagles scored the only run of that game on a throwing error in the bottom of the first inning.

The
Eagles finished 4-0 at the USSSA Summer Blast Off and are now 23-2 on the season. They play a doubleheader at
Great Bend Wednesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595243310045.jpeg" alt="(Top L-R, Coach Tanner Willhoft, Brock Lummus, Jack Fields, Carson Jacobs, Colby Dreiling, Carson Spray, Keatyn Barnett, coach Landon Leiker) (Front L-R, Dawson VonFeldt, Remington Cox, Brady Kreutzer, Garrett Wellbrock, Dalton Dale, Josh Haynes) / Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>(Top L-R, Coach Tanner Willhoft, Brock Lummus, Jack Fields, Carson Jacobs, Colby Dreiling, Carson Spray, Keatyn Barnett, coach Landon Leiker) (Front L-R, Dawson VonFeldt, Remington Cox, Brady Kreutzer, Garrett Wellbrock, Dalton Dale, Josh Haynes) / Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>OAK GROVE, Mo. - Carson
Jacobs had four hits including a walk-off, two-run single to lead the Hays
Senior Eagles to an 8-7 comeback win over the Raytown (MO) Diamondbacks in the USSSA July
Blast Off Tournament title game Sunday afternoon.Jacobs
game-winning single to left scored Brady Kreutzer and Colby Dreiling to cap a four-run
rally in the bottom of the seventh as the Eagles overcome deficits of 5-0 and 7-3.Garrett
Wellbrock drew a leadoff walk then Jack Fields singled to begin the rally in
the Eagles final at-bat. Brady Kreutzer and Colby Dreiling both reached on
back-to-back errors by the Raytown shortstop to close the gap to 7-5. Fields
scored on a passed ball to make it a one-run game. Brock Lummus walked to load
the bases a second time setting up Jacobs' heroics. Jacobs struggled in the start on the mound, allowing seven runs (three earned) on six hits but made up for hit at the plate, going 4-for-4 with three RBIs.Brady
Kreutzer pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief for the win.In the semifinals earlier in the day, Colby Dreiling
threw a complete-game three-hitter in a 1-0 win over Venom (MO) Baseball.The Eagles scored the only run of that game on a throwing error in the bottom of the first inning.The
Eagles finished 4-0 at the USSSA Summer Blast Off and are now 23-2 on the season. They play a doubleheader at
Great Bend Wednesday.

Senior Eagles win USSSA July Blast Off

COLORADO SPRINGS - The Hays Larks went 3-1 on their final road trip of the season, knocking off the Colorado
Springs Outlaws 10-0 Sunday. 

The Larks led 5-0 after three innings then put the game away with a three-run sixth inning.

Ryan Ruder went
five innings, gave up four while striking out three and walking none for the
win.

Corbin Truslow
stayed hot, getting four this and driving in four. Truslow had nine hits and drove in 14 runs in the four games in Colorado.

Wyatt Divis and Cam Pehrson
both had two hits and Max McGuire drove in two runs.

The Larks are
now 15-6 and tied with the Denver Cougars atop the Rocky Mountain Baseball League.

The Larks begin
their final home stand of the season Tuesday with the first of three against
the Colorado Rough Riders.

COLORADO SPRINGS - The Hays Larks went 3-1 on their final road trip of the season, knocking off the Colorado
Springs Outlaws 10-0 Sunday. The Larks led 5-0 after three innings then put the game away with a three-run sixth inning.Ryan Ruder went
five innings, gave up four while striking out three and walking none for the
win.Corbin Truslow
stayed hot, getting four this and driving in four. Truslow had nine hits and drove in 14 runs in the four games in Colorado.Wyatt Divis and Cam Pehrson
both had two hits and Max McGuire drove in two runs.The Larks are
now 15-6 and tied with the Denver Cougars atop the Rocky Mountain Baseball League.The Larks begin
their final home stand of the season Tuesday with the first of three against
the Colorado Rough Riders.

Larks blank Outlaws to close out Colorado road trip

HAYS – The Hays Senior Eagles used a couple of solid pitching
performances Saturday to go 2-0 in pool play and gain the No. 1 seed heading
into bracket play at the USSSA Sports America July Blast in Oak Grove, Mo. The
Eagles knocked off DuraStar out of Missouri 10-0 by run-rule then beat the
Raytown Diamondbacks 5-2.

Dalton Dale didn’t allow a hit in the opener which was
called after four innings by run-rule. He struck out seven and walked two for the quick complete game victory.

The Eagles wasted little time taking control, scoring twice in the
bottom of the first on a Carson Jacobs single. They added seven runs, all with two
outs, in the second. Hays took advantage of three errors and a passed ball in
the decisive frame. Brock Lummus drove in two of the runs with a single.

The second game with Raytown was scoreless until Colby
Dreiling scored on an error in the fourth. The Eagles added another run on a
passed ball in the fourth then after a hit batter and two walks loaded the
bases, they tacked on three more runs in the sixth for a 5-0 lead. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Raytown scored twice in the top of the seventh before Brady
Kreutzer came in relief to get the final out and the save.

Starter Garrett Wellbrock allowed two runs (one earned) on
two hits over 6 2/3 with seven strikeouts and three walks for the win.

The Eagles were held to two hits but took advantage of three
Diamondback errors. Josh Haynes and Dawson VonFeldt had the lone RBIs for Hays,
both in the sixth. Haynes with a single and VonFeldt on a bases-loaded hit by
pitch.

The Eagles begin bracket play at noon Sunday.

The Junior Eagles went 0-2 in pool play at the same tournament, losing 17-8 to the Briarcliff Red Sox and 12-0 to the KC Saltdogs.

They begin bracket play at 8 a.m. Sunday.

HAYS – The Hays Senior Eagles used a couple of solid pitching
performances Saturday to go 2-0 in pool play and gain the No. 1 seed heading
into bracket play at the USSSA Sports America July Blast in Oak Grove, Mo. The
Eagles knocked off DuraStar out of Missouri 10-0 by run-rule then beat the
Raytown Diamondbacks 5-2.Dalton Dale didn’t allow a hit in the opener which was
called after four innings by run-rule. He struck out seven and walked two for the quick complete game victory.The Eagles wasted little time taking control, scoring twice in the
bottom of the first on a Carson Jacobs single. They added seven runs, all with two
outs, in the second. Hays took advantage of three errors and a passed ball in
the decisive frame. Brock Lummus drove in two of the runs with a single.The second game with Raytown was scoreless until Colby
Dreiling scored on an error in the fourth. The Eagles added another run on a
passed ball in the fourth then after a hit batter and two walks loaded the
bases, they tacked on three more runs in the sixth for a 5-0 lead. &nbsp;&nbsp;Raytown scored twice in the top of the seventh before Brady
Kreutzer came in relief to get the final out and the save.Starter Garrett Wellbrock allowed two runs (one earned) on
two hits over 6 2/3 with seven strikeouts and three walks for the win.The Eagles were held to two hits but took advantage of three
Diamondback errors. Josh Haynes and Dawson VonFeldt had the lone RBIs for Hays,
both in the sixth. Haynes with a single and VonFeldt on a bases-loaded hit by
pitch.The Eagles begin bracket play at noon Sunday.The Junior Eagles went 0-2 in pool play at the same tournament, losing 17-8 to the Briarcliff Red Sox and 12-0 to the KC Saltdogs.They begin bracket play at 8 a.m. Sunday.

Senior Eagles go 2-0 in Missouri

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Corbin Truslow hit two home runs
and drove in six runs to lead the Hays Larks in an 18-10 win over the Colorado
Springs Outlaws Saturday.

The Larks (14-6) scored in every inning but the seventh to
win their second straight following a two-game losing streak.

Truslow gave the Larks an early 1-0 lead on a groundout in
the top of the first. With the Larks leading 9-8, his two-run blast to center
pushed the lead to 11-8. Another two-run shot in the sixth put the Larks up
16-9. He added a sacrifice fly in the eighth to make it a 17-10 lead.

Wyatt Divis had three hits while Sean Cooper drove in three
runs. Palmer Hutchison and Jake Wyeth also homered.

Cole Zimmerman pitched 3 1/3 innings of relief and picked up
the win. He allowed four runs on five hits with four strikeouts and four walks.
Starter Rustin Hays allowed five runs on six hits with five walks and two
strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings. Trey Riggs gave up a run on three hits over two
innings out of the pen. Trevor Munsch worked around a couple of walks and closed
out the game with a scoreless ninth.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Corbin Truslow hit two home runs
and drove in six runs to lead the Hays Larks in an 18-10 win over the Colorado
Springs Outlaws Saturday.The Larks (14-6) scored in every inning but the seventh to
win their second straight following a two-game losing streak.Truslow gave the Larks an early 1-0 lead on a groundout in
the top of the first. With the Larks leading 9-8, his two-run blast to center
pushed the lead to 11-8. Another two-run shot in the sixth put the Larks up
16-9. He added a sacrifice fly in the eighth to make it a 17-10 lead.Wyatt Divis had three hits while Sean Cooper drove in three
runs. Palmer Hutchison and Jake Wyeth also homered.Cole Zimmerman pitched 3 1/3 innings of relief and picked up
the win. He allowed four runs on five hits with four strikeouts and four walks.
Starter Rustin Hays allowed five runs on six hits with five walks and two
strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings. Trey Riggs gave up a run on three hits over two
innings out of the pen. Trevor Munsch worked around a couple of walks and closed
out the game with a scoreless ninth.

Truslow's big day leads Larks past Colorado Springs

By RALPH D. RUSSO, Associated Press

The
 NCAA handed down its latest guidelines for playing through a pandemic 
while also sounding an alarm: The prospect of having a fall semester 
with football and other sports is looking grim.

If the games can 
go on, the NCAA says college athletes should be tested for COVID-19 no 
more than 72 hours before they play, players with high-risk exposures to
 the coronavirus should be quarantined for 14 days and everybody on the 
sideline should wear a mask.

The nation’s largest governing body for college sports released&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute/resocialization-collegiate-sport-developing-standards-practice-and-competition" target="_blank">an updated guidance&nbsp;</a>Thursday
 to help member schools navigate competition, but it comes as the 
pandemic rages on. Around the country, the number of COVID-19 cases are 
on the rise and many states have slowed reopenings or reinstated 
social-distancing restrictions on some businesses.

“This document 
lays out the advice of health care professionals as to how to resume 
college sports if we can achieve an environment where COVID-19 rates are
 manageable,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said in a statement. “Today, 
sadly, the data point in the wrong direction. If there is to be college 
sports in the fall, we need to get a much better handle on the 
pandemic.”

The recommendations were developed by the NCAA COVID-19
 Advisory Panel, Autonomy-5 Medical Advisory Group, representing the 
ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC, and other medical groups.

The
 Autonomy-5 or Power Five conferences also intend to provide their own 
similar guidance to schools. A copy of that document, which has not been
 finalized, was obtained by The Associated Press and first reported on 
by Sports Illustrated. Even before the NCAA’s announcement, the American
 Athletic Conference said it planned to require its schools to meet or 
exceed NCAA guidance.

Among the highlights of the NCAA’s recommendations:

—
 Test results should be obtained within 72 hours of competition for 
athletes competing in so-called high-contact risk sports, such as 
football, basketball, hockey and lacrosse.

— Face shields should be integrated into sports where feasible.

—
 Masks should be worn by everyone on a sideline, including when an 
athlete moves from the playing field to interact with a coach.

— 
CDC guidelines should be used for determining when individuals can 
resume activities after testing positive for COVID-19. Time-based 
strategy means isolation until 72 hours after recovery and at least 10 
days after symptoms first appeared.

— All individuals with high-risk exposure must be quarantined for 14 days.

The
 final point could be crucial for managing a team this season. Simply 
being deemed a close contact of someone who tests positive could 
sideline players for two weeks.

At this point, though, the hopes 
of being able to conduct a college football season in the fall are 
dimming. Plans are already being made to modify it.

The Big Ten 
and Pac-12 announced last week that they would play only conference 
games in football and other sports to help minimize potential 
disruptions caused by COVID-19.

The Big East joined those leagues 
Thursday by going conference-only for the fall season, which for the 
basketball-focused league includes men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and 
women’s cross-country, volleyball and field hockey.

Other FBS 
conferences have not decided yet on scheduling formats for the coming 
football season, instead waiting until late July. The regular season is 
scheduled to begin around Labor Day weekend, with dozens of game slated 
for Sept. 3-7.

“Right now we’d like to buy as much time as possible,” AAC Commissioner Mike Aresco told Sports Talk 790 in Houston.

Meanwhile,
 the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference on Thursday became the third 
Division I conference to say it will not have a fall sports season. The 
MEAC, comprising 11 historically black colleges and universities, joined
 fellow FCS conferences the Ivy League and Patriot League in punting on 
fall football and other sports, with the hopes of making them up in the 
spring semester if possible.

At most major college football 
schools, athletes started coming back to campus in June to participate 
in voluntary workouts in team facilities. This week football teams were 
allowed to begin mandatory team activities, including unpadded 
walk-through practices.

Through the last month and half schools 
have been testing athletes regularly, and already some flare ups of the 
virus have caused activities to be shut down at schools such as Ohio 
State, Kansas State, Houston and North Carolina.

At many school, 
positive tests among athletes have been minimal. On Thursday, Oklahoma 
reported it had zero positive tests among 98 football players tested the
 day before.

The problem is colleges and their athletic 
departments are not operating in a true bubble the way the NBA is doing 
with its teams in Florida. If states and communities are struggling to 
contain the virus, it makes it more difficult to keep athletes safe — 
especially when the full student body arrives on campus.

It also 
becomes more problematic for athletic departments to potentially 
contribute to the spread of infection by gathering large groups of 
people to engage in contact sports, and then sending them back out on 
campus and into the surrounding communities.

“So nothing that 
occurs to the student athlete is in a silo,” said Dr. Chris Kratochvil, 
executive director of the Global Center for Health Security at 
University of Nebraska Medical Center. “And certainly we want to protect
 them, but we want to protect the broader community as well.”

Kratochvil,
 who heads the Big Ten’s Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases, 
said the availability of tests and how quickly results can be delivered,
 the availability of personal protective equipment used by healthcare 
workers and the stress on hospitals will all be considered when 
determining whether college sports can be played.

By RALPH D. RUSSO, Associated PressThe
 NCAA handed down its latest guidelines for playing through a pandemic 
while also sounding an alarm: The prospect of having a fall semester 
with football and other sports is looking grim.If the games can 
go on, the NCAA says college athletes should be tested for COVID-19 no 
more than 72 hours before they play, players with high-risk exposures to
 the coronavirus should be quarantined for 14 days and everybody on the 
sideline should wear a mask.The nation’s largest governing body for college sports released&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute/resocialization-collegiate-sport-developing-standards-practice-and-competition" target="_blank">an updated guidance&nbsp;</a>Thursday
 to help member schools navigate competition, but it comes as the 
pandemic rages on. Around the country, the number of COVID-19 cases are 
on the rise and many states have slowed reopenings or reinstated 
social-distancing restrictions on some businesses.“This document 
lays out the advice of health care professionals as to how to resume 
college sports if we can achieve an environment where COVID-19 rates are
 manageable,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said in a statement. “Today, 
sadly, the data point in the wrong direction. If there is to be college 
sports in the fall, we need to get a much better handle on the 
pandemic.”The recommendations were developed by the NCAA COVID-19
 Advisory Panel, Autonomy-5 Medical Advisory Group, representing the 
ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC, and other medical groups.The
 Autonomy-5 or Power Five conferences also intend to provide their own 
similar guidance to schools. A copy of that document, which has not been
 finalized, was obtained by The Associated Press and first reported on 
by Sports Illustrated. Even before the NCAA’s announcement, the American
 Athletic Conference said it planned to require its schools to meet or 
exceed NCAA guidance.Among the highlights of the NCAA’s recommendations:—
 Test results should be obtained within 72 hours of competition for 
athletes competing in so-called high-contact risk sports, such as 
football, basketball, hockey and lacrosse.— Face shields should be integrated into sports where feasible.—
 Masks should be worn by everyone on a sideline, including when an 
athlete moves from the playing field to interact with a coach.— 
CDC guidelines should be used for determining when individuals can 
resume activities after testing positive for COVID-19. Time-based 
strategy means isolation until 72 hours after recovery and at least 10 
days after symptoms first appeared.— All individuals with high-risk exposure must be quarantined for 14 days.The
 final point could be crucial for managing a team this season. Simply 
being deemed a close contact of someone who tests positive could 
sideline players for two weeks.At this point, though, the hopes 
of being able to conduct a college football season in the fall are 
dimming. Plans are already being made to modify it.The Big Ten 
and Pac-12 announced last week that they would play only conference 
games in football and other sports to help minimize potential 
disruptions caused by COVID-19.The Big East joined those leagues 
Thursday by going conference-only for the fall season, which for the 
basketball-focused league includes men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and 
women’s cross-country, volleyball and field hockey.Other FBS 
conferences have not decided yet on scheduling formats for the coming 
football season, instead waiting until late July. The regular season is 
scheduled to begin around Labor Day weekend, with dozens of game slated 
for Sept. 3-7.“Right now we’d like to buy as much time as possible,” AAC Commissioner Mike Aresco told Sports Talk 790 in Houston.Meanwhile,
 the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference on Thursday became the third 
Division I conference to say it will not have a fall sports season. The 
MEAC, comprising 11 historically black colleges and universities, joined
 fellow FCS conferences the Ivy League and Patriot League in punting on 
fall football and other sports, with the hopes of making them up in the 
spring semester if possible.At most major college football 
schools, athletes started coming back to campus in June to participate 
in voluntary workouts in team facilities. This week football teams were 
allowed to begin mandatory team activities, including unpadded 
walk-through practices.Through the last month and half schools 
have been testing athletes regularly, and already some flare ups of the 
virus have caused activities to be shut down at schools such as Ohio 
State, Kansas State, Houston and North Carolina.At many school, 
positive tests among athletes have been minimal. On Thursday, Oklahoma 
reported it had zero positive tests among 98 football players tested the
 day before.The problem is colleges and their athletic 
departments are not operating in a true bubble the way the NBA is doing 
with its teams in Florida. If states and communities are struggling to 
contain the virus, it makes it more difficult to keep athletes safe — 
especially when the full student body arrives on campus.It also 
becomes more problematic for athletic departments to potentially 
contribute to the spread of infection by gathering large groups of 
people to engage in contact sports, and then sending them back out on 
campus and into the surrounding communities.“So nothing that 
occurs to the student athlete is in a silo,” said Dr. Chris Kratochvil, 
executive director of the Global Center for Health Security at 
University of Nebraska Medical Center. “And certainly we want to protect
 them, but we want to protect the broader community as well.”Kratochvil,
 who heads the Big Ten’s Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases, 
said the availability of tests and how quickly results can be delivered,
 the availability of personal protective equipment used by healthcare 
workers and the stress on hospitals will all be considered when 
determining whether college sports can be played.“Everything is connected,” he said.

NCAA lays out plan for playing but warns of surging pandemic

PARKER, COLORADO – The Gameday Saints scored four runs in
the bottom of the first inning Thursday against the Hays Larks and held on for
the 6-4 win Thursday in Parker Colorado.

Corbin Truslow gave the Larks a 3-0 first inning lead with a
three-run homerun, his second homerun of the season.

But the lead was short-lived as the Saints answered with a
four-run bottom of the inning taking a 4-3 lead. 

Hays starter Landon Shirer struck out the first two hitters
he faced but allowed a two-out single and three straight walks, the last with
the bases loaded making it 3-1 Hays. In the next at bat the Saints scored three
runs on a Brayden Luft single putting the Saints up 4-3. They never trailed
again.

Shirer allowed five runs and walked four and a third innings
in four while striking out six and suffered the loss.

Truslow was two-for-four with three RBI’s and Cameron
Peherson was two-for-four and scored a run. They combined to collect four of
the Larks seven hits.

Hays has dropped two straight and are 12-6 on the season.
The two teams will wrap up the two-game series tonight in Parker.

PARKER, COLORADO – The Gameday Saints scored four runs in
the bottom of the first inning Thursday against the Hays Larks and held on for
the 6-4 win Thursday in Parker Colorado.Corbin Truslow gave the Larks a 3-0 first inning lead with a
three-run homerun, his second homerun of the season.But the lead was short-lived as the Saints answered with a
four-run bottom of the inning taking a 4-3 lead. Hays starter Landon Shirer struck out the first two hitters
he faced but allowed a two-out single and three straight walks, the last with
the bases loaded making it 3-1 Hays. In the next at bat the Saints scored three
runs on a Brayden Luft single putting the Saints up 4-3. They never trailed
again.Shirer allowed five runs and walked four and a third innings
in four while striking out six and suffered the loss.Truslow was two-for-four with three RBI’s and Cameron
Peherson was two-for-four and scored a run. They combined to collect four of
the Larks seven hits.Hays has dropped two straight and are 12-6 on the season.
The two teams will wrap up the two-game series tonight in Parker.

Big first inning lifts Saints past Hays Larks

Extracurricular activities are an essential piece of the educational experience in Kansas

By JOHN BAETZ <a href="https://www.kansaspregame.com">Kansas Pregame</a>

Kansas
 Gov. Laura Kelly announced Wednesday that the start of the 
2020-21 school year will be delayed until at least the week following 
Labor Day.

With Wednesday’s announcement, those 
connected to school offered extracurricular activities in Kansas are 
left worried and confused.

It now appears that all activities will
 be delayed accordingly, with not even practice allowed to start until 
school reopens. The Kansas State High School&nbsp;Activities Association has 
yet to announce a plan, and will not do so this week.

First, let me be clear, I’m not part of
 the crowd that believes this is some radical liberal agenda to impact 
an election cycle. COVID-19 is not equivalent to the flu and it’s not a 
hoax.

I trust the recommendations of people 
like KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman and infectious disease expert Dr. 
Anthony Fauci and I’m convinced Gov. Kelly is just trying to make 
decisions she believes will protect the citizens of Kansas.

That said, I also remain convinced we should find a way to let the kids participate in the extracurricular activities they love.

All indications are that young people are at a very low risk of hospitalization or death from the virus:(<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/pediatric-hcp.html#burden-disease-risk-factors">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/pediatric-hcp.html#burden-...(link is external)</a>).&nbsp;

Many experts recommend a return to school:(<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/15/health/coronavirus-schools-reopening.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/15/health/coronavirus-schools-reopening....(link is external)</a>).&nbsp;

A recent study connects masking to spread: prevention&nbsp;(<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/14/health/coronavirus-hair-salon-masks.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/14/health/coronavirus-hair-salon-masks.html(link is external)</a>).&nbsp;

Given these considerations, couldn’t 
mitigation strategies be implemented to massively reduce the spread of 
the virus in most extracurricular activities?

Extracurricular activities drive classroom performance

As a former high school football coach, I
 can’t emphasize enough the importance of activities to the well-being 
of those students who are passionate about them. I’ve seen an athlete's 
motivation to achieve satisfactory progress in the classroom driven, 
time and again, by a desire to earn the opportunity to compete. And I'm 
certain there are students similarly motivated by participation in 
music, debate, forensics and other school-sponsored extracurricular 
activities.

My own motivation to achieve at a 
satisfactory level in the classroom in high school was driven by my 
desire to play football. Certainly I realize now that attitude was 
wrong, but it helped me get to college, where I shifted my focus to 
academics and completed my degree.

I believe there is something encoded in
 our DNA that makes physical activity and competition essential to the 
human condition. That may sound dramatic, but look at how many adults 
seek out competitive recreation opportunities after high school or 
college. Running, biking, golf, basketball, water sports, weightlifting —
 most of us participate in one or more of these activities as part of 
our recreation or fitness routine.

And not just sports, but music, acting,
 debate. Many adults continue their participation in similar activities 
for the remainder of their lives and&nbsp;while many from the sports world 
would not specifically consider extracurricular activities based in the 
arts to be “physical,” there is definitely a physical component. The 
ability to modulate one’s voice, to use the entire body to inspire an 
audience, to expand the lungs to carry a note or deliver impassioned 
dialogue during the rousing final act of a play all requires muscular, 
emotional and intellectual proficiency.

Those “non-sport” extracurricular 
activities are also inherently competitive. No one takes part in a 
musical or debate with the goal of being mediocre. Artists are driven to
 hone their craft in the same way that athletes work to achieve the 
pinnacle of physical performance.

Let’s find a way to let them play

Returning to extracurricular activities
 appears possible with a mix of masking, hygiene, contact limitations 
and reduced fan participation.

Students can participate in some 
activities with masks and others with the appropriate amount of social 
distance. Hand sanitizer can be made available for students, coaches and
 officials. Practices can feature reduced contact. Fan access to 
competitions can be reduced.

Personally, I’m most supportive of a 
return to play that shifts all sports seasons back according to the new 
school schedule with some possible reduction in regular season 
competitions. Flip-flopping spring and fall sports seasons presents too 
much of a challenge this late in the year and staying as close as 
possible to the current calendar appears the best option.

In-person learning or not, let’s continue extracurricular activities

I’m a parent of a soon to be 
eight-year-old girl who I’d love to see return to school for a variety 
of reasons, but, I believe we should have extracurricular activities 
even if our return to school is only virtual.

Holding practice for extracurricular 
activities could serve to provide both students and parents a break in 
the day, provide the student with much needed physical activity and help
 them continue to engage academically in an effort to remain eligible 
for competition.

There are a number of studies that demonstrate the negative health impacts of not returning to school and sports. Here’s one (<a href="https://www.wissports.net/news_article/show/1110971?fbclid=IwAR250QYGZ7GVj9C43bAFRMZ3O3WfSkpUWvnhGPVm2kSUpCXvPnD2sm3mYrQ">https://www.wissports.net/news_article/show/1110971?fbclid=IwAR250QYGZ7G...(link is external)</a>).

I get the risk, the need for safety, 
and the absolute necessity of monitoring the spread of the virus on a 
daily basis, but can’t we strike a balance that will allow kids a return
 to the extracurricular activities they love?

John Baetz is the publisher of 
Kansas Pregame and the former publisher of the Lincoln 
Sentinel-Republican and Chapman &amp; Enterprise News-Times. A former 
high school football coach, he served as defensive coordinator for three
 different high schools over a 10 year high school coaching career.&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kansaspregame@gmail.com">kansaspregame@gmail.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594928818683.jpeg" alt="Collage photos courtesy, clockwise from top left: Everett Royer, Adam Shrimplin, Everett Royer, Huey Counts." />
 <figcaption>Collage photos courtesy, clockwise from top left: Everett Royer, Adam Shrimplin, Everett Royer, Huey Counts.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594928965757.png" alt="John Baetz" />
 <figcaption>John Baetz</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Extracurricular activities are an essential piece of the educational experience in Kansas</h2>By JOHN BAETZ <a href="https://www.kansaspregame.com">Kansas Pregame</a>Kansas
 Gov. Laura Kelly announced Wednesday that the start of the 
2020-21 school year will be delayed until at least the week following 
Labor Day.With Wednesday’s announcement, those 
connected to school offered extracurricular activities in Kansas are 
left worried and confused.It now appears that all activities will
 be delayed accordingly, with not even practice allowed to start until 
school reopens. The Kansas State High School&nbsp;Activities Association has 
yet to announce a plan, and will not do so this week.First, let me be clear, I’m not part of
 the crowd that believes this is some radical liberal agenda to impact 
an election cycle. COVID-19 is not equivalent to the flu and it’s not a 
hoax.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>I trust the recommendations of people 
like KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman and infectious disease expert Dr. 
Anthony Fauci and I’m convinced Gov. Kelly is just trying to make 
decisions she believes will protect the citizens of Kansas.That said, I also remain convinced we should find a way to let the kids participate in the extracurricular activities they love.All indications are that young people are at a very low risk of hospitalization or death from the virus:(<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/pediatric-hcp.html#burden-disease-risk-factors">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/pediatric-hcp.html#burden-...(link is external)</a>).&nbsp;Many experts recommend a return to school:(<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/15/health/coronavirus-schools-reopening.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/15/health/coronavirus-schools-reopening....(link is external)</a>).&nbsp;A recent study connects masking to spread: prevention&nbsp;(<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/14/health/coronavirus-hair-salon-masks.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/14/health/coronavirus-hair-salon-masks.html(link is external)</a>).&nbsp;Given these considerations, couldn’t 
mitigation strategies be implemented to massively reduce the spread of 
the virus in most extracurricular activities?Extracurricular activities drive classroom performanceAs a former high school football coach, I
 can’t emphasize enough the importance of activities to the well-being 
of those students who are passionate about them. I’ve seen an athlete's 
motivation to achieve satisfactory progress in the classroom driven, 
time and again, by a desire to earn the opportunity to compete. And I'm 
certain there are students similarly motivated by participation in 
music, debate, forensics and other school-sponsored extracurricular 
activities.My own motivation to achieve at a 
satisfactory level in the classroom in high school was driven by my 
desire to play football. Certainly I realize now that attitude was 
wrong, but it helped me get to college, where I shifted my focus to 
academics and completed my degree.I believe there is something encoded in
 our DNA that makes physical activity and competition essential to the 
human condition. That may sound dramatic, but look at how many adults 
seek out competitive recreation opportunities after high school or 
college. Running, biking, golf, basketball, water sports, weightlifting —
 most of us participate in one or more of these activities as part of 
our recreation or fitness routine.And not just sports, but music, acting,
 debate. Many adults continue their participation in similar activities 
for the remainder of their lives and&nbsp;while many from the sports world 
would not specifically consider extracurricular activities based in the 
arts to be “physical,” there is definitely a physical component. The 
ability to modulate one’s voice, to use the entire body to inspire an 
audience, to expand the lungs to carry a note or deliver impassioned 
dialogue during the rousing final act of a play all requires muscular, 
emotional and intellectual proficiency.Those “non-sport” extracurricular 
activities are also inherently competitive. No one takes part in a 
musical or debate with the goal of being mediocre. Artists are driven to
 hone their craft in the same way that athletes work to achieve the 
pinnacle of physical performance.Let’s find a way to let them playReturning to extracurricular activities
 appears possible with a mix of masking, hygiene, contact limitations 
and reduced fan participation.Students can participate in some 
activities with masks and others with the appropriate amount of social 
distance. Hand sanitizer can be made available for students, coaches and
 officials. Practices can feature reduced contact. Fan access to 
competitions can be reduced.Personally, I’m most supportive of a 
return to play that shifts all sports seasons back according to the new 
school schedule with some possible reduction in regular season 
competitions. Flip-flopping spring and fall sports seasons presents too 
much of a challenge this late in the year and staying as close as 
possible to the current calendar appears the best option.In-person learning or not, let’s continue extracurricular activitiesI’m a parent of a soon to be 
eight-year-old girl who I’d love to see return to school for a variety 
of reasons, but, I believe we should have extracurricular activities 
even if our return to school is only virtual.Holding practice for extracurricular 
activities could serve to provide both students and parents a break in 
the day, provide the student with much needed physical activity and help
 them continue to engage academically in an effort to remain eligible 
for competition.There are a number of studies that demonstrate the negative health impacts of not returning to school and sports. Here’s one (<a href="https://www.wissports.net/news_article/show/1110971?fbclid=IwAR250QYGZ7GVj9C43bAFRMZ3O3WfSkpUWvnhGPVm2kSUpCXvPnD2sm3mYrQ">https://www.wissports.net/news_article/show/1110971?fbclid=IwAR250QYGZ7G...(link is external)</a>).I get the risk, the need for safety, 
and the absolute necessity of monitoring the spread of the virus on a 
daily basis, but can’t we strike a balance that will allow kids a return
 to the extracurricular activities they love?Let’s find a way to let them play!John Baetz is the publisher of 
Kansas Pregame and the former publisher of the Lincoln 
Sentinel-Republican and Chapman &amp; Enterprise News-Times. A former 
high school football coach, he served as defensive coordinator for three
 different high schools over a 10 year high school coaching career.&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kansaspregame@gmail.com">kansaspregame@gmail.com</a>

BAETZ: Let's find a way to let them play (and debate, and act, and sing)

The Kansas State High School Activities Association released a statement through twitter concerning the upcoming fall sports season.

The KSHSAA believes participation in school and school activities is critical for the students of Kansas and we strive to provide those opportunities for students this fall.

This Friday (7/17) the KSHSAA had planned to distribute considerations and guidance for all fall&nbsp;activities to take place starting August 17. With the announcement today (7/15) from Governor Kelly, we will not release any information Friday. Rather we will go back and look at models and plans that are in place with a delayed start and release information when appropriate.

The Kansas State High School Activities Association released a statement through twitter concerning the upcoming fall sports season.The KSHSAA believes participation in school and school activities is critical for the students of Kansas and we strive to provide those opportunities for students this fall. This Friday (7/17) the KSHSAA had planned to distribute considerations and guidance for all fall&nbsp;activities to take place starting August 17. With the announcement today (7/15) from Governor Kelly, we will not release any information Friday. Rather we will go back and look at models and plans that are in place with a delayed start and release information when appropriate.

KSHSAA releases statement concerning fall sports

Wednesday, Fort Hays State named Erik Wince their new head wrestling coach. He joins the Defend the Fort Podcast to talk about his wrestling career and being named the programs 14th head coach.

Wednesday, Fort Hays State named Erik Wince their new head wrestling coach. He joins the Defend the Fort Podcast to talk about his wrestling career and being named the programs 14th head coach.<div><iframe title="Erik Wince" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/9zbmu-e3705c?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&skin=7&auto=0&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div>

🎧 Defend the Fort Podcast: Erik Wince

&nbsp; HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State University Director of Athletics Curtis Hammeke&nbsp;announced the hiring of Erik Wince as head wrestling coach on Wednesday (July 15). Wince comes to FHSU from NCAA Division I affiliate American University in Washington D.C., where he served as assistant coach in 2019-20. Prior to that, he was head coach at Greensboro College, a Division III program in Greensboro, North Carolina, for four years. "I am extremely excited and honored to be the next head coach of the Fort Hays State wrestling program!," said Wince.&nbsp;"I want to thank Athletic Director Curtis Hammeke&nbsp;and the rest of the FHSU athletic administration for believing in me and making Hays feel like the place I needed to be to help usher the wrestling program into its next phase of success. My family and I are excited to make this move and join the rest of the Tiger Athletics Family.&nbsp; The FHSU wrestling program has a strong history of success and I cannot wait to get to campus and continue building FHSU Wrestling into a top tier program, year in and year out." Last year, Wince helped American University produce four national qualifiers for the NCAA Division I championships. Three of the four held national rankings entering the championships, which ultimately was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Two of the wrestlers earned All-America Honorable Mention status by the NWCA following the season, while three members of the team earned NWCA Scholar All-America honors. The program was strong academically, producing a team GPA of 3.55, which was second-highest among NCAA Division I programs. At American University he assisted head coach Teague Moore, who has built a strong program athletically and academically for nearly a decade. Wince was the first head coach in the history of the Greensboro College wrestling program, which began in 2015-16. In his four years of building Greensboro's program, Wince coached one All-American, three conference champions, and multiple academic all-conference performers and individually ranked wrestlers. Wince has been an assistant coach at two NCAA Division I schools. He served two assistant coaching stints at Davidson College in North Carolina from 2005-2008 and 2012-2015. The pair of three-year stints as an assistant at Davidson bookended a four-year role as head coach of the Forsyth County Day School, a prep school in Lewisville, North Carolina. During his second stint at Davidson, Wince helped the program produce four NCAA national qualifiers. At Forsyth County Day School, he coached two national prep All-Americans, multiple individual state champions, and led the program to three consecutive team state championships. While serving at Forsyth, Wince was named the Piedmont Athletic Conference of Independent Schools (PACIS) Wrestling Coach of the Year. Wince was the USA Wrestling State Chairman for North Carolina for seven years. He also served as the national team head coach for the Junior National Duals (2006), Cadet Nationals (2007), and Junior Nationals (2008-10). Wince served as coach of the North Carolina USA Wrestling National Teams from 2004-2016. Before beginning his coaching career, Wince attended Gardner Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education in 2004. He was a four-year member of the Gardner-Webb wrestling team and&nbsp;finished his senior year with a 27-5 record. This&nbsp;earned Wince the University's Male Athlete of the Year and the University's Outstanding Wrestler Award in 2003, while becoming the program's first athlete to qualify for an NCAA Division I Tournament since the institution changed their affiliation to Division I in 2001. "We're excited about Erik's experience, knowledge, integrity and passion," FHSU Director of Athletics&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/staff.aspx?staff=5">Curtis Hammeke</a>&nbsp;said. "We look forward to watching the growth of our wrestling program and the development of our young men under his guidance." Wince is a native of Lattimore, North Carolina. He and his wife Hannah, who is a native of Wilson, Kansas, have two daughters, Kersee and Sydney. Wince becomes the 14th&nbsp;coach in the history of the Tiger Wrestling program.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp; HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State University Director of Athletics Curtis Hammeke&nbsp;announced the hiring of Erik Wince as head wrestling coach on Wednesday (July 15). Wince comes to FHSU from NCAA Division I affiliate American University in Washington D.C., where he served as assistant coach in 2019-20. Prior to that, he was head coach at Greensboro College, a Division III program in Greensboro, North Carolina, for four years. "I am extremely excited and honored to be the next head coach of the Fort Hays State wrestling program!," said Wince.&nbsp;"I want to thank Athletic Director Curtis Hammeke&nbsp;and the rest of the FHSU athletic administration for believing in me and making Hays feel like the place I needed to be to help usher the wrestling program into its next phase of success. My family and I are excited to make this move and join the rest of the Tiger Athletics Family.&nbsp; The FHSU wrestling program has a strong history of success and I cannot wait to get to campus and continue building FHSU Wrestling into a top tier program, year in and year out." Last year, Wince helped American University produce four national qualifiers for the NCAA Division I championships. Three of the four held national rankings entering the championships, which ultimately was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Two of the wrestlers earned All-America Honorable Mention status by the NWCA following the season, while three members of the team earned NWCA Scholar All-America honors. The program was strong academically, producing a team GPA of 3.55, which was second-highest among NCAA Division I programs. At American University he assisted head coach Teague Moore, who has built a strong program athletically and academically for nearly a decade. Wince was the first head coach in the history of the Greensboro College wrestling program, which began in 2015-16. In his four years of building Greensboro's program, Wince coached one All-American, three conference champions, and multiple academic all-conference performers and individually ranked wrestlers. Wince has been an assistant coach at two NCAA Division I schools. He served two assistant coaching stints at Davidson College in North Carolina from 2005-2008 and 2012-2015. The pair of three-year stints as an assistant at Davidson bookended a four-year role as head coach of the Forsyth County Day School, a prep school in Lewisville, North Carolina. During his second stint at Davidson, Wince helped the program produce four NCAA national qualifiers. At Forsyth County Day School, he coached two national prep All-Americans, multiple individual state champions, and led the program to three consecutive team state championships. While serving at Forsyth, Wince was named the Piedmont Athletic Conference of Independent Schools (PACIS) Wrestling Coach of the Year. Wince was the USA Wrestling State Chairman for North Carolina for seven years. He also served as the national team head coach for the Junior National Duals (2006), Cadet Nationals (2007), and Junior Nationals (2008-10). Wince served as coach of the North Carolina USA Wrestling National Teams from 2004-2016. Before beginning his coaching career, Wince attended Gardner Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education in 2004. He was a four-year member of the Gardner-Webb wrestling team and&nbsp;finished his senior year with a 27-5 record. This&nbsp;earned Wince the University's Male Athlete of the Year and the University's Outstanding Wrestler Award in 2003, while becoming the program's first athlete to qualify for an NCAA Division I Tournament since the institution changed their affiliation to Division I in 2001. "We're excited about Erik's experience, knowledge, integrity and passion," FHSU Director of Athletics&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/staff.aspx?staff=5">Curtis Hammeke</a>&nbsp;said. "We look forward to watching the growth of our wrestling program and the development of our young men under his guidance." Wince is a native of Lattimore, North Carolina. He and his wife Hannah, who is a native of Wilson, Kansas, have two daughters, Kersee and Sydney. Wince becomes the 14th&nbsp;coach in the history of the Tiger Wrestling program.&nbsp;&nbsp;FHSU Athletics

Erik Wince named head wrestling coach at FHSU

HAYS - Four
Hays pitchers combined to allow only two hits as the Senior Eagles swept Russell
9-1 and 8-0 Tuesday at Hays High. 

Carson Jacobs
retired the first 10 batters he faced before an error in the first game. Jacobs
didn’t allow a hit until the fifth inning. He struck out six and walking none
for the victory. Brady Kreutzer closed out the game and gave up a hit and had a
strikeout.

Josh Haynes had
two hits and Brock Lummus hit a two-run homer in the five inning run-rule win.

Garrett Wellbrock
threw 5 2/3 innings of hitless ball in the second game before he was removed
with two outs in the sixth due to pitch count. Dalton Dale came in and got the
final out on one pitch. 

The Eagles then
scored a run on a balk in the bottom of inning to win by run-rule. 

Wellbrock struck
out five and walked three. All three free passes came in the first three
innings. He retired the final 10 batters he faced, the last five by groundouts.


Brady Kreutzer doubled
and scored two runs while Josh Haynes drove in a run and scored twice to lead
the Eagles at the plate. 

The Eagles have
won seven straight and are now 19-2 heading into a tournament in Lee’s Summit
this weekend.

HAYS - Four
Hays pitchers combined to allow only two hits as the Senior Eagles swept Russell
9-1 and 8-0 Tuesday at Hays High. Carson Jacobs
retired the first 10 batters he faced before an error in the first game. Jacobs
didn’t allow a hit until the fifth inning. He struck out six and walking none
for the victory. Brady Kreutzer closed out the game and gave up a hit and had a
strikeout.Josh Haynes had
two hits and Brock Lummus hit a two-run homer in the five inning run-rule win.Garrett Wellbrock
threw 5 2/3 innings of hitless ball in the second game before he was removed
with two outs in the sixth due to pitch count. Dalton Dale came in and got the
final out on one pitch. The Eagles then
scored a run on a balk in the bottom of inning to win by run-rule. Wellbrock struck
out five and walked three. All three free passes came in the first three
innings. He retired the final 10 batters he faced, the last five by groundouts.
Brady Kreutzer doubled
and scored two runs while Josh Haynes drove in a run and scored twice to lead
the Eagles at the plate. The Eagles have
won seven straight and are now 19-2 heading into a tournament in Lee’s Summit
this weekend.

Solid pitching leads Senior Eagles to sweep of Russell

HAYS
– The TMP-Marian Monarchs scored all 16 of their runs against Hill City over
four consecutive innings and picked up the sweep Tuesday at the TMP Field. The
Monarchs rallied with two in the sixth then six in the seventh for an 8-7 win
in game one. They tallied three in the first and five in the second and won the
second game 8-0 in five innings.

HAYS
– The TMP-Marian Monarchs scored all 16 of their runs against Hill City over
four consecutive innings and picked up the sweep Tuesday at the TMP Field. The
Monarchs rallied with two in the sixth then six in the seventh for an 8-7 win
in game one. They tallied three in the first and five in the second and won the
second game 8-0 in five innings.Four of the Monarchs
six runs in the seventh inning in game one came with two outs including Noah
Gibson’s game-winning RBI single.Nick Herrman
pitched the final 2 2/3 innings in relief and picked up the win. He allowed two
runs on four hits with four strikeouts and two walks. Starter Jace Wentling
allowed four runs on four hits with three striketouts and eight walks over 4 1/3
innings.Ethan Atherton
had two hits including a double and drove in three runs.Mason Robbins
allowed two hits while striking out five and walking one for the win in the second
game.All five of TMP’s
hits in game two were singles. Robbins, Atherton and Gibson all drove in two
runs.The Monarchs
have won five of their last six games and are 16-9. They close out their season
with a doubleheader at Otis-Bison Friday.