On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, Becky Kiser visits with Sarah Meitner, executive director of the Heartland Community Foundation about estate planning and legacy giving. They also have a preview of February's Match Month in conjunction with the Dane G. Hansen Foundation of Logan.&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="Hays Post Podcast: Heartland Community Foundation is going the whole 9 yards" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=qmrvv-17ae70c-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, Becky Kiser visits with Sarah Meitner, executive director of the Heartland Community Foundation about estate planning and legacy giving. They also have a preview of February's Match Month in conjunction with the Dane G. Hansen Foundation of Logan.&nbsp;

🎙 Hays Post Podcast: Heartland Community Foundation going whole 9 yards

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

After serving for more than a decade as a district court
judge in the 23rd judicial district, Judge Glenn Braun’s time on the
bench ended this week.

Braun was first appointed as a district judge in 2012 and
then was re-elected in 2016 and 2020, serving as chief judge of the 23rd
judicial district since 2016. 

He chose not to seek re-election in 2024, and his last day
was Monday, Jan. 13. Hays attorney Curtis Brown was elected in November to fill
Braun’s seat on the bench.

Braun was born in Hays in 1956 and attended many schools
throughout his youth before settling in for four years at Thomas More-Prep in
Hays while his father worked as an attorney in Garden City.

Braun, whose family is from Victoria and Schoenchen, said he
knew from a young age that he would follow in the footsteps of his
father, a well-known trial attorney.

When Braun was in sixth grade, his father took him out of
school to watch a murder trial. His father was the defense attorney in the
trial.

“I watched the trial, from the jury selection all the way to
verdict,” Braun said. “It took a week, and I was hooked. It was the best
education I could get.”

After he got his driver’s permit, he served as his dad’s
chauffeur when he was home in the summer. 

“I went and watched a lot of court at different locations,”
Braun said. “I watched him try a case in federal court. I watched him try
divorce cases way up, east (and in) northeast Kansas. So, I was his chauffeur,
and it was really, really educational.”

He also learned about the profession while playing golf in
the summers with Judge Burt Vance in Garden City. 

"He spoke to me a lot about being a lawyer because he kind
of knew that's where I was going," Braun said.

Braun’s high school graduating class was the first to attend
all four years at TMP, and he went on to graduate from Kansas State and Washburn
School of Law in Topeka, his father’s alma mater. 

While in his second year at law school, Braun took advantage
of an opportunity to work in the Ellis County Attorney’s office for Bill Jeter,
gaining valuable experience and contacts.

He graduated from law school in 1981, and two days after
taking the bar exam, he was back in Hays working for Bob Glassman.

Braun served in private practice for more than three decades, from 1981 to 2012.

He was the Ellis County Attorney from 1989 to 1997. He also
worked as a special DUI prosecutor and then Prosecutor for the City of Hays. 

Braun said serving in those positions kept him and his staff
busy and offered many opportunities. 

“Before I went on the bench, I tried over 100 jury cases,
not just DUIs, as county attorney,” Braun said. “I tried everything from rape,
arson, aggravated robbery, you name it.”

Braun also served on the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission
for seven years. He called those seven years some of the busiest of his life
because the Kansas Legislature allowed the state to own and operate casinos.

“We were involved in the opening of the first three casinos.
Dodge City was the first one. Then was Kansas City, Hollywood, and then down in
Wichita, now actually Mulvane,” Braun said. “It was a fascinating experience.”

He also hired Hays attorney Tom Drees while serving as Ellis
County Attorney. Drees served as assistant county attorney until becoming
county attorney in 1997 when Braun was appointed to the district judge
position.

Drees held that position until he was elected district
judge in the 23rd judicial district in 2020. He was re-elected this fall.

Braun has worked in the legal system for four decades, only 12 of which were as a judge, but he said that time feels like the
equivalent of 25 years. 

He experienced three significant disruptions in court services in
his decade on the bench, but they eventually worked out.

First was the Ellis County Courthouse remodel early in his
time as judge. 

"I came on board, and that was almost from day one with
Judge (Edward) Bougher, we had to figure out, first packing up and leaving the
courthouse and then moving back in,” Braun said. “We moved out in 2014, moved back into 2016, you know, that was a huge undertaking. All the planning that
went in, plus you start to do the regular job.”

Not long after settling in, Judge Bougher was offered a
senior judge position and retired. Braun then handled two dockets for
several months in 2016 before Judge Blake Bittle was appointed. 

&nbsp;Once again, things
appeared to be back to normal, and in 2019, COVID struck a “nightmare” for
Braun and the entire judicial system. 

Braun said they were tasked with abiding by administrative rules and COVID restrictions while still doing their jobs, but they were able to gain some benefits from the pandemic changes.

"You know, there's an old saying, 'Never waste a good
crisis,'" Braun said. "And a lot of good things came of it. We're doing a lot more
remote hearings, which is a great cost savings for litigants and attorneys. All of
that came into where it became more standard out of COVID."

Finally, in October 2023, a cyberattack on the Kansas Office of Judicial Administration network brought the courts' new online system to a standstill.

Braun said they had to completely reverse course, going from
a paperless, electronic-centered way of doing things back to the old paper way.

“Fortunately, the county attorney's office during that
cyberattack, had kept paper files,” Braun said. “We would get copies of
pleadings just so we could get ready for a hearing,” Braun said. 

"We would make do, and everybody cooperated to keep the
administration of justice moving forward. Not violating any ethical rules,"
Braun said. "We are very careful on that, and we got through it until we're
back up and running again."

He said he is extremely proud and impressed with how
district court staff handled the situation.

“They have weathered everything with very few complaints,”
Braun said. “I honestly can say I never heard any of them complain. They just
buckled up, and they did it.”

One of Braun’s most lasting legacies will be
helping to launch the Ellis County Recovery Court.

Created in 2018 as Ellis County Drug Court, now called
Recovery Court, it serves as an alternative to jail and aims to combat substance
abuse addiction.

Braun, former County Attorney Chris Lyon, Recovery Court
Coordinator Teresa Greenwood, former Director of Community Corrections John
Trembley, and Hays attorney Curtis Brown were all major players in creating the Ellis County Recovery Court, the only court of its kind in western
Kansas.

Braun said the judges he talked to told him that presiding over recovery court
would be his favorite job, and they were right. 

"Yes, I've had some heartache," Braun said. "We've had
several of our graduates that have relapsed, but to see the success stories and
to see them now, it's like, man, I was a small, tiny part of that. But at least
I was a part of somebody breaking this cycle of addiction."

Braun kept a picture of every person who graduated from
recovery court in a closet next to his office at the courthouse to
celebrate and honor those individuals’ successes.

“Specialty courts, whether it's a drug recovery court or a
behavioral health, or some people call it mental illness court, a Veterans
Treatment Court, now they have family courts. These are a new, innovative way
of trying to change the revolving door," Braun said.

"If everybody expects them
to be perfect, that doesn't happen, but they make a difference, and I am so
proud to have been involved with the recovery court team and with the
participants that we put in there and to see their change in growth."

Braun said one misconception about recovery court is that it
is easy or the court staff goes easy on participants. 

“It's a lot harder to finish recovery court than it is doing straight probation,” Braun said. “You’ve got to go to AA/NA . You’ve got to go
to a group session for drugs. You’ve got to do pro-social activities, all of
these things.

"You don't have to do that on straight probation. So, it's a
lot harder, and when ... if they can graduate, they've accomplished
something," Braun said. 

Braun said he had some great experiences during his more than 40 years in the legal profession. 

"Whether it's Kansas BAR going to United States Supreme
Court or sitting with the Kansas Supreme Court, or being president of the [Kansas Bar Association],"
Braun said.

Braun said his father loved being a lawyer “probably more
than me.” He said it allows you to learn a little bit about many topics.

"If you're in a civil case, you may learn about engineering
or medicine," Braun said. "If you're in a criminal case, you may learn about
forensics. When I tried the aggravated robbery case, we introduced hair
analysis and shoe print analysis, which are stuff that I would have never been exposed to."

Braun won’t be heading straight to retirement. He will
be taking more time for himself and his family. He and his wife, Amy, have five
children and one grandchild.

The day after his retirement from the 23rd Judicial District, Braun began serving in a senior judge position.

Braun will be assigned to special
cases around the state in that part-time position. He also plans to do some mediation work. 

Braun said he would pass on the same advice to the
next person to follow in his footsteps that Judge
Ed Bougher gave him when he first started.

“Always keep an open mind,” Braun said. “Never fall in that
trap of thinking you got it figured out.

"When you've done so much legal work, you get a feeling, 'Oh,
I got this. I know all of this. I've got this figured out. I had a case just
like this years ago," Braun said. "But they're all unique and different."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736961672929.jpeg" alt="Ellis County Judge Glenn Braun was honored during his final Recovery Court in January. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Ellis County Judge Glenn Braun was honored during his final Recovery Court in January. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731093059976.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostAfter serving for more than a decade as a district court
judge in the 23rd judicial district, Judge Glenn Braun’s time on the
bench ended this week.Braun was first appointed as a district judge in 2012 and
then was re-elected in 2016 and 2020, serving as chief judge of the 23rd
judicial district since 2016. He chose not to seek re-election in 2024, and his last day
was Monday, Jan. 13. Hays attorney Curtis Brown was elected in November to fill
Braun’s seat on the bench.Braun was born in Hays in 1956 and attended many schools
throughout his youth before settling in for four years at Thomas More-Prep in
Hays while his father worked as an attorney in Garden City.Braun, whose family is from Victoria and Schoenchen, said he
knew from a young age that he would follow in the footsteps of his
father, a well-known trial attorney.When Braun was in sixth grade, his father took him out of
school to watch a murder trial. His father was the defense attorney in the
trial.“I watched the trial, from the jury selection all the way to
verdict,” Braun said. “It took a week, and I was hooked. It was the best
education I could get.”After he got his driver’s permit, he served as his dad’s
chauffeur when he was home in the summer. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736960025414.jpeg" alt="Newly elected District Court Judge Curtis Brown joined by retired Judge Glenn Braun and District Judge Tom Drees. Photo courtesy Sue Urban" />
 <figcaption>Newly elected District Court Judge Curtis Brown joined by retired Judge Glenn Braun and District Judge Tom Drees. Photo courtesy Sue Urban</figcaption>
 </figure>“I went and watched a lot of court at different locations,”
Braun said. “I watched him try a case in federal court. I watched him try
divorce cases way up, east (and in) northeast Kansas. So, I was his chauffeur,
and it was really, really educational.”He also learned about the profession while playing golf in
the summers with Judge Burt Vance in Garden City. "He spoke to me a lot about being a lawyer because he kind
of knew that's where I was going," Braun said.Braun’s high school graduating class was the first to attend
all four years at TMP, and he went on to graduate from Kansas State and Washburn
School of Law in Topeka, his father’s alma mater. While in his second year at law school, Braun took advantage
of an opportunity to work in the Ellis County Attorney’s office for Bill Jeter,
gaining valuable experience and contacts.He graduated from law school in 1981, and two days after
taking the bar exam, he was back in Hays working for Bob Glassman.Braun served in private practice for more than three decades, from 1981 to 2012.He was the Ellis County Attorney from 1989 to 1997. He also
worked as a special DUI prosecutor and then Prosecutor for the City of Hays. Braun said serving in those positions kept him and his staff
busy and offered many opportunities. “Before I went on the bench, I tried over 100 jury cases,
not just DUIs, as county attorney,” Braun said. “I tried everything from rape,
arson, aggravated robbery, you name it.”Braun also served on the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission
for seven years. He called those seven years some of the busiest of his life
because the Kansas Legislature allowed the state to own and operate casinos.“We were involved in the opening of the first three casinos.
Dodge City was the first one. Then was Kansas City, Hollywood, and then down in
Wichita, now actually Mulvane,” Braun said. “It was a fascinating experience.”He also hired Hays attorney Tom Drees while serving as Ellis
County Attorney. Drees served as assistant county attorney until becoming
county attorney in 1997 when Braun was appointed to the district judge
position.Drees held that position until he was elected district
judge in the 23rd judicial district in 2020. He was re-elected this fall.<h2>Working as a judge in challenging times</h2>Braun has worked in the legal system for four decades, only 12 of which were as a judge, but he said that time feels like the
equivalent of 25 years. He experienced three significant disruptions in court services in
his decade on the bench, but they eventually worked out.First was the Ellis County Courthouse remodel early in his
time as judge. "I came on board, and that was almost from day one with
Judge (Edward) Bougher, we had to figure out, first packing up and leaving the
courthouse and then moving back in,” Braun said. “We moved out in 2014, moved back into 2016, you know, that was a huge undertaking. All the planning that
went in, plus you start to do the regular job.”Not long after settling in, Judge Bougher was offered a
senior judge position and retired. Braun then handled two dockets for
several months in 2016 before Judge Blake Bittle was appointed. &nbsp;Once again, things
appeared to be back to normal, and in 2019, COVID struck a “nightmare” for
Braun and the entire judicial system. Braun said they were tasked with abiding by administrative rules and COVID restrictions while still doing their jobs, but they were able to gain some benefits from the pandemic changes."You know, there's an old saying, 'Never waste a good
crisis,'" Braun said. "And a lot of good things came of it. We're doing a lot more
remote hearings, which is a great cost savings for litigants and attorneys. All of
that came into where it became more standard out of COVID."Finally, in October 2023, a cyberattack on the Kansas Office of Judicial Administration network brought the courts' new online system to a standstill.Braun said they had to completely reverse course, going from
a paperless, electronic-centered way of doing things back to the old paper way.“Fortunately, the county attorney's office during that
cyberattack, had kept paper files,” Braun said. “We would get copies of
pleadings just so we could get ready for a hearing,” Braun said. "We would make do, and everybody cooperated to keep the
administration of justice moving forward. Not violating any ethical rules,"
Braun said. "We are very careful on that, and we got through it until we're
back up and running again."He said he is extremely proud and impressed with how
district court staff handled the situation.“They have weathered everything with very few complaints,”
Braun said. “I honestly can say I never heard any of them complain. They just
buckled up, and they did it.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736961752756.jpeg" alt="Detective Brian Shannon presented Ellis County Judge Glenn Braun with a plaque honoring his leadership of Recovery Court" />
 <figcaption>Detective Brian Shannon presented Ellis County Judge Glenn Braun with a plaque honoring his leadership of Recovery Court</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Recovery Court</h2>One of Braun’s most lasting legacies will be
helping to launch the Ellis County Recovery Court.Created in 2018 as Ellis County Drug Court, now called
Recovery Court, it serves as an alternative to jail and aims to combat substance
abuse addiction.Braun, former County Attorney Chris Lyon, Recovery Court
Coordinator Teresa Greenwood, former Director of Community Corrections John
Trembley, and Hays attorney Curtis Brown were all major players in creating the Ellis County Recovery Court, the only court of its kind in western
Kansas.Braun said the judges he talked to told him that presiding over recovery court
would be his favorite job, and they were right. "Yes, I've had some heartache," Braun said. "We've had
several of our graduates that have relapsed, but to see the success stories and
to see them now, it's like, man, I was a small, tiny part of that. But at least
I was a part of somebody breaking this cycle of addiction."Braun kept a picture of every person who graduated from
recovery court in a closet next to his office at the courthouse to
celebrate and honor those individuals’ successes.“Specialty courts, whether it's a drug recovery court or a
behavioral health, or some people call it mental illness court, a Veterans
Treatment Court, now they have family courts. These are a new, innovative way
of trying to change the revolving door," Braun said."If everybody expects them
to be perfect, that doesn't happen, but they make a difference, and I am so
proud to have been involved with the recovery court team and with the
participants that we put in there and to see their change in growth."Braun said one misconception about recovery court is that it
is easy or the court staff goes easy on participants. “It's a lot harder to finish recovery court than it is doing straight probation,” Braun said. “You’ve got to go to AA/NA . You’ve got to go
to a group session for drugs. You’ve got to do pro-social activities, all of
these things."You don't have to do that on straight probation. So, it's a
lot harder, and when ... if they can graduate, they've accomplished
something," Braun said. Braun said he had some great experiences during his more than 40 years in the legal profession. "Whether it's Kansas BAR going to United States Supreme
Court or sitting with the Kansas Supreme Court, or being president of the [Kansas Bar Association],"
Braun said.Braun said his father loved being a lawyer “probably more
than me.” He said it allows you to learn a little bit about many topics."If you're in a civil case, you may learn about engineering
or medicine," Braun said. "If you're in a criminal case, you may learn about
forensics. When I tried the aggravated robbery case, we introduced hair
analysis and shoe print analysis, which are stuff that I would have never been exposed to."<h2>Retirement</h2>Braun won’t be heading straight to retirement. He will
be taking more time for himself and his family. He and his wife, Amy, have five
children and one grandchild.The day after his retirement from the 23rd Judicial District, Braun began serving in a senior judge position.Braun will be assigned to special
cases around the state in that part-time position. He also plans to do some mediation work. Braun said he would pass on the same advice to the
next person to follow in his footsteps that Judge
Ed Bougher gave him when he first started.“Always keep an open mind,” Braun said. “Never fall in that
trap of thinking you got it figured out."When you've done so much legal work, you get a feeling, 'Oh,
I got this. I know all of this. I've got this figured out. I had a case just
like this years ago," Braun said. "But they're all unique and different."

NWester: Judge Braun retires after working 40+ in local legal system

By TISA MASON FHSU University President

The VIP Ambassador Program at Fort Hays State University, established by President Gerald Tomanek in 1982, empowers students to publicly represent their university while fostering a spirit of connection among these talented future leaders. Each year, a select group of 15-20 VIP Ambassadors participate in significant projects and events, gaining invaluable experiences along the way. Hazel Frans, Katie Ecord, and Noah Erichsen are members of our current VIP Ambassadors team, and each has had a compelling personal journey that I would like to share with the readers of this column.

Hazel Frans, an Overland Park, Kansas junior, has always focused on the future. Her affinity for science began early, influenced by her participation in a gifted program in 5th grade. “My teacher introduced me to the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science (KAMS). I was hooked.” KAMS is Kansas' premier early college program designed to provide a STEM-focused academic experience for gifted &amp; talented 11th &amp; 12th-grade students. By 7th grade, Hazel was already dreaming of a future at FHSU.

Since her arrival, Hazel has engaged in a variety of activities, including serving as the President of Custer Hall Community Council and presenting research at the annual SACAD event. Her experience in the KAMS program motivated her to apply for the VIP Ambassador Program as a freshman: "I was encouraged by friends who were VIPs. Their enthusiasm was infectious."

The moment she received the news of her acceptance was a highlight of her FHSU experience. “I learned so much from the interview process. It taught me how to articulate my visions and ambitions.” Each VIP Ambassador receives professional attire and participates in training sessions, including an etiquette dinner.

Hazel particularly cherishes the Promotion and Tenure Recognition event, where she celebrated the achievements of faculty who have profoundly impacted her academic path. "Participating in that celebration was incredible. It underscored how interconnected we all are in this community."

For Hazel, being a VIP Ambassador represents more than just a title; it's a heartfelt commitment to give back. "Every interaction has deepened my love for the university and highlighted the importance of being involved."

Katie Ecord, a junior from Pomona, Kansas, has a goal of becoming a Speech Language Pathologist. "The program here is renowned—it truly stands out nationally. After shadowing a professional, I realized I had found my passion."

Katie’s decision to become a VIP Ambassador sprang from her desire to connect with the broader FHSU community. "I wanted to strengthen connections between current students and alumni, recognizing their crucial support of our education."

Katie’s work regularly puts her in touch with FHSU donors. “Meeting them in person has been one of the most rewarding parts of being a VIP Ambassador. Hearing their stories and commitment to the university inspires me.” She often shares insights into donor impact through her work at the FHSU Foundation, expressing heartfelt appreciation for their generosity.

This experience has dramatically broadened Katie’s perspective: "I’ve come to understand how closely knit our university community is. I’m immensely grateful to everyone involved in our education."

Noah Erichsen, a senior from Ellsworth, Kansas, first stepped onto FHSU’s campus for a music camp, where he instantly felt a sense of belonging. “The staff is incredibly supportive. I’ve felt like I could pursue anything here.” Currently, he serves as the principal trombonist and Low Brass Section Leader in the FHSU Marching Band, merging his love for music with leadership.

A dual major in environmental geoscience and history, Noah is also actively involved in student government and tutoring, modeling the VIP Ambassador Program’s emphasis on community service. "I wanted to express my gratitude for the scholarships that have made my education possible, and the VIP Program was the perfect avenue."

“For me, VIP events are all about advocacy. Each donor has a unique story that resonates with my own journey; it’s incredible how connected we truly are.”

Noah recalls fondly the rewarding interactions he has had with alumni and donors, underscoring the program's success in nurturing relationships and understanding. “Every conversation is a meaningful exchange of experiences.”

Looking to the future, Hazel plans to pursue a Ph.D. in plant molecular biology, Katie aims to enter the graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology at FHSU, and Noah is preparing for a career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after graduation. They are well-equipped to carry the lessons learned from their ambassador experiences into their future careers, championing the values of kindness, professionalism, and community.

Each holds their time as VIP Ambassadors in high regard, recognizing its significance in their FHSU journey. "Being involved has fostered a strong sense of belonging and built a support network," Noah reflects.

The VIP Ambassador Program is a powerful testament to the value of engagement and service, particularly in an era when personal connections often feel tenuous. As these students continue their journeys, the relationships they have formed and the principles they have embraced will undoubtedly resonate, enriching their futures and those of Fort Hays State University.

As they transition from college to their respective careers, Hazel, Katie, and Noah exemplify what it means to be an ambassador: to advocate, to connect, and ultimately, to give back to the community that has given them so much. Their stories shine as a beacon of the program's impact, fostering a vibrant culture of leadership and philanthropy at Fort Hays State University for years to come.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575301942236.jpeg" alt="Tisa Mason, FHSU president. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Tisa Mason, FHSU president. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By TISA MASON FHSU University PresidentThe VIP Ambassador Program at Fort Hays State University, established by President Gerald Tomanek in 1982, empowers students to publicly represent their university while fostering a spirit of connection among these talented future leaders. Each year, a select group of 15-20 VIP Ambassadors participate in significant projects and events, gaining invaluable experiences along the way. Hazel Frans, Katie Ecord, and Noah Erichsen are members of our current VIP Ambassadors team, and each has had a compelling personal journey that I would like to share with the readers of this column.Hazel Frans, an Overland Park, Kansas junior, has always focused on the future. Her affinity for science began early, influenced by her participation in a gifted program in 5th grade. “My teacher introduced me to the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science (KAMS). I was hooked.” KAMS is Kansas' premier early college program designed to provide a STEM-focused academic experience for gifted &amp; talented 11th &amp; 12th-grade students. By 7th grade, Hazel was already dreaming of a future at FHSU.Since her arrival, Hazel has engaged in a variety of activities, including serving as the President of Custer Hall Community Council and presenting research at the annual SACAD event. Her experience in the KAMS program motivated her to apply for the VIP Ambassador Program as a freshman: "I was encouraged by friends who were VIPs. Their enthusiasm was infectious."The moment she received the news of her acceptance was a highlight of her FHSU experience. “I learned so much from the interview process. It taught me how to articulate my visions and ambitions.” Each VIP Ambassador receives professional attire and participates in training sessions, including an etiquette dinner.Hazel particularly cherishes the Promotion and Tenure Recognition event, where she celebrated the achievements of faculty who have profoundly impacted her academic path. "Participating in that celebration was incredible. It underscored how interconnected we all are in this community."For Hazel, being a VIP Ambassador represents more than just a title; it's a heartfelt commitment to give back. "Every interaction has deepened my love for the university and highlighted the importance of being involved."Katie Ecord, a junior from Pomona, Kansas, has a goal of becoming a Speech Language Pathologist. "The program here is renowned—it truly stands out nationally. After shadowing a professional, I realized I had found my passion."Katie’s decision to become a VIP Ambassador sprang from her desire to connect with the broader FHSU community. "I wanted to strengthen connections between current students and alumni, recognizing their crucial support of our education."Katie’s work regularly puts her in touch with FHSU donors. “Meeting them in person has been one of the most rewarding parts of being a VIP Ambassador. Hearing their stories and commitment to the university inspires me.” She often shares insights into donor impact through her work at the FHSU Foundation, expressing heartfelt appreciation for their generosity.This experience has dramatically broadened Katie’s perspective: "I’ve come to understand how closely knit our university community is. I’m immensely grateful to everyone involved in our education."Noah Erichsen, a senior from Ellsworth, Kansas, first stepped onto FHSU’s campus for a music camp, where he instantly felt a sense of belonging. “The staff is incredibly supportive. I’ve felt like I could pursue anything here.” Currently, he serves as the principal trombonist and Low Brass Section Leader in the FHSU Marching Band, merging his love for music with leadership.A dual major in environmental geoscience and history, Noah is also actively involved in student government and tutoring, modeling the VIP Ambassador Program’s emphasis on community service. "I wanted to express my gratitude for the scholarships that have made my education possible, and the VIP Program was the perfect avenue."“For me, VIP events are all about advocacy. Each donor has a unique story that resonates with my own journey; it’s incredible how connected we truly are.”Noah recalls fondly the rewarding interactions he has had with alumni and donors, underscoring the program's success in nurturing relationships and understanding. “Every conversation is a meaningful exchange of experiences.”Looking to the future, Hazel plans to pursue a Ph.D. in plant molecular biology, Katie aims to enter the graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology at FHSU, and Noah is preparing for a career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after graduation. They are well-equipped to carry the lessons learned from their ambassador experiences into their future careers, championing the values of kindness, professionalism, and community.Each holds their time as VIP Ambassadors in high regard, recognizing its significance in their FHSU journey. "Being involved has fostered a strong sense of belonging and built a support network," Noah reflects.The VIP Ambassador Program is a powerful testament to the value of engagement and service, particularly in an era when personal connections often feel tenuous. As these students continue their journeys, the relationships they have formed and the principles they have embraced will undoubtedly resonate, enriching their futures and those of Fort Hays State University.As they transition from college to their respective careers, Hazel, Katie, and Noah exemplify what it means to be an ambassador: to advocate, to connect, and ultimately, to give back to the community that has given them so much. Their stories shine as a beacon of the program's impact, fostering a vibrant culture of leadership and philanthropy at Fort Hays State University for years to come.

Heart of a Tiger: VIP Ambassadors gain insight, give back to FHSU community

HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State grinded out a 61-50 win over Missouri Western on Thursday night at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Tigers closed the game on a 15-3 run in the final eight minutes to get past the Griffons and split the regular season series between the teams. FHSU moved to 11-4 overall, 4-2 in the MIAA, while MWSU moved to 11-6 overall, 3-4 in the MIAA.

The first half was close throughout, as a five-point lead by the Tigers (11-6) was the largest lead before halftime. The lead changed hands six times and the score was tied five times. Kaleb Hammeke&nbsp;and Kyle Grill&nbsp;combined for 20 of Fort Hays State's 26 points in the first half. The Tigers clung to a 26-24 lead at the break after Hammeke made a 3-point field goal for the final bucket of the first half.

Missouri Western opened the second half on a 20-11 burst to take its largest lead of seven points (44-37) at the 12:13 mark. FHSU immediately went on an 8-0 run following the lead growing to seven. Muhamed Kante&nbsp;provided the first five points of the run, then Grill capped it with a 3-point field goal to put the Tigers on top by one. The Griffons briefly led once more before the Tigers' run to close the game. A Grill 3-pointer with 4:28 to go pushed the Tiger lead to six and then a Traejon Davis&nbsp;bucket made it an eight-point game with 3:33 to play.

Hammeke put an emphatic finish on the win late for FHSU as he drove to the basket for a dunk with 2:30 to go and then tipped in his own miss at the 1:40 mark to make the lead nine. With that offensive rebound on the tip, Hammeke reached 500 rebounds in his career. He became the first Tiger to have both 500 assists and 500 rebounds in a career to go with his all-time scoring record at FHSU which grew to 1,786 points with a team-high 19 points in the game. He was 8-of-12 from the field, pulled down five rebounds, and dished out a team-high four assists.

Grill was right behind Hammeke in scoring with 18 points, hitting 3-of-7 3-point field goal attempts. It was Grill's second-highest point total in a game this season. Shaun Riley&nbsp;led the Tigers in rebounds with seven. Kante and Davis each had eight points in the game. FHSU finished at 46.9 percent from the field, while MWSU shot 38.3 percent from the field.

Zane Nelson led the Griffons with 18 points, while Kiani Saxon added 10. Julius Dixon was close to a double-double with a team-high 11 rebounds and eight points.

Fort Hays State returns to action on Saturday (Jan. 18) against Northwest Missouri State. The Tigers are looking for a season sweep against the Bearcats after winning by 19 in Maryville earlier this season. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. at Gross Memorial Coliseum.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737089925948.png" alt="Fort Hays State's Kyle Grill (1) attempts a shot against Missouri Western's Kiani Saxon (4) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Thursday, January 16, 2025 in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Nicole Heitmann)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State's Kyle Grill (1) attempts a shot against Missouri Western's Kiani Saxon (4) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Thursday, January 16, 2025 in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Nicole Heitmann)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsHAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State grinded out a 61-50 win over Missouri Western on Thursday night at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Tigers closed the game on a 15-3 run in the final eight minutes to get past the Griffons and split the regular season series between the teams. FHSU moved to 11-4 overall, 4-2 in the MIAA, while MWSU moved to 11-6 overall, 3-4 in the MIAA.<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2010985943&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/fhsu-mark-johnson-postgame" title="Mark Johnson Postgame vs. Missouri Western (January 16, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Mark Johnson Postgame vs. Missouri Western (January 16, 2025)</a></div></div>The first half was close throughout, as a five-point lead by the Tigers (11-6) was the largest lead before halftime. The lead changed hands six times and the score was tied five times. Kaleb Hammeke&nbsp;and Kyle Grill&nbsp;combined for 20 of Fort Hays State's 26 points in the first half. The Tigers clung to a 26-24 lead at the break after Hammeke made a 3-point field goal for the final bucket of the first half.Missouri Western opened the second half on a 20-11 burst to take its largest lead of seven points (44-37) at the 12:13 mark. FHSU immediately went on an 8-0 run following the lead growing to seven. Muhamed Kante&nbsp;provided the first five points of the run, then Grill capped it with a 3-point field goal to put the Tigers on top by one. The Griffons briefly led once more before the Tigers' run to close the game. A Grill 3-pointer with 4:28 to go pushed the Tiger lead to six and then a Traejon Davis&nbsp;bucket made it an eight-point game with 3:33 to play.<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/2010986127&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/fhsu-kaleb-hammeke-postgame-interview-vs-missouri-western-jan-16th-25" title="Kaleb Hammeke Postgame vs. Missouri Western (January 16, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Kaleb Hammeke Postgame vs. Missouri Western (January 16, 2025)</a></div></div>Hammeke put an emphatic finish on the win late for FHSU as he drove to the basket for a dunk with 2:30 to go and then tipped in his own miss at the 1:40 mark to make the lead nine. With that offensive rebound on the tip, Hammeke reached 500 rebounds in his career. He became the first Tiger to have both 500 assists and 500 rebounds in a career to go with his all-time scoring record at FHSU which grew to 1,786 points with a team-high 19 points in the game. He was 8-of-12 from the field, pulled down five rebounds, and dished out a team-high four assists.<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/2010987207&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/fhsu-mbkb-highlights-vs-missouri-western-jan-16th-25" title="Fort Hays State MBB Highlights vs. Missouri Western State (January 16, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State MBB Highlights vs. Missouri Western State (January 16, 2025)</a></div></div>Grill was right behind Hammeke in scoring with 18 points, hitting 3-of-7 3-point field goal attempts. It was Grill's second-highest point total in a game this season. Shaun Riley&nbsp;led the Tigers in rebounds with seven. Kante and Davis each had eight points in the game. FHSU finished at 46.9 percent from the field, while MWSU shot 38.3 percent from the field.Zane Nelson led the Griffons with 18 points, while Kiani Saxon added 10. Julius Dixon was close to a double-double with a team-high 11 rebounds and eight points.UP NEXTFort Hays State returns to action on Saturday (Jan. 18) against Northwest Missouri State. The Tigers are looking for a season sweep against the Bearcats after winning by 19 in Maryville earlier this season. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. at Gross Memorial Coliseum.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Tigers pull away late for home win over Griffons

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

HAYS – The TMP-Marian basketball teams showed little rust after
more than 25 days off. Both teams took down the
Ellis Railers in their home openers Thursday at Al Billinger Fieldhouse.

GIRLS: TMP 66, Ellis 33 The Lady Monarchs (3-4, 2-1 MCL) opened the game on a 16-4 run and never
trailed. Brooke Koenigsman scored a season-high 25 points in a 66-33 victory over
the Railers.

Koenigsman scored nine points in the first quarter while the
Monarchs built a 20-7 lead.

Already leading by double figures to open the second quarter,
the Monarchs put together a 14-5 run, taking their largest lead of the first
half at 34-12 on a Shyanne Yost layup. Yost scored a season-high 10 points with
a little more than two minutes left in the first half.

Ellis (5-4, 2-2 MCL)was able to close within two at halftime but TMP still
held the 36-17 lead at the break.

Koenigsman led all scorers with 24 points, and Shyanne Yost
scored 10 points. 

The Monarchs will take on Hill City in the first round of
the MCL tournament Saturday at approximately 4:00 p.m.

BOYS: TMP 56, Ellis 45 The TMP boys used a pair of 9-0 first-half runs and then
needed a big second half on their way to a double-digit win over the Railers.

Caden Dinkel closed out the second quarter with a three-pointer
and added his second on the first possession of the second half, putting TMP up
29-19.

In the third quarter, Ellis erased the 10-point deficit thanks
to five straight turnovers and an empty possession by the Monarchs. 

Ellis then briefly led 36-34 but TMP’s Carson Liles got a
field goal to close out the third quarter at 36 each.

TMP’s Jabob Seib and Schmeidler took control of the game,
combining to score 14 points to open the fourth quarter and the Monarchs never
trailed again in a 56-45 victory.

Ty Schmeidler led TMP with 16 points. Cade Dinkel added 15
points and Jacob Seib scored 14 points.

TMP will take on Russell in the third game of the day at the MCL tournament at Al Billinger Fieldhouse in Hays.&nbsp;

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostHAYS – The TMP-Marian basketball teams showed little rust after
more than 25 days off. Both teams took down the
Ellis Railers in their home openers Thursday at Al Billinger Fieldhouse.GIRLS: TMP 66, Ellis 33 The Lady Monarchs (3-4, 2-1 MCL) opened the game on a 16-4 run and never
trailed. Brooke Koenigsman scored a season-high 25 points in a 66-33 victory over
the Railers.<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/2010980203&color=%23294b71&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/01-16-25-tmp-coach-john-linn-post-game-interview" title="01 - 16 - 25 TMP Coach John Linn Post Game Interview" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">01 - 16 - 25 TMP Coach John Linn Post Game Interview</a></div></div> Koenigsman scored nine points in the first quarter while the
Monarchs built a 20-7 lead.Already leading by double figures to open the second quarter,
the Monarchs put together a 14-5 run, taking their largest lead of the first
half at 34-12 on a Shyanne Yost layup. Yost scored a season-high 10 points with
a little more than two minutes left in the first half.Ellis (5-4, 2-2 MCL)was able to close within two at halftime but TMP still
held the 36-17 lead at the break.<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/2010980227&color=%23294b71&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/01-16-25-tmp-wbkb-vs-ellis-highlights" title="01 - 16 - 25 TMP WBKB Vs Ellis Highlights" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">01 - 16 - 25 TMP WBKB Vs Ellis Highlights</a></div></div>Koenigsman led all scorers with 24 points, and Shyanne Yost
scored 10 points. The Monarchs will take on Hill City in the first round of
the MCL tournament Saturday at approximately 4:00 p.m.BOYS: TMP 56, Ellis 45 The TMP boys used a pair of 9-0 first-half runs and then
needed a big second half on their way to a double-digit win over the Railers.<div>https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/01-16-25-tmp-coach-bill-meagher-post-game-interview?si=b0cb28805de84e80bd16824bfc54979b&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing</div>Caden Dinkel closed out the second quarter with a three-pointer
and added his second on the first possession of the second half, putting TMP up
29-19.In the third quarter, Ellis erased the 10-point deficit thanks
to five straight turnovers and an empty possession by the Monarchs. Ellis then briefly led 36-34 but TMP’s Carson Liles got a
field goal to close out the third quarter at 36 each.<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/2010980215&color=%23294b71&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/01-16-25-tmp-mbkb-vs-ellis-highlights" title="01 - 16 - 25 TMP MBKB Vs Ellis Highlights" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">01 - 16 - 25 TMP MBKB Vs Ellis Highlights</a></div></div>TMP’s Jabob Seib and Schmeidler took control of the game,
combining to score 14 points to open the fourth quarter and the Monarchs never
trailed again in a 56-45 victory.Ty Schmeidler led TMP with 16 points. Cade Dinkel added 15
points and Jacob Seib scored 14 points.TMP will take on Russell in the third game of the day at the MCL tournament at Al Billinger Fieldhouse in Hays.&nbsp;

🏀 Monarchs sweep Ellis in return to action in first games of 2025

HAYS, Kan. - The seventh-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team fell to Missouri Western by one point for the second time in less than two weeks, losing 70-69 at home Thursday evening at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Tigers (13-2, 4-2 MIAA) led by as many as 14 in the first half, but a 3-point barrage from the Griffons (11-4, 6-1 MIAA) helped the visitors rally after halftime.

Missouri Western took control early, leading by as many as 12 seven minutes into the contest. Back-to-back buckets from graduate students Katie DeGarmo and Olivia Hollenbeck&nbsp;helped the Tigers stop the Griffon run before a DeGarmo 3-point play narrowed the deficit to 22-15 at the end of the first quarter.

The Tigers proceeded to flip all the momentum in the second quarter, with FHSU scoring the first 18 points to race in front by double digits themselves, 33-22. Combined with DeGarmo's 3-point play to end the first quarter, the 21-0 run by the Tigers was the longest by an FHSU squad during the Talia Kahrs&nbsp;era.

The Tiger defense was locked in over the first seven minutes of the frame, forcing the Griffons to miss eight shots from the floor and five free throws while creating a pair of turnovers.

Fort Hays State, on the other hand, took advantage at the charity stripe during the frame, hitting all 10 of its attempts. Hollenbeck and Talexa Weeter&nbsp;both scored eight points each in the quarter. The Tigers led by as many as 14 with one minute to play before halftime thanks to another DeGarmo layup, but a Griffon 3-pointer narrowed the gap to 41-30 at halftime.

Missouri Western slowly chipped away at the lead early in the second half, but FHSU had a response each time. The Tigers still held a 10-point lead five minutes into the third quarter before a 13-5 Griffon run narrowed the margin to 56-54 with 10 minutes to play.

The Griffons, who hit the second-most 3-pointers per game in Division II, lived up to that billing in the second half. The visitors hit 7-of-14 from behind the arc to storm back, including a perfect 4-of-4 effort from Kassandra Caron.

Both teams struggled to score early in the fourth quarter, combining for just five points in the first four minutes of action. MWSU's Meredith Rieker then hit a 3-pointer to tie the score with 5:42 on the clock, but DeGarmo answered with another traditional 3-point play to put the Tigers back on top with 5:02 to play.

Caron then scored eight-straight points for the Griffons, helping the visitors jump back in front by five with less than three minutes to go.

After missing three in a row from the floor and turning the ball over once, Kate Dilsaver&nbsp;helped the Tigers punch back with her second 3-pointer of the game. Western point guard Alyssa Bonilla then converted a traditional 3-point play on the next trip down the floor to push the lead back to five, but Brooke Loewe&nbsp;responded with a triple of her own to close things back to two with 1:50 on the clock, 70-68.

Hollenbeck came up with her third block of the game on the next trip down the floor, but FHSU was unable to take advantage on offense. The Tiger defense was then able to clamp down again, forcing a shot clock violation with 34 seconds remaining. Loewe then tried a 3-pointer with 10 seconds to go that was off the mark, but Dilsaver collected the offensive rebound to keep hope alive.

After a pair of Griffon fouls, DeGarmo went to the line with a chance to tie things up with two makes. After the Tigers hit 18 of their first 19 from the line on the day, DeGarmo managed to make one of the two free throws with 1.7 seconds remaining to allow the Griffons to hang on.

The Griffons have now won four in a row against FHSU and six of the last eight meetings since March 2022. All six of those MWSU wins have been by three or fewer points, including four one-point decisions.

DeGarmo led the team with 21 points and 10 rebounds for her third double-double of the season and the 39th of her career. Dilsaver totaled 14 points and a career-high nine rebounds, while Hollenbeck added 14 points, five rebounds and three blocks. Bonilla led the Griffons with 21 points, six assists and six steals.

The Tigers hit a season-low 36.7 percent from the floor (22-of-60), while Missouri Western knocked down 44.8 percent from the floor (26-of-58) and from behind the arc (13-of-29). Fort Hays State collected eight more rebounds than the Griffons, 40-32, while both teams turned the ball over 17 times. The Tigers scored 22 points in transition for the second-straight contest, their highest total against a DII opponent this season.

Fort Hays State will look to bounce back Saturday (Jan. 18) when the Tigers host Northwest Missouri State beginning at 2 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737088216718.png" alt="Fort Hays State's Bailey Wilborn (1) attempts a 3-point shot over Missouri Western's Meredith Reiker (24) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Thursday, January 16, 2025 in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Nicole Heitmann)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State's Bailey Wilborn (1) attempts a 3-point shot over Missouri Western's Meredith Reiker (24) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Thursday, January 16, 2025 in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Nicole Heitmann)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsHAYS, Kan. - The seventh-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team fell to Missouri Western by one point for the second time in less than two weeks, losing 70-69 at home Thursday evening at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Tigers (13-2, 4-2 MIAA) led by as many as 14 in the first half, but a 3-point barrage from the Griffons (11-4, 6-1 MIAA) helped the visitors rally after halftime.<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/2010986403&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/fhsu-talia-khars-interview-vs-missouri-western-jan-16th-25" title="Talia Kahrs Postgame vs. Missouri Western State (January 16, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Talia Kahrs Postgame vs. Missouri Western State (January 16, 2025)</a></div></div>Missouri Western took control early, leading by as many as 12 seven minutes into the contest. Back-to-back buckets from graduate students Katie DeGarmo and Olivia Hollenbeck&nbsp;helped the Tigers stop the Griffon run before a DeGarmo 3-point play narrowed the deficit to 22-15 at the end of the first quarter.The Tigers proceeded to flip all the momentum in the second quarter, with FHSU scoring the first 18 points to race in front by double digits themselves, 33-22. Combined with DeGarmo's 3-point play to end the first quarter, the 21-0 run by the Tigers was the longest by an FHSU squad during the Talia Kahrs&nbsp;era.<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/2010986367&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/fhsu-olivia-hollenbeck-postgame-interview-vs-missouri-western-jan-16th-25" title="Olivia Hollenbeck Postgame vs. Missouri Western (January 16, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Olivia Hollenbeck Postgame vs. Missouri Western (January 16, 2025)</a></div></div>The Tiger defense was locked in over the first seven minutes of the frame, forcing the Griffons to miss eight shots from the floor and five free throws while creating a pair of turnovers.Fort Hays State, on the other hand, took advantage at the charity stripe during the frame, hitting all 10 of its attempts. Hollenbeck and Talexa Weeter&nbsp;both scored eight points each in the quarter. The Tigers led by as many as 14 with one minute to play before halftime thanks to another DeGarmo layup, but a Griffon 3-pointer narrowed the gap to 41-30 at halftime.Missouri Western slowly chipped away at the lead early in the second half, but FHSU had a response each time. The Tigers still held a 10-point lead five minutes into the third quarter before a 13-5 Griffon run narrowed the margin to 56-54 with 10 minutes to play.<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/2010987659&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/fhsu-wbkb-highlights-vs-missouri-western-jan-16th-24" title="#7 Fort Hays State WBB Highlights vs. Missouri Western (January 16, 2025)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">#7 Fort Hays State WBB Highlights vs. Missouri Western (January 16, 2025)</a></div></div>The Griffons, who hit the second-most 3-pointers per game in Division II, lived up to that billing in the second half. The visitors hit 7-of-14 from behind the arc to storm back, including a perfect 4-of-4 effort from Kassandra Caron.Both teams struggled to score early in the fourth quarter, combining for just five points in the first four minutes of action. MWSU's Meredith Rieker then hit a 3-pointer to tie the score with 5:42 on the clock, but DeGarmo answered with another traditional 3-point play to put the Tigers back on top with 5:02 to play.Caron then scored eight-straight points for the Griffons, helping the visitors jump back in front by five with less than three minutes to go.After missing three in a row from the floor and turning the ball over once, Kate Dilsaver&nbsp;helped the Tigers punch back with her second 3-pointer of the game. Western point guard Alyssa Bonilla then converted a traditional 3-point play on the next trip down the floor to push the lead back to five, but Brooke Loewe&nbsp;responded with a triple of her own to close things back to two with 1:50 on the clock, 70-68.Hollenbeck came up with her third block of the game on the next trip down the floor, but FHSU was unable to take advantage on offense. The Tiger defense was then able to clamp down again, forcing a shot clock violation with 34 seconds remaining. Loewe then tried a 3-pointer with 10 seconds to go that was off the mark, but Dilsaver collected the offensive rebound to keep hope alive.After a pair of Griffon fouls, DeGarmo went to the line with a chance to tie things up with two makes. After the Tigers hit 18 of their first 19 from the line on the day, DeGarmo managed to make one of the two free throws with 1.7 seconds remaining to allow the Griffons to hang on.The Griffons have now won four in a row against FHSU and six of the last eight meetings since March 2022. All six of those MWSU wins have been by three or fewer points, including four one-point decisions.DeGarmo led the team with 21 points and 10 rebounds for her third double-double of the season and the 39th of her career. Dilsaver totaled 14 points and a career-high nine rebounds, while Hollenbeck added 14 points, five rebounds and three blocks. Bonilla led the Griffons with 21 points, six assists and six steals.The Tigers hit a season-low 36.7 percent from the floor (22-of-60), while Missouri Western knocked down 44.8 percent from the floor (26-of-58) and from behind the arc (13-of-29). Fort Hays State collected eight more rebounds than the Griffons, 40-32, while both teams turned the ball over 17 times. The Tigers scored 22 points in transition for the second-straight contest, their highest total against a DII opponent this season.UP NEXTFort Hays State will look to bounce back Saturday (Jan. 18) when the Tigers host Northwest Missouri State beginning at 2 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 No. 7 Tiger women fall by one at home to Missouri Western

Norma Jean Streck passed away peacefully on Sunday, January
12, 2025 in her sleep, at the age of 97 years old.&nbsp;

She was born on the family farm in Ogallah, Kansas, on March
22, 1927, to Joseph and Maria “Mary” Kelsch. Norma was the oldest daughter of
three children.&nbsp; She was a tiny baby and with no incubator, she started
life in her dad’s shoe box on the oven door, learning to be a strong and
determined child.&nbsp; She attended schools in Ellis, Kansas when her family
moved off the farm.&nbsp; After graduating from High School, she left to go to
Washington D.C. to work at the Pentagon for the Navy.&nbsp; Back in Kansas, she
attended a dance at Walker Air Force Base, and there she met John J Streck,
whom she married on August 15, 1948. John entered the Army, and soon Norma and
their daughter Stephanie went to live in Japan toward the end of the Korean
War; then moving back to Kansas, where they settled down in Hays and lived for
69 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Norma worked side-by-side with John in his dental practice
for many years.&nbsp; She loved her volunteer work at the hospital and the
church. And was a member of several community organizations, including PEO of
which she was a Golden Girl for 50 years of participation. John and Norma loved
traveling all over the United States. Norma loved gardening and bird
watching.&nbsp;

Norma and John had four daughters, Stephanie Streck Watson
(who preceded her in death); Carla Streck Perez and her husband Jim, who Norma
lived with her last 8 years of her life, in Texas; Susan Moss, Connecticut; and
Lisa Dunn, Texas.&nbsp; She has ten grandchildren, and eight
great-grandchildren.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, January 21,
2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Brenda Rodger officiating.&nbsp; Burial will be at 1:00 pm in Kansas Veterans’
Cemetery in WaKeeney.&nbsp; Visitation will be
from 5:00 pm until 7:00 on Monday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from
9:00 am until service time on Tuesday at the church.&nbsp;

Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran
Church, Fort Hays State University Music Department, HaysMed Volunteers, or flowers
and plants are a beautiful gift as well.&nbsp;
Condolences and memories of Norma may be shared with her family at
www.haysmemorial.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736725258541.jpeg" alt="Norma Jean Streck" />
 <figcaption>Norma Jean Streck</figcaption>
 </figure>Norma Jean Streck passed away peacefully on Sunday, January
12, 2025 in her sleep, at the age of 97 years old.&nbsp;She was born on the family farm in Ogallah, Kansas, on March
22, 1927, to Joseph and Maria “Mary” Kelsch. Norma was the oldest daughter of
three children.&nbsp; She was a tiny baby and with no incubator, she started
life in her dad’s shoe box on the oven door, learning to be a strong and
determined child.&nbsp; She attended schools in Ellis, Kansas when her family
moved off the farm.&nbsp; After graduating from High School, she left to go to
Washington D.C. to work at the Pentagon for the Navy.&nbsp; Back in Kansas, she
attended a dance at Walker Air Force Base, and there she met John J Streck,
whom she married on August 15, 1948. John entered the Army, and soon Norma and
their daughter Stephanie went to live in Japan toward the end of the Korean
War; then moving back to Kansas, where they settled down in Hays and lived for
69 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Norma worked side-by-side with John in his dental practice
for many years.&nbsp; She loved her volunteer work at the hospital and the
church. And was a member of several community organizations, including PEO of
which she was a Golden Girl for 50 years of participation. John and Norma loved
traveling all over the United States. Norma loved gardening and bird
watching.&nbsp;Norma and John had four daughters, Stephanie Streck Watson
(who preceded her in death); Carla Streck Perez and her husband Jim, who Norma
lived with her last 8 years of her life, in Texas; Susan Moss, Connecticut; and
Lisa Dunn, Texas.&nbsp; She has ten grandchildren, and eight
great-grandchildren.&nbsp;&nbsp;Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, January 21,
2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Brenda Rodger officiating.&nbsp; Burial will be at 1:00 pm in Kansas Veterans’
Cemetery in WaKeeney.&nbsp; Visitation will be
from 5:00 pm until 7:00 on Monday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from
9:00 am until service time on Tuesday at the church.&nbsp;Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran
Church, Fort Hays State University Music Department, HaysMed Volunteers, or flowers
and plants are a beautiful gift as well.&nbsp;
Condolences and memories of Norma may be shared with her family at
www.haysmemorial.com

Norma Jean Streck

Twila Mae Herrman, 89, La Crosse, Kansas, passed away
Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Locust Grove Village, La Crosse.

She was born in Victoria, Kansas, on February
18, 1935, to Charles C. and Pia (Geist) Staab.&nbsp;
She was a 1953 graduate of Girls Catholic High in Hays, Kansas.&nbsp; She worked in the medical records department
at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Hays, until she was married.

On April 23, 1956, she married Alexander A.
Herrman at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays.&nbsp; They were married for nearly 62 years before
Alex’s passing on March 8, 2018.&nbsp; Following
their marriage, they moved to the Herrman family farm North of La Crosse, where
they resided until 1999 when they retired to La Crosse.&nbsp; 

She was a farm wife until 1980 when she went to
work at the Rush County ASCS office until 1998.&nbsp;
Following her retirement, she was the church secretary and the director
of religious education for St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, for eight
years.

She was an excellent seamstress and made all
her daughters First Communion dresses and veils and all her grandchildren’s
baptismal outfits.&nbsp; Her Catholic faith
was unwavering, and nobody ever went hungry when they were at her house.&nbsp; 

She was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse,
and a former member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Liebenthal, Kansas.She was a 60 plus year member of the
Daughters of Isabella of Gorham, Kansas.She was a member of both St. Michael’s and St. Ann’s Altar&nbsp;Society.  She was a girl scout leader, band mother and religion teacher.  She enjoyed attending all her grandchildren’s activities and was an avid La Crosse Leopard fan.  She also cheered for the Kansas City Royals, KU Jayhawks and the Kansas City Chiefs.

She is survived by her four daughters Janel
(Rick) Weigel, La Crosse, Jillane (Patrick) Koochel, Great Bend, Jerilyn
(Michael) Stull, McCracken, Joyce (Bill) Temanson, Pratt, and one son Glenn
(Shanon) Herrman, La Crosse; fourteen grandchildren, Nicholl (Tyler) Beam,
Nathan Weigel, Rachel (Tyler) Thompson, Christopher (Lindsey) Koochel, Emily
Koochel, Ethan (Stephanie) Koochel, Tayler Stull, Colby Stull, Eli Temanson,
Aden Temanson, Isaac Temanson, Brett Herrman, Blake (Kynadi) Herrman, Brooke
Herrman, and twelve great grandchildren with number thirteen due in February;
three brothers, Kenneth (Charlene) Staab, Hays, Wayne (Louetta) Staab, Dameron
Valley, Utah, Lyle (Ann Marie) Staab, Hawthorne Hills, Illinois, and sisters
Donna Fisher, Marysville, Kansas, Carol (James) Elias, Indianapolis, Indiana,
and sisters-in-law, Florence Herrman, La Crosse, and Patricia Staab, Omaha, Nebraska.

She was preceded in death by her parents and
brother Willard Staab.

Visitation will be Sunday, January 19, 2025,
from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, with
the family receiving friends from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. A vigil service and a
St. Ann’s Altar Society rosary will be at 7:00 P.M. 

Church visitation will be on Monday January 20,
2025, from 9:00 A.M. to 9:50 A.M. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse.

Funeral service will be Monday January 20, 2025,
at 10:00 A.M. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, with Father Reginald
A. Urban officiating.&nbsp; Interment will be
in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Liebenthal.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to
Thomas More Prep Marion High School, Hays, St. Michaels Catholic Church, La
Crosse, or Locust Grove Village, La Crosse.

Condolences or
remembrances may be left for the family at <a href="http://www.janousekfuneralhome.com/">www.janousekfuneralhome.com</a>.

Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719
Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785-222-2157.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737057184354.jpeg" alt="Twila Mae (Staab) Herrman" />
 <figcaption>Twila Mae (Staab) Herrman</figcaption>
 </figure>Twila Mae Herrman, 89, La Crosse, Kansas, passed away
Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Locust Grove Village, La Crosse.She was born in Victoria, Kansas, on February
18, 1935, to Charles C. and Pia (Geist) Staab.&nbsp;
She was a 1953 graduate of Girls Catholic High in Hays, Kansas.&nbsp; She worked in the medical records department
at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Hays, until she was married.On April 23, 1956, she married Alexander A.
Herrman at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays.&nbsp; They were married for nearly 62 years before
Alex’s passing on March 8, 2018.&nbsp; Following
their marriage, they moved to the Herrman family farm North of La Crosse, where
they resided until 1999 when they retired to La Crosse.&nbsp; She was a farm wife until 1980 when she went to
work at the Rush County ASCS office until 1998.&nbsp;
Following her retirement, she was the church secretary and the director
of religious education for St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, for eight
years.She was an excellent seamstress and made all
her daughters First Communion dresses and veils and all her grandchildren’s
baptismal outfits.&nbsp; Her Catholic faith
was unwavering, and nobody ever went hungry when they were at her house.&nbsp; She was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse,
and a former member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Liebenthal, Kansas.She was a 60 plus year member of the
Daughters of Isabella of Gorham, Kansas.She was a member of both St. Michael’s and St. Ann’s Altar&nbsp;Society. She was a girl scout leader, band mother and religion teacher. She enjoyed attending all her grandchildren’s activities and was an avid La Crosse Leopard fan. She also cheered for the Kansas City Royals, KU Jayhawks and the Kansas City Chiefs.She is survived by her four daughters Janel
(Rick) Weigel, La Crosse, Jillane (Patrick) Koochel, Great Bend, Jerilyn
(Michael) Stull, McCracken, Joyce (Bill) Temanson, Pratt, and one son Glenn
(Shanon) Herrman, La Crosse; fourteen grandchildren, Nicholl (Tyler) Beam,
Nathan Weigel, Rachel (Tyler) Thompson, Christopher (Lindsey) Koochel, Emily
Koochel, Ethan (Stephanie) Koochel, Tayler Stull, Colby Stull, Eli Temanson,
Aden Temanson, Isaac Temanson, Brett Herrman, Blake (Kynadi) Herrman, Brooke
Herrman, and twelve great grandchildren with number thirteen due in February;
three brothers, Kenneth (Charlene) Staab, Hays, Wayne (Louetta) Staab, Dameron
Valley, Utah, Lyle (Ann Marie) Staab, Hawthorne Hills, Illinois, and sisters
Donna Fisher, Marysville, Kansas, Carol (James) Elias, Indianapolis, Indiana,
and sisters-in-law, Florence Herrman, La Crosse, and Patricia Staab, Omaha, Nebraska.She was preceded in death by her parents and
brother Willard Staab.Visitation will be Sunday, January 19, 2025,
from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, with
the family receiving friends from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. A vigil service and a
St. Ann’s Altar Society rosary will be at 7:00 P.M. Church visitation will be on Monday January 20,
2025, from 9:00 A.M. to 9:50 A.M. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse.Funeral service will be Monday January 20, 2025,
at 10:00 A.M. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, with Father Reginald
A. Urban officiating.&nbsp; Interment will be
in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Liebenthal.In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to
Thomas More Prep Marion High School, Hays, St. Michaels Catholic Church, La
Crosse, or Locust Grove Village, La Crosse.Condolences or
remembrances may be left for the family at <a href="http://www.janousekfuneralhome.com/">www.janousekfuneralhome.com</a>.Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719
Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785-222-2157.

Twila Mae (Staab) Herrman

Missouri Western (11-5, 3-3 MIAA) at Fort Hays State (10-4, 3-2 MIAA) Thursday, January 16 • 7:30 p.m. Hays, Kan. • Gross Memorial Coliseum

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

Game Sponsor:&nbsp;Domino's Pizza National Anthem:&nbsp;Stockton High School

After a week of rest, Fort Hays State Men's Basketball returns to action on Thursday night at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays hosting Missouri Western. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. The Tigers enter at 10-4 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA, while the Griffons are 11-5 overall and 3-3 in the MIAA. FHSU seeks a regular-season split with the Griffons.

Missouri Western took the first of the two regular season meetings between the teams back on January 4 in St. Joseph by a score of 47-44. It was the only game this year the Tigers lost when holding the opposition under 60 points. Both teams were receiving votes in the NABC Top 25 Poll during that matchup, but the Griffons are not among the receiving votes list in the latest version of the poll released on Tuesday. Kaleb Hammeke&nbsp;led the Tigers with 16 points in the first meeting with the Griffons.

Fort Hays State has won the last three meetings with MWSU in Hays. The Tigers have gone 6-2 against the Griffons in the last eight meetings, with both losses occurring in St. Joseph. Missouri Western's last win in Hays was in 2020-21 by a score of 78-73. FHSU has held Missouri Western to 50 or less points in a game for five of the last six meetings overall between the schools.

Fresh off becoming the all-time leading scorer in FHSU Men's Basketball history with 1,767 points, Kaleb Hammeke is on the verge of another big milestone this week at home. He is now only five rebounds away from becoming the first player in program history to record at least 500 assists and 500 rebounds. He is one of only four players to reach the 500-assist mark in program history, and none of the three others with 500 or more assists ever had more than 400 rebounds.

Kyle Grill&nbsp;(11.6) and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/shaun-riley/8227">Shaun Riley</a>&nbsp;(10.8) join Hammeke (14.9) as Fort Hays State's three players averaging double figures in scoring. Hammeke leads the team in assists at 4.8 per game, while Riley leads in rebounds at 6.6 per game. Dan Makuna&nbsp;is coming off a career-high 16 points in the 69-44 win over Emporia State last Thursday. He is the top scorer off the bench for FHSU at 7.0 points per game.

Fort Hays State is receiving votes in the NABC Top 25 Poll for the third-straight week. The Tigers started the year ranked No. 16 in the nation, but slipped out of the rankings after an 0-2 start to the season against a pair of strong opponents from the NSIC. Southwest Minnesota State, who they lost to in the season opener, is currently in the Top 25. FHSU has a record of 10-2 since their season-opening trip to Minnesota.

By holding three-straight opponents under 50 points, Fort Hays State has moved into the national lead in scoring defense at 58.6 points allowed per game. They led NCAA Division II in that category last year when they held teams to 57.9 per game. The Tigers are also strong nationally in turnovers and field goal percentage defense. They rank fourth in turnovers per game, committing just 9.4 per game, and rank sixth in field goal percentage allowed to opponents at 37.9 percent.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737028000697.png" alt="2025-01-16 (2).png" />
 <figcaption>2025-01-16 (2).png</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsMissouri Western (11-5, 3-3 MIAA) at Fort Hays State (10-4, 3-2 MIAA) Thursday, January 16 • 7:30 p.m. Hays, Kan. • Gross Memorial ColiseumRadio:&nbsp;KJLS (103.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video:&nbsp;MIAA Network:&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>Game Sponsor:&nbsp;Domino's Pizza National Anthem:&nbsp;Stockton High SchoolAfter a week of rest, Fort Hays State Men's Basketball returns to action on Thursday night at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays hosting Missouri Western. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. The Tigers enter at 10-4 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA, while the Griffons are 11-5 overall and 3-3 in the MIAA. FHSU seeks a regular-season split with the Griffons.Missouri Western took the first of the two regular season meetings between the teams back on January 4 in St. Joseph by a score of 47-44. It was the only game this year the Tigers lost when holding the opposition under 60 points. Both teams were receiving votes in the NABC Top 25 Poll during that matchup, but the Griffons are not among the receiving votes list in the latest version of the poll released on Tuesday. Kaleb Hammeke&nbsp;led the Tigers with 16 points in the first meeting with the Griffons.Fort Hays State has won the last three meetings with MWSU in Hays. The Tigers have gone 6-2 against the Griffons in the last eight meetings, with both losses occurring in St. Joseph. Missouri Western's last win in Hays was in 2020-21 by a score of 78-73. FHSU has held Missouri Western to 50 or less points in a game for five of the last six meetings overall between the schools.Fresh off becoming the all-time leading scorer in FHSU Men's Basketball history with 1,767 points, Kaleb Hammeke is on the verge of another big milestone this week at home. He is now only five rebounds away from becoming the first player in program history to record at least 500 assists and 500 rebounds. He is one of only four players to reach the 500-assist mark in program history, and none of the three others with 500 or more assists ever had more than 400 rebounds.Kyle Grill&nbsp;(11.6) and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/shaun-riley/8227">Shaun Riley</a>&nbsp;(10.8) join Hammeke (14.9) as Fort Hays State's three players averaging double figures in scoring. Hammeke leads the team in assists at 4.8 per game, while Riley leads in rebounds at 6.6 per game. Dan Makuna&nbsp;is coming off a career-high 16 points in the 69-44 win over Emporia State last Thursday. He is the top scorer off the bench for FHSU at 7.0 points per game.Fort Hays State is receiving votes in the NABC Top 25 Poll for the third-straight week. The Tigers started the year ranked No. 16 in the nation, but slipped out of the rankings after an 0-2 start to the season against a pair of strong opponents from the NSIC. Southwest Minnesota State, who they lost to in the season opener, is currently in the Top 25. FHSU has a record of 10-2 since their season-opening trip to Minnesota.By holding three-straight opponents under 50 points, Fort Hays State has moved into the national lead in scoring defense at 58.6 points allowed per game. They led NCAA Division II in that category last year when they held teams to 57.9 per game. The Tigers are also strong nationally in turnovers and field goal percentage defense. They rank fourth in turnovers per game, committing just 9.4 per game, and rank sixth in field goal percentage allowed to opponents at 37.9 percent.

🏀🎧 LISTEN: Tigers set to face Griffons Thursday in Hays

#7/13 Fort Hays State (13-1, 4-1 MIAA) vs. Missouri Western (10-4, 5-1 MIAA) Thursday, January 16, 2025 • 5:30 p.m. Hays, Kan. • Gross Memorial Coliseum

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

Game Sponsor:&nbsp;Domino's Pizza National Anthem:&nbsp;Stockton High School Promotions:&nbsp;Big Creek Crossing Baby Crawl at halftime, Mascot Night

The seventh-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team looks to avenge its only loss of the season Thursday when the Tigers host Missouri Western. First tip is slated for 5:30 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.

The Tigers (13-1, 4-1 MIAA) and Griffons (10-4, 5-1 MIAA) will play for the second time in less than two weeks after Missouri Western handed FHSU its first loss of the season last Saturday (Jan. 4) in St. Joseph, Mo., 67-66.Since that contest, the Tigers bounced back with a 22-point win over Emporia State last Thursday, while Missouri Western suffered its first conference loss on the road at Washburn.

Brooke Loewe&nbsp;tied the school record with 13 assists in the win over Emporia State after dishing out 12 against Missouri Western. She's tallied 10 or more assists three times this season, while no other player in the conference has done so more than once.

Loewe's school-record 13 assists helped the Tigers rack up 24 assists as a team in the win over ESU, the most by a team in an MIAA contest so far this season. That total helped the Tigers raise their assist average to 19.5 per game, second-most in Division II. FHSU also ranks in the top 10 nationally in assist/turnover ratio (1.36, third), defensive rebounds per game (31.0, third), field goal percentage defense (33.3 percent, fifth), scoring margin (plus-20.3, seventh), winning percentage (92.9 percent, eighth) and 3-point percentage defense (23.9 percent, ninth).

Talexa Weeter is averaging 13.7 points per game off the bench this season, 12th-best in the MIAA. She is the only player ranked in the top 25 in scoring in the league that is not a regular starter.

Katie DeGarmo nearly averages a double-double when playing MWSU (17.6 ppg, 9.5 rpg in 11 games). Now with 1,947 points and 1,064 rebounds in her career, the graduate student needs 45 rebounds to tie for the program record and needs 53 points to become the second player in school history to reach 2,000 points.

The Tigers have trailed for 47:12 in 565 minutes of action (8.4 percent) across 14 games this season. FHSU hasn't trailed by more than five points and hasn't trailed for more than 13:20 in a single game.

The Tigers are 34-28 all-time against the Griffons, including a 21-8 edge in games played in Hays. The Griffons have won three straight and five of the last seven meetings, with all five of those wins coming by three or fewer points. The Tigers are 0-3 against the Griffons during the Talia Kahrs&nbsp;era. MWSU is the only team that Kahrs has yet to beat during her young head coaching career. Fort Hays State is 17-13 against the Griffons in MIAA regular season conference contests.

The Griffons are 10-4 so far this season and 5-1 in conference action after falling to Washburn last weekend for their first league loss of the year. MWSU is hitting 10.4 3-pointers per game, second-best in Division II and tops in the MIAA. They attempt 30.1 triples per night, third-most in the country. Alyssa Bonilla leads the Griffons in points and assists, averaging 16.9 points and 5.9 assists per contest. She ranks third in the league in scoring and second in assists behind FHSU's Brooke Loewe.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737027844097.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU Athletics#7/13 Fort Hays State (13-1, 4-1 MIAA) vs. Missouri Western (10-4, 5-1 MIAA) Thursday, January 16, 2025 • 5:30 p.m. Hays, Kan. • Gross Memorial ColiseumRadio:&nbsp;KJLS (103.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a>Video:&nbsp;MIAA Network:&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>Game Sponsor:&nbsp;Domino's Pizza National Anthem:&nbsp;Stockton High School Promotions:&nbsp;Big Creek Crossing Baby Crawl at halftime, Mascot NightThe seventh-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team looks to avenge its only loss of the season Thursday when the Tigers host Missouri Western. First tip is slated for 5:30 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.The Tigers (13-1, 4-1 MIAA) and Griffons (10-4, 5-1 MIAA) will play for the second time in less than two weeks after Missouri Western handed FHSU its first loss of the season last Saturday (Jan. 4) in St. Joseph, Mo., 67-66.Since that contest, the Tigers bounced back with a 22-point win over Emporia State last Thursday, while Missouri Western suffered its first conference loss on the road at Washburn.Brooke Loewe&nbsp;tied the school record with 13 assists in the win over Emporia State after dishing out 12 against Missouri Western. She's tallied 10 or more assists three times this season, while no other player in the conference has done so more than once.Loewe's school-record 13 assists helped the Tigers rack up 24 assists as a team in the win over ESU, the most by a team in an MIAA contest so far this season. That total helped the Tigers raise their assist average to 19.5 per game, second-most in Division II. FHSU also ranks in the top 10 nationally in assist/turnover ratio (1.36, third), defensive rebounds per game (31.0, third), field goal percentage defense (33.3 percent, fifth), scoring margin (plus-20.3, seventh), winning percentage (92.9 percent, eighth) and 3-point percentage defense (23.9 percent, ninth).Talexa Weeter is averaging 13.7 points per game off the bench this season, 12th-best in the MIAA. She is the only player ranked in the top 25 in scoring in the league that is not a regular starter.Katie DeGarmo nearly averages a double-double when playing MWSU (17.6 ppg, 9.5 rpg in 11 games). Now with 1,947 points and 1,064 rebounds in her career, the graduate student needs 45 rebounds to tie for the program record and needs 53 points to become the second player in school history to reach 2,000 points.The Tigers have trailed for 47:12 in 565 minutes of action (8.4 percent) across 14 games this season. FHSU hasn't trailed by more than five points and hasn't trailed for more than 13:20 in a single game.The Tigers are 34-28 all-time against the Griffons, including a 21-8 edge in games played in Hays. The Griffons have won three straight and five of the last seven meetings, with all five of those wins coming by three or fewer points. The Tigers are 0-3 against the Griffons during the Talia Kahrs&nbsp;era. MWSU is the only team that Kahrs has yet to beat during her young head coaching career. Fort Hays State is 17-13 against the Griffons in MIAA regular season conference contests.The Griffons are 10-4 so far this season and 5-1 in conference action after falling to Washburn last weekend for their first league loss of the year. MWSU is hitting 10.4 3-pointers per game, second-best in Division II and tops in the MIAA. They attempt 30.1 triples per night, third-most in the country. Alyssa Bonilla leads the Griffons in points and assists, averaging 16.9 points and 5.9 assists per contest. She ranks third in the league in scoring and second in assists behind FHSU's Brooke Loewe.

🏀🎧 LISTEN: #7 FHSU women host Missouri Western Thursday

Hays Police Department arrest log: Jan. 5-11, 2025

Hays Police Department activity log: Jan. 5-11, 2025

Thursday, January 16 KJLS: Fort Hays State WMBKB vs. Missouri Western State, 5:05pm KHAZ: TMP-Marian MWBKB vs. Ellis, 5:40pm

Friday, January 17 KKQY: Otis-Bison MWBKB at LaCrosse, 5:15pm * KFIX: Hays High MWBKB at Garden City, 5:40pm

Saturday, January 18 KAYS: Kansas MBKB vs. Kansas State, 10:30am&nbsp; KJLS: Fort Hays State WMBKB vs. Northwest Missouri State, 1:35pm KFIX: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans, 2pm

Thursday, January 16 KJLS: Fort Hays State WMBKB vs. Missouri Western State, 5:05pm KHAZ: TMP-Marian MWBKB vs. Ellis, 5:40pmFriday, January 17 KKQY: Otis-Bison MWBKB at LaCrosse, 5:15pm * KFIX: Hays High MWBKB at Garden City, 5:40pmSaturday, January 18 KAYS: Kansas MBKB vs. Kansas State, 10:30am&nbsp; KJLS: Fort Hays State WMBKB vs. Northwest Missouri State, 1:35pm KFIX: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans, 2pmSunday, January 19&nbsp; none

🎧 Eagle Radio, Hull sports broadcast schedule

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, Becky Kiser talks with Julie Ryder, Downtown Hays&nbsp; Development Corporation executive director, about the effects of the recent winter storm on downtown Hays businesses and then looks ahead to the planning of key events coming up.

<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Downtown Hays retailers feel winter weather's wrath" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=bk5db-17ae6d2-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, Becky Kiser talks with Julie Ryder, Downtown Hays&nbsp; Development Corporation executive director, about the effects of the recent winter storm on downtown Hays businesses and then looks ahead to the planning of key events coming up.

🎙 Post Podcast: Downtown Hays retailers feel winter weather's wrath

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Say hello to Todd Flinn, the incoming principal of Ellis Washington Grade School for the 2025-2026 school year, returning to his roots to make a difference.

Flinn graduated from Ellis High School in 2008 before earning a history and secondary education degree from Fort Hays State University.

"My wife and I are both Ellis natives. We grew up there and went to school all the way through the system," he said.

Flinn has dedicated the last 12 years to USD 292 Wheatland as a history, government and social studies teacher.

He also served as principal of USD 292's high school and elementary school for four years before transitioning to solely being the elementary principal and serving as the high school career and college adviser.

Flinn's passion for education was sparked by his interest in history and by the encouragement of his high school teachers during challenging times.

"It was 2008, there was an economic recession, and a downturn was happening ... there weren't a lot of jobs in education," he said.

"All of my teachers and administrators who I visited with said it was an excellent career path, worthwhile, rewarding and encouraged me to pursue that," Flinn said.

Flinn said he is excited to bring strategies he learned to Washington Grade School, such as evaluating strengths and weaknesses, promoting collaboration with staff, encouraging school pride, and enhancing parents' engagement.&nbsp;

"We're really trying to mesh the school system and community as good as we can," he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736961010902.jpeg" alt="Ellis Washington Grade School Principal Todd Flinn" />
 <figcaption>Ellis Washington Grade School Principal Todd Flinn</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostSay hello to Todd Flinn, the incoming principal of Ellis Washington Grade School for the 2025-2026 school year, returning to his roots to make a difference.Flinn graduated from Ellis High School in 2008 before earning a history and secondary education degree from Fort Hays State University."My wife and I are both Ellis natives. We grew up there and went to school all the way through the system," he said.Flinn has dedicated the last 12 years to USD 292 Wheatland as a history, government and social studies teacher.He also served as principal of USD 292's high school and elementary school for four years before transitioning to solely being the elementary principal and serving as the high school career and college adviser.Flinn's passion for education was sparked by his interest in history and by the encouragement of his high school teachers during challenging times."It was 2008, there was an economic recession, and a downturn was happening ... there weren't a lot of jobs in education," he said."All of my teachers and administrators who I visited with said it was an excellent career path, worthwhile, rewarding and encouraged me to pursue that," Flinn said.Flinn said he is excited to bring strategies he learned to Washington Grade School, such as evaluating strengths and weaknesses, promoting collaboration with staff, encouraging school pride, and enhancing parents' engagement.&nbsp;"We're really trying to mesh the school system and community as good as we can," he said.John Befort, the current Washington Grade School principal who is set to retire, was Flinn's sixth-grade teacher when he was a student."I'm looking forward to getting things started and figuring out what they have in place to see how my experiences can blend into that," Flinn said.The Ellis USD 388 school district announced Flinn as the new principal in a Facebook&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usd388.com/article/1966762">post</a>&nbsp;Tuesday.