DAMASCUS —On Saturday, U.S. Forces conducted a precision airstrike in Northwest Syria targeting and killing a senior finance and logistics official in the terrorist organization Hurras al-Din (HaD), an Al-Qaeda affiliate, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

"The airstrike is part of CENTCOM's ongoing commitment, along with partners in the region, to disrupt and degrade efforts by terrorists to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against civilians and military personnel from the U.S., our allies, and our partners throughout the region and beyond.'

On Feb. 12, Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), enabled by U.S. Central Command&nbsp; forces, conducted an airstrike in the vicinity of Rawa, Iraq, killing five ISIS operatives, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

An initial post-strike clearance confirmed the dead ISIS operatives, various medium and small caliber weapons, grenades, suicide explosive belts, and ammunition.

The ISF-led operation is part of the ongoing Defeat-ISIS campaign to disrupt and degrade ISIS' capabilities, dismantle their attack networks, and ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS. Coalition Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CTF-OIR) enabled ISF during the operation by providing technical support and intelligence. CJTF-OIR advises, assists, and enables partner forces to secure the lasting defeat of ISIS and to enable the establishment of enduring security cooperation frameworks. 

"ISF continue to be a credible and capable fighting element leading the D-ISIS mission in Iraq and are a valuable partner in efforts to diminish ISIS’s presence and its radical ideologies.'

"ISIS remains a threat to the region and beyond, and CENTCOM, along with partners and allies, will continue to aggressively pursue these terrorists."

"We will continue to relentlessly pursue terrorists in order to defend our homeland, and U.S., allied, and partner personnel in the region,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander, U.S. Central Command.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739746302792.png" alt="U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons patrol the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.-Photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons patrol the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.-Photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>DAMASCUS —On Saturday, U.S. Forces conducted a precision airstrike in Northwest Syria targeting and killing a senior finance and logistics official in the terrorist organization Hurras al-Din (HaD), an Al-Qaeda affiliate, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command."The airstrike is part of CENTCOM's ongoing commitment, along with partners in the region, to disrupt and degrade efforts by terrorists to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against civilians and military personnel from the U.S., our allies, and our partners throughout the region and beyond.'On Feb. 12, Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), enabled by U.S. Central Command&nbsp; forces, conducted an airstrike in the vicinity of Rawa, Iraq, killing five ISIS operatives, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.An initial post-strike clearance confirmed the dead ISIS operatives, various medium and small caliber weapons, grenades, suicide explosive belts, and ammunition.The ISF-led operation is part of the ongoing Defeat-ISIS campaign to disrupt and degrade ISIS' capabilities, dismantle their attack networks, and ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS. Coalition Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CTF-OIR) enabled ISF during the operation by providing technical support and intelligence. CJTF-OIR advises, assists, and enables partner forces to secure the lasting defeat of ISIS and to enable the establishment of enduring security cooperation frameworks. "ISF continue to be a credible and capable fighting element leading the D-ISIS mission in Iraq and are a valuable partner in efforts to diminish ISIS’s presence and its radical ideologies.'"ISIS remains a threat to the region and beyond, and CENTCOM, along with partners and allies, will continue to aggressively pursue these terrorists.""We will continue to relentlessly pursue terrorists in order to defend our homeland, and U.S., allied, and partner personnel in the region,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander, U.S. Central Command.

U.S. forces kill senior operative of Al-Qaeda affiliate 

TOPEKA - The Hays High girls finished runner-up at the 5A West Girls' Regional held at Topeka Seaman High School on Saturday. Kapaun Mt. Carmel took the team title with 218.5 points. Hays finished with 180.5.

The Indians qualified a program record ten individuals to the state tournament. Timber Lovewell, Lexi Barnett and Eleanor Stoffel all claimed regional championships.

Emersyn Copper (24-14) finished in fourth place at 100 pounds. 

Kenlee Vehige (22-11) lost her semifinal match but bounced back for a third place finish with a 15-8 decision at 120 pounds.

Reese Vehige (15-9) qualified at 125 pounds with a sixth place finish. 

Addison Nueberger (15-17) lost in the quarterfinals and battle back for a sixth place finish as well at 130 pounds.

Tionna Napue (17-5) placed third at 135 pounds. Napue along with several of the Indians have battled injuries during the year. Napue won four matches on the day, all by fall.

Ava Ruiz (22-7) placed 4th at 140 pounds. Ruiz made the championship semifinals before suffering her first loss on the day.

Timber Lovewell (27-7) made the championship match at 145 pounds with a pair of falls in the first two rounds. She then pinned her final opponent in 1:16 to win the regional crown.

Lexi Barnett (14-1) has also battled injury most of the season. She made the championship match at 155 pounds. Like Lovewell two matches before her, Barnett pinned her opponent in the finals.

Freshman Elanor Stoffel (23-7) pinned her way to the championship round. Her championship match was more dramatic. Stoffel won in a tie breaker 3-2.

Jenessa Carrillo (6-14) punched her her ticket to state with an eighth place finish at 235.&nbsp;

The 5A State tournament is held in Park City on February 28th and March 1st.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739791954027.jpeg" alt="Courtesy HHS wrestling" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy HHS wrestling</figcaption>
 </figure>Hays PostTOPEKA - The Hays High girls finished runner-up at the 5A West Girls' Regional held at Topeka Seaman High School on Saturday. Kapaun Mt. Carmel took the team title with 218.5 points. Hays finished with 180.5.The Indians qualified a program record ten individuals to the state tournament. Timber Lovewell, Lexi Barnett and Eleanor Stoffel all claimed regional championships.Emersyn Copper (24-14) finished in fourth place at 100 pounds. Kenlee Vehige (22-11) lost her semifinal match but bounced back for a third place finish with a 15-8 decision at 120 pounds.Reese Vehige (15-9) qualified at 125 pounds with a sixth place finish. Addison Nueberger (15-17) lost in the quarterfinals and battle back for a sixth place finish as well at 130 pounds.Tionna Napue (17-5) placed third at 135 pounds. Napue along with several of the Indians have battled injuries during the year. Napue won four matches on the day, all by fall.Ava Ruiz (22-7) placed 4th at 140 pounds. Ruiz made the championship semifinals before suffering her first loss on the day.Timber Lovewell (27-7) made the championship match at 145 pounds with a pair of falls in the first two rounds. She then pinned her final opponent in 1:16 to win the regional crown.Lexi Barnett (14-1) has also battled injury most of the season. She made the championship match at 155 pounds. Like Lovewell two matches before her, Barnett pinned her opponent in the finals.Freshman Elanor Stoffel (23-7) pinned her way to the championship round. Her championship match was more dramatic. Stoffel won in a tie breaker 3-2.Jenessa Carrillo (6-14) punched her her ticket to state with an eighth place finish at 235.&nbsp;The 5A State tournament is held in Park City on February 28th and March 1st.

🤼‍♂️ Hays Girls Regional runner-up; three individual champs

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas man is going to prison for a deadly knife attack, robbery.

On Wednesday Judge Jeff Goering sentenced 36-year-old Antonio Jones&nbsp; to 442-months in prison and another 59 months for robbery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. The judge also order Jones to serve 36-months of post release supervision and pay restitution of $5,700 to the Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board.

In December, Jones plead guilty to second degree murder and&nbsp; and aggravated robbery.

Just after 3p.m. Sept. 6, 2023, police were dispatched to the 2300 block of N. Chautauqua in Wichita for a welfare check&nbsp; on 66-year-old Brenda McNeely, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

&nbsp;Officers received information that she could be inside the residence and possibly injured and in need of help. The door to the residence was forced open and officers located with her a fatal stab wound inside of the residence. She was pronounced deceased on the scene.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect identified as <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=350241">&nbsp;Antonio Jones</a>&nbsp;was involved in a disturbance with McNeely which ultimately led to her stabbing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696771038409.png" alt="Jones photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Jones photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas man is going to prison for a deadly knife attack, robbery.On Wednesday Judge Jeff Goering sentenced 36-year-old Antonio Jones&nbsp; to 442-months in prison and another 59 months for robbery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. The judge also order Jones to serve 36-months of post release supervision and pay restitution of $5,700 to the Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board.In December, Jones plead guilty to second degree murder and&nbsp; and aggravated robbery.Just after 3p.m. Sept. 6, 2023, police were dispatched to the 2300 block of N. Chautauqua in Wichita for a welfare check&nbsp; on 66-year-old Brenda McNeely, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.&nbsp;Officers received information that she could be inside the residence and possibly injured and in need of help. The door to the residence was forced open and officers located with her a fatal stab wound inside of the residence. She was pronounced deceased on the scene.The preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect identified as <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=350241">&nbsp;Antonio Jones</a>&nbsp;was involved in a disturbance with McNeely which ultimately led to her stabbing.

Prison for deadly knife attack robbery of Kansas woman

PITTSBURG, Kan. - The Fort Hays State track and field team concluded competition at the 10th Annual Russ Jewett Indoor Gorilla Classic on Saturday, delivering several standout performances, including multiple NCAA Division II provisional marks.

The Tigers excelled in the pole vault invite, with&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jacob-clark/8482">Jacob Clark</a>&nbsp;clearing 16-8.00 to secure first place and earn an NCAA DII provisional mark.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/brady-deges/8485">Brady Deges</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/josiah-ball/8526">Josiah Ball</a>&nbsp;tied for third place, each clearing 15-8.25, also achieving the provisional standard.

In the 400m open,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/avrey-albright/8476">Avrey Albright</a>&nbsp;secured a 10th-place finish with a time of 49.24, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/nakari-morrical-palmer/8496">Nakari Morrical-Palmer</a>&nbsp;followed closely in 12th at 49.27. Competing in the invite section,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/hayden-albright/8477">Hayden Albright</a>&nbsp;placed 11th, clocking 48.56. The Tigers' 4x400m relay team, consisting of&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/hayden-albright/8477">Hayden Albright</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/avrey-albright/8476">Avrey Albright</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/drew-tolar/8535">Drew Tolar</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/nolan-churchman/8479">Nolan Churchman</a>, delivered an impressive performance, finishing seventh in 3:13.71 and securing an NCAA DII provisional mark.

On the women's side,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/reba-mader/8402">Reba Mader</a>&nbsp;led the Tigers in the 400m, placing fifth with a season-best time of 56.81. In the 800m,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/eden-bathurst/8441">Eden Bathurst</a>&nbsp;posted a strong showing, finishing seventh in 2:19.70, notching her season best. In the women's pole vault invite,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/annabeth-baalmann/8389">Annabeth Baalmann</a>&nbsp;cleared 13-2.75 to finish third, securing an NCAA DII provisional mark and coming within inches of tying her school record.

Fort Hays State will return to action next weekend as they continue preparations for the MIAA Championships, set for Feb. 28-Mar. 2. With multiple top performances and provisional marks secured at the Gorilla Classic, the Tigers aim to build momentum heading into the Loper Tune-Up on Feb. 21.

Full FHSU Results Day Two Results Men's Results 400m Open 10th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/avrey-albright/8476">Avrey Albright</a>&nbsp;– 49.24 12th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/nakari-morrical-palmer/8496">Nakari Morrical-Palmer</a>&nbsp;– 49.27

400m Invite 11th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/hayden-albright/8477">Hayden Albright</a>&nbsp;– 48.56

800m Open 37th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/emery-wolfe/8510">Emery Wolfe</a>&nbsp;– 1:58.571

Mile 23rd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/kaiden-esfeld/8487">Kaiden Esfeld</a>&nbsp;– 4:18.35 42nd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ian-weich/8519">Ian Weich</a>&nbsp;– 4:26.93 45th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/andrew-waller/8508">Andrew Waller</a>&nbsp;– 4:27.68 54th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/daniel-little/8514">Daniel Little</a>&nbsp;– 4:33.02

4x400m Relay 7th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/hayden-albright/8477">Hayden Albright</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/avrey-albright/8476">Avrey Albright</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/drew-tolar/8535">Drew Tolar</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/nolan-churchman/8479">Nolan Churchman</a>&nbsp;– 3:13.71 # 21st –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/nakari-morrical-palmer/8496">Nakari Morrical-Palmer</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/emery-wolfe/8510">Emery Wolfe</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/kaiden-esfeld/8487">Kaiden Esfeld</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ethan-salmans/8502">Ethan Salmans</a>&nbsp;– 3:23.31

Pole Vault Invite 1st –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jacob-clark/8482">Jacob Clark</a>&nbsp;– 16-8.00 # 3rd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/brady-deges/8485">Brady Deges</a>&nbsp;– 15-8.25 # 3rd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/josiah-ball/8526">Josiah Ball</a>&nbsp;– 15-8.25 #

Women's Results 400m Open 5th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/reba-mader/8402">Reba Mader</a>&nbsp;– 56.81

800m Open 7th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/eden-bathurst/8441">Eden Bathurst</a>&nbsp;– 2:19.70 24th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/makenzie-premer/8447">Makenzie Premer</a>&nbsp;– 2:23.481

Mile 21st –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/alayna-cossaart/8392">Alayna Cossaart</a>&nbsp;– 5:16.02 28th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/madison-sutterfield/8409">Madison Sutterfield</a>&nbsp;– 5:21.62 37th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/brenna-murphy/8403">Brenna Murphy</a>&nbsp;– 5:31.46 38th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/keziah-bachman/8440">Keziah Bachman</a>&nbsp;– 5:34.54

3,000m 23rd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/ashlyn-harbaugh/8397">Ashlyn Harbaugh</a>&nbsp;– 10:22.99

Weight Throw 23rd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/emma-slade/8475">Emma Slade</a>&nbsp;– 40-4.25 30th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/liberty-booker/8390">Liberty Booker</a>&nbsp;– 37-4.50

Pole Vault Invite 3rd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/annabeth-baalmann/8389">Annabeth Baalmann</a>&nbsp;– 13-2.75 # 42nd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ian-weich/8519">Ian Weich</a>&nbsp;– 4:26.93 45th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/andrew-waller/8508">Andrew Waller</a>&nbsp;– 4:27.68 54th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/daniel-little/8514">Daniel Little</a>&nbsp;– 4:33.02

Pole Vault Invite 3rd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/annabeth-baalmann/8389">Annabeth Baalmann</a>&nbsp;– 13-2.75 #

Day One Results Men's Results&nbsp; 60m Prelims&nbsp; 38th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/toby-wahlmeier/8507">Toby Wahlmeier</a>&nbsp;– 6.99&nbsp; 42nd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/kenny-fritsch/8489">Kenny Fritsch</a>&nbsp;– 7.01&nbsp; 53rd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ajai-holmes/8531">Ajai Holmes</a>&nbsp;– 7.06&nbsp; 62nd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/eddie-mcvay/7868">Eddie McVay</a>&nbsp;– 7.14&nbsp;

60mH Prelims&nbsp; 26th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ethan-salmans/8502">Ethan Salmans</a>&nbsp;– 8.46 30th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/nolan-churchman/8479">Nolan Churchman</a>&nbsp;– 8.63&nbsp; 34th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/drew-tolar/8535">Drew Tolar</a>&nbsp;– 8.81&nbsp; 49th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/spencer-rich/8534">Spencer Rich</a>&nbsp;– 9.26&nbsp;

200m Open&nbsp; 12th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/drew-tolar/8535">Drew Tolar</a>&nbsp;– 21.85&nbsp; 16th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/avrey-albright/8476">Avrey Albright</a>&nbsp;– 21.90&nbsp; 30th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/nakari-morrical-palmer/8496">Nakari Morrical-Palmer</a>&nbsp;– 22.36&nbsp; 41st –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/kenny-fritsch/8489">Kenny Fritsch</a>&nbsp;– 22.53&nbsp;

200m Invite&nbsp; 2nd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/hayden-albright/8477">Hayden Albright</a>&nbsp;– 21.73&nbsp; 3rd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/toby-wahlmeier/8507">Toby Wahlmeier</a>&nbsp;– 21.81&nbsp;

5,000m&nbsp; 9th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jaret-pfizenmaier/8499">Jaret Pfizenmaier</a>&nbsp;– 14:54.17&nbsp; 16th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/cole-krug/8513">Cole Krug</a>&nbsp;– 15:12.18&nbsp;DMR&nbsp; 10th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ian-weich/8519">Ian Weich</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/emery-wolfe/8510">Emery Wolfe</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/kaiden-esfeld/8487">Kaiden Esfeld</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/daniel-little/8514">Daniel Little</a>&nbsp;– 10:21.42&nbsp;

High Jump Open&nbsp; 15th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ethan-salmans/8502">Ethan Salmans</a>&nbsp;– 5-10.75&nbsp;

Pole Vault Open&nbsp; 10th – Trever Christensen – 14-1.25&nbsp; 13th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/mason-younger/8540">Mason Younger</a>&nbsp;– 13-7.50&nbsp;

Women's Results&nbsp; 60m Prelims&nbsp; 38th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/reba-mader/8402">Reba Mader</a>&nbsp;– 8.03&nbsp; 54th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/chloe-mader/8449">Chloe Mader</a>&nbsp;– 8.24&nbsp;

60mH Prelims&nbsp; 35th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/chloe-mader/8449">Chloe Mader</a>&nbsp;– 9.37&nbsp;

200m Prelims&nbsp; 25th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/reba-mader/8402">Reba Mader</a>&nbsp;– 26.15&nbsp;

5,000m&nbsp; 35th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/arely-maldonado/8445">Arely Maldonado</a>&nbsp;– 19:25.26&nbsp;DMR&nbsp; 10th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/madison-sutterfield/8409">Madison Sutterfield</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/makenzie-premer/8447">Makenzie Premer</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/eden-bathurst/8441">Eden Bathurst</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/alayna-cossaart/8392">Alayna Cossaart</a>&nbsp;– 12:32.94&nbsp;

Weight Throw&nbsp; 11th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/liberty-booker/8390">Liberty Booker</a>&nbsp;– 53-1.00&nbsp;

Pole Vault Open&nbsp; 8th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/piper-robinson/8474">Piper Robinson</a>&nbsp;– 10-10.00&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739679404870.png" alt="Gene Cassell/Washburn Sports Information" />
 <figcaption>Gene Cassell/Washburn Sports Information</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsPITTSBURG, Kan. - The Fort Hays State track and field team concluded competition at the 10th Annual Russ Jewett Indoor Gorilla Classic on Saturday, delivering several standout performances, including multiple NCAA Division II provisional marks.The Tigers excelled in the pole vault invite, with&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jacob-clark/8482">Jacob Clark</a>&nbsp;clearing 16-8.00 to secure first place and earn an NCAA DII provisional mark.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/brady-deges/8485">Brady Deges</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/josiah-ball/8526">Josiah Ball</a>&nbsp;tied for third place, each clearing 15-8.25, also achieving the provisional standard.In the 400m open,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/avrey-albright/8476">Avrey Albright</a>&nbsp;secured a 10th-place finish with a time of 49.24, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/nakari-morrical-palmer/8496">Nakari Morrical-Palmer</a>&nbsp;followed closely in 12th at 49.27. Competing in the invite section,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/hayden-albright/8477">Hayden Albright</a>&nbsp;placed 11th, clocking 48.56. The Tigers' 4x400m relay team, consisting of&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/hayden-albright/8477">Hayden Albright</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/avrey-albright/8476">Avrey Albright</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/drew-tolar/8535">Drew Tolar</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/nolan-churchman/8479">Nolan Churchman</a>, delivered an impressive performance, finishing seventh in 3:13.71 and securing an NCAA DII provisional mark.On the women's side,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/reba-mader/8402">Reba Mader</a>&nbsp;led the Tigers in the 400m, placing fifth with a season-best time of 56.81. In the 800m,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/eden-bathurst/8441">Eden Bathurst</a>&nbsp;posted a strong showing, finishing seventh in 2:19.70, notching her season best. In the women's pole vault invite,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/annabeth-baalmann/8389">Annabeth Baalmann</a>&nbsp;cleared 13-2.75 to finish third, securing an NCAA DII provisional mark and coming within inches of tying her school record.Fort Hays State will return to action next weekend as they continue preparations for the MIAA Championships, set for Feb. 28-Mar. 2. With multiple top performances and provisional marks secured at the Gorilla Classic, the Tigers aim to build momentum heading into the Loper Tune-Up on Feb. 21.Full FHSU Results Day Two Results Men's Results 400m Open 10th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/avrey-albright/8476">Avrey Albright</a>&nbsp;– 49.24 12th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/nakari-morrical-palmer/8496">Nakari Morrical-Palmer</a>&nbsp;– 49.27400m Invite 11th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/hayden-albright/8477">Hayden Albright</a>&nbsp;– 48.56800m Open 37th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/emery-wolfe/8510">Emery Wolfe</a>&nbsp;– 1:58.571 Mile 23rd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/kaiden-esfeld/8487">Kaiden Esfeld</a>&nbsp;– 4:18.35 42nd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ian-weich/8519">Ian Weich</a>&nbsp;– 4:26.93 45th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/andrew-waller/8508">Andrew Waller</a>&nbsp;– 4:27.68 54th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/daniel-little/8514">Daniel Little</a>&nbsp;– 4:33.024x400m Relay 7th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/hayden-albright/8477">Hayden Albright</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/avrey-albright/8476">Avrey Albright</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/drew-tolar/8535">Drew Tolar</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/nolan-churchman/8479">Nolan Churchman</a>&nbsp;– 3:13.71 # 21st –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/nakari-morrical-palmer/8496">Nakari Morrical-Palmer</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/emery-wolfe/8510">Emery Wolfe</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/kaiden-esfeld/8487">Kaiden Esfeld</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ethan-salmans/8502">Ethan Salmans</a>&nbsp;– 3:23.31Pole Vault Invite 1st –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jacob-clark/8482">Jacob Clark</a>&nbsp;– 16-8.00 # 3rd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/brady-deges/8485">Brady Deges</a>&nbsp;– 15-8.25 # 3rd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/josiah-ball/8526">Josiah Ball</a>&nbsp;– 15-8.25 #Women's Results 400m Open 5th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/reba-mader/8402">Reba Mader</a>&nbsp;– 56.81800m Open 7th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/eden-bathurst/8441">Eden Bathurst</a>&nbsp;– 2:19.70 24th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/makenzie-premer/8447">Makenzie Premer</a>&nbsp;– 2:23.481 Mile 21st –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/alayna-cossaart/8392">Alayna Cossaart</a>&nbsp;– 5:16.02 28th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/madison-sutterfield/8409">Madison Sutterfield</a>&nbsp;– 5:21.62 37th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/brenna-murphy/8403">Brenna Murphy</a>&nbsp;– 5:31.46 38th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/keziah-bachman/8440">Keziah Bachman</a>&nbsp;– 5:34.543,000m 23rd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/ashlyn-harbaugh/8397">Ashlyn Harbaugh</a>&nbsp;– 10:22.99Weight Throw 23rd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/emma-slade/8475">Emma Slade</a>&nbsp;– 40-4.25 30th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/liberty-booker/8390">Liberty Booker</a>&nbsp;– 37-4.50Pole Vault Invite 3rd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/annabeth-baalmann/8389">Annabeth Baalmann</a>&nbsp;– 13-2.75 # 42nd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ian-weich/8519">Ian Weich</a>&nbsp;– 4:26.93 45th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/andrew-waller/8508">Andrew Waller</a>&nbsp;– 4:27.68 54th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/daniel-little/8514">Daniel Little</a>&nbsp;– 4:33.024x400m Relay 7th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/hayden-albright/8477">Hayden Albright</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/avrey-albright/8476">Avrey Albright</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/drew-tolar/8535">Drew Tolar</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/nolan-churchman/8479">Nolan Churchman</a>&nbsp;– 3:13.71 # 21st –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/nakari-morrical-palmer/8496">Nakari Morrical-Palmer</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/emery-wolfe/8510">Emery Wolfe</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/kaiden-esfeld/8487">Kaiden Esfeld</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ethan-salmans/8502">Ethan Salmans</a>&nbsp;– 3:23.31Pole Vault Invite 1st –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jacob-clark/8482">Jacob Clark</a>&nbsp;– 16-8.00 # 3rd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/brady-deges/8485">Brady Deges</a>&nbsp;– 15-8.25 # 3rd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/josiah-ball/8526">Josiah Ball</a>&nbsp;– 15-8.25 #Women's Results 400m Open 5th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/reba-mader/8402">Reba Mader</a>&nbsp;– 56.81800m Open 7th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/eden-bathurst/8441">Eden Bathurst</a>&nbsp;– 2:19.70 24th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/makenzie-premer/8447">Makenzie Premer</a>&nbsp;– 2:23.481 Mile 21st –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/alayna-cossaart/8392">Alayna Cossaart</a>&nbsp;– 5:16.02 28th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/madison-sutterfield/8409">Madison Sutterfield</a>&nbsp;– 5:21.62 37th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/brenna-murphy/8403">Brenna Murphy</a>&nbsp;– 5:31.46 38th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/keziah-bachman/8440">Keziah Bachman</a>&nbsp;– 5:34.543,000m 23rd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/ashlyn-harbaugh/8397">Ashlyn Harbaugh</a>&nbsp;– 10:22.99Weight Throw 23rd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/emma-slade/8475">Emma Slade</a>&nbsp;– 40-4.25 30th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/liberty-booker/8390">Liberty Booker</a>&nbsp;– 37-4.50Pole Vault Invite 3rd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/annabeth-baalmann/8389">Annabeth Baalmann</a>&nbsp;– 13-2.75 #Day One Results Men's Results&nbsp; 60m Prelims&nbsp; 38th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/toby-wahlmeier/8507">Toby Wahlmeier</a>&nbsp;– 6.99&nbsp; 42nd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/kenny-fritsch/8489">Kenny Fritsch</a>&nbsp;– 7.01&nbsp; 53rd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ajai-holmes/8531">Ajai Holmes</a>&nbsp;– 7.06&nbsp; 62nd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/eddie-mcvay/7868">Eddie McVay</a>&nbsp;– 7.14&nbsp;60mH Prelims&nbsp; 26th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ethan-salmans/8502">Ethan Salmans</a>&nbsp;– 8.46 30th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/nolan-churchman/8479">Nolan Churchman</a>&nbsp;– 8.63&nbsp; 34th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/drew-tolar/8535">Drew Tolar</a>&nbsp;– 8.81&nbsp; 49th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/spencer-rich/8534">Spencer Rich</a>&nbsp;– 9.26&nbsp;200m Open&nbsp; 12th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/drew-tolar/8535">Drew Tolar</a>&nbsp;– 21.85&nbsp; 16th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/avrey-albright/8476">Avrey Albright</a>&nbsp;– 21.90&nbsp; 30th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/nakari-morrical-palmer/8496">Nakari Morrical-Palmer</a>&nbsp;– 22.36&nbsp; 41st –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/kenny-fritsch/8489">Kenny Fritsch</a>&nbsp;– 22.53&nbsp;200m Invite&nbsp; 2nd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/hayden-albright/8477">Hayden Albright</a>&nbsp;– 21.73&nbsp; 3rd –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/toby-wahlmeier/8507">Toby Wahlmeier</a>&nbsp;– 21.81&nbsp;5,000m&nbsp; 9th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jaret-pfizenmaier/8499">Jaret Pfizenmaier</a>&nbsp;– 14:54.17&nbsp; 16th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/cole-krug/8513">Cole Krug</a>&nbsp;– 15:12.18&nbsp;DMR&nbsp; 10th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ian-weich/8519">Ian Weich</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/emery-wolfe/8510">Emery Wolfe</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/kaiden-esfeld/8487">Kaiden Esfeld</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/daniel-little/8514">Daniel Little</a>&nbsp;– 10:21.42&nbsp;High Jump Open&nbsp; 15th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ethan-salmans/8502">Ethan Salmans</a>&nbsp;– 5-10.75&nbsp;Pole Vault Open&nbsp; 10th – Trever Christensen – 14-1.25&nbsp; 13th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/mason-younger/8540">Mason Younger</a>&nbsp;– 13-7.50&nbsp;Women's Results&nbsp; 60m Prelims&nbsp; 38th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/reba-mader/8402">Reba Mader</a>&nbsp;– 8.03&nbsp; 54th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/chloe-mader/8449">Chloe Mader</a>&nbsp;– 8.24&nbsp;60mH Prelims&nbsp; 35th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/chloe-mader/8449">Chloe Mader</a>&nbsp;– 9.37&nbsp;200m Prelims&nbsp; 25th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/reba-mader/8402">Reba Mader</a>&nbsp;– 26.15&nbsp;5,000m&nbsp; 35th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/arely-maldonado/8445">Arely Maldonado</a>&nbsp;– 19:25.26&nbsp;DMR&nbsp; 10th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/madison-sutterfield/8409">Madison Sutterfield</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/makenzie-premer/8447">Makenzie Premer</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/eden-bathurst/8441">Eden Bathurst</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/alayna-cossaart/8392">Alayna Cossaart</a>&nbsp;– 12:32.94&nbsp;Weight Throw&nbsp; 11th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/liberty-booker/8390">Liberty Booker</a>&nbsp;– 53-1.00&nbsp;Pole Vault Open&nbsp; 8th –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/piper-robinson/8474">Piper Robinson</a>&nbsp;– 10-10.00&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏃‍♂️ Tigers conclude day two at Gorilla Classic

RUSSELL - Norton edged out Oakley by three points in the 3-2-1A Girls West Regional. The two-day tournament was hosted by Russell.

The top eight placers will wrestle in Hays at the State Tournament February 28th and March 1st.

Norton qualified nine wrestlers on their way to the team championship. Kaison Miller who is ranked number one in all classes and hasn't lost to a Kansas opponent was champion at 115 pounds. She pinned all four of her opponents. Halle Pfannenstiel, who has just two losses on the season, won 140 pounds. Cadence Greeson won 190 pounds. Like Miller and Pfannenstiel she has just two losses.

Qualifiers, Record, Regional Placing Ellis 105 - Piper McClung (9-26) - 8th 110 - Kia Mader (25-5) - 3rd 190 - Hannah James (4-21) - 7th

Hill City 105 - Kya Bell (23-11) - 4th 110 - Sarah Christian (29-14) - 7th

Hosington 110 - Jayda Bailey (20-14) - 8th 135 - Lillian Gradig (14-11) - 7th 140 - Marly Brewer (21-14) - 5th 155 - Ayla Brown (27-14) - 6th 170 - Nevaeh Graves (27-3) - 1st 190 - Peyton Schneider (16-14) - 5th 235 - Haylee Holinde (18-3) - 1st

Hoxie 120 - Mariah Barnett (24-13) - 3rd 125 - Josie Bell (34-10) - 4th

Norton 100 - Allison Quintana (20-20) - 6th 115 - Kaison Miller (33-2) - 1st 125 - Isabella Garrity (18-7) - 3rd 130 - Lorelei Granberry (14-12) - 6th 140 - Halle Pfannenstiel (35-2) - 1st 155 - Dali Braun (27-14) - 4th 170 - Sophia Kane (26-12) - 4th 190 - Cadence Greeson (32-2) - 1st 235 - Adriana Winter (24-11) - 5th

Oakley 110 - Cadence Koch (33-10) - 2nd 120 - Kylee Hodges (37-0) - 1st 130 - Laura Smith (12-7) - 5th 135 - Abbygayl Jackson (20-3) - 1st 145 - Brooke Smith (30-8) - 2nd 155 - Cali Wagoner (27-2) - 1st 170 - Atavia Cain (38-1) - 2nd 190 - Abbie Mandeville (8-11) - 8th

Osborne 120 - Annie Kendig (35-11) - 5th 145 - Reagan Lauber (25-19) - 5th

Phillipsburg 105 - Arianna Ebner (18-15) - 7th 135 - Kamrie Chestnut (15-12) - 6th 155 - Johnna Ebner (25-14) - 5th 190 - Kaitlyn McCreery (21-11) - 3rd

Plainville 100 - Kaeleigh Klein (37-7) - 2nd 140 - Ella Normandin (39-11) - 3rd 145 - Lillian Garcia (34-12) - 3rd 155 - Zoe Brown (35-6) - 2nd 190 - Caydance Carter (29-7) - 2nd

Russell 105 - Madison Raybern (24-15) 5th 115 - Mya Trevino (35-8) - 3rd 125 - Chaysie Bachman (26-10) - 7th 130 - Averie Counts (40-6) - 2nd 135 - Kinsey Zorn (33-6) - 2nd 140 - Cambrea Solze (17-14) - 4th 145 - Jaden Ney (36-1) - 1st

Smith Center 105 - Keleigh Ochoa (33-6) - 1st 125 - Ella Clark (20-15) - 8th 145 - Karper Franklin (19-15) - 7th 190 - Kacee Herredsberg (14-17) - 4th

Stockton 100 - Carolina Northup (31-6) - 1st 110 - Saj Snyder (20-15) - 4th 115 - Temprance Northup (15-17) - 4th 130 - Ashlyn Hahn (37-0) - 1st 135 - Mia Odle (18-19) - 8th 140 - Aidyen Kerr (11-18) - 6th 235 - Rivver Long (11-12) - 4th

TMP 120 - Molly Helget (23-16) - 8th 130 - Geralyn Stein (17-15) - 7th

Trego 115 - Kallan Rothchild (28-10) - 2nd 130 - Annika Dietz (28-10) - 4th 135 - Layla Magana (19-16) - 4th 140 - Brooklyn Geist (10-24) - 8th

Hays PostRUSSELL - Norton edged out Oakley by three points in the 3-2-1A Girls West Regional. The two-day tournament was hosted by Russell.The top eight placers will wrestle in Hays at the State Tournament February 28th and March 1st.Norton qualified nine wrestlers on their way to the team championship. Kaison Miller who is ranked number one in all classes and hasn't lost to a Kansas opponent was champion at 115 pounds. She pinned all four of her opponents. Halle Pfannenstiel, who has just two losses on the season, won 140 pounds. Cadence Greeson won 190 pounds. Like Miller and Pfannenstiel she has just two losses.Qualifiers, Record, Regional Placing Ellis 105 - Piper McClung (9-26) - 8th 110 - Kia Mader (25-5) - 3rd 190 - Hannah James (4-21) - 7thHill City 105 - Kya Bell (23-11) - 4th 110 - Sarah Christian (29-14) - 7thHosington 110 - Jayda Bailey (20-14) - 8th 135 - Lillian Gradig (14-11) - 7th 140 - Marly Brewer (21-14) - 5th 155 - Ayla Brown (27-14) - 6th 170 - Nevaeh Graves (27-3) - 1st 190 - Peyton Schneider (16-14) - 5th 235 - Haylee Holinde (18-3) - 1stHoxie 120 - Mariah Barnett (24-13) - 3rd 125 - Josie Bell (34-10) - 4thNorton 100 - Allison Quintana (20-20) - 6th 115 - Kaison Miller (33-2) - 1st 125 - Isabella Garrity (18-7) - 3rd 130 - Lorelei Granberry (14-12) - 6th 140 - Halle Pfannenstiel (35-2) - 1st 155 - Dali Braun (27-14) - 4th 170 - Sophia Kane (26-12) - 4th 190 - Cadence Greeson (32-2) - 1st 235 - Adriana Winter (24-11) - 5thOakley 110 - Cadence Koch (33-10) - 2nd 120 - Kylee Hodges (37-0) - 1st 130 - Laura Smith (12-7) - 5th 135 - Abbygayl Jackson (20-3) - 1st 145 - Brooke Smith (30-8) - 2nd 155 - Cali Wagoner (27-2) - 1st 170 - Atavia Cain (38-1) - 2nd 190 - Abbie Mandeville (8-11) - 8thOsborne 120 - Annie Kendig (35-11) - 5th 145 - Reagan Lauber (25-19) - 5thPhillipsburg 105 - Arianna Ebner (18-15) - 7th 135 - Kamrie Chestnut (15-12) - 6th 155 - Johnna Ebner (25-14) - 5th 190 - Kaitlyn McCreery (21-11) - 3rdPlainville 100 - Kaeleigh Klein (37-7) - 2nd 140 - Ella Normandin (39-11) - 3rd 145 - Lillian Garcia (34-12) - 3rd 155 - Zoe Brown (35-6) - 2nd 190 - Caydance Carter (29-7) - 2ndRussell 105 - Madison Raybern (24-15) 5th 115 - Mya Trevino (35-8) - 3rd 125 - Chaysie Bachman (26-10) - 7th 130 - Averie Counts (40-6) - 2nd 135 - Kinsey Zorn (33-6) - 2nd 140 - Cambrea Solze (17-14) - 4th 145 - Jaden Ney (36-1) - 1stSmith Center 105 - Keleigh Ochoa (33-6) - 1st 125 - Ella Clark (20-15) - 8th 145 - Karper Franklin (19-15) - 7th 190 - Kacee Herredsberg (14-17) - 4thStockton 100 - Carolina Northup (31-6) - 1st 110 - Saj Snyder (20-15) - 4th 115 - Temprance Northup (15-17) - 4th 130 - Ashlyn Hahn (37-0) - 1st 135 - Mia Odle (18-19) - 8th 140 - Aidyen Kerr (11-18) - 6th 235 - Rivver Long (11-12) - 4thTMP 120 - Molly Helget (23-16) - 8th 130 - Geralyn Stein (17-15) - 7thTrego 115 - Kallan Rothchild (28-10) - 2nd 130 - Annika Dietz (28-10) - 4th 135 - Layla Magana (19-16) - 4th 140 - Brooklyn Geist (10-24) - 8th

🤼‍♂️ Norton edges out Oakley at girls' 3-2-1A Regional

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The chair of the House Elections Committee told Republicans in a private Zoom meeting last year that he would prefer to eliminate advanced voting altogether and vowed to ram through legislation in the 2025 session to eliminate the three-day grace period for mail-in ballots to arrive after Election Day.

The comments by Rep. Pat Proctor, a Leavenworth Republican, were part of a weekly Zoom call organized by House Majority Leader Chris Croft with Johnson County Republicans and invite-only guests. Loud Light Civic Action, a voting rights advocacy group, released a video of the February 2024 Zoom meeting after receiving it this week from an anonymous source. During meeting, Proctor identified Loud Light and Kansas Appleseed as “bomb throwers.”

The video surfaced after Proctor’s committee on Thursday advanced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb4/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 4</a>, which would require mail-in ballots be received at the election office by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Current law allows ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if they are received by Friday.

Last year, Proctor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li_2024/b2023_24/measures/sb14/" target="_blank">proposed legislation</a>&nbsp;that would balance the elimination of the three-day grace period by adding three days to the early voting period. But his supposed compromise also would have moved back the voter registration deadline by three days. Loud Light, Kansas Appleseed and other organizations opposed the changes, and the package didn’t have enough support for the Legislature to become law.

As the proposal was being debated last year, Proctor joined Croft’s weekly call to talk about election laws. Proctor told the group of about 30 participants that he had tried to compromise in an attempt to get enough support to override a potential veto from the governor.

“The only way we’re going to get it passed is if we get bipartisan support on it,” Proctor said. “And so I had a deal, and then Loud Light and Appleseed, which are the kind of bomb throwers in the election debate, they blew it up. And I told all of them — and you know, please don’t put this on Facebook or in the news — I told them all, this is your year for a deal. You can either negotiate and we can get a deal, or next year I’m ramming the thing through the way I want it to look.”

“If it was up to me, Election Day would be Election Day,” Proctor added. “There wouldn’t be early voting. Mail-in ballots would only be for military or severely disabled. But I got to bring 84 people with me, so I’m trying to chip away at it.”

This year’s proposal, which was introduced by Sen. Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican, would end the three-day grace period for mail-in ballots without making any other changes. The Senate passed the bill on a 29-10 vote, with Topeka Republican Sen. Brenda Dietrich joining Democrats in opposition.

A statement from Loud Light said Proctor’s comments from a year ago show he is being disingenuous now with his public explanation for eliminating the three-day grace period. Proctor, who didn’t respond to an email seeking comment for this story, said he wants to avoid ballots being dismissed because of problems with the postmark.

According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/committees/ctte_h_electns_1/misc_documents/download_testimony/ctte_h_electns_1_20250211_11_testimony.html" target="_blank">testimony the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office provided to Proctor’s committee</a>, 2,110 ballots were received after Election Day last November and counted. There were 603 ballots received after the grace period, and 104 ballots arrived after Election Day with no postmark.

“Proctor’s secret meeting shows how some politicians would rather disenfranchise voters than try to win their vote,” said Davis Hammet, president of Loud Light. “Politicians love to play games, but our ability to vote and have our vote counted, our democracy, cannot be treated like a game. Rep. Proctor’s comments are disturbing.”

Mike Fonkert, deputy director of Kansas Appleseed, said the organization supports policies that both make voting easy and secure elections.

The state and nation have a long history of allowing individuals to vote by mail, Fonkert said.

“It is reasonable to allow extra time for ballots to arrive, especially as Kansans continue to encounter more frequent issues with mail delivery interruption across this state,” Fonkert said. “Casting us as ‘bomb throwers’ is dismissive of the important work that we do to protect the rights of Kansas to participate in elections.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739644898383.jpeg" alt=" Rep. Pat Proctor, a Leavenworth Republican who chairs the House Elections Committee, has advanced legislation requiring mail-in ballots to be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day, eliminating the three-day post-election grace period from current law. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Rep. Pat Proctor, a Leavenworth Republican who chairs the House Elections Committee, has advanced legislation requiring mail-in ballots to be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day, eliminating the three-day post-election grace period from current law. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The chair of the House Elections Committee told Republicans in a private Zoom meeting last year that he would prefer to eliminate advanced voting altogether and vowed to ram through legislation in the 2025 session to eliminate the three-day grace period for mail-in ballots to arrive after Election Day.The comments by Rep. Pat Proctor, a Leavenworth Republican, were part of a weekly Zoom call organized by House Majority Leader Chris Croft with Johnson County Republicans and invite-only guests. Loud Light Civic Action, a voting rights advocacy group, released a video of the February 2024 Zoom meeting after receiving it this week from an anonymous source. During meeting, Proctor identified Loud Light and Kansas Appleseed as “bomb throwers.”The video surfaced after Proctor’s committee on Thursday advanced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb4/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 4</a>, which would require mail-in ballots be received at the election office by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Current law allows ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if they are received by Friday.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0X7MLXASbWE?si=7z4o1y5lAU7B0OCr" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Last year, Proctor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li_2024/b2023_24/measures/sb14/" target="_blank">proposed legislation</a>&nbsp;that would balance the elimination of the three-day grace period by adding three days to the early voting period. But his supposed compromise also would have moved back the voter registration deadline by three days. Loud Light, Kansas Appleseed and other organizations opposed the changes, and the package didn’t have enough support for the Legislature to become law.As the proposal was being debated last year, Proctor joined Croft’s weekly call to talk about election laws. Proctor told the group of about 30 participants that he had tried to compromise in an attempt to get enough support to override a potential veto from the governor.“The only way we’re going to get it passed is if we get bipartisan support on it,” Proctor said. “And so I had a deal, and then Loud Light and Appleseed, which are the kind of bomb throwers in the election debate, they blew it up. And I told all of them — and you know, please don’t put this on Facebook or in the news — I told them all, this is your year for a deal. You can either negotiate and we can get a deal, or next year I’m ramming the thing through the way I want it to look.”“If it was up to me, Election Day would be Election Day,” Proctor added. “There wouldn’t be early voting. Mail-in ballots would only be for military or severely disabled. But I got to bring 84 people with me, so I’m trying to chip away at it.”This year’s proposal, which was introduced by Sen. Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican, would end the three-day grace period for mail-in ballots without making any other changes. The Senate passed the bill on a 29-10 vote, with Topeka Republican Sen. Brenda Dietrich joining Democrats in opposition.A statement from Loud Light said Proctor’s comments from a year ago show he is being disingenuous now with his public explanation for eliminating the three-day grace period. Proctor, who didn’t respond to an email seeking comment for this story, said he wants to avoid ballots being dismissed because of problems with the postmark.According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/committees/ctte_h_electns_1/misc_documents/download_testimony/ctte_h_electns_1_20250211_11_testimony.html" target="_blank">testimony the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office provided to Proctor’s committee</a>, 2,110 ballots were received after Election Day last November and counted. There were 603 ballots received after the grace period, and 104 ballots arrived after Election Day with no postmark.“Proctor’s secret meeting shows how some politicians would rather disenfranchise voters than try to win their vote,” said Davis Hammet, president of Loud Light. “Politicians love to play games, but our ability to vote and have our vote counted, our democracy, cannot be treated like a game. Rep. Proctor’s comments are disturbing.”Mike Fonkert, deputy director of Kansas Appleseed, said the organization supports policies that both make voting easy and secure elections.The state and nation have a long history of allowing individuals to vote by mail, Fonkert said.“It is reasonable to allow extra time for ballots to arrive, especially as Kansans continue to encounter more frequent issues with mail delivery interruption across this state,” Fonkert said. “Casting us as ‘bomb throwers’ is dismissive of the important work that we do to protect the rights of Kansas to participate in elections.”

In private video, House elections chair says he wants to end early voting, grace period in Kansas

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

A short agenda Thursday for the Hays City Commission was highlighted with updates of the R9 long-term water supply project for the cities of Hays and Russell.&nbsp;

John Braun, project manager, told commissioners the <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/DocumentCenter/View/6799/R9-Key-Map-for-website">route survey</a> for the 63-mile-long planned&nbsp;pipeline from the Edwards County ranch to just south of Hays is finished.

The pipeline will be constructed following county roadways in Edwards, Pawnee, Rush and Ellis counties.&nbsp;A fair market value assessment of compensation to be offered to landowners is currently underway.

Pipeline design is about 60% completed, with 90% completion expected in May.

Braun also reviewed the status of potential outside funding sources for the $140 million project, including grants, low-interest loans, bonds and technical assistance.&nbsp;

Chris Smith, R9 property manager, talked about last year's successful participation in the state's walk-in hunting area program.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Informational billboards about the hunting program and the ranch have QR codes encouraging visitors to shop in Edwards County and Hays.

Smith said compilations from the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau showed an 18% increase in sales tax revenue for Edwards County over the prior year.

"That's what we want," said Commissioner Shaun Musil. "The city of Hays is giving to that area, not taking away from it. ... This is a regional project, and Kinsley is part of our region."

City Manager Toby Dougherty updated the commission on the regulatory and legal proceedings regarding scheduling the water transfer hearing with the state panel.

"We hope they set that very soon so we can get moving with this project," Dougherty said.

"We're very confident they're going to approve the transfer application, which has already been approved by the hearing officer."

In other business, commissioners approved the purchase of a replacement media filter for the wastewater reclamation and reuse plant.&nbsp;The bid of $48,087 from Evoqua Water Technologies, Waukesha, Wisconsin, is below the $70,000 budget.

They also heard a 2024 year-in-review presentation for the Ellis County Historical Society from Amanda Rupp, executive director. The nonprofit organization receives city funding.

Rupp also talked about projects the museum will undertake in 2025.

Finance Director Kim Rupp reviewed the city's December financial statement.

Overall, sales tax revenues were up about 1% in 2024, which was in line with the budget.&nbsp;Total expenditures finished the year $281,000 under budget. 

A 40-minute executive session was called to discuss personnel matters related to non-elected personnel as well as those related to the financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts, or individual proprietorships.

No action was taken following the executive session.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739564993729.png" alt="City of Hays" />
 <figcaption>City of Hays</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostA short agenda Thursday for the Hays City Commission was highlighted with updates of the R9 long-term water supply project for the cities of Hays and Russell.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739567519000.jpeg" alt="John Braun, R9 project manager. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>John Braun, R9 project manager. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>John Braun, project manager, told commissioners the <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/DocumentCenter/View/6799/R9-Key-Map-for-website">route survey</a> for the 63-mile-long planned&nbsp;pipeline from the Edwards County ranch to just south of Hays is finished.The pipeline will be constructed following county roadways in Edwards, Pawnee, Rush and Ellis counties.&nbsp;A fair market value assessment of compensation to be offered to landowners is currently underway.Pipeline design is about 60% completed, with 90% completion expected in May.Braun also reviewed the status of potential outside funding sources for the $140 million project, including grants, low-interest loans, bonds and technical assistance.&nbsp;Chris Smith, R9 property manager, talked about last year's successful participation in the state's walk-in hunting area program.&nbsp; &nbsp;Informational billboards about the hunting program and the ranch have QR codes encouraging visitors to shop in Edwards County and Hays.Smith said compilations from the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau showed an 18% increase in sales tax revenue for Edwards County over the prior year."That's what we want," said Commissioner Shaun Musil. "The city of Hays is giving to that area, not taking away from it. ... This is a regional project, and Kinsley is part of our region."City Manager Toby Dougherty updated the commission on the regulatory and legal proceedings regarding scheduling the water transfer hearing with the state panel."We hope they set that very soon so we can get moving with this project," Dougherty said."We're very confident they're going to approve the transfer application, which has already been approved by the hearing officer."In other business, commissioners approved the purchase of a replacement media filter for the wastewater reclamation and reuse plant.&nbsp;The bid of $48,087 from Evoqua Water Technologies, Waukesha, Wisconsin, is below the $70,000 budget.They also heard a 2024 year-in-review presentation for the Ellis County Historical Society from Amanda Rupp, executive director. The nonprofit organization receives city funding.Rupp also talked about projects the museum will undertake in 2025.Finance Director Kim Rupp reviewed the city's December financial statement.Overall, sales tax revenues were up about 1% in 2024, which was in line with the budget.&nbsp;Total expenditures finished the year $281,000 under budget. A 40-minute executive session was called to discuss personnel matters related to non-elected personnel as well as those related to the financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts, or individual proprietorships.No action was taken following the executive session.&nbsp;

Hays commission updated on R9 Ranch work; water project awaiting transfer panel hearing

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays Post

HAYS - Hays High and Liberal met up for their second Western Athletic Conference matchup of the season on Friday night at Hays High School. The meeting took place more than two months after the two opened league play in December.

GIRLS: #4-5A Hays 65, #9-6A Liberal 32 The girls game featured two state ranked teams just like in the December matchup. Hays used an 11-0 first quarter run to take the lead for good in a 65-32 victory.

It was a fight early. The game was tied at two and four then the Redskins took a 7-4 advantage and led at 9-7 midway through the first quarter.

Hays answered with a bucket to tie the game and launch an 11-0 run that gave the Indians an advantage they never gave back. Through the second four minutes of the first quarter the Indians outscored Liberal 15-4 for a 22-13 lead.

Hays continued to push the lead in the second quarter. A 12-0 run following a Redskin basket put the Indians ahead 34-15. Hays led by 20 twice in the second quarter, including a 41-21 lead at halftime.

Liberal scored the first point of the third quarter on a free throws. Hays scored the next ten points to lead 51-22. The Indians led by as many as 32 points in the third quarter and by 29 going to fourth 57-28.

A Hays basket thirty seconds in the fourth quarter enacted a continues fourth quarter that ended with a 65-32 Indian victory.

The 65 points scored by Hays(16-0, 5-0) is right on their average for the season. The Indians now have a two game lead and the tiebreaker over Liberal(12-6, 4-2) in the conference standings. The Indians have won 16 consecutive WAC games.

Molly Martin moved past Melissa Beyer for third all-time scoring at Hays High with 965 points.

Jenna Schmeidler 22; Annie Humphrey 0; Katie Linenberger 7; Molly Martin 16; Kenlee Winter 8; Morgan Armbruster 0; Jaysa Roa 0; Kinslee Newell 0; Riley Dreher 0; Lynsi Kanak 0; Molly Buckles 5; Zoe Winter 7; Liz Cunningham 0; Rylen Harrington 0.&nbsp;

BOYS: Hays 67, Liberal 30 A workman like effort in the first half for Hays gave way to a second half explosion as the Indians beat Liberal 67-30.

Hays trailed twice early at 3-0 and 8-7. A traditional three point play gave the Indians a lead at 10-8 when Liberal tied the game up at ten. The next three minutes belonged to the Indians as they scored the next eight points for an 18-10 lead. Liberal scored the final points of the first for an 18-12.

The Indians' defense clamped down in the second quarter. Hays used a 11-4 run over the final 5:27 of the half to extend their lead out to 32-18 at half.

Hays opened the second half on a 19-1 run to put any doubt in the outcome away with a lead of 51-19. Liberal's first field goal of the third quarter came with 2:30 left in the frame. Hays led by as many as 36 in third quarter and 59-26 heading to the fourth.

A continuous clock fourth quarter kept the scoring to a minimum. The Indians still outscored Liberal 8-4 for the 67-30 victory.&nbsp;

Hays(9-7, 4-1) has won 16 straight games against the Redskins. Liberal(3-15, 0-6) has lost 31 consecutive WAC games.

Hays hosts McPherson on Monday in make-up games from earlier in the week.

Carter Lang 5; Johnny Cano 8; Trace Jacobs 4; Cooper Lindenmeyer 6; Brogan Albers 0; Trey Oakley 4; Tiger Johnson 12; Brody Harmoney 0; Izaac Fox 12; Noah Smalley 1; Brecken Otte 2; Dawson Ruder 12; Alex Loving 0; Bryce Homeier 0; Kyle Burkholder 0.

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays PostHAYS - Hays High and Liberal met up for their second Western Athletic Conference matchup of the season on Friday night at Hays High School. The meeting took place more than two months after the two opened league play in December.GIRLS: #4-5A Hays 65, #9-6A Liberal 32 The girls game featured two state ranked teams just like in the December matchup. Hays used an 11-0 first quarter run to take the lead for good in a 65-32 victory.It was a fight early. The game was tied at two and four then the Redskins took a 7-4 advantage and led at 9-7 midway through the first quarter.Hays answered with a bucket to tie the game and launch an 11-0 run that gave the Indians an advantage they never gave back. Through the second four minutes of the first quarter the Indians outscored Liberal 15-4 for a 22-13 lead.Hays continued to push the lead in the second quarter. A 12-0 run following a Redskin basket put the Indians ahead 34-15. Hays led by 20 twice in the second quarter, including a 41-21 lead at halftime.Highlights<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2034912396&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/hhs-wbkb-highlights-v-liberal" title="HHS WBKB Highlights v Liberal Feb 14, 2025" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">HHS WBKB Highlights v Liberal Feb 14, 2025</a></div></div>Liberal scored the first point of the third quarter on a free throws. Hays scored the next ten points to lead 51-22. The Indians led by as many as 32 points in the third quarter and by 29 going to fourth 57-28.A Hays basket thirty seconds in the fourth quarter enacted a continues fourth quarter that ended with a 65-32 Indian victory.Coach Len Melvin<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2034912264&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/hhs-wbkb-coach-post-v-liberal" title="HHS WBKB Coach Post v Liberal Feb 14, 2025" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">HHS WBKB Coach Post v Liberal Feb 14, 2025</a></div></div>The 65 points scored by Hays(16-0, 5-0) is right on their average for the season. The Indians now have a two game lead and the tiebreaker over Liberal(12-6, 4-2) in the conference standings. The Indians have won 16 consecutive WAC games.Molly Martin moved past Melissa Beyer for third all-time scoring at Hays High with 965 points.Jenna Schmeidler 22; Annie Humphrey 0; Katie Linenberger 7; Molly Martin 16; Kenlee Winter 8; Morgan Armbruster 0; Jaysa Roa 0; Kinslee Newell 0; Riley Dreher 0; Lynsi Kanak 0; Molly Buckles 5; Zoe Winter 7; Liz Cunningham 0; Rylen Harrington 0.&nbsp;BOYS: Hays 67, Liberal 30 A workman like effort in the first half for Hays gave way to a second half explosion as the Indians beat Liberal 67-30.Hays trailed twice early at 3-0 and 8-7. A traditional three point play gave the Indians a lead at 10-8 when Liberal tied the game up at ten. The next three minutes belonged to the Indians as they scored the next eight points for an 18-10 lead. Liberal scored the final points of the first for an 18-12.The Indians' defense clamped down in the second quarter. Hays used a 11-4 run over the final 5:27 of the half to extend their lead out to 32-18 at half.Highlights<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2034912732&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/hhs-mbkb-highlights-v-liberal" title="HHS MBKB Highlights v Liberal Feb 14, 2025" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">HHS MBKB Highlights v Liberal Feb 14, 2025</a></div></div>Hays opened the second half on a 19-1 run to put any doubt in the outcome away with a lead of 51-19. Liberal's first field goal of the third quarter came with 2:30 left in the frame. Hays led by as many as 36 in third quarter and 59-26 heading to the fourth.A continuous clock fourth quarter kept the scoring to a minimum. The Indians still outscored Liberal 8-4 for the 67-30 victory.&nbsp;Coach Sean Dreiling<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2034912552&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/hhs-mbkb-coach-post-v-liberal" title="HHS MBKB Coach Post v Liberal Feb 14, 2025" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">HHS MBKB Coach Post v Liberal Feb 14, 2025</a></div></div>Hays(9-7, 4-1) has won 16 straight games against the Redskins. Liberal(3-15, 0-6) has lost 31 consecutive WAC games.Hays hosts McPherson on Monday in make-up games from earlier in the week.Carter Lang 5; Johnny Cano 8; Trace Jacobs 4; Cooper Lindenmeyer 6; Brogan Albers 0; Trey Oakley 4; Tiger Johnson 12; Brody Harmoney 0; Izaac Fox 12; Noah Smalley 1; Brecken Otte 2; Dawson Ruder 12; Alex Loving 0; Bryce Homeier 0; Kyle Burkholder 0.

🏀 Hays sweep Liberal in WAC games

<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/boxscore.aspx?path=baseball&amp;id=13438">GAME 1 BOX SCORE</a> <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/boxscore.aspx?path=baseball&amp;id=13439">GAME 2 BOX SCORE</a>

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Fort Hays State baseball team picked up a doubleheader split on the road against Colorado School of Mines on Friday, falling 6-3 in the opener before rallying with a 14-12 win in the nightcap. The Tigers are now 5-4 on the year, while the Orediggers move to 3-7 overall.

The Tigers accumulated 23 hits on the day, including a season-high 16 base knocks in the second game.

FHSU will open a 36-game conference series next weekend (Feb. 21-23) when the Tigers travel to Fort Smith, Ark. to take on conference newcomer Arkansas-Fort Smith.

GAME 1: Colorado School of Mines 6, Fort Hays State 3 The Tigers rallied from an early deficit to take a 3-1 lead in the opener before the Orediggers scored the final five runs in the contest to secure the win.

<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ty-riley/8431">Ty Riley</a>&nbsp;got the start for the Tigers and allowed just one run on three hits while striking out seven batters over 5.0 innings of work. The senior allowed one baserunner in the top of the first before giving up his first run of the season on three hits in the home half of the second. He settled in after that, recording 10-straight outs to complete his outing.

Fort Hays State struggled to get going against Mines starter Alex Honeyman, with the Tigers going hitless through the first four innings.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/tyson-jimenez/8424">Tyson Jimenez</a>&nbsp;led off the top of the fifth win an infield single and later came around to score on an RBI double from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/tony-moore/8456">Tony Moore</a>, leveling the score at one.

The Tigers then took the lead in the top of the sixth when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/elliott-herrmann/8422">Elliott Herrmann</a>&nbsp;reached on a throwing error.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trey-degarmo/8419">Trey DeGarmo</a>&nbsp;followed with a single before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/derek-woolwine/8557">Derek Woolwine</a>&nbsp;advanced the runners 90 feet on a sacrifice bunt.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/luis-ayala/8413">Luis Ayala</a>&nbsp;then came through with an RBI base knock to left, plating Herrmann and giving FHSU a 2-1 lead.

<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/kaleb-carpenter/8453">Kaleb Carpenter</a>&nbsp;was the first out of the pen for the Tigers, working around a leadoff walk to pitch a scoreless sixth inning. Fort Hays State later tacked on another run in the seventh when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/isaiah-ural/8435">Isaiah Ural</a>&nbsp;opened a two-out rally with a single. Herrmann followed with another single, allowing Ural to advance to third before he scored on a wild pitch.

The Orediggers bounced back with three runs on three hits and one walk in the home half of the seventh, giving Mines a 4-3 lead.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/brandon-chavez/8417">Brandon Chavez</a>&nbsp;came on with two outs to record a strikeout and get out of the inning before Mines put up two more runs against&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/dylan-rinker/8432">Dylan Rinker</a>&nbsp;in the eighth.

The Tigers had their leadoff man on in the eighth with a Woolwine single before the next six batters were retired to end the game. Mines outhit the Tigers by two, 9-7, while FHSU pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts compared to seven by Oredigger hurlers.

GAME 2: Fort Hays State 14, Colorado School of Mines 12 Fort Hays State took an early lead in the second contest when DeGarmo led off with a home run to center field. Three doubles helped the Orediggers take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the frame before Moore put the Tigers back on top in the third with a two-run home run to right center.

<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cade-flaherty/8420">Cade Flaherty</a>&nbsp;bounced back by retiring the side in order in the third and then posted another scoreless inning in the fourth, giving the offense an opportunity to add to its lead.

The Tigers did just that with two more runs in the fourth and a five-spot in the top of the fifth. Two hits and three errors allowed FHSU to score twice in the fourth, including an RBI single from Ayala and a sacrifice fly from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cooper-howell/8459">Cooper Howell</a>.

Fort Hays State pushed the lead to 10-2 with five runs on five hits and one error in the fifth. Back-to-back doubles from Herrmann and Woolwine opened the frame with a run before DeGarmo plated another run with a base hit. Howell and Moore both added RBI base knocks later in the frame while Ayala came around to score on a wild pitch.

Mines rallied with five runs on three hits and two free bases thanks to a fluke play where center fielder Ural appeared to make a leaping catch for the final out. Ural then landed awkwardly on his head, with his glove coming off during the process. The umpires ruled that no catch was made, allowing four runs to come in to score on an inside-the-park grand slam.

The Orediggers closed within 10-8 with another run in the sixth before Howell hit his first home run as a Tiger in the top of the seventh. Fort Hays State scored three more in the top of the eighth, including two more RBI for Howell on a single and a bases loaded hit-by-pitch RBI for Ural, padding the lead to 14-8.Mines put together a two-out rally in the eighth, pushing across four runs on four hits to pull within two, 14-12. Chavez got out of the jam with a groundout before retiring the side in order in the ninth to complete the win.

Chavez picked up the win after allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits over 4.1 innings of work. Flaherty worked the first 4.2 innings, allowing seven runs on eight hits while striking out three batters.

Howell went 3-for-4 with five RBI in the win, with five other Tigers also collecting multiple hits in the win. DeGarmo scored a team-high four times.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739588418707.png" alt="Fort Hays State shortstop Cooper Howell makes a catch in an NCAA college baseball game against Colorado School of Mines on Friday, February 14, 2025 in Golden, Colorado. (Tim Flynn/CSM Athletcs)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State shortstop Cooper Howell makes a catch in an NCAA college baseball game against Colorado School of Mines on Friday, February 14, 2025 in Golden, Colorado. (Tim Flynn/CSM Athletcs)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU Athletics<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/boxscore.aspx?path=baseball&amp;id=13438">GAME 1 BOX SCORE</a> <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/boxscore.aspx?path=baseball&amp;id=13439">GAME 2 BOX SCORE</a>GOLDEN, Colo. - The Fort Hays State baseball team picked up a doubleheader split on the road against Colorado School of Mines on Friday, falling 6-3 in the opener before rallying with a 14-12 win in the nightcap. The Tigers are now 5-4 on the year, while the Orediggers move to 3-7 overall.The Tigers accumulated 23 hits on the day, including a season-high 16 base knocks in the second game.UP NEXTFHSU will open a 36-game conference series next weekend (Feb. 21-23) when the Tigers travel to Fort Smith, Ark. to take on conference newcomer Arkansas-Fort Smith.GAME 1: Colorado School of Mines 6, Fort Hays State 3 The Tigers rallied from an early deficit to take a 3-1 lead in the opener before the Orediggers scored the final five runs in the contest to secure the win.<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ty-riley/8431">Ty Riley</a>&nbsp;got the start for the Tigers and allowed just one run on three hits while striking out seven batters over 5.0 innings of work. The senior allowed one baserunner in the top of the first before giving up his first run of the season on three hits in the home half of the second. He settled in after that, recording 10-straight outs to complete his outing.Fort Hays State struggled to get going against Mines starter Alex Honeyman, with the Tigers going hitless through the first four innings.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/tyson-jimenez/8424">Tyson Jimenez</a>&nbsp;led off the top of the fifth win an infield single and later came around to score on an RBI double from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/tony-moore/8456">Tony Moore</a>, leveling the score at one.The Tigers then took the lead in the top of the sixth when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/elliott-herrmann/8422">Elliott Herrmann</a>&nbsp;reached on a throwing error.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trey-degarmo/8419">Trey DeGarmo</a>&nbsp;followed with a single before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/derek-woolwine/8557">Derek Woolwine</a>&nbsp;advanced the runners 90 feet on a sacrifice bunt.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/luis-ayala/8413">Luis Ayala</a>&nbsp;then came through with an RBI base knock to left, plating Herrmann and giving FHSU a 2-1 lead.<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/kaleb-carpenter/8453">Kaleb Carpenter</a>&nbsp;was the first out of the pen for the Tigers, working around a leadoff walk to pitch a scoreless sixth inning. Fort Hays State later tacked on another run in the seventh when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/isaiah-ural/8435">Isaiah Ural</a>&nbsp;opened a two-out rally with a single. Herrmann followed with another single, allowing Ural to advance to third before he scored on a wild pitch.The Orediggers bounced back with three runs on three hits and one walk in the home half of the seventh, giving Mines a 4-3 lead.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/brandon-chavez/8417">Brandon Chavez</a>&nbsp;came on with two outs to record a strikeout and get out of the inning before Mines put up two more runs against&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/dylan-rinker/8432">Dylan Rinker</a>&nbsp;in the eighth.The Tigers had their leadoff man on in the eighth with a Woolwine single before the next six batters were retired to end the game. Mines outhit the Tigers by two, 9-7, while FHSU pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts compared to seven by Oredigger hurlers.GAME 2: Fort Hays State 14, Colorado School of Mines 12 Fort Hays State took an early lead in the second contest when DeGarmo led off with a home run to center field. Three doubles helped the Orediggers take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the frame before Moore put the Tigers back on top in the third with a two-run home run to right center.<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cade-flaherty/8420">Cade Flaherty</a>&nbsp;bounced back by retiring the side in order in the third and then posted another scoreless inning in the fourth, giving the offense an opportunity to add to its lead.The Tigers did just that with two more runs in the fourth and a five-spot in the top of the fifth. Two hits and three errors allowed FHSU to score twice in the fourth, including an RBI single from Ayala and a sacrifice fly from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cooper-howell/8459">Cooper Howell</a>.Fort Hays State pushed the lead to 10-2 with five runs on five hits and one error in the fifth. Back-to-back doubles from Herrmann and Woolwine opened the frame with a run before DeGarmo plated another run with a base hit. Howell and Moore both added RBI base knocks later in the frame while Ayala came around to score on a wild pitch.Mines rallied with five runs on three hits and two free bases thanks to a fluke play where center fielder Ural appeared to make a leaping catch for the final out. Ural then landed awkwardly on his head, with his glove coming off during the process. The umpires ruled that no catch was made, allowing four runs to come in to score on an inside-the-park grand slam.The Orediggers closed within 10-8 with another run in the sixth before Howell hit his first home run as a Tiger in the top of the seventh. Fort Hays State scored three more in the top of the eighth, including two more RBI for Howell on a single and a bases loaded hit-by-pitch RBI for Ural, padding the lead to 14-8.Mines put together a two-out rally in the eighth, pushing across four runs on four hits to pull within two, 14-12. Chavez got out of the jam with a groundout before retiring the side in order in the ninth to complete the win.Chavez picked up the win after allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits over 4.1 innings of work. Flaherty worked the first 4.2 innings, allowing seven runs on eight hits while striking out three batters.Howell went 3-for-4 with five RBI in the win, with five other Tigers also collecting multiple hits in the win. DeGarmo scored a team-high four times.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ Tigers hold off Orediggers in game two, split doubleheader

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks with Collin Bielser, Hays deputy city manager and Shaun Musil, city commissioner, about the latest updates in the R9 long-term water supply project for Hays and Russell.&nbsp;

Other discussion includes highlights of the Feb. 13 city commission meeting.&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: R9 water project updates" 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=8638g-17fdfa4-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=""></ifram</div>On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks with Collin Bielser, Hays deputy city manager and Shaun Musil, city commissioner, about the latest updates in the R9 long-term water supply project for Hays and Russell.&nbsp;Other discussion includes highlights of the Feb. 13 city commission meeting.&nbsp;

🎙Post Podcast: R9 water project updates

Reporter Cristina Janney speaks with Jennifer Hecker and Anniston Weber of Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services about Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast.

<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Options Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month" 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=kuyg7-17f5826-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>Reporter Cristina Janney speaks with Jennifer Hecker and Anniston Weber of Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services about Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast.

🎙 Post Podcast: Options on teen dating violence

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Feel like dissing instead of kissing your former lover this&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/valentines-day">Valentine’s Day</a>? Think your ex is more like a rat than a prince? Do you believe your former paramour should never procreate?

Animal shelters and zoos around the country are encouraging little cathartic avenues for revenge this holiday — and raising money for a cause — with a slew of darkly funny fundraisers for those missed by Cupid’s arrow.

Options include naming a feral cat after your old flame before it’s neutered — or giving rodents or cockroaches your love bug’s name before feeding them to bigger animals. The Minnesota Zoo’s campaign to name a bug after either a friend or a foe has attracted donors from across the world.

Teri Scott of Poulsbo, Washington, said she was bombarded on social media with the anti-love campaigns, including naming a hissing cockroach after an ex.

She said she couldn’t bring herself to name a bug that’s so hard to get rid of after her former husband, fearing that it could be an omen she’d never shake him despite the court costs she paid.

Then she ran across a promotion for the “Love Hurts” fundraiser at the Bird Treatment and Learning Center in Anchorage, Alaska. She ponied up $100 to name a frozen dead rat after her ex, and it will now be fed to a resident raptor at the facility.

Scott, who is celebrating her first anniversary as a newly single woman, views the donation as a gift to herself.

“You never enter a relationship thinking it’s going to end, but when it does it’s just hurtful,” she said. “I just thought, I need to do something a little bit special for myself.”

She laughed out loud when she saw the “Love Hurts” posting. “It just seemed like a beautiful way to give back,” she said.

“We do this in good fun,” said Laura Atwood, the center’s executive director. The money raised helps the facility pay salaries and care for birds — the nonprofit rehabilitated 580 of them last year. Just over $18,000 had been raised by the time the campaign closed Wednesday. So many rats — more than 130 — were purchased for the campaign, the center ran out of supplies until another batch of frozen rodents arrived Wednesday,

“People are sometimes hurt by a relationship, and this just gives them a little cathartic way to maybe work something out,” Atwood said, adding that they don’t publicize last names.

The videos of raptors like Ghost, a snowy owl that swallows the rat whole, or a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-university-of-california-berkeley-california-birds-979893ecbb701edb4ab8d0e3554f55a2">peregrine falcon</a>&nbsp;named Breland, which keeps one talon on the rodent and pecks away at it until it’s gone, will be emailed to donors.

There’s also a cheaper option: People can pay $10 to name a mealworm after their ex before it’s fed to a crow or a magpie, and a video will be posted on social media.

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/memphiszoo/">The Memphis Zoo </a>in Tennessee gives you two options — one for your lover and the other for a nemesis, each for $10, in its “Dating or Dumping” campaign. If you’re happily coupled, you can get a digital card and a family-friendly video of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/animals-india-berlin-germany-caves-a1dde4481cb2676a29e73a7e08e5527a">red panda</a>&nbsp;eating a grape to share. But for those harboring a grudge, along with your card, you’ll get a video of an elephant pooping signed with the words “Scent with Love.”

After Valentine’s Day, the zoo will post a recap video showing the names of people memorialized in a video and will list the names that popped up the most for both daters and those earning a stinky shout-out.

“This is the most incredible thing,” said Caleigh Johnson, who is campaigning for her ex-boyfriend to be at the top of the smelly list by encouraging her friends to give to the fundraiser. “I’m hoping that a few people will come through.”

Johnson doesn’t talk to her ex anymore; instead, the video will be a treat for her friends to laugh at as they celebrate “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b8fd2543e63b4b4d960846220fabebed">Galentine’s Day.</a>&nbsp;”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739488011583.png" alt="<a href="https://www.facebook.com/memphiszoo/">The Memphis Zoo&nbsp;</a>in Tennessee gives you two options — one for your lover and the other for a nemesis, each for $10, in its “Dating or Dumping” campaign. If you’re happily coupled, you can get a digital card and a family-friendly video of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/animals-india-berlin-germany-caves-a1dde4481cb2676a29e73a7e08e5527a">red panda</a>&nbsp;eating a grape to share. But for those harboring a grudge, along with your card, you’ll get a video of an elephant pooping signed with the words “Scent with Love.”" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.facebook.com/memphiszoo/">The Memphis Zoo&nbsp;</a>in Tennessee gives you two options — one for your lover and the other for a nemesis, each for $10, in its “Dating or Dumping” campaign. If you’re happily coupled, you can get a digital card and a family-friendly video of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/animals-india-berlin-germany-caves-a1dde4481cb2676a29e73a7e08e5527a">red panda</a>&nbsp;eating a grape to share. But for those harboring a grudge, along with your card, you’ll get a video of an elephant pooping signed with the words “Scent with Love.”</figcaption>
 </figure>ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Feel like dissing instead of kissing your former lover this&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/valentines-day">Valentine’s Day</a>? Think your ex is more like a rat than a prince? Do you believe your former paramour should never procreate?Animal shelters and zoos around the country are encouraging little cathartic avenues for revenge this holiday — and raising money for a cause — with a slew of darkly funny fundraisers for those missed by Cupid’s arrow.Options include naming a feral cat after your old flame before it’s neutered — or giving rodents or cockroaches your love bug’s name before feeding them to bigger animals. The Minnesota Zoo’s campaign to name a bug after either a friend or a foe has attracted donors from across the world.Teri Scott of Poulsbo, Washington, said she was bombarded on social media with the anti-love campaigns, including naming a hissing cockroach after an ex.She said she couldn’t bring herself to name a bug that’s so hard to get rid of after her former husband, fearing that it could be an omen she’d never shake him despite the court costs she paid.Then she ran across a promotion for the “Love Hurts” fundraiser at the Bird Treatment and Learning Center in Anchorage, Alaska. She ponied up $100 to name a frozen dead rat after her ex, and it will now be fed to a resident raptor at the facility.Scott, who is celebrating her first anniversary as a newly single woman, views the donation as a gift to herself.“You never enter a relationship thinking it’s going to end, but when it does it’s just hurtful,” she said. “I just thought, I need to do something a little bit special for myself.”She laughed out loud when she saw the “Love Hurts” posting. “It just seemed like a beautiful way to give back,” she said.“We do this in good fun,” said Laura Atwood, the center’s executive director. The money raised helps the facility pay salaries and care for birds — the nonprofit rehabilitated 580 of them last year. Just over $18,000 had been raised by the time the campaign closed Wednesday. So many rats — more than 130 — were purchased for the campaign, the center ran out of supplies until another batch of frozen rodents arrived Wednesday,“People are sometimes hurt by a relationship, and this just gives them a little cathartic way to maybe work something out,” Atwood said, adding that they don’t publicize last names.The videos of raptors like Ghost, a snowy owl that swallows the rat whole, or a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-university-of-california-berkeley-california-birds-979893ecbb701edb4ab8d0e3554f55a2">peregrine falcon</a>&nbsp;named Breland, which keeps one talon on the rodent and pecks away at it until it’s gone, will be emailed to donors.There’s also a cheaper option: People can pay $10 to name a mealworm after their ex before it’s fed to a crow or a magpie, and a video will be posted on social media.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/memphiszoo/">The Memphis Zoo </a>in Tennessee gives you two options — one for your lover and the other for a nemesis, each for $10, in its “Dating or Dumping” campaign. If you’re happily coupled, you can get a digital card and a family-friendly video of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/animals-india-berlin-germany-caves-a1dde4481cb2676a29e73a7e08e5527a">red panda</a>&nbsp;eating a grape to share. But for those harboring a grudge, along with your card, you’ll get a video of an elephant pooping signed with the words “Scent with Love.”After Valentine’s Day, the zoo will post a recap video showing the names of people memorialized in a video and will list the names that popped up the most for both daters and those earning a stinky shout-out.“This is the most incredible thing,” said Caleigh Johnson, who is campaigning for her ex-boyfriend to be at the top of the smelly list by encouraging her friends to give to the fundraiser. “I’m hoping that a few people will come through.”Johnson doesn’t talk to her ex anymore; instead, the video will be a treat for her friends to laugh at as they celebrate “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b8fd2543e63b4b4d960846220fabebed">Galentine’s Day.</a>&nbsp;”

Why people are naming bugs, rats and cats after exes this Valentine’s Day

WASHINGTON (AP) — A court order halting Trump administration plans to pull all but a fraction of USAID staffers off the job worldwide will stay in place for at least another week.

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols ordered the extension after a nearly three-hour hearing Thursday, much of it focused on how employees were affected by abrupt orders by the Trump administration and ally Elon Musk to put thousands of USAID workers on leave and freeze foreign aid funding.

The judge said he plans to issue a written ruling in the coming days on whether the pause will continue.

Nichols, a Trump appointee, closely questioned the government about keeping employees on leave safe in high-risk overseas areas. When a Justice Department attorney could not provide detailed plans, the judge asked him to file court documents after the hearing.

USAID staffers who until recently were posted in Congo had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-usaid-court-lawsuit-constitutional-crisis-2ee3374100720d093588e2234e8be601">filed affidavits</a>&nbsp;for the lawsuit describing the aid agency all but abandoning them when looting and political violence exploded in Congo’s capital last month, leaving them to evacuate with their families.

The funding freeze and purge of top USAID officials meant agency staffers are now stranded in Washington, without homes or agency funding, and facing the loss of their jobs, staffers said in the affidavits.

The judge handed the administration a setback last week by temporarily halting the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-usaid-musk-doge-7ec0a2b4032d4782d41c00164003b5de">plans that would have put thousands of workers on leave</a>&nbsp;and given those abroad only 30 days to return to the United States at government expense. His order was set to expire by the end of Thursday.

Two associations representing federal employees asked him to continue his stay, as well as suspend Trump’s freeze on almost all foreign assistance. The president’s pause has shut down almost all of the thousands of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/usaid-christian-nonprofits-funding-freeze-bbb000ea0e232765db1280c093301a8a">U.S.-funded aid and development programs</a>&nbsp;around the globe, USAID workers and humanitarian groups say.

Nichols grilled lawyers for USAID unions in Thursday’s hearing, probing how workers were being affected by the stoppage of funding for the agency’s work.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738896794184.jpeg" alt="Democrat members of Congress protest outside USAID headquarters-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Democrat members of Congress protest outside USAID headquarters-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A court order halting Trump administration plans to pull all but a fraction of USAID staffers off the job worldwide will stay in place for at least another week.U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols ordered the extension after a nearly three-hour hearing Thursday, much of it focused on how employees were affected by abrupt orders by the Trump administration and ally Elon Musk to put thousands of USAID workers on leave and freeze foreign aid funding.The judge said he plans to issue a written ruling in the coming days on whether the pause will continue.Nichols, a Trump appointee, closely questioned the government about keeping employees on leave safe in high-risk overseas areas. When a Justice Department attorney could not provide detailed plans, the judge asked him to file court documents after the hearing.USAID staffers who until recently were posted in Congo had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-usaid-court-lawsuit-constitutional-crisis-2ee3374100720d093588e2234e8be601">filed affidavits</a>&nbsp;for the lawsuit describing the aid agency all but abandoning them when looting and political violence exploded in Congo’s capital last month, leaving them to evacuate with their families.The funding freeze and purge of top USAID officials meant agency staffers are now stranded in Washington, without homes or agency funding, and facing the loss of their jobs, staffers said in the affidavits.The judge handed the administration a setback last week by temporarily halting the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-usaid-musk-doge-7ec0a2b4032d4782d41c00164003b5de">plans that would have put thousands of workers on leave</a>&nbsp;and given those abroad only 30 days to return to the United States at government expense. His order was set to expire by the end of Thursday.Two associations representing federal employees asked him to continue his stay, as well as suspend Trump’s freeze on almost all foreign assistance. The president’s pause has shut down almost all of the thousands of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/usaid-christian-nonprofits-funding-freeze-bbb000ea0e232765db1280c093301a8a">U.S.-funded aid and development programs</a>&nbsp;around the globe, USAID workers and humanitarian groups say.Nichols grilled lawyers for USAID unions in Thursday’s hearing, probing how workers were being affected by the stoppage of funding for the agency’s work.The judge’s questions probed the concept of legal standing — whether the unions can show the kind of legal harm that would justify a continued block on the Trump administration’s plans.Standing is a legal technicality, but an important one. A different judge cited it when he sided with the Trump administration and allowed a Musk-backed plan to cut the federal workforce through deferred resignations, often known as buyouts.While the administration and Musk’s cost-cutting initiative, the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, have taken aim at other agencies, they have moved most destructively against USAID,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/usaid-funding-trump-musk-misinformation-c544a5fa1fe788da10ec714f462883d1">asserting without evidence that its work is wasteful</a>&nbsp;and out of line with Trump’s agenda.In a court filing, deputy USAID head Pete Marocco argued that “insubordination” made it impossible for the new administration to undertake a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-foreign-assistance-freeze-684ff394662986eb38e0c84d3e73350b">close review of aid programs</a>&nbsp;without first pushing almost all USAID staffers off the job and halting aid and development work. He did not provide evidence for his assertion.USAID staffers, in court filings, have denied being insubordinate. They said they were doing their best to carry out what they describe as vague and confusing orders, some of which were said to come from a Musk associate and other outsiders.Agency supporters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-usaid-court-lawsuit-constitutional-crisis-2ee3374100720d093588e2234e8be601">told Democratic senators</a>&nbsp;earlier this week that the shutdown — along with other administration steps, including revoking USAID’s lease on its Washington headquarters — was really about eradicating USAID before lawmakers or the courts could stop it.The employee groups, the Democratic lawmakers and others argue that without congressional approval, Trump lacks the power to shut USAID or end its programs. His team says the power of courts or lawmakers to stand in the way is limited at best.“The President’s powers in the realm of foreign affairs are generally vast and unreviewable,” government lawyers said in court documents.