Tigers return five state qualifiers
ST. JOHN — The St. John Tigers (403) finished 12th last year's 1A state golf championship at Dodge City’s Mariah Hills Golf Course.
St. John’s Weston Peterson 180 (89-91) placed 30th. Other key players returning in 2026 are 64th-place Easton Alpers (105) and 78th-place Dylan Vieux (111).
St. John (387) finished runner-up behind Hutchinson Central Christian (331) at the Hesston 1A golf regional.
The Tigers counted scores by 11th-place Peterson (92), 16th-place Easton Alpers (103) and 24th Dylan Vieux (109) to qualify for the 1A state golf tournament. Cody Newdigger and Averi Fisher return from last year's state qualifier.
"Getting to state last year was a great experience for our five returning varsity players," said St. John golf coach Danton Hilton. "Our goal is to make it back to state. We'll have pretty good competition every day in practice. I’m looking forward to the season."
The Tigers (387) placed runner-up in the Central Prairie League Tournament at Dodge City last year.
Several players have invested time to improve their skill.
"A few players have gotten the 'golf bug,' and played a decent amount last summer," Hilton said. "It will help their scores this year. We're hoping we can get our team scores down under 350 this spring."
TIGER ROSTER
SENIORS—Cody Newdigger (1A, 78TH, 111; REG, 14TH, 139; 34TH, 126; CPL, 15TH, 127; 47TH, 135); Weston Peterson (1A, 30TH, 180 (89-91); REG, 11TH, 92; CPL, 6TH, 92; 6TH, 94; 9TH, 112); Averi Fisher (1A, 90TH, 130; REG, 19TH, 118; 31ST, 119; CPL, 9TH, 105); Tanner Mawhirter,
JUNIORS—Sye Crockett
SOPHOMORES—Easton Alpers (1A, 64TH, 105; REG, 16TH, 103; CPL, 8TH, 104); Dylan Vieux (1A,78TH, 111; REG, 24TH, 109; CPL, 13TH, 122); Grady Long, Colter Reigel, Mikeal Nemec
NINTH-GRADER—Ryer Ward
TIGER SCHEDULE—4-13—at Wichita, Rolling Hills; 4-14—Stafford; 4-20—at Sterling; 4-21—at Larned; 4-27—at Pretty Prairie; 4-30—at Hesston; 5-7—at Hutchinson, Carey Park; 5-11— Central Prairie, Dodge City; 5-18/19—at 1A regional; 4-25/26—at 1A state
Freshmen headline Macksville track
MACKSVILLE — Macksville’s state cross country qualifier Kennedy Butler placed runner-up in the Central Prairie League 3,200 (13:23.6) and fifth in the 1,600 (5:53.15). The Mustangs placed third in the 400 relay (53.61).
Isabella Reyes-Holguin placed third in the javelin (108-4) and shot put (33-11). The Mustangs return no 1A state qualifiers.
Macksville coach Jennifer Gillespie features 15 freshmen on a 23-member team. Senior Ava Chadd splits time also doing sports rodeo as well as track.
"We're led by Ava Chadd and Gavin Rose," Gillespie said. "Ava set the junior class record in the long jump and has a goal to get to state. She'll consistently jump in the 16-to-17 foot range.
"We have solid relays that will improve as our athletes gain experience. We'll be strong in the throws with Daniela Holguin, who broke our freshman javelin record set by Mayce Russell who won the 1A state javelin title. We're awfully young with many freshmen track competitors."
MUSTANG ROSTER
SENIORS—Ava Chadd, Gavin Rose
JUNIORS—Chyenne Trimble, Nolan Adams
SOPHOMORES—Kennedy Butler, Daniela Reyes-Holguin, Omar Cardoza, Kaleb Granger, Ashley Barron
NINTH-GRADERS—Itzel Avila, Essie Torres, Audrey Gonzalez, Abby Reid, Zoey Russell, Makayla Trimble, Julian Favila, Alvaro Espino, Jaret Corpening, Brandon Franklin, Blaine Ybarra, Victor Lopez, Layton Adams, Brayden Lund-Castaneda, Gael Garcia
MUSTANG SCHEDULE—3-31—at Larned JV; 4-2—at Kinsley; 4-10—at Lyons; 4-17—at Spearville; 4-21—at St. John JV; 4-24—at St. John; 4-28—at Lewis JV; 5-1—at Kiowa; 5-5—at Jetmore; 5-14— Central Prairie at Victoria; 5-21/22—at 1A regional
Tigers' Hands a state qualifier
ROZEL— Returning state qualifier Abby Hands headlines a 19-athlete Pawnee Heights track team.
"This is the largest team we've had in many years," said Pawnee Heights coach Rick Carlson. "I'm excited to start working with these athletes. It'll allow us to enter more events, which creates competition in practice and meets. With larger numbers, we'll compete better in overall team points.
Carlson commented on several promising athletes.
"Abby Hands made the state meet and will be one of the best discus and shot put throwers in the area.
"Addyson Pelton competed well in the triple jump and high jump. She'll be a contender to make state in both events.
"Roberto Cordero improved in the discus last season and will be in the mix at regionals.
"Cody Holste bettered his 100 and 200 times last season, which put him in the group of elite sprinters. He'll be one of the top sprinters at regionals.
Carlson said competing in a high-level regional will help the Tigers.
"With the possibility of qualifying seven competitors from a regional make state, we'll have a better chance to make state because we're in a tough regional."
TIGER STATE 1A—13—Abby Hands, discus, 108-9
SENIORS—Augustus Baier (1,600m, 3,200m); Abby Hands (throws); Alexis Ibarra
JUNIORS—Roberto Cordero (throws); Addyson Pelton (triple jump, 400m); Angelica Benavides
SOPHOMORES—Cody Holste (100m-400m); Thomas Boese (throws); Amaya Diehl, Emma McDonald, Addie Diaz, Kale Amspacker
NINTH-GRADERS—Evelyn Pelton, Mia Diehl, Helder Ibarra, Logan Nava, Cameron Miles, Cooper Josefiak, Dien Mauricio
TIGER SCHEDULE—3-31—at Larned JV; 4-2—at Kinsley; 4-14—at Ness City; 4-18—at Great Bend; 4-21—at Plainville; 4-24—at Montezuma; 5-1—at Greensburg; 5-8—at Dighton; 5-15—Southern Plains Iroquois at Greensburg; 5-21/22—at 1A regional; 5-29/30—at 1A state, Wichita
Oilers return four state qualifiers
CLAFLIN — The Central Plains Oilers track teams feature four state qualifiers — 7th-place Taylin Davis, 3,200 (12:13.48); 12th-place Aevyn Siemsen, 400 (1:02.81); and Callun Rogers and Tegan Schepmann from a 12th-place 400-meter relay (45.77).
Davis captured the CPL 3,200 title and competes in the 1,600 and discus. Landon Daniels (shot put, discus) placed third in the CPL shot put. Callun Rogers and Keeton Robison lead the 3,200 relay. Rogers and Schepmann return from the 400 relay.
With a late start due to state basketball and spring break, Central Plains track coach Dustin Robison will take a cautious approach.
"We have potential for some pretty good boys and girls relay teams," Robison said "A lot depends on their individual events and their commitment to the team. We feature several athletes with potential to qualify for regionals and state. Hopefully, the athletes work in practice and compete with a mindset to get better every week."
The Oilers feature 34 athletes signed up for track.
"It's the largest group we've signed up in several years," he said. "We won't have a clue what events the kids will do until we get into full swing. Many are new track members. We'll see what the level of abilities these kids have. We'll settle on events after practices and several meets."
CENTRAL PLAINS TRACK
2025 OILER STATE TRACK—12TH— Central Plains, 400m relay, 45.77 (Callun Rogers, Tegan Schepmann); 12TH—Aevyn Siemsen, 400, 1:02.81; 7TH—Taylin Davis, 3,200, 12:13.48
SENIORS—Landon Daniels; Isaac Heredia; Callun Rogers; Richard Stroud; Armando Vasquez; Tekla Kipskidze; Boston Robison
JUNIORS—Broc Klima; Ben Pflughoeft; Cameron Zink; Taylin Davis; Maggie Strous; Emma Wasson
SOPHOMORES—Cameron Grubb; Peyton Kempke; Keeton Robison; Teagan Schepmann; Lynden Hekele; Hailey Nash; Elizabeth Reazin; Aevyn Siemsen; Emery Siemsen
NINTH-GRADERS—Colt Beuhler; Bentley Davis; Matthew Rice; Huxtyn Rogers; Jake Schlessiger; Lucy Beck; Brook Clark; Karli Frost; Kamboree Nixon; Victoria Renya; Ashtyn Robl; Kaymi Zink
OILER SCHEDULE—3-31—at Larned; 4-2—at La Crosse; 4-10—at Lyons; 4-14—at Ellsworth; 4-21/24—at St. John; 4-27—at Tescott; 4-28—at Hoisington; 5-5—at Tescott; 5-8—at Ellinwood; 5-14—CPL at Victoria; 5-21/22—at 1A regional; 5-29-30—1A state track, Wichita
State-placer Alloway leads Cougars
OTIS-BISON — Otis-Bison's standout jumper Gavin Alloway provides a high-level athlete after third-place 1A state medals in the long jump (21-01/2) and triple jump (43-9).
"Gavin Alloway broke the school triple jump record of Kevin Wiltse set in 1990 and finished third in the long jump and triple jump at state," said Otis-Bison coach Travis Starr. "Gavin had a great showing at state, and we hope he builds on that."
Alloway won the Central Prairie triple jump (41-7) and placed third in the long jump (20-0). Kelson Juno and Konner Schenk lead the shot put. Maddox Firebaugh, Alloway and Aiden Ochs-Lohrey return on relays.
High jumper Allie Smith qualified for 1A state. Marissa Pechanec will compete in the shot put, discus and javelin.
Overall, the Cougars will be competitive in several field events.
"We have good high jumpers on the boys and girls side," Starr said. "We'll be very competitive on the boys and girls side in field events. Our boys team is thrower heavy. There are several quality throwers on the girls side who will push each other every day."
Preseason has gone well with decent weather.
"Pre-meet practices have gone well," he said. "We've got hard-working athletes who push themselves to become better every day. We've worked on speed development and explosiveness for our sprinters, jumpers, and throwing groups. We have some quality sprinters."
Five of six Cougar girls are first-and second-year athletes.
"Our girls will take a few meets to find what events suit them best," he said. "With our track numbers, it will be difficult to field many relay teams. We plan to put a couple together that will be competitive."
As always, Otis-Bison will be tested in a strong Central Prairie League.
"Our league produces some of the best athletes in the state," Starr said. "Our goal is to compete at a high level against these great teams and athletes."
1A STATE OTIS-BISON—3RD—Gavin Alloway, long jump, 21-01/2; 2ND—Alloway, triple jump, 43-9; DNP—Allie Smith, high jump, no height
OTIS-BISON ROSTER
SENIORS—Gavin Alloway (jumps, sprints); Louis McVey (middle distance); Konner Schenk (shot put); Kelson Juno (shot put, discus)
JUNIORS—Marissa Pechanec (shot put, discus, javelin); Maddox Firebaugh (sprints); Travis Ross (sprints)
SOPHOMORES—Allie Smith (high jump, relays); Jade Holman (sprints, long jump); Aiden Ochs-Lohrey (sprints); Kolten Cory (shot put, discus); Marcus Starr (shot, discus)
NINTH-GRADERS—Brooke Elsen (shot put, discus); Caitlin Ficken (sprints); Rowyn Juno (shot put, discus, javelin); Dylan Richardson (shot put, discus, javelin, sprints)
OTIS-BISON SCHEDULE—4-2—at La Crosse; 4-14—at Ness City; 4-16—at Larned; 4-24—at St. John; 4-28—at Hoisington; 5-1—at Stafford; 5-7—at Victoria; 5-14—Central Prairie at Victoria; 5-21—at 1A regional; 5-29/30—at 1A state, Wichita
Chase's Malik Carson returns
CHASE — Chase sprinter Malik Carson placed sixth in the 1A state 100 meters (11.28) and seventh in the 1A 200 meters (22.97). Carson won the Central Prairie 100 (11.41) and 200 (23.07) and placed runner-up in the long jump (20-0).
Carson has earned career best times of 11.2 (100 meters) and 22.83 (meters). Chase's school records are 11.1 and 22.7. Carson's best long jump is 20-8.
"I would expect Carson will break one or both of the sprint records this year," said Chase coach Jacob Bauman. "He just missed qualifying for state in the long jump last year. I look for Malik to qualify in three or four of his events this season. He's starting to tripe jump again after not competing last year. Malik will compete very well in our league and in 1A.
CHASE ROSTER
SENIORS—Humberto Rincon (100, 200, TJ, HJ, javelin); Leland Rice (shot, TJ, 100)
JUNIORS—Addison Kleinsorge (discus, javelin)
SOPHOMORES—Malik Carson (100, 200, LJ, TJ); Trey Hudson (200, javelin); Dominick Estabrook (400, 800, 1600, LJ, TJ); Santiago Torres (100, shot, discus, javelin)
NINTH GRADERS—Sebastian Torres (1,600, shot, discus, javelin), Emmabelle Bowen (shot, discus, javelin)
CHASE TRACK—4-10—at Lyons; 4-14—at Haven; 4-21—at Kingman; 4-24—at St. John; 4-27—at Tescott JV; 5-1—at Stafford; 5-5—at Pratt; 5-8—at Ellinwood; 5-14—Central Prairie at Victoria; 4-21/22—at 1A regional; 5-29-30—at 1A state, Wichita
Chase golfer places 41st
CHASE — Chase’s Layd’n Hinderliter (99) placed 41st at the 2025 Sand Greens State Tournament at Cottonwood Falls Country Club.
Chase placed 11th and counted scored by 44th Layton Winkleman (104); 47th Eli Gillespie (105) and 56th Kasen Wood (121).
Coach Gavin Seiler will lead the golf team.
CHASE ROSTER
SENIORS—Layd’n Hinderliter, Leland Rice; Humberto Rincon
JUNIOR—Kasen Wood
CHASE SCHEDULE—4-9—Chase; 4-16—at Cottonwood Falls; 4-23—at McCracken; 4-28—at Lyons; 5-5—at Cawker City; 5-11—Central Prairie at Stafford; 5-12—at Tipton; 5-26—at sand greens state
