Panther baseball primed for postseason run
Great Bend's senior-dominated baseball team has determined its post-season fate in 1-one games the past two years.
Two years ago, the Panthers survived Hays High 3-1 and Andover 4-3 to qualify for the 5A state tournament for the first time since 2019.
Last year's promising season ended quickly when underdog Salina South ignited a post-season hot streak with a 5-4 extra-inning victory. The Panthers (18-8, 6-2 WAC) finished as WAC runner-up behind Hays.
"We needed a timely hit. When it's single elimination, you never what'll happen," Great Bend's Randy Beck, 15-year head coach. "Beck said. "We've been a low seed and played spoiler. That happened to us last year."
The Panthers are loaded with seniors primed for a high-level season on a team with quality pitching, efficient defense and a versatile offense.
Returning starters are two-time All-WAC P/CF Carson Umphres, first-team All-WAC LF Koehn Ribordy, first-team All-WAC 1B Ian Premer, C Owen Kaiser, first-team 3B Trenton Kern. Daxton Minton earned second-team honors.
Northeast Texas Community College recruit Umphres (6-3, 69 K in 572/3 IP) anchors the Panthers’ pitching keyed by a “heavy fastball." Hunter Herrman (5-3, 4.01 ERA), Kaiser (3-2, 4.30 ERA), Daxton Minton (3-0, 2.65 ERA) and southpaw Koehn Ribordy (1-0) compliment a crafty pitching staff.
"You've got to have extra pitching," Beck said. "You've got to try the next man up when a pitcher isn't having a good day."
The Panthers play Wichita Carroll, Hutchinson, McPherson, St. Thomas Aquinas and Gardner-Edgerton in non-league games.
"Our goal is win championships. The WAC is feasible," Beck said. "We play a tough schedule that prepares us for post-season."
The Panthers' lineup will include 1B Premer, 2B/3B Slade Mohr, SS Minton, 3B Trenton Kern, C Kaiser/Jaxon Wondra, CF/SS Umphres, 3B Herrman, OF Jace Schartz
Great Bend’s offense will mix power with old-school small-ball baseball featuring a solid running game.
"Our top guys can swing the bat and hit the ball hard," Beck said. "The more pitches you see, the better your timing is."
Beck said the Panthers are solid defensively around the diamond with reliable starters and dependable backups.
Great Bend owns state baseball titles in 1955, 1995 and 1998. The Panthers qualified for back-to-back state trips in 2018 and 2019.
PANTHER ROSTER
SENIORS—Carson Umphres, P/CF (6-3, 1,69 ERA; .415, .543); Hunter Herrman, P/IF (5-3, 4.01 ERA; .304, .365); Slade Mohr, P/IF (.296 (.375); Peyden Oelger, P/IF (.265, .321); Owen Kaiser, P/C (3-2, 4.30 ERA; .275, .441); Eli Soupiset, OF; Jace Schartz; Dominic Price, OF
JUNIORS—Ian Premer, 1B (.476, .543); Daxton Minton, P/OF (3-0, 2.65 ERA; .333, .377); Trenton Kern, 3B (.369, .475); Koehn Ribordy, P/OF (1-0, .318, .410); Eli Contreras, OF
SOPHOMORES—Daxton Howard, P/OF; Evan Vink, OF; Rafael Chavez, P-IF; Kaito Richter, P/IF; Jaxon Wondra, P/C/IF
NINTH-GRADERS—Kade Urban, Jaden Prilling, Kade Baker, Caleb Shell, Braxton Richter, Mark Mazouch, K.J. Cell
PANTHER SCHEDULE—3-25—*Garden City; 3-28—Hutchinson; 4-1—*at Hays; 4-4—at Pratt; 4-7—*at Dodge City; 4-11—*at Liberal; 4-15—*Hays High; 4-18—at Wichita Carroll; 4-22—at McPherson; 4-25/26—at DeSoto (Aquinas, Gardner-Edgerton); 4-29—*Liberal; 5-2—*Dodge City; 5-6—*at Garden City; 5-9—at McPherson; 5-14—Manhattan; 5-`19—at 5A regionals
Somers leads Panther golfers
Great Bend junior Ethan Somers caught fire by qualifying for 5A state golf with a season-best 83 at regionals. Somers carded a career best 81 at Newton's Sand Creek Station before shooting a 97 to finish 52nd at 178. Nash Lindberg (92) placed 32nd and Jacob Hall (104) placed 38th at 5A regionals.
"I'm happy for Ethan Somers," said Great Bend coach Steve Wolf. "He ended last season strong. He hit the ball really well, chipped it well and maybe left some shots out there. Ethan and Nash Lindberg invest time. They're serious about their games. Nash and Ethan drive to Colbert Hills in Manhattan to work with Great Bend graduate Kelby, who works there. Nash has been right there with Ethan. The skies the limit. I'm watching to see how they progress."
The Panthers feature eight sophomores and eight freshmen with a mix of athletic ability and golf experience.
"I'm happy we've got guys who want to learn to play golf," Wolf said. "We've got guys with potential. It's going to be competitive to even play junior varsity. Some of our freshman are multi-sport athletes, but lack golf experience. I'm excited to see them progress."
Wolf said freshman Alec Premer is the most promising newcomer with a smooth swing and intriguing potential.
Great Bend coach Steve Wolf and assistant Brandon Wells inherit a 25-player roster at the busy Lake Barton Golf Course, where Hoisington and Barton Community College players also practice during the week.
"It's tough with that many players vying for time," he said. "There's a lot of players on the course. We try and split nines when Hoisington is there. Assistant Brandon Wells and I provide instruction on the range and work with the short game. It's a challenge."
Wolf's next challenge is calculating a qualifying system to choose the top six players for the first varsity meets with an eye on finding the next six players for early-season junior varsity competition.
PANTHER ROSTER
SENIOR—Keaton Wahlmeier
JUNIORS—Karter Brown, Jacob Hall (REG, 104, 38TH), Zach Hart, Cory Kuhn, Keaton Krukenberg, Nash Lindberg (REG 92, 32ND), Omar Sanchez, Ethan Somers (5A, 178 (81-97), 52ND; REG 83, 13TH; 97, 23RD)
SOPHOMORES—Quinton Buzard, Caleb Collins, Ransom Hardcastle, Gabriel Herrman, Dylon Kalivoda, Keegan Roblyer, Trent Rowe, Eli Somers
NINTH-GRADERS—Jasper Winslow, Kamren Brown, Spencer Brown, Noah Kaiser, Lennon Johnson, Brody Postlethwaite, Alec Premer, Cal Schartz
PANTHER SCHEDULE—3-31—at Lake Barton; 4-7—at Russell JV; 4-10—at McPherson, at Salina JV; 4-17—at Newton; at Dodge City JV; 4-21—at Hays; 4-24—at Hesston JV; 4-25—at Salina; 5-1—at Garden City, at Russell; 5-5—at Lake Barton; 5-8—at Dodge City, Western Athletic; 5-13—at Liberal; 5-19—at 5A regional
Panther softball seek encore performance
WICHITA — Great Bend's softball team qualified for 5A state softball at Wichita State for the first time in nine years.
Three Panther freshmen helped deliver the Panthers past Newton 4-3 and Goddard High 5-3 in last year's 5A regional. Freshman Camdyn Post hit the game-winning double against Newton. Freshman Kya Behr slugged 2-run and 3-run homers. Freshman pitcher Chayla Prendergast (11-2, 4.20 ERA) earned victories in both games.
Spring Hill downed Great Bend 14-5 at the 5A state tournament.
"We've got the majority of our roster returning," said Great Bend coach Carrie Minton. "They look forward to building on the great season they had last year. We're extremely excited about the upcoming softball season."
The Panthers' offense is sparked by first-team All-WAC Kya Behr .486 (51-105), 51H, 42 RBI; first team WAC Butler Grizzly recruit DeShawnna Bryant .493 (45-92), 4 HR, 38 RBI; second team WAC Camdyn Post .418 (38-81), 38H, 34R; and second team WAC Kamryn Koelsch .412 (33-70), 18 RBI.
Second team WAC pitchers Chayla Prendergast (11-2, 4.20 ERA) and Braelyn Turner (8-5, 3.32 ERA) headline a quality one/two pitching staff with Alyssa McCauley (1-0, 3.22 ERA) prepared to help.
The Panthers will line up position players 1B McCauley, 2B Kya Behr/Braelyn Turner, SS Denver Ringo, 3B Callie Umphres, C Kamryn Koelsch, LF Ava Kaiser, CF Camdyn Post and RF Bryant along with the pitcher. Bryant is the best power hitter in the WAC. The Panthers feature a mix of power and contact hitters.
Perennial Western Athletic contenders Hays High and Garden City will be challenged by the Panthers.
"We''ll try to win a WAC title, something we feel like slipped through our fingers last year," Minton said. "This team is ready to get on the field and compete. We look for Garden and Hays to be tough competitors."
PANTHER ROSTER
SENIORS—DeShawnna Bryant .489 (45-92), 4 HR, 38 RBI; Ava Carter; Briley Richter
JUNIORS— Kamryn Koelsch .412 (33-70), 18 RBI; Denver Ringo .274 (20-73); Katherine Mazouch .283 (17-60); Alyssa McCauley .254 (17-67), 4 HR; McCauley 1-0 (3.22 ERA); Ava Kaiser .653 on base; Josie Blevins; Heidi Jording; Ellie Newman; Braelyn Turner 8-5 (3.81 ERA); 1.000 (1-1)
SOPHOMORES—Kya Behr .486 (51-105), 51 H, 42 RBI; Camdyn Post .418 (38-91), 38H, 34R; Chayla Prendergast 11-2 (4.20 ERA); .280 (7-25); Adelle Smith; Mya Krebaum; Gabriella Tomlin
NINTH-GRADERS—Marlie Ensley, Baylie Kelly, Abbie Meyer, Alyssa Prendergast, Callie Umphres
PANTHER SCHEDULE—3-27—*at Dodge City; 3-28—Hutchinson; 4-1—at McPherson/Manhattan; 4-4—at Pratt; 4-8—*at Liberal; 4-10—*Liberal; 4-15—*Dodge City; 4-17/18—at Dodge City; 4-22—*Hays High; 4-24—*at Hays High; 4-29—*Garden City; 5-1—*at Garden City; 5-9—at McPherson Quad; 5-15—Newton; 5-`19—at 5A regionals
Panther girls will rely on throwing group
Great Bend's graduating seniors earned four Western Athletic Conference and four 5A regional track titles, a trio of WAC and regional cross country titles, two state cross country trophies and two top three track finishes.
It's rebuilding time for the Panther girls, who scored 32 points to place 10th in 5A last year.
The Panthers featured quality finishes in the 800 meters (7th place Eliana Beckham, 2:20.78; and 8th place Reese Bullard, 2:20.91); and 1,600, 16th place Sienna Smith, 5:49.94). Kate Welcher, Bella Long and Bullard return on the ninth-place 3,200-meter relay (9:43.02). Bullard returns on the Panthers’ 1,600-meter relay, which placed fifth (4:04.38). Beckham (2:17.82) broke the Panthers’ 800-meter school record by Nicky Pool in 1992.
Standout distance runner Sienna Smith and freshman high jumper Micah Ellegood are sidelined with season-ending injury and past state qualifiers Marissa Boone, Kara Feist and Reese King are not competing.
"After graduating a lot of great girls, so I'd say we've got a long road ahead of us to win WAC," said Great Bend coach Lyles Lashley. "We've got nice top-end quality distance runners in Reese Bullard, Bella Long and Kate Welcher. Bella Long has improved. Cassie Ellegood will be a strong high jumper. Our throwing crew will be our bread-and-butter scoring."
Newcomers Mikayla Minton (hurdles, sprints) and sprinter/jumper Karys Leu will make an impact.
Cooper Ohnmacht soared in the air and broke his own school record with a state championship leap of 47 feet, 31/2 inches on his first attempt. Ohnmacht placed seventh in the 5A long jump (21-31/2).
"Cooper Ohnmacht will ease into the season. He's got lofty goals," Lashley said. "Cooper will run the 300-meter hurdles. Connor Holladay will help in the throws. We've got good distance runners in Tavon Stroup, Diego Pasos and Ismael Ramirez."
Freshman multi-event trackster Grant Watkins will tinker with events to see what helps the Panthers each week with pole vault, hurdles and shot put heading the list.
"Grant is good at everything because he wants to be a decathlete. We'll figure what events he'll compete in," Lashley said. "It's hard to tell what his best events are."
At the Western Athletic Conference meet, first-place winners were MacKenzie Lindberg, discus (107-7) and Ohnmacht, long jump (20-91/4); triple jump (45-4).
Diego Pasos, Tavon Stroup and Ismael Ramirez return from the WAC 3,200-meter relay champion (8:25.66). Welcher, Long, Bullard return from the 3,200-meter girls relay.
GREAT BEND GIRLS *season best
5A GIRLS STATE—800m—8—Reese Bullard, 2:20.91; 1,600m relay—5—Great Bend, *4:04.38 (Bullard); 3,200m relay—9—Great Bend, *9:43.02 (Kate Welcher, Bella Long, Bullard); High jump—6— Cassie Ellegood, *5-2; Shot put—14—Allie Gerhart, 32-61/2
SENIORS—Cassie Ellegood (jumps); Jordyn Harbaugh (jumps, sprints); Kate Welcher (mid distance)
JUNIORS—Reese Bullard (sprints, jumps); Natalee Daniels, (throws); Allie Gerhardt (throws); Kimberly Hofflinger (throws); MacKenzie Lindberg (throws); Kaylea McMullen (jumps, sprints, PV)
SOPHOMORES—Kayle Baldwin (PV, sprints); Bella Long (distance); Alexandra Mayers (jumps); Payla Parr (running)
NINTH-GRADERS—Brooklyn Cooley (distance, TJ); Sydney James (javelin, sprints); Brooklynn Kelly (PV, javelin); Karys Leu (sprints, jumper); Mikala Minton (hurdles, sprints); Samantha Neegard (distance); Ella Nokes (throws); Grace Miller (throws)
5A BOYS STATE—3,200m—14—Ismael Ramirez, *10:02.73; 3,200m relay—8—Great Bend, *8:22.84 (Diego Pasos, Tavon Stroup); Long jump—7—Ohnmacht, 21-31/2; Triple jump—1—Cooper Ohnmacht, *47-31/2
SENIORS—Luis Gonzalez (jumps, sprints); Diego Pasos (mid distance); Ernan Rodriguez (sprints)
JUNIORS—Jose Alvarez (throws); Kellen Brown (jumps, sprints); Conner Holladay (throws); Landon Hubbard (jumps, sprints); Trent Kern (throws); William Pardo (sprints); Ismael Ramirez (distance); Tavon Stroup (distance); Monte Velasco (distance)
SOPHOMORES—Parker Coleman (distance); Ricardo Cruz (mid distance); Dustin Fugit (sprints, jumps); Kale Kern (throws); Anthony Lawrence (mid distance); Gavynn Maddox (throws); Cooper Ohnmacht (TJ, LJ, sprints); Blake Stein (jumps, throws)
NINTH-GRADERS—Isaac Aldana (distance), Andy Allen (sprints); Keeton Bray (throws), Brody Cline (throws), Jacob Degenhardt (distance), Jace Deines (throws), Alexis Garcia (distance), Noah Kaiser (PV), Brogan Lashley (distance); Fernando Lopez (sprints); Sullivan Luttrell (jumps); Xavier Johnson-Millirons (jumps); Grant Watkins (jumps, throws)
PANTHER SCHEDULE—4-1—at Larned JV; 4-4—at Junction City; 4-7—at Salina JV; 4-10/11—at Wichita State; 4-17—Great Bend Invitational; 4-18/19—at Lawrence; 4-22—at Great Bend JV; 4-25—at Buhler; 5-2—at Topeka; 5-6—at Newton JV; 5-9—at Salina; 5-15—at Dodge City, Western Athletic; 5-23—at 5A regional
Panther girls soccer shows progress
Second-year Great Bend girls soccer coach Noel Rodriguez is optimistic the Panthers will continue to improve in 2025.
Great Bend (4-13, 0-8 WAC) defeated Hays Thomas More Prep 11-1 and 6-1, Junction City 3-0 and Wichita South 9-0 for the Panthers wins in 2024.
Returning two-year starters include goalie Grecia Dominguez, first-team All Western Athletic Conference midfielder Jillian Reimer, defender Mayra Gonzalez and defender Melissa Gutierrez.
Sophomore midfielder second team All-WAC Teegan Guerra, Natalia Rodriguez and Valeria Cuevas, junior midfielder Brissa Leyva and midfielder Roxana Rodriguez also have started games.
The speedy Reimer leads the midfield after scoring nine goals including a "hat trick." Others who tallied goals last year include Leyva (6 goals); Natalia Rodriguez (4 goals); Guerra (3 goals); Yesenia Pulido (1 goal); Greidys Moreno (1 goal); and Yosmeiri Valdez (1 goal). Evelyn Luna earned second-team All-WAC honors after scoring five goals last year.
"Jillian's a leader out there with confidence to lead the squad," said Rodriguez. "Our upperclassmen will keep us sharp. We've got Mayra Gonzalez, Laura Alvarez and Isabel Castruita working hard to show the way it's done."
Sophomore Araceli Aguilera will lead the defense. Freshme Xali Arias and Arieth Sanchez will contribute on the varsity level.
Goalie Dominquez will be backed up by freshmen Paige Trendle and Olivia Loera.
"To be a strong goalie, you've got to be mentally tough and aware of everything," Rodriguez said. "You've got to communicate really well with your defensive players. Those are areas we're improving."
Rodriguez believes the Panthers have made strides with teamwork and consistent effort.
"My major goal is to see our players work hard," he said. "I want them to show that tenacity and compete to the best of their ability. I see improvement from last year. We're building flexibility with mixing and matching our varsity girls. We train for an 80-minute game where we get a feel for the entire game."
Rodriguez likes the competition for the 11 varsity starting spots and back-up varsity reserve roles.
"It provides a competitive atmosphere," he said. "The girls understand they earn their playing time in practice."
WAC teams showed superior talent, speed, skill and teamwork in 2024. The Panthers closed the talent gap, but were outscored 46-2 in eight Western Athletic matches. Great Bend lost 3-1 and 6-1 to Hays High.
The Panthers have lost 32 consecutive Western Athletic soccer matches since a 2-1 victory over Dodge City in 2019. Yulisa Valdez and Cutlali Sanchez scored Panther goals.
"We're aiming to win more games and we want to compete in the WAC," he said. "We'll win WAC games when our girls take charge in games and build their confidence. We have to build off each other's backs. These girls can get those things done.
The Panthers lost a trio of 10-0 games to Andover, Manhattan and Wichita North.
PANTHER ROSTER
SENIORS—Jillian Reimer, F; Mayra Gonzalez, DEF; Isabel Castruita, MID; Laura Alvarez, DEF
JUNIORS—Grecia Dominguez, GK; Brissa Leyva, MID; Roxana Rodriguez, MID; Alejandra Castruita, DEF
SOPHOMORES—Yesenia Pulido, F; Teegan Guerra, MID; Natalia Rodriguez, DEF; Greidys Moreno, F; Araceli Aguilera, DEF; Valeria Cuevas, MID; Yosmeiri Valdez, F; Allison Loera, F; Cassandra Romero, DEF
NINTH-GRADERS—Xali Arias, Kayley Armendariz, Feranda Ayala, Trinity Eldridge; Kaylee Espino, Samantha Escobedo, Maday Garcia, Yarlene Granados; Melissa Gutierrez, Mayeli Holguin, Maria Jaramillo, Genesis Leyva; Olivia Loera, Destany Lopez, Renata Ordonez, Arieth Sanchez; Dara Sanchez, Joanna Sanchez, Alexis Simon, Paige Trendle
SOCCER SCHEDULE—3-25—*Hays High; 3-27—Wichita Home School; 4-1—at Junction City; 4-8—*Liberal; 4-10—*at Garden City; 4-14—Wichita Independent; 4-15—Salina Central; 4-17—*at Liberal; 4-21—*Garden City; 4-22—at Wichita Independent; 4-29—*at Hays High; 5-1—*Dodge City; 5-6—at Wichita Southeast; 5-13—*at Dodge City; 5-15—Junction City; 5-19-22—at 5A regional
Mazouch sisters lead Panther swimmers
Great Bend's Josephine Mazouch placed 15th in the 50 freestyle (58.75). Josephine Mazouch and Meredith Mazouch return on the 12th place 400-yard freestyle relay and 13th place 200-yard freestyle relay.
Josephine Mazouch won the Western Athletic 50-yard freestyle (26.95) and 100-yard freestyle (58.67). Josephine Mazouch and Meredith Mazouch return on the WAC first-place 200-yard freestyle relay
Braylee Carper won the 2023 WAC 500 freestyle (6:29.53).
"Josephine and Meredith Mazouch sisters will play a great role in leading our freestyle events," said Great Bend coach Jade Winter. "Meredith also competes in the 100-yard backstroke."
Braylee Carper competes in the 500 freestyle and looks to regain her title of WAC champion that she won in 2023.
"Clarise Snapp is our top swimmer in the 100-yard breaststroke," Winter said. "She works hard every day to stay at the top of the pack within the WAC.
"Freshmen Emma Snapp and Hadley Gregg are young experienced swimmers who have a competitive mindset," Winter said. "They'll help add points in our meets."
PANTHER ROSTER
PAST STATE QUALIFIERS—Josephine Mazouch, 50 free, 50 free; Clarise Snapp, 100 breaststroke; 200 free relay (M. Mazouch, J Mazouch); 200 medley relay (J. Mazouch, C. Snapp); 400 free relay (J. Mazouch, Carper) (J. Mazouch, M. Mazouch)
SENIORS—Clarise Snapp, Darcy Feist, Dixie Gallant, Josephine Mazouch
JUNIORS—Braylee Carper, Phoebe Sperlein
SOPHOMORES—Meredith Mazouch, Madalyn Bonine
NINTH-GRADERS—Emma Snapp, Ella Nokes, Hadley Gregg
PANTHER SCHEDULE—3-27—at Salina; 4-8—Great Bend Invitational; 4-10—at Haysville; 4-15—at Garden City; 4-22—at Hutchinson; 4-25—at Salina; 4-29—at Hays; 5-1—Great Bend Invitational; 5-8—at Newton; 5-15—at Western Athletic; 5-23/24—at 5A state
Panther tennis features four veterans
Great Bend's tennis team features regional qualifiers No. 1 singles Aiden Stacey, No. 2 singles Aaron Ramirez and doubles players Kai Britt and Jacob Parks.
At regionals, Hays High's Colin Clark beat Ramirez and Newton's Reid Golubski downed Stacey, 6-0, 6-0. In doubles, Valley Center's Nic Azcorra-Russo/Gabriel Shaffer defeated Kaden Pounds/Britt, 6-0, 6-0 and Valley Center's Luke Hoy/Jaxson Lewis downed Kaden Deines/Parks, 6-2, 6-3.
The Panthers scored three points and finished fifth at the Western Athletic Conference tournament. No. 1 singles Stacey (1-3) placed fourth with an 8-5 loss to Garden City's Josh Negron. No. 2 singles Ramirez (1-3) placed fourth with a 8-7 (6-2) loss to Garden City's Zane Storer.
No. 1 doubles Deines/Parks (1-3) placed fifth, but defeated Liberal's Parker Brown/Dan Nguyen. No. 2 doubles Ramsey/Pounds (0-4) finished fifth.
Great Bend coach Chris Manning features four juniors and eight sophomores.
PANTHER ROSTER
JUNIOR—Jacob Parks (S 4-15), Kia Britt, Chason Ramsey, Aaron Ramirez (S 6-15)
SOPHOMORES—Aiden Stacey, Dominick Zimmerman, Leo Bashor, Benton Jeska, Bruno Andrade, Manuel Alba, Chase Stout, Santiago Velasquez
NINTH-GRADERS—Declan Lewis, Caleb Tudor
PANTHER SCHEDULE—4-1—at McPherson; 4-5—Great Bend Invitational; 4-14—at Hays; 4-24—at Dodge City; 4-26—at Garden City; 4-29—at Emporia; 5-1—at Hoisington; 5-5—at Liberal, Western Athletic; 5-10—at 5A regional; 5-16/17—at 5A state
