HOISINGTON – Hoisington’s boys golf featured five returning state qualifiers. The Cardinals’ track team featured hurdler Samantha Colson and state-experienced relay runners. Baseball returned a trio of All-Central Kansas League veterans from a 13-7 team.
But all the thoughts of a enjoyable spring season was stopped when the Kansas State High School Association canceled spring sports because of the fear of the coronavirus.
TRACK— Two-time state qualifier Samantha Colson had placed fifth (16.01, 100 hurdles) and 11th at the 3A state track meet the past two years. Colson placed runner-up at the CKL track meet in the 100-meter hurdles. Bailey Sanders placed ninth (100 hurdles) and 10th (300 hurdles). Sanders recovered from an off-season broken vertebrae.
“Bailey Sanders was healthy and would’ve made a big impact in the hurdles and would’ve surprised a lot of people,” said Hoisington coach Dan Schmidt. “Samantha Colson had great workouts and loved competing in track.”
Suzanna Schneider (javelin, 400 relay), Emily Lovett (pole vault) and Tally Wikum and Addyson Mason formed an up-and-coming girls team.
“The girls showed a ton of talent and we liked that team,” Schmidt said.
The Cardinals had more than 50 athletes competing in track, helped by coaches Lisa Thompson, Tanner Klug, Mandy Baird and Krissa Schneider.
“We had great participation numbers and looking forward to a really nice season, but got shut down,” Schmidt said. “We feel badly for our seniors.”
Wyatt Pedigo (shot put, 100, relays) was poised for a breakout senior season after signing with North Dakota for football.
“Wyatt Pedigo was ready to break loose and show his improvement,” Schmidt said.
The Cardinals returned Ian Doss and Dylan Richards from the runner-up 3,200-meter relay that placed 14th and Dayne Yott was sidelined with an injury. The 10th-place 3A 400-meter relay returned Pedigo, Cade Mason and Chase Robinson.
The Cardinals’ 400-meter and 3,200-meter relays would’ve emerged as strong bets to return to the 3A state track meet. Ian Doss, Deryk Yott and Gabriel Hipp would anchor long distance. Cade Mason, Dylan Richards and Chase Robinson would’ve been multi-event athletes.
SENIORS—Quincy Cross, Gabriel De Souza, Wyatt Pedigo, Bailey Sanders, Jarrett Shives, Zoe T’Kindt, Dayne Yott
JUNIORS—Samantha Colson, Rieley Fuentes, Paulo Fernandez, Alyx Lamatsch, Cade Mason, Devon Mater, Hunter Morris, Miquala Purscell, Dylan Richards, Chase Robinson, Suzanna Schneider, Angel Watcharasaksilp
SOPHOMORES—Ian Doss, Jaci Guthrie, Gabriel Hipp, Heavin Hipp, Amanti Howard, Emily Lovett, Victoria Luttrell, Cheyenne Martinz, Isabelle Mayers, Kylie Miller, Spencer Mintz, Mallory Reif, Legend Robinson, Khloe Schneweis
NINTH-GRADERS—Elliott Copp, Kyler Czarnek, Danielle Davis, Noah Deines, Cole Gilliland, Kiana Grandclair, Tamari Howard, Addyson Mason, Logan Philbern, Adison Rippie, Eastin Redetzke, Trista Shelton, Sydnie Strong, Tally Wikum, Karter Wolf, Wyatt Woydziak, Jayla Wyant, Deryk Yott
BOYS GOLF — Two-time state qualifier Drew Nicholson was primed for a solid season after leading the Cardinals to a 11th-place finish (415) at Emporia Golf Course. Nicholson (85, 22nd state); Noah Dolezal (109, 84th); Nolan Wilborn (112, 88th); Braeden Hopkins (115, 89th) and Paul Rhiza (119, 91st) would’ve returned for a solid state qualifier.
“Drew Nicholson’s goal was to qualify for state four years,” said Hoisington coach Bruce Cooper. He finished 44th at Seneca and 22nd at Emporia. At Hesston, his goal this year was top 10 at state.”
Nicholson (84) placed third at Lake Barton’s 3A regional with 16th-place Dolezal (98); 17th-place Hopkins (99) and 19th-place Rhiza (100) and Wilborn (100) finishing top 20. Nicholson placed 44th at 3A state (90) at Seneca, eighth at 3A regionals (87) and 11th (92) at the CKL Tournament in 2018.
Cooper was confident the Cardinals would’ve been a CKL and regional contender.
“We would have done well in the CKL. Boys golf is very competitive, but we had a chance to go to state,” Cooper said. “I feel bad especially for seniors Braeden Hopkins and Paul Rziha. That’s the only sport they do and they absolutely loved it.”
Cooper featured an experienced team and good participation.
“We had great kids, good leaders, and some young talent,” he said. “What I miss the most is sharing the sport with the kids who love it. We’ll miss our Masters supper at my house. I enjoyed stories of what happened in practice and the road trips. It was great to watch the boys’ eyes light up when they improved.”
The Cardinals were primed to play a tournament at Hesston, the site of the canceled 3A state tournament.
“We were scheduled to play at Hesston to get familiar with the course,” he said. “What a sad spring!”
SENIORS—Cade Boxberger, Braeden Hopkins, Paul Rhiza
JUNIORS—Jared Batchman, Mason Haxton, Drew Nicholson, Nolan Wilborn
SOPHOMORES—Adam Baldyga, Samuel Baldyga, Ayden Davis, Noah Dolezal, Domonick Hendricks, John Maddox, Levi Shuey, Levi Stephenson
BASEBALL — The Cardinals (13-7, 10-6 CKL) were six outs from a 3A regional baseball championship game last year. Minneapolis rallied from a 3-0 deficit for an 11-3 semifinal victory. Derek Boxberger (5-1) pitched the Cardinals past Ellsworth-Wilson 10-0 in the regional opener. First-year baseball coach Eric Steiner never got a chance to coach the Cardinals.
Hoisington featured three All-Central Kansas League senior standouts – first-team OF Jerred Bieberle, second-team DH Jacob Specht and honorable mention 3B Avery Brewer. Specht, Bieberle and IF-OF-P Holt Hanzlick would’ve been three-year starters. Other returners would’ve been OF-P Kameron Schneweis, IF-P Quentin Boxberger and IF-OF-P Blake Thompson.
"The players were very disappointed when they found out we could not play," Steiner said. "We feel really bad for the four seniors Jacob Specht, Avery Brewer, Jerred Bieberle and Kameron Schneweis that that didn't get to play. We looked forward to the seniors to be good leaders."
Steiner saw good potential.
"We had a good group of guys who were going to work with the seniors," he said. "With the young guys following their lead it was going to be a successful season."
SENIORS—Jerred Bieberle, Avery Breer, Kameron Schneweis, Jacob Specht
JUNIORS—Quentin Boxberger, Holt Hanzlick, Cole Steinert
SOHOMORES—Alex Elmore, Dietrich Morinm, Wyatt Wikum
NINTH GRADER—M.J. Aylward, Leyton Haxton, Shawn Ingram, Braxton Linsner, Jace Riese, Chase Steinert
BOYS TENNIS — The Cardinals featured veteran Braden Mooney, who had teamed with Keaton Klug for a fifth-place Central Kansas League finish and an 0-2 record at 3A regionals. No. 1 singles Evan Foltz placed fifth at CKL meet. No. 2 doubles Nick Long-Payton Steiner graduated.
SENIOR—Ogi Lukic
JUNIORS—Josh Ball, Braden Mooney
SOHOMORES—Chris Collier, Jamie Echanove, Evan Foltz, Matthew MacMahon, Chase Maier
NINTH GRADER—Isaac Burgess
