BY JIM MISUNAS

jmisunas@gbtribune.com

CLAFLIN — The Central Plains Oilers return fourth-place singles medalist Camden Stiles (27-3), doubles players Peyton Dody (28-7) and Alden Metro (26-6) and singles state qualifier Cale Thompson (14-19) from last year's fourth-place state finisher.

Wichita Classical (21) edged the Oilers (19) for the third-place 1A state trophy when Classical’s Isaac Yourdon outlasted Stiles 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 for third place. The Oilers tied Topeka Cair Paravel for fourth place with 19 points.

Wichita Collegiate state champion Charlie Gentile beat Stiles, 6-0, 6-0 in the semifinals.

"Camden has spent a lot of time over the last 10 months on the courts trying to add some weapons to his game," said Oiler tennis coach Michael Ryan.

Due to state basketball and spring break, coach Ryan has attended one practice.

"It's been a unique start," he said. "My assistant coach was practicing with our guys who were not playing basketball."

Oilers Paxton Dody/ Peyton Dody (28-7) placed seventh with an 8-6 victory over Sterling’s Ben Bierstedt/Zac Wohler. No. 9 seed  Nethan Cauthon/Alden Metro (26-9) were eliminated in two matches. Hoisington's Brody Rossman eliminated Thompson 8-1 at the state meet.

Coach Ryan expects Peyton Dody and Metro to play No. 1 doubles. No. 2 singles Cale Thompson and sophomore Richard Hayes will play varsity spots.

"Cale Thompson played his best tennis late in the year and qualified for the state tournament," Ryan said. "Richie Hayes played JV and varsity matches and finished with a 17-6 record. Our sixth varsity spot is up in the air. We'll see how practice goes over the next couple of weeks." 

At 3-1A regionals, Stiles defeated Sterling’s Jace Darnauer, 6-0, 2-6, 6-4 for first place. Ellinwood’s Grey Ringwald downed Thompson, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 for fifth place. 

At regionals, Conway Springs’ Layne Whitney/Isaac Winter defeated Dody/Dody, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 for first place. Sterling’s Ben Bierstedt/ Zac Wohler defeated Cauthon/Metro, 6-4, 6-3 for third place. 

OILER ROSTER

SENIORS—Peyton Dody (D 28-7, 7TH; 26-9, 8TH; 20-10, SQ); Cale Thompson (SQ, 14-19; S 5-7), Chase Vedder

JUNIORS—Camden Stiles (S 27-3, 4TH; 28-9, 7TH), Alden Metro (D SQ 26-6; 21-14), Kaydon Looney, Kaden Willenberg 

SOPHOMORES—Tayln Dunlap; Richard Hayes; Scott Lamatsch

NINTH-GRADERS—Jaydon Stiles, Prycen Dody, Kayne Fischer

OILER SCHEDULE-3-30—at Lindsborg JV; 4-7—at Ellsworth; 4-9—at Scott City; 4-14—at Hoisington JV; 4-16—at Ellsworth; at Sterling JV; 4-20— Claflin home meet; 4-21—at Lindsborg JV; 4-23—at Hoisington; 4-28—at Hesston, at Hoisington JV; 4-30—at Pratt; 5-4— Claflin home meet 5-8—at 3-1A regional

Kinsley baseball returns five starters

BY JIM MISUNAS

jmisuns@gbtribune.com

KINSLEY—The Kinsley/Macksville baseball team enjoyed a successful 16-7 record that ended with a wild 13-8 regional championship loss to Medicine Lodge. The Coyotes downed Stanton County 11-1 and No. 1 seed Elkhart 6-5 to reach the regional title game.

Coach Zac Stuckey returns starters P/C/SS/CF Woodrow Lancaster, SS/P/2B/CF Joshua Stuckey, CF/P/1B Joey Preito, 1B/3B/P Ty Clawson and DH Kaleb Granger.

"They will lead our pitching staff and the lineup," said Kinsley coach Zac Stuckey. "Woodrow Lancaster and Joshua Stuckey are captains and anchors of the team. Their experience playing at a high level contributed in a big way last season."

The Coyotes pieced together the best baseball record in school history.

"2025 was a special season, one that required patience and perseverance," he said. "Our coaching staff trusted the process of development and built solid baseball fundamentals. Team values and unity were the driver of success in 2025. If we stay together and trust our process, I'm optimistic about our chances to compete for a regional title."

Stuckey anticipates a successful baseball season.

"We have good team speed and athleticism," he said. "That will shine through on the basepaths. We'll put pressure on the opposing defense and make things happen. Defensively, we will lean on players to play multiple positions. We lack varsity pitching experience, but preseason workouts will pay dividends. They'll hit their stride mid-April when we make a run."

The Coyotes will develop incoming freshman, first-time players, and junior varsity standouts. 

"We have ton of young athletes with good attitudes and a desire to learn the game," he said. "I'm excited to watch this group develop and learn how to love the grind it takes to be successful. Our leadership will accelerate our growth. It should be a fun baseball season."

KINSLEY ROSTER

SENIORS—15—Gavin Wilkenson; 19—Shain Granger; 23—Ty Clawson

JUNIORS—9—Anthony Meza; 10—10—P/C Woodrow Lancaster (.530, 29 SB, 41 R, 36 H; 78 SO/39.1 IP, .190 BA); 24—Nolan Adams

SOPHOMORES—2—SS Joshua Stuckey (.350, 30 SB, 42 R; 34 SO/20 IP, .222 BA); 11—CF Joey Preito;  12—DH Kaleb Granger; 16—Gabriel Mullen 

OTHERS—1—Olivia Medina; 3—Alex Rodriguez; 4—Cade Chamberlain; 5—Joseph Marquez; 6—Alondra Lopez; 7—Lane Hattrup; 8—Braydon Lund; 13—Blaine Ybarra

KINSLEY SCHEDULE—3-26—at Bucklin; 3-30—at Plainville; 4-2—at Sublette; 4-9—Skyline; 4-17—Ellis; 4-23—at Sylvan/Lucas; 4-27—Spearville; 4-30—Ellinwood; 5-4—Satanta; 5-8—at Minneola; 5-18/21—regional baseball

Tiger relay runners return

ST. JOHN — Braxton Alpers, Jace Reyes and D.J. Barney return from St. John's 1A sixth-place 3,200 relay (8:35.92) with a season-best time. Jericho Mawhirter, Reyes and Alpers return from St. John's 1A ninth-place 1,600 relay (3:33.95).. 

St. John's boys won the Central Prairie 1,600 relay (3:34.22) with Alpers, Mawhirter, Reyes and Quade Smith, who graduated. Tiger runners-up were triple jumper Alpers (39-9) and Mawhirter, 100-meter hurdles (17.59). 

The Tiger track and field team will be coached by Oree Johnson and Jorge Calleros. 

1A ST. JOHN—9TH—St. John, 1600m relay, 3:33.9 (Jace Reyes, Braxton Alpers); 6TH—St. John, 3,200m relay, 8:37.7 (Alpers, Reyes, Barney)

TIGER ROSTER

SENIORS—Braxton Alpers (high jump/triple jump/ javelin/ relays); Jace Reyes (long jump/200/400/ relays); Rafael Gonzales (1600/3200); La'ron Shepherd; Julio Lozano; Teresa Miller; Anna Montager

MANAGERS—Francis Duntz, Zoey Carter, Rallye Mawhirter

JUNIORS—Kaden Foote; William Martin; Jericho Mawhirter

SOPHOMORES—Juan Lozano; Lilly McAllister; Arron Llanas; Aden Gonzales; D.J. Barney; Liam Knight 

NINTH-GRADERS—Lainey Peterson; Jostin Vincente; Avery Younie; Caisalyn Kuhl; Kalle Foote; Jacob Rotert; Robbie Reiter

TIGER SCHEDULE 3-30—at Larned JV; 4-2—at La Crosse; 4-10—at Lyons; 4-16—at Larned; 4-21—at St. John JV; 4-24—St. John Blide meet; 4-28— at Hoisington; 5-5—at Jetmore; 5-8—at Ellinwood; 5-14—Central Prairie, Victoria; 5-21/22—at 1A regional

Stafford's Joel Valadez returns

STAFFORD — Stafford’s 2-time state qualifier Joel Valadez placed seventh in the 1A 3,200 meters (10:01.86) with a career-best time at Wichita State. He placed ninth (10:15.2) at 1A state two years ago.

Joel Valadez placed third at 1A regionals (10:22.23). He's a 2-time runner-up in the Heart of the Plains 3,200 (10:39.87; 10:51.03).

Stafford's 3,200-meter girls relay placed fifth (11:42.57) at 1A regionals.

Stafford coach Isaac Burnett will guide the Trojans.

STAFFORD ROSTER

SENIORS—Trinity Pope (800), Dylan Brozek, Josue Valadez (1,600, 3,200), Jesus Valadez

JUNIORS—Jacob Johnson, Joel Valadez, Tanner Denio, Aubrey Dove, Emily Delgadillo, Peyton Roush, Tuff Pope, Kameron Ramirez, Emma Mathes, Pam Charukamnoetkanok, Sky Stockham

STAFFORD SCHEDULE 4-10—at Pretty Prairie; 4-14—at Kiowa; 4-16—at Larned JV; 4-22—at St. John JV; 4-24—at St. John; 4-28—at Hoisington; 5-1—Stafford meet; 5-5—at Pratt; 5-8—at Ellinwood; 5-14—Heart of the Plains, Kiowa; 5-21/22—at 1A regional; 5-29/30—at 1A state track, Wichita

Trojan player return

STAFFORD — Stafford Trojan Jace Kreutzer (105) competed at 1A state last year.