Trevor Hudgins stood in the back court at The Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana, on March 30. His teammate on the Northwest Missouri State University basketball team, Ryan Hawkins, was shooting free throws in the closing seconds of the NCAA Division II national championship game against Poi…

The Manhattan Track Club sent seven youth athletes to compete in the Junior Olympics in Greensboro, N.C., in late July. The kids represented several local schools, including Manhattan High School, Woodrow Wilson Elementary, Marlatt Elementary and Rock Creek Elementary.

Brett Wallerstedt was able to look around at his freshman class of a couple dozen athletically gifted young men at Arizona State University in 1988 and feel confident about himself because of where he came from.

Jerry Johnson received numerous coaching accolades during his time leading Wamego High’s baseball program. After recently retiring from the post in July, he said the accomplishment that brings him the greatest sense of gratification can’t be measured in wins and losses.

The Next Level Elite Track Club had eight local youth athletes travel to Greensboro, N.C., to compete in the 2019 AAU Track & Field National Junior Olympic Championships from July 29 to Aug. 3. Facing other youth athletes from around the country, six of the eight athletes from Next Level…

Former Manhattan High distance runner Reid Buchanan showed out at the 2019 Pan American Games on Friday, winning a silver medal in the men’s 10,000-meter race. He finished with a time of 28:28.41.

Reid Buchanan committed to distance running later than most. Growing up, he always played football, basketball and baseball, too. He ran and found success in high school. He earned a spot running on the University of Kansas squad. But he’s also given up running before.

The Kansas State High School Athletics Association’s decision to sanction girls wrestling in April was nearly unanimous, with 63 of 65 votes in favor of Kansas becoming the 15th state to add the sport.

Going toe to toe against a fearsome competitor can be intimidating — even more so when your competitor is several hundreds of pounds heavier than you and equipped with two large, pointed horns.

This year’s Kaw Valley Rodeo bull-riding title is staying in the state of Kansas

JUNCTION CITY — On Friday night, the Junction City Brigade officially set their sights on defending their Cowdin Cup Championship that they conquered a year ago.

A fundraiser golf tournament at Stagg Hill Golf Club has been a staple of the Manhattan High football program for 10 years. But this year’s event, held Friday, was special. It’s now called the Lew Lane Memorial Golf Tournament, honoring the late Indians coach who enriched and enhanced the tr…

It wasn’t long ago — a month, actually — that Kansas State alum Kyle Eike was having to balance college, competing with the Wildcats rodeo team at the National College Finals in Casper, Wyo., and being a professional steer wrestler.

The 44th annual Kaw Valley Rodeo starts up Thursday at CiCo Park. The rodeo, which runs through Saturday, begins at 8 p.m. each night.

JUNCTION CITY — Rodeo action came to town for the 26th year in a row Friday night. The Junction City rodeo is largely recognized as one of the biggest open rodeos in the state of Kansas, with contestants from across Kansas coming to try their hand in the various events.

Mathias Dahl thought about putting away the clubs for good last winter. It wasn’t about a lack of will power; it was more about doubting whether he could ever make enough money to keep up with the expenses he had every tournament.

The Manhattan Optimist Prime 12U softball team finished its season tied for ninth in the USA Softball State tournament last weekend in Salina.

Brittany Finney made her first resume when she was 10 years old. She worked on it with her father so she could apply for the position of bat girl for Wamego softball coach Norm Francis. This was in 2006, and by that time Finney already had fallen in love with softball. She first learned the …

It’s the 26th year of the Junction City Rodeo, and coordinators are going all out for this year’s competition, which will be held Friday and Saturday. Performances are at the Geary County Fairgrounds in Junction City, with several additional features planned.

Manhattan High has an athlete headed to Dallas to represent the nation’s best high school football players.

The 18U Manhattan Optimist Monarchs softball team went 3-2 in the USSSA “B” state championship tournament last weekend.

Eleven local youth athletes (12 total) who train at Next Level Elite Track Club are moving on to the AAU Track and Field National Junior Olympic Championships.

There wasn’t any dust to settle, but the muddy water never hindered the cowboys doing their professional work for fun last weekend.

JUNCTION CITY — After splitting a two-game series with the Kansas City Monarchs, the Junction City Brigade returned to Rathert Field on Friday night to face the Topeka Golden Giants. The Brigade needed a lift from their pitching and hitting, especially with the season winding down. With the …

The Manhattan Optimist Moxie went 6-0 to win the Shawnee Freedom Festival 18U tournament last weekend in Topeka.

JUNCTION CITY — Coming into the two-game series with Barn Baseball Academy, Junction City Brigade head coach Derek Francis stressed the importance of not sleeping on the Barnstormers. With the Midwest A’s coming into town for a doubleheader Saturday, Francis stressed that it was crucial not …

Wamego star running back Isiah Childs his decision. After taking a visit to Akron, the first Division I university to offer Childs, the senior announced on Twitter that he’d be joining the Zips.

Former Manhattan High baseball star Ed Scott inked with Texas Christian University, a perennial powerhouse in the college baseball scene. Scott went to play at Cloud County Community College after his high school career concluded, and he is now one of 13 T-Birds to sign with four year school…

Shane Sieben likes to give out a game ball to a top performer on his Rock Creek baseball squad after a win. On May 23, it was his pitcher, Toby Becker.

There’s 350 feet of space in the open field where Sam Hankins lives. That’s a good thing since Hankins, a junior at Manhattan High, can throw a javelin more than 200 feet.

Haleigh Harper wasn’t satisfied with her performance at the plate after the 2018 softball season. She’s got a competitive fire by nature that doesn’t have an offseason; she’s a three-sport athlete. Harper, who finished her senior season at Manhattan High this spring, wasn’t going to settle, …

There’s a moment in Toby Becker’s baseball career that always will haunt him.

Steve Wagner and Tristan Kulp admit they aren’t overly talkative. But taking part in last week’s Shrine Bowl, they said, helped both break out of their shells.

One night earlier this spring, Manhattan High wrestling coach Robert Gonzales and his family sat down for dinner in Topeka. Many topics were discussed, with a plenty of laughs throughout.

The Wamego High School track and field team celebrated its season with a year-ending banquet June 6.

The Valley Heights community suffered the loss of a teacher and coach on May 31.

Rock Creek star Toby Becker now has a college destination. The pitcher took to Twitter over the weekend to announce his plans for the future.