VYPE Kansas - NCK March 2026

Inman’s Marlee Ballard

By Matt Browning

Inman’s Marlee Ballard had to utilize Advanced Physical Therapy after injuring her shoulder while playing summer softball.

“This injury occurred when I was playing at a softball tournament in Kansas City when I was playing shortstop,” Ballard said. “I threw the ball to first base and I felt a super sharp pain throughout my arm and it never felt normal again after that when throwing, hitting, and pitching.”

There were times when rehab was intense and uncomfortable for Ballard, but it was worth it in the long run.

“Some of the treatments I have done through APT are scraping, arm bands, and resistance band,” Ballard said. “My appointments lasted about an hour each time. These treatments were mildly intense. It really just depended on my shoulder mobility for that certain exercise, but all the exercises pushed me to get better.” The scraping exercises in particular were the ones Ballard found most beneficial.

“When I get scraped it makes my mobility in my shoulder way better,” Ballard said. “And you will see the difference right after you scrape. Arm bands really work on getting my strength back in my shoulder. Since I was out for so long I have lost a bunch of my strength, but the arm bands really help me build up my strength in my shoulder.”

Obrate Indoor Facility

By Matt Browning

Hellas Construction recently completed an extensive project—an indoor multipurpose facility—for the Refinery Project in Garden City.

“On this project they designed the turf to have two baseball infields along with two softball infields,” said Michael Selzer, president of Dick Construction. “It also has an 80-yard football field and a soccer field. They also installed our five indoor pickleball courts.”

Not only did Hellas complete the indoor facility, but additional upgrades are also coming to Garden City.

“They are currently doing the turf for our four baseball fields and four softball fields,” Selzer said.

Everything about Hellas left Selzer impressed. From the product to the workmanship, he said the experience was top-notch.

“Hellas has the knowledge and a long history of amazing turf,” Selzer said. “Their team was great to work with and made the whole process easy and their installers are true craftsmen. Hellas made the process easy from start to finish from Michelle selling the project to John with the project

management to the field crews doing the install. As a contractor you can’t ask for a better partner.”

Selzer said he had no hesitation recommending Hellas to any company or school needing turf renovations.

“I would show them our project and give them Michelle Kuhns’ phone number,” said Selzer. “Their work sells itself.”

HELLAS BUILDS FOR SPORTS FROM START TO FINISH

Hellas provides a complete scope of services for sports surfaces and amenities including manufacturing, design/build, construction, installation, service, and maintenance.

Aven Woods Chapman

PREP PERFORMANCE OF THE MONTH ! GO

Chapman senior Aven Woods plays everywhere for the Fighting Irish. He can play catcher, first base and outfield.

“Aven Woods has worked harder to become a great ballplayer than anyone I’ve coached. He is always working to be a better player and person. In his first three HS seasons, he played every infield position, including pitcher and catcher. This year he is playing the outfield, particularly centerfield, which evidences his extraordinary versatility,” head coach Judd Liebau said.

Last season, Woods earned first team all-league, first team all-state and first team all-class utility.

Now for his senior year, Woods has the same goals but hopes all his offseason work will show in his game.

“I want to improve my consistency throughout the end of games. In the past I’ve felt that I’d either decline or ramp up as games went on,” Woods said. “I’ve worked on finding consistency both mentally and physically. During my training, I’d try different feels and movements to look for what I need to feel then working mentally to consistently keep it through different situations and environments.”

As a senior and leader for Chapman, Woods is excited to see younger guys step up and develop into well rounded players, and he hopes he can show them the way.

“As a varsity starter every year of my high school career, I feel that my role is to be a physical role model to new starters and incoming players by showing them what it looks like to successfully play the game,” Woods said.

Next year, Woods will be attending Johnson County Community College to continue his academic and athletic career, but this season he wants to play more lighthearted.

“I’ve seen seniors in the past lose sight of the simple fact that this is still just a game. I think taking that sense of pressure to perform off myself will also help me play better,” Woods said.

SATISFACTION

By Matt Browning

Agriculture, FFA, and the outdoors have been ingrained in Ellsworth’s Josie Kueser for as long as she can remember.

“I have grown up in production agriculture on a seventh-generation cow/calf operation so I have been involved in agriculture my entire life,” Kueser said. “I first joined 4-H when I was six years old as a Cloverbud and have been involved in the organization since then. I have been involved in the Ellsworth FFA Chapter since my seventh grade year and have become more and more involved each year.”

Kueser has made countless memories through FFA, but she especially enjoys the dedication and hard work that come with competitions.

“There have been countless early mornings and late nights, but infinite memories made in the process,” Kueser said. “Some of the most memorable events are always State CDE’s and State Convention because we have an opportunity to visit with and meet new people from different chapters while also competing with friends.”

For any student—regardless of age—who is considering joining FFA, Kueser encourages them to stay open-minded and dive in.

“I would give them would be to try new things, regardless of if they decide to join the organization or not,” Kueser said. “There are so many amazing opportunities for personal development that youth have, but there is no way

experience without stepping outside

By Matt Browning

Lyons’ Logan Isaac

Logan Isaac from Lyons has been fortunate to play on state tournament teams for football and basketball, so he wants to add a third one to his career.

“A main goal I have for this team is to get to state,” Isaac said. “I would love for that success to carry right into baseball.”

Last season, Issac hit .431, with an on-base percentage of .582 and 24 stolen bases. But his power numbers were not up to his standards.

“I want to continue to improve on hitting for power,” Isaac said. “To work on that, I have been getting in the cages and taking some swings, as well as lifting weights consistently. During the offseason I have been lifting weights and getting some swings in along with playing football and basketball.”

The Lions are a closeknit group and Isaac said for that reason alone he is excited for baseball season to get started.

“I’m most excited about being a part of a great group of seniors this year and being even more of a leader on this team,” Isaac said. “I love playing ball with these guys and going out and competing every day. Being outside and playing ball with my friends, it doesn’t get much better than that.”

Maddison Parsons

By Matt Browning Inman softball player

Maddison Parsons put together an impressive stat line last year. She hit .543 with an OPS of 1.298 and scored 51 runs. However, the Teutons fell short of their ultimate goal of winning a state championship. Because of that, Parsons is determined to improve her game so the final game of the season ends in victory.

“For myself is to give 100 percent effort at every practice and game, listen to my coaches, and work on improving my softball knowledge,” Parsons said. “Some goals our team have is to

make it back to state but also improve what we already created last year.”

One area Parsons wants to improve this season is overcoming mental adversity.

“I want to be able to keep a positive attitude throughout pressure situations,” Parsons said. “I have been working on this by putting myself in these pressure situations in practice so it is natural out on the field.”

Inman has a close-knit team, which is one of the many reasons Parsons is eager for the season to begin.

“I am excited to grow our relationships with each other even more and hopefully start back up where we left off by going back to state,” Parsons said. “I am excited to be back on the field and celebrate everyone’s successes. I am excited to create new memories with the whole team and see what challenges we can overcome together.”

By Matt Browning

Chapman’s Kyle Cook

Kyle Cook is in his fourth year as the head softball coach at Chapman. He has worn many hats at both the middle school and high school levels, but softball is right up his alley, especially since he has coached his two daughters’ summer teams.

“My coaching philosophy as a program first and foremost is to maintain the culture we have been able to establish the past three years,”

Cook said. “We are very detail oriented in the way we approach practice but also want the girls personality and the fun of playing show through.”

The Irish reached the 4A Tournament last season, and those memories will always be something Cook cherishes.

“It was the goal we had set as a team falling one game short the previous two seasons,” Cook said. “It was a heck of a year as we set a school record for the most wins in a season as well as winning,

albeit a share, of the NCKL league title.”

Chapman is home for Cook and his family, and he has fully embraced what it means to be a member of the Irish community.

“My wife and I moved to Chapman right after college and we haven’t left,” Cook said. “We now have two daughters, a sophomore and a 7th grader, who have grown up here their whole life. My wife coaches as well so we have both been blessed to work in a school where the administration is extremely supportive and the town cares and shows up to support all the kids whether it’s athletics or other school events.”

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Salina South’s Gabriel Autry

By Hayden Swope

Salina South’s Gabriel Autry is excited to test his progress and growth after dealing with injuries last year.

“The thing that I am most excited about this season is seeing how much I have improved since last year,” Autry said. “Last year, I had hamstring issues all season, which made it hard for me to compete in the short sprints like the 100 and 200m dash. So I couldn’t reach my full potential. Since my hamstring is healthy, I can get back to practicing my block starts, drive phase, and top speed again. With that, the improvement I have made from last year to this year should be substantial.”

During the offseason, Autry has focused on strengthening certain parts of his body to prepare for the long spring season ahead.

“I’ve been going to the gym to strengthen my overall body strength,” Autry said. “My focus has been on strengthening my hamstrings. I have been doing exercises that activate my hamstrings’ fast-twitch fibers, such as Nordic curls, RDLs, and plyometric movements. Also, I have been trying to stay active by going on runs.”

Autry also worked on refining his running form to maximize efficiency and prevent injury. “Something I want to improve is my running form,” Autry said. “After watching videos of myself running, I realized I slightly lean back as I approach top speed. This is one of the possible reasons for my hamstring problems. I’ve done some research on why I lean back while running, and it is mostly because of my anterior pelvic tilt. I’ve gone back to basic exercises like A-skips, high knees, straight-leg runs, and bounds. As I get more comfortable with my current form, I speed up and see how close I can get to top speed without sabotaging my form.”

McPherson’s Rebecca Lulloff

By Cooper Chadwick

As one of the leading scorers for the last two years for McPherson, senior Rebecca Lulloff plays forward for the Bullpups.

“She has the ability to always be in the right place at the right time. She plays big and fearless,” head coach Chris Adrian said. Lulloff spent the offseason very busy with the team and working on her weaknesses.

“During the off-season, I have been attending conditioning sessions 3x a week that focus on running and injury prevention, held by our assistant coach,” Lulloff said. “One thing I want to improve on this year is my confidence to do moves with the ball during games. I do moves during practice, but I get nervous doing them in games in case I mess up.”

Last season, Lulloff was first team allstate, scoring 15 goals despite missing four games due to a concussion. This year Lulloff hopes to surpass last year and score 25 goals as well as lead her team to state.

As her last year playing high school soccer, Lulloff is excited to make the most out of the year with her new team.

“I’ve never been in a leading/teaching position before, and as a senior, I know that is a job that I now have. I can’t wait to help other girls gain confidence the way I did.

As a striker, Lulloff is in the position to communicate to all the other attacking players and show them who’s open and where to play the ball to.

“I try to be very vocal on the field because it helps everyone and overall speeds up the gameplay. I also just want to be a leader for the team, help wherever I can, whether it’s on the field or anywhere else,” Lulloff said.

Brayden Henry

By Matt Browning

Hutchinson Community College baseball player Brayden Henry has settled into life as a Blue Dragon, and everything has been just as he hoped.

“So far, my experience at Hutch has been very good,” Henry said. “I have established good relationships with all of my teammates and coaches. Our season is also off to a great start so far, as we are 101.”

There were two significant reasons Henry wanted to attend Hutch CC.

“For me, getting recruited to HCC was very appealing because it was close to home, and our baseball team is very good,” Henry said. “Hutch was also my only offer coming out of senior year. One thing that stands out about Hutch CC is that almost all of the sports programs here are super successful.”

Henry said Hutch CC offers the complete package, and any student considering becoming a Blue Dragon should not hesitate.

“I would tell them to come here because the school has a good academic side of things, and we are also good at sports,” Henry said. “Also, Hutch has a lot more things to do that will kill free time since it is a bigger town than most other junior colleges.”

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Salina Central’s Parker Graves Salina South’s Kolton Herbel

By Hayden Swope

Salina Central’s Parker Graves is most excited to share one final year on the field with teammates he has known since childhood.

“This season I am most excited to play one last year with my buddies,” Graves said. “I grew up playing tee ball and coach pitch with these guys so it’s pretty crazy that this season will be my last time suiting up with them. I also want to enjoy the game and have fun with the great group of guys on the team.”

During the offseason, Graves stayed busy with personal workouts and specialized training to prepare for the season ahead.

“This offseason I have been doing some personal workouts and getting weekly sessions with Kegan Schumann at Revive Performance,” Graves said. “I have also been visiting the indoor baseball facility The Yard in Salina.”

Heading into the season, Graves has both team and personal goals in mind.

“My goals for the team are to build on our success from last year,” Graves said. “Last season I felt we had a really good squad and with most varsity starters returning this year we just need to play the game and the improvements each player made during the offseason will build on the success we had last Spring.”

Individually, Graves is focused on improving in all areas of the game, both physically and mentally.

“My personal goals are to improve in all facets of the game, mentally and physically,” Graves said. “Baseball is a very mental game and it’s easy to get frustrated with yourself when things aren’t going well. Always having a good mindset and staying focused on the next pitch and the next play are great ways to see better results.”

By Blake Chadwick

After battling through adversity last season, Kolton Herbel is embracing his senior year with the Salina South baseball program and the opportunity to lead a veteran group of teammates.

The senior has spent over 10 years playing baseball and much of that time has been alongside many of the same teammates he now shares the field with at Salina South.

For Herbel, maintaining the right mindset is an important part of both practice and competition. He focuses on staying level-headed and helping teammates do the same when challenges arise during a game.

“My mindset when playing and practicing is pretty much the same,” Herbel said. “I try to keep a clear mind, move on when something goes wrong, and help my teammates do the same.”

That mentality became especially important last season when Herbel suffered an ACL injury that required surgery. The injury limited him to just two games at the end of the year, forcing him to watch much of the season from the sidelines.

“Last year was tough,” Herbel said. “I only played two games at the end of the season because of ACL surgery. It was a struggle having to watch and not play.”

Now healthy again, Herbel has returned to the field with renewed energy and excitement. The offseason allowed him to work with younger players entering the program and build chemistry with the team ahead of the new season.

“Being back for the offseason and working with the new class has been fun,” Herbel said. “It’s really shown us a lot about what this season could be and it gets me excited to be back out there.”

With a senior-heavy roster and several players with varsity experience, Herbel believes the Cougars have the pieces needed to make the season memorable.

“Our goal as a team is to make a run at state and make this season something we’ll remember,” Herbel said.

McPherson’s Grace Prescott

By Cooper Chadwick

Deemed one of the most dedicated players by head coach Chris Adrain, senior Grace Prescott in excited to play her final year at McPherson.

“I am blessed to even have the opportunity to play. I have enjoyed playing for the last two years. But I am excited to see what this specific group can accomplish this year and enjoy every moment, big and small, in my final season,” Prescott said.

Over the offseason, Prescott’s work ethic starts to become apparent.

“In the summer, I was busy with soccer, attending numerous camps, and training daily on my own when I was not at a camp. My training on my own involves mastering the basics- touches, passes, and shooting, and staying fit. I also included more lifting into my summer weeks than in years past. In the fall, I concluded my final club season,” Prescott said.

One of the main goals that Prescott wanted to work on this year was being a more impactful player for the Bullpups.

“To improve on always being an impactful player and always playing at a high intensity, that had to begin with preparation in the offseason. To be an impactful player and always play at a high intensity, that starts with being fit from day one. Staying fit is always important to me, and I have tried to maintain my fitness since last season was over,” Prescott said.

Minneapolis’ Kaitlyn Worlock

By Cooper Chadwick

Minneapolis senior Kailtyn Worlock throws shot put and discus for the Lions. Head coach Linda Smith praises Worlock for her personality and all around work ethic.

“Kaitlyn is a great student-athlete to showcase in your magazine. She is a strong senior leader who has been committed to our program for all 4 years in the throwing events. Kaitlyn spends time in the off-season training and attends indoor meets around the state to improve her skills. She is a positive person with numerous leadership roles at MHS,” Smith said. “She brings fun to every practice while remaining focused on the task at hand, encouraging others to do their best at all times.”

One of the main things Worlock wanted to make a focus this offseason to help her improve her throwing was her quickness.

“In the off-season, I focus more on getting stronger because getting stronger will make me faster and help me get across the ring faster,” Worlock said.

Last season Worlock shot 32’ 1/2 which placed her sixth place at the Minneapolis meet

And then shot 31’ 10.5” which gave her another sixth place finish at the HoytRoyal Valley Regional meet.

Since it is her senior year, Worlock has high hopes of success for her and her team this season.

“One goal I have for myself this year is to make it to state. One team goal I have is for all of us to leave the season better than we started, whether that means getting a PR each meet or just becoming stronger,” Worlock said.

Dotted Line.... Salina Area Signings

Aurelia Potter, McPherson, Central Methodist dance

Kaitlyn Leis, Smoky Valley, Kansas Wesleyan tennis

Braxton Burgess, McPherson, Sterling College football

Caleb Muehler, McPherson, South Dakota cross country and track

Kayden Friesen, McPherson, Bethel cross country and track

Manny Morales, McPherson, Dordt College soccer

TEAM OF THE MONTH

Inman Softball

By Matt Browning

The Inman softball team went 26–2 last season, finishing second at the 2-1A softball tournament. With so many returning players this season, the Teutons are poised to be a threat again as they chase a state championship.

Inman brings back Lyla Levin, first team allleague pitcher; Taylor Froese, first team allleague infielder; Maddi Parsons, second team all-league catcher; Sharley Leonhardt, first team all-league outfielder; Adi Alcala,

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second team allleague infielder; and Ellie Thimmesch, second team all-league outfielder.

“My expectations for the 2026 season are to continue the strong tradition Coach Ryan has set in place,” said head coach, Tina Meier.

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“We have a strong and talented group of young ladies and I’m excited to be a part of their softball journey. As a program, we will work towards goals that we will set for this year’s season. With each goal we achieve, we will look at that as team success. ”

The Teutons will face a grueling Heart of America League schedule, meaning they will need to be locked in game in and game out.

“We must have team continuity and player development,” Meier said. “Every game on the schedule is key whether that is team success or program development.”

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In non-school sports, you can make the team. But in high school sports, you can make history.

Wearing the uniform of your high school comes with a big responsibility. Your community cheers for you. Your teammates count on you. And you have the opportunity to make history by competing for a state championship. Do you have what it takes?

Salina South’s

Jennifer Nguyen

By Blake Chadwick

For Jennifer Nguyen, leadership and hard work have become defining parts of her senior season with the Salina South girls soccer program.

“Some of my biggest strengths are my work ethic and competitiveness,” Nguyen said. “I constantly work hard to see the team succeed.”

Those traits have helped shape the identity of the Salina South team this season. According to Nguyen, one of the Cougars’ biggest strengths is the chemistry shared among teammates.

“Our biggest strength is our chemistry,” Nguyen said. “We support and trust each other, even during intense games.”

Nguyen has been playing soccer since her freshman year and has steadily developed both her skills and understanding of the game during that time. Her mindset centers on consistent improvement and carrying the effort from practice into competition.

“My mindset when playing and practicing is to always improve and compete,” Nguyen said.

“The effort you put into practice translates directly into games.”

During matches, she focuses on staying composed and avoiding letting pressure affect her performance.

“I try to stay focused and composed during games because getting too nervous doesn’t help you perform at your best,” Nguyen said.

Salina South head coach Trey Crow says Nguyen’s athletic ability and mindset have made her a key contributor to the program.

“For her size she is maybe the strongest athlete at our school pound for pound,” Crow said. “She is quick and smart on the field and rarely makes a mistake she doesn’t make up for immediately. She leads by example and will do whatever is asked of her by her coach and team. She is a great example of a team player.”

Salina Central’s Keaton Smith

By Blake Chadwick

For Keaton Smith, baseball has never just been about statistics or wins. For the Salina Central senior, the game has always been about passion, perseverance, and the relationships built along the way.

Smith has been around the game since he was four years old, and that lifelong connection to baseball has helped shape the way he approaches his final high school season. Even when challenges arise, his love for the sport continues to drive him.

“I would say my biggest strengths are that I am passionate and have a strong love for the game,” Smith said.

That passion was tested during his junior year when an injury prevented him from contributing the way he normally would at the plate.

“I had an injury my junior year that kept me from batting, but I was able to come back and do what I could in the field to help the team out,” Smith said.

As Smith enters his senior season, one of the biggest advantages for Salina Central is the familiarity among the players.

“Our biggest strength as a team is our brotherhood,” Smith said. “All of us seniors have known each other for a long time and have played with and against each other for years. We have a tight bond and we all want to make each other better.”

That chemistry has helped shape the team’s goals for the season.

“Our goal is to make it back to the state tournament,” Smith said. “We want to focus on quality at-bats, limiting errors, and playing as a team.”

Individually, Smith hopes to contribute by being consistent at the plate and continuing to push himself and his teammates to improve each day.

“My mindset is to do whatever it takes to get the job done,” Smith said. “I want to stay relaxed, focused, and confident while leaving everything out on the field.”

Salina Sacred Heart’s Cayson Ivey

By Hayden Swope

Salina Sacred Heart’s Cayson Ivey is looking forward to seeing how his team comes together with a mix of experienced players and younger athletes stepping into bigger roles.

“I’m excited to see the potential we have since we will have some younger guys filling in spots,” Ivey said. “Also just to play another season with a great group of guys since we have a lot of key returning players.”

During the offseason, Ivey spent time focusing on strength training while also recovering from injuries suffered during football season.

“In the offseason I stayed in the weight room while dealing with some injuries from football which didn’t let me throw,” Ivey said. “But since then I have been throwing live bats all winter, along with putting in some work hitting in the cages.”

Looking ahead to the season, Ivey has several personal goals along with goals he hopes the team can achieve together.

“Some goals I have for this season is definitely to be a leader and set a good example since there are a lot of young kids with a lot of potential,” Ivey said. “Also to just stay consistent both pitching and hitting all year.”

As a team, he believes the focus will be on competing for championships while minimizing mistakes.

“As a team the goal always is to win it all, but some other ones are to win league, and just limit mistakes as much as we can,” Ivey said.

Let’s

McPherson’s Cade Strathman GALEN

By Angela Brunk

As a senior at McPherson High School, Cade Strathman is preparing for one final season in the Bullpup uniform. A versatile player who can line up just about anywhere on the field, Strathman primarily plays middle infield and pitches, bringing consistency and leadership to his team.

“One last ride with my teammates, coaches, and friends,” Strathman shared, is what excites him the most about the upcoming season. For Strathman, it’s about more than just wins and losses; it’s about competing in the game he loves while representing McPherson with pride.

Strathman’s offseason, however, looked different than most. After breaking his ankle last summer while playing baseball, Strathman spent the fall focused on physical therapy and recovery. By winter, he was able to ease back into the game, hitting with a teammate several times a week and throwing nearly every day. Varsity basketball also helped him regain conditioning and stay competitive, heading into baseball season.

This year, Strathman’s biggest personal goal is to become a strong leader and role model for younger teammates. During the offseason, he and a few teammates met with Chad Wedel, a longtime Navy serviceman, to discuss leadership and accountability. Lessons he’s eager to apply throughout the season.

Individually, Strathman aims to show up every day committed to improvement while elevating those around him. As a team, the Bullpups have their sights set on winning regionals and making it to State in Salina.

Last season, Strathman earned First Team All-League honors at third base and received Honorable Mention All-State recognition from Sports in Kansas.

After graduation this spring, he plans to continue his baseball career at Barton County Community College. He plans to study athletic training before eventually transferring to a four-year university to pursue physical therapy and continue playing baseball.

VISIT SALINA WINNING EDGE PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Bennington’s Haylee Blake

By Blake Chadwick

As a senior and three-year team captain for the Bennington softball program, Haylee Blake understands the responsibility that comes with leading from the circle.

Blake has been playing softball for 11 years, and during that time she has developed into a key piece of the Bennington lineup. As the team’s pitcher, she relies heavily on her mental focus whenever she steps into the circle.

“I would definitely say my mental focus when I’m pitching is one of my biggest strengths,” Blake said.

That focus becomes even more important in the high-pressure moments that often come with pitching. Blake says staying locked in and continuing to improve is something she emphasizes every time she practices or competes.

“My mindset is to keep getting better each time for myself and for my team,” Blake said. “We want to end my final season by going to state.”

Blake has set an ambitious personal goal for her senior season as well—reaching the milestone of 400 career strikeouts. At the same time, her focus remains centered on helping the Bulldogs achieve something even bigger as a group.

“Our team goal is to finally make it to state and make program history,” Blake said. As a three-year captain and the team’s pitcher, Blake recognizes that leadership comes naturally with her position.

“I feel like being the pitcher plays into my leadership role,” Blake said.

Much of Blake’s development has also come from the extra work she puts in outside of the high school season, including playing travel softball and continuing to train during the offseason.

Salina South’s Marin Morris

By Matt Browning

Salina South’s Marin Morris has high expectations for the Cougars soccer team this season, and from the very first game she wants the team to play aggressively.

“I’m most excited to see how far we can go as a team and how connected we can be in the attack,” Morris said. “I want us to play fast, create chances early, and make a strong postseason run.”

Soccer is Morris’ life. Once the high school season ends in May, there really isn’t much of an offseason for her.

“I’ve been playing year round and attending high level camps around the country to push myself against tough competition and keep improving at game speed,” Morris said.

Now a senior, Morris understands that she needs to be a leader, while also continuing to build confidence both on and off the pitch.

“I want to be more consistent under pressure, finishing quickly and making myself more dangerous in the final third,” Morris said. “I’m also working on being more assertive and leading by example, being

willing to take over moments when the team needs it. Playing against the best girls my age in various camps and events has really helped with this.”

From advancing further in the postseason to creating more opportunities around the goal, Morris has plenty of goals for the 2026 season.

“Our team goal is to compete for a league title and make a deep postseason run for the group of seniors I’ve been playing with since we were little,” Morris said. “Individually, I want to be consistently aggressive and dangerous in the final third, which should create more scoring opportunities for my team.”

SALINA BOYS TENNIS PROFILE WINNER

Hillsboro’s Jace Forkner

By Matt Browning

Hillsboro’s Jace Forkner did not qualify for the state tournament last season as a junior, but he is optimistic that will not be the case this year.

For his senior season, Forkner plans to primarily focus on singles rather than splitting time between singles and doubles like he did in 2025.

“My goals I have for myself is to make it to state this year, do well overall in my own record this season,” Forkner said. “For the team I want everyone to get better every chance we get and for as much of the team to make state as possible. Overall the most important thing I want for the team is for them to improve anyway they can.”

Forkner finished last season with a 7–10 record in singles while also going 4–4 in

doubles. He identified two specific areas he wanted to improve in order to strengthen his record and give himself a better path to state.

“I have been working on my back hand and my spin just by myself leading up to this tennis season due to those being my weakest things right now but they have improved a lot,” Forkner said. “I worked on it during the off season by just getting a lot of practice in with those two things.”

By Matt Browning

Republic County’s Owen Harms

Republic County’s Owen Harms has come a long way since suffering a devastating knee injury in eighth grade. He broke his kneecap while running the hurdles and had to have four screws in his knee for seven months.

Fast forward to last season, and Harms qualified for state in the 100-meter hurdles.

“At that point, that had been my first full year of hurdling,” Harms said. “I only ran two times in my 8th-grade year before I broke my knee highjumping.”

While the 100-meter hurdles is Harms’ main event, he is also excited about what the 4x1 relay team could look like this season.

“We recently got a new teammate replacing another guy on our team who was a middistance runner,” Harms said. “I have been waiting to see how our team overall does, and

By Matt Browning

maybe we can win a meet or two.”

Harms plays basketball in the winter, but that did not prevent him from doing track-related workouts to prepare for the season.

“I have done lots of stretching and weight training,” Harms said. “I have also been working on my ankle stiffness so I don’t sink when landing, going over the hurdles. I have gained lots of leg muscle from summer weights. Plyometrics have definitely helped me get springier, so I’m hoping that will translate to the track.”

Salina Central’s Allison Robinett

Last season, Salina Central’s Allison Robinett finished in the top five in Class 5A in discus, javelin and shot put.

But that is not enough.

Robinett has big plans for her 2026 season.

“In the off season, I really focus on strength training and working on my technique,” Robinett said. “I added in some Pilates as well which was new for me, but it improved my core strength, flexibility, and controlled movements which should benefit me in the ring and on the javelin run way.”

No matter the results that Robinett produces, she just wants to be the best leader possible.

“With it being my senior year, I’m the most excited about competing and doing big things with my team so I can leave a legacy behind and hopefully coach up some of our newer throwers,”

Robinett said. There were multiple fundamentals Robinett worked on throughout the offseason so that she can be even more explosive this season.

“One area I’m wanting to improve on this year is working on my separation throughout the throw and really working on my right so I can get a powerful finish,” Robinett said. “I worked on this a lot in the off-season just by constant drilling and watching lots of videos of elite throwers and coaches.”

Salina Sacred Heart’s Ben Marrs

By Matt Browning

Salina Sacred Heart golfer Ben Marrs isn’t one of those guys you will find grinding on the range hour after hour.

Instead, Marrs has his own preference for how to improve his game.

“I spent most of my time last summer getting out and playing as much golf as possible,” Marrs said. “My favorite way to work on my game is to simply go out and play. There is no secret sauce, just going out and striving to make each day better than the last.”

Marrs took seventh at the NCAA Tournament last season, while also placing 10th at regionals and 18th at state. He maintained a scoring average of 85.

The Knights won their 10th straight state championship.

Those are all accomplishments Marrs hopes to either surpass or maintain this season.

“Individually, I want to consistently shoot in the low eighties,” Marrs said. “My goal for the team is to win our eleventh straight state championship and end

my high school golf career on a high note.”

While Marrs certainly had a successful 2025 season, he knows there is still an area of his game that needs improvement.

“A weakness in my game is maintaining composure when things don’t go according to plan,” Marrs said. “Hitting bad shots, missing putts, even playing so well I get so excited and just collapse. One of the ways I work on my composure is to put myself into pressure situations and respond with composure.”

56 EXPRESS TIRE & SERVICE ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Marion’s Wyatt Soyez

By Hayden Swope

Marion’s Wyatt Soyez has been a two-time all-state track athlete, and is looking forward to seeing how his team comes together during what he believes will be a memorable year.

“I am most excited about the team as a whole this season,” Soyez said. “Unfortunately, we lost a great senior class that I was fortunate to have as role models throughout my high school career, also with the loss of our two great coaches Grant and Deanna Theirolf.”

Despite those changes, Soyez believes the team still has plenty of talent and exciting athletes ready to step up this season.

“This year will be one to remember with an exciting upcoming freshman, Landon Hendricks, that I got to watch when he was in middle school and he is an exciting kid to watch,” Soyez said. “Along with my two returning relay teammates Tripp Peterson and Jesse Snyder. This year will be new for everyone but that won’t stop us from exceeding our coaches expectations in each event as a whole team.”

During the offseason, Soyez focused heavily on improving his strength and conditioning to prepare for his final season.

“After football, I started lifting two times a day with our new head coach Shaun Craft,” Soyez said. “He pushed me to my limits each and every day to prepare for my senior year with my goals that I have set.”

One of his main priorities heading into the season is improving the start of his races.

“I’ve been looking to improve my explosiveness and my block starts,” Soyez said. “My coach had workouts that aimed to improve my power and acceleration out of the blocks that’ll improve my times since that’s my weakest part of my race.”

Lyons’ Hendrix Starbuck

By Cooper Chadwick

After placing sixth at state last year, Lyons senior Hendrix Starbuck is excited for his last year of high school track and field.

“I’m most excited to throw at new meets and meet new people this season. I’m also ready for the competition. I love to compete and push myself to be my best,” Starbuck said.

Head coach Carl Nolan not only praises Starbuck for his dedication and competitiveness at the highest level, but also his character.

“Beyond his athletic success, what truly stands out about Hendrix is his character. He is respectful, coachable, and consistently leads by example. He supports his teammates, encourages others to push themselves, and maintains a positive attitude in both victory and adversity. His work ethic and humility make him someone younger athletes can look up to,” Nolan said. “Hendrix represents what it means to be both a strong competitor and an even better person. I am proud of his accomplishments and even more proud of the young man he continues to become.”

Over the offseason was when Starbucks pushed himself the hardest to prevent his craft.

“During the offseason, I attended camps and trained hard, even though rough weather conditions, to improve my performance. One area I want to continue improving in is being a

better leader by helping my teammates grow and holding them accountable,” Starbuck

As a leader for the Lyons, Starbuck has big goals for himself during his senior season as well as his team.

“My main goal this season is to break both of my school records. On my team, I take on a leadership role in the throws group, and I’m motivated to help us succeed. My biggest motivation this year is to win a state title and continue becoming a better person both on and off the field,” Starbuck said.

Garden Plain’s Jaicey Stuhlsatz

By Matt Browning

Garden Plain senior volleyball and basketball player Jaicey Stuhlsatz chose to volunteer and host a hygiene drive at her high school because helping others is something she is passionate about.

“I like to volunteer and help those in need,”

Stuhlsatz said. “Simply Hygiene gave me that opportunity and it opened me up to seeing what all goes on behind the scenes.”

Stuhlsatz said Simply Hygiene has inspired her to become a better person and provide the same kind of guidance to others.

“Not only is it an amazing drive that helps so many people and organizations but it is also run by people who care,” Stuhlsatz said. “When I helped out this stuck out to me and it was heartwarming to see and be a part of. This experience has pushed me to be a better person and has fueled my drive to be a more active

member of my community.”

Stuhlsatz said many people inspired her throughout her high school career, starting with Lance Gordon.

“Thank you to Lance Gordon for all the volunteering opportunities he offers to us students,” Stuhlsatz said. “I also want to say thank you to all my coaches who have supported me and taught me to be a hard worker and a resilient person. I am so thankful for every team I have been a part of that has taught me to be a team player and why it’s important to show up for others.”

Simply Hygiene was founded in January 2019 to bring heal th, hope, dignity, and compassion to members of our community by providing access to hygiene essentials. Each month, we distribute over 200,000 hygiene products f rom our warehouse through our school and nonprof it partners—each item is shared with a sincere, heartfel t desire to make a difference.

Unfortunately, items such as soap, shampoo, deodorant, toilet paper and toothpaste are not covered by government assistance. Simply Hygiene is the only hygiene hub of its kind in South Central Kansas, partnering with over 225 schools and 100 nonprof its to distribute essential hygiene supplies. Our partners can place monthly orders at no cost to them based on the needs they see among their clients, providing access to hygiene items for over 103,000 people each month.

Our mission is to empower people with essential hygiene products that promote heal th and hope. It’s hard to focus on schoolwork when you are embarrassed about not having deodorant, unable to ask for help without a toothbrush, or missing school because of a lack of feminine hygiene products. People lack self-conf idence and miss school and work for want of basic hygiene essentials. It is staggering how many in our community go without these essentials.

We are committed now, more than ever, to our mission to empower people with essential hygiene products. We believe that every act of giving no matter how small has a ripple effect in kindness and love, creating lasting change. Our vision is a community where access to basic hygiene leads to greater wellness and opportunities for everyone. We are incredibly grateful for the generous support we have received f rom our community. The impact is immediate in the lives and futures of those we serve.

“We hear f rom our patients that having access to hygiene products has not only helped reduce the f inancial burden, but also restores personal dignity, improves self-esteem, and helps them to fur ther social, educational and employment oppor tunities.”

-Heal thCore Clinic

“Being able to provide these items for our students and families has reduced barriers to promote heal th and success in and out of the school environment.”

-New ton Public Schools

Presented by

McPherson’s Carter Bengston

By Cooper Chadwick

Junior middle infielder Carter Bengston is excited to see how McPherson’s new group of guys will compete this season.

“We have a ton of new players stepping up and we have put in a ton of work this offseason and I believe it’s going to show on the field. I have been in the weight room a ton working on rotational power and explosiveness. My teammates and I have been in the cages almost every day getting our swings ready,” Bengtson said.

To be prepared for his first year as an upperclassmen, Bengston made it a focus this offseason to improve on his hitting as well as base running.

“Last year I had trouble consistently hitting the ball hard so that was a big emphasis this winter. I have also been working on the mental side of the game. Making sure that when I have a bad game that I move on and learn from it. This season I would like to hit more extra base hits. I have been good at getting on base but hitting more doubles would allow my teammates to drive me in,”

Bengtson said.

Bengtson has been on varsity since his freshman year, which has allowed him to understand the game better and teach the new guys what he knows so they all have a

successful season.

“Our goal as a team is to compete at a high level and make it to the state championship. Since we graduated a ton of great seniors I have stepped up into a major leadership role for our team,” Bengston said. “Last year we got 3rd in the state tournament and that left a bad taste in my mouth. I want our team this year to play with the same energy and fire as last year to go all the way.”

The Science of Sleep: A Physical Therapist’s Guide to the Best Sleeping Positions

We spend roughly 2,500 hours a year asleep. While we often focus on the quantity of sleep, physical therapists focus on the mechanics. Research published in The Journal of Physical Therapy Science suggests that poor sleep posture is a leading contributor to “waking spinal symptoms”—the stiffness and aches you feel the moment you move in the morning.

The goal of any sleep position is Neutral Spinal Alignment: keeping your ears, shoulders, and hips in a relatively straight line to minimize mechanical stress on your joints and ligaments. Here is how to optimize your sleep based on current clinical evidence.

1. The Back Sleeper (Supine)

The Verdict: Often considered the “gold standard” for spinal neutrality.

The Evidence: Lying on your back allows for the most even distribution of body weight. Studies show this position minimizes “spinal deviation,” meaning your vertebrae are less likely to rotate or tilt unnaturally.

• The PT Pro-Tip: Place a small, firm pillow under your knees.

• Why it works: Clinical data shows that elevating the knees reduces “lumbar lordosis” (the arch in your lower back), which takes the pressure off your lumbar discs and facet joints.

• Best for: People with hip or lower back pain.

• Caveat: If you struggle with snoring or sleep apnea, this position can cause the tongue to collapse backward, narrowing the airway. In these cases, a side-lying position is medically preferred.

2. The Side Sleeper (Lateral)

The Verdict: The most popular position and highly effective for respiratory and digestive health.

The Evidence: Research in Nature and Science of Sleep indicates that side sleeping (particularly on the left) can improve circulation and reduce acid reflux. However, without support, the “top” leg often falls forward, twisting the pelvis.

Contact us today to schedule your appointment!

• The PT Pro-Tip: Use a firm pillow between your knees and a contoured pillow for your neck.

To locate one of our 23

• Why it works: A pillow between the knees keeps the hips “stacked,” preventing the pelvis from rotating and pulling on the lower back. For the neck, a pillow height of 7–11cm is shown to best maintain the cervical curve.

• Best for: Pregnancy, obstructive sleep apnea, and those with certain types of back pain.

3. The Stomach Sleeper (Prone)

The Verdict: Generally discouraged by healthcare providers.

The Evidence: Multiple studies, including those from the Mayo Clinic, link stomach sleeping to increased neck pain. Because you cannot breathe through your pillow, you must rotate your neck to 90 degrees for hours—putting significant “compressive load” on your cervical joints.

• If you must sleep this way:

Place a flat pillow under your pelvis to prevent your lower back from sagging into a painful arch.

Use a very thin head pillow (or none at all) to reduce the angle of neck rotation.

The Role of Your Mattress and Pillow

Evidence-based research consistently points toward two hardware factors:

1. Medium-Firm Mattresses: A landmark study in The Lancet found that medium-firm mattresses were significantly more effective at reducing back pain than very firm ones, as they provide a balance of support and pressure relief.

2. Pillow Material: Recent trials suggest that latex and memory foam pillows maintain their shape better than feather pillows, leading to lower frequencies of waking neck pain.

When to Seek Professional Advice

“Sleeping through the pain” is not a long-term strategy. If you wake up with numbness, tingling in your hands, or sharp back pain that lasts more than 30 minutes, it’s time to consult a professional.

A Physical Therapist doesn’t just look at how you sleep; we look at how you move. We can identify the muscle imbalances or joint stiffness that make certain positions uncomfortable and give you a customized “sleep prescription.”

By Hayden Swope

Marion’s Kadon Mercer

Kadon Mercer of Marion is eager to take on a leadership role and help guide a young team to success as the spring season kicks off.

“I am extremely excited to lead a young team and help to coach them up,” Mercer said. “I believe that helping younger players is the best way to keep a culture alive. I am also excited to bring my previous skills to a new year and continue to learn and adapt to succeed.”

During the offseason, Mercer focused on building strength and refining his skills to be ready for the season.

“I worked throughout the summer every morning to strengthen my body and become the best athlete I can,” Mercer said. “Recently I have begun strengthening my arm for the season in order to start off with bang. During my free time I have worked with a previous coach to help

knock rust off of my swing and arm in order to begin improving my skills. The stronger I am, the greater help I can bring to my team and our success.”

Mercer had a list of things to improve on, and started working early.

“The area I really focus on improving is my pitching mechanics,” Mercer said. “Last year I struggled with rotating my hips too early. This offseason I worked on training my hips and perfecting my stride. I worked to keep my arm and hips in sync to produce the greatest velocity I can.”

Video analysis and targeted workouts helped strengthen Mercer and his hips and delivery.

“In order to improve my hips I have recorded my previous pitching style and watched videos of professionals to find the differences. I have also done hip stretches and workouts as a way to strengthen them,” Mercer said.

By Hayden Swope

Minneapolis’ Grant Rice

As his final high school season approaches, Grant Rice of Minneapolis is focused on making the most of every moment on the field with his teammates.

“I’m really excited to just go out and have fun this season,” Rice said. “Since it’s my last season, I want to make sure I enjoy every moment and take it all in with my teammates. Another thing I’m really looking forward to is continuing to help the younger players grow and improve. Working with them has become something I really enjoy, and it’s cool getting to see them develop their skills and confidence.”

Rice’s offseason looked a little different than usual as he balanced a busy schedule while still finding ways to stay active in the game.

“This offseason has looked a little different for me because of work and how busy I’ve been, so I haven’t been able to spend as much time in the weight room,” Rice said. “However, all last summer and throughout this winter I’ve been giving lessons to the younger kids that I coach during the summer on a youth travel team.”

Rice also spent part of the offseason focused on recovering from an injury that impacted him during last season.

“In October, I also had a stem cell procedure done on my shoulder to help heal my torn labrum so I could throw again,” Rice said. “I recently finished an eight-week return-to-throwing protocol and have been working my way back into full baseball activities.”

Following treatment and rehabilitation, he hopes

to return to the positions he enjoys most.

“After getting the stem cell treatment on my shoulder and ankle and completing my rehab and throwing program, my goal is to get back to pitching, catching, and playing shortstop,” Rice said. “I’ve worked toward that by focusing on rehab, completing my return-to-throwing program, and staying active throwing and hitting while coaching during the offseason.”

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ELEVATE THE GAME

Experience championship-level women’s basketball in Wichita!

The Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) Semifinals and Championship take over Charles Koch Arena at Wichita State University, March 30 and April 1. Watch elite Division I teams compete for the WBIT title in an electrifying postseason tournament. Be there as the next champion is crowned!