Manhattan’s JJ Dunnigan named VYPE Kansas Football player of the year Sponsored by Shelter Insurance
Dunnigan’s versatility lands him commitment at Miami By Joanna Chadwick With senior JJ Dunnigan on the football field, there was a common impulse to start videoing – because there was always the expectation that you’d capture a highlight reel. Dunnigan, a two-way player who signed with Miami, is Shelter Insurance’s VYPE Kansas football player of […]
Shawnee Mission East’s John Gagen – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Preferred Physical Therapy Leawood
By Ken Hansard John Gagen, senior wrestler at 165 pounds for the Shawnee Mission East Lancers, has an interesting story to tell. In his own words, he “…was never an athletic kid. I really liked watching WWE when I was younger, so I started doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Because I really sucked at the wrestling […]
Shawnee Mission Northwest’s Steven Brown – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Preferred Physical Therapy Lenexa
By Ken Hansard Senior Steven Brown, a highly decorated wrestler at 285 for the Shawnee Mission Northwest Cougars, came from humble beginnings on the mat, but with a lot of sweat and effort, he now has some incredible accomplishments to build on during his final high school season. Brown finished last season with a 29-4 […]
Benefits of a Strong Core – Presented by Advanced Physical Therapy
Ask ten people what the “core” is, and you’ll get ten different answers.For some, it’s the abs. For others, it includes the hips, back, or eventhe shoulders. The confusion makes sense when you think about howoften the term gets tossed around in fitness, often without context orconsistency. What’s not confusing is that a strong core […]
Clay Center’s Thayne Pfizenmaier – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Reed Seed
By Matt Browning Being ranked third at the 120 class in the preseason Class 4A rankings, Clay Center’s Thayne Pfizenmaier is already being tabbed as one of the wrestlers to beat for a state championship. But what if Pfizenmaier has a few new tricks up his sleeve? “In the offseason I have gone to a […]
Salina South’s Ledger Michel – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by H & M Saloon
By Cooper Chadwick As a leader for Salina South bowling junior Ledger Michel is very excited for the upcoming season. Michel spent a lot of his offseason not only improving himself but improving school team as well. “I have spent time during this offseason recruiting some new team members, helping my teammates become better, and […]
Chapman’s Alyssa Calovich – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by DK Sports & Fitness and Keating Chiropractic
By Cooper Chadwick Chapman high school senior Alyssa Calovich who wrestled at 125 pounds last year finished with a record of 34-5 and led the NCKL in takedowns and tech falls. She also was league champ, regional runner-up and placed fourth at state. This season Calovich is excited to make more bonds with her teammates […]
Southeast of Saline’s Matthew Whelchel – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Bennington State Bank
By Cooper Chadwick As a one man team for Southeast of Saline, senior Matthew Whelchel is looking to go to state for the third time. Whelchel has been participating in competitive swimming since he was seven years old. Now as a senior he has put in tons of off-season work to be fully prepared. “During […]
The Kansas Shrine Bowl has announced the 88 players who have received invitations to play in the 53rd Kansas Shrine Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Welch Stadium on the campus of Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. These invitations are the result of a selection process combining statewide media votes and Kansas Shrine Bowl […]
Southeast of Saline’s Annabelle Soell – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Kansas Coring & Cutting
By Hayden Swope For Annabelle Soell of Southeast of Saline, preparation didn’t wait for the season to begin. “I have been preparing for the season by practicing a lot,” Soell said. “I wrestle with Central Kansas Young Lions and have been working with Ryan and Matt, who are some incredible coaches who have helped me […]