Canton-Galva’s John Erskin – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Advanced Physical Therapy
By Matt Browning John Erskin has spent this track and field season focused on refinement, resilience and running faster in the sprint events for Canton-Galva. This season, he has recorded a 12.32 in the 100-meter dash and a 24.67 in the 200-meter dash while anchoring the 4×100 relay. His personal bests from the 2024 season […]
Salina South’s Jalen Cheeks – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Kelly Kitchener Shelter Insurance
By Matt Browning Last season, Salina South’s Jalen Cheeks made significant strides in his two main events, triple jump and 800 meter. Now the plan is to take last year’s momentum and continue it into the 2026 season. “I want to focus more on my triple jump and 800 meter this season,” Cheeks said. “I felt […]
Southeast of Saline’s Malachi Hopkins – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Nex-Tech
By Matt Browning Senior standout Malachi Hopkins is approaching his final season at Southeast of Saline with a clear mindset: push beyond limits and chase a state title. “My primary focus this year was to give it all I got and even when that’s all I got give more,” Hopkins said. “If I keep working […]
Smoky Valley’s Dalton Eastep – Coach of the Month – Presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic Clinic
By Matt Browning Entering his fifth season as head coach, Dalton Eastep has built his baseball program at Smoky Valley around a simple but impactful idea: maximizing each player’s potential. Eastep, who previously served as an assistant under former coach Troy Miller, has also spent time coaching middle school football at Smoky Valley, including three […]
Clay Center’s Miller Coffman – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Hog Wild Pit BBQ
Clay Center’s Miller Coffman and jaw-dropping stats last year. He hit .433 which earned him first team all-league honors. He hopes for status quo this season as he leads the Tigers. “My main focus is just to be better than last year,” Coffman said. “Specifically getting on base because that’s my main job for this […]
Concordia’s Charlize Cash – Call of the Wild Athlete – Presented by Commercial Tire
By Matt Browning For Charlize Cash, the outdoors has always felt like home. Growing up surrounded by family traditions rooted in nature, Cash said her appreciation began long before she could fully understand it. “My love for the outdoors started at a really young age,” she said. “We have been camping with my family for […]
Salina Central’s Gannon Cole – Call of the Wild Athlete – Presented by Commercial Tire
By Matt Browning For Salina Central’s Gannon Cole, a love for the outdoors isn’t something that developed overnight — it’s been a constant part of his life. “I don’t remember a time when me and my brother weren’t outside hunting or fishing with our dad,” Cole said. “I had always loved fishing with my dad, […]
Abilene’s Kit Barbieri – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Advanced Physical Therapy
By Matt Browning Abilene’s Kit Barbieri is a three-event runner for the Cowboys, and her focus throughout the offseason has been improving in the 300-meter hurdles so she can be a valuable contributor to the 4×1 and 4×4 relay teams. “I’m working on my speed and endurance to contribute to every race I’m in,” Barbieri […]
Buhler’s Jenna Lackey – Athlete Spotlight
By Cooper Chadwick Senior Jenna Lackey does it all for Buhler High School. She competes in the 4×100-meter relay, 200-meter dash, 400-meter dash and pole vault, but has also run the 100-meter dash and 4×400-meter relay. Lackey’s favorite event is pole vault, and she has spent much of the offseason perfecting her craft. “I have […]
Buhler’s Zac Friesen – Athlete Spotlight
By Blake Chadwick Buhler senior Zac Friesen has developed into one of the more versatile and explosive athletes in the area. “As an athlete, my biggest strength is my explosiveness,” Friesen said. “This is the reason my start is the best part of my race. Explosiveness allows me to push out of the blocks, setting […]