Sports

Symetra Tour returns to Firekeeper in September

Next month, the Symetra Tour (the Ladies Professional Golf Association feeder tour) will return to Firekeeper Golf Course just outside of Mayetta for the 2015 Prairie Band Casino and Resort Charity Classic. Like any event, growth is expected in the second year and that is something tournament...

JHHS coach Caleb Wick (shown above, standing) spots Wyatt Roles as he works on the bench press during a weight room session earlier this summer.

Weight room experiences help Jackson County high school athletes in various ways

While high school athletes get pulled in several different directions through the summer, one place they are all likely to congregate is in the weight room. That has been the case for the Holton, Jackson Heights and Royal Valley athletes since late May and the weight rooms have remained full and...

HHS wrestler Ethan Brownell (shown above, at left) tries to reverse out of a pin attempt by teammate Damon Ruckman as the young Wildcats fine-tuned their technique during the team camp held recently. Brownell and Ruckman are part of a young class that could be crucial to Holton’s success next winter after the departure of another strong group of senior wrestlers.

Offseason work paying dividends for Holton wrestlers once again

While it would be easy for a team with as much recent success as the Holton High School wrestling squad to rest on its laurels, the Wildcats have done anything but that the past few summers. After earning trophies (two firsts and a third in 2015) at the Class 4A state tournament the past three...

Royals feeling holly and jolly after deadline haul

Given it’s late July, it’s plenty hot enough as it is, but for baseball fans the temperature may get cranked up even further with the midseason trade deadline looming this Friday. The hot stove started heating up once again last Thursday when the Houston Astros nabbed pitcher Scott Kazmir in a...

Luke Simmons (shown above) gets a good grip on his sheep and tries to hang on while competing in the Mutton Busting competition at the fifth annual Jackson County Rodeo at the Northeast Kansas Heritage Complex arena on Friday night.

Fifth annual Jackson County Rodeo draws plenty of competition

The Jackson County Fair kicked off this past weekend with the fifth annual rodeo competition held on Friday and Saturday. The results for the rodeo are as follows: Ranch Bronc Friday, July 24 1. Rustin Dymond Saturday, July 25 1. Quinter Brackenberry Breakaway Roping Friday, July 24 1. Shae...

Jackson Heights running back Adam Brey (shown above, middle) shoots through a hole created by his lineman and fellow backs as the team runs through some plays at summer camp. JHHS coach Caleb Wick said the leadership of Brey and his fellow seniors will go a long way towards building this team up heading into the fall.

Toughness a focus for small Cobra football squad this summer

If Jackson Heights’ summer football camp is any indication, then the high school team could be a small group this fall. While the Cobras might not crack 30 players on the roster this season, according to coach Caleb Wick, what they lack in numbers they can make up for in toughness and that is...

Forrestal Hickman (shown above) explodes upwards during a plyometric drill as part of a workout with Russ Riederer in the HHS weight room recently. The former Wildcat will be reporting to training camp with the San Diego Chargers at the end of the month.

Hickman charging ahead on path to the NFL

Take one look at Holton native Forrestal Hickman and one of the first thoughts that will probably cross your mind is, ‘that guy looks like an NFL player.’ At 6’ 6” and 320 lbs., the question seemed to be where, rather then when, the 22-year-old undrafted rookie would get his shot at playing...

Jamie Johnson-Shaffer competes in the 10K Cauldron Run at the Sunflower State Games recently, with her top finish in her age group a year ago qualifying her to compete in the State Games of America this summer.

Mayetta native to represent Kansas in State Games of America

While running may be a more communal experience than some other sports, individual results are still measured by how far and how fast your legs can carry you. For one local runner, her work has carried her onto a national stage and a great honor, as Mayetta’s Jamie Johnson-Shaffer is getting set...

Royals leave AL feeling anything but blue after MLB All-Star game

Six Kansas City Royals played in the Major League Baseball All-Star game in Cincinnati on Tuesday night and, contrary to popular belief, the sport of baseball didn’t spontaneously combust. That may be going a little far in summing up the backlash that the record-setting number of seven KC All-...

Panther Jarrett Roy (shown above, front left) tries to corral a loose ball for a rebound in a summer league game held at Rossville recently.

Senior leadership paving the way for RV boys basketball this summer

Like people and snowflakes, no two high school classes are quite alike. There may be some classes loaded with singular talents; others will be full of role players, and if this summer is any indication, the senior class on the Royal Valley High School boys basketball team will be loaded with...