Sports

Holton quarterback Justin Rieschick (shown above, middle) lobs a pass to a running back as the Wildcats worked on their routes during practice on Tuesday.

Veteran group looks to lead HHS football back to familiar heights in 2015

On the surface, last season seemed like a pretty typical one for the Holton High School football team. The Wildcats rolled to a 9-2 overall record, claiming league and district titles in the process, and they were only derailed in the playoffs by a team (Columbus) that eventually represented the...

Benedictine's Bryce Barnett (shown above, at left) and Ottawa's Christa Hill (right) were selected as the first ever recipients of the Riederer family college scholar athlete award.

Former Wildcats recognized with new scholarship for established college athletes

Participation in collegiate sports can be quite a balancing act along with a full academic load, something Holton native and former NFL strength and conditioning coach Russ Riederer knows all too well. That is why Riederer and his family have set up a scholarship in memory of his late mother,...

Holton High School football coach Brooks Barta (shown above, at right) stands with his son, Mason (left), in front of the field where the pair have had a lot of shared experiences. Another experience the two will share is playing college football for Kansas State, as Mason recently committed to KSU. Now, however, the two are preparing for their final season together on the HHS football field.

Barta's path to football success a familiar one

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. The son of a highly regarded prep football coach in northern Kansas gets set to wrap up a sterling high school career before suiting up collegiately for the Kansas State University football team. Holton High School senior Mason Barta is in that position...

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...