All of a sudden, the state of Kansas is a hub of tight ends. Goodland's Linkon Cure, a Kansas State-commit, is the Class of 2025's top-rated recruit nationally on the website 247sports.com. Earlier this week, Great Bend junior Ian Premer moved to the top of the list for the Class of 2026.

Premer helped the Panther football team to a 9-0 start before last week's playoff loss to Hays. Premer caught 30 passes for a team-best 541 yards and eight touchdowns. Defensively, his 50 tackles were fourth-most on the team and his three interceptions tied for the team lead.

Premer has had offers from nearly two dozen major Div. I football programs, including Michigan, Oregon, USC, Tennessee, Arkansas, Auburn, Kansas, Kansas State, Stanford, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State. He will soon return to the hardwood where he helped the Panthers reach the state tournament last year after averaging 21.2 points and 9.2 rebounds a game. Premer was also a key contributor for the Panther baseball team last spring.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731592274804.jpeg" alt="Panther junior Ian Premer is now the Class of 2026's top-ranked tight end in the nation according to 247sports.com." />
 <figcaption>Panther junior Ian Premer is now the Class of 2026's top-ranked tight end in the nation according to 247sports.com.</figcaption>
 </figure>Great Bend Post SportsAll of a sudden, the state of Kansas is a hub of tight ends. Goodland's Linkon Cure, a Kansas State-commit, is the Class of 2025's top-rated recruit nationally on the website 247sports.com. Earlier this week, Great Bend junior Ian Premer moved to the top of the list for the Class of 2026.Premer helped the Panther football team to a 9-0 start before last week's playoff loss to Hays. Premer caught 30 passes for a team-best 541 yards and eight touchdowns. Defensively, his 50 tackles were fourth-most on the team and his three interceptions tied for the team lead.Premer has had offers from nearly two dozen major Div. I football programs, including Michigan, Oregon, USC, Tennessee, Arkansas, Auburn, Kansas, Kansas State, Stanford, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State. He will soon return to the hardwood where he helped the Panthers reach the state tournament last year after averaging 21.2 points and 9.2 rebounds a game. Premer was also a key contributor for the Panther baseball team last spring.

Great Bend's Premer now top-ranked tight end in Class of 2026

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

The brackets are set for the NJCAA Div. I Volleyball Championships in Clarksville, Tenn. on Nov. 20-23. The first two days of games will be featured on the NJCAA Network and the final day of games, including the national championship, will be featured on ESPN+.

Barton Community College, in its 22nd national tournament appearance, will enter as the No. 6 seed. The Lady Cougars are 31-2 on the season and enter the bracket on an 8-match win streak. Barton will take on No. 11 seed Navarro College (Texas). At 21-11, the Bulldogs were the final team to make the national bracket. Navarro finished third at nationals last year but has a new head coach in Dylan Butler this season.

Barton takes on Navarro at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at Austin Peay University. 

The winner of that match will face either No. 3 seed New Mexico Military or No. 11 Indian Hills. NMM enters the national tournament riding a 25-match win streak. Barton defeated Indian Hills in four sets earlier this season.

The No. 1 seed in this year's tournament is two-time defending champion Florida Southwestern. Colby Community College received an at-large bid as the No. 13 seed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731593947834.jpeg" alt="Barton sophomore Anna Wierzbicki celebrates a point in the second of three meetings against Colby this season." />
 <figcaption>Barton sophomore Anna Wierzbicki celebrates a point in the second of three meetings against Colby this season.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostThe brackets are set for the NJCAA Div. I Volleyball Championships in Clarksville, Tenn. on Nov. 20-23. The first two days of games will be featured on the NJCAA Network and the final day of games, including the national championship, will be featured on ESPN+.Barton Community College, in its 22nd national tournament appearance, will enter as the No. 6 seed. The Lady Cougars are 31-2 on the season and enter the bracket on an 8-match win streak. Barton will take on No. 11 seed Navarro College (Texas). At 21-11, the Bulldogs were the final team to make the national bracket. Navarro finished third at nationals last year but has a new head coach in Dylan Butler this season.Barton takes on Navarro at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at Austin Peay University. The winner of that match will face either No. 3 seed New Mexico Military or No. 11 Indian Hills. NMM enters the national tournament riding a 25-match win streak. Barton defeated Indian Hills in four sets earlier this season.The No. 1 seed in this year's tournament is two-time defending champion Florida Southwestern. Colby Community College received an at-large bid as the No. 13 seed.

Lady Cougars enter national tournament as No. 6 seed opposite Navarro

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — Lindsey Vonn is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-bcf56ea73a934ddf8f76dc53c61e8dd9">coming out of retirement</a>&nbsp;to rejoin the U.S. Ski Team, she announced Thursday, intending to race again at age 40 — and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/lindsey-vonn-eyes-some-unfinished-business-at-2018-olympics-ce3572489b124ca68dde550b70d00bde">six years after her last Olympics</a>. Vonn is a three-time Olympic medalist, including a downhill gold and super-G bronze at the 2010 Vancouver Games, and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f8a0218d772140d68bfd3609de96910d">bronze in the downhill</a>&nbsp;at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. She is also a four-time overall World Cup champion and owns eight world championships medals. Her 82 World Cup race victories stood as the record for a woman until that total was eclipsed in January 2023&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-mikaela-shiffrin-lindsey-vonn-austria-italy-2f294929af9a957b90808372999320c8">by American Mikaela Shiffrin</a>, who is still active and is now up to 97 wins — more than any Alpine ski racer in the history of the sport.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5493bf6d8bec45d3b4ee78b47294db0f">Before eclipsing Vonn’s total, Shiffrin said</a>: “I don’t know if I could fill Lindsey’s shoes, the way that she has worn them.”

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers wasn’t sure it was a good thing that Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 22 of the team’s 24 first-quarter points on Wednesday night. But Rivers could smile about it after Antetokounmpo finished with 59 points in the Bucks’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bucks-pistons-core-antetokounmpo-be78d45c275e2203db0233dc5d246175">127-120 overtime victory against the Detroit Pistons</a>. It was the highest total by any NBA player this season and five short of Antetokounmpo’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bucks-pacers-score-giannis-antetokounmpo-b9e832e139cce6f1dad9230d8b16fd66">career high of 64</a>&nbsp;set last season against the Indiana Pacers. Antetokounmpo, who made 21 of 34 shots from the field and 16 of 17 free throws while adding 14 rebounds and seven assists, said he is striving to find the right balance as the 4-8 Bucks try to dig out of an early season hole.

DENVER (AP) — Mikko Rantanen scored twice in the third period to complete his ninth career hat trick, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 on Wednesday night. Rantanen’s goal at 10:01, his second of the night, gave Colorado the lead in the third and he added an empty-net goal with 1:59 remaining for his second hat trick of the season. Artturi Lehkonen also scored and Alexandar Georgiev made 13 saves for the Avalanche. Nathan MacKinnon, who had three assists, has at least one point in 16 of 17 games this season and all 10 home games. Los Angeles goaltender Darcy Kuemper made 18 saves before leaving early in the third period with an apparent injury. David Rittich finished with three saves. Adrian Kempe had two goals, including one 32 seconds into the game, for the Kings. Lehkonen tied it at 3:40 of the first period but Kempe scored again off of a Colorado turnover with 4:09 remaining in the opening period. Rantanen tied it with 3:53 left in the second second.

IRVING, Texas (AP) — Mike Tyson wasn’t in the mood for talking in the final news conference before the 58-year-old former heavyweight champion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-tyson-jake-paul-fight-47348cf07fc56edfd74cf3e6f5e0d0e5">faces YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul</a>. Tyson had terse answers for all the questions Wednesday night, two nights before the fight against Paul, who is 31 years younger, at the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. The issue of Tyson’s health didn’t come up in a small concert venue about 20 miles from AT&amp;T Stadium. A bout originally scheduled for July 20&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-tyson-postponed-jake-paul-7383b668be4a94f5e6fe9037a84be87c">was postponed to Friday night</a>&nbsp;after Tyson had to be treated for a stomach ulcer when he fell ill on a flight.

WEDNESDAY SCORES NCAA MEN TOP 25 No. 3 UCONN 90, Le Moyne 49

No. 14 Creighton 78, Houston Christian 43

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721294994442.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — Lindsey Vonn is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-bcf56ea73a934ddf8f76dc53c61e8dd9">coming out of retirement</a>&nbsp;to rejoin the U.S. Ski Team, she announced Thursday, intending to race again at age 40 — and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/lindsey-vonn-eyes-some-unfinished-business-at-2018-olympics-ce3572489b124ca68dde550b70d00bde">six years after her last Olympics</a>. Vonn is a three-time Olympic medalist, including a downhill gold and super-G bronze at the 2010 Vancouver Games, and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f8a0218d772140d68bfd3609de96910d">bronze in the downhill</a>&nbsp;at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. She is also a four-time overall World Cup champion and owns eight world championships medals. Her 82 World Cup race victories stood as the record for a woman until that total was eclipsed in January 2023&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-mikaela-shiffrin-lindsey-vonn-austria-italy-2f294929af9a957b90808372999320c8">by American Mikaela Shiffrin</a>, who is still active and is now up to 97 wins — more than any Alpine ski racer in the history of the sport.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5493bf6d8bec45d3b4ee78b47294db0f">Before eclipsing Vonn’s total, Shiffrin said</a>: “I don’t know if I could fill Lindsey’s shoes, the way that she has worn them.”MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers wasn’t sure it was a good thing that Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 22 of the team’s 24 first-quarter points on Wednesday night. But Rivers could smile about it after Antetokounmpo finished with 59 points in the Bucks’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bucks-pistons-core-antetokounmpo-be78d45c275e2203db0233dc5d246175">127-120 overtime victory against the Detroit Pistons</a>. It was the highest total by any NBA player this season and five short of Antetokounmpo’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bucks-pacers-score-giannis-antetokounmpo-b9e832e139cce6f1dad9230d8b16fd66">career high of 64</a>&nbsp;set last season against the Indiana Pacers. Antetokounmpo, who made 21 of 34 shots from the field and 16 of 17 free throws while adding 14 rebounds and seven assists, said he is striving to find the right balance as the 4-8 Bucks try to dig out of an early season hole.DENVER (AP) — Mikko Rantanen scored twice in the third period to complete his ninth career hat trick, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 on Wednesday night. Rantanen’s goal at 10:01, his second of the night, gave Colorado the lead in the third and he added an empty-net goal with 1:59 remaining for his second hat trick of the season. Artturi Lehkonen also scored and Alexandar Georgiev made 13 saves for the Avalanche. Nathan MacKinnon, who had three assists, has at least one point in 16 of 17 games this season and all 10 home games. Los Angeles goaltender Darcy Kuemper made 18 saves before leaving early in the third period with an apparent injury. David Rittich finished with three saves. Adrian Kempe had two goals, including one 32 seconds into the game, for the Kings. Lehkonen tied it at 3:40 of the first period but Kempe scored again off of a Colorado turnover with 4:09 remaining in the opening period. Rantanen tied it with 3:53 left in the second second.IRVING, Texas (AP) — Mike Tyson wasn’t in the mood for talking in the final news conference before the 58-year-old former heavyweight champion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-tyson-jake-paul-fight-47348cf07fc56edfd74cf3e6f5e0d0e5">faces YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul</a>. Tyson had terse answers for all the questions Wednesday night, two nights before the fight against Paul, who is 31 years younger, at the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. The issue of Tyson’s health didn’t come up in a small concert venue about 20 miles from AT&amp;T Stadium. A bout originally scheduled for July 20&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-tyson-postponed-jake-paul-7383b668be4a94f5e6fe9037a84be87c">was postponed to Friday night</a>&nbsp;after Tyson had to be treated for a stomach ulcer when he fell ill on a flight.WEDNESDAY SCORES NCAA MEN TOP 25 No. 3 UCONN 90, Le Moyne 49No. 5 Auburn 79, Kent State 56No. 8 Houston 91, Louisiana 45No. 11 Tennessee 92, Montana 57No. 14 Creighton 78, Houston Christian 43No. 18 Arkansas 65, Troy 49No. 22 St. John's 66, Wagner 45

Thursday's Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

Basketball Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich has been away from the team because he suffered a mild stroke earlier this month, the San Antonio Spurs announced Wednesday.

Popovich is in his 29th season as coach of the Spurs and there is no timetable for his return to the sideline, the team said. The stroke happened on Nov. 2 at the team’s arena, and Popovich is expected to make a full recovery.

The 75-year-old Popovich, the NBA’s all-time win leader who has led the Spurs to five titles and USA Basketball to a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has already started a rehabilitation program, the team said.

“During this time, the organization is grateful to the extended community for providing privacy and space to the Popovich family,” the Spurs said in a release.

Assistant coach Mitch Johnson has been the acting head coach in Popovich’s absence. The Spurs play at home Wednesday against Washington, and that will be the seventh straight game where Johnson will be filling in for Popovich.

A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or if a blood vessel in the brain bursts. That deprives the brain of oxygen which can cause brain damage that can lead to difficulty thinking, talking and walking, or even death. Strokes may lead to difficulty speaking, paralysis or loss of movement in certain muscles, memory loss and more.

It is unknown if Popovich is dealing with any aftereffects of the stroke.

Stroke was the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and more than half a million Americans have a stroke every year.

The Spurs were playing the Minnesota Timberwolves at home on Nov. 2, and Popovich’s medical episode there occurred in the hours before that game. Johnson took over for that night’s contest, which the Spurs won, after the team said Popovich was not feeling well.

Johnson and Popovich spoke the following day. The Spurs had not released much in the way of details since, prior to Wednesday’s announcement about the stroke.

“Right now, his health is the No. 1 priority,” Johnson said on Nov. 4, adding, “He’s in good spirits. He’ll be OK. He is OK. And we can’t wait to have him back.”

Popovich is one of only three coaches to win the NBA coach of the year award three times, Don Nelson and Pat Riley being the others. He’s one of five coaches with at least five NBA titles; Phil Jackson (11), Red Auerbach (9), John Kundla (5) and Riley (5) are the others.

Popovich has been part of the Spurs for nearly 35 years. He was an assistant coach from 1988 through 1992, then returned to the club on May 31, 1994, as its executive vice president for basketball operations and general manager. He made the decision to fire coach Bob Hill and appoint himself coach on Dec. 10, 1996.

He’s been the Spurs’ sideline boss ever since.

Popovich’s 29-year run with the Spurs is a span the likes of which has been nearly unmatched in U.S. major pro sports history.

Connie Mack managed the Philadelphia Athletics for 50 years, George Halas coached the Chicago Bears for 40 years and John McGraw managed the New York Giants for 31 years. Those three tenures — all wrapping up well over a half-century ago — are the only ones exceeding Popovich’s run with the Spurs; his 29-year era in San Antonio to this point matches the tenures that Dallas Cowboys’ Tom Landry and the Green Bay Packers’ Curly Lambeau had in those jobs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731524447994.png" alt="San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich reacts after a call by the official during the second half of an NBA game on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024 in Salt Lake City. (AP photo/Rick Egan)" />
 <figcaption>San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich reacts after a call by the official during the second half of an NBA game on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024 in Salt Lake City. (AP photo/Rick Egan)</figcaption>
 </figure>Basketball Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich has been away from the team because he suffered a mild stroke earlier this month, the San Antonio Spurs announced Wednesday.Popovich is in his 29th season as coach of the Spurs and there is no timetable for his return to the sideline, the team said. The stroke happened on Nov. 2 at the team’s arena, and Popovich is expected to make a full recovery.The 75-year-old Popovich, the NBA’s all-time win leader who has led the Spurs to five titles and USA Basketball to a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has already started a rehabilitation program, the team said.“During this time, the organization is grateful to the extended community for providing privacy and space to the Popovich family,” the Spurs said in a release.Assistant coach Mitch Johnson has been the acting head coach in Popovich’s absence. The Spurs play at home Wednesday against Washington, and that will be the seventh straight game where Johnson will be filling in for Popovich.A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or if a blood vessel in the brain bursts. That deprives the brain of oxygen which can cause brain damage that can lead to difficulty thinking, talking and walking, or even death. Strokes may lead to difficulty speaking, paralysis or loss of movement in certain muscles, memory loss and more.It is unknown if Popovich is dealing with any aftereffects of the stroke.Stroke was the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and more than half a million Americans have a stroke every year.The Spurs were playing the Minnesota Timberwolves at home on Nov. 2, and Popovich’s medical episode there occurred in the hours before that game. Johnson took over for that night’s contest, which the Spurs won, after the team said Popovich was not feeling well.Johnson and Popovich spoke the following day. The Spurs had not released much in the way of details since, prior to Wednesday’s announcement about the stroke.“Right now, his health is the No. 1 priority,” Johnson said on Nov. 4, adding, “He’s in good spirits. He’ll be OK. He is OK. And we can’t wait to have him back.”Popovich is one of only three coaches to win the NBA coach of the year award three times, Don Nelson and Pat Riley being the others. He’s one of five coaches with at least five NBA titles; Phil Jackson (11), Red Auerbach (9), John Kundla (5) and Riley (5) are the others.Popovich has been part of the Spurs for nearly 35 years. He was an assistant coach from 1988 through 1992, then returned to the club on May 31, 1994, as its executive vice president for basketball operations and general manager. He made the decision to fire coach Bob Hill and appoint himself coach on Dec. 10, 1996.He’s been the Spurs’ sideline boss ever since.Popovich’s 29-year run with the Spurs is a span the likes of which has been nearly unmatched in U.S. major pro sports history.Connie Mack managed the Philadelphia Athletics for 50 years, George Halas coached the Chicago Bears for 40 years and John McGraw managed the New York Giants for 31 years. Those three tenures — all wrapping up well over a half-century ago — are the only ones exceeding Popovich’s run with the Spurs; his 29-year era in San Antonio to this point matches the tenures that Dallas Cowboys’ Tom Landry and the Green Bay Packers’ Curly Lambeau had in those jobs.

Spurs coach Popovich had a stroke earlier this month, full recovery expected

Undefeated Oregon stayed on top in the second batch of College Football Playoff rankings, while Tuesday's poll shoved Georgia completely out of the bracket after its lopsided loss to Mississippi.

Led by the Ducks, then Ohio State, the Big Ten captured four of the top five spots — a string interrupted only by Texas of the Southeastern Conference, which was slotted in at No. 3 and would receive a first-round bye.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-ole-miss-score-top-25-e9a3625b603fce0a872f1975e03aacf3">Georgia's 28-10 loss to Ole Miss</a>&nbsp;dropped the Bulldogs from third to all the way to 12th, but they would be the first team out because No. 13 Boise State of the Mountain West would receive an automatic bid and the final spot in the 12-team bracket as the fifth-best conference champion.

BYU was ranked sixth, but would receive a first-round bye as the Big 12's champion if it wins out.

Those byes go to the four highest-ranked conference champions, meaning Miami of the Atlantic Coast Conference would get a pass into the quarterfinals per this week's version of the bracket despite a loss to Georgia Tech that dropped the Hurricanes five spots to No. 9.

The other ranked teams: No. 4 Penn State, No. 5 Indiana, No. 7 Tennessee, No. 8 Notre Dame, No. 10 Alabama and No. 11 Ole Miss.

The CFP committee releases rankings every week, closing on Dec. 8 with the final poll that will determine the official pairings. College football's first 12-team playoff begins with first-round games Dec. 20-21 and concludes with the title game on Jan. 20.

Much of the hand-wringing this week had to do with Georgia’s nine-spot drop in the rankings and its ouster from the bracket. Yes, the Bulldogs have two losses, but they also have what is widely regarded as the toughest schedule in the country. It wouldn’t seem right, though, if they were ranked ahead of Ole Miss after last Saturday’s beatdown.

“Both Alabama and Ole Miss beat them head-to-head,” said Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel, who chairs the selection committee. “As we went through the rankings and looked at everyone, they obviously fell to 12, but it's based on who won in front of them, head-to-head and everything we look at in terms of body of work.”

Both the SEC and Big Ten placed four teams in the projected Week 2 bracket.

Undefeated Army of the American Athletic Conference moved up one spot to No. 24 — still behind three teams with three losses — while Colorado came in at No. 17. Coach Deion Sanders' Buffaloes can earn a spot in the Big 12 title game by winning their next two games.

First-round games will take place on the campus of the better-seeded team. Here’s what the matchups would look like based on this week's rankings (teams listed by seed, not ranking):

No. 12 Boise State at No. 5 Ohio State: The Buckeyes could still get a chance to avenge their one-point loss to Oregon in the Big Ten title game.

No. 11 Ole Miss at No. 6 Penn State: Rivalry brewing? The Rebels beat the Nittany Lions 38-25 in the 2023 Peach Bowl.

No. 10 Alabama at No. 7 Indiana: Alabama has 77 bowl appearances; Indiana has 13.

No. 9 Notre Dame at No. 8 Tennessee: The programs have split eight meetings. Notre Dame won the last one in 2005.

Utah at Colorado, Kansas at BYU: Last week, Utah and KU played like what a lot of people expected they would be this season: Big 12 contenders. Now they get a chance to play spoiler.

Tennessee at Georgia: the only matchup between top-12 teams this week. Would a Bulldogs win put them back into the bracket?

Clemson at Pittsburgh: The Tigers, ranked 20th, would conceivably get back into contention for something — a spot in the ACC title game? — with a win.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731524150147.jpeg" alt="Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) throws the ball as Maryland linebacker Kellan Wyatt (45) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. Oregon won 39-18. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)" />
 <figcaption>Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) throws the ball as Maryland linebacker Kellan Wyatt (45) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. Oregon won 39-18. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)</figcaption>
 </figure>Undefeated Oregon stayed on top in the second batch of College Football Playoff rankings, while Tuesday's poll shoved Georgia completely out of the bracket after its lopsided loss to Mississippi.Led by the Ducks, then Ohio State, the Big Ten captured four of the top five spots — a string interrupted only by Texas of the Southeastern Conference, which was slotted in at No. 3 and would receive a first-round bye.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-ole-miss-score-top-25-e9a3625b603fce0a872f1975e03aacf3">Georgia's 28-10 loss to Ole Miss</a>&nbsp;dropped the Bulldogs from third to all the way to 12th, but they would be the first team out because No. 13 Boise State of the Mountain West would receive an automatic bid and the final spot in the 12-team bracket as the fifth-best conference champion.BYU was ranked sixth, but would receive a first-round bye as the Big 12's champion if it wins out.Those byes go to the four highest-ranked conference champions, meaning Miami of the Atlantic Coast Conference would get a pass into the quarterfinals per this week's version of the bracket despite a loss to Georgia Tech that dropped the Hurricanes five spots to No. 9.The other ranked teams: No. 4 Penn State, No. 5 Indiana, No. 7 Tennessee, No. 8 Notre Dame, No. 10 Alabama and No. 11 Ole Miss.The CFP committee releases rankings every week, closing on Dec. 8 with the final poll that will determine the official pairings. College football's first 12-team playoff begins with first-round games Dec. 20-21 and concludes with the title game on Jan. 20.Much of the hand-wringing this week had to do with Georgia’s nine-spot drop in the rankings and its ouster from the bracket. Yes, the Bulldogs have two losses, but they also have what is widely regarded as the toughest schedule in the country. It wouldn’t seem right, though, if they were ranked ahead of Ole Miss after last Saturday’s beatdown.“Both Alabama and Ole Miss beat them head-to-head,” said Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel, who chairs the selection committee. “As we went through the rankings and looked at everyone, they obviously fell to 12, but it's based on who won in front of them, head-to-head and everything we look at in terms of body of work.”Both the SEC and Big Ten placed four teams in the projected Week 2 bracket.Undefeated Army of the American Athletic Conference moved up one spot to No. 24 — still behind three teams with three losses — while Colorado came in at No. 17. Coach Deion Sanders' Buffaloes can earn a spot in the Big 12 title game by winning their next two games.<h2>Projected first-round matchups</h2>First-round games will take place on the campus of the better-seeded team. Here’s what the matchups would look like based on this week's rankings (teams listed by seed, not ranking):No. 12 Boise State at No. 5 Ohio State: The Buckeyes could still get a chance to avenge their one-point loss to Oregon in the Big Ten title game.No. 11 Ole Miss at No. 6 Penn State: Rivalry brewing? The Rebels beat the Nittany Lions 38-25 in the 2023 Peach Bowl.No. 10 Alabama at No. 7 Indiana: Alabama has 77 bowl appearances; Indiana has 13.No. 9 Notre Dame at No. 8 Tennessee: The programs have split eight meetings. Notre Dame won the last one in 2005.<h2>Big games this week</h2>Utah at Colorado, Kansas at BYU: Last week, Utah and KU played like what a lot of people expected they would be this season: Big 12 contenders. Now they get a chance to play spoiler.Tennessee at Georgia: the only matchup between top-12 teams this week. Would a Bulldogs win put them back into the bracket?Clemson at Pittsburgh: The Tigers, ranked 20th, would conceivably get back into contention for something — a spot in the ACC title game? — with a win.

Oregon tops Week 2 College Football Playoff rankings; Georgia falls out

By TODD MOORE Barton Sports Info

Second half adjustments by the 2nd ranked Barton Community College men's basketball team Tuesday night paid dividends as the Cougars pulled away for a 93-74 victory hosting North Platte Community College.

Notching the first of a four-game homestand, the now 3-0 Cougars' plays host this weekend for the Best Western/Booster Club Classic, playing both Friday and Saturday's 7:30 p.m. contests against Northern Oklahoma College-Enid and Harry S. Truman College respectively. The Cougar women play the 5:30 p.m. tip-offs, Friday against Redlands Community College followed by the developmental squad of Kansas Wesleyan University on Saturday.

The Classic is joined by the nationally ranked squads from Hutchinson Community College, the top ranked defending champion women's squad playing the 1:00 p.m. contests with the 15th ranked Blue Dragon men taking the court for the 3:00 p.m. tips.

Barton found themselves in a first half dogfight to lead by just six but doubled up the margin three minutes coming out of the locker room.

North Platte connected on 8-of-13 from long distance in the first half keeping it close but in the final twenty the Cougar defense clamped down and held the Knights to just 3-of-11 three-point shooting and forced 11 turnovers.

The Cougars meanwhile were solid from beyond the arc at 44% (11-of-25), cutting down its miscues to just four in the second half, and controlled the paint for a plus-12 point advantage and an even larger plus-16 in points off turnovers.

Five Cougars reached double figures with nine scoring,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/kindell_keandre_xyju">Keandre Kindell</a>&nbsp;leading the squad with a stat stuffing 21 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 steals.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/williams_fontaine_k5rg">Fontaine Williams</a>' 18 points and 3-of-5 three-point shooting and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/ivanov_pavel_8ify">Pavel Ivanov</a>'s perfect three long distance ringing's for 13 points helped Barton to a plus-22 point advantage in bench scoring

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/rodriguez_aris_jaun">Aris Rodriguez</a>&nbsp;also contributed 13 points on 3-of-7 arc busting shots as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/sanogo_modibo_knhy">Modibo Sanogo</a>&nbsp;worked inside for 12 points and 8 rebounds.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/moss_brent_th5a">Brent Moss</a>&nbsp;led the Cougars to a plus-5 edge on the boards with a game high 13 rebounds while adding 6 points and distributing a team second best 4 assists.

Four Knights reached double figures led by Justus Michael's 21 points in part to 4-of-6 three-point shooting. Mo Diao added 18 points with 7 rebounds and team high 3 steals, Alex Harper's 3-of-7 led to 12 points, and Trey Summers knocked down a pair of treys towards a 10 point night with a team leading 4 assists. Daniel Nwauzu led in rebounding with 10, four coming on the offensive glass.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731504567140.jpeg" alt="Fontaine Williams" />
 <figcaption>Fontaine Williams</figcaption>
 </figure>By TODD MOORE Barton Sports InfoSecond half adjustments by the 2nd ranked Barton Community College men's basketball team Tuesday night paid dividends as the Cougars pulled away for a 93-74 victory hosting North Platte Community College.Notching the first of a four-game homestand, the now 3-0 Cougars' plays host this weekend for the Best Western/Booster Club Classic, playing both Friday and Saturday's 7:30 p.m. contests against Northern Oklahoma College-Enid and Harry S. Truman College respectively. The Cougar women play the 5:30 p.m. tip-offs, Friday against Redlands Community College followed by the developmental squad of Kansas Wesleyan University on Saturday.The Classic is joined by the nationally ranked squads from Hutchinson Community College, the top ranked defending champion women's squad playing the 1:00 p.m. contests with the 15th ranked Blue Dragon men taking the court for the 3:00 p.m. tips.Barton found themselves in a first half dogfight to lead by just six but doubled up the margin three minutes coming out of the locker room.North Platte connected on 8-of-13 from long distance in the first half keeping it close but in the final twenty the Cougar defense clamped down and held the Knights to just 3-of-11 three-point shooting and forced 11 turnovers.The Cougars meanwhile were solid from beyond the arc at 44% (11-of-25), cutting down its miscues to just four in the second half, and controlled the paint for a plus-12 point advantage and an even larger plus-16 in points off turnovers.Five Cougars reached double figures with nine scoring,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/kindell_keandre_xyju">Keandre Kindell</a>&nbsp;leading the squad with a stat stuffing 21 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 steals.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/williams_fontaine_k5rg">Fontaine Williams</a>' 18 points and 3-of-5 three-point shooting and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/ivanov_pavel_8ify">Pavel Ivanov</a>'s perfect three long distance ringing's for 13 points helped Barton to a plus-22 point advantage in bench scoring<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/rodriguez_aris_jaun">Aris Rodriguez</a>&nbsp;also contributed 13 points on 3-of-7 arc busting shots as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/sanogo_modibo_knhy">Modibo Sanogo</a>&nbsp;worked inside for 12 points and 8 rebounds.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/moss_brent_th5a">Brent Moss</a>&nbsp;led the Cougars to a plus-5 edge on the boards with a game high 13 rebounds while adding 6 points and distributing a team second best 4 assists.Four Knights reached double figures led by Justus Michael's 21 points in part to 4-of-6 three-point shooting. Mo Diao added 18 points with 7 rebounds and team high 3 steals, Alex Harper's 3-of-7 led to 12 points, and Trey Summers knocked down a pair of treys towards a 10 point night with a team leading 4 assists. Daniel Nwauzu led in rebounding with 10, four coming on the offensive glass.

Second half adjustment pays dividends, No. 2 Cougars pull away in home opener

ATLANTA (AP) — Otega Oweh knocked down four free throws in the final 10.3 seconds and No. 19 Kentucky claimed the first big win of Mark Pope’s coaching tenure, knocking off No. 6 Duke 77-72 in the Champions Classic on Tuesday night. In the frenetic closing seconds, Duke (2-1) tied the game at 72 on Cooper Flagg’s lay-in with 1:14 remaining but never got off another shot. Flagg ruined a 26-point night by turning it over twice in the final minute to hand the victory to the Wildcats (3-0). Oweh had a steal that led to a pair of free throws, then snatched away an offensive rebound off a missed free throw by Lamont Butler, drawing another foul that set up two more free throws with 0.5 seconds left. Andrew Carr paced Kentucky with 17 points, while Oweh added 15.

FRISCO, Texas (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cowboys-dak-prescott-hamstring-injury-682c8bcf12f1151e8e2da897d85e02d8">Dak Prescott</a>&nbsp;has decided on surgery for his torn hamstring, ending the season for the franchise quarterback of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dallas-cowboys-analysis-f79208d06847b02a8eb6b59eea19f110">the Dallas Cowboys</a>&nbsp;when their playoff hopes were already fading fast. Owner Jerry Jones said Prescott will have the surgery Wednesday in New York. Jones was speaking on his radio show Tuesday. “His prognosis is wonderful,” Jones said. “It just means we’re not going to have him for the rest of the year.” The decision comes a little more than a week after Prescott injured the hamstring in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/atlanta-falcons-dallas-cowboys-score-nfl-1ee3cde620ceb17241e79fc1b35d1fb7">a 27-21 loss at Atlanta</a>. He was on the sideline for Dallas’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cowboys-eagles-score-4b5c6d77d0629b63e0fd7aba0a399921">fourth consecutive loss</a>, 34-6 at home to Philadelphia on Sunday. The Cowboys (3-6) already knew they would be without last season’s runner-up in NFL MVP voting for at least a month, and were resigned to the outcome that was finalized after Prescott visited one more specialist. The recovery time is at least three months, about the amount of time former Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith was sidelined after sustaining a similar injury in training camp two years ago.

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma’s president and athletic director gave coach Brent Venables a vote of confidence on Tuesday after the school’s Board of Regents meeting. The Sooners are 5-5 overall and 1-5 in league play during their first season in the Southeastern Conference. Venables, in his third season, has a 21-15 overall record. “We all get emotional over during the course of a season,” Oklahoma president Joseph Harroz Jr. said. “What’s unwavering is the commitment to him. This is a new era for us, but it’s also a new era for college athletics, and there’s going to be a lot of adjustment, and there’s going to be a lot that takes place. As far as my commitment to coach Venables, it’s 100 percent.” Venables took over after Lincoln Riley left for Southern California following the 2021 season. The Sooners went 6-7 in Venables’ first year,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-florida-oklahoma-state-seminoles-066c429368b9ae47d9e7a110452b1f06">losing the Cheez-It Bowl</a>&nbsp;to Florida State.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — JuJu Watkins had 21 points, nine assists and six steals to help No. 3 Southern California trounce Cal State Northridge 124-39 on Tuesday night. The Trojans (3-0) had six players in double figures, including Kiki Iriafen with 15 points and Kayleigh Heckel with 14 points off the bench. All 13 Trojans who played scored. The team’s total points were a program record. Laini Dahlin scored 11 points and Erika Aspajo added 10 for the Matadors (2-1). USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb earned her 300th career victory. Her players waved ‘300’ signs after the game and jumped up and down around her.

WEDNESDAY SCORES NCAA MEN TOP 25 No. 1 Kansas 77, Michigan State 69

NCAA WOMEN TOP 25 No. 3 USC 124, Cal State Northridge 39

No. 14 North Carolina 66, North Carolina A&amp;T 47

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707734642080.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ATLANTA (AP) — Otega Oweh knocked down four free throws in the final 10.3 seconds and No. 19 Kentucky claimed the first big win of Mark Pope’s coaching tenure, knocking off No. 6 Duke 77-72 in the Champions Classic on Tuesday night. In the frenetic closing seconds, Duke (2-1) tied the game at 72 on Cooper Flagg’s lay-in with 1:14 remaining but never got off another shot. Flagg ruined a 26-point night by turning it over twice in the final minute to hand the victory to the Wildcats (3-0). Oweh had a steal that led to a pair of free throws, then snatched away an offensive rebound off a missed free throw by Lamont Butler, drawing another foul that set up two more free throws with 0.5 seconds left. Andrew Carr paced Kentucky with 17 points, while Oweh added 15.FRISCO, Texas (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cowboys-dak-prescott-hamstring-injury-682c8bcf12f1151e8e2da897d85e02d8">Dak Prescott</a>&nbsp;has decided on surgery for his torn hamstring, ending the season for the franchise quarterback of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dallas-cowboys-analysis-f79208d06847b02a8eb6b59eea19f110">the Dallas Cowboys</a>&nbsp;when their playoff hopes were already fading fast. Owner Jerry Jones said Prescott will have the surgery Wednesday in New York. Jones was speaking on his radio show Tuesday. “His prognosis is wonderful,” Jones said. “It just means we’re not going to have him for the rest of the year.” The decision comes a little more than a week after Prescott injured the hamstring in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/atlanta-falcons-dallas-cowboys-score-nfl-1ee3cde620ceb17241e79fc1b35d1fb7">a 27-21 loss at Atlanta</a>. He was on the sideline for Dallas’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cowboys-eagles-score-4b5c6d77d0629b63e0fd7aba0a399921">fourth consecutive loss</a>, 34-6 at home to Philadelphia on Sunday. The Cowboys (3-6) already knew they would be without last season’s runner-up in NFL MVP voting for at least a month, and were resigned to the outcome that was finalized after Prescott visited one more specialist. The recovery time is at least three months, about the amount of time former Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith was sidelined after sustaining a similar injury in training camp two years ago.NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma’s president and athletic director gave coach Brent Venables a vote of confidence on Tuesday after the school’s Board of Regents meeting. The Sooners are 5-5 overall and 1-5 in league play during their first season in the Southeastern Conference. Venables, in his third season, has a 21-15 overall record. “We all get emotional over during the course of a season,” Oklahoma president Joseph Harroz Jr. said. “What’s unwavering is the commitment to him. This is a new era for us, but it’s also a new era for college athletics, and there’s going to be a lot of adjustment, and there’s going to be a lot that takes place. As far as my commitment to coach Venables, it’s 100 percent.” Venables took over after Lincoln Riley left for Southern California following the 2021 season. The Sooners went 6-7 in Venables’ first year,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-florida-oklahoma-state-seminoles-066c429368b9ae47d9e7a110452b1f06">losing the Cheez-It Bowl</a>&nbsp;to Florida State.LOS ANGELES (AP) — JuJu Watkins had 21 points, nine assists and six steals to help No. 3 Southern California trounce Cal State Northridge 124-39 on Tuesday night. The Trojans (3-0) had six players in double figures, including Kiki Iriafen with 15 points and Kayleigh Heckel with 14 points off the bench. All 13 Trojans who played scored. The team’s total points were a program record. Laini Dahlin scored 11 points and Erika Aspajo added 10 for the Matadors (2-1). USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb earned her 300th career victory. Her players waved ‘300’ signs after the game and jumped up and down around her.WEDNESDAY SCORES NCAA MEN TOP 25 No. 1 Kansas 77, Michigan State 69No. 19 Kentucky 77, No. 6 Duke 72No. 12 Baylor 104, Sam Houston 67No. 25 Ole Miss 64, South Alabama 54NCAA WOMEN TOP 25 No. 3 USC 124, Cal State Northridge 39No. 5 UCLA 91, Pepperdine 54No. 7 LSU 117, Charleston Southern 44No. 12 Ohio State 94, Charlotte 53No. 14 North Carolina 66, North Carolina A&amp;T 47No. 15 West Virginia 82, Pittsburgh 54No. 18 Louisville 86, UT Martin 64No. 20 Kentucky 76, Wofford 42No. 21 Nebraska 84, Southern 58No. 25 Oregon 66, North Texas 35

Wednesday's Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

1. Barton Community College basketball on 104 3 the Point sponsored by Nex-Tech Wireless, Damm Pipe Testing, Mpire Overhead Door, Best Western Angus Inn, Marmie Auto Group, Rosenberg Family Dentistry, The University of Kansas Health System, Venture Corporation, Nex-Tech, Cougar Booster Club, The 10th Street Eye Care Center, Freedom Claims Management and Kansas Fishing Tools

<div><a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/information/boosterclub/index"><img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1635967480149.jpeg"></a>

</div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647912774016.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/ss2r3uqs/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1. Barton Community College basketball on 104 3 the Point sponsored by Nex-Tech Wireless, Damm Pipe Testing, Mpire Overhead Door, Best Western Angus Inn, Marmie Auto Group, Rosenberg Family Dentistry, The University of Kansas Health System, Venture Corporation, Nex-Tech, Cougar Booster Club, The 10th Street Eye Care Center, Freedom Claims Management and Kansas Fishing Tools

Barton Men 93 North Platte 74

ATLANTA (AP) — Hunter Dickinson scored 28 points and Bill Self became the winningest coach in Kansas history as the No. 1 Jayhawks pulled away from Michigan State for a 77-69 victory in the Champions Classic on Tuesday night.

Spartans forward Jaxon Kohler hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 52 with just under nine minutes remaining. KJ Adams Jr. hit a pair of free throws to put Kansas (3-0) ahead to stay.

Self improved to 591-143 in his 22nd season coaching the Jayhawks, pushing him past Phog Allen's mark of 590-129 in 36 seasons on the Kansas sideline.

Frankie Fidler led Michigan State (2-1) with 15 points.

The Jayhawks posted their second straight win over one of the nation's prominent programs, following up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-kansas-tar-heels-jayhawks-score-top-25-9919dca6cfb7cfca72b0d3133ba1026a">a 92-89 win</a>&nbsp;over No. 10 North Carolina.

Kansas: After missing 15 straight shots from the field, Kansas ripped off a 14-2 run that turned an 18-16 deficit into a 30-20 lead.

Michigan State: The Spartans couldn't overcome a tough shooting night, especially from beyond the arc. They made just 3 of 24 from 3-point range.

Dajuan Harris Jr. gave the Jayhawks some breathing room when he laid one in off a fast break, drew a foul and completed the three-point play for a 68-59 lead with 4:25 to go. After tumbling to the court, Harris remained on his back for a few seconds, clapping furiously. He finished with 11 points and six assists.

The 7-foot-2 Dickinson made 13 of 21 shots from the field, including his only 3-point attempt, and grabbed 12 rebounds. He also had three steals and a block at the defensive end.

Kansas returns home Saturday to face Oakland. Michigan State hosts Bowling Green on Saturday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731464445764.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>ATLANTA (AP) — Hunter Dickinson scored 28 points and Bill Self became the winningest coach in Kansas history as the No. 1 Jayhawks pulled away from Michigan State for a 77-69 victory in the Champions Classic on Tuesday night.Spartans forward Jaxon Kohler hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 52 with just under nine minutes remaining. KJ Adams Jr. hit a pair of free throws to put Kansas (3-0) ahead to stay.Self improved to 591-143 in his 22nd season coaching the Jayhawks, pushing him past Phog Allen's mark of 590-129 in 36 seasons on the Kansas sideline.Frankie Fidler led Michigan State (2-1) with 15 points.The Jayhawks posted their second straight win over one of the nation's prominent programs, following up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-kansas-tar-heels-jayhawks-score-top-25-9919dca6cfb7cfca72b0d3133ba1026a">a 92-89 win</a>&nbsp;over No. 10 North Carolina.<h2>Takeaways</h2>Kansas: After missing 15 straight shots from the field, Kansas ripped off a 14-2 run that turned an 18-16 deficit into a 30-20 lead.Michigan State: The Spartans couldn't overcome a tough shooting night, especially from beyond the arc. They made just 3 of 24 from 3-point range.<h2>Key moment</h2>Dajuan Harris Jr. gave the Jayhawks some breathing room when he laid one in off a fast break, drew a foul and completed the three-point play for a 68-59 lead with 4:25 to go. After tumbling to the court, Harris remained on his back for a few seconds, clapping furiously. He finished with 11 points and six assists.<h2>Key stats</h2>The 7-foot-2 Dickinson made 13 of 21 shots from the field, including his only 3-point attempt, and grabbed 12 rebounds. He also had three steals and a block at the defensive end.<h2>Up next</h2>Kansas returns home Saturday to face Oakland. Michigan State hosts Bowling Green on Saturday.

Self makes history at KU; top-ranked Jayhawks down Michigan State

At Tennessee, they are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nil-tennessee-volunteers-college-football-a0cb27d19f081f449dc6c8c0fd960eb4">adding a ‘talent fee’</a>&nbsp;to the price of sports tickets. At Arkansas, they will charge 3% more at the concessions stands. At Michigan and Michigan State, athletic directors sent letters alerting boosters that winning is going to start costing more. And, in a first, Clemson is going to start adding an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/clemson-students-athletic-fee-a6abc6390b50a97319a084beca483f79#:~:text=(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20Clemson%20University's%20board,athletic%20department%20in%202025%2D26.">athletic surcharge</a>&nbsp;to tuition bills.

Winning at big-time college sports has never been free, but in a rapidly changing era in which players are allowed to earn money and be paid by their own schools, it has never been clearer that fans will be picking up a bigger part of the tab.

“College athletics hasn’t professionalized as much as I think it was capable of,” said Nels Popp, a University of North Carolina sports-business professor who believes most schools still rely on fans' emotional, long-held school ties more than bottom-line marketing strategies. “And now, I think this is forcing them in that direction.”

When the NCAA reluctantly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/laws-sports-6fb10bea4176ac6a912138ce7f0a764e">approved payments to players for use of their names, images and likenesses (NIL)</a>&nbsp;in 2021, boosters who used to give to schools and their athletic departments started funneling money to collectives — independent organizations that raised the money and paid the athletes. Those collectives are becoming more and more closely linked to the universities.

Under terms of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-college-sports-nil-pay-players-b7b87c81f44ac6e32955ef89e61ca893">$2.8 billion lawsuit settlement</a>&nbsp;that is on track to take effect next year, the NIL deals will remain in full force and the schools themselves will be dealing with other multimillion-dollar changes to their bottom lines, including:

— Each school with the money to do it will be allowed to share as much as $22 million in annual revenue with athletes — money they get from tickets sales, TV contracts and other sources. They can share less, but top recruits will be front of mind in the arms race for talent.

—The amount the NCAA pays more than 350 Division I schools every year is going to drop. The organization is on the hook to cover some $1.2 billion in damages under the settlement and the rest will be covered by conferences that will see less money shared each year from the NCAA and its lucrative men's basketball tournament.

— Schools will be allowed to offer more scholarships across all sports and that costs money. For instance, a school could offer up to 20 additional scholarships for a total of 105 in football. Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said adding scholarships across sports could add $29 million in education costs to the department's bottom line. And that's on top of the revenue sharing.

“Maintaining a high level of support for our 29 NCAA athletic programs will take an elevated commitment from everyone,” Manuel wrote to Wolverines fans last month.

One possibility for Michigan might be placing advertising inside of Michigan Stadium, a practice the Wolverines have steadfastly avoided over the decades. The school also sent out a recent survey asking, among other questions, if fans were willing to pay between $3,000 and $4,000 for a new tranche of chairback seats, which are rare outside of club sections at The Big House.

Not all fans are signing on amid ‘donor fatigue’

In 2023, it cost two fans an&nbsp;<a href="https://oddspedia.com/us/insights/features/college-football-gamedays-comparison-study">average of around $180 to attend a college football game</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://bookies.com/nfl/picks/here-s-how-much-it-costs-to-attend-an-nfl-game-in-2023">about $340 to go to an NFL game.</a>&nbsp;After all, college sports didn't have to worry about the biggest expense on a pro team's budget — player salaries.

NIL started chipping away at that, and once the terms of the lawsuit settlement go into effect, that dynamic will shift even more. Michigan State AD Alan Haller told Spartans fans his department's '25-26 budget will include between $25 million to $30 million in added expenses.

“As a department, we will continue to explore new opportunities for both revenue generation and cost containment,” Haller said. “However, without a doubt, your continued generosity and involvement will be paramount to our quest for excellence.”

Some fans will undoubtedly keep writing checks to keep the players — and hopefully, the wins — coming, along with retaining their “rights” to buy a certain number of tickets for football games.

A tour around the parking lot before this season's Michigan-Michigan State game found others who sounded more reluctant.

“The price of the education is out of hand,” said Michigan State fan Mike Bouchard, citing a more than $55,000 price for an out-of-state undergrad to attend his alma mater. “There's absolutely no way I'm going to dig into my pocket over and above that amount. Tell them to use their hundreds of millions in endowments.”

“Absolutely not,” said Ann Arbor resident Michael Ketslakh when asked if he would give more to support Michigan athletics. “I think it's excessive. It's bad for the sports.”

Rick Karcher, the faculty athletics representative at Eastern Michigan, said fans continue to pay because, unlike pro sports where everyone knows the profits go to billionaire owners, the economic models in college are often hard to nail down.

“College sports fans, students and boosters are willing to continue absorbing the operational costs while the team’s coaches and administrators get richer because they view athletics as separate from the university,” he said.

Schools look for other ways of absorbing higher costs

Earlier this fall, Texas Tech said it was budgeting $14.7 million for this fiscal year — about $9 million more than the previous year — in support for the athletic program, which has a budget of nearly $129 million.

“I think if any unit on this campus was facing a 20-something-percent cut in their revenue, we would have to look at how we might respond, and we will in this case,” school President Lawrence Schovanec explained.

Texas Tech is hardly alone in contributing to its athletic program, but not every school runs by the same model. At Florida, for instance, sports are run by the University Athletic Association, which not only has funded sports but has often given money back to the school.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.alligator.org/article/2023/08/the-uf-athletics-department-budget-increased-19-million-in-the-2023-fiscal-year?ct=content_open&amp;cv=cbox_latest">story in the student-produced Florida Independent Alligator</a>&nbsp;said UF sports revenue was eighth-highest in the nation; two of its biggest boosters have given eight-figure sums to the UAA’s fundraising arm.

Clearly, though, it’s not only eight-figure donations that will keep college sports running.

Tennessee was among the first to grab headlines early in the football season when AD Danny White said the school was adding a 10% “talent fee” for 2025 football ticket renewals. That was on top of a 4.5% hike in ticket prices.

“That connection between resources and competitiveness has never been tighter,” White said. “Only now we have the ability to share these resources with our athletes.”

At Arkansas, AD Hunter Yurachek explained the 3% fee on concessions in a letter to fans that noted the importance of continuing to “maximize additional revenue opportunities” At Clemson, which long prided itself on not charging fees or ticket prices to students, the plan is to raise between $7 million and $8 million by adding a $150 “athletic fee” per semester to the price of tuition. The Tigers have been to four national title games over the past decade and won it twice.

“I think it’s kind of ridiculous, but there comes a point when we have good enough sports teams that it’s kind of valid,” student Sam Gault told South Carolina's WSPA-TV when the fee was unveiled earlier this month.

To win big, schools will have to pay big, and simply fielding a competitive team is no longer a given. The question hanging over college sports is where the money will come from.

“You can pay more for tickets, put a sponsor patch on the uniforms, cut non-revenue sports or (start calling) the Big 12, the ‘Dr. Pepper Conference,'” said Popp, the professor at North Carolina. “I don’t think fans are anxious for any of those, but what might they be willing to accept? I think that's what athletic departments have to figure out.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729517183848.jpeg" alt="Oregon head coach Dan Lanning celebrates with fans after his team defeated Purdue in an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)" />
 <figcaption>Oregon head coach Dan Lanning celebrates with fans after his team defeated Purdue in an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)</figcaption>
 </figure>At Tennessee, they are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nil-tennessee-volunteers-college-football-a0cb27d19f081f449dc6c8c0fd960eb4">adding a ‘talent fee’</a>&nbsp;to the price of sports tickets. At Arkansas, they will charge 3% more at the concessions stands. At Michigan and Michigan State, athletic directors sent letters alerting boosters that winning is going to start costing more. And, in a first, Clemson is going to start adding an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/clemson-students-athletic-fee-a6abc6390b50a97319a084beca483f79#:~:text=(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20Clemson%20University's%20board,athletic%20department%20in%202025%2D26.">athletic surcharge</a>&nbsp;to tuition bills.Winning at big-time college sports has never been free, but in a rapidly changing era in which players are allowed to earn money and be paid by their own schools, it has never been clearer that fans will be picking up a bigger part of the tab.“College athletics hasn’t professionalized as much as I think it was capable of,” said Nels Popp, a University of North Carolina sports-business professor who believes most schools still rely on fans' emotional, long-held school ties more than bottom-line marketing strategies. “And now, I think this is forcing them in that direction.”When the NCAA reluctantly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/laws-sports-6fb10bea4176ac6a912138ce7f0a764e">approved payments to players for use of their names, images and likenesses (NIL)</a>&nbsp;in 2021, boosters who used to give to schools and their athletic departments started funneling money to collectives — independent organizations that raised the money and paid the athletes. Those collectives are becoming more and more closely linked to the universities.Under terms of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-college-sports-nil-pay-players-b7b87c81f44ac6e32955ef89e61ca893">$2.8 billion lawsuit settlement</a>&nbsp;that is on track to take effect next year, the NIL deals will remain in full force and the schools themselves will be dealing with other multimillion-dollar changes to their bottom lines, including:— Each school with the money to do it will be allowed to share as much as $22 million in annual revenue with athletes — money they get from tickets sales, TV contracts and other sources. They can share less, but top recruits will be front of mind in the arms race for talent.—The amount the NCAA pays more than 350 Division I schools every year is going to drop. The organization is on the hook to cover some $1.2 billion in damages under the settlement and the rest will be covered by conferences that will see less money shared each year from the NCAA and its lucrative men's basketball tournament.— Schools will be allowed to offer more scholarships across all sports and that costs money. For instance, a school could offer up to 20 additional scholarships for a total of 105 in football. Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said adding scholarships across sports could add $29 million in education costs to the department's bottom line. And that's on top of the revenue sharing.“Maintaining a high level of support for our 29 NCAA athletic programs will take an elevated commitment from everyone,” Manuel wrote to Wolverines fans last month.One possibility for Michigan might be placing advertising inside of Michigan Stadium, a practice the Wolverines have steadfastly avoided over the decades. The school also sent out a recent survey asking, among other questions, if fans were willing to pay between $3,000 and $4,000 for a new tranche of chairback seats, which are rare outside of club sections at The Big House.<h2>Not all fans are signing on amid ‘donor fatigue’</h2>In 2023, it cost two fans an&nbsp;<a href="https://oddspedia.com/us/insights/features/college-football-gamedays-comparison-study">average of around $180 to attend a college football game</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://bookies.com/nfl/picks/here-s-how-much-it-costs-to-attend-an-nfl-game-in-2023">about $340 to go to an NFL game.</a>&nbsp;After all, college sports didn't have to worry about the biggest expense on a pro team's budget — player salaries.NIL started chipping away at that, and once the terms of the lawsuit settlement go into effect, that dynamic will shift even more. Michigan State AD Alan Haller told Spartans fans his department's '25-26 budget will include between $25 million to $30 million in added expenses.“As a department, we will continue to explore new opportunities for both revenue generation and cost containment,” Haller said. “However, without a doubt, your continued generosity and involvement will be paramount to our quest for excellence.”Some fans will undoubtedly keep writing checks to keep the players — and hopefully, the wins — coming, along with retaining their “rights” to buy a certain number of tickets for football games.A tour around the parking lot before this season's Michigan-Michigan State game found others who sounded more reluctant.“The price of the education is out of hand,” said Michigan State fan Mike Bouchard, citing a more than $55,000 price for an out-of-state undergrad to attend his alma mater. “There's absolutely no way I'm going to dig into my pocket over and above that amount. Tell them to use their hundreds of millions in endowments.”“Absolutely not,” said Ann Arbor resident Michael Ketslakh when asked if he would give more to support Michigan athletics. “I think it's excessive. It's bad for the sports.”Rick Karcher, the faculty athletics representative at Eastern Michigan, said fans continue to pay because, unlike pro sports where everyone knows the profits go to billionaire owners, the economic models in college are often hard to nail down.“College sports fans, students and boosters are willing to continue absorbing the operational costs while the team’s coaches and administrators get richer because they view athletics as separate from the university,” he said.<h2>Schools look for other ways of absorbing higher costs</h2>Earlier this fall, Texas Tech said it was budgeting $14.7 million for this fiscal year — about $9 million more than the previous year — in support for the athletic program, which has a budget of nearly $129 million.“I think if any unit on this campus was facing a 20-something-percent cut in their revenue, we would have to look at how we might respond, and we will in this case,” school President Lawrence Schovanec explained.Texas Tech is hardly alone in contributing to its athletic program, but not every school runs by the same model. At Florida, for instance, sports are run by the University Athletic Association, which not only has funded sports but has often given money back to the school.A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.alligator.org/article/2023/08/the-uf-athletics-department-budget-increased-19-million-in-the-2023-fiscal-year?ct=content_open&amp;cv=cbox_latest">story in the student-produced Florida Independent Alligator</a>&nbsp;said UF sports revenue was eighth-highest in the nation; two of its biggest boosters have given eight-figure sums to the UAA’s fundraising arm.Clearly, though, it’s not only eight-figure donations that will keep college sports running.Tennessee was among the first to grab headlines early in the football season when AD Danny White said the school was adding a 10% “talent fee” for 2025 football ticket renewals. That was on top of a 4.5% hike in ticket prices.“That connection between resources and competitiveness has never been tighter,” White said. “Only now we have the ability to share these resources with our athletes.”At Arkansas, AD Hunter Yurachek explained the 3% fee on concessions in a letter to fans that noted the importance of continuing to “maximize additional revenue opportunities” At Clemson, which long prided itself on not charging fees or ticket prices to students, the plan is to raise between $7 million and $8 million by adding a $150 “athletic fee” per semester to the price of tuition. The Tigers have been to four national title games over the past decade and won it twice.“I think it’s kind of ridiculous, but there comes a point when we have good enough sports teams that it’s kind of valid,” student Sam Gault told South Carolina's WSPA-TV when the fee was unveiled earlier this month.To win big, schools will have to pay big, and simply fielding a competitive team is no longer a given. The question hanging over college sports is where the money will come from.“You can pay more for tickets, put a sponsor patch on the uniforms, cut non-revenue sports or (start calling) the Big 12, the ‘Dr. Pepper Conference,'” said Popp, the professor at North Carolina. “I don’t think fans are anxious for any of those, but what might they be willing to accept? I think that's what athletic departments have to figure out.”

College athletes are getting paid and fans are starting to see share of the bill

- The "Voice of the Cardinals" Cole Reif is back to talk about Hoisington's come from behind win over Haven Friday in the 2A Regional playoffs. He'll also preview Friday's Sectional round matchup with Southeast of Saline.

- Central Plains will play at Little River Friday in the Sectional round of the 8-Man DI playoffs. We'll talk all about it with head coach J.D. Johnson.

- Barton Volleyball is Region Champion after beating Colby Sunday in straights sets at the Kirkman Center. We'll talk with coach Megan Besecker about winning the title and the NJCAA National Tournament that lies ahead. Megan will be joined by Sophomore Phoebe Reyes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693997740304.jpeg" alt="Tuesday show lineup with hosts Steve Webster, Mike Courson, and Mike Hesher." />
 <figcaption>Tuesday show lineup with hosts Steve Webster, Mike Courson, and Mike Hesher.</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/osFZWB-3b2w?si=-0qn3cvbkHQ385Sw" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>- The "Voice of the Cardinals" Cole Reif is back to talk about Hoisington's come from behind win over Haven Friday in the 2A Regional playoffs. He'll also preview Friday's Sectional round matchup with Southeast of Saline.- Central Plains will play at Little River Friday in the Sectional round of the 8-Man DI playoffs. We'll talk all about it with head coach J.D. Johnson.- Barton Volleyball is Region Champion after beating Colby Sunday in straights sets at the Kirkman Center. We'll talk with coach Megan Besecker about winning the title and the NJCAA National Tournament that lies ahead. Megan will be joined by Sophomore Phoebe Reyes.- Tuesday Sports Headline- Sounds of the past 24-hours

Tuesday on Sports Day(Watch)

By BRANDON SMITH Barton Sports Info

The Barton Community College wrestling team took to the mats for the second straight day this past Saturday, competing in the Service Salute Open held at the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium in Atchison, Kansas.

Producing four Top-6 placings, the 11 pack of Cougars assembled a 13-18 overall record, with seven of 11 winning at least one bout and five producing multiple victories.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wrest/2024-25/bios/garrett_jamal_dw5v">Jamal Garrett</a>&nbsp;(125-division) led the charge securing the highest finish of fourth, with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wrest/2024-25/bios/little_colin_v1sv">Colin Little</a>&nbsp;(141-division) garnering a fifth place finished followed behind&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wrest/2024-25/bios/mcmullen_skyler_jz53">Skyler McMullen</a>&nbsp;(141-division) and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wrest/2024-25/bios/frances-aguilar_alonso_b0ry">Alonso Frances-Aguilar</a>&nbsp;(165-division) sixth place finishes respectively.

Barton will continue its busy month of November, this Saturday at the Grandview Open held in Grimes, Iowa before returning to dual play next Wednesday against Labette Community College and Northern Oklahoma College-Tonkawa.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wrest/2024-25/files/ServiceSalute110924.pdf">Complete Barton Results</a>

In the 125 division, Garrett piled up his pair of victories in the opening two matches to roll into the semifinals. The freshman started his day with a quick 3:49 fall over Miller Chantharasy of Quincy while securing a spot in the semifinals behind a 17-10 decision over Colby's Tevin Jackson. The run on the championship side came to an end dropping a 14-2 major decision in the semifinals to Nehemiah Ventura of Texas Wesleyan. Garrett's afternoon concluded at 2-2 suffering a 19-3 tech fall in the third-place bout to Kaden Rios of Quincy.

Little received a bye in the 141 division before the Topeka, Kansas, freshman could take the mat in getting sent to the consolation side suffering an early third period fall to Texas Wesleyan's Timothy Murabito. Coming back on the backside, Little responded quickly posting a 15-0 tech fall over Benedictine College's Brayden Johnson before securing his fifth placing virtue of a medical forfeit.

Also in the 141 division, McMullen was knocked from the championship bracket in the quarterfinals. Earning a second period fall over Camden Whitehead of Texas Wesleyan in the opening round, McMullen drew the wrong side of a 15-12 period 1 sudden victory to Jacob Snow of Benedictine College. Recovering in his next match, the freshman produced his second back flatting of the day in 2:03 over Quincy's Victor Salazar before pulling out with a medical forfeit in the fifth place tussle.

Frances-Aguilar also generated a 2-2 record on the mats in the 165 division. Advancing to the quarterfinals with a 8-7 first round decision over Josef Planansky of William Woods University, the freshman would be bounced to the consolation side on a 18-3 tech fall to Cloud County's Gabriel Bailey. The afternoon's appearance on the backside of the bracket continued with a quick second period 47-second fall over Keenan Tumbarello of Avila before falling in the fifth place tilt suffering a 10-1 major decision to Clayton Murabito of Texas Wesleyan.

Leading the squad with the best mat record on the day was 165 division&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wrest/2024-25/bios/wise_kamden_z5ly">Kamden Wise</a>, turning in a 3-1 performance. Suffering an opening round 20-4 tech fall, the freshman answered viciously registering a 15-0 tech fall, 13-4 major decision and 53-second fall to conclude the day as the consolation champion.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731422651555.jpeg" alt="Jamal Garrett" />
 <figcaption>Jamal Garrett</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRANDON SMITH Barton Sports InfoThe Barton Community College wrestling team took to the mats for the second straight day this past Saturday, competing in the Service Salute Open held at the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium in Atchison, Kansas.Producing four Top-6 placings, the 11 pack of Cougars assembled a 13-18 overall record, with seven of 11 winning at least one bout and five producing multiple victories.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wrest/2024-25/bios/garrett_jamal_dw5v">Jamal Garrett</a>&nbsp;(125-division) led the charge securing the highest finish of fourth, with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wrest/2024-25/bios/little_colin_v1sv">Colin Little</a>&nbsp;(141-division) garnering a fifth place finished followed behind&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wrest/2024-25/bios/mcmullen_skyler_jz53">Skyler McMullen</a>&nbsp;(141-division) and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wrest/2024-25/bios/frances-aguilar_alonso_b0ry">Alonso Frances-Aguilar</a>&nbsp;(165-division) sixth place finishes respectively.Barton will continue its busy month of November, this Saturday at the Grandview Open held in Grimes, Iowa before returning to dual play next Wednesday against Labette Community College and Northern Oklahoma College-Tonkawa.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wrest/2024-25/files/ServiceSalute110924.pdf">Complete Barton Results</a>In the 125 division, Garrett piled up his pair of victories in the opening two matches to roll into the semifinals. The freshman started his day with a quick 3:49 fall over Miller Chantharasy of Quincy while securing a spot in the semifinals behind a 17-10 decision over Colby's Tevin Jackson. The run on the championship side came to an end dropping a 14-2 major decision in the semifinals to Nehemiah Ventura of Texas Wesleyan. Garrett's afternoon concluded at 2-2 suffering a 19-3 tech fall in the third-place bout to Kaden Rios of Quincy.Little received a bye in the 141 division before the Topeka, Kansas, freshman could take the mat in getting sent to the consolation side suffering an early third period fall to Texas Wesleyan's Timothy Murabito. Coming back on the backside, Little responded quickly posting a 15-0 tech fall over Benedictine College's Brayden Johnson before securing his fifth placing virtue of a medical forfeit.Also in the 141 division, McMullen was knocked from the championship bracket in the quarterfinals. Earning a second period fall over Camden Whitehead of Texas Wesleyan in the opening round, McMullen drew the wrong side of a 15-12 period 1 sudden victory to Jacob Snow of Benedictine College. Recovering in his next match, the freshman produced his second back flatting of the day in 2:03 over Quincy's Victor Salazar before pulling out with a medical forfeit in the fifth place tussle.Frances-Aguilar also generated a 2-2 record on the mats in the 165 division. Advancing to the quarterfinals with a 8-7 first round decision over Josef Planansky of William Woods University, the freshman would be bounced to the consolation side on a 18-3 tech fall to Cloud County's Gabriel Bailey. The afternoon's appearance on the backside of the bracket continued with a quick second period 47-second fall over Keenan Tumbarello of Avila before falling in the fifth place tilt suffering a 10-1 major decision to Clayton Murabito of Texas Wesleyan.Leading the squad with the best mat record on the day was 165 division&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wrest/2024-25/bios/wise_kamden_z5ly">Kamden Wise</a>, turning in a 3-1 performance. Suffering an opening round 20-4 tech fall, the freshman answered viciously registering a 15-0 tech fall, 13-4 major decision and 53-second fall to conclude the day as the consolation champion.

Barton Wrestling places four at the Service Salute Open

The Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association has released its first set of pre-season rankings ahead of the 2024-25 high school season. Another set of pre-season rankings will be released on Nov. 26.

Area tanked teams and wrestlers include: Class 5A Boys:&nbsp; 1. Goddard 2. Basehor-Linwood 3. Blue Valley SW 4. Bishop Carroll 5. St. Thomas Aquinas 6. Lansing 7. Andover 8. Valley Center 9. Salina Central 10. Hutchinson

165 pounds - No. 2 Jace Schartz, Sr., Great Bend 215 pounds - No. 5 Trenton Kern, Jr., Great Bend

Class 5A Girls 1. Basehor-Linwood 2. Shawnee Heights 3. Great Bend 4. Bonner Springs 5. Newton 6. Pittsburg 7. Hays 8. Topeka Seaman 9. Kapaun Mt. Carmel 10. KC Piper

100 pounds - No. 6 Kayle Baldwin, So., Great Bend 105 pounds - No. 2 Camdyn Post, So., Great Bend 110 pounds - No. 4 Keira Leyva, So., Great Bend 115 pounds - No. 5 Micah Ellegood, Fr., Great Bend 125 pounds - No. 2 Kaylea McMullen, Jr., Great Bend 170 pounds - No. 3 Kira Stevens, Sr., Great Bend 190 pounds - No. 3 Natalee Daniels, Jr., Great Bend

Class 3-2-1A Boys 1. Norton 2. Hoxie 3. Phillipsburg 4. Russell 5. Atchison County 6. Council Grove 7. Beloit 8. Nemaha Central 9. Hill City 10. Smith Center

106 pounds - No. 3 Xzephren Donner, Jr., Russell 113 pounds - No. 5 AJ Almanza, Jr., Lyons 120 pounds - No. 6 Jace Grizzle, So., Lyons 132 pounds - No. 3 Will Donley, Sr., Ellsworth 157 pounds - No. 4 Nate Dold, Sr., Lyons 165 pounds - No. 2 Teagen Pfeifer, Sr., Russell 175 pounds - No. 1 Brayden Suchy, Sr., Russell 175 pounds - No. 2 Teron Kraft, Sr., Hoisington 285 pounds - No. 6 Layton Hoffman, Jr., Hoisington

Class 3-2-1A Girls 1. Oakley 2. Plainville 3. Russell 4. St. Francis 5. Larned 6. Trego 7. Stockton 8. Norton 9. Hoisington 10. Ellinwood

100 pounds - No. 2 Teagan Walker, Sr., Larned 100 pounds - No. 6 Stephanie King, So., Russell 105 pounds - No. 4 Jacynn Boeken, Fr., Sterling 105 pounds - No. 6 Madison Raybern, So., Russell 110 pounds - No. 1 Kennedy Grizzle, Jr., Lyons 110 pounds - No. 2 Liliana McKenna, Sr., Larned 115 pounds - No. 2 Mya Trevino, Jr., Russell 115 pounds - No. 3 Keighyn Dombroski, Sr., Ellinwood 120 pounds - No. 3 Cara Herbert, Jr., Larned 125 pounds - No. 3 Kinsley Zorn, So., Russell 130 pounds - No. 5 Chaysei Bachman, So., Russell 140 pounds - No. 5 Sophia Homolka, Sr., Ellinwood 145 pounds - No. 1 Jaden Ney, Sr., Russell 170 pounds - No. 3 Nevaeh Graves, So., Hoisington 170 pounds - No. 5 Kinsley Atteberry, So., Larned 170 pounds - No. 6 Avery Goforth, Fr., Lyons 235 pounds - No. 1 Haylee Holinde, Sr., Hoisington 235 pounds - No. 6 Emma Hahn, Sr., Ellinwood

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707613670569.jpeg" alt="Great Bend sophomore Camdyn Post" />
 <figcaption>Great Bend sophomore Camdyn Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostThe Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association has released its first set of pre-season rankings ahead of the 2024-25 high school season. Another set of pre-season rankings will be released on Nov. 26.Area tanked teams and wrestlers include: Class 5A Boys:&nbsp; 1. Goddard 2. Basehor-Linwood 3. Blue Valley SW 4. Bishop Carroll 5. St. Thomas Aquinas 6. Lansing 7. Andover 8. Valley Center 9. Salina Central 10. Hutchinson165 pounds - No. 2 Jace Schartz, Sr., Great Bend 215 pounds - No. 5 Trenton Kern, Jr., Great BendClass 5A Girls 1. Basehor-Linwood 2. Shawnee Heights 3. Great Bend 4. Bonner Springs 5. Newton 6. Pittsburg 7. Hays 8. Topeka Seaman 9. Kapaun Mt. Carmel 10. KC Piper100 pounds - No. 6 Kayle Baldwin, So., Great Bend 105 pounds - No. 2 Camdyn Post, So., Great Bend 110 pounds - No. 4 Keira Leyva, So., Great Bend 115 pounds - No. 5 Micah Ellegood, Fr., Great Bend 125 pounds - No. 2 Kaylea McMullen, Jr., Great Bend 170 pounds - No. 3 Kira Stevens, Sr., Great Bend 190 pounds - No. 3 Natalee Daniels, Jr., Great BendClass 3-2-1A Boys 1. Norton 2. Hoxie 3. Phillipsburg 4. Russell 5. Atchison County 6. Council Grove 7. Beloit 8. Nemaha Central 9. Hill City 10. Smith Center106 pounds - No. 3 Xzephren Donner, Jr., Russell 113 pounds - No. 5 AJ Almanza, Jr., Lyons 120 pounds - No. 6 Jace Grizzle, So., Lyons 132 pounds - No. 3 Will Donley, Sr., Ellsworth 157 pounds - No. 4 Nate Dold, Sr., Lyons 165 pounds - No. 2 Teagen Pfeifer, Sr., Russell 175 pounds - No. 1 Brayden Suchy, Sr., Russell 175 pounds - No. 2 Teron Kraft, Sr., Hoisington 285 pounds - No. 6 Layton Hoffman, Jr., HoisingtonClass 3-2-1A Girls 1. Oakley 2. Plainville 3. Russell 4. St. Francis 5. Larned 6. Trego 7. Stockton 8. Norton 9. Hoisington 10. Ellinwood100 pounds - No. 2 Teagan Walker, Sr., Larned 100 pounds - No. 6 Stephanie King, So., Russell 105 pounds - No. 4 Jacynn Boeken, Fr., Sterling 105 pounds - No. 6 Madison Raybern, So., Russell 110 pounds - No. 1 Kennedy Grizzle, Jr., Lyons 110 pounds - No. 2 Liliana McKenna, Sr., Larned 115 pounds - No. 2 Mya Trevino, Jr., Russell 115 pounds - No. 3 Keighyn Dombroski, Sr., Ellinwood 120 pounds - No. 3 Cara Herbert, Jr., Larned 125 pounds - No. 3 Kinsley Zorn, So., Russell 130 pounds - No. 5 Chaysei Bachman, So., Russell 140 pounds - No. 5 Sophia Homolka, Sr., Ellinwood 145 pounds - No. 1 Jaden Ney, Sr., Russell 170 pounds - No. 3 Nevaeh Graves, So., Hoisington 170 pounds - No. 5 Kinsley Atteberry, So., Larned 170 pounds - No. 6 Avery Goforth, Fr., Lyons 235 pounds - No. 1 Haylee Holinde, Sr., Hoisington 235 pounds - No. 6 Emma Hahn, Sr., Ellinwood

Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association announces pre-season rankings

The 2nd ranked Barton Community College men's basketball team held off an early season upset bid Saturday in Hutchinson surviving for a 78-73 victory over Southwestern Christian College capping its two-game, season opening perfect weekend at the BSN Sports Tipoff Classic.

Both teams owned eight-point advantages, SWC's coming late in the first half while Barton's came late in the contest. Missed shots and turnovers kept things interesting in the last four minutes with the lead shrinking to just two with 1:25 left however the Cougars' connected on 7-of-7 free throws and received timely shots from&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/moss_brent_th5a">Brent Moss</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/williams_fontaine_k5rg">Fontaine Williams</a>&nbsp;preserving the victory.

Concluding its 8-game undefeated "homestand" at the Sports Arena stretching across last season's march through the Region 6 Tournament and on to the 2024 NJCAA title, Barton will now enjoy four straight at their own Barton Gym beginning Tuesday in a 7:30 p.m. tip versus North Platte Community College. The Knights come to Great Bend 2-3 on the season owning a victory at Dodge City on Friday and narrow losses to both Colby and Garden City.

Southwestern, who threatened host and 15th ranked Hutchinson Community College in an overtime loss Friday, drops to 1-4 on the year with each defeat coming by single digits.

This weekend both the men and women's teams will be in action hosting the Best Western/Booster Club Classic. The Barton women play both the 5:30 p.m. contests, on Friday taking on Redlands Community College followed by Saturday's game against Kansas Wesleyan University junior varsity. Following the conclusion of each, the Cougar men take the floor in the 7:30 p.m. tips beginning Friday against Northern Oklahoma College-Enid with Harry S. Truman College the opponent on Saturday.

In the earlier contests, Hutchinson fills both the women's and men's side as the defending national champion and top ranked women's team plays the 1:00 p.m. games with the 15th ranked Blue Dragon men competing in the 3:00 p.m. tip-offs.

Moss would lead the Cougars by posting his first double-double of the season piling up 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting and hauling down 11 rebounds and two blocks helping Barton to a plus-7 advantage on the boards and a 22-point differential in the paint.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/kindell_keandre_xyju">Keandre Kindell</a>&nbsp;posted his second straight 18-point outing to begin the year, shooting 50% from the field Saturday and a near perfect 8-of-9 from the stripe while recording 3 steals and dishing out a team high 3 assists.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/sanogo_modibo_knhy">Modibo Sanogo</a>&nbsp;surpassed his season opener by a tally in scoring 14 points and grabbing six of his 8 rebounds from the offensive glass.

Williams' three-point play with 34 seconds pushed Barton's cushion to seven points before draining another four free throw attempts helping seal the victory in finishing with 15 points, 7-of-9 from the line, coming off the bench.

The Cougars' 12 steals helped offset a cold 1-of-12 night from beyond the arc for another plus-8 point differential,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/rodriguez_aris_jaun">Aris Rodriguez</a>&nbsp;leading with 5 as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/parlow-_jr._james_9gp2">James Parlow, Jr.</a>&nbsp;created 3 coming off the bench.

Four Owls reached double-figures led by a pair of 18-point performances, Carson Brown's 12-of-13 living from the charity stripe accounting for a bulk of his and D Thomas' 4-of-8 three point shooting off the bench in additionally leading the squad with 6 rebounds. Kainan Thomas added 14 points, sinking 8-of-9 free throw tosses, with Dylon Richardson sinking 6-of-7 tosses leading to a 10-point afternoon.

Combining for 71 free throws on the afternoon, Barton made 23-of-35 (65.7%) as SWC was a solid 77.8% on 28-of-36 shooting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731422556191.jpeg" alt="Brent Moss" />
 <figcaption>Brent Moss</figcaption>
 </figure>By TODD MOORE Barton Sports InfoThe 2nd ranked Barton Community College men's basketball team held off an early season upset bid Saturday in Hutchinson surviving for a 78-73 victory over Southwestern Christian College capping its two-game, season opening perfect weekend at the BSN Sports Tipoff Classic.Both teams owned eight-point advantages, SWC's coming late in the first half while Barton's came late in the contest. Missed shots and turnovers kept things interesting in the last four minutes with the lead shrinking to just two with 1:25 left however the Cougars' connected on 7-of-7 free throws and received timely shots from&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/moss_brent_th5a">Brent Moss</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/williams_fontaine_k5rg">Fontaine Williams</a>&nbsp;preserving the victory.Concluding its 8-game undefeated "homestand" at the Sports Arena stretching across last season's march through the Region 6 Tournament and on to the 2024 NJCAA title, Barton will now enjoy four straight at their own Barton Gym beginning Tuesday in a 7:30 p.m. tip versus North Platte Community College. The Knights come to Great Bend 2-3 on the season owning a victory at Dodge City on Friday and narrow losses to both Colby and Garden City.Southwestern, who threatened host and 15th ranked Hutchinson Community College in an overtime loss Friday, drops to 1-4 on the year with each defeat coming by single digits.This weekend both the men and women's teams will be in action hosting the Best Western/Booster Club Classic. The Barton women play both the 5:30 p.m. contests, on Friday taking on Redlands Community College followed by Saturday's game against Kansas Wesleyan University junior varsity. Following the conclusion of each, the Cougar men take the floor in the 7:30 p.m. tips beginning Friday against Northern Oklahoma College-Enid with Harry S. Truman College the opponent on Saturday.In the earlier contests, Hutchinson fills both the women's and men's side as the defending national champion and top ranked women's team plays the 1:00 p.m. games with the 15th ranked Blue Dragon men competing in the 3:00 p.m. tip-offs.Moss would lead the Cougars by posting his first double-double of the season piling up 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting and hauling down 11 rebounds and two blocks helping Barton to a plus-7 advantage on the boards and a 22-point differential in the paint.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/kindell_keandre_xyju">Keandre Kindell</a>&nbsp;posted his second straight 18-point outing to begin the year, shooting 50% from the field Saturday and a near perfect 8-of-9 from the stripe while recording 3 steals and dishing out a team high 3 assists.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/sanogo_modibo_knhy">Modibo Sanogo</a>&nbsp;surpassed his season opener by a tally in scoring 14 points and grabbing six of his 8 rebounds from the offensive glass.Williams' three-point play with 34 seconds pushed Barton's cushion to seven points before draining another four free throw attempts helping seal the victory in finishing with 15 points, 7-of-9 from the line, coming off the bench.The Cougars' 12 steals helped offset a cold 1-of-12 night from beyond the arc for another plus-8 point differential,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/rodriguez_aris_jaun">Aris Rodriguez</a>&nbsp;leading with 5 as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/parlow-_jr._james_9gp2">James Parlow, Jr.</a>&nbsp;created 3 coming off the bench.Four Owls reached double-figures led by a pair of 18-point performances, Carson Brown's 12-of-13 living from the charity stripe accounting for a bulk of his and D Thomas' 4-of-8 three point shooting off the bench in additionally leading the squad with 6 rebounds. Kainan Thomas added 14 points, sinking 8-of-9 free throw tosses, with Dylon Richardson sinking 6-of-7 tosses leading to a 10-point afternoon.Combining for 71 free throws on the afternoon, Barton made 23-of-35 (65.7%) as SWC was a solid 77.8% on 28-of-36 shooting.

No. 2 Cougar men survive Southwestern Christian; home opener is tonight

The Barton Community College women's basketball team received contributions up and down the lineup Saturday in picking up a 68-41 victory over the junior varsity squad from Tabor College to wrap up its two-day trip to the Hutchinson Sports Arena for the BSN Tip-Off Classic

The Cougars scored ten unanswered points in the opening four minutes before capping first half action with another eight straight for a 39-23 locker room advantage. Tacking on another five to its lead in the third frame, the Cougars would eventually balloon the margin to as many as thirty points in cruising to its second straight victory.

Now 2-2 on the early season, the Cougars will have a break from competition in preparation of hosting the upcoming weekend's Best Western/Booster Club Classic. Barton will play both the 5:30 p.m. contests, Friday taking on Redlands Community College followed by Saturday's game against Kansas Wesleyan University junior varsity. Following the conclusion of each, the Cougar men take the floor in the 7:30 p.m. tips beginning Friday against Northern Oklahoma College-Enid with Harry S. Truman College the opponent on Saturday.

In the earlier contests, Hutchinson Community College fills both the women's and men's side as the defending national champion and top ranked women's team plays the 1:00 p.m. games with the 15th ranked Blue Dragon men competing in the 3:00 p.m. tip-offs.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2024-25/bios/onugha_vivian_7u24">Vivian Onugha</a>&nbsp;again led all players with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting with a team high 4 steals in twenty-three minutes of action, having her three-game double-double streak come to an end by finishing with 8 rebounds.

Having just one Cougar in double figures, ten players put points on the board as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2024-25/bios/eck_alaina_m8sz">Alaina Eck</a>'s 9 points led the way with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2024-25/bios/simpson_brittany_jg44">Brittany Simpson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2024-25/bios/smith_macie_q6c0">Macie Smith</a>&nbsp;each scoring 8 points.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2024-25/bios/greer_kodi_0ugc">Kodi Greer</a>&nbsp;led the distribution with 4 assists in fifteen minutes on the court, also hauling down 7 rebounds helping the Cougars to a plus-22 rebound advantage.

Kya Thornton's 14 points on 50% shooting including 4-of-6 from long range led Tabor as Ellie McKellips and Malynn Reil each accounted for 7 points.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731422433978.jpeg" alt="Kodi Greer" />
 <figcaption>Kodi Greer</figcaption>
 </figure>By TODD MOORE Barton Sports InfoThe Barton Community College women's basketball team received contributions up and down the lineup Saturday in picking up a 68-41 victory over the junior varsity squad from Tabor College to wrap up its two-day trip to the Hutchinson Sports Arena for the BSN Tip-Off ClassicThe Cougars scored ten unanswered points in the opening four minutes before capping first half action with another eight straight for a 39-23 locker room advantage. Tacking on another five to its lead in the third frame, the Cougars would eventually balloon the margin to as many as thirty points in cruising to its second straight victory.Now 2-2 on the early season, the Cougars will have a break from competition in preparation of hosting the upcoming weekend's Best Western/Booster Club Classic. Barton will play both the 5:30 p.m. contests, Friday taking on Redlands Community College followed by Saturday's game against Kansas Wesleyan University junior varsity. Following the conclusion of each, the Cougar men take the floor in the 7:30 p.m. tips beginning Friday against Northern Oklahoma College-Enid with Harry S. Truman College the opponent on Saturday.In the earlier contests, Hutchinson Community College fills both the women's and men's side as the defending national champion and top ranked women's team plays the 1:00 p.m. games with the 15th ranked Blue Dragon men competing in the 3:00 p.m. tip-offs.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2024-25/bios/onugha_vivian_7u24">Vivian Onugha</a>&nbsp;again led all players with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting with a team high 4 steals in twenty-three minutes of action, having her three-game double-double streak come to an end by finishing with 8 rebounds.Having just one Cougar in double figures, ten players put points on the board as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2024-25/bios/eck_alaina_m8sz">Alaina Eck</a>'s 9 points led the way with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2024-25/bios/simpson_brittany_jg44">Brittany Simpson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2024-25/bios/smith_macie_q6c0">Macie Smith</a>&nbsp;each scoring 8 points.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2024-25/bios/greer_kodi_0ugc">Kodi Greer</a>&nbsp;led the distribution with 4 assists in fifteen minutes on the court, also hauling down 7 rebounds helping the Cougars to a plus-22 rebound advantage.Kya Thornton's 14 points on 50% shooting including 4-of-6 from long range led Tabor as Ellie McKellips and Malynn Reil each accounted for 7 points.

Lady Cougars notch second straight road victory, host home Classic this weekend 

NEW YORK (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is a finalist for his first National League MVP award after winning the AL honor twice, joined among the top three in NL voting by New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte.

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is a finalist for his second American League MVP in three seasons, joined by Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto.

Ohtani was unanimously voted the AL MVP in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-baseball-bryce-harper-fernando-tatis-jr-559a5672c7573c8d20158a53866401de">2021</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohtani-al-most-valuable-player-2638ecdcef8ce75c9e72127d99cb9fd7">2023</a>&nbsp;as a two-way star for the Los Angeles Angels and finished second to Judge in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-san-diego-st-louis-cardinals-baseball-0cebd2be901e3309f64c8fd05c0e825a">2022 voting</a>. He didn't pitch in 2024 following elbow surgery and signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers.

Ohtani would join Frank Robinson for Cincinnati in 1961 and Baltimore in 1966 as the only players to win the MVP award in both leagues.

Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes is a finalist in balloting for the NL Cy Young Award and NL Rookie of the Year. The 22-year-old right-hander becomes the fifth rookie to finish among the top three in Cy Young Award voting, after Mark Fidrych (1976), Fernando Valenzuela (1981), Dwight Gooden (1984) and José Fernández (2013). The only one to win both in the same year was Valenzuela in the National League.

Ohtani hit .310, stole 59 bases and led the NL with 54 homers and 130 RBIs exclusively as a designated hitter, becoming the first player with 50 or more homers and 50 or more stolen bases in a season. He helped the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-series-dodgers-yankees-score-bd8e555b9bb5a321fff527e78e0ba637'">Dodgers to the World Series title</a>, playing the final three games with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-series-ohtani-dodgers-yankees-e9ad1f46a4a6f12b9aeb99c1dee08db6">torn labrum in his left shoulder</a>.

Ohtani would become the first primary DH to win an MVP award.

The top three finishers in voting for each of the major individual awards presented annually by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America were announced Monday night on MLB Network. Winners will be revealed next week.

Balloting is conducted before the postseason.

Ohtani would become the 12th player with three or more MVPs, joining Barry Bonds (seven) and Jimmie Foxx, Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musial, Roy Campanella, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Mike Schmidt, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols and Mike Trout (three each).

Lindor batted .273 with 33 homers, 91 RBIs and 29 steals, while Marte hit .292 with 36 homers and 95 RBIs.

Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks while hitting .322. Witt topped the big leagues with a .332 average, hitting 32 homers with 109 RBIs. Soto batted .288 with 41 homers and 109 RBIs.

Atlanta's Chris Sale and Philadelphia's Zack Wheeler are NL Cy Young Award finalists along with Skenes, who made his big league debut May 11 and went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA in 23 starts, striking out 170 in 133 innings.

Detroit's Tarik Skubal, Kansas City's Seth Lugo and Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase are the finalists for the AL honor. Clase becomes the first reliever to finish among the top three in voting since San Diego's Trevor Hoffman came in second in 2006 NL balloting.

Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill and Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio joined Skenes as finalists for NL Rookie of the Year. Yankees right-hander Luis Gil and catcher Austin Wells are AL finalists along with Baltimore outfielder Colton Cowser.

Cleveland's Stephen Vogt, Kansas City's Matt Quatraro and Detroit's A.J. Hinch are finalists for AL Manager of the Year. The three NL finalists were all first-year managers with their teams: the Mets' Carlos Mendoza, Milwaukee's Pat Murphy and San Diego's Mike Shildt.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1727914133285.png" alt="Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. (7) hits a single as home plate umpire Ben May, left, and Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman look on during the third inning in Game 2 of an AL Wild Card Series baseball game, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024 in Baltimore. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. (7) hits a single as home plate umpire Ben May, left, and Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman look on during the third inning in Game 2 of an AL Wild Card Series baseball game, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024 in Baltimore. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is a finalist for his first National League MVP award after winning the AL honor twice, joined among the top three in NL voting by New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte.New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is a finalist for his second American League MVP in three seasons, joined by Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto.Ohtani was unanimously voted the AL MVP in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-baseball-bryce-harper-fernando-tatis-jr-559a5672c7573c8d20158a53866401de">2021</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohtani-al-most-valuable-player-2638ecdcef8ce75c9e72127d99cb9fd7">2023</a>&nbsp;as a two-way star for the Los Angeles Angels and finished second to Judge in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-san-diego-st-louis-cardinals-baseball-0cebd2be901e3309f64c8fd05c0e825a">2022 voting</a>. He didn't pitch in 2024 following elbow surgery and signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers.Ohtani would join Frank Robinson for Cincinnati in 1961 and Baltimore in 1966 as the only players to win the MVP award in both leagues.Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes is a finalist in balloting for the NL Cy Young Award and NL Rookie of the Year. The 22-year-old right-hander becomes the fifth rookie to finish among the top three in Cy Young Award voting, after Mark Fidrych (1976), Fernando Valenzuela (1981), Dwight Gooden (1984) and José Fernández (2013). The only one to win both in the same year was Valenzuela in the National League.Ohtani hit .310, stole 59 bases and led the NL with 54 homers and 130 RBIs exclusively as a designated hitter, becoming the first player with 50 or more homers and 50 or more stolen bases in a season. He helped the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-series-dodgers-yankees-score-bd8e555b9bb5a321fff527e78e0ba637'">Dodgers to the World Series title</a>, playing the final three games with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-series-ohtani-dodgers-yankees-e9ad1f46a4a6f12b9aeb99c1dee08db6">torn labrum in his left shoulder</a>.Ohtani would become the first primary DH to win an MVP award.The top three finishers in voting for each of the major individual awards presented annually by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America were announced Monday night on MLB Network. Winners will be revealed next week.Balloting is conducted before the postseason.Ohtani would become the 12th player with three or more MVPs, joining Barry Bonds (seven) and Jimmie Foxx, Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musial, Roy Campanella, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Mike Schmidt, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols and Mike Trout (three each).Lindor batted .273 with 33 homers, 91 RBIs and 29 steals, while Marte hit .292 with 36 homers and 95 RBIs.Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks while hitting .322. Witt topped the big leagues with a .332 average, hitting 32 homers with 109 RBIs. Soto batted .288 with 41 homers and 109 RBIs.Atlanta's Chris Sale and Philadelphia's Zack Wheeler are NL Cy Young Award finalists along with Skenes, who made his big league debut May 11 and went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA in 23 starts, striking out 170 in 133 innings.Detroit's Tarik Skubal, Kansas City's Seth Lugo and Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase are the finalists for the AL honor. Clase becomes the first reliever to finish among the top three in voting since San Diego's Trevor Hoffman came in second in 2006 NL balloting.Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill and Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio joined Skenes as finalists for NL Rookie of the Year. Yankees right-hander Luis Gil and catcher Austin Wells are AL finalists along with Baltimore outfielder Colton Cowser.Cleveland's Stephen Vogt, Kansas City's Matt Quatraro and Detroit's A.J. Hinch are finalists for AL Manager of the Year. The three NL finalists were all first-year managers with their teams: the Mets' Carlos Mendoza, Milwaukee's Pat Murphy and San Diego's Mike Shildt.