- Great Bend Panther volleyball coach Shelly Duvall along with Sophomore Kya Behr.

- Kansas Pregame Magazine Publisher John Baetz

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693997740304.jpeg" alt="Wednesday show lineup with hosts Steve Webster, Mike Courson, and Mike Hesher" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday 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/ZHPSg6MSFlM?si=27mBS2YE05Qq6H3_" 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>- Great Bend Panther volleyball coach Shelly Duvall along with Sophomore Kya Behr.- Kansas Pregame Magazine Publisher John Baetz- "Voice of the Tigers" Gerard Wellbrock- Wednesday Sports Headlines- Sounds of the past 24-hours

Wednesday on Sports Day(Watch)

- "Voice of the Cardinals" Cole Reif will preview Friday's season opener for Hoisington at Pratt.

- Barton Volleyball coach Megan Besecker and Freshman middle hitter&nbsp;Aubrey Olander from Little River.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693997740304.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Tuesday show lineup with hosts Steve Webster, Mike Courson, and Mike Hesher" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;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/QLUucNYT658?si=Rfu7Lrqlo6HJ00-O" 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>- "Voice of the Cardinals" Cole Reif will preview Friday's season opener for Hoisington at Pratt.- Barton Volleyball coach Megan Besecker and Freshman middle hitter&nbsp;Aubrey Olander from Little River.- "On the Prowl" with Mike Courson- Labor Day Weekend Sports Headlines- Sounds of the weekend

Tuesday on Sports Day(Watch)

By GARY VAN CLEAVE Special to Great Bend Post

OTIS - A new era is beginning for Otis-Bison Cougar football. They have the field general to lead them this fall.

“First year of 6-man, but we got a really good coaching staff and an experienced team this year. I’m expecting a winning season and a good playoff run,” Cougar senior quarterback Jake Hoopingarner said.

Hoopingarner leads in more than just the gridiron. He plays a leading role for his school’s local chapter for Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

“We don’t have officers just leaders,” Hoopingarner said. “It’s really important to me, I’m a big believer in Christ and He is a big part of my life. I give all of my glory to Him.”

Leading is something the 5-foot-11, 175-pound baseball pitching standout relishes.

“He’s a really good team leader and he’s really precise and quick with his arm,” sophomore lineman Ricky Martinez said. “He has a lot of potential and he’s a really good athlete in general. He’s the best with pads on and with them off too.”

“A great leader as a senior,” freshman guard Marcus Starr said. “His passes look pretty as starting QB. He’s been a leader for all the freshman and he has improved on his throwing. If we get Jake an open hole, he’s gone. He’ll do great things if you get him an open hole.”

Hoopingarner also plays cornerback, but he will QB only the first two games after injuring his back this summer.

“Pitching in the championship game and something popped, I had a small fracture in one of my vertebrae,” he said.

“I’m almost 100% and I’m playing offense only the first two games, but I’ll be fully cleared hopefully by the third game,” he continued. “It hasn’t hurt ever since I’ve started physical therapy.”

Hoopingarner’s Cougars were 0-9 last year and are 1-17 the past two seasons. They haven’t had a winning season in five years.

“Oh I’m hungry, I hate to lose and I don’t plan on doing that this year,” senior running back Ian Haselhorst said.

The Cougars haven’t won a game since beating Logan/Palco 52-6 on Oct. 27, 2022. Oct. 1, 2021 was the last home game they won when they handled Tescott 72-22.

“As a competitor all you want to do is win and we haven’t done a lot of that recently,” junior defensive back Louis McVey said. “You look at the one-win season and we played multiple games with only nine (players) as an 8 man team. Last year there were games where a 175-pound, 6-foot-1 lanky guy was playing center. We haven’t had enough to field a scout team until this season.”

“Only winning one game the last two seasons is really frustrating coming from my background,” Hoopingarner said. “My brothers won a ton and my dad won a lot in high school as well as a state title. The only thing that I can do is try to encourage my teammates to become better everyday and kind of keep their hopes up.”

Hoopingarner said he plays each game for his brothers, Landon and Seth.

“They both were 8-man all stars and I kind of want to live up to their hype and become a 6-man all star,” Hoopingarner said.

“They always were great examples for me,” he continued. “They were always hard on me growing up and it was really fun watching them play the game. They still come to my games and support me and they give me and the team things we can work on to get better. Really, really amazing guys and football players.”

Hoopingarner hopes to get to play college baseball a year from now.

“I’m a utility player for my (summer) team and I’m an all-around player, but my strong suit is pitching,” he said.

“I’m a very versatile pitcher commanding multiple pitches in my arsenal,” he added. “I’ve thrown several no-hitters and a perfect game last year. I’m a starting pitcher that usually runs deep into the game.”

This past summer, Hoopingarner posted an 8-2 record and 2.30 earned run average while striking out 70 batters. He missed the final three tournaments because of his back.

“I mean it would mean the world to me,” Hoopingarner said of playing college baseball. “I’ve always wanted to play in college and the MLB since I was young. To see that dream start to unfold is truly amazing.”

“He is a guy that will get it done,” summer catcher Caden Dinkel of Thomas More Prep said. “Good command for fast and off speed pitches, also gets a lot of swing and miss on curveball. That curve is his chase pitch, lots of strikeouts with it.”

Senior tight end Logan Maier has played basketball with Hoopingarner since first grade.

“Playing with him has always been an adventure,” Maier said. “He’s always looking for a challenge, supports his teammates even when he’s not supporting himself and gets on his teammates if things aren’t going the way they should. He’s always been an amazing leader for everyone, not just the team but the whole school. All the younger kids look up to him.”

“He is a very good QB, can throw me some dots,” running back Gavin Alloway said. “He has great footwork and knows the game very well. I would say he has great potential.”

Hoopingarner would be the first in his family to play college baseball. His dad, Lance, competed in golf at Fort Hays State.

“I just want the Hoopingarner name to be remembered,” he said. “I would love to make my family proud and my hometown proud as well. I just want to be thought of as the hardest-working, most dedicated person ever known. I would also like to be remembered as a leader or an inspiration for others.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725372053442.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By GARY VAN CLEAVE Special to Great Bend PostOTIS - A new era is beginning for Otis-Bison Cougar football. They have the field general to lead them this fall.“First year of 6-man, but we got a really good coaching staff and an experienced team this year. I’m expecting a winning season and a good playoff run,” Cougar senior quarterback Jake Hoopingarner said.Hoopingarner leads in more than just the gridiron. He plays a leading role for his school’s local chapter for Fellowship of Christian Athletes.“We don’t have officers just leaders,” Hoopingarner said. “It’s really important to me, I’m a big believer in Christ and He is a big part of my life. I give all of my glory to Him.”Leading is something the 5-foot-11, 175-pound baseball pitching standout relishes.“He’s a really good team leader and he’s really precise and quick with his arm,” sophomore lineman Ricky Martinez said. “He has a lot of potential and he’s a really good athlete in general. He’s the best with pads on and with them off too.”“A great leader as a senior,” freshman guard Marcus Starr said. “His passes look pretty as starting QB. He’s been a leader for all the freshman and he has improved on his throwing. If we get Jake an open hole, he’s gone. He’ll do great things if you get him an open hole.”Hoopingarner also plays cornerback, but he will QB only the first two games after injuring his back this summer.“Pitching in the championship game and something popped, I had a small fracture in one of my vertebrae,” he said.“I’m almost 100% and I’m playing offense only the first two games, but I’ll be fully cleared hopefully by the third game,” he continued. “It hasn’t hurt ever since I’ve started physical therapy.”Hoopingarner’s Cougars were 0-9 last year and are 1-17 the past two seasons. They haven’t had a winning season in five years.“Oh I’m hungry, I hate to lose and I don’t plan on doing that this year,” senior running back Ian Haselhorst said.The Cougars haven’t won a game since beating Logan/Palco 52-6 on Oct. 27, 2022. Oct. 1, 2021 was the last home game they won when they handled Tescott 72-22.“As a competitor all you want to do is win and we haven’t done a lot of that recently,” junior defensive back Louis McVey said. “You look at the one-win season and we played multiple games with only nine (players) as an 8 man team. Last year there were games where a 175-pound, 6-foot-1 lanky guy was playing center. We haven’t had enough to field a scout team until this season.”“Only winning one game the last two seasons is really frustrating coming from my background,” Hoopingarner said. “My brothers won a ton and my dad won a lot in high school as well as a state title. The only thing that I can do is try to encourage my teammates to become better everyday and kind of keep their hopes up.”Hoopingarner said he plays each game for his brothers, Landon and Seth.“They both were 8-man all stars and I kind of want to live up to their hype and become a 6-man all star,” Hoopingarner said.“They always were great examples for me,” he continued. “They were always hard on me growing up and it was really fun watching them play the game. They still come to my games and support me and they give me and the team things we can work on to get better. Really, really amazing guys and football players.”Hoopingarner hopes to get to play college baseball a year from now.“I’m a utility player for my (summer) team and I’m an all-around player, but my strong suit is pitching,” he said.“I’m a very versatile pitcher commanding multiple pitches in my arsenal,” he added. “I’ve thrown several no-hitters and a perfect game last year. I’m a starting pitcher that usually runs deep into the game.”This past summer, Hoopingarner posted an 8-2 record and 2.30 earned run average while striking out 70 batters. He missed the final three tournaments because of his back.“I mean it would mean the world to me,” Hoopingarner said of playing college baseball. “I’ve always wanted to play in college and the MLB since I was young. To see that dream start to unfold is truly amazing.”“He is a guy that will get it done,” summer catcher Caden Dinkel of Thomas More Prep said. “Good command for fast and off speed pitches, also gets a lot of swing and miss on curveball. That curve is his chase pitch, lots of strikeouts with it.”Senior tight end Logan Maier has played basketball with Hoopingarner since first grade.“Playing with him has always been an adventure,” Maier said. “He’s always looking for a challenge, supports his teammates even when he’s not supporting himself and gets on his teammates if things aren’t going the way they should. He’s always been an amazing leader for everyone, not just the team but the whole school. All the younger kids look up to him.”“He is a very good QB, can throw me some dots,” running back Gavin Alloway said. “He has great footwork and knows the game very well. I would say he has great potential.”Hoopingarner would be the first in his family to play college baseball. His dad, Lance, competed in golf at Fort Hays State.“I just want the Hoopingarner name to be remembered,” he said. “I would love to make my family proud and my hometown proud as well. I just want to be thought of as the hardest-working, most dedicated person ever known. I would also like to be remembered as a leader or an inspiration for others.”

Hoopingarner leads Otis-Bison Cougars to 6-man status

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs insist that they are not thinking about last year's opener against Detroit, when they celebrated their latest Super Bowl triumph with a flag-raising ceremony and were promptly beaten by the Lions.

The three-time Super Bowl MVP had by far the worst Week 1 performance of his career that night, completing barely more than 50% of his passes for just 226 yards with his fewest touchdown passes (two) and first interception in six season openers.

Makes sense that Mahomes has tried to wash away his memory of the Lions with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-season-preview-2024-5bd0805146d13be839159836b7841c71">the Ravens awaiting him Thursday night</a>.

“I don't think last year's too much on your mind,” Mahomes said. “You're so focused on trying to get better, and we're playing the best of the best Week 1. We're going to see where we're at. We're going to have to go out there and play our best football early in the season. All we can do is go out there and be our best.”

That is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-ravens-kansas-city-baltimore-9cc41169b71e7a0dee221cf7c4f47bb4">more the norm for Mahomes in Week 1</a>&nbsp;— the best of his best — and it is an exceedingly high bar. He had never lost a season opener until running into Detroit, winning his first five as the starting quarterback in Kansas City. He had completed at least 75% of his passes in four of those games, averaged 308 yards and thrown for 18 TD passes without a pick.

He was just 21 of 39 for 226 yards in the 21-20 loss to the Lions.

“You don't want to get pushed around. I think that's the biggest thing,” Mahomes said of Week 1 games, and playing the Ravens in particular. “Whenever you play teams like this, you want to make sure you match their physicality. We're fast, and we've got guys that run around, but we pride ourselves on being physical as well, so it's going to be a great challenge, man.”

Something else that Mahomes tries not to think about: his place in history.

He's completed more passes for more yards and more touchdown passes than any quarterback in NFL history though 96 starts, and every game he seems to climb another historical chart.

One big step will likely come Thursday night, when Mahomes — with 28,424 yards passing — needs just 84 to pass Hall of Famer Len Dawson for the career franchise record.

“It's a little bit different game now with the passing the way it is,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said, "but he has so much respect for Len before Len passed. They had a relationship there. They talked. The game's just — it's a little different. There's just a little bit more passing that goes on now. At the college — all levels really, you start at the little kid's level and on up through high school and college, and the ball is being thrown more. It's a compliment to Pat because he does it the right way.

“As great as he is,” Reid said, “he's a humble guy and respects the things that happened before him. He gets it."

Mahomes tends to rise to the occasion, the bigger the game the bigger his performance. It's a big reason why the two-time NFL MVP has led the Chiefs to six consecutive AFC championship games, reached four Super Bowls and won three of them.

That includes this past season, when the Chiefs had to beat the Ravens on the road to win their latest conference title.

And while nobody mistakes Week 1 for the playoffs, the spotlight nevertheless shines a little more brightly than typical games.

The Chiefs will once again raise a championship banner Thursday night, and the eyes of the NFL will fall squarely on Arrowhead Stadium for the game that raises the curtain on the regular season.

“It's just a great opportunity for the guys, to see what it's like to be on the biggest stage,” Mahomes said. "You want to play in the Super Bowl at the end of the year, but this is a big stage as well. To be able to get that experience, play a great football team I am excited for these guys to get out there, and the guys who haven’t been here, see what it’s like to be on that type of stage.”

NOTES: The Chiefs put RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire on the non-football illness list, meaning he will miss the first four games. ... WR Hollywood Brown (shoulder) did not practice Monday, though Reid has already said he will miss Week 1. ... Special teams coach Dave Toub said that FB Carson Steele, RB Samaje Perine and WRs Mecole Hardman, Skyy Moore and Xavier Worthy are options for kickoff returns. Hardman, Worthy and Moore are the most likely choices to return punts.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725326949562.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs insist that they are not thinking about last year's opener against Detroit, when they celebrated their latest Super Bowl triumph with a flag-raising ceremony and were promptly beaten by the Lions.Patrick Mahomes is chief among them.The three-time Super Bowl MVP had by far the worst Week 1 performance of his career that night, completing barely more than 50% of his passes for just 226 yards with his fewest touchdown passes (two) and first interception in six season openers.Makes sense that Mahomes has tried to wash away his memory of the Lions with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-season-preview-2024-5bd0805146d13be839159836b7841c71">the Ravens awaiting him Thursday night</a>.“I don't think last year's too much on your mind,” Mahomes said. “You're so focused on trying to get better, and we're playing the best of the best Week 1. We're going to see where we're at. We're going to have to go out there and play our best football early in the season. All we can do is go out there and be our best.”That is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-ravens-kansas-city-baltimore-9cc41169b71e7a0dee221cf7c4f47bb4">more the norm for Mahomes in Week 1</a>&nbsp;— the best of his best — and it is an exceedingly high bar. He had never lost a season opener until running into Detroit, winning his first five as the starting quarterback in Kansas City. He had completed at least 75% of his passes in four of those games, averaged 308 yards and thrown for 18 TD passes without a pick.He was just 21 of 39 for 226 yards in the 21-20 loss to the Lions.“You don't want to get pushed around. I think that's the biggest thing,” Mahomes said of Week 1 games, and playing the Ravens in particular. “Whenever you play teams like this, you want to make sure you match their physicality. We're fast, and we've got guys that run around, but we pride ourselves on being physical as well, so it's going to be a great challenge, man.”Something else that Mahomes tries not to think about: his place in history.He's completed more passes for more yards and more touchdown passes than any quarterback in NFL history though 96 starts, and every game he seems to climb another historical chart.One big step will likely come Thursday night, when Mahomes — with 28,424 yards passing — needs just 84 to pass Hall of Famer Len Dawson for the career franchise record.“It's a little bit different game now with the passing the way it is,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said, "but he has so much respect for Len before Len passed. They had a relationship there. They talked. The game's just — it's a little different. There's just a little bit more passing that goes on now. At the college — all levels really, you start at the little kid's level and on up through high school and college, and the ball is being thrown more. It's a compliment to Pat because he does it the right way.“As great as he is,” Reid said, “he's a humble guy and respects the things that happened before him. He gets it."Mahomes tends to rise to the occasion, the bigger the game the bigger his performance. It's a big reason why the two-time NFL MVP has led the Chiefs to six consecutive AFC championship games, reached four Super Bowls and won three of them.That includes this past season, when the Chiefs had to beat the Ravens on the road to win their latest conference title.And while nobody mistakes Week 1 for the playoffs, the spotlight nevertheless shines a little more brightly than typical games.The Chiefs will once again raise a championship banner Thursday night, and the eyes of the NFL will fall squarely on Arrowhead Stadium for the game that raises the curtain on the regular season.“It's just a great opportunity for the guys, to see what it's like to be on the biggest stage,” Mahomes said. "You want to play in the Super Bowl at the end of the year, but this is a big stage as well. To be able to get that experience, play a great football team I am excited for these guys to get out there, and the guys who haven’t been here, see what it’s like to be on that type of stage.”NOTES: The Chiefs put RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire on the non-football illness list, meaning he will miss the first four games. ... WR Hollywood Brown (shoulder) did not practice Monday, though Reid has already said he will miss Week 1. ... Special teams coach Dave Toub said that FB Carson Steele, RB Samaje Perine and WRs Mecole Hardman, Skyy Moore and Xavier Worthy are options for kickoff returns. Hardman, Worthy and Moore are the most likely choices to return punts.

Mahomes wants better start for Chiefs when Ravens visit Thursday night

In an early season battle of nationally ranked teams Sunday evening in El Dorado, a second half rally fell short for the Barton Community College women's soccer team in falling 2-1 at 12th ranked Butler Community College.

The KJCCC contest result drops the Cougars to 0-1-1 and 1-1-1 overall with Butler improving to 2-0-0 and 2-0-1 on the year.

Next up for Barton is a return home league game on Wednesday hosting Coffeyville Community College in a 3:00 p.m. kickoff.

An own goal put the Grizzlies on top fifteen minutes into the contest with a second half 1v1 conversion with twenty minutes left provided the eventual game winner.

Ninety seconds later&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/baldi_beatriz_vc7u">Beatriz Baldi</a>&nbsp;gave Barton new life for the final 17:55 with a turn-n-fire shaped shot to the upper-90 for her third of the year.

The Cougars nearly netted the equalizer sixty second later but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/potter_katie_wgdw">Katie Potter</a>'s unmarked shot from 15-yards out sailed just high of the crossbar.

Barton outshot the Grizzlies 11-10 overall with each team sending six on frame.

<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/tanaka_mio_fiw7">Mio Tanaka</a>&nbsp;took the loss with four saves including a pair of point blank rejections in dropping to 1-1-1 on the season.

Rylie Schiffelbein worked the first forty-five minutes between the pipe with two saves as Millie Robshaw-Charlesworth turned away three Barton shots towards goal.

In an early season battle of nationally ranked teams Sunday evening in El Dorado, a second half rally fell short for the Barton Community College women's soccer team in falling 2-1 at 12th ranked Butler Community College.The KJCCC contest result drops the Cougars to 0-1-1 and 1-1-1 overall with Butler improving to 2-0-0 and 2-0-1 on the year.Next up for Barton is a return home league game on Wednesday hosting Coffeyville Community College in a 3:00 p.m. kickoff.An own goal put the Grizzlies on top fifteen minutes into the contest with a second half 1v1 conversion with twenty minutes left provided the eventual game winner.Ninety seconds later&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/baldi_beatriz_vc7u">Beatriz Baldi</a>&nbsp;gave Barton new life for the final 17:55 with a turn-n-fire shaped shot to the upper-90 for her third of the year.The Cougars nearly netted the equalizer sixty second later but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/potter_katie_wgdw">Katie Potter</a>'s unmarked shot from 15-yards out sailed just high of the crossbar.Barton outshot the Grizzlies 11-10 overall with each team sending six on frame.<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/tanaka_mio_fiw7">Mio Tanaka</a>&nbsp;took the loss with four saves including a pair of point blank rejections in dropping to 1-1-1 on the season.Rylie Schiffelbein worked the first forty-five minutes between the pipe with two saves as Millie Robshaw-Charlesworth turned away three Barton shots towards goal.

No. 17 Cougar women fall 2-1 to No. 12 Butler County

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Gavin Williams pitched seven sharp innings, and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Kansas City Royals 4-2 on Monday.

Lane Thomas and Josh Naylor each hit two-run homers for AL Central-leading Cleveland, which won for the fourth time in five games.

Williams (3-7) allowed one run and one hit in an encouraging September performance after he went 1-4 with a 6.56 ERA in five starts last month.

“Filling up the zone,” Williams said. “Talking with (catcher) Bo (Naylor) and having a better plan. Just seeing the way they took different pitches.”

The right-hander walked two while throwing 46 pitches in the first two innings. But he settled down from there, retiring his final 16 batters.

“The first couple of innings he was fighting himself,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “Made an adjustment. To go seven was much needed, for him, for us, and everything.”

The Guardians began the day with a 3 1/2-game lead over Minnesota and Kansas City in the division.

The Royals played without&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Royals/status/1830621846783283534">manager Matt Quatraro</a>, who missed the game because of a personal matter. Bench coach Paul Hoover ran the team in Quatraro's absence.

Kansas City finished with two hits in its season-high sixth consecutive loss.

“The ball’s not bouncing our way,” Royals infielder Michael Massey said. “We’ve gone through streaks where the ball hits on the right side of the chalk line and streaks where it hits the wrong side. We’re just on the wrong side right now.”

<a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/lane-thomas-homers-9-on-a-fly-ball-to-left-center-field-jhonkensy-noel-sc">Thomas’ ninth homer of the season</a>&nbsp;lifted Cleveland to a 2-1 lead in the fifth. It was Thomas’ first homer since he was acquired in a July 29 trade with Washington.

“All you want to do is contribute,” Thomas said. “It was nice to give Gavin a little support there.”

José Ramírez led off the sixth with an infield single off Kris Bubic. Josh Naylor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/josh-naylor-homers-29-on-a-fly-ball-to-center-field-jose-ramirez-scores">followed with his 29th homer</a>, a 420-foot drive to center on a 1-0 fastball.

In his last five games, Naylor has eight RBIs and 11 hits, three for extra bases.

Emmanuel Clase handled the ninth for his 41st save. He has converted 28 consecutive save chances.

Garcia doubled home Yuli Gurriel in the second for Kansas City, and Kyle Isbel added a sacrifice fly in the eighth.

Garcia said Williams threw more curveballs “and we didn’t make the adjustment.”

Garcia started at shortstop as Bobby Witt Jr. served as the designated hitter. It was Witt’s first game away from shortstop since last Sept. 4, a span of 161 games.

Kansas City right-hander Michael Wacha (11-7) permitted two runs and five hits in five innings in his first loss since June 22.

“Everything was good until the fifth,” Wacha said. “Was able to keep them off balance until then.”

“He threw the ball really, really well,” Hoover said. “He gave up the cutter for a home run to Thomas. The one swing got him.”

TRAINER’S ROOM Royals: 1B Gurriel left in the eighth because of right hamstring tightness.

UP NEXT Guardians RHP Tanner Bibee (10-6, 3.65 ERA) opposes RHP Brady Singer (9-9, 3.36 ERA) on Tuesday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725326517507.jpeg" alt="Fans stand for the seventh inning stretch during a baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and the Cleveland Guardians Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Fans stand for the seventh inning stretch during a baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and the Cleveland Guardians Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Gavin Williams pitched seven sharp innings, and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Kansas City Royals 4-2 on Monday.Lane Thomas and Josh Naylor each hit two-run homers for AL Central-leading Cleveland, which won for the fourth time in five games.Williams (3-7) allowed one run and one hit in an encouraging September performance after he went 1-4 with a 6.56 ERA in five starts last month.“Filling up the zone,” Williams said. “Talking with (catcher) Bo (Naylor) and having a better plan. Just seeing the way they took different pitches.”The right-hander walked two while throwing 46 pitches in the first two innings. But he settled down from there, retiring his final 16 batters.“The first couple of innings he was fighting himself,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “Made an adjustment. To go seven was much needed, for him, for us, and everything.”The Guardians began the day with a 3 1/2-game lead over Minnesota and Kansas City in the division.The Royals played without&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Royals/status/1830621846783283534">manager Matt Quatraro</a>, who missed the game because of a personal matter. Bench coach Paul Hoover ran the team in Quatraro's absence.Kansas City finished with two hits in its season-high sixth consecutive loss.“The ball’s not bouncing our way,” Royals infielder Michael Massey said. “We’ve gone through streaks where the ball hits on the right side of the chalk line and streaks where it hits the wrong side. We’re just on the wrong side right now.”<a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/lane-thomas-homers-9-on-a-fly-ball-to-left-center-field-jhonkensy-noel-sc">Thomas’ ninth homer of the season</a>&nbsp;lifted Cleveland to a 2-1 lead in the fifth. It was Thomas’ first homer since he was acquired in a July 29 trade with Washington.“All you want to do is contribute,” Thomas said. “It was nice to give Gavin a little support there.”José Ramírez led off the sixth with an infield single off Kris Bubic. Josh Naylor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/josh-naylor-homers-29-on-a-fly-ball-to-center-field-jose-ramirez-scores">followed with his 29th homer</a>, a 420-foot drive to center on a 1-0 fastball.In his last five games, Naylor has eight RBIs and 11 hits, three for extra bases.Emmanuel Clase handled the ninth for his 41st save. He has converted 28 consecutive save chances.Garcia doubled home Yuli Gurriel in the second for Kansas City, and Kyle Isbel added a sacrifice fly in the eighth.Garcia said Williams threw more curveballs “and we didn’t make the adjustment.”Garcia started at shortstop as Bobby Witt Jr. served as the designated hitter. It was Witt’s first game away from shortstop since last Sept. 4, a span of 161 games.Kansas City right-hander Michael Wacha (11-7) permitted two runs and five hits in five innings in his first loss since June 22.“Everything was good until the fifth,” Wacha said. “Was able to keep them off balance until then.”“He threw the ball really, really well,” Hoover said. “He gave up the cutter for a home run to Thomas. The one swing got him.”TRAINER’S ROOM Royals: 1B Gurriel left in the eighth because of right hamstring tightness.UP NEXT Guardians RHP Tanner Bibee (10-6, 3.65 ERA) opposes RHP Brady Singer (9-9, 3.36 ERA) on Tuesday night.

Royals drop sixth straight in opener against Central-leading Cleveland

The 17th ranked Barton Community College volleyball team added five more victories to its total this weekend at the Victory Electric Classic held in Dodge City, Kansas.

The Cougars opened the three-day Victory Electric Classic with their fifth consecutive sweep over Frank Phillips College (25-14, 25-14, 25-17), on Thursday evening.

Barton started play on Friday sweeping Panola College (25-21, 25-14, 25-12) before facing its second highly anticipated match of the early season against 20th ranked Eastern Arizona College needing five sets to strive off the Monsters&nbsp;late comeback bid (25-13, 25-18, 23-25, 23-25, 15-12).

In Saturday's action, the Cougars put together a pair of dominating sweeps, the first coming against Midland College (25-11, 25-16, 25-21) before disposing Otero (25-9, 25-16, 25-15) to conclude its perfect 5-0 weekend.

Now 9-0 after two weekends of non-conference play, Barton will return home for its home and conference openers on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. against Butler Community College to kickstart a three match homestand.

<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/reyes_phoebe_zp2h">Phoebe Reyes</a>&nbsp;led Barton with 39 kills in 15 sets, playing behind a 2.63 attack while posting a season high 13 kills coming in Friday's five set win over Eastern Arizona.

Pacing the Cougars .273 hitting percentage over the five matches was sophomores&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/stankovic_elena_icdc">Elena Stankovic</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/reyes_maurin_5w3d">Maurin Reyes</a>. Stankovic led the distributions with 103 assists for a 6.06 average per set, while Reyes filled the other side of the 6-2 formation adding 77 assists and 5.13 mark.

Defensively,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/olander_aubrey_49pp">Aubrey Olander</a>&nbsp;guided the net play for the Cougars with 20 blocks over 17 sets while&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/danenberg_naya_4891">Naya Danenberg</a>&nbsp;contributed 10 in her 17 played sets.

<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/kaneko_mina_z3c5">Mina Kaneko</a>&nbsp;led the backline with 51 digs edging out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/nixon_kassidy_bbcx">Kassidy Nixon</a>'s 50 as the duo accounted for 3.00 and 2.94 digs per set respectively over 17 sets.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725237817207.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The 17th ranked Barton Community College volleyball team added five more victories to its total this weekend at the Victory Electric Classic held in Dodge City, Kansas.The Cougars opened the three-day Victory Electric Classic with their fifth consecutive sweep over Frank Phillips College (25-14, 25-14, 25-17), on Thursday evening.Barton started play on Friday sweeping Panola College (25-21, 25-14, 25-12) before facing its second highly anticipated match of the early season against 20th ranked Eastern Arizona College needing five sets to strive off the Monsters&nbsp;late comeback bid (25-13, 25-18, 23-25, 23-25, 15-12).In Saturday's action, the Cougars put together a pair of dominating sweeps, the first coming against Midland College (25-11, 25-16, 25-21) before disposing Otero (25-9, 25-16, 25-15) to conclude its perfect 5-0 weekend.Now 9-0 after two weekends of non-conference play, Barton will return home for its home and conference openers on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. against Butler Community College to kickstart a three match homestand.<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/reyes_phoebe_zp2h">Phoebe Reyes</a>&nbsp;led Barton with 39 kills in 15 sets, playing behind a 2.63 attack while posting a season high 13 kills coming in Friday's five set win over Eastern Arizona.Pacing the Cougars .273 hitting percentage over the five matches was sophomores&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/stankovic_elena_icdc">Elena Stankovic</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/reyes_maurin_5w3d">Maurin Reyes</a>. Stankovic led the distributions with 103 assists for a 6.06 average per set, while Reyes filled the other side of the 6-2 formation adding 77 assists and 5.13 mark.Defensively,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/olander_aubrey_49pp">Aubrey Olander</a>&nbsp;guided the net play for the Cougars with 20 blocks over 17 sets while&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/danenberg_naya_4891">Naya Danenberg</a>&nbsp;contributed 10 in her 17 played sets.<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/kaneko_mina_z3c5">Mina Kaneko</a>&nbsp;led the backline with 51 digs edging out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/nixon_kassidy_bbcx">Kassidy Nixon</a>'s 50 as the duo accounted for 3.00 and 2.94 digs per set respectively over 17 sets.

No. 17 Barton Volleyball remains perfect with 5-0 weekend in Dodge City

Nine Cougars found the scoring column Saturday afternoon at the Cougar Soccer Complex as the 17th ranked Barton women's soccer team blanked Highland Community College 16-0.

Scoring the third most goals in program history, the home slate opening victory improves Barton to 1-0-1 on the early season while Highland, returning to competition after a three-year hiatus, drops to 0-4-0 on the year.

Barton has a quick turnaround to refresh before heading to El Dorado Sunday for a 7:00 p.m. kick-off at 12th ranked Butler Community College.

Pinning nine of their goals on the first half scoreboard, Barton expectedly dominated in all facets behind 36 shots, 26 coming on frame, while defensively keeping the Scotties from launching any shots.

A trio of Cougars posted hat-tricks on the afternoon,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/potter_katie_wgdw">Katie Potter</a>&nbsp;one of those in registering the first goal of the afternoon just 4:49 into the contest kickstarting the squad's four goal explosion in eight minutes off the clock.

<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/jolly_fiona_g347">Fiona Jolly</a>&nbsp;netted the first of her three goals within that eight minute span with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/aguirre_lancheros_sara_mg6s">Sara Aguirre Lancheros</a>&nbsp;scoring all three of hers in a ten minute stretch closing out first half action in Barton's 9-0 intermission lead.

<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/baldi_beatriz_vc7u">Beatriz Baldi</a>&nbsp;rattled the nets twice and added an assist for a five point afternoon while&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/methman_kayla_tv0d">Kayla Methman</a>&nbsp;led the Cougars' eight assists with two before scoring her 1st collegiate net rattler, all coming in first half action.

Scoring:4:49 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/potter_katie_wgdw">Katie Potter</a>&nbsp;(2) (unassisted)8:51 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/ribeiro_micaella_q1g6">Micaella Ribeiro</a>&nbsp;(1) (unassisted)9:32 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/jolly_fiona_g347">Fiona Jolly</a>&nbsp;(1); Assist:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/methman_kayla_tv0d">Kayla Methman</a>&nbsp;(2)12:48 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/potter_katie_wgdw">Katie Potter</a>&nbsp;(3); Assist:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/methman_kayla_tv0d">Kayla Methman</a>&nbsp;(3)32:54 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/aguirre_lancheros_sara_mg6s">Sara Aguirre Lancheros</a>&nbsp;(1); Assist:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/mahiaoui_ines_6s8a">Ines Mahiaoui</a>&nbsp;(1)33:28 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/methman_kayla_tv0d">Kayla Methman</a>&nbsp;(1) (unassisted)34:34 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/baldi_beatriz_vc7u">Beatriz Baldi</a>&nbsp;(1) (unassisted)37:42 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/aguirre_lancheros_sara_mg6s">Sara Aguirre Lancheros</a>&nbsp;(2) (unassisted)43:01 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/aguirre_lancheros_sara_mg6s">Sara Aguirre Lancheros</a>&nbsp;(3) (unassisted)49:24 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/potter_katie_wgdw">Katie Potter</a>&nbsp;(4); Assist:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/mahdi_adna_kfu2">Adna Mahdi</a>&nbsp;(1)64:50 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/jolly_fiona_g347">Fiona Jolly</a>&nbsp;(2); Assist:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/burnier_candice_9y4m">Candice Burnier</a>&nbsp;(1)66:07 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/burnier_candice_9y4m">Candice Burnier</a>&nbsp;(1) (unassisted)72:37 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/mahiaoui_ines_6s8a">Ines Mahiaoui</a>&nbsp;(1); Assist:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/guillou_orlane_y1ap">Orlane Guillou</a>&nbsp;(2)74:18 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/eduarda_de_paiva_maria_mzzw">Maria Eduarda De Paiva</a>&nbsp;(1); Assist:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/baldi_beatriz_vc7u">Beatriz Baldi</a>&nbsp;(1)79:19 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/jolly_fiona_g347">Fiona Jolly</a>&nbsp;(3); Assist:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/de_boer_kyra_rtr6">Kyra De Boer</a>&nbsp;(1)86:51 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/baldi_beatriz_vc7u">Beatriz Baldi</a>&nbsp;(2) (unassisted)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725237608510.jpeg" alt="Kyra De Boer" />
 <figcaption>Kyra De Boer</figcaption>
 </figure>Nine Cougars found the scoring column Saturday afternoon at the Cougar Soccer Complex as the 17th ranked Barton women's soccer team blanked Highland Community College 16-0.Scoring the third most goals in program history, the home slate opening victory improves Barton to 1-0-1 on the early season while Highland, returning to competition after a three-year hiatus, drops to 0-4-0 on the year.Barton has a quick turnaround to refresh before heading to El Dorado Sunday for a 7:00 p.m. kick-off at 12th ranked Butler Community College.Pinning nine of their goals on the first half scoreboard, Barton expectedly dominated in all facets behind 36 shots, 26 coming on frame, while defensively keeping the Scotties from launching any shots.A trio of Cougars posted hat-tricks on the afternoon,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/potter_katie_wgdw">Katie Potter</a>&nbsp;one of those in registering the first goal of the afternoon just 4:49 into the contest kickstarting the squad's four goal explosion in eight minutes off the clock.<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/jolly_fiona_g347">Fiona Jolly</a>&nbsp;netted the first of her three goals within that eight minute span with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/aguirre_lancheros_sara_mg6s">Sara Aguirre Lancheros</a>&nbsp;scoring all three of hers in a ten minute stretch closing out first half action in Barton's 9-0 intermission lead.<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/baldi_beatriz_vc7u">Beatriz Baldi</a>&nbsp;rattled the nets twice and added an assist for a five point afternoon while&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/methman_kayla_tv0d">Kayla Methman</a>&nbsp;led the Cougars' eight assists with two before scoring her 1st collegiate net rattler, all coming in first half action.Scoring:4:49 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/potter_katie_wgdw">Katie Potter</a>&nbsp;(2) (unassisted)8:51 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/ribeiro_micaella_q1g6">Micaella Ribeiro</a>&nbsp;(1) (unassisted)9:32 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/jolly_fiona_g347">Fiona Jolly</a>&nbsp;(1); Assist:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/methman_kayla_tv0d">Kayla Methman</a>&nbsp;(2)12:48 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/potter_katie_wgdw">Katie Potter</a>&nbsp;(3); Assist:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/methman_kayla_tv0d">Kayla Methman</a>&nbsp;(3)32:54 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/aguirre_lancheros_sara_mg6s">Sara Aguirre Lancheros</a>&nbsp;(1); Assist:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/mahiaoui_ines_6s8a">Ines Mahiaoui</a>&nbsp;(1)33:28 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/methman_kayla_tv0d">Kayla Methman</a>&nbsp;(1) (unassisted)34:34 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/baldi_beatriz_vc7u">Beatriz Baldi</a>&nbsp;(1) (unassisted)37:42 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/aguirre_lancheros_sara_mg6s">Sara Aguirre Lancheros</a>&nbsp;(2) (unassisted)43:01 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/aguirre_lancheros_sara_mg6s">Sara Aguirre Lancheros</a>&nbsp;(3) (unassisted)49:24 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/potter_katie_wgdw">Katie Potter</a>&nbsp;(4); Assist:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/mahdi_adna_kfu2">Adna Mahdi</a>&nbsp;(1)64:50 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/jolly_fiona_g347">Fiona Jolly</a>&nbsp;(2); Assist:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/burnier_candice_9y4m">Candice Burnier</a>&nbsp;(1)66:07 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/burnier_candice_9y4m">Candice Burnier</a>&nbsp;(1) (unassisted)72:37 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/mahiaoui_ines_6s8a">Ines Mahiaoui</a>&nbsp;(1); Assist:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/guillou_orlane_y1ap">Orlane Guillou</a>&nbsp;(2)74:18 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/eduarda_de_paiva_maria_mzzw">Maria Eduarda De Paiva</a>&nbsp;(1); Assist:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/baldi_beatriz_vc7u">Beatriz Baldi</a>&nbsp;(1)79:19 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/jolly_fiona_g347">Fiona Jolly</a>&nbsp;(3); Assist:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/de_boer_kyra_rtr6">Kyra De Boer</a>&nbsp;(1)86:51 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/bios/baldi_beatriz_vc7u">Beatriz Baldi</a>&nbsp;(2) (unassisted)

Nine Cougars score as No. 17 Barton women roll in home opener

The 5th ranked Barton Community College men's soccer team benefitted behind its quick attack Sunday morning, scoring two goals in the opening two minutes in route to a 5-1 victory over Trinidad State at the Cougar Soccer Complex.

Concluding the Barton Classic with a pair of victories, the Cougars improve to 4-1-0 on the season while the Trojans return home still searching for their first win of the season dipping to 0-3-0 overall.

Barton will return to conference play Wednesday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. to wrap up a three match homestand against the Red Ravens of Coffeyville Community College.

Leading goal scorer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/msoc/2024-25/bios/voinier_maxence_ehjk">Maxence Voinier</a>&nbsp;wasted little time extending his goal streak to five straight games 1:06 into the match cleaning up&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/msoc/2024-25/bios/dominguez_giminez_diogo_5r55">Diogo Giminez</a>&nbsp;deflected header off the crossbar initially created off&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/msoc/2024-25/bios/breidel_elijah_aqnj">Elijah Breidel</a>'s cross.

<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/msoc/2024-25/bios/kanku_loic_7v7s">Loic Kanku</a>&nbsp;extended Barton's lead just 55-seconds ensuing on the attack, carrying Voinier's midfield through ball around the Trojan keeper and into the empty net for his second of the season and 2-0 advantage.

Late in the first half, the Trojans put their lone tally on the board capitalizing on Barton's failed clearing attempt creating a well-executed far post strike from just left inside the 18'.

Putting up 13 shots in the opening half, the Cougars would add 14 more over the final 45-minutes with three finding the back of the net.

<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/msoc/2024-25/bios/dos_santos_lucas_jzie">Lucas Dos Santos</a>&nbsp;opened the second half scoring with 28:37 remaining shaking the nets for the first time this season on a far post strike coming just outside the 18' off Kanku's kicked out through ball.

<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/msoc/2024-25/bios/pico_abedul_joaquin_39tv">Joaquin Pico Abedul</a>&nbsp;put the final touches on the scoring with his third and fourth of the season, the first coming from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/msoc/2024-25/bios/pacheco_hugo_9r7l">Hugo Pacheco</a>'s carried in through ball before slipping Dos Santos corner kick inside the near post for his second in a span of three minutes.

<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/msoc/2024-25/bios/bergamin_gabriel_93fg">Gabriel Bergamin</a>&nbsp;improved to 3-0-0 in net for the Cougars working the opening 45-minutes denying two of his three shots faced while&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/msoc/2024-25/bios/ludemann-ravit_emil_9x58">Emil Ludemann-Ravit</a>&nbsp;patrolled the pipes over the final 45-minutes rejecting his lone shot faced.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725237507479.jpeg" alt="Barton men's soccer player Sho Kinjo guards Trinidad State's Lucas Vandji." />
 <figcaption>Barton men's soccer player Sho Kinjo guards Trinidad State's Lucas Vandji.</figcaption>
 </figure>The 5th ranked Barton Community College men's soccer team benefitted behind its quick attack Sunday morning, scoring two goals in the opening two minutes in route to a 5-1 victory over Trinidad State at the Cougar Soccer Complex.Concluding the Barton Classic with a pair of victories, the Cougars improve to 4-1-0 on the season while the Trojans return home still searching for their first win of the season dipping to 0-3-0 overall.Barton will return to conference play Wednesday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. to wrap up a three match homestand against the Red Ravens of Coffeyville Community College.Leading goal scorer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/msoc/2024-25/bios/voinier_maxence_ehjk">Maxence Voinier</a>&nbsp;wasted little time extending his goal streak to five straight games 1:06 into the match cleaning up&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/msoc/2024-25/bios/dominguez_giminez_diogo_5r55">Diogo Giminez</a>&nbsp;deflected header off the crossbar initially created off&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/msoc/2024-25/bios/breidel_elijah_aqnj">Elijah Breidel</a>'s cross.<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/msoc/2024-25/bios/kanku_loic_7v7s">Loic Kanku</a>&nbsp;extended Barton's lead just 55-seconds ensuing on the attack, carrying Voinier's midfield through ball around the Trojan keeper and into the empty net for his second of the season and 2-0 advantage.Late in the first half, the Trojans put their lone tally on the board capitalizing on Barton's failed clearing attempt creating a well-executed far post strike from just left inside the 18'.Putting up 13 shots in the opening half, the Cougars would add 14 more over the final 45-minutes with three finding the back of the net.<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/msoc/2024-25/bios/dos_santos_lucas_jzie">Lucas Dos Santos</a>&nbsp;opened the second half scoring with 28:37 remaining shaking the nets for the first time this season on a far post strike coming just outside the 18' off Kanku's kicked out through ball.<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/msoc/2024-25/bios/pico_abedul_joaquin_39tv">Joaquin Pico Abedul</a>&nbsp;put the final touches on the scoring with his third and fourth of the season, the first coming from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/msoc/2024-25/bios/pacheco_hugo_9r7l">Hugo Pacheco</a>'s carried in through ball before slipping Dos Santos corner kick inside the near post for his second in a span of three minutes.<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/msoc/2024-25/bios/bergamin_gabriel_93fg">Gabriel Bergamin</a>&nbsp;improved to 3-0-0 in net for the Cougars working the opening 45-minutes denying two of his three shots faced while&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/msoc/2024-25/bios/ludemann-ravit_emil_9x58">Emil Ludemann-Ravit</a>&nbsp;patrolled the pipes over the final 45-minutes rejecting his lone shot faced.

Quick start leads No. 5 Cougars men to 5-1 victory over Trinidad State

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A juvenile suspect is in custody after allegedly shooting San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in the chest Saturday afternoon during an attempted robbery in central San Francisco, officials said.

Pearsall, 23, was released Sunday from San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, according to a statement from the team. He had been listed in fair condition.

Pearsall was walking alone carrying shopping bags to his car shortly after 3:30 p.m. Saturday when a suspect attempted to rob him with a gun on Geary Boulevard in the Union Square area, officials said.

“A struggle between Mr. Pearsall and the suspect ensued and gunfire from the suspect’s gun struck both Mr. Pearsall and the subject," San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said during a news briefing.

Officers in the area responded immediately and provided emergency medical aid and arrested the suspect.

Police identified the suspect as a 17-year-old male resident of Tracy, California, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) east of San Francisco, who also was transported to San Francisco General. His condition was not immediately disclosed.

Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots. A gun allegedly belonging to the suspect was recovered and investigators believe he acted alone, Scott said.

Video recorded by a witness showed Pearsall, shirtless with a large chest wound, being helped into an ambulance, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/ricky-pearsall-shooting-19736331.php">San Francisco Chronicle</a>&nbsp;reported.

“This kind of violence is simply unacceptable in our city and we will do everything in our power to work with District Attorney Brooke Jenkins to ensure that justice is served in this matter," Scott said.

Jenkins told reporters at the briefing that her office expects to make a charging decision by Tuesday or Wednesday and initially will file any charges in the juvenile court system.

Scott said there was no indication Pearsall was targeted because he is a player for the city's football team.

“He and his family, along with the entire San Francisco 49ers organization, would like to thank the San Francisco Police Department, emergency medical services, doctors and staff at San Francisco General Hospital," said the team statement Sunday.

“He’s good,” 49ers teammate Deebo Samuel&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/19problemz/status/1830035787255332995">posted</a>&nbsp;on X. “Thank god!!!!”

Mayor London Breed said she was confident in the district attorney's actions to prosecute the case.

“This is how we hold people accountable in San Francisco. Robberies and any violence like this will not be tolerated in our city," Breed said during the briefing, offering her gratitude to the hospital staff, police and first responders including San Francisco Fire Department personnel.

“This was a terrible and rare incident in Union Square and our thoughts are with Ricky Pearsall and his family. He has a bright future and I look forward to seeing him recover and get back on the field,” Breed said.

Pearsall was drafted in the first round in April by the 49ers with the 31st overall pick but has been slowed by injuries since joining the team.

He missed time during training camp due to hamstring and shoulder issues before returning to practice this past week with a noncontact blue jersey while his shoulder heals.

Pearsall began his college career at Arizona State and transferred to Florida for his final two seasons. He had 65 catches for 965 yards and four touchdowns last season for the Gators and finished his college career with 159 catches for 2,420 yards and 14 TDs.

The Niners have hoped Pearsall could contribute as a rookie as backup to starters Brandon Aiyuk and Samuel.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725237180614.jpeg" alt="FILE - San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall carries the ball during the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Santa Clara, Calif., May 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall carries the ball during the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Santa Clara, Calif., May 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A juvenile suspect is in custody after allegedly shooting San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in the chest Saturday afternoon during an attempted robbery in central San Francisco, officials said.Pearsall, 23, was released Sunday from San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, according to a statement from the team. He had been listed in fair condition.Pearsall was walking alone carrying shopping bags to his car shortly after 3:30 p.m. Saturday when a suspect attempted to rob him with a gun on Geary Boulevard in the Union Square area, officials said.“A struggle between Mr. Pearsall and the suspect ensued and gunfire from the suspect’s gun struck both Mr. Pearsall and the subject," San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said during a news briefing.Officers in the area responded immediately and provided emergency medical aid and arrested the suspect.Police identified the suspect as a 17-year-old male resident of Tracy, California, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) east of San Francisco, who also was transported to San Francisco General. His condition was not immediately disclosed.Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots. A gun allegedly belonging to the suspect was recovered and investigators believe he acted alone, Scott said.Video recorded by a witness showed Pearsall, shirtless with a large chest wound, being helped into an ambulance, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/ricky-pearsall-shooting-19736331.php">San Francisco Chronicle</a>&nbsp;reported.“This kind of violence is simply unacceptable in our city and we will do everything in our power to work with District Attorney Brooke Jenkins to ensure that justice is served in this matter," Scott said.Jenkins told reporters at the briefing that her office expects to make a charging decision by Tuesday or Wednesday and initially will file any charges in the juvenile court system.Scott said there was no indication Pearsall was targeted because he is a player for the city's football team.“He and his family, along with the entire San Francisco 49ers organization, would like to thank the San Francisco Police Department, emergency medical services, doctors and staff at San Francisco General Hospital," said the team statement Sunday.“He’s good,” 49ers teammate Deebo Samuel&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/19problemz/status/1830035787255332995">posted</a>&nbsp;on X. “Thank god!!!!”Mayor London Breed said she was confident in the district attorney's actions to prosecute the case.“This is how we hold people accountable in San Francisco. Robberies and any violence like this will not be tolerated in our city," Breed said during the briefing, offering her gratitude to the hospital staff, police and first responders including San Francisco Fire Department personnel.“This was a terrible and rare incident in Union Square and our thoughts are with Ricky Pearsall and his family. He has a bright future and I look forward to seeing him recover and get back on the field,” Breed said.Pearsall was drafted in the first round in April by the 49ers with the 31st overall pick but has been slowed by injuries since joining the team.He missed time during training camp due to hamstring and shoulder issues before returning to practice this past week with a noncontact blue jersey while his shoulder heals.Pearsall began his college career at Arizona State and transferred to Florida for his final two seasons. He had 65 catches for 965 yards and four touchdowns last season for the Gators and finished his college career with 159 catches for 2,420 yards and 14 TDs.The Niners have hoped Pearsall could contribute as a rookie as backup to starters Brandon Aiyuk and Samuel.

San Francisco 49ers' Pearsall out of hospital after being shot in robbery attempt

HOUSTON (AP) — Yordan Alvarez homered twice and Jon Singleton added a two-run shot as the Houston Astros completed a four-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals with a 7-2 win Sunday.

It’s Houston’s fifth straight win overall and comes after the Royals swept a three-game series against the AL West leaders at home in April.

“They kicked our butts early in the season in Kansas City when we were not playing our best,” Houston manager Joe Espada said. “But that's why you play 162 and we are a different club. We're getting closer to our goal and we're playing with a different type of intensity and focus and we demonstrated that this series.”

Kansas City lost a season-high fifth straight game to fall into a tie with Minnesota for second in the AL Central, 3 1/2 games behind division-leading Cleveland. The losing streak comes after the Royals won the first of three games of a four-game set against the Guardians and moved into a tie for the division lead. Cleveland and the Royals open another three-game series in Kansas City on Monday.

“The whole series was frustrating,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “We didn’t come out of here with any wins. That’s what we play for, is to win every day. So that stinks.”

It’s the sixth multi-homer game for Alvarez this season and his second this week after the Cuban slugger tied a career high with three home runs in Wednesday’s 10-0 rout of the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies.

Alvarez connected off Alec Marsh (7-8) in the fourth inning before Singleton’s shot made it 3-0. Alvarez belted his 30th home run of the season off Sam Long to start the sixth. He joins Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell as the only players in franchise history with at least four consecutive seasons with at least 30 home runs.

He nearly had another three homer game Sunday, but Tommy Pham caught his fly ball in the eighth inning on the track, just in front of the bullpen.

Sunday was the first time since June 22 that Alvarez homered at Minute Maid Park.

“When I hit the ball, there was like a stress that just left me,” Alvarez said in Spanish through a translator. “Obviously, there had been a while where I hadn’t been hitting the ball for homers here. So I hit that one, then came the other one and then almost the third one came. So hopefully that bad streak is gone."

Houston starter Ronel Blanco (10-6) allowed three hits and struck out three in five innings for his first win since July 9.

Yuli Gurriel hit an RBI single for Kansas City in the sixth and Bobby Witt Jr. homered for a second straight game with a solo shot in the seventh. Gurriel made his debut with the Royals on Sunday after being acquired from Atlanta on Saturday for cash considerations.

The Astros led by three runs when MJ Melendez walked with one out in the sixth and Freddie Fermin singled. Gurriel then singled on a line drive to left field, scoring Melendez and cutting the lead to 3-1.

Witt collected his 30th home run of the season with one out in the seventh, when he connected off Héctor Neris for a second straight game. Witt, who leads the major leagues in hits, batting average and runs, was 0 for 11 in the series before his home run on Saturday.

The Astros padded the lead in the eighth when Yainer Diaz hit an RBI double and Jeremy Peña scored two more on a single to make it 7-2.

Marsh permitted four hits and three runs in five innings.

UP NEXT Royals: RHP Michael Wacha (11-6, 3.50 ERA) opposes Cleveland RHP Gavin Williams (2-7, 4.99) when Kansas City opens a three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725236998008.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals left fielder MJ Melendez catches a line drive hit by Houston Astros' Jose Altuve during the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals left fielder MJ Melendez catches a line drive hit by Houston Astros' Jose Altuve during the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)</figcaption>
 </figure>HOUSTON (AP) — Yordan Alvarez homered twice and Jon Singleton added a two-run shot as the Houston Astros completed a four-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals with a 7-2 win Sunday.It’s Houston’s fifth straight win overall and comes after the Royals swept a three-game series against the AL West leaders at home in April.“They kicked our butts early in the season in Kansas City when we were not playing our best,” Houston manager Joe Espada said. “But that's why you play 162 and we are a different club. We're getting closer to our goal and we're playing with a different type of intensity and focus and we demonstrated that this series.”Kansas City lost a season-high fifth straight game to fall into a tie with Minnesota for second in the AL Central, 3 1/2 games behind division-leading Cleveland. The losing streak comes after the Royals won the first of three games of a four-game set against the Guardians and moved into a tie for the division lead. Cleveland and the Royals open another three-game series in Kansas City on Monday.“The whole series was frustrating,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “We didn’t come out of here with any wins. That’s what we play for, is to win every day. So that stinks.”It’s the sixth multi-homer game for Alvarez this season and his second this week after the Cuban slugger tied a career high with three home runs in Wednesday’s 10-0 rout of the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies.Alvarez connected off Alec Marsh (7-8) in the fourth inning before Singleton’s shot made it 3-0. Alvarez belted his 30th home run of the season off Sam Long to start the sixth. He joins Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell as the only players in franchise history with at least four consecutive seasons with at least 30 home runs.He nearly had another three homer game Sunday, but Tommy Pham caught his fly ball in the eighth inning on the track, just in front of the bullpen.Sunday was the first time since June 22 that Alvarez homered at Minute Maid Park.“When I hit the ball, there was like a stress that just left me,” Alvarez said in Spanish through a translator. “Obviously, there had been a while where I hadn’t been hitting the ball for homers here. So I hit that one, then came the other one and then almost the third one came. So hopefully that bad streak is gone."Houston starter Ronel Blanco (10-6) allowed three hits and struck out three in five innings for his first win since July 9.Yuli Gurriel hit an RBI single for Kansas City in the sixth and Bobby Witt Jr. homered for a second straight game with a solo shot in the seventh. Gurriel made his debut with the Royals on Sunday after being acquired from Atlanta on Saturday for cash considerations.The Astros led by three runs when MJ Melendez walked with one out in the sixth and Freddie Fermin singled. Gurriel then singled on a line drive to left field, scoring Melendez and cutting the lead to 3-1.Witt collected his 30th home run of the season with one out in the seventh, when he connected off Héctor Neris for a second straight game. Witt, who leads the major leagues in hits, batting average and runs, was 0 for 11 in the series before his home run on Saturday.The Astros padded the lead in the eighth when Yainer Diaz hit an RBI double and Jeremy Peña scored two more on a single to make it 7-2.Marsh permitted four hits and three runs in five innings.UP NEXT Royals: RHP Michael Wacha (11-6, 3.50 ERA) opposes Cleveland RHP Gavin Williams (2-7, 4.99) when Kansas City opens a three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday.

Royals skid moves to five games in finale against Houston; Guardians up next

Columbus Blue Jackets officials could hardly believe their luck when they persuaded superstar Johnny Gaudreau to pass up larger markets and sign here two years ago.

Ecstatic fans looked to “Johnny Hockey” to score goals and jump-start the fortunes of a struggling team that had reached the playoffs just six times in the previous 21 seasons and advanced beyond the opening round only twice.

A few other big stars had spent time with the Blue Jackets, but for one reason or another they didn't work out or didn't care to hang around. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and forward Artemi Panarin were beloved by fans and led Columbus to a playoff sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019. But they couldn't get out of town fast enough when their contracts expired.

Gaudreau, one of the sport's top players who spent his first eight years in the NHL with Calgary, certainly seemed different. He was excited to play for Columbus and be closer to his family in New Jersey, which for Blue Jackets fans makes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/johnny-gaudreau-35de1641d040f02ecd83a9638e6aca32">his sudden death along with that of his brother Thursday night</a>&nbsp;a shattering tragedy even harder to take. He was just 31.

“Johnny Gaudreau coming here, actually choosing Columbus was literally our validation. Like we are a hockey town, this is a hockey market. People want to play here. Johnny Gaudreau was literally the embodiment of that," said Nick Shannon, who came to Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Friday to pay his respects.

Gaudreau and his younger brother died after they were struck by a suspected drunken driver while they were riding bicycles in Oldmans Township, close to their southern New Jersey hometown. Their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/johnny-gaudreau-hockey-nhl-43a311083aabc6619d2d06c619574f18">sister's wedding</a>, scheduled for Friday, was called off.

“When he first signed, his famous words were, ‘It’s a great place to raise a family.’ And we were his family,” said Ninell Baker, a Blue Jackets season-ticket holder who also showed up at the downtown arena. “The players loved him. We all loved him. It breaks my heart. I don’t even know how to act.”

Fans who made their way to the front of the arena left behind flowers, caps, shirts and lots of hockey sticks. A bagpiper in a kilt and a Blue Jackets' No. 13 Gaudreau sweater played as he walked up and down a sidewalk.

Gaudreau's shocking death was the second off-ice tragedy in three years for a franchise struggling to get back on its feet. The organization was rocked when goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbus-blue-jackets-matiss-kivlenieks-hockey-nhl-sports-032b8580cdc3cd53c4a950886714c6d2">killed in a fireworks accident in July 2021</a>&nbsp;while attending the wedding of then-Blue Jackets goaltending coach Manny Legace’s daughter in Michigan. Kivlenieks was just 24.

Injuries, bad luck and mismanagement have knocked the Blue Jackets off track in the past few seasons, despite Gaudreau's 74- and 60-point efforts in 2022-23 and 2023-24, respectively.

Coach John Tortorella led Columbus to the playoffs for four straight seasons but was fired after missing the postseason in 2021. A protege, Brad Larsen, lasted two seasons before he was let go.

The Blue Jackets made Mike Babcock the highest-paid coach in team history when he was hired in the summer of 2023. Babcock didn't even make it to the season, fired just before training camp&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-babcock-boone-jenner-spittin-chiclets-528626763cc891e9d4ee262456badfef">amid complaints that his requests to see photos on players' phones were too invasive</a>.

Pascal Vincent, who had been hired as an associate head coach, was elevated to the top job on the eve of training camp. Columbus finished last season as one of the worst teams in the NHL and out of the playoffs for the fourth straight season.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/blue-jackets-gm-fired-695b072f2a785969632570abcec425f6">General manager Jarmo Kekalainen</a>&nbsp;was fired in the middle of last season. Longtime NHL executive Don Waddell was hired as GM in May, and he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/blue-jackets-pascal-vincent-fired-3e6c93a7a315bc021109c15a9a2b3354">fired Vincent in June.</a>&nbsp;Waddell hired&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/blue-jackets-coach-dean-evason-80dfa0cdc7a295fbb95010c229e47291">former Minnesota Wild coach Dean Evason</a>&nbsp;to replace Vincent.

Now Evason will be without Gaudreau, who would have been his best player. He will also be without Patrik Laine, the talented forward acquired in a 2021 trade who the team hoped would complement Gaudreau on the top line.

The 26-year-old Laine played 18 games last season before entering the NHL Player Assistance Program last January. Telling Blue Jackets management he needed “a change of scenery,” Laine was traded to Montreal last month.

“We really don’t have a choice but to keep going," Shannon said. "To be a Blue Jackets fan, or any sports fan in Ohio, you need to be resilient.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725159135675.jpeg" alt="Shiloh Rivera, left, mourns with Hylas Stemen, center, and Amanda Rivera of Columbus, at the makeshift memorial set up by fans for Blue Jackets hockey player Johnny Gaudreau in Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 30, 2024. Gaudreau, along with his brother Matthew, was fatally struck by a motorist while riding his bicycle on Thursday. (AP Photo/Joe Maiorana)" />
 <figcaption>Shiloh Rivera, left, mourns with Hylas Stemen, center, and Amanda Rivera of Columbus, at the makeshift memorial set up by fans for Blue Jackets hockey player Johnny Gaudreau in Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 30, 2024. Gaudreau, along with his brother Matthew, was fatally struck by a motorist while riding his bicycle on Thursday. (AP Photo/Joe Maiorana)</figcaption>
 </figure>Columbus Blue Jackets officials could hardly believe their luck when they persuaded superstar Johnny Gaudreau to pass up larger markets and sign here two years ago.Ecstatic fans looked to “Johnny Hockey” to score goals and jump-start the fortunes of a struggling team that had reached the playoffs just six times in the previous 21 seasons and advanced beyond the opening round only twice.A few other big stars had spent time with the Blue Jackets, but for one reason or another they didn't work out or didn't care to hang around. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and forward Artemi Panarin were beloved by fans and led Columbus to a playoff sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019. But they couldn't get out of town fast enough when their contracts expired.Gaudreau, one of the sport's top players who spent his first eight years in the NHL with Calgary, certainly seemed different. He was excited to play for Columbus and be closer to his family in New Jersey, which for Blue Jackets fans makes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/johnny-gaudreau-35de1641d040f02ecd83a9638e6aca32">his sudden death along with that of his brother Thursday night</a>&nbsp;a shattering tragedy even harder to take. He was just 31.“Johnny Gaudreau coming here, actually choosing Columbus was literally our validation. Like we are a hockey town, this is a hockey market. People want to play here. Johnny Gaudreau was literally the embodiment of that," said Nick Shannon, who came to Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Friday to pay his respects.Gaudreau and his younger brother died after they were struck by a suspected drunken driver while they were riding bicycles in Oldmans Township, close to their southern New Jersey hometown. Their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/johnny-gaudreau-hockey-nhl-43a311083aabc6619d2d06c619574f18">sister's wedding</a>, scheduled for Friday, was called off.“When he first signed, his famous words were, ‘It’s a great place to raise a family.’ And we were his family,” said Ninell Baker, a Blue Jackets season-ticket holder who also showed up at the downtown arena. “The players loved him. We all loved him. It breaks my heart. I don’t even know how to act.”Fans who made their way to the front of the arena left behind flowers, caps, shirts and lots of hockey sticks. A bagpiper in a kilt and a Blue Jackets' No. 13 Gaudreau sweater played as he walked up and down a sidewalk.Gaudreau's shocking death was the second off-ice tragedy in three years for a franchise struggling to get back on its feet. The organization was rocked when goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbus-blue-jackets-matiss-kivlenieks-hockey-nhl-sports-032b8580cdc3cd53c4a950886714c6d2">killed in a fireworks accident in July 2021</a>&nbsp;while attending the wedding of then-Blue Jackets goaltending coach Manny Legace’s daughter in Michigan. Kivlenieks was just 24.Injuries, bad luck and mismanagement have knocked the Blue Jackets off track in the past few seasons, despite Gaudreau's 74- and 60-point efforts in 2022-23 and 2023-24, respectively.Coach John Tortorella led Columbus to the playoffs for four straight seasons but was fired after missing the postseason in 2021. A protege, Brad Larsen, lasted two seasons before he was let go.The Blue Jackets made Mike Babcock the highest-paid coach in team history when he was hired in the summer of 2023. Babcock didn't even make it to the season, fired just before training camp&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-babcock-boone-jenner-spittin-chiclets-528626763cc891e9d4ee262456badfef">amid complaints that his requests to see photos on players' phones were too invasive</a>.Pascal Vincent, who had been hired as an associate head coach, was elevated to the top job on the eve of training camp. Columbus finished last season as one of the worst teams in the NHL and out of the playoffs for the fourth straight season.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/blue-jackets-gm-fired-695b072f2a785969632570abcec425f6">General manager Jarmo Kekalainen</a>&nbsp;was fired in the middle of last season. Longtime NHL executive Don Waddell was hired as GM in May, and he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/blue-jackets-pascal-vincent-fired-3e6c93a7a315bc021109c15a9a2b3354">fired Vincent in June.</a>&nbsp;Waddell hired&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/blue-jackets-coach-dean-evason-80dfa0cdc7a295fbb95010c229e47291">former Minnesota Wild coach Dean Evason</a>&nbsp;to replace Vincent.Now Evason will be without Gaudreau, who would have been his best player. He will also be without Patrik Laine, the talented forward acquired in a 2021 trade who the team hoped would complement Gaudreau on the top line.The 26-year-old Laine played 18 games last season before entering the NHL Player Assistance Program last January. Telling Blue Jackets management he needed “a change of scenery,” Laine was traded to Montreal last month.“We really don’t have a choice but to keep going," Shannon said. "To be a Blue Jackets fan, or any sports fan in Ohio, you need to be resilient.”

Sudden death of 'Johnny Hockey' means more hard times for Blue Jackets

TORONTO (AP) — A racehorse named&nbsp;<a href="https://woodbine.com/watch-races/">Swift Delivery</a>&nbsp;that three-time Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs tight end&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travis-kelce-swift-delivery-cc7f6aa810dead2e0955fe9aa0d8bb80">Travis Kelce</a>&nbsp;bought into has finished second in its latest start.

Sent off as the even-money favorite, Swift Delivery was beaten in the $125,000 Toronto Cup Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday. He paid $2.50 and $2.10 as his two-race winning streak ended.

Swift Delivery was last in the field of six in the early going of the one-mile race on the E.P. Taylor turf course. Under Patrick Husbands, the 3-year-old gelding made a move on the outside, but couldn’t overcome eventual winner Piper’s Factor. The 7-1 shot paid $16.60 to win.

Team Valor International founder and CEO Barry Irwin said Swift Delivery is not named after pop superstar&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/verticalvideo-vertical-video-entertainment-music-taylor-swift-000001904b49d4e1a1d54f4b23fa0000">Taylor Swift</a>, who Kelce has been dating. Kelce attended the Kentucky Derby in May.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725158888558.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce smiles on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce smiles on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)</figcaption>
 </figure>TORONTO (AP) — A racehorse named&nbsp;<a href="https://woodbine.com/watch-races/">Swift Delivery</a>&nbsp;that three-time Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs tight end&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travis-kelce-swift-delivery-cc7f6aa810dead2e0955fe9aa0d8bb80">Travis Kelce</a>&nbsp;bought into has finished second in its latest start.Sent off as the even-money favorite, Swift Delivery was beaten in the $125,000 Toronto Cup Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday. He paid $2.50 and $2.10 as his two-race winning streak ended.Swift Delivery was last in the field of six in the early going of the one-mile race on the E.P. Taylor turf course. Under Patrick Husbands, the 3-year-old gelding made a move on the outside, but couldn’t overcome eventual winner Piper’s Factor. The 7-1 shot paid $16.60 to win.Team Valor International founder and CEO Barry Irwin said Swift Delivery is not named after pop superstar&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/verticalvideo-vertical-video-entertainment-music-taylor-swift-000001904b49d4e1a1d54f4b23fa0000">Taylor Swift</a>, who Kelce has been dating. Kelce attended the Kentucky Derby in May.

Travis Kelce's racehorse Swift Delivery finishes 2nd in Canada

The Barton Community College women's cross-country team opened the 2024 season Friday evening participating in the annual Terry Masterson Twilight Classic held at Hutchinson's Fun Valley.

The Cougars finished 6th overall with a 5-person crew in being led by a trio of Cougars within eleven seconds of each other on the 3-mile course.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wxc/2024-25/bios/walters_shone_oifu">Shone Walters</a>&nbsp;led the way with a 22nd placing overall in the 55-participant field by crossing in 22nd at 20.33.68. Seven seconds and one spot later&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wxc/2024-25/bios/jackson_alissandra_mjwx">Alissandra Jackson</a>&nbsp;clocked a 20:41.52 with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wxc/2024-25/bios/schultz_lakota_kjdl">Lakota Schultz</a>&nbsp;the next to cross in 25th three seconds later at 20:44.59.

In 47th was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wxc/2024-25/bios/sleichter_lainie_fhns">Lainie Sleichter</a>&nbsp;at 23:50.48 with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wxc/2024-25/bios/mosley_makiya_o8qy">Makiya Mosley</a>&nbsp;completing in 32:50.52 to finish 55th.

Following a two week break the Cougars will be back in action Sept. 13 at the Fort Hays State University Tiger Open.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725158618653.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Barton Community College women's cross-country team opened the 2024 season Friday evening participating in the annual Terry Masterson Twilight Classic held at Hutchinson's Fun Valley.The Cougars finished 6th overall with a 5-person crew in being led by a trio of Cougars within eleven seconds of each other on the 3-mile course.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wxc/2024-25/bios/walters_shone_oifu">Shone Walters</a>&nbsp;led the way with a 22nd placing overall in the 55-participant field by crossing in 22nd at 20.33.68. Seven seconds and one spot later&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wxc/2024-25/bios/jackson_alissandra_mjwx">Alissandra Jackson</a>&nbsp;clocked a 20:41.52 with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wxc/2024-25/bios/schultz_lakota_kjdl">Lakota Schultz</a>&nbsp;the next to cross in 25th three seconds later at 20:44.59.In 47th was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wxc/2024-25/bios/sleichter_lainie_fhns">Lainie Sleichter</a>&nbsp;at 23:50.48 with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wxc/2024-25/bios/mosley_makiya_o8qy">Makiya Mosley</a>&nbsp;completing in 32:50.52 to finish 55th.Following a two week break the Cougars will be back in action Sept. 13 at the Fort Hays State University Tiger Open.