The Kansas prep football season begins tonight. Here are the top five teams in each classification according to kpreps.com.

Class 6A 1. Derby 2. Gardner-Edgerton 3. BV Northwest 4. Lawrence 5. Lawrence Free State

Class 5A 1. Mill Valley 2. Blue Valley 3. St. Thomas Aquinas 4. Goddard-Eisenhower 5. Great Bend

Class 4A 1. Bishop Miege 2. Andover Central 3. Kapaun Mt. Carmel 4. Wamego 5. Louisburg

Class 3A 1. Andale 2. Cheney 3. Topeka Hayden 4. Wichita Collegiate 5. Scott City

Class 2A 1. Nemaha Central 2. Norton 3. Southeast of Saline 4. Hoisington 5. St. Marys

Class 1A 1. Conway Springs 2. Rossville 3. Medicine Lodge 4. Jackson Heights 5. Sedgwick

8-Man, Div. I 1. Wichita County 2. Hoxie 3. Little River 4. Ell-Saline 5. West Elk

8-Man, Div. II 1. Axtell 2. Frankfort 3. Victoria 4. Dighton 5. Burlingame

6-Man 1. Cunningham 2. Ingalls 3. South Barber 4. Weskan 5. Northern Valley

The Kansas prep football season begins tonight. Here are the top five teams in each classification according to kpreps.com.Class 6A 1. Derby 2. Gardner-Edgerton 3. BV Northwest 4. Lawrence 5. Lawrence Free StateClass 5A 1. Mill Valley 2. Blue Valley 3. St. Thomas Aquinas 4. Goddard-Eisenhower 5. Great BendClass 4A 1. Bishop Miege 2. Andover Central 3. Kapaun Mt. Carmel 4. Wamego 5. LouisburgClass 3A 1. Andale 2. Cheney 3. Topeka Hayden 4. Wichita Collegiate 5. Scott CityClass 2A 1. Nemaha Central 2. Norton 3. Southeast of Saline 4. Hoisington 5. St. MarysClass 1A 1. Conway Springs 2. Rossville 3. Medicine Lodge 4. Jackson Heights 5. Sedgwick8-Man, Div. I 1. Wichita County 2. Hoxie 3. Little River 4. Ell-Saline 5. West Elk8-Man, Div. II 1. Axtell 2. Frankfort 3. Victoria 4. Dighton 5. Burlingame6-Man 1. Cunningham 2. Ingalls 3. South Barber 4. Weskan 5. Northern Valley

Kansas high school football rankings

CLEVELAND (AP) — There will be three high-profile quarterbacks sharing the national spotlight Sunday for a star-packed season opener between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns. Only two of them will take snaps. As&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/prescott">Dak Prescott</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/browns-deshaun-watson-bafd88ea57a641ca0fc8532e1241e87d">Deshaun Watson</a>&nbsp;match drop backs, rollouts and completions to kick off critical seasons for both respective QBs, their every move will be dissected by Tom Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl winner who’ll make his TV broadcasting for the game as an analyst with Fox. Brady’s ballyhooed appearance, which has been in the works since before he announced his retirement from playing for a second time, adds another layer to a Week 1 game overloaded with juicy storylines.

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died at a Kenyan hospital where she was being treated for burns over 80% of her body from an attack by her partner. She was 33. A hospital official confirmed her death on Thursday. Police say Cheptegei’s partner, Dickson Ndiema, bought a can of gasoline, poured it on her and set her ablaze during a disagreement Sunday. A report filed by the local chief said the couple was heard fighting over the land where her house was built before the fire started. Cheptegei competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics less than a month before the attack. She finished in 44th place.

CHICAGO (AP) - Anthony Rizzo doesn’t feel a sense of closure for his first trip to Wrigley Field since getting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-mlb-baseball-chicago-cubs-new-york-yankees-c789bdd8c9550ca06e0ad410157b068a">traded to the Yankees by the Cubs</a>&nbsp;three years ago. New York’s first baseman isn’t sure he will ever need closure in Chicago after helping&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-ac4871e46f804b419784b963cedc19c9">the Cubs win their first World Series title in 108 years</a>&nbsp;in 2016. Not that he doesn’t have similar feelings with the Yankees, who re-signed Rizzo after the 2021 season and again a year later to his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-business-new-york-yankees-anthony-rizzo-4f11234cf850c4434725d21286218a95">current $40 million, two-year contract</a>&nbsp;that has a team option for 2025.

NEW YORK (AP) — Jessica Pegula could do no right at the outset of her first Grand Slam semifinal. Her opponent at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-open-2024-watch-guide-betting-schedule-73f4f2f3ec2811142b4655bbb3f74995">U.S. Open</a>&nbsp;on Thursday night, Karolina Muchova, could do no wrong. Pegula managed to shrug off that sluggish start and come back from a set and a break down to defeat Muchova 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 for a berth in the final at Flushing Meadows.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-open-9-4-2024-live-updates-f2a30995515c89dabfbf4aa97d611642">The No. 6-seeded Pegula</a>, a 30-year-old from New York, has won 15 of her past 16 matches and will meet No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka for the title on Saturday. Sabalenka, last year’s runner-up to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-open-women-final-live-updates-2f95f716e0336551d27920bc32b3f9bb">Coco Gauff</a>&nbsp;at the U.S. Open, returned to the championship match by holding off&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/emma-navarro-coco-gauff-us-open-cd7ebdd39d8663e3b2269279165a7c17">No. 13 Emma Navarro</a>&nbsp;of the United States 6-3, 7-6 (2).

THURSDAY'S SCORES NFL Kansas City 27, Baltimore 20

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721294994442.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CLEVELAND (AP) — There will be three high-profile quarterbacks sharing the national spotlight Sunday for a star-packed season opener between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns. Only two of them will take snaps. As&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/prescott">Dak Prescott</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/browns-deshaun-watson-bafd88ea57a641ca0fc8532e1241e87d">Deshaun Watson</a>&nbsp;match drop backs, rollouts and completions to kick off critical seasons for both respective QBs, their every move will be dissected by Tom Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl winner who’ll make his TV broadcasting for the game as an analyst with Fox. Brady’s ballyhooed appearance, which has been in the works since before he announced his retirement from playing for a second time, adds another layer to a Week 1 game overloaded with juicy storylines.NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died at a Kenyan hospital where she was being treated for burns over 80% of her body from an attack by her partner. She was 33. A hospital official confirmed her death on Thursday. Police say Cheptegei’s partner, Dickson Ndiema, bought a can of gasoline, poured it on her and set her ablaze during a disagreement Sunday. A report filed by the local chief said the couple was heard fighting over the land where her house was built before the fire started. Cheptegei competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics less than a month before the attack. She finished in 44th place.CHICAGO (AP) - Anthony Rizzo doesn’t feel a sense of closure for his first trip to Wrigley Field since getting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-mlb-baseball-chicago-cubs-new-york-yankees-c789bdd8c9550ca06e0ad410157b068a">traded to the Yankees by the Cubs</a>&nbsp;three years ago. New York’s first baseman isn’t sure he will ever need closure in Chicago after helping&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-ac4871e46f804b419784b963cedc19c9">the Cubs win their first World Series title in 108 years</a>&nbsp;in 2016. Not that he doesn’t have similar feelings with the Yankees, who re-signed Rizzo after the 2021 season and again a year later to his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-business-new-york-yankees-anthony-rizzo-4f11234cf850c4434725d21286218a95">current $40 million, two-year contract</a>&nbsp;that has a team option for 2025.NEW YORK (AP) — Jessica Pegula could do no right at the outset of her first Grand Slam semifinal. Her opponent at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-open-2024-watch-guide-betting-schedule-73f4f2f3ec2811142b4655bbb3f74995">U.S. Open</a>&nbsp;on Thursday night, Karolina Muchova, could do no wrong. Pegula managed to shrug off that sluggish start and come back from a set and a break down to defeat Muchova 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 for a berth in the final at Flushing Meadows.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-open-9-4-2024-live-updates-f2a30995515c89dabfbf4aa97d611642">The No. 6-seeded Pegula</a>, a 30-year-old from New York, has won 15 of her past 16 matches and will meet No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka for the title on Saturday. Sabalenka, last year’s runner-up to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-open-women-final-live-updates-2f95f716e0336551d27920bc32b3f9bb">Coco Gauff</a>&nbsp;at the U.S. Open, returned to the championship match by holding off&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/emma-navarro-coco-gauff-us-open-cd7ebdd39d8663e3b2269279165a7c17">No. 13 Emma Navarro</a>&nbsp;of the United States 6-3, 7-6 (2).THURSDAY'S SCORES NFL Kansas City 27, Baltimore 20MLB AMERICAN LEAGUEMinnesota 4, Tampa Bay 3Seattle 6, Oakland 4Texas 3, LA Angels 1NATIONAL LEAGUESan Francisco 3, Arizona 2Pittsburgh 9, Washington 4Philadelphia 5, Miami 2Colorado 3, Atlanta 1INTERLEAGUECincinnati 1, Houston 0Detroit 4, San Diego 3

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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes threw for 291 yards and a touchdown, and the Kansas City defense kept Lamar Jackson and the Ravens out of the end zone on three heart-stopping plays in the final seconds, allowing the Chiefs to begin the pursuit of a record third straight Super Bowl title with a 27-20 victory over Baltimore on Thursday night.

The game ended with a video review after Jackson appeared to connect with Isaiah Likely in the back of the end zone with no time remaining for a touchdown.&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/NFL/status/1831903953250136219">The video clearly showed Likely’s toe</a>&nbsp;landing on the endline, though, and the call was overturned, sending the Chiefs —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ravens-chiefs-taylor-swift-nfl-9f78a6dad40ff62993c2462e9c653964">and superfan Taylor Swift</a>, high up in a suite — into a wild celebration.

Xavier Worthy had touchdowns rushing and receiving, and Isiah Pacheco also had a TD run for the Chiefs, who not only won the rematch of last season’s AFC title game but beat the Ravens for the fifth time in their last six meetings.

That lopsided ledger has been especially frustrating for Jackson, who has called Kansas City the Ravens’ “kryptonite.” He was sublime on Thursday night, throwing for 273 yards and a touchdown while adding 122 yards on the ground, but a video review of the final play of the game left him to rue another missed chance to finally upstage Mahomes and Co.

Jackson gave Baltimore a chance, too, after getting the ball back at his own 13-yard line with 1:50 left and no timeouts.

He completed a couple throws to Likely, who finished with 111 yards receiving and a score, and scrambled on third-and-2 for a first down. Two plays later, Jackson zipped a pass 38 yards to Rashod Bateman down the sideline that moved the Ravens to the Kansas City 10 with just 19 seconds to go — plenty of time for a few shots at the end zone.

Jackson’s first pass was a throwaway, but his second missed wide-open Zay Flowers in the back of the end zone. Then came the last throw, after Jackson had scrambled for what seemed like an eternity. Ravens coach John Harbaugh signaled that his team would try for a winning 2-point conversion, but it didn't get that chance after the video review.

The wild ending came after the start was delayed about 20 minutes by a storm that brought heavy rain and lightning.

The Ravens opened with an 11-play, 70-yard drive that ended when Derrick Henry, who tormented the Chiefs in six previous meetings while he was with Tennessee, plunged into the end zone from 5 yards out for the early lead.

But the high-octane Chiefs, trying to avoid losing their opener in back-to-back years, needed just two minutes to produce an answer. Mahomes twice connected with Rashee Rice, who has so far avoided any NFL suspension for his role in a street-racing crash in Dallas, before Worthy showed why the Chiefs made him their first-round pick with a 21-yard touchdown run.

After those two drives, the first half was mostly marked by Week 1 blunders.

Jackson was strip-sacked by Chris Jones deep in his own territory, leading to a field goal for Kansas City. Flowers was stopped short of the first-down marker on fourth-and-3 near midfield on the Ravens’ next series, leading to another field goal. And even Justin Tucker, one of the league’s most accurate kickers, pulled a 53-yard field-goal attempt wide left.

The Chiefs were not immune to mistakes. Mahomes was picked off by Roquan Smith on a poor throw late in the first half, leading to a chip-shot field goal that got Baltimore — which trailed twice at halftime all of last season — within 13-10 at the break.

Yet the Ravens’ inability to get into the end zone, and swing the momentum their way, ultimately proved costly.

The Chiefs opened the second half with an 81-yard touchdown march to extend their lead. Then, after Jackson had connected with Likely on a broken play for a 49-yard touchdown throw, Mahomes drove them 70 yards against the No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL last season for a touchdown that made it 27-17 with 10 minutes to go.

Tucker made it a one-score game with his field goal with 4:54 to go, and Baltimore quickly forced a punt. But despite Jackson’s impassioned play, he was left to trudge off the field after another disappointing loss to the Chiefs.

Swift, the 14-time Grammy winner, wasn’t the only star attending the NFL’s opening night. Quincy Hall, the Olympic 400-meter champion, was in the crowd along with AC Milan midfielder Christian Pulisic, who will join his U.S. teammates Saturday night for an exhibition against Canada at nearby Children’s Mercy Park.

Baltimore: LB Kyle Van Noy left six plays into the second half with an eye injury and did not return.

The Ravens host Las Vegas on Sunday, Sept. 15. The Chiefs get a visit from Cincinnati the same day.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725597547282.jpeg" alt="Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) catches a pass with his toe out of bounds as Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton and linebacker Drue Tranquill, left, defend as time time expires in the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 27-20.(AP Photo/Ed Zurga)" />
 <figcaption>Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) catches a pass with his toe out of bounds as Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton and linebacker Drue Tranquill, left, defend as time time expires in the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 27-20.(AP Photo/Ed Zurga)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes threw for 291 yards and a touchdown, and the Kansas City defense kept Lamar Jackson and the Ravens out of the end zone on three heart-stopping plays in the final seconds, allowing the Chiefs to begin the pursuit of a record third straight Super Bowl title with a 27-20 victory over Baltimore on Thursday night.The game ended with a video review after Jackson appeared to connect with Isaiah Likely in the back of the end zone with no time remaining for a touchdown.&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/NFL/status/1831903953250136219">The video clearly showed Likely’s toe</a>&nbsp;landing on the endline, though, and the call was overturned, sending the Chiefs —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ravens-chiefs-taylor-swift-nfl-9f78a6dad40ff62993c2462e9c653964">and superfan Taylor Swift</a>, high up in a suite — into a wild celebration.Xavier Worthy had touchdowns rushing and receiving, and Isiah Pacheco also had a TD run for the Chiefs, who not only won the rematch of last season’s AFC title game but beat the Ravens for the fifth time in their last six meetings.That lopsided ledger has been especially frustrating for Jackson, who has called Kansas City the Ravens’ “kryptonite.” He was sublime on Thursday night, throwing for 273 yards and a touchdown while adding 122 yards on the ground, but a video review of the final play of the game left him to rue another missed chance to finally upstage Mahomes and Co.Jackson gave Baltimore a chance, too, after getting the ball back at his own 13-yard line with 1:50 left and no timeouts.He completed a couple throws to Likely, who finished with 111 yards receiving and a score, and scrambled on third-and-2 for a first down. Two plays later, Jackson zipped a pass 38 yards to Rashod Bateman down the sideline that moved the Ravens to the Kansas City 10 with just 19 seconds to go — plenty of time for a few shots at the end zone.Jackson’s first pass was a throwaway, but his second missed wide-open Zay Flowers in the back of the end zone. Then came the last throw, after Jackson had scrambled for what seemed like an eternity. Ravens coach John Harbaugh signaled that his team would try for a winning 2-point conversion, but it didn't get that chance after the video review.The wild ending came after the start was delayed about 20 minutes by a storm that brought heavy rain and lightning.The Ravens opened with an 11-play, 70-yard drive that ended when Derrick Henry, who tormented the Chiefs in six previous meetings while he was with Tennessee, plunged into the end zone from 5 yards out for the early lead.But the high-octane Chiefs, trying to avoid losing their opener in back-to-back years, needed just two minutes to produce an answer. Mahomes twice connected with Rashee Rice, who has so far avoided any NFL suspension for his role in a street-racing crash in Dallas, before Worthy showed why the Chiefs made him their first-round pick with a 21-yard touchdown run.After those two drives, the first half was mostly marked by Week 1 blunders.Jackson was strip-sacked by Chris Jones deep in his own territory, leading to a field goal for Kansas City. Flowers was stopped short of the first-down marker on fourth-and-3 near midfield on the Ravens’ next series, leading to another field goal. And even Justin Tucker, one of the league’s most accurate kickers, pulled a 53-yard field-goal attempt wide left.The Chiefs were not immune to mistakes. Mahomes was picked off by Roquan Smith on a poor throw late in the first half, leading to a chip-shot field goal that got Baltimore — which trailed twice at halftime all of last season — within 13-10 at the break.Yet the Ravens’ inability to get into the end zone, and swing the momentum their way, ultimately proved costly.The Chiefs opened the second half with an 81-yard touchdown march to extend their lead. Then, after Jackson had connected with Likely on a broken play for a 49-yard touchdown throw, Mahomes drove them 70 yards against the No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL last season for a touchdown that made it 27-17 with 10 minutes to go.Tucker made it a one-score game with his field goal with 4:54 to go, and Baltimore quickly forced a punt. But despite Jackson’s impassioned play, he was left to trudge off the field after another disappointing loss to the Chiefs.<h2>Star-studded crowd</h2>Swift, the 14-time Grammy winner, wasn’t the only star attending the NFL’s opening night. Quincy Hall, the Olympic 400-meter champion, was in the crowd along with AC Milan midfielder Christian Pulisic, who will join his U.S. teammates Saturday night for an exhibition against Canada at nearby Children’s Mercy Park.<h2>Injuries</h2>Baltimore: LB Kyle Van Noy left six plays into the second half with an eye injury and did not return.<h2>Up next</h2>The Ravens host Las Vegas on Sunday, Sept. 15. The Chiefs get a visit from Cincinnati the same day.

Chiefs hold off Ravens 27-20...by an inch after final Baltimore play goes long

Playing at home for the first time of the 2024 campaign, the 6th ranked Barton Community College volleyball team made it a short Wednesday night at the Barton Gym behind a straight set sweep of Butler Community College 25-14, 25-20, and 25-17.

The ninth sweep of the season improves Barton to 10-0 overall from its conference opener with Butler, who is receiving votes in the latest NJCAA poll, slips to 1-1 in KJCCC play and 5-5 on the year.

Barton's victory also snapped a four-match home losing streak to the Grizzlies, including avenging last year's loss to Butler in the District semifinals.

Getting the weekend break from competition, the Cougars' resume their three-match homestand on Monday returning to conference play against Pratt Community College before Wednesday's hosting of the junior varsity squad from McPherson College. First serve slated for 6:30 p.m. for both contests.

Three Cougars primarily led the offensive attack, led by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/thompson_mya_yeos">Mya Thompson</a>'s 8 kills on a .429 efficiency.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/reyes_phoebe_zp2h">Phoebe Reyes</a>&nbsp;also recorded 8 kills with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/wierzbicki_anna_emil">Anna Wierzbicki</a>&nbsp;finishing with 7 kills on a .385 attack percentage.

Setters&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>&nbsp;put up 14 and 13 assists respectively despite the squad hitting at an early season second worst .198 attack.

<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/nixon_kassidy_bbcx">Kassidy Nixon</a>'s 10 digs and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/kaneko_mina_z3c5">Mina Kaneko</a>'s 9 digs led the backline with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/olander_aubrey_49pp">Aubrey Olander</a>'s 3 blocks led the net play while additionally adding 4 kills on a .500 attack.

Following the Grizzlies winning the first point of the night, Barton never trailed again in the set as Wierzbicki and Thompson accounted for half of the opening set kills in the squad's .476 efficiency. The Cougars methodically widened the margin until closing out the frame on a 5-0 run in winning by eleven.

Butler again grabbed the early led in the second set with the Cougars rattling off four straight for the lead. The Grizzlies fired back with a pair of four straight stretches to lead by two on multiple occasions with the last coming at 19-17. From there it was all Cougars, three straight prompting a Butler timeout with four more coming after the break highlighted by Olander's solo block as the Cougars took control of the match leading by two on the five-point victory.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725586697920.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Playing at home for the first time of the 2024 campaign, the 6th ranked Barton Community College volleyball team made it a short Wednesday night at the Barton Gym behind a straight set sweep of Butler Community College 25-14, 25-20, and 25-17.The ninth sweep of the season improves Barton to 10-0 overall from its conference opener with Butler, who is receiving votes in the latest NJCAA poll, slips to 1-1 in KJCCC play and 5-5 on the year.Barton's victory also snapped a four-match home losing streak to the Grizzlies, including avenging last year's loss to Butler in the District semifinals.Getting the weekend break from competition, the Cougars' resume their three-match homestand on Monday returning to conference play against Pratt Community College before Wednesday's hosting of the junior varsity squad from McPherson College. First serve slated for 6:30 p.m. for both contests.Three Cougars primarily led the offensive attack, led by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/thompson_mya_yeos">Mya Thompson</a>'s 8 kills on a .429 efficiency.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/reyes_phoebe_zp2h">Phoebe Reyes</a>&nbsp;also recorded 8 kills with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/wierzbicki_anna_emil">Anna Wierzbicki</a>&nbsp;finishing with 7 kills on a .385 attack percentage.Setters&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>&nbsp;put up 14 and 13 assists respectively despite the squad hitting at an early season second worst .198 attack.<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/nixon_kassidy_bbcx">Kassidy Nixon</a>'s 10 digs and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/kaneko_mina_z3c5">Mina Kaneko</a>'s 9 digs led the backline with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/bios/olander_aubrey_49pp">Aubrey Olander</a>'s 3 blocks led the net play while additionally adding 4 kills on a .500 attack.Following the Grizzlies winning the first point of the night, Barton never trailed again in the set as Wierzbicki and Thompson accounted for half of the opening set kills in the squad's .476 efficiency. The Cougars methodically widened the margin until closing out the frame on a 5-0 run in winning by eleven.Butler again grabbed the early led in the second set with the Cougars rattling off four straight for the lead. The Grizzlies fired back with a pair of four straight stretches to lead by two on multiple occasions with the last coming at 19-17. From there it was all Cougars, three straight prompting a Butler timeout with four more coming after the break highlighted by Olander's solo block as the Cougars took control of the match leading by two on the five-point victory.

No. 6 Barton Volleyball sweeps Butler in conference opener 

- Great Bend Panther football coach Erin Beck previews Friday night's season opener at McPherson. He'll be joined by Jr. Ian Premer and Jr. Hayden Kelly.

- Great Bend Tribune Sports Editor Jim Misunas checks in from the Great Bend Cross Country Invitational meet.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693997740304.jpeg" alt="Thursday show lineup with hosts Steve Webster, Mike Courson, and Mike Hesher" />
 <figcaption>Thursday 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/hJ80hfpVbTI?si=xEnqiCTn9_AKwC6M" 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 football coach Erin Beck previews Friday night's season opener at McPherson. He'll be joined by Jr. Ian Premer and Jr. Hayden Kelly.- Great Bend Tribune Sports Editor Jim Misunas checks in from the Great Bend Cross Country Invitational meet.- Barton soccer coach Rafael Simmons.- Thursday Sports Headlines- Sounds of the past 24-hours

Thursday on Sports Day(Watch)

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

More than 250 varsity runners converged at the starting line at Lake Barton for the girls' and boys' races at the Great Bend Invitational Thursday morning. The cross country meet featured 25 teams, including several of the state's best.

The Great Bend girls scored 42 points to win among the larger schools. Bishop Carroll scored 66 points for second, and Garden City placed third with 112 points. Four-time defending Class 3A champion Southeast of Saline was one of just two schools to compete as a full team in the smaller division that featured five teams.

North Carolina-commit Katelyn Rupe of Salina Central separated from the pack early and cruised to the win in 17:14.86. Mustang sophomore Kaylie Shultz, the reigning 5A runner-up, took the silver in 18:05.38. 

Great Bend's Sienna Smith finished fifth overall in 19:39.05, less than four seconds out of fourth place.  Marissa Boone ran eighth in 20:01.75, followed by Bella Long in 20:02.60 for ninth. Teah King finished 17th in 20:46.62. Reese Bullard, in her cross country debut, capped team scoring in 25th with a time of 21:36.80. Teegan Guerra placed 29th in 21:50.37, and Kate Welcher finished 37th in 22:24.26.

Garden City won the boys' race with 53 points, followed by Holcomb with 77 points, and Junction City with 81 points. Great Bend finished ninth with 241 points.

Southeast of Saline's Brayden Walker won by three seconds in 16:08.58, followed by Holcomb's Brody Deniston in 16:11.17. McPherson's Caleb Muehler, the reigning 4A champion, placed third in 16:12.48.

Hoisington's Kamden Tarlton led area runners in 18th with a time of 17:06.94, just half a second behind the runner in front of him. Ismael Ramirez paced Great Bend in 26th in 17:29.48, followed by Brogan Lashley in 66th with a time of 18:41.88. Tavon Stroup finished just behind him in 18:42.11, and Anthony Lawrence ran 71st in 18:47.19. Diego Pasos completed team scoring in 18:52.02 for 75th overall, and Isaac Aldana crossed in 19:17.50 for 89th.

The Panther runners head to Olathe on Saturday, Sept. 14. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725551739651.jpeg" alt="Lady Panther junior Sienna Smith finished fifth overall out of 105 runners at the Great Bend Invitational at Lake Barton Thursday morning." />
 <figcaption>Lady Panther junior Sienna Smith finished fifth overall out of 105 runners at the Great Bend Invitational at Lake Barton Thursday morning.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostMore than 250 varsity runners converged at the starting line at Lake Barton for the girls' and boys' races at the Great Bend Invitational Thursday morning. The cross country meet featured 25 teams, including several of the state's best.The Great Bend girls scored 42 points to win among the larger schools. Bishop Carroll scored 66 points for second, and Garden City placed third with 112 points. Four-time defending Class 3A champion Southeast of Saline was one of just two schools to compete as a full team in the smaller division that featured five teams.North Carolina-commit Katelyn Rupe of Salina Central separated from the pack early and cruised to the win in 17:14.86. Mustang sophomore Kaylie Shultz, the reigning 5A runner-up, took the silver in 18:05.38. Great Bend's Sienna Smith finished fifth overall in 19:39.05, less than four seconds out of fourth place. Marissa Boone ran eighth in 20:01.75, followed by Bella Long in 20:02.60 for ninth. Teah King finished 17th in 20:46.62. Reese Bullard, in her cross country debut, capped team scoring in 25th with a time of 21:36.80. Teegan Guerra placed 29th in 21:50.37, and Kate Welcher finished 37th in 22:24.26.Garden City won the boys' race with 53 points, followed by Holcomb with 77 points, and Junction City with 81 points. Great Bend finished ninth with 241 points.Southeast of Saline's Brayden Walker won by three seconds in 16:08.58, followed by Holcomb's Brody Deniston in 16:11.17. McPherson's Caleb Muehler, the reigning 4A champion, placed third in 16:12.48.Hoisington's Kamden Tarlton led area runners in 18th with a time of 17:06.94, just half a second behind the runner in front of him. Ismael Ramirez paced Great Bend in 26th in 17:29.48, followed by Brogan Lashley in 66th with a time of 18:41.88. Tavon Stroup finished just behind him in 18:42.11, and Anthony Lawrence ran 71st in 18:47.19. Diego Pasos completed team scoring in 18:52.02 for 75th overall, and Isaac Aldana crossed in 19:17.50 for 89th.The Panther runners head to Olathe on Saturday, Sept. 14.

Lady Panthers win season opener at Lake Barton; boys ninth

CHICAGO (AP) — Shota Imanaga wasn’t disappointed when he was removed after seven hitless innings and 95 pitches. “He actually didn’t know he had a no-hitter going at all, which is funny,” Chicago Cubs manager Counsell said. Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge each followed with a perfect inning to finish a 12-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night, the Cubs’ first&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/all-27-outs-of-cubs-combined-no-hitter?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share" target="_blank">no-hitter</a>&nbsp;at Wrigley Field since 1972. Imanaga (12-3) struck out seven and walked two, throwing 66 pitches for strikes.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 100 3-pointers in a season and finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for her second career triple-double as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/indiana-fever-wnba-playoffs-caitlin-clark-5a41f68d5ab64deb7f7761014b2b8af9">playoff-bound</a>&nbsp;Indiana Fever beat the Los Angeles Sparks 93-86 on Wednesday night. Clark connected on her second 3 of the game and 100th of the season midway through the third quarter and added two more to reach 102 and finish 4 of 10 from long range. The No. 1 overall draft pick is the first rookie with 100 3s. She also became the first rookie and fifth WNBA player with multiple triple-doubles in a season, joining Alyssa Thomas, Courtney Williams, Sabrina Ionescu and Candace Parker.

SAO PAULO (AP) — Sao Paulo state’s government said it will deploy hundreds of police officers and provide escorts for team buses for Friday’s NFL game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers after some players expressed concern about playing in Brazil. Security operations for the game in Sao Paulo’s NeoQuimica Arena will be coordinated with U.S. authorities, the state’s public security secretariat said in a statement Wednesday. Gun violence and crime rates in Brazil are among the highest in the Latin America. Metropolitan Sao Paulo has also faced a wave of cellphone thefts. Hundreds of civilian and military police will be deployed for the game, the first NFL match to be played in the South American country, according to the statement. Military police will be used to escort the teams’ buses to their hotels, training grounds and to the stadium.

NEW YORK (AP) — The questions wouldn’t stop for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-open-9-2-2024-live-updates-1ef3c2516d59022773a2fcca5170ea63">Jessica Pegula</a>: Why was she 0-6 in Grand Slam quarterfinals heading into her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-open-2024-watch-guide-betting-schedule-73f4f2f3ec2811142b4655bbb3f74995">U.S. Open</a>&nbsp;matchup against No. 1 Iga Swiatek? What could Pegula do to change that? Came up during her on-court interview after winning in the previous round. And again at the news conference that followed. And again during a brief TV interview right before striding onto the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday night. If that all weighed on Pegula, the 30-year-old American hid it well, pulling off a big upset by easily beating Swiatek 6-2, 6-4 at Flushing Meadows and earning a debut trip to the semifinals at a major.

WEDNESDAY'S SCORES MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL AMERICAN LEAGUE

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707734642080.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CHICAGO (AP) — Shota Imanaga wasn’t disappointed when he was removed after seven hitless innings and 95 pitches. “He actually didn’t know he had a no-hitter going at all, which is funny,” Chicago Cubs manager Counsell said. Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge each followed with a perfect inning to finish a 12-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night, the Cubs’ first&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/all-27-outs-of-cubs-combined-no-hitter?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share" target="_blank">no-hitter</a>&nbsp;at Wrigley Field since 1972. Imanaga (12-3) struck out seven and walked two, throwing 66 pitches for strikes.INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 100 3-pointers in a season and finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for her second career triple-double as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/indiana-fever-wnba-playoffs-caitlin-clark-5a41f68d5ab64deb7f7761014b2b8af9">playoff-bound</a>&nbsp;Indiana Fever beat the Los Angeles Sparks 93-86 on Wednesday night. Clark connected on her second 3 of the game and 100th of the season midway through the third quarter and added two more to reach 102 and finish 4 of 10 from long range. The No. 1 overall draft pick is the first rookie with 100 3s. She also became the first rookie and fifth WNBA player with multiple triple-doubles in a season, joining Alyssa Thomas, Courtney Williams, Sabrina Ionescu and Candace Parker.SAO PAULO (AP) — Sao Paulo state’s government said it will deploy hundreds of police officers and provide escorts for team buses for Friday’s NFL game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers after some players expressed concern about playing in Brazil. Security operations for the game in Sao Paulo’s NeoQuimica Arena will be coordinated with U.S. authorities, the state’s public security secretariat said in a statement Wednesday. Gun violence and crime rates in Brazil are among the highest in the Latin America. Metropolitan Sao Paulo has also faced a wave of cellphone thefts. Hundreds of civilian and military police will be deployed for the game, the first NFL match to be played in the South American country, according to the statement. Military police will be used to escort the teams’ buses to their hotels, training grounds and to the stadium.NEW YORK (AP) — The questions wouldn’t stop for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-open-9-2-2024-live-updates-1ef3c2516d59022773a2fcca5170ea63">Jessica Pegula</a>: Why was she 0-6 in Grand Slam quarterfinals heading into her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-open-2024-watch-guide-betting-schedule-73f4f2f3ec2811142b4655bbb3f74995">U.S. Open</a>&nbsp;matchup against No. 1 Iga Swiatek? What could Pegula do to change that? Came up during her on-court interview after winning in the previous round. And again at the news conference that followed. And again during a brief TV interview right before striding onto the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday night. If that all weighed on Pegula, the 30-year-old American hid it well, pulling off a big upset by easily beating Swiatek 6-2, 6-4 at Flushing Meadows and earning a debut trip to the semifinals at a major.WEDNESDAY'S SCORES MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL AMERICAN LEAGUEKansas City 4, Cleveland 1Chicago White Sox 8, Baltimore 1Tampa Bay 9, Minnesota 4Texas 10, NY Yankees 6Seattle 16, Oakland 3NATIONAL LEAGUEMiami 4, Washington 3Atlanta 5, Colorado 2Chicago Cubs 12, Pittsburgh 0St. Louis 3, Milwaukee 2Arizona 6, San Francisco 4INTERLEAGUEPhiladelphia 4, Toronto 2Cincinnati 12, Houston 5NY Mets 8, Boston 3LA Angels 10, LA Dodgers 1San Diego 6, Detroit 5

Wednesday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

For the second consecutive time in as many weeks to begin the season,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/msoc/2024-25/bios/voinier_maxence_ehjk">Maxence Voinier</a>&nbsp;of the 6th ranked Barton Community College men's soccer team has been named the KJCCC Division I Player of the Week.

Voinier extended his hot start to his second collegiate season by finding the net each of the five contests by adding three goals and two assists during last week's three game slate.

After providing the brief equalizer against Dodge City to open the week in a 3-2 loss to the Conquistadors, Voinier put up a pair of three-point performances in Barton's two wins over the weekend.

The sophomore netted the eventual game-winning goal in Friday's 3-0 win over Jefferson College before adding another marker and creating the game-winning setup in Sunday's 5-1 win against Trinidad State.

Most recently, Voinier's goal streak came to end today but still contributed an assist in Barton's conference home opening 2-0 win over Coffeyville Community College.

Through six games Voinier is in the nation's top five on each of his team leading five goals and four assists for a national second best 14 points.

Now 1-1 in conference play and 5-1 on the season, Barton will next step out of conference play Friday in Hays for a 5:00 p.m. contest against the junior varsity squad of Fort Hays State University. The Cougars will then get back to conference play next Wednesday traveling to Kansas City Kansas Community College for a 7:30 p.m. kick.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725540171760.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>For the second consecutive time in as many weeks to begin the season,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonsports.com/sports/msoc/2024-25/bios/voinier_maxence_ehjk">Maxence Voinier</a>&nbsp;of the 6th ranked Barton Community College men's soccer team has been named the KJCCC Division I Player of the Week.Voinier extended his hot start to his second collegiate season by finding the net each of the five contests by adding three goals and two assists during last week's three game slate.After providing the brief equalizer against Dodge City to open the week in a 3-2 loss to the Conquistadors, Voinier put up a pair of three-point performances in Barton's two wins over the weekend.The sophomore netted the eventual game-winning goal in Friday's 3-0 win over Jefferson College before adding another marker and creating the game-winning setup in Sunday's 5-1 win against Trinidad State.Most recently, Voinier's goal streak came to end today but still contributed an assist in Barton's conference home opening 2-0 win over Coffeyville Community College.Through six games Voinier is in the nation's top five on each of his team leading five goals and four assists for a national second best 14 points.Now 1-1 in conference play and 5-1 on the season, Barton will next step out of conference play Friday in Hays for a 5:00 p.m. contest against the junior varsity squad of Fort Hays State University. The Cougars will then get back to conference play next Wednesday traveling to Kansas City Kansas Community College for a 7:30 p.m. kick.

Barton's Voinier repeats as KJCCC Division I Player of the Week

- 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.

<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.