JV tennis

The junior varsity girls’ tennis season was a huge success. With grit and determination, the talented team overcame setbacks to have an 8-1 record.

The team had two seniors, Emma Salyers and Rebekah Vague, who both had a 19-6 record. Junior Charlotte Bettenbrock went 21-3 and junior MaLaney Brantley went 19-5 in her first year of playing. Sophomore Eva Neuman had a record of 20-4. Five freshmen rounded out the team: Chrissy Conley (17-8), Sophie Homolka (17-7), Roselyn Nienke (18-7), Ashlyn Schwerdtfeger (9-10) and Maekenna Wyrick (5-4).

Assistant Coach Jason Maisog was grateful to fellow Head Coach Eric Anderson, superintendent Deena Hilbig and the community and facilities.

“Hopefully the success that the JV and varsity has had can show kids who may be hesitant that they can try it and be successful at it, but like all things, it takes hard work and dedication that our students have put in to do well,” Maisog said.

JV cross country

Running alongside the varsity cross country team at practice each day was the JV, who saw their own personal improvements throughout the season.

Each personal best time is recorded from 5K races, the length of high school JV races.

Junior Tegan George medaled at three meets, improving along the way. He reached a personal best time of 21:57.

Although he did not medal at a JV meet, freshman Anthony Jundt reached a personal best time of 26:14.

Sophomore Michael Meier recorded a best time of 29:40.

In the JV girls’ division, freshman Nell Goss medaled at two meets and gained a personal best time of 33:11.

In order to improve for future seasons, JV runners set their personal goals at the beginning of the season, worked to meet those goals, then set new ones.

“We always hope to meet personal best times,” Head Coach Eric Coonrod said. “Our goals were individual-based, with each runner working toward their own best times and performances each week.”

JV, C-team volleyball After a successful season, both the JV and C-team volleyball players should be proud of all of the accomplishments they had throughout the season and look forward to the future.

The season kicked off with a full night against Republic County. The JV won both matches in two sets, as did the C-team.

The JV’s next night of play took place against Beloit, where they lost both matches. The first ended in two sets and the second went into three.

At the C-team tournament at Salina South, the Bearcats beat Junction City in three sets, Smith Center in two and lost to Salina South and McPherson, both going into three sets.

In their second league night of the season, the JV finished with two wins over Sacred Heart, taking both victories in two sets. The C-team won their match in two as well.

Against Little River, both teams lost their singular matches in two sets.

At the JV tournament at Pratt-Skyline, the team went 4-1. They beat Norwich and Pratt-Skyline in two sets, lost to Garden Plain in three, then beat Pratt in three sets and Sylvan-Grove in two.

The JV beat Minneapolis in three sets in the first match and two sets in the second match. The C-team was unable to come away with the victory, losing their single match in two sets.

The JV beat Russell in three sets.

At Beloit, the JV lost their first match in two sets. Fighting until the very end of the second match, they were unable to finish on top. They lost the second match in three sets. The C-team lost both tough matches in three sets each.

At the triangular against Smoky Valley and Central Plains, the JV had a successful night. They took victories against both the Vikings and the Oilers in two sets.

The Cats finished with a 4-1 record at their home JV tournament. They lost their first match to Little River in two sets, then won the rest of their matches against Sterling, Sylvan-Grove, Russell and Republic County each in two sets.

At their league competition against Southeast of Saline, the JV went one-and-one. They won the first match in three sets and lost the second in three.

In a successful night, the JV took two wins at the triangular against Hutch Trinity and Hoisington. The Cats beat Hutch Trinity in two sets and Hoisington in three.

To end the season, the JV took a victory in their last match in two sets and the C-team ended with a two-set win.

As the younger players on the team, the JV and C-team players are offered a chance to grow in their volleyball skills and make valuable memories along the way, both on and off the court.

“The JV team really showed a lot of grit and determination,” Head Coach Amy Johnson said. “The girls did a great job adjusting to playing with different teammates and different positions each and every night out.

“Off the court, I love how all of the girls participate in our team activities. We love to support the junior high girls, bus rides and any of our team bonding get-togethers.”

Johnson noted that she could see the improvement every day by the JV and C-team players. She is optimistic about next season, both for the returning underclassmen as well as the upcoming eighth grade class.

“Losing six seniors, the door is open for anyone to work hard and step into varsity positions,” she said. “These girls have had positive attitudes, and that will be a huge benefit as we move into next season.”

JV football

The junior varsity football team had limited numbers, but played competitively and made huge strides in their season, despite hardships that forced a shortened season.

“Many of our JV players were playing a lot of varsity repetitions. By the end of the season, due to injuries, we had to cancel some JV games because we were so limited in our offensive line depth,” Head Coach Josh Homolka said. “Overall, I feel our junior varsity took a big step forward by the end of the season.”

The team won against Beloit 2-0. They lost 0-6 to Sacred Heart, 6-8 to Hillsboro and 8-14 to Russell.

JH cross country

The junior high cross country team sought improvements throughout the season and found numerous victories along the way.

Depending on the meet, junior high athletes run between 1- and 2-mile races. Races are divided into seventh grade girls, seventh grade boys, eighth grade girls and eighth grade boys.

Seventh grader Korbyn Jensen was the only female seventh grader on the team. She did not let this stop her from working harder every day and competing to her best ability.

Jensen competed in five races throughout the season and medaled at all five. Not only did Jensen place first at the Lyons meet, she also earned the title of league champion. Her personal best two mile time was 14:59.

The team consisted of three seventh grade boys: Octavio Rodriguez, August Mog and Owen Schultz.

Rodriguez dominated every meet he competed in. He medaled at every meet, only one of those not being a first place medal. Rodriguez took first place at the league meet as well and obtained a personal best 2-mile time of 12:09 during the season.

Jensen and Rodriguez crushed the league meet and became the first two junior high league champions since the junior high cross country program started in 2011.

Mog gained a 2-mile record of 15:43.

Schultz ran a personal best 2-mile time of 17:21.

The three eighth grade girls on the cross country team, Lakyn Beckman, Sage Gray and Hadley Huseman, represented the Bearcats well throughout the season.

Beckman placed at six meets throughout the year. At the Lyons meet, she took first place, and she finished in fourth place at the league meet. Beckman ran a season best time of 14:27.

A four-time medalist, Gray claimed a second place medal at the Lyons meet. Her season best time was 14:32.

Huseman gained a medal at Lyons and a season best time of 16:35.

As the only eighth grade boy on the team, Wesley Rathbun found a great amount of success throughout the season.

Rathbun medaled at six meets, including a second place medal at St. John. He was unable to run at the league meet due to illness. He ran a season best time of 12:37.

JH volleyball

The junior high volleyball team had a successful season, finishing with a winning record on both the A- and B-teams. The A-team finished 13-8, and the B-team ended with a record of 12-6.

Starting the season off, the team took wins all around. Both teams beat Sterling in two sets.

After a hard-fought night, the first night of league competition did not end in favor of the Bearcats. Although losing in two sets in both matches, the A-team fought and stayed with the Trojans until the end. The B-team lost in three sets in their first match and lost in two sets in the second match.

The next league game ended with losses all around. Southeast of Saline beat the A-team in two sets in both matches. The B-team lost in three sets in the first match and two in the second match.

Both teams were unable to come away with a victory over Hoisington. The Cardinals won each game in two sets. However, the Cats were quickly able to turn it around. The A-team beat Larned in two sets and the B-team took the win in three sets.

Against Republic County, both teams won each of their two matches in two sets.

The A-team went oneand- one with Minneapolis. They won the first match in three sets and lost the second match in a crushing three-set game. The B-team was able to end with two victories. They won both matches against the Lions in two sets.

At the A-team tournament, the Bearcats went 4-1 for the day.

The A-team won both their matches against Sacred Heart in two sets. After a tough battle, the B-team was able to come away with two wins, both going into three sets.

At the B-team tournament, the team went 3-1 for the day.

Both the A- and B-teams beat Hutch Trinity in two sets.

The A-team finished their season by competing in the league tournament. They won their first round against Sacred Heart in two sets, but lost to Southeast in three sets in the next round.

Although they didn’t come home with a league title, there were much more valuable memories made throughout the rest of the season, both on and off the court.

“We had the largest number of athletes I’ve ever had on a team at 27 girls,” Head Coach Katy Cole said. “You would think with 27 junior high girls there might be quite a bit of chaos, but these girls worked so well together. They were great teammates and always encouraged each other.

“We brought back the mother/daughter practice this year. It’s always fun to watch the girls and moms interact, challenge each other and cheer each other on.”

Cole is already thinking about next season, excited for what is ahead.

“I’m always excited to start a new season and a little nervous too,” she said. “We have a fantastic group of seventh graders that will come back in a leadership role as eighth graders. I know several of the upcoming sixth grade class and I’m excited for the energy and athleticism they will bring to the team next year.”

Getting to experience the growth of volleyball players throughout two season in junior high and then watch them move on to high school competition is “bittersweet” for Cole.

“It’s so much fun to go to a high school game and see how far each athlete has come and how much they have grown off and on the court,” she said. “I will definitely miss this class of eighth graders, but they have so much potential and I can’t wait to watch them succeed and help grow our high school program.”

JH football

The junior high football team wrapped up their season with a successful 6-1 record. The young boys fought hard both on the field and in practice.

“The highlight of the season is seeing kids grow and develop as the season goes along,” Assistant Coach Scott Hipp said. “I am very happy with the season. (We have) a great bunch of kids and outstanding assistant coaches that make my job easy.

“I look forward to seeing seventh graders come back and lead next year and freshman playing for the highschool team. Big thanks to all parents who support the team and kids from summer weights to the end of the season.”