By John Mesh
After seeing a string of four consecutive state titles end in 2022, the Buhler boys returned to the top of 4A with a vengeance at the 2023 state meet in Wamego.
The Crusaders ran away with their fifth state title in six years, finishing with 31 points to win by 63 points over second-place Wamego.
Layne Whisler, Kaden Lohrentz and Gavin Lindahl packed together to finish fifth, sixth and seventh respectively. Henry Trumpp (11th) and Kai Mendenhall (14th) also medaled for the Crusaders.
In an effort to chase its sixth title in seven years, Buhler will have to reload after losing four seniors including Whisler and Lohrentz.
Lindahl is back after an impressive freshman season that culminated in a seventh-place finish at state. Trumpp and Mendenhall are seniors.
Other key returnees from a boys team that also won regional and league titles are senior Andrew Morgan and juniors Sammy Hershberger and Ben Gazaway. Freshman newcomers are Ryan Cherry and Sam Hougham.
“We lost quite a bit from our boys team last year, but we return a good solid core,” said Buhler cross country coach Curtis Morgan. “We will be counting on our incoming freshman to step up this year.”
The Buhler girls cross country team placed fourth at the state meet in 2023. They also won league and regional championships..
Sophomore Corbin Starkweather posted a first-place finish at regionals and placed 19th at the state meet in Wamego. She was an All-State performer.
Other key returning runners for the Buhler girls are senior Ava Koster, juniors Allison Johnson, Hannah Khan and Khloe Blackwell and sophomore Audrey Foster.
Freshman newcomers are Bella Friesen, Haylee Kinase and Kinley Combs.
“Our girls squad is the deepest it has been in years,” Morgan said. “Ava Koster will help lead and develop the young squad this year.”
Morgan was named 2023 Class 4A coach of the year by the Kansas Cross Country Coaches Association.
The Crusaders boys’ defense of the 2023 state title begins Sept. 5 at the Great Bend Invitational at Lake Barton.
Buhler competes at the Wamego Invitational Sept. 12 and hosts the Buhler Invitational at Prairie Hills Middle School Sept. 19.
The Crusaders compete at Southeast of Saline Sept. 24, Winfield Oct. 3, Sterling Oct. 10 and the AVCTL Championship in Clearwater Oct. 17.
The 4A regional meet in Oct. 26 and the Kansas Class 4A state meet is Nov. 2 at the Wamego Country Club.
Buhler girls tennis team season gets started
The Buhler High School girls tennis team opened the 2024 season at the Wichita Collegiate Invitational last Saturday.
The Crusaders compete in the Hesston Invitational on Thursday and a dual tournament Saturday at Salina Central.
Buhler competes in the Wellington Invitational Sept. 3, Maize Invitational Sept. 5, Hutchinson Trinity Catholic Meet Sept. 12 and hosts the Buhler Invitational Sept. 19.
The Crusaders compete in the Salina South Invitational Sept. 26, the Wichita Collegiate Tournament of Champions on Sept. 28, the Smoky Valley Quad Oct. 1 and the AVCTL meet Oct. 7 at McPherson.
The Kansas Class 4A Regionals are Oct. 12 and the Class 4A state meet is Oct. 18-19.
Buhler volleyball team begins season at AVCTL preseason tournament
The Buhler volleyball team opens the 2024 season Saturday at the AVCTL preseason tournament, which begins at 9 a.m. at the Salthawk Activity Center in Hutchinson.
In addition to Buhler and Hutchinson, other teams competing are Andale, Andover, Andover Central, Derby, Dodge City, Goddard Eisenhower, Goddard, Emporia, Garden City, Haysville-Campus, Kapaun-Mount Carmel, Maize, Maize South, McPherson, Newton and Valley Center.
Buhler posted a 10-23 record in 2023.
The Crusaders are led by 5-foot-10 outside junior hitter Emerson Waldren, who recorded 190 kills, 19 blocks, 207 digs and 35 aces last season – totals that closely replicated her freshman campaign.
Waldren was an All-AVCTL first-team performer last year.
Buhler plays in a triangular at Winfield Sept. 3, hosts a triangular Sept. 10, plays a triangular at Wellington Sept. 17, plays a triangular at Augusta Sept. 24 and competes in the Newton Tournament Sept. 28.
The Crusaders host Augusta and Mulavne in a triangular Oct. 1, play at Wichita Collegiate Oct. 8 and compete in the El Dorado Tournament Oct. 12.
Buhler plays at Wellington Oct. 15, hosts a triangular against Circle and Rose Hill on Oct. 17 and competes in the Abilene Tournament Oct. 19.
The Kansas Class 4A sub-state playoffs are Oct. 26. The 4A state tournament is Nov. 1-2.
Buhler girls golf team starts season on Thursday
The 2024 season begins Thursday for the Buhler High School girls golf team with the Hesston Invitational.
The Crusaders will host a tournament Tuesday at the Crazy Horse Golf Club, followed by a tournament at Sierra Hills Sept. 10, Wellington Sept. 16, McPherson Sept. 19, Cheney Sept. 26, Willowbend Sept. 26, Hesston Sept. 27, Cheney Sept. 30, Newton Oct. 1, Hutchinson’s Carey Park Oct. 3 and the AVCTL Meet at Derby Oct. 8.
The Class Regional is Oct. 14 and the Class 4A state tournament is Oct. 21-22.
Buhler boys soccer team opens against Winfield
The Buhler High School boys soccer team starts the season Sept. 5 at home against Winfield.
Buhler competes in the Goddard Tournament Sept. 10-12-14.
Hone games for the Crusaders are Hutchinson, Sept. 30; Classical School of Wichita, Oct. 8; Circle, Oct. 10; El Dorado, Oct. 15.
Road games for Buhler are Salina Central, Sept. 19; McPherson, Sept. 24; Valley Center, Sept. 26; Augusta, Oct. 1; Rose Hill, Oct. 3; Salina South, Oct. 17; Berean Academy, Oct. 22.
Class 4A regionals are scheduled for Oct. 29-31, state quarterfinals Nov. 5, state semifinals Nov. 8 and state finals Nov. 9.