Graphic courtesy of the Kansas Shrine Bowl
By John Mesh
Hutchinson High School head football coach Mike Vernon will be one of six assistant coaches for the West team at the 2025 Kansas Shrine Bowl all-star football game.
The head coach for the West team is Wichita Heights’ Dominick Dingle.
Other head coaches serving as West team assistants are Wichita South’s Russ Wells, Mulvane’s Daniel Myears, Council Grove’s Butch Hayes, Hesston’s Tyson Bauerle and Plainville’s Alex McMillian.
Wells (2020), Vernon (2021) and Bauerle (2018) have all assisted on the West staff in previous Shrine Bowls, while Bauerle also led the 2019 West team to a 26-7 victory as the Head Coach at Memorial Stadium in Dodge City.
The East Shrine Bowl team head coach is Sabetha’s Garrett Michael.
His assistant coaches are Blue Valley West’s Josh Koerkenmeier, Chanute’s Clete Frazell, Humboildt’s Logan Wyrick, Topeka Seaman’s Jared Swafford, Wellsville’s Mike Berg and Centralia’s Roger Holthaus.
“We’re thankful to have a great group of coaches willing to give of their time and talents to lead our teams in the 2025 Kansas Shrine Bowl,” said Brice Kesler, Executive Director of the Kansas Shrine Bowl, in a statement.
“It’s not an easy job to bring 44 players from different programs together and mold them into a team within one week. I have no doubt that these men will get that job done, while also exemplifying the mission behind the Kansas Shrine Bowl.”
The 52nd annual Shrine Bowl presented by Mammoth will take place Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Dodge City’s Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
The initial rosters for the game will be announced during the annual Kansas Shrine Bowl Player Selection Show, which is set to air at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.
The player selection show can be watched at www.KansasShrineBowl.com.
Shrine Bowl of Kansas Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that produces annual events and related activities, with net proceeds benefiting Shriners Children’s Hospital.
Since 1974, nearly $4 million has been sent to Shriners Children’s thanks to the supporters of the Kansas Shrine Bowl.
Hutchinson CC’s Jordyn Picolet to compete in track, cross country at Wichita State University
Hutchinson Community College’s Jordyn Picolet, a sophomore from Council Grove, has signed a letter to compete in track and field and cross country at Wichita State University.
The WSU track and field/cross country programs made the announcement on social media on Wednesday.
Picolet placed 20th at the NJCAA Division I women’s cross country championship with a time of 17 minutes, 59.6 seconds (she broke 18 minutes three times). By placing in the Top 20, she earned NJCAA Coaches Association All-America honors.
Picolet’s time is the second-fastest national time in HutchCC women’s cross country history.
Picolet’s personal record time is 17:48.8 — the third fastest time in program history; she also ran a time of 17:53.1.
HutchCC track standout David Thid signs with Alabama
Hutchinson Community College track standout David Thid, a sophomore from Ronninge, Sweden, has signed a letter of intent to compete in track and field at the University of Alabama.
Thid, a 400-meter hurdles specialist who was coached by Robert Spies at HutchCC, won the NJCAA Championship in the 400 with a time of 50.76 seconds. His personal-best time is 49.52 seconds.
Thid is the 2024 Swedish National Champion in the 400 hurdles. He was a semifinalist in the 400 hurdles at the 2024 European Championships and placed sixth at the 2023 European U23 Championships.
HutchCC football alums competing for Arizona State, Tennessee in College Football Playoffs
The first 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP) national championship field was announced at the four-year level last Sunday.
More than half the teams in the CFP feature former NJCAA student-athletes.
Hutchinson Community College is well-represented in the CFP national championship tournament.
Arizona State defensive back Shamari Simmons started his football career at HutchCC and was a Blue Dragons’ 2020-21 NJCAA national championship team member. Simmons transferred to Austin Peay and was an All-ASUN Conference selection in 2022.
After transferring to the Arizona State Sun Devils in 2023, Simmons made an immediate impact. He played the most snaps of any defender and was named the Sun Devil Football Defensive MVP. Simmons has 69 tackles, one interception and a team-leading three forced fumbles this season.
Arizona State, the Big 12 championship game winner, is the No. 4 seed. In the quarterfinals, the Sun Devils will play the winner of the first-round game between No. 12 Clemson vs. No. 5 Texas.
The Clemson-Texas first round game will be played in Austin, Texas, at 4 p.m. Eastern/3 p.m.Central on Friday, Dec, 20, on TNT/Max.
Two former Hutchinson Blue Dragons now play for the Tennessee Volunteers.
Offensive lineman Larry Johnson III has appeared in 14 games for the Volunteers, including against No. 15 Oklahoma, where he entered the game and did not allow a quarterback pressure.
Tight end Miles Kitselman transferred to Alabama after playing at HutchCC and now is a Tennessee Volunteer. Kitselman has started 11 games this season and leads all tight ends with 263 yards and three receiving touchdowns.
No. 9 Tennessee plays No. 8 Ohio State in a first-round game at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central Friday, Dec. 20, on ABC. The Tennessee-Ohio State winner plays No. 1 Oregon in the quarterfinals.
The other two first-round games on Dec. 20 feature No. 10 at Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on ESPN/ABC and No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State, 4 p.m. Eastern/3 p.m. Central on TNT/Max.
The Indiana-Notre Dame winner will play No. 2 Georgia in the quarterfinals and the SMU-Penn State winner plays No. 3 Boise State.