CAPTION: For the 24th consecutive season, the Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragon men’s golf team qualified for the NJCAA Division I Championships. The Blue Dragons earned an automatic bid with a third-place showing at the NJCAA Central District Championship at Tiffany Greens Golf Club in Kansas City, Mo. CREDIT HUTCHINSON CC SPORTS INFORMATION/BLUE DRAGON SPORTS
By John Mesh
For the 24th consecutive season (25th time in 26 years and 27 times overall), the men’s golf team at Hutchinson Community College has punched a ticket to the NJCAA Division I championship tournament.
This time, the trip to nationals will be about 39 miles away: The NJCAA Division I Tournament will take place May 13-16 (Tuesday-Friday) at Sand Creek Station in Newton.
The Hutchinson Blue Dragons placed third in the NJCAA Central District Championship Monday and Tuesday at Tiffany Greens Golf Club in Kansas City, Mo., with an 898 team score (305-293-300).
The top four teams in the district tournament qualified for the national tournament.
Garden City won the district title with a 886 score (290-296-300), Indian Hills (Iowa) CC placed second at 893 (305-290-298) and Dodge City CC placed fourth at 916 (318-299-200).
Dodge City earned its 35th straight trip to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament.
Barton CC finished fifth at 922 (307-303-312), followed by Iowa Western 922 (312-304-300), Crowder CC (Mo.) 928 (304-305-319), John A. Logan College (ill.) 942 (312-319-311) and Coffeyville CC 1080 (338-359-363).
Hutchinson’s Corey Scullion, who led the tournament after two rounds, and teammate Charlie Box tied for fourth place with three-round scores of 220. Scullion shot rounds of 70, 71 and 79. Box shot rounds of 80, 70 and 70.
Scullion and Box earned first-team All-Central District honors.
Hutchinson’s Louis Ross tied for 17th with a 229 score (76-77-76), Jack Northgraves tied for 19th with a 230 score (80-75-75) and David Razinkas placed 34th with a 243 score (79-85-79).
Box is ranked No. 2 in NJCAA Division I, Northgraves No. 20, Hutchinson’s Jaydon Carruthers No. 34, Ross No. 40, Razinkas No. 51, Scullion No. 65 and HutchCC’s Tyler Walker No. 102.
Garden City’s Ilan Dufrenoy and Oliver Crowley tied for first-place honors at 218. Dodge City’s Rhys Nicholas tied for third at 219.
Blue Dragon softball team opens Region VI title defense Friday against Seward County
Hutchinson CC Sports Information
The defending Region 6 Tournament champion Hutchinson Community College softball team opens the 2025 tournament on Friday in Dodge City against the Seward County Saints.
The No. 2-seed Blue Dragons (35-9) takes on No. 7 Seward County (18-30) in an opening-round matchup at 2 p.m. Friday at Legends Park in Dodge City. Regardless of outcome, the Blue Dragons will play again at 6 p.m. Friday.
No. 3-seed Barton (32-14) and No. 6-seed Colby (30-23) is in Hutchinson’s side of the double-elimination bracket.
All games will be video-streamed live on the KJCCC Network, which is a pay-per-view stream.
The KJCCC champion Blue Dragons swept Seward County in four games this season, winning 6-3 and 9-0 on March 12 in Hutchinson and 8-4 and 8-5 on April 13 in Liberal.
The Blue Dragons hit .400 in four games against the Saints. Kaibryn Kruger was 10 of 13 (.769) and Bailey Backhaus was 6 of 7 (.857). Gabby Stauffer had a series-high eight RBIs, while Tailor Golly added six RBIs.
Region 6 Tournament Opening-Round Matchups
Friday, May 2, 2025 – Legends Park, Dodge City
Noon – No. 1 Butler (38-6) vs. No. 8 Pratt (12-36), Field 4
Noon – No. 4 Garden City (26-20) vs. No. 5 Dodge City (26-26), Field 2
2 p.m. – No. 3 Barton (32-14) vs. No. 6 Colby (30-25), Field 2
2 p.m. – No. 2 Hutchinson (35-9) vs. No. 7 Seward County (18-30), Field 4
Hutchinson Trinity baseball, softball teams play at Inman Friday
The Hutchinson Trinity Catholic High School baseball and softball teams play doubleheaders at Inman Friday.
The Celtics’ baseball team (8-6) split a home doubleheader with Salina Sacred Heart (15-5) Tuesday at Rice Park in Hutchinson.
Trinity won the first game 8-4 and lost the second game 12-1.
The Trinity softball team (4-10) split a doubleheader with Little River (4-10) Tuesday at the Our Lady of Guadalupe softball fields in South Hutchinson.
The Celtics won the first game 5-4 and lost the second game 20-3.
Buhler baseball, softball teams swept by Mulvane
The Buhler High School baseball and softball teams played varsity only doubleheaders Wednesday at Mulvane.
Due to field conditions, the baseball games were played at Rose Hill High School and the softball games were moved to Dacarsky Park in Derby.
The Buhler baseball team lost to Mulvane 2-0 in Game 1 and 7-4 in Game 2.
The Crusader softball team lost to Mulvane 1-0 in Game 1 and 10-9 in Game 2.
The Buhler baseball and softball teams play Friday at Abilene.
Haven girls, Little River boys track teams place 1st at CKTL Fairfield meet
The Haven High School girls track team and the Little River boys placed first at the Central Kansas Track League Meet Tuesday at Langdon.
The Haven girls scored 139 points, followed by Hutchinson Central Christian 106, Little River 85, Fairfield 82, Elyria Christian 79 and Burtton 10.
The Little River boys dominated with 240 points, followed by Fairfield 102, Hutchinson Central Christian 95, Elyria Christian 56, Haven 44 and Burrton 39.
CKTL Fairfield results — https://ks.milesplit.com/meets/682241-cktl-fairfield-2025/results/1161790/raw
Buhler JV girls soccer team shut out Wichita Southeast
The Buhler High School junior varsity soccer team blanked Wichita Southeast 3-0 Wednesday afternoon at Southeast Stadium.
Zoey Dick scored two goals and Grace Berkley scored one. Maycee Kimble and Kalia McDowell made assists. Goal keepers Zoey Gregg, Rorey Waldren and Josie Cummins combined on a clean sheet shutout.
“A lot of girls played all over the field,” said Buhler girls soccer coach Randall Rank. “ It was a great experience for them. Now some much deserved rest. It’s been a busy couple of weeks.”
The Buhler varsity soccer team plays at Wichita Independent on Friday.
Salthawk baseball team splits with Salina Central
The Hutchinson High School baseball team swept a doubleheader from Salina Central Tuesday night at Salina’s Dean Evans Stadium.
Hutchinson won the first game 14-4 in six innings and lost the second game 5-4 in 10 innings.
In the first game victory over the Mustangs, Salthawk Caiden Beavers collected three hits in five at bats. Beavers singled in the first, third and sixth innings.
JuJu Lyons earned the win for the Salthawks. Lyons allowed one hit and three runs over two innings, striking out three and walking six.
Cole Bleything pitched four innings of shutout ball for Hutchinson in relief. He surrendered zero hits, striking out three and walking none.
Grayton Gross took the loss for Salina Central. He went three innings, gave up nine runs (four earned) on seven hits, striking out three and walking four.
Salina Central got a walk-off victory in the second game. The Mustangs scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie the score at 4-4.
The Salthawks host a triangular Friday at Hobart-Detter Field against Andale and Haven.
Hutchinson will play Andale at 2 p.m. and Haven at 6 p.m. Haven will play Andale at 4 p.m.
Hutchinson Salthawk softball team swept by Salina Central
The Hutchinson High School Salthawk varsity girls softball team was swept by Salina Central Tuesday night.
The Mustangs won the first game 11-0 and the second game 6-3.
Hutchinson junior Kohlbie Craft belted her third home run of the season in Game 2.
Salthawk varsity, JV girls soccer teams fall to Maize South
The Hutchinson High School varsity and junior varsity girls soccer teams lost to Maize South Tuesday night at the Salthawk Soccer Complex.
The Salthawk varsity soccer team lost to state powerhouse Maize South 4-0. The score at halftime was 3-0.
Maize South won the JV game 4-0 after leading at halftime 1-0.
Senior captain Aylin Escobedo returned to the Salthawk backline after missing the previous three games, but the Salthawks are still down a handful of varsity players due to injury.
Hutchinson also played without fellow senior captain Lily Rodriguez on Tuesday, whoe was in Florida representing Hutchinson High School’s DECA program on a national level.
Once again having to make some lineup adjustments, Hutchinson leaned on junior Kate Jackson, who moved into a center defensive midfield role and was tasked with slowing down South’s NCAA Division I commit.
“Kate, playing all 80 minutes, held one of the state’s most explosive offensive players off the scoresheet,” said Hutchinson assistant coach Cidy Vargas. “The team as a whole played solid, knowing it would be a defensive mindset entering a match shorthanded once again, the backline made play after play stifling the Mavs offense for most of the game.
“The backline of Escobedo, Alyaniah Johnson (senior captain), Keyla Fernandez (junior), Mia Vega (freshman) along with keeper Baleigh Cousins (sophomore) also put in a full shift, blocking shots, clearing headers, bloody noses and even a yellow card. Their did not go unnoticed.
“Unfortunately the Salthawks Achilles heel (defending set pieces) was the difference as Maize South was able to capitalize on three corner kicks in the first half, the second half the Mavs scored on a shot from distance ultimately winning the game 0-4.”
The Salthawks only have a day of recovery before heading on the road to face Derby, who enter the match with only one loss.
“Like usual these girls will be up for the challenge as they enter into the last few weeks of the season,” Vargas said.
The Hutchinson junior varsity girls played well in their matchup against a tough Maize South program on Tuesday afternoon,” Vargas said.
Goalkeeper Graciela Medina (junior) made double digit saves. Salthawks’ central midfielders Jenna Giles (junior) and Victoria Parra (sophomore) continued their solid play in the midfield.
The Mavs were able to sneak a few goals through and won the match 0-4.
The Hutchinson varsity and JV girls soccer teams will play Thursday at Derby. The Derby squad is ranked No. 1 in Class 6A.
Buhler boys tennis team compete at Hesston, El Dorado tournaments
Members of the Buhler varsity team competed at the 15-school Hesston Invitational Tuesday.
The Crusaders placed third in the team standings at Hesston with 86 points. Hutchinson Trinity placed 12th with 22 points. Lyons placed 14th with 16 points.
Buhler senior Davian Spies placed second and Tucker Schlatter 21st in singles (open draw, 29 entries).
In doubles, Buhler’s Von Woleslagel and Reuben Harder placed fourth and Titus Bortzfield and Jaxton Gillette placed 15th (27 team draw).
Members of the Buhler team also competed at the El Dorado Tournament on Tuesday.
Ty Campbell placed second in No. 1 singles and Shane Schroeder placed third at No. 2 singles.
Tate Ricker and Cayden Davis placed fourth in No. 2 doubles. Reece Ricker and Linus Duscher placed sixth in No. 1 doubles.
Other scores from Tuesday
• The Inman High School softball team swept a doubleheader from Hillsboro Tuesday. Inman won the first game 13-2 and the second game 10-2.
• The Inman High School baseball team lost both games of a doubleheader against Sedgwick Tuesday night. Sedgwick won the first game 12-0 and the second game 10-4.
• Halstead, Inman, Lyons and Sterling competed at the Lyons CKTL track meet Tuesday — https://ks.milesplit.com/meets/681564-lyons-cktl-track-meet-2025/results/1161106/raw
• The Lyons High School softball team was swept by Smoky Valley 8-5 (Game 1) and 14-11 (Game 2) Tuesday. Smoky Valley’s Rylie Tolle hit two home runs and Kate Griffin hit one. Tolle and Griffin have four home runs apiece this season.
Area softball players make Wichita Eagle list of players to watch
The Wichita Eagle released its list of 150 area softball players to watch. Several Hutchinson Tribune ares players made the list:
Class 5A softball players to watch
Kohlbie Craft, Hutchinson junior first base
Class 4A softball players to watch
Alexa Adame, Buhler junior catcher
Sydney Quint, Buhler sophomore outfielder
Izzy Schmidt, Buhler junior shortstop
Maddie Stallman, Buhler junior first base
Class 3A softball players to watch
Thea Boese, Halstead junior shortstop
Avery Brawner, Haven junior pitcher
Katharine Engel, Halstead junior first base
Sophie Faidley, Haven senior catcher
Jayli Groth, Nickerson senior shortstop
Morgan O’Neal, Haven junior shortstop
Addi Thompson, Halstead sophomore outfielder
Mayzie Warden, Haven junior outfielder
Brett Young, Halstead senior catcher
Kaci Young, Halstead senior pitcher
Class 2-1A softball players to watch
Addison Crockett, Hutchinson Trinity senior catcher
Taylor Froese, Inman sophomore third base
Mattie Galliher, Hutchinson Trinity senior first base
Lyla Levin, Inman sophomore pitcher
Blaine Locke, Sterling sophomore shortstop
Carli Wilkey, Sterling senior outfielder
Sterling College women’s basketball coach K.C. Bassett resigns after 10 seasons
Sterling College women’s basketball head coach K.C. Bassett has resigned to take a NCAA Division II assistant position.
“K.C. has been an invaluable asset as coach of the Lady Warriors,” Scott Downing, Sterling College Athletics and Vice President of Athletics, said while making the announcement.
“After stepping into the role following Hall of Fame Coach Lonnie Kruse, she has shaped and developed a team that reflects her unique basketball style while competing for championships,” Downing said. “Her influence extends beyond the court; she influences student-athletes in every area of their lives. Her program impacts the entire Sterling community. We are grateful for her loyalty and wish her continued success in her career.”
Bassett finished her 10th season at the helm of the Lady Warriors’ basketball program with a record of 232-114 after taking over in 2014-15.
Hutchinson’s Lester, Rosser honored by KJCCC
Hutchinson Community College track standout Da’Shawn Lester and baseball standout Lachlan Rosser were honored by the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference as top athletes for last week.
Blue Dragon freshman Da’Shawn Lester has been named the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week.
Lester earned his first career victory and punched his ticket to the NJCAA Outdoor Championships on Friday at the Fort Hays State Alex Francis Classic.
Lester won the 400 meters with a personal best and meet-winning time of 47.24 seconds.
In addition to becoming the 21st Blue Dragon national meet qualifier, Lester posted the fourth-fastest outdoor 400-meter time in Blue Dragon history.
Rosser was named the KJCCC Baseball West Division Pitcher of the Week. He pitched his best game of the season in a critical 4-0 victory over Garden City on Friday at Hobart-Detter Field.
With the Blue Dragons battling for a home postseason playoff series, Rosser tossed seven shutout innings of two-hit baseball against the Broncbusters.
The freshman struck out six and walked only one. Rosser’s seven innings were a season-long for the left-hander while needing just 95 pitches and allowing only one Garden City runner to reach third base.