Fanfare

Area track coaches honored

JUNCTION CITY — Berean Academy track coach Lewis Wiebe was named the Class 2A boys’ track and field coach of the year by the Kansas Cross Country and Track and Field Coaches Association.

Berean Academy coach Paul Rust was named an assistant coach of the year in throws. Hesston coach Shannon Rewerts was named assistant coach of the year in sprints.

HC soccer team signs player

HESSTON — Hesston College women’s soccer coach Bryan Kehr signed Tatianna Sabbah of Wichita to a letter of intent to play for the Larks beginning in the fall.

Sabbah was a central defender for Wichita Southeast High School. She graduated in December and is already on campus.

“I expect Tatianna to bring energy and enthusiasm to practices and games,” Kehr said. “She’s the type of player every program needs – a versatile, hard-working athlete who understands the game well.”

Sabbah intends to major in athletic training.

Mitchell signs to play tennis

HESSTON — Savannah Mitchell of Morton, Ill., signed a letter of intent to play tennis at Hesston College beginning this fall.

Mitchell played at Morton High School, where she was team MVP as a sophomore and a co-captain the past two years. She helped lead her team to Mid-Illini Conference titles in 2008 and 2009.

“Savannah's maturity and ability to relate to people are some of the things I'm most excited about,” coach Jeron Baker said. “She will be an instant leader. Her work ethic and potential are high. Savannah will be a terrific asset to our team.”

Mitchell also ran track in high school.

Haven grad signs with HC

HESSTON — Hesston College volleyball coach Jessica Cleveland signed Haven High School senior Robin Morris to a letter of intent.

Morris is a 5-foot-5 defensive specialist and setter at Haven.

“I look forward to working with Robin,” Cleveland said. “She’ll be a great fit on the Hesston campus and in our volleyball program.”

Morris is an honor roll student at Haven. She is a member of Faith Mennonite Church of South Hutchinson, where she is active in the youth group.

Morris intends to major in nursing.

Hesston signs softball players

HESSTON — Hesston College softball coach Andrew Sharp signed infielder-utility player Amber Swett of Rio Linda (Calif.) High School, catcher Taylor Wright of Western Mennonite School in Salem, Ore., and shortstop-catcher Taylor Stroud of Weber High School in North Ogden, Utah.

Swett was an all-conference pick as a junior, hitting .443 with 20 runs scored. She helped lead her high school team to a 15-8-1 record. She also was a member of the Rossville Heat, an ASA team.

“Amber is going to do great things for us,” Sharp said. “She is a versatile, athletic player who will contribute in a number of ways. What I love most about her is the competitive nature she brings to the table. I’m thrilled to have her join our program.”

Swett is the third Sacramento area player to sign with Hesston in three years.

Wright was a first-team all-conference selection and second-team all-state player as a junior. She hit .430 last season, leading her team to a Class 2A state runner-up finish. She is a two-time team MVP.

“I couldn’t be happier that Taylor will be playing softball at Hesston College,” Sharp said. “She’s a big part of the Western Mennonite program that is quickly becoming a force in Oregon 2A softball. I have no doubt that Taylor will be a major contributor to our program and our campus.”

Wright also is a two-time team MVP in volleyball.

Stroud is a first-team all-region pick and team captain as a junior, hitting .326 with four home runs. She helped lead her team to a third-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament. She won her team’s Warrior Pride Award for “excellence in athletic performance and leadership.”

“Taylor is a special recruit for me in a number of ways,” Sharp said. “I first met her and her family during a summer camp two years ago and I’ve enjoyed getting to know her better since then. Taylor is a winner. She’s a talented and driven young person and is a huge addition to the program.”

Stroud serves as a coach for a sixth-grade team. She was a youth camp leader and councelor in the Young Women’s Presidency. She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Newton JV girls fall to Kapaun

The Newton High School junior varsity girls’ basketball team fell to Kapaun-Mt. Carmel 43-34 Monday.

Newton plays Friday at Hutchinson.

NEWTON — Porter 9, Brenneman 6, Yeargin 6, Regier 3, Bartel 4, Thieszen 2, Dietz 3, Hinz 1.

Newton teams compete in tourney

HUTCHINSON — The Newton middle school boys’ eighth-grade and seventh-grade B basketball teams competed at a tournament Jan. 21 at Hutchinson.

The seventh-grade team lost to Maize South 28-22 and best Prairie Hills 39-21.

The Eighth-grade team downed Maize South 31-24 and Prairie Hills 44-37.

The the B team girls’ tourney at Prairie Hills Middle School, the seventh-grade girls lost to Maize South 32-15 and beat Prairie Hills 27-5.

The eighth-grade girls lost to Maize South 16-14 and Prairie Hills 31-21.

St. Mary’s boys winregular season finale

The Newton St. Mary’s seventh-grade boys’ basketball team ended the regular season with a 33-28 win over Blessed Sacrament in recent play.

St. Mary’s ends the regular season 8-2 and opens post-season tournament play Saturday at Wichita Collegiate.

NEWTON ST. MARY’S — Stuchlik 4, Garcia 2, Kelso 3, Mick 4, Chaffee 2, Blaufuss 18.

St. Mary’s 21 12 —33

Blsd.Sc. 14 14 —28

Newton JV wrestlers compete at Ark City

ARKANSAS CITY — Members of the Newton High School junior varsity wrestling team competed at the Arkansas City Invitational Saturday.

Winning titles for the Railers were Eliseo Torres at 113 pounds at 3-0, Manny Garcia at 120 pounds at 3-0, Dakota Long at 132 pounds at 4-0, Peter Nelson at 160 pounds at 3-0 and Zach Schmidt at heavyweight at 2-0.

Taking second were Omar Ramos-Thaw at 132 pounds at 3-1, Jacob Fulmer at 170 pounds at 4-1 and Rueben Gonzelez at heavyweight at 1-1.

Taking third was William Davis at 170 pounds at 3-1. Andrew Gehring placed fourth at 126 pounds at 2-2.

Others competing included Justice Grant at 106 pounds at 1-2, Robert Lyles at 132 pounds at 0-2, John Jurardo at 145 pounds at 1-2, Justin McBeth at 152 pounds at 1-2, Jason Esslinger at 152 pounds at 0-2, Lynden Voth at 160 pounds at 0-2 and Zack Keith at 220 pounds at 0-2.

Newton hosts Salina Central at 6 p.m. today.

Bowhunters to hold meeting

WICHITA — The 39th Kansas Bowhunters Association convention will be Feb. 24 through 26 at the Ramada Conference Center in Hutchinson.

The guest speaker of the Feb. 25 banquet dinner is Dan Young, host of “Outdoors Tradition TV.”

For more information, call KBA secretary-treasurer Bob Griffin at (785) 806-1493 or email kbasec@gmail.com.

Wingnuts sign closer for 2012

WICHITA — The Wichita Wingnuts signed right-handed relief pitcher John Dew for the 2012 season.

Dew pitched 34 games for the Wingnuts last season, going 3-1 with a 1.12 earned-run-average and 20 saves. He had 62 strikeouts, 27 hits and 19 walks in 40 innings.

Wichita also signed pitchers Junior Guerra and Moises Melendez. Guerra begins his second season with the Wingnuts. He was 9-3 last season in 20 starts with a 3.57 ERA. He had 103 strikeouts.

Melendez was 2-1 with a 3.27 ERA in 30 games in the Venezuelan Professional League. He struck out 18 in 22 innings.

SAVAGE GOES TO DODGERS — Former Wingnut pitcher Will Savage has been invited to the Los Angeles Dodgers camp. If he makes the team, he would be the first Wingnuts player to make a Major League roster.

Wild to open

2012 camp

PARK CITY — The Wichita Wild indoor football team will open its 2012 camp Feb. 11.

Returning players include quarterback Phil Staback, offensive lineman Brett Cavanaugh, offensive lineman Wes Yarbough, offensive lineman Jason Enos, running back Kenny Wilson, defensive back Scooter Rodgers and defensive lineman Matt Moss.

A top newcomer is receiver Doug Pierce, a Friends University grad who played with Spokane and San Jose of the Arena Football League. Another newcomer is receiver Tim Simmons.

The Wild open the season Feb. 25 at Allen, where former NFL receiver Terrell Owens signed as a receiver and part owner of the team. Wichita’s home opener is March 9 against Sioux Falls.

TNA Wrestling

comes to Cotillion

WICHITA — TNA IMPACT Wrestling will have a show March 4 at the Cotillion in Wichita.

Scheduled to appear are Jeff Hardy, James Storm, Bobby Roode and Gail Kim.

For ticket information, call (316) 722-4201 or go to www.thecotillion.com.