Louisburg senior Alyse Moore won the javelin with a throw of 136 feet, 3 inches and was one of three Wildcats to win events Thursday at the Leavenworth Invitational.

LEAVENWORTH — The Louisburg track and field team didn’t waste much time in competing against some of the top bigger schools in Kansas and Missouri.

The Wildcats took part in the Leavenworth Invitational on Thursday and brought home several medals on both the boys and the girls side.

Louisburg won three events, including two on the girls side as senior Alyse Moore captured the javelin title and junior Delaney Wright took first in the long jump.

The Wildcat boys also had a gold medal performance as sophomore Nathan Vincent recorded a 50-foot personal record to win the javelin.

In all, the boys finished third in the team standings with 107 points and the girls were fifth with 47. Lee’s Summit West won the girls title with 164.75 points and Mill Valley won the boys with 142.

“We didn’t get the times and distances we wanted overall, but I really thought we competed,” Louisburg boys coach Andy Wright said. “We didn’t worry about being the smallest school at the meet.”

Moore picked up right where she left off as a sophomore in the javelin as she recorded a throw of 136 feet, 3 inches – which eclipsed her state medal-winning throw from almost two years ago.

The Louisburg junior also scored points in the shot put as she was third with a toss of 33 feet, 9.5 inches.

“Alyse is coming off of a great winter season and it is carrying over to the spring season,” Louisburg girls coach John Reece said. “Alyse will do nothing but get better week by week. The throwers will be scoring points all season for us and that is exciting.”

Wright, who medaled at state in four events as a freshman, placed in a four of her events Thursday – including a gold medal performance in the long jump. She had a leap of 17-2.

The Wildcat junior also scored points in the sprints as Wright was second in the 200 dash (27.39 seconds), fourth in the 400 dash (1:02) and fifth in the 100 (13.47).

“Delaney did well for the first meet out,” Reece said. “Getting back into the groove after a long basketball season is a challenge, but a good one to have for our athletic programs. She was not that far off of marks from two years ago so I’m excited to see how she progresses.”

Throws were a plus for the Lady Cats as sophomore Emma Prettyman took fifth in the shot put at 32-8, while junior Rinny McMullen was fifth in the discus at 94-04. Junior Davis Guetterman also scored in the discus with a sixth-place throw of 95-10.

On the boys side, Vincent provided a nice surprise for the Wildcat coaches in the javelin. The Louisburg sophomore recorded a throw of 152-05, which set a new personal record by nearly 50 feet, and he won the competition by an inch.

Vincent’s teammate, senior Jay Scollin, took third with a toss fo 145-03.

The Wildcats also scored points in the discus as junior Chase Pritchard was third with a toss of 122-9 and Vincent was sixth at 110-7. In the shot, sophomore Jackson Rooney took fourth at 39-3 and Pritchard was fifth with a toss of 38-6.5

“The throwers have been working hard with Coach (Pete) Skakal and Coach (Alex) Gentges,” Wright said. “Javelin was the big surprise with Nathan’s PR and placing first, along with Jay’s third place throw. Chase also had a good night throwing the discus.”

On the track, the Wildcats scored points in all the sprints, but found a lot of success in the 400 dash, specifically.

Seniors Justin Collins and Ben Wiedenmann, along with sophomore Ethan Ptacek, had three of the top four placers. Collins was second in a time 52.49 seconds, Ptacek was third at 53.19 and Wiedenmann was fourth at 53.38.

“Justin and Ben wanted to run the open 400 this year,” Wright said. “Their sophomore year they had fast splits on the 4×4 relay and want to see what they can do in the open. Then add Ethan Ptacek in the mix, that is a pretty good trio to have competing against each other every week.”

Collins also went on to finish runner-up in the 100 dash in 11.80 seconds and Wiedenmann took fifth in 11.88.

Louisburg also thrived in the relays as Collins, Wiedenmann, Tom Koontz and Ptacek took runner-up in the 4×100 in 44.57, while Collins, Koontz, Ptacek and Hunter Heinrich was fifth in the 4×400 in 3:38.

On the 4×800, the team of Carson Houchen, Cade Holtzen, Hayden Ross and Jaden Vohs also ran strong in 8:53 to take fourth.

“All the relays ran well for the first meet,” Wright said,. “4×8 ran a solid race and they have the fastest time in 4A for the first week of meets. Still a long season to go, but off to a good start.

“4×1 had solid handoffs and time. I though they ran faster than I thought they would and they will get better with more experience with each other. 4×4 competed well. We didn’t have Ben in the relay this week. When we bring Ben into the mix , we should be one top 4×4 relays in class 4A.”

Sophomore Mason Dobbins ran strong in his first varsity race in the 110 hurdles. Dobbins was second in 15.99 seconds, while Koontz was fourth in 16.12. 

Koontz also had a big day in the 300 hurdles as he finished second in 41.81. Dobbins was fifth in 43.64 and sophomore Nathan Apple took sixth in 44.62.

“Mason and Tommy are going to push each all year in the 110 and 300,” Wright said. “Both should be in the top 5 at most of our meets. Mason had a good start in the 110 and Tommy had a good start in the 300’s.  Nathan Apple also had solid races in the 110 and 300’s. This trio should be fun to watch this season.”

Louisburg senior Luke Faulkner also earned a medal as he finished second overall in the pole vault after clearing 13 feet and freshman Caden Caplinger was fifth at 11-6.

The Wildcats also scored points in the jumps as junior Hayden Feikert was fifth in the long jump with a mark of 19-7.5 and Dobbins was sixth in the high jump at 5-8.

Other results:

GIRLS

100 dash: Andrea Gaza, 25th, 15.03

200 dash: Emma Vohs, 8th, 28.97; Gaza, 19th, 31.96

800 run: Erin Apple, 20th, 2:58; Alexis French, 21st, 2:59

1,600 run: Apple, 11th, 6:14; French, 15th, 6:43

Pole vault: Maddy Carpenter-Ross, 7th, 7-0

Shot put: Aiyana Penca, 15th, 25-7; Davis Guetterman, 17th, 24-5; Sydney Thornton, 19th, 23-4

Discus: Emma Prettyman, 8th, 89-3; Penca, 9th, 88-6; Guetterman, 16th, 67-3; Malee Rutherford, 20th, 59-01

Javelin: Tae Ellison, 9th, 88-9; Jocelyn Kettle, 21st, 64-0; Rutherford, 22nd, 63-11

BOYS

100 dash: Caden Caplinger, 18th, 12.45; Hayden Feikert, 19th, 12.45; Hunter Heinrich, 21st, 12.95

200 dash: Ben Wiedenmann, 8th, 24.16; Cooper Hipp, 14th, 24.84; Caplinger, 23rd, 25.5; Dylan Armstrong, 25th, 25.55; Heinrich, 26th, 26.42

400 dash: Armstrong, 11th, 56.55; Heinrich, 14th, 57.88

800 run: Carson Houchen, 9th, 2:13; Jaden Vohs, 11th, 2:13; Hayden Ross, 16th, 2:18; Sawyer Richardson, 22nd, 2:32; Ayden Deterding, 23rd, 2:36

1,600 run: Cade Holtzen, 11th, 5:20; Leo Martin, 16th, 5:56; Nathan Parker, 17th, 5:58

3,200 run: Noah Cotter, 12th, 11:54; Andrew Brown, 13th, 12:29; Max LaJoie, 14th, 12:46; Landan Henry, 15th, 12:50

110 hurdles: Nathan Apple, 7th, 16.98

High jump: Isaiah Whitley, 7th, 5-8

Pole vault: Caleb Shaughnessy, 7th, 10-0; Hipp, 7th, 10-0

Long jump: Ethan Ptacek, 8th, 18-6; Whitley, 11th, 18-4

Shot put: Nathan Vincent, 8th, 37-0.25; Jaymes Melton, 11th, 34-8; Reid Justesen 19th, 30-5

Discus: Layne Ryals, 8th, 103-0; Will Hutsell, 12th, 93-2; Jackson Rooney, 13th, 88-1

Javelin: Ryals, 13th, 113-1; Liam DeVary, 16th, 105-7; Dominic Owens, 21st, 98-10

Louisburg senior Ben Wiedenmann is one of two returning members from the 2019 state 4×400-meter relay state championship team, along with fellow senior Justin Collins.

The 2019 track and field season couldn’t have ended on a better note for Louisburg.

In the regional meet in late May, the Wildcats qualified for state in 19 events between the boys and girls teams and also set six school records at the same time.

All that led up to a successful state meet where the Wildcats finished with multiple medalists and a state championship in the boys 4×400-meter relay.

Louisburg had built up a lot of momentum for the 2020 season, only to have it taken away due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, the Wildcats return several athletes from that special 2019 campaign and are looking forward to what 2021 has in store.

“With missing last year’s season, it is difficult to say how the team will look,” Louisburg boys coach Andy Wright said. “It might take a couple of track meets to get back where they were two seasons ago. Practice has been going very well. We have good senior leadership and they have been setting the tone at practices.”

On the boys side, the Wildcats return half of that state championship 4×400 team in seniors Ben Wiedenmann and Justin Collins as the sprinters are a strength of the team. 

Both Wiedenmann and Collins figure to be the Wildcats’ top runners in the 100, 200 and 400-meter dashes. Sophomore Ethan Ptacek (400), junior Hayden Feikert (100) and freshman Hunter Heinrich (200, 400) all figure to be in the mix as well.

Ptacek, Heinrich and junior Tom Koontz are also battling for the final two spots in the 4×400 to join Collins and Wiedenmann. The same runners will also make up the 4×100 relay as well.

Louisburg will also put together a 4×800 relay as seniors Carson Houchen, Cade Holtzen and juniors Hayden Ross and Jaden Vohs will try to make a run at state as well. The Wildcats also return a state qualifier in Ryan Rogers in the 1,600-meter run.

“We are still going to be strong in the 4×400,” Wright said. “We will mix and match the beginning of the season and find the four that will run together later in the year. 

“The 4×100 will still be competitive and I think the sprints are going to be our strength. But I am excited because we have enough long distance runners to have a 4×800 team this year and I am looking forward to seeing what this group can do together.”

The Wildcats also return a state medalist in the pole vault in Luke Faulkner. The Louisburg senior finished fourth at state as a sophomore and is looking for even bigger things this year.

“Luke is one of the best vaulters in the state,” Wright said. “After a few meets and nice days of practices, he should surpass from where he was his sophomore season.”

Koontz is also a returning state qualifier in the 300-meter hurdles for Louisburg and he will look to qualify in both the 110 and 300 hurdles this season. Sophomore Mason Dobbins will be pushing Koontz throughout the year, as both will look to score a lot of points throughout the year.

In the jumps, Feikert and Will Finestead just missed out at the state meet two years ago in the long and triple jumps, respectively, and both have their eyes on a state berth this season. 

Senior Jay Scollin has the same goal in the javelin as he finished sixth at regionals as a sophomore.

GIRLS

Delaney Wright was considered one of the top track athletes in Class 4A a season ago after she earned four medals at the state meet in 2019.

She did all that as a freshman.

Now as junior, Wright will look to continue to make strides as she has her eyes on a state title in multiple events.

Wright will compete in all three sprints — 100, 200 and 400 — along with the long jump. She finished fourth in the 400 at state in 2019, and went on to take seventh in the 200 and eighth in the long jump.

“Delaney will be very competitive this year,” Louisburg girls coach John Reece said. “She really did not miss a season as she has continued to do track work since last year and looks to be stronger in her individual events. It will be fun to watch her progress this season.”

Another Lady Cat who figures to be in the mix for a state title is Alyse Moore. The Louisburg senior finished fourth at state in the javelin as a sophomore after splitting time between softball and track.

Now that track is her main focus, Moore will look to take the next step in the javelin, along with throwing the discus and shot put.

“Alyse will pick up where she left off from two seasons ago and be a top thrower in the javelin,” Reece said. “Also look for her to pick up the shot and disc from time to time where I see her becoming very competitive as we go through the season. I think we will see some shoulders drop from other schools when she leaves the javelin runway to throw in the ring.”

Also in the throws, seniors Sydney Thornton and Lexi Rogers will compete in the javelin, while senior Aiyana Penca and junior Rinny McMullen will throw the discus.

Numbers are down for the Louisburg girls this season, but Reece is looking forward to seeing what he can get from some of his younger athletes. 

“We are few in numbers with four girls sports in the spring,” Reece said. “We have a strong throwing group that will be competitive in meets and intrasquad as well. To be a top three and compete at varsity meets, it will be a constant competition amongst the girls. 

“We only have two distance runners, Erin (Apple) and Alexis (French) who will make great individual gains this season and hopefully sneak a few points for us. Delaney and Emma Vohs will score points in the sprints in most meets and being a junior and freshman, they will be working together for a couple of years.”

There hasn’t been a year like 2020, and for most people, they are ready to put it behind them and forget it ever existed.

Still, with all the challenges that 2020 brought, there were still plenty of positives to talk about when it came to Louisburg High School sports. History-making state places and state medals were plentiful on this list, but it wasn’t all positive. Louisburg had to say goodbye to a beloved town figure and athletes had to deal with the loss of spring sports.

Below are the top stories from 2020, along with a brief explanation of each. Included in the explanation is the link to the actual story from the event.

When putting the list together, I took a lot of things into account – whether it was team vs. individual, popularity of the sport, historical achievements and the interest it drew on the web site. Thanks to the cancellation of spring sports, I don’t have the top 10 like I normally do, but I got close.

This year was a blast to cover, when I had the opportunity, anyway. Still, I am looking forward to what 2021 will bring. Thank you for everyone’s support and can’t wait for it all to begin again.

8. Ratliff-Becher wins state powerlifting title

After winning a state championship in 2019 Reilly Ratliff-Becher had every intention of backing up her performance during the Class 4A State Powerlifting Championships on March 7 at Piper High School.

In fact, the Louisburg senior wanted to improve it. Last season, Ratliff-Becher took first in everything but squat, which she got runner-up.

This time around, she got the clean sweep.

Ratliff-Becher took first in bench, squat and clean and that led to her second straight state championship in the 180-pound class.

“It means a lot to me that I was able to win the state title again,” Ratliff-Becher said. “I set a goal for myself to win first in everything since I had got second in squat last year and I achieved it. Even though it wasn’t my best showing with the numbers I got on my lifts.

“The competition was very good this year, as it always is. But, fortunately with all the work I put in to at least maintain my numbers from last year, meant I was able to lift bigger amounts than my competition.”

7. Conley named state and midwest coach of the year

After a third place finish to end the year, Louisburg boys soccer coach Kyle Conley was recognized among the state’s best.

Conley was named as the Class 4-1A Coach of the Year by the Kansas Soccer Coaches Association in November.

He guided the Wildcats to a 16-2 record on the season and the team’s highest finish in program history when Louisburg ousted Rose Hill, 3-0, in the state third-place game.

Just a few weeks later, Conley was honored once again – this time on the girls’ side.

Despite the lost season, the United Soccer Coaches wanted to recognize coaches for their past accomplishments and for what this past spring was supposed to hold.

Atop that list was Conley as he was named as the Small School Midwest Coach of the Year. 

“I am absolutely honored to receive this award,” Conley said. “There are so many great coaches in the Midwest, but to me this is a program award. None of this is possible without everyone involved; girls coming to work their tails off everyday, parents traveling and supporting us anywhere and everywhere, community helping with supporting the program, the school supporting the girls, etc. Without the support and buy in from the girls, parents and community none of this is possible.”

The Wildcat girls program has had a successful start in its four years. Conley has a 54-22-2 record during that span, that included two state runner-ups and another state final four appearance. 

6. Louisburg cheer places third at state

The Louisburg cheer squad had to do its postseason competition a little different this year thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It didn’t seem to bother them much as the defending state champions found themselves right in the thick of things again.

Although they didn’t repeat as champs, they were still among the state’s best as the Wildcats cheerleaders finished third in the state back in November.

Unlike performing in front of judges like they did in 2019, the Wildcats had to video tape their performance and send it in to be judged. It fared well as they tallied 83.35 points to finish in the top 3.

Baldwin earned the state title with 88.85 points and Abilene was second with 85.25.

Members of the Louisburg cheer squad are Bella Feikert, Addison Drake, Brooklyn Harmon, Jayden Trester, Maddy Carpenter-Ross, Sophie Katzer, Sammy McDaniel, Julia Arriola, Andrea Gaza, JoJo Hendrickson, Sydney Dudzik, Abby Bradley, Anna Poe, Sienna Finch, Mable Graham, Audrey Anderson, Zoe Weers, Anna Morrison and Maggie Madison

5. Holtzen, Owens earn state medals for Wildcat wrestling

Ryan Owens and Cade Holtzen both had their own agendas going into the state wrestling tournament.

Owens, qualified for state last year, but left without a win and he vowed to fix that this time around. As for Holtzen, he came up short in his efforts for a second state medal as a sophomore last season and had all the motivation not to come home empty-handed again.

Both wrestlers more than made up for their rough patches a year ago.

Owens and Holtzen left Salina with a state medal during the Class 4A Kansas State Wrestling Championships on Friday and Saturday at the Tony’s Pizza Events Center. 

Owens made it to the semifinals and wound up earning a fourth-place medal at 120 pounds, while Holtzen finished fifth at 126 pounds.

It also marked the first time since 2016 that Louisburg finished the season with multiple state medalists, when Nathan Keegan and Mason Koechner each brought home medals.

The Wildcats nearly had three medalists as sophomore Brandon Doles finished one win shy of a state medal at 160 pounds with a 2-2 record.

4. Dennis steps down as LHS team doctor

Almost every day of the week, if you were looking for Damon Dennis, he could be found at his office on 11 S. Broadway St., helping treat those pesky aches and pains, taking X-rays, or mending those beaten up athletes after a game.

Doc D – as he his affectionately known – opened Louisburg Chiropractic Office 28 years ago and has served as the Louisburg High School athletic team doctor for almost that same amount of time.

Dennis has seen it all. The walls in his office are lined with mementos from his years of service to both the community and the high school.

He has taped thousands of ankles, seen even more patients and has touched many lives during his time in Louisburg. That is why this week is one of the more emotional times in his life.

In May, he left Louisburg Chiropractic Office and handed the reins over to Dr. Jake Polzin. Add to that, Dennis also stepped away as LHS’ team doctor and left an absence on the sidelines and behind the mic that many in Louisburg have come to know.

“My decision to step down and sell the practice has turned out to be the hardest thing I have ever done,” Dennis said. “I have poured everything I have into my job and community. It has become my entire existence. I was taught from a young age to serve others and your community. I feel like the pressures I have put on myself have become unhealthy. I have put about 40 years work in to 28 and feel like there is never going to be a good time to make such a huge life change. 

“That being said, I feel like I need to make changes while I am still able to do the things that will be best for my family. Dr. Polzin came along and I think he will carry on the work at the office wonderfully. We are a lot alike in many ways. I could not have found anyone better to replace me.”

For many, Dennis has been a big part of people’s lives, especially in the athletic arena. He has served as the LHS team doctor since 1992 and has treated many athletes in those 28 years.

3. Girls Cross Country Takes Third at State

For 23 years, the Louisburg cross country program has been chasing a top three finish at the Class 4A meet.

The Wildcats have had several teams qualify, especially in the last few seasons, but have always come up short of their goal. Following Saturday’s race in Wamego, the Wildcats can finally stop running after it.

The Louisburg girls put together an historic performance at the Class 4A Kansas State Cross Country Championships at Wamego Country Club. The Lady Cats earned a state plaque with a third place finish as they surpassed Buhler by eight points to record the school’s first top three state finish.

Junior Reese Johnson, sophomores Claire Brown, Bree Gassman and Nova Ptacek, along with freshmen Lola Edwards, Maddy Rhamy and Erin Apple, will all go down in school history as they became the first Wildcat team to bring home state hardware.

“It means the world to me to be a part of the first team ever to place at state,” Rhamy said. “Coming into the state meet, I was just hoping our team would be in the top half, so you could imagine my excitement when our team placed third. I didn’t even know we made school history until our coaches told us.”

Rhamy was one of two freshmen who earned top 10 finishes individually, along with Edwards. Rhamy finished eighth overall in 20 minutes and 58 seconds, while Edwards was right behind her in 10th in 21:02.

Junior Reese Johnson also garnered a state medal as she was 15th in 21:28 to help the Lady Cats to an historic performance.

It was a proud moment for many in the Louisburg program, and included in that is John Reece. The longtime Wildcat head coach was all smiles following his team’s performance.

“It is 23 years the making,” coach Reece said. “You always have the plans and goals to get to state and then you get a group to go to state and do something great. This year was one of those. With the Frontier League as tough as it is, and then getting third there, put it in our heads that maybe we could do this. They all went out and ran their races, and that just shows their grit and determination and who they are.”

A week earlier, the Wildcats also made history as its was the first time in school history when they qualified the entire boys team to the state meet as they took third at regionals.

2. Boys Soccer Finishes Runner-Up At State

As the Louisburg players huddled around their state plaque, many of them looked at it in awe and wonder.

“Hey guys, we won this,” a player shouted.

The statement was obvious at the time, but nonetheless, their excitement was more than warranted.

For the first time in program history, the Louisburg boys soccer team brought home a plaque from the state final four as the Wildcats defeated Rose Hill, 3-0, on Saturday in the third place match of the Class 4-1A state tournament at Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita.

It was only the second time in school history that the Wildcats had it made it this far, with the other being in 2016, when they finished fourth.

“There are only six teams in the entire state that get to end their year with a win and we wanted to be one of those teams,” Louisburg coach Kyle Conley said. “We want to be able to hang up a banner on our field and we wanted a plaque so that no one can forget what these kids earned and what they did this season. I am so proud of all of them.”

It was a program defining moment for the Wildcats as they began the weekend searching for a state championship, but lost 2-0 to Bishop Miege on Friday in the semifinals. Still, recording the best finish in school history is nothing for someone to hang their head about, and the Wildcats came out Saturday wanting to make sure they brought some hardware home.

“It’s absolutely crazy to think about what we have accomplished this year, partly because I have only played soccer in high school,” senior captain Logan Faulkner said. “Bringing a state plaque back will just be a reminder of what we did and how we reached our goal.”

1. COVID-19 Cancels Spring Sports

In March, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly closed all schools for the rest of the 2019-20 school year due to the spread of COVID-19.

When most students hear school has been closed, especially in the winter, cheers erupt. In this case, however, the tone was much more somber – especially among the senior class.

Proms were canceled. Any plans they had for a graduation ceremony were put on hold, and for more than 30 seniors, their last opportunity at playing a sport at Louisburg High School was taken away.

In fact, close to 200 students were planning on participating in an activity in the spring, but with no school, the Kansas State High School Activities Association followed suit and canceled the spring season the day after Gov. Kelly’s declaration.

Students, parents and coaches alike have had to come to grips that a season they had been looking forward to all year, was never going to happen. Tears flowed, walls were punched in frustration and some were left speechless.

There would be no game days, no Senior Nights and no postseason runs. Athletes had to figure out how to cope with this fact and it was a challenge for the Louisburg girls soccer, track and field, baseball, softball, golf and swim teams.

Many of those teams had big postseason aspirations after success in 2019 and were left wondering what could have been.

Almost 80 high school girls attended the first day of summer conditioning on Monday at Louisburg High School.

For the first time in almost three months, Louisburg High School and Louisburg Middle School athletes found themselves back on the field starting Monday at Wildcat Stadium.

It didn’t include any balls, equipment, weights and wasn’t indoors, but more than 300 athletes participated in the mandatory conditioning drills that were set by the Kansas State High School Activities Association.

“The turnout was exceptional, and considering the limit on group sizes, distance restrictions, and getting creative in using multiple spaces to accommodate the large numbers in appropriately sized groups allowed in phase three, these coordinators did a great job setting a standard,” Louisburg activities director Michael Pickman said.

This was all following the cancellation of the spring season to the spread of COVID-19 and KSHSAA allowed school districts to begin conditioning exercises on June 1. The Louisburg school district started this past Monday and each athlete must participate in 10 sessions before being able to attend in any team activities or camps.

Several coaches were in attendance running athletes through drills in three separate stations that would allow some space between everyone. Football coaches Robert Ebenstein, Ty Pfannenstiel, Joel McGhee and Drew Harding were on hand to lead drills, along with other staff from within the USD 416 school district.

“There are many coaches who are volunteering and just want to be there to support their athletes,” Pickman said. “It’s what makes the LHS coaching staff stand out from others. However, I have encouraged coaches not directly coordinating weights to stay home as much as they can with numbers restrictions, but so far we haven’t had that be an issue.”

High school boys begin each morning at 6 a.m., for the hour-long workout and high school girls follow and then it all finishes up with middle school. To start there were 121 high school boys in attendance, 79 girls and 126 middle school students.

To start the day, each athlete is screened before the start of conditioning with a temperature check and then they are divided into three groups. Each of them will participate in three stations that focuses on different workouts. There are no more than 45 athletes in a group and the coaches design workouts to promote the six feet of distance.

“There were temperatures that needed to be taken and protocol for sanitizing hands and checking in that went efficiently and smoothly overall,” Pickman said. “A lot of planning went into this with the coaches to make sure it went well. And Mr. Holloway (LHS principal) volunteered his time to help take temps at the various sessions.”

As far as cross country goes, interested runners instead attend running sessions held by coach John Reece that will take place throughout the summer and they do not have to attend conditioning.

Whenever the athletes have completed their 10 sessions, they are allowed to participate in team activities the rest of the summer. As of right now, everything is on track to allow athletes to begin attending camps after June 29.

“Everything is progressing so far to according to schedule,” Pickman said. “Assuming the governor’s phase out stage begins when it is supposed to, we will be ready to begin using the weight room, gyms, and sports equipment. Coaches will be able to have practices and then middle school and high school age camps after June 29. The younger kids who do not have to have the 10 days of acclimatization are able to run the week of June 22. With the schedule the way it is, kids should have no problem getting their 10 days of acclimatization needed to participate in camps.”

Louisburg senior Sydni Keagle, the school’s record holder in the 100-meter hurdles, will continue her track career at Southwest Baptist University next season.

Sydni Keagle certainly made her mark on the Louisburg track program as she is the school’s record holder in the 100-meter hurdles and earned state medals in two relays a year ago.

Now she is hoping to do more of the same at the college level.

Keagle recently held a signing ceremony outside of Louisburg High School and signed her letter of intent to run track at Southwest Baptist University next season. The opportunity to run track in college was something that was too good for her to pass up.

“I was super excited when I found out that I was going to be able to run track in college, even if it was just as a walk-on for the first year or two,” Keagle said. “However, up until a few months ago, I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to continue my athletic career in college. If COVID-19 has made me realize anything, it’s that I truly love running track and not being able to participate in the sport my senior year was devastating. That was ultimately what helped me decide to run in college.”

Like many spring athletes across the country, Keagle was hoping for a special year – especially in the 100 hurdles. Keagle missed out on a state medal in that event by just one spot last spring, but she is hoping to take a big leap forward in college.

“As of right now hurdles is the only event that I know I’ll be participating in,” Keagle said. “That could possibly change in the future, but hasn’t been discussed yet. The coaches have been amazing throughout the whole process. They are very open with their communication and always answer any questions that I have as quickly as they can. I’m very excited to see what next year has to offer.”

Keagle wasn’t even sure what school she was going to attend until the last couple months, but the Southwest Baptist coaching staff did a good job of persuading her. She believes the Division II program, based in Bolivar, Mo., will be a good home for her for the next four years.

“At one point I was kind of stuck in the middle while trying to decide between SBU and Pitt State, but track ended up being the end factor that helped me make my decision,” Keagle said. “School wise, both were great options and I could see myself at either one, but one of the things I was looking for the most was the ability to run.

“I wanted to run at Pitt State, but was had a hard time getting ahold of their coach. In the meantime I reached out to the SBU coach and was able to get a response fairly quickly. After a couple of conversations with their coach I had made up my mind and knew that SBU was where I wanted to go.”

Keagle, who is planning on majoring in elementary education, believes Southwest Baptist is good sport for her both academically and athletically.

“The big reason other than track was that all of the staff and students there are so warm and welcoming in ways that I never got at other schools,” Keagle said. “They show that they care and are interested in your future, academically and athletically. Plus, they have a great education program that I’m excited to be a part of.”

Now the hard part for Keagle begins. With the lost season due to COVID-19, Keagle is now in the process of staying in track shape for when she gets to college and knows that she has a lot of work to do still.

“Not having a season this year has proved more difficult than I thought,” Keagle said. “Usually I am in athletics year round so I don’t have to think about when I’m going to exercise or run, and being at home has made it a challenge. I do my best to run and keep in shape, but it doesn’t always go the way I plan. This summer though, I’ll be on more of a schedule, hopefully with workouts coming from the coaches at SBU.”

Damon Dennis, and his wife Karla, pose for quick picture during a timeout at a Louisburg High School basketball game Dennis was announcing. Dennis, who is better known as Doc D, is handing over his business at Louisburg Chiropractic Office to Dr. Jacob Polzin and is stepping away as the LHS team doctor after 28 years of service. His last day at the office is tomorrow (Saturday).

Almost every day of the week, if you were looking for Damon Dennis, he could be found at his office on 11 S. Broadway St., helping treat those pesky aches and pains, taking X-rays, or mending those beaten up athletes after a game.

Doc D – as he his affectionately known – opened Louisburg Chiropractic Office 28 years ago and has served as the Louisburg High School athletic team doctor for almost that same amount of time.

Dennis has seen it all. The walls in his office are lined with mementos from his years of service to both the community and the high school.

He has taped thousands of ankles, seen even more patients and has touched many lives during his time in Louisburg. That is why this week is one of the more emotional times in his life.

On Saturday, he will officially leave Louisburg Chiropractic Office and hand the reins over to Dr. Jake Polzin. Add to that, Dennis is also stepping away as LHS’ team doctor and will leave an absence on the sidelines and behind the mic that many in Louisburg have come to know.

“My decision to step down and sell the practice has turned out to be the hardest thing I have ever done,” Dennis said. “I have poured everything I have into my job and community. It has become my entire existence. I was taught from a young age to serve others and your community. I feel like the pressures I have put on myself have become unhealthy. I have put about 40 years work in to 28 and feel like there is never going to be a good time to make such a huge life change. 

“That being said, I feel like I need to make changes while I am still able to do the things that will be best for my family. Dr. Polzin came along and I think he will carry on the work at the office wonderfully. We are a lot alike in many ways. I could not have found anyone better to replace me.”

For many, Dennis has been a big part of people’s lives, especially in the athletic arena. He has served as the LHS team doctor since 1992 and has treated many athletes in those 28 years.

During the school year, Dennis would leave his place of business every day after 3 to go to the high school to tape up athletes from all different sports and made sure they were all ready to go for practice. After that was over, he would rush back to his office to finish the day treating his patients.

It would be hectic life for some, but it is one that he has treasured for the last nearly three decades.

“My time in practice has been a blessing,” Dennis said. “I truly care about all of the patients and people in the community that I have been involved with. I have tried to be a positive impact on the town through my involvement in different organizations. As with any business, there are bumps in the road. I genuinely appreciate everyone who has had a positive impact on me through these years. 

“I have poured my heart and soul in to every aspect of my business and involvement in the community, sometimes at the sacrifice of my wife, Karla. I am eternally grateful for her patience and love. Part of the reason why I am handing over the reigns is that I have a lot of making up for time to do.”

Dennis and his family have made a lot of sacrifices during his time and many of the Wildcat coaches – both former and present – appreciate what he has done for them and their players.

“As far as what he has meant to the community, it is immeasurable,” longtime former coach Gary Griffin said. “He came in the first year and made himself available to all the coaches and was there for whatever the kids needed from the medical stuff, to a new pair of shoes, or money to go to a team dinner. He was even there to lend an ear to a kid that was having issues from girlfriends, teacher issues or problems at home.

“For me personally, he was a cheerleader when times were not good, he was an advocate for kids when I didn’t always know what was going on behind the scenes. I trusted Doc like he was a member of the coaching staff. I told him a lot of things in confidence so I could get his advice knowing it would not go any further. As far as the community goes, he is a pillar and he is involved in everything and is held in high regards by most. It is really hard for Doc to tell anyone no, so most of his days are longer than just his office hours. Doc is going to be missed in so many ways. He is a very humble man and he is very deserving of slowing down and enjoying the fruits of his labor.”

A Small Beginning

Back in June of 1992 is when Dennis began to plant his roots in the town he would begin to call home.

Dennis purchased the small satellite office from Dr. Larry Fulk, who at the time also had a practice in Paola. Dennis was less than a year out of school and was eager to get involved in the Louisburg community.

Two months later, Dennis reached out to then Louisburg High School administrator Doug Chisam and asked if he could serve as the team’s doctor – free of charge. Since August of 1992, Louisburg High School would not be the same.

Dennis made trips over to the high school for treatment and would also follow many of the team’s to their games after work was over. It was a life that would go on to create many memories.

“Jim Knox, Don Meek and Doug Chisam were all very supportive and I am forever in their debt,” Dennis said. “I started out just going to all games, home and away, and every sport that I could.  At that time I was in the office from 6 am to 7 pm and then off to games 3-4 nights a week. The things I have always enjoyed about being the team doctor was the kids and the coaches. High school athletes have not changed since day one. They want someone who cares about and shows interest in what they are doing. I am still close with a lot of the students who have come through the high school and will continue to be. 

“My role evolved over the years. I began doing all the taping before practice and games, Impact testing, announcing basketball and other roles as the coaches requested. I enjoy helping others and that is how my role evolved in to so many other areas. Over the years, the coaches have included me and I will always be grateful to them for allowing me to be a part of the experience.”

His role got even bigger when the new high school was built and Dennis was asked if he would like to announce basketball games. He certainly didn’t mind having a mic in his hand and loved playing off the crowd and making sure the athletes felt a little extra special.

“We had a girls’ tournament and Dave Tappan asked me if I would announce the game,” Dennis said. “He thought it would be a nice touch to have an announcer. I am not sure he ever asked me to continue, I just did it. I had to be at games anyway and I like to talk, so it worked out. Dave never said to quit, so I just kept doing it.

“I really did enjoy that. I would try to throw in a little funny once and awhile just to see if people were listening. Dottie Cook had a birthday every game night for several years. Knowing the kids so well, it was fun to add their middle name or nickname at the game.”

Tappan, who is currently the USD 416 assistant superintendent, worked as the LHS activities director and principal during many of Dennis’ years in Louisburg and the two became quick friends.

With that, Tappan is well aware of Dennis’ work ethic and commitment to Louisburg athletics. In fact, he has seen it firsthand.

“Most people know that Doc doesn’t take vacations very often,” Tappan said. “In fact, it usually takes a team of us to get him out of the office for more than a day. But in 2010, he and Karla scheduled a trip over Thanksgiving break to Chicago. Well, that was also the year of our run to the state football championship and there was no way he was going to miss it. In typical Doc D fashion, he lined things up to perfection. He takes a 5 a.m. flight from Chicago to Kansas City, has Karla drive him to the Legends off of I-70 and at about 6:30 I’m picking him up and we beat the team to Salina. When the bus finally rolls in, he looks at Coach (Gary) Griffin with a grin and says, ‘What took you so long?’ About four hours later we were celebrating a championship.

“The commitment that Doc D has demonstrated over the years to the students of Louisburg schools is second to none. From the football sidelines on a Friday night in the fall, to being behind the mic in the LHS gym during basketball season, Doc always supported the students, the coaches and the administration of USD 416. I am proud to call Damon Dennis my friend.”

Beyond The Call of Duty

Running a business can be difficult enough, but when you have other responsibilities on top of all that, it can be stressful at times.

The coaches at Louisburg High School never got that when working with Doc D. Veteran and young coaches alike were amazed at the dedication he displayed.

“Doc D is one of the most honest and honorable men I have ever met,” Louisburg soccer coach Kyle Conley said. “He has donated countless hours and years for helping Louisburg student athletes. He always went out of his way to help anyone and everyone. He wasn’t always just helping players. He would always check in on the coaches as well – checking on their well-being, their teams, and their families.

“Doc always went out of his way to make someone feel important and special. He was NEVER too busy for anyone. He will be greatly missed and he is irreplaceable. Thank you Doc D for everything that you have done for my teams, my family and for myself. You are someone I am lucky enough to call a friend.”

That dedication would not only be found after school in the evenings, but even before the sun came up as well.

“Doc D will be greatly missed,” Louisburg volleyball coach Jessica Compliment said. “He unselfishly devoted many hours to our athletes and was always a phone call or a text away. I can’t count how many times he would meet myself and an athlete or two at the school at 5:30 a.m. prior to departure for a volleyball tournament. Not only was he a great role model and mentor for the athletes, but he served as a great mentor to a young coach for the past 14 years. He will be greatly missed by many.”

However, where Dennis is most recognized was on the football sidelines. He did anything from tending to injured athletes, mentoring future trainers and handing out free food or candy to the student section before certain games.

It wasn’t gone unnoticed as many around the school and community know what Doc D has meant to the district.

“If Louisburg had a Mt. Rushmore, Damon would definitely be up there,” Louisburg graduate and longtime coach Jeff Lohse said. “Doc is one of the most selfless people that I know. He was always more than willing to help anyone out and never expected anything in return. I consider Doc to be a great friend of mine and this is definitely bittersweet. I wish him and Karla nothing but the best as they open up this new chapter in their lives. Damon will be missed but his legacy in Louisburg will live on forever.”

Dennis always made sure to welcome the new coaches to the district and made them feel a part of the family and that was the case with boys basketball coach Ty Pfannenstiel when he came to the school three years ago.

“Doc D is the most selfless man I know,” Pfannenstiel said. “What Doc gave to this school and community is unprecedented. He cared so much for all of our athletes, there’s no way we are going to be able to replace what he brought to this school. I feel bad for whoever is going to come in and try to fill his shoes – he set the bar way too high.”

Dennis has been on the sideline for many of Louisburg’s greatest athletic achievements, including three state football appearances and has watched many athletes along the way achieve great individual accomplishments.

He knows that he has been blessed to be able to be a part of Wildcat athletics in one form or another the last 28 years.

“As for favorite memories, it is not always about the wins and losses,” Dennis said. “The things I have most enjoyed is the time spent with athletes and coaches. The things that go on in the locker room, before and after games were the fun part. I have had a behind the scenes view of some pretty amazing people. 

“Obviously the 2010 state football championship is at the top of the list. We had gone to the championship twice and come home in second on two occasions. It was a great group to be around and a great experience. If I had to choose a group of kids that really stand out the most, it would be the seniors my first year here (class of 1993). They welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like I was appreciated. I still speak to members of that class often and consider them friends. It was a really special group. I also loved seeing kids accomplish their dreams of success. Louisburg has had its share of champions and athletes that have gone on to do some amazing things.”

In his last week at the office, Doc D has seen a lot of visitors that have come to thank him for everything he has done. Although Dennis won’t be around as much as he used to, he wants people to know that this isn’t a farewell – but more of a see you later.

“I want everyone to know how much I appreciate their kind words,” Dennis said. “There has been talk of various activities surrounding my career change that have been proposed. While I genuinely appreciate this, I don’t think I can handle the attention. My emotions have gotten the better of me and I am not sure that I can handle any celebrations publicly, unless everyone wants to see me cry.

“I am not going away. I just won’t be at 11 South Broadway or at the high school every day. Thank you to everyone that has supported me as I have made every effort to support my community.”

No, Doc – thank you…

Louisburg Sports Zone will be running senior spotlights through April and May everyday (Monday through Friday) in an effort to honor seniors who had their seasons taken away due to the spread of COVID-19.

As a foreign exchange student from Bangladesh, Purno Sangma wanted to absorb everything he could at Louisburg High School.

One of those things happened to be running.

Sangma joined the cross country team last fall and was excited to see what he could do on the track team this season, along with what the experience would be like.

“I’ve always loved running, so I was really looking forward to the short distance sprint events in track because I’m more comfortable doing them,” Sangma said. “I’ve been running my whole life – not in a sports related way – but in general just to have fun and clear my mind. Sometimes I run when I’m in a hurry and late for school.”

Being from a different country can be nerve-racking enough, but it is quite another when a pandemic is going on around you. The spread of COVID-19 not only cancelled the track season, but also his final two months of high school.

Sangma has had to put some of those friendships and experiences on hold for now as the country tries to figure out what to do next.

“I was really sad and frustrated that the school and the season were cancelled,” Sangma said. “I have a few good friends in the track team and I wanted to do the season with all of them. I was really sad to miss prom and not being able to complete my classes. I’ve been trying to keep a positive idea about everything that has happened.

“I have been in contact with my family back home on a weekly basis, but they’re not concerned about me that much because Louisburg is a pretty small town.”

Although it hasn’t necessarily been in the sports arena, Sangma has left his mark at LHS, especially in the music department. He has been a member of the choir and also earned a spot in the musical last year.

Not only that, but Sangma could many times be found performing the national anthem before different sporting events throughout the year.

“I actually loved being able to sing the national anthem of the United States of America,” Sangma said. “It’s actually a great privilege given to me as a foreign exchange student to be able to sing it. It wasn’t actually difficult for me. I looked forward to all the days I got to sing the anthem.”

Even with all chaos of the last two months, Sangma has relished his time in Louisburg and he is looking forward to what lies ahead.

“I have loved every second I’ve spent here as a foreign exchange student,” Sangma said. “I met amazing teachers and made really good friends. Everything that I’ve done in my exchange year I won’t take it back.”

Other than track, Louisburg Sports Zone also had a chance to catch up with Purno on how he has been coping with an early end to his senior year and some of his other interests. Here are his responses from the rest of our Q&A.

LSZ: What have you been missing the most during this time away from everyone?

PS: I miss my friends from school, my classes – choir especially – and the teachers a lot.

LSZ: What is your most memorable moment as an athlete or in school, and why?

PS: I think the times I spent in cross country. Cross country was hard, but it was really rewarding. I had the best time with my teammates and coach (John) Reece.

LSZ: What is your favorite activity/hobby outside of sports and why?

PS: I love being involved in music activities.

LSZ: What are your plans for after graduation?

PS: After graduation, I’ll be working to go to college at Johnson County Community College and then to KU, hopefully.

LSZ: What accomplishments that don’t involve athletics are you most proud of and why?

PS: That has to be doing the musical last year. I never knew I could do the musical.

LSZ: What do you think would be something that a lot of people don’t know about you?

PS: I like taking risks with people.

Purno’s Favorites

Pro athlete: Lionel Messi

Pro team: Kansas City Chiefs

College team: None

Movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

TV Show: Glee

Song: Anchor by Novo Amor

Band/Musician:  Novo Amor

Pregame meal/snack: Trolli Sour Bites

Class/subject: Choir

Teacher and why? Mrs. Alison Moore – she has been one of the most amazing people I’ve met this year.

Previous Senior Spotlights

Drake Varns – Golf

Trinity Moore – Soccer

Andrew Krause – Baseball

Kayla Willey – Softball

Anthony Davis – Track and Field

Garrett Rolofson – Golf

Shayla Aye – Swimming

Allie Boles – Softball

Michael Waldron – Track and Field

Avery O’Meara – Soccer

Ryan Haight – Golf

Andie Masten – Soccer

Lauren Cutshaw – Softball

Trent Martin – Track and Field

Erin Lemke – Soccer

Luke Wickersham – Golf

Skylar Bowman – Soccer

Gabby Dugger – Softball

Sydni Keagle – Track

Olivia Chase – Soccer

Colin Cook – Golf

Morgan Messer – Soccer

August Daniels – Softball

Carter Anglin – Track and Field

Hannah Straub – Soccer

Reilly Ratliff-Becher – Softball

Madden Rutherford – Baseball

Lily McDaniel – Soccer

Garrett Harding – Track

Mackenzie Scholtz – Soccer

Calvin Dillon – Golf

Kat Coolidge – Softball

Charlie Koontz – Track

Ashley Moore – Soccer

Carlee Gassman – Track

Louisburg Sports Zone will be running senior spotlights through April and May everyday (Monday through Friday) in an effort to honor seniors who had their seasons taken away due to the spread of COVID-19.

From the day she joined the Louisburg track and field team, Carlee Gassman made an impact for the Lady Cats.

After joining the team as a sophomore, Gassman would go on to break the 300-meter hurdle record four times that season and finish as the state runner-up in the event, along with medaling in the long jump. A year ago, Gassman captured three more state medals and a fourth place finish in the 300 hurdles.

Those two years with the Lady Cat program has given Gassman a multitude of memories to look back on and she was looking to add many more for her senior campaign.

“During the winter months, track is all I thought about and I had already started my training,” Gassman said. “So to say I was looking forward to track is an understatement. I was already in track season working towards my goals that I had set for myself. With this season being my last, I had set some very ambitious goals. I had talked to coach and I really wanted to see what I was capable of doing in the 800-meter run. I have never ran an 800 in my whole track career so I was curious and set a very ambitious goal, along with my goals for the 300 hurdles.” 

The 300 hurdles has provided Gassman the most success, and it is the hurdles she will continue to do when she moves on to college at Northern Iowa. It is an event that fuels her drive to succeed.

“No doubt the 300 hurdles is my favorite race, as it brings so much joy to myself,” Gassman said. “I had some pretty ambitious expectations. I wanted to set a new school record and I most definitely had a state title in my eyes. After my 300 hurdle state race last year, I was very disappointed in my performance, only because the girl who won the race ran a slower time than my PR and that was really frustrating to me.

“I was also happy that it set off a spark in myself and gave me the confidence that I needed to know that I could be standing where she was this year. I also knew I needed to work on some things and change some of my training strategies.”

Gassman made some of those important changes and was ready to take off for the 2020 season, but it was ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That meant the final two months of her senior year was gone, including her final track season.

“I’ll be completely honest, I haven’t always liked school, so to hear that school was cancelled didn’t bother me as much,” Gassman said. “I was homeschooled until sixth grade, so it’s kinda fitting to end my senior year with online school at home. But I will say that when I heard the news of school cancelling, I actually cried because I knew that was the end of track and it only just started. I would have much rather suffered through school, knowing that I would still have a track season.”

It has been a rough couple months as Gassman knows she was supposed to be using this week to prepare for the state track meet this weekend in Wichita. Instead, she has those memories to help get her through it.

“I love everything that comes with participating in track,” Gassman said. “With that being said, I have to say my favorite memory and or moment is simple – everything that happens while being a part of the track team. Every practice and meet is so memorable and so much fun. The track team is one big family and I love how everyone cheers for each other during races and how we push each other during practices. Also, if it wasn’t for Sydni Keagle, I wouldn’t have had so many fond moments while participating in track the last two years.”

Gassman’s track career is far from over, however. She will make the transition to Division I track in college next year and is excited to continue her journey one hurdle at a time.

“I never ran hurdles in middle school because my coach wanted me to run relays,” Gassman said. “However, my freshman year of high school I had an amazing coach, she believed in me and pushed me to be the hurdler I am today. At that time, I lived in Iowa and they didn’t run 300 hurdles, instead they ran 400 hurdles. It was the beginning of track season and Bart came over to me and asked if I wanted to try hurtling and of course I was intrigued. After that practice, I absolutely feel in love with them.

“Track is a huge part of my life and I’m blessed to be able to say I get to continue my track adventure in college. Track has been the best way I cope with things and how I make friends. I wouldn’t be who I am today without having participated in track for those six years.” 

Other than track, Louisburg Sports Zone also had a chance to catch up with Carlee on how she has been coping with an early end to her senior year and some of her other interests. Here are her responses from the rest of our Q&A.

LSZ: What have you been missing the most during this time away from everyone?

CG: I have been missing track practices the most honestly, along with Sydni Keagle. She always brings so much joy to my days. I also miss Tom (Koontz) and the hurdle practices. When all three of us are together we have a lot of fun and I wish we could have continued our water spitting war to see who would have won at the end of the school year. 

LSZ: What is your most memorable moment as an athlete or in school, and why?

CG: Most memorable moment as an athlete – you would think would be when I placed second in hurdles at the state meet. However, when I read this question my mind went straight to a soccer tournament I participated in a few years ago. The tournament was called Iowa games and I just remember having so much fun and I didn’t want it to end. Each game we played was thrilling.

LSZ: What is your favorite activity/hobby outside of sports and why?

CG: I don’t have many hobbies outside of sports, but I do enjoy taking photos of my siblings at their athletic events. I also love to walk for hours and I enjoy teaching myself American Sign Language. 

LSZ: I know you are going to Northern Iowa next year, but with everything going on, have you been able to do much to stay shape and train for track?

CG: I have most definitely been able to stay in track shape. My dad crafted some hurdles out of blocks of wood and I have been using those to continue my hurdle training. With all this time I have on my hands, I have been running a lot actually. Living across from the lake has also been very beneficial. I have gone over and measured out 200 to 400 meters and ran repeats as a workout. I have college to look forward to, but my dad knew how disappointed I was and so we have scheduled our own track meet to end my senior year. Not sure where this track meet is going to be held but its keeping me motivated and will be a lot of fun. 

LSZ: What accomplishments that don’t involve athletics are you most proud of and why?

CG: My greatest accomplishment outside of athletics is most definitely my decision to get baptized at the age of 12. 

LSZ: What do you think would be something that a lot of people don’t know about you?

CG: Probably that I was home-schooled until my sixth grade year.

Carlee’s Favorites

Pro athlete: Tom Brady

Pro team: New England Patriots

College team: University of Northern Iowa

Movie: Footloose (1984)

TV Show: Friends

Song: Collide by Jars of Clay, Restless by Switchfoot or Forget And Not Slow Down by Reliant K

Band/Musician: Jars of Clay, Switchfoot and Reliant K

Pregame meal/snack: Blueberry bagel with ham on it

Class/subject: Science            

Teacher and why? Andy Wright – I don’t have him as a teacher, but it always brings me joy when I see him in the hallway.

Previous Senior Spotlights

Drake Varns – Golf

Trinity Moore – Soccer

Andrew Krause – Baseball

Kayla Willey – Softball

Anthony Davis – Track and Field

Garrett Rolofson – Golf

Shayla Aye – Swimming

Allie Boles – Softball

Michael Waldron – Track and Field

Avery O’Meara – Soccer

Ryan Haight – Golf

Andie Masten – Soccer

Lauren Cutshaw – Softball

Trent Martin – Track and Field

Erin Lemke – Soccer

Luke Wickersham – Golf

Skylar Bowman – Soccer

Gabby Dugger – Softball

Sydni Keagle – Track

Olivia Chase – Soccer

Colin Cook – Golf

Morgan Messer – Soccer

August Daniels – Softball

Carter Anglin – Track and Field

Hannah Straub – Soccer

Reilly Ratliff-Becher – Softball

Madden Rutherford – Baseball

Lily McDaniel – Soccer

Garrett Harding – Track

Mackenzie Scholtz – Soccer

Calvin Dillon – Golf

Kat Coolidge – Softball

Charlie Koontz – Track

Ashley Moore – Soccer

Louisburg Sports Zone will be running senior spotlights through April and May everyday (Monday through Friday) in an effort to honor seniors who had their seasons taken away due to the spread of COVID-19.

To say Charlie Koontz had a memorable junior season, might be an understatement.

Koontz, who was a sprinter on the Louisburg boys track and field team, found his way to the medal stand at state and left his mark on the Wildcat program. Koontz, along with Blue Caplinger, Justin Collins and Ben Wiedenmann broke the school record in the 4×100-meter relay at the Class 4A regional meet last May.

Then a week later, Koontz garnered a medal as the same four runners took fifth at the Class 4A state meet in Wichita. It was one of many big moments for the Wildcat track team.

Koontz was ready to make it an even better season in 2020 as the Wildcats saw their numbers rise and planned to score points in many of the events.

“This season was going to be really good for us considering we still have a bunch of speed and other weapons,” Koontz said. “There were a lot of kids that were going to step up and possibly help us out in the long run as the season went along.

“I was really looking forward to this year’s season and it was going to be a lot of fun. We were basically going to do what we did last season and try and better ourselves every day. The ultimate goal is always making it to state.”

That was the plan this season as the Wildcats were ready to make some noise at the end of the year. They returned several state qualifiers from their 2019 team and had goals of medaling at state in numerous events in 2020.

Unfortunately, nothing went according to plan this spring as sports across the country were cancelled due to COVID-19.

The news was frustrating, to say the least, for all the seniors involved but Koontz realizes it is a situation that is out of his control.

“With the cancellation of everything, you can’t really do much besides just accept what happened and roll with it,” Koontz said. “Everything will sort out eventually. It’s a bummer and no student should have their senior year cut short unwillingly, but there’s a first for everything.”

Track has been a sport that Koontz has been involved in since middle school and participated in many different events along the way. I was also something that got him ready for his favorite sport – football.

“I’ve participated in track ever since seventh grade and I had tried long jump, high jump and all the sprinting events and I enjoyed it so I stuck with it,” Koontz said. “I did pole vault in eighth grade and that was pretty fun. In high school, I did it because I liked it and it was fun and it also kept me in shape for football.”

Other than track, Louisburg Sports Zone also had a chance to catch up with Charlie on how he has been coping with an early end to his senior year and some of his other interests. Here are his responses from the rest of our Q&A.

LSZ: What have you been missing the most during this time away from everyone?

CK: I’ve probably missed the social atmosphere and just the way things were, things are just weird now.

LSZ: What is your most memorable moment as an athlete or in school, and why?

CK: My most memorable moment at this school was my junior year when we beat Paola in football, 25-7. That was just so much fun and something I will never forget.

LSZ: What is your favorite activity/hobby outside of sports and why?

CK: My favorite thing to do outside of sports is probably fishing or hunting. My dad introduced me to all that and ever since it’s become a big part of my life. I love being outside and I’m just so lucky enough to be able to share unforgettable memories, see amazing things, and do stuff that a lot of people never get to experience.

LSZ: What are your plans for after graduation?

CK: I plan to attend the University of Kansas to major in biology or pre-med.

LSZ: What accomplishments that don’t involve athletics are you most proud of and why?

CK: Some accomplishments other than in athletics would be that I’ve been on the Principal’s Honor Roll throughout high school. I’ve done my best to maintain good grades and I’ve done pretty good at it, so I feel accomplished with that. 

LSZ: What do you think would be something that a lot of people don’t know about you?

CK: Most people don’t know that I can do a back flip and other stuff like that.

Charlie’s Favorites

Pro athlete: Troy Polamalu   

Pro team: Kansas City Chiefs

College team: Kansas State Football

Movie: Dances With Wolves

TV Show: Supernatural

Song: California Love by 2Pac

Band/Musician: Jimi Hendrix or AC/DC

Pregame meal/snack: Pasta

Class/subject: Any kind of history

Teacher and why? Mr. Ebenstein, because I’ve spent the most time around him with football and all that compared to the other teachers. I know for a fact he will do just about anything for the people he cares about and he is just one of the best guys I’ve ever met.

Previous Senior Spotlights

Drake Varns – Golf

Trinity Moore – Soccer

Andrew Krause – Baseball

Kayla Willey – Softball

Anthony Davis – Track and Field

Garrett Rolofson – Golf

Shayla Aye – Swimming

Allie Boles – Softball

Michael Waldron – Track and Field

Avery O’Meara – Soccer

Ryan Haight – Golf

Andie Masten – Soccer

Lauren Cutshaw – Softball

Trent Martin – Track and Field

Erin Lemke – Soccer

Luke Wickersham – Golf

Skylar Bowman – Soccer

Gabby Dugger – Softball

Sydni Keagle – Track

Olivia Chase – Soccer

Colin Cook – Golf

Morgan Messer – Soccer

August Daniels – Softball

Carter Anglin – Track and Field

Hannah Straub – Soccer

Reilly Ratliff-Becher – Softball

Madden Rutherford – Baseball

Lily McDaniel – Soccer

Garrett Harding – Track

Mackenzie Scholtz – Soccer

Calvin Dillon – Golf

Kat Coolidge – Softball

Louisburg Sports Zone will be running senior spotlights through April and May everyday (Monday through Friday) in an effort to honor seniors who had their seasons taken away due to the spread of COVID-19.

For the longest time, baseball has always been Garrett Harding’s sport in the spring and summertime.

It was something he grew up playing, but during his senior year at Louisburg High School, Harding wanted to change it up and do something a little different.

Enter track.

Harding decided to put baseball on the backburner and give track a try – more specifically the shot put. He wanted a different challenge in his life.

“I was looking forward to experiencing something new and proving to myself that I can be good at whatever I really try to do,” Harding said.

After the first couple weeks of practice, Harding was beginning to get the hang of it as he tried to learn as much about the shot put as he could in a short amount of time.

“Last year during baseball season a few things happened that made me not want to play anymore so I decided to try something new,” Harding said. “Track was a lot of fun and I was progressing my technique pretty rapidly to where I believe I was throwing the farthest already in shot.”

Unfortunately, Harding will not get the opportunity to see how it all would have turned out as his senior season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Harding was a part of a talented boys team that had a chance to compete toward the top of the Frontier League and regionals as the Wildcats returned several state qualifiers from a year ago.

“This year would have been a great season for track with Michael (Waldron) doing javelin and all the runners coming back,” Harding said. “In shot, I feel like we would have been very competitive, especially in the throwers relay.”

The absence of a spring season has left athletes around the country heartbroken, but Harding is trying to make the best of a bad situation. He was one of the Frontier League’s top players this season in football and was recently selected to play in the Kansas Shrine Bowl in July.

Although that game is still in limbo as the Shrine Bowl is trying to find a new facility to host the event, Harding can only focus on what he can control.

“It hasn’t been too bad for me,” Harding said of the time off. “I have had more time to lift weights and have made a jump in my maxes. I also have had time to run and also spend time with my family. It is disappointing that some of the stuff I was looking forward to senior year has been canceled, but it’s out of my control, so I have been just doing what I can.”

Other than track, Louisburg Sports Zone also had a chance to catch up with Garrett on how he has been coping with an early end to his senior year and some of his other interests. Here are his responses from the rest of our Q&A.

LSZ: What have you been missing the most during this time away from everyone?

GH: I miss being away from my friends and I especially miss pestering Coach Skakal.

LSZ: What is your most memorable moment as an athlete or in school, and why?

GH: My most memorable moment was when we were in the locker room right before the Paola game my junior year. The biggest game of the year between two undefeated teams for the Frontier League championship. I was never more focused and determined in my life than at that point.

LSZ: What is your favorite activity/hobby outside of sports and why?

GH: I’d say my favorite activity is hanging out with friends, but that is everyone’s. I do enjoy kayaking and just being near or on the water.

LSZ: What are your plans for after graduation?

GH: I am going to play football at Truman State University and pursue a degree in Business Administration/Management and Finance. After that I want to go to graduate school and get my MBA.

LSZ: What accomplishments that don’t involve athletics are you most proud of and why?

GH: Well when people call me dumb because I did something stupid, I like to tell them that I am a duly elected National Honor Society officer. I’m also proud of my FBLA accomplishments because it shows how much my team and I can work together and problem solve.

LSZ: What do you think would be something that a lot of people don’t know about you?

GH: I was on a billboard for St. Joseph West Hospital when I was just born. (Not even 24 hours old) The billboard was up for a few years and it was outside of St. Louis.

Garrett’s Favorites

Pro athlete: Anthony Sherman

Pro team: Kansas City Chiefs

College team: Kansas State

Movie: Battleship

TV Show: The Ranch

Song: T-R-O-U-B-L-E by Travis Tritt

Band/Musician: Kenny Chesney

Pregame meal/snack: Ibuprofen

Class/subject: History

Teacher and why? Coach E (Ebenstein) is my favorite because he is basically a high schooler just in an adult body.

Previous Senior Spotlights

Drake Varns – Golf

Trinity Moore – Soccer

Andrew Krause – Baseball

Kayla Willey – Softball

Anthony Davis – Track and Field

Garrett Rolofson – Golf

Shayla Aye – Swimming

Allie Boles – Softball

Michael Waldron – Track and Field

Avery O’Meara – Soccer

Ryan Haight – Golf

Andie Masten – Soccer

Lauren Cutshaw – Softball

Trent Martin – Track and Field

Erin Lemke – Soccer

Luke Wickersham – Golf

Skylar Bowman – Soccer

Gabby Dugger – Softball

Sydni Keagle – Track

Olivia Chase – Soccer

Colin Cook – Golf

Morgan Messer – Soccer

August Daniels – Softball

Carter Anglin – Track and Field

Hannah Straub – Soccer

Reilly Ratliff-Becher – Softball

Madden Rutherford – Baseball

Lily McDaniel – Soccer