Kinsey Perine and Emma Mitchell were selected to the Jeff County North All-Tournament Team. Their performances contributed greatly to the Rossville girls sweeping the tourney and bringing home first place.
Monday, January 31, 2022
Washburn U. Fall Semester Graduates
Washburn University announced that the following people from Rossville have graduated after the fall semester.
Malcolm Gillum fgraduated with a BS in Criminal Justice
Jalyn Porter graduated with a BS in Nursing
Jacob Thornburg graduated with a BS in Nursing
Alaina Vanatta graduated with a BA
Sunday, January 30, 2022
Rossville Wrestlers Are Champions At Fredonia
The Rossville wrestling team had a great win at the Fredonia Tournament Jan. 29. They were the champions out of a field of 25 teams. The top nine finishers were:
l Rossville 222.0
2 Andover Central 194.0
3 Campus 187.0
4 Chanute 183.0
5 Valley Center High School 162.5
6 Winfield 152.0
7 Burlingame 144.0
8 Erie High School 141.5
9 Iola 112.5
106 W Emma Plantz (0-14)
2 losses
120 W Kendra Hurla (26-0) First
3 wins
120 Mason Broce (21-10) Fourth
2 wins, 2 losses
126 W Keera Laco;ck (22-4) First
3 wins
132W Cassie Fund (22-4) Second
2 wins 1 loss
132 Aryon Klesath (19-17) Sixth
3 wins 3 losses
145 Krew Lacock (12-17) Fifth
3 wins 2 lossses
160 Sam Twombly (26-1) First
3 wins
170 John McGrath (2-17) Fourth
1 win, 1 forfeit win, 3 losses
285 Jacob Carver (20-3) First
3 wins
RHS Girls Win Jeff North BB Tourney
The Rossville girls basketball team swept the Jeff North tournament this Jan 25-29. They won the championship game on Sat. over Jeff County North 57-41. Previous wins were against NE Kansas and Perry Lecompton.
Rossville 14 12 15 16 -- 57Jeff County North 8 9 16 8 -- 41
Rossville scoring:
Perine 3 (2) 4-6 12
Douglas 2 (1) 9-10 14
Mitchell 3 2-5 8
Porter 4 (3) 2-2 13
Foster 1 0-0 2
Haehn 1 (1) 1-2 4
Foster 0 0-2 0
Gillum 1 2-4 4
Saturday, January 29, 2022
Girls Get 2nd Win at Jeff North Tourney
The Rossville girls basketball team picked up a second round win in the Jeff County North basketball tournament on Jan. 28. Their next game will be Jan. 29
Rossville 5 18 10 16 -- 49NE Kansas 11 13 5 5 -- 34
Rossville scoring
Perine 7 3-9 17
Douglas 0 4-6 4
Mitchell 4 4-4 12
Porter 2 (1) 1-2 6
Haehn 4 0-0 8
Gillum 1 0-0 2
Brody Lietz Committs To Emporia State
RHS senior Brody Lietz has signed to play football for Emporia State this coming year.
Friday, January 28, 2022
Amanda Hill Is KCAC Offensive Player Of Week
Kansas Wesleyan's Amanda Hill (SR/Rossville, Kan.) has been named as the KCAC Women's Basketball Offensive Player of the Week for her efforts for the Coyotes in a pair of games last week. KCAC Players of the Week are selected for their performances during the week by a vote of conference sports information directors.
Hill became Kansas Wesleyan's career scoring leader on Saturday, scoring her 1570th point on a 3-pointer with 8:21 to go in the second quarter at Ottawa. After scoring 16 earlier in the week to help KWU beat Oklahoma Wesleyan, Hill needed only six points to break the record heading into Saturday's game. She hit a 3-pointer to break the record of 1568, set in 1985, and finished the game with 23 points helping KWU to the 83-75 win.
She had a solid week averaging 19.5 points and 8.5 rebounds to go along with 2.0 steals per game.
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Briar Gillum (22) Signs With Mo. So. U.
Rossville senior Briar Gillum, daughter of Scott and Colleen Gillum has signed to compete in track and field at Missouri Southern University in Joplin, MO. this coming year.
Wednesday, January 26, 2022
KWCA Wrestling Ranking Jan 25
Rossville is not in the Top Ten for either boys or girls in the week five, Jan. 25. KWCA rankings and there was no change for the Rossville wrestlers making the top 6 in their classes. There have been no changes for either boys or girls ranks the last couple weeks.
The boys ranked are Sam Twombly, who is ranked 4th in the 160# class, and Jacob Carver, first in the 285# class
Kendra Hurla is ranked 1st in the 120# class, and Keera Lacock is ranked 6th in the 126# class.
The KWCA rankings can be viewed at: https://www.kansaswrestling.org/rankings
David "Mike" Philipp Passes Away
David Michael “Mike” Philipp, 53, Holton, KS passed away on Tuesday January 18, 2022.
Mike was born on October 26, 1968 in Topeka, the son of David and Judy (Smith) Philipp.
He graduated from Rossville High School and attended Washburn University.
He was previously employed by the Department of Revenue, State of Kansas.
He had a passion for music and touched many lives through his talent as an amazing guitarist. He was a member and lead guitarist for the band “Mixed Emotions”.
Mike married Lisa Alley on June 9, 2001 in Circleville, KS. She survives. Other survivors include his mother Judy, Stepfather Bob Welch, Topeka; a sister Michel’ (Jim) Cole and family, Topeka; half-brother Tony (Jessica) Campbell, Farmington, MN; half-sister Angel Philipp, Minneapolis, MN.
Preceded in death by his father David Philipp.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
Dove Southwest Chapel is assisting with arrangements.
Amanda Hill Article by Capital-Journal
From the Capital-Journal
When Rossville High School's Amanda Hill arrived at Kansas Wesleyan prior to the 2017-18 season, she had no idea of what she would accomplish.
Five years later, she can say she's the all-time leading scorer at KWU. She broke a 37-year-old record of 1,568 points set by Joedy Zimmerman in 1985 during Saturday's 83-75 victory over Ottawa.
Hill now has 1,604 career points after scoring 18 in the Coyotes' 89-41 victory over Southwestern on Monday at Mabee Arena. She has played in 140 games since graduating from Rossville.
"It feels really good," Hill said. "It was definitely something that I wasn't expecting and I didn't really know about it until a few games before. I don't think it really occurred to me until I was in the nursing program.
Hill, a nursing major, opted to take a fifth year at KWU when the NAIA granted athletes an additional season in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This season, Hill has balanced her time between basketball and the night shift in the emergency room at Salina Regional Health Center.
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
RHS Girls Get First Round Win
Rossville picked up a win over Perry-Lecompton in the first round of the Jeff North Basketball Tournament on Jan. 24. They are now 5-6 for the season. They play the second and third game of the tournament Friday and Saturday
Rossville 12 19 10 14 -- 55Perry-Lecompton 16 13 7 13 -- 49
Rossville scoring:
Perine 3 2-3 8
Douglas 2 (2) 2-2 8
Mitchell 8 9-11 25
Porter 3 (1) 2-3 10
Gillum 0 4-4 4
Monday, January 24, 2022
Torrey Horak Signs With Central Missouri
RHS senior Torrey Horak has signed to play football next year at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO.
Amanda Hill Sets KWU Scoring Record
OTTAWA – At first glance it appeared to be another sensational yet routine game for Amanda Hill (SR/Rossville, Kan.) – 23 points and eight rebounds in the Kansas Wesleyan women's 83-75 Kansas Conference victory over Ottawa on Saturday.
This night and this game inside Wilson Field House, though, were different. Wholly different. Historically different.
Hill's 3-point field goal from the right wing with 8 minutes, 21 seconds left in the second quarter hoisted her atop KWU's career scoring chart with 1,570 points. She entered the game five points behind KWU Hall of Famer Joedy Zimmerman, who scored 1,568 points during her fabulous career that ended in 1985.The link below contains the complete lengthy article about Amanda's career. And, it also has info about her younger sister Caila who also starts for KWU and has contributed greatly to the teams success this year.
Amanda And Caila Hill In KWU Win
Amanda Hill had 23 pts in Kansas Wesleyan' 83-75 win over Ottawa U. on Jan. 22, 2022. Amanda also had 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal. Cailia Hill added 19 pt, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in the game.
You can read their complete game statistics at: Game Stats For Ottawa Game
Sunday, January 23, 2022
Megan Sue Richey (05) Passes Away
Megan Sue Richey, 35, of Topeka, passed away on January 17, 2022
She was born on October 19, 1986 to Harold and Pamela (Hoffman) Richey in Topeka, KS.Megan graduated from Rossville High School in 2005, then attended Allen County Community College.
She traveled with her family to Branson, Missouri for fishing trips. She enjoyed spending time outside and fishing with her father. Those will always be special memories they shared together. Megan liked to attend both rock and country concerts with her friends and her mother. She spent a lot of time with her friends going to dinner, movies, and the Wild Horse Saloon. Her love for animals was large. She had many animals growing up but grew fond of her dog Princess. That was her baby.
Megan will be greatly missed by all of her family and her friends.
Megan is survived by her mother, Pamela Richey; brother, Richard (Julie) John Deiter, III; half sister, Tammy and half brother, Harold; a host of extended family; significant other, Leon Turner; and her fur baby, Princess.
She was preceded in death by her father, Harold Richey, Jr.; and her grandparents.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 25, 2022 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Parker-Price Funeral Home.
Graveside Service will take place on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at 11:00 am at the Maple Hill Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Helping Hands Humane Society and sent in care of Parker Price Funeral Home.
Girls Wrestling Fourth At Eureka
The Rossville Girls Wrestling Team placed 4 out of 21 teams at the Eureka Invitational Wrestling Tournament on Jan. 22, 2022.
Team Placing and Scores
1 Eureka 115.0
2 Burlington 102.0
3 Coffeyville 100.0
4 Rossville 87.0
5 Rose Hill 66.0
6 Chase County 54.0
7 Flinthills 51.0
8 Newton 47.0
9 Douglass 46.0
10 Juntion City Girls 45.0
10 Leon-Bluestem 45.0
12 El Dorado 43.0
13 Erie 40.5
14 Fredonia 39.0
15 Remington 34.0
16 West Elk 15.0
17 Uniontown 13.0
18 Humboldt 12.0
19 Herington 4.0
20 Central Burden 0.0
20 Iola 0.0
Individual Results
109# (0-12) Emma Plantz 2 byes, 2 losses
120# (23-0) Kendra Hurla 1st 1 bye 3 wins
126# (19-4) Keera Lacock 1st 2 byes 2 wins
132# (13-9) Cassie Fund 3rd 1 bye, 3 wins, 1 loss
138# (16-6) Reagan Wonnell 3rd 2 byes, 2 wins, 1 loss
Dawgs Second At Eureka
Rossville placed second out of 25 teams in the Eureka InvitationalWrestling Tourney Jan. 22. The Dawgshad 6 of their 8 wrestlers place in the Top 3 of their weight classes.
The top 5 team places were:
1 Rose Hill 224.5
2 Rossville 125.0
3 Burlington 98.0
3 Douglass 98.0
5 Clearwater 97.0
6 Iola 85.0
Individual Results:
120# 19-8 Mason Broce Third 1 bye, 2 wins, 1loss
132# 16-14 Aryon Klesath Third 3 wins, 1 loss
138# 24-6 Colby Hurla Third 3 wins, 1 loss
145# 9-15 Krew Lacock 2 wins, 2 losses
160# 24-1 Sam Twombly First 3 wins, 1 forfeit
170# 0-15 John McGrath 2 losses
220# 20-3 Barrett Lietz Third 3 wins, 1 loss
285# 17-3 Jacob Carver Second 3 wins, 1 loss
Boys BB Loses to Jeff Co. N. (Updated)
The Rossville boys losr their third round game in the Oskaloosa Basketball Tournament on Jan. 22, losing to Jeff Co, North 45-33.
Rossville scoring:
Perine 3 (1) 0-0 7
Badura 3 (2) 0-0 8
Patrizi 3 0-0 6
Horak 0 2-2 2
Bush 2 0-0 4
Lietz 3 0-0 6
Saturday, January 22, 2022
Boys BB Loses To Valley Falls (updated)
The Rossville boys losr their second round game in the Oskaloosa Basketball Tournament on Jan. 21, losing to Valley Falls 62-46.
Rossville scoring:
Perine 6 4-4 16
Badura 2 (2) 0-0 6
Patrizi 5 (1) 0-0 11
Horak 1 (1) 0-0 3
Bush 3 2-2 8
Broce 1 0-0 2
St. Marys Bears Beat Topeka High In BB
From the Capital-Journal:
St. Marys, one of the top-ranked teams in 2A, failed to pull off a win against a big-school opponent in its first trip to the Topeka Invitational Tournament two years ago. On Thursday, they got it done.
Keller Hurla drew a foul with 4.3 seconds remaining and calmly dropped two free throws to put the Bears up 52-51 against 6A traditional power Topeka High.
You can read the rest of this article at:
Friday, January 21, 2022
Boys BB Gets Win Over Atchison Co.(Updated)
The Rossville boys picked up a first round win in the Oskaloosa Invitational Basketball Tournament on Jan. 19 by defeating Atchison County 48-40.
Rossville 19 11 6 12 -- 48
Atchison County 13 12 9 6 -- 40
Rossville scoring:
Perine 6 0-0 12
Garcia 1 0-0 2
Patrizi 7 (1) 1-2 16
Horak 2 (2) 0-0 6
Bush 3 2-4 8
Lietz 1 2-2 4
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
KWCA Weekly Wrestling Rankings
Rossville is not in the Top Ten for either boys or girls in the week five, Jan. 18, KWCA rankings and there was no change for the Rossville wrestles making the top 6 in their classes
The only boys ranked are Sam Twombly who is ranked 4th in the 160# class, and Jacob Carver, 1st in the 285# class.
Kendra Hurla is ranked 1st in the 120# class, and Keera Lacock is ranked 6th in the 126# class.
The KWCA rankings can be viewed at: https://www.kansaswrestling.org/rankings
Sunday, January 16, 2022
St. Marys At Rossville Girls BB
St. Marys 9 22 3 19 -- 53
Rossville 11 7 8 17 -- 43
Rossville scoring:
Perine 5 (1) 3-9 14
Douglas 1 (1) 1-4 4
Douglas 1 (1) 1-4 4
Mitchell 4 6-8 14
Porter 2 0-1 4
Haehn 1 2-3 4
Gillum 1 1-2 3
St. Marys At Rossville Boys BB
St. Marys 17 27 23 6 -- 73
Rossville 6 16 11 6 -- 33
Perine 5 (1) 5-8 16
Garcia 0 1-2 1
Bergman 1 (1) 0-0 3
Patrizi 1 2-6 4
Horak 0 2-2 2
Bush 1 1-4 3
Broce 1 2-5 4
Rossville Boys Wrestling At Basehor Classic
The Rossville boys wrestling team placed 14th of the 25 teams entered at the Basehor Bobcat Classic Jan. 15.
Individual results were:
120 # Mason Broce (12-7) No placing 2 byes, 2 losses
132# Aryon Klesath (9-12) 8th 1 bye, 2 wins, 3 losses
138 Colby Hurla (17-4) 7th 4 wins, 2 losses
145# Krew Lacock (7-10 No placing 2 byes, 2 losses
160# Sam Twombly (15-1) 2nd 1 bye, 3 wins, 1 loss
170# John McGrath (0-8) No placing 3 byes, 2 losses
Aaron Patton Memorial Girls Wrestling
The Rossville girls team put in an excellent showing at the Aaron Patton Memorial Invitationsl Wrestling Tournament at Wellsville on Jan. 13. The six girls participating brought home one first place, three second place finishes to place 3rd of the 12 teams competing. Kendra Hurla remains unbeaten in the 120 pound class
Individual Placings
109 # Emma Plantz (0-7) 4th place 3 losses
120 # Kendra Hurla (17-0) 1st place 3 wins
126 # Keera Lacock (14-4) 2nd place 3 wins l loss
132 # Cassie Fund (9-8) 2nd place 3 wins 1loss
132# Ngos Hale (2-7) Unkn place 1 bye 2 losses by injury default
138 # Reagon Wonnell (12-4) 2nd place 2 wins 1 loss
James Hagedorn (72) Passes Away
Topeka - James Roger Hagedorn, 67, passed away on January 12th, 2022, in Topeka, Kansas. A Kansas native, James was born to Don & Myra(Brenner) on April 8th, 1954. In 1972, James graduated from Rossville High School and would go on to attend classes at Kansas State University. He would retire from the US Postal Service in 2015, where he met his life partner, Kate.
A
lifelong mechanic, James worked on anything with an engine. At age 10, he built
his first motorcycle. Working for multiple shops throughout his life, he
mastered the ability to fix anything small or large, a skill that would follow
him into retirement. James was also an avid sports fan. He would enjoy
basketball & football while rooting for The Kansas Jayhawks & The
Kansas City Chiefs. Golf later became an active interest as well. Alongside
traveling across many countries with his father growing up, James would travel,
especially going to California to visit his family. He also enjoyed repairing
& building computers.
Preceded
in death are his parents, daughter, Jaymie Hagedorn, and his Life Partner, Kate
Miller. Survived by James are three children; Joshua, Traci, & Brandi
Hagedorn, as well as his sister, Donna Lasswell. Additionally, he is survived
by his two grandchildren; Riley & Evalyn King.
Amanda and Caila Hill In KWU Win
Kansas Wesleyan U. defeated McPherson College on Sat., Jan. 15, 95-84 in Double Overtime.
Amanda Hill had 21 pts, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 6 assists.
Caila Hill had 9 points rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 assists.
Al the game details can be read at: https://www.kwucoyotes.com/SIDHelp/fullBoxScores/23/2/9229
Friday, January 14, 2022
Valley Hts. At Rossville Girls BB
Valley Heights 18 19 16 13 -- 66
Rossville 13 14 6 13 -- 46
Perine 5 (2) 2-7 14
Douglas 1 (1) 0-1 3
Mitchell 3 1-2 7
Porter 5 3-6 13
Haehn 0 1-2 1
Gillum 3 2-2 8
Valley Hts At Rossville Boys BB
Valley Heights 13 8 16 19 -- 56
Rossville 9 9 13 22 -- 53
Rossville scoring:
Perine 3 1-2 7
Garcia 6 (2) 3-5 17
Patrizi 6 (1) 1-4 14
Horak 2 (1) 0-0 5
Bush 3 (1) 3-4 10
Amanda and Caila Hill in KWU-Friends Game
Kansas Wesleyan lost to Friends U. 73-66, Monday, Jan 10.
Amanda Hill had 17 pts, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals.
Caila Hill had 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists.
You can read the game details at: Box Score KWU-Friends game
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Edward Simecka Passes Away
Edward Paul Simecka, 78, passed away peacefully with family by his side Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at the St. Marys Manor.
He was born January 20, 1943, at Delia, the son of James E. and Regina M. “Sally” Dohrman Simecka. Ed was raised in the Delia community and graduated from Delia High School in 1961.
After graduation he was employed as a tire builder for Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Topeka retiring in 1998 after 37 years of service. Ed served in the United States Army. In 1969 he coached the Immaculate Conception Catholic Grade Schools boys’ basketball team and was proud to do so, he loved to talk about it though-out the years. Ed was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church; he also was a member of the United Rubber Workers Union.
Ed always had a unique style. He loved his family, cars, music, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Royals, and the KU Jayhawks.
In 1966 he started his family with Judy Perry. They had two children Jacqueline, and Christopher.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Jo Endicott.
Survivors include his son, Christopher Simecka, Topeka; his daughter, Jacqueline (Tim) Moylan, St. Marys; Their children, Kayla, Shannon, Maria, Anna, Daniel, and Catherine; two brothers, James L. Simecka, Wamego, and Gerald R. (Eva) Simecka, Topeka; sisters, Mary Barr, Lincoln, NE, Judy (Doyle) Kizzire, in Lawson, MO, Pat Skaggs, Topeka, Dee Dee (Steve) Kennedy, Topeka, Barbara Froelich, Kansas City, and Ginger (Lloyd) Lynch, Web City, MO; many nieces and nephews and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 18. 2022 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, St. Marys. Ed will lie in state at Piper Funeral Home from 4:00 until the rosary at 6:00 P.M. Monday, January 17, 2022. Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Marys Manor and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536.
Rossville-Rock Creek Basketball
Girls Game
Rock Creek 12 18 7 14 -- 51Rossville 6 12 14 13 -- 45
Rossville scoring:
Perine 3 (1) 3-6 10
Douglas 3 (1) 5-6 12
Mitchell 3 (1) 5-6 12
Porter 2 1-2 5
Haehn 1 0-2 2
Gillum 2 0-0 4
Boys Game
Rock Creek 16 14 17 14 -- 61
Rossville 15 15 5 8 -- 43
Rossville scoring:
Rossville 15 15 5 8 -- 43
Rossville scoring:
Perine 6 (5) 0-1 17
Garcia 2 (1) 4-4 9
Patrizi 1 0-0 2
Horak 2 (2) 0-0 6
Bush 2 (1) 0-0 5
Brace 2 0-2 4
Undefeated Kendra Hurla Ready For State
From the Capital-Journal.
Rossville sophomore wrestler Kendra Hurla is off to a fantastic defense of her 120-pound state title she won as a freshman after going 5-0 on Saturday at the Rossville Invitational while wrestling a class up at 126.
Hurla came into
Saturday with a 9-0 record and nine first-period pins.
She won by fall over
Santa Fe Trail's Savana Hook, Chandler Lill and Hayden's Rachel Burrough's in
the first three rounds, won a decision over teammate wrestler Keera Lacock in
the fourth round and won by injury default over McClouth's Leighanna Patz in
the final round.
Looking back on her
journey so far on Friday before the Invitational, Hurla said she didn't
envision being where she is today, an undefeated sophomore defending a state
title.
"Going back to
eighth grade, I thought I'd be a pretty good wrestler," said Hurla.
"I never really thought of states. It's odd saying, but I didn't
think I'd be here a sophomore year, maybe junior or senior year. It's really
crazy, especially some of the teachers I have saying, 'What’s up, state champ?' It's
like, 'Oh that did happen,' It's crazy. I'm proud of it."
Wrestling is in her blood
Hurla has been
around wrestling her whole life.
Her dad, Chris, and
his brothers wrestled in high school, and he's coached kids club
for a long time in the area. All three of her older
brothers wrestled, too.
Hurla and her
brothers all started around the age of 4.
"My brothers
all wrestled at home," said Hurla. "It felt natural for me
starting at a young age."
After she stopped wrestling as she got older to play volleyball, she was still around the sport, going to her brother's high school tournaments and matches and said she loved watching.
That led to her
becoming a team manager in seventh grade.
"I looked up to
the guys on the high school team," said Hurla. "Being a
manager made me miss (wrestling)."
Horgan is a close
friend of the Hurla family.
"I had a couple
of girl wrestlers, (Kendra) would come to practice," said Horgan.
"And two to three times a week I'd grab her and say, 'Hey Kendra, show her
this,' always keeping her involved. Eighth grade, I talked her into
wrestling."
Hurla was nervous
about diving back in but those concerns were alleviated as she held her own all
year and wrestled well late in the year against someone that had beaten her
several times.
"In league, I
was the one that lasted the longest with him," said Hurla. "I
was happy with that because I knew I had gotten better throughout the year
because the last match with him was better."
Even in eighth
grade, Horgan said Hurla showed flashes of what everyone sees today.
"She’s
fierce, man," said Horgan. "As tough as they come. She grew up
with three older brothers, no choice but to be tough."
Chris was hesitant
to see Hurla start wrestling again in eighth grade, especially with the thought
of wrestling boys in high school, but with KSHSAA sanctioning girls wrestling
as a high school sport it changed things.
"I was tickled
about it," said Chris on Hurla's return to the mat. "I was
definitely happy."
Winning a state title
Hurla won the
school's first-ever girls wrestling state title last year when she beat the No.
1 ranked wrestler in Paola's Kailyn Younger with a second-period pin.
Younger entered the
match with a 26-1 record and had just beaten Hurla in the sub-state championship
match.
After watching that
substate back with last year's coach Brandy Lowe, Hurla said she was going
to make Younger wrestle all three periods if she wanted to win the state
title.
"I knew going
in I had her where I could gas her if I stayed up," said Hurla. "That
sub-state match I got caught in the headlock and I knew if I grinded, worked
hard and stayed in stance that I could beat her. I went out with the mentality
there was no way she would take it in the three periods and I think that really
helped me."
"It was a blur,
to be honest," said Hurla. "All that work we had put in had paid off
and I beat her. That one match I had to get that year, it was relieving and the
best result it could've been."
Chris said Hurla's
state title was the first in the immediate families and recalled watching the
match, the pin and Hurla's hand being raised.
"It was very
exciting," said Chris on what emotions he felt watching. "I don't
know if I have words for it."
With Hurla's oldest
brother, Holden, passing away earlier in the year, the win meant more to
everyone in Rossville.
"Our oldest son
that had worked with her had an influence on her," said
Chris. "I think all my kids were wrestling for him last year."
Watching that match
was something Horgan will always remember.
"That was an
emotional time for our whole team. Two brothers on the boys team, her on
the girls team. Her jumping into her dad's arms after that match, that's
in here for forever," said Horgan tapping his head. "I'll never
forget that. That was a pretty special deal."
Back for more
Coming into this
year, in addition to repeating as a state champion, Hurla's goals were to
get better on her feet and improve other aspects of her game to set a
bigger gap between the other wrestlers in her class.
She's been working
since the summer with other wrestlers including a longtime friend and teammate
Keera Lacock, who placed fourth in the state last year at 115.
"We hold each
other accountable to go hard," said Hurla of Lacock, her practice partner
since middle school, "because we know we can do it. We’ve been there
and we know what it takes."
Lacock was someone
else who encouraged Hurla to wrestle in the eighth grade after she had
convinced her dad to let her wrestle if she could find a partner.
Lacock saw Hurla's
talent from a young age just like everyone else.
"She's always
been a really good wrestler," said Lacock. "Our brothers both
wrestled, we would go to kids club wrestling and wrestle there. She knew what
she was doing, I didn't know what I was doing. She's helped me improve a
lot, I feel like we push each other a lot."
Lacock said Hurla
has the talent, skill and form and that her own relentless effort makes them a
good sparring pair to help each other get better.
Although Horgan took
over as the girls head coach this year, the boys and girls teams went to
several of the same tournaments last year, he was in the coach's corner during
her post-season run and the boys and girls practices have been combined
since the latter part of last year.
"They work out
with the guys, and she doesn’t bat an eye at the stuff we do," said
Horgan. "It gets pretty intense in there sometimes. She doesn’t balk a
bit. I've known that for years."
"As an athlete,
especially with wrestling being mainly a guy sport, I won’t let a guy be better
than me just because of someone’s position," said Hurla. "I
won’t let it happen. Courtney has helped us with that, he doesn’t let us off the
hook because we're females. I really appreciate that, it helps to push and
drive me to be better than others."
Horgan said Hurla
not only a leader for the girls team but the program overall.
"At the
beginning of the year I tell all my teams, 'You don't have to be a senior to be
a leader,'" said Horgan. "It can be anybody. It's been cool seeing
her, not only as a sophomore but a female stepping into that leadership
role. She steps up and barks orders in the room pretty well. That's
always been impressive."
Her competitive fire
has been around ever since she was born, said Chris.
"If she doesn’t
like something, she’ll say it," said Chris. "I guess with all the
boys here, if you lose, there will be some words about you. You don't want
to lose. She doesn’t like to lose. She wants to win."
When asked where
that competitive fire comes from, Hurla says some of it is from wrestling at a
young age and some of it is just instinct.
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
KWCA Weekly Rankings
Rossville is not in the Top Ten for either boys or girls in the week four, Jan. 11, KWCA rankings
The only boy ranked is Sam Twombly who is ranked 4th in the 160# class, and Jacob Carver, 2nd in the 285# class
Kendra Hurla is ranked 1st in the 120# class, and Keera Lacock is ranked 6th in the 126# class.
Sunday, January 9, 2022
Rossville Inv. Wrestling
Rossville finished 5th out of 18 teams in the Rossville Inv.Wrestling Tournament Jan 7-8
The top five teams were
1. Wamego 194.5
2. Sabetha 173.5
3. Wellsville 164
4. Santa Fe-Car 156
5. Rossville 134
Individual Boys Results:
Mason Broce 120 # 3rd 2-1 + 2 byes
Ayron Klesath 132# -- 2-2
Colby Hurla 138# 1st 3-0 + 1 bye
Krew Lacock 145# -- 2-2
Sam Twombly 160 1st 3-1 + 1 bye
Barrett Leitz 220 1st 3-0 + 1 bye
Jacob Carver 295 4th 4-2
Individual Girls Results
Keera Lacock 126 2nd 4-1
Kendra Hurla 126 1st 5-0
Reagon Wonnell 138 5th 2-2
Cassie Fund 138 2nd 2-1
Girls Full Court Press Works
From the Capital-Journal
Rossville's full-court press having success
Rossville used a
full-court press against Riley County, something that they've showcased already
and will continue to use despite a short bench.
In the third quarter,
it began to give Riley County trouble and allowed them to get back in the game
and that's despite having just 12 players in the program.
"We worked on it ever since the season started," said Bell. "It works better for our girls, the personnel we have. We do a lot of running during practice. They're in good shape."
Senior Caylee Douglas, Perine, Haehn, Mitchell are all quick with active hands forcing turnovers and applying high pressure constantly.
"If all five players on the court are committed, we're a tough team to play," said Bell. "Tonight, felt like we had two or three per possession, we have to have all five. It's something we're implementing, doesn't always work in the first quarter but wears teams down in the second or third."
Sophomore Emma Mitchell
Freshman Shyanne Haehn
Saturday, January 8, 2022
Amanda and Caila Hill in KSU-Bethel Game
Kansas Wesleyan U. lost their Jan 8 girls basketball game with Bethel College.
Amanda Hill had 10 pts, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 assists. Her sister Caila had 2 pts, 2 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 assists. For game stats and recap, go to: KWU coyotes game stats
Phyllis Miller (78) Passes Away
Topeka - Phyllis "Kate" Miller, 61, of Topeka, passed away on January 5, 2022 surrounded by her children.
She was born on November 12, 1960 to Clyde and Phyllis (Sorden) Miller in Topeka, KS.
Kate graduated from Washburn University in 1995 with a degree in business. She worked for the United States Postal Service for 24 years. Kate went above and beyond in her role as a mother to her children, and without hesitation would extend that "momness" to the friends and significant others of her children. She loved being a grandmother more than anything, often spoiling her grandchildren & telling stories about them whenever she got the chance.
Kate is survived by her life partner, James Hagedorn; children, Katie (Phillip) Martin, Morgan (Leonard Cobin Jr.) McNorton, Thomas McNorton, and Haley (Andrew) Golding; grandchildren, Grace Bartley, Jacob Bartley, Camden Martin, and expecting Baby Martin in August 2022.
She was preceded in death by both of her parents; her sister, Peggy Wilkinson, and her son-in-law Kyle Bartley.
Memorial services will be held on Thursday, January 20, 2022, 3:00 pm at the Parker-Price Cremations, Funerals & Receptions.
Memorial contributions may be made to Kate Miller Fund to be used for her grandchildren's future.
To leave a special message for the family online, please visit www.ParkerPriceFH.com.
Service Information
FUNERAL
Parker Price Funeral Home 245 NW Independence Ave. Topeka, KS 66608
January 20, 2022 at 3:00 pm
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