Winter Royalty Candidates

Trey Anderson       Amanda Hill
Wyatt Dyche          Danielle Mason
Malcolm Gillum      Sara Shinn

Donna Whiteman Passes Away

Donna Lee Whiteman, 90, passed away Thursday, January 5, 2017 at the Rossville Health & Rehabilitation Center.

She was born November 23, 1926 at Willard the daughter of David R. and Iva B. Stitt.

Mrs. Whiteman was a Cook for the Silver Lake School District.

On September 16, 1945 she was united in marriage to Thomas Roland “Ron” Whiteman at Willard.  He preceded her in death on July 10, 2013.  She was also preceded in death by her daughter Deborah (Debby) Jones on February 4, 2016.

Survivors include her son-in-law Daye Jones, Rossville; grandchildren Bobby Kramm & family and Michael Jones; great-

Grandchildren Kaleb, Harley and Raygan

Burial was in the Silver Lake Cemetery.

KBCA Girls Basketball Rankings

3A Girls Basketball Rankings by Kansas Basketball Coaches Assn.

1.   Hugoton
2.   Thomas More Prep
3.   Kingman

4.   Council Grove
5.   Erie
6.   Rossville
7.   Hesston
8.   Caney Valley
9.   Riley County 

10. Nemaha Central

3A Grils Basketball Rankings.

Capital-Journal CLASS 3A Girls Basketball Rankings for Jan. 9, 2017

    Team (last week)    record

1. Hugoton (1)               7-0

2. TMP-Marian (2)         7-1

3. Council Grove (3)      6-0

4. Kingman (5)               8-0

5.  Riley Co. (NR)           6-1

    The RHS girls remained in the "Others" category.  Riley Co. made the list after dealing the Dawgs their only defeat of the season thus far.  

Video Announcements for 1/9/17

    The video announcements for Jan 9, 2017,  announced by Mitchell Porter and Cody York,  can be viewed at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGJrw0tCPxQ

William "Wally" Martin (60) Passes Away

William Wallace "Wallie" Martin was born on June 14, 1942 and passed away on Saturday, January 7, 2017.

William was a resident of McPherson, Kansas at the time of his passing.

Wally attended elementary school in Rossville Kansas McPherson Junior High School and graduated from McPherson High School McPherson Kansas in 1960. he was receive his business degree from University of Southern Illinois.

He honorably served in the United States Navy during Vietnam War and Desert Storm. He served in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged as a MCPO. He served in the Vietnam War and Desert Storm. He served in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged as a MCPO. He served in the Vietnam War and Desert Storm. He received Sixth Good Conduct Award Navy Commendation Medal 3 Meritorious Unit Commendation 2 Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation Battle E Ribbon Navy Achievement Medal 4 Sea Service Deployment Ribbon 5 Navy Expeditionary Medal Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist National Defense Service Medal 2 Navy Unit Commendation 3 Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal 2 Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze stars Vietnam Service Medal Vietnam Campaign Service Medal Marksman M-14 Rifle Sharpshooter .38Cal.

He was married to Karen.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. and Rosary to follow at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday January 11 2017 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church McPherson Kansas.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday January 12 2017 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church McPherson Kansas with Fr. Hien Nguyen officiating. Military Honors will be presented by members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2715 and American Legion Post 24 both of McPherson. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday January 12 2017 at Rossville Cemetery Rossville Kansas with Father Ray May officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Catholic Church and they can be sent in care of the Glidden - Ediger Funeral Home; 222 West Euclid Street; McPherson Kansas 67460.

Freda Hackler-Rickson Passes Away

      Freda C. Hackler-Rickson, 92, of Topeka, fell asleep in the hands of Jesus on Wednesday, January 4, 2017. 
      She was born January 3, 1925 in Delia, KS, the daughter of Levi and Mabel Keller. Freda graduated from Rossville High School in 1942. She was employed as a bookkeeper at Peoples State Bank in Rossville, the State of Kansas Auditors Department and was retired from the American Baptist Churches state office in Topeka. She was a devoted member of West Side Christian Church for sixty years where she often taught Bible study and Sunday School. 
      She married Ronald Hackler on July 4, 1943. Two sons were born to this union; Steven Hackler (Sandra) of Missoula, MT and Roger Hackler who preceded her in death in 2001. She later married William Rickson. Freda is survived by her son Steven Hackler; three grandchildren, Jon and Melissa Hackler and Holly Halseth; a brother, Richard Keller; a sister, Juanita Rabb and five great grandchildren. 
      Freda will lie in state after 2:00 p.m., Monday, January 9, 2017 at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, 1321 S.W. 10th Ave, Topeka, KS 66604, where the family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. that evening. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 10, at the Penwell-Gabel Cemetery, 3616 S.W. 6th Ave., Topeka. KS 66606. A memorial service will be held at West Side Christian Church at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to West Side Christian Church, 432 S.W. Lindenwood Ave., Topeka, KS 66606. To leave a special message for the family online, please visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com. Freda C. Hackler-Rickson

Luellen Gets OT Win Over Mullin

From the Capital-Journal:

      ROSSVILLE — Ever since losing to Clay Center’s Hunter Mullin in the 160-pound finals of the Clay Center Invitational in early December, Rossville’s Isaiah Luellen eagerly awaited another shot at the Tiger state champion.

      He got it Saturday in the finals of the Rossville Invitational. And just as Mullin held serve on his home mat, so did Luellen.

      Luellen got the only two takedowns of the match, the second one the biggest, coming 30 seconds into the overtime period to give the Bulldawg junior a huge 5-3 win to avenge his only loss of the season.      “I was confident going out there and I think I wrestled to my ability,” Luellen said. “I just wanted to win for my family, the home crowd. I worked really hard this week and hard work paid off.”

      Luellen’s wait for redemption barely lasted a month. Hunter Ostertag’s lasted two-plus years.

      In the 2014 106-pound Class 3-2-1A state championship match, the Atchison County Tiger fell 13-10 to Rossville’s Bryce Gfeller in a wild, back-and-forth match.

Ever since, he’s wanted another shot.

      “I think about it all the time,” Ostertag said of the title match between freshman standouts. “I think I was nervous being on the big stage like that for the first time.”

Ostertag and Gfeller spent the past two years at different weight classes, but finally met again Saturday in the 138-pound final. This time, Ostertag came out on top in a 3-2 match that saw a flurry of action late.

      Ostertag built a 3-0 lead through two periods, but gave up a penalty point and escape in the third as Gfeller cut it to 3-2. Ostertag nearly got a clinching takedown but was ruled out of bounds and then fought off a near takedown bid from Gfeller late for the win.

“It feels pretty good and I know I’m going to see him again, probably at regionals and maybe at state, too,” Ostertag said. “After not getting that takedown on the edge, I was a little hot, but it just came down to who wanted it the most.”

      Luellen dropped a 7-5 decision to Mullin in early December, falling behind 4-0 early before coming back late. In Saturday’s rematch of the No. 1-ranked wrestlers in 4A and 3A, Luellen trailed 1-0 entering the third period before tying it with an escape. He got a go-ahead takedown late in the third period, but couldn’t fight off Mullin’s reversal to force overtime.

      Luellen got in on Mullin’s legs in overtime and got the winning takedown halfway through the extra period.

      “I had to work my way back (in December) and took him down twice, so I knew I could do it,” Luellen said. “I trust my offense and if I stick to it, I’ll get to a leg and finish.”

It was quite a finish for the team title as Clay Center and Santa Fe Trail spent the finals going back and forth. The Tigers entered the finals with a 162.5-153 lead, but the Chargers got wins from Aaron Buterakos (106) and Christian Davis (113) to start the finals and take the lead.

      Buterakos’ win was particularly big as the freshman transfer from Burlingame trailed 3-1 late in his match with Clay Center’s Rhett Koppes before catching the Tiger in a headlock and getting the pin with one second left.

      After Davis followed with an easy 9-1 win over Pleasant Ridge’s Trevor Ragland for the 113 title, Clay Center reclaimed the lead with wins from Peyton Lane (152) and Ryan Tiers (182) with Lane pinning Charger Derrick Martinek.

      Trail had finalists in the last three weight classes and after Caleb Harmes was pinned at 195, Trail freshman Evan Dean scored a huge win with a pin of Clay Center’s Zeb Bloom for the 220 final. Needing a win from Jake Hastings at 285 to win the title, Hastings pinned Pleasant Ridge’s Nic Stiver to give the Chargers the title, 179-176.5 over the Tigers.

      “Those were big pins because both of those Clay Center guys are ranked,” Santa Fe Trail coach Regan Erickson said. “We’re taking steps in the right direction. I’m very pleased overall because we had some good performances today.”

      Riley County picked up a pair of champions in Luke Richard (126) and Mikey Waggoner (170). Richard fought off a tough challenge from Sabetha’s Seth Harrell for a 4-3 win, while Waggoner made quick work of Clay Center’s Jake Wynn with a second period pin.

      St. Marys got a title from Anthony King at 120. King was in full control of his title match with Perry-Lecompton’s Wyatt Pringle before escaping a late reversal to his back to win 12-4.

      Other champions were Republic County’s Trevor Lowell (132), Riverside’s Scott Resler (145) and Wellington’s Ian Groom (195).

Steve Becker (64) Passes Away

    Steve Becker born in Kansas City Missouri Oct. 25 1946, and passed away December 30th 2016 from lung cancer.
    Steve was raised in the Rossville community and graduated from Rossville High in 1964.
    Steve is survived by his wife Sharon L. Becker, step children - Tina Hodge and Anthony Crowder. Sister Patty Mc Queen, brother in law Lee McQueen, niece Megan McQueen, nephew Kurt Mc Queen, grand niece Emma Roten, grand nephew DJ Murphy along with several Aunts, Uncles and Cousins including Pat Maffucci.
    Steve served in the Marine Corp from 1964 – 1967, including 11 months in Vietnam as a machine gunner. He also served in the Honor Guard at military funerals.       After his enlistment was up, Steve moved back to Topeka and went to work for Santa Fe. Starting as a draftsman, he worked up to being a pipe stress analyst. He helped develop facilities on the East Coast for Bechtel Corp. Steve also did classified work on satellites for Martin Marietta. He ended his career as a Contract Administrator for ENREL in Golden, Colorado.
    Steve loved being around family, playing Santa Claus at Christmas and watching the Broncos win the Super Bowl. 

Rossville Invitational Wrestling (updated)

    The Rossville Invitational wrestling tournament was held at RHS Jan. 6 and 7.    Following are the teams placing and points.

1.    Santa Fe Trail 179  
2.    Clay Center 176.5 
3.    Rossville 133.5
4.    Riley County 129
5.    Riverside 117 
6.    Sabetha 116.5 
7.    Perry-Lecompton 103 
8.    Wellington 99.5 
9.    Pleasant Ridge 80 
10.  Atchison County 72.5 
11.  St. Marys 62.5 
12.  SM East 59.5 
13.  Republic County 48 
14.  Doniphan West 38 
15.  Maur Hill 25 
16.  Hiawatha 22, 
17.  Hayden 13

Bryce Gfeller was second in the 138# class.  He won his first 3 matches,  but lost to undefeated Hunter Ostertag of Atchison County in the final.

Holden Hurla was second in the 145# class.  He won his first 3 matches,  but lost to undefeated Scott Ressler of Riverside in the final by a 2-0 decision.

Alex Archer lost to Dave Erickson of Shawnee Mission East in the match for third place.

Christian Madill lost to Carter Greenfield (17-4) of Santa Fe Trail in the match for fifth place.

Phoenix Thomas lost to undefeated Trevor Lowell of Republic County in the championship match of the 132 # Class.

Isaiah Luellen  (16-1) won the 160 #  championship match over Hunter Madill (16-1) of Clay Center.

Kody Davoren lost to Sylan Ferguson of Wellington in the 5th place match in the 172# class.

Payton Catron lost in the third place match of the 195# class to Brendan Robey (3-1) of Sabetha.

To get the details of all the matches for the top 6 places,  go to:
http://s200.trackwrestling.com/tw/predefinedtournaments/MainFrame.jsp?newSession=false&loadBalanced=true&sport=wrestling&TIM=1483834048569&pageName=&ie=false&frameSize=950

Frances Flanary Passes Away

Frances M. Flanary, 92, formerly of Maple Hill, died Thursday, January 5, 2017, at a Topeka Hospital.

She was born July 30, 1924 near St. Marys, the daughter of John and Ellen Elizabeth "Nellie" Laymon Bernritter.  Frances graduated from St. Marys High School.

Frances drove a school bus for the Maple Hill Schools and later worked for the State of Kansas in the Revenue and Animal Health Departments.  She was a member of the Maple Hill Community Congregational Church.

On September 12, 1946 she was united in marriage to Barney Flanary Jr. at Lawrence.  He preceded her in death on January 1, 2005; she was also preceded in death by a son, Guy and a granddaughter, Theresa Janosik; brothers, William, Donald, Frank and John Bernritter; sisters, Bessie Still, Dorothy Crawford, Irene Fitzgerald and Priscilla Still.

Survivors include her son, Frank (Nancy) Flanary, Maple Hill; her daughter, Arlene (Greg) Janosik, Topeka; sisters, Philomena Ellis, Emporia and Helen Graham, Topeka; four grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 3:00 P..M. Monday, January 9, 2017 at the Maple Hill Community Congregational Church.  Interment will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery.  Mrs. Flanary will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Sunday, January 8, 2017 at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Maple Hill Community Congregational Church and sent in care of the funeral home.  To read a full obituary or to leave an online condolence, please go to www.piperfuneralhome.com.

Mid-East Basketball Standings Jan. 7

The following are the Mid-East League basketball standings after the Jan. 6 games.

Boys          League  Overall

Rossville        2-0        3-4
Rock Creek    3-1        5-2
Silver Lake     2-2        5-2
Wabaunsee    1-1        5-1
St. Marys        1-2        4-2
Riley County   0-3        1-6

Girls             League  Overall

Riley County    3-0         6-1
Wabaunsee      2-0         5-1
Rossville          1-1         6-1
Silver Lake        2-2        4-3
St. Marys          1-2         4-2
Rock Creek       0-4        0-7

Girls Lose Close One To Riley

    The RHS girls lost their first game of the season Friday night against the Riley County Falcons by a score 38-35.

Rossville      12  5  12   6 = 35
Riley County  4 11 13 10 = 38

Rossville scoring:
Hill                    7       0-2    14
Shinn                1       4-4      6
Hill                     2      0-0      4
Anderson           2      0-0     4
Shinn                 1      1-2     3
Buhler                0      2-2     2
Porter                 1      0-0     2 

Totals               14 (0) 7-10 35

A video replay of this game can be viewed at:

http://www.kawvalley.k12.ks.us/schools/rjshs/live_streaming.html

Other Mid-East League scores were:

Silver Lake    43
Rock Creek    31

St. Marys        17
Wabaunsee      46

RHS Boys Get Easy Win

    The RHS boys basketball team totally destroyed the Riley County boys with a lop-sided win of 60-20 at Riley.

Rossville           15 14 19 12 =  60
Riley County       2   1  11  6 =  20

Rossville Scoring:
Schumacher   15
Morris             12
Quiett               8
Hammes          7
Musick             6
Bradshaw        4
Anderson         3
Hulbert             3
Hudson            2
Totals              60

A video replay of this game can be seen at:
http://www.kawvalley.k12.ks.us/schools/rjshs/live_streaming.html

Other Mid-East scores were:
Silver Lake     51
Rock Creek     69

St. Marys         48
Wabaunsee       54