2018 Baseball Roster

7   Bryson Balch          9
14 Kaiden Brown         9
21 Layne Hurla            9
1  Brody Jackson          9
0  Parker Kenney          9
18 Austin Klesath        9
43 Tim Limely             9
30 Joe McGrath           9
22 Jordan Quinones     9
10 Bo Reeves               9
24 Tyree Sowers          9
12 Kaleb Badura        10
23 Eddie Brockamp   10
15 Kody Davoren      10
13 Colten Stallbaumer 10
4  Payton Catron         11
20 Colin Culbertson   11
11 Cody Dyche          11
9 Bryson Hase           11
2 Taegan Sumner       11
3 Karsen Waggoner   11
16 Tronnie Blair        12
5 Christian Madil      12
6 Jared Morris           12

Head Coach: Eammon Braqdley
Assistant Coaches: Derick Hammes, Thatcher Horak

Vera Cutsinger Passes Away

Vera M. (Burress) Cutsinger, 92, of Topeka, passed away on March 21, 2018. Born June 28, 1925 in Rossville, she was the daughter of Melvin and Grace Burress.

Vera married Everett Cutsinger on October 5, 1944 in Oskaloosa, Kansas. Together they owned several businesses including Plaza Cleaners for over 20 years.

Survivors include her son: Larry Cutsinger; granddaughter: Ann (Bradley) Ellebracht and great-grandchildren: Delaney and Benjamin Ellebracht. 

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Monday, March 26, 2018 at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Avenue. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the funeral home. 

To leave a special message for Vera's family, visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.

2018 Softball Schedule

March
27      Vs Jeff West

April
3        @ Riley County
5        @ Santa Fe Trail
5        @ Wabaunsee
10      Vs Manhattan
12      @ St. Marys
20      @ Oskaloosa
25      Vs Silver Lake
30      Vs Wamego

May
8        Vs Rock Creek
14-17  Regional
24-25  State at Manhattan

2018 Softball Roster

#   Name                 Year
2   Mia Casadevall   11
3   Elisa Princic        11
4   Michaela Paulsen10
5   Taylor Morelli     10
7   Ashley Douglas   12
9   Betsy Beetz          11
11 Katie Glotzbach   11
12 Jalyn Porter          12
14 Rylee Brecheisen  12
15 Meg Kirk              12
16 Tatum Gentry         9
18 Cala Hill               11
19 Kelcie Kippes       11
20 Erika Hatina         10
21 Gracie Rabe           9
22 Ariel Sherer          12
24 Destiny Bergstresser 9
25 Kinlyn Lundin      10
27 Peyton Price           9
     Kayla Davis           9
     Mattie Horgan        9
     Mallorie Salmon?   9

Head Coach: Adam Roorbach
Assistant Coaches: Paula Stucky & John Nitsch

Luellen Wins KWCA Battle Of Best

From the Capital-Journal:

The Kansas Expocentre’s Landon Arena has provided some fond memories for Rossville star wrestler Isaiah Luellen throughout his career.

Luellen added one more highlight to help cap his high school career on Friday night, winning his 160-pound match by pin to help the Blue edge the Red 21-19 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association’s Battle of the Best Dual.

“There’s lots of great memories in here,″ said Luellen, who grew up wrestling at Landon in the Kansas Kids Wrestling State Tournament. “There’s lots of bad memories, too, but here is where I shaped who I am.″

A three-time Kansas Kids state champ and two-time Class 3-2-1A state high school champ, Luellen said it was fitting that he got one more chance to wrestle in the familiar arena.

“It’s kind of cool to wrestle one of my last high school matches in this arena,″ he said. “I think it’s really cool because this is where, I guess you can say, I have grown in the sport.″

Luellen, who is headed to Fort Hays State, wrestled Shawnee Heights star Jake Patterson, the 2018 5A runner-up, in Friday’s dual.

After a scoreless first period, Luellen gained the upper hand and recorded a pin late in the match.

“He’s tough,″ Luellen said of Patterson. “He’s strong and he’s good, but I know that I can push the pace on anyone.″

Luellen has had a month off since winning his second straight state high school title in Hays, but said he was in shape and ready to go Friday.

“I’m not in as good of shape as high school, but I’ve kept working out,″ he said. “I never come into a match not prepared. I don’t like to get beat, obviously, that’s why we’re here, so I always come into a match with great conditioning.″

In addition to Luellen’s win, the Blue also got a win from Manhattan 160-pounder Jalin Harper, who took a 3-0 decision over Hoisington’s Chris Ball.

Friday’s annual KWCA event leads into the Kansas Kids Wrestling Folkstyle State Tournament on Friday and Saturday, an event that annually draws several thousand competitors to Topeka.

Kenneth Houck Passes Away

Delia:  Kenneth R. Houck, 81, passed away Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at the Midland Hospice House in Topeka.

He was born  June 21, 1936 at rural Delia on the same farm that he lived on all of his life, the son of Leroy and Elsie W. Jacobson Houck.  Kenneth graduated from Delia High School in 1954.

Kenneth was a farmer and stockman.  He was a member of the Delia Presbyterian Church where he had served as an elder.  He was a member of District No. 3 I.H. Collectors Club, the KFHA (Kansas Fur Harvester Association) and a past member of the Delia Lions Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

On August 17, 1974 he was united in marriage to Linda Winkler at Tecumseh, She survives of the home.  He is also survived by his son, Chris Houck, Delia.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, March 29, 2018 at the Delia Presbyterian Church, Delia, Kansas.  Interment will be in the Delia Cemetery.  Mr. Houck will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:30 P.M. Wednesday, March 28^th at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Delia Presbyterian Church or to Midland Care and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536.

All-MEL Basketball Teams

Boys  All MEL Basketball Team

First team
Dillon Byrne, jr., Silver Lake; Ethan Cregan, sr., Silver Lake; Mason Griffin, jr., Silver Lake; Sheldon Hulbert, sr., Rossville; Garren Jackson, jr., Riley County; Chase Nelson, sr., Wabaunsee; Nick Rabe, sr., St. Marys; Austin Rieschick, sr., St. Marys; Martin Vogts, sr., Rock Creek; Carson Zenger, sr., Rock Creek.


Honorable mention
Austin DeWeese, sr., Rock Creek; Mitchell Flanagan, sr., St. Marys; Taegan Sumner, jr., Rossville; Cole Uphoff, sr., Riley County.


Girls All MEL Basketball Team

First team
Marissa Bates, sr., Silver Lake; Emily Earhart, sr., Riley County; Josie Harrison, jr., St. Marys; Caila Hill, jr. Rossville; Logan Hurla, sr., St. Marys; Madelyn Hutley, so., Wabaunsee; Abby Oliver, jr., Wabaunsee; Jalyn Porter, sr., Rossville; Karsen Schultz, sr., Wabaunsee; Tory Thomson, sr., Riley County.

Honorable mention
Maura Buhler, sr., Rossville; Reagan Hurla, jr., St. Marys; Jasmine Hurla, sr., St. Marys; Addy OIiver, jr., Riley County; Laney Scott, jr., Rock Creek; Madison Schoemann, sr., St. Marys; Sarah Thomson, so., Riley County.

Merle DeLong Passes Away

Merle Elwin "Pop" DeLong Merle E. "Pop" DeLong passed away at the Rossville Nursing Center on March 15, 2018 at the age of 93.

He was born on March 8, 1925 at Strawn, Kansas the son of Roy A. DeLong and Tracy Hazel Phillips DeLong Merle was one of eight children, Lester C. DeLong, Bertha DeLong Claycamp O'Conner, Roy Amos DeLong, Laura DeLong Dalrymple, Mary Lou DeLong Atherly, Wendall Dean DeLong, and Hazel DeLong Lynn. All have preceded him in death except for Mary Lou and Hazel.

Merle married JoAnn Bell in 1945. To this union was born five children; Carolyn DeLong Rogers-husband Roy, Alice DeLong Sprague-husband Tom, Patsy DeLong Fulghum-husband Robert, Charles DeLong-wife Kathy, Larry DeLong-wife Susan. This marriage dissolved in 1965.

In 1967 Merle married Dolly Becker Bennett. He became the stepfather to Dolly's four children; Debra Medlock, Eldon Bennett (deceased), Daphne Euglow, and Robert Bennett-wife Janet. Merle and Dolly celebrated their fiftieth Anniversary on September 29, 2017.

Merle leaves behind his wife Dolly, children, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, and a great great grandchild and many nieces and nephews. He began his life in farming, later went into construction, and retired from the Topeka Street Department. He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and the great outdoors. He was also an avid storyteller whether real or fiction and kept his grandchildren entertained. He will be truly missed by all.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Shelly Buhler New Hayden President

After 18 years as an elected official, Shawnee County commissioner Shelly Buhler said, she is “thrilled for the opportunity” to serve as Hayden High School’s next president.

“It’s time for a new direction and to do something different,” Buhler, 53, said Tuesday. “This was definitely a calling.”

Hayden officials confirmed Buhler will be the Catholic school’s first female president. She was recommended for the job by the school’s board of trustees and officially appointed by Archbishop Joseph Naumann, of the Kansas City, Kan., diocese. She will officially take over July 1 but will begin transitioning into the position beginning April 1. Current president Matt Schambari will serve out the rest of the school year.

Buhler, who was elected as county commissioner in 2007, said she will serve out the remainder of her term, which ends in January. Her successor will be elected in November.

Buhler, a former mayor of Rossville, said she decided toward the end of last year that she likely wouldn’t seek another term representing the county’s District 1. She said she started thinking about what she would do next, then was approached about the Hayden position.

“I prayed about it and decided to submit my name,” Buhler said.

“We’re fortunate to have had many high-quality candidates to consider,” Lawrence Martin, chairman of the Hayden board of trustees, said in a statement. “Shelly rose to the top because of her unique combination of experience, educational background and long history of selfless service. She’s known as a collaborative leader who also knows how to get things done.”

Schambari announced in November he would leave at the end of this school year to return to his home state of Nevada to lead Bishop Manogue Catholic High School in Reno. Since he was hired in 2016, he has overseen the school’s rebranding initiatives, including a new logo, several capital improvements and an 8 percent increase in enrollment from 387 students during the 2016-17 school year to 415 students this year.

Buhler said she plans to build on Schambari’s accomplishments but will also listen to students, parents and community members “to build on the strong tradition of Hayden.”

“Building the endowment and increasing enrollment are important,” she said. “But my No. 1 role will be to instill the values of our Catholic faith in our students on an exceptional academic foundation.”

Wilma Smith Passes Away

Wilma K. Smith died Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at the St. Marys Manor at the age of 99.  She was born January 14, 1919 to Matt and Edith Dalrymple Knedlik at Barnes, Kansas.  She attended Poverty Knoll grade school and graduated from Barnes High School in 1936 the valedictorian of her class and was also named Most Outstanding Student.  She attended Washburn College and Strickler’s Business College.

She married Vern Smith of Topeka on April 17, 1943.  At that time, he was in the Signal Corps attached to the Air Corps and stationed at Tampa, Florida and she was working in the office of Sales Commissary at Ft. Riley.  Later she joined him in Tampa where she worked for L.E. Alford, CPA, and later in the offices of the Army and Navy Stores.  When her husband was transferred to Myrtle Beach, SC. she went with him and also went to Fresno, CA. where he was stationed at Pinedale Airbase and she worked in the Civilian Personnel Office at Hammer Airbase Field.

Returning to Topeka after the war, she was employed at the Central Press-Pictorial office for three years, then as a secretary to Bessie Brooks West, Kansas State University.

After the birth of her son, Terry Vern Smith, she returned to Central Press-Pictorial where she worked until they moved to St. Marys in 1963, when they purchased the Chevrolet dealership.  She was the business manager for the dealership and she continued as the business manager for the new owner when the business was sold in 1969.  She retired in 1990.

After the death of her husband on March 4, 1998, she traveled both in the US and foreign countries.  She was a member of the United Methodist Church, the Literary Club, FCE, the Ladies Golf Club, Tuesday Afternoon Bridge group, American Legion Auxiliary of Jimmie Lillard Post No. 31 in Rossville and several domino groups.  She also was a volunteer at the library.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and two sisters and her husband.

She is survived by her son, Terry and his wife Suzanne Smith of Urich, MO; other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, March 22, 2018 at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys.  Private interment will be in the Rochester Cemetery, Topeka.  Mrs. Smith will lie in state on Thursday from 1:00 until service time.  Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Marys United Methodist Church or Kaw Better Home FCE Scholarship Fund and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536.  To leave online condolences please go to :

http://piperfuneralhome.com/obituaries/wilma-k-smith/

Donald Glotzbach Passes Away

Donald Joseph “Don” Glotzbach, 87, passed away Sunday, March 18, 2018 at his rural Paxico home.

He was born July 14, 1930 in the same rural house that he died in, the son of Victor Charles and Frances Elizabeth Hund Glotzbach.  Don graduated from Paxico High School in 1948.  He served in the United States Army.

Don was a farmer and stockman.  He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newbury.  He had served many years on the Newbury Township board and on the Sacred Heart Cemetery board.  Don was a member of the Stockgrowers State Bank Board of Directors.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Viola Marstall, an infant son, James Michael and a son, Joseph Paul Glotzbach.

On November 13, 1954 he was united in marriage to Lila Mae Arington at Dawson, NE.  She survives of the home.

Other survivors include his children, Mary (Warren) Nold, Savannah, MO., Beth Glotzbach, Paxico, David (Wille) Glotzbach, Maple Hill and Dan Glotzbach, Rossville; his daughter-in-law, Carol Glotzbach, Council Grove; a sister, Julia O’Connor, Topeka; grandchildren, Jeremy (his fiancée`, Allyson), Will, Megan, Danielle, Katie, Christi (Tyler) and Dana (Nick); many nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, March 22, 2018 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newbury.  Interment will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery.  Mr. Glotzbach will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 6:00 until the rosary at 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at the church.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536. To leave online condolences please go to:

http://piperfuneralhome.com/obituaries/donald-j-don-glotzbach/

Taylor Kirk In WU Softball Games

Washburn U. played four softball games over the weekend.  Rossville's Taylor Kirk played first base and batted in the fourth spot in all four games.

1.  Washburn defeated Wayne State 6-3
     Taylor Kirk had 2 hits (single and home run), 2 runs, and 2 RBIs in 4 At Bats.

2.  Washburn defeated Norther State 6-5.
     Taylor Kirk had 2 hits, 2 runs, 1 BB, and 1 RBI in three at bats.     Taylor hit a solo homer in the bottom of the 7th inning to win the game that was tied after 6 innings.

3.  Washburn lost to Concordia-St Paul 4-3
     Taylor Kirk had one BB in 3 at bats.

4.  Washburn defeated Upper Iowa U. 2-1.
     Taylor Kirk had 3 at bats, o hits, and left on base one time.

3A All Class Girls Basketball Teams

The Capital-Journal has published their all class girls basketball teams.    There were no MEL players on the first three teams,  but the following MEL players did receive Honorable Mention for  3A:
 Marissa Bates, sr., Silver Lake;  Emily Earhart, sr., Riley County;  Josie Harrison, jr., St. Marys;  Caila Hill, jr., Rossville;  Logan Hurla, sr., St. Marys;  Tori Thomson, sr., Riley County.

Boys Golf Roster For 2018

Top returners from last year are Cory Hadsall, sr.; Nathan Dohrman, sr.; Jarrett Ingwerson, sr.    Hadsall is a three-year letterman who was All-Mid-East League performer.  The  Bulldawgs were Mid-East league champions last year.

The complete roster is as follows:

Cory Hadsall             12
Nathan Dorhman       12
Jarrett Ingwerson       12
Perry Foster               12
Nick Brummer          12
Justin Jordan             11
Trevor Cunningham  10
Jimmy Hester            10
Kris Brown                 9
Garret Minihan           9
Dawson Connell         9
Taegan Miller             9
Dylan Rietcheck         9
Chris VanderPutten    9

Head Coach:  Greg Marney
Asst. Coach:  Eric Anderson
Manager:  Aidn Baumchen