Local Sports - The Morning Sun

Girard junior running back Junior Love carries the ball at practice Thursday at Frank Jameson Field. BROCK SISNEY / THE MORNING SUN

Teams capitalize on perfect weather for practice

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GIRARD, Kan. — Thursday proved to be a beautiful day to have football practice for the Girard Trojans at their home Frank Jameson Field. Blue skies and cooler temperatures highlighted the … more

By Brock Sisney [email protected] | 8/23/24

Frontenac head football coach Leon Miller looks on at practice Wednesday.

BACK IN BLACK

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FRONTENAC, Kan. — Leon Miller left Frontenac High School after the 2005 season to become the head coach at Parsons. The Raiders won a Class 2-1A state title in 1994, finished second in … more

By Brock Sisney [email protected] | 8/23/24

Girard volleyball looks for state tourney berth

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The Girard Trojans volleyball squad will look to finally get over the hill in 2024 as they look for their first trip to the state tournament since 2016. The Trojans have had four consecutive … more

By Kalon Fullerton [email protected] | 8/21/24

Pittsburg junior De’Marus Partee catches a pass during a drill Monday at the high school practice field. BROCK SISNEY / THE MORNING SUN

Fall practices start for Kansas sports

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Kansas high school fall sports teams returned to fields and courts for the first day of practice Monday. For coaches like Pittsburg head football coach Josh Lattimer and players like Pittsburg … more

By Brock Sisney [email protected] | 8/21/24

The Pittsburg State women's soccer team held a scrimmage on its first day of practice Wednesday night.

Gorillas begin soccer practice

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Wednesday marked the first day of practice and the beginning of the debut season for the Pittsburg State women’s soccer program. “We always describe it as Christmas,” … more

By Kalon Fullerton [email protected] | 8/16/24

Pittsburg State's Jaylen Fuksa returns a kickoff for nine yards in a game last season against Nebraska-Kearney at historic Carnie Smith Stadium.

AFCA tabs Gorillas sixth in preseason rankings

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The American Football Coaches Association released its preseason rankings for all four levels of NCAA football and Pittsburg State landed in the No. 6 spot in NCAA Division II preseason top-25. … more

By Brock Sisney [email protected] | 8/15/24

Martha Harper leads the Frontenac junior varsity basketball team in a game in Girard

Frontenac's Harper heads home

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After 33 years of teaching and coaching at Frontenac, Martha Harper decided it was time to come home. more

By Kalon Fullerton [email protected] | 8/10/24

Dan Smith, former major league pitcher, enjoys accompanying his 15-year-old son Kam's baseball journey.

National-level baseball keeps Kam Smith busy

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It’s been a busy summer of baseball for Kam Smith. more

By Jim Henry [email protected] | 8/9/24

Girard's Mari Gimore competes during the 3,000-meter jun in the Junior Olympics in Greensboro, N.C.

Girard Warriors compete in Junior Olympics

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The Girard Warriors Youth Running Club finished up the 2024 summer season last week at the AAU Junior Olympics in Greensboro, N.C on July 27-Aug. 3. Eighteen athletes competed in 32 events … more

By Kalon Fullerton [email protected] | 8/8/24

Cody Harris (left) and Heston Kavanagh pose with their winning cars after Saturday night's Crawford County demolition derby at Bill Peak Arena.

Kavanagh-Harris win demolition derby at Crawford County Fair

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GIRARD, Kan. -- The team event at the Crawford County Fair demolition derby ended with a prime example of teamwork. more

By Jim Henry [email protected] | 8/6/24

San Diego Padres' Tony Gwynn gets his 3,000th career hit in the first inning against Montreal Expos rookie pitcher Dan Smith on Aug. 6, 1999, in Montreal. The catcher is Chris Widger, and the umpire is Bob Davidson.

'You're in the books, man'

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As a rookie pitcher with the Montreal Expos, Dan Smith was well aware of the situation. more

8/6/24

Seth Rice stays quite busy entertaining fans as a rodeo clown.

Seth Rice entertains as rodeo clown

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GIRARD, Kan. -- Seth Rice obviously keeps up with the times. more

By Jim Henry [email protected] | 8/3/24

Hepler resident Karson Harris (right) scores 79 points to win the bareback riding Thursday night at the Crawford County Fair rodeo at Bill Peak Arena.

Crawford County Fair rodeo ends two-day run

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Karson Harris added to a successful season on Thursday night at the Crawford County Fair rodeo. more

By Jim Henry [email protected] | 8/3/24

Josh Barnes, who won 89 games and two Region 16 championships the last two seasons at Crowder College, is the new softball coach at Pittsburg State.

PSU hires Crowder coach to lead softball program

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A whirlwind week for Pittsburg State softball continued Friday. more

By Jim Henry [email protected] | 7/27/24

Last two PSU coaching hires follow similar scripts

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Pittsburg State athletics director Jim Johnson made a quick hire to fill the Gorillas’ head softball coach vacancy. more

By Jim Henry [email protected] | 7/27/24

Jenny Fuller, who directed Pittsburg State to a share of the MIAA softball regular-season championship last spring, has been named head coach at Northwestern State in Natchitoches, La.

Jenny Fuller leaves PSU for Division I job

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It wasn’t that many days ago that Pittsburg State softball coach Jenny Fuller conducted a camp for young players. Now, she’s leaving town. more

By Jim Henry [email protected] | 7/26/24

Pittsburg State quarterback Chad Dodson, coach Tom Anthony and linebacker Jack Barkley (left to right) answer questions during the MIAA Football Media Day on Tuesday in Kansas City, Mo.

Gorillas picked second behind Mules in MIAA football polls

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Pittsburg State has lost one MIAA football game in the last two seasons, marching undefeated to the 2022 league title and sharing last year’s crown with Central Missouri. more

By Jim Henry [email protected] | 7/25/24

Pitt State golfers report on Aug. 22

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For the first time in 10 years, Pittsburg State will have a men’s golf team. Coach Nick Long has assembled an 11-man roster, and the players will report on Aug. 22 for the first practice. more

By Jim Henry [email protected] | 7/25/24

Players prepare during summer for football season

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Fall football camp at Pittsburg State begins Aug. 6, but the Gorillas have been preparing in player-led activities during June and July. more

By Jim Henry [email protected] | 7/25/24

Derrick Mein, a 2004 graduate of Girard High School, will be competing in the men's trap shooting at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

Girard graduate Derrick Mein aims for medal at Olympics

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Derrick Mein is aiming high. “I really feel like the opportunity is right for me to win a medal,” he said. “That’s what I have my sights on.” more

By Jim Henry [email protected] | 7/21/24