Garden City at Ellsworth, 11 a.m. Highland at Dodge City, 1 p.m. Butler at Coffeyville, 7 p.m.

Avila at Sterling, 1 p.m. Bethel at Saint Mary, 1 p.m. Ottawa at McPherson, 1 p.m. Tabor at Kansas Wesleyan, 6 p.m. Evangel at Friends, 6 p.m. Bethany at Southwestern, 6 p.m.

Nebraska Kearney at Washburn, 1 p.m. Missouri Southern at Central Missouri, 1 p.m. Pittsburg State at Emporia State, 1 p.m. Central Oklahoma at Northwest Missouri, 1:30 p.m. Missouri Western at Fort Hays State, 7 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719520416153.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>KJCCC</h2>Garden City at Ellsworth, 11 a.m. Highland at Dodge City, 1 p.m. Butler at Coffeyville, 7 p.m.<h2>KCAC</h2>Avila at Sterling, 1 p.m. Bethel at Saint Mary, 1 p.m. Ottawa at McPherson, 1 p.m. Tabor at Kansas Wesleyan, 6 p.m. Evangel at Friends, 6 p.m. Bethany at Southwestern, 6 p.m.<h2>MIAA</h2>Nebraska Kearney at Washburn, 1 p.m. Missouri Southern at Central Missouri, 1 p.m. Pittsburg State at Emporia State, 1 p.m. Central Oklahoma at Northwest Missouri, 1:30 p.m. Missouri Western at Fort Hays State, 7 p.m.

🏈 KJCCC, KCAC, MIAA schedule for Sept. 27

🎧⚾ Royals win series in Anaheim; 🏈 Football Friday; 🏈 KU, K-State, Chiefs all in action

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Vinnie Pasquantino homered and drove in three runs, Bobby Witt Jr. had four hits and the Kansas City Royals beat the Los Angeles Angels 9-4 on Thursday night.

Michael Lorenzen (7-11) gave up two earned runs and five hits with a season-high nine strikeouts and no walks in 5 2/3 innings for the Royals.

Jo Adell, Nolan Schanuel and Mike Trout each homered for the Angels. Trout’s two-run shot — his 23rd of the season and 401st of his career — cut Kansas City's lead to 5-4 in eighth.

However, the Royals scored four in the top of the ninth, a rally highlighted by Salvador Perez’s two-out, three-run double off Angels reliever Sam Bachman, to pull away.

Mitch Farris (1-3) gave up four earned runs and five hits in five innings, striking out five and walking two, for the Angels, who have lost 11 of 13 games.

Pasquantino’s team-leading 32nd homer, a two-run shot to right field in the first, gave him a team-high 110 RBIs on the season. Adell pulled the Angels to 2-1 in the second with his team-high 37th homer.

Pasquantino had a run-scoring fielder’s choice in the third and Witt had an RBI double in the fifth to push the lead to 5-1.

Schanuel’s solo shot in the sixth brought the Angels back within two, but Adam Frazier’s pinch-hit RBI single in the eight made it 5-2.

Bachman was one strike away from escaping a bases-loaded jam in the ninth, but Perez hit a drive off the base of the center-field wall for his game-breaking hit.

The Angels struck out 13 times, bringing their major league-leading total to 1,603 — tied for fourth-most in major league history. With three games left, the Angels are 51 shy of Minnesota’s single-season record of 1,654 strikeouts, set in 2023.

Angels RHP Kyle Hendricks (8-10, 4.79 ERA) will start against Astros RHP Jason Alexander (4-2, 4.83 ERA) at home on Friday.

Royals LHP Noah Cameron (9-7, 2.90 ERA) will start against Athletics RHP Luis Morales (4-2, 3.07) on Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758868468549.jpeg" alt="Photo Kansas City Royals" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Vinnie Pasquantino homered and drove in three runs, Bobby Witt Jr. had four hits and the Kansas City Royals beat the Los Angeles Angels 9-4 on Thursday night.Michael Lorenzen (7-11) gave up two earned runs and five hits with a season-high nine strikeouts and no walks in 5 2/3 innings for the Royals.Jo Adell, Nolan Schanuel and Mike Trout each homered for the Angels. Trout’s two-run shot — his 23rd of the season and 401st of his career — cut Kansas City's lead to 5-4 in eighth.However, the Royals scored four in the top of the ninth, a rally highlighted by Salvador Perez’s two-out, three-run double off Angels reliever Sam Bachman, to pull away.Mitch Farris (1-3) gave up four earned runs and five hits in five innings, striking out five and walking two, for the Angels, who have lost 11 of 13 games.Pasquantino’s team-leading 32nd homer, a two-run shot to right field in the first, gave him a team-high 110 RBIs on the season. Adell pulled the Angels to 2-1 in the second with his team-high 37th homer.Pasquantino had a run-scoring fielder’s choice in the third and Witt had an RBI double in the fifth to push the lead to 5-1.Schanuel’s solo shot in the sixth brought the Angels back within two, but Adam Frazier’s pinch-hit RBI single in the eight made it 5-2.<h2>Key moment</h2>Bachman was one strike away from escaping a bases-loaded jam in the ninth, but Perez hit a drive off the base of the center-field wall for his game-breaking hit.<h2>Key stat</h2>The Angels struck out 13 times, bringing their major league-leading total to 1,603 — tied for fourth-most in major league history. With three games left, the Angels are 51 shy of Minnesota’s single-season record of 1,654 strikeouts, set in 2023.<h2>Up next</h2>Angels RHP Kyle Hendricks (8-10, 4.79 ERA) will start against Astros RHP Jason Alexander (4-2, 4.83 ERA) at home on Friday.Royals LHP Noah Cameron (9-7, 2.90 ERA) will start against Athletics RHP Luis Morales (4-2, 3.07) on Friday.

⚾ Pasquantino homers, Witt gets 4 hits as Royals beat Angels

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State senior offensive lineman Sam Hecht has been named a semifinalist for one of the most prestigious honors in major college football, the William V. Campbell Trophy, the National Football Foundation (NFF) has announced.

Hecht is one of 178 semifinalists from all NCAA divisions and the NAIA for the award that recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.

A native of Shawnee, Kansas, Hecht is the 12th Wildcat semifinalist for the award in as many years, joining Tyler Lockett (2014), Stanton Weber (2015), Will Davis (2016), Trent Tanking (2017), Dalton Risner (2018), Adam Holtorf (2019), Tyler Burns (2020), Landry Weber (2021), Adrian Martinez (2022), Cooper Beebe (2023) and Austin Moore (2024). Lockett, Risner, Holtorf, Martinez and Beebe were all named finalists for the award.

“This year’s 178 semifinalists represent the very best of what it means to play college football,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. “They have excelled in the classroom, distinguished themselves on the field, and proven to be leaders in their communities. The Campbell Trophy stands as a reminder that football develops complete individuals, and these young men embody that tradition at the highest level.”

Hecht has started each of the last 17 games at center dating back to the 2024 season opener. On the watch list for this year’s Outland Trophy and Rimington Trophy, Hecht led an offensive line unit that helped the 2024 Wildcats set school records in rushing yards per carry (6.08) and offensive yards per play (6.57) as they finished second and 13th nationally in those two categories, respectively. The K-State offensive line also surrendered only 13 sacks on the season, its fewest since 2000, while the Wildcats’ 1.00 sacks allowed per game ranked 10th nationally. Additionally, he was penalized just twice over his team-high 840 offensive snaps last season.

A three-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree, Hecht was also named to the Academic All-District Team by College Sports Communicators. Away from the field, he has been involved in numerous community-service projects.

Hecht and the Wildcats host UCF on Saturday in an 11 a.m., contest inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The game will be shown on FS1.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758815361751.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas State AthleticsMANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State senior offensive lineman Sam Hecht has been named a semifinalist for one of the most prestigious honors in major college football, the William V. Campbell Trophy, the National Football Foundation (NFF) has announced.Hecht is one of 178 semifinalists from all NCAA divisions and the NAIA for the award that recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.A native of Shawnee, Kansas, Hecht is the 12th Wildcat semifinalist for the award in as many years, joining Tyler Lockett (2014), Stanton Weber (2015), Will Davis (2016), Trent Tanking (2017), Dalton Risner (2018), Adam Holtorf (2019), Tyler Burns (2020), Landry Weber (2021), Adrian Martinez (2022), Cooper Beebe (2023) and Austin Moore (2024). Lockett, Risner, Holtorf, Martinez and Beebe were all named finalists for the award.“This year’s 178 semifinalists represent the very best of what it means to play college football,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. “They have excelled in the classroom, distinguished themselves on the field, and proven to be leaders in their communities. The Campbell Trophy stands as a reminder that football develops complete individuals, and these young men embody that tradition at the highest level.”Hecht has started each of the last 17 games at center dating back to the 2024 season opener. On the watch list for this year’s Outland Trophy and Rimington Trophy, Hecht led an offensive line unit that helped the 2024 Wildcats set school records in rushing yards per carry (6.08) and offensive yards per play (6.57) as they finished second and 13th nationally in those two categories, respectively. The K-State offensive line also surrendered only 13 sacks on the season, its fewest since 2000, while the Wildcats’ 1.00 sacks allowed per game ranked 10th nationally. Additionally, he was penalized just twice over his team-high 840 offensive snaps last season.A three-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree, Hecht was also named to the Academic All-District Team by College Sports Communicators. Away from the field, he has been involved in numerous community-service projects.Hecht and the Wildcats host UCF on Saturday in an 11 a.m., contest inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The game will be shown on FS1.

🏈 K-State's Hecht named semifinalist for Campbell Trophy

<a href="https://www.kshsaa.org/public/pdf/Classifications_Current.pdf">CLICK HERE FOR GENERAL CLASSIFICATIONS</a>

<a href="https://www.kshsaa.org/Public/Football/PDF/FootballClassifications_Current.pdf">CLICK HERE FOR FOOTBALL CLASSIFICATIONS FOR 2026-27</a>

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas State High School Activities Association released classifications Thursday for the 2025-26 school year, along with football classes for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

Only a handful of area schools will be impacted by the new classifications, all for the football cycle only.

Lyons will move up from Class 2A to Class 3A for the next football cycle in 2026 and 2027.&nbsp;

Little River will drop down from 8-Player Division I to 8-Player Division II, while Pratt Skyline also moves from 8-Player DI to 8-Player DII.&nbsp;

The changes take effect in the fall of 2025 for all sports and activities except football, which is scheduled in two-year cycles.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758813777585.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy KSHSAA" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy KSHSAA</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kshsaa.org/public/pdf/Classifications_Current.pdf">CLICK HERE FOR GENERAL CLASSIFICATIONS</a><a href="https://www.kshsaa.org/Public/Football/PDF/FootballClassifications_Current.pdf">CLICK HERE FOR FOOTBALL CLASSIFICATIONS FOR 2026-27</a>TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas State High School Activities Association released classifications Thursday for the 2025-26 school year, along with football classes for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.Only a handful of area schools will be impacted by the new classifications, all for the football cycle only.Lyons will move up from Class 2A to Class 3A for the next football cycle in 2026 and 2027.&nbsp;Little River will drop down from 8-Player Division I to 8-Player Division II, while Pratt Skyline also moves from 8-Player DI to 8-Player DII.&nbsp;The changes take effect in the fall of 2025 for all sports and activities except football, which is scheduled in two-year cycles.

Few changes for area schools in KSHSAA realignment

🎧⚾ Royals fall; ⚽ No. 12 HutchCC-Butler ends in draw; 🏐 Dragons fall to Saints

EL DORADO – The No. 12-ranked Hutchinson Community College women's soccer team played to its first draw of the 2025 season, tying the Butler Grizzlies 1-1 in a Jayhawk Conference battle on Wednesday at BG Product Veterans' Stadium.

The Blue Dragons are 5-1-1 overall and 2-1-1 (7 points) heading into Saturday's road conference battle at Garden City. Butler is now 3-5-3 overall and 2-2-1 in the KJCCC.

The teams scored just 1 minute, 43 seconds apart in the first half, then the game turned into a defensive battle.

The Blue Dragons scored first when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2025-26/bios/van_fleet_isabell_qmz7">Isabell Van Fleet</a>&nbsp;got behind the Butler defense after taking a perfect&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2025-26/bios/tamaki_olivia_seh8">Olivia Tamaki</a>&nbsp;pass to score at the 8:53 mark of the opening half. Butler answered back 1:43 later when Darya Karabanko scored to tie the game at 1-1

Blue Dragon goalkeeper&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2025-26/bios/carvell_evie_w1nf">Evie Carvell</a>&nbsp;(3-1-1) had four saves and allowed one goal. She had one huge save in the second half to keep the game tied at 1-1. Butler keeper Millie Robshaw-Charlesworth had three saves.

The Blue Dragons were out-shot 5-4. Each had had two corner kicks.

Van Fleet is now tied with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2025-26/bios/smith_poppy_opqw">Poppy Smith</a>&nbsp;for the team lead in goals with six. Tamaki has a team-high seven assists.

The Blue Dragons are now 12-16-3 all-time against Butler.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758806173945.jpeg" alt="Blue Dragon goalkeeper Evie Carvell makes a big save in the No. 12 Blue Dragons' 1-1 KJCCC draw with Butler on Wednesday at El Dorado. (Photo by Ed Bailey, BCC Sports Information)." />
 <figcaption>Blue Dragon goalkeeper Evie Carvell makes a big save in the No. 12 Blue Dragons' 1-1 KJCCC draw with Butler on Wednesday at El Dorado. (Photo by Ed Bailey, BCC Sports Information).</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson CC Sports InformationEL DORADO – The No. 12-ranked Hutchinson Community College women's soccer team played to its first draw of the 2025 season, tying the Butler Grizzlies 1-1 in a Jayhawk Conference battle on Wednesday at BG Product Veterans' Stadium.The Blue Dragons are 5-1-1 overall and 2-1-1 (7 points) heading into Saturday's road conference battle at Garden City. Butler is now 3-5-3 overall and 2-2-1 in the KJCCC.The teams scored just 1 minute, 43 seconds apart in the first half, then the game turned into a defensive battle.The Blue Dragons scored first when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2025-26/bios/van_fleet_isabell_qmz7">Isabell Van Fleet</a>&nbsp;got behind the Butler defense after taking a perfect&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2025-26/bios/tamaki_olivia_seh8">Olivia Tamaki</a>&nbsp;pass to score at the 8:53 mark of the opening half. Butler answered back 1:43 later when Darya Karabanko scored to tie the game at 1-1Blue Dragon goalkeeper&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2025-26/bios/carvell_evie_w1nf">Evie Carvell</a>&nbsp;(3-1-1) had four saves and allowed one goal. She had one huge save in the second half to keep the game tied at 1-1. Butler keeper Millie Robshaw-Charlesworth had three saves.The Blue Dragons were out-shot 5-4. Each had had two corner kicks.Van Fleet is now tied with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2025-26/bios/smith_poppy_opqw">Poppy Smith</a>&nbsp;for the team lead in goals with six. Tamaki has a team-high seven assists.The Blue Dragons are now 12-16-3 all-time against Butler.

⚽ Blue Dragons, Grizzlies battle to KJCCC draw

The Hutchinson Community College volleyball team rallied to force a fifth set with Jayhawk Conference rival Seward County, but the Saints took charge early in the decisive final set to defeat the Blue Dragons 3-2.

Held to .045 hitting in the fifth set, the Blue Dragons lost 25-23, 18-25, 20-25, 25-17, 12-15.

The Dragons are now 9-8 overall and 2-4 in the Jayhawk. Hutchinson plays host to the Blue Dragon Volleyball Classic beginning at 1 p.m. on Friday against Tyler Junior College. Hutchinson also plays Iowa Western (5 p.m. Friday), Missouri State-West Plains (9 a.m. Saturday) and the Southwestern College JV (1 p.m. Saturday).

The Blue Dragons are now 2-2 in five-set matches.

Outside hitters&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/vazquez_lauren_ysnb">Lauren Vazquez</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/villanueva_alondra_w1k3">Alondra Villanueva</a>&nbsp;had 11 kills each to lead the Blue Dragons against the Saints.

Vazquez had her fourth match with 10 or more kills and her second double-double of the season with 11 kills on 37 attacks for a .108 hitting percentage. Vazquez was one of four Dragons with double-figure digs with 15.

Villanueva had 11 kills and hit .057 on 35 attacks. She had her fifth double-double with 12 digs.

Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/raschen_priscilla_2phx">Priscilla Raschen</a>&nbsp;had a career-high nine kills on .147 hitting. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/mcneil_jaylynn_8662">Jaylynn McNeill</a>&nbsp;finished with nine kills on .148 hitting. Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/galliher_mattie_fggb">Mattie Galliher</a>&nbsp;finished with seven kills on .375 hitting. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/follmer_kierny_j8x3">Kierny Follmer</a>&nbsp;had five kills.

The Blue Dragons out-hit Seward County .130-.125. The Dragons had 91 digs to Seward's 76. The Saints had nine service aces to the Dragons' seven and out-blocked the Dragons 10-7.

Sophomore setter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/reupena_angela_5uex">Angela Reupena</a>&nbsp;had her second double-double of the season with 23 assists and 10 digs. Freshman setter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/garcia_alexandra_ev7s">Alexandra Garcia</a>&nbsp;had 19 assists and nine digs.

Freshman libero&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/oliveira_clara_34tl">Clara Oliveira</a>&nbsp;had 24 digs and seven assists.

Mariana Silva had 22 kills and Nicolly Chaves had 15 kills to lead Seward County.

Set 1: The Blue Dragons had their best offensive set of the match hitting .200 with 15 kills on 40 swings. McNeill had five kills and hit .444. There were six ties and three lead changes. The Saints jumped out to a 10-4 lead and eventually led 17-11. Trailing 18-13, Vazquez sparked a Dragon comeback with two kills in a 6-0 run. Her kill gave Hutchinson a 19-18 lead. A Galliher-McNeill double block gave the Dragons a 21-19 lead. Leading 23-21, the Dragons got a kill from McNeill for a 24-19 lead. The Saints fought off two set points, but Follmer terminated on Hutchinson's third set point for a 25-23 win.

Set 2: The Saints were strong from the service line in the second set, getting four of their six aces in the set from Mina Millvojevic. She had three-straight aces during a 5-0 run that gave Seward a 7-5 lead. Galliher answered with three consecutive kills to give the Dragons an 11-8 lead. A Vazquez-Follmer double block gave the Dragons a 15-14 lead, but the Saints went on an 11-3 run to close the set. The Saints hit .300 and the Dragons hit .111.

Set 3: The Dragons had early leads of 5-4 and 7-6. Seward had a pair of 4-0 runs to open leads of 10-7 and 20-14. A McKenzie Williamson ace serve pulled Hutchinson within 20-17, but the Saints got four kills from Silva and won the set 25-20.

Set 4: The Saints jumped out to a 6-0 lead, but a Villanueva kill sparked a 7-1 Dragon run to tie the set at 7-all. Trailing 12-11, the Dragons took charge of the set with a 10-2 run to lead 21-13. Seward scored 4 of the next 5 points to pull within 22-17, but a Galliher kills, Seward attack error and a Vazquez kill for a 25-17 set win.

Set 5: The Saints started the final set with an ace and kill and never gave up the lead. Seward had leads of 8-5 and 10-7. Seward County hit .138 in the set to Hutchinson's .045. Neither team had more than a two-point run in the final set. The Dragons pulled within 12-11 on a double block from Follmer and Vazquez. Then a Follmer kill fought off one match point, but the Saints finished off the Dragons with a 15-12 victory.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758805892752.jpeg" alt="Angela Reupena had her second double-double of the seaosn with 23 assists and 10 digs, but the Blue Dragons fell in five set to Seward County on Wednesday at the Sports Arena. (Andrew Carpenter/Digital Fox Photography)" />
 <figcaption>Angela Reupena had her second double-double of the seaosn with 23 assists and 10 digs, but the Blue Dragons fell in five set to Seward County on Wednesday at the Sports Arena. (Andrew Carpenter/Digital Fox Photography)</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson CC Sports InformationThe Hutchinson Community College volleyball team rallied to force a fifth set with Jayhawk Conference rival Seward County, but the Saints took charge early in the decisive final set to defeat the Blue Dragons 3-2.Held to .045 hitting in the fifth set, the Blue Dragons lost 25-23, 18-25, 20-25, 25-17, 12-15.The Dragons are now 9-8 overall and 2-4 in the Jayhawk. Hutchinson plays host to the Blue Dragon Volleyball Classic beginning at 1 p.m. on Friday against Tyler Junior College. Hutchinson also plays Iowa Western (5 p.m. Friday), Missouri State-West Plains (9 a.m. Saturday) and the Southwestern College JV (1 p.m. Saturday).The Blue Dragons are now 2-2 in five-set matches.Outside hitters&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/vazquez_lauren_ysnb">Lauren Vazquez</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/villanueva_alondra_w1k3">Alondra Villanueva</a>&nbsp;had 11 kills each to lead the Blue Dragons against the Saints.Vazquez had her fourth match with 10 or more kills and her second double-double of the season with 11 kills on 37 attacks for a .108 hitting percentage. Vazquez was one of four Dragons with double-figure digs with 15.Villanueva had 11 kills and hit .057 on 35 attacks. She had her fifth double-double with 12 digs.Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/raschen_priscilla_2phx">Priscilla Raschen</a>&nbsp;had a career-high nine kills on .147 hitting. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/mcneil_jaylynn_8662">Jaylynn McNeill</a>&nbsp;finished with nine kills on .148 hitting. Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/galliher_mattie_fggb">Mattie Galliher</a>&nbsp;finished with seven kills on .375 hitting. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/follmer_kierny_j8x3">Kierny Follmer</a>&nbsp;had five kills.The Blue Dragons out-hit Seward County .130-.125. The Dragons had 91 digs to Seward's 76. The Saints had nine service aces to the Dragons' seven and out-blocked the Dragons 10-7.Sophomore setter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/reupena_angela_5uex">Angela Reupena</a>&nbsp;had her second double-double of the season with 23 assists and 10 digs. Freshman setter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/garcia_alexandra_ev7s">Alexandra Garcia</a>&nbsp;had 19 assists and nine digs.Freshman libero&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/oliveira_clara_34tl">Clara Oliveira</a>&nbsp;had 24 digs and seven assists.Mariana Silva had 22 kills and Nicolly Chaves had 15 kills to lead Seward County.Set 1: The Blue Dragons had their best offensive set of the match hitting .200 with 15 kills on 40 swings. McNeill had five kills and hit .444. There were six ties and three lead changes. The Saints jumped out to a 10-4 lead and eventually led 17-11. Trailing 18-13, Vazquez sparked a Dragon comeback with two kills in a 6-0 run. Her kill gave Hutchinson a 19-18 lead. A Galliher-McNeill double block gave the Dragons a 21-19 lead. Leading 23-21, the Dragons got a kill from McNeill for a 24-19 lead. The Saints fought off two set points, but Follmer terminated on Hutchinson's third set point for a 25-23 win.Set 2: The Saints were strong from the service line in the second set, getting four of their six aces in the set from Mina Millvojevic. She had three-straight aces during a 5-0 run that gave Seward a 7-5 lead. Galliher answered with three consecutive kills to give the Dragons an 11-8 lead. A Vazquez-Follmer double block gave the Dragons a 15-14 lead, but the Saints went on an 11-3 run to close the set. The Saints hit .300 and the Dragons hit .111.Set 3: The Dragons had early leads of 5-4 and 7-6. Seward had a pair of 4-0 runs to open leads of 10-7 and 20-14. A McKenzie Williamson ace serve pulled Hutchinson within 20-17, but the Saints got four kills from Silva and won the set 25-20.Set 4: The Saints jumped out to a 6-0 lead, but a Villanueva kill sparked a 7-1 Dragon run to tie the set at 7-all. Trailing 12-11, the Dragons took charge of the set with a 10-2 run to lead 21-13. Seward scored 4 of the next 5 points to pull within 22-17, but a Galliher kills, Seward attack error and a Vazquez kill for a 25-17 set win.Set 5: The Saints started the final set with an ace and kill and never gave up the lead. Seward had leads of 8-5 and 10-7. Seward County hit .138 in the set to Hutchinson's .045. Neither team had more than a two-point run in the final set. The Dragons pulled within 12-11 on a double block from Follmer and Vazquez. Then a Follmer kill fought off one match point, but the Saints finished off the Dragons with a 15-12 victory.

🏐 Dragons drop tough five-set battle to Seward County

The Kansas Volleyball Association released its latest rankings on Wednesday afternoon and several Hutch Post-area teams were represented in their classifications.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694203728754.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas Volleyball Association" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas Volleyball Association</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Volleyball Association released its latest rankings on Wednesday afternoon and several Hutch Post-area teams were represented in their classifications.&nbsp;<h2>Class 6A</h2><ul>
 <li>Blue Valley West 9-1
</li><li>Olathe West 11-3
</li><li>Mill Valley 13-3
</li><li>Blue Valley North 12-6
</li><li>Olathe Northwest 12-4
</li><li>Washburn Rural 5-2
</li><li>Lawrence Free State 11-6
</li><li>Gardner-Edgerton 11-4
</li><li>Manhattan 8-4
</li><li>Garden City 11-3
</li>
 </ul><h2>Class 5A</h2><ul>
 <li>St. Thomas Aquinas 10-2
</li><li>Blue Valley Southwest 9-2
</li><li>St. James Academy 14-2
</li><li>Maize South 14-1
</li><li>Bishop Carroll 15-0
</li><li>Lansing 12-4
</li><li>De Soto 12-2
</li><li>Goddard-Eisenhower 11-5
</li><li>Andover Central 11-5
</li><li>Andover 10-5
</li>
 </ul><h2>Class 4A</h2><ul>
 <li>Hayden 14-0
</li><li>Clay Center 14-2
</li><li>Andale 14-1
</li><li>Paola 11-0
</li><li>Bishop Miege 0-9
</li><li>McPherson 14-3
</li><li>Rock Creek 16-4
</li><li>Holton 14-5
</li><li>Tonganoxie 10-5
</li><li>Chanute 17-0
</li>
 </ul><h2>Class 3A</h2><ul>
 <li>Silver Lake 20-1
</li><li>Beloit 16-3
</li><li>Hoisington 14-3
</li><li>Halstead 14-3
</li><li>Trinity Academy 9-1
</li><li>Hesston 10-5
</li><li>Goodland 10-2
</li><li>Holcomb 11-2
</li><li>Riverton 15-2
</li><li>Neodesha 16-2
</li>
 </ul><h2>Class 2A</h2><ul>
 <li>Ellinwood 14-0
</li><li>Moundridge 20-1
</li><li>Hillsboro 13-4
</li><li>Rossville 13-5
</li><li>Oakley 18-0
</li><li>Medicine Lodge 20-1
</li><li>Valley Heights 12-5
</li><li>Sedgwick 16-5
</li><li>Maranatha Christian 12-2
</li><li>Jefferson County North 19-1
</li>
 </ul><h2>Class 1A Division I</h2><ul>
 <li>Little River 15-1
</li><li>Centralia 18-1
</li><li>Rock Hills 18-0
</li><li>South Gray 13-1
</li><li>Spearville 14-1
</li><li>Greeley County 13-5
</li><li>Olpe 11-5
</li><li>Goessel 8-5
</li><li>Quinter 10-5
</li><li>Onaga 8-5
</li>
 </ul><h2>Class 1A Division II</h2><ul>
 <li>Ingalls 15-1
</li><li>Marais des Cygnes Valley 18-1
</li><li>Hanover 14-2
</li><li>Argonia 16-1
</li><li>Linn 12-4
</li><li>Victoria 12-1
</li><li>Cheylin 14-5
</li><li>Dighton 9-5
</li><li>Attica 9-6
</li><li>Waverly 11-6</li>
 </ul>

🏐 McPherson, Halstead, Moundridge among area teams in KVA rankings

For the third time in as many days, Hutchinson Community College cross country runners&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wxc/2025-26/bios/roni_mildred_mud8">Mildred Rono</a>&nbsp;and Titus Kiprotich received honors for their record-breaking performances on Saturday.

The Blue Dragon runners were both named the NJCAA Division I National Runners of the Week on Wednesday after both broke school records at the Missouri Southern Stampede in Joplin, Missouri.

On Monday, the United States Track and Field &amp; Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) named Rono and Kiprotich as its national runners of the week at the NJCAA Division I level.

Then on Tuesday, the Blue Dragon duo earned Jayhawk Conference Runner of the Week honors.

Running the first 5K race of her collegiate career, Rono set a Blue Dragon women's 5K record in winning the Missouri Southern Stampede.

Rono, from Eldoret, Kenya, won her second race of the season, posting a winning time of 16:49.23. Rono won the race by 11.41 seconds. Rono also won the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic in August.

Rono broke the Blue Dragon women's cross country 5K record formerly held by Faith Jepchirchir of 16:55.33 set last season.

This is Rono's second NJCAA National Runner of the Week award this season.

Kiprotich finished second at the MSSU Stampede with a time of 23:30.40. The sophomore from Iten, Kenya broke his own team record, which he set in a ninth-place finish at the 2024 NJCAA National championships. It's the third time in his career, Kiprotich has owned Hutchinson's 8K cross country record.

Dating back to last year, this is the fourth-straight 8K race that the Blue Dragon men's record has fallen – held either by Kiprotich or teammate Dennis Cheruiyot.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758741338273.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy HutchCC Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy HutchCC Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson CC Sports InformationFor the third time in as many days, Hutchinson Community College cross country runners&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wxc/2025-26/bios/roni_mildred_mud8">Mildred Rono</a>&nbsp;and Titus Kiprotich received honors for their record-breaking performances on Saturday.The Blue Dragon runners were both named the NJCAA Division I National Runners of the Week on Wednesday after both broke school records at the Missouri Southern Stampede in Joplin, Missouri.On Monday, the United States Track and Field &amp; Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) named Rono and Kiprotich as its national runners of the week at the NJCAA Division I level.Then on Tuesday, the Blue Dragon duo earned Jayhawk Conference Runner of the Week honors.Running the first 5K race of her collegiate career, Rono set a Blue Dragon women's 5K record in winning the Missouri Southern Stampede.Rono, from Eldoret, Kenya, won her second race of the season, posting a winning time of 16:49.23. Rono won the race by 11.41 seconds. Rono also won the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic in August.Rono broke the Blue Dragon women's cross country 5K record formerly held by Faith Jepchirchir of 16:55.33 set last season.This is Rono's second NJCAA National Runner of the Week award this season.Kiprotich finished second at the MSSU Stampede with a time of 23:30.40. The sophomore from Iten, Kenya broke his own team record, which he set in a ninth-place finish at the 2024 NJCAA National championships. It's the third time in his career, Kiprotich has owned Hutchinson's 8K cross country record.Dating back to last year, this is the fourth-straight 8K race that the Blue Dragon men's record has fallen – held either by Kiprotich or teammate Dennis Cheruiyot.

👟 HutchCC's Rono, Kiprotich named NJCAA runners of the week

🎧⚾ Royals win opener over Angels; 🏈👟 HutchCC racks up weekly awards

By <a href="mailto:sean.boston@eaglemedia.com">SEAN BOSTON</a> Hutch Post

STERLING, Kan. — Sterling High School has run to a 3-0 start and climbed to No. 2 in the Kpreps.com Class 1A football rankings, setting up a marquee district opener Friday night at Ellinwood.

The Black Bears have their best start to the season since 1992 when they also started 3-0. The last 4-0 start was 1989.

Sterling capped non-district play with a 60-47 win over Inman last week in Sterling, a game that featured more than 100 combined points. Senior running back Zane Farney carried for 222 yards and five touchdowns, while senior Wyatt Newberry topped 100 yards for the third straight week. Kru Harris also returned a kickoff for a score.

“We knew it was kind of a possession-for-possession game and we needed to take advantage of that,” seventh-year Sterling coach Brent Schneider said. “Our offensive line played their best and most physical game of the year, and our kids never wavered.”

Farney has been at the center of Sterling’s fast start. The senior has rushed for 558 yards and 12 touchdowns on 60 carries and has surpassed 100 yards in every game.

“Zane is a special athlete, but he’s also just a very coachable kid,” Schneider said. “He wants success for the team. He’s unselfish, if our wings are the ones getting the yards or if Logan at quarterback is having a big game, he’s the first one to say, ‘Go to them.’”

Schneider said Farney has developed into a complete threat. “He’s always been able to make people miss, but this year he’s running away from people,” Schneider said. “We’ve played some very fast defenses, and Zane is breaking into the open field and pulling away. That’s scary for opponents.”

Sterling’s offense has been nearly unstoppable, piling up 1,163 rushing yards on 129 carries through three games, an average of 387.7 yards per game. Newberry has added 319 yards and four touchdowns, while quarterback Logan Isaac and wingback Jace Darnauer have also contributed.

On defense, junior Cameron Morris leads Sterling with 23 tackles and a sack. Maxwell and Newberry have 22 stops each, with Newberry recording two interceptions. Sophomore David Myers has been disruptive up front with 18 tackles, including four for loss.

Ellinwood (3-0) will counter with a punishing ground game of its own. The Eagles, coached by Brett Stindt, have opened with wins over Syracuse (38-0) and Herington (43-6) before blanking Osawatomie (21-0) in their home opener last Friday. They average 318 rushing yards per game with 12 rushing touchdowns.

Senior Austin Brack has been the workhorse, rushing for 455 yards and seven scores on 35 carries. He, like Farney and Newberry, has topped 100 yards in all three games.

“Ellinwood wants to pound it inside, and they’re a good, physical team,” Schneider said. “It’s going to be fun to see how some of our adjustments play into it.”

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Ellinwood. The game marks the start of Class 1A District 7 play, which also includes Hutchinson Trinity Catholic (2-1), South Sumner County (2-1), Conway Springs (1-2) and Medicine Lodge (1-2).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753716901063.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By <a href="mailto:sean.boston@eaglemedia.com">SEAN BOSTON</a> Hutch PostSTERLING, Kan. — Sterling High School has run to a 3-0 start and climbed to No. 2 in the Kpreps.com Class 1A football rankings, setting up a marquee district opener Friday night at Ellinwood.The Black Bears have their best start to the season since 1992 when they also started 3-0. The last 4-0 start was 1989.Sterling capped non-district play with a 60-47 win over Inman last week in Sterling, a game that featured more than 100 combined points. Senior running back Zane Farney carried for 222 yards and five touchdowns, while senior Wyatt Newberry topped 100 yards for the third straight week. Kru Harris also returned a kickoff for a score.“We knew it was kind of a possession-for-possession game and we needed to take advantage of that,” seventh-year Sterling coach Brent Schneider said. “Our offensive line played their best and most physical game of the year, and our kids never wavered.”Farney has been at the center of Sterling’s fast start. The senior has rushed for 558 yards and 12 touchdowns on 60 carries and has surpassed 100 yards in every game.“Zane is a special athlete, but he’s also just a very coachable kid,” Schneider said. “He wants success for the team. He’s unselfish, if our wings are the ones getting the yards or if Logan at quarterback is having a big game, he’s the first one to say, ‘Go to them.’”Schneider said Farney has developed into a complete threat. “He’s always been able to make people miss, but this year he’s running away from people,” Schneider said. “We’ve played some very fast defenses, and Zane is breaking into the open field and pulling away. That’s scary for opponents.”Sterling’s offense has been nearly unstoppable, piling up 1,163 rushing yards on 129 carries through three games, an average of 387.7 yards per game. Newberry has added 319 yards and four touchdowns, while quarterback Logan Isaac and wingback Jace Darnauer have also contributed.On defense, junior Cameron Morris leads Sterling with 23 tackles and a sack. Maxwell and Newberry have 22 stops each, with Newberry recording two interceptions. Sophomore David Myers has been disruptive up front with 18 tackles, including four for loss.Ellinwood (3-0) will counter with a punishing ground game of its own. The Eagles, coached by Brett Stindt, have opened with wins over Syracuse (38-0) and Herington (43-6) before blanking Osawatomie (21-0) in their home opener last Friday. They average 318 rushing yards per game with 12 rushing touchdowns.Senior Austin Brack has been the workhorse, rushing for 455 yards and seven scores on 35 carries. He, like Farney and Newberry, has topped 100 yards in all three games.“Ellinwood wants to pound it inside, and they’re a good, physical team,” Schneider said. “It’s going to be fun to see how some of our adjustments play into it.”Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Ellinwood. The game marks the start of Class 1A District 7 play, which also includes Hutchinson Trinity Catholic (2-1), South Sumner County (2-1), Conway Springs (1-2) and Medicine Lodge (1-2).

🏈 Farney, Newberry lead Sterling rushing surge to No. 2 in Class 1A

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – The No. 3-ranked Hutchinson Community College men's golf team completed a wire-to-wire run on Tuesday and repeated as team championship at the Bent Tree Intercollegiate.

Leading by 13 strokes entering Tuesday's final round at Bent Tree Golf Club, the Blue Dragon posted a final-round 293 and closed with a 17-over-par score of 881. Hutchinson won the team championship by 18 strokes over team runner-up Iowa Western "A" Team. Dodge City and the Iowa Western "B" team tied for third at 902.

Playing as an individual, Blue Dragon sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2025-26/bios/scullion_corey_2mll">Corey Scullion</a>&nbsp;made a run at the Bent Tree Individual championship. After opening the tournament with a 76 on Monday morning, Scullion posted back-to-back 70s and finished second at even-par 216. Omaha University individual player Luke Stratko edged Scullion by one stroke for the individual title after shooting a 71 on Tuesday.

Scullion had three birdies, one bogey and 14 pars in his final round.

The Blue Dragons had four total golfers finish in the individual Top 10 on Tuesday.

Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2025-26/bios/hatzenbuehler_grant_e33p">Grant Hatzenbuehler</a>&nbsp;tied for fourth after shooting a 1-over 73 in the final round and closed at 2-over 218. This is Hatzenbuehler's second-straight Top 10 finish.

Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2025-26/bios/gibb_ronnie_uf6d">Ronnie Gibb</a>&nbsp;tied for sixth at 3-over 219. Gibb shot an even-par 72 on Tuesday.

Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2025-26/bios/northgraves_jack_xzbb">Jack Northgraves</a>&nbsp;shot a 73 on Tuesday and tied for eighth at 4-over 220.

Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2025-26/bios/austin_joe_x3hk">Joe Austin</a>&nbsp;tied for 12th at 224 after a final round 75. Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2025-26/bios/duquaine_hugo_o1wf">Hugo Duquaine</a>&nbsp;finished 33rd at 233 after a final-round 79.

Freshman individual player&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2025-26/bios/vearncombe_matt_bbd7">Matt Vearncombe</a>&nbsp;shot a 76 on Tuesday to tie for 31st at 230. Vearncombe did have an eagle on the Par 5 fourth hole.

The Blue Dragons next play at the Shocker Invitational on October 5-7 at Sand Creek Station in Newton.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758715512448.jpeg" alt="The 2025-26 Blue Dragon men's golf team repeated as team champion at the Bent Tree Intercollegiate on Tuesday in Council Bluffs, IA." />
 <figcaption>The 2025-26 Blue Dragon men's golf team repeated as team champion at the Bent Tree Intercollegiate on Tuesday in Council Bluffs, IA.</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson CC Sports InformationCOUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – The No. 3-ranked Hutchinson Community College men's golf team completed a wire-to-wire run on Tuesday and repeated as team championship at the Bent Tree Intercollegiate.Leading by 13 strokes entering Tuesday's final round at Bent Tree Golf Club, the Blue Dragon posted a final-round 293 and closed with a 17-over-par score of 881. Hutchinson won the team championship by 18 strokes over team runner-up Iowa Western "A" Team. Dodge City and the Iowa Western "B" team tied for third at 902.Playing as an individual, Blue Dragon sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2025-26/bios/scullion_corey_2mll">Corey Scullion</a>&nbsp;made a run at the Bent Tree Individual championship. After opening the tournament with a 76 on Monday morning, Scullion posted back-to-back 70s and finished second at even-par 216. Omaha University individual player Luke Stratko edged Scullion by one stroke for the individual title after shooting a 71 on Tuesday.Scullion had three birdies, one bogey and 14 pars in his final round.The Blue Dragons had four total golfers finish in the individual Top 10 on Tuesday.Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2025-26/bios/hatzenbuehler_grant_e33p">Grant Hatzenbuehler</a>&nbsp;tied for fourth after shooting a 1-over 73 in the final round and closed at 2-over 218. This is Hatzenbuehler's second-straight Top 10 finish.Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2025-26/bios/gibb_ronnie_uf6d">Ronnie Gibb</a>&nbsp;tied for sixth at 3-over 219. Gibb shot an even-par 72 on Tuesday.Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2025-26/bios/northgraves_jack_xzbb">Jack Northgraves</a>&nbsp;shot a 73 on Tuesday and tied for eighth at 4-over 220.Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2025-26/bios/austin_joe_x3hk">Joe Austin</a>&nbsp;tied for 12th at 224 after a final round 75. Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2025-26/bios/duquaine_hugo_o1wf">Hugo Duquaine</a>&nbsp;finished 33rd at 233 after a final-round 79.Freshman individual player&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2025-26/bios/vearncombe_matt_bbd7">Matt Vearncombe</a>&nbsp;shot a 76 on Tuesday to tie for 31st at 230. Vearncombe did have an eagle on the Par 5 fourth hole.The Blue Dragons next play at the Shocker Invitational on October 5-7 at Sand Creek Station in Newton.<div>BENT TREE CLASSIC Bent Tree Golf Club, Council Bluffs, Iowa | Par 72 Team Top 5 1. Hutchinson &ndash; 881 (293-295-293) 2. Iowa Western A Team &ndash; 899 (306-297-296) T3. Dodge City &ndash; 902 (307-295-300) T3. Iowa Western B Team &ndash; 902 (296-307-299) 5. Northeast CC &ndash;911 (306-295-310)
Blue Dragon Golfers 2.&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2025-26/bios/scullion_corey_2mll">Corey Scullion</a>&nbsp;(I) &ndash; 216 (76-70-70) T4.&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2025-26/bios/hatzenbuehler_grant_e33p">Grant Hatzenbuehler</a>&nbsp;&ndash; 218 (74-71-73) T6.&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2025-26/bios/gibb_ronnie_uf6d">Ronnie Gibb</a>&nbsp;&ndash; 219 (72-75-72) T8.&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2025-26/bios/northgraves_jack_xzbb">Jack Northgraves</a>&nbsp;&ndash; 220 (73-74-73) T31.&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2025-26/bios/vearncombe_matt_bbd7">Matt Vearncombe</a>&nbsp;(I) &ndash; 230 (78-76-76) 37.&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2025-26/bios/duquaine_hugo_o1wf">Hugo Duquaine</a>&nbsp;&ndash; 233 (77-77-79)</div>

⛳ Blue Dragons repeat as Bent Tree Classic champions

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. and Adam Frazier each drove in two runs, Salvador Perez moved into second place on Kansas City's career RBI list and the Royals beat the Los Angeles Angels 8-4 on Tuesday night, shortly after being eliminated from postseason contention.

The Royals (79-78) were knocked out of the race for an AL wild card with five games remaining in their regular season. Kansas City, which reached the playoffs last season, has failed to qualify for the postseason in nine of the last 10 seasons.

Perez singled to center in the first inning to score Witt. It was the 35-year-old catcher's 97th RBI of the season and 1,013th of his career, moving him past Hal McRae. The Royals' all-time RBI leader is George Brett with 1,596.

Maikel Garcia went 3 for 4 with two doubles. It was Garcia's second career game with three hits and three runs scored, and his 11th three-hit game of the season.

Royals starter Cole Ragans (3-3) allowed two runs on three hits and struck out 10 over five innings in his second start since returning from the injured list with a left rotator cuff strain.

Bryce Teodosio hit his first career homer for the Angels in the fifth inning, in his 45th MLB game this season. Taylor Ward added his 35th homer, a career high, in the ninth inning for Los Angeles, which has lost 10 of its last 11 games.

Mike Trout was honored before his first at-bat for hitting his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trout-angels-home-run-821f396e4f35f7cdb9352779b4437f0c">400th career home run</a>&nbsp;against the Rockies in Colorado on Saturday.

The Royals’ batters recorded 15 hits, and the pitchers recorded 13 strikeouts.

The Royals Stephen Kolek (5-6, 3.54 ERA) faces the Angels Yusei Kikuchi (6-11, 4.05) on Wednesday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758707372628.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Royals" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. and Adam Frazier each drove in two runs, Salvador Perez moved into second place on Kansas City's career RBI list and the Royals beat the Los Angeles Angels 8-4 on Tuesday night, shortly after being eliminated from postseason contention.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Career RBI No. 1,013! <a href="https://t.co/Ih2RmcE1vc">https://t.co/Ih2RmcE1vc</a> <a href="https://t.co/ORPz0FLhMy">pic.twitter.com/ORPz0FLhMy</a>&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1970670072944611738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Royals (79-78) were knocked out of the race for an AL wild card with five games remaining in their regular season. Kansas City, which reached the playoffs last season, has failed to qualify for the postseason in nine of the last 10 seasons.Perez singled to center in the first inning to score Witt. It was the 35-year-old catcher's 97th RBI of the season and 1,013th of his career, moving him past Hal McRae. The Royals' all-time RBI leader is George Brett with 1,596.Maikel Garcia went 3 for 4 with two doubles. It was Garcia's second career game with three hits and three runs scored, and his 11th three-hit game of the season.Royals starter Cole Ragans (3-3) allowed two runs on three hits and struck out 10 over five innings in his second start since returning from the injured list with a left rotator cuff strain.Bryce Teodosio hit his first career homer for the Angels in the fifth inning, in his 45th MLB game this season. Taylor Ward added his 35th homer, a career high, in the ninth inning for Los Angeles, which has lost 10 of its last 11 games.<h2>Key moment</h2>Mike Trout was honored before his first at-bat for hitting his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trout-angels-home-run-821f396e4f35f7cdb9352779b4437f0c">400th career home run</a>&nbsp;against the Rockies in Colorado on Saturday.<h2>Key stat</h2>The Royals’ batters recorded 15 hits, and the pitchers recorded 13 strikeouts.<h2>Up next</h2>The Royals Stephen Kolek (5-6, 3.54 ERA) faces the Angels Yusei Kikuchi (6-11, 4.05) on Wednesday night.___

⚾ Witt, Frazier and Perez power Royals to win over the Angels

Both Derrick Salley Jr. and Darius Wiley played huge roles in the No. 1 Hutchinson Community College football team’s 35-17 victory at No. 9 Iowa Central last Saturday Fort Dodge, Iowa.

The Blue Dragon sophomore receiver and redshirt freshman defensive end were both named the KJCCC Football Offensive and Defensive Players of the week on Tuesday.

Salley, a 6-foot-4, 216-pound receiver from Green Pond, South Carolina, has won the KJCCC Offensive Player of the Week award for the second-straight week. Wiley, a 6-7, 250-pound defensive end from Elizabethtown, Kentucky, earned his first conference weekly honor.

Salley and Wiley are the fourth and fifth Blue Dragons to win conference player of the week awards this season.

DERRICK SALLEY JR. – Offensive Player of the Week

Salley had his second three-touchdown game of the season and recorded career highs for receptions and receiving yards in number one Hutchinson's win over Iowa Central.

Salley had eight catches for 146 yards and touchdowns of 44, 10, and 29 yards.

Salley leads the NJCAA with seven touchdown receptions. He has 15 catches for 326 yards through three games.

DARIUS WILEY – Defensive Player of the Week

Wiley had a major impact in Hutchinson’s win on the defensive side of the ball.

Wiley had a season-high 11 total tackles, which included five solo stops and 3.5 tackles for loss totaling 17 yards.

The redshirt freshman also had one quarterback sack for 7 yards and blocked a field goal on special teams.

BLUE DRAGON KJCCC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK Week 3 – Christian Johnson – Offense Week 4 – Derrick Salley Jr. – Offense Week 4 – Teegan Haines – Defense Week 5 – Derrick Salley Jr – Offense Week 5 – Darius Wiley - Defense

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758715442689.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy HutchCC Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy HutchCC Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson CC Sports InformationBoth Derrick Salley Jr. and Darius Wiley played huge roles in the No. 1 Hutchinson Community College football team’s 35-17 victory at No. 9 Iowa Central last Saturday Fort Dodge, Iowa.The Blue Dragon sophomore receiver and redshirt freshman defensive end were both named the KJCCC Football Offensive and Defensive Players of the week on Tuesday.Salley, a 6-foot-4, 216-pound receiver from Green Pond, South Carolina, has won the KJCCC Offensive Player of the Week award for the second-straight week. Wiley, a 6-7, 250-pound defensive end from Elizabethtown, Kentucky, earned his first conference weekly honor.Salley and Wiley are the fourth and fifth Blue Dragons to win conference player of the week awards this season.DERRICK SALLEY JR. – Offensive Player of the WeekSalley had his second three-touchdown game of the season and recorded career highs for receptions and receiving yards in number one Hutchinson's win over Iowa Central.Salley had eight catches for 146 yards and touchdowns of 44, 10, and 29 yards.Salley leads the NJCAA with seven touchdown receptions. He has 15 catches for 326 yards through three games.DARIUS WILEY – Defensive Player of the WeekWiley had a major impact in Hutchinson’s win on the defensive side of the ball.Wiley had a season-high 11 total tackles, which included five solo stops and 3.5 tackles for loss totaling 17 yards.The redshirt freshman also had one quarterback sack for 7 yards and blocked a field goal on special teams.BLUE DRAGON KJCCC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK Week 3 – Christian Johnson – Offense Week 4 – Derrick Salley Jr. – Offense Week 4 – Teegan Haines – Defense Week 5 – Derrick Salley Jr – Offense Week 5 – Darius Wiley - Defense

🏈 Salley Jr., Wiley named KJCCC offensive and defensive players of the week

Hutchinson Community College Mildred Rono won her second race of the season on Saturday in Joplin, Missouri, and won her second KJCCC Women’s Runner of the Week award on Tuesday.

Rono was named the league’s women’s runner of the week after winning the Missouri Southern Stampede and breaking the Blue Dragon 5K school record in the process.

The KJCCC weekly honor is the second award won by Rono this week. The freshman from Eldoret, Kenya, was named the USTFCCCA/NJCAA Division I Women’s National Runner of the Week on Monday.

Rono won her second race of the season, posting a Stampede winning time of 16:49.23 on Saturday morning. Rono won the race by 11.41 seconds. The Stampede was her first collegiate career 5K race

Rono also won the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic in August.

Rono broke the Blue Dragon women’s cross country 5K record formerly held by Faith Jepchirchir of 16:55.33 set last season.

Rono was named both the KJCCC and NJCAA Runner of the Week after winning the Masterson Twilight in August.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758715401332.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy HutchCC Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy HutchCC Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson CC Sports InformationHutchinson Community College Mildred Rono won her second race of the season on Saturday in Joplin, Missouri, and won her second KJCCC Women’s Runner of the Week award on Tuesday.Rono was named the league’s women’s runner of the week after winning the Missouri Southern Stampede and breaking the Blue Dragon 5K school record in the process.The KJCCC weekly honor is the second award won by Rono this week. The freshman from Eldoret, Kenya, was named the USTFCCCA/NJCAA Division I Women’s National Runner of the Week on Monday.Rono won her second race of the season, posting a Stampede winning time of 16:49.23 on Saturday morning. Rono won the race by 11.41 seconds. The Stampede was her first collegiate career 5K raceRono also won the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic in August.Rono broke the Blue Dragon women’s cross country 5K record formerly held by Faith Jepchirchir of 16:55.33 set last season.Rono was named both the KJCCC and NJCAA Runner of the Week after winning the Masterson Twilight in August.

👟 Dragons' Rono named KJCCC Women's Runner of the Week

For the second time this week, Hutchinson Community College men’s cross country sophomore Titus Kiprotich earned a runner of the week award for his performance at the Missouri Southern Stampede last Saturday.

Kiprotich was named the KJCCC Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week on Tuesday after breaking Hutchinson men’s cross country’s 8K record at the Stampede. The sophomore from Iten, Kenya, on Monday, was named the USTFCCCA/NJCAA Division I National Men’s Runner of the Week.

Kiprotich finished second at the MSSU Stampede with a time of 23:30.40.

The Blue Dragon All-American broke his own team record, which he set in a ninth-place finish at the 2024 NJCAA National championships. It’s the third time in his career, Kiprotich has owned Hutchinson’s 8K cross country record.

Dating back to last year, this is the fourth-straight 8K race that the Blue Dragon men’s record has fallen – held either by Kiprotich or teammate Dennis Cheruiyot.

Kiprotich is the second Blue Dragon to win conference men’s runner of the week honors. Cornelius Kogo was named the league’s top runner in Week 2 after a victory in the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758715366287.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy HutchCC Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy HutchCC Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson CC Sports InformationFor the second time this week, Hutchinson Community College men’s cross country sophomore Titus Kiprotich earned a runner of the week award for his performance at the Missouri Southern Stampede last Saturday.Kiprotich was named the KJCCC Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week on Tuesday after breaking Hutchinson men’s cross country’s 8K record at the Stampede. The sophomore from Iten, Kenya, on Monday, was named the USTFCCCA/NJCAA Division I National Men’s Runner of the Week.Kiprotich finished second at the MSSU Stampede with a time of 23:30.40.The Blue Dragon All-American broke his own team record, which he set in a ninth-place finish at the 2024 NJCAA National championships. It’s the third time in his career, Kiprotich has owned Hutchinson’s 8K cross country record.Dating back to last year, this is the fourth-straight 8K race that the Blue Dragon men’s record has fallen – held either by Kiprotich or teammate Dennis Cheruiyot.Kiprotich is the second Blue Dragon to win conference men’s runner of the week honors. Cornelius Kogo was named the league’s top runner in Week 2 after a victory in the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic.

👟 HutchCC's Kiprotich tapped as KJCCC Men's Runner of the Week

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728385515690.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><div>MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;&ndash; Weekend home dates with BYU, Kansas, Iowa State and TCU highlight Kansas State's Big 12 Conference-only schedule, which was released by the league office on Tuesday afternoon (Sept. 23). The 2026 Big 12 schedule marks a return to an 18-game format after using a 20-game slate in 2025 with the additions of Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah. The league used an 18-game schedule from 2012-24. The conference-only schedule will run from the first week of January to the second week of March with each team playing nine games at home and on the road. K-State will play every Big 12 member at least once with home-and-home matchups with Kansas, TCU and West Virginia. Game times and television information will be released at a later date. K-State will open the Big 12 schedule against expected top-25 opponent BYU on Saturday, Jan. 3 before hosting Kansas in the Dillons Sunflower Showdown on Saturday, Jan. 24, along with weekend matchups with Iowa State on Sunday, Feb. 1 and TCU on Saturday, Feb. 28. Other home games include UCF on Wednesday, Jan. 14, Utah on Tuesday, Jan. 20, Cincinnati on Wednesday, Feb. 11, Baylor on Tuesday, Feb. 17 and West Virginia on Tuesday, March 3. The road portion of the Big 12 schedule starts with back-to-back trips to Arizona (Wednesday, Jan. 7) and Arizona State (Saturday, Jan. 10). The Wildcats also have consecutive road trips on one other occasion with visits to Texas Tech on Saturday, Feb. 21 and Colorado on Wednesday, Feb. 25. Other road trips include Oklahoma State on Saturday, Jan. 17, West Virginia on Tuesday, Jan. 27, TCU on Saturday, Feb. 7, Houston on Saturday, Feb. 14 and Kansas on Saturday, March 7. The expanded Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship will run Tuesday-Saturday, March 10-14 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City and will coincide with the women's championship, which runs Thursday-Monday, March 5-9, also at T-Mobile. Tickets for the 2025-26 season are currently on sale with a variety of options and packages. Fans can purchase tickets by calling toll free at (800) 221.CATS (2287) and/or online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>. Fourteen of the 16 Big 12 teams won at least 16 games in 2024-25 with eight winning at least 20 games, including 35 wins by league champion and national runner-up Houston. Thirteen teams made the postseason a season ago, including NCAA Tournament appearances by Arizona, Baylor, BYU, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas and Texas Tech. K-State finished the 2024-25 season with a 16-17 record, including a tie for ninth in the Big 12 with a 9-11 mark. Among the Wildcats' 16 victories were five over Top 25 teams, including No. 3 Iowa State on the road. The team has won 61 games in head coach&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/jerome-tang/2683" rel="smarttag" rev="2683">Jerome Tang</a></dfn>'s&nbsp;tenure, including two postseason appearances. SCHEDULE NOTES
<ul>
<li>The Big 12 will return to an 18-game league schedule in 2025-26, playing nine at home and nine on the road... It is a return to a format they instituted from 2012-24 before moving to a 20-game schedule in 2024-25.</li>
<li>K-State will open Big 12 against BYU for the first time in series history&hellip; The Wildcats have won their 2 all-time home meetings (1973, 2024) with the Cougars.</li>
<li>K-State will play at Arizona for the first time as conference foes and the first time overall since 1999&hellip; The two schools played 5 home-and-home series between 1951-81.</li>
<li>K-State will play at Arizona State for the second consecutive season after rallying for a 71-70 win in Tempe on Feb. 4&hellip; The Wildcats are 2-2 all-time at Desert Financial Arena.</li>
<li>K-State will host UCF for the third time, including the second time in Big 12 play, with wins in 2003 and 2024.</li>
<li>K-State will face Oklahoma State just once on Jan. 17 at Gallagher-Iba Arena after having met twice every year since 2012.</li>
<li>K-State will host Utah for the first time at Bramlage Coliseum on Jan. 20&hellip; The Utes have not played in Manhattan since an 87-82 win on Dec. 1, 1973.</li>
<li>K-State and Kansas will renew their rivalry in Manhattan on Jan. 24 before ending the season in Lawrence on March 7&hellip;. The schools have played a home-and-home series every year since 1912 and have played at least once every year since 1907... It is the sixth-most played rivalry (303) in Division I men's basketball.</li>
<li>The first of 2 meetings with West Virginia will come on the road on Jan. 27 with K-State winning 81-67 in the last matchup on Jan. 9, 2024&hellip; The return game at Bramlage Coliseum will come on Senior Day on March 3 with the Wildcats winning the last 4 meetings at home.</li>
<li>K-State and Iowa State will play just once on Sunday, Feb. 1 after meeting home-and-away every year since 1918 in a series dating to 1909.</li>
<li>K-State and TCU will play twice in the regular season for the first time since 2023, starting in Fort Worth on Feb. 7 before the matchup in Manhattan on Feb. 28&hellip; The Horned Frogs have won the 3 meetings in the series, including 63-62 at home last season.</li>
<li>K-State will host Cincinnati for the second straight season on Feb. 11&hellip; The Wildcats snapped an 8-game losing streak in the series with a sweep of a home-and-home series.</li>
<li>K-State's lone matchups with Houston (Feb. 14), Baylor (Feb. 17), Texas Tech (Feb. 21) and Colorado (Feb. 25) will come in a row from Feb. 14-25.</li>
<li>The Wildcats will visit Boulder for the first time since 2011 on Feb. 25.</li>
</ul>
 2025-26 Men's Basketball Schedule
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Day</td>
<td>Date</td>
<td>Opponent</td>
<td>Time</td>
<td>TV</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Friday</td>
<td>Oct. 24</td>
<td>@Missouri</td>
<td>9 p.m.</td>
<td>SEC Network</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Friday</td>
<td>Oct. 31</td>
<td>Newman</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tuesday</td>
<td>Nov. 4</td>
<td>UNC Greensboro</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Saturday</td>
<td>Nov. 8</td>
<td>Bellarmine</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Thursday</td>
<td>Nov. 13</td>
<td>California</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Monday</td>
<td>Nov. 17</td>
<td>Tulsa</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Thursday</td>
<td>Nov. 20</td>
<td>vs. Mississippi State</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Friday</td>
<td>Nov. 21</td>
<td>vs. Nebraska/New Mexico</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tuesday</td>
<td>Nov. 25</td>
<td>@Indiana</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Monday</td>
<td>Dec. 1</td>
<td>Bowling Green</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Saturday</td>
<td>Dec. 6</td>
<td>Seton Hall</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Monday</td>
<td>Dec. 8</td>
<td>Mississippi Valley State</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Saturday</td>
<td>Dec. 13</td>
<td>@Creighton</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Saturday</td>
<td>Dec. 20</td>
<td>South Dakota</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sunday</td>
<td>Dec. 28</td>
<td>ULM</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Saturday</td>
<td>Jan. 3</td>
<td>BYU*</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Wednesday</td>
<td>Jan. 7</td>
<td>@Arizona*</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Saturday</td>
<td>Jan. 10</td>
<td>@Arizona State*</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Wednesday</td>
<td>Jan. 14</td>
<td>UCF*</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Saturday</td>
<td>Jan. 17</td>
<td>@Oklahoma State*</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tuesday</td>
<td>Jan. 20</td>
<td>Utah*</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Saturday</td>
<td>Jan. 24</td>
<td>Kansas*</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tuesday</td>
<td>Jan. 27</td>
<td>@West Virginia*</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sunday</td>
<td>Feb. 1</td>
<td>Iowa State*</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Saturday</td>
<td>Feb. 7</td>
<td>@TCU*</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Wednesday</td>
<td>Feb. 11</td>
<td>Cincinnati*</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Saturday</td>
<td>Feb. 14</td>
<td>@Houston*</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tuesday</td>
<td>Feb. 17</td>
<td>Baylor*</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Saturday</td>
<td>Feb. 21</td>
<td>@Texas Tech*</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Wednesday</td>
<td>Feb. 25</td>
<td>@Colorado*</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Saturday</td>
<td>Feb. 28</td>
<td>TCU*</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tuesday</td>
<td>March 3</td>
<td>West Virginia*</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Saturday</td>
<td>March 7</td>
<td>@Kansas*</td>
<td>TBA</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>

🏀 K-State's Big 12 Conference schedule announced

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas men's basketball will open the 2025-26 Big 12 Conference season at UCF on Saturday, Jan. 3, as the league announced its schedule today. Specific times and television coverage will be released by the conference later.

The full schedule for the Jayhawks is now set with the dates and opponents revealed for Big 12 play and the already announced non-conference slate that features marquee matchups against North Carolina, Duke, UConn, Syracuse, Missouri, NC State and others.

Kansas will host a total 16 games in historic Allen Fieldhouse. Season ticket renewals and new season tickets are currently available here.

Following the UCF contest on Jan. 3, Kansas will play host to TCU on Jan. 6 followed by a Jan. 10 contest at West Virginia. The Jayhawks will return home for two games against Iowa State (Jan. 13) and Baylor (Jan. 16) before hitting the road for two contests at Colorado (Jan. 20) and at Kansas State (Jan. 24). KU will close out January with a home game against BYU on Jan. 31.

KU will play its first of three ESPN Big Monday games at Texas Tech on Feb. 2 before returning home for contests against Utah (Feb. 7) and Arizona (Feb. 9), which is also a Big Monday battle. The Jayhawks will spend Valentines Day, Feb. 14, at Iowa State, followed by a road game at Oklahoma State (Feb. 18). Kansas will host Cincinnati on Feb. 21 and two days later host Houston for its third and final ESPN Big Monday game of the season.

Kansas will make a road swing for two games at Arizona (Feb. 28) and at Arizona State (March 3) before returning home to host Kansas State on Senior Night on March 7.

The Big 12 is entering its 30th season of competition and Kansas has won 20 of the 29 conference regular-season titles, including an NCAA record-tying 13 consecutive from 2005-17.

The Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship will be held March 10-14 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, and NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday will be March 15. KU has won 11 Big 12 Tournaments with its most recent in 2022.

The season officially gets under way with Late Night in the Phog on Friday, Oct. 17, at 6:30 p.m. Late Night will be the first look at the 2025-26 KU's men's team that features returners Flory Bidunga, Jamari McDowell and Elmarko Jackson. Coach Bill Self welcomes eight newcomers to the KU squad, featuring freshman Darryn Peterson, the top-rated recruit in the nation, and four upperclassmen transfers – Melvin Council Jr., Jayden Dawson, Nginyu "Gee" Ngala, and Tre White. Peterson, the third No. 1 ranked national recruit to play for Self at Kansas, joining Andrew Wiggins and Josh Jackson, is surrounded by a talented freshmen class this year, including Kohl Rosario, Paul Mbiya, Bryson Tiller, Samis Calderon and Corbin Allen.

Kansas Men's Basketball 2025-26 Schedule (Home games in ALL CAPS; times are Central where listed)

Oct. 17 (Fri.) – LATE NIGHT IN THE PHOG (6:30 p.m.)

Oct. 24 (Fri.) – at Louisville (Exhibition)

Oct. 28 (Tue.) – FORT HAYS STATE (EXHIBITION)

Nov. 11 (Tue.) – TEXAS A&amp;M-CORPUS CHRISTI

Nov. 18 (Tue.) – vs. Duke (Champions Classic, New York City, ESPN, 9 p.m.)

Nov. 24 (Mon.) – vs. Notre Dame (Players Era, Las Vegas)

Nov. 25 (Tue.) – vs. Syracuse (Players Era, Las Vegas)

Nov. 26 or 27 (Wed. or Thurs.) – vs. TBD (Players Era, Las Vegas)

Dec. 7 (Sun.) – vs. Missouri (Kansas City, Mo.)

Feb. 2 (Mon.) – at Texas Tech* (ESPN, 8 p.m.)

Feb. 9 (Mon.) – ARIZONA* (ESPN, 8 p.m.)

Feb. 23 (Mon.) – HOUSTON* (ESPN, 8 p.m.)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758680302318.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas AthleticsLAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas men's basketball will open the 2025-26 Big 12 Conference season at UCF on Saturday, Jan. 3, as the league announced its schedule today. Specific times and television coverage will be released by the conference later.The full schedule for the Jayhawks is now set with the dates and opponents revealed for Big 12 play and the already announced non-conference slate that features marquee matchups against North Carolina, Duke, UConn, Syracuse, Missouri, NC State and others.Kansas will host a total 16 games in historic Allen Fieldhouse. Season ticket renewals and new season tickets are currently available here.Following the UCF contest on Jan. 3, Kansas will play host to TCU on Jan. 6 followed by a Jan. 10 contest at West Virginia. The Jayhawks will return home for two games against Iowa State (Jan. 13) and Baylor (Jan. 16) before hitting the road for two contests at Colorado (Jan. 20) and at Kansas State (Jan. 24). KU will close out January with a home game against BYU on Jan. 31.KU will play its first of three ESPN Big Monday games at Texas Tech on Feb. 2 before returning home for contests against Utah (Feb. 7) and Arizona (Feb. 9), which is also a Big Monday battle. The Jayhawks will spend Valentines Day, Feb. 14, at Iowa State, followed by a road game at Oklahoma State (Feb. 18). Kansas will host Cincinnati on Feb. 21 and two days later host Houston for its third and final ESPN Big Monday game of the season.Kansas will make a road swing for two games at Arizona (Feb. 28) and at Arizona State (March 3) before returning home to host Kansas State on Senior Night on March 7.The Big 12 is entering its 30th season of competition and Kansas has won 20 of the 29 conference regular-season titles, including an NCAA record-tying 13 consecutive from 2005-17.The Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship will be held March 10-14 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, and NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday will be March 15. KU has won 11 Big 12 Tournaments with its most recent in 2022.The season officially gets under way with Late Night in the Phog on Friday, Oct. 17, at 6:30 p.m. Late Night will be the first look at the 2025-26 KU's men's team that features returners Flory Bidunga, Jamari McDowell and Elmarko Jackson. Coach Bill Self welcomes eight newcomers to the KU squad, featuring freshman Darryn Peterson, the top-rated recruit in the nation, and four upperclassmen transfers – Melvin Council Jr., Jayden Dawson, Nginyu "Gee" Ngala, and Tre White. Peterson, the third No. 1 ranked national recruit to play for Self at Kansas, joining Andrew Wiggins and Josh Jackson, is surrounded by a talented freshmen class this year, including Kohl Rosario, Paul Mbiya, Bryson Tiller, Samis Calderon and Corbin Allen.Kansas Men's Basketball 2025-26 Schedule (Home games in ALL CAPS; times are Central where listed)*Big 12 Conference GameOct. 17 (Fri.) – LATE NIGHT IN THE PHOG (6:30 p.m.)Oct. 24 (Fri.) – at Louisville (Exhibition)Oct. 28 (Tue.) – FORT HAYS STATE (EXHIBITION)Nov. 3 (Mon.) – GREEN BAYNov. 7 (Fri.) – at North CarolinaNov. 11 (Tue.) – TEXAS A&amp;M-CORPUS CHRISTINov. 15 (Sat.) – PRINCETONNov. 18 (Tue.) – vs. Duke (Champions Classic, New York City, ESPN, 9 p.m.)Nov. 24 (Mon.) – vs. Notre Dame (Players Era, Las Vegas)Nov. 25 (Tue.) – vs. Syracuse (Players Era, Las Vegas)Nov. 26 or 27 (Wed. or Thurs.) – vs. TBD (Players Era, Las Vegas)Dec. 2 (Tue.) – CONNECTICUTDec. 7 (Sun.) – vs. Missouri (Kansas City, Mo.)Dec. 13 (Sat.) – at NC StateDec. 16 (Tue.) – TOWSONDec. 22 (Mon.) – DAVIDSONJan. 3 (Sat.) – at UCF*Jan. 6 (Tue.) – TCU*Jan. 10 (Sat.) – at West Virginia*Jan. 13 (Tue.) – IOWA STATE*Jan. 16 (Fri.) – BAYLOR*Jan. 20 (Tue.) – at Colorado*Jan. 24 (Sat.) – at Kansas State*Jan. 31 (Sat.) – BYU*Feb. 2 (Mon.) – at Texas Tech* (ESPN, 8 p.m.)Feb. 7 (Sat.) – UTAH*Feb. 9 (Mon.) – ARIZONA* (ESPN, 8 p.m.)Feb. 14 (Sat.) – at Iowa State*Feb. 18 (Wed.) – at Oklahoma State*Feb. 21 (Sat.) – CINCINNATI*Feb. 23 (Mon.) – HOUSTON* (ESPN, 8 p.m.)Feb. 28 (Sat.) – at Arizona*March 3 (Tue.) – at Arizona State*March 7 (Sat.) – KANSAS STATE*

🏀 Dates and opponents set for KU's Big 12 slate

NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abs-robot-umpires-how-it-works-9b817bb2c4666c984aa86ed29b401461">Robot umpires</a>&nbsp;are getting called up to the big leagues next season.

Major League Baseball’s 11-man competition committee on Tuesday approved use of the Automated Ball/Strike System in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mlb">major leagues</a>&nbsp;in 2026.

Human plate umpires will still call balls and strikes, but teams can challenge two calls per game and get additional appeals in extra innings. Challenges must be made by a pitcher, catcher or batter — signaled by tapping their helmet or cap — and a team retains its challenge if successful. Reviews will be shown as digital graphics on outfield videoboards.

Adding the robot umps is likely to cut down on ejections. MLB said 61.5% of ejections among players, managers and coaches last year were related to balls and strikes, as were 60.3% this season through Sunday. The figures include ejections for derogatory comments, throwing equipment while protesting calls and inappropriate conduct.

Big league umpires call roughly 94% of pitches correctly, according to UmpScorecards.

“Throughout this process we have worked on deploying the system in a way that’s acceptable to players,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “The strong preference from players for the challenge format over using the technology to call every pitch was a key factor in determining the system we are announcing today.”

ABS, which utilizes Hawk-Eye cameras, has been tested in the minor leagues since 2019. The independent Atlantic League&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/93f7e8be7f404ff2a6eadf2e9295c9d3">trialed the system</a>&nbsp;at its 2019 All-Star Game and MLB installed the technology for that’s year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/mlbs-top-prospects-deal-with-good-bad-of-robot-umpires-2972799c8928483c92156c182909625b">Arizona Fall League of top prospects</a>. The ABS was tried at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-mlb-baseball-rob-manfred-minor-league-baseball-fd64782047ad44f447e272375c712da5">eight of nine ballparks of the Low-A Southeast League in 2021</a>, then&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-los-angeles-dodgers-baseball-625898797547e5d4de140755ba9cd0ee">moved up to Triple-A in 2022</a>.

At Triple-A at the start of the 2023 season, half the games used the robots for ball/strike calls and half had a human making decisions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robo-umps-abs-triplea-ccc901dc69c6101fb6a793e5fe867a77">subject to appeals</a>&nbsp;by teams to the ABS.

MLB switched Triple-A to an all-challenge system on June 26, 2024, then used the challenge system this year at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-robot-umpires-experiment-manfred-ecba44e95b37e6f21824cbb58fe69707">13 spring training ballparks hosting 19 teams</a>&nbsp;for a total of 288 exhibition games. Teams won 52.2% of their ball/strike challenges (617 of 1,182) challenges.

At Triple-A this season, the average challenges per game increased to 4.2 from 3.9 through Sunday and the success rate dropped to 49.5% from 50.6%. Defenses were successful in 53.7% of challenges this year and offenses in 45%.

In the first test at the big League All-Star Game, four of five challenges of plate umpire Dan Iassogna’s calls were successful in July.

Teams in Triple-A do not get additional challenges in extra innings. The proposal approved Tuesday included a provision granting teams one additional challenge each inning if they don’t have challenges remaining.

MLB has experimented with different shapes and interpretations of the strike zone with ABS, including versions that were three-dimensional. Currently, it calls strikes solely based on where the ball crosses the midpoint of the plate, 8.5 inches from the front and the back. The top of the strike zone is 53.5% of batter height and the bottom 27%.

This will be MLB’s first major rule change since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-pitch-clock-shift-limits-bigger-bases-311fdb091b61f40b654c05e600a0d4ce">sweeping adjustments in 2024</a>. Those included a pitch clock, restrictions on defensive shifts, pitcher disengagements such as pickoff attempts and larger bases.

The challenge system introduces ABS without eliminating pitch framing, a subtle art where catchers use their body and glove to try making borderline pitches look like strikes. Framing has become a critical skill for big league catchers, and there was concern that full-blown ABS would make some strong defensive catchers obsolete. Not that everyone loves it.

“The idea that people get paid for cheating, for stealing strikes, for moving a pitch that’s not a strike into the zone to fool the official and make it a strike is beyond my comprehension,” former manager Bobby Valentine said.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758651767648.jpeg" alt="(AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, file)" />
 <figcaption>(AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, file)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abs-robot-umpires-how-it-works-9b817bb2c4666c984aa86ed29b401461">Robot umpires</a>&nbsp;are getting called up to the big leagues next season.Major League Baseball’s 11-man competition committee on Tuesday approved use of the Automated Ball/Strike System in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mlb">major leagues</a>&nbsp;in 2026.Human plate umpires will still call balls and strikes, but teams can challenge two calls per game and get additional appeals in extra innings. Challenges must be made by a pitcher, catcher or batter — signaled by tapping their helmet or cap — and a team retains its challenge if successful. Reviews will be shown as digital graphics on outfield videoboards.Adding the robot umps is likely to cut down on ejections. MLB said 61.5% of ejections among players, managers and coaches last year were related to balls and strikes, as were 60.3% this season through Sunday. The figures include ejections for derogatory comments, throwing equipment while protesting calls and inappropriate conduct.Big league umpires call roughly 94% of pitches correctly, according to UmpScorecards.“Throughout this process we have worked on deploying the system in a way that’s acceptable to players,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “The strong preference from players for the challenge format over using the technology to call every pitch was a key factor in determining the system we are announcing today.”ABS, which utilizes Hawk-Eye cameras, has been tested in the minor leagues since 2019. The independent Atlantic League&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/93f7e8be7f404ff2a6eadf2e9295c9d3">trialed the system</a>&nbsp;at its 2019 All-Star Game and MLB installed the technology for that’s year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/mlbs-top-prospects-deal-with-good-bad-of-robot-umpires-2972799c8928483c92156c182909625b">Arizona Fall League of top prospects</a>. The ABS was tried at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-mlb-baseball-rob-manfred-minor-league-baseball-fd64782047ad44f447e272375c712da5">eight of nine ballparks of the Low-A Southeast League in 2021</a>, then&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-los-angeles-dodgers-baseball-625898797547e5d4de140755ba9cd0ee">moved up to Triple-A in 2022</a>.At Triple-A at the start of the 2023 season, half the games used the robots for ball/strike calls and half had a human making decisions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robo-umps-abs-triplea-ccc901dc69c6101fb6a793e5fe867a77">subject to appeals</a>&nbsp;by teams to the ABS.MLB switched Triple-A to an all-challenge system on June 26, 2024, then used the challenge system this year at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-robot-umpires-experiment-manfred-ecba44e95b37e6f21824cbb58fe69707">13 spring training ballparks hosting 19 teams</a>&nbsp;for a total of 288 exhibition games. Teams won 52.2% of their ball/strike challenges (617 of 1,182) challenges.At Triple-A this season, the average challenges per game increased to 4.2 from 3.9 through Sunday and the success rate dropped to 49.5% from 50.6%. Defenses were successful in 53.7% of challenges this year and offenses in 45%.In the first test at the big League All-Star Game, four of five challenges of plate umpire Dan Iassogna’s calls were successful in July.Teams in Triple-A do not get additional challenges in extra innings. The proposal approved Tuesday included a provision granting teams one additional challenge each inning if they don’t have challenges remaining.MLB has experimented with different shapes and interpretations of the strike zone with ABS, including versions that were three-dimensional. Currently, it calls strikes solely based on where the ball crosses the midpoint of the plate, 8.5 inches from the front and the back. The top of the strike zone is 53.5% of batter height and the bottom 27%.This will be MLB’s first major rule change since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-pitch-clock-shift-limits-bigger-bases-311fdb091b61f40b654c05e600a0d4ce">sweeping adjustments in 2024</a>. Those included a pitch clock, restrictions on defensive shifts, pitcher disengagements such as pickoff attempts and larger bases.The challenge system introduces ABS without eliminating pitch framing, a subtle art where catchers use their body and glove to try making borderline pitches look like strikes. Framing has become a critical skill for big league catchers, and there was concern that full-blown ABS would make some strong defensive catchers obsolete. Not that everyone loves it.“The idea that people get paid for cheating, for stealing strikes, for moving a pitch that’s not a strike into the zone to fool the official and make it a strike is beyond my comprehension,” former manager Bobby Valentine said.Texas manager Bruce Bochy, a big league catcher from 1978-87, maintained old-school umpires such as Bruce Froemming and Billy Williams never would have accepted pitch framing. He said they would have told him: “‘If you do that again, you’ll never get a strike.’ I’m cutting out some words.”Management officials on the competition committee include Seattle chairman John Stanton, St. Louis CEO Bill DeWitt Jr., San Francisco chairman Greg Johnson, Colorado CEO Dick Monfort, Toronto CEO Mark Shapiro and Boston chairman Tom Werner.Players include Arizona’s Corbin Burnes and Zac Gallen, Detroit’s Casey Mize, Seattle’s Cal Raleigh and the New York Yankees’ Austin Slater, with the Chicago Cubs’ Ian Happ at Detroit’s Casey Mize as alternates. The union representatives make their decisions based on input from players on the 30 teams.Bill Miller is the umpire representative.