HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson High School athletic department announced two new hires on Tuesday, as Josie Armstrong was hired to coach volleyball for the Salthawks, while Kalen Hilst was hired as the next HHS girls basketball coach.
Josie Armstrong, who many remember as Josie Williams who starred at Buhler High School, has been named the new head volleyball coach at Hutchinson High School according to athletic director Jon McLean. After graduating from Buhler, Armstrong became a 4-year player at Emporia State where she was a 2-time team captain and was 2nd team all-MIAA her senior year. She was also a grad assistant for one year at Emporia State. Her parents are Jason and Nancy Williams.
Kalen Hilst, a Hutchinson native returns to the Salt City as the next girls basketball coach for the Salthawks. Hilst returns to Hutchinson after most recently serving as an assistant coach and a math teacher in the Perry-Lecompton school district.
Hilst graduated from Hutchinson High School in 2014, and then attended the University of Kansas where he graduated in 2018. He obtained his teaching license from Fort Hays State University.
After graduating from Kansas, Hilst spent two years at Newton High School teaching algebra and geometry.
Hilst is the nephew of former Eagle Radio sports director and longtime HHS teacher, Rusty Hilst.