SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
WICHITA, Kan. — Several area standouts from Hutchinson Community College, Hesston High School and McPherson College are among the honorees and finalists for the 2025 Greater Wichita Sports Banquet, scheduled for Thursday, June 26, at INTRUST Bank Arena.
The annual event, hosted by the Wichita Sports Commission, coincides with the presentation of the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award. The three finalists for the national award include Caden Bodine (Coastal Carolina), Rylan Galvan (Texas) and Carson Tinney (Notre Dame).
Hutchinson Community College is once again well-represented following a dominant year in athletics. Sophomore Hailey Jackson, a key contributor on the Blue Dragons’ women’s basketball team, is one of three finalists for Junior College Female Athlete of the Year. On the men’s side, HutchCC football standout Waymond Jordan Jr. is a finalist for Junior College Male Athlete of the Year.
Last year, HutchCC earned major honors at the banquet, as Kiki Smith was named Junior College Female Athlete of the Year after guiding the Blue Dragons to the NJCAA national championship. Head coach John Ontjes received the Gene Stephenson Coach of the Year Award.
Hesston High School senior Kendal Brueggen, a multi-sport standout in volleyball and basketball, is a finalist for the Lynette Woodard High School Female Athlete of the Year. Brueggen helped lead the Swathers to strong postseason runs in both sports this past year.
McPherson College volleyball standout Hadley Waldren is one of three finalists for College Female Athlete of the Year. Waldren, a consistent leader for the Bulldogs, is joined in the category by Wichita State’s Sara Duque Jiménez (bowling) and Friends University’s Riley Wertz (softball).
Other award winners and finalists include:
- Gene Stephenson Coach of the Year: Steven Gream, Cowley College volleyball
- High School Boys Coach of the Year: Derek Tuttle, Andover Central football
- High School Girls Coach of the Year: Greg Rauch, Bishop Carroll soccer
- Junior College Female Athlete of the Year finalists: Hailey Jackson (HutchCC), Laura Bonomi (Cowley), Ashley Singhateh (Butler)
- Junior College Male Athlete of the Year finalists: Waymond Jordan Jr. (HutchCC), Seven Cloud (Butler), Evan Rodriguez (Cowley)
- College Female Athlete of the Year finalists: Hadley Waldren (McPherson), Sara Duque Jiménez (Wichita State), Riley Wertz (Friends)
- College Male Athlete of the Year finalists: Xavier Bell (Wichita State), Jace Fisher (Newman), KJ Spiller (Friends)
- Professional Athlete of the Year finalists: Zebby Matthews (Wichita Wind Surge), Peter Bates (Wichita Thunder)
- Lynette Woodard High School Female Athlete of the Year finalists: Kendal Brueggen (Hesston), Kinslea Jones (Maize), Sophie Stockam (Maize South)
- Barry Sanders High School Male Athlete of the Year finalists: Da’Saahn Brame (Derby), Josh Burdick (Cheney), Jack Guthridge (Kapaun Mt. Carmel)
To learn more about the event, click here.