Blaine Younger, who got his musical start in the Hays area, is in the running for a chance to play the 2015 Kicker Country Stampede this summer.
The Manhattan event is scheduled in June and will be headlined by Blake Shelton, Travis Tritt and Florida Georgia Line, among other top country acts.
Younger has advanced to Round 2.
To hear the artists, vote or for more information, click HERE.
FHSU Sports Information
Kevin Czarnecki picked up his second all-region honor for the 2015, earning National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association All-Central Region Second Team honors on May 14. He earned the honor as a utility player.
Czarnecki was tabbed an all-region first team selection as a utility/non-pitcher by Daktronics. He now has two all-region selections from this season and was a two-time All-MIAA selection in his two years with the Tigers.
Czarnecki led the Tigers with a .415 batting average, 17 doubles, 71 hits, 53 runs scored, and an on-base percentage of .495 in 2015. He recorded 30 extra-base hits, adding 12 home runs and a triple to his team-best 17 doubles. Czarnecki finished the season on an impressive 21-game hitting streak and 37-consecutive game streak of reaching base. He also led the team in multi-hit games with 27. Czarnecki started at three different positions in 2015, 21 times at first base, 15 times at designated hitter, and 11 times at third base.
Below is the NCBWA All-Central Region Team for 2015.
2015 NCBWA All-Central Region Team
First Team
Catcher – Mike Jurgella, Senior, St. Cloud State University
First Base – Patrick Castleberry, Senior, Arkansas Tech
Second Base – Jimmy Heck, Junior, Minnesota Duluth
Shortstop – Kyle Lieser, Junior, St. Cloud State University
Third Base – Dean Long, Senior, Emporia State University
Outfield – Eric Loxtercamp, Senior, St. Cloud State University
Outfield – Justin Harris, Senior, Emporia State University
Outfield – Nathan Ackerman, Junior, Wayne State College
Designated Hitter – Max Waletich, Senior, Minnesota State
Utility Player – Nick Spini, Senior, East Central University
Starting Pitcher – Reese Gregory, Junior, St. Cloud State University
Starting Pitcher – Cody Hutchinson, Junior, Missouri Southern State University
Starting Pitcher – Sheldon Miks, Freshman, St. Cloud State University
Relief Pitcher – Dakota Belter, Junior, Minnesota State
Second Team
Catcher – Jack Goihl, Senior, Augustana
Catcher – Nolan Johnson, Senior, Minnesota State
First Base – Alex Wojciechowski, Junior, Minnesota Duluth
Second Base – Charles Sims, Junior, Northeastern State University
Second Base – Mitch Moser, Sophomore, Upper Iowa University
Shortstop – Eric Fasnacht, Junior, Concordia-St. Paul University
Third Base – Patrick Fiala, Junior, Augustana
Outfield – Trevor Jones, Senior, Central Missouri
Outfield – Brandon Grimsley, Junior, Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Outfield – Grant Farley, Sophomore, Minnesota Duluth
Outfield – Anthony Pacheco, Junior, Nebraska-Kearney
Outfield – Ryan Degner, Senior, Missouri Western
Outfield – Jake Greco, Freshman, Upper Iowa
Designated Hitter – Jesse Rall, Junior, Missouri Southern State University
Utility Player – Kevin Czarnecki, Senior, Fort Hays State University
Starting Pitcher – Connor Eller, Junior, Ouachita Baptist University
Starting Pitcher – Payton Walker, Junior, Missouri Southern State University
Starting Pitcher – Dalton Roach, Freshman, Minnesota State University
Relief Pitcher – Nick Vanthillo, Junior, Henderson State University
Player of the Year: Mike Jurgella, Catcher, Senior, St. Cloud State
Pitcher of the Year: Reese Gregory, Pitcher, Junior, St. Cloud State
Coach of the Year: Pat Dolan, St. Cloud State
May showers are expected to continue this weekend, with the possibility of something more severe arriving, as well.
The National Weather Service is calling for a chance of thunderstorms Friday afternoon through mid-morning Saturday.
Those storms have the potential to become strong, with the NWS calling for the possibility of ping pong ball-sized hail. By Saturday afternoon, the storms are expected to be intense enough to become tornado-producing.
The risk is categorized as slight in Hays and Ellis County on Friday, increasing to “enhanced” on Saturday.
Sunday and Monday are expected to be calmer, with the chance of additional storms returning mid-week.
Click HERE for the complete forecast.
MANHATTAN -Former U.S. Senator Nancy Kassebaum Baker received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Kansas State University during the graduate school commencement Friday afternoon at Bramlage Coliseum.
Kassebaum Baker also served as the keynote speaker for the commencement ceremony, telling the graduates we are in a new era where forces have combined to produce unprecedented progress and unacceptable uncertainty. “We are immediately connected world wide as never before. It’s amazing how one can Skype around the world, informed but perhaps less understanding. It is difficult to gain perspective on the vast array of the crisis occurring on social media.”
Kassebaum Baker cited comments by former President Dwight D. Eisenhower in his farewell address in 1958 which she believes fits today. “Balance in and among national programs, balance between action of the moment and national welfare of the future, good judgement seeks balance and progress. Lack of it eventually finds violence and frustration. We should be seeking balance for a changing world order.”
The former Senator noted education is a valuable part of Americans’ achieving their goals and knowledge of the world around them. She also pointed to change in the future noting that in 10 years at the current pace the world will have changed beyond present recognition, ranging from new medicines to new challenges and a fervent hope of a more peaceful world.
“It’s reassuring to me that our basic values will remain the same.”
Kassebaum Baker urged the graduates to maintain an open mind as they face the future. “It is a challenging time but I am confident that you know how to provide the leadership necessary. And I have great confidence the future will be in good hands with the graduates we have today.”
The TMP-Marian girls track and field team had two individuals and a relay team place first as the team finished second at the Mid-Continent League meet on Thursday in Plainville.
Melissa Pfeifer won the 800 meters (2:26.12) and finished second in the 3200 meters (14:05.52), behind Alicia Lechman (13:16.96) who won the event for TMP.
The TMP 4×800 meter relay team also placed first (10:47.97).
Norton won the girls team title with 112 points. TMP was second with 84 and Hill City was third.
The TMP boys finished third with 80 points, 33 behind second place Norton. Smith Center won the team title with 124 points.
Andre Hess won both the 1600 meters (4:53.02) and the 3200 meters (10:45.66) for TMP. Mark Loftus was second for the Monarchs in the 3200 meters (11:10.96).
Sam Dreiling won the pole vault (14-06.00)
The Associated Press
A jury on Friday sentenced Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev to death. Last month, the same jury found Tsarnaev guilty of all 30 federal counts against him. Here are the charges:
— Conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction resulting in death.
— Use of a weapon of mass destruction resulting in death; aiding and abetting (two counts.)
— Possession and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence resulting in death; aiding and abetting (nine counts.)
— Conspiracy to bomb a place of public use resulting in death.
— Bombing of a place of public use resulting in death; aiding and abetting (two counts.)
— Conspiracy to maliciously destroy property resulting in personal injury and death.
— Malicious destruction of property resulting in personal injury and death; aiding and abetting (two counts.)
— Carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury; aiding and abetting.
— Possession and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; aiding and abetting (six counts.)
— Interference with commerce by threats and violence; aiding and abetting.
— Use of a weapon of mass destruction; aiding and abetting (four counts.)
By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN
FHSU University Relations
Walking across the stage to receive their diploma means different things to different graduates.
Imagine what it could mean to someone who struggles walking at all, whose only means of getting around is with crutches or a wheelchair.
For Radley Steffen, Hutchinson senior, Saturday morning’s trek across the stage at Fort Hays State University’s Gross Memorial Coliseum will signify the end of a long road.
Steffen was born with cerebral palsy, and it will take him a little longer to get across that stage than most of the other graduates. He has chosen to use his crutches rather than his electric wheelchair. He will have it no other way.
“I’m going to walk,” he said emphatically. “I refuse to use my chair at graduation. I walked at graduation in high school and at juco. So I’m walking.”
He’s not accustomed to taking the easy way out.
FHSU Head Football Coach Chris Brown said he saw that early on after meeting Steffen. Steffen, who helped with several of Hutchinson High School’s state championship football teams under Coach Randy Dreiling, got in touch with Brown when he decided to continue his education at Fort Hays State. Steffen had graduated from Hutchinson Community College in 2010, and when he decided to pursue his bachelor’s degree, he found that all his credits were guaranteed to transfer to FHSU.
Steffen got in touch with Brown about helping with the Tiger football team.
He started out as a manager with the team in the fall of 2013, and Brown saw an opportunity for a great learning experience, not only Steffen but his entire team.
Brown started giving Steffen more responsibilities, including reading script and giving signals to the team at practices.
“He really kept us on a schedule,” Brown said.
Besides knowing the game of football, Steffen is “a great inspiration,” Brown said.
Steffen soon became one of the guys, a big part of the team. Brown started taking Steffen on road trips his senior year, and he was honored the final home game of the season last fall along with all the senior players.
“They gave me a farewell jersey,” Steffen said. “That meant a lot.”
“I told him last season we needed him on the sidelines, that we were taking him on road trips,” Brown said. “He never complains, so he’s an awesome guy to have around the kids. He doesn’t use his disability as an excuse for anything.”
Indeed.
Steffen was born three months premature. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects coordination, vision and hearing. Steffen underwent major eye surgery as a preschooler.
“The doctor told my mom I had a 30-percent chance to live, so I’m pretty lucky to be here,” he said. “And I’m pretty lucky not to be a severe case.”
Steffen said he also considers himself lucky to be able to finish his bachelor’s degree in general studies with an emphasis in business and leadership.
But people who know Steffen credit his work ethic and determination, rather than luck, for his accomplishments. Some of those were fellow students, who watched him deal with everyday challenges while working as a resident assistant in Heather Hall.
“He gets down some, but we all do, and my door is always open to him,” said Luke Bellar, a Howard senior who this year lived on the first floor of Heather Hall, where Steffen worked as an RA this semester.
“He doesn’t let his disabilities get in his way,” Bellar said. “He’s doing quite well for himself.”
Steffen would like to continue helping coach football and said he has a few ideas to pursue those dreams. Brown, for one, has confidence in Steffen achieving his goals.
“You can tell that kids just love him,” Brown said. “He has so much determination, and the more he understands the game, I think things could work out for him coaching in some type of capacity someday.”
For now, though, Steffen is looking forward to making that trip across the stage Saturday morning, then returning home to his family in Hutchinson — with diploma in hand.
“I’m ready to get back home to my family, but I’ll miss everyone here,” he said. “The people here are very good to me. That’s what I’m going to miss the most. I’m very fortunate.”
By DOUG FEINBERG
AP Basketball Writer
The NCAA women’s basketball rules committee is making the college game look more like the pros.
The committee came up with suggested changes Friday that include playing four 10-minute quarters instead of two halves, advancing the ball to the frontcourt in the final minute of game after a timeout and shooting two free throws after the fifth foul of each quarter. Those rules are already used in the WNBA.
The proposals will be evaluated on June 8 by a playing rules oversight panel. If they are passed they will be implemented starting next year.
The new rules would be used across all three divisions of women’s basketball.
By JOHN MARSHALL
AP Basketball Writer
The NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules Committee has recommended reducing the shot clock from 35 to 30 seconds among a series of changes aimed at speeding up a game that has reached historic lows in scoring.
The NCAA experimented with a 30-second shot clock during the NIT and CIT postseason tournaments and the rules committee recommended making it permanent for the 2015-16 season. The shot clock was last reduced for the 1993-94 season, from 45 to 35 seconds.
Scoring in college basketball hit an all-time low in 2012-13 and nearly matched it last season, when teams scored 67.6 points per game.
The committee also recommended extending the restricted arc from three to four feet to reduce the number of collisions under the basket. Teams also would have one less second-half timeout.
Delbert Eldene Babcock, age 84, passed away at his home in Utica, Kansas on May 13, 2015.
He was born on June 10, 1930, the son of Harry and Myrtle Roeske Babcock.
He was a farmer for most of his life and was in the U.S. Air Force. He was a lifetime member of American Legion Post 380 and Ransom VFW Post 7972.
On June 13, 1953, he married Letha Harvey. She survives.
Other survivors include sons, Keene (Linda) Babcock, Peck KS, Barry (Pam) Babcock, Hutchinson, KS; daughter, Cindy Babcock and fiance Doug, LaCrosse, KS; 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Gregory Babcock; and brother, Kenneth Babcock.
Cremation has taken place.
Celebration of Life will be Tuesday, May 19, 2015, 11:00 A.M. at United Methodist Church, Utica.
Memorial contributions may be given to Utica American Legion Post 380, Shriners Children’s Hospital, or Western Plains Honor Flight.
FHSU University Relations
Cody Scheck, Victoria, was named today as the recipient of the Torch Award as the outstanding graduating senior from the class of 2015 at Fort Hays State University.
He will receive a Bachelor of Business Administration with Summa Cum Laude honors at the College of Business and Entrepreneurship Commencement, which begins at 6 p.m. today at Gross Memorial Coliseum.
The announcement of the Torch Award came at the annual Graduate and Faculty Luncheon, sponsored by the FHSU Alumni Association. The Pilot Award for outstanding faculty member and the Navigator Award for outstanding faculty advisor were also announced. All three recipients will be recognized at Commencement.
Dr. Keith Dreiling, associate professor of mathematics, was the Pilot Award Recipient, and Jessica Heronemus, instructor of accounting, was the recipient of the Navigator Award.
Dr. Diane Scott, a 1988 and 1990 graduate of FHSU and president of the FHSU Alumni Association, introduced Scheck, a 2011 graduate of Victoria High School, who was selected from 46 nominees.
Scott quoted one faculty member who said in support of Scheck’s nomination, “Cody has demonstrated a level of work ethic, academic achievement, leadership and moral character that are rarely paralleled by other undergraduates. Specifically, Cody’s experiences align very well with the criteria for the Torch Award: leadership, high personal standards and scholarship.”
Another faculty member wrote, “Over the last four years, I have come to know Cody quite well as a student, advisee and through his extensive involvement in campus organizations. He is an outstanding student who demonstrates a high level of self-motivation and a strong desire to learn. He will do great things and will always be loyal to his alma mater.”
Scheck has served as a senator in the Student Government Association, as an officer in the Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity and as a freshmen orientation assistant. He was a group leader both for the university and the Board of Regents in higher education advocacy in the state Capitol. He has participated as a tax return preparer and final reviewer in the FHSU Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, which provides free tax preparation help to the public.
He has been a tax preparer and accounting intern at Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball CPA firm in Hays and served as an intern for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in Hays and Washington, D.C. This summer, he will be a tax intern for Koch Industries in Wichita and will return to FHSU in the fall as a graduate teaching assistant and student in the MBA program.
Scott also introduced the Pilot Award winner. “Dr. Keith Dreiling stimulates intellectual curiosity, is always well prepared and displays professional behavior … the list goes on and on,” said one student quoted by Scott. “He would be a remarkable candidate for this award.”
The student continued, “He is the most charming, hilarious, hard-working mathematician I have ever met. He is always positive and enthusiastic, and students love him.”
Ulises Gonzalez, Garden City junior and current SGA vice president and president-elect for 2015-2016, announced Jessica Heronemus as the recipient of the Navigator Award.
The award was created in 1998 to recognize an outstanding academic advisor based on how closely he or she adheres to the university goals for academic advising. Candidates are nominated, interviewed and selected by graduating seniors.
Gonzalez announced that Heronemus was not present because she was in St. Lucia as a sponsor for 22 Fort Hays State students who were participating in service-learning trip as part of the Everybody’s Business Learning Community.
The Alumni Association instituted the Torch and Pilot awards in 1974 to emphasize the importance of excellence in teaching and learning. They are presented every year at the Graduate and Faculty Luncheon in advance of Commencement.
The Torch Award candidates are nominated by members of the faculty on the basis of classroom excellence, participation in professional organizations, and involvement in student or civic activities. The Pilot Award is given on the basis of classroom excellence, ongoing research and service activities. Candidates are nominated by graduating seniors. Nominations for the Navigator Award are also made by graduating seniors in a process conducted by the Student Government Association.
The Alumni Association, established in 1916, is dedicated to identifying and serving the needs of more than 60,000 graduates living throughout the United States and 70 foreign countries. For more information, contact the Alumni Association at 785-628-4430 or [email protected].
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court has reversed the conviction of a 27-year-old man serving a life sentence for suffocating his former girlfriend and their baby after she demanded child support.
The court ruled Friday that Luis Aguirre’s confessions weren’t admissible because he was questioned after invoking his constitutional right to remain silent. Luis Aguirre was convicted in June 2012 of capital murder in the deaths of 18-year-old Tanya Maldonado and the couple’s 13-month-old son, Juan.
A hunter found their bodies in a shallow grave near Ogden in October 2009. A month earlier, Maldonado told a case worker at a Chicago homeless shelter that she was leaving with her son’s father. Aguirre was living in Austin, Texas, at the time but had previously lived in Ogden.
MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — A Garmin International official has donated $1 million to the Kansas State College of Engineering.
The university announced Friday that the gift from Min Kao, co-founder and executive chairman of Garmin Ltd., based in Olathe. The money will be used for four new laboratories at a building addition at the university’s engineering college.
Kao has previously donated more than $1 million to the College of Engineering to support electrical engineering and computer science scholarships and improvements to the engineering buildings on campus.
He is a member of the Kansas State University Foundation’s Presidents Club and the College of Engineering’s Seaton Society.
