Click below to listen to Tiger Talk with “Voice of the Tigers” Gerard Wellbrock and Fort Hays State head football coach Chris Brown as they preview Thursday’s season opener in Joplin, Mo. against Missouri Southern State.
Tiger Talk airs on Monday evening at 6 p.m. on Tiger Radio Mix-103.
FHSU Sports Information
HAYS, Kan. – On Saturday, August 26, Fort Hays State University held the dedication of its new Track and Field Facility, along with naming the track “Alex Francis Track”. Several members of the Hays community, along with current and past athletes and coaches, were on hand for the dedication ceremony.
The FHSU Track and Field Facility consists of a nine-lane, 400-meter, all-weather running track and a full complement of field event areas. The current site was chosen more than two years ago and construction of the $3.28 million facility began in April of 2016. The complex includes a press box and fixed bleacher seating for 500 spectators on the east side. Other structures provide field equipment storage, a training room, a meeting room, and public restrooms. Construction completed in December of 2016 and the facility hosted three track and field events in the Spring of 2017. Installation of a new timing and results board occurred in August of 2017 and future upgrades include the addition of lights to the facility as funding becomes available.
The track is named for Alex Francis, the highly successful man who coached track and field and cross country at Fort Hays State University from 1946 until his retirement in 1980. The track at Lewis Field Stadium was previously named after Coach Francis and his name and legacy has been carried forward to Fort Hays State’s current track, constructed in 2016 and dedicated on August 26, 2017. His cross country teams won four national titles (1963, 1965, 1968, 1969) and finished national runner-up four times. He also guided cross country teams to 11 conference titles. His track and field squads captured 17 conference titles and overall he guided 139 Tiger athletes to All-America status in cross country and track and field combined.
The javelin event area at the facility has been named in honor of the late Zach Kindler, who was a four-time All-American in the event. At the age of 35, Kindler passed away unexpectedly during his highly successful tenure as track and field and cross country coach at Baker University in 2014. He was recently inducted into the Tiger Sports Hall of Fame and his family was present at the dedication to see his legacy live on at the new facility for FHSU Track and Field.
If you are interested in donating to future upgrades or the naming of an event area at the facility, please contact the FHSU Foundation at (785) 628-5620. There are still several naming opportunities available.
HAYS, Kan. – A summer filled with facility improvements at Fort Hays State saw the completion of the chair back seating project on the west side of Lewis Field Stadium last week. Just over 2,000 new black folding seats replaced the old gold chair back seats and a majority of the bench seating previously on the west side of the stadium, while stairwells widened and handrails were installed.
The next upgrade to Lewis Field Stadium will take place following the 2017 season as a new video/scoreboard will be installed at the north end of the field, replacing the old scoreboard. The size of the new board will be massive, measuring at 63 feet wide and just over 36 feet tall. With a 10-foot tall base to support the board, the finished board will stand over 45 feet high.
FHSU Sports Information
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In the MIAA Preseason Coaches’ Poll, released Thursday (Aug. 24), the Fort Hays State men’s cross country team was picked sixth as competition will get running soon. The Tigers are coming off a fourth place finish in the MIAA Championships last fall.
The Tigers captured 60 total points on the poll, placing them behind Pittsburg State who rounded-out the top five this edition. Missouri Southern garnered nine first-place votes to top the preseason edition of the standings with 98 total points.
After losing two of the top runners on the squad in Troy Wineinger and Jacob Thomas to graduation, the Tigers will look to the remaining athletes to see who will break out this season. Sophomore Layton Werth, who finished an FHSU-best out of the returners at the 2016 MIAA Championships coming in at No. 31, looks to better that place while leading the Tigers for his junior campaign.
Along with Werth, Fort Hays State bring two seniors into the 2017 run with Oscar Carmona and Jason Foster are back to anchor head coach Jason McCullough’s team while they finish out their collegiate running careers. Carmona earned a 38th place finish at the conference championships last season while recording a 33:04.4 in the 10K at the NCAA Division II Central Region Championships – good for a personal best.
As far as the younger runners go, sophomore Kaleb Crum is back for another year after having a strong freshman season. Crum placed 54th at the conference meet. Of the newcomers, Robbie Schmidt, Marcelo Cruz and Marcus Tula all join the Tigers after having successful high school careers in the state of Kansas. Coach McCullough is also excited about the transfer of Bill Oyet who comes to Hays from Iowa Western Community College, with a 1,500m national title to his name.
On Saturday (Aug. 26), Fort Hays State University will host its 31st annual Alumni Run at the Sand Plum Nature Trail in Victoria, Kan. The gun will shoot at 9:30 a.m. You can also see the Tigers in Hays on Saturday Oct. 7 when they host the FHSU Tiger Open starting at 9:00 a.m.
2017 MIAA Preseason Men’s Cross Country Coaches’ Poll
1. Missouri Southern (9) 98
2. Northwest Missouri (2) 78
3. Nebraska-Kearney 71
4. Southwest Baptist 68
5. Pittsburg State 67
6. Fort Hays State 60
7. Lindenwood 59
8. Central Missouri 39
9. Washburn 32
10. Emporia State 19
11. Missouri Western 14
FHSU Sports Information
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – With a new season set to get running soon, the Fort Hays State women’s cross country team will start the new year ranked third in the MIAA Preseason Coaches’ Poll released Thursday (Aug. 24). The Tigers are coming off one of their best seasons yet, as they finished 18th at the NCAA Division II National Championships – the highest finish for an MIAA program in the field. At the conference championships, Fort Hays State earned a third place finish.
In the preseason edition of the coaches’ poll, the Tigers captured 126 total points with one first-place vote from the fellow MIAA coaches. Last season’s MIAA champion, Southwest Baptist, took the No. 1 preseason ranking with 10 first-place votes and 141 total points.
The Tigers return five of their top seven runners from 2016. Back to lead the Tigers for her senior campaign is Shea Bonine who finished second in the MIAA conference meet last season, as well as earned a 41st place time in the NCAA championships. Bonine also gathered All-MIAA honors and All-Region accolades last season.
Alongside Bonine for head coach Jason McCullough’s 2017 squad, returners include fellow seniors in Chelsea Jackson and Lauren Roberts. Jackson captured a 17th place finish last season at the conference meet while earning All-MIAA honorable mention honors, while Roberts crossed the line 82nd.
Coach McCullough says this is one of his most experienced squads in recent memory, and will be joined by a strong incoming class to try and stay in the upper level of the MIAA. Most notably for the freshmen will be Grace Buessing out of Wichita, and Rebeca Avelar out of Johnson, Kan., who won the 2A state title in 2016.
Lauren Roberts’ twin sister Lindsay looks to also have an impact in 2017 after not competing in 2016.
On Saturday (Aug. 26), Fort Hays State University will host its 31st annual Alumni Run at the Sand Plum Nature Trail in Victoria, Kan. The gun will shoot at 9:30 a.m. You can also see the Tigers in Hays on Saturday Oct. 7 when they host the FHSU Tiger Open starting at 9:00 a.m.
2017 MIAA Preseason Women’s Cross Country Coaches’ Poll
1.) Southwest Baptist (10) 141
2.) Pittsburg State (2) 131
3.) Fort Hays State (1) 126
4.) Missouri Southern 108
5.) Central Missouri 96
6.) Nebraska-Kearney 95
7.) Central Oklahoma 67
8.) Northwest Missouri 56
9.) Emporia State 54
10.) Lindenwood 49
11.) Washburn 40
12.) Missouri Western 35
13.) Lincoln 16
HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State volleyball team got their final tune-up before the start of their season with the annual Black & Gold Scrimmage at Gross Coliseum Wednesday night. Freshman Logan Wallick led the Tigers with 19 kills and fellow freshman Amirah Bentley had 27 digs as the Gold team beat the Black 3-2. Three of the five sets were decided by three points or less.
Head coach Kurt Kohler, who begins his ninth season, has 14 freshman on his roster.
Coach Kurt Kohler on his team’s scrimmage and the season ahead.
The Tigers, who are coming off a 25-win season a year ago, open their season a week from Friday at the Country Inn & Suites Invitational in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Fort Hays State men’s soccer team enters the 2017 season picked first in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, released on Tuesday (Aug. 22). Last season the Tigers finished second in the conference with a 6-2 record. The defending conference champions, Lindenwood, sit in the second spot, while Northeastern State rounds out the top three.
The Tigers still seek an MIAA title in men’s soccer, even though they are the three-time defending NCAA Central Regional champion. The Tigers have finished second in the MIAA three of the last four years, but their overall body of work has been good enough to qualify for the NCAA Tournament five consecutive years.
The first regular season action will take place next week on Thursday (Aug. 31) at 6 pm when the Tigers host Rockhurst University in a rematch of last season’s national quarterfinal match. The Tigers travel to McKendree University on Saturday (Sept. 2). Last season the Tigers set a program record for wins with 14. They finished the season 14-5-1 overall, claiming their third consecutive NCAA Division II Central Region crown.
Offense played a huge role for the Tiger success in 2016 as they outscored their opponents 53-20, averaging 2.65 goals per match. Scoring was vital to their success last season as 14 different players scored a goal throughout the year. Six players totaled 10 or more points on the season. Click in the box below for a complete season preview.
2017 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Fort Hays State (3) 15
2. Lindenwood (2) 14
3. Northeastern State 10
4. Upper Iowa 7
5. Southwest Baptist 4
FHSU Sports Information
With the start of the season a little over a week away, the Fort Hays State coaching staff continues to finalize starting and backup positions for the Tigers season opener at Missouri Southern State August 31st. Regardless of who the starters are, FHSU will have two new faces at cornerback.
Senior Kamon Clayton is among several players battling for one of two starting cornerback positions left vacant by the graduation of Raheeme Dumas and Rashad Dunnigan. Clayton, who spent time at the bandit position a year ago, is trying to win the starting job along with fourth-year junior Aquil Knowles and senior Trae Regier as well as several other redshirt freshman.
Kamon Clayton
HAYS, Kan. – For the second straight week the defense stole the show as the Fort Hays State football team held their second and final scrimmage to close out their preseason camp Saturday morning at Lewis Field.
FHSU coach Chris Brown on the Tigers second scrimmage of preseason camp
The first and second team defense held the first and second team offense to a pair of first downs over the first nine possessions of the controlled scrimmage which saw several projected starters not participate.
Doyin Jibowu intercepted a Jacob Mezera pass on the first possession featuring both first teams. The No. 1 offense was held to a 22-yard Brandon Brown field goal while working on a red zone possession.
Junior QB Jacob Mezera talks about Saturday’s scrimmage
The No. 2 offense scored the first points of the day when true freshman quarterback Chance Fuller hit fellow freshman Jmari Davis on a 40-yard touchdown pass. Fuller and Davis would connect again on a 48-yard strike with the third stringers.
Junior bandit back Doyin Jibowo had an interception in Saturday’s scrimmage
Junior college transfer Harley Hazlett hauled in a 27-yard pass from Mezera while working on the two-minute drill. He also had a 13-yard reception with No. 2 offense which set up a touchdown.
The Tigers open the 2017 season Thursday August 31st at Missouri Southern State.
Drew Kite trying to make the transition from the basketball court to the football field. The Scott City junior was a member of the Fort Hays State basketball team the last four years and is now battling Matt Wendelberger and J.J. Lewis for the starting tight end spot.
Kite was all-state in both sports in high school and was the 3A Defensive Player of the Year and won a state title in football his senior season at Scott City.
Drew Kite
One position that will have a bit of a new look for the Fort Hays State football team this fall is running back. The Tigers are looking to replace First Team All-MIAA selection Shaquille Cooper who rushed for nearly 1,000 yards last season. Kenneth Iheme missed all of 2015 due to injury but returned to play in all 12 games a year ago and was named Third Team all-conference after rushing for over 500 yards and have nearly 200 receiving yards. The Wichita Heights senior says hes poised for another big year this season.
Kenneth Iheme
Iheme and Charles Tigner, who played mostly wide receiver a year ago, are expected to carry most of the running back duties in 2017.
HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State baseball team and head coach Steve Johnson have announced the signing of 12 individuals for the 2018 season. Included in this signing class are four true freshman and eight transfers.
“We’re very excited about this group of players,” said Johnson. “Many talented athletes in this group have shown they can perform at a high level. We’re looking forward to getting them on campus and see what they can do in the fall.”
Alfonso Barragan | C • Yuma, Ariz. • Mesa CC
Alfonso Barragan joins the Tigers after playing two seasons at Mesa Community College. Barragan appeared in 48 games in his career, batting .311 with 11 runs and nine RBI as a freshman before collecting a .230 batting average with three extra-base hits as a sophomore. He earned Arizona All-Academic Honorable Mention accolades after his senior season at Gila Ridge High School.
Bryce Baumwart | INF • Emporia, Kan. • Barton CC
Bryce Baumwart transfers to FHSU after one season at Barton Community College. Baumwart recorded a .263 batting average in 38 at bats, scoring 11 runs and driving in eight RBI. He played his freshman season for Brown Mackie College in Salina, Kan., collecting a .254 batting average while leading the team with 19 RBI. He was a three year starter at Emporia High School.
John Egan | RHP • Wichita, Kan. • Collegiate HS
John Egan comes in as a true freshman after a strong career at Collegiate High School in Wichita, Kan. Egan earned second team 4A-II All-State honors as an outfielder after his senior season. He also earned first team all-league accolades. Egan also spent some time on the mound, striking out 20 batters over 24 innings of work.
Kade Franks | INF • Jefferson City, Mo. • Jefferson City HS
Kade Franks joins the Tigers after graduating from Jefferson City (Mo.) High School. Franks earned honorable mention Class 5A All-State accolades as a senior after being named a second team All-State performer as a junior. He helped the Jays win the 2017 Class 5A state championship.
Ryan Grasser | INF • Aurora, Colo. • Western Nebraska CC
Ryan Grasser played two seasons at Western Nebraska Community College before transferring to Fort Hays State. Grasser played in 101 games in his career with the Cougars, batting .308 with 13 doubles, six home runs, 35 runs and 30 RBI as a sophomore after hitting .346 with 11 doubles, two home runs, 37 runs and 21 RBI as a freshman. He was named on the first team JUCO All-Nebraska team as a sophomore, also earning academic all-region honors. Grasser graduated from Cherokee Trail High School.
Addison Kaasch | INF • Parker, Colo. • Seward County CC
Addison Kaasch transfers to Fort Hays State after spending the last year at Seward County Community College. Kaasch played in 54 games for the Saints, leading the way offensively with 65 hits, 39 runs, 35 RBI, 10 doubles, six home runs while ranking second with a .323 batting average. He started his collegiate career at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, Ariz. Kaasch saw limited playing time at SMCC, appearing in 13 games and collecting three hits in 16 at bats. He graduated from Chaparral High School, where he earned second team all-league honors and helped the Wolverines to a state quarterfinal appearance as a senior.
Roger Kruse | RHP • Brentwood, Calif. • San Mateo JC
Roger Kruse comes to FHSU as a junior transfer from San Mateo Junior College. Kruse helped the Bulldogs win the 2017 Coast Conference Championship, throwing 30 innings over 11 appearances and accumulating a 4.20 ERA with 16 strikeouts and a 3-0 record as a sophomore. He also made 15 appearances as a freshman in 2016, going 1-1 with one save while striking out 23 batters in 21.2 innings of work. Kruse earned first team all-league honors as a senior at Heritage High School.
Taylan Mullins | OF • Amarillo, Texas • Randall HS
Taylan Mullins joins the Tigers after graduating from Randall High School in Amarillo, Texas. Mullins was named District 3-5A Newcomer of the Year as a junior before earning first team all-district honors as a senior.
Cody Rottinghaus | RHP • Seneca, Kan. • Highland CC
Cody Rottinghaus is a junior transfer from Highland Community College. He made 11 appearances as a sophomore, starting eight games and earning a 3-5 record with two complete games. Rottinghaus tossed 46.2 innings in 2017, striking out 43 batters. He struck out 34 batters in 34.1 innings as a freshman in 2016, making 12 appearances and eight starts. The righty earned all-league honors as a senior at Nemaha Central High School.
Tanner Smith | RHP • Washington, Ill. • Illinois Central
Tanner Smith joins the Tigers after playing two seasons at Illinois Central College. Smith made 12 appearances as a sophomore, making eight starts and posting a 2-4 record. He recorded 49 innings of work, striking out 44 batters while accumulating a 5.88 ERA. The righty pitched in 11 games as a freshman in 2016, making seven starts and going 4-1 with one save. He completed 24 innings of work, totaling 27 strikeouts and a 3.38 ERA. He graduated from Washington Community High School.
Dawson Sramek | C • Wichita, Kan. • Maize HS
Dawson Sramek heads to Hays after graduating from Maize High School in Wichita, Kan. Sramek earned honorable mention All-State honors as a senior after being named first team all-league. He helped the Eagles win the Kansas 5A state championship in 2017 after reaching the state semifinals in 2016.
Jordan Wilkerson | OF • Woodbury, Minn. • Saint Mary (Kan.)
Jordan Wilkerson transfers to Fort Hays State after playing one season at the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kan. Wilkerson earned second team All-KCAC honors after leading the Spires in batting average (.364), runs (29), RBI (28), hits (51), doubles (11), triples (seven) and home runs (seven). He began his collegiate career at Dakota County Technical College, batting .277 with four home runs, 26 runs, 22 RBI, six doubles and four home runs in 36 games as a freshman. Wilkerson graduated from Woodbury High School, earning two varsity letters for the Royals.
One of the keys for Fort Hays State’s football success the last several seasons has been the play of their linebackers. Alex Schmidtberger and Justin McPhail have been mainstays in the program playing in 89 games and making 58 starts between them. The two all-conference players have graduated and passed the baton to Jose Delgado who has started in 13 games the last two seasons.
The redshirt junior from Derby was second on the team in tackles a year ago and was named honorable mention All-MIAA and is ready to take over a new crop of linebackers.
Jose Delgado
