Category Archives: Sports

Fort Scott, Sports

Wiffle Ball Tournament Today On Burke Street

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The site of the Burke Street Classic Wiffle Ball Tournament, July 30, 2021. Submitted photos.

Some area youth have organized a tournament in their neighborhood.

The Burke Street Wiffle Ball Classic 2021 starts at 2 p.m. today and is estimated to run until approximately 7:30 p.m., according to event organizer Dryden Cosens, age 17.

The event is located on Burke Street, adjacent to the Cosens’ home at 1320 Marblecrest Drive.

“It’s on a lot between Ralph Hall’s and Frank Halsey’s houses, our neighbors,” Cosens said.

A wiffle ball is a light perforated ball used in a type of baseball.

“The rules are watered down,” Cosens said. “It’s a fun thing to do in the backyard with family and friends.”

But today it is a tournament, that approximately nine teams will be competing in, with around 35-40 people.

The name of the league is Burke Street Wiffle Ball, he said.

“Anybody can come and watch,” Cosens said. “There are some shade trees, but bring your own lawn chairs.”

To aid players on this humid July day with temperatures expected to be near 100 degrees, Cosens and his brother Cal, will have popcicles and a tent set up, along with water.

 

Cal and Dryden Cosens. Submitted photo.

The Cosen brothers have been playing wiffle ball since Dryden was in sixth-grade, he said. He is now 17, and Cal is 15.

“In 2015, we had our first tournament,” Dryden said. “We made a Youtube channel, but kind of gave it up when we got busy with playing baseball.”

A friend, Rocco Loffredo, came to Dryden, with the idea of restarting the tournament.

“I talked to Cal, and we decided it would be a good idea,” he said.

 

Fort Scott Community College, Sports

FSCC Gets Grant To Grow Women’s Flag Football Program

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Fort Scott Community College (FSCC) has received a $10,000 grant from the NJCAA Foundation, NFL FLAG, and RCX Sports to grow a women’s flag football program, starting in spring 2023.

 

“The NJCAA Foundation is passionate about the value women’s flag football brings to institutions’ overall growth, the student-athlete experience, and equality across playing fields,” stated Brian Luckett, NJCAA Foundation Executive Director. “This is an opportunity for women of the association to compete at the highest level and we are fortunate to work hand in hand with NFL FLAG and RCX Sports during this exciting time.”

 

In March, the NJCAA announced the $150,000 grant, provided by the NFL, to support the initiative of expanding women’s flag football. Since then, 11 grants have been awarded to NJCAA member colleges to grow the sport and encourage other two-year colleges to consider adding the program.

 

“RCX is dedicated to creating opportunities for all athletes to play and so that every child can gain important life skills only learned through sports,” said RCX Sports CEO and NFL FLAG Executive Director Izell Reese. “Through NJCAA women’s flag football, young women will not only be able to compete, they’ll earn a valuable education that will set them up for success after college.”

 

Women’s Flag Football has been a growing commodity across the nation and FSCC intends to provide an opportunity for these student-athletes to continue their passion for the sport while pursuing their education at the collegiate level.

 

“Fort Scott Community College strives to be a leader in the emerging sport world. Bringing women’s flag football to campus will provide a stellar opportunity for student-athletes to pursue their education.  We are excited to pave the path for the future of flag football within the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference,” says Tom Havron, Vice President of Student Affairs. “Within the next five years, we hope to see numerous Jayhawk schools add this emerging sport”.

 

Recruiting is underway for the inaugural class lead by head coach Aprell Williams. Students who have interest in being a part of the first flag football class at FSCC are encouraged to contact Coach Williams at aprellw@fortscott.edu.

 

“The NJCAA expanding NFL Flag opportunities for female student athletes at member institutions demonstrates clearly that football is for all,” said Executive Vice President of NFL Football Operations Troy Vincent, Sr. “The values, fun and competitive environment of football can be enjoyed by anyone and everyone who wishes to participate. It is exciting to see junior colleges offer NFL FLAG as a varsity sport to female athletes.”

 

For more information regarding the FSCC Women’s Flag Football program, please contact Tom Havron at tomha@fortscott.edu. Stay up-to-date by following us on all social media platforms.

 

 

ABOUT NJCAA FOUNDATION

The mission of the NJCAA Foundation is to enhance the NJCAA national organization, student-athletes, member colleges and local communities through financial support, scholarships, program initiatives and community service. 

 

ABOUT RCX SPORTS

RCX Sports is the premier youth-sports experiences business, running and operating leagues, camps, combines, tournaments and events.

 

RCX works with professional leagues, national governing bodies, sports-centric businesses and brands to reimagine youth sports experiences. RCX produces events with world-class partners including the NFL, Jr. NBA, NAIA, Rivals.com and the 2022 World Games.

 

RCX is committed to improving the accessibility and inclusivity of sports by enhancing the youth sports experience and creating opportunities for all athletes to play. We believe sports have the power to transform lives and that every athlete should have the opportunity to experience the value of sports. For more information, visit www.rcxsports.com.

 

ABOUT NFL FLAG

NFL FLAG is an NFL-licensed property of more than 1,600 locally operated leagues and over 500,000 youth athletes across all 50 states. NFL FLAG is a fun and accessible non-contact program available for girls and boys ages 5-17. Players benefit by being physically active through non-contact, continuous action while learning the fundamentals of football as well as lessons in teamwork and sportsmanship. RCX Sports is the official operator of NFL FLAG.

 

Fort Scott, Sports

Arndt, Laird and Traul To Compete In U.S. National High School Rodeo

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Cowboys and cowgirls will compete at the national high school rodeo finals in Lincoln, Nebraska on July 18.

Miranda Arndt, Kelsey Laird, and Jaci Traul are the local cowgirls competing.

“These kids all compete in the Missouri High School Rodeo Association,” said Kasey Laird, Kelsey’s mother. “There might be more,  as there are several families from southeast Kansas that attend MHSRA.  These kids have worked hard for the chance to go to the national finals and compete against other states for the number one spot.”

Miranda Arndt. Submitted photo.

Miranda Arndt, 18, is a 2021 Fort Scott High School graduate, the daughter of Trina and Jason Arndt.

“I am going to compete in goat tying at nationals,” Miranda said.  “I went last year in goat tying also.”

“I’m looking forward to being more prepared and hopefully winning a national title,”  she said.

Arndt will be attending Northeast Oklahoma A & M this fall.

 

Kelsey Laird. Submitted photo.

Kelsey Laird, 15, is the daughter of Kasey and John Laird and is a sophomore at Fort Scott High School.

“Kelsey competes in barrel racing, poles, and goat tying, however, she is competing at national finals as a rodeo queen,” Kasey said. “She will compete against the other states in horsemanship, modeling, written testing, and personal interviews. This will determine the national high school rodeo queen.”
Jaci Traul. Submitted photo.
Jaci Traul, Fort Scott,  is the daughter of John and Nicki Traul, and granddaughter of Frank and Debbie Madison.
She is a 2021 graduate of Manhattan Virtual Academy.
“Jaci has qualified for nationals seven times., three times in junior high and four in high school,” her mother, Nicki said. “She was the Missouri High School Rodeo State Champion Breakaway Roper this year. She also qualified for nationals in the poles and was the Reserve Champion All-around Cowgirl.”
She will attend Northeast Oklahoma A&M in Miami, OK on a rodeo scholarship.

 

Fort Scott, Sports

FS Tigers 13U Win Kansas State Championship in Lenexa

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Coach Cannon, Coach Adams, Kade Cannon, Jeremiah Coulter, Colin Houlihan, Tyler Anderson, Jake Adams, Coach Miles, Coach Fly
Front row: Nate Mintz, Dayton Fly, Gavin Miles, Brady Sloan, Landon Hill, Caleb Hall.  Submitted photo

 

Fort Scott Tigers won the 13U Kansas State Championship in Lenexa this past weekend. They played six games in under 24 hours, battling rain delays most of the weekend.

They went 5-1 and avenged an earlier loss in pool play to beat that team for the state championship. Tigers went 13-2 to close out the month of June and earn the title as state champs.

Submitted by Coach  Mike Miles.

 

Fort Scott, Sports

FS 13U Baseball Team Went 8 To 1 In Nine Games

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Back row. L-R. Jeremiah Coulter, Nate Mintz, Tyler Anderson, Brady Sloan, Kade Cannon
Bottom row L-R. Jake Adams, Gavin Miles, Caleb Hall, Landon Hill, Dayton Fly. Submitted photo.

The Fort Scott Tigers 13u Baseball team won the Big League Summer Chew tournament in Lenexa going 5-0 on June 5-6th.

Then they competed for the championship in the Stars and Stripes in Lenexa on June 19-20 riding an 8-0 record but fell short to win 2nd place.

They went 8-1 over a 9 game stretch.

Top back L-R. Coach Fly Coach Adams, Jake Adams, Colin Houlihan, Nate Mintz, Tyler Anderson, Kade Cannon, Jeremiah Coulter, Coach Miles, Coach Cannon
Bottom L-R. Landon Hill, Dayton Fly, Brady Sloan, Gavin Miles Caleb Hall. Submitted photos.

 

Submitted by Mike Miles.

Fort Scott, Schools, Sports

Tiger Track Team Send Off Today at 1 p.m.

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FSHS Tiger Track
Sendoff to State!
Join along the route!
Wave & cheer to the qualifiers!
See information below.
Sendoff Details
TODAY
Thursday, May 27th, 1pm
Celebrate the successful season and wish the
Tiger Track team good luck at the State Meet!
FSPD and the Fire Dept. will lead,
leaving the High School at 1pm.
Line National Ave. from 7th Street
going north to the end of National.
Go Tigers!
Ella Beth in the 800 (middle)
Kenzi Hardesty in the 1600 (left)
Kenzi and Mesa Casper (right) in the 3200.
4×100 Relay team Nate Adams, Donald Harper, Scott Tome, and Jamar Franks
Noah Martin, Disk Thrower
Bobby Kemmerer, High Jump – Missing pic of Chase Hyer, also High Jump
Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Sports

Community Foundation Awards Grant to City for Roller Skates

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Leah Bowman, administrative assistant, Allyson Turvey, Fort Scott Community Development manager, Carla Farmer, FSACF chairperson, and Tom Robertson, Buck RunCommunity Center director. Submitted photo.

The City of Fort Scott recently announced plans to open a roller skating rink for individuals of all ages to enjoy.

Leading up to this decision, volunteers and others researched the concept of a roller skating rink to determine if it would be a viable venture in Fort Scott.

When it was determined that there was community support for a roller skating rink, the opportunity to purchase 120 pairs of skates and a rack presented itself to the City.

In response to a grant application received by the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation, a special mid-year grant for $5,900 was awarded to the City toward the purchase of 120 pairs of skates and a rack.

“The Foundation annually holds a granting process beginning the first of August culminating with the announcement of the grants at a Chamber coffee in November,” said Carla Farmer, FSACF chair.  “On several occasions in past years since the Foundation was established, we have awarded a mid-year grant that meets the criteria of addressing a compelling need in the community and/or the timing of the request cannot be delayed until the annual granting cycle. The Foundation Board recognizes that not all needs in our community present themselves during the granting cycle and we are pleased to be able to respond to this special request.”

FSACF awarded $36,250 to 18 not-for-profits in 2020 during its 12th annual granting cycle.  The funds for these grants are derived from interest earned each year from the Foundation’s unrestricted endowment. Several of the organizations receiving funding included U-234 third grade music program, Lowell Milken Center Ft. Scott Front Line Heroes, Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition rent/utilities assistance, Care to Share, First United Methodist Feeding Families In His Name and Compassionate Ministries ID and Winter Warming Project.

Gregg Motley, granting committee chair, along with his committee, reviewed the application and final approval was made by the Board.

“When we have an opportunity to support the other positive things happening in our Community, we believe we are truly fulfilling the mission of the Foundation,” Motley stated.

For more information on the Foundation, visit FSACF.com or call 224-6500.

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Schools, Sports

Chamber Coffee hosted by Fort Scott High School Strength & Performance Program

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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee hosted by the Fort Scott High School Strength & Performance Program, Thursday, May 27th at 8 a.m. located at the FSHS Gymnasium, 1005 S. Main St. Attendees should enter through the northwest doors of the gym facing 10th Street.

Jared Martin, FSHS Strength & Performance Coach, is excited to showcase the program’s top-notch facility at Fort Scott High School. The USD-234 school board and administrators have made a considerable investment in the development of student’s health and performance.  A summer program will be starting soon and for students ranging from 11-18 years of age. The focus for middle school students is to provide high quality opportunities for them to learn how to train properly in a fun and exciting environment.  The high school age group will focus on performance enhancement as we build team chemistry and comradery through training together.  

Homemade sticky bun-style cinnamon rolls and homemade sausage rolls reminiscent of Johnson’s at the old Daylight Donuts will be served.  Fresh fruit and coffee from Common Ground will be provided as well.  Along with that, there will be a variety of Tiger gear giveaways.

Chamber members and guests are invited to Chamber Coffee events each Thursday at 8 a.m. to network, make announcements, hear about happenings in the community as well as learn about the host business or organization.

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Business, Fort Scott, Sports

Sport of Axe Throwing Comes To Fort Scott

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Mac Stoughton has a  plan is to open an axe bar/ throw house, at 212 East First Street, behind Doctor Patterson’s office.

 

Mac Stoughton. Submitted photo.

“As of now, we are planning to open around the end of June beginning of July,” he said.  “We will have available two double lanes and four single lanes and also a knife lane.”

“There are no age requirements as long as there is a parent or guardian present,” Stoughton said.  “We had a 12-year-old on our team that destroys most men, Ella Campbell. If you are over 18, you’re  good to go.”
“We are planning to operate from 4  to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and Monday and Tuesday will be league night,” he said. “Saturday and Sunday we will open from 1 p.m. to midnight, as of right now. Depending on how many sign up for a league.”

“We will be doing a weekly league that will consist of seven weeks of gameplay and on week eight, a tournament,” Stoughton said. “To see who has what it takes to be number one!”

“The leagues will consist of a standard hatchet, hatchet duals, big axe, and knife throwing,” he said.

“The cost will be $20 per person per hour, 12 and under $15 per hour per person,” he said. “I’ll have a group rate upon request and also private parties available.”

“Walk-in customers will be able to experience the zin of slinging steel and if you have never thrown…. no worries we can teach you,” Stoughton said.

“We have thrown with the best in the world,” he said. ” When you arrive at M’axe you get to pick a lane and we will coach you and get you started on how to throw.”

“We want to make everyone’s experience fun!” Stoughton said. “The sport of ax throwing goes way further than just the competition… this sport instills sportsmanship and is not just for the athletic or talented …. this sport is anyone’s and almost all ages.”

“If you can score high enough to rise to the top, you could have the opportunity to go to the ax-throwing U.S. open or the world finals (competitions). “I have been to 2020 world finals and the 2021 U.S. open, and man what an experience!”

” Axe throwing is new and it can be dangerous,” he said. “It’s part of the beauty of the sport. So… throw better!”

A bullseye landing for this axe thrower. Submitted photo.

 

 

Fort Scott Community College, Sports

Two local FSCC Rodeo athletes head to Nationals

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Fort Scott, KS – Fort Scott Community College (FSCC) Rodeo will be sending two local individuals to the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in Casper, Wyoming on June 11th – 19th. Trey Holston of Fort Scott, KS and Karson Harris of Hepler, KS qualified for nationals last year, but due to COVID, they were unable to attend.

Trey will be competing in bull riding, while Karson will be competing in bare back riding. Both are in the top 3 in each event of all the colleges in Kansas and Oklahoma.

“I am very proud of both these young men for their achievements, but even more pleased with what fine young men they are. The team, school and community should be very proud”, says Head Rodeo Coach, Chad Cross.

You can follow all the action in real-time by going to www.cnfr.com or follow the FSCC Rodeo Team on social media.

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