HAYS — Allen Community College’s cross country squad showed once again just how deep this year’s men’s team can be.
While claiming third place overall at the Fort Hays State Open, the Red Devil men had another different runner complete the 8K course quicker than his teammates.
Ryan Pulsifer’s time of 25 minutes, 11.29 seconds was a shade faster than Tegan Michael’s 25:13.18, as the pair finished 11th and 12th, respectively.
This is the fourth time a different runner has led ACC, head coach Vince DeGrado said.
“I was very pleased with how Ryan got out and mixed it up with the front pack early,” DeGrado said. “He ended up fading after mile 3, but he still battled and competed throughout the race. Tegan finally had a breakout race where he was able to put things together.”
Others racing for the Red Devils were Garrett Colgrazier, 25th at 25:35.29; Josh Whittaker, 26th at 25:36.05; Adam Evans, 30th at 25:41.72; Brock Artis, 36th at 26:03.70; Kyle Schauvliege, 40th at 25:16.47; Patrick Rachford, 56th at 26:44.25; and Tucker Morgan, 80th at 27:43.31.
Allen scored 99 points, behind Division 2 schools Northwest Missouri State, which won the event with 37 points, and host Fort Hays State, at 41.
Of note, Garden City Community College, defending Region VI champs, finished fifth.
“This was a very big meet for us because we knew that we were going to compete on a course that has always produced really fast times, and we knew we were going to be more aggressive here than before,” DeGrado said. “I challenged them before the race to get out and try to run out of their comfort zone. For the most part, a lot of them did that. All in all, I couldn’t have asked for a better team performance from the guys today.
“The competition was exactly what we were looking for,” DeGrado continued. “I really wanted a fast, aggressive course along with some quality competition. … So for us to run up against them gave us an idea where they are.”
Now, Allen sets its sights on the upcoming Jayhawk East Conference and Region VI championships hosted by Johnson County Community College Oct. 27.
The Red Devils have a prime opportunity to claim its first-ever conference title, as well as the regionals crown, DeGrado said.
“This honestly is truly the reason why I came over here, to get a chance to be in this position. This team is not going to settle with this weekend’s performance and times. In our minds, our season hasn’t started; all of this was only practice for when it really counts.”

COFFEYVILLE — Iola High’s varsity volleyball squad split a pair of matches Thursday against their hosts from Coffeyville and another squad from Labette County.
The Fillies thumped Coffeyville 25-13, 25-12.
Emery Driskel led the way with eight kills, a set assist, one solo block, one dig and one ace. Branna Stout had two kills to go along with three digs and three aces. Addie Haar pounded in six kills. Katie Thompson registered four serice aces. Kyra Moore, meanwhile, served four seven points, including two aces, and had six assists. Emma Piazza registered 12 assists and a kill.
The Fillies fell in straight sets to Labette County, 25-15, 25-23. Driskel had five kills and a dig.
Kyra Moore served for five points, had seven assists and knocked down two kills. Breanna Stout had a block assist, two digs and two aces. Emma Piazza delivered four assists with a block assists and served four points. Addie Haar delivered five kills, Katie Thompson followed with two kills and a dig. Hannah Endicott Registered two digs and an ace. Emma Sigg contributed a dig.

THE FILLIES junior varsity squad swept both of its matches, downing Labette County 5-25, 25-19, 15-9 and Coffeyville 25-16, 25-8.
“We played with a new and different rotation, which at first gave us a scare,” JV head coach Jeff Stockebrand said, referring to the opening set loss to Labette County. “After we talked and got things ironed out the girls did what they needed to do together, and they made it work well. 
Allie Cleaver had five kills and an ace on the day. Torrie Lewis had a kill, six good serves and five aces. Shelby Smith had a kill. Paige Miller had five kills, six good serves and five aces. Katie Shields had three good serves, five aces and a kills. McKayla Platt delivered six kills. Cassie Delich had 18 assists. Karlie Lower had 16 assists, two good serves and an ace. Halie Cleaver had 14 digs, two aces and a kill. Allie Cleaver had five kills and an ace.
The Fillies return to the court Tuesday at Wellsville.

CHANUTE – Marmaton Valley High’s freshmen and junior varsity volleyball players teamed up for a spotless Saturday, sweeping all six of its foes to win the Chanute JV tournament.
Iola High’s freshmen, meanwhile, went 5-1 on the day to claim second place.
The Wildcats dropped only a single set on the day while compiling its 6-0 record, defeating Girard 25-18, 25-11; Anderson County 25-14, 25-14; Chanute 25-13, 25-19; Iola 16-25, 25-11, 15-13; 25-16, 25-16 over Southeast; and by forfeit over Erie when the Red Devils lost a player to injury.
“The girls had an awesome day,” Wildcat head coach Jamie Stodgell said. “They all played hard and did a lot of good things out on the court. Their perseverance and teamwork brought them home the gold.”
Marmaton Valley spread the wealth. Mackenzie Tynon led the waywith 44 points and 15 kills. Shauna Knight followed with 42 points and Kenzie Harrison with 36. Tessa Olson scored 20 points, accentuated by 11 kills and four blocks. Molly Hamlin and Ashlynn Pinkerton added 15 and 14 points, respectively. Pinkerton also had seven kills and a block.

THE FILLIES freshmen also saw plenty of success on the court.
Iola defeated host Chanute to open the tournament 22-25, 25-21, 15-13, followed by a 25-23, 18-25, 15-7 win over Girard.
Their sole loss — to Marmaton Valley — was followed by a 25-15, 26-24 win over Southeast, a 28-26, 25-21 victory of Anderson County and the forfeit win over Erie.
Taylor Heslop led Iola with assists on the day. Taylor Sell, Mikaela Platt, Valaree Burtnett and Ashlie Shields paced the team in kills and Sell, Platt and Taylor Heslop were the leading servers.
The freshman squad evened its record at 14-14 on the season. They’ll compete Tuesday, along with the varsity, at Wellsville, with Central Hights also competing.

INDEPENDENCE — The Iola High Fillies’ tennis season came to an end over the weekend, and while two high school careers came to an end, there lies promise for the future.
Iola competed in the Class 4A Regionals Friday and Saturday, hosted by Independece.
Katana Smith’s senior year came to an end with a 9-5 loss to Aubrie Navarro.
Classmate Abbey St. Clair’s season ended in doubles play, where she and Alexis Hobbs fell to Baden and Long of Pittsburg High 6-2, 6-3.
“Katana has played since her freshman year and has improved so much just within the last two years,” tennis coach Jenn Bycroft said. “She’s a great kid and has come a long ways. I will miss her encouragement, especially with the younger players.
“St. Clair and Hobbs were 2-2 against Pitt all season, playing some different girls each time,” Bycroft continued. “This was just not our day to have the victory. I was sad for both of them, especially Abbey because this is also her senior year. She came as a shy freshman and has blossomed, not only as a player, but also an individual. Alexis was a good doubles partner for her, and I look forward to watching her play again next year. They were just a fun team for me to watch.”
Megan Smith also competed in singles, falling 9-3 to Ashley Simpson of Columbus.
“This was a tough match for Megan,” Bycroft said. “But I was proud of how she played and didn’t give up. This was one of her better matches.”
Iola’s other doubles team, sophomore Shelby Reno and freshman Bobbi Sinclair, fell to Werts and Coss of Labette County 9-4.
“For as young as they are, they played well together,” Bycroft said. “They started communicating on the court a lot more as the season went on. I expect big things from (them) next year.
“This is always a tough time for me as another season comes to an end,” Bycroft continued. “These girls are like family to me, sharing many ups and downs. It’s a blessing for me to be able to coach each of them. They all had a good season, and I’m proud of them. We won some, we lost some, but I’m most proud of their sportsmanship and love it when other coaches, players and parents take notice of that.”