With multiple local tournaments and duals recently taking place, area sports fans witnessed the athletic accomplishments of a variety of Allen County Area January Athlete of the Month nominees.
Voting is through Feb. 4. Readers can vote online or call the Register office at (620) 365-2111.
Iola High School’s junior forward Keegan Hill’s gradual ascendence to one of the Mustangs’ leading scorers began in mid-January after catching fire with a double-digit scoring performance against Wellsville.
During the War on 54 Basketball contest, Hill reached double-digit scoring in all four contests including a thunderous dunk to signify the Mustangs’ reaching the tournament championship.
Humboldt High School’s junior Broc Ivy is competing in a loaded 157 lb. weight class this season. Ivy more than held his own with a bronze medal at the Burlington Invitational, as well as several wins while competing at the Eureka Invitational along with various duals and triangulars this month. With one month to go before the state tournament, Ivy boasts a 12-10 record.
Crest junior guard Xander Fuller seemed to find his footing at just the right times with double-digit scoring performances against Three Rivers League foes Altoona-Midway and Marmaton Valley. Fuller’s contributions and focus in practice and on defense helped lead the Lancers to a nine-game win streak and recently a fifth-place finish at the War on 54 Basketball Tournament.
After winning the talent-stacked Eureka Invitational, that accomplishment alone would be worthy for Humboldt junior Willow LaCrone’s nomination.
LaCrone, 155 lbs., boasts a 17-5 record and looks to return to the state wrestling tournament next month. LaCrone is on a seven-win streak, including her gold-medal run in Eureka and a fifth-place finish at the Burlington Invitational.
From the Yates Center Wildcats is junior forward Jayda Rice. Rice has been a reliable force for rebounds under the basket all season, but her knack for drives and scores on put-backs now has her finishing among Yates Center’s top scorers.
Rice reached double-digits in a Jan. 19 contest and matched junior guard Cayten Cummings for the team lead in scoring against St. Paul at the Yates Center Midseason Classic. Rice was also a 2025 state qualifier in shot put.
Iola Middle School’s Cayleigh Rutherford may be flying furthest under the radar for many local sports fans, but in the coming years the seventh-grader is likely to become a household name.
Rutherford took first at the Pioneer League Middle School Championship last December in the 105 lb. weight class. After that, she took up competing in Youth League where larger programs from across the region participate. Despite the stiffer competition, Rutherford has racked up more than 10 wins to date.
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