Local Sports - The Morning Sun

Pittsburg State’s Jadyn Jackson (14) and Carly Clennan go up for a block against Newman in Tuesday night’s match at John Lance Arena.

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Pittsburg State started strong and finished strong while sweeping Newman 3-0 (25-11, 25-20, 25-15) to open the MIAA volleyball season Tuesday night at John Lance Arena. Janae Thurston slammed 11 … more

By Jim Henry / [email protected] | 9/13/23

Frontenac senior Aubree Moore goes for a block during Saturday’s championship match against Louisburg at Frontenac High School.

Raiders finish second, Panthers third in Frontenac Tournament

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FRONTENAC, Kan. — The Frontenac Raiders finished second in their home volleyball tournament on Saturday with a 2-1 loss (25-19, 18-25, 22-25) in the championship match against the Louisburg … more

By Brock Sisney / [email protected] | 9/12/23

Pittsburg senior quarterback Tucker Akins keeps the football and seeks positive yardage in the first half Friday night against Chanute at Hutchinson Field.

Chanute blanks Pittsburg in Dragons’ home opener

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The Chanute Blue Comets entered Hutchinson Field on Friday night and spoiled Pittsburg’s home opener with a dominant 27-0 performance in which their offense made some big plays and their … more

By Brock Sisney / [email protected] | 9/9/23

Pittsburg State tight end Dallas Bond scores a touchdown on a nine-yard pass from Chad Dodson in the Gorillas’ 40-14 victory Thursday night at Fort Hays State.

Big second half sparks No. 3 Gorillas

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No. 3 Pittsburg State took charge with a dominant third quarter and downed Fort Hays State 40-14, spoiling the Tigers’ home opener Thursday night at Lewis Field Stadium. Trailing 14-13 at … more

By Jim Henry / [email protected] | 9/8/23

Tucker Harrell (left) has been handing off to Cooper Simmons for many years. Both had big games last week to begin their senior seasons at St. Mary’s Colgan.

TWO-HEADED ATTACK

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Tucker Harrell and Cooper Simmons have been friends for a long time. “Since preschool probably,” Harrell said. “We have a picture together. We were 3 years old.” … more

By Jim Henry / [email protected] | 9/7/23

Girard sophomore Maddie Coester concentrates on the upcoming kill during Tuesday’s match against Northeast at Northeast High School.

Girard sweeps Northeast, Galena

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ARMA, Kan. — The Girard Trojans improved to 4-0 on the season after their commanding sweep Tuesday night of the Galena Bulldogs 2-0 (25-17, 25-15) and the Northeast Vikings 2-0 (25-13, … more

By Brock Sisney / [email protected] | 9/6/23

Pittsburg State offensive linemen Drew Daniels (76) and Zane Madison (55) turn Washburn defensive tackle Chase Ast into a blur during the Gorillas’ 34-7 win last Thursday at Carnie Smith Stadium.

Team effort sparks Gorillas in opening win

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Football coaches talk all the time about playing complementary football where one unit makes a big play and the other unit feeds off that energy. Pittsburg State’s three phases all … more

By Jim Henry / [email protected] | 9/5/23

The PSU defensive line, including junior Cole Sample (74), applies pressure on Washburn quarterback Kellen Simoncic during their season-opening clash Thursday at Carnie Smith Stadium.

Gorillas pull away to win opener

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Pittsburg State seemed in complete control most of the game but led just 13-7 with five minutes left in the third quarter. The Gorillas responded with touchdown drives on their next two … more

By Jim Henry / [email protected] | 9/1/23

Gus, the area’s most popular celebrity, stops to pose with fans during Wednesday’s block party in Pittsburg.

‘Lights, Camera, Gus!’

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Local businesses decorated for this year’s Business Decorating Contest before setting up shop along Broadway, between 4th and 6th Streets, to celebrate PSU football during the Paint the Town Red Block Party Wednesday, Aug. 30. more

8/31/23

Peter Euler’s magnetic map keeps track of which states he has run a marathon.

QUEST FOR 50

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Peter Euler uses running as a stress relief. “I did always enjoy it,” he said. “My dad would let me tag along a couple of times when we were kids. I remember after sixth grade, … more

By Jim Henry / [email protected] | 8/30/23

J.W. Johnson, second from left in purple, prepares to deliver a serve during an exhibition match at John Lance Arena on Monday during the Johnson Family Pro Pickleball Day as the crowd watched J.W. and Dylan Frazier battle against Jorja Johnson and Gabriel Tardio.

Pickle in Pitt: Johnson Family visits hometown

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — “The First Family of Pickleball” and Pittsburg natives J.W., Jorja, Jack, and Julie Johnson returned to their hometown on Monday for a morning and afternoon full … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 8/29/23

Pittsburg junior running back Stone Peery breaks free for one of his two TD runs during the jamboree Friday night at Raider Stadium.

Pittsburg, Frontenac find success in jamboree

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FRONTENAC, Kan. — Excessive heat pushed back the starting time by one hour of the jamboree hosted by Frontenac and featuring Pittsburg and Girard on Friday night at the Frontenac Sports … more

By Brock Sisney / [email protected] | 8/26/23

St. Mary’s Colgan sophomore Addison Dewey sets the ball during the jamboree Thursday against Frontenac at Pittsburg High School.

Pittsburg hosts first-ever volleyball jamboree

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Kansas high school volleyball teams had their first opportunity to play in a jamboree on Thursday night. Jamborees are scrimmages, and they have been played for many years in football. Kansas … more

By Brock Sisney / [email protected] | 8/25/23

Gorillas’ defensive linemen set to step into bigger roles

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No doubt Pittsburg State’s defensive line lost a lot of experience from last year with the departures of Zeke Wall, Keiondre Hall, Nate Woods and Christian Roth. But the cupboard certainly … more

By Jim Henry / [email protected] | 8/23/23

Extreme heat brought teams like the Southeast Lancers football team inside to practice Monday afternoon.

The heat is on: Teams adjust practice due to extreme heat

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CHEROKEE, Kan. — Southeast Kansas high school football teams have experienced two extremes in temperatures from the first to the second Monday of practice. On the first day last Monday, … more

By Brock Sisney / [email protected] | 8/22/23

Tinch set to run in World Championships

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When he arrived at the Pittsburg State campus in January, Cordell Tinch had not run a competitive race since the spring of 2019. Now, he’s preparing to step onto the world stage. … more

By Jim Henry / [email protected] | 8/19/23

Girard players work on handoffs during practice Thursday at Frank Jameson Field.

Mostly new-look Trojans hyped for ’23 season

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GIRARD, Kan. — The Girard Trojans will have many new faces in new places during the 2023 football season, a fact not lost on seventh-year head coach Neal Philpot and senior lineman Drake … more

By Brock Sisney / [email protected] | 8/18/23

An artist’s rendition shows the players’ view and fans’ view of Pittsburg State’s soccer field that will be built east of the baseball field in the Gene Bicknell Sports Complex. PSU announced Wednesday that it is adding a women’s soccer team in the fall of 2024.

PSU to add women’s soccer program

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For the first time in more than 30 years, Pittsburg State’s athletics department is adding a sport. The Gorillas will field a women’s soccer team starting in the fall of 2024, PSU … more

By Jim Henry / [email protected] | 8/17/23

Frontenac players block head coach Mark Smith during a drill at Tuesday’s practice.

Cooler temps, new turf further fuel Frontenac’s early enthusiasm

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FRONTENAC, Kan. — The Frontenac Raiders seemed to have more reasons than usual to be happy about their return to Raider Stadium for the first two days of football practice on Monday and … more

By Brock Sisney / [email protected] | 8/16/23

Pittsburg linemen participate in a drill on the first day of practice Monday at the high school practice field.

Kansas high schools enjoy first day of practices

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Kansas high schools took a critical step towards a new sports season being here with the first day of fall sports practices on Monday. Pittsburg second-year football coach Josh Lattimer had many … more

By Brock Sisney / [email protected] | 8/15/23