Sandite College Report: Kersgieter Sets Kansas Record, Hutchinson Stays Undefeated

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Charles Page High School 2019 alum Holly Kersgieter recently set the school record for made three-pointers at the University of Kansas.

The fifth-year senior set the record on Saturday, January 6th, in a 73-64 defeat at Texas Tech, scoring a team-high 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field.

Kersgieter was 3-of-6 on treys for 239 threes in her career, eclipsing the previous record of 237 held by Angie Halbleib since 1997.

“I’m really proud of Holly. It’s been an absolute joy to be a part of her career, to coach her, see her development and improvement,” said head coach Brandon Schneider after the game. “I think the most impressive thing right now with her and the three-point shot is the percentage that she’s shooting.”

The former Sandite now stands at 38-of-87 for a three-point percentage of 43.7%, which ranks 22nd in the NCAA Division I.

She has started all 19 games for the Jayhawks, who are 10-9 overall and 3-5 in Big 12 play following a 60-58 win against Iowa State on Wednesday. Kersgieter is averaging 11.4 points, 1.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 4.8 rebounds per game.

She recorded her first double-double of the season and 10th of her career with 12 points and 10 rebounds at Kansas State on Jan. 20. She ranks No. 7 on KU’s all-time scoring list with 1,776 career points, surpassing Lynn Pride (1,774) at KSU.

The Jayhawks will travel to Oklahoma (12-6, 6-1) Saturday at 6:00 p.m.

Regalado Coaching Savage Storm

Kersgieter’s fellow 2019 Sandite alum, Isabella Regalado, is coaching as a graduate assistant at Southeastern Oklahoma State this season. The Savage Storm is 6-12 on the year, competing in the NCAA Division II Great American Conference.

Blue Dragons Stay Rolling

Hutchinson Community College remains undefeated at 19-0 and is ranked No. 4 in the NJCAA. The Dragons have two former Sandites starting in 2023 alum Hailey Jackson and 2022 alum Journey Armstead (2022).

Most recently the Dragons survived an 82-77 encounter with No. 12 Dodge City in Jayhawk Conference play. Armstead had 14 points, 5 assists, 5 steals, and 4 rebounds in the latest win while Jackson had 12 points.

Jackson is averaging 12.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while Armstead has 10.7 points, 4.2 boards, 4.8 assists, and 2.2 steals.

Hutchinson will return to action Wednesday at Colby Community College (6-13, 2-12).

Undefeated No. 11 Hutchinson Knocks Off No. 3 Butler

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EL DORADO – The No. 11 Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team took over sole possession of first place in the Jayhawk Conference Wednesday night after returning from the holiday break with a dominant victory over No. 3 Butler at the Power Plant.

Former Lady Sandites Hailey Jackson and Journey Armstead were top contributors in the victory.

Hutchinson defeated a Top 5 nationally ranked team for the first time since March 8, 2017 when the Blue Dragons defeated then-No. 4 Seward County 65-44 in the 2017 Region VI Tournament.

The Blue Dragons are now 13-0 overall and are the last remaining undefeated team in the Jayhawk Conference at 7-0. The Blue Dragons play host to Northwest Tech at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Sports Arena. Butler is now 12-1 and 6-1 in the KJCCC.

Hutchinson trailed 7-2 with 5:36 to play in the first quarter before finally getting its offense going. Armstead's layup with 13 seconds left in the period gave Hutchinson an 11-10 lead after the first quarter.

The Blue Dragons exploded in the second quarter, outscoring Butler 28-4 over the first 9 1/2 minutes of the second quarter. Hutchinson shot 71.4 percent (10 of 14) and was 5 of 5 from 3-point distance in the second stanza. Butler was just 3 of 13 in the second quarters and committed seven turnovers.

Leading 23-14 with 5:22 to play in the period, the Blue Dragons went on a 16-0 run over a span of 5 minutes, 7 seconds to build a game-high 25-point lead at 39-14 with 18 seconds to play. Butler's Freddie Wallace hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to cut the Dragon lead to 39-17 at halftime.

The Blue Dragon lead dwindled to 12 points at 51-39 with 9:43 to play in the fourth quarter, but Hutchinson answered with a 7-0 run with 6:03 to play for a 58-39 lead.

Jackson had 12 points. nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block. Armstead had eight points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Sandite Recruiting Report: Tyler Smith Commits to Hendrix College

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Tyler smith (#72) is committed to Hendrix College. (Photo by Charity Emigh).

Charles Page High School senior offensive lineman Tyler “Tank” Smith (5’10” 285 pounds) announced on X Friday that he has committed to playing football at Hendrix College next season.

“First and foremost, I want to thank God for blessing me with this opportunity,” tweeted Smith. “I want to thank my parents for all their love, support, always being there, and everything they have done for me.”

“To my coaches, thank you for always pushing me to be my best and for everything they have taught me over the years. I also want to tank all my teammates, friends, and family for all of their support.”

Smith, an All-District selection this past season, chose Hendrix over offers from McPherson College and Southwestern College.

Hendrix is an NCAA Division III program in Conway, Arkansas competing in the Southern Athletics Association.

The Warriors went 3-7 last season under 11th-year head coach Buck Buchanan. Hendrix discontinued football in 1960 before resurrecting it under Buchanan’s leadership in 2013. Since then they have posted six winning records.

Nine other Sandites have received offers to play football at the next level.

Senior OL Marcus Sims (6’0”, 265 pounds) holds offers from Southwestern College, Langston University, and Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Senior DE Dallas Elifrits (6’1”, 230 pounds) holds offers from McPherson College and Bethel College.

Senior lineman/TE Evan Williams (5’10”, 215 pounds) committed to play at Bethel College on November 10th.

Sophomore quarterback Easton Webb (6’3” 175 pounds) is committed to playing baseball at Oklahoma State University, but he also holds a Division I football offer from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas.

Sophomore lineman Ryley Kester (6’4” 270 pounds) has received offers from UNLV, Houston, Tulsa, Georgia Tech, Texas Tech, and Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Sophomore receiver Brock O’Dell (5’10” 170 pounds) holds one college offer from Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Senior linebacker Owen Floyd (6’0” 190 pounds) has earned two offers this season from Hendrix and Oklahoma Wildcats Prep.

Senior running back Kenneth Page (6’0” 190 pounds) holds one offer from Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Junior receiver Kooper Kelly holds one offer from Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Softball

Junior RHP/IB/OF Addison Hughes holds offers from Oklahoma Wesleyan University and Coffeyville Community College.

Senior RHP/INF Kelsi Hilton signed an LOI with Southern Nazarene University on November 8th.

Baseball

Senior RHP/OF Cole Pearson (6’2” 150 pounds) is committed to playing at McPherson College next season.

Six Sandite baseball players signed letters of intent to play college ball on November 8th.

Senior INF/RHP Jackson Stewart (5’11” 195 pounds) signed with McPherson College.

Senior RF/LHP Kayden Campbell (5’9” 165 pounds) signed with Cowley County Community College.

Senior right-handed pitcher Eli Buxton (6’6” 185 pounds) signed with Arizona State University.

Senior OF/LHP Miller Tavaglione (6’2” 190 pounds) and senior INF/RHP Jace Arnold (6’2” 180 pounds) signed with Allen County Community College.

Senior INF Wyatt Rutledge (6’2” 170 pounds) signed with Northern Oklahoma College at Enid.

Girls Basketball

5’10” senior small forward KiAryn Taylor is committed to Ranger College.

5’3” senior guard Sakauri Wilson signed a letter of intent to play at Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Wednesday, November 8th.

5’7” senior guard Taiona “Yonnie” Morris recently announced her commitment to play at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.

Boys Basketball

6’4” junior guard Deke Thompson holds one offer from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Golf

Senior Mason Ward announced his commitment to Coffeyville Community College on Monday, November 13th.

Soccer

Two senior soccer players signed LOIs on November 8th.

Senior Ava Watts signed to play Division I soccer at Texas A&M-Commerce.

Senior Kate Webb signed to play at University of the Ozarks.

Coaches, players, and parents can send recruiting updates to sanditepridenews@gmail.com.

Ty Pennington to Transfer to Northern Arizona University

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Ty Pennington didn’t take long to announce his next college destination. Ten days after entering the transfer portal, the redshirt freshman has indicated he will be heading to Northern Arizona University.

Pennington, a 2022 Charles Page High School alum, posted photos in an NAU uniform Monday alongside fellow former Pitt State player Kolbe Katsis. It appears to be more than just a visit, as he captioned the post “Coming soon 🪓,” while Katsis posted on his X account that he was “100% committed” to NAU.

Pennington was 46-of-69 passing this season for 447 yards, six touchdowns, and only one interception at Pittsburg State University, an NCAA Division II program in Kansas.

He was also fourth on the team in rushing yardage with 76 carries for 359 yards and four touchdowns.

While technically the backup quarterback, Pennington frequently saw early-game action due to his dual threat capabilities.

The Gorillas went 11-2 on the season, winning the MIAA before falling 24-21 to No. 2 Grand Valley State in the second round of the playoffs.

Following the end of the season, head coach Brian Wright departed Pitt State to become head coach at NAU, an NCAA Division I program competing in the Football Championship Series (FCS).

Wright replaces Chris Ball, who was fired after going 20-30 over five seasons. The Lumberjacks went 5-6 this season to tie for fourth in the Big Sky Conference.

Pennington was an All-State selection and a four-year starter at Sand Springs, where he holds most of the school passing records. He threw for 6,455 yards and 54 touchdowns in his prep career and picked Pitt State over a preferred walk-on offer from Oklahoma State.

Journey Armstead Offered by Queens University at Charlotte

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Photo by Andrew Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information.

An undefeated start to her sophomore season has earned Journey Armstead an offer to play at the Division I level.

The 2022 Charles Page High School alum announced on X Wednesday that she had been offered by Queens University of Charlotte, a private school in North Carolina.

The Royals are an NCAA Division I program competing in the Atlantic Sun (ASUN) Conference. Queens is 5-5 in the current season but has yet to begin conference play. Last year the Royals went 8-21 under now fourth-year head coach Jen Brown.

'Queens is in a rebuilding effort and has improved its win total each of the past two seasons despite moving up to the Division I level for the first time last season. They were previously in the Division II South Atlantic Conference.

Armstead is averaging 10.6 points per game while shooting 45.4% in the field this season at Hutchinson Community College. She also averages 4.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists.

The Blue Dragons are 12-0 at Christmas break and ranked No. 11 in the NJCAA. Hutchinson also benefits from another former Sandite in freshman Hailey Jackson. The Dragons will return to action on January 3rd at No. 3 Butler (12-0).

Sandite Recruiting Report: Southwestern College Offers Sims & Smith

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Tyler smith (#72) and Marcus Sims (#55) were both offered by Southwestern College. (Photo by Charity Emigh).

Two Charles Page High School senior offensive linemen announced Saturday that they had received offers to play football at Southwestern College.

Tyler “Tank” Smith (5’10” 285 pounds) and Marcus Sims (6’0”, 265 pounds) both announced their offers within five minutes of each other.

Southwestern is located in Winfield, Kansas and is an NAIA program competing in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.

The Moundbuilders went 8-3 this past season under ninth-year head coach Brad Griffin.

Sims also holds offers from Langston University and Northwestern Oklahoma State University while Smith has been offered by McPherson College and Hendrix College.

Senior DE Dallas Elifrits (6’1”, 230 pounds) also announced an offer over the weekend, from McPherson College.

McPherson is another NAIA program competing in the KCAC. The Bulldogs went 5-6 this year under fifth-year head coach Jeremiah Fiscus.

Elifrits also holds an offer from Bethel College.

Ten total Sandites have received offers to play football at the next level.

Senior lineman/TE Evan Williams (5’10”, 215 pounds) committed to play at Bethel College on November 10th.

Sophomore quarterback Easton Webb (6’3” 175 pounds) is committed to playing baseball at Oklahoma State University, but he also holds a Division I football offer from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas.

Sophomore lineman Ryley Kester (6’4” 270 pounds) has received offers from UNLV, Houston, Tulsa, Georgia Tech, Texas Tech, and Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Sophomore receiver Brock O’Dell (5’10” 170 pounds) holds one college offer from Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Senior linebacker Owen Floyd (6’0” 190 pounds) has earned two offers this season from Hendrix and Oklahoma Wildcats Prep.

Senior running back Kenneth Page (6’0” 190 pounds) holds one offer from Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Junior receiver Kooper Kelly holds one offer from Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Softball

Junior RHP/IB/OF Addison Hughes holds offers from Oklahoma Wesleyan University and Coffeyville Community College.

Senior RHP/INF Kelsi Hilton signed an LOI with Southern Nazarene University on November 8th.

Baseball

Senior RHP/OF Cole Pearson (6’2” 150 pounds) is committed to playing at McPherson College next season.

Six Sandite baseball players signed letters of intent to play college ball on November 8th.

Senior INF/RHP Jackson Stewart (5’11” 195 pounds) signed with McPherson College.

Senior RF/LHP Kayden Campbell (5’9” 165 pounds) signed with Cowley County Community College.

Senior right-handed pitcher Eli Buxton (6’6” 185 pounds) signed with Arizona State University.

Senior OF/LHP Miller Tavaglione (6’2” 190 pounds) and senior INF/RHP Jace Arnold (6’2” 180 pounds) signed with Allen County Community College.

Senior INF Wyatt Rutledge (6’2” 170 pounds) signed with Northern Oklahoma College at Enid.

Girls Basketball

5’10” senior small forward Kiaryn Taylor holds offers from Cleveland Community College, Western Texas College, Ranger College, and Lincoln Trail College.

5’3” senior guard Sakauri Wilson signed a letter of intent to play at Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Wednesday, November 8th.

5’7” senior guard Taiona “Yonnie” Morris recently announced her commitment to play at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.

Boys Basketball

6’4” junior guard Deke Thompson recently announced his first college offer from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Golf

Senior Mason Ward announced his commitment to Coffeyville Community College on Monday, November 13th.

Soccer

Two senior soccer players signed LOIs on November 8th.

Senior Ava Watts signed to play Division I soccer at Texas A&M-Commerce.

Senior Kate Webb signed to play at University of the Ozarks.

Coaches, players, and parents can send recruiting updates to sanditepridenews@gmail.com.