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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
If it hadn't been the final day of the Topeka Golf Association Bill McDonald Champions Stroke Play Tournament Gary Lucas might have been tempted to skip playing golf Tuesday on a day when the temperature reached 100 degrees, with a feel-like temp of 110.
Gary Lucas (right), receiving his first-place award from the Topeka Golf Association's Stacy Kramer, won the Bill McDonald Champions Stroke Play title in a playoff. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
But Lucas not only played Tuesday at Topeka Country Club, but earned the tournament championship in the city event for players aged 40 and over, shooting a 36-hole score of 145 with rounds of 72 and winning the title in a sudden death playoff with C.C. Metzler.
"Probably today I would't have been playing, but riding in a cart it wasn't too bad,'' Lucas said. "There was enough shade out there and the wind was blowing, so it actually felt cooler today than it did yesterday because there was a little more breeze.''
Lucas, who also recently won the Topkeka Country Club club championship, was pleased with the way he played in the Champions event.
"I thought I played pretty solid, although I threw some simple shots away,'' Lucas said.
Metzler, who had rounds of 73 and 72, was satisfied with his runner-up finish.
"I hit the ball well, I couldn't complain about that at all,'' Metzler said. "But I've been struggling with my putting for two or three years.
"I don't mind losing to this guy (Lucas) any day. We play together a lot and he's a great guy and a great player and he deserves to win.
BILL McDONALD CITY CHAMPIONS STROKE PLAY TOURNAMENT
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Veteran Topeka West tennis coach Kurt Davids was honored Tuesday as the Kansas Coaches Association state boys tennis coach of the year for 2021-2022.
Longtime Topeka West tennis coach Kurt Davids (right) received the Kansas Coaches Association state boys tennis coach of the year award from the KCA's Stan Boggs Tuesday during the KSHSAA Coaching School. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The 2022 Topeka West boys tennis team was on hand Tuesday to see Charger coach Kurt Davids receive his award as the Kansas boys tennis coach of the year. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Topeka West tennis coach Kurt Davids (middle), flanked by wife Katie and son Andrew, was honored Tuesday as the Kansas boys tennis coach of the year. Davids' son, Austin, was unable to attend the ceremony. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Davids, who has coached West's boys for 29 seasons, received his award Tuesday during the 88th annual Kansas State High School Activities Association Coaching School at the Hotel Topeka City Center.
Davids led Topeka West to a second-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament this past season while also winning a regional team championship, sharing the city team title with Washburn Rural and finishing second in the Centennial League meet.
West also won the city boys title in 2021 and Davids' teams (boys and girls combined) have posted five top-four state team finishes. He has coached Class 5A state singles and doubles champs.
Davids' 2022 Topeka West team and family members were on hand to see Davids receive his award from the KCA's Stan Boggs, a longtime high school tennis coach.
KANSAS COACHES ASSOCIATION 2021-2022 COACHES OF THE YEAR
Boys cross country -- Curtis Morgan, Buhler.
Girls cross country -- Kelsey Carbajo, Olathe West.
Football (11-man) -- Clint Rider, Blue Valley Northwest.
Football (8-man) -- Bryan Luetters, Meade.
Girls golf -- Aaron Anderson, Blue Valley West.
Boys soccer -- Erik Jones, Blue Valley Southwest.
Girls tennis -- Cheryl Kucharik, Scott City.
Volleyball -- Kaylie Bergkamp, Andale.
Boys basketball -- Chris Schmidt, Olpe.
Girls basketball -- Jill Rowland, Sterling.
Boys swimming and diving -- Dave Youker, Olathe East.
Girls wrestling -- Tate Thompson, Pratt.
Baseball -- Heath Gerstner, McPherson.
Boys golf -- Clifton Hartzog, Godard Eisenhower.
Girls soccer -- Alex Aiman, Blue Valley West.
Softball -- Bill Finucane, Eudora.
Girls swimming and diving -- Bethany Bastian, Andover.
Boys tennis -- Kurt Davids, Topeka West.
Boys track and field -- Tyler Ryan, Andale.
Girls track and field -- Jay Myers, Smoky Valley.
Boys middle school -- Jody Miller, Rock Creek.
Girls middle school -- Nate Clevenger, Girard.
NATIONAL FEDERATION NATIONAL COACHES OF THE YEAR
Kit Harris, girls wrestling, Baldwin.
Jesse Nelson, girls basketball, Olpe.
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By CAMDEN MARTIN
TopSports.news
Topeka is a town rich in fun and exciting things to do.
One such thing is participating in a sports team. There’s no shortage of sports teams for youths of various ages and although becoming a member of these teams might seem vexing to those who are new, it is easy.
One such way to become involved in these teams is to take part in the Police Athletic League of Topeka, or PAL program.
The Police Athletic League of Topeka is the heart of sports for the youth living in Topeka, offering programs to children in kindergarten through sixth grade.
PAL offers fun opportunities through the Boys and Girls Club of Topeka. Playing games of traditional sports such as basketball, baseball and flag football, there’s never a dull day with PAL. Even for those uninterested in sports, there are programs that allow for other kinds of involvement. Members are also granted the chance to participate in in activities such as boxing and chess.
In addition to physical and social opportunities, the mission of PAL is to teach the youths of Topeka important lessons in teamwork, good sportsmanship and self-discipline.
But one of the most enlightening experiences members can have is the chance to interact with the officers of the Topeka Police Department. Taking time out of their duties protecting the town they call home, these distinguished officers have chosen to dedicate their efforts to enriching the bodies and minds of local youths.
One such officer is Sergeant William Lister, who serves as the president of PAL. Sergeant Lister freely offers his free time to enriching the lives of Topeka’s children with fun and engaging sports. Another officer serving is Lieutenant John Sturgeon, the treasurer of PAL.
With the help of these noble police officers, the Police Athletic League of Topeka has become an organization that Topeka can be proud of.
Much more than a simple sports program for children, it’s way of bringing people together, especially handy during the idle, warm months of summer.
The Police Athletic League of Topeka has something for everyone to enjoy; whether it’s exciting sports or a different interest. One can be aware of this organization by following it on their website, Twitter and Facebook.
If you wish to get involved in this year-long program, visit their website at paltopeka.org.
Children from K-6th grade are accepted, with registration $25 for individuals and $125 for teams.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Former Topeka High standout Tyrell Everett feels like every step he's made in his coaching career has been a step forward.
Tyrell Everett
But after basically one-year stints at schools in Kansas, Florida, Ohio, Iowa and Oklahoma, Everett would like to put down some roots in his new position as defensive line coach at NCAA Division II Pittsburg State.
"I'm looking forward to having the same address for awhile,'' Everett said during a visit to Topeka. "I'm excited to be back home in Kansas because not many people get to come back home and especially to be a part of a great program like Pitt State.''
Everett, who played collegiately at Butler Community College and Baker, coached at Butler CC, West Florida as a graduate assistant, Akron (GA), Tulsa (GA), and two separate stints at Clarke University before the Pittsburg State position opened up earlier this spring.
"Of course you're always interested when it comes to Pitt State, a big-time school, a big-time tradition and being from Kansas it's like a cathedral of football, especially for D-II,'' Everett said. "When I saw that opportunity come iup and I got my shot it was a blessing to even be pulled in for an interview for it.
"This job, it was something that just kind of fell in my lap. It's one of those things where just being able to build relationships helped me get this job and just being at the right spot at the right time and the right situation.''
Everett was offered the Pittsburg State position in late May and started on June 1.
"Everything is just community there and when I first got there it was an open-arm, warm welcome so it felt good to get that Midwest, Kansas hospitality,'' Everett said.
Everett joins the staff of Brian Wright, who is starting his third season as the Gorillas' head coach, including an 8-3 record in 2021.
"The staff is unbelievable and there's a reason why they've had tremendous success there in the first two years and they're going to continue to have tremendous success just with the leadership we have from coach Wright at the top on down,'' Everett said.
In addition to being a position coach Everett will have recruiting duties for the Gorillas.
"I'll be back in the Topeka area, a little bit in the Lawrence area and probably a little bit in the KC area to a little bit in the Wichita area and just be wherever they need me to go,'' Everett said. "Kansas kids work hard and they deserve to be recruited hard and that's what we're going to do.
"That's what coach Wright has put an emphasis on is winning locally and that's what we're going to work hard to do.''
Pittsburg State opens fall camp next Monday and will open its 2022 season on Sept. 1 at home against Central Missouri.
"We've got a great group of great young men that I'm excited to coach,'' Everett said.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Basketball has taken Lon Kruger all over the world, but Silver Lake and the Topeka area will always be home.
Hall of Fame basketball coach Lon Kruger returned to his local roots Monday, giving the keynote address to open the KSHSAA Coaching School. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
On Monday the member of the 2022 National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame class returned to his roots, serving as keynote speaker to open the 88th annual Kansas State High School Activities Association Coaching School at the Hotel Topeka at City Center.
"I appreciate the opportunity to come back home,'' said Kruger, who retired in 2021 at Oklahoma after 45 seasons in coaching. "Obviously I grew up in Silver Lake and the Topeka area and spent the first 18 years of my life here, so when Fran (Martin of the KSHSAA) called last fall to invite me to come back, I quickly said yes because any excuse I have to get back in this area I always look forward to it.
"Driving in last night I saw Stormont Vail on the building next door and I was born just down the road here in Stormont Vail Hospital in 1952.''
The former star point guard at Silver Lake and Kansas State had college coaching stints at Texas Pan-American, K-State, Florida, Illinois, UNLV and Oklahoma and Kruger was the first coach to lead five schools to NCAA Tournament wins, finishing with an overall record of 674-432.
And Kruger, who also had a stint in the NBA as the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks, is quick to credit his upbringing for starting him on the path to success.
"It was the best of all circumstances,'' Kruger said. "It was the best environment. I didn't fully realize it at the time, but when I look back I could not imagine a better, more idyllic situation growing up. I had a family that was all about family, parents that were all about their kids, a community that was huge in athletics at Silver Lake. Mom and dad were all about other people and doing things for others and relationships so I think that gave me the foundation, the core that I've really tried to take advantage of throughout life.''
