FOOTBALL
BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
Great Bend's legacy senior class has a final chapter to write that will determine how the Class of 2026 ranks in Panther football history.
Last year's postseason ended with a nightmarish mix of ugly weather, key injuries and a Hays High rival that finished as 5A state runner-up. There was no doubt the Panthers believed they would've played St. Thomas Aquinas for the state title.
"Expectation are sky high and this group is ready for the challenge," said Great Bend football coach Erin Beck. "Returning a significant number of starters, nine on defense, provides a fantastic foundation. What makes senior class unique is how many starters play offense and defense. They're competitive and hold each other accountable."
Great Bend features five first-team All-WAC players -- Most Valuable Offensive Player WR-S Ian Premer (521 receiving, 8 TDs; 252 rushing, 2 TDs); Most Valuable Defensive Player MLB Trenton Kern; WR Cooper Ohnmacht (422 receiving, 6 TDs; 150 passing, 4 TDs); OLB Jacob Hall (284 receiving, 3 TDs); QB Daxton Minton (1,306 passing, 17 TDs, 332 rushing, 5 TDs).
"Experience at QB (Daxton Minton), and the skill group (Ian Premer, Cooper Ohnmacht, Jacob Hall, and Hayden Kelly), provide instant chemistry. This continuity should lead to a more efficient and explosive offense from the get-go."
Beck said he's constantly guessing what offensive options the defense is trying to take away when he calls play. If matchups are right, Minton will use the passing game. If the defense loads up on pass defense, he'll use the run game.
"My goal is take what plays the defense is giving you," Beck said. "We trust our system and want to win matchups man-on-man. It helps we coach selfless players who simply want to win football games. There are multiple ways to get Ian Premer the football. It defenses try to take away Premer, it opens up things for other guys."
Second team All-WAC veterans are C Karter Brown, OG Trenton Kern, DE Conner Holladay and LB Kale Kern
"Kern, Brown and Blaine Ensley return up front for leadership and experience," Beck said. "Running back will be used by different personnel. Premer and Ohnmacht are versatile, intelligent players who will be used in a variety of ways. Connor Holladay, Kale Kern, Josh Birney and Cal Schartz will compete for carries."
Middle linebacker Trenton Kern (112 tackles, 6 for loss) joins Kale Kern (41 tackes), Jacob Hall (41 tackles, 3 def. TDs, 3 int.) and Jaxon Wondra. Defensive end Conner Holladay (69 tackles, 11 for loss), safeties Ian Premer (50 tackles, 3 int.) and Cooper Ohnmacht and cornerbacks Hayden Kelly and Koehn Ribordy return.
"Adding wrinkles should translate to a cohesive and aggressive unit. Graduation losses on the defensive line need to be addressed. Our biggest question mark will be our depth. We'll find ways to keep them fresh."
OFFENSIVE RETURNEES—QB Daxton Minton; WR Ian Premer; WR Jacob Hall; WR Cooper Ohnmacht; WR Hayden Kelly; LG Trenton Kern; C Karter Brown; LT Blaine Ensley; PK Diego Soto; PK Omar Razo
DEFENSIVE RETURNEES—OLB Jacob Hall; LB Kale Kern; S Ian Premer; S Cooper Ohnmacht; MLB Trenton Kern; OLB Kale Kern; CB Hayden Kelly; DE Conner Holladay; LB Jaxon Wondra; CB Koehn Ribordy
NEWCOMERS—OL/DL Jose Bustamante; OL/DL Keeton Bray; OL/DL Gavin Maddox; WR/DB Cole Fanshier; OL/DL Ryder Morris; RB/DB Josh Birney; RB/DB Cal Schartz; OL/LB Jace Deines; OL/DL Brady Mendez; WR/DB Alec Premer; RB/LB Maxx Steffan; RB/DB Grant Watkins
SENIORS—3—Brogan Unruh, 6-2, 165, WR/DB; 4—Triston Tomlinson, 5-11, 150, WR/DB; 5—Jacob Hall, 6-1, 195, TE/DE; 6—Josh Birney, 5-8, 175, RB/DB; 8—Hayden Kelly, 5-9, 170, WR/DB; 9—Gavin Gilkison, 6-2, 160, WR/OLB; 12—Daxton Minton, 5-11, 180, QB; 14—Ian Premer, 6-6, 215, WR/S; 16—Beau White, 5-10, 165, WR/DB; 22—Conner Holladay, 6-0, 190, RB/DE; 33—Lukas Oden, 5-8, 140, RB/DB; 34—Jace Deines, 5-10, 190, WR/LB; 51—Trenton Kern, 6-2, 225, LG/LB; 55—Karter Brown, 6-0, 280, C/DL; 56—Blaine Ensley, 6-0, 240, LT/LB; 68—Gunner Fisher, 5-8, 190, OL/DL; 74—Ryder Morris, 5-11, 260, OL/DL; 79—Gavin Stein, 5-9, 270, OL/DL
JUNIORS—2—Cooper Ohnmacht, 6-1, 175, QB/WR/S; 7—Kale Kern, 6-1, 200, RB/LB; 10—Cole Fanshier, 6-1, 160, WR/OLB; 17—Kawika Martinez, 5-8, 130, QB/DB; 19—Blake Stein, 5-10, 170, RB/LB; 24—Jaxon Wondra, 5-10, 180, WR/DE; 29—Dayton Howard, 6-3, 170, WR/DB; 31—Leo Krier, 5-10, 160, WR/DB; 35—Omar Razo, 5-10, 170, PK; 43—Trent Rowe, 6-0, 160, WR/DB; 44—Chase Stout, 5-11, 140, WR/LB; 54—Gavynn Maddox, 5-8, 215, OL/DL; 60—Delton Their, 5-10, 240, OL/DL; 67—Slayde Apley, 5-6, 190, OL/DL;70—Jackson Yarmer, 6-1, 195, OL/DL; 71—Evan Vink, 5-10, 165, OL/DL; 73—Josue Bustamante, 5-7, 250, OL/DL
SOPHOMORES—15—Braxton Richter, 5-6, 120, WR/DB; 18—Jaden Prilling, 5-6, 115, QB/DB; 21—Cal Schartz, 5-6, 125, RB/DB; 23—Kade Urban, 5-7, 140, WR/DB; 25—Alec Premer, 6-1, 150, WR/DB; 26—Mark Mazouch, WR/DB; 27—Blake Suppes, RB/LB; 28—Spencer Brown, 5-6, 120, WR/DB; 30—Brody Postleweite, 5-10, 150, WR/LB; 32—Maxx Steffan, 5-9, 160, OL/LB; 37—Logan Turner, 5-8, 130, RB/LB; 38—Gage Peterson, 5-7, 130, RB/LB; 40—Colton Andrasek, 5-10, 145, WR/LB; 41—Kade Baker, 5-9, 125, WR/DB; 42—Xavier Johnson Millirons, 5-10, 160, OL/DL; 53—Karson Wintholz, 5-11, 300, OL/DL; 57—Keeton Bray, 6-2, 230, OL/DL; 59—Brady Mendez, 6-0, 200, OL/LB; 63—Logan Espinosa, 5-9, 165, OL/Dl; 64—Elijah Ybarra, 5-9, 210, OL/DL; 77—Levi Espino, 5-11, 250, OL/DL; 78—Dylan Hernandez, 5-9, 240, OL/DL; 80—Abel Spencer, 5-3, 105, WR/DB; 81—Jacob Mazouch, 5-7, 120, WR/DB; 82—Alika Salcido, 5-7, 130, WR/DB
VBALL
Back to Back WAC champs, 5A state trip
How does success, experience help spark the team?
How does competition to get on the court help the team?
Describe what Kya Behr does on the court?
Comment briefly on top players — Kya Behr, Alex Mayers; Micah Ellegood; Ava Kaiser; Mikayla Minton; Kimmy Hofflinger; (Denver Ringo)
Assess various phases — hitting, defense, serving
What is general outlook for 2025?
VBALL
The Panthers (36-5) broke the school record for the second consecutive wins. Great Bend won a school record 27 consecutive matches. Coach Shelly Duvall led the Panthers to their second straight WAC title, seventh in school history.
The Panthers lost 25-18, 13-25, 25-21 to Andover, 25-8, 23-25, 25-12 to WIchita Kapaun-Mt. Carmel and 25-20, 25-17 to Lenexa St. James at the 5A state volleyball tournament.
“Panther volleyball looks great for the next few years,” she said. “We have several players that are younger and are seeing valuable court time. Our JV and C team players have put in the work as well.
Great Bend defeated Goddard 25-15, 25-15 and Valley Center 25-21, 25-23 to qualify for state.
Two-time first-team All-WAC Kya Behr returns and All-WAC Kara Feist and Cassie Ellegood graduated. Returning standout Denver Ringo (82 winners, 65 digs, 29 serves received) will be sidelined with an knee injury.
PANTHERS
SENIORS GONE Cassie Ellegood, Josephine Mazouch, Kara Feist
SENIORS--10— Kimmy Hofflinger, 5-6, OH; 11—Denver Ringo; 12— Ava Kaiser, 5-7, L/ DS; 5—Katherine Mazouch, 5-9, OH/RS; 16— Allie Gerhardt, 5-5 OH
JUNIORS--17—Kya Behr, 5-9, S/ OH; 23—Alex Mayers, MH/ OH; 6—Remmi Burkes, Libero; 13—Chayla Prendergast, MB; 24—Meredith Mazouch, S; 32—Kortney Leech, OH
SOPHOMORES--7—Micah Ellegood, MB/RS; 4—Brooklyn Kelly, MB/OH; 8—Baylie Kelly, OH;33—Mikayla Minton, S/RS; 18— Paige Trendel, MB/RS; 20—Lanie Haselhorst, S; 28—Lydia Schaub, MB; 29—Karys Leu, OH; 31— Shatarah Newton, MB; 35—Abbie Meyer, Libero; 36—Raelynn Rowe, DS; 38—Callie Umphres, OH; 39—Jaci Morris, RS/M
CROSS COUNTRY
LAWRENCE — Bella Long (19:54.62) placed 25th to lead Great Bend's girls (193 points) to eighth place in the 5A girls state cross country championship.
Also counting for the Panthers in the team score were 31st Sienna Smith, 20:08.53; 41st Marissa Boone, 20:22.88; 59th Teah King, 21:21.34; and 73rd Kate Welcher, 21:49.54.Reece
Bullard was unable to finish when she slipped on the wet course. Boone and Welcher graduate.
"The girls competed well, as they did all year," said Great Bend coach Lyles Lashley. "We're excited about the future. Our younger girls did some nice things. We're looking to continue the momentum next year."
Great Bend's Tavon Stroup (16:47.48) placed 26th in the boys division. Stroup improved 30 seconds from last year's 50th-place finish despite the poor running conditions.
"Tavon ran a smart race," Lashley said. "He ran a great race that sets him up for his senior year."
5A LAWRENCE RIM ROCK
8TH—GREAT BEND GIRLS—25—Bella Long, 19:54.62; 31—Sienna Smith, 20:08.53; 41—Marissa Boone, 20:22.88'; 59—Teah King, 21:21.34; 73—Kate Welcher, 21:49.54; 81—Samantha Neegard, 22:02.06
GREAT BEND BOYS—26—Tavon Stroup, 16:47.48
One of the greatest senior classes in Great Bend girls cross country history graduated with a runnerup, third-place and fifthplace 5A finish the past three years.
Great Bend coach Lyles Lashley likes what he sees after three consecutive WAC and three consecutive regional championships.
Three-time state medal winner Marissa Boone and Kate Welcher graduated.
13th-place state medalist Sienna Smith, Bella Long, Teah King, Teegan Guerra and newcomer Reese Bullard.
Tavon Stroup led the Panther boys with a 50th-place state, ninthplace WAC and fifthplace regional finish last year
Assess girls, boys teams
Girls have been 4-time WAC champion, 4-time state qualifier, what are chances to return?
Boys gained experience with young team, What is projected improvement from WAC runner-up?
Comment on top boys, girls runners
Any runners who made summer progress in off-season training?
PANTHER ROSTER
SENIORS—Reese Bullard, Tavon Stroup (S 26TH, 50TH; R 5TH, 14TH, 20TH; WAC 6TH, 9TH); Monte Velasco (WAC-JV 25TH)
SENIORS—Reese Bullard (R 3RD); Sienna Smith (S 13TH, 31ST, 45TH; R 4TH, 6TH, 10TH; WAC 5TH, 11TH); Ryan Oden; Ismael Ramirez (WAC 4TH, 13TH)
JUNIORS—Parker Coleman (R 44TH, 49TH, WAC 28TH, 36TH), , Bella Long (S 25TH, R 4TH, 14TH, WAC 4TH, 14TH)
JUNIORS— Teegan Guerra (WAC 2ND, 10TH), Teah King (S 59TH, R 14TH, WAC 8TH, 22ND), Anthony Lawrence (R 23RD, 36TH, WAC 19TH, 30TH), Santiago Velasco (WAC-JV 25TH)
SOPHOMORES—Isaac Aldana (R 31ST, WAC 24TH), Sydney James (WAC-JV 8TH), Alexis Garcia (WAC-JV 15TH), Samantha Neegaard (R 24TH, WAC 12TH), , Noah Kaiser, Alyssa Prendergast (WAC-JV 4TH), Noah Kaiser (R 40TH), Brogan Lashley (R 28TH, WAC 25TH), Sullivan Luttrell (WAC 36TH)
SOPHOMORES— Sophia Bauer, Lennon Johnson (WAC-JV 20TH), Randy Weber (WAC 33RD)
NINTH-GRADERS—Julian Hernandez, Decorah Schroeter, Sydney Stein, Makenze Gwin, Eli Leech
GIRLS TENNIS
No. 1 singles Paige Stacey qualified for 5A state with a 2-2 regional record and lost two matches at 5A state. Spring Hill's Alea Schwinn downed Stacey 6-0, 6-1 and Emporia's Kali Keough beat Stacey 8-1 at the 5A state tournament. Stacey (25-11) has placed runner-up at No. 1 singles and No. 2 singles at the WAC Tournament.
No. 2 doubles Darcy Feist-Mac Lindberg (20-13) tied for first in the Western Athletic. Feist/Lindberg were 1-2 at 5A regionals, but Feist has graduated.
Great Bend girls tennis coach Zachary Bartel earned Western Athletic Coach of the Year in 2023. Shannon Schartz and Barbi Austin are assistant coaches.
GONE Clarise Snapp, MacKenzie LaViolette; Isabel Castruita, Darcy Feist, Jacklyn Garcia, Kylie McCormick
PANTHER TENNIS
SENIORS—Sheridan Johnson, Mac Lindberg (D 20-13, WAC 1ST TIE), Kennedi Stalcup
JUNIORS—Olivia Boone (D 2-2), Addi Gotts (S 2-6), Beth Hammeke (D 8-12), Maddie Seifkes, Paige Stacey (S 25-11; S 14-10; WAC 2ND, 2ND), Ashlee Humburg, Tess Riley
SOPHOMORES— Sophia Babcock, Sydney Bailey, Addison Hart, Olivia Loera, Sophie Popp, Emma Snapp
Chuy Loera (52-84) starts his 10th season after a 2-13-1 (0-8 WAC) record. Loera is assisted by Noel Rodriguez and Aldo Rodriguez.
Key starters returning include goalie Eli Contreras, forward Alex Alonzo and midfielder Alex Alcala.
“We’re ahead of where we were last year. We evaluate ourselves after every season,” Loera said. “We’ve tried different approaches. We want to see what we can do to compete with the Western Athletic teams.”
The Panthers are working on improving technique on ball control and passing to compete.
“We’re working on skill development, technique and the details of soccer,” he said. “We’re trying to keep building our program. We work on a better understanding of what we’re doing.”
Loera said a new group of players will present strong competition.
“We have new faces, which is a good thing. We’re looking at the new players to find out what roles they’ll play.”
The off-season work helped the players improve.
“We’re allowed summer workouts,” he said. “The guys train with club teams and they compete in summer tournaments. They got good competition and training.”
PANTHER ROSTER
SENIORS—0—Eli Contreras, GK; 6—Alex Alcala, F; 9—Diego Soto, DEF; 10—Ricardo Cruz, MID; 11—Alex Alonzo, F; 15—Landon Hubbard, DEF; 17—Angel Armendariz, MID; 27—Omar James, MID; 22—Fabian Guerrero, DEF; 0—Adam Trendel, GK.
JUNIORS—1—Julian Ordonez, DEF; 3—Dustin Fugitt, F; 13—Alan Carrillo, MID; 14—Jackson Young, DEF; 4—Gavin Vanskike; 5—Jose Castillo; 7—Omar James, MID
SOPHOMORES—4—Sergio Gonzalez, F; 3—Alexis Garcia; 6—Bairo Guzman; 8—Erick Torres; 9—Fernando Lopez; 10—Gael Gonzalez; 11—Juan Soto; 16—Francisco Alvarez; 19—Lukas Oden; 21—Omar Prado;23—Xavier Rios; 25—Juan DeLuna
Senior Kylee Miessler has placed 30th (112) and 49th (129) at the regional golf tournament the past two years.
Second-year golf coach Mackenzie Nelson will guide a 5-player roster that will gain valuable experience as the fall progresses.
PANTHER ROSTER
Kylee Miessler (R 30TH, 112; 49TH, 129); Zoey Mayberry; Ella Nokes; Trinity Eldridge; Carrie Hunt
