Local Sports - The Morning Sun

Building up basketball in Southeast Kansas

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FRONTENAC, Kan. —The All-Area Fantasy Camp at Frontenac High School was on hold the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and this year families were fast to sign their kids up. more

By Sam Kombrink / skombrink@morningsun.net / Morning Sun Staff | 7/29/22

Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office golf tournament set for Saturday

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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office will host its 4th Annual Golf Tournament starting at 7 a.m. Saturday, July 30, to benefit Special Olympics Kansas. more

Staff Reports / news@morningsun.net | 7/26/22

A pair of buses full of Kansas Shrine Bowl players arrive in downtown Pittsburg on Wednesday. The buses were escorted by the Pittsburg Police Department and a fleet of bikers as they made their way to the campus of Pittsburg State University.

Kansas Shrine Bowl returns to Pittsburg

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As the 49th Kansas Shrine Bowl prepares to kick off this weekend, on Wednesday many local high school football players and coaches from Pittsburg, Frontenac and St. Mary’s Colgan helped Kansas Shrine Bowl Executive Director B.J. Harris set up for the big event. more

By Sam Kombrink / skombrink@morningsun.net | 7/21/22

"Big Daddy" Don Garlits, who turned 90 in January, is spending this weekend at Mo-Kan Dragway near Asbury, Mo.

Don Garlits knows his speed limit

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How fast should a 90-year-old drive? more

By Jim Henry / Sports Editor | 7/16/22

Drag Racer, Don Garlits gives some pointers to a potential future drag racer, with his Swamp Rat 12, a nitro burning slingshot dragster in the background. Garlits signed autographs, and gave out copies of his book, while also giving out bottled water, t-shirts and hats at his trailer on Friday at the Mo-Kan Dragway.

STILL GOING

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ASBURY, Mo. — Drag racing legend Don “Big Daddy” Garlits has returned to Mo-Kan Dragway for its 60th anniversary, and he has no intention of slowing down. more

By Sam Kombrink / Morning Sun Staff / skombrink@morningsun.net | 7/16/22

Megan Meyer Lingner poses at Block 22 in downtown Pittsburg next to her new nitro injected dragster, with a top speed of 285 miles per hour.

PSU grad Megan Meyer Lingner to race at Mo-Kan

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Megan Meyer Lingner is a two-time National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) world champion who made a pit stop at Block 22 on Thursday, as she prepares to race this weekend at Mo-Kan Dragway near Ashbury, Mo. more

By Sam Kombrink / Morning Sun Staff / skombrink@morningsun.net | 7/15/22

66ers prepare for the postseason

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — In just its second season, The Tri-State 66ers (9-3) semi-pro basketball team will look to avenge last season’s early round exit by winning two games in a row in order to crown themselves 2022 MLBA champions in Winfield, Kansas on July 23. more

By Sam Kombrink / skombrink@morningsunstaff.net | 7/13/22

Don ‘Big Daddy’ Garlits fires up his swamp rat 12 nitro burning slingshot dragster that will be at the Mo-Kan drag way July 15-16.

Mo-Kan celebrates 60 years of drag racing

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There have been drag races at Mo-Kan Dragway near Ashbury, MO., for 60 years, and on July 15 and 16, it may be the largest motorsports event in the four-state area in a long time. more

By Sam Kombrink / Morning Sun Staff / skombrink@morningsun.net | 7/12/22

Michael Doria (2) and Aaron Doria (4) go through the handshake line after Frontenac defeated Columbus 67-41 on February 22.

BACK ON THE COURT

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FRONTENAC, Kan. — Frontenac's boys basketball team had its season take a turn in 2022 after brothers Aaron and Michael Doria suffered injuries in a car accident that put their athletic careers in jeopardy. more

By Sam Kombrink / Morning Sun Staff | 7/8/22

Mustangs coast past Natural Baseball Academy

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Kolt Ungeheuer pitched a complete game as the Midwest Mustangs rolled past Natural Baseball Academy from Olathe 9-1 Saturday in the 18-under Pittsburg State Baseball Invitational at Al Ortolani … more

By Jim Henry/Sports Editor | 6/21/22

Oak Grove's fast start sinks Post 64, 7-3

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Oak Grove (Mo.) grabbed a 5-0 lead in the first 2 1/2 innings and defeated Pittsburg American Legion Post 64 7-3 on Saturday morning at Al Ortolani Field in the 18-under Pittsburg State Invitational. … more

By Jim Henry/Sports Editor | 6/21/22

After a decade of working on her book, “For Coach, An Inspiring True Story of Tragedy and Triumph” by Nancy Bauer is available to the public detailing the life, death, and legacy of Craig Crespino.

Book continues legacy of Craig Crespino

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GIRARD, Kan. — "In the course of a lifetime, only a handful of happenings impact our lives so profoundly that we never forget where we were when we first received word of the news. "For … more

By Aaron Pyle/Morning Sun Staff | 6/21/22

Girard’s Alex Coester powers a sacrifice fly to center field sending home Brett Sarwinski from third during the Midwest Mustangs championship game against the Topeka Scrappers Sunday in the Pittsburg State Baseball Invitational at Al Ortolani Field.

Mustangs claim Pittsburg State Baseball Invitational title

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The Midwest Mustangs capped a 3-0-1 record Sunday in the 18-under Pittsburg State Baseball Invitational with an 8-5 victory against the Topeka Scrappers at Al Ortolani Field. In the title game, … more

By Aaron Pyle/Morning Sun Staff | 6/21/22

Seven Girard High School students received $1,000 scholarships during Friday’s Fallen Trojan Memorial Golf Tournament hosted at Crawford Hills. Scholarship recipients from left, include Kinley Smith, Sophia Arneson, Caroline Kunshek, Parker Tersinar, Gage Davenport and John Gilmore. (Not pictured: Quinn O’Rand).

Girard alumni honored at Fallen Trojan golf tournament

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GIRARD, Kan. — Six new names were added to the walls of Fallen Trojans. From coaches to classmates, the Fallen Trojans organization honored six alumni during the 14th annual Fallen Trojan … more

By Aaron Pyle/Morning Sun Staff | 6/21/22

Sullivan posses for a picture at Frontenac high school on May 26.

Sullivan retires from coaching Raiders baseball

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Frontenac head coach Bill Sullivan announced his retirement last week after 24 years of coaching Raiders baseball with 305 career wins, the most in school history. During his tenure as head coach, … more

By Sam Kombrink / skombrink@morningsun.net | 6/15/22

Dan Smith is joined by his dad Dan, wife Jennifer and mom Debbie after he won in his major league debut with the Montreal Expos on June 8, 1999. Notice the bits of shaving cream left over after he took a pie to the face.

'It feels like a long time ago'

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On June 8, 1999, the Montreal Expos started a rookie right-handed pitcher they had called up from the minor leagues three days earlier.It certainly wasn't the best of starts as the Boston Red Sox … more

By Jim Henry | 6/9/22

English returns home, signs with PSU

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Following a journey that led him to multiple experiences at the collegiate level, former Pittsburg High School standout Marque English decided to return home and play basketball at Pittsburg State. more

Dashuan Vereen | 5/9/22

Shelby Underwood winds up to deliver a pitch against Yates Center on April 25 at Northeast high school.

A STAR HAS BLOSSOMED

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As the green leaves blossom on the trees, the town of Arma has seen a talented young athlete blossom before its very eyes. Shelby Underwood is putting up numbers that are astronomical on the … more

By Sam Kombrink / sports@morningsun.net | 5/3/22