Residents visited Kaw Point Park in Kansas City, Kansas, on Saturday afternoon to view eagles. The park is at 1401 Fairfax, at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri rivers in Kansas City, Kansas. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
by Mary Rupert
Residents took advantage of unseasonably warm temperatures in the mid-40s on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 26, to visit Kaw Point Park in Kansas City, Kansas.
It was eagle viewing days, sponsored on Friday and Saturday by the Friends of Kaw Point Park.
A view station was set up at Kaw Point, with telescopes and binoculars. A staff member from the Army Corps of Engineers attended and answered questions.
While eagles were not very visible for the brief time we were present on Saturday afternoon, they had visited Kaw Point earlier on Saturday morning, according to Mike Calwell, chair of Friends of Kaw Point Park. The eagles more often are seen in the morning looking for food.
A skein of geese flew by Kaw Point in the afternoon.
Ice floated in chunks on the Missouri and Kansas rivers, clustering at the confluence at Kaw Point, and provided a very good indicator of water direction and speed.
The Friends of Kaw Point placed photos and exhibits on display inside a small building at 1403 Fairfax, and served hot dogs and cider to people dropping in. Some watched a video about eagles.
Ice floated in chunks on the Kansas and Missouri rivers, coming toward each other at Kaw Point, where ice clustered together. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)Residents were assisted in their viewing of eagles and wildlife by staff from the Army Corps of Engineers on Saturday at Kaw Point Park, Kansas City, Kansas. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)While we didn’t get any photos of eagles on eagle viewing day, a skein of geese crashed the party by flying past Kaw Point Park on Saturday in Kansas City, Kansas. The skyline of Kansas City, Missouri, is in the background. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)Ice floated down the river at Kaw Point on Saturday. In the foreground of this photo is a rain garden planted with native grasses by the Friends of Kaw Point Park. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)Ice floated down the river on Saturday at Kaw Point. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)Visitors to Kaw Point on Saturday saw some stunning views of the rivers. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)Visitors to Kaw Point on Saturday saw some stunning views of the rivers. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)Mike Calwell, chair of the Friends of Kaw Point Park, said eagles often visit Kaw Point in the mornings, looking for food. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)Visitors to Kaw Point on Saturday saw some stunning views of the rivers. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert) Visitors to the eagle viewing event Saturday watched an educational video about eagles. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)Kaw Point Park commemorates the encampment of Lewis and Clark from June 16 to 19, 1804, on their expedition. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)Displays were on exhibit at eagle viewing day Saturday at Kaw Point Park. (Staff photo)Displays were on exhibit at eagle viewing day Saturday at Kaw Point Park. (Staff photo)
When it comes to double-doubles, Kansas City Kansas Community College sophomore Nija Collier is one of the best in the nation. With 15 double-doubles in 21 games, she’s averaging 17.4 points and 10.7 rebounds a game.
But both feats are dwarfed by her latest accomplishment – selection as the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Player of the Week for the second time and the third time Player of the Week in the KJCCC (Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference).
“Selection as National Player of the Week is a great accomplishment but to be picked a second time in 10 weeks is almost unheard of,” said KCKCC coach Joe McKinstry, whose Blue Devils (18-3) ranked No. 4 in the latest NJCAA Division II poll.
“Collier had a huge week for the nationally ranked Blue Devils with 37 points in two victories,’ noted the KJCCC website. Shooting 61.9 percent from the field, Collier averaged 18.5 points and 12.5 rebounds in Blue Devil wins over Missouri Valley junior varsity and Southeast Community College last week.
“I really didn’t think I did that well,” said Collier, a 6-1 forward from Detroit. Ironically, Collier has come off the bench in all but three games this season. “Not starting doesn’t bother me at all. I just try to make the most of coming off the bench.”
Collier is the only player in the KJCCC to rank in the top three in all four of the major statistical categories.
She’s second in scoring (17.4), rebounding (10.7) and field goal percentage (.619) and third in 3-point shooting percentage (.440). Nationally, she’s fifth in offensive rebounds (5.0), seventh in free throw percentage (.838) and eighth in field goal percentage.
“Extremely proud of her,” McKinstry said. “She’s worked very hard since the day she stepped on campus as a freshman. All of her statistics and accomplishments are the result of the effort level she gives every single day. She’s a coach’s dream because you never have to question how hard she’s going to play.”
Collier made an immediate impression on McKinstry the day she came to KCKCC on a recruiting visit.
“She stepped on the floor and made five straight 3-pointers warming up,” McKinstry said. “Her field goal, 3-point and free throw percentages don’t lie. She’s really skilled; it’s what she’s capable of. She’s learned how to take her talent and ability and translate it to the organization and structure needed at the college level.”
