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Wyandotte girls soccer falls in regional final

by Brian Turrel

The Wyandotte Lady Bulldogs season came to a disappointing end on Thursday evening with an 8 – 0 loss at home to St. Thomas Aquinas in the 5A regional final.

Aquinas used quick lateral passes to move smoothly down the field, and many times their forwards were able to turn the corner near the Wyandotte end line for crosses into the box. The Saints didn’t finish as many of those crosses as they should have, but more than enough to put up an imposing score.

Aquinas coach Craig Ewing took advantage of his deeper bench, substituting entire shifts of players midway through each half to keep fresh legs on the field.

Despite the eight goals allowed, Bulldogs goalkeeper Reyna Espino played an inspired game. Under pressure the entire 80 minutes, she made several remarkable saves, leaping to tip the ball over the bar and diving to the side to gather in an Aquinas liner.

Espino played even more aggressively in the second half, coming way off her line to intercept Aquinas attackers. Although it caused the Saints to rush and miss some shots, her risky approach failed her three times when Aquinas put the ball into an empty net off a tip or rebound.

Senior midfielder Cheyanne Woltkamp played with abandon in her last game at Wyandotte. She hounded Aquinas ball handlers relentlessly at both ends of the field and disrupted attacking runs with physical tackles.

The Wyandotte Lady Bulldogs had their best season ever, romping through the Kansas City – Atchison League and compiling a 12-3 regular season record. Wyandotte beat Schlagle on Tuesday evening to get to the final game.

Aquinas, ranked the sixth best team in Kansas by MaxPreps, moves on to the state quarterfinals and will play Blue Valley Southwest on May 22.

Wyandotte senior midfielder Cheyanne Woltkamp (39) pursued Aquinas midfielder Amanda Hamm (14) before catching her along the right sideline. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Freshman defender Joselyn Toraya (28) won a ball in the air. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Wyandotte junior forward Semira Gebrezgabher (30) fought to clear the ball past Aquinas senior forward Olivia Chalabi (3). (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Wyandotte junior defender Pamela Rosales (41) headed the ball out of the Wyandotte end. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Cheyanne Woltkamp collected a pass in the Aquinas end. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Freshman defender Joselyn Toraya (28) prepared to clear the ball. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Semira Gebrezgabher and Aquinas junior defender Meg Ramaekers (12) attempted to get control of the ball. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Cheyanne Woltkamp threw herself in front of a kick from Aquinas senior defender Kat Miller (11). (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Wyandotte coach Josh Wikler encouraged the team after the loss, calling them a model for future teams to look up to. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Signs of construction were all around as the historic Wyandotte High School building undergoes extensive renovations. The entire plumbing system is being replaced, and a medical sciences lab, culinary lab, and other specialized learning areas are being added. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Harvick’s late heroics win KC Masterpiece 400

Race winner Kevin Harvick sprayed Josh Jones, his director of business development, with some celebratory champagne during the victory lane celebration. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

Kevin Harvick knew something had to change and he was willing to take some risks for the win in the KC Masterpiece 400 at Kansas Speedway on Saturday evening. When he pitted after a wreck and race stoppage with just a few laps remaining, he asked for four tires.

The extra time in the pits dropped him to sixth place when racing resumed, and Harvick “thought it was over.” However, the extra grip let him drive aggressively into the corners, so close that observers in the press box thought he scraped the wall.

Harvick’s daring driving moved him back to second after one lap, and he passed leader Martin Truex Jr. on the next to last lap.

“I said, ‘I’m going to drive it into the next corner. I’ve got five laps to go. I’m going to drive it in here and I’m either going to hit the wall or it’s going to turn.'”

The race was stopped on lap 253 when William Byron, Clint Bowyer, and Ryan Newman tangled in turn 4, creating a pileup that eventually collected seven cars.

The wreck was set up by a restart following contact between Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson that sent Blaney into the wall and out of the race.

Harvick started the race from the pole, but gave way in the early going. Blaney was in the lead at the end of Stage 1 (80 laps), and Larson took Stage 2 (160 laps).

Harvick now has five victories this season, the most ever after 12 races. This is his third victory at Kansas Speedway. He previously won the 2013 and 2016 Hollywood Casino 400.

The Monster Energy Cup series will return to Kansas Speedway on Oct. 21 at the Hollywood Casino 400.

William Byron (24) got loose in turn 4 and pushed Clint Bowyer (14) into the wall, resulting in a seven-car wreck. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

A wreck in turn 4 showered debris on the infield and pit road. No injuries were reported. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Brad Keselowski’s tire changer sprang in to action on a pit stop, trailing the tire gun’s pneumatic hose. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Race winner Kevin Harvick raced in the KC Masterpiece 400. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Race winner Kevin Harvick was all smiles after the come-from-behind win. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Landon Cassill (00) and David Ragan (38) raced around turn 1 at Kansas Speedway. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Clint Bowyer (14) and Aric Almirola (10) raced side by side down the home straightaway. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Retired Army colonel Roger Donlon, a Leavenworth resident and recipient of the Vietnam War’s first Congressional Medal of Honor, was recognized before the race. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

A squadron of A-10 Warthogs flew over the stadium during the national anthem. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

The Kansas Highway Patrol honor guard presented the colors before the race. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Gragson takes the limelight in Kansas Speedway truck race

by Brian Turrel

Noah Gragson won the 37 Kind Days 250 race at Kansas Speedway on Friday evening.

Myatt Snider tried to insert some late drama into a race that needed it, staying on the track when most other drivers pitted, hoping for a miracle, or at least a late caution flag.

Snider’s fuel-starved Ford sputtered and slowed with five laps remaining, putting Noah Gragson back in front, where he had been for nearly the entire race.

Last year’s winner Kyle Busch also tried some late pit strategy, taking only two tires on his last stop and gaining a momentary advantage. Gragson took four tires and quickly reeled in and passed Busch, his boss on the Kyle Busch Motorsports team.

Gragson started from the pole, won the race’s two intermediate stages, and was well in front when the checkered flag came down on his victory.

Kansas City, Kan. native Jennifer Jo Cobb placed 22nd.