Category: KCKCC

KCKCC holding signups for Walk Across Kansas

by Kelly Rogge, KCKCC

Kansas City Kansas Community College is once again inviting students, faculty, staff and community members to participate in the Walk Across Kansas Incentive Program.

The goal of the eight-week program is to improve the health and wellness of each participant by “walking” enough miles to travel across the state of Kansas.

Teams will include four people and starting Sept. 23, each team member will complete at least two miles of walking, jogging or running per day. This will equate to eight miles per team each day, seven days a week or 448 miles by the end of the program. If a person needs to substitute an alternative cardiovascular activity, they may do so by choosing from the activity equivalent list.

The theme of this year’s event is Kansas Tourist Attractions. Teams will have the option to name themselves according to a Kansas Tourist Attraction such as “Rolling with the Big Ball of Twine.” Those interested can register at the KCKCC Wellness and Fitness Center.

“This incentive program keeps people engaged for eight weeks and is a great motivational tool for people to get consistency in a cardiovascular exercise program,” said Pam Hall, wellness specialist at the KCKCC Wellness and Fitness Center. “In the past, many Walk Across Kansas participants have voiced their pride for completing the eight weeks, and the team component makes it fun and inspirational.”

Participants can do more or less during the Walk Across Kansas program, but can turn in no more than 21 miles per week. Those who participate should remember that the team is counting on each member to reach their goal of 448 miles by the time the program ends Nov. 17. Individuals will turn in weekly mileage tracking sheets, so that the team progress can be displayed in the KCKCC Wellness and Fitness Center.

Those who would like to participate and do not have a team, may contact Pam Hall at [email protected].

Information about the Walk Across Kansas Program is also available by calling 913-288-7368. A waiver must also be completed upon registration.

Record 28 KCKCC students on NJCAA All-Academic teams

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

The bar has been set at an all-time high for academic success for student-athletes at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

A record 28 student-athletes in eight sports were named to All-Academic teams selected by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) for 2018-19. In addition, four Blue Devil squads were named All-Academic teams – baseball, softball, volleyball and men’s soccer.

Eleven Blue Devils had perfect 4.0 grade point averages, which earned NJCAA first team recognition. In addition, seven student-athletes were named to the second team with GPA’s of 3.75 or better and 10 were named to the third team with GPA’s of 3.6 or higher.

Five members of the softball team had 4.0 grade point averages, Kaylee Arnzen, Gracie Gentry, Shaylun Grosstephan, Hannah Redick and Britney Smith. Also earning first team honors with 4.0 GPA’s were Martina Glenn and Kirsten Bizzell, women’s soccer; Camryn Swanson, women’s basketball; DeVonte’ Beard, men’s basketball; Allayah Stillwell, volleyball; and Kalen Harrison, baseball.

“First and foremost, our coaches have done a great job in recruiting high quality athletes and holding them to high academic standards,” Tony Tompkins, KCKCC director of athletics, said. “I think our student-athletes understand why they’re here, whether to prepare for moving on to a four-year college or university or a career. This was kind of a goal and vision when I came here. I felt we could compete nationally but we could also raise the academic standards and for the last six years, the cumulative athletic department grade point has been more than 3.0.”

The success is the result of the efforts of many, Tompkins said.

“Most recently, we’ve added Robert Roberson to counsel our athletes; we’ve developed a strong relationship with Amanda Williams and her staff in the Learning Commons, keeping track of study hall hours and finding tutors for athletes who may be struggling; and we’ve had several faculty members who have been helpful in communications and support of athletes,” he said. “They say it takes a village, not one person to make things like this happen. It’s a community effort.”

KCKCC All-Academic student athletes for 2018-2019.

Baseball – First team: Kaleb Harrison, Neola, Iowa, 4.0. Second team: Traice Hartter, Topeka Seaman, 3.88; Third team: Everitt Griffin, Lincoln, Nebraska, 3.77; Phillip Bryant, Little Rock, Arkansas, 3.76; Eduardo Acosta, San German, Puerto Rico, 3.71; Tyler Henry, Gardner-Edgerton,3.70; Jake Martin, Aurora, Colorado, 3.68; Christopher Diaz-Vierra, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, 3.64.

Softball – First team: Kaylee Arnzen, Pampa, Texas, 4.00; Gracie Gentry, Turner, 4.00; Shaylun Grosstephan, Girard, 4.00; Hannah Redick, Shawnee Mission North, 4.0; Britney Smith, Basehor-Linwood, 4.00. Second team: Devin Purcell, Eudora, 3.90; Third team: Alexis Rymer, Piper, 3.72.

Women’s soccer – First team; Martina Glenn, Bonner Springs, 4.00; Kirsten Bizzell, Bonner Springs, 4.00; Second team: Alexandra Schemmel, DeSoto, 3.80; Erin Williams, Tonganoxie, 3.76. Third team; Madison Plake, DeSoto, 3.60.

Volleyball – First team, Allayah Stillwell, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, 4.00; Second team: Keli Sleefe, Andover Central, 3.83. Third team; Grace Golay, Wichita Trinity Academy, 3.68.

Women’s basketball – First team; Camryn Swanson, Blue Springs, Missouri, 4.00.

Men’s basketball – First team: DuVonte’ Beard, Kansas City Ruskin, 4.00.

Golf – Second team – Garrett Scott, Sabetha, 3.85.

Men’s soccer – Second team: Gustavo Palmieri, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 3.82; Third team: Hector Valles Bellver, Valencia, Spain, 3.76.

Unbeaten Crowder rallies past Blue Devils, 4-2

KCKCC sophomore Leonardo Bonelli tumbled to the ground but not before delivering the Blue Devils first goal on a shot past goalkeeper Anthony Garcia in a 4-2 loss to Crowder Wednesday night. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)
Sophomore Alejandro Maillet (in white) eluded a Crowder defender to launch a shot in KCKCC’s 4-2 loss to the Roughriders Wednesday. The Blue Devils are home again Sunday against Iowa Central with games at noon and 2 p.m. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

Unbeaten Crowder rallied in the second half to hand Kansas City Kansas Community College its first soccer loss of the season 4-2 Wednesday night.

The loss dropped the Blue Devils to 0-1-1 heading into a home clash Sunday with Iowa Central at 2 p.m. The game will follow a noon kickoff between KCKCC and Iowa Central’s women’s teams,

KCKCC held a 2-1 halftime lead against Crowder only to have the Roughriders (2-0) take advantage of two fouls to tie the game and then go ahead. The go-ahead goal came on a free kick that was deflected once or twice crossing the goal.

Crowder took a 1-0 lead 14 minutes into the game but sophomore Leonardo Bonelli took a pass from Marcos Cabral and drove a kick behind goalkeeper Anthony Garcia while falling to the turf for the tying goal with 28 minutes into the half. Three minutes later, sophomore Marcus Kawah rifled a go-ahead goal past Garcia from 20 yards out. The spectacular goal came on an assist from freshman Javier Blanco.

Freshman goalkeeper Bosco Pery was credited with three saves on shots on goal while Garcia had two for the Roughriders, who controlled the contest much of the way,

“We played well the first half, not as well the second half,” KCKCC assistant coach Burke Slusher said. “The two fouls really hurt because both led directly to Crowder goals. We just have to keep getting better starting Sunday against Iowa Central.”