By: Paxton Ritchie CSC Sports Information Director

CHADRON, Neb. – Chadron State College and athletic director Mannie Reinsch have announced the hiring of Jalen Little to lead the CSC women's basketball program as head coach. Little will be the 12th head coach in program history and the sixth in the program's Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC)/Division II history.

Little brings nearly a decade of coaching experience within the RMAC and will be a familiar name for many CSC fans after serving as an assistant for the Chadron State men's basketball program from 2016-2020 under former Eagles coach Houston Reed. 

"It is an incredible honor to be named the head coach of Chadron State College women's basketball," Little said. "Thank you to Mannie Reinsch and the search committee for the opportunity to be part of a culture that values community and relationships in addition to competitive excellence. I'm looking forward to building something special with our student-athletes, both on and off the court. We will Protect the Rock!" 

For the past five seasons, Little has served as the lead assistant women's basketball coach at RMAC foe CSU Pueblo. During Little's time on staff, the ThunderWolves qualified for four consecutive RMAC tournaments from 2022-25, including a fifth-place finish (18-11, 13-7 RMAC) in the league standings last year. He was instrumental in recruiting Alisha Little, the two-time reigning RMAC Defensive Player of the Year who ranked second in Division II in scoring last season with 24.9 points per game. 

"I'd like to welcome Jalen and his family back to Chadron, Nebraska," Reinsch said. "Throughout the process, Jalen showcased his energy and passion for developing our student-athletes and building his culture the right way. After growing in his career and learning from some great leaders, I'm excited to see Jalen put his footprint on our women's basketball program."

Little began his coaching career by spending four seasons as an assistant coach with the Chadron State men's basketball program under Houston Reed, who coached Little as a player. During Little's tenure, the Eagles had seven All-RMAC selections and 22 All-Academic Honor Roll selections.

"Houston Reed's belief in me and bringing me to Chadron laid out an unbelievable foundation for me as a coach," Little said. "He allowed me to find my coaching voice and showed me what pouring into student-athletes at an elite level looked like."

At CSU Pueblo, Little and head coach Tommie Johnson orchestrated a 20-win turnaround for the ThunderWolves in 2021-22, which was tied for the best in the NCAA that year. After the ThunderWolves went 3-13 in a COVID-19 impacted 2020-21 season, CSU Pueblo rallied to a 23-9 record the next year, highlighted by a third-place RMAC regular season finish, runner-up finish in the RMAC Tournament and a berth in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. 

"Learning from Tommie Johnson for the past five seasons was a blessing," Little said. "He always showed what it looked like to aim high in recruiting and the value of genuine relationships. He made my transition from coaching the men's side to the women's side seamless, and I wouldn't be in this position without his leadership." 

As a student-athlete, Little played one season at Alaska Anchorage (Division II, GNAC) before transferring to Otero Junior College, where he played for Houston Reed. In his one season with the Rattlers, Little averaged 11.6 points and 6.7 assists per game. 

Little closed his playing career at the Division I level for Abiliene Christian University (Texas), where he was the Wildcats' starter at point guard for two seasons. He finished among the top six in the NCAA Division I Southland Conference both seasons for assist-to-turnover ratio, carrying a combined 2.3 ratio through the end of his ACU career.

Immediately after his playing career, Little completed a fundraising internship with Abilene Christian athletic director Lee De Leon, who at the time was the youngest athletic director in NCAA Division I. 

A native of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Little completed his Associate of Arts in psychology from Otero Junior College in 2014 and his Bachelor of Science in communications from Abilene Christian University in 2016. 

He and his wife Shantelle have two daughters, Nevaeh and Anaiya. 

Little's official start date will be July 1. A press conference introducing Little to the community will take place later this fall, with details announced at a later date.

By: Paxton Ritchie CSC Sports Information DirectorCHADRON, Neb. – Chadron State College and athletic director Mannie Reinsch have announced the hiring of Jalen Little to lead the CSC women's basketball program as head coach. Little will be the 12th head coach in program history and the sixth in the program's Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC)/Division II history.Little brings nearly a decade of coaching experience within the RMAC and will be a familiar name for many CSC fans after serving as an assistant for the Chadron State men's basketball program from 2016-2020 under former Eagles coach Houston Reed. "It is an incredible honor to be named the head coach of Chadron State College women's basketball," Little said. "Thank you to Mannie Reinsch and the search committee for the opportunity to be part of a culture that values community and relationships in addition to competitive excellence. I'm looking forward to building something special with our student-athletes, both on and off the court. We will Protect the Rock!" For the past five seasons, Little has served as the lead assistant women's basketball coach at RMAC foe CSU Pueblo. During Little's time on staff, the ThunderWolves qualified for four consecutive RMAC tournaments from 2022-25, including a fifth-place finish (18-11, 13-7 RMAC) in the league standings last year. He was instrumental in recruiting Alisha Little, the two-time reigning RMAC Defensive Player of the Year who ranked second in Division II in scoring last season with 24.9 points per game. "I'd like to welcome Jalen and his family back to Chadron, Nebraska," Reinsch said. "Throughout the process, Jalen showcased his energy and passion for developing our student-athletes and building his culture the right way. After growing in his career and learning from some great leaders, I'm excited to see Jalen put his footprint on our women's basketball program."Little began his coaching career by spending four seasons as an assistant coach with the Chadron State men's basketball program under Houston Reed, who coached Little as a player. During Little's tenure, the Eagles had seven All-RMAC selections and 22 All-Academic Honor Roll selections."Houston Reed's belief in me and bringing me to Chadron laid out an unbelievable foundation for me as a coach," Little said. "He allowed me to find my coaching voice and showed me what pouring into student-athletes at an elite level looked like."At CSU Pueblo, Little and head coach Tommie Johnson orchestrated a 20-win turnaround for the ThunderWolves in 2021-22, which was tied for the best in the NCAA that year. After the ThunderWolves went 3-13 in a COVID-19 impacted 2020-21 season, CSU Pueblo rallied to a 23-9 record the next year, highlighted by a third-place RMAC regular season finish, runner-up finish in the RMAC Tournament and a berth in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. "Learning from Tommie Johnson for the past five seasons was a blessing," Little said. "He always showed what it looked like to aim high in recruiting and the value of genuine relationships. He made my transition from coaching the men's side to the women's side seamless, and I wouldn't be in this position without his leadership." As a student-athlete, Little played one season at Alaska Anchorage (Division II, GNAC) before transferring to Otero Junior College, where he played for Houston Reed. In his one season with the Rattlers, Little averaged 11.6 points and 6.7 assists per game. Little closed his playing career at the Division I level for Abiliene Christian University (Texas), where he was the Wildcats' starter at point guard for two seasons. He finished among the top six in the NCAA Division I Southland Conference both seasons for assist-to-turnover ratio, carrying a combined 2.3 ratio through the end of his ACU career.Immediately after his playing career, Little completed a fundraising internship with Abilene Christian athletic director Lee De Leon, who at the time was the youngest athletic director in NCAA Division I. A native of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Little completed his Associate of Arts in psychology from Otero Junior College in 2014 and his Bachelor of Science in communications from Abilene Christian University in 2016. He and his wife Shantelle have two daughters, Nevaeh and Anaiya. Little's official start date will be July 1. A press conference introducing Little to the community will take place later this fall, with details announced at a later date.

Chadron State hires familiar coach to take over women's basketball program

LINCOLN, Neb - Playfly Sports and Nebraska Athletics announced Monday the hiring of Kyle Crooks as the new play-by-play voice of Nebraska Football. In his role as the Director of Broadcasting for the Huskers Radio Network, Crooks will also co-host the network’s Sports Nightly show.

Crooks comes to Nebraska after eight years as Broadcast Coordinator and play-by-play broadcaster at the University of Florida.&nbsp; In his time with the Gators, Crooks worked on the radio network's football, men's basketball, baseball, softball and soccer broadcasts.&nbsp; Additionally, he has broadcasted events for the SEC Network+ digital platform. Alongside his play-by-play work, Crooks helped guide the behind-the-scenes effort for the radio network's social media tasks and day-to-day operations.

“I am incredibly excited for this opportunity! It’s a dream come true to broadcast the great moments ahead for the Cornhuskers,” Crooks said. “I can’t wait to get to Lincoln and meet Husker Nation. It will be an honor to work alongside a talented team in the Greg Sharpe Radio Booth. Greg is a legend in the broadcast industry and beyond, and I will work passionately to continue his elite standard of excellence both in the booth and in the community.”&nbsp;

During his time in Florida, Crooks also became a voice for the ‘College Football Game of the Week’ on the National Sports Network. His national work also included play-by-play duties with SEC radio at the women's basketball and softball conference tournaments.&nbsp;

“Kyle Crooks is a rising star in the broadcast world, and we are thrilled to have him join the Huskers Radio Network and our Nebraska family,” Director of Athletics Troy Dannen said. “Kyle’s play-by-play abilities and voice speak for themselves, and I was equally impressed with his dedication to his craft and his energy.

“I would like to credit Playfly Sports for leading a successful search with many excellent candidates. Kyle will be a great lead voice on one of the nation’s best football broadcasts, and we are so fortunate to have him join our impressive group of play-by-play voices across all sports.”

Crooks will anchor the Huskers Radio Network football broadcast, with Damon Benning serving as analyst and Jessica Coody handling sideline duties, and several other voices being part of the pre and post-game shows. Crooks joins a group of play-by-play talent that includes Kent Pavelka in men’s basketball, John Baylor in volleyball, Matt Coatney in women’s basketball, Ben McLaughlin and Nick Handley on baseball and Nate Rohr on softball.&nbsp; Crooks will join Coody as the co-host of the Sports Nightly show.

“The radio and multi-media network at Nebraska is the standard bearer in the industry,” Playfly Vice President Andrew Waters said. “Kyle's experience and dedication will be an excellent match with one of the most passionate fan bases in the country. We are extremely excited to have Kyle represent the Huskers for many years to come.”

Before arriving in Gainesville in 2017, Crooks had NCAA Division I broadcasting stops at Fairleigh Dickinson and USC Upstate. In 2015, Kyle worked in minor league baseball as a Broadcast/Media Relations Assistant with the Jacksonville Suns, the double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins.

As a 2014 graduate of William Paterson University, he also served as the Sports Director of the campus radio station WPSC 88.7 FM.&nbsp;Kyle was born and raised in Pompton Plains, N.J. His mother, Brenda, and brothers Jack, Mike, and Dan still reside in New Jersey. His late father, John, remains a main inspiration to this day.&nbsp;

LINCOLN, Neb - Playfly Sports and Nebraska Athletics announced Monday the hiring of Kyle Crooks as the new play-by-play voice of Nebraska Football. In his role as the Director of Broadcasting for the Huskers Radio Network, Crooks will also co-host the network’s Sports Nightly show.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fhuskers%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0csi8VySi3L3UFkg1VhvZ6V6VTn95Ra7dBoHfDcSQS5wh5x4VNgxHrVuabrTBJQvzl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="634" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>Crooks comes to Nebraska after eight years as Broadcast Coordinator and play-by-play broadcaster at the University of Florida.&nbsp; In his time with the Gators, Crooks worked on the radio network's football, men's basketball, baseball, softball and soccer broadcasts.&nbsp; Additionally, he has broadcasted events for the SEC Network+ digital platform. Alongside his play-by-play work, Crooks helped guide the behind-the-scenes effort for the radio network's social media tasks and day-to-day operations.“I am incredibly excited for this opportunity! It’s a dream come true to broadcast the great moments ahead for the Cornhuskers,” Crooks said. “I can’t wait to get to Lincoln and meet Husker Nation. It will be an honor to work alongside a talented team in the Greg Sharpe Radio Booth. Greg is a legend in the broadcast industry and beyond, and I will work passionately to continue his elite standard of excellence both in the booth and in the community.”&nbsp;During his time in Florida, Crooks also became a voice for the ‘College Football Game of the Week’ on the National Sports Network. His national work also included play-by-play duties with SEC radio at the women's basketball and softball conference tournaments.&nbsp;“Kyle Crooks is a rising star in the broadcast world, and we are thrilled to have him join the Huskers Radio Network and our Nebraska family,” Director of Athletics Troy Dannen said. “Kyle’s play-by-play abilities and voice speak for themselves, and I was equally impressed with his dedication to his craft and his energy.“I would like to credit Playfly Sports for leading a successful search with many excellent candidates. Kyle will be a great lead voice on one of the nation’s best football broadcasts, and we are so fortunate to have him join our impressive group of play-by-play voices across all sports.”Crooks will anchor the Huskers Radio Network football broadcast, with Damon Benning serving as analyst and Jessica Coody handling sideline duties, and several other voices being part of the pre and post-game shows. Crooks joins a group of play-by-play talent that includes Kent Pavelka in men’s basketball, John Baylor in volleyball, Matt Coatney in women’s basketball, Ben McLaughlin and Nick Handley on baseball and Nate Rohr on softball.&nbsp; Crooks will join Coody as the co-host of the Sports Nightly show.“The radio and multi-media network at Nebraska is the standard bearer in the industry,” Playfly Vice President Andrew Waters said. “Kyle's experience and dedication will be an excellent match with one of the most passionate fan bases in the country. We are extremely excited to have Kyle represent the Huskers for many years to come.”Before arriving in Gainesville in 2017, Crooks had NCAA Division I broadcasting stops at Fairleigh Dickinson and USC Upstate. In 2015, Kyle worked in minor league baseball as a Broadcast/Media Relations Assistant with the Jacksonville Suns, the double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins.As a 2014 graduate of William Paterson University, he also served as the Sports Director of the campus radio station WPSC 88.7 FM.&nbsp;Kyle was born and raised in Pompton Plains, N.J. His mother, Brenda, and brothers Jack, Mike, and Dan still reside in New Jersey. His late father, John, remains a main inspiration to this day.&nbsp;

Kyle Crooks Named Husker Football Play-by-Play Voice

Eight players, or one-fourth of the West Roster, for the 47th annual West Nebraska All-Star Football Game this year, are recent graduates of schools from along Highway 20. Kickoff will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 7 at Bearcat Stadium in Scottsbluff.

              Three of the all-stars—Bryson Bickel, Caden Buskirk and Talon Jelinek—are from Chadron.  Hay Springs has four team members—Hunter McDonald, Dylan Raymer, Talan Smith and Dylan Young.  Lain Tausan of Gordon-Rushville also was chosen for the all-star contest.

              The other West team members follow:

              Bridgeport—Cole Katen; Chase County—Tristan Jablonski and Zach Tarin; Gering—Creighton Beals and Quinto Robbins; Mitchell—Adriane Garza, Landen Murphy and Wyatt Sauer; Mullen—Justin French; Ogallala—Ben Peters and Zach Plasch; Perkins County—Landon Noyes and Jackson Wykart; Scottsbluff—Julius Blanco, Chris Galindo, Ryan Hinman, Dez Smith and Jhett Webb; Sidney—Austin Christensen, Reid Fiscus, Owen Gillham, Shane Lilley and Pat McCartney; and Valentine—Cinch Miller.

              Chad Dormann of Garden County High at Oshkosh is the head coach. His assistants are Trevor Ginkens of Hay Springs, Scott Anderson of Sidney and Ian Bish of Valetine.

              The East’s roster follows:

              Ainsworth—Morgan Kinney; Anselmo-Merna—Josiah Griffith; Arapahoe—Wil Cacy, Alex Diaz, Grayson Koller, Eli Shafer and Jacen Smith; Arnold—AJ Starr; Cambridge—Jayden Ruf; Cozad—Jaydan Smith and Lane Wright;  Elm Creek—Brody Schopke; Gothenburg—Jackson Daum, Zander Hruza; Jackson Schwanz and Maxwell Wyatte; Hi-Line—Asher Hecox;  Lexington—Tony Espinoza; McCook—Beckett Heskett; North Platte—Eli Boman, Logan Bussard; Jaxon Halverson and Brecken Torrez; Overton—Hayden Muirhead; Sandhills Valley Co-op—Leyton Connell and Colton Miller; South Loup—James Tickle; Sumner-Eddyville-Miller—Maddox Jones and Cohen Rohde.

              The East’s head coach is Dustin Kronhofman of Arapahoe, assisted by John Strand, also of Arapahoe, and Andy Seaman of Brady.

By: Con MarshallEight players, or one-fourth of the West Roster, for the 47th annual West Nebraska All-Star Football Game this year, are recent graduates of schools from along Highway 20. Kickoff will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 7 at Bearcat Stadium in Scottsbluff. Three of the all-stars—Bryson Bickel, Caden Buskirk and Talon Jelinek—are from Chadron. Hay Springs has four team members—Hunter McDonald, Dylan Raymer, Talan Smith and Dylan Young. Lain Tausan of Gordon-Rushville also was chosen for the all-star contest. The other West team members follow: Bridgeport—Cole Katen; Chase County—Tristan Jablonski and Zach Tarin; Gering—Creighton Beals and Quinto Robbins; Mitchell—Adriane Garza, Landen Murphy and Wyatt Sauer; Mullen—Justin French; Ogallala—Ben Peters and Zach Plasch; Perkins County—Landon Noyes and Jackson Wykart; Scottsbluff—Julius Blanco, Chris Galindo, Ryan Hinman, Dez Smith and Jhett Webb; Sidney—Austin Christensen, Reid Fiscus, Owen Gillham, Shane Lilley and Pat McCartney; and Valentine—Cinch Miller. Chad Dormann of Garden County High at Oshkosh is the head coach. His assistants are Trevor Ginkens of Hay Springs, Scott Anderson of Sidney and Ian Bish of Valetine. The East’s roster follows: Ainsworth—Morgan Kinney; Anselmo-Merna—Josiah Griffith; Arapahoe—Wil Cacy, Alex Diaz, Grayson Koller, Eli Shafer and Jacen Smith; Arnold—AJ Starr; Cambridge—Jayden Ruf; Cozad—Jaydan Smith and Lane Wright; Elm Creek—Brody Schopke; Gothenburg—Jackson Daum, Zander Hruza; Jackson Schwanz and Maxwell Wyatte; Hi-Line—Asher Hecox; Lexington—Tony Espinoza; McCook—Beckett Heskett; North Platte—Eli Boman, Logan Bussard; Jaxon Halverson and Brecken Torrez; Overton—Hayden Muirhead; Sandhills Valley Co-op—Leyton Connell and Colton Miller; South Loup—James Tickle; Sumner-Eddyville-Miller—Maddox Jones and Cohen Rohde. The East’s head coach is Dustin Kronhofman of Arapahoe, assisted by John Strand, also of Arapahoe, and Andy Seaman of Brady.

West Nebraska All-Stars hit football field in Scottsbluff Saturday night

Chadron High School’s Kiara Haag and Gordon-Rushville’s Emma Martens will be members of the West team during the West Nebraska All-Star Volleyball Match on Saturday, June 7 starting at 3 p.m. in Cougar Palace at Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff.  

              Haag was a defensive specialist and Martens generally played in the front row. 

              The West squad also includes from Bridgeport—Aubrey Watts, Chase County---Landree McNair and Olivia Spady, Garden County—Payton Fornander, Gering—Abby Schaneman and MaKenzie Todd, Leyton—Shawnee Gamble and Kaydence Haupt, Perkins County—Libby Cole, Scottsbluff—Emma Hergenrader and Sidney—Kayla Westby.

              The West coaches are Natasha Haupt of Leyton and Kristi McNair of Chase County.

              The East roster follows: Brady—Taryn Stearns, Broken Bow—Maren Chapin and Addison Ellis, Elm Creek—Halle Knapp, Gothenburg—Taryn O’Hare, Lexington—Halle Sund and Ella Young, Loomis—Autumn Holt, Medicine Valley—Remington Stout, North Platte St. Pat’s—Reese Fleck and Cara Roberg, and Southwest—Atleigh Nelms and Allison VanPelt.

              The East coaches are Rebecca Stearns of Brady and Maddy Krebs of North Platte St. Pats.

By: Con MarshallChadron High School’s Kiara Haag and Gordon-Rushville’s Emma Martens will be members of the West team during the West Nebraska All-Star Volleyball Match on Saturday, June 7 starting at 3 p.m. in Cougar Palace at Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff. Haag was a defensive specialist and Martens generally played in the front row. The West squad also includes from Bridgeport—Aubrey Watts, Chase County---Landree McNair and Olivia Spady, Garden County—Payton Fornander, Gering—Abby Schaneman and MaKenzie Todd, Leyton—Shawnee Gamble and Kaydence Haupt, Perkins County—Libby Cole, Scottsbluff—Emma Hergenrader and Sidney—Kayla Westby. The West coaches are Natasha Haupt of Leyton and Kristi McNair of Chase County. The East roster follows: Brady—Taryn Stearns, Broken Bow—Maren Chapin and Addison Ellis, Elm Creek—Halle Knapp, Gothenburg—Taryn O’Hare, Lexington—Halle Sund and Ella Young, Loomis—Autumn Holt, Medicine Valley—Remington Stout, North Platte St. Pat’s—Reese Fleck and Cara Roberg, and Southwest—Atleigh Nelms and Allison VanPelt. The East coaches are Rebecca Stearns of Brady and Maddy Krebs of North Platte St. Pats.

West Nebraska All-Star Volleyball Match is Saturday

After having a terrific high school career as both a football player and a wrestler, recent Chadron High School graduate Quinn Bailey was the 31st former-Cardinals football player selected for the 67th annual Nebraska Shrine Bowl. That game will kick off at 3 p.m. MDT this Saturday, June 7 in Kearney.

              Bailey will play for the North team which, ironically, has Kevin Stein, a 1990 Chadron High graduate, as its head coach.  After teaching and coaching at Gordon for several years, Stein has been the football mentor at Grand Island Northwest since 2010.

In 1990—35 years ago—Stein was the primary quarterback for the North in the Shrine Bowl and was named its Most Valuable Offensive Player after leading the team to a 19-16 victory.

              The late Dick Stein, Kevin’s father and Chadron High’s head football coach for 22 years, compiling a 144-71 record, was the North’s head coach.

              Bailey is one of four players from the Panhandle on the North’s 45-man roster.  The others are Jackson Jenkins, a lineman from Mitchell, along with Landon Riddle of Sidney and Barron Williams of Gering, both wide receivers and defensive backs for their team last fall.

              Bailey, who is 5-foot-8 and was listed at 180 pounds last fall while playing football and won his third consecutive state wrestling championship as a 157-pounder, racked up amazing statistics in both sports for the Cardinals. 

              Last fall, he carried the football 356 times for 2,674 yards and scored 36 touchdowns to go with 20 two-point conversions for a total of 256 points.  He was the state’s second-leading 11-man rusher and was third in both touchdowns and points scored. 

              For his prep career, Bailey who will play college football at Western Colorado, rushed 848 times for 6,164 yards and scored 85 TDs and 558 points. He amassed 7,754 all-purpose yards.  All these statistics Chadron High records, as well as the most ever posted by a western Nebraska gridder. His career wrestling record is 181-10.

              Of course, the Shrine Bowl will have lots of outstanding players.  One of Bailey’s North teammates is Barrett Wilke of Stanton, the state’s leading 8-man ball carrier who played in 13 games in 2024 and rushed for 2,873 yards.  And, another Stanton standout, Becker Pohlman, a Chadron State College recruit who was a First Team All-State linebacker and also ran for 1,489 yards, is on the North roster.  

              The North’s quarterbacks include Braylon Anderson of Oakland-Craig, who threw for 3,055 yards in just nine games and was named the Class C-2 First-Team All-Stater at his position.  Another North signal caller is Nate Collins of Omaha Burke, who threw for 2,338 yards last fall, second highest in Class A.

              Both Sidney’s Riddle and Gering’s Williams could be targeted for passes.  Riddle became the Panhandle’s 11-man all-time single-season pass receiver last fall when he caught 59 tosses for 1,032 yards.  Williams had 51 receptions for 539 yards.

              The South’s leaders will likely include quarterback Dylan Van Dyke of Omaha Skutt, who threw for 3,457 yards while leading his team to the Class B state championship. Another South quarterback is Ethan Shaw, who led Sandy Creek to the D-1 8-man championship last fall while rushing for 1,700 yards and passing for 2,026. 

A third South quarterback is Chadron State recruit Noah Shoemaker of Cozad, the Class C-1 First Team All-State choice after throwing for 1,910 yards and tying the C-1 state record by throwing for eight touchdowns in on game last year.

Other Chadron State recruits in the game include Camden Walker, a wide receiver for Stein’s team at Grand Island Northwest, and Keagyn Linden of York, a lineman who will play for the South. 

Kevin Stein is hoping that his team Saturday will play as well as his dad’s team played in 1990.  As his MVP honor indicates, Kevin was among the reasons the North won the game.  He was the quarterback for most of the game, completing eight of 16 passes for 116 yards.

Five of those passes were caught by tight end Joe Planansky of Hemingford, including a 17-yarder that netted the North’s first touchdown in the opening quarter. Later in the game, the pair connected on passes of 15 and 21 yards during another scoring drive and they also hooked up on a 16-yard toss that helped the North post the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Stein and Planansky were teammates at Chadron State four years in the early 1990s.

Terry Connealy of Hyannis and Tom Hernandez of Gering were other players from the Panhandle on the North roster in the 1990 game.  A photo that Marcia Stein, Kevin’s mother, possesses from the game, shows that he wore Connealy’s helmet during the Shine Bowl because Hyannis is written on the helmet.

              There are a few other “Chadron connections” in this year’s Shrine Bowl.  One of the North assistant coaches is Kevin Stein’s nephew, TD Stein, also a former Chadron High and Chadron State quarterback, and now the head football coach at Alliance.   

 Also on the North coaching staff is Mike Kozeal, who played fullback for the Chadron State Eagles in the mid-1980 and has taught and coached at his hometown of Sargent, Neb., for at least 30 years.    The South’s coaching staff includes Jonn McLain, an all-star quarterback at both Chadron High and Chadron State and now an assistant football coach at Boys Town in Omaha.

(In addition, Tyler Marshall, a standout basketball player at Chadron High in the late 1980s, is a member of the Scottsbluff crew that will referee this year’s game.)

McLain passed up a chance to play in the Shrine Bowl after he graduated from Chadron High and chose to instead play for his high school coach, Mike Lecher, in the West Nebraska All-Star Game in Scottsbluff.

  It was a successful venture.  McLain completed 19 of 24 passes for a record 365 yards and five touchdowns during the West’s 48-22 victory over the East while easily winning the Most Valuable Offensive Player honors.

By: Con MarshallAfter having a terrific high school career as both a football player and a wrestler, recent Chadron High School graduate Quinn Bailey was the 31st former-Cardinals football player selected for the 67th annual Nebraska Shrine Bowl. That game will kick off at 3 p.m. MDT this Saturday, June 7 in Kearney. Bailey will play for the North team which, ironically, has Kevin Stein, a 1990 Chadron High graduate, as its head coach. After teaching and coaching at Gordon for several years, Stein has been the football mentor at Grand Island Northwest since 2010.In 1990—35 years ago—Stein was the primary quarterback for the North in the Shrine Bowl and was named its Most Valuable Offensive Player after leading the team to a 19-16 victory. The late Dick Stein, Kevin’s father and Chadron High’s head football coach for 22 years, compiling a 144-71 record, was the North’s head coach. Bailey is one of four players from the Panhandle on the North’s 45-man roster. The others are Jackson Jenkins, a lineman from Mitchell, along with Landon Riddle of Sidney and Barron Williams of Gering, both wide receivers and defensive backs for their team last fall. Bailey, who is 5-foot-8 and was listed at 180 pounds last fall while playing football and won his third consecutive state wrestling championship as a 157-pounder, racked up amazing statistics in both sports for the Cardinals. Last fall, he carried the football 356 times for 2,674 yards and scored 36 touchdowns to go with 20 two-point conversions for a total of 256 points. He was the state’s second-leading 11-man rusher and was third in both touchdowns and points scored. For his prep career, Bailey who will play college football at Western Colorado, rushed 848 times for 6,164 yards and scored 85 TDs and 558 points. He amassed 7,754 all-purpose yards. All these statistics Chadron High records, as well as the most ever posted by a western Nebraska gridder. His career wrestling record is 181-10. Of course, the Shrine Bowl will have lots of outstanding players. One of Bailey’s North teammates is Barrett Wilke of Stanton, the state’s leading 8-man ball carrier who played in 13 games in 2024 and rushed for 2,873 yards. And, another Stanton standout, Becker Pohlman, a Chadron State College recruit who was a First Team All-State linebacker and also ran for 1,489 yards, is on the North roster. The North’s quarterbacks include Braylon Anderson of Oakland-Craig, who threw for 3,055 yards in just nine games and was named the Class C-2 First-Team All-Stater at his position. Another North signal caller is Nate Collins of Omaha Burke, who threw for 2,338 yards last fall, second highest in Class A. Both Sidney’s Riddle and Gering’s Williams could be targeted for passes. Riddle became the Panhandle’s 11-man all-time single-season pass receiver last fall when he caught 59 tosses for 1,032 yards. Williams had 51 receptions for 539 yards. The South’s leaders will likely include quarterback Dylan Van Dyke of Omaha Skutt, who threw for 3,457 yards while leading his team to the Class B state championship. Another South quarterback is Ethan Shaw, who led Sandy Creek to the D-1 8-man championship last fall while rushing for 1,700 yards and passing for 2,026. A third South quarterback is Chadron State recruit Noah Shoemaker of Cozad, the Class C-1 First Team All-State choice after throwing for 1,910 yards and tying the C-1 state record by throwing for eight touchdowns in on game last year.Other Chadron State recruits in the game include Camden Walker, a wide receiver for Stein’s team at Grand Island Northwest, and Keagyn Linden of York, a lineman who will play for the South. Kevin Stein is hoping that his team Saturday will play as well as his dad’s team played in 1990. As his MVP honor indicates, Kevin was among the reasons the North won the game. He was the quarterback for most of the game, completing eight of 16 passes for 116 yards.Five of those passes were caught by tight end Joe Planansky of Hemingford, including a 17-yarder that netted the North’s first touchdown in the opening quarter. Later in the game, the pair connected on passes of 15 and 21 yards during another scoring drive and they also hooked up on a 16-yard toss that helped the North post the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter.Stein and Planansky were teammates at Chadron State four years in the early 1990s.Terry Connealy of Hyannis and Tom Hernandez of Gering were other players from the Panhandle on the North roster in the 1990 game. A photo that Marcia Stein, Kevin’s mother, possesses from the game, shows that he wore Connealy’s helmet during the Shine Bowl because Hyannis is written on the helmet. There are a few other “Chadron connections” in this year’s Shrine Bowl. One of the North assistant coaches is Kevin Stein’s nephew, TD Stein, also a former Chadron High and Chadron State quarterback, and now the head football coach at Alliance. Also on the North coaching staff is Mike Kozeal, who played fullback for the Chadron State Eagles in the mid-1980 and has taught and coached at his hometown of Sargent, Neb., for at least 30 years. The South’s coaching staff includes Jonn McLain, an all-star quarterback at both Chadron High and Chadron State and now an assistant football coach at Boys Town in Omaha.(In addition, Tyler Marshall, a standout basketball player at Chadron High in the late 1980s, is a member of the Scottsbluff crew that will referee this year’s game.)McLain passed up a chance to play in the Shrine Bowl after he graduated from Chadron High and chose to instead play for his high school coach, Mike Lecher, in the West Nebraska All-Star Game in Scottsbluff. It was a successful venture. McLain completed 19 of 24 passes for a record 365 yards and five touchdowns during the West’s 48-22 victory over the East while easily winning the Most Valuable Offensive Player honors.

Chadron's Bailey continues Cardinals long tradition at Shrine Bowl all-star football game

Chadron State College has hired Skye Koehl (pronounced "sky kale") as the new head coach of the Eagle softball program following a national search, athletic director Mannie Reinsch announced Monday, June 2. 

Koehl will join CSC after two seasons as the head coach of Otero College, a junior college in La Junta, Colorado. Under Koehl's direction, the Rattlers finished in second place in NJCAA Region 9 in 2024, advancing to the regional championship game, and backed up a second-place regular season finish with a third-place tournament finish in 2025. Koehl's teams finished with a combined 34-14 record in conference play. 

"I am thankful and grateful to receive this opportunity to take the next step in my career," Koehl said. "I hope to continue to build the program and build a culture for success both in the classroom and on the field." 

Koehl will replace Dr. Robert Stack, who coached the 2025 season on an interim basis after previously piloting the CSC softball program from 2008-2017. Assistant coach Kayla Campuzano, who has been on staff at CSC since 2019, will remain with the program in that role. 

"Skye's track record of success and vision for mentoring our student-athletes stood out during the search process," Reinsch said. "We're very fortunate and lucky to have her lead our program at Chadron State."

As a student-athlete, Koehl was a junior college national champion with Temple College (Tex.) in 2018, a season in which she won both First Team All-Conference and Academic All-Conference honors. Koehl hit .392 with seven home runs, 26 RBI, six doubles, three triples and 20 walks during Temple's national championship season. 

Koehl transferred and played three years at Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi (NCAA Division I), appearing in 59 games and starting 34 for the Islanders from 2019-2021. Koehl's first Division I home run came in her final collegiate at-bat against Abilene Christian. 

Koehl began her coaching career as a volunteer assistant at Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (NCAA Division III). She also coached with youth club programs in Texas, including the South Texas Prospects and Central Texas Buzz, and served as a strength and conditioning intern for the Scrap Yard Dawgs, a professional softball team in Houston.

She was hired as the assistant coach at Otero ahead of the 2022-23 academic year and immediately took over the team's strength and conditioning program as well as recruiting, fundraising, travel arrangements and statistics. Koehl was named the program's head coach the following year. 

A native of Columbus, Texas, Koehl graduated with her associates from Temple College in 2018, her bachelor's from Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi in 2020 and her master's from TAMUCC in 2022, all in kinesiology and exercise science. 

Chadron State College softball finished 22-28 during the 2025 season, with a 18-26 record in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). Since the program's re-introduction at the Division II level in 2006, the Eagles have qualified for the RMAC conference tournament six times, most recently in 2023. 

<figure>
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 </figure>By: Paxton Ritchie CSC Sports Information DirectorChadron State College has hired Skye Koehl (pronounced "sky kale") as the new head coach of the Eagle softball program following a national search, athletic director Mannie Reinsch announced Monday, June 2. Koehl will join CSC after two seasons as the head coach of Otero College, a junior college in La Junta, Colorado. Under Koehl's direction, the Rattlers finished in second place in NJCAA Region 9 in 2024, advancing to the regional championship game, and backed up a second-place regular season finish with a third-place tournament finish in 2025. Koehl's teams finished with a combined 34-14 record in conference play. "I am thankful and grateful to receive this opportunity to take the next step in my career," Koehl said. "I hope to continue to build the program and build a culture for success both in the classroom and on the field." Koehl will replace Dr. Robert Stack, who coached the 2025 season on an interim basis after previously piloting the CSC softball program from 2008-2017. Assistant coach Kayla Campuzano, who has been on staff at CSC since 2019, will remain with the program in that role. "Skye's track record of success and vision for mentoring our student-athletes stood out during the search process," Reinsch said. "We're very fortunate and lucky to have her lead our program at Chadron State."As a student-athlete, Koehl was a junior college national champion with Temple College (Tex.) in 2018, a season in which she won both First Team All-Conference and Academic All-Conference honors. Koehl hit .392 with seven home runs, 26 RBI, six doubles, three triples and 20 walks during Temple's national championship season. Koehl transferred and played three years at Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi (NCAA Division I), appearing in 59 games and starting 34 for the Islanders from 2019-2021. Koehl's first Division I home run came in her final collegiate at-bat against Abilene Christian. Koehl began her coaching career as a volunteer assistant at Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (NCAA Division III). She also coached with youth club programs in Texas, including the South Texas Prospects and Central Texas Buzz, and served as a strength and conditioning intern for the Scrap Yard Dawgs, a professional softball team in Houston.She was hired as the assistant coach at Otero ahead of the 2022-23 academic year and immediately took over the team's strength and conditioning program as well as recruiting, fundraising, travel arrangements and statistics. Koehl was named the program's head coach the following year. A native of Columbus, Texas, Koehl graduated with her associates from Temple College in 2018, her bachelor's from Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi in 2020 and her master's from TAMUCC in 2022, all in kinesiology and exercise science. Chadron State College softball finished 22-28 during the 2025 season, with a 18-26 record in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). Since the program's re-introduction at the Division II level in 2006, the Eagles have qualified for the RMAC conference tournament six times, most recently in 2023.

Chadron State finds new softball head coach

Hay Springs quarterback Dylan Young ran for three touchdowns and threw for two more as the Nebraska All-Stars defeated Wyoming 68-28 during the 14th annual Six-Man Shootout played Friday night at Chadron State College. 

              While Wyoming led 22-14 midway in the second quarter, Nebraska dominated the remainder of the game.  Young soon scored twice on short runs that put Nebraska on top 30-22 at halftime.   

              Nebraska also scored five consecutive touchdowns in the second half before Wyoming’s Joe Bassett of Burlington picked off a pass and took it about 30 yards to wrap up the scoring with two minutes remaining on the clock.  That was the game’s longest touchdown play.

              Young’s scoring runs covered 11, 6 and 4 yards, all in the first half. He also threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Cohen Rohde of Sumner-Eddyville-Miller in the opening half and connected with Ben Paxton of Stuart on 23-yard scoring toss in the third period.

              Nebraska’s other touchdowns included 6- and 2-yard runs by Jackson Bullis of Ansley-Litchfield, who in between them intercepted a pass to stop Wyoming’s promising drive in the third quarter.

              Maddox Jones of SEM scored Nebraska’s first second half touchdown on a 4-yard run after Anthony Kling of Pawnee City had carried for 12 and 17 yards on the opening plays of the drive. 

              Nebraska’s final TD was on a 5-yard run by Hay Springs’ Dylan Raymer on the first play after Wyoming fumbled away a snap from center.

              Wyoming’s Bridger Cozzens of Little Snake River scored the game’s first touchdown on a 14-yard jaunt on the fourth play following the opening kickoff. Wyoming’s other TDs, which put the Cowboy State all-stars ahead 22-14, came early in the second quarter. were on a 7-yard run by Rykael Andrew of Burlington and a 4-yard pass reception by Bassett.  

              Nebraska now leads the all-star game series 8-6.

Wyo—Bridger Cozzens 14 run (Gunner Henrie kick)

Neb—Dylan Young 11 run (Anthony Kling kick)

Neb—Cohen Rohde 8 pass from Young (kick failed)

Wyo—Joe Bassett 4 pass reception (kick failed)

Neb—Ben Paxton 23 pass from Young (kick failed)

Wyo—Bassett 30 interception return (kick failed)

By: Con MarshallHay Springs quarterback Dylan Young ran for three touchdowns and threw for two more as the Nebraska All-Stars defeated Wyoming 68-28 during the 14th annual Six-Man Shootout played Friday night at Chadron State College. While Wyoming led 22-14 midway in the second quarter, Nebraska dominated the remainder of the game. Young soon scored twice on short runs that put Nebraska on top 30-22 at halftime. Nebraska also scored five consecutive touchdowns in the second half before Wyoming’s Joe Bassett of Burlington picked off a pass and took it about 30 yards to wrap up the scoring with two minutes remaining on the clock. That was the game’s longest touchdown play. Young’s scoring runs covered 11, 6 and 4 yards, all in the first half. He also threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Cohen Rohde of Sumner-Eddyville-Miller in the opening half and connected with Ben Paxton of Stuart on 23-yard scoring toss in the third period. Nebraska’s other touchdowns included 6- and 2-yard runs by Jackson Bullis of Ansley-Litchfield, who in between them intercepted a pass to stop Wyoming’s promising drive in the third quarter. Maddox Jones of SEM scored Nebraska’s first second half touchdown on a 4-yard run after Anthony Kling of Pawnee City had carried for 12 and 17 yards on the opening plays of the drive. Nebraska’s final TD was on a 5-yard run by Hay Springs’ Dylan Raymer on the first play after Wyoming fumbled away a snap from center. Wyoming’s Bridger Cozzens of Little Snake River scored the game’s first touchdown on a 14-yard jaunt on the fourth play following the opening kickoff. Wyoming’s other TDs, which put the Cowboy State all-stars ahead 22-14, came early in the second quarter. were on a 7-yard run by Rykael Andrew of Burlington and a 4-yard pass reception by Bassett. Nebraska now leads the all-star game series 8-6.Scoring summaryFirst quarterWyo—Bridger Cozzens 14 run (Gunner Henrie kick)Neb—Dylan Young 11 run (Anthony Kling kick)Neb—Cohen Rohde 8 pass from Young (kick failed)Second QuarterWyo—Rykael Andrew 7 run (Henrie kick)Wyo—Joe Bassett 4 pass reception (kick failed)Neb—Young 6 run (Kling kick)Neb—Young 4 run (Kling kick)Third QuarterNeb—Maddox Jones 4 run (Kling kick)Neb—Ben Paxton 23 pass from Young (kick failed)Neb—Jackson Bullis 6 run (Kling kick)Fourth QuarterNeb—Bullis 2 run (Kling kick)Neb—Dylan Raymer 5 run (Kling kick)Wyo—Bassett 30 interception return (kick failed)

Nebraska takes six-man football all-star game showdown with Wyoming

High School Boys Golf State Tournament Results

Class B - Gering, NE State Champion Team: Elkhorn North, +29. State Champion Individual: Andrew Nietfeldt, Elkhorn North, -3. Won on 1st playoff hole. Top Local Finisher: Brett Elwell, Scottsbluff, +10, T-11th. <a href="https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/5428109">Full Class B Results</a>

Class C - Grand Island, NE State Champion Team: Kearney Catholic, +17. State Champion Individual: Nash Malone, Kearney Catholic, -5. Top Local Finisher: Zaybreon Hansen, Perkins County, +8, T-11th. <a href="https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/5428114">Full Class C Results</a>

Class D - Columbus, NE State Champion Team: Creighton, +107 State Champion Individual: Calvin Wilmes, Creighton, +10, Won on fourth playoff hole. Top Local Finisher: Jacob Walker, Mullen, +23, T-9th <a href="https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/5428119">Full Class D Results</a>

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 </figure><h2>High School Boys Golf State Tournament Results</h2>By: Dave Collins Sports DirectorClass B - Gering, NE State Champion Team: Elkhorn North, +29. State Champion Individual: Andrew Nietfeldt, Elkhorn North, -3. Won on 1st playoff hole. Top Local Finisher: Brett Elwell, Scottsbluff, +10, T-11th. <a href="https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/5428109">Full Class B Results</a>Class C - Grand Island, NE State Champion Team: Kearney Catholic, +17. State Champion Individual: Nash Malone, Kearney Catholic, -5. Top Local Finisher: Zaybreon Hansen, Perkins County, +8, T-11th. <a href="https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/5428114">Full Class C Results</a>Class D - Columbus, NE State Champion Team: Creighton, +107 State Champion Individual: Calvin Wilmes, Creighton, +10, Won on fourth playoff hole. Top Local Finisher: Jacob Walker, Mullen, +23, T-9th <a href="https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/5428119">Full Class D Results</a>

Half of Husker Football Schedule Now Has Kickoff Times

Newly confirmed kickoff times for this fall's Husker football season were announced by the school this week.&nbsp; Below are the games that have times and TV information available.

Thursday, August 28 - vs Cincinnati - 7:00 MT - ESPN

Saturday, September 6 - vs Akron - 5:30 MT - BTN

Saturday, September 20 - vs Michigan - 1:30 MT - CBS

Saturday, October 4 - vs Michigan State - 10:00, 1:30, or 2:00 MT

Friday, October 17 - at Minnesota - 6:00 MT - FOX

Friday, November 28 - vs Iowa - 10:00 MT - CBS

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 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Half of Husker Football Schedule Now Has Kickoff Times</h2>Newly confirmed kickoff times for this fall's Husker football season were announced by the school this week.&nbsp; Below are the games that have times and TV information available.Thursday, August 28 - vs Cincinnati - 7:00 MT - ESPNSaturday, September 6 - vs Akron - 5:30 MT - BTNSaturday, September 20 - vs Michigan - 1:30 MT - CBSSaturday, October 4 - vs Michigan State - 10:00, 1:30, or 2:00 MTFriday, October 17 - at Minnesota - 6:00 MT - FOXFriday, November 28 - vs Iowa - 10:00 MT - CBS

Who's Going to Win the College World Series?

It's time to make some picks, May Madness-style.

The College World Series will see its first pitch thrown June 13 in Omaha and beginning Friday 64 teams are in the mix for a national title.&nbsp; The Huskers open up their improbable post-season bracket action in the Chapel Hill Regional against Oklahoma following a crazy run through the Big Ten Tournament championship.&nbsp; So, we'll start there with this year's NCAA Baseball Tournament and CWS picks!&nbsp; Regional Winners are bold.

Chapel Hill Regional #1 North Carolina #2 Oklahoma #3 Nebraska #4 Holy Cross

Eugene Regional #1 Oregon #2 Arizona #3 Cal Poly #4 Utah Valley

Conway Regional #1 Coastal Carolina #2 Florida #3 East Carolina #4 Fairfield

Auburn Regional #1 Auburn #2 NC State #3 Stetson #4 Central Connecticut State

Nashville Regional #1 Vanderbilt #2 Louisville #3 East Tennessee State #4 Wright State

Hattiesburg Regional #1 Southern Miss #2 Alabama #3 Miami (FL) #4 Columbia

Tallahassee Regional #1 Florida State #2 Northeastern #3 Mississippi State #4 Bethune-Cookman

Corvallis Regional #1 Oregon State #2 TCU #3 Southern California #4 St. Mary's (CA)

Austin Regional #1 Texas #2 UTSA #3 Kansas State #4 Houston Christian

Los Angeles Regional #1 UCLA #2 UC Irvine #3 Arizona State #4 Fresno State

Oxford Regional #1 Ole Miss #2 Georgia Tech #3 Western Kentucky #4 Murray State

Athens Regional #1 Georgia #2 Duke #3 Oklahoma State #4 Binghamton

Baton Rouge Regional #1 LSU #2 Dallas Baptist #3 Rhode Island #4 Arkansas-Little Rock

Clemson Regional #1 Clemson #2 West Virginia #3 Kentucky #4 USC-Upstate

Knoxville Regional #1 Tennessee #2 Wake Forest #3 Cincinnati #4 Miami, OH

Fayetteville Regional #1 Arkansas #2 Kansas #3 Creighton #4 North Dakota State

Vanderbilt over Southern Miss Northeastern over Southern California North Carolina over Oregon Coastal Carolina over NC State Texas over UC Irvine Georgia Tech over Georgia Clemson over LSU Tennessee over Arkansas

Championship Series: North Carolina vs Texas

<h2>Who's Going to Win the College World Series?</h2>By: Dave Collins Sports DirectorIt's time to make some picks, May Madness-style.The College World Series will see its first pitch thrown June 13 in Omaha and beginning Friday 64 teams are in the mix for a national title.&nbsp; The Huskers open up their improbable post-season bracket action in the Chapel Hill Regional against Oklahoma following a crazy run through the Big Ten Tournament championship.&nbsp; So, we'll start there with this year's NCAA Baseball Tournament and CWS picks!&nbsp; Regional Winners are bold.Chapel Hill Regional #1 North Carolina #2 Oklahoma #3 Nebraska #4 Holy CrossEugene Regional #1 Oregon #2 Arizona #3 Cal Poly #4 Utah ValleyConway Regional #1 Coastal Carolina #2 Florida #3 East Carolina #4 FairfieldAuburn Regional #1 Auburn #2 NC State #3 Stetson #4 Central Connecticut StateNashville Regional #1 Vanderbilt #2 Louisville #3 East Tennessee State #4 Wright StateHattiesburg Regional #1 Southern Miss #2 Alabama #3 Miami (FL) #4 ColumbiaTallahassee Regional #1 Florida State #2 Northeastern #3 Mississippi State #4 Bethune-CookmanCorvallis Regional #1 Oregon State #2 TCU #3 Southern California #4 St. Mary's (CA)Austin Regional #1 Texas #2 UTSA #3 Kansas State #4 Houston ChristianLos Angeles Regional #1 UCLA #2 UC Irvine #3 Arizona State #4 Fresno StateOxford Regional #1 Ole Miss #2 Georgia Tech #3 Western Kentucky #4 Murray StateAthens Regional #1 Georgia #2 Duke #3 Oklahoma State #4 BinghamtonBaton Rouge Regional #1 LSU #2 Dallas Baptist #3 Rhode Island #4 Arkansas-Little RockClemson Regional #1 Clemson #2 West Virginia #3 Kentucky #4 USC-UpstateKnoxville Regional #1 Tennessee #2 Wake Forest #3 Cincinnati #4 Miami, OHFayetteville Regional #1 Arkansas #2 Kansas #3 Creighton #4 North Dakota State<h2>Super Regionals</h2>Vanderbilt over Southern Miss Northeastern over Southern California North Carolina over Oregon Coastal Carolina over NC State Texas over UC Irvine Georgia Tech over Georgia Clemson over LSU Tennessee over Arkansas<h2>CWS</h2>Championship Series: North Carolina vs Texas<h2>National Champions</h2>North Carolina

Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/baseball/roster/player/ty-horn">Ty Horn</a>&nbsp;pitched eight scoreless innings to lead Nebraska to back-to-back Big Ten Tournament titles with a 5-0 win over No. 13 UCLA in front of 15,139 fans on Sunday afternoon at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.

With the win, the Huskers clinched their sixth conference championship in program history and became the first eight seed in Big Ten history to capture the conference tournament title.

Nebraska (32-27) scored five runs on eight hits, while UCLA (42-16) totaled just four hits on the afternoon.

<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/baseball/roster/player/dylan-carey">Dylan Carey</a>&nbsp;was 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and two doubles.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/baseball/roster/player/rhett-stokes">Rhett Stokes</a>&nbsp;had a two-hit afternoon, while&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/baseball/roster/player/devin-nunez">Devin Nunez</a>&nbsp;went 1-for-2 with a homer, two RBI and a pair of walks.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/baseball/roster/player/riley-silva">Riley Silva</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/baseball/roster/player/cayden-brumbaugh">Cayden Brumbaugh</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/baseball/roster/player/case-sanderson">Case Sanderson</a>&nbsp;recorded one hit each.

Horn shut out the 13th-ranked Bruins in a career-high eight innings of work. The sophomore allowed just three hits with six strikeouts and three walks to improve to 3-4 on the season.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/baseball/roster/player/casey-daiss">Casey Daiss</a>&nbsp;worked a scoreless ninth inning, striking out a pair and surrendering one hit.

Nebraska broke the scoreless tie with three runs on a trio of hits in the top of the second.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/baseball/roster/player/gabe-swansen">Gabe Swansen</a>&nbsp;was plunked to begin the inning, while a single from Sanderson had runners on the corners with no outs for the Big Red. Carey brought home NU’s first run of the afternoon with a first-pitch RBI double down the right-field line.

A passed ball doubled the Huskers’ lead to 2-0, before an RBI single through the right side from Stokes had the Huskers out front 3-0 through two innings.

Carey picked up his second double of the afternoon with a two-out double down the right-field line in the top of the third. Nunez followed Carey’s double by blasting a 1-0 pitch into the NU bullpen in right field for a two-run homer to give Nebraska a five-run advantage.

Horn stranded five UCLA baserunners between the third and seventh innings to keep the Bruins off the board and send a 5-0 game into the eighth inning.

The sophomore worked around a walk in the bottom of the eighth inning before handing the ball off to Daiss for the bottom of the ninth. The Bruins led off the bottom of the ninth with a single up the middle, before the senior retired the next three batters to clinch Nebraska’s 5-0 win on Sunday afternoon.

The Huskers secured the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Baseball Championship Selection Show is set for tomorrow, May 26, at 11 a.m. on ESPN2.

Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/baseball/roster/player/ty-horn">Ty Horn</a>&nbsp;pitched eight scoreless innings to lead Nebraska to back-to-back Big Ten Tournament titles with a 5-0 win over No. 13 UCLA in front of 15,139 fans on Sunday afternoon at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.With the win, the Huskers clinched their sixth conference championship in program history and became the first eight seed in Big Ten history to capture the conference tournament title.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D1129796169185193%26set%3Da.629216905909791%26type%3D3&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="670" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>Nebraska (32-27) scored five runs on eight hits, while UCLA (42-16) totaled just four hits on the afternoon.<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/baseball/roster/player/dylan-carey">Dylan Carey</a>&nbsp;was 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and two doubles.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/baseball/roster/player/rhett-stokes">Rhett Stokes</a>&nbsp;had a two-hit afternoon, while&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/baseball/roster/player/devin-nunez">Devin Nunez</a>&nbsp;went 1-for-2 with a homer, two RBI and a pair of walks.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/baseball/roster/player/riley-silva">Riley Silva</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/baseball/roster/player/cayden-brumbaugh">Cayden Brumbaugh</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/baseball/roster/player/case-sanderson">Case Sanderson</a>&nbsp;recorded one hit each.Horn shut out the 13th-ranked Bruins in a career-high eight innings of work. The sophomore allowed just three hits with six strikeouts and three walks to improve to 3-4 on the season.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/baseball/roster/player/casey-daiss">Casey Daiss</a>&nbsp;worked a scoreless ninth inning, striking out a pair and surrendering one hit.Nebraska broke the scoreless tie with three runs on a trio of hits in the top of the second.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/baseball/roster/player/gabe-swansen">Gabe Swansen</a>&nbsp;was plunked to begin the inning, while a single from Sanderson had runners on the corners with no outs for the Big Red. Carey brought home NU’s first run of the afternoon with a first-pitch RBI double down the right-field line.A passed ball doubled the Huskers’ lead to 2-0, before an RBI single through the right side from Stokes had the Huskers out front 3-0 through two innings.Carey picked up his second double of the afternoon with a two-out double down the right-field line in the top of the third. Nunez followed Carey’s double by blasting a 1-0 pitch into the NU bullpen in right field for a two-run homer to give Nebraska a five-run advantage.Horn stranded five UCLA baserunners between the third and seventh innings to keep the Bruins off the board and send a 5-0 game into the eighth inning.The sophomore worked around a walk in the bottom of the eighth inning before handing the ball off to Daiss for the bottom of the ninth. The Bruins led off the bottom of the ninth with a single up the middle, before the senior retired the next three batters to clinch Nebraska’s 5-0 win on Sunday afternoon.The Huskers secured the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Baseball Championship Selection Show is set for tomorrow, May 26, at 11 a.m. on ESPN2.

Horn, Huskers Clinch Back-to-Back Titles

Nebraska High School State Track - Omaha, NE - Wednesday/Thursday Article will be updated as results are added

Local Top Eight Finishes &amp; Finals Qualifiers

Class B - Boys 300 Meter Hurdles Creighton Beals - Gering - 5th - 40.07

Class B - Boys 100 Meter Dash Landon Riddle - Sidney - 3rd - 10.82 Lance Holly - Sidney - 8th - 11.00

Class B - Boys 4x100 Meter Relay Sidney - 2nd - 42.47

Class B - Boys 800 Meter Wheelchair Michael McBride - Gering - 1st - 4:10.57

Class B - Boys Long Jump Unified Ayler Bell - Gering Unified - 6th - 39-1.0

Class B - Boys Long Jump Daniel Young - Scottsbluff - 3rd - 22-11.25 Landon Riddle - Sidney - 7th - 22-2.0

Class B - Girls Shot Put Jaxie John - Gering - 3rd - 42-6.25

Class B - Boys 400 Meter Run Lance Holly - Sidney - 6th - 49.97

Class B - Boys High Jump Keian Kaiser - Sidney - 2nd - 6-4 Kash Knobbe - Sidney - T5th - 6-4

Class B - Boys 100 Meter Dash Landon Riddle - Sidney - 10.91 - Finals Qualifier Lance Holly - Sidney - 10.92 - Finals Qualifier

Class B - Girls Pole Vault Danielle Hunter - Scottsbluff - 6th - 10-6

Class B - Girls Long Jump Addisyn Gruver - Chadron - 4th - 17-3.5

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 </figure>Nebraska High School State Track - Omaha, NE - Wednesday/Thursday Article will be updated as results are addedLocal Top Eight Finishes &amp; Finals QualifiersClass B - Boys 300 Meter Hurdles Creighton Beals - Gering - 5th - 40.07Class B - Boys 100 Meter Dash Landon Riddle - Sidney - 3rd - 10.82 Lance Holly - Sidney - 8th - 11.00Class B - Boys 4x100 Meter Relay Sidney - 2nd - 42.47Class B - Boys 800 Meter Wheelchair Michael McBride - Gering - 1st - 4:10.57Class B - Boys Long Jump Unified Ayler Bell - Gering Unified - 6th - 39-1.0Class B - Boys Long Jump Daniel Young - Scottsbluff - 3rd - 22-11.25 Landon Riddle - Sidney - 7th - 22-2.0Class B - Girls Shot Put Jaxie John - Gering - 3rd - 42-6.25Class B - Boys 400 Meter Run Lance Holly - Sidney - 6th - 49.97Class B - Boys High Jump Keian Kaiser - Sidney - 2nd - 6-4 Kash Knobbe - Sidney - T5th - 6-4Class B - Boys 100 Meter Dash Landon Riddle - Sidney - 10.91 - Finals Qualifier Lance Holly - Sidney - 10.92 - Finals QualifierClass B - Girls Pole Vault Danielle Hunter - Scottsbluff - 6th - 10-6 Class B - Girls Long Jump Addisyn Gruver - Chadron - 4th - 17-3.5

Panhandle Class B at Nebraska High School State Track & Field

B-2 District Tournament - <a href="https://secure.nsaahome.org/nsaaforms/go/finaldistresults.php?sport=go_b&amp;distid=91">Full Results and State Qualifiers</a>

B-4 District Tournament - <a href="https://secure.nsaahome.org/nsaaforms/go/finaldistresults.php?sport=go_b&amp;distid=93">Full Results and State Qualifiers</a>

C-5 District Tournament - <a href="https://secure.nsaahome.org/nsaaforms/go/finaldistresults.php?sport=go_b&amp;distid=98">Full Results and State Qualifiers</a>

D-5 District Tournament - <a href="https://secure.nsaahome.org/nsaaforms/go/finaldistresults.php?sport=go_b&amp;distid=103">Full Results and State Qualifiers</a>

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 </figure>B-2 District Tournament - <a href="https://secure.nsaahome.org/nsaaforms/go/finaldistresults.php?sport=go_b&amp;distid=91">Full Results and State Qualifiers</a>B-4 District Tournament - <a href="https://secure.nsaahome.org/nsaaforms/go/finaldistresults.php?sport=go_b&amp;distid=93">Full Results and State Qualifiers</a>C-5 District Tournament - <a href="https://secure.nsaahome.org/nsaaforms/go/finaldistresults.php?sport=go_b&amp;distid=98">Full Results and State Qualifiers</a>D-5 District Tournament - <a href="https://secure.nsaahome.org/nsaaforms/go/finaldistresults.php?sport=go_b&amp;distid=103">Full Results and State Qualifiers</a>

Boys Golf District Results & State Qualifiers

CHADRON, Neb. – National qualifiers Chayton Bynes and Trace Hanchett both won shares of special awards as the RMAC announced their all-conference honors for the 2025 men's and women's outdoor track season on Monday. 

Bynes was voted as the Co-Field Athlete of the Year, matching his award win from the indoor season, while Hanchett was voted as the league's Co-Freshman of the Year. 

In addition, six Eagle athletes, including Bynes and Hanchett, made first or second team All-RMAC based on their performances at the RMAC Championships from April 25-27 in Golden, Colorado. Athletes who finished first through third in an event were given first-team honors, while fourth through sixth place earned second-team awards. 

The Chadron State First Team All-RMAC honorees are Bynes (1st, long jump; 2nd, triple jump) and senior Creighton Trembly (2nd, 110 hurdles). CSC's five Second Team All-RMAC honorees include Christopher Cormier (4th, 400 meters), Parker Gonser (4th, hammer throw), Hanchett (5th, javelin) and Nicquaine Henry (4th, 400 hurdles) on the men's side, along with freshman triple jumper Camila Salvucci (4th) on the women's side. 

Chayton Bynes doubled up on his Co-Field Athlete of the Year honors from the indoor season with another special award win, sharing the honor with UCCS's KJ McInnis. Bynes is the only RMAC athlete to repeat a 2025 indoor season special award win and take home the same award in the outdoor season. 

The redshirt sophomore starred at the RMAC championships, winning the long jump and finishing second in the triple jump at the conference meet. Bynes never finished lower than second in either the long jump or the triple jump during the outdoor season, winning at three meets in each event prior to the conference meet. The Chadron High School grad will compete at nationals this weekend in the triple jump, entering with a school-record leap of 15.54 (51 feet), which ranks 10th in Division II. 

Trace Hanchett burst onto the scene during his true freshman campaign out of Philipsburg, Kansas, sharing the co-freshman honors with Colorado Mesa's Aidan Brownell. Hanchett broke the school record in the javelin twice, most recently with an RMAC-best mark of 66.93 meters (219 feet, 7 inches) at the 2025 Loper Twilight Meet on May 10, and cleared 200 feet four times. Although Hanchett's fifth-place finish in wet conditions at the RMAC Championships matched his worst finish in a meet this year, Hanchett set the facility record at the site of the RMAC Championships earlier this season with a 65.60 meter (215-3) throw at the Kit Mayer Classic in Golden.

Bynes, Hanchett and Nicquaine Henry will be competing at the Division II National Championships in Pueblo, Colorado from May 22-24. Henry qualified after setting a school-record time of 51.56 seconds in the 400 hurdles, over 1.4 seconds faster than his time at the RMAC Championships. 

Colorado Mesa's Mateo Casados was named the Track Athlete of the Year. UCCS Head Coach Ross Fellows was named the RMAC Coach of the Year. In addition to splitting Co-Field Athlete of the Year with Bynes, UCCS's KJ McInnis was given the Dr. Randy Rhine Men's Outdoor Track Performer of the Meet award after winning both the high and triple jumps and placing third in the long jump event won by Bynes.

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 </figure>By: Paxton Ritchie CSC Sports Information DirectorCHADRON, Neb. – National qualifiers Chayton Bynes and Trace Hanchett both won shares of special awards as the RMAC announced their all-conference honors for the 2025 men's and women's outdoor track season on Monday. Bynes was voted as the Co-Field Athlete of the Year, matching his award win from the indoor season, while Hanchett was voted as the league's Co-Freshman of the Year. In addition, six Eagle athletes, including Bynes and Hanchett, made first or second team All-RMAC based on their performances at the RMAC Championships from April 25-27 in Golden, Colorado. Athletes who finished first through third in an event were given first-team honors, while fourth through sixth place earned second-team awards. The Chadron State First Team All-RMAC honorees are Bynes (1st, long jump; 2nd, triple jump) and senior Creighton Trembly (2nd, 110 hurdles). CSC's five Second Team All-RMAC honorees include Christopher Cormier (4th, 400 meters), Parker Gonser (4th, hammer throw), Hanchett (5th, javelin) and Nicquaine Henry (4th, 400 hurdles) on the men's side, along with freshman triple jumper Camila Salvucci (4th) on the women's side. Chayton Bynes doubled up on his Co-Field Athlete of the Year honors from the indoor season with another special award win, sharing the honor with UCCS's KJ McInnis. Bynes is the only RMAC athlete to repeat a 2025 indoor season special award win and take home the same award in the outdoor season. The redshirt sophomore starred at the RMAC championships, winning the long jump and finishing second in the triple jump at the conference meet. Bynes never finished lower than second in either the long jump or the triple jump during the outdoor season, winning at three meets in each event prior to the conference meet. The Chadron High School grad will compete at nationals this weekend in the triple jump, entering with a school-record leap of 15.54 (51 feet), which ranks 10th in Division II. Trace Hanchett burst onto the scene during his true freshman campaign out of Philipsburg, Kansas, sharing the co-freshman honors with Colorado Mesa's Aidan Brownell. Hanchett broke the school record in the javelin twice, most recently with an RMAC-best mark of 66.93 meters (219 feet, 7 inches) at the 2025 Loper Twilight Meet on May 10, and cleared 200 feet four times. Although Hanchett's fifth-place finish in wet conditions at the RMAC Championships matched his worst finish in a meet this year, Hanchett set the facility record at the site of the RMAC Championships earlier this season with a 65.60 meter (215-3) throw at the Kit Mayer Classic in Golden.Bynes, Hanchett and Nicquaine Henry will be competing at the Division II National Championships in Pueblo, Colorado from May 22-24. Henry qualified after setting a school-record time of 51.56 seconds in the 400 hurdles, over 1.4 seconds faster than his time at the RMAC Championships. Colorado Mesa's Mateo Casados was named the Track Athlete of the Year. UCCS Head Coach Ross Fellows was named the RMAC Coach of the Year. In addition to splitting Co-Field Athlete of the Year with Bynes, UCCS's KJ McInnis was given the Dr. Randy Rhine Men's Outdoor Track Performer of the Meet award after winning both the high and triple jumps and placing third in the long jump event won by Bynes.

Pair of CSC Track & Field Stars Earn Major RMAC Seasonal Awards

C-9 District Track &amp; Field Meet May 15 - Mitchell, NE

Boys Team Champion: Perkins County, 113 Girls Team Champion: Valentine, 105

<a href="https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/611101/teamscores">C-9 District Track Meet Full Results Link</a>

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 </figure>C-9 District Track &amp; Field Meet May 15 - Mitchell, NEBoys Team Champion: Perkins County, 113 Girls Team Champion: Valentine, 105<a href="https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/611101/teamscores">C-9 District Track Meet Full Results Link</a>

Full Results: Valentine, Perkins County take district track titles at Mitchell

Kimball sweeps D-9 District track titles in Bayard May 14

Boys Team Champion: Kimball, 163 Girls Team Champion: Kimball, 97

<a href="https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/611111/results/all">Full D-9 District Meet Results Link</a>

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 </figure>Kimball sweeps D-9 District track titles in Bayard May 14Boys Team Champion: Kimball, 163 Girls Team Champion: Kimball, 97<a href="https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/611111/results/all">Full D-9 District Meet Results Link</a>

Kimball sweeps D-9 District track titles in Bayard

B-6 District Track Results &amp; State Qualifiers May 13, Ogallala

Boys District Champion: Chase County, 106 Girls District Champion: Chase County 105

<a href="https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/611092/results/all">Full B-6 District Results &amp; State Qualifiers Link</a>

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 </figure>B-6 District Track Results &amp; State Qualifiers May 13, OgallalaBoys District Champion: Chase County, 106 Girls District Champion: Chase County 105<a href="https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/611092/results/all">Full B-6 District Results &amp; State Qualifiers Link</a>

B-6 District Track Results & State Qualifiers

ESPN announced Tuesday afternoon that Nebraska’s season-opening matchup with Cincinnati in Kansas City on Thursday, Aug. 28, will be televised on ESPN with kickoff set for 8 p.m. Central.&nbsp;

ESPN announced Tuesday afternoon that Nebraska’s season-opening matchup with Cincinnati in Kansas City on Thursday, Aug. 28, will be televised on ESPN with kickoff set for 8 p.m. Central.&nbsp;<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fhuskerfootball%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02GHUS17cfPTyc1BPSPExz7XjDfuAoJsu1XpQ3SAAWAxdmAVbRMnGyDwPLwxRb2Zgsl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="654" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>The Huskers and Bearcats will square off at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Nebraska’s first contest in the stadium since the 2006 Big 12 Championship game and NU’s first regular-season game in Kansas City since 1998. The matchup was originally scheduled as a Cincinnati home game before being moved to a neutral site. It marks just the second all-time meeting between the schools and the first since a 1906 matchup in Lincoln.The matchup with Cincinnati in Kansas City marks Nebraska’s second neutral-site opener in four seasons after opening the 2022 season against Northwestern in Dublin, Ireland.&nbsp; It also marks the fourth time in the past five seasons Nebraska has opened the season either in Week Zero or on a Thursday night. Nebraska opened the 2023 season at Minnesota in a Thursday night contest.Tuesday’s announcement is the first kickoff time set for the Huskers’ 2025 season. Additional game times and television designations for the upcoming season are expected to be announced by the end of May.Tickets for the Cincinnati game are only available through Ticketmaster.com. Fans interested in ordering 2025 Husker football season tickets can join the Season Ticket Request list by visiting Huskers.com/tickets.&nbsp;