Hutchinson athletes earn top honors at Greater Wichita Sports Banquet
June 10, 2025
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Hutchinson Community College athletes continued their dominance at the 2025 Greater Wichita Sports Banquet, with two Blue Dragons earning finalist status for major awards at the June 26 event at INTRUST Bank Arena.
Sophomore Hailey Jackson, a key contributor to the women's basketball team, was named one of three finalists for Junior College Female Athlete of the Year. On the men's side, football standout Waymond Jordan Jr. earned finalist recognition for Junior College Male Athlete of the Year.
The honors continue a strong tradition for Hutchinson Community College at the annual banquet hosted by the Wichita Sports Commission. Last year, the Blue Dragons captured major awards when Kiki Smith was named Junior College Female Athlete of the Year after leading the team to the NJCAA national championship. Head coach John Ontjes received the Gene Stephenson Coach of the Year Award.
The event will also feature the presentation of the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award. The three finalists for that honor are Caden Bodine of Coastal Carolina, Rylan Galvan of Texas and Carson Tinney of Notre Dame.
Other award winners and finalists:
Gene Stephenson Coach of the Year: Steven Gream, Cowley College volleyball
High School Boys Coach of the Year: Derek Tuttle, Andover Central football
High School Girls Coach of the Year: Greg Rauch, Bishop Carroll soccer
Junior College Female Athlete of the Year finalists: Hailey Jackson (HutchCC), Laura Bonomi (Cowley), Ashley Singhateh (Butler)
Junior College Male Athlete of the Year finalists: Waymond Jordan Jr. (HutchCC), Seven Cloud (Butler), Evan Rodriguez (Cowley)
College Female Athlete of the Year finalists: Hadley Waldren (McPherson), Sara Duque Jiménez (Wichita State), Riley Wertz (Friends)
College Male Athlete of the Year finalists: Xavier Bell (Wichita State), Jace Fisher (Newman), KJ Spiller (Friends)
Professional Athlete of the Year finalists: Zebby Matthews (Wichita Wind Surge), Peter Bates (Wichita Thunder)
Lynette Woodard High School Female Athlete of the Year finalists: Kendal Brueggen (Hesston), Kinslea Jones (Maize), Sophie Stockam (Maize South)
Barry Sanders High School Male Athlete of the Year finalists: Da'Saahn Brame (Derby), Josh Burdick (Cheney), Jack Guthridge (Kapaun Mt. Carmel)
Finalist for the Lynette Woodard High School Female Athlete of the Year: Hesston High School also earned recognition with senior Kendal Brueggen, a multi-sport standout in volleyball and basketball.
College Female Athlete of the Year: McPherson College volleyball standout Hadley Waldren is one of three finalists for College Female Athlete of the Year. Waldren, a consistent leader for the Bulldogs, is joined in the category by Wichita State’s Sara Duque Jiménez (bowling) and Friends University’s Riley Wertz (softball).
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