Flag football finishes as national runner-up in inaugural season

The women’s flag football team came in second at the NJCAA national championship in their inaugural 2023 season with an 8-7 overall record. 

“It was a special season for sure,” says Head Coach Max Switzer. “The players were amazing, and I couldn’t have asked for a better team to start a program. I am excited to see our program grow to allow women from all over to have the opportunity to play flag football and get a great education.”

Losing only two starters from last year’s squad and adding five freshmen gives the team a great chance of returning to Atlanta this season. 

Baseball claims regional championship

The baseball team set a record for wins in 2023 with 31 on their way to the Region 6/16 crown and an appearance in the Plains District tournament. 

“Last season was a lot of fun,” says Head Coach Kyle Olson. “We achieved many of our goals for the season and we set a standard for our program going forward.”

Olson hopes this success will build a foundation for the team as they prepare for the transition to a four-year program.
 
“Transitioning to the four-year level is going to come with challenges and changes, but the success we had last year at least left a blueprint on how to be successful at Hesston College,” he says.

Kumada signs with SIU – Edwardsville

Kira Kumada, star forward for the Lark women’s soccer team, inked a letter of intent to play at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville, an NCAA Division I school. A native of Hadano, Japan, Kumada finished the 2023 campaign with 23 goals, the most in the KJCAA and eighth most in the nation, boosting her to her second all-conference first team selection.

Head coaches hired for powerlifting and eSports

Chase Ohm is Hesston College’s first powerlifting and Olympic weightlifting head coach and Mitch Margaris will lead Hesston’s new esports program. 

Ohm comes to Hesston from MidAmerica Nazarene University where he was a graduate assistant. 

“I am very excited to help bring the sport of powerlifting to Hesston College,” says Ohm. “I hope to create a program of hard work and excellence that will last for years to come.”

After coaching his previous team at Grays Harbor College to a national championship, Margaris looks to create a similar culture in Hesston.

“Starting it from the ground up is pure excitement,” says Margaris. “There will always be some growing pains, but that just makes your program stronger.”

“We are excited to have Chase and Mitch lead these new programs,” says Athletic Director Bryan Kehr. “Chase has valuable experience and will bring dedication and energy to the task and Mitch knows what it takes to build a championship caliber team.”