Wheeler resigns as head coach

Dustin Wheeler has stepped down as the McPherson head men's and women's tennis coach, director of athletics Andrew Ehling announced Wednesday morning. 

"This announcement comes with a heavy heart, as I have sincerely enjoyed my time at McPherson," Wheeler said. "This position has been one of the most rewarding work experiences in my life. I will greatly miss the student-athletes and friends made in other departments. All of this was possible due to the unique culture at McPherson."

In the last two seasons under Wheeler's direction, the Bulldogs were 17-0 in men's action in Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) play and 16-1 on the women's side.

Last season, the McPherson men's team won its second-straight KCAC title and fourth-straight KCAC Championship crown and reached the National Championship second round. For his efforts, Wheeler was named the league's Coach of the Year. On the women's side, the Bulldogs claimed a share of their fifth-straight KCAC title and made their fifth-straight appearance in the KCAC Championship title match.

"I'm really proud of what Coach Wheeler accomplished in his time at McPherson," Ehling said. "He's a McPherson native who has a deep sense of loyalty to the community and college. It's hard to see him go and wish him the best in his future endeavors."

The Bulldog men's team is 51-6 in KCAC matches in the last eight seasons, having not lost more than one conference match in a season during that time.

The McPherson women's squad is 38-1 in KCAC matches in the last five seasons.

Bullpup Fall Preview set for August 24

It’s time to catch McPherson Bullpup sports fever for 2018-19 with the annual Fall Preview. This includes both McPherson Middle School and McPherson High School sports.

The event runs from 3 to 9 p.m. The Ford Drive 4UR School event starts at 3:00, sponsored by Midway Motors and the MHS Booster Club. The goal is to reach $10,000, so all fans are urged to take a short test drive just north of the stadium so money can be raised for the athletic fund.

Admission to the preview is a free-will donation or a can of non-perishable food for the McPherson County Food Bank. Those who drive in the fund-raiser receive free hot dogs, hamburgers or brats.

MHS discounted family passes will be available for sale from 5pm-7:45pm. The MHS KAY will be providing face painting and selling popsicles for $1.

Here is the schedule of events:

3-9 p.m.

 -Ford Drive 4UR School test drive event, sponsored by the MHS Booster Club & Midway Motors. For each no-sales pitch test drive, $20 will be donated by Midway Motors and Ford back to the MHS Booster Club to benefit all KSHSAA sponsored activities. Sign-up and test drive area will be located directly north of McPherson Stadium on Sharp St. In addition, every driver will get a free hot dog at the Booster Club Grill! Our goal is to raise $10,000 during this event!

4:30 p.m.

-MHS & MMS Cross Country Time Trials-McPherson Stadium Track (start at north end)

5 p.m.

-MMS Football Scrimmage-McPherson Stadium
MMS Volleyball Scrimmage-Mac College Sports Center

5:30-7:30 p.m.

-The McPherson Police Department will be handing out free popcorn from the concession stand during the 2nd Annual Popcorn with a Cop night!

5:55 p.m.

-MMS Cheer Squad performance and introductions

6 p.m.

-MHS Soccer Scrimmage-McPherson Stadium


-MHS Volleyball Scrimmage-Mac College Sports Center

7 p.m.

-MHS Marching Band and Color Guard Performance-Scotland The Brave Pregame

-National Anthem performed by USD 418 Elementary Choir Students


-MHS Marching Band-McPherson High School Song


-MHS Marching Band and Color Guard-Halftime Show Preview & Introductions

7:15 p.m.

-Introductions of the Fall Athletic Teams
(MS/HS Football, MS/HS Girls Tennis, MS/HS Cross Country, HS Soccer, MS/HS Volleyball)

7:30 p.m.

-MHS Cheerleader Performance and Introductions

7:35 p.m.

-MHS Hi-Stepper Performance and Introductions

7:40 p.m.

-MHS Football Scrimmage 

Sherwood records ace at Turkey Creek

On Tuesday, August 15, Keith Sherwood recorded a hole-in-one at Turkey Creek Golf Course. Not only did he card an ace on the day, but he also shot a 75 for the round.

Sherwood aced Hole No. 12 and witnesses were Sam Ulsaker, Doug Miller and Ernie DiNella

McPherson Baseball Association holding tryouts August 25, 26

The McPherson Baseball Association (M.B.A.) will be holding tryouts onAugust 25and 26 at Rolf baseball field (500 N. Mulberry). Each age group will take part in 1 two-hour session. Age is determined by how old they are on May 1st, 2019. Check in will begin 30 minutes prior to session with warm up beginning 15 minutes prior to session.

August 25                 

-11 & Under –8 a.m. to 10 a.m.                     

-10 & Under –10 a.m. to 12 p.m.                   

-9 & Under –12 p.m. to 2 p.m.           

-8 & Under -2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

August 26

-12 & Under–1 p.m. to 3 p.m.            

-13 & Under–3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

-14 & Under -5 p.m. to 7 p.m.           

Teams will consist of between 10 & 12 players.

Each player that makes a team will pay $200 that will go for tournament and league costs. Families with more than one child will be prorated: First child - $200, each additional child will be $150.

Uniforms – Cost of the uniform will be added to the player’s fee.

Each age division has to have a coach to compete. If a coach does not step forward that age division will not have a team. The head coach’s son will make the team he is coaching but will be required to participate in tryouts. All other players will be selected from tryouts.

For more information or questions, please contact Grant Myers at 504-2063 or Chris Allen at 755-1928.

Bullpups open Fall practices

Monday was the first day of practice throughout the state of Kansas, which officially kicks off the Fall sports season for the McPherson High School teams.

Most first practices are not a memorable experience when it comes to high school sports. There’s excitement in being ready for the season to begin and for the long summer of waiting to be over, but for the most part those first two or three hours are rather repetitive.

That was the opposite for the McPherson High football team’s first practice Monday night.

The Bullpups, knowing bad weather was heading their way and without a gymnasium to go inside to use, decided to pack up and practice at Bethany’s stadium in Lindsborg. All was well for the first 60 minutes, but then the rain began to pour down, resulting in the Bullpups to go inside to finish the final minutes of their opening practice. After about an hour and 45 minutes of driving, practicing outside and then sprinting back in to avoid the downpour, they were driving back home again.

Day Number One was in some ways not a memorable day for Bullpup football, but in a lot of ways it will be a day they never forget, when the first practice of the season was rained out in Lindsborg.

The Bullpup soccer team also had to work around the weather, but did get a practice in at the high school despite some rain. Volleyball had the benefit of being inside the Roundhouse and had no problems starting their first practice. Cross country avoided the bad weather and ran earlier in the day.

Day Two of Fall sports practices is today. Per KSHSAA rules, the football team will remain in helmets only today, then can wear helmets and shoulder pads on Wednesday and Thursday (Practices 3 and 4) before finally being able to practice with full contact on Friday (Practice 5).