At the net |
The origin of the name of Kansas derives from a Sioux word meaning "people of the south wind." Now, how cool is that? A much needed and welcome boost to a state that needs all the help it can get when it comes to the “cool factor”.
Most western travelers view Kansas as a seven hour torturous boor that must be endured to reach the scenic Rockies. I, however, digress. Kansas has gotten a bad rap. I prepare for a trip across its prairie with anticipation. I find this drive I have made numerous times to be therapeutically relaxing with its tediousness of sameness. I have learned the landmarks, the towns that pop up from the flatness like an oasis, and when to anticipate the lonely stretches of openness so grand it leaves me with a calmness that I have grown to enjoy. The land is stark but the repetition for one traversing it is reassuring. The simplicity of this route requires developing a taste for its remoteness, but when acquired, the trip has become for me, quite scenic.
As harried 21st century creatures we instinctively retreat to our small town roots in search of sanctuary from the craziness too many of us have hypnotically fallen into. However, in Hesston, that all changed two and one half years ago when big city terror invaded the tranquil shield the citizens here had come to expect - as impending as a new day’s sunrise. Horrific and senseless multiple homicides had occurred at a local factory. It was a definitive town changing moment, an innocence lost forever. Hesston had been a burg where parents didn’t worry about where their children were or what they were doing as long as they made it home for dinner.
No more.
Coach Jason Peters |
Hesston is predominantly a Mennonite town, but not Amish, which is a distant relative branch of the church that shuns modern society. There have been many schisms in the Mennonite church since its founding in the 16th century. The branch that calls Hesston home lives a lifestyle and dresses in a way that is indistinguishable from secular American culture. The local church, since 1909, has hosted a two year school built on its teachings. Hesston College has an enrollment of 400 students representing 30 states and 15 foreign countries.
One of the church’s key tenants is pacifism, they don’t condone violence. At the time of the shooting, Excel Industries employed 1,000 people. Almost everyone in Hesston has a connection to the factory. The result of the shootings created a theological dilemma for the community. When good runs head on into evil; comforting answers can be elusive.
Practice announcements |
With four regulars returning for the 2018 season, a first state championship is not a distorted reach for the 2018 Swathers, in fact, it is a very doable goal. Coach Peters takes all of his team’s success in stride.
When a coach is locked in to his craft, in a zone, as they say, as Peters is now, the focus becomes razor sharp. You can never get enough of it, there's no grind to it. Time slows and before you know it, practice is over. And then it is game day. And before you know it, the game is over. And then the season is over. And now the calendar says it is time to get ready for next year. It is a success inspired Zen state of confidence for a coach in charge of a program that hammers out one record setting season after another. Peters is today in that zone.
The intensity of the holiday workout mirrors the magnitude of tomorrow’s match. At 3:30 pm sharp Peters blows his whistle and 35 girls scramble to a set position on the floor to
begin warmups. Peters quizzes them as they quietly stretch. “We really want to emphasize serving tomorrow,” he announces to his athletes. “When are the three times we want to go conservative on our serve, make sure we get it in?” he asks. “After a timeout,” “Correct, give me another.” “Your first serve after you enter,” is the response from within the circle of girls. “Correct, and the third.” “On match point,” several players shout in unison. “Correct,” Peters says. “Other than those three let’s get aggressive tomorrow night and look for some aces.”
Instead of intimidation, Peters utilizes a quiet emphasis on what he considers the proper procedures to build a championship program. He is meticulous in all he does. Certainly he thinks winning is worth the effort. But victories
come as a result of solid preparation, not a moment's hysteria. But this low-key approach would not count for much if Peters’ players looked on him as some sort of pseudo-babysitter, lacking with passion. Senior captain Rylie Schilling is a four year varsity player who can verify the coach can jerk an errant player back in line with a speed that Bobby Knight would appreciate, while not raising his voice. “He is not a yeller,” she says. “But we know when he is not satisfied with an outcome.” Peters has made such accountability a cornerstone for his program. “There are always consequences for action(s). They need to learn that now because it will be that way all of their lives,” he says.
Fundamentals |
My first couple of years as head coach,” Peters recalls, “were pretty average, around .500. Since then we have done pretty well.” The unpretentious coach has done pretty well to the tune of a career mark 334-153.
Peters spends his work days before afternoon practice as a full time member of the Hesston High math department. “I student taught here,” says the graduate of nearby Bethel College who grew up in Goessel, 15 miles from Hesston. “They hired me and I have been here ever since.” Would you ever leave, I ask the married father of two daughters, seven and three year old? “I don’t see why,” he shrugs, “but you never know. I have a very good situation here, comfortable but challenging,” he says.
On the attack |
Rylie Schiling is a four year varsity regular. In her first three seasons her team has finished in third place twice and second place once in the state tournament. This year’s goal is obvious. “We need to win state this year,” she says.” We are working on a lot of different combinations right now. We are getting used to our new players and our roles.”
“We lost three really good players to graduation from last year, “says Coach Peters. “Three were all state, one was state player of the year and all three are now playing in college. That is a lot of talent for a small school to lose,” he states. “Last year we didn’t really sub much. This year is different. Right now we have a rotation of 12. It is a lot of pieces to fit together. The jury is still out on this team, but we do have potential, just need to continue to work hard.”
Post Game |
As I drive around this small town I am quickly struck by its neatness; one tidy and well cared for house after another, street after street of well landscaped properties. There is no over the top subdivision to separate the town’s haves from the have nots. Maybe the locals are all have “enoughs?” No exclusive gated areas, just middle class, no frills, down-to-earth domiciles, a practical town for practical people. In the real estate business, my wife informs me, they call it pride of ownership.
Net intensity |
It has been said that when a blind person carries a crippled person who can see, both of them get where they're going. That is what has happened here in the middle of the Kansas prairie. This community depends on each member to regain the collective strength needed to persevere. It is an ongoing process.
I ostensibly came to Hesston to document the prowess of its successful high school volleyball team. That is the cover I use each week to justify this two month on the road journey. Instead, my secret intent is to dissect a community, dig into what it means to live “here.” For an outsider like me, peeking in, the aftermath of tragedy and how the community chooses to react is the fastest vehicle to reach this destination.
Successful kill |
Ty Rhodes in his 19th year of working in public education, the last 18 spent at Hesston High School. "The first 11 years here I was the boys' basketball coach. I spent two years as Athletic Director, one year overlapping my time as coach. This is my 7th year as Principal."
Rhodes grew up as a basketball star at Winfield, KS High School. He spent two years playing for Coach Randy Smithson at Butler County Community College and then followed Smithson to Wichita State University where he played two years of Division I basketball.
The lanky 6'6" principal remembers clearly the day that changed the community forever. "I had just gotten home," he recalls, "when I had a call from the Superintendent; active shooter at Excel. We went into lockdown right away with the after school practices and activities. None of our students were ever in immediate danger, that afternoon. It was all over very quickly, but the fallout from the emotional side was intense and maybe never will completely heal."
The collateral damage was wide spread. "For example," Rhodes says, "my secretary right here," as he motions with his right hand indicating through his office window the woman in the outer office. "Her husband is the police chief. He is the one who shot the shooter."
The match with Cheney lives up to the pregame expectations. Two years ago Hesston knocked off Cheney in the state semifinals. Last fall the Cardinals returned the favor, defeating the Swathers in a semifinal battle. Hesston would eventually at last fall's Class 3A state tournament finish third while Cheney would bring home second place.
The level of play throughout the evening was very high in both effort and skill. The crowd is large and engaged. The attendees are a diverse bunch with good representation from students to parents to local boosters of the home town team. On the plains of central Kansas, they appreciate good high school volleyball.
With 6'1" senior Schilling, 5'11 senior Mininger, and 5'11 junior Talby Duerksen controlling the net and 5' 10 junior Elise Kaiser holding down the back line along with senior Elizabeth Lumbreras and junior Emily Koehn, the Swathers cruise to a 25-17 first set win. With seven players 5'10 or taller, Hesston is constantly on attack.
The Cardinals are a much more settled team for the second set, prevailing 21-25. Coach Peters reminds his team during the break between the second and game deciding third set to continue the attack on offense but a more focused attention to their defensive movements and anticipation is needed.
The rubber set is all Hesston. Their experience shows as the Swathers take control early, limit their mistakes on the back row and play very sound all over the floor defense, to win going away, 25-18.
Steadfast in his coaching beliefs, non-negotiable with standards of conduct, with lot of confidence building calm to settle the teenage girls in his charge, the play-it-close-to-the-vest, always stoic Peters is asked before his team’s Labor Day workout if this is the group that will finally bring back the top prize in November. He shrugs his shoulders and blows his whistle. The BBQ might be hot and the pool waters cool, but on this Labor Day in Hesston, KS, it is time to practice.