Football, volleyball get new head coaches
Staff writer
Marion has made changes to fall sports this year in both football and volleyball.
Football has a new coach who once attended Marion High School, and the volleyball team promoted its junior high coach to the high school varsity court.
Football
First-year head coach, and Marion alumni, Jackson Schneider, is here for the Marion football team this year. He also is the new athletic director.
“As a Marion alum, I’m extremely excited about the opportunity to lead this program and establish our own identity from those of past teams,” Schneider said.
Schneider isn’t making the jump alone, however. Five returning starters, who have Heart of America league honors, will perhaps help make the transition easier.
Those names include Hitch Soyez, Jackson Howard, Tripp Peterson, Isaac Wesner, and Jordy Raymer.
That’s not to mention Landon Hendricks, Ryker Salsbury, Rider Kraus, and Colt Smith returning this season as well.
Practices, Schneider said, have been fast-paced, with shorter periods designed to get the most out of the reps, while keeping players moving and constantly competing with one another.
Even despite the heat, that design is intentional.
“We want to practice the way we expect to play on Friday night,” Schneider said. “Hard, fast, physical, and always relentless.”
On the first day of practice, Schneider ran several different drills with the players.
But due to the weather, players weren’t in full gear — only helmets and cleats.
The biggest adjustment so far has been the change in the culture and offensive system Schneider has brought with him. Expect a faster-paced and pass-heavy attack on that side of the ball.
“Fortunately, we have a very intelligent and coachable group of upperclassmen who have embraced the changes, along with several younger players who have the opportunity to become major contributors,” Schneider said.
A couple players to look out for are Hendricks at running back and Raymer at quarterback.
Schneider also said the team should be able to run with the best of them, and adjust on the fly on both sides of the ball. He credits that to the players’ knowledge of the game.
“The kids are really smart and have adjusted to the new coaching staff well,” Schneider said.
The Warriors kick off their football season at 7p.m. Friday against Remington at home.
“No matter who we play, our goal is to be disciplined, physical, play extremely hard, and compete for four quarters,” Schneider said.
Cross country
Marion’s cross country team finds itself in a position for continued success after the boys’ team won the regional championship, and the girls’ team qualified for its first state meet since 1999 a season ago.
Both sides are putting in the work and setting a goal to repeat performance and surpass expectations.
“Warriors cross country has developed and shown that we are a force on the course in any meet we attend, and this group will work to continue to build the legacy of Warrior cross country in 2026,” coach Jason Hett said.
Better yet, the girls’ team returns all its runners from last season, minus Gabby Stuchlik who graduated.
“This team showed they belong and learned how to compete as a team last season,” Hett said. “Jessica Methvin had an outstanding junior year and proved she belonged on the cross country course.”
Hett said Methvin will help anchor the girls’ team, while Brooklyn Beery continues building on last season’s success, and Anani Ensley rehabs from a minor injury.
Hett described another returner, Izy Branson, as this year’s “quiet competitor.”
“She is going to give us everything she has each day and has helped push this program to new heights,” Hett said.
Allyson Vogel also is poised to have a breakout sophomore season.
To add to it, last minute, Dylan Kraus signed up to join the girls’ side instead of returning to volleyball.
On the boys’ side, top returners are Zayden Janzen, Josh Smith, Kael Dameron, Hugh Guetterman, Landon Levis, and Owen Good.
Janzen and Smith, both seniors, are expected to lead the boys’ team.
Janzen now is in his fourth year in the program.
“He is someone who we know is always going to compete his tail off and be a leader for this group,” Hett said. “He will look to work to get his time down in the low 18’s this season and get back to state.”
As of now, Janzen’s best time is 18 minutes, 29 seconds.
Smith, Hett said, finished last season on a high note and will look to continue that form as the team plots its path to the state meet.
Smith’s top time is 19:32.
“He will need to push to get his time down and we look forward to seeing him reach those goals,” Hett said.
The Warriors’ cross country will run their first meet of the season Thursday in Lindsborg.
Marion hosts two cross country meets this season on Sept. 24 and Oct. 15.
Volleyball
Kayley Davis, who previously coached Marion’s middle school volleyball team, heads into her first season as the Warriors’ high school varsity coach and fifth season overall.
Assisting Davis this year will be Karen Nickel and Calli Burkholder.
Davis said making the jump might be a little easier for her than most.
“Coming from coaching each of these athletes in some capacity during their middle school careers,” she said, “I am really looking forward to the unique opportunity to continue growing with them at this next level.”
Davis said the makeup of this year’s roster, which has a mix of upper- and underclassmen, should provide good competition as well as camaraderie among teammates.
The Warriors will have three seniors leading the team this year, and one who is a returning starter: Kate Wessel, Delaney Hostetler, and Alycia Jones.
“Kate Wessel is a strong middle hitter and blocker with a big presence at the net and she will look to be a six rotation player this season to bring multiple attacking options,” Davis said.
Other players to watch for are Brylee Smith, Kiersten Wildin, Lilyana Coetzee, Shelby Summervill, and Nevaeh Jones.
Marion has more than 10 freshmen joining the team this season, which Davis is excited about.
“They are a group with love for the game and strong potential for the coming years,” she said.
Kenzie Nickel, Allie Harshman, and Lilly Schumacher are underclassmen who round out the Warriors’ roster.
“They showed up and worked hard in the weight room during the summer, growing stronger together as a team,” Davis said. “Practices will be demanding but will also be focused on having a competitive mindset, connection, and playing with freedom as a team.”
Marion opened its season last Tuesday against Berean Academy, and will be back in action Saturday for the Skyline Tournament in Pratt. After Saturday’s tournament, the Warriors travel to Ell-Saline next Tuesday.
Girls’ golf
Marion’s girls’ golf team returns several players from last season, including four seniors is Maddison Beery, Ava Box, Vyolett Dawson, and Eliza Richardson.
Adding to roster continuity, this season is head coach Max Venable’s ninth year coaching the sport.
“As always, I want the girls to have fun while learning the game and developing their individual skills,” he said.
Venable likes to start his season off coaching the importance of basic game fundamentals, rules, and strategies. He said this will instill confidence in the players’ decision-making on the links.
On the first day of practice, the girls gathered around the golf club area for a brief discussion on the game. Afterward they grabbed their putters and headed to the putting green.
Venable said the first few practices will be spent dialing-in the players’ short games before transitioning to driving and on-course situations.
“As always, I emphasize the short game to help improve scores,” Venable said.
One of the bigger obstacles each year is teaching a golf swing to players who haven’t swung a club.
Venable has a few drills and training equipment to get the fundamentals down.
Marion, however, has a solid balance of different skill levels this season after adding three new freshmen.
“Our girls just need reps and experience,” Venable said.
The girls’ golf team will tee off the season Thursday in Wamego for a junior varsity tournament, before traveling for its first varsity tournament next Tuesday at Lamont Hill Golf Course near Vassar.