BasehorInfo.com / Chris Wristen

Chris Wristen is the sports editor for The Shawnee Dispatch, Bonner Springs Chieftain and Basehor Sentinel. Prior to this appointment, he helped launch The Lansing Current, a weekly newspaper in Lansing, Kan. He spent 3 1/2 years there as the sports editor and helped The Current become an award-winning publication on the state and national levels. The Current finished second in the Inland Press Association's Nation's Best Non-Daily Newspaper Competition in the under-5,000 circulation division in 2007. Chris also has been a sports reporter for The Topeka Capital-Journal and the Lawrence Journal-World. Chris is a Kansas native. He earned his bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas in Spring 2002 and completed his Masters Degree in Sports Administration at KU in December 2003. While at KU, his in-depth feature "Players get the hollers, KU keeps the dollars," placed third nationally in the William Randolph Hearst Sportswriting Competition. Chris was recognized numerous times by the Kansas Press Association for his work at The Lansing Current. He has been a frequent winner in the KPA's Awards of Excellence competition. His KPA honors in the Nondaily Division 2 category include: 2005 First place - Sports feature story, "The rise of Logan Ryan." 2006 First place - Sports column writing. 2006 Third place - Sports feature story, "Remembering a legend." 2006 Honorable mention - Sports story, "Nietzke ignites Lions." 2006 Honorable mention - Youth story, "Lansing band in spotlight." 2007 First place - Sports column writing. 2007 First place - Headline writing. 2007 Third place - Sports story, "A day for Sean." 2007 Honorable mention - Sports feature story, "Kroll intentions." 2008 Third place - Sports column writing. 2008 First place - Sports photography for "A family affair." Chris also was recognized by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association as a 2005-2006 Wrestling Media of the Year award winner for his coverage of Lansing High wrestling. In addition, Chris is a regular contributor to KUsports.com.

Recent stories

Basehor-Linwood takes Concordia to the wire in 45-38 loss: By Chris Wristen; March 18, 2010; Concordia’s winning streak reached 50 games and Basehor-Linwood’s time at the Class 4A girls basketball state tournament came to an end Wednesday night at the Bicentennial Center — but neither came easily.
Seniors made lasting impact on Bobcats: By Chris Wristen; March 18, 2010; In the wake of Basehor-Linwood’s season-ending loss to defending champion and eventual state runner-up Concordia, it’s easy to want to turn the focus immediately to next season.
Wristen: It’s great to be a fan of local college teams: By Chris Wristen; March 17, 2010; My suitcase is already packed, and I’m counting the hours until departure to Oklahoma City.
Panthers escape Bobcats in final minutes at state: By Chris Wristen; March 11, 2010; Concordia’s winning streak reached 50 games and Basehor-Linwood’s time at the Class 4A girls basketball state tournament came to an end Wednesday night at the Bicentennial Center — but neither came easily.
Six Basehor-Linwood football players sign with Fort Scott: By Chris Wristen; March 11, 2010; Fort Scott Community College has spent the past few years raiding the Kansas City area for its top football talent.
BLHS overcomes nerves, slow start, secures berth in state tourney: By Chris Wristen; March 11, 2010; Since the first day of practice in November, the Basehor-Linwood girls dreamed of this day.
Despite early struggles, Bobcats never stopped believing: By Chris Wristen; March 11, 2010; The Basehor-Linwood girls had every reason to pack it up early this season.
Sentinel Sports Editor Chris Wristen previews the BLHS girls’ state opener: By Chris Wristen; March 10, 2010; Sentinel Sports Editor Chris Wristen previews Basehor-Linwood’s state tournament opener against defending Class 4A state champion Concordia.
Live from Salina: 4A state tournament updates: Bobcats hang tough, fall to Panthers 45-38; By Chris Wristen; 04:38 p.m., March 10, 2010 Updated 08:11 p.m.; Sentinel Sports Editor Chris Wristen provides live updates from the Class 4A girls basketball tournament at the Bicentennial Center in Salina.
BLHS girls to play defending champs today: By Chris Wristen; March 10, 2010; It takes little more than a glance at the bracket to see that the Basehor-Linwood girls have their hands full with Concordia in their first-round game at the Class 4A state tournament.

Full story list

Recent photos

Basehor-Linwood's Shelby Equels (5) and Cassy Bever (25) show their disappointment as they leave the court following a 45-38 loss to defending state champion Concordia at the Class 4A state tournament.

The scoreboard told the tale: Concordia 45, Basehor-Linwood 38.

Basehor-Linwood's Cassy Bever, left, and Amanda O'Bryan double-team Concordia's Karly Buer during the final minute of the game. Concordia pulled away late for a 45-38 victory.

Basehor-Linwood junior Shelby Equels glances at the scoreboard as the final seconds tick away on the Bobcats' 45-38 loss to defending state champion Concordia.