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

Must-see events as close as BLHS: By Chris Wristen; September 3, 2008; If you’re looking for drama this fall, turn off the television and go to a game.
NASCAR star recalls early days: By Chris Wristen; August 27, 2008; They were a few simple names, but they struck straight to Clint Bowyer’s soul and brought a grin to his face.
Runnin’ dirty: Muddy sneakers, good times a way of life for trail runners; By Chris Wristen; August 27, 2008; Darkness rapidly sets in on Wyandotte County Lake Park, and the excitement is building.
Bowyer eager to race in KC: By Chris Wristen; August 21, 2008; The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kansas 400 is a little more than a month away, but the race already is on Clint Bowyer’s mind.
League’s latest addition ready to make its debut: By Chris Wristen; August 21, 2008; The Kaw Valley League’s stint as a nine-school league was short-lived.
Bar raised for KVL in 07-08: By Chris Wristen; August 21, 2008; With an ever-changing lineup of schools, it’s not easy to determine the best sports year ever for the Kaw Valley League, but it definitely is fair to say that 2007-08 ranks among the best.
Lombardino seized spotlight by shunning it: Basehor-Linwood senior thrived off teammates, unselfish attitude; By Chris Wristen; August 7, 2008; When she first arrived at Basehor-Linwood High School four years ago, the question about Cassie Lombardino wasn’t whether she’d be a good athlete. That much already was a given. The real question was “how good?”
Bobcats await home field advantage: By Chris Wristen; August 7, 2008; It takes little more than a glance at the old field behind Basehor-Linwood High School to realize exciting changes are under way for the BLHS baseball and softball teams. Specifically, homes are being built. Not with walls and roofs, but with backstops, grass infields and dirt base paths.
Wristen: Hoping idols of tomorrow keep it clean: By Chris Wristen; 12:01 a.m., August 6, 2008 Updated 09:50 p.m.; The experts criticized Michael Johnson for his running style.
Ogilvie set standard of excellence at BLHS: Multi-talented senior ‘willing to do the dirty work’ to help team win; By Chris Wristen; July 31, 2008; Team player. Solo superstar. Classroom champion. All are accurate descriptions of Scott Ogilvie throughout his four years at Basehor-Linwood High School.

Full story list

Recent photos

The new baseball field at Basehor-Linwood High School is nearing completion. The backstop is up and the dugouts and infield are complete. All that’s missing are bleachers, the outfield fence and lights.

Toni Stock, a member of the Lake Forest Swim Club, competes in the backstroke on Friday at the Lake and Country Club Swimming League meet. Stock placed second in the event in the 14-and-under division.

Blair Muder of the Lake Forest Swim Club smiles at her coaches prior to competing in the 6-and-under backstroke at the league meet.

Kurt Weber of the Bonner Springs Swim Club takes a quick breath on his way to the finish during the butterfly on Friday at the league meet. Weber placed first in the race and collected four individual league titles in the 18-and-under division while helping the Dolphins win the team championship.

Swede Johnson, right, pressures the Missouri quarterback during the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association All-Star game on Thursday night. Johnson, a Basehor-Linwood graduate, helped Kansas win 20-9.

Full photo list