The Shawnee Dispatch / 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

St. James wins De Soto Spikefest: By Chris Wristen; October 12, 2008; After spending most of the season playing Class 5A and 6A opponents, St. James Academy volleyball coach Nancy Dorsey wanted her team to get a glimpse of some fellow Class 4A competitors before substate.
Morrisette runs wild as Thunder edge Chieftains: By Chris Wristen; October 12, 2008; With regular go-to running back Ben Reynoldson sidelined with an injury, the St. James Academy football team knew it would have its hands full with Tonganoxie. Fortunately for the Thunder, Avril Morrisette was more than capable of handling the load in Reynoldson’s absence.
North rides defense to rout of South: Indians force four turnovers in 34-7 victory; By Chris Wristen; October 11, 2008; Led by coach Ryan Majors in a white, pressed dress shirt, tie and slacks, the Shawnee Mission North football team looked like a confident bunch as it marched to the field Friday night. That confidence carried over to the Indians’ play from the opening whistle as they forced a quick fumble, scored early and never looked back in a 34-7 blowout of Shawnee Mission South at South District Stadium.
Mill Valley rallies past Atchison: Jaguars improve to 5-1 with 25-21 victory; By Chris Wristen; October 10, 2008; Dramatic finishes are becoming the norm for the Mill Valley football team. Fortunately for the Jaguars, they’re pretty good at winning them.
St. James outlasts Aquinas in senior night showdown: By Chris Wristen; October 10, 2008; St. James Academy hadn’t lost a volleyball match to an in-state opponent all season, but on Thursday night — St. James’ inaugural senior night — St. Thomas Aquinas valiantly tried to become the first team from Kansas to silence the Thunder.
Buenger headed back to state: Mill Valley sophomore places third at regional; By Chris Wristen; October 10, 2008; Lindsey Buenger had no misconceptions about the degree of difficulty of the singles field on Thursday at the Class 5A regional tennis tournament at Gardner-Edgerton High School.
St. James takes 2nd at Nike Challenge: By Chris Wristen; October 8, 2008; The weight of the world wasn’t on the St. James Academy volleyball players’ shoulders on Friday and Saturday at the NIKE Challenge at Mother McAuley High School in Chicago, but the weight of the state of Kansas sure was.
Injuries aside, SMNW gymnasts shine: Ankles, knees are obstacles, but focus remains on state; By Chris Wristen; October 8, 2008; Jackie Cipollini’s gymnastics squad at times has looked like a wounded army this season, and with good reason.
Crowe, Cougars 2nd at SFL meet: By Chris Wristen; October 8, 2008; For most of the day Thursday, Shawnee Mission Northwest senior Alex Crowe could barely lift her right arm above her head.
St. James shuts out Harmon: Getto completes 13 of 16 passes to lead Thunder past Hawks; By Chris Wristen; October 4, 2008; Jim Getto has been St. James Academy’s starting varsity quarterback for two years, and Friday night against Harmon he turned in arguably the best performance of his career.

Full story list

Recent photos

St. James Academy junior Avril Morrisette breaks loose down the sideline for a 78-yard gain. His run set up the Thunder's game-winning touchdown.

St. James Academy's Christian Mata fights for extra yardage on a carry against Tonganoxie.

St. James Academy junior running back Avril Morrisette breaks away from the Tonganoxie defense.

St. James Academy sophomore Christian Mata hauls in an over-the-shoulder catch during St. James' 13-7 victory over Tonganoxie.

St. James Academy sophomore Thomas Maddock separates Tonganoxie's Jeremie Maus from the ball during the second half Saturday. St. James defeated THS, 13-7.

Full photo list