LansingCurrent.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

Defense fuels Mill Valley in 53-42 victory against Lansing: By Chris Wristen; January 15, 2010; Constant effort is something Mill Valley boys basketball coach Justin Bogart has been demanding from his team this season.
Mill Valley is team to beat in KVL; just don’t tell Jaguars: More balance expected, but league coaches say favorites unchanged; By Chris Wristen; September 2, 2009; A two-headed monster dominated the Kaw Valley League landscape during the 2008 football season — one part Jaguar and the other part Lion.
Three kings lead Lions to second-place finish at state: By Chris Wristen; March 1, 2009; In all of its storied history, the Lansing High wrestling program never has had a day better than Saturday.
Lions have trio of champions: Pursel, Blew, Hinckley are state champs; By Chris Wristen; 05:56 p.m., February 28, 2009 Updated 07:22 p.m.; Lansing High has two state champions so far.
Lansing girls win first league title in 20 years: By Chris Wristen; February 28, 2009; It’d been 20 years since Lansing High last won a Kaw Valley League girls basketball championship, and on Friday night the Lions made certain they would wait no longer.
Hall, Rush power Lions to first KVL championship in 19 years: By Chris Wristen; February 27, 2009; It was Senior Night at Mill Valley on Friday, but apparently nobody told that to Lansing’s Clayton Hall and Cody Rush.
KVL top-heavy with talent in girls hoops: By Chris Wristen; December 4, 2008; After spending the past three years lingering near the top of the Kaw Valley League standings without actually ascending to the throne, this just may be the season the Lansing Lions rise to the top of the KVL.
Wristen: Meyer left lasting impression: By Chris Wristen; November 17, 2008; Word spread quickly on Sunday that something wasn’t right.
Mill Valley holds off Lansing: By Chris Wristen; November 1, 2008; It was a game that was supposed to be settled on the ground, but two plays through the air proved to be the difference as Mill Valley edged Lansing, 21-14, Friday night at MVHS in a game that decided both the Kaw Valley League and Class 5A district football championships.
Craig’s unbeaten season continues: LHS junior repeats as league champion; Lansing girls defend KVL crown; By Chris Wristen; October 17, 2008; Last year Brandon Craig made a late surge into first place and won the Kaw Valley League cross country title. This time Craig got the surge out of the way early.

Full story list

Recent photos

Mill Valley senior Trevor Boyer squared off against Lansing sophomore Bo Pursel for the 112-pound state championship at the Class 5A state tournament. Pursel won the match, 5-4.