Kearney High School activities, (Central Nebraska Today photos)
KEARNEY — The Keaney Board of Education received a report from the Kearney High School Athletic Director regarding the number of students who participated in different activities over the past school year.
Ryan Hogue, KHS Assistant Principal and Athletic Director, appeared during the Monday, July 8 Kearney school board meeting.
Hogue gave a board look at the activities offered including 22 Nebraska School Activities Association activities and 18 activity or Career and Technical Student Organizations.
These programs have produced 44 state championships, most recently boys state track and 62 runner-up finishes in the history of KHS.
There are 25 non-NSAA programs or clubs that students can take part in and some can compete at local, state or national levels.
In addition, there are other “enthusiast” groups that include chess, books, foreign language and most recently added, e-sports.
Hogue said KHS prides itself on a multi-sport focus, rather than favoring one sport out of many.
In his message to the Booster Club Sports Program, Houge writes, “KHS is one of a few Class A schools to finish in the Top 10 of the All-School Division of the NSAA’s Cup Competition 14 of the past 18 years it has been conducted.”
It was also noted that, “NSSA Activity and CTSO participation numbers at Kearney High School are excellent across the board.” Hogue later added that in some cases they have to cut students from different activities, mainly due to various travel requirements.
Looking at numbers from this year, Kearney ranked second among Class A schools regarding multi-activity student count at 176, while their enrollment was 1,769.
For reference, Norfolk was first with a multi-activity student count of 147, enrollment of 1,374; North Platte was in third with an activity count of 80 and enrollment of 1,214.
Hogue provided other miscellaneous updates, including that KHS had just finished its sixth year in the Heartland Athletic Conference with the other 12 schools. KHS earned two championships by boy’s track and wrestling.
KHS also hosted several HAC and district games during the 2023-24 school year. Hogue said they also hosted the 2024 Girls Basketball Showcase and will do so again in January 2025.
The school was also the host site for the 2024 NSAA state speech contest and will do so for the next four years per a NSAA and KPS contract.
Hogue also noted that Kearney will host Boys State Golf in 2025 and 2028.
To close, Hogue thanked the board members for their time, dedication, hard work and service to KPS.
