Lucas Fahrer, sports reporter

I’ve covered Reno County and area sports at the high school, junior college and college level for The Hutchinson News since Sept. 2011. I’m often found with my iPhone recorder, legal pads and stat sheets outside of locker rooms, dugouts, etc. As a St. Louis Cardinals and Nebraska Cornhuskers diehard, as well as a former Wyoming high school baseball prospect (plus one year at Doane College in Crete, Neb.) and intramural standout, I like to think I was cut out for sports journalism. Follow me on Twitter @IAmFahrerReal.

Allen gets going, Buhler wins another close one - MULVANE—Maybe a running back duel was all Riley Allen needed to get going this season. And if by “get going” we mean that he: posted a game with 200-plus rushing yards; provided a signature, long touchdown run; outdid his opposite number; and answered the bell repeatedly for Buhler, then… …well, the Crusaders and their fans … Continue reading →
Area football ‘cover boys’ at each level - It’s official, people. The preseason is here. That annual time of year when prognosticating – ah yes, the guessing game – takes precedence. It’s nothing more than pure conjecture, glorified predictions based on what little evidence can be derived from last year’s stats and this year’s rosters. We can point to what we think will … Continue reading →
Crunch time for Royals as trade deadline looms - Disclaimer: I don’t hate the Kansas City Royals. Really. I don’t. About two weeks ago, a day after the All-Star Game, I wrote a column cautioning the Royals to figure out if they were buyers or sellers—before it was too late. Kansas City has looked more the part of a buyer since the All-Star break. … Continue reading →
Monarchs use all three phases, need one more win - NEWTON—Deron McCue has preached incessantly about this year’s Hutchinson Monarchs needing to play all three phases of the game – pitching, hitting and defense – right in order to win. Coming from the Monarchs’ manager, it more often than not sounds like coach speak. But really – when it comes right down to it – … Continue reading →
Butler’s flare-up shows Royals care - KANSAS CITY, Mo. – There is no question this series means something to Billy Butler and the rest of the Royals. Look no further than his ninth-inning tirade Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium. Butler, Kansas City’s designated hitter, stepped into the box in the ninth after Salvador Perez led off with a single and was … Continue reading →
Fahrer Side: Dirks sitting pretty - KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Andy Dirks is in a good spot, on a good team and in a good position to succeed. His manager, Jim Leyland, thinks so. “I think we’ve got a great group of guys,” Leyland said of his Detroit Tigers’ culture. “I think we do things right. We try to do things … Continue reading →
On location at ‘The K,’ tidbits from Leyland presser - KANSAS CITY, Mo. – My first “day in the life” as a Major League Baseball writer started like this. Walking into Kauffman Stadium to get my media credentials with Detroit Tigers superstar Miguel Cabrera following behind me. Passing slick fielding Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar in the parking lot. Staking out my spot in the press box while watching Eric Hosmer and Mike … Continue reading →
Fahrer Side: Even with breakthrough, Sterling College still has challenges - Earlier this week, Sterling College baseball coach Adrian Dinkel raised an interesting question: Why can’t the Warriors seem to get players out of the Jayhawk Conference? One of the junior college level’s better leagues does send a good chunk of players on to NCAA Division I and Division II schools, but there have to be … Continue reading →
Fahrer Side: Hutch’s Page a notable, quotable contender - Some athletes are a good quote. Smart, insightful, well-rounded. Few athletes are a great quote. But Hutchinson High’s Jared Page falls in that category. Even as a sophomore at last year’s Kansas state track and field championships, the hurdler showed his distinctive flair for commentary. After winning the silver medal in the Class 6A 300 … Continue reading →
Fahrer Side: Success comes in leaps and bounds for WSU’s Friesen, waves for Hutch High swimmers - It’s funny what a little success will do. It’s become standard for Tanya Friesen, the Buhler product who has gone on to star for Wichita State’s women’s track and field team. And it’s sort of a new phenomenon for the Hutchinson High girls swim team with a pair of freshman – Madelyn Fee and Meghan … Continue reading →