The district tournament proved to be one of the toughest meets this season with only five able to qualify for state.

These members of the team qualified: second, Ross Starcher 12 and under, 96 pounds; Elsy Folsom, 14 and under, 265 pounds; third Mike Andrews, 16 and under, 155 pounds; fourth, Andy Koontz, 12 and under, 80 pounds, and Travis Adcox, 10 and under, 82 pounds. Fifth place winners and alternates for the state competition are: Hunter Samuels, 12 and under, 84 pounds; Zack Ditty, 12 and under, 100 pounds; Matt Weyer, 14 and under, 165 pounds; Joshua Ferris, 16 and under, 120 pounds; Steven Adcox, 16 and under, 145 pounds; Pat Weyer, 16 and under, 145 pounds; Ryan Stockman, 10 and under, 67 pounds; and Joe Stockman, 12 and under, 96 pounds.

Paddlefish season opened last week

Paddlefish snagging season in Kansas opened last Wednesday. Paddlefish season signs have been posted at the low-water dam on the Neosho River near Chetopa and below the Osawatomie Dam on the Marais des Cygnes River near Osawatomie. However, dry weather in eastern Kansas has delayed the paddlefish run.

As water rises in southeast Kansas rivers, paddlefish enter the state searching for spawning areas, usually when water temperatures approach 60 degrees. Anglers pursuing this traditional spring run should be aware of special paddlefish snagging regulations: the paddlefish limit is two; each fish caught must be kept; each fish must be tagged with the angler’s name and address; and each fish must be checked through a check station at the snagging site. Rough fish may be snagged during paddlefish season, but no snagging of rough fish is allowed in these areas after the angler has filled his limit of paddlefish.

The paddlefish snagging season runs as late as May 15, depending on water conditions and migration of other sportfish, such as flathead catfish, which cannot be legally snagged. Paddlefish and nonsport fish may be snagged on pole and line with not more than two single or treble hooks of any size. The state paddlefish record is 90 pounds, 12 ounces and was caught at Chetopa in 1998 by Joseph Cole.

Each area is posted with all regulations and directions to the local check station.

Minor league tryouts

The Kansas Plainsmen, a minor league football team, have scheduled a try-out session for players interested in competing during the 2000 season.

The tryout will be April 8 at the National Guard Armory field on 18th Street in Kansas City, Kan. Registration is at 9 a.m. and tryouts run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information contact coach John Howell at (913) 422-4720 or (816) 889-3889.

Players should wear T-shirts, shorts and running gear for a grass surface.

Baseball and softball

Sign-up for summer baseball and softball for children ages 5 to 14 begins today.

The Tonganoxie Recreation Commission has forms for parents to complete by March 25. The forms are also being handed out at Tonganoxie schools.

Fees range from $10 for T-ball to $20 for intermediate players ages 13 to 14.