Chris Wristen Shawnee/Bonner Springs/Basehor Sports Editor
Chris Wristen is the sports editor for The Shawnee Dispatch, Bonner Springs Chieftain and Basehor Sentinel. He has been in this position since March 2008. 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. Chris also has been a sports reporter for The Topeka Capital-Journal, The Lawrence Journal-World and The University Daily Kansan. Chris is a Kansas native. He earned a 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, Chris placed third nationally in the William Randolph Hearst Sportswriting Competition, and he has received additional recognition during his professional career. The Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association honored Chris as the 2005-2006 Wrestling Media of the Year award winner. He also is an eight-time first-place winner in the Kansas Press Association Awards of Excellence competition, including sports column writing in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010. When not covering the local sports scene, Chris is an avid traveler, hiker and trail-runner.
Recent stories
- Wristen: Kindness will never be forgotten
- January 9, 2012
- Chances are as you’re reading this I’m running down a trail in the Rocky Mountains, kicking up dirt behind me while sucking down the thin air.
- Braves have 6 finalists, 5 champs at Mat Classic
- Basehor-Linwood had eight placers
- January 7, 2012
- How’s this for home-mat advantage?
- Gesture of kindness was most unforgettable story this year
- December 28, 2011
- There has been plenty to celebrate on the local sports scene in 2011, from multiple state championships by the Basehor-Linwood High School track team to the resurrection of the basketball programs at Bonner Springs High School, the BLHS football team’s 10-win season and two wrestling state champions at BSHS.
- Second-half stunner: Braves shock Jaguars
- December 14, 2011
- A week ago, the Bonner Springs boys basketball team walked out of the Blue Valley Southwest gymnasium shell-shocked after blowing a comfortable lead when victory appeared to be in hand.
- Bonner Springs girls hang on against Mill Valley
- December 13, 2011
- A year ago, the first meeting between the Bonner Springs and Mill Valley girls basketball teams came down to a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by the Jaguars.
- Relay teams lead BSHS swimmers at home meet
- December 12, 2011
- The Bonner Springs boys swimming team turned in a third-place finish out of five teams on the strength of numerous season-best performances Wednesday at the Bonner Springs Invitational at the District P.E. Center.
- Firm football commitment was key to ‘Cats’ Murphy developing into a finalist for the Fontana Award
- December 7, 2011
- Colin Murphy’s path to Tuesday’s Simone Awards ceremony at Lee’s Summit West High School began a year ago.
- Strong start, stronger defense lead BSHS girls to victory
- December 7, 2011
- It wasn’t the prettiest of performances, but a dominant first quarter and an aggressive defensive effort made the difference as the Bonner Springs girls basketball team beat Blue Valley Southwest 48-32 Tuesday at Southwest.
- Second-half collapse costs BSHS boys against Southwest
- December 6, 2011
- It was midway through the third quarter, and Blue Valley Southwest was beginning to melt down.
- BSHS girls take aim at KVL title, state tourney birth
- November 30, 2011
- Bonner Springs will play host to the Class 4A substate basketball tournament this season, and the BSHS girls have some big plans to go along with that home-court opportunity.
Recent photos
Bonner Springs' Mark Hobson works to turn Highland Park's Bryan Woodward to his back during the 152-pound finals at the Dick Burns Mat Classic. Hobson won with a first-period pin and improved to 17-1 for the season.
Basehor-Linwood's Sammy Seaton tries to turn Blue Valley Southwest's Grant Poje to his back during their third-place match at 113 pounds at the Dick Burns Mat Classic. Seaton won by pin in the second period.
Bonner Springs' Justus Seaton faces off with Sumner Academy's Donte Boose in the 113-pound finals at the Dick Burns Mat Classic. Seaton won the match by pin in the second period.
Baldwin's Jon Pratt tries to roll Bonner Springs' Josiah Seaton to his back during their championship match at 106 pounds at the Dick Burns Mat Classic. Seaton won the match with an 8-3 decision.
Basehor-Linwood's Antonio Ferro tries to take down Matt Bialek of Bishop Miege during the Dick Burns Mat Classic at Bonner Springs. Ferro won the match with a 14-1 major decision and went on to finish fourth.
