Hutchinson High School (Kansas)

History

The first high school in Hutchinson was established in 1872 to help educate the growing population of Hutchinson. The first high school graduating class occurred in 1882. Due to the demand for more space, a new high school was constructed in 1891 at 5th and Maple. This location would last for nineteen years. In 1910, the city voted to approve the construction of a new $125,000 high school, located at 7th and Walnut. In 1930, the Salt Hawk (shortened to Salthawk in the 1990s) became the school's official mascot. The high school would remain in this location until 1960 when, due to inadequate conditions, Hutchinson High moved to its current location at 13th and Severance.

School layout

Hutchinson High School consists of several halls. A Hall is the longest hall in the school. It is attached to the Salthawk Activity Center at the west and runs to the east where it turns north toward the cafeteria. A Hall is bisected by the recently constructed M Hall which houses upgraded drama, band, orchestra and choir rooms. The "M-Hall Expansion" also included the construction of a new auditorium, allowing for the old one to be repurposed into a learning facility. This also created new space for an upgraded 3-D art room, making use of the previous "backstage" area. Apart from A and M hall, there is B, C, G, F, and V halls. The Hutchinson Career and Vocational Technology Education (HCTEA or V hall) buildings, including the recently constructed T Building, stand alone. There are three gymnasiums on campus (North Gym, South Gym, and the Main Gym/Salthawk Activity Center, known better as 'the SAC') Many students attend classes and athletics practices (dominant swimming) at the YMCA close to campus. Students are also allowed to make the short trip to nearby Hutchinson Community College to take classes.

Extracurricular activities

The Salthawks are classified as a 6A school, the largest classification in Kansas according to the Kansas State High School Activities Association. Throughout its history, Hutchinson has won 32 state championships in various sports. Many graduates have gone on to participate in Division I, Division II, and Division III athletics.

Football

The Salthawks are seven-time state champions in football, having won the state championship in 2004-2009, 2011, and were state runners-up in 2003, 2012, and 2014. The first four state championships were 6A and the three most recent state championships were 5A. The team has made it to the sub-state level/game since 2002.

In 2008, the Salthawks began a series against the Rockhurst High School football team, which is considered to be the one of the best football program in the state of Missouri. The Hawklets lead the series 3-1.

Games against the Hawklets :

Basketball

The Salthawk basketball teams have won boys' championships in 1974, 1975, and 2001, and girls' championships in 1976 and 1985.

Cross Country

Hutchinson High School has had a historically successful cross country program. The most recent success has been in the 2009-2010 season winning the AVCTL Championships, becoming regional runner-ups, and placing 3rd in the state 5A championships, making them the most successful cross country team in the history of Hutchinson High School. They have also had several standout individuals. The most recent standout is Chris Wise. Wise holds the record for the most consecutive varsity race wins which he held at 7 during his junior season in 2010-2011. The head coach is Lisa Bonds and the assistant coach is Mike Garcia who is also the head wrestling coach.

Wrestling

The Salthawk wrestling program has had success in its history at Hutchinson High School, winning state titles in 1973, 1982, 2002 and 2003. The program has had numerous state placers and state champions. The school's first 4-time state champion was Romero Cotton. Cody Garcia (son of head coach Mike Garcia) was a 3-time state champion and went on to win two individual national championships at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Cody Smith is well known for his hard fought battles at the state championship tournaments in 2002 and 2003, ultimately placing third each year, and helping the Salthawks secure their state titles. The most recent state champion was Colby Crank who won an individual state championship in 2009.

Other sports

The Salthawk boys' golf team has won state championships in 1942, 1958, 1960, 1974, 1995 and 2005. The Salthawks wrestling team won state titles in 1973, 1982, 2002, and 2003, making it one of the most successful sports in Hutchinson High School history. The boys' track and field team won state titles in 1927, 1928, 1941, 1942, 2000 and 2004.

State championships

* In 1974 Hutchinson High School won both the 2-man & 4-man State Golf Championships. In those days, trophies were awarded to the winner of both, so their total golf titles could be interpreted as 7 golf titles and 32 titles overall.

Hutchinson High School offers the following sports:

School newspaper and yearbook

The Newshawk is the school's official paper. It is published on a monthly basis.

Speech and Debate

Hutchinson High School also has a rich tradition of excellence in debate and forensics. Hutch High has produced 13 NFL All-Americans since 1986 and has produced 75 national qualifying students since 1972. Brad Young was the National Student Congress Champion in 1984 and 1985. Additionally, he placed 4th in the International Extemp division in 1986. Ben Walker and Courtney Nunns placed 5th at NFL Nationals in 1996, and again in 1997. Michael Bretches placed 4th in the Top Speaker division in 2003. Additionally, he placed 7th in the United States Extemp division in the same year. In 2008, Andrew Allsup and Trevor Curiel qualified for the Tournament of Champions Debate. The debate team placed 1st at state in 2009 and 2010. Katelin Morey placed 3rd in the Top Speaker division at NFL Nationals 2010. The debate program has, as of 2010, won 16 state championships.

Notable alumni