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Kansas City native named Miss Missouri USA 2023

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Kansas City native named Miss Missouri USA 2023


KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Miss Missouri USA has officially crowned a new queen and she’s from Kansas City, Missouri.

24-year-old Autumn Black says it still feels unreal.

“Honestly I keep telling people, I feel like I blacked out in that moment,” said Black, reflecting on when her name was announced. “There’s a video of me almost collapsing because I was so excited.”

This journey is fairly a new one for Black; getting into pageantry her freshman year at the University of Missouri.

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“It was 2017 when I competed in the Ms. Black and Gold Scholarship Pageant, which is with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, so that was my first pageant,” Black said.

Black took first runner up in the Miss Black and Gold pageant, which inspired her to keep going.

“It was a three-month-long process where they just taught us everything of how to walk on stage, gain that confidence and just to be in that position and for me it was like, ‘wow, this is really cool,’” Black said. “I also just built a lot of relationships and friendships with the women I competed with in that, and so to have that on an even larger scale was something that I knew that I wanted.”

Two years later, she started competing in the Miss USA system.

“I was just kind of doing it to really just gain confidence in myself, become more empowered,” Black said.

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Empowered is the feeling she wants to instill in other young students, which is why she created The Flawless Movement.

“You can find rarity within yourself, you can be yourself, you don’t have to succumb to you know all of the different social media things that we’re seeing today, you can truly be the best version of yourself and I found that for me,” Black said. “I’m really passionate about career readiness and helping students, young women specifically, find who they are when it comes to their careers and that you can do anything with their career. It doesn’t have to be one specific thing, you can really take any path and so that’s how The Flawless Movement was born.”

And as she navigates her next big feat of Miss USA, she says three words keep her going.

“I call it the three Gs of God, grace and grit,” Black said. “Having God with me throughout those entire four years but also throughout my life is something that has been absolutely imperative to having this title, winning this title and moving throughout life. Grit, having the determination, the strength because in a way pageantry is a sport. There’s a lot of strength it takes to get up on that stage to do what these women do and to be able to hold this title. And of course with grace. It’s important to lead with grace, style, class in anything that you do and just to be humble in that as well.”

Black’s message to other young women is to chase after your goals.

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“You never know where it’ll lead you,” Black said. “I started this not really having the most experience, I didn’t grow up doing pageantry and so I think that I’m a testament that you can really just do anything that you put your mind to.”

Now she’s getting ready for Miss USA, happening later this year; training mentally and physically to prepare and continuing to showcase who she is throughout the state.

“I have found my voice and I think that’s the biggest thing I’d also like to share with others,” Black said. “Finding your voice is important and sharing your voice is important, because your voice matters.”

To follow Black’s journey, click here.





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Kansas State Fans Unload On Jerome Tang After Wichita State Loss

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Kansas State Fans Unload On Jerome Tang After Wichita State Loss


Kansas State’s meltdown loss to the Stockers can be attributed to many on the team.

But it was coach Jerome Tang who was the center of the criticism Saturday night. This is the second time in the last three games where the Wildcats were outdone dramatically in the second half.

Kansas State stars Coleman Hawkins and David N’Guessan combined for just 15 points on 35 percent shooting. Meanwhile, David Castillo went 0 of 7 from 3-point range, contributing to a 28 percent shooting performance from the arc.

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On the other end, Wichita State’s Xavier Bell and Corey Washington combined for 42 points. The Shockers collectively got to the paint and free-throw line very often Saturday.

“I saw this live,” one user said. “Competitive for 30 minutes, the Cats freaked out being down by 4 and couldn’t stop chucking threes and play horrible defense. Tang tries but this squad has no heart and grit. Soft. Fragile.”

Kansas State starts facing conference opponents next week, with their first Big 12 matchup against Cincinnati (9-1) Monday night. But honestly, most fans are ready to throw in the towel on the season already.

“I love this college with my whole heart,” another fan said. “Will always support the University but this is one of the worst starts to a season I have ever seen. This is not the standard we have built and something needs to change. The program should be embarrassed because the fans sure are.”

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Jayden Armant is a graduate of the Howard University School of Communications and a contributor to Kansas State Wildcats on SI. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.





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Chiefs Suffer Several Big Injuries Before Steelers Game

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Chiefs Suffer Several Big Injuries Before Steelers Game


The Pittsburgh Steelers have been pummeled with injuries over recent weeks. They aren’t alone in that predicament, however, as their Christmas Day opponent in the Kansas City Chiefs are currently dealing with their fair share of bumps and bruises.

Defensive tackle Chris Jones (calf), wide receiver Xavier Worthy (ankle), offensive tackle Jawann Taylor (knee) and linebacker Jack Cochrane (ankle) all went down in Kansas City’s win over the Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon, casting doubt on their collective statuses for Wednesday’s meeting with Pittsburgh in a short week.

Jones, widely regarded as one of the NFL’s elite defensive talents for the better part of a decade, sustained his injury in the fourth quarter. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid described it as a strain, and it’s unclear if he’ll be ready to go against the Steelers.

The five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro has recorded five sacks on the season to go with 30 total tackles, nine of which have gone for losses, and a forced fumble.

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Worthy, who was selected with the No. 28 pick of the first round in the 2024 draft, posted a career-high six catches for 65 yards and a touchdown versus Houston. He departed with his injury in the second quarter before returning after halftime and remaining available from that point forward, meaning he’s likely good to go against the Steelers.

Reid also described Taylor’s injury as a strain after he was pulled in the third quarter of Saturday’s contest. The 27-year-old has held a spot on the Chiefs’ injury report since Week 13 with a knee issue, though he’s yet to miss a game both this season and throughout his entire six-year career.

Taylor occupies the right tackle spot and has made 15 starts this campaign. Kansas City’s depth has already been tested after left tackle D.J. Humphries was inactive versus Houston with a hamstring injury, leaving Wanya Morris and second-round rookie Kingsley Suamataia as the team’s most likely options at the two spots if the former pair of players can’t work their way back onto the field in the coming days.

Cochrane fractured his ankle, per Reid, which may very well end his year. The special teams ace logged a total of 306 snaps, mustering five tackles over that stretch.

The Chiefs are now 14-1 and have a magic number of one to clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC, meaning another win or a single Buffalo Bills loss would do the job.

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Thus, Kansas City could adopt a safe approach by resting some of its guys and opting not to risk worsening the health of its players with such little down time before taking on the Steelers.

Pittsburgh, on the other hand, has seen its hold on the AFC North slip out of its hands following a loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday that has both teams sitting with a 10-5 record.

Though the Steelers have clinched a postseason berth, they are currently on a two-game losing streak and would ideally avoid slipping any further.

Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (knee) and wide receiver Ben Skowronek (hip) both suffered injuries against Baltimore while cornerback Donte Jackson (back), defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin), quarterback Justin Fields (abdominal), safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring) and wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) all didn’t make an appearance with pre-existing wounds.

Pittsburgh needs to get off the schneid quickly, and the hope is that it can return several key pieces whom are currently on the mend for its bout with the reigning Super Bowl champions from KC.

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Make sure to bookmark Steelers On SI to get all your daily Pittsburgh Steelers news, interviews, breakdowns and more!



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Kansas State Has Another Second-Half Collapse In Loss To Wichita State

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Kansas State Has Another Second-Half Collapse In Loss To Wichita State


The Kansas State Wildcats looked like a strong basketball team for one half.

And then the second half happened.

The Wildcats were outscored by 23 in the final 20 minutes in an 84-65 loss to Wichita State Saturday night on the road.

“They were better than us, especially in the second half,” K-State coach Jerome Tang said. “I thought their staff did a great job of putting a game plan together of how they wanted to attack us.”

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It was the second time the Wildcats had a second-half collapse. The same thing happened in a blowout loss at St. John’s earlier this month.

“The other coaches did a better job of making adjustments than our staff did,” Tang said.

Xavier Bell led the Shockers with a season-high 24 points. Macaleab Rich led the Wildcats with 20 points.

WILDCATS SIGN RECEIVER

Kansas State is making moves within the transfer portal. Their most recent acquisition former Boston College wide receiver Jerand Bradley.

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Bradley had just six receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns last season with the Eagles. However, he compiled 92 receptions for 1,274 yards and 10 touchdowns with Texas Tech, illustrating his ability to produce. He will have many opportunities to replicate this in Manhattan, with the Wildcats reeling after losing their top two receivers.

KANSAS STATE WILDCATS HAVE NEW UNIFORMS FOR RATE BOWL AGAINST RUTGERS

As Kansas State gears up for the Rutgers Scarlet Knight, storylines have been flying around regarding the transfer portal, new recruits, and possible breakout performances.

But a more light-hearted note was the Wildcats getting to unveil their new uniforms in the Rate Bowl.

Wildcats veteran Taylor Poitier said it was “really cool” to be able to suit up in these newer designs.

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“We rarely get to wear those types of uniform combos, so I’m really excited to wear them,” Poitier said. “They’ll look pretty cool out there.”

Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Kansas State Wildcats On SI. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com

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X: @KStateOnSI



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