Kansas

Winter Juniors Qualifier Rebecca Pickert Chooses To Stay In-State With Kansas (2025)

Published

1 year ago

July 9, 2024

Winter Juniors Qualifier Rebecca Pickert Chooses To Stay In-State With Kansas (2025)

Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

Rebecca Pickert has announced her verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Kansas, beginning with the 2025-2026 season next fall. Pickert’s decision keeps her close to home with her current high school, Saint James Academy, located less than half an hour from her future school. Pickert will be a 5th generation Jayhawk, but is the first of her family to swim for the school.

“I chose KU for the wonderful coaches and positive team environment. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!”

Pickert, who trains year-round with Ad Astra Aquatics, is a distance freestyle specialist. Her top event is the 1650, which she owns a Winter Junior Nationals qualifying time in. Pickert recorded her fastest 1650 time at the Tiger Invite this winter, where she dropped over five seconds for a 16:58.37.

Last summer, the 1500m was also Pickert’s highest placing event at the NCSA Championships. She stopped the clock at 17:59.03, good for 19th overall. She also secured a top-20 finish in the 800m (9:28.15), and took 21st in the 200m fly in a best time of 2:20.37.

In 2023, Pickert represented her high school at the Kansas High School State Championships (1-5A). She captured the state title in the 100 fly and 500 free, hitting times of 56.19 and 5:04.58, respectively. That time still stands as her personal best in the 100 fly, while her 500 has been recently lowered to 5:01.80 this spring.

Top SCY Times

500 free – 5:01.80
1000 free – 10:12.30
1650 free – 16:58.37
100 back – 56.71
100 fly – 56.19
200 fly – 2:03.10

The Jayhawks earned 7th out of 8 teams at the 2024 Big 12 Championships this spring. The conference will look very different by the time Pickert arrives, as Texas will have departed for the SEC while Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah will have joined.

Pickert’s current best time would have made her the team’s fastest 1650 swimmer this past season by nearly ten seconds. Gracyn O’Mara led the way this year with a season best of 17:07.57.

With her commitment, Pickert joins Sammy Cummins, Ivy Solt, Aubrey Tuthill, Maddie Wagner, and Hannah Green in Kansas’ class of 2029. Tuthill is also a distance specialist with a personal best of 16:51.79 in the 1650.

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].

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Kansas

Hundreds celebrate Kwanzaa at Kansas City’s Gem Theatre

Published

6 days ago

December 29, 2025

Press Room

Hundreds celebrate Kwanzaa at Kansas City’s Gem Theatre

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Hundreds of people packed the Gem Theatre over the weekend to celebrate Kwanzaa.

The celebrations run nightly through January 1. Each night highlights a different core value, including unity, cooperation and faith.

The event features local vendors and performances. Organizers say it’s a great way to start the new year.

The Kwanzaa celebration is free and open to everyone.

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Kansas

Kansas Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 winning numbers for Dec. 27, 2025

Published

7 days ago

December 28, 2025

Press Room

The Kansas Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 27, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

05-20-34-39-62, Powerball: 01, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

Midday: 9-8-9

Evening: 6-5-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning 2 By 2 numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

Red Balls: 01-23, White Balls: 12-15

Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

08-12-24-26-42, Lucky Ball: 17

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

08-10-20-47-50, Star Ball: 04, ASB: 05

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Super Kansas Cash numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

03-07-17-20-27, Cash Ball: 24

Check Super Kansas Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Kansas Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599. For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at select Kansas Lottery offices.

By mail, send a winner claim form and your signed lottery ticket to:

Kansas Lottery Headquarters

128 N Kansas Avenue

Topeka, KS 66603-3638

(785) 296-5700

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a claim form, and deliver the form along with your signed lottery ticket to Kansas Lottery headquarters. 128 N Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603-3638, (785) 296-5700. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Kansas Lottery.

When are the Kansas Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3 Midday/Evening: 1:10 p.m. and 9:10 p.m. CT daily.
2 By 2: 9:30 p.m. CT daily.
Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Super Kansas Cash: 9:10 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Kansas editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Kansas

Health alert: Influenza activity trending up across Kansas, U.S.

Published

1 week ago

December 27, 2025

Press Room

Health alert: Influenza activity trending up across Kansas, U.S.

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Kansas is reflecting national trends of respiratory virus cases on the rise.

The CDC’s latest influenza surveillance report, for the week ending December 13th, showed three states with very high influenza activity, including Colorado. Kansas was reported as having low activity.

However, Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment data shows even low activity has had an impact. For the 20025-2026 season, through Dec. 22, KDHE shows influenza, pneumonia and COVID, combined, have been the direct or contributing cause in 401 deaths.

KDHE also launched a wastewater monitoring dashboard this season. It reflects data from Shawnee, Reno and Johnson counties for influenza, COVID and RSV. It shows influenza levels moderate and increasing, and COVID levels low but increasing.

The CDC estimates the U.S. has had close to five million influenza cases nationwide this season and nearly 2,000 deaths, including at least three children.

The situation has doctors reminding you to get your annual influenza vaccination if you haven’t already. Many urgent care centers, local pharmacies and your doctor’s offices have it available.

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