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Photo by Jazlyn Summers

Zach Gunter, Sports Editor

I’ve been involved with Roo News for two years now, and am in my second semester of being the sports editor. I am a communications major hoping to one day either write or broadcast professionally. While sports are my life, I am also a massive weather nerd and used to want to major in meteorology.

All content by Zach Gunter
Junior guard Alayna Contreras gets ready to take a shot (Oct. 27, 2024)

Roos nearly reach triple-digits in exhibition win

Zach Gunter, Sports Editor
October 30, 2024

  The Kansas City Roos women’s basketball team took on the Saint Mary Spires on Sunday.   While the game was only an exhibition, it was over only minutes in. The Roos got off 18 straight points before the Spires found the net.    It wouldn’t be until 2:17 remaining...

Men’s basketball vs Avila (Nov. 6, 2023)

Kansas City Athletics partners with KSHB 41

Zach Gunter, Sports Editor
October 26, 2024

  Kansas City basketball is coming to local TV.    In a press release on Thursday, the athletic department announced a new partnership with Kansas City’s NBC affiliate, KSHB 41.    This partnership includes eight basketball broadcasts and marks the first time...

Men’s Soccer gets ready to start play.

Men’s Soccer dethrones No. 3 Denver

Zach Gunter, Sports Editor
October 13, 2024

  For the first time since 2008, the Kansas City Roos men’s soccer team defeated a top 25 opponent.   On Saturday night, the Roos took on the Denver Pioneers.    The game had similarities to the 2023 Summit League Men’s Soccer Semifinals, where Denver entered...

The Plaza Tennis Courts are located on Mill Creek Parkway in KC.

Redevelopment plan may relocate Kansas City tennis, but it depends on the buyer

Zach Gunter and Karine Robinson
October 7, 2024

   Located just minutes from campus, the Plaza Tennis Center has been home to Kansas City Roos women’s tennis since 2008.    The tennis team may need to find a home in the near future.   On Sept.10, city officials announced they were seeking redevelopment proposals...

Graduate midfielder Lily Hollis prepares to shoot the ball against Southern Illinois.

Women’s Soccer begins season undefeated

Zach Gunter, Sports Editor
September 4, 2024

  In stark contrast to the 2023 season, the Kansas City Roos women’s soccer team remains undefeated with a record of 2-0-2.   On Aug. 15, the Roos played Saint Louis. The Billikens were ranked 12th in the United Soccer Coaches poll going into the game. In a 72-minute...

The garden beds on the roof of the Student Union.

Opinion: An evaluation of UMKC’s climate action plan

Zach Gunter, Sports Editor
August 28, 2024

With the earth’s climate rapidly changing, how has UMKC committed to mitigating its carbon footprint?   Madison Twite, an officer with the Student Environmental Coalition, does not see a strong effort.     Many universities have dedicated Climate Action Plans...

KC Current memorabilia posed on a soccer ball in the Durwood Stadium.

[Photo] Roos Soccer to host KC Current Night on August 29

Brian Sparks, Intern
August 26, 2024

KC Current memorabilia posed on a soccer ball in the Durwood Stadium.

Kansas City Volleyball looks to impress fans again in 2024

Roos Volleyball prepares to strike back in 2024

Zach Gunter, Sports Editor
August 22, 2024

  The Roos volleyball team came so close to the NCAA tournament last season. The team went to five sets in the 2023 Summit League championship match only to lose to the Omaha Mavericks. This came after the team won the first two sets and was leading in the third before Omaha...

Roos Men’s soccer prepares for 2024 campaign

Roos Men’s soccer prepares for 2024 campaign

Zach Gunter, Sports Editor
August 12, 2024

  Emotions ran high after the Roos Men’s Soccer team defeated the Denver Pioneers 5-4 in penalty kicks in the semifinals of the 2023 Summit League Men’s Soccer Tournament. The team had just beat the 23rd-ranked team in the nation, after all.   However, two days later,...

Floor 1 of Miller Nichols Library, empty.

Summer serenity: UMKC campus embraces tranquility amidst the seasonal lull

Zach Gunter, Evelyn Berger, and Catie Walker
July 12, 2024

 Walking through the quiet courtyards and sleepy halls of UMKC during the summertime is eerie in comparison to the fall and spring.    Most areas of campus remain empty aside from the small stream of prospective students touring the campus.    Many staff and faculty...

Kansas City has a chance to advance to the Summit League Championship for the first time since 2011.

Roos Softball Advances to Championship Semifinal

Zach Gunter, Sports Editor
May 10, 2024

  Kansas City has thrilled viewers in the first three games of the Summit League Softball Championship.   Entering as the third seed, the Roos were set to face the North Dakota State Bison in the first round.     Last season, the Bison eliminated the Roos in the...

Roos Softball jumped three tournament seeds from last season.

Roos Softball Awards Announced

Zach Gunter, Sports Editor
May 8, 2024

  Roos Softball earned a momentous rise of honors, going from two players recognized to eight in only one season.     Two players were listed on All-League First Team, one on Second Team, four given Honorable Mention and one given Freshman of the Year. This accomplishment...

Screenshot

Men’s Golf Takes Home Summit League Crown

Zach Gunter, Sports Editor
May 6, 2024

  Kansas City established itself as a golf powerhouse winning back-to-back Summit League Championships.   From April 28-30, the Roos took on the three-day event in Sellersburg, Indiana. By the end, sophomore Mesa Falleur was holding both the team championship and championship...

UMKC's partnership with the Kansas City Royals began in March.

[Photo] UMKC Night at the K Returns

Maisy Blanton, Staff Writer
April 8, 2024

UMKC's partnership with the Kansas City Royals began in March.

Sophomore Guard Alayna Contreras celebrates with teammates.

Opinion: The Real Story of the Women’s Basketball Season

Zach Gunter, Sports Editor
April 3, 2024

  Free throws are a part of any basketball game. But what happens when the disparity between teams is unbelievably large?   That question was answered this season with Kansas City’s women’s basketball team.    During the season, the Roos averaged 17.3 free throw...

Junior guard/forward Jamar Brown takes a layup.

Kansas City Men’s Basketball Looks Ahead to Next Season

Zach Gunter, Sports Editor
April 3, 2024

 After finishing the conference season 10-6 and second seed in the conference tournament, many had high expectations for the Kansas City men’s basketball team.   However, when the time came for the team to show up, it didn’t.   In the do-or-die situation of the...

The Roos huddle before the game.

Denver Snaps Roos’ Six-Game Win Streak in Quarterfinal Fight

Zach Gunter, Sports Editor
March 10, 2024

  A phenomenal regular season ends in disappointment as the Roos fall to the Denver Pioneers by 1 point, 61-60.   A three-point shot made by senior guard Isaiah Addo-Ankrah with 5.9 seconds left would seal the game for the Pioneers.    In the final seconds, graduate...

Women's team huddles before game

Roos Women’s Basketball Narrowly Defeated in Summit League Championship Opener

Zach Gunter, Sports Editor
March 8, 2024

  The Roos women’s basketball team fought valiantly during the team’s first round match in the Summit League Basketball Championships.     Unfortunately, a tenacious fight was not enough to beat the ninth-seeded Omaha Mavericks. The Roos lost 61-55.     The...

Men’s Basketball huddles before game vs Omaha.

Men’s Basketball Rides Momentum into Summit League Tournament

Zach Gunter, Sports Editor
March 8, 2024

    After ending its season on a stunning six-game win streak, the Kansas City Roos are headed to Sioux Falls, South Dakota for the Summit League Basketball Championships.   The team will have lost its last game over a month ago when they tip off on Saturday night.    With...

Women's Basketball celebrates a 3-point shot

Women’s Basketball Seeks Redemption After Disappointing Conference Season

Zach Gunter, Sports Editor
March 7, 2024

After the final game of the regular season for the Kansas City Roos women’s basketball team, Head Coach Dionnah Jackson-Durett expressed her frustration at the outcome.    The Roos experienced a 38-point loss to Oral Roberts on Kansas City’s Senior Day, March 2.   “That...

Forward/Center Melvyn Ebonkoli slam dunk.

Men’s Basketball Extends Win Streak to Four

Zach Gunter, Sports Editor
February 28, 2024

    When the Roos men’s basketball team started its conference season with a record of 4-4, questions arose about what would become of the team.   Head Coach Marvin Menzies constantly spoke of the “Rise of the Roos” and how he wanted to turn this team into...

Kansas City Strong logo

UMKC Students Can Help Union Station Shooting Victims

Zach Gunter and Emily Wheeler
February 15, 2024

  Tragedy struck the Kansas City metro on Wednesday afternoon when gunfire broke out at Union Station.   As of Thursday evening, , 22 people were injured and one was confirmed dead. There are several ways UMKC students can help after this event. UMKC Honors Program...

Around 1 million people were estimated to be in attendance at the parade.

One Dead, Several Injured During Chiefs Parade

Zach Gunter and Jazlyn Summers
February 14, 2024

Update:   As of 2:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon, the number of those injured at the Union Station shooting after the Chiefs Super Bowl parade increased to 30 people.   Lisa Lopez-Galvan, is confirmed dead and the remining victims' ages range from 8 years old to 47 years...

Junior guard/forward Jamar Brown scored 15 points for the Roos on Saturday night.

Roos Fall Against Tommies in Summit League Battle

Zach Gunter, Sports Editor
February 6, 2024

  A desperate team is a scary team.    After dropping four of their last six games, the St. Thomas Tommies came charging into Swinney on Saturday night.    A mere 34 days prior, the Roos traveled north to St. Paul, Minn. to take on St. Thomas on its home court....

Sophomore forward Jeff Ngandu slam dunk

Roos Take Decisive Victory at Home Against Denver

Zach Gunter, Sports Editor
February 3, 2024

  The Kansas City Roos men’s basketball team took on the Denver Pioneers on Thursday night.   The Roos only lost the lead once in the game and went on to win 85-71.   Sophomore guard, Tyler Andrews, led the way in scoring for the Roos with a career high 25 points....

Men’s Basketball: Battling through challenges, seeking redemption

Men’s Basketball: Battling through challenges, seeking redemption

Zach Gunter, Sports Editor
January 25, 2024

  While the rest of campus went home for the holidays, Kansas City’s men’s basketball team stayed busy on the court.   The Roos began their season 2-0 with wins against Avila University and St. Mary (KS). However, immediately following, Kansas City entered a gauntlet...

Roos celebrate after winning a point during their match.

Roos Volleyball to Play in NIVC Tournament

Zach Gunter, Staff Writer
November 29, 2023

  There isn’t much to be said about the Summit League Championship game the Roos played  last Tuesday against Omaha. Kansas City was up two sets to none and leading 20-17 in set three.   From there, it all collapsed. KC lost set three by a score of 26-24. Set four was...

Six Roos Earn Summit League Awards

Six Roos Earn Summit League Awards

Zach Gunter, Staff Writer
November 19, 2023

  After earning the first seed in the Summit League tournament, six Kansas City Roos have earned recognition by the Summit League for their regular season performances.   On Nov. 18, the Summit League announced its 2023 honors which include two categories – Individual...

Volleyball Team Makes History by Sharing Title of Summit League Regular Season Champions

Volleyball Team Makes History by Sharing Title of Summit League Regular Season Champions

Zach Gunter, Staff Writer
November 17, 2023

  The Kansas City Roos are Summit League regular season champions for the first time in program history.   After finishing with a 12-4 conference record and 21-7 overall for the season, the Roos split the title with the Omaha Mavericks, Denver Pioneers and South Dakota...

Roo's Men’s Soccer Defeat Denver to Advance to Conference Finals

Roo’s Men’s Soccer Defeat Denver to Advance to Conference Finals

Zach Gunter, Staff Writer
November 10, 2023

  The Kansas City Roos men’s soccer team is heading to the Summit League Championship Tournament Finals after beating number one seed, Denver.    The team’s match against the 23rd-ranked Denver Pioneers went down to the very last second, even beyond.   After falling...

The women's soccer team will travel to South Dakota this weekend to compete.

Women’s Soccer Makes Summit League Tournament

Zach Gunter, Staff Writer
October 26, 2023

  The Roos’ women’s soccer team has wrapped up their regular season and will now have a shot at taking the Summit League crown.    The team finished their non-conference schedule with a record of 1-3-5, with its sole win against Lindenwood to start the season. There...

Roos Volleyball Takes on Summit League

Roos Volleyball Takes on Summit League

Zach Gunter, Staff Writer
October 10, 2023

  The Roos volleyball team began with a blazing 9-3 record in its non-conference schedule.    The team continued its dominance in the first four games of Summit League Conference play. After beating the Omaha Mavericks and South Dakota State Jackrabbits in five sets,...

The innovative system outlines a player's skills with the use of sensors.

Kansas City Athletics Partners with ShotTracker

Zach Gunter, Staff Writer
September 24, 2023

  Kansas City Athletics is partnering with ShotTracker, a local sports-data company.    Based out of Merriam, KS, ShotTracker uses sensors that are placed around the arena, in the basketball and even on the players themselves to deliver data down to the millisecond. With...

Senior outside hitter Odyssey Warren winds up to serve.

Roos Volleyball Dominates Non-Conference Play

Zach Gunter, Staff Writer
September 21, 2023

  After a down year in 2022, the Kansas City Roos volleyball team is lighting up their opponents in matches.    Starting off with a 9-3 record, the Roos are dominating on the court. In every facet of the game, Kansas City is overwhelming their competition.    The...

Sports betting apps like DraftKings continue to rise.

Opinion: Missouri Needs Sports Betting

Zach Gunter, Staff Writer
April 13, 2023

  The Missouri Senate has found itself in a familiar position after being unable to reach an agreement on the issue of sports betting. Yet again, the wheels are spinning, but the issue goes nowhere.   Many in the Senate, such as Senate President Caleb Rowden, a Republican...

The Kansas City Roos could not break the streak of losing in the first round.

The Kansas City Roos Eliminated in the First Round Against the Omaha Mavericks

Zach Gunter, Staff Writer
March 4, 2023

A collapse. That’s really the only term that can be used to describe the end of this season.   Ending the regular season on a five-game skid, then losing to the 10-seeded Omaha Mavericks in the first round of the Summit League Championship Tournament was certainly not...

Graduate guard Rayquawndis Mitchell is a key factor for Kansas City going forward.

Summit League Men’s Basketball Tournament Preview

Zach Gunter, Staff Writer
February 28, 2023

  The Kansas City Roos’ men’s basketball regular season ended silently.    However, it’s Summit League Championship Tournament time, and the Roos’ first matchup looks to be favorable.   Kansas City’s first-round face-off is against the Omaha Mavericks, a...

The Kansas City Roos season continues to wind down.

Men’s Basketball Week in Review: Final Home Stretch

Zach Gunter, Staff Writer
February 24, 2023

  The Kansas City Roos men’s basketball team played their final games in the Swinney Recreation Center for the 2022-2023 basketball season. Unfortunately, they did not close it out on a high note.   Last week, the Roos lost both games. They lost to the North Dakota State...

Head Coach Marvin Menzies got revenge over his former assistant coach, but could not win against St. Thomas.

Men’s Basketball Week in Review: 2/9 and 2/11

Zach Gunter, Staff Writer
February 19, 2023

  The Kansas City Roos struggled to maintain momentum all season. However, this latest stretch has been particularly rough.      This past week, the Roos won one and lost one. They beat the Western Illinois Leathernecks 76-64. Then, they traveled to St. Paul,...

UMKC Debate Coach and competitor, Yasmeen Hanon. Photo courtesy of LinkedIn.

UMKC Team Spotlight: Debate

Zach Gunter, Staff Writer
February 4, 2023

  UMKC Debate coach and competitor, Yasmeen Hanon, brought the club back after nearly 2 years of being absent from campus.    “I had a lot of experience in high school with speech and debate,” said Hanon. “I thought I could take my expertise and use it to re-establish...

Kansas City Roos, Men's Basketball

Men’s Basketball Midseason Review

Zach Gunter, Staff Writer
February 2, 2023

After five months of college basketball, the new-look Kansas City Roos had an up-and-down performance in and out of conference play. However, there are many areas that need to be worked on to become true contenders.   Brutal Non-Conference Play   In the...

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