ON THE LEVEL: Kaminska to throw for Nebraska; other athletes compete

Former Caney Valley (Kan.) High School sports star Jace Kaminska is getting another chance to start fresh.

Following two years pitching for Wichita (Kan.) State, Kaminska transferred to the University of Nebraska.

The mighty righty emerged his freshman season (2021) among the top first-year college hurlers in the nation — an 8-1 record (two complete games), 2.32 earned run average, 62 innings, 51 K’s and 19 walks.

He labored through a tough sophomore season that yielded more meager numbers — 3-9, 5.49 ERA, 78.2 IP, 86 K’s, 29 BB’s and 17 doubles allowed compared to seven the previous year.

During the offseason, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound Kaminska changed his college address to Lincoln, Neb., where he will get a fresh opportunity on a bigger stage.

With the addition of Kaminska and five other incoming veterans from other schools, Nebraska was rated with the 24th best transfer class in Division I

Nebraska forged a 23-30 record last season, including a 10-14 mark in the Big 12.

The Huskers are set to open their their regular season Feb. 17 in San Diego, Calif.

In fall ball last September, Kaminska struck out four batters in two innings in a 9-1 win at Omaha.

During his prep days, in 2019, Kaminska state the Kansas high school record for consecutive batters struck out (29).

He lost his 2020 senior season due to the general spring sports shutdown as a response to the feared spread of the coronavirus.

Kaminska also excelled in basketball as a prepster.

Following are summaries of how former area prep athletes have fared in recent college action.

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ELISE CONE (Bartlesville)

John Brown women’s basketball

Cone is in her junior year at the Arkansas school.

Last season, she pumped in 15 points (five three-pointers) in a game against Ecclesia. For the season, she appeared in 20 games, averaged 5.9 minutes and grabbed 15 boards.

So far this season, Cone has upped her minutes to 7.5 in 13 games, has buried five three-pointers, fingered seven rebounds, handed out 10 assists and made five steals. She is averaging 2.2 ppg.

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MARY CONE (Bartlesville)

Oklahoma Wesleyan women’s basketball

Cone has played in 12 games, including one start, for OKWU. She is averaging 1.3 ppg and is hitting 75 percent of her free throws (9-of-12). She also has contributed two assists and three steals.

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BARRON TANNER (Bartlesville)

East Central men’s basketball

Tanner continues his productive season for the Tigers.

In a 74-62 win against Harding, he scored a team-high (tied) 14 points, including two treys. He also seized six boards, made two assists, blocked a shot and recorded two steals in the game.

During a single-digit loss to Arkansas Tech, 68-60, Tanner contributed five points, one rebound and one block.

East Central is 7-5 overall and 2-4 in the Great American Conference.

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JENA’ WILLIAMS (Bartlesville)

UT Rio Grande Valley women’s basketball

Williams registered three points, one assist, one rebound and one steal in an 83-73 victory against UT-Arlington.

She also came through in a close 59-53 loss against Seattle University by ringing up six points (2-of-5 three-pointers), pulling down three rebounds and dishing out two assists.

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JACE HOLLINGSHED (Oklahoma Union)

Science & Arts men’s basketball

Hollingshed amassed five points (including one three-pointer), in a 97-75 win against Central Christian.

Science & Arts is 10-7 on the season, including 7-2 in the Sooner Athletic Conference.

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: A look at how former area prep stars are faring on college level