Karsten Breiner awarded the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association (KBCA) Student/Athlete 2026 Courage Award
On June 20, 2026 during the halftime of the KBCA All Star Boys Basketball game at the Kansas Wesleyan University Mabee Arena, Salina, Kansas. Karsten Breiner from Wabaunsee High School was awarded the KBCA 2026 Courage Award. Karsten was nominated for this award by the Wabaunsee High School Head Boys Basketball coach, Tim Klein, who was with Karsten at the awards ceremony. Karsten’s Story that was sent in and read at the Awards assembly follows:
“Early on the morning of June 20, 2025, I was driving to Maple Hill for my summer job as a welder. I was on a blacktop road and I dropped my right front tire off the blacktop onto the shoulder. As I tried to get my truck back onto the pavement I caught the guard rail. The guard rail proceeded to go through the front of my truck, under the motor, through the driver’s seat and out of the truck behind the driver’s front door. I knew the angle that the guard rail was coming and was trying to get my body to the right but I couldn’t get my seatbelt unhooked. Thankfully, I was able to get my body away from the oncoming guard rail except for my left foot. That morning I lost the front half of my left foot. Three drivers on the highway witnessed my accident and were there immediately to help me. They placed a tourniquet on my leg, called the ambulance, stayed with me and called my parents. The ambulance crew out of Maple Hill called in Life Star to airlift me to KU Med in Kansas City. Because of all the help given me that morning I was in the KU Med emergency room within two hours of my accident. A lot of earth angels, especially my mom, helped me that morning and I will be forever grateful to them for that. But I am also grateful to God that even though I lost part of my foot, I had no other significant injuries. At KUMed, I underwent three surgeries and daily oxygen infused treatments to try and save the remaining half of my foot that was left. After five days in the hospital and many evaluations and discussions with my surgeons, I decided to amputate my left leg below the knee. This wasn’t an easy decision because I knew this accident was going to affect my senior year of sports, but it allowed me a better outcome long term. I love playing football and my junior year I was selected for Defensive Line honors in the following: All Flint Hills League Second Team, All State KSHSAA, Class 1A Honorable Mention, All State Wichita Eagle 1A Honorable Mention and as a member of the Sports in Kansas non senior team - so I had high hopes for an even better season my senior year. I went to every football practice, but instead of tackling, I helped my teammates learn the plays as I drove around the football field on a golf cart. My thanks to Coach Johnston for allowing me to do that! After healing during July and August, I was fitted for a prosthetic the end of August and began the process of learning how to walk and run. My goal was to play football and I reached that goal by starting to get my football practices in during late September/early October. I got to play defensive line in the last football game of my Senior year, where I was double teamed by the opposing team and got some tackles for my teammates. That proved to me that I could do this.
My goal was also to play basketball during my Senior year. With Coach Klein’s help, I started working at practice doing as much physical activity that I was able to do and continuing to improve each day. I had to relearn my basketball post moves and how to keep up with my teammates running up and down the court. I started subbing in as the season started and Coach and I had a sign so he would know when I needed to rest. By mid season I was in the starting line up and continued playing a good share of each game until our season ended in sub statecompetition. My coaches and teammates were a great help throughout the season and getting to play with my Senior basketball friends was the best feeling in the world!! A month or so ago, a mom came up to me at my younger brother's basketball game and wanted to have me meet her son. I was surprised, and then thought, oh my foot. I am so used to wearing the prosthetic that sometimes I forget that it’s there. I feel very fortunate to be alive and plan to make each day count that I’m given on this earth. So, my attitude has always been to “fix the foot” so I can get on with my life! Thanks to everyone who has helped me - my family and my girlfriend, those who helped me at the accident site, the surgeons, doctors, and nurses at KU Med, my coaches, teammates,friends, teachers, staff, and the USD 329 and Alma community. I can feel sorry that this happened to me, or I can get on with my life, and I chose the second option!”
After Karsten’s bio was read the crowd gave a standing ovation for him and his efforts and comeback throughout this last year. I, Coach Tim Klein, would like to thank the enormous support that has been shown to Karsten from the School, Community and Region. That support is what has driven him to succeed and to find his God given purpose.
Pictured below left to right is Coach Tim Klein, Karsten Breiner and Randy Walling, President of Kansas Coaching Association. Presenting the award to Karsten at the KBCA All Star Game in Salina.