Arena football league

LHS alum Polk honored

Columbus Destroyers safety JoJo Polk, a Lawrence High product, was named the Arena Football League’s defensive player of the week after making a game-high eight tackles in Sunday’s 55-46 win over Orlando.

Polk also had two pass deflections, a forced fumble and his second interception of the season. He leads the team with 37 tackles (30 solo), eight pass deflections and the two pass thefts.

Polk, who played at Coffeyville Community College and Northeastern (Okla.) State, was named the AFL’s most inspirational player in 2001 after battling back from a serious neck injury suffered during the 2000 season.

Polk, 25, is a 1996 LHS graduate.

Area college football

Baker hires Thoren

Baldwin — Former Lawrence High and Kansas University football standout Jason Thoren has joined new Baker University coach Mike Grossner’s staff.

Thoren, who spent the last three seasons as a graduate assistant at Minnesota University while completing work on a masters degree, will coach BU’s defensive line.

Prior to his stint at Minnesota, Thoren, 28, spent the 2000 season as linebackers and tight ends coach at Free State High.

As a Lawrence High senior in 1993, Thoren was the recipient of the Simone Award, given to the most outstanding high school football player in the Kansas City metro area. At KU, Thoren was a starting linebacker for four seasons (1994-97).