Up in the Hutchinson and Nickerson area John Ontjes is known as one of the region’s best-ever athletes.
At Nickerson High School he earned all-state honors in football, basketball and baseball. After two good basketball seasons at Hutchinson Community College he headed to OU for more of the same.
John Ontjes was an acclaimed athlete at Nickerson High School and OU. He is s now the coach of the Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team. He's been an avid hunter most of his life.
As point guard he was the Big 8’s top new-comer in 1994. He currently coaches the women’s basketball team at HCC. Under his guidance last year’s 31-6 record was the best in school history.
Ontjes, 36, has been into hunting about as long as he’s been into sports.
He started pheasant and quail hunting with his father, Jim, when he was about 12. Ontjes has since added other pursuits.
Bowhunting is probably his favorite.
“It’s a way to get really close to nature,” Ontjes said. “It’s a great way to get out and see what’s really going on.” He’s yet to bowhunt this fall because of committents to his team and family.
About five years ago he got into waterfowl hunting, largely as a way to spend more time with his father. They mostly hunt a private pond in western Reno County.
The same coordination that made him a star athlete has also gained Ontjes a reputation as a pretty deadly shot.
Tuesday morning he held his own within a group of four hunters that got 14 ducks. One drake mallard, however, gave him the slip.
“I have good days and bad days,” Ontjes said. “It’s always fun to be out.”