From mock scenarios to real opportunities, these students are ready to compete, connect and close
Members of K-State’s Sales Team won’t try to sell you the Brooklyn Bridge. But that doesn’t mean they couldn’t.
As part of K-State’s highly ranked National Strategic Selling Institute, the Sales Team is an opportunity for sales students to strengthen their professional selling skills through national competitions. The 2025-26 K-State sales team will be the largest ever, with 21 students practicing and competing to be the top salesperson.
During tryouts, which were sponsored by Shamrock Trading Corporation, potential team members battled through four rounds of salesperson scenarios in a quest to join the award-winning team. Established in 2011, the Sales Team won its first competition in 2014 and has gone one to win many others including placing first in the 2021 Collegiate World Cup of Sales.
“With our expanded structure, faculty coaches are now leading specialized training for different competitions, allowing students to receive more personalized coaching and development,” said Dawn Deeter, NSSI director and K-State Sales Team coach. “I’m thrilled to see such a strong group of driven, adaptable and eager students represent K-State, and I look forward to watching them grow and compete on a national stage.”
The team, sponsored by corporate partner and longtime NSSI supporter Ninja Selling, will travel to up to five regional and national sales competitions in the 2025-26 academic year.
Members of the 2025-26 team
- Sam Swickard, junior in finance, Bucyrus
- Sara Smith, sophomore in management, Clay Center
- Blake Warner, freshman in marketing, Lawrence
- Dylan Cooper, sophomore in agribusiness, Lenexa
- Suzanna Matulis, freshman in professional strategic selling, Lenexa
- Addison Fogarty, freshman in marketing, Olathe
- Brendan Follis, freshman in marketing, Overland Park
- Gavin Hottovy, sophomore in professional strategic selling, Overland Park
- Ashley Ward, sophomore in professional strategic selling, Paola
- Drew McGinn, junior in professional strategic selling, Sedgwick
- Ethan Bray, sophomore in professional strategic selling, Spring Hill
- Blake Burleson, junior in professional strategic selling, Wichita
- Abby Rawson, sophomore in professional strategic selling, Kansas City, Missouri
- Elizabeth Enos, junior in professional strategic selling, Platte City, Missouri
- Noah Ricks, sophomore in finance, Plano, Texas
Peer coaches
- Zoey Stec, senior in personal financial planning, Atchison
- Halle Hartner, senior in professional strategic selling, Belleville
- Kiera Rader, junior in professional strategic selling, Overland Park
- Cuyler Kietzmann, junior in professional strategic selling, Tonganoxie
- Bryce Disberger, senior in finance, Wamego
- Hailey Rozell, senior in professional strategic selling, Round Rock, Texas
Written by: Heather Ackerly
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