Derek Moeller-Smith

Freelance Journalist

United States

Derek Moeller-Smith is an award-winning journalist, writer, and editor with a deep background in both print and digital media. Over the years, he has reported on everything from high school sports to local politics, education, and community issues.

His bylines have appeared in SB Nation, CBS Sports, Yahoo Sports, the Emporia (Kan.) Gazette, the Junction City (Kan.) Daily Union, and the DeKalb County (Ga.) Champion. His work has earned multiple honors from the Kansas Press Association, including awards for Feature Writing, Sports Column Writing, and Front Page Design.

He currently lives in Sevierville, Tenn., where he enjoys mountain life with his wife and two young children.

Portfolio

Football

Junction City (Kan.) Daily Union
09/05/2015
Blue Jays dominate Highland Park 56-14 in season opener

It was never really in doubt. The Junction City Blue Jays racked up 28 points in the first quarter on their way to a 56-14 drubbing of the Highland Park Scots Friday night at Al Simpler Stadium.

Basketball

Junction City (Kan.) Daily Union
02/28/2015
Blue Jays top Topeka West 63-54

Ricardo Erans scored 17 points and Tanner Lueker followed with 15 to lead the Junction City Blue Jays to a 63-54 victory over the Topeka West Chargers

Junction City (Kan.) Daily Union
02/28/2015
Ending on a High Note

Lady Jays overcome struggles, beat Topeka West 58-53

Baseball

Junction City (Kan.) Daily Union
05/27/2016
Blue Jays falter late, lose State bid to Blue Valley, 5-1

When freshman Blue Jay pitcher Thane McDaniel made it through his fifth inning, allowing just one run to a team which had lost only two games this season, it looked as though maybe, just maybe, after three Regional titles in a row, Junction City had finally found a way to make it past the first round of the State tournament. But, one inning later, the hopes of the Blue Jay faithful faded as the Tigers scored four runs and advanced past Junction City with a 5-1 victory.

Junction City (Kan.) Daily Union
07/26/2016
Roll Brigade

Ruiz homers, Brigade capture 2016 Cowdin Cup Championship

Junction City (Kan.) Daily Union
07/09/2016
Brigade clinch west division championship

The Junction City Brigade had three goals coming into the 2016 season. When the final out was recorded in an 11-5 victory over the Sabetha Lobos Thursday night, the first goal was complete.

Features

Junction City (Kan.) Daily Union
08/06/2015
Bob Bramlage: A racing life

Like many of us, Bob Bramlage finds peace in meditation. But, unlike many of us, he meditates in excess of 150 miles per hour, gripping three quarters of a ton of metal, propelled by explosions in cylinders.

Junction City (Kan.) Daily Union
07/23/2015
Nick Heath attacks adversity with love of baseball

In a backyard in the East Lake neighborhood of Atlanta about 20 years ago, an infant Nick Heath opened his tiny hand and clutched a baseball. As if guided by instinct, he bent his arm back and threw it. He wasn’t coached or pushed. It was natural. As he grew, the instinct never faded.

Commentary

Junction City (Kan.) Daily Union
06/11/2016
Brock Turner outrage is justified, but let’s not miss the mark

There are no words in the English language to describe the horror of rape. The idea that a person would feel so entitled that they could claim possession of another person’s body without consent is... there just isn’t a word for it.

Junction City (Kan.) Daily Union
10/15/2016
Still not a fan of Tyreek Hill

Tyreek Hill punched and choked his pregnant girlfriend in 2014. He also happens to play football for the Chiefs. But I lead off with that other thing, because whether he understands it or not, Hill made a decision when he laid a violent hand on his girlfriend — the woman carrying his child — that he would be defined by that action for the rest of his life.

News