Kansas State University

The National Strategic Selling Institute hosted virtual tryouts for the 2020-2021 K-State Sales Team on April 19-21. The tryouts were sponsored by Gartner and consisted of three rounds through a virtual platform. Tryouts allowed for 19 students to compete against each other for student merit awards and an opportunity to interview for a spot on the K-State Sales Team.  

"Thank you to the Kansas State Sales Team for allowing Gartner to sponsor the team tryouts," said Stephanie Shull, university recruiter with Gartner. "We were blown away by the talent the students demonstrated. It is clear why Kansas State has such a successful sales team year after year — these students are going to be the face of the professional sales industry." 

Cecilia Nancarrow, junior in professional strategic selling, Overland Park, placed first and will receive a $1,000 student merit award. Katie Horton, junior in marketing and professional strategic selling, Overland Park, placed second and will receive a $750 student merit award. Lucas Johnson, junior in professional strategic selling, Lawrence, placed third and will receive a $500 student merit award. 

The following students competed in the tryouts: 

• Molly Bechtel, sophomore in business administration, Overland Park.
• Alyssa Fullington, sophomore in journalism and mass communication, Wichita.
• Hunter Hartner, incoming freshman in business administration, Belleville. 
• Zach Hoeven, junior in professional strategic selling, Olathe.
• Katie Horton, junior in marketing and professional strategic selling, Overland Park.
• Lucas Johnson, junior in professional strategic selling, Lawrence.
• Lydia Johnson, freshman in business administration, Prior Lake, Minnesota.
• Cameron Jones, sophomore professional strategic selling, Lenexa.
• Landen King, junior in professional strategic selling, Overland Park.
• Kara Krannawitter, junior in marketing and professional strategic selling, Lawrence. 
• Abby Kate LaSala, sophomore in finance, Overland Park. 
• Matt Maurer, sophomore in business administration, Overland Park.
• Stacia Mendoza, freshman in business administration, Lenexa. 
• Cecilia Nancarrow, junior in professional strategic selling, Overland Park.
• Quin Napier, freshman in business administration, Fairway.
• Ryan Osterhaus, freshman in business administration, Topeka. 
• Benjamin Rauth, junior in professional strategic selling, Kansas City, Missouri.  
• Collin Thompson, sophomore in professional strategic selling, Olathe. 
• Colton Williams, freshman in business administration, Osage City. 

All 19 students who participated in the competition received a $50 student merit award for Round 1. The students who advanced to Round 2 and the Final Round received an additional $50 merit award for each round of participation. Each round consisted of a role-play scenario with a representative from Gartner acting as the buyer and facilitating the conversation.  

"We greatly appreciate Gartner's support in providing this opportunity for our students in a virtual environment," said Kellie Jackson, managing director of the National Strategic Selling Institute. "Their continuous support and partnership of our program are very important to us as we continue to educate and develop the next generation of sales talent."   

The K-State Sales Team is in the College of Business Administration’s National Strategic Selling Institute, which has been named one of the top sales programs in the country for nine straight years by the Sales Education Foundation. The team consists of students who are enrolled in the certificate or major in professional strategic selling. In fall 2018, Kansas State became just the 19th university in the U.S. to offer a major in professional strategic selling. Students can also earn a certificate in professional strategic selling, which is open to all majors at the university. The professional strategic selling program introduces students to the fundamentals of sales and through the innovative curriculum and sales labs allows students to develop the skills needed to be successful. 
 
For more information on Sales Team, please contact Jackson, Sales Team coach, at kelliejackson@k-state.edu.