Seaman Vikings
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman showed its outstanding quality in Friday's girls City Swimming and Diving Championships at the Capitol Federal Natatorium, winning eight of 12 events.
But in the end it was Washburn Rural's superior depth that ruled the day, with the Junior Blues winning their 21st straight team title by a 580.50-490 margin over the Vikings.
Washburn Rural celebrates its city girls swimming championship Friday at the Capitol Federal Natatorium. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"We do have that depth,'' Washburn Rural coach Bob Burdick said. "I felt pretty good about today overall. I knew Seaman was going to walk in and try to take first place in as many events as they could and I would do that if I had those kids, too.
"But our depth pulled it out. We worked really hard this last week to drop times to make sure we came into this with time drops with everybody and that paid off.''
Burdick said that everyone on the team contributed to the Rural championship.
"Everybody did contribute and I'm really proud of the girls,'' Burdick said. "They worked hard and they earned this.''
Avery Walz, Seaman
Tauren Walz, Seaman
Joslynn Grace, Seaman
Seaman got two individual wins apiece from Avery Walz (100-yard freestyle, 100 backstroke), Tauren Walz (50 freestyle, 100 butterfly) and Joslynn Grace (200 individual medley, 100 breaststroke) and the Vikings' star trio teamed with Avery Samuelson to win the 200 medley and 200 free relays.
Washburn Rural, meanwhile, got individual victories from Audrey Appuhnn in the 200 freestyle and 500 free and Appuhn teamed with Sophie Heinen, Jella Belgardt and Genevieve Miranda to win the meet-ending 400 free relay while Rhiannon Good and Hayden's Kaylee Gregg shared the one-meter diving title, tying in that event in Thursday's diving competition.
The Junior Blues put Appuhn, Belgardt, Miranda, Good, Madeline O'Brien and Molly Didde on the All-City first team, while the Walz twins and Grace represent Seaman on the first team, along with Topeka High's Hara Del Castillo, Shawnee Heights' Ashtynn Landry and Kaitlyn Aldridge and Hayden's Gregg and Presley Green.
Seaman, Shawnee Heights and Topeka West will compete in the United Kansas Conference meet at the Cap Fed Natatorium on Tuesday while Hayden, Topeka High and Washburn Rural will compete in the Centennial League meet, which will be held at Cap Fed on Thursday.
CITY SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
The Seaman Vikings swept a softball doubleheader with Shawnee Heights at Lake Shawnee Friday, holding on to win the first game, then blasting away in the second.
“We asked our kids today to have a standard of excellence,” said Seaman coach Jay Monhollon. “When you do that, everybody’s got to buy into that standard. When that happens, that expectation creates positive feelings and you’re able to do your job for the team.”
Seaman senior Jersey Jellison hit a home run and a pair of doubles as the Vikings closed out a twinbill sweep over Shawnee Heights with a 12-1 second-game win. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Seaman junior Kaelyn O'Rourke (5) picked up the first-game pitching win against Shawnee Heights with clutch relief help from sophomore Addison Sibley. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The first game wasn’t won without some tense moments for the Vikings.
After mounting an 8-2 advantage early, Seaman watched the T-Birds begin to steadily chip away. Shawnee Heights rallied in the bottom of the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to narrow the deficit to 8-6.
The T-Birds would get no closer in the final inning. Relief pitcher Addison Sibley shut down the threat in the bottom of the seventh to close it out.
“All I’m doing is just pitching the ball,” Sibley said of holding off the surging T-Birds. “My defense has got my back and is making those great plays behind me. We weren’t nervous.”
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
A total of 18 players representing seven city high schools will compete in state tennis tournments next Friday and Saturday at three sites.
Washburn Rural senior Lawsen Lobatos (left) and sophomore Dylan Willingham won a Class 6A regional doubles championship Friday in Junction City. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Leading the city contingent for state is Centennial League and city team champ Washburn Rural, which added a Class 6A regional championship on Friday at Junction City by a 23-14 margin over Maize while qualifying all six players for the 6A state tournament at Wichita's Riverside Tennis Complex.
Washburn Rural senior Dylan Dodge posted a second-place singles finish in the Junction City 6A regional, helping the Junior Blues claim the team title. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Rural senior Lawsen Lobatos and sophomore Dylan Willingham captured the regional doubles title with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Manhattan's Michael Hwang and Jack Spiegel while senior Dylan Dodge also advanced to the final, finishing second after a 6-4, 6-1 loss to Hayden Herrera of Maize.
Sophomore Keegan Knudtson posted a third-place regional finish for the Junior Blues, taking a 6-2, 6-2 win over Maize's Anvith Natarajan in the third-place match at regionals while sophomores Cale Deutscher and Brayden Kohls finished third in doubles with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-0 win over Topeka High senior Tate Hodges and junior Alex Raymond in the third-place matches.
Hodges and Raymond also punched their ticket to state, giving the city eight state qualifiers.
CLASS 5A REGIONAL AT EMPORIA
Topeka West, Seaman and Shawnee Heights will send a total of six players to the 5A state tournament at the Andover District Tennis Complex.
Returning Class 5A state placers Caden McGee (left) and Caleb Weybrew finished second in doubles at regionals to earn a state berth. [File photo/TSN]
United Kansas Conference champion Topeka West, the 2023 5A state champion, will send three players to state, with seniors Caden McGee and Caleb Weybrew finishing second at regionals in doubles while Charger senior James Maag finished third in singles.
McGee and Weybrew dropped a tough three-set decision in the finals to Blue Valley Southwest's Saket Jogannath and Vidhu Reddy, with the Southwest duo taking a 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 win.
Maag finished third at regionals with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Patrick Lacy of St. Thomas Aquinas in the third-place match as Topeka West finished third as a team.
Seaman senior Gavin Dutton qualified for state with a sixth-place regional finish in singles while Shawnee Heights seniors Roscoe Poyner and Alex Austin finished sixth in doubles.
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
On a night filled with outstanding individual performances, Washburn Rural used its depth to sweep the team titles in Friday's Joe Schrag City Championship at Hummer Sports Park.
Washburn Rural's boys track and field team poses for a team picture Friday night after winning the title in the Joe Schrag City Championship at Hummer Sports Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural's girls track and field team poses for a team picture Friday night after winning the title in the Joe Schrag City Championship. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The Junior Blues posted a total of 12 event wins on the night (seven boys, five girls), but more importantly had top-three finishes in 22 events (12 boys, 10 girls) en route.
The result was a 195-132 win over Seaman for the Washburn Rural boys and a 177.5-140 victory over Hayden for the Junior Blue girls in the team standings.
Highlights for the Rural boys included a pair of wins from senior Josh Sulzen-Watson in the discus (167 feet, 9 inches) and javelin (195-8), a city meet record from Shane Jueneman, Liam Morrison, Draden Chooncharoen and Isaiah Terry in the 4x400-meter relay (3:21.64) and a one-two-three finish from Morrison, Cody Ingenthron and Braylon Badger in the 300 hurdles, with Morrison winning in 39.58.
The Junior Blues also got individual wins from Titan Osburn in the high jump (6-2), Jacob Litton in the pole vault (11-6) and Terry in the 400 dash (49.53).
On the girls side, Rural got wins from Raegan Petersen in the discus (113-9), Morgan Ray in the javelin (129-10), Molly Worley in the high jump (5-0), Emily Graf in the 3,200 (11:38.14) and from Madison Blanco, Analese Estudillo, Emme Blanco and Worley in the 4x100 relay (49.83).
Other top performances:
Seaman sophomore Ryin Miller set city meet records in the girls 1,600 and 800 meters and also anchored the Vikings to a win in the 4x400 relay. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
• Seaman sophomore Ryin Miller continued to establish herself as one of Kansas' top performers (all classes, all events), setting city meet records in the girls 1,600 and 800 while also anchoring the Vikings' 4x400 relay to a victory.
Miller obliberated the previous meet record by just under 27 seconds with a winning time of 4 minutes, 46.90 seconds and knocked more than seven seconds off the previous meet record in the 800 with a victory in 2:10.62.
Miller also ran a 56-second anchor leg on the 4x400 relay, teaming with Taylie Heston, Jaida Stallbaumer and Ally Steiner for a win in 4:03.70.
Seaman junior Jaida Stallbaumer (4) won city titles in the 100 and 300-meter hurdles and also ran on the Vikings' winning 4x400 relay team. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
• Seaman junior Jaida Stallbaumer also had a hand in three victories on the night, sweeping the titles in the 100 hurdles (16.85) and 300 hurdles (48.3) before running on the Vikings' winning 4x400 relay.
Shawnee Heights senior Jackson Esquibel (left) won the boys 1,600 and 800 meters in Friday's Joe Schrag City Championship at Hummer Sports Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
• Shawnee Heights senior star Jackson Esquibel, a Class 5A state champ in track and cross country, was a double boys individual city winner, with the Kansas State signee winning the boys 1,00 in 4:20.63 and the 800 in 1:56.43.
Seaman senior Aaron Merritt won city meet titles in the 110 hurdles and 100-meter dash Friday night. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
• Seaman senior Aaron Merritt posted back-to-back boys wins in the 110 high hurdles (14.48) and 100 dash (10.63) while also finishing a close second in the 200 (22.09) and anchoring the Vikings' 4x100 relay to a runnerup finish in the 4x100 relay (43.33).
Hayden's Finn Dunshee (second from left) won the city title in the 200-meter dash Friday night and also finished second in the 100 and ran on the Wildcats' winning 4x100 relay. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
• Hayden senior Finn Dunshee won the boys 200 in a time of 22.05 and teamed with Jackson McGivern, Liam Stegman and Jensen Schrickel to win the 4x100 relay (42.73) while also finishing second in the 100 (10.79) and running on the Wildcats' second-place 4x400 relay (3:24.33).
Hayden junior Jensen Schrickel went 22-5.50 to win the long jump title in Friday's Joe Schrag City Championship. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Schrickel added a win in the long jump at 22-5.50, finished second in the 400 (49.84) and also ran on the Wildcats' runnerup 4x400 relay.
Topeka High sophomore Keimara Marshall (left) swept the 100 and 200-meter dashes in Friday's city meet at Hummer Sports Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Topeka High freshman Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton won city titles in the girls long jump and triple jump Friday at Hummer Sports Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
• Topeka High sophomore Keimara Marshall and freshman Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton were both double gold medalists in the girls division Friday night, with Marshall winning the 100 (12.62) and the 200 (26.71) and Rayton taking the city titles in the long jump (17-2) and the triple jump (37-10.25).
Marshall and Rayton also ran on Topeka High's second-place 4x100 relay team (50.78).
JOE SCHRAG CITY CHAMPIONSHIP
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly track and field honor roll for Shawnee County high schools throughout the 2024 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
BOYS
100 METERS
Aaron Merritt, Seaman 10.48
Finn Dunshee, Hayden 10.73
Evan Scheid, Silver Lake 11.10
Malachi Murph, Topeka High 11.12
Payton Berry-Briggs, Shawnee Heights 11.24
Aaron Merritt, Seaman
200 METERS
Aaron Merritt, Seaman 22.08
Finn Dunshee, Hayden 22.25
Payton Berry-Briggs, Shawnee Heights 22.32
Malachi Murph, Topeka High 22.40
Tyren Parker, Shawnee Heights 22.76
400 METERS
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden 49.17
Payton Berry-Briggs, Shawnee Heights 49.95
Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural 50.07
Evan Scheid, Silver Lake 51.16
Shane Jueneman, Washburn Rural 51.26
800 METERS
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 1:58.46
Brody Anderson, Seaman 1:59.81
Eli Ferguson, Silver Lake 2:00.77
Logan Townsend, Seaman 2:06.27
Mark Wilkie, Topeka West 2:07.11
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights
1,600 METERS
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 4:22.45
Brody Anderson, Seaman 4:31.11
Eli Ferguson, Silver Lake 4:33.55
Adrian Lehman, Topeka West 4:34.21
Elijah Phelps, Topeka West 4:36.97
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly track and field honor roll for Shawnee County high schools throughout the 2024 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
GIRLS
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High
100 METERS
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High 12.42
Kielyn McDonnell, Rossville 12.78
Alana Mitchell, Hayden 12.87
Ally Steiner, Seaman 12.92
Mi'Luv Cosey, Highland Park 13.10
200 METERS
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High 26.32
Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka High 26.88
Miluv Cosey, Highland Park 27.04
Shayla Rezac, Rossville 27.12
Ally Steiner, Seaman 27.17
Natalie Hillebert, Hayden
400 METERS
Natalie Hillebert, Hayden 59.59
Ella Bolan, Silver Lake 61.69
Shayla Rezac, Rossville 62.46
Ava Rottinghaus, Silver Lake 63.15
Rae North, Hayden 64.21
800 METERS
Ryin Miller, Seaman 2:10.25
Payton Fink, Washburn Rural 2:25.13
Emily Graf, Washburn Rural 2:28.40
Taylie Heston, Seaman 2:28.82
Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural 2:29.09
Ryin MIller, Seaman
1,600 METERS
Ryin Miller, Seaman 4:53.37
Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural 5:12.51
Payton Fink, Washburn Rural 5:14.08
Emily Graf, Washburn Rural 5:21.07
Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural 5:34.57
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
It's been a challenging but very successful last few days for Washburn Rural's boys tennis team.
Washburn Rural's boys tennis team poses for a picture after winning Wednesday's city team championship at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The eventful stretch began with last Thursday's city meet being postponed by inclement weather and continued in Monday's Centennial League meet, which Brad Johnston's Junior Blues won despite playing without top singles players Dylan Dodge and Keegan Knudtson, who were out of state on a school-related trip.
City schools also had to deal with weather uncertainty again on Wednesday, with teams initially reporting to Plan B indoor venue Genesis before the weather conditions vastly improved and the city championships were able to go on as planned at Kossover Tennis Center.
And once city competitors got back to Kossover and were treated to near-perfect conditions, Washburn Rural did the rest, sweeping all four individual titles on the way to a perfect team score and a 36-26 win over 2023 city champ Topeka West.
"The boys obviously kept their heads and stayed level-headed and finished the job,'' Johnston said. "I feel like we're at the top of our game right now and I feel like they're going to keep performing at a high level.
"Obviously you just never know, but I'm proud of where they're at and proud of where they're working towards.''
Dodge, a senior, and sophomore Knudtson swept the No. 1 and No. 2 singles championships while senior Lawsen Lobatos and sophomore Dylan Willingham prevailed in No. 1 doubles and sophomores Brayden Kohls and Cale Duetscher completed the sweep with the title in No. 2 doubles.
Washburn Rural senior Lawsen Lobatos makes a return during Wednesday's city meet at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Sophomore Dylan Willingham helped Washburn Rural post a perfect team score in Wednesday's city boys tennis championships at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The match of the day was the No. 1 doubles final, with Lobatos and Willingham avenging an earlier tiebreaker loss to Topeka West returning Class 5A medalists Caden McGee and Caleb Weybrew, with the Rural duo taking a hard-earned 8-6 victory.
"You never want to lose to your city rivals, so losing in their invitational of course it gives us motivation to practice and try harder and go and play other, better guys afterwards to just prepare for it and then to come back and win is pretty nice,'' Lobatos said. "Winning and sweeping city as a team is great motivation and great momentum going into regionals.''
"It doesn't get any better,'' Willingham said. "Winning now is perfect because we have all the momentum going to regionals. I lost to them last year and I lost to them this year. I was tired of losing and I was so glad we got the win today.''
Washburn Rural senior Dylan Dodge won the city No. 1 singles championship on Wednesday after winning the No. 2 doubles title as a junior. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Dodge, who won a city title in No. 2 doubles as a junior, made it two city titles in a row with Wednesday's 8-4 win over Cair Paravel Latin sophomore Drew Fay.
"That was one of the things on the top of my list of goals,'' Dodge said. "To win city is a big achievement I feel like, especially in Topeka, because tennis has a very rich tradition here.
"This is a big confidence boost for regionals and hopefully I can carry this into regionals and state.''
Knudtson added the No. 2 singles crown with an 8-6 win over Topeka West's Mark Cianciarulo while Kohls and Duetscher took an 8-5 win over Seaman's Noah Andrews and Austin Bramlett in the No. 2 doubles final.
Hayden and Cair Paravel will begin two days of 3A-1A regional competition on Thursday in Marysville while the remaining six city teams will compete on Friday.
Rural and Topeka High will compete in a 6A meet in Junction City while Highland Park, Seaman, Shawnee Heights and Topeka West will compete in a 5A meet at Emporia.
The top six regional finishers in singles and doubles will qualify for state tournaments on May 10-11.
The 6A state tournament will be played in Wichita, 5A in Andover and 3A-1A in Prairie Village.
CITY BOYS TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Two years, two United Kansas Conference titles for Topeka West tennis.
The Chargers, who won the 2023 UKC crown in their first year in the league on the way to the Class 5A championship, swept the singles and doubles titles in Tuesday's meet at Kossover Tennis Center on the way to a title repeat by a 65-61 margin over Piper.
"Today was a little bit tighter of a tournament than last year was,'' Topeka West coach Kurt Davids said. "Hats off to Piper, their first year of having a program and placing second in league and pushing us right to the end.''
Topeka West tennis poses for a team picture after winning its second straight United Kansas Conference team title. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Topeka West seniors Caden McGee (left) and James Maag both reached the 100-win miletone in Tuesday's UKC tennis meet. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Topeka West's senior trio of doubles players Caden McGee and Caleb Weybrew and singles player James Maag keyed the Chargers' title run, with McGee and Weybrew taking an 8-1 win over Piper in the doubles final while Maag took an 8-0 win over Piper's John Vogel.
Both McGee and Weybrew and Maag entered Tuesday's tournament as favorites and came through for the Chargers.
"They kind of did was expected of them,'' Davids said of McGee, Weybrew and Maag, all returning 5A state placers.
The Chargers also got a fifth-place finish from the doubles team of seniors Alex Engel and Cori Bidwell.
"My (No.) 2 doubles, players of the day guess,'' Davids said. "They were seeded 10th coming in and they finished fifth and their only loss on the day was to the team that finished second, so they really stepped up and come through for us. Without that we wouldn't have done it.''
McGee and Maag also reached career milestones on Tuesday, with both Charger standouts reaching the 100-win mark.
"It's a good milestone, and I didn't even know it was happening,'' Davids said. "I'm just kind of accustomed to those guys being successful and congrats to them and hopefully we'll add a few more than that.''
Seaman finished third as a team in Tuesday's meet while Shawnee Heights tied for fifth.
West, Seaman and Shawnee Heights are also scheduled to compete in the city championship at Kossover on Wednesday before competing in a 5A regional Friday at Emporia.
"I think we're picking at the right time and we're moving in the right direction,'' Davids said.
UNITED KANSAS CONFERENCE TENNIS
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Aaron Merritt missed a fourth gold medal in Monday's Bob Camien/Claudia Welch Seaman Relays by an eyelash, but that did nothing to detract from a spectacular day for the Seaman senior.
Seaman senior Aaron Merritt and Topeka High junior Jaxon Cowdin finished one-two in the boys 110-meter high hurdles Monday at Seaman. [Photo by Charles Spurlock/Special to TSN]
Seaman senior Aaron Merritt (left) and Hayden senior Finn Dunshee (second from left) went one-two in the boys 100-meter dash Monday at Seaman. [Photo by Charles Spurlock/Special to TSN]
Merritt posted individual victories in the boys 100-meter dash in 10.48 seconds and in the 110 high hurdles in 14.31 seconds and also teamed with Peyton Holmes, Bryce Cochran and Jacob Anderson to give Seaman a win in the 4x100 relay in 42.62 seconds.
Merritt posted personal records in both of his individual wins while the Viking relay also improved its best time.
"It was a very good day,'' he said.
Merritt capped his performance with a nailbiting loss in the 200 dash, with Olathe North's Joseph Ouellette, running in another heat, taking the win in 22.13 seconds, with Merritt second in 22.20.
"I talked to (Ouellette) and he hadn't ran it for awhile and I'm happy for him,'' Merritt said. "He ran a big (personal record) and good for him. I wish I could have raced against him.''
After fighting through an ankle injury earlier in the season, Merritt said he's ready for the end-of-the-year grind of city, United Kansas Conference, Class 5A regional and state competition.
"I'm all the way back now,'' Merritt said. "I just need to get some reps in and I'll be back to where I was. I'm pretty confident in where I am and where I need to be.
"Today showed me that my 200 needs some work, some speed and endurance work, but I'm very happy with my 110, 100 and 4x1. Those were all great.''
Other meet highlights:
Seaman sophomore Brody Anderson was the boys 1,600 meters champion in Monday's Bob Camien/Claudia Welch Seaman Relays. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
• Seaman also got a win from sophomore Brody Anderson in the boys 1,600 meters in 4:31.11 while Silver Lake senior Eli Ferguson finished third in 4:33.55 while setting a school record.
• Topeka West senior Alesecio Batson, the defending 5A state champion, won the boys triple jump at 44-7.
Seaman junior Jaida Stallbaumer (middle) won the girls 100-meter hurdles in Monday's Bob Camien/Claudia Welch Seaman Relays. [Photo by Brent Maycock/KSHSAA Covered]
• Seaman junior Jaida Stallbaumer won the girls 100 hurdles in 16.06.
• Hayden's boys won the 4x400 relay in 3:26.00 and finished second in the 4x100 relay in 43.02 while senior Finn Dunshee finished second in the 100 in 10.73 and third in the 200 in 22.25 and junior Jensen Schrickel was fourth in the 400 in 49.31.
• Washburn Rural's team of Payton Fink, Emily Graf, Brooklyn Nolte and Rylee Ismert won the 4x800 relay in 9:38.21.
• Topeka High junior Jaxon Cowdin finished a strong second in both the boys 110 and 300 hurdles, clocking a time of 15.35 in the 110 highs and 41.59 in the 300s.
• Topeka High finished second in the girls 4x100 relay in 50.86 while sophomore Keimara Marshall was third in the 100 (12.42) and fourth in the 200 (26.54) and freshman Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton was second in the triple jump (37-7.50) and third in the long jump (17-8).
Hayden senior Natalie Hillebert finished second in the girls 400-meter dash Monday at Seaman. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
• Hayden senior Natalie Hillebert was the runnerup in the 400 dash in 59.59.
Silver Lake senior Ava Rottinghaus finished second in the girls javelin in Monday's Bob Camien/Claudia Welch Seaman Relays. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
• Silver Lake senior Ava Rottinghaus finished second in the girls javelin with a best throw of 128 feet.
• Silver Lake senior Blake Redmond topped the 22-foot in the boys long jump, finishing fourth at 22-3.50.
BOB CAMIEN/CLAUDIA WELCH SEAMAN RELAYS
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Myles Alonzo
MYLES ALONZO, Topeka West
A senior, Alonzo captured his first city boys golf individual championship last Monday at Topeka Country Club, winning by four strokes with a 27-hole total of 117. After finishing second in a playoff in the 2023 city tournament, Alonzo's city title was his second straight individual win after shooting a 71 to win the Salina South Invitational.
Audrey Appuhn
AUDREY APPUHN, Washburn Rural
Appuhn, a sophomore, had a part in four wins (two individual, two relays) to lead Washburn Rural's girls swimming to the team championship in last Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational at the Capitol Federal Natatorium by more than 200 points. Appuhn won the 200-yard individual medley in 2 minutes, 12.29 seconds and the 500 freestyle in 5:18.81 and swam on the Junior Blues' winning 200 medley relay (2:04.40) and the 400 free relay (4:08.67).
Bryce Badsky
BRYCE BADSKY, Silver Lake
A senior, Badsky carded a 73 in last Monday's Silver Lake Invitational at Lake Shawnee to capture the individual championship by a 10-stroke margin. Badsky, a three-time state medalist, led the host Eagles to the team title by a seven-stroke margin over a split squad from Santa Fe Trail. Badsky is a three-time All-Shawnee County first-team pick.
By VINCE FRYE, Chairman
Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame Selection Committee
The selection committee for the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame has selected local sports greats Bob Benoit, Jim Golden, Kelsey (Chipman) Stringer and Nick Stringer as the Class of 2024 for induction into the local shrine on June 26.
Former PBA bowling star Bob Benoit, now the head coach at Seaman, will be inducted into the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame on June 26 at Washburn University. [PBA Facebook]
Silver Lake baseball legend and former Major Leaguer Jim Golden will be inducted into the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame on June 26. [Submitted photo]
Kelsey (Chipman) Stringer, a former volleyball star at Washburn Rural and Kansas State, is a member of the 2024 Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame induction class. [Kansas State Athletics]
Former Hayden state champion and Kansas State All-Big 12 offensive lineman Nick Stringer will be inducted into the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame on June 26. [Kansas State Athletics]
TopSports.news, in partnership with the University of Kansas Health System St Francis Campus, A-1 Lock and Key, Washburn University, Capital Label, Peggy's Tax and Accounting and the Jamie Hornbaker State Farm Insurance Agency, will host the 19th annual Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards/Hall of Fame induction ceremony on June 26, 2024 at Washburn's Memorial Union.
Benoit was a star on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour in the 1980s and 1990s with four PBA titles and he was the first bowler to ever roll a perfect 300 game in a televised title match. Benoit is currently the boys and girls bowling coach at Seaman High School and he has coached the Vikings to three state team championships.
Golden carved out a legendary high school career at Silver Lake, leading the Eagles to back-to-back state baseball titles while establishing strikeout records that still stand today. Golden went on to pitch in the Major Leagues for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Colt .45s.
Kelsey (Chipman) Stringer and Nick Stringer will become the second husband-wife duo inducted into the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame, joining James Patrick and Nadira (Hazim) Patrick.
Kelsey starred at Washburn Rural and Nick at Hayden, where they both were part of state championship teams, before both went on to play at Kansas State, with Kelsey earning All-Big 12 recognition in volleyball and Nick earning first-team All-Big 12 honors in football as an offensive lineman.
Shawnee County's top senior high school student-athletes will be also be honored on June 26th.
Shawnee County high schools Cair Paravel Latin, Hayden, Highland Park, Rossville, Seaman, Shawnee Heights, Silver Lake, Topeka High, Topeka West and Washburn Rural have been asked to nominate one female and male candidate with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average as outstanding student-athlete nominees for the fall, winter and spring seasons. County high schools have also been asked to nominate a female and male candidate for most inspirational athlete.
A committee of local media members will select the 2024 winners, including the selection of overall female and male athletes of the year.
Washburn Rural's Brooklyn DeLeye and Highland Park's Tre Richardson were named the overall athletes of the year in 2023.
The nominees for this year's high school awards will be announced in early June after the conclusion of the spring high school season.
In addition, TSN will recognize Braden Rose and Khloe Schuckman as Washburn University's 2023-2024 male and female Athletes of the Year.
Hall of Fame Class of 2024 capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly girls swimming and diving honor roll for Topeka high schools throughout the 2024 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
200-YARD MEDLEY RELAY
Seaman 1:58.69
Washburn Rural 2:04.07
Shawnee Heights 2:13.20
Hayden 2:13.49
Topeka High 2:18.14
Avery Walz, Seaman
200-YARD FREESTYLE
Avery Walz, Seaman 2:03.60
Joslynn Grace, Seaman 2:04.96
Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights 2:11.03
Genevieve Miranda 2:12.50
Bailee Heincker, Seaman 2:19.92
200-YARD INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY
Avery Walz, Seaman 2:11.82
Audrey Appuhn, Washburn Rural 2:12.54
Joslynn Grace, Seaman 2:15.40
Presley Green, Hayden 2:16.62
Tauren Walz, Seaman 2:19.25
Tauren Walz, Seaman
50-YARD FREESTYLE
Tauren Walz, Seaman 26.11
Genevieve Miranda, Washburn Rural 26.70
Hara Del Castillo, Topeka High 26.93
Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights 27.26
Kaylee Gregg, Hayden 27.70
ONE-METER DIVING
Kaylee Gregg, Hayden 223.05
Rhiannon Good, Washburn Rural 207.70
Natalee Grauberger, Washburn Rural 197.80
Maddie Gregg, Hayden 153.90
Giselle Soto, Washburn Rural 153.50
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly track and field honor roll for Shawnee County high schools throughout the 2024 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
BOYS
100 METERS
Aaron Merritt, Seaman 10.52
Finn Dunshee, Hayden 11.11
Malachi Murph, Topeka High 11.12
Payton Berry-Briggs, Shawnee Heights 11.24
Evan Scheid, Silver Lake 11.29
Aaron Merritt, Seaman
200 METERS
Aaron Merritt, Seaman 22.08
Finn Dunshee, Hayden 22.31
Payton Berry-Briggs, Shawnee Heights 22.32
Malachi Murph, Topeka High 22.40
Tyren Parker, Shawnee Heights 22.76
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden
400 METERS
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden 49.17
Payton Berry-Briggs, Shawnee Heights 49.95
Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural 50.07
Shane Jueneman, Washburn Rural 51.26
Liam Benz, Shawnee Heights 51.60
800 METERS
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 1:58.46
Brody Anderson, Seaman 1:59.81
Eli Ferguson, Silver Lake 2:01.04
Logan Townsend, Seaman 2:06.27
Mark Wilkie, Topeka West 2:07.11
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights
1,600 METERS
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 4:22.45
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural 4:37.32
Eli Ferguson, Silver Lake 4:38.88
Adrian Lehman, Topeka West 4:40.25
Mark Wilkie, Topeka West 4:41.35
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly track and field honor roll for Shawnee County high schools throughout the 2024 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
GIRLS
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High
100 METERS
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High 12.77
Kielyn McDonnell, Rossville 13.03
Alana Mitchell, Hayden 13.13
Elly Sanders, Rossville 13.14
Ally Steiner, Seaman 13.15
200 METERS
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High 26.32
Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka High 26.88
Miluv Cosey, Highland Park 27.04
Shayla Rezac, Rossville 27.12
Ally Steiner, Seaman 27.20
Natalie Hillebert, Hayden
400 METERS
Natalie Hillebert, Hayden 60.61
Ella Bolan, Silver Lake 62.04
Shayla Rezac, Rossville 62.46
Ava Rottinghaus, Silver Lake 63.15
Rae North, Hayden 64.21
800 METERS
Ryin Miller, Seaman 2:10.25
Payton Fink, Washburn Rural 2:25.13
Emily Graf, Washburn Rural 2:28.40
Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural 2:29.09
Sofia Harper, Hayden 2:29.40
Ryin MIller, Seaman
1,600 METERS
Ryin Miller, Seaman 4:53.37
Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural 5:12.51
Payton Fink, Washburn Rural 5:14.08
Emily Graf, Washburn Rural 5:21.07
Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural 5:34.57
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman's softball team improved to 13-5 on the season Wednesday with a non-league home doubleheader sweep over Manhattan.
Seaman senior Paige Glasgow makes contact on her walkoff grand slam home run in the Vikings' 15-3 first-game win over Manhattan on Wednesday. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Seaman's Paige Glasgow watches her grand slam home run in Wednesday's 15-3 first-game win over Manhattan. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The Vikings took a 15-3 run-rule romp over the Indians in the first game before taking a 13-8 decision in the nightcap.
Seaman senior Paige Glasgow ended the opener with a grand slam home run.
Glasgow added a second homer in the second game of the twinbill while the Vikings also got home runs from senior Rosalie Schneider, senior Jersey Jellison and junior Raegan McConnell.
Manhattan fell to 9-7 with Wednesday's losses.
SEAMAN BASEBALL HONORS BUSHNELL
Seaman baseball honored former longtime coach and current athletic director Steve Bushnell during Wednesday's United Kansas Conference doubleheader split against De Soto at Seaman.
Seaman baseball recognized longtime Viking coach and current A.D. Steve Bushnell Wednesday at Seaman. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The Vikings took a 5-1 decision over the Wildcats in the first game before De Soto took a 1-0 win in the second game.
Seaman is now 10-5 overall and 8-3 in the UKC while De Soto is 16-3, 11-2 in the conference.
Steve Bushnell (right) receives a hug from current Seaman baseball coach Trent Oliva during Wednesday's ceremony honoring Bushnell for his 33 years of service as a teacher, coach and athletic director. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Longtime former Seaman baseball coach Steve Bushnell is presented with his No. 2 jersey Wednesday at Seaman. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
A highlight of the day was a ceremony honoring Bushnell, who is retiring at the end of the school year after 33 years of service to the Seaman school district as a teacher, coach and athletic director.
Bushnell coached Seaman to nine Class 5A state championships before moving into his current administrative role.
SILVER LAKE SOFTBALL EARNS SPLIT WITH WAMEGO
State softball powers Silver Lake and Wamego battled to a split in Wednesday's non-league doubleheader.
Wamego took a 6-0 win over the Eagles in the opener, but Silver Lake bounced back to claim a 13-6 decision in the nightcap.
Senior Makenzie McDaniel hit a pair of home runs in the second game while Silver Lake also got homers from Taylor Zordel and Raely Sterling.
The Eagles are now 14-2 on the season.
TROJANS, WILDCATS BATTLE TO CENTENNIAL BASEBALL SPLIT
Topeka High and Hayden rode pitching gems to a Centennnial League baseball split at Hummer Sports Park on Wednesday.
Senior Nate Plankinton pitched Topeka High to a 2-0 first-game victory over the Wildcats before Hayden junior Cooper Grace led his team to an 11-0 win in the nightcap.
Topeka High is now 11-4 on the season while Hayden is 8-9.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Sophomore Audrey Appuhn led the way with four wins -- two individual events, two relays -- as Washburn Rural piled up more than 500 points to win the team championship by more than 200 points in Tuesday's 10-school Topeka West Invitational swimming and diving meet at the Capitol Federal Natatorium.
Washburn Rural sophomore Audrey Appuhn was a part of four wins in Tuesday's Topeka West Invitational as the Junior Blues rolled to the team title by more than 200 points. [File photo/TSN]
Appuhn won the 200-yard individual medley in 2 minutes, 12.29 seconds and the 500 freestyle in 5:18.81 while Appuhn teamed with Genevieve Miranda, Jella Belgardt and Molly Didde to win the 200 medley relay (2:04.40) and with Ella Bombardier, Ava Von Lintel and Madeline O'Brien to win the 400 free relay (4:08.67).
Rural swept the three relays, with Belgardt, Bombardier, Didde and Miranda to win the 200 free relay in 1:50.57 as the Junior Blues rolled to the team title by a 503.5 301.5 margin over Osawatomie/Paola/Louisburg/Spring Hill.
Hayden finished sixth in the team race (211.5 points), while Shawnee Heights was seventh (207), Topeka High eighth (130) and Topeka West ninth (66.5).
Belgardt finished second in the 200 IM (2:26.18) and the 100 freestyle (1:00.48) while Miranda was second in the 50 freestyle (26.70).
Miranda added a third-place finish in the 200 freestyle (2:12.50) while Natalee Grauberger was third in one-meter diving (191.50) and Didde placed third in the 100 breaststroke (1:21.38).
Topeka High got a second-place finishes from Hara Del Castillo in the 100 backstroke (1:07.08) and from Caroline Toland in the 100 breaststroke (1:18.22) and a third from Del Castillo in the 200 IM (2:26.48) while Shawnee Heights' Ashtynn Landry placed third in the 500 free (5:49.79) and Heights' Kaitlyn Aldridge was third in the 100 backstroke (1:10.97).
Hayden's foursome of Kaylee Gregg, Esa Herrera, Jenna Dernovish and Kaelyn Gerdel finished second in the 400 free relay in 4:21.30.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly girls swimming and diving honor roll for Topeka high schools throughout the 2024 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
200-YARD MEDLEY RELAY
Seaman 1:58.69
Washburn Rural 2:04.07
Shawnee Heights 2:13.20
Hayden 2:13.49
Topeka High 2:18.14
Avery Walz, Seaman
200-YARD FREESTYLE
Avery Walz, Seaman 2:03.60
Joslynn Grace, Seaman 2:04.96
Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights 2:11.03
Bailee Heincker, Seaman 2:19.92
Madeline O'Brien, Washburn Rural 2:20.24
200-YARD INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY
Avery Walz, Seaman 2:11.82
Audrey Appuhn, Washburn Rural 2:12.54
Joslynn Grace, Seaman 2:15.40
Presley Green, Hayden 2:16.62
Tauren Walz, Seaman 2:19.25
Tauren Walz, Seaman
50-YARD FREESTYLE
Tauren Walz, Seaman 26.11
Hara Del Castillo, Topeka High 26.93
Genevieve Miranda, Washburn Rural 27.14
Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights 27.26
Jella Belgardt, Washburn Rural 28.04
ONE-METER DIVING
Kaylee Gregg, Hayden 223.05
Rhiannon Good, Washburn Rural 207.70
Natalee Grauberger, Washburn Rural 197.80
Maddie Gregg, Hayden 151.90
Giselle Soto, Washburn Rural 143.90
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Audrey Appuhn
AUDREY APPUHN, Washburn Rural
Appuhn won the 200-yard individual medley in the Topeka Invitational swimming meet by nearly seven seconds in a time of 2 minutes, 12.54 seconds and won the 500 free by more than 15 seconds in 5:15.37. Appuhn also teamed with Ava Von Lintel, Ella Bombardier and Madeline O'Brien to win the 400 free relay in 4:18.48 and swam on Rural's third-place 200 medley relay (2:04.07) as the Junior Blues finished second as a team, just a point behind Free State.
Aaron Merritt
AARON MERRITT, Seaman
Merritt, a senior track and field standout, captured the individual championship in the boys 100-meter dash in the prestigious Kansas Relays in Lawrence. Merritt won the 100 in the 101st Relays in 10.52 seconds, while Robert Collins of Staley, Mo. finished second in 10.56. Merritt also posted a third-place finish in the 110 high hurdles in 14.35 seconds.
Ryin Miller
RYIN MILLER, Seaman
Miller, a sophomore, was a double champion in the 101st Kansas Relays at Rock Chalk Park, winning the girls 3,200 in 10 minutes, 13.97 seconds and taking the 1,600 in 4:53.74. Salina Central's Katelyn Rupe, the Class 5A cross country champion, finished second to Miller in the 3,200 in 10:17.40 while Gwyn Meyers of Bishop Kelley (Tulsa, Okla.) was the runnerup in the 1,600 in 4:56.62.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
TopSports.News, in partnership with the University of Kansas Health System St Francis Campus, A-1 Lock and Key, Washburn University, Capital Label, Peggy's Tax and Accounting and the Jamie Hornbaker State Farm Insurance Agency, will host the 19th annual Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards/Hall of Fame induction ceremony on June 26, 2024 at Washburn's Memorial Union.
For the fourth straight year TopSports.news will serve as host for the Sports Awards/Hall of Fame banquet, a longstanding tradition for the Topeka and Shawnee County sports community.
The ceremony will highlight Shawnee County high school senior student-athletes’ achievements throughout the 2023-2024 school year along with the induction of the 2024 Topeka Shawnee County Hall of Fame class.
Schools have been asked to submit nominees with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average for both female and male candidates for the fall, winter and spring seasons as well as nominees for most inspirational athlete. Overall outstanding male and female athletes for 2023-2024 will also be named.
Also recognized will be an outstanding female and male athlete from Washburn University.
The four-member 2024 Hall of Fame class and the '24 Washburn University Athletes of the Year will be announced on TopSports.news in the coming days.
The high school nominees for the 10 Shawnee County high schools will be announced in June after the conclusion of the spring sports season.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka West senior Myles Alonzo had a major breakthrough individually in Monday's City Golf Championship at Topeka Country Club while it was business as usual for Washburn Rural in the team race, with the Junior Blues claiming their 14th straight city title.
Washburn Rural's golf team poses for a picture after winning its 14th straight city championship Monday at Topeka Country Club. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Topeka West senior Myles Alonzo won his first city title Monday with a 27-hole total of 117 strokes. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
After losing the 2023 city title in a playoff, Alonzo got the job done on Monday, finishing with a 27-hole score of 117 to win his first city crown by four strokes while Washburn Rural continued its dominating city run with a 34-stroke team win over Hayden (495-529) in the city event, which was held in conjunction with the 19-school Topeka Country Club Invitational.
Competing in a howling wind that made conditions extremely challenging, Alonzo took the lead with an opening nine-hole score of 37 and held on through an up and down final 18 holes to take the win, while senior Hayden Glynn shot a 121 to lead Washburn Rural.
"It was definitely challenging today with the wind and everything, but it was fun,'' Alonzo said. "I really wanted to do well today but I just want to win the bigger tournaments.
"It was fun, just to put this on my list that I won.''
City champion Myles Alonzo talks with Topeka West coach Richard Mariani during Monday's City Golf Championship at Topeka Country Club. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Alonzo had a string of holes over his final 18 where he struggled, but the West four-year standout never relinquished the top spot.
"I just couldn't keep my driver in the fairway,'' said Alonzo, who won his second straight tournament. "If anything it was just to try to make par and keep on going.''
Junior Tagen Rodriguez finished third in the city meet with a 122 total to lead runnerup Hayden while Washburn Rural's Tadd Armstrong (126) and Tagan Monasmith (128) rounded out the top five.
The Junior Blues also got 131s from Xoaquin Overbey and Tanner Kasprznk while Camden Zimlich finished at 136.
Senior Hayden Glynn, chipping onto the 18th green, was the city runnerup on Monday, leading Washburn Rural to its 14th straight city team championship. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"I'm proud of the guys for accomplishing the goal of being city champions,'' Washburn Rural coach Jared Goehring said. "I know that that's always a goal that we set at the beginning of the season and it feels good to be city champions.
"We got off to a great start this morning (three in the 30s over the opening nine holes) and just didn't put it all together this afternoon.''
With the Centennial League meet looming next Monday at Firekeeper and Class 6A regional and state competition on the horizon, Goehring said he's hopeful that his Junior Blues can use Monday's tournament as a lesson for how to compete in unfavorable conditions.
"It's springtime in Kansas and high school golf for these guys can be a little bit unfair, especially with the weather conditions,'' Goehring said. "But the mindset that they have to have is that's something that they cannot control so hopefully they use this as great experience moving forward.''
Ayden Valdivia led third-place Shawnee Heights with a sixth-place finish at 130 while Kaleb Mack paced Seaman with a tie for seventh place (131) and Hayden's James Kuta rounded out the top 10 (132).
Topeka High/Cair Paravel Latin did not compete in the city meet due to the fact that the bulk of the team's golfers were gone on a school-related trip.
Blue Valley North won the team championship in the Topeka Country Club Invitational with a four-person score of 308, one stroke ahead of Olathe West.
Blue Valley's Chase Rinkol shot an even-par 71 to claim the individual title while Free State's Jack Randall finished second with a 73 and Shawnee Mission East's Stuart Boulware third with a 74.
TOPEKA CITY GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
