Welcome to Top Sports News

August 2nd, 2025, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Washburn University Memorial Union
1700 SW College Ave., Topeka, Kansas

Click here or the images below for more information or to order tickets now:

Click here or the image below for more information or to order tickets now:

 

 

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

The ceremony to add 10 new members to the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame Saturday morning at Washburn University had as its theme the (not always) friendly rivalry between the University of Kansas and Kansas State. Seven of the inductees spent parts of their careers at one of those two schools, with three even bridging the gap between Lawrence and Manhattan.

Former Kansas State basketball standout and successful Division I coach Tim Jankovich (right) accepts his Kansas Sports Hall of Fame plaque from HOF chairman Jim Dunning Saturday at Washburn University. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN] 

The 2025 class of inductees took the stage in the Washburn University Union Ballroom to discuss their careers, their connections to Kansas, and the people who helped them succeed.

Based in Wichita, the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame held its induction ceremony in Topeka for the second consecutive year. Linda Hargrove, director of the organization, said after a good experience in Topeka last year, it made sense to hold the event in the Capital City again because so many of the inductees had ties to the state’s two major universities.

“Topeka is a great place to have this,” Hargrove said. “The class that’s being inducted helps determine where we will hold it to draw the most people and attract the most interest.”

Former NFL Most Valuable Player Larry Brown shares a laugh with the crowd during Saturday's Kansas Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Washburn University. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Track/cross country star Deb Pihl Torneden is introduced during Saturday's Kansas Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Washburn University. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Among the inductees were former K-State athletes Larry Brown (football) and Deb Pihl Torneden (track/cross country). Representing KU were Laverne Smith (football/track) and Clifford Wiley (track).

Former Kansas State assistant and Kansas head football coach Mark Mangino is interviewed during Saturday's Kansas Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Washburn University. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Having spent parts of their careers at both of Kansas’ major universities were Tim Jankovich (basketball), Mark Mangino (football) and Bobby Randall (baseball).

A native of Pennsylvania, Mangino said he was glad that he was recognized as worthy of the honor in Kansas. He served as an assistant at K-State before serving as Kansas’ head coach from 2002 to 2009.

“To coach at both those great schools, I consider myself twice lucky,” Mangino said. “I’m glad it all happened in Kansas. I probably couldn’t have put my finger on Kansas on a map before 1990. We came out here and it ended up being a great thing for us.”

Mangino, technically a member of the 2024 class of inductees, participated in the ceremony Saturday after not being to attend last year due to illness.

Other inductees were longtime official and coach J.C. Louderback, sportswriter Bob Lutz, and wrestler Kendric Maple.

Read more …

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Hailey Caryl, Topeka High

HAILEY CARYL, Topeka High

A sophomore, Caryl teamed with Ava Ritter to advance to the Class 6A state tournament in doubles last fall. Caryl and Ritter finished fourth in the city meet in No. 1 doubles, third in the Centennial League meet in doubles and fifth in 6A regional competition to advance to state.

Madeline Deters, Topeka High

MADELINE DETERS, Topeka High

Deters, a senior, earned a Class 6A state medal last season, posting an eighth-place singles finish. Deters placed third in the city meet in No. 1 singles, second in singles in the Centennial Laague tournament and third in 6A regional competition. Deters also qualified for state as a sophomore.

Grace Funk, Hayden

GRACE FUNK, Hayden

A senior, Funk has earned Class 4A state singles medals in three straight seasons for the Wildcats. Funk posted a career-best ninth-place singles finish last fall to help the Wildcats win the 4A team title. Funk finished second in the city meet in No. 2 singles and placed fifth in singles in the Centennial League tournament and third at regionals.

Molly Gorman, Seaman

MOLLY GORMAN, Seaman

Gorman, a senior, switched to singles last fall after earning back-to-back Class 5A doubles state medals as a freshman and sophomore. Gorman helped Seaman win United Kansas Conference and regional team titles with perfect team scores. Gorman was the city champion in No. 2 singles and also placed second in singles in UKC and regional competition before finishing 10th at state as the Vikings finished third as a team.

Peyton Henry, Seaman

PEYTON HENRY, Seaman

Henry, a senior, teamed with graduated senior Sydney Chinn last season to post a 12th-place state finish in Class 5A doubles. Henry and Chinn swept United Kansas Conference and regional doubles titles after finishing third in the city tournament in No. 1 doubles. Henry and Chinn helped thv Vikings record perfect team scores at league and regionals.

KAYLYN HIEBSCH, Seaman

Hiebsch, a junior, teamed with Camryn Lux to finish second in the city meet in No. 2 doubles and Hiebsch and Lux also finished second in doubles in the United Kansas Conference and regional tournaments as the Vikings won team titles in both tournaments with perfect team scores. 

Julia Katzer, Washburn Rural

JULIA KATZER, Washburn Rural 

Katzer, a junior, qualified for the Class 6A state tournament in singles last season, earning her state berth with a fifth-place regional finish while helping the Junior Blues win a regional team title. Katzer finished third in No. 2 singles in the city meet. 

Read more …