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Three-time state champ Kocher-Munoz TSN's Shawnee County winter boys athlete of the year
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural wrestling star Landen Kocher-Munoz has been selected as TopSports.news' Shawnee County winter boys senior athlete of the year for the 2025-2026 season.
Landen Kocher-Munoz, Washburn Rural
Kocher-Munoz was named the Shawnee County wrestler of the year after winning his third Class 6A state championship in his fourth straight trip to the state finals as a senior.
Kocher-Munoz won the 144-pound title as a senior, posting a 39-4 record on the season while helping lead the Junior Blues to a third-place 6A team finish and sweeping Centennial League, regional and state individual crowns.
Other winter boys athlete of the year finalists
KaeVon Bonner, Seaman
KAEVON BONNER | Seaman
SPORT: Basketball
Bonner was named the Shawnee County co-player of the year as a senior after leading the Vikings to a 23-5 record and a third-place finish in Class 5A. Bonner was named the All-United Kansas Conference player of the year while earning all-county and All-UKC honors for the third straight season. Bonner averaged a city-high 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 2.6 steals for the Vikings while hitting 44 3-pointers.
Jack Donovan, Rossville
JACK DONOVAN | Rossville
SPORT: Basketball
Donovan made the All-Shawnee County Top 10 for the third straight season after being named the co-newcomer of the year as a freshman. Donovan helped lead the Bulldawgs to a 17-8 record and a second straight Class 2A state tournament berth this past season. Donovan finished his prep career No. 2 on Rossville's career scoring list, with a season-high 47 points. Donovan received all-county recognition in football, golf and basketball.
Ryder Harrison, Washburn Rural
RYDER HARRISON | Washburn Rural
SPORT: Wrestling
An All-Shawnee County first-team selection, Harrison finished second in Class 6A at 120 pounds as a senior while posting a 28-7 record on the season and helping lead the Junior Blues to a third-place team finish. Harrison finished second in 6A regional competition after winning a Centennial League championship with a 5-0 record and five straight pins.
Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake
DAYNE JOHNSON | Silver Lake
SPORT: Basketball
Johnson was named the Shawnee County co-player of the year after finishing his career as Silver Lake's career leading scorer while helping lead the Eagles to a 22-7 record and a second straight third-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament. A two-time All-Shawnee County Top 10 selection and a first-team All-Big East League pick, Johnson was also a two-time All-Shawnee County Top 22 pick in football for the Eagles.
T-Birds' Scott, Dawgs' Bush using Shrine Bowl to help prep for next step at Washburn
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
After leading the state in passing yards last fall, former Shawnee Heights star quarterback Aiden Scott weighed some recruiting options before deciding he didn't even need to leave his hometown to find what he was looking for, signing with Washburn University.
Aiden Scott, Shawnee Heights
A two-time All-Shawnee County Top 22 pick Scott completed 197 of 319 passes for 2,991 yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior and finished his career completing 420 of 691 pass attempts for 6,491 yards and 632 touchdowns.
"I had (interest from) South Dakota and a PWO (preferred walkon) from KU and it came down to a business decision,'' said Scott, who will play quarterback for the East in Saturday's 7 p.m. Kansas Shrine Bowl at Emporia State. "It was like, 'Do I want playing time or do I want to sit for a little bit?'
"And especially when it's at home, friends and family can come watch you play and Washburn's coaching staff and facilities are top notch.''
Scott, a three-sport athlete for the T-Birds, has spent much of his summer at Washburn, getting acclimated to the college game.
"I've been there about three weeks so far and it's been fun,'' Scott said. "The upperclassmen have been really warm to me, welcoming me into the new program and helping me settle in. The freshmen are very talented guys, the whole team's very talented.
"We're growing, we're getting better, so I'm excited how the season's going to turn out.''
The decision will be made later this fall about whether or not Scott will redshirt this season, but he is preparing to play.
"They told me I'll get a shot during fall camp to be the starting guy and if I don't get that job I'll probably end up redshirting and get that extra year of experience,'' Scott said. "But my mindset is to get that starting job.''
Conner Bush, Rossville
Scott will be joined in the East backfield Saturday by another Washburn recruit, former Rossville two-time All-Shawnee County Top 22 pick Conner Bush, who helped lead the Bulldawgs to a runnerup finish in Class 1A.
Bush carried the ball 81 times for 717 yards and scored 12 touchdowns as a senior and was in on 114 total tackles, with two pass interceptions, two tackles for loss and 10 passes broken up.
Both Scott and Bush were added to the East as replacement players, with Bush getting the call about two weeks before the opening of the East camp at Ottawa University.
"My coach, coach (Derick) Hammes (an East assistant) called me and I was nothing but excited,'' Bush said. "I was just ready to play.''
Rural product Brody Haas thrilled to get Shrine Bowl opportunity
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Brody Haas had an outstanding senior football season for Washburn Rural, earning All-Centennial League, All-Shawnee County and All-Class 6A recognition from the Kansas Football Coaches Association.
Brody Haas, Washburn Rural
Haas registered 114 total tackles with 80 solo stops for the 6-4 Junior Blues, recording 14 tackles for loss with a sack and two pass interceptions (one for a touchdown) while recovering two fumbles.
Despite those lofty laurels the former Junior Blues linebacker still wasn't banking on getting the opportunity to play in the prestigious Kansas Shrine Bowl, but was one of Shawnee County's six original picks for the East roster
"I actually was pretty surprised,'' Haas said. "A funny story, my mom was watching (the selection show) and she said that I didn't make it. I was like, 'Oh alright,' and then I got a bunch of texts from everybody else and there were like, 'You made the Shrine Bowl.'
"I was really grateful and I'm excited to be here.''
Haas will play strong safety and maybe some linebacker for the East in Saturday's 7 p.m. Shrine game at Emporia State's Welch Stadium.
"I think (practice) is preparing us really well, and with it being a lot cooler, everyone's not over-exhausted,'' Haas said earlier the week at the East's Ottawa University training camp. "Everyone's in really good spirits, we're all having a pretty good time learning and adjusting to the playbook and everything that's being taught.''
