By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Daniel Allen
DANIEL ALLEN, Washburn Rural
Allen, a junior, returned to high school swimming after a year away with three wins and a second-place finish in the season-opening Topeka West Invitational last Wednesday at the Capitol Federal Natatorium. Allen won the 200-yard freestyle and 100 butterfly individually and swam on the Junior Blues' winning 200 free relay and runnerup 400 free relay.
KaeVon Bonner
KAEVON BONNER, Seaman
A senior basketball standout, Bonner opened the 2025-2026 season with a 37-point performance in last Tuesday's 83-75 home United Kansas Conference victory over No. 2-ranked (Class 5A) Piper. Bonner hit 10 of 18 shots from the field with three 3-pointers while connecting on 14 of 17 free throws.
Malakyah Duncan
MALAKYAH DUNCAN, Topeka West
Duncan, a senior basketball standout, scored a game-high 26 points Friday as Topeka West opened the season with an 81-54 United Kansas Conference home romp past De Soto. Duncan hit 9 of 13 shots from the floor with three 3-pointers for the No. 7-ranked (Class 5A) Chargers.
Leah Henke
LEAH HENKE, Washburn University
A freshman soccer star, Henke scored the game-winning goal in Saturday's 3-2 win over Missouri-St. Louis as the Ichabods advanced to the NCAA Final Four in Colorado Springs. It was the freshman's 12th goal of the year, moving her into the No. 4 spot all-time at Washburn for goals in a single season as the Ichabods avenged an early-season 3-0 loss to the Tritons.
Yibari Nwidadah
YIBARI NWIDADAH, Washburn University
Nwidadah, a senior post, registered her first double-double of the season on Saturday with 24 points and 10 rebounds as Washburn women's basketball knocked off No. 3-ranked and previously-unbeaten Fort Hays State 67-64 in Lee Arena. Nwidadah had 15 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks two days earlier as Washburn opened MIAA play with a 71-65 win over Nebraska-Kearney.
Bryson Smith
BRYSON SMITH, Washburn University
Smith, a senior guard, scored 18 of his 22 points in the second half and went 9 of 10 at the free throw line as the No. 2-ranked Ichabods held off MIAA foe Fort Hays State 73-66 Saturday in Lee Arena. Smith had 15 points and 6 rebounds on Thursday as WU opened conference play with a 92-64 win over Nebraska-Kearney.
