By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Jackson Esquibel
JACKSON ESQUIBEL, Shawnee Heights
A senior cross country star, Esquibel capped a sweep of city, United Kansas Conference, regional and Class 5A individual titles Saturday at Rim Rock Farm, capturing his first state cross country championship. A three-time 5A state medalist in cross country and a state champion in track, Esquibel posted a five-second victory in the state meet, clocking a five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 34.47 seconds.
Payton Fink
PAYTON FINK, Washburn Rural
Fink, a junior cross country standout, earned her third Class 6A state medal Saturday at Rim Rock Farm, posting a career-best second-place finish. Fink, the Centennial League and regional winner, was the runnerup to four-time state champion Anjali Hocker Singh of Olathe North, clocking a five-kilometer time of 18 minutes, 12.79 seconds. Fink finished fifth in the 2022 state meet and was 19th as a freshman in 2021.
Brooklyn Gormley
BROOKLYN GORMLEY, Seaman
A 6-foot-1 senior middle-hitter, Gormley was named to the Class 5A All-State Tournament team for the third time, helping lead Seaman to its first-ever 5A state volleyball championship Saturday at Salina. Gormley, who helped Seaman to a perfect 5-0 record at state, capped by a 25-19, 25-22 win over St. Thomas Aquinas in the state championship match, was also named to the All-United Kansas Conference first team.
Ryin Miller
RYIN MILLER, Seaman
Miller, a sophomore cross country star, earned her second straight Class 5A state medal Saturday at Rim Rock Farm, posting a career-best third-place individual finish after finishing fifth as a freshman, Miller, the city, United Kansas Conference and 5A regional individual champion, clocked a five-kilometer time of 18 minutes, 36.73 seconds in the state meet.
MAEGAN MILLS, Seaman
Mills, a 6-foot-1 junior outside hitter, helped lead 38-6 Seaman to its first-ever Class 5A state volleyball championship Saturday in Salina, earning All-State Tournament honors for the second straight season. Mills, who helped Seaman to a perfect 5-0 record at state, capped by a 25-19, 25-22 win over St. Thomas Aquinas in the state championship match, was also selected as the United Kansas Conference offensive player of the year for the 2023 season.
Kade Mitchell
KADE MITCHELL, Hayden
Mitchell, a 5-foot-9, 165-pound sophomore running back, had a big game in Friday's 49-0 Hayden Class 3A football playoff win over Baldwin at Hayden. Unofficially, Mitchell finished the night with 251 rushing yards and four touchdowns on just carries as the Wildcats pushed their record to 9-0 on the season. Mitchell scored on runs of 5, 21, 61 and 5 yards in the game for Hayden.
