By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Brody Anderson, Seaman
BRODY ANDERSON, Seaman
A sophomore distance standout, Anderson received All-Shawnee County honorable mention in track last spring and was a first-team all-county pick in cross country in the fall. Anderson set the fastest five-kilometer time in Seaman cross country history at the city meet, clocking a time of 15 minutes, 50 seconds, and Anderson finished third at regionals to lead the Vikings to a state team berth. Anderson opened his track season with a win in the 800 meters in the Topeka West Invitational (2:01.23).
Alesecio Batson, Topeka West
ALESECIO BATSON, Topeka West
A junior, Batson is the returning Class 5A state champion in the triple jump, winning the title with a leap of 48 feet, 4.25 inches. An All-Shawnee County first-team pick, Batson was the county leader in the event with a season-best jump of 48-11. Batson is easing back into competition this spring after suffering a leg injury over the summer but finished third in the 400-meter dash (53.64) in the season-opening Topeka West Invitational.
TRISTAN BERG, Seaman
Berg is a standout senior long-jumper for the Vikings and earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season. Berg finished his 2023 eason tied for fourth in Shawnee County with a top jump of 21 feet, 5 inches.
BRYCE COCHRAN, Seaman
A junior, Cochran earned All-Shawnee County first-team recognition last season after a solid season for the Vikings in the sprints and jumps. Cochran ranked third in the county last season in the 200-meter dash (22.34) and fifth in the triple jump (41-10). Cochran opened the 2024 season in Thursday's Topeka West Invitational, finishing fourth in the 200 (23.41) and running on Seaman's second-place 4x100 and 4x400 relays, with the 4x100 setting a school record.
ALEX DITTMAN, Shawnee Heights
A senior, Dittman was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection in 2023 after finishing fifth in the 5A javelin (165 feet, 9 inches). Dittman had a season-best of 175-1, which ranked No. 2 in the county. Dittman opened his season at Friday's Free State Early Bird Invitational with a runnerup finish in the javelin at 157-9.
Finn Dunshee, Hayden
FINN DUNSHEE, Hayden
A returning All-Shawnee County first-teamer, Dunshee, a senior, won the 4A 100-meter dash (10.84) last spring and also ran on the Wildcats' winning 4x100 (42.65) and 4x400 relays while helping Hayden set the 4A meet record in the 4x400 relay (3:20.99). Dunshee was also an all-county Top 22 selection in football after helping the Wildcats advance to the 3A state championship game.
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights
JACKSON ESQUIBEL, Shawnee Heights
A senior Kansas State signee, Esquibel won the 5A 3,200-meter run in 9 minutes, 18.67 seconds in the 2023 state track meet and added a runnerup finish in the 1,600 (4:15.26). A multi-time All-Shawnee County pick, Esquibel added the 5A cross country championship this past fall. Esquibel opened his senior track campaign with a sweep of the 1,600 meters (4:36.23) and 3,200 (9:44.51) in Friday's Free State Early Bird Invitational.
PEYTON HOLMES, Seaman
Holmes, a junior, earned All-Shawnee County first-team recognition in 2023 after ranking No. 2 in the county in the long jump with a season-best of 22 feet, 1 inch. Holmes opened his 2024 season with a third-place finish in the long jump in the Topeka West Invitational with a best jump of 21-4. Holmes also finished fourth in the 200 dash (23.89).
JAMOND LANE, Washburn Rural
A senior, Lane earned All-Shawnee County first-team honors last spring after placing second in the 6A discus (167-6). Lane ranked third in the county in the shot put last season (49-4.50) and No. 2 in the discus with his personal-best throw at state. Lane also received all-county Top 22 honors in football and will play at Washburn University next fall.
Aaron Merritt, Seaman
AARON MERRITT, Seaman
Merritt is a standout senior hurdler and sprinter for Seaman, earning first-team All-Shawnee County recognition last season when he ranked No. 1 in the county in the 100-meter hurdles (14.73) and No. 5 in the 100 (10.99). Merritt opened his 2024 season in dominating fashion in Thursday's Topeka West Invitational, winning the 100 (10.77), the 200 (22.08) and the 110 hurdles (14.90) and helping the Vikings set a school record in the 4x100 relay (43.23) with a second-place finish.
LIAM MORRISON, Washburn Rural
A sophomore hurdles standout, Morrison earned first-team All-Shawnee County recognition as a freshman after placing eighth in the 6A 300 hurdles (46.39). Morrison ranked third in the county last season in the 110 hurdles (15.70) and third in the 300 hurdles (39.75).
MALACHI MURPH, Topeka High
Murph was an All-Shawnee County first-team selection last spring as a freshman after starring in the sprints and relays for Topeka High. Murph ranked No. 2 in the county last season in the 200-meter dash (22.16) and also helped the Trojans to the county's best time in the 4x100 relay (42.59). Murph opened his season in Thursday's Topeka West Invitational with second-place finishes in the 100 (11.18) and the 200 (23.05).
Ben Roeder, Topeka High/CPLS
BEN ROEDER, Topeka High/Cair Paravel
Roeder, who competes for Topeka High during the regular season and Cair Paravel Latin in the postseason, was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection last season as a sophomore after finishing fourth in the 2A 200-meter dash (23.43) and fifth in the 400 (50.70). Roeder opened his 2024 season with a fourth-place finish in the 400 (54.08) in the Topeka West Invitational.
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden
JENSEN SCHRICKEL, Hayden
A junior, Schrickel was a first-team All-Shawnee County honoree for the second time last season after running on Hayden's 4A state championship 4x100 (42.65) and 4x400 relays and helping Hayden set the 4A meet record in the 4x400 relay (3:20.99). Schrickel also finished third in the 400 dash (49.63). Schrickel was the 4A long jump champion as a freshman. Schrickel was an all-county Top 22 pick after helping lead the Wildcats to a runnerup state finish in 3A.
LIAM STEGMAN, Hayden
Stegman, a junior, was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection last spring helping Hayden win 4A state championships in the 4x100 (42.65) and 4x400 relay championships while setting the 4A meet record in the 4x400 relay (3:20.99).
JOSH SULZEN-WATSON, Washburn Rural
Sulzen-Watson, a senior thrower, earned first-team All-Shawnee County recognition last season after finishing fourth in the 6A discus (157-4) and fifth in the javelin (168-6). Sulzen-Watson was the county leader in the javelin with a top throw of 181-1 and ranked second in the discus at 159-10.
