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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
When Topeka sports icons Kyle Weems and Michael Wilhoite launched their inaugural Big Kev Give Back Camp in 2022, they were thrilled with the results of the dual basketball/football event.
But Weems and Wilhoite also knew the camp could get bigger and better, something they saw first-hand on Friday.
Kyle Weems exchanges a hug with Ken Darting, his basketball coach at Highland Park, during Friday's second annual Big Kev Give Back Camp at Washburn University. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Mike Wilhoite partcipates in a passing drill with campers during Friday's Big Kev Give Back Camp at Washburn University. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Weems and Wilhoite, who are both Highland Park graduates and members of the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame, made the decision to move the 2023 camp from Shawnee Heights to the more centrally-located Washburn University campus and Friday's event drew more than 150 young athletes.
"It's unbelievable,'' said Weems, who just completed his 11th pro basketball season after starring at Highland Park and Missouri State. "Mike and I wanted to connect more with the inner city as well as the suburban kids. We wanted them from all over.
"We felt we had a good turnout last year but still wanted to get the inner city kids in here and give back because that's where we came from. That's what we know, that's who we are.''
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Multi-sport stars Brooklyn DeLeye of Washburn Rural and Tre Richardson of Highland Park were named the TopSports.news Topeka Shawnee County Athletes of the Year Wednesday night in ceremonies at Washburn University.
DeLeye was a standout in volleyball, basketball and soccer for the Junior Blues while Richardson starred in football, basketball and track and field and also played baseball for the Scots.
Former Washburn Rural multi-sport star Brooklyn DeLeye was selected as the Shawnee County Fall Female Athlete of the Year Wednesday night at Washburn. [File photo/TSN]
Recent Highland Park graduate Tre Richardson was named the Topeka Shawnee County Male Athlete of the Year after starring for the Scots in football, basketball and track. [File photo/TSN]
DeLeye was a two-time Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year and two-time Class 6A player of the year in volleyball while being named to the all-state first team four straight years.
DeLeye led Washburn Rural to the 6A state championship last fall and finished her high school career as Rural's career leader in kills (2,090), most hit attempts (4,086), most hits completed (3,496) and ace serves (277).
"Brooklyn is one of the most dominant game changers that has ever graced the volleyball courts in Kansas,'' Washburn Rural coach Kevin Bordewick said. "People came to our matches to watch her, and little kids idolize her.
"With all of that she is very humble. A better role model for our younger kids cannot be found. A truly once in a coaching lifetime player for us.''
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Former Topeka West track and cross country star Lenny Njoroge was named the Topeka Shawnee County Most Inspirational Male Athlete Wednesday night at Washburn University.
Recent Topeka West graduate Lenny Njoroge was named the Topeka Shawnee County Most Inspirational Male Athlete of the Year Wednesday night at Washburn. [File photo/TSN]
Njoroge ended his high school career as a multi-time Class 5A state medalist in both cross country and track, bouncing back from a serious leg injury as a sophomore to finish fourth in cross county and post second and fourth-place state finishes in track as a senior.
"Lenny broke both bones (tibia and fibula) of his lower leg during track his sophomore year playing club soccer,'' Topeka West cross country/track coach Donnie Palmer said. "Lenny had to go through rehabilitation for seven to eight months before he could return to running.
"Lenny worked hard and came back stronger and faster for track his junior year. He continued his hard work last summer in preparation for his senior year (of cross country and soccer). Lenny is a true inspiration to our school, program and the community.''
Njoroge will run cross country and track at Kansas.
The son of Kimani Franci, Njoroge compiled a grade point average of 3.776 at Topeka West.
Other candidates:
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By RICK PETERSONTopSports.news
Recent Hayden graduate Alyssa Droge was named the Topeka Shawnee County Most Inspirational Female Athlete Wednesday night at Washburn University.
Recent Hayden graduate Alyssa Droge was named the Topeka Shawnee County Most Inspirational Female Wednesday night at Washburn. [File photo/TSN]
Droge battled through three knee surgeries and a cancer fight to put together an outstanding softball career for Hayden.
Droge suffered anterior cruciate ligament injuries as a freshman and sophomore and and had a third injury (slight ACL tear/meniscus) in July of 2022.
In August of 2021 Droge was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, resulting in six months of chemotherapy.
Droge officially began remission in January, 2022.
"Alyssa is not only a leader on the field but also serves as a constant inspiration for the entire progam,'' Hayden softball coach Cody Reynolds said. "I get goosebumps and it makes me emotional because I'm really close with Alyssa and I'm really close to her family and I can't say enough about how strong she is.
"It's unbelievable to see her out here and I can't say enough about her.''
The daughter of Tony and Paula Droge, Alyssa compiled a high school grade point average of 4.05.
Other candidates:
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By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
Four new inductees joined the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame Wednesday night in a ceremony at Washburn University.
Professional bowler Chris Barnes, basketball standout Crystal Kemp, longtime coach Kevin Bordewick and sportswriter Rick Peterson took turns sharing what the honor meant to them.
The 2023 Topeka Shawnee County Hall of Fame class, from left -- Rick Peterson, Kevin Bordewick, Crystal Kemp and Chris Barnes. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame inductee Chris Barnes (left) begins his induction speech Wednesday night at Washburn University. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Famers pose for a pictue after Wednesday's induction ceremonies at Washburn University. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The Hall of Fame induction was held in conjunction with the Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards.
Washburn Rural’s Brooklyn DeLeye was named Female Athlete of the Year and Highland Park’s Tre Richardson received the Male Athlete of the Year award.
Receiving Most Inspirational Female and Male Athletes of the Year were Alyssa Droge of Hayden and Lenny Njoroge of Topeka West.
Njoroge, who will continue his running career at the University of Kansas, said combining recognition of young athletes and hall of fame inductees in the same event was meaningful.
“It really opens up your mind to see all these great people from Topeka who are known worldwide,” Njoroge said. “They’re pros, they’re hall of famers in other places as well so It really gives you motivation that pushes you forward. If these people from Topeka can do it, why can’t a kid from Kenya do it?
“Everybody in Topeka is behind you. I’m very thankful for everyone here and for the city of Topeka.”
