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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
When high school football practice begins in August, linemen will go back to laboring in relative obscurity.
Shawnee Heights senior Christian Gonzales completes the obstacle course in Monday's Battle of the Bigs lineman challenge at Shawnee Heights. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural junior Jacob Hawks pushes the weighted sled during Monday's Battle of the Bigs at Shawnee Heights. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
But Monday's Battle of the Bigs lineman challenge at Shawnee Heights was all about the men in the trenches.
Appoximately 85 linemen representing seven city and area high schools took part in the Battle of the Bigs, competing in a variety of drills/activities while vying for individual and team prizes.
"We do it because the skill guys get to have fun all summer and the linemen, all they do is push sleds and work in the weight room, so we see this as kind of a way to reward the linemen and kind of create that unity in their unit,'' Shawnee Heights coach Jason Swift said. "They always say they have a great time.
"We wanted to do something fun for the linemen. Linemen are always like, 'How come we don't get to do 7 on 7, how come we don't get to do stuff?' So that's why we put this together: 'Let's make it a fun day, non-contact, but competitive. More importantly, we want to help build that brotherhood inside the trenches.''
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
By his own admission, Gavin Wilhelm didn't have his best putting performance in the 2023 Topeka Golf Association City Match Play tournament at Western Hills Golf Course.
Washburn University golfer Gavin Wilhelm reacts to his championship-winning putt in Sunday's TGA City Match Play tournament at Western Hills. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Seaman product and current Washburn University golfer Gavin Wilhelm captured his first City Match Play championship Sunday at Western Hills, taking a 1-up decision over Bryan Tyrell. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN
But the former Seaman standout and current Washburn University golfer made his biggest putt of the week, draining a clutch 8-footer on the 18th hole Sunday to claim a 1-up victory over recent Washburn Rural graduate Bryan Tyrell.
Wilhelm, who plays football and golf for the Ichabods, also drained big putts on the 15th and 16th holes to protect his slim lead over Tyrell but the 2022 Seaman graduate also missed a relatively short putt on No. 17 to open the door for Tyrell, a Class 6A state qualifier this spring.
Wilhelm, the No. 8 tournament seed, also had to punch the ball back into the fairway after getting too far left on his final drive, but he executed his punchout perfectly and then hit his approach close before sinking the championship-winnning par putt.
"I felt like I hadn't made too many putts throughout this tournament so being able to capitalize on those in the very end of the match was really cool,'' Wilhelm said.
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MOST INSPIRATIONAL: OUTSTANDING MALE NOMINEES
Mason Brokaw
MASON BROKAW | Silver Lake
PARENTS: Kevin and Shannon Brokaw
SPORT: Cross country/track | GPA: 3.855
Brokaw ran varsity track and cross country throughout his high school career. "He has contributed to some very good teams all years,'' Silver Lake cross country coach Kevin Brokaw said. "He has grown into a leader of the team and always led by example. As a senior he decided to double in football as well as cross country after not playing football since sixth grade. He was a varsity letter-winner in both fall sports. He is a great teammate in every sport he participates in and always gives 100 percent. He is a mentor to young runners that look up to him.'' Brokaw received All-Mid-East League recognition all four years in high school and was a state cross country medalist as a freshman and a state medalist in track as a sophomore and junior.
Nick Freeland
NICK FREELAND | Shawnee Heights
PARENTS: Chad Freeland and Jessica Busby
SPORT: Football/wrestling | GPA: 3.4
Freeland was a standout in football and wrestling for Shawnee Heights. "Nick had a fantastic football season as the quarterback,'' Shawnee Heights football coach Jason Swift said. "He got there by his hard work, commitment and mental toughness. Nick attended 101 football opportunities in the summer, where the average players made 62. The 101 is a new school record. Nick had a big game leading the T-Birds to victory over Lansing in the playoffs, plus big wins vs. Seaman, Basehor, Topeka West and Lansing for a second time.'' Freeland was a regional champion and placed sixth in Class 5A for Shawnee Heights' wrestling team and will wrestle collegiately at Hastings College in Nebraska. Freeland received first-team All-Shawnee County honors in wrestling and all-county honorable mention in football.
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MOST INSPIRATIONAL: OUTSTANDING FEMALE NOMINEES
Laynee Brown
LAYNEE BROWN | Seaman
PARENTS: Jeremy and Shanae Brown
SPORT: Volleyball | GPA: 4.0
Brown was an emotional leader for a Seaman volleyball team that posted back-to-back fourth-place finishes in the Class 5A state tournament. "Laynee is a dedicated athlete at SHS and the leader of our program this year,'' Viking coach Tatiana Dowling said. "She never misses a workout and holds her teammates to an extremely high standard. She exhibits excellence on and off the court and in the classroom. Her "go-getter'' attitude will take her far in her future endeavors.'' Brown earned first-team All-Centennial League and All-Shawnee County recognition as a junior and was a first-team All-United Kansas Conference and first-team all-county selection as a senior. Brown will play college volleyball at Butler Community College.
Maddie Carter
MADDIE CARTER | Washburn Rural
PARENT: Sean and Leslie Carter
SPORT: Cross country/track| GPA: 3.855
Carter was a multi-time Class 6A state medalist in cross country and track and will run at Kansas. "Like all of this year's seniors, Maddie lost her freshman spring season to the Covid pandemic,'' Rural cross country/distance coach Matt Swedlund said. "The social isolation that came along with the pandemic was a challenge, but what proved to be even more challenging was returning to "normal" school and life. At its worst, the anxiety was making it difficult for Maddie to get out of the house. She was fighting an internal battle every day, and despite doing a decent job of hiding it from her coaches and teachers, she was becoming mentally and emotionally exhausted. Day after day, week after week, she began to make
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Family, friends and colleagues turned out in full force Thursday at the offices of the Kansas State High School Activities Association to honor longtime KSHSAA assistant executive director Francine Martin, who is retiring after 19 years with the organization and 38 years as an educator.
Retiring KSHSAA assistant executive director Francine Martin visits with well-wishers during Thursday's retirement reception at the KSHSAA offices. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Retiring KSHSAA assistant executive director Francine Martin speaks during Thursday's retirement reception. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"I am very humbled by the outpouring of support and the best wishes that everybody has given me as I enter another phase of my life,'' Martin said.
A graduate of Clay Center High School, Hutchinson Community College, Nebraska-Omaha and Kansas State (Master's Degree) Martin had teaching, coaching and administrative stints at LaCrosse, El Dorado and Seaman before joining KSHSAA in 2004.
During her time at KSHSAA Martin served as the administrator for cross country, basketball, baseball, softball as well as officials liaison.
"I've been fortunate in my career to have many good mentors and colleagues and there's no way I can thank every one,'' Martin said. "You just need to know how much you are appreciated. It's been an honor and a privilege to serve in this role. I'm proud of all we have accomplished together.''
