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SPRING SPORTS: OUTSTANDING MALE NOMINEES
Mason Casebeer
MASON CASEBEER | Washburn Rural
PARENTS: Brian and Danielle Casebeer
SPORT: Tennis | GPA: NA
Casebeer capped a 27-6 senior season with a ninth-place singles finish in the Class 6A state tennis tournament. Casebeer was the city runnerup in No. 1 singles and won Centennial League and regional championships. Casebeer was a three-time state qualifier and a two-time state medalist, earning a 12th-place state doubles finish as a sophomore. "His knowledge of the game and the effort that he puts into it are exemplary,'' Washburn Rural coach Brad Johnston said. "He is the first one to pick up a teammate or want to hit with someone. He not only excels on the court, but in the classroom. He is an excellent example of a student-athlete. When it is all said and done. Mason is an athlete and scholar and great person, while being raised the right way.'' Casebeer will attend the University of Kansas.
Ian Cusick
IAN CUSICK | Topeka West
PARENTS: Michael and Kamela Cusick
SPORT: Tennis | GPA: 4.288
Ian Cusick teamed with his twin brother, Miles, to post a 104-14 career doubles record while capturing back-to-back Class 5A state doubles championships in 2022 and 2023. After losing their freshman season to COVID-19, the Cusicks went 29-6 as sophomores, 37-4 as juniors and 38-4 as seniors. Ian and Miles placed ninth in the state tournament in 2021 before claiming the two state titles. The Cusicks led Topeka West to a second-place team finish in 2022 before leading the Chargers to their first-ever boys team title this past spring. Ian and Miles swept city, Centennial League, regional and state championships as juniors and seniors and are both members of the National Honor Society and Academic All-State honorees. Ian will attend the University of Kansas.
Miles Cusick
MILES CUSICK | Topeka West
PARENTS: Michael and Kamela Cusick
SPORT: Tennis | GPA: 4.296
Miles Cusick and twin brother Ian posted a 104-14 career doubles record while winning back-to-back Class 5A state doubles championships as juniors and seniors. After losing their freshman season to COVID-19, the Cusicks went 29-6 as sophomores, 37-4 as juniors and 38-4 as seniors. Miles and Ian placed ninth in the state tournament in 2021 before claiming the two state titles. The Cusicks led Topeka West to a second-place team finish in 2022 before leading the Chargers to their first-ever boys team title this past spring. Miles and Ian swept city, Centennial League, regional and state championships as juniors and seniors and are both members of the National Honor Society and Academic All-State honorees. Miles will attend Kansas State.
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SPRING SPORTS: OUTSTANDING FEMALE NOMINEES
Adisyn Caryl
ADISYN CARYL | Topeka High
PARENTS: Beau and Emily Caryl
SPORT: Softball | GPA: 4.48
Caryl helped Topeka High win back-to-back Class 6A state softball championships in 2021 and 2022 and was a three-time All-Centennial League, All-Shawnee County and All-6A honoree. "Adisyn has been an integral part in changing the culture of female athletes at Topeka High School,'' Trojan softball coach Shane Miles said. "Her leadership on and off the playing fields and courts is beyond reproach. Not only did Adisyn lead in school as valedictorian and class president for four years, she exhibited the same leadership in sports.'' Caryl hit .638 as a senior with four home runs and 21 runs batted in. Caryl, who will play softball at Illinois, was also a four-time 6A state qualifier in tennis and part of a Trojan basketball program that made three state appearances.
Emmerson Cope
EMMERSON COPE | Washburn Rural
PARENTS: Wayne Cope and Laura Parker
SPORT: Softball | GPA: 4.113
Cope put together one of the top careers in Washburrn Rural history, helping lead the Junior Blues to three state tournament appearances and back to back runnerup finishes in the Class 6A state tournament as a junior and senior. Cope batted .588 over the 2023 season (through regionals) with 15 home runs and 41 runs batted in. Cope posted a 12-2 record in the pitching circle (through regionals) with a 1.5 earned run average and 142 strikeouts in 88.2 innings. She was named the Centennial League player of the year as a junior and senior and the Shawnee County player of the year as a senior after sharing that honor as a junior. Cope set Washburn Rural records for single-season and career home runs. Cope will play college softball at Nebraska.
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WINTER SPORTS: OUTSTANDING MALE NOMINEES
Jack Bachelor
JACK BACHELOR | Washburn Rural
PARENTS: Aaron and Angela Bachelor
SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 3.962
Bachelor was named the Centennial League basketball player of the year, was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection and received All-Class 6A honors from multiple organizations. Bachelor averaged 17.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals as a senior while shooting 62 percent from 2-point range, 40 percent on 3-pointers and 82 percent from the free throw line. "It might be unrealistic to claim that a single person could be the emotional spark plug for an entire student body of nearly 2,000, but when it comes to Jack Bachelor and Washburn Rural High School, that's the exact claim that I would make,'' Rural coach Alex Hutchins said. "Jack has spent the last four years wearing his heart on his sleeve for the Junior Blues. Jack is a leader and a competitor.'' Bachelor will play collegiately at Washburn University.
Malachi Berg
MALACHI BERG | Topeka West
PARENT: Carisa Weatherly
SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 3.588
Berg averaged 13 points and 8.1 rebounds as a senior while shooting 60 percent from the field. Berg earned second-team All-United Kansas Conference recognition and All-Class 5A honorable mention. "Respected by peers, not only in the athletic community, but in the general school population,'' Topeka West coach Rick Bloomquist said. "Work ethic off the floor exemplifies his work ethic on the floor. His dedicaton to get better each day help make his teammates better. Malachi is loyal, sincere, and trustworthy; and understands the importance of being humble as not only a son and a brother, but a role model as well.'' Also a star quarterback for the Chargers, Berg will play college football at Hutchinson Community College.
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WINTER SPORTS: OUTSTANDING FEMALE NOMINEES
Addi Broxterman
ADDI BROXTERMAN | Washburn Rural
PARENTS: Justin and Marla Broxterman
SPORT: Wrestling | GPA: 4.019
Broxterman ended her record-setting four-year career by helping Washburn Rural capture its third state team championship and her 146 career victories made her the winningest wrestler in Kansas history. Broxterman's 132 career wins by fall and 34 3-point nearfalls are also state records and she holds the school record with 45 single-season wins. Broxterman was a three-time state medalist, a two-time state finalist and a four-time Centennial League champion. "Addison Broxterman has set the gold standard for women's wrestling, not just at Washburn Rural, but across the state of Kansas,'' Rural coach Damon Parker said. Broxterman was also a standout for the powerhouse Junior Blue soccer program, helping Rural to a third-place Class 6A state finish this past season. Broxterman will wrestle collegiately at Fort Hays State.
Molly Busenitz
MOLLY BUSENITZ | Shawnee Heights
PARENTS: David and Isabelle Busenitz
SPORT: Wrestling | GPA: 3.7
Busenitz was a Class 6A-5A state wrestling medalist as a junior and was 17-0 with 16 pins and one technical fall as a senior before suffering an ACL tear. Busenitz was ranked second in the state when the season-ending injury occured. "Molly was a multi-sport athlete, participating in both cross country and wrestling,'' T-Bird wrestling coach Chad Parks said. "Molly was a team leader and captain in both sports as well. She also thrived in the classroom, taking honors courses thoughout high school and graduating with a 3.7 unweighted GPA.'' Busenitz was a two-time United Kansas Conference champion and posted a 49-11 career record with 44 pins. She was named Heights' 2023 wrestler of the year and will wrestle at Ottawa University.
Azaryah Duncan
AZARYAH DUNCAN | Topeka West
PARENTS: Toranal and Jada Duncan
SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 3.865
Duncan averaged seven points, three rebounds and three steals as a senior as Topeka West's girls basketball team showed significant improvement over the 2022-2023 season. "Azaryah moved here at the beginning of her sophomore year and immediately made a positive impact,'' said Jeff Skar, Duncan's high school coach at Topeka West. "She is diligent and a perfectionist. She showed great leadership during her junior and senior seasons. She made herself into a solid player through her hard work and consistency. She had some of her best games against our toughest opponents.''
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Thirteen city girls soccer standouts have earned All-State recognition from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association, led by Cair Paravel Latin Class 4A-1A co-forward of the year Katherine Keys.
Cair Paravel junior Katherine Keys and sophomore Zahra Friess (3) have been named to the All-Class 4A-1A soccer first team, with Keys named the co-forward of the year in 4A-1A. [File photo/TSN]
Washburn Rural senior Mackinly Rohn (left) has been named to the All-4A-1A soccer first team. [File photo/TSN]
Keys, a junior, was one of four Lions named to the All-4A-1A first team along with Zahra Friess, KellyAnn Chada and Trinity Childs while CPLS coach Doug Woolery was named the 4A-1A co-coach of the year.
Washburn Rural senior midfielder Mackinly Rohn earned first-team honors in 6A after earning honorable mention as a junior.
Rural senior Addi Broxterman earned All-6A second-team recognition while Kate Hinck, Destiny Higgs and Hailey Beck earned honorable mention.
Shawnee Heights sophomore Isabell Van Fleet was a second-team pick in 5A while Heights' Lailah Benz earned honorable mention.
Cair Paravel's Veronica Ignato and Sawyer Schwartz received All-4A-1A honorable mention.
Coaches have to be members of the KHSSCA to have players nominated and selected.
