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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Silver Lake's Logan Pegram and Washburn Rural's Brad Johnston, who are taking over retiring Kansas coaching legends C.J. Hamilton and Kevin Hedberg, are part of a group of 19 new varsity head coaches who have been announced by Shawnee County high schools for the 2022-2023 school year.
Pegram, a former Silver Lake standout, takes over as the Eagles' head football coach for Hamilton, the state's winningest football coach, who retired after 47 years at the school, while Johnston is the new Washburn Rural girls and boys tennis coach, replacing Hedberg, who led the Junior Blues to five state team championships in 32 seasons and coached a total of 43 years at Seaman and Rural.
Joining Johnston as a new head coach for Washburn Rural is former Hays boys basketball coach Alex Hutchins, who is taking over as the Junior Blues' boys basketball coach from Kevin Muff.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
If it hadn't been the final day of the Topeka Golf Association Bill McDonald Champions Stroke Play Tournament Gary Lucas might have been tempted to skip playing golf Tuesday on a day when the temperature reached 100 degrees, with a feel-like temp of 110.
But Lucas not only played Tuesday at Topeka Country Club, but earned the tournament championship in the city event for players aged 40 and over, shooting a 36-hole score of 145 with rounds of 72 and winning the title in a sudden death playoff with C.C. Metzler.
"Probably today I would't have been playing, but riding in a cart it wasn't too bad,'' Lucas said. "There was enough shade out there and the wind was blowing, so it actually felt cooler today than it did yesterday because there was a little more breeze.''
Lucas, who also recently won the Topkeka Country Club club championship, was pleased with the way he played in the Champions event.
"I thought I played pretty solid, although I threw some simple shots away,'' Lucas said.
Metzler, who had rounds of 73 and 72, was satisfied with his runner-up finish.
"I hit the ball well, I couldn't complain about that at all,'' Metzler said. "But I've been struggling with my putting for two or three years.
"I don't mind losing to this guy (Lucas) any day. We play together a lot and he's a great guy and a great player and he deserves to win.
BILL McDONALD CITY CHAMPIONS STROKE PLAY TOURNAMENT
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Veteran Topeka West tennis coach Kurt Davids was honored Tuesday as the Kansas Coaches Association state boys tennis coach of the year for 2021-2022.
Davids, who has coached West's boys for 29 seasons, received his award Tuesday during the 88th annual Kansas State High School Activities Association Coaching School at the Hotel Topeka City Center.
Davids led Topeka West to a second-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament this past season while also winning a regional team championship, sharing the city team title with Washburn Rural and finishing second in the Centennial League meet.
West also won the city boys title in 2021 and Davids' teams (boys and girls combined) have posted five top-four state team finishes. He has coached Class 5A state singles and doubles champs.
Davids' 2022 Topeka West team and family members were on hand to see Davids receive his award from the KCA's Stan Boggs, a longtime high school tennis coach.
KANSAS COACHES ASSOCIATION 2021-2022 COACHES OF THE YEAR
Boys cross country -- Curtis Morgan, Buhler.
Girls cross country -- Kelsey Carbajo, Olathe West.
Football (11-man) -- Clint Rider, Blue Valley Northwest.
Football (8-man) -- Bryan Luetters, Meade.
Girls golf -- Aaron Anderson, Blue Valley West.
Boys soccer -- Erik Jones, Blue Valley Southwest.
Girls tennis -- Cheryl Kucharik, Scott City.
Volleyball -- Kaylie Bergkamp, Andale.
Boys basketball -- Chris Schmidt, Olpe.
Girls basketball -- Jill Rowland, Sterling.
Boys swimming and diving -- Dave Youker, Olathe East.
Girls wrestling -- Tate Thompson, Pratt.
Baseball -- Heath Gerstner, McPherson.
Boys golf -- Clifton Hartzog, Godard Eisenhower.
Girls soccer -- Alex Aiman, Blue Valley West.
Softball -- Bill Finucane, Eudora.
Girls swimming and diving -- Bethany Bastian, Andover.
Boys tennis -- Kurt Davids, Topeka West.
Boys track and field -- Tyler Ryan, Andale.
Girls track and field -- Jay Myers, Smoky Valley.
Boys middle school -- Jody Miller, Rock Creek.
Girls middle school -- Nate Clevenger, Girard.
NATIONAL FEDERATION NATIONAL COACHES OF THE YEAR
Kit Harris, girls wrestling, Baldwin.
Jesse Nelson, girls basketball, Olpe.
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By CAMDEN MARTIN
TopSports.news
Topeka is a town rich in fun and exciting things to do.
One such thing is participating in a sports team. There’s no shortage of sports teams for youths of various ages and although becoming a member of these teams might seem vexing to those who are new, it is easy.
One such way to become involved in these teams is to take part in the Police Athletic League of Topeka, or PAL program.
The Police Athletic League of Topeka is the heart of sports for the youth living in Topeka, offering programs to children in kindergarten through sixth grade.
PAL offers fun opportunities through the Boys and Girls Club of Topeka. Playing games of traditional sports such as basketball, baseball and flag football, there’s never a dull day with PAL. Even for those uninterested in sports, there are programs that allow for other kinds of involvement. Members are also granted the chance to participate in in activities such as boxing and chess.
In addition to physical and social opportunities, the mission of PAL is to teach the youths of Topeka important lessons in teamwork, good sportsmanship and self-discipline.
But one of the most enlightening experiences members can have is the chance to interact with the officers of the Topeka Police Department. Taking time out of their duties protecting the town they call home, these distinguished officers have chosen to dedicate their efforts to enriching the bodies and minds of local youths.
One such officer is Sergeant William Lister, who serves as the president of PAL. Sergeant Lister freely offers his free time to enriching the lives of Topeka’s children with fun and engaging sports. Another officer serving is Lieutenant John Sturgeon, the treasurer of PAL.
With the help of these noble police officers, the Police Athletic League of Topeka has become an organization that Topeka can be proud of.
Much more than a simple sports program for children, it’s way of bringing people together, especially handy during the idle, warm months of summer.
The Police Athletic League of Topeka has something for everyone to enjoy; whether it’s exciting sports or a different interest. One can be aware of this organization by following it on their website, Twitter and Facebook.
If you wish to get involved in this year-long program, visit their website at paltopeka.org.
Children from K-6th grade are accepted, with registration $25 for individuals and $125 for teams.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Former Topeka High standout Tyrell Everett feels like every step he's made in his coaching career has been a step forward.
But after basically one-year stints at schools in Kansas, Florida, Ohio, Iowa and Oklahoma, Everett would like to put down some roots in his new position as defensive line coach at NCAA Division II Pittsburg State.
"I'm looking forward to having the same address for awhile,'' Everett said during a visit to Topeka. "I'm excited to be back home in Kansas because not many people get to come back home and especially to be a part of a great program like Pitt State.''
Everett, who played collegiately at Butler Community College and Baker, coached at Butler CC, West Florida as a graduate assistant, Akron (GA), Tulsa (GA), and two separate stints at Clarke University before the Pittsburg State position opened up earlier this spring.
"Of course you're always interested when it comes to Pitt State, a big-time school, a big-time tradition and being from Kansas it's like a cathedral of football, especially for D-II,'' Everett said. "When I saw that opportunity come iup and I got my shot it was a blessing to even be pulled in for an interview for it.
"This job, it was something that just kind of fell in my lap. It's one of those things where just being able to build relationships helped me get this job and just being at the right spot at the right time and the right situation.''
Everett was offered the Pittsburg State position in late May and started on June 1.
"Everything is just community there and when I first got there it was an open-arm, warm welcome so it felt good to get that Midwest, Kansas hospitality,'' Everett said.
Everett joins the staff of Brian Wright, who is starting his third season as the Gorillas' head coach, including an 8-3 record in 2021.
"The staff is unbelievable and there's a reason why they've had tremendous success there in the first two years and they're going to continue to have tremendous success just with the leadership we have from coach Wright at the top on down,'' Everett said.
In addition to being a position coach Everett will have recruiting duties for the Gorillas.
"I'll be back in the Topeka area, a little bit in the Lawrence area and probably a little bit in the KC area to a little bit in the Wichita area and just be wherever they need me to go,'' Everett said. "Kansas kids work hard and they deserve to be recruited hard and that's what we're going to do.
"That's what coach Wright has put an emphasis on is winning locally and that's what we're going to work hard to do.''
Pittsburg State opens fall camp next Monday and will open its 2022 season on Sept. 1 at home against Central Missouri.
"We've got a great group of great young men that I'm excited to coach,'' Everett said.