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By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
The Shawnee Heights boys shined the brightest at their home track and field invitational on a windy Friday afternoon.
The T-Bird boys racked up six first-place medals, leading to a first-place team finish with a score of 156.
Shawnee Heights junior Jeremiah Smith won three gold medals in Friday's Shawnee Heights Invitational, leading the T-Birds to the team title. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Junior speedster Jeremiah Smith led Shawnee Heights with three first-place medals, while the strength of Maddox Moten earned him two first-place finishes.
“I thought our day went well despite the elements outside,” Shawnee Heights coach John Oshel said. “Our team has competed well and the meet has been moving along perfectly. It’s hard telling with the 30 MPH winds who has specifically stood out, but I thought the team did a great job competing today.”
Shawnee Heights took first place by the slimmest of margins, edging Emporia by a single point.
“Under the conditions, I thought we competed well,” Emporia coach Randy Wells said. “The wind has had a factor in the events today. I think adapting and dealing with the adversity will benefit our team, especially with state around the corner. The events moving as quick as they are today is a benefit to the teams competing today.”
Hayden's Jadyn Paige-Falley finished second in the shot put (above), won the discus title and finished second in the javelin in Friday's Shawnee Heights Invitational. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Hayden senior distance star Tanner Newkirk posted a 29-second win in the 3,200 meters in Friday's Shawnee Heights Invitational. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The Hayden boys and girls were both able to take third-place finishes on Friday night. Jadyn Paige-Falley, Joe Otting, Jensen Schrickel, Jake Muller and Tanner Newkirk were able to take gold in various events.
“Overall, it’s been a pretty good day,” Hayden coach DeJuan Gardenhire Jr. said. “I thought we handled ourselves well with the speed of the meet. Today was a pretty fast meet. A lot of kids are doing four events today with only about five or 10 minutes to truly recover.
“I’m proud of how well they have handled the events.”
The Shawnee Heights girls posted a fourth-place team finish.
The sprinters did particularly well for the T-Birds. Taylor Rottinghaus took a first-place finish in the 400-meter dash and Ta’Mijha Nichols earned the gold in the 100.
Shawnee Heights alumnus Ryan Hahn has been a key in the turnaround for West Franklin High School, which competed in the invitational.
West Franklin, a 3A school, was considered the underdog in the invitational. While the boys finished fifth, the girls took a second-place finish.
“It’s neat to come here and see the competition,” Hahn said. “We really wanted this meet today. We were anxious when the meet was in question because of the weather. We want to be the ones to step up and face the big schools with faster athletes. I’m proud of our team and the way we’ve competed with the best today.”
Shawnee Heights Invitational
GIRLS
Team scores
Emporia 158.50, West Franklin 113, Hayden 105, Shawnee Heights 96.50, Bishop Miege 92, Ottawa 89.
Individual results
Shot put -- 1. Olson, Bishop Miege, 35-08.00, 2. Paige-Falley, Hayden, 33-10.00, 3. Keebaugh, Ottawa, 32-09.00.
Pole Vault – 1. Bailey, West Franklin, 9-00.00, 2. Gajewski, Bishop Miege, J9-00.00, 3. Busenitz, Shawnee Heights, 9-06.00.
Discus -- 1. Paige-Falley, Hayden, 108-03, 2. Calahan, Bishop Miege, 105-07, 3. Dials, Ottawa, 92-06.
Javelin -- 1. Ficken, Ottawa, 120-11, 2. Paige-Falley, Hayden, 106-05, 3. Emperley, Shawnee Heights, 104-05.
Long jump -- 1. Keebaugh, Ottawa, 16-10.00, 2. Shivley, Emporia, 16-00.00, 3. H. Walters, West Franklin,15-09.00.
High jump -- 1. Telfer, Emporia, 4-10.00, 2. Coffman, Shawnee Heights, J4-10.00, 3. Jordan, West Franklin, 4-08.00.
Triple jump – 1. Keebaugh, Ottawa, 37-04.00, 2. Shivley, Emporia, 34-11.50, 3. Telfer, Emporia, 32-03.50.
4 x 400 relay – 1. Shawnee Heights, 4:24.47, 2. West Franklin, 4:30.10, 3. Bishop Miege, 4:31.17.
100 hurdles -- 1. Key, Bishop Miege, 15.70, 2. Crabtree, West Franklin, 17.22, 3. Eng, Emporia, 17.53.
100 -- 1. Nichols, Shawnee Heights, 12.13, 2. McCallop, Bishop Miege, 12.17, 3. Hillebert, Hayden, 12.88.
1,600 -- 1. Bailey, West Franklin, 5:50.09, 2. Willhite, Emporia, 5:55.78, 3. Sheffy-Harris, Emporia, 5:56.92.
4 x 100 relay -- 1. Bishop Miege, 51.61, 2. Hayden, 52.90, 3. West Franklin, 53.17.
400 -- 1. Rottinghaus, Shawnee Heights, 1:00.24, 2. Hillebert, Hayden, 1:04.81, 3. Haltom, Shawnee Heights, 1:05.54.
300 hurdles -- 1. Crabtree, West Franklin, 49.53, 2. Cooper, Emporia, 51.61, 3. Reid, Hayden, 53.77.
800 -- 1. Bailey, West Franklin, 2:36.78, 2. Bird, Ottawa, 2:40.63, 3. Willhite, Emporia, 2:43.63.
200 -- 1. McCallop, Bishop Miege, 27.12, 2. Rottinghaus, Shawnee Heights, 27.18, 3. Nichols, Shawnee Heights, 27.88.
3,200 – 1. Sheffy-Harris, Emporia, 12:38.08, 2. Curtis, Emporia, 13:40.79, 3. Huffman, Ottawa, 13:52.52.
BOYS
Team scores
Shawnee Heights 156, Emporia 155, Hayden 139.5, Bishop Miege 93.5, West Franklin 81, Ottawa, 58.
Individual results
Shot put -- 1. Moten, Shawnee Heights, 50-10.00, 2. Etzel, Shawnee Heights, 47-05.00, 3. Otting, Hayden, 46-08.00.
Discus -- 1. Moten, Shawnee Heights, 141-03, 2. McConnell, Hayden, 139-07, 3. Saleshi, Bishop Miege, 134-11.
Javelin -- 1. Otting, Hayden, 143-04, 2. Cummings, Hayden, 142-00, 3. Clevinger, Ottawa, 138-07.
Long jump -- 1. Schrickel, Hayden, 21-08.50, 2. Funk, Hayden, 20-10.50, 3. Faulkner, Bishop Miege, 20-04.50
High jump -- 1. Abarca, West Franklin, 5-10.00, 2. Proehl, Emporia, 5-08.00, 3. Anderson, Emporia, 5-08.00.
Triple jump – 1. Leeds, Emporia, 40-05.50, 2. Cole, Bishop Miege, 38-07.75, 3. Abarca, West Franklin, 38-03.25.
4 x 800 relay -- 1. Shawnee Heights, 9:03.35, 2. Bishop Miege, 9:15.20, 3. Hayden, 9:31.39.
110 hurdles -- 1. Smith, Shawnee Heights, 14.23, 2. Muller, Hayden, 15.30, 3. Obermeyer, Emporia, 15.69.
100 -- 1. Smith, Shawnee Heights, 9.72, 2. January, Shawnee Heights, 10.50, 3. McDaniel, Shawnee Heights, 10.85.
1,600 -- 1. True, Emporia, 4:50.62, 2. Bailey, West Franklin, 5:06.88, 3. Amis, Hayden, 5:14.39.
4 x 100 relay -- 1. Bishop Miege, 45.23, 2. Hayden, 45.39, 3. Emporia, 45.51.
400 -- 1. Jackson, Emporia, 53.87, 2. Spellman, Emporia, 54.44, 3. Rech, Emporia, 54.47.
300 hurdles -- 1. Muller, Hayden, 40.95, 2. Garvin, Shawnee Heights, 41.93, 3. Obermeyer, Emporia, 44.40.
800 -- 1. True, Emporia, 2:11.38, 2. Benz, Shawnee Heights, 2:11.40, 3. Staniec, Shawnee Heights, 2:11.63.
200 -- 1. Smith, Shawnee Heights, 21.82, 2. January, Shawnee Heights, 23.10, 3. McCallop, Bishop Miege, 23.65.
3,200 – 1. Newkirk, Hayden, 9:34.30, 2. Esquibel, Shawnee Heights, 10:03.40, 3. Rochford, Hayden, 10:51.78.
WasRelated Stories and Videos
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman junior 800 meters star Bethany Druse expected a good night in Friday's Bob Camien/Claudia Welch Invitational at Seaman.
But Druse admitted she wasn't neessarily counting on the record-setting performance she turned in at Seaman Stadium.
Druse dominated Friday night's 800, shattering her personal best with a winning time of 2 minutes. 15.19 seconds while setting a Seaman school record and notching the best time in the state this spring.
Seaman junior Bethany Druse comes down the home stretch with a huge lead en route to a win in 2:15.19 in Friday's Bob Camien/Claudia Welch Invitational at Seaman. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"Today I was not expecting a 2:15, whatsover,''said Druse, who won by more than eight seconds. "Last week I got a 2:17, so I didn't know if this week was going to be a recovery week and then I'd get back on it next week or what.''
Druse, a multiple state placer in cross country and track, said she couldn't tell during the race that she was on the way to a big time.
"I did not know that was fast,'' Druse said. "I was a little sceptical of the weather, so my goal today was just to get a good time and get first place.''
Druse knew that the previous school record in the 800 was 2:16.2 and that it was within her reach eventuarlly, but she was surprised that it came so soon.
"I expected it to come at regionals or state or something, definitely not now,'' she said.
Now Druse will try to build off Friday's performance, with city, Centennial League, regionals and state coming up.
"I have tons of confidence now ater that,'' Druse said.
Other girls meet highlights:
• Rossville's Briar Gillum posted a pair of top-two finishes in the throws, including a victory in the shot put.
Briar Gillum
Gillum topped the 40 foot mark in the shot with a winning effort of 40 feet, 2.75 inches while Shawnee Heights' Kirsten Womack was second at 39-11.25.
Gillum finished second in the discus with a throw of 125-9, finishing second to Womack's 146-7.
• Seaman's Ally Trier had a breakout performance in the javelin, winning the event with a personal-best throw of 123 feet, 0 inches.
Trier posted a win by nearly seven feet.
Seaman sophomore Taylin Stallbaumer won the girls 100-meter hurdles Friday night and finished third (above) in the 300 hurdles in the Bob Camien/Claudia Welch Invitational at Seaman. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
• Seaman's Taylin Stallbaumer won the 100-meter hurdles in a time of 15.47 and came back later in the evening to finish third in the 300 lows in 48.25.
• Silver Lake's Mariah Farmer posted a second-place finish in the 1,600 meets, clocking a time of 5:42.66.
• Topeka West's MaKinsey Jones tied for second in the high jump with a clearance at 5-0.
• Washburn Rural finished third in the 4 x 800 relay in a time of 10:10.11.
Shawnee Mission North won the event in 9:49.03.
Bob Camien/Claudia Welch Invitational
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
After winning a state championship last season as a junior, the bar is obviously set high for Topeka West standout jumper Zsamar Sipple.
Friday's performance in the triple jump in the Bob Camien/Claudia Welch Invitational at Seaman was proof that Sipple is starting to round into championship-caliber form once again with the biggest four meets of the year coming up.
Topeka West senior Zsamar Sipple won the triple jump with a personal-best jump of 46-3 and also placed fourth in the long jump in Friday's Bob Camien/Claudia Welch Invitational at Seaman. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Sipple won the Class 6A long jump and placed in the triple jump at state before transferring to Topeka West for his senior season.
Sipple had some ups and downs early, but enjoyed a big day Friday, sailing 46 feet, 3 inches to win the triple jump title.
Sipple's winning jump was a personal record, but he hopes that's just temporary.
"For the moment it's my best, but I'm looking to get more,'' Sipple said. "Once I locked in I was able to get that 46 and I need to lock in some more. I need to work harder, too, to get farther so colleges can see because I'm trying to get out there and get a college scholarship.
"Definitely with this 46-3 I feel if I put a little more technique in it I would have got a 47.''
Sipple also posted a fourth-place finish in a tough long jump field, posting a best jump of 22-9.
Sipple said it was a obviously a change switching schools and coaches, but he feels like he's ready to mount a late-season charge.
"It's just transitioning to different techniques and different things, what I'm not used to,'' Sipple said. "So I'm just trying to get used to these different techniques and put them into my jumps so I can get farther.''
The final two boys events, the 3,200 meters and the 4 x 400 relay were canceled due to impending storms. The girls 4 x 400 was also canceled.
Other boys meet highlights:
Silver Lake senior Brogan Renfro (front) won the boys 200-meter dash and finished fourth in the 100 in Friday's Bob Camien/Claudia Welch Invitational at Seaman. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
• Silver Lake senior Brogan Renfro was the champion in the boys 200-meter dash, running a time of 22.98 to best a field loaded with 6A competitors.
• Washburn Rural senior Zach Sulzen-Watson posted a pair of second-place finishes in the shot put and discus on Friday.
Sulzen-Watson was the runner-up in the shot put to Santa Fe Trail's Brett Schwartz with a throw of 52-3. Schwartz won the event at 52-9.25.
Sulzen-Watson posted a throw of 170-9 in the discus while Schwartz won the event at 185-9.
• Topeka West's Lenny Njoroge finished third in the 1,600 meters in 4:32.04 while Seaman's Lain Anderson finished third in the pole vault, clearing 11-6 and Seaman finished third in the 4 x 100 relay in 44.64 seconds.
Bob Camien/Claudia Welch Invitational
At Seaman
BOYS
- Details
By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
Thursday night’s doubleheader sweep was due to a complete team effort from Topeka High baseball in both games.
Topeka High’s starting pitching posted an impressive performance, allowing the offense plenty of time to inflict some damage against Hayden.
Dillon Mitchell toed the slab in High's Game 1’s 6-4 victory over the Wildcats and Nathan Plankinton started in the 12-0 decision in the nightcap at Hummer Sports Park.
Topeka High's baseball team huddles up after Thursday's 6-4, 12-0 Centennial League doubleheader sweep over Hayden. [Photo by Isaac Deer/TSN]
Mitchell’s six innings of work gave him enough time to strike out 11 batters, allowing two hits and one run. Mitchell has been on a hot streak on the bump, recording 26 strikeouts over his last two games.
“My off-speed is working well and my fastball has a little more zip on it this year than previous years,” Mitchell said. “My main goal is that I’m pitching to weak contact. The more weak contact I can get with my pitches, the deeper I can go into games.”
Plankinton pitched a complete-game shutout while striking out four batters and giving up just a single hit.
“I got the job done with my fastball,” Plankinton said. “It wasn’t my best day, but I did enough to help my team get the win. I felt like the day was pretty good, but I definitely could have done better.”
Topeka High coach Cody Miller was pleased his pitcher's work.
“Our two guys that pitched today are capable of having days like they did today,” Miller said. “They can both throw off-speed pitches whenever they want to for strikes. When you can do that, it really keeps hitters off-balance. They both had their good stuff today.”
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Obviously, both Topeka West and Washburn Rural would have loved to have the 2022 city boys tennis championship all to itself.
But West coach Kurt Davids and Rural coach Kevin Hedberg had a strong inkling that Thursday's tournament at Kossover Tennis Center would turn out exactly like it did, with the Chargers and Junior Blues finishing the day as co-city champions.
Washburn Rural senior Mason Thieu won the city No. 1 singles title Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center, helping Rural win a share of the city team title. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Topeka West's Ian Cusick (left) and twin brother Miles won their second straight No. 1 city doubles title Thursday, helping West share the city team title with Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
West and Rural went one-two in all four divisions, winning two titles apiece, as both teams finished with 28 points. Shawnee Heights finished third as a team with 18 points.
"Kevin and I had talked about this and it went exacly as both of us had expected,'' said Davids, whose Chargers won their second straight city title. "We both had wishes for other things to happen, but we knew what was probably going to happen.''
Hedberg, who was coaching in his final city meet, agreed.
"(Kurt) and I were talking last night and we figured out we had three options,'' said Hedberg, who will retire at the end of the season. "One of us was going to win by one or we were going to tie.''
Topeka West's tennis team poses for a team picture after sharing the city team championship with Washburn Rural Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural's tennis team poses for a picture after sharing the city team championship with Topeka West Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural claimed both singles titles, with senior Mason Thieu taking an 8-2 win over Topeka West's sophomore James Maag in the No. 1 final and senior Mason Casebeer taking an 8-1 win over West sophomore Caden McGee in the No. 2 championship match.
Topeka West turned the tables in doubles competition, with juniors Ian and Miles Cusick claiming the No. 1 championship with an 8-1 win over Washburn Rural's Kyler Knudtson and Nick Luetje and junior Carter Cool and senior Gavin Chavez taking the No. 2 title with an 8-3 win over Rural seniors Kiyoon Park and Zach Willingham.
