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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Former NFL linebacker and current Los Angeles Chargers assistant coach Michael Wilhoite didn't move to Topeka until his senior year at Highland Park, but by the end of that one year, it was home.
Michael Wilhoite (left) and former Highland Park teammate and close friend Kyle Weems talk to campers during Thursday's DBA Big Kev's Community Give Back Camp at Shawnee Heights. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Michael Wilhoite demonstrates a drill during Thursday's DBA Big Kev's Community Give Back Camp at Shawnee Heights. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Kyle Weems helps a young camper lace up his sneakers during Thursday's DBA Big Kev's Community Give Back Camp at Shawnee Heights. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"The people, the community, I was accepted by everybody,'' said Wilhoite, who was back in Topeka Thursday to co-host the Darting Basketball Academy Youth Foundation Big Kev's Community Give Back Dual Basketball/Football Camp at Shawnee Heights wirh former Scot teammate and fellow Topeka Shawnee County Hall of Famer Kyle Weems "Coach D (Ken Darting), Karen (Darting), Kyle and the Weems family, Miss (Monica) Augusto and everybody in the school of Highland Park, everybody in the community, it was like open arms, 'Come on in, dive into our culture and we're going to love you.'
"I instantly dove into the culture, saw the way people were moving, talking, dressing and stayed myself but then added a little bit of that flavor to myself as well and it was just beautiful, man. Everybody accepted me.''
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By RICK PETERSON 
EDITOR'S NOTE: Over the coming weeks, TopSports.news will recognize Shawnee County's all-time coaching greats in 14 sports as part of our Best of the Best project. Readers will have the opportunity to vote through July 15, with the Top 10 in all categories announced in July and August. To cast a vote for the Best of the Best track and field coach click on https://poll-maker.com/poll4398959x83e04eA7-138 while email votes/nominations will be also accepted at
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Eleven candidates are listed as possible contenders for the No.1 spot in the TopSports.news Shawnee County Best of the Best Coaches project for track and field, and there could have been twice that many.
All 11 suggested candidates had a hand in at least one state team championship with nine winning multiple titles.
Joe Schrag
Mike Nash
Brad Nicks
Jerry Beardslee
Local track and legend Joe Schrag, a member of multiple halls of fame, won multiple championships at Topeka West in both outdoor and indoor track while former Shawnee Heights coaches Brad Nicks (three) and Mike Nash (two) combined for five boys/girls state titles while establishing the T-Birds as a perennial state power.
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
EDITOR'S NOTE: Over the coming weeks, TopSports.news will recognize Shawnee County's all-time coaching greats in 14 sports as part of our Best of the Best project. Readers will have the opportunity to vote through July 15, with the Top 10 in all categories announced in July and August. To cast a vote for the Best of the Best tennis coach click on https://poll-maker.com/poll4394502x2b20465E-138 while email votes/nominations will be also accepted at
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The list of contenders for the No.1 spot on the TopSports.news Shawnee County Best of the Best Coaches tennis list includes some of the most recognizable names in the sport in Kansas.
Retiring Washburn Rural tennis coach Kevin Hedberg led the Junior Blues to five state team championships over a legendary 43-year high school coaching career. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden tennis coach James Sandstrom has led the Wildcats to multiple Class 4A state team titles. [Submitted]
Topeka West tennis coach Kurt Davids has established the Chargers as a consistent city and Class 5A contender. [File photo/TSN]
Retiring Washburn Rural coach Kevin Hedberg, former Hayden coach Connie Robertson and the late Larry Reid, who coached at Topeka High and was a staple in the local tennis community, are all members of the Topeka Tennis Association Hall of Fame, while current Hayden coach James Sandstrom, former Topeka West coach Corey Wilson and former Rural coach Bob Gladfelter have all coached multiple state championship teams.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Andrew Beckler is hopeful that there will be many more U.S. Opens in his professional golf future.
But whatever happens down the road, the former Washburn Rural and Washburn University star will never forget the thrill of his first Open.
Former Washburn Rural and Washburn University star Andrew Beckler signs autographs Wednesday at Pure Golf Topeka for participants in PGT's Summer Junior Camp. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Andrew Beckler, who recently competed in his first U.S. Open, works with a junior golfer Wednesday at Pure Golf Topeka. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"It was just kind of above and beyond what I thought, just how well the USGA takes care of you and how well the tournament's run,'' Beckler said. "I knew it was going to be great but I didn't realize how awesome it is to be out there playing the U.S. Open. It was really special.''
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The Darting Basketball Academy wrapped up Year No. 3 of its six-week 3 on 3 tournament for elementary and middle school players Tuesday night, with more than 120 players taking part at Shawnee Heights.
Kerry Darting (middle) poses with Darting Basketball Academy 3 on 3 tournament middle school MVPs Brecken McGuire (left) and KK Emmot (right) Tuesday night at Shawnee Heights. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Kerry Darting poses with Darting Basketball Academy 3 on 3 Tournament elementary school MVPs Ryder Valdivia (left), Kamryn Carlson (middle) and Hudson Heim (right) Tuesday night at Shawnee Heights. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The tournament has a unique format, with players rotating from team to team each game to give players an opportunity to team up with players of varying talent levels.
