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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Back in the spring of 2019, Hayden's Tanner Newkirk burst on the state track and field scene as a freshman, placing second in his state debut.
Now a junior, Newkirk, the reigning Class 4A state cross country champion, is one of several Shawnee County upperclassmen who appear poised to make noise at the state level later this season along with several newcomers who have already shown promise in their first track and field campaigns.
Other top returners include Seaman boys hurdler Sean Hoffmans, Washburn Rural boys hurdler Marquel Russell, Hayden boys long-jumper/sprinter Jack Konrade and Shawnee Heights girls hurdler/jumper Shelby Butterfield, while a talented group of newcomers includes Shawnee Heights boys hurdler/sprinter Jeremiah Smith, Heights girls sprinter Taylor Rottinghaus, Seaman girls distance runner Bethany Druse and Seaman hurdler Taylin Stallbaumer.
Here's 20 athletes to keep an eye on this spring:
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
City swimmers dominated the Topeka High Invitational last Thursday and Friday at the Capitol Federal Natorium, combining for victories in 10 of 12 events.
Washburn Rural used its depth to take the team championship by a 437-326 margin over Seaman while the Vikings won a meet-high six events, followed by Rural and Topeka West with two wins apiece.
Seaman's Avery Walz and Gabby Grace both captured four gold medals, with Walz winning the 200-yard individual medley in 2 minutes, 13.79 seconds and the 100 breaststroke (1:08.15) and Grace the 100 freestyle (56.99) and 100 backstroke (1:02.96) while both A. Walz and Grace swam on the Vikings' 200 medley relay (1:59.74) and 400 free relay (3:59.72) along with Tauren Walz and Samantha Shea.
Washburn Rural got wins from Makenna Pritchard in the 50 free (26.54) and from Mara Bare in the 100 butterfly (1:07.56).
Topeka West's Kadence Jefferies was a double individual winner, taking the 200 freestyle in 1:58.20 and the 500 free in 5:12.81.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
After advancing to the Class 6A state tournament in 2019, another big year could be in store for Shane Miles' Topeka High softball team this spring.
The Trojans return eight players that gained starting experience for High's 16-4 team in '19, including All-Staters Zoe Caryl and NiJaree Canady and four other players who received All-City recognition, and Miles' team is already off to a 4-0 start, including a pair of wins over 5A power Shawnee Heights.
Topeka High senior catcher Zoe Caryl, an All-Stater in 2019, has helped lead the Trojans to a 4-0 start this spring. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Topeka High junior NiJaree Canady, who received All-State recognition as a freshman, is a star at the plate and on the pitching mound for the Trojans. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Topeka High will build this year's team around seniors Caryl, Zoie Kincade, Tatum Wilson and Mia Kelly and juniors Canady, Amiah Cain and Majayla Boyd while top newcomers include junior Elycia Joyce and sophomores Adisyn Caryl and Quincy Smith.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman's softball team opened its 2021 season in impressive fashion Thursday at home, taking a 10-0, 3-2 decision over Centennial League foe Manhattan.
Seaman took control of the opener with three runs in the first inning and added four runs in the third, two runs in the fourth and a run in the sixth.
Junior Emma Smith had two home runs and four runs batted in for the Vikings in the first game while junior Skylar Duncan had a three-run homer and senior Raigan Kramer had three hits, including a triple, and an RBI.
Duncan picked up the pitching win, throwing a one-hitter while walking three and striking out eight.
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TopSports.news
Turner Depperschmidt and Luke Leonetti led the way as Washburn Rural's golf team posted a decisive 12-stroke victory over Olathe West in Thursday's dual competition at Firekeeper Golf Course.
Juniors Depperschmidt and Leonetti tied for the low round of the day with 74s as Washburn Rural took a 302-324 win over Olathe West.
The Junior Blues also got 77s from junior Giles Frederickson and senior Cole Kucera while senior Tyler Higgins added a 78 and junior Gabe Kastner an 89.
Washburn Rural took a 302-314 dual win over Olathe West Thursday at Firekeeper Golf Course. [Twitter]
