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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Softball stars Kaibryn Kruger of Silver Lake and Kinsey Perine of Rossville were selected as Topeka Shawnee County Co-Spring Female Athletes of the Year Wednesday night at Washburn University.
Recent Silver Lake graduate Kaibryn Kruger was named the Co-Spring Female Athlete of the Year at Wednesday's Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards banquet at Washburn University. [File photo/TSN]
Rossville product Kinsey Perine was named the Co-Spring Female Athlete of the Year at Wednesday's Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards banquet at Washburn University. [File photo/TSN]
Kruger helped lead Silver Lake to a second-place finish in the Class 3A state softball tournament this spring after helping the Eagles win the Class 3A state championship in basketball.
Kruger split her time between softball and track and field in the spring, running on Silver Lake's state championship team in the 4x400 relay as a senior while also qualifying for state in the triple jump.
"She not only has been a good athlete but also an influence to our future Eagles,'' Silver Lake softball coach Nick Hamilton said. "She has done an outstanding job continuing and building the rich tradition of Silver Lake, not only the winning success, but being competitive in everything that she does.''
The daughter of David and Dena Kruger, Kaibryn compiled a grade point average of 4.0 in high school.
Perine was a three-sport star for the Bulldawgs in volleyball, basketball and softball, earning All-Mid-East League, All-Shawnee County and All-State recognition in all three sports in addition to being the valedictorian of her graduating class.
"She is a role model not only to all her teammates but kids all over the town of Rossville,'' Bulldawg softball coach John Nitsch said. Perine helped lead Rossville softball to a fourth-place state finish in 2022 and to the Class 3A state title in 2023. "She is truly an exceptional young lady and athlete and will be greatly missed in all areas at Rossville High School.''
Perine hit .462 as a senior with a .524 on base percentage and a .703 slugging percentage. Perine will play softball at Emporia State.
The daughter of Jason and Shanna Perine, Kinsey carried a 4.4 grade point average.
SPRING SPORTS: OUTSTANDING FEMALE NOMINEES
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Former Washburn Rural swimming star Brogan Meier was named the TopSports.news Topeka Shawnee County Winter Male Athlete of the Year during Wednesday's awards banquet and Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Washburn University.
Former Washburn Rural star Brogan Meier was named the Topeka Shawnee County Winter Male Athlete of the Year Wednesday night at Washburn University. [File photo/TSN]
Meier capped an oustanding high school swimming career with the Class 6A 50-yard freestyle while helping lead Washburn Rural to a third-place team finish.
Meier was a four-time All-City and All-Centennial League honoree, helping the Junior Blues win four city team titles and three league championships.
"Brogan was a fantastic captain for our swim team, demonstrating great leadership and always being an encouraging teammate to all fellow swimmers,'' Rural coach Janson Garman said. "Brogan brought incredible talent, backed by a great work ethic, to our swim team and it really paid off for him in the end.''
Meier, the son of Kirk and Nicole Meier, compiled a grade point average of 4.11 at Washburn Rural.
He plans to attend Missouri State.
WINTER SPORTS: OUTSTANDING MALE NOMINEES
Caleb Annan-Noonoo
CALEB ANNAN-NOONOO | Topeka West
PARENTS: K.O. Noonoo and Anna Annan-Noonoo
SPORT: Basketball | GPA: NA
Annan-Noonoo was a three-year varsity player for the Chargers in basketball while also starring in the classroom, ranking as Topeka West's valedictorian for the class of 2024 and earning numerous academic scholarship offers. Annan-Noonoo turned in a solid senior season for the Chargers, shooting 55.9 percent from the field while ranking seventh in the city with a 5.5 rebounding average and leading the city with 1.4 blocked shots per game. He also averaged 1.6 steals on the season.
Rykan Carver
RYKAN CARVER | Shawnee Heights
PARENTS: Corey and Tricia Carver
SPORT: Wrestling | GPA: 4.53
A standout in football, wrestling and track and field for the T-Birds, Carver ended his high school wrestling career with the Class 5A 285-pound state title. Carver was a four-time letterman in wrestling, winning a pair of United Kansas Conference titles and qualifying for the 5A state tournament three times. "Rykan is a team leader and captain in all three of his sports and also thrives in the classroom, taking honors courses throughout high school and graduating with a 4.53 GPA,'' Shawnee Heights wrestling coach Chad Parks said. "This GPA and workload earned Rykan the distinction of being in the top one percent of GPAs for the entire state of Kansas.'' Carver will attend Kansas State to study engineering.
Cooper Colboch
COOPER COLBOCH | Hayden
PARENTS: Craig and Torri Colboch
SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 4.166
Colboch helped lead the Wildcats to a Class 3A state tournament berth as a senior, averaging 8.2 points per games while hitting 39 3-pointers and shooting 81.3 percent from the free throw line. "Cooper had a great senior season,'' former Hayden coach Trey Brown said. "He was the voice of our team all year long and hit countless big shots for us. He is a great kid on and off the court and was a big reason we had success this season. Colboch also played football for Hayden before being sidelined midway through his senior season with an injury.
Simon Everhart
SIMON EVERHART | Cair Paravel Latin
PARENTS: Dave and Rachel Everhart
SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 4.17
Everhart was a Top 10 All-Shawnee County selection as a senior, averaging 16.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game while scoring 35 percent of the Lions' points. "Simon is consistent in his approach and very reliable to his teammates,'' Cair Parave coach Chip Kueffer said. "A leader by his actions, not just words. The team depended on him heavily to show up and there was never a moment during the year when Simon let a teammate down. Simon demonstrates humility and perseverance. Despite being one of the top players in Topeka, Simon was never 'too big time.' He consistently swept the court before practices started and led as a team captain with a servant's heart.''
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
State champions Kendra Hurla of Rossville and Makenzie McDaniel of Silver Lake were named the TopSports.news Topeka Shawnee County Co-Winter Female Athletes of the Year Wednesday at Washburn University during the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards banquet and Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Recent Rossville graduate Kendra Hurla was named the Topeka Shawnee County Co-Winter Female Athlete of the Year Wednesday at Washburn University. [Submitted photo]
Silver Lake product Makenzie McDaniel was named the Topeka Shawnee County Co-Winter Female Athlete of the Year Wednesday at Washburn University. [Submitted photo]
Hurla joined a very elite group of high school athletes when she won her fourth straight Class 4A-1A state wrestling championship in February while McDaniel helped lead Silver Lake to the 3A state basketball championship.
Hurla posted a career wrestling record of 127-3 with more than 100 career pins, including a 38-0 record as a senior.
"Kendra is the definition of a leader,'' Rossville coach Bryce Gfeller said. "Throughout the year she was constantly the one setting our practice pace and making sure that everyone was following her lead. She has inspired many of our younger girls to try wrestling for the first time after watching her compete.''
Hurla also competed in volleyball, track, cheer and dance and will cheer at Washburn University.
McDaniel finished her prep career with 1,493 points, 952 rebounds and 155 blocked shots while ranking No. 1 on Silver Lake's all-time career list in two-point field goals made, defensive rebounds and offensive rebounds and ranking No. 2 in career points and career blocks.
McDaniel holds the single-season school record in total points, two-point field goals made, points per game, offensive rebounds and defensive rebounds.
A four-year starter, the Emporia State signee was named the co-Shawnee County player of the year as a senior after averaging 19.8 points and 10.4 rebounds.
McDaniel was also a standout in volleyball, softball and track and field for the Eagles.
Hurla is the daughter of Chris and Angie Hurla while McDaniel is the daughter of Lucas and Kelli McDaniel.
WINTER SPORTS: OUTSTANDING FEMALE NOMINEES
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Former Washburn Rural star JC Heim, who will play his college football at Washburn University, was named the TopSports.news Topeka Shawnee County Fall Male Athlete of the Year during Wednesday's awards banquet and Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Washburn.
Washburn Rural product JC Heim was named the Topeka Shawnee County Fall Male Athlete of the Year Wednesday night at Washburn University. [Submitted photo]
Heim was named the Shawnee County and Centennial League defensive player of the year and also received All-State recognition after helping lead Washburn Rural to the Class 6A semifinals.
"Many times when we talk about sports excellence we are usually seeing the end result of a lot of time, hard work and dedication and JC Heim's high school success story is no different,'' Rural coach Steve Buhler said. "His success story is one of persistence and drive.''
Heim was in on 173 total tackles (102 solos) with 17 tackles for loss and eight sacks and rushed for 530 yards and 10 touchdowns. He finished his career with 255 tackles, 36 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, nine forced fumbles and five blocked kicks.
Heim, the son of John and Jennifer Heim, compiled a 3.538 grade point average in high school.
FALL SPORTS: OUTSTANDING MALE NOMINEES
Callen Barta
CALLEN BARTA | Seaman
PARENTS: Jerry Barta and Jeni Sloan
SPORT: Football | GPA: NA
A receiver/defensive back, Barta caught 77 passes for 1441 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior while recording 36 tackles and intercepting five passes, returning one for a touchdown. "Callen is a great example of hard work paying off,'' Seaman coach Jared Swafford said. "During his time in our program I had the privelege of watching him grow and mature as a young man. He is a young man that took a lot of pride in working hard on his craft and that ultimately paid off. I am very proud of Callen and all that he has achieved, although he is not done yet.'' A Kansas Shrine Bowl selection, Barta will play collegiately at Kansas State.
Carter Charvat
CARTER CHARVAT | Hayden
PARENTS: Matt and Sarah Charvat
SPORT: Football | GPA: 4.33
A three-sport athlete, Charvat helped lead Hayden's football team to the Class 3A state championship game last fall, earning All-Shawnee County Top 22 and All-3A recognition. A Kansas Shrine Bowl selection, Charvat was in on 117 tackles as a senior, including 71 solo stops and registered eight sacks and four tackles for loss while intercepting two passes. Charvat also helped the Wildcats advance to the 3A state tournament in basketball and was a standout thrower in track and field, qualifying for the 3A state meet. Charvat will play college football at Benedictine.
Christian Gonzales
CHRISTIAN GONZALES | Shawnee Heights
PARENTS: Ritchie and Angel Gonzales
SPORT: Football | GPA: 3.0
Gonzales, a three-year starter as a defensive lineman, was a first-team All-United Kansas Conference pick as a junior and senior and an All-Shawnee County Top 22 selection as a senior, compiling 70 tackles with eight tackles for loss and four sacks. Gonzales finished his high school career with 149 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and seven sacks and was selected to play in the Kansas Shrine Bowl. "A leader and fierce competitor, Christian dominated the trenches for the T-Birds,'' Shawnee Heights coach Jason Swift said. Gonzales has signed a letter of intent to play college football at Washburn University.
Isaiah Kincade
ISAIAH KINCADE | Topeka High
PARENTS: Chad and Moshe Kincade
SPORT: Football | GPA: 4.2
Kincade has received All-Centennial League and All-Shawnee County recognition in football and baseball in multiple seasons. A wide receiver/defensive back, received second-team all-league and Second 22 honors in football last fall, recording 59 tackles for the Trojans. Kincade helped lead Topeka High's baseball team to a second straight Class 6A state tournament berth this past spring. "Isaiah has been a tremendous leader and representative of Topeka High Athletics on and off the field,'' Topeka High athletic director and baseball coach Cody Miller said. Kincade will play college football at Washburn University.
Kyrece Robinson
KYRECE ROBINSON | Washburn Rural
PARENT: Donneisha Smith
SPORT: Football | GPA: NA
Robinson, a standout lineman, received All-Shawnee County Top 22 recognition as a senior for the Chargers. A three-year varsity player, Robinson was a second-team All-United Kansas Conference selection last fall. Robinson was in on 64 tackles last fall as a defensive end with 27 tackles for loss and four sacks. Robinson, who served as a team captain for Topeka West, plans to play college footbal at Hutchinson Community College.
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Forty-seven of Shawnee County's premier high school student-athletes from the class of 2024 will be recognized Wednesday night as part of the 19th annual Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards banquet.
TopSports.news, in partnership with A-1 Lock and Key, Washburn University, Capital Label, Peggy's Tax and Accounting and the Jamie Hornbaker State Farm Insurance Agency, will host the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards and Hall of Fame induction ceremonies and honor Washburn's athletes of the year at the Washburn University Memorial Union (6 p.m. start).
Recent Seaman graduate Taylin Stallbaumer has been nominated in two seasons for the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards after helping the Vikings win Class 5A volleyball and basketball titles. [File photo/TSN]
Silver Lake senior Makenzie McDaniel is a nominee for the 2024 Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards after helping the Eagles win the Class 3A state basketball title as a senior. [File photo/TSN]
A Class 6A state swimming champion as a senior, Washburn Rural's Brogan Meier is a nominee for the 2024 Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden's Finn Dunshee (middle) was a three-time state champion in the 2024 state track championships and also helped lead the Wildcats to a Class 3A runnerup finish in football. [File photo/TSN]
TopSports.news will present awards to the top female and male athletes in the fall, winter and spring seasons, as well as overall female and male athletes of the year and the most inspirational female and male. A complete list of nominees is listed below.
To be eligible, an athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Athletes were nominated by their schools' athletic directors and coaches.
In addition to the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards, Khloe Schuckman and Braden Rose will be honored as Washburn University Athletes of the Year and Bob Benoit, Jim Golden, Kelsey (Chipman) Stringer and Nick Stringer will be inducted as the 2024 Topeka Shawnee County Hall of Fame class.
A committee of local media members selected the 2024 high school winners, including the selection of overall female and male athletes of the year.
TOPEKA SHAWNEE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS AWARDS NOMINEES
