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Editor's note: Over the coming days, TopSports.news will take a look at all of the nominees for the 2024 Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards. All nominees will be recognized at the June 26 awards banquet, which will be held in conjunction with the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame induction at Washburn University's Memorial Union.
SPRING SPORTS: MOST INSPIRATIONAL FEMALE NOMINEES
McCall Beall
McCALL BEALL | Topeka High
PARENTS: Thomas Beall and Andrea Palmer
SPORT: Tennis/Softball | GPA: 4.3
Beall was a team captain for the Topeka High softball team while earning first-team All-Class 6A and All-Centennial League and second-team All-Shawnee County recognition as a senior. A part of back-to-back state championship softball teams as a freshman and sophomore, Beall was also a tennis standout for the Trojans, qualifying for the Class 6A state tournament in as a junior and senior. "As much as she has excelled on the field, she also helped to lead the Topeka High student body as the student body president,'' Beall's nomination form stated. Beall also participated in band and the Topeka High Drumline, Scholars Bowl and numerous academic-based clubs.
Kendra Hurla
KENDRA HURLA | Rossville
PARENTS: Chris and Angie Hurla
SPORT: Wrestling | GPA: .4.0
Hurla won her fourth straight Class 4A-1A state wrestling championship as a senior while helping the Bulldawgs win their first wrestling team championship. ''She had immense pressure this year to win her fourth state title, but you wouldn't have known it looking at her this season,'' Rossville coach Bryce Gfeller said. "She applies the same determination that she shows on the mat in every aspect of life.'' Hurla posted a career wrestling record of 127-3 with more than 100 career pins, including a 38-0 record as a senior. Hurla also competed in volleyball, track, cheer and dance and will cheer at Washburn University. "She throws herself into every sport she competes in.''
- Details
Editor's note: Over the coming days, TopSports.news will take a look at all of the nominees for the 2024 Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards. All nominees will be recognized at the June 26 awards banquet, which will be held in conjunction with the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame induction at Washburn University's Memorial Union.
SPRING SPORTS: OUTSTANDING MALE NOMINEES
Dylan Dodge
DYLAN DODGE | Washburn Rural
PARENTS: Brian and Jennier Dodge
SPORT: Tennis | GPA: 3.877
Dodge was the city champion in No. 1 singles as Washburn Rural captured the team championship and also posted a runnerup finish in singles in Class 6A regional competition to earn a state berth and lead the Junior Blues to the regional team title. Dodge was a two-time All-City honoree and finished his senior season with a 24-9 record. "Great leader on and off the court,'' Washburn Rural coach Brad Johnston said. "Puts his teammates first and team first and always puts in the extra time when needed. He is excellent in the classroom as well. He is the true form of student first, athlete second.'' Dodge will attend Ottawa University in Arizona.
Finn Dunshee
FINN DUNSHEE | Hayden
PARENTS: Carlyle and Kathleen Dunshee
SPORT: Track and field | GPA: 4.306
Dunshee was a three-time state track gold medalist as both a junior and senior and finished his career with four Hayden school records. As a senior Dunshee was the Class 3A 100 and 200-meter state champion and also ran on the Wildcats' winning 4x400 relay and second-place 4x100 relay as Hayden finished second as a team. "Finn has not only soared to the heights of becoming a state champion, but has also played a significant role in shaping the dynamic of our team,'' Hayden coach DeJuan Gardenhire said. "Finn's relentless pursuit of greatness has set the standard for our team, motivating our team to push past our limits both on and off the track.'' Dunshee was also a Shrine Bowl pick in football after helping lead the Wildcats to a runnerup finish in 3A.
Jackson Esquibel
JACKSON ESQUIBEL | Shawnee Heights
PARENTS: Scott and Amy Esquibel
SPORT: Track and field | GPA: NA
As a senior Esquibel won his second straight Class 5A 3,200 meters state championship after winning the 5A state cross country title last fall. Esquibel set school records in the 3200 (9 minutes, 13.85 seconds),1600 (4:15.26) and 800 (1:56.43). Esquibel finished second in the 5A 1,600 meters as both a junior and senior. "Jackson has been a leader in both sports, always being a great mentor and teammate,'' Shawnee Heights track and cross country coach John Oshel said. Esquibel will compete collegiately in cross country and track at Kansas State. As a junior Esquibel was selected as the male Rising Star of the Year for Shawnee County.
- Details
Editor's note: Over the coming days, TopSports.news will take a look at all of the nominees for the 2024 Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards. All nominees will be recognized at the June 26 awards banquet, which will be held in conjunction with the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame induction at Washburn University's Memorial Union.
SPRING SPORTS: OUTSTANDING FEMALE NOMINEES
Rebecca Bearman
REBECCA BEARMAN | Topeka West
PARENTS: Alan and Shelly Bearman
SPORT: Track and field | GPA: NA
Bearman was a standout in track and field and girls basketball for Topeka West while also excelling in the classroom. Bearman finished fourth in the shot put in Class 5A regional competition as a senior, earning a berth in the state championships at Wichita. Bearman received All-Shawnee County honorable mention in track her senior season, ranking second on the Shawnee County Honor Roll in the shot put. In basketball Bearman received all-county honorable mention and also received honorable mention on the All-United Kansas Conference team. Bearman averaged 10.1 rebounds to finish second in the city and also averaged 7.6 points.
Ava Delgado
AVA DELGADO | Hayden
PARENTS: Richard and Alisha Delgado
SPORT: Softball | GPA: 3.125
Delgado compiled a .400 batting average over her four-year career for the Wildcats with an .800 fielding percentage. "Ava is an exceptional athlete and an outstanding individual as a teammate,'' Hayden softball coach Cody Reynolds said. "I know she will do great things on and off the field as she moves on to her collegiate career at Bethel. I'm lucky to have coached her and will miss her infectious smile. She will be missed on both sides of the ball as well as in the dugout.'' As a senior Delgado received All-Centennial League first-team honors and was a second-team All-Shawnee County pick.
Katherine Keys
KATHERINE KEYS | Cair Paravel Latin
PARENTS: Robert and Bev Keys
SPORT: Soccer | GPA: 4.83
Keys turned in an outstanding soccer career for the Lions, including two trips to the Class 4A-1A state semifinals and a state runnerup finish this spring. A two-time All-City first-team pick, Keys also received All-State recognition and was a three-time all-league honoree, earning league player of the year honors this past season. Keys scored 21 goals with 14 assists as a senior and finished her CPLS career with 100 goals and 52 assists. "Katherine was a team captain and as a leader she helped her teammates be better by encouraging them, challenging them and by continually demonstrating for them what hard work looks like,'' Cair Paravel coach Doug Woolery said. Keys, the CPLS Class of 2024 valedictorian, will play college soccer at John Brown University.
- Details
Editor's note: Over the coming days, TopSports.news will take a look at all of the nominees for the 2024 Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards. All nominees will be recognized at the June 26 awards banquet, which will be held in conjunction with the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame induction at Washburn University's Memorial Union.
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.''
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hall of Famer Ron Slaymaker didn't really know what to expect when he recently took over as Topeka High's girls basketball coach.
But whatever Slaymaker's expections were, the Trojans have already surpassed them in just a little over a week of summer workouts.
Hall of Fame basketball coach Ron Slaymaker has been impressed with his Topeka High girls team in early summer workouts. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Topeka High went through four days of practice as a team last week and went through a controlled scrimmage against USD 501 rival Topeka West Tuesday at The Dungeon.
"I tell you what, I've been coaching girls for 10 years -- seven years over at Chase County and three years at Olpe -- and I walk in here not having a clue and I am excited,'' said the 87-year-old Slaymaker, best known for a successful 28-year run as Emporia State's men's coach.
"Their attitude is awesome. Walking in here with not too much in terms of expectations, their attitude has just been really good.''
