By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural volleyball All-American and two-sport Class 6A state champion Brooklyn DeLeye was named the TopSports.news Topeka Shawnee County Fall Female Athlete of the Year during Wednesday's awards banquet and Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Washburn University.
Former Washburn Rural multi-sport star Brooklyn DeLeye was selected as the Shawnee County Fall Female Athlete of the Year Wednesday night at Washburn. [File photo/TSN]
DeLeye was a two-time Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year and two-time Class 6A player of the year in volleyball while being named to the all-state first team four straight years.
DeLeye led Washburn Rural to the 6A state championship last fall and finished her high school career as Rural's career leader in kills (2,090), most hit attempts (4,086), most hits completed (3,496) and ace serves (277).
"Brooklyn is one of the most dominant game changers that has ever graced the volleyball courts in Kansas,'' Washburn Rural coach Kevin Bordewick said. "People came to our matches to watch her, and little kids idolize her.
"With all of that she is very humble. A better role model for our younger kids cannot be found. A truly once in a coaching lifetime player for us.''
DeLeye also helped the Junior Blues win a 6A state basketball title and was a standout in soccer.
DeLeye will play volleyball at Kentucky.
The daughter of John and Janel DeLeye, Brooklyn compiled a 4.167 cumulative grade point average.
Other candidates:
Jenessa Broxterman
JENESSA BROXTERMAN | Hayden
PARENTS: Justin and Stacy Broxterman
SPORT: Volleyball | GPA: 4.263
Broxterman turned in a solid season as the lone senior on Hayden's volleyball team. "Jenessa really stepped up this year as a leader on our team and as a result was a positive role model for all of her teammates,'' said Jim Davis, Broxterman's coach at Hayden. Broxterman finished her season with 143 kills and 110 digs while serving 89 percent. "Her strong swing and her ability to place the ball made her hard to defend at the net, resulting in her being one of our top hitters,'' Davis said. "We are sure she will do great things in years to come and she will definitely be missed.'' Broxterman was also a standout for Hayden's soccer team that finished third in Class 4A-1A. Broxterman has signed a letter of intent with Kansas State's rowing progam.
Lois Deeter
LOIS DEETER | Seaman
PARENTS: John and Tausha Deeter
SPORT: Golf | GPA: 3.8
Deeter earned All-City, all-league and all-state honors in each of her three high school golf seasons, placing in the top 10 in the Class 5A state tournament each year. "Lois Deeter has been a team leader since her freshman year on the golf team and she has set most every school record during her career at Seaman High School,'' Viking coach Julie McLaughlin said. As a senior Deeter won the United Kansas Conference individual title, leading Seaman to the team championship. "Lois is focused and commited to the game she loves,'' McLaughlin said. "She enjoys long hours improving and practicing her skills. Furthermore, she really values being part of a team.'' Deeter has signed a letter of intent to play collegiately at Arkansas Tech.
Mariah Farmer
MARIAH FARMER | Silver Lake
PARENTS: Travis and Amanda Farmer
SPORT: Cross country | GPA: 3.98
Farmer was a two-time Mid-East League cross country champion, helping the Eagles win league and Class 3A regional team titles in 2019 and 2020 and winning a Class 3A indiviual championship in 2019. Farmer was a three-time state qualifier and two-time state medalist. "Mariah always gives 100 percent and is extremely competitve,'' Silver Lake coach Kevin Brokaw said. "Mariah is a great teammate that leads by example in all phases of life.'' Farmer was also a letter-winner for Silver Lake in basketball and track, playing in three state basketball tournaments and helping the Eagles earn third and fourth-place state finishes and earning a state medal in track. Farmer plans to attend Washburn University.
Amelia Foster
AMELIA FOSTER | Rossville
PARENTS: Alan and Ann Foster
SPORT: Cross country | GPA: 3.72
Foster wrapped up an outstanding high school career for the Bulldawgs with appearances in the Class 3A state cross country and track and field championships as a senior. Foster was a three-time state qualifier in cross country, including a 17th-place finish in Class 2A in 2019. Foster placed 25th in the 3A state meet in '21 and 26th in '22. Foster earned 3A state track medals three straight seasons, placing sixth in the 800-meter run and eighth in the 400 dash as a senior. "Amelia is always the last to leave practice,'' Rossville coach Mindy Dean said. "She is the perfect role model for younger athletes to watch an learn how to work hard, work consistently, and work correctly.''
Makinsey Jones
MAKINSEY JONES | Topeka West
PARENTS: Terry and Helen Jones
SPORT: Volleyball | GPA: 4.0
An All-Shawnee County first-team selection, Jones was the go-to hitter for Topeka West's volleyball team last fall, recording 260 kills and 51 solo blocks. Jones ended her senior season playing six rotations and was credited with 44 perfect passes and 59 digs to go with 14 aces in 240 service attemps. Jones was Topeka West's two-year varsity captain. "(Makinsey) leads through skills, hard work in games and practice (and) not just here for herself,'' West volleyball coach Alyx Nash said. Jones was also a Class 5A state medalist in track and field (high jump) this spring, earning first-team all-county recognition. Jones has signed a letter of intent to play college volleyball at Kansas State.
Taylor Ross
TAYLOR ROSS | Silver Lake
PARENTS: Matt and Dusti Ross
SPORT: Volleyball | GPA: 3.8
Ross earned first-team All-Shawnee County and All-Mid-East League volleyball recognition as a senior, recording 239 kills and 88 blocks while hitting at a .341-percent clip for the Eagles. "Taylor is a standout three-sport athlete,'' Silver Lake volleyball coach Sarah Johnson said. "She has played a crucial part in the Silver Lake volleyball program the last four years. Taylor exhibits a high level of competitiveness and desire to succeed. At 6-foot, she has been a threat on the offensive and defensive side for the Eagles.'' Also a basketball standout for Silver Lake, Ross has signed a letter of intent to play college basketball at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa.
Taylor Rottinghaus
TAYLOR ROTTINGHAUS | Shawnee Heights
PARENTS: Michael and Theresa Rottinghaus
SPORT: Volleyball | GPA: 4.0
Rottinghaus was a standout in volleyball, basketball and track and field for Shawnee Heights throughout her high school career, earning All-United Kansas Conference and All-Shawnee County recognition in volleyball and basketball and earning multiple Class 5A state medals in track. "Taylor is not only a great athlete, but a great leader, student and person,'' Shawnee Heights volleyball coach Samantha Kearney said. "We have been so lucky to have her represent our school these past four years and we can't wait to see her be successful in her next stage of life.'' Rottinghaus has signed a letter of intent to play college volleyball for national Division II power Washburn University.
Lauren Sweeney
LAUREN SWEENEY | Seaman
PARENTS: Don and Amy Sweeney
SPORT: Tennis | GPA: 3.8
Sweeney was the state singles runnerup in the Class 5A state tournament last fall after teaming with Grace Unruh to win the state championship in doubles as a junior with a perfect 36-0 record and taking fourth at state as a sophomore. Sweeney won United Kansas Conference and 5A regional championships in the 2022 season. "Senior captain and led by example in team's drills and conditioning,'' Seaman coach Jamie Robinson said. "(She) volunteered and assisted in leading summer tennis camps at Seaman High School. Gives private and group tennis lessons to a wide variety of kids.'' Sweeney, who also played basketball during her high school career, has signed a letter of intent to play collegiately at Missouri-St. Louis.
Jaydyn Wilson
JAYDYN WILSON | Highland Park
PARENT: Jennifer Cendroski
SPORT: Volleyball | GPA: NA
Wilson was a leaader for the Highland Park team, which made the transition to the Meadowlark Conference last fall. "Jayyn was a dependable athlete and always at the required practices as well as any available extra practices,'' Highland Park coach Rene Langer said. "As a student she was able to maintain her GPA, play sports, work and attend cosmetology school. Jaydyn was one that who got along well with others in general as well as an excellent leader/captain to her teammates. You could definitely depend on her to take charge when needed and help others when they were struggling to learn something new. She took constructive criticism and learned from it and then applied it to her advantage.''
Marilena Zuniga
MARILENA ZUNIGA, Topeka High
PARENT: Alisa Rivera
SPORT: Cross country | GPA: 4.0
A three-sport athlete for Topeka High, Zuniga was a standout for the Trojans' cross country team last fall. "(Marilena) was our best cross country runner all season,'' Topeka High cross country coach Ken Bennett said. "She's an incredibly hard worker.'' Zuniga earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention in track and was part of the Trojans' city-championship 4x100-meter relay team. Zuniga was a two-time state qualifier for the Class 6A state tournament, including a sixth-place state finish in 2022. Zuniga earned first-team All-Shawnee County wrestling honors in 2022 and second-team recognition this past season.
