By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Elijah Brooks

ELIJAH BROOKS, Topeka West

A 6-foot-3 junior, Brooks shared game-high scoring honors with 22 points and also grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds as Topeka West earned its first Class 5A boys state tournament berth since 2010 with a 55-52 win over Seaman in Saturday's sub-state championship game. With the win the Chargers improved to 19-2 and advanced to a Tuesday night state quarterfinal game at Hays.

NiJaree Canady

NiJAREE CANADY, Topeka High

Canady, a 6-foot junior, recorded game-high totals of 21 points and 12 rebounds as Topeka High's girls earned their third straight Class 6A state basketball tournament berth with a 72-52 win over Washburn Rural. With the win the 21-2 Trojans set up a Tuesday night state quarterfinal matchup with Wichita Heights at Topeka High.

KAITLYN DOYAL, Washburn Rural

Doyal, a junior, finished seventh individually in Friday's Class 6A state girls bowling tournament at Northrock Lanes at Wichita with a 631 three-game series to help Washburn Rural earn a team trophy with a third-place finish. Doyal had a high game of 242 for the Junior Blues. 

Tyler Geiman

TYLER GEIMAN, Washburn University

A senior guard, Geiman hit a three-quarters-court buzzer-beating 3-pointer to give Washburn a dramatic 69-68 win over Northwest Missouri in Saturday night's MIAA Tournament championship game, Geiman finished with 23 points on the night after being named a first-team All-MIAA pick and all-defensive team selection earlier in the week. Geiman is a two-time All-MIAA first-teamer. 

Jalen Lewis

JALEN LEWIS, Washburn University

Lewis, a junior guard, was named the MIAA Tournament Outstanding Player after helping lead Washburn to the tournament championship for the first time since 2012. Lewis scored 29 points in a 101-72 win over Missouri Western in the semifinals and had 26 points in the Ichabods' 69-68 win over No. 1-ranked Northwest Missouri in the championship game. Lewis received All-MIAA honorable mention earlier in the week.

Makenzie Millard

MAKENZIE MILLARD, Seaman

Millard, a junior, placed a city-high fourth-place finish in last Thursday's Class 5A-1A state bowling tournament at Northrock Lanes in Wichita, bowling a 612 series with a high game of 232. Millard, who finished fifth individually at state as a sophomore, led the Vikings to a fourth-place team finish.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

 Bo Aldridge

BO ALDRIDGE, Highland Park

The Highland Park junior basketball standout scored 54 points in two games last week as the Scots advanced to the Class 5A boys state tournament for the second time in three seasons. Aldridge scored 27 points in a 78-65 sub-state semifinal victory over St. Thomas Aquinas last Tuesday and followed that up with another 27-point performance in Friday's 89-52 romp past Piper in the sub-state championship game. 

Malachi Berg

MALACHI BERG, Topeka West

A junior, Berg turned in a pair of big performances as Topeka West advanced to the Class 5A boys state basketball tournament for the second straight season. Berg scored 16 points in last Tuesday's 78-46 sub-state semifinal win over Goddard Eisenhower and then followed that up with a career-high 23-point game in Friday's 73-59 victory over Andover in the sub-state final as the Chargers improved to 21-1 with their 20th straight victory.

Ethan Burns

ETHAN BURNS, Seaman

A junior bowler, Burns rolled a three-game series of 668 in last Friday's Class 5A-1A state bowling tournament at Wichita's Northrock Lanes, tying for ninth place and finishing 10th on a tiebreaker as Seaman captured the state 5A-1A team championship by a 3,483-3,472 margin over Goddard Eisenhower. Burns, who finished 13th at state as a sophomore, bowled a high game of 257 in his first game at state.

Kaitlyn Doyal

KAITLYN DOYAL, Washburn Rural

Doyal capped her high school career with a fourth-place finish in last Thursday's Class 6A state bowling tournament at Wichita's Northrock Lanes, helping lead the Junior Blues to a third-placer team finish. Doyal bowled a 616 series with a high game of 235 to crack the top five after finishing seventh individually as a junior. Doyal helped Washburn Rural finish third in the 6A state meet for the second straight season.

Makenzie Millard

MAKENZIE MILLARD, Seaman

Millard, a senior bowler, earned her third Class 5A-1A girls state medal last Friday at Wichita's Northrock Lanes, posting a career-best second-place finish while leading Seaman to the state team championship. Millard bowled a 697 three-game series, including a first-game 279, after finishing fifth at the state meet as a sophomore and fourth as a junior. Millard led the Vikings to the team championship by a 3,173-3,144 margin over Bishop Carroll. 

Kiki Smith

KIKI SMITH, Topeka High

A junior guard, Smith scored 33 points with three 3-pointers as Topeka High's girls advanced to the Class 6A state basketball tournament for the fourth straight season with a 67-46 victory over Liberal last Friday at Topeka High. Smith will be playing in her third straight state tournament, helping the Trojans post a runner-up state finish last season and helping lead High to a perfect 23-0 record as a sophomore before the tourney was cut short due to COVID-19.

 By RICK PETERSON

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 Bo Aldridge

BO ALDRIDGE, Highland Park

Aldridge, a senior, scored 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as undefeated Highland Park earned its second straight Class 5A state tournament berth with an 80-52 romp past St. James Academy in Saturday's sub-state championship game at Highland Park. The Scots have won 22 straight games dating back to last year's first-round state tournament loss to Maize.

Logan Glinka

LOGAN GLINKA, Washburn Rural

A sophomore, Glinka posted a seventh-place individual finish with a 696 series as Washburn Rural dominated the Class 6A state bowling tournament last Friday at Wichita's Northrock Lanes, winning the team championship by a 3,711-3,576 margin over Olathe Northwest. Glinka, one of two underclassmen in Rural's lineup, bowled games of 205, 254 and 237.

Avery Grunert

AVERY GRUNERT, Hayden

Grunert, a junior, only made one basket in Saturday night's 42-40 Class 4A sub-state overtime victory at Fort Scott, but it was the shot of the year for the 15-7 Wildcats. With Hayden trailing 40-39, the Wildcats inbounded the ball with 3.3 seconds remaining and Grunert banked in the game-winning 3-pointer as time ran out, sending Hayden to this week's state tournament in Salina.

By RICK PETERSON

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Andrew Beckler

ANDREW BECKLER, Washburn University

Beckler, a Washburn Rural graduate, tied the Topeka Country Club amateur record with a 64 last Monday and the senior went on to win the individual championship in the Washburn Invitational by 13 strokes with a 13-under-par 54-hole score of 200 as the Ichabod golf team won the team title by nine strokes.

Jaycee Ginter

JAYCEE GINTER, Washburn University

A freshman, the former Shawnee Heights softball star pitched a no-hitter in the Ichabods' 2-0 MIAA win over Fort Hays State last Friday and Ginter also picked up the pitching win in Sunday's 7-6 win over Nebraska-Kearney while going 3 for 5 at the plate and knocking in the winning run.

By RICK PETERSON

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Dagen Brewer

DAGEN BREWER, Seaman

A senior infielder/catcher, Brewer helped Seaman's baseball team open its 2022 season with a 3-2, 3-1 non-league doubleheader sweep of Basehor-Linwood last Saturday at the Optimist Field. Brewer doubled for the Vikings' first hit of the season in the fifth inning of the first game and reached base six times on the day with three hits.

Jaycee Ginter

JAYCEE GINTER, Washburn University

Ginter, a former Shawnee Heights star, picked up both pitching victories in Saturday's Washburn softball doubleheader MIAA sweep at Central Missouri, raising her season total to a nation-best 17 wins. Ginter hurled a complete game in the Ichabods' 10-2 first-game win, giving up seven hits while striking out eight batters. Ginter came on in relief in the second game, throwing 6.2 innings and striking out 10 hitters while allowing just one run in Washburn's 5-3 12-inning win as the Ichabods improved to 24-11 overall and 6-2 in the MIAA. Ginter also had a two-run double in the opener and a run-scoring double in the second game.

Kadence Jeffries

KADENCE JEFFRIES, Topeka West

Jeffries, who has never lost an individual race in Class 5A-1A state competition, opened her senior swimming season with a pair of dominating victories in last Thursday's Topeka West Invitational at the Capitol Federal Natatorium. The four-time state champion, who has signed a letter of intent with Nebraska Omaha, picked up decisive victories in the 200-yard freestyle in 1 minute, 56.59 seconds and the 100 breaststroke in 1:08.57. Jeffries was a double state champ in both 2019 and 2021, with the '20 season canceled due to COVID-19.

 Belle Kennedy

BELLE KENNEDY, Washburn Rural

Kennedy, who was named the Class 6A midfielder of the year last season as a junior, scored a pair of goals last Friday at Washburn Rural's girls soccer team, third in 6A last season, opened its 2022 season with a 4-0 non-league road victory at Kapaun Mt. Carmel. Kennedy has signed a letter of intent with Washburn University.

Tanner Newkirk

TANNER NEWKIRK, Hayden

Newkirk, who has signed a letter of intent with Kansas, opened his senior track and field season with a dominating performance in the boys 3,200-meter run in last Friday's Free State Early Bird Invitational in Lawrence. Newkirk clocked a winning time of 9 minutes, 18.14 seconds in the event, winning by just over 40 seconds. Newkirk's time in his first race of the season eclipsed his best time of the 2021 campaign, whiich was the best in Shawnee County. by 20 seconds.

Jeremiah Smith

JEREMIAH SMITH, Shawnee Heights

A three-time Class 5A state track champion last spring as a sophomore, Smith made his junior debut with a big win in the boys 110-meter hurdles in last Friday's Free State Early Bird Invitational. Smith, who won state titles last season in the 100 and 200-meter dashes and the 110-meter hurdles, posted a season-opening win in the 110 hurdles in 14.45 seconds, winning by more than two seconds.Smith's time Friday night was just off his season-best of 14.34 seconds in 2021.

 By RICK PETERSON

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Reagan Chapman

REAGAN CHAPMAN, Washburn Rural

A freshman, Chapman, Washburn Rural softball's leadoff hitter, opened the bottom of the first of Friday's Centennial League doubleheader against Topeka High with a solo home run. Chapman added a pair of doubles in the opener while knocking in a pair of runs and scoring the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh in Rural's 4-3 win. In the nightcap, Chapman tripled and broke the game open with a three-run home run in the Junior Blues' 8-3 victory.

Jaycee Ginter

JAYCEE GINTER, Washburn University

Ginter, a junior, picked up three pitching wins as No. 21-ranked Washburn University softball swept MIAA foes Lincoln and Central Missouri Friday and Saturday. Ginter pitched five innings of no-hit ball with 10 strikeouts in a 5-0 win over Lincoln on Friday and picked up both wins on Saturday as the Ichabods took a pair of 2-1 wins over UCM. Ginter pitched a three-hitter with six strikeouts while allowing only an unearned run in the first game against the Jennies and pitched three innings of shutout ball with five strikeouts in the second game, improving to 19-2 on the season.   

Lenny Njoroge

LENNY NJOROGE, Topeka West

A returning Class 5A state medalist, Njoroge opened his senior track season with a pair of victories in last Thursday's Topeka West Invitational. Njoroge won the 1,600 meters by nearly 14 seconds in 4 minutes, 29.84 seconds and came back later in the evening to win the 3,200 by nearly 14 seconds in 9:45.51. Njoroge is also a three-time Class 5A state cross country medalist, including a fourth-place finish last fall.

By RICK PETERSON

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Trevion Alexander

TREVION ALEXANDER, Topeka West

A 6-foot-4 senior, Alexander was named tri-Centennial League boys basketball player of the year after leading Topeka West to a 21-3 record in the Class 5A state tournament, only the third time in Topeka West history the Chargers advanced to the state championship game.

Joe Berry

JOE BERRY, Washburn Rural

Berry, a 6-3 senior, was named tri-Centennial League boys basketball player of the year after being named co-league player of the year as a junior. Berry led Washburn Rural to a 14-7 record this past season and received all-league recognition for the third straight year..

By RICK PETERSON

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Kaeden Bonner

KAEDEN BONNER, Seaman

Bonner, a junior, scored a total of 43 points in the Class 5A state tournament, helping lead Seaman to the first boys state basketball championship in school history. Bonner scored 10 points with 4 assists and 3 steals in the No. 8-seeded Vikings' 54-43 first-round win over top seed Kapaun Mt. Carmel. He scored 18 points on six 3-pointers in the Vikings' 66-54 semifinal win over 2021 champion Maize with 5 assists and 2 steals and scored 15 points and hit 3 of 3 3-point attempts in Seaman's 66-47 win over De Soto in Saturday's state championship game.

Zoe Canfield

ZOE CANFIELD, Washburn Rural

A sophomore, Canfield scored 41 points in the Class 6A girls state basketball tournament as Washburn Rural captured its second state title since 2019 with a 40-23 win over Derby in Saturday's championship game. Canfield scored 23 points and hit six of seven 3-pointers and five of six free throws in the Junior Blues' 66-43 first-round win over Dodge City. Canfield scored six points on two 3-pointers and added 2 assists and 3 steals in Rural's 44-43 semifinal win over Olathe North and had 12 points with two 3s in the state championship game.

 By RICK PETERSON

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 Bo Aldridge

BO ALDRIDGE, Highland Park

Aldridge, a 6-foot-4 senior, scored 47 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in Highland Park's three Class 5A state tournament games, helping the Scots cap a 24-1 season with a third-place state finish. Aldridge scored 24 points with four 3-pointers and grabbed eight rebounds in Hi Park's 55-54 semifinal loss to eventual state champion Andover and scored 16 points with six rebounds in Saturday's 79-46 win over Hutchinson in the third-place game.

Anna Becker

ANNA BECKER, Seaman

Becker, a 5-foot-10 sophomore, earned the girls player of the year honor in the United Kansas Conference after leading Seaman to the UKC championship and a berth in the Class 5A state tournament. Becker had eight points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals in the Vikings' first-round state loss to St. James Academy, with Seaman finishing its season with a 21-2 record.

Brooklyn DeLeye 

BROOKLYN DE LEYE, Washburn Rural

De Leye, a 6-foot-2 senior, scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in Washburn Rural's 35-34 loss to Blue Valley North in Saturday's Class 6A girls state championship game. De Leye, who helped Rural win the 6A state basketball title as a junior and the 6A volleyball title as a senior, scored 43 points and grabbed 37 rebounds in the Junior Blues' three state tournament contests.

By RICK PETERSON

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Jack Bachelor

JACK BACHELOR, Washburn Rural

A 6-foot-2 senior Bachelor scored a total of 36 points and went 18 of 19 at the free throw line on the week as Washburn Rural opened 2023 with a pair of Centennial League victories. Bachelor scored 21 points and hit 10 of 11 free throws in a 64-58 win over Junction City on Tuesday and scored 15 points and went eight of eight at the free throw line in the fourth quarter on Friday in a 46-36 victory at Hayden. 

Malachi Berg

MALACHI BERG, Topeka West

Berg, a 6-3 senior, scored 18 points, including the game-winning free throw with 1.6 seconds remaining, as No. 7-ranked (Class 5A) Topeka West rallied for a 51-50 United Kansas Conference road victory over No. 6-ranked De Soto. Berg also had seven rebounds, three assists and four steals as 6-1 Topeka West moved into a tie for the UKC lead with its sixth straight victory.

Koti Best

KOTI BEST, Seaman

A sophomore 130-pound wrestler, Best was named the outstanding wrestler in last Friday's Lady Vikes Dual Tournament at Seaman. Best went 5-0 in the tournament, posting four wins by fall, including three first-period pins before picking up a win by forfeit in her final match of the day. Best helped lead Seaman to a third-place team finish with wins over Lawrence, Shawnee Mission Northwest and Lansing.

Kaeden Bonner

KAEDEN BONNER, Seaman

Bonner, a 6-3 senior, scored 25 points and went five of five from the free throw line last Thursday night as Seaman returned from the holiday break with a 60-45 home United Kansas Conference victory over Leavenworth. Bonner helped Seaman, the defending Class 5A state champion, snap a three-game losing streak and improve to 2-3 on the season.

 Makenzie McDaniel

MAKENZIE McDANIEL, Silver Lake

McDaniel, a 6-1 junior, scored 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds last Tuesday as No. 2-ranked (Class 3A) handed No. 9-ranked Rossville its first loss of the season in the Eagles' 63-50 Mid-East League road victory. Silver Lake added a 59-30 league win over Rock Creek on Friday to improve to 6-0 on the season as McDaniel contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Saint Mildren

SAINT MILDREN, Rossville

A 6-4 sophomore, Mildren scored a game-high 17 points last Tuesday as Rossville topped rival Silver Lake 50-43 in a home Mid-East League victory. Mildren helped the Bulldawgs push their winning streak to three straight games with a 52-33 league win over Riley County Friday night as Rossville improved to 3-4 on the season.  

 By RICK PETERSON

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Addison Broxterman

ADDISON BROXTERMAN, Washburn Rural

Broxterman, the Junior Blues' star senior 125-pounder, became Kansas' girls wresting record-holder for career pins and career wins in last Saturday's 34-school Washburn Women's Invitational at Washburn Rural. Broxterman went 5-0 on the day with four pins to earn the 125-pound title and helped lead the Junior Blues to the team championship by a 443-255.5 margin over Columbus. Broxterman now has 119 career pins and 127 career victories.  

Brooklyn DeLeye

BROOKLYN DeLEYE, Washburn Rural

DeLeye, a 6-foot-2 senior, scored 59 points in Washburn Rural's three games in the Thunderbird Classic girls basketball tournament, surpassing 1,000 points and 500 rebounds for her career. DeLeye had games of 21, 20 and 18 points as the third-ranked (Class 6A) Junior Blues went 2-1 on the week to finish third in the tournament and improve to 9-3 on the season.

Brylee Meier

BRYLEE MEIER, Hayden

A 6-foot sophomore, Meier scored 16 points as No. 10-ranked (Class 4A) Hayden claimed the tournament championship in the Top Gun Tournament with a 48-39 victory over Spring Hill on Saturday in Wellsville, with the Wildcats improving to 8-4 with their fourth staight victory. Meier scored 11 points in the semifinals as Hayden upset No. 3-ranked (3A) Nemaha Central, 46-40, the Thunder's first loss of the season. Meier was named to the Top Gun Tournament All-Tournament team.

Luke Perkins

LUKE PERKINS, Shawnee Heights

The senior swimming standout captured a city-best four gold medals in last Thursday's city boys swimming championships at the Capitol Federal Natatorium. A multiple time state medalist three straight seasons, Perkins won individual city titles in the 200-yard individual medley (2 minutes, 01.12 seconds) and 100 butterfly (52.63) and swam on the T-Birds' winning 200 medley relay (1:44.44) and the 200 free relay (1:33.71) teams.

Kiki Smith 

KIKI SMITH, Topeka High

Smith, a 5-foot-8 senior guard, scored 73 points in the Trojans' three games in the Firebird Classic girls basketball tournament at Free State, helping lead the No. 7-ranked (Class 6A) to the tournament championship. Smith scored 21 points in a 69-34 first-round win over Wichita Northwest, scored 36 points in just three quarters in High's 69-37 semifinal win over Eisenhower and had 16 points in the Trojans' 56-51 win over Blue Valley in the championship game, with High avenging a loss to the Tigers' in the 2022 state tournament.

Taylin Stallbaumer

TAYLIN STALLBAUMER, Seaman

A 5-foot-6 junior, Stallbaumer hit the game-winning 3-point shot as time ran out, giving No. 1-ranked (Class 5A) Seaman a 46-43 win over tournament host Emporia and the championship in the Glaciers Edge Tournament. Stallbaumer scored 15 points in the championship game, including three 3-pointers, as Seaman improved to 11-1 on the season.

By RICK PETERSON
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Hunter Bentley

HUNTER BENTLEY, Washburn University

A senior guard, Bentley scored 34 points in two games on the week for the Ichabods en route to becoming the 24th member of Washburn women's basketball 1,000-point club. Bentley scored a game-high 21 points (4 3-pointers) in a 73-49 win over Lincoln and reached her career milestone with 13 points (3 3-pointers) in a 64-55 loss to Emporia State.

Noah Hastert

NOAH HASTERT, Cair Paravel Latin

Hastert, a 6-foot-6 junior, scored 19 points and also contributed 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals as Cair Paravel improved to 7-3 on the season with a 74-45 road victory at Burlingame, the Lions' 4th straight victory.

 By RICK PETERSON

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Bo Aldridge

BO ALDRIDGE, Highland Park

A 6-foot-5 senior, Aldridge scored 67 points in three games as the undefeated and top-ranked (Class 5A) Highland Park boys basketball team won its first Topeka Invitational Tournament championship in 10 years Saturday at Topeka West. Aldridge scored 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in a 67-36 first-round win over Shawnee Mission North, scored 27 points with eight dunks in an 86-48 semifinal win over Wichita Southeast and had 18 points in the Scots' 58-47 win over Lawrence in the tournament championship game as Highland Park improved to 9-0.

Jack Bachelor

JACK BACHELOR, Washburn Rural

Bachelor, a 6-foot-2 senior, Bachelor helped lead the 10th-ranked (Class 6A) Washburn Rural's boys basketball team to a third-place finish in the Bill Hanson Memorial Tournament at Pittsburg, scoring 51 points on the week. Bachelor scored 10 points in the Junior Blues' 68-30 first-round win over Joplin, Mo., had 23 points with three 3-pointers and a four of four performance at the free throw line in a 61-43 semifinal loss to Blue Valley Northwest and had 18 points with a six of seven showing at the free throw line and three steals in 8-4 Rural's 69-63 win over Pittsburg. on Saturday.

McKinley Kruger

McKINLEY KRUGER, Silver Lake

Kruger, a 5-foot-6 junior basketball player, was named the Burlington Invitational Most Valuable Player after helping lead No. 7-ranked (Class 3A) Silver Lake to the tournament championship. Silver Lake defeated Independence 52-39 in the championship game, with Kruger scoring 20 points and hitting five 3-pointers as the Eagles improved to 10-1 on the season.

 By RICK PETERSON

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Madison Davison

MADISON DAVISON, Washburn Rural

A sophomore wrestler, Davison entered the Newton Tournament of Champions with a sub.-500 record and was the No. 16 (bottom) seed in the 145-pound weight class. In the first round Davison pulled off a major upset, pinning the No. 1 seed from Garden City. Davison then went on to pin the No. 2 and No. 4- seeded wrestlers, going 4-0 on the day with four first-period pins to win the 145-pound title and help lead Washburn Rual to the team championship by a 220-166 margin over Garden City. 

Brooklyn DeLeye

BROOKLYN DeLEYE, Washburn Rural

A 6-foot-2 senior, DeLeye led No. 5-ranked Washburn Rural to a pair of Centennial League victories on the week, scoring 17 points with three 3-pointers and grabbing 11 rebounds in a 47-46 win over No. 8 Topeka High and scoring 16 points while hitting five of nine field goal attempts and going four for four at the free throw line in a 48-32 win over Manhattan. In between her two games DeLeye was named the Gatorade Kansas Volleyball Player of the Year for the second straight season after leading Rural to a 45-1 record and the Class 6A state title. 

Katie Price

KATIE PRICE, Seaman

Price, a senior bowler, bowled an oustanding 750 three-game series to win the invididual championship in the Free State Invitational at Royal Crest Lanes. Price bowled games of 223, 248 and 279 to win the title by 134 pins as Seaman won the team championship by a 3,100-3,026 margin over Olathe East. Earlier in the week Price finished second in the Hayden quadrangular with a 579 series as Seaman, the defending Class 5A-1A state champion, won the team title by a 2,882-2599 margin over Topeka West.

By RICK PETERSON

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Elijah Brooks

ELIJAH BROOKS, Topeka West

A 6-foot-4 senior, Brooks had 43 and 33-point games in boys basketball victories over Junction City (67-66 in overtime) and Seaman (74-58) last week as 12-1 Topeka West, ranked second in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, pushed its winning streak to 11 games. In Friday night's Centennial League victory over Seaman Brooks became Topeka West's career scoring leader, moving past 2000 graduate Luke Dwyer, who scored 1,235 points. Brooks, who has scored 30 or more points in five straight games, has now scored 1,250 points at West.

Emma Krueger

EMMA KRUEGER, Washburn Rural

Krueger, a 5-11 senior, was named the most valuable player in the Lady Firebirds Winter Classic at Lawrence Free State after helping lead sixth-ranked Washburn Rural to the tournament championship. Krueger turned in an outstanding defensive effort in Rural's 3-0 week as the Junior Blues posted a 57-30 win over Leavenworth before knocking off No. 3-ranked Derby (54-37) and No. 1 Shawnee Mission East (47-38). Krueger scored 26 points in the tournament, including 10 in the championship game as Rural improved to 12-1 while pushing its winning streak to seven games.

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Nuria Barrientos 

NURIA BARRIENTOS, Washburn University

Barrientos, a 5-foot-11 senior from Barcelona, Spain, scored 15 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as Washburn's women's basketball team capped a 2-0 week with a 72-67 MIAA win over rival Emporia State on Saturday at Lee Arena.

Kaeden Bonner

KAEDEN BONNER, Seaman

A 6-1 junior, Bonner connected on eight 3-pointers and scored 24 points for Seaman's boys basketball team in Saturday's 72-68 loss to host McPherson in the third-place game of the McPherson Invitational. Bonner scored 51 points in Seaman's three tournament games.

By RICK PETERSON

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Elijah Brooks

ELIJAH BROOKS, Topeka West

A 6-foot-4 senior, Brooks scored a total of 47 points in two Topeka West boys basketball wins on the week as the Chargers improved to 7-1 overall and 6-1 in the Centennial League. Brooks scored 21 points in West's 71-57 win over Emporia last Tuesday and scored 26 points and grabbed 14 rebounds on Friday as West took a 79-67 league win over previously-unbeaten Highland Park.

Tyler Geiman

TYLER GEIMAN, Washburn University

Geiman, the Ichabods' 6-1 point guard, helped Washburn boost its winning streak to four games with MIAA wins at Missouri Southern and Pittsburg State. Geiman scored 12 points with 16 rebounds and seven assists in a 87-72 win over Southern last Thursday and scored 28 points with 5 rebounds and 6 assists in Saturday's 80-79 victory at Pittsburg State.

Jaliah Johnson

JALIAH JOHNSON, Washburn Rural

Johnson, Washburn Rural's star senior 155-pound wrestler, was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler in the Newton Women's Tournament of Champions after helping lead the Junior Blues to a perfect 5-0 record and the tournament team title in the dual tournament. Johnson went 5-0 with four pins and a win by forfeit. 

Carter Olson

CARTER OLSON, Shawnee Heights

Olson, a 6-6 senior, registered a pair of double-doubles last week as Shawnee Heights boosted its record to 7-1 with a pair of victories. Olson scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the T-Birds' 66-44 United Kansas Conference victory over Leavenworth last Tuesday and had 14 points and 13 rebounds in Shawnee Heights' 82-58 UKC win at Turner on Friday.

Luke Perkins

LUKE PERKINS, Shawnee Heights

Perkins won four gold medals for Shawnee Heights in last Tuesday's Topeka West Invitational swimming meet at the Capitol Federal Natatorium. Perkins won the 200-yard individual medley in 2 minutes, 6.06 seconds and the 100 butterfly in 54.07 seconds and also swam on the T-Birds' winning 200 medley relay (1:46.33) and 200 free relay (1:37.29).

Juan'Tario Roberts

JUAN'TARIO ROBERTS, Highland Park

Roberts, the Scots' standout senior guard, scored a total of 59 points in two Highland Park games on the week. Roberts scored 24 points in Highland Park's 70-54 Centennial League win over previously-unbeaten Junction City on Tuesday and scored a career-high 35 points with seven 3-pointers in Highland Park's 79-67 league loss at Topeka West on Friday.

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Ketraleus Aldridge

KETRALEUS ALDRIDGE, Highland Park

Aldridge, a 6-foot-4 junior, scored 56 points in two Highland Park boys basketball victories on the week as the Scots improved to 7-0 overall and 6-0 in the Centennial League. Aldridge scored 34 points (21 in the first half) in the Scots' 70-41 non-league win at Atchison on Tuesday and scored 22 points on Friday in Highland Park's 64-31 home league romp past Manhattan. 

 Jack Bachelor

JACK BACHELOR, Washburn Rural

Bachelor, a 6-2 junior, scored a game and career-high 28 points in Tuesday night's 56-51 home Centennial League win over Topeka High as Washburn Rural's boys basketball team evened its record at 3-3 overall and in the league. Bachelor went nine of nine from the field with seven 3-pointers.

Elijah Brooks

ELIJAH BROOKS, Topeka West

A 6-4 senior, Brooks scored a game-high 32 points and grabbed eight rebounds as Topeka West's boys basketball team opened the 2022 portion of its schedule with a 70-54 Centennial League road victory over Hayden Friday night, improving to 5-1 overall and 4-1 in the league. 

Ty Henry

TY HENRY, Seaman

Henry, a 6-5 senior, scored 47 points in two Seaman victories on the week as the Vikings improved to 5-2 overall and in the Centennial League. Henry scored 18 points in the Vikings' 66-44 home win over Hayden on Tuesday and followed that up with a 29-point night Friday at Topeka High as Seaman rolled to a 68-47 win at Topeka High.

 Jalen Lewis

JALEN LEWIS, Washburn University

Lewis, a 5-11 junior, scored 25 points, including 20 in the first half, as Washburn's men's basketball team improved to 8-6 on the season with a 76-64 home MIAA victory over Missouri Western Saturday at Lee Arena. Lewis canned six 3-pointers in the game as the Ichabods moved to two games over .500 for the first time this season.

 Aisya Taylor

AISYA TAYLOR, Highland Park

A 5-8 senior, Taylor scored a game-high 23 points as Highland Park's girls basketball team garnered its first victory since the 2019-2020 season with a 61-38 non-league win over Sumner Academy. last Tuesday. Taylor hit a pair of 3-pointers against the Sabres and also went three of three from the free throw line. 

By RICK PETERSON
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Hunter Bentley

HUNTER BENTLEY, Washburn University

Bentley, a 5-foot-9 senior guard out of Bishop Miege, scored a game-high 27 points and hit 9 of 9 free throw attempts as Washburn's women's basketball team bounced back from a pair of tough MIAA losses to take a 76-66 home victory over Northeastern State. Bentley scored 41 points on the week as the 7-8 Ichabods split games.

Tyler Geiman

TYLER GEIMAN, Washburn University

A 6-1 senior point guard, the former Blue Valley star scored a game-high 29 points, including 21 in the second half, as Washburn, using just seven players due to injury and illness, improved to 12-3 with an 88-77 come-from-behind MIAA home victory over Rogers State. Geiman also had 8 assists and 7 rebounds for the Ichabods and scored 12 straight points in the second half to spearhead the win.

Hailey Horton

HAILEY HORTON, Silver Lake

A freshman, Horton won the 155-pound title in Friday's Division II District Girls Wrestling Tournament at Marysville, helping the Eagles win the district team championship by an 88-73 margin over Holton. Horton won her first match with a 23-second pin before taking a 7-2 decision over Atchison County's Hannah Simmers in the finals.

Daigan Kruger

DAIGAN KRUGER, Silver Lake

Kruger, a junior, won the 170-pound championship in Saturday's Class 3A-1A  District Boys Wrestling Tournament at Silver Lake, posting three straight pins to help the Eagles win the team title. Kruger, now 41-1 on the season, posted pins in 36 seconds and 2 minutes, 36 seconds to reach the finals and pinned Mission Valley's Justice Dunbar in 1:09 to win the 170 title. 

CJ Powell

CJ POWELL, Highland Park

Powell, a 6-7 senior, scored 59 points in two games on the week as Highland Park's boys basketball team extended its winning streak to five games with Centennial League victories over Emporia and Seaman. Powell scored 31 points in the Scots' 63-58 win over Emporia and followed that up with a 28-point performance in the Scots' 55-47 overtime win over Seaman on Friday, forcing the OT with a clutch 3-point loss. 

Marque Wilkerson

MARQUE WILKERSON, Topeka West

Wilkerson, a 6-2 senior, scored a game-high 25 points as Topeka West's boys basketball team took over sole possession of the Centennial League lead with a 63-46 home Centennial League win over Washburn Rural. Continuing a recent hot streak, Wilkerson scored 16 points in the first half and hit 11 of 14 field goal attempts on the night as the Chargers improved to 11-2 overall and 8-1 in the league. 

 By RICK PETERSON

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Jack Bachelor

 JACK BACHELOR, Washburn Rural

Bachelor, a 6-foot-2 senior guard, scored a total of 44 points in two Washburn Rural boys basketball wins on the week as the Junior Blues improved to 11-4 on the season. Bachelor scored 27 points in a 65-60 non-league win over Blue Valley last Tuesday, going nine of 13 from the field with three 3-pointers and six of seven at the free throw line. Bachelor followed that up with 17 points and five 3-pointers on Friday as Rural fought back from a 14-point deficit in the first half to take a 50-42 Centennial League win over Emporia. Bachelor hit six of nine shots and five of six 3-point attemps in the win over the Spartans.

Alexis Fredrickson

ALEXIS FREDRICKSON, Washburn Rural

The Junior Blues' senior 135-pound girls wrestler, Fredrickson reached the 100-victory milestone for her career in last Saturday's Centennial League tournament. Fredrickson, who began wrestling as a sophomore, went 3-1 with three pins, including a win over a No. 1-ranked (Class 6A-5A) wrestler as Washburn Rural rolled to its third straight league championship. Rural went 4-0 in the dual event, outscoring its four opponents by a 285-33 margin.

Madison Freeland

MADISON FREELAND, Shawnee Heights

A sophomore, Freeland captured the 135-pound championship in last Saturday's United Kansas Conference girls wrestling tournament at Seaman. Freeland went 3-0 on the day with pins in 48 seconds, 1 minute, 21 seconds and 1:42 to help lead Shawnee Heights to its fourth straight UKC team title by a 78-52 margin over tournament host Seaman. Freeland improved to 27-5 going into this Saturday's Class 6A-5A regional tournament at Seaman.

 By RICK PETERSON

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 Easton Broxterman

EASTON BROXTERMAN, Washburn Rural

A sophomore 113-pounder, Broxterman capped a 49-3 season with his first Class 6A state wresstling championship Saturday at Park City, taking a 12-4 major decision in the finals over Junction City junior Ezekiel Witt, avenging a loss to Witt in the 2022 106-pound championship match. Broxterman went 4-0 on the weekend, posting a win by technical fall, a pin and two major decisions.

Josh Hammons

JOSH HAMMONS, Washburn Rural

Hammons, a senior, finished second in Friday's Class 6A regional bowling tournament at West Ridge Lanes, bowling a 717 series while helping lead Washburn Rural to a state team berth with a second-place finish. Hammons rolled games of 248, 244 and 225 while Rural finished second as a team by a 3,464-3,426 margin to Olathe Northwest. Hammons finished 10th at state as a junior.

Kendra Hurla

KENDRA HURLA, Rossville

A junior 120-pounder, Hurla captured her third straight Class 4A-1A state wrestling title last Thursday at Salina, posting a 9-5 decision over Columbus senior Addison Saporito in the finals. Hurla, who recorded wins by fall in her first three matches of the state tournament, finished her season with a 27-1 record and is now 89-3 in her career. Hurla led Rossville to a second-place finish in the team standings.

By RICK PETERSON
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Kai Allen

KAI ALLEN, Silver Lake

The Eagles' star senior 138-pounder captured the fourth regional/sub-state championship of his high school wrestling career in Saturday's Class 3A-1A sub-state at Marion, going 3-0 on the day with two pins to improve to 37-3 on the season. Allen, No. 3 in the KWCA state rankings, pinned Douglass' Matthew Reynolds 2:59 into the championship match after winning his first two matches with a 22-second pin and a 16-5 major decision. Allen helped lead the Eagles to the regional title by a 97-83 margin over Wellsville. 

Dajia Anderson

DAJIA ANDERSON, Washburn Rural

A senior, Anderson won the 191-pound title in last Friday's Division I girls sub-state tournament at Leavenworth, improving to 24-4 on the season and helping lead the Junior Blues to the team title. Anderson, top-ranked in the KWCA rankings and a returning state champion, recorded pins in 3:37 and 5:22 before outlasting No. 2-ranked Maranda Bell of Shawnee Heights in the championship match, 8-7.

 By RICK PETERSON

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 Easton Broxterman

EASTON BROXTERMAN, Washburn Rural

A sophomore 113-pounder, Broxterman bounced back from a scary incident early in the match to win a Class 6A regional wrestling title with a 15-3 major decision over Junction City junior Eziekiel Witt in a rematch of the 2022 state 106-pound state title match, won by Witt. With Saturday's regional victory, Broxterman improved 45-3 on the season while posting his first win over Witt.

Nick Freeland

NICK FREELAND, Shawnee Heights

Freeland, a senior, won the 150-pound championship in Saturday's Class 5A regional wrestling tournament at Blue Valley Southwest, improving to 38-7 on the season. Freeland won his regional championship with a 3-2 overtime decision over Spring Hill senior Miles Bell.

Barrett Lietz

BARRETT LIETZ, Rossville

Lietz, a junior 215-pounder, captured a Class 3A-1A regional wrestling championship Saturday at Sabetha, taking a 6-1 decision over Oskaloosa sophomore Colsen Perry in the title match. Also an All-Shawnee County pick in football, Lietz will take a 32-8 record into this Friday and Saturday 3A-1A state meet at Hays.

By RICK PETERSON
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Dajia Anderson

DAJIA ANDERSON, Washburn Rural

A senior, Anderson won the 191-pound championship in the Division I Girls Wrestling Regional Saturday at Emporia, recording a takedown in the closing seconds to post a 4-2 decision over top-ranked Maranda Bell of Shawnee Heights in the final. Anderson, who entered the tournament No. 3 in the KWCA rankings, also took a 4-0 semifinal victory over No. 2 Trinity Ervin of Emporia to help lead the Junior Blues to the team title. Anderson, the 235-pound state champ as a junior, improved to 24-4 on the season.

NiJaree Canady

NiJAREE CANADY, Topeka High

Canady, a 6-foot junior, scored 19 points and grabbed 22 rebounds, both game-highs, as Topeka High's girls basketball team improved to 16-0 with a come-from-behind 59-53 overtime Centennial League victory Friday at Washburn Rural, the Trojans' 39th straight victory. Earlier in the week Canady scored 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in limited minutes in the Trojans' 66-33 home league win over Manhattan.

 By RICK PETERSON

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 Levi Braun

LEVI BRAUN, Washburn University

Braun, a sophomore guard, scored a game-high 20 points, with six 3-pointers, and also grabbed six rebounds as Washburn University routed No. 6-ranked Central Oklahoma 75-55 in an MIAA men's basketball game Saturday at Lee Arena. Braun, a Hayden graduate, hit seven of 10 shots from the field, including six of eight 3-pointers, as the Ichabods improved to 12-11 with their second straight win.

Laiken Clark

LAIKEN CLARK, Washburn Rural

A junior girls wrestling standout, Clark won the 130-pound championship in Saturday's Class 6A-5A regional tournament, posting three straight victories by fall before taking an 8-5 decision over Wichita North senior Diana Uristo in the title match. Clark improved to 35-7 on the season while helping Washburn Rural win its fourth straight regional team title by a 221-135 margin over Wichita North.

Jaxon Cowdin

JAXON COWDIN, Topeka High

A sophomore, Cowdin captured his first Centennial League one-meter diving championship last Thursday at the Capitol Federal Natatorium by a commanding 470.60-319.40 margin. Cowdin, who holds the Topeka High school record for six-dive competition, recently won his second straight city diving championship and will compete in his second straight Class 6A state meet this week in Shawnee Mission. 

By RICK PETERSON
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Kai Allen

KAI ALLEN, Silver Lake

A 138-pound senior, Allen won his fourth straight Mid-East League individual wrestling title to lead Silver Lake to the team championship last Friday at Wabaunsee. Allen, one of seven league champions for the Eagles, has posted three straight top-three finishes in the Class 3A-1A state tournament, including a state championship in 2019 and a runner-up finish last season.

Dylan Birkenbaugh

DYLAN BIRKENBAUGH, Seaman

Birkenbaugh bowled a 737 three-game series to earn his second individual title of the week, putting together games of 225, 265 and 247 as Seaman won the boys title in the Emporia quadrangular at Flint Hills Lanes by a 2,894-2,578 margin over Derby. Birkenbaugh also won the individual title in the Hayden quad at West Ridge Lanes with a 628 series as the Vikings won by a 2,445-2,185 margin over Topeka West.

By RICK PETERSON

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Anna Becker

ANNA BECKER, Seaman

Becker, a 5-foot-9 guard, continued her outstanding freshman season in two Seaman girls basketball wins last week. Becker scored a career-high 26 points on Tuesday in the Vikings' 49-46 Centennial League victory over Manhattan and followed that up with a 22-point effort Friday night as Seaman improved to 10-4 on the season with a 67-35 win over Highland Park. Becker went 8 of 12 from the field and 9 of 12 from the free throw line against Manhattan and went 7 of 7 from the free throw line againt Highland Park.

Hunter Bentley 

HUNTER BENTLEY, Washburn University

A 5-9 senior guard, Bentley scored 24 points in Saturday's 61-50 MIAA road win at Northeastern State while becoming the Washburn women's basketball all-time leader in minutes played with 3,982. Bentley, a former Bishop Miege star, connected on 10 of 14 shots from the field against the RiverHawks and hit four 3-pointers as the Ichabods improved to 10-10 on the season overall and 8-6 in the MIAA.

Addison Broxterman

ADDISON BROXTERMAN, Washburn Rural

Broxterman, a junior, won her second straight Centennial League girls wrestling individual championship on Saturday at Highland Park while helping lead Washburn Rural to its second straight league team title. Now 35-2 on the season, Broxterman, ranked No. 2 in Class 6A-5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association, won the 120-pound title with a win by pin at the 3:10 mark of the championship match over Junction City's Charly Goodwin, helping the Junior Blues win the team crown by a 190-149 margin over Emporia.

Trent Duffey

TRENT DUFFEY, Hayden

A 6-2 senior, Duffey tied for game-high scoring honors with 18 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, as Hayden's boys basketball team broke through with a 54-42 Centennial League road victory Friday night at Washburn Rural. Duffey led the way as Hayden notched its third win of the 2021-2022 season, improving to 3-10 overall and 2-8 in the Centennial League standings.

Austin Fager

 AUSTIN FAGER, Washburn Rural

A 182-pound senior, Fager earned his fourth straight Centennial League individual wrestling championship Saturday at Highland Park while helping lead Washburn Rural to its third straight league team title by a 202.5-174.5 margin over Manhattan. Top-ranked in 6A by the KWCA, Fager clinched league title No. 4 with a 46-second pin over Emporia's Davian White in the championship match. Fager was a state runner-up last season and is currently 33-2 as a senior.

Caden Walker

CADEN WALKER, Shawnee Heights

Walker, a senior, received the award as the Most Outstanding Wrestler in Saturday's United Kansas Conference boys tournament at Leavenworth after winning the 160-pound individual title and leading Shawnee Heights to its fourth straight league team title by a 242-160 margin over Basehor-Linwood. Walker went 5-0 on the day with five pins, recording pins in 13, 20 and 22 seconds, 1:05 and 2:12. Ranked No. 3 in 5A by the KWCA, Walker is a two-time state medalist.

By RICK PETERSON

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Maranda Bell

MARANDA BELL, Shawnee Heights

A senior 191-pound star girls wrestler, Bell won a Class 6A-5A state championship last Thursday at Park City's Hartman Arena, becoming Shawnee Heights' first official girls state champ and first girls wrestler to reach 100 wins in her career. Bell, who was 27-1 on the season, won all four of her state matches by pin, in 13 seconds, 3:01, 56 seconds and 1:03 in the championship match over Derby sophomore Meya Howell. Bell led Heights to a fifth-place team finish, with the T-Birds the highest-finishing 5A school.  

Aidan Boline

AIDAN BOLINE, Washburn Rural

A state medalist as a junior, Boline capped a 34-6 senior season with the Class 6A 160-pound wrestling championship last Saturday at Park City's Hartman Arena, taking a 5-0 decision over Olathe East senior Nick Carlson in the championship match as the Junior Blues won their second straight 6A state team title. Boline reached the finals with a pair of pins and a 15-0 technical fall.

Jack Easum

JACK EASUM, Seaman

Easum, a senior, won the boys individual championship in last Tuesday's Class 5A-1A bowling regional at Emporia's Flint Hills Lane, winning by 30 pins with a three-game series of 747. Easum put together games of 235, 279 and 233 leading the Vikings to the regional team championship by a 3,610-3,554 margin over De Soto.

Austin Fager

AUSTIN FAGER, Washburn Rural

Fager, a senior, captured the Class 6A 182-pound state wrestling championship last Saturday at Park City's Hartman Arena while helping lead the Junior Blues to their second straight team title by a 151-142.5 margin over Derby. Fager, a state runner-up as a junior went 4-0 at state to improve to 43-2, posting three pins and a 15-0 technical fall. Fager pinned Campus senior Aidan Williams in the finals in 1:13.

Kendra Hurla

KENDRA HURLA, Rossville

The Rossville sophomore girls wrestler won her second straight state championship in the Class 4A-1A state meet last Thursday at the Tony's Pizza Events Center in Salina. Hurla capped a 39-0 season with the 120-pound title, taking a 3-0 decision over Pratt junior Jadyn Thompson in the finals. Hurla reached the finals with three straight pins, in 1:27, 1:58 and 1:47.

Makenzie Millard

MAKENZIE MILLARD, Seaman

Millard, a senior bowler, won her third Class 5A-1A girls regional title last Tuesday at Emporia's Flint Hills Lanes. Millard took top individual honors by a 26-pin margin with a 709 three-game series, including games of 279 and 265. Millard, who has finished fifth and fourth at state the past two seasons, led the Vikings to the team championship by a 3,141-2,891 margin over Augusta. 

By RICK PETERSON

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Ethan Burns

ETHAN BURNS, Seaman

A junior, Burns bowled a 728 three-game series last Wednesday at West Ridge Lanes to win the Centennial League boys individual title by two pins over Washburn Rural's Josh Hammons and help the Vikings finish second as a team, just four pins behind Rural. Burns finished 13th in the 2021 Class 5A-1A state tournament with a 631 series as the Vikings placed third as a team. 

Kaitlyn Doyal

KAITLYN DOYAL, Washburn Rural

Doyal, a senior, won the Centennial League girls individual bowling championship last Wednesday at West Ridge Lanes by a 32-pin margin with a three-game series of 668, leading the Junior Blues to a second-place team finish. Doyal finished seventh in the Class 6A state tournament as a junior, bowling a 631 series as Washburn Rural finished third as a team. 

Trent Duffey

TRENT DUFFEY, Hayden

Duffey, a 6-foot-2 senior, scored 60 points in three games on the week as the Wildcats won two off the three. Duffey scored 19 points in Hayden's 58-35 non-league win over Tonganoxie last Monday, had nine points in Tuesday's 51-48 overtime Centennial League loss to No. 2-ranked (Class 5A) Topeka West and scored a career-high 32 points in Friday's 66-57 league win over Topeka High on Senior Night at Hayden.

By RICK PETERSON

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Sincere Austin

SINCERE AUSTIN, Topeka West

The Chargers' junior point guard scored a total of 46 points in two Centennial League boys basketball wins as West improved to 15-1 overall and extended its winning streak to 14 games. Austin scored a career-high 25 points with five 3-pointers in Topeka West's 77-48 win over Manhattan on Tuesday and led the Chargers with 21 points in Friday's 65-62 road victory at Junction City. West enters the week tied for the Centennial League lead with Highland Park.

Hunter Bentley

HUNTER BENTLEY, Washburn University

A 5-9 senior guard, Bentley scored 60 points on the week as Washburn's women's basketball team won two of three games to top the .500 mark for the first time on the season at 12-11. Bentley, who became WU's career leader for game's played (now 137), scored 28 points with six 3-pointers in a 55-54 loss at Rogers State, had 13 points and grabbed six rebounds in a 67-55 win over Lincoln and had 19 points with four 3-pointers and five assists in Saturday's 72-71 home win over Central Missouri.

Kendra Hurla

KENDRA HURLA, Rossville

A returning state champion, the Bulldawgs' star sophomore 120-pound wrestler, improved to a perfect 35-0 record on the 2021-2022 season en route to an individual championship in last Saturday's Class 4A-1A girls regional tournament at Baldwin. After a first-round bye, Hurla recorded three straight wins by pin -- in 1 minute, 51 seconds, 31 seconds and 1:28 over Holton's Macey Gross in the championship match to punch her ticket to the state tournament at Salina.

Jack Miranda

JACK MIRANDA, Washburn Rural

Miranda won four gold medals in last Thursday's boys Centennial League swimming and diving championships, helping lead the Junior Blues to their third straight team title by a 413-396 margin over Seaman. Miranda, who also won four golds in the city meet, won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:49.41 and the 500 free in 4:54.93 and swam on Washburn Rural's winning 200 free (1:33.25) and 400 free relays (3:23.92).

Tae Thomas

TAE THOMAS, Topeka High

A senior guard, Thomas scored 33 points in two Topeka High Centennial League victories on the week as the Trojans improved to 16-0 overall and a 13-0 in the Centennial League. Thomas scored 22 points with five 3-pointers in the Trojans' 61-38 win over Highland Park on Tuesday night and then fought through a shoulder injury to score 11 points Friday, including seven in the final 2:56, as No. 2-ranked Topeka High rallied late to take a 46-42 win over No. 3 Washburn Rural on Friday.

Nathen Trachta

NATHEN TRACHTA, Washburn Rural

A senior, Trachta won four gold medals in last Thursday's boys Centennial League swimming and diving championships, as the Junior Blues won their third straight league team title by a 413-396 margin over Seaman. Trachta won the 100-yard butterfly in 54.19 and the 100 backstroke in 57.18 and also swam on Washburn Rural's winning 200 free (1:33.25) and 400 free relays (3:23.92).

By RICK PETERSON

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Anna Becker

ANNA BECKER, Seaman

Becker, a 5-foot-10 sophomore, recorded a double-double as the No. 9-ranked (Class 5A) Seaman's girls basketball team opened its first season in the United Kansas Conference with a 62-32 win over No. 3 Lansing. Becker finished the night with 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Vikings.

Addison Broxterman

ADDISON BROXTERMAN, Washburn Rural

Broxterman, a senior, became the 10th Kansas high school girls wrestler to record 100 careet victories on Saturday in the Leavenworth Girls Challenger. A two-time Class 6A state runner-up, Broxterman went 5-0 to win the 125-pound championship, including a 21-second pin in the finals, helping Rural win the team title.

Riccardo Corazza

RICCARDO CORAZZA, Shawnee Heights

A junior foreign exchange student from Milan, Italy, Corazza made his debut for the Shawnee Heights boys swimming team in last Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational with a victory in the 50-yard freestyle (22.33 seconds) and also swam on Heights' winning 200 free relay (1:35.27). Corazza finished second in the 100 free (50.88) and swam on the T-Birds' third-place 200 medley relay (1:42.72). 

Rylee Dick

RYLEE DICK, Rossville

A freshman, Dick made her high school debut with a 24-point performance, including four 3-pointers, as Rossville rolled to a 58-30 season-opening girls basketball non-league victory at Atchison last Friday night. 

Maddie Gragg

MADDIE GRAGG, Seaman

A 5-foot-9 freshman, Gragg scored a game-high 17 points in her high school basketball career as No. 9-ranked (Class 5A) Seaman rolled to a 62-32 United Kansas Conference win over No. 3 Lansing. Gragg went 8 of 14 from the field and 1 of 2 from the free throw line in the Vikings' UKC debut.

Luke Perkins

LUKE PERKINS, Shawnee Heights

An eight-time Class 5A-1A state medalist, Perkins opened his senior swimming season with two individual victories and a relay win in last Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational. Perkins won the 200-yard individual medley (2:07.53) and the 100 butterfly (54.73) and swam on the T-Birds' winning 200 free relay (1:35.27) and third-place 200 medley relay (1:42.72). 

By RICK PETERSON

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Allen Baughman

ALLEN BAUGHMAN, Shawnee Heights

Baughman, a junior wrestler, went 8-0 with eight pins to win the 175-pound championship in the Johnson County Classic at Blue Valley, helping Shawnee Heights finish fourth as a team in the 25-school tournament. Baughman, 16-4 on the season, pinned Elzie Slaughter of St. Thomas Aquinas at the 3:11 mark of the second period in the title match. Four of Baughman's pins came between 30 seconds and one minute into the first period.

Molly Busenitz

MOLLY BUSENITZ, Shawnee Heights

A senior wrestler, Busenitz went 5-0 to win the 120-pound championship in the 30-school Ladycat Classic at Basehor-Linwood, leading Shawnee Heights to a third-place team finish. Now 12-0 on the seasson, Busenitz recorded four straight pins, between 13 seconds and 1 minute, 19 seconds, to advance to the final before earning a 16-1 technical fall over Kadynce Alexton of Chanute.

Zoe Canfield

ZOE CANFIELD, Washburn Rural

Canfield, a 5-foot-11 junior, scored a total of 41 points in two Washburn Rural girls basketball victories over state-ranked Class 6A teams. Canfield, a Kansas commit, scored 26 points with five 3-pointers in Tuesday's 54-45 win over No. 6-ranked Shawnee Mission Northwest and followed that up with 15 points and four 3s in Saturday's 49-34 win over No. 4 Wichita Heights in the GWAC/Centennial/WAC.Challenge in Wichita. 

By RICK PETERSON

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 Xavier Alexander

XAVIER ALEXANDER, Topeka West

A 6-foot-1 senior, Alexander combined for 49 points and eight 3-pointers on the week as Topeka West posted pair of United Kansas Conference victories to improve to 2-1 on the season. Alexander scored a career-high 31 points with five 3-pointers in a 74-62 win at Seaman last Tuesday and followed that up with 18 points and three 3s in Friday's 64-51 home win over Shawnee Heights. 

Addison Broxterman

ADDISON BROXTERMAN, Washburn Rural

A week after becoming the 10th Kansas high school girls wrestler to record 100 career victories, Broxterman, a senior, notched her 100th career pin in the Council Bluffs Classic on the way to a runner-up finish in the 125-pound division, improving to 12-1 on the season. Broxterman helped lead the Junior Blues to the team championship in the 32-school Iowa tournament by a 648-433.5 margin over Lewis Central, Iowa.

By RICK PETERSON

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Elijah Brooks

ELIJAH BROOKS, Topeka West

Brooks, a returning All-Shawnee County first-team pick, opened his senior season with a game-high 32-point performance, including four first-half dunks, as Topeka West's boys basketball team took a 69-57 Centennial League victory over Washburn Rural last Friday night at West.

Connor Deffebaugh

 CONNOR DEFFEBAUGH, Washburn University

Deffebaugh, a 6-3 sophomore guard from Fayetteville, Ark., scored a career-high 19 points, including the game-winning basket with two seconds remaining, as Washburn University edged Nebraska-Kearney, 79-77, last Saturday at Lee Arena. Deffebaugh also was credited with five assists and two steals as Washburn evened its record at 4-4.

BRENNON DODGE, Shawnee Heights

A sophomore guard, Dodge scored a game-high and career-high 33 points and hit seven 3-pointers as Shawnee Heights opened its 2021-2022 boys basketball season with a 74-37 non-league victory over Bishop Seabury last Friday at Heights.

Allison Maxwell 

ALLISON MAXWELL, Washburn University

A senior middle hitter, Maxwell registered 14 kills with a scorching .500 hitting percentage and was a part of eight blocks, including two solos, as Washburn earned a berth in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight with a 25-22, 25-20, 25-19 win over Concordia-St. Paul in last Saturday's Central Region championship match in Warrensburg, Mo. Maxwell earned All-Central Region honors.

Allison Sadler

ALLISON SADLER, Washburn University  

Sadler, a senior setter, recorded 39 assists and six digs as fifth-seeded Washburn advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight with a 25-22, 25-20, 25-19 win over Concordia-St. Paul in last Saturday's Central Region championship match at Warrensburg, Mo. Sadler earned All-Central Region honors.

Jacob Tangpricha

JACOB TANGPRICHA, Washburn Rural

A two-time Class 6A state champion, Tangpricha opened his senior season with the 126-pound championship in last Saturday's Leavenworth Challenger tournament, helping Washburn Rural win the team title by a 351.5-278 margin over Free State. Tangpricha went 4-0 on the day, including a pin over Lawrence senior Kevin Honas in the championship match.

By RICK PETERSON

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Elijah Brooks

ELIJAH BROOKS, Topeka West

A senior, Brooks scored 50 points on the week and reached the 1,000 point mark for his career in two Topeka West boys basketball wins as the Chargers improved to 4-1. Brooks had 18 points (11 in the fourth quarter) in West's 57-55 Tuesday win at Shawnee Heights and scored 32 points with eight rebounds and seven assists in the Chargers' 78-65 win at Manhattan on Friday.

Jaliah Johnson

JALIAH JOHNSON, Washburn Rural

Johnson, a two-time state placer, won the 155-pound championship in the LadyCat Classic at Basehor-Linwood, helping two-time state champion Washburn Rural win the team title by a 295-221 margin over Dodge City. Johnson, third at state the past two seasons, improved to 12-1 on the season.

Juan'Tario Roberts

JUAN'TARIO ROBERTS, Highland Park

Roberts, a senior, scored 45 points on the week as Highland Park's boys basketball team posted a pair of victories to improve to 5-0 on the season. Roberts scored 22 points in the Scots' 71-69 win over Seaman on Tuesday and followed that up with a 23-point game on Friday as Highland Park posted a 62-50 win at Topeka High. Roberts hit the 1,000-point mark for his career in Friday's win.

Kiki Smith

KIKI SMITH, Topeka High  

A junior guard, Smith scored 44 points on the week in two Topeka High girls basketball wins as the Trojans improved to 5-0 on the season. Smith led High with 14 points in a 38-36 win over Emporia on Tuesday and had 30 points on Friday in the Trojans' 86-16 romp past USD 501 rival Highland Park.

By RICK PETERSON

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Elijah Brooks

ELIJAH BROOKS, Topeka West

Brooks scored a game-high 29 points with five dunks as Topeka West's boys basketball team took a 68-41 Centennial League victory over rival Topeka High last Friday night at West. Brooks is averaging 27.7 points for the 2-1 Chargers. 

Brennon Dodge 

BRENNON DODGE, Shawnee Heights

A sophomore guard, Dodge scored 29 points to outscore Ottawa by himself as Shawnee Heights improved to 3-0 with a 62-27 non-league road win last Friday. Dodge, who had a 33-point outing in Heights' season-opener, had seven 3-pointers on the night, including four in the first half.

By RICK PETERSON

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Easton Bradstreet

EASTON BRADSTREET, Washburn Rural

A senior, Bradstreet scored four goals and had two assists as Washburn Rural's soccer team, the Class 6A state runner-up last fall, opened its 2022 season with a 7-1 non-league road romp at Kapaun Mt. Carmel last Friday.

Haley Carpenter

HALEY CARPENTER, Topeka High

Carpenter, who has teamed with fellow senior Adisyn Caryl to earn back-to-back doubles berths in the Class 6A state tennis tournament, opened the 2022 season with the doubles title in last Thursday's Wamego Invitational. Carpenter and Caryl went 4-0 on the day to help lead the Trojans to the team championship.

Adisyn Caryl

ADISYN CARYL, Topeka High

A three-time Class 6A state tennis qualifier, Caryl opened her senior season with the No. 1 doubles championship in last Thursday's Wamego Invitational, teaming with senior Haley Carpenter to post a 4-0 record and help the Trojans win the team championship.

Belle Kennedy

BELLE KENNEDY, Washburn University

Kennedy, a freshman midfielder, scored the first two goals of her college career in Sunday's 7-3 Washburn University women's soccer win at William Jewell, with the former Washburn Rural All-Stater helping the Ichabods improve to 2-0 on the 2022 season. 

Devon Rutschmann

DEVON RUTSCHMANN, Washburn Rural

A junior, Rutschmann had a goal and three assists for Washburn Rural soccer, which went 19-1-0 last season, in a 7-1 non-league season-opening road win at Kapaun Mt. Carmel last Friday.

Jalyn Stevenson

JALYN STEVENSON, Washburn University

Stevenson, a sophomore outside hitter from Spring Hill, helped lead No. 2-ranked Washburn University volleyball to a perfect 4-0 record in last weekend's Nebraska-Kearney Fall Classic. Stevenson led the offense with 37 kills and landed 10 service aces. Defensively, she was second on the team in with 29, had seven total blocks and had a .979 reception percentage after receiving 94 out of 96 service attempts.  

By RICK PETERSON

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Zoe Caryl

ZOE CARYL, Topeka High

Caryl, an Illinois signee, got her senior softball season off to a hot start as Topeka High opened the year 4-0. Caryl, a catcher, had seven hits and 11 runs batted in for the Trojans in last Thursday's 19-0, 19-3 doubleheader sweep over Topeka West at Hummer Sports Park. Caryl went 4 for 4 with a double, two triples and four RBI in the first game and was 3 for 4 with a double, a home run and seven RBI in the second game.

Bethany Druse

BETHANY DRUSE, Seaman

A sophomore, Druse won the girls 800-meter run in last Thursday's Jerry Beardslee Invitational track and field meet in a time of 2:23.6, a time that ranked third in the state through last week and was the top time by a Class 5A runner. Druse has won two straight 800-meter races this spring.

By RICK PETERSON

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NiJaree Canady

NIJAREE CANADY, Topeka High

Canady, the reigning Kansas Gatorade Softball Player of the Year, opened her senior season last Thursday with an outstanding performance in the pitching circle and at the plate in Topeka High's 11-1, 6-1 doubleheader sweep over Topeka West. Canady, who has committed to Stanford, picked up the pitching wins in both games, striking out a total of 28 batters while allowing just two hits and two runs on the day. Canady hit a homer and doubled in the Trojans' first-game win.

Emmerson Cope

EMMERSON COPE, Washburn Rural

A junior, Cope pitched a five-inning perfect game and hit a three-run walkoff home run in Washburn Rural's 10-0 first-game softball win over Hayden last Tuesday, finishing with 11 strikeouts and four runs batted in. Cope, an All-Class 6A first-teamer last season, added a double in the Junior Blues' 8-1 win over the Wildcats in the second game.

 Parker Dunn

PARKER DUNN, Washburn University

Dunn, a senior right-fielder, went 4 for 4 with 4 runs scored and 5 runs batted in for Washburn's baseball team last Saturday as the Ichabods took a 15-4 victory over No. 4-ranked Central Missouri at Falley Field. Dunn hit a pair of home runs for Washburn, which handed Central Missouri its first MIAA loss of the season and ended the Mules' 19-game winning streak while snapping a three-game losing streak. 

Victoria Reed

VICTORIA REED, Highland Park

A sophomore sprinter, Reed made her debut for Highland Park with three individual wins in last Friday's Jerry Beardslee Invitational track and field meet at Washburn Rural. Reed won the 100-meter dash in 12.6 seconds, the 200 in 26.5 and the 400 in 60.4 seconds.

Tre Richardson

TRE RICHARDSON, Highland Park

Richardson, a junior, made his 2022 track and field debut in last Friday's Jerry Beardslee Invitational with three wins and a second-place finish. Richardson won the long jump with a best of 22 feet, 2 inches, took the triple jump win at 43-6 and won the 200-meter dash in 21.6 seconds. Richardson added a second-place finish in the 100 in 10.5.

Zach Sulzen-Watson

ZACH SULZEN-WATSON, Washburn Rural

A senior thrower, Sulzen-Watson opened his 2022 track and field season with a pair of wins in last Friday's Jerry Beardslee Invitational at Rural. Sulzen-Watson recorded a personal best with a throw of 52 feet, 5 inches in the shot put and added a win in the discus with a winning throw of 161-1 in the discus. Sulzen-Watson placed fifth in the Class 6A discus as a junior.

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Lailah Benz

LAILAH BENZ, Shawnee Heights

Benz, a sophomore midfielder, recorded a three-goal hat track for Shawnee Heights in last Tuesday's 5-0 non-league girls soccer victory over Ottawa at the Bettis Family Sports Complex. Benz helped lead the T-Birds to a 2-1 start to the 2023 season with their second straight win.

Bethany Druse

BETHANY DRUSE, Seaman

A senior, Druse, the defending Class 5A 800 meters champion, posted individual wins in the 1,600 and 800 in last Thursday's Jerry Beardslee Invitational track and field meet at Washburn Rural and also anchored the Vikings' 4x400 relay team to a come-from-behind victory. Druse won the 1,600 by more than nine seconds in 5 minutes, 37.00 , won the 800 by more than 10 seconds in 2:25.28 and helped Seaman win the 4x400 relay in 4:20.01.

Alexis Fredrickson

ALEXIS FREDRICKSON, Washburn Rural

Fredrickson, a senior, opened her senior track and field season with two wins and two runnerup finishes in last Thursday's Jerry Beardslee Invitational at Washburn Rural. Fredrickson won the 100-meter dash in 14.00 seconds and the 200 in 28.26 while also finishing second in the 400 (62.0) and the pole vault (8 feet, 6 inches). Fredrickson was a three-time Class 6A-5A state medalist and two-time state team champion for Rural's wrestling team.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Zoe Caryl

ZOE CARYL, Topeka High

Caryl, a senior who will play collegiately at Illinois, went 9 of 11 with three doubles, a triple, a home run and 12 runs batted in as Topeka High's softball team remained unbeaten with a 10-0, 27-8 Centennial League doubleheader sweep over Emporia last Tuesday. 

Bethany Druse

BETHANY DRUSE, Seaman

The Viking sophomore continued her dominating season in the girls 800 meters Monday at Lawrence, posting a win in the Free State Barrier Breakers track and field meet in 2 minutes, 21.02 seconds, winning by nearly two seconds. Druse ranks among the top 10 in the state (all classes) in the 800.

By RICK PETERSON

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Kendra Cook

KENDRA COOK, Silver Lake

Cook a freshman pitcher, threw a seven-inning no-hitter in a 7-0 second-game Mid-East League victory at St. Marys last Thursday, helping the Eagles complete a doubleheader sweep. Cook allowed one walk and struck out five against the Bears.

Giles Frederickson

GILES FREDERICKSON, Washburn Rural

Frederickson, a senior, carded a 4-under-par 68 in last Thursday's Seaman Invitational golf tournament at Village Greens, tying former two-time Class 6A state champion Parker Beal for Washburn Rural's school-record low round. Frederickson took individual medalist honors by five strokes and led the Junior Blues to the team championship by a 14-stroke margin over Manhattan.

Briar Gillum

BRIAR GILLUM, Rossville

A senior, Gillum set the Rossville school record in the discus with a throw of 133 feet in Friday's Rossville Invitational.  The Rossville school record was previously set at 129-4 by Bridget Weybrew back in 1987. Gillum is the Shawnee County leader in both the discus and shot put, with a best of 39-10.50 in the shot. 

Daigan Kruger 

DAIGAN KRUGER, Silver Lake

Silver Lake senior pitcher Daigan Kruger threw his first career no-hitter last Monday in a 6-0 Mid-East League first-game win over Riley County. Kruger went seven innings with five strikeouts while issuing two walks in the win and also went 2 for 4 at the plate with a run scored. The Eagles added an 8-5 victory in the second game to complete the sweep.

Mason McConnaughey

MASON McCONNAUGHEY, Seaman

A senior pitcher, McConnaughey threw a complete-game no-hitter in Seaman's 3-0 Centennial League road victory over Junction City. McConnaughey recorded 15 strikeouts against the Blue Jays and did not allow a walk.

Tanner Newkirk

TANNER NEWKIRK, Hayden

A senior, Newkirk clocked the 15th fastest boys 3,200 meters time in Kansas high school history in the Barrier Breakers meet in Lawrence last Friday, winning the event in a time of 9 minutes 09.76 seconds. Newkirk improved his own school record in the 3,200 and also finished second in the 1,600 meters in 4:18.59. Newkirk also holds the school record in that event.

 By RICK PETERSON

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Alesecio Batson

ALESECIO BATSON, Topeka West

Batson, a sophomore track and field standout, posted a victory in the boys triple jump in last Friday's Free State Barrier Breaker Invitational at Lawrence, jumping a winning distance of 46 feet, 8.25 inches for the Chargers.

Emmerson Cope

EMMERSON COPE, Washburn Rural

A senior softball standout, Cope piicked up the pitching victory and also had a home run and a double in Washburn Rural's 14-4 first-game victory over Seaman last Friday. The Nebraska signee also helped the 12-2 Junior Blues complete the sweep with a 10-0 shutout in the second game.

Zahra Friess 

ZAHRA FRIESS, Cair Paravel Latin

A sophomore, Friess scored four goals and was also credited with four assists in the Lions' 10-0 win over Kaw Valley Conference foe Kansas City Christian last Monday. Cair Paravel added a 10-0 league win over Kansas City-Bishop Ward on Thursday, improving to 9-1-1 with its eighth straight victory. 

By RICK PETERSON

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NiJaree Canady

NiJAREE CANADY, Topeka High

A junior, Canady pitched a three-hitter with 17 strikeouts in a 5-0 win over Centennial League rival Washburn Rural last Tuesday and followed that up with a two-hit, 11-strikeout performance in a 10-0 second-game win over the Junior Blues while also hitting a home run. Canady added two more pitching wins over Olathe West and Shawnee Mission North and allowed just one earned run on the week while hitting three home runs.

 Tyler Clark-Chiapparelli

TYLER CLARK-CHIAPPARELLI, Washburn University

Clark-Chiapparelli, a sophomore left-fielder, had a big day at the plate as Washburn's baseball team split a doubleheader with Rogers State Sunday to win its second straight MIAA series. Clark-Chiapparelli went 3 for 4 in the opener with a home run, two runs batted, a stolen base and three runs scored and went 3 for 3 in the second game with a three-run homer, a run-scoring double and four RBI.

By RICK PETERSON

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Emmerson Cope

EMMERSON COPE, Washburn Rural

Cope, a junior, had a big day last Tuesday as Washburn Rural took a 1-0, 8-1 Centennial League softball sweep over defending Class 6A state champion Topeka High. Cope posted a pair of complete-game pitching victories while recording a total of 15 strikeouts. At the plate Cope hit a pair of home runs and two doubles and knocked in four runs in the second game.

Jaycee Ginter

JAYCEE GINTER, Washburn University

Ginter, a sophomore pitcher/outfielder, helped the Ichabod softball team boost its winning streak to 16 straight games with weekend MIAA sweeps over Missouri Southern and Pittsburg State as the Ichabods improved to 36-11. Ginter boosted her pitching record to 23-3 with a pair of wins, including a 5-0 shutout victory over Pittsburg State.  At the plate the former Shawnee Heights star and multi-time state champ had eight hits in the four games with five runs batted in.

Makinsey Jones

MAKINSEY JONES, Topeka West

A junior, Jones posted individual wins in the girls high jump and the triple jump in last Friday's Manhattan Invitational track and field meet. Jones won the high jump with a clearance of 5 foot, 4 inches and won the triple jump at 34-7. Jones is the Shawnee County leader in both events this spring.

Tanner Newkirk

TANNER NEWKIRK, Hayden

A senior, Newkirk broke the Hayden school record in the boys 1,600-meter run in last Wednesday's Little KU track and field meet at Lawrence, clocking a winning time of 4 minutes, 14.43 seconds. Newkirk also posted a second-place finish in the 800 meters, running a Shawnee County-best time of 1:57.99. Newkirk is the boys Shawnee County leader in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs.

Kinsey Perine

KINSEY PERINE, Rossville

Perine, a sophomore, hit three home runs in last Monday's 10-1, 9-8 doubleheader softball sweep over rival Silver Lake. Perine accounted for three of the Bulldawgs' six total homers on the day and also added a double for Rossville. The Bulldawgs finished the week with a sweep over St. Marys, improving to 12-0 on the season. 

 Alex Valdivia

ALEX VALDIVIA, Shawnee Heights

A junior, Valdivia captured the individual championship in last Monday's United Kansas Conference tournament at Lake Shawnee, carding an 18-hole score of 69. Valdivia led the way as Shawnee Heights won the team championship by a 18-stroke margin over runner-up De Soto. Valdivia is a returning All-Shawnee County pick and Class 5A individual state medalist.

 By RICK PETERSON

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Audrey Appuhn

AUDREY APPUHN, Washburn Rural

Appuhn, a freshman girls swimming standout, was a part of three victories in last week's Topeka West Invitational, helping lead Washburn Rural to the team championship. Appuhn won the 200-yard freestyle (2:01.90) and the 500 free (5:23.61) and also swam on the Junior Blues' winning 200 medley relay (2:01.14).

Alesecio Batson

ALESECIO BATSON, Topeka West

Batson, a sophomore track and field standout, posted a third-place finish in the boys triple jump in last Friday's Kansas Relays at Lawrence, jumping a career-best 46 feet, 10.50 inches in the meet.

Natalie Hillebert

NATALIE HILLEBERT, Hayden

Hillebert, a junior track standout, ran a 58.65-second 400-meter dash in last Friday's Kansas Relays preliminaries, breaking a Hayden school record that had stood since 1986. HIllebert, a returning Class 4A state placer, went on to finish seventh in Saturday's final of the 400. 

By RICK PETERSON

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NiJaree Canady

NiJAREE CANADY, Topeka High

A junior, Canady picked up the pitching wins in both ends of Friday's 6-3, 10-1 doubleheader softball sweep over Seaman, throwing a four-hitter and striking out 13 in the opener and combining with sophomore Quincy Smith for a four-hitter in the second game. Canady pitched the first five innings in the second game, allowing four hits and a run while striking out seven.

Zoe Caryl

ZOE CARYL, Topeka High

Caryl, a senior catcher, had another big day at the plate for 8-0 Topeka High last Friday, going 4 of 5 with three home runs, a triple and seven runs batted in as the Trojans took a 6-3, 10-1 doubleheader sweep over Centennial League rival Seaman. Caryl, an Illinois signee, had a triple and a two-run homer in the opener against the Vikings and hit two-run and three-run homers in the nightcap.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Dagen Brewer 

DAGEN BREWER, Seaman

A senior catcher/infielder, Brewer had a big day in last Friday's 14-1, 12-1 Centennial League doubleheader baseball sweep over Topeka High at Hummer Sports Park. Brewer homered in both games and went 4 of 4 at the plate with two doubles and five runs batted in for the Vikings in the nightcap as Seaman improved to 6-1 on the season.

 Taryn Burkhardt

TARYN BURKHARDT, Silver Lake

Burkhardt, a senior, went 8 for 8 at the plate in last Monday's 11-1, 14-2 non-league doubleheader softball sweep at Hayden. Burkhardt contributed a triple and a pair of doubles while scoring four runs and knocking in three runs on the day for the Eagles, who finished second in the Class 3A state tournament last spring.

Adisyn Caryl

ADISYN CARYL, Topeka High

A junior infielder, Caryl helped Topeka High remain unbeaten with a 2-1, 9-5 Centennial League softball sweep over Manhattan last Monday at Hummer Sports Park. Caryl was credited with a double and an inside-the-park home run in the second game as the defending Class 6A state champions pushed their winning streak to 31 straight games dating back to last season. 

Jaycee Ginter

JAYCEE GINTER, Washburn University

Ginter, a sophomore pitcher/outfielder, helped the Ichabod softball team boost its winning streak to 12 straight games with weekend MIAA sweeps at Fort Hays State and Nebraska-Kearney. Ginter boosted her pitching record to 21-3 with a pair of wins, including a 1-hitter and a 4-hitter, and also recorded a save while recording 23 strikeouts in her three appearances. At the plate the former Shawnee Heights star hit two-run home runs against Fort Hays State and Nebraska-Kearney.

Zach Sulzen-Watson

ZACH SULZEN-WATSON, Washburn Rural

A senior thrower, Sulzen-Watson continues his hot start to the 2022 track and field season with two more individual wins in last Friday's Olathe Invitational. Sulzen-Watson recorded personal-bests in both the shot put and discus en route to decisive wins in both events. Sulzen-Watson won the discus title by more than 14 feet with a throw of 172 feet, 10 inches and took the win in the shot put by more than two feet with a winning effort of 54-5.50.

Avery Walz

AVERY WALZ, Seaman

Walz, a sophomore swimming standout, won three gold medals in last Wednesday's Topeka High Invitational at the Capitol Federal Natatorium, including a pair of individual victories. Walz won the 100-yard freestyle in 54.52 seconds and the 100 backstroke in 1:02.48 and also swam on the Vikings' winning 400 free relay (2:45.29).

 By RICK PETERSON

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Ian Cusick

IAN CUSICK, Topeka West

A senior, Cusick teamed with his twin brother, Miles, to win the doubles championship in Saturday's John Markham Spring Classic tennis tournament at Goddard, with the Cusicks leading the Chargers to their third straight team championship this spring. The Cusicks, defending Class 5A state doubles champions, went 5-0 in the tournament, capped by an 8-1 win over Derby's Isaak Bowman and Hayden Carrillo in the title match.

 Miles Cusick

MILES CUSICK, Topeka West

Cusick, a senior, teamed with twin brother Ian to win the doubles championship in Saturday's John Markham Spring Classic at Goddard, leading the Chargers to their third straight team championship this spring. The Cusicks, defending Class 5A state doubles champions, went 5-0 in the tournament, capped by an 8-1 win over Derby's Isaak Bowman and Hayden Carrillo in the title match.

Jackson Esquibel

JACKSON ESQUIBEL, Shawnee Heights

A junior, Esquibel set Shawnee Heights school records in both the boys 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs in Friday's Lansing Invitational track and field meet. A Class 5A state medalist in both track and cross country, Esquibel won the 1,600 in 4 minutes, 23.37 seconds and finished second in the 3,200 in 9:31.56. Esquibel eclipsed the previous school record of 4:24.09 in  the 1,600 and the previous record of 9:31.9, set 34 seasons ago, in the 3,200.  

by Rick Peterson
Top Sports News

 Levi Braun

LEVI BRAUN, Washburn University

Braun, a 6-foot-4 redshirt freshman, turned in the biggest week of his Washburn career, scoring 34 points in two wins while canning 11 of 15 3-pointers. Braun had 19 points and 6 3s against Missouri Southern and 15 points on 5 3s against Pittsburg State.