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  • Hayden, Seaman headline 2024 TopSports.news All-Shawnee County football team

    Rick Peterson, Top Sports News Writer

    By RICK PETERSON
    TopSports.news

    Hayden, which advanced to the Class 3A state championship game for the second straight season, and 5A quarterfinalist and United Kansas Conference champion Seaman combined for 10 Top 22 spots to lead the TopSports.news' 2024 All-Shawnee County football team.

    Hayden, which posted a 11-2 record this fall, is represented on the Top 22 by senior three-time honoree Jensen Schrickel along with seniors Broderick Desch, Treyton Tetuan and Jett Wahlmeier and juniors Jude Krentz and Kade while Seaman, 8-3 on the year, put seniors Briar Finley, Max Huston and Kaden Jordan and junior Cameron Brian on the Top 22.

    Seaman quarterback Huston and wide receiver Finley were named the Shawnee County co-offensive players of the year while Jordan, a nose tackle, was named the county defensive player of the year and Brian was selected as the defensive newcomer of the year.

    Hayden's Schrickel was selected as the Shawnee County all-purpose athlete of the year while Wildcat coach Bill Arnold, now 222-68 as a head coach, was named the county coach of the year.

    Shawnee Heights junior quarterback Aiden Scott was a Top 22 pick and selected as the county offensive newcomer of the year after throwing for more than 3,100 yards.

    Washburn Rural senior safety Kingston Leonard joins Schrickel and Huston as All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat selections while the Junior Blues are also represented on the Top 22 by senior linemen Caden Estrada and Jacob Hawks. 

    Shawnee Heights also put junior Tyren Parker on the all-county Top 22, while 1A semifinalist Rossville is represented by senior Tayson Horak and junior Conner Bush, Silver Lake by senior Braden Strausbaugh and junior Dayne Johnson, Highland Park by seniors Ricky Crawford and Jamon Wilson and Topeka High by senior Jayden Norman.

    All 10 Shawnee County high schools have representatives on either the Top 22, Second 22 or honorable mention list. Five county teams won at least six games this fall, with four winning at least one playoff contest.

    TopSports.news selected the 2024 All-Shawnee County team after receiving input from county head coaches.

    All-Shawnee County Top 22 capsules:

  • TopSports.news' 20 boys basketball players to watch in 2024-2025

    Rick Peterson, Top Sports News Writer

    By RICK PETERSON             

    TopSports.news

     KadenBallard2024 1Kaden Ballard, Washburn Rural

    KADEN BALLARD, Washburn Rural

    Ballard, a 5-foot-10 senior guard, received Top Sports News All-Shawnee County Second 10 and All-Centennial League second-team recognition last season. A Washburn University signee, Ballard averaged 12.0 points, 3.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game while hitting 44 of 127 3-point attempts and 56 of 76 free throws for a 73.7-percent average.

    MasonBeckerPL 2Mason Becker, Hayden

    MASON BECKER, Hayden

    A sophomore, Becker was named the TSN All-Shawnee County newcomer of the year and received Second 10 all-county recognition last season as a freshman after helping the 8-16 Wildcats advance to the Class 3A state tournament. Becker averaged 5.7 points, hit 17 3-pointers, shot 75.5 percent from the free throw line and registered 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals.

    KaeVonBonnerPiperKaeVon Bonner, Seaman

    KAEVON BONNER, Seaman

    Bonner, a 6-foot-1 junior, moved up to the TSN All-Shawnee County first team last season after being named the Shawnee County co-newcomer of the year and receiving honorable mention as a freshman. A first-team All-United Kansas Conference selection, Bonner averaged 15.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals this past season for the 9-12 Vikings while hitting 32 3-pointers and shooting 76 percent from the free throw line.

    JackDonovan2024 1Jack Donovan, Rossville

    JACK DONOVAN, Rossville

    A 5-foot-11 junior, Donovan made the All-Shawnee County Top 10 for the first time last season after being named the co-newcomer of the year and receiving honorable mention as a freshman. Donovan averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds and 2.4 assists for the 15-7 Bulldawgs while setting a school record with 59 3-point baskets. He was a first-team All-Mid-East League pick. Donovan is also a standout in football and golf for the Bulldawgs, earning All-Shawnee County first-team golf honors.

    OntariusEmmotRisingStar 1Ontarius Emmot, Shawnee Heights

    ONTARIUS EMMOT, Shawnee Heights

    Emmot, a junior, received TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention recognition last season after helping Shawnee Heights post a 19-4 record and advance to the Class 5A state tournament. Emmot shot 49.2 percent from 3-point range last season, draining 31 treys on the season. Emmot also shot 79.7 percent from the free throw line and blocked 15 shots.

    BryerFinley2024mug 3Bryer Finley, Seaman

    BRYER FINLEY, Seaman

    Finley, a 6-foot-5 senior, played in just four games for the Vikings a year ago before missing the remainder of the season with an injury. Before being sidelined Finley averaged 13.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. Finley is coming off an oustanding football season as a wide receiver, being named the United Kansas Conference offensive player of the year after helping Seaman reach the Class 5A quarterfinals.

    KamoniFordSea 1Kamoni Ford, Topeka West 

    KAMONI FORD, Topeka West

    A 6-foot-7 senior, Ford averaged 7.9 points and 5.0 rebounds for the 14-8 Chargers last season. Ford shot 57.5 percent on 2-point field goal attempts, hit 20 3-pointers and shot 70 percent from the free throw line. Ford received TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention as a junior.

    JalenFoySeamansubstate 1Jalen Foy, Topeka West

    JALEN FOY, Topeka West

    Foy, a 6-foot-2 senior guard, turned in a breakout junior season for the Chargers, earning TSN All-Shawnee County Top 10 and first-team All-United Kansas Conference recognition last season for 14-8 West. Foy averaged 13.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.4 blocked shots while hitting 31 3-pointers.

    ConnorHanikaLan 1Connor Hanika, Hayden

    CONNOR HANIKA, Hayden

    Hanika, a junior, received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after helping the 8-16 Wildcats advance to the Class 3A state tournament. Hanika averaged 5.1 points and 3.3 rebounds in 2023-2024 while shooting 52.4 percent on 2-point field goals. Hanika is also a football standout for Hayden, helping the Wildcats post back-to-back runnerup finishes in 3A.

  • TopSports.news’ 20 girls basketball players to watch in 2024-2025

    Rick Peterson, Top Sports News Writer

    By RICK PETERSON        
    TopSports.news 

    AnnaBeckerDeSotoState 2Anna Becker, Seaman

    ANNA BECKER, Seaman

    A 5-foot-11 senior, Becker was named the TopSports.news All-Shawnee County co-player of the year after helping lead Seaman to the Class 5A state championship last season. Becker scored 15 points with 8 rebounds, 5 assists and two steals in the Vikings' 54-41 win over Maize South in the state final as Seaman capped a 23-2 season. A Drake signee, Becker is a three-time All-Shawnee County Top 10 pick and has been named the United Kansas Conference player of the year the past two seasons. Becker averaged 14.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.8 steals while shooting 61.3 percent from 2-point range as a junior.

    TahtionnaBroilsAtchisonTahtionna Broils, Highland Park

    TAHTIONNA BROILS, Highland Park

    A senior, Broils earned second-team All-Meadowlark Conference honors and TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season for the 14-6 Scots. Broils averaged 9.7 points and 6.4 rebounds as a junior to go with 2.6 steals, 1.6 assists and 1.3 blocked shots for the Scots, who won the Meadowlark Conference championship. 

    TenlyBunck2024BB 1Tenly Bunck, Washburn Rural

    TENLY BUNCK, Washburn Rural

    A 5-foot-5 senior guard, Bunck helped Washburn Rural reach the Class 6A state championship game for the third straight season. Bunck helped the Junior Blues post a 17-8 record on the season while averaging 3.5 points and 2.9 rebounds and shooting 66.7 percent from the free throw line. Bunck received TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League honorable mention as a junior.

    NoraBurdiek 1Nora Burdiek, Rossville

    NORA BURDIEK, Rossville

    Burdiek, a 5-foot-11 sophomore forward, had a breakout season for Rossville as a freshman, earning TSN All-Shawnee County Second 10 and All-Mid-East League second-team recognition. Burdiek averaged 15 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals per game last season as Rossville posted an 18-4 record. Burdiek earned all-county first-team honors in volleyball this fall. 

    PearmellaCarterHarmon 2Pearmella Carter, Highland Park

    PEARMELLA CARTER, Highland Park

    The 5-foot-10 Carter burst on the city and Meadowlark Conference scene last season as a freshman, leading the city in scoring and rebounding, averaging 18.1 and 10.2 rebounds while also averaging 3.9 steals and shooting 61.4 percent on 2-point field goals. Carter was named the Meadowlark Conference Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year and also received Second 10 All-Shawnee County recognition. 

    RyleeDickSL 1Rylee Dick, Rossville

    RYLEE DICK, Rossville

    A junior, Dick had a big sophomore season for the Bulldawgs, helping Rossville post an 18-4 record. Dick, a 5-foot-6 guard, received TSN All-Shawnee County Second 10 and All-Mid-East second-team honors last season after averaging 15 points, 3 assists and 3 steals and shooting 36 percent from 3-point range.

    KKEmmotBL 2KK Emmot, Shawnee Heights

    KK EMMOT, Shawnee Heights

    A 5-foot-7 sophomore, Emmot made an immediate impact for Shawnee Heights last season, averaging 13.5 points while connecting on 35 3-point goals and shooting 75 percent from the free throw line. Emmot earned All-United Kansas Conference second-team recognition last winter while also being named to the TSN All-Shawnee County Second 10. 

    AvaEsserDeSotoState 1Ava Esser, Seaman

    AVA ESSER, Seaman

    Esser, a 6-foot senior, earned All-Shawnee County Second 10 recognition last season after helping Seaman win the Class 5A state championship and post a 23-2 record. Esser, who received All-United Kansas Conference honorable mention as a junior, averaged 5.6 points and grabbed 7.3 rebounds while shooting 47.6 percent from the field.

    MaddieGragg2024 1Maddie Gragg, Seaman 

    MADDIE GRAGG, Seaman

    A 5-foot-10 junior, Gragg was an TSN All-Shawnee County Top 10 and All-United Kansas Conference first-team pick for the second straight season after helping lead Seaman post a 23-2 record and win the Class 5A state title. Gragg registered a double-double in the Class 5A state final, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the Vikings' 54-41 win over Maize South. Gragg averaged 12.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.6 steals last season while shooting 51.6 percent on 2-point field goals, 44.4 percent on 3-point attempts with 28 3s and 77.0 percent from the free throw line. 

    KailynHanniStateTitle 1Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake

    KAILYN HANNI, Silver Lake

    Hanni, a 5-foot-7 junior, had a breakout season for Silver Lake, helping the Eagles cap a perfect 26-0 season with a 66-61 win over Hesston in the Class 3A state championship game. Hanni, an All-Shawnee County Top 10 and first-team All-Mid-East League pick, scored 26 points for Silver Lake in the title game while connecting on 14 of 15 free throw attempts, with many of her charities coming in crunch time. Hanni scored a total of 50 points at state, with three double-figure games.

    KarsynHastertMaranatha 1Karsyn Hastert, Cair Paravel

    KARSYN HASTERT, Cair Paravel Latin

    A junior, Hastert earned TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season for the 6-16 Lions. Hastert averaged 7.3 points as a sophomore and ranked fifth in the city of Topeka with an 8.2 rebounding average and fourth with 1.4 blocked shots. Hastert is also a volleyball standout for Cair Paravel, earning All-Shawnee County second-team recognition this fall.

  • Washburn Rural tops 2024 All-City boys soccer team with four first-team picks

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Washburn Rural, which captured its 30th straight Centennial League boys championship (outright or shared) and finished third in the Class 6A state tournament, leads the 2024 Topeka All-City boys soccer team with four first-team picks.

    RyderNikkel2024BVN 1Ryder Nikkel, Washburn Rural

    BrandonHamilton2024SHTSBrandon Hamiton (14), Washburn Rural

    LiamMorrison2024Maize 2Liam Morrison (4), Washburn Rural

    Dylan Willingham6Astate 1Dylan Willingham, Washburn Rural

    The Junior Blues are represented on the 16-member first team, selected by city coaches, by senior Ryder Nikkel (defense) and juniors Brandon Hamilton (defense), Liam Morrison (defense) and Dylan Willingham (midfield).

    ValentinDelReal2024Goddard 1Valentin Del Real (3), Topeka West

    DiegoGonzalez Talavera2024Goddard 1Diego Gonzalez-Talavera, Topeka West

    JafetRodriguezAll City 2Jafet Rodriguez, Topeka West

    Topeka West is represented on the All-City team by freshman Valentin Del Real (midfield), sophomore Diego Gonzalez-Talavera (forward) and senior Jafet Rodriguez (defense) while Charger coach Josh Kutter was named the 2024 city coach of the year after being named co-coach of the year in 2023.

    JaimeAlvaradoAll City 1Jaime Alvarado, Topeka High

    AntonioAguirre2024WNW 1Antonio Aguirre, Topeka High

    BillyLutz2024Billy Lutz, Topeka High

    Topeka High also put three players on the All-City team, with first-team repeat pick Jaime Alvarado (forward) joined by senior Antonio Aguirre (midfield) and junior Billy Lutz (goalkeeper).

    CamdenGranadoSHsoccerCamden Granado (6), Shawnee Heights

    MasonHaas2024SchlagleMason Haas, Shawnee Heights

    DaltonSmithAll City 3Dalton Smith, Seaman

    LoganTownsendAll City 1Logan Townsend, Seaman

    Shawnee Heights is represented on the All-City team by junior Camden Granado (forward) and sophomore Mason Haas (midfield) while Seaman is represented by senior Dalton Smith (defense) and senior Logan Townsend (midfield).

    CooperGraceAll City 1Cooper Grace (18), Hayden

    Hayden senior Cooper Grace (defense) earned All-City first-team honors for the second straight season while Highland Park junior Neri Diaz (midfield) rounds out the first team.

    Aguirre, Granado, Lutz, Rodriguez, Nikkel and Willingham all moved up to the first team after receiving honorable mention in 2023.

    Willingham was named the Centennial League player of the year this fall while Rural's Hamilton, Morrison and Nikkel and High's Alvarado, Aguirre and Lutz and Hayden's Grace were also first-team picks.

    Seaman's Smith and Townsend, Topeka West's Del Real, Gonzalez-Talavera and Rodriguez and Shawnee Heights' Granado and Haas were all named All-United Kansas Conference first team and Highland Park's Diaz made the All-Meadowlark Conference first team.

    2024 TOPEKA ALL-CITY SOCCER

  • Eight Cair Paravel standouts earn All-Flint Hills League recognition

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Cair Paravel Latin senior Ben Roeder received All-Flint Hills League first-team football honors, one of eight Lions to receive all-league recognition.

    BenRoeder2024mugBen Roeder

    JasePavlik2024mugJase Pavlik

    Roeder was named to the All-Flint Hills first-team offense as a utility player and also received all-league honorable mention at linebacker.

    CPLS senior Jase Pavlik was a second-team selection at quarterback and defensive back while Billy Lanich was a second-team pick as both an offensive and defensive lineman while Tobias Bonura was a second-team selection at running back and James Osborne at receiver.

    Bonura also received special teams honorable mention while Caleb Clevenger received honorable mention as an offensive lineman and Cole Haubold and Cole Stafford received honorable mention at linebacker. 

     

    Story Links

  • First-teamer Willingham leads 14 city KHSSCA All-State honorees

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Fourteen soccer standouts have received All-State recognition from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association, led by All-Class 6A first-team pick Dylan Willingham of Washburn Rural.

     Willingham, a junior midfielder, was earlier named the Centennial League player of the year and received first-team All-City recognition after helping lead the Junior Blues to a third-place finish in the 6A state tournament.

    Dylan Willingham6Astate 1Dylan Willingham, Washburn Rural

    Rural juniors Brandon Hamilton, Liam Morrison and Miles Cook were all named to the All-6A second team while senior Ryder Nikkel and junior Draden Chooncharoen received honorable mention.

    Six city players earned All-5A honorable mention, with Shawnee Heights represented by juniors Camden Granado and Juan Garcia and sophomore Mason Haas and Seaman by seniors Blake Toyne, Logan Townsend and Kaelin Loy.

    Cair Paravel Latin junior Nathan Keys received second-team honors in All-4A-1A while Lion sophomore Judah Congdon received honorable mention.

    Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association All-State

  • Two-time player of the year Mills, state qualifiers top All-Shawnee County volleyball

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    State tournament teams Seaman, Washburn Rural and Hayden combined to put 10 players on the TopSports.news 2024 All-Shawnee County volleyball first team, led by Seaman two-time player of the year Maegan Mills.

    MaeganMillsStateVB 3Seaman senior Maegan Mills (23) has been named the TSN Shawnee County volleyball player of the year for the second straight season. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

    TatianaDowling2024 3Seaman's Tatiana Dowling has been named the Shawnee County coach of the year for the second straight season. [File photo/TSN]

    Seaman, which finished second in Class 5A this fall after winning the state title in 2023, put a county-high four players on the all-county first team, with Mills joined by fellow Viking seniors Campbell Chabot, Ava Esser and Kinley Wilhelm while Viking coach Tatiana Dowling, a Seaman grad, was named the coach of the year for the second straight season after leading her team to a county-best 41-3 record and a county-best state tournament finish.

    HaileySchmidtlein2024Centennial 2Hayden freshman Hailey Schmidtlein has been named the Shawnee County co-newcomer of the year. [File photo/TSN]

    BlakelyWalter2024Regional 1Hayden freshman Blakely Walter has been named the Shawnee County volleyball co-newcomer of the year. [File photo/TSN]

    Hayden, which placed third in the 4A state tournament, is represented on the first team by senior Reagan McGivern and freshmen Hailey Schmidtlein and Blakely Walter, who were named co-Shawnee County newcomers of the year. McGivern is a first-team all-county repeat pick after earning first-team honors at Seaman as a junior.

    Washburn Rural is represented on the all-county first team by seniors Layla Collins and Kate Hinck and junior Karsyn Horyna after helping the Junior Blues win the Centennial League championship and advance to the 6A state tournament.

    Collins is a first-team All-Shawnee County repeat pick after being a second-team pick as a sophomore.

    Shawnee Heights put seniors Kaydence Torrez and Taylor Brees on the first team while Silver Lake is represented by senior Ella Bolan, Rossville by sophomore Nora Burdiek and Topeka High by senior Jo'Mhara Benning.

    Torrez and Bolan are first-team repeat picks while Burdiek was named the county newcomer of the year as a freshman.

    All-Shawnee County first-team capsules:

  • Cair Paravel, Kansas State product Peyton Williams heads to China for fifth pro basketball season

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Topekan Peyton Williams is headed overseas for her fifth season of professional basketball, this time to China.

    The product of Cair Paravel Latin and Kansas State University is now a veteran of four professional seasons. She played in Russia upon graduation, then spent a season in France and two in Hungary.

    4ymeapa8Former Cair Paravel and Kansas State star Peyton Williams is getting ready for her fifth professional basketball season and her first in China. [Submitted photo]

    Williams will play this season for the Wuhan Shengfan Basketball Club.

    “My agent and I talked about Spain, Turkey and China, all of which have really good leagues. Because China is a little bit farther away, he wanted to make sure I was actually interested in that. I said, ‘Let’s give it a try,’ '' Williams said. "He was able to connect with some people and help me find a team.”

    An anthropology major at K-State, Williams is looking forward to the opportunity to experience a different part of the world.

    “I have really enjoyed playing in the Europe circuit. But I’ve never been to China and have been really interested in the culture, as well as to see what basketball is like there.” Williams said. “I know that they have a really competitive league. So, it’s a chance to push myself as a professional and also to experience a different culture.”

    Williams said the Chinese league, made up of 21 teams, covers such a large geographic area that the league is split into divisions. She said unlike Europe, where most of the travel was done in vans or on commuter trains, the team in China will travel primarily by airplane or on the country’s “bullet trains.”

    “It will be somewhat similar to what we did in Russia,” Williams said. “There, almost all our travel was by plane, and sometimes those flights were across four or five time zones.”

    Williams said the level of play she has experienced thus far in her career would be a step up from what she saw in the Big 12. She noted that a lot of the best players from the Big 12 have been among her opponents in Europe. She expects the Chinese league to be as challenging as anywhere she’s played, if not more so.

    “I think every league that I’ve played in has had a lot of talent, but I’ve heard the Chinese league is really good because it attracts a lot of really good players from the U.S.,” Williams said.

  • A game-by-game look at Thursday and Friday's Shawnee County prep football games

    Rick Peterson, Top Sports News Writer

    By RICK PETERSON
    TopSports.news

    (All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

    THURSDAY'S GAME

    JamonWilson2024East 2Highland Park senior Jamon Wilson has compiled 1,449 all-purpose yards this fall for the 5-2 Scots. [File photo/TSN]

    KC-WASHINGTON (6-1, 4-1 Meadowlark) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (5-2, 4-1 Meadowlark)

    At Hummer Sports Park

    Highland Park snapped a two-game losing streak with a 70-0 non-league rout over Kansas City-East, Mo. last Thursday at Hummer Sports Park while Kansas City-Washington is coming off a 20-6 Meadowlark Conference victory over KC-Schlagle. Thursday's game could have serious implications on seeding for the Class 5A playoffs, with Washington tied for the No. 2 East seed and Highland Park tied for the No. 7 East seed. The top eight seeds will host games in the first round of the playoffs next week. Scot senior Jamon Wilson has accumulated 1,449 all-purpose yards, including 510 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 45 carries, 16 receptions for 349 yards and three TDs and 565 kick/punt return yards. Sophomore quarterback G'Honi Montgomery has carried the ball 67 times for 590 yards and six TDs while junior Dontrail Fox has completed 48 of 100 passes for 899 yards and 10 TDs.

    FRIDAY'S GAMES

    MaxHuston2024BL 4Seaman senior Max Huston has passed for 1,650 yards and 18 TDs and rushed for 443 yards and seven TDs for the 6-1 Vikings. [File photo/TSN]

    DE SOTO (6-1, 5-1 UKC) at SEAMAN (6-1, 6-0 UKC)

    Seaman clinched a share of the United Kansas Conference title with a 28-14 win over previously-unbeaten Basehor-Linwood last Friday and can clinch the outright championship with a win over De Soto. The Vikings are currently tied for the No. 2 West Class 5A seed. De Soto rolled to a 67-28 non-league win over Blue Valley Southwest last Friday and the Wildcats are tied for the No. 2 East 5A seed. Seaman senior Max Huston has completed 96 of 151 passes for 1,650 yards and 18 touchdowns and has rushed for 443 yards and seven TDs on 70 attempts. Senior Bryer Finley has 53 receptions for 1,069 yards and 14 TDs while junior Kaden McKinney has carried the ball 94 times for 598 yards and 10 TDs. Junior Carter Brian leads the Vikings with 75 tackles (42 solo) with seven tackles for loss.

    PIPER (2-5, 2-4 UKC) vs. TOPEKA WEST (1-6, 1-6 UKC)

    At Hummer Sports Park

    Topeka West dropped a 57-0 United Kansas Conference decision to Leavenworth last week while Piper took a 51-16 UKC win over Kansas City-Turner. West enters the final game of the regular season tied for the No. 12 seed in Class 5A West.

    COUNCIL GROVE (5-2, 1-2 Class 2A District 3) at SILVER LAKE (5-2, 2-1 Class 2A District 3)

    Both Silver Lake and Council Grove will be looking to bounce back from losses, with the Eagles dropping a 35-21 Class 2A District 3 decision to undefeated Osage City while Council Grove lost a 22-6 district game to St. Marys. Silver Lake had a four-game win streak snapped by Osage City, which pulled away late in a game that was tied 14-14 at halftime. 

    JettWahlmeier2024PL 3Hayden senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has passed for 1,175 yards and 14 TDs for the 6-1 Wildcats. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]

    HAYDEN (6-1, 3-0 Class 3A District 4) at JEFFERSON WEST (1-6, 0-3 Class 3A District 4)

    Hayden clinched the Class 3A District 4 championship last Friday with a 50-16 district win over Perry-Lecompton while Jefferson West posted its first win of the season, taking a 29-6 non-district win over Atchison County. Wildcat senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has completed 78 of 114 passes for 1,175 yards and 14 touchdowns while junior Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 60 times for 546 yards, caught 21 passes for 374 yards and scored 16 total touchdowns. Senior Jensen Schrickel has caught 22 passes for 356 yards and scored nine total TDs. Junior Jude Krentz leads Hayden with 68 total tackles (38 solo) while sophomore Mason Becker is 38 of 38 on extra-point attempts.

  • Sub-State Volleyball: Silver Lake, Rossville advance to sub-state with regional championships

    Rick Peterson

     By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Silver Lake in Class 3A and Rossville in 2A opened volleyball postseason in impressive fashion on Monday, with both the Eagles and Bulldawgs going 3-0  to capture regional tournament titles and advance to sub-state competition on Saturday.

    SilverLakeVBregional2024 2Silver Lake went 3-0 with three straight-set wins to win Monday's Class 3A volleyball tournament at Silver Lake. [Silver Lake volleyball]

    RossvilleVBregional2024 2Rossville went 3-0 with three straight-set wins to win Monday's Class 2A volleyball tournament at Atchison. [Rossville volleyball]

    Silver Lake posted three straight-set wins to win the 3A regional it hosted while Rossville duplicated that feat in the 2A event at Atchison.

    The 27-9 Eagles advanced to a Saturday 3A sub-state at Royal Valley while the 20-14 Bulldawgs will compete in a 2A sub-state at Maranatha Academy in Shawnee.

    Silver Lake opened its regional bid with a 25-15, 25-15 win over Sabetha, followeed by a 25-10, 25-13 victory over Riley County and a 25-13, 25-18 win over Perry-Lecompton.

    The Eagles are the No. 2 seed for Saturday's Royal Valley sub-state and will play the second match against No. 3 Santa Fe Trail (28-8).

    The Silver Lake-Santa Fe Trail winner will take on the winner of the first match between No. 1 Royal Valley (29-7) and No. 4 Marysville (13-19) for the sub-state title, with the winner advancing to the 3A state tournament at Hutchinson Nov. 1-2.

     Rossville took a 25-8, 25-17 win over Cair Paravel Latin in its first regional match before taking a 25-2, 25-11 win over Valley Falls and a 25-21, 25-21 win over Maur Hill Mt. Academy.

    Cair Paravel went 1-2 on the day, posting a 25-15, 25-16 win over Valley Falls. The Lions dropped a three-set decision to Maur Hill-Mt. Academy, which took a 25-22, 15-25, 25-20 win.

    Rossville is the No. 2 seed for the Maranatha Academy sub-state on Saturday and will play the second match of the day aganst No. 3 Pleasant Ridge (21-13).

    The winner of that match will play for the sub-state title against the winner of the match between top seed Maranatha Academy (34-6) and No. 4 Jefferson North (16-20).

    The sub-state champ will advance to the state tournament Nov. 1-2 at Dodge City.

    Other Saturday sub-states involving local schools:

    Class 6A at Washburn Rural

    Washburn Rural (28-6) is the No. 1 6A West seed and will host a four-school sub-state Saturday.

    The Junior Blues will face No. 16 West seed Liberal (4-29) in the 1 p.m. match, followed by a match between No. 8 seed Topeka High (16-18) and No. 9 Free State (13-17).

    The two winners will face off at approximately 3 p.m. for the sub-state title, with the winner moving on to the 6A state tournament Nov. 1-2 at Salina.

    Class 5A at Seaman

    Defending 5A champion Seaman will host a 5A sub-state Saturday, with the 35-2 Vikings the No. 1 West seed.

    Seaman will play No. 16 Topeka West (13-21) in the first match of the tournament followed by the other semifinal between No. 8 Emporia (23-12) and No. 9 Maize South (23-13).

    The two winners will advance to the sub-state final, with the tournament champion advancing to the 5A state tournament Nov. 1-2 at Salina.

    Class 5A at Blue Valley Southwest

    Shawnee Heights (17-18) is the No. 8 East seed and will face No. 9 Basehor-Linwood (17-18) in the second match of the day.

    The winner will advance to take on the winner between No. 1 seed Blue Valley Southwest (29-5) and No. 16 Kansas City-Turner (9-21).

    The sub-state champ will move on to the 5A state tournament Nov. 1-2 at Salina.

    Class 5A at St. Thomas Aquinas

    Highland Park is the No. 10 East seed (11-12) and will face No. 7 Spring Hill (19-17) in a sub-state semifinal.

    The winner of that match will face the semifinal winner between No. 2 Aquinas (27-5) and No. 15 Leavenworth (11-20) for the sub-state title, with the winner advancing to the 5A state tournament Nov. 1-2 at Salina.

    Class 4A at Hayden

    Hayden, the No. 3 East seed at 27-10, will host a 4A sub-state on Saturday (2 p.m. start).

    The Wildcats will face No. 14 Baldwin (10-22) in a semifinal match while No. 6 Paola (21-12) will take on No. 11 Parsons (15-18) in the other semifinal.

    The winner of those two matches will play for the sub-state title, with the winner advancing to the 4A state tournament Nov. 1-2 at Hutchinson.

     

     

  • Prep FB roundup: Rossville takes charge in district race with 28-0 win over Olpe

    Rick Peterson

     By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Rossville posted its fourth straight Class 1A District 2 win on Friday while improving to 4-3 overall with a 28-0-home win over Olpe.

    The Bulldawgs were in control throughout the game, scoring the only touchdown they would need on a 28-yard run by senior quarterback Tayson Horak at the 7:23 mark of the opening quarter (Vincent Daniel kick). 

    TaysonHorak2024 2Rossville senior quarterback Tayson Horak threw for a touchdown and ran for a TD in the Bulldawgs' 28-0 district win over Olpe Friday night. [File photo/TSN]

    Horak added a 10-yard passing touchdown to Kameron Badura (Daniel kick) with 3:26 left in the second quarter to give Rossville a 14-0 halftime advantage.

    Seth Catron scored on a 15-yard run with 1:21 left in the third quarter (Daniel kick) to put the Bulldawgs in front 21-0 and Mahki Jackson added a 5-yard TD run midway through the fourth quarter (Daniel kick) to give Rossville its final margin. 

    Rossville goes on the road to face district foe Wabaunsee (3-4, 2-2) on Friday.

    CAIR PARAVEL LATIN 74, MARANATHA ACADEMY 6 -- Cair Paravel Latin snapped its five-game losing streak in resounding fashion Friday night at Yager Stadium, rolling to a Class 1A District 2 victory over Maranatha Academy.

    The Lions improved to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the district.

    CPLS will close out its regular season Friday night at Olpe (5-2, 3-1).

    JordyHeim2024JC 4Washburn Rural's Jordy Heim and the Rural defense come up with a touchdown-saving stop to end the first half Friday night against Junction City. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

    JUNCTION CITY 17, WASHBURN RURAL 0 -- Junction City entered the game giving up 35 points a game before blanking the Junior Blues 17-0 in a Centennial League game at Bowen-Glaze Stadium.

    The Blue Jays took advantage of a Rural turnover to go up 7-0 in the first quarter on a 2-yard run by junior Justice Fonoti.

    The Blue Jays added a 31-yard field goal from senior Ethan Hileman to take a 10-0 halftime advantage, forcing two Rural turnovers and three punts in the opening half.

    Junction City used a nine-play, 80-yard drive to get its final score of the night on a 6-yard TD run by junior Jamarcus Tyson.

    Junction City improved to 3-4 overall and 2-1 in the Centennial League while Rural fell to 3-4 and 2-1.

    The Junior Blues will close out the regular season at undefeated Manhattan Friday night.

  • Hayden's Zulueta, Sheetz and Wichman and Seaman's Sweeney advance to state tennis semifinals

    Rick Peterson

     By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Hayden girls tennis stars Ainzley Zulueta and Emily Sheetz kept their bids for a third Class 4A state championships on Friday at Kossover Tennis Cente while Seaman sophomore Emma Sweeney also advanced to the state semifinals in the 5A state tournament.

    Zulueta, the two-time state singles champ and the No. 1 seed this weekend, went 2-0 on Friday without dropping a game and will face the No. 5 seed in a 9 a.m. semifinal while Sheetz, who won back-to-back doubles championships in 2022 and 2023 with '24 Hayden graduate Lauren Sandstrom and will try for a third crown on Saturday with freshman Sophia Wichman.

    AinzleyZulueta2024CityHayden senior Ainzley Zulueta will be shooting for her third Class 4A state tennis championship Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center. [File photo/TSN]

    WichmanSheetzForBrent 2Hayden freshman Sophia Wichman (left) and senior Emily Sheetz are the No. 2 doubles seed in the Class 4A state tournament and advanced to Saturday's semifinals with two straight wins on Friday. [File photo/TSN]

    Sheetz and Wichman, who are coming off a regional championship and are the No. 2 seed for state and went 2-0 Friday to advance to a 9 a.m. semifinal doubles showdown with No. 6 seed Circle.

    EmmaSweeney2024UKC 2Seaman sophomore Emma Sweeney, a state medalist as a freshman, advanced to Saturday's Class 5A singles semifinals. [File photo/TSN]

    Sweeney, a state singles medalist as a freshman, went 2-0 in the 5A state tournament on Friday to advance to a 9 a.m. semifinal to face the No. 1 tournament seed.

    Seaman junior Molly Gorman, a two-time state medalist in doubles, went 3-1 on Friday in her first state tournament in singles and can still finish as high as fifth place on Saturday.

    Seaman's doubles team of senior Sidney Chinn and junior Peyton Henry also went 3-1 on Friday and can still finish as high as fifth in 5A.  

    Hayden junior Grace Funk in singles and the junior doubles team of Izzy Glotzbach and Avery O'Bray both went 2-1 in their first three matches on Friday.

    Topeka High junior singles player Madeline Deters won her first two 6A singles matches on Friday before losing in the quarterfinals to the No. 2 seed.

    Washburn Rural seniors Emerie Catlin and Izzy Haggard fell in the 6A doubles quarterfinals.

    Both Deters and Catlin and Haggard can still finish as high as fifth place.

     

    Related Stories and Videos

  • Madilyn Poole, Damon Webb the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency Rising Stars of the Week

    Rick Peterson, Top Sports News Writer

    By RICK PETERSON                                                                                                           

    TopSports.news

    Cair Paravel sophomore girls tennis standout Madilyn Poole and Topeka West sophomore running back Damon Webb have been selected by the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency as the Rising Stars of the Week.

    The Dan Key Agency will recognize top Shawnee County underclassmen throughout the bulk of the 2024-2025 school year.

    Here’s a brief look at the accomplishments of Poole and Webb over the past week:

    MadilynPoolCPLStennis 1Cair Paravel sophomore Madilyn Poole is the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency female Rising Star of the Week after becoming her school's first girls tennis state qualifier. [File photo/TSN]

    MADILYN POOLE, Cair Paravel Latin

    Cair Paravel Latin sophomore Madilyn Poole finished as the singles runnerup in last Saturday's Class 3A-1A regional tennis tournament at Marysville, becoming the Lions' first-ever girls state tennis qualifier.

    Poole, 19-6 on the 2024 season, dropped a 6-4, 6-1 decision to Kansas City Christian senior Lauren Seitz (24-4) in the regional championship match.

    Poole, who scored all six of fifth-place Cair Paravel's team points at regionals, will compete in the 3A-1A state tournament at Wichita Friday. 

    DamonWebb2024RisingStar 1Topeka West sophomore running back Damon Webb has been selected as the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency male Rising Star of the Week after a 192-yard, three-touchdown rushing performance against KC-Turner. [File photo/TSN]

    DAMON WEBB, Topeka West

    Webb, a sophomore running back, rushed for 192 yards and three touchdowns on 17 attempts as the Chargers' football team picked up its first win of the 2024 season last Friday.

    Webb scored touchdowns on 4, 8 and 17 yards in Topeka West's 32-20 United Kansas Conference victory over Kansas City-Turner at Hummer Sports Park.

    Webb also plays basketball for the Chargers, seeing varsity action last season as a freshman.

     

  • A game-by-game look at this week's Shawnee County high school football games

    Rick Peterson, Top Sports News Writer

    By RICK PETERSON
    TopSports.news

    (All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

    THURSDAY'S GAME

    GHoniMontgomeryRisingStar 3Highland Park sophomore running back G'Honi Montgomery has helped lead the Scots to a 4-2 start to the 2024 season. [File photo/TSN]

    KC-EAST, MO. (0-6) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (4-2)

    At Hummer Sports Park

    Highland Park will be looking to bounce back with a big non-league victory Thursday night against winless Kansas City-East, Mo. after suffering back-to-back road losses at Wichita East and Meadowlark Conferference power Atchison. The Scots are coming off a 62-21 loss to Atchison and will be eyeing a big offensive game Thursday after being outscored 136-27 over its past two games. Highland Park has outscored its foes 201-136 on the eason while East has been outscored 353-43 on the year. Senior running back Jamon Wilson, junior quarterback Dontrail Fox and sophomore running back G'Honi Montgomery have turned in big years for the Scots.

    FRIDAY'S GAMES

    KadeMitchellHolton2024 2Hayden junior Kade Mitchell has rushed for 507 yards and scored 15 total TDs this fall. [File photo/TSN]

    PERRY-LECOMPTON (2-4, 1-1 Class 3A District 4) at HAYDEN (5-1, 2-0 Class 3A District 4)

    Hayden is coming off a big 31-7 Class 3A District 4 road win at Holton last week and is in control of the District 4 race. Perry-Lecompton is also coming off a win, taking a 43-14 decision over Jefferson West. Hayden junior Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 54 times for 507 yards and caught 17 passes for 251 yards while scoring 15 total touchdowns. Senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has completed 62 of 95 passes for 934 yards and 11 touchdowns while senior Jensen Schrickel has caught 17 passes for 295 yards and scored seven TDs. Sophomore Mason Becker is 32 of 32 on extra point attempts while senior Jude Krentz leads the Wildcats with 53 tackles (30 solo).

    KadenMcKinney2024Lansing 1Seaman junior Kaden McKinney (9) has rushed for 574 yards and 10 TDs while senior quarterback Max Huston (7) has passed for 1,365 yards and 17 TDs. [File photo/TSN]

    BASEHOR-LINWOOD (6-0, 5-0) at SEAMAN (5-1, 5-0 UKC)

    Friday's game is likely to decide the United Kansas Conference championship, with both the Bobcats and Vikings entering the night 5-0 in the conference. Seaman took a 59-34 UKC win at Shawnee Heights last week while Basehor-Linwood took a 44-6 non-league win over Tonganoxie. Seaman has won four straight games since a non-league loss to Class 6A Shawnee Mission East. Viking senior quarterback Max Huston has completed 75 of 121 passes for 1,365 yards and 17 touchdowns and has rushed for 381 yards and four TDs on 51 attempts. Junior Kaden McKinney has carried the ball 84 times for 574 yards and 10 TDs while senior Bryer Finley has caught 43 passes for 879 yards and 13 touchdowns. Junior linebacker Cameron Brian leads Seaman with 60 tackles (31 solo), while recording five tackles for loss.

  • Seaman's Sweeney, Gorman fine with one more faceoff in Class 5A state tennis this weekend

    Rick Peterson

     By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    By this point in the 2024 high school tennis season, Seaman singles players Emma Sweeney and Molly Gorman have faced off against each other more than they can probably count.

    EmmaSweeney2024WR 3Seaman sophomore Emma Sweeney is 27-3 and the No. 5 singles seed for Friday and Saturday's Class 5A state tennis tournament at Andover. [File photo/TSN]

    MollyGorman2024City 2Seaman sophomore Molly Gorman is 25-4 on the season and the No. 11 singles seed for the Class 5A state meet Friday and Saturday in Andover. [File photo/TSN]

    Sweeney and Gorman play each other most every day in practice and also faced each other in the championship matches of the United Kansas Conference and Class 5A regional tournaments.

    Gorman, a junior, and sophomore Sweeney admit that constantly going up against a teammate and close friend can get old, but the Viking standouts would welcome another meeting in this Friday and Saturday's Class 5A state tournament at the Andover District Tennis Complex.

    Sweeney, who placed 11th in 5A as a freshman, is the No. 5 state seed with a 27-3 record while Gorman, a two-time state doubles medalist, is the No. 11 seed at 25-4, with two of her losses coming against Sweeney.

    "It's hard, especially because me and Molly are such good friends off the court that it's just so hard and upsetting always having to play and go against her,'' Sweeney said.

    Gorman agreed.

    "At practice yes (it gets old) and I don't like playing her when it comes to meets, but we've got to do it,'' Gorman said.

    But both players agree that playing each other also makes them both better.

    "She hits the ball super aggressive and she's good on moving me around,'' Sweeney said of Gorman. "It's either way at practice at the end of the day. Me and Molly just are always trying to push each other and make each other better each day.''

    Said Gorman: "Even though it gets tiring, it benefits me and it should benefit her I think.''

    The good news for both Sweeney and Gorman is that if they face each other this weekend it's likely to be a very good weekend for both of them, with the two players on opposite sides of the bracket and will only play if both players advance to the state final or end up facing off in a place match.

    Seaman is coming off United Kansas Conference and regional team championships -- posting perfect team scores in both events -- and will be looking to take home a team trophy (top three) this weekend after qualifying its entire team for state.

    Seaman senior Sidney Chinn and junior Peyton Henry won the regional doubles title last Saturday in Bonner Spring while topping sophomore teammates Kaylyn Hiebsch and Camryn Lux in the championship match.

    Chinn and Henry are 23-5 on the season and the No. 10 seed for state while Hiebsch and Lux are 22-8 and seeded No. 13.

    The 5A state tournament will start at 10 a.m. Friday.

    Class 6A at Prairie Village Harmon Park Tennis Complex

    Washburn Rural and Topeka High combined for seven state qualifiers for this weekend's Class 6A state meet at Harmon Park.

    CatlinHaggardCentennial 2Washburn Rural seniors Emerie Catlin (left) and Izzy Haggard followed up their city doubles title with Centennial League and regional championships and are the No. 5 seed for the Class 6A state tournament. [File photo

    Regional team champion Rural qualified the senior doubles team of Emerie Catlin and Izzy Haggard and senior singles player Carolina Chedzoy and sophomore Julia Katzer for state out of last Thursday's regional tournament at Wichita while Topeka High qualified junior singles player Madeline Deters and the doubles team of junior Ava Ritter and freshman Hailey Caryl.

    Catlin and Haggard won the regional doubles title after earlier winning city and Centennial League titles while Chedzoy and Katzer finished second and fifth in singles.

    Catlin and Haggard are 21-4 on the year and are the No. 5 state seed while Chedzoy, a returning state medalist, is 17-10 and the No. 9 singles seed while Katzer is 17-10 and the No. 20 seed.

    Topeka High's Deters placed third at regionals and is the No. 10 state seed with a 24-6 record while Caryl and Ritter took fifth at reegionals and are the No. 18 doubles seed with a 22-8 record.

    The first round of state competition will begin at 10 a.m. Friday.

    Class 3A-1A at Wichita Riverside Tennis Complex

    Cair Paravel Latin sophomore Madilyn Poole finished second in singles in the Class 3A-1A regional tournament last Saturday at Marysville, becoming the school's first girls state tennis qualifier.

    Poole is 19-6 on the season and has been installed as the No. 8 seed for Friday and Saturday's state meet at Wichita's Riverside Tennis Complex.

    CITY STATE TENNIS QUALIFIERS

    Class 6A

    At Harmon Park, Prairie Village

    Topeka High -- Singles: Madeline Deters, sr., 24-6. Doubles: Hailey Caryl, fr., and Ava Ritter, jr., 22-8. 

    Washburn Rural -- Singles: Carolina Chedzoy, sr., 17-10; Julia Katzer, so., 17-10. Doubles: Emerie Catlin, sr., and Izzy Haggard, sr., 21-4.

    Class 5A

    At Andover District Tennis Complex

    Seaman -- Singles: Emma Sweeney, so., 27-3; Molly Gorman, jr., 25-4. Doubles: Peyton Henry, jr., and Sidney Chinn, sr., 23-5; Kaylyn Hiebsch, so., and Camryn Lux, so., 22-8.

    Class 4A

    At Kossover Tennis Center, Topeka

    Hayden -- Singles: Ainzley Zulueta, sr., 20-0; Grace Funk, jr., 8-3. Doubles: Emily Sheetz, sr., and Sophia Wichman, fr., 12-2; Izzy Glotzbach, jr., and Avery O'Bray, jr., 11-7.

    Class 3A-1A

    At Riverside Tennis Complex, Wichita

    Cair Paravel Latin -- Singles: Madilyn Poole, so., 19-6.

    Related Stories and Videos

  • Hayden's Zulueta, Sheetz take aim on third Class 4A state championships

    Rick Peterson

     By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Hayden girls tennis stars Ainzley Zulueta and Emily Sheetz will be in familiar territory when they take the court Friday and Saturday at Topeka's Kossover Tennis Center to make their bids for their third Class 4A state championships.

    Zulueta is a two-time state singles champ and back in the 4A field this weekend after not competing as a junior after attending a tennis academy in Texas while Sheetz won back-to-back doubles championships in 2022 and 2023 with '24 Hayden graduate Lauren Sandstrom and will try for a third crown with freshman Sophia Wichman.

    AinzleyZulueta2024CityHayden senior Ainzley Zulueta will be shooting for her third Class 4A state tennis championship Friday and Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center. [File photo/TSN]

    WichmanSheetzForBrent 2Hayden freshman Sophia Wichman (left) and senior Emily Sheetz are the No. 2 doubles seed for the Class 4A state tournament, with Sheetz trying to become a three-time state champ. [File photo/TSN]

    Zulueta has been installed as the No. 1 seed for this weekend's state meet and is a perfect 20-0 on the season after winning city, Centennial League and regional titles. Zulueta went 4-0 at regionals with four straight 6-0, 6-0 victories.

    Zulueta, who played over the summer in California, said she is enjoying her final go-around in the high school ranks.

    "I'm having fun, I'm enjoying it,'' Zulueta said. "I've enjoyed what we've done so far (including a state team title in '22) and I'm glad we're hosting it for my final year. I think it will be exciting.''

    Zulueta, who plans to play collegiately at Ferris State (Mich.), said she is confident entering her final high school tournament.

    "I don't really know the No. 2 seed (29-3 Buhler freshman Sophia Spies) but I think if I can just play my game I think I'll be fine, as long as I get over my nerves and don't think too much about the people watching me,'' she said.

    Zulueta knows that playing in her home town is likely to mean bigger crowds, especially from the Hayden community, but she said she is happy to be playing on courts that she knows like the back of her hands.

    "I love playing on the Kossover courts, so I think I like that,'' Zulueta said. "I think it helped that regionals was here. With some people watching I think that kind of helped me get over nerves and the expectation I think some people might have when watching me.

    "I know they're will be a lot more people this time around, but I'm excited and I think I'll be ready.''

    Sheetz played with Sandstrom her first three high school seasons before compiling a 12-2 record in her partial season with Wichman.

    Sheetz and Wichman are coming off a regional championship and have been installed as the No. 2 seed for state.

    "For state we're going in open-minded and we're ready,'' Sheetz said. "I feel like we know how to play the game, so whatever happens happens and I'm just trying to go out with a bang my senior year.

    "There is no pressure. I know we know how to play and we'll finish strong.'' 

    Hayden qualified its entire team for state while capturing last Saturday regional team title at Kossover.

    The Wildcats also qualified junior Grace Funk in singles and the junior doubles team of Izzy Glotzbach and Avery O'Bray.

    Funk (8-3) is a year ago and placed second in the regional tournament while Sexton (12-18) qualified for state with a sixth-place regional finish.

    Funk is the No. 10 singles seed for state and Sexton the No. 24 seed.

    Glotzbach and O'Bray (15-15) finished fourth at regionals and are the No. 15 seed in the state doubles field.

    The first round of state competition will get under way at 10 a.m. Friday.

    CITY STATE TENNIS QUALIFIERS

  • Rural wins 18th straight city boys XC championship, Vikes' Anderson wins first individual title

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Saturday was business as usual for Washburn Rural's boys cross country team, which rolled to its 18th straight city boys team title at Kanza Park.

    BrodyAnderson2024City 1Seaman junior Brody Anderson captured his first city boys individual cross country championship Saturday at Kanza Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    But there was also some new in the city championships, with Seaman junior standout Brody Anderson winning his first city individual crown after finishing second in 2023 while freshman Henry Laubach made an immediate impact in his first city meet with a third-place finish to pace the perennial-champion Junior Blues. 

    Matt Swedlund's Washburn Rural team used its pack mentality to produce a decisive 30-79 margin over Topeka West in the team race, with Laubach leading the way as Junior Blues put three runners in the top five and all of their top five in the top 10 places.

    Anderson clocked a winning five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 36.7 seconds in his second city meet, winning by a 21-second-plus margin over Topeka West senior standout Adrian Lehman (15:58.3). 

    "It was good,'' Anderson said. "I went out pretty fast. I knew the course changed beforehand (approximately 80 meters longer)  and I went out and walked it. It was good to see something a little extra on Kanza and I still ran a great time.

    "It's championship season and I've been looking forward to it all season. I came out guns a blazing I feel like and it's paid off and I keep seeing some great times.''

    HenryLaubach2024City 2Freshman Henry Laubach finished a team-high third in Saturday's city meet as Washburn Rural won its 18th straight boys team title. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Laubach continued his outstanding rookie campaign for the Junior Blues with a third-place time of 16:17.0.

    "He's so natural,'' Swedlund said. "He's just a natural talent and having the middle school right there and being ablt to watch him compete and seeing him in the summers and stuff, he's where we thought he'd be.''

    Junior Brooks Kehoe finished fourth (16:38.0) for the Junior Blues while senior Bodie King was fifth (16:42.8), senior Connor Olsen eighth (16:59.0) and freshman Duke Graf 10th (17:17.2) to complete Rural's top five.

    "I was happy,'' Swedlund said. "Our two through four, five, that's right where we wanted them to be so I was happy with that.''

  • Hayden, Seaman qualify entire teams for state tennis

    Rick Peterson

     By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    The Hayden and Seaman girls tennis teams will be out in full force next Friday and Saturday for state tournaments after qualifying their entire teams and capturing regional team championships on Saturday. 

    AinzleyZulueta2024City 2Two-time Class 4A state singles champion Ainzley Zulueta won a regional title Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center. [File photo/TSN]

    EmilySheetz2024action 3Hayden senior Emily Sheetz, a two-time state champion, won a Class 4A regional doubles championship Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center. [File photo/TSN]

    Hayden senior Ainzley Zulueta captured the regional singles title in the Class 4A regional at Kossover Tennis Center while senior Emily Sheetz and freshman Sophia Wichman won the doubles championship as the Wildcats topped Bishop Miege for the team title.

    Zulueta and Sheetz earned their shot at their third state titles with Saturday's regional championships.

    Zulueta, undefeated on the season, rolled through her four regional matches will dropping a game, posting four straight 6-0, 6-0 victories, including a 6-0, 6-0 win over Bishop Miege sophomore Ella Daniel in the championship match.

    Sheetz and Wichman won the doubles title with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Chapman juniors Avery Baer and Meredith Kuntz.

    Hayden also got a third-place singles finish from junior Grace Funk and a fifth-place doubles showing from senior Avery O'Bray and junior Izzy Glotzbach.

    Funk's lone regional loss came in the semifinals to teammate Zulueta.

    Hayden will be back at Kossover for the 4A state meet next Friday and Saturday.

    Seaman pulled off the rare feat of compiling a perfect team score for the second straight tournament Saturday at Bonner Springs.

    The Vikings, who were perfect in last Monday's United Kansas Conference tournamet, repeated that performance at regionals, with sophomore Emma Sweeney and junior Molly Gorman going one-two in singles and senior Sidney Chinn and junior Peyton Henry winning the doubles championship in an all-Seaman final against sophomores Kaylyn Hiebsch and Camryn Lux.

    EmmaSweeney2024UKC 3Seaman sophomore Emma Sweeney captured the singles championship in Saturday's Class 5A regional tennis tournament at Bonner Springs. [File photo/TSN]

    ChinnHenrySeaman2024Seaman senior Sidney Chinn (right) and junior Peyton Henry won the doubles title in Saturday's Class 5A regional tennis meet at Bonner Springs. [File photo/TSN]

    Sweeney, now 27-3 on the season, took a 6-1, 6-1 win over Gorman (26-4) in the singles final while Chinn and Henry (24-5) took a 6-4, 6-0 win over Hiebsch and Lux (6-4, 6-0) as Seaman won the regional team title by a 26-14 win over Piper.

    Seaman will compete in the 5A state tournament next Friday and Saturday at the Andover District Tennis Complex.

    Lions' Poole qualifies for 3A-1A state meet

    Cair Paravel Latin sophomore Madilyn Poole finished as the singles runnerup in the Class 3A-1A regional tournament at Marysville on Saturday, becoming the Lions' first-ever girls state qualifier.

    MadilynPoolCPLStennis 1Sophomore Madilyn Poole finished second in Saturday's Class 3A-1A regional at Marysville to qualify for state. [File photo/TSN]

    Poole, 19-6 on the season, dropped a 6-4, 6-1 decision to Kansas City Christian senior Lauren Seitz (24-4) in the regional championship match.

    Poole scored all six of Cair Paravel's team points as the Lions finished fifth.

    MadilynPooleCPLStennis 3Sophomore Madilyn Poole became Cair Paravel's first girls tennis state qualifier Saturday in Marysville. [File photo/TSN]

    Poole will compete in the 3A-1A state tournament next Friday and Saturday at Wichita's Riverside Tennis Complex.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Prep FB roundup: Bulldawgs remain undefeated in district with 71-24 romp past Cair Paravel

    Rick Peterson

     By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Rossville posted its third straight Class 1A District 2 win while evening its record at 3-3 with a 71-24 home romp past Cair Paravel Latin Friday night.

    TaysonHorak2024 2Rossville senior quarterback Tayson Horak had a hand in five touchdowns in the Bulldawgs' 71-24 district win over Cair Paravel. [File photo/TSN]

    Rossville senior quarterback Tayson Horak had a hand in five touchdowns for the Bulldawgs, including kickoff and punt returns for TDs.

    Horak opened the game with an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to help Rossville open up a commanding 21-0 first-quarter advantage.

    The Bulldawgs also got a 9-yard TD run from Conner Bush and a 1-yard TD from Andre Johnson in the opening quarter and opened up a 49-6 advantage at the half.

    Rossville's four second-quarter touchdowns came on a 50-yard Bush run, a 30-yard pass from Horak to Mahki Jackson, a 42-yard Horak run and a 47-yard Horak punt return to end the first half.

    Horak added a 47-yard third-quarter touchdown pass to Jack Donovan in the third quarter before Canann Mitchell scored on 10 and 24-yard TD runs in the fourth quarter to wrap up Rossville's scoring.

    Vincent Daniel kicked seven extra points while Seth Catron and Remi Droegemeier converted 2-point conversions.

    Cair Paravel (1-5, 0-3 district) struck for three long touchdowns in the game -- 38 and 50-yard passes and a 63-yard run.

    Cair Paravel is scheduled to be at Yager Stadium next Friday to host Maranatha Christian Academy in a district game while Rossville will be at home to host Olpe.

    CadeDanielson2024Washburn Rural sophomore Cade Danielson tackles an Emporia ball-carrier for a safety in Friday's 53-8 Rural win over the Spartans. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

     KellanRoth2024Emp 2Washburn Rural junior Kellan Roth is congratulated by junior teammate Sammy Brumley (58) after scoring his second TD in Friday's 53-8 win over Emporia. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

    WASHBURN RURAL 53, EMPORIA 8 --Washburn Rural picked up its second straight Centennial League victory while evening its overall mark at 3-3 with a 53-8 romp past winless Emporia Friday night at Bowen-Glaze Stadium.

    The Junior Blues' defense turned in a dominating performance, including a pair of safeties while junior John Hoytal hooked up with junior Kellan Roth for a pair of touchdown passes and junior TD Minikwu ran for a pair of TDs.

    Washburn Rural opened up a 14-0 first-quarter lead and led 32-0 at halftime.

    Emporia fell to 0-5 overall and 0-3 in the Centennial League.

    Washburn Rural will be back at home next Friday for a league game against Junction City.

    JUNCTION CITY 50, TOPEKA HIGH 21 -- Junction City snapped a four-game losing streak and picked up its first Centennial League victory Friday night with a 50-21 home win over Topeka High.

    Junction City improved to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in the league while handing Topeka High its second straight loss.

    The Trojans are 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the league entering Friday night's home Centennial League matchup with Manhattan.

  • A game-by-game look at Friday's Shawnee County prep football games

    Rick Peterson, Top Sports News Writer

    By RICK PETERSON
    TopSports.news

    (All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

    FRIDAY'S GAMES

    BryerFinley2024Lansing 1Seaman senior Bryer Finley had three touchdown receptions in last Friday's 43-22 UKC win over Lansing. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

    SEAMAN (4-1, 4-0 UKC) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (1-4, 1-3 UKC)

    Seaman is coming off a 43-22 United Kansas Conference victory over Lansing last Friday while Shawnee Heights dropped a 69-57 UKC scorefest to De Soto. Seaman senior quarterback Max Huston has completed 62 of 104 passes for 1,155 yards and 15 touchdowns while senior receiver Bryer Finley has 33 receptions for 680 yards and 11 TDs. Viking junior Kaden McKinney has carried the ball 64 times for 357 yards and scored eight TDs. Shawnee Heights junior quarterback Aiden Scott has completed 110 of 188 passes for 1,752 yards and 16 TDs. Junior AJ Gallegos has 35 catches for 520 yards and six touchdowns while junior Tyren Parker has 28 catches for 513 yards and five TDs. T-Bird junior David Wakes has 452 rushing yards on 91 attempts with three TDs.  

    TJMinikwu2024TH 1Junior TJ Minikwu rushed for 149 yards and scored three touchdowns in Washburn Rural's 49-21 Centennial League win over Topeka High last Friday. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

    EMPORIA (0-5, 0-2 Centennial) at WASHBURN RURAL (2-3, 1-0 Centennial)

    Washburn Rural snapped a three-game non-league losing streak with a 49-21 win over Topeka High last Friday in the Junior Blues' Centennial League opener. Junior TD Minikwu carried the ball 24 times for 149 yards and three touchdowns against Topeka High while sophomore Jadyn Baum added 70 yards and a touchdown on 14 attempts. Emporia is still looking for its first win of the season after taking a 59-0 league loss to Manhattan last week. The Spartans have been outscored 249-67 on the season.

    KC-TURNER (0-5, 0-4 UKC) vs. TOPEKA WEST (0-5, 0-5 UKC)

    At Hummer Sports Park

    Either the Chargers or the visiting Bears will pick up a much-needed victory in Friday's United Kansas Conference matchup. Topeka West is coming off a 59-6 UKC loss to undefeated Basehor-Linwood last week while Turner remained winless with a 34-6 loss to KIPP Legacy. Topeka West's lone win the past two seasons has come against Turner. The Chargers scored their lone touchdown against Basehor-Linwood last week on a 79-yard pass play from Jacob Brewster to Alesecio Batson.

    JettWahlmeierPLHayden senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has passed for 684 yards and eight TDs for the 4-1 Wildcats. [File photo/TSN]

    HAYDEN (4-1, 1-0 Class 3A District 4) at HOLTON (3-2, 2-0 Class 3A District 4)

    Hayden will be on the road to face Holton in a battle between teams who are unbeaten in Class 3A District 4. Hayden is coming off a 49-0 district win over Hiawatha while Holton took a 48-9 win over Jefferson West. Hayden junior Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 41 times for 432 yards and scored 14 total touchdowns while senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has completed 47 of 66 passes for 684 yards and eight touchdowns. Senior Jensen Schrickel has 13 catches for 220 yards and has scored five TDs. Holton senior Kyler Jackson has 406 yards and five touchdowns on 76 carries while senior Bodie Dillon has carried the ball 32 times for 253 yards and five TDs and junior Korban Wilson has 255 yards and five TDs on 47 attempts.

Top Sports News Team

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