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

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.

Seaman 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]

Seaman'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.

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

Hayden 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

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.

Former 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

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

THURSDAY'S GAME

Highland 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

Seaman 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.

Hayden 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

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.

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

Rossville 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

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).

Rossville 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).

Washburn 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

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.

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

Hayden 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.

Seaman 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.

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

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.

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

Hayden 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

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.

Seaman 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.''

Freshman 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

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.

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

Hayden 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.

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

Seaman 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.

Sophomore 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.

Sophomore 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

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.

Rossville 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.

Washburn 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]

Washburn 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

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

FRIDAY'S GAMES

Seaman 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.

Junior 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.

Hayden 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.

Prep FB roundup: Bulldawgs roll to 43-0 Class 1A district win over Mission Valley

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

After picking up a forfeit victory a week earlier, Rossville posted its second straight Class 1A District 2 win, and first on-field triumph, on Friday night, with the Bulldawgs rolling to a 43-0 decision over Mission Valley.

Rossville senior quarterback Tayson Horak helped lead the Bulldawgs to a 43-0 district win over Mission Valley Friday night. [File photo/TSN]

The Bulldawgs scored the only points they would need on a 1-yard Andre Johnson run (Vincent Daniel kick) at the 6:48 mark of the opening quarter and Rossville made it a 14-0 game with 2:10 left in the quarter on a 4-yard pass from Tayson Horak to Conner Bush (Daniel kick).

Rossville doubled up its lead with a pair of second-quarter TDs -- a 19-yard pass from Horak to Kameron Badura (Bush 2-point conversion run) 25 seconds into the quarter and a 1-yard Horak run (Daniel kick) with 8:35 left before halftime.

The Bulldawgs scored their final two touchowns of the night in the third quarter -- a 74-yard Bush run (Daniel kick) at the 10:36 mark and a 30-yard interception return from Bush with 8:30 left in the quarter (Daniel kick).

Rossville will be at home next Friday night to face Cair Paravel Latin in a district matchup.

Senior quarterback Dysen Schooler and the Silver Lake Eagles improved to 4-1 with Friday's 50-0 win over Baldwin. [File photo/TSN]

SILVER LAKE 50, BALDWIN 0 --Silver Lake posted its third straight win to improve to 4-1 on the season, rolling to a 50-0 non-league win over winless Baldwin.

The Eagles will return to Class 2A District 2 play next Friday, hosting Riley County.

A game-by-game look at Thursday and Friday's Shawnee County high school football games

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

THURSDAY NIGHT'S GAME

BASEHOR-LINWOOD (4-0, 4-0 UKC) vs. TOPEKA WEST (0-4, 0-4 UKC)

At Hummer Sports Park

Still looking for its first win of the 2024 season, Topeka West faces another tough United Kansas Conference test Thursday night, with league-leading Basehor-Linwood visiting Hummer Sports Park to face the Chargers. Topeka West is coming off a 63-0 UKC loss to Lansing while Basehor-Linwood took a 21-7 league win over De Soto. Bobcat junior quarterback Carson Dixon has completed 37 of 74 passes for 496 yards and seven touchdowns while senior Nick Doering has carried the ball 76 times for 425 yards and seven TDs.

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

Topeka High senior Tevante Ewing rushed for 169 yards in last Friday's 47-14 Centennial League win over Emporia. [File photo/TSN]

WASHBURN RURAL (1-3, 0-0 Centennial) vs. TOPEKA HIGH (4-0, 1-0 Centennial)

At Hummer Sports Park

Topeka High will be looking to extend its winning streak to five games while Washburn Rural, a Class 6A semifinalist last season, will be aiming to snap a three-game non-league losing streak to teams that are a combined 12-1 on the season. Washburn Rural, coming off a 49-23 loss to undefeated Blue Valley Northwest, will be playing its Centennial League opener Friday night while Topeka High opened league play last week with a 47-14 road win over Emporia. Topeka High senior Tevante Ewing rushed for 169 yards on 13 attempts while junior Zane Smith completed five of eight passes for 191 yards and Savon Carter caught two passes for 144 yards. Washburn Rural junior quarterback John Hoytal completed 23 of 32 throws for 235 yards against Northwest while junior receiver Kellan Roth hauled in 11 of Hoytal’s throws for 99 yards and a score. Sophomore Jadyn Baum exploded for an 80-yard touchdown run and junior TJ Minikwu blasted in from 10 yards out for another score.

Hayden junior Kade Mitchell (25) has rushed for 296 yards and scored six touchdowns this fall. [File photo/TSN]

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

Hayden, the Class 3A runnerup a year ago, is coming off a 31-28 non-league loss at Wamego last Friday while Hiawatha opened Class 3A District 4 play with a 21-0 win over Jefferson West. Hayden will open district competition Friday night. Wildcat senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has completed 41 of 57 pass attempts for 619 yards and seven touchdowns while junior running back Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 33 times for 296 yards and six touchdowns. Senior Jensen Schrickel has caught 13 passes for 220 yards and scored five touchdowns.

Seaman senior quarterback Max Huston has passed for 806 yards and 12 touchdowns this fall for the 3-1 Vikings. [File photo/TSN]

LANSING (3-1, 3-0 UKC) at SEAMAN (3-1, 3-0 UKC)

Friday's game will match up United Kansas Conference co-leaders Lansing and Seaman, who are both a perfect 3-0 in league play. Seaman is coming off a 49-0 win over Kansas City-Turner while Lansing rolled to a 62-0 win over Topeka West. Seaman senior quarterback Max Huston has completed 47 of 85 passes for 806 yards and 12 touchdowns while junior Kaden McKinney has carried the ball 40 times for 235 yards and five TDs while senior Bryer Finley has caught 21 passes for 382 yards and eight TDs. Lansing senior Reid Oakley has completed 46 of 93 passes for 798 yards while sophomore Jaxon Pollard has carried the ball 61 times for 379 yards and five TDs.

WABAUNSEE (1-3, 0-1 Class 1A District 2) vs. CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (1-3, 0-1 Class 1A District 2)

At Yager Stadium

Cair Paravel will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak after opening Class 1A District 2 play last Friday with a 46-22 loss to Mission Valley. Wabaunsee is also 1-3 and 0-1 in the district after a 14-7 loss to Olpe last week. Cair Paravel will be playing its second home game of the season at Washburn University's Yager Stadium. Top players for the Lions include senior quarterback Jase Pavlik and senior running back Ben Roeder.

Prep FB roundup: Topeka High improves to 4-0 with 47-14 Centennial League road romp past Spartans

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Topeka High improved to a perfect 4-0 on the season Friday night, riding a 27-point second quarter to a 47-14 road victory at Emporia's Welch Stadium in the Trojans' Centennial League opener.

Topeka High junior quarterback Zane Smith had a big game Friday night as the Trojans improved to 4-0 with a 47-14 Centennial League road win over Emporia. [File photo/TSN]

After a scoreless first quarter, Topeka High got on the scoreboard just 43 seconds into the second period on a 25-yard run from Courtney Sanders (Jayden Norman kick).

The Trojans added to their advantage just over two minutes later when Zane Smith connected with Saron Carter for a 78-yard touchdown strike and Smith scored on a 9-yard run midway through the quarter (Norman kick) to put High in front 20-0 and Norman ended the second-quarter onslaugt with a 24-yard TD strike from Smith just 1:08 before halftime (Norman kick).

Carter scored on a 29-yard run early in the second half and Robert Dingle tacked on an 11-yard TD run midway through the third quarter (Norman kick) before Tevante Ewing ended the Trojans' scoring midway through the final stanza (Norman kick).

Emporia scored both of its touchdowns in the final quarter, including the Spartans' final TD with just 1:20 remaining.

Ewing rushed for 169 yards on 13 attempts while Smith completed five of eight passes for 191 yards and Carter caught two passes for 144 yards.

Topeka High will host city and Centennial League rival Washburn Rural next Friday at Hummer Sports Park.

TOPEKA HIGH 47, EMPORIA 14

Topeka High (4-0, 1-0) 0 27 13 7 -- 47

Emporia (0-4, 0-1) 0 0 0 14 -- 14

Topeka High -- Sanders 25 run (Norman kick)

Topeka High -- Carter 78 pass from Smith (conversion failed)

Topeka High -- Smith 9 run (Norman kick)

Topeka High -- Norman 24 pass from Smith (Norman kick)

Topeka High -- Carter 29 run (conversion failed)

Topeka High -- Dingle 11 run (Norman kick)

Emporia -- Crowell 1 run (B’Hymer kick)

Topeka High -- Ewing 1 run (Norman kick)

Emporia -- Crowell 1 run (B’Hymer kick)

Individual statistics

Rushing -- Topeka High: Ewing 13-169, Smith 2-22, Sanders 2-23, Carter 1-29, Dingle 1-11. Emporia -- Crowell 20-61, Gray 8-13, Telfer 5-15, LeBlanc 1-(minus)-3).

Passing -- Topeka High: Smith 5-8-1, 191 yards. Emporia: Gray 7-14-0, 69; Seidl 2-3-0, 40.

Receiving -- Topeka High: Carter 2-144, Ewing 2-23, Norman 1-24. Emporia -- Crowell 1-4, Arndt 3-32, Seidl 1-9, Kirk 2-2, Gardner 1-48, Franklin 1-14.

WAMEGO 31, HAYDEN 28 -- Brody Graber kicked a game-winning 27-yard field goal to cap Wamego's comeback in a 31-28 win over Hayden in a non-league game at Wamego.

Hayden, which fell to 3-1, led 7-0 after a 16-yard pass from Jett Wahlmeier to Jensen Schrickel (Mason Becker kick) and the Wildcats led 14-7 after Conner Hanika found Schrickel for a 50-yard score on a double pass (Becker kick).

Hayden led 14-7 at the half but Wamego (3-1) opened the second half with a 99-yard kickoff return from Jackson Supps.

Hayden broke the tie on a 7-yard TD run from Jackson McGivern (Becker kick) and after a Wildcat interception, Wahlmeier found Kade Mitchell for a 40-yard TD (Becker kick) to put Hayden in front by a 28-14 margin.

The fourth quarter started with Hayden still in front 28-14 but Wamego got a big spark on a 3rd and long play when sophomore quarterback Logan Fulton picked up an errant snap in the end zone and found Tate Warren down the sideline for a 21-yard first down.

Wamego then marched down the field for a 7-yard Warren TD to get within seven points and then the Red Raiders tied the game at 28 on a 12-yard Warren TD with 4:59 remaining after Wamego recovered a Hayden fumble.

After getting the ball back Wamego took the lead on Graber's field goal. Hayden completed two passes on its final drive before running out of time.

Unofficially, Wahlmeier passed for 156 yards and a touchdown while Mitchell rushed for 53 yards on 10 attempts and Schrickel caught four passes for 93 yards and two TDs.

Wamego's Warren carried the ball 28 times for 148 yards and Fulton passed for 232 yards.

Hayden will host Hiawatha next Friday.

A game-by-game look at Friday's Shawnee County high school football games

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

Washburn Rural junior quarterback John Hoytal and the Junior Blues will try to snap a two-game losing streak in Friday's non-league home game against Blue Valley Northwest. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST (3-0) at WASHBURN RURAL (1-2)

Washburn Rural, which has dropped two straight road games, faces another tough non-league test Friday night against undefeated Blye Valley Northwest. The Junior Blues are coming off a 49-20 loss at Platte County, Mo. while the Huskies took a 27-24 decision over St. James Academy. Northwest senior quarterbacks Ford Bevins and Nathan Baxter have combined to go 25 of 38 passing for 428 yards and six touchdowns while junior L.J. Bowen has carried the ball 53 times for 329 yards and two TDs. Senior Trevor Garlington has 11 pass receptions for 257 yards and two TDs. Washburn Rural got defensive touchdowns from juniors Jordy Heim and Elijah Gaines against Platte County and a 76-yard TD pass from junior John Hoytal to senior Blake Recinos, but the Junior Blues couldn't keep pace with the undefeated Pirates.

Senior Jamon Wilson has helped lead Highland Park to a perfect 3-0 record to open the 2024 season. [File photo/TSN]

KC-HARMON (1-2, 0-2 Meadowlark) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (3-0, 3-0 Meadowlark)

At Hummer Sports Park

Two streaks will be on the line for Highland Park in Friday's Meadowlark Conference game against Harmon. The Scots will be looking for their fourth straight win while also trying to extend their shutout streak after outscoring their first three conference opponents by a 126-0 margin. Highland Park is coming off a 32-0 win over KC-Schlagle while Harmon dropped a 45-0 decision to KC-Washington last Friday. Harmon senior quarterback Mikey Hammer has completed 13 of 39 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown while sophomore Adrian Fernandez has carred the ball 25 times for 167 yards and two TDs. Highland Park junior quarterback Dontrail Fox has completed 17 of 38 passes for 276 yards and five TDs while senior Jamon Wilson has carried the ball 22 times for 275 yards and compiled 605 all-purpose yards and scored seven total TDs. Sophomore G'Honi Montgomery has 247 rushing yards and a TD on 35 attempts.

Topeka High junior quarterback Zane Smith has helped the Trojans get off to a 3-0 start this fall. [File photo/TSN]

TOPEKA HIGH (3-0, 0-0 Centennial) at EMPORIA (0-3, 0-0 Centennial)

At Welch Stadium

Topeka High and Emporia will open Centennial League play Friday night. Topeka High improved to a perfect 3-0 on the season in last Friday's weather-shortened 26-0 non-league road win over Wichita Southeast, the Trojans' third straight win over members of the Wichita City League. Topeka High led 13-0 when the game was delayed for approximately an hour due to lightning and added to its advantage with a 45-yard TD pass from junior Zane Smith to senior Saron Carter and led 26-0 at the half when the game was called due to the inclement weather. Carter led the Trojans' attack with three TDs on the night. Emporia is coming off a 30-20 non-league loss to Coffeyville and the Spartans have been outscored 126-45 on the year. Topeka High has outscored its first three foes by a 105-33 margin.

Shawnee Heights junior David Wakes has rushed for 275 yards and two touchdowns this fall. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]

LEAVENWORTH (1-2, 1-2 UKC) at Shawnee Heights (1-2, 1-1 UKC)

Shawnee Heights is coming off a tough 42-35 home United Kansas Conference loss to Basehor-Linwood last Friday while Leavenworth picked up its first win of the season, a 51-6 UKC romp past KC-Turner. Shawnee Heights junior quarterback Aiden Scott has completed 61 of 105 passes for 918 yards and eight touchdowns while junior AJ Gallegos has caught 20 passes for 249 yards and three TDs and Tyren Parker has 15 catches for 265 yards and three TDs. Junior David Wakes has 275 rushing yards and two TDs on 52 carries while junior Royce Daniels leads the Shawnee Heights defense with 36 tackles, including 17 solo stops.

Hayden returns to Class 4A, Rossville drops to 2A in latest KSHSAA classifications

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Hayden moves back to Class 4A for the 2024-2025 school year in all sports except football in the latest classifications released by the Kansas State High school Activities Association on Thursday while Rossville will move down to 2A.

Hayden is back in its accustomed spot in 4A after a brief stint in 3A while longtime 3A school Rossville moves down to 2A in all sports except football. Hayden is a 3A school in football while Rossville is in its first season in 1A on the gridiron.

Hayden, with 333 students is the third smallest 4A school in the state while Rossville is the fourth largest 2A school with 170 students.

The other eight Shawnee County high schools remained in the same classifications -- Washburn Rural and Topeka High in 6A, Seaman, Shawnee Heights, Topeka West and Highland Park in 5A, Silver Lake in 3A and Cair Paravel Latin in 2A.

KSHSAA 2024-2025 CLASSIFICATIONS

Final-match comeback clinches city team championship for Hayden girls tennis

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Hayden girls tennis coach Christy Sheetz had very little doubt that Thursday's race for the city championship would go down to the wire.

Hayden poses for a picture after winning the city girls team tennis championship Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

And that's exactly what happened, with the come-from-behind win from the Wildcats' No. 2 doubles team of Izzy Glotzbach and Avery O'Bray in the final match of the night clinching Hayden's second city team title in three seasons by a 32-29 margin over Seaman. Washburn Rural finished third with 26 points.

"It always that way,'' Sheetz said of the close battle. "It's the way the scoring is, so you have to anticipate that it's going to be really, really tight and especially with Seaman and Washburn Rural. We're the little guy coming in.''

Hayden took a one-point margin into the No. 2 doubles final, but the Wildcats needed a win by Glotzbach and O'Bray to hold off the Vikings and got down early before rallying for an 8-4 win over Seaman's Kaylyn Hiebsch and Camryn Lux.

Hayden also got a city title from senior star Ainzley Zulueta in No. 1 singles while senior Emily Sheetz and freshman Sophia Wichman posted a second-place finish in No. 1 doubles and junior Grace Funk finished second in No. 2 singles.

"I feel really good about where the girls are right now,'' Christy Sheetz said. "We have three dual-sport athletes on our top six. We've got a volleyball player (Wichman), we've got a golfer in Izzy Glotzbach and Grace Funk also does debate so it's kind of a chess match sometimes putting partners together and figuring out where things are.

"Having Ainzley Zulueta back (after missing her junior season) is a huge part of it, Emily Sheetz coming on with a new partner who's a freshman, that was really, really important and Grace Funk doing what she did in the No. 2 singles spot but this last match (the No. 2 doubles final) was pretty amazing.''

Hayden senior Ainzley Zulueta won the city title in No. 1 singles on Thursday, helping the Wildcats capture the team championship. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Zulueta, a two-time Class 4A state singles champion, took an 8-0 win over Seaman sophomore Emma Sweeney in the No. 1 singles final, capping a dominating day.

Zulueta had to sit out her junior high school season due to an eligibility issue after attending an out-of-state tennis academy but returned to win the third city title of her career.

"I'm glad to be back,'' Zulueta said. "It's nice to be with the team again, traveling and all of that. I kind of missed it. That was the thing I missed most.''

Washburn Rural seniors Izzy Haggard (right) and Emerie Catlin won the city No. 1 doubles title Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center after winning the No. 2 crown in 2023. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Washburn Rural seniors Emerie Catlin and Izzy Haggard, who won the city No. 2 doubles title in 2023, won the No. 1 doubles championship on Thursday with an 8-6 win over E. Sheetz and Wichman.

Catlin and Haggard trailed 3-0 at the start of the match before rallying to claim the championship.

"We just weren't being aggressive at the net and then we clicked and started being aggressive,' Catlin said.

"We got down a little bit and she (Catlin) helped pick us up,'' Haggard said.

Haggard and Catlin have been doubles partners throughout their high school careers and Haggard said it felt good to win the No. 1 title in the duo's final city meet.

"It's a good feeling,'' she said. "I think it's the best we've ever played together.''

Seaman junior Molly Gorman won the city title in No. 2 singles Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Junior Molly Gorman won the No. 2 singles title for Seaman, taking an 8-4 win over Funk, while the Vikings also got a third-place finish in No. 1 doubles from Sidney Chinn and Peyton Henry.

CITY GIRLS TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP

Cair Paravel falls 46-0 to Class 2A stalwart Council Grove in Lions' home opener at Yager Stadium

By Todd Fertig

TopSports.news

The Cair Paravel Lions endured a test of their character Friday night, matched in just their third game of 11-man football with the ninth-ranked team in Class 2A.

Cair Paravel senior quarterback Jase Pavlik attempts a pass in Friday's 46-0 loss to Council Grove. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Cair Paravel senior Ben Roeder (5) carries the ball in Friday's 46-0 loss to Council Grove. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

The Lions survived a similar test a week earlier, hanging with even higher-ranked Osage City. But Friday’s battle with Council Grove – Cair Paravel’s first home game as an 11-man team – ended in a 46-0 defeat at Washburn University’s Yager Stadium.

The Braves suited up 46 players Friday to just 18 for Cair Paravel. Facing a difference in size at essentially every position across the field, the Lions looked for positives to take away following the defeat.

“(Opponents like this) definitely show your weaknesses,” said Cair Paravel coach Doug Bonura. “I told the guys I’m proud of them. We didn’t quite play the game that we wanted to play. I don’t know if that’s because of (Council Grove) or because of us yet. That’s what film tells us. But I’m proud of the way they played.”

“But we’ve got to figure some things out, because it’s not going to be easy this year. Nothing’s easy.”

The Braves came out firing to start the contest. But after surrendering two quick touchdowns, the Lions’ defense stiffened. The highlight of the first half for the home team was holding Council Grove out of the end zone on three consecutive series.

When it appeared the Lions might make it to halftime trailing just 13-0, a long Braves’ pass put them in scoring position with less than two minutes remaining. Ace Monihen blasted in for a 2-yard touchdown.

After two plays on the ensuing drive, Monihen scooped up an errant pitch in the Lion backfield and dashed 29 yards for the Braves’ fourth touchdown of the half to lead 27-0.

With a few key players hobbled in the first half, the Lions scrambled to hold things together after halftime. A running clock brought on a speedy end to the 46-0 defeat.

A game-by-game look at this week's Shawnee County prep football games

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

Seaman senior quarterback Max Huston has passed for 261 yards and three touchdowns this fall for the 1-1 Vikings. [File photo/TSN]

TOPEKA WEST (0-2, 0-2) at SEAMAN (1-1, 1-0)

Topeka West is coming off a 53-8 home United Kansas Conference loss to Shawnee Heights while Seaman dropped a 35-7 non-league decision to Shawnee Mission East last Friday. Seaman senior quarterback Max Huston has completed 23 of 48 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns while senior Bryer Finley has caught 10 passes for 51 yards and a touchdown and junior Kaden McKinney has caught five passes for 115 yards and a TD. McKinney leads the Vikings with 122 rushing yards and two TDs on 27 attemps. Topeka West senior Alesecio Batson scored the Chargers' lone touchdown against Shawnee Heights on a 20-yard reception from freshman Josiah Wilke while senior Treyvion Barr added a 2-point conversion.

Cair Paravel senior quarterback Jase Pavlik passed for 226 yards and two touchdowns in last Friday's 54-20 loss to Osage City. [File photo/TSN]

COUNCIL GROVE (2-0, 2-0) vs. CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (1-1, 1-1)

At Yager Stadium

Cair Paravel will play its first home game at Washburn University's Yager Stadium, with the Lions facing Council Grove in a Flint Hills League contest. Cair Paravel is coming off a 54-20 league loss to Osage City while Council Grove improved to 2-0 with a 50-13 league win over Mission Valley. Lion senior quarterback Jase Pavlik passed for 226 yards and two touchdowns last Friday while senior Ben Roeder had 13 catches for 165 yards and two TDs and junior Tobias Bonura carried the ball 13 times for 74 yards and caught six passes for 55 yards. Council Grove sophomore quarterback Luke Stewart has completed 28 of 38 passes for 419 yards and three TDs while senior Ace Monihen has rushed or 208 yards and seven TDs and senior Landon Dody has nine catches for 236 yards and a TD.

Hayden junior Kade Mitchell rushed for more than 100 yards and also scored on a 90-yard kickoff return in last Friday's 42-14 win over St. Michael The Archangel. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]

KC-WARD (0-2) at HAYDEN (2-0)

After finishing second in Class 3A last season, Bill Arnold's Wildcats are off and running again this fall, improving to 2-0 with a 42-14 win over St. Michael The Archangel (Lee's Summit, Mo.) last Friday. Junior Kade Mitchell rushed for more than 100 yards in the Hayden while also returning a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdowns. Senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier threw for three touchdowns against the Guardians.

Shawnee Heights junior Tyren Parker has caught 11 passes for 185 yards and two TDs for the 1-1 T-Birds. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

BASEHOR-LINWOOD (2-0, 2-0) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (1-1, 1-0)

Shawnee Heights opened United Kansas Conference play with a 53-8 road win over Topeka West last Friday while Basehor-Linwood improved to 2-0 with a 48-14 win over Piper. T-Bird junior quarterback Aiden Scott completed 16 of 26 passes for 333 yards and three touchdowns against West and has passed for 655 yards and five TDs on a 40 of 66 performance in two games. Junior David Wakes has carried the ball 32 times for 176 yards and two TDs while junior Tyren Parker has caught 11 passes for 185 yards and two TDs. Basehor-Linwood junior quarterback Carson Dixon has completed 23 of 41 passes for 215 yards and three TDs while senior Nick Doering has 183 rushing yards and five TDs on 29 carries and junior Noah Morrison has 10 receptions for 94 yards and two TDs.

Jamon Wilson has helped lead Highland Park to a 2-0 start this all, with the Scots outscoring their two opponents by a 94-0 margin. [File photo/TSN]

HIGHLAND PARK (2-0, 2-0) at KC-SCHLAGLE (1-1, 1-0)

Highland Park has outscored its two Meadowlark Conference opponents by a 94-0 margin, including a 42-0 win over Kansas City-Sumner Academy last Friday. KC-Schlaglee picked up its first win in a 48-0 win over KC-Wyandotte. Scot junior quarterback Dontrail Fox went 9 of 16 in the passing game for 112 yards and three touchdowns while Highland Park rushed for 231 yards on 37 attempts as sophomore G'honi Montgomery picked up 78 yards on 15 attemps and senior Jamon Wilson gaining 75 yards on nine carries. Wilson caught seven passes for 76 yards and also returned a punt return for a 59-yard touchdown, one of three punt-return TDs for the Scots. Highland Park also got an 80-yard punt return from senior CJ Brown and a 23-yard score from junior Genesis Cooper. Senior Ricky Crawford led the Highland Park with nine tackles, including five solo stops.

Prep FB roundup: Highland Park improves to 2-0 with 42-0 Meadowlark romp past KC-Sumner

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Highland Park improved to 2-0 overall and in the Meadowlark Conference with a 42-0 road rout over Kansas City-Sumner Friday night.

Scot junior quarterback Dontrail Fox went 9 of 16 in the passing game for 112 yards and three touchdowns while Highland Park rushed for 231 yards on 37 attempts as sophomore G'honi Montgomery picked up 78 yards on 15 attemps and senior Jamon Wilson gaining 75 yards on nine carries.

Highland Park senior Jamon Wilson had 151 rushing and receiving yards and returned a punt 59 yards for a TD in the Scots' 42-0 win over KC-Sumner. [File photo/TSN]

Wilson caught seven passes for 76 yards and also returned a punt return for a 59-yard touchdown, one of three punt-return TDs for the Scots.

Highland Park also got an 80-yard punt return from senior CJ Brown and a 23-yard score from junior Genesis Cooper.

Senior Ricky Crawford led the Highland Park with nine tackles, including five solo stops.

Highland Park will be back on the road next Friday against Meadowlark Conference foe KC-Schlagle.

SHAWNEE MISSION EAST 35, SEAMAN 7 --Seaman (1-1) and Shawnee Mission East (1-1) were tied at 7-7 before the Lancers took control of the non-league contest with the final 28 points of the night.

Seaman scored its lone touchdown on a touchdown pass from quarterback Max Huston to Kaden McKinney.

The Vikings will play their home opener next Friday, hosting Topeka West in a United Kansas Conference contest.

A1 Lock & Key Performers Sept. 9, 2024

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Brody Anderson

BRODY ANDERSON, Seaman

A junior cross country star, Anderson opened his 2024 season with the boys individual championship in Saturday's Manhattan Invitational at Warner Park. Anderson, a returning Class 5A state qualifier, posted a winning five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 35.77 seconds, taking the victory by 28 seconds.

Tevante Ewing

TEVANTE EWING, Topeka High

Ewing, a senior running back, scored three touchdwns in Topeka High's 52-19 season-opening non-league road victory over Wichita West on Friday. Ewing scored the Trojans' first touchdown on a 70-yard pass from Zane Smith and also scored on a pair of runs as Topeka High rolled to a win in Jason Filbeck's debut as High's coach.

John Hoytal

JOHN HOYTAL, Washburn Rural

A junior quarterback, Hoytal made his first career start in Friday's 42-21 non-league home win over Shawnee Heights. Hoytal completed 14 of 21 passes for 234 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing for 47 yards on 10 carries. Hoytal completed TDs of 2, 42 and 7 yards to Kellan Roth and16 yards to Brody Schwinn.

Prep FB roundup: Cair Paravel, High's Filbeck notch firsts with season-opening wins

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Cair Paravel Latin and Topeka High head football coach Jason Filbeck both made a little bit of history with season-opening road victories Friday night.

Cair Paravel notched its first-ever 11-man victory in a 44-0 win at West Franklin while Filbeck posted his first victory at Topeka High in his debut with the Trojans as High rolled to a 52-19 win over Wichita West at Friends University.

CPLS dominated its 11-man debut from start to finish, using a 21-point second quarter to open up a 28-0 halftime advantage and adding its final two TDs in the fourth quarter.

Ben Roeder

The Lions scored the only points they would need midway through the opening quarter when senior Ben Roeder scored on a 4-yard run and CPLS standout senior quarterback Jase Pavlik ran for the 2-point conversion to give his team an 8-0 lead.

Roeder returned a punt return 73 yards for a TD to give Cair Paravel a 14-0 lead with eight minutes left in the first half and Chase Hastert added interception returns of 46 and 50 yards to put the Lions in control at the half.

Tobias Bonura added an 85-yard interception return and Pavlik hit Roeder for a 2-point conversion early in the fourth quarter before Roeder scored his third TD on a 3-yard rush (Pavlik run) to complete the Lions' scoring with six minutes left.

Topeka High rolled to a 52-19 road win over Wichita West Friday, giving Jason Filbeck a victory in his debut as the Trojans' head coach. [File photo/TSN]

The Trojans made sure Friday was a happy night Filbeck, who accepted the Topeka High job in the offseason after 10 years at Augusta, with High scoring the first 20 points and never looking back.

Topeka High never trailed after Zane Smith and Tevonte Ewing connected with a 7-yard TD pass with 7:33 left in the first quarter.

Smith threw his second touchdown pass with 4:31 left in the opening quarter and Ewing scored again to put the Trojans in front 20-0 early in the second quarter.

Later in the first half Ewing scored for the third time to give the Trojans a 26-6 lead and Smith hit Jayden Norman for a 90-yard TD to put High up 32-6 at the half.

Detrick Johnson put Topeka High up 46-6 at the 7:46 mark of the third quarter and the Trojans cruised the rest of the way.

A game-by-game look at Friday night's Shawnee County prep football openers

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

Rossville senior Tayson Horak (12) earned All-Shawnee County Second 22 and All-Mid-East League first-team honors last fall. [File photo/TSN]

Former Silver Lake football star Logan Pegram is starting his third season as the Eagles' head coach, leading Lake to a 14-5 record over the past two years. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

ROSSVILLE at SILVER LAKE

The Bulldawgs and Eagles open the 2024 season with one of the state's most storied rivalries. Rossville is coming off a 5-4 record a year ago while Silver Lake went 8-2. Rossville is playing its first season in the Class 1A ranks while the Bulldawgs and Silver Lake are both entering their first year in the new Big East League. Rossville senior Tayson Horak earned All-Mid-East League first-team recognition on offense and was a TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Second 22 pick last season while seniors Kameron Badura and Brock Bush and junior Jack Donovan received all-county honorable mention. Silver Lake senior Braden Strausbaugh, an offensive tackle and defensive end, earned All-Shawnee County Second 22 recognition last fall while seniors Logan Cathcart and Trent Rollenhagen and junior Dayne Johnson received all-county honorable mention.

Seniors King Leonard (1) is a top returner for Washburn Rural, intercepting nine passes last fall for the 11-1 Junior Blues. [File photo/TSN]

Shawnee Heights junior receiver/defensive back Tyren Parker has received Division I offers from Kansas, Kansas State and Iowa State. [File photo/TSN]

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS at WASHBURN RURAL

City rivals Washburn Rural and Shawnee Heights combined for 19 wins last season, with the 11-1 Junior Blues advancing to the Class 6A semifinals and the 8-3 T-Birds making it to the 5A quarterfinals. Rural senior safety King Leonard was among the state leaders with nine interceptions, including one pick six, and was also in on 75 tackles (47 solo) en route to earning All-Shawnee County Top 22 honors last fall. Senior cornerback Wilson Miller was named the Shawnee County defensive newcomer of the year and earned All-Centennial League defensive honors and All-Shawnee County Second 22 recognition last season. Shawnee Heights only returns defensive starters Parker Busenitz, a senior safety, and junior cornerback Tyren Parker from last year's team along with junior kicker Camden Granado. Parker has D-I offers from Kansas, Kansas State and Iowa State.

Senior Jamon Wilson racked up 1,185 all-purpose yards and scored 63 points last fall for the 7-3 Scots. [File photo/TSN]

KC-WYANDOTTE at HIGHLAND PARK

At Hummer Sports Park

After snapping an eight-year losing streak early in 2022, Jermaine Monroe's Scots have posted back-to-back winning seasons, including a 7-3 mark last season when Highland Park won its first playoff game since 1991. Senior linebacker Ricky Crawford earned All-Meadowlark Conference first-team and Second 22 All-Shawnee County honors last season, leading Highland Park with 78 tackles, including 54 solo stops, seven tackles for loss, five sacks and 13 quarterback hurries. Junior defensive back TremaineSavage was a first-team All-Meadowlark Conference selection last season, recording 29 tackles, registering 15 pass breakups and forcing two fumbles, while senior wide receiver/defensive back Jamon Wilson racked up 1,185 all-purpose yards last season while scoring 63 total points and receiving All-Shawnee County honorable mention. Wyandotte is coming off a 1-8 season in 2023.

Hayden senior receiver/defensive back Jensen Schrickel is a two-time All-Shawnee County Top 22 selection. [File photo/TSN]

HAYDEN at EUDORA

Hayden went 12-1 and finished second in Class 3A last fall while Eudora is coming off a 5-5 season, losing to Atchison 50-27 in the second round of the 4A playoffs. Wildcat senior wide receiver/defensive back Jensen Schrickel is a two-time TSN All-Shawnee County Top 22 selection, catching 40 passes for 683 yards, carrying the ball 18 times for 268 yards and scoring 10 total touchdowns and three 2-point conversions. Junior running back Kade Mitchell was named the co-offensive newcomer of the year in Shawnee County last season after rushing for 764 yards on 79 carries, catching 13 passes for 209 yards and scored 14 touchdowns and 92 total points. Senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier completed 61 of 113 passing attempts for 1,086 yards and 11 touchdowns last fall.

Technology quickly changing the game of high school football

By Todd Fertig

TopSports.news

High school football players who come off the field have traditionally made a trip to the water cooler, congregated near the coaches to watch the action on the field, or perhaps snuck a peak at their friends and family in the stands.

But increasingly, local players are gathering around large screen televisions on the sidelines or peering at hand-held devices on the bench.

The high school game is becoming more high-tech by the season. It’s not uncommon to see a drone buzzing just outside the field of play, filming the action and relaying those images to coaches as the game is going on.

For an old school football fan familiar with Vince Lombardi’s diagrams on a chalk board, it can all seem mind boggling. But to teenagers immersed in a high-tech world, it’s the best way to learn the game.

Highland Park football coach Jermaine Monroe said that ever-changing technology can provide big advantages for high school teams. [File photo/TSN]

“This is the way to communicate to students today,” said Highland Park coach Jermaine Monroe. “I think to be able to connect to students in the classroom and on the field, we need to stay up with the times. We have to be able to change and adapt. Technology in the game is not going anywhere, and it’s only going to get better and better.”

Monroe is one of several veteran coaches in the area who are working hard to adapt to the new technology. He said he no longer prints playbooks for his players to study. It’s all done on video.

“I’m 100% enjoying it,” Monroe said. “I was kind of stuck in the old school way of doing things, but when I learned how user-friendly these things are, it’s making things easier and I’m getting information to the boys faster, which is the most important thing.”

Shawnee Heights football coach Jason Swift said that the T-Bird coaching staff uses technology in a variety of ways to communicate with Heights' players. [File photo/TSN]

Shawnee Heights coach Jason Swift said the T-Birds typically use a camera in or on top of the press box to send video instantly to a TV on the sideline.

“That enables us to, in between series, have a unit look at the video on the monitor which allows the coaches to teach what’s going on based on the past series,” Swift said. “It’s instant feedback.

“A lot of our kids play both ways and don’t come off the field long enough to look at film. But seven or eight might.”

Like many teams, Shawnee Heights uses a drone and mounts a camera on a tripod in one end zone to provide different angles of the action. While the T-Birds utilize footage strictly from the press box during the game, Swift said the other video footage is invaluable for teaching in practice.

“I love it,” Swift said. “It’s more time management on downloading film and getting it ready to show to kids. If you’re looking at a sideline view of a play and an end zone view of the play, you have to cut it up so that they match. It’s a little bit more time consuming, but the benefit of using it as a teaching tool outweighs the time.”

Prep parade: Cair Paravel's focus on steady improvement in first season in 11-man ranks

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Editor's note: TopSports.news has finished its tour of preseason football practice at all 10 Shawnee County high schools and will post preview stories over the coming days leading into the opening games of the 2024 season on Sept. 6.

-------------------------------------------

Coming off its best season as a full member of the Kansas State High School Athletics Association, Cair Paravel Latin finds itself starting over in many ways this fall.

Doug Bonura's Cair Paravel football team will make the jump to 11-man this fall, competing in Class 1A. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Doug Bonura's Lions posted a 9-3 record and advanced to the Eight-Man Division I state semifinals a year ago, but CPLS graduated nine seniors and has only four returning lettermen and 19 total players as it begins its transition into the 11-man ranks this fall.

Cair Paravel's enrollment was two students above the limit for Eight-Man Football, prompting the move to Class 1A.

And although Bonura knows the Lions will face numerous challenges this fall, he said the focus will be on making steady improvement each and every day out.

"If you do everything right and grow and get better and you do the best that you can and you still lose, that's still successful,'' Bonura said. "If there's 100 guys on the other sideline and you've got 19 you still play your heart out and we may be able to win, we play to win. David can beat Goliath but the reality of it is if they're bigger and they're better and they're stronger we just say, 'You know what, hats off to you, you guys are better than us.' ''

TopSports.news' 2024 Shawnee County football players to watch

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Kameron Badura

KAMERON BADURA, Rossville

A senior, Badura received TopSports.news All-Shawnee County and All-Mid-East League honorable mention recognition last fall for the 5-4 Bulldawgs. Badura is a returning starter for Rossville and is expected to play a key role as a skill player on offense and in the defensive secondary.

Alesecio Batson

ALESECIO BATSON, Topeka West

A senior, Batson is best known for his exploits in track and field, winning the Class 5A state triple jump championship at 48 feet, 4.25 inches as a sophomore in 2023. West football coach Trey Parker will try to take advantage of Batson's superb athleticism in a variety of roles this fall, including safety on defense.

Elijah Berg

ELIJAH BERG, Topeka West

Berg, a senior, will be counted on to provide talent and leadership for a Topeka West program that is looking to improve on back-to-back 1-8 seasons. Berg could see action in a variety of roles for the Chargers, including wide receiver, where he is West's top returner.

Tobias Bonura

TOBIAS BONURA, Cair Paravel Latin

As one of only four returning lettermen from last season's 9-3 Cair Paravel team, Bonura, a junior, will be counted on to be a team leader as the Lions make the jump to the 11-man ranks (Class 1A) for the first time in school history. With only 19 players on the roster, Bonura and the other Cair Paravel veterans will rarely leave the field.

Andrew Broughton

ANDREW BROUGHTON, Seaman

A 5-foot-11, 200-pound senior center, Broughton will anchor the offensive line for the Vikings after earning All-United Kansas Conference second-team honors and TopSports.news All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season. Broughton helped the Vikings post a 6-5 record and advance to the third round of the Class 5A state playoffs.

Parker Busenitz

PARKER BUSENITZ, Shawnee Heights

Busenitz, a senior, is a returning starter at safety, one of only two returning defensive starters for Shawnee Heights, which is coming off an 8-3 season last fall. Busenitz received All-Shawnee County honorable mention in 2023 after recording 40 tackles with three pass interceptions and is also expected to be an impact player at wide receiver for the T-Birds.

Brock Bush

BROCK BUSH, Rossville

A senior linebacker, Bush received All-Mid-East League and All-Shawnee County honorable mention last fall for the 5-4 Bulldawgs after receiving second-team all-league recognition and all-county honorable mention as a sophomore. The three-year starter will be counted on for leadership as Rossville begins its first season in the Big East League and looks to be a Class 1A contender.

Conner Bush

CONNER BUSH, Rossville

A junior, Bush is a top defensive returner for Rossville, which is coming off a 5-4 season, and has also logged multiple offensive starts for the Bulldawgs. Bush, one of 18 returning lettermen, will be a key player as Rossville makes the transition to Class 1A and to the Big East League.

Logan Cathcart

LOGAN CATHCART, Silver Lake

A senior, Cathcart is a returning starter for the Eagles, 8-2 last season, at both wide receiver and safety and will be counted on to provide leadership as Silver Lake makes the transition to the Big East League. Cathcart is also a baseball standout for the Eagles, receiving All-Shawnee County honorable mention last spring.

Seth Catron

SETH CATRON, Rossville

The Bulldawgs, coming off a 5-4 record a year ago, will be looking for Catron, a senior, to be one of Rossville's biggest weapons on offense as the team makes the transition to the Big East League and the Class 1A ranks this season. Catron, who has made multiple starts for the Bulldawgs, is one of 18 returning lettermen.

Ricky Crawford

RICKY CRAWFORD, Highland Park

Crawford, a 6-0, 180 senior linebacker, earned All-Meadowlark Conference first-team and Second 22 All-Shawnee County honors last season after helping lead the Scots to a 7-3 record and their first playoff win since 1991. Crawford led Highland Park with 78 tackles, including 54 solo stops, seven tackles for loss, five sacks and 13 quarterback hurries.

Hayden Cummings

HAYDEN CUMMINGS, Seaman

A 5-10, 205 senior linebacker, Cummings earned second-team All-United Kansas Conference recognition and All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after helping the Vikings post a 6-5 record and advance to the third round of the Class 5A state playoffs. Cummings was credited with 103 total tackles, three tackles for loss and two forced fumbles for the Vikings.

Broderick Desch

BRODERICK DESCH, Hayden

Desch, a 5-10, 205 senior fullback, earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after playing a key role on offense as the Wildcats posted a 12-1 record and advanced to the Class 3A state championship game. Desch rushed for 511 yards on 102 carries and scored 10 touchdowns in 2023.

Jack Donovan

JACK DONOVAN, Rossville

A junior wide receiver/defensive back, Donovan earned All-Mid-East first-team recognition on defense last season and earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention. Donovan is also a standout for the Bulldawgs in both golf and basketball, earning first-team All-Shawnee County recognition in both sports.

Caden Estrada

CADEN ESTRADA, Washburn Rural

A 6-2, 270 senior offensive tackle, Estrada has earned first-team All-Centennial League recognition the past two seasons and was a Second 22 All-Shawnee County selection last fall after helping Washburn Rural post an 11-1 record and advance to the Class 6A semifinals.

TopSports.news' 2024 Shawnee County volleyball players to watch

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Topeka High senior Jo'Mhara Benning received second-team All-Shawnee County recognition the past two seasons. [File photo/TSN]

JO'MHARA BENNING, Topeka High

Benning, a senior, has received second-team All-Shawnee County recognition the past two seasons and was also a second-team All-Centennial League pick. Benning is also a softball standout for the Trojans, earning All-Shawnee County first-team honors.

ELLA BOLAN, Silver Lake

Bolan, a senior middle hitter/outside hitter, earned All-Shawnee County first-team honors and Kansas Volleyball Association All-Class 3A honorable mention last fall after helping Silver Lake post a third-place finish in the 3A state tournament, with the Eagles posting a 32-12 record on the year. An All-3A state tournament pick and second-team All-Mid-East League honoree, Bolan registered 317 kills with 62 blocks and 38 service aces.

TAYLOR BREES, Shawnee Heights

A senior, Brees was a second-team All-Shawnee County and All-United Kansas Conference selection last season for the T-Birds. Brees also earned first-team All-Shawnee County recognition in softball this past spring.

Silver Lake senior Alana Brewster, spiking the ball, earned second-team All-Shawnee County honors last season. [File photo/TSN]

ALANA BREWSTER, Silver Lake

Brewster, a senior, received second-team All-Shawnee County recognition last season after helping Silver Lake post a 32-12 record and a third-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament.

Topeka High's Slaymaker, Seaman's Collins among 12 new Shawnee County head coaches for 2024-2025

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Kansas basketball legend Ron Slaymaker and veteran soccer coach Tim Collins are part of a group of 12 new varsity head coaches who have been announced by Shawnee County high schools for the 2024-2025 school year.

Former Emporia State coaching legend Ron Slaymaker will take over as the new girls basketball coach at Topeka High in the 2024-2025 season. [File photo/TSN]

Slaymaker, the former longtime Emporia State men's basketball coach who most recently coached girls basketball at Olpe after a seven-year stint with the Chase County girls, takes over as the girls coach at Topeka High.

Former Augusta coach Jason Filbeck takes over as Topeka High's football coach this fall. [File photo/TSN]

Topeka High has also added former Augusta head coach Jason Filbeck as the Trojans' new football coach.

Collins, who coached a state championship team at Topeka West and also coached the women's team at Washburn University, will coach the Seaman boys soccer team this fall.

Collins is one of three new coaches for the Vikings, with Madison Lamond taking over as Seaman's new girls swimming coach and former softball assistant Daniel Ruda moving up to the head coaching position to replace Jay Monhollon, who retired at the end of the 2024 season.

Rural swim star Brogan Meier named Topeka Shawnee County Winter Male Athlete of the Year

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Former Washburn Rural swimming star Brogan Meier was named the TopSports.news Topeka Shawnee County Winter Male Athlete of the Year during Wednesday's awards banquet and Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Washburn University.

Former Washburn Rural star Brogan Meier was named the Topeka Shawnee County Winter Male Athlete of the Year Wednesday night at Washburn University. [File photo/TSN]

Meier capped an oustanding high school swimming career with the Class 6A 50-yard freestyle while helping lead Washburn Rural to a third-place team finish.

Meier was a four-time All-City and All-Centennial League honoree, helping the Junior Blues win four city team titles and three league championships.

"Brogan was a fantastic captain for our swim team, demonstrating great leadership and always being an encouraging teammate to all fellow swimmers,'' Rural coach Janson Garman said. "Brogan brought incredible talent, backed by a great work ethic, to our swim team and it really paid off for him in the end.''

Meier, the son of Kirk and Nicole Meier, compiled a grade point average of 4.11 at Washburn Rural.

He plans to attend Missouri State.

WINTER SPORTS: OUTSTANDING MALE NOMINEES

Caleb Annan-Noonoo

CALEB ANNAN-NOONOO | Topeka West

PARENTS: K.O. Noonoo and Anna Annan-Noonoo

SPORT: Basketball | GPA: NA

Annan-Noonoo was a three-year varsity player for the Chargers in basketball while also starring in the classroom, ranking as Topeka West's valedictorian for the class of 2024 and earning numerous academic scholarship offers. Annan-Noonoo turned in a solid senior season for the Chargers, shooting 55.9 percent from the field while ranking seventh in the city with a 5.5 rebounding average and leading the city with 1.4 blocked shots per game. He also averaged 1.6 steals on the season.

Rykan Carver

RYKAN CARVER | Shawnee Heights

PARENTS: Corey and Tricia Carver

SPORT: Wrestling | GPA: 4.53

A standout in football, wrestling and track and field for the T-Birds, Carver ended his high school wrestling career with the Class 5A 285-pound state title. Carver was a four-time letterman in wrestling, winning a pair of United Kansas Conference titles and qualifying for the 5A state tournament three times. "Rykan is a team leader and captain in all three of his sports and also thrives in the classroom, taking honors courses throughout high school and graduating with a 4.53 GPA,'' Shawnee Heights wrestling coach Chad Parks said. "This GPA and workload earned Rykan the distinction of being in the top one percent of GPAs for the entire state of Kansas.'' Carver will attend Kansas State to study engineering.

Cooper Colboch

COOPER COLBOCH | Hayden

PARENTS: Craig and Torri Colboch

SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 4.166

Colboch helped lead the Wildcats to a Class 3A state tournament berth as a senior, averaging 8.2 points per games while hitting 39 3-pointers and shooting 81.3 percent from the free throw line. "Cooper had a great senior season,'' former Hayden coach Trey Brown said. "He was the voice of our team all year long and hit countless big shots for us. He is a great kid on and off the court and was a big reason we had success this season. Colboch also played football for Hayden before being sidelined midway through his senior season with an injury.

Simon Everhart

SIMON EVERHART | Cair Paravel Latin

PARENTS: Dave and Rachel Everhart

SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 4.17

Everhart was a Top 10 All-Shawnee County selection as a senior, averaging 16.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game while scoring 35 percent of the Lions' points. "Simon is consistent in his approach and very reliable to his teammates,'' Cair Parave coach Chip Kueffer said. "A leader by his actions, not just words. The team depended on him heavily to show up and there was never a moment during the year when Simon let a teammate down. Simon demonstrates humility and perseverance. Despite being one of the top players in Topeka, Simon was never 'too big time.' He consistently swept the court before practices started and led as a team captain with a servant's heart.''

TopSports.news to honor Shawnee County's top senior student-athletes on Wednesday

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Forty-seven of Shawnee County's premier high school student-athletes from the class of 2024 will be recognized Wednesday night as part of the 19th annual Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards banquet.

TopSports.news, in partnership with A-1 Lock and Key, Washburn University, Capital Label, Peggy's Tax and Accounting and the Jamie Hornbaker State Farm Insurance Agency, will host the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards and Hall of Fame induction ceremonies and honor Washburn's athletes of the year at the Washburn University Memorial Union (6 p.m. start).

Recent Seaman graduate Taylin Stallbaumer has been nominated in two seasons for the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards after helping the Vikings win Class 5A volleyball and basketball titles. [File photo/TSN]

Silver Lake senior Makenzie McDaniel is a nominee for the 2024 Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards after helping the Eagles win the Class 3A state basketball title as a senior. [File photo/TSN]

A Class 6A state swimming champion as a senior, Washburn Rural's Brogan Meier is a nominee for the 2024 Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden's Finn Dunshee (middle) was a three-time state champion in the 2024 state track championships and also helped lead the Wildcats to a Class 3A runnerup finish in football. [File photo/TSN]

TopSports.news will present awards to the top female and male athletes in the fall, winter and spring seasons, as well as overall female and male athletes of the year and the most inspirational female and male. A complete list of nominees is listed below.

To be eligible, an athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Athletes were nominated by their schools' athletic directors and coaches.

In addition to the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards, Khloe Schuckman and Braden Rose will be honored as Washburn University Athletes of the Year and Bob Benoit, Jim Golden, Kelsey (Chipman) Stringer and Nick Stringer will be inducted as the 2024 Topeka Shawnee County Hall of Fame class.

A committee of local media members selected the 2024 high school winners, including the selection of overall female and male athletes of the year.

TOPEKA SHAWNEE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS AWARDS NOMINEES

Seventeen city players earn All-State recognition from the KHSSCA

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Sixteen city girls soccer players have earned All-State honors from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association, including six first-team selections.

Kate Hinck, Washburn Rural

Hayley Legg, Washburn Rural

Washburn Rural, which finished third in Class 6A, is represented on the All-6A first team by junior forward Kate Hinck and senior midfielder Hayley Legg while 4A-1A state runnerup Cair Paravel put senior forward Katherine Keys, sophomore forward KellyAnn Chada, junior forward Zahra Friess and senior defender Trinity Childs on the first team.

Katherine Keys, Cair Paravel Latin

KellyAnn Chada, Cair Paravel Latin

Zahra Friess, Cair Paravel Latin

Trinity Childs, Cair Paravel Latin

Keys was selected as the co-forward of the year in 4A-1A.

Washburn Rural juniors Destiny Higgs and Addyson Kaberline were named to the All-6A second team.

Shawnee Heights junior Isabel Van Fleet and freshman Morgan Robinson were named to the All-5A second team while Hayden sophomore Carsyn Broxterman was a second-team All-4A-1A pick and six city players received All-State honorable mention.

KANSAS HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER COACHES ASSOCIATION ALL-STATE TEAMS

Topeka Shawnee County 2024 Sports Awards: Spring Female Nominees

Editor's note: Over the coming days, TopSports.news will take a look at all of the nominees for the 2024 Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards. All nominees will be recognized at the June 26 awards banquet, which will be held in conjunction with the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame induction at Washburn University's Memorial Union.

SPRING SPORTS: OUTSTANDING FEMALE NOMINEES

Rebecca Bearman

REBECCA BEARMAN | Topeka West

PARENTS: Alan and Shelly Bearman

SPORT: Track and field | GPA: NA

Bearman was a standout in track and field and girls basketball for Topeka West while also excelling in the classroom. Bearman finished fourth in the shot put in Class 5A regional competition as a senior, earning a berth in the state championships at Wichita. Bearman received All-Shawnee County honorable mention in track her senior season, ranking second on the Shawnee County Honor Roll in the shot put. In basketball Bearman received all-county honorable mention and also received honorable mention on the All-United Kansas Conference team. Bearman averaged 10.1 rebounds to finish second in the city and also averaged 7.6 points.

Ava Delgado

AVA DELGADO | Hayden

PARENTS: Richard and Alisha Delgado

SPORT: Softball | GPA: 3.125

Delgado compiled a .400 batting average over her four-year career for the Wildcats with an .800 fielding percentage. "Ava is an exceptional athlete and an outstanding individual as a teammate,'' Hayden softball coach Cody Reynolds said. "I know she will do great things on and off the field as she moves on to her collegiate career at Bethel. I'm lucky to have coached her and will miss her infectious smile. She will be missed on both sides of the ball as well as in the dugout.'' As a senior Delgado received All-Centennial League first-team honors and was a second-team All-Shawnee County pick.

Katherine Keys

KATHERINE KEYS | Cair Paravel Latin

PARENTS: Robert and Bev Keys

SPORT: Soccer | GPA: 4.83

Keys turned in an outstanding soccer career for the Lions, including two trips to the Class 4A-1A state semifinals and a state runnerup finish this spring. A two-time All-City first-team pick, Keys also received All-State recognition and was a three-time all-league honoree, earning league player of the year honors this past season. Keys scored 21 goals with 14 assists as a senior and finished her CPLS career with 100 goals and 52 assists. "Katherine was a team captain and as a leader she helped her teammates be better by encouraging them, challenging them and by continually demonstrating for them what hard work looks like,'' Cair Paravel coach Doug Woolery said. Keys, the CPLS Class of 2024 valedictorian, will play college soccer at John Brown University.

Topeka Shawnee County 2024 Sports Awards: Winter Male Nominees

Editor's note: Over the coming days, TopSports.news will take a look at all of the nominees for the 2024 Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards. All nominees will be recognized at the June 26 awards banquet, which will be held in conjunction with the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame induction at Washburn University's Memorial Union.

WINTER SPORTS: OUTSTANDING MALE NOMINEES

Caleb Annan-Noonoo

CALEB ANNAN-NOONOO | Topeka West

PARENTS: K.O. Noonoo and Anna Annan-Noonoo

SPORT: Basketball | GPA: NA

Annan-Noonoo was a three-year varsity player for the Chargers in basketball while also starring in the classroom, ranking as Topeka West's valedictorian for the class of 2024 and earning numerous academic scholarship offers. Annan-Noonoo turned in a solid senior season for the Chargers, shooting 55.9 percent from the field while ranking seventh in the city with a 5.5 rebounding average and leading the city with 1.4 blocked shots per game. He also averaged 1.6 steals on the season.

Rykan Carver

RYKAN CARVER | Shawnee Heights

PARENTS: Corey and Tricia Carver

SPORT: Wrestling | GPA: 4.53

A standout in football, wrestling and track and field for the T-Birds, Carver ended his high school wrestling career with the Class 5A 285-pound state title. Carver was a four-time letterman in wrestling, winning a pair of United Kansas Conference titles and qualifying for the 5A state tournament three times. "Rykan is a team leader and captain in all three of his sports and also thrives in the classroom, taking honors courses throughout high school and graduating with a 4.53 GPA,'' Shawnee Heights wrestling coach Chad Parks said. "This GPA and workload earned Rykan the distinction of being in the top one percent of GPAs for the entire state of Kansas.'' Carver will attend Kansas State to study engineering.

Cooper Colboch

COOPER COLBOCH | Hayden

PARENTS: Craig and Torri Colboch

SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 4.166

Colboch helped lead the Wildcats to a Class 3A state tournament berth as a senior, averaging 8.2 points per games while hitting 39 3-pointers and shooting 81.3 percent from the free throw line. "Cooper had a great senior season,'' former Hayden coach Trey Brown said. "He was the voice of our team all year long and hit countless big shots for us. He is a great kid on and off the court and was a big reason we had success this season. Colboch also played football for Hayden before being sidelined midway through his senior season with an injury.

Simon Everhart

SIMON EVERHART | Cair Paravel Latin

PARENTS: Dave and Rachel Everhart

SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 4.17

Everhart was a Top 10 All-Shawnee County selection as a senior, averaging 16.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game while scoring 35 percent of the Lions' points. "Simon is consistent in his approach and very reliable to his teammates,'' Cair Parave coach Chip Kueffer said. "A leader by his actions, not just words. The team depended on him heavily to show up and there was never a moment during the year when Simon let a teammate down. Simon demonstrates humility and perseverance. Despite being one of the top players in Topeka, Simon was never 'too big time.' He consistently swept the court before practices started and led as a team captain with a servant's heart.''

Seaman's Becker, Silver Lake's Zordel, Hi Park's Robinson named Rising Stars of the Year for 2024

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Seaman's Anna Becker, Silver Lake's Taylor Zordel and Highland Park's Ja'Corey Robinson, who recently completed their junior years of high school, were selected Thursday night at The Foundry as the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency girls and boys 2024 Rising Stars of the year.

Rising Stars of the Year Taylor Zordel, Ja'Corey Robinson and Anna Becker pose with Dan Key of the Farmers Insurance Agency after being honored Wednesday night. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Becker and Zordel shared the girls honor and boys winner Robinson were picked from five girls and boys finalists chosen from weekly Rising Stars who were selected through the 2023-2024 school year.

Silver Lake's Taylor Zordel and Seaman's Anna Becker were named the co-girls Rising Stars of the Year Wednesday night. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Becker was a basketball and soccer standout for Seaman, helping lead the Vikings to the Class 5A state basketball championship and the 5A state quarterfinals in soccer while Zordel helped lead Silver Lake to the 3A-1A golf title and was a member of the Eagles' 3A state championship basketball team and state runnerup softball team.

Ja'Corey Robinson of Highland Park was named the 2024 boys Rising Star of the Year Wednesday night. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Robinson helped lead Highland Park to a second straight third-place finish in the 5A state basketball tournament and also helped the Scots' football team advance to the second round of the 5A football playoffs.

State semifinalists Rural, Cair Paravel Latin headline 2024 All-City girls soccer team

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural, which finished third in the Class 6A state tournament, and Cair Paravel Latin, the 4A-1A state runnerup, combined to put eight players on the 17-member 2024 All-City girls soccer first team.

The All-City team was based on recommendations and votes from city coaches.

Mackenzie Flood, Washburn Rural

Hayley Legg, Washburn Rural

Destiny Higgs, Washburn Rural

Kate Hinck, Washburn Rural

Addyson Kaberline, Washburn Rural

Washburn Rural is represented on the All-City first team by seniors Mackenzie Flood and Hayley Legg and juniors Destiny Higgs, Kate Hinck and Addyson Kaberline after the Junior Blues posted a 17-4-0 record on the season, capped by a 3-0 win over Maize in the third-place game after a 1-0 double overtime loss to Blue Valley Northwest in the semifinals.

Four-time picks Alonzo, Badsky headline 2024 All-Shawnee County boys golf first team

The 2024 All-Shawnee County boys golf team, from left -- Myles Alonzo, Topeka West; Tagen Rodriguez, Hayden; James Kuta, Hayden; Rich Helmbold, Cair Paravel/Topeka High; Jack Donovan, Rossville; Cam Zimlich, Washburn Rural; Tadd Armstrong, Washburn Rural. Not pictured: Bryce Badsky, Silver Lake; Ayden Valdivia, Shawnee Heights; Zach Weir, Seaman. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Four-time first-team selections Myles Alonzo of Topeka West and Bryce Badsky of Silver Lake headline the 2024 All-Shawnee County boys golf team.

Alonzo, who swept city, United Kansas Conference and Class 5A regional titles, capped his high school career with his third individual medal in the 5A state tournament while Mid-East League champ Badsky earned his fourth straight medal in the 3A state meet.

Bryce Badsky, Silver Lake

Washburn Rural, which won its 14th straight city team championship, is represented on the All-Shawnee County team by senior Cam Zimlich and junior Tadd Armstrong while Hayden put juniors James Kuta and Tagen Rodriguez on the first team after finishing fourth in the 3A state tournament.

Also named to the all-county first team were Cair Paravel Latin/Topeka High senior Rich Helmbold, whch led CPLS to a third-place team finish in 2A, Rossville sophomore 3A state medalist Jack Donovan, Shawnee Heights 5A sophomore state qualifier Ayden Valdivia and Seaman senior 5A state participant Zach Weir.

All-Shawnee County capsules:

State champions headline 2024 All-Shawnee County boys track and field team

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Eleven athletes who had a hand in 10 state titles, including three multiple-event state champs, headline the 2024 All-Shawnee County boys track and field team.

Hayden senior Finn Dunshee and junior Jensen Schrickel took home three Class 3A gold medals apiece, posting two individual wins to go with a relay victory, while also running on a runnerup relay.

Finn Dunshee, Hayden

Jensen Schrickel, Hayden

Dunshee won the 100-meter dash in 10.60 seconds and the 200 in 21.99 while Schrickel took the 3A gold in the long jump at 23 feet, 1 inch and won the 400 dash in 48.73 while Dunshee and Schrickel teamed with juniors Liam Stegman and John Strickland to win the 4x400 relay in 3:26.01 and with Stegman and sophomore Jackson McGivern to finish second in the 4x100 relay (42.52).

Aaron Merritt, Seaman

Seaman senior Aaron Merritt was a double individual gold medalist in 5A and also helped the Vikings post a second-place relay finish.

Merritt won the 110-meter hurdles in 14.48 seconds and the 100 dash in 10.32 seconds and teamed with juniors Peyton Holmes and Bryce Cochran and senior Jacob Anderson to finish second in the 5A 4x100 relay (42.50 seconds).

Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights

Shawnee Heights senior Jackson Esquibel won the 5A state title in the 3,200 meters for the second straight season, with Esquibel also recording a second-place finish in the 1,600 as both a junior and senior.

Esquibel won Friday's 5A 3,200 in 9:21.31 and was second in the 1,600 in 4:19.11.

Josh Sulzen-Watson, Washburn Rural

Washburn Rural senior Josh Sulzen-Watson won the 6A state championship in the javelin with a throw of 188-7 after finishing third in the discus at 162-3 while the Junior Blues' foursome of senior Shane Jueneman, sophomores Liam Morrison and Draden Chooncharoen and junior Isaiah Terry sat through a weather delay before winning the title in the 4x400 relay in 3:19.56 in the final event of the 2024 state meet.

Esquibel is joined on the all-county team by senior teammate Alex Dawkins, third in the 5A discus (164-9), and by T-Bird junior Payton Berry-Briggs, third in the 200 (22.27).

Blake Redmond, Silver Lake

Silver Lake senior Blake Redmond placed third in the 3A long jump (22-3.75) while Eagles junior Evan Scheid was a four-event state medalist in the 100, 200, 4x100 relay and 4x400 relay. Redmond also ran on the 4x100 relay.

Also earning berths on the All-Shawnee County boys first team were Seaman sophomore distance standout Brody Anderson and sophomore sprinter Malachi Murph, a two-time all-county pick.

All-Shawnee County picks were based on meeting minimum performance standards as well as coaches' recommendations and postseason performances.

ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY 2024 BOYS TRACK AND FIELD

Cair Paravel's valiant effort to dethrone Miege comes up short in double OT loss

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

WICHITA – Cair Paravel Latin fought off a barrage of scoring chances from powerhouse Bishop Miege for 92-plus minutes in Saturday’s Class 4-1A championship game at Stryker Sports Complex.

Cair Paravel's Zahra Friess battles for possession with Miege's Rose Lopez during the Lions' 1-0 double-overtime loss in Saturday's Class 4-1A championship game. [Photo by Rick Peterson Jr./KSHSAA Covered]

Cair Paravel's Veronica Ignoto boots a goal kick during Saturday's Class 4-1A championship game. [Photo by Rick Peterson Jr./KSHSAA Covered]

But Miege finally broke the dam with less than eight minutes in the second overtime.

On Miege’s 16th corner kick of the game, Dory Latenser headed home a perfectly-placed kick from Isabella McGaugh for the golden goal with 7:38 left in the second OT, securing a 1-0 win and the Stags’ state-record eighth consecutive championship.

Junior goalkeeper Veronica Ignoto and the Lions’ back line worked tirelessly to keep it scoreless, but offensive opportunities were scarce for Cair Paravel (15-4-1). The Lions weren’t officially credited with a shot on goal while Miege had 10.

“Really proud of my girls. That was an amazing show of courage against a tough team, perennial state champs,” Cair Paravel coach Doug Woolery told KSHSAA Covered. “We just couldn’t get our offense generated. We were on our heels most of the game.

“I knew my girls had it in them, but we just couldn’t seem to get the break that we had last time we played them (2-1 loss). We had a couple through balls to capitalize on and even had a couple missed opportunities in that game, and today those just didn’t show themselves. At the end of the day, they finally got one in the net and we didn’t.”

State soccer quarterfinals: Seaman hoping to build off big regional win in road test against BV Southwest

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Nine days after a frustrating 1-0 home United Kansas Conference loss to Basehor-Linwood, Seaman's girls soccer team responded with one of its best performances of the season last Thursday, taking a 4-1 road win over the Bobcats to advance to the Class 5A quarterfinals.

Seaman celebrates its Class 5A regional soccer championship after last Thursday's 4-1 road win at Basehor-Linwood. [Seaman Athletics]

"We played a lot better,'' Seaman coach Kyle Seevers said. "We had probably our best overall game of the season. Every person that went in competed hard, connected, defended, won 50-50 balls. It was just a complete game.''

After dropping three straight one-goal games to end the regular season, the Vikings bounced back with a 10-0 win over Kansas City-Schlagle in its regional opener and never trailed in the regional final after Parker Ayres and Marin Schuler scored first-half goals to give Seaman a 2-0 advantage.

Midway through the second half Basehor-Linwood cut its deficit to 2-1 but Seaman's Taylin Stallbaumer answered with a pivotal goal to put Seaman up 3-1 and Ryin Miller found the net less than a minute after Stallbaumer's goal to give the Vikings their final margin.

Miller had a pair of assists in the Seaman win while Schuler also had an assist.

Now the 12-4-1 Vikings will attempt to build off that win in Tuesday's 6 p.m. quarterfinal at Blue Valley Southwest (15-2-0).

Blue Valley Southwest probably has to be considered the favorite, particularly at home, but Seevers has no doubt his team will put up a fight.

"Anything can happen,'' Seevers said. "When we beat De Soto (1-0) it wasn't always pretty but sometimes you've just go to muddy the waters to get a catfish so that's kind of been our go to ever since the De Soto game, to muddy the waters. It may not be pretty but it gets done.''

Seaman will be looking to continue what has been a magical 2023-2024 school year, with the Vikings winning 5A state titles in volleyball and basketball and punching their ticket to the state tournament in softball.

"We've got such a great group of athletes right now,'' Seevers said. "Not always the best soccer players, but oh my God do we have winners that are great athletes.''

Also looking to extend its season will be 13-5-0 Shawnee Heights, which will be on the road to face 16-1-0 St. Thomas Aquinas in the other 5A East quarterfinal at 7 p.m.

Cair Paravel earns trip to Class 4A-1A semifinals with 6-1 quarterfinal romp past Baldwin

By Todd Fertig

TopSports.news

The Cair Paravel Latin School girls soccer team is going back to state.

It may have come as a surprise when the Lions qualified for the Class 4-1A final four two seasons ago – the 1A program that had just recently earned KSHSAA membership.

Cair Paravel sophomore KellyAnn Chada scored three goals Tuesday as the Lions advanced to the Class 4A-1A semifinals with a 6-1 win over Baldwin. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Cair Paravel junior Zahra Friess (3) had two goals and an assist in Tuesday's 6-1 state quarterfinal win over Baldwin. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

This year, they left no doubt they belong, steamrolling Baldwin 6-1 in the quarterfinal round at Bettis Family Sports Complex Tuesday.

It took just 13 seconds for the Lions to set the tone. For the second game in a row, Cair Paravel struck for an early goal to put the opponents at a disadvantage.

“I said, ‘Let’s try to take advantage of our speed up top.’ We have a lot of it up there,” Cair Paravel coach Doug Woolery said. “Zahra Friess is incredibly fast. I said, ‘Let’s put the ball down to the flag and let her beat ‘em to it.’ And it’s just worked great. She’s managed to score a couple of goals off of it.”

Senior Katherine Keys had a goal and two assists in Cair Paravel's 6-1 win over Baldwin. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

That was just the beginning of the scoring for Cair Paravel. KellyAnn Chada knocked home three goals, Friess added a second, and Katherine Keys scored a goal to go with two assists. Only a Baldwin goal with 1:20 left spoiled the shutout.

State golf: Cair Paravel, Silver Lake's Badsky pace Shawnee County contingent

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Cair Paravel Latin posted a third-place team finish in the Class 2A state tournament at Mariah Hills in Dodge City while Silver Lake senior Bryce Badsky finished third in 3A at Emporia to lead five local individual medalists.

Cair Paravel Latin golf posted a third-place team finish in the Class 2A state tournament. [Photo by Rick Peterson Jr./KSHSAA Covered]

Cair Paravel finished third as a team, 13 strokes behind runnerup Ellinwood while perennial state champion Salina Sacred Heart earned the state championship by 19 strokes.

State medalist Rich Helmbold led the Lions with a sixth-place individual finish, shooting a 78 on Tuesday after an opening-round 76.

CPLS' Jase Pavlik tied for 26th place with a 36-hole total of 173 (83-90) while Caleb Cleverdon tied for 32nd (89-87), Luke Budden tied for 38th (86-96), Simon Everhart tied for 40th (90-93) and Ty Gossard finished in 50th place (101-103).

Eagles' Badsky third, Hayden fourth in 3A

Silver Lake senior Bryce Badsky earned his fourth straight Class 3A individual medal on Tuesday at Emporia Municipal, placing third with a 36-hole total of 151.

Bryce Badsky, Silver Lake

Badsky shot a 75 on Tuesday after an opening-round 76.

Hayden finished fourth as a team, four strokes behind third-place Wichita Collegiate. Hesston and Sabetha went one-two in the team race, with the Bluejays winning by four strokes.

James Kuta finished with a two-day total of 159 (73-86) to tie for 14th place and earn a state medal.

James Kuta, Hayden

State golf: Hayden, Cair Paravel Latin advance to final day in 3A, 2A state tournaments

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Two Shawnee County teams and six individuals advanced to Tuesday's final day of boys state golf tournaments accross the state.

Leading the local contingent are Hayden in Class 3A and Cair Paravel Latin in 2A, with both the Wildcats and Lions qualifing as a team for Day 2 of state.

Cair Paravel is sitting in third place in the 2A state tournament after Monday's round at Dodge City's Mariah Hills, three strokes behind second-place Ellinwood. Perennial state champion Salina Sacred Heart is well on its way to another title, entering Tuesday's final round with a 41-stroke lead.

Rich Helmbold, Cair Paravel Latin

Rich Helmbold shot an opening-round 76 to lead the Lions and is tied for seventh place in 2A.

CPLS' Jase Pavlik is tied for 23rd place after an 83 while Luke Budden is tied for 35th (86), Caleb Cleverdon is tied for 38th (89), Simon Everhart is tied for 41st (90) and Ty Gossard tied for 50th (101).

Hayden enters the final round of the 3A tournament at Emporia Municipal in fourth place, but just seven strokes behind first-day leader Hesston.

The Wildcats are three shots behind third-place Sabetha and five strokes behind second-place Wichita Collegiate.

James Kuta, Hayden

James Kuta is tied for second place individuall after shooting a 73 in Monday's first round.

Chada's four goals power Cair Paravel to 6-0 soccer win over Eudora in 4A-1A regional final

By Todd Fertig

TopSports.news

The Cair Paravel Latin School girls advanced from the regional round of the soccer playoffs with a 6-0 win over Eudora Thursday at the Bettis Family Sports Complex.

Sophomore KellyAnn Chada (11) is congratulated by her Cair Paravel teammates after scoring one of her four goals in Thursday's 6-0 win over Eudora in a Class 4A-1A regional. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]

Senior Katherine Keys (left), who had three assists, congratulates sophomore KellyAnn Chada after a goal in Cair Paravel's 6-0 regional win over Eudora. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]

Sophomore KellyAnn Chada accounted for four of the Lions’ six goals, including one in the opening minutes of the contest.

“It was crazy,” Chada said. “I definitely couldn’t have done it without my team. They had some great assists. I got the first one and that just started the game off on the right foot and then they just kept coming.”

“She is a goal-scoring machine” Cair Paravel coach Doug Woolery said of Chada. “She is one of those players who always seem to put themselves in the right spot.”

Zahra Friess and Clare Everhart added goals for the Lions while Katherine Keys tallied three assists.

Regional golf: Three Shawnee County teams earn state berths in postponed regional tourneys

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Due to weather-related postponements on Monday, several area golf regionals were pushed back a day until Tuesday.

But having to wait an extra day didn't seem to faze local golfers, with three teams earning team berths for next Monday and Tuesday's state events.

Here's a class-by-class look at Tuesday's tournaments involving Shawnee County teams:

Washburn Rural's golf team poses for a picture after finishing second in Tuesday's Class 6A regional at Junction City. [Washburn Rural golf]

Washburn Rural earns runnerup 6A finish

Led by top-10 finishes from senior Camden Zimlich and junior Tagan Monasmith, the Junior Blues finished second as a team behind Centennial League rival Manhattan in the Class 6A regional at Rolling Meadows in Junction City to advance to next week's Class 6A state tournament at Garden City.

Zimlich shot an 82 to tie for sixth place while Monasmith shot an 83 to tie for eighth to lead Washburn Rural while Hayden Glynn and Tadd Armstrong tied for 11th with 86s to round out the Junior Blues' four-man team score of 337.

Tanner Kasprznk added a 93 and Michael Wilson a 94 for Washburn Rural.

Manhattan won the team championship at 320 while Rural out-distanced Wichita East by 22 strokes for second place.

Hayden's golf team poses for a picture after earning a Class 3A state tournament berth with a runnerup regional finish on Tuesday in Seneca. [Hayden Golf]

Hayden posts second-place finish in 3A regional

Hayden finished second in Tuesday's Class 3A regional at Seneca's Spring Creek Golf Course to advance to next week's state tournament at Emporia.

Sabetha won the regional title with a four-man score of 310 while Hayden was second at 322 to earn the final team berth for state.

A1 Lock & Key Performers May 14, 2024

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Myles Alonzo

MYLES ALONZO, Topeka West

Alonzo, a senior golf standout, set a Topeka West school record with a 4-under-par 66 in Monday's Class 5A regional tournament at Cypress Ridge, winning the individual title by five strokes. A two-time 5A state placer, Alonzo has now won city, United Kansas Conference and regional titles entering next week's 5A state meet at Newton.

Audrey Appuhn

AUDREY APPUHN, Washburn Rural

The Washburn Rural sophomore swimming star posted individual victories in the 200-yard individual medley in 2 minutes, 12.08 seconds and the 500 freestyle in 5:18.23 and also swam on the Junior Blues' winning 200 medley relay (2:00.94) and 400 free relay (3:58.46) to lead the Junior Blues to their fourth straight Centennial League championship last Thursday at the Capitol Federal Natatorium.

Drew Fay

DREW FAY, Cair Paravel Latin

A sophomore, Fay posted a city-high fourth-place singles finish in Saturday's Class 3A-1A state tennis tournament in Prairie Village. A two-time state qualifier, Fay won his first two state matches on Friday before losing to two-time state singles champ Caleb Bartels of Kansas City Christian in the semifinals and to Charlie Gentile of Wichita Collegiate in the third-place match.

State tennis: Cair Paravel's Drew Fay places fourth in 3A-1A singles to lead eight city medalists

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Cair Paravel Latin sophomore Drew Fay posted a fourth-place finish in Class 3A-1A singles Saturday at Harmon Park Tennis Complex in Prairie Village, pacing eight city state medalists in three classes.

Cair Paravel Latin sophomore Drew Fay posted a city-high fourth-place finish in Class 3A-1A singles Saturday in Prairie Village. [File photo/TSN]

Fay (23-11) posted two straight wins on Friday advance to the semifinals before dropping a 6-0, 6-1 decision to Kansas City Christian senior star Caleb Bartels.

Fay then dropped a 6-2, 6-1 decision to sophomore Charlie Gentile of team champ Wichita Collegiate in the third-place match.

Bartels went on to finish off a perfect 33-0 season, winning his second straight singles title and his third state crown overall, including a doubles title in 2021.

Hayden junior Chase Blaser (left) and senior Joseph Luke posted a fifth-place doubles finish in the Class 3A-1A state tournament. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden's doubles team of senior Joseph Luke and junior Chase Blaser (24-10) posted a fifth-place state finish, going 6-1 on the weekend.

Luke and Blaser finished off their state run with a 9-7 win over Smoky Valley juniors Gabriel and Ezekiel Baker in the fifth-place match.

Hayden finished seventh in the 3A-1A team standings with 12 points while Cair Paravel tied for eighth with 11 points.

Friday state tennis recap: Cair Paravel's Drew Fay advances to 3A-1A singles semifinals

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Cair Paravel Latin sophomore tennis standout Drew Fay, making his second straight Class 3A-1A state singles appearance, posted two straight victories on Friday at the Harmon Park Tennis Complex in Prairie Village, advancing to Saturday's state semifinals.

Cair Paravel sophomore singles player Drew Fay advanced to the Class 3A-1A state semifinals on Friday in Prairie Village. [File photo/TSN]

Fay (23-9) will square off against defending 3A-1A state singles champ Caleb Bartels of Kansas City Christian in the semifinal, a rematch of last week's regional final at Marysville. Bartels took a 6-1, 6-0 win in that match.

Bartels (31-0) is a two-time state champion, winning a 3A-1A doubles title as a sophomore in 2022 after finishing third in singles as a freshman in 2021.

Hayden's doubles team of senior Joseph Luke and junior Chase Blaser (21-10) will also compete on Saturday, putting themselves in position for a state medal with a 3-1 record on Friday.