Hayden High School Wildcats
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
KaeVon Bonner
KAEVON BONNER, Seaman
A 6-foot-3 junior guard, Bonner scored 42 points in two Seaman boys basketball wins on the week as the Vikings improved to 2-1 on the season. Bonner scored 25 points in a 70-50 Tuesday night United Kansas Conference home win over Lansing, hitting 10 of 17 shots from the field with five 3-pointers, and scored 17 points with three 3-pointers Friday as the Vikings took a 60-57 UKC road victory over No. 8-ranked Topeka West.
Nora Burdiek
NORA BURDIEK, Rossville
Burdiek, a 5-foot-11 sophomore, was named the most valuable player in last week's Fighting Irish Classic at Chapman after averaging 20.7 points and 13 rebounds for the tournament-champion Bulldawgs. Burdiek scored 26 points in an 89-9 win over Kansas City-Bishop Ward, scored 20 points in a 57-50 win over Sacred Heart and had 16 points in the Bulldawgs' 65-25 win over Chapman on Saturday as Rossville wrapped up the championship.
Rylee Dick
RYLEE DICK, Rossville
A 5-foot-6 junior, Dick helped lead Rossville to three straight wins and the tournament championship in last week's Fighting Irish Classic, earning all-tournament honors. Dick scored 26 points with four 3-pointers in an 89-9 win over Kansas City-Bishop Ward, had 25 points with six treys in a 57-50 win over Sacred Heart and finished her week with 25 points and four 3-pointers in Saturday's 65-25 win over Chapman. Dick also averaged five assists on the week.
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Perennial state girls wrestling power Washburn Rural reigned supreme in the 35-school Council Bluffs Wrestling Classic on Saturday in Iowa, with the Junior Blues winning the team championship by a 501.5-493 margin over Raccoon River.
Washburn Rural's girls wrestling team won the championship in the Council Bluffs Wrestling Classic on Saturday in Iowa. [Washburn Rural girls wrestling]
Rural got runnerup finishes from senior 105-pounder Molly Spader and sophomore 235-pounder Justice McBurney to lead the way as the Junior Blues had nine wrestlers post top-eight finishes.
Spader, a runnerup, in Class 6A last season, is now 9-1 on the season after dropping a 12-2 major decision in the championship match while McBurney is 4-2 after being pinned in her final.
The Junior Blues also got third-place finishes from senior 115-pounder Maddy Blow (9-1) and junior 145-pounder Emme Blanco (8-3).
Washburn Rural won two team titles on the day Saturday, with a split squad taking the championship in the Melvin Douglas Invitational at Highland Park.
Shawnee Heights' girls wrestling team claimed the team championship in the Clay Center Invitational, with six individual champs. [Shawnee Heights wrestling]
T-Bird girls capture Clay Center team crown
Shawnee Heights piled up 195 points to win the girls championship in Saturday's Clay Center Invitational, with six T-Birds claiming individual titles.
Heights got titles from senior 130-pounder Isabel Reyes, freshman 135-pounder Olive Jones, senior 140-pounder Madison Freeland, 145-pounder Olivia Stevens, junior 155-pounder Ciana Graves and sophomore 170-pounder Brooklyn Binkley.
Posting runnerup finishes for the T-Birds were freshman Ava Gutierrez (100), senior Reece Taylor (125) and junior Shelby Watson (190).
Rossville finished eighth as a team, getting a win from 100-pound freshman Nora Mitchell and a runnerup finish from 155-pound sophomore Madelyn Wonnell.
Silver Lake boys sweep Bluejay Duals
Silver Lake's boys went 5-0 on the day to claim the championship in Saturday's Bluejay Duals at Sabetha.
The Eagles took a 66-12 win over Nemaha Central, a 68-12 win over a split squad from Washburn Rural, a 45-34 win over Seaman, a 62-9 win over Rock Creek and a 47-35 win over Sabetha.
Silver Lake 132-pounder Garrett Holmes, 157-pounder Trent Harris, 165-pounder Kayden Clelland, 215-pounder Carter Spreer and 285-pounder Kendrick VandeVelde all went 5-0 on the day for the Eagles.
Holmes recorded four pins and an 18-2 technical fall, while Harris had four wins by pin and an 11-8 decision.
Clelland, Spreer and VandeVelde all recorded two pins on the day.
Seaman posted a 3-2 record to finish third, posting a 65-18 win over Rock Creek, a 65-12 win over Nemaha Central and a 68-12 win over Washburn Rural while dropping a 40-33 decision to Sabetha and the 45-34 loss to Silver Lake.
Seaman 138-pounder Deegan Frazier and 144-pounder Ross Shipley both went 5-0 for the Vikings, with Shipley posting five pins and Frazier four pins.
Washburn Rural's split squad went 1-4, with the Junior Blues' lone win a 42-36 win over Nemaha Central.
Silver Lake's girls went 2-1 as a team in a quadrangular held in conjunction with the Bluejay Duals.
The Eagles took a 52-24 win over Sabetha and a 42-17 win over Nemaha Central while dropping a 36-30 decision to Riley County.
Karley Holmes (110/115), McKenna Harris (130) and MaKayla Connor (155) all went 3-0 on the day.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden junior wrestling standout Jude Krentz and Washburn Rural sophomore girls basketball standout Maddie Vickery have been selected by the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency as the Rising Stars of the Week.
The Dan Key Agency will recognize top Shawnee County underclassmen throughout the bulk of the 2024-2025 school year.
Here’s a brief look at the accomplishments of Krentz and Vickery over the past week:
Hayden junior Jude Krentz (facing) has been named the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency male Rising Star of the Week after winning the 175-pound title in last Saturday's Highland Park Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
JUDE KRENTZ, Hayden
Krentz opened the 2024-2025 wrestling season with the 175-pound championship in last Saturday's Highland Park Invitational.
Krentz went 3-0 on the day with three wins by fall, recording pins in 3 minutes, 23 seconds, 59 seconds and 1:38.
A two-time state qualifier, Krentz was also named to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 this fall after helping lead Hayden to its second straight 3A state championship game.
Washburn Rural sophomore Maddie Vickery has been named the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency female Rising Star of the Week after leading Rural to a 3-0 start with 70 points in the three games. [File photo/TSN]
MADDIE VICKERY, Washburn Rural
The 6-foot-1 Vickery has led Washburn Rural to a 3-0 start to the 2024-2025 season, scoring 70 points over the three games.
Vickery opened the year with a 26-point, 12-rebound performance in a 44-43 win over Blue Valley Northwest last Friday before scoring 17 points in a 45-42 win over Liberty, Mo. on Tuesday and 27 points in Thursday's 68-44 win over Topeka High in the semifinals of the De Soto Hardwood Classic.
As a freshman Vickery received All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League first-team honors and was named the county and league newcomer of the year.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
THOMAS APPUHN, Washburn Rural
Appuhn opened the 2024-2025 season with a strong performance in last Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational at the Capitol Federal Natatorium. Appuhn posted a fourth-place individual finish in the 200-yard medley relay and finished sixth in the 100-yard backstroke and swam on the Junior Blues' fourth-place 400 freestyle relay.
KINSER BARBOSA, Seaman
Barbosa earned second-team All-City honors last season and is one of the Vikings' top returners. In last Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational Barbosa finished fifth in the 100-yard breaststroke, sixth in the 50-yard freestyle and swam on the Vikings' sixth-place 200 medley relay.
Dawson Blankenship, Topeka High
DAWSON BLANKENSHIP, Topeka High
Blankenship is a top returner for Topeka High after earning second-team All-City honors last season. Blankenship opened his 2024-2025 season with a third-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly and swam on the Trojans' fourth-place 200 free relay in last Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational.
Truman Brede, Shawnee Heights
TRUMAN BREDE, Shawnee Heights
A senior returning All-City first-teamer, Brede finished off his 2024 season with a win in the Class 5A 'B' final in the 100-yard backstroke. Brede finished second in the 200-yard freestyle, third in the 100 backstroke and second in the 200 free relay for the T-Birds in the city meet and finished second in the United Kansas Conference meet in the 200 freestyle and 100 back and fourth in the 200 free relay. Brede finished third in last Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational in the 200 freestyle and finished fourth in the 100 backstroke.
RYAN CARSON, Hayden
Carson will be counting on to provide leadership for the Wildcats this winter after earning a spot on the All-City second team last season. Carson finished eighth in the 100-yard butterfly in last Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational and swam on Hayden's 200 medley, 200 free and 400 free relays.
Jaxon Cowdin, Topeka High
JAXON COWDIN, Topeka High
Cowdin, a senior, won his third straight city championship in one-meter diving for Topeka High last season and went on to claim his second Centennial League championship. A three-time first-team All-City honoree, Cowdin advanced to the Class 6A diving finals for the third straight year, posting a 12th-place state finish.
PALMER HESKETT, Hayden
A second-team All-City honoree last season, Heskett is one of Hayden's top returning swimmers. In last Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational Heskett finished sixth in the 200-yard freestyle and sixth in the 500 freestyle while also swimming on the Wildcats' 200 medley relay and 400 free relays.
Evan Hoobler, Shawnee Heights
EVAN HOOBLER, Shawnee Heights
Hoobler, a senior, was a first-team All-City honoree last season, placing second in the 100-yard breaststroke and third in the 200 individual medley and second in the 200 free relay in the city championships and placed second in the 100 breaststroke, third in the 200 IM and fourth in the 200 free relay in the United Kansas Conference meet.
Alex Lanterman, Washburn Rural
ALEX LANTERMAN, Washburn Rural
Lanterman earned a first-team All-City berth last season with a strong performance in the city meet as Washburn Rural won its fifth straight city team championship. Lanterman placed third in the city in 200-yard freestyle and third in the 100 butterfly and was part of Rural's 'B' 400 free relay team that finished third.
Luke Lemke, Washburn Rural
LUKE LEMKE, Washburn Rural
Lemke, a senior, earned All-City first-team honors last season, helping Washburn Rural win city and Centennial League team titles and tying for third place in Class 6A. Lemke was part of Rural's 400-yard free relay team that placed second in the 6A state meet. Lemke placed second in the city meet in the 200-yard individual medley and the 100 backstroke and was part of the Junior Blues' winning 200 medley and 200 free relays. Lemke took third in the 200 individual medley in the Centennial League meet and was part of Rural's winning 200 free and 400 free relay teams.
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
EMPORIA -- Hayden's girls basketball coach Carvel Reynoldson knows his Wildcats still have plenty to work on moving forward, particularly on the offensive end and free throw line.
But Hayden appeared to be in midseason defensive form in Tuesday afternoon's season-opener against Wichita Trinity, with the Wildcats rolling to a 55-24 win in the opening round of the Paul Terry Classic at Emporia High.
Hailey Schmidtlein scored 17 points in her high school basketball debut Thursday, leading Hayden to a 55-24 season-opening win over Wichita Trinity. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The Wildcats, who finished third in Class 3A last season before moving back to 4A, scored the first 16 points of Tuesday's game and opened up a commanding 21-2 first-quarter lead while forcing 12 Trinity turnovers over the first eight minutes.
Hayden went on to lead 32-8 at halftime while forcing 21 turnovers in the first half and 35 for the game while harrassing the Knights into 26 percent shooting from the field.
"I thought we really came out with great energy and that was nice to see,'' Reynoldson said.
The Wildcats were just 8 of 27 performance at the free throw line and went 3 of 15 from 3-point range, but those struggles were little more than an annoyance as Hayden rolled to the victory, forcing a running clock (30-point lead in the fourth quarter) with 1:40 left on a hoop by freshman Blakely Walters.
"We've been shooting a lot of free throws and been doing really well, so I don't know where the free throw shooting came from,'' Reynoldson said. "That was really bad, but we'll work on it and we'll get better at it.
"And not only were we not hitting free throws, but we weren't hitting 3s either and I think this is a pretty good shooting team.''
Hailey Schmidtlein, a 5-foot-11 freshman, got her high school career off to an impressive start for Hayden, scoring 10 points in the first quarter on the way to a game-high 17 points.
"She comes to practice every day with tremendous energy and she's a leader the way she communicates,'' Reynoldson said. "We knew that she's going to be a difference maker.''
Hayden senior Millie Ramsey registered a double-double in Thursday's 55-24 win over Wichita Trinity. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Senior Millie Ramsey added a double-double for the Wildcats, finishing with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Brylee Meier had eight points, including a pair of 3-pointers.
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
EMPORIA -- Hayden's boys basketball team is still in the process of knocking off some rust after three of its five starters are just 10 days removed from the end of the Wildcats' football season.
But Hayden took a big step in that direction Tuesday, taking a 62-47 victory over Wichita Trinity in the first round of the Paul Terry Classic at Emporia High School while giving the Wildcats' Dwayne Anthony his first win as a head coach.
Hayden's Dwayne Anthony picked up his first win as a head coach in Thursday's 62-47 win over Wichita Trinity. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The Wildcats were coming off a 15-point season-opening loss at Class 6A Shawnee Mission West last Friday but went wire to wire for Tuesday's win after scoring the first seven points of the game.
"These kids do their best to go as hard as they can as well as listen, so we just tried to tighten up some of the things that we saw happen on Friday,'' Anthony said. "Unfortunately, Friday the basket was closed to us but they fixed that today and just so many other things, so I'm really pleased with their progress.''
Balance was the key for the Wildcats, with six players scoring between 8 and 14 points against the Knights.
Junior Connor Hanika (5) led Hayden with 14 points in the Wildcats' 62-47 win over Wichita Trinity. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Connor Hanika, a 6-foot-4 junior, paced the Wildcats with 14 points while seniors James Kuta and Jacob Deister scored 11 points apiece, junior Kade Mitchell and sophomore Mason Becker had 8 each and senior Cooper Zwiesler scored six points on a pair of 3-pointers.
Senior James Kuta (3) finishes off a basket in Tuesday's 62-47 Hayden win over Wichita Trinity. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Hayden senior Jacob Deister (4) is congratulated after being fouled in Tuesday's 62-47 win over Wichita Trinity. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"I believe that we've got kids who can do that every night and it could change who might have the 14 or who has the 8, but I liked the way they shared the ball and we're going to get better doing that,'' Anthony said. "I think that's a testament to the kids that I'm blessed to coach.''
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Shannon (Suddarth) Wisne's spectacular swimming career at Hayden Catholic High School and Notre Dame is well behind her, but sports are still a very important part of her life.
Former Hayden swimming and cross country star Shannon (Suddarth) Wisne was back at her alma mater Saturday to be inducted into the Hayden Hall of Fame. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"We have six children, 23 to 8 years old, and they keep me very busy,'' said Wisne, who was back at Hayden Saturday to be inducted into the Hayden Hall of Fame. "We had 13 games this just one weekend and actually my son (Brock) is going to be on ESPN+ during this (ceremony).''
"He plays D-I basketball for Northern Colorado and my daughter (Arielle) played for the Indiana Hoosiers. She played her fifth year last year and my son is a junior. I have another one in college and I have son who is highly-ranked in the state in basketball, a middle-schooler and then our baby is an 8-year-old.''
Basketball is the sport of choice for the offspring of Wisne and her husband, former Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Jerry Wisne, but Shannon still remains heavily involved with swimming, the sport that made her a six-time state champion at Hayden and a nine-time All-American at Notre Dame.
"I've coached our local swim team for 15 years and I have (my children) swim on my swim team until they're going into high school, but they're all basketball, a little bit of golf,'' said Wisne, who also works as a substitute teacher. "Actually, some of them are good at swimming, but then basketball takes over.
"I think it's because my husband's really tall, he's 6-foot-9 and I'm tall, so my daughter's listed at 6-5, my son is 6-9 and my other son is 6-6. My other daughter is over 6 feet, so that's how basketball happened and (Jerry) wouldn't let them play football. No football and they just love ball sports.''
In addition to her record-setting swimming career at Hayden, Wisne was also an integral part of three state championship cross country teams and was the individual state runnerup in cross country and Saturday gave Wisne, who now lives in Denver, a somewhat rare opportunity to get back to Topeka.
"The Streckers (Rick and Kathy) made a huge impact on me,'' Wisne said. "It's a very big community, but most of all I loved Hayden because it had God in it and the church part. And for me, that's where I grew in my relationship with the Lord and that was the foundation of what Hayden did for me and it was just a beautiful experience.
"It was so wonderful here that there are some things in life that when you appreciate them in the moment you know it's really awesome and being here was amazing.''
Wisne was part of Hayden's five-member 2024 induction class along with Mark Burghart, the late Jessica Mae Carpenter, Judy Cucciniello and Jack McGivern.
Hall of Fame capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka High, competing in the first of two back-to-back tournaments hosted by Highland Park, claimed the boys team championship in Saturday's Highland Park Invitational by a 177.5-153.5 margin over De Soto.
Tony Canacari's Topeka High boys wrestlers won the team championship in Saturday's Highland Park Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The Trojans got individual titles from sophomore Jose Gomez at 106 pounds, junior Michael Weatherly at 144, junior Brandon Blancas at 150 and senior Nick Davis at 165 while Topeka High posted top-four finishes in nine of 14 weight classes.
Gomez, Weatherly and Blancas are now 5-0 on the 2024 season while Davis is 4-0.
Hayden sophomore Caleb Menke (top) captured the 157-pound championship in Saturday's Highland Park Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Hayden junior Jude Krentz (facing) won the 175-pound title in Saturday's Highland Park Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Hayden finished fourth in the team standings while getting titles from sophomore Caleb Menke at 157 pounds, junior Jude Krentz at 175 and senior Hunter Diederich at 285 pounds.
Hayden senior Hunter Diederich won the 285-pound title in Saturday's Highland Park Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Menke, Krentz and Diederich are now 3-0 on the season.
Highland Park senior Adrian Burney (top) posted a second-place finish at 175 pounds in Saturday's Highland Park Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Highland Park finished fifth as a team, getting a second-place finish from senior 175-pounder Adrian Burney.
Santa Fe Trail took the girls team total by a 106-84 margin over Highland Park.
The Scots got individual championships from junior Connie Burns at 115 pounds and junior Makala Cadet at 235 pounds.
Burns is 5-0 on the season and Cadet is 5-1.
Highland Park will host the Melvin Douglas Invitational on Saturday.
Highland Park Invitational
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Seaman's girls basketball team opened defense of its Class 5A state championship Friday night, surviving a tough test from Piper to take a 69-67 United Kansas Conference road win.
"What a great atmosphere for the first game of the season,'' Seaman coach Matt Tinsley said. "Im proud of our girls. We were tough when we needed to be and we had some kids step up and be brave.''
Junior Maddie Gragg scored 21 points to lead Seaman in Friday's 69-67 UKC win over Piper. [File photo/TSN]
Junior Maddie Gragg led four double-figure scorers for the Vikings with 21 points while junior Anna Becker added 20 points, senior Jadyn Stallbaumer 14 points and senior Ava Esser 13.
Senior Anna Becker moved into the all-time career assist lead for Seaman in Friday's 69-67 win over Piper. [File photo/TSN]
Esser grabbed 10 rebounds to give her a double-double while senior Kinley Wilhelm also had 10 rebounds and Becker had eight assists and moved into the top spot on the Seaman all-time list.
The game was tight throughout, with Seaman leading 23-19 at the end of the first quarter before the Pirates used a 13-6 second quarter to take a 32-29 halftime advantage.
Seaman still trailed by a point (53-52) at the start of the fourth quarter before the Vikings outscored the Pirates 17-14 over the final eight minutes to pull out the two-point victory, hitting 8 of 8 free throws late in the game.
"Before the game we talked about our journey and taking the first step and this is a good win,'' Tinsley said.
The Vikings will be at home Tuesday to face Lansing.
Piper boys take 69-51 win over Vikings
Piper, the Class 5A boys state runnerup last season, opened its 2024-2025 campaign with a 69-51 home United Kansas Conference victory over Seaman.
Piper led 14-9 after one quarter and took control with a 19-8 second quarter, taking a 33-17 advantage to the locker room at halftime.
The Pirates went on to open up a 51-30 advantage at the start of the fourth quarter before Seaman outscored Piper 21-18 the rest of the way.
Seaman got a team-high 12 points from junior KaeVon Bonner while newcomer Cameron Brian and Axton Brewer added nine points apiece.
Seaman will be at home Tuesday to host UKC rival Lansing.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Editor's note: The 20 boys wrestlers to watch are primarily based on performances in the 2023-2024 season. TopSports.news is still in the process of receiving preseason information from local coaches and will update information as needed.
JADYN BAUM, Washburn Rural
Baum, a sophomore, earned second-team All-Shawnee County recognition at 175 pounds last season for Washburn Rural, posting a 31-20 record as a freshman. Baum is ranked No. 3 at 175 pounds in the latest of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association Class 6A preseason rankings and is ranked 10th in the All-Class rankings. Baum was a Centennial League champion as a freshman and was selected as the league newcomer of the year.
GABE BRANNICK, Seaman
Brannick, a senior, was a Class 5A state qualifier last season, posting a 36-17 record through regionals, and earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention at 157 pounds. Brannick is ranked sixth in 5A at 157 pounds in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 5A preseason state rankings. Brannick posted a third-place finish in the United Kansas Conference tournament last season.
BRODY BROWN, Shawnee Heights
Brown, a sophomore, earned second-team All-Shawnee County recognition at 126 pounds as a freshman and qualified for the Class 5A state tournament with a sixth-place regional finish. Brown is expected to wrestle at 138 pounds for the T-Birds this season. He posted a 22-18 record last season and placed fourth in the United Kansas Conference tournament.
Easton Broxterman, Washburn Rural
EASTON BROXTERMAN, Washburn Rural
A senior, Broxterman is a two-time Class 6A state champion and has advanced to the state finals three straight seasons. Broxterman, who posted a 49-1 record en route to the 132-pound title last season, was named the Shawnee County wrestler of the year last winter after helping the Junior Blues finish third as a team and is a three-time all-county selection. Broxterman is ranked No. 1 at 144 pounds in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 6A preseason rankings and is also No. 1 in the All-Class rankings.
TRISTAN BUCE, Shawnee Heights
Buce, a junior, was a Class 5A state qualifier and earned second-team All-Shawnee County recognition last season at 106 pounds and is expected to wrestle at 120 pounds this season. Buce posted a 26-6 record last season for the T-Birds and qualified for state with a sixth-place regional finish. Buce was a United Kansas Conference champion as a freshman and finished second a year ago.
Adrian Burney, Highland Park
ADRIAN BURNEY, Highland Park
Burney, a senior, was the lone Highland Park Class 5A boys state qualifier last season and earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention. Burney posted a 17-8 record through regional competition last season, punching his ticket to state with a sixth-place finish.
Hunter Diederich, Hayden
HUNTER DIEDERICH, Hayden
Diederich, a senior, earned second-team All-Shawnee County recognition at 285 pounds last season, posting a 22-9 record on the season. Diederich was a Class 4A state qualifier in 2023.
TRENT HARRIS, Silver Lake
A senior, Harris received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after qualifying for the Class 4A state tournament with a third-place regional finish at 150 pounds, posting a 31-15 record through regional competition. Harris is ranked No. sixth in 4A at 157 pounds in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Assocation preseason rankings.
RYDER HARRISON, Washburn Rural
Harrison, a junior, was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection at 106 pounds as a sophomore, posting a 47-14 record for the Junior Blues, who finished third in Class 6A as a team. Harrison finished fourth at state last season and is ranked No. 5 at 120 pounds in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 6A preseason rankings and is listed third a 113 pounds in the All-Class rankings. Harrison was a Centennial League champ in 2024.
GAVIN HARTMAN, Shawnee Heights
A junior, Hartman received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season and is a former Class 5A state qualifier. Hartman was a United Kansas Conference champion in 2023 and finished fourth in the conference meet last season.
EVAN JOHNSON, Shawnee Heights
Johnson, a junior, was a second-team All-Shawnee County pick at 157 pounds as a sophomore and is a two-time Class 5A state qualifier for the T-Birds. Johnson posted a 29-15 record last season and qualified for state with a fourth-place regional finish. Johnson was a second-place finisher in the United Kansas Conference tournament.
BRODYE KOCHER-MUNOZ, Washburn Rural
A sophomore, Kocher-Munoz was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year as a freshman and was a second-team all-county selection at 144 pounds for Washburn Rural, which posted a third-place team finish in Class 6A. Munoz finished fourth in 6A last season and is ranked third at 150 pounds in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 6A preseason rankings and seventh in the All-Class rankings at 138.
Landen Kocher-Munoz, Washburn Rural
LANDEN KOCHER-MUNOZ, Washburn Rural
Kocher-Munoz, a junior, posted a 36-5 record at 138 pounds last season, earning All-Shawnee County first-team recognition for a second straight season. Kocher-Munoz finished second in Class 6A last season after winning a state championship as a freshman. Kocher-Munoz helped the Junior Blues finish third as a team in 6A. Kocher-Munoz is ranked No. 4 at 132 pounds in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association preseason All-Class rankings. Kocher-Munoz won a Centennial League title last season.
JUDE KRENTZ, Hayden
A junior, Krentz earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season at 165 pounds last season after earning his second straight trip to the Class 4A state tournament. Krentz qualified for the 2024 state meet with a third-place regional finish and posted a 27-3 record through regional competition.
Kristjan Marshall, Washburn Rural
KRISTJAN MARSHALL, Washburn Rural
A senior, Marshall earned first-team All-Shawnee County recognition last season after compiling a 39-4 record and capturing the Class 6A 150-pound state championship for Washburn Rural, which finished third in the 6A team race. Marshall, who finished fourth at state as a sophomore, is ranked No. 1 in 6A at 157 pounds in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association preseason rankings and is No. 7 in the All-Class rankings at 150. Marshall won a Centennial League title in 2024.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
When Washburn Rural had a vacancy for a girls swimming coach back in 2020, veteran coach Bob Burdick stepped in for the Junior Blues.
Senior Luke Lemke (front) led Washburn Rural to a third-place team finish in Wednesday's 11-school Topeka West Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
This winter is deja vu all over again for Burdick, who took over the reins of the Rural boys program after Janson Garman stepped down.
"He graduated from college and got a job,'' Burdick said. "I hoped Janson would stay because he had a lot of energy and he's a young coach and I want to see these young coaches move up because people like me, we're going to be retiring. But he just couldn't do it.''
Burdick had put together a long coaching career in Missouri before retiring in that state and moving over to Washburn Rural, where he teaches history and eventually took on the girls coaching position.
And as fate would have it, the timing worked out perfectly this winter for Burdick to take on the added responsibility of coaching both Rural teams.
"About two or three years ago I told our athletic director (Charlie Nimz) that I couldn't do this (coach the boys) because I used to coach the boys and the girls back in Missouri and when I took the girls my wife said, 'Promise me you're not going to take the boys until our last son's in college,' '' Burdick said.
"Well, he's at K-State now, so she said, 'You can do whatever the heck you want with swimming now, so enjoy.' Charlie came to me and said, 'Are you going to do this?' And I was like, 'Yes, I'm going to do it,' so that's how it all went down.''
Burdick's Washburn Rural boys team made its debut in Wednesday's 11-school Topeka West Invitational at the Capitol Federal Natatorium, posting a third-place finish.
"I'm enjoying it,'' Burdick said. "I love swimming, so I enjoy watching these guys swim, I enjoy the races. We had a lot of surprises tonight for our team and there's a lot of great teams out here and I love seeing all the other coaches.
"This has been a great start and it was getting the bugs out for everybody.''
Washburn Rural suffered heavy graduation losses, including state champions Brogan Meier and Jack Miranda, off last year's team that tied for third in Class 6A, but Burdick said the team is coming around.
"It's going to take awhile, but we can see it on the horizon,'' he said.
Luke Lemke led Rural in Wednesday's opener, placing second in the 200-yard individual medley (2 minutes, 10.90 seconds) and the 100 backstroke (58.98) while also swimming on the Junior Blues' third-place 200 medley relay (1:49.96) and fourth-place 400 free relay (3:40.96).
Lemke teamed with Castle Wallace, Alexander Lanterman and Andres Morao-Jaspe on the 200 medley relay and with Morao-Jaspe, Thomas Appuhn and Joseph Jensen on the 400 free relay.
Rural's foursome of Wallace, Ethan Overbey, Lanterman and Jensen posted a third-place finish in the 200 free relay (1:42.93) while Wallace finished third in the 100 breaststroke (1:08.19).
Topeka High's Dawson Blankenship posted a third-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly in Wednesday's 11-school Topeka West Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Topeka High finished sixth as a team, led by Dominic Delgado (209.65) and Malichi Delgado (166.70), who went one-two in one-meter diving. The Trojans also got a third-place finish from Dawson Blankenship in the 100 butterfly (1:00.40).
Shawnee Heights senior Truman Brede posted a third-place finish in the 200 freestyle in Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Shawnee Heights' Evan Hoobler finished third in the 100-yard freestyle in the Topeka West Invitational on Wednesday. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Shawnee Heights got a third-place finish from Truman Brede in the 200 freestyle (2:02.51) and a third from Evan Hoobler in the 100 free (53.02).
TOPEKA WEST INVITATIONAL
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Wednesday's nine-school Hayden Invitational swimming meet didn't end the way Washburn Rural wanted it to, with the Junior Blues 'A' team being disqualified in the meet-ending 400-yard free relay after posting an apparent victory by a big margin.
Washburn Rural senior Luke Lemke posted individual and relay wins in Wedneday's Hayden Invitational as Rural won th team title. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
But fortunately for Rural, the Junior Blues had done enough earlier in the day to take the team championship by a decisive 488-367 margin over Piper at the Capitol Federal Natatorium.
"It happens,'' Rural coach Bob Burdick said of the DQ. "It's a learning experience and I'd rather do it here than city, league or state.''
Andres Morao-Jaspe helped lead Washburn Rural to the team title in Wednesday's Hayden Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural got a one-two-three finish from Luke Lemke, Andres Morao-Jaspe and Thomas Appuhn in the 200-yard individul medley, with Lemke winning in 2 minutes, 11.91 seconds, and a one-two finish in the 500 freestyle from Morao-Jaspe and Appuhn in the 500 free, with Morao-Jaspe winning in 5:27.65.
And the Junior Blues' foursome of Lemke, Castle Wallace, Morao-Jaspe and Appuhn won the 200 medley relay 1:50.19.
Overall, Washburn Rural posted top-three finishes in 10 of 11 events that were contested, including a second-place finish by Rural's 'B' entry in the 400 free relay.
"They had a tough workout yesterday so they came in with burning legs, that's the best way to put it,'' Burdick said. "I didn't expect best times or people to drop a lot of whole lot of time because we're at the endurance building phase of the season.
"Time drops should probably start happening in January, but we had a few kids that dropped some time, which was great and overall they did great. They swam well and they're starting to get their heads in the right place.''
Hayden finished fifth as a team, getting a fourth-place finish from Palmer Heskett in the 500 freestyle, a fifth from Heskett in the 200 individual medley and a fifth from Ryan Carson in the 100 butterfly.
The Wildcat foursome of Liam Stegman, Brek Wahlmeier, Carson and Heskett finished fourth in the 400 free relay.
Topeka West finished eighth as a team, getting a seventh-place individual finish from Brady Clark in the 100 freestyle.
HAYDEN INVITATIONAL
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden, which advanced to the Class 3A state championship game for the second straight season, and 5A quarterfinalist and United Kansas Conference champion Seaman combined for 10 Top 22 spots to lead the TopSports.news' 2024 All-Shawnee County football team.
Hayden, which posted a 11-2 record this fall, is represented on the Top 22 by senior three-time honoree Jensen Schrickel along with seniors Broderick Desch, Treyton Tetuan and Jett Wahlmeier and juniors Jude Krentz and Kade while Seaman, 8-3 on the year, put seniors Briar Finley, Max Huston and Kaden Jordan and junior Cameron Brian on the Top 22.
Seaman quarterback Huston and wide receiver Finley were named the Shawnee County co-offensive players of the year while Jordan, a nose tackle, was named the county defensive player of the year and Brian was selected as the defensive newcomer of the year.
Hayden's Schrickel was selected as the Shawnee County all-purpose athlete of the year while Wildcat coach Bill Arnold, now 222-68 as a head coach, was named the county coach of the year.
Shawnee Heights junior quarterback Aiden Scott was a Top 22 pick and selected as the county offensive newcomer of the year after throwing for more than 3,100 yards.
Washburn Rural senior safety Kingston Leonard joins Schrickel and Huston as All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat selections while the Junior Blues are also represented on the Top 22 by senior linemen Caden Estrada and Jacob Hawks.
Shawnee Heights also put junior Tyren Parker on the all-county Top 22, while 1A semifinalist Rossville is represented by senior Tayson Horak and junior Conner Bush, Silver Lake by senior Braden Strausbaugh and junior Dayne Johnson, Highland Park by seniors Ricky Crawford and Jamon Wilson and Topeka High by senior Jayden Norman.
All 10 Shawnee County high schools have representatives on either the Top 22, Second 22 or honorable mention list. Five county teams won at least six games this fall, with four winning at least one playoff contest.
TopSports.news selected the 2024 All-Shawnee County team after receiving input from county head coaches.
All-Shawnee County Top 22 capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Kaden Ballard, Washburn Rural
KADEN BALLARD, Washburn Rural
Ballard, a 5-foot-10 senior guard, received Top Sports News All-Shawnee County Second 10 and All-Centennial League second-team recognition last season. A Washburn University signee, Ballard averaged 12.0 points, 3.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game while hitting 44 of 127 3-point attempts and 56 of 76 free throws for a 73.7-percent average.
Mason Becker, Hayden
MASON BECKER, Hayden
A sophomore, Becker was named the TSN All-Shawnee County newcomer of the year and received Second 10 all-county recognition last season as a freshman after helping the 8-16 Wildcats advance to the Class 3A state tournament. Becker averaged 5.7 points, hit 17 3-pointers, shot 75.5 percent from the free throw line and registered 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals.
KaeVon Bonner, Seaman
KAEVON BONNER, Seaman
Bonner, a 6-foot-1 junior, moved up to the TSN All-Shawnee County first team last season after being named the Shawnee County co-newcomer of the year and receiving honorable mention as a freshman. A first-team All-United Kansas Conference selection, Bonner averaged 15.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals this past season for the 9-12 Vikings while hitting 32 3-pointers and shooting 76 percent from the free throw line.
Jack Donovan, Rossville
JACK DONOVAN, Rossville
A 5-foot-11 junior, Donovan made the All-Shawnee County Top 10 for the first time last season after being named the co-newcomer of the year and receiving honorable mention as a freshman. Donovan averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds and 2.4 assists for the 15-7 Bulldawgs while setting a school record with 59 3-point baskets. He was a first-team All-Mid-East League pick. Donovan is also a standout in football and golf for the Bulldawgs, earning All-Shawnee County first-team golf honors.
Ontarius Emmot, Shawnee Heights
ONTARIUS EMMOT, Shawnee Heights
Emmot, a junior, received TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention recognition last season after helping Shawnee Heights post a 19-4 record and advance to the Class 5A state tournament. Emmot shot 49.2 percent from 3-point range last season, draining 31 treys on the season. Emmot also shot 79.7 percent from the free throw line and blocked 15 shots.
Bryer Finley, Seaman
BRYER FINLEY, Seaman
Finley, a 6-foot-5 senior, played in just four games for the Vikings a year ago before missing the remainder of the season with an injury. Before being sidelined Finley averaged 13.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. Finley is coming off an oustanding football season as a wide receiver, being named the United Kansas Conference offensive player of the year after helping Seaman reach the Class 5A quarterfinals.
Kamoni Ford, Topeka West
KAMONI FORD, Topeka West
A 6-foot-7 senior, Ford averaged 7.9 points and 5.0 rebounds for the 14-8 Chargers last season. Ford shot 57.5 percent on 2-point field goal attempts, hit 20 3-pointers and shot 70 percent from the free throw line. Ford received TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention as a junior.
Jalen Foy, Topeka West
JALEN FOY, Topeka West
Foy, a 6-foot-2 senior guard, turned in a breakout junior season for the Chargers, earning TSN All-Shawnee County Top 10 and first-team All-United Kansas Conference recognition last season for 14-8 West. Foy averaged 13.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.4 blocked shots while hitting 31 3-pointers.
Connor Hanika, Hayden
CONNOR HANIKA, Hayden
Hanika, a junior, received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after helping the 8-16 Wildcats advance to the Class 3A state tournament. Hanika averaged 5.1 points and 3.3 rebounds in 2023-2024 while shooting 52.4 percent on 2-point field goals. Hanika is also a football standout for Hayden, helping the Wildcats post back-to-back runnerup finishes in 3A.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Anna Becker, Seaman
ANNA BECKER, Seaman
A 5-foot-11 senior, Becker was named the TopSports.news All-Shawnee County co-player of the year after helping lead Seaman to the Class 5A state championship last season. Becker scored 15 points with 8 rebounds, 5 assists and two steals in the Vikings' 54-41 win over Maize South in the state final as Seaman capped a 23-2 season. A Drake signee, Becker is a three-time All-Shawnee County Top 10 pick and has been named the United Kansas Conference player of the year the past two seasons. Becker averaged 14.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.8 steals while shooting 61.3 percent from 2-point range as a junior.
Tahtionna Broils, Highland Park
TAHTIONNA BROILS, Highland Park
A senior, Broils earned second-team All-Meadowlark Conference honors and TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season for the 14-6 Scots. Broils averaged 9.7 points and 6.4 rebounds as a junior to go with 2.6 steals, 1.6 assists and 1.3 blocked shots for the Scots, who won the Meadowlark Conference championship.
Tenly Bunck, Washburn Rural
TENLY BUNCK, Washburn Rural
A 5-foot-5 senior guard, Bunck helped Washburn Rural reach the Class 6A state championship game for the third straight season. Bunck helped the Junior Blues post a 17-8 record on the season while averaging 3.5 points and 2.9 rebounds and shooting 66.7 percent from the free throw line. Bunck received TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League honorable mention as a junior.
Nora Burdiek, Rossville
NORA BURDIEK, Rossville
Burdiek, a 5-foot-11 sophomore forward, had a breakout season for Rossville as a freshman, earning TSN All-Shawnee County Second 10 and All-Mid-East League second-team recognition. Burdiek averaged 15 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals per game last season as Rossville posted an 18-4 record. Burdiek earned all-county first-team honors in volleyball this fall.
Pearmella Carter, Highland Park
PEARMELLA CARTER, Highland Park
The 5-foot-10 Carter burst on the city and Meadowlark Conference scene last season as a freshman, leading the city in scoring and rebounding, averaging 18.1 and 10.2 rebounds while also averaging 3.9 steals and shooting 61.4 percent on 2-point field goals. Carter was named the Meadowlark Conference Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year and also received Second 10 All-Shawnee County recognition.
Rylee Dick, Rossville
RYLEE DICK, Rossville
A junior, Dick had a big sophomore season for the Bulldawgs, helping Rossville post an 18-4 record. Dick, a 5-foot-6 guard, received TSN All-Shawnee County Second 10 and All-Mid-East second-team honors last season after averaging 15 points, 3 assists and 3 steals and shooting 36 percent from 3-point range.
KK Emmot, Shawnee Heights
KK EMMOT, Shawnee Heights
A 5-foot-7 sophomore, Emmot made an immediate impact for Shawnee Heights last season, averaging 13.5 points while connecting on 35 3-point goals and shooting 75 percent from the free throw line. Emmot earned All-United Kansas Conference second-team recognition last winter while also being named to the TSN All-Shawnee County Second 10.
Ava Esser, Seaman
AVA ESSER, Seaman
Esser, a 6-foot senior, earned All-Shawnee County Second 10 recognition last season after helping Seaman win the Class 5A state championship and post a 23-2 record. Esser, who received All-United Kansas Conference honorable mention as a junior, averaged 5.6 points and grabbed 7.3 rebounds while shooting 47.6 percent from the field.
Maddie Gragg, Seaman
MADDIE GRAGG, Seaman
A 5-foot-10 junior, Gragg was an TSN All-Shawnee County Top 10 and All-United Kansas Conference first-team pick for the second straight season after helping lead Seaman post a 23-2 record and win the Class 5A state title. Gragg registered a double-double in the Class 5A state final, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the Vikings' 54-41 win over Maize South. Gragg averaged 12.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.6 steals last season while shooting 51.6 percent on 2-point field goals, 44.4 percent on 3-point attempts with 28 3s and 77.0 percent from the free throw line.
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake
KAILYN HANNI, Silver Lake
Hanni, a 5-foot-7 junior, had a breakout season for Silver Lake, helping the Eagles cap a perfect 26-0 season with a 66-61 win over Hesston in the Class 3A state championship game. Hanni, an All-Shawnee County Top 10 and first-team All-Mid-East League pick, scored 26 points for Silver Lake in the title game while connecting on 14 of 15 free throw attempts, with many of her charities coming in crunch time. Hanni scored a total of 50 points at state, with three double-figure games.
Karsyn Hastert, Cair Paravel
KARSYN HASTERT, Cair Paravel Latin
A junior, Hastert earned TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season for the 6-16 Lions. Hastert averaged 7.3 points as a sophomore and ranked fifth in the city of Topeka with an 8.2 rebounding average and fourth with 1.4 blocked shots. Hastert is also a volleyball standout for Cair Paravel, earning All-Shawnee County second-team recognition this fall.
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
For the second consecutive year, the Hayden Wildcats came up short in their bid for the school’s first state football title since 2008. In their return to Gowans Stadium at Hutchinson Community College, the Wildcats fell to Andale 36-19 Saturday.
Hayden senior Jensen Schrickel (9) scores the Wildcats' first touchdown on a 5-yard run in Saturday's 36-19 loss to Andale in the Class 3A state championship game. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
The Indians took home their fifth Class 3A trophy in the past six seasons, finishing the season 13-0. Hayden finished the season 11-2, the Wildcats' other loss coming at the hands of 4A Wamego.
The field conditions were infinitely better than the blizzard conditions that affected the outcome of last year’s championship, claimed by Cheney, 34-7. But the pain of defeat was the same.
“It sucks, point blank,” Hayden coach Bill Arnold said. “You come in here with one goal in mind. Anything less than that, you’re not going to feel very good about it.”
The Wildcats battled back from a deficit to take a 19-12 lead into halftime. But Andale powered its way to three second-half touchdowns to put the game away.
Andale opened the game with two dominant drives to establish the tone of the first period. Although Hayden answered with a score, the first period went decidedly in the Indians’ favor at 12-6. The Indians rushed for 127 yards on just 12 carries in the quarter.
The momentum shifted early in the second period when the Wildcats stopped an Indian drive at midfield. Even a punt that rolled to the Hayden 1-yard line didn’t deter the Wildcats. Hayden mounted a 15-play drive that covered 99 yards and ended with a Jett Wahlmeier scoring pass to Treyton Tetuan.
Hayden senior Treyton Tetuan scores a touchdown on a 2-yard pass from Jett Wahlmeier in Saturday's 36-19 loss to Andale in the Class 3A state championship game. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
Junior Kade Mitchell (25) hauls in a touchdown pass from Jett Wahlmeier in Saturday's 36-19 loss to Andale. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
Leading 13-12, the Wildcats pooched a kickoff which the Andale returner lost in the sun. Hayden recovered at the Andale 31-yard line. Six plays later, Hayden went up 19-12 on a Wahlmeier pass to Kade Mitchell.
Though Hayden was unable to take advantage of a second fumbled pooch kick, it used up most of the remaining period. The Wildcats went to halftime leading 19-12.
But Andale dominated the second half. After scoring to retake the lead midway through the third period, the Indians recovered a Hayden fumble and turned it into another quick score to go up 28-19.
“Obviously, we knew we weren’t going to be able to come in here and turn the ball over,” Arnold said. “That initial turnover (in the) third quarter was a killer.”
Desperate to keep pace, Hayden drove the length of the field in 17 plays but stalled at the Andale 17-yard line. Andale scored three plays later to put the game on ice.
“We were in the right spots. We just couldn’t finish plays off,” Arnold said. “Part of that’s a tribute to Andale. They’re a good team. They made some adjustments. But at the same time, we had some opportunities that we squandered in the third quarter.”
Hayden senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier (7) passed for 202 yards and two TDs in Saturday's 36-19 loss to Andale. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
Hayden managed 105 yards rushing but averaged just 2.9 yards per carry. The Wildcats relied heavily on Wahlmeier to advance the ball through the air. The senior completed 21 of his 40 passing attempts for 202 yards.
“We knew we could be balanced,” Wahlmeier said. “We called our plays based off the situation we were in. We knew what we were capable of (in the passing game). We repped it out in practice and it worked well. It worked even better in the game, which worked out well, but not well enough, I guess.”
All-purpose threat Jensen Schrickel accounted for much of the Hayden output. He ran for 47 yards and caught nine passes for 106 yards in his final game for Hayden.
But in the end, the rushing attack of Andale was too much for Hayden. The Indians ran for 419 yards on 40 carries. Junior quarterback Sam Harp ran for 163 yards on 16 carries, while his older brother, Landon Harp, rushed for 148 on 12 carries. The brothers accounted for four of Andale’s five touchdowns.
"(The Indians are) good. They’re a hell of a lot bigger than we are, too,” Arnold said. “But I thought our kids played extremely hard. You get in a situation, you’ve got to make the tackle. One guy’s not going to bring them down. You’ve got to get guys rallied to the ball.
“I thought our kids played hard all day long. We played the whole third quarter backed up on our (end) of the field. We made some mistakes, and they took advantage of it.”
Wahlmeier was unable to play in last year’s championship due to injury. He recalled how difficult it was to watch that title game from the sideline. This time, he was his team’s leader, and he spoke on the Wildcats’ behalf following the loss.
“It's awful. It’s worse than last year,” the senior quarterback said. “I gave it everything I had, but it just wasn’t enough.
“But I’m proud of this team. It was special. All the bonds we had and the team we had. Special teams don’t get here by accident. We knew we were special.”
Recognizing how painful it is for the players to come up short in back-to-back seasons, Arnold provided some big-picture perspective.
“I think as time goes on, in the next few weeks, next month or so, it’s a tribute to the kids,” Arnold said. “They put together a really good year. To get back to the state championship game two years in a row is hard. They fought through a lot of adversity to get here. I’m extremely proud of them. It just doesn’t feel very good right now.”
ANDALE 36, HAYDEN 19
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden's football team is obviously happy to be back in the Class 3A state championship game for a second straight season.
Now the aim for Bill Arnold's 11-1 Wildcats will be to change the outcome in Saturday's 12 p.m. title game against 12-0 Andale at Hutchinson Community College's Gowans Stadium after Hayden suffered a 34-7 loss to Cheney in awful conditions on the same field a year ago.
Bill Arnold's Hayden Wildcats are back in the Class 3A state championship game after posting an 11-1 record this fall. [File photo/TSN
"Sure it's nice to get back there -- it beats the alternative of staying home right now -- but everybody wants to say it's like a revenge-type thing with these guys but nobody's really talked about revenge,'' said Arnold, who has a 222-67 career coaching record.
"No. 1, we're playing a different opponent this year, and No. 2, we've got different guys but the core thing behind it all is they've been working hard for 11 months for this. It starts all the way back in January when you start doing winter weights and stuff.''
Andale has been arguably the state's most dominant program in recent memory, with the Indians winning seven state championships since 2006 and putting together a 57-game winning streak over four-plus seasons before Cheney snapped the streak in a 36-30 overtime regular-season win over Andale in 2023.
Cheney handed Andale another loss in last year's sub-state round before capping a perfect season with the win over Hayden in the state final.
But Arnold's Wildcats have an impressive resume of their own, playing in multiple championship games in multiple classes and winning a state title in 2008.
Andale beat Hayden on a late field goal on the way to a 14-0 season and a 4A state title in 2007 but the Wildcats took a 20-12 sub-state win over the Indians in '08 and Hayden is 3-1 against Andale under Arnold.
"Do we respect them? Yes, but we're not afraid of them,'' Arnold said. "It's going to come down to which team is able to control the time of possession, hang onto the football with no turnovers and which program's going to put the other one into a situation they don't want to be in.''
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Jett Wahlmeier was extremely proud of the run his Hayden teammates made to the Class 3A state championship game last season.
Hayden senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier (7) has passed for 1,890 yards and 21 TDs this fall while throwing just one interception. [File photo/TSN]
However, watching from the sidelines was zero fun for the 5-foot-9, 192-pound quarterback, who missed the final four games of the year after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.
"It was Week 9 against Baldwin, the very first round of the playoffs,'' Wahlmeier said. "It was a draw up the middle for me and the corner came off the side and just got me really good with his helmet on my (left, throwing) shoulder.''
The injury required surgery on his labrum and relegated Wahlmeier to being a cheerleader for the remainder of the 2023 season as sophomore Connor Hanika took over at QB and helped the Wildcats win three straight playoff contests to reach the state final.
"It was torture, it was awful,'' Wahlmeier said about watching from the sidelines. "I obviously believe in Connor because he's able in every way, but you know you could help, you could just go in there and help.''
The hardest part was suffering through Hayden's 34-7 title-game loss to Cheney in a blizzard in Hutchinson.
"I was obviously happy we were winning games, but that last game watching my guys go out there, that second half was just brutal,'' Wahlmeier said.
As soon as he was cleared, Wahlmeier went to work to get prepared for his senior season.
"I got back in May to do all our camps and right when we started preparing for this season,'' Wahlmeier said. "It didn't feel 100 percent, but I was still pushing myself. June or July is when I really felt like myself again.''
Wahlmeier has responded with an outstanding '24 season, helping lead Hayden to an 11-1 record, including a 35-7 sub-state road victory over previously-unbeaten Wellsville last Friday.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural, which captured its 30th straight Centennial League boys championship (outright or shared) and finished third in the Class 6A state tournament, leads the 2024 Topeka All-City boys soccer team with four first-team picks.
Ryder Nikkel, Washburn Rural
Brandon Hamiton (14), Washburn Rural
Liam Morrison (4), Washburn Rural
Dylan Willingham, Washburn Rural
The Junior Blues are represented on the 16-member first team, selected by city coaches, by senior Ryder Nikkel (defense) and juniors Brandon Hamilton (defense), Liam Morrison (defense) and Dylan Willingham (midfield).
Valentin Del Real (3), Topeka West
Diego Gonzalez-Talavera, Topeka West
Jafet Rodriguez, Topeka West
Topeka West is represented on the All-City team by freshman Valentin Del Real (midfield), sophomore Diego Gonzalez-Talavera (forward) and senior Jafet Rodriguez (defense) while Charger coach Josh Kutter was named the 2024 city coach of the year after being named co-coach of the year in 2023.
Jaime Alvarado, Topeka High
Antonio Aguirre, Topeka High
Billy Lutz, Topeka High
Topeka High also put three players on the All-City team, with first-team repeat pick Jaime Alvarado (forward) joined by senior Antonio Aguirre (midfield) and junior Billy Lutz (goalkeeper).
Camden Granado (6), Shawnee Heights
Mason Haas, Shawnee Heights
Dalton Smith, Seaman
Logan Townsend, Seaman
Shawnee Heights is represented on the All-City team by junior Camden Granado (forward) and sophomore Mason Haas (midfield) while Seaman is represented by senior Dalton Smith (defense) and senior Logan Townsend (midfield).
Cooper Grace (18), Hayden
Hayden senior Cooper Grace (defense) earned All-City first-team honors for the second straight season while Highland Park junior Neri Diaz (midfield) rounds out the first team.
Aguirre, Granado, Lutz, Rodriguez, Nikkel and Willingham all moved up to the first team after receiving honorable mention in 2023.
Willingham was named the Centennial League player of the year this fall while Rural's Hamilton, Morrison and Nikkel and High's Alvarado, Aguirre and Lutz and Hayden's Grace were also first-team picks.
Seaman's Smith and Townsend, Topeka West's Del Real, Gonzalez-Talavera and Rodriguez and Shawnee Heights' Granado and Haas were all named All-United Kansas Conference first team and Highland Park's Diaz made the All-Meadowlark Conference first team.
2024 TOPEKA ALL-CITY SOCCER
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Broderick Desch
BRODERICK DESCH, Hayden
Desch, a senior fullback, put Hayden ahead to stay with a 12-yard touchdown run to open the scoring and added a 1-yard TD later in the game as the 11-1 Wildcats advanced to their second straight Class 3A state football championship game with a 35-7 sub-state road win over No. 1 East seed Wellsville. Unofficially, Desch finished with 58 yards on 14 carries.
Jacob Hanna
JACOB HANNA, Washburn University
Hanna, a 6-foot-3 senior out of Maize, scored 39 points in two games on the week as No. 5 nationally-ranked Washburn men's basketball improved to 6-0. Hanna scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds in an 89-71 home win Tuesday over Pittsburg State and had 19 points with eight rebounds, six assists and 9 of 10 free throws in Saturday's 81-73 home win over William Jewell.
Kade Mitchell
KADE MITCHELL, Hayden
Mitchell, a junior running back, scored touchdowns on runs of 5 and 18 yards and unofficially had 72 rushing yards on 11 attempts as Hayden earned a second straight trip to the Class 3A state football championship game with a 35-7 road win over No. East seed and previously-unbeaten Wellsville Friday night.
