Rossville Bulldawgs
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
TopSports.News, in partnership with the University of Kansas Health System St Francis Campus, 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 19th annual Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards/Hall of Fame induction ceremony on June 26, 2024 at Washburn's Memorial Union.
For the fourth straight year TopSports.news will serve as host for the Sports Awards/Hall of Fame banquet, a longstanding tradition for the Topeka and Shawnee County sports community.
The ceremony will highlight Shawnee County high school senior student-athletes’ achievements throughout the 2023-2024 school year along with the induction of the 2024 Topeka Shawnee County Hall of Fame class.
Schools have been asked to submit nominees with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average for both female and male candidates for the fall, winter and spring seasons as well as nominees for most inspirational athlete. Overall outstanding male and female athletes for 2023-2024 will also be named.
Also recognized will be an outstanding female and male athlete from Washburn University.
The four-member 2024 Hall of Fame class and the '24 Washburn University Athletes of the Year will be announced on TopSports.news in the coming days.
The high school nominees for the 10 Shawnee County high schools will be announced in June after the conclusion of the spring sports season.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly track and field honor roll for Shawnee County high schools throughout the 2024 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
BOYS
100 METERS
Aaron Merritt, Seaman 10.52
Finn Dunshee, Hayden 11.11
Malachi Murph, Topeka High 11.12
Payton Berry-Briggs, Shawnee Heights 11.24
Evan Scheid, Silver Lake 11.32
Aaron Merritt, Seaman
200 METERS
Aaron Merritt, Seaman 22.08
Finn Dunshee, Hayden 22.31
Payton Berry-Briggs, Shawnee Heights 22.32
Malachi Murph, Topeka High 22.40
Tyren Parker, Shawnee Heights 22.76
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden
400 METERS
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden 49.17
Payton Berry-Briggs, Shawnee Heights 49.95
Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural 50.07
Shane Jueneman, Washburn Rural 51.26
Liam Benz, Shawnee Heights 51.60
800 METERS
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 1:58.46
Brody Anderson, Seaman 1:59.81
Eli Ferguson, Silver Lake 2:01.86
Logan Townsend, Seaman 2:06.27
Mark Wilkie, Topeka West 2:07.11
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights
1,600 METERS
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 4:22.45
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural 4:37.32
Adrian Lehman, Topeka West 4:40.25
Eli Ferguson, Silver Lake 4:41.25
Mark Wilkie, Topeka West 4:41.35
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly track and field honor roll for Shawnee County high schools throughout the 2024 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
BOYS
100 METERS
Aaron Merritt, Seaman 10.77
Malachi Murph, Topeka High 11.12
Finn Dunshee, Hayden 11.20
Payton Berry-Briggs, Shawnee Heights 11.24
Evan Scheid, Silver Lake 11.32
Aaron Merritt, Seaman
200 METERS
Aaron Merritt, Seaman 22.08
Finn Dunshee, Hayden 22.31
Payton Berry-Briggs, Shawnee Heights 22.32
Malachi Murph, Topeka High 22.40
Tyren Parker, Shawnee Heights 22.76
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden
400 METERS
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden 49.24
Payton Berry-Briggs, Shawnee Heights 49.95
Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural 50.07
Shane Jueneman, Washburn Rural 51.26
Liam Benz, Shawnee Heights 51.60
800 METERS
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 1:58.46
Brody Anderson, Seaman 1:59.81
Eli Ferguson, Silver Lake 2:01.86
Mark Wilkie, Topeka West 2:07.11
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural 2:08.37
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights
1,600 METERS
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 4:22.45
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural 4:37.32
Adrian Lehman, Topeka West 4:40.25
Eli Ferguson, Silver Lake 4:41.25
Mark Wilkie, Topeka West 4:41.35
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
Silver Lake's softball team swept defending Class 3A state champion Rossville in convincing fashion on the Bulldawgs' home turf Monday night, winning 12-1 and 14-0.
Senior Avery Wende pitched a complete-game two-hitter in Silver Lake's 14-0 second-game win over Rossville Monday night. [File photo/TSN]
The Eagles combined dominant pitching with outbursts of offense to roll over their rival and improve to 8-0.
“I don’t know if there is any guarantee of how to predict what’s going to happen in (matchups between Rossville and Silver Lake),” said the Eagles coach Nick Hamilton. “I’ve been around this my whole life, and I know that on any given night either team could win. It’s that much of a rivalry.
“It’s good for both of us. I think that’s why there is such success on both sides. We both compete and push each other.”
In the first game of the doubleheader, pitcher Kendra Cook held the Bulldawgs down until the Silver Lake offense kicked in. The Eagles exploded for six runs in the fifth inning to blow the game open.
“Kendra has been solid in the ring for us,” Hamilton said. “She did a good job working in the offseason to improve on what she needed to improve.”
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly track and field honor roll for Shawnee County high schools throughout the 2024 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
BOYS
100 METERS
Aaron Merritt, Seaman 10.77
Malachi Murph, Topeka High 11.18
Evan Scheid, Silver Lake 11.32
Finn Dunshee, Hayden 11.38
Tyren Parker, Shawnee Heights 11.40
Aaron Merritt, Seaman
200 METERS
Aaron Merritt, Seaman 22.08
Tyren Parker, Shawnee Heights 22.76
Trent Rollenhagen, Silver Lake 22.92
Malachi Murph, Topeka High 23.05
Bryce Cochran, Seaman 23.06
400 METERS
Payton Berry-Briggs, Shawnee Heights 49.95
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden 50.18
Shane Jueneman, Washburn Rural 51.26
Liam Benz, Shawnee Heights 51.95
Ben Roeder, Topeka High 52.68
Brody Anderson, Seaman
800 METERS
Brody Anderson, Seaman 1:59.81
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 2:00.30
Eli Ferguson, Silver Lake 2:04.20
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural 2:08.37
Draden Chooncharoen, Washburn Rural 2:08.43
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights
1,600 METERS
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 4:22.45
Elijah Phelps, Topeka West 4:46.08
Eli Ferguson, Silver Lake 4:47.99
Zach Moore, Hayden 4:48.71
Adrian Lehman, Topeka West 4:48.72
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural's softball team ran its win streak to four games with Friday's 8-3, 15-4 non-league road doubleheader sweep over Olathe South, with the Junior Blues improving to 6-2 on the season.
Washburn Rural senior Makayla Ekis recorded her second straight complete-game pitching win in Friday's doubleheader sweep over Olathe South. [File photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Junior Naudia Wech sparked the Washburn Rural offense in the opener with a bases loaded triple while freshman Olivia Koch picked up the pitching win with a complete-game performance.
Junior Avery Rupp hit a grand slam in the second game, her first home run at the varsity level, while senior Makayla Ekis went the distance in the pitcher's circle for the victory.
Rural's sweep over Olathe South came on the heels of a 5-2, 10-1 Centennial League road sweep over Emporia.
Washburn Rural will be at home Tuesday to host Hayden (2-2) in a Centennial twinbill.
Seaman senior Paige Glasgow (left) congratulates sophomore teammate Aubrey Warren after Warren scored a run in Friday's softball triangular at Seaman. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Seaman softball bounces back from first loss with win over city rival Topeka High
After suffering a heartbreaking 10-inning 5-4 loss to Eudora in its first game, Seaman's softball team bounced right back to take a 19-9 win over city rival Topeka High in Friday's triangular at Seaman.
Junior Kaelyn O'Rourke and the Seaman Vikings are 5-1 on the season after a split in Friday's triangular at Seaman. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
With its second-game win the Vikings improved to 5-1 on the season.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly track and field honor roll for Shawnee County high schools throughout the 2024 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
BOYS
100 METERS
Merritt, Seaman 10.77
Murph, Topeka High 11.18
Redmond, Silver Lake 11.54
Barr, Topeka West 11.59
Scheid, Silver Lake 11.64
Aaron Merritt, Seaman
200 METERS
Merritt, Seaman 22.08
Murph, Topeka High 23.05
Parker, Shawnee Heights 23.27
Batson, Topeka West 23.37
Cochran, Seaman 23.41
Ben
400 METERS
Roeder, Topeka High 52.68
Benz, Shawnee Heights 52.79
Terry, Washburn Rural 53.14
Batson, Topeka West 53.64
Roney, Washburn Rural 54.31
Brody Anderson, Seaman
800 METERS
Anderson, Seaman 1:59.81
Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 2:00.30
Ferguson, Silver Lake 2:04.20
Chooncharoen, Washburn Rural 2:08.43
Quarles, Washburn Rural 2:09.89
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights
1,600 METERS
Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 4:22.45
Lehman, Topeka West 4:48.72
Carter, Shawnee Heights 4:50.71
Leinwetter, Washburn Rural 4:51.67
Ferguson, Silver Lake 4:55.60
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural will make the familiar trek to Wichita next week for the Class 6A girls state basketball tournament.
Washburn Rural girls basketball celebrates its 47-34 win at Wichita South in Friday's Class 6A sub-state final. [Washburn Rural girls basketball]
Kevin Bordewick's Junior Blues will be making their straight state appearance after avenging a midseason loss to Wichita South with a 47-34 win in Friday's sub-state championship game on the Titans' home floor.
Washburn Rural has advanced to the state championship game the past two seasons, finishing second a year ago after winning the title in 2022, the Junior Blues' second championship since 2019.
Washburn Rural poses for a team picture after winning its third straight Class 6A girls sub-state title Friday night at Wichita South. [Washburn Rural girls basketball]
Rural, now 15-7, dropped a 44-38 overtime decision to South in the championship game of the Girls Capital City Classic on Jan. 27 but pulled away late Friday night for the double-digit victory over the Titans, who finished their season 14-8.
Freshman Maddie Vickery led the Junior Blues with 23 points and 12 rebounds while Zoe Canfield added 10 points and Ella Hirschi nine.
Silver Lake girls improve to 22-0
Undefeated and top-ranked Silver Lake ran its win streak to 22 games Friday night with a 63-34 Class 3A sub-state semifinal win over Minneapolis in the Riley County sub-state.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly track and field honor roll for Shawnee County high schools throughout the 2024 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
BOYS
100 METERS
Merritt, Seaman 10.77
Murph, Topeka High 11.18
Barr, Topeka West 11.59
Hailey, Topeka High 11.85
Osburn, Washburn Rural 11.90
Aaron Merritt, Seaman
200 METERS
Merritt, Seaman 22.08
Murph, Topeka High 23.05
Parker, Shawnee Heights 23.27
Batson, Topeka West 23.37
Cochran, Seaman 23.41
400 METERS
Roeder, Topeka High 52.68
Benz, Shawnee Heights 52.79
Terry, Washburn Rural 53.14
Batson, Topeka West 53.64
Roney, Washburn Rural 54.31
Brody Anderson, Seaman
800 METERS
Anderson, Seaman 1:59.81
Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 2:00
Chooncharoen, Washburn Rural 2:08.43
Quarles, Washburn Rural 2:09.89
Olsen, Washburn Rural 2:11.40
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights
1,600 METERS
Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 4:22.45
Lehman, Topeka West 4:48.72
Leinwetter, Washburn Rural 4:51.67
Carter, Shawnee Heights 4:52.44
Moore, Hayden 4:56.13
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Payton Fink, Washburn Rural
PAYTON FINK, Washburn Rural
Fink, a first-team All-Shawnee County pick last spring, is one of Class 6A's premier distance runners and will also run relays for the Junior Blues. Fink was part of Washburn Rural's fifth-place 4x800-meter relay team (9:52.27) in the 2023 6A state meet. Fink finished second in the 6A cross country meet last fall.
Taylie Heston, Seaman
TAYLIE HESTON, Seaman
A junior, Heston earned first-team All-Shawnee County recognition last season after earning a 5A state medal as a member of Seaman's sixth-place 4x800 relay team. Heston opened her season in Thursday's Topeka West Invitational with a second-place finish in the 800 meters (2:37.14) while also running on Seaman's winning 4x400 and 4x800 relays.
Natalie Hillebert (left), Hayden
NATALIE HILLEBERT, Hayden
A first-team All-Shawnee County selection last spring, Hillebert placed second in the 4A 400 meters. A senior, Hillebert clocked a time of 58.83 seconds at state and ranked No. 2 in the county with a season-best of 58.15. Hillebert also ranked among the county leaders in the 200 dash. Hillebert finished second in the 400 in Friday's season-opener at Free State (63.31).
Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural
RYLEE ISMERT, Washburn Rural
A junior distance runner, Ismert helped Washburn Rural post a fifth-place finish in 6A in the 4x800 relay (9:25.27) in the 6A state meet. Ismert, a first-team All-Shawnee County team last season, ranked among the county leaders in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meters last spring. Ismert placed 16th in the 6A cross country meet last fall.
KAIBRYN KRUGER, Silver Lake
A senior, Kruger earned All-Shawnee County first-team recognition last season after placing sixth at state in the 3A triple jump (34-10). Kruger was the county leader in the triple jump with a season-best of 35 feet and tied for the county lead in the long jump with a season-best of 16-10.
MAGGIE LESMEISTER, Seaman
A senior, Lesmeister is a standout javelin thrower for the Vikings, earning All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season. Lesmeister ranked third in the county last spring with a season-best of 121-6 and took first place in Thursday's season-opening Topeka West Invitational (107-11).
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High
KEIMARA MARSHALL, Topeka High
A sophomore, Marshall established herself as one of the area's top sprinters last spring, earning first-team all-county honors. Marshall ranked No. 2 in the county in the 100 (12.74) and fourth in the 200 (26.70) in 2023 and opened the current season with second-place finishes in the 100 and 200 in the Topeka West Invitational.
Ryin MIller, Seaman
RYIN MILLER, Seaman
Miller, a sophomore, was a first-team All-Shawnee County pick in 2023, earning a pair of 5A state medals. Miller ran on Seaman's third-place 4x400 relay and the Vikings' sixth-place 4x800 relay team. Miller is one of the top cross country runners in 5A and is coming off a third-place 5A state finish last fall.
BROOKLYN NOLTE, Washburn Rural
A junior, Nolte earned All-Shawnee County first-team honors last spring after running on Washburn Rural's 4x800 relay team that finished fifth in 6A (9:52.27). Nolte ran on the Junior Blues' cross country team that finished fourth as a team in the 6A state meet last fall, placing 41st individually.
RAE NORTH, Hayden
A junior sprinter, North was a first-team All-Shawnee County first-team selection last season after earning a 4A state medal with an eighth-place individual finish in the 400-meter dash. North will also compete in relays for the Wildcats.
RAEGAN PETERSEN, Washburn Rural
Petersen, a senior, is one of Shawnee County's top throwers, earning all-county honorable mention last season. Petersen was the Shawnee County leader in the discus with a season-best of 119 feet, 2 inches. Petersen was also a standout for Washburn Rural's golf team, capping her career with a 17th-place state finish last fall.
AVA ROTTINGHAUS, Silver Lake
A senior, Rottinghaus placed sixth in the 3A girls javelin last spring (126 feet, 2 inches) and also ran on the Eagles' fourth-place 4x400 relay (4:11.98). A first-team All-Shawnee County pick in 2023, Rottinghaus ranked second in the county in the javelin, with her throw at state her personal best.
Jaida Stallbaumer, Seaman
JAIDA STALLBAUMER, Seaman
Stallbaumer, a junior, was a first-team All-Shawnee County pick in 2023 after finishing fifth in the 5A 100-meter high hurdles (16.04) and running on the Vikings' third-place 4x400 relay. Stallbaumer ranked No. 1 in Shawnee County last season in the 300 hurldes and was second in the 100 hurdles. Stallbaumer opened her 2024 season with a win in the 300 hurdles and ran on the Vikings' winning 4x400 relay.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
JORDAN ARMBRUSTER, Shawnee Heights
A senior, Armbruster earned TopSports.news All-Shawnee County second-team recognition as a junior and also earned All-United Kansas Conference second-team honors last spring.
EASTON BLOSSER, Hayden
Blosser was a frontline player for the 11-6 Wildcats last season and will be counted on to provide senior leadership for Hayden this spring. Blosser has signed a letter of intent to play collegiately at Central Methodist.
COOPER CAMPIDILLI, Silver Lake
A junior catcher, Campidilli was a first-team All-Mid-East selection last season after hitting .355 with 16 runs batted in for Silver Lake, which posted a 15-7 record last season. Campidilli also received TSN All-Shawnee County second-team honors in 2023.
AVERY CROSSWHITE, Rossville
Crosswhite, a senior, hit .365 last season for the 9-13 Bulldawgs with a .422 on-base percentage. Crosswhite had 27 hits with seven doubles, three home runs, 23 runs scored and 27 runs batted in. Crosswhite was a second-team TSN All-Shawnee County pick.
DAVID DOBBS, Seaman
A junior catcher, Dodge is being counted to play a key role this spring for Seaman, which is coming off an 18-5 record and a state-record 19th straight Class 5A state tournament appearance last spring.
Holden Finley, Seaman
HOLDEN FINLEY, Seaman
Finley, a senior, was a first-team TSN All-Shawnee County pick in 2023 after helping the 18-5 Vikings reach the Class 5A state tournament for a state-record 19th straight time. Finley also earned All-5A honorable mention from the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches and was a second-team All-United Kansas Conference pick.
Matt Genrich, Topeka High
MATT GENRICH, Topeka High
A senior, Genrich was a second-team TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League selection last season after helping Topeka High post a 16-7 record and earn a Class 6A state tournament berth, the Trojans' first state tournament appearance in more than seven decades.
Cooper Grace, Hayden
COOPER GRACE, Hayden
Grace, a junior, earned TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League first-team recognition last season and was a second-team Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches All-4A selection after helping lead the Wildcats to an 11-6 record.
Brady Heinen, Hayden
BRADY HEINEN, Hayden
A junior, Heinen was named the TSN Shawnee County newcomer of the year last season after helping Hayden post an 11-6 record. Heinen received All-Shawnee County honorable mention.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Jo'Mhara Benning, Topeka High
JO'MHARA BENNING, Topeka High
A junior pitcher, Benning earned second-team TopSports.news All-Shawnee County recognition last season after helping the Trojans post a 10-12 record. Benning also was a second-team All-Centennial League pick and earned All-Class 6A honorable mention from the Kansas Softball Coaches Association.
Karlyn Bowman, Shawnee Heights
KARLYN BOWMAN, Shawnee Heights
Bowman, a senior infielder, earned second-team TSN All-Shawnee County honors last season and was also a second-team All-United Kansas Conference selection after helping Shawnee Heights post a 17-8 record and a third-place finish in the 5A state tournament. Bowman has signed a letter of intent with Washburn.
Reagan Chapman, Washburn Rural
REAGAN CHAPMAN, Washburn Rural
A sophomore, Chapman earned first-team All-Class 6A honors as a freshman while also being named the TSN Shawnee County newcomer of the year and earning first-team all-county honors after helping lead the Junior Blues to a 21-4 record and a second straight berth in the 6A championship game.
LAYLA COLLINS, Washburn Rural
Collins, a junior, received second-team TSN All-Shawnee County honors last season after helping Washburn Rural post a second-place finish in the 6A state tournament. Collins also earned second-team All-Centennial League recognition for the Junior Blues, 21-4 on the year.
Kendra Cook, Silver Lake
KENDRA COOK, Silver Lake
A junior pitcher, Cook earned TSN All-Shawnee County first-team recognition last season after helping Silver Lake post a 19-3 record. Cook received All-3A honorable mention from the Kansas Softball Coaches Association after compiling a 0.627 earned run average with 73 strikeouts.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman junior Anna Becker and Silver Lake senior Makenzie McDaniel have been tapped as the TopSports.news 2024 All-Shawnee County co-girls basketball players of the year after helping lead their teams to state championships.
Seaman junior Anna Becker, a three-time All-Shawnee County Top 10 pick, has been named the county co-player of the year after helping lead the Vikings to the Class 5A state title. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Senior Makenzie McDaniel, who helped lead Silver Lake to a 26-0 record and the Class 3A state title, has been named the Shawnee County co-player of the year. [File photo/TSN]
Becker helped Seaman post a 23-2 record on the way to the Class 5A state title while McDaniel helped lead Silver Lake to a perfect 26-0 record and the 3A crown.
The four Shawnee County teams that posted top-four state finishes in three different classes, including 6A state runnerup Washburn Rural and third-place Hayden in 3A, combined to earn every spot on the All-Shawnee County Top 10 while Seaman, Silver Lake and Washburn Rural combined to sweep the individual awards.
Matt Tinsley has been named the Shawnee County co-coach of the year after leading Seaman to the Class 5A state championship. [File photo/TSN]
Silver Lake coach Kyle Porter has been named the Shawnee County co-coach of the year after the Eagles went 26-0 and won the Class 3A state title. [File photo/TSN]
In addition to co-players of the year Becker and McDaniel, Seaman's Matt Tinsley and Silver Lake's Kyle Porter share the Shawnee County coach of the year award while Washburn Rural freshman Maddie Vickery has been named the county newcomer of the year.
Freshman Maddie Vickery has been named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year after helping lead Washburn Rural to a runnerup finish in the Class 6A state tournament. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Becker is joined on the All-Shawnee County Top 10 by Seaman senior teammate Taylin Stallbaumer and Viking sophomore Maddie Gragg after Seaman captured its first girls state championship since 1991 with a 54-41 win over Maize South Saturday night in Emporia.
Silver Lake also earned three Top 10 all-county spots with senior McKinley Kruger and sophomore Kailyn Hanni joining McDaniel on the team after the Eagles finished off their perfect run to the 3A title with a 66-61 win over Hesston.
Washburn Rural senior Zoe Canfield and Vickery were both named to the Top 10 along with Hayden senior Lauren Sandstrom and Wildcat junior Amelia Ramsey.
Canfield and Vickery helped lead the Junior Blues to their third straight 6A state final, where the Junior Blues dropped a 47-37 decision to Shawnee Mission South, while Ramsey and Sandstrom helped Hayden bounce back from a semifinal loss to Silver Lake to finish third with a 50-39 win over Goodland.
Becker, McDaniel and Kruger all earned Top 10 honors for the third straight season while Gragg and Ramsey are repeat picks.
Canfield and Stallbaumer also made the Top 10 for the second time, with both players also earning that honor in 2022.
All-Shawnee County capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Highland Park junior Ja'Corey Robinson and Shawnee Heights senior repeat pick Brennon Dodge headline the 2024 TopSports.news All-Shawnee County boys basketball team.
Highland Park junior Ja'Corey Robinson has been named the Shawnee County player of the year after helping lead the Scots to a 23-2 record and a third-place finish in Class 5A. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Robinson was tapped as the Shawnee County player of the year after leading the Scots to a 23-2 record and a second straight third-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament, posting double-doubles in all three of Highland Park's state tournament games.
Dodge, the lone all-county first-team repeat pick, helped lead Shawnee Heights to a 19-4 record and the T-Birds' first 5A state tournament berth since 2017.
The Scots, who dropped a three-point overtime loss in the semifinals to eventual state champion Kapaun Mt. Carmel, also put senior Tamir Anderson and junior Mikey Williams on the TSN Shawnee County Top 10.
Highland Park coach Mike Williams has been named the Shawnee County boys coach of the year after leading the Scots to a 23-2 record and a second straight third-place state finish. [Photo by Mac Moore/KSHSAA Covered]
Highland Park's Mike Williams was named the county coach of the year for the second straight season, leading the Scots to a 47-3 record over the past two years.
Dodge is joined on the all-county first team by junior teammate Jaret Sanchez while five other county schools put one player apiece on the Top 10.
That group includes seniors Simon Everhart of Cair Paravel Latin and Griffin Durst of Washburn Rural along with junior Jalen Foy of Topeka West and sophomores KaeVon Bonner of Seaman and Jack Donovan of Rossville.
Robinson and Sanchez both moved up to the Top 10 after being Second 10 picks in 2023 while Anderson, Bonner, Donovan, Everhart and Williams received honorable mention a year ago.
Hayden freshman Mason Becker has been named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year after helping lead the Wildcats to a Class 3A state tournament berth. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden freshman Mason Becker was selected as this season's Shawnee County newcomer of the year after helping the 8-16 Wildcats put together a strong postseason run to reach the 3A state tournament.
All-Shawnee County capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka West senior Myles Alonzo is a three-time All-Shawnee County selection and a two-time Class 5A state medalist. [File photo/TSN]
MYLES ALONZO, Topeka West
A senior, Alonzo shot a 36-hole score of 143 to tie for 12th in the 2023 Class 5A state tournament, earning his second state medal. Alonzo finished second in the city tournament with an 80, tied for third in the United Kansas Conference meet with a 77 and tied for third in 5A regional competition with a 79. Alonzo is a three-time All-Shawnee County first-team selection.
TADD ARMSTRONG, Washburn Rural
Armstrong, a junior, has been a second-team All-Shawnee County pick the past two seasons. Armstrong tied for sixth in last season's city tournament with an 84 and tied for ninth in Class 6A regional competition with an 81 as Washburn Rural earned a team berth for state. Armstrong carded an 81 at state.
Bryce Badsky, Silver Lake
BRYCE BADSKY, Silver Lake
Badsky, a senior, earned a Class 3A state medal for the third straight season, shooting a 36-hole score of 157 to tie for 16th place. Badsky took medalist honors in the Mid-East League Tournament with an 80 and also captured an individual regional championship with a 77. Badsky is a three-time All-Shawnee County first-team pick.
HAYDEN GLYNN, Washburn Rural
A senior, Glynn advanced to the second round of the Class 6A state tournament with a first-round 77 and finished at 162. Glynn tied for sixth in the Centennial League tournament with a 79, placed eighth in the city meet with an 85 and tied for ninth in 6A regional competition with an 81.
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Undefeated Class 3A state champion Silver Lake put three players on the All-Mid-East League girls basketball team, selected by league coaches.
Silver Lake senior Makenzie McDaniel was a first-team All-Mid-East League selection after helping lead the Eagles to a perfect 26-0 season and the Class 3A state title. [File photo/TSN]
Senior McKinley Kruger earned All-Mid-East League first-team honors after helping lead Silver Lake to a 26-0 record and the Class 3A state title. [File photo/TSN]
The Eagles, who completed a perfect 26-0 season Saturday in Hutchinson, are represented on the All-Mid-East first team by seniors McKinley Kruger (5-foot-6) and Makenzie McDaniel (6-1) and sophomore Kailyn Hanni (5-7).
Silver Lake's Kailyn Hanni was the lone sophomore to earn All-Mid-East League first-team recognition. [File photo/TSN]
Rossville put Nora Burdiek (5-10 freshman), Rylee Dick (5-6 sophomore) and Kinsey Perine (5-9 senior) on the All-Mid-East second team.
Silver Lake seniors Kaylee Deiter (5-8) and Kaibryn Kruger (5-7) and Rossville senior Emma Mitchell (5-11) all received all-league honorable mention.
ALL-MID-EAST LEAGUE GIRLS BASKETBALL
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Rossville's Jack Donovan and Silver Lake's Dayne Johnson, who helped their teams post breakout 2023-2024 seasons, have been named to the All-Mid-East League boys basketball team.
Rossville sophomore Jack Donovan has been named to the All-Mid-East League first team after helping lead the Bulldawgs to a 15-7 record. [File photo/TSN]
Silver Lake sophomore Dayne Johnson has been named to the All-Mid-East League boys basketball first team. [File photo/TSN]
Donovan, a 5-foot-11 sophomore, helped lead Rossville to a 15-7 season this winter while Johnson, a 6-2 sophomore, helped lead Silver Lake to a 14-8 campaign.
Donovan and Johnson are joined on the All-Mid-East first team by Rock Creek's Coley Burgess (6-0 junior) and Brady Schneider (6-3 senior) and St. Marys' Brady Hurla (6-0 junior).
Silver Lake's Elijah Jopez (6-4 senior) and Rossville's Cameron Miller (6-5 sophomore) earned spots on the all-league second team while Rossville's Kameron Badura (6-3 junior) received honorable mention.
ALL-MID-EAST LEAGUE BOYS BASKETBALL
First team
Cole Burgess, 6-0 jr., Rock Creek; Jack Donovan, 5-11 so., Rossville; Brady Hurla, 6-0 jr., St. Marys; Dayne Johnson, 6-2 so., Silver Lake; Brady Schneider, 6-3 sr., Rock Creek.
Second team
Brody Deiter, 5-11 jr., Silver Lake; Ben DeVader, 5-9 so., St. Marys; Eli Harmison, 6-1 jr., Riley County; Elijah Lopez, 6-4 sr., Silver Lake; Cameron Miller, 6-5 so., Rossville
Honorable mention
Kameron Badura, 6-3 jr., Rossville; Zach Frank, 5-10 so., Wabaunsee; Daegan Vinduska, 6-4 sr., Rock Creek.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Four-time state individual champion Kendra Hurla of Rossville headines the TopSports.news 2024 All-Shawnee County girls wrestling team while state team champs Washburn Rural and Rossville combined for 10 spots on the first team.
Rossville senior Kendra Hurla celebrates her fourth straight 120-pound Class 4A-1A state wrestling championship. [Photo by Rick Peterson Jr./KSHSAA Covered]
Washburn Rural state finalist Molly Spader (with trophy) celebrates with her teammates after the Junior Blues won their second straight Class 6A-5A state championship. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
The TopSports.news all-county team is based in part on selections made by the seven Topeka head coaches as well as at large selections for county schools Rossville and Silver Lake.
Hurla was named the Shawnee County wrestler of the year after winning her fourth straight Class 4A-1A 120-pound championship while capping a perfect 38-0 senior season.
Rossville senior Hailey Horton gains the upper hand on the way to a 4-3 win in the Class 4A-1A 155-pound championship match. [Photo by Brent Maycock/KSHSAA Covered]
Hurla and her senior Bulldawg teammate, 155-pound state champ Hailey Horton (37-4), led Rossville to the school's first-ever team title by a half point over Oakley (82.5-82.0) as senior 115-pound fourth-place finisher Keera Lacock (37-3) also earned a first-team All-Shawnee County spot for the Bulldawgs. Hurla, Horton and Lacock are all first-team All-Shawnee County repeat picks.
Washburn Rural junior Molly Spader gains the upper hand on Derby senior Amara Ehsa during the 105-pound state final. Spader dropped a tough 6-4 decision but Rural won its fourth state team title. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Washburn Rural, meanwhile, continued to rack up state crowns, winning its second straight title and fourth in five years by a 118-96 margin over Garden City as state 105-pound finalist Molly Spader (35-3) was one of seven Junior Blues to earn all-county honors.
In addition to Spader, Washburn Rural is represented by junior 115-pounder Maddy Blow (22-12), sophomore 130-pounder Madison Blanco (28-9), senior 135-pounder Laiken Clark (31-5), senior 145-pounder Fatima Escobar (35-7), senior 170-pounder TaAni Rhoten (36-2) and sophomore 190-pounder Elia Smith (25-14).
Clark and Rhoten placed third at state while Escobar posted a fourth-place finish and Blanco finished sixth.
Spader, Blow and Rhoten are all first-team all-county repeat selections.
Washburn Rural girls wrestling coach Damon Parker congratulates 105-pound junior star Molly Spader after her state semifinal win. Parker coached Rural to its fourth state team title in five seasons. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Bryce Gfeller, a two-time individual state champ for Rossville as a high school wrestler, coached the Bulldawg girls to the school's first state team title to cap the 2023-2024 season. [Photo by Brent Maycock/KSHSAA Covered]
Washburn Rural coach Damon Parker, who has led the Junior Blues to four state titles and a runnerup finish in the five years since girls wrestling became an official Kansas State High School Activities Association sport, was selected as the Co-Shawnee County coach of the year with Rossville state-champion coach Bryce Gfeller.
Parker and Gfeller both won a pair of state individual titles as high school wrestlers before embarking on their coaching careers.
Rural sophomore Lacey Middleton, who placed sixth in 6A-5A at 120 pounds and went 32-10 on the season, was named the county newcomer of the year.
Shawnee Heights put five wrestlers on the all-county first team, led by junior Reece Taylor and sophomore Cianna Graves.
Taylor (25-10) finished fourth at 125 pounds while Graves (32-8) placed fifth at 155.
Also earning first-team berths for the T-Birds were senior 110-pounder Odessa Schmidt (25-9), sophomore 140-pounder Olivia Stevens (29-9) and sophomore 235-pounder Theo Ofusia (16-12).
Seaman put senior 100-pounder Ellie Ayres and junior 120-pounder Taylie Huston (30-10) on the All-Shawnee County first team, with both wrestlers earning 6A-5A state medals.
Heston, a repeat all-county pick, finished fourth at state while Ayres was sixth.
ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY GIRLS WRESTLING
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
A whopping four local wrestlers garnered individual state titles in the 2024 state meet and that championship quartet headlines the TopSports.news 2024 All-Shawnee County boys wrestling team.
Washburn Rural junior 132-pounder Easton Broxterman has been named the Shawnee County boys wrestler of the year after winning his second straight Class 6A state title. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Washburn Rural junior 132-pounder Easton Broxterman was named the Shawnee County wrestler of the year after earning his second straight Class 6A state championship in his third straight trip to the state finals.
Washburn Rural junior Kristjan Marshall has his hand raised as the 150-pound Class 6A state champion. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Washburn Rural senior Brody Byrne (right) won the Class 6A 157-pound state title. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Broxterman, who went 49-1 on the season, was joined on top of the 6A awards stand by junior 150-pounder Kristjan Marshall (39-4) and senior 157-pounder Brody Byrne (37-3), who both won their first state titles after posting fourth-place finishes in 2023.
Shawnee Heights senior 285-pounder Rykan Carver won a Class 5A state title in his final state meet, taking a 4-3 overtime decision in the championship match. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Shawnee Heights senior Rykan Carver (38-8) capped his high school career with a bang, winning the 5A state 285-pound championship in overtime to capture his first state medal.
Washburn Rural wrestling coach Josh Hogan has been named the Shawnee County coach of the year after three Rural wrestlers won state titles and finished third as a team. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Washburn Rural, which finished a close third in the 6A team standings, put a county-high eight wrestlers on the all-county first team, while Rural's Josh Hogan was named the county coach of the year and freshman 144-pounder Brodye Kocher-Munoz was selected as newcomer of the year.
The TopSports.news all-county team is based in part on selections made by the seven Topeka head coaches as well as at large selections for county schools Rossville and Silver Lake.
Also earning All-Shawnee County first-team honors for Rural in addition to the three state champions were sophomore 106-pounder Ryder Harrison (17-14), junior 120-pounder Walker Doyal (27-23), sophomore 126-pounder Cooper Stivers (11-5), sophomore 138-pounder Landen Kocher-Munoz (36-5) and senior 165-pounder Chase Calhoon (28-15).
Seaman and Shawnee Heights both put three wrestlers on the All-Shawnee County first team.
Seaman is represented by 144-pound senior Colin Little (40-10), 190-pound junior Deyton Mentzer (24-12) and 215-pound senior Hunter Reno (44-12) while Heights is represented by Carver, 138-pound senior Andrew Bonebrake (34-8) and 175-pound senior Allen Baughman (30-8).
Bonebrake and Baughman are both first-team repeat picks.
Rossville is represented on the first team by Class 3A-1A 215-pound senior state runnerup Barret Lietz (36-9) while Topeka High put 113-pound sophomore Luis Morones (19-10) on the first team.
ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY BOYS WRESTLING
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Highland Park got off to somewhat of a slow start in Tuesday's Class 5A boys sub-state semifinal against Kansas City-Turner, but opened up a double-digit advantage by halftime and turned the game into a rout with a 33-point third quarter on the way to an 85-43 win at Topeka High.
Highland Park senior Amari Taylor (0) scored 25 points in the Scots' 85-43 Class 5A sub-state win over KC-Turner Tuesday night. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
Highland Park senior Mikey Williams scored 21 points as the Scots improved to 20-1 with an 85-43 sub-state win over KC-Turner. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
The Scots led the Bears by just a 19-18 advantage at the end of the opening quarter but used a 20-9 second quarter to take a 39-27 advantage at the halftime break and outscored Turner 33-9 in the third quarter to take a 72-36 lead and force a running clock throughout the fourth quarter.
Senior Amari Taylor led Highland Park, now 20-1, with 25 points, followd by junior Mikey Williams with 21 points, junior Ja'Corey Robinson with 16 points and senior Tamir Anderson with 12 points on four 3-pointers.
Highland Park junior Ja'Corey Robinson slams down a dunk in Tuesday's 85-43 sub-state win over KC-Turner. [File photo/TSN]
Senior Tamir Anderson scored 12 points on four 3-pointers in Highland Park's 85-43 sub-state win over KC-Turner Tuesday night. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
Highland Park advanced to Friday's sub-state championship game to face the winner of the semifinal between Kansas City-Washington and Bonner Springs.
The sub-state championship game will be played at Topeka West, with the sub-state winner advancing to next week's Class 5A state tournament at Emporia's White Auditorium.
WASHBURN RURAL GIRLS 61, WICHITA NORTHWEST 24
The ‘second season’ began on Tuesday night with the first round of the sub-state tournament. The Grizzlies of Wichita Northwest
