Rossville Bulldawgs
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Editor's note:TopSports.news will post preview stories for all 10 Shawnee County high school football programs over the coming days, leading into the opening games of the 2025 season on Sept. 4 and 5.
-----------------------------------------
After starting the 2024 football season with three nailbiting losses, perennial state power Rossville reeled off eight straight wins to reach the Class 1A semifinals before seeing its season end in a 22-9 loss to Centralia.
And although veteran coach Derick Hammes was proud of the 8-4 Bulldawgs' impressive turnaround last fall, he also knows that anything less than playing for a state title is a disappointment for a program that has won five state championships since 2014.
Derick Hammes has led Rossville football to a 114-28 record and five state championships. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"It was disappointing because here, with our expectations, we fell short,'' Hammes said. "But I think the returners that we have got a taste of that and I think they want to make right on the opportunity that they missed.
"That's how it is here and our expectations are always high.''
Rossville, which is 114-28 under Hammes, would appear to have the pieces in place to make another deep playoff run, with the Bulldawgs returning TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Top 22 pick Conner Bush (senior running back/defensive back) and All-Shawnee County Second 22 honorees Jack Donovan (senior wide receiver/defensive back) and Andre Johnson (senior running back/linebacker) to build around.
Other players expected to make a major contribution this fall include seniors Caleb Lehman (offensive/defensive line), Canann Mitchell (quarterback/defensive back) and Cameron Miller (wide receiver/defensive back) and juniors Charlie Chance (offensive/defensive line), Cael Horgan (linebacker) and Easton Webb (offensive/defensive line).
Senior Canann Mitchell is slated to take over as Rossville's quarterback this fall. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Mitchell is expected to take over as the Bulldawgs' starting quarterback this fall after backing up All-Shawnee County Top 22 pick Tayson Horak last season.
"Mitchell established himself pretty early in the summer and I would say with Canann, he was neck and neck with Tayson last year and it was a hard decision and it very well could have been him,'' Hammes said. "Tayson went on to have the year like he had and that probably means Canann's a pretty good ballplayer because it was neck and neck through camp.''
A focus in preseason will be to rebuild an offensive line that was hit hard by graduation.
"I would call our offensive line a work in progress,'' Hammes said. "We graduated all five of our offensive linemen that started last year in that sub-state game. A couple of the guys, however, that we're trying to plug in got game experience and starting experience, so it's not like we're going from scratch.
"That part for us is something that we're continuing to work on and it's got to get better and when those kids develop then I think that this team will start to progress.''
The storied Rossville-Silver Lake "War on 24'' will kick off the season for the Bulldawgs and Eagles for the second straight year, with Rossville hosting Silver Lake on Sept. 5.
"I like it,'' Hammes said. "We're going to get an opening day and then we're going to get a big game on top of it with that rivalry.
"I really thinks it helps kids focus during the summer and the summer program for everybody's so important. So, if you have a little extra motivation to get you through those summer months, I think it's a good thing.''
ROSSVILLE
2025 football schedule
September -- 5 Silver Lake, 12 at St. Marys, 19 Nemaha Central, 26 at Maranatha Christian Academy.
October -- 3 Mission Valley, 10 at Cair Paravel Latin (Washburn), 17 at Olpe, 24 Wabaunsee.
Next up: Seaman.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Local sports greats Jerad Head, Trey Lewis, Brenda Stolle, Duane Zlatnik and the late Bob Davis will be inducted into the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame on Monday, September 15, at Washburn University.
The Topeka Area Sports Commission will host the 20th annual Topeka Shawnee County Hall of Fame induction ceremony from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Washburn's Memorial Union.
"The Topeka Area Sports Commission is proud to continue the tradition of the Hall of Fame,'' said Mike Bell, executive director of the Topeka Area Sports Commission. "We are very proud to celebrate the achievements of these athletes during their career and look forward to honoring athletes in future years as they are enshrined in this Hall of Fame.''
Head was a multi-sport star at Hayden and Washburn University before embarking on a long career in professional baseball, including a Major League stint with the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians).
Lewis was a standout at Washburn Rural and earned NCAA Division II All-America honors as a defensive lineman before being drafted by the National Football League's Atlanta Falcons.
Stolle, a Silver Lake graduate, was a standout pitcher for the Emporia State softball team from 1979-81. During that time, she guided the Hornets to a national championship in 1980 and a second-place finish in 1981.
Zlatnik was a star lineman and three-time state wrestling champion at Rossville before becoming a three-year starter in the offensive line for the University of Kansas.
A Topeka West graduate, Davis carved out a legendary broadcasting career, including long stints for the University of Kansas and the Kansas City Royals.
The 2025 Hall of Fame event will feature a luncheon followed by the official program.
Established in 2006, the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame continues its mission to preserve and honor the legacies of those who have significantly advanced athletics in Shawnee County.
Community members, sports fans and supporters are invited to attend and celebrate this year's class of inductees. Tickets are available now and can by purchased at https://bit.ly/Top-SNCO-SportsHallOfFame.
Hall of Fame Class of 2025 capsules:
Jerad Head
JERAD HEAD
Head earned All-Class 4A honors in football, basketball and baseball at Hayden and played basketball and baseball at Washburn University before being signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Cleveland Indians in 2006.
Head was promoted to the majors on August 28, 2011 and played in 10 games as a left fielder and pinch hitter.
Head also played Minor League Baseball for the Detroit Tigers and Washington Nationals organizations before ending his playing career in 2013.
He was named as manager of the Auburn Doubledays of the Class A Short Season New York-Penn League in 2016 and managed through 2018.
Trey Lewis
TREY LEWIS
After graduating from Washburn Rural, Lewis played for the Washburn Ichabod football team from 2003-06 as a defensive lineman and became the first Ichabod to be named to the Associated Press Little All-American team since 1963. Lewis was also named to the American Football Coaches Association All-American team after recording 62 tackles as a senior with 36 solo stops, 10 tackles for loss and four sacks.
Lewis finished his career at Washburn with 156 total tackles, including 68 solo stops, 23 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Lewis was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the 6th round as the 185th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft.
He played from 2007-11 for the Falcons, appearing in 31 games.
Brenda Stolle
BRENDA STOLLE
A Silver Lake native, Stolle was a standout pitcher for the Emporia State softball team from 1979-81. Stolle led the Hornets to a national championship in 1980 and a second-place finish in 1981. Her career pitching record was 66-15, and she picked up six saves during her career.
During the 1980 championship season, Stolle compiled an 0.33 earned run average. She received numerous honors, including all-American honors twice, NAIA most valuable player in 1981, and Kansas Female Athlete of the Year from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Stolle was the first female ever inducted into the Emporia State Athletic Hall of Honor in 1988 and was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.
Duane Zlatnik
DUANE ZLATNIK
Zlatnik starred in football and wrestling at Rossville before becoming a three-year starter in the offensive line at Kansas.
Zlatnik was a three-time state wrestling champion for the Bulldawgs and finished his career with a 148-13 record and a school-record 110 pins. He was a two-time All-Stater and Kansas Shrine Bowl pick in football.
Zlatnik was an All-Big 12 honoree for the Jayhawks and made 27 consecutive starts at right and left guard.
He is currently an assistant football and wrestling coach at Washburn Rural.
Bob Davis
BOB DAVIS (Inducted posthumously)
A Topeka West graduate, Davis passed away on March 20 at the age of 80 after a legendary career in sports broadcasting.
Davis was the "Voice of the Jayhawks" for more than 30 years before retiring in 2016. Davis called eight KU trips to the Final Four, six football bowl games, including the 2008 Orange Bowl, and thousands of regular-season basketball and football games. Davis was also on the call for the 1988 and 2008 men's basketball national championship victories. In 1997 Davis joined the Kansas City Royals, calling games for radio and television for the franchise for 16 years.
A 48-year veteran of broadcasting in the state of Kansas, Davis was born in Iola and grew up in Topeka, where he graduated from West in 1962. Davis stayed in Topeka to attend Washburn, where he graduated in 1967 with a degree in history.
Davis is a member of numerous Halls of Fame, including the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Jadyn Baum, Washburn Rural
JADYN BAUM, Washburn Rural
A junior running back, Baum received All-Centennial League and TopSports.news All-Shawnee County honorable mention last fall and has the potential to be one of the top backs in the county this season. Baum was also a first-team all-county pick in wrestling last season, posting a third-place finish in the Class 6A state tournament at 190 pounds.
GRADY BERGMANN, Silver Lake
A senior, Bergmann will serve as a team captain for the Eagles this season and could be a starter on both sides of the ball for Silver Lake, which is coming off a 7-3 campaign. Bergmann received All-Big East honorable mention as a defensive back in 2024.
Xander Blasing, Hayden
XANDER BLASING, Hayden
A 6-foot-2, 225-pound senior tight end/linebacker, Blasing received All-Shawnee County Second 22 recognition last season as Hayden posted an 11-2 record and advanced to the Class 3A state championship game for the second straight season. Blasing was in on 67 tackles (39 solo) with nine tackles for loss, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a touchdown.
TOBIAS BONURA, Cair Paravel Latin
Bonura will be looking to provide senior leadership for a Cair Paravel Latin team which is coming off a 2-7 2024 season in the Lions' first season in 11-man football (Class 1A). Bonura received All-Flint Hills second-team recognition at running back last fall and also received All-Shawnee County honorable mention.
Cameron Brian, Seaman
CAMERON BRIAN, Seaman
Brian, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound senior linebacker, was named to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 last season and named the county defensive newcomer of the year. Brian was also a first-team All-United Kansas Conference selection after registering 112 tackles with 10 tackles for loss for the 8-3 Vikings.
BROGEN BROWN, Seaman
A 6-1, 240 senior, Brown is a returning starter at offensive guard for Seaman, earning All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after helping the Vikings go 8-3 and capture the United Kansas Conference title in 2024.
Conner Bush, Rossville
CONNER BUSH, Rossville
A 5-foot-11, 176-pound senior running back/defensive back, Bush received All-Shawnee County Top 22 recognition last fall after helping power the Bulldawgs to an 8-4 record and the Class 1A semifinals. Bush rushed for 690 yards and 10 touchdowns last season and also was in on 120 tackles with nine tackles for loss. Bush received All-Big East honorable mention.
JACK DONOVAN, Rossville
A senior wide receiver/defensive back, Donovan earned second-team All-Shawnee County recognition last season and earned All-Big East honorable mention after helping the Bulldawgs post an 8-4 record and reach the Class 1A semifinals. Donovan is also a standout for the Bulldawgs in both golf and basketball, earning first-team All-Shawnee County recognition in both sports.
MYLES FISHER, Silver Lake
Fisher, a junior, received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after helping Silver Lake post a 7-3 record in the Eagles' first season in the Big East League.
AJ GALLEGOS, Shawnee Heights
A 5-9, 150 senior wide receiver, Gallegos received All-Shawnee County Second 22 and All-United Kansas Conference second-team recognition last fall for the 2-7 T-Birds. Gallegos caught 51 passes for 842 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior.
Connor Hanika, Hayden
CONNOR HANIKA, Hayden
Hanika, a 6-5, 190 senior, is in line to take over as the Wildcats' starting quarterback this fall after backing up Jett Wahlmeier last season. Hanika helped lead Hayden to the Class 3A state final as a sophomore after an injury to Wahlmeier and Hanika, who received all-county honorable mention, caught 24 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns last season as Hayden went 11-2 and returned to the title game.
Jordy Heim, Washburn Rural
JORDY HEIM, Washburn Rural
A senior linebacker, Heim earned second-team All-Centennial League recognition for the 2-7 Junior Blues last season and received All-Shawnee County honorable mention.
John Hoytal, Washburn Rural
JOHN HOYTAL, Washburn Rural
Hoytal, a senior, took over as Washburn Rural's starting quarterback last fall, earning second-team All-Centennial League recognition and All-Shawnee County honorable mention. Hoytal was also a standout for the Rural basketball team, helping the Junior Blues reach the Class 6A state tournament.
ANDRE JOHNSON, Rossville
A 6-0, 211 senior fullback/linebacker, Johnson was a Second 22 All-Shawnee County selection last season after helping lead Rossville to an 8-4 record and the Class 1A state semifinals. Johnson received All-Big East honorable mention.
Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake
DAYNE JOHNSON, Silver Lake
Johnson, a 6-2, 175 senior wide receiver/defensive back, earned All-Shawnee County Top 22 recognition last season for the 7-3 Eagles and was a first-team All-Big East selection on both offense and defense. Johnson caught 51 passes for 835 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024 and also picked off six passes on defense.
Noah Kobuszewski, Seaman
NOAH KOBUSZEWSKI, Seaman
Kobuszewski, a 6-4, 240 senior tight end, received All-Shawnee County Second 22 recognition last fall for the 8-3 Vikings, who captured the United Kansas Conference championship. Kobuszewski compiled 325 receiving yards and a touchdown as a junior.
Jude Krentz, Hayden
JUDE KRENTZ, Hayden
A 5-foot-8, 180-pound senior linebacker, Krentz was an All-Shawnee County Top 22 pick last season after registering 132 tackles for the 11-2 Wildcats, who advanced to the Class 3A championship game for the second straight season. Krentz also rushed for 128 yards on 21 attempts.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Brody Anderson, Seaman
BRODY ANDERSON, Seaman
Anderson, a senior, earned All-Shawnee County first-team recognition for the second straight season after winning city and United Kansas Conference individual titles and finishing second in Class 5A regional competition and ninth in the 5A state meet. Anderson broke his own school record with a five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 17 seconds. Anderson was also an all-county pick in track, finishing third in the 5A 800 meters in the 2025 state meet.
Connor Baldwin, Hayden
CONNOR BALDWIN, Hayden
A senior, Baldwin was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection last fall after posting a ninth-place individual finish in the city meet, a 13th-place showing in the Centennial League and a fifth-place finish in Class 4A regional competition. Baldwin capped his junior season with a 28th-place finish in the 4A state championships.
CONNER BLOOM, Seaman
A junior, Bloom received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last fall. Bloom finished 19th in the city meet, 15th in the United Kansas Conference and 20th in a Class 5A regional as the Vikings earned a team berth for the 5A state meet. Bloom finished 62nd at state.
EASTON DAVIS, Topeka High
Davis, a sophomore, received All-Shawnee County honorable mention as a freshman. Davis finished 15th in the city meet, 22nd in the Centennial League and 31st in Class 6A regional competition.
MAX ESQUIBEL, Shawnee Heights
A senior, Esquibel was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection last fall after finishing 11th in the city meet and 11th in the United Kansas Conference. Esquibel posted a 28th-place finish in Class 5A regional competition.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Ali Gerber, Silver Lake
ALI GERBER, Silver Lake
Gerber, a junior, earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention last fall after posting a sixth-place finish in Class 3A regional competition and narrowly missing a 3A state medal with a 23rd-place finish in the state meet. Gerber medaled in seven meets last season and ranks No. 9 on Silver Lake's all-time list. Gerber was a first-team all-county pick in track this past spring.
Emily Graf, Washburn Rural
EMILY GRAF, Washburn Rural
Graf, a senior, was a first-team All-Shawnee County pick last fall after helping Washburn Rural sweep city, Centennial League and Class 6A regional team championships before Rural tied for the 6A team title and finished second on a tiebreaker. Graf posted a fourth-place finish in the city meet, a fifth-place showing in the Centennial League and 6A regional meets and a 14th-place finish at state, earning her second straight state medal. Graf was a first-team All-Shawnee County pick in track this past spring, running on Rural's second-place 6A 4x800 relay.
Sofia Harper, Hayden
SOFIA HARPER, Hayden
A junior, Harper has a career-best five-kilometer time of 20:01 and received All-Shawnee County honors for the second straight season. Harper earned a fifth-place finish in the Wamego Invitational and placed 10th in the city meet before battling illness late in the season. As a freshman Harper posted a second-place finish in Class 3A regional competition and finished 32nd at the 3A state meet.
Kenzie Maddox, Washburn Rural
KENZIE MADDOX, Washburn Rural
Maddox, a senior, was a first-team All-Shawnee County pick last fall after helping Washburn Rural sweep city, Centennial League and Class 6A regional team championships before Rural tied for the 6A team title and finished second on a tiebreaker. Maddox finished ninth in the city meet, placed 12th in the Centennial League, 29th at regionals and 51st at state. Maddox had a season-best five-kilometer time of 19:41. Maddox was also a first-team all-county pick in track this past spring.
Ryin Miller, Seaman
RYIN MILLER, Seaman
A senior, Miller was named the Gatorade Kansas Cross Country runner of the year after sweeping city, United Kansas Conference and Class 5A regional individual championships and posting a runnerup finish at state. A three-time state placer, Miller ran the fastest five-kilometer time in Kansas history at 16 minutes, 32.62 seconds. Miller, who has orally committed to Arkansas, is the reigning two-time Gatorade Kansas Runner of the Year in track, winning the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 in the 2025 state meet.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Nora Burdiek, Rossville
NORA BURDIEK, Rossville
A junior outside hitter, Burdiek was a first-team TopSports.news All-Shawnee County and first-team Kansas Volleyball Association All-Class 2A selection last fall after recording 491 kills, 368 digs and 22 blocks for the 22-18 Bulldawgs. Burdiek was also an All-Big East second-team selection in as a sophomore after being named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year as a freshman in 2023. Burdiek is also one of 2A's top basketball players, receiving all-county recognition the past two seasons.
Campbell Dawson, Topeka High
CAMPBELL DAWSON, Topeka High
Dawson, a junior, turned in a solid sophomore season for an improving Topeka High program last season, with the Trojans posting a 17-19 record. Dawson, who is entering her third season as a varsity player, earned second-team TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League recognition as a sophomore. Also a standout for Topeka High in softball, Dawson helped the Trojans advance to the Class 6A state tournament.
Ella Foster, Hayden
ELLA FOSTER, Hayden
A senior libero, Foster helped lead the Wildcats to a 32-12 record and a third-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament last fall. Foster was a second-team TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League selection last season while also receiving All-Class 4A honorable mention from the Kansas Volleyball Association. Foster is a multi-sport athlete for the Wildcats, also playing basketball and soccer.
Harper Hafenstine, Seaman
HARPER HAFENSTINE, Seaman
A senior, Hafenstine is a leading returner for Seaman, which has advanced to the Class 5A state championship match the past two seasons, including the state championship in 2023. Hafenstine received TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after helping the Vikings post a 41-3 record on the year.
KYLIE HANNI, Silver Lake
Hanni is a returning junior standout for traditional Class 3A state power Silver Lake. Hanni was named to the TSN All-Shawnee County second team following the 2024 season while also earning All-Big East League second-team recognition.
KARSYN HASTERT, Cair Paravel Latin
Hastert, a senior, has earned second-team TSN All-Shawnee County honors the past two seasons for the Lions after receiving all-county honorable mention as a freshman. Hastert is also a basketball standout for Cair Paravel Latin, earning all-county recognition.
Karsyn Horyna, Washburn Rural (21)
KARSYN HORYNA, Washburn Rural
Horyna, a senior, earned a first-team berth on the TSN All-Shawnee County team last season after helping the 31-8 Junior Blues win the Centennial League championship and advance to the Class 6A state tournament. In addition to receiving her all-county honor Horyna was a second-team All-Centennial selection.
Reese Huscher, Hayden
REESE HUSCHER, Hayden
A senior, Huscher earned TSN All-Shawneee County second-team recognition last fall after helping the Wildcats post a 32-12 record and a third-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. Huscher received All-Centennial League honorable mention. Huscher was also a member of Hayden's basketball team that finished third in 4A and the Wildcat soccer team that was the 4A-1A state runnerup.
Stelly Kelly, Washburn Rural
STELLA KELLY, Washburn Rural
Kelly, a senior, earned a second-team berth on the TSN All-Shawnee County team last season after helping the 31-8 Junior Blues win the Centennial League championship and advance to the Class 6A state tournament. In addition to receiving her all-county recognition Kelly was a second-team All-Centennial selection.
Hailey Schmidtlein, Hayden
HAILEY SCHMIDTLEIN, Hayden
A sophomore middle blocker/outside hitter, Schmidtlein helped lead 32-12 Hayden to a third-place finish in Class 4A last fall, receiving All-State Tournament and second-team Class 4A All-State honors from the Kansas Volleyball Association. Schmidtlein, who registered 440 kills and 242 digs, was a first-team TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League pick and named the county co-newcomer of the year. Schmidtlein also helped Hayden finish third in 4A basketball and second in 4A-1A soccer.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
How successful was the 2021-22 sports year for Shawnee County high schools? Good enough that girls and boys individuals/teams deserve their own lists.
First up is TopSports.news' look at the county girls year in review, which will be followed by a look at the boys successes of the past year.
Shawnee County schools claimed three state girls team championships and several others came up just short while 10 county standouts claimed individual titles in four different sports.
While a case can always be made for any number of stories to sit at the top of the list, here's one opinion on the Top 10 Shawnee County girls prep stories of '21-'22:
Topeka High celebrates its second straight Class 6A state softball title after last Friday's 2-1 win over Washburn Rural. [Photo by Isaac Deer/TSN]
1. TROJAN RERUN -- After claiming the school's first Class 6A state softball championship in 2021, Topeka High made it two titles in a row last Friday against a familiar foe, with the Trojans edging past city and Centennial League rival Washburn Rural, 2-1, in the championship game. After leading High to a perfect 25-0 record as a junior, Stanford signee NiJaree Canady came up big again in the pitching circle and at the plate last weekend, leading the Trojans to the title.
Washburn Rural won its second Class 6A state basketball championship since 2019, taking a 40-23 win over Derby in the state final. [Submitted]
2. RURAL RULES --Washburn Rural's girls basketball team celebrated a 6A state championship for the second time since 2019, completing a 23-2 season with a 40-23 romp past Derby in the state final at Wichita State's Koch Arena. And while the basketball crown was the lone title for the Lady Blues in '21-'22, they threatened in sport after sport, finishing second in the state in golf, soccer, wrestling and softball and turning in strong cross country, volleyball and bowling campaigns.
Topeka West junior Kadence Jeffries ended her high school swimming career with a sweep of the Class 5A-1A 200 and 500 freestyle events for the third straight season. [File photo/TSN]
3. CHARGER IN CHARGE --The only thing that stopped Topeka West swimming star Kadence Jeffries during a dominating high school career was COVID-19. After sweeping the 200-yard freestyle and 500 free Class 5A-1A state titles as a freshman, Jeffries had her sophomore season wiped out by the pandemic beore returning to sweep the same two events as both a junior and senior to complete a six for six performance in state individual events. Seaman sophomore Avery Walz joined Jeffries as a 5A-1A state champ this past season, winning the 100-yard breaststroke and earning four state medals overall as the Vikings finished fourth as a team.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
State tournament qualifiers Silver Lake, Seaman, Shawnee Heights, Washburn Rural and Topeka High combined to earn 15 of 16 spots on the 2025 TopSports.news All-Shawnee County softball first team.
Silver Lake, the Class 3A runnerup for the second straight season, put four players on the first team, including Shawnee County player of the year Kendra Cook, while 5A state qualifiers Seaman and Shawnee Heights combined for six first-teamers and 6A state runnerup Washburn Rural and fellow 6A state qualifier Topeka High combined for five first-teamers.
Kendra Cook, Silver Lake
Topeka High freshman London Backman and Hayden freshman Blakely Walter were named the co-county newcomers of the year while Washburn Rural coach Joy Marie Galliart and Silver Lake coach Nick Hamilton share the county coach of the year award for the second straight year.
London Backman, Topeka High
Blakely Walter, Hayden
Cook is joined on the All-Shawnee County first team by Eagle seniors Taylor Zordel and Kira Lowrey and junior Kailyn Hanni after Silver Lake recorded a 25-7 record.
Taylor Zordel, Silver Lake
Kira Lowrey, Silver Lake
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake
Seaman put seniors Kaelyn O'Rourke, Raegan McConnell and Anna McLaughlin and junior Aubrey Warren on the first team after the Vikings posted a 20-9 record, including a 3-2 17-inning loss to Maize South in the opening round of the 5A state tournament.
Kaelyn O'Rourke, Seaman
Raegan McConnell, Seaman
Anna McLaughlin, Seaman
Aubrey Warren, Seaman
Washburn Rural, which went 22-8 and advanced to the 6A championship game before dropping an 8-7 decision to Olathe West, put Centennial League player of the year Olivia Koch, a sophomore, on the all-county first team along with juniors Henley Rapp and Reagan Chapman.
Olivia Koch, Washburn Rural
Reagan Chapman, Washburn Rural
Henley Rapp, Washburn Rural
Shawnee Heights, which posted a 20-7 record and dropped a 3-2 decision to eventual 5A state champion St. Thomas Aquinas in the first round of the 5A state tournament, is represented by seniors Taylor Brees and Grace Proctor.
Taylor Brees, Shawnee Heights
Grace Proctor, Shawnee Heights
State qualifier Topeka High put Backman and senior Jo'Mhara Benning on the all-county first team while Hayden senior Keira Carswell rounds out the all-county squad.
Jo'Mhara Benning, Topeka High
Keira Carswell, Hayden
2025 ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY SOFTBALL
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden senior Cooper Grace and Shawnee Heights senior Deacon Pomeroy headline the TopSports.news 2025 All-Shawnee County baseball team.
Cooper Grace, Hayden
Deacon Pomeroy, Shawnee Heights
Grace has been named the co-county player of the year for the second straight season while Pomeroy is a four-time all-county first-team pick.
Grace, a pitcher and third baseman, helped lead Hayden to a county-best 23-1 record and the Centennial League championship this spring while Pomeroy, a pitcher and catcher, helped lead Shawnee Heights to the United Kansas Conference title and a Class 5A state tournament berth.
Grace was earlier named the player of the year in the Centennial League and the co-player of the year in 4A by the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches while Pomeroy was named the UKC player of the year and a KABC All-5A first-team selection.
Hayden sophomore Caleb Menke, a first-team All-Centennial League pick at designated hitter, was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year while Shawnee Heights' Jason Brown was named the county coach of the year after leading the T-Birds to a 21-8 record and a 5A state tournament berth in his first season as Heights' head coach.
Grace and Silver Lake senior infielder Dysen Schooler are both three-time all-county first-team selections while Seaman senior catcher David Dobbs is a first-team repeater.
Dysen Schooler, Silver Lake
David Dobbs, Seaman
Axton Brewer, Seaman
Kade Mitchell, Hayden
Dobbs is joined on the all-county first team by sophomore pitcher/designated hitter Axton Brewer and Grace and Menke are joined on the first team by Wildcat senior infielder/pitcher Liam Annand and Hayden junior outfielder Kade Mitchell.
Logan Cathcart, Silver Lake
Silver Lake senior catcher Cooper Campidilli and senior pitcher Logan Cathcart join Schooler on the all-county first team after the Eagles advanced to the 3A state tournament.
Camdren Floberg, Shawnee Heights
Shawnee Heights junior Cambren Floberg, named the UKC pitcher of the year, was a first-team selection along with teammate Pomeroy while 6A state tournament qualifier Washburn Rural is represented on the first team by junior pitcher Isaac Ansley and junior infielders Austin Ditch and Nate Selm.
Isaac Ansley, Washburn Rural
Austin Ditch, Washburn Rural
Nate Selm, Washburn Rural
Rossville, a 2A-1A state tournament qualifier, is represented on the first team by junior pitcher Cameron Miller and junior infielder Canann Mitchell.
Cameron Miller, Rossville
2025 ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY BASEBALL
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman junior Ryin Miller, who has established herself as one of Kansas' all-time distance greats in three high school seasons, headlines the 2025 All-Shawnee County girls track and field team after sweeping Class 5A state titles in her three individual events last weekend at Wichita.
Ryin Miller, Seaman
Miller, who has now won five 5A state track titles over the past two seasons, won Friday's 3,200 meters in 10 minutes, 19.53 seconds before doubling up in Saturday's 1,600 meters in 4:57.33 and the 800 in 2:11.14 and adding a fourth state medal when she anchored the Vikings' 4x400 relay to a fourth-place finish (4:03.44).
Morgan Ray, Washburn Rural
Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka HIgh
Payton Fink, Washburn Rural
Miller was Shawnee County's only state champion, but Washburn Rural junior Morgan Ray was the state runnerup in the 6A javelin (138 feet, 1 inch) and Topeka High sophomore Ahsieyrhuajh finished second in the 6A triple jump (37-4.25) and Rural senior Rylee Ismert, junior Emily Graf, senior Brooklyn Nolte and senior Payton Fink finished second in the 4x800 relay (9:29.84).
Fink also finished fifth in the 3,200 (10:59.39) and fifth in the 1,600 (5:09.90) while Rural sophomore Kailyn Petersen was fourth in the discus (124-6) and seventh in the shot put (36-6.75) and senior Molly Worley placed seventh in the long jump (17-2.75) and eighth in the high jump (5-2).
Seaman seniors Taylie Heston, Jaida Stallbaumer and Ally Steiner teamed with Miller for the fourth-place finish in the 5A 4x400 relay while the Vikings also put senior Grace Jowers and sophomores Kinley Robinson and Brynn Spencer on the all-county team.
Hayden senior Bella Reid, Rossville junior Rylee Dick and Silver Lake freshman all earned state medals in the 100-meter hurdles en route to earning all-county berths while also earning first-team spots were Topeka High junior Keimara Marshall, Highland Park senior Ke'Ahjahnae Rice, Silver Lake sophomore Ali Gerber and Rural junior Kenzie Maddox, who were all state qualifiers.
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High
All-Shawnee County selections were picked on the basis of meeting minimum standards established by local coaches as well as coaches' recommendations and performances in postseason competition.
ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY 2025 GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural, which captured three Class 6A state championships, including a state-meet record, headlines the 2025 All-Shawnee County boys track and field team.
Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural
Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural
Matthew Houser, Liam Morrison, Draden Chooncharoen, Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural
Rural senior Isaiah Terry won the 6A state title in the 400-meter dash in 47.92 seconds and junior Liam Morrison won the 300 hurdles in 37.68 before Morrison and Terry teamed with senior Matthew Houser and junior Draden Chooncharoen for a 6A meet-record time of 3:16.23 in the 4x400 relay.
Peyton Holmes, Seaman
Bryce Cochran, Seaman
Brody Anderson, Seaman
Seaman senior Peyton Holmes was the 5A runnerup in the 100 dash (10.82) while Viking senior Bryce Cochran finished third in the 400 (48.85) and Seaman junior Brody Anderson placed third in the 800 (1:55.52).
Ben Roeder, CPLS/Topeka High
Senior Ben Roeder, who competed for Cair Paravel Latin in postseason after running for Topeka High in the regular season, finished third in the 2A 400 (49.37).
Silver Lake's foursome of seniors Trent Rollenhagen and Evan Scheid and juniors Joel Miller and Braxton Rupp posted a third-place finish in the 3A 4x100 relay (42.57).
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden
Despite missing the state meet after an injury at regionals, Hayden senior multi-time state champion Jensen Schrickel earned All-City honors for the fourth straight season.
In addition to its state champions, Washburn Rural put seniors Braylon Badger, Ben Buesing, Connor Olsen and Chris Quarles, junior Brooks Kehoe and sophomore Christian Hartman-Babb on the All-City team.
Adrian Lehman and Mark Wilkie, Topeka West
Topeka West is represented on the All-City team by senior distance standouts Adrian Lehman and Mark Wilkie, who were both 5A state medalists, while Shawnee Heights senior Liam Benz and Seaman sophomore Jack Esser were also state medalists.
All-Shawnee County picks were based on meeting minimum performance standards as well as coaches' recommendations and postseason performances.
ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY 2025 BOYS TRACK AND FIELD
The 2025 All-Shawnee County boys golf team: From left -- Jack Donovan, Rossville; Higgins Hawks, Washburn Rural; Tadd Armstrong, Washburn Rural; Tagan Monasmith, Washburn Rural; Tagen Rodriguez, Hayden; James Kuta, Hayden. Not pictured: Mateo Garcia, Hayden. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
First-team repeat selections Tadd Armstrong of Washburn Rural, Jack Donovan of Rossville and Hayden's James Kuta and Tagen Rodriguez headline the 2025 All-Shawnee County boys golf team.
Seniors Armstrong and Kuta finished one-two in the city tournament, with Armstrong winning the title in a playoff, while Kuta and Rodriguez, a junior, both posted top-10 finishes in the Class 4A state tournament as Hayden finished second as a team and Donovan was a regional champion as a junior and earned a sixth-place tie in 2A-1A, his second straight state medal
Washburn Rural, which won its 15th straight city team championship, is also represented on the All-Shawnee County team by senior Tagan Monasmith and junior Higgins Hawks while Hayden also put junior Mateo Garcia on the first team.
All-Shawnee County capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Five Silver Lake and Rossville softball standouts earned first-team honors on the All-Big-East League softball team, led by Silver Lake senior Kendra Cook, a unanmous pick at pitcher after helping lead the Eagles to a second straight runnerup finish in the Class 3A state tournament.
Silver Lake senior pitcher Kendra Cook earned unanimous All-Big East League first-team honors after helping lead the Eagles to a second straight runnerup finish in Class 3A. [File photo/TSN]
Cook was joined on the first team by teammates Kailyn Hanni, a junior outfielder, and senior infielders Taylor Zordel and Kira Lowrey.
Rossville freshman Falyn Clurman was a first-team All-Big-East pick at utility/designated hitter.
Earning second-team recognition were Silver Lake sophomore outfielder Savanah Wende, Rossville sophomore outfielder Nora Burdiek and Bulldawg junior infielder Brooke Springer.
ALL BIG-EAST LEAGUE SOFTBALL
First team
Pitchers -- Kendra Cook, Silver Lake (unanimous);Reagan Gerety, Nemaha Central.
Outfielders --Samantha Klotz, Royal Valley (unanimous); Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake;Kylie Nelson, Hiawatha; Paxton Damme, Perry-Lecompton.
Infielders -- Taylor Zordel, Silver Lake;Macie Corcoran, Perry-Lecompton; Erin Boltz, Sabetha; Emmie Dean, Jefferson West; Kira Lowrey, Silver Lake.
Catchers -- Kenzie Nelson, Hiawatha; Faith Olberding, Holton
Utility/DH -- Falyn Clurman, Rossville; Ashley Moser, Jefferson West; Chloe Detweiler, Sabetha.
Second team
Pitchers --Addison Garrett, Jefferson West; Harriet Dean, Jefferson West.
Outfielders -- Nora Burdiek, Rossville;Olivia Meyer, Jefferson West; Savanah Wende, Silver Lake.
Infielders --Tinley Wilson, Holton; Harriet Dean, Jefferson West; Taylor Trimble, Perry-Lecompton; Brooke Springer, Rossville.
Utility/DH -- Alex Burkitt, Nemaha Central; Sadie Haverkamp, Nemaha Central.
Honorable mention
Nemaha Central --Ava McKinley. Riley County -- Gracie Schofield, Adalynn Zeller, Mara Schardien. St. Marys -- Emma Zemek.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Six Silver Lake and Rossville baseball standouts earned first-team honors on the All-Big-East League team after the Eagles and Bulldawgs both advanced to state tournaments this spring.
Silver Lake senior Logan Cathcart was one of six Shawnee County baseball players to earn first-team spots on the All-Big-East League first team. [File photo/TSN]
Rossville junior pitcher Cameron Miller was one of three Bulldawgs to earn first-team All-Big-East baseball recognition. [File photo/TSN]
Silver Lake, which competed in the Class 3A state tourney, is represented on the first team by senior catcher Cooper Campidilli, senior pitcher Logan Cathcart and senior infielder Dysen Schooler, with Campidilli and Cathcart both unanimous all-league picks.
Rossville, which advanced to state in 2A-1A, put sophomore pitcher Cael Horgan, junior pitcher Cameron Miller and senior outfielder Logan Kufahl on the first team.
Silver Lake junior outfielder Brady Hogle, Rossville junior infielder Canann Mitchell and Bulldawg junior utility player Conner Bush made the all-league second team while Silver Lake junior infielder Dayne Johnson received honorable mention.
ALL BIG-EAST LEAGUE BASEBALL
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Twelve Shawnee County standouts have received All-State recognition from the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches, including four first-team picks.
Hayden senior Cooper Grace has been named the Class 4A co-player of the year by the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden senior Cooper Grace was named the co-player of the year in Class 4A and a first-team pick as a pitcher after helping the Wildcats to a 23-1 record this spring.
Shawnee Heights senior Deacon Pomeroy has been named to the All-Class 5A first team by the KABC. [File photo/TSN]
Seaman sophomore Axton Brewer has been named to the KABC All-Class 5A first team as a designated hitter and was a second-team pick as a pitcher. [Seaman baseball]
Shawnee Heights senior pitcher and catcher Deacon Pomeroy made the All-5A first-team as utility player while Seaman sophomore Axton Brewer was named to the KABC All-5A first team as a designated hitter and was a second-team pick as a pitcher.
Silver Lake senior Logan Cathcart has been named first-team All-State in Class 3A by the KABC. [File photo/TSN]
Silver Lake senior pitcher Logan Cathcart earned first-team All-State honors in 3A after helping lead the Eagles to a state tournament berth.
Shawnee Heights junior pitcher Cambren Floberg was a second-team pick in 5A while Hayden junior outfielder Kade Mitchell was a second-team selection in 4A and Silver Lake senior catcher Cooper Campidilli and senior infielder Dysen Schooler were second-team honorees in 3A and Rossville junior infielder Canann Mitchell and senior outfielder Logan Kufahl were both second-team selections in 2A-1A.
Seaman senior infielder Bryer Finley and Rossville junior pitcher Cameron received honorable mention in 5A and 3A, respectively.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Silver Lake's Dayne Johnson and Kailyn Hanni, Rossville's Jack Donovan and Seaman's Ryin Miller, who recently completed their junior years of high school, were honored Tuesday night at The Foundry as the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency 2025 Rising Stars of the year.
Silver Lake's Dayne Johnson and Rossville's Jack Donovan were named the Dan Key Farmers Agency 2025 co-male Rising Stars of the Year Tuesday night while Silver Lake's Kailyn Hanni and Seaman's Ryin Miller were named the co-female winners. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Donovan and Johnson were named the co-boys winners while Hanni and Miller shared the girls honor.
The four overall winners were picked from five girls and boys finalists chosen from weekly Rising Stars who were selected through the 2024-2025 school year.
Johnson was a football, basketball and baseball standout for the Eagles while Donovan was a football and basketball standout and a state golf medalist for the Bulldawgs.
Hanni helped lead Silver Lake to runnerup Class 3A state finishes in basketball and softball this past season and has been a state champion in basketball and golf while Miller won three individual 5A state track championships last weekend in Wichita, was the state runnerup in cross country and basketball and was a 5A state basketball champion as a sophomore.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
WICHITA -- Seaman junior Ryin Miller entered the weekend with a dream and went out and made it a reality Friday and Saturday at Cessna Stadium.
Seaman junior Ryin Miller finishes off Saturday's Class 5A championship in the 1,600 meters at Cessna Stadium. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
After coming from behind to top Salina Central senior star Katelyn Rupe in Friday night's Class 5A girls 3,200 meters Miller returned on Saturday to add championships in the 1,600 and 800, raising her career state victory total to five.
"I'm so excited,'' Miller said. "That probably was like unfathonable freshman year. Like even one would just be crazy to me but that definitely one of my season goals (this spring).
"I have a whiteboard and I write down all my goals and that was like the biggest one in all caps was 'Go three for three at state,' so I'm really happy with it.''
After winning her first 3,200 title in 10 minutes, 19.53 seconds Friday night to thwart Rupe's bid for a fourth title in the event, Miller and Rupe went one-two again in the 1,600, with Miller winning in 4:57.33, and the Viking star picked up her third straight win on Saturday, taking the 800 crown in 2:11.14 to finish her season undefeated individually.
Like she had in the 3,200, Miller ran second to Rupe for most of the 1,600 before taking the lead on the final lap.
Seaman junior Ryin Miller leads the field in Saturday's Class 5A 800 meters race. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Conversely, Miller took control of the 800 from the outset, with Leavenworth sophomore Kelsie Kudzia second in 2:12.99.
"I've had the opportunity to learn from one of my past teammates (Bethany Druse),'' Miller said. "She's a great runner and just one time didn't get out hard enough and got boxed in the 800, which is really easy to do. I think the 800 is probably one of the most tactical races in track and field so I was like, 'Just get out, don't get boxed and just push it and see what happens.' ''
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Shawnee Heights baseball has a new coach in Jason Brown but the T-Birds' legacy of winning and state tournament appearances remains intact.
Shawnee Heights baseball celebrates its Class 5A regional championship last Tuesday night at the Bettis Family Sports Complex. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
Longtime T-Bird coach Ryan Schmidt, who led Heights to two Class 5A state titles, retired after appearance in last year's state tournament, but the T-Birds haven't missed a beat in Brown's first season at the helm and will take a 21-7 record into Thursday and Friday's state event at Wichita State's Eck Stadium.
Shawnee Heights, which won United Kansas Conference and regional titles, will the state tournament as the No. 4 seed at will open its state bid at 1:15 p.m. Thursday against No. 5 seed Hays (18-8).
Heights punched its latest ticket to state with a 5-2 regional win over United Kansas Conference rival De Soto last Tuesday at the Bettis Family Sports Complex.
With a win Thursday Shawnee Heights will advance to an 11 a.m. semifinal on Friday to face the winner of the first-round game between No. 1 seed St. Thomas Aquinas (24-4) and No. 8 Valley Center (17-11).
On the other side of the bracket No. 2 seed Great Bend (23-5) will face No. 7 Piper (17-10) and No. 3 seed Blue Valley Southwest (21-6) will face No. 6 Eisenhower (18-10).
The 5A state championship game is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. Friday, following the 3:30 third-place game.
Rural back in 6A field
Washburn Rural is headed to the Class 6A state tournament for the first time since a third-place finish in 2022.
The Junior Blues earned their state bid with a 1-0 win over Campus in last Thursday's regional final at Campus.
Washburn Rural, the No. 8 seed for state, is now 15-11 on the season and will face top seed Free State (25-2) at 11 a.m. Thursday at Hoglund Stadium in Lawrence.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Wamego won its third straight Class 4A team championship Wednesday at Newton's Sand Creek Station.
But it took a strong finish for the Red Raiders to survive a second-day rally from Hayden, with Wamego finishing with a three-stroke victory over the Wildcats (621-624) after starting the day with a seven-stroke advantage.
Hayden senior James Kuta finished fourth in the Class 4A state golf tournament, leading the Wildcats to a second-place team finish. [Photo by Brent Maycock/KSHSAA Covered]
"Early in the round, it did not look good,'' Hayden coach Carvel Reynoldson told KSHSAA Covered. "We got down pretty big. But the fact that we stormed back and took the lead there on the second nine was fun.
"Credit Wamego. We didn't blow it. They stepped up."
Despite the fact that the Wildcats' title bid came up short, Reynoldson said he was extremely proud of his team.
"What I love about this group is it's hard to get them to go home before dark,'' Reynoldson said. "It's 6 o'clock and I'm heading home and they're still working. They really wanted this and to come up short hurts."
Senior James Kuta led Hayden with a fourth-place individual finish at 152 (77-75) while senior Tagen Rodriguez finished ninth at 156 (81-75).
Lions finish fourth in Class 2A
Cair Paravel Latin finished fourth as a team in the Class 2A state tournament at the Turkey Creek Golf Course in McPherson.
Cair Paravel junior Caleb Cleverdon for sixth individually at 155 (76-79).
Rossville junior Jack Donovan tied Cleverdon for sixth place at 155 (76-79) Bulldawg senior Jonathan Hart tied for 15th at 162 (78-84) to earn a state medal.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden's boys golf team put itself in position to challenge for a Class 4A state championship after a solid opening round in the state tournament at Newton's Sand Creek Station.
Hayden senior James Kuta shot a 77 in Tuesday's first round of the Class 4A state tournament, tying for fifth individually, while the Wildcats are second as a team entering Wednesday's final round at Newton. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden is in second place in the team standings entering Wednesday's final round at 28-over-par, seven strokes behind Wamego. The Red Raiders and Wildcats went one-two in last week's regional tournament at Wamego.
"We left some strokes out there, but we are excited that we've put ourselves in position to compete for a championship tomorrow,'' Hayden coach Carvel Reynoldson said in a text.
The Wildcats are seven strokes in front of third-place Bishop Miege after Day 1. The Stags placed third as a team in the Wamego regional.
Senior James Kuta led Hayden Tuesday with a 5-over-par 77 and is tied for fifth place starting the final 18 holes.
Junior Mateo Garcia and senior Nick Gorman shot 79s to tie for ninth place Tuesday while senior Tagen Rodriguez shot an 81, senior Colin Scott an 83 and junior Austin Bean an 86.
Lions fourth in 2A entering final round
Regional champion Cair Paravel Latin is in fourth place in the Class 2A state tournament after the opening round at the Turkey Creek Golf Course in McPherson, advancing to Wednesday's final round.
Cair Paravel junior Caleb Cleverdon led the Lions with a 76, tying for sixth in the opening round, while senior Jase Pavlik shot a first-round 81 and freshman Chase Hastert and junior Luke Budden carded 85s.
Also advancing to Round 2 as individuals are Rossville junior Jack Donovan, a regional champion, and Bulldawg senior Jonathan Hart.
Donovan is tied for sixth place with a 76 while Hart is tied for 11th after a 78.
