Seaman Vikings
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural juniors Audrey Appuhn and Rhiannon Good and Seaman senior Joslynn Grace will all take lofty top-four qualifying marks into Saturday's final day of the Class 6A and 5A swimming and diving championships at the Capitol Federal Natatorium.
The 6A finals will get under way at 9 a.m., followed by the 5A-1A finals at 4 p.m.
Washburn Rural junior Audrey Appuhn has been a multi-event Class 6A state medalist the past two seasons and posted two top-four qualifying performances for Saturday's state finals. [File photo/TSN]
Appuhn, a multi-event state medalist the past two seasons, qualifed third for the finals in the 200-yard freestyle in a preliminary time of 1 minute, 56.79 seconds and came back later to earn the No. 4 qualifying spot in the 100 breaststroke in 1:07.99.
Good is sitting in the third spot in the one-meter diving standings after the preliminary and semifinal rounds, posting a score of 277.45. The diving finals will kick off the 6A championship finals at 9 o'clock.
Washburn Rural senior Genevieve Miranda garnered the eighth and final spot in the championship finals for the 100 butterfly in 1:02.03 and will be the top seed for the 'B' finals in the 100 backstroke after a preliminary time of 1:03.76.
Seaman senior Joslynn Grace qualified in the top four Friday for a pair of Class 5A-1A state swimming finals. [File photo/TSN]
Seaman's Grace, a returning multi-event state medalist, qualified No. 3 in the 5A 200 individual medley in 2:10.17 and No. 4 in the 100 breaststroke in 1:08.56.
Hayden senior Kaylee Gregg and sophomore Maddie Gregg qualified sixth and ninth for the 5A-1A one-meter diving finals, which will begin at 4 p.m.
Kaylee Gregg has a score of 267.25 after the semifinals while Maddie Gregg has a score of 209.40.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
After a 5-10-1 regular season, Topeka High girls soccer has come to life in postseason, posting a pair of road upsets to advance to Monday's Class 6A quarterfinals.
Topeka High girls soccer is headed to the Class 6A state quarterfinals after Thursday's 3-1 win at Wichita Northwest. [Submitted photo]
Topeka High, the No. 14 West regional seed, opened regional competition with a 2-1 win in penalty kicks (5-3) at No. 3 Garden City on Tuesday and followed that up with a 3-1 win at No. 11 Wichita Northwest Thursday to claim a regional championship.
Natalie Barnes scored her first of two goals on the night off a Cierra Belaire assist 5:52 into the opening half to put the Trojans in front 1-0.
Wichita Northwest (7-10-1) tied the game at 1-1 with 7:06 left in the half on a penalty kick, but Topeka High answered with a Raelee Shipley goal with 5:55 remaining to give the Trojans a 2-1 halftime advantage.
Barnes scored her second goal with 11:52 remaining in the match to give High its final margin.
Next up for the 7-10-1 Trojans is No. 1 West seed Washburn Rural (16-2-0), which will host Topeka High in Monday's 6 p.m. state quarterfinal.
The Junior Blues advanced with a 4-1 win over Manhattan Thursday night.
Rural defeated Topeka High 3-1 in a Centennial League game on April 16.
Vikes roll to 5A quarterfinals
Seaman rolled to an 8-0 win over United Kansas Conference rival Basehor-Linwood in Thursday's Class 5A regional final at Seaman.
The Vikings, now 13-5-0, outscored its two regional opponents by an 19-0 margin en route to earning a second straight trip to the quarterfinals.
Seaman will go on the road Monday to face UKC rival De Soto (16-2-0) in a 6 p.m. contest.
The Vikings dropped a 4-3 conference game to the Wildcats on April 17.
Hayden knocks off Bullpups, 2-1
Hayden soccer moved onto the Class 4A-1A state quarterfinals with a 2-1 Thursday road win at McPherson.
Now 11-7-0 on the season, the Wildcats are the No. 4 seed for the 4A-1A quarterfinals and will travel to top seed Wichita Trinity (14-1-2) for a 6:30 p.m. Monday contest.
T-Birds' season ends at St. James
Shawnee Heights' 2025 soccer season ended in a 5-0 loss at St. James Academy in a Class 5A regional final.
The T-Birds finished with an 11-6-1 record on the season while St. James Academy improved to 17-1-0.
The Thunder's lone loss was a 3-1 regular-season loss at 6A power Washburn Rural.
St. James will host St. Thomas Aquinas at 6 p.m. Monday in a state quarterfinal.
By CHARLES SPURLOCK
Special to TopSports.news
ANDOVER -- On a sunny May afternoon, nine Class 5A schools (Andover, Andover Central, Arkansas City, Emporia, Kapaun Mt. Carmel, Newton, Seaman, Topeka West and Valley Center) competed at Andover Central in one of four regional track meets across the state on Thursday and Friday.
The top three finishers in each event qualified for the state meet next weekend in Wichita. The next four best finishers across all four regional meets will also qualify for the state meet. Those results will not be known until the regional meets at Blue Valley Northwest and Mill Valley on Friday evening.
Seaman junior Ryin Miller qualified for next week's Class 5A state track meet in Wichita in four events in Thursday's regional meet in Andover. [File photo/TSN]
Seaman junior Ryin Miller qualified in four events on Thursday.
She won the 800 meters with a time of 2 minutes, 13.98 seconds, the 1,600 meters in 5:01.64 and the 3,200 meters in 11:23.87. She was also the anchor leg of the Vikings' 4x400-meter relay team that finished third in a time of 4:06.58.
Competing in four events on the day played a role in Miller’s strategy during the meet.
“Definitely regionals are survive and advance,'' Miller said. "I wasn’t trying to run a personal best today. The goal in the mile was to do enough to move on and I did that. Also doing four events in one day is pretty rough. I’m excited for next week.”
The Seaman boys were the regional runnerup to Kapaun Mt. Carmel, amassing 80.5 points during the meet.
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 2025 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
GIRLS
100 METERS
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High 12.43
Jurnee Cole, Highland Park 12.75
Karys Deiter, Silver Lake 12.76
Ciarra Hartz, Highland Park 12.77
Morgan Robinson, Shawnee Heights 12.80
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High
200 METERS
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High 25.72
Molly Worley, Washburn Rural 26.10
Ally Steiner, Seaman 26.20
Morgan Robinson, Shawnee Heights 26.58
Jurnee Cole, Highland Park 26.68
400 METERS
Ryin Miller, Seaman 56.81
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High 59.96
Ali Gerber, Silver Lake 60.91
Madison Blanco, Washburn Rural 61.65
Sofia Harper, Hayden 61.81
Ryan Miller, Seaman
800 METERS
Ryin Miller, Seaman 2:09.28
Payton Fink, Washburn Rural 2:21.21
Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural 2:21.99
Kinley Robinson, Seaman 2:24.07
Emily Graf, Washburn Rural 2:24.19
1,600 METERS
Ryin Miller, Seaman 4:41.47
Payton Fink, Washburn Rural 5:08.00
Emily Graf, Washburn Rural 5:08.24
Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural 5:09.15
Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural 5:20.69
3,200 METERS
Ryin Miller, Seaman 10:17.74
Payton Fink, Washburn Rural 10:51.62
Emily Graf, Washburn Rural 11:20.40
Kenzie Maddox, Washburn Rural 11:28.78
Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural 11:32.65
100-METER HURDLES
Bella Reid, Hayden 15.83
Jaida Stallbaumer, Seaman 15.84
Karys Deiter, Silver Lake 16.45
Rylee Dick, Rossville 16.87
Kelcie Schneider, Washburn Rural 17.61
Jaida Stallbaumer, Seaman
300-METER HURDLES
Jaida Stallbaumer, Seaman 47.63
Ke'Ahjahnae Rice, Highland Park 47.96
Rylee Dick, Rossville 50.33
Karys Deiter, Silver Lake 51.27
Kelcie Schneider, Washburn Rural 51.39
4x100-METER RELAY
Topeka High 50.15
Washburn Rural 50.36
Seaman 50.93
Silver Lake 51.06
Topeka West 53.17
4x400-METER RELAY
Seaman 4:01.58
Washburn Rural 4:13.32
Silver Lake 4:13.34
Shawnee Heights 4:37.27
4x800-METER RELAY
Washburn Rural 9:35.40
Seaman 10:13.11
Hayden 11:10.63
Shawnee Heights 11:33.41
HIGH JUMP
Molly Worley, Washburn Rural 5-4
Journey Manhart, Silver Lake 5-2
Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka High 5-0
Alexis Burns, Washburn Rural 5-0
Tahtionna Broils, Highland Park 4-8
Klara Wilson, Washburn Rural 4-8
Jaiden Wise, Silver Lake 4-8
POLE VAULT
Grace Jowers, Seaman 11-0
Emme Blanco, Washburn Rural 8-9
Taylor Hanshaw, Shawnee Heights 8-0
Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka HIgh
LONG JUMP
Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka High 18-6
Molly Worley, Washburn Rural 17-7.75
Jayana Washington, Topeka High 17-5
Maddie Blanco, Washburn Rural 16-6.50
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake 16-3.5
TRIPLE JUMP
Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka High 38-3.25
Ali Gerber, Silver Lake 34-3.75
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake 33-4
Grace Funk, Hayden 32-7.75
Brinley Pottorf, Rossville 32-7.50
SHOT PUT
Kailyn Petersen, Washburn Rural 35-1
Alexis Rutherford, Hayden 33-6
Kayleigh Kruger, Silver Lake 33-5
Kylie Hanni, Silver Lake 32-3.5
Eve Luea, Washburn Rural 31-6
DISCUS
Kailyn Petersen, Washburn Rural 126-5
Kayleigh Kruger, Silver Lake 112-7
Eve Luea, Washburn Rural 109-3
Rayleigh Alonso, Silver Lake 104-10
Alexis Rutherford, Hayden 103-6
JAVELIN
Morgan Ray, Washburn Rural 135-10
Peyton Henry, Seaman 110-6
Payton Alexander, Seaman 105-8
Jillian Goetz, Shawnee Heights 105-1
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake 100-0
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 2025 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
BOYS
100 METERS
Peyton Holmes, Seaman 10.73
Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural 10.82
Evan Scheid, Silver Lake 11.13
Ben Roeder, Topeka High 11.17
Sean LeDuc, Washburn Rural 11.18
200 METERS
Bryce Cochran, Seaman 21.87
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden 21.92
Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural 22.02
Evan Scheid, Silver Lake 22.22
Matthew Houser, Washburn Rural 22.37
Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural
400 METERS
Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural 48.20
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden 48.30
Bryce Cochran, Seaman 48.43
Liam Benz, Shawnee Heights 49.63
Ben Roeder, Topeka High 49.82
Brody Anderson, Seaman
800 METERS
Brody Anderson, Seaman 1:56.22
Mark Wilkie, Topeka West 1:57.23
Ben Buesing, Washburn Rural 1:58.87
Adrian Lehman, Topeka West 1:59.08
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural 2:00.38
1,600 METERS
Adrian Lehman, Topeka West 4:18.07
Brody Anderson, Seaman 4:18.55
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural 4:19.77
Mark Wilkie, Topeka West 4:21.37
Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural 4:34.44
3,200 METERS
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural 9:16.96
Adrian Lehman, Topeka West 9:16.98
Brody Anderson, Seaman 9:34.99
Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural 9:41.18
Clayton Fink, Washburn Rural 10:03.37
110-METER HURDLES
Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural 14.59
Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural 15.50
Desean Lunkins, Topeka High 15.80
Isaac Song, Shawnee Heights 15.84
Braylon Badger, Washburn Rural 15.93
300-METER HURDLES
Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural 38.83
Braylon Badger, Washburn Rural 40.60
Isaac Song, Shawnee Heights 41.07
Michael Hurla, Seaman 41.29
Kellan Parcaro, Seaman 41.86
4x100-METER RELAY
Silver Lake 43.16
Seaman 43.48
Topeka High 43.48
Washburn Rural 43.49
Topeka West 44.50
4x400-METER RELAY
Washburn Rural 3:17.38
Topeka West 3:24.56
Topeka High 3:24.64
Hayden 3:25.32
Seaman 3:26.21
4x800-METER RELAY
Washburn Rural 8:01.63
Shawnee Heights 8:31.70
Seaman 8:43.94
Topeka High 8:46.69
Silver Lake 8:54.17
HIGH JUMP
Jack Esser, Seaman 6-5
Blake Toyne, Seaman 6-2
Brooks Ballard, Washburn Rural 6-0
Bryson Burgos, Silver Lake 6-0
Cody Quy, Seaman 6-0
Rondell Harris, Hayden 6-0
Tad McGee, Seaman 6-0
Deondre Razzano, Silver Lake 6-0
Tyler Wedl, Shawnee Heights
POLE VAULT
Tyler Wedl, Shawnee Heights 12-6
Luke Deering, Washburn Rural 10-6
Desmond Grindol, Washburn Rural 9-6
Emery Kearney, Seaman 9-6
Caleb Schwartz, Washburn Rural 9-6
Quinton White, Seaman 9-6
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden
LONG JUMP
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden 22-7
Peyton Holmes, Seaman 22-6
Elijah Berg, Topeka West 21-8
Te'Vante Ewing, Topeka High 21-5
Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park 20-11
Ethan Surey, Washburn Rural 20-11
TRIPLE JUMP
Kaden Whitehurst, Seaman 42-8
Deondre Razzano, Silver Lake 42-5.5
Cody Quy, Seaman 41-11
Bryson Burgos, Silver Lake 41-8
Ethan Surey, Washburn Rural 40-7.50
SHOT PUT
Brogen Brown, Seaman 50-11
Amir Bass, Shawnee Heights 47-3.5
F. Anguiano, Hayden 44-10
Adrian Shuler, Shawnee Heights 44-9.5
Clayton Johnson, Seaman 44-5
DISCUS
Brogen Brown, Seaman 146-0
Myles Fisher, Silver Lake 144-5
Treyton Tetuan, Hayden 137-4
Samuel Scott, Washburn Rural 136-0
Zachary Hancock, Washburn Rural 135-11
JAVELIN
Kelton Meier, Hayden 162-5
Oliver Perez, Washburn Rural 155-2
Andre Johnson, Rossville 155-1
Jackson Haas, Hayden 153-7
Gabriel Taylor, Washburn Rural 148-10
The 2025 All-City boys tennis team -- Front, from left: Chase Blaser, Hayden; Evan George, Hayden; Ethan Winters, Seaman; Tres Lassiter, Topeka High; Keegan Knudtson, Washburn Rural; Kieffer O'Connor, Washburn Rural; Greyson Jones, Washburn Rural. Back, from left: Drew Fay, Cair Paravel Latin; Cole Fay, Cair Paravel Latin; Eric Buchenau, Cair Paravel Latin; Ben Tryhus, Washburn Rural; Cale Deutscher, Washburn Rural; Dylan Willingham, Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Cair Paravel Latin Class 3A-1A state doubles finalists Eric Buchenau and Drew Fay headline the 2025 All-City boys tennis team, which includes seven state medalists and 12 state qualifiers.
Buchenau and Fay, both juniors, went 29-2 on the season, with both losses coming against Wichita Collegiate's undefeated state champions, Carter and Maddox Drumright, who took a three-set win over Cair Paravel in the state final.
Hayden seniors Chase Blaser and Evan George placed fourth in 4A doubles while Washburn Rural juniors Cale Deutscher and Dylan Willingham finished seventh in 6A doubles and Cair Paravel freshman Cole Fay was 10th in 3A-1A singles.
All six Washburn Rural players earned All-City spots as the Junior Blues swept city, Centennial League and Class 6A regional team championships before finishing ninth in the 6A state tournament at Junction City.
In addition to Deutscher and Willingham, Rural is also represented on the All-City team by Greyson Jones, Keegan Knudtson, Kieffer O'Connor and Ben Tryhus.
Rounding out the All-City team are junior city No. 1 singles champion and 6A state qualifier Tres Lassiter and Seaman senior 5A state singles qualifier Ethan Winters, who helped lead the Vikings to United Kansas Conference and 5A regional team titles.
All-City tennis capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly girls swimming and diving honor roll for Topeka high schools throughout the 2025 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
200-YARD MEDLEY RELAY
Washburn Rural 2:01.75
Hayden 2:07.36
Seaman 2:07.38
Topeka High 2:11.23
Shawnee Heights 2:15.41
200-YARD FREESTYLE
Audrey Appuhn, Washburn Rural 1:55.60
Joslynn Grace, Seaman 2:01.37
Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights 2:06.15
Kaitlyn Aldridge, Shawnee Heights 2:17:02
Kaelyn Gerdel, Hayden 2:21.23
200-YARD INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY
Audrey Appuhn, Washburn Rural 2:10.28
Joslynn Grace, Seaman 2:10.69
Hara Del Castillo, Topeka High 2:25.04
Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights 2:35.31
Kaitlyn Aldridge, Shawnee Heights 2:35.91
Genevieve Miranda, Washburn Rural
50-YARD FREESTYLE
Genevieve Miranda, Washburn Rural 25.43
Joslynn Grace, Seaman 26.46
Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights 26.74
Kaylee Gregg, Hayden 27.67
Clara Sobba, Shawnee Heights 28.08
ONE-METER DIVING
Kaylee Gregg, Hayden 231.60
Sydney Thomann, Seaman 224.45
Rhiannon Good, Washburn Rural 224.05
Maddie Gregg, Hayden 183.05
Giselle Soto, Washburn Rural 163.50
Joslynn Grace, Seaman
100-YARD BUTTERFLY
Joslynn Grace, Seaman 1:00.12
Genevieve Miranda, Washburn Rural 1:01.66
Kaitlyn Aldridge, Shawnee Heights 1:07.53
Kaya Hamilton, Washburn Rural 1:17.70
Makenna Russell, Topeka West 1:25.52
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Coming off a four-goal loss to state power Washburn Rural in its regular-season finale, Seaman soccer bounced back in a big way Tuesday, opening Class 5A postseason with an 11-0 regional victory over city rival Highland Park at Seaman.
Seaman junior Ava Golightley (14) scored four goals in Tuesday's 11-0 Class 5A regional win over Highland Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Seaman coach Kyle Seevers said it was good to see his Vikings get back on track.
"After that under-manned game against Washburn Rural (5-1 loss) we had graduation and graduation parties all weekend, so it was like get a little training in yesterday and just get back at it and play a game today and have some fun and win and advance,'' Seevers said.
Seaman junior Ryin Miller (8) had a three-goal hat trick in Tuesday's 11-0 Class 5A regional win over Highland Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Junior Ava Golightley had a four-goal night for the Vikings while junior Ryin Miller had a three-goal hat trick, sophomore Monique Wilson two goals and seniors Anna Becker and Maegan Mills a goal apiece for the Vikings, who improved to 12-5-0 on the season.
Mills combined with Kelecia Hale for the shutout in goal while Mills' goal was the first of her high school career.
Tuesday's game ended at halftime by way of the eight-goal spread rule.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman baseball gave itself a chance for a comeback semifinal victory in Wednesday's Class 5A regional tournament at Seaman, but Andover Central came up with just enough big plays to take a 5-4 eight-inning win over the Vikings.
Seaman's players and coaches console each other after Wednesday's heartbreaking 5-4 extra-inning loss to Andover Central. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"We knew we were getting a quality opponent in Andover Central, a team that last year was the No. 1 seed in the West and had a lot of returners on the field for them,'' Seaman coach Trent Oliva said. "So we knew our work was cut out for us and it was one of those games where it just kind of went back and forth and we were kind of grinding and able to get it tied back at three but tip your cap to them.
"They made more plays at the end with two outs and were able to get that done.''
With the game knotted 3-3 after seven innings, No. 14 seed Andover Central took a 5-3 lead in the top of the eighth, scoring on a wild pitch and a run-scoring single from junior Carter Inslee.
But No. 3 seed Seaman responded with a rally of its own in the bottom of the inning, opening the frame with back-to-back doubles from seniors Max Huston and David Dobbs, with Huston scoring on Dobbs' double to cut the Vikings' deficit to 5-4.
Dobbs stole third base on a walk to sophomore Axton Brewer, but Andover Central threw out Dobbs at home on a bunt for the first out of the inning.
After recording a strikeout for the second out, Seaman got a single from senior Bryer Finley to load the bases before Jaguar senior reliever Jace Jefferson was able to end the game on a groundout to shortstop.
Seaman, which graduates eight seniors, ended its season with a solid 18-8 campaign.
By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
It took a clutch effort and some hand wringing, but the Seaman Vikings rode a team effort to qualify as a team for the Class 5A state boys golf tournament next week at Emporia.
Seaman's boys golf team earned the final team berth for next week's Class 5A state tournament in Emporia. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]
With the team’s fate in question, Seaman senior Bradley Williamson came down to the last hole believing he needed a par to qualify for state as an individual. With a crowd watching the final group come in, Williamson drew a long putt to within three feet of the hole, then drained it for a par.
When the final scores were entered, a tie with Basehor-Linwood became apparent. Williamson’s par had been crucial for the entire team.
“Going into 18, my coach mentioned that he thought the (individual) cut line was going to be in the 84, 85 range,” said Williamson, who finished with an 83. “He didn’t know how the rest of the team was doing. He didn’t let me know that. I just knew I had to get a good score to give myself a chance. I felt a lot of relief draining it. There was a lot of pressure standing over it because we had a gallery.”
The tie with Basehor-Linwood was broken by the score of the fifth man of each team. Seaman’s Alex Flanagan had carded an 88 while the Bobcats’ fifth man recorded a 92.
“It’s a lot more fun to take the whole group down,” Seaman coach Rick Rineberg said. “Over the past few weeks, we’ve played our best golf and it really came out today in a big way. They are a tight-knit group. So, it makes it all the more fun to be able to take everybody down with us.”
Leading the Vikings with an 82 was sophomore Evan Michalski. He will be making his first trip to state.
It’s really exciting,” Michalski said. “I started off kind of rough through the first couple of tournaments. I’m just happy I’m starting to go on the scoring for the team.
“I think today my head was in the game. There were mistakes I definitely made, but I think I can get a lot better if I stop making those mistakes that I know I can fix.”
Rineberg was quick to praise assistant coach Jeff Schuh for his contribution to the team’s success.
“Four out of the six kids on this year’s state-qualifying team either spent all last year on the JV or part of the year on JV,” Rineberg said. “So, Coach Schuh deserves a huge shoutout for the development of our quote-unquote “farm system” to get those kids ready for when they meet the challenges like today.
Joining the Vikings at state will be Shawnee Heights’ Ayden Valdivia, who makes his second trip to state. The T-Bird junior hopes the fates are kinder this year than they were last.
Valdivia was in Newton, site of last year’s 5A state meet, the night before the event when the town was hit by a tornado. A gust of wind lifted Valdivia off his feet and threw him roughly to the ground. He was treated in the local emergency room, which was operating without electricity.
Valdivia took the course the next day with a severe abrasion on his right hip.
“I wound up playing pretty well,” Valdivia recalled. “I birdied like six holes, but I just had to tough it out. I hope I can just show how much I’ve improved and shoot better than I did with the injury.”
Valdivia is carrying on the family legacy. His brother Justice won Class 4A state playing for Hayden in 2011. Brother Alex took sixth at 5A state for Shawnee Heights in 2023. His sister Lauryn, a Shawnee Heights sophomore, has already made two trips to state.
“It’s just an everyday thing,” Valdivia said. “We go out and play tournaments with my family. It’s been part of our family for as long as I can remember.”
The Class 3A Regional meet was held at Lake Shawnee simultaneous to the 5A event. Silver Lake served as host but failed to qualify as a team or to send any individuals to the state meet. Coach Johnny Roberts reflected on the improvement he saw in the team during the season.
"I would say it was a season of growth and development,” Roberts said. “We had a lot of guys who hadn’t had varsity experience, and they needed to get that experience, to know what it feels like. So, we had some peaks and valleys. We’ve got some young guys that we’re trying to develop, so next year looks better.”
By CHARLES SPURLOCK
Special to TopSports.news
LEAVENWORTH -- On the warmest day of the 2025 track season, Leavenworth High School hosted the United Kansas Conference track meet on Thursday.
Seaman junior Ryin Miller was a double UKC individual champion in Thursday's conference meet at Leavenworth. [File photo/TSN]
Seaman junior Ryin Miller continued her winning ways this season with a sweep of the 1,600-meter (4:47.54) and 800- meter (2:22.53) races.
“I was happy with the 1,600 and the main goal was to secure the points for our team,'' Miller said. "In the 800, once I noticed that Kelsie (Kudzia of Leavenworth) wasn’t running, I decided to run a smarter race and get the 10 points for the team.”
Seaman junior Brody Anderson (1) won the 800 meters in Thursday's UKC meet at Leavenworth. [File photo/TSN]
Seaman junior Brody Anderson came back after a fourth-place finish in the 1600 meters to win the 800-meter championship in a time of 1:57.70.
He commented on his comeback after the 1,600 meter race:
“I wasn’t mad, I just gotta come back strong, can’t give up and have to have a positive mindset,'' Anderson said. "It was a great competition and I'm thankful to race these other guys. I’m looking forward to getting a little more out of myself over the next couple of weeks.”
Seaman senior Bryce Cochran won the 400-meter title with a time of 48.43 seconds.
Cochran commented on his preparation not only during the season but last offseason:
“The race went well,'' Cochran said. "I like running against tough competition like Austin Lindsay (De Soto). I’ve worked really hard this past offseason and the hard work is paying off.”
He came back later in the evening to finish second in the 200 dash with a time of 22.10 seconds.
Topeka West senior Adrian Lehman won the 1,600 UKC title in Thursday's conference meet at Leavenworth. [File photo/TSN]
Topeka West senior Adrian Lehman followed up on his exciting victories in the 1,600 meters and 3,200 meters at last week’s city meet by winning the 1,600-meter race in a time of 4:20.77. He also placed fourth in the 800 meters with a time of 1:59.08.
Other local highlights
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Cair Paravel Latin juniors Eric Buchenau and Drew Fay had to sweat out a few anxious moments in their Class 3A-1A quarterfinal doubles match Friday at Kossover Tennis Center, but the Lion standouts got the job done, advancing to Saturday's 9 a.m. state semifinal.
Cair Paravel Latin's Drew Fay (left) and Eric Buchenau advanced to the Class 3A-1A doubles semifinals Friday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Buchenau and Fay, the No. 3 seed, went 2-0 on the day, including a 6-2, 6-4 quarterfinal win over Central Plains' Paxton Dody and Peyton Dody to improve to 28-1 on the season and will face No. 2 seeds William Farha and Vihaan Ganganola of Wichita Collegiate in the semis.
After a 6-0, 6-0 romp in their first match of the day, Fay and Buchenau jumped in front 5-2 in the second set of the quarterfinals before Dody and Dody cut their deficit to 5-4.
Central Plains seemed to have some momentum at that point, but the Lions were able to hold serve and close out the win.
"It was definitely frustrating,'' said Buchenau about the close second set, "but even if you play bad you have to find a way to win and we did that.''
Fay agreed.
"It definitely wasn't how we wanted it to go and we struggled for sure, but we were just scrapping out every point and got the win,'' Fay said.
"We hopefully got the bad bullets out today so we can just play our game tomorrow.''
Cair Paravel freshman singles player Cole Fay advanced to Saturday's Class 3A-1A medal matches with a 3-1 day. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Cair Paravel freshman singles player Cole Fay also advanced to Saturday's medal matches, going 3-1 on the day.
Cole Fay moved on to Saturday with an 8-5 win over Phillipsburg senior Nathan Fischer and can still finish as high as fifth place.
Hayden seniors Chase Blaser (left) and Evan George will compete in a Class 4A doubles semifinal Saturday in Winfield. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden's Blaser and George in 4A semis
Hayden regional doubles champions Chase Blaser and Evan George won both of their Class 4A doubles matches Friday in Winfield to advance to Saturday's 9 a.m. semifinals.
The fourth-seeded Wildcat seniors, now 25-6, advanced to the semifinals with a hard-earned 3-6, 7-6 (7-5 tiebreaker), 6-3 win over McPherson.
Blaser and George will face No. 1 seed Asher Deutschendorf and Braiden Liechty of Hesston in the semifinals.
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 2025 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
GIRLS
100 METERS
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High 12.43
Jurnee Cole, Highland Park 12.75
Karys Deiter, Silver Lake 12.76
Ciarra Hartz, Highland Park 12.77
Morgan Robinson, Shawnee Heights 12.80
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High
200 METERS
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High 25.72
Molly Worley, Washburn Rural 26.10
Ally Steiner, Seaman 26.20
Morgan Robinson, Shawnee Heights 26.58
Jurnee Cole, Highland Park 26.68
400 METERS
Ryin Miller, Seaman 56.81
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High 59.96
Ali Gerber, Silver Lake 61.05
Madison Blanco, Washburn Rural 61.65
Sofia Harper, Hayden 61.81
Ryan Miller, Seaman
800 METERS
Ryin Miller, Seaman 2:09.28
Payton Fink, Washburn Rural 2:21.21
Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural 2:21.99
Kinley Robinson, Seaman 2:24.07
Emily Graf, Washburn Rural 2:24.19
1,600 METERS
Ryin Miller, Seaman 4:41.47
Payton Fink, Washburn Rural 5:08.00
Emily Graf, Washburn Rural 5:08.24
Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural 5:09.15
Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural 5:20.69
3,200 METERS
Ryin Miller, Seaman 10:17.74
Payton Fink, Washburn Rural 10:51.62
Emily Graf, Washburn Rural 11:20.40
Kenzie Maddox, Washburn Rural 11:28.78
Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural 11:32.65
100-METER HURDLES
Jaida Stallbaumer, Seaman 15.84
Bella Reid, Hayden 16.07
Karys Deiter, Silver Lake 16.45
Rylee Dick, Rossville 17.21
Kelcie Schneider, Washburn Rural 17.61
Jaida Stallbaumer, Seaman
300-METER HURDLES
Jaida Stallbaumer, Seaman 47.63
Ke'Ahjahnae Rice, Highland Park 47.96
Rylee Dick, Rossville 50.33
Kelcie Schneider, Washburn Rural 51.39
Elliot Wrench, Hayden 52.68
4x100-METER RELAY
Topeka High 50.15
Washburn Rural 50.36
Silver Lake 51.06
Seaman 51.06
Topeka West 53.40
4x400-METER RELAY
Seaman 4:04.86
Washburn Rural 4:13.32
Silver Lake 4:13.34
Shawnee Heights 4:37.27
4x800-METER RELAY
Washburn Rural 9:35.40
Seaman 10:21.42
Hayden 11:10.63
Shawnee Heights 11:33.41
HIGH JUMP
Molly Worley, Washburn Rural 5-4
Journey Manhart, Silver Lake 5-2
Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka High 5-0
Alexis Burns, Washburn Rural 4-10
Tahtionna Broils, Highland Park 4-8
Klara Wilson, Washburn Rural 4-8
Jaiden Wise, Silver Lake 4-8
POLE VAULT
Grace Jowers, Seaman 11-0
Emme Blanco, Washburn Rural 8-9
Taylor Hanshaw, Shawnee Heights 8-0
Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka HIgh
LONG JUMP
Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka High 18-6
Molly Worley, Washburn Rural 17-7.75
Jayana Washington, Topeka High 17-5
Maddie Blanco, Washburn Rural 16-6.50
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake 16-3.5
TRIPLE JUMP
Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka High 38-3.25
Ali Gerber, Silver Lake 33-8
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake 33-4
Grace Funk, Hayden 32-7.75
Kylie Podlena, Silver Lake 32-6
SHOT PUT
Kailyn Petersen, Washburn Rural 35-1
Alexis Rutherford, Hayden 33-6
Kayleigh Kruger, Silver Lake 33-5
Kylie Hanni, Silver Lake 32-3.5
Izzy Davis, Washburn Rural 31-0
DISCUS
Kailyn Petersen, Washburn Rural 126-5
Kayleigh Kruger, Silver Lake 112-7
Eve Luea, Washburn Rural 109-3
Rayleigh Alonso, Silver Lake 104-10
Alexis Rutherford, Hayden 103-6
JAVELIN
Morgan Ray, Washburn Rural 135-10
Peyton Henry, Seaman 110-6
Payton Alexander, Seaman 105-8
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake 100-0
Rhys Brading, Seaman 96-1
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 2025 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
BOYS
100 METERS
Peyton Holmes, Seaman 10.73
Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural 10.94
Evan Scheid, Silver Lake 11.13
Ben Roeder, Topeka High 11.17
Tremaine Savage, Highland Park 11.22
200 METERS
Bryce Cochran, Seaman 21.87
Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural 22.07
Evan Scheid, Silver Lake 22.22
Jayden Lindsey, Topeka West 22.43
Matthew Houser, Washburn Rural 22.48
Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural
400 METERS
Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural 48.20
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden 48.30
Bryce Cochran, Seaman 49.06
Ben Roeder, Topeka High 49.82
Matthew Houser, Washburn Rural 50.27
Brody Anderson, Seaman
800 METERS
Brody Anderson, Seaman 1:56.22
Mark Wilkie, Topeka West 1:57.23
Ben Buesing, Washburn Rural 2:00.10
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural 2:00.38
Adrian Lehman, Topeka West 2:02.10
1,600 METERS
Adrian Lehman, Topeka West 4:18.07
Brody Anderson, Seaman 4:18.55
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural 4:19.77
Mark Wilkie, Topeka West 4:22.29
Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural 4:34.44
3,200 METERS
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural 9:16.96
Adrian Lehman, Topeka West 9:16.98
Brody Anderson, Seaman 9:34.99
Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural 9:41.18
Clayton Fink, Washburn Rural 10:03.37
110-METER HURDLES
Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural 14.64
Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural 15.50
Desean Lunkins, Topeka High 15.80
Isaac Song, Shawnee Heights 15.84
Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park 16.18
300-METER HURDLES
Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural 38.83
Braylon Badger, Washburn Rural 40.62
Isaac Song, Shawnee Heights 41.07
Michael Hurla, Seaman 41.29
Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park 42.25
4x100-METER RELAY
Silver Lake 43.28
Seaman 43.48
Washburn Rural 43.49
Topeka High 43.87
Topeka West 44.50
4x400-METER RELAY
Washburn Rural 3:19.01
Topeka West 3:24.56
Topeka High 3:24.64
Seaman 3:26.21
Hayden 3:27.06
4x800-METER RELAY
Washburn Rural 8:01.63
Shawnee Heights 8:31.70
Seaman 8:43.94
Topeka High 8:46.69
Silver Lake 8:54.17
HIGH JUMP
Jack Esser, Seaman 6-5
Blake Toyne, Seaman 6-2
Brooks Ballard, Washburn Rural 6-0
Bryson Burgos, Silver Lake 6-0
Cody Quy, Seaman 6-0
Rondell Harris, Hayden 6-0
Tad McGee, Seaman 6-0
Deondre Razzano, Silver Lake 6-0
Tyler Wedl, Shawnee Heights
POLE VAULT
Tyler Wedl, Shawnee Heights 12-6
Luke Deering, Washburn Rural 10-6
Desmond Grindol, Washburn Rural 9-6
Caleb Schwartz, Washburn Rural 9-6
Quinton White, Seaman 9-6
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden
LONG JUMP
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden 22-7
Peyton Holmes, Seaman 22-6
Elijah Berg, Topeka West 21-8
Te'Vante Ewing, Topeka High 21-5
Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park 20-11
Ethan Surey, Washburn Rural 20-11
TRIPLE JUMP
Kaden Whitehurst, Seaman 42-8
Cody Quy, Seaman 41-11
Deondre Razzano, Silver Lake 41-11
Bryson Burgos, Silver Lake 41-8
Ethan Surey, Washburn Rural 40-7.50
SHOT PUT
Brogen Brown, Seaman 50-11
Amir Bass, Shawnee Heights 45-6
F. Anguiano, Hayden 44-10
Clayton Johnson, Seaman 44-5
Dorian Rhoten, Topeka West 44-3
Sam Scott, Washburn Rural 44-3
DISCUS
Brogen Brown, Seaman 146-0
Myles Fisher, Silver Lake 144-5
Treyton Tetuan, Hayden 137-4
Samuel Scott, Washburn Rural 136-0
Zachary Hancock, Washburn Rural 135-11
JAVELIN
Kelton Meier, Hayden 162-5
Oliver Perez, Washburn Rural 155-2
Andre Johnson, Rossville 155-1
Jackson Haas, Hayden 153-7
Gabriel Taylor, Washburn Rural 148-10
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Audrey Appuhn
AUDREY APPUHN, Washburn Rural
Appuhn, a junior, captured four gold medals in last Friday's city swimming championships at Capitol Federal Natatorium, helping lead Washburn Rural to its 22nd straight city team title. Appuhn won the 200-yard freestyle in 1 minute, 57.66 seconds and the 100 breaststroke in 1:07.60 and swam on the Junior Blues' winning 200 medley (2:01.75) and 400 free (4:04.31) relays as Rural won the team title by a 526-430 margin over Seaman.
Cale Deutscher
CALE DEUTSCHER, Washburn Rural
A junior, Deutscher teamed with Dylan Willingham to win the doubles championship in last Monday's Centennial League tennis tournament at Junction City and followed that up with a Class 6A regional doubles title Saturday at Wichita, helping the Junior Blues capture the team championships in both tournaments. Deutscher and Willingham won the league title with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Hayden's Chase Blaser and Evan George and took the regional title with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Derby's Collin Bale and Garrett Haupt.
Cole Fay
COLE FAY, Cair Paravel Latin
Fay, a freshman, captured a Class 3A-1A regional singles championship last Friday at Kossover Tennis Center, helping lead Cair Paravel Latin to the regional team championship with by a 15-13 margin over Kansas City Christian. Fay, who improved to 20-7 on the season, topped Kansas City Christian's Isaac Seitz 6-1, 6-2 in the singles final, qualifying for this weekend's 3A-1A state tournament at Kossover.
By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
Senior Night was capped with a Salvy Splash, Shawnee Heights style.
The T-Bird baseball team celebrated winning the United Kansas Conference league title and a season sweep of rival Seaman by drenching coach Jason Brown with a Gatorade bucket on the pitcher’s mound.
Shawnee Heights rode a strong pitching performance from Brody Cooper to a 5-0 win over Seaman Tuesday. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Shawnee Heights rode the pitching of junior Brody Cooper and some scrappy plate appearances to defeat Seaman 5-0 at the Bettis Sports Complex Tuesday. The T-Birds had defeated the Vikings 6-3 in extra innings the previous Friday.
The win lifted Shawnee Heights to a 19-7 season mark. The T-Birds had already locked up the league title prior to first pitch Tuesday, but Brown chose to not reveal that fact until after the game.
“One of our goals at the beginning of the season was to win the UKC,” Brown said. “And I wanted them to not just be happy with it but to go and take it. And that’s what they did tonight.”
The T-Birds scratched out three runs in the second inning, each runner crossing the plate on a base-on-balls. They plated two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth on a ringing single by Carson Garner.
Cooper held Seaman to just a single through the first six innings, recording seven strikeouts in the process. When the Vikings’ Cale Rosenberger led off the seventh with a double, Brown lifted Cooper for reliever Dolton Wyatt. Wyatt protected the 5-0 lead with three straight outs.
“That’s one of the best pitching performances I’ve seen in a long time,” Brown said of Cooper’s effort. “Every pitch he was throwing, he was throwing for strikes. They were competitive. He wasn’t out of the zone. He was allowing them to make contact and then allowing our defense to play behind him. He got a ton of popups and our outfield play was unbelievable.
“He’s a big kid, throws hard, has four or five pitches that he can throw for strikes. I told him at the beginning of the season, ‘Our season’s going to ride on you, man. No pressure. But as you go, we go.’ ”
“Outfield was electric. Couldn’t have done any better,” Cooper said. “Third baseman Jackson Hayes … perfect. It makes my job a lot easier.”
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly girls swimming and diving honor roll for Topeka high schools throughout the 2025 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
200-YARD MEDLEY RELAY
Washburn Rural 2:01.75
Hayden 2:07.36
Seaman 2:07.38
Topeka High 2:11.23
Shawnee Heights 2:15.41
200-YARD FREESTYLE
Audrey Appuhn, Washburn Rural 1:56.98
Joslynn Grace, Seaman 2:01.37
Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights 2:06.15
Kaitlyn Aldridge, Shawnee Heights 2:17:02
Kaelyn Gerdel, Hayden 2:21.23
200-YARD INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY
Audrey Appuhn, Washburn Rural 2:10.28
Joslynn Grace, Seaman 2:10.69
Hara Del Castillo, Topeka High 2:31.17
Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights 2:35.31
Kaitlyn Aldridge, Shawnee Heights 2:35.91
Genevieve Miranda, Washburn Rural
50-YARD FREESTYLE
Joslynn Grace, Seaman 26.46
Genevieve Miranda, Washburn Rural 26.46
Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights 26.74
Kaylee Gregg, Hayden 27.67
Clara Sobba, Shawnee Heights 28.08
ONE-METER DIVING
Kaylee Gregg, Hayden 231.60
Rhiannon Good, Washburn Rural 224.05
Maddie Gregg, Hayden 183.05
Giselle Soto, Washburn Rural 163.50
Ella Graber, Hayden 152.35
Joslynn Grace, Seaman
100-YARD BUTTERFLY
Joslynn Grace, Seaman 1:00.12
Genevieve Miranda, Washburn Rural 1:03.09
Kaitlyn Aldridge, Shawnee Heights 1:07.53
Kaya Hamilton, Washburn Rural 1:18.44
Makenna Russell, Topeka West 1:26.77
By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
The Seaman boys finished fourth at the United Kansas Conference golf tournament at Shawnee Country Club Monday, the top finisher among the league’s three Topeka schools.
Pacing the Vikings was junior Jordan Burghart, who shot 77, just one stroke out of first place. Burghart finished in a three-way tie for third, his best finish of the season.
“It was fun today. Tough competition. A lot of good golfers,” Burghart said. “I think I did pretty well aside from one blow-up hole. Other than that, it was pretty good.”
The junior’s 77 was his best round of the season and the third-place finish was his highest finish. He now looks forward to the Class 5A regional meet to be held at Lake Shawnee next Monday.
“I’ve just got to shot what I did today, or in the low 80s, to go to state,” Burghart said. “I’ve got to have my driver. If that’s not going, it’s not going well.”
De Soto claimed the league crown by shooting 318 as a team. Basehor-Linwood finished two strokes back. Seaman finished a shot behind Lansing, which posted a 329.
“This was our best team score of the year, so it’s always nice to shoot your best score going into the end of the year,” said Seaman coach Rick Rineberg. “I’m really proud of the development of the team. I told them before the meet, they’re a really fun group to be around and hopefully we get to play for two more weeks, not just one more week.
“To qualify for state as a team, we just have to play our game and just kind of understand who we are as golfers. We don’t have anybody on the team that is going to out and light it up and shoot six, seven under par. But we have a lot of guys that can grind it out and shoot in the high 70s and low 80s.”
Basehor-Linwood senior Logan Anderson and Lansing senior A.J. Allen finished tied for first with an 18-hole score of 76. They dueled in a playoff hole that saw Anderson par for the win.
Joining Seaman’s Burghart in the top 10 was Topeka West’s Blaze Schultz. The Charger sophomore finished in a four-way tie for seventh was a round of 80.
“I felt pretty good,” said Schultz, whose best round of the season was a 79 at Western Hills, good for second in that meet. “I played good in the back, one over. Front nine was a little rough, but I finished strong.
Schultz reflected on his prospects to qualify for state in light of his finish in the UKC meet.
“I’ve got to shoot low 80s, 85. That’s the goal,” Schultz said about next week’s regional meet. “I’m feeling pretty good (about my development). I can’t wait to keep improving.”
Leading way for Shawnee Heights was junior Ayden Valdivia, who carded an 81, earning a spot on the All-United Kansas Conference Second Team.
UNITED KANSAS CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Junior doubles champions Cale Deutscher and Dylan Willingham led the way Saturday as Washburn Rural captured the team championship in a Class 6A tennis regional at Wichita.
Washburn Rural tennis won a Class 6A regional title Saturday in Wichita after previously winning city and Centennial League championships. [Washburn Rural tennis]
Deutscher and Willingham downed Derby's Collin Bale and Garrett Haupt 6-4, 6-3 in the championship match, improving to 21-1 on the season.
The Junior Blues also got third-place regional finishes from junior Keegan Knudtson and from juniors Ben Tryhus and Kieffer O'Connor in doubles as Rural won the team title by an 18-14 margin over Manhattan.
Topeka High junior Tres Lassiter finished second in singles in Saturday's Class 6A regional in Wichita. [File photo/TSN]
Topeka High junior Tres Lassiter advanced to the singles final, dropping a 6-1, 6-3 decision to Manhattan freshman Jay Hoke in the championship match as Hoke improved to 29-4 while Lassiter is now 26-5.
Rural's Knudtson (19-9) took a 6-4, 6-1 decision over Derby's Tyler Bradt in the third-place singles match while Tryhus and O'Connor (13-10) took a 6-2, 6-2 win over Topeka High senior Alex Raymond and junior Christian Sink (18-10) to finish third in doubles.
Washburn Rural has now swept city, Centennial League and regional team titles entering Friday and Saturday's 6A state tournament at Junction City while High's Lassiter will finish off his first season of high school tennis with a state appearance and Raymond and Sink qualified for state in their first year as a doubles team.
Seaman tennis followed up its UKC team title with a runnerup finish in Saturday's Class 5A regional tournament, qualifying its entire team for state. [File photo/TSN]
Vikings qualify entire team for 5A state
Seaman followed up its United Kansas Conference championship with a strong performance in Saturday's Class 5A regional at Bonner Springs, with the Vikings finishing second as a team while qualifying their entire team for state.
The Vikings got third and fifth-place finishes in singles from freshman Camden Dutton and senior Ethan Winters while Seaman juniors Dayton Schneider and Owen Stewart finished third and junior Wesley Budge and freshman David Budge placed fifth in doubles.
Dutton (23-9) took a 6-0, 6-0 win over Piper's Chri Htoo in the third-place singles match while Winters (24-7) finished fifth with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Topeka West senior state qualifier Mark Cianciarulo (23-8 ) in the fifth-place match.
Schneider and Stewart (26-11) took a win over Topeka West senior Julian Ramcharan and freshman Collin McGee (25-12) in the third-place doubles match (score unavailable) while Budge and Budge (20-9) finished fifth with a 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-3 win over Basehor-Linwood's Luke Broxterman and David Barnett.
The 5A state meet will be contested Friday and Saturday in Salina.
Shawnee Heights' Brock Corley qualified for the Class 5A state tournament in singles with a fifth-place regional finish Saturday in De Soto. [File photo/TSN]
T-Birds' Corley earns 5A state berth
Shawnee Heights senior Brock Corley posted a fifth-place singles finish in Saturday's Class 5A regional at De Soto, earning a berth for Friday and Saturday's state tournament at Salina.
Corley, the United Kansas Conference singles champion, took a 6-2, 6-1 win over Spring Hill's B. Browning in the fifth-place regionals match.
Corley will take a 22-9 record into the state tournament.
By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
Hayden senior Kaylee Gregg pulled off a rare feat in Friday's Topeka City Girls Swimming Championships at Capitol Federal Natatorium.
Washburn Rural took first in the city meet for the 22nd straight season, with two of their leading swimmers taking two first places each.
Trailing the Junior Blues’ 526 points was Seaman with 430. Topeka High finished in third place with 307.
Hayden senior Kaylee Gregg won a pair of city titles Friday, winning the one-meter diving competition and the 50-meter freestyle. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Gregg accomplished the rare feat of winning the dive competition early in the day, then coming back to win an individual swim event. Gregg won the 50-yard freestyle and was also a part of two second-place relay teams for Hayden.
Gregg said she started swimming and diving as a freshman, having had no previous training. As a swimmer, she participates only on short races. But, in truth, she admitted she doesn’t train for swimming.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been to a swim practice,” Gregg said. “I just show up and do my best.
“I did gymnastics growing up and now I do cheer, so I had the stamina to be able to get through the 50s and the 100s,” Gregg said. “My dive coach is actually my gymnastics coach growing up. She really helped me. You’re going into water like we go into (gymnastics) pits, so it’s not that different.”
Gregg has qualified for state all four years as a diver and has participated at state on relay teams. She is holding out hope to qualify for the 50 freestyle, with one chance – the Centennial League meet – remaining.
While she didn’t quite eclipse the required time to qualify for state in the 50 freestyle, she received some other great news at the city meet.
“This has been a really cool night for me because I made the KU Cheer team today,” Gregg said. “I found out as soon as I got done with our first relay.”
Seaman senior Joslynn Grace was a double city champion Friday at the Capitol Federal Natatorium. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Having a good day in her own right was Seaman senior Joslynn Grace, who took first in the 200 individual medley and the 100 butterfly. The senior has committed to swim at the University of Nebraska-Kearney after high school. She said she enjoyed participating in the city meet one last time.
“This was really exciting for me because I’m happy with my times,” Grace said. “The city meet is really fun to just watch everybody and see them all do their thing, too.
“Swim is like my second life. I love it so much. To practice and see yourself get better is like therapy for me. I’ve enjoyed it so much.”
Audrey Appuhn captured four gold medals Friday, helping Washburn Rural win the city team championship. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Genevieve Miranda helped lead Washburn Rural to the city swimming team title Friday, posting two individual wins and swimming on two city-champion relays. [File photo/TSN]
Also placing first in two individual events were Washburn Rural’s Audrey Appuhn and Genevieve Miranda, with Appuhn winning the 200 freestyle and 100 breaststroke and Miranda winning the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke. Appuhn and Miranda also swam on the Junior Blues' winning 200 medley and 400 freestyle relay.
TEAM SCORES
