Seaman Vikings
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Former Seaman star Robbie Rea has been named head baseball coach at Central Oklahoma after serving as an assistant coach for the Bronchos the previous three seasons.
Robbie Rea
"Robbie Rea is ready to become a head coach, and I'm thrilled that he will get that opportunity at UCO," Central Oklahoma vice-president for athletics Stan Wagnon said in a UCO release. "Robbie's background as an accomplished player and his broad experience coaching throughout the region are tremendous assets that will help him to recruit and maintain relationships with student-athletes in college baseball's changing climate.
"I look forward to supporting Robbie in this new role, along with his wife Rachel and their young family."
Rea was a three-time Class 5A state champion for Seaman and was named Kansas State Player of the Year.
He went on to earn All-Big 12 honors as a second baseman for the Oklahoma State Cowboys after earning All-American honors at Cowley during his junior college career.
Rea guided the pitching staff at Central Oklahoma as an assistant coach, with the Bronchos winning 105 games since Rea joined the staff and qualifying for the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship in each of the past two seasons.
Central Oklahoma went 32-19 in Rea's first season as an assistant coach, then 37-16 the following year in 2024. Last spring, Rea and the Bronchos went 36-17 and won the MIAA postseason championship for the first time since joining the league 13 years ago.
UCO has ranked in the top three in the MIAA in staff ERA each of the past three seasons. The Bronchos were second in 2023 (5.12), first in 2024 (4.60), and third this past season (5.21).
UCO's pitching staff has put up 1,274 strikeouts, 8.5 per nine innings, in three seasons with Rea at the helm.
Prior to going to UCO, Rea made stops at MIAA schools Newman and Northeastern State. He also spent time at Cowley College in Kansas as well as Abiline Christian in Texas.
Central Oklahoma returns 22 players from last year's squad, including two-time All-MIAA pitcher Brett Pense. The Bronchos will return to the field in February. A complete schedule will be announced later this fall.
Robbie's younger brother, Butch Rea, is an assistant coach for the Bronchos.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Six Shawnee County schools earned Top 10 spots in the Kansas Volleyball Association's preseason state rankings released Wednesday.
Hayden tops the county contingent with a No. 2 ranking in Class 4A while perennial state contender Washburn Rural holds down the No. 5 spot in 6A.
Hayden, which won a Class 4A sub-state title before posting a third-place state finish, is ranked No. 2 in Class 4A in the KVA Preseason State Rankings. [File photo/TSN]
Seaman and Shawnee Heights are ranked No. 8 and 9, respectively, in 5A while Silver Lake is ranked No. 8 in 3A and Rossville is ranked No. 10 in 2A.
Seaman was the 5A runnerup last season while Hayden finished third in 4A and Washburn Rural was a state qualifier in 6A.
Current classifications for the rankings are based on enrollments from the 2024-25 school year.
The rankings will be adjusted when the updated KSHSAA classifications are released at the end of September.
Kansas Volleyball Association Preseason Rankings
CLASS 6A
1. Mill Valley
2. Blue Valley West
3. Olathe West
4. Blue Valley North
5. Washburn Rural
6. Gardner-Edgerton
7. Manhattan
8. Olathe North
9. Wichita Northwest
10. Olathe South
CLASS 5A
1. St. Thomas Aquinas
2. Blue Valley Southwest
3. St. James Academy
4. Maize South
5. Kapaun Mt. Carmel
6. Lansing
7. Bishop Carroll
8. Seaman
9. Shawnee Heights
10. Great Bend
CLASS 4A
1. Bishop Miege
2. Hayden
3. Rock Creek
4. Clay Center
5. McPherson
6. Andale
7. Eudora
8. Concordia
9. Holton
10. Buhler
CLASS 3A
1. Halstead
2. Nemaha Central
3. Hoisington
4. Beloit
5. Neodesha
6. Royal Valley
7. Girard
8. Silver Lake
9. Frontenac
10. Riverton
CLASS 2A
1. Ellinwood
2. Valley Heights
3. Inman
4. Sedgwick
5. Maranatha Christian
6. Oakley
7. Wichita-Central Christian Academy
8. Hillsboro
9. Doniphan West
10. Rossville
CLASS 1A Division I
1. Little River
2. Centralia
3. Clifton-Clyde
4. Rock Hills
5. Goessel
6. South Gray
7. Spearville
8. Pretty Prairie
9. Greeley County
10. Rawlins County
CLASS 1A Division II
1. Hanover
2. Ingalls
3. Marais des Cygnes Valley
4. Lebo
5. Wheatland-Grinnell
6. Argonia
7. Attica
8. Cheylin
9. Linn
10. Dighton
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.
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Seaman graduated some very good football players off last season's Viking team team that posted an 8-3 record, captured the United Kansas Conference championship and advanced to the Class 5A quarterfinals for the second straight season.
Hopes remain high for Jared Swafford's Seaman football team that went 8-3 and claimed the UKC title last fall. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
But the Vikings also return a solid nucleus to build around and fifth-year Seaman head coach Jared Swafford promises that the lofty expectations won't change.
"I think the best part about being the program that we are is you reload, you continue to move forward and you do what you do,'' said Swafford, who is 24-16 as a head coach. "We have a great group of kids who had a great summer.
"It's always tough to lose some studs, and if we want to continue to fight for league championships and be somebody in the playoffs that is a formidable opponent and presses towards a state championship, then you reload with more guys.''
Seaman graduated co-Shawnee County offensive players of the year Max Huston and Bryer Finley and defensive player of the year Kaden Jordan, but senior linebacker Cameron Brian (6-foot-1, 205 pounds) was an all-county Top 22 pick and the defensive newcomer of the year last fall and senior tight end Noah Kobuszewski (6-4, 240) and senior running back Kaden McKinney (6-2, 190) were Second 22 all-county honorees.
Brian was in on 112 tackles a year ago with 10 tackles for loss while McKinney rushed for 977 yards and scored 15 total touchdowns and Kobuszewski had 325 receiving yards.
Senior guards Brogen Brown (6-1, 240) and Brayden Warren (6-0, 215) received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season while the Vikings also return senior wide receiver Jayden Evans (6-5, 180), junior wide receiver Jack Becker (5-10, 165), senior tackle Brodie Empson (6-1, 210), senior linebacker Ben Trier (6-3, 210), senior defensive backs Michael Hurla (6-0, 185), Kevin Moe (5-11, 190) and Hayden Foxhoven (5-11, 175) and junior defensive back Grant Ebberts (6-0, 175).
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 3-6 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
Hailey Caryl, Topeka High
HAILEY CARYL, Topeka High
A sophomore, Caryl teamed with Ava Ritter to advance to the Class 6A state tournament in doubles last fall. Caryl and Ritter finished fourth in the city meet in No. 1 doubles, third in the Centennial League meet in doubles and fifth in 6A regional competition to advance to state.
Madeline Deters, Topeka High
MADELINE DETERS, Topeka High
Deters, a senior, earned a Class 6A state medal last season, posting an eighth-place singles finish. Deters placed third in the city meet in No. 1 singles, second in singles in the Centennial Laague tournament and third in 6A regional competition. Deters also qualified for state as a sophomore.
Grace Funk, Hayden
GRACE FUNK, Hayden
A senior, Funk has earned Class 4A state singles medals in three straight seasons for the Wildcats. Funk posted a career-best ninth-place singles finish last fall to help the Wildcats win the 4A team title. Funk finished second in the city meet in No. 2 singles and placed fifth in singles in the Centennial League tournament and third at regionals.
Molly Gorman, Seaman
MOLLY GORMAN, Seaman
Gorman, a senior, switched to singles last fall after earning back-to-back Class 5A doubles state medals as a freshman and sophomore. Gorman helped Seaman win United Kansas Conference and regional team titles with perfect team scores. Gorman was the city champion in No. 2 singles and also placed second in singles in UKC and regional competition before finishing 10th at state as the Vikings finished third as a team.
Peyton Henry, Seaman
PEYTON HENRY, Seaman
Henry, a senior, teamed with graduated senior Sydney Chinn last season to post a 12th-place state finish in Class 5A doubles. Henry and Chinn swept United Kansas Conference and regional doubles titles after finishing third in the city tournament in No. 1 doubles. Henry and Chinn helped thv Vikings record perfect team scores at league and regionals.
KAYLYN HIEBSCH, Seaman
Hiebsch, a junior, teamed with Camryn Lux to finish second in the city meet in No. 2 doubles and Hiebsch and Lux also finished second in doubles in the United Kansas Conference and regional tournaments as the Vikings won team titles in both tournaments with perfect team scores.
Julia Katzer, Washburn Rural
JULIA KATZER, Washburn Rural
Katzer, a junior, qualified for the Class 6A state tournament in singles last season, earning her state berth with a fifth-place regional finish while helping the Junior Blues win a regional team title. Katzer finished third in No. 2 singles in the city meet.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Lauren Borjon, Hayden
LAUREN BORJON, Hayden
Borjon, a senior, helped Hayden win its second straight Class 4A state title by a 15-stroke margin, finishing third individually with a 36-hole score of 157 (76-81). Borjon, a two-time first-team All-Shawnee County pick, tied for sixth in the city tournament (84), finished second in the Centennial League (75) and finished seventh in regional competition (81). Borjon, who has earned three straight state medals, averaged 80.2 per round on the season.
Lauren Cox, Washburn Rural
LAUREN COX, Washburn Rural
A senior, Cox helped lead Washburn Rural to a third-place team finish in Class 6A. An All-Shawnee County first-team pick, Cox finished seventh in the city tournament (87), tied for 11th in the Centennial League (83) and eighth in a 6A regional (85) before tying for 22nd in the state tournament with a 36-hole score of 165 (82-83). Cox averaged 84.5 per round on the season.
ELISE ECKERT, Seaman
Eckert will play her senior season at Seaman after earning three Class 5A state medals for Emporia, including a fourth-place state finish last fall with a 36-hole score of 150 (77-73). Eckert tied for third in the Centennial League tournament (76) and carded a school-record 71 while playing for the Spartans.
Izzy Glotzbach, Hayden
IZZY GLOTZBACH, Hayden
A senior, Glotzbach carded a 36-hole score of 171 (89-82) in the Class 4A state tournament en route to a 12th-place individual finish as Hayden captured its second straight 4A team championship by a 15-stroke margin. A two-time All-Shawnee County first-team honoree, Glotzbach finished fourth in the city tournament (81), tied for eighth in the Centennial League (80) and finished eighth at regionals (82). Glotzbach averaged 82.3 per round on the season.
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
CARLOS ACOSTA-MARTINEZ, Topeka High
Acosta-Martinez, a junior, was a second-team All-Centennial League selection last season for the Trojans while also earning All-City honorable mention.
Draden Chooncharoen, Washburn Rural
DRADEN CHOONCHAROEN, Washburn Rural
A senior midfielder, Chooncharoen received first-team All-Centennial League honors last fall as the 15-3-3 Junior Blues won their 30th straight league title (outright or shared) on the way to a third-place finish in the Class 6A state tournament. Chooncharoen also received All-6A and All-City honorable mention and is a two-time 6A state track champion in the 4x400-meter relay.
Miles Cook, Washburn Rural
MILES COOK, Washburn Rural
Cook, a senior goalkeeper, helped 15-3-3 Washburn Rural win its 30th straight Centennial League championship (outright or shared) en route to a third-place finish in Class 6A. Cook received second-team Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association All-6A and All-Centennial recognition as well as All-City honorable mention.
JUDAH CONGDON, Cair Paravel Latin
A junior, Congdon earned All-Class 4A-1A honorable mention from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association last season and also received All-City honorable mention.
Valentin Del Real, Topeka West
VALENTIN DEL REAL, Topeka West
Del Real, a sophomore midfielder, had a big freshman season for the Chargers last fall as Topeka West posted a breakout 13-4-1 campaign. Del Real earned first-team All-City recognition and also was a first-team All-United Kansas Conference pick.
NERI DIAZ, Highland Park
Diaz, a senior midfielder, earned first-team All-City recognition for Highland Park in the 2024 season and was one of the top players in the Meadowlark Conference.
Juan Garcia, Shawnee Heights
JUAN GARCIA, Shawnee Heights
A senior, Garcia received All-Class 5A honorable mention from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association last season while also receiving All-City honorable mention.
Diego Gonzalez-Talavera, Topeka West
DIEGO GONZALES-TALAVERA, Topeka West
A junior forward, Gonzales-Talavera helped lead the 13-4-1 Chargers to a breakout season in 2024, earning All-City and All-United Kansas Conference first-team recognition.
Camden Granado, Shawnee Heights
CAMDEN GRANADO, Shawnee Heights
Granado, a senior forward, received All-Class 5A honorable mention from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association last season while also earning first-team All-City and All-United Kansas Conference recognition. Granado was also a standout kicker for the T-Bird football team last fall.
Mason Haas, Shawnee Heights
MASON HAAS, Shawnee Heights
Haas, a junior midfielder, received All-Class 5A honorable mention from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association last season while also earning first-team All-City and All-United Kansas Conference recognition.
Brandon Hamiton, Washburn Rural
BRANDON HAMILTON, Washburn Rural
A senior defender, Hamilton received second-team All-Class 6A honors from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association while also earning first-team All-City and All-Centennial League recognition for the 15-3-3 Junior Blues, who finished third in 6A after winning their 30th straight league championship (outright or shared).
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
Trent Oliva has stepped down as Seaman's baseball coach after posting a 93-27 record with three trips to the Class 5A state tournament in five seasons.
Trent Oliva
Oliva confirmed to TopSports.news that he resigned last week, but declined further comment.
Oliva compiled a winning percentage of .775 at Seaman, including 5A state berths in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and a Centennial League title in 2022.
Oliva's Vikings posted a 20-3 record in 2022 and did not win fewer than 18 games during his Seaman tenure, including an 18-8 record this past spring.
Oliva was named the Centennial League coach of the year and the TSN Shawnee County co-coach of the year in 2022.
Prior to taking over as Seaman's head coach, Oliva had a 12-year stint as a Viking assistant under Steve Bushnell and also served as Royal Valley's head boys baseball coach for three seasons and as the Panthers' boys basketball coach for two seasons.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Former Seaman and University of Kansas volleyball star Camryn Turner will join Chris Herron's Washburn University coaching staff as a part time assistant coach beginning August 1.
Camryn Turner
"Cam is first an outstanding person who also happens to be a two-time D-I All-American,'' Herron said in a Washburn media release. "We are very excited to have her join our program. She will bring her own ideas and energy and fits right into the culture here.
"We will also have her set the 'B' Side this fall to help her in her preparations for her own upcoming season."
Turner will join the WU staff in the fall after most recently completing her first professional season with the Grand Rapids Rise in the Pro Volleyball Federation, where she was selected 22nd overall in the third round of the 2024 draft.
Turner appeared in 22 matches for the Rise, recording 569 assists with eight double-doubles. Turner will continue playing in the PVF in 2026 after the Ichabod season.
Prior to the beginning of her professional career, Turner completed a standout four-year career at Kansas, where she was an AVCA All-American in each of her final two seasons (2023, 2024).
She tallied 3,758 assists, 1,067 digs and 279 kills in her career and was named the Big 12 Setter of the Year in 2023.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman senior to be Ryin Miller has been named the Gatorade Kansas Girls Track and Field Player of the Year for the second straight season.
Seaman's Ryin Miller has been named the Gatorade Kansas track and field athlete of the year for the second straight season after winning three Class 5A state titles this past spring. [File photo/TSN]
Miller, a four-sport standout for the Vikings, Miller was earlier named the state’s 2024-25 Gatorade Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year, giving her three state Gatorade honors.
This past track season Miller swept the Class 5A 800 (2:11.14), 1,600 (4:57.33) and 3,200-meter runs (10:19.53) in the state meet at Wichita State's Cessna Stadium, giving her five career state titles.
Following her high school season Miller traveled to Eugene, Ore. for the Nike Outdoor Nationals, where she finished fifth in the championship division of the 3,000 meters (9:28.52) and fourth in the championship division of the mile run (4:42.58).
Miller's outstanding track campaign came on the heels of a banner cross country season last fall, which included the fastest five-kilometer run in Kansas history (16:32.62) and a runnerup finish in the 5A state meet (17:26.36).
Miller has maintained a 4.14 weighted grade point average in the classroom.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The top Shawnee County athletes from the class of 2025 are getting ready to embark on their college careers while offseason preparations for the 2025-2026 school year are well under way.
But it's also important to remember the accomplishments that made the '24-'25 campaign a special one for county athletes and teams.
Shawnee County schools claimed three state girls team championships and seven others came up just short over the past school year while three county standouts combined to claim five individual titles in three different sports.
While a case can always be made for any number of stories to sit at the top of the list, here's just one opinion on the Top 10 county girls prep stories of '24-'25.
Washburn Rural soccer celebrates its first Class 6A state championship after a 1-0 win over Mill Valley in PKs. [Photo by KSHSAA Covered]
1. HISTORIC BREAKTHROUGH -- Washburn Rural, already well established as one of the state's premier girls soccer programs, added the only missing piece from its impressive resume with its first Class 6A state championship on May 31 in Wichita. Making their 11th straight Final Four appearance, including four runnerup state finishes, the Junior Blues broke through with a 1-0 win over Mill Valley, taking the win with a 4-1 edge in penalty kicks as senior Madison Lemke came up huge in goal for Brian Hensyel's 19-2-0 Rural team.
Seaman junior Ryin Miller won three gold medals in the 2025 Class 5A state track meet at Wichita, giving her five wins in her career. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
2. MILLER TIMES --Seaman superstar runner Ryin Miller capped off her junior track and field season by sweeping Class 5A state championships in her three individual events, taking wins in the 3,200 (10:19.53), 1,600 (4:57.33) and 800-meter (2:11.14) runs at Wichita State. Miller's three wins in 2025 gave her five career titles and came on the heels of a banner cross country season last fall, which included the fastest five-kilometer run in Kansas history (16:32.62) and a runnerup finish in the 5A state meet (17:26.36) by the Viking four-sport athlete.
Hayden senior Ainzley Zulueta earned her third Class 4A singles title last fall, leading the Wildcats to their second team title in three seasons. [File photo/TSN]
3. ZULUETA, WILDCATS BACK ON TOP --After sitting out her junior high shool tennis season due to KSHSAA eligibility guidelines, Zulueta returned to the courts last fall and turned in a dominating postseason performance (eight straight 6-0, 6-0 wins in regional and state competition) en route to her third Class 4A singles championship in as many tries while leading Hayden to its second team title in three seasons by a 40-28 margin over McPherson. In addition to Zulueta's title, Christy Sheetz's Wildcats got a runnerup doubles finish from senior Emily Sheetz and freshman Sophia Wichman, a ninth-place singles finish from junior Grace Funk and an 11th-place doubles showing from juniors Izzy Glotzbach and Avery O'Bray.
Hayden's girls golf team captured its second straight Class 4A state championship last fall by 15 strokes over Wellington. [Submitted photo]
4. REPEAT FEAT --Hayden rolled to its second straight Class 4A girls golf team championship last fall, posting a 698-713 win over Wellington at Hesston as three Wildcats earned individual medals. Junior Lauren Borjon paced Hayden with a third-place state finish (76-81 -- 157) while junior Izzy Glotzbach tied for 12th (89-82 -- 171) and senior Addyson Baer tied for 16th (86-88 -- 174). Glotzbach helped the Wildcats win state titles in tennis and golf three days apart.
Highland Park junior Makayla Cadet has her hand raised as the Class 5A 190-pound state champ last winter. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
5. A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY --Highland Park junior Makayla Cadet celebrated her 17th birthday in one of the best ways you could imagine last winter, with a Class 5A state wrestling championship. Cadet, who went 23-4 on the season, became the first girls wrestler in Highland Park history to win a state championship when she pinned Basehor-Linwood junior Izzy Renfro at the 1:36 mark of the first period in Park City. Cadet's win over Renfro avenged a regional loss to the Bobcat standout.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The 2024-2025 sports year was full of near-misses for Shawnee County boys teams, with Hayden bowling the lone team to garner a championship in a school year that included seven top-three state trophy finishes in six sports.
But individually there was plenty to celebrate, most notably for Washburn Rural on the wrestling mat and track as seven Junior Blues combined for all six county titles
Following is a pick by pick look at the TopSports.news Top 10 county boys prep stories of '24-'25:
Washburn Rural 2025 grad Easton Broxterman won his third straight Class 6A state wrestling title in his fourth straight trip to the state finals. [File photo/TSN]
1. DOMINATING FINISH TO DOMINATING CAREER -- Washburn Rural superstar wrestler Easton Broxterman put the capper on one of the top high school careers in Shawnee County history with his third straight Class 6A state championship in his fourth straight trip to the state finals, helping lead the Junior Blues to a third-place team finish in the 6A state tournament in Overland Park. Broxterman, who will wrestle collegiately at Army, finished off a 41-2 senior season with the 145-pound state title.
Hayden captured the school's first-ever state bowling title in 2025. [File photo/TSN]
2. ROLLING TO HISTORY --Hayden garnered the first state bowling championship in school history, winning the Class 4A-1A state event by a 3,666-3,571 margin over Mulvane as four Wildcats earned individual state medals. Trevor Christy rolled a 698 series to finish third individually while John Strickland finished fifth with a 685, Chase Blaser was seventh with a 676 and Reese Renyer placed 16th with a 636.
Washburn Rural 2025 grad Kristjan Marshall won back-to-back Class 6A state wrestling titles in '24 and '25.'[File photo/TSN]
Washburn Rural senior to be Landen Kocher-Munoz won his second Class 6A state wrestling titles in '25.'[File photo/TSN]
3. REPEAT FEAT --Washburn Rural wrestling stars Kristjan Marshall and Landen Kocher-Munoz captured the second Class 6A state titles of their careers as the Junior Blues finished third as a team. Marshall, a senior, won his second straight championship, winning the 157-pound crown to finish off a 37-5 season while Kocher-Munoz, a junior, won his second career championship in his third straight state final, winning at 138 pounds to finish 34-3 on the season.
Washburn Rural's Matthew Houser, Liam Morrison, Draden Chooncharoen and Isaiah Terry set the Class 6A state meet record in the 4x400 relay in the 2025 state meet. [File photo/TSN]
4. REPEAT FEAT PART II --Washburn Rural won the Class 6A state title in the 4x400-meter relay for the second straight season in the final event of the state meet at Wichita State's Cessna Stadium as senior Matthew Houser, junior Liam Morrison, junior Draden Chooncharoen and senior Isaiah Terry set a 6A state meet record in a winning time of 3 minutes, 16.23 seconds. Morrison, Chooncharoen and Terry ran on Rural's state-champion relay in both '24 and '25 while Houser won his first state title.
5. DOUBLING THEIR PLEASURE --In addition to helping Washburn Rural set a Class 6A state meet 4x400 relay record in the 2025 state meet, senior Isaiah Terry and junior Liam Morrison both doubled up with their first career individual state titles. Terry won the 400-meter dash in 47.92 seconds while Morrison won the 300 hurdles in 37.68 seconds. Terry and Morrison also both have a pair of state wins as part of the Junior Blues' 4x400 relay, giving them three career state golds.
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
The official high school track and field season ended on May 31 in Wichita, but Seaman superstar Ryin Miller continues to crank out outstanding performances.
Seaman senior to be Ryin Miller turned in a strong performance in last weekend's Nike Outdoor Nationals, including a Kansas all-time best. [File photo/TSN]
Miller, who will be a senior for the Vikings in 2025-2026, is coming off a big weekend in the Nike Outdoor Nationals in Eugene, Ore., including a Kansas all-time best.
Miller finished fifth in the championship division of the Nike Nationals 3,000 meters on Saturday in a time of 9 minutes, 28.52 seconds, Kansas' all-time fastest time in the event.
Miller then came back on Sunday to run the No. 2 all-time Kansas best of 4:42.58 in the one-mile run, placing fourth in the championship division.
Miller's performance in Oregon came after she swept the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 Class 5A championships in the state meet at Wichita State's Cessna Stadium and Miller now has five career 5A state titles.
The Seaman four-sport standout currently ranks No. 3 all-time in Kansas in the 800 (2:09.28) and No. 3 in the 3,200 (10:13.97).
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Following Saturday night's Kansas Shrine Bowl in Dodge City, Seaman products Kaden Jordan, Max Huston and Bryer Finley will all go their separate ways to pursue their college athletic careers.
Former Seaman standout Kaden Jordan will close out its high school football career in Saturday's Kansas Shrine Bowl at Dodge City. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
And Jordan said it's very important for the three former Vikings to make the most of their final game together.
Jordan, a 6-foot-2, 305-pound defensive lineman, Finley (6-5, 195 wide receiver) and Huston (6-1, 185 quarterback) will all play for the East in Saturday's 7 p.m. all-star game while their high school coach, Jared Swafford, is an East assistant.
"The Shrine Bowl in general has been a goal for sure, to be able to prove that I was good enough to make it,'' Jordan said. "And playing with Bryer and Max and even coach Swaff is definitley a huge thing.
"I started playing football with Max in the fourth grade and Bryer in fifth, so it's kind of good to end little league and high school sports with them as well.''
Following Saturday's game, Jordan, the Shawnee County defensive player of the year for the 8-3 Vikings last fall, will turn his focus to getting ready for his freshman season at Hutchinson Community College.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Being a state-class athlete in three different sports has been a blessing for Seaman product Bryer Finley.
Seaman three-sport standout Bryer Finley will play wide receiver for the East in Saturday's Kansas Shrine Bowl at Dodge City. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
But that versatality has also presented challenges for the football, basketball and baseball standout as he's tried to decide which sport he'll pursue at the collegiate level.
The 6-foot-5, 195-pound Finley, who will play wide receiver for the East in Saturday's Kansas Shrine Bowl all-star football game at Dodge City, is leaning towards playing baseball in college, but that decision is not set in stone.
"I'm still basically undecided to where I'm going to go to college,'' Finley said this week before an East practice at Ottawa University.
Complicating Finley's college decision is the fact that a big senior year afforded him college opportunities in all three sports.
Finley was named the United Kansas Conference offensive player of the year and TopSports.news Shawnee County co-offensive player of the year last fall in football after catching 82 passes for 1,556 yards and 21 touchdowns as Seaman posted an 8-3 record and advanced to the Class 5A state quarterfinals.
Finley earned Second 10 all-county and second-team All-UKC honors in basketball and was a second-team all-county selection in baseball while receiving All-5A and All-UKC honorable mention.
"It's still hard to make the (college) decision because I love all three and played all three growing up,'' Finley said. "It's hard to make a commitment to one when I've been playing them my whole life, but if it's the right one hopefully I'll do good at that one.''
And if Saturday proves to be his final football game, Finley can't think of a better way to go out than in the state's premier all-star game while playing with former Seaman teammates Max Finley and Kaden Jordan.
"I get to play one more football game and it seems awesome to come out here with my two other teammates and get one more game with them,'' Finley said.
Huston (6-1, 185) is playng quarterback for the East while Jordan (6-2, 305) is a defensive lineman and Seaman coach Jared Swafford is an an East assistant coach.
Also playing for the East is former Washburn Rural standout offensive lineman Caden Estrada (6-2, 270).
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The college recruiting process can be hectic and a bit daunting for high school athletes.
But that wasn't the case for former Washburn Rural standout Caden Estrada, who basically needed just one visit to the Emporia State campus to know where he was headed.
Former Washburn Rural standout Caden Estrada (75) will play for the East in Saturday's Kansas Shrine Bowl at Dodge City. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"I just love the culture there, so I had to do it,'' said Estrada, a 6-foot-2, 270-pound offensive lineman. "I went down there on my visit and really liked the coach (Garin Higgins), really liked the staff and it just felt like home.''
Estrada, who will play for the East in Saturday's Kansas Shrine Bowl at Dodge City, got a jump start on his college career with the other Hornet recruits last week.
"I went down there last week for freshman camp and it was great,'' said Estrada, an All-Shawnee County Top 22 pick last fall and a three-time All-Centennial League selection for Rural. "I did the workouts, did some conditioning and got to hang out with my teammates, so it was a good time.''
Estrada, who helped Rural advance to the Class 6A state semifinals as a junior, said the Shrine Bowl experience will also help prepare him for what's ahead.
"I think it totally will,'' he said. "Obviously we're getting better athletically, but also leadership-wise and playing for something bigger than ourselves, playing for the kids and all that, puts the game to the side and helps you mentally.''
Estrada expects to redshirt this fall, which he also thinks will benefit him in the future.
"Most freshmen do redshirt and I think that will help in understanding the playbook and stuff like that,'' Estrada said. "I think that will help tremendously because college is a whole different game. I'm super excited.''
Estrada is one of four city players on the East roster, along with Seaman quarterback Max Huston, wide receiver Bryer Finley (6-5, 195) and defensive lineman Kaden Jordan (6-2, 305).
Seaman coach Jared Swafford is an an East assistant coach.
