Shawnee Heights Thunderbirds
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Sixteen city soccer players earned All-United Kansas Conference recognition, including nine first-team picks.
Seaman is represented on the first team by junior forward Ryin Miller, senior midfielder Anna Becker, senior goalkeeper Maegan Mills, junior forward Ava Golightley, and junior defender Addyson Shipp while Shawnee Heights put senior defender Bayli Benson, senior forward Izzy Van Fleet, senior midfielder Lailah Benz and sophomore midfielder Nina O'Neill-Bolanos on the first team.
Ryin Miller, Seaman
Anna Becker, Seaman
Izzy Van Fleet, Shawnee Heights
Bayli Benson, Shawnee Heights
Miller and Becker are first-team All-UKC repeat picks for Seaman while Benson and Van Fleet are first-team repeaters for Shawnee Heights.
Seaman, a Class 5A quarterfinalist, put senior defender Kinley Wilhelm, junior forward Savannah Nelson and junior midfielder Maya Martin on the second team while four city players earned honorable mention.
ALL-UNITED KANSAS CONFERENCE SOCCER
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Conference champion Shawnee Heights swept the 2025 All-United Kansas Conference individual baseball honors, led by senior Deacon Pomeroy , who wasnamed the UKC player of the year by conference coaches for the second straight season.
![Shawnee Heights' Deacon Pomeroy was named the UKC player of the year for the second straight season. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]](/images/DeaconPomeroy2025BaseballState-1.jpg)
Shawnee Heights' Deacon Pomeroy was named the UKC player of the year for the second straight season. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Shawnee Heights junior Cambren Floberg has been named the UKC pitcher of the year by conference coaches. [File photo/TSN]
T-Bird junior Cambren Floberg was named the conference pitcher of the year while first-year Heights coach Jason Brown was tapped as the coach of the year after leading the T-Birds to a Class 5A state tournament berth.
Pomeroy, a standout pitcher and catcher, was named to the All-UKC team as a utility player, and is joined on the first team by junior pitcher Brody Cooper and junior outfielder Makade Orton.
Seaman is represented on the first team by sophomore Axton Brewer, who was named to the UKC team at pitcher and designated hitter.
Shawnee Heights and Seaman combined to put six players on the All-UKC second team, with the T-Birds represented by Floberg and senior infielders Braeden Johnston and Carson Garner while the Vikings put senior catcher David Dobbs, junior infielder Cooper Hayes and senior infielder Max Huston on the second team.
Five city players earned All-UKC honorable mention.
ALL-UNITED KANSAS CONFERENCE BASEBALL
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Silver Lake's Dayne Johnson and Kailyn Hanni, Rossville's Jack Donovan and Seaman's Ryin Miller, who recently completed their junior years of high school, were honored Tuesday night at The Foundry as the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency 2025 Rising Stars of the year.
Silver Lake's Dayne Johnson and Rossville's Jack Donovan were named the Dan Key Farmers Agency 2025 co-male Rising Stars of the Year Tuesday night while Silver Lake's Kailyn Hanni and Seaman's Ryin Miller were named the co-female winners. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Donovan and Johnson were named the co-boys winners while Hanni and Miller shared the girls honor.
The four overall winners were picked from five girls and boys finalists chosen from weekly Rising Stars who were selected through the 2024-2025 school year.
Johnson was a football, basketball and baseball standout for the Eagles while Donovan was a football and basketball standout and a state golf medalist for the Bulldawgs.
Hanni helped lead Silver Lake to runnerup Class 3A state finishes in basketball and softball this past season and has been a state champion in basketball and golf while Miller won three individual 5A state track championships last weekend in Wichita, was the state runnerup in cross country and basketball and was a 5A state basketball champion as a sophomore.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
City schools Seaman, Shawnee Heights and Topeka West had 21 players receive All-United Kansas Conference softball recognition, led by junior player of the year Aubrey Warren of Seaman and senior pitcher of the year Grace Proctor of Shawnee Heights.
Seaman junior infielder Aubrey Warren has been tapped as the United Kansas Conference player of the year by conference coaches. [File photo/TSN]
Shawnee Heights senior Grace Proctor has been named the United Kansas Conference pitcher of the year by conference coaches. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Shawnee Heights' Tara Griffith was named the UKC coach of the year after leading the T-Birds to a 20-8 record on the season.
Shawnee Heights softball coach Tara Griffith has been named the United Kansas Conference coach of the year by conference coaches. [File photo/TSN]
Class 5A state tournment qualifiers Seaman and Shawnee Heights combined for eight of the 15 spots on the all-conference first team.
The Vikings led the UKC with five first-team selections -- infielder Warren, senior pitcher Kaelyn O'Rourke, senior catcher Reagan McConnell, senior outfielder Anna McLaughlin and junior designated player Avery Phelps.
Shawnee Heights is represented on the first team by Proctor, senior infielder Taylor Brees and junior outfielder Addison Cooper.
Seaman put freshman pitcher Lydia Dreher and senior infielder Kayleigh Neill on the second team while Shawnee Heights is represented by junior outfielder Shylee Harrington and senior utility player Dayana Miller.
Nine city players received All-UKC honorable mention, including junior Addaline Hall senior infielder Callie Jones, junior infielder Christina Briggs, junior infielder Isabelle Kutina, freshman outfielders Kendall Munoz and Mya Miller and freshman pitcher Jordyn White of Topeka West and sophomore infielder Natalee Simpson and junior utility player Addison Sibley of Seaman.
ALL-UNITED KANSAS CONFERENCE SOFTBALL
By CHARLES SPURLOCK
Special to TopSports.news
WICHITA -- Washburn Rural's boys claimed three state championships to highlight championship Saturday for the Shawnee County contingent in the state track and field championships at Wichita State.
Washburn Rural celebrates after setting the Class 6A state meet record in the 4x400 relay Saturday night in Wichita. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural's Matthew Houser, Liam Morrison, Draden Chooncharoen and Isaiah Terry set the Class 6A state meet record in the 4x400 relay Saturday night in Wichita. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Senior Isaiah Terry won the 400-meter dash, followed by junior Liam Morrison's win in the 300 hurdles and wrapping things up with a record-setting performance by senior Matthew Houser, Morrison, junior Draden Choonchareon and Terry in the 4x400-meter relay.
Terry started Rural's late-meet gold medal haul with his win in the 400 in 47.92 seconds.
Washburn Rural senior Isaiah Terry won the Class 6A state title in the 400-meter dash in 47.92. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"It felt great,'' Terry said. "I switched up my stride a little bit and decided to go back to my roots... and felt way better. I actually got off fast this time and the rest was history.
''I'm so ectstatic after last year when I absolutely did horrible and got fifth place, the worst day of my life. Ever since sophomore year when I said I would quit cross country and start running track all year around I've been dreaming of moments like this and it feels good for it to come true.''
Washburn Rural junior Liam Morrison (3779) ran on Rural's record-setting Class 6A 4x400 relay after winning the title in the 300 hurdles Saturday in Wichita. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Morrison followed with the state championship in the 300 hurdles with a time of 37.68. He also finished sixth earlier in the day in the 110 hurdles with a time of 14.52.
“I feel great with the (personal record) in the state championship race,'' Morrison said. "The 110 didn’t go as I wanted, but I definitely knew it would be a great opportunity to show that I deserve to be here. I know what I can do and I’m happy that I was able to go out and do it.”
Houser, Morrison, Chooncharoen and Terry then went out and captured Rural's second straight state championship in the 4x400 in a meet record time of 3:16.23.
"After our league meet at Junction (City) we saw the time we got and we were like, 'We can definitely do this, we can get this record,' '' Chooncharoen said. "My teammates, we push each other every day. Everyone did their part and it was amazing.''
Houser came on board this season as Rural's leadoff runner, joining returners Morrison, Chooncharoen and Terry from the 2024 state winners.
"We've been training all season since the start so we could try to get this record because that was our mindset all year,'' Houser said. "I've been training all summer and winter with Isaiah so I could get better for this exact reason and I guess it helped out at the end.''
Saturday's other county medalists:
• Senior Peyton Holmes of Seaman finished second in the Class 5A 100 meters in a time of 10.82 seconds after placing sixth in Friday's long jump.
Seaman senior Peyton Holmes (3767 finished second in the Class 5A 100 dash Saturday in Wichita. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
“I was really hoping to get first,'' Holmes said. "Second is good and my goal was to get in the top three. I thought I had it for a little bit, but he (Jack Guthridge) is really tough.”
• Seaman junior Brody Anderson finished third in a tough 5A 800 meters field in a time of 1:55.52.
Seaman junior Brody Anderson (3760) posted a third-place finish in the Class 5A 800 meters Saturday in Wichita. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Anderson battled on the second lap and held on for the third-place finish.
“I don’t think I could have done it if I hadn’t prepared all week with the help of coach (Luke) Wiens,'' Anderson said. "Every rep this week, I simulated the race situation and it set me up to be where I wanted to be today.”
• Senior Bryce Cochran of Seaman finished third in the 5A 400 meters with a time of 48.85.
Seaman senior Bryce Cochran (3763) finished third in the Class 5A 400 while Shawnee Heights senior Liam Benz (3733) was seventh Saturday in Wichita. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
“I feel awesome and I got a little emotional after the race seeing that all the hard work pay off,'' Cochran said. "To do what I dreamed of after not even making it to state last year, I’m just appreciative of everyone that’s worked with me in the offseason to get me here. I’m just proud of myself.”
• Senior Adrian Lehman of Topeka West finished fourth in the 1,600 meters with a time of 4:16.70.
Topeka West senior Adrian Lehman (3785) posted a fourth-place finish and set a West school record in Saturday's Class 5A state meet in Wichita. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Lehman broke the 50-year-old West school record of 4:17.7 set by Bill Myers in 1975.
"(That's) two school records this season, not bad for only his second season of high school track,'' West coach Donnie Palmer said of Lehman.
By CHARLES SPURLOCK
Special to TopSports.news
WICHITA - On Day 1 of the KSHSAA State Track Meet at Wichita State’s Cessna Stadium, several local boys competed in preliminary races in an attempt to qualify for the finals on Saturday. There were also some field event finals on Friday.
Qualifiers for Saturday’s Finals
Senior Ben Roeder of Cair Paravel qualified fifth in the Class 2A 400 meters with a time of 50.40 seconds.
Senior Evan Scheid of Silver Lake qualified second in the 3A 200 meters in a time of 22.32 seconds.
Silver Lake’s 4x100-meter relay team (Brandon Rupp, Evan Scheid, Joel Miller and Trent Rollenhagen) qualified fourth in 43.46 seconds.
Seaman senior Bryce Cochran qualified fifth in the 5A 400 meters in a time of 49.04 seconds.
Shawnee Heights senior Liam Benz qualified seventh in the 400 meters with a time of 49.86 seconds.
Washburn Rural senior Braylon Badger qualified fifth in the 300 meter hurdles in a time of 40.40 seconds.
Washburn Rural junior Liam Morrison qualified second in the 110 meter hurdles in a time of 14.64 seconds. He also qualified third in the 300 meter hurdles with a time of 40.05 seconds.
Washburn Rural senior Isaiah Terry qualified fourth in the 400 meters in a time of 49.32 seconds.
Washburn Rural junior Draden Chooncharoen competes in the Class 6A 4x400 relay prelims Friday night in Wichita. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural’s 4x400 meter relay team (Matthew Houser, Liam Morrison, Draden Choonchareon, Isaiah Terry) qualified second with a time of 3:22.61.
Medalists from Friday’s Finals
Seaman senior Peyton Holmes finished sixth in the Class 5A long jump Friday in Wichita. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Seaman senior Peyton Holmes finished sixth in the 5A long jump with a distance of 22 feet, 1 inch.
Topeka West senior Adrian Lehman finished fifth in Friday's Class 5A 3,200 meters at Wichita. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Topeka West senior Adrian Lehman finished fifth in the 6A 3,200 meters with a time of 9:18.60.
Washburn Rural junior Brooks Kehoe finished fifth in Friday's Class 6A 3,200 meters at Wichita. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural junior Brooks Kehoe finished fifth in the 3,200 meters with a time of 9:20.97.
The remaining events will be contested beginning Saturday morning at 8:30 with the preliminaries for the 100 meters for girls and boys.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman and Shawnee Heights softball and Heights' baseball team all gave themselves a chance to advance to Friday's Class 5A state tournament semifinals on the Wichita State campus.
But at the end of the day all three city powers had suffered heartbreaking one-run losses, including a 17-inning setback for the Viking softball team, and all were eliminated from state competition.
Seaman opened the 5A softball tournament and dropped a 3-2 decision to top seed and undefeated Maize South in the 3 hour, 35-minute marathon which set a record for the longest game (for innings) in Wilkins Stadium history while Shawnee Heights suffered a 3-2 walkoff loss to St. Thomas Aquinas in the final softball game of the day and T-Bird baseball dropped a 7-6 decision to Hays.
Seaman senior Kaelyn O'Rourke celebrates an out against Maize South in Thursday's Class 5A state softball tournament. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Seaman, which finished its season at 20-9, was locked in a scoreless deadlock with 29-0 Maize South through five innings before the Vikings took a 1-0 lead on an RBI double from junior Aubrey Warren.
Seaman senior Anna Mclaughlin scores against Maize South in the sixth inning of the Class 5A state softball tournament.
Maize South answered with a run in the bottom of the inning and the score remained 1-1 until the top of the 16th when Seaman went up 2-1 when senior pinch-runner Phoebe Brodine scampered home after singles from senior Raegan McConnell and sophomore Lauren Glasgow.
The Mavericks answered again in the bottom of the 16th when senior Sophie Stockam knocked in the tying run with a run-scoring flyball.
Maize South, which was playing Seaman in the first round for the second straight season (also a 3-2 South win), pushed across the winning run when junior Kinley Davis singled, stole second and third and scored when the ball got away from Seaman after the throw to third.
Seaman coach Daniel Ruda said that in a game like Thursday's there were plays throughout the 17 innings that could have been difference-makers.
"One bounce here, one bounce there and it's a different game,'' Ruda said. "That's what I told the girls. I'm so proud of them, how hard they played. There were some great plays that we made on defense to stop some of their rallies and it seemed like every time they had runners on we locked in and we made the play. Just one ball got away from us and that was the difference today.''
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Shawnee Heights baseball has a new coach in Jason Brown but the T-Birds' legacy of winning and state tournament appearances remains intact.
Shawnee Heights baseball celebrates its Class 5A regional championship last Tuesday night at the Bettis Family Sports Complex. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
Longtime T-Bird coach Ryan Schmidt, who led Heights to two Class 5A state titles, retired after appearance in last year's state tournament, but the T-Birds haven't missed a beat in Brown's first season at the helm and will take a 21-7 record into Thursday and Friday's state event at Wichita State's Eck Stadium.
Shawnee Heights, which won United Kansas Conference and regional titles, will the state tournament as the No. 4 seed at will open its state bid at 1:15 p.m. Thursday against No. 5 seed Hays (18-8).
Heights punched its latest ticket to state with a 5-2 regional win over United Kansas Conference rival De Soto last Tuesday at the Bettis Family Sports Complex.
With a win Thursday Shawnee Heights will advance to an 11 a.m. semifinal on Friday to face the winner of the first-round game between No. 1 seed St. Thomas Aquinas (24-4) and No. 8 Valley Center (17-11).
On the other side of the bracket No. 2 seed Great Bend (23-5) will face No. 7 Piper (17-10) and No. 3 seed Blue Valley Southwest (21-6) will face No. 6 Eisenhower (18-10).
The 5A state championship game is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. Friday, following the 3:30 third-place game.
Rural back in 6A field
Washburn Rural is headed to the Class 6A state tournament for the first time since a third-place finish in 2022.
The Junior Blues earned their state bid with a 1-0 win over Campus in last Thursday's regional final at Campus.
Washburn Rural, the No. 8 seed for state, is now 15-11 on the season and will face top seed Free State (25-2) at 11 a.m. Thursday at Hoglund Stadium in Lawrence.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
After coming up just short of a Class 3A state championship in a runnerup finish last season Silver Lake softball will take another shot at the title in Thursday and Friday's state tournament at the Envista Softball Complex at Lake Shawnee.
Senior pitcher Kendra Cook and Silver Lake softball are back in the Class 3A state tournament after a runnerup finish a year ago. [File photo/TSN]
The Eagles punched their ticket to this year's state tournament with a hard-earned 4-3 win over Southeast Saline in its regional final at Osage City and 23-6 Silver Lake is the No. 7 seed in a loaded 3A field.
Silver Lake will begin its title bid with Thursday's 3 p.m. first-round game against No. 2 seed Wichita Trinity (24-3).
With a win Thursday Silver Lake will advance to an 1 p.m. semifinal on Friday to face the winner between No. 3 seed Burlington (25-4) and No. 6 Jefferson West (22-5).
On the other side of the bracket No. 1 Frontenac (27-1) will face No. 8 Colby (17-6) in the first round and No. 4 Riverside (21-4) will take on No. 5 Minneapolis (21-4).
The 3A title game is set for 5 p.m. on Friday, following the 3 p.m. third-place game.
Washburn Rural softball celebrates its 8-6 win over Campus in last Thursday's Class 6A regional final. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Rural, Topeka High earn 6A state tournament bids
Washburn Rural will be making its seventh straight trip to the Class 6A state tournament this week while Topeka High is back in the 6A field after winning back-to-back state championships in 2021 and 2022.
Topeka High, 19-9 on the season, is the No. 8 seed and will open its state bid at 11 a.m. Thursday at Arrocha Ball Park in Lawrence against top seed Olathe West (25-1).
The Trojans advanced to state with a 15-9 win over Maize in a regional final at Hummer Sports Park.
With a first-round win, Topeka High will move on to an 11 a.m. semifinal on Friday to face the winner between No. 4 Blue Valley North (21-6) and No. 5 Derby (21-7).
Rural (20-7) is the No. 6 state seed and will face off with No. 3 Garden City (19-5) at 5 p.m. Thursday in the final first-round game.
The 2025 All-City girls swimming and diving team -- Front, from left: Kaitlyn Aldridge, Shawnee Heights; Joslynn Grace, Seaman; Hara Del Castillo, Topeka High; Clara Sobba, Shawnee Heights. Back, from left: Ava Von Lintel, Washburn Rural; Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights; Audrey Appuhn, Washburn Rural; Sophie Heinen, Washburn Rural; Caroline Toland, Topeka High. Not pictured: Kaylee Gregg, Hayden, and Genevieve Miranda, Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Multi-time state placers Audrey Appuhn of Washburn Rural, Joslynn Grace of Seaman and Kaylee Gregg of Hayden headline the 2025 All-City girls swimming and diving team.
Appuhn, a junior, earned a pair of Class 6A individual medals for the third straight season while Seaman senior Grace was a multiple-event individual 5A-1A medalist for the second straight season and Hayden senior Gregg finished fifth in the 5A-1A state meet in one-meter diving for the second straight year.
Hayden senior Kaylee Gregg finished fifth in Class 5A-1A diving for the second straight season last Saturday. [File photo/TSN]
Washburn Rural senior Genevieve Miranda was a 2025 Class 6A state medalist in the 100-yard butterfly. [File photo/TSN]
Washburn Rural senior Genevieve Miranda was also a state medalist in 6A in last Saturday's state meet at the Capitol Federal Natatorium.
Rural, which won its 22nd straight city title, put a city-high four swimmers on the All-City first team, which is determined by performances in the city meet, while Shawnee Heights has three first-teamers.
Washburn Rural put Appuhn, Miranda and juniors Sophie Heinen and Ava Von Lintel on the first team while Heights is represented by senior Ashtynn Landry and sophomores Kaitlyn Aldridge and Clara Sobba.
Topeka High junior Hara Del Castillo is a three-time first-team honoree and is joined on the All-City team by senior teammate Caroline Toland.
Washburn Rural junior diver Rhiannon Good headlines the 12-member All-City second team and finishing third in Class 6A in one-meter diving.
All-City first-team capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden's boys golf team put itself in position to challenge for a Class 4A state championship after a solid opening round in the state tournament at Newton's Sand Creek Station.
Hayden senior James Kuta shot a 77 in Tuesday's first round of the Class 4A state tournament, tying for fifth individually, while the Wildcats are second as a team entering Wednesday's final round at Newton. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden is in second place in the team standings entering Wednesday's final round at 28-over-par, seven strokes behind Wamego. The Red Raiders and Wildcats went one-two in last week's regional tournament at Wamego.
"We left some strokes out there, but we are excited that we've put ourselves in position to compete for a championship tomorrow,'' Hayden coach Carvel Reynoldson said in a text.
The Wildcats are seven strokes in front of third-place Bishop Miege after Day 1. The Stags placed third as a team in the Wamego regional.
Senior James Kuta led Hayden Tuesday with a 5-over-par 77 and is tied for fifth place starting the final 18 holes.
Junior Mateo Garcia and senior Nick Gorman shot 79s to tie for ninth place Tuesday while senior Tagen Rodriguez shot an 81, senior Colin Scott an 83 and junior Austin Bean an 86.
Lions fourth in 2A entering final round
Regional champion Cair Paravel Latin is in fourth place in the Class 2A state tournament after the opening round at the Turkey Creek Golf Course in McPherson, advancing to Wednesday's final round.
Cair Paravel junior Caleb Cleverdon led the Lions with a 76, tying for sixth in the opening round, while senior Jase Pavlik shot a first-round 81 and freshman Chase Hastert and junior Luke Budden carded 85s.
Also advancing to Round 2 as individuals are Rossville junior Jack Donovan, a regional champion, and Bulldawg senior Jonathan Hart.
Donovan is tied for sixth place with a 76 while Hart is tied for 11th after a 78.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Four Shawnee County schools earned team berths in four different classes for state golf, which will be contested across the state Tuesday and Wednesday.
Cair Paravel Latin posted an eight-stroke team victory in last Monday's Class 2A golf regional at Horton while Hayden qualified for state with a runnerup finish in the 4A regional at Wamego, Washburn Rural was third in the 6A regional at Topeka Country Club and Seaman placed third in the 5A regional at Lake Shawnee.
This week's state tournaments at a glance:
Washburn Rural golf earned a Class 6A state tournament berth with a third-place finish in last Monday's regional tournament at Topeka Country Club. [Washburn Rural golf]
Class 6A at Winfield
Washburn Rural qualified for the Class 6A state tournament at Winfield with a solid third-place finish in last Monday's regional tournament at Topeka Country Club.
All of the Junior Blues' top four posted top-10 individual medals as Rural carded a team score of 316 to finish behind Manhattan (306) and Free State (313). The Junior Blues earned their state berth by a whopping 41 strokes over fourth-place Gardner-Edgerton.
Senior Tagan Monasmith tied for fourth place with a 77 to lead Rural while senior Tadd Armstrong tied for seventh with a 79 and junior Higgins Hawks and senior Brady Goeden tied for 10th with 80s.
Juniors Michael Wilson (81) and Peyton Goehring (91) rounded out the Junior Blues' lineup, tying for 13th and 23rd, respectively.
SHAWNEE COUNTY QUALIFIERS
At Quail Ridge Golf Course, Winfield
(Tuesday's tee times in parentheses)
Washburn Rural -- Peyton Goehring, jr. (10 a.m, No. 10); Brady Goeden, sr. (10:10 a.m., No. 10); Michael Wilson, jr. (10:20 a.m., No. 10); Higgins Hawks, jr. (10:30 a.m., No. 10); Tagan Monasmith, sr. (10:40 a.m., No. 10); Tadd Armstrong, sr. (10:50 a.m., No. 10).
Seaman golf earned a team berth for the Class 5A state tournament on a tiebreaker. [Seaman golf]
Class 5A at Emporia
Seaman earned a team berth for the Class 5A state tournament at Emporia Municipal Golf Course by the narrowest of margins last Monday at Lake Shawnee, topping Basehor-Linwood on a tiebreaker to claim the third and final state berth.
The tie with Basehor-Linwood was broken by the score of the fifth man of each team and Seaman’s Alex Flanagan shot an 88 while the Bobcats’ fifth man recorded a 92.
Leading the Vikings' regional performance was sophomore Evan Michalski with an 82 while senior Bradley Williamson was right behind with an 83.
Joining the Vikings at state will be Shawnee Heights junior Ayden Valdivia, who shot an 81 to qualify as an individual for his second straight state tournament.
SHAWNEE COUNTY QUALIFIERS
At Emporia Municipal Golf Course
(Tuesday's tee times in parentheses)
Seaman -- Jordan Burghart, jr. (10 a.m, No. 10); Nicholas Hill, so. (10:10 a.m., No. 10); Hunter Gerhardt (10:20 a.m., No. 10); Evan Michalski, so. (10:30 a.m., No. 10); Alexander Flanagan, sr. (10:40 a.m., No. 10); Bradley Williamson, sr. (10:50 a.m., No. 10).
Shawnee Heights -- Ayden Valdivia, jr. (9:40 a.m., No. 10).
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 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
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 KYLE MANTHE
TopSports.news
A dream first season for head coach Jason Brown and the Shawnee Heights Thunderbirds will conclude in Wichita at the Class 5A state baseball tournament after a 5-2 win over De Soto in the regional finals Tuesday night.
Shawnee Heights baseball celebrates its Class 5A regional championship Tuesday night at the Bettis Family Sports Complex. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
Shawnee Heights baseball poses for a team picture after Tuesday night's 5-2 win over De Soto in a Class 5A regional championship game at the Bettis Family Sports Complex. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
“I couldn't ask for a better season... I have no complaints. It’s been one of the best times of my life so far, so I can’t wait (for it to continue),” Brown said. “It’s just a great bunch of kids. They want to win, and they do everything they can to win.”
Shawnee Heights (21-7), the No. 3 seed in the 5A East regional, defeated No. 14 Highland Park 8-0 in the first round. No. 11 De Soto (13-15) knocked off No. 6 Spring Hill 7-4 in the first game of the day at Bettis Family Sports Complex to move into the regional final.
Along with five innings of one-run ball from Cambren Floberg on the mound in the regional final, it was a four-RBI day from senior Deacon Pomeroy that led the way for the Thunderbirds.
“He’s done it all year long,'' Brown said. "He deserves to be all-state, all-conference. He’s a great player and he’s consistent.
“He comes up in big situations and he just does what he does. There’s nothing you can say.”
A big day at the plate for Pomeroy, capped off by a three-RBI triple in the sixth to break a 2-2 tie, was special for the future Oklahoma State Cowboy playing at home for the last time.
“I’ve been around Shawnee Heights since my dad was a coach, and I've been around the team since I was five, so getting to see the older teams do it makes it more exciting for me,” Pomeroy said.
It was a pitcher's duel to begin the final, with no score in the first two innings. Floberg worked around trouble in the second. After surrendering two singles to begin the inning, he got a flyout and a ground ball 4-6-3 double play to end the threat.
Shawnee Heights broke the scoreless tie in the third inning, beginning with a one-out walk from Makade Orton. A single by Floberg and another walk loaded the bases, allowing Orton to score on a wild pitch.
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.
