By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
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
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
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
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
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
A senior linebacker, Heim earned second-team All-Centennial League recognition for the 2-7 Junior Blues last season and received All-Shawnee County honorable mention.
JOHN HOYTAL, Washburn Rural
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
A senior, Miller was named the Gatorade Kansas Cross Country runner of the year after sweeping city, United Kansas Conference and Class 5A regional individual championships and posting a runnerup finish at state. A three-time state placer, Miller ran the fastest five-kilometer time in Kansas history at 16 minutes, 32.62 seconds. Miller, who has orally committed to Arkansas, is the reigning two-time Gatorade Kansas Runner of the Year in track, winning the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 in the 2025 state meet.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NORA BURDIEK, Rossville
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
State tournament qualifiers Silver Lake, Seaman, Shawnee Heights, Washburn Rural and Topeka High combined to earn 15 of 16 spots on the 2025 TopSports.news All-Shawnee County softball first team.
Silver Lake, the Class 3A runnerup for the second straight season, put four players on the first team, including Shawnee County player of the year Kendra Cook, while 5A state qualifiers Seaman and Shawnee Heights combined for six first-teamers and 6A state runnerup Washburn Rural and fellow 6A state qualifier Topeka High combined for five first-teamers.
Topeka High freshman London Backman and Hayden freshman Blakely Walter were named the co-county newcomers of the year while Washburn Rural coach Joy Marie Galliart and Silver Lake coach Nick Hamilton share the county coach of the year award for the second straight year.
Cook is joined on the All-Shawnee County first team by Eagle seniors Taylor Zordel and Kira Lowrey and junior Kailyn Hanni after Silver Lake recorded a 25-7 record.
Seaman put seniors Kaelyn O'Rourke, Raegan McConnell and Anna McLaughlin and junior Aubrey Warren on the first team after the Vikings posted a 20-9 record, including a 3-2 17-inning loss to Maize South in the opening round of the 5A state tournament.
Washburn Rural, which went 22-8 and advanced to the 6A championship game before dropping an 8-7 decision to Olathe West, put Centennial League player of the year Olivia Koch, a sophomore, on the all-county first team along with juniors Henley Rapp and Reagan Chapman.
Reagan Chapman, Washburn Rural
Shawnee Heights, which posted a 20-7 record and dropped a 3-2 decision to eventual 5A state champion St. Thomas Aquinas in the first round of the 5A state tournament, is represented by seniors Taylor Brees and Grace Proctor.
Grace Proctor, Shawnee Heights
State qualifier Topeka High put Backman and senior Jo'Mhara Benning on the all-county first team while Hayden senior Keira Carswell rounds out the all-county squad.
2025 ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY SOFTBALL
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Fourteen Shawnee County standouts have received All-State recognition from the Kansas Softball Coaches Association, including nine first-team picks.
Silver Lake put four players on the All-Class 3A first team after advancing to the state championship game for the second straight season while state qualifiers Seaman and Shawnee Heights combined for four first-team All-5A selections and state runnerup Washburn Rural put sophomore standout Olivia Koch on the All-6A first team.
Silver Lake is represented on the All-3A first team by senior pitcher Kendra Cook, senior infielders Kira Lowrey and Taylor Zordel and junior outfielder Kailyn Hanni.
Grace Proctor, Shawnee Heights
Seaman put senior pitcher Kaelyn O'Rourke and senior catcher Raegan McConnell on the All-5A team while Shawnee Heights is represented by senior pitcher Grace Proctor and senior infielder Taylor Brees.
Washburn Rural's Koch made the All-6A team as an outfielder after being named the Centennial League player of the year this spring.
Seaman junior infielder Aubrey Warren and senior outfielder Anna McLaughlin were named to the All-5A second team.
Topeka High sophomore outfielder Campbell Dawson and freshman infielder Landon Backman received All-6A honorable mention after helping the Trojans make it to the state tournament.
Hayden senior catcher Keira Carswell received honorable mention in 4A.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden senior Cooper Grace and Shawnee Heights senior Deacon Pomeroy headline the TopSports.news 2025 All-Shawnee County baseball team.
Deacon Pomeroy, Shawnee Heights
Grace has been named the co-county player of the year for the second straight season while Pomeroy is a four-time all-county first-team pick.
Grace, a pitcher and third baseman, helped lead Hayden to a county-best 23-1 record and the Centennial League championship this spring while Pomeroy, a pitcher and catcher, helped lead Shawnee Heights to the United Kansas Conference title and a Class 5A state tournament berth.
Grace was earlier named the player of the year in the Centennial League and the co-player of the year in 4A by the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches while Pomeroy was named the UKC player of the year and a KABC All-5A first-team selection.
Hayden sophomore Caleb Menke, a first-team All-Centennial League pick at designated hitter, was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year while Shawnee Heights' Jason Brown was named the county coach of the year after leading the T-Birds to a 21-8 record and a 5A state tournament berth in his first season as Heights' head coach.
Grace and Silver Lake senior infielder Dysen Schooler are both three-time all-county first-team selections while Seaman senior catcher David Dobbs is a first-team repeater.
Dobbs is joined on the all-county first team by sophomore pitcher/designated hitter Axton Brewer and Grace and Menke are joined on the first team by Wildcat senior infielder/pitcher Liam Annand and Hayden junior outfielder Kade Mitchell.
Silver Lake senior catcher Cooper Campidilli and senior pitcher Logan Cathcart join Schooler on the all-county first team after the Eagles advanced to the 3A state tournament.
Camdren Floberg, Shawnee Heights
Shawnee Heights junior Cambren Floberg, named the UKC pitcher of the year, was a first-team selection along with teammate Pomeroy while 6A state tournament qualifier Washburn Rural is represented on the first team by junior pitcher Isaac Ansley and junior infielders Austin Ditch and Nate Selm.
Nate Selm, Washburn Rural
Rossville, a 2A-1A state tournament qualifier, is represented on the first team by junior pitcher Cameron Miller and junior infielder Canann Mitchell.
2025 ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY BASEBALL
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman junior Ryin Miller, who has established herself as one of Kansas' all-time distance greats in three high school seasons, headlines the 2025 All-Shawnee County girls track and field team after sweeping Class 5A state titles in her three individual events last weekend at Wichita.
Miller, who has now won five 5A state track titles over the past two seasons, won Friday's 3,200 meters in 10 minutes, 19.53 seconds before doubling up in Saturday's 1,600 meters in 4:57.33 and the 800 in 2:11.14 and adding a fourth state medal when she anchored the Vikings' 4x400 relay to a fourth-place finish (4:03.44).
Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka HIgh
Miller was Shawnee County's only state champion, but Washburn Rural junior Morgan Ray was the state runnerup in the 6A javelin (138 feet, 1 inch) and Topeka High sophomore Ahsieyrhuajh finished second in the 6A triple jump (37-4.25) and Rural senior Rylee Ismert, junior Emily Graf, senior Brooklyn Nolte and senior Payton Fink finished second in the 4x800 relay (9:29.84).
Fink also finished fifth in the 3,200 (10:59.39) and fifth in the 1,600 (5:09.90) while Rural sophomore Kailyn Petersen was fourth in the discus (124-6) and seventh in the shot put (36-6.75) and senior Molly Worley placed seventh in the long jump (17-2.75) and eighth in the high jump (5-2).
Seaman seniors Taylie Heston, Jaida Stallbaumer and Ally Steiner teamed with Miller for the fourth-place finish in the 5A 4x400 relay while the Vikings also put senior Grace Jowers and sophomores Kinley Robinson and Brynn Spencer on the all-county team.
Hayden senior Bella Reid, Rossville junior Rylee Dick and Silver Lake freshman all earned state medals in the 100-meter hurdles en route to earning all-county berths while also earning first-team spots were Topeka High junior Keimara Marshall, Highland Park senior Ke'Ahjahnae Rice, Silver Lake sophomore Ali Gerber and Rural junior Kenzie Maddox, who were all state qualifiers.
All-Shawnee County selections were picked on the basis of meeting minimum standards established by local coaches as well as coaches' recommendations and performances in postseason competition.
ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY 2025 GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Later this month former Seaman volleyball star Maegan Mills will report to Tulsa to kick off her Division I collegiate career.
Former Seaman volleyball star Maegan Mills (8) celebrates a point with her Blue teammates during Saturday's five-set KVA All-Star win over the Red. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
But before that Mills got the opportunity to put an exclamation point on her outstanding high school career, helping lead the Blue team to a 26-24, 25-27, 19-25, 27-25, 15-11 win over the Red in Saturday's Kansas Volleyball Association All-Star Match at Washburn Rural.
"It's definitely a way to get a head start and get touches on balls,'' Mills said. "After club and high school it's hard to get touches on balls and when I was offered that position to play with such great people I couldn't pass it up.''
Mills was the most dominant player on the court on Saturday, contributing a match-high 23 kills on 0.417 hitting with a match-high six service aces. After the match Mills was named the winner of the Joan Lundstrom Wells Award of Excellence.
"Just coming in this morning all the girls are great, the energy was so good, and coming into this game it wasn't just about the playing it was about meeting new people and expanding,'' Mills said. "Even though you may not know these people you have to be a leader and I think that was my mindset, that I had to be a leader.''
Mills was one of seven Shawnee County players selected to play in Saturday's event, including a match-high four Seaman players.
Seaman product Kinley Wilhelm had a match-high 27 digs for the Blue in Saturday's KVA All-Star Match. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Mills and Kinley Wilhelm, who recorded a match-high 27 digs, played for the winning Blue team while Campbell Chabot and Ava Esser played for the Red.
Recent Seaman grad Campbell Chabot registered 20 assists for the Red in Saturday's KVA All-Star Match. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The Red team celebrates a kill from Seaman product Ava Esser (9) in Saturday's KVA All-Star Match. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Esser led the Red with 15 kills and received the Don Bechard Memorial Award after the match while Chabot was credited with 20 assists.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural, which captured three Class 6A state championships, including a state-meet record, headlines the 2025 All-Shawnee County boys track and field team.
Matthew Houser, Liam Morrison, Draden Chooncharoen, Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural
Rural senior Isaiah Terry won the 6A state title in the 400-meter dash in 47.92 seconds and junior Liam Morrison won the 300 hurdles in 37.68 before Morrison and Terry teamed with senior Matthew Houser and junior Draden Chooncharoen for a 6A meet-record time of 3:16.23 in the 4x400 relay.
Seaman senior Peyton Holmes was the 5A runnerup in the 100 dash (10.82) while Viking senior Bryce Cochran finished third in the 400 (48.85) and Seaman junior Brody Anderson placed third in the 800 (1:55.52).
Senior Ben Roeder, who competed for Cair Paravel Latin in postseason after running for Topeka High in the regular season, finished third in the 2A 400 (49.37).
Silver Lake's foursome of seniors Trent Rollenhagen and Evan Scheid and juniors Joel Miller and Braxton Rupp posted a third-place finish in the 3A 4x100 relay (42.57).
Despite missing the state meet after an injury at regionals, Hayden senior multi-time state champion Jensen Schrickel earned All-City honors for the fourth straight season.
In addition to its state champions, Washburn Rural put seniors Braylon Badger, Ben Buesing, Connor Olsen and Chris Quarles, junior Brooks Kehoe and sophomore Christian Hartman-Babb on the All-City team.
Adrian Lehman and Mark Wilkie, Topeka West
Topeka West is represented on the All-City team by senior distance standouts Adrian Lehman and Mark Wilkie, who were both 5A state medalists, while Shawnee Heights senior Liam Benz and Seaman sophomore Jack Esser were also state medalists.
All-Shawnee County picks were based on meeting minimum performance standards as well as coaches' recommendations and postseason performances.
ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY 2025 BOYS TRACK AND FIELD
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seven former Shawnee County high school standouts will play in Saturday's 5 p.m. Kansas Volleyball Association All-Star Match at Washburn Rural.
Seaman, the Class 5A runnerup last fall after winning the title in 2024, had four players selected for Saturday's match -- Campbell Chabot, Ava Esser, Maegan Mills and Kinley Wilhelm.
Washburn Rural, a 6A state qualifier last fall, will be represented by Layla Collins and Kate Hinck while Silver Lake will be represented by Ella Bolan.
Players, all 2025 high school graduates,are picked off based off nominations from their coaches, who must be KVA members, and then recommended by a committee based on high school achievement, position, classifications, collegiate plans and availability for the event.
Bolan, Chabot, Collins, Esser and Hinck will play for the Blue while Mills and Wilhelm will play for the Red.
The Blue team will be coached by Halstead’s Diana Schutte (head), Ingalls’ Randy Rockhold and Blue Valley Southwest’s Austin Isham.
The Red team will be coached by Eudora’s Brooke Harper (head), Blue Valley West’s Jessica Horstick and Valley Heights’ Susan Steinfort.
KVA ALL-STAR MATCH
The 2025 All-Shawnee County boys golf team: From left -- Jack Donovan, Rossville; Higgins Hawks, Washburn Rural; Tadd Armstrong, Washburn Rural; Tagan Monasmith, Washburn Rural; Tagen Rodriguez, Hayden; James Kuta, Hayden. Not pictured: Mateo Garcia, Hayden. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
First-team repeat selections Tadd Armstrong of Washburn Rural, Jack Donovan of Rossville and Hayden's James Kuta and Tagen Rodriguez headline the 2025 All-Shawnee County boys golf team.
Seniors Armstrong and Kuta finished one-two in the city tournament, with Armstrong winning the title in a playoff, while Kuta and Rodriguez, a junior, both posted top-10 finishes in the Class 4A state tournament as Hayden finished second as a team and Donovan was a regional champion as a junior and earned a sixth-place tie in 2A-1A, his second straight state medal
Washburn Rural, which won its 15th straight city team championship, is also represented on the All-Shawnee County team by senior Tagan Monasmith and junior Higgins Hawks while Hayden also put junior Mateo Garcia on the first team.
All-Shawnee County capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Five Silver Lake and Rossville softball standouts earned first-team honors on the All-Big-East League softball team, led by Silver Lake senior Kendra Cook, a unanmous pick at pitcher after helping lead the Eagles to a second straight runnerup finish in the Class 3A state tournament.
Silver Lake senior pitcher Kendra Cook earned unanimous All-Big East League first-team honors after helping lead the Eagles to a second straight runnerup finish in Class 3A. [File photo/TSN]
Cook was joined on the first team by teammates Kailyn Hanni, a junior outfielder, and senior infielders Taylor Zordel and Kira Lowrey.
Rossville freshman Falyn Clurman was a first-team All-Big-East pick at utility/designated hitter.
Earning second-team recognition were Silver Lake sophomore outfielder Savanah Wende, Rossville sophomore outfielder Nora Burdiek and Bulldawg junior infielder Brooke Springer.
ALL BIG-EAST LEAGUE SOFTBALL
First team
Pitchers -- Kendra Cook, Silver Lake (unanimous);Reagan Gerety, Nemaha Central.
Outfielders --Samantha Klotz, Royal Valley (unanimous); Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake;Kylie Nelson, Hiawatha; Paxton Damme, Perry-Lecompton.
Infielders -- Taylor Zordel, Silver Lake;Macie Corcoran, Perry-Lecompton; Erin Boltz, Sabetha; Emmie Dean, Jefferson West; Kira Lowrey, Silver Lake.
Catchers -- Kenzie Nelson, Hiawatha; Faith Olberding, Holton
Utility/DH -- Falyn Clurman, Rossville; Ashley Moser, Jefferson West; Chloe Detweiler, Sabetha.
Second team
Pitchers --Addison Garrett, Jefferson West; Harriet Dean, Jefferson West.
Outfielders -- Nora Burdiek, Rossville;Olivia Meyer, Jefferson West; Savanah Wende, Silver Lake.
Infielders --Tinley Wilson, Holton; Harriet Dean, Jefferson West; Taylor Trimble, Perry-Lecompton; Brooke Springer, Rossville.
Utility/DH -- Alex Burkitt, Nemaha Central; Sadie Haverkamp, Nemaha Central.
Honorable mention
Nemaha Central --Ava McKinley. Riley County -- Gracie Schofield, Adalynn Zeller, Mara Schardien. St. Marys -- Emma Zemek.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Six Silver Lake and Rossville baseball standouts earned first-team honors on the All-Big-East League team after the Eagles and Bulldawgs both advanced to state tournaments this spring.
Silver Lake senior Logan Cathcart was one of six Shawnee County baseball players to earn first-team spots on the All-Big-East League first team. [File photo/TSN]
Rossville junior pitcher Cameron Miller was one of three Bulldawgs to earn first-team All-Big-East baseball recognition. [File photo/TSN]
Silver Lake, which competed in the Class 3A state tourney, is represented on the first team by senior catcher Cooper Campidilli, senior pitcher Logan Cathcart and senior infielder Dysen Schooler, with Campidilli and Cathcart both unanimous all-league picks.
Rossville, which advanced to state in 2A-1A, put sophomore pitcher Cael Horgan, junior pitcher Cameron Miller and senior outfielder Logan Kufahl on the first team.
Silver Lake junior outfielder Brady Hogle, Rossville junior infielder Canann Mitchell and Bulldawg junior utility player Conner Bush made the all-league second team while Silver Lake junior infielder Dayne Johnson received honorable mention.
ALL BIG-EAST LEAGUE BASEBALL
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Twelve Shawnee County standouts have received All-State recognition from the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches, including four first-team picks.
Hayden senior Cooper Grace has been named the Class 4A co-player of the year by the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden senior Cooper Grace was named the co-player of the year in Class 4A and a first-team pick as a pitcher after helping the Wildcats to a 23-1 record this spring.
Shawnee Heights senior Deacon Pomeroy has been named to the All-Class 5A first team by the KABC. [File photo/TSN]
Seaman sophomore Axton Brewer has been named to the KABC All-Class 5A first team as a designated hitter and was a second-team pick as a pitcher. [Seaman baseball]
Shawnee Heights senior pitcher and catcher Deacon Pomeroy made the All-5A first-team as utility player while Seaman sophomore Axton Brewer was named to the KABC All-5A first team as a designated hitter and was a second-team pick as a pitcher.
Silver Lake senior Logan Cathcart has been named first-team All-State in Class 3A by the KABC. [File photo/TSN]
Silver Lake senior pitcher Logan Cathcart earned first-team All-State honors in 3A after helping lead the Eagles to a state tournament berth.
Shawnee Heights junior pitcher Cambren Floberg was a second-team pick in 5A while Hayden junior outfielder Kade Mitchell was a second-team selection in 4A and Silver Lake senior catcher Cooper Campidilli and senior infielder Dysen Schooler were second-team honorees in 3A and Rossville junior infielder Canann Mitchell and senior outfielder Logan Kufahl were both second-team selections in 2A-1A.
Seaman senior infielder Bryer Finley and Rossville junior pitcher Cameron received honorable mention in 5A and 3A, respectively.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Silver Lake's Dayne Johnson and Kailyn Hanni, Rossville's Jack Donovan and Seaman's Ryin Miller, who recently completed their junior years of high school, were honored Tuesday night at The Foundry as the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency 2025 Rising Stars of the year.
Silver Lake's Dayne Johnson and Rossville's Jack Donovan were named the Dan Key Farmers Agency 2025 co-male Rising Stars of the Year Tuesday night while Silver Lake's Kailyn Hanni and Seaman's Ryin Miller were named the co-female winners. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Donovan and Johnson were named the co-boys winners while Hanni and Miller shared the girls honor.
The four overall winners were picked from five girls and boys finalists chosen from weekly Rising Stars who were selected through the 2024-2025 school year.
Johnson was a football, basketball and baseball standout for the Eagles while Donovan was a football and basketball standout and a state golf medalist for the Bulldawgs.
Hanni helped lead Silver Lake to runnerup Class 3A state finishes in basketball and softball this past season and has been a state champion in basketball and golf while Miller won three individual 5A state track championships last weekend in Wichita, was the state runnerup in cross country and basketball and was a 5A state basketball champion as a sophomore.
By 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.