Silver Lake Eagles
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Silver Lake junior baseball player Logan Cathcart and Topeka High freshman track and field standout Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton have been selected by the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency as the Rising Stars of the Week.
Here’s a brief look at the accomplishments of Cathcart and Rayton over the past week:
Silver Lake junior Logan Cathcart is the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency boys Rising Star of the Week after helping lead the Eagles to a doubleheader sweep over Hayden. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
LOGAN CATHCART, Silver Lake
Cathcart helped Silver Lake earn a 9-8, 8-7 doubleheader road sweep at Hayden on Tuesday, with the 9-4 Eagles extending their winning streak to six games.
Cathcart got the pitching save in the first game for the Eagles when he recorded a strikeout to end the game and he started the second game and pitched the first five innings to pick up the pitching win, allowing two earned runs.
Cathcart went 2 for 4 with a double and knocked in a run and scored twice in the first game and went 2 for 3 at the plate with two runs scored in the second game.
Topeka High freshman Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton (right) is the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency girls Rising Star of the Week after winning three events in the Washburn Rural Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
ASHIEYRHUAJH RAYTON, Topeka High
A multi-sport standout for the Trojans, Rayton posted three individual victories and a second-place finish in last Wednesday's Washburn Rural Invitational track and field meet.
Rayton won the girls 100-meter dash in a time of 13.51 seconds, won the long jump with a best effort of 16 feet, 7 inches and was the triple jump champ at 35-3.50. Rayton finished second in the 200 dash in 27.52.
Rayton ranks No. 1 in Shawnee County in the long jump and triple jump and is No. 2 in the 200.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman's softball team improved to 13-5 on the season Wednesday with a non-league home doubleheader sweep over Manhattan.
Seaman senior Paige Glasgow makes contact on her walkoff grand slam home run in the Vikings' 15-3 first-game win over Manhattan on Wednesday. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Seaman's Paige Glasgow watches her grand slam home run in Wednesday's 15-3 first-game win over Manhattan. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The Vikings took a 15-3 run-rule romp over the Indians in the first game before taking a 13-8 decision in the nightcap.
Seaman senior Paige Glasgow ended the opener with a grand slam home run.
Glasgow added a second homer in the second game of the twinbill while the Vikings also got home runs from senior Rosalie Schneider, senior Jersey Jellison and junior Raegan McConnell.
Manhattan fell to 9-7 with Wednesday's losses.
SEAMAN BASEBALL HONORS BUSHNELL
Seaman baseball honored former longtime coach and current athletic director Steve Bushnell during Wednesday's United Kansas Conference doubleheader split against De Soto at Seaman.
Seaman baseball recognized longtime Viking coach and current A.D. Steve Bushnell Wednesday at Seaman. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The Vikings took a 5-1 decision over the Wildcats in the first game before De Soto took a 1-0 win in the second game.
Seaman is now 10-5 overall and 8-3 in the UKC while De Soto is 16-3, 11-2 in the conference.
Steve Bushnell (right) receives a hug from current Seaman baseball coach Trent Oliva during Wednesday's ceremony honoring Bushnell for his 33 years of service as a teacher, coach and athletic director. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Longtime former Seaman baseball coach Steve Bushnell is presented with his No. 2 jersey Wednesday at Seaman. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
A highlight of the day was a ceremony honoring Bushnell, who is retiring at the end of the school year after 33 years of service to the Seaman school district as a teacher, coach and athletic director.
Bushnell coached Seaman to nine Class 5A state championships before moving into his current administrative role.
SILVER LAKE SOFTBALL EARNS SPLIT WITH WAMEGO
State softball powers Silver Lake and Wamego battled to a split in Wednesday's non-league doubleheader.
Wamego took a 6-0 win over the Eagles in the opener, but Silver Lake bounced back to claim a 13-6 decision in the nightcap.
Senior Makenzie McDaniel hit a pair of home runs in the second game while Silver Lake also got homers from Taylor Zordel and Raely Sterling.
The Eagles are now 14-2 on the season.
TROJANS, WILDCATS BATTLE TO CENTENNIAL BASEBALL SPLIT
Topeka High and Hayden rode pitching gems to a Centennnial League baseball split at Hummer Sports Park on Wednesday.
Senior Nate Plankinton pitched Topeka High to a 2-0 first-game victory over the Wildcats before Hayden junior Cooper Grace led his team to an 11-0 win in the nightcap.
Topeka High is now 11-4 on the season while Hayden is 8-9.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Silver Lake's baseball team didn't necessarily make things easy on itself in Tuesday's non-league doubleheader at Hayden, with the Eagles being forced to sweat things out down to the very last pitch in both games while committing seven errors on the day, including five in the second game, and issuing 13 walks, 10 in the opener.
But the Eagles out-weighed the bad with plenty of good, lashing out 21 hits and getting clutch relief pitching in both games while holding on for a 9-8, 8-7 sweep over the Wildcats and extending their win streak to six games.
Junior Logan Cathcart picked up a pitching win and a save in Silver Lake's doubleheader sweep over Hayden on Tuesday at Hayden. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Senior Tanner Martin (16) had four hits and five RBI on the day and also picked up the first-game pitching victory in Silver Lake's twinbill sweep at Hayden on Tuesday. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
"Those are big ones for us,'' Silver Lake coach Tyler Seele said. "We kind of went through a rough patch at the beginning of the year and lost four in a row and we really stressed the next couple of weeks to just get to the next pitch. No matter what mistakes you're making or the pitch before, get to the next pitch, play for the next pitch, play for the next out and play for the one next to you.
"It wasn't pretty but I was really proud of how we responded and we fought for each other and found a way to beat a really good, really well-coached Hayden team both games. This is good for us and a really good learning experience and I thought we did a good job bouncing back.''
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
TopSports.News, in partnership with the University of Kansas Health System St Francis Campus, A-1 Lock and Key, Washburn University, Capital Label, Peggy's Tax and Accounting and the Jamie Hornbaker State Farm Insurance Agency, will host the 19th annual Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards/Hall of Fame induction ceremony on June 26, 2024 at Washburn's Memorial Union.
For the fourth straight year TopSports.news will serve as host for the Sports Awards/Hall of Fame banquet, a longstanding tradition for the Topeka and Shawnee County sports community.
The ceremony will highlight Shawnee County high school senior student-athletes’ achievements throughout the 2023-2024 school year along with the induction of the 2024 Topeka Shawnee County Hall of Fame class.
Schools have been asked to submit nominees with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average for both female and male candidates for the fall, winter and spring seasons as well as nominees for most inspirational athlete. Overall outstanding male and female athletes for 2023-2024 will also be named.
Also recognized will be an outstanding female and male athlete from Washburn University.
The four-member 2024 Hall of Fame class and the '24 Washburn University Athletes of the Year will be announced on TopSports.news in the coming days.
The high school nominees for the 10 Shawnee County high schools will be announced in June after the conclusion of the spring sports season.
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 2024 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
BOYS
100 METERS
Aaron Merritt, Seaman 10.52
Finn Dunshee, Hayden 11.11
Malachi Murph, Topeka High 11.12
Payton Berry-Briggs, Shawnee Heights 11.24
Evan Scheid, Silver Lake 11.32
Aaron Merritt, Seaman
200 METERS
Aaron Merritt, Seaman 22.08
Finn Dunshee, Hayden 22.31
Payton Berry-Briggs, Shawnee Heights 22.32
Malachi Murph, Topeka High 22.40
Tyren Parker, Shawnee Heights 22.76
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden
400 METERS
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden 49.17
Payton Berry-Briggs, Shawnee Heights 49.95
Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural 50.07
Shane Jueneman, Washburn Rural 51.26
Liam Benz, Shawnee Heights 51.60
800 METERS
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 1:58.46
Brody Anderson, Seaman 1:59.81
Eli Ferguson, Silver Lake 2:01.86
Logan Townsend, Seaman 2:06.27
Mark Wilkie, Topeka West 2:07.11
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights
1,600 METERS
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 4:22.45
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural 4:37.32
Adrian Lehman, Topeka West 4:40.25
Eli Ferguson, Silver Lake 4:41.25
Mark Wilkie, Topeka West 4:41.35
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Seaman's Ryin Miller and Aaron Merritt and Washburn Rural's Josh Sulzen-Watson combined for four individual victories in the 101st Kansas Relays track and field championships, which wrapped up Saturday in Lawrence.
Seaman sophomore Ryin Miller won the girls 1,600 and 3,200 meters in the 101st Kansas Relays. [File photo/TSN]
Miller, a sophomore, was a double champion, winning the girls 3,200 in 10 minutes, 13.97 seconds and taking the 1,600 in 4:53.74.
Salina Central's Katelyn Rupe finished second to Miller in the 3,200 in 10:17.40 while Gwyn Meyers of Bishop Kelley was the runnerup in the 1,600 in 4:56.62.
Seaman senior Aaron Merritt (middle) won the boys 100-meter dash Saturday in the Kansas Relays. [File photo/TopSports.news]
Merritt, a senior, won the championship in the boys 100-meter dash in 10.52 seconds, while Robert Collins of Staley, Mo. finished second in 10.56.
Merritt also posted a third-place finish in the 110 high hurdles in 14.35.
Sulzen-Watson, a senior, won the boys javelin event with a top toss of 195 feet, 7 inches on his fifth of six throws in the competition.
Joe Loughman of St. Thomas Aquinas finished second to Sulzen-Watson at 189-11.
Other area highlights:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden's boys golf team put five players in the top eight spots individually on the way to a dominating 24-stroke team victory in Wednesday's Santa Fe Trail Invitational at Lamont Hills.
Hayden's boys golf team posted a 24-stroke victory in Wednesday's Santa Fe Trail Invitational at Lamont Hills. [Hayden golf]
Junior Nick Gorman finished third individually with a 73 while senior Jacob Padilla placed fourth with a 76, juniors James Kuta and Colin Scott tied for fifth with 77s and junior Tagen Rodriguez tied for eighth place with an 82.
Sophomore Austin Bean rounded out the Wildcats' lineup with a 94.
Hayden finished with a four-person team score of 303, while Council Grove was second with a 327 total and tournament host Santa Fe Trail third at 330.
Silver Lake finished sixth as a team at 363, led by sophomore Grady Bergmann, who tied for 11th place with an 85.
Council Grove's Drew Buchman and Santa Fe Trail's Lane Workman tied for first place individually with 71s.
SANTA FE TRAIL INVITATIONAL
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 2024 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
BOYS
100 METERS
Aaron Merritt, Seaman 10.77
Malachi Murph, Topeka High 11.12
Finn Dunshee, Hayden 11.20
Payton Berry-Briggs, Shawnee Heights 11.24
Evan Scheid, Silver Lake 11.32
Aaron Merritt, Seaman
200 METERS
Aaron Merritt, Seaman 22.08
Finn Dunshee, Hayden 22.31
Payton Berry-Briggs, Shawnee Heights 22.32
Malachi Murph, Topeka High 22.40
Tyren Parker, Shawnee Heights 22.76
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden
400 METERS
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden 49.24
Payton Berry-Briggs, Shawnee Heights 49.95
Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural 50.07
Shane Jueneman, Washburn Rural 51.26
Liam Benz, Shawnee Heights 51.60
800 METERS
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 1:58.46
Brody Anderson, Seaman 1:59.81
Eli Ferguson, Silver Lake 2:01.86
Mark Wilkie, Topeka West 2:07.11
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural 2:08.37
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights
1,600 METERS
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 4:22.45
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural 4:37.32
Adrian Lehman, Topeka West 4:40.25
Eli Ferguson, Silver Lake 4:41.25
Mark Wilkie, Topeka West 4:41.35
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
Silver Lake's softball team swept defending Class 3A state champion Rossville in convincing fashion on the Bulldawgs' home turf Monday night, winning 12-1 and 14-0.
Senior Avery Wende pitched a complete-game two-hitter in Silver Lake's 14-0 second-game win over Rossville Monday night. [File photo/TSN]
The Eagles combined dominant pitching with outbursts of offense to roll over their rival and improve to 8-0.
“I don’t know if there is any guarantee of how to predict what’s going to happen in (matchups between Rossville and Silver Lake),” said the Eagles coach Nick Hamilton. “I’ve been around this my whole life, and I know that on any given night either team could win. It’s that much of a rivalry.
“It’s good for both of us. I think that’s why there is such success on both sides. We both compete and push each other.”
In the first game of the doubleheader, pitcher Kendra Cook held the Bulldawgs down until the Silver Lake offense kicked in. The Eagles exploded for six runs in the fifth inning to blow the game open.
“Kendra has been solid in the ring for us,” Hamilton said. “She did a good job working in the offseason to improve on what she needed to improve.”
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 2024 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
BOYS
100 METERS
Aaron Merritt, Seaman 10.77
Malachi Murph, Topeka High 11.18
Evan Scheid, Silver Lake 11.32
Finn Dunshee, Hayden 11.38
Tyren Parker, Shawnee Heights 11.40
Aaron Merritt, Seaman
200 METERS
Aaron Merritt, Seaman 22.08
Tyren Parker, Shawnee Heights 22.76
Trent Rollenhagen, Silver Lake 22.92
Malachi Murph, Topeka High 23.05
Bryce Cochran, Seaman 23.06
400 METERS
Payton Berry-Briggs, Shawnee Heights 49.95
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden 50.18
Shane Jueneman, Washburn Rural 51.26
Liam Benz, Shawnee Heights 51.95
Ben Roeder, Topeka High 52.68
Brody Anderson, Seaman
800 METERS
Brody Anderson, Seaman 1:59.81
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 2:00.30
Eli Ferguson, Silver Lake 2:04.20
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural 2:08.37
Draden Chooncharoen, Washburn Rural 2:08.43
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights
1,600 METERS
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 4:22.45
Elijah Phelps, Topeka West 4:46.08
Eli Ferguson, Silver Lake 4:47.99
Zach Moore, Hayden 4:48.71
Adrian Lehman, Topeka West 4:48.72
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 2024 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
BOYS
100 METERS
Merritt, Seaman 10.77
Murph, Topeka High 11.18
Redmond, Silver Lake 11.54
Barr, Topeka West 11.59
Scheid, Silver Lake 11.64
Aaron Merritt, Seaman
200 METERS
Merritt, Seaman 22.08
Murph, Topeka High 23.05
Parker, Shawnee Heights 23.27
Batson, Topeka West 23.37
Cochran, Seaman 23.41
Ben
400 METERS
Roeder, Topeka High 52.68
Benz, Shawnee Heights 52.79
Terry, Washburn Rural 53.14
Batson, Topeka West 53.64
Roney, Washburn Rural 54.31
Brody Anderson, Seaman
800 METERS
Anderson, Seaman 1:59.81
Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 2:00.30
Ferguson, Silver Lake 2:04.20
Chooncharoen, Washburn Rural 2:08.43
Quarles, Washburn Rural 2:09.89
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights
1,600 METERS
Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 4:22.45
Lehman, Topeka West 4:48.72
Carter, Shawnee Heights 4:50.71
Leinwetter, Washburn Rural 4:51.67
Ferguson, Silver Lake 4:55.60
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural will make the familiar trek to Wichita next week for the Class 6A girls state basketball tournament.
Washburn Rural girls basketball celebrates its 47-34 win at Wichita South in Friday's Class 6A sub-state final. [Washburn Rural girls basketball]
Kevin Bordewick's Junior Blues will be making their straight state appearance after avenging a midseason loss to Wichita South with a 47-34 win in Friday's sub-state championship game on the Titans' home floor.
Washburn Rural has advanced to the state championship game the past two seasons, finishing second a year ago after winning the title in 2022, the Junior Blues' second championship since 2019.
Washburn Rural poses for a team picture after winning its third straight Class 6A girls sub-state title Friday night at Wichita South. [Washburn Rural girls basketball]
Rural, now 15-7, dropped a 44-38 overtime decision to South in the championship game of the Girls Capital City Classic on Jan. 27 but pulled away late Friday night for the double-digit victory over the Titans, who finished their season 14-8.
Freshman Maddie Vickery led the Junior Blues with 23 points and 12 rebounds while Zoe Canfield added 10 points and Ella Hirschi nine.
Silver Lake girls improve to 22-0
Undefeated and top-ranked Silver Lake ran its win streak to 22 games Friday night with a 63-34 Class 3A sub-state semifinal win over Minneapolis in the Riley County sub-state.
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 2024 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
BOYS
100 METERS
Merritt, Seaman 10.77
Murph, Topeka High 11.18
Barr, Topeka West 11.59
Hailey, Topeka High 11.85
Osburn, Washburn Rural 11.90
Aaron Merritt, Seaman
200 METERS
Merritt, Seaman 22.08
Murph, Topeka High 23.05
Parker, Shawnee Heights 23.27
Batson, Topeka West 23.37
Cochran, Seaman 23.41
400 METERS
Roeder, Topeka High 52.68
Benz, Shawnee Heights 52.79
Terry, Washburn Rural 53.14
Batson, Topeka West 53.64
Roney, Washburn Rural 54.31
Brody Anderson, Seaman
800 METERS
Anderson, Seaman 1:59.81
Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 2:00
Chooncharoen, Washburn Rural 2:08.43
Quarles, Washburn Rural 2:09.89
Olsen, Washburn Rural 2:11.40
Jackson Esquibel, Shawnee Heights
1,600 METERS
Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 4:22.45
Lehman, Topeka West 4:48.72
Leinwetter, Washburn Rural 4:51.67
Carter, Shawnee Heights 4:52.44
Moore, Hayden 4:56.13
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural softball opened the Joy Marie Galliart era with a pair of hard-earned wins over Centennial League foe Topeka High Friday at Hummer Sports Park.
Joy Marie Galliart (center) notched her first two wins as Washburn Rural's softball coach Friday against Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
The Junior Blues broke a 4-4 tie with four runs in their last at bat to take an 8-4 first-game win and earned the sweep with an 11-7 win in the nightcap.
Washburn Rural sophomore shortstop Reagan Chapman throws out a Topeka High base-runner in Friday's softball twinbill. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Washburn Rural senior pitcher Makayla Ekis (right) confers with sophomore catcher Henley Rapp during Friday's doubleheader against Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Washburn Rural has been to the Class 6A championship game the past two seasons, finishing as the state runnerup both years, while Topeka High won 6A titles in 2021 and 2022.
Seaman softball rolls to UKC sweep over Topeka West
Seaman's softball team opened its 2024 season in impressive fashion Friday at Seaman, taking a pair of wins over United Kansas Conference foe Topeka West.
The Vikings took an 18-3 first-game win over the Chargers and followed that up with a 17-1 second-game victory.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Payton Fink, Washburn Rural
PAYTON FINK, Washburn Rural
Fink, a first-team All-Shawnee County pick last spring, is one of Class 6A's premier distance runners and will also run relays for the Junior Blues. Fink was part of Washburn Rural's fifth-place 4x800-meter relay team (9:52.27) in the 2023 6A state meet. Fink finished second in the 6A cross country meet last fall.
Taylie Heston, Seaman
TAYLIE HESTON, Seaman
A junior, Heston earned first-team All-Shawnee County recognition last season after earning a 5A state medal as a member of Seaman's sixth-place 4x800 relay team. Heston opened her season in Thursday's Topeka West Invitational with a second-place finish in the 800 meters (2:37.14) while also running on Seaman's winning 4x400 and 4x800 relays.
Natalie Hillebert (left), Hayden
NATALIE HILLEBERT, Hayden
A first-team All-Shawnee County selection last spring, Hillebert placed second in the 4A 400 meters. A senior, Hillebert clocked a time of 58.83 seconds at state and ranked No. 2 in the county with a season-best of 58.15. Hillebert also ranked among the county leaders in the 200 dash. Hillebert finished second in the 400 in Friday's season-opener at Free State (63.31).
Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural
RYLEE ISMERT, Washburn Rural
A junior distance runner, Ismert helped Washburn Rural post a fifth-place finish in 6A in the 4x800 relay (9:25.27) in the 6A state meet. Ismert, a first-team All-Shawnee County team last season, ranked among the county leaders in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meters last spring. Ismert placed 16th in the 6A cross country meet last fall.
KAIBRYN KRUGER, Silver Lake
A senior, Kruger earned All-Shawnee County first-team recognition last season after placing sixth at state in the 3A triple jump (34-10). Kruger was the county leader in the triple jump with a season-best of 35 feet and tied for the county lead in the long jump with a season-best of 16-10.
MAGGIE LESMEISTER, Seaman
A senior, Lesmeister is a standout javelin thrower for the Vikings, earning All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season. Lesmeister ranked third in the county last spring with a season-best of 121-6 and took first place in Thursday's season-opening Topeka West Invitational (107-11).
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High
KEIMARA MARSHALL, Topeka High
A sophomore, Marshall established herself as one of the area's top sprinters last spring, earning first-team all-county honors. Marshall ranked No. 2 in the county in the 100 (12.74) and fourth in the 200 (26.70) in 2023 and opened the current season with second-place finishes in the 100 and 200 in the Topeka West Invitational.
Ryin MIller, Seaman
RYIN MILLER, Seaman
Miller, a sophomore, was a first-team All-Shawnee County pick in 2023, earning a pair of 5A state medals. Miller ran on Seaman's third-place 4x400 relay and the Vikings' sixth-place 4x800 relay team. Miller is one of the top cross country runners in 5A and is coming off a third-place 5A state finish last fall.
BROOKLYN NOLTE, Washburn Rural
A junior, Nolte earned All-Shawnee County first-team honors last spring after running on Washburn Rural's 4x800 relay team that finished fifth in 6A (9:52.27). Nolte ran on the Junior Blues' cross country team that finished fourth as a team in the 6A state meet last fall, placing 41st individually.
RAE NORTH, Hayden
A junior sprinter, North was a first-team All-Shawnee County first-team selection last season after earning a 4A state medal with an eighth-place individual finish in the 400-meter dash. North will also compete in relays for the Wildcats.
RAEGAN PETERSEN, Washburn Rural
Petersen, a senior, is one of Shawnee County's top throwers, earning all-county honorable mention last season. Petersen was the Shawnee County leader in the discus with a season-best of 119 feet, 2 inches. Petersen was also a standout for Washburn Rural's golf team, capping her career with a 17th-place state finish last fall.
AVA ROTTINGHAUS, Silver Lake
A senior, Rottinghaus placed sixth in the 3A girls javelin last spring (126 feet, 2 inches) and also ran on the Eagles' fourth-place 4x400 relay (4:11.98). A first-team All-Shawnee County pick in 2023, Rottinghaus ranked second in the county in the javelin, with her throw at state her personal best.
Jaida Stallbaumer, Seaman
JAIDA STALLBAUMER, Seaman
Stallbaumer, a junior, was a first-team All-Shawnee County pick in 2023 after finishing fifth in the 5A 100-meter high hurdles (16.04) and running on the Vikings' third-place 4x400 relay. Stallbaumer ranked No. 1 in Shawnee County last season in the 300 hurldes and was second in the 100 hurdles. Stallbaumer opened her 2024 season with a win in the 300 hurdles and ran on the Vikings' winning 4x400 relay.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
JORDAN ARMBRUSTER, Shawnee Heights
A senior, Armbruster earned TopSports.news All-Shawnee County second-team recognition as a junior and also earned All-United Kansas Conference second-team honors last spring.
EASTON BLOSSER, Hayden
Blosser was a frontline player for the 11-6 Wildcats last season and will be counted on to provide senior leadership for Hayden this spring. Blosser has signed a letter of intent to play collegiately at Central Methodist.
COOPER CAMPIDILLI, Silver Lake
A junior catcher, Campidilli was a first-team All-Mid-East selection last season after hitting .355 with 16 runs batted in for Silver Lake, which posted a 15-7 record last season. Campidilli also received TSN All-Shawnee County second-team honors in 2023.
AVERY CROSSWHITE, Rossville
Crosswhite, a senior, hit .365 last season for the 9-13 Bulldawgs with a .422 on-base percentage. Crosswhite had 27 hits with seven doubles, three home runs, 23 runs scored and 27 runs batted in. Crosswhite was a second-team TSN All-Shawnee County pick.
DAVID DOBBS, Seaman
A junior catcher, Dodge is being counted to play a key role this spring for Seaman, which is coming off an 18-5 record and a state-record 19th straight Class 5A state tournament appearance last spring.
Holden Finley, Seaman
HOLDEN FINLEY, Seaman
Finley, a senior, was a first-team TSN All-Shawnee County pick in 2023 after helping the 18-5 Vikings reach the Class 5A state tournament for a state-record 19th straight time. Finley also earned All-5A honorable mention from the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches and was a second-team All-United Kansas Conference pick.
Matt Genrich, Topeka High
MATT GENRICH, Topeka High
A senior, Genrich was a second-team TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League selection last season after helping Topeka High post a 16-7 record and earn a Class 6A state tournament berth, the Trojans' first state tournament appearance in more than seven decades.
Cooper Grace, Hayden
COOPER GRACE, Hayden
Grace, a junior, earned TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League first-team recognition last season and was a second-team Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches All-4A selection after helping lead the Wildcats to an 11-6 record.
Brady Heinen, Hayden
BRADY HEINEN, Hayden
A junior, Heinen was named the TSN Shawnee County newcomer of the year last season after helping Hayden post an 11-6 record. Heinen received All-Shawnee County honorable mention.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Jo'Mhara Benning, Topeka High
JO'MHARA BENNING, Topeka High
A junior pitcher, Benning earned second-team TopSports.news All-Shawnee County recognition last season after helping the Trojans post a 10-12 record. Benning also was a second-team All-Centennial League pick and earned All-Class 6A honorable mention from the Kansas Softball Coaches Association.
Karlyn Bowman, Shawnee Heights
KARLYN BOWMAN, Shawnee Heights
Bowman, a senior infielder, earned second-team TSN All-Shawnee County honors last season and was also a second-team All-United Kansas Conference selection after helping Shawnee Heights post a 17-8 record and a third-place finish in the 5A state tournament. Bowman has signed a letter of intent with Washburn.
Reagan Chapman, Washburn Rural
REAGAN CHAPMAN, Washburn Rural
A sophomore, Chapman earned first-team All-Class 6A honors as a freshman while also being named the TSN Shawnee County newcomer of the year and earning first-team all-county honors after helping lead the Junior Blues to a 21-4 record and a second straight berth in the 6A championship game.
LAYLA COLLINS, Washburn Rural
Collins, a junior, received second-team TSN All-Shawnee County honors last season after helping Washburn Rural post a second-place finish in the 6A state tournament. Collins also earned second-team All-Centennial League recognition for the Junior Blues, 21-4 on the year.
Kendra Cook, Silver Lake
KENDRA COOK, Silver Lake
A junior pitcher, Cook earned TSN All-Shawnee County first-team recognition last season after helping Silver Lake post a 19-3 record. Cook received All-3A honorable mention from the Kansas Softball Coaches Association after compiling a 0.627 earned run average with 73 strikeouts.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman junior Anna Becker and Silver Lake senior Makenzie McDaniel have been tapped as the TopSports.news 2024 All-Shawnee County co-girls basketball players of the year after helping lead their teams to state championships.
Seaman junior Anna Becker, a three-time All-Shawnee County Top 10 pick, has been named the county co-player of the year after helping lead the Vikings to the Class 5A state title. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Senior Makenzie McDaniel, who helped lead Silver Lake to a 26-0 record and the Class 3A state title, has been named the Shawnee County co-player of the year. [File photo/TSN]
Becker helped Seaman post a 23-2 record on the way to the Class 5A state title while McDaniel helped lead Silver Lake to a perfect 26-0 record and the 3A crown.
The four Shawnee County teams that posted top-four state finishes in three different classes, including 6A state runnerup Washburn Rural and third-place Hayden in 3A, combined to earn every spot on the All-Shawnee County Top 10 while Seaman, Silver Lake and Washburn Rural combined to sweep the individual awards.
Matt Tinsley has been named the Shawnee County co-coach of the year after leading Seaman to the Class 5A state championship. [File photo/TSN]
Silver Lake coach Kyle Porter has been named the Shawnee County co-coach of the year after the Eagles went 26-0 and won the Class 3A state title. [File photo/TSN]
In addition to co-players of the year Becker and McDaniel, Seaman's Matt Tinsley and Silver Lake's Kyle Porter share the Shawnee County coach of the year award while Washburn Rural freshman Maddie Vickery has been named the county newcomer of the year.
Freshman Maddie Vickery has been named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year after helping lead Washburn Rural to a runnerup finish in the Class 6A state tournament. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Becker is joined on the All-Shawnee County Top 10 by Seaman senior teammate Taylin Stallbaumer and Viking sophomore Maddie Gragg after Seaman captured its first girls state championship since 1991 with a 54-41 win over Maize South Saturday night in Emporia.
Silver Lake also earned three Top 10 all-county spots with senior McKinley Kruger and sophomore Kailyn Hanni joining McDaniel on the team after the Eagles finished off their perfect run to the 3A title with a 66-61 win over Hesston.
Washburn Rural senior Zoe Canfield and Vickery were both named to the Top 10 along with Hayden senior Lauren Sandstrom and Wildcat junior Amelia Ramsey.
Canfield and Vickery helped lead the Junior Blues to their third straight 6A state final, where the Junior Blues dropped a 47-37 decision to Shawnee Mission South, while Ramsey and Sandstrom helped Hayden bounce back from a semifinal loss to Silver Lake to finish third with a 50-39 win over Goodland.
Becker, McDaniel and Kruger all earned Top 10 honors for the third straight season while Gragg and Ramsey are repeat picks.
Canfield and Stallbaumer also made the Top 10 for the second time, with both players also earning that honor in 2022.
All-Shawnee County capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Highland Park junior Ja'Corey Robinson and Shawnee Heights senior repeat pick Brennon Dodge headline the 2024 TopSports.news All-Shawnee County boys basketball team.
Highland Park junior Ja'Corey Robinson has been named the Shawnee County player of the year after helping lead the Scots to a 23-2 record and a third-place finish in Class 5A. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Robinson was tapped as the Shawnee County player of the year after leading the Scots to a 23-2 record and a second straight third-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament, posting double-doubles in all three of Highland Park's state tournament games.
Dodge, the lone all-county first-team repeat pick, helped lead Shawnee Heights to a 19-4 record and the T-Birds' first 5A state tournament berth since 2017.
The Scots, who dropped a three-point overtime loss in the semifinals to eventual state champion Kapaun Mt. Carmel, also put senior Tamir Anderson and junior Mikey Williams on the TSN Shawnee County Top 10.
Highland Park coach Mike Williams has been named the Shawnee County boys coach of the year after leading the Scots to a 23-2 record and a second straight third-place state finish. [Photo by Mac Moore/KSHSAA Covered]
Highland Park's Mike Williams was named the county coach of the year for the second straight season, leading the Scots to a 47-3 record over the past two years.
Dodge is joined on the all-county first team by junior teammate Jaret Sanchez while five other county schools put one player apiece on the Top 10.
That group includes seniors Simon Everhart of Cair Paravel Latin and Griffin Durst of Washburn Rural along with junior Jalen Foy of Topeka West and sophomores KaeVon Bonner of Seaman and Jack Donovan of Rossville.
Robinson and Sanchez both moved up to the Top 10 after being Second 10 picks in 2023 while Anderson, Bonner, Donovan, Everhart and Williams received honorable mention a year ago.
Hayden freshman Mason Becker has been named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year after helping lead the Wildcats to a Class 3A state tournament berth. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden freshman Mason Becker was selected as this season's Shawnee County newcomer of the year after helping the 8-16 Wildcats put together a strong postseason run to reach the 3A state tournament.
All-Shawnee County capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka West senior Myles Alonzo is a three-time All-Shawnee County selection and a two-time Class 5A state medalist. [File photo/TSN]
MYLES ALONZO, Topeka West
A senior, Alonzo shot a 36-hole score of 143 to tie for 12th in the 2023 Class 5A state tournament, earning his second state medal. Alonzo finished second in the city tournament with an 80, tied for third in the United Kansas Conference meet with a 77 and tied for third in 5A regional competition with a 79. Alonzo is a three-time All-Shawnee County first-team selection.
TADD ARMSTRONG, Washburn Rural
Armstrong, a junior, has been a second-team All-Shawnee County pick the past two seasons. Armstrong tied for sixth in last season's city tournament with an 84 and tied for ninth in Class 6A regional competition with an 81 as Washburn Rural earned a team berth for state. Armstrong carded an 81 at state.
Bryce Badsky, Silver Lake
BRYCE BADSKY, Silver Lake
Badsky, a senior, earned a Class 3A state medal for the third straight season, shooting a 36-hole score of 157 to tie for 16th place. Badsky took medalist honors in the Mid-East League Tournament with an 80 and also captured an individual regional championship with a 77. Badsky is a three-time All-Shawnee County first-team pick.
HAYDEN GLYNN, Washburn Rural
A senior, Glynn advanced to the second round of the Class 6A state tournament with a first-round 77 and finished at 162. Glynn tied for sixth in the Centennial League tournament with a 79, placed eighth in the city meet with an 85 and tied for ninth in 6A regional competition with an 81.
