Topeka High Trojans

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

KaeVon Bonner

KAEVON BONNER, Seaman

A 6-foot-3 junior guard, Bonner scored 42 points in two Seaman boys basketball wins on the week as the Vikings improved to 2-1 on the season. Bonner scored 25 points in a 70-50 Tuesday night United Kansas Conference home win over Lansing, hitting 10 of 17 shots from the field with five 3-pointers, and scored 17 points with three 3-pointers Friday as the Vikings took a 60-57 UKC road victory over No. 8-ranked Topeka West.  

Nora Burdiek

NORA BURDIEK, Rossville

Burdiek, a 5-foot-11 sophomore, was named the most valuable player in last week's Fighting Irish Classic at Chapman after averaging 20.7 points and 13 rebounds for the tournament-champion Bulldawgs. Burdiek scored 26 points in an 89-9 win over Kansas City-Bishop Ward, scored 20 points in a 57-50 win over Sacred Heart and had 16 points in the Bulldawgs' 65-25 win over Chapman on Saturday as Rossville wrapped up the championship.

Rylee Dick

RYLEE DICK, Rossville

A 5-foot-6 junior, Dick helped lead Rossville to three straight wins and the tournament championship in last week's Fighting Irish Classic, earning all-tournament honors. Dick scored 26 points with four 3-pointers in an 89-9 win over Kansas City-Bishop Ward, had 25 points with six treys in a 57-50 win over Sacred Heart and finished her week with 25 points and four 3-pointers in Saturday's 65-25 win over Chapman. Dick also averaged five assists on the week.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Boys and girls wrestlers from Highland Park, Topeka High and Topeka West and a girls team representing Washburn Rural combined to win 13 individual titles in Saturday's Melvin Douglas Invitational at Highland Park.

A split team from Washburn Rural won the title in the 13-school girls division by a 128-120 margin over host Highland Park while Topeka High finished a city-best third in the 17-school boys division.

Here's a rundown of both the boys and girls tournaments:

Washburn Rural poses for a picture after winning the team championship in Saturday's Melvin Douglas Invitational at Highland Park. [Washburn Rural girls wrestling]

Rural girls edge host Scots for team championship

Washburn Rural's two-time defending Class 6A state-champion girls wrestling team posted a pair of team championships on Saturday in two different states, posting a win in the Melvin Douglas Invitational by a 128-120 margin over the host Scots and also winning the team title in the prestigious multi-state event in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Washburn Rural got individual titles in the Melvin Douglas tourney by Jordan Shatto at 125 pounds, Reece Garrett at 145 and Janiah Matthie-Johnson at 170 while Dixie Day (120), Hayden Hedstrom (135) and Leah MacPherson (155) posted runnerup finishes.

Shatto is 4-0 on the season while Garrett is 3-0 and Matthie-Johnson 4-0.

The Junior Blues posted top-four finishes in 10 of 14 weight divisions.

Runnerup Highland Park got championships from Kimberly Rodriguez at 105 pounds, Bethanie Kagle at 110, Connie Burns at 115 and Makayla Cadet at 190.

Rodriguez is 5-2 this season while Kagle is 4-0, Burns 7-0 and Cadet 8-1.

Topeka High finished fourth as a team, getting titles from Ingrid Cabrera at 100 pounds and Jenea Bratton at 140, while Topeka West got a win from Monica Stewart at 235.

Cabrera is now 6-2 while Bratton is 6-2 and Stewart is 4-2.

Champions Stiner, Davis power High boys to third-place finish

Topeka High's boys scored 147 points on Saturday, finishing just 10 points behind Summit Christian Academy, Mo. for second while Gardner-Edgerton won the team title with 220.5 points.

 Topeka High junior Jordan Stiner (left) won the 157-pound title in Saturday's Melvin Douglas Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Topeka High senior 157-pounder Nick Davis (top) remained undefeated on the season in Saturday's Melvin Douglas Invitational, improving to 11-0. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

The Trojans got individual titles from Jordan Stiner at 157 pounds and Nick Davis at 165 while Topeka High posted top-four finishes in seven of 14 weight classes.

Davis is now 11-0 on the season while Stiner is 9-2.

Topeka High senior 157-pounder Nick Davis (top) remained undefeated on the season in Saturday's Melvin Douglas Invitational, improving to 11-0. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Highland Park finished seventh as a team, getting an individual title from senior 175-pounder Adrian Burney, who is 5-1 on the season.

Head official Ronnie Bailey (second from right) and his officiating crew of Dan Pray, Austin Gibson, Mike Brown and Shawn Binkley worked Saturday's Melvin Douglas Invitational wrestling tournament. [Submitted photo]

Melvin Douglas Invitational

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

THOMAS APPUHN, Washburn Rural

Appuhn opened the 2024-2025 season with a strong performance in last Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational at the Capitol Federal Natatorium. Appuhn posted a fourth-place individual finish in the 200-yard medley relay and finished sixth in the 100-yard backstroke and swam on the Junior Blues' fourth-place 400 freestyle relay.

KINSER BARBOSA, Seaman

Barbosa earned second-team All-City honors last season and is one of the Vikings' top returners. In last Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational Barbosa finished fifth in the 100-yard breaststroke, sixth in the 50-yard freestyle and swam on the Vikings' sixth-place 200 medley relay.

Dawson Blankenship, Topeka High

DAWSON BLANKENSHIP, Topeka High

Blankenship is a top returner for Topeka High after earning second-team All-City honors last season. Blankenship opened his 2024-2025 season with a third-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly and swam on the Trojans' fourth-place 200 free relay in last Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational. 

Truman Brede, Shawnee Heights

TRUMAN BREDE, Shawnee Heights

A senior returning All-City first-teamer, Brede finished off his 2024 season with a win in the Class 5A 'B' final in the 100-yard backstroke. Brede finished second in the 200-yard freestyle, third in the 100 backstroke and second in the 200 free relay for the T-Birds in the city meet and finished second in the United Kansas Conference meet in the 200 freestyle and 100 back and fourth in the 200 free relay. Brede finished third in last Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational in the 200 freestyle and finished fourth in the 100 backstroke.

RYAN CARSON, Hayden

Carson will be counting on to provide leadership for the Wildcats this winter after earning a spot on the All-City second team last season. Carson finished eighth in the 100-yard butterfly in last Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational and swam on Hayden's 200 medley, 200 free and 400 free relays.

Jaxon Cowdin, Topeka High

JAXON COWDIN, Topeka High

Cowdin, a senior, won his third straight city championship in one-meter diving for Topeka High last season and went on to claim his second Centennial League championship. A three-time first-team All-City honoree, Cowdin advanced to the Class 6A diving finals for the third straight year, posting a 12th-place state finish.

PALMER HESKETT, Hayden

A second-team All-City honoree last season, Heskett is one of Hayden's top returning swimmers. In last Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational Heskett finished sixth in the 200-yard freestyle and sixth in the 500 freestyle while also swimming on the Wildcats' 200 medley relay and 400 free relays.

Evan Hoobler, Shawnee Heights

EVAN HOOBLER, Shawnee Heights

Hoobler, a senior, was a first-team All-City honoree last season, placing second in the 100-yard breaststroke and third in the 200 individual medley and second in the 200 free relay in the city championships and placed second in the 100 breaststroke, third in the 200 IM and fourth in the 200 free relay in the United Kansas Conference meet.

Alex Lanterman, Washburn Rural

ALEX LANTERMAN, Washburn Rural

Lanterman earned a first-team All-City berth last season with a strong performance in the city meet as Washburn Rural won its fifth straight city team championship. Lanterman placed third in the city in 200-yard freestyle and third in the 100 butterfly and was part of Rural's 'B' 400 free relay team that finished third. 

Luke Lemke, Washburn Rural

LUKE LEMKE, Washburn Rural

Lemke, a senior, earned All-City first-team honors last season, helping Washburn Rural win city and Centennial League team titles and tying for third place in Class 6A. Lemke was part of Rural's 400-yard free relay team that placed second in the 6A state meet. Lemke placed second in the city meet in the 200-yard individual medley and the 100 backstroke and was part of the Junior Blues' winning 200 medley and 200 free relays. Lemke took third in the 200 individual medley in the Centennial League meet and was part of Rural's winning 200 free and 400 free relay teams.  

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Topeka High, competing in the first of two back-to-back tournaments hosted by Highland Park, claimed the boys team championship in Saturday's Highland Park Invitational by a 177.5-153.5 margin over De Soto.

Tony Canacari's Topeka High boys wrestlers won the team championship in Saturday's Highland Park Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

The Trojans got individual titles from sophomore Jose Gomez at 106 pounds, junior Michael Weatherly at 144, junior Brandon Blancas at 150 and senior Nick Davis at 165 while Topeka High posted top-four finishes in nine of 14 weight classes.

Gomez, Weatherly and Blancas are now 5-0 on the 2024 season while Davis is 4-0.

Hayden sophomore Caleb Menke (top) captured the 157-pound championship in Saturday's Highland Park Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Hayden junior Jude Krentz (facing) won the 175-pound title in Saturday's Highland Park Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN] 

Hayden finished fourth in the team standings while getting titles from sophomore Caleb Menke at 157 pounds, junior Jude Krentz at 175 and senior Hunter Diederich at 285 pounds.

Hayden senior Hunter Diederich won the 285-pound title in Saturday's Highland Park Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Menke, Krentz and Diederich are now 3-0 on the season.

Highland Park senior Adrian Burney (top) posted a second-place finish at 175 pounds in Saturday's Highland Park Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Highland Park finished fifth as a team, getting a second-place finish from senior 175-pounder Adrian Burney.

Santa Fe Trail took the girls team total by a 106-84 margin over Highland Park.

The Scots got individual championships from junior Connie Burns at 115 pounds and junior Makala Cadet at 235 pounds.

Burns is 5-0 on the season and Cadet is 5-1.

Highland Park will host the Melvin Douglas Invitational on Saturday.

Highland Park Invitational

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Seaman's girls basketball team opened defense of its Class 5A state championship Friday night, surviving a tough test from Piper to take a 69-67 United Kansas Conference road win.

"What a great atmosphere for the first game of the season,'' Seaman coach Matt Tinsley said. "Im proud of our girls. We were tough when we needed to be and we had some kids step up and be brave.''

Junior Maddie Gragg scored 21 points to lead Seaman in Friday's 69-67 UKC win over Piper. [File photo/TSN]

Junior Maddie Gragg led four double-figure scorers for the Vikings with 21 points while junior Anna Becker added 20 points, senior Jadyn Stallbaumer 14 points and senior Ava Esser 13.

Senior Anna Becker moved into the all-time career assist lead for Seaman in Friday's 69-67 win over Piper. [File photo/TSN]

Esser grabbed 10 rebounds to give her a double-double while senior Kinley Wilhelm also had 10 rebounds and Becker had eight assists and moved into the top spot on the Seaman all-time list.

The game was tight throughout, with Seaman leading 23-19 at the end of the first quarter before the Pirates used a 13-6 second quarter to take a 32-29 halftime advantage.

Seaman still trailed by a point (53-52) at the start of the fourth quarter before the Vikings outscored the Pirates 17-14 over the final eight minutes to pull out the two-point victory, hitting 8 of 8 free throws late in the game.

"Before the game we talked about our journey and taking the first step and this is a good win,'' Tinsley said.

The Vikings will be at home Tuesday to face Lansing.

Piper boys take 69-51 win over Vikings

Piper, the Class 5A boys state runnerup last season, opened its 2024-2025 campaign with a 69-51 home United Kansas Conference victory over Seaman.

Piper led 14-9 after one quarter and took control with a 19-8 second quarter, taking a 33-17 advantage to the locker room at halftime.

The Pirates went on to open up a 51-30 advantage at the start of the fourth quarter before Seaman outscored Piper 21-18 the rest of the way.

Seaman got a team-high 12 points from junior KaeVon Bonner while newcomer Cameron Brian and Axton Brewer added nine points apiece.

Seaman will be at home Tuesday to host UKC rival Lansing.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Editor's note: The 20 boys wrestlers to watch are primarily based on performances in the 2023-2024 season. TopSports.news is still in the process of receiving preseason information from local coaches and will update information as needed.

JADYN BAUM, Washburn Rural

Baum, a sophomore, earned second-team All-Shawnee County recognition at 175 pounds last season for Washburn Rural, posting a 31-20 record as a freshman. Baum is ranked No. 3 at 175 pounds in the latest of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association Class 6A preseason rankings and is ranked 10th in the All-Class rankings. Baum was a Centennial League champion as a freshman and was selected as the league newcomer of the year.

GABE BRANNICK, Seaman

Brannick, a senior, was a Class 5A state qualifier last season, posting a 36-17 record through regionals, and earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention at 157 pounds. Brannick is ranked sixth in 5A at 157 pounds in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 5A preseason state rankings. Brannick posted a third-place finish in the United Kansas Conference tournament last season.

BRODY BROWN, Shawnee Heights

Brown, a sophomore, earned second-team All-Shawnee County recognition at 126 pounds as a freshman and qualified for the Class 5A state tournament with a sixth-place regional finish. Brown is expected to wrestle at 138 pounds for the T-Birds this season. He posted a 22-18 record last season and placed fourth in the United Kansas Conference tournament.

Easton Broxterman, Washburn Rural

EASTON BROXTERMAN, Washburn Rural

A senior, Broxterman is a two-time Class 6A state champion and has advanced to the state finals three straight seasons. Broxterman, who posted a 49-1 record en route to the 132-pound title last season, was named the Shawnee County wrestler of the year last winter after helping the Junior Blues finish third as a team and is a three-time all-county selection. Broxterman is ranked No. 1 at 144 pounds in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 6A preseason rankings and is also No. 1 in the All-Class rankings.

TRISTAN BUCE, Shawnee Heights

Buce, a junior, was a Class 5A state qualifier and earned second-team All-Shawnee County recognition last season at 106 pounds and is expected to wrestle at 120 pounds this season. Buce posted a 26-6 record last season for the T-Birds and qualified for state with a sixth-place regional finish. Buce was a United Kansas Conference champion as a freshman and finished second a year ago.

Adrian Burney, Highland Park

ADRIAN BURNEY, Highland Park

Burney, a senior, was the lone Highland Park Class 5A boys state qualifier last season and earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention. Burney posted a 17-8 record through regional competition last season, punching his ticket to state with a sixth-place finish.

Hunter Diederich, Hayden

HUNTER DIEDERICH, Hayden

Diederich, a senior, earned second-team All-Shawnee County recognition at 285 pounds last season, posting a 22-9 record on the season. Diederich was a Class 4A state qualifier in 2023.

TRENT HARRIS, Silver Lake

A senior, Harris received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after qualifying for the Class 4A state tournament with a third-place regional finish at 150 pounds, posting a 31-15 record through regional competition. Harris is ranked No. sixth in 4A at 157 pounds in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Assocation preseason rankings.

RYDER HARRISON, Washburn Rural

Harrison, a junior, was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection at 106 pounds as a sophomore, posting a 47-14 record for the Junior Blues, who finished third in Class 6A as a team. Harrison finished fourth at state last season and is ranked No. 5 at 120 pounds in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 6A preseason rankings and is listed third a 113 pounds in the All-Class rankings. Harrison was a Centennial League champ in 2024.

GAVIN HARTMAN, Shawnee Heights

A junior, Hartman received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season and is a former Class 5A state qualifier. Hartman was a United Kansas Conference champion in 2023 and finished fourth in the conference meet last season.

EVAN JOHNSON, Shawnee Heights

Johnson, a junior, was a second-team All-Shawnee County pick at 157 pounds as a sophomore and is a two-time Class 5A state qualifier for the T-Birds. Johnson posted a 29-15 record last season and qualified for state with a fourth-place regional finish. Johnson was a second-place finisher in the United Kansas Conference tournament.

BRODYE KOCHER-MUNOZ, Washburn Rural

A sophomore, Kocher-Munoz was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year as a freshman and was a second-team all-county selection at 144 pounds for Washburn Rural, which posted a third-place team finish in Class 6A. Munoz finished fourth in 6A last season and is ranked third at 150 pounds in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 6A preseason rankings and seventh in the All-Class rankings at 138.

Landen Kocher-Munoz, Washburn Rural

LANDEN KOCHER-MUNOZ, Washburn Rural

Kocher-Munoz, a junior, posted a 36-5 record at 138 pounds last season, earning All-Shawnee County first-team recognition for a second straight season. Kocher-Munoz finished second in Class 6A last season after winning a state championship as a freshman. Kocher-Munoz helped the Junior Blues finish third as a team in 6A. Kocher-Munoz is ranked No. 4 at 132 pounds in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association preseason All-Class rankings. Kocher-Munoz won a Centennial League title last season.

JUDE KRENTZ, Hayden

A junior, Krentz earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season at 165 pounds last season after earning his second straight trip to the Class 4A state tournament. Krentz qualified for the 2024 state meet with a third-place regional finish and posted a 27-3 record through regional competition.

Kristjan Marshall, Washburn Rural

KRISTJAN MARSHALL, Washburn Rural

A senior, Marshall earned first-team All-Shawnee County recognition last season after compiling a 39-4 record and capturing the Class 6A 150-pound state championship for Washburn Rural, which finished third in the 6A team race. Marshall, who finished fourth at state as a sophomore, is ranked No. 1 in 6A at 157 pounds in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association preseason rankings and is No. 7 in the All-Class rankings at 150. Marshall won a Centennial League title in 2024.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Thirty-one Washburn Rural and Topeka High football players have received All-Centennial League recognition, including nine first-team selections.

Washburn Rural senior Lafayette Thompson earned All-Centennial League first-team honors at both wide receiver and returner. [File photo/TSN]

Rural is represented on the first team by senior Lafayette Thompson, who made the team at wide receiver and returner along with senior offensive linemen Caden Estrada and Jacob Hawks, senior defensive lineman Baron Blankenship, senior linebacker Connor Danielson, senior defensive back Kingston Leonard and junior offensive back TJ Minikwu.

Senior running back Tevante Ewing (25) earned All-Centennial League first-team honors for Topeka High. [File photo/TSN]

Topeka High put senior offensive back Tevante Ewing and junior Malichi Murph on the first team.

Trojan senior Jayden Norman received all-league recognition at three positions, receiving second-team honors at wide receiver and kicker and honorable mention at punter.

2024 ALL-CENTENNIAL LEAGUE FOOTBALL 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

When Washburn Rural had a vacancy for a girls swimming coach back in 2020, veteran coach Bob Burdick stepped in for the Junior Blues.

Senior Luke Lemke (front) led Washburn Rural to a third-place team finish in Wednesday's 11-school Topeka West Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

This winter is deja vu all over again for Burdick, who took over the reins of the Rural boys program after Janson Garman stepped down.

"He graduated from college and got a job,'' Burdick said. "I hoped Janson would stay because he had a lot of energy and he's a young coach and I want to see these young coaches move up because people like me, we're going to be retiring. But he just couldn't do it.''

Burdick had put together a long coaching career in Missouri before retiring in that state and moving over to Washburn Rural, where he teaches history and eventually took on the girls coaching position.

And as fate would have it, the timing worked out perfectly this winter for Burdick to take on the added responsibility of coaching both Rural teams. 

"About two or three years ago I told our athletic director (Charlie Nimz) that I couldn't do this (coach the boys) because I used to coach the boys and the girls back in Missouri and when I took the girls my wife said, 'Promise me you're not going to take the boys until our last son's in college,' '' Burdick said.

"Well, he's at K-State now, so she said, 'You can do whatever the heck you want with swimming now, so enjoy.' Charlie came to me and said, 'Are you going to do this?' And I was like, 'Yes, I'm going to do it,' so that's how it all went down.''

Burdick's Washburn Rural boys team made its debut in Wednesday's 11-school Topeka West Invitational at the Capitol Federal Natatorium, posting a third-place finish.

  "I'm enjoying it,'' Burdick said. "I love swimming, so I enjoy watching these guys swim, I enjoy the races. We had a lot of surprises tonight for our team and there's a lot of great teams out here and I love seeing all the other coaches.

"This has been a great start and it was getting the bugs out for everybody.''

Washburn Rural suffered heavy graduation losses, including state champions Brogan Meier and Jack Miranda, off last year's team that tied for third in Class 6A, but Burdick said the team is coming around. 

"It's going to take awhile, but we can see it on the horizon,'' he said.

Luke Lemke led Rural in Wednesday's opener, placing second in the 200-yard individual medley (2 minutes, 10.90 seconds) and the 100 backstroke (58.98) while also swimming on the Junior Blues' third-place 200 medley relay (1:49.96) and fourth-place 400 free relay (3:40.96).

Lemke teamed with Castle Wallace, Alexander Lanterman and Andres Morao-Jaspe on the 200 medley relay and with Morao-Jaspe, Thomas Appuhn and Joseph Jensen on the 400 free relay.

Rural's foursome of Wallace, Ethan Overbey, Lanterman and Jensen posted a third-place finish in the 200 free relay (1:42.93) while Wallace finished third in the 100 breaststroke (1:08.19).

Topeka High's Dawson Blankenship posted a third-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly in Wednesday's 11-school Topeka West Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Topeka High finished sixth as a team, led by Dominic Delgado (209.65) and Malichi Delgado (166.70), who went one-two in one-meter diving. The Trojans also got a third-place finish from Dawson Blankenship in the 100 butterfly (1:00.40).

Shawnee Heights senior Truman Brede posted a third-place finish in the 200 freestyle in Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Shawnee Heights' Evan Hoobler finished third in the 100-yard freestyle in the Topeka West Invitational on Wednesday. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Shawnee Heights got a third-place finish from Truman Brede in the 200 freestyle (2:02.51) and a third from Evan Hoobler in the 100 free (53.02).

TOPEKA WEST INVITATIONAL

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Hayden, which advanced to the Class 3A state championship game for the second straight season, and 5A quarterfinalist and United Kansas Conference champion Seaman combined for 10 Top 22 spots to lead the TopSports.news' 2024 All-Shawnee County football team.

Hayden, which posted a 11-2 record this fall, is represented on the Top 22 by senior three-time honoree Jensen Schrickel along with seniors Broderick Desch, Treyton Tetuan and Jett Wahlmeier and juniors Jude Krentz and Kade while Seaman, 8-3 on the year, put seniors Briar Finley, Max Huston and Kaden Jordan and junior Cameron Brian on the Top 22.

Seaman quarterback Huston and wide receiver Finley were named the Shawnee County co-offensive players of the year while Jordan, a nose tackle, was named the county defensive player of the year and Brian was selected as the defensive newcomer of the year.

Hayden's Schrickel was selected as the Shawnee County all-purpose athlete of the year while Wildcat coach Bill Arnold, now 222-68 as a head coach, was named the county coach of the year.

Shawnee Heights junior quarterback Aiden Scott was a Top 22 pick and selected as the county offensive newcomer of the year after throwing for more than 3,100 yards.

Washburn Rural senior safety Kingston Leonard joins Schrickel and Huston as All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat selections while the Junior Blues are also represented on the Top 22 by senior linemen Caden Estrada and Jacob Hawks. 

Shawnee Heights also put junior Tyren Parker on the all-county Top 22, while 1A semifinalist Rossville is represented by senior Tayson Horak and junior Conner Bush, Silver Lake by senior Braden Strausbaugh and junior Dayne Johnson, Highland Park by seniors Ricky Crawford and Jamon Wilson and Topeka High by senior Jayden Norman.

All 10 Shawnee County high schools have representatives on either the Top 22, Second 22 or honorable mention list. Five county teams won at least six games this fall, with four winning at least one playoff contest.

TopSports.news selected the 2024 All-Shawnee County team after receiving input from county head coaches.

All-Shawnee County Top 22 capsules:

By RICK PETERSON        
TopSports.news 

Anna Becker, Seaman

ANNA BECKER, Seaman

A 5-foot-11 senior, Becker was named the TopSports.news All-Shawnee County co-player of the year after helping lead Seaman to the Class 5A state championship last season. Becker scored 15 points with 8 rebounds, 5 assists and two steals in the Vikings' 54-41 win over Maize South in the state final as Seaman capped a 23-2 season. A Drake signee, Becker is a three-time All-Shawnee County Top 10 pick and has been named the United Kansas Conference player of the year the past two seasons. Becker averaged 14.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.8 steals while shooting 61.3 percent from 2-point range as a junior.

Tahtionna Broils, Highland Park

TAHTIONNA BROILS, Highland Park

A senior, Broils earned second-team All-Meadowlark Conference honors and TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season for the 14-6 Scots. Broils averaged 9.7 points and 6.4 rebounds as a junior to go with 2.6 steals, 1.6 assists and 1.3 blocked shots for the Scots, who won the Meadowlark Conference championship. 

Tenly Bunck, Washburn Rural

TENLY BUNCK, Washburn Rural

A 5-foot-5 senior guard, Bunck helped Washburn Rural reach the Class 6A state championship game for the third straight season. Bunck helped the Junior Blues post a 17-8 record on the season while averaging 3.5 points and 2.9 rebounds and shooting 66.7 percent from the free throw line. Bunck received TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League honorable mention as a junior.

Nora Burdiek, Rossville

NORA BURDIEK, Rossville

Burdiek, a 5-foot-11 sophomore forward, had a breakout season for Rossville as a freshman, earning TSN All-Shawnee County Second 10 and All-Mid-East League second-team recognition. Burdiek averaged 15 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals per game last season as Rossville posted an 18-4 record. Burdiek earned all-county first-team honors in volleyball this fall. 

Pearmella Carter, Highland Park

PEARMELLA CARTER, Highland Park

The 5-foot-10 Carter burst on the city and Meadowlark Conference scene last season as a freshman, leading the city in scoring and rebounding, averaging 18.1 and 10.2 rebounds while also averaging 3.9 steals and shooting 61.4 percent on 2-point field goals. Carter was named the Meadowlark Conference Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year and also received Second 10 All-Shawnee County recognition. 

Rylee Dick, Rossville

RYLEE DICK, Rossville

A junior, Dick had a big sophomore season for the Bulldawgs, helping Rossville post an 18-4 record. Dick, a 5-foot-6 guard, received TSN All-Shawnee County Second 10 and All-Mid-East second-team honors last season after averaging 15 points, 3 assists and 3 steals and shooting 36 percent from 3-point range.

KK Emmot, Shawnee Heights

KK EMMOT, Shawnee Heights

A 5-foot-7 sophomore, Emmot made an immediate impact for Shawnee Heights last season, averaging 13.5 points while connecting on 35 3-point goals and shooting 75 percent from the free throw line. Emmot earned All-United Kansas Conference second-team recognition last winter while also being named to the TSN All-Shawnee County Second 10. 

Ava Esser, Seaman

AVA ESSER, Seaman

Esser, a 6-foot senior, earned All-Shawnee County Second 10 recognition last season after helping Seaman win the Class 5A state championship and post a 23-2 record. Esser, who received All-United Kansas Conference honorable mention as a junior, averaged 5.6 points and grabbed 7.3 rebounds while shooting 47.6 percent from the field.

Maddie Gragg, Seaman 

MADDIE GRAGG, Seaman

A 5-foot-10 junior, Gragg was an TSN All-Shawnee County Top 10 and All-United Kansas Conference first-team pick for the second straight season after helping lead Seaman post a 23-2 record and win the Class 5A state title. Gragg registered a double-double in the Class 5A state final, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the Vikings' 54-41 win over Maize South. Gragg averaged 12.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.6 steals last season while shooting 51.6 percent on 2-point field goals, 44.4 percent on 3-point attempts with 28 3s and 77.0 percent from the free throw line. 

Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake

KAILYN HANNI, Silver Lake

Hanni, a 5-foot-7 junior, had a breakout season for Silver Lake, helping the Eagles cap a perfect 26-0 season with a 66-61 win over Hesston in the Class 3A state championship game. Hanni, an All-Shawnee County Top 10 and first-team All-Mid-East League pick, scored 26 points for Silver Lake in the title game while connecting on 14 of 15 free throw attempts, with many of her charities coming in crunch time. Hanni scored a total of 50 points at state, with three double-figure games.

Karsyn Hastert, Cair Paravel

KARSYN HASTERT, Cair Paravel Latin

A junior, Hastert earned TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season for the 6-16 Lions. Hastert averaged 7.3 points as a sophomore and ranked fifth in the city of Topeka with an 8.2 rebounding average and fourth with 1.4 blocked shots. Hastert is also a volleyball standout for Cair Paravel, earning All-Shawnee County second-team recognition this fall.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural, which captured its 30th straight Centennial League boys championship (outright or shared) and finished third in the Class 6A state tournament, leads the 2024 Topeka All-City boys soccer team with four first-team picks.

Ryder Nikkel, Washburn Rural

Brandon Hamiton (14), Washburn Rural

Liam Morrison (4), Washburn Rural

Dylan Willingham, Washburn Rural

The Junior Blues are represented on the 16-member first team, selected by city coaches, by senior Ryder Nikkel (defense) and juniors Brandon Hamilton (defense), Liam Morrison (defense) and Dylan Willingham (midfield).

Valentin Del Real (3), Topeka West

Diego Gonzalez-Talavera, Topeka West

Jafet Rodriguez, Topeka West

Topeka West is represented on the All-City team by freshman Valentin Del Real (midfield), sophomore Diego Gonzalez-Talavera (forward) and senior Jafet Rodriguez (defense) while Charger coach Josh Kutter was named the 2024 city coach of the year after being named co-coach of the year in 2023.

Jaime Alvarado, Topeka High

Antonio Aguirre, Topeka High

Billy Lutz, Topeka High

Topeka High also put three players on the All-City team, with first-team repeat pick Jaime Alvarado (forward) joined by senior Antonio Aguirre (midfield) and junior Billy Lutz (goalkeeper).

Camden Granado (6), Shawnee Heights

Mason Haas, Shawnee Heights

Dalton Smith, Seaman

Logan Townsend, Seaman

Shawnee Heights is represented on the All-City team by junior Camden Granado (forward) and sophomore Mason Haas (midfield) while Seaman is represented by senior Dalton Smith (defense) and senior Logan Townsend (midfield).

Cooper Grace (18), Hayden

Hayden senior Cooper Grace (defense) earned All-City first-team honors for the second straight season while Highland Park junior Neri Diaz (midfield) rounds out the first team.

Aguirre, Granado, Lutz, Rodriguez, Nikkel and Willingham all moved up to the first team after receiving honorable mention in 2023.

Willingham was named the Centennial League player of the year this fall while Rural's Hamilton, Morrison and Nikkel and High's Alvarado, Aguirre and Lutz and Hayden's Grace were also first-team picks.

Seaman's Smith and Townsend, Topeka West's Del Real, Gonzalez-Talavera and Rodriguez and Shawnee Heights' Granado and Haas were all named All-United Kansas Conference first team and Highland Park's Diaz made the All-Meadowlark Conference first team.

2024 TOPEKA ALL-CITY SOCCER

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

State tournament teams Seaman, Washburn Rural and Hayden combined to put 10 players on the TopSports.news 2024 All-Shawnee County volleyball first team, led by Seaman two-time player of the year Maegan Mills.

Seaman senior Maegan Mills (23) has been named the TSN Shawnee County volleyball player of the year for the second straight season. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Seaman's Tatiana Dowling has been named the Shawnee County coach of the year for the second straight season. [File photo/TSN]

Seaman, which finished second in Class 5A this fall after winning the state title in 2023, put a county-high four players on the all-county first team, with Mills joined by fellow Viking seniors Campbell Chabot, Ava Esser and Kinley Wilhelm while Viking coach Tatiana Dowling, a Seaman grad, was named the coach of the year for the second straight season after leading her team to a county-best 41-3 record and a county-best state tournament finish.

Hayden freshman Hailey Schmidtlein has been named the Shawnee County co-newcomer of the year. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden freshman Blakely Walter has been named the Shawnee County volleyball co-newcomer of the year. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden, which placed third in the 4A state tournament, is represented on the first team by senior Reagan McGivern and freshmen Hailey Schmidtlein and Blakely Walter, who were named co-Shawnee County newcomers of the year. McGivern is a first-team all-county repeat pick after earning first-team honors at Seaman as a junior.

Washburn Rural is represented on the all-county first team by seniors Layla Collins and Kate Hinck and junior Karsyn Horyna after helping the Junior Blues win the Centennial League championship and advance to the 6A state tournament.

Collins is a first-team All-Shawnee County repeat pick after being a second-team pick as a sophomore.

Shawnee Heights put seniors Kaydence Torrez and Taylor Brees on the first team while Silver Lake is represented by senior Ella Bolan, Rossville by sophomore Nora Burdiek and Topeka High by senior Jo'Mhara Benning.

Torrez and Bolan are first-team repeat picks while Burdiek was named the county newcomer of the year as a freshman.

All-Shawnee County first-team capsules:

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

City schools Washburn Rural, Topeka High and Hayden combined to earn 10 of 12 first-team spots on the 2024 All-Centennial League boys soccer team.

Junior Dylan Willingham (19) has been named the Centennial League soccer player of the year after helping lead Washburn Rural to the league title and a third-place finish in Class 6A. [Photo by Rick Peterson Jr./KSHSAA Covered]

Washburn Rural, which won its 30th straight league championship (outright or shared) and finished third in the Class 6A state tournament, put five players on the all-league team, led by junior Dylan Willingham, who was named the Centennial player of the year.

Washburn Rural sophomore Brodye Kocher-Munoz has been named the Centennial League soccer co-newcomer of the year for 2024. [File photo/TSN]

Rural coach Brian Hensyel was named the league coach of the year while sophomore Brodye Kocher-Munoz was selected as the co-newcomer of the year

Willingham is joined on the first team by senior Ryder Nikkel and juniors Liam Morrison, Brandon Hamilton and Draden Chooncharoen.

Centennial League runnerup Topeka High put four players on the all-league first team -- seniors Ian Martinez, Antonio Aguirre and Jaime Alvarado and junior Billy Lutz -- while Hayden is represented by senior Cooper Grace.

Rural's Kocher-Munoz and juniors Drew Moore and Miles Cook received second-team honors along with Topeka High sophomore Carlos Acosta-Martinez.

Eight city players received honorable mention.

Manhattan's Ibrahim Alali and Junction City's Ethan Hileman round out the all-league first team while Junction City's Bruno Puche-Ferre was named the league's co-newcomer of the year. 

ALL-CENTENNIAL LEAGUE SOCCER

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Senior Layla Collins, who led Washburn Rural to the league championship and a Class 6A state tournament berth, was voted the Centennial League 2024 volleyball player of the year as city schools garnered six of first-team spots.

Washburn Rural senior Layla Collins was voted the Centennial League volleyball player of the year by league coaches. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

Collins is joined on the first team by senior teammate Kate Hinck while Topeka High senior Jo'Mhara Benning also earned first-team all-league honors.

Hayden, which placed third in the Class 4A state tournament, put a league high three players on the first team -- senior Reagan McGivern and freshmen Hailey Schmidtlein and Blakely Walter.

Hayden freshman Blakely Walter was named the newcomer of the year by Centennial League volleyball coaches. [File photo/TSN]

Walter was also voted the Centennial League newcomer of the year while Washburn Rural's Kevin Bordewick and Hayden's Corrinne McGreevy were named the league co-coaches of the year.

Rounding out the first team were Manhattan's Bailey Busch and Emporia's Jade Xu.

City schools also dominated the all-league second team, with Topeka High's Campbell Dawson, Washburn Rural's Kasyn Horyna, Stella Kelly and Dayne Shriver and Hayden's Ella Foster earning second-team spots.

ALL-CENTENNIAL LEAGUE VOLLEYBALL

 The 2024 All-Shawnee County girls cross country team: Front row, from left -- Stella Appelhanz, Seaman; Kinley Robinson, Seaman; Ryin Miller, Seaman; Brynn Spencer, Seaman; Sofia Harper, Hayden; Elliot Wrench, Hayden. Back row, from left -- coach Matt Swedlund, Washburn Rural; Emily Graf, Washburn Rural; Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural; Kenzie Maddox, Washburn Rural; Payton Fink, Washburn Rural; Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

A whopping nine first-team repeat selections and seven state medalists headline the 2024 All-Shawnee County girls cross country team.

Leading the way are top-five individual state finishers Ryin Miller of Seaman and Rylee Ismert and Payton Fink of Washburn Rural, with Miller, a junior, the Class 5A runnerup and seniors Ismert and Fink finishing third and fifth in 6A.

Hayden senior Elliot Wrench posted a sixth-place finish in 4A while junior Emily Graf placed 14th in 6A and Seaman senior Stella Appelhanz and sophomore Brynn Spencer finished 17th and 18th in 5A.

Miller, Ismert, Fink, Wrench, Graf, Appelhanz and Spencer are all first-team All-Shawnee County repeat picks along with Washburn Rural senior Brooklyn Nolte and Hayden sophomore Sofia Harper.

Earning first-team all-county honors for the first time are Washburn Rural junior Kenzie Maddox and Seaman sophomore Kinley Robinson.

Washburn Rural coach Matt Swedlund was named the girls Shawnee County coach of the year after his Junior Blues swept city, Centennial League and Class 6A regional team titles and tied for the 6A team championship, finishing second to five-time champion Olathe West on a tiebreaker.

All-Shawnee County girls capsules:

 The 2024 All-Shawnee County boys cross country team: Front row, from left -- Evan Carter, Shawnee Heights; Bodie King, Washburn Rural; Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural; Clayton Fink, Washburn Rural; Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural; Brody Anderson, Seaman. Back row, from left -- coach Matt Swedlund, Washburn Rural; Connor Olsen, Washburn Rural; Connor Baldwin, Hayden; Max Esquibel, Shawnee Heights; Adrian Lehman, Topeka West; Mark Wilkie, Topeka West. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Three state medalists and five first-team repeat picks headline the 2024 All-Shawnee County boys cross country team.

Topeka West senior Adrian Lehman and Seaman junior Brody Anderson finished seventh and ninth individually in the Class 5A state meet while Washburn Rural freshman Henry Laubach finished 14th in 6A in his first state meet.

Lehman and Anderson are both all-county first-team repeat selections along with Shawnee Heights senior Evan Carter, Washburn Rural junior Brooks Kehoe and Rural senior Conner Olsen.

Washburn Rural, which won the city team championship, is also represented on the all-county team by senior Bodie King and freshman Clayton Fink, who helped the Junior Blues qualify for the 6A state meet as a team, while Rural coach Matt Swedlund was named the city boys coach of the year.

Topeka West's senior Mark Wilkie, Hayden junior Connor Baldwin and Shawnee Heights junior Max Esquibel were named to the all-county team for the first time.

All-Shawnee County boys capsules:

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Topeka High's soccer team was 9-1 and 11-3 at various points in the 2024 season and the Trojans went into its final game of the regular season tied for the Centennial League lead.

Topeka High junior Bruno Nunez (8) chases down a loose ball in Tuesday's 2-0 Class 6A regional loss to Wichita Northwest. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Topeka High senior Antonio Aguirre (7) attempts to control the ball in Tuesday's 2-0 Class 6A regional loss to Wichita Northwest. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

But injuries eventually caught up with the Trojans, who dropped their final three games, including a 2-0 Class 6A regional loss to Wichita Northwest Tuesday night at Hummer Sports Park.

"Injuries were a big part of it,'' Topeka High coach Derek Snook said of the Trojans' late-season slide. "We lost our mouthpiece on the backline with Manny (Salas) and Vador (Limon) both going out about 10, 11 games in, and not having Jaime (Alvarado) available as well and just being beat up and banged up really hurt us, and obviously Carlos (Acosta-Martinez) going out in this game.

"But we didn't do the things that we needed to do to finish either. The first 15 minutes of the game we had opportunities and just didn't finish.'' 

Northwest, the No. 12 West seed, improved to 7-10-0 while advancing to a regional final Thursday night while No. 5 seed Topeka High finished its season 11-6-0.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural volleyball coach Kevin Bordewick has had a long line of Junior Blue teams qualify for the Class 6A state tournament, with eight state champions, and every one of those teams holds a special place in his heart.

Washburn Rural's volleyball poses for a team picture Saturday after earning a trip to the Class 6A state tournament. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

And Bordewick is especially happy to be taking his 2024 Junior Blues to Salina for next weekend's state event after Washburn Rural turned in a dominating performance in Saturday's 6A sub-state at Rural.

The Junior Blues, now 30-6 on the season, opened their day with a 25-11, 25-8 semifinal win over Liberal before Rural, the No. 1 West seed, earned its state berth with a 25-14, 25-19 win over Lawrence Free State in the championship match.

Rural began the season with some question marks after heavy graduation losses, but Bordewick said he was very proud of how the Junior Blues have responded this fall.

"Every year is special,'' Bordewick said. "It's always just a little bit different group, and in this case it's a lot different group. We're relying on kids that we haven't had to rely on and through the course of the season they have really stepped up and we trust them.

"When you go through this whole process of the season, every day you hope to get better and better and I'm really proud of these kids because I think we've done that in large part.''

After dominating its semifinal match against Liberal (4-30), the Junior Blues, ranked No. 5 in 6A by the Kansas Volleyball Association, were locked in a tight first set with Free State (14-18) in the early going, including a 4-2 deficit and a tie at 5-5 before Rural took control.

The Junior Blues rode a long service run from senior Kate Hinck to go up 12-6 and went up 17-9 on a kill from senior Layla Collins.

Rural went in front 21-12 on a Collins service ace and also got a pair of kills from junior Karsyn Horyna before closing out the 11-point win on a dink from junior Stella Kelly.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

(Kickoffs at 7 p.m., unless noted)

THURSDAY'S GAME

Class 2A

Silver Lake senior quarterback Dysen Schooler threw for three touchdowns and ran for a TD in the Eagles' 29-12 win over Council Grove on Friday. [File photo/TSN]

GALENA (4-4) at SILVER LAKE (6-2)

6 p.m. kickoff

Silver Lake, the No. 5 Class 2A East seed, will host No. 12 seed Galena in a Halloween Night battle to open the post season. Silver Lake finished second in 2A District 3, ending its regular season with a 29-12 win over Council Grove (5-3) as senior quarterback Dysen Schooler threw for 242 yards and three touchdowns and also ran for a 31-yard TD. Galena ended its regular season with a 36-20 win over Baxter Springs.

FRIDAY'S GAMES

Class 6A

TOPEKA HIGH (4-4) at JUNCTION CITY (4-4)

The Trojans and Centennial League rival Junction City will square off for the second time in four games in the opening round of the Class 6A playoffs. Topeka High was installed as the No. 9 West seed after a 49-24 non-league loss at Pittsburg Friday night while Junction City is the No. 8 seed in the West after a 38-0 league win over Emporia. Junction City took a 50-21 win over Topeka High in Week 6 of the regular season, also at Junction City.

WASHBURN RURAL (3-5) at MAIZE (4-4)

Washburn Rural is the No. 10 seed in Class 6A West and will travel to Maize to face the No. 7 West seed. The Junior Blues are coming off a 56-14 Centennial League road loss at unbeaten Manhattan Friday night. Washburn Rural will be facing a Maize team that has won four straight games, including a 50-0 win over Salina South in Week 8.

Class 5A

Seaman senior quarterback Max Huston (7) and the 6-2 Vikings are the No. 3 West seed for the Class 5A state playoffs. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

TOPEKA WEST (1-7) at SEAMAN (6-2)

Topeka West and Seaman will face off for the second time this season, with the Vikings taking a 53-6 United Kansas Conference win over the Chargers in Week 3. UKC champion Seaman is coming off a 42-28 conference loss to De Soto on Friday while West dropped 58-21 UKC decision to Piper. Seaman is the No. 3 Class 5A West seed while Topeka West is the No. 14 seed.

Jamon Wilson (5) and Highland Park capped a 6-2 regular season with a 38-28 win over KC-Washington and will open the Class 5A playoffs at home against Pittsburg Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

PITTSBURG (6-2) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (6-2)

At Hummer Sports Park

Highland Park ended up as the No. 8 seed in Class 5A East and drew a tough opening round opponent in No. 9 seed Pittsburg, also 6-2. The Purple Dragons ended their regular season with a 49-24 home non-league decision over Topeka High. Highland Park capped its regular season on Thursday night with a 38-28 Meadowlark Conference victory over Kansas City-Washington.

 Parker Busenitz (4) caught seven passes for 142 yards and two TDs in Friday's 69-30 UKC win over KC-Turner. [File photo/TSN]

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (2-6) at SPRING HILL (7-1)

Shawnee Heights picked up its second win of the season Friday night, taking a 69-30 United Kansas Conference road decision over Kansas City-Turner, while Spring Hill edged Louisburg, 14-13. Spring Hill is the No. 5 Class 5A East seed whlile Heights is the No. 12 seed. Junior quarterback Aiden Scott completed 23 of 28 passes fo 387 yards and six touchdowns against Turner while Parker Busenitz had seven catches for 142 yards and two TDs and Tyren Parker has six catches for 121 yards and two TDs.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Senior Rylee Ismert followed up her Centennial League individual cross country title with a Class 6A regional win on Saturday at Kanza Park, leading Washburn Rural to the team championship.

Washburn Rural senior Rylee Ismert claimed the individual title in Saturday's Class 6A cross country regional. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Ismert took individual honors with a five-kilometer time of 18 minutes, 06.7 seconds, one of four Junior Blues in the top eight spots as Rural took the team title by a 45-55 margin over Lawrence Free State.

Washburn Rural senior Payton Fink finished third in Saturday's Class 6A cross country regional, helping the Junior Blues win the team crown. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Rural senior Payton Fink finished third in 18:17.3 while junior Emily Graf was fifth (18:58.9) and senior Brooklyn Nolte eighth (19:32.6). Junior Kenzie Maddox finished 29th (21:55.2) to round out the Junior Blues' scoring runners.

Ismert used the same strategy Saturday that had produced a league title a week earlier, staying with Fink early before taking control of the race over the final mile.

"My goal was pretty much the same as last week, to run together and then just to see when it felt right to push,'' Ismert said. 

Ismert said she feels like she's running the best she's ever run over the past few weeks.

"Honestly, I just really started having more faith in myself and I've been training really hard all week,'' Ismert said.

Rural's girls have now swept city, league and regional team titles and are on the short list of state title contenders next Saturday at Rim Rock Farm, north of Lawrence.

"That's where we want to be, that's the plan,'' Washburn Rural coach Matt Swedlund said. "We have a few things to figure out. We'll work on tweaking some stuff this week and want to be competing for that title next Saturday.''

The Junior Blue boys tied Manhattan for second place with 86 points and finished third on a tiebreaker to garner the final team berth for state. Centennial League champion Junction City earned the team championship with 60 points, led by senior individual champion Ethan Fontaine, who clocked a time of 15:51.1.

Washburn Rural freshman Henry Laubach (1935) posted a third-place individual finish in Saturday's Class 6A regional cross country meet, helping the Junior Blues earn a Class 6A state berth. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Freshman Henry Laubach finished third in 16:06.0 to pace Washburn Rural while junior Brooks Kehoe finished eighth (16:24.3), senior Bodie King 15th (16:33.7), freshman Clayton Fink 28th (17:09.1) and senior Chris Quarles 32nd (17:20.0).

"It's survive and advance,'' Swedlund said. "We got a good look at Junction City and Manhattan last week at league, so we knew if we could be competitive with those two teams and stay as close as possible that would give us a good shot. I felt we ran well, I was happy with that.'' 

The 6A girls race is scheduled for an 11:10 a.m. start next Saturday at Rim Rock while the boys race is the final race of the day at 12:55 p.m.

CLASS 6A REGIONAL CROSS COUNTRY