Topeka High Trojans
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Robbie Sanders, who starred at Topeka High as a player and spent 13 seasons on the Trojans' coaching staff, had long dreamed about getting the opportunity to guide his own program at his alma mater.
That dream came true Thursday night when the USD 501 school board approved the 1996 High grad as the Trojans' new boys basketball coach.
"It's been a long time coming, but better late than never,'' Sanders told TopSports.news. "It just feels so good to be home. It's like everything has come full circle.''
Robbie Sanders (right) was approved as Topeka High's new boys basketball coach Thursday night after coaching the past six seasons on Ken Darting's staff at Shawnee Heights. [File photo/TSN]
The 47-year-old Sanders earned All-City and All-Class 6A recognition for Bill Bagshaw at Topeka High and played collegiately at Independence Community College and Coe College before embarking on a 19-year coaching career.
After coaching under Mike Henson and Pat Denney at Topeka High, Sanders has been a member of Ken Darting's Shawnee Heights' staff the past six seasons, including back-to-back berths in the Class 5A state tournament the past two seasons.
"I got the opportunity to play at Shawnee Heights (for Topeka High) one time and I got the opportunity to go back there and coach,'' Sanders said. "I've obviously coached at Topeka High before and to be able to step back into this role, it seems surreal. It's really special and I'm just honored and excited.''
Sanders had expressed interest in the Topeka High coaching vacancy twice earlier in his career, but said that everything has worked out for the best.
"The first time, to be totally honest, I had some more growing to do so I understood why they felt they needed to go in a different direction,'' Sanders said. "And the last time it just didn't work out for a lot of different reasons. One of the reasons was my son Jaren was just going into college and he was playing football.
"It just was a huge transition and a lot of responsibility to want to be there for him, but to try to take on all these new roles and everything, so the timing just wasn't right. Thank God that another chance came about and we were ablte to make it happen this time.''
Sanders said that he has learned a lot from coaching under Henson, Denney and Darting as he embarks on his first head coaching job.
"Obviously, coach Henson was my introduction to coaching and the biggest thing that stuck with me from coach Henson was just the everyday skill development,'' Sanders said. "He wanted 25 to 35 minutes every day of individual skill development, working on dribbling, passing and shooting, and that's something that I plan to implement here at the High now.
"Coach Denney is a mentor to me. He's somebody that I'm still really close with and I can run any idea across him and he's just an unbelievable resource, and coach Darting, he just changed the way I looked at everything. He made me understand that winning is attainable if we go about it the right way. If we build it brick by brick, if we start on the defensive end, if we hold these kids accountable, if we set high standards, anything is achievable.
"I've learned so much from all these guys and I would say that my philosophy and style is a combination of everything that I learned from everybody.''
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural's girls soccer team scored the final two goals Wednesday night at Hummer Sports Park to take control in a 3-1 Centennial League win over Topeka High.
Washburn Rural senior Kate Hinck scored two goals in Wednesday's 3-1 Centennial League soccer win over Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Washburn Rural senior Destiny Higgs (24) scored a goal in Wednesday's 3-1 Centennial League soccer win over Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
The Junior Blues, who improved to 7-1-0 overall and 3-0-0 in the league, got a pair of goals from senior Kate Hinck while senior Destiny Higgs also scored for Washburn Rural.
Senior Delaney Hill and junior Allie Schroeder were credited with assists for Rural.
Rural led 1-0 at halftime after a goal 30:35 into the half, but the Trojans (3-3-1, 0-1-0) knotted the game at 1-1 on a goal from junior Natalie Barnes 8:05 into the second half.
The Junior Blues snapped the tie 4:43 later and added their final goal 2:52 later.
Topeka High will play a Centennial League game at Manhattan next Tuesday while Washburn Rural will host a non-league contest against Olathe West next Thursday.
WASHBURN RURAL 3, TOPEKA HIGH 1
Washburn Rural (7-1-0, 3-0-0) 1 2 -- 3
Topeka High (3-3-1, 0-1-0) 0 1 -- 1
Washburn Rural -- Goals: Kate Hinck 2, Destiny Higgs. Assists: Delaney Hill, Allie Schroeder.
Topeka High -- Goal: Natalie Barnes.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
After graduating just one senior off last year's varsity team and sporting a 50-player roster, veteran Topeka High boys tennis coach Duane Pomeroy expected his Trojans to field a deep and competitive team this spring.
Topeka High junior Tres Lassiter went 3-0 in No. 1 singles Tuesday as the Trojans went 3-0 as a team to win the Topeka West tennis quadrangular at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
And the outlook got a lot brighter with the addition of junior No. 1 singles player Tres Lassiter, who went a perfect 3-0 on Tuesday as Topeka High went 3-0 as a team to win the Topeka West quadrangular at Kossover Tennis Center.
Lassiter is a home school student who is playing for High this season as a result of the Kansas State High School Activities Association rule that permits home-schoolers to play for the high school team in their attendance district.
"He called me and said, 'You might remember me from working at the (Kossover) clubhouse,' '' Pomeroy said. "He asked, 'Do you have room on your varsity for another player?' Then I was hearing from other people how good he was and I definitely had room for somebody of that caliber.''
Lassiter is now 5-1 on the season after taking an 8-4 win over Shawnee Heights' Brock Corley, an 8-3 win over Topeka West's Will Hitch and an 8-1 victory over Basehor-Linwood's Gannon Suarez on Tuesday.
"It's a new experience for him,''Pomeroy said. "He plays in the summer in USTA tournaments but he was nervous his first time out because, as he said, he's never played for a school.
"He's just a super nice kid. He's better than anybody else on the team, but he cares about all other kids, including the rookies.''
Topeka High's Christian Sink (left) and Alex Raymond went 3-0 in No. 1 doubles Tuesday as the Trojans went 3-0 as a team to win the Topeka West tennis quadrangular at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The Trojans also got a 3-0 day from No. 2 singles player Victor Arriaga and the No. 1 doubles team of Alex Raymond and Christian Sink.
Topeka High took a 4-0 win over Shawnee Heights and 3-1 wins over Topeka West and Basehor-Linwood while Heights went 2-1, with the T-Birds' lone loss coming against High.
West's Ayden Gore and Butch Graham went 3-0 on the day in No. 2 doubles.
TOPEKA WEST TENNIS QUADRANGULAR
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Cianna Graves
CIANNA GRAVES, Shawnee Heights
A junior catcher, Graves had four doubles on the day Friday as Shawnee Heights' softball team swept a 17-2, 13-3 United Kansas Conference home twinbill from Kansas City-Turner. Graves doubled in all three of her at bats in the first game and added another double in the nightcap as the T-Birds improved to 6-2 on the season. Graves also placed third in the 2025 Class 5A state wrestling tournament.
Adrian Lehman
ADRIAN LEHMAN, Topeka West
Lehman, a senior distance runner, was a double individual winner in Friday's Bobcat Relays at Basehor-Linwood, winning the 1,600-meter run in 4 minutes, 24.40 seconds and the 3,200 meters in 9:56.79. Lehman also posted a third-place finish for the Chargers in the 800 meters in 2:02.10.
Keimara Marshall
KEIMARA MARSHALL, Topeka High
Marshall, a junior sprinter for the Topeka High track team, continued her red-hot start to the 2025 season, posting three individual victories in Friday's Lansing Invitational. Marshall won the 100-meter dash in 12.44 seconds, the 200 in 26.09 seconds and the 400 in 62.37 at Lansing and is the Shawnee County leader in the 100 and 200.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Cair Paravel Latin's junior doubles team of Drew Fay and Eric Buchenau captured the No. 1 doubles championship in Friday's John Markham Invitational at Goddard, remaining undefeated on the season.
Cair Paravel junior Drew Fay and junior doubles partner Eric Buchenau are 13-0 after winning the championship in Friday's Goddard tournament. [File photo/TSN]
Fay and Buchenau went 5-0 in the tournament and are now 13-0 on the season.
The Lion duo opened its season with a 3-0 record in the Paola quadrangular before going undefeated in the Marysville Invitational.
Fay finished fourth in Class 3A-1A singles last season.
Hayden baseball sweeps Nemaha Central
Hayden baseball, which won the Class 3A state championship last season, improved to 8-0 this spring with a 10-0, 12-3 non-league doubleheader sweep over Nemaha Central Friday at Hayden.
Hayden senior Jett Wahlmeier delivers a pitch in Friday's 12-3 second-game win over Nemaha Central. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Hayden senior Cooper Grace tags out a runner at third base in Friday's 12-3 second-game win over Nemaha Central. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The Wildcats ended the first game by way of a 10-run spread in the fifth inning and scored the final nine runs of the second game after the game was tied 3-3.
Hayden will travel to Emporia on Tuesday for a Centennial League twinbill.
Hayden, Rossville battle to softball split
Hayden held off Rossville to take a 3-2 first-game win before the Bulldawgs answered with a 12-0 victory in the nightcap of Friday's non-league softball twinbill at Hayden.
Sophomore Maura Valdivia delivers a pitch in Friday's 3-2 first-game softball win over Rossville Friday at Hayden. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Rossville sophomore Leni Lewis slides safely into third base in Friday's doubleheader softball split at Hayden. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The Wildcats took a 1-0 lead in the first inning of the opener and went up 2-0 in the third on a run-scoring single from sophomore catcher Emberly Connell before adding another run in the fourth.
Rossville's offense came to life in the top of the seventh, getting a run-scoring triple from sophomore Leni Lewis and a run-scoring hit from sophomore Nora Burdiek, but Hayden freshman pitcher Blakely Walter came on to record the final out and preserve the Wildcat victory.
Sophomore Maura Valdivia picked up the pitching win in relief of junior Emmy Jeffers while Walter was credited with a save.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly track and field honor roll for Shawnee County high schools throughout the 2025 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
BOYS
100 METERS
Peyton Holmes, Seaman 11.03
Evan Scheid, Silver Lake 11.13
Ben Roeder, Topeka High 11.17
Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural 11.26
Matthew Houser, Washburn Rural 11.38
200 METERS
Bryce Cochran, Seaman 22.57
Trent Rollenhagen, Silver Lake 22.90
Matthew Houser, Washburn Rural 22.91
Liam Stegman, Hayden 23.16
Jayden Lindsey, Topeka West 23.45
400 METERS
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden 48.68
Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural 48.68
Bryce Cochran, Seaman 49.58
Ben Roeder, Topeka High 50.96
Liam Benz, Shawnee Heights 51.50
Brody Anderson, Seaman
800 METERS
Brody Anderson, Seaman 1:56.22
Mark Wilkie, Topeka West 1:58.62
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural 2:00.38
Adrian Lehman, Topeka West 2:02.10
Ben Buesing, Washburn Rural 2:02.47
1,600 METERS
Brody Anderson, Seaman 4:18.55
Adrian Lehman, Topeka West 4:24.40
Mark Wilkie, Topeka West 4:26.19
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural 4:26.34
Jonah Stewart, Hayden 4:38.90
Adrian Lehman, Topeka West
3,200 METERS
Adrian Lehman, Topeka West 9:31.43
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural 9:44.76
Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural 9:54.82
Clayton Fink, Washburn Rural 10:03.37
Mark Wilkie, Topeka West 10:12.39
110-METER HURDLES
Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural 15.17
Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural 15.65
Desean Lunkins, Topeka High 15.96
Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park 16.11
Isaac Song, Shawnee Heights 16.52
300-METER HURDLES
Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural 40.25
Isaac Song, Shawnee Heights 41.44
Michael Hurla, Seaman 41.64
Braylon Badger, Washburn Rural 42.10
Christian Labrador, Shawnee Heights 44.08
4x100-METER RELAY
Silver Lake 43.64
Washburn Rural 43.93
Topeka High 44.02
Hayden 44.86
Seaman 45.72
Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural
4x400-METER RELAY
Washburn Rural 3:21.58
Seaman 3:27.17
Topeka High 3:29.39
Hayden 3:32.11
Shawnee Heights 3:32.78
4x800-METER RELAY
Washburn Rural 8:01.63
Seaman 8:51.18
Silver Lake 9:03.03
Shawnee Heights 9:04.94
Hayden 9:06.62
HIGH JUMP
Blake Toyne, Seaman 6-2
Jack Esser, Seaman 6-0
Cody Quy, Seaman 6-0
Rondell Harris, Hayden 6-0
Jared Johnson, Silver Lake 5-10
Tad McGee, Seaman 5-10
Deondre Razzano, Silver Lake 5-10
Bryson Burgos, Silver Lake 5-10
POLE VAULT
Tyler Wedl, Shawnee Heights 11-6
Quinton White, Seaman 9-0
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden
LONG JUMP
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden 21-11
Te'Vante Ewing, Topeka High 21-5
Peyton Holmes, Seaman 21-2.5
Elijah Berg, Topeka West 20-2
Nasir Helton, Topeka West 19-7.75
TRIPLE JUMP
Kaden Whitehurst, Seaman 42-0
Lucas Marichal, Topeka High 40-7
Anthony Jones, Topeka High 40-6.5
Cody Quy, Seaman 39-9
Javion Akins, Topeka High 39-4
SHOT PUT
Brogan Brown, Seaman 48-8.5
Amir Bass, Shawnee Heights 43-3
Ethan Fisher, Shawnee Heights 42-6
Royce Daniels, Shawnee Heights 41-11
Treyton Tetuan, Hayden 41-9.75
DISCUS
Myles Fisher, Silver Lake 133-1
Treyton Tetuan, Hayden 125-9
Zachary Hancock, Washburn Rural 125-7
Dorian Rhoten, Topeka West 124-0
Eden Thompson, Rossville 120-4
JAVELIN
Jackson Haas, Hayden 150-8
Andre Johnson, Rossville 149-6
Miles Barnes, Topeka High 141-9
Oliver Perez, Washburn Rural 141-7
Treyton Tetuan, Hayden 138-5
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly track and field honor roll for Shawnee County high schools throughout the 2025 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
GIRLS
100 METERS
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High 12.44
Morgan Robinson, Shawnee Heights 12.80
Ally Steiner, Seaman 12.98
Ciara Hartz, Highland Park 13.14
Karys Deiter, Silver Lake 13.08
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High
200 METERS
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High 26.09
Morgan Robinson, Shawnee Heights 26.58
Molly Worley, Washburn Rural 26.93
Ally Steiner, Seaman 27.30
Emme Blanco, Washburn Rural 27.39
400 METERS
Ryin Miller, Seaman 57.65
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High 61.57
Madison Blanco, Washburn Rural 61.65
Shayla Rezac, Rossville 63.81
Ali Gerber, Silver Lake 65.07
Ryan Miller, Seaman
800 METERS
Ryin Miller, Seaman 2:11.87
Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural 2:23.09
Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural 2:28.61
Sofia Harper, Hayden 2:31.14
Taylie Heston, Seaman 2:36.22
1,600 METERS
Ryin Miller, Seaman 4:51.22
Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural 5:17.92
Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural 5:25.99
Brynn Spencer, Seaman 5:36.25
Sofia Harper, Hayden 5:41.39
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly girls swimming and diving honor roll for Topeka high schools throughout the 2025 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
200-YARD MEDLEY RELAY
Washburn Rural 2:05.77
Seaman 2:14:78
Shawnee Heights 2:15.41
Topeka High 2:19.71
Hayden 2:50.65
200-YARD FREESTYLE
Audrey Appuhn, Washburn Rural 1:58.06
Joslynn Grace, Seaman 2:03.55
Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights 2:14.46
Kaitlyn Aldridge, Shawnee Heights 2:17:02
Ava Von Lintel, Washburn Rural 2:30.06
200-YARD INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY
Audrey Appuhn, Washburn Rural 2:10.28
Joslynn Grace, Seaman 2:14.01
Hara Del Castillo, Topeka High 2:31.17
Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights 2:35.31
Kaitlyn Aldridge, Shawnee Heights 2:35.91
50-YARD FREESTYLE
Genevieve Miranda, Washburn Rural 26.46
Kaylee Gregg, Hayden 27.67
Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights 28.30
Sophie Heinen, Washburn Rural 28.55
Clara Sobba, Shawnee Heights 28.65
ONE-METER DIVING
Rhiannon Good, Washburn Rural 198.55
Kaylee Gregg, Hayden 198.10
Maddie Gregg, Hayden 183.05
Sydney Thoman, Seaman 140.65
Giselle Soto, Washburn Rural 132.90
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman junior distance runner Brody Anderson and Topeka High junior sprinter Keimara Marshall have been selected by the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency as the Rising Stars of the Week.
The Dan Key Agency will recognize top Shawnee County underclassmen throughout the bulk of the 2024-2025 school year.
Here’s a brief look at the accomplishments of Anderson and Marshall over the past week:
Seaman junior Brody Anderson has been named the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency male Rising Star of the Week. [File photo/TSN]
BRODY ANDERSON, SEAMAN
Anderson won the 800-meter run in last Thursday's Jerry Beardslee Invitational at Washburn Rural in a time of 1 minute, 58.48 seconds and finished third in the 1,600 meters in 4:18.55.
A state medalist in Class 5A cross country last fall, Anderson was ranked No. 1 in Shawnee County in the 800 and 1,600 after last week's meets.
Topeka High junior Keimara Marshall has been named the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency female Rising Star of the Week. [File photo/TSN]
KEIMARA MARSHALL, Topeka High
Marshall was a triple individual winner in last Friday's Leavenworth Invitational track and field meet.
Marshall, also an All-Shawnee County Top 10 pick in girls basketball, won the 100-meter dash in 12.68 seconds, the 200 in 26.20 and the 400 in 61.57 at Leavenworth and is the Shawnee County leader in both the 100 and 200.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly track and field honor roll for Shawnee County high schools throughout the 2025 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
BOYS
100 METERS
Evan Scheid, Silver Lake 11.13
Ben Roeder, Topeka High 11.25
Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural 11.31
Matthew Houser, Washburn Rural 11.38
Trent Rollenhagen, Silver Lake 11.41
200 METERS
Trent Rollenhagen, Silver Lake 22.90
Liam Stegman, Hayden 23.16
Joel Miller, Silver Lake 23.55
Tyren Parker, Shawnee Heights 23.58
Liam Benz, Shawnee Heights 23.80
Ben Roeder, Topeka High 23.80
400 METERS
Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural 48.68
Bryce Cochran, Seaman 49.86
Liam Benz, Shawnee Heights 51.91
Ben Roeder, Topeka High 51.91
Stuart Campbell, Topeka High 53.25
Brody Anderson, Seaman
800 METERS
Brody Anderson, Seaman 1:58.48
Mark Wilkie, Topeka West 2:00.36
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural 2:00.38
Ben Buesing, Washburn Rural 2:02.47
Draden Chooncharoen, Washburn Rural 2:05.80
1,600 METERS
Brody Anderson, Seaman 4:18.55
Adrian Lehman, Topeka West 4:25.65
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural 4:26.34
Mark Wilkie, Topeka West 4:30.56
Evan Carter, Shawnee Heights 4:46.02
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly track and field honor roll for Shawnee County high schools throughout the 2025 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
GIRLS
100 METERS
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High 12.45
Morgan Robinson, Shawnee Heights 12.80
Karys Deiter, Silver Lake 13.08
Ally Steiner, Seaman 13.13
Ciara Hartz, Highland Park 13.14
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High
200 METERS
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High 26.20
Morgan Robinson, Shawnee Heights 26.58
Molly Worley, Washburn Rural 27.65
Mi'Luv Cosey, Highland Park 27.80
Ella Bolan, Silver Lake 27.87
400 METERS
Ryin Miller, Seaman 57.65
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High 61.57
Shayla Rezac, Rossville 63.81
Ke'Ahjahnae Rice, Highland Park 65.38
Kinley Robinson, Seaman 66.61
Ryan Miller, Seaman
800 METERS
Ryin Miller, Seaman 2:17.80
Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural 2:23.09
Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural 2:29.08
Taylie Heston, Seaman 2:36.22
Arantza Urbina-Archundia, S. Hts. 2:41.47
1,600 METERS
Ryin Miller, Seaman 4:59.08
Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural 5:17.92
Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural 5:25.99
Brynn Spencer, Seaman 5:36.25
Tessa Gerber, Silver Lake 5:51.65
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Kendra Cook
KENDRA COOK, Silver Lake
Cook, a senior pitcher, christened Silver Lake's new softball field with a no-hitter in Monday's 10-0 victory over rival Rossville. Cook, a Washburn signee, has helped the Eagles get off to a 7-0 start this spring after Silver Lake finished second in the Class 3A state tournament last season.
Rylee Ismert
RYLEE ISMERT, Washburn Rural
A senior track and field standout, Ismert opened her 2025 season with a pair of individual wins in last Thursday's Jerry Beardslee Invitational at Washburn Rural. A Class 6A state medalist in track and cross country, Ismert won the 1,600 meters in 5 minutes, 17.72 seconds and the 800 meters in 2:23.09.
Keimara Marshall
KEIMARA MARSHALL, Topeka High
Marshall, a junior sprinter for the Trojan track team, was a triple individual winner in Friday's Leavenworth Invitational. Marshall, also an All-Shawnee County Top 10 girls pick in basketball, won the 100-meter dash in 12.68 seconds, the 200 in 26.20 and the 400 in 61.57 while High also finished second in the 52.99.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural junior baseball player Isaac Ansley and Topeka High freshman soccer player Emma Schell have been selected by the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency as the Rising Stars of the Week.
The Dan Key Agency will recognize top Shawnee County underclassmen throughout the bulk of the 2024-2025 school year.
Here’s a brief look at the accomplishments of Ansley and Schell over the past week:
Washburn Rural junior Isaac Ansley has been selected as the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency male Rising Star of the Week. [File photo/TSN]
ISAAC ANSLEY, Washburn Rural
A left-handed pitcher, Ansley was the winning pitcher in Tuesday's 18-1 first-game win over Topeka High in the Junior Blues' Centennial League opener.
Ansley turned in a complete-game performance in the opener before Washburn Rural took a 24-1 win in the nightcap to improve to 3-2 on the season.
Topeka High freshman Emma Schell (left) has been named the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency female Rising Star of the Week. [File photo/TSN]
EMMA SCHELL, Topeka High
Schell scored a pair of goals in her high school soccer debut as the Trojans took a 5-0 win over USD 501 rival Topeka West.
Schell scored her first goal just 1 minute, 17 seconds into her first match and added another goal and an assist later in the game as Topeka High opened its season with a win.
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
Local teams experimented with different lineups at the Topeka High School Invitational girls swim meet at Capitol Federal Natatorium Thursday as they focused on development.
Washburn Rural senior Genevieve Miranda was a double individual winner in Thursday's Topeka High Invitational. [File photo/TSN]
The Washburn Rural girls finished the highest of the local teams in the 13-team field, placing third.
Early-season meets give young swimmers an opportunity to try different events, and they afford coaches a chance to find best fits to help the team, Washburn Rural coach Bob Burdick said.
“If we wanted to win this meet, we would have put swimmers in different races than we did,” Burdick said. “Tonight, we tried a lot of people in a lot of new spots to see what they could do. That’s what we’ve got to do to build it.”
Leading the Junior Blues was senior Genevieve Miranda, a veteran who was willing to swim events she wouldn’t normally be in. No matter. She placed first in two events, an unusual combination of a sprint and a distance race. She was victorious in the 50-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle.
“I’ve been training a lot to work up to this level, so I’m really excited,” Miranda said. “Even if I’m in an event that’s not my best race, I’m doing my best for the team.”
Washburn Rural junior Audrey Appuhn posted a win in the 100 breaststroke in Thursday's Topeka High Invitational.
The Junior Blues’ Audrey Appuhn, a junior, added a first in the 100-yard breaststroke.
“Since we lost a lot of swimmers to graduation, what we’re doing is trying to figure out where our best placement is for our swimmers,” Burdick said. “But then we have all these new swimmers. So, we’re shuffling them around, building their confidence and seeing where the puzzle fits.
“When we get to the end of the season, we’ve got a small team, but it only takes 14 or 15 kids to win a championship meet. We’ve just got to have them in the right spots.”
“We’re down by like 10 people or so from last year, but so far everybody’s been doing great at doing everything together and having team unity,” Miranda added. “It’s important that we hype ourselves up as a team and don’t let each other get nervous. Nerves are a big thing when it comes to racing.”
Topeka High's Hara Del Castillo was an individual winner in the 200 IM in Thursday's Topeka High Invitational. [File photo/TSN]
Topeka High junior Hara Del Castillo placed first in the 200 individual medley. But she pointed out that she is racing against herself more than she is the field.
“I like winning even if the time wasn’t what I wanted it to be,” Del Castillo said. “I’m not doing as well as I would like to be. My times haven’t been hitting where I usually would be. I’m hoping it will be better later in the season. This was a chance to scope out how I’m doing and see what I can work on.”
Seaman senior Joslynn Grace won the 100 butterfly in Thursday's Topeka High Invitational. [File photo/TSN]
Claiming Seaman’s lone gold medal was senior Joslynn Grace, who came in first in the 100-yard butterfly.
TOPEKA HIGH INVITATIONAL
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural baseball has had its problems against Topeka High the past two seasons, with the Trojans taking three of the past four games on the way to back-to-back Class 6A state tournament berths.
Washburn Rural junior left-hander Isaac Ansley twirled a complete-game pitching victory in Rural's 18-1 first-game win over Topeka High. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural junior Brody Haas picked up a complete-game pitching victory in Tuesday's 24-1 second-game win over Topeka High. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
But Jay Mastin's Junior Blues turned the tables on the Trojans in a big way Tuesday at Hummer Sports Park, opening Centennial League play with an 18-1, 24-1 twinbill sweep in games that went four and five-inning contests.
"We split with them last year and got swept two years ago by them,'' Mastin said. "We talked about that the last practice that T-High has had our number the last couple of years and don't take anything for granted and come out here and play the game the right way.''
Washburn Rural got complete-game pitching performances from junior Isaac Ansley in the first game and junior Brody Haas in the nightcap while the Junior Blues, now -2 overall, scored at least a run in all nine at bats, with multiple runs in eight of the nine innings, with a high of 10 runs.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Carsyn Broxterman
CARSYN BROXTERMAN, Hayden
A junior soccer standout, Broxterman scored the game's only goal 41 seconds into the second half Friday at Hayden, lifting the Wildcats to a 1-0 victory over Cair Paravel Latin, the Class 4A-1A state runnerup last season.
Reagan Chapman
REAGAN CHAPMAN, Washburn Rural
Primarily a shortstop earlier in her high school softball career, Chapman opened her junior season with a no-hit pitching performance in Friday's 7-0 win over Centennial League rival Topeka High. Chapman struck out six batters while her bid for a perfect game was spoiled by a single hit batter.
Kate Hinck
KATE HINCK, Washburn Rural
Hinck, a senior soccer star, scored three goals and had three assists on the week as Washburn Rural opened its 2025 season with a pair of shutout wins. Hinck scored a goal and had two assists in Tuesday's 5-0 win over Olathe South and scored two goals and had an assist in Friday's 3-0 win over Kapaun Mt. Carmel.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Two-time senior player of the year Ja'Corey Robinson headlines the 2025 TopSports.news All-Shawnee County boys basketball team.
![Highland Park senior Ja'Corey Robinson has been named the TSN Shawnee County boys basketball player of the year for the second straight season. [File photo/TSN]](/images/JaCoreyRobinson2025StateKMC-1.jpg)
Highland Park senior Ja'Corey Robinson has been named the TSN Shawnee County boys basketball player of the year for the second straight season. [File photo/TSN]
Robinson was a repeat pick as the Shawnee County player of the year after leading the Scots to a 24-1 record and a second-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament, the Scots' third straight top-three state finish.
Robinson and senior teammate Mikey Williams are two of the five All-Shawnee County Top 10 repeat picks along with Shawnee Heights senior Jaret Sanchez, Seaman junior KaeVon Bonner and Rossville junior Jack Donovan.
Shawnee Heights senior Deacon Pomeroy, Washburn Rural senior Amare Jones and Silver Lake junior Dayne Johnson all moved up to Top 10 after being named to the Second 10 in 2024 while Hayden senior James Kuta and Washburn Rural junior Simon Rowley round out the all-county team.
Washburn Rural junior Simon Rowley has been named the TSN Shawnee County boys basketball newcomer of the year. [File photo/TSN]
Rowley was also named the county newcomer of the year after helping 18-5 Washburn Rural win the Centennial League championship and advance to the Class 6A state tournament.
Highland Park coach Mike Williams has been named the Shawnee County boys coach of the year for the third straight season after leading the Scots to a 24-1 record and a runnerup state finish. [Photo by Mac Moore/KSHSAA Covered]
Highland Park's Mike Williams was named the county coach of the year for the third straight season, leading the Scots to a 71-4 record over the past three years.
All-Shawnee County capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman senior Anna Becker has been tapped as the TopSports.news 2025 All-Shawnee County girls basketball player of the year after helping lead the Vikings to back-to-back championship games in Class 5A.
Seaman senior Anna Becker, a four-time All-Shawnee County Top 10 pick, has been named the county player of the year after helping lead the Vikings to a second-place Class 5A state finish. [File photo/TSN]
A four-time All-Shawnee County Top 10 pick and three-time United Kansas Conference player of the year, Becker helped Seaman post a 24-1 record and a second-place finish behind St. Thomas Aquinas as a senior after the Vikings won the Class 5A state title in 2024.
Becker is one of five repeat picks on the All-Shawnee County Top 10 along with Hayden senior Millie Ramsey, Seaman junior Maddie Gragg, Silver Lake junior Kailyn Hanni and Washburn Rural sophomore Maddie Vickery.
Ramsey and Gragg are three-time all-county Top 10 selections.
Also earning All-Shawnee County Top 10 spots are Washburn Rural senior Kate Hinck, Topeka High junior Keimara Marshall, Trojan sophomore Ahsyierhuajh Rayton, Shawnee Heights sophomore KK Emmot and Hayden freshman Hailey Schmidtlein.
Hayden freshman Hailey Schmidtlein has been named the Shawnee County girls basketball newcomer of the year while also earning Top 10 honors. [File photo/TSN]
Schmeidtlein, who helped Hayden post a third-place state finish in Class 4A, was also named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year, while Topeka High coach Ron Slaymaker was named the county coach of the year.
Topeka High's Ron Slaymaker has been named the Shawnee County girls basketball coach of the year after leading the Trojans to a nine-win improvement in his first season. [File photo/TSN]
The 88-year-old Slaymaker, a Kansas coaching legend and High's third coach in four seasons, led the Trojans to a nine-win improvement in the 2024-2025 campaign, with Topeka High posting a 14-8 record.
All-Shawnee County capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
City schools combined to win 10 events in Friday's season-opening Topeka West Invitational at Hummer Sport Park, with Seaman's girls leading the way with five wins en route to a runnerup team finish behind Manhattan.
Seaman junior Ryin Miller won three gold events in Friday's Topeka West Invitational at Hummer Sports Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Seaman junior Ryin Miller, the reigning Gatorade Kansas Track and Field Athlete of the Year, was a double individual winner in the girls 1,600-meter run (4 minutes, 59.08) and the 800 (2:17.80) while also running on the Vikings' winning 4x400 relay (4:15.33).
Seaman also got wins in the girls 4x100 relay (51.94) and from senior Grace Jowers in the pole vault (10 feet, 6 inches) while sophomore Brynn Spencer posted runnerup individual finishes in the 1,600 (5:39.41) and the 3,200 (12:25.66).
Topeka High junior Keimara Marshall won the 400-meter dash in Friday's Topeka West Invitational at Hummer Sports Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Topeka High junior Keimara Marshall won the girls 400-meter dash (62.21) and finished second in the 100 (12.45) helped the Trojans finish second in the 4x100 relay (52.51), while sophomore Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton was second in the long jump (18-0.25) and the triple jump (38-2.25) and also ran on the 4x100 relay.
Seaman junior Brody Anderson (middle) and Topeka West senior Adrian Lehman (right) finished one-two in the boys 1,600 in Friday's Topeka West Invitational and Lehman won the 3,200. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
On the boys side, Seaman junior Brody Anderson led a one-two-three city finish in the 1,600 meters, winning in 4:29.71 while Topeka West senior Adrian Lehman was second (4:31.81) and Charger senior Mark Wilkie third (4:32.21).
Lehman and Wilkie came back later in the meet to go one-two in the 3,200, with Lehman finishing first in 10:09.76 and Wilkie taking second in 10:12.39.
Topeka High senior Ben Roeder won the boys 400-meter dash in Friday's Topeka West Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Topeka High senior Ben Roeder won the 400 dash in 51.91 while Seaman sophomore Quinton White won the pole vault with a clearance of 9 feet.
TOPEKA WEST INVITATIONAL
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural, the third-place finisher in last season’s Class 6A tournament, started the new softball season with a two-game sweep of Centennial League foe Topeka High Friday at Washburn Rural.
Junior Reagan Chapman pitched a first-game no-hitter in Washburn Rural's 7-0 win over Topeka High. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
“You don’t win championships on opening day, but that lays the groundwork for what happens moving forward,” Washburn Rural coach Joy Marie Galliart said. “We were definitely ready to face someone other than ourselves.
“We saw a lot of positives but saw a lot of things that we need to clean up. We need to execute some things better offensively. But when you only face your own pitching in practice and then you see somebody different, it kind of reveals some things that maybe you haven’t been able to see up to that point.”
Pitcher Reagan Chapman got the season started off on the right foot for Washburn Rural, spinning a no-hitter in the first game. The Junior Blues exploded for five runs in the fourth frame to win their season opener 7-0.
The junior Chapman, who was mostly found at shortstop last season, made a strong bid to be at the front of the pitching rotation for the Junior Blues. The only blemish in the outing came when she clipped a Trojan batter’s toe. She finished with six strikeouts.
“It’s hard to critique much when you come out and throw a no-hitter. But she has things she can work on,” Galliart said of Chapman’s outing. “But I thought she did a great job for the first game out. I thought our defense made the plays behind her which helped her. And obviously it gives you confidence when you know your defense is working behind you.”
“I feel good about it,” Chapman said of her day on the mound. “I had stellar defense out there.
“It’s great to be back. I hate winter. I was so ready to be back out here. I feel like we’re very connected. We’re really having a good time with each other.”
Topeka High pitcher Campbell Dawson held the Junior Blues in check for three innings. But a couple of Trojan errors got the Washburn Rural offense rolling in the fourth. Senior Avery Rupp plated two runs with a triple and the Junior Blues grabbed a 5-0 lead.
The Junior Blues added two insurance runs in the sixth inning when sophomore Justice McBurney launched a blast that hit the left field foul pole.
Washburn Rural sophomore Justice McBurney hit a two-run home run in Friday's 7-0 win over Topeka High. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Sophomore Olivia Koch got the start in the second game and held the Trojans to just one run for the first six innings. Topeka High got the bats going in the seventh inning when, trailing 6-1, they plated three runs. Trojan Taimaine Isaia blasted a home run to tighten the score to 6-4, but Koch worked the final out to preserve the victory.
Sophomore Olivia Koch picked up the pitching victory in Washburn Rural's 6-4 second game win over Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
