Shawnee Heights Thunderbirds vertTopeka West Chargers

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  • Hi Park-High USD 501 rivalry kicks off opening week of Shawnee County football

    Rick Peterson, Top Sports News Writer

    By RICK PETERSON
    TopSports.news

    When Highland Park football coach Jermaine Monroe was approached with the possibility of renewing the Scots' rivalry with fellow USD 501 school Topeka High this season it was one of the easiest decisions he'll ever make.

    "There were four different schools that were possibilities and when it was presented to me at the time and I saw the first name was Topeka High, I said, 'It's got to be that,' '' Monroe said. "I don't even remember who the other three schools were, but it's something that we always have to play each other.

    "I do believe the leagues that we're in are fit for us, but we have to always play each other.''

    Topeka High coach Jason Filbeck is also excited for the renewal of the rivalry, which will open the 2026 season at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Hummer Sports Park.

    "I'm not from here, but I know what it means,'' Filbeck said. "Everywhere I've been there's been a crosstown rival and I think the kids are very excited to play them. Some of them are their friends from middle school because of the way Topeka is built, so the kids are pumped up.''

    Highland Park returns a strong nucleus of players from last year's team that went 5-1 on the field, with G'Honi Montgomery and JoJo Kingcannon headlining a 19-member senior class

    The Scots return 10 three-year starters and two four-year starters.

    GHoniMontgomery2025DS 4G'Honi Montgomery returns for his senior season at Highland Park after earning All-Shawnee County Top 22 honors last season. [File photo/TSN]

    A 5-foot-10, 180-pound running back, Montgomery earned All-Shawnee County and All-Meadowlark Conference first-team honors last fall.

    Montgomery carried the ball 69 times for 704 yards (10.2 yards per carry) as a junior, caught 10 passes for 128 yards and scored 12 total touchdowns while compiling 1,268 all-purpose yards.

    JoJoKingcannon2025DS 1Senior JoJo Kingcannon will take over as Highland Park's starting quarterback this fall after starring in a variety of roles as a junior. [File photo/TSN]

    Kingcannon, a 6-foot, 190-pound quarterback/defensive back, played receiver, running back and quarterback as a junior, scoring from all three positions, and will be the Scots' starting quarterback this fall.

    Kingcannon received All-Shawnee County honorable mention for the Scots in 2025, catching 10 passes for 338 yards and rushing for 408 yards on 32 attempts.

    Seniors Tayseaun Rouser, Tavion Johnson and Shawnee Heights transfer Zyhir Foster will be counted on to anchor Highland Park's offensive line while Jaiden Smith, Ka'Sioun Drew and Lorenzo Sullivan-Sowell are top receivers.

    Defensively, senior Rayshon Pollard is a four-year starter in the defensive backfield and is joined by veterans Drew, Montgomery and Kingcannon.

    A three-time all-league honoree, Pollard was in on 22 tackles last season with three sacks and two interceptions.

    Topeka High's Courtney Sanders, a senior wide receiver, was a second-team All-Centennial League selection for the second straight season and received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last fall for the Trojans. 

    CourtneySanders2025WR 1Senior Courtney Sanders is a top returner for Topeka High, earning second-team All-Centennial League recognition the past two seasons. [File photo/TSN]

    A junior running back, Ricardo Dowd was a second-team All-Centennial League selection last season as a sophomore while also receiving All-Shawnee County honorable mention. 

    Trey Lutz, a senior defensive lineman, received All-Shawnee County honorable mention for the second straight season and also received All-Centennial League honorable mention last season.

    Other top returners for Topeka High include seniors Isaac Roman-Chavez, Art Jones and Devin Ponte and juniors Jones Erby and Marion Collins.

    Senior Asher Filbeck, the coach's son, and sophomore Kadyn Lucas have been battling it out in preseason for the starting quarterback spot after the graduation of Zane Smith.

    FRIDAY'S GAMES

  • Chargers open 2026 soccer season with 8-0 shutout over Hayden

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Topeka West soccer handled the 100-degree heat and the rust that went with a season-opener Tuesday at Hayden, dominating the second half on the way to an 8-0 non-league win over the Wildcats.

    DiegoGonzalez Talavera2026TW 7Topeka West senior midfielder Diego Gonzalez-Talavera (9), who had two goals, tries to get past Hayden junior midfielder Isaac Woods in Tuesday's 8-0 Charger win over the Wildcats at Hayden. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    The Chargers, who are coming off back-to-back banner seasons, led 2-0 at halftime despite letting numerous scoring opporunities get away and then peppered the net after the break, scoring six goals to end the game by the eight-goal spread rule with 11:15 remaining.

    "I'm glad to get that first one out of the way and kind of put into a game what we've been working on and see where we can improve from what we've been working on in practice,'' Topeka West coach Josh Kutter said. "Overall it was a positive.''

    Hayden, which was also opening its season, was still in the game at halftime, but West boosted its lead to 3-0 at the 30:25 mark of the second half, starting a run of three goals in less than five minutes, and continued to roll from there.

    "It always seems like once one falls then the rest start to come, but I guess that's just something we've got to keep working on, finishing under pressure,'' Kutter said. "I know sometimes it's just knocking the rust off.

    "We've got lot of guys that are capable of finishing and scoring and creating great plays.''

    Senior midfielder Diego Gonzalez-Talavera and senior defender Kameron Ortiz scored two goals apiece for the Chargers while West also got goals from junior forward Valentin Del Real, senior forward Henry Miller and sophomore forward Yahel Garcia as well as an own goal.

    MakalyMartinez2026TW 6Junior Makaly Martinez and Topeka West opened the 2026 soccer season with an 8-0 win at Hayden Tuesday. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Ortiz, Del Real and senior midfielder William Lara were credited with assists while junior Kevin Voelker picked up the shutout in goal as the Chargers limited Hayden to very few offensive opportunities.

    TOPEKA WEST 8, HAYDEN 0

    Topeka West (1-0) 2 6 -- 8

    Hayden (0-1)          0 0 -- 0

    Topeka West -- Goals: Diego Gonzalez-Talavera 2, Kameron Ortiz 2, Valentin Del Real, Henry Miller, Yahel Garcia, own goal. Assists: Kameron Ortiz, Valentin Del Real, William Lara. Shutout: Kevin Voelker.

  • Prep parade: Parker encouraged by continuing progress of Charger football

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Editor's note:TopSports.news will post preview stories for all 10 Shawnee County high school football programs over the coming days, leading into the opening games of the 2026 season on Sept. 3 and 4.

                                    -----------------------------------------

    Former Washburn University football standout Trey Parker was well aware of the magnitude of the task he faced when he was thrust into the position of interim coach at Topeka West for the final three games of the 2022 season and took over as the Chargers' head coach in 2023.

    TreyParkerTWfootball2026 5Trey Parker begins his fourth full season as Topeka West's football coach in 2026 and is confident the Chargers are ready to take a step forward this fall. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    After all, Parker was taking over a Charger program that hasn't produced a winning season since 2004.

    But as Parker enters his fourth full season at West, he is extremely proud of the progress the Chargers have made.

    And with this year's Charger team building around a nucleus of players who have been with Parker since he took over as head coach, he believes his team is ready to take another step forward this fall after four straight 1-8 campaigns.

    "It's just like anything else you do,'' Parker said. "You have a job that you work at every single day for four years, you get a lot more comfortable in your setting and your surroundings and all of that. The kids are more comfortable with me, I'm more comfortable with them.

    "They love our coaching staff, we love them, so everything's just going well.''

    Parker knows that wins will still be hard to come by in the tough United Kansas Conference, but the West coach feels like the Chargers have continued to make steady progress over the past several seasons and are ready to compete this fall. 

    "Everyone wants the wins over the losses, but we knew from Day 1 that was going to be a small growth,'' Parker said. "Every day we look for something different and if we accomplish that, then that's a win for us.

    "We've stacked a lot of good days, so we're feeling like now, 'Hey, we can really compete in this tough league.' There's some other leagues that if we were in we feel like we'd do really well, but we want to play the best of the best to get our kids a chance to go to college.

    "We feel like every day's been better, every single day, and we're hoping that will eventually turn into some wins.''

    NasWilliams Brown2026 1Nas Williams-Brown (11) is a top returner for Topeka West after earning first-team All-UKC and second-team All-Shawnee County honors last season. [File photo/TSN]

    A 5-foot-9, 160-pound junior running back/linebacker, Nas Williams-Brown was a first-team All-United Kansas Conference honoree last fall as an all-purpose player and was a second-team All-Shawnee County pick.

    Williams-Brown rushed for 647 yards on 66 attempts and scored six touchdowns.

  • Memorial service set for former West, Central Missouri star Boomer Berry

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    A memorial service for former Topeka West multi-sport standout and Central Missouri State national baseball champion Lane Allen "Boomer'' Berry has been set for Sept. 19 at 4 p.m., following a 2 p.m. visitation at Topeka Bible Church, 1101 Mulvane, Topeka, Ks.

    BoomerBerry2026mug 1Lane Allen "Boomer'' Berry

    Berry, the son of Ken and Aleda Berry, was born Dec. 5, 1980, and passed away Aug. 16, 2026 at the age of 45 years old.

    Boomer played tennis, soccer and baseball at Topeka West and received all-league, all-state and USA All-America baseball honors.

    At Central Missouri State Berry played in the Division II College World Series four years, with the team winning the national championship his senior year.

    Berry played minor league baseball in the Chicago White Sox organization as well as Independent Baseball for several seasons, taught at Free State High School and coached high school age baseball teams and gave private hitting instruction.

    He is survived by his daughter, Raimey, parents Ken and Aleda Berry, brothers Brett Berry and Rick Berry, sister Alyson (Berry) Clark and many beloved family members and friends.

    Complete obituary:

    Layne Allen "Boomer'' Berry

    Dec. 5, 1980-Aug. 16, 2026

    Paola, Kansas

    Layne Allen "Boomer'' Berry was born December 5, 1980, to Ken and Aleda Berry and passed away August 16, 2026.

    He left for Spring Training in his car seat at 3 months old and so began his life of baseball. His early years were spent playing multiple sports and pouring love into his pets: Fat Albert his hamster, BunBuns the rabbit and Rosie the cocker spaniel. That love later continued to his 3 Bostons -- Rupert, Arya and Starkey.

    Boomer attended West Avondale Elementary until mid-February when it was time for Spring Training, followed by the baseball season. So he and his sister attended 3 schools each year. He loved adventure, made friends easily and enjoyed new challenges.

    Boomer's high school years were filled with sports and "The Firm," a tight group of friends who adhered to good times and lasting friendships. Boomer was the epitome of a loyal friend, but always happy to beat anyone in a ping pong game. He played tennis, soccer and baseball at Topeka West High School and was named to All-League and All-State baseball teams as well as the USA All-American baseball team. At Central Missouri State he played in the College World Series (Division II) 4 years, with the team winning the Championship his senior year. He graduated with a BS in Education. And left with a heart full of baseball friends and a million memories.

    Boomer played minor league baseball with the White Sox for several years, a highlight being his Spring Training game with the Major League team where he went 3-for-3, scored 2 runs, drove in a run and stole 2 bases; and was named Player of The Game. Then after 3 seasons of playing Independent Baseball, Boomer taught at Free State High School in Lawrence and coached high school age baseball teams. He worked in special education where he and Andrea (Tomasino) Berry connected through their shared passion for helping students with special needs.

    He and Andrea were married in 2014, moved to Pensacola for their work, and later relocated to Lawrence, KS and then Overland Park. Their daughter, Raimey, was born in 2017, bringing great joy to the family. Boomer was a devoted dad and Raimey was his absolute world. They loved hiking, exploring nature, swimming, playing games and riding roller coasters at Worlds of Fun. They also cherished quieter moments and creating things together. Raimey's favorite memories are his snuggles and big squeeze hugs.

    Boomer had a variety of interests: quoting TV and movies, weaving song lyrics into conversations, music of all genres, singing karaoke and rescuing creatures in need. Nature brought him deep peace, and he became a deep thinker, seeking to understand the world around him. Although their marriage eventually ended, Boomer and Andrea remained close friends and devoted parents to Raimey. They continued to support and care for one another.

  • The Jones Project set to launch Leadership Academy for county students

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    The Jones Project’s executive director, Damon Parker, a two-time state wrestling champion as an athlete and a five-time state champ as a coach, is always looking for new mountains to climb.

    LeadershipAcademylogo2026 1

    So after Parker and the Advisors Excel/The Jones Project team completed the equivalent of a climb to the top of Mount Everest over 36 hours last weekend in Steamboat Springs, Colo., they have already turned the page to the next big project: the launching of The Jones Project’s Leadership Academy, a free eight-week program open to students selected from each of the 10 Shawnee County high schools.

    The Jones Project, named in honor of the late Josh Jones, a native Topekan who served as a vice-president at Advisors Excel before passing away in March of 2021, provides free mental health programming to secondary students, providing assistance to students who are struggling while emphasizing the importance of specific mental health interventions already in place at schools.

    In its first four years The Jones Project has reached more than 115,000 students from 267 different stages. In 2023 TJP created an endowment for The Jones Family Scholarship, which has since provided scholarships to six  Kansas high school graduates who are studying to become mental health professionals.  

    The 29029 climb in Steamboat, Colorado kicked off Year 5.

    "It's an event where you start at the base of a mountain and you climb it to the summit and then you ride a gondola back down to the bottom and then you do that over and over and over again,'' Parker said. "This year at Steamboat we had to climb 14 times in 36 hours. If you do that then you've reached the vertical gain of Mount Everest.

    "The Jones Project and Advisors Excel has had a team that's worked together on this and done it as a fundraiser every year. This is one of the two big fundraisers that keeps The Jones Project afloat. This year we've really made a push on it so that we can use this campaign to fund The Leadership Academy.''

    Parker, who has coached the Rural girls to four state titles and coached the Junior Blues to the 2021 boys championship, has served as the executive director of The Jones Project since its inception after being approached by Advisors Excel co-owner Cody Foster.

    "He and I had met several times and when he presented the vision he had for The Jones Project to me, I saw it as an opportunity to still work with young people but to do it on a much larger scale and to be able to help kids that were falling through the cracks.  Many of them were in a truly under-served population,'' Parker said. "And it was like, 'How do you say no to the opportunity to do something like that?' 

    "I loved teaching, it was wonderful, and I'm still in education, I just have a bigger classroom now. Every year TJP has evolved and we've become more effective with what we've done. It took awhile to find out where those needs were and exactly what kids needed. It started off with just a mental health and suicide prevention talk, but now we do talks on bullying prevention, student leadership, culture building, you name it.  We’ve talked to athletic teams in the locker room before competitions, strength and conditioning programs, and summer STUCO camps.  Wherever there is a school or student organization that needs a speaker, we can help fill that gap.”  

    Parker said the Leadership Academy represents another major step forward.

    "If we can take a couple of students from each high school in the Shawnee County area and we can give them real, actionable leadership skills, that is going to instantly impact the organization of which they are a part.  Whether it's the basketball team, the debate team, or the marching band is inconsequential.  We’re helping them improve their building culture because now we're taking those kids and we're teaching them how to bring up those younger kids,'' Parker said.

    "And when the younger kids are learning from those older kids they realize, 'This is how you do it, this is how you treat people,’ and then they carry that forward with them throughout their remaining time in high school.”

    The Leadership Academy is now taking applications and will begin meeting in mid-September.  

    "I'll be reaching out to basically every coaching and A.D. contact in my rolodex saying, 'Hey, we're doing this thing and it's definitely something that you want your kids to be involved in,' '' Parker said.     

    "We're going to start taking applications now and then the first week in September is when we're going to announce who is accepted into the program. And then we're going to get it kicked off. We will absolutely be up and rolling with students by mid-September, so they’ll want to get in their applications as soon as possible.  This is the start of something HUGE here in Shawnee County.''

    Students can use the website www.TopekaLeadershipAcademy.org to apply.

    For more information email Coach Parker at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

  • TopSports.news' 2026 Shawnee County football players to watch

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    EDITOR'S NOTE: TopSports.news' list of the top Shawnee County football players to watch in 2026, based on performances in the 2025 season, will be updated as needed after practice begins on Aug. 17 and more information is received from county coaches.

    RYAN AUSTIN, Washburn Rural

    A 6-foot-2, 170-pound senior, Austin was named the All-Centennial League first-team place-kicker last season for the 6-4 Junior Blues. Austin also received All-Shawnee County honorable mention as a junior.

    CoyBarta2025SH 1Coy Barta, Seaman [File photo/TSN]

    COY BARTA, Seaman

    A senior wide receiver, Barta earned second-team TopSports.News All-Shawnee County and second-team All-United Kansas Conference recognition last season for the 3-6 Vikings. Barta caught 38 passes for 642 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior.

    JadynBaum2026FB 1Jadyn Baum, Washburn Rural [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

    JADYN BAUM, Washburn Rural

    A senior running back, Baum helped lead Washburn Rural to a 6-4 record and the second round of the Class 6A state playoffs last fall, earning TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League first-team recognition after carrying the ball 139 times for 1,262 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 9.1 yards per attempt. Baum also won a 6A state wrestling championship at 215 pounds.

    MasonBecker2025SFT 2Mason Becker, Hayden [File photo/TSN]

    MASON BECKER, Hayden

    A first-team TSN All-Shawnee County pick, Becker, a 6-foot, 160-pound senior, was a perfect 100 percent on extra-point kicks last season, was two of two on field goals, carried the ball 32 times for 438 yards, caught 13 passes for 224 yards, had nine kickoff returns for 121 yards, scored nine touchdowns and was in on 30 tackles with five pass interceptions for the 12-1 Wildcats, the Class 3A runnerup. Becker is also a basketball and baseball standout for the Wildcats.

    JoshBrown2025SH 1Josh Brown, Seaman [File photo/TSN]

    JOSH BROWN, Seaman

    Brown, a junior wide receiver, was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection for the 3-6 Vikings last season. Brown caught 40 passes for 627 yards and eight touchdowns over the 2025 season. 

    STEVEN CANTRELL, Washburn Rural

    A senior defensive end, Cantrell is a top returner for Washburn Rural after earning first-team All-Centennial League recognition as a junior for the 6-4 Junior Blues. Cantrell also received All-Shawnee County honorable mention.

    CHARLIE CHANCE, Rossville

    A senior offensive/defensive lineman, Chance was named the Shawnee County defensive newcomer of the year last season for the Bulldawgs, who posted an 11-2 record and finished second in Class 1A. Chance was in on 54 tackles with 14 tackles for loss and three sacks, earning second-team all-county and All-Big East honors. 

    CADE DANIELSON, Washburn Rural

    Danielson, a senior outside linebacker, will be counted on to be a team leader for the Junior Blues this fall after helping Washburn Rural post a 6-4 record and reach the second round of the Class 6A playoffs in 2025.

    RicardoDowd2025WR 2Ricardo Dowd, Topeka High [File photo/TSN]

    RICARDO DOWD, Topeka High

    Dowd, a junior running back, was a second-team All-Centennial League selection last season for the 3-6 Trojans as a sophomore while also receiving All-Shawnee County honorable mention. 

    MYLES FISHER, Silver Lake

    A senior offensive/defensive lineman, Fisher received second-team All-Shawnee County honors and All-Big East League honorable mention last season after helping Silver Lake post a 7-3 record. Fisher was in on 73 tackles for the Eagles.

    ChaseHastert2025MV 1Chase Hastert, Cair Paravel [Photo by Barry Benteman/Special to TSN]

    CHASE HASTERT, Cair Paravel Latin

    Hastert, a junior quarterback/linebacker/defensive back, is a top returner for Cair Paravel after taking over as the Lions' starting quarterback last fall. The Lions, coming off a 2-6 season, return to the Eight-Man ranks this fall after playing 11-man the past two seasons. Hastert is also a basketball and golf standout for the Lions, earning first-team All-County honors in golf.

    COLE HAUBAULD, Cair Paravel Latin

    Haubauld, a senior running back/linebacker, earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention as well as All-Flint Hills League recognition as an offensive guard and linebacker last season for the 2-6 Lions and is expected to play running back on offense for CPLS this fall. Cair Paravel returns to Eight-Man Division I competition this season.

    CALE HORAK, Rossville

    Horak, a junior, received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season as Rossville posted an 11-2 record and finished second in Class 1A. Horak caught 15 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore while also registering 21 tackles (16 solo).  

    CAEL HORGAN, Rossville

    A senior, Horgan earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season as Rossville posted an 11-2 record and finished second in Class 1A. Horgan caught seven passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore while also registering 37 tackles (21 solo) with three interceptions.   

    EVAN HUNTLEY, Hayden

    A 6-foot-1, 195-pound junior fullback/inside linebacker, is a top returner on both sides of the ball for a Hayden team that posted a 12-1 record and finished second in Class 3A for the third straight season last fall.

    ALEX HUSTON, Seaman

    A senior linebacker, Huston received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season for the 3-6 Vikings. Huston was in on 106 tackles as a junior, including 61 solo stops.

    AMIR JONES, Washburn Rural

    Jones, a senior linebacker, received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after helping Washburn Rural post a 6-4 record and advance to the second round of the Class 6A playoffs.

    CaleKetter2025SH 1Cale Ketter, Seaman [File photo/TSN[ 

    CALE KETTER, Seaman

    Ketter, a senior quarterback, was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season for the 3-6 Vikings. Ketter completed 136 of 231 pass attempts for 2,013 yards and 23 touchdowns in eight games.

    JoJoKingcannon2025DS 1JoJo Kingcannon, Highland Park [File photo/TSN]

    JOJO KINGCANNON, Highland Park

    A 6-foot, 190-pound senior quarterback/defensive back, Kingcannon played receiver, running back and quarterback as a junior, scoring from all three positions. Kingcannon received All-Shawnee County honorable mention for the Scots, who went 5-1 on the field, catching 10 passes for 338 yards and rushing for 408 yards on 32 attempts. Kingcannon earned second-team all-county recognition in basketball.

    KipKruger2025PL 1Kipton Kruger, Silver Lake [File photo/TSN] 

    KIPTON KRUGER, Silver Lake

    A 5-foot-11, 165-pound sophomore quarterback, Kruger was named the Shawnee County offensive newcomer of the year last fall after completing 178 of 252 passes for 2,158 yards and 16 touchdowns for the Eagles. Kruger was a second-team All-Shawnee County pick and received All-Big East honorable mention. Kruger is also a basketball and baseball standout for the Eagles.

  • TopSports.news' 2026 city boys soccer players to watch

    Rick Peterson, Top Sports News Writer

    By RICK PETERSON
    TopSports.news

    EDITOR'S NOTE: TopSports.news' list of the top city boys soccer players to watch in 2026, based on performances in the 2025 season, will be updated as needed after practice begins on Aug. 17 and more information is received from county coaches.  

    CARLOS ACOSTA-MARTINEZ, Topeka High

    Acosta-Martinez, a senior midfielder, is a top returner for the Trojans after earning first-team All-City and All-Centennial League recognition last season as Topeka High posted a 9-6-2 record.

    ALAN ARTEAGA, Shawnee Heights

    A senior goalkeeper, Arteaga was a first-team All-United Kansas Conference selection last fall for the 15-3-0 T-Birds while also receiving All-City honorable mention.

    JudahCongdon2026 1Judah Congdon, Cair Paravel Latin [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN]

    JUDAH CONGDON, Cair Paravel Latin

    A senior forward/midfielder, Congdon received All-City honorable mention last season after registering 14 goals and 24 assists for the 11-7-0 Lions, who advanced to the Class 4A-1A state quarterfinals.  

    ValentinDelReal2024TWsoccerTH 1Valentin Del Real, Topeka West [File photo/TSN]

    VALENTIN DEL REAL, Topeka West

    Del Real, a junior midfielder, is a two-time All-City first-team honoree while also earning All-United Kansas Conference first-team recognition for the Chargers, who went 13-3-2 on the season.

    BRAYAN DIAZ, Shawnee Heights

    Diaz is expected to be a key contributor for the T-Birds this fall after missing the entire 2025 campaign with an injury. 

    MYLES DIDDE, Washburn Rural

    A senior midfielder, Didde scored the game-tying goal in last season's Class 6A state championship game before the 19-1-1 Junior Blues went on to win the state title in penalty kicks. Didde will serve as a Rural team captain this fall. 

    DiegoGonzalez Talavera2024Goddard 1Diego Gonzalez-Talavera, Topeka West [File photo/TSN]

    DIEGO GONZALES-TALAVERA, Topeka West

    A senior forward, Gonzales-Talavera is a two-time All-City and All-United Kansas Conference first-team honoree for Topeka West, which is coming off of a 13-3-2 record.

    MasonHaasTW 2Mason Haas, Shawnee Heights [File photo/TSN]

    MASON HAAS, Shawnee Heights

    Haas, a senior midfielder, earned first-team All-City and All-United Kansas Conference recognition for the second straight season in 2025 for the T-Birds, 15-3-0 last season.

    KALEB HOLMES, Seaman

    A senior defender, Holmes is a key returner for the Vikings, 8-9-0 in 2025, after receiving All-City honorable mention as a junior.

    BrodyeKocher Munoz2024ManBrodye Kocher-Munoz, Washburn Rural [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

    BRODYE KOCHER-MUNOZ, Washburn Rural

    Kocher-Munoz, a senior forward, helped lead Junior Blues to a 19-1-1 record and the Class 6A state championship last fall. A team captain, Kocher-Munoz was a first-team All-City and All-Centennial League honoree as a junior. 

  • TopSports.news' 2026 Shawnee County volleyball players to watch

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    EDITOR'S NOTE: TopSports.news' list of the top Shawnee County volleyball players to watch in 2026, based on performances in the 2025 season and coach recommendations, will be updated as needed after practice begins on Aug. 17 and more information is received from county coaches. 

    BrynnAndersonVB2026 1Brynn Anderson, Washburn Rural [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

    BRYNN ANDERSON, Washburn Rural

    Anderson, a 5-foot-11 sophomore hitter, was a first-team TopSports.news All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League selection and named the county and league newcomer of the year last season after helping lead the Junior Blues to the Centennial League championship and a ninth straight Class 6A state tournament berth. Anderson registered 397 kills on the season along with 20 block kills, 96.3 percent serving with 29 aces and 229 digs. Anderson was also a first-team all-county pick in basketball and a state qualifier in track and field.

    NoraBurdiekVB2026 1Nora Burdiek, Rossville [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]   

    NORA BURDIEK, Rossville

    A senior hitter, Burdiek is a two-time TSN All-Shawnee County first-team selection after being named the county newcomer of the year and earning second-team honors as a freshman. Burdiek has registered 1,373 total kills in her career with 936 digs. Burdiek was a first-team All-Big East selection as a junior after helping lead the Bulldawgs to a Class 2A state berth and earning All-State Tournament and All-2A first-team recognition from the Kansas Volleyball Association. Burdiek is also a basketball and softball standout, helping Rossville advance to the state tournament in both of those sports.

    CampbellDawson2024VB 1Campbell Dawson, Topeka High [File photo/TSN]

    CAMPBELL DAWSON, Topeka High

    Dawson, a senior, earned second-team All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League honors last fall in her third season as a varsity player. Dawson also earned second-team All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League recognition as a sophomore. Dawson was a first-team TSN All-Shawnee County and second-team Class 6A All-State selection this past spring in softball after helping lead the Trojans to a third-place state finish.

    KarysDeiterVB2026 1Karys Deiter, Silver Lake [Photo by Scott Paske/KSHSAA Covered]  

    KARYS DEITER, Silver Lake

    Deiter, a junior hitter, helped lead the Eagles to the Class 3A state championship with a 46-1 record, including a 37-match winning streak to end the 2025 season. A first-team TSN All-Shawnee County pick and second-team 3A All-State honoree, Deiter finished the year with 313 kills, a 34.7 kill percentage, 18 blocks and 253 digs. Deiter also earned All-Shawnee County first-team honors in basketball and track and field after helping lead Silver Lake to the 3A state championship in basketball and earning a 3A state medal in track.

    KylieHanniVB2026 2Kylie Hanni, Silver Lake [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

    KYLIE HANNI, Silver Lake

    A senior setter, Hanni was named the TopSports.news Shawnee County Player of the Year last season after helping lead Silver Lake to the Class 3A state championship with a 46-1 record, including 37 straight wins to end the season. Hanni was named to the 3A All-State Tournament team and All-3A first team by the Kansas Volleyball Association and was also a first-team All-Big East League pick after registering 1,181 assists, with 45 kills, 22 blocks, a 91.7 serving percentage with 33 aces and 174 digs. Hanni also helped the Eagles win 3A state titles in basketball and softball.

    ADY HENRY, Rossville

    Henry, a senior libero, helped Rossville reach the Class 2A state tournament last season while earning second-team TSN All-Shawnee County and third-team All-Big East League recognition. 

    HADLEY KILGORE, Washburn Rural

    Kilgore is expected to be a key contributor for the Junior Blues at middle hitter this fall in her first season at the varsity level. Kilgore joins a Washburn Rural team that won the 2025 Centennial League championship and advanced to the Class 6A state tournament for the ninth straight season.

    ClaraMorgan2026 2Clara Morgan, Shawnee Heights [Submitted photo]   

    CLARA MORGAN, Shawnee Heights

    A senior setter, Morgan was a second-team TSN All-Shawnee County selection last season while also receiving All-United Kansas Conference honorable mention. Morgan surpassed the 1,000 assist mark for her career last season.

  • TopSports.news to recognize top senior athletes from 2025-2026 school year

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Over the coming weeks The Jones Project and A1 Lock&Key will sponsor TopSports.news' series of stories recognizing the top senior Shawnee County athletes from the recently completed 2025-2026 school year.

    A1logo2026 1

    TheJonesProject

    TSN will name girls and boys finalists for the fall, winter and spring seasons, followed by the announcement of the girls and boys athletes of the year for all three seasons.

    The project will culminate with the announcement of the overall outstanding girls and boys Shawnee County athletes for 2025-2026.

    Six Shawnee County girls teams captured state championships in five sports in '25-26, including a Silver Lake sweep of the Class 3A volleyball, basketball and softball crowns, while Hayden won 4A basketball and put together an undefeated 4A-1A run in soccer and Seaman won the 5A bowling championship by a 358-pin margin. 

    Washburn Rural's boys won Class 6A team titles in cross country, soccer and baseball while Shawnee Heights won its second 5A state bowling championship in three seasons.

    Individually, 10 Shawnee County athletes captured individual state titles, including Washburn Rural senior Cody Spangler in 6A boys bowling, Rural senior Landen Kocher-Munoz in 6A boys wrestling, Seaman senior Brody Anderson in 5A boys track and field and Shawnee Heights senior Cianna Graves in 5A girls wrestling. 

    TSN will also recognize Washburn University female and male athletes of the year for '25-26 after the Ichabods put together a banner season that included a string of NCAA Tournament appearances. 

    Next up: The top 10 girls fall finalists. 

     

  • Undefeated state champion Hayden headlines 2026 All-City girls soccer

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Hayden, which posted a perfect season on the way to the Class 4A-1A girls state championship this spring, dominates the TopSports.news 2026 All-City girls soccer team.

    The Wildcats, who wrapped up the state title with a 1-0 win over Rose Hill, put a city-high four players on the first team while sweeping the individual awards.

    CarsynBroxterman2026soccerMiege 1Three-time Hayden All-City first-team pick Carsyn Broxterman has been named the city player of the year for 2026. [File photo/TSN]

    EmmaSlyter2026WR 1
    Hayden freshman Emma Slyter has been named the city soccer newcomer of the year after helping the undefeated Wildcats win the Class 4A-1A state title. [File photo/TSN]

    Hayden senior Carsyn Broxterman, a three-time first-team selection, was named the city player of the year while freshman Emma Slyter was tapped for the newcomer of the year honor and Wildcat coach Klaus Kreutzer was selected as the coach of the year.

    Joining Broxterman and Slyter on the All-City first team are seniors Reese Huscher and Kellyn Specht.

    DayneShriver2026TH 3Washburn Rural senior Dayne Shriver earned first-team All-City soccer honors for the second straight season. [File photo/TSN]

    Washburn Rural, which posted a third-place state finish in 6A, put senior repeat pick Dayne Shriver on the first team along with senior Allie Schroeder and sophomore Ellie Vogel.

     Seaman, which earned a share of the championship in the United Kansas Conference, is represented on the All-City team by seniors Ava Huston and Savannah Nelson and junior Julia Molleker.

    MicahWilliams2026soccer 12Topeka West junior Micah Williams is a three-time All-City soccer first-team pick. [File photo/TSN]

    Shawnee Heights juniors Nina Bolanos and Brylee Garner both earned first-team berths while Topeka West junior Micah Williams earned her third straight first-team honor in her first season with the Chargers and Cair Paravel Latin senior Kelly Ann Chada rounds out the top team.

    ALL-CITY 2026 GIRLS SOCCER

  • Twenty city soccer players earn All-State recognition from KHSSCA

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Twenty city standouts have earned All-State recognition from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association, including eight first-team picks and two players of the year.

    Hayden, which posted an undefeated season on the way to the Class 4A-1A girls state championship, put six players on the All-State first team, including senior forward of the year Carsyn Broxterman and senior midfielder of the year Reese Huscher.

    CarsynBroxterman2026soccerMiege 1Hayden senior Carsyn Broxterman has been named the Class 4A-1A forward of the year by the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association. [File photo/TSN]

    ReeseHuscher2026soccerTrinity 2Hayden senior Reese Huscher was named the Class 4A-1A midfielder of the year by the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association. [File photo/TSN]

    Wildcat coach Klaus Kreutzer was selected as the 4A-1A coach of the year. 

    The Wildcats, who wrapped up the state title with a 1-0 win over Rose Hill, also put senior midfielders Grace Funk and Ella Foster on the first team along with senior defender Kellyn Specht and sophomore defender Sawyer Wrench.

     AllieSchroeder2026TH 2Washburn Rural senior forward Allie Schroeder (14) has been named to the All-6A first team after helping lead the Junior Blues to a third-place state finish. [File photo/TSN]

    AvaHustonSOCCER 2Seaman senior Ava Huston has been named to the All-5A first team by the KHSSCA. [File photo/TSN]

    Washburn Rural, which posted a third-place state finish, put senior senior forward Allie Schroeder on the All-6A first team while Seaman senior midfielder Ava Huston was named to the All-5A first team.

    Rural senior defenders Dayne Shriver and Emma Wong were named to the All-6A second team along with junior midfielder Emery Hall and sophomore midfielder Ellie Vogel.

    MicahWilliams2026soccer 12Topeka West junior Micah Williams was named to the All-5A second team by the KHSSCA. [File photo/TSN]

    Topeka West junior Micah Williams has been named to the All-5A second team along with Seaman senior forward Savannah Nelson and junior forward Julia Molleker.

    Cair Paravel Latin senior forward KellyAnn Chada earned second-team All-4A-1A recognition.

    Seaman seniors Maya Martin and Parker Ayres received all-state honorable mention in 5A while Cair Paravel seniors Avry Stafford and Hemi Duehring received honorable mention in 4A-1A. 

  • State champ Eagles, co-players of the year Warren, Koch top All-Shawnee County softball

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Class 3A state champion Silver Lake put a county-high four players on the 2026 TopSports.news All-Shawnee County softball first team, while Seaman senior Aubrey Warren and Washburn Rural junior Oliva Koch were named the co-players of the year and Rossville freshman Kenna Perine was named the newcomer of the year.

    AubreyWarrenSTATE 2Seaman senior Aubrey Warren has been named the co-Shawnee County softball player of the year. [File photo/TSN]

    OliviaKoch2025StateOW 2Washburn Rural junior Olivia Koch has been named the co-Shawnee County softball player of the year for 2026. [File photo/TSN]

     KennaPerine2026SB 2Rossville freshman Kenna Perine has been selected as the 2026 Shawnee County softball newcomer of the year. [File photo/TSN]

    Silver Lake, which finished off a 28-4 season with a 4-0 win over Southeast-Saline in the state championship game, is represented on the all-county first team by seniors Kailyn Hanni and Paige Heiman, junior Riley Mohler and sophomore Saylor Liggatt while Eagles coach Nick Hamilton received Shawnee County coach of the year recognition for the third straight season.

    Warren was named the United Kansas Conference player of the year for the second straight season while Koch was a repeat pick as the Centennial League player of the year.

    LondonBackman2026SBstate 1London Backman, Topeka High 

    Topeka High, which finished third in 6A, is represented on the first team by sophomore London Backman and juniors Campbell Dawson and Kenslee Young while 2A quarterfinalist Rossville put senior Brooke Springer and sophomore Nora Mitchell on the first team.

    Joining Koch on the first team for Washburn Rural are senior Henley Rapp and junior Justice McBurney while Warren is joined on the first team by Seaman teammate Lydia Dreher.

    Shawnee Heights put seniors Addison Cooper and Cianna Graves on the first team while Hayden is represented by junior Emberly Connell and sophomore Blakely Walter.

    Backman, Hanni, Warren, Koch and Rapp are all all-county first-team repeat picks.   

    2026 ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY SOFTBALL

  • Player of the year Newbery tops 2026 All-Shawnee County baseball

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Washburn Rural senior player of the year Aidan Newbery headlines the TopSports.news 2026 All-Shawnee County baseball team.

    AidanNewbery2026StateWashburn Rural senior catcher Aidan Newbery has been named the Shawnee County Player of the Year after helping lead Rural to the Class 6A state championship. [Photo by Selena Rivas Favela/TSN]

    Newbery, a catcher, helped lead the Junior Blues to the Class 6A state championship last Saturday in Wichita, Rural's first baseball state championship in 74 years.  

    Newbery, who was also named the Centennial League player of the year, is joined on the all-county first team by senior teammates Austin Ditch and Nate Selm and junior Tyler Edmiston while Washburn Rural coach Jay Mastin was named the coach of the year after the Junior Blues posted a 22-9 record, capped by a 4-3 win over Free State in the 6A title game.

    ConnorHanika2026Man 2Connor Hanika, Hayden

    KadeMitchell2026BBstate 3Kade Mitchell, Hayden

    Class 4A runnerup Hayden (21-6) is represented on the first team by seniors Connor Hanika, Kade Mitchell and Aiden Roberts and junior Caleb Menke while 5A runnerup Shawnee Heights (21-10) put seniors Brody Cooper and Cayden Lindsay on the all-county team and T-Bird sophomore Gabe Escobar has been tapped as the county newcomer of the year.

    BrodyCooper2026BBstate 1Brody Cooper, Shawnee Heights

    Silver Lake, the 3A runnerup at 18-12, put senior Drew Womack on the first team while Rossville (25-5), third in 2A-1A, is represented by the senior trio of Jacoby McDonnell, Canann Mitchell and Cameron Miller and Seaman put juniors Axton Brewer and Beau Jessop on the first team.

    Brewer, Ditch, Menke, Miller, Canann Mitchell, Kade Mitchell and Selm are all first-team All-Shawnee County repeat picks while Cooper, Edmiston, Hanika, Roberts and Womack move up from the second team and Lindsay received honorable mention last season.

    AxtonBrewer2026Baseball 1Axton Brewer, Seaman 

    Brewer received 5A All-State first-team honors from Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches while Womack was a first-team pick in 3A and Miller and Canann Mitchell earned first-team honors in 2A-1A.

    CanannMitchell2026Baseball 1Canann Mitchell, Rossville

    Newbery was a second-team pick in 6A, Jessop a second-team selection in 5A, Hanika and Kade Mitchell second team in 4A and McDonnell second team in 2A-1A.

     2026 ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY BASEBALL

  • State champion trio headlines 2026 All-Shawnee County boys track and field team

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    State champions Brody Anderson of Seaman, Christian Hartman-Babb of Washburn Rural and Landen Lewis of Rossville headline the 2026 All-Shawnee County boys track and field team.

    BrodyAnderson2026Trk 5Brody Anderson posted a state championship and two runnerup finishes in the Class 5A state track meet. [File photo/TSN]

    ChristianHartman Babb2026Regional 3Washburn Rural junior Christian Hartman-Babb won the Class 6A state 100 meters title and finished second in the 200. [File photo/TSN] 

    LandenLewis2026 2Rossville sophomore Landen Lewis won the 2026 Class 2A-1A state title in the javelin. [Submitted photo]

    Anderson, a senior, won the Class 5A 800 meters in a 5A meet-record time of 1 minute, 52.08 seconds after finishing second in the 3,200 (9:05.70) and the 1,600 (4:12.48) earlier in the meet.

    Junior Hartman-Babb won the 6A 100-meter dash in 10.59 seconds and finished second on a photo-finish in the 200 (21.40) while sophomore Lewis captured the 2A javelin championship at 181-9.

    Anderson finished his season as the Shawnee County leader in the 800, the 1,600 (4:08.2 converted from mile) and 3,200 while Hartman-Babb led the county in the 100 (10.36) and 200 and Lewis had a county-best performance of 202-9 in the javelin.

    BrooksKehoe2026Regional 4Washburn Rural senior Brooks Kehoe finished second in the Class 6A 1,600 meters in last week's state meet. [File photo/TSN]

    Washburn Rural senior Brooks Kehoe was the 6A runnerup in the 1,600 (4:22.04) while the Silver Lake foursome of senior Thomas Fisher, junior Owen Rottinghaus, senior Joel Miller and senior Braxton Rupp finished second in the 4x100 relay (43.14) and the Eagles' Rottinghaus, Fisher, Miller and sophomore Jake Workman placed third in the 4x400 relay (3:28.56).

    Shawnee Heights senior Jason Slay finished third in the 5A 400 (49.51) and teamed with senior Xavier Fisher and juniors Dallas Owens and Mason Haas to place fourth in 4x400 relay (3:25.32).

    Anderson, Hartman-Babb, Kehoe, Miller and Rupp are all first-team All-Shawnee County repeat picks along with Seaman junior high-jump state placer Jack Esser and Washburn Rural seniors Draden Chooncharoen and Liam Morrison.   

    Chooncharoen and Morrison missed the postseason with injuries, but the two ran on back-to-back 4x400 state-champion relay teams in 2024 and 2025, including a 6A state meet record in '25, while Morrison also won the 300 hurdles in '25. 

    LiamMorrison2025State 1Washburn Rural senior Liam Morrison won three Class 6A state titles during his high school career. [File photo/TSN]

    Also earning spots on the all-county first team were Rural sophomore Zach Hancock, Rossville junior Charles Chance, Cair Paravel senior Lucas Marichal, Hayden junior Kelton Meier, Highland Park senior Termaine Savage and Washburn Rural junior Cohen Thiessen.

    TermaineSavage2026trackState 1Highland Park senior Termaine Savage earned a Class 5A state medal in the 400-meter dash. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Thiessen, Hancock, Marichal and Savage were state medalists while Meier was a state qualifier.

    ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY 2026 BOYS TRACK AND FIELD

  • State runnerups Ray, Harper headline 2026 All-Shawnee County girls track and field

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Shawnee County girls track and filed athletes came up short in their bids for state titles in the 2026 Kansas Track and Field Championships last weekend in Wichita, but the local contingent still had plenty to celebrate, including multiple top-three finishes and 13 total top-eight medal showings in four classes overall.

    MorganRay2026State 1Washburn Rural senior Morgan Ray finished second in the Class 6A javelin event for the second straight season. [Photo by Brent Maycock/KSHSAA Covered]

    SofiaHarper2026track 3Hayden junior Sofia Harper was the Class 4A runnerup in the 400-meter dash. [File photo/TSN]

    Washburn Rural senior Morgan Ray was the state runnerup in the Class 6A javelin at 145 feet, 1 inch, while Hayden junior Sofia Harper finished second in the 4A 400-meter dash while posting a top time of 58.83.

    KailynPetersenTRACK 1Washburn Rural junior Kailyn Petersen placed fourth in the Class 6A discus for the second straight season. [File photo/TSN]

    AliGerber2026trackSeaman 1Silver Lake junior Ali Gerber was a double medalist in the Class 3A state track meet. [File photo/TSN]

    Silver Lake senior multi-sport star Kailyn Hanni posted a third-place finish in the 3A javelin (129-7) while Washburn Rural junior repeat 6A medalist Kailyn Petersen was fourth in the discus (133-2), Seaman freshman Baylee Ayres was fourth in the 5A high jump (5-foot-2) and Silver Lake junior Ali Gerber finished fourth in the 3A 400 (58.75) while also teaming with Eagle teammates Kinley Weber, Jaylie Whitehead and Karys Deiter to place fifth in the 4x400-meter relay (4:09.64).

    AlysonHinck2026State 6Washburn Rural freshman Alyson Hinck (3) earned a pair of Class 6A state medals in her first state track meet. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Washburn Rural freshman Alyson Hinck posted a fifth-place finish in the 6A 800 (2:18.43) while Shawnee Heights freshman Tanesia Johnson earned medals with sixth-place finishes in both the 5A 100 and 200-meter dashes. 

    Washburn Rural's Ray and Petersen and senior state medalists Emily Graf and Kenzie Maddox are all all-county repeat picks along with Seaman juniors Kinley Robinson and Brynn Spencer, Topeka High senior Keimara Marshall and Silver Lake's Gerber and Deiter.

    Also earning spots on the first team are Hayden junior Alana Mitchell, Silver Lake junior Addy Just and Washburn Rural freshman Clara Dillon, who all earned state medals, along with seniors Jurnee Cole of Highland Park, Jayana Washington of Topeka High and Journey Manhart of Silver Lake. 

    ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY 2026 GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD

  • All-UKC baseball: T-Birds' Cooper named pitcher of the year

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Five city baseball players earned All-United Kansas Conference first-team honors, led by Shawnee Heights senior pitcher of the year Brody Cooper.

    BrodyCooper2026BBstate 1Shawnee Heights senior pitcher Brody Cooper has been named the UKC pitcher of the year by conference coaches. [Photo by Selena Rivas Favela/Special to TSN]

    Cooper, a first-team All-UKC repeat pick, helped lead the T-Birds to a runnerup finish in the Class 5A state tournament.

    Cooper is joined on the all-conference first team by Heights senior outfielder Cayden Lindsay while Seaman is represented on the first team by junior designated hitter Axton Brewer, junior infielder Beau Jessop and senior utility player Cale Rosenberger.

    Brewer is a first-team repeat pick.

    Shawnee Heights (21-10) put sophomore utility player Gabe Escobar, senior infielder Cambren Floberg and senior outfielder Michael Lilly on the All-UKC second team while six Heights, Seaman and Topeka West players received honorable mention.

    ALL-UNITED KANSAS CONFERENCE BASEBALL

  • All-UKC softball: Vikes' Aubrey Warren repeats as player of the year

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    City schools Seaman and Shawnee Heights combined to put seven players on the 2026 All-United Kansas Conference softball team, led by Seaman senior infielder Aubrey Warren of Seaman, who was named the conference player of the year for the second straight season.

    AubreyWarrenSTATE 2Seaman senior infielder Aubrey Warren has been named the United Kansas Conference player of the year by conference coaches for the second straight season. [File photo/TSN]

    Seaman is represented on the first team by Warren, sophomore pitcher Lydia Dreher, junior outfielder Acey Thompson and senior designated player Addison Sibley, while Shawnee Heights is represented on the first team by senior outfielder Addison Cooper, a repeat first-team selection, senior catcher Cianna Graves and senior infielder Jaidyn Euwer. 

    Seaman put junior infielder Lauren Glasgow, senior outfielder Kinsley Smith, sophomore utility player Easton Beightel and senior designated player Lilly Rumsey on the second team while Topeka West is represented on the second team by sophomore Kendall Munoz.  

    Topeka West seniors Addaline Hall and Isabelle Kutina and Seaman junior Natalee Simpson received honorable mention.

    ALL-UNITED KANSAS CONFERENCE SOFTBALL

  • Co-player of the year Huston leads eight-player city All-UKC contingent

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Eight city soccer players earned All-United Kansas Conference first-team recognition, led by Seaman co-player of the year Ava Huston, a senior midfielder.

    AvaHustonSOCCER 2Seaman senior midfielder Ava Huston has been named the UKC co-soccer player of the year after helping lead the Vikings to a share of the conference title. [File photo/TSN]

    UKC co-champion Seaman also put senior defender Parker Ayres, senior forward Savannah Nelson and junior forward Julia Molleker on the first team while Viking coach Kyle Seevers was voted UKC coach of the year.

    Shawnee Heights is represented on the first team by senior goalkeeper Mackenzie Mertel, junior defender Brylee Garner and junior midfielder Nina Bolanos.

    Topeka West junior forward Micah Williams earned first-team honors in her first season in the UKC after transferring from Highland Park.

    Five city players were named to the All-UKC second team and two received honorable mention.  

    ALL-UNITED KANSAS CONFERENCE SOCCER

  • TSN Shawnee County final 2026 high school girls track honor roll

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    GIRLS

    100 METERS

    Tanesia Johnson, Shawnee Heights        12.27

    Ciera Hartz, Topeka High                        12.51

    Keimara Marshall, Topeka High              12.57

    Karys Deiter, Silver Lake                         12.59

    Jurnee Cole, Highland Park                    12.63

    200 METERS

    Tanesia Johnson, Shawnee Heights        25.13

    Jurnee Cole, Highland Park                    26.04

    Sofia Harper, Hayden                             26.40

    Ciera Hartz, Topeka High                       26.48

    Jaylie Whitehead, Silver Lake                 26.72

    AliGerber2026trackSeaman 1Ali Gerber, Silver Lake

    400 METERS

    Ali Gerber, Silver Lake                            58.48

    Sofia Harper, Hayden                             58.83

    Keimara Marshall, Topeka High             59.07

    Alyson Hinck, Washburn Rural               60.13

    Julia Molleker, Seaman                           61.88

    AlysonHinck2026Regional 3Alyson Hinck, Washburn Rural (3)

    800 METERS

    Alyson Hinck, Washburn Rural         2:16.83

    Kinley Robinson, Seaman                 2:20.45

    Emily Graf, Washburn Rural              2:20.86

    Ryin Miller, Seaman                          2:23.65 

    Itzel Woods, Topeka High                 2:31.24

    EmilyGraf2026Trk 3Emily Graf, Washburn Rural

    1,600 METERS

    Emily Graf, Washburn Rural              5:13.49

    Alyson Hinck, Washburn Rural          5:14.04

    Brynn Spencer, Seaman                    5:15.09

    Kenzie Maddox, Washburn Rural      5:17.54

    Kinley Robinson, Seaman                  5:22.98

    3,200 METERS

    Emily Graf, Washburn Rural                11:06.46

    Kenzie Maddox, Washburn Rural        11:18.10

    Brynn Spencer, Seaman                      11:27.63

    Reese Beardslee, Washburn Rural       11:34.94

    Lily McCoy, Washburn Rural                14:09.97 

    100-METER HURDLES

    Karys Deiter, Silver Lake                      15.70

    Rylee Dick, Rossville                            16.44

    Marchayla White, Topeka High           17.74

    Megan Alderson, Washburn Rural      18.14

    Kaylyn Smith, Topeka West                 18.23

    300-METER HURDLES

    Rylee Dick, Rossville                           50.00

    Marchayla White, Topeka High          51.34

    Megan Alderson, Washburn Rural     51.60

    Journey Manhart, Silver Lake             53.33

    Avery Villines, Seaman                       54.18

    4x100-METER RELAY

    Topeka High                                        49.60

    Silver Lake                                           49.63

    Washburn Rural                                   50.53

    Seaman                                                51.42

    Topeka West                                        52.33

    4x400-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                                  4:06.84

    Silver Lake                                          4:07.17

    Topeka High                                       4:10.27

    Seaman                                               4:11.72

    Topeka West                                       4:26.38

    4x800-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                                     9:58.99 

    Topeka High                                        10:39.23

    Seaman                                                11:17.22

    Silver Lake                                            11:18.38

  • TSN Shawnee County final 2026 high school boys track honor roll

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    BOYS

    100 METERS

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural  10.36

    Malachi Murph, Topeka High                      10.91

    Braxton Rupp, Silver Lake                            10.96

    Emmitt Hochstedler, Seaman                       10.98

    Israel Edmonds, Washburn Rural                 11.02

    ChristianHartman Babb2026trackSeaman 3Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural

    200 METERS

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural    21.40

    Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural                    22.30

    Jayden Lindsey, Topeka West                        22.34

    Joel Miller, Silver Lake                                    22.59

    Jonel Tibbs, Topeka High                               22.60

    400 METERS

    Jason Slay, Shawnee Heights                         48.85

    Termaine Savage, Highland Park                    49.89

    Draden Chooncharoen, Washburn Rural       50.25

    Joel Miller, Silver Lake                                    50.68

    Thomas Fisher, Silver Lake                              51.28

    BrodyAnderson2026track 4Brody Anderson, Seaman

    800 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                       1:52.08

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural              1:56.64

    Cohen Thiessen, Washburn Rural           1:56.96

    Mason Haas, Shawnee Heights               2:02.62

    Everett Un, Washburn Rural                    2:03.26

    1,600 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                          4:08.2 (mile converted to meters)

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural                 4:20.32

    Cohen Thiessen, Washburn Rural              4:24.35

    Nick Newkirk, Hayden                                4:27.18

    Duke Graf, Washburn Rural                        4:32.87

    3,200 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                          9:05.70

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural                 9:23.61

    Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural               9:24.34

    Jaxson Adams, Washburn Rural                9:42.46

    Clayton Fink, Washburn Rural                   9:42.94

    110-METER HURDLES

    Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural                  14.07

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural   15.31

    Isiah Pennington, Seaman                            15.49

    Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park                   15.54

    De'sean Lunkins, Topeka High                      15.85

    LiamMorrison2026Trk 2Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural

    300-METER HURDLES

    Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural                    37.61

    Isiah Pennington, Seaman                              41.72

    Jackson Tuckwin, Washburn Rural                 42.01

    Kellan Parcaro, Seaman                                  42.03

    Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park                     42.09

    4x100-METER RELAY

    Topeka High                                                    42.20

    Washburn Rural                                               42.77

    Highland Park                                                  42.80

    Silver Lake                                                        42.95

    Seaman                                                            43.03

    4x400-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                                            3:21.82

    Shawnee Heights                                          3:21.91

    Silver Lake                                                     3:28.28

    Highland Park                                                3:28.48

    Topeka West                                                  3:29.56

    4x800-METER RELAY

    Seaman                                                         8:16.32

    Washburn Rural                                            8:16.60

    Shawnee Heights                                          8:24.81

    Silver Lake                                                     8:35.28

    Topeka High                                                  9:09.82

    HIGH JUMP

    Jack Esser, Seaman                                      6-4

    Bryson Burgos, Silver Lake                          6-0

    Archer Greene, Seaman                              5-10

    Creighton Frisby, Washburn Rural              5-8

    Sebastian Kingcade, Washburn Rural          5-8

    Cody Quy, Seaman                                      5-8

    POLE VAULT

    Keygan Breault, Silver Lake                       12-0

    Sam Bruntz, Silver Lake                            11-6

    Luke Deering, Washburn Rural                 11-6

    Sawyer Hermesch, Silver Lake                  10-0

    Desmond Grindol, Washburn Rural          10-0

    LONG JUMP

    Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park                  21-2.25

    Josh Brown, Seaman                                   21-0.50

    Owen Rottinghaus, Silver Lake                    21-0

    Joel Miller, Silver Lake                                 20-8

    Lucas Marichal, Topeka High/CPLS             20-7.25

    TRIPLE JUMP

    Lucas Marichal, Topeka High/CPLS            42-9.25

    Cody Quy, Seaman                                     42-8.50

    Bryson Burgos, Silver Lake                         42-2.50

    Camden Kruger, Silver Lake                       41-7.75

    Abe Heffley, Seaman                                  40-5.25

    SHOT PUT

    Charles Chance, Rossville                            50-5

    Amir Bass, Shawnee Heights                       48-4.25

    Sam Scott, Washburn Rural                         47-7

    Adrian Shuler, Shawnee Heights                 46-7

    Kelton Meier, Hayden                                  46-2,50

    DISCUS

    Zachary Hancock, Washburn Rural               163-4

    Myles Fisher, Silver Lake                               158-3

    Sam Garner, Shawnee Heights                     156-4

    Adam Humphrey, Topeka High                    148-8

    Kelton Meier, Hayden                                   142-10

    JAVELIN 

    Landon Lewis, Rossville                                 202-9

    Kelton Meier, Hayden                                   196-6

    Jackson Haas, Hayden                                   175-11

    Andre Johnson, Rossville                               170-5

    Dylan Tjachman, Washburn Rural                 169-11

     

  • State qualifiers, three state medalists headline 2026 All-Shawnee County golf

    Rick Peterson

    All ShawneeCountyBoysGolf2026 1The 2026 All-Shawnee County boys golf team: From left -- Evan Michalski, Seaman; Chase Hastert, Topeka High/Cair Paravel Latin; Caleb Cleverdon, Topeka High/Cair Paravel Latin; Peyton Goehring, Washburn Rural; Higgins Hawks, Washburn Rural; Michael Wilson, Washburn Rural; Wyatt Dean, Washburn Rural. Not pictured: Jack Donovan, Rossville. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Eight state qualifiers, including three state medalists and four members of a Washburn Rural team that won its 16th straight city championship, comprise the 2026 All-Shawnee County boys golf team. 

    Caleb Cleverdon, who competed for Cair Paravel Latin in the postseason and Topeka High in the regular season, finished a county-high second in last week's Class 2A state tournament while Rossville senior Jack Donovan, a three-time all-county first-team selection and four-time state medalist, finished fifth in 2A and CPLS sophomore Chase Hastert placed 17th.  

    Washburn Rural, which won its 16th straight city team championship, is represented on the All-Shawnee County team by senior repeat pick Higgins Hawks, senior city champion Peyton Goehring, senior Michael Wilson and sophomore Wyatt Dean.

    Rounding out the first team is Seaman senior Evan Michalski, a 5A individual qualifier with a tie for sixth place at regionals after tying for fourth in the United Kansas Conference tournament. 

    All-Shawnee County capsules:

  • TSN Shawnee County high school pre-state boys track honor roll

    Rick Peterson

    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 2026 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Coaches should designate whether times were fully automatic (FAT) or hand-timed. FAT times are considered .024 of a second faster than hand times. TopSports.news will rank the Top 5 in each event.

    BOYS

    100 METERS

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural  10.36

    Malachi Murph, Topeka High                      10.91

    Braxton Rupp, Silver Lake                            10.96

    Emmitt Hochstedler, Seaman                       10.98

    Israel Edmonds, Washburn Rural                 11.02

    ChristianHartman Babb2026trackSeaman 3Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural

    200 METERS

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural    21.78

    Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural                    22.30

    Jayden Lindsey, Topeka West                        22.34

    Joel Miller, Silver Lake                                    22.59

    Jonel Tibbs, Topeka High                               22.60

    400 METERS

    Jason Slay, Shawnee Heights                         48.85

    Termaine Savage, Highland Park                    49.89

    Draden Chooncharoen, Washburn Rural       50.25

    Joel Miller, Silver Lake                                    50.94

    Thomas Fisher, Silver Lake                              51.28

    BrodyAnderson2026track 4Brody Anderson, Seaman

    800 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                       1:53.34

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural              1:56.64

    Cohen Thiessen, Washburn Rural           1:58.65

    Mason Haas, Shawnee Heights               2:02.62

    Everett Un, Washburn Rural                    2:03.26

    1,600 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                          4:08.2 (mile converted to meters)

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural                 4:20.32

    Cohen Thiessen, Washburn Rural              4:24.35

    Nick Newkirk, Hayden                                4:27.18

    Duke Graf, Washburn Rural                        4:32.87

    3,200 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                          9:11.63

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural                 9:23.61

    Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural               9:24.34

    Jaxson Adams, Washburn Rural                9:42.46

    Clayton Fink, Washburn Rural                   9:42.94

    110-METER HURDLES

    Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural                  14.07

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural   15.31

    Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park                   15.54

    Isiah Pennington, Seaman                            15.53

    De'sean Lunkins, Topeka High                      15.85

    LiamMorrison2026Trk 2Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural

    300-METER HURDLES

    Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural                    37.61

    Jackson Tuckwin, Washburn Rural                 42.01

    Kellan Parcaro, Seaman                                  42.03

    Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park                     42.09

    Isiah Pennington, Seaman                              43.26

    4x100-METER RELAY

    Topeka High                                                    42.20

    Washburn Rural                                               42.77

    Highland Park                                                  42.80

    Seaman                                                            43.03

    Silver Lake                                                        43.28

    4x400-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                                            3:21.82

    Shawnee Heights                                          3:21.91

    Silver Lake                                                     3:28.28

    Highland Park                                                3:28.48

    Topeka West                                                  3:29.56

    4x800-METER RELAY

    Seaman                                                         8:16.32

    Washburn Rural                                            8:16.60

    Shawnee Heights                                          8:24.81

    Silver Lake                                                     8:35.28

    Topeka High                                                  9:09.82

    HIGH JUMP

    Jack Esser, Seaman                                      6-4

    Bryson Burgos, Silver Lake                          6-0

    Archer Greene, Seaman                              5-10

    Creighton Frisby, Washburn Rural              5-8

    Sebastian Kingcade, Washburn Rural          5-8

    Cody Quy, Seaman                                      5-8

    POLE VAULT

    Keygan Breault, Silver Lake                       12-0

    Sam Bruntz, Silver Lake                            11-6

    Luke Deering, Washburn Rural                 11-6

    Sawyer Hermesch, Silver Lake                  10-0

    Desmond Grindol, Washburn Rural          10-0

    LONG JUMP

    Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park                  21-2.25

    Josh Brown, Seaman                                   21-0.50

    Owen Rottinghaus, Silver Lake                    21-0

    Joel Miller, Silver Lake                                 20-8

    Lucas Marichal, Topeka High/CPLS             20-7.25

    TRIPLE JUMP

    Cody Quy, Seaman                                     42-8.50

    Lucas Marichal, Topeka High/CPLS            42-3.25

    Bryson Burgos, Silver Lake                         42-2.50

    Camden Kruger, Silver Lake                       41-7.75

    Abe Heffley, Seaman                                  40-5.25

    SHOT PUT

    Charles Chance, Rossville                            50-5

    Amir Bass, Shawnee Heights                       48-4.25

    Sam Scott, Washburn Rural                         47-7

    Adrian Shuler, Shawnee Heights                 46-7

    Kelton Meier, Hayden                                  46-2,50

    DISCUS

    Zachary Hancock, Washburn Rural               163-4

    Myles Fisher, Silver Lake                               158-3

    Sam Garner, Shawnee Heights                     156-4

    Adam Humphrey, Topeka High                    148-8

    Kelton Meier, Hayden                                   142-10

    JAVELIN 

    Landon Lewis, Rossville                                 202-9

    Kelton Meier, Hayden                                   196-6

    Jackson Haas, Hayden                                   175-11

    Dylan Tjachman, Washburn Rural                 169-11

    Andre Johnson, Rossville                               170-5

     

     

  • TSN Shawnee County high school pre-state girls track honor roll

    Rick Peterson

    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 2026 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Coaches should designate whether times were fully automatic (FAT) or hand-timed. FAT times are considered .024 of a second faster than hand times. TopSports.news will rank the Top 5 in each event.

    GIRLS

    100 METERS

    Tanesia Johnson, Shawnee Heights        12.27

    Ciera Hartz, Topeka High                        12.51

    Keimara Marshall, Topeka High              12.57

    Karys Deiter, Silver Lake                         12.59

    Jurnee Cole, Highland Park                    12.63

    200 METERS

    Tanesia Johnson, Shawnee Heights        25.41

    Jurnee Cole, Highland Park                    26.04

    Sofia Harper, Hayden                             26.40

    Ciera Hartz, Topeka High                       26.48

    Jaylie Whitehead, Silver Lake                 26.72

    400 METERS

    Keimara Marshall, Topeka High             59.07

    Ali Gerber, Silver Lake                            59.19

    Sofia Harper, Hayden                             59.44

    Alyson Hinck, Washburn Rural               60.13

    Julia Molleker, Seaman                           61.88

    AlysonHinck2026Regional 3Alyson Hinck, Washburn Rural (3)

    800 METERS

    Alyson Hinck, Washburn Rural         2:16.83

    Kinley Robinson, Seaman                 2:20.45

    Emily Graf, Washburn Rural              2:20.86

    Ryin Miller, Seaman                          2:23.65 

    Itzel Woods, Topeka High                 2:31.24

    EmilyGraf2026Trk 3Emily Graf, Washburn Rural

    1,600 METERS

    Emily Graf, Washburn Rural              5:13.49

    Alyson Hinck, Washburn Rural          5:14.04

    Brynn Spencer, Seaman                    5:15.09

    Kenzie Maddox, Washburn Rural      5:17.54

    Kinley Robinson, Seaman                  5:22.98

    3,200 METERS

    Emily Graf, Washburn Rural                11:06.46

    Kenzie Maddox, Washburn Rural        11:18.10

    Brynn Spencer, Seaman                      11:27.63

    Reese Beardslee, Washburn Rural       11:34.94

    Lily McCoy, Washburn Rural                14:09.97 

    100-METER HURDLES

    Karys Deiter, Silver Lake                      15.70

    Rylee Dick, Rossville                            16.44

    Marchayla White, Topeka High           17.74

    Megan Alderson, Washburn Rural      18.14

    Kaylyn Smith, Topeka West                 18.23

    300-METER HURDLES

    Rylee Dick, Rossville                           50.00

    Marchayla White, Topeka High          51.34

    Megan Alderson, Washburn Rural     51.60

    Journey Manhart, Silver Lake             53.33

    Avery Villines, Seaman                       54.18

    4x100-METER RELAY

    Topeka High                                        49.60

    Silver Lake                                           50.29

    Washburn Rural                                   50.53

    Seaman                                                51.42

    Topeka West                                        52.33

    4x400-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                                  4:06.84

    Silver Lake                                          4:07.17

    Topeka High                                       4:10.27

    Seaman                                               4:11.72

    Topeka West                                       4:26.38

    4x800-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                                     9:58.99 

    Topeka High                                        10:39.23

    Seaman                                                11:17.22

    Silver Lake                                            11:18.38

  • Shawnee County sending huge contingent to state track and field

    Rick Peterson

    9By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Sixty-seven individual qualifiers in 83 events are set to represent Shawnee County in Friday and Saturday's state track and field championships in and around Wichita State's Cessna Stadium while county teams are also qualified to compete in 19 total relays.

    Big-school 3,200-meter runs as well as field event competition are scheduled to get under way at 7:45 a.m. Friday, followed by preliminaties in Class 6A, 5A, 4A.

    Competition will resume on Saturday, with field events at 8 a.m. and running events at 8:30.

    Shawnee County athletes to watch: 

    ChristianHartman Babb2026Regional 4Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural

    • Washburn Rural junior Christian Hartman-Babb swept the 100 and 200-meter titles in last Friday's Class 6A regional and ran the leadoff leg on the Junior Blues' winning 4x400-meter relay team.

    Hartman-Babb recorded 6A fastest 100 regional time (10.36 seconds) and tied for the fastest time in the 200 (21.83).

    BrodyAnderson2026Trk 1Brody Anderson, Seaman

    • Seaman senior Brody Anderson finished third in the Class 5A 800 meters last season and is qualified in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 this weekend.

    Anderson is likely to go head to head with Kapaun Mt. Carmel star Daniel Enriquez in all three events and is ranked No. 2 based on regional times in the 1,600 (4:15.23), fifth in the 800 (1:55.12) and eighth in the 3,200 (9:29.78).

    BrooksKehoe2026Regional 7Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural

    • Washburn Rural senior Brooks Kehoe helped lead the Junior Blues to the Class 6A state cross country championship last fall and won the 1,600 and 3,200 meters in last Friday's regional meet.

    Kehoe is ranked No. 10 in the 1,600 (4:26.88) and No. 12 (9:52.39) in the 3,200 based on regional performances.

    MorganRay2026Regional 1Morgan Ray, Washburn Rural

    • Washburn Rural senior Morgan Ray placed second in the Class 6A girls javelin a season ago and is expected to challenge for the title again this weekend.

    Ray captured the regional championship in her specialty with a throw of 141 feet, 6 inches and is ranked third in 6A based on regional throws.

    • Shawnee Heights freshman girls sprinter Tanesia Johnson has been a star since she stepped on Heights' campus and is expected to be a factor in the 100 and 200 this weekend.

    Johnson ranks No. 4 in 5A in the 100 (12.34) and 200 (25.41) based on regional times.

    • Rossville's Landen Lewis and Hayden's Kelton Meier are expected to contend for state boys javelin titles this weekend.

    Lewis is the No. 1 Class 2A thrower in the state at 181-8 based on regional performances while Meier ranks No. 2 in 4A at 190-7.  

    SHAWNEE COUNTY STATE TRACK AND FIELD QUALIFIERS

    BOYS

    Class 6A

    Topeka High -- Adam Humphrey (discus), De'sean Lunkins (110 hurdles), Malachi Murph (100), 4x100 relay. 

    Washburn Rural -- Jaxson Adams (3,200), Christian Hartman-Babb (100, 200), Zachary Hancock (discus), Brooks Kehoe (1,600, 3,200), Sam Scott (shot put), Dylan Tajchman (javelin), Cohen Thiessen (800, 1,600), 4x400 relay, 4x800 relay.

    Class 5A

    Highland Park -- Termaine Savage (400), 4x100 relay.

  • Rural's Good, Appuhn top 2026 All-City girls swimming and diving team

    Rick Peterson

    All Citygirlsswimming1st2026 1The 2026 All-City girls swimming and diving team -- Front, from left: Kaelyn Gerdel, Hayden; Riley Strother, Seaman; Hara Del Castillo, Topeka High; Rhiannon Good, Washburn Rural; Kaitlyn Aldridge, Shawnee Heights. Back, from left: Avery Skinner, Topeka High; Megan Strobel, Seaman; Clara Sobba, Shawnee Heights; Sophie Heinen, Washburn Rural; Ava Von Lintel, Wasnburn Rural; Audrey Appuhn, Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Washburn Rural senior Rhiannon Good, a two-time Class 6A state diving medalist, and senior 16-time city and Centennial League individual champion Audrey Appuhn headline the 2026 All-City girls swimming and diving team.

    Good returned from ACL surgery late in the season to post her second straight top-five finish in the 6A state meet while Appuhn, a multi-time state medalist capped her oustanding career by finishing eight of eight in career individual races in both the city and Centennial League meets.

    Rural, which won its 23nd straight city title, put a city-high four swimmers on the All-City first team, which is determined by performances in the city meet.

    Washburn Rural put Appuhn, Good and senior repeat picks Sophie Heinen and Ava Von Lintel on the first team while Topeka High senior Hara Del Castillo joins Appuhn as a four-time All-City first-team pick.

    Shawnee Heights is represented on the All-City first team by junior repeat picks Kaitlyn Aldridge and Clara Sobba while Seaman is represented by senior Megan Strobel and sophomore Riley Strother after the Vikings finished second as a team in the city meet.

    Junior Kaelyn Gerdel, a two-time city and Centennial League champ, represents Hayden on the All-City first team while Topeka High freshman city champ Avery Skinner joins Del Castillo on the first team.

    All-City first-team capsules:

  • Seaman, West produce multiple 5A state track qualifiers

    By CHARLES SPURLOCK

    Special to TopSports.news

    Topeka West served as the host of a Class 5A track and field regional track and field meet on Friday at Hummer Sports Park, with city schools Seaman and Topeka West both competing.

     

    The top three qualifiers of each event advanced to the 2026 state meet next Friday and Saturday (May 29-30) at Wichita State's Cessna Stadium. The remaining qualifiers will be the six best qualifiers from across the state's four regionals.

    Seaman junior Jack Esser began the meet by winning the boys high jump by clearing 6-foot-4. 

    JaydenLindsay2026track 2Topeka West's Jayden Lindsey won a Class 5A regional title in the 200-meter dash Friday at Hummer Sports Park. [File photo/TSN]

    The city contingent had one other regional champion, with Topeka West senior Jayden Lindsey winning the boys 200-meter dash in a personal-best time of 22.34,

    where seven of the eight runners all finished within the 22-second window.

     

    BrynnSpencer2026track 2Seaman junior Brynn Spencer qualified for the Class 5A state meet in both the 1,600 and 3,200. [File photo/TSN]

    Seaman junior Brynn Spencer qualified for the state meet in a pair of girls distance events.

     

    In the girls 1,600 meters, Spencer finished third in a personal best of 5:15.09.

     

    “I knew all the times were close going in and I was pretty nervous going through the day, but I was trying to make the most of it,'' Spencer said. "I wanted to get out fast and get a lead on the ones behind me and stick with the ones in front of me. I think I executed pretty well and stayed focused.”

    In the 3,200 meter race, Spencer also finished third in a time of 11:28.99.

     

    Her strategy was a little different in the 3,00 race.

    “I knew the times were going to be more spread out, so my main goal was to run a fast time and not worry too much about the placement,'' Spencer said. "I knew the two girls in front of me were going to get out and go, so I wanted to make sure I kept a lead over the girl behind me.”

    Seaman senior Brody Anderson followed up his three race sweep at the United Kansas Conference with three qualifying times in the boys 800, 1,600 and 3,200-meter races.

    His first event of the day, the 1,600 meters, he finished second with a time of 4:15.23, just two-hundredths of a second behind winner Daniel Enriquez of Wichita’s Kapaun Mt. Carmel (4:15.21).

    “The race was smooth and at the end I wanted to save a bit for the 800 and qualify,” Anderson said.

    The 800 meters was a highly contested race, with four runners going under two minutes. Anderson finished in third with a time of 1:55.12.

    “The 800 felt super smooth and in the last 100 meters, I let those guys go (the top two finishers) knowing I had eight more laps to run (in the 3,200 meters),” Anderson said.

    His final event of the meet was the 3,200 meters, where he also placed third in a time of 9:29.78.

    “It was matter of hanging on as I was hurting the last couple of laps after the long day,'' Anderson said. "This was just my second time running in three events in one meet, so I was pleased to qualify in three events next week.''

    Anderson will have an advantage next week by not having to run all three events on the same day. The 3,200 will take place on Friday morning with the remaining two events happening on Saturday.

    Friday's morning session will have the preliminaries for classes 4A-6A and will begin with the finals of the 3,200 at 7:45 a.m.

    The afternoon session will begin at 2:10 with the preliminaries for classes 1A-3A with the final event of the day, the 3,200 meter finals, starting at 7:00 p.m.

    Championship Saturday will begin with the preliminaries of the 100 meter dash at 8:30 a.m. and conclude with the 4x400 relays at approximately 7:30 p.m.

    Other city qualifiers:

    • Seaman freshman Baylee Ayres finished second in the girls high jump with a clearance of 5-2.

    • The Seaman boys 4x800 relay team -- Gage Geiger, Drake Spurlock, Conner Bloom and Trindon Jones -- qualified for the state meet by finishing fourth in a season best time of 8:16.32.
    • Sophomore Alyssa Babcock of Topeka West finished third in the girls discus with a personal best throw of 114-0
    • The girls 4x400 relay team from Seaman -- Brynn Scheid, Kinley Robinson, Jemah Cebulski and Julia Molleker -- qualified for the state meet by finishing third in a time of 4:11.72.

    CLASS 5A REGIONAL TRACK & FIELD

  • TSN Shawnee County high school girls track honor roll May 18, 2026

    Rick Peterson

    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 2026 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Coaches should designate whether times were fully automatic (FAT) or hand-timed. FAT times are considered .024 of a second faster than hand times. TopSports.news will rank the Top 5 in each event.

    GIRLS

    100 METERS

    Tanesia Johnson, Shawnee Heights        12.27

    Keimara Marshall, Topeka High              12.57

    Karys Deiter, Silver Lake                         12.59

    Jurnee Cole, Highland Park                    12.66

    Adriana Raub, Washburn Rural              12.75

    200 METERS

    Tanesia Johnson, Shawnee Heights        25.83

    Jurnee Cole, Highland Park                    26.04

    Ciera Hartz, Topeka High                       26.48

    Jaylie Whitehead, Silver Lake                 26.72

    Karys Deiter, Silver Lake                         26.82

    KeimaraMarshall2026trackSeaman 1Keimara Marshall, Topeka High

    400 METERS

    Keimara Marshall, Topeka High             59.07

    Ali Gerber, Silver Lake                            59.19

    Sofia Harper, Hayden                             59.44

    Alyson Hinck, Washburn Rural               60.13

    Julia Molleker, Seaman                           61.88

    800 METERS

    Emily Graf, Washburn Rural              2:20.86

    Alyson Hinck, Washburn Rural         2:21.50

    Kinley Robinson, Seaman                 2:23.63

    Ryin Miller, Seaman                         2:23.65 

    Clara Dillon, Washburn Rural            2:33.45

    EmilyGraf2026Trk 3Emily Graf, Washburn Rural

    1,600 METERS

    Emily Graf, Washburn Rural              5:13.49

    Alyson Hinck, Washburn Rural          5:14.04

    Brynn Spencer, Seaman                    5:15.78

    Kenzie Maddox, Washburn Rural      5:17.54

    Kinley Robinson, Seaman                  5:22.98

    3,200 METERS

    Emily Graf, Washburn Rural                11:06.46

    Kenzie Maddox, Washburn Rural        11:18.36

    Brynn Spencer, Seaman                      11:27.63

    Reese Beardslee, Washburn Rural       11:34.94

    Lily McCoy, Washburn Rural                14:09.97 

    100-METER HURDLES

    Karys Deiter, Silver Lake                      15.70

    Rylee Dick, Rossville                            16.44

    Marchayla White, Topeka High           17.74

    Megan Alderson, Washburn Rural      18.14

    Kaylyn Smith, Topeka West                 18.23

    300-METER HURDLES

    Rylee Dick, Rossville                           50.00

    Marchayla White, Topeka High          51.34

    Megan Alderson, Washburn Rural     51.60

    Journey Manhart, Silver Lake             53.33

    Avery Villines, Seaman                       54.18

    4x100-METER RELAY

    Topeka High                                        49.60

    Silver Lake                                           50.29

    Washburn Rural                                   50.55

    Seaman                                                51.63

    Topeka West                                        52.33

    4x400-METER RELAY

    Silver Lake                                          4:09.56

    Topeka High                                       4:10.27

    Washburn Rural                                  4:11.18

    Seaman                                               4:20.94

    Topeka West                                       4:26.38

    4x800-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                                  10:12.53 

    Topeka High                                        10:39.23

    Seaman                                                11:17.22

    Silver Lake                                            11:18.38

  • TSN Shawnee County high school boys track honor roll for May 18 2026

    Rick Peterson

    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 2026 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Coaches should designate whether times were fully automatic (FAT) or hand-timed. FAT times are considered .024 of a second faster than hand times. TopSports.news will rank the Top 5 in each event.

    BOYS

    100 METERS

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural  10.43

    Malachi Murph, Topeka High                      10.91

    Braxton Rupp, Silver Lake                            10.96

    Emmitt Hochstedler, Seaman                       10.98

    Israel Edmonds, Washburn Rural                 11.02

    ChristianHartman Babb2026trackSeaman 3Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural

    200 METERS

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural    21.78

    Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural                    22.30

    Jayden Lindsey, Topeka West                        22.38

    Jonel Tibbs, Topeka High                               22.60

    Joel Miller, Silver Lake                                    22.65

    400 METERS

    Jason Slay, Shawnee Heights                         49.89

    Draden Chooncharoen, Washburn Rural       50.25

    Termaine Savage, Highland Park                    50.61

    Joel Miller, Silver Lake                                    50.94

    Thomas Fisher, Silver Lake                              51.28

    BrodyAnderson2026track 4Brody Anderson, Seaman

    800 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                       1:53.34

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural              1:56.64

    Cohen Thiessen, Washburn Rural           1:59.79

    Mason Haas, Shawnee Heights               2:02.62

    Everett Un, Washburn Rural                    2:03.26

    1,600 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                          4:08.2 (mile converted to meters)

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural                 4:20.32

    Cohen Thiessen, Washburn Rural              4:24.35

    Nick Newkirk, Hayden                                4:27.18

    Duke Graf, Washburn Rural                        4:32.87

    3,200 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                          9:11.63

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural                 9:23.61

    Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural               9:24.34

    Jaxson Adams, Washburn Rural                9:42.46

    Clayton Fink, Washburn Rural                   9:42.94

    110-METER HURDLES

    Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural                  14.07

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural   15.31

    Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park                   15.54

    Isiah Pennington, Seaman                            15.71

    De'sean Lunkins, Topeka High                      15.85

    LiamMorrison2026Trk 2Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural

    300-METER HURDLES

    Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural                    37.61

    Kellan Parcaro, Seaman                                  42.03

    Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park                     42.09

    Isiah Pennington, Seaman                              43.26

    Colin Miller, Silver Lake                                  43.41

    4x100-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                                               42.77

    Topeka High                                                    42.90

    Seaman                                                            43.27

    Silver Lake                                                        43.28

    Topeka High                                                     43.52

    4x400-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                                            3:21.82

    Shawnee Heights                                          3:23.24

    Silver Lake                                                     3:28.28

    Highland Park                                                3:28.48

    Topeka High                                                   3:33.40

    4x800-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                                            8:21.93

    Shawnee Heights                                          8:33.62

    Seaman                                                         8:34.58

    Silver Lake                                                     8:57.48

    Topeka High                                                  9:09.82

    HIGH JUMP

    Jack Esser, Seaman                                      6-4

    Bryson Burgos, Silver Lake                          6-0

    Archer Greene, Seaman                              5-10

    Creighton Frisby, Washburn Rural              5-8

    Sebastian Kingcade, Washburn Rural          5-8

    Cody Quy, Seaman                                      5-8

    POLE VAULT

    Keygan Breault, Silver Lake                       12-0

    Sam Bruntz, Silver Lake                            11-6

    Luke Deering, Washburn Rural                 11-6

    Sawyer Hermesch, Silver Lake                  10-0

    Desmond Grindol, Washburn Rural          10-0

    LONG JUMP

    Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park                  21-2.25

    Josh Brown, Seaman                                 21-0.50

    Owen Rottinghaus, Silver Lake                  21-0

    Joel Miller, Silver Lake                                20-8

    Lucas Marichal, Topeka High/CPLS            20-7.25

    TRIPLE JUMP

    Bryson Burgos, Silver Lake                         42-2.50

    Camden Kruger, Silver Lake                       41-7

    Lucas Marichal, Topeka High/CPLS            40-11

    Abe Heffley, Seaman                                  40-5.25

    De'drian Keeling, Topeka West                   40-3.75

    SHOT PUT

    Amir Bass, Shawnee Heights                       47-11

    Sam Scott, Washburn Rural                         47-7

    Kelton Meier, Hayden                                  46-2,50

    Charles Chance, Rossville                             46-0

    Brogen Brown, Seaman                               45-10.75

    DISCUS

    Zachary Hancock, Washburn Rural              163-4

    Sam Garner, Shawnee Heights                     156-4

    Myles Fisher, Silver Lake                               151-3

    Adam Humphrey, Topeka High                     146-8

    Kelton Meier, Hayden                                    142-10

    JAVELIN 

    Landon Lewis, Rossville                                 202-9

    Kelton Meier, Hayden                                   196-6

    Jackson Haas, Hayden                                   175-3

    Dylan Tjachman, Washburn Rural                 167-4

    Andre Johnson, Rossville                               166-5

     

     

  • State qualifiers, 10 medalists earn spots on 2026 All-City boys tennis team

    Rick Peterson

    All Cityboystennis2026 1The 2026 All-City boys tennis team -- Front, from left: Kieffer O'Connor, Washburn Rural; Greyson Jones, Washburn Rural; Jonah Arnold, Cair Paravel; Zander Rice, Topeka West; Owen Stewart, Seaman; Dayton Schneider, Seaman. Back, from left: Cale Deutscher, Washburn Rural; Dylan Willingham, Washburn Rural; Ben Tryhus, Washburn Rural; Drew Fay, Cair Paravel; Collin McGee, Topeka West; Tres Lassiter, Topeka High. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Twelve state qualifiers, including 10 state medalists in three different classes, comprise the 2026 All-City boys tennis team. 

    Cair Paravel Latin senior singles player Drew Fay, a four-time Class 3A-1A state qualifier and three-time state medalist, posted a city-high fifth-place state finish while Lion freshman Jonah Arnold finished 12th in singles as Cair Paravel finished fourth as a team.

    Four city doubles teams also earned state medals in 6A and 5A.

    Washburn Rural's senior doubles teams of Kieffer O'Connor and Ben Tryhus and Cale Deutscher and Kieffer O'Connor finished ninth and 10th, respectively, in 6A while Topeka West sophomore Collin McGee and junior Zander Rice and Seaman seniors Dayton Schneider and Owen Stewart finished ninth and 10th in 5A doubles.

    Rounding out the All-City team are Topeka High senior singles player Tres Lassiter and Washburn Rural junior singles player Greyson Jones.

    Lassiter was a runnerup in city, Centennial League and 6A regional tournaments before posting a 2-2 record at state while Jones was the city champion in No. 2 singles and went on to qualify for state while helping the Junior Blues capture city, league and regional championships.

    All-City tennis capsules:

  • Vikings, T-Birds qualify four players for Class 5A state boys golf

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Seaman and Shawnee Heights fell short of of earning state team berths in Monday's Class 5A sub-state golf regional at Shawnee Country Club, but the Vikings and T-Birds will still be well-represented in next week's state tournament at Wichita.

    Regionalgolf5A 5Shawnee Heights' Joey Hohman and Andrew Schulte and Seaman's Hunter Gerhardt and Evan Michalski all qualified as individuals for next week's Class 5A state golf tournament at Wichita. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN] 

    Seaman and Shawnee Heights finished fourth and fifth in the team standings, with only the top three teams moving on, but the Vikings qualified Evan Michalski and Hunter Gerhardt for state while the T-Birds qualified Joey Hohman and Andrew Schulte.

    "I'm proud of the kids,'' Seaman coach Rick Rineberg said. "We really did a good job battling today. We kind of got off to a weird start with the weather and the thunderstorm and we had a 30-minute delay, but all in all I'm really proud of the kids. I felt like they did a good job of minimizing the big scores and maximizing their opportunities for pars.

    "I'm super proud of Evan and Hunter. They've done a great job for us all year. Evan especially has come on super hot lately. He did a great job last week at league and Hunter's been Mr. Consistent all year and he utilized that again today.''

    Shawnee Heights coach Jane Yi was also extremely happy with her team's sub-state performance.

    "I'm very excited,'' Yi said. "This was a hard field and my team's really young. I did have a senior but overall they're juniors and a sophomore and it's hard to score well when you're young. They just came out of JV last year going into varsity and regionals is very stressful.''

    EvanMichalski2026golf 2Seaman's Evan Michalski led the city contingent in Monday's Class 5A sub-state at Shawnee Country Club with a 77. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    JoeyHohman2026golf 1Joey Hohman shot an 81 to pace Shawnee Heights in Monday's Class 5A sub-state at Shawnee Country Club. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Seaman's Michalski paced the city contingent with a tie for sixth place (77), while Heights' Hohman shot an 81 and Seaman's Gerhardt and Heights' Schulte both shot 83s.

    St. James Academy captured the team championship with a four-person score of 302, while Blue Valley Southwest (303) and St. Thomas Aquinas (318) earned the final two team berths.

    Seaman finished fourth at 332 while Shawnee Heights was fifth at 335 and Topeka West finished sixth at 389.

    The 5A state tournament will be contested on Tuesday May 26 and Wednesday May 27 at Wichita's Tallgrass Golf Club.

    CLASS 5A BOYS GOLF SUB-STATE

  • TSN city pre-state girls high school swimming and diving honor roll

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    NOTE: TopSports.news will compile a weekly girls swimming and diving honor roll for Topeka high schools throughout the 2026 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

    200-YARD MEDLEY RELAY

    Washburn Rural                2:11.82

    Shawnee Heights              2:14.60

    Seaman                             2:18.07            

    Hayden                              2:25.76

    Topeka High                      2:41.23

    KaelynGerdelSWIMMING2026 3Kaelyn Gerdel, Hayden

    200-YARD FREESTYLE

    Kaelyn Gerdel, Hayden                      2:11.68

    Avery Skinner, Topeka High               2:14.96

    Ava Von Lintel, Washburn Rural         2:28.77

    Megan Strobel, Seaman                     2:37.54

    Stella Berry, Washburn Rural              2:43.23

    AudreyAppuhn2026swimming 2Audrey Appuhn, Washburn Rural

    200-YARD INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY

    Audrey Appuhn, Washburn Rural      2:19.72

    Hara Del Castillo, Topeka High           2:34.07

    Kaitlyn Aldridge, Shawnee Heights    2:34.20

    Riley Strother, Seaman                       2:51.05

    Avery Skinner, Seaman                       2:51.97 

    ClaraSobbaSWIMMING2026 1Clara Sobba, Shawnee Heights

    50-YARD FREESTYLE

    Clara Sobba, Shawnee Heights            26.94

    Sophie Heinen, Washburn Rural          27.28

    Riley Strother, Seaman                         27.61

    Hara Del Castillo, Topeka High             27.76

    Ava Carlson, Seaman                            28.56

    RhiannonGood2026diving 1Rhiannon Good, Washburn Rural

    ONE-METER DIVING

    Rhiannan Good, Washburn Rural         239.85 (six dives) 446.40 (11 dives) 

    Avery Rosenow, Hayden/CPLS             188.55 (six dives) 359.65 (11 dives

    Mackenzie Caryl, Topeka High             147.45

    Abigail Culbertson, Topeka High          122.50

    Madilyn Typer, Seaman                        105.40

  • State tennis: Lions' Fay tops city contingent with fifth-place 3A-1A finish

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Cair Paravel Latin senior Drew Fay wrapped up his outstanding high school career Saturday in Prairie Village with a fifth-place singles finish in Class 3A-1A.

    DrewFay2026city 1Cair Paravel senior Drew Fay finished fifth in Class 3A-1A singles Saturday, earning his third straight state medal. [File photo/TSN]

    A four-time state qualifier, Fay posted his third straight top-five state finish, taking an 8-0 win over Hoisington sophomore Jasper Pawlowski in the fifth-place match.

    Fay placed second in 3A-1A state doubles as a junior after finishing fourth in singles as a sophomore.

    Cair Paravel freshman Jonah Arnold also earned a state singles medal in his first state tournament with a 12th-place finish, dropping an 8-4 decision to Sterling freshman Lathem Kizzar in the 11th-place match. 

    Cair Paravel finished fourth in the team standings.

    OConnorTryhus2026tennis 1Washburn Rural seniors Ben Tryhus (facing) and Kieffer O'Connor placed ninth in Class 6A doubles Saturday in Wichita. [File photo/TSN]

     Washburn Rural's senior doubles teams of Kieffer O'Connor and Ben Tryhus and Cale Deutscher and Dylan Willingham faced off for the fourth time over the last three tournaments and the second time in the Class 6A state tournament in Saturday's ninth-place match in Wichita, with O'Connor and Tryhus taking an 8-5 win.

    Deutscher and Willingham earned state medals for the second straight season, with Saturday's 10th-place showing following a seventh-place showing in the 2025 state tournament. 

    Rural finished sixth in the 6A team standings.

    McGeeRice2026tennis 1Topeka West's Collin McGee (left) teamed with Zander Rice to finish ninth in Class 5A doubles Saturday in Andover. [File photo/TSN]

    Topeka West's doubles team of sophomore Collin McGee and junior Zander Rice posted a ninth-place doubles finish in 5A, taking a win by default over Seaman seniors Dayton Schneider and Owen Stewart in the ninth-place match.

    Related Stories and Videos

  • Topeka High baseball sweeps twinbill from USD 501 rival Topeka West

    Todd Fertig

    By TODD FERTIG

    TopSports.news

    It took some late-night heroics, but the Topeka High baseball team swept rival Topeka West at Hummer Sports Park to give themselves some momentum for the postseason.

    DraydenAccosta2026TH 2Topeka High senior Drayden Accosta delivered the game-winning hit to give the Trojans a sweep over USD 501 rival Topeka West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TS]

    After letting a four-run lead disappear in the top of the seventh inning of the nightcap, Topeka High's Drayden Accosta belted a game-winning single to right field to preserve the Senior Night sweep.

    The Trojans won the opening game 9-4, then avoided the collapse in the second game, winning 7-6.

    Topeka High led the second game 6-2 in the top of the seventh, but Topeka West rallied with four runs to force the Trojans to win it in the bottom of the inning. With a runner at second, Accosta came through.

    “My mindset was, anything over the plate, I’m hunting fastball, knowing that it’s gonna come, knowing (the Charger pitcher) doesn’t want to walk me,” Accosta said. “He gave me a pitch to drive, and I did what I was supposed to do with it.

    “There’s no better way to end my time, at Hummer. I mean, I’ve been playing here for four years, and I’ve loved every minute of it.”

    The wins gave Topeka High an 11-14 record to close the regular season. Trojan coach Cody Miller said it would have been a shame to let that one get away.

    “I think sometimes you take teams a little for granted and you think things are going to happen, but you’ve got to go make things happen,'' Miller said. "And we didn’t do that. And West woke up and swung the bats, to their credit. At least Drayden ended it for us there in the last inning.

    “We definitely needed it. We’ve had a tough run here the last month or so. We’ve played a lot of good teams. The Centennial League is up this year, so we faced a lot of good opponents.”

    In the first game, pitcher Trojan Caiden Tyrell held the Chargers to four runs over six innings. Cole Haubold handled the seventh by striking out four Chargers, including one who reached when the third strike eluded the

    Miller said he hopes the sweep gives the Trojans some momentum going into the postseason.

    “I think we’re going to get the same Wichita East team that we just played yesterday, that we know we can beat,” Miller said. “We’ll be ready to go.”

    GAME ONE

    TOPEKA HIGH 9, TOPEKA WEST 4

    Topeka West 002 110 0 -- 4 6 3

    Topeka High 103 302 x -- 9 9 1

    Babcock, Vogel (4) and Downing. Tyrell, Haubold (7) and Gonzalez. W --Tyrell. L -- Babcock. 2B -- Topeka High: Accosta.

    GAME TWO

    TOPEKA HIGH 7, TOPEKA WEST 6

    Topeka West (4-21)  100 010 4 -- 6 9 3

    Topeka High (11-14) 031 011 1 -- 9 9 1

    Calvert, Walker (5) and Babcock. Heald, Stamper (6) and Roman-Chavez. W -- Stamper. L -- Walker. 3B -- Topeka High: Toland.

  • Ten city players, including four doubles teams, advance to final day of state boys tennis

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Ten Topeka high school tennis players in three classes assured themselves of state medals (top12 places) with solid performances in Friday's opening day of state tournaments across the state.

    None of the city's 25 state qualifiers got through Friday unbeaten but four city doubles teams punched their tickets to Saturday's place matches while Cair Paravel Latin advanced both singles players, Drew Fay and Jonah Arnold.

    Saturday's matches will begin at 9 a.m. across the state.

    DeutscherWillingham2026City 1Seniors Cale Deutscher (left) and Dylan Willingham went 2-1 on the opening day of the Class 6A state tournament to advance to Saturday's place matches. [File photo/TSN]

    Class 6A at Wichita Riverside Tennis Complex

    Washburn Rural's senior doubles teams of Cale Deutscher and Dylan Willingham and Kieffer O'Connor and Ben Tryhus both advanced to Saturday's matches and can still finish as high as fifth place.

    O'Connor and Tryhus (28-7) went 3-1 on the day, with their lone loss to teammates Deutscher and Willingham while regional champions Deutscher and Willingham (29-5) went 1-1 after receiving a first-round bye.

    Deutscher and Willingham, the No. 5 seed, placed seventh in the 2025 state tournament. 

    Topeka High's doubles team of seniors Victor Arriaga and Christian Sink went 0-2 in the tournament while Trojan senior singles player Tres Lassiter went 2-2 Friday, missing the place matches by one win.

    Washburn Rural junior singles player Greyson Jones went 0-2 Friday.

    CollinMcGee2026tennisUKC 2Topeka West sophomore Collin McGee and junior doubles partner Zander Rice advanced to the final day of the Class 5A state tournament. [File photo/TSN]       

    Class 5A Andover Tennis Complex

    Topeka West's doubles teams of sophomore Collin McGee and junior Zander Rice and the Seaman doubles team of seniors Dayton Schneider and Owen Stewart both assured themselves of Class 5A state medals Friday at the Andover Tennis Complex.

    McGee and Rice (31-11) are the No. 13 seed and went 3-1 on the day while No. 18 seed Schneider and Stewart (25-10) advanced with a 2-1 record and both teams can finish as high as fifth in 5A.

    Seaman sophomore singles player Camden Dutton went 2-2 on the day, coming within one win of moving on to Saturday's place matches.

    The Seaman doubles team of sophomores Aaron Sampson and Cooper Hopeck and freshman singles player Kenton Myrick both went 0-2 Friday.  

    DrewFay2026city 1Cair Paravel senior Drew Fay has assured himself of a third straight Class 3A-1A state medal. [File photo/TSN]

    Class 3A-1A at Prairie Village Harmon Park Tennis Complex

    Cair Paravel Latin senior singles player Drew Fay and Lion freshman singles player Jonah Arnold both advanced to the Saturday place matches in the Class 3A-1A state tournament.

    Fay (28-3), who finished second in 3A-1A doubles last season, went 2-1 on the day while Arnold (14-6) went 3-1 in his first state tournament.

    The Cair Paravel doubles team of senior Joey Thoennes and junior David Toenjes went 0-2.

    Class 4A at Topeka Kossover Tennis Center

    Hayden's senior doubles team of William Luke and Brock Reynoldson came within a win of advancing to Saturday's Class 4A place matches, going 2-2 on Friday, while the Wildcat doubles team of sophomore Patrick Luke and freshman Miles Allphin and junior singles player Brek Wahlmeier went winless in its two matches.

     

    Related Stories and Videos

  • Seaman's Anderson records distance sweep to pace city UKC contingent

    By CHARLES SPURLOCK

    Special to TopSports.news

    KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Piper swept both team titles in Thursday's United Kansas Conference track and field championships while Seaman senior Brody Anderson swept all three of his individual events to pace the city contingent.

     

    Piper's girls won seven total events while the Pirate boys posted five total wins in windy conditions at Turner.

    BrodyAnderson2026Citytrack 1Seaman senior Brody Anderson swept the 800, 1,600 and 3,200-meter events in Thursday's UKC meet at Turner. [File photo/TSN]

    Anderson, who had set a city meet record in the 800 meters in his previous meet, swept the titles in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 in his final United Kansas Conference meet.

    In his first race of the day, the 1,600, Anderson ran a comfortable 4 minute, 30.93-second winning time.

    “Played it how coach (Luke) Wiens and I drew it up in our heads,'' Anderson said of his game plan. "We came into it to do enough to win, be conservative, let others lead and then finish with the win.” 

    A near catastrophe occurred in the final 100 meters when Anderson encountered an athlete attempting to cross the track and they made contact.

     

    “Someone walked out in front of me and I hesitated for a second,'' he said. "Do I just run through (them) or bounce off, but we ended up with light contact.”

    The second race was the 800 meters where Brody won in a personal-best time of 1:53.34. The 800 was the most competitive of his three UKC races as four runners finished under the two-minute mark in the race.

     

    “I expected this one to have the most competition,'' Anderson said. "I went out really smooth, felt good and closed. Coach Wiens and I had talked about if there was one race to hammer, hammer that one hard.”

    Anderson's final victory came in the 3,200 meters in the second-to-last race of the meet. There was a longer break leading into the race, so he took some time for some in-meet nourishment.

    “I ate and drank a little bit before the race, so my stomach was a bit heavy at the start of the race. Coach and I decided to sit on the hip of the leader (Basehor-Linwood’s Cole Hubbard) until there was 800 meters to go,'' Anderson said. "I took off and separated with about 600 meters left and felt good enough to seal the deal. I felt like it was a successful night overall.”

    Next Friday Seaman and Topeka West will compete in a Class 5A regional at Hummer Sports Park, with the field events getting under way at 1 p.m. and the prelims beginning at 3. Shawnee Heights will travel to De Soto for its regional, with the field events starting at 2:30 and the prelims getting under way at 3:30.

     

    Other local highlights: 

    BayleeAyres2026citytrack 2Seaman freshman Baylee Ayres won the UKC girls high jump title Thursday at Turner, clearing 5-foot-4. [File photo/TSN]

    • Seaman freshman Baylee Ayres won the girls high jump with a clearance of 5-foot-4 while junior Alexis Burns of Shawnee Heights finished second in the girls high jump, also clearing 5-4.

     

    • Shawnee Heights sophomore Jillian Goetz placed second in the girls discus with a throw of 110 feet while Topeka West sophomore Alyssa Babcock finished third in the event with a throw of 107-2.

    • Shawnee Heights freshman Tanesia Johnson placed second in the girls 100-meter dash with a personal best 12.27 and finished third in the 200 meters

    • Seaman junior Brynn Spencer placed third in the girls 1,600 meters in 5:24.61, then finished second in the 3,200 meters in 11:45.13.

    • The Seaman boys 4x100 relay team of Emmitt Hochstedler, Quentin Moravec, Josh Hochard and Josh Brown finished in third place in a time of 43.58 seconds.

    UNITED KANSAS CONFERENCE TRACK AND FIELD

  • Returning 3A-1A runnerup Fay leads 25-player city contingent to state tennis

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Cair Paravel Latin senior star Drew Fay plans to close the door on his competitive tennis career after this weekend's Class 3A-1A boys state tournament at Harmon Park in Prairie Village.

    DrewFay2026city 1Cair Paravel senior Drew Fay is 26-2 and the No. 3 singles seed for this weekend's Class 3A-1A state tennis tournament. [File photo/TSN]

    And Fay, a state placer in both singles and doubles in his high school career, just wants to make sure he does everything he can to make the most of his farewell event.

    "It's my last tennis tournament ever,'' said Fay, who will attend college at Emporia State. "I'm not playing in college, so if I'm not having fun then I'm missing the whole point.

    "So I just want to play my best and have fun while I'm doing it. Then I'll be happy.''  

    Fay teamed with Eric Buchenau to finish second in 3A-1A doubles last season before switching back to singles this season, winning the city title in No. 1 singles.

    "I think I enjoy them (singles and doubles) both a lot,'' Fay said. "They're a lot different, but I think they're both fun. By the time the season started I felt comfortable playing singles again.''

    Fay, 26-2, enters this year's state tournament as the No. 3 seed behind Wichita Collegiate sophomores Amir Khicha (19-1) and G. Farha (26-6).

    And although Fay acknowledges that Khicha is the tournament favorite, he's setting his sights on reaching a second straight state final.

    "I think winning it all would probably take a miracle honestly, but I think getting second would be pretty exciting, so I'd say that's my goal,'' Fay said.

    Cair Paravel also qualified freshman singles player Jonah Arnold and the doubles team of senior Joey Thoennes and junior David Toenjes after the Lions captured the team title in last Friday's 3A-1A regional at Kossover Tennis Center.

    Arnold finished fourth at regionals and is the No. 14 seed with an 11-5 record while Thoennes and Toenjes also finished fourth in the regional tournament and are the No. 19 seed with a 1-2 record.

    The 3A-1A state tournament will start at 10:30 a.m. Friday and continue on Saturday with a 9 a.m. start.

    Class 6A at Wichita Riverside Tennis Complex

    Washburn Rural completed a sweep of city, Centennial League and Class 6A regional team championships last Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center while qualifying five of six players for Friday and Saturday's state tournament at Wichita's Riverside Tennis Complex.

    DeutscherWillingham2026City 1Washburn Rural seniors Cale Deutscher (left) and Dylan Willingham won a regional doubles title last Saturday to lead the Junior Blues to the team championship. [File photo/TSN]

    The Junior Blues went one-two in doubles at regionals, with seniors Cale Deutscher and Dylan Willingham defeating senior teammates Kieffer O'Connor and Ben Tryhus  6-3, 6-1 in the championship match.

    Deutscher and Willingham, who placed seventh in 6A doubles last season, are 28-4 this spring and earned the No. 5 state seed while O'Connor and Tryhus are 25-6 and the No. 12 seed. 

    Junior singles player Greyson Jones posted a fourth-place regional finish, retiring with cramping issues in the third-place match.

    Jones will take a 21-11 record into the state tournament and is the No. 20 seed.

    Topeka High will also be well-represented in the state tournament, qualifying senior singles player Tres Lassister and the doubles team of seniors Victor Arriaga and Christian Sink.

    Lassiter finished second at regional and will be the No. 15 state seed with a 28-9 record.

    Arriaga and Sink finished fifth in last Saturday's regional and are 23-14 and the No. 21 seed. 

    The 5A state tournament will start at 10:30 a.m. Friday and continue on Saturday with a 9 a.m. start.

    Class 5A Andover Tennis Complex

    For the second straight season Seaman qualified all six players for Friday and Saturday's Class 5A state tournament at the Andover Tennis Complex.

    The Vikings are coming off back-to-back team championships in the United Kansas Conference and 5A regional tournaments.

    CamdenDutton2026UKC 3Sophomore Camden Dutton led regional champion Seaman with a runnerup singles finish last Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center. [File photo/TSN]

    Sophomore singles player Camden Dutton paced Seaman with a runnerup finish in last Saturday's regional tournament at Kossover while freshman Kenton Myrick finished third.

    Dutton, 18-11 on the season, is the No. 13 5A singles seed for state while Myrick, 22-7, is the No. 18 seed.

    The Vikings' doubles teams of seniors Dayton Schneider and Owen Stewart and sophomores Aaron Sampson and Cooper Hopeck finished third and fourth, respectively at regionals.

    Schneider and Stewart are 22-6 and the No. 18 state doubles seed while Sampson and Hopeck are 23-9 and seeded No. 19.

    CollinMcGee2026tennisUKC 2Topeka West sophomore Collin McGee, a two-time Class 5A state qualifier, teamed with Zander Rice to finish second in doubles at regionals. [File photo/TSN]

    Topeka West's doubles team of sophomore Collin McGee and junior Zander Rice followed up its runnerup finish in the UKC meet with a second-place showing at regionals.

    McGee and Rice are 28-10 on the season and the No. 13 state seed.

    The 5A state meet will get under way at 10:30 a.m. Friday and continue at 9 a.m. Saturday.

    Class 4A at Topeka Kossover Tennis Center

    Hayden posted a second-place team finish in the McPherson Class 4A regional last Friday while qualifying five of six players for the state tournament, which the Wildcats will host this weekend at the Kossover Tennis Center.

    Seniors William Luke and Brock Reynoldson paced Hayden with a runnerup doubles finish at regionals while the Wildcats also qualified the doubles team of sophomore Patrick Luke and freshman Miles Allphin, who finished fifth.

    Junior Brek Wahlmeier qualifed for state in singles with a third-place finish.

    W. Luke and Reynoldson are now 17-18 on the season and are the No. 14 state seed while P. Luke and Allphin are 20-11 and seeded No. 21.

    Wahlmeier will take a 20-15 record into state and is the No. 15 singles seed.

    Hayden coach Christine Voegeli has announced that she is stepping down after this weekend's state tournament, ending a long stint as an assistant and head coach in the Hayden program.

    The state tournament will get under way at 10:30 a.m. Friday and continue at 9 a.m. Saturday.

    TOPEKA STATE TENNIS QUALIFIERS

  • TSN Shawnee County high school boys track honor roll for May 12 2026

    Rick Peterson

    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 2026 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Coaches should designate whether times were fully automatic (FAT) or hand-timed. FAT times are considered .024 of a second faster than hand times. TopSports.news will rank the Top 5 in each event.

    BOYS

    100 METERS

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural  10.43

    Malachi Murph, Topeka High                      10.91

    Israel Edmonds, Washburn Rural                 11.02

    Braxton Rupp, Silver Lake                            11.04

    Courtney Sanders, Topeka High                  11.10

    ChristianHartman Babb2026trackSeaman 3Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural

    200 METERS

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural    21.78

    Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural                    22.30

    Jayden Lindsey, Topeka West                        22.38

    Jonel Tibbs, Topeka High                               22.60

    Joel Miller, Silver Lake                                    22.65

    400 METERS

    Jason Slay, Shawnee Heights                         49.89

    Draden Chooncharoen, Washburn Rural       50.25

    Joel Miller, Silver Lake                                    50.94

    Thomas Fisher, Silver Lake                              51.28

    Xavier Fisher, Shawnee Heights                     51.34

    BrodyAnderson2026track 4Brody Anderson, Seaman

    800 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                       1:53.37

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural              1:56.64

    Cohen Thiessen, Washburn Rural           1:59.79

    Mason Haas, Shawnee Heights               2:02.62

    Everett Un, Washburn Rural                    2:03.26

    1,600 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                          4:08.2 (mile converted to meters)

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural                 4:20.32

    Cohen Thiessen, Washburn Rural              4:24.35

    Nick Newkirk, Hayden                                4:27.18

    Duke Graf, Washburn Rural                        4:32.87

    3,200 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                          9:11.63

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural                 9:23.61

    Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural               9:24.34

    Jaxson Adams, Washburn Rural                9:42.46

    Clayton Fink, Washburn Rural                   9:42.94

    110-METER HURDLES

    Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural                  14.07

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural   15.31

    Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park                   15.54

    De'sean Lunkins, Topeka High                      15.85

    Isiah Pennington, Seaman                             15.88

    LiamMorrison2026Trk 2Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural

    300-METER HURDLES

    Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural                    37.61

    Kellan Parcaro, Seaman                                  42.03

    Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park                     42.09

    Isiah Pennington, Seaman                              43.26

    Colin Miller, Silver Lake                                  43.41

    4x100-METER RELAY

    Topeka High                                                    42.92

    Washburn Rural                                               43.17

    Seaman                                                            43.27

    Silver Lake                                                        43.28

    Topeka High                                                     43.52

    4x400-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                                            3:21.82

    Shawnee Heights                                          3:23.24

    Silver Lake                                                     3:28.28

    Highland Park                                                3:28.48

    Topeka High                                                   3:33.55

    4x800-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                                            8:21.93

    Seaman                                                         8:34.58

    Silver Lake                                                     8:57.48

    Topeka High                                                  9:09.82

    Rossville                                                         9:14.36

  • TSN Shawnee County high school girls track honor roll May 12, 2026

    Rick Peterson

     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 2026 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Coaches should designate whether times were fully automatic (FAT) or hand-timed. FAT times are considered .024 of a second faster than hand times. TopSports.news will rank the Top 5 in each event.

    GIRLS

    100 METERS

    Tanesia Johnson, Shawnee Heights        12.36

    Keimara Marshall, Topeka High              12.57

    Karys Deiter, Silver Lake                         12.60

    Jurnee Cole, Highland Park                    12.66

    Adriana Raub, Washburn Rural              12.75

    200 METERS

    Tanesia Johnson, Shawnee Heights        25.83

    Jurnee Cole, Highland Park                    26.04

    Karys Deiter, Silver Lake                         26.82

    Ciera Hartz, Topeka High                        26.48

    Sofia Harper, Hayden                             26.88

    400 METERS

    Keimara Marshall, Topeka High             59.07

    Ali Gerber, Silver Lake                            59.19

    Sofia Harper, Hayden                             59.44

    Alyson Hinck, Washburn Rural               60.34

    Julia Molleker, Seaman                           61.88

    800 METERS

    Emily Graf, Washburn Rural              2:20.86

    Alyson Hinck, Washburn Rural         2:21.50

    Kinley Robinson, Seaman                 2:23.63

    Ryin Miller, Seaman                         2:23.65 

    Clara Dillon, Washburn Rural            2:33.45

    EmilyGraf2026Trk 3Emily Graf, Washburn Rural

    1,600 METERS

    Emily Graf, Washburn Rural              5:13.49

    Alyson Hinck, Washburn Rural          5:14.04

    Brynn Spencer, Seaman                    5:15.78

    Kenzie Maddox, Washburn Rural      5:17.54

    Kinley Robinson, Seaman                  5:22.98

    3,200 METERS

    Emily Graf, Washburn Rural                11:06.46

    Kenzie Maddox, Washburn Rural        11:18.36

    Brynn Spencer, Seaman                      11:27.63

    Reese Beardslee, Washburn Rural       11:34.94

    Lily McCoy, Washburn Rural                14:09.97 

    100-METER HURDLES

    Karys Deiter, Silver Lake                      15.70

    Rylee Dick, Rossville                            16.77

    Marchayla White, Topeka High           17.74

    Megan Alderson, Washburn Rural      18.14

    Kaylyn Smith, Topeka West                 18.23

    300-METER HURDLES

    Rylee Dick, Rossville                           50.00

    Marchayla White, Topeka High          51.34

    Megan Alderson, Washburn Rural      51.60

    Journey Manhart, Silver Lake             53.33

    Avery Villines, Seaman                       54.18

    4x100-METER RELAY

    Topeka High                                        49.60

    Silver Lake                                           50.29

    Washburn Rural                                   51.46

    Seaman                                                51.63

    Topeka West                                        52.33

    4x400-METER RELAY

    Silver Lake                                          4:09.56

    Topeka High                                       4:10.27

    Washburn Rural                                  4:11.18

    Seaman                                               4:20.94

    Topeka West                                       4:27.08

    4x800-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                                  10:12.53 

    Topeka High                                       10:39.23

    Seaman                                              11:17.22

    Silver Lake                                           11:18.38

  • Appuhn leads Rural girls swimming to 23rd straight city title

    Rick Peterson, Top Sports News Writer

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

     Washburn Rural senior star Audrey Appuhn reached a career milestone in Friday's Topeka girls city swimming/diving championships at the Capitol Federal Natatorium as the Junior Blues stretched their city title streak to 23 straight seasons.

    Appuhn was a double individual winner and four-event gold medalist to lead the way as Washburn Rural took the city crown by a 588-468 margin over Seaman.

    WRgirlsswimming2026 1Washburn Rural's girls swimming team celebrates in the Capitol Federal Natatorium pool Friday after Rural won its 23rd straight city team championship. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    And while the two biggest meets of the year -- Centennial League and Class 6A state -- are next up for Rural, coach Bob Burdick said the city championship will always be one that the Junior Blues circle on the schedule.     

    "Especially here in Topeka, we're all here in this together and the best part about this meet is not only the meet, the championship, but also that all these girls in the city all know each other, so they all get to compete with each other, cheer each other and it's just an amazing event,'' Burdick said.

    AudreyAppuhn2026CitySwimming 2Washburn Rural senior Audrey Appuhn won four gold medals in Friday's city meet as the Junior Blues captured their 23rd straight city team championship. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Competing in her final city meet, Appuhn won the 200-yard individual medley in 2 minutes, 22.00 seconds and the 100-yard freestyle in 57.28 while teaming with Sophie Heinen, Resego Mackenzie and Kaci Hodgson to win the 200 medley relay (2:13.84) and with Heinen, Ava Von Lintel and Stella Berry to win the 400 free relay (4:20.97).

    With her two individual wins Appuhn finished her four-year city career with eight individual victories in as many tries. 

    "It never really was a goal,'' Appuhn said. "I just realized, 'Oh, it happened.' ''

    Appuhn also added seven career relay victories in eight starts to finish her city career with 15 gold medals.

    Senior Rhiannon Good won the one-meter diving event with a score of 239.85 to account for Washburn Rural's fifth victory of the day while the Junior Blues posted top-three finishes in 11 of 12 events and had multiple top-three finishes in four events.

    Rural began the season with several question marks, but Burdick said he's been very pleased with the Junior Blues' performance this spring.  

    "They've made the progress we need,'' he said. "We picked up 12 new swimmers this year that had never swam and moved them all along and they all contributed tonight, so that was great.''

    Appuhn, Good, Heinen and Von Lintel all earned spots on the All-City first team while Mackenzie, Hodgson and Sophie Reffett were second-teamers.

    Other highlights: 

    KailynGerdel2026Cityswimming 3Hayden junior Kaelyn Gerdel won a pair of individual titles in Friday's city swimming meet. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    • Hayden junior Kaelyn Gerdel joined Appuhn as a double individual city champion, winning the 200-yard freestyle in 2:16.81 and the 100 backstroke in 1:19.12.

    Gerdel was a first-team All-City pick while Hayden's Lilly Charvat finished second in the 100 breaststroke (1:21.11) and was a second-team All-City pick.

    KaitlynAldridge2026swimmingCity 1Shawnee Heights' Kaitlyn Aldridge (left) won the 100-yard butterfly and finished second in the 200 individual medley in Friday's city championships at the Capitol Federal Natatorium. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    • Shawnee Heights got victories from Clara Sobba in the 50-yard freestyle (26.94) and Kaitlyn Aldridge in the 100 butterfly (1:10.52) while Aldridge finished second in the 200 individual medley (2:34.61) and Sobba was second in the 100 free (58.49).

    Aldridge and Sobba also teamed with Jade Kinsch and Lainey Herrera for a second-place finish in the 200 medley relay (2:14.60).

    Aldridge and Sobba were All-City first-team honorees while Kinsch was a second-team pick.

    HaraDelCastillo2026Cityswimming 2Topeka High senior Hara Del Castillo won the 100-yard backstroke in Friday's city championships at the Capitol Federal Natatorium. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    • Topeka High got city titles from Avery Skinner and Hara Del Castillo, with Skinner winning the 500 freestyle (6:01.47) and Del Castillo winning the 100 backstroke (1:10.55).

    Skinner finished second in the 100 back (1:12.70) while Del Castillo was third in the 50 free (27.78) as both Trojans were first-team All-City selections.

    • Team runnerup Seaman got a city title from the foursome of Ava Carlson, Gracie Scott, Isabelle Hahn and Riley Strother in the 200 free relay in 1:57.02 while the Vikings posted top-three finishes in five other events. 

    Seaman's Strother, Carlson, Scott and Megan Strobel finished second in the 400 free relay (4:26.64).

    Strobel and Strother were both All-City first-team honorees while Jenna Zimmerman, Manuela Diaz, Marleigh Frazier, Jurnee Jessepe and Tenley Wessel made the second team.

    • Cair Paravel Latin's Avery Rosenow finished second in diving to earn a spot on the All-City second team while Topeka West's Makenna Russell was also a second-team selection.

    TOPEKA GIRLS CITY SWIMMING/DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

  • Seaman tennis adds Class 5A regional crown to UKC title

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Seaman boys tennis continued its late-season run on Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center, with the Vikings capturing their second tournament championship over three days.

    Seamantennis2026UKC 2Seaman captured a Class 5A regional championship Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center after winning the UKC title two days earlier. [Submitted photo]

    After capturing the United Kansas Conference title on Thursday, Seaman won Saturday's Class 5A regional title by a 20-17 margin over Piper, advancing all six of its players to Friday's 5A state tournament at Andover.

    "It was a gutsy effort from everybody,'' Seaman coach Jamie Robinson said. "They really came to play, so that was fun to watch as a spectator and a coach.

    "This is the second year in a row we're going to take all six to state and I think we learned a lot from last year.'' 

    After finishing second in the UKC tournament, sophomore singles player Camden Dutton added a runnerup regional finish to lead the Vikings.

    The Vikings also got a third-place singles finish from Kenton Myrick and third and fourth-place doubles finishes from the teams of Owen Stewart and Dayton Schneider and Aaron Sampson and Cooper Hopeck.

    CamdenDutton2026regionals 3Sophomore Camden Dutton led regional champion Seaman with a runnerup singles finish Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Dutton dropped a 6-1, 7-5 decision to Piper's Blake Taylor in the singles final while Myrick, a freshman, earned his first trip to state with a 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) win over Bonner Springs' Deion Cruse in the third-place match.

    Dutton will take an 18-11 into state while Myrick is 22-7. 

    Seniors Schneider and Stewart (22-6) met teammates Hopeck and Sampson (23-9) in the third-place doubles match for the second straight tournament, with Stewart and Schneider taking a 6-4, 6-1 decision.

    CollinMcGee2026regionals 1Topeka West sophomore Collin McGee earned a second straight state tournament berth with a runnerup regional doubles finish. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    ZanderRice2026Regionals 1Topeka West junior Zander Rice teamed with Collin McGee to post a runnerup doubles finish in Saturday's Class 5A regional. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Topeka West got a runnerup doubles finish from Collin McGee and Zander Rice, who dropped a tight 6-4, 6-4 decision to Piper's Johnny Vogel and Baird Greenamyre in the title match after also playing the Pirates' duo in the UKC final.

    McGee, a sophomore, earned his second straight 5A state berth and McGee and Rice, a junior, will take a 28-10 record into the state tournament.

    CLASS 5A BOYS REGIONAL TENNIS

  • Washburn Rural rides depth to sweep of team titles in Joe Schrag City Championship

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Washburn Rural rode its dominance in the distance events and superior depth to a sweep of the team titles in Friday's Joe Schrag City Championship at Hummer Sports Park.

    Rural posted a total of 16 event wins on the night (eight girls, eight boys) and had top-three finishes in 25 events (13 girls,12 boys) en route to a 216-135.5 win over Silver Lake for the Junior Blue girls and a 200-131 victory over the Eagle boys in the team standings.

    WRcitytrack2026boys 1Washburn Rural track had eight individual wins and 12 top-three finishes en route to the boys city championship Friday at Hummer Sports Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    WRCitytrack2026 3Washburn Rural track and field had eight individual wins and 12 top-three finishes en route to the boys city championship Friday at Hummer Sports Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    "This is definitely the beginning of postseason and we want to perform well here at the city meet,'' Rural coach Keith Wetzel said. "We like to keep the city trophies in our case and use that to propel us into league and regional and state.

    "We put an emphasis on this meet. We want to be the best in the city and we make it a goal that we want to continue to have success at this meet.''

    Highlights for the Rural boys included a sweep of all three relays, along with wins in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters and second and third-place finishes in the 800.

    BrooksKehoe2026Citytrack 3Washburn Rural senior Brooks Kehoe won two gold medals and also posted a third-place finish in Friday's city meet. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Rural senior Brooks Kehoe won the 1,600 meters in 4 minutes, 26.64 seconds, teamed with Jackson Svaty, Everett Un and Christian Hartman-Babb to win the 4x400 relay (3:23.02) and posted a third-place finish in the 800 (2:00.51).

    Hartman-Babb, a junior, won the 100-meter dash in 10.55 seconds before teaming with Paxton Johnson, Caleb Schwartz and Carter Frost to win the 4x100 (43.17) and ending the meet with the 4x400 victory.

    HenryLaubach2026City 2Sophomore Henry Laubach won the city title in the 3,200 meters for team-champion Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN] 

    Sophomore Henry Laubach turned in a dominating win in the 3,200 (9:32.10) while the Junior Blues also got wins from Luke Deering in the pole vault (11 feet, 6 inches), Zachary Hancock in the discus (153-0) and the team of Everett Un, Wesley Meek, Julius Wood-Nichols and Eli Replogle in the 4x800 (8:36.89).

    EmilyGraf2026Citytrack 3Senior Emily Graf won the 1,600 and 800-meter runs in Friday's city track and field meet as Washburn Rural's girls won the team title. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]  

    On the girls side, Rural got a pair of individual wins from senior Emily Graf and junior Kailyn Petersen, with Graf winning the 1,600 (5:13.49) and the 800 (2:25.28) and Petersen winning the shot put (34-2) and discus (123-8) titles.

    Rural's girls swept the throws and the distance races, with senior Morgan Ray winning the javelin title with a throw of 142-8 and senior Kenzie Maddox winning the 3,200 in 11:26.03.

    The Junior Blues also picked up a win in the 4x800 relay (10:32.31) from the foursome of Quinn Nolte, Payton Rice, Morgan Munson and Clara Dillon while Natalie Ferguson finished first in the pole vault (8-0).

    "It has been a solid day,'' Wetzel said. "We have some injuries so we've asked some people to step in, to fill in, to step up and we've been fortunate that they've done that for the most part and some young kids, both boys and girls have stepped in and given us a boost.''

    Other top performances: 

    • Silver Lake, the smallest school in the field, turned in solid runnerup team finishes in both the girls and boys divisions.

    The Eagle girls picked up three event wins and 11 top-three finishes while the Lake boys won a pair of events and placed top three in 13 of 18 events.

    AliGerber2026Citytrack 1Silver Lake's Ali Gerber crosses the finish line for the win in the girls 4x400-meter relay in Friday's city meet. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Ali Gerber won the girls triple jump for the second straight season (34-10.25) and teamed with Kinley Weber, Jaiden Wise and Jaylie Whitehead for a win in the 4x400 relay (4:09.56), with Gerber running the anchor leg.

    Addy Just notched the third win of the day for the Silver Lake girls in the long jump (16-9.25) while the boys got wins from Joel Miller in the 200 (22.65) and Bryson Burgos in the triple jump (40-7.50).

     • Keimari Marshall and Marchayla White were both double individual champions for Topeka High's girls while Marshall also added a relay victory in her final city meet.

    Marshall won the 100 (12.57) and 400 (59.07) and also ran on the Trojans' winning 4x100 relay (49.60) along with Kaeanna Copeland, Jayana Washington and Ciera Hartz.

    White swept the girls hurdles titles, winning the 100-meter event in 17.74 seconds and the 300s in 51.34.

    BayleeAyres2026citytrack 1Seaman freshman Baylee Ayres cleared a personal-record 5-foot-5 to win the girls high jump in Friday's city meet. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    • Seaman freshman Baylee Ayres made an impressive city meet debut, winning the girls high jump with a personal-record jump of 5 feet, 5 inches, winning the event by five inches.

    BrodyAnderson2026Citytrack 3Seaman senior Brody Anderson won the city title in the boys 800 meters by six seconds in 1:53.65 Friday. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    • Brody Anderson continued his outstanding senior season for the Seaman boys, winning the 800 by more than six seconds in 1:53.65.

    The Vikings also got victories from Kellan Parcaro in the 300 hurdles (43.14) and Jack Esser in the high jump (6-4).

    • Other individual winners included Highland Park's Jurnee Cole in the girls 200 (26.32) and Rayshon Pollard in the boys long jump (20-5.25), Shawnee Heights' Jason Slay in the boys 400 (49.89), Heights' Amir Bass in the boys shot put (47-11), Hayden's Kelton Meier in the boys javelin (186-8) and Topeka High's De'sean Lunkins in the boys 110 hurdles (15.85).

    JOE SCHRAG CITY CHAMPIONSHIP

  • Seaman rides balance to United Kansas Conference boys tennis championship

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Seaman didn't claim an individual title in Thursday's United Kansas Conference boys tennis championships at Kossover Tennis Center, but the Vikings took home the biggest prize.

    Seamantennis2026UKC 2Seaman captured the United Kansas Conference boys tennis championship Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Submitted photo]

    Seaman advanced all six of its players to the tournament semifinals, including a second-place singles finish from Camden Dutton, en route to earning the team crown by a 67-62 margin over Piper. 

    In addition to Dutton's runnerup showing, the Vikings got a fourth-place singles finish from Kenton Myrick and third and fourth-place doubles finishes from the teams of Owen Stewart and Dayton Schneider and Aaron Sampson and Cooper Hopeck.

    CamdenDutton2026UKC 2Camden Dutton led UKC team-champion Seaman with a runnerup singles finish Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Dutton advanced to the championship singles match with an 8-3 semifinal win over Basehor-Linwood's Trevor Christenson before dropping an 8-3 decision to Piper's Blake Taylor while Myrick lost in the semifinals to Taylor before dropping an 8-1 decision to Basehor-Linwood's Trevor Christenson in the third-place match.

    Schneider and Stewart met teammates Hopeck and Sampson in the third-place doubles match, with Stewart and Schneider taking an 8-4 decision.

    Topeka West finished third as a team with 54 points, getting a runnerup doubles finish from Collin McGee and Zander Rice.

    CollinMcGeeZanderRice2026tennisUKC 1Topeka West's Collin McGee (left) and Zander Rice posted a runnerup doubles finish in Thursday's UKC tennis tournament at Kossover Tennis Center. [Submitted photo] before dropping an 8-6 decision to Piper's Johnny Vogel and Baird Greenamyre in the title match.

    McGee and Rice outlasted Seaman's Schneider and Stewart 8-6 in the doubles semifinals

    CollinMcGee2026tennisUKC 1Topeka West's Collin McGee (left) teamed with Zander Rice to finish second in doubles in Thursday's UKC tennis tournament at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]  

    Wyatt Lindencrantz and Jordan Ward led Shawnee Heights with a fifth-place doubles finish.

    Seaman, Topeka West and Shawnee Heights will also compete in a Class 5A regional tournament on Saturday at Kossover, vying for state tournament berths. 

    UNITED KANSAS CONFERENCE BOYS TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

  • TSN Shawnee County high school boys track honor roll for May 6, 2026

    Rick Peterson

    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 2026 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Coaches should designate whether times were fully automatic (FAT) or hand-timed. FAT times are considered .024 of a second faster than hand times. TopSports.news will rank the Top 5 in each event.

    BOYS

    100 METERS

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural  10.43

    Malachi Murph, Topeka High                      10.91

    Israel Edmonds, Washburn Rural                 11.02

    Braxton Rupp, Silver Lake                            11.04

    Jonel Tibbs, Topeka High                              11.15

    ChristianHartman Babb2026trackSeaman 3Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural

    200 METERS

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural    21.78

    Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural                    22.30

    Jayden Lindsey, Topeka West                        22.38

    Jonel Tibbs, Topeka High                               22.60

    Courtney Sanders, Topeka High                     22.66

    400 METERS

    Draden Chooncharoen, Washburn Rural   50.25

    Jason Slay, Shawnee Heights                     50.71

    Joel Miller, Silver Lake                                50.94

    Xavier Fisher, Shawnee Heights                  51.34

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural  51.43

    BrodyAnderson2026track 4Brody Anderson, Seaman

    800 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                       1:53.37

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural              1:56.64

    Cohen Thiessen, Washburn Rural           1:59.62

    Everett Un, Washburn Rural                    2:03.26

    Mason Haas, Shawnee Heights               2:03.30

    1,600 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                          4:08.2 (mile converted to meters)

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural                 4:20.32

    Cohen Thiessen, Washburn Rural              4:24.35

    Nick Newkirk, Hayden                                4:33.03

    Duke Graf, Washburn Rural                        4:33.71

    3,200 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                          9:11.63

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural                 9:23.61

    Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural               9:24.34

    Jaxson Adams, Washburn Rural                9:44.54

    Clayton Fink, Washburn Rural                   9:57.60

    110-METER HURDLES

    Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural                  14.07

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural   15.31

    Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park                   15.54

    Braxton Rupp, Silver Lake                             16.10

    De'sean Lunkins, Topeka High                      16.22

    LiamMorrison2026Trk 2Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural

    300-METER HURDLES

    Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural                    37.61

    Kellan Parcaro, Seaman                                  42.03

    Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park                     42.09

    Colin Miller, Silver Lake                                  43.41

    Michael Ruelas, Seaman                                 43.46

    4x100-METER RELAY

    Topeka High                                                    42.92

    Seaman                                                           43.27

    Washburn Rural                                               43.27

    Topeka High                                                    43.52

    Silver Lake                                                        43.77

    4x400-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                                            3:21.82

    Shawnee Heights                                          3:24.59

    Silver Lake                                                     3:30.04

    Seaman                                                          3:35.19

    Topeka High                                                   3:35.43

    4x800-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                                            8:21.93

    Seaman                                                         8:34.58

    Silver Lake                                                     8:57.48

    Topeka High                                                  9:09.82

    Topeka West                                                  9:29.28

  • TSN city high school girls swimming and diving honor roll May 6, 2026

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    NOTE: TopSports.news will compile a weekly girls swimming and diving honor roll for Topeka high schools throughout the 2026 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

    200-YARD MEDLEY RELAY

    Shawnee Heights              2:16.07

    Seaman                             2:18.07            

    Washburn Rural                2:18.75

    Hayden                              2:25.76

    KaelynGerdelSWIMMING2026 3Kaelyn Gerdel, Hayden

    200-YARD FREESTYLE

    Kaelyn Gerdel, Hayden                      2:11.68

    Avery Skinner, Topeka High               2:25.97

    Ava Von Lintel, Washburn Rural         2:31.01

    Megan Strobel, Seaman                     2:37.54

    Stella Berry, Washburn Rural              2:43.23

    AudreyAppuhn2026swimming 2Audrey Appuhn, Washburn Rural

    200-YARD INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY

    Audrey Appuhn, Washburn Rural      2:23.15

    Hara Del Castillo, Topeka High           2:34.07

    Kaitlyn Aldridge, Shawnee Heights    2:34.20

    Riley Strother, Seaman                       2:51.05

    Avery Skinner, Seaman                       2:51.97 

    ClaraSobbaSWIMMING2026 1Clara Sobba, Shawnee Heights

    50-YARD FREESTYLE

    Clara Sobba, Shawnee Heights            27.28

    Riley Strother, Seaman                         27.61

    Hara Del Castillo, Topeka High             27.76

    Ava Carlson, Seaman                             28.56

    Sophie Heinen, Washburn Rural           28.90

    RhiannonGood2025State 6Rhiannon Good, Washburn Rural

    ONE-METER DIVING

    Rhiannan Good, Washburn Rural         196.00

    Avery Rosenow, Hayden/CPLS             176.40

    Mackenzie Caryl, Topeka High             146.60

    Abigail Culbertson, Topeka High          122.50

    Madilyn Typer, Seaman                        105.40

  • HS golf: Rossville's Donovan Big East medalist, Seaman second in UKC

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Rossville senior Jack Donovan carded a one-over-par 71 to post a four-stroke victory in Monday's Big East League Tournament at Lake Shawnee.

    JackDonovan2026golfmug 2Jack Donovan

    Sabetha captured the Big East team championship by a stroke over Jefferson West and Nemaha Central (336-337) while Rossville tied Perry-Lecompton for fourth at 345 and Silver Lake finished sixth at 355.

    Silver Lake's Brody Kelley and Noah Streit shot 82s to tie for seventh with three other players.

    Austin Dohrman was Rossville's No. 2 player with an 88, tying for 17th.

    BIG EAST LEAGUE BOYS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

  • Topeka High softball stretches win streak to 14 games with run-rule sweep over West

    Todd Fertig

    By TODD FERTIG

    TopSports.news

    Topeka High swept a softball doubleheader against USD 501 rival Topeka West Friday at Hummer Sports Park to extend its winning streak to 14 games.

    AdriannaAdame2026softballTW 2Sophomore Adrianna Adame turned in solid relief pitching in both games of Topeka High's doubleheader sweep over Topeka West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

    The Trojans got big third-inning rallies in both games and utilized sophomore pitcher Adrianna Adame to close out both victories, winning 12-2 and 14-4 in two five-inning contests.

    Topeka High has not lost since late March, with its only two losses coming against Washburn Rural, one of the top Class 6A teams in the state.

    “I think we’re doing really well,” said Topeka High junior Campbell Dawson. “Our last loss was Washburn Rural, and I think we got to learn from that a lot, just seeing where we are at as a team and getting to grow from it. I think as we’ve played, we’ve gotten to play good competition, and also we’re learning our strengths and our weaknesses from playing different teams. So, I think we’re pretty confident going into postseason.”

    CampbellDawson2026softballTW 1Topeka High junior Campbell Dawson picked up the first-game pitching win and had a double and triple in Friday's doubleheader sweep over Topeka West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

    Dawson pitched the first three innings of the opener, surrendering just one run and striking out six Chargers. She helped lead the Trojans to a doubleheader sweep at Eudora the night before.

    “I was probably not at my best,” Dawson said. “I was a little tired from getting back late from Eudora last night, but I’ll do whatever I can to help the team.”

    Dawson was relieved in the fourth inning by Adame, who allowed just one hit and one walk over the next two innings.

    AddalineHall2026softballTH 1Topeka West senior Addaline Hall (left) tags out a Topeka High baserunner in a rundown in Friday's doubleheader loss to the Trojans. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

    Both of Topeka West’s runs in the first game came on triples by Charger senior Addaline Hall.

    Kenslee Young started the second game for Topeka High, and like Dawson, left with a big lead after three innings. Adame pitched the fourth and fifth innings, again surrendering just one hit and one walk.

    “She really hasn’t thrown a lot of innings this year,” Topeka High coach Shane Miles said of Adame. “We wanted to give her some work, and today was the time to get her some work. She threw two really good innings in the first game, and two more really good innings in the second game. She’s effective. She’s around the plate. She doesn’t strike a lot of people out, but she gets a lot of ground balls, fly balls.”

    Miles said he did not restrict his starters to three innings each because of fatigue.

    “Having played two days in a row is not an excuse for me,” Miles said. “You know, if these girls want to play at the state championship level, they’re going to have to play back-to-back days.”

    With his Trojans hovering near the top of the Class 6A West standings at 16-2, Miles said his team is positioning itself for the postseason.

    “After that (Washburn) Rural game, our girls have really locked in and we’re keeping the train rolling,” Miles said. “We’ve got two doubleheaders next week, so we control our own destiny. We can control where we’re at in the West (bracket) and see where it leads.”

  • Vikings' Anderson turns in record-setting performance in Camien/Welch Relays

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    With the city, United Kansas Conference, Class 5A regional and state meets coming up over the next four weeks, Seaman senior track star Brody Anderson and Viking distance coach Luke Wiens decided to limit Anderson to one event in Friday's Bob Camien/Claudia Welch Relays at Seaman.

    BrodyAnderson2026trackSeaman 4Seaman senior Brody Anderson set a meet record in the boys 1,600 meters in Friday's Bob Camien/Claudia Welch Relays at Seaman. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    But Anderson made the most of that one race, setting a meet record in the boys 1,600 meters in a time of 4 minutes, 10.66 seconds.

    "Coach Wiens and I were talking earlier this week and we just wanted to keep the mind in a good space,'' Anderson said. "I feel good enough to race. It's just you don't want to overdo it and make something feel bad going into championship season here next week.

    "I want to run my best then and do what I can do and I don't want to jeopardize anything.''

    Wamego's Peyton Parker stayed right with Anderson for the first half of Friday's race before Anderson took control over the final two laps to win in more than four seconds, with Parker second in 4:15.24.

    "I could feel him on my hip behind me, which kind of pushed me,'' Anderson said. "I saw my splits afterwards and I somewhat got lazy on the backstretch and that's something I need to work on.

    It's very fixable. I went into the last lap having so much left in me and I just closed pretty hard.''

    Next up for Anderson, who ran a 4:06 mile in a recent showcase meet, is next Friday's Joe Schrag City Invitational at Hummer Sports Park.

    Other meet highlights:

    • Washburn Rural senior Brooks Kehoe and sophomore Henry Laubach, who helped lead the Junior Blues to the Class 6A state cross country championship last fall, posted a one-two finish in the boys 3,200 meters.

    Kehoe won the event in 9 minutes, 23.61 seconds while Laubach was right behind in 9:24.34.

    Rural's Colin Thiessen finished third in the 800 meters in 1:59.62.

    MorganRay2026trackSeaman 1Washburn Rural senior Morgan Ray won the girls javelin title in Friday's Bob Camien/Claudia Welch Relays at Seaman with a throw of 147-5. [Photo by Brent Maycock/KSHSAA Covered]

    • Washburn Rural senior Morgan Ray, a 6A state runnerup as a junior, turned in a dominating victory in the girls javelin.

    Ray won with a top throw of 147 feet, 5 inches, winning by more than 14 feet.

    Ray's junior teammate, Kailyn Petersen, finished second in the discus at 122-9.

    • Topeka High's girls 4 x100-meter relay team of Caeanna Copeland, Keimara Marshall, Jayanna Washington and Marchayla White finished third in a time of 50.18 seconds.

    Washington also finished third in the long jump with a leap of 17-10.

    • Washburn Rural junior sprinter Christian Hartman-Babb posted a third-place finish in the boys 200-meter dash, clocking a time of 21.81 seconds. 

    BOB CAMIEN/CLAUDIA WELCH SEAMAN RELAYS

  • Washburn Rural rides doubles sweep to third straight city boys tennis championship

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Washburn Rural swept the doubles championships in Thursday's city boys tennis tournament at Kossover Tennis Center to lead the Junor Blues to a third straight city team title.

     WRtennis2026City 1Washburn Rural tennis swept the doubles titles on the way to its third straight city team title Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Washburn Rural seniors Cale Deutscher and Dylan Willingham captured the No. 1 doubles title with an 8-3 win over Topeka West's Collin McGee and Zander Rice while Junior Blues seniors Ben Tryhus and Kieffer O'Connor repeated as the No. 2 doubles champs with an 8-3 decision in the final as Rural captured the team championship by a 30-27 margin over Seaman.

    Cair Paravel Latin swept the singles titles, with senior Drew Fay topping 2025 champion Tres Lassiter of Topeka High in the No. 1 final and freshman Jonah Arnold capturing the No. 2 crown in his first city meet.

    Deutscher and Willingham's title came after a tiebreaker loss to Cair Paravel in the 2025 final.

    DeutscherWillingham2026City 5Washburn Rural seniors Cale Deutscher (left) and Dylan Willingham won the city title in No. 1 doubles Thursday to lead the Junior Blues to their third straight city team title. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    "I think we just put in the work in the offseason and it just helped us to push through this year,'' Deutscher said about Thursday's win. "We played good tennis today.''

    "Being a senior, you want to end it off on the right foot and we did it,'' Willingham said. "I think we've got some good momentum going forward and that's good because we're going into league and regionals and state.''

    The Junior Blues also got a third-place finish in No. 1 singles from Greyson Jones and a runnerup finish in No. 2 singles from Jaxon Whitehead to outdistance Seaman, which posted four top-four finishes, including a second-place showing in No. 2 doubles.

    Thursday's Rural title was a tuneup for next Monday's Centennial League tournament, followed by Class 6A regional and state meets.

    "I think the team's definitely doing good,'' Deutscher said. "We put in a lot of work in practice every day and a lot of us stay after, too, after our regular time. We've all been coming together really well.'' 

    DrewFay2026City 2Cair Paravel senior Drew Fay won the city title in No. 1 singles Thursday after winning the No. 1 doubles championship as a junior. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Fay captured his second straight city championship, with an interesting twist.

    Fay teamed with Eric Buchenau to win the No. 1 city doubles title as a junior on the way to a runnerup Class 3A-1A state finish before switching back to singles this spring and earning the No. 1 singles crown with an 8-3 win over High standout Lassiter.

    Fay said he got the day off to a somewhat slow start in the quarterfinals before picking up steam as the day went on.

    "It was honestly my fault,'' said Fay, who has played 13 matches over the past three days. "I didn't warm up before this so I was slowly getting better as it went on.''

    Fay admitted that going from doubles back to singles did take some time.

    "Especially over the summer it took awhile to even remember how to play singles,'' Fay said. "It was like re-learning almost, so it's been kind of tough, but I feel like I've gotten back to it now.

    "I think I've been progressing all season, so hopefully I hit my climax when state comes around and just keep improving.''  

    CITY BOYS TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

  • TSN Shawnee County high school girls track honor roll April 29, 2026

    Rick Peterson

     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 2026 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Coaches should designate whether times were fully automatic (FAT) or hand-timed. FAT times are considered .024 of a second faster than hand times. TopSports.news will rank the Top 5 in each event.

    GIRLS

    100 METERS

    Tanesia Johnson, Shawnee Heights        12.46

    Karys Deiter, Silver Lake                         12.60

    Jurnee Cole, Highland Park                    12.72

    Adriana Raub, Washburn Rural              12.75

    Jaiden Wise, Silver Lake                          12.83

    200 METERS

    Tanesia Johnson, Shawnee Heights        26.11

    Jurnee Cole, Highland Park                    26.81

    Karys Deiter, Silver Lake                          26.82

    Sofia Harper, Hayden                              27.00

    Julia Molleker, Seaman                           27.23

    400 METERS

    Sofia Harper, Hayden                             59.75

    Ali Gerber, Silver Lake                            60.07

    Alyson Hinck, Washburn Rural               60.34

    Keimara Marshall, Topeka High             61.03

    Brynn Scheid, Seaman                           62.93

    800 METERS

    Emily Graf, Washburn Rural              2:20.86

    Kinley Robinson, Seaman                 2:23.63

    Ryin Miller, Seaman                         2:23.65 

    Alyson Hinck, Washburn Rural         2:24.26

    Clara Dillon, Washburn Rural            2:33.45

    EmilyGraf2026Trk 3Emily Graf, Washburn Rural

    1,600 METERS

    Emily Graf, Washburn Rural              5:14.21

    Kenzie Maddox, Washburn Rural      5:17.54

    Brynn Spencer, Seaman                    5:26.49

    Alyson Hinck, Washburn Rural          5:28.35

    Kinley Robinson, Seaman                  5:39.04

    3,200 METERS

    Emily Graf, Washburn Rural                11:06.46

    Brynn Spencer, Seaman                      11:36.26

    Kenzie Maddox, Washburn Rural        11:36.97

    Reese Beardslee, Washburn Rural       12:05.94 

    100-METER HURDLES

    Karys Deiter, Silver Lake                      15.70

    Rylee Dick, Rossville                            16.77

    Marchayla White, Topeka High           17.76

    Ravaya Smith, Washburn Rural           18.88

    Kennedy Gatewood, Seaman              19.13

    300-METER HURDLES

    Rylee Dick, Rossville                           50.00

    Journey Manhart, Silver Lake             54.13

    Avery Villines, Seaman                       55.36

    Amy Hill, Silver Lake                           56.03

    Grace Funk, Hayden                           56.44

    4x100-METER RELAY

    Topeka High                                        50.77

    Silver Lake                                           51.06

    Washburn Rural                                   51.79

    Seaman                                                52.03

    Topeka West                                        52.33

    4x400-METER RELAY

    Silver Lake                                          4:11.03

    Topeka High                                       4:13.96

    Washburn Rural                                  4:18.21

    Shawnee Heights                                4:29.41

    Seaman                                               4:31.03

    4x800-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                                  10:47.80 

    Topeka High                                       11:13.01

    Silver Lake                                           11:30.83

  • TSN Shawnee County high school boys track honor roll for April 29, 2026

    Rick Peterson

    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 2026 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Coaches should designate whether times were fully automatic (FAT) or hand-timed. FAT times are considered .024 of a second faster than hand times. TopSports.news will rank the Top 5 in each event.

    BOYS

    100 METERS

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural  10.43

    Israel Edmonds, Washburn Rural                 11.02

    Braxton Rupp, Silver Lake                            11.04

    Josh Brown, Seaman                                    11.18

    Malachi Murph, Topeka High                      11.21

    200 METERS

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural 22.02

    Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural                 22.30

    Jayden Lindsey, Topeka West                    22.50

    Courtney Sanders, Topeka High                22.68

    JaVeon Alston, Shawnee Heights              23.13

    Jonel Tibbs, Topeka High                           23.15

    400 METERS

    Draden Chooncharoen, Washburn Rural   50.25

    Jason Slay, Shawnee Heights                     50.71

    Xavier Fisher, Shawnee Heights                  51.34

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural  51.43

    Jayden Lindsey, Topeka West                     52.40

    BrodyAnderson2026track 4Brody Anderson, Seaman

    800 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                       1:53.37

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural               1:56.64

    Cohen Thiessen, Washburn Rural           1:59.69

    Everett Un, Washburn Rural                    2:03.26

    Mason Haas, Shawnee Heights               2:03.30

    1,600 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                          4:09.65 (mile) 4:11.94 (1,600)

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural                 4:20.32

    Nick Newkirk, Hayden                                4:33.03

    Cohen Thiessen, Washburn Rural              4:33.08

    Duke Graf, Washburn Rural                        4:38.83

    3,200 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                          9:11.63

    Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural               9:30.10

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural                 9:43.11

    Jaxson Adams, Washburn Rural                9:54.63

    Clayton Fink, Washburn Rural                   9:57.60

    110-METER HURDLES

    Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural                  14.07

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural   15.43

    Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park                   15.54

    Braxton Rupp, Silver Lake                             16.10

    Isiah Pennington, Seaman                            16.41

    LiamMorrison2026Trk 2Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural

    300-METER HURDLES

    Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural                    37.61

    Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park                     42.09

    Kellan Parcaro, Seaman                                  42.36

    Michael Ruelas, Seaman                                 43.46

    Isiah Pennington, Seaman                              43.71

    4x100-METER RELAY

    Topeka High                                                    42.98

    Seaman                                                           43.27

    Washburn Rural                                               43.27

    Topeka High                                                    43.52

    Silver Lake                                                        44.07

    4x400-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                                            3:21.82

    Shawnee Heights                                          3:24.59

    Silver Lake                                                     3:32.89

    Seaman                                                          3:35.19

    Topeka High                                                   3:35.43

    4x800-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                                            8:38.13

    Seaman                                                         8:50.45

    Silver Lake                                                     8:58.57

    Topeka High                                                  9:28.74

    Topeka West                                                  9:29.28

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