Washburn Rural Junior Blues
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Lauren Borjon, Hayden
LAUREN BORJON, Hayden
Borjon, a senior, helped Hayden win its second straight Class 4A state title by a 15-stroke margin, finishing third individually with a 36-hole score of 157 (76-81). Borjon, a two-time first-team All-Shawnee County pick, tied for sixth in the city tournament (84), finished second in the Centennial League (75) and finished seventh in regional competition (81). Borjon, who has earned three straight state medals, averaged 80.2 per round on the season.
Lauren Cox, Washburn Rural
LAUREN COX, Washburn Rural
A senior, Cox helped lead Washburn Rural to a third-place team finish in Class 6A. An All-Shawnee County first-team pick, Cox finished seventh in the city tournament (87), tied for 11th in the Centennial League (83) and eighth in a 6A regional (85) before tying for 22nd in the state tournament with a 36-hole score of 165 (82-83). Cox averaged 84.5 per round on the season.
ELISE ECKERT, Seaman
Eckert will play her senior season at Seaman after earning three Class 5A state medals for Emporia, including a fourth-place state finish last fall with a 36-hole score of 150 (77-73). Eckert tied for third in the Centennial League tournament (76) and carded a school-record 71 while playing for the Spartans.
Izzy Glotzbach, Hayden
IZZY GLOTZBACH, Hayden
A senior, Glotzbach carded a 36-hole score of 171 (89-82) in the Class 4A state tournament en route to a 12th-place individual finish as Hayden captured its second straight 4A team championship by a 15-stroke margin. A two-time All-Shawnee County first-team honoree, Glotzbach finished fourth in the city tournament (81), tied for eighth in the Centennial League (80) and finished eighth at regionals (82). Glotzbach averaged 82.3 per round on the season.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Brody Anderson, Seaman
BRODY ANDERSON, Seaman
Anderson, a senior, earned All-Shawnee County first-team recognition for the second straight season after winning city and United Kansas Conference individual titles and finishing second in Class 5A regional competition and ninth in the 5A state meet. Anderson broke his own school record with a five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 17 seconds. Anderson was also an all-county pick in track, finishing third in the 5A 800 meters in the 2025 state meet.
Connor Baldwin, Hayden
CONNOR BALDWIN, Hayden
A senior, Baldwin was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection last fall after posting a ninth-place individual finish in the city meet, a 13th-place showing in the Centennial League and a fifth-place finish in Class 4A regional competition. Baldwin capped his junior season with a 28th-place finish in the 4A state championships.
CONNER BLOOM, Seaman
A junior, Bloom received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last fall. Bloom finished 19th in the city meet, 15th in the United Kansas Conference and 20th in a Class 5A regional as the Vikings earned a team berth for the 5A state meet. Bloom finished 62nd at state.
EASTON DAVIS, Topeka High
Davis, a sophomore, received All-Shawnee County honorable mention as a freshman. Davis finished 15th in the city meet, 22nd in the Centennial League and 31st in Class 6A regional competition.
MAX ESQUIBEL, Shawnee Heights
A senior, Esquibel was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection last fall after finishing 11th in the city meet and 11th in the United Kansas Conference. Esquibel posted a 28th-place finish in Class 5A regional competition.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Ali Gerber, Silver Lake
ALI GERBER, Silver Lake
Gerber, a junior, earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention last fall after posting a sixth-place finish in Class 3A regional competition and narrowly missing a 3A state medal with a 23rd-place finish in the state meet. Gerber medaled in seven meets last season and ranks No. 9 on Silver Lake's all-time list. Gerber was a first-team all-county pick in track this past spring.
Emily Graf, Washburn Rural
EMILY GRAF, Washburn Rural
Graf, a senior, was a first-team All-Shawnee County pick last fall after helping Washburn Rural sweep city, Centennial League and Class 6A regional team championships before Rural tied for the 6A team title and finished second on a tiebreaker. Graf posted a fourth-place finish in the city meet, a fifth-place showing in the Centennial League and 6A regional meets and a 14th-place finish at state, earning her second straight state medal. Graf was a first-team All-Shawnee County pick in track this past spring, running on Rural's second-place 6A 4x800 relay.
Sofia Harper, Hayden
SOFIA HARPER, Hayden
A junior, Harper has a career-best five-kilometer time of 20:01 and received All-Shawnee County honors for the second straight season. Harper earned a fifth-place finish in the Wamego Invitational and placed 10th in the city meet before battling illness late in the season. As a freshman Harper posted a second-place finish in Class 3A regional competition and finished 32nd at the 3A state meet.
Kenzie Maddox, Washburn Rural
KENZIE MADDOX, Washburn Rural
Maddox, a senior, was a first-team All-Shawnee County pick last fall after helping Washburn Rural sweep city, Centennial League and Class 6A regional team championships before Rural tied for the 6A team title and finished second on a tiebreaker. Maddox finished ninth in the city meet, placed 12th in the Centennial League, 29th at regionals and 51st at state. Maddox had a season-best five-kilometer time of 19:41. Maddox was also a first-team all-county pick in track this past spring.
Ryin Miller, Seaman
RYIN MILLER, Seaman
A senior, Miller was named the Gatorade Kansas Cross Country runner of the year after sweeping city, United Kansas Conference and Class 5A regional individual championships and posting a runnerup finish at state. A three-time state placer, Miller ran the fastest five-kilometer time in Kansas history at 16 minutes, 32.62 seconds. Miller, who has orally committed to Arkansas, is the reigning two-time Gatorade Kansas Runner of the Year in track, winning the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 in the 2025 state meet.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
CARLOS ACOSTA-MARTINEZ, Topeka High
Acosta-Martinez, a junior, was a second-team All-Centennial League selection last season for the Trojans while also earning All-City honorable mention.
Draden Chooncharoen, Washburn Rural
DRADEN CHOONCHAROEN, Washburn Rural
A senior midfielder, Chooncharoen received first-team All-Centennial League honors last fall as the 15-3-3 Junior Blues won their 30th straight league title (outright or shared) on the way to a third-place finish in the Class 6A state tournament. Chooncharoen also received All-6A and All-City honorable mention and is a two-time 6A state track champion in the 4x400-meter relay.
Miles Cook, Washburn Rural
MILES COOK, Washburn Rural
Cook, a senior goalkeeper, helped 15-3-3 Washburn Rural win its 30th straight Centennial League championship (outright or shared) en route to a third-place finish in Class 6A. Cook received second-team Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association All-6A and All-Centennial recognition as well as All-City honorable mention.
JUDAH CONGDON, Cair Paravel Latin
A junior, Congdon earned All-Class 4A-1A honorable mention from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association last season and also received All-City honorable mention.
Valentin Del Real, Topeka West
VALENTIN DEL REAL, Topeka West
Del Real, a sophomore midfielder, had a big freshman season for the Chargers last fall as Topeka West posted a breakout 13-4-1 campaign. Del Real earned first-team All-City recognition and also was a first-team All-United Kansas Conference pick.
NERI DIAZ, Highland Park
Diaz, a senior midfielder, earned first-team All-City recognition for Highland Park in the 2024 season and was one of the top players in the Meadowlark Conference.
Juan Garcia, Shawnee Heights
JUAN GARCIA, Shawnee Heights
A senior, Garcia received All-Class 5A honorable mention from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association last season while also receiving All-City honorable mention.
Diego Gonzalez-Talavera, Topeka West
DIEGO GONZALES-TALAVERA, Topeka West
A junior forward, Gonzales-Talavera helped lead the 13-4-1 Chargers to a breakout season in 2024, earning All-City and All-United Kansas Conference first-team recognition.
Camden Granado, Shawnee Heights
CAMDEN GRANADO, Shawnee Heights
Granado, a senior forward, received All-Class 5A honorable mention from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association last season while also earning first-team All-City and All-United Kansas Conference recognition. Granado was also a standout kicker for the T-Bird football team last fall.
Mason Haas, Shawnee Heights
MASON HAAS, Shawnee Heights
Haas, a junior midfielder, received All-Class 5A honorable mention from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association last season while also earning first-team All-City and All-United Kansas Conference recognition.
Brandon Hamiton, Washburn Rural
BRANDON HAMILTON, Washburn Rural
A senior defender, Hamilton received second-team All-Class 6A honors from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association while also earning first-team All-City and All-Centennial League recognition for the 15-3-3 Junior Blues, who finished third in 6A after winning their 30th straight league championship (outright or shared).
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Nora Burdiek, Rossville
NORA BURDIEK, Rossville
A junior outside hitter, Burdiek was a first-team TopSports.news All-Shawnee County and first-team Kansas Volleyball Association All-Class 2A selection last fall after recording 491 kills, 368 digs and 22 blocks for the 22-18 Bulldawgs. Burdiek was also an All-Big East second-team selection in as a sophomore after being named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year as a freshman in 2023. Burdiek is also one of 2A's top basketball players, receiving all-county recognition the past two seasons.
Campbell Dawson, Topeka High
CAMPBELL DAWSON, Topeka High
Dawson, a junior, turned in a solid sophomore season for an improving Topeka High program last season, with the Trojans posting a 17-19 record. Dawson, who is entering her third season as a varsity player, earned second-team TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League recognition as a sophomore. Also a standout for Topeka High in softball, Dawson helped the Trojans advance to the Class 6A state tournament.
Ella Foster, Hayden
ELLA FOSTER, Hayden
A senior libero, Foster helped lead the Wildcats to a 32-12 record and a third-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament last fall. Foster was a second-team TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League selection last season while also receiving All-Class 4A honorable mention from the Kansas Volleyball Association. Foster is a multi-sport athlete for the Wildcats, also playing basketball and soccer.
Harper Hafenstine, Seaman
HARPER HAFENSTINE, Seaman
A senior, Hafenstine is a leading returner for Seaman, which has advanced to the Class 5A state championship match the past two seasons, including the state championship in 2023. Hafenstine received TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after helping the Vikings post a 41-3 record on the year.
KYLIE HANNI, Silver Lake
Hanni is a returning junior standout for traditional Class 3A state power Silver Lake. Hanni was named to the TSN All-Shawnee County second team following the 2024 season while also earning All-Big East League second-team recognition.
KARSYN HASTERT, Cair Paravel Latin
Hastert, a senior, has earned second-team TSN All-Shawnee County honors the past two seasons for the Lions after receiving all-county honorable mention as a freshman. Hastert is also a basketball standout for Cair Paravel Latin, earning all-county recognition.
Karsyn Horyna, Washburn Rural (21)
KARSYN HORYNA, Washburn Rural
Horyna, a senior, earned a first-team berth on the TSN All-Shawnee County team last season after helping the 31-8 Junior Blues win the Centennial League championship and advance to the Class 6A state tournament. In addition to receiving her all-county honor Horyna was a second-team All-Centennial selection.
Reese Huscher, Hayden
REESE HUSCHER, Hayden
A senior, Huscher earned TSN All-Shawneee County second-team recognition last fall after helping the Wildcats post a 32-12 record and a third-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. Huscher received All-Centennial League honorable mention. Huscher was also a member of Hayden's basketball team that finished third in 4A and the Wildcat soccer team that was the 4A-1A state runnerup.
Stelly Kelly, Washburn Rural
STELLA KELLY, Washburn Rural
Kelly, a senior, earned a second-team berth on the TSN All-Shawnee County team last season after helping the 31-8 Junior Blues win the Centennial League championship and advance to the Class 6A state tournament. In addition to receiving her all-county recognition Kelly was a second-team All-Centennial selection.
Hailey Schmidtlein, Hayden
HAILEY SCHMIDTLEIN, Hayden
A sophomore middle blocker/outside hitter, Schmidtlein helped lead 32-12 Hayden to a third-place finish in Class 4A last fall, receiving All-State Tournament and second-team Class 4A All-State honors from the Kansas Volleyball Association. Schmidtlein, who registered 440 kills and 242 digs, was a first-team TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League pick and named the county co-newcomer of the year. Schmidtlein also helped Hayden finish third in 4A basketball and second in 4A-1A soccer.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Former Washburn Rural star Brooklyn DeLeye, a 6-foot-2 outside hitter, scored eight points on seven kills and a block Sunday in San Jose, Costa Rica as the U.S. Women's U21 National Team completed its undefeated run to the gold medal in the NORCECA Women’s Pan American Cup with a 25-18, 25-14, 25-13 win over Chile.
Former Washburn Rural star Brooklyn DeLeye (7) helped lead the U.S. U21 team to the Pan Am Cup championship Sunday in Costa Rica. [Photo by NORCECA]
The U.S. finished the tournament without losing a set in its five matches and won its third straight Pan Am title after winning in 2022 and 2023.
The U.S. finished with large margins in kills (42-15), blocks (10-2) and aces (8-2) in the title match.
The U.S. hit .516 for the match with 42 kills and just nine hitting errors in 64 attacks, while limiting Chile to a .000 hitting percentage on the same number of attacks.
In Set 1 DeLeye led all players with five points on four kills and a block and had back-to-back kills in the second set to put the U.S. in front 8-3.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
After being rained out on Monday, the Topeka Junior Golf Association wrapped up its 2025 summer season on Tuesday at Western Hills, crowning eight champions.
Eighty players competed in the six-event juniors program, ranging in age from 7 to 17 years old.
"It's increased from year's past and this has been a record summer as far as participants and the amount of people wanting to get involved with these junior tournaments,'' said Washburn Rural golf coach Jared Goehring, who has been the director of the TJGA program for 21 years.
Peyton Wright (middle) won the girls 15-17-year-old title in the Topeka Junior Golf Association City Championships, while Elise Eckert (left) finished second and Lauren Borjon third. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
LynnLee Mullins (middle) won the girls 13-14 title in Tuesday's Topeka Junior Golf Association City Championships at Western Hills while Brynlee Harmon (left) finished second and Reese Elliott third. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Sadie Harmon (right) and Rowan Martinek finished one-two in the 12 and under girls division in Tuesday's Topeka Junior Golf Association City Championships at Western Hills. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
On the girls side, Peyton Wright won the 15-17-year-old title while LynnLee Mullins won the 13-14 division and Sadie Harmon was the 12-and-under champion.
Easton Moulin (middle) won the 15-17 boys championship in a three-hole playoff in Tuesday's Topeka Junior Golf Association City Championships at Western Hills while Chase Hastert (left) finished second and Higgins Hawks third. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Brody Buessing (middle) won the 13-14 boys championship in Tuesday's Topeka Junior Golf Association City Championships at Western Hills while Leyton Eckert (left) finished second and Jaxon Leonardi third. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Easton Moulin won a three-hole playoff to take the championship in the boys 15-17 division while Brody Buessing was the 13-14 champ, Arjun Rao won the 11-12 division, Nikhil Rao was the 9-10 champ and Maxon Baker won the 8-and-under title.
Arjun Rao (middle) won the 11-12 boys championship in Tuesday's Topeka Junior Golf Association City Championships at Western Hills while Keaton Cox (left) finished second and Zander French third. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]L
Nikhil Rao (middle) won the 9-10 boys championship in Tuesday's Topeka Junior Golf Association City Championships at Western Hills while Beckham Schmidt (left) finished second and Jaxson McFarland third. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Maxon Baker (middle) won the 8 and under boys championship in Tuesday's Topeka Junior Golf Association City Championships at Western Hills while William Roe (left) finished second and Bennett Shinn third. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Wright, who attends Baldwin High, recorded an 18-hole score of 71, while Mullins had a nine-hole total of 49 and Harmon won with a nine-hole score of 54.
Moulin, a Holton resident, shot an 18-hole score of 77 while Buessing posted an 18-hole win at 75, Arjun Rao won with a nine-hole score of 4, Nikhil Rao won the 9-10 division with a nine-hole total of 37 and Walker shot a winning nine-hole score of 40.
TJGA CITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Last month former Shawnee Heights and Washburn University standout Phil Frost was the top qualifier and went wire to wire in the tournament to win his first Topeka Golf Association City Match Play championship.
Phil Frost captured his first TGA City Stroke Play championship Monday at Topeka Country Club. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
After winning the TGA City Match Play title last month, Phil Frost added the City Stroke Play championship on Monday at Topeka Country Club. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
On Monday at Topeka Country Club, Frost proved he could also come from behind, rallying from a two-stroke deficit at the start of the day to win his first TGA City Stroke Play title by a single stroke over first and second-round leader Jeremiah Nelson and 2024 champion Myles Alonzo with a 213 54-hole score.
Jeremiah Nelson tied for second place in the 2025 TGA City Stroke Play tournament with a 54-hole score of 214. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Former Topeka West star Myles Alonzo used a final-round 73 to tie for second place in the 2025 TGA City Stroke Play tournament with a 54-hole score of 214. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Frost carded a final-round 76 while Nelson, also a Washburn golf alum, shot a 79 and finished in a tie for second with 2024 City Stroke Play champ Myles Alonzo, a former Topeka West star, who shot a final-round 73.
Frost took the lead on the seventh hole when he holed a 117-yard approach shot but his victory was not secure until Nelton narrowly missed a birdie putt on the final hole that could have forced a sudden death playoff.
"I was able to finish it off, but it was a struggle'' Frost said. "The back nine was a challenge. After I holed out on seven I told myself, 'Just stay calm and keep playing, don't let this get you out of your rhythm.' Then it became a challenge afterwards, but I was able to hold on.
"That (No. 7) got me the lead and that got me to 1-under-par. Then we both (Frost and Nelson) went back and forth on the way in. I was able to make a putt when I needed to make a putt.''
Washburn Rural and Washburn University alum Hayden Beck shot a tournament-low 72 Monday in the final round of the TGA City Stroke Play championship at Topeka Country Club. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural and Washburn University alum Hayden Beck carded a tournament-low 72 on Monday to finish at 216 and tie for fourth place with Adam Head and Brian Walker.
Tyler Baumchen, Blake Buessing and Jason Buessing all tied for seventh at 218 while Zach Vandervoort rounded out the top 10 at 220.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
When high school football practice for the 2025 season kicks off across Kansas on August 18, linemen will go back to laboring in relative obscurity.
But Tuesday's eighth annual Battle of the Bigs lineman challenge at Shawnee Heights was all about the men in the trenches.
Approximately 70 linemen representing six city and area high schools took part in the Battle of the Bigs, competing in nine non-contact drills/activities while vying for individual and team prizes.
"I love it,'' Shawnee Heights coach Jason Swift said of the annual event. "The most unappreciated players on a football team are the linemen and we do this solely to celebrate the linemen for everything they do.
"They play a sport that they don't get noticed in unless something bad happens, so tonight we want to make it where we get to watch them do great things. It's good for them for unity and coming together as a team and having fun.''
Washburn Rural senior Ayden Crosswhite won the individual championship with 224 points, while Blue Valley seniors Chase Blandi (212 points) and Samuel Kiles (207) finished second and third and Shawnee Heights seniors Royce Daniels and Blake Coffman tied for fourth place (206 points).
Blue Valley won the team title with 1,015 points while Washburn Rural was second (991) and Shawnee Heights third (987).
Top 10 individuals
1. Ayden Crosswhite, sr., Washburn Rural, 224 points
2. Chase Blandi, sr., Blue Valley, 212 points
3. Samuel Kiles, sr., Blue Valley, 207 points
4. (tie) Royce Daniels, sr., Shawnee Heights, 206 points
4. (tie) Blake Coffman, sr., Shawnee Heights, 206 points
6. Austin Jordan, jr., Eudora, 204 points
7. Marx Marx, sr., Eudora, 203 points
8. Chase Metz, jr., Blue Valley, 202 points
9. Steven Cantrell, jr., Washburn Rural, 201 points
10. Ethan Winter, sr., Eudora, 200 points
Team standings (top three)
1. Blue Valley, 1,015 points
2. Washburn Rural, 991 points
3. Shawnee Heights, 987 points.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The top Shawnee County athletes from the class of 2025 are getting ready to embark on their college careers while offseason preparations for the 2025-2026 school year are well under way.
But it's also important to remember the accomplishments that made the '24-'25 campaign a special one for county athletes and teams.
Shawnee County schools claimed three state girls team championships and seven others came up just short over the past school year while three county standouts combined to claim five individual titles in three different sports.
While a case can always be made for any number of stories to sit at the top of the list, here's just one opinion on the Top 10 county girls prep stories of '24-'25.
Washburn Rural soccer celebrates its first Class 6A state championship after a 1-0 win over Mill Valley in PKs. [Photo by KSHSAA Covered]
1. HISTORIC BREAKTHROUGH -- Washburn Rural, already well established as one of the state's premier girls soccer programs, added the only missing piece from its impressive resume with its first Class 6A state championship on May 31 in Wichita. Making their 11th straight Final Four appearance, including four runnerup state finishes, the Junior Blues broke through with a 1-0 win over Mill Valley, taking the win with a 4-1 edge in penalty kicks as senior Madison Lemke came up huge in goal for Brian Hensyel's 19-2-0 Rural team.
Seaman junior Ryin Miller won three gold medals in the 2025 Class 5A state track meet at Wichita, giving her five wins in her career. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
2. MILLER TIMES --Seaman superstar runner Ryin Miller capped off her junior track and field season by sweeping Class 5A state championships in her three individual events, taking wins in the 3,200 (10:19.53), 1,600 (4:57.33) and 800-meter (2:11.14) runs at Wichita State. Miller's three wins in 2025 gave her five career titles and came on the heels of a banner cross country season last fall, which included the fastest five-kilometer run in Kansas history (16:32.62) and a runnerup finish in the 5A state meet (17:26.36) by the Viking four-sport athlete.
Hayden senior Ainzley Zulueta earned her third Class 4A singles title last fall, leading the Wildcats to their second team title in three seasons. [File photo/TSN]
3. ZULUETA, WILDCATS BACK ON TOP --After sitting out her junior high shool tennis season due to KSHSAA eligibility guidelines, Zulueta returned to the courts last fall and turned in a dominating postseason performance (eight straight 6-0, 6-0 wins in regional and state competition) en route to her third Class 4A singles championship in as many tries while leading Hayden to its second team title in three seasons by a 40-28 margin over McPherson. In addition to Zulueta's title, Christy Sheetz's Wildcats got a runnerup doubles finish from senior Emily Sheetz and freshman Sophia Wichman, a ninth-place singles finish from junior Grace Funk and an 11th-place doubles showing from juniors Izzy Glotzbach and Avery O'Bray.
Hayden's girls golf team captured its second straight Class 4A state championship last fall by 15 strokes over Wellington. [Submitted photo]
4. REPEAT FEAT --Hayden rolled to its second straight Class 4A girls golf team championship last fall, posting a 698-713 win over Wellington at Hesston as three Wildcats earned individual medals. Junior Lauren Borjon paced Hayden with a third-place state finish (76-81 -- 157) while junior Izzy Glotzbach tied for 12th (89-82 -- 171) and senior Addyson Baer tied for 16th (86-88 -- 174). Glotzbach helped the Wildcats win state titles in tennis and golf three days apart.
Highland Park junior Makayla Cadet has her hand raised as the Class 5A 190-pound state champ last winter. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
5. A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY --Highland Park junior Makayla Cadet celebrated her 17th birthday in one of the best ways you could imagine last winter, with a Class 5A state wrestling championship. Cadet, who went 23-4 on the season, became the first girls wrestler in Highland Park history to win a state championship when she pinned Basehor-Linwood junior Izzy Renfro at the 1:36 mark of the first period in Park City. Cadet's win over Renfro avenged a regional loss to the Bobcat standout.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The 2024-2025 sports year was full of near-misses for Shawnee County boys teams, with Hayden bowling the lone team to garner a championship in a school year that included seven top-three state trophy finishes in six sports.
But individually there was plenty to celebrate, most notably for Washburn Rural on the wrestling mat and track as seven Junior Blues combined for all six county titles
Following is a pick by pick look at the TopSports.news Top 10 county boys prep stories of '24-'25:
Washburn Rural 2025 grad Easton Broxterman won his third straight Class 6A state wrestling title in his fourth straight trip to the state finals. [File photo/TSN]
1. DOMINATING FINISH TO DOMINATING CAREER -- Washburn Rural superstar wrestler Easton Broxterman put the capper on one of the top high school careers in Shawnee County history with his third straight Class 6A state championship in his fourth straight trip to the state finals, helping lead the Junior Blues to a third-place team finish in the 6A state tournament in Overland Park. Broxterman, who will wrestle collegiately at Army, finished off a 41-2 senior season with the 145-pound state title.
Hayden captured the school's first-ever state bowling title in 2025. [File photo/TSN]
2. ROLLING TO HISTORY --Hayden garnered the first state bowling championship in school history, winning the Class 4A-1A state event by a 3,666-3,571 margin over Mulvane as four Wildcats earned individual state medals. Trevor Christy rolled a 698 series to finish third individually while John Strickland finished fifth with a 685, Chase Blaser was seventh with a 676 and Reese Renyer placed 16th with a 636.
Washburn Rural 2025 grad Kristjan Marshall won back-to-back Class 6A state wrestling titles in '24 and '25.'[File photo/TSN]
Washburn Rural senior to be Landen Kocher-Munoz won his second Class 6A state wrestling titles in '25.'[File photo/TSN]
3. REPEAT FEAT --Washburn Rural wrestling stars Kristjan Marshall and Landen Kocher-Munoz captured the second Class 6A state titles of their careers as the Junior Blues finished third as a team. Marshall, a senior, won his second straight championship, winning the 157-pound crown to finish off a 37-5 season while Kocher-Munoz, a junior, won his second career championship in his third straight state final, winning at 138 pounds to finish 34-3 on the season.
Washburn Rural's Matthew Houser, Liam Morrison, Draden Chooncharoen and Isaiah Terry set the Class 6A state meet record in the 4x400 relay in the 2025 state meet. [File photo/TSN]
4. REPEAT FEAT PART II --Washburn Rural won the Class 6A state title in the 4x400-meter relay for the second straight season in the final event of the state meet at Wichita State's Cessna Stadium as senior Matthew Houser, junior Liam Morrison, junior Draden Chooncharoen and senior Isaiah Terry set a 6A state meet record in a winning time of 3 minutes, 16.23 seconds. Morrison, Chooncharoen and Terry ran on Rural's state-champion relay in both '24 and '25 while Houser won his first state title.
5. DOUBLING THEIR PLEASURE --In addition to helping Washburn Rural set a Class 6A state meet 4x400 relay record in the 2025 state meet, senior Isaiah Terry and junior Liam Morrison both doubled up with their first career individual state titles. Terry won the 400-meter dash in 47.92 seconds while Morrison won the 300 hurdles in 37.68 seconds. Terry and Morrison also both have a pair of state wins as part of the Junior Blues' 4x400 relay, giving them three career state golds.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
How successful was the 2021-22 sports year for Shawnee County high schools? Good enough that girls and boys individuals/teams deserve their own lists.
First up is TopSports.news' look at the county girls year in review, which will be followed by a look at the boys successes of the past year.
Shawnee County schools claimed three state girls team championships and several others came up just short while 10 county standouts claimed individual titles in four different sports.
While a case can always be made for any number of stories to sit at the top of the list, here's one opinion on the Top 10 Shawnee County girls prep stories of '21-'22:
Topeka High celebrates its second straight Class 6A state softball title after last Friday's 2-1 win over Washburn Rural. [Photo by Isaac Deer/TSN]
1. TROJAN RERUN -- After claiming the school's first Class 6A state softball championship in 2021, Topeka High made it two titles in a row last Friday against a familiar foe, with the Trojans edging past city and Centennial League rival Washburn Rural, 2-1, in the championship game. After leading High to a perfect 25-0 record as a junior, Stanford signee NiJaree Canady came up big again in the pitching circle and at the plate last weekend, leading the Trojans to the title.
Washburn Rural won its second Class 6A state basketball championship since 2019, taking a 40-23 win over Derby in the state final. [Submitted]
2. RURAL RULES --Washburn Rural's girls basketball team celebrated a 6A state championship for the second time since 2019, completing a 23-2 season with a 40-23 romp past Derby in the state final at Wichita State's Koch Arena. And while the basketball crown was the lone title for the Lady Blues in '21-'22, they threatened in sport after sport, finishing second in the state in golf, soccer, wrestling and softball and turning in strong cross country, volleyball and bowling campaigns.
Topeka West junior Kadence Jeffries ended her high school swimming career with a sweep of the Class 5A-1A 200 and 500 freestyle events for the third straight season. [File photo/TSN]
3. CHARGER IN CHARGE --The only thing that stopped Topeka West swimming star Kadence Jeffries during a dominating high school career was COVID-19. After sweeping the 200-yard freestyle and 500 free Class 5A-1A state titles as a freshman, Jeffries had her sophomore season wiped out by the pandemic beore returning to sweep the same two events as both a junior and senior to complete a six for six performance in state individual events. Seaman sophomore Avery Walz joined Jeffries as a 5A-1A state champ this past season, winning the 100-yard breaststroke and earning four state medals overall as the Vikings finished fourth as a team.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Following Saturday night's Kansas Shrine Bowl in Dodge City, Seaman products Kaden Jordan, Max Huston and Bryer Finley will all go their separate ways to pursue their college athletic careers.
Former Seaman standout Kaden Jordan will close out its high school football career in Saturday's Kansas Shrine Bowl at Dodge City. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
And Jordan said it's very important for the three former Vikings to make the most of their final game together.
Jordan, a 6-foot-2, 305-pound defensive lineman, Finley (6-5, 195 wide receiver) and Huston (6-1, 185 quarterback) will all play for the East in Saturday's 7 p.m. all-star game while their high school coach, Jared Swafford, is an East assistant.
"The Shrine Bowl in general has been a goal for sure, to be able to prove that I was good enough to make it,'' Jordan said. "And playing with Bryer and Max and even coach Swaff is definitley a huge thing.
"I started playing football with Max in the fourth grade and Bryer in fifth, so it's kind of good to end little league and high school sports with them as well.''
Following Saturday's game, Jordan, the Shawnee County defensive player of the year for the 8-3 Vikings last fall, will turn his focus to getting ready for his freshman season at Hutchinson Community College.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Being a state-class athlete in three different sports has been a blessing for Seaman product Bryer Finley.
Seaman three-sport standout Bryer Finley will play wide receiver for the East in Saturday's Kansas Shrine Bowl at Dodge City. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
But that versatality has also presented challenges for the football, basketball and baseball standout as he's tried to decide which sport he'll pursue at the collegiate level.
The 6-foot-5, 195-pound Finley, who will play wide receiver for the East in Saturday's Kansas Shrine Bowl all-star football game at Dodge City, is leaning towards playing baseball in college, but that decision is not set in stone.
"I'm still basically undecided to where I'm going to go to college,'' Finley said this week before an East practice at Ottawa University.
Complicating Finley's college decision is the fact that a big senior year afforded him college opportunities in all three sports.
Finley was named the United Kansas Conference offensive player of the year and TopSports.news Shawnee County co-offensive player of the year last fall in football after catching 82 passes for 1,556 yards and 21 touchdowns as Seaman posted an 8-3 record and advanced to the Class 5A state quarterfinals.
Finley earned Second 10 all-county and second-team All-UKC honors in basketball and was a second-team all-county selection in baseball while receiving All-5A and All-UKC honorable mention.
"It's still hard to make the (college) decision because I love all three and played all three growing up,'' Finley said. "It's hard to make a commitment to one when I've been playing them my whole life, but if it's the right one hopefully I'll do good at that one.''
And if Saturday proves to be his final football game, Finley can't think of a better way to go out than in the state's premier all-star game while playing with former Seaman teammates Max Finley and Kaden Jordan.
"I get to play one more football game and it seems awesome to come out here with my two other teammates and get one more game with them,'' Finley said.
Huston (6-1, 185) is playng quarterback for the East while Jordan (6-2, 305) is a defensive lineman and Seaman coach Jared Swafford is an an East assistant coach.
Also playing for the East is former Washburn Rural standout offensive lineman Caden Estrada (6-2, 270).
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The college recruiting process can be hectic and a bit daunting for high school athletes.
But that wasn't the case for former Washburn Rural standout Caden Estrada, who basically needed just one visit to the Emporia State campus to know where he was headed.
Former Washburn Rural standout Caden Estrada (75) will play for the East in Saturday's Kansas Shrine Bowl at Dodge City. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"I just love the culture there, so I had to do it,'' said Estrada, a 6-foot-2, 270-pound offensive lineman. "I went down there on my visit and really liked the coach (Garin Higgins), really liked the staff and it just felt like home.''
Estrada, who will play for the East in Saturday's Kansas Shrine Bowl at Dodge City, got a jump start on his college career with the other Hornet recruits last week.
"I went down there last week for freshman camp and it was great,'' said Estrada, an All-Shawnee County Top 22 pick last fall and a three-time All-Centennial League selection for Rural. "I did the workouts, did some conditioning and got to hang out with my teammates, so it was a good time.''
Estrada, who helped Rural advance to the Class 6A state semifinals as a junior, said the Shrine Bowl experience will also help prepare him for what's ahead.
"I think it totally will,'' he said. "Obviously we're getting better athletically, but also leadership-wise and playing for something bigger than ourselves, playing for the kids and all that, puts the game to the side and helps you mentally.''
Estrada expects to redshirt this fall, which he also thinks will benefit him in the future.
"Most freshmen do redshirt and I think that will help in understanding the playbook and stuff like that,'' Estrada said. "I think that will help tremendously because college is a whole different game. I'm super excited.''
Estrada is one of four city players on the East roster, along with Seaman quarterback Max Huston, wide receiver Bryer Finley (6-5, 195) and defensive lineman Kaden Jordan (6-2, 305).
Seaman coach Jared Swafford is an an East assistant coach.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Class 6A state champion Washburn Rural and Class 4A-1A runnerup Hayden combined to earn nine of 12 first-team berths on the 2025 All-Centennial League girls soccer team, selected by league coaches.
Kate Hinck, Washburn Rural
Senior player of the year Kate Hinck leads six Washburn Rural players on the all-league team, with seniors Destiny Higgs, Zahra Friess, Delaney Hill and Madison Lemke and junior Dayne Shriver also earning first-team berths while Junior Blues coach Brian Hensyel was named the coach of the year and Rural sophomore Emery Hall was named the league newcomer of the year.
Destiny Higgs, Washburn Rural
Zahra Friess, Washburn Rural
Madison Lemke, Washburn Rural
Dayne Shriver, Washburn Rural
Delaney Hill, Washburn Rural
Hayden, which dropped a double overtime decision to Bishop Miege in the 4A-1A final, put senior Camryn McDonald and juniors Carsyn Broxterman and Reese Huscher on the All-Centennial first team.
Carsyn Broxterman, Hayden
Camryn McDonald, Hayden
Reese Huscher, Hayden
Topeka High junior Natalie Barnes also earned a first-team All-Centennial League spot after helping lead the Trojans to the 6A state quarterfinals.
Natalie Barnes, Topeka High
2025 All-Centennial League girls soccer
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
It hasn't been that long ago that it looked like Max Huston's college future would be on a baseball diamond.
But Seaman's former star quarterback is all about the gridiron these days, with the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Huston playing for the East in Saturday's Kansas Shrine Bowl at Dodge City before beginning his college career this fall at Coffeyville Community College.
Former Seaman star quarterback Max Huston completes a pass during Sunday's East Kansas Shrine Bowl practice at Ottawa University. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"Baseball was it my freshman year and I got a whole bunch of offers freshman year,'' said Huston, who committed to Kansas State in baseball early in his prep career before eventually changing course. "I played baseball my freshman season and played JV football.
"Sophomore year I got brought up to varsity (football) and played and we had an alright season. Junior year we had a pretty good season and did some good stuff and football's just more fun to me. I like it more, it's more enjoyable, so I de-committed, switched my recruitment to football and here we go.''
Huston earned TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Top 22 and All-United Kansas Conference first-team honors as a junior and senior and was named the county co-offensive player of the year after helping lead Seaman to the Class 5A state quarterfinals and an 8-3 record last fall while completing 170 of 266 pass attempts for 2,532 yards and 29 touchdowns and rushing for 779 yards and 13 TDs.
After mulling over his college options Finley eventually picked Coffeyville, where he has already begun preseason preparations.
"It (his commitment) was later than most people, just because I was trying to make sure that I went somewhere that fitted me, fitted my play style, fitted where I could go play and that's pretty much when I made that decision,'' Huston said.
"I've been down there for two weeks now, we went down on June 1st. It's hard. We work hard every day, but it's going pretty good right now.''
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural, which captured its first-ever Class 6A girls state championship this spring, put a city-high six players on the 15-member 2025 All-City girls soccer first team.
The All-City team is based on recommendations and voting from city coaches.
Rural is represented on the All-City first team by seniors Destiny Higgs, Kate Hinck, Addyson Kaberline, Zahra Friess and Madison Lemke and junior Dayne Shriver while Junior Blues coach Brian Hensyel was named the city coach of the year
Higgs, Hinck and Kaberline are all first-team repeat picks after helping Washburn Rural post a 19-2 rcord, capped by a 1-0 win over Mill Valley in penalty kicks (4-1).
Destiny Higgs, Washburn Rural
Kate Hinck, Washburn Rural
Addyson Kaberline, Washburn Rural
Zahra Friess, Washburn Rural
Madison Lemke, Washburn Rural
Dayne Shriver, Washburn Rural
Seaman, which advanced to the 5A state quarterfinals, is represented on the All-City team by seniors Anna Becker and Maegan Mills and junior Ava Golightley, with Becker a repeat pick and Mills receiving honorable mention in 2024.
Anna Becker, Seaman
Ava Golightley, Seaman
Hayden, which advanced to the 4A-1A championship game before losing in double overtime to Bishop Miege, put junior Carsyn Broxterman and senior Camryn McDonald on the All-City first team, with Broxterman a repeat selection and McDonald moving up to the first team after receiving honorable mention in 2024.
Carsyn Broxterman, Hayden
Camryn McDonald, Hayden
Shawnee Heights senior Izzy Van Fleet is a repeat first-team selection while T-Bird senior Bayli Benson was voted to the first team after receiving honorable mention a year ago.
Izzy Van Fleet, Shawnee Heights
Bayli Benson, Shawnee Heights
Rounding out the All-City first team are Highland Park sophomore Micah Williams and Topeka High junior Natalie Barnes.
Micah Williams, Highland Park
Natalie Barnes, Topeka High
Williams is a two-time All-City pick while Barnes earned All-City recognition for the first time after helping Topeka High reach the 6A quarterfinals.
ALL-CITY GIRLS SOCCER 2025
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Fourteen city players have earned All-State recognition from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association, including nine first-teamers.
Kate Hinck, Washburn Rural
Madison Lemke, Washburn Rural
Leading the way was Class 6A state champion Washburn Rural with five first-team picks, including senior forward of the year Kate Hinck and senior goalkeeper of the year Madison Lemke.
Zahra Friess, Washburn Rural
Delaney Hill, Washburn Rural
Destiny Higgs, Washburn Rural
Also earning first-team honors for the Junior Blues were senior forward Zahra Friess and senior midfielders Delaney Hill and Destiny Higgs while Rural coach Brian Hensyel was selected as the 6A coach of the year.
Carsyn Broxterman, Hayden
Camryn McDonald, Hayden
Class 4A-1A runnerup Hayden put junior forward Carsyn Broxterman and senior defender Camryn McDonald on the 4A-1A first team while Wildcat coach Klaus Kreutzer was named the coach of the year.
Seaman, a state quarterfinalist, is represented on the All-5A first team by senior midfielder Anna Becker and senior goalkeeper Maegan Mills.
Anna Becker, Seaman
Washburn Rural junior defender Dayne Shriver received second-team All-State honors in 6A while Seaman junior forward Ryin Miller was a second-team pick in 5A and Hayden junior forward Reese Huscher was a second-team selection in 4A-1A.
Highland Park sophomore forward Micah Williams and Seaman junior defender Addyson Shipp received All-5A honorable mention.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
State tournament qualifiers Silver Lake, Seaman, Shawnee Heights, Washburn Rural and Topeka High combined to earn 15 of 16 spots on the 2025 TopSports.news All-Shawnee County softball first team.
Silver Lake, the Class 3A runnerup for the second straight season, put four players on the first team, including Shawnee County player of the year Kendra Cook, while 5A state qualifiers Seaman and Shawnee Heights combined for six first-teamers and 6A state runnerup Washburn Rural and fellow 6A state qualifier Topeka High combined for five first-teamers.
Kendra Cook, Silver Lake
Topeka High freshman London Backman and Hayden freshman Blakely Walter were named the co-county newcomers of the year while Washburn Rural coach Joy Marie Galliart and Silver Lake coach Nick Hamilton share the county coach of the year award for the second straight year.
London Backman, Topeka High
Blakely Walter, Hayden
Cook is joined on the All-Shawnee County first team by Eagle seniors Taylor Zordel and Kira Lowrey and junior Kailyn Hanni after Silver Lake recorded a 25-7 record.
Taylor Zordel, Silver Lake
Kira Lowrey, Silver Lake
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake
Seaman put seniors Kaelyn O'Rourke, Raegan McConnell and Anna McLaughlin and junior Aubrey Warren on the first team after the Vikings posted a 20-9 record, including a 3-2 17-inning loss to Maize South in the opening round of the 5A state tournament.
Kaelyn O'Rourke, Seaman
Raegan McConnell, Seaman
Anna McLaughlin, Seaman
Aubrey Warren, Seaman
Washburn Rural, which went 22-8 and advanced to the 6A championship game before dropping an 8-7 decision to Olathe West, put Centennial League player of the year Olivia Koch, a sophomore, on the all-county first team along with juniors Henley Rapp and Reagan Chapman.
Olivia Koch, Washburn Rural
Reagan Chapman, Washburn Rural
Henley Rapp, Washburn Rural
Shawnee Heights, which posted a 20-7 record and dropped a 3-2 decision to eventual 5A state champion St. Thomas Aquinas in the first round of the 5A state tournament, is represented by seniors Taylor Brees and Grace Proctor.
Taylor Brees, Shawnee Heights
Grace Proctor, Shawnee Heights
State qualifier Topeka High put Backman and senior Jo'Mhara Benning on the all-county first team while Hayden senior Keira Carswell rounds out the all-county squad.
Jo'Mhara Benning, Topeka High
Keira Carswell, Hayden
2025 ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY SOFTBALL
