Washburn Rural Junior Blues

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Daniel Allen

DANIEL ALLEN, Washburn Rural

Allen, a junior, returned to high school swimming after a year away with three wins and a second-place finish in the season-opening Topeka West Invitational last Wednesday at the Capitol Federal Natatorium. Allen won the 200-yard freestyle and 100 butterfly individually and swam on the Junior Blues' winning 200 free relay and runnerup 400 free relay.

KaeVon Bonner

KAEVON BONNER, Seaman

A senior basketball standout, Bonner opened the 2025-2026 season with a 37-point performance in last Tuesday's 83-75 home United Kansas Conference victory over No. 2-ranked (Class 5A) Piper. Bonner hit 10 of 18 shots from the field with three 3-pointers while connecting on 14 of 17 free throws.

Malakyah Duncan

MALAKYAH DUNCAN, Topeka West

Duncan, a senior basketball standout, scored a game-high 26 points Friday as Topeka West opened the season with an 81-54 United Kansas Conference home romp past De Soto. Duncan hit 9 of 13 shots from the floor with three 3-pointers for the No. 7-ranked (Class 5A) Chargers.    

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Twenty-nine Washburn Rural and Topeka High football players have received All-Centennial League recognition, including 10 first-team selections.

Jadyn Baum, Washburn Rural

John Hoytal, Washburn Rural

Rural is represented on the first team by senior offensive line Jayden Cooper, senior quarterback John Hoytal, junior running back Jadyn Baum, senior wide receiver Nate Selm, junior defensive lineman Steven Cantrell, senior linebacker Jordy Heim, senior defensive back Brody Haas, junior kicker Ryan Austin and junior punter Gavin Vantuyl.

Topeka High is represented on the first team by senior Malichi Murph, a repeat pick at defensive back.

Rural second-team selections include junior offensive lineman Nick Loughney, senior running back TJ Minikwu, senior defensive linemen Sammy Brumley and Ayden Crosswhite, senior linebacker Elijah Gaines and senior defensive back Austin Ditch.

High second-team honorees include senior offensive lineman Jeremiah Lopez Arreola, sophomore running back Ricardo Dowd, junior wide receiver Courtney Sanders, senior defensive lineman Adam Humphrey and senior linebacker Rock Williamson. 

2025 ALL-CENTENNIAL LEAGUE FOOTBALL

By VINCE LOVERGINE

TopSports.news

Perennial state girls power Washburn Rural will have to make do without junior star and Kansas State commit Maddie Vickery for at least the early portion of the 2025-2026 season.

Kevin Bordewick begins his 17th season as Washburn Rural's girls basketball head coach and his 33rd in the program. [File photo/TSN]

But Kevin Bordewick, who is starting his 17th season as the Junior Blues' coach in basketball, said his team has to view Vickery's absence as a chance to get other Rural players accustomed to competing at the Class 6A level.

“It’s going to give us a great opportunity to have others to step up and do other things more,'' Bordewick said. "I’m really excited about the kids we have coming back and some freshmen who are going to step up and play major minutes and we’re going to have a good mix.''

“We work a lot on ball movement and working together instead of relying on (Vickery) to score and rebound for us. I feel like we’ve been more aggressive on shooting, driving and other aspects, too,” senior Ella Hirschi said.

Hallie Walker, Hirschi and Josie Carlgren will be the seniors of this season's Washburn Rural group.

Bordewick said junior Brooklyn Rutherford will be a key contributor and got some big minutes last season. Kailyn Peterson is a post player Bordewick said the Junior Blues will use and he said four freshmen will get minutes.

“We’re all really hard workers,'' Carlgren said. "We want to get better every single day at practice, we all push each other to get better. If there is something that someone needs to work on, we’ll keep them on track, and that goes for everybody.''

Bordewick has led Washburn Rural to 10 6A state titles in volleyball and basketball and said there’s no secret ingredient to success, but said it does come down to some variables. 

“You can’t win if you don’t have good athletes,” he said. “They have to work hard, they have to believe in themselves and I think what we try to get out of them is really up to them.

"I told the freshmen, 'We’re going to be on you even as freshmen because if you’re on this varsity group, you’re a varsity ballplayer, you’re not a freshman so we’re going to treat you as a varsity ballplayer and we have standards that we don’t lower no matter what.''

By VINCE LOVERGINE

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural's boys basketball team opened the 2025-2026 campaign at home Friday against Blue Valley Southwest with the student section decked out in their Christmas Spirit, coming out with a win, 64-45.

Senior Simon Rowley led Washburn Rural with 17 points in Friday's 64-45 win over Blue Valley Southwest. [File photo/TSN]

Both teams took a little bit to get some points on the board. The game was tied at 7-7 after the Wolves took a 10-7 lead off a triple. They would push their lead to four but Washburn Rural closed the gap to 13-12 after one quarter.

In that first quarter, Rural finished a couple of steals, but you could tell they were a little sped up at times. Something that lacked in that first half and really all game was Washburn Rural knocking down its free throws.

“I thought it looked like the first game,” Washburn Rural coach Alex Hutchins said. “Pretty sloppy at points. I thought we played with a lot of energy early. I would’ve loved to finish some plays in transition, some of the free throws, too.

"I thought we were a little frantic on defense early and then settled in as the first half went on. We’re going to have to make more shots early and I think it was good the defense was good in the second and third quarter to weather some of that.”

To open the second quarter, Brooks Ballard hit a shot from distance to make it 15-13 off an inbounds play. John Hoytal was making plays happen down low, grabbing rebounds and finishing at the rim and drawing fouls.

Rural would jump out to a 20-13 lead after Draden Chooncharoen nailed a 3-pointer from the left corner pocket and senior Simon Rowley put some distance between the teams with a couple of buckets in the winding ticks of the first half as the Junior Blues took the 27-19 lead into the break.

Washburn Rural only allowed six points in the second quarter.

The Junior Blues came out at halftime with good energy and pace and eventually pulled away from the Wolves.

Hoytal put Rural up 36-23 from distance and finished with 13 points on the night but Rowley scored seven points late in that third quarter, including banking in a three.

“Coach just says keep going, keep pounding and finding a way,” Rowley said. “I just tried to get the guys in a good positive mindset. I know I started off slow. I set the tone for the team so I had to have a better mindset when I was out there and encourage my teammates more and they all feeded off me and we were just eating.”

But after that Rural went up 19 after back-to-back buckets from Rowley, who finished with 17 points. Chooncharoen hit two more 3-pointers down the stretch to finish with nine and put the nail in the coffin.

“I thought our execution was decent, we just didn’t finish the opportunities. Hopefully that’s just the first game jitter stuff and we can shake that off. A good first night,  but more to build on,” Hutchins said.

WASHBURN RURAL BOYS 64, BLUE VALLEY SOUTHWEST 45

Blue Valley Southwest 13 6 10 16 -- 45

Washburn Rural           12 15 18 19 -- 64

Blue Valley Southwest (0-1) - Taylor 1-1 0-0 3, Bonczynski 1-3 1-2 4, William Abraham 1-2 0-0 2, Putzier 2-3 1-1 5, Steele 1-1 0-0 2, Geisler 1-1 0-0, 3, Ferguson 2-2 0-0 6, Wesley Abraham 4-8 3-4, 12, Carlisle 3-3 0-0 8.

Washburn Rural (1-0) -- Rowley 7-15 2-8 17, Nimz 0-2 0-2 0, Ballard 3-3 0-0 8, Wright 2-5 1-3 3, Hoytal 3-9 6-6 13, O’Conner 1-3 1-2 3, Chooncharoen 3-5 0-2 9, Bradley 2-2 0-0 4, Schmidt 2-4 1-2 5. Totals 23-48 11-25 64.

3-point field goals -- Washburn Rural 7 (Chooncharoen 3, Ballard 2, Rowley, Hoytal).  BVSW 8 (Ferguson 2, Carlisle 2, Bonczynski, Taylor, Giesler, Wesley Abraham). Total fouls -- Washburn Rural 14, Blue Valley Southwest 23. Fouled out -- none. Technical fouls -- none. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

JADYN BAUM, Washburn Rural

Baum, a junior, earned first-team All-Shawnee County recognition at 190 pounds last season after posting a 28-6 record and a third-place finish in the Class 6A state tournament for Washburn Rural, which finished third as a team. Baum is ranked No. 4 at 190 pounds in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class rankings and is top-ranked in 6A at 215. 

BRENNEN BOWERS, Seaman

A senior 157-pounder, Bowers is currently ranked No. 1 in Class 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its preseason rankings. Bowers was a 5A state qualifier last season and earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention for the Vikings.

BRODY BROWN, Shawnee Heights

Brown, a junior, is a two-time Class 5A state qualifier and earned second-team All-Shawnee County recognition last season at 138 pounds. Brown is expected to wrestle at 150 pounds this winter and is currently ranked No. 3 in 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its preseason rankings.

KAYDEN CLELLAND, Silver Lake

A junior 165-pounder, Clelland was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season after winning a Class 4A regional championship to qualify for state with a 32-11 record through regional competition.  

RYDER FOSTER, Rossville

Foster, a sophomore 106-pounder, is currently ranked No. 5 in Class 3A-1A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its second preseason rankings. Foster was a state qualifier as a freshman, posting a fourth-place regional finish.

JOSE GOMEZ, Topeka High

Gomez, a junior, posted a 24-13 record last season at 106 pounds and earned All-Shawnee County first-team recognition. Gomez is currently ranked No. 4 in the Class 6A preseason rankings by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.

RYDER HARRISON, Washburn Rural

Harrison, a senior 120-pounder, was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection last season, posting a 27-15 record for the Junior Blues and finishing sixth in Class 6A. Harrison is ranked No. 4 at 120 pounds in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 6A preseason rankings.

EVAN JOHNSON, Shawnee Heights

Johnson, a senior, received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season and is a three-time Class 5A state qualifier for the T-Birds. Johnson is expected to wrestle at 165 pounds this season and is currently ranked No. 5 in 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.

Brodye Kocher-Munoz, Washburn Rural

BRODYE KOCHER-MUNOZ, Washburn Rural

A junior 150-pounder, Kocher-Munoz was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection last season for Washburn Rural, posting a 16-7 record on the season and finishing fourth in Class 6A for the third-place Junior Blues. Munoz is ranked third at 150 pounds in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 6A preseason rankings and 10th in the All-Class rankings.

Landen Kocher-Munoz, Washburn Rural

LANDEN KOCHER-MUNOZ, Washburn Rural

Kocher-Munoz, a senior 138-pounder, captured his second Class 6A state championship last season in his third straight trip to the state finals. Kocher-Munoz posted a 30-3 record, earning All-Shawnee County first-team recognition for a third straight season. Kocher-Munoz is top-ranked in 6A and No. 3 in the All-Class rankings by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.

 Jude Krentz, Hayden

JUDE KRENTZ, Hayden

A senior, Krentz earned first-team All-Shawnee County honors last season at 175 pounds last season after earning his third straight trip to the Class 4A state tournament. Krentz posted a 42-2 record en route to a fourth-place state finish and is currently ranked No. 7 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class rankings and No. 2 in 4A.

KAIDEN MARSHALL, Washburn Rural

A sophomore 215-pounder, Marshall was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year last season while also earning all-county first-team recognition. Marshall, who posted a 17-11 record and finished fourth in Class 6A for the third-place Junior Blues, is expected to move up to 285 pounds this season and is ranked No. 4 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association preseason rankings.

Caleb Menke, Hayden

CALEB MENKE, Hayden

Menke, a junior 157-pounder, was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season after qualifying for the Class 4A state meet with a second-place regional finish. Menke is ranked sixth in 4A in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association preseason rankings and is 10th-ranked in the All-Class rankings.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

BROOKLYN BINKLEY, Shawnee Heights

A junior, Binkley was a second-team All-Shawnee County pick last season after placing sixth in the Class 5A state tournament and helping Shawnee Heights earn the third-place team trophy in 5A. Binkley is currently ranked No. 4 in 5A at 170 pounds by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its preseason rankings.

Emme Blanco, Washburn Rural

EMME BLANCO, Washburn Rural

Blanco, a senior, earned first-team All-Shawnee County honors last season after posting a 35-10 record and finishing fourth in the Class 6A state tournament at 140 pounds. Blanco is ranked No. 6 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class preseason rankings at 145 and is ranked third in 6A.

MADI BLANCO, Washburn Rural

A senior, Blanco earned first-team All-Shawnee County recognition for the second straight season after posting a 30-8 record and finishing fourth in the Class 6A state tournament at 135 pounds. Blanco is ranked eighth in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class preseason rankings at 140 pounds and is ranked No. 3 in 6A. 

CONNIE BURNS, Highland Park

Burns, a senior, posted a 22-7 record and was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season at 115 pounds after finishing sixth in the Class 5A state tournament in her first season at Highland Park. Burns in ranked No. 5 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 5A preseason rankings at 115.

Makayla Cadet, Highland Park

MAKAYLA CADET, Highland Park

Cadet, a senior, captured the Class 5A state championship at 190 pounds last season, capping a 23-4 season for the Scots with the school's first girls state championship. Cadet was named the Shawnee County wrestler of the year for the 2024-2025 season and is ranked No. 2 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class preseason rankings and is also ranked second in 5A.

Cianna Graves, Shawnee Heights

CIANNA GRAVES, Shawnee Heights

A senior 155-pounder, Graves is a three-time Class 5A state placer, including a third-place finish last season as Shawnee Heights earned the third-place team trophy in 5A. Graves, who went 39-3 on the season, was an All-Shawnee County first-season repeater. Graves is currently ranked No. 7 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class rankings and is No. 3 in 5A.

AVA GUTIERREZ, Shawnee Heights

Gutierrez, a sophomore 100-pounder, earned All-Shawnee County first-team recognition last season after qualifying for the Class 5A state tournament for Shawnee Heights, which posted a third-place team finish in 5A. Gutierrez posted a 19-13 record as a freshman.

AUDREY HINKLY, Shawnee Heights

Hinkly, a junior 120-pounder, was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season after placing fourth in the Class 5A state tournament and helping Shawnee Heights earn the third-place team trophy in 5A. Hinkly is currently ranked No. 3 in 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association. 

OLIVE JONES, Shawnee Heights

A sophomore, Jones was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year last season after qualifying for the Class 5A state tournament at 135 pounds. Jones, who was named to the all-county second team, is expected to wrestle at 140 pounds for the T-Birds this winter and is ranked fifth at that weight by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.

JANIAH MATTHIE-JOHNSON, Washburn Rural

Matthie-Johnson was a Class 6A state qualifier last season as a freshman at 190 pounds, earning All-Shawnee County  second-tean recognition, but is expected to wrestle at 155 pounds this season. Matthie-Johnson is currently ranked sixth at 155 in 6A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association. 

By RICK PETERSON             

TopSports.news

Jalen Aldridge, Topeka High

JALEN ALDRIDGE, Topeka High

Aldridge, a 6-foot-1 senior, averaged a team-high 12.3 points for Topeka High last season, earning TopSports.news All-Shawnee County honorable mention. Aldridge shot 43 percent on two-point field goal attempts and connected on 26 3-pointers while averaging 3.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals and shooting 70 percent from the free throw line.    

JA'VEON ALSTON, Shawnee Heights

A 5-10 senior point guard, Alston received All-Shawnee County and United Kansas Conference honorable mention last season after helping Shawnee Heights post a 19-4 record en route to a second straight trip to the Class 5A state tournament. A standout defender, Alston averaged 2.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists for the T-Birds as a junior.  

Mason Becker, Hayden

MASON BECKER, Hayden

A 5-11 junior guard, Becker was named to the TSN All-Shawnee County Second 10 last season after averaging 10.1 points with 36 3-pointers, while shooting 36 percent from outside the arc. Becker also averaged 2.8 rebounds for the Wildcats. Becker will get a late start on preseason basketball practice after helping lead the Wildcats football team to their third straight Class 3A state championship game Saturday in Hutchinson.

KaeVon Bonner, Seaman

KAEVON BONNER, Seaman

Bonner, a 6-4 senior, is a two-time All-Shawnee County and All-United Kansas Conference first-team pick after being named the Shawnee County co-newcomer of the year and receiving honorable mention as a freshman. Bonner averaged 19 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.9 steals this past season for the 13-8 Vikings while hitting 49 3-pointers and shooting 77 percent from the free throw line.

CALEB CLEVERDON, Cair Paravel Latin

A senior, Cleverdon will be counted on heavily this winter as Cair Paravel looks to improve on last season's 10-11 record. Cleverson averaged 7.6 points last season while connecting on 33 3-pointers and shooting 35 percent from outside the arc. Cleverdon also averaged 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals as a junior. 

JAI'MARION COOK, Shawnee Heights

Cook, a 5-9 senior guard, averaged 5.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists last season while helping Shawnee Heights post an 19-4 record and advance to the Class 5A state tournament for the second straight season. Cook connected on 30 3-pointers as a junior while shooting 38 percent from outside the 3-point line. 

Jack Donovan, Rossville

JACK DONOVAN, Rossville

A 5-11 senior, Donovan made the All-Shawnee County Top 10 for the second straight season after averaging 18.7 points with 62 3-pointers while shooting 40 percent from 3-point range and 78.4 percent from the free throw line. Donovan helped lead the Bulldawgs to a 16-8 record and a Class 2A state tournament berth last season. Donovan, a first-team All-Big East League pick, is also a standout in golf and football, helping Rossville reach the Class 1A state football title game on Friday in Hutchinson.

Malakyah Duncan, Topeka West

MALAKYAH DUNCAN, Topeka West

Duncan, a 6-4 senior, received second-team All-Shawnee County and All-United Kansas Conference recognition last season after helping lead the Chargers to the Class 5A state tournament, where West lost in the quarterfinals to state champ Kapaun Mt. Carmel. Duncan averaged 11.3 points, 3.0 assists and 1.8 steals as a junior while shooting 55 percent on two-point field goal attempts. 

ONTARIUS EMMOT, Shawnee Heights

Emmot, a 6-4 senior forward, received TSN All-Shawnee County and All-United Kansas Conference honorable mention last season after helping Shawnee Heights post a 19-4 record and advance to the Class 5A state tournament for the second straight season. Emmot averaged 7.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists as a junior while draining 29 treys on the season.

Elisha Guest, Topeka High

ELISHA GUEST, Topeka High

A 5-7 senior, Guest received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after averaging 11.6 points while connecting on 49 3-pointers and shooting 36 percent from outside the arc. Guest also averaged 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals for the Trojans last season. 

Connor Hanika, Hayden

CONNOR HANIKA, Hayden

Hanika, a 6-5 senior, received All-Shawnee County second-team honors last season after averaging 10.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals while shooting 48 percent on two-point field goals. Hanika is Hayden's starting quarterback in football, helping the Wildcats reach their third straight Class 3A state championship game.

John Hoytal, Washburn Rural 

JOHN HOYTAL, Washburn Rural

A 6-foot-2 senior forward, Hoytal received All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League honorable mention last season after helping the 18-5 Junior Blues win the Centennial League title and advance to the Class 6A state tournament. Hoytal averaged 9.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals last season while shooting 57 percent on two-point field goals and 73 percent from the free throw line. 

Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake

DAYNE JOHNSON, Silver Lake

Johnson, a 6-2 senior, helped lead the Eagles to a 20-6 record and a third-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament in 2024-2025. A first-team All-Big East League selection, Johnson moved up to the TSN All-Shawnee County Top 10 last season after being a Second 10 pick as a sophomore. Johnson is a multi-sport standout for the Eagles, earning All-Shawnee County Top 22 honors as a junior.

Lucas Marichal, Cair Paravel

LUCAS MARICHAL, Cair Paravel

A senior, Marichal is a key returner for Cair Paravel Latin, which will by looking to improve on last season's 10-11 record. Marichal averaged 9.0 points a year ago while connecting on 28 3-pointers and shooting 80 percent from the free throw line. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural, which captured the Class 6A state championship, leads the 2025 Topeka All-City boys soccer team with five first-team picks.

The Junior Blues are represented on the 16-member first team, selected by city coaches, by seniors Draden Chooncharoen (midfield), Brandon Hamilton (defense), Liam Morrison (defense) and Dylan Willingham (forward) and junior Brodye Kocher-Munoz (forward) while Rural coach Brian Hensyel was voted the city coach of the year after the Junior Blues posted a 19-1-1 record.

Draden Chooncharoen, Washburn Rural

Brandon Hamilton, Washburn Rural

Liam Morrison Washburn Rural

Dylan Willingham, Washburn Rural

Brodye Kocher-Munoz, Washburn Rural

Hamilton, Morrison and Willingham are all first-team repeat picks.

Shawnee Heights, Topeka High and Topeka West all put three players on the All-City first team, while Cair Paravel Latin and Seaman both put one player on the team.

Camden Granado, Shawnee Heights

Jason Slay, Shawnee Heights

Mason Haas, Shawnee Heights

Shawnee Heights is represented on the All-City team by seniors Camden Granado (forward) and Jason Slay (defense) and junior Mason Haas (midfield), with Granado and Haas first-team repeat picks.

Neri Diaz-Mayorga, Topeka High

Neri Diaz-Mayorga, Topeka High 

Topeka High put three players on the All-City team -- seniors Neri Diaz-Mayorga (midfield) and Billy Lutz (goalkeeper) and junior Carlos Acosta-Martinez (midfield).

Lutz is a repeat first-team selection while Diaz-Mayorga made the first team in 2024 for Highland Park.

Valentin Del Real, Topeka West

Diego Gonzalez-Talavera, Topeka West

Giancarlo Valenzuela, Topeka West

Topeka West is represented on the first team by sophomore Valentin Del Real (midfield), junior Diego Gonzalez-Talavera (forward) and senior Giancarlo Valenzuela (midfield), with Del Real and Gonzalez-Talavera first-team repeaters.

Nathan Keys, Cair Paravel

Cody Quy, Seaman

Cair Paravel put senior Nathan Keys (forward) on the All-City team while Seaman is represented by senior Cody Quy (forward).

Willingham was named the Centennial League player of the year this fall for the second straight season while Rural's Chooncharoen, Hamilton, Kocher-Munoz and High's Acosta-Martinez and Diaz-Mayorga were also first-team picks.

Shawnee Heights' Granado was named the United Kansas Conference player of the year while Haas and Slay and Topeka West's Del Real, Gonzalez-Talavera and Valenzuela were all named to the All-United Kansas Conference first team.

2025 TOPEKA ALL-CITY SOCCER

By RICK PETERSON        
TopSports.news

BRYNN ANDERSON, Washburn Rural

A 5-foot-11 freshman guard/forward, Anderson has yet to take the basketball court for the Junior Blues, but made an immediate impact in volleyball, earning TopSports.news All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League first-team honors while also being named the county and league newcomer of the year as Washburn Rural won the Centennial League title and advanced to the Class 6A state tournament for the ninth straight season.

SAMI BAUM, Shawnee Heights 

A 6-1 junior, Baum will make her high school basketball debut in the 2025-2026 season after joining the T-Birds. Baum, who has been home schooled, played for the Shawnee Heights volleyball team this fall and has extensive experience in club basketball, receiving interest from college recruiters.    

Nora Burdiek, Rossville

NORA BURDIEK, Rossville

Burdiek, a 6-0 junior forward, missed 11 games of the 2024-2025 season with an injury, but still earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention and was a third-team All-Class 2A and All-Big-East League honoree after averaging 16.5 points and 12 rebounds for 10-12 Rossville. Burdiek was a first-team All-Shawnee County and 2A All-State pick in volleyball, helping lead the Bulldawgs to the state tournament.

Pearmella Carter, Shawnee Heights

PEARMELLA CARTER, Shawnee Heights

A 5-10 junior, Carter starred at Highland Park the past two seasons before transferring to Shawnee Heights for the 2025-2026 season. Carter was a Second 10 All-Shawnee County selection for the Scots last winter after averaging 19.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 2.1 assists and shooting 50 percent from 2-point field goal range while connecting on 14 3-pointers. 

Hailey Caryl, Topeka High

HAILEY CARYL, Topeka High

Caryl, a 5-10 sophomore, received All-Shawnee County Second 10 honors as a freshman after helping Topeka High post a 14-8 record and a nine-win improvement over the 2023-2024 season. Caryl averaged 10.5 points and 8.4 rebounds as a freshman while shooting 58 percent on 2-point field attempts and averaging 2.0 assists and 1.6 steals. Caryl is also a tennis and soccer standout for the Trojans.

KARYS DEITER, Silver Lake

A 5-7 sophomore guard, Deiter earned All-Shawnee County Second 10 recognition for the 23-3 Eagles as a freshman starter, averaging 12.5 points and 4.7 rebounds as Silver Lake overcame big graduation losses from its 2024 Class 3A state championship team to post a runnerup state finish. Deiter was a first-team all-county pick in volleyball this fall after the Eagles won the state title with a 46-1 record, including 37 straight wins to end the season.  

Rylee Dick, Rossville

RYLEE DICK, Rossville

 A 5-6 senior guard, Dick was a first-team All-2A and All-Big East League pick last season and was an All-Shawnee County second-team selection after averaging 20.4 points with 68 made 3-pointers and 89-percent shooting from the free throw line for the 10-12 Bulldawgs while eclipsing the 1,000-point mark for her career. Dick, who has received all-league, all-county and All-2A recognition three straight seasons, has signed a letter of intent with Division II Rockhurst.  

KK Emmot, Shawnee Heights

KK EMMOT, Shawnee Heights

Emmot, a 5-8 junior, moved up to the All-Shawnee County Top 10 last season after earning second-team honors as a freshman. Emmot, who led the T-Birds to a 14-8 record, also earned first-team All-United Kansas Conference honors this past season after averaging 17.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 3.2 assists while connecting on 46 3-pointers.     

Maddie Gragg, Seaman 

MADDIE GRAGG, Seaman

A 5-10 senior, Gragg was an All-Shawnee County Top 10 selection for the third straight season after helping lead Seaman to a 24-1 record and a runnerup finish in Class 5A. Gragg, also a three-time All-United Kansas Conference first-team pick, averaged 13.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 57 percent on two-point field goal attempts and shooting 83 percent from the free throw line while hitting 39 3-pointers. 

Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake

KAILYN HANNI, Silver Lake

Hanni, a 5-7 senior guard, led Silver Lake to a 23-3 record and a runnerup finish in the Class 3A state tournament this past season after helping the Eagles post a perfect 26-0 record en route to the 3A state championship in 2024. Hanni was a repeat All-Shawnee County Top 10 selection as well as a repeat first-team all-league pick. A Fort Hays State basketball signee, Hanni is a multi-sport standout, earning first-team all-county honors in golf this fall. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Centennial League champion and Class 6A state qualifier Washburn Rural and Class 4A state runnerup Hayden combined for six of eight spots on the All-Centennial League volleyball team, led by Wildcat sophomore player of the year Hailey Schmidtlein and Junior Blue freshman newcomer of the year Brynn Anderson.

Centennial League player of the Year: Hailey Schmidtlein, Hayden

Centennial League newcomer of the Year: Brynn Anderson, Washburn Rural

Schmidtlein is joined on the all-league first team by Hayden senior Ella Foster and sophomore Blakely Walter while Anderson is joined by Rural senior teammates Karsyn Horyna and Stella Kelly.

Manhattan junior Bailey Busch and Emporia senior Jade Xu round out the all-league team while Manhattan's Nicole Jones was voted the coach of the year.

Topeka High junior Campbell Dawson, Hayden junior Mallory Tanking and Washburn Rural senior Dayne Shriver were second-team picks while six city players received honorable mention.

ALL-CENTENNIAL LEAGUE VOLLEYBALL

First team

Brynn Anderson, fr., Washburn Rural; Bailey Busch, jr., Manhattan; Ella Foster, sr., Hayden; Karsyn Horyna, sr., Washburn Rural; Stella Kelly, sr., Washburn Rural; Hailey Schmidtlein, so., Hayden; Blakely Walter, so., Hayden;Jade Xu, sr., Emporia.

Second team

Campbell Dawson, jr., Topeka; Kaylee Dewitt, jr., Emporia; Aubree Hess, jr., Emporia; Janie Hilgers, sr., Manhattan; Dayne Shriver, sr., Washburn; Madison Stanard, jr., Manhattan; Mallory Tanking, jr., Hayden; Keeli Tepe, sr., Manhattan. 

Honorable mention

Emporia -- Molly Williams, sr. Junction City -- Sophia Tomlinson, sr. Manhattan -- Ansley Becket jr., Sophia Peabody, jr.; Evie Ruliffson, jr. Hayden -- Reese Huscher, sr.; Sophia Wichman, so. Topeka High -- Jayana Washington, sr. Washburn Rural -- Gentry Coons, so.; Taylor Guffey, sr.; Molly Schuler, jr.

Player of the Year -- Hailey Schmidtlein, Hayden.

Newcomer of the Year -- Brynn Anderson, Washburn Rural.

Coach of the Year --Nicole Jones, Manhattan.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

If a stranger happened to sit down during a conversation between veteran high school coaches Kevin Bordewick and Steve Alexander, it might be difficult to immediately ascertain whether the two were even friends, let alone best buddies for nearly four decades.

Kevin Bordewick begins his 17th season as Washburn Rural's girls head coach and his 33rd in the program on Monday. [File photo/TSN] Steve Alexander, introducing Kevin Bordewick for Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame induction in 2023, will serve as a Washburn Rural assistant coach this winter. [File photo/TSN]

But that's understandable considering the fact that the unshakable bond between the two men is based in part on making sure that the other one never thinks they've gained the upper hand in their decades long back and forth.

That fierce loyalty, almost always tinged with wit and maybe a touch of sarcasm, is likely to be evident at times this winter as Bordewick and Alexander re-visit their coaching roots while sharing the bench for the Washburn Rural girls basketball team.

And Bordewick, who began his coaching career as Alexander's assistant in boys basketball at Class 1A Blue Valley-Randolph, said he's waited a long time to get the chance to turn the tables and boss his friend around.

"Heck yeah. This is payback after 35, 40 years,'' Bordewick joked. "I've got a lot of ammo, a whole warehouse full.''

For his part, Alexander admits that some of that payback may actually be deserved.

"When Kevin was my assistant, he was coaching the JV game and I'm sitting three rows back behind the bench doing stats or something,'' Alexander recalled. "There was some call and I lost it and I throw my clipboard and it bounces down to the floor.

"I went down to the floor to get it and (Bordewick) got T'd up because I wasn't on the bench. He tells the refs, 'I don't even know that guy.' But they go, 'You do, too. We know that's the head coach.' '' 

Bordewick remembers the incident well.

"I was already voicing my displeasure with the call and then there's this clipboard that flies by me on the stairs and I get a technical,'' Bordewick said.

"Being his assistant I really re-thought maybe I should have become a computer programmer or maybe I should have gone into visual arts, maybe movie production or something. I really re-thought my career.''   

Bordewick eventually took over the girls programs for the Rams in basketball, volleyball and track but he and Alexander remained together at Blue Valley for five years before Alexander moved on to Seaman and Bordewick had a brief two-year stint as boys coach at Oskaloosa before becoming a staple in the girls volleyball and basketball programs at Washburn Rural.

Both Alexander and Bordewick credit close friend Bill Annan, now a women's assistant at Division I Oral Roberts for getting them to Topeka. Annan served as a boys assistant at Seaman before Alexander took on that role when Annan moved to Washburn Rural to guide the girls program.

Bordewick came on to board and served as Annan's assistant for 16 years, including three Class 6A state championships, before Annan moved on to college coaching and Bordewick succeeded him with the Junior Blues.  

Fast forward and Bordewick is starting his 17th year as the Junior Blues' head girls coach, with 12 Class 6A state tournament appearances, eight final fours, two state titles and two runnerup finishes, while Alexander is joining Bordewick at Rural after 24 seasons with the Seaman girls as head coach and eight years as an assistant, leading the Vikings to a 5A state title game as a head coach and on the bench for the school's state championship run in 2024.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Twelve Shawnee County volleyball standouts have earned All-State recognition from the Kansas Volleyball Asssociation, led by six first-team selections. 

Class 3A state champion Silver Lake put 5-foot-3 junior setter Kylie Hanni, 5-5 junior libero Jaylie Whitehead and 5-8 senior outside hitter Jaiden Wise on the Class 3A All-State first team while Sarah Johnson was named the 3A coach of the year after leading the Eagles to a 46-1 record and 37 straight wins to end the season.

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

Jaylie Whitehead, Silver Lake [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Jaiden Wise [Photo by Scott Paske/KSHSAA Covered]

Sarah Johnson, Silver Lake. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Silver Lake 5-5 sophomore outside hitter Karys Deiter was named to the 3A second team while 5-10 senior middle hitter Paige Heiman received honorable mention.

Hailey Schmidtlein, Hayden [Photo by Scott Paske/KSHSAA Covered]

Blakely Walter, Hayden [File photo/TSN]

Hayden, which placed second at state in 4A after finishing third in 2024, is represented on the 4A All-State first team by 5-11 sophomore rightside hitter/middle blocker Hailey Schmidtlein and 5-9 sophomore setter Blakely Walter.

Senior 5-4 libero Ella Foster and 6-0 junior outside hitter Mallory Tanking were named to the all-state second team while 5-6 sophomore outside hitter Sophia Wichman received honorable mention.

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

Rossville 5-10 junior outside hitter Nora Burdiek earned first-team 2A All-State honors after helping lead the Bulldawgs to a state tournament berth.

Washburn Rural 5-11 freshman outside hitter Brynn Anderson was named to the All-6A second team after helping lead the Junior Blues to a ninth straight state tournament berth this fall.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural's girls golf coach Jared Goehring is stepping down after a 15-year run that included four Class 6A state championships, two runnerup finishes and three thirds while qualifying for state as a team 14 times.

Jared Goehring is stepping down as Washburn Rural's girls golf coach after leading the Junior Blues to four Class 6A state team championships and nine top-three state finishes in 15 seasons. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Goehring, who informed his Junior Blues girls team of his decision on Thursday, plans to continue as the head boys coach at Rural in the spring but cited family factors as his major reason for turning over the reins of the girls program.

Goehring's daughter, Preslee, is a freshman three-sport athlete at Rural and he said that it was hard to juggle all the schedules, particularly with volleyball in the fall.

"I missed a couple of games this year and I don't want to do that,'' Goehring said. "That definitely played a huge factor in this decision, one that I've been kicking around for the last couple of years. With Preslee being in high school now I wanted to be a part of her successes and watch her play and family's the most important thing and continuing to spend time with my immediate family and help out where I can.''

But although Goehring knew he needed to step away from his fall coaching duties, he said he still struggled with the decision .

"I did,'' Goehring said. "I was probably 80 percent certain I was going to do this a year ago and this year's senior class is kind of what ultimately made me decide to come back. Plus, I wanted to see how my daughter adapted to high school and what she fell in love with as far as activities go.

"She's definitely on the right path and we finished on a strong note this year with this senior group, so it's time for a change.''

Goehring's son, Peyton, will be a senior for the Junior Blues' boys team next spring and Jared, who led Rural to the 2015 boys state title and will be entering his 20th season, said he plans to remain in that role for the foreseeable future.

"Springtime is a little bit more relaxed and continuing on in the springtime will fit my schedule a little bit better,'' he said.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Miles Cook 

MILES COOK, Washburn Rural

The Junior Blues' senior goalkeeper came up huge on Saturday night at the Stryker Complex in Wichita, with Cook coming up with two saves in penalty kicks as Rural outscored Shawnee Mission East 4-2 in PKs to take a 3-2 win over the Lancers and earn its first Class 6A state soccer championship since 2012. 

Connor Hanika

CONNOR HANIKA, Hayden

Hanika, a senior quarterback, completed 10 of 13 passes for 211 yards, including 62 and 63-yard touchdown passes to Kade Mitchell Friday night as 10-0 Hayden advanced to the Class 3A quarterfinals with a 42-0 home romp past Wellsville in a regional final.

 Leah Henke  

LEAH HENKE, Washburn University

Henke, a former Bishop Carroll star, was named the MIAA Soccer Freshman of the Year and earned first-team all-conference honors after the Washburn University forward scored a team-high nine goals for the Ichabods in an 11-2-5 regular season, including an 8-0-4 conference record.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Class 3A state champion Silver Lake, 4A runnerup Hayden and state qualifiers Washburn Rural in 6A and Rossville in 2A combined to put 12 players on the TopSports.news 2025 All-Shawnee County volleyball first team.

Shawnee County Player of the Year Kylie Hanni, Silver Lake [File photo/TSN]

Shawnee County Coach of the Year Sarah Johnson, Silver Lake. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Shawnee County Newcomer of the Year Brynn Anderson, Washburn Rural. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

Silver Lake, which went 46-1 and ended its season on a 37-match winning streak, is represented on the all-county  team by senior Jaiden Wise, juniors Kylie Hanni and Jaylie Whitehead and sophomore Karys Deiter, with Hanni named the county player of the year and Eagles coach Sarah Johnson tapped as the coach of the year.  

Hayden, which placed second at state after finishing third in 2024, is represented on the first team by sophomore repeat picks Hailey Schmidtlein and Blakely Walter along with senior Ella Foster, a multi-time all-county selection.

Washburn Rural is represented on the all-county first team by seniors Karsyn Horyna and Stella Kelly and freshman Brynn Anderson, who was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year after the Junior Blues won the Centennial League championship and advanced to the 6A state tournament for the ninth straight season.

Horyna is a first-team All-Shawnee County repeat pick while Kelly was a second-team pick as a junior.

Rossville junior Nora Burdiek is a first-team all-county repeat pick and is joined on the first team by freshman Kenna Perine.

Rounding out the first team are Cair Paravel Latin senior Karsyn Hastert, Topeka West junior Sydney Van Dyke and Shawnee Heights senior Avery Willey.

All-Shawnee County first-team capsules:

   The 2025 All-Shawnee County boys cross country team: Front row, from left -- Clayton Fink, Washburn Rural; Jaxson Adams, Washburn Rural; Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural; Nick Newkirk, Hayden; Connor Baldwin, Hayden. Back row, from left -- coach Matt Swedlund, Washburn Rural; Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural; Duke Graf, Washburn Rural; Max Esquibel, Shawnee Heights; Brody Anderson, Seaman; Conner Bloom, Seaman. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Class 6A state champion Washburn Rural put five runners, including three repeaters on the 2025 boys All-Shawnee County cross country team. 

Washburn Rural senior Brooks Kehoe is a three-time all-county first-teamer while sophomores Clayton Fink and Henry Laubach are also repeat first-teamers after helping the Junior Blues win the state team title by a single point (100-101) over Blue Valley.

Rural sophomores Jaxson Adams and Duke Graf are first-time All-Shawnee County honorees.

Washburn Rural coach Matt Swedlund was named the county boys coach of the year, sweeping the county girls and boys coach of the year awards.  

Seaman two-time city and United Kansas Conference individual champion Brody Anderson is a three-time all-county pick while Hayden senior Connor Baldwin and Shawnee Heights senior Max Esquibel are two-time picks.

Seaman junior Conner Bloom and Hayden sophomore Nick Newkirk round out the first team, selected by local coaches.   

All-Shawnee County boys capsules:

The 2025 All-Shawnee County girls cross country team: Front row, from left -- Reese Beardslee, Washburn Rural; Emily Graf, Washburn Rural; Clara Dillon, Washburn Rural; Alyson Hinck, Washburn Rural; Sofia Harper, Hayden. Back row, from left -- coach Matt Swedlund, Washburn Rural; Kenzie Maddox, Washburn Rural; Morgan Munson, Washburn Rural; Brynn Spencer, Seaman; Ryin Miller, Seaman. Not pictured: Ali Gerber, Silver Lake. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN] 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Five first-team repeat selections headline the 10-member 2025 All-Shawnee County girls cross country team.

Leading the way are four-time all-county pick Ryin Miller of Seaman and three-time selections Emily Graf of Washburn Rural, Sofia Harper of Hayden and Brynn Spencer of Seaman along with repeat honoree Kenzie Maddox of Washburn Rural.

Spencer, a junior, finished a county-best 16th in the Class 5A state meet.

Earning first-team all-county honors for the first time are Silver Lake junior Ali Gerber, Washburn Rural sophomore Reese Beardslee and Junior Blue freshmen Clara Dillon, Alyson Hinck and Morgan Munson.  

Washburn Rural coach Matt Swedlund was named the girls Shawnee County coach of the year after his Junior Blues captured the city team championship and were the only county girls school to qualify for state as a team.

All-Shawnee County girls capsules:

REESE BEARDSLEE, Washburn Rural -- Beardslee, a sophomore, earned her first All-Shawnee County first-team honor after placing fifth individually in the city meet for the team-champion Junior Blues, 11th in the Centennial League, 17th in Class 6A regional competition and 50th at state. Beardslee had a five-kilometer personal-best of 19 minutes, 57 seconds. 

CLARA DILLON, Washburn Rural --A freshman, Dillon posted an eighth-place finish in the city meet for the team-champion Junior Blues before finishing 18th in the Centennial League meet, 21st in Class 6A regional competition and 62nd in the state meet. Dillon had a five-kilometer personal-best of 21 minutes, 43 seconds.

Ali Gerber, Silver Lake [Submitted photo/Silver Lake cross country]

ALI GERBER, Silver Lake --Gerber, a junior, earned All-Shawnee County first-team honors for the first time after receiving honorable mention as a sophomore. Gerber placed sixth in a Class 3A regional meet to earn an individual berth for last Saturday's state meet at Rim Rock Farm and placed 35th at state with a five-kilometer time of 21 minutes, 21.43 seconds. 

EMILY GRAF, Washburn Rural --A three-time first-team All-Shawnee County pick, Graf garnered the individual championship in the city meet for the team-champion Junior Blues before finishing eighth in the Centennial League, fifth in a Class 6A regional meet and 30th at state. Graf clocked a season-best five-kilometer time of 19 minutes, 10 seconds. 

SOFIA HARPER, Hayden --Harper, a junior, is a first-team All-Shawnee County pick for the third straight season. Harper posted a seventh-place individual finish in the city championships, placed 16th in the Centennial League meet and 12th in Class 4A regional competition to earn a state berth. Harper was 44th at state and had a season-best five-kilometer time of 20 minutes, 22 seconds.

ALYSON HINCK, Washburn Rural -- The Washburn Rural freshman was the individual runnerup in the city meet for the team-champion Junior Blues and placed sixth in the Centennial League, eighth in Class 6A regional competition and a team-high 25th in the state meet. Hinck posted a season-best five-kilometer time of 19 minutes, 37 seconds.  

KENZIE MADDOX, Washburn Rural -- Maddox, a senior, is a first-team All-Shawnee County repeater after receiving honorable mention as a sophomore. Maddox finished fourth this fall in the city meet before placing 14th in the Centennial League, 16th in a Class 6A regional and 49th in the 6A state meet. Maddox has a personal-best time of 18 minutes, 47 seconds.

RYIN MILLER, Seaman -- A three-time Class 5A state medalist and four-time All-Shawnee County first-team pick, Miller only competed in one meet as a senior due to injury, but finished third in the United Kansas Conference behind two all-staters despite no training since July 3rd. Miller finished second in Class 5A as a junior after a third-place finish as a sophomore. Miller, who has won five state titles in track, has a personal-best five-kilometer time of 16minutes, 32 seconds.

MORGAN MUNSON, Washburn Rural -- A freshman, Munson placed sixth in the city meet for team-champion Washburn Rural before placing 10th in the Centennial League meet, ninth in Class 6A regional competition and 51st in the state championships. Munson had a season-best five-kilometer time of 20 minutes, 10 seconds. 

BRYNN SPENCER, Seaman -- A three-time All-Shawnee County first-team selection, the Seaman junior finished third in the city meet, second in the United Kansas Conference, sixth in Class 5A regional competition and 16th at state for her second straight state medal. Spencer clocked a five-kilometer season-best of 19 minutes, 26 seconds.

ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

The No. 16-ranked Washburn University soccer team looked like it was headed to the MIAA Tournament semifinals after jumping out to a 2-0 lead over Emporia State in the opening 18 minutes Sunday in Yager Stadium.

Washburn junior Mackinly Rohn (24) scored her third goal of the season in Sunday's 3-2 MIAA Tournament loss to Emporia State. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Freshman Kate Hinck scored goal No. 5 on the season Sunday in Washburn's 3-2 MIAA Tournament loss to Emporia State. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

But the No. 7-seeded Hornets answered with three unanswered goals to advance with a 3-2 win over the No. 2-seeded Ichabods.

Now Washburn will look forward to the NCAA Division II Soccer Selection Show on Monday, Nov. 17th, at 5:30 p.m. to see where the Ichabods will play in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

Washburn got off to a hot start when junior Washburn Rural product Mackinly Rohn scored on a corner kick in the second minute to give Washburn an early 1-0 advantage.

Another former Rural star, freshman Kate Hinck, added a second Washburn goal in the 18th minute off a Sam Searcey assist to put the Ichabods in front, 2-0.

But Hinck's goal would end WU's scoring on the day, opening the door for the Hornets' comeback.

ESU got on the board in the 34th minute on a goal from Ella Favot and Washburn took a 2-1 advantage into the halftime break.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural soccer came from behind to capture its first Class 6A boys state championship since 2012 with a 3-2 win over Shawnee Mission East Saturday night at the Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, thanks to a 4-2 edge in penalty kicks.

Washburn Rural's soccer team gets ready to raise the Class 6A championship trophy after Saturday night's 3-2 win over Shawnee Mission East in penalty kicks. [Photo by Rick Peterson Jr./KSHSAA Covered]

The 19-1-1 Junior Blues, who had to come from behind in the closing minutes of regulation to force overtime, battled SM East (16-4-1) through two scoreless overtime periods before taking control in penalty kicks.

“State championship games, we told the boys the last couple of days that they're 50-50 games,'' Washburn Rural coach Brian Hensyel told KSHSAA Covered. "The two best teams in the state usually make their way through the playoffs. We know how good Shawnee Mission East was this year. We just told them, ‘You can't worry about the outcome. You just got to come out and enjoy the last game with your brothers, your teammates. Everybody just give everything they got.’ 

“When we went down one, it didn't look good. And just like we've done all year, we found a way to get another goal. We felt if we got to PKs, we were going to win it.”  

In penalty kicks, seniors Dylan Willingham, Brandon Hamilton, Brody Grogan and Liam Morrison all scored, with Morrison’s shot clinching the title and setting off a wild celebration.

Washburn Rural senior Liam Morrison, also a multi-time Class 6A state champion in track, celebrates after clinching Saturday's 3-2 win over SM East with a penalty kick in the Class 6A state championship game. [Photo by Rick Peterson Jr./KSHSAA Covered]

Junior Blues senior goalkeeper Miles Cook stopped two shots in penalty kicks and also had big saves in the second half and overtime sessions.

“Honestly, you can't read (penalty kicks) too much,'' Cook said to KSHSAA Covered. "You just have to guess a side. Turned out to be the correct side and made two big saves. 

“When your team needs you to step up big, I'm always going to do it. (East’s) student section was talking a little bit, so it gave me an extra boost to make some big saves.”

Washburn Rural senior goalkeeper Miles Cook receives a hug from coach Brian Hensyel after Saturday's 3-2 win over Shawnee Mission East in penalty kicks. [Photo by Rick Peterson Jr./KSHSAA Covered] 

Rural’s first goal was scored with 14:50 left in the first half when junior Broyde Kocher-Munoz headed in a corner from Hamilton 

But East battled back to take a 2-1 lead with goals scored by Andrew Hastert with 33:16 left in the second half and Stephen Hlobik with 8:57 remaining in regulation. 

Rural junior Myles Didde scored the game-tying goal with 5:20 left in regulation, getting a foot on a loose ball that got kicked around in the box.

“I remember seeing three guys slide past the ball,” Didde told KSHSAA Covered.  “I think I took a touch then shot it. When I saw it go in the net I was so happy. I went over to the sideline and got a yellow card for stepping off the field.

“It was crazy. It was a great moment.”

Hensyel agreed.

“Soccer’s a strange sport,'' he said. "You can have all these great moments and shots, and then sometimes the goals that went in are just weird bounces, and they fall to somebody's feet and guys make a play. Myles Didde really came on the last month and had some big moments for us.

"It was really cool to see, on a senior-laden team, the two goals to be by both juniors, which was kind of crazy.''

Hensyel credited Cook for coming through in crunch time. 

“Miles came up big,'' Hensyel said. I told him when we went to overtime, the only reason we were even there was he made two or three unbelievable saves.

"And we just felt like if it got to the shootout, we had the right guy in the net. Really happy for Miles, because he had some ups and downs in his career, but this was a shining moment for him.''

By RICK PETERSON                                                                                                          

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural sophomore cross country standout Henry Laubach and Seaman junior cross country standout Brynn Spencer have been selected by the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency as the Rising Stars of the Week.

The Dan Key Agency will recognize top Shawnee County underclassmen throughout the bulk of the 2025-2026 school year.

Here's a brief look at the recent accomplishments of Laubach and Spencer over the past week.

Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural [Photo by Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports]

HENRY LAUBACH, Washburn Rural

Bouncing back from an injury, Laubach finished a team-high 22nd individually in last Saturday's Class 6A cross country meet at Rim Rock Farm, helping lead Washburn Rural to the state team championship.

Laubach posted a five-kilometer time of 16 minutes, 40.66 seconds to lead a strong pack performance for the Junior Blues, who won the team title by a one-point margin (100-101) over runnerup Blue Valley.

Laubach is a two-time All-Shawnee County honoree.

Brynn Spencer, Seaman [Photo by Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports]

BRYNN SPENCER, Seaman

Spencer earned her second straight Class 5A state medal in last Saturday's state meet at Rim Rock Farm, placing 16th individually.

Spencer, who had placed 18th as a sophomore, clocked a five-kilometer time of 19 minutes, 26.82 seconds and was the lone Shawnee County runner to earn an individual state medal (top 20).

The Seaman athlete is a three-time All-Shawnee County honoree. 

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

CLASS 6A

Jadyn Baum, Washburn Rural

WASHBURN RURAL (6-3) at WICHITA NORTHWEST (8-1)

Washburn Rural, the No. 7 Class 6A West seed, advanced to the second round of the playoffs with a 37-0 home win over No. 10 Wichita South last Friday while No. 2 seed Wichita Northwest routed No. 15 Campus, 57-14. Rural junior running back Jadyn Baum went over the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season in the Junior Blues' win over Wichita South while scoring three touchdowns. Northwest senior quarterback Jaylen Mason has completed 98 of 148 passes for 1,487 yards and 17 touchdowns while senior Augie Fast has carried the ball 103 times for 1,119 yards and 21 TDs. The winner of Friday's game will advance to the 6A quarterfinals to face the winner of Friday's game between No. 6 seed Derby (6-3) and No. 3 Junction City (7-2). Derby beat Topeka High 49-0 last week while Junction City rolled to a 55-7 win over Wichita West. Game time: 7 p.m. 

CLASS 3A

Xander Blasing, Hayden

WELLSVILLE (6-3) at HAYDEN (9-0)

Hayden, the No. 1 East seed in Class 3A, opened postseason with a 70-7 home win over No. 16 Columbus last Friday while No. 9 Wellsville shut out No. 8 Parsons, 50-0. Wildcat senior quarterback Connor Hanika has completed 79 of 133 passes for 1,218 yards and 18 touchdowns while senior Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 78 times for 764 yards and has scored 17 total TDs. Senior Jude Krentz leads Hayden with 76 tackles (43 solo) and six tackles for loss while Xander Blasing has 59 stops (43 solo) and seven tackles for loss. Wellsville junior quarterback Pete Dorsey has completed 47 of 89 passes for 886 yards and 10 touchdowns while junior Armond Graves has 938 rushing yards and 16 TDs on 118 carries. The winner of Friday's game will move on to the 3A quarterfinals to face the winner of Friday's game between No. 5 East seed Jefferson West (7-2) at No. 4 seed Prairie View (8-1). Jeff West opened postseason with a 45-6 win over Anderson County while Prairie View rolled to a 48-6 win over Burlington. Game time: 7 p.m.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural soccer avenged its only loss of the season Wednesday night, going on the road to top Blue Valley West 2-1 and earn its first berth in the Class 6A state championship game since 2021.

Senior Draden Chooncharoen (left) scored the game's first goal in Washburn Rural's 2-1 Class 6A semifinal road win over Blue Valley West Wednesday night. [File photo/TSN] 

Washburn Rural senior Brady Loeffler scored the game-winning goal in Wednesday's 2-1 Class 6A semifinal road win over Blue Valley West. [File photo/TSN]

The 18-1-1 Junior Blues will face defending champion Shawnee Mission East (16-3-1) at 5 p.m. Saturday in the title game at Wichita's Stryker Complex.

"One of the best road victories in program history,'' Rural coach Brian Hensyel said. "Defense was awesome tonight.''

The Junior Blues, who dropped a 3-2 home double-overtime decision to the Jaguars in Rural's third game of the season, never trailed Wednesday after senior Draden Chooncharoen scored in the first half on a header off a corner kick from senior Brandon Hamilton.

Blue Valley West (17-3-0) evened the score at 1-1 midway through the second half, but it took Washburn Rural all of about 30 seconds to answer with the game-winner, with senior Brady Loeffler scoring off a header.

"Great team victory for a group that just finds ways to win,'' Hensyel said. "Twelve seniors and all their experience paid off. Looking forward to the title game Saturday.'' 

Shawnee Mission East (16-3-1) advanced to the championship game with a 5-3 semifinal victory over Wichita Southeast (18-2-0). 

Washburn Rural, making its sixth straight 6A final four appearance, dropped a 3-0 semifinal decision to the Lancers last season before the Junior Blues bounced back to finish third with a 3-1 win over Shawnee Mission West. SM East won the 2024 title with a 1-0 win over Dodge City.  

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news 

Jadyn Baum

JADYN BAUM, Washburn Rural

A junior running back, Baum sailed over the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season Friday night, picking up 182 yards and scoring three touchdowns on 15 carries as 6-3 Washburn Rural advanced to the second round of the Class 6A football playoffs with a 37-0 win over Wichita South at Bowen-Glaze Stadium. Baum scored TDs on 8, 8 and 46 yards against the Titans.

Dillon Claussen

DILLON CLAUSSEN, Washburn University

A 6-foot-8 sophomore, Claussen registered a pair of double-doubles as the No. 2-ranked Washburn men's basketball team opened the season with a pair of wins in the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic in Lakeland, Fla. The Omaha, Neb. native scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in Saturday's 101-53 win over Augusta (Ga.) and had 23 points and 12 rebounds in Sunday's 89-77 win over No. 3-ranked Dallas Baptist.

Henry Laubach

HENRY LAUBACH, Washburn Rural

A sophomore, Laubach led a balanced Washburn Rural cross country team with a 22nd-place individual finish in a five-kilometer time of 16 minutes, 40.66 seconds Saturday at Rim Rock Farm as the Junior Blues captured the Class 6A team championship by a single point, 100-101 over Blue Valley.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural soccer took care of business Monday night at McElroy Field, rolling to the Class 6A state semifinals with a 5-1 quarterfinal romp past Garden City.

Washburn Rural's soccer team celebrates Monday's 5-1 Class 6A quarterfinal win over Garden City at McElroy Field. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Now the 17-1-1 Junior Blues will get the opportunity to avenge their lone loss of the season in Wednesday's 6 p.m. state semifinal on the road against Blue Valley West, which rallied from a 2-0 halftime deficit to take a 3-2 double-overtime early-season victory over Washburn Rural.

Needless to say, the Junior Blues are looking forward to the challenge ahead.

"We're glad to get the win (tonight) and know that we're playing two more times,'' Washburn Rural coach Brian Hensyel said. "We'll be ready Wednesday. This team has been playing great for quite sometime, we've been scoring goals and we feel really confident in our chances.''

Hensyel said the earlier loss to Blue Valley West (17-2), which advanced to the semifinals with a 2-0 quarterfinal win over Blue Valley, provided a wakeup call for the Junior Blues.

"It was probably the turning point,'' Hensyel said. "It was just the third game and I think we thought we were going to be really good and that first half we were really good and dominated the game and then just gave it away.

"Blue Valley West is a good team obviously and one of the best teams in Kansas City and we felt like on that night we just handed them a win in the second half. I think we've gotten a lot better since then and we had a feeling we were going to see them again because they're a really good team, so (Wednesday) will be fun.''

Washburn Rural senior Draden Chooncharoen (23) had a goal and an assist in Monday's 5-1 Class 6A quarterfinal win over Garden City. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Rural never trailed in Monday's quarterfinal after senior Draden Chooncharoen scored at the 25:35 mark of the first half.

"(Hensyel) always talks about getting out early, the first 15 minutes you've got to have a goal, so getting that first goal and having energy and making them play from behind that gave us a good starter for the game,'' said Chooncharoen, who also had an assist in the win.

Junior Myles Didde scored Monday's second goal in Washburn Rural's 5-1 Class 6A quarterfinal win over Garden City. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Junior Myles Didde made it a 2-0 game just over five minutes later and an own goal at the 12:20 mark put Washburn Rural in command 3-0 at the half.

Senior Dylan Willingham, Washburn Rural's single-season and career scoring record-holder, scored two goals on penalty kicks in Monday's 5-1 Class 6A state quarterfinal win over Garden City at McElroy Field. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Garden City (15-3-1) got on the scoreboard 6:44 into the second half on a goal from junior Saul Ortega, but Washburn Rural star Dylan Willingham converted penalty kicks with 12:40 and 3:50 remaining to account for the final margin.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural cross country coach Matt Swedlund knew going into Saturday's state cross country meet at Rim Rock that the battle for the Class 6A boys team championship would be close.

Washburn Rural's cross country team celebrates with coach Matt Swedlund Saturday at Rim Rock Farm after learning the Junior Blues had won the Class 6A state championship. [Photo by Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports]

Washburn Rural's cross country team stands on the victory stand Saturday at Rim Rock Farm after winning the Class 6A state cross country title. [Photo by Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports]

It couldn't have been any closer. 

Washburn Rural, top-ranked in the 6A coaches rankings, didn't have an individual medalist (top 20) on Saturday, but the Junior Blues put four runners in the top 28 places to lead the way as Rural captured the team championship by a single point (100-101) over Blue Valley.

Swedlund said at mid-week that he expected a tight race for the title.

"Basically the top five in the rankings are all just points from each other,'' Swedlund told TopSports.news. "There are several teams that have an opportunity (to win the team crown), so you've got to take it.

"We're not taking anything for granted and if you want to end up on the podium (top three teams) you're going to have to run well. We've been fortunate to have some good teams that were in the conversation and when you put yourself in the conversation there is no reason not to make your goal the absolute top. You want to be the best, you want to win, so that's what you shoot for.''

The Junior Blues, who had tied Manhattan at regionals and finished second on a tiebreaker, rode a pack finish on Saturday to its second title under Swedlund, a Washburn Rural alum.

Sophomore Henry Laubach (1598) leads a strong pack finish from Class 6A state champion Washburn Rural Saturday at Rim Rock Farm. [Photo by Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports]

Rural, which finished sixth as a team in the 2024 state meet, got a team-high 22nd-place finish from sophomore Henry Laubach in a five-kilometer time of 16:40.66 while senior Brooks Kehoe was just three spots back in 25th (16:42.83), sophomore Clayton Fink was right behind Kehoe in 26th (16:46.46) and sophomore Duke Graf was 28th (16:47.78).

Sophomore Jaxson Adams rounded out Rural's top five with a 42nd-place finish (17:01.90) while senior Wyatt Shorb was 52nd (17:11.27) and sophomore Brady Meek 84th (17:48.44). 

Olathe West was just 10 points behind Blue Valley in third (110) while Maize (147) and Free State (150) rounded out the top five in the team standings.

Blue Valley Northwest's Jacob D'souza won the individual title in 15:42.50.

Washburn Rural's girls finished seventh as a team with 173 points, led by freshman Alyson Hinck in a time of 19:54.78.

Senior Emily Graf finished 30th (19:58.44), followed by senior Kenzie Maddox in 49th (20:27.71), sophomore Reese Beardslee in 50th (20:29.81), freshman Morgan Munson in 51st (20:33.80), freshman Clara Dixon in 62nd (21:00.06) and freshman Lilly Palmer in 90th (23:18.64).

Manhattan won the girls team championship with 61 points. 

Topeka High sophomore Easton Davis competed in the 6A boys race as an individual, placing 80th (17:42.79)'

Vikings' Spencer posts 16th-place 5A finish

Seaman junior Brynn Spencer earned her second straight Class 5A state medal Saturday at Rim Rock Farm, placing 16th in 19:26.82.

 Seaman junior Brynn Spencer (1575) earned her second straight Class 5A state medal with a 16th-place finish Saturday at Rim Rock Farm. [Photo by Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports]

Spencer, competing as an individual, placed 18th at state as a sophomore.

Seaman senior Brody Anderson placed 33rd in the boys race (16:51.27) while Shawnee Heights senior Max Esquibel finished 50th (17:24.63).

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural cross country coach Matt Swedlund knows that there are multiple teams capable of challenging for the Class 6A boys state team championship Saturday at Rim Rock Farm, north of Lawrence.

Veteran senior Brooks Kehoe, the Centennial League champion, will lead top-ranked Washburn Rural into Saturday's Class 6A state cross country meet at Rim Rock Farm. [File photo/TSN]

But Rural, top-ranked in the 6A coaches rankings, is one of those teams, and Swedlund is excited to see what Saturday holds for his young Junior Blues, who have five sophomores in their state lineup.

"Basically the top five in the rankings are all just points from each other,'' Swedlund said. "There are several teams that have an opportunity (to win the team crown), so you've got to take it.

"We're not taking anything for granted and if you want to end up on the podium (top three teams) you're going to have to run well. We've been fortunate to have some good teams that were in the conversation and when you put yourself in the conversation there is no reason not to make your goal the absolute top. You want to be the best, you want to win, so that's what you shoot for.'' 

Washburn Rural tied Manhattan for last Saturday's regional title at Wichita's Clapp Park, with the Indians taking the team crown on a tiebreaker (highest finishing sixth runner).

Sophomores Duke Graf, Clayton Fink and Henry Laubach finished second, seventh and 12th to lead the Junior Blues while senior Centennial League champion Brooks Kehoe finished 19th and sophomore Jaxson Adams 22nd to round out Rural's top five and senior Wyatt Shorb and sophomore Brady Meek finished 28th and 29th.

Rural finished sixth as a team in last year's state meet, with Laubach finishing 14th to earn a state medal.

Senior Emily Graf, a two-time 6A state medalist, will lead the young Junior Blues into Saturday's state meet at Rim Rock Farm. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural suffered heavy graduation losses off its girls team that finished second in, losing out to Olathe West on a tiebreaker, in last year's state meet, but the Junior Blues, ranked fifth in 6A, earned a trip to state with a strong runnerup regional finish to Centennial champ Manhattan.

Seniors Emily Graf and Kenzie Maddox and sophomore Reese Beardslee return from last year's runnerup Rural team and will be joined on Saturday by freshmen Alyson Hinck, Morgan Munson, Clara Dillon and Lilly Palmer.

Graf led Rural with a fifth-place finish at regionals while Hinck was eighth, Munson ninth, Maddox 16th, Beardslee 17th, Dillon 21st and Palmer 36th.

"You've got some young girls, so you just want them to get out there and run the best that they can and see where you land,'' Swedlund said.

Graf will be shooting for her third 6A state medal, finishing 14th a year ago after a 19th-place showing as a sophomore.

Topeka High sophomore Easton Davis posted a 14th-place regional finish to qualify as an individual for the 6A boys race.

The 6A girls race is scheduled for 10:35 a.m. Saturday while the boys race is slated for 12:20 p.m.

CLASS 5A

Three city standouts qualified as individuals for Saturday's Class 5A state meet at Rim Rock Farm, led by Seaman senior Brody Anderson, a returning state medalist.

Seaman senior Brody Anderson is back at state for his third straight season after finishing second in last week's Class 5A regional at Wichita. [File photo/TSN]

Anderson, a 5A state medalist last season with a ninth-place finish, was the runnerup in last Saturday's regional at Wichita while Shawnee Heights senior Max Esquibel qualified with a 14th-place regional finish at Lawrence.

Seaman junior Brynn Spencer, a returning state medalist, posted a sixth-place individual finish at regionals. [File photo/TSN]

Seaman junior Brynn Spencer will be the lone local runner in the 5A girls race, qualifying as an individual with a sixth-place regional finish in Wichita.

Spencer finished 18th at state as a sophomore.

The 5A boys race is scheduled for 11:10 a.m. Saturday while the girls will run in the final race of the day at 12:55 p.m.

CLASS 4A

Hayden's boys and girls combined for three individual qualifying berths for Saturday's Class 4A state meet at Wamego Country Club.

Sophomore Nick Newkirk and senior Connor Baldwin finished 14th and 15th in the Leonardville 4A regional to earn boys state berths while Hayden junior girls standout Sofia Harper qualified with a 12th-place regional finish.

The 4A girls race is scheduled for 10:35 a.m. Saturday while the boys race is set for a 12:20 p.m. start.

CLASS 3A

Silver Lake's boys earned a team berth for Saturday's Class 3A state meet at Rim Rock Farm, while junior Alessandra Gerber qualified as an individual for the girls race.

Silver Lake earned the final team berth in the 3A regional at Leonardville with a third-place finish, just three points out of second and 16 out of first.

Junior Hunter Rooks led Silver Lake with an eighth-place regional finish while sophomore Carson Kraus finished 20th, senior Brayden Just 27th, sophomore Miles Burgess 28th, junior Lane Ray 29th, senior Joel Heier 38th and senior Zachariah Rodenbaugh 66th. 

Gerber earned a return trip to state with a sixth-place individual finish at regionals.

The 3A boys race is the first race of the day at 10 a.m. Saturday while the 3A girls will run at 11:45 a.m.

CLASS 2A

Rossville junior Madelyn Wonnell earned a return trip to the Class 2A meet at Wamego Country Club with a 14th-place individual finish in the Marion regional.

The 2A girls race is Saturday's final race of the day at 12:55 p.m. 

SHAWNEE COUNTY STATE QUALIFIERS

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

After finishing third in last year's Class 4A state tournament, No. 6 seed Hayden is back in the title hunt after a perfect 3-0 day Friday at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

Corrinne McGreevy's Wildcats, 32-9 on the season, claimed the Pool II championship with three straight-set victories.

Hayden volleyball is headed to the Class 4A state semifinals Saturday after a perfect 3-0 record in pool play at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden opened its day with a 25-16, 25-19 win over No. 3 seed McPherson and then knocked off No. 2 Clay Center, 25-14, 26-24 before clinching the pool championship with a 25-20, 25-13 win over No. 7 seed Buhler in the Wildcats' final match of the day.

Hayden will now face Pool I runnerup Paola (27-10) in the semifinals, with the Panthers advancing on a tiebreaker despite a 1-2 record in pool play.

No. 1 seed and Pool II champion Andale (34-1) will face Pool I runnerup Clay Center (40-3) in the other semifinal.

The championship and third-place matches will begin 25 minutes after the conclusion of the final semifinal.  

Rural comes up short in bid for 6A semifinals

After splitting its first two matches Friday, No. 4 seed Washburn Rural pushed two-time defending Class 6A state champ and top seed Mill Valley to three sets in the Junior Blues' final pool match of the day at the Tony's Pizza Event Center in Salina before Mill Valley escaped with a 25-27, 25-18, 25-17 win.

Mill Valley, 2-1 on the day, advanced to Saturday semifinals as the Pool I runnerup while Washburn Rural ended its season with a 31-9 record on the year. 

Bulldawgs go 1-2 in 2A pool play

No. 8 seed Rossville split its first two Class 2A state pool play matches at Dodge City's United Wireless Arena and went to three sets in its final match against No. 5 seed Hillsboro, but came up short in its bid to advance to Saturday's semifinals. 

The Bulldawgs dropped a 25-12, 25-13 decision to top seed and undefeated Ellinwood in its opening match before taking a 19-25, 25-19, 25-15 victory over No. 4 Humboldt.

After dropping a 25-20 first-set decision to Hillsboro Rossville answered with a 25-15 win in the second set, but the Trojans took the match with a hard-earned 26-24 win in the third set.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Coming off back-to-back losses and playing its second straight game without injured senior quarterback John Hoytal, Washburn Rural was looking to get back on track in Friday's Class 6A West playoff opener against Wichita South in Bowen-Glaze Stadium.

And a quick start on both sides of the ball was just what the doctor ordered as the No. 7-seeded Junior Blues rode a 21-0 first-quarter lead to a 37-0 shutout over the visiting Titans.

Washburn Rural junior Jadyn Baum rushed for just under 200 yards and three touchdowns in Friday's 37-0 Class 6A playoff win over Wichita South. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

Washburn Rural junior Jadyn Baum (right) celebrates a touchdown with teammate Peyton Goehring in Friday's 37-0 Class 6A playoff win over Wichita South. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

"We knew coming into it that we were going to have to rely offensively on the run game and we knew the defense was going to have to set the tone and kind of shorten the field for us,'' Washburn Rural coach Steve Buhler said. "Offensively, I think the kids did a really nice job of doing what we've been working on as far as the game preparation.

"Win and advance. We didn't get a chance to do this last year, to move on in the playoffs, so the kids were excited about what they're doing and we get that feeling we had two years ago and three years ago and we get that hunger back about trying to go deeper into the playoffs.''  

With Friday's win Washburn Rural improved to 6-3 and advanced to a second-round 6A matchup at No. 2 seed Wichita Northwest, 8-1 on the season.

Offensively, Rural junior running back Jadyn Baum soared past the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season with 182 yards on 15 attempts while the Junior Blues' defense pitched the shutout while limiting the 3-6 Titans to 53 total yards.

Junior Ryker Petersen intercepted a pass to set up Washburn Rural's first touchdown in Friday's 37-0 Class 6A playoff win over Wichita South. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

An interception by Rural junior Ryker Petersen ended Wichita South's game-opening drive and led to an 8-yard Baum touchdown run with 8:30 left in the first quarter (Ryan Austin kick).

The Junior Blues recovered a South fumble on the Titans' ensuing possession and Rural found the end zone four plays later on Baum's second 8-yard TD of the night (Austin kick) to put the hosts up 14-0 at the 6:47 mark of the first.

Senior TJ Minikwu (right) celebrates a touchdown with teammate Kellan Roth in Friday's 37-0 Class 6A playoff win over Wichita South. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

With just 12 seconds remaining in the quarter Washburn Rural senior TJ Minikwu scored on a 5-yard run (Austin kick) to hike the Junior Blues' lead to 21-0.

The pace slowed in the second quarter but the Junior Blues took a 27-0 lead midway through the quarter on a 17-yard TD strike from junior Gavin Vantuyl to senior Nate Selm (kick failed).

Baum scored his third touchdown of the night on a 46-yard gallop (Austin kick) with 2:05 left in the third quarter and Austin capped Rural's scoring early in the fourth stanza with a 25-yard field goal.

Next up for the Junior Blues is next week's road test at Wichita Northwest, which advanced with a 57-14 win over Campus Friday night.

"They're exceptional,'' Buhler said of the Grizzlies. "You get to this round and everybody on the West side is so good and so well-rounded everything's going to be a dogfight and you have to be willing to play four full quarters and keep your nose in it the whole time.''

WASHBURN RURAL 37, WICHITA SOUTH 0

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

CLASS 6A

Jadyn Baum, Washburn Rural

WICHITA SOUTH (3-5) at WASHBURN RURAL (5-3)

Washburn Rural is the No. 7 Class 6A West seed while Wichita South is No. 10. Washburn Rural, playing without standout senior quarterback John Hoytal, dropped a 43-0 home Centennial League decision to Manhattan last week. Friday's winner will advance to a second-round game to face the winner of Friday's game between No. 2 Wichita Northwest (7-1) and No. 15 Campus (0-8). Game time: 7 p.m. 

TOPEKA HIGH (3-5) at DERBY (5-3)

The Trojans, coming off a 34-12 home non-league loss to Pittsburg, are the No. 11 6A West seed while perennial state contender Derby is the No. 6 seed. The Topeka High-Derby winner will advance to face Friday's winner between No. 3 seed Junction City (6-2) and No. 14 Wichita West (1-7). Game time: 7 p.m.

CLASS 5A

G'Honi Montgomery, Highland Park

DE SOTO (6-2) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (6-2)

At Hummer Sports Park

Coming off a big 42-30 Meadowlark Conference road win over previously-unbeaten Kansas City-Washington, Highland Park is the No. 8 Class 5A East seed while United Kansas Conference stalwart De Soto is seeded No. 9 and coming off a 42-21 UKC home win over Seaman. Highland Park junior G'Honi Montgomery carried the ball 14 times for 292 yards and five touchdowns against Washington and has 633 yards on 55 attempts in five games. Junior JoJo Kingcannon has rushed for 393 yards and four TDs on 26 carries and caught seven passes for 280 yards and three TDs. The Highland Park-De Soto winner will move on to face the winner of Friday's contest between No. 1 seed Basehor-Linwood (8-0) and No. 16 Blue Valley Southwest (0-8). Game time: 6 p.m.

Aiden Scott, Shawnee Heights

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (4-4) at ST. JAMES ACADEMY (7-1)

Shawnee Heights is coming off a 29-16 home United Kansas Conference win over Kansas City Turner and is the No. 11 5A East seed for the playoffs while St. James is the No. 6 seed. The T-Bird-Thunder winner will advance to next week's second round of the playoffs to take on the winner of Friday's game between No. 3 seed Spring Hill (7-1) and No. 14 Kansas City-Harmon (1-7). Shawnee Heights senior quarterback Aiden Scott has completed 181 of 287 passes for 2,767 yards and 23 TDs while senior AJ Gallegos has 61 catches for 860 yards and seven touchdowns. Dayton Vanderpool is the T-Birds' leading tackler with 75 stops (51 solo), including 5.5 tackles for loss. Game time: 7 p.m.

SEAMAN (3-5) at LIBERAL (6-2)

Seaman, coming off a 42-21 United Kansas Conference road loss at De Soto, is the No. 11 5A West seed while Liberal is No. 6. The winner of Friday's game will advance to face the winner of Friday's game between No. 3 Andover (6-2) and No. 14 seed Salina South (1-7). Seaman junior quarterback Cale Ketter has completed 136 of 231 passes for 2,013 yards and 23 touchdowns while Josh Brown has 38 catches for 611 yards and eight TDs and Coy Barta has 33 catches for 558 yards and nine TDs. Sophomore Quentin Moravec has 830 rushing yards and 11 TDs on 147 attempts. Game time: 6 p.m.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Top Class 5A East seed Shawnee Heights opened its postseason bid with a 6-1 regional semifinal win over United Kansas Conference rival Basehor-Linwood Tuesday night at the Bettis Family Sports Complex.

 Shawnee Heights senior Camden Granado (left) scored three goals in Tuesday's 6-1 regional win over Basehor-Linwood, becoming Heights' career-leading scorer. [File photo/TSN]

Senior Camden Granado scored a three-goal hat trick for the T-Birds to become Shawnee Heights' all-time career leading scorer while senior Juan Garcia added two goals and senior Wyatt Lindecrantz one.

Garcia also had an assist in the win while junior Mason Haas, senior Sheldon Pokphanh and senior Chase Tofflemire also had assists. 

The T-Birds improved to 15-2-0 on the season, with their only losses coming against 6A power Washburn Rural and fellow 5A power Blue Valley Southwest.

Shawnee Heights advanced to a 6 p.m. Thursday semifinal at Bettis to face No. 9 seed St. Thomas Aquinas (8-8-1), a 3-2 winner over Kansas City-Turner.

Washburn Rural senior Dylan Willingham (middle), Rural's single-season and career scoring leader, scored three goals in Tuesday's 9-1 regional win over Wichita Northwest. [File photo/TSN]

Rural rolls to 9-1 regional win over Wichita Northwest

Washburn Rural improved to 15-1-1 with a 9-1 Class 6A regional semifinal win over 4-12-1 Wichita Northwest Tuesday night at McElroy Field.

Senior Dylan Willingham, Rural's single-season and career-leading scorer, led the Junior Blues with a three-goal hat trick while junior Brodye Kocher-Munoz and senior Brandon Hamilton scored two goals apiece and senior Brody Grogan and junior Myles Didde had one goal each.

Senior Draden Chooncharoen and Didde both had two assists apiece while Willingham, senior Everett Un and senior Drew Moore had one assist each.

Rural, the No. 2 6A West seed, advanced to a 6 p.m. home game Thursday to host No. 7 seed Wichita East (12-5-0), which moved on with a 5-0 win over Junction City.

Cair Paravel advances with 6-2 4A-1A regional romp

Cair Paravel Latin, the No. 5 West seed in Class 4A-1A, advanced to a Thursday regional final with a 6-2 Monday win over No. 12 seed Circle (5-11-1).

The Lions, now 10-6-0, advanced to a 4 p.m. Thursday game at Berean Academy (12-5-1), with Berean advancing with a 3-1 wins over El Dorado. 

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

MONDAY'S GAME

CLASS 4A-1A

CIRCLE (5-10-1) vs. CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (9-6-0)

At Bettis Family Sports Complex

Cair Paravel Latin, the No. 5 seed in the Class 4A-1A West bracket with a 9-6-0 record, will open its postseason bid with a 6 p.m. Monday regional game against Circle (5-10-1). With a win Monday the Lions will advance to a Region 4 regional final on Thursday to face the winner of a Monday game between Berean Academy (10-5-1) and El Dorado (3-11-2).

TUESDAY'S GAMES

CLASS 6A

Dylan Willingham, Washburn Rural

WICHITA NORTHWEST (4-11-1) at WASHBURN RURAL (14-1-1)

Perennial state power Washburn Rural is the No. 2 West seed in Class 6A with a 14-1-1 record and will be at home Tuesday for a 6 p.m. regional semifinal at McElroy Field to host No. 15 seed Wichita Northwest (4-11-1). With a win Tuesday the Centennial League champs will advance to a regional final on Thursday to host the winner of Monday's game at Wichita between No. 10 Junction City (8-7-1) and No. 7 Wichita East (11-5-0). 

Billy Lutz, Topeka High

TOPEKA HIGH (9-5-2) at WICHITA NORTH (10-6-0)

Topeka High is the No. 9 Class 6A West seed with a 9-5-2 record and will go on the road Tuesday to face No. 8 seed Wichita North (10-6-0) in its postseason opener. With a win Tuesday, the Trojans will move on to a regional final on Thursday to face the winner of a regional semifinal between top West seed Wichita Southeast (15-1-0) and No. 16 Derby (3-13-0).

CLASS 5A

Camden Granado, Shawnee Heights

BASEHOR-LINWOOD (3-12-1) vs. SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (14-2-0)

At Bettis Family Sports Complex

An outstanding 14-2-0 regular season earned Shawnee Heights the No. 1 East seed for the Class 5A playoffs. The T-Birds will begin postseason with a 6 p.m. regional semifinal on Tuesday against their United Kansas Conference rival, No. 16 Basehor-Linwood (3-12-1). With a win Tuesday the T-Birds will advance to a regional final on Thursday to host the winner of Tuesday's game between No. 8 seed Kansas City-Turner (6-6-4) and No. 9 St. Thomas Aquinas (7-8-1) at Turner, also a member of the UKC.

Gage Kindred-Noragon, Topeka West

HAYS (7-8-0) vs. TOPEKA WEST (12-2-2)

At Hummer Sports Park

Topeka West earned the No. 3 Class 5A West seed with a 12-2-2 regular season and will open postseason with a 6 p.m. Tuesday regional semifinal against Hays (7-8-0). With a win Tuesday the Chargers will move on to a Thursday regional final to host the winner of Tuesday's game at Salina between No. 6 seed Salina South (11-5-0) and No. 11 Andover Central (8-7-1).

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

 Elise Eckert

ELISE ECKERT, Seaman

A senior, Eckert captured her fourth straight Class 5A state girls golf medal in Emporia, tying for fifth with a 36-hole total of 161 (77-84). Eckert, who won city and United Kansas Conference individual championships and finished second at regionals, led the Vikings to a tie for fifth in the team standings.

 Izzy Glotzbach

IZZY GLOTZBACH, Hayden

Glotzbach, a senior, finished her high school girls golf career with a tie for fifth in the Class 4A state tournament at Hutchinson's Carey Park. Glotzbach, who helped Hayden win the 4A team title as a sophomore and junior, had rounds of 85 and 79 to finish at 164 and lead the Wildcats to a fourth-place team finish. 

Connor Hanika

CONNOR HANIKA, Hayden

Hanika, a senior quarterback, completed 14 of 21 passes for 165 yards and three touchdowns to three different receivers last Friday as the 8-0 Wildcats wrapped up the Class 3A District 4 championship with a 42-0 home victory over Jefferson West. Hanika has now completed 75 of 127 passes for 1,117 yards and 16 touchdowns while throwing just one interception on the season.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Perennial Class 3A volleyball contender Silver Lake will be the team to beat in this week's state tournament at Hutchinson Sports Arena, earning the top seed in the eight-team field with a sparkling 41-1 record on the season.

Silver Lake volleyball celebrates its Class 3A sub-state title Saturday at Silver Lake. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

In the brand new state tournament format installed by the Kansas State High School Activities Association, the 3A field will play its three pool matches on Thursday before a day off on Friday and the semifinals, championship and third-place matches on Saturday.

Silver Lake sophomore Karys Deiter spikes the ball during Saturday's Class 3A sub-state tournament at Silver Lake. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Sarah Johnson's Eagles will open their state bid at 11 a.m. Thursday with a Pool I match against No. 8 seed Hesston (26-12).

Silver Lake junior Jaylie Whitehead makes a return during Saturday's Class 3A sub-state tournament at Silver Lake. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

After a match off, Silver Lake will return to the court at 1 p.m. to face No. 5 seed Ellsworth (32-8) before closing out pool play with a 3 o'clock match against No. 4 Wichita Trinity (28-5).

On the other side of the 3A bracket are No. 2 seed Riverton (36-4), No. 3 Hoisington (36-4), No. 6 Holton (34-9) and No. 7 Osage City (27-12).

The top two finishers in both pools will advance to 9 a.m. semifinals on Saturday, followed by the championship and third-place matches.

CLASS 3A VOLLEYBALL

At Hutchinson Sports Arena

THURSDAY'S POOL PLAY

Pool I

10 a.m. -- Wichita Trinity (4: 28-5) vs. Ellsworth (5: 32-8).

11 -- Silver Lake (1: 41-1) vs. Hesston (8: 26-12).

12 p.m. -- Wichita Trinity vs. Hesston.

1 -- Silver Lake vs. Ellsworth.

2 -- Ellsworth vs. Hesston.

3 -- Silver Lake vs. Wichita Trinity.

Pool II

10 a.m. -- Hoisington (3: 36-4) vs. Holton (6: 34-9).

11 -- Riverton (2: 36-4) vs. Osage City (7: 27-12).

12 p.m. -- Hoisington vs. Osage City.

1 -- Riverton vs. Holton.

2 -- Holton vs. Osage City.

3 -- Riverton vs. Hoisington.

SATURDAY

9 a.m -- Semifinals.

(Championship and third-place matches 25 minutes after conclusion of last semifinal).

Washburn Rural volleyball is the No. 4 seed for the Class 6A state volleyball tournament, with the Junior Blues looking for their ninth state title. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN] 

Eight-time champ Rural No. 4 seed in Class 6A

Eight-time Class 6A state champion Washburn Rural will be making its ninth straight state appearance, earning the No. 4 seed for Friday and Saturday's state event at Tony's Pizza Event Center in Salina with a 30-7 record.

Kevin Bordewick's Junior Blues will open Pool I play in Friday's first match of the day at 10 a.m., facing No. 5 seed Olathe West (26-7).

Washburn Rural's Brynn Anderson has turned in a banner freshman season, helping lead the Junior Blues to a ninth straight Class 6A state tournament berth. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

After a match break, Washburn Rural will face No. 8 seed Free State (20-12) at 12 p.m. before closing out pool play at 3 p.m. against top seed Mill Valley (31-4).

On the other side of the 6A bracket are No. 2 seed Blue Valley West (30-4), No. 3 Wichita Northwest (30-6), No. 6 Manhattan (27-8) and No. 7 Olathe Northwest (28-9).

The top two finishers in both pools will advance to 1 p.m. semifinals on Saturday, followed by the championship and third-place matches.

CLASS 6A VOLLEYBALL

At Tony's Pizza Events Center, Salina

FRIDAY'S POOL PLAY

Pool I

10 a.m. -- Washburn Rural (4: 30-7) vs. Olathe West (5: 26-7).

11 -- Mill Valley (1: 31-4) vs. Free State (8: 20-12).

12 p.m. -- Washburn Rural vs. Free State.

1 -- Mill Valley vs. Olathe West.

2 -- Olathe West vs. Free State.

3 -- Mill Valley vs. Washburn Rural.

Pool II

10 a.m. -- Wichita Northwest (3: 30-6) vs. Manhattan (6: 27-8).

11 -- Blue Valley West (2: 30-4) vs. Olathe Northwest (7: 28-9).

12 p.m. -- Wichita Northwest vs. Olathe Northwest.

1 -- Blue Valley West vs. Manhattan.

2 -- Manhattan vs. Olathe Northwest.

3 -- Blue Valley West vs. Wichita Northwest.

SATURDAY

1 p.m -- Semifinals.

(Championship and third-place matches 25 minutes after conclusion of last semifinal).

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Veteran Silver Lake volleyball coach Sarah Johnson expected her team to be good this fall, but she is quick to admit that she never really expected the 41-1 record that the Eagles will take into this week's Class 3A state tournament at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

Silver Lake volleyball celebrates a point in last Saturday's Class 3A sub-state tournament at Silver Lake. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Now the aim for top-seeded Silver Lake is to finish off its dream season with the school's 10th state title and first since 2018.   

"I honestly wasn't expecting this record at this point in the season, however, I did have very high hopes for this squad,'' Johnson said. "My first feeling of, 'this team has the potential to go far,' was this summer at the Mokan volleyball tournament at Washburn University.

"We came out first at that tourney with some tough competition. There is just something special about them. They are all bought in, willing to give their all, okay with being held accountable, and have a love and respect for one another cheering the other one on.''

Silver Lake's only loss came against 5A sub-state finalist Shawnee Heights in its 10th match of the season and the Eagles have reeled off 32 straight wins entering 3A pool play Thursday.  

"Leadership and unity is definitely part of it,'' Johnson said of the Eagles' success.  "A good sign of leadership is the ability to listen. I feel that they are all open to each other's ideas and feedback. They take it and learn from it. A big thing I've seen with this group leading to the success they've had thus far is the ability to not get rattled.

"We talk about getting uncomfortable in practices so when we are faced with uncomfortable situations in matches, it's familiar and we are comfortable. They have that calm confidence that helps them in those tough situations.''

Johnson knows that the Eagles are likely to encounter some of those tough situations in a 3A field that includes five teams with at least 33 wins and all eight with at least 26.

But the Silver Lake coach knows her team is extrememly capable of answering the challenge. 

"Yes, this weekend will be tough,'' Johnson said. "Our goal is to keep at it like we have all year -- limit our own errors, not let a team go on runs and adjust to different players/teams quickly and efficiently without getting rattled.

"(We want to) continue rising to the occasion and competing at a high level physically and mentally.'' 

In the brand new state tournament format installed by the Kansas State High School Activities Association, the 3A field will play its three pool matches on Thursday before a day off on Friday and the semifinals, championship and third-place matches on Saturday.

Silver Lake sophomore Karys Deiter spikes the ball during last Saturday's Class 3A sub-state tournament at Silver Lake. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Silver Lake junior Jaylie Whitehead makes a return during last Saturday's Class 3A sub-state tournament at Silver Lake. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

The Eagles will open their state bid at 11 a.m. Thursday with a Pool I match against No. 8 seed Hesston (26-12). After a match off, Silver Lake will return to the court at 1 p.m. to face No. 5 seed Ellsworth (32-8) before closing out pool play with a 3 o'clock match against No. 4 Wichita Trinity (28-5).

On the other side of the 3A bracket are No. 2 seed Riverton (36-4), No. 3 Hoisington (36-4), No. 6 Holton (34-9) and No. 7 Osage City (27-12).

The top two finishers in both pools will advance to 9 a.m. semifinals on Saturday, followed by the championship and third-place matches.

CLASS 3A VOLLEYBALL

At Hutchinson Sports Arena

THURSDAY'S POOL PLAY

Pool I

10 a.m. -- Wichita Trinity (4: 28-5) vs. Ellsworth (5: 32-8).

11 -- Silver Lake (1: 41-1) vs. Hesston (8: 26-12).

12 p.m. -- Wichita Trinity vs. Hesston.

1 -- Silver Lake vs. Ellsworth.

2 -- Ellsworth vs. Hesston.

3 -- Silver Lake vs. Wichita Trinity.

Pool II

10 a.m. -- Hoisington (3: 36-4) vs. Holton (6: 34-9).

11 -- Riverton (2: 36-4) vs. Osage City (7: 27-12).

12 p.m. -- Hoisington vs. Osage City.

1 -- Riverton vs. Holton.

2 -- Holton vs. Osage City.

3 -- Riverton vs. Hoisington.

SATURDAY

9 a.m -- Semifinals.

(Championship and third-place matches 25 minutes after conclusion of last semifinal).

Eight-time Class 6A state champion Washburn Rural will be making its ninth straight state tournament appearance this weekend in Salina. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural takes aim on ninth Class 6A state crown

Eight-time Class 6A state champion Washburn Rural will be looking for title No. 9 this weekend in its ninth straight state appearance.

The 30-7 Junior Blues earned the No. 4 seed for Friday and Saturday's 6A event at Tony's Pizza Event Center in Salina with a 30-7 record.

Six of Rural's seven losses have come against state tournament teams in 6A, 5A and 4A, while the seventh defeat came at the hands of a Gardner-Edgerton team that played in a 6A sub-state final.

And now Washburn Rural coach Kevin Bordewick, who has led the Junior Blues to all eight of their state titles and ranks No. 2 on Kansas' all-time wins list, is hoping his team can step up its game even more this weekend.

"It's all about raising your level of play and your level of intensity, your mental toughness, and all those factors go into it,'' Bordewick said. "But we still have to be us. We can't be somebody we're not.

"The greatest teams make the routine plays more often than just making great plays and if we can just make routine plays more often than the other team we should be alright.'' 

The Junior Blues will open Pool I play in Friday's first match of the day at 10 a.m., facing No. 5 seed Olathe West (26-7), and Bordewick said he wants all of his team's focus to be on that match against an Owls team that defeated Rural 15-25, 25-19, 25-22 early in the season.

"We're just worried about Olathe West,'' he said. "We haven't really talked about any other teams yet. We did not feel like we played well against them, but they had a lot to do with that, too, when we played them way back in early Sept.

Brynn Anderson has turned in a banner freshman season, helping lead the Junior Blues to a ninth straight Class 6A state tournament berth. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

"I think overall, when you put everything together, we've come a really long way. We expect a lot out of ourselves and we have standards that people strive to get to and I think they've done that. They've continued what we've had for several years really, really well. I'm pretty proud of all of them.'' 

After a match break after facing Olathe West, Washburn Rural will face No. 8 seed Free State (20-12) at 12 p.m. before closing out pool play at 3 p.m. against top seed and two-time defending state champ Mill Valley (31-4).

On the other side of the 6A bracket are No. 2 seed Blue Valley West (30-4), No. 3 Wichita Northwest (30-6), No. 6 Manhattan (27-8) and No. 7 Olathe Northwest (28-9).

The top two finishers in both pools will advance to 1 p.m. semifinals on Saturday, followed by the championship and third-place matches.

CLASS 6A VOLLEYBALL

At Tony's Pizza Events Center, Salina

FRIDAY'S POOL PLAY

Pool I

10 a.m. -- Washburn Rural (4: 30-7) vs. Olathe West (5: 26-7).

11 -- Mill Valley (1: 31-4) vs. Free State (8: 20-12).

12 p.m. -- Washburn Rural vs. Free State.

1 -- Mill Valley vs. Olathe West.

2 -- Olathe West vs. Free State.

3 -- Mill Valley vs. Washburn Rural.

Pool II

10 a.m. -- Wichita Northwest (3: 30-6) vs. Manhattan (6: 27-8).

11 -- Blue Valley West (2: 30-4) vs. Olathe Northwest (7: 28-9).

12 p.m. -- Wichita Northwest vs. Olathe Northwest.

1 -- Blue Valley West vs. Manhattan.

2 -- Manhattan vs. Olathe Northwest.

3 -- Blue Valley West vs. Wichita Northwest.

SATURDAY

1 p.m -- Semifinals.

(Championship and third-place matches 25 minutes after conclusion of last semifinal).

The 2025 All Shawnee County girls golf team -- From left: Lauren Cox, Washburn Rural; Kailyn Petersen, Washburn Rural; Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake; Elise Eckert, Seaman; Makenna Stuke, Seaman; Lauren Borjon, Hayden; Izzy Glotzbach, Hayden. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Five state medalists, including three first-team repeat picks, headline the 2025 All-Shawnee County girls golf team.

Hayden seniors Lauren Borjon and Izzy Glotzbach are both three-time first-team all-county selections while Washburn Rural senior Lauren Cox is a first-team repeater.

City and United Kansas Conference team champion Seaman is represented by seniors Elise Eckert and Makenna Stuke on the all-county first team along with Silver Lake senior Kailyn Hanni and Washburn Rural junior Kailyn Petersen.

Hanni, Stuke and Petersen were all second-team all-county selections in 2024 while Eckert earned first-team honors in her first season at Seaman. 

Hanni placed fifth in Class 3A-1A, Glotzbach tied for fifth in 4A and Eckert tied for fifth in 5A while Borjon tied for 12th in 4A and Cox tied for 18th in 6A. 

Eckert and Borjon were both four-time state medalists while Glotzbach and Hanni were both repeat medalists.

Eckert in 5A, Glotzbach in 4A and Hanni in 3A-1A all earned first-team All-State honors from the state's coaches while Borjon was a second-team pick and Stuke earned honorable mention.

Named to this year's second team were Washburn Rural seniors Taryn Jellison, Briley Miles and Peyton Merrick, Hayden junior Brooke Johnson, Seaman juniors Chloe Schmidtlein and Kaitlynn Frye and Silver Lake freshman Avenley Head.

All-Shawnee County first-team capsules:

By CHARLES SPURLOCK

Special to TopSports.news

WICHITA -- On a rain soaked Saturday morning, four local teams (Topeka High, Washburn Rural, Seaman, Topeka West) headed to Wichita’s L.W. Clapp Park to run in the Class 5A and 6A regional cross country championships.

In 6A, both the girls and boys teams from Washburn Rural qualified for the state meet and will run next Saturday at Rim Rock Farm north of Lawrence.

Washburn Rural senior Emily Graf finished fifth in Saturday's Class 6A regional at Wichita, leading Rural to a runnerup team finish. [File photo/TSN]

The second-place Washburn Rural girls were led by a fifth-place finish from senior Emily Graf, who finished in a time of 20:19.10. Two freshmen teammates also finished in the top ten -- Alyson Hinck in eighth with a time of 20:34.75 and 

Morgan Munson had a ninth place finish in 20:41.04.

The Washburn Rural boys tied Manhattan with 62 points, but Manhattan finished in first due to the tiebreaker of their sixth runner finishing four places ahead of Washburn Rural’s sixth-place runner.

Rural sophomore Duke Graf finished in second place in a time of 17:38.44 and was joined in the top 10 by fellow sophomore Clayton Fink with a time of 17:51.16.

Topeka High sophomore Easton Davis qualified for state individually based on his 14th-place finish in 18:09.80.

In Class 5A, the Seaman girls and boys will send one runner each to the state meet next Saturday.

Seaman junior Brynn Spencer was sixth in Saturday's Class 5A regional at Wichita, earning a state berth. [File photo/TSN]

Junior Brynn Spencer finished in sixth place with a time of 20:06.18 and commented on running in the rainy conditions,

“Knowing that everyone would be running in the same conditions, I wanted to go out and push the pace as much as I could,'' Spencer said. "All the puddles were fun to run through and I’m just really glad with how I did.”

In looking forward to next week’s state meet, Spencer said, “I’m kind of sad that the whole team didn’t qualify and I’ll have to run by myself, but it’s been a great season with all of them. My main goal for next week is to get a better time and place than last year at state. Coach (Rick) Brading wants me to push for the top 10 and into the elite runners group in our school.”

Seaman senior Brody Anderson finished second individually in Saturday's Class 5A cross country regional at Wichita. [File photo/TSN] 

Seaman senior Brody Anderson finished the boys race in 16:55.76, just 0.07 seconds behind regional champion Daniel Enriquez of Kapaun-Mt. Carmel.

Anderson talked about running the rain-soaked course, “It was a fun day to get out and race, but the conditions never produce fast times and that wasn’t the goal today. Coach (Luke) Wiens and I planned all week to go out today and qualify and put up either one or two points for the team.”

He is aware of what will happen next week, “State will be more strategic and I’ll be fighting for the win.”

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Silver Lake topped Council Grove 17-8 Friday night to capture the Class 2A District 3 championship while stretching its win streak to six games.

The Eagles improved to 6-2 overall while wrapping up a perfect 4-0 run to the district title.

Silver Lake has been installed as the No. 4 East seed in 2A and will open its postseason bid with a Friday night home game against No. 13 seed St. Marys (3-5).

The Eagles topped the Bears 21-6 on Sept. 26.

The winner of next Friday's game will advance to the second round of the playoffs to face the winner of the game between No. 5 seed Sabetha (7-1) and No. 12 Humboldt (3-5).  

Rossville caps 8-1 regular season

Rossville wrapped up its Class 1A District 2 championship and a 7-1 regular season with a 49-6 Homecoming win over Wabaunsee Friday night.

The Bulldawgs took control of the game with a 21-0 first quarter, getting a 12-yard touchdown run from Conner Bush, an 8-yard TD from Canann Mitchell and a 49-yard TD pass from Mitchell to Cameron Miller.

Rossville tacked on a 9-yard Mitchell run and a 9-yard Jack Donovan run to take a 35-0 halftime advantage.

Bush scored his second TD of the game on an 18-yard run and Landen Lewis scored on a 4-yard to end Rossville's scoring with 4:02 left in the third quarter.

Wabaunsee scored its lone TD with 6:49 left in the game on a 28-yard pass.

Rossville is the No. 4 East seed and will host No. 13 Mission Valley (4-4) at 7 p.m. next Friday.

The Rossville-Mission Valley winner will advance to take on the winner between No. 5 seed Jefferson County North (7-1) and No. 12 McLouth (3-5). With a win over Mission Valley, the Bulldawgs will host the second-round game.

Hayden senior quarterback Connor Hanika threw for three touchdowns to three different receivers Friday night as the Wildcats improved to 8-0 with a 42-0 district win over Jefferson West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Hayden improves to 8-0 with 42-0 district shutout

Hayden continued to roll Friday night in a 42-0 home win over Jefferson West, with the Wildcats improving to 8-0 overall and a perfect 4-0 in Class 3A District 4.

Hayden senior quarterback Connor Hanika threw for three touchdowns, hitting three different receivers for TDs, while senior Jude Krentz ran for a pair of TDs and helped spearhead a defense that blanked the Tigers (6-2 overall, 3-1 in the district).

Hayden senior Jude Krentz ran for a pair of touchdowns and helped the Wildcat defense post a shutout in Friday's 42-0 district win over Jefferson West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

The Wildcats are the No. 1 East seed in 3A and will host No. 16 seed Columbus (2-6) next Friday night (7 p.m. start).

With a win over Columbus, Hayden will advance to a second-round playoff game to host the winner of the game between No. 8 seed Parsons (3-5) and No. 9 Wellsville (5-3).

Washburn Rural to open Class 6A playoff bid at hom

Washburn Rural, 5-3 on the season, earned a first-round home Class 6A playoff game as the No. 7 West seed.

Rural, which dropped a 43-0 Centennial League decision to Manhattan in its regular-season finale, will host No. 10 Wichita South (3-5) next Friday.

The winner of the Washburn Rural-Wichita South game will move on to face the winner of the game between No. 2 seed Wichita Northwest (7-1) and No. 15 Campus (0-8).  

Scots earn share of Meadowlark Conference crown, No. 8 5A East seed

Highland Park remained unbeaten on the field Friday night on the way to earning a share of the Meadowlark Conference championship with a 42-30 road win at previously-unbeaten Kansas City-Washington.

The Scots, 6-2 overall, built a big lead over the Wildcats and held on down the stretch for the win over Washingon, 7-1 on the year.

Highland Park was installed as the No. 8 Class 5A East seed and will be at Hummer Sports Park next Friday to host No. 9 East seed De Soto (6-2).

The Hi Park-De Soto winner will advance to second round of postseason to face the winner of next Friday's game between top seed Basehor-Linwood (8-0) and No. 16 Blue Valley Southwest (0-8).

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural will make its traditional trip to the Class 6A state volleyball tournament next week after a dominating performance in Saturday's sub-state tourney on the Junior Blues' home court.

Washburn Rural earned its ninth straight trip to the Class 6A state volleyball tournament with a pair of straight-set wins Saturday at Rural. [Washburn Rural Athletics]

Rural, the No. 1 6A West seed, punched its ticket to the state tournament at Salina's Tony's Pizza Event Center with a 25-11, 25-4 semifinal win over No. 16 Wichita West and a 25-11, 25-21 win over No. 8 seed Maize in the championship match.

Now 30-6 on the season, the Junior Blues will be making their ninth straight state tournament appearance and their 27th in 31 seasons under coach Kevin Bordewick, who has led Rural to eight state titles and ranks No. 2 on Kansas' all-time career victory list.

Washburn Rural was ranked No. 5 in the final Kansas Volleyball Association 6A state rankings.

Hayden volleyball poses for a team picture after capturing a Class 4A sub-state title Saturday at Hayden. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Wildcats survive three-set final to earn return trip to Class 4A state

Hayden, the No. 4 Class 4A East seed, was pushed to three sets by No. 5 seed Eudora but outlasted the Cardinals, 25-23, 24-26, 25-20 Saturday at the Bueltel Activity Center to earn a return trip to next week's state tournament at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

Hayden senior Reese Huscher spikes the ball during Saturday's Class 4A sub-state at Hayden. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Hayden senior Ella Foster sets the ball during Saturday's Class 4A sub-state tournament at Hayden. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Hayden reached the championship match with a 25-7, 25-10 semifinal win over No. 13 Labette County while Eudora survived a three set semifinal with No. 12 seed Ottawa, taking a 20-25, 25-10, 25-19 win over the Cyclones.   

Now 29-9 on the season, Hayden finished third in last year's state tournament and was ranked No. 3 in the final KVA state rankings.

Silver Lake volleyball celebrates its Class 3A sub-state title Saturday at Silver Lake. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Top-ranked Eagles top Riley County to take 3A sub-state crown

Silver Lake, the No. 1 Class 3A East seed and ranked No. 1 by the KVA for seven straight weeks, fought off Riley County in Saturday's sub-state final on the Eagles' home court to advance to next week's state tournament at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

Silver Lake volleyball celebrates a point during Saturday's Class 3A sub-state tournament at Silver Lake. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Now 41-1 on the season, Silver Lake dropped the first set to No. 3 sub-state seed Riley County, 25-23, but rallied to take 25-21 and 25-15 wins in the next two sets to garner the title.

Silver Lake took a 25-12, 25-9 semifinal win over No. 4 Perry-Lecompton while Riley County needed three sets to knock off No. 2 Nemaha Central, 21-25, 25-19, 25-18.

Rossville volleyball poses for a team picture after earning a Class 2A state tournament berth Saturday at Rossville. [Rossville volleyball]

Bulldawgs advance to 2A state with back-to-back thrillers

Tournament host and top sub-state seed Rossville was pushed to three sets in both its semifinal and championship matches, but the Bulldawgs survived both sets to advance to next week's Class 2A state tournament in Dodge City.

Rossville volleyball celebrates a point during Saturday's Class 2A sub-state tournament at Rossville. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Rossville junior Nora Burdiek spikes the ball during Saturday's Class 2A sub-state tournament at Rossville. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Rossville, ranked No. 7 in the final KVA 2A state rankings, outlasted No. 4 Cair Paravel Latin, 27-25, 19-25, 25-20 in the semifinals before rallying from a first-set loss against No. 2 Maur Hill-Mt. Academy in the sub-state final to take a 22-25, 25-23, 25-12 win.

Maur Hill-Mt. Academy advanced to the final with a 25-16, 27-25 semifinal win over Kansas City Christian. 

The Bulldawgs will take a 28-13 record into the state tournament.

By RICK PETERSON                                                                                                          

TopSports.news

Hayden junior football standout Mason Becker and Cair Paravel Latin junior state tennis medalist Madilyn Poole have been selected by the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency as the Rising Stars of the Week.

The Dan Key Agency will recognize top Shawnee County underclassmen throughout the bulk of the 2025-2026 school year.

Here's a brief look at the recent accomplishments of Becker and Poole.

Mason Becker, Hayden [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

MASON BECKER, Hayden

A junior multi-sport standout for the Wildcats, Becker has helped Hayden's football team post a perfect 7-0 record this fall, with no game closer than 22 points.

Becker, 6-foot, 160 pounds, plays offense, defense and on special teams for the Wildcats, scoring touchdowns in all three phases of the game.

Becker has established himself as one of the state's top kickers, going 37 of 37 on extra-point attempts while also booting a 40-yard field goal and kicking the vast majority of his kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks. Becker has carried the ball nine times for 150 yards and two TDs and caught seven passes for 187 yards and two TDs.  

Madilyn Poole, Cair Paravel Latin

MADILYN POOLE, Cair Paravel Latin

A junior two-time Class 3A-1A state tennis qualifier in singles, Poole became the first-ever Cair Paravel girls player to earn a state medal last Saturday in Salina.

After winning a regional singles championship at Kossover Tennis Center, Poole won her first two matches in the state tournament to advance to the state semifinals.

After falling in the semis, Poole, an All-City honoree, bounced back to finish third at state with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Wichita Classical's Ani Doom to cap a 19-3 season.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural football, which played without injured senior quarterback John Hoytal, will quickly put Friday's 43-0 Centennial League home loss to Manhattan in the rearview mirror and turn all of its attention to the Class 6A postseason.

Washburn Rural junior Jadyn Baum tries to elude a Manhattan defender in Friday night's 43-0 Centennial League loss to the Indians at Bowen-Glaze Stadium. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

The Junior Blues, who finished the regular season 5-3 overall and 2-2 in the Centennial League, are likely to be the No. 7 6A West seed and receive a first-round home game next Friday when the playoff pairings are announced by the Kansas State High School Activities Association.

"It's time to get ready,'' Washburn Rural coach Steve Buhler said. "Now the do or die part comes in. We've got to lean on our seniors and they've been good leaders for us all year.''

Washburn Rural got a big break on the first play of the game when Manhattan fumbled the opening kickoff and the Junior Blues recovered the ball at the Indians' 26-yard-line. Manhattan then jumped offside to give Rural a 1st-and-5 situation at the Indians' 21, but the visitors came up with a big defensive stop to take over on downs at their own 15.

Just two plays later Manhattan reached the end zone on a 78-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Finn Watson to senior JJ Dunnigan and the Indians never looked back.

"You've got to build a little momentum when you have opportunities like that,'' Buhler said. "We didn't take advantage of it early in the game and then they take advantage on a quick-hitter, which takes all the wind out of your sails, so you're not only disappointed by not scoring but then you're disappointed about giving up seven really quick.

"It's a 14-point swing in a matter of seconds.'' 

Manhattan senior Brady Durtschi picked off a Gavin Vantuyl pass to stop Rural's next possession and the Indians turned the turnover into a 1-yard TD from junior Joseph Mortenson and added a two-point conversion to go in front 15-0.

Mortenson scored his second TD of the night on a 2-yard run at the 8:47 mark of the second quarter and Watson added a 1-yard score with 34 seconds left in the half to put the Indians in command, 29-0.

The Indians who limited Washburn Rural to 50 total yards, added two more touchdowns in the second half -- an 8-yard run from senior Kha'Mario Davis and a 1-yard Watson plunge -- to finish off the win, improving to 6-2 overall and 3-1 in the league.

Watson finished the night with a game-high 136 rushing yards and went six of six passing for 149 yards to lead the Indians.

MANHATTAN 43, WASHBURN RURAL 0

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(Allkickoffs at 7 p.m.)

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

Connor Hanika, Hayden

JEFFERSON WEST (6-1, 3-0 Class 3A District 4) at HAYDEN (7-0, 3-0 Class 3A District 4)

Hayden and Jefferson West will square off for the Class 3A District 4 title Friday night. The Wildcats are coming off a 48-7 district win at Perry-Lecompton last Friday while Jefferson West took a 54-12 non-district win over Atchison County. Hayden senior Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 61 times for 586 yards and has scored 14 total touchdowns while senior quarterback Connor Hanika has completed 61 of 106 passes for 950 yards and 13 TDs. Mahki Kidd has caught 18 passes for 178 yards and three touchdowns.

MANHATTAN (5-2, 2-1 Centennial League) at WASHBURN RURAL (5-2, 2-1 Centennial League)

Washburn Rural dropped a 35-20 Centennial League decision at Junction City last Friday after losing standout senior quarterback John Hoytal to an injury in the first half while Manhattan rolled to a 50-0 home league win over Topeka High. Both the Junior Blues and Indians are in line to host a first-round Class 6A West playoff game.

Joseph Kingcannon, Highland Park 

HIGHLAND PARK (5-2, 4-1 Meadowlark) at KC-WASHINGTON (7-0, 5-0 Meadowlark)

Highland Park can earn a share of the Meadowlark Conference championship with a win Friday. Both teams are unbeaten on the field, with Kansas City-Washington coming off a 49-33 Meadowlark win over KC-Schlagle while Highland Park picked up a forfeit win over Kansas City-East, Mo. last Friday. Scot senior quarterback Dontrail Fox has completed 16 of 30 passes for 465 yards and six touchdowns in Hi Park's four on-field games while junior Joseph Kingcannon has gained 380 yards and scored four TDs on just 21 attempts and has caught six passes for 273 yards and three TDs. Junior G'Honi Montgomery has 341 rushing yards and three TDs on 41 carries.

PITTSBURG (3-4) vs. TOPEKA HIGH (3-4)

At Hummer Sports Park

Topeka High will close out its regular season with a non-league game against Pittsburg. The Trojans dropped a 50-0 Centennial League decision at Manhattan last Friday while Pittsburg is coming off a 42-0 win over Chanute. The Trojans and Purple Dragons have one common opponent, with Pittsburg opening its season with a 24-14 victory over Emporia while High took a 13-12 win over the Spartans in its league opener.

Cameron Miller, Rossville

WABAUNSEE (4-3, 3-1 Class 1A District 2) at ROSSVILLE (6-1, 4-0 Class 1A District 2)

Rossville remained unbeaten in the District 2 race with a come-from-behind 36-22 win over Olpe while Wabaunsee has won three straight games, including a 36-21 district win over Mission Valley last Friday. Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell has completed 67 of 103 passes for 981 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushed for 566 yards and eight TDs on 73 attempts. Conner Bush has carried the ball 36 times for 435 yards and six TDs while Cameron Miller has 24 catches for 398 yards and six TDs and Jack Donovan has 25 catches for 298 yards and two TDs. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Silver Lake earned the No. 1 spot in Class 3A in the final Kansas Volleyball Association state ranking, the Eagles' seventh straight week atop the rankings.

Silver Lake earned the top spot in Class 3A in the final 2025 Kansas Volleyball Association state rankings, the Eagles' seventh straight week at No. 1 [File photo/TSN] 

Silver Lake, 36-1 at the time of the rankings, is joined in the rankings by fellow Shawnee County schools Washburn Rural, Hayden and Rossville.

Hayden (26-8) maintained the No. 3 spot in 4A, while Washburn Rural (28-6) moved up a spot to No. 5 in 6A and Rossville (23-13) remained No. 7 in 2A.

Kansas Volleyball Association State Rankings

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Hayden had its two-year Class 4A state championship reign ended by Wamego Tuesday at Hutchinson's Carey Park, but the Wildcats posted a top-four team finish as seniors Izzy Glotzbach and Lauren Borjon ended their high school careers with state medals.

 Izzy Glotzbach, Hayden [File photo/TSN]

Lauren Borjon, Hayden [File photo/TSN]

Glotzbach tied for fifth individually with a 36-hole total of 164 (85-79) while Borjon tied for 12th at 170 (88-82).

Hayden's Brooke Johnson tied for 23rd with a two-day total of 178 (89-89), one stroke out of 20th.

Kellyn Specht finished at 196 (99-97), Morgan Johnson was at 213 (104-109) and Avery Becker at 226 (116-110) for the Wildcats.

Wamego star Addison Douglass won her fourth straight state title by a seven-stroke margin with a 36-hole score of 145 (77-68) as the Red Raiders won the team championship by 40 strokes over Goodland (658-698).

McPherson was third at 701 while Hayden was fourth at 708.

 Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake [Photo by Brent Maycock/KSHSAA Covered]

Hanni fifth in Class 3A-1A to lead Eagles to fourth-place showing

Silver Lake multi-sport standout Kailyn Hanni closed out her high school golf career with a fifth-place finish in Class 3A-1A Tuesday at Salina Municipal Golf Course.

Hanni posted a 36-hole score of 164, carding rounds of 81 and 83, as Silver Lake, which had placed first and second in the previous two 3A-1A state tournaments, finished fourth as a team at 729. 

The Eagles' Savanah Wende narrowly missed a state medal with a tie for 21st at 184 (93-91) while Silver Lake got a tie for 29th from Avenley Head (99-89 -- 188) and a tie for 36th from Morgan Ackerley (91-102 -- 193) to round out its top four.

Rossville's Elley Sanders, competing as an individual, tied for 36th at 193 (95-98).

Goodland's Allison Cure was the individual state champion at 150 (73-77) as the Cowboys won the team title by a 31-stroke margin over Jefferson West. St. Marys Colgan finished third at 718.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Silver Lake and Rossville's volleyball teams both took their first steps to state tournament berths with Class 3A and 2A regional championships Monday night.

Kylie Hanni and the Silver Lake Eagles will host a Class 3A sub-state volleyball tournament on Saturday. [File photo/TSN]

Nora Burdiek and Rossville volleyball will host a Class 2A sub-state on Saturday. [File photo]

The Eagles and Bulldawgs will now host sub-state tournaments on Saturday, vying for berths in next week's state tournaments at Hutchinson (3A) and Dodge City (2A).

Silver Lake, top-ranked in 3A, rolled to three straight regional wins Monday night on its home court, taking a 25-9, 25-8 win over Council Grove, a 25-16, 25-11 win over Hiawatha and a 25-11, 25-18 win over Pleasant Ridge to wrap up the regional crown.

The Eagles will host 3A sub-state No. 1 at 2 p.m. on Saturday, facing Perry-Lecompton in one semifinal while Nemaha Central will face Riley County in the other semi. The two winners will meet for the sub-state title.

Rossville hosted a 2A regional Monday and the Bulldawgs went a perfect 3-0 with a 25-10, 25-8 win over McLouth, a 25-13, 25-8 victory over Central Heights and a 25-9, 25-14 win over Mission Valley.

The Bulldawgs will host 2A sub-state No. 2 on Saturday, taking on Cair Paravel Latin in a semifinal match while Maur Hill-Mt. Academy will square off against Kansas City Christian in the other semifinal. The two winners will play for the sub-state championship.

Cair Paravel went 2-1 in Monday's 2A regional at Jefferson North, posting a 26-24, 19-25, 26-24 win over Horton and a 25-16, 25-16 win over Atchison County before dropping a 25-16, 25-23 match to Jefferson North.

Washburn Rural, the No. 1 Class 6A West seed, will be aiming for its ninth straight state berth in a Saturday sub-state at Rural. [File photo/TSN]

Class 6A sub-state at Washburn Rural

Perennial state power Washburn Rural will be looking for its 27th Class 6A state tournament berth in Kevin Bordewick's 31st year as head coach and ninth straight when Rural hosts a sub-state tournament (1 p.m. start) on Saturday.

The Junior Blues, the No. 1 West seed at 28-6, will open their sub-state bid with a semifinal match against Wichita West (5-29) while Maize (16-20) will face Wichita East (5-28) in the other semifinal before the two winners face off in the championship match.

The sub-state champion will advance to next week's Class 6A state tournament at the Tony's Pizza Event Center in Salina.

Hailey Schmidtlein and Hayden volleyball will host a Class 4A sub-state tournament on Saturday. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

Class 4A sub-state at Hayden

Hayden, third in Class 4A a year ago, will host a sub-state tournament on Saturday (1 p.m. start) in the Bueltel Activity Center, vying for a return trip to state next week at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

The Wildcats, 26-9 on the season and the No. 4 East seed, will play Labette County (12-22) in a semifinal match while No. 5 seed Eudora (25-10) will take on Ottawa (12-20) in the other semifinal.

The two semifinal winners will square off in the sub-state championship match.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Brody Anderson

BRODY ANDERSON, Seaman

Anderson, a senior cross country standout, won his second straight boys United Kansas Conference individual title Thursday in Kansas City, Kan. while posting his fifth individual victory of the 2025 season. A Class 5A state medalist in cross country and track, Anderson posted a winning five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 38.30 seconds while leading the Vikings to a runnerup conference team finish.

Jordan Finnesy

JORDAN FINNESY, Washburn University

Finnesy tied a school record with two interceptions while adding nine tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in Saturday's 37-17 MIAA win over Central Missouri in Yager Stadium. Finnesy helped Washburn record a school-record eight turnovers against the Mules en route to snapping a four-game losing streak and picking up the Ichabods' first conference victory of 2025. 

 Molly Gorman

MOLLY GORMAN, Seaman

A senior tennis standout, Gorman earned her fourth straight Class 5A state medal with a sixth-place singles finish Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center. After placing in the 5A state meet in doubles as a freshman and sophomore, Gorman earned singles medals her final two high school seasons for the Vikings, helping Seaman finish second as a team to cap the 2025 season.

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

Locked in a battle with Topeka High, the Washburn Rural boys soccer team saw its new all-time leading scorer come through when it needed him.

Topeka High held the Junior Blues scoreless for 30 minutes Monday at Hummer Sports Park until Washburn Rural senior Dylan Willingham received a pass from Brodye Kocher-Munoz and broke the tie with a shot inside the right post.

Washburn Rural senior Dylan Willingham (middle) became Rural's career scoring leader in Monday's 3-1 Centennial League win over Topeka High. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

With the first-half goal, Willingham matched the Washburn Rural all-time scoring record. The 57th goal of his career moved Willingham into a tie with former Junior Blues Austin Halsey and Easton Bradstreet.

The Trojans responded 10 minutes into the second half. Senior Santiago Ovalle headed a deflected ball into the net to tie the score at 1-1.

Junior Brodye Kocher-Munoz (9) assisted on both of Washburn Rural senior Dylan Willingham's goals in Monday's 3-1 Centennial League win over Topeka High. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Again, when his team needed a goal, Willingham was up to the task. With another assist from Kocher-Munoz, Willingham took sole ownership of the Washburn Rural scoring record at the 13:17 mark with his 58th career goal.

Washburn Rural senior Draden Chooncharoen added an insurance goal – assisted by Willingham – with three minutes remaining for the 3-1 final.

“I know he will tell you, anytime you break a record, you’ve got great teammates around, setting you up,” Washburn Rural coach Brian Hensyel said of Willingham. “The first goal, he gets a great pass at his feet. The second goal, same kind of deal.

“(Dylan) made the plays to make it happen, and it’s not surprising that when we needed a big play, he got it. But my favorite play of the night was, at 2-1, he could have taken a shot, and instead he chipped a ball to the back post and got the assist.”

Willingham allowed himself, briefly, to reflect on the individual accomplishment. But he said he was more happy that the Junior Blues claimed their 31st consecutive Centennial League title than he was about breaking the record.

“I was really excited. There’s really no other way to describe it, I’d say. It’s pretty great,” Willingham said about the scoring record. “I’m really most excited about the league title. As seniors, you know, we have such a long streak, you don’t want to be the class to break the streak.”

Willingham and his coach were both proud of the way the team responded in a tense battle.

“After they got their goal, we allowed no shots at all, which that’s the key to winning close games, honestly is on defense,” Willingham said. “I don’t think we changed anything after their goal. We knew we can pull out a result for sure. Even though they got one goal, we’re not going to get mad or throw a fit. We’re going to just keep playing the way we play.”

The 2025 All-City girls tennis team -- Front, left to right: Julia Katzer, Washburn Rural; Annie Henderson, Washburn Rural; Madilyn Poole, Cair Paravel Latin; Madeline Deters, Topeka High; Emma Sweeney, Seaman; Camryn Lux, Seaman. Back, left to right: Alizah Alvarez-Chedzoy, Washburn Rural; Halle Owen, Washburn Rural; Ava Ritter, Topeka High; Hailey Caryl, Topeka High; Molly Gorman, Seaman; Peyton Henry, Seaman. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Seven repeat selections and six state medalists, led by Seaman Class 5A singles runnerup Emma Sweeney and four-time state medalist Molly Gorman, headline the 2025 All-City girls tennis team.

Sweeney, a junior, and senior Gorman are both All-City repeat picks along with Seaman senior Peyton Henry and junior Camryn Lux, Topeka High seniors Madeline Deters and Ava Ritter and sophomore Hailey Caryl.

Sweeney swept city, United Kansas Conference and regional titles before her second-place state finish while Gorman earned her fourth state medal -- two doubles, two singles -- with a sixth-place singles finish.

Cair Paravel Latin junior Madilyn Poole earned her first state medal last weekend with a third-place 3A-1A singles finish.

High's Deters earned her second straight 6A medal with a sixth-place singles finish while Henry and Lux placed seventh in 5A doubles as Seaman finished second as a team at state after sweeping city, United Kansas Conference and regional championships. 

Also earning All-City recognition were Washburn Rural city and regional doubles champions Julia Katzer and Halle Owen, both juniors, and Rural No. 2 city doubles champions Alizah Alvarez-Chedzoy, a senior, and sophomore Annie Henderson. The four Rural picks, all state qualifiers, helped the Junior Blues win a 6A regional team championship.

All-City selections are based on finishes in the city meet.

All-City capsules:

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

After finishing sixth in the 2024 Class 5A girls state golf tournament, Seaman put itself in position to improve on that finish with a solid opening day performance Monday at Emporia Municipal.

Elise Eckert, Seaman [File photo/TSN]

The Vikings are in fourth place in the team standings entering Tuesday's final round after posting a four-person score of 354, six strokes behind third-place St. James Academy. Kapaun Mt. Carmel leads the team race by a 321-332 margin over Andover.

Senior Elise Eckert, who is looking for her fourth straight 5A state medal, is tied for third after shooting a 77 in Round 1. Andover's Regan Dusenbery is the tournament leader at 68. 

The Vikings' Makenna Stuke and Chloe Schmidtlein carded 91s Monday and are tied for 16th while Kaitlynn Frye added a 95 and Molly Quintana a 98.

The top 20 individuals after Tuesday's final round will receive state medals while the top three teams will receive trophies.

Shawnee Heights' Lauryn Valdivia shot a 111 and Topeka West's Berlyn Kolean a 113 on Monday and did not advance to Tuesday's final round.

State tournaments at all sites are scheduled to get under way at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. 

Izzy Glotzbach, Hayden [File photo/TSN]

Class 4A at Hutchinson

Two-time defending Class 4A state champion Hayden advanced to Tuesday's final round at Carey Park in fourth place as a team after an opening-round four-person score of 361.

The Wildcats are 25 strokes behind tournament leader Wamego, but Hayden is just two strokes behind third-place McPherson and four strokes behind second-place Wellington. Wamego and Hayden finished one-two in last Tuesday's regional at Shawnee Country Club.

Senior Izzy Glotzbach led Hayden Monday with a first-round 85 and is tied for ninth individually entering Tuesday's final round.

Lauren Borjon shot an 88 in the first round and is tied for 14th while Brooke Johnson is tied for 19th after a first-round 89.

Kellyn Specht had a 99, Morgan Johnson a 104 and Avery Becker a 116 for the Wildcats.

Wamego three-time state champion Addison Douglass holds a one-stroke lead after shooting a 77 on Monday.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Senior Brooks Kehoe claimed the boys individual Centennial League cross country championship Saturday at Jones Park in Emporia, leading the Washburn Rural boys to the league team title.

Kehoe took the league crown in a five-kilometer time of 16 minutes, 21.11 seconds as the Junior Blues put all of their top five scoring runners in the top 14 places individually.

Senior Brooks Kehoe won the Centennial League individual cross country title on Saturday in Emporia, pacing the Junior Blues to the team crown. [File photo/TSN]

Rural sophomore Clayton Fink posted a fourth-place finish in 16:56.01 while sophomore Henry Laubach was seventh in 17:03.26, sophomore Jaxson Adams ninth in 17:19.15 and sophomore Duke Graf 14th in 17:30.63 as the Junior Blues won the team title by a 35-54 margin over Manhattan and Junction City.

Emporia was fourth as a team with 111 points, followed by Hayden (138) and Topeka High (145).

Sophomore Nick Newkirk led Hayden with an 18th-place finish in 17:36.65 while sophomore Easton Davis placed 19th in 17:41.16 to pace Topeka High.

Manhattan posted a perfect team score of 15 to win the girls championship, led by junior individual champion Gabrielle Converse, who clocked a winning time of 18:37.56.

Freshman Alyson Hinck placed sixth in the Centennial League cross country meet to lead Washburn Rural to a runnerup team finish. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural freshman Alyson Hinck was the first non-Manhattan runner to cross the finish line, taking sixth in 20:00.93 to lead runnerup Rural (49 points).

The Junior Blues also got a an eighth-place showing from senior Emily Graf (20:05.52), while freshman Morgan Munson was 10th (20:17.43), sophomore Reese Beardslee 11th (20:26.07) and senior Kenzie Maddox 14th (20:40.39) to round out Washburn Rural's top five.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

It's probably safe to say that nobody in Monday and Tuesday's Class 5A state tournament field has played more rounds at Emporia Municipal Golf Course than Seaman senior Elise Eckert.

Seaman senior Elise Eckert will be shooting for her fourth straight Class 5A state medal this week in Emporia. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

After all, Emporia Municipal was Eckert's home course growing up and through her first three years of high school golf  before her family moved to Topeka prior to this school year after her junior year at Emporia High.

Now Eckert, who was a three-time 5A state medalist for the Spartans, is hoping to use her vast knowledge of the tournament layout to cap her high school career with a run at the state title.

"I'm so glad that state's at Emporia this year,'' Eckert said. "I know where the ins and outs are of the course for sure. But you can't get too comfortable with any course.

"I've played this course a bunch, but you know there's still new spots you haven't seen that you'll find eventually and you've just got to play that day.''   

Eckert followed up her city and United Kansas Conference individual championships with a second-place regional finish last Monday at Shawnee County Club as the Vikings advanced to state as a team with a runnerup finish behind Andover (342-355).

Eckert carded a two-over-par 75 at regionals to finish second behind Regan Dusenbery's two-under 71 while Seaman also got a fourth-place finish from Makenna Stuke (90), a tie for seventh from Kaitlynn Frye (94), a 10th-place finish from Chloe Schmidtlein (96) and a 16th from Molina Quintana (110).

Eckert feels like her game is in pretty good shape entering her final high school state tournament.

"I feel like if I can keep up with what I've been doing right now I think I'll be in pretty good shape for state,'' Eckert said.  

Topeka West senior Berlyn Kolean qualified for state as an individual with a 109 while Shawnee Heights junior Lauryn Valdivia qualified for state as an individual with a 112.

State tournaments at all sites are scheduled to get under way at 9 a.m. on Monday and 10 a.m. on Tuesday after the fields are cut to the top six teams and top individuals.

Junior Kailyn Petersen placed third in last Monday's Class 6A regional to lead Washburn Rural to a runnerup team finish. [File photo/TSN]

Class 6A at Hesston

Washburn Rural girls golf will compete in the Class 6A state tournament for the 20th straight season in Jared Goehring's 20 years as head coach, qualifying for the state meet at Hesston Golf Course with a runnerup finish in last Monday's regional tournament at Sim Park Golf Course.

Rural, which has captured four 6A state titles, posted a four-person score of 335 to finish second behind champion Olathe West (328).

Junior Kailyn Petersen led the Junior Blues with a third-place regional finish, shooting a 79, while Taryn Jellison placd fourth with an 83.

The Junior Blues also got a tie for fifth from Lauren Cox (85), an 11th-place finish from Briley Miles (88), a tie for 14th from Peyton Merrick (92) and a 16th-place showing from Ella Taggart (93).