By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Editor's note: Over the coming weeks TopSports.news will take a look at all of the senior finalists for the 2025-2026 Shawnee County High School Sports Awards from the fall, winter and spring seasons, followed by the athletes of the year for all three seasons and the overall outstanding girls and boys athletes of the year.
Emme Blanco, Washburn Rural
EMME BLANCO | Washburn Rural
SPORT: Wrestling
Blanco posted a runnerup finish at 145 pounds in the 2026 Class 6A state tournament, helping lead Washburn Rural to a second straight third-place state team finish. Blanco, who captured Centennial League and regional championships, posted a 40-4 record on the season en route to earning a first-team berth on the All-Shawnee County team for the second straight season.
Makayla Cadet, Highland Park
MAKAYLA CADET | Highland Park
SPORT: Wrestling
A two-time All-Shawnee County first-team selection, Cadet advanced to the 190-pound Class 5A state championship match as a junior and senior, winning the 5A state title as a junior and finishing second as a senior while posting a 23-3 record on the season. Cadet also received all-county honorable mention in softball.
Rylee Dick, Rossville
RYLEE DICK | Rossville
SPORT: Basketball
Dick put together an outstanding four-year career for the Bulldawgs, leading Rossville to a Class 2A state tournament berth as a senior, the Bulldawgs' first state appearance in 20 seasons. Dick averaged 20.6 points over the 2025-2026 season, finishing her career with 1,578 points to rank No. 2 on Rossville's all-time scoring list. She received first-team All-Big East League and All-Shawnee County honors.
Maddie Gragg, Seaman
MADDIE GRAGG | Seaman
SPORT: Basketball
Gragg was a four-time All-Shawnee County and All-United Kansas Conference first-team pick for Seaman, helping the Vikings win the Class 5A state championship her sophomore season and post a runnerup state finish as a junior. Gragg averaged 12.4 points and 7.0 rebounds over the 2025-2026 campaign while hitting 32 3-pointers.
Cianna Graves, Shawnee Heights
CIANNA GRAVES | Shawnee Heights
SPORT: Wrestling
A four-time Class 5A state medalist and repeat All-Shawnee County pick, Graves saved her best for last, winning the 155-pound state championship as a senior to cap a 35-2 season. Also a United Kansas Conference and 5A regional champion, Graves helped lead Shawnee Heights to a third-place 5A team finish for the second straight season. Graves was also a standout catcher in softball, earning all-county first-team honors.
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake
KAILYN HANNI | Silver Lake
SPORT: Basketball
Hanni was named the Shawnee County Player of the Year as a senior after helping lead the 28-1 Eagles to their second Class 3A state championship in three seasons. A three-time All-Shawnee County first-team selection in basketball, Hanni was a four-sport standout for Silver Lake, helping the Eagles win the 3A state softball title this past spring while also helping the Eagles win a state golf championship during her career and placing third in the 3A javelin in track and field as a senior.
Claire LaDuke, Seaman
CLAIRE LADUKE | Seaman
SPORT: Bowling
LaDuke finished third in the 2026 Class 5A state tournament with a 688 three-game series as Seaman rolled to the team championship by a huge 358-pin margin over Emporia. A first-team All-City pick, LaDuke also helped the Vikings sweep city, United Kansas Conference and 5A regional team titles. LaDuke finished fourth in the city tournament, fifth in the UKC and third at regionals.
Lacey Middleton, Washburn Rural
LACEY MIDDLETON | Washburn Rural
SPORT: Wrestling
Middleton placed second at 125 pounds in the 2026 Class 6A state tournament to help the Junior Blues post a third-place team finish for the second straight season. Middleton went 39-7 on the season for Rural, earning first-team All-Shawnee County recognition for the second straight year. Middleton finished second in the Centennial League and third at regionals.
Elia Smith, Washburn Rural
ELIA SMITH | Washburn Rural
SPORT: Wrestling
Smith posted a runnerup finish at 170 pounds in the Class 6A state tournament as Washburn Rural finished third as a team for the season straight season. A Centennial League and regional champion, Smith went 35-4 as a senior while earning All-Shawnee County first-team recognition for the third time.
Olivia Stevens, Shawnee Heights
OLIVIA STEVENS | Shawnee Heights
SPORT: Wrestling
Stevens finished third in Class 5A at 145 pounds in the 2026 state tournament to cap a 33-6 season as Shawnee Heights finished third in the 5A team standings for the second straight season. Stevens also won a United Kansas Conference title and was a regional runnerup for the T-Birds.
Next up: Winter Boys Finalists.
