By VINCE LOVERGINE
TopSports.news
It’s no secret that Silver Lake excelled on the biggest stages across multiple sports this season, including a triple crown of Class 3A championships in volleyball, girls basketball and softball.
Silver Lake softball poses for a team picture after winning the Class 3A state championship Saturday in Lawrence, giving the Eagles a sweep of the volleyball, girls basketball and softball championships in 2025-2026. {Photo by Vince Loverging/TSN].
Not to mention, baseball made it to the state championship in Manhattan, dropping an 8-0 decision to Girard on Friday and boys basketball took third place in Hutchinson this year.
It was a school year full of fun moments and broken records and Silver Lake athletic director David Schooler is proud of what was accomplished.
“It was a great year,'' Schooler said. "Awesome state runs by multiple teams which I don't think you can necessarily expect to have those state runs in multiple sports, ever, but this group (softball) just kept doing it,” Schooler said.
As Schooler said, replicating continuous success across multiple sports for a long stretch of time isn't easy. As the leader of the athletics department, what goes into achieving that?
“I mean it always comes back to what's best for kids and we just try to help our kids, support our kids, be there for them, encourage them and let them succeed,” he said.
Silver Lake debuted their new softball and baseball fields not too long ago. Multiple programs continue to retool and find ways to make it back when it matters most. Schooler believes that will continue.
“Hopefully this is a run that just continues,'' he said. "I don't know that you can replicate what has been done this year, but I am optimistic about the years to come with the groups that will still be here and the years to come.”
Schooler said it was great to see softball coach Nick Hamilton get over the hump after several chances to take that first- place trophy.
Schooler explained what the team did to put a smile on Hamilton’s face.
“We were all rooting for the team and Nick as the head coach to get that monkey off his back,'' Schooler said. "The assistant coach bought a stuffed monkey just for the occasion, so I’m glad they got it out and were able to smile after that championship.''
Senior Paige Heiman and junior Kylie Hanni were members of all three of the Lady Eagles' championship teams in 2025-2026.
Junior Savanah Wende who won two state championships this season, including basketball, said she always knew winning one was a possibility.
“It’s always been in the back of my mind,'' Wende said. "I’ve learned through the past years that anything can happen and you have to be present in the moment and work as hard as you can because anything can happen.''
Junior Riley Mohler, the winning pitcher in the state championship softball win, says next year will be a different team but the Eagles can show its winning pedigree again next season.
“We're losing quite a few seniors,'' Mohler said. “The freshman (class) coming up, we've heard lots of good things about it. I think it's going to be really great.
"We're for sure going to be a new team next year, but I think if we just keep doing what we can, I think we'll really show what we got again.''
