Editor's note: Over the next week, TopSports.news will take a look at all of the nominees for the 2023 Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards. All nominees will be recognized at the June 28 awards banquet, which will be held in conjunction with the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame induction at Washburn University's Memorial Union.
FALL SPORTS: OUTSTANDING MALE NOMINEES
Jayden Berry
JAYDEN BERRY | Shawnee Heights
PARENTS: Keith and Annette Berry
SPORT: Football | GPA: 3.7
A defensive back, Berry led Shawnee Heights with four interceptions and eight pass breakups last fall while recording 50 tackles (31 solos). "Jayden was an outstanding football and baseball player,'' Heights football coach Jason Swift said. "As a senior Jayden dominated on the defense by covering the best receiver, even though he was undersized. Jayden practiced hard, always led by example and set the tone for the team. The two-year starter was fantastic on defense.'' Berry was also a three-year letterman in baseball. Berry plans to attend Washburn University.
Jacob Carver
JACOB CARVER | Rossville
PARENTS: Marc and Jill Carver
SPORT: Football | GPA: 4.0
An offensive lineman, Carver was a four-year starter and senior captain for the Bulldawgs, helping Rossville win Class 2A state championships in 2020 and 2021. Carver was a two-time All-Shawnee County and All-Mid-East League first-team pick while also earning All-2A recognition from various organizations. Carver was a selection for the Kansas Shrine Bowl. "Jacob exhibits a standard of excellence as a student and leader as well,'' Rossville football coach Derick Hammes said. "Rossville faculty, staff and students regard him as a person who leads by example. He is looked up to by everyone in school.'' Carver placed second in the Class 3A-1A state wrestling tournament as a junior and fourth as a senior and will play college football at Emporia State.
Troy Heiman
TROY HEIMAN | Silver Lake
PARENTS: Jim and Amy Heiman
SPORT: Football | GPA: 4.0
Heiman had a big senior season for Logan Pegram's Silver Lake program last fall, catching 38 passes for 468 yards and seven touchdowns. "As a new coach inheriting our program, Troy exemplified excellence every day,'' Pegram said. "Silver Lake is a better place because of Troy Heiman.'' Heiman was a first-team All-Mid-East League selection and received All-Shawnee County Second 22 honors as a senior. Heiman was also a basketball standout for the Eagles, earning All-Mid-East first-team honors and Second 10 all-county recognition, and was a state qualifier in track and field. Heiman has signed a letter of intent to play college football at Washburn.
Mackey James
MACKEY JAMES | Highland Park
PARENTS: Morris James Jr. and Jenny Pappas
SPORT: Football | GPA: 3.8
James was named the defensive player of the year in the Meadowlark Conference after recording 90 tackles with five fumble recoveries, seven forced fumbles, six and a half sacks and two interceptions, including one for a touchdown. James helped the Scots snap an eight-year losing streak on the way to a breakout 6-3 season. "Mackey is a true leader to his teammates,'' Scot coach Jemaine Monroe said. "I love how he makes sure the young players are taken care of. He is always willing to put in extra time with them. He was voted as captain both his senior and junior year. He is highly respected by his peers and teachers.'' James will play collegiately at Washburn University.
Lenny Njoroge
LENNY NJOROGE | Topeka West
PARENT: Kimoni Franci
SPORT: Cross country | GPA: 3.776
After missing his entire junior season while recovering from a broken leg, Njoroge swept individual championships in city, United Kansas Conference and Class 5A regional competition as a senior before posting a fourth-place finish at state. Also a soccer standout, Njoroge was a 5A state medalist in all three of his state appearances, finishing 12th as a freshman and 11th as a sophomore. "Lenny is an excellent leader for our program at Topeka West,'' Charger coach Donnie Palmer said. "He leads by working hard and being a positive encourager for other runners.'' Njoroge was also a a multiple 5A state placer in track, including second and fourth-place finishes as a senior. "Lenny's drive and determination will serve him well as he runs at the next level (at Kansas).''
Joe Otting
JOE OTTING | HAYDEN
PARENTS: Eric and Debbie Otting
SPORT: Football | GPA: 3.625
Otting, a three-sport standout for the Wildcats, was a consensus All-State Top 11 selection as a senior, starring as an offensive and defensive lineman as Hayden posted a 10-2 record and advanced to the Class 3A state football semfiinals. Otting, who will play college football at Notre Dame, led an offense that rushed for 3,032 yards and averaged 8.54 yards per carry. Defensively, Otting was in on 81 tackles (42 solo) with three tackles for loss. "Joe was a great example of a student-athlete,'' Hayden coach Bill Arnold said. "He participated in three sports and was an honor roll student. He was a great role model to the younger kids and never passed up an opportunity to make them feel special.'' Otting also received numerous postseason honors in basketball and was a state medalist in track and field.
Bryson Vawter
BRYSON VAWTER | Seaman
PARENTS: Ryan and Erin Vawter
SPORT: Football | GPA: 4.25
Vawter was an All-Shawnee County Top 22 pick last fall and received first-team All-United Kansas Conference recognition at running back. Vawter rushed for 626 yards and eight touchdowns on 105 carries and recorded 62 tackles (42 solo) and six tackles for loss. "Bryson is a multi-sport athlete and, more importantly, student-athlete,'' Seaman coach Jared Swafford said. "He was a captain for our football team, an honor voted on by his peers. He shows great leadership in all sports arenas. Bryson is a tremendous competitor, and with that, shows great sportsmanship. He is a great representative of our school, community and of our program.'' An All-Stater in baseball, Vawter will play at Kansas City Kansas Community College.
Ty Weber
TY WEBER | Washburn Rural
PARENTS: Billy and Abby Weber
SPORT: Football | GPA: 4.0
Weber was named the Shawnee County defensive player of the year as a junior and a senior and was also the Centennial League defensive player of the year and earned multiple All-Class 6A recognition from multiple organizations. A Shrine Bowl pick, Weber was a four-year starter for the Junior Blues and registered 118 tackles (71 solos), with 18 tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception, returned for a touchdown. Weber led Washburn Rural in tackles as a sophomore, junior and senior. Weber was also a baseball standout for Washburn Rural, earning All-Shawnee County first-team honors as a senior. Weber will play his college football at Washburn University.
Peyton Wheat
PEYTON WHEAT | Topeka High
PARENTS: Scott and Erica Wheat
SPORT: Football | GPA: 4.0
Wheat was a standout quarterback for Topeka High, completing 126 of 246 pass attempts for 1,718 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior while throwing just four interceptions. Wheat received Second 22 All-Shawnee County recognition. "Leadership, intangibles and competitive spirit are what best describes Peyton,'' Topeka High coach Carlos Kelly said. "If you had a team full of Peytons you'd have a championship-quality team.'' Wheat also helped Topeka High's baseball team advance to the Class 6A state tourament for the first time in more than seven decades, earning All-Shawnee County honorable mention. Wheat will play football at West Texas A&M.
Next up: Winter Sports: Outstanding Female Nominees.
Shawnee Heights football standout Jayden Bery (3) is a nominee for the Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards. [File photo/TSN]
Highland Park product Mackey James was named the Meadowlark Conference defensive player of the year in 2022. [File photo/TSN]
Topeka West, a multi-time state medalist in cross country and track, is a nominee for the Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards. [File photo/TSN]
Joe Otting will play football at Notre Dame after a banner career as a three-sport athlete at Hayden. [File photo/TSN]
Bryson Vawter, a football and baseball standout for Seaman, is a nominee for the Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards. [File photo/TSN]
Washburn Rural's Ty Weber was named the Shawnee County defensive player of the year as a junior and senior. [File photo/TSN]
Recent Topeka High graduate Peyton Wheat is a nominee for the Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards. [File photo/TSN]
