Topeka Shawnee County 2024 Sports Awards: Most Inspirational Male Nominees

Editor's note: Over the coming days, TopSports.news will take a look at all of the nominees for the 2024 Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards. All nominees will be recognized at the June 26 awards banquet, which will be held in conjunction with the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame induction at Washburn University's Memorial Union.

SPRING SPORTS: MOST INSPIRATIONAL MALE NOMINEES

Rykan Carver

RYKAN CARVER | Shawnee Heights

PARENTS: Corey and Tricia Carver

SPORT: Football/Wrestling/Track and Field | GPA: 4.53

Carver was a three-sport star for Shawnee Heights in football, wrestling and track and field. Carver was an All-United Kansas Conference offensive tackle in football, the Class 5A 285-pound state champion in wrestling and a state qualifier in track in the shot put. Carver was a three-year starter on offense and a two-year starter on defense in football and was a four-year letterman in wrestling. Academically, Carver ranked No. 1 in a graduating class of 251 while compiling a grade point average of 4.53. Carver was a Kansas Governor's Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society, ranking in the top one percent of GPAs for the entire state of Kansas. Carver will study engineering at Kansas State.

Doug Peterson

DOUG PETERSON | Hayden

PARENTS: Charles and Amanda Peterson

SPORT: Football/Track | GPA: 4.019

"Doug tore his ACL during football season and as a senior missed a great season as Hayden played in the (Class) 3A state championship game,'' Peterson's nomination form stated. "Doug was the biggest cheerleader on the sideline and constantly gave advice to the player that took his place on offense and defense -- a kid with a never say die attitude. He was very positive throughout his injury and rehab.'' He was cleared to participate in track this spring. He was the recipient ot the Kansas State High School Activities Association Citizenship Award from Hayden. "Doug was a leader through example and truly loves his school.''

Dylan Sanchez

DYLAN SANCHEZ | Shawnee Heights

PARENTS: Rolando Munoz, Joden Sanchez and Lesley Munoz

SPORT: Basketball | GPA: .3.5

Sanchez became a starter for Shawnee Heights as a senior, helping the T-Birds advance to the Class 5A state tournament, ranking as one of the city's top 3-point shooters. "He may not be the biggest, fastest or most talented athlete but he was the most determined athlete,'' Shawnee Heights coach Ken Darting said. "He possesses all the characteristics of a true champion. In his sophomore and junior years, when he wasn't playing as much as he wanted or as much as he thought he should be playing, he wasn't pouting and developing a bad attitude. He was in the gym working. Every day he was in the gym getting better. Dylan was an inspiration to every player and coach our team for four years. Dylan is a true champion in every sense of the word.''

Hank Stamper

HANK STAMPER | Topeka High

PARENTS: James and Lyndsey Stamper

SPORT: Baseball | GPA: 4.18

"Hank is not only an outstanding baseball player but is also the senior class president, a FFA member, a National Honor Society member and was a member of the top 10 percent (grade point averages) for Shawnee County,'' Topeka High baseball coach Cody Miller said. "Hank has overcome a tremendous amount to even be able to play sports.'' Stamper has Charcot Marie Tooth, a degenerative disease of the peripheral nerves. It is painful and causes the muscles to atrophy in areas that his nerves don't work like they should. He also has XYY Syndrome and well as a social communication disorder, so for Hank to be able to do what he does is really incredible.'' Stamper helped High reach the 6A state tournament as a junior and senior and will play at Fort Hays State.

Shawnee Heights product Rykan Carver was a three-sport standout for the T-Birds, including a state champion in football, while carrying a 4.53 grade point average. [File photo/TSN]