SPRING SPORTS: OUTSTANDING FEMALE NOMINEES
Olivia Bruno
OLIVIA BRUNO | Washburn Rural
PARENTS: Tom and Shawna Bruno
SPORT: Softball | GPA: 3.8
Bruno, who is headed to Kansas to play softball, was a three-time All-Centennial League and Class 6A All-State honoree and was named the Centennial League player of the year this spring. Bruno is tied for the No. 1 spot on Rural's all-time list with 25 home runs despite having her junior season canceled due to COVID-19 and is also tied for the No. 1 spot with a career batting average of .545. Bruno ranks No. 2 at Rural in career doubles and third in runs batted in. "She started for us as a freshman and played every game for us on the varsity field since,'' former Rural coach Tricia Vogel said. "She was a big part of our third and second-place finishes at state.''
Alyssa Carlson
ALYSSA CARLSON | Cair Paravel Latin
PARENTS: Mike and Connie Carlson
SPORT: Soccer | GPA: 3.52
A first-team All-Shawnee County selection, Carlson was a star defender for the Lions as Cair Paravel earned a Class 4A-1A regional championship in its first season as a full Kansas State High School Activites Association member. Carlson was a four-year starter for the Lions and plans to play collegiately at Emporia State. "(Alyssa) is a true leader both on and off the field,'' Cair Paravel soccer coach Doug Woolery said. "During the offseason Alyssa led a group of athletes in a strength and conditioning program to be better prepared for the season. She was stronger, faster and more physical than at any point in her career.''
Zoe Caryl
ZOE CARYL | Topeka High
PARENTS: Beau and Emily Caryl
SPORT: Softball | GPA: 4.44
Caryl was a three-sport athlete for the Trojans and earned All-Centennial League, All-Shawnee County and All-Class 6A honors in softball as a senior, helping lead Topeka High to a perfect 25-0 record and the school's first state softball championship. Caryl, who will play softball at Illinois, hit .738 as a senior with nine home runs and 68 runs batted in. "Zoe Caryl is the most caring, hardworking, dedicated student-athlete I have had the chance to coach,'' Topeka High softball coach Shane Miles said. ":Zoe puts her all into her school pride, academics, family and athletics. She is a true role model for young girls. Zoe does things the right way.''
Riley Cowan
RILEY COWAN | Seaman
PARENTS: Jeff and Cassie Cowan
SPORT: Soccer | GPA: 4.0
Cowan was an All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League first-team selection after helping lead the Vikings to an 11-6-1 record. Cowan spearheaded a Seaman defense that posted seven shutouts and also contributed 10 goals and 10 assists. "I have only known Riley for a year, but what a great year it was,'' Seaman coach Tim Nussbaum said. "Riley is a leader in everything she does. She leads by example on and off the field and is a great role model for a student-athlete. She was a great captain and always stood strong even when the times got tough.'' Cowan, who also was a starter for Seaman's basketball team, will play college soccer at Emporia State.
Ellington Hogle
ELLINGTON HOGLE | Silver Lake
PARENTS: Jason and Lori Hogle
SPORT: Softball | GPA: 4.0
A standout in softball, volleyball and wrestling, Hogle was a four-year varsity letter-winner in softball and earned All-Mid-East and All-Class 3A All-State honors all three seasons of her high school career. Hogle played in three state softball tournaments and three state championship games, including a state title in 2018 and two runner-up finishes. Hogle also received All-3A recognition in volleyball and was a state medalist in wrestling while also being one of the valedictorians of her graduating class. "Ellington was able to achieve these large feats because of a hard work ethic and attention to details that helps separate her from other athletes in our area,'' Silver Lake Nick Hamilton said. Hogle will play softball at Washburn University.
Mykala Johnico
MYKALA JOHNICO | Shawnee Heights
GRANDPARENT: Dawn Johnico
SPORT: Softball | GPA: 3.27
Johnico, a standout pitcher, helped lead the T-Birds to a Class 5A state tournament berth, posting a 12-3 record with a 1.78 earned run average and 170 strikeouts in 86.2 innings. "Mykala was the catalyst of our team,'' Shawnee Heights coach Tara Griffith said. "She produced stability in the circle and kept very good hitting teams down so we could stay in the game.Throughout the year she developed into a leader. It was an amazing growth process to see. She gave us valuable innings and led us all the way to the state tournament. We would have not had the record or season we did without her.'' Johnico plans to play college softball at Central Methodist.
Audrey Kuta
AUDREY KUTA | Hayden
PARENTS: Kurt and Angela Kuta
SPORT: Swimming | GPA: 4.0
Kuta was a state medalist in the Class 5A-1A state swimming meet as a senior, earning first-team All-Shawnee County honors. "Aubrey exhibits sports excellence in everything she does,'' Hayden swimming coach John Martin Schmidt said. "She's been the team leader from the first day of the season. She's the ideal Hayden student-athlete. She's very humble, but has learned how to truly compete and win. She shows that hard work and dedication in your sport can elevate you to the highest level.'' Kuta has been an honor student at Hayden throughout her high school career and will swim collegiately at Nebraska Wesleyan.
Gracie Rabe
GRACIA RABE | Rossville
PARENTS: Brian and Ronda Rabe
SPORT: Softball | GPA: 4.0
Rabe was a four-year softball letterman for Bulldawgs, was an All-Mid-East League selection in multiple sports and has received All-Class 3A recognition in softball. "Gracie Rabe is the perfect example of excellence in a student-athlete,'' Rossville softball coach John Nitsch said. "Gracie was the heart of our softball program at RHS. She is a great leader on the field and off. She works hard and is always stepping up when we need her. Gracie does all of this on the field and still finished her senior year with a 4.0 GPA.'' Rabe helped lead the Bulldawgs to a 19-4 softball record this spring and will continue her career next season at Emporia State.
Ella Teter
ELLA TETER | Topeka West
PARENTS: Cris and Kellie Teter
SPORT: Swimming | GPA: 3.85
Teter advanced to the Class 5A-1A state swimming championships all three seasons of her high school career for the Chargers and has also received All-City recognition in multiple seasons. "She has accomplished all this while maintaining her work load in school,'' Topeka West swimming coach Courtney Johnson said. Teter plans to attend Iowa State University to continue her academic career.
