FALL SPORTS: OUTSTANDING FEMALE NOMINEES
Aubrey Bahner
AUBREY BAHNER | Silver Lake
PARENTS: Darwin and Antoinette Bahner
SPORT: Cross Country | GPA: 4.0
Bahner was a cross and track standout for Silver Lake, earning four varsity letters in both sports for the Eagles. In cross country Bahner was a three-time Class 3A state qualifier and a two-time state medalist, earning medals in all but one meet over those two seasons. She was also a state qualifier in multiple events in track. "Aubrey methodically works hard to get better every day,'' Silver Lake cross country coach Kevin Brokaw said. "She makes every team she is part of better. She is truly a quality individual.'' Bahner will attend Tabor College, where she plans to compete in both cross country and track.
Sara Eggenberger
SARA EGGENBERGER | Shawnee Heights
PARENTS: Melinda Clemens
SPORT: Golf | GPA: 4.45
Eggenberger earned second-team All-City recognition as a senior. "Sara brings a positive level of energy and spirit to practice and meets,'' Shawnee Heights golf coach Jane Yi said. "Sara is focused and determined, often practicing many hours a week on her own time. She has a sense of friendliness and fair play, often treating people courteously especially when they are not doing so well. Sara's healthy perspective and cheerful demeanor have made her a wonderful “cheerleader'' on the team. Sara also puts the same positive and hard work attitude into her studies.''
Jensen Heideman
JENSEN HEIDEMAN | Hayden
PARENTS: Craig and Deb Heideman
SPORT: Volleyball/golf | GPA: 3.90
Heideman split time between volleyball and golf for the Wildcats, filling the setter role in volleyball while ranking as Hayden's No. 1 player in golf as both a junior and a senior. "Jensen is a competitor,'' Hayden golf coach Carvel Reynoldson said. "On the golf course she walks with a purpose and never shies away from being the standard for the team.'' Heideman's average score over her high school career was 87. Hayden volleyball coach Joshua Schmitz said of Heideman: "She was a vital part of our team and provided great senior leadership. Playing two sports at once is difficult, but Jensen did a great job of balancing the two.''
Ruth Hockenbarger
RUTH HOCKENBARGER | Topeka West
PARENTS: Charles and Rachel Hockenbarger
SPORT: Tennis | GPA: 3.96
Hockenbarger played varsity tennis for Topeka West four straight seasons. "Ruth was an excellent leader, being very responsible, mature and committed,'' West tennis coach Kurt Davids said. "Ruth was very close to qualifying for the (Class 5A) state tournament all four years despite COVID-19's impact on the number of state qualifiers.'' Hockenbarger also participated in track and field, soccer and Scholars Bowl while at Topeka West.
Ciarra McWilliams
CIARRA McWILLIAMS | Highland Park
PARENTS: Charles and Dena McWilliams
SPORT: Tennis | GPA: 4.2
McWilliams was a standout player for an upstart Highland Park tennis program while also maintaining an outstanding grade point average. "Ciarra played the game with honor and integrity,'' said Highland Park athletic director Boshner Whitaker, who coached McWilliams her senior tennis season. "She fought through the pain and earned herself a scholarship.'' McWilliams plans to attend Baker University and play tennis for the Wildcats.
Camryn Turner
CAMRYN TURNER | Seaman
PARENTS: Art and Calli Turner
SPORT: Volleyball | GPA: 3.7
Turner, who is headed to Kansas to play volleyball, was the city and Centennial League player of the year and earned All-Class 5A honors as the Vikings ended a lengthy state tournament drought last fall. "Camryn Turner was an outstanding volleyball player for our program,'' Seaman coach Tatiana Dowling said. "She elevated the level of our program through her play in practice and in games. Cam .worked harder than anyone on the team and she did that all the time. She had a positive attitude and became a leader for our team, especially in her last season.'' Turner was also an All-City and All-Centennial League basketball player for the Vikings over her three seasons in that sport.
Keely Wagner
KEELY WAGNER | Washburn Rural
PARENTS: Jim and Amy Wagner
SPORT: Cross country | GPA: 3.96
Wagner has been a standout in both cross country and track and field for Rural, qualifying for the Class 6A state meet in both sports. Wagner competed in state cross country three years and was a two-time All-City selection. Wagner was a two-time 6A state medalist in track and was a city and regional champion in the 1,600 meters. Wagner also volunteered a great amount of her time to work with students with disabilities. "As the head cross country coach and special education social worker, I am able to rely on Keely's consistent hard work, positive attitude and encouraging leadership qualifies,'' Rural cross country coach Matt Swedlund said. Wagner will run track and cross country at Washburn University.
Aubrey Zimmerman
AUBREY ZIMMERMAN | Topeka High
PARENTS: Kerry and Kari Zimmerman
SPORT: Volleyball | GPA: 4.4
Zimmerman was a multi-year varsity player for Topeka High and received All-Centennial League and All-City honorable mention last fall for Bridget Bargmann's Trojans. In addition to being a standout for Topeka High's volleyball team, Zimmerman was also a member of the Trojans' girls swimming and diving team while continuing to turn in outstanding work in the classroom. Zimmerman graduated from Topeka High with a 4.4 grade point average.
