By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hailey Beck
Hailey Beck, Washburn Rural
Beck, a senior, teamed with graduated senior Shelby Schmutzler to earn a Class 6A state doubles berth with a second-place regional finish. Beck and Schmutzler were the city champions in No. 2 doubles last fall and finished third in doubles in the Centennial League meet. Beck is also a standout goalkeeper for the Junior Blues' girls soccer team, which finished second in 6A this past spring.
Haley Carpenter
Haley Carpenter, Topeka High
A senior, Carpenter and Adisyn Caryl made it to the Class 6A state tournament for the second straight season as doubles partners, finishing fourth in 6A regional competition. Carpenter and Caryl also finished fourth in the city in No. 1 doubles and fourth in the Centennial League.
Adisyn Caryl
Adisyn Caryl, Topeka High
Caryl, a senior, and Haley Carpenter qualified for the 6A state tournament for the second straight season, finishing fourth in 6A regional competition. Caryl, a three-time state qualifier, and Carpenter finished fourth in the city in No. 1 doubles and fourth in the Centennial League in doubles. Caryl also plays basketball and softball for High, helping the Trojans win two straight 6A softball state titles.
Nina Del-Zio
Nina Del-Zio, Seaman
In her first season at Seaman, Del-Zio, a senior, earned a 5A state medal with an 11th-place singles finish, helping the Vikings finish fifth as a team. Del-Zio won a regional title in singles, placed third in the city meet in No. 1 singles and fourth in the Centennial League in singles.
Mena DiMarzio
Mena DiMarzio, Washburn Rural
A junior, DiMarzio avanced to the Class 6A state tournament last fall in her first season on Washburn Rural's varsity with a fifth-place regional finsh in singles. DiMarzio won the city championship in No. 2 singles and placed fourth in the Centennial League in singles.
Kate Fritz
Kate Fritz, Washburn Rural
Fritz, a senior, teamed with Meredith Kucera to win a Class 6A regional doubles championship last fall and placed ninth in the 6A state tournament. Fritz and Kucera finished second in the city meet in No. 1 doubles and second in the Centennial League in doubles. Fritz is a two-time regional champion and a three-time state qualifier for the Junior Blues.
Meredith Kucera
Meredith Kucera, Washburn Rural
A senior, Kucera partnered with Kate Fritz to place ninth in Class 6A state doubles last fall after winning a 6A regional championship. Fritz and Kucera also finished second in the city meet in No. 1 doubles and second in the Centennial League in doubles. Kucera is a two-time regional champion and a three-time state qualifier.
Lauren Sandstrom
Lauren Sandstrom, Hayden
Sandstrom, a junior, and Emily Sheetz capped their 2021 season with a seventh-place finish in Class 4A doubles, helping the Wildcats finish third as a team. Sandstrom and Sheetz won a regional title after finishing third in the city meet in No. 1 doubles. Sandstrom is a two-time state qualifier, making it to state in singles as a freshman. Sandstrom also plays basketball and soccer for Hayden.
Emily Sheetz
Emily Sheetz, Hayden
A sophomore, Sheetz and Lauren Sandstrom posted a seventh-place state finish in Class 4A doubles last season as the Wildcats finished third as a team. Sheetz and Sandstrom won a 4A regional championship after finishing third in the city meet in No. 1 doubles.
Alivia Sherer
Alivia Sherer, Rossville/Hayden
A senior, Sherer will compete in regular-season matches as a co-op player for Hayden for the second straight season before competing for Rossville in Class 3A-1A postseason competition. Sherer placed ninth in singles in the 2021 3A-1A state tournament last season, becoming the first girls state tennis medalist in Rossville history.
Lauren Sweeney
Lauren Sweeney, Seaman
A senior, Sweeney and graduated senior Grace Unruh posted a perfect 36-0 doubles record last season en route to the Class 5A state championship. Sweeney and Unruh swept city, Centennial League and regional doubles titles for the second straight season. Sweeney and Unruh were fourth at state in 2020. Sweeney is a three-time state qualifier.
Ainzley Zulueta
Ainzley Zulueta, Hayden
Zulueta turned in an outstanding freshman season, capturing the Class 4A state singles title to help Hayden finish third as a team at state, going 35-5 on the season. Zulueta was the city champ in No. 1 singles, placed second to 6A state champ Jill Harkin in the Centennial League and won a 4A regional championship.
