By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Kaitlyn Aldridge, Shawnee Heights
KAITLYN ALDRIDGE, Shawnee Heights
A junior, Aldridge earned All-City first-team honors for the second straight season in 2025, winning the city title in the 500-yard freestyle, placing second in the 100 butterfly and helping Shawnee Heights win the 200 free relay and finish third in the 400 free relay. Aldridge placed fourth in the United Kansas Conference in the 100 fly and fifth in the 500 free and swam on the T-Birds' fourth-place 400 free relay. Aldridge competed in the Class 5A-1A state meet.
Audrey Appuhn, Washburn Rural
AUDREY APPUHN, Washburn Rural
Appuhn, a senior three-time All-City honoree, placed in multiple events in the Class 6A state meet for the third straight season last spring, taking third in the 100-yard breaststroke and sixth in the 200 freestyle to lead Rural to an 11th-place team finish. Appuhn won four golds in the city meet (200 free, 100 breast, 200 medley relay, 400 free relay) as Rural won its 22nd straight team title and four golds in the Centennial League meet (200 free, 100 breast, 200 medley relay, 400 free relay). Appuhn was a second-team All-State honoree in 6A in 2025.
Hara Del Castillo, Topeka High
HARA DEL CASTILLO, Topeka High
A senior, Del Castillo earned All-City honors for the third straight season in 2025 as the Trojan junior finished second in the city meet in the 100-yard backstroke and third in the 100 freestyle. Del Castillo won Centennial League titles in the 200 individual medley and the 100 backstroke and swam on the Trojans' fourth-place 200 medley relay. Del Castillo competed in the 6A state meet last season.
KAILYN GERDEL, Hayden
Gerdel, a junior was an All-City second-team pick last season after placing third in the city meet in the 200-yard freestyle and swimming on the Wildcats' runnerup 200 medley and 200 free relays. Gerdel finished third in the Centennial League in the 200 freestyle and swam on Hayden's second-place 200 medley and 200 free relays.
Sophie Heinen, Washburn Rural
SOPHIE HEINEN, Washburn Rural
Heinen, a senior, finished second in the 500-yard freestyle in the city meet and also swam on the Junior Blues' winning 200 medley and 400 free relays. Heinen finished second in the Centennial League in the 500 freestyle and swam on Rural's winning 200 medley and 400 free relays. Heinen swam on the Junior Blues' 11th-place 200 medley and 400 free relays at state.
CLARA SOBBA, Shawnee Heights
A junior, Sobba posted a second-place finish in the 50-yard freestyle in the city championships last season while also swimming on Shawnee Heights' winning 200 free relay and third-place 400 free relay. Sobba finished fifth in the United Kansas Conference in the 100 freestyle and swam on the T-Birds' fourth-place 400 free relay. Sobba swam on Heights' 16th-place 200 free relay in the Class 5A-1A state meet.
RILEY STROTHER, Seaman
Strother turned in a strong freshman season for the Vikings in 2025, earning All-City second-team recognition. Strother finished second in the 200-yard individual medley in the city meet and also swam on Seaman's third-place 200 medley relay. Strother placed fourth in the United Kansas Conference championships in the 200 individual medley and swam on the Vikings' fourth-place 200 medley relay and fifth-place 400 free relay.
AVA VON LINTEL, Washburn Rural
A senior, Von Lintel finished third in the city championships in the 500-yard freestyle and also swam on the Junior Blues' winning 200 medley and 400 free relays as Washburn Rural won its 22nd straight city team title. Von Lintel swam on Rural's winning 200 medley and 400 free relays in the Centennial League meet while also posting a runnerup finish in the 500 freestyle. Von Lintel swam on Rural's 11th-place 200 medley and 400 free relays in the Class 6A state meet.
