By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
TopSports.News, in conjunction with the University of Kansas Health System St Francis Campus, A-1 Lock and Key and Washburn University, will host the 17th annual Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards/Hall of Fame induction ceremony on June 22, 2022 at Washburn's Memorial Union.
For the second straight year TopSports.news will serve as host for the sports awards/Hall of Fame banquet, a longstanding tradition for the Topeka and Shawnee County sports community.
The ceremony will highlight Shawnee County high school senior student-athletes’ achievements throughout the 2021-2022 school year along with the induction of the 2022 Topeka Shawnee
County Hall of Fame Class.
Schools have been asked to submit nominees with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average for both female and male candidates for the fall, winter and spring seasons as well as nominees for most inspirational athlete. Over-all outstanding male and female athletes for 2021-2022 will also be named.
Also recognized will be an outstanding female and male athlete from Washburn University.
The three-member 2022 Hall of Fame class and the '22 Washburn University Athletes of the Year will be announced on TopSports.news on Monday morning.
The high school nominees for the 10 Shawnee County high schools will be announced in June after the conclusion of the spring sports season. A committee of local media members will select the 2022 winners, including the selection of overall female and male athletes of the year.
This year TopSports.news will also introduce a new award, along with the Topeka Officials Association, spotlighting the dedication and contribution of these men and women that are integral to high school athletics.
The June 22 event kicks off in the Memorial Union with a Hall of Fame reception at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and the presentation of awards.
Each nominee will receive a complimentary ticket. Tickets are $26 per person, prior to June 18, 2022, and are required for admission. Tickets include dinner.
For more information or to purchase tickets go to www.TopSports.news or call 785-633-8448
The 2021 Hall of Fame class included former NFL linebacker and current Chargers assistant coach Michael Wilhoite, former Missouri State and longtime professional basketball player Kyle Weems and Kyle McNorton, a former Kansas star linebacker and NFL player for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Wilhoite and Weems are Highland Park graduates and McNorton a Seaman grad.
Silver Lake graduate Ellington Hogle receives her award as 2021 Shawnee County girls athlete of the year last June from 2021 Hall of Fame inductee Michael Wilhoite. [File photo/TSN]
Former Hayden football standout Desmond Purnell is interviewed by Bruce Steinbrock after being named the 2021 Shawnee County male athlete of the year last June. [File photo/TSN]
Silver Lake's Ellington Hogle and Hayden's Desmond Purnell were named outstanding female and male athletes in 2021.
Hogle is now playing softball at Washburn while Purnell is playing football at Kansas State.
