By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Junior Emmerson Cope, who helped lead Washburn Rural to the undefeated 2022 Centennial League softball championship, has been picked as the league's player of the year by Centennial coaches.
Washburn Rural junior Emmerson Cope has been named the Centennial League softball player of the year after helping lead the Junior Blues to the undefeated league title. [File photo/TSN]
Cope is joined on the first team by Rural seniors Campbell Bagshaw and Baylee Dial while first-year Junior Blues head coach Elizabeth Stover was named the Centennial League coach of the year after leading Rural to a second-place state finish in Class 6A.
Topeka High, which won a second straight 6A state title, put a league-high four players on the all-league first team -- seniors NiJaree Canady and Elycia Joyce and juniors Alesia Alvarez and Adisyn Caryl.
Hayden is represented on the first team by senior Carly Stuke and junior Alyssa Droge while 5A state qualifier Seaman put senior Skylar Duncan on the first team along with Manhattan senior Kierra Goos.
Emporia senior Caitlyn Meyers was named the Centennial League newcomer of the year.
ALL-CENTENNIAL LEAGUE SOFTBALL
First team
Alesia Alvarez, jr., Topeka High; Campbell Bagshaw, sr., Washburn Rural; NiJaree Canady, sr., Topeka High; Adisyn Caryl, jr., Topeka High; Emmerson Cope, jr., Washburn Rural; Baylee Dial, sr., Washburn Rural; Alyssa Droge, jr., Hayden; Skylar Duncan, sr., Seaman; Kierra Goos, jr., Manhattan; Elycia Joyce, sr., Topeka High; Carly Stuke, sr., Hayden.
Second team
Aspen Burgardt, jr., Seaman; Maylee Burris, jr., Hayden; Avianna Deguzman, jr., Junction City; Brilea Flott, sr., Seaman; Takara Kolterman, jr., Manhattan; Reagan Neitzel, so., Manhattan; Caitlyn Meyers, sr., Emporia; Rylee Murray, sr., Seaman; Sara Rexrode, so., Junction City; Rosalie Schneider, so., Seaman; Emma Smith, sr., Seaman.
Honorable mention
Tatum Abbey, jr., Hayden; JoMhara Benning, fr., Topeka High; Amiah Cain, sr., Topeka High; Chloe Carlgren, sr., Washburn Rural; Gracie Gilpin, sr., Emporia; Shaylee Ginter, jr., Emporia; Mikaila Herring, sr., Washburn Rural; Kynlea Heydenreich, sr., Seaman; Manaia Isaia, sr., Topeka West; Addison Kirmer, jr., Emporia; Emily Louderback, sr., Washburn Rural; Jaden McGee, so., Manhattan; Gracie Moe, so., Seaman; Peyton Owen, so., Topeka West; Kaylee Reimer, jr., Emporia; Siani Sanchez, so., Topeka West; Quincy Smith, jr., Topeka High; Maddyn Stewart, sr., Emporia; Piper Titsworth, jr., Washburn Rural; Anja Vonspreckelsen, so., Junction City; Trenna Whitmore, sr., Washburn Rural.
Player of the year -- Emmerson Cope, Washburn Rural.
Newcomer of the year -- Caitlyn Meyers, Emporia.
Coach of the year -- Elizabeth Stover, Washburn Rural.
