By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka West tennis stars Ian and Miles Cusick, who won their second straight Class 5A state doubles championship while leading Topeka West to its first-ever boys state tennis team title, were selected as the Topeka Shawnee County Spring Male Athletes of the Year Wedneday night at Washburn University.
Topeka West twin brothers Miles (right) and Ian Cusick won their second straight Class 5A state doubles championship this spring, leading the the Chargers to their first boys team title. [File photo/TSN]
The Cusicks posted a 104-14 career doubles record while earning their state titles in 2022 and 2023.
After losing their freshman season to COVID-19, the Cusicks went 29-6 as sophomores, 37-4 as juniors and 38-4 as seniors.
Ian and Miles placed ninth in the state tournament in 2021 before claiming the two state titles.
The Cusicks led Topeka West to a second-place team finish in 2022 before leading the Chargers to their first-ever boys team title this past spring.
Ian and Miles swept city, Centennial League, regional and state championships as juniors and seniors and are both members of the National Honor Society and Academic All-State honorees.
The sons of Michael and Kamela Cusick, Ian will attend the University of Kansas while Miles will attend Kansas State. Miles Cusick compiled a 4.296 grade point aveage at West while Ian had a 4.288 GPA.
Other candidates:
Mason Casebeer
MASON CASEBEER | Washburn Rural
PARENTS: Brian and Danielle Casebeer
SPORT: Tennis | GPA: NA
Casebeer capped a 27-6 senior season with a ninth-place singles finish in the Class 6A state tennis tournament. Casebeer was the city runnerup in No. 1 singles and won Centennial League and regional championships. Casebeer was a three-time state qualifier and a two-time state medalist, earning a 12th-place state doubles finish as a sophomore. "His knowledge of the game and the effort that he puts into it are exemplary,'' Washburn Rural coach Brad Johnston said. "He is the first one to pick up a teammate or want to hit with someone. He not only excels on the court, but in the classroom. He is an excellent example of a student-athlete. When it is all said and done. Mason is an athlete and scholar and great person, while being raised the right way.'' Casebeer will attend the University of Kansas.
Elijah Kincade
ELIJAH KINCADE | Topeka High
PARENTS: Chad and Meshe Kincade
SPORT: Baseball | GPA: 4.0
Kincade, a standout catcher, was part of a Topeka High baseball team that ended a state tournament drought of more than seven decades this spring. Kincade hit .413 as a senior with eight doubles, one home run and 24 runs batted in. "Elijah was our captain and helped to lead us to our first state tournament in 75 years,'' Topeka High baseball coach Cody Miller said. Kincade earned All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League recognition this past season. Kincade will play college baseball at Allen County Community College.
Jake Muller
JAKE MULLER I Hayden
PARENTS: Jeff and Amy Muller
SPORT: Track | GPA: 3.576
Muller won three gold medals in the 2023 Class 4A state track and field championships and four state titles in his career while earning eight state medals overall. Muller, a four-sport athlete for Hayden in soccer, cross country, basketball and track, was a two-time state champion in the 300-meter hurdles and was a member of the Wildcats' winning 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams this spring, including a 4A state meet record in the 4x400. "Jake is every coach's dream student-athlete,'' Hayden track coach DeJuan Gardenhire said. "The way Jake can lead a team and perform on the track, course, court or field is the best I've seen in my coaching career. It has been an honor and blessing coaching one of the best male sprinters in Hayden history.'' Muller will compete in track and field for Washbun University.
Tre Richardson
TRE RICHARDSON | Highland Park
PARENT: Kawanda Richardson
SPORT: Track | GPA: 4.0
Richardson ended his outstanding multi-sport career for Highland Park with a 33-point effort in the Class 5A state track and field championships, winning a pair of state titles while adding second and fourth-place finishes. Richardson led the Scots to a ninth-place team finish, outscoing 22 other 5A schools by himself. Richardson won the 100-meter dash and long jump and finished second in the triple jump and fourth in the 200 dash. "Tre is a leader in the classroom as well as on the field, court or track,'' Highland Park track coach Freddy Maisberger said. "He has been involved throughout his high school years participating in three sports (football, basketball, track) and sometimes even four (baseball). Tre strives to be the best and challenges himself in all that he does.'' Richardson will play football at Hutchinson Community College.
Alex Valdivia
ALEX VALDIVIA | Shawnee Heights
PARENTS: Rito and Shelley Valdivia
SPORT: Golf | GPA: 3.4
Valdivia was the United Kansas Conference individual champion as a junior and a senior and also shot a 72 in terrible weather conditions to win a Class 5A regional title and lead Shawnee Heights to the regional team championship by 26 strokes. Valdivia capped his high school career with a 12th-place tie in the 2023 5A state tourament. "It has been amazing to watch Alex grow and excel in golf,'' Shawnee Heights coach Jane Yi said. "More importantly, he also became a positive and supportive team captain. He understands that he can make a difference in the lives of those around him. I look forward to hearing about the many great things he will do in his future.'' Valdivia will play college golf at Washburn University.
Bryson Vawter
BRYSON VAWTER | Seaman
PARENTS: Ryan and Erin Vawter
SPORT: Baseball | GPA: 4.25
Vawter was a three-year standout for the Seaman baseball team, leading the Vikings to three straight Class 5A state tournament appearances. Vawter posted a career pitching record of 12-4 with a 1.24 earned run average and 138 strikeouts while hitting .412 with 26 doubles, three home runs and 72 runs batted in. "Bryson has made a huge impact within our baseball program,'' Seaman coach Trent Oliva said. "He came into a varsity role his sophomore year after missing out his freshman year due to COVID so he made his impact without hardly playing any sub-varsity baseball. He was put on the lineup card the third or fourth game of his sophomore year and has not come off of it. He leaves behind a huge role to be filled statistically but more importantly as the leader.'' Vawter will play collegiately at Kansas City Kansas Community College.
