By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Duke Graf
DUKE GRAF, Washburn Rural
Graf, a junior cross country standout, posted a second-place individual finish in Saturday's 11-school Manhattan Invitational at Warner Park as the Junior Blues edged host Manhattan by a 56-67 margin for the team title, while Lawrence finished third with 91 points. Graf, who helped Rural win the Class 6A state title last fall, clocked a five-kilometer time of 17 minutes, 01.2 seconds.
Leah Henke
LEAH HENKE, Washburn University
A sophomore forward, Henke scored two second-half goals to lead then-No. 23-ranked Washburn University soccer to a 3-0 non-conference shutout win over Drury Wednesday night in Yager Stadium. Henke, a Wichita native, now has four goals in three-games for the 2-0-1 Ichabods after she was named the MIAA Freshman of the Year and a first-team all-conference pick in 2025.
Kolby Kutscher
KOLBY KUTSCHER, Shawnee Heights
Kutcher, a senior football standout, completed 12 of 13 passes for 221 yards and four touchdowns in his first start as Shawnee Heights' quarterback Friday night, powering the T-Birds to a 56-0 season-opening home United Kansas Conference victory over Turner at Wetter Field.
Landen Lewis
LANDEN LEWIS, Rossville
Making his first career start at quarterback, the Bulldawg junior football standout scored all five touchdowns in Friday's 35-14 home Big East League victory over Perry-Lecompton. Lewis scored touchdowns on runs 11, 3, 6, 22 and 8 yards as Rossville overcame two early deficits to open its season with a win after finishing as the Class 1A runnerup last fall.
Nathan Lewis Jr.
NATHAN LEWIS JR., Washburn University
A senior wide receiver, the Houston native caught six passes for 141 yards and both of Washburn's touchdowns in Saturday's 16-16 non-conference tie with Colorado School of Mines. Lewis, who surpassed his 123-yard total from his entire 2025 season, scored on 28 and 47-yard passes from Logan Madden, with his second TD tying the game with 1:48 remaining in regulation.
Courtney Sanders
COURTNEY SANDERS, Topeka High
Sanders, a senior football standout, scored three touchdowns in three different facets Friday night as Topeka High opened its 2026 season with a 33-6 non-league victory over USD 501 rival Highland Park at Hummer Sports Park. Sanders scored on an 18-yard pass from Asher Filbeck, scored on a 40-yard run and added his third TD on a 94-yard punt return as the Trojans opened up a 26-0 halftime lead on the way to the win.
