By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka High junior volleyball standout Jo'Mhara Benning and Washburn Rural junior football player Wilson Miller have been selected by the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency as the Rising Stars of the Week.
The Dan Key Agency will recognize top Shawnee County underclassmen throughout the bulk of the 2023-2024 school year.
Here’s a brief look at the accomplishments of Benning and Miller over the past week:
Topeka High junior Jo'Mhara Benning (23) is the girls Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency Rising Star of the Week after helping the Trojans to volleyball wins over USD 501 rivals Highland Park and Topeka West. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
JO'MHARA BENNING, Topeka High
A three-sport athlete for Topeka High, Benning played a major role Wednesday night as the Trojan volleyball team bested USD 501 rivals Highland Park and Topeka West to win the annual district triangular.
Benning, who also plays softball and basketball for the Trojans, helped Topeka High take a 25-8, 25-16 win over Highland Park before High avenged an earlier loss to Topeka West with a 26-24, 22-25, 25-18 win over the Chargers.
Benning was a key contributor for the Trojans as a setter and hitter and also chipped in several key points serving for Topeka High.
Washburn Rural junior defensive back Wilson Miller (2) is the boys Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency Rising Star of the Week after helping lead the Junior Blues to a 35-28 win over reigning Class 6A state champion Manhattan. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
WILSON MILLER, Washburn Rural
Playing his first season of high school football, the 6-foot, 190-pound defensive back/placekicker, recorded a pair of pass interceptions, including a 21-yard return for a touchdown, as Washburn Rural improved to 4-0 on the season with a 35-28 Centennial League win over reigning Class 6A state champion Manhattan last Friday night at Bowen-Glaza Stadium.
Miller, who previously played soccer for Washburn Rural, also went five of five on extra-point kicks for the Junior Blues, who snapped the Indians' 16-game winning streak, which dated back to 2021.
