By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman sophomore Ryin Miller, who has already established herself as one of Kansas' all-time distance greats, headlines the 2024 All-Shawnee County girls track and field team after posting a pair of Class 5A state titles and finishing second in two other events last weekend at Wichita.
Miller won Saturday's 1,600 meters in a 5A state meet-record time of 4 minutes, 51.58 seconds and the 800 in 2:10.80 after finishing second in Friday's 3,200 in 10:34.38.
Miller also teamed with juniors Taylie Heston, Jaida Stallbaumer and Ally Steiner to help Seaman post a runnerup finish in the 4x400 relay (4:02.39), with Miller running a school-record anchor leg of 56.181 seconds.
Miller was Shawnee County's only individual state champion, but Silver Lake added a 3A state championship in the 4x400 relay, with junior Ella Bolan, senior Kaibryn Kruger, freshman Ali Gerber and senior Ava Rottinghaus winning in a time of 4:06.64.
Topeka High freshman Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton made an immediate impact in her first state meet, finishing second in the 6A triple jump with a best of 38 feet, 5.25 inches after a fourth-place showing in the long jump at 17-5.75.
Seaman also got a third-place finish from senior Maggie Lesmeister in the 5A javelin (128-1).
Washburn Rural junior distance standout Payton Fink was a three-time 6A state medalist, placing fifth in the 3,200 (11:14.85), seventh in the 1,600 (5:17.66) and teaming with sophomore Emily Graf and juniors Brooklyn Nolte and Rylee Ismert to finish sixth in the 4x800 relay (9:47.16).
Ismert also finished sixth in the 1,600 (5:17.31) while Graf placed seventh in the 3,200 (11:20.57) and the Junior Blues also got a fifth-place finish from senior Raegan Petersen in the discus (123-9).
Also earning berths on the All-Shawnee County girls first team were Hayden senior two-event medalist Natalie Hillebert, Topeka High sophomore 100 dash medalist Keimara Marshall, Hayden senior pole-vaulter Liz Moore and Silver Lake senior shot putter Makenzie McDaniel.
All-Shawnee County selections were picked on the basis of meeting minimum standards established by local coaches as well as coaches' recommendations and performances in postseason competition.
ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY 2024 GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD
Name, school Class Events
Ella Bolan, Silver Lake Jr. Relays
Payton Fink, Washburn Rural Jr. Distance, relays
Ali Gerber, Silver Lake Fr. Relays
Emily Graf, Washburn Rural So. Distance, relays
Taylie Heston, Seaman Jr. Relays
Natalie Hillebert, Hayden Sr. Sprints
Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural Jr. Distance
Kaibryn Kruger, Silver Lake Sr. Jumps, relays
Maggie Lesmeister, Seaman Sr. Throws
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High So. Sprints
Makenzie McDaniel, Silver Lake Sr. Throws
Ryin Miller, Seaman So. Distance, relays
Liz Moore, Hayden Sr. Pole vault
Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural Jr. Relays
Raegen Petersen, Washburn Rural Sr. Throws
Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka High Fr. Jumps
Ava Rottinghaus, Silver Lake Sr. Throws, relays
Jaida Stallbaumer, Seaman Jr. Hurdles, relays
Ally Steiner, Seaman Jr. Sprints, relays
Honorable mention
Hayden: Emberly Connell, Hannah Cummings, Grace Funk, Sofia Harper, Reagan Huscher, Alana Mitchell, Rae North, Bella Reid, Alexis Rutherford, Hannah Sams, Hannan Schmitz, Elaina Wolff, Elliot Wrench. Highland Park: Tahtionna Broils, Jurnee Cole, Mi'Luv Cosey, Ke'Ahjahnae Rice, Zyi'Aonna Williams. Rossville: Rylee Dick, Kielyn McDonnell, Shayla Rezac. Seaman: Stella Appelhanz, Rylee Hoffer, Grace Jowers, Kinley Robinson, Savannah Sampson, Brynn Spencer. Silver Lake: Kaylee Deiter, Tessa Gerber, Journey Manhart, Sarah Wehrli, Jaylie Whitehead. Topeka West: Rebecca Bearman. Washburn Rural: Emme Blanco, Madison Blanco, Maddy Blow, Analese Estudillo, Kailyn Petersen, Morgan Ray, Aubrey Simpson, Molly Worley.