By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Multi-sport stars Brooklyn DeLeye of Washburn Rural and Tre Richardson of Highland Park were named the TopSports.news Topeka Shawnee County Athletes of the Year Wednesday night in ceremonies at Washburn University.
DeLeye was a standout in volleyball, basketball and soccer for the Junior Blues while Richardson starred in football, basketball and track and field and also played baseball for the Scots.
DeLeye was a two-time Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year and two-time Class 6A player of the year in volleyball while being named to the all-state first team four straight years.
DeLeye led Washburn Rural to the 6A state championship last fall and finished her high school career as Rural's career leader in kills (2,090), most hit attempts (4,086), most hits completed (3,496) and ace serves (277).
"Brooklyn is one of the most dominant game changers that has ever graced the volleyball courts in Kansas,'' Washburn Rural coach Kevin Bordewick said. "People came to our matches to watch her, and little kids idolize her.
"With all of that she is very humble. A better role model for our younger kids cannot be found. A truly once in a coaching lifetime player for us.''
DeLeye also helped the Junior Blues win a 6A state basketball title and was a standout in soccer.
The daughter of John and Janel DeLeye, Brooklyn compiled a 4.167 cumulative grade point average.
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 had a monster football season for the Scots last fall, helping Highland Park snap an eight-year losing streak on the way to a breakout 6-3 season.
Richardson rushed for 1,964 yards and 27 touchdowns last fall and caught 40 passes for 1,079 yards and 15 TDs.
Richardson also starred in basketball as Highland Park posted a 24-1 record and finished third in the 5A state tournament.
In basketball, Richardson averaged 16 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals.
Richardson received first-team All-Shawnee County recognition in all three sports.