By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Recent Silver Lake graduate Ellington Hogle and Hayden product Desmond Purnell earned the top honors in Wednesday's TopSports.news Topeka Shawnee County Spors Awards banquet at the Maner Convention Center.
Hogle, a three-sport standout for the Eagles was named the 2021 Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year while former Hayden football star and Division I signee Desmond Purnell was the Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year honoree.
Silver Lake's Ellington Hogle receives her award as 2021 Topeka Shawnee County Female Athlete of the Year from Hall of Fame inductee Michael Wilhoite. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Former Hayden football star Desmond Purnell talks with master of ceremonies Bruce Steinbrock after being named Topeka Shawnee County Male Athlete of the Year Wednesday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Hogle was a four-year varsity letter-winner in softball and earned All-Mid-East and All-Class 3A All-State honors all three seasons of her high school career.
Hogle played in three state softball tournaments and three state championship games, including a state title in 2018 and two runner-up finishes.
Hogle also received All-3A recognition in volleyball and was a state medalist in wrestling while also being one of the valedictorians of her graduating class.
"Ellington was able to achieve these large feats because of a hard work ethic and attention to details that helps separate her from other athletes in our area,'' Silver Lake Nick Hamilton said.
Hogle will play softball at Washburn University.
Purnell was a four-year varsity letterman in football and also played basketball and baseball during his high school career.
Purnell was a two-time All-City Top 11 selection and earned All-Class 3A honors as a senior while being named the Wildcats' Most Valuable Player and picked to play in the Kansas Shrine Bowl.
"Desmond Purnell is a natural athlete with a team-oriented attitude that makes everyone around him better,'' Hayden football coach Bill Arnold said. "He's not only an outstanding athlete, but an even better person with a good heart.''
Purnell will play his college football at Kansas State and is currently involved in preseason preparations for the Wildcats.
