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MOST INSPIRATIONAL: OUTSTANDING MALE NOMINEES
Mason Brokaw
MASON BROKAW | Silver Lake
PARENTS: Kevin and Shannon Brokaw
SPORT: Cross country/track | GPA: 3.855
Brokaw ran varsity track and cross country throughout his high school career. "He has contributed to some very good teams all years,'' Silver Lake cross country coach Kevin Brokaw said. "He has grown into a leader of the team and always led by example. As a senior he decided to double in football as well as cross country after not playing football since sixth grade. He was a varsity letter-winner in both fall sports. He is a great teammate in every sport he participates in and always gives 100 percent. He is a mentor to young runners that look up to him.'' Brokaw received All-Mid-East League recognition all four years in high school and was a state cross country medalist as a freshman and a state medalist in track as a sophomore and junior.
Nick Freeland
NICK FREELAND | Shawnee Heights
PARENTS: Chad Freeland and Jessica Busby
SPORT: Football/wrestling | GPA: 3.4
Freeland was a standout in football and wrestling for Shawnee Heights. "Nick had a fantastic football season as the quarterback,'' Shawnee Heights football coach Jason Swift said. "He got there by his hard work, commitment and mental toughness. Nick attended 101 football opportunities in the summer, where the average players made 62. The 101 is a new school record. Nick had a big game leading the T-Birds to victory over Lansing in the playoffs, plus big wins vs. Seaman, Basehor, Topeka West and Lansing for a second time.'' Freeland was a regional champion and placed sixth in Class 5A for Shawnee Heights' wrestling team and will wrestle collegiately at Hastings College in Nebraska. Freeland received first-team All-Shawnee County honors in wrestling and all-county honorable mention in football.
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MOST INSPIRATIONAL: OUTSTANDING FEMALE NOMINEES
Laynee Brown
LAYNEE BROWN | Seaman
PARENTS: Jeremy and Shanae Brown
SPORT: Volleyball | GPA: 4.0
Brown was an emotional leader for a Seaman volleyball team that posted back-to-back fourth-place finishes in the Class 5A state tournament. "Laynee is a dedicated athlete at SHS and the leader of our program this year,'' Viking coach Tatiana Dowling said. "She never misses a workout and holds her teammates to an extremely high standard. She exhibits excellence on and off the court and in the classroom. Her "go-getter'' attitude will take her far in her future endeavors.'' Brown earned first-team All-Centennial League and All-Shawnee County recognition as a junior and was a first-team All-United Kansas Conference and first-team all-county selection as a senior. Brown will play college volleyball at Butler Community College.
Maddie Carter
MADDIE CARTER | Washburn Rural
PARENT: Sean and Leslie Carter
SPORT: Cross country/track| GPA: 3.855
Carter was a multi-time Class 6A state medalist in cross country and track and will run at Kansas. "Like all of this year's seniors, Maddie lost her freshman spring season to the Covid pandemic,'' Rural cross country/distance coach Matt Swedlund said. "The social isolation that came along with the pandemic was a challenge, but what proved to be even more challenging was returning to "normal" school and life. At its worst, the anxiety was making it difficult for Maddie to get out of the house. She was fighting an internal battle every day, and despite doing a decent job of hiding it from her coaches and teachers, she was becoming mentally and emotionally exhausted. Day after day, week after week, she began to make
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Family, friends and colleagues turned out in full force Thursday at the offices of the Kansas State High School Activities Association to honor longtime KSHSAA assistant executive director Francine Martin, who is retiring after 19 years with the organization and 38 years as an educator.
Retiring KSHSAA assistant executive director Francine Martin visits with well-wishers during Thursday's retirement reception at the KSHSAA offices. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Retiring KSHSAA assistant executive director Francine Martin speaks during Thursday's retirement reception. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"I am very humbled by the outpouring of support and the best wishes that everybody has given me as I enter another phase of my life,'' Martin said.
A graduate of Clay Center High School, Hutchinson Community College, Nebraska-Omaha and Kansas State (Master's Degree) Martin had teaching, coaching and administrative stints at LaCrosse, El Dorado and Seaman before joining KSHSAA in 2004.
During her time at KSHSAA Martin served as the administrator for cross country, basketball, baseball, softball as well as officials liaison.
"I've been fortunate in my career to have many good mentors and colleagues and there's no way I can thank every one,'' Martin said. "You just need to know how much you are appreciated. It's been an honor and a privilege to serve in this role. I'm proud of all we have accomplished together.''
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SPRING SPORTS: OUTSTANDING MALE NOMINEES
Mason Casebeer
MASON CASEBEER | Washburn Rural
PARENTS: Brian and Danielle Casebeer
SPORT: Tennis | GPA: NA
Casebeer capped a 27-6 senior season with a ninth-place singles finish in the Class 6A state tennis tournament. Casebeer was the city runnerup in No. 1 singles and won Centennial League and regional championships. Casebeer was a three-time state qualifier and a two-time state medalist, earning a 12th-place state doubles finish as a sophomore. "His knowledge of the game and the effort that he puts into it are exemplary,'' Washburn Rural coach Brad Johnston said. "He is the first one to pick up a teammate or want to hit with someone. He not only excels on the court, but in the classroom. He is an excellent example of a student-athlete. When it is all said and done. Mason is an athlete and scholar and great person, while being raised the right way.'' Casebeer will attend the University of Kansas.
Ian Cusick
IAN CUSICK | Topeka West
PARENTS: Michael and Kamela Cusick
SPORT: Tennis | GPA: 4.288
Ian Cusick teamed with his twin brother, Miles, to post a 104-14 career doubles record while capturing back-to-back Class 5A state doubles championships in 2022 and 2023. After losing their freshman season to COVID-19, the Cusicks went 29-6 as sophomores, 37-4 as juniors and 38-4 as seniors. Ian and Miles placed ninth in the state tournament in 2021 before claiming the two state titles. The Cusicks led Topeka West to a second-place team finish in 2022 before leading the Chargers to their first-ever boys team title this past spring. Ian and Miles swept city, Centennial League, regional and state championships as juniors and seniors and are both members of the National Honor Society and Academic All-State honorees. Ian will attend the University of Kansas.
Miles Cusick
MILES CUSICK | Topeka West
PARENTS: Michael and Kamela Cusick
SPORT: Tennis | GPA: 4.296
Miles Cusick and twin brother Ian posted a 104-14 career doubles record while winning back-to-back Class 5A state doubles championships as juniors and seniors. After losing their freshman season to COVID-19, the Cusicks went 29-6 as sophomores, 37-4 as juniors and 38-4 as seniors. Miles and Ian placed ninth in the state tournament in 2021 before claiming the two state titles. The Cusicks led Topeka West to a second-place team finish in 2022 before leading the Chargers to their first-ever boys team title this past spring. Miles and Ian swept city, Centennial League, regional and state championships as juniors and seniors and are both members of the National Honor Society and Academic All-State honorees. Miles will attend Kansas State.
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SPRING SPORTS: OUTSTANDING FEMALE NOMINEES
Adisyn Caryl
ADISYN CARYL | Topeka High
PARENTS: Beau and Emily Caryl
SPORT: Softball | GPA: 4.48
Caryl helped Topeka High win back-to-back Class 6A state softball championships in 2021 and 2022 and was a three-time All-Centennial League, All-Shawnee County and All-6A honoree. "Adisyn has been an integral part in changing the culture of female athletes at Topeka High School,'' Trojan softball coach Shane Miles said. "Her leadership on and off the playing fields and courts is beyond reproach. Not only did Adisyn lead in school as valedictorian and class president for four years, she exhibited the same leadership in sports.'' Caryl hit .638 as a senior with four home runs and 21 runs batted in. Caryl, who will play softball at Illinois, was also a four-time 6A state qualifier in tennis and part of a Trojan basketball program that made three state appearances.
Emmerson Cope
EMMERSON COPE | Washburn Rural
PARENTS: Wayne Cope and Laura Parker
SPORT: Softball | GPA: 4.113
Cope put together one of the top careers in Washburrn Rural history, helping lead the Junior Blues to three state tournament appearances and back to back runnerup finishes in the Class 6A state tournament as a junior and senior. Cope batted .588 over the 2023 season (through regionals) with 15 home runs and 41 runs batted in. Cope posted a 12-2 record in the pitching circle (through regionals) with a 1.5 earned run average and 142 strikeouts in 88.2 innings. She was named the Centennial League player of the year as a junior and senior and the Shawnee County player of the year as a senior after sharing that honor as a junior. Cope set Washburn Rural records for single-season and career home runs. Cope will play college softball at Nebraska.
