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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden sophomore baseball standout Cooper Grace and Wildcat junior track and field standout Natalie Hillebert 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 2022-2023 school year.
Here’s a brief look at the accomplishments of Grace and Hillebert over the past week:
Hayden sophomore Cooper Grace finished off a complete-game pitching victory Monday at Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
COOPER GRACE, Hayden
Grace helped Hayden close out a Centennial League sweep over Class 6A Washburn Rural on Monday with a 15-4 second-game victory that began last Friday.
After Hayden rallied for a 4-3 win in last Friday's first game, the second game was tied at 2-2 in the top of the third inning before lightning pushed the completion of the nightcap back to Monday. Grace posted a complete-game, five-hit victory while striking out seven batters.
Offensively Grace contributed two hits, including a double, and scored three runs.
Junior Natalie Hillebert eclipsed a Hayden girls 400-meter dash school record that had stood for 37 years in last weekend's Kansas Relays. [Twitter]
NATALIE HILLEBERT, Hayden
Hillebert ran a 58.65-second 400-meter dash in last Friday's Kansas Relays preliminaries at Rock Chalk Park, breaking a Hayden school record that had stood since 1986.
A two-time All-Shawnee County selection, Hillebert broke the Hayden school 400 record of 58.9 set by Laura Sargent
HIllebert, who placed third in the Class 4A state meet in the 400 as a sophomore, went on to finish seventh in Saturday's Kansas Relays final of the 400.
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By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
Despite seeing four overwhelmingly positive defensive innings Wednesday, Washburn Rural would allow 18 runs in a two-inning span to Centennial League baeball power Manhattan in an 18-2 Game 1 loss at Rural before the nightcap was postponed due to weather.
Washburn Rural's Kyle Walker (right) had a pair of doubles and a run batted in against Manhattan Wednesday at Rural. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Washburn Rural senior pitcher Zach Sharshel pitched four innings of shutout baseball in Wednesday's Centennial League loss to Manhattan. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The contest was tight and competitive for most of Washburn Rural's Senior Night, with the game a 0-0 tie through four innings.
However, Manhattan would get the bats going in the top of the fifth with three runs and then blast the Junior Blues with 15 runs in the sixth inning.
Washburn Rural coach Jay Mastin knows that Manhattan is always a challenge, especially with the Junior Blues' recent struggles this year.
"I'm super proud of these guys," Mastin said. "They came out and battled and went toe to toe with Manhattan. We were right in there until that last inning. We had some bad luck with bringing the infield in. A bloop here, a drop there and an error here, a hard hit at third and a ball that just went through the infield. We missed a double play opportunity as well. It's just (how) the year has gone so far."
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
TopSports.News, in partnership with the University of Kansas Health System St Francis Campus, A-1 Lock and Key and Washburn University, will host the 18th annual Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards/Hall of Fame induction ceremony on June 28, 2023 at Washburn's Memorial Union.
For the third straight year TopSports.news will serve as host for the Sports Awards/Hall of Fame banquet, a longstanding tradition for the Topeka and Shawnee County sports community.
The ceremony will highlight Shawnee County high school senior student-athletes’ achievements throughout the 2022-2023 school year along with the induction of the 2023 Topeka Shawnee County Hall of Fame Class.
Schools have been asked to submit nominees with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average for both female and male candidates for the fall, winter and spring seasons as well as nominees for most inspirational athlete. Over-all outstanding male and female athletes for 2022-2023 will also be named.
Also recognized will be an outstanding female and male athlete from Washburn University.
The four-member 2023 Hall of Fame class and the '23 Washburn University Athletes of the Year will be announced on TopSports.news on May 1.
The high school nominees for the 10 Shawnee County high schools will be announced in June after the conclusion of the spring sports season.
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By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Hayden's girls soccer team ended a brief two-game losing streak with a home 10-0 Centennial League romp past Junction City Tuesday afternoon.
Hayden junior Hanna Bartlett (11) and freshman Carsyn Broxterman (4) celebrate a goal in the Wildcats' 10-0 Centennial League soccer win over Junction City on Tuesday. [Photo by Trevor Falcon/Special to TSN]
Junior Jill Lenherr (10) takes a shot in Hayden's 10-0 Centennial League soccer win over Junction City Tuesday at Hayden. [Photo by Trevor Falcon/Special to TSN]
Hayden junior Lauren Sandstrom (12) controls the ball in Tuesday's 10-0 soccer win over Junction City. [Photo by Trevor Falcon/Special to TSN]
Hayden, which had dropped back-to-back 1-0 decisions to McPherson and Washburn Rural, put Tuesday's game away early, opening up a 6-0 advantage just 12 minutes into the first hal.
The Wildcats, who improved to 4-2-1 overall and 1-1-0 in the Centennial League, led 9-0 at halftime before ending the game by way of the 10-goal spread rule on a goal from senior Briahna Barnett.
Freshman Reese Huscher registered a three-goal hat trick for the Wildcats while senior Sloane Sims had a pair of goals.
Hayden also got goals from junior Jill Lenherr, junior Hanna Bartlett, junior Mary Burenheide and freshman Carsyn Broxterman.
Freshmen Kadence Watts and Lauren Borjon combined for the shutout in goal for the Wildcats.
Hayden will play a non-league game at St. James Academy on Friday.
Seaman soccer rides first-half onslaught to 14-0 win over KC-Turner
Seaman ended Tuesday's United Kansas Conference soccer game at halftime after scoring 14 first-half goals en route to a 14-0 win over Kansas City-Turner at Seaman.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The Topeka Area Football Coaches Association will host its annual Junior Day Combine on May 1 at Shawnee Heights for football players interested in playing at the college level.
The combine, scheduled for 4 to 5:30 p.m., will be an opportunity for area high school athletes to get exposure in front of college coaches.
Topeka West senior Malachi Berg runs a 40-yard dash during the 2022 Junior Day Combine at Shawnee Heights. [File photo/TSN]
Rebound Sports and John Burns’ athletic training class from Washburn University will assist with the testing.
There will be representatives from NCAA Division II, NAIA and junior college programs in Kansas and the Midwest area at the combine and prospect information and combine results will be available to every college that recruits the Topeka area.
Ninety-seven players were on hand for last year's combine while approximately 20 colleges had representatives on hand.
Players need to bring running shoes, cleats and water.
The cost for attending the combine is $10 and can be paid the day of the combine.
If you are attending the combine, please scan the completed registration form and email the information to Shawnee Heights football coach Jason Swift at
Check-in and registration will begin at 3:30 p.m. on May 1 on the west side of the Shawnee Heights stadium. In the event of inclement weather, the combine will be held inside.
The combine will include:
• 40-yard dash (electronically timed).
• Standing long jump.
• Vertical jump.
• Pro-agility 5-10-5 shuttle.
• Bench press (maximum reps at 185 pounds).
• 3 cone L drill.
• 1 on 1 route running and lineman agility drills.
• Specialties -- punters, kickers may kick (bring a ball).
For more information, contact coach Swift at
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JUNIOR DAY COMBINE
Bring $10 cash or check payable to TAFCA and registration form to Shawnee Heights High School on May 1st. Email or Scan Information to
Athlete’s Name_______________________________ High School_________________________ Class of 20______
Phone_____________________ HT: _______ WT: _______
Positions: Offense_________ Defense _________ Specialties __________
Parents/Guardians_________________________________
1st Emergency Contact_________________________ Emergency Phone_________________________
I hereby register this person to participate in the TAFCA Junior Day Combine to be held at Shawnee Heights High School. I understand that TAFCA and USD #450 will not provide any insurance. I hereby release the combine employees, TAFCA, Washburn University, Rebound Sports and USD #450 from any liability for all injuries or damages while participating or otherwise engaged in any activities connected with the combine.
The undersigned agrees to assume all risks and recognizes that despite reasonable safety precautions, injury can occur whenever one engages in physical activity. If an emergency arises, I authorize emergency treatment and hospitalization by the combine personnel.
Parent or guardian signature: ___________________________________________________ Date: ______________
