- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Former Washburn Rural basketball standout Emma Krueger was named the TopSports.news Topeka Shawnee County Winter Female Athlete of the Year Wednesday at Washburn University during the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards banquet and Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Washburn Rural product Emma Krueger (right) was named the Topeka Shawnee County Winter Female Athlete of the Year during Wednesday's awards banquet at Washburn. [File photo/TSN]
Krueger was a four-year starter for Washburn Rural, winning Class 6A state championships as a freshman and senior.
"Emma has a work ethic second to none,'' Washburn Rural coach Kevin Bordewick said. "She is one of a handful of athetes that truly plays hard all the time. Emma is a great leader. She leads by her example and holds teammates accountable to the same work ethic.
"She took pride in being our defensive stopper and did whatever it took for our team to succeed.''
As a senior Krueger averaged 8.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.6 steals.
Also a soccer standout, Krueger will play college basketball at Grand Canyon University.
Krueger finished high school with a 4.15 grade point average.
Other candidates:
Jaley Barkley
JALEY BARKLEY | Cair Paravel Latin
PARENTS: Shane and Valerie Barkley
SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 4.53
"Jaley is a fantastic leader and worker,'' Cair Paravel coach Brian Ewing said. "She knew my expectations for her senior year and led the team through her dedication and desire. Jaley has always been a hard worker during the season but out of season as well. She put up tens of thousands of shots during COVID, which showed up in her stats this past season. Jaley loves to interact with, and encourage, the younger kids, especially the girls. She knows that eyes are on her for not only how she plays on the court but how she leads throughour her school day and practice.'' Barkey will play college basketball next season for Sterling College.
Celeste Gonzalez
CELESTE GONZALEZ | Highland Park
PARENTS: Raul Gonzalez and Clara Caro
SPORT: Wrestling | GPA: 4.2
Gonzalez posted a 17-7 record as a senior and was a two-year letter-winner for Highland Park's girls wrestling team. Gonzalez won the Centennial League indiviual championship at 191 pounds her senior season, qualified for the Class 6A-5A state meet with a runner-up regional finish and earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention. "She had a desire to demonstrate dominance on the mat but was friendly to everyone off the mat,'' Highland Park coach Shannon Keller said. Gonzalez, who also earned All-City honorable mention in soccer, plans to attend college at Washburn University.
Rylee Murray
RYLEE MURRAY | Seaman
PARENTS: TJ and Sonya Murray
SPORT: Wrestling | GPA: 3.34
Murray was Seaman's first Centennial League girls wrestling champion as a junior and the first Viking to secure her place on the state podium in her final season of wrestling, finishing fifth in Class 6A-5A. Murray posted a two-year record of 40-10, with 29 wins coming by pin. Murray is also a softball standout for the Vikings and will play softball at North Central Missouri College. "Rylee is a multi-sport athlete who gives absolutely nothing but her best in everything she does,'' Seaman girls wrestling coach Jordan Best said. "Her commitment to leadership is second to none and she gained respect by pushing everyone to be their best while keeping a smile on her face and lifting the spirits of her teammates as well.''
Macy Smith
MACY SMITH | Hayden
PARENTS: Rob and Cindi Smith
SPORT: Basketball | GPA 3.86
Smith missed most of her junior season with an ACL injury, but returned to turn in a solid senior season for the Wildcats. "Macy was the primary ball-handler for our team and was relied heavily upon to score for us,'' Hayden coach Carvel Reynoldson said. "She tore her ACL her junior year so she had a comeback season of sorts. As the knee got stronger she played a bigger role and improved defensively.'' Smith averaged 12 points and was also a team leader in assists. Smith earned All-Shawnee County Top 10 honors and was a second-team All-Centennial League pick, Smith was also a soccer standout for Hayden.
Talayah Thomas
TALAYAH THOMAS | Topeka High
PARENTS: Tobian and Stephanie Thomas
SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 3.71
Thomas was a three-sport standout for Topeka High, handling place-kicking duties for the Trojans in football and starring as point guard in basketball and as a forward in soccer. "She has made some historical memories at Topeka High,'' said Hannah Alexander, Thomas' basketball coach at High. "She has led our girls basketball program to the state tournament all four years of high school. She has an 88-8 record overall. She is a true leader on and off the floor. She is destined for greatness.'' A first-team All-Shawnee County selection, Thomas averaged 14.5 points, 2.9 assists and 2.9 steals as a senior. Thomas will play college basketball at Northwestern Oklahoma.
Kendra Umscheid
KENDRA UMSCHEID | Topeka West
PARENTS: Kevin and Shelly Umscheid
SPORT: Bowling | GPA: 3.725
Umscheid helped Topeka West reach the Class 5A-1A state bowling tournament as a senior. "Kendra is a great team player,'' Topeka West coach Alyx Nash said. "She sets high goals for herself and those around her. She creates a positive mindset and a supporting environment to motivate herself and team to their goals. She represents herself on the lanes, in the classroom and in her everyday actions to the best of her abilities. Her accomplishments are and will continue to be a reflection of this.'' Umscheid plans to study computer science at Wichita State University.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Former Rossville star Torrey Horak, who helped lead the Bulldawgs to back-to-back Class 2A state football championships, was named the TopSports.news Topeka Shawnee County Fall Male Athlete of the Year during Wednesday's awards banquet and Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Washburn University.
Former Rossville star Torrey Horak, the TSN Fall Male Athlete of the Year, helped lead the Bulldawgs to back to back undefeated Class 2A state football championships. [File photo/TSN]
A star quarterback and defensive back, Horak was a four-year starter for the Bulldawgs, helping lead Rossville to 13-0 records as a junior and senior.
Horak was the TopSports.news Shawnee County co-offensive player of the year as a senior after completing 85 of 132 pass attempts for 1,337 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushing for 1,008 yards and 14 TDs on 102 attempts despite missing time with a shoulder injury.
"Torrey will go down as an all-time great performer in is a rich football history at Rossville,'' Bulldawg football coach Derick Hammes said. "However, Torrey's personal attributes may outshine his onfield accomplishments. Torrey has displayed an uncanny maturity throughout his career.''
Horak has signed a football letter with Central Missouri.
Horak had a cumulative high school grade point average of 3.8.
Other candidates:
Tylan Alejos
TYLAN ALEJOS | Topeka High
PARENTS: Evan and Tia Alejos
SPORT: Football | GPA: 3.10
A 5-foot-9, 190-pound running back/defensive back, Alejos was an All-Shawnee County Top 22 and All-Centennial League first-team selection after rushing for 1,327 yards on 202 carries and scoring 18 total touchdowns lat fall. Defensively Alejos recorded 40 tackles (16 solo) and had a pass interception. Alejos rushed for 400 yards and scored eight touchdowns in a Centennial League victory over Highland Park. Alejos will play his college football at the University of Kansas after accepting a preferred walk-on offer from the Jayhawks.
Jaq'Son Birdwhistle-Bush
JAQ'SON BIRDWHISTLE-BUSH | Topeka West
PARENTS Dr. Christopher and AliShia Bush
SPORT: Football | GPA: 3.415
"Jaq'Son has been an excellent example of character, leadership and work ethic as a student-athlete at Topeka West,'' said Ryan Kelley, who coached Birdwhistle-Bush at West. "In four years of being his football coach, Jaq'Son never missed a workout or practice, summer or fall. Even through tough times where the program struggled to experience success in terms of wins and losses Jaq'Son remained positive and worked hard every day. We at Topeka West are extremely proud of Jaq'son.'' Birdwhistle-Bush caught 12 passes for149 yards and a touchdown as a senior. Birdwhistle-Bush will attend Kansas State University.
Carter Brian
CARTER BRIAN | Cair Paravel Latin
PARENTS: Tom and Susan Brian
SPORT: Football | GPA: 4.27
Brian was the Lions' quarterback as a junior and senior, leading Cair Paravel to a perfect season and the Kansas Christian Athletic Association state title last fall. "He is a determined individual who is not afraid of difficult possibilities and that effort created the building blocks for a very successful senior season,'' Cair Paravel coach Doug Bonura said. "Carter's leadership at the quarterback position helped secure his team's undefeated season. Brian earned TopSports.news All-Shawnee County honors, throwing for 2,515 yards and 51 touchdowns. Brian plans to play football at Ohio Northern University.
Jace Moore
JACE MOORE | Seaman
PARENTS: Russ and Jana Moore
SPORT: Cross country | GPA: NA
"Jace led our cross country team in every competition of his senior year,'' Seaman coach Luke Wiens said. "Jace is a fiery and passionate leader and an intense competitor who chose to compete in our sports (cross country and track) despite having the skills and athleticism to contribute in a variety of other sports.'' Moore was an All-Shawnee County pick in cross country last fall and was the Centennial League champion in the 3,200 meters in track as a senior. Moore plans to compete in track and cross county for Washburn University.
Tanner Newkirk
TANNER NEWKIRK | HAYDEN
PARENTS: Kevin and Nealy Newkirk
SPORT: Cross country | GPA: 3.84
Newkirk was a four-time state medalist in Class 4A cross country for the Wildcats, including top-three finishes his final three seasons. Newkirk finished second in 4A as a sophomore, won the state title as a junior and finished third individually his senior season. A two-time city champ in cross country, Newkirk also won three state championships and set two Class 4A state meet records as a senior in track and field. Newkirk will run track and cross country at the University of Kansas. "Tanner Newkirk is a one of a kind athlete,'' Hayden cross country and track coach DeJuan Gardenhire said. "What makes Tanner so special is his ability to want to get better. Tanner is always trying to find a way to get better at some thing and is never satisfied.''
Jarin Sanders
JARIN SANDERS | Shawnee Heights
PARENTS: Robbie and Courtney Sanders
SPORT: Football | GPA: 3.7
Sanders was a star running back for the T-Birds as a senior, cracking Shawnee Heights' top five in several rushing categories. Sanders ran for 1,142 yards and 12 touchdowns last season and also caught 31 passes for 240 yards and four TDs. Sanders carried the ball more than 30 times in big wins over De Soto and Blue Valley Southwest. Sanders was a team captain and earned first-team All-Shawnee County and United Kansas Conference honors. Sanders was also a two-year starter at point guard for Shawnee Heights' basketball team, earning All-United Kansas Conference honorable mention.
Porter Schafersman
PORTER SCHAFERSMAN | Washburn Rural
PARENTS: Scott and Autumn Schafersman
SPORT: Soccer| GPA: 3.53
Schafersman helped lead Washburn Rural to a second-place finish in the Class 6A state tournament, scoring 23 goals on the season, which tied for second in school history, en route to earning first-team All-City, All-Centennial League and All-6A recognition. Schafersman, who also had 13 assists, was the Centennial League player of the year and the 6A forward of the year. "Porter had one of the best individual seasons in Washburn Rural soccer history, which was instrumental in one of the best seasons in school history,'' Rural coach Brian Hensyel said. Schafersman registered five three-goal hat tricks as a senior, all in Centennial League play, as the Junior Blues recorded just their second-ever undefeated regular season.
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman state tennis champion Grace Unruh was named the TopSports.news Topeka Shawnee County Fall Female Athlete of the Year during Wednesday's awards banquet and Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Washburn University.
Unruh finished her high school career as the Seaman record-holder for the most varsity tennis wins.
Unruh teamed with Lauren Sweeney to win the Class 5A state doubles championship as a senior, with the Viking duo posting a perfect 36-0 record.
Unruh placed fourth in 5A state doubles as a junior.
"It was an honor to coach Grace,'' Seaman coach Jamie Robinson said. "She works hard at improving all facets of her tennis game and physical training by researching and tweaking new techniques. Grace told me she wants to have a strong tennis legacy behind at Seaman High School. Grace will accomplish that mission.''
Unruh, who also swam at Seaman, will play tennis at Fort Hays State. She finished high school with a 4.05 grade point average.
Other candidates:
Khloi Bird
KHLOI BIRD | Washburn Rural
PARENTS: Ricky Cole and Lezlie Oetting
SPORT: Cross country | GPA: 4.12
Bird transferred to Washburn Rural as a sophomore and has been a three-time All-City/All-Shawnee County selection in cross country while helping the Junior Blues win three straight city team titles, a Centennial Leaue championship and a Class 6A regional team title. Bird posted a 14th-place individual finish in the 6A state meet last fall. In track Bird was a state qualifier as a junior and senior, earning a state medal in the 4 x 800 relay as a junior. "Khloi has been an important part of our cross country and track programs the past three years,'' Rural cross country coach Matt Swedlund said. "Her consistent high-level performances were key contributions to our team's success.'' Bird plans to run cross country and track at Butler Community College.
Anna Newcome
ANNA NEWCOME | Topeka West
PARENTS: Scott and Patricia Newcome
SPORT: Tennis | GPA: 4.36
Newcome qualified for the Class 5A state tournament as a senior, posting a third-place finish in 5A regional singles competition. "Anna has an excellent work ethic,'' Topeka West coach Kurt Davids said. "She shows up to her commitments on time, every time with a positive attitude and an open mind. Anna was an accomplished leader as well, setting an impeccable example in the classroom as well as on the court. Anna's junior season was cut short by COVID restrictions. Beyond the initial disappointment, Anna became even more focused and determined to not be denied a trip to the state tournament.'' Newcome plans to attend the University of Nebraska.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Aaron Crow, Kaylee Manns and Dani (McHenry) Schmidt will join the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame Wednesday night, the 16th induction class into the local shrine.
TopSports.news, in conjunction with University of Kansas Health Systems St Francis Campus, A-1 Lock and Key and Washburn University, will host the induction and Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards ceremonies at the Washburn University Memorial Union.
Former Washburn Rural star and Royals All-Star Aaron Crow is a member of the 2022 Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame class, which will be inducted Wednesday night. [Twitter]
Former Washburn Rural multi-sport star and Iowa State All-American Kaylee Manns will be inducted into the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame on Wednesday. [Cyclones.com]
Shawnee Heights product and Washburn All-American volleyball player Dani (McHenry) Schmidt will be inducted into the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame Wednesday night at Washburn. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
Crow is a Washburn Rural High School graduate who went on to become the NCAA Division I college pitcher of the year at Missouri and an American League All-Star for the Kansas City Royals.
Manns, a Rural graduate, was a standout for Washburn Rural in volleyball, basketball and soccer before earning All-America volleyball honors at Iowa State and embarking on a long professional career.
A Shawnee Heights graduate, (McHenry) Schmidt was a volleyball and basketball star for the T-Birds and earned All-American volleyball honors at Washburn University while also playing on WU's national championship basketball team.
Hall of Fame class of 2022 capsules:
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University All-America volleyball player Faith Rottinghaus and All-America football player James Letcher Jr. will be honored as Washburn University's outstanding female and male athletes for 2021-2022 at the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards and Hall of Fame induction ceremonies Wednesday night at Washburn's Memorial Union (6 p.m. start).
Washburn All-American receiver/returner James Letcher Jr. will be honored Wednesday night as WU's male outstanding athlete for 2021-2022. [Photo by Phil Anderson/Special to TSN]
Former Shawnee Heights and Washburn volleyball star Faith Rottinghaus (left) will be honored Wednesday night as the Washburn Women's Athlete of the Year. [File photo/TSN]
Shawnee Heights product Rottinghaus, was named the Ken B. Jones MIAA Female Student-Athlete of the Year after leading the nation in digs and helping the Ichabods reach the NCAA Division II national championship match while Letcher earned five All-America awards last fall after leading Washburn to a 9-3 record and a berth in the NCAA Division II football playoffs.
TopSports.news will honor outstanding Washburn athletes for the second time in conjunction with the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards and Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.
In 2021 Andrew Beckler and Tyler Geiman were named Washburn co-outstanding male athletes and Virgi Scardanzan was honored as female athlete of the year.
Washburn Athlete of the Year capsules:
JAMES LETCHER JR.
Letcher earned five All-America awards after a monster 2021 season for the Ichabods, who posted a 9-3 record and advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs. Letcher earned first-team All-America honors on the Don Hansen NCAA Division II All-America squad, the Associated Press and the Division II Conference Commissioner's Association All-American teams and was a second-team D2Football.com Elite 100 selection and a second-team pick on the American Football Coaches Association team. Letcher has received six All-America awards overall, earning honorable mention on the Football Gazette All-American team in 2019.
Last fall, Letcher led the team with 68 receptions, 927 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 starts. Letcher also rushed 19 times for 106 yards. He had a single-game high 10 receptions for 132 yards against Emporia State and earned All-MIAA first-team recognition as a wide receiver and a returner and was named the MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year after taking 24 kickoffs for 685 yards and two touchdowns.
Letcher has appeared in 37 games overall, compiling 148 receptions for 1,916 yards and 19 touchdowns while averaging 12.9 yards per catch. Letcher has scored three kickoff-return touchdowns, the most in program history and has averaged 27.2 yards per kickoff return, which is second all-time at Washburn for a career.
A Piper High School graduate, Letcher starred in football for the Pirates and also played basketball and ran track. As a senior Letcher earned all-league football recognition at running back, defensive back and kickoff returner. Letcher earned All-State recognition at running back and defensive back as a senior, recording 10 interceptions and rushing for 1,562 yards and scoring 27 touchdowns. Letcher was also a standout for the East in the Kansas Shrine Bowl.
FAITH ROTTINGHAUS
A Shawnee Heights graduate, Rottinghaus helped lead the Ichabods to a second-place finish in the NCAA Division II Volleyball Championships, leading the nation with 833 total digs and earning second-team All-America honors from the American Volleyball Coaches Association and the Division II Conference Commissioner's Association. Rottinghaus received the Ken B. Jones Award as the MIAA Female Student-Athlete of the Year.
Rottinghaus earned All-MIAA first-team honors for the third straight season and earned the NCAA Elite 90 Award, becoming the first Washburn student-athlete and MIAA volleyball player to receive the prestigious academic honor. She was named the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-American Volleyball Team Member of the Year and received her third consecutive Academic All-America first-team honor.
Rottinghaus was voted to the all-tournament team in all five tournaments Washburn competed in and played in all 127 sets for the Ichabods. Rottinghaus became Washburn's all-time digs leader in the regular-season finale against Northwest Missouri. Rottinghaus scooped up 51 digs in a 3-1 victory at then-ranked No. 7 Central Missouri, tying Washburn's single-match record and setting the program record for most digs in a four set match. She had 24 matches with 20 or more digs and successfully received 394 service attempts, committing just eight errors for a .980 reception percentage. Rottinghaus led the team with 33 service aces and tallied 88 assists. Rottinghaus was named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll and also received MIAA Scholar Athlete and MIAA Academic Excellence honors, closing out her career with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
A four-year letter-winner in volleyball, basketball and softball at Shawnee Heights, Rottinghaus helped lead the T-Birds to three Class 5A volleyball tournament berths, including the 2016 state championship her senior year. Rottinghaus was a two-time All-State first-team selection as an outfielder in softball, helping the T-Birds win the school's first state softball title in 2017.
