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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Haley Carpenter
Haley Carpenter, Topeka High
A junior, Carpenter advanced to the Class 6A state tournament last fall in doubles, teaming with Adisyn Caryl to earn a trip to the state tournament with a fourth-place regional finish.
Adisyn Caryl
Adisyn Caryl, Topeka High
Caryl, a junior, competed for the Trojans in the 6A state tournament last fall in doubles, teaming up with Carpenter for a fourth-place regional finish. A two-time state qualifier in tennis, Caryl also plays basketball and softball for High, helping the Trojans win a 6A softball state title last spring.
Kate Fritz
Kate Fritz, Washburn Rural
A junior, Fritz competed in the 2020 6A state tournament for Rural, teaming with Meredith Kucera to win a Class 6A regional championship. Fritz, a two-time state qualifier, and Kucera took third in doubles in the Centennial League tournament.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topekan Matt Hutchinson, a former multi-sport standout at Hayden, has been named associate athletic director/director of development at Washburn University.
Matt Hutchinson
Washburn director of athletics Loren Ferré and president of Washburn alumni association and foundation Marshall Meek announced the hiring of Hutchinson, who will be moving from his previous position of assistant athletics director for external relations, a position he held at WU since 2018.
"I'm incredibly excited for this new role within athletics and to join the Washburn alumni association and foundation team," Hutchinson said in a Washburn release. "I'm thankful to Marshall Meek and Loren Ferré for the opportunity. I was fortunate to grow up around Washburn and I've considered it home for a long time. This is a unique opportunity to work with an administration, coaches, and supporters that I've admired."
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THE PENNANT PLAYER PROFILE
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
It was the kind of conversation that children have with their parents all the time, expressing their hopes and dreams for the future.
But it's starting to look like what Washburn University receiver Jace Williams promised his father, Jason, some 15 years ago could actually come true.
"Growing up I remember telling my dad before bed, 'Dad, I'm going to be a professional football player, I'm going to be a professional athlete,' '' Williams said. "At the time I didn't know which sport I was going to play, but I knew I wanted to be a pro athlete and my dad would just be like, 'OK, work hard and we'll see.' ''
With a big senior season what was once a pipe dream could be well within reach for the 6-foot-5, 235-pounder, who has already caught the eye of NFL scouts.
Washburn senior receiver Jace Williams has received attention from NFL scouts heading into the 2021 season. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
"He's just a phenomenal athlete, a very fast learner, and I think he can truly play on at the next level,'' Washburn coach Craig Schurig said of Williams. "He just needs to get a shot at it.
"That's kind of a hot position right now, that H-back, tall receiver, and he's got a unique skill set.''
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
According to Emporia State football coach Garin Higgins, former Rossville star Dawson Hammes approaches everything he does on the football field with passion and dedication.
And Higgins has no doubt that Hammes is going to treat his new role as a Hornet captain the same way.
Former Rossville star Dawson Hammes will serve as a team captain for Emporia State's football team this fall. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"It starts with his work ethic,'' Higgins said. "He's one of those guys that he's going to lead through his actions first because he practices the same way every day. He lifts weights the same way and it could be a jog through and he's going to be focused and he's going to give great effort.
"If you just watch him in practice and you turn the film on you're going to see relentless effort. Does his speed change ever? Never.''
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
EDITOR'S NOTE: Additional players could be added as more Shawnee County volleyball programs submit 2021 information.
Drew Baxter
Drew Baxter, Seaman
A senior, Baxter received first-team All-City and All-Centennial League honors in 2020 after helping lead the Vikings to a 28-8 record, the Centennial League championship and Seaman's first berth in the Class 5A state tournament since '04. Baxter, second-team All-City as a sophomore, recorded 212 kills, 424 assists and 117 digs while contributing 44 service aces.
Laynee Brown
Laynee Brown, Seaman
Brown, a junior libero, was a first-team All-City and All-Centennial League selection last season, helping Seaman post a 28-8 record while claiming the Centennial League title and advancing to the 5A state tournament for the first time since 2004. Brown finished the '20 season with 873 points, 324 digs and 39 service aces.
Zoe Canfield
Zoe Canfield, Washburn Rural
Canfield turned in an oustanding freshman season for Rural in 2020, earning All-City and All-Centennial League first-team honors and All-6A honorable mention while being selected as the city newcomer of the year. Canfield helped the Junior Blues post a 35-6 record and a third-place finish in the 6A state tournament, contributing 626 assists and serving at 92.6 percent with 46 aces.
