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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
EDITOR'S NOTE: Over the coming weeks, TopSports.news will recognize hundreds of Shawnee County's all-time greats in 25 sports/categories as part of our Best of the Best project. Readers will have the opportunity to vote through July, with the Top 25 in all categories announced in August. To cast a vote for the Best of the Best, click on: https://linkto.run/p/DMB1UK5F. Email votes/nominations will also be accepted at
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Deciding who gets your vote as the best men's track and field athlete in Shawnee County history may come down to what events you prefer.
If you're a fan of the sprints, the county has produced some of the state's all-time bests, including Marcel Carter (Shawnee Heights), Mark Pickens (Topeka West), Joe Reagan (Seaman), Duke Tibbs (Topeka High), Ryan Irvin (Seaman) and 2021 three-time state champ Jeremiah Smith (Shawnee Heights) while the Kansas all-time state list is also dotted with local products, including Jared Huske (Highland Park), Antoine Dulan (Washburn Rural) and Rasheed McAlpin (Shawnee Heights).
Marcel Carter [Submitted]
If you lean more to the distance races, Clardy Vinson was a star at Topeka High and went on to become a member of a relay team that set a world record, while Topeka West's Winston Tidwell ranks No. 4 on the all-time state list in the 800 meters.
Preston Carrington [Submitted]
Mikey Hoffer [Nebraska Athletics]
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
EDITOR'S NOTE: Over the coming weeks, TopSports.news will recognize hundreds of Shawnee County's all-time greats in 25 sports/categories as part of our Best of the Best project. Readers will have the opportunity to vote through July, with the Top 25 in all categories announced in August. To cast a vote for the Best of the Best, click on: https://linkto.run/p/1L492R3G. Email votes/nominations will also be accepted at
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The race to be named the best women's track and field athlete in Shawnee County history should be a great one.
Topeka High product Judy Dyer was an Olympic hurdler while Topeka West's Sarah Heeb is a former American record-holder in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and former Shawnee Heights star Trisa Nickoley was one of the most decorated athletes in Kansas history, winning 13 state track gold medals without ever losing a state individual race and setting the all-time best in the 800 meters (2 minutes, 06.67 seconds).
Judy Dyer
Trisa Nickoley [MIssouri Athletics]
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
EDITOR'S NOTE: Over the coming weeks, TopSports.news will recognize hundreds of Shawnee County's all-time greats in 25 sports/categories as part of our Best of the Best project. Readers will have the opportunity to vote through July, with the Top 25 in all categories announced in August. To cast a vote for the Best of the Best, click on: https://linkto.run/p/4PBM2JDD. Email votes/nominations will also be accepted at
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Candidates to be named the best all-time men's tennis history include a host of multi-time state champs to college Hall of Famers to longtime stars on the amateur circuit.
The hard part is deciding who gets the nod.
Tommy Hunter [Washburn Athletics]
John Grantham [Submitted]
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
EDITOR'S NOTE: Over the coming weeks, TopSports.news will recognize hundreds of Shawnee County's all-time greats in 25 sports/categories as part of our Best of the Best project. Readers will have the opportunity to vote through July, with the Top 25 in all categories announced in August. To cast a vote for the Best of the Best, click on: https://linkto.run/p/HUDFYLSX. Email votes/nominations will also be accepted at
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There's certainly a few names that pop out when talking about the greatest women's tennis players in Shawnee County history.
Sheri Norris was a three-time state champion for Topeka West and went on to earn All-America honors at Arizona State and play on the professional circuit while former Hayden star Brooklyn Hunter became the first city girls player and one of a select few statewide to capture four state singles championships.
Sheri Norris [Submitted]
BrooklynHunter [Lopers.com]
Madeline Hill [Washburn Athletics]
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
EDITOR'S NOTE: Over the coming weeks, TopSports.news will recognize hundreds of Shawnee County's all-time greats in 25 sports/categories as part of our Best of the Best project. Readers will have the opportunity to vote through July, with the Top 25 in all categories announced in August. To cast a vote for the Best of the Best, click on: https://linkto.run/p/65AV2OBQ. Email votes/nominations will also be accepted at
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Former Topeka High superstar Glenn Trammel set the standard for Shawnee County's men's swimmers, winning five individual state titles from 1982-85 before going on to become a seven-time All-American at Kansas.
But while Trammel has to be on the short list of contenders to be named the top men's swimmer in county history, he has plenty of company.
Glenn Trammel [Submitted]
John Martin Schmidt [Miner Athletics]
