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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Recent Silver Lake graduate Ellington Hogle and Hayden product Desmond Purnell earned the top honors in Wednesday's TopSports.news Topeka Shawnee County Spors Awards banquet at the Maner Convention Center.
Hogle, a three-sport standout for the Eagles was named the 2021 Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year while former Hayden football star and Division I signee Desmond Purnell was the Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year honoree.
Silver Lake's Ellington Hogle receives her award as 2021 Topeka Shawnee County Female Athlete of the Year from Hall of Fame inductee Michael Wilhoite. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Former Hayden football star Desmond Purnell talks with master of ceremonies Bruce Steinbrock after being named Topeka Shawnee County Male Athlete of the Year Wednesday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Shawnee Heights product Aidan Hicks was honored as TopSports.news' Topeka Shawnee County Most Inspirational Athlete of the Year Wednesday after bouncing back from major heart surgery early last fall to end his high school career as a state medalist in track and field.
Shawnee Heights product Aidan Hicks does is interviewed by Bruce Steinbrock after being named the Topeka Shawnee County Most Inspirational Male Athlete Wednesday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
"In September, Aidan found out he had major leakage in two of his four heart valves,'' Shawnee Heights football coach Jason Swift said. "He had major heart surgery and was told his football career was over, but with tremendous rehab he might be able to throw in track in the spring.
"Aidan took care of his body, worked hard on recovery and rebuilding the 20 pounds he lost and had a great senior year in track.''
Hicks capped his senior season with a fourth-place state finish in the Class 5A boys javelin throw and plans to compete in track and field at Emporia State.
Other Most Inspirational Male nominees:
Dawson Adams
DAWSON ADAMS | Hayden
PARENTS: Ryan and Melissa Adams
SPORT: Cross country and track and field | GPA: 3.46
A two-time All-City pick in cross country, Adams was a Class 4A state placer in both cross country and track and field. "Without Dawson we don't accomplish what we did as a boys team this season,'' Hayden cross country and track coach DeJuan Gardenhire said. "Dawson would be the first one to practice and the last to leave. Dawson would always be there for everybody to cheer them on and made sure everybody had a positive mindset no matter if it was practice or a meet. Many of our newcomers would look up to Dawson and would ask him about race strategy, motivation or anything related.'' Adams plans to run in college at the University of Saint Mary's.
Kaiden Brown
KAIDEN BROWN | Rossville
PARENTS: Christopher and Michelle Brown
SPORT: Football | GPA: 3.3
Brown was an All-Class 2A linebacker for the state-champion Bulldawgs and a two-time state-champion powerlifter while also establishing himself as a leader in his school. "As a new administration took over at Rossville High School, students were sought for their leadership ability to establish a positive culture within our building,'' Brown's nomination form stated. "As a freshman, Kaiden was identified as a student who not only could lead, but would accept the responsibility to lead by example. With Kaiden you get the student who will stand up for what's right even when it isn't popular among his peers.''
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
After advancing to the state tournament in one sport, claiming a state title in another and compiling a 4.11 grade point average, recent Seaman graduate JahnAsia Anderson was honored Wednesday night as TopSports.news' Topeka Shawnee County Most Inspiratonal Female Athlete.
Seaman product JahnAsia Anderson, named the 2021 Topeka Shawnee County Most Inspirational Female Athlete Wednesday night, is interviewed by Bruce Steinbrock. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Anderson went out for track and field for the first time as a senior and became a Class 5A state champion in the shot put and also was a starter for the Vikings' state qualifying basketball team.
"JahnAsia's work ethic is second to none,'' Seaman girls track coach Rick Brading said. "On most days she was the last one to come in from practice. For JahnAsia to win a state championship after being slowed by (an) elbow injury is just amazing.''
Anderson was also a four-year member of a Seaman basketball team that qualified for three straight state tournaments.
"Although undersized as a post player, she wasn't afraid to bang around and do the dirty work,'' Viking baksetball coach Matt Tinsley said.
Other Most Inspirational Female nominees:
JaNeysha Hendricks
JANEYSHA HENDRICKS | Topeka High
PARENTS: Antwaun and Nicole Jones
SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 3.4
The Trojans' point guard, Hendricks helped Topeka High post a pair of second-place finishes in the Class 6A basketball tournament as well as a semifinal berth in 2020 before the state tournament was canceled. "She is a true leader on and off the floor,'' Topeka High coach Hannah Alexander said. "She leads by example and is an amazing floor leader. Her stats are usually overlooked, but this girl makes everyone around her better. She has a knack for making passes that do not look like they should be there or be open.'' Hendricks, who averaged 4.5 assists her senior season, plans to attend Tabor College and play basketball for the Bluejays.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Recent Rossville graduate Alex Sherer, who ended a brief but memorable high school tennis career with a state championship, was honored Wednesday night as the TopSports.news Topeka Shawnee County Spring Male Athlete of the Year.
Rossville's Alex Sherer, TopSports.news' Topeka Shawnee County Male Spring Athlete of the Year, is interviewed by master of ceremonies Bruce Steinbrock Wednesday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Sherer got his first opportunity to play high school tennis as a senior, playing for Hayden as a co-op player during the regular season before representing Rossville in the postseason, with his father, Jesse, serving as his coach.
Sherer made the most of his opportunity, winning the Class 3A-1A state singles title to give Rossville its first-ever state tennis champion.
He posted a 36-2 record on the season and will play college tennis at Kansas Wesleyan University.
Sherer was also the "Voice of the Bulldawgs,'' broadcasting many Rossville sports events.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Remington Stiles, who helped lead Washburn Rural to its first-ever Class 6A state wrestling championship in 2021, was honored as TopSports.news' Topeka Shawnee County Winter Male Athlete of the Year on Wednesday at the Maner Conference Center.
Remington Stiles, who helped Washburn Rural win its first-ever Class 6A state wrestling title, was named TopSports.news' Winter Male Athlete of the Year. [Submitted}
Stiles finished fifth in 6A state at 182 pounds as a senior, was a Centennial League champion and a two-time first-team All-City selection.
"Over the course of his high school career, Remington went from low-level junior varsity wrestler as a freshman to spot-duty varsity wrestler as a sophomore, state qualifier as a junior and state medalist as a senior,'' former Washburn Rural boys wrestling coach Damon Parker said. "Without his dedication to self-improvement and leadership in the wrestling room, Washburn Rural's first state wrestling team title would not have been possible.''
Stiles is attending the United States Air Force Academy.
Other Winter Male nominees:
DJ Birkenbaugh
DJ BIRKENBAUGH | Seaman
PARENTS: Richard and Rebecca Birkenbaugh
SPORT: Bowling | GPA: NA
Birkenbaugh participated in bowling, football and baseball at Seaman. "I really believe bowling is DJ's best sport,'' Viking bowling coach Bob Benoit said. "He has excellent form, ball roll and an unbelievable release. DJ has one of the most powerful strike balls you will ever see. DJ is also a great leader and teammate. When the younger bowlers were struggling he was always there for them.'' As a sophomore Birkenbaugh was a member of Seaman's state championship team and he bowled in the state tournament all four years of his high school career, heling the Vikings post a third-place team finish this past season.''
Jonathan Egly
JONATHAN EGLY | Shawnee Heights
PARENTS: Jeremy and Tiffany Egly
SPORT: Bowling | GPA: 3.7
Egly was a standout bowler for Shawnee Heights, recording a high three-game series of 590, a high game of 222.and seven 200 games on the year. "Jonathan is a competitor beyond words,'' Heights coach Scott Mercer said. "He continues to strive in the face of adversity every time he steps on the lanes. In his four years of bowling he quickly became a favorite with his teammates and his competitors. Jonathan is determined and motivates those around him. He is well known for pushing his teammates to be better and give 110 percent. Jonathan has been a pleasure to coach.''
