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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)
Seaman junior Kaden McKinney (9) has rushed for 932 yards and 12 TDs on 153 attempts for the 8-2 Vikings. [File photo/TSN]
Class 5A
SEAMAN (No. 3 West: 8-2) at EISENHOWER (No. 2 West: 8-2)
Seaman advanced to the Class 5A quarterfinals with a 43-15 win over Valley Center last Friday while Eisenhower moved on with a 37-26 win over Maize South. Seaman senior Max Huston has completed 138 of 219 passes for 2,352 yards and 27 touchdowns and has rushed for 740 yards and 13 TDs on 103 attempts. Senior Bryer Finley has 72 receptions for 1,499 yards and 21 TDs while junior Kaden McKinney has carried the ball 153 times for 932 yards and 12 TDs. Junior Cameron Brian leads the Vikings with 108 tackles (60 solo) with 10 tackles for loss. Eisenhower senior Derek Morgan has completed 129 of 189 passes for 2416 yards and 34 TDs. Senior Carter Pabst has caught 63 passes for 1,522 yards and 26 TDs. Junior Brayden Pappas has carried the ball 177 times for 1,082 yards and four TDs. The Seaman-Eisenhower winner will advance to the sub-state round to face the winner of Friday's game between No. 9 West seed Hays (6-4) at No. 4 seed Hutchinson (8-2).
Hayden senior Jensen Schrickel has 489 receiving yards, 398 rushing yards and has scored 14 touchdowns for the 9-1 Wildcats. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
Class 3A
PERRY-LECOMPTON (No. 10 East: 5-5) at HAYDEN (No. 3 East: 9-1)
Hayden, second in Class 3A last fall, advanced to the quarterfinal round of the 3A playoffs with a 49-0 rout over Girard last Friday, while Perry-Lecompton upset No. 2 seed Frontenac on the road, 28-22. Hayden took a 50-16 district win over Perry-Lecompton on Oct. 18. Hayden senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has completed 102 of 149 passes for 1,531 yards and 17 touchdowns while junior Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 83 times for 689 yards, caught 24 passes for 408 yards and scored 23 total touchdowns. Senior Jensen Schrickel has caught 32 passes for 489 yards, rushed for 398 yards on 31 attempts and scored 14 total TDs. Junior Jude Krentz
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The No. 16-ranked Washburn University women's soccer team fell to Central Oklahoma 1-0 on Thursday afternoon in the MIAA Tournament semifinals at Stryker Sports Complex.
Washburn soccer will find out its NCAA Tournament pairing next week after being eliminated from the MIAA Tournament on Thursday in the semifinals. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
The Ichabods will now await selection for the NCAA Tournament, with the selection show scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m.
Much like the first contest between the two teams, which ended in a scoreless tie, Thursday's first half was a defensive battle, with both sides struggling to produce quality chances.
The Ichabods' best chance came in the 22nd minute, when Khloe Schuckman's shot was stopped on the left side of the goal by Broncho goalkeeper Avery Bass.
Central Oklahoma had an opportunity to take the lead in the 28th minute, but Washburn goalkeeper Alli Harrington tipped a shot attempt from Harmony Turner into the air, allowing the Ichabods to clear the ball away from the goal.
The teams entered the halftime break with the score remaining 0-0.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University volleyball coach Chris Herron announced the signing of five in-state incoming freshmen for the 2025 season on Thursday morning, including Washburn Rural star Layla Collins.
Layla Collins, Washburn Rural
Collins, who was named the Centennial League player of the year earlier this week, is joined in the signing class by Spring Hill's Sydney Buscher, Olathe South's Kennedy Derks, Shawnee Mission West's Brooklyn Morrisey and Attica's Chloe Traffas.
Signing capsules:
SYDNEY BUSCHER, Spring Hill -- A 5-foot-10 setter and rightside hitter for Spring Hill, Buscher was a three-year varsity player for the Broncos, helping Spring Hill win three straight league titles and earning first-team all-league honors as a senior. Buscher led the league with 462 kills and 362 assists and also had 290 digs and 48 service aces. Buscher also plays basketball for Spring Hill, earning all-league and All-State recognition. She is the daughter of Jill and Dan Buscher and has two brothers, Lucas and Zach, and a sister, Peyton. Buscher plans to major in business
"Coached by another Washburn great, Erica Book (Cowhick), Syd is our fourth player from Spring Hill High School,'' Herron said. "Syd is strong and a dynamic attacker, but she also sets for her high school team. Additionally, Syd is an All-State basketball player."
"I'm so excited to compete in volleyball at the collegiate level and be a part of the Ichabod family,'' Buscher said.
LAYLA COLLINS, Washburn Rural -- A 5-foot-11 outside and right-side hitter for perennial state power Washburn Rural, Collins was an All-Centennial League, All-Shawnee County and All-State second-team selection as a sophomore, helping Washburn Rural win a Class 6A state championship. Collins was an All-County first-team selection and Centennial League second-team selection as a junior before earning Centennial League Player of the Year honors as a senior. Collins helped lead the Junior Blues as a junior and senior. A two-year member of the National Honor Society, Collins also plays softball, making two state appearances. Collins is the daughter of Emily and John Collins and has one brother, Harrison. She plans to major in actuarial science.
"Watching Layla's progression from a role player when she was younger to the main offensive weapon on her outstanding high school team has been great for me,'' Herron said. "Layla is a six-rotation outside, she can score from anywhere on the court."
"I chose Washburn because the team was very welcoming and I saw it as the best place to build my future," Collins said.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University softball head coach Brenda Holaday has announced the signing of 10 future Ichabods who will join the squad for the 2025-26 academic year.
The class includes eight high school signees and two junior college transfers, including three Shawnee County products.
Former Seaman star Aspen Burgardt will join the Ichabods after finishing up her two seasons at Johnson County Community College whil Taylor Brees is a senior at Shawnee Heights and Kendra Cook is in her final season at Silver Lake.
Signing capsules:
Aspen Burgardt, Johnson County (Seaman)
ASPEN BURGARDT, Johnson County Community College
The former Seaman standout, a third baseman/utility player, was named the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II National Player of the Year as a freshman and was named a first-team All-American by the NJCAA and National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Burgardt earned Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference first-team recognition and was selected as the KJCCC D-II MVP and Freshman of the Year. She led the conference with a .503 batting average, collecting 86 hits in 171 at bats. Her 86 hits also led the conference along with 33 doubles, 58 extra base hits and 84 RBI. Burgardt belted 26 home runs, which ranked second in the conference and her 33 doubles and 58 extra base hits also led the NJCAA while her 84 RBI ranked fifth. At Seaman she was a three-year starter and was named a an All-Class 5A All-State infielder twice, earning honorable mention as a junior and first-team as a senior. She was a two-time All-Centennial League selection, earning second-team as a junior and first-team her senior year and was named All-Shawnee County as a senior. She batted .473 with 35 hits, 15 doubles, two triples, eight home runs, 22 runs and 38 RBI as a senior. Burgardt is the daughter of Tim and Shanna Burgardt and has a brother, Josh.
"Aspen is the reigning NJCAA Division II Player of the Year and we are excited that she has chosen Washburn and will be coming home to finish her softball career,'' Holaday said. "We expect her to step into the middle of our lineup and provide our offense with production and power. She is a tremendous athlete and will bring that skill set to the field as well, playing both infield corner positions. Aspen goes about her business in a quiet manner, but her impact in our program will be huge.''
"I chose Washburn because of the welcoming atmosphere and the girls on the team,'' Burgardt said. "I love the competitive edge that Washburn brings to the game.''
JALIN LAVERS, Johnson County Community College
A right-handed pitcher, Lavers is a former Mulvane star and is in her second season at Johnson County. As a freshman she appeared in 14 games, 13 as a starter, and finishing with a record of 10-1 with eight complete games, one shutout and an earned run average of 4.15. She struck out 60 batters over 571/3 innings, allowing 59 hits and 34 earned runs which ranked sixth, tied for seventh and 17th respectively on JCCC's career charts. Lavers was a three-year starter at Mulvane and was named Class 4A All-State honorable mention bh the Kansas Softball Coaches Association her senior year. She was selected All-State second-team by Sports in Kansas and was a three-time All-Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League D-IV selection. Lavers batted .415 with 22 hits, 10 RBI and was 11-3 with 144 strikeouts and a 2.47 ERA in 99.1 innings as a senior while helping the Wildcats to a regional title and a state tournament berth. She is daughter of Chris Mize and Michelle Mize and has two siblings, Emma and Kreedence.
"Jalin will give us some experience and depth on the mound,'' Holaday said. "She continues to grow her game at JCCC and will be counted on this season as they try to get back to the national tournament. She is a hard worker, understands pitching and is focused on getting the most out of her opportunities. I think she will be a great fit in our program.''
"I chose Washburn because I loved the family-like feel and sisterhood of the program,'' Lavers said. "I could also tell that the coaches and school would create a great atmosphere for me to excel as an athlete and student.''
Taylor Brees, Shawnee Heights
TAYLOR BREES, Shawnee Heights High
As a junior at Shawnee Heights, Brees batted .507 with five doubles, one triple, and 21 RBI while also stealing 17 bases. Brees was named All-UKC first-team, All-State second-team and All-Shawnee County first team by Top Sports News as a junior as the T-Birds finished 17-8, reaching the regional championship. As a sophomore, hit .463 with nine doubles and 20 RBI while being named to All-State second team, All-UKC second team and All-Shawnee County second-team. Brees also plays basketball and volleyball, earning All-UKC first-team in volleyball as a senior. She serves as class president at Shawnee Heights and is a member of Spirit Club, Student Council, FCA, and National Honor Society. Thee daughter of Lindsey and Rory Brees, Taylor has two sisters, Lauryn and Aubrey. Shee plans to major in biology.
"Taylor is a three-sport athlete and we are excited about the versatility and athleticism she will bring to our program,'' Holaday said. "Her competitive spirit, skill set and team-first approach is infectious and she will help us in many ways.''
"I feel like Washburn is a place where I can make an impact,'' Brees said. "The coaches are very welcoming and the facilities are incredible. The culture and community is like no other.''
Kendra Cook, Shawnee Heights
KENDRA COOK, Silver Lake
A star pitcher for the Eagles, Cook earned first-team All-Mid-East League, All-Shawnee and All-State honors as a junior, helping Silver Lake post a second-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament. Cook went 15-2 in the circle with a 1.24 ERA and 92 strikeouts while also finishing with a .450 batting average. As a sophomore she was a first-team all-league and all-county selection after going 19-3 in the circle and was an honorable mention All-State pick after striking out 73 with a 0.63 earned run average. Cook is the daughter of Jarod and Alysia Cook and has a brother, Alek. Cook plans to major in elementary education.
"Kendra is an All-State pitcher for a reason and we are excited to have another Silver Lake product in our program,'' Holaday said. "She is an integral part of the success at Silver Lake and we expect her to make an impact here quickly. Kendra has a great skill set and she works hard on her game, but what sets her apart is the competitive attitude she takes to the mound.''
"Washburn has a great atmosphere, immediately when you step on campus it feels special, and you know its where you belong,'' Cook said. "They also have a great coaching staff.''
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
On Wednesday Washburn University men's basketball coach Brett Ballard announced the signing of three high school standouts who will join the Ichabods starting in the 2025-26 academic year.
Signing with the 10th-ranked Ichabods, currently 3-0 on the season, were Shawnee Mission Northwest 6-foot-8 guard Tyler Salmon, Wichita Heights 6-8 forward Amalachi Wilkins and Washburn Rural 5-11 guard Kaden Ballard.
Signing capsules:
Tyler Salmon, Shawnee Mission Northwest
TYLER SALMON, Shawnee Mission Northwest -- As a junior Salmon averaged 9.0 points per game while helping Northwest to an undefeated Class 6A state championship. Salmon, who also plays tennis, is the son of Travis and Angie Salmon and has a sister, Sophia. His father played basketball and his mom played volleyball at Missouri-Kansas City. Salmon plans to major in business.
