- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seven city volleyball standouts received All-State Tournament recognition from the Kansas Volleyball Association in their respective classifications.
Seaman senior Maegan Mills (right) was named to the All-State Tournament team in Class 5A after helping the Vikings finish second in the state tournament. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
Seaman senior Campbell Chabot (3) was named to the All-State Tournament team in Class 5A. [File photo/TSN]
Seaman senior Ava Esser earned a spot on the Class 5A All-State Tournament team for the runnerup Vikings. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
Class 5A runnerup Seaman put seniors Campbell Chabot, Ava Esser and Maegan Mills on the 5A team after the Vikings capped a 41-3 season with a three-set loss to St. Thomas Aquinas in the state championship match.
Seaman posted a top-four state finish for the fourth straight season, including a state title in 2023.
Hayden senior Reagan McGivern earned a spot on the Class 4A All-State Tournament team for the third-place Wildcats. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden freshman Blakely Walter (10) earned a spot on the Class 4A All-State Tournament team after helping the Wildcats post a third-place finish. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Hayden freshman Hailey Schmidtlein was named to the Class 4A All-State Tournament team for the third-place Wildcats. [Photo by Selena Favela/TSN]
Hayden, which finished third in Class 4A, is represented on the All-4A state tournament team by senior Reagan McGivern and freshmen Hailey Schmidtlein and Blakely Walter. After dropping a three-set decision to Rock Creek in the semifinals, Hayden bounced back to take a three-set win over McPherson in the third-place match.
The Wildcats, who were making their first state tournament appearance since 2019, finished the season 32-12.
Washburn Rural senior Layla Collins was named to the Class 6A All-State Tournament team. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Washburn Rural senior Layla Collins was named to the all-state tournament team in 6A after the Junior Blues went 1-2 at state. The Junior Blues finished the season 31-8.
CLASS 6A
Bailey Busch, so., OH, Manhattan; Layla Collins, sr., OH, Washburn Rural; Ryann Daggett, so., MH, Wichita North; Ella Florez, jr., S, Mill Valley; Brookelyn Hatton, sr., L, Blue Valley West; Peyton Kubik, so., OH, Blue Valley West; Leilah Perry, jr., MB, Mill Valley; Riley Riggs, so., OH, Mill Valley; Cami Sher, jr., MH, Olathe West; Ella Stowell, jr., OH, Olathe West; Logan Parks, sr., S/RS, Blue Valley North; Lily Wedman, sr., S, Blue Valley West.
CLASS 5A
Campbell Chabot, sr., S/RS, Seaman; Ava Esser, sr., OH, Seaman; Alea Goolsby, sr., OH, St. Thomas Aquinas; Mya Lee, fr., OH, St. James Academy; Grace Martin, jr., OH, St. Thomas Aquinas; Reese Messer, sr., S/MB, St. James Academy; Maegan Mills, sr., OH, Seaman; Mason Palace, jr., MB, Kapaun Mt. Carmel; McCoy Phister, jr., RS/S, Kapaun Mt. Carmel; Taylor Stanley, jr., OPP, Blue Valley Southwest; Kaylee Tingey, sr., L, Blue Valley Southwest; Kate Wells, jr., MH, St. Thomas Aquinas.
CLASS 4A
Brooke Doile, jr., MH/OH, McPherson; Ayla Klingenberg, sr., MH, Rock Creek; Raimee Lipker, so., OH, Clay Center; Lauren Lopez, sr., OH, Bishop Miege; Kenzy McArtor, sr., OH, Clearwater; Reagan McGivern, sr., MB, Hayden; Delaney Morrison, sr., L, Bishop Miege; Hailey Schmidtlein, fr., MB/RS, Hayden; Olivia Stevens, so., OH, Bishop Miege; Trinniti Stevens, sr., MB, Bishop Miege; Blakely Walter, fr., S, Hayden; Brynna Zoeller, jr., S, Rock Creek.
CLASS 3A
Bailey Bernal, so., OH, Halstead; Addison Budke, sr., OH, Beloit; Katharine Engel, jr., OH, Halstead; Hallie Holthaus, sr., S, Nemaha Central; Cali Honeyman, sr., OH, Nemaha Central; Samantha Klotz, sr., OH, Royal Valley; Prayer Roebuck, sr., RS/S, Neodesha; Piper Schroeder, so., L, Halstead; Dalaina Schutte, sr., S, Halstead; Sofia Simic, so., OH, Hoisington; Zoey Sudbeck, sr., MH, Nemaha Central; Sophia Thompson, sr., MH, Beloit.
CLASS 2A
Kennedy Behnke, sr., MH, Ellinwood; Taylor Froese, so., S/RS, Inman; Suttyn Harris, jr., OH, Inman; Katie Johnson, sr., MH, Doniphan West; Macy Karlin, so., L, Maranatha; Kyndal Moore, jr., MH, Ellinwood; Kalyn Sampson, jr., S/OH, Sedgwick; Tate Sher, sr., OH, Maranatha; Ava Smith, jr., OH, Valley Heights; Mia Vermetten, jr., OH, Valley Heights; Regan Widener, jr., RS, Ellinwood; Kenna Woods, jr., OH, Inman.
CLASS 1A DIVISION I
Oen Deters, sr., L, Centralia; Arika Feldman, jr., MH/OPP/S, Little River; Hayden Kramer, so., OH, Centralia; Avery Jensen, jr., OH, St. Francis; Mia Meyer, jr., MB, St. John; Havana Olander, jr., OH/MH, Little River; Saelyn Raleigh, jr., OH/MH, Little River; Harlee Randall, sr., MH, Flinthills; Allie Reed, sr., OH, South Gray; Lillian Steinbrock, sr., OH, Clifton-Clyde; Adelynne Strecker, jr., L, Little River; Sevy Wurtz, jr., OH/S, Clifton-Clyde.
CLASS 1A DIVISION II
Gretchen Bott, so., S, Linn; Drew Bruna, so., MH, Hanover; Autumn Coleman, jr., OH, Argonia; Lindsay Coleman, fr., OH, Argonia; Siara Crouch, sr., OH, Lebo; Saige Hadley, sr., OH, Lebo; Katie Holle, jr., S, Hanover; Abi Jones, sr., S, Lebo; Anna Jueneman, sr., OH, Hanover; Ally Scheele, jr., L, Hanover; Jill Schmeeckle, jr., S, Ingalls; Olivia Stein, jr., OH, Ingalls.
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden Catholic High School is pleased to announce its 2024 Hall of Fame inductees, with the five-member class to be inducted in a Dec. 7 ceremony at Hayden.
Scheduled to be inducted are Mark Burghart, the late Jessica Mae Carpenter, Shannon (Suddarth) Wisne, Judy Cucciniello and Jack McGivern.
Hall of Fame capsules:
Hayden Alumni Achievement
MARK BURGHART
Burghart began his career as a research analyst in the Kansas Legislative Research Department before becoming General Counsel for the Kansas Department of Revenue, where he served for seven years.
During that time, he was responsible for litigating state and use tax cases for local, multi-state, and international businesses. Mark played a key role in developing important tax incentive programs, such as the Job Expansion and Investment Credit Act and the Enterprise Zone Act, and won a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. He also chaired the Attorney's Section of the Federation of Tax Administrators from 1989-1990.
Burghart's professional career has been centered around helping those in need. He has coached student-athletes, served on the Hayden Catholic High School Board and is currently an usher at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, he is a member of the Church Restoration Committee and has contributed to various parish initiatives as a lifelong member of Sacred Heart-St. Joseph’s Parish.
Hayden Alumni Achievement
JESSICA MAE CARPENTER
The late Carpenter dedicated her life to education and was honored as the namesake of the Jessica Carpenter Elementary School in Pflugerville, Texas.
Born in Topeka, Jessica attended St. Matthew Catholic Grade School, Hayden Catholic High School and earned her degree in Elementary Education from Kansas State University in 2001.
Her 20-year teaching career spanned from St. Matthew Catholic grade school in Topeka to Brookhollow Elementary in Texas, where she was a Special Education Resource Teacher and a district leader. Carpenter's dedication to her students, even through her four-year battle with cancer, earned her the respect of her community. In 2011-2012, she was recognized as Teacher of the Year by the Pflugerville Independent School District (ISD) and was instrumental in bringing innovative teaching methods into the classroom. Her passion for helping students with special needs, her involvement in school activities, and her commitment to education left a lasting impact on countless lives.
In 2020, after her passing, the Pflugerville ISD Board of Trustees honored her legacy by naming a new elementary school after her, following an overwhelming community vote.
Hayden Student Athletic/Activity Achievement
SHANNON (SUDDARTH) WISNE
During her career at Hayden, Suddarth was a six-time state swimming champion and went on to become a nine-time All-American at the University of Notre Dame. During her time at Hayden, Suddarth dominated the 100-yard breaststroke, winning three consecutive state titles and setting state records, one of which stood for eight years.
In addition to her swimming achievements, Suddarth was an integral member of three state championship cross country teams and the individual state runnerup in cross country. At Notre Dame, she continued her success, earning first-team All-American honors in 1998 with an eighth-place finish in the 100 breaststroke at the NCAA Division I national championships. She set Big East records in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke, which remained unbroken for 11 years.
Shannon’s dedication to her faith, family and community, along with her excellence in athletics, has earned her a well-deserved place in Topeka’s rich history of outstanding athletes. She ranks 66th on the Topeka Capital-Journal’s Top 100 Topeka High School Athletes list.
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
For the second time this season Washburn University sophomore Taylor Rottinghaus has been named the MIAA Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week by the conference.
Washburn sophomore Taylor Rottinghaus has been named the MIAA Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season after helping the Ichabods post a pair of 3-0 MIAA sweeps. [File photo/TSN]
The former Shawnee Heights multi-sport standout recorded two 20-plus dig matches to help Washburn post home sweeps over Northwest Missouri State and No. 23-ranked Missouri Western last week.
The Ichabods held both opponents to hitting percentages of under .140.
In the three-set victory over the Griffons she registered 26 digs across three sets while serving an ace and holding the nationally-ranked opponent to a .103 hitting percentage in the match.
For the week she tallied 46 digs across six sets (7.66 per set).
Washburn will round out its home schedule this week with matches against Nebraska Kearney on Friday for Alumni Day and against Fort Hays State on Saturday for Senior Day. First serve for both matches is set for 6 p.m.
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Playing on its home field, Washburn Rural's boys soccer team wanted to establish itself early in Monday's Class 6A state quarterfinal against Liberal.
Junior Dylan Willingham made that happen just 5 minutes, 21 seconds into the match, giving the Junior Blues a lead that that they would not relinquish on the way to a 4-2 win over the Redskins that propelled Washburn Rural into Wednesday's state semifinals.
Washburn Rural celebrates Monday's 4-2 Class 6A quarterfinal soccer win over Liberal. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural juniors Draden Chooncharoen (23) and Dylan Willingham (19) celebrate Willingham's second goal in Monday's 4-2 Class 6A quarterfinal win over Liberal. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural, whch will be making its fifth straight Final Four appearance, will face Shawnee Mission East (17-1-1) in a 6 p.m. semifinal contest at the Shawnee Mission Soccer Complex.
Willingham put the ball into the net after an outstanding individual effort to give Rural an early boost as the Junior Blues improved to 14-2-3 on the season.
"The play was put it in the back of the net, honestly,'' Willingham said. "The ball just popped up and it was just going to be a shot and it went in luckily. I tried to rip it and it went in, thankfully.''
Junor Drew Moore gave Rural a 2-0 halftime advantage with 20:21 left in the half and Willingham struck again at the 14:48 mark of the second half to put the Junior Blues in front, 3-0.
"I'm always taught to run through the ball, so I did, and luckily I caught them off guard and had a free ticket to the goal and that was sweet,'' Willingham said. "We just want to win and move on, we want to be in the top four.
"We're at state and that's what we always want to do.''
Washburn Rural coach Brian Hensyel said that getting off to a quick start Monday was a big advantage.
"We knew (Liberal) was going to be a tough opponent and they had some talented offensive players,'' Hensyel said. "So to get off to a good start again -- and that's kind of been the theme of the playoffs so far -- when you take control of the game it kind of settles everybody down and then the second goal did the same thing.
"I just thought throughout the night we created chances. Some are going to go in, some didn't. We had two or three others really close so I'm just proud of the whole performance.''
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Conner Bush
CONNER BUSH, Rossville
A 5-foot-11, 176-pound junior running back, Bush scored three touchdowns Friday night as Rossville advanced to the second round of the Class 1A football playoffs with a 47-13 win over Wabaunsee. Bush scored TDs on runs of 51, 9 and 25 yards as the Bulldawgs improved to 6-3 on the 2024 season while posting their sixth straight victory.
Rylee Ismert
RYLEE ISMERT, Washburn Rural
Ismert, a senior cross country standout, earned her second straight Class 6A state medal in Saturday's state meet at Rim Rock Farm, posting a career-best third-place individual finish in a five-kilometer time of 18 minutes, 41.30 seconds as the Junior Blues tied Olathe West for the team championship, with the Owls winning their fifth straight state title on a tiebreaker. Ismert won Centennial League and regional titles this fall.
Adrian Lehman
ADRIAN LEHMAN, Topeka West
The Topeka West senior cross country standout posted a Shawnee County-best boys finish of seventh place in Saturday's Class 5A state meet at Rim Rock Farm. Lehman, a two-time state qualifier in his only two seasons of high school cross country, clocked a five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 49.59 seconds after qualifying for the state meet as an individual.
