By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Malachi Berg

MALACHI BERG, Topeka West

A junior quarterback, Berg rushed for one touchdown and threw for two TDs as Topeka West ended a long losing streak against USD 501 rival Topeka High with a 28-22 overtime victory. Berg rushed for 66 yards on 14 carries, including a 22-yard touchdown, and completed 12 of 19 passes for 197 yards and 13 and 60-yard TDs.

Madeline Carter

MADELINE CARTER, Washburn Rural

Carter, a junior, captured the individual girls title in Saturday's Class 6A regional cross country meet at Milford State Park, clocking a five-kilometer time of 18 minutes, 46.20 seconds. Carter led a 1-2-3 finish by the Junior Blues for the fourth straight meet, with Rural winning the regional team championship by a 41-52 margin over Manhattan.

Branton DeWeese

BRANTON DeWEESE, Washburn Rural

A sophomore quarterback, DeWeese completed 11 of 18 passes for 294 yards and four touchdown passes as 7-1 Washburn Rural clinched a share of the Centennial League championship with a 42-31 victory over Seaman. DeWeese threw for 9, 84, 24 and 20-yard touchdowns in the win.

James Letcher Jr.

JAMES LETCHER JR., Washburn University

Letcher put Washburn ahead to stay with a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown with 3:10 remaining as the Ichabods went on to take a 29-17 MIAA win at Central Oklahoma, improving to 6-2 with their third straight victory. Letcher also caught five passes and had 186 all-purpose yards in the Washburn win.

Tanner Newkirk

TANNER NEWKIRK, Hayden

The defending Class 4A state cross country champion, Hayden's senior star won a Class 4A boys individual regional title Saturday at the Kanza Park course, posting a five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 16.67 seconds to win by 54 seconds. Newkirk led the Wildcats to a second-place team finish and a state team berth.

Kory Sutton

KORY SUTTON, Shawnee Heights

A junior, Sutton won his first individual regional title, clocking a five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 45.01 seconds in the Class 5A regional at the Kanza Park course. Sutton led Shawnee Heights to a second-place team finish and a berth in the 5A state meet at Augusta.

By RICK PETERSON

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 Jesiah Bonura

JESIAH BONURA, Cair Paravel Latin

A senior football standout, Bonura compiled 435 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns in last Friday's 74-28 win over Maranatha Academy as Cair Paravel wrapped up a 6-2 regular season in just the Lions' second season as a full KSHSAA member in football. Bonura had four kickoff returns for 195 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for 193 yards and two TDs on five carries and caught four passes for 47 yards and a TD.

Jackson Esquibel

JACKSON ESQUIBEL, Shawnee Heights

Esquibel, a senior cross country star, capped a sweep of city, United Kansas Conference and Class 5A regional individual titles Saturday at Shawnee North Community Center. A two-time 5A state medalist in cross country and a state champion in track, Esquibel posted a 53-second victory in the regional meet, clocking a five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 46.02 seconds.

Payton Fink

PAYTON FINK, Washburn Rural

Fink, a junior cross country standout, followed up her Centennial League individual title with a 10-second win Saturday at Wichita, helping the Junior Blues post a sweep of city, Centennial League and regional team championships. Fink, who placed fifth in the Class 6A state meet as a sophomore, clocked a winning five-kilometer time of 18 minutes, 01.20 seconds in the regional meet.

By RICK PETERSON

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Jaren Heim

JAREN HEIM, Washburn Rural

A 6-foot-2, 215-pound senior outside linebacker, Heim scored a pair of defensive touchdowns as Washburn Rural football improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the Centennial League last Friday night with a 28-7 road win over Junction City. Heim recovered a Blue Jay fumble in the end zone for a touchdown and also scored a touchdown off a blocked punt by his brother, JC.

JC Heim

JC HEIM, Washburn Rural

Heim, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound senior outside linebacker, was a defensive force throughout Friday night's 28-7 Centennial League football win at Junction City as Washburn Rural improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the Centennial League. Heim, who also plays running back for the Junior Blues, blocked a punt that his brother, Jaren, returned for a touchdown and he returned a fumble 77 yards for a touchdown after a Packson Bettis sack.

Tanner Martin

TANNER MARTIN, Silver Lake

Martin, Silver Lake's 6-foot-1, 180-pound senior quarterback, had a hand in five touchdowns in the Eagles' 42-28 Class 3A District 3 road football victory over rival Rossville. Martin carried the ball 20 times for 157 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 134 yards and a pair of TDs. Martin also helped Silver Lake successfully convert three 2-point conversions as the Eagles improved to 4-1 on the season.

By RICK PETERSON

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Madeline Carter

MADELINE CARTER, Washburn Rural

Carter, a junior, captured the individual girls title in Saturday's Centennial League cross country championships at Milford State Park, clocking a five-kilometer time of 18 minutes, 43.3 seconds. Carter led a 1-2-3 finish by the Junior Blues for the third straight meet, with Rural winning the league team championship by a 50-52 margin over Manhattan.

 Corey Catron

COREY CATRON, Rossville

A senior running back/linebacker, Catron was pressed into duty at quarterback after an injury to Torrey Horak and sparked undefeated Rossville to a 24-19 come-from-behind win over rival Silver Lake. Catron rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown and passed for 33 yards and a TD.

By RICK PETERSON

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Jackson Esquibel

JACKSON ESQUIBEL, Shawnee Heights

Esquibel, a senior cross country star, captured his first United Kansas Conference individual title last Thursday at Shawnee North Community Center after finishing second as a junior. A two-time Class 5A state medalist in cross country and a state champion in track, Esquibel posted a 42-second victory in the conference meet, clocking a five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 40 seconds.

Payton Fink

PAYTON FINK, Washburn Rural

A junior cross country standout, Fink posted a 31-second individual victory in Saturday's Centennial League meet at Kanza Park, winning her second straight league individual championship while helping Washburn Rural repeat as the league team champion. Fink, who placed fifth in the Class 6A state meet as a sophomore, clocked a winning five-kilometer time of 17 minutes, 33.3 seconds. 

Jette Glasenapp

JETTE GLASENAPP, Shawnee Heights

A junior foreign exchange student from Germany, Glasenapp completed her first high school tennis season with a runnerup singles finish in Saturday's Class 5A state meet at Salina, capping a 36-3 season. Glasenapp's state performance followed a sweep of city, United Kansas Conference and Class 5A regional championships. Glasenapp led Shawnee Heights to a sixth-place tie (seventh on a tiebreaker) in the 5A team standings as the T-Birds' lone state qualifier. 

By RICK PETERSON

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Malachi Berg

MALACHI BERG, Topeka West

A junior quarterback, Berg led Topeka West to an 80-48 Centennial League football victory over Highland Park Friday night, rushing for 238 yards and five touchdowns on 15 attempts and completing three of four passes for 95 yards and two TDs as the Chargers posted their second victory of the season. 

Madeline Carter

MADELINE CARTER, Washburn Rural

Carter, a junior, won her second straight city title in Saturday's city cross country championships at the Kanza Park Course, clocking a five-kilometer time of 18 minutes, 14.9 seconds. Carter led a 1-2-3 finish by the Junior Blues for the second straight week, with Rural winning the team championship by a 24-33 margin over Seaman.

By RICK PETERSON

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Ma'Kenttis Adams

MA'KENTTIS ADAMS, Washburn Rural

A 5-foot-9, 195-pound senior running back, Adams scored a pair of touchdowns and set up a third TD with a long run as Washburn Rural improved to 8-2 on the season with a 34-7 Class 6A playoff victory at Garden City last Friday night. Adams helped the Junior Blues advance to the state quarterfinals while posting their fifth straight victory.

 JC Cummings

JC CUMMINGS, Hayden

A 5-foot-10, 189-pound senior running back/linebacker, Cummings helped lead 9-1 Hayden to a a come-from-behind 22-19 Class 3A playoff win over previously-unbeaten Wellsville last Friday night on the road. Unofficially, Cummings rushed for 81 yards on 16 attempts and scored the game-winning points on an 11-yard touchdown run and a 2-point conversion in the fourth quarter as the Wildcats advanced to a 3A quarterfinal game at Columbus.

Branton DeWeese

BRANTON DEWEESE, Washburn Rural

DeWeese, Washburn Rural's 6-foot, 185-pound junior quarterback, completed 14 of 21 passes for 157 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Junior Blues advanced to a Class 6A quarterfinal with a 34-7 road victory at Garden City last Friday night. DeWeese helped Washburn Rural improve to 8-2 on the season with its fifth straight win, setting up a Friday night game at Derby.

Finn Dunshee

FINN DUNSHEE, Hayden

A 5-foot-8, 160-pound junior running back/linebacker, Dunshee scored two touchdowns and a 2-point conversion as 9-1 Hayden advanced to the Class 3A quarterfinals with a come-from-behind 22-19 playoff victory over previously-unbeaten Wellsville. With Hayden trailing 13-0, Dunshee returned a Wellsville kickoff approximately 80 yards for a touchdown and also scored on an 11-yard TD run and added a 2-point conversion. 

 James Letcher Jr.

JAMES LETCHER JR., Washburn University

Letcher, a 5-foot-8, 175-pound senior, caught five passes for 127 yards, including an 84-yard touchdown, in Washburn's 37-23 MIAA loss to No. 4-ranked Pittsburg State last Saturday at Yager Stadium. Saturday's receiving yards boosted Letcher's season total to 1,005 yards, with Letcher the first Ichabod since 2018 to go over the 1,000-yard mark in a season.

Ty Weber

TY WEBER, Washburn Rural

Weber, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound senior, stood out on both sides of the ball as Washburn Rural's 8-2 football team advanced to the Class 6A  state quarterfinals with a 34-7 win at Garden City last Friday night. Weber helped spearhead a No. 1 Rural defensive unit that did not allow a point before leaving the game in the fourth quarer and he also caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Branton DeWeese while filling in on offense for the injured Lukas Hanks.

By RICK PETERSON

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 Easton Bradstreet

 EASTON BRADSTREET, Washburn Rural

The Washburn Rural senior forward was named the Centennial League soccer player of the year after scoring 29 goals and leading the Junior Blues to a 16-5 record and a fourth-place finish in the 6A state tournament. Bradstreet finished his high school career with a share of Rural's career scoring record with 57 goals.

Levi Braun

LEVI BRAUN, Washburn University

A 6-foot-4 sophomore guard, Braun tied his career high with 21 points in just 19 minutes of action as Washburn men's basketball rolled to a 96-63 non-conference win over Ottawa on Saturday at Lee Arena. Braun, a former Hayden standout, hit 7 of 10 field goals overall and 6 of 8 3-pointers against Ottawa while hitting his last six shots of the game.

Brooklyn DeLeye

BROOKLYN DELEYE, Washburn Rural

Deleye, a 6-2 senior, was named the Centennial League volleyball player of the year for the second straight season after helping lead Washburn Rural to the 2022 Class 6A state championship and a 45-1 record. DeLeye was a multi-time All-Class 6A first-team selection, helping Rural finish first, second, third and fourth in four state tournament appearances.

By RICK PETERSON

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 Easton Bradstreet

 EASTON BRADSTREET, Washburn Rural

The Washburn Rural senior forward received Class 6A All-State first-team honors from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association after scoring 29 goals and leading the Junior Blues to a 16-5 record and a fourth-place finish in the 6A state tournament. Bradstreet finished his senior year with a share of Rural's career scoring record with 57 goals.

Brady Christiansen

BRADY CHRISTIANSEN, Washburn University

A 6-foot-7 forward out of Lincoln, Neb., Christiansen scored 9 points and grabbed 19 rebounds, including 11 offensive boards, in Washburn's 70-63 men's basketball win over William Jewell last Wednesday. Christiansen's 19 boards were the most by an Ichabod since former WU star Brady Skeens had a pair of 22-rebound games in 2017.

Aubree Dewey

AUBREE DEWEY, Washburn University

A 5-7 junior guard out of Plainville, Dewey scored a game and career-high 20 points in Washburn's 65-63 women's basketball win over Southern Nazarene last Friday in the Washburn Classic. Dewey hit a pair of 3-pointers and also dished out three assists for the Ichabods.

By RICK PETERSON

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 Austin Broadie

AUSTIN BROADIE, Washburn University

A 6-foot redshirt freshman out of Wichita Trinity Academy, Broadie registered a career-high 18 kills as Washburn's volleyball team captured its first MIAA Tournament championship with a 25-18, 19-25, 25-22, 25-20 victory over Nebraska-Kearney Saturday night in St. Joseph, Mo. Broadie hit .359 on the night as the 24-7 Ichabods earned an NCAA Tournament berth. 

Finn Dunshee

FINN DUNSHEE, Hayden

A 5-8, 160-pound junior running back/linebacker, Dunshee set the tone for the night in Friday's Class 3A sectional football game at Columbus when he ran for a 60-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage as 10-1 Hayden advanced to a 3A sub-state game with a 39-19 victory. Dunshee, who also had a 67-yard run, added a 3-yard TD. 

Mackenzie Gamble

MACKENZIE GAMBLE, Washburn University

Gamble, a 5-7 junior guard out of Highlands Ranch, Colo., scored 19 points and hit 5 of 7 3-pointers as Washburn's women's basketball team opened the 2022-2023 season Friday night with a 71-55 win over Southwestern Oklahoma State in the Washburn Crossover Classic. Gamble added 9 points on three 3-pointers in Saturday's 41-38 loss to Oklahoma Baptist.

Jaden Monday

JADEN MONDAY, Washburn University

A 6-0 sophomore guard out of Independence, Mo., Monday scored a career-high 22 points and connected on 6 of 12 3-pointers to lead the way as Washburn's men's basketball team picked up its first win of the season, a 75-46 romp past No. 18-ranked Augustana Saturday at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. 

Jensen Schrickel

JENSEN SCHRICKEL, Hayden

Schrickel, a 5-9, 145 sophomore, helped lead the 10-1 Hayden football team to a 39-19 Class 3A sectional playoff win Friday night at Columbus. Schrickel caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from Wildcat quarterback Jett Wahlmeier, returned a pass interception 35 yards for a TD and kicked a 28-yard field goal and four extra points as Hayden advanced to a sub-state matchup with Holton. 

Jalyn Stevenson

JALYN STEVENSON, Washburn University

Stevenson, a 5-10 sophomore out of Spring Hill, recorded her 14th double-double of the 2022 volleyball season in Saturday's MIAA Tournament championship match at St. Joseph, Mo., registering 17 kills and 18 digs in Washburn's 25-18, 19-25, 25-22 and 25-20 victory as the 24-7 Ichabods won their first conference tournament title while earning an NCAA Tournament berth.  

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news
 

 Carter Brian

CARTER BRIAN, Cair Paravel Latin

Brian, a senior quarterback, completed 19 of 31 passes for 421 yards and six touchdowns as Cair Paravel improved to 10-0 with Friday's 66-20 win over Wichita Home School in a KCAA playoff semifinal. Brian has completed 117 of 170 pass attempts on the season for 2,179 yards and 48 touchdowns.

Grant Bruner

GRANT BRUNER, Washburn University

A junior linebacker, Bruner registered 20 tackles (10 solo) in Washburn University's 28-26 MIAA win Saturday at Pittsburg State, helping the Ichabods improve to 8-2 on the season with their fifth straight victory. Bruner, who missed five games with an injury, now has 39 tackles (20 solo) on the year.

Corey Catron

COREY CATRON, Rossville

A senior, Catron rushed for 105 yards and three touchdowns and completed 11 of 19 passes for 149 yards and a TD in Rossville's 32-12 second-round Class 2A playoff win over Nemaha Central. Catron has passed for 453 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 893 yards and 18 touchdowns on 135 carries.

Noah Hastert

NOAH HASTERT, Cair Paravel Latin

A senior receiver, Hastert caught six passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns in Cair Paravel's 66-20 win over Wichita Home School in a KCAA playoff game last Friday. Hastert has now caught 41 passes on the year for 870 yards and 21 touchdowns for the 10-0 Lions.

Brogan Renfro

BROGAN RENFRO, Silver Lake

Renfro, a senior, scored five touchdowns in Friday's 51-36 second-round Class 2A playoff victory over St. Marys Friday night. Renfro ran for four touchdowns and also caught a 22-yard TD pass from senior quarterback Daigan Kruger as Silver Lake improved to 8-2.

Jace Williams

JACE WILLIAMS, Washburn University

A senior receiver, Williams turned in the play of the game in Saturday's 28-26 Ichabod win at Pittsburg State, blocking a 33-yard Gorillas field goal attempt with 30 seconds remaining to clinch the 8-2 Ichabods' fifth straight win. Williams has caught 29 passes for 457 yards and five touchdowns.

By RICK PETERSON

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Allen Baughman

ALLEN BAUGHMAN, Shawnee Heights

A 5-foot-8, 180-pound senior running back, Baughman carried the ball 12 times for 177 yards and three touchdowns in the first half last Thursday night as Shawnee Heights rolled to a 56-20 win over Highland Park in the regional round of the Class 5A football playoffs. Baughman scored on runs of 4, 70 and 20 yards as Shawnee Heights improved to 8-2 on the season.

JC Heim

JC HEIM, Washburn Rural

Heim a 6-2, 225-pound running back/linebacker, starred on both offense and defense Friday night as Washburn Rural improved to 10-0 with a 27-20 win over Junction City in the regional round of the Class 6A playoffs. Unofficially, Heim rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries and caught three passes for 21 yards and a touchdown. Heim scored on a 2-yard run and a 23-yard pass from Branton DeWeese.

Griffin Heinen

GRIFFIN HEINEN, Washburn Rural

A senior midfielder, Heinen had an assist and the game-winning goal on Saturday as Washburn Rural's soccer team capped a 19-2 season with a 2-1 win over Dodge City in the third-place game of the Class 6A state tournament. Heinen was credited with the assist on Hayden Shriver's goal 1:26 into the game and scored the game-winning goal with just 56 seconds remaining off an assist from Devon Rutschmann.

By RICK PETERSON

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Hunter Bentley

HUNTER BENTLEY, Washburn University

Bentley, a 5-foot-9 senior guard out of Bishop Miege, scored 16 points and added 6 rebounds and 3 assists in Washburn University's 71-69 non-conference home loss to Rockhurst University Saturday, including a late 3-pointer that gave the Ichabods a chance at the victory. 

Corey Catron

COREY CATRON, Rossville

A senior, Catron capped off an oustanding senior season in Rossville's 35-12 win over Beloit in Saturday Class 2A championship football game at Salina. Catron starred at linebacker as the Bulldawgs limited the Trojans to two touchdowns and added 73 rushing yards and a touchdown on 20 carries as Rossville captured its second straight undefeated 2A state title.

Connor Deffebaugh

 CONNOR DEFFEBAUGH, Washburn University

Deffebaugh, a 6-3 sophomore guard from Fayetteville, Ark., scored 17 points and grabbed six rebounds last Saturday as Washburn University's men's basketball team evened its record at 3-3 with a 79-69 non-conference victory over Benedictine College at Lee Arena.

Torrey Horak

TORREY HORAK, Rossville

Horak, a senior quarterback, completed 10 of 14 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns as Rossville completed a second straight 13-0 season with a 35-12 win over Beloit in the Class 2A state championship game last Saturday at Salina. Horak also ran for a touchdown.

Michael Keegan

MICHAEL KEEGAN, Washburn University

A 6-6 freshman guard from Dyersville, Iowa, Keegan scored 27 points in two games on the week as Washburn evened its record at 3-3. Keegan scored 10 points in a 69-63 loss to Oklahoma Baptist and followed that up with 17 points, 8 rebounds and three 3-pointers in Saturday's 79-69 win over Benedictine College at Lee Arena.

 Jalen Lewis

JALEN LEWIS, Washburn University

Lewis, a junior guard from Liberty, Mo., scored a career-high 30 points in a 69-63 loss to nationally-ranked Oklahoma Baptist last Tuesday, hitting 13 of 20 shots with four 3-pointers, and had 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists in the Ichabods' 79-69 win over Benedictine on Saturday.

By RICK PETERSON

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Camden Barta 

CAMDEN BARTA, Seaman

Barta, a senior quarterback, scored the game's first touchdown on a 77-yard run and went on to a huge night in Seaman's 57-6 Class 5A home playoff win over Emporia Friday night. Barta finished the game with 318 passing yards and four touchdown passes on an 18 of 22 performance and added 87 rushing yards on just four carries as Seaman improved to 6-3 on the season.

 Carter Brian

CARTER BRIAN, Cair Paravel Latin

A senior quarterback, Brian completed 16 of 24 passes for 235 yards and six touchdowns as Cair Paravel moved to 9-0 on the season with Friday's 50-0 win over the Manhattan Eagles. Brian has now passed for 1,758 yards and 42 touchdowns on the season while completing 98 of 139 attempts without an interception.

Madeline Carter

MADELINE CARTER, Washburn Rural

Carter completed an outstanding junior season with a seventh-place individual finish in Saturday's Class 6A state cross country meet in a five-kilometer time of 18 minutes, 35.2 seconds. A two-time state medalist, Carter led the Junior Blues to a fourth-place team finish.

Bethany Druse

BETHANY DRUSE, Seaman

A two-time Class 5A state medalist, Druse completed her junior season with a sixth-place finish in the Class 5A state cross country meet in a time of 19:10.4. Druse, who led Seaman to a fourth-place team finish on Saturday, finished ninth at state as a sophomore.

Giles Frederickson

GILES FREDERICKSON, Washburn Rural

A senior place-kicker, Frederickson went 7 of 7 on extra-point kicks in Rural's 52-7 Class 6A playoff victory over Wichita West Friday night. After suffering a bite from a copperhead snake four weeks ago, Frederickson has returned to kick 13 of 13 PATs the past two weeks and is 89 of 91 in his career.

Tanner Newkirk

TANNER NEWKIRK, Hayden

Newkirk, a senior, earned his fourth Class 4A state medal with his third top-three finish in Saturday's state cross country meet, taking third place individually in 16:24.3. Newkirk, who captured city, Centennial League and regional titles this fall, previously posted state finishes of 12th as a freshman, second as a sophomore and first as a junior.

By RICK PETERSON

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Bethany Druse

BETHANY DRUSE, Seaman

A junior, Druse won three gold medals in last Friday's Joe Schrag City Invitational track and field championships, helping Seaman win the girls team championship by a 146-134 margin over Washburn Rural. Druse won the 1,600 meters in 5:23.31, the 800 in 2:19.96 and anchored the Vikings' 4 x 400 relay to a win in 4:15.31.

Kadence Jeffries

KADENCE JEFFRIES, Topeka West

Jeffries, a senior, posted a pair of individual wins in last Friday's city swimming and diving championships at the Capitol Federal Natatorium, remaining undefeated in individual events on the season. A four-time state champion, Jeffries won the 200-yard freestyle by nearly seven seconds in 1:54.55 and won the 500 free by 14 seconds in 5:04.85.

Tanner Newkirk

TANNER NEWKIRK, Hayden

Newkirk, a senior, set three boys city meet records in last Friday's Joe Schrag City Invitational track and field championships at Hummer Sports Park, winning the 1,600 meters in 4:10.88, the 800 in 1:55.69 and the 3,200 in 9:18.89 to lead the Wildcats to a second-place team finish behind Washburn Rural. 

Makenna Pritchard

MAKENNA PRITCHARD, Washburn Rural

A junior, Pritchard won two individual titles and swam on two second-place relays as Washburn Rural won its 19th straight city swimming and diving team title last Friday at the Capitol Federal Natatorium. Pritchard won the 50-yard freestyle in 24.98 seconds and the 100 free in 54.06 while also swimming on the runner-up 200 medley and 400 free relays as Rural won the title by a 601-440 margin over Seaman.

TAYLIN STALLBAUMER, Seaman

Stallbaumer, a sophomore, captured three gold medals in last Friday's Joe Schrag City Invitational track and field championships, helping lead Seaman to the girls team title by a 146-134 margin over Washburn Rural. Stallbaumer won the 100-meter hurdles in 16.25 seconds, the 300 hurdles in 49.21 seconds and ran a leg on the Vikings' 4 x 400 relay team, which won in 4:15.31.

Zach Sulzen-Watson

ZACH SULZEN-WATSON, Washburn Rural

Sulzen-Watson, a senior, won a pair of individual titles in last Friday's Joe Schrag City Invitational track and field championships at Hummer Sports Park, helping lead Washburn Rural's boys team to its fifth straight city team title. Sulzen-Watson won the shot put with a throw of 51 feet, 7.50 inches and the discus with a best of 163 feet as Rural won by a 138.5-126 margin over Hayden.

 By RICK PETERSON

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Audrey Appuhn

AUDREY APPUHN, Washburn Rural

Appuhn, a freshman swimming standout, was a part of four victories in her first Topeka City Championship Friday at the Capitol Federal Natatorium, helping lead Washburn Rural to its 20th straight city team championship. Appuhn won the 200-yard freestyle in 1 minute, 57.72 seconds and the 500 free in 5:11.08 and also swam on the Junior Blues' winning 200 medley relay (1:54.84) and 400 free relay (3:40.49). 

Ala'Jah Brooks

ALA'JAH BROOKS, Topeka West

A senior track and field standout, Brooks won three individual titles in Friday's Joe Schrag City Championship at Hummer Sports Park. Brooks won the long jump with a best of 16 feet, 7.50 inches, won the 400-meter dash in 57.26 seconds and won the 200 in 25.65 seconds. Brooks was the only athlete to win three individual events in the city meet.

Mason Casebeer

MASON CASEBEER, Washburn Rural

A senior tennis standout, Casebeer captured a pair of singles championships last week, including earning his third Class 6A state tournament berth Friday at Wichita. Casebeer opened his week with a Centennial League title, earning a 6-0, 6-1 win over Manhattan's Advith Nataraja in the final. Casebeer followed up his league title with a regional championship Friday at Riverside Tennis Center, taking a 6-1, 6-1 win over Wichita East sophomore Bo Lu to help Rural win the regional team title by a 19-15 margin over Manhattan.

By RICK PETERSON

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Carter Cool

CARTER COOL, Topeka West

Cool, a sophomore, won the No. 1 singles championship in his first city tennis tournament last Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center, helping the Chargers win the city team title. Cool took an 8-2 win over Shawnee Heights' Jaden Rodriguez in the final, clinching Topeka West's 28-27 win over Washburn Rural. Cool added second-place finishes in Saturday's Emporia tournament and Monday's Centennial League meet.

 Ian Cusick

IAN CUSICK, Topeka West

A sophomore, Cusick teamed with his twin brother, Miles, to win the No. 1 doubles championship in last Thursday's city tournament at Kossover Tennis Center, helping lead West to the city team crown. The Cusicks took an 8-1 win over Nick Luetje and Mason Casebeer of Washburn Rural in the final. The Cusicks also won a tournament title last Saturday in Emporia and claimed the Centennial League doubles crown with an 8-6 win on Monday.

Miles Cusick

MILES CUSICK, Topeka West

Cusick, a sophomore, teamed with twin brother Ian, to win the No. 1 doubles championship in last Thursday's city tournament at Kossover Tennis Center, helping West win the city team championship by a point. The Cusicks took an 8-1 win over Nick Luetje and Mason Casebeer of Washburn Rural in the final. The Cusicks also won a tournament title last Saturday in Emporia and claimed the Centennial League doubles crown Monday with an 8-6 win.

 Bethany Druse

BETHANY DRUSE, Seaman

Druse, a sophomore, posted a pair of girls distance wins in last Friday's Bob Camien/Claudia Welch Seaman Relays to remain undefeated, winning the 1,600 meters in a personal-best time of 5 minutes, 19.90 seconds and returning later in the evening to take the win in the 800 in 2:22.64.

 Luke Leonetti

LUKE LEONETTI, Washburn Rural

Leonetti, a junior, followed up his city boys golf championship with the individual title in Monday's Centennial League tournament at Village Greens Golf Course, shooting a 74 to win by two strokes. Leonetti led the Junior Blues to the Centennial team crown by 11 strokes (312-323) over Emporia.

Sam Shonka

SAM SHONKA, Washburn Rural

Shonka, a senior, claimed the boys high jump title in last Friday's Bob Camien/Claudia Welch Seaman Relays, posting a five-inch improvement over his previous season-best with a clearance at 6 foot, 6 inches.

By RICK PETERSON

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 JahnAsia Anderson

JAHNASIA ANDERSON, Seaman

In her first year competing in track and field as a senior, Anderson eclipsed her previous personal-best by more than a foot and a half en route to winning the Class 5A state girls shot put championship with a throw of 37 feet, 7 inches last Thursday at Wichita State's Cessna Stadium.

 NiJaree Canady

NiJAREE CANADY, Topeka High

Canady, a junior pitcher, turned in a masterful performance in the Class 6A state softball tournament, leading Topeka High to its first-ever state softball title. Canady recorded three complete-game performances, allowing just one unearned run while striking out 48 batters as the Trojans capped a perfect 25-0 season. Canady also hit the game-winning home run in a 1-0 semifinal win over Gardner-Edgerton.

By RICK PETERSON

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NiJAREE CANADY, Topeka High

Canady starred in the pitching circle and at the plate in the Class 6A state softball tournament, ending her high school career with a second straight state championship. The Stanford signee pitched in all three games for the 22-3 Trojans, including a complete-game four-hitter in the Trojans' 2-1 victory over city rival Washburn Rural in last Friday's state championship game. Canady had a home run and a double in the Trojans' 9-0 semifinal win over Wichita Northwest.

Adisyn Caryl

ADISYN CARYL, Topeka High

A junior, Caryl helped lead Topeka High to its second straight Class 6A state softball championship. Caryl had six hits in the state tournament, including two doubles and a home run, as the Trojans capped a 22-3 season with a 2-1 victory over Washburn Rural in last Friday's championship game. Caryl advanced to state in three sports -- tennis, basketball and softball -- for the second straight year and is a three-time state qualifier in tennis and basketball. 

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Alesecio Batson

ALESECIO BATSON, Topeka West

After advancing to the Class 5A state track and field championships as a freshman, the Topeka West sophomore captured a Class 5A state championship in the triple jump Friday at Wichita State's Cessna Stadium. Batson took the event lead on his first jump and went wire to wire for the title, jumping a best of 48 feet, 4.25 inches.

Finn Dunshee

FINN DUNSHEE, Hayden

The Wildcat sophomore won three Class 4A gold medals Saturday at Cessna Stadium, helping Hayden finish fifth as a team. Dunshee won the 100-meter dash in 10.84 seconds and also ran on the Wildcats' winning 4x100-meter and 4x400 relay teams. Hayden won the 4x100 relay in 42.65 seconds and the 4x400 in a 4A state meet-record time of 3:20.99.

Brinley Dyche

BRINLEY DYCHE, Rossville

A senior, Dyche picked up the pitching win in all three games as Rossvillle won its first Class 3A state softball title since 2000, capped by Friday's 2-0 win over Santa Fe Trail in the championship game. Dyche was credited with the victory in a 19-7 first-round win over Columbus,  pitched the Bulldawgs to a come-from-behind 6-4 win over Southeast-Saline in the semifinals and twirled a complete-game two-hitter In the title game while striking out 10 and not allowing a walk.