Hayden High School Wildcats
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Rick Strecker, a member of Hayden Catholic High School's first class of inductees into the school's Hall of Fame in 2021, passed away Saturday morning at the age of 67 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Rick Strecker, who led Hayden to five state titles and served his alma mater in a variety of roles, passed away Saturday after a battle with cancer. [File photo/TSN]
A 1976 Hayden graduate, Strecker served his alma mater as a physics and chemistry teacher, state championship coach, athletic director, principal and the school's president for nearly two decades before moving on to Blue Valley West in 2016.
Strecker, the student council president and athlete of the year as a senior at Hayden, led the Wildcats to three Class 4A state championships in girls basketball and two in track during his coaching career at the school.
“My time at Hayden will probably, except for my family, be the greatest blessing of my life,’’ Strecker told The Topeka Capital-Journal in 2016 after accepting his position at Blue Valley West. "To get the chance to go back there and coach with people like Jerry Simecka and Ben Meseke and Bobby Taul and work with them, but also to be in the same school where I went to high school and where my dad and mom and my grandparents went to high school has just been wonderful.''
Strecker continued to teach and coach in multiple sports at Blue Valley West, including serving as the Jaguars' head girls basketball coach, until being forced to step away after receiving his cancer diagnosis early in 2025.
Strecker was born on March 7, 1958, in Topeka to William and Theresa (Boos) Strecker.
He was baptized at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and attended St. Matthew’s grade school.
After graduating from Hayden High Strecker earned a bachelor's degree in physics from Benedictine College in 1980 and was also team captain of the basketball team.
He then earned an master's in physics from the Missouri-Kansas City in 1982 and an M.S. in education from the University of Kansas in 1999.
On August 22, 1987 Rick married Kathleen A. Rinella, and together they were blessed with four children.
Rick and Kathy met as teachers at Hayden and taught and coached together for many years. The Streckers lived in Topeka until 2016, when they relocated to Olathe after Kathy accepted a position at Rockhurst University and Rick a position at Blue Valley West.
Rick was recently honored to receive the Greater Kansas City Girls Basketball Lifetime Service Award.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his father in law, Anthony Rinella, grandparents Aloysius and Agnes Strecker, and Clemens and Amelia Boos, and his brother in law, John Whigham.
Rick is survived by his wife of 37 years, Kathy, and their children -- Jordan Strecker, Kristin (Seth) Wiedel, Shannon (Adam) Sova, and Mary Strecker (Grace Maddox). He was a proud grandfather to Nora, Tori, Leah, Matthew Wiede and Anthony Sova.
Strecker is also survived by his siblings -- Carol (Greg) Ingenthron, William (Dee) Strecker, Mark (Kris) Strecker and Scott (Heather) Strecker -- his mother in law, Susan Rinella, and his in-laws, Mike (Jennifer) Rinella, Ann Whigham, Mary (Peter) Lebourveau, Nancy (Chad) LaSala, and Christi (Mark) Douglas. He leaves behind many beloved cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends.
The Vigil Prayers will begin at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, at St. Paul Catholic Church, 21650 W. 115th Terrace, Olathe, followed by visitation from 5:15-8 p.m.
Words of remembrance will begin at 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, July 9, at St. Paul Catholic Church followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Wednesday, also at St. Paul.
Inurnment will follow immediately after at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Lenexa.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:
• Catholic Community Health Hospice.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The top Shawnee County athletes from the class of 2025 are getting ready to embark on their college careers while offseason preparations for the 2025-2026 school year are well under way.
But it's also important to remember the accomplishments that made the '24-'25 campaign a special one for county athletes and teams.
Shawnee County schools claimed three state girls team championships and seven others came up just short over the past school year while three county standouts combined to claim five individual titles in three different sports.
While a case can always be made for any number of stories to sit at the top of the list, here's just one opinion on the Top 10 county girls prep stories of '24-'25.
Washburn Rural soccer celebrates its first Class 6A state championship after a 1-0 win over Mill Valley in PKs. [Photo by KSHSAA Covered]
1. HISTORIC BREAKTHROUGH -- Washburn Rural, already well established as one of the state's premier girls soccer programs, added the only missing piece from its impressive resume with its first Class 6A state championship on May 31 in Wichita. Making their 11th straight Final Four appearance, including four runnerup state finishes, the Junior Blues broke through with a 1-0 win over Mill Valley, taking the win with a 4-1 edge in penalty kicks as senior Madison Lemke came up huge in goal for Brian Hensyel's 19-2-0 Rural team.
Seaman junior Ryin Miller won three gold medals in the 2025 Class 5A state track meet at Wichita, giving her five wins in her career. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
2. MILLER TIMES --Seaman superstar runner Ryin Miller capped off her junior track and field season by sweeping Class 5A state championships in her three individual events, taking wins in the 3,200 (10:19.53), 1,600 (4:57.33) and 800-meter (2:11.14) runs at Wichita State. Miller's three wins in 2025 gave her five career titles and came on the heels of a banner cross country season last fall, which included the fastest five-kilometer run in Kansas history (16:32.62) and a runnerup finish in the 5A state meet (17:26.36) by the Viking four-sport athlete.
Hayden senior Ainzley Zulueta earned her third Class 4A singles title last fall, leading the Wildcats to their second team title in three seasons. [File photo/TSN]
3. ZULUETA, WILDCATS BACK ON TOP --After sitting out her junior high shool tennis season due to KSHSAA eligibility guidelines, Zulueta returned to the courts last fall and turned in a dominating postseason performance (eight straight 6-0, 6-0 wins in regional and state competition) en route to her third Class 4A singles championship in as many tries while leading Hayden to its second team title in three seasons by a 40-28 margin over McPherson. In addition to Zulueta's title, Christy Sheetz's Wildcats got a runnerup doubles finish from senior Emily Sheetz and freshman Sophia Wichman, a ninth-place singles finish from junior Grace Funk and an 11th-place doubles showing from juniors Izzy Glotzbach and Avery O'Bray.
Hayden's girls golf team captured its second straight Class 4A state championship last fall by 15 strokes over Wellington. [Submitted photo]
4. REPEAT FEAT --Hayden rolled to its second straight Class 4A girls golf team championship last fall, posting a 698-713 win over Wellington at Hesston as three Wildcats earned individual medals. Junior Lauren Borjon paced Hayden with a third-place state finish (76-81 -- 157) while junior Izzy Glotzbach tied for 12th (89-82 -- 171) and senior Addyson Baer tied for 16th (86-88 -- 174). Glotzbach helped the Wildcats win state titles in tennis and golf three days apart.
Highland Park junior Makayla Cadet has her hand raised as the Class 5A 190-pound state champ last winter. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
5. A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY --Highland Park junior Makayla Cadet celebrated her 17th birthday in one of the best ways you could imagine last winter, with a Class 5A state wrestling championship. Cadet, who went 23-4 on the season, became the first girls wrestler in Highland Park history to win a state championship when she pinned Basehor-Linwood junior Izzy Renfro at the 1:36 mark of the first period in Park City. Cadet's win over Renfro avenged a regional loss to the Bobcat standout.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The 2024-2025 sports year was full of near-misses for Shawnee County boys teams, with Hayden bowling the lone team to garner a championship in a school year that included seven top-three state trophy finishes in six sports.
But individually there was plenty to celebrate, most notably for Washburn Rural on the wrestling mat and track as seven Junior Blues combined for all six county titles
Following is a pick by pick look at the TopSports.news Top 10 county boys prep stories of '24-'25:
Washburn Rural 2025 grad Easton Broxterman won his third straight Class 6A state wrestling title in his fourth straight trip to the state finals. [File photo/TSN]
1. DOMINATING FINISH TO DOMINATING CAREER -- Washburn Rural superstar wrestler Easton Broxterman put the capper on one of the top high school careers in Shawnee County history with his third straight Class 6A state championship in his fourth straight trip to the state finals, helping lead the Junior Blues to a third-place team finish in the 6A state tournament in Overland Park. Broxterman, who will wrestle collegiately at Army, finished off a 41-2 senior season with the 145-pound state title.
Hayden captured the school's first-ever state bowling title in 2025. [File photo/TSN]
2. ROLLING TO HISTORY --Hayden garnered the first state bowling championship in school history, winning the Class 4A-1A state event by a 3,666-3,571 margin over Mulvane as four Wildcats earned individual state medals. Trevor Christy rolled a 698 series to finish third individually while John Strickland finished fifth with a 685, Chase Blaser was seventh with a 676 and Reese Renyer placed 16th with a 636.
Washburn Rural 2025 grad Kristjan Marshall won back-to-back Class 6A state wrestling titles in '24 and '25.'[File photo/TSN]
Washburn Rural senior to be Landen Kocher-Munoz won his second Class 6A state wrestling titles in '25.'[File photo/TSN]
3. REPEAT FEAT --Washburn Rural wrestling stars Kristjan Marshall and Landen Kocher-Munoz captured the second Class 6A state titles of their careers as the Junior Blues finished third as a team. Marshall, a senior, won his second straight championship, winning the 157-pound crown to finish off a 37-5 season while Kocher-Munoz, a junior, won his second career championship in his third straight state final, winning at 138 pounds to finish 34-3 on the season.
Washburn Rural's Matthew Houser, Liam Morrison, Draden Chooncharoen and Isaiah Terry set the Class 6A state meet record in the 4x400 relay in the 2025 state meet. [File photo/TSN]
4. REPEAT FEAT PART II --Washburn Rural won the Class 6A state title in the 4x400-meter relay for the second straight season in the final event of the state meet at Wichita State's Cessna Stadium as senior Matthew Houser, junior Liam Morrison, junior Draden Chooncharoen and senior Isaiah Terry set a 6A state meet record in a winning time of 3 minutes, 16.23 seconds. Morrison, Chooncharoen and Terry ran on Rural's state-champion relay in both '24 and '25 while Houser won his first state title.
5. DOUBLING THEIR PLEASURE --In addition to helping Washburn Rural set a Class 6A state meet 4x400 relay record in the 2025 state meet, senior Isaiah Terry and junior Liam Morrison both doubled up with their first career individual state titles. Terry won the 400-meter dash in 47.92 seconds while Morrison won the 300 hurdles in 37.68 seconds. Terry and Morrison also both have a pair of state wins as part of the Junior Blues' 4x400 relay, giving them three career state golds.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
How successful was the 2021-22 sports year for Shawnee County high schools? Good enough that girls and boys individuals/teams deserve their own lists.
First up is TopSports.news' look at the county girls year in review, which will be followed by a look at the boys successes of the past year.
Shawnee County schools claimed three state girls team championships and several others came up just short while 10 county standouts claimed individual titles in four different sports.
While a case can always be made for any number of stories to sit at the top of the list, here's one opinion on the Top 10 Shawnee County girls prep stories of '21-'22:
Topeka High celebrates its second straight Class 6A state softball title after last Friday's 2-1 win over Washburn Rural. [Photo by Isaac Deer/TSN]
1. TROJAN RERUN -- After claiming the school's first Class 6A state softball championship in 2021, Topeka High made it two titles in a row last Friday against a familiar foe, with the Trojans edging past city and Centennial League rival Washburn Rural, 2-1, in the championship game. After leading High to a perfect 25-0 record as a junior, Stanford signee NiJaree Canady came up big again in the pitching circle and at the plate last weekend, leading the Trojans to the title.
Washburn Rural won its second Class 6A state basketball championship since 2019, taking a 40-23 win over Derby in the state final. [Submitted]
2. RURAL RULES --Washburn Rural's girls basketball team celebrated a 6A state championship for the second time since 2019, completing a 23-2 season with a 40-23 romp past Derby in the state final at Wichita State's Koch Arena. And while the basketball crown was the lone title for the Lady Blues in '21-'22, they threatened in sport after sport, finishing second in the state in golf, soccer, wrestling and softball and turning in strong cross country, volleyball and bowling campaigns.
Topeka West junior Kadence Jeffries ended her high school swimming career with a sweep of the Class 5A-1A 200 and 500 freestyle events for the third straight season. [File photo/TSN]
3. CHARGER IN CHARGE --The only thing that stopped Topeka West swimming star Kadence Jeffries during a dominating high school career was COVID-19. After sweeping the 200-yard freestyle and 500 free Class 5A-1A state titles as a freshman, Jeffries had her sophomore season wiped out by the pandemic beore returning to sweep the same two events as both a junior and senior to complete a six for six performance in state individual events. Seaman sophomore Avery Walz joined Jeffries as a 5A-1A state champ this past season, winning the 100-yard breaststroke and earning four state medals overall as the Vikings finished fourth as a team.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Class 6A state champion Washburn Rural and Class 4A-1A runnerup Hayden combined to earn nine of 12 first-team berths on the 2025 All-Centennial League girls soccer team, selected by league coaches.
Kate Hinck, Washburn Rural
Senior player of the year Kate Hinck leads six Washburn Rural players on the all-league team, with seniors Destiny Higgs, Zahra Friess, Delaney Hill and Madison Lemke and junior Dayne Shriver also earning first-team berths while Junior Blues coach Brian Hensyel was named the coach of the year and Rural sophomore Emery Hall was named the league newcomer of the year.
Destiny Higgs, Washburn Rural
Zahra Friess, Washburn Rural
Madison Lemke, Washburn Rural
Dayne Shriver, Washburn Rural
Delaney Hill, Washburn Rural
Hayden, which dropped a double overtime decision to Bishop Miege in the 4A-1A final, put senior Camryn McDonald and juniors Carsyn Broxterman and Reese Huscher on the All-Centennial first team.
Carsyn Broxterman, Hayden
Camryn McDonald, Hayden
Reese Huscher, Hayden
Topeka High junior Natalie Barnes also earned a first-team All-Centennial League spot after helping lead the Trojans to the 6A state quarterfinals.
Natalie Barnes, Topeka High
2025 All-Centennial League girls soccer
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural, which captured its first-ever Class 6A girls state championship this spring, put a city-high six players on the 15-member 2025 All-City girls soccer first team.
The All-City team is based on recommendations and voting from city coaches.
Rural is represented on the All-City first team by seniors Destiny Higgs, Kate Hinck, Addyson Kaberline, Zahra Friess and Madison Lemke and junior Dayne Shriver while Junior Blues coach Brian Hensyel was named the city coach of the year
Higgs, Hinck and Kaberline are all first-team repeat picks after helping Washburn Rural post a 19-2 rcord, capped by a 1-0 win over Mill Valley in penalty kicks (4-1).
Destiny Higgs, Washburn Rural
Kate Hinck, Washburn Rural
Addyson Kaberline, Washburn Rural
Zahra Friess, Washburn Rural
Madison Lemke, Washburn Rural
Dayne Shriver, Washburn Rural
Seaman, which advanced to the 5A state quarterfinals, is represented on the All-City team by seniors Anna Becker and Maegan Mills and junior Ava Golightley, with Becker a repeat pick and Mills receiving honorable mention in 2024.
Anna Becker, Seaman
Ava Golightley, Seaman
Hayden, which advanced to the 4A-1A championship game before losing in double overtime to Bishop Miege, put junior Carsyn Broxterman and senior Camryn McDonald on the All-City first team, with Broxterman a repeat selection and McDonald moving up to the first team after receiving honorable mention in 2024.
Carsyn Broxterman, Hayden
Camryn McDonald, Hayden
Shawnee Heights senior Izzy Van Fleet is a repeat first-team selection while T-Bird senior Bayli Benson was voted to the first team after receiving honorable mention a year ago.
Izzy Van Fleet, Shawnee Heights
Bayli Benson, Shawnee Heights
Rounding out the All-City first team are Highland Park sophomore Micah Williams and Topeka High junior Natalie Barnes.
Micah Williams, Highland Park
Natalie Barnes, Topeka High
Williams is a two-time All-City pick while Barnes earned All-City recognition for the first time after helping Topeka High reach the 6A quarterfinals.
ALL-CITY GIRLS SOCCER 2025
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Fourteen city players have earned All-State recognition from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association, including nine first-teamers.
Kate Hinck, Washburn Rural
Madison Lemke, Washburn Rural
Leading the way was Class 6A state champion Washburn Rural with five first-team picks, including senior forward of the year Kate Hinck and senior goalkeeper of the year Madison Lemke.
Zahra Friess, Washburn Rural
Delaney Hill, Washburn Rural
Destiny Higgs, Washburn Rural
Also earning first-team honors for the Junior Blues were senior forward Zahra Friess and senior midfielders Delaney Hill and Destiny Higgs while Rural coach Brian Hensyel was selected as the 6A coach of the year.
Carsyn Broxterman, Hayden
Camryn McDonald, Hayden
Class 4A-1A runnerup Hayden put junior forward Carsyn Broxterman and senior defender Camryn McDonald on the 4A-1A first team while Wildcat coach Klaus Kreutzer was named the coach of the year.
Seaman, a state quarterfinalist, is represented on the All-5A first team by senior midfielder Anna Becker and senior goalkeeper Maegan Mills.
Anna Becker, Seaman
Washburn Rural junior defender Dayne Shriver received second-team All-State honors in 6A while Seaman junior forward Ryin Miller was a second-team pick in 5A and Hayden junior forward Reese Huscher was a second-team selection in 4A-1A.
Highland Park sophomore forward Micah Williams and Seaman junior defender Addyson Shipp received All-5A honorable mention.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
State tournament qualifiers Silver Lake, Seaman, Shawnee Heights, Washburn Rural and Topeka High combined to earn 15 of 16 spots on the 2025 TopSports.news All-Shawnee County softball first team.
Silver Lake, the Class 3A runnerup for the second straight season, put four players on the first team, including Shawnee County player of the year Kendra Cook, while 5A state qualifiers Seaman and Shawnee Heights combined for six first-teamers and 6A state runnerup Washburn Rural and fellow 6A state qualifier Topeka High combined for five first-teamers.
Kendra Cook, Silver Lake
Topeka High freshman London Backman and Hayden freshman Blakely Walter were named the co-county newcomers of the year while Washburn Rural coach Joy Marie Galliart and Silver Lake coach Nick Hamilton share the county coach of the year award for the second straight year.
London Backman, Topeka High
Blakely Walter, Hayden
Cook is joined on the All-Shawnee County first team by Eagle seniors Taylor Zordel and Kira Lowrey and junior Kailyn Hanni after Silver Lake recorded a 25-7 record.
Taylor Zordel, Silver Lake
Kira Lowrey, Silver Lake
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake
Seaman put seniors Kaelyn O'Rourke, Raegan McConnell and Anna McLaughlin and junior Aubrey Warren on the first team after the Vikings posted a 20-9 record, including a 3-2 17-inning loss to Maize South in the opening round of the 5A state tournament.
Kaelyn O'Rourke, Seaman
Raegan McConnell, Seaman
Anna McLaughlin, Seaman
Aubrey Warren, Seaman
Washburn Rural, which went 22-8 and advanced to the 6A championship game before dropping an 8-7 decision to Olathe West, put Centennial League player of the year Olivia Koch, a sophomore, on the all-county first team along with juniors Henley Rapp and Reagan Chapman.
Olivia Koch, Washburn Rural
Reagan Chapman, Washburn Rural
Henley Rapp, Washburn Rural
Shawnee Heights, which posted a 20-7 record and dropped a 3-2 decision to eventual 5A state champion St. Thomas Aquinas in the first round of the 5A state tournament, is represented by seniors Taylor Brees and Grace Proctor.
Taylor Brees, Shawnee Heights
Grace Proctor, Shawnee Heights
State qualifier Topeka High put Backman and senior Jo'Mhara Benning on the all-county first team while Hayden senior Keira Carswell rounds out the all-county squad.
Jo'Mhara Benning, Topeka High
Keira Carswell, Hayden
2025 ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY SOFTBALL
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
City softball players earned seven of the 11 spots on the 2025 All-Centennial League team while sweeping the individual awards.
Olivia Koch, Washburn Rural
Washburn Rural sophomore Olivia Koch was named the Centennial League player of the year after helping lead the Junior Blues to a runnerup finish in the Class 6A state tournament while Topeka High freshman London Backman and Hayden freshman Blakely Walter were named the league's co-newcomers of the year and Hayden coach Cody Reynolds was selected by league coaches as the coach of the year.
London Backman, Topeka High
Blakely Walter, Hayden
Topeka High, which advanced to the 6A state tournament, put a league-high three players on the all-league first team -- Backman, senior Jo'Mhara Benning and sophomore Campbell Dawson.
Washburn Rural is represented on the first team by Koch and junior Reagan Chapman while Hayden put senior Keira Carswell and Walter on the first team.
Manhattan put junior Kat Ball and senior Isabelle Peabody on the all-league first team while Junction City is represented by senior Cassidy Miller and Emporia by junior Alivia Barrett.
Washburn Rural put senior Layla Collins, junior Henley Rapp, sophomore Justice McBurney and freshman Addalyn Boleski on the second team while Topeka High is represented by sophomore Madilyn Poole and Hayden by junior Emily Peterson and freshman Carley McAllister.
Nine city players earned all-league honorable mention.
ALL-CENTENNIAL LEAGUE SOFTBALL
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Fourteen Shawnee County standouts have received All-State recognition from the Kansas Softball Coaches Association, including nine first-team picks.
Silver Lake put four players on the All-Class 3A first team after advancing to the state championship game for the second straight season while state qualifiers Seaman and Shawnee Heights combined for four first-team All-5A selections and state runnerup Washburn Rural put sophomore standout Olivia Koch on the All-6A first team.
Kendra Cook, Silver Lake
Kira Lowrey, Silver Lake
Taylor Zordel, Silver Lake
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake
Silver Lake is represented on the All-3A first team by senior pitcher Kendra Cook, senior infielders Kira Lowrey and Taylor Zordel and junior outfielder Kailyn Hanni.
Kaelyn O'Rourke, Seaman
Raegan McConnell, Seaman
Grace Proctor, Shawnee Heights
Taylor Brees, Shawnee Heights
Seaman put senior pitcher Kaelyn O'Rourke and senior catcher Raegan McConnell on the All-5A team while Shawnee Heights is represented by senior pitcher Grace Proctor and senior infielder Taylor Brees.
Olivia Koch, Washburn Rural
Washburn Rural's Koch made the All-6A team as an outfielder after being named the Centennial League player of the year this spring.
Seaman junior infielder Aubrey Warren and senior outfielder Anna McLaughlin were named to the All-5A second team.
Topeka High sophomore outfielder Campbell Dawson and freshman infielder Landon Backman received All-6A honorable mention after helping the Trojans make it to the state tournament.
Hayden senior catcher Keira Carswell received honorable mention in 4A.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden senior Cooper Grace and Shawnee Heights senior Deacon Pomeroy headline the TopSports.news 2025 All-Shawnee County baseball team.
Cooper Grace, Hayden
Deacon Pomeroy, Shawnee Heights
Grace has been named the co-county player of the year for the second straight season while Pomeroy is a four-time all-county first-team pick.
Grace, a pitcher and third baseman, helped lead Hayden to a county-best 23-1 record and the Centennial League championship this spring while Pomeroy, a pitcher and catcher, helped lead Shawnee Heights to the United Kansas Conference title and a Class 5A state tournament berth.
Grace was earlier named the player of the year in the Centennial League and the co-player of the year in 4A by the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches while Pomeroy was named the UKC player of the year and a KABC All-5A first-team selection.
Hayden sophomore Caleb Menke, a first-team All-Centennial League pick at designated hitter, was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year while Shawnee Heights' Jason Brown was named the county coach of the year after leading the T-Birds to a 21-8 record and a 5A state tournament berth in his first season as Heights' head coach.
Grace and Silver Lake senior infielder Dysen Schooler are both three-time all-county first-team selections while Seaman senior catcher David Dobbs is a first-team repeater.
Dysen Schooler, Silver Lake
David Dobbs, Seaman
Axton Brewer, Seaman
Kade Mitchell, Hayden
Dobbs is joined on the all-county first team by sophomore pitcher/designated hitter Axton Brewer and Grace and Menke are joined on the first team by Wildcat senior infielder/pitcher Liam Annand and Hayden junior outfielder Kade Mitchell.
Logan Cathcart, Silver Lake
Silver Lake senior catcher Cooper Campidilli and senior pitcher Logan Cathcart join Schooler on the all-county first team after the Eagles advanced to the 3A state tournament.
Camdren Floberg, Shawnee Heights
Shawnee Heights junior Cambren Floberg, named the UKC pitcher of the year, was a first-team selection along with teammate Pomeroy while 6A state tournament qualifier Washburn Rural is represented on the first team by junior pitcher Isaac Ansley and junior infielders Austin Ditch and Nate Selm.
Isaac Ansley, Washburn Rural
Austin Ditch, Washburn Rural
Nate Selm, Washburn Rural
Rossville, a 2A-1A state tournament qualifier, is represented on the first team by junior pitcher Cameron Miller and junior infielder Canann Mitchell.
Cameron Miller, Rossville
2025 ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY BASEBALL
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Cooper Grace
COOPER GRACE, HAYDEN
Grace, a senior pitcher and third baseman, was named the Class 4A co-player of the year by the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches for the 2025 season while also being named the Centennial League player of the year after helping Hayden post a perfect record in the league while the Wildcats went 23-1 overall.
Kate Hinck
KATE HINCK, Washburn Rural
Hinck, a senior forward, finished her outstanding high school soccer career with 82 goals, setting the Junior Blues' career scoring record. Also a volleyball and basketball standout for Washburn Rural, Hinck scored 28 goals as a senior as the Junior Blues capped a 19-2-0 season with the school's first Class 6A state title, taking a 1-0 (4-1 penalty kicks) decision over Mill Valley in the state final.
Ryin Miller
RYIN MILLER, Seaman
Miller, a junior track star, swept her three individual events in the Class 5A state track and field championships at Wichita, giving her five individual state titles for her career. Miller won the 3,200 meters in 10:19.53, the 1,600 in 4:57.33 and the 800 in 2:11.14. Miller also teamed with seniors Taylie Heston, Jaida Stallbaumer and Ally Steiner to finish fourth in the 4x400 relay in 4:03.44.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman junior Ryin Miller, who has established herself as one of Kansas' all-time distance greats in three high school seasons, headlines the 2025 All-Shawnee County girls track and field team after sweeping Class 5A state titles in her three individual events last weekend at Wichita.
Ryin Miller, Seaman
Miller, who has now won five 5A state track titles over the past two seasons, won Friday's 3,200 meters in 10 minutes, 19.53 seconds before doubling up in Saturday's 1,600 meters in 4:57.33 and the 800 in 2:11.14 and adding a fourth state medal when she anchored the Vikings' 4x400 relay to a fourth-place finish (4:03.44).
Morgan Ray, Washburn Rural
Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka HIgh
Payton Fink, Washburn Rural
Miller was Shawnee County's only state champion, but Washburn Rural junior Morgan Ray was the state runnerup in the 6A javelin (138 feet, 1 inch) and Topeka High sophomore Ahsieyrhuajh finished second in the 6A triple jump (37-4.25) and Rural senior Rylee Ismert, junior Emily Graf, senior Brooklyn Nolte and senior Payton Fink finished second in the 4x800 relay (9:29.84).
Fink also finished fifth in the 3,200 (10:59.39) and fifth in the 1,600 (5:09.90) while Rural sophomore Kailyn Petersen was fourth in the discus (124-6) and seventh in the shot put (36-6.75) and senior Molly Worley placed seventh in the long jump (17-2.75) and eighth in the high jump (5-2).
Seaman seniors Taylie Heston, Jaida Stallbaumer and Ally Steiner teamed with Miller for the fourth-place finish in the 5A 4x400 relay while the Vikings also put senior Grace Jowers and sophomores Kinley Robinson and Brynn Spencer on the all-county team.
Hayden senior Bella Reid, Rossville junior Rylee Dick and Silver Lake freshman all earned state medals in the 100-meter hurdles en route to earning all-county berths while also earning first-team spots were Topeka High junior Keimara Marshall, Highland Park senior Ke'Ahjahnae Rice, Silver Lake sophomore Ali Gerber and Rural junior Kenzie Maddox, who were all state qualifiers.
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High
All-Shawnee County selections were picked on the basis of meeting minimum standards established by local coaches as well as coaches' recommendations and performances in postseason competition.
ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY 2025 GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural, which captured three Class 6A state championships, including a state-meet record, headlines the 2025 All-Shawnee County boys track and field team.
Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural
Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural
Matthew Houser, Liam Morrison, Draden Chooncharoen, Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural
Rural senior Isaiah Terry won the 6A state title in the 400-meter dash in 47.92 seconds and junior Liam Morrison won the 300 hurdles in 37.68 before Morrison and Terry teamed with senior Matthew Houser and junior Draden Chooncharoen for a 6A meet-record time of 3:16.23 in the 4x400 relay.
Peyton Holmes, Seaman
Bryce Cochran, Seaman
Brody Anderson, Seaman
Seaman senior Peyton Holmes was the 5A runnerup in the 100 dash (10.82) while Viking senior Bryce Cochran finished third in the 400 (48.85) and Seaman junior Brody Anderson placed third in the 800 (1:55.52).
Ben Roeder, CPLS/Topeka High
Senior Ben Roeder, who competed for Cair Paravel Latin in postseason after running for Topeka High in the regular season, finished third in the 2A 400 (49.37).
Silver Lake's foursome of seniors Trent Rollenhagen and Evan Scheid and juniors Joel Miller and Braxton Rupp posted a third-place finish in the 3A 4x100 relay (42.57).
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden
Despite missing the state meet after an injury at regionals, Hayden senior multi-time state champion Jensen Schrickel earned All-City honors for the fourth straight season.
In addition to its state champions, Washburn Rural put seniors Braylon Badger, Ben Buesing, Connor Olsen and Chris Quarles, junior Brooks Kehoe and sophomore Christian Hartman-Babb on the All-City team.
Adrian Lehman and Mark Wilkie, Topeka West
Topeka West is represented on the All-City team by senior distance standouts Adrian Lehman and Mark Wilkie, who were both 5A state medalists, while Shawnee Heights senior Liam Benz and Seaman sophomore Jack Esser were also state medalists.
All-Shawnee County picks were based on meeting minimum performance standards as well as coaches' recommendations and postseason performances.
ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY 2025 BOYS TRACK AND FIELD
The 2025 All-Shawnee County boys golf team: From left -- Jack Donovan, Rossville; Higgins Hawks, Washburn Rural; Tadd Armstrong, Washburn Rural; Tagan Monasmith, Washburn Rural; Tagen Rodriguez, Hayden; James Kuta, Hayden. Not pictured: Mateo Garcia, Hayden. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
First-team repeat selections Tadd Armstrong of Washburn Rural, Jack Donovan of Rossville and Hayden's James Kuta and Tagen Rodriguez headline the 2025 All-Shawnee County boys golf team.
Seniors Armstrong and Kuta finished one-two in the city tournament, with Armstrong winning the title in a playoff, while Kuta and Rodriguez, a junior, both posted top-10 finishes in the Class 4A state tournament as Hayden finished second as a team and Donovan was a regional champion as a junior and earned a sixth-place tie in 2A-1A, his second straight state medal
Washburn Rural, which won its 15th straight city team championship, is also represented on the All-Shawnee County team by senior Tagan Monasmith and junior Higgins Hawks while Hayden also put junior Mateo Garcia on the first team.
All-Shawnee County capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Twelve Shawnee County standouts have received All-State recognition from the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches, including four first-team picks.
Hayden senior Cooper Grace has been named the Class 4A co-player of the year by the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden senior Cooper Grace was named the co-player of the year in Class 4A and a first-team pick as a pitcher after helping the Wildcats to a 23-1 record this spring.
Shawnee Heights senior Deacon Pomeroy has been named to the All-Class 5A first team by the KABC. [File photo/TSN]
Seaman sophomore Axton Brewer has been named to the KABC All-Class 5A first team as a designated hitter and was a second-team pick as a pitcher. [Seaman baseball]
Shawnee Heights senior pitcher and catcher Deacon Pomeroy made the All-5A first-team as utility player while Seaman sophomore Axton Brewer was named to the KABC All-5A first team as a designated hitter and was a second-team pick as a pitcher.
Silver Lake senior Logan Cathcart has been named first-team All-State in Class 3A by the KABC. [File photo/TSN]
Silver Lake senior pitcher Logan Cathcart earned first-team All-State honors in 3A after helping lead the Eagles to a state tournament berth.
Shawnee Heights junior pitcher Cambren Floberg was a second-team pick in 5A while Hayden junior outfielder Kade Mitchell was a second-team selection in 4A and Silver Lake senior catcher Cooper Campidilli and senior infielder Dysen Schooler were second-team honorees in 3A and Rossville junior infielder Canann Mitchell and senior outfielder Logan Kufahl were both second-team selections in 2A-1A.
Seaman senior infielder Bryer Finley and Rossville junior pitcher Cameron received honorable mention in 5A and 3A, respectively.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Silver Lake's Dayne Johnson and Kailyn Hanni, Rossville's Jack Donovan and Seaman's Ryin Miller, who recently completed their junior years of high school, were honored Tuesday night at The Foundry as the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency 2025 Rising Stars of the year.
Silver Lake's Dayne Johnson and Rossville's Jack Donovan were named the Dan Key Farmers Agency 2025 co-male Rising Stars of the Year Tuesday night while Silver Lake's Kailyn Hanni and Seaman's Ryin Miller were named the co-female winners. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Donovan and Johnson were named the co-boys winners while Hanni and Miller shared the girls honor.
The four overall winners were picked from five girls and boys finalists chosen from weekly Rising Stars who were selected through the 2024-2025 school year.
Johnson was a football, basketball and baseball standout for the Eagles while Donovan was a football and basketball standout and a state golf medalist for the Bulldawgs.
Hanni helped lead Silver Lake to runnerup Class 3A state finishes in basketball and softball this past season and has been a state champion in basketball and golf while Miller won three individual 5A state track championships last weekend in Wichita, was the state runnerup in cross country and basketball and was a 5A state basketball champion as a sophomore.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden senior Cooper Grace has received Centennial League player of the year recognition from league coaches for the second straight season after helping lead the Wildcats to an undefeated league title and a 23-1 record overall.
Hayden senior Cooper Grace has been named the Centennial League baseball player of the year after helping lead the Wildcats to the undefeated league title. [File photo/TSN]
Grace, who shared the player of the year honor with Topeka High's Nate Plankinton in 2024, was one of five Hayden players to receive first-team honors.
Hayden's Bill Arnold has been named the Centennial League baseball coach of the year after the Wildcats won the undefeated league title. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden's Bill Arnold was voted the Centennial coach of the year.
Grace was a first-team pick as a pitcher and is joined on the first team for the Wildcats by senior infielder Liam Annand, junior outfielders Kade Mitchell and Aiden Roberts and sophomore designated hitter Caleb Menke.
Washburn Rural, which posted a 15-12 record and advanced to Class 6A state tournament this spring, is represented on the first team by junior infielder Austin Ditch while Junior Blues junior pitcher Isaac Ansley, sophomore pitcher Tyler Edmiston and junior infielder Nate Selm all earned second-team honors.
Hayden junior pitcher Connor Hanika, sophomore infielder Mason Becker, senior outfielder Brady Heinen and junior catcher Brady Deutsch were second-team picks along with Topeka High junior utility player Drayden Acosta. .
A total of four city players received all-league honorable mention.
Manhattan freshman Asher Newton was named the league's newcomer of the year.
ALL-CENTENNIAL LEAGUE BASEBALL
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
WICHITA – Hayden made a valiant attempt at ending Bishop Miege’s dynasty in Class 4-1A soccer, but the Stags outlasted the Wildcats 2-1 in double overtime to extend their title strike to nine.
Hayden soccer receives its Class 4A-1A runnerup trophy and medals after Saturday's 2-1 double-overtime loss to Bishop Miege. [Photo by Mac Moore/KSHSAA Covered]
The Wildcats struck first 10 minutes into the game when freshman Hailey Schmidtlein scored off an assist from junior Carsyn Broxterman.
Hayden celebrates freshman Hailey Schmidtlein's early goal in Saturday's 2-1 double-overtime loss to Bishop Miege. [Photo by Rick Peterson Jr./KSHSAA Covered]
Junior goalkeeper Lauren Borjon and Hayden’s defenders made that lead stand up until 13:50 left in the second half when Miege’s Kristina Eskrine converted on a penalty kick after Hayden was called for a handball in the box off a corner kick.
Miege capitalized on a corner again to score the winning goal two minutes into the second overtime. Rowan Epps headed in a perfectly-placed kick from Gaby Calderon to end it.
Hayden junior Carsyn Broxterman (4) battles for the ball in Saturday's 2-1 double-overtime loss to Bishop Miege in the Class 4A-1A state title game. [Photo by Rick Peterson Jr./TSN]
“Our effort was good, our performance was good,” Hayden coach Klaus Kreutzer told KSHSAA Covered. “We were unlucky on the handball to give them the PK, but give (the Stags) credit. You have to play your best in order to compete with them.
“It wasn’t for a lack of effort on our team. We were prepared and we’re looking forward to being back here next year.”
After Schmidtlein’s early goal, opportunities were limited for Hayden, but the Wildcats hung tough on defense against a Miege squad that handed them a 4-0 loss early in the season.
“(Scoring early) gave us a pretty good boost of confidence and helped us finish the first half,” Kreutzer said. “As much as they attacked, I think we defended very well back there.
“Miege is tough to defend. They put the ball where their runners are and that’s how they make the connection.”
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden girls soccer posted a 2-0 road win at Louisburg in Wednesday's Class 4A-1A semifinal, earning a spot in the state championship game.
Now 13-7-0 on the season, Hayden will play at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Wichita's Stryker Sports Complex against eight-time defending state champion Bishop Miege (15-5-0), which advanced to the state final with a 2-1 win at Rose Hill.
Hayden junior Carsyn Broxterman (4) scored a goal on a penalty kick in Wednesday's 2-0 Class 4A-1A semifinal win at Louisburg. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden is the last school other than Miege to win the 4A-1A title, with the Wildcats capturing the 2015 crown. The Wildcats took a 1-0 double-overtime semifinal win over the Stags in 2015 en route to the title.
Bishop Miege and Hayden played earlier this season, with Miege taking a 4-0 victory at Hayden.
Katie Uhl scored the only goal the Wildcats would need against Louisburg off an assist from Reese Huscher before Hayden added an insurance goal on a penalty kick from Carsyn Broxterman.
