Seaman Vikings

By RICK PETERSON                                                                                                          

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural junior boys swimming standout Daniel Allen and Seaman freshman girls basketball player Baylee Ayres have been selected by the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency as the Rising Stars of the Week.

The Dan Key Agency will recognize top Shawnee County underclassmen throughout the bulk of the 2025-2026 school year.

Here's a brief look at the recent accomplishments of Allen and Ayres over the past week.

Daniel Allen, Washburn Rural

DANIEL ALLEN, Washburn Rural

After a season away from high school swimming, Allen has returned to post seven wins and a second-place finish in eight races for Washburn Rural to open the 2025-2026 season.

Allen opened the season in last week's Topeka West Invitational with individual wins in the 200-yard freestyle and 100 butterfly while also swimming on the Junior Blues' winning 200 free relay and runnerup 400 free relay.

Allen followed that up with four wins in Wednesday's Hayden Invitational, winning the 200 individual medley and 100 freestyle and swimming on Rural's winning 200 medley and 200 free relays. 

Baylee Ayres, Seaman

BAYLEE AYRES, Seaman

After making her high school debut with four points in a season-opening loss to Piper, Ayres followed that up with a game-high 14 points on Tuesday as Seaman picked up its first victory of the season in a 65-18 United Kansas Conference romp past Lansing.

Ayres, who did not enter the game until the second quarter, connected on 5 of 7 field goal attempts and hit 4 of 6 free throws against the Lions.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Topeka West boys basketball coach Christian Ulsaker wasn't happy that his team was outscored 23-6 by Seaman in the fourth quarter of Friday's United Kansas Conference game.

Topeka West senior Keimani Paul scored 15 first-half points in the Chargers' 71-57 UKC road win over No. 2-ranked Seaman. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

"I told them that fourth quarter's going to give me nightmares tonight,'' Ulsaker said. "I wasn't overly pleased with it and I said, 'Guys, when you come off the bench you guys are not just role players you're part of this team and we've got to make sure we finish the game where we started.'

"But I was pretty happy with the game other than that.'' 

And thanks to a dominant performance by the Chargers over the first three quarters, the finish was little more than a coaching talking point as No. 4-ranked Topeka West stayed unbeaten with a decisive 71-57 road win over No. 2-ranked Seaman.

Topeka West, now 3-0 overall and 2-0 in the UKC, never trailed on the night after exploding out of the gate with a 30-point opening quarter to take command at 30-11.

The Chargers hit about everything they put up over the first eight minutes, including four 3-pointers.

"We were shooting about 70 percent from the field over the first two games and I said, 'That's pretty unrealistic to maintain,' but I think after watching the film we might still be shooting 70 percent from the field,'' Ulsaker said.

The Chargers' pace slowed down somewhat in the second quarter, but West outscored the Vikings 15-10 to take a huge 45-21 advantage to the locker room at the half as seniors Keimani Paul and Malakyah Duncan combined for 25 points.

West continued to pour it on in the third quarter, leading by as many as 33 points and forcing a running clock over the final eight minutes with a 65-34 advantage.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

As a three-time All-Shawnee County first-teamer and by far Seaman's most experienced player, a lot is expected out of Maddie Gragg.

And the senior star delivered in a big way Friday night, posting game-high totals of 24 points and 16 rebounds to power the No. 7-ranked Vikings to a home 45-26 United Kansas Conference victory over Topeka West.

Seaman senior Maddie Gragg scored 24 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in Friday's 45-26 UKC win over Topeka West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

"I had a talk with her about what a senior leader needs to do and that's what she needs to do,'' Seaman coach Matt Tinsley said. "I told her after the game, she played hard on both ends of the floor. She played a full game today, and other girls stepped up, too.''

Topeka West, 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the UKC, jumped out to an 8-5 first-quarter lead, but the Vikings used a 12-2 second quarter to take a 17-10 halftime advantage and continued to pad their advantage in the second half en route to improving to 2-1 overall and in the conference.

Seaman opened up an 11-point advantage (29-18) lead at the end of the third stanza and led by as many as 24 points in the fourth on the way to the 19-point win.

Tinsley said the Viking were trying to play at too frantic of a pace offensively in the first half, but got things under control as the game wore on.

"The first half, I told the girls on a scale of one to 10 our offensive pace was 12 out of 10,'' Tinsley said. "We were highway driving in the city. We were running stop signs, we were hitting parked cars, we were all over the place.

"I threw out that we needed to play at a six or seven out of 10 and slow down the pace down a little bit and be strong with it and you saw that in the second half. We were more in control and our defense and rebounding, that was 12 out of 10. We got after it, and I was really proud of that.'' 

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

The Cair Paravel girls matched their win total for all of last season Friday, following up their Waverly Tournament title with a 39-12 romp past Heritage Christian School.

Sophomore London Backman led Cair Paravel with 18 points in Friday's 39-12 win over Heritage Christian. [Photo by Barry Benteman/Special to TSN]

The Lions defeated Waverly and Northeast Kansas Homeschool in the last weekend’s tournament, falling to Burlingame, but winning the event based on defensive points allowed.

“It was a great way to start the year. It got us all pumped and we’re holding that to keep us going,” said sophomore London Backman, who led the Lions with 18 points against Heritage. “I’m so excited for this season to keep on growing.”

The tournament championship was a big accomplishment for a team that didn’t have enough players to practice five-on-five a year ago. The Lions’ roster now consists of 14 players, seven of whom are freshmen.

“Last year we only had six, maybe eight girls, and we were still a strong team. We just struggled with (not having) many people on the bench,” said Backman. “Now it really helps with all that support.”

Backman dropped four three-pointers and directed the offense from the point. Nine Lions got into the scoring column Friday.

“Having the numbers on the bench is so helpful, just having more voices, cheering each other on, just that camaraderie,” said Cair Paravel coach Jayley Barkley. “We have a lot of freshmen, so it is super cool to see almost all of those freshmen got in tonight. It’s just fun to see the joy on their faces. Even when they don’t get in, the encouragement they give on the bench is huge.”

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Hayden, which advanced to the Class 3A state championship game for the third straight season, and 1A finalist Rossville combined for nine of Top 22 spots on TopSports.news' 2025 All-Shawnee County football team while the Wildcats and Bulldawgs swept offensive and defensive player of the year honors.

Kade Mitchell, Hayden

Canann Mitchell, Rossville

Jude Krentz, Hayden

Hayden senior all-purpose standout Kade Mitchell and Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell were named the co-offensive players of the year for 2025 while Hayden senior Jude Krentz was named the defensive player of the year.

Kade Mitchell carried the ball 106 times for 1,003 yards, caught 23 passes for 471 yards and scored 22 total touchdowns while Canann Mitchell rushed for 1,162 yards and 21 touchdowns on 167 carries and completed 123 of 184 passes for 1,771 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Krentz led the Hayden defense with 120 tackles (61 solo) while recording six tackles for loss and picking off two passes.

Hayden's Bill Arnold and Rossville's Derick Hammes were named the co-coaches of the year while Rossville junior lineman Charlie Chance was tapped as the defensive newcomer of the year and Silver Lake freshman quarterback Kipton Kruger was named the offensive newcomer of the year.

Chance was in on 54 tackles with 14 tackles for loss and three sacks while Kruger completed 178 of 252 passes for 2,158 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Kade Mitchell and Krentz are Top 22 repeat selections, along with Seaman senior Cameron Brian, Rossville senior Conner Bush, Silver Lake senior Dayne Johnson and Shawnee Heights senior Aiden Scott.  

Hayden, which posted a 12-1 record this fall, is also represented on the Top 22 by seniors Xander Blasing, Connor Hanika and Julian McGivern and junior Mason Becker while Rossville senior Andre Johnson joins Bush and Canann Mitchell on the Top 22 after the Bulldawgs posted an 11-2 record, with both losses coming against state champions.

Washburn Rural, which posted a 6-4 record, is represented on the Top 22 by seniors Jayden Cooper, Brody Haas and John Hoytal and junior Jadyn Baum.

Senior Noah Kobuszewski joins Brian on the first team for Seaman while senior Jayden Waterer joins Dayne Johnson on the Top 22 for Silver Lake and senior AJ Gallegos joins Scott on the first team for Shawnee Heights.

Meadowlark Conference champion Highland Park put senior Tremaine Savage and junior G'Honi Montgomery on the Top 22 while Topeka High is represented by multi-time All-Centennial League selection Malachi Murph

All 10 Shawnee County high schools have representatives on either the Top 22, Second 22 or honorable mention list. Five county teams posted six or more wins this fall and four teams posted at least one win in the playoffs. 

TopSports.news selected the 2025 All-Shawnee County team after receiving input from county head coaches.

All-Shawnee County Top 22 capsules:

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

The new-era Seaman girls recorded their first win Tuesday, blasting visitor Lansing 65-18 in a home United Kansas Conference contest.

Freshman Baylee Ayres led Seaman with 14 points in Tuesday's 65-18 UKC win over Lansing. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

The Vikings, who are replacing four starters and a ton of production from last year’s state runnerup, rebounded from a tough loss in the season opener against Piper last Tuesday.

“It’s good to get the smiles again,” Seaman coach Matt Tinsley said. “I told the girls, ‘Show me that you learned from the first game. Show me that you learned from the practices we had after that.' And I thought the girls did that tonight. I saw a lot of growth just in those few practices we had and that game.”

The Vikings’ rebuilding effort took a step forward with a big second half. Shots started falling and newcomers got in the groove. Junior Brynn Spencer and freshman Kallie Zurmely combined to knock down five of six attempts from beyond the arc after halftime.

But it was another freshman, Baylee Ayres, who led the Vikings in scoring with 14 after not even playing in the first period. After recording four points in the loss to Piper, Ayers connected on five of seven field goal attempts and four of six free throws against Lansing.

“It’s not a surprise,” Tinsley said of Ayers. “We see her effort in practice. She gave us a nice lift. She brings a lot of energy, she’s athletic, and she plays that to her strengths. She’ll continue to get better with confidence.”

The Vikings were hoping to get right against an opponent who had been blown out in its first two outings. But the Lions hung around for more than 13 minutes before it got away. After Seaman ran out to a 13-2 lead, Lansing fought back. By scoring nine points early in the second quarter, Lansing cut the Seaman lead to 17-13. That point total eclipsed the Lions’ average of 10 points from their first two losses.

Seaman responded to the threat by running off 13 unanswered points to extend its halftime lead to 30-13.

Nine different Vikings scored, with four players tallying at least nine points. But it was the defense that produced the rout. Seaman swarmed the Lions, allowing the visitors just one field goal in the second half. In fact, Lansing was permitted just 20 field goal attempts in the contest, of which they hit just six.

Senior Maddie Gragg (32) scored 12 points for Seaman in Tuesday's 65-18 UKC win over Lansing. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

For senior Maddie Gragg, a key contributor to back-to-back tournament runs, getting the win helped ease the pain of the rocky start.

“It was rough from the beginning,” Gragg said of the ongoing transition. “I think the first game, everybody was just really nervous. But I think this game was definitely better for us because it’s a lower level (of competition) and everyone got to step up to the plate and score and contribute to it.”

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

The Seaman Vikings' all-senior starting lineup scored all 71 of the team’s points Tuesday in a battle with Lansing that was closer than the 14-point margin would indicate.

Senior Landon Wiltz scored 23 points to lead Seaman in Tuesday's 71-57 UKC home win over Lansing. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

The Vikings followed up an opening-night win over Piper by downing the Lions 71-57 at Seaman. The home team led from start to finish, but saw its margin cut to three points at the end of the third period. Still leading by just five with 2:39 remaining, the Vikings put the pedal down, outscoring the winless Lions 12-3 the rest of the way.

“I told the guys after the game what I was impressed with was our defensive adjustments,” said Seaman coach Craig Cox. “Once they got into a flow and figured out what was working for them, we were able to play some better help-defense and take away some of those post-entries and make it a little bit tougher on them down the stretch.”

The Vikings struggled to contain Lansing junior Deacon Manthe, a 6-foot-7 forward who drove to find open jumpers and sliced on the baseline to get to the rim. Manthe hit six of seven shots in the first half, but was held scoreless in the third period before hitting three shots to fire the Lansing comeback.

“He’s going to rise up and shoot it over the top of you, and he’s got such a soft touch, he’s a tough kid to guard,” Cox said. “He definitely makes them better at every position.”

Seaman didn’t need senior KaeVon Bonner to repeat his 37-point outburst against Piper. The Vikings got 23 points from Landon Wiltz and 15 from Griffin Zuniga. Carter Brian scored all seven of his points in the first period. And Matthew McConnaughey hit five of six free throws for all of his points.

Senior KaeVon Bonner scored 21 points and dished out 10 assists in Seaman's 71-57 UKC win over Lansing. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

That kind of output from the starters takes pressure off Bonner, who dished out 10 assists to go with his 21 points.

“I think that as we progress, that will become more of what we try to develop, not putting it entirely in (KaeVon’s) hands,” Cox said.

Lansing held Seaman scoreless for the final four minutes of the second period, cutting a 14-point deficit to five. But Wiltz received a pass from Bonner and buried a three-pointer at the buzzer to send Seaman to the locker room with an eight-point lead.

“It was a little closer at the end of the second quarter and then I feel like that three at the end really changed that, gave us momentum,” Wiltz said. “When (KaeVon) drives, you’ve always got to be ready because he’s not looking at you half the time (when he passes to you) so you’ve got to be ready and ready to shoot it down.”

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Daniel Allen

DANIEL ALLEN, Washburn Rural

Allen, a junior, returned to high school swimming after a year away with three wins and a second-place finish in the season-opening Topeka West Invitational last Wednesday at the Capitol Federal Natatorium. Allen won the 200-yard freestyle and 100 butterfly individually and swam on the Junior Blues' winning 200 free relay and runnerup 400 free relay.

KaeVon Bonner

KAEVON BONNER, Seaman

A senior basketball standout, Bonner opened the 2025-2026 season with a 37-point performance in last Tuesday's 83-75 home United Kansas Conference victory over No. 2-ranked (Class 5A) Piper. Bonner hit 10 of 18 shots from the field with three 3-pointers while connecting on 14 of 17 free throws.

Malakyah Duncan

MALAKYAH DUNCAN, Topeka West

Duncan, a senior basketball standout, scored a game-high 26 points Friday as Topeka West opened the season with an 81-54 United Kansas Conference home romp past De Soto. Duncan hit 9 of 13 shots from the floor with three 3-pointers for the No. 7-ranked (Class 5A) Chargers.    

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Topeka West boys basketball doesn't necessarily have a go-to player.

Instead, Christian Ulsaker's Chargers have four or five players that can fill that role on any given night, which could make Topeka West a very dangerous team over the course of the 2025-2026 season.

opeka West senior Loc Duncan (12) led all scorers with 26 points Friday as the Chargers opened their season with an 81-54 UKC win over De Soto. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

West's balance was on full display in Friday's 81-54 United Kansas Conference home victory over De Soto, with senior Loc Duncan leading the way with a game-high 26 points while all five West starters cracked double figures.

Junior Prince Lassiter scored 18 points in Friday's 81-54 UKC Topeka West win over De Soto. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Topeka West senior JayVeon Traylor slams home a dunk in Friday's 81-54 Charger win over De Soto. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Junior Prince Lassiter backed Duncan with 18 points, while senior Jay'Veon Traylor added 12 points and seven rebounds, senior Gad Munganga 11 points and senior Keimani Paul 10.

"Thankfully our guys don't have a huge ego,'' Ulsaker said. "I've got guys like Loc standing next to me and he understands that nobody's above the team, so they get what they need to do.

"If it's Kei's night, he's OK with that. If it's Jay'Veon's night he's OK with that. Tonight it was just Loc's night.''

Duncan agreed with his coach that the Chargers have the firepower to share the wealth.

"I absolutely agree with that,'' Duncan said. "Everybody in the whole starting five can get going and it can be anybody's night any given night.

"If teams try to key on me that leaves my other teammates open, to get open easy buckets for them. They can't really key on one person because we've got five guys that can do anything.''

Both Munganga and Duncan hit three 3-pointers apiece as West, currently ranked No. 7 in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, finished with eight 3s as a team. 

The Chargers went wire to wire for the victory, opening up a 17-11 first-quarter advantage and taking a 31-24 lead into the locker room at halftime.

West boosted its lead to double-digits at 53-41 by the end of the third quarter and the Chargers turned the game into a rout with a 28-13 fourth quarter.

Senior Brayan Salas led De Soto (0-1, 0-1) with 15 points while senior Dylan Narayan added 10 for the Wildcats.  

TOPEKA WEST BOYS 81, DE SOTO 54

De Soto         11 13 17 13 -- 54

Topeka West 17 14 22 28 -- 81

De Soto (0-1, 0-1) – Patterson 3-8 1-2 9, Dickinson 4-11 1-4 9, Narayan 5-6 0-0 10, Salas 7-19 1-3 15, Krier 1-3 0-0 2, Rapp 1-2 3-3 5, Brady 0-2 0-0 0, Morton 1-1 0-0 2, Hastings 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 23-54 6-12 54. 

Topeka West (1-0, 1-0) – Munganga 4-9 0-0 11, Traylor 5-8 1-3 12, Duncan 9-13 5-8 26, Paul 3-6 3-3 10, Lassiter 6-8 6-6 16, Ware 1-3 0-2 2, Phillips 0-2 0-0 0, Fox 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 29-50 15-22 81.

3-point goals – De Soto 2 (Patterson 2), Topeka West 8 (Munganga 3, Duncan 3, Traylor, Paul). Total fouls – De Soto 14, Topeka West 13. Fouled out – none. Technical fouls -- De Soto (pre-game dunk), Munganga, Duncan.

Wildcat girls ride 3-point barrage past Chargers

De Soto made nine 3-pointers on the night, including seven in the first half, en route to a 68-21 UKC romp past Topeka West Friday at West.

Five different Wildcats drained 3-pointers, including four players with multiple treys, as De Soto (1-0 overall, 1-0 UKC) took control early and forced a running block throughout the fourth quarter.

Junior Clare Leis paced De Soto with a game-high 15 points while freshman Maddie Leis added 12 points and junior Katie Bush 10.

Junior Sydney VanDyke led Topeka West (1-1, 0-1) with 10 points and eight rebounds.

DE SOTO GIRLS 68, TOPEKA WEST 21

De Soto         18 27 18 5 -- 68

Topeka West   6 8 6 1 -- 21

De Soto (1-0, 1-9) – C. Leis 6-10 1-2 15, O'Brien 2-4 0-0 6, Cinotto 3-3 1-2 9, Gulley 0-0 2-2 2, Chappel 0-2 0-0 0, M. Leis 4-11 2-3 12, Bush 4-9 2-2 10, Carpenter 2-6 3-4 7, Major 1-3 0-0 3, Stapp 1-3 0-0 2, Johnson 1-1 0-0 2, Green 0-1 0-0 0, Reiswig 0-0 0-2 0. Totals 24-53 11-17 68. 

Topeka West (1-1, 0-1) – Sa'Niya Brooks 0-2 0-0 0, VanDyke 3-10 4-8 10, Ogles 1-5 0-0 2, Hall 0-6 1-2 1, McGlory 1-2 0-0 3, Allen 1-3 0-0 3, Sa'Mya Brooks 0-2 0-0 0, Traylor 1-3 0-2 2, Fox 0-0 0-2 0. Totals 7-33 5-14 21.

3-point goals – De Soto 9 (C. Leis 2, O'Brien 2, Cinotto 2, M. Leis 2, Major), Topeka West 2 (McGlory, Allen). Total fouls – De Soto 16, Topeka West 18. Fouled out – Chappel. Technical fouls -- none.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Seaman boys basketball had no problem getting fired up for Tuesday's 2025-2026 season-opener against Piper.

Seaman senior KaeVon Bonner (33), who scored 37 points, celebrates Tuesday's 83-75 season-opening win over No. 2 Piper with his Viking teammates. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

First of all, the Vikings got the chance to play in front of their home fans, with a big, spirited crowd showing up for the United Kansas Conference matchup.

Secondly, Seaman dropped both of its games against the Pirates last season, giving the Vikings some added incentive.

And finally, Piper entered the season with a lofty No. 2 state ranking after finishing third in Class 5A a year ago and second in 2024.

No. 9-ranked Seaman used all of those factors and a huge 37-point performance from senior star KaeVon Bonner to its advantage, rallying from an early deficit to take an 83-75 UKC decision over the Pirates.

"We were definitely fired up,'' Bonner said. "We went 0-2 against them last year and knew they were a good team and they only lost one player, so it was a good warmup game against a very good team, top in the league.

"We heard that they're ranked (second), so we wanted to take that spot and make them respect us. This a good start. We know that we can beat any team now.''

Seaman senior KaeVon Bonner puts up a shot in Tuesday's 83-75 season-opening win over No. 2 Piper. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN] 

Bonner, who had scored 32 points in his last time out against Piper, was even better Tuesday, hitting 10 of 18 shot from the field with three 3-pointers and going 14 of 17 at free throw line. 

And Bonner also got plenty of help from his teammates, with senior Griffin Zuniga adding 19 points and seniors Landon Wiltz and Cameron Brian 10 points each.

Piper jumped out to 6-0, 12-3 and 15-6 leads in the early going, but the Vikings didn't lose contact, rallying to within 17-15 by the end of the opening quarter and taking a 41-40 lead at the half on a buzzer-beating bucket from Bonner.

The game remained tight through most of the third stanza before Seaman closed the quarter with an 8-2 run to take a 63-56 lead into the final period.

Seaman opened the final eight minutes with a Zuniga 3-pointer and a Bonner hoop to open up a 12-point cushion at 68-56 and the Pirates got no closer than four the rest of the way.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Seaman girls basketball coach Matt Tinsley knew his team was likely to have to deal with considerable growing pains early in the 2025-2026 season.

Junior Cara Beaton (15) led Seaman with 13 points in Tuesday's 64-41 season-opening UKC loss to Piper while Faith McCallop (20) led all scorers with 24 points. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

After all, the Vikings graduated four very talented senior starters off a team that advanced to the Class 5A championship game in back-to-back seasons, including a state title in 2024.

And those youthful struggles showed up in a hurry in No. 6-ranked Seaman's season-opener at Seaman against No. 5 Piper.

Seaman girls basketball coach Matt Tinsley talks to his team during Tuesday's 64-41 UKC loss to Piper. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

But after spotting the Pirates a 30-5 advantage midway through the second quarter, Seaman outscored the visitors 36-34 the rest of the night while displaying a lot of positives that Tinsley believes will pay off as the season goes along.

"Take out the first quarter and I think we finally started to breathe after that,'' Tinsley said. "Then we were finally able to relax a little bit. I was just trying to get the girls to relax and calm down. The game looked like it was 100 miles per hour for them, and we expected that.

"A lot of these girls, out of the 12 that played, nine of them that was kind of their first taste of varsity action against a good team.'' 

The Vikings cut their deficit to from 25 to 17 points by halftime (33-16) and the Vikings got as close as 13 (51-38) early in the fourth stanza before Piper pulled away again down the stretch.

"I told the girls that there's a lot than we can learn from this game,'' Tinsley said. "We've just got to make sure we're taking steps forward and we can't afford to take steps back. This loss is going to be a win for us down the road and I'll be patient with them, but we've got to compete and they're finding out that in varsity basketball you've got to compete for 32 minutes.'' 

Seaman reeled off 24 straight wins a year ago before losing to St. Thomas Aquinas in the state final while Piper went 18-5 last season with three losses to the Vikings, including the state quarterfinal.

Piper senior Faith McCallop led all scorers with 24 points while junior Cara Beaton paced Seaman with 13 points.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

JADYN BAUM, Washburn Rural

Baum, a junior, earned first-team All-Shawnee County recognition at 190 pounds last season after posting a 28-6 record and a third-place finish in the Class 6A state tournament for Washburn Rural, which finished third as a team. Baum is ranked No. 4 at 190 pounds in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class rankings and is top-ranked in 6A at 215. 

BRENNEN BOWERS, Seaman

A senior 157-pounder, Bowers is currently ranked No. 1 in Class 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its preseason rankings. Bowers was a 5A state qualifier last season and earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention for the Vikings.

BRODY BROWN, Shawnee Heights

Brown, a junior, is a two-time Class 5A state qualifier and earned second-team All-Shawnee County recognition last season at 138 pounds. Brown is expected to wrestle at 150 pounds this winter and is currently ranked No. 3 in 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its preseason rankings.

KAYDEN CLELLAND, Silver Lake

A junior 165-pounder, Clelland was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season after winning a Class 4A regional championship to qualify for state with a 32-11 record through regional competition.  

RYDER FOSTER, Rossville

Foster, a sophomore 106-pounder, is currently ranked No. 5 in Class 3A-1A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its second preseason rankings. Foster was a state qualifier as a freshman, posting a fourth-place regional finish.

JOSE GOMEZ, Topeka High

Gomez, a junior, posted a 24-13 record last season at 106 pounds and earned All-Shawnee County first-team recognition. Gomez is currently ranked No. 4 in the Class 6A preseason rankings by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.

RYDER HARRISON, Washburn Rural

Harrison, a senior 120-pounder, was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection last season, posting a 27-15 record for the Junior Blues and finishing sixth in Class 6A. Harrison is ranked No. 4 at 120 pounds in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 6A preseason rankings.

EVAN JOHNSON, Shawnee Heights

Johnson, a senior, received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season and is a three-time Class 5A state qualifier for the T-Birds. Johnson is expected to wrestle at 165 pounds this season and is currently ranked No. 5 in 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.

Brodye Kocher-Munoz, Washburn Rural

BRODYE KOCHER-MUNOZ, Washburn Rural

A junior 150-pounder, Kocher-Munoz was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection last season for Washburn Rural, posting a 16-7 record on the season and finishing fourth in Class 6A for the third-place Junior Blues. Munoz is ranked third at 150 pounds in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 6A preseason rankings and 10th in the All-Class rankings.

Landen Kocher-Munoz, Washburn Rural

LANDEN KOCHER-MUNOZ, Washburn Rural

Kocher-Munoz, a senior 138-pounder, captured his second Class 6A state championship last season in his third straight trip to the state finals. Kocher-Munoz posted a 30-3 record, earning All-Shawnee County first-team recognition for a third straight season. Kocher-Munoz is top-ranked in 6A and No. 3 in the All-Class rankings by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.

 Jude Krentz, Hayden

JUDE KRENTZ, Hayden

A senior, Krentz earned first-team All-Shawnee County honors last season at 175 pounds last season after earning his third straight trip to the Class 4A state tournament. Krentz posted a 42-2 record en route to a fourth-place state finish and is currently ranked No. 7 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class rankings and No. 2 in 4A.

KAIDEN MARSHALL, Washburn Rural

A sophomore 215-pounder, Marshall was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year last season while also earning all-county first-team recognition. Marshall, who posted a 17-11 record and finished fourth in Class 6A for the third-place Junior Blues, is expected to move up to 285 pounds this season and is ranked No. 4 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association preseason rankings.

Caleb Menke, Hayden

CALEB MENKE, Hayden

Menke, a junior 157-pounder, was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season after qualifying for the Class 4A state meet with a second-place regional finish. Menke is ranked sixth in 4A in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association preseason rankings and is 10th-ranked in the All-Class rankings.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Twenty-seven Seaman, Shawnee Heights and Topeka West players earned spots on the All-United Kansas Conference football team, led by four first-team selections.

AJ Gallegos, Shawnee Heights

Nas Williams-Brown, Topeka West

Cameron Brian, Seaman

Hayden Foxhoven, Seaman

Shawnee Heights senior wide receiver AJ Gallegos and Topeka West sophomore all-purpose pick Nas Brown-Williams were named to the All-UKC first-team offense while Seaman senior linebacker Cameron Brian and Viking defensive back Hayden Foxhoven were named to the first-team defense.

Seaman put junior Coy Barta (wide receiver), senior Noah Kobuszewski (tight end) and senior Brogen Brown (line) on the All-UKC second-team offense while Shawnee Heights is represented by senior Aiden Scott (quarterback) and junior Will Skaggs (line).

The T-Birds put seniors Blake Coffman (line), Tyren Parker (defensive back) and Camden Granado (kicker) on the second-team defense while Topeka West is represented by senior Marcus Kirtdoll (line).

Fourteen city players received all-conference honorable mention.

United Kansas Conference Football

By VINCE LOVERGINE

TopSports.news

In Class 5A, you’ve grown accustomed to the Seaman Lady Vikings basketball program being at the top for the last several seasons.

Senior Maddie Gragg is a three-time All-Shawnee County Top 10 selection for Seaman. [File photo/TSN]

The Vikings went 23-2 and won the state championship in 2024 and posted a 24-1 record and finished as the state runnerup last season. Seaman also made the state tournament in 2023, losing in the first round. 

Coach Matt Tinsley enters his ninth year at Seaman and 20th overall as a coach. Tinsley put it simply that this season is just as important as the last couple of years.

“We still have Vikes on our jersey,” Tinsley said. “My expectations are not going to change. I understand why some coaches say it’s a rebuilding year. I don’t take it that way because I feel that if you have to say you’re rebuilding, you’re saying that you’ve been knocked down. I think our tradition and culture speaks for itself and I’m never going to use a rebuilding year because you’re just giving yourself an excuse.

“If you wear our jersey, you’re going to play with pride and play the right way. That’s what I’m excited about is seeing the growth in this team. We have some girls that are hungry and they feel like they have something to prove and I love those challenges as a coach too.” 

The likes of Anna Becker, Taylin and Jaida Stallbaumer, Ava Esser, the list goes on of great talent to come from the Viking program. How does Tinsley try to fill those shoes to continue that dominance of great players?

“We got to get these kids to understand what their role is going to be on this team and how they can contribute,” he said. “Every kid out here is going to have a chance to show what they can do to help the team. Every day is an evaluation. My college coach always said that every day is a chance to earn your playing time to excel in your role.

"Whereas last year we could give it to Anna, ‘Hey go make a play’, this year, they’re going to have to rely on each other to make sure that we’re getting shots that we want to shoot, understanding our alignment and assignments and understanding time and score.''

 Senior Maddie Gragg, whose only lost five games in her high school career, and junior Cara Beaton said they have to lead by example, encourage and push the pace to show the younger players how it’s done to develop good habits.

“We want to keep that legacy going and I think the standards are the same as last year if not higher and you can tell with the practices we’re still practicing the same just with different players,” said Gragg, a three-time All-Shawnee County Top 10 pick.

“Keep the same intensity as last year, just better attitudes and encouragement,” Beaton said. 

Tinsley said he knows with the personnel he has there will be some tweaks made throughout the season and he knows that takes time and he will be patient with the girls on that. He said if they bring the effort and attitude every day to practice and games, they’ll be just fine.

In addition to Gragg, who averaged 13.3 points with 39 3-pointers, Beaton is another player Tinsley has high hopes for running the point guard position after being on the state championship and runnerup teams. Sophomore Lydia Dreher was another name Tinsley mentioned as a solid post player for the Vikes.

“We would like to see some separation in practice, but right now there's a lot of girls that I think can play but we won’t know until game night on how they’re going to respond,'' Tinsley said. "Definitely, our junior class is going to have to take that next step.''

Tinsley said the Vikings' approach this season will be different compared to last year where they had five players that could score 10 points or more a game. He said he will tell the team what they can do versus what they can’t do because that will build their confidence.

“We’re going to be a team that nobody is going to want to play come the end of the season. I feel really good about this team and we’re going to surprise some people,” Tinsley said.

By VINCE LOVERGINE

TopSports.news

Seaman boys basketball remembers its Class 5A sub-state loss to Valley Center at home last season and the Vikings don’t want that to happen again this year.

Seaman senior KaeVon Bonner is a returning two-time All-Shawnee County Top 10 pick. [File photo/TSN]

“I’m already envisioning that scenario and trying to coach towards that when we get into late February, early March that we’re making the right decisions and not just trying something and hoping it turns out in our favor,'' Seaman coach Craig Cox said. "I really enjoyed last season, but I did not enjoy the way we finished.''

Cox will be in year 15 at the helm of the Vikings' program and wants to see how this senior group will respond when the lights are turned on, especially watching their growth the last couple of years.

The Vikings went 13-8 in 2024-2025 and 9-12 in 2023-2024 after winning the state championship in 2022-2023 with an 18-7 record.

“We’ve got really good team chemistry, they like each other, they support each other, they’re there for each other and that makes our job a lot easier,'' Cox said. "I don’t have to worry about a lot of distractions because they’re good students and come from good families.

“We want an environment where they (players) want to be there and they’re not dreading practice, they’re not scared about what’s going to happen, how much we’re going to have to run. We want to have a good time and try to improve and limit our mistakes and help us be successful on game night.”

Cox mentioned that the Vikings have the potential to be a high scoring team this season, but last year they were easy to score on and they have to tighten that aspect up to have more chances.

“The mistake I made as a coach is thinking we need to help them on offense so that we kind of set aside our defensive drills and when I look back to our really good defensive teams in the past, it’s because we put the time in,'' Cox said.

"Unfortunately, this year with tryouts and our first game on Dec. 2, we don’t have time to do a lot, so we’re going to throw it at them and hopefully as we get to Christmas break and all of those practices and then in mid-season tournament time, we can continually be better defensively.''

Cox said Landon Wiltz, Griffin Zuniga, Matthew McConnaughey and Cameron Brian are players whoe will contribute this season along with senior KaeVon Bonner, who has been a key factor for the Vikings since his freshman year.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

BROOKLYN BINKLEY, Shawnee Heights

A junior, Binkley was a second-team All-Shawnee County pick last season after placing sixth in the Class 5A state tournament and helping Shawnee Heights earn the third-place team trophy in 5A. Binkley is currently ranked No. 4 in 5A at 170 pounds by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its preseason rankings.

Emme Blanco, Washburn Rural

EMME BLANCO, Washburn Rural

Blanco, a senior, earned first-team All-Shawnee County honors last season after posting a 35-10 record and finishing fourth in the Class 6A state tournament at 140 pounds. Blanco is ranked No. 6 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class preseason rankings at 145 and is ranked third in 6A.

MADI BLANCO, Washburn Rural

A senior, Blanco earned first-team All-Shawnee County recognition for the second straight season after posting a 30-8 record and finishing fourth in the Class 6A state tournament at 135 pounds. Blanco is ranked eighth in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class preseason rankings at 140 pounds and is ranked No. 3 in 6A. 

CONNIE BURNS, Highland Park

Burns, a senior, posted a 22-7 record and was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season at 115 pounds after finishing sixth in the Class 5A state tournament in her first season at Highland Park. Burns in ranked No. 5 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 5A preseason rankings at 115.

Makayla Cadet, Highland Park

MAKAYLA CADET, Highland Park

Cadet, a senior, captured the Class 5A state championship at 190 pounds last season, capping a 23-4 season for the Scots with the school's first girls state championship. Cadet was named the Shawnee County wrestler of the year for the 2024-2025 season and is ranked No. 2 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class preseason rankings and is also ranked second in 5A.

Cianna Graves, Shawnee Heights

CIANNA GRAVES, Shawnee Heights

A senior 155-pounder, Graves is a three-time Class 5A state placer, including a third-place finish last season as Shawnee Heights earned the third-place team trophy in 5A. Graves, who went 39-3 on the season, was an All-Shawnee County first-season repeater. Graves is currently ranked No. 7 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class rankings and is No. 3 in 5A.

AVA GUTIERREZ, Shawnee Heights

Gutierrez, a sophomore 100-pounder, earned All-Shawnee County first-team recognition last season after qualifying for the Class 5A state tournament for Shawnee Heights, which posted a third-place team finish in 5A. Gutierrez posted a 19-13 record as a freshman.

AUDREY HINKLY, Shawnee Heights

Hinkly, a junior 120-pounder, was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season after placing fourth in the Class 5A state tournament and helping Shawnee Heights earn the third-place team trophy in 5A. Hinkly is currently ranked No. 3 in 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association. 

OLIVE JONES, Shawnee Heights

A sophomore, Jones was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year last season after qualifying for the Class 5A state tournament at 135 pounds. Jones, who was named to the all-county second team, is expected to wrestle at 140 pounds for the T-Birds this winter and is ranked fifth at that weight by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.

JANIAH MATTHIE-JOHNSON, Washburn Rural

Matthie-Johnson was a Class 6A state qualifier last season as a freshman at 190 pounds, earning All-Shawnee County  second-tean recognition, but is expected to wrestle at 155 pounds this season. Matthie-Johnson is currently ranked sixth at 155 in 6A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association. 

By RICK PETERSON             

TopSports.news

Jalen Aldridge, Topeka High

JALEN ALDRIDGE, Topeka High

Aldridge, a 6-foot-1 senior, averaged a team-high 12.3 points for Topeka High last season, earning TopSports.news All-Shawnee County honorable mention. Aldridge shot 43 percent on two-point field goal attempts and connected on 26 3-pointers while averaging 3.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals and shooting 70 percent from the free throw line.    

JA'VEON ALSTON, Shawnee Heights

A 5-10 senior point guard, Alston received All-Shawnee County and United Kansas Conference honorable mention last season after helping Shawnee Heights post a 19-4 record en route to a second straight trip to the Class 5A state tournament. A standout defender, Alston averaged 2.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists for the T-Birds as a junior.  

Mason Becker, Hayden

MASON BECKER, Hayden

A 5-11 junior guard, Becker was named to the TSN All-Shawnee County Second 10 last season after averaging 10.1 points with 36 3-pointers, while shooting 36 percent from outside the arc. Becker also averaged 2.8 rebounds for the Wildcats. Becker will get a late start on preseason basketball practice after helping lead the Wildcats football team to their third straight Class 3A state championship game Saturday in Hutchinson.

KaeVon Bonner, Seaman

KAEVON BONNER, Seaman

Bonner, a 6-4 senior, is a two-time All-Shawnee County and All-United Kansas Conference first-team pick after being named the Shawnee County co-newcomer of the year and receiving honorable mention as a freshman. Bonner averaged 19 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.9 steals this past season for the 13-8 Vikings while hitting 49 3-pointers and shooting 77 percent from the free throw line.

CALEB CLEVERDON, Cair Paravel Latin

A senior, Cleverdon will be counted on heavily this winter as Cair Paravel looks to improve on last season's 10-11 record. Cleverson averaged 7.6 points last season while connecting on 33 3-pointers and shooting 35 percent from outside the arc. Cleverdon also averaged 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals as a junior. 

JAI'MARION COOK, Shawnee Heights

Cook, a 5-9 senior guard, averaged 5.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists last season while helping Shawnee Heights post an 19-4 record and advance to the Class 5A state tournament for the second straight season. Cook connected on 30 3-pointers as a junior while shooting 38 percent from outside the 3-point line. 

Jack Donovan, Rossville

JACK DONOVAN, Rossville

A 5-11 senior, Donovan made the All-Shawnee County Top 10 for the second straight season after averaging 18.7 points with 62 3-pointers while shooting 40 percent from 3-point range and 78.4 percent from the free throw line. Donovan helped lead the Bulldawgs to a 16-8 record and a Class 2A state tournament berth last season. Donovan, a first-team All-Big East League pick, is also a standout in golf and football, helping Rossville reach the Class 1A state football title game on Friday in Hutchinson.

Malakyah Duncan, Topeka West

MALAKYAH DUNCAN, Topeka West

Duncan, a 6-4 senior, received second-team All-Shawnee County and All-United Kansas Conference recognition last season after helping lead the Chargers to the Class 5A state tournament, where West lost in the quarterfinals to state champ Kapaun Mt. Carmel. Duncan averaged 11.3 points, 3.0 assists and 1.8 steals as a junior while shooting 55 percent on two-point field goal attempts. 

ONTARIUS EMMOT, Shawnee Heights

Emmot, a 6-4 senior forward, received TSN All-Shawnee County and All-United Kansas Conference honorable mention last season after helping Shawnee Heights post a 19-4 record and advance to the Class 5A state tournament for the second straight season. Emmot averaged 7.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists as a junior while draining 29 treys on the season.

Elisha Guest, Topeka High

ELISHA GUEST, Topeka High

A 5-7 senior, Guest received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after averaging 11.6 points while connecting on 49 3-pointers and shooting 36 percent from outside the arc. Guest also averaged 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals for the Trojans last season. 

Connor Hanika, Hayden

CONNOR HANIKA, Hayden

Hanika, a 6-5 senior, received All-Shawnee County second-team honors last season after averaging 10.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals while shooting 48 percent on two-point field goals. Hanika is Hayden's starting quarterback in football, helping the Wildcats reach their third straight Class 3A state championship game.

John Hoytal, Washburn Rural 

JOHN HOYTAL, Washburn Rural

A 6-foot-2 senior forward, Hoytal received All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League honorable mention last season after helping the 18-5 Junior Blues win the Centennial League title and advance to the Class 6A state tournament. Hoytal averaged 9.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals last season while shooting 57 percent on two-point field goals and 73 percent from the free throw line. 

Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake

DAYNE JOHNSON, Silver Lake

Johnson, a 6-2 senior, helped lead the Eagles to a 20-6 record and a third-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament in 2024-2025. A first-team All-Big East League selection, Johnson moved up to the TSN All-Shawnee County Top 10 last season after being a Second 10 pick as a sophomore. Johnson is a multi-sport standout for the Eagles, earning All-Shawnee County Top 22 honors as a junior.

Lucas Marichal, Cair Paravel

LUCAS MARICHAL, Cair Paravel

A senior, Marichal is a key returner for Cair Paravel Latin, which will by looking to improve on last season's 10-11 record. Marichal averaged 9.0 points a year ago while connecting on 28 3-pointers and shooting 80 percent from the free throw line. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural, which captured the Class 6A state championship, leads the 2025 Topeka All-City boys soccer team with five first-team picks.

The Junior Blues are represented on the 16-member first team, selected by city coaches, by seniors Draden Chooncharoen (midfield), Brandon Hamilton (defense), Liam Morrison (defense) and Dylan Willingham (forward) and junior Brodye Kocher-Munoz (forward) while Rural coach Brian Hensyel was voted the city coach of the year after the Junior Blues posted a 19-1-1 record.

Draden Chooncharoen, Washburn Rural

Brandon Hamilton, Washburn Rural

Liam Morrison Washburn Rural

Dylan Willingham, Washburn Rural

Brodye Kocher-Munoz, Washburn Rural

Hamilton, Morrison and Willingham are all first-team repeat picks.

Shawnee Heights, Topeka High and Topeka West all put three players on the All-City first team, while Cair Paravel Latin and Seaman both put one player on the team.

Camden Granado, Shawnee Heights

Jason Slay, Shawnee Heights

Mason Haas, Shawnee Heights

Shawnee Heights is represented on the All-City team by seniors Camden Granado (forward) and Jason Slay (defense) and junior Mason Haas (midfield), with Granado and Haas first-team repeat picks.

Neri Diaz-Mayorga, Topeka High

Neri Diaz-Mayorga, Topeka High 

Topeka High put three players on the All-City team -- seniors Neri Diaz-Mayorga (midfield) and Billy Lutz (goalkeeper) and junior Carlos Acosta-Martinez (midfield).

Lutz is a repeat first-team selection while Diaz-Mayorga made the first team in 2024 for Highland Park.

Valentin Del Real, Topeka West

Diego Gonzalez-Talavera, Topeka West

Giancarlo Valenzuela, Topeka West

Topeka West is represented on the first team by sophomore Valentin Del Real (midfield), junior Diego Gonzalez-Talavera (forward) and senior Giancarlo Valenzuela (midfield), with Del Real and Gonzalez-Talavera first-team repeaters.

Nathan Keys, Cair Paravel

Cody Quy, Seaman

Cair Paravel put senior Nathan Keys (forward) on the All-City team while Seaman is represented by senior Cody Quy (forward).

Willingham was named the Centennial League player of the year this fall for the second straight season while Rural's Chooncharoen, Hamilton, Kocher-Munoz and High's Acosta-Martinez and Diaz-Mayorga were also first-team picks.

Shawnee Heights' Granado was named the United Kansas Conference player of the year while Haas and Slay and Topeka West's Del Real, Gonzalez-Talavera and Valenzuela were all named to the All-United Kansas Conference first team.

2025 TOPEKA ALL-CITY SOCCER

By RICK PETERSON        
TopSports.news

BRYNN ANDERSON, Washburn Rural

A 5-foot-11 freshman guard/forward, Anderson has yet to take the basketball court for the Junior Blues, but made an immediate impact in volleyball, earning TopSports.news All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League first-team honors while also being named the county and league newcomer of the year as Washburn Rural won the Centennial League title and advanced to the Class 6A state tournament for the ninth straight season.

SAMI BAUM, Shawnee Heights 

A 6-1 junior, Baum will make her high school basketball debut in the 2025-2026 season after joining the T-Birds. Baum, who has been home schooled, played for the Shawnee Heights volleyball team this fall and has extensive experience in club basketball, receiving interest from college recruiters.    

Nora Burdiek, Rossville

NORA BURDIEK, Rossville

Burdiek, a 6-0 junior forward, missed 11 games of the 2024-2025 season with an injury, but still earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention and was a third-team All-Class 2A and All-Big-East League honoree after averaging 16.5 points and 12 rebounds for 10-12 Rossville. Burdiek was a first-team All-Shawnee County and 2A All-State pick in volleyball, helping lead the Bulldawgs to the state tournament.

Pearmella Carter, Shawnee Heights

PEARMELLA CARTER, Shawnee Heights

A 5-10 junior, Carter starred at Highland Park the past two seasons before transferring to Shawnee Heights for the 2025-2026 season. Carter was a Second 10 All-Shawnee County selection for the Scots last winter after averaging 19.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 2.1 assists and shooting 50 percent from 2-point field goal range while connecting on 14 3-pointers. 

Hailey Caryl, Topeka High

HAILEY CARYL, Topeka High

Caryl, a 5-10 sophomore, received All-Shawnee County Second 10 honors as a freshman after helping Topeka High post a 14-8 record and a nine-win improvement over the 2023-2024 season. Caryl averaged 10.5 points and 8.4 rebounds as a freshman while shooting 58 percent on 2-point field attempts and averaging 2.0 assists and 1.6 steals. Caryl is also a tennis and soccer standout for the Trojans.

KARYS DEITER, Silver Lake

A 5-7 sophomore guard, Deiter earned All-Shawnee County Second 10 recognition for the 23-3 Eagles as a freshman starter, averaging 12.5 points and 4.7 rebounds as Silver Lake overcame big graduation losses from its 2024 Class 3A state championship team to post a runnerup state finish. Deiter was a first-team all-county pick in volleyball this fall after the Eagles won the state title with a 46-1 record, including 37 straight wins to end the season.  

Rylee Dick, Rossville

RYLEE DICK, Rossville

 A 5-6 senior guard, Dick was a first-team All-2A and All-Big East League pick last season and was an All-Shawnee County second-team selection after averaging 20.4 points with 68 made 3-pointers and 89-percent shooting from the free throw line for the 10-12 Bulldawgs while eclipsing the 1,000-point mark for her career. Dick, who has received all-league, all-county and All-2A recognition three straight seasons, has signed a letter of intent with Division II Rockhurst.  

KK Emmot, Shawnee Heights

KK EMMOT, Shawnee Heights

Emmot, a 5-8 junior, moved up to the All-Shawnee County Top 10 last season after earning second-team honors as a freshman. Emmot, who led the T-Birds to a 14-8 record, also earned first-team All-United Kansas Conference honors this past season after averaging 17.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 3.2 assists while connecting on 46 3-pointers.     

Maddie Gragg, Seaman 

MADDIE GRAGG, Seaman

A 5-10 senior, Gragg was an All-Shawnee County Top 10 selection for the third straight season after helping lead Seaman to a 24-1 record and a runnerup finish in Class 5A. Gragg, also a three-time All-United Kansas Conference first-team pick, averaged 13.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 57 percent on two-point field goal attempts and shooting 83 percent from the free throw line while hitting 39 3-pointers. 

Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake

KAILYN HANNI, Silver Lake

Hanni, a 5-7 senior guard, led Silver Lake to a 23-3 record and a runnerup finish in the Class 3A state tournament this past season after helping the Eagles post a perfect 26-0 record en route to the 3A state championship in 2024. Hanni was a repeat All-Shawnee County Top 10 selection as well as a repeat first-team all-league pick. A Fort Hays State basketball signee, Hanni is a multi-sport standout, earning first-team all-county honors in golf this fall. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Senior Player of the Year Camden Granado of conference champion Shawnee Heights led the way as 21 city soccer players earned All-United Kansas Conference recognition, including 11 first-team picks.

Senior Camden Granado, who helped lead Shawnee Heights to the United Kansas Conference championship, has been named the UKC player of the year. [File photo/TSN]

Granado, the leading goal-scorer in Shawnee Heights history, was joined on the first team by Heights junior goalkeeper Alan Arteaga, senior defender Jason Slay and junior midfielder Mason Haas while T-Bird coach Nic Simons was named the UKC coach of the year.

Topeka West put six players on the first team -- junior defender Kameron Ortiz, sophomore defender Makaly Martinez, senior midfielder Giancarlo Valenzuela, sophomore midfielder Valentin Del Real, junior forward Diego Gonzalez-Talavera and senior forward JP Ayella --while Seaman is represented by senior forward Rylan Harris.   

Shawnee Heights put senior defender Jack Hall, senior defender Thomas Aragon, senior midfielder Juan Garcia and senior forward Jose Curvelo-Montenegro on the All-UKC second team along with Topeka West senior goalkeeper Gage Kindred Noragon, Seaman senior defender Owen Stewart and Viking senior forward Cody Quy.

Seaman seniors Kaelon Taylor and Jack Walker and Topeka West junior D'Ante Smith-Dilone received honorable mention.  

ALL-UNITED KANSAS CONFERENCE SOCCER

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Class 3A state champion Silver Lake, 4A runnerup Hayden and state qualifiers Washburn Rural in 6A and Rossville in 2A combined to put 12 players on the TopSports.news 2025 All-Shawnee County volleyball first team.

Shawnee County Player of the Year Kylie Hanni, Silver Lake [File photo/TSN]

Shawnee County Coach of the Year Sarah Johnson, Silver Lake. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Shawnee County Newcomer of the Year Brynn Anderson, Washburn Rural. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

Silver Lake, which went 46-1 and ended its season on a 37-match winning streak, is represented on the all-county  team by senior Jaiden Wise, juniors Kylie Hanni and Jaylie Whitehead and sophomore Karys Deiter, with Hanni named the county player of the year and Eagles coach Sarah Johnson tapped as the coach of the year.  

Hayden, which placed second at state after finishing third in 2024, is represented on the first team by sophomore repeat picks Hailey Schmidtlein and Blakely Walter along with senior Ella Foster, a multi-time all-county selection.

Washburn Rural is represented on the all-county first team by seniors Karsyn Horyna and Stella Kelly and freshman Brynn Anderson, who was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year after the Junior Blues won the Centennial League championship and advanced to the 6A state tournament for the ninth straight season.

Horyna is a first-team All-Shawnee County repeat pick while Kelly was a second-team pick as a junior.

Rossville junior Nora Burdiek is a first-team all-county repeat pick and is joined on the first team by freshman Kenna Perine.

Rounding out the first team are Cair Paravel Latin senior Karsyn Hastert, Topeka West junior Sydney Van Dyke and Shawnee Heights senior Avery Willey.

All-Shawnee County first-team capsules:

   The 2025 All-Shawnee County boys cross country team: Front row, from left -- Clayton Fink, Washburn Rural; Jaxson Adams, Washburn Rural; Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural; Nick Newkirk, Hayden; Connor Baldwin, Hayden. Back row, from left -- coach Matt Swedlund, Washburn Rural; Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural; Duke Graf, Washburn Rural; Max Esquibel, Shawnee Heights; Brody Anderson, Seaman; Conner Bloom, Seaman. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Class 6A state champion Washburn Rural put five runners, including three repeaters on the 2025 boys All-Shawnee County cross country team. 

Washburn Rural senior Brooks Kehoe is a three-time all-county first-teamer while sophomores Clayton Fink and Henry Laubach are also repeat first-teamers after helping the Junior Blues win the state team title by a single point (100-101) over Blue Valley.

Rural sophomores Jaxson Adams and Duke Graf are first-time All-Shawnee County honorees.

Washburn Rural coach Matt Swedlund was named the county boys coach of the year, sweeping the county girls and boys coach of the year awards.  

Seaman two-time city and United Kansas Conference individual champion Brody Anderson is a three-time all-county pick while Hayden senior Connor Baldwin and Shawnee Heights senior Max Esquibel are two-time picks.

Seaman junior Conner Bloom and Hayden sophomore Nick Newkirk round out the first team, selected by local coaches.   

All-Shawnee County boys capsules:

The 2025 All-Shawnee County girls cross country team: Front row, from left -- Reese Beardslee, Washburn Rural; Emily Graf, Washburn Rural; Clara Dillon, Washburn Rural; Alyson Hinck, Washburn Rural; Sofia Harper, Hayden. Back row, from left -- coach Matt Swedlund, Washburn Rural; Kenzie Maddox, Washburn Rural; Morgan Munson, Washburn Rural; Brynn Spencer, Seaman; Ryin Miller, Seaman. Not pictured: Ali Gerber, Silver Lake. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN] 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Five first-team repeat selections headline the 10-member 2025 All-Shawnee County girls cross country team.

Leading the way are four-time all-county pick Ryin Miller of Seaman and three-time selections Emily Graf of Washburn Rural, Sofia Harper of Hayden and Brynn Spencer of Seaman along with repeat honoree Kenzie Maddox of Washburn Rural.

Spencer, a junior, finished a county-best 16th in the Class 5A state meet.

Earning first-team all-county honors for the first time are Silver Lake junior Ali Gerber, Washburn Rural sophomore Reese Beardslee and Junior Blue freshmen Clara Dillon, Alyson Hinck and Morgan Munson.  

Washburn Rural coach Matt Swedlund was named the girls Shawnee County coach of the year after his Junior Blues captured the city team championship and were the only county girls school to qualify for state as a team.

All-Shawnee County girls capsules:

REESE BEARDSLEE, Washburn Rural -- Beardslee, a sophomore, earned her first All-Shawnee County first-team honor after placing fifth individually in the city meet for the team-champion Junior Blues, 11th in the Centennial League, 17th in Class 6A regional competition and 50th at state. Beardslee had a five-kilometer personal-best of 19 minutes, 57 seconds. 

CLARA DILLON, Washburn Rural --A freshman, Dillon posted an eighth-place finish in the city meet for the team-champion Junior Blues before finishing 18th in the Centennial League meet, 21st in Class 6A regional competition and 62nd in the state meet. Dillon had a five-kilometer personal-best of 21 minutes, 43 seconds.

Ali Gerber, Silver Lake [Submitted photo/Silver Lake cross country]

ALI GERBER, Silver Lake --Gerber, a junior, earned All-Shawnee County first-team honors for the first time after receiving honorable mention as a sophomore. Gerber placed sixth in a Class 3A regional meet to earn an individual berth for last Saturday's state meet at Rim Rock Farm and placed 35th at state with a five-kilometer time of 21 minutes, 21.43 seconds. 

EMILY GRAF, Washburn Rural --A three-time first-team All-Shawnee County pick, Graf garnered the individual championship in the city meet for the team-champion Junior Blues before finishing eighth in the Centennial League, fifth in a Class 6A regional meet and 30th at state. Graf clocked a season-best five-kilometer time of 19 minutes, 10 seconds. 

SOFIA HARPER, Hayden --Harper, a junior, is a first-team All-Shawnee County pick for the third straight season. Harper posted a seventh-place individual finish in the city championships, placed 16th in the Centennial League meet and 12th in Class 4A regional competition to earn a state berth. Harper was 44th at state and had a season-best five-kilometer time of 20 minutes, 22 seconds.

ALYSON HINCK, Washburn Rural -- The Washburn Rural freshman was the individual runnerup in the city meet for the team-champion Junior Blues and placed sixth in the Centennial League, eighth in Class 6A regional competition and a team-high 25th in the state meet. Hinck posted a season-best five-kilometer time of 19 minutes, 37 seconds.  

KENZIE MADDOX, Washburn Rural -- Maddox, a senior, is a first-team All-Shawnee County repeater after receiving honorable mention as a sophomore. Maddox finished fourth this fall in the city meet before placing 14th in the Centennial League, 16th in a Class 6A regional and 49th in the 6A state meet. Maddox has a personal-best time of 18 minutes, 47 seconds.

RYIN MILLER, Seaman -- A three-time Class 5A state medalist and four-time All-Shawnee County first-team pick, Miller only competed in one meet as a senior due to injury, but finished third in the United Kansas Conference behind two all-staters despite no training since July 3rd. Miller finished second in Class 5A as a junior after a third-place finish as a sophomore. Miller, who has won five state titles in track, has a personal-best five-kilometer time of 16minutes, 32 seconds.

MORGAN MUNSON, Washburn Rural -- A freshman, Munson placed sixth in the city meet for team-champion Washburn Rural before placing 10th in the Centennial League meet, ninth in Class 6A regional competition and 51st in the state championships. Munson had a season-best five-kilometer time of 20 minutes, 10 seconds. 

BRYNN SPENCER, Seaman -- A three-time All-Shawnee County first-team selection, the Seaman junior finished third in the city meet, second in the United Kansas Conference, sixth in Class 5A regional competition and 16th at state for her second straight state medal. Spencer clocked a five-kilometer season-best of 19 minutes, 26 seconds.

ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

By RICK PETERSON                                                                                                          

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural sophomore cross country standout Henry Laubach and Seaman junior cross country standout Brynn Spencer have been selected by the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency as the Rising Stars of the Week.

The Dan Key Agency will recognize top Shawnee County underclassmen throughout the bulk of the 2025-2026 school year.

Here's a brief look at the recent accomplishments of Laubach and Spencer over the past week.

Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural [Photo by Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports]

HENRY LAUBACH, Washburn Rural

Bouncing back from an injury, Laubach finished a team-high 22nd individually in last Saturday's Class 6A cross country meet at Rim Rock Farm, helping lead Washburn Rural to the state team championship.

Laubach posted a five-kilometer time of 16 minutes, 40.66 seconds to lead a strong pack performance for the Junior Blues, who won the team title by a one-point margin (100-101) over runnerup Blue Valley.

Laubach is a two-time All-Shawnee County honoree.

Brynn Spencer, Seaman [Photo by Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports]

BRYNN SPENCER, Seaman

Spencer earned her second straight Class 5A state medal in last Saturday's state meet at Rim Rock Farm, placing 16th individually.

Spencer, who had placed 18th as a sophomore, clocked a five-kilometer time of 19 minutes, 26.82 seconds and was the lone Shawnee County runner to earn an individual state medal (top 20).

The Seaman athlete is a three-time All-Shawnee County honoree. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news 

Jadyn Baum

JADYN BAUM, Washburn Rural

A junior running back, Baum sailed over the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season Friday night, picking up 182 yards and scoring three touchdowns on 15 carries as 6-3 Washburn Rural advanced to the second round of the Class 6A football playoffs with a 37-0 win over Wichita South at Bowen-Glaze Stadium. Baum scored TDs on 8, 8 and 46 yards against the Titans.

Dillon Claussen

DILLON CLAUSSEN, Washburn University

A 6-foot-8 sophomore, Claussen registered a pair of double-doubles as the No. 2-ranked Washburn men's basketball team opened the season with a pair of wins in the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic in Lakeland, Fla. The Omaha, Neb. native scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in Saturday's 101-53 win over Augusta (Ga.) and had 23 points and 12 rebounds in Sunday's 89-77 win over No. 3-ranked Dallas Baptist.

Henry Laubach

HENRY LAUBACH, Washburn Rural

A sophomore, Laubach led a balanced Washburn Rural cross country team with a 22nd-place individual finish in a five-kilometer time of 16 minutes, 40.66 seconds Saturday at Rim Rock Farm as the Junior Blues captured the Class 6A team championship by a single point, 100-101 over Blue Valley.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Seaman, Shawnee Heights and Topeka West all put a player on the All-United Kansas Conference volleyball first team while Seaman senior Kinsley Smith was named the conference defensive player of the year.

Kinsley Smith, Seaman

Smith also earned a spot on the eight-member All-UKC first team along with Shawnee Heights senior Avery Willey and Topeka West junior Sydney Van Dyke.

Avery Willey, Shawnee Heights

Sydney Van Dyke, Topeka West

Shawnee Heights senior Brooke McCabe was named to the All-UKC second team while Seaman senior Addison Sibley, Shawnee Heights junior Clara Morgan and senior Jaidyn Euwer andTopeka West senior Breonnah Keeling and sophomore Kendall Munoz received honorable mention.

Lansing senior Avery Sands was named the UKC offensive player of the year while De Soto senior Kylie Groves was named the setter of the year and Lansing's Whitney Pakenham was voted coach of the year.   

ALL-UNITED KANSAS CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Hayden, which has advanced to the past two Class 3A state championship games, took the first step towards a third straight title shot with a 70-7 rout over Columbus Friday night at Hayden.

Senior Kade Mitchell (25) rushed for 190 yards on just five attempts and scored four touchdowns in Hayden's 70-7 Class 3A playoff win over Columbus Friday night. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden, the No. 1 3A East seed, improved to 9-0 on the season and will host No. 9 Wellsville (6-3), a 50-0 winner over Parsons, next Friday at 7 p.m. 

The Wildcats jumped out to a 42-7 first-quarter cushion over 2-7 Columbus, the No. 16 East seed, and led 63-7 at the half.

Senior Kade Mitchell had a big night for Hayden, rushing for 190 yards unofficially on just five attempts, including touchdown runs of 51, 42 and 75 yards while also hauling in a 45-yard touchdown pass from Wildcat senior quarterback Connor Hanika.

Senior Xander Blassing had 30 and 35-yard interception returns for TDs as six Wildcats scored touchdowns on the night.

HAYDEN 70, COLUMBUS 7

Columbus (2-7) 7 0 0 0 -- 7

Hayden (9-0)   42 21 7 0 -- 70

Hayden -- Mitchell 51 run (Becker kick)

Hayden -- Blasing 30 interception return (Becker kick)

Hayden -- Mitchell 45 pass from Hanika (Becker kick)

Hayden -- McGivern 4 run (Becker kick)

Columbus -- Dohle 96 kickoff return (Gray kick)

Hayden -- Becker 34 pass from Hanika (Becker kick)

Hayden -- Blasing 35 interception return (Becker kick)

Hayden - Mitchell 42 run (Becker kick)

Hayden - Mitchell 75 run (Becker kick)

Hayden - Branson 39 run (Becker kick)

Hayden - Todwong 14 run (Becker kick)

Individual statistics

RUSHING -- Columbus: Jayden Rodriguez 3-8, Jett Tanner 7-4, Jayden Dohle 4-3, Braun Stone 5-1, Jonas Stover 1-(minus)-5. Hayden: Kade Mitchell 5-190, Kyden Lichtenhauer 5-84, Mason Branson 1-39, Jairus Todwong 3-28, Jackson McGivern 5-24, Evan Huntley 4-15, Callen Powers 3-8, Alex Lopez 1-5, Conner Hanika 1-4, Mason Becker 1-4, Elijah Torrez 1-1.

PASSING -- Columbus: Jett Turner 7-20-5, 72 yards. Hayden -- Conner Hanika 4-6-0, 98 yards.

RECEIVING -- Columbus: Jonas Stover 3-26, Braun Stone 1-20, Jayden Rodriguez 1-15, Cole Howard 1-8, Lemmie Stone 1-3. Hayden: Kade Mitchell 1-45, Mason Becker 1-34, Mahki Kidd 1-13, Xander Blasing 1-6.

PUNTING -- Columbus: Jonas Stover 4-22.25.

Eagles takes 29-8 win over St. Marys in 2A rematch

Silver Lake stretched its win streak to seven games Friday night, opening Class 2A postseason with a 29-8 home win over St. Marys.

The Eagles, who improved to 7-2 overall, beat the Bears for the second time this fall, taking a 21-6 District 3 win on Sept. 26

Silver Lake, the No. 4 East seed in 2A, advances to the second round of the playoffs to face No. 5 seed Sabetha (8-1), a 48-0 winner over No. 12 Humboldt (3-6).  

Rossville routs Mission Valley 71-0 in 1A playoff opener

Class 1A District 2 champion Rossville, the No. 4 East seed and a state semifinalist last fall, opened its 2025 playoff bid with a 71-0 home win over Mission Valley Friday night.

The Bulldawgs took control of the game with a 21-0 first quarter and scored 35 points in the second quarter to open up a 56-0 halftime lead before adding a pair of scores in the third stanza. 

Senior quarterback Canann Mitchell scored on a 41-yard run and threw for a 30-yard TD to Jack Donovan and a 15-yard TD pass to Cameron Miller.

Donovan opened the scoring with a 55-yard run while Landen Lewis scored on 10 and 40-yard runs, Andre Johnson scored on a 6-yard run and Conner Bush scored on a 2-yard run.

The Bulldawgs also got interception returns for touchdowns from Cale Horak and Dalen Dick while Austin Dohrman kicked nine extra points and Cole Graves scored on a 2-point conversion run.

Rossville advances to host No. 5 seed Jefferson County North (8-1), a 30-14 winner over McLouth, next Friday.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural cross country coach Matt Swedlund knew going into Saturday's state cross country meet at Rim Rock that the battle for the Class 6A boys team championship would be close.

Washburn Rural's cross country team celebrates with coach Matt Swedlund Saturday at Rim Rock Farm after learning the Junior Blues had won the Class 6A state championship. [Photo by Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports]

Washburn Rural's cross country team stands on the victory stand Saturday at Rim Rock Farm after winning the Class 6A state cross country title. [Photo by Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports]

It couldn't have been any closer. 

Washburn Rural, top-ranked in the 6A coaches rankings, didn't have an individual medalist (top 20) on Saturday, but the Junior Blues put four runners in the top 28 places to lead the way as Rural captured the team championship by a single point (100-101) over Blue Valley.

Swedlund said at mid-week that he expected a tight race for the title.

"Basically the top five in the rankings are all just points from each other,'' Swedlund told TopSports.news. "There are several teams that have an opportunity (to win the team crown), so you've got to take it.

"We're not taking anything for granted and if you want to end up on the podium (top three teams) you're going to have to run well. We've been fortunate to have some good teams that were in the conversation and when you put yourself in the conversation there is no reason not to make your goal the absolute top. You want to be the best, you want to win, so that's what you shoot for.''

The Junior Blues, who had tied Manhattan at regionals and finished second on a tiebreaker, rode a pack finish on Saturday to its second title under Swedlund, a Washburn Rural alum.

Sophomore Henry Laubach (1598) leads a strong pack finish from Class 6A state champion Washburn Rural Saturday at Rim Rock Farm. [Photo by Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports]

Rural, which finished sixth as a team in the 2024 state meet, got a team-high 22nd-place finish from sophomore Henry Laubach in a five-kilometer time of 16:40.66 while senior Brooks Kehoe was just three spots back in 25th (16:42.83), sophomore Clayton Fink was right behind Kehoe in 26th (16:46.46) and sophomore Duke Graf was 28th (16:47.78).

Sophomore Jaxson Adams rounded out Rural's top five with a 42nd-place finish (17:01.90) while senior Wyatt Shorb was 52nd (17:11.27) and sophomore Brady Meek 84th (17:48.44). 

Olathe West was just 10 points behind Blue Valley in third (110) while Maize (147) and Free State (150) rounded out the top five in the team standings.

Blue Valley Northwest's Jacob D'souza won the individual title in 15:42.50.

Washburn Rural's girls finished seventh as a team with 173 points, led by freshman Alyson Hinck in a time of 19:54.78.

Senior Emily Graf finished 30th (19:58.44), followed by senior Kenzie Maddox in 49th (20:27.71), sophomore Reese Beardslee in 50th (20:29.81), freshman Morgan Munson in 51st (20:33.80), freshman Clara Dixon in 62nd (21:00.06) and freshman Lilly Palmer in 90th (23:18.64).

Manhattan won the girls team championship with 61 points. 

Topeka High sophomore Easton Davis competed in the 6A boys race as an individual, placing 80th (17:42.79)'

Vikings' Spencer posts 16th-place 5A finish

Seaman junior Brynn Spencer earned her second straight Class 5A state medal Saturday at Rim Rock Farm, placing 16th in 19:26.82.

 Seaman junior Brynn Spencer (1575) earned her second straight Class 5A state medal with a 16th-place finish Saturday at Rim Rock Farm. [Photo by Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports]

Spencer, competing as an individual, placed 18th at state as a sophomore.

Seaman senior Brody Anderson placed 33rd in the boys race (16:51.27) while Shawnee Heights senior Max Esquibel finished 50th (17:24.63).

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural cross country coach Matt Swedlund knows that there are multiple teams capable of challenging for the Class 6A boys state team championship Saturday at Rim Rock Farm, north of Lawrence.

Veteran senior Brooks Kehoe, the Centennial League champion, will lead top-ranked Washburn Rural into Saturday's Class 6A state cross country meet at Rim Rock Farm. [File photo/TSN]

But Rural, top-ranked in the 6A coaches rankings, is one of those teams, and Swedlund is excited to see what Saturday holds for his young Junior Blues, who have five sophomores in their state lineup.

"Basically the top five in the rankings are all just points from each other,'' Swedlund said. "There are several teams that have an opportunity (to win the team crown), so you've got to take it.

"We're not taking anything for granted and if you want to end up on the podium (top three teams) you're going to have to run well. We've been fortunate to have some good teams that were in the conversation and when you put yourself in the conversation there is no reason not to make your goal the absolute top. You want to be the best, you want to win, so that's what you shoot for.'' 

Washburn Rural tied Manhattan for last Saturday's regional title at Wichita's Clapp Park, with the Indians taking the team crown on a tiebreaker (highest finishing sixth runner).

Sophomores Duke Graf, Clayton Fink and Henry Laubach finished second, seventh and 12th to lead the Junior Blues while senior Centennial League champion Brooks Kehoe finished 19th and sophomore Jaxson Adams 22nd to round out Rural's top five and senior Wyatt Shorb and sophomore Brady Meek finished 28th and 29th.

Rural finished sixth as a team in last year's state meet, with Laubach finishing 14th to earn a state medal.

Senior Emily Graf, a two-time 6A state medalist, will lead the young Junior Blues into Saturday's state meet at Rim Rock Farm. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural suffered heavy graduation losses off its girls team that finished second in, losing out to Olathe West on a tiebreaker, in last year's state meet, but the Junior Blues, ranked fifth in 6A, earned a trip to state with a strong runnerup regional finish to Centennial champ Manhattan.

Seniors Emily Graf and Kenzie Maddox and sophomore Reese Beardslee return from last year's runnerup Rural team and will be joined on Saturday by freshmen Alyson Hinck, Morgan Munson, Clara Dillon and Lilly Palmer.

Graf led Rural with a fifth-place finish at regionals while Hinck was eighth, Munson ninth, Maddox 16th, Beardslee 17th, Dillon 21st and Palmer 36th.

"You've got some young girls, so you just want them to get out there and run the best that they can and see where you land,'' Swedlund said.

Graf will be shooting for her third 6A state medal, finishing 14th a year ago after a 19th-place showing as a sophomore.

Topeka High sophomore Easton Davis posted a 14th-place regional finish to qualify as an individual for the 6A boys race.

The 6A girls race is scheduled for 10:35 a.m. Saturday while the boys race is slated for 12:20 p.m.

CLASS 5A

Three city standouts qualified as individuals for Saturday's Class 5A state meet at Rim Rock Farm, led by Seaman senior Brody Anderson, a returning state medalist.

Seaman senior Brody Anderson is back at state for his third straight season after finishing second in last week's Class 5A regional at Wichita. [File photo/TSN]

Anderson, a 5A state medalist last season with a ninth-place finish, was the runnerup in last Saturday's regional at Wichita while Shawnee Heights senior Max Esquibel qualified with a 14th-place regional finish at Lawrence.

Seaman junior Brynn Spencer, a returning state medalist, posted a sixth-place individual finish at regionals. [File photo/TSN]

Seaman junior Brynn Spencer will be the lone local runner in the 5A girls race, qualifying as an individual with a sixth-place regional finish in Wichita.

Spencer finished 18th at state as a sophomore.

The 5A boys race is scheduled for 11:10 a.m. Saturday while the girls will run in the final race of the day at 12:55 p.m.

CLASS 4A

Hayden's boys and girls combined for three individual qualifying berths for Saturday's Class 4A state meet at Wamego Country Club.

Sophomore Nick Newkirk and senior Connor Baldwin finished 14th and 15th in the Leonardville 4A regional to earn boys state berths while Hayden junior girls standout Sofia Harper qualified with a 12th-place regional finish.

The 4A girls race is scheduled for 10:35 a.m. Saturday while the boys race is set for a 12:20 p.m. start.

CLASS 3A

Silver Lake's boys earned a team berth for Saturday's Class 3A state meet at Rim Rock Farm, while junior Alessandra Gerber qualified as an individual for the girls race.

Silver Lake earned the final team berth in the 3A regional at Leonardville with a third-place finish, just three points out of second and 16 out of first.

Junior Hunter Rooks led Silver Lake with an eighth-place regional finish while sophomore Carson Kraus finished 20th, senior Brayden Just 27th, sophomore Miles Burgess 28th, junior Lane Ray 29th, senior Joel Heier 38th and senior Zachariah Rodenbaugh 66th. 

Gerber earned a return trip to state with a sixth-place individual finish at regionals.

The 3A boys race is the first race of the day at 10 a.m. Saturday while the 3A girls will run at 11:45 a.m.

CLASS 2A

Rossville junior Madelyn Wonnell earned a return trip to the Class 2A meet at Wamego Country Club with a 14th-place individual finish in the Marion regional.

The 2A girls race is Saturday's final race of the day at 12:55 p.m. 

SHAWNEE COUNTY STATE QUALIFIERS

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

CLASS 6A

Jadyn Baum, Washburn Rural

WICHITA SOUTH (3-5) at WASHBURN RURAL (5-3)

Washburn Rural is the No. 7 Class 6A West seed while Wichita South is No. 10. Washburn Rural, playing without standout senior quarterback John Hoytal, dropped a 43-0 home Centennial League decision to Manhattan last week. Friday's winner will advance to a second-round game to face the winner of Friday's game between No. 2 Wichita Northwest (7-1) and No. 15 Campus (0-8). Game time: 7 p.m. 

TOPEKA HIGH (3-5) at DERBY (5-3)

The Trojans, coming off a 34-12 home non-league loss to Pittsburg, are the No. 11 6A West seed while perennial state contender Derby is the No. 6 seed. The Topeka High-Derby winner will advance to face Friday's winner between No. 3 seed Junction City (6-2) and No. 14 Wichita West (1-7). Game time: 7 p.m.

CLASS 5A

G'Honi Montgomery, Highland Park

DE SOTO (6-2) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (6-2)

At Hummer Sports Park

Coming off a big 42-30 Meadowlark Conference road win over previously-unbeaten Kansas City-Washington, Highland Park is the No. 8 Class 5A East seed while United Kansas Conference stalwart De Soto is seeded No. 9 and coming off a 42-21 UKC home win over Seaman. Highland Park junior G'Honi Montgomery carried the ball 14 times for 292 yards and five touchdowns against Washington and has 633 yards on 55 attempts in five games. Junior JoJo Kingcannon has rushed for 393 yards and four TDs on 26 carries and caught seven passes for 280 yards and three TDs. The Highland Park-De Soto winner will move on to face the winner of Friday's contest between No. 1 seed Basehor-Linwood (8-0) and No. 16 Blue Valley Southwest (0-8). Game time: 6 p.m.

Aiden Scott, Shawnee Heights

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (4-4) at ST. JAMES ACADEMY (7-1)

Shawnee Heights is coming off a 29-16 home United Kansas Conference win over Kansas City Turner and is the No. 11 5A East seed for the playoffs while St. James is the No. 6 seed. The T-Bird-Thunder winner will advance to next week's second round of the playoffs to take on the winner of Friday's game between No. 3 seed Spring Hill (7-1) and No. 14 Kansas City-Harmon (1-7). Shawnee Heights senior quarterback Aiden Scott has completed 181 of 287 passes for 2,767 yards and 23 TDs while senior AJ Gallegos has 61 catches for 860 yards and seven touchdowns. Dayton Vanderpool is the T-Birds' leading tackler with 75 stops (51 solo), including 5.5 tackles for loss. Game time: 7 p.m.

SEAMAN (3-5) at LIBERAL (6-2)

Seaman, coming off a 42-21 United Kansas Conference road loss at De Soto, is the No. 11 5A West seed while Liberal is No. 6. The winner of Friday's game will advance to face the winner of Friday's game between No. 3 Andover (6-2) and No. 14 seed Salina South (1-7). Seaman junior quarterback Cale Ketter has completed 136 of 231 passes for 2,013 yards and 23 touchdowns while Josh Brown has 38 catches for 611 yards and eight TDs and Coy Barta has 33 catches for 558 yards and nine TDs. Sophomore Quentin Moravec has 830 rushing yards and 11 TDs on 147 attempts. Game time: 6 p.m.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Top Class 5A East seed Shawnee Heights opened its postseason bid with a 6-1 regional semifinal win over United Kansas Conference rival Basehor-Linwood Tuesday night at the Bettis Family Sports Complex.

 Shawnee Heights senior Camden Granado (left) scored three goals in Tuesday's 6-1 regional win over Basehor-Linwood, becoming Heights' career-leading scorer. [File photo/TSN]

Senior Camden Granado scored a three-goal hat trick for the T-Birds to become Shawnee Heights' all-time career leading scorer while senior Juan Garcia added two goals and senior Wyatt Lindecrantz one.

Garcia also had an assist in the win while junior Mason Haas, senior Sheldon Pokphanh and senior Chase Tofflemire also had assists. 

The T-Birds improved to 15-2-0 on the season, with their only losses coming against 6A power Washburn Rural and fellow 5A power Blue Valley Southwest.

Shawnee Heights advanced to a 6 p.m. Thursday semifinal at Bettis to face No. 9 seed St. Thomas Aquinas (8-8-1), a 3-2 winner over Kansas City-Turner.

Washburn Rural senior Dylan Willingham (middle), Rural's single-season and career scoring leader, scored three goals in Tuesday's 9-1 regional win over Wichita Northwest. [File photo/TSN]

Rural rolls to 9-1 regional win over Wichita Northwest

Washburn Rural improved to 15-1-1 with a 9-1 Class 6A regional semifinal win over 4-12-1 Wichita Northwest Tuesday night at McElroy Field.

Senior Dylan Willingham, Rural's single-season and career-leading scorer, led the Junior Blues with a three-goal hat trick while junior Brodye Kocher-Munoz and senior Brandon Hamilton scored two goals apiece and senior Brody Grogan and junior Myles Didde had one goal each.

Senior Draden Chooncharoen and Didde both had two assists apiece while Willingham, senior Everett Un and senior Drew Moore had one assist each.

Rural, the No. 2 6A West seed, advanced to a 6 p.m. home game Thursday to host No. 7 seed Wichita East (12-5-0), which moved on with a 5-0 win over Junction City.

Cair Paravel advances with 6-2 4A-1A regional romp

Cair Paravel Latin, the No. 5 West seed in Class 4A-1A, advanced to a Thursday regional final with a 6-2 Monday win over No. 12 seed Circle (5-11-1).

The Lions, now 10-6-0, advanced to a 4 p.m. Thursday game at Berean Academy (12-5-1), with Berean advancing with a 3-1 wins over El Dorado. 

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

MONDAY'S GAME

CLASS 4A-1A

CIRCLE (5-10-1) vs. CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (9-6-0)

At Bettis Family Sports Complex

Cair Paravel Latin, the No. 5 seed in the Class 4A-1A West bracket with a 9-6-0 record, will open its postseason bid with a 6 p.m. Monday regional game against Circle (5-10-1). With a win Monday the Lions will advance to a Region 4 regional final on Thursday to face the winner of a Monday game between Berean Academy (10-5-1) and El Dorado (3-11-2).

TUESDAY'S GAMES

CLASS 6A

Dylan Willingham, Washburn Rural

WICHITA NORTHWEST (4-11-1) at WASHBURN RURAL (14-1-1)

Perennial state power Washburn Rural is the No. 2 West seed in Class 6A with a 14-1-1 record and will be at home Tuesday for a 6 p.m. regional semifinal at McElroy Field to host No. 15 seed Wichita Northwest (4-11-1). With a win Tuesday the Centennial League champs will advance to a regional final on Thursday to host the winner of Monday's game at Wichita between No. 10 Junction City (8-7-1) and No. 7 Wichita East (11-5-0). 

Billy Lutz, Topeka High

TOPEKA HIGH (9-5-2) at WICHITA NORTH (10-6-0)

Topeka High is the No. 9 Class 6A West seed with a 9-5-2 record and will go on the road Tuesday to face No. 8 seed Wichita North (10-6-0) in its postseason opener. With a win Tuesday, the Trojans will move on to a regional final on Thursday to face the winner of a regional semifinal between top West seed Wichita Southeast (15-1-0) and No. 16 Derby (3-13-0).

CLASS 5A

Camden Granado, Shawnee Heights

BASEHOR-LINWOOD (3-12-1) vs. SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (14-2-0)

At Bettis Family Sports Complex

An outstanding 14-2-0 regular season earned Shawnee Heights the No. 1 East seed for the Class 5A playoffs. The T-Birds will begin postseason with a 6 p.m. regional semifinal on Tuesday against their United Kansas Conference rival, No. 16 Basehor-Linwood (3-12-1). With a win Tuesday the T-Birds will advance to a regional final on Thursday to host the winner of Tuesday's game between No. 8 seed Kansas City-Turner (6-6-4) and No. 9 St. Thomas Aquinas (7-8-1) at Turner, also a member of the UKC.

Gage Kindred-Noragon, Topeka West

HAYS (7-8-0) vs. TOPEKA WEST (12-2-2)

At Hummer Sports Park

Topeka West earned the No. 3 Class 5A West seed with a 12-2-2 regular season and will open postseason with a 6 p.m. Tuesday regional semifinal against Hays (7-8-0). With a win Tuesday the Chargers will move on to a Thursday regional final to host the winner of Tuesday's game at Salina between No. 6 seed Salina South (11-5-0) and No. 11 Andover Central (8-7-1).

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

 Elise Eckert

ELISE ECKERT, Seaman

A senior, Eckert captured her fourth straight Class 5A state girls golf medal in Emporia, tying for fifth with a 36-hole total of 161 (77-84). Eckert, who won city and United Kansas Conference individual championships and finished second at regionals, led the Vikings to a tie for fifth in the team standings.

 Izzy Glotzbach

IZZY GLOTZBACH, Hayden

Glotzbach, a senior, finished her high school girls golf career with a tie for fifth in the Class 4A state tournament at Hutchinson's Carey Park. Glotzbach, who helped Hayden win the 4A team title as a sophomore and junior, had rounds of 85 and 79 to finish at 164 and lead the Wildcats to a fourth-place team finish. 

Connor Hanika

CONNOR HANIKA, Hayden

Hanika, a senior quarterback, completed 14 of 21 passes for 165 yards and three touchdowns to three different receivers last Friday as the 8-0 Wildcats wrapped up the Class 3A District 4 championship with a 42-0 home victory over Jefferson West. Hanika has now completed 75 of 127 passes for 1,117 yards and 16 touchdowns while throwing just one interception on the season.

The 2025 All Shawnee County girls golf team -- From left: Lauren Cox, Washburn Rural; Kailyn Petersen, Washburn Rural; Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake; Elise Eckert, Seaman; Makenna Stuke, Seaman; Lauren Borjon, Hayden; Izzy Glotzbach, Hayden. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Five state medalists, including three first-team repeat picks, headline the 2025 All-Shawnee County girls golf team.

Hayden seniors Lauren Borjon and Izzy Glotzbach are both three-time first-team all-county selections while Washburn Rural senior Lauren Cox is a first-team repeater.

City and United Kansas Conference team champion Seaman is represented by seniors Elise Eckert and Makenna Stuke on the all-county first team along with Silver Lake senior Kailyn Hanni and Washburn Rural junior Kailyn Petersen.

Hanni, Stuke and Petersen were all second-team all-county selections in 2024 while Eckert earned first-team honors in her first season at Seaman. 

Hanni placed fifth in Class 3A-1A, Glotzbach tied for fifth in 4A and Eckert tied for fifth in 5A while Borjon tied for 12th in 4A and Cox tied for 18th in 6A. 

Eckert and Borjon were both four-time state medalists while Glotzbach and Hanni were both repeat medalists.

Eckert in 5A, Glotzbach in 4A and Hanni in 3A-1A all earned first-team All-State honors from the state's coaches while Borjon was a second-team pick and Stuke earned honorable mention.

Named to this year's second team were Washburn Rural seniors Taryn Jellison, Briley Miles and Peyton Merrick, Hayden junior Brooke Johnson, Seaman juniors Chloe Schmidtlein and Kaitlynn Frye and Silver Lake freshman Avenley Head.

All-Shawnee County first-team capsules:

By CHARLES SPURLOCK

Special to TopSports.news

WICHITA -- On a rain soaked Saturday morning, four local teams (Topeka High, Washburn Rural, Seaman, Topeka West) headed to Wichita’s L.W. Clapp Park to run in the Class 5A and 6A regional cross country championships.

In 6A, both the girls and boys teams from Washburn Rural qualified for the state meet and will run next Saturday at Rim Rock Farm north of Lawrence.

Washburn Rural senior Emily Graf finished fifth in Saturday's Class 6A regional at Wichita, leading Rural to a runnerup team finish. [File photo/TSN]

The second-place Washburn Rural girls were led by a fifth-place finish from senior Emily Graf, who finished in a time of 20:19.10. Two freshmen teammates also finished in the top ten -- Alyson Hinck in eighth with a time of 20:34.75 and 

Morgan Munson had a ninth place finish in 20:41.04.

The Washburn Rural boys tied Manhattan with 62 points, but Manhattan finished in first due to the tiebreaker of their sixth runner finishing four places ahead of Washburn Rural’s sixth-place runner.

Rural sophomore Duke Graf finished in second place in a time of 17:38.44 and was joined in the top 10 by fellow sophomore Clayton Fink with a time of 17:51.16.

Topeka High sophomore Easton Davis qualified for state individually based on his 14th-place finish in 18:09.80.

In Class 5A, the Seaman girls and boys will send one runner each to the state meet next Saturday.

Seaman junior Brynn Spencer was sixth in Saturday's Class 5A regional at Wichita, earning a state berth. [File photo/TSN]

Junior Brynn Spencer finished in sixth place with a time of 20:06.18 and commented on running in the rainy conditions,

“Knowing that everyone would be running in the same conditions, I wanted to go out and push the pace as much as I could,'' Spencer said. "All the puddles were fun to run through and I’m just really glad with how I did.”

In looking forward to next week’s state meet, Spencer said, “I’m kind of sad that the whole team didn’t qualify and I’ll have to run by myself, but it’s been a great season with all of them. My main goal for next week is to get a better time and place than last year at state. Coach (Rick) Brading wants me to push for the top 10 and into the elite runners group in our school.”

Seaman senior Brody Anderson finished second individually in Saturday's Class 5A cross country regional at Wichita. [File photo/TSN] 

Seaman senior Brody Anderson finished the boys race in 16:55.76, just 0.07 seconds behind regional champion Daniel Enriquez of Kapaun-Mt. Carmel.

Anderson talked about running the rain-soaked course, “It was a fun day to get out and race, but the conditions never produce fast times and that wasn’t the goal today. Coach (Luke) Wiens and I planned all week to go out today and qualify and put up either one or two points for the team.”

He is aware of what will happen next week, “State will be more strategic and I’ll be fighting for the win.”

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Silver Lake topped Council Grove 17-8 Friday night to capture the Class 2A District 3 championship while stretching its win streak to six games.

The Eagles improved to 6-2 overall while wrapping up a perfect 4-0 run to the district title.

Silver Lake has been installed as the No. 4 East seed in 2A and will open its postseason bid with a Friday night home game against No. 13 seed St. Marys (3-5).

The Eagles topped the Bears 21-6 on Sept. 26.

The winner of next Friday's game will advance to the second round of the playoffs to face the winner of the game between No. 5 seed Sabetha (7-1) and No. 12 Humboldt (3-5).  

Rossville caps 8-1 regular season

Rossville wrapped up its Class 1A District 2 championship and a 7-1 regular season with a 49-6 Homecoming win over Wabaunsee Friday night.

The Bulldawgs took control of the game with a 21-0 first quarter, getting a 12-yard touchdown run from Conner Bush, an 8-yard TD from Canann Mitchell and a 49-yard TD pass from Mitchell to Cameron Miller.

Rossville tacked on a 9-yard Mitchell run and a 9-yard Jack Donovan run to take a 35-0 halftime advantage.

Bush scored his second TD of the game on an 18-yard run and Landen Lewis scored on a 4-yard to end Rossville's scoring with 4:02 left in the third quarter.

Wabaunsee scored its lone TD with 6:49 left in the game on a 28-yard pass.

Rossville is the No. 4 East seed and will host No. 13 Mission Valley (4-4) at 7 p.m. next Friday.

The Rossville-Mission Valley winner will advance to take on the winner between No. 5 seed Jefferson County North (7-1) and No. 12 McLouth (3-5). With a win over Mission Valley, the Bulldawgs will host the second-round game.

Hayden senior quarterback Connor Hanika threw for three touchdowns to three different receivers Friday night as the Wildcats improved to 8-0 with a 42-0 district win over Jefferson West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Hayden improves to 8-0 with 42-0 district shutout

Hayden continued to roll Friday night in a 42-0 home win over Jefferson West, with the Wildcats improving to 8-0 overall and a perfect 4-0 in Class 3A District 4.

Hayden senior quarterback Connor Hanika threw for three touchdowns, hitting three different receivers for TDs, while senior Jude Krentz ran for a pair of TDs and helped spearhead a defense that blanked the Tigers (6-2 overall, 3-1 in the district).

Hayden senior Jude Krentz ran for a pair of touchdowns and helped the Wildcat defense post a shutout in Friday's 42-0 district win over Jefferson West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

The Wildcats are the No. 1 East seed in 3A and will host No. 16 seed Columbus (2-6) next Friday night (7 p.m. start).

With a win over Columbus, Hayden will advance to a second-round playoff game to host the winner of the game between No. 8 seed Parsons (3-5) and No. 9 Wellsville (5-3).

Washburn Rural to open Class 6A playoff bid at hom

Washburn Rural, 5-3 on the season, earned a first-round home Class 6A playoff game as the No. 7 West seed.

Rural, which dropped a 43-0 Centennial League decision to Manhattan in its regular-season finale, will host No. 10 Wichita South (3-5) next Friday.

The winner of the Washburn Rural-Wichita South game will move on to face the winner of the game between No. 2 seed Wichita Northwest (7-1) and No. 15 Campus (0-8).  

Scots earn share of Meadowlark Conference crown, No. 8 5A East seed

Highland Park remained unbeaten on the field Friday night on the way to earning a share of the Meadowlark Conference championship with a 42-30 road win at previously-unbeaten Kansas City-Washington.

The Scots, 6-2 overall, built a big lead over the Wildcats and held on down the stretch for the win over Washingon, 7-1 on the year.

Highland Park was installed as the No. 8 Class 5A East seed and will be at Hummer Sports Park next Friday to host No. 9 East seed De Soto (6-2).

The Hi Park-De Soto winner will advance to second round of postseason to face the winner of next Friday's game between top seed Basehor-Linwood (8-0) and No. 16 Blue Valley Southwest (0-8).

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(Allkickoffs at 7 p.m.)

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

Connor Hanika, Hayden

JEFFERSON WEST (6-1, 3-0 Class 3A District 4) at HAYDEN (7-0, 3-0 Class 3A District 4)

Hayden and Jefferson West will square off for the Class 3A District 4 title Friday night. The Wildcats are coming off a 48-7 district win at Perry-Lecompton last Friday while Jefferson West took a 54-12 non-district win over Atchison County. Hayden senior Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 61 times for 586 yards and has scored 14 total touchdowns while senior quarterback Connor Hanika has completed 61 of 106 passes for 950 yards and 13 TDs. Mahki Kidd has caught 18 passes for 178 yards and three touchdowns.

MANHATTAN (5-2, 2-1 Centennial League) at WASHBURN RURAL (5-2, 2-1 Centennial League)

Washburn Rural dropped a 35-20 Centennial League decision at Junction City last Friday after losing standout senior quarterback John Hoytal to an injury in the first half while Manhattan rolled to a 50-0 home league win over Topeka High. Both the Junior Blues and Indians are in line to host a first-round Class 6A West playoff game.

Joseph Kingcannon, Highland Park 

HIGHLAND PARK (5-2, 4-1 Meadowlark) at KC-WASHINGTON (7-0, 5-0 Meadowlark)

Highland Park can earn a share of the Meadowlark Conference championship with a win Friday. Both teams are unbeaten on the field, with Kansas City-Washington coming off a 49-33 Meadowlark win over KC-Schlagle while Highland Park picked up a forfeit win over Kansas City-East, Mo. last Friday. Scot senior quarterback Dontrail Fox has completed 16 of 30 passes for 465 yards and six touchdowns in Hi Park's four on-field games while junior Joseph Kingcannon has gained 380 yards and scored four TDs on just 21 attempts and has caught six passes for 273 yards and three TDs. Junior G'Honi Montgomery has 341 rushing yards and three TDs on 41 carries.

PITTSBURG (3-4) vs. TOPEKA HIGH (3-4)

At Hummer Sports Park

Topeka High will close out its regular season with a non-league game against Pittsburg. The Trojans dropped a 50-0 Centennial League decision at Manhattan last Friday while Pittsburg is coming off a 42-0 win over Chanute. The Trojans and Purple Dragons have one common opponent, with Pittsburg opening its season with a 24-14 victory over Emporia while High took a 13-12 win over the Spartans in its league opener.

Cameron Miller, Rossville

WABAUNSEE (4-3, 3-1 Class 1A District 2) at ROSSVILLE (6-1, 4-0 Class 1A District 2)

Rossville remained unbeaten in the District 2 race with a come-from-behind 36-22 win over Olpe while Wabaunsee has won three straight games, including a 36-21 district win over Mission Valley last Friday. Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell has completed 67 of 103 passes for 981 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushed for 566 yards and eight TDs on 73 attempts. Conner Bush has carried the ball 36 times for 435 yards and six TDs while Cameron Miller has 24 catches for 398 yards and six TDs and Jack Donovan has 25 catches for 298 yards and two TDs. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Hayden had its two-year Class 4A state championship reign ended by Wamego Tuesday at Hutchinson's Carey Park, but the Wildcats posted a top-four team finish as seniors Izzy Glotzbach and Lauren Borjon ended their high school careers with state medals.

 Izzy Glotzbach, Hayden [File photo/TSN]

Lauren Borjon, Hayden [File photo/TSN]

Glotzbach tied for fifth individually with a 36-hole total of 164 (85-79) while Borjon tied for 12th at 170 (88-82).

Hayden's Brooke Johnson tied for 23rd with a two-day total of 178 (89-89), one stroke out of 20th.

Kellyn Specht finished at 196 (99-97), Morgan Johnson was at 213 (104-109) and Avery Becker at 226 (116-110) for the Wildcats.

Wamego star Addison Douglass won her fourth straight state title by a seven-stroke margin with a 36-hole score of 145 (77-68) as the Red Raiders won the team championship by 40 strokes over Goodland (658-698).

McPherson was third at 701 while Hayden was fourth at 708.

 Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake [Photo by Brent Maycock/KSHSAA Covered]

Hanni fifth in Class 3A-1A to lead Eagles to fourth-place showing

Silver Lake multi-sport standout Kailyn Hanni closed out her high school golf career with a fifth-place finish in Class 3A-1A Tuesday at Salina Municipal Golf Course.

Hanni posted a 36-hole score of 164, carding rounds of 81 and 83, as Silver Lake, which had placed first and second in the previous two 3A-1A state tournaments, finished fourth as a team at 729. 

The Eagles' Savanah Wende narrowly missed a state medal with a tie for 21st at 184 (93-91) while Silver Lake got a tie for 29th from Avenley Head (99-89 -- 188) and a tie for 36th from Morgan Ackerley (91-102 -- 193) to round out its top four.

Rossville's Elley Sanders, competing as an individual, tied for 36th at 193 (95-98).

Goodland's Allison Cure was the individual state champion at 150 (73-77) as the Cowboys won the team title by a 31-stroke margin over Jefferson West. St. Marys Colgan finished third at 718.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Brody Anderson

BRODY ANDERSON, Seaman

Anderson, a senior cross country standout, won his second straight boys United Kansas Conference individual title Thursday in Kansas City, Kan. while posting his fifth individual victory of the 2025 season. A Class 5A state medalist in cross country and track, Anderson posted a winning five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 38.30 seconds while leading the Vikings to a runnerup conference team finish.

Jordan Finnesy

JORDAN FINNESY, Washburn University

Finnesy tied a school record with two interceptions while adding nine tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in Saturday's 37-17 MIAA win over Central Missouri in Yager Stadium. Finnesy helped Washburn record a school-record eight turnovers against the Mules en route to snapping a four-game losing streak and picking up the Ichabods' first conference victory of 2025. 

 Molly Gorman

MOLLY GORMAN, Seaman

A senior tennis standout, Gorman earned her fourth straight Class 5A state medal with a sixth-place singles finish Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center. After placing in the 5A state meet in doubles as a freshman and sophomore, Gorman earned singles medals her final two high school seasons for the Vikings, helping Seaman finish second as a team to cap the 2025 season.

The 2025 All-City girls tennis team -- Front, left to right: Julia Katzer, Washburn Rural; Annie Henderson, Washburn Rural; Madilyn Poole, Cair Paravel Latin; Madeline Deters, Topeka High; Emma Sweeney, Seaman; Camryn Lux, Seaman. Back, left to right: Alizah Alvarez-Chedzoy, Washburn Rural; Halle Owen, Washburn Rural; Ava Ritter, Topeka High; Hailey Caryl, Topeka High; Molly Gorman, Seaman; Peyton Henry, Seaman. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Seven repeat selections and six state medalists, led by Seaman Class 5A singles runnerup Emma Sweeney and four-time state medalist Molly Gorman, headline the 2025 All-City girls tennis team.

Sweeney, a junior, and senior Gorman are both All-City repeat picks along with Seaman senior Peyton Henry and junior Camryn Lux, Topeka High seniors Madeline Deters and Ava Ritter and sophomore Hailey Caryl.

Sweeney swept city, United Kansas Conference and regional titles before her second-place state finish while Gorman earned her fourth state medal -- two doubles, two singles -- with a sixth-place singles finish.

Cair Paravel Latin junior Madilyn Poole earned her first state medal last weekend with a third-place 3A-1A singles finish.

High's Deters earned her second straight 6A medal with a sixth-place singles finish while Henry and Lux placed seventh in 5A doubles as Seaman finished second as a team at state after sweeping city, United Kansas Conference and regional championships. 

Also earning All-City recognition were Washburn Rural city and regional doubles champions Julia Katzer and Halle Owen, both juniors, and Rural No. 2 city doubles champions Alizah Alvarez-Chedzoy, a senior, and sophomore Annie Henderson. The four Rural picks, all state qualifiers, helped the Junior Blues win a 6A regional team championship.

All-City selections are based on finishes in the city meet.

All-City capsules:

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

After finishing sixth in the 2024 Class 5A girls state golf tournament, Seaman put itself in position to improve on that finish with a solid opening day performance Monday at Emporia Municipal.

Elise Eckert, Seaman [File photo/TSN]

The Vikings are in fourth place in the team standings entering Tuesday's final round after posting a four-person score of 354, six strokes behind third-place St. James Academy. Kapaun Mt. Carmel leads the team race by a 321-332 margin over Andover.

Senior Elise Eckert, who is looking for her fourth straight 5A state medal, is tied for third after shooting a 77 in Round 1. Andover's Regan Dusenbery is the tournament leader at 68. 

The Vikings' Makenna Stuke and Chloe Schmidtlein carded 91s Monday and are tied for 16th while Kaitlynn Frye added a 95 and Molly Quintana a 98.

The top 20 individuals after Tuesday's final round will receive state medals while the top three teams will receive trophies.

Shawnee Heights' Lauryn Valdivia shot a 111 and Topeka West's Berlyn Kolean a 113 on Monday and did not advance to Tuesday's final round.

State tournaments at all sites are scheduled to get under way at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. 

Izzy Glotzbach, Hayden [File photo/TSN]

Class 4A at Hutchinson

Two-time defending Class 4A state champion Hayden advanced to Tuesday's final round at Carey Park in fourth place as a team after an opening-round four-person score of 361.

The Wildcats are 25 strokes behind tournament leader Wamego, but Hayden is just two strokes behind third-place McPherson and four strokes behind second-place Wellington. Wamego and Hayden finished one-two in last Tuesday's regional at Shawnee Country Club.

Senior Izzy Glotzbach led Hayden Monday with a first-round 85 and is tied for ninth individually entering Tuesday's final round.

Lauren Borjon shot an 88 in the first round and is tied for 14th while Brooke Johnson is tied for 19th after a first-round 89.

Kellyn Specht had a 99, Morgan Johnson a 104 and Avery Becker a 116 for the Wildcats.

Wamego three-time state champion Addison Douglass holds a one-stroke lead after shooting a 77 on Monday.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Rossville scored 22 fourth-quarter points to rally past Olpe 36-22 in a Class 1A District 2 showdown Friday night at Olpe.

Canann Mitchell, Rossville

The Bulldawgs, now 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the district, trailed 16-14 at the end of the third quarter before taking the lead for good on a 34-yard touchdown run from senior quarterback Canann Mitchell and a 2-point conversion pass from Mitchell to senior Cameron Miller, giving Rossville a 22-16 lead.

With 4:26 remaining senior Conner Bush returned an Eagle punt 85 yards for a TD (conversion failed) to give the Bulldawgs a 28-16 lead.

Then, after Olpe (5-2, 3-1) scored on a 25-yard pass, Rossville scored its final TD on an 81-yard run from Mitchell with 1:48 left and Mitchell added a 2-point conversion pass to Andre Johnson to account for the final margin.

Rossville and Olpe were tied 14-14 at the half, with the Bulldawgss getting first-half touchdowns on a 71-yard Bush run and a 32-yard run from senior Jack Donovan.

Rossville will close out its regular season at home Friday against Wabaunsee.

Wildcats remain undefeated with 48-7 district rout at Perry-Lecompton

Hayden improved to 7-0 overall and 3-0 in Class 3A District 4 with Friday's 48-7 road win over Perry-Lecompton (1-6, 0-3).

The Wildcats will be back at home next Friday to host Jefferson West in a showdown for the district title. The Tigers, 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the district, are coming off a 50-12 non-district win over Atchison County.

T-Birds post second straight UKC victory

Shawnee Heights improved to 3-4 overall and 3-3 in the United Kansas Conference with a 42-8 road victory at Lansing Friday night.

Shawnee Heights will be at home on Friday to close out its regular season against Kansas City-Turner. 

Lions pick up second win in 54-13 district win

Cair Paravel Latin notched its second victory of the season Friday, taking a 54-13 Class 1A District 2 road win over Maranatha  Academy.

The Lions, now 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the district, will close out their regular season at Yager Stadium Saturday night against Olpe.

Unbeaten Basehor-Linwood rallies past Seaman, 47-40

Basehor-Linwood improved to 7-0 overall and 6-0 in the United Kansas Conference last Friday night at home, rallying from a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter to take a 47-40 conference victory over Seaman.

The game was tied at 7-all after one quarter and Seaman led 17-14 at the half.

Basehor-Linwood led 24-17 at the start of the fourth quarter before both teams scored 23 points over the final 12 minutes.

Seaman junior Cale Ketter completed 24 of 44 passes for 390 yards and five touchdowns, while junior Coy Barta had five catches for 149 yards and three TDs, junior Jack Becker had eight catches for 85 yards, junior Josh Brown had seven grabs for seven catches for 97 yards and a TD and senior Noah Kobuszewski caught three passes for 53 yards and a score.

Viking sophomore Quentin Moravec carried the ball 17 times for 61 yards. 

The Vikings, who fell to 3-4 overall and 3-3 in the UKC, will travel to De Soto next Friday to close out their regular season.

Leavenworth rolls past Topeka West 56-6 for sixth straight win

Leavenworth posted its sixth straight victory, improving to 6-1 overall and 6-1 in the United Kansas Conference with a 56-6 win over Topeka West Friday night at Hummer Sports Park.

West, now 1-6 overall and 1-6 in the UKC, will close out its regular season next Friday at Piper.

Trojans fall to Centennial League foe Manhattan

Topeka High fell to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the Centennial League with a 50-0 Friday night loss at Manhattan in the Trojans' final league game of the season.

Manhattan improved to 5-2 overall and 2-1 in the league entering a game next Friday at Washburn Rural.

Topeka High will be at Hummer Sports Park next Friday to face Pittsburg in a non-league contest.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

It's probably safe to say that nobody in Monday and Tuesday's Class 5A state tournament field has played more rounds at Emporia Municipal Golf Course than Seaman senior Elise Eckert.

Seaman senior Elise Eckert will be shooting for her fourth straight Class 5A state medal this week in Emporia. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

After all, Emporia Municipal was Eckert's home course growing up and through her first three years of high school golf  before her family moved to Topeka prior to this school year after her junior year at Emporia High.

Now Eckert, who was a three-time 5A state medalist for the Spartans, is hoping to use her vast knowledge of the tournament layout to cap her high school career with a run at the state title.

"I'm so glad that state's at Emporia this year,'' Eckert said. "I know where the ins and outs are of the course for sure. But you can't get too comfortable with any course.

"I've played this course a bunch, but you know there's still new spots you haven't seen that you'll find eventually and you've just got to play that day.''   

Eckert followed up her city and United Kansas Conference individual championships with a second-place regional finish last Monday at Shawnee County Club as the Vikings advanced to state as a team with a runnerup finish behind Andover (342-355).

Eckert carded a two-over-par 75 at regionals to finish second behind Regan Dusenbery's two-under 71 while Seaman also got a fourth-place finish from Makenna Stuke (90), a tie for seventh from Kaitlynn Frye (94), a 10th-place finish from Chloe Schmidtlein (96) and a 16th from Molina Quintana (110).

Eckert feels like her game is in pretty good shape entering her final high school state tournament.

"I feel like if I can keep up with what I've been doing right now I think I'll be in pretty good shape for state,'' Eckert said.  

Topeka West senior Berlyn Kolean qualified for state as an individual with a 109 while Shawnee Heights junior Lauryn Valdivia qualified for state as an individual with a 112.

State tournaments at all sites are scheduled to get under way at 9 a.m. on Monday and 10 a.m. on Tuesday after the fields are cut to the top six teams and top individuals.

Junior Kailyn Petersen placed third in last Monday's Class 6A regional to lead Washburn Rural to a runnerup team finish. [File photo/TSN]

Class 6A at Hesston

Washburn Rural girls golf will compete in the Class 6A state tournament for the 20th straight season in Jared Goehring's 20 years as head coach, qualifying for the state meet at Hesston Golf Course with a runnerup finish in last Monday's regional tournament at Sim Park Golf Course.

Rural, which has captured four 6A state titles, posted a four-person score of 335 to finish second behind champion Olathe West (328).

Junior Kailyn Petersen led the Junior Blues with a third-place regional finish, shooting a 79, while Taryn Jellison placd fourth with an 83.

The Junior Blues also got a tie for fifth from Lauren Cox (85), an 11th-place finish from Briley Miles (88), a tie for 14th from Peyton Merrick (92) and a 16th-place showing from Ella Taggart (93).

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

The ultimate goal is always to finish first, but Seaman girls tennis still had plenty to celebrate in Saturday's Class 5A state tournament at Kossover Tennis Center.

Andover ruled the day, sweeping the singles, doubles and team championships, but Seaman junior Emma Sweeney posted a runnerup singles finish to lead the way as the tournament-host Vikings finished second as a team, just six points behind the champion Trojans (39-33).

Seaman junior Emma Sweeney earned her third straight Class 5A singles medal Saturday with a career-best runnerup finish as the Vikings finished second as a team. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

"A great weekend,'' Seaman coach Jamie Robinson said. "Of course that's why we wanted to host is we wanted to give an advantage to a team that we thought was going to be one of the best teams in the state, and we were. We proved it.''

And it was a day of breakthroughs for the Vikings, with Sweeney advancing to the title match after finishing fourth as a sophomore, while senior Molly Gorman finished sixth in singles after a 10th-place finish as a junior and the Viking doubles team of senior Peyton Henry and junior Camryn Lux finished seventh to cap their first season as a doubles team.

Sweeney, who captured her third straight 5A state medal, finished her season 30-2, with both losses coming against Andover senior Mia Jaramillo, who took a 6-4, 6-3 decision in Saturday's championship match.

Jaramillo, who beat Sweeney in the third-place match in 2024, jumped out to 3-0 and 5-2 leads in the first set before Sweeney rallied to within 5-4 and Jaramillo went up 5-1 in the second set before Sweeney cut her deficit to 5-3.

"We did the same thing in Olathe, so I was kind of expecting it, but I feel like I pushed through,'' Jaramillo said. "She's a great player, so she did good.

"I felt I had a lot of pressure, but we have a great team, so we all pushed through.''

While obviously upset with her near miss, Sweeney knows that someday soon she'll be proud of her accomplishment.

"I'll be pleased after a little bit,'' Sweeney said. "The goal after last year, and I was surprised I made it (to the semifinals), I made it my new goal to try and win, but it's okay and I'll come back next year even harder.

"This gives me more experience and it gives me the experience of playing in front of a big crowd in a big situation, so I think I'm just going to take what I learned today and it will help me grow and make me work even harder in the offseason.''

"Runnerup is so impressive,'' Robinson said of Sweeney's performance. "She's lost to one person this year and that was Mia, so credit to her. She came to play.

''Emma had a couple of runs, but it just wasn't quite enough, so hey, let's learn from it and grow from it.''

Seaman senior Molly Gorman captured her fourth Class 5A state medal Saturday, finishing sixth in singles at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Gorman, who dropped an 8-1 decision to Eisenhower sophomore Quinn Scheideman in the fifth-place match, capped her prep career with her fourth state medal in as many tries -- two singles, two doubles.

Henry and Lux finished off state with a win, taking an 8-6 win over Bishop Carroll senior Macy Wetta and freshman Leah Jackson in the seventh-place match. 

Wildcats earn third-place 4A team trophy

Hayden singles players Lana Hull and Grace Funk and the doubles team of Sophia Wichman and Avery O'Bray all earned Class 4A state medals on Saturday at Harmon Park in Prairie Village, leading the Wildcats to a third-place team finish.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(Allkickoffs at 7 p.m.)

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

Josiah Wilkie, Topeka West

LEAVENWORTH (5-1, 5-1 UKC) vs. TOPEKA WEST (1-5, 1-5 UKC)

At Hummer Sports Park

Topeka West picked up its first win of 2025 last Friday, rallying for a 42-27 United Kansas Conference victory at Kansas City-Turner, while Leavenworth posted its fifth straight win, a 27-14 UKC decision over De Soto.

Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake

OSAGE CITY (6-0, 2-0 Class 2A District 3) at SILVER LAKE (4-2, 2-0 Class 2A District 3)

Osage City and Silver Lake will square off in a game that is likely to decide the Class 2A District 3 championship. Osage City remained unbeaten last week with a 49-14 district win over St. Marys while Silver Lake ran its winning streak to four straight games with a 42-8 district win over Riley County.

John Hoytal, Washburn Rural [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

WASHBURN RURAL (5-1, 2-0 Centennial League)at JUNCTION CITY (4-2, 2-0 Centennial League)

Washburn Rural will put its three-game winning streak on the line in a game that will give the winner a leg up in the Centennial League race. Washburn Rural is coming off a 38-0 league road win at Emporia while Junction City took a 44-6 league win over Topeka High.

TOPEKA HIGH (3-3, 1-2 Centennial League) at MANHATTAN (4-2, 1-1 Centennial League)

Topeka High is coming off a 44-6 Centennial League loss to Junction City while Manhattan dropped a 40-13 non-league decision to Wichita Northwest last week. The Indians will be looking to keep their Centennial League title hopes alive while the Trojans will be trying to snap a two-game league losing streak.

AJ Gallegos, Shawnee Heights

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (2-4, 2-3 UKC) at LANSING (2-4, 2-3 UKC)

Shawnee Heights posted its biggest win of the season last Friday, riding an outsanding defensive effort to a 20-3 United Kansas Conference road win at city rival Seaman, while Lansing dropped a 44-13 UKC decision to Piper.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

With a pair of dominating victories Friday at Kossover Tennis Center, Seaman junior Emma Sweeney, the No. 2 seed, assured herself of a top-four Class 5A state singles finish for the second straight season.

Seaman junior Emma Sweeney advanced to the Class 5A singles semifinals for the second straight season with a pair of dominant victories Friday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

But after finishing fourth as a sophomore, the Seaman star has her sights on bigger things Saturday.

"Last year I wasn't really expected to make it, so I didn't really know what was going on and not winning my semifinal match, it was OK and it was a learning moment,'' Sweeney said. "But this year I'm really looking forward to taking that step and competing and trying to make it to the championship.''  

Now 29-1 on the season, Sweeney dropped just one game on Friday, posting a 6-0, 6-0 win over St. James Academy's Jenna Peltzer and a 6-1, 6-0 quarterfinal victory over Kapaun Mt. Carmel's Clara Hocker to advance to Saturday's 9 a.m. semifinal.

Sweeney said she felt relaxed for the most part during Friday's matches.

"I had a talk with my mental performance coach the other day and we talked about winning over my nerves and I think after I won them over it helps me play a lot more confident and loose,'' Sweeney said.

Sweeney will face No. 3 seed Allison Munhall of Valley Center in one semifinal while top seed Mia Jaramillo of Andover will face No. 5 seed Kali Keough of Emporia in the other semifinal. 

Seaman senior singles player Molly Gorman and the Viking doubles team of senior Peyton Henry and junior Camryn Lux also assured themselves of state medals while advancing to Saturday's place matches.

Gorman, who lost 6-0, 6-2 to Jaramillo in the singles quarterfinals, can still finish as high as fifth, as can Henry and Lux, who also lost in the doubles quarterfinals.

Viking juniors Kaylyn Hiebsch and Cadence Speer were eliminated Friday, just one win away from advancing to the place rounds.

Seaman coach Jamie Robinson said he was pleased overall with the Vikings' first-day state performance as the team tries to earn a top-three state finish for the second straight season.

"We won the matches we were supposed to win,'' Robinson said. "So far, so good. It could have been a little better, it could have been a lot worse.''

Cair Paravel junior Madilyn Poole advanced to Saturday's Class 3A-1A singles semifinals with a pair of Friday wins. [File photo/TSN] 

Lions' Poole advances to 3A-1A semis

Cair Paravel Latin junior Madilyn Poole, making her second straight Class 3A-1A state appearance, has assured herself of a top-four finish and her first state medal after advancing to Saturday's singles semifinals at the Salina Tennis Center.

Poole, the No. 3 seed, posted a 6-0, 6-1 win in her first match of the day before rallying for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 win over No. 6 seed Lauren Sleder of Larned in the quarterfinals.

Poole will face No. 2 seed Karli Haase of Ellsworth in a 9 a.m. semifinal Saturday.

Silver Lake junior Evelynn Thompson came within one win of advancing to Saturday's place matches. 

By CHARLES SPURLOCK

Special to TopSports.news

BONNER SPRINGS -- Wyandotte County Park provided the backdrop for the 2025 United Kansas Conference cross country meet Thursday. The Seaman girls and boys teams were the top local finishers, with the girls finishing fifth and the boys coming in second while the day was also highlighted by the return of senior star Ryin Miller.

Seaman junior Brynn Spencer was the individual runnerup in Thursday's UKC cross country meet. [File photo/TSN]

In the girls race, Seaman junior Brynn Spencer finished in second place with a time of 19:46.90, behind conference champion Elizabeth Arenas of Piper.

“I was very proud of how I ran today, despite running alone most of the race,'' Spencer said. "I knew there were lots of rolling hills on the course, so my goal was to push up the hills and use the downhills to get some energy back.”

Seaman senior Ryin Miller returned from injury to place third in Thursday's UKC meet in Kansas City, Kan. [File photo/TSN]

Miller, the 2024 Class 5A runnerup and a five-time state champ in track, finished third in the race in a time of 20:36, which was her first race of the season due to an injury. Miller talked about dealing with the prolonged injury and the opportunity to race Thursday.

“This season has been very challenging and the hardest thing I’ve ever had to face as an athlete,'' she said. "There are so many highs and lows in sports, but because of the lows we grow, learn and truly are stronger because of it. I’ve been extremely fortunate with injury in playing four sports.

"Today was great to toe the line and give it all for my team considering that I’ve had zero running-related training. I still have lots of work to do to finish getting totally healthy and increasing my mileage and fitness again.”

Spencer and Miller were both recognzied as first-team All-UKC with their respective finishes.

Seaman senior Brody Anderson won his second straight UKC individual cross country title Thursday. [File photo/TSN]

In the boys race, Seaman senior Brody Anderson won his fifth race of the season in a time of 15:38.30.

“The race went great today and I’m excited to get back-to-back conference individual titles,'' Anderson said. "Coach (Luke) Wiens and I had a plan to get out and do enough to win while feeling great. The course ran well, not my favorite, but I can’t choose where I run and have to adapt to each situation I’m put in.”

With the season coming down to the final two weeks, Anderson talked about the regional race next weekend.

“I feel great going into regionals and trust my fitness and the training of Coach Wiens to put myself in a great spot against a stacked regional,” he said. 

With the victory, Anderson was named first team All-UKC while junior teammate Conner Bloom finished 11th in 17:18.50, garnering second-team All-UKC honors.

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural gave a sendoff to a group of seniors who don’t figure to finish their high school careers anytime soon. The group of 12 seniors dominated Seaman 9-1 in their final regular-season game at McElroy Field, but they figure to host several more games come playoff time.

Senior Dylan Willingham netted four scores and added two assists to lead the rout.

Senior Dylan Willingham had four goals and two assists in Washburn Rural's 9-1 Senior Night win over Seaman Thursday night. [File photo/TSN]

“I love this group,” Willingham said. “We’ve worked really well together, and our chemistry is really tight. We are all really good friends and we all love coming out here and playing together.

“I think as a group we’re a really good team and we have got a shot this year at winning the whole thing.”

Willingham put the Junior Blues up early at 34:11 in the first half. Seaman locked down the net for the next 20 minutes, however, until Willingham scored again.

Even then, the Vikings weren’t going away. Seaman senior Kaelon Taylor broke through the Junior Blue defense to cut the Washburn Rural lead to 2-1.

But at that point, the home team poured it on, scoring three more times in the remaining eight minutes of the period. The Junior Blues came back with four goals in the first 16 minutes of the second period to induce an early exit.

Washburn Rural improved to 11-1-1 with two games remaining – at Hummer Sports Park to face Topeka High next Monday and at Blue Valley North next Thursday.

“Every time we’ve had really successful teams here, we’ve had big, strong, successful senior classes, and this one’s as good as we’ve had,” said Washburn Rural coach Brian Hensyel. “I told the guys before the game that one of the great parts of my job is when you have a really good senior class that make your job easy. 

"They promote being good teammates. They work hard. They buy into what their coaches are telling them. Over a four-year time period, they can really develop into some really good soccer players.'' 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Junior Emma Sweeney has been a star for the Seaman girls tennis team since she stepped on campus.

Seaman junior Emma Sweeney, the No. 2 seed, will be aiming for her third straight Class 5A singles medal in this weekend's state tournament at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Megan Sweeney roots on big sister Emma Sweeney during last Saturday's Class 5A regional tournament at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

And after earning a Class 5A state medal with an 11th-place singles finish as a freshman and turning in a strong fourth-place showing as a sophomore, Sweeney feels like she's in position to take another big step in Friday and Saturday's state meet at Kossover Tennis Center.

Sweeney has put together a banner 27-1 campaign so far with a sweep of city, United Kansas Conference and 5A regional titles and earned the No. 2 seed for this weekend's state event. 

"I'm excited,'' Sweeney said. "I'm nervous, but nerves are good. I've been hitting really good, really loose and just hitting good shots.

"And then from a mental standpoint, I think my head's pretty clear, too.'' 

Seaman is coming off a sweep of city, United Kansas Conference and regional team championships and will be aiming for a second straight 5A team trophy after finishing third a year ago.

"I think we're aiming for third or above,'' Sweeney said. "We got it last year so, I think that's what we're looking for this year, and we've all made it (to state), so if we are all able to make it to the second day and place I think we're putting ourself in a good position.''

Two-time regional champ Sweeney led the way last Saturday at Kossover as the Vikings edged St. James Academy for the regional crown.

Seaman senior Molly Gorman is a three-time Class 5A state medalist entering this weekend's state tournament at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Viking senior Molly Gorman finished second to Sweeney at regionals for the second straight season and will be shooting for her fourth straight state medal.

Gorman finished 10th in 5A singles last season after teaming with Katie Krumins to earn state medals in doubles as a freshman and sophomore.

Gorman is 24-6 on the season and has been installed as the eighth seed for state.

Seaman senior Peyton Henry and junior Camryn Lux finished third at regionals while Viking juniors Kaylyn Hiebsch and Cadence Speer finished fourth.

Henry and Lux are 25-5 on the season and the No. 6 seed for state while Hiebsch and Speer are 22-8 and seeded No. 13.

The 5A state tournament will start at 10:30 a.m. Friday and continue on Saturday with a 9 a.m. start.

Class 6A at Olathe College Boulevard Activity Center

Washburn Rural and Topeka High finished one-two in the Class 6A regional at Wichita while combining for eight state qualifiers for this weekend's state meet at the College Boulevard Activity Center in Olathe.

Topeka High senior Madeline Deters won a Class 6A regional title last Friday and will be aiming for her second straight state medal this weekend. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural junior Julia Katzer is headed to her second Class 6A state tournament this weekend after advancing in singles last season. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural junior Halle Owen (above) teamed with Julia Katzer to win a Class 6A regional doubles title last Friday. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

The Trojans and Junior Blues swept the regional singles and doubles championships, with Topeka High senior Madeline Deters taking the singles crown and Washburn Rural juniors Julia Katzer and Halle Owen winning the doubles title.

Deters, a three-time state qualifier who placed eighth at state in 2024, is 29-4 this fall and has been installed as the No. 4 seed for state.

Katzer and Owen will take a 25-4 into the state meet and are seeded No. 9. Katzer will be making her second straight state appearance after qualifying in singles a year ago.

Rural also qualified freshman singles player Bridget Hoopes and the doubles team of senior Alizah Alvarez-Chedzoy and sophomore Annie Henderson for state while Topeka High qualified the doubles team of senior Ava Ritter and sophomore Hailey Caryl.

Hoopes (18-5) finished third at regionals and is seeded No. 14 for state while Alvarez-Chedzoy and Henderson (7-2) posted a fifth-place regional finish and are seeded 21st for state.

Caryl and Ritter (24-8) took third at regionals to earn their second straight state berth and are the No. 17 doubles seed.

The first round of state competition will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday.

Class 4A at Prairie Village Harmon Park Tennis Complex

Hayden will enter the Class 4A state tournament as the defending state champion and is coming off a regional team title Saturday at Marysville while qualifying its entire team for state at the Harmon Park Tennis Complex in Prairie Village.

Wildcat senior Avery O'Bray and sophomore Sophia Wichman won the regional doubles championship and will take an 11-5 record into the state meet as the ninth seed. Wichman teamed with then-senior Emily Sheetz to finish second in the 2024 state meet while O'Bray teamed with Izzy Glotzbach to earn an 11th-place medal.

Hayden freshman Lana Hull (20-8) and senior Grace Funk (5-5) posted third and fourth-place singles finishes at regionals and are seeded No. 11 and No. 12 for state.

Funk is a two-time state medalist, including a ninth-place finish in 2024.

Senior Kinsey Bullock and junior Kaelyn Gerdel (4-8) qualified for state with a fifth-place regional finish and are the 21st seed for this weekend's tournament. 

The first round of state competition will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Seaman girls golf coach Julie McLaughlin was quick to admit that the Vikings didn't have their best day in Monday's Class 5A regional tournament at Shawnee Country Club.

Seaman senior Elise Eckert finished second in Monday's Class 5A regional with a 75, leading the Vikings to a second-place team finish. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

But the city and United Kansas Conference champs played plenty good enough to earn a berth in next week's state tournament at Emporia with a second-place regional team finish.

"I think we've got some work to do,'' McLaughlin said. "I think we're a little bit disappointed in the outcome. Andover played a heck of a game today, they did great.''

Seaman senior Elise Eckert will be aiming for her fourth Class 5A state medal in next week's state tournament at Emporia. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Led by senior Elise Eckert's runnerup individual finish with a 75, Seaman posted a four-person score of 355 to finish second behind team champion Andover's 342.

Eckert, the city and UKC medalist, turned in a solid two-over-par round, finishing as the runnerup to Andover's Regan Dusenbery, who carded a two-under-par 71.

"I'm definitely feeling a little better after this, '' said Eckert, a three-time 5A state medalist. "I wasn't playing great this weekend, so I'm really glad that I was able to come out here and play better after working on a lot of stuff this weekend.''

"Elise had a strong round. She was right where we needed her to be,'' McLaughlin said.

Seaman senior Makenna Stuke shot a 90 to finish fourth in Monday's Class 5A regional tournament at Shawnee Country Club. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Seaman got a fourth-place tie from Makenna Stuke (90), while Kaitlynn Frye tied for seventh (94), Chloe Schmidtlein was 10th (96) and Molina Quintana placed 16th (110).

"We've got a lot of work to do this week, but we're still fully capable,'' McLaughlin said. "We just did not play up to our ability today.''

Topeka West senior Berlyn Kolean qualified for state as an individual with a 109.

Shawnee Heights finished fourth as a team, with T-Bird junior Lauryn Valdivia qualiying for state as an individual with a 112.

The state tournament will be played Monday and Tuesday at Emporia Municipal Golf Course.

CLASS 5A REGIONAL TOURNAMENT

At Shawnee Country Club 

Team scores 

Andover 342, Seaman 355,Basehor-Linwood 418, Piper 463, Shawnee Heights 489.

1. Regan Dusenbery, Andover, 71; 2. Elise Eckert, Seaman, 75;3. Isabel Hawley, Andover, 87; 4. Makenna Stuke, Seaman, 90;5. Grier Hand, Andover, 90; 6. Aubrey Ziolo, Basehor-Linwood, 93; 7. (tie) Kaitlynn Frye, Seaman,and Maren Nelson, 94; 9. Claire Fitzgerald, Basehor-Linwood, 95; 10. Chloe Schmidtlein, Seaman, 96.

Other Seaman -- 16. Molina Quintana, 110. 

Shawnee Heights – 17. Lauryn Valdivia, 112; 21. Elsie Willmann, 120; 24. (tie) Makenna Bryant, 125; 28. Mia Mattox, 132.

Topeka West – 14. (tie) Berlyn Kolean, 109; 24. (tie) Lily Bowen, 125.

Individual state qualifiers -- Georgia Lightfoot, Piper; Berlyn Kolean, Topeka West; Hadley Heim, Piper; Lauryn Valdivia, Shawnee Heights; Kelsey Shull, Emporia.

Washburn Rural girls golf posted a second-place Class 6A regional finish Monday to earn a state berth. [Washburn Rural golf]

Rural earns Class 6A state berth with runnerup regional showing

Monday was business as usual for Washburn Rural girls golf, with the Junior Blues qualifying for the Class 6A state tournament for the 20th straight season in Jared Goehring's 20 years as head coach.

Rural, which has captured four 6A state titles, posted a four-person score of 335 at Sim Park Golf Course to finish second behind champion Olathe West (328).

Washburn Rural junior Kailyn Petersen placed third in Monday's Class 6A regional at Sim Park. [File photo/TSN]

Kailyn Petersen led the Junior Blues with a third-place finish, shooting a 79, while Taryn Jellison placd fourth with an 83.

The Junior Blues also got a tie for fifth from Lauren Cox (85), an 11th-place finish from Briley Miles (88), a tie for 14th from Peyton Merrick (92) and a 16th-place showing from Ella Taggart (93).