Silver Lake Eagles
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Twelve Rossville and Silver Lake football standouts have received All-Big East football recognition for the 2024 season, including four first-team selections.
Silver Lake junior Dayne Johnson earned All-Big East first-team honors on both offense and defense for the 7-3 Eagles. [File photo/TSN]
Rossville senior Tayson Horak, who has helped lead the Bulldawgs to the Class 1A sub-state round, earned All-Big East first-team honors as an all-purpose pick. [File photo/TSN]
Silver Lake junior Dayne Johnson received first-team honors at both wide receiver and defensive back while senior Braden Strausbaugh was a first-team pick as an offensive lineman and defensive end/outside linebacker for the 7-3 Eagles.
Rossville, which will play in a Class 1A sub-state game Friday at Centralia, is represented on the All-Big East first team by senior defensive lineman Leo Wehrli and senior all-purpose pick Tayson Horak. The Bulldawgs are 8-3 with eight straight wins entering Friday night's playoff game.
Silver Lake senior quarterback Dysen Schooler and senior defensive back Logan Cathcart were second-team all-league picks along with Rossville senior defensive end/outside linebacker Will Koch and senior linebacker Brock Bush.
Rossville juniors Jack Donovan and Conner Bush both received honorable mention as did Horak as a returner in addition to his first-team selection on offense, while Silver Lake senior Trent Rollenhagen and junior Grady Bergmann also received honorable mention.
2024 ALL-BIG EAST FOOTBALL TEAM
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
State tournament teams Seaman, Washburn Rural and Hayden combined to put 10 players on the TopSports.news 2024 All-Shawnee County volleyball first team, led by Seaman two-time player of the year Maegan Mills.
Seaman senior Maegan Mills (23) has been named the TSN Shawnee County volleyball player of the year for the second straight season. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
Seaman's Tatiana Dowling has been named the Shawnee County coach of the year for the second straight season. [File photo/TSN]
Seaman, which finished second in Class 5A this fall after winning the state title in 2023, put a county-high four players on the all-county first team, with Mills joined by fellow Viking seniors Campbell Chabot, Ava Esser and Kinley Wilhelm while Viking coach Tatiana Dowling, a Seaman grad, was named the coach of the year for the second straight season after leading her team to a county-best 41-3 record and a county-best state tournament finish.
Hayden freshman Hailey Schmidtlein has been named the Shawnee County co-newcomer of the year. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden freshman Blakely Walter has been named the Shawnee County volleyball co-newcomer of the year. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden, which placed third in the 4A state tournament, is represented on the first team by senior Reagan McGivern and freshmen Hailey Schmidtlein and Blakely Walter, who were named co-Shawnee County newcomers of the year. McGivern is a first-team all-county repeat pick after earning first-team honors at Seaman as a junior.
Washburn Rural is represented on the all-county first team by seniors Layla Collins and Kate Hinck and junior Karsyn Horyna after helping the Junior Blues win the Centennial League championship and advance to the 6A state tournament.
Collins is a first-team All-Shawnee County repeat pick after being a second-team pick as a sophomore.
Shawnee Heights put seniors Kaydence Torrez and Taylor Brees on the first team while Silver Lake is represented by senior Ella Bolan, Rossville by sophomore Nora Burdiek and Topeka High by senior Jo'Mhara Benning.
Torrez and Bolan are first-team repeat picks while Burdiek was named the county newcomer of the year as a freshman.
All-Shawnee County first-team capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University softball head coach Brenda Holaday has announced the signing of 10 future Ichabods who will join the squad for the 2025-26 academic year.
The class includes eight high school signees and two junior college transfers, including three Shawnee County products.
Former Seaman star Aspen Burgardt will join the Ichabods after finishing up her two seasons at Johnson County Community College whil Taylor Brees is a senior at Shawnee Heights and Kendra Cook is in her final season at Silver Lake.
Signing capsules:
Aspen Burgardt, Johnson County (Seaman)
ASPEN BURGARDT, Johnson County Community College
The former Seaman standout, a third baseman/utility player, was named the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II National Player of the Year as a freshman and was named a first-team All-American by the NJCAA and National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Burgardt earned Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference first-team recognition and was selected as the KJCCC D-II MVP and Freshman of the Year. She led the conference with a .503 batting average, collecting 86 hits in 171 at bats. Her 86 hits also led the conference along with 33 doubles, 58 extra base hits and 84 RBI. Burgardt belted 26 home runs, which ranked second in the conference and her 33 doubles and 58 extra base hits also led the NJCAA while her 84 RBI ranked fifth. At Seaman she was a three-year starter and was named a an All-Class 5A All-State infielder twice, earning honorable mention as a junior and first-team as a senior. She was a two-time All-Centennial League selection, earning second-team as a junior and first-team her senior year and was named All-Shawnee County as a senior. She batted .473 with 35 hits, 15 doubles, two triples, eight home runs, 22 runs and 38 RBI as a senior. Burgardt is the daughter of Tim and Shanna Burgardt and has a brother, Josh.
"Aspen is the reigning NJCAA Division II Player of the Year and we are excited that she has chosen Washburn and will be coming home to finish her softball career,'' Holaday said. "We expect her to step into the middle of our lineup and provide our offense with production and power. She is a tremendous athlete and will bring that skill set to the field as well, playing both infield corner positions. Aspen goes about her business in a quiet manner, but her impact in our program will be huge.''
"I chose Washburn because of the welcoming atmosphere and the girls on the team,'' Burgardt said. "I love the competitive edge that Washburn brings to the game.''
JALIN LAVERS, Johnson County Community College
A right-handed pitcher, Lavers is a former Mulvane star and is in her second season at Johnson County. As a freshman she appeared in 14 games, 13 as a starter, and finishing with a record of 10-1 with eight complete games, one shutout and an earned run average of 4.15. She struck out 60 batters over 571/3 innings, allowing 59 hits and 34 earned runs which ranked sixth, tied for seventh and 17th respectively on JCCC's career charts. Lavers was a three-year starter at Mulvane and was named Class 4A All-State honorable mention bh the Kansas Softball Coaches Association her senior year. She was selected All-State second-team by Sports in Kansas and was a three-time All-Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League D-IV selection. Lavers batted .415 with 22 hits, 10 RBI and was 11-3 with 144 strikeouts and a 2.47 ERA in 99.1 innings as a senior while helping the Wildcats to a regional title and a state tournament berth. She is daughter of Chris Mize and Michelle Mize and has two siblings, Emma and Kreedence.
"Jalin will give us some experience and depth on the mound,'' Holaday said. "She continues to grow her game at JCCC and will be counted on this season as they try to get back to the national tournament. She is a hard worker, understands pitching and is focused on getting the most out of her opportunities. I think she will be a great fit in our program.''
"I chose Washburn because I loved the family-like feel and sisterhood of the program,'' Lavers said. "I could also tell that the coaches and school would create a great atmosphere for me to excel as an athlete and student.''
Taylor Brees, Shawnee Heights
TAYLOR BREES, Shawnee Heights High
As a junior at Shawnee Heights, Brees batted .507 with five doubles, one triple, and 21 RBI while also stealing 17 bases. Brees was named All-UKC first-team, All-State second-team and All-Shawnee County first team by Top Sports News as a junior as the T-Birds finished 17-8, reaching the regional championship. As a sophomore, hit .463 with nine doubles and 20 RBI while being named to All-State second team, All-UKC second team and All-Shawnee County second-team. Brees also plays basketball and volleyball, earning All-UKC first-team in volleyball as a senior. She serves as class president at Shawnee Heights and is a member of Spirit Club, Student Council, FCA, and National Honor Society. Thee daughter of Lindsey and Rory Brees, Taylor has two sisters, Lauryn and Aubrey. Shee plans to major in biology.
"Taylor is a three-sport athlete and we are excited about the versatility and athleticism she will bring to our program,'' Holaday said. "Her competitive spirit, skill set and team-first approach is infectious and she will help us in many ways.''
"I feel like Washburn is a place where I can make an impact,'' Brees said. "The coaches are very welcoming and the facilities are incredible. The culture and community is like no other.''
Kendra Cook, Shawnee Heights
KENDRA COOK, Silver Lake
A star pitcher for the Eagles, Cook earned first-team All-Mid-East League, All-Shawnee and All-State honors as a junior, helping Silver Lake post a second-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament. Cook went 15-2 in the circle with a 1.24 ERA and 92 strikeouts while also finishing with a .450 batting average. As a sophomore she was a first-team all-league and all-county selection after going 19-3 in the circle and was an honorable mention All-State pick after striking out 73 with a 0.63 earned run average. Cook is the daughter of Jarod and Alysia Cook and has a brother, Alek. Cook plans to major in elementary education.
"Kendra is an All-State pitcher for a reason and we are excited to have another Silver Lake product in our program,'' Holaday said. "She is an integral part of the success at Silver Lake and we expect her to make an impact here quickly. Kendra has a great skill set and she works hard on her game, but what sets her apart is the competitive attitude she takes to the mound.''
"Washburn has a great atmosphere, immediately when you step on campus it feels special, and you know its where you belong,'' Cook said. "They also have a great coaching staff.''
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Silver Lake senior Ella Bolan earned a first-team spot on the All-Big East League volleyball team while seven Silver Lake and Rossville players earned all-league recognition.
Ella Bolan
Bolan helped lead the Eagles to a 28-10 record and a Class 3A regional champonship.
Silver Lake sophomores Jaylie Whitehead and Kylie Hanni and Rossville sophomore Nora Burdiek were named to the All-Big East second team while Silver Lake junior Jaiden Wise made the third team.
Rossville's Sydney Sumner and Silver Lake's Paige Heiman received honorable mention.
ALL-BIG EAST LEAGUE VOLLEYBALL
First team
Cali Honeyman, Nemaha Central; Samantha Klotz, Royal Valley; Hayden Heim, St. Marys; Ella Bolan, Silver Lake; Tinley Wilson, Holton; Hallie Holthaus, Nemaha Central.
Second team
Erin Boltz, Sabetha; Jaylie Whitehead, Silver Lake; Nora Burdiek, Rossville; Zoey Sudbeck, Nemaha Central; KiWe Miller, Royal Valley; Kylie Hanni, Silver Lake.
Third team
Addison Schwinn, Jefferson West; Macie Corcoran, Perry-Lecompton; Jaiden Wise, Silver Lake; Elizabeth Schuster, Holton; Kolbie Noel, Jefferson West; Maddy Simmons, Hiawatha.
Honorable mention
Reagan Gerety, Nemaha Central; Sadie Gross, Holton; Madison Blackwood, Royal Valley; Gracie Scofield, Riley County; Harriet Dean, Jefferson West; Hope Billings, Perry-Lecompton; Sydney Sumner, Rossville; Cami Dalinghaus, Nemaha Central; Isabel Hurla, St. Marys; Paige Heiman, Silver Lake.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Editor's note: The college fall letter of intent signing period gets under way this week and TopSports.news will post signing updates as they are received. Email any signing information and signing day pictures to Rick Peterson at
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Silver Lake stars Kendra Cook, Ella Bolan and Alana Brewster will sign college letters of intent at 2:45 p.m. Thursday at the school.
Silver Lake senior softball star Kendra Cook, who is headed to Washburn University, will hold a signing ceremony at 2:45 p.m. Thursday at Silver Lake. [File photo/TSN]
Eagles softball star Kendra Cook will sign with Washburn University while Ella Bolan will sign a volleyball letter of intent with Butler County Community College and Alana Brewster will sign with Johnson County Community College.
Cook helped lead the Eagles to a runnerup finish in the Class 3A state softball tournament last spring while Bolan and Brewster helped Silver Lake finish third in the 3A volleyball tournament in 2023 and win a regional title this fall.
West's Jones to sign softball letter with Cloud County
Topeka West senior softball standout Callie Jones will sign a letter of intent with Cloud County on Thursday at Topeka West.
Callie Jones
Jones is scheduled to sign her letter of intent at 3:15 p.m. Thursday in Topeka West's Leadership Studies room.
The 2024 All-Shawnee County girls cross country team: Front row, from left -- Stella Appelhanz, Seaman; Kinley Robinson, Seaman; Ryin Miller, Seaman; Brynn Spencer, Seaman; Sofia Harper, Hayden; Elliot Wrench, Hayden. Back row, from left -- coach Matt Swedlund, Washburn Rural; Emily Graf, Washburn Rural; Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural; Kenzie Maddox, Washburn Rural; Payton Fink, Washburn Rural; Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
A whopping nine first-team repeat selections and seven state medalists headline the 2024 All-Shawnee County girls cross country team.
Leading the way are top-five individual state finishers Ryin Miller of Seaman and Rylee Ismert and Payton Fink of Washburn Rural, with Miller, a junior, the Class 5A runnerup and seniors Ismert and Fink finishing third and fifth in 6A.
Hayden senior Elliot Wrench posted a sixth-place finish in 4A while junior Emily Graf placed 14th in 6A and Seaman senior Stella Appelhanz and sophomore Brynn Spencer finished 17th and 18th in 5A.
Miller, Ismert, Fink, Wrench, Graf, Appelhanz and Spencer are all first-team All-Shawnee County repeat picks along with Washburn Rural senior Brooklyn Nolte and Hayden sophomore Sofia Harper.
Earning first-team all-county honors for the first time are Washburn Rural junior Kenzie Maddox and Seaman sophomore Kinley Robinson.
Washburn Rural coach Matt Swedlund was named the girls Shawnee County coach of the year after his Junior Blues swept city, Centennial League and Class 6A regional team titles and tied for the 6A team championship, finishing second to five-time champion Olathe West on a tiebreaker.
All-Shawnee County girls capsules:
The 2024 All-Shawnee County boys cross country team: Front row, from left -- Evan Carter, Shawnee Heights; Bodie King, Washburn Rural; Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural; Clayton Fink, Washburn Rural; Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural; Brody Anderson, Seaman. Back row, from left -- coach Matt Swedlund, Washburn Rural; Connor Olsen, Washburn Rural; Connor Baldwin, Hayden; Max Esquibel, Shawnee Heights; Adrian Lehman, Topeka West; Mark Wilkie, Topeka West. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Three state medalists and five first-team repeat picks headline the 2024 All-Shawnee County boys cross country team.
Topeka West senior Adrian Lehman and Seaman junior Brody Anderson finished seventh and ninth individually in the Class 5A state meet while Washburn Rural freshman Henry Laubach finished 14th in 6A in his first state meet.
Lehman and Anderson are both all-county first-team repeat selections along with Shawnee Heights senior Evan Carter, Washburn Rural junior Brooks Kehoe and Rural senior Conner Olsen.
Washburn Rural, which won the city team championship, is also represented on the all-county team by senior Bodie King and freshman Clayton Fink, who helped the Junior Blues qualify for the 6A state meet as a team, while Rural coach Matt Swedlund was named the city boys coach of the year.
Topeka West's senior Mark Wilkie, Hayden junior Connor Baldwin and Shawnee Heights junior Max Esquibel were named to the all-county team for the first time.
All-Shawnee County boys capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Rossville rolled to its seventh straight win Friday night while advancing to the Class 1A quarterfinals with a 42-0 home shutout over McLouth.
Rossville senior quarterback Tayson Horak (12) scored three touchdowns Friday night as the Bulldawgs advanced to the Class 1A quarterfinals with a 42-0 win over McLouth. [File photo/TSN]
Now 7-3 on the season, the Bulldawgs scored the only points they would need on a 3-yard run from senior quarterback Tayson Horak with 4:13 left in the opening quarter (Vincent Daniel kick).
The Bulldawgs added a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter to build a 20-0 halftime advantage, with Horak scoring on a 55-yard run (Daniel kick) and a 5-yard run from junior Conner Bush (extra point failed).
Senior Seth Catron scored on third-quarter runs of 61 and 19 yards, with Canann Mitchell connecting on a 2-point conversion and Daniel kicking an extra point.
Horak completed Rossville's scoring with his third TD of the night early in the fourth quarter on a 28-yard run (Daniel kick), while the Bulldawg defense picked up its third shutout of the season.
With Friday's win the Bulldawgs advanced to a 1A quarterfinal next Friday, traveling to undefeated Jackson Heights to face the 10-0 Cobras, the No. 1 seed in the East.
COUNCIL GROVE 30, SILVER LAKE 8 --Council Grove avenged an earlier 17-point district loss to Silver Lake with a 30-8 road win over the Eagles in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs.
Council Grove, the No. 13 East seed, improved to 7-3 on the season while advancing to next Friday's state quarterfinals while Silver Lake ended its season 7-3.
Council Grove will be back on the road next week, facing No. 1 East seed Humboldt (10-0).
The Cubs advanced with a 64-7 win over Riverton.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)
Seaman senior Max Huston has passed for 2,078 yards and 26 TDs and rushed for 627 yards and nine TDs for the 7-2 Vikings. [File photo/TSN]
Seaman senior Bryer Finley (1) has caught 67 passes for 1,404 yards and 21 TDs this fall for the 7-2 Vikings. [File photo/TSN]
Class 5A
VALLEY CENTER (No. 11 West: 3-6) at SEAMAN (No. 3 West: 7-2)
Seaman advanced to the second round of the Class 5A playoffs with a 65-7 win over Topeka West last Friday while Valley Center upset No. 6 West seed Goddard, 7-6. The winner of Friday's game will advance to play the winner of Friday's game between No. 2 West seed Eisenhower (7-2) and No. 7 Maize South (6-3). Seaman senior Max Huston has completed 122 of 194 passes for 2,078 yards and 26 touchdowns and has rushed for 627 yards and nine TDs on 96 attempts. Senior Bryer Finley has 67 receptions for 1,404 yards and 21 TDs while junior Kaden McKinney has carried the ball 126 times for 823 yards and 11 TDs. Junior Cameron Brian leads the Vikings with 100 tackles (56 solo) with eight tackles for loss. Valley Center senior Connor Brian has completed 63 of 166 passes for 655 yards and eight TDs. Junior Rylan Bailey has 401 rushing yards and three TDs on 173 attempts while sophomore Ray J Logan has caught 33 passes for 424 yards and five TDs. Senior Steel Schomaker leads Valley Center with 93 tackles.
Hayden senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has passed for 1,448 yards and 16 TDs for the 8-1 Wildcats. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
Hayden senior Jensen Schrickel has 426 receiving yards, 288 rushing yards and has scored 11 touchdowns for the 8-1 Wildcats. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
Class 3A
GIRARD (No. 6 East: 6-3) at HAYDEN (No. 3 East: 8-1)
Hayden, which played for the Class 3A state championship last fall, advanced to the second round of the playoffs with a 56-6 win over Hiawatha last Friday, while Girard is coming off a 43-15 first-round win ovr Kansas City-Bishop Ward. The winner of Friday's game will play the winner of Friday's game between No. 2 East seed Frontenac (9-0) and No. 10 Perry-Lecompton (4-5). Hayden senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has completed 96 of 139 passes for 1,448 yards and 16 touchdowns while junior Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 78 times for 696 yards, caught 23 passes for 398 yards and scored 21 total touchdowns. Senior Jensen Schrickel has caught 28 passes for 426 yards, rushed for 288 yards on 23 attempts and scored 11 total TDs. Junior Jude Krentz leads Hayden with 87 total tackles.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Ryin Miller's biggest and toughest cross country meet of the season is on tap Saturday at Rim Rock Farm, but the undefeated Seaman junior star just wants to run her best and will accept the outcome.
Seaman junior cross country star Ryin Miller remained undefeated in last Saturday's Class 5A regional and will take aim on her first state cross country title Saturday at Rim Rock Farm. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Miller finished third in last year's state meet and the two runners who beat her in 2023, Salina Central senior two-time state champ Katelyn Rupe and sophomore Kaylie Shultz are both in the field for Saturday's 10 a.m. 5A race.
Miller, a two-time state champ in track, beat both Central standouts earlier this fall on the same course in the Rim Rock Classic.
"Honestly, I'm just going to go out there with full confidence in myself,'' Miller said about state. "I'm just going to run the best race that I have on that day and if (a title) happens, amazing. Obviously that's what everybody wants to happen for themselves, but if it doesn't happen I'm still going to be incredibly proud of my season regardless.''
Miller said she enjoys the challenge of racing against Rupe and Shultz.
"It's great racing against them,'' Miller said. "They're obviously great competition. It's fun running against them, it's fun to finally kind of have somebody there with you. Always fun, but always hard, too, so it really could be anybody's race. It's just whoever has the best race on the day.''
Seaman qualified its entire team for state with a second-place regional finish behind defending 5A team champ St. James Academy, with Viking sophomore Brynn Spencer and senior Stella Appelhanz finishing eighth and ninth while sophomore Kinley Robinson placed 16th and freshman Avery Villines was 22nd (21:16.6) to round out Seaman's top five.
Seaman's boys also turned in a solid regional performance, earning a state team berth with a third-place team finish and will compete in Saturday's 11:30 a.m. state race.
Seaman junior Brody Anderson finished second in Saturday's Class 5A regional cross county meet as the Vikings qualified as a team with a third-place finish. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Junior Brody Anderson led the Vikings with a runnerup individual finish while Seaman also got an 18th-place showing from senior Alex Newell, a 20th-place finish from sophomore Conner Bloom, a 23rd from senior Corbin Murrow and a 25th-place finish from junior Drake Spurlock.
Topeka West senior Adrian Lehman qualified for the Class 5A state cross country meet with a third-place finish in Saturday's 5A regional at Kanza Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Topeka West qualified seniors Adrian Lehman and Mark Wilkie for state as individuals, with Lehman finishing third while Wilkie placed 12th.
The 5A girls race is scheduled for a 10 a.m. start Saturday while the boys race is set for 11:45 a.m.
CLASS 6A
Senior Rylee Ismert followed up her Centennial League individual cross country title with a Class 6A regional win last week while leading Washburn Rural to the team championship in the Junior Blues' tuneup for Saturday's state meet at Rim Rock Farm.
Washburn Rural senior Rylee Ismert enters Saturday's Class 6A state meet on a two-race win streak with Centennial League and regional titles . [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Ismert took individual honors in last Saturday's 6A regional, one of four Junior Blues in the top eight spots as Rural took the team title by a 45-55 margin over Lawrence Free State.
Washburn Rural senior Payton Fink, the Class 6A runnerup in the 2023 state meet, finished third in Saturday's Class 6A regional, helping the Junior Blues win the team title. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Rural senior Payton Fink finished third in the regional meet while junior Emily Graf was fifth, senior Brooklyn Nolte eighth and junior Kenzie Maddox 29th to round out the Junior Blues' top five.
Rural's girls have now swept city, league and regional team titles and are on the short list of state title contenders Saturday.
"That's where we want to be, that's the plan,'' Washburn Rural coach Matt Swedlund said at regionals. "We have a few things to figure out. We'll work on tweaking some stuff this week and want to be competing for that title (on) Saturday.''
The Junior Blue boys tied Manhattan for second place with 86 points and finished third on a tiebreaker to garner the final team berth for state.
Washburn Rural freshman Henry Laubach (1935) posted a third-place individual finish in last Saturday's Class 6A regional cross country meet, helping the Junior Blues earn a Class 6A state berth. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Freshman Henry Laubach finished third to pace Washburn Rural at regionals while junior Brooks Kehoe finished eighth, senior Bodie King 15th, freshman Clayton Fink 28th and senior Chris Quarles 32nd.
The 6A girls race is scheduled for an 11 a.m. Saturday while the boys race is the final race of the day at 12:30 p.m.
CLASS 4A
Hayden's boys earned a team berth for Saturday's Class 4A state meet at Wamego Country Club with a third-place regional finish, one point behind second-place Baldwin.
Junior Connor Baldwin led the Wildcats with a fifth-place regional finish, while freshman Nick Newkirk finished seventh, senior Jonah Stewart 13th, junior Luke Franklin 22nd and senior Derek Ahlstedt 31st to complete Hayden's scoring runners.
Hayden senior girls standout Elliot Wrench qualified for state as an individual, posting a fourth-place regional finish.
The 4A girls race is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday while the boys race is set for a 12:30 p.m. start.
CLASS 3A
Silver Lake will have a pair of runners in both the boys and girls Class 3A state events Saturday at Rim Rock Farm.
The Eagle boys will be represented by senior Aemon Coffman and sophomore Hunter Rooks in the 10:30 a.m. boys race, with Coffman finishing sixth at regionals while Rooks qualified 15th.
Silver Lake sophomore Alessandra Gerber and senior Tessa Gerber will compete in the 3A girls race at 12 p.m.
Alessandra Gerber posted a sixth-place individual finish at regionals while Tessa Gerber placed 13th to earn a state berth.
CLASS 2A
Rossville's boys posted a second-place regional team finish to punch its ticket for Saturday's Class 2A state meet at Wamego Country Club while Bulldawg sophomore Madelyn Wonnell qualified for the girls state meet as an individual.
Rossville's boys posted a regional team score of 70 points to finish nine points behind Solomon.
Junior Dalton Verschelden led the Bulldawgs with a 16th-place regional showing, while junior Torin Culbertson was 22nd and senior Logan Kufahl 27th to lead Rossville.
Wonnell qualified for state with a 14th-place regional finish.
The 2A girls race is set to start at 10 a.m., with the boys race scheduled for 11:30 a.m.
SHAWNEE COUNTY STATE QUALIFIERS
The 2024 All Shawnee County girls golf team -- From left: Addyson Baer, Hayden; Izzy Glotzbach, Hayden; Lauren Borjon, Hayden; Taylor Zordel, Silver Lake; Lauren Cox, Washburn Rural; Reece Randall, Washburn Rural. Not pictured: Natalie Peterson, Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Six state medalists, including three first-team repeat picks, headline the 2024 All-Shawnee County girls golf team.
Hayden juniors Lauren Borjon and Izzy Glotzbach are both first-team repeaters after helping lead the Wildcats to their second straight Class 4A state team championship while Silver Lake Taylor Zordel is a three-time all-county selection after earning her fourth straight state medal and leading the Eagles to first and second-place team finishes as a junior and senior.
Washburn Rural senior Natalie Peterson won the individual title in the city tournament and helped the Junior Blues post a third-place team finish in the Class 6A state tournament. [Washburn Rural golf]
Hayden, which won the 2024 4A crown by 15 strokes, also put senior state medalist Addyson Baer on the seven-member first team while city champion Washburn Rural, which finished third in Class 6A, is represented by seniors Reece Randall and Natalie Peterson and junior Lauren Cox. Randall and Peterson moved up to the All-Shawnee County first team this fall after being second-team picks in 2023.
Borjon placed third, Glotzbach 12th and Baer tied for 16th in 4A while Zordel finished fourth in 3A-1A as both a junior and a senior.
Randall tied for 10th and Peterson tied for 12th in 6A while Cox narrowly missed a state medal, tying for 22nd place.
Named to this year's second team were Washburn Rural senior Colbey Stead and sophomore Kailyn Petersen, Seaman senior Jaycee Zimmerman and Makenna Stuke, Topeka West senior Alex Baxter, Silver Lake junior Kailyn Hanni and Hayden >>Brooke Johnson.
All-Shawnee County first-team capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Lauren Borjon
LAUREN BORJON, Hayden
A junior golf standout, Borjon posted a third-place individual finish in the Class 4A state girls golf tournament at Hesston while helping lead the Wildcats to a second straight state team championship. Now a three-time state medalist, Borjon finished with a 36-hole score of 157 with rounds of 76 and 81 as Hayden repeated as state champion by a 15-stroke margin over Wellington (698-713).
Izzy Glotzbach
IZZY GLOTZBACH, Hayden
Four days after helping Hayden win the Class 4A state tennis title, the Wildcat two-sport junior standout earned her second straight state medal in golf while helping lead Hayden to a second straight state team championship in the 4A golf tournament at Hesston. Glotzbach, who earned a state doubles medal in tennis, placed 12th in state golf with a 36-hole score of 171 (89-82) as Hayden posted a 15-stroke team win (698-713) over Wellington.
Rylee Ismert
RYLEE ISMERT, Washburn Rural
Ismert, a senior cross country standout and returning Class 6A state medalist, followed up her first individual Centennial League title with a win in Saturday's 6A regional at Kanza Park, clocking a five-kilometer time of 18 minutes, 06.7 seconds to win by nine seconds as the Junior Blues won the team championship by a 45-55 margin over Free State to advance to the state meet.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(Kickoffs at 7 p.m., unless noted)
THURSDAY'S GAME
Class 2A
Silver Lake senior quarterback Dysen Schooler threw for three touchdowns and ran for a TD in the Eagles' 29-12 win over Council Grove on Friday. [File photo/TSN]
GALENA (4-4) at SILVER LAKE (6-2)
6 p.m. kickoff
Silver Lake, the No. 5 Class 2A East seed, will host No. 12 seed Galena in a Halloween Night battle to open the post season. Silver Lake finished second in 2A District 3, ending its regular season with a 29-12 win over Council Grove (5-3) as senior quarterback Dysen Schooler threw for 242 yards and three touchdowns and also ran for a 31-yard TD. Galena ended its regular season with a 36-20 win over Baxter Springs.
FRIDAY'S GAMES
Class 6A
TOPEKA HIGH (4-4) at JUNCTION CITY (4-4)
The Trojans and Centennial League rival Junction City will square off for the second time in four games in the opening round of the Class 6A playoffs. Topeka High was installed as the No. 9 West seed after a 49-24 non-league loss at Pittsburg Friday night while Junction City is the No. 8 seed in the West after a 38-0 league win over Emporia. Junction City took a 50-21 win over Topeka High in Week 6 of the regular season, also at Junction City.
WASHBURN RURAL (3-5) at MAIZE (4-4)
Washburn Rural is the No. 10 seed in Class 6A West and will travel to Maize to face the No. 7 West seed. The Junior Blues are coming off a 56-14 Centennial League road loss at unbeaten Manhattan Friday night. Washburn Rural will be facing a Maize team that has won four straight games, including a 50-0 win over Salina South in Week 8.
Class 5A
Seaman senior quarterback Max Huston (7) and the 6-2 Vikings are the No. 3 West seed for the Class 5A state playoffs. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
TOPEKA WEST (1-7) at SEAMAN (6-2)
Topeka West and Seaman will face off for the second time this season, with the Vikings taking a 53-6 United Kansas Conference win over the Chargers in Week 3. UKC champion Seaman is coming off a 42-28 conference loss to De Soto on Friday while West dropped 58-21 UKC decision to Piper. Seaman is the No. 3 Class 5A West seed while Topeka West is the No. 14 seed.
Jamon Wilson (5) and Highland Park capped a 6-2 regular season with a 38-28 win over KC-Washington and will open the Class 5A playoffs at home against Pittsburg Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
PITTSBURG (6-2) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (6-2)
At Hummer Sports Park
Highland Park ended up as the No. 8 seed in Class 5A East and drew a tough opening round opponent in No. 9 seed Pittsburg, also 6-2. The Purple Dragons ended their regular season with a 49-24 home non-league decision over Topeka High. Highland Park capped its regular season on Thursday night with a 38-28 Meadowlark Conference victory over Kansas City-Washington.
Parker Busenitz (4) caught seven passes for 142 yards and two TDs in Friday's 69-30 UKC win over KC-Turner. [File photo/TSN]
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (2-6) at SPRING HILL (7-1)
Shawnee Heights picked up its second win of the season Friday night, taking a 69-30 United Kansas Conference road decision over Kansas City-Turner, while Spring Hill edged Louisburg, 14-13. Spring Hill is the No. 5 Class 5A East seed whlile Heights is the No. 12 seed. Junior quarterback Aiden Scott completed 23 of 28 passes fo 387 yards and six touchdowns against Turner while Parker Busenitz had seven catches for 142 yards and two TDs and Tyren Parker has six catches for 121 yards and two TDs.
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
Silver Lake made big plays down the stretch to ward off a challenge from visiting Council Grove with playoff implications on the line, winning 29-12 at home Friday.
Eagle quarterback Dysen Schooler shook off a second-quarter injury to complete 22 of 27 passing attempts for 242 yards. He also ran for a 31-yard fourth-quarter touchdown to seal the victory.
Silver Lake senior quarterback Dysen Schooler passed for three touchdowns and also ran for a TD in the Eagles' 29-12 win over Council Grove. [File photo/TSN]
With the win, the Eagles claimed second in Class 2A District 3. They will await the matchups for the first round of the playoffs to be announced Saturday. Council Grove, however, saw their hopes of playing on dashed with the loss at Silver Lake.
Eagle coach Logan Pegram was quick to credit the seniors who made sure their last regular-season game would be a good one.
“I told the kids before we came out that it’s a special night,” Pegram said. “I love seeing seniors compete. At this time of the year when the sand runs low in the hourglass, it’s fun to see them show up and we had that all night.”
Silver Lake quickly drove to a touchdown to open the contest on a short pass from Schooler to fellow senior Logan Cathcart.
Council Grove then dominated time of possession for the rest of the first half, running 30 plays to just 17 for Silver Lake. But the Braves had just six points to show for it and trailed 7-6 at the break. When the visitors scored on their opening possession on a catch and run of 48 yards by Ace Monihen, the tide seemed to have turned against the Eagles.
On the ensuing possession, a pass by Schooler was batted into the air by a Silver Lake receiver and intercepted by Council Grove at the Eagle 36-yard line. Looking to pad their 12-7 lead, the Braves reached the 13-yard line before their drive stalled. They turned the ball over on downs.
“It’s been in that defense all year,” Pegram said. “I think we finally saw tonight where it all clicked and we got off the field, forced some turnovers and earned the privilege to get after the quarterback a little bit, which helped us in the second half.”
The Silver Lake offense responded to the stop by the defense, going 81 yards to finish with a second touchdown pass from Schooler to Cathcart, reclaiming the lead,15-12.
The Silver Lake defense then took over the game for good. The Eagles harried the Braves’ quarterback into interceptions on back-to-back plays, with a short Eagle touchdown drive sandwiched in between. They forced a third interception a few minutes later, slamming the door on the Braves’ chances.
“The kids really responded in the second half,” Pegram said. “I thought our seniors really stepped up and made some plays. It’s fun to see, when it got hard, I thought our kids got together for the first time and just leaned into it, which is what we talk about as a program.”
Schooler was nearly perfect, throwing to six different receivers for three touchdowns and a 2-point conversion.
“My receivers were getting open. Huge shout out to them,” Schooler said. “The play calls were good. I was just seeing it really well.”
The senior quarterback led the Eagles to improve to 6-2 on the season. He said he believes the team has even bigger things ahead.
“I think we’re capable of going all the way,” Schooler said. “I think we can play with any team in the state on any given night when we’re at our best. So, I’m really excited to see how this thing unwinds.”
Gritty senior running back Monihen provided most of the attack for Council Grove in his final game. He rushed for 79 yards and a touchdown and caught two passes for 60 yards and the Braves’ other score.
SILVER LAKE 29, COUNCIL GROVE 12
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)
THURSDAY'S GAME
Highland Park senior Jamon Wilson has compiled 1,449 all-purpose yards this fall for the 5-2 Scots. [File photo/TSN]
KC-WASHINGTON (6-1, 4-1 Meadowlark) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (5-2, 4-1 Meadowlark)
At Hummer Sports Park
Highland Park snapped a two-game losing streak with a 70-0 non-league rout over Kansas City-East, Mo. last Thursday at Hummer Sports Park while Kansas City-Washington is coming off a 20-6 Meadowlark Conference victory over KC-Schlagle. Thursday's game could have serious implications on seeding for the Class 5A playoffs, with Washington tied for the No. 2 East seed and Highland Park tied for the No. 7 East seed. The top eight seeds will host games in the first round of the playoffs next week. Scot senior Jamon Wilson has accumulated 1,449 all-purpose yards, including 510 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 45 carries, 16 receptions for 349 yards and three TDs and 565 kick/punt return yards. Sophomore quarterback G'Honi Montgomery has carried the ball 67 times for 590 yards and six TDs while junior Dontrail Fox has completed 48 of 100 passes for 899 yards and 10 TDs.
FRIDAY'S GAMES
Seaman senior Max Huston has passed for 1,650 yards and 18 TDs and rushed for 443 yards and seven TDs for the 6-1 Vikings. [File photo/TSN]
DE SOTO (6-1, 5-1 UKC) at SEAMAN (6-1, 6-0 UKC)
Seaman clinched a share of the United Kansas Conference title with a 28-14 win over previously-unbeaten Basehor-Linwood last Friday and can clinch the outright championship with a win over De Soto. The Vikings are currently tied for the No. 2 West Class 5A seed. De Soto rolled to a 67-28 non-league win over Blue Valley Southwest last Friday and the Wildcats are tied for the No. 2 East 5A seed. Seaman senior Max Huston has completed 96 of 151 passes for 1,650 yards and 18 touchdowns and has rushed for 443 yards and seven TDs on 70 attempts. Senior Bryer Finley has 53 receptions for 1,069 yards and 14 TDs while junior Kaden McKinney has carried the ball 94 times for 598 yards and 10 TDs. Junior Carter Brian leads the Vikings with 75 tackles (42 solo) with seven tackles for loss.
PIPER (2-5, 2-4 UKC) vs. TOPEKA WEST (1-6, 1-6 UKC)
At Hummer Sports Park
Topeka West dropped a 57-0 United Kansas Conference decision to Leavenworth last week while Piper took a 51-16 UKC win over Kansas City-Turner. West enters the final game of the regular season tied for the No. 12 seed in Class 5A West.
COUNCIL GROVE (5-2, 1-2 Class 2A District 3) at SILVER LAKE (5-2, 2-1 Class 2A District 3)
Both Silver Lake and Council Grove will be looking to bounce back from losses, with the Eagles dropping a 35-21 Class 2A District 3 decision to undefeated Osage City while Council Grove lost a 22-6 district game to St. Marys. Silver Lake had a four-game win streak snapped by Osage City, which pulled away late in a game that was tied 14-14 at halftime.
Hayden senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has passed for 1,175 yards and 14 TDs for the 6-1 Wildcats. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
HAYDEN (6-1, 3-0 Class 3A District 4) at JEFFERSON WEST (1-6, 0-3 Class 3A District 4)
Hayden clinched the Class 3A District 4 championship last Friday with a 50-16 district win over Perry-Lecompton while Jefferson West posted its first win of the season, taking a 29-6 non-district win over Atchison County. Wildcat senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has completed 78 of 114 passes for 1,175 yards and 14 touchdowns while junior Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 60 times for 546 yards, caught 21 passes for 374 yards and scored 16 total touchdowns. Senior Jensen Schrickel has caught 22 passes for 356 yards and scored nine total TDs. Junior Jude Krentz leads Hayden with 68 total tackles (38 solo) while sophomore Mason Becker is 38 of 38 on extra-point attempts.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
For the second time in two weeks Rossville rolled to a decisive victory over Wabaunsee Friday night, posting a 47-13 home win in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs.
No. 4 East seed Rossville will be back at home Friday, hosting No. 5 McLouth (7-2), a 64-20 winner over Pleasanton Friday night.
Rossville junior Conner Bush scored three touchdowns in the Bulldawgs' 47-13 Class 1A playoff win over Wabaunsee Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Rossville, which is now 6-3 and in the midst of a six-game win streak, jumped out on top 14-0 in the first quarter Friday night over the Chargers, getting 51 and 9-yard touchdown runs from junior Conner Bush (Vincent Daniel kick).
Rossville senior quarterback Tayson Horak rushed for three touchdowns in Friday's 47-13 Class 1A playoff win over Wabaunsee. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Rossville junior Andre Johnson (1) celebrates a second-quarter touchdown in Friday's 47-13 Class 1A playoff win over Wabaunsee. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The Bulldawgs then tacked on three more TDs in the second quarter to open up a commanding 34-6 halftime advantage. Senior quarterback Tayson scored a pair of TDs in the period on 13 and 17-yard runs while junior Andre Johnson scored from 3 yards out. Daniel kicked a pair of extra points.
Bush scored his third touchdown of the game on a 25-yard run in the third quarter and Horak finished Rossville's scoring midway through the fourth quarter with his third TD, a 27-yard run (Daniel kick).
HAYDEN 56, HIAWATHA 6 -- Hayden, which improved to 8-1,took the lead for good with a touchdown on its opening possession and scored on four of its five first-half drives on the way to a dominating 56-6 home win over Hiawatha in the opening round of the Class 3A playoffs.
Defensively, Hayden recovered two Hiawatha fumbles and picked off two passes.
Wildcat senior quarterback Jett Walmeier was 10 of 13 passing for 190 yards and a touchdown while senior Jensen Schrickel had three receptions for 41 yards and had six carries for 110 yards and two TDs.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Silver Lake in Class 3A and Rossville in 2A opened volleyball postseason in impressive fashion on Monday, with both the Eagles and Bulldawgs going 3-0 to capture regional tournament titles and advance to sub-state competition on Saturday.
Silver Lake went 3-0 with three straight-set wins to win Monday's Class 3A volleyball tournament at Silver Lake. [Silver Lake volleyball]
Rossville went 3-0 with three straight-set wins to win Monday's Class 2A volleyball tournament at Atchison. [Rossville volleyball]
Silver Lake posted three straight-set wins to win the 3A regional it hosted while Rossville duplicated that feat in the 2A event at Atchison.
The 27-9 Eagles advanced to a Saturday 3A sub-state at Royal Valley while the 20-14 Bulldawgs will compete in a 2A sub-state at Maranatha Academy in Shawnee.
Silver Lake opened its regional bid with a 25-15, 25-15 win over Sabetha, followeed by a 25-10, 25-13 victory over Riley County and a 25-13, 25-18 win over Perry-Lecompton.
The Eagles are the No. 2 seed for Saturday's Royal Valley sub-state and will play the second match against No. 3 Santa Fe Trail (28-8).
The Silver Lake-Santa Fe Trail winner will take on the winner of the first match between No. 1 Royal Valley (29-7) and No. 4 Marysville (13-19) for the sub-state title, with the winner advancing to the 3A state tournament at Hutchinson Nov. 1-2.
Rossville took a 25-8, 25-17 win over Cair Paravel Latin in its first regional match before taking a 25-2, 25-11 win over Valley Falls and a 25-21, 25-21 win over Maur Hill Mt. Academy.
Cair Paravel went 1-2 on the day, posting a 25-15, 25-16 win over Valley Falls. The Lions dropped a three-set decision to Maur Hill-Mt. Academy, which took a 25-22, 15-25, 25-20 win.
Rossville is the No. 2 seed for the Maranatha Academy sub-state on Saturday and will play the second match of the day aganst No. 3 Pleasant Ridge (21-13).
The winner of that match will play for the sub-state title against the winner of the match between top seed Maranatha Academy (34-6) and No. 4 Jefferson North (16-20).
The sub-state champ will advance to the state tournament Nov. 1-2 at Dodge City.
Other Saturday sub-states involving local schools:
Class 6A at Washburn Rural
Washburn Rural (28-6) is the No. 1 6A West seed and will host a four-school sub-state Saturday.
The Junior Blues will face No. 16 West seed Liberal (4-29) in the 1 p.m. match, followed by a match between No. 8 seed Topeka High (16-18) and No. 9 Free State (13-17).
The two winners will face off at approximately 3 p.m. for the sub-state title, with the winner moving on to the 6A state tournament Nov. 1-2 at Salina.
Class 5A at Seaman
Defending 5A champion Seaman will host a 5A sub-state Saturday, with the 35-2 Vikings the No. 1 West seed.
Seaman will play No. 16 Topeka West (13-21) in the first match of the tournament followed by the other semifinal between No. 8 Emporia (23-12) and No. 9 Maize South (23-13).
The two winners will advance to the sub-state final, with the tournament champion advancing to the 5A state tournament Nov. 1-2 at Salina.
Class 5A at Blue Valley Southwest
Shawnee Heights (17-18) is the No. 8 East seed and will face No. 9 Basehor-Linwood (17-18) in the second match of the day.
The winner will advance to take on the winner between No. 1 seed Blue Valley Southwest (29-5) and No. 16 Kansas City-Turner (9-21).
The sub-state champ will move on to the 5A state tournament Nov. 1-2 at Salina.
Class 5A at St. Thomas Aquinas
Highland Park is the No. 10 East seed (11-12) and will face No. 7 Spring Hill (19-17) in a sub-state semifinal.
The winner of that match will face the semifinal winner between No. 2 Aquinas (27-5) and No. 15 Leavenworth (11-20) for the sub-state title, with the winner advancing to the 5A state tournament Nov. 1-2 at Salina.
Class 4A at Hayden
Hayden, the No. 3 East seed at 27-10, will host a 4A sub-state on Saturday (2 p.m. start).
The Wildcats will face No. 14 Baldwin (10-22) in a semifinal match while No. 6 Paola (21-12) will take on No. 11 Parsons (15-18) in the other semifinal.
The winner of those two matches will play for the sub-state title, with the winner advancing to the 4A state tournament Nov. 1-2 at Hutchinson.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden's girls golf team put itself in position to win a second straight Class 4A state championship in Monday's opening round and left no doubt on Tuesday, pulling away for a 15-stroke victory at Hesston Golf Course.
Hayden took a four-stroke lead over Wellington on Monday and finished the 36-hole event with a four-person score of 698 while Wellington was a distant second at 713 and McPherson finished third at 727.
Hayden's girls golf team poses with its championship trophy after winning the Class 4A state tournament by 15 strokes Tuesday at Hesston. [Submitted photo]
Junior Lauren Borjon led the Wildcats with a third-place individual finish with a 36-hole total of 157, following up her first-round 76 with an 81 on Tuesday.
Hayden junior Izzy Glotzbach and senior Addyson Baer also earned 4A state medals, with Glotzbach finishing 12th at 171 (89-82) and Baer tying for 16th at 174 (86-88).
Brooke Johnson placed 34th at 196 (102-94), Nora Allphin was 46th at 213 (107-106) and Kellyn Specht finished 52nd at 226 (112-114).
Wamego's Addison Douglass took the individual state championship with a 36-hole total of 142 (70-72).
Silver Lake girls golf poses for a team picture after finishing second in the Class 3A-1A state tournament on a tiebreaker Tuesday at Emporia. [Silver Lake Athletics]
Silver Lake suffers heartbreaking tiebreaker loss in 3A-1A
Silver Lake, which started Tuesday's final round in third place, rallied to give itself a chance at a second straight Class 3A-1A state championship before finishing second to Pittsburg Colgan on a tiebreaker.
Both the Eagles and Panthers finished with four-person scores of 718, but Colgan won its third state title in four seasons by virtue of a lower fifth score on the second day of the tournament. Goodland finished third at 734.
Senior Taylor Zordel led Silver Lake with a fourth-place individual finish at 164 (86-78), earning her fourth straight state medal, while Kailyn Hanni posted a 13th-place finish at 180 (90-90) and Makenna Miller also earned a state medal with a 14th-place finish at 181 (95-86).
Savannah Wende finished 36th for the Eagles at 193 (101-92), Hope Thornton was 45th at 202 (102-100) and Alyssa Streit placed 54th at 221 (113-108).
Rossville's Elley Sanders, competing as an individual, tied for 38th with a 36-hole total of 197 (94-103).
Washburn Rural girls golf poses for a team picture after its third-place finish in the Class 6A state tournament Tuesday at Hutchinson. [Washburn Rural golf]
Seniors Randall, Peterson lead Rural to third-place 6A finish
Seniors Reece Randall and Natalie Peterson ended their high school careers with Class 6A state medals, leading Washburn Rural to a third-place team finish at Hutchinson's Carey Park.
Randall finished with a 36-hole total of 154 (79-75) to tie for 10th place individually while Peterson tied for 12th at 157 (81-76).
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Defending Class 4A state girls golf champion Hayden will take a four-stroke lead into Tuesday's final day of the 2024 state tournament at Hesston Golf Course.
Hayden junior Lauren Borjon is tied for second place after Monday's opening round of the Class 4A state tournament at Hesston. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden finished Monday's opening round with a four-person score of 69 over par, while Wellington sits second at plus 73, followed by McPherson at plus 79.
Hayden junior Lauren Borjon finished Day 1 tied for second place individually with a 5-over-par 76, six strokes behind tournament leader Addison Douglas, who carded a 1-under 70.
Wildcat senior Addyson Baer is tied for 14th after a first-round 86 while junior Izzy Glotzbach is tied for 18th after an 89.
Brooke Johnson shot a 102, Nora Allphin a 107 and Kellyn Specht a 112 for Hayden.
The final round of the tournament is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m.
Silver Lake senior Taylor Zordel, a three-time state medalist, is tied for fifth in the Class 3A-1A state tournament entering Tuesday's final round at Emporia. [File photo/TSN]
Silver Lake third in 3A-1A
Defending Class 3A-1A state champion Silver Lake will begin the final 18 holes of the state tournament at Emporia Municipal Golf Course in third place, seven strokes off the pace.
The Eagles finished Day 1 with a four-person score of 88 over par, seven strokes behind tournament leader Caney Valley and five strokes behind second-place Pittsburg Colgan.
Senior Taylor Zordel led Silver Lake with an opening-round of 86 and will begin Tuesday's round tied for fifth place.
Junior Kailyn Hanni is tied for 13th after a first-round 90 while Makenna Miller shot a 95, Savannah Wende a 101, Hope Thornton a 102 and Alyssa Streit a 113.
Rossville's Elley Sanders shot a first-round 94 and advanced to the second round of the tournament tied for 26th place.
The 3A-1A state tournament is set for a 10 a.m. start on Tuesday.
Class 6A, 5A state tournaments postponed
Neither the Class 6A state tournament at Hutchinson and the 5A event at Salina completed the opening round on Monday.
Both state tournaments are scheduled to resume at 9 a.m. Tuesday, with the final round scheduled to begin after the competion of Day 1.
All six of Washburn Rural's players completed their first round, with senior Reece Randall shooting a 79, senior Natalie Peterson, junior Lauren Cox an 82 and senior Colbey Stead an 86 to lead the Junior Blues.
Rural was tied for fourth place and in a good position to advance to the final round of competition.
Three of Seaman's six players completed their first round in the 5A state tourney, with senior Anna McLaughlin leading the Vikings with a 91 while Chloe Schmidtlein shot a 97 and Molina Quintana a 105.
Competing as individuals, Shawnee Heights' Lyla Blair shot an 87, Topeka West's Alex Baxter a 94. Shawnee Heights' Lauryn Valdivia a 105 and West's Berlyn Kolean a 113.
The 5A field will be cut to the top six teams and the top individuals after the conclusion of the first round.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden two-sport athlete Izzy Glotzbach is already a 2024 state champion, helping the Wildcats run away with the Class 4A state tennis title Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center.
Hayden junior Izzy Glotzbach helped the Wildcats win the Class 4A tennis title on Saturday and will turn her attention to state golf on Monday in Hesston. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Hayden junior Izzy Glotzbach will compete in the Class 4A state golf tournament on Monday after tying for ninth for the state-champion Wildcats as a sophomore. [Photo by Kyle Grunert/Special to TSN]
And the Hayden junior would like nothing more than to add another championship to her resume in Monday and Tuesday's state golf tournament at Hesston as the Wildcats attempt to successfully defend their 2023 state crown.
"I really hope we can get it done,'' Glotzbach said. "It would be really cool to win it in two sports.''
Glotzbach earned her first state individual tennis medal on Saturday when she teamed with junior Avery O'Bray for an 11th-place doubles finish and has now earned state medals in both of her fall sports after tying for ninth in state golf as a sophomore to lead the way as the Wildcats won the state title by 37 strokes.
Hayden's golf team began its title defense in last Monday's McPherson regional, tying the host Bullpups for the team title and winning on a tiebreaker.
Hayden posted a four-person score of 326 at McPherson, with all of the Wildcats' top four earning top-10 finishes.
Senior Addyson Baer shot a 79 to pace Hayden with a fifth-place individual regional finish while junior Lauren Borjon was seventh with a 79, Glotzbach eighth with an 82 and sophomore Brooke Johnson ninth with an 84.
The Wildcats also got a 19th-place finish from senior Nora Allphin (95) and a 39th-place finish from junior Kellyn Specht (120).
And Glotzbach feels like her team has put itself in position to challenge for a title repeat.
"I think it's going to be a tough battle against McPherson and Wellington, but I think we can get it done if we just play how we know how to play,'' she said.
Glotzbach admits that playing dual sports in the same season is a challenge.
"It's pretty tough,'' she said. "I just have to really focus on school and still do sports.''
But Glotzbach said it's well worth the time and effort.
"It's fun to just be around the team and have the experience of winning state and stuff like that.''
Glotzbach is one of three returning players off last year's state championship golf team, with Borjon, who placed 15th a year ago, and Baer also returning.
The 2024 state tourneys will get under way at 9 a.m. Monday.
Washburn Rural senior Natalie Peterson shot a 77 last Monday to place third individually in the Class 6A regional tournament at Cypress Ridge. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural senior Reece Randall shot a 78 last Monday to finish fourth in the Class 6A regional tournament at Cypress Ridge. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
CLASS 6A
Coming off a fourth-place team finish last fall, Washburn Rural is back in the Class 6A state tournament Monday and Tuesday at Hutchinson's Carey Park after a solid second-place finish in last Monday's 6A regional at Cypress Ridge.
The Junior Blues shot a four-person score of 329 at regionals as Washburn Rural combined with regional champ Manhattan (315) to earn the first 11 individual places.
Seniors Natalie Peterson (77) and Reece Randall (78) finished third and fourth to pace Washburn Rural while junior Lauren Cox placed eighth (85) and sophomore Kailyn Petersen finished 10th (89).
Senior Colbey Stead finished 11th with a 96 for the Junior Blues while junior Ella Taggart tied for 17th with a 109.
Seaman junior Makenna Stuke posted a runnerup finish in last Monday's Class 5A regional golf tournament, helping the Vikings win the team title by a 19-stroke margin. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Seaman senior Jaycee Zimmerman posted a third-place individual finish for the regional-champion Vikings last Monday at Cypress Ridge. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
CLASS 5A
Seaman's girls golf team put all of its top four in the top five individual places in last Monday's Class 5A regional tournament at Cypress Ridge, winning the team championship by a 19-stroke margin while advancing to Monday and Tuesday's 5A state tournament at Salina Municipal Golf Course.
Seaman junior Makenna Stuke finished second individually with an 89, while senior Jaycee Zimmerman was third (93), sophomore Kaitlynn Frye fourth (95) and sophomore Chloe Schmidtlein fifth (97) as the Vikings won the team title by a 375-394 margin over De Soto.
The Vikings also got a tie for 12th place from junior Molina Quintana and senior Anna McLaughlin, who carded 108s.
Topeka West and Shawnee Heights both qualified a pair of individuals for state.
West senior Alex Baxter and Shawnee Heights senior Lyla Blair led the local individual qualifiers with a tie for seventh place (101), while Heights sophomore Lauryn Valdivia tied for 12th (108) and West junior Berlyn Kolean advanced with a 19th-place finish (119).
Silver Lake senior Taylor Zordel, a three-time state medalist, won the individual championship in last Monday's Class 3A-1A regional at Osage City, leading the defending state champions to the team title. [File photo/TSN]
CLASS 3A-1A
After winning its first Class 3A-1A state golf championship by 22 strokes last fall, Silver Lake will be shooting for a second straight state crown Monday and Tuesday at Emporia Municipal.
Silver Lake posted a 38-stroke win over Jefferson West in the 3A-1A regional at Osage City, posting a four-person score of 356 as senior Taylor Zordel led a one-two-three individual finish for the Eagles.
Zordel carded an 81 for a one-stroke victory over junior teammate Kailyn Hanni (82) while senior Hope Thornton finished third (92).
The Eagles also got a tie for 11th place from sophomore Savannah Wende (101), a tie for 13th from senior Makenna Miller (102) and a 23-place finish from Alyssa Streit (109).
Rossville had a pair of individual state qualifiers, with senior Brinley Pottorf placing 15th (104) and senior Jaymee Woodward tying for 21st (108).
SHAWNEE COUNTY STATE QUALIFIERS
