Topeka High Trojans

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural baseball has had its problems against Topeka High the past two seasons, with the Trojans taking three of the past four games on the way to back-to-back Class 6A state tournament berths.

Washburn Rural junior left-hander Isaac Ansley twirled a complete-game pitching victory in Rural's 18-1 first-game win over Topeka High. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Washburn Rural junior Brody Haas picked up a complete-game pitching victory in Tuesday's 24-1 second-game win over Topeka High. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]

But Jay Mastin's Junior Blues turned the tables on the Trojans in a big way Tuesday at Hummer Sports Park, opening Centennial League play with an 18-1, 24-1 twinbill sweep in games that went four and five-inning contests.

"We split with them last year and got swept two years ago by them,'' Mastin said. "We talked about that the last practice that T-High has had our number the last couple of years and don't take anything for granted and come out here and play the game the right way.''

Washburn Rural got complete-game pitching performances from junior Isaac Ansley in the first game and junior Brody Haas in the nightcap while the Junior Blues, now -2 overall, scored at least a run in all nine at bats, with multiple runs in eight of the nine innings, with a high of 10 runs.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Carsyn Broxterman 

CARSYN BROXTERMAN, Hayden

A junior soccer standout, Broxterman scored the game's only goal 41 seconds into the second half Friday at Hayden, lifting the Wildcats to a 1-0 victory over Cair Paravel Latin, the Class 4A-1A state runnerup last season.  

Reagan Chapman

REAGAN CHAPMAN, Washburn Rural

Primarily a shortstop earlier in her high school softball career, Chapman opened her junior season with a no-hit pitching performance in Friday's 7-0 win over Centennial League rival Topeka High. Chapman struck out six batters while her bid for a perfect game was spoiled by a single hit batter.

Kate Hinck

KATE HINCK, Washburn Rural

Hinck, a senior soccer star, scored three goals and had three assists on the week as Washburn Rural opened its 2025 season with a pair of shutout wins. Hinck scored a goal and had two assists in Tuesday's 5-0 win over Olathe South and scored two goals and had an assist in Friday's 3-0 win over Kapaun Mt. Carmel.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Two-time senior player of the year Ja'Corey Robinson headlines the 2025 TopSports.news All-Shawnee County boys basketball team.

Highland Park senior Ja'Corey Robinson has been named the TSN Shawnee County boys basketball player of the year for the second straight season. [File photo/TSN] 

Robinson was a repeat pick as the Shawnee County player of the year after leading the Scots to a 24-1 record and a second-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament, the Scots' third straight top-three state finish.

Robinson and senior teammate Mikey Williams are two of the five All-Shawnee County Top 10 repeat picks along with Shawnee Heights senior Jaret Sanchez, Seaman junior KaeVon Bonner and Rossville junior Jack Donovan.

Shawnee Heights senior Deacon Pomeroy, Washburn Rural senior Amare Jones and Silver Lake junior Dayne Johnson all moved up to Top 10 after being named to the Second 10 in 2024 while Hayden senior James Kuta and Washburn Rural junior Simon Rowley round out the all-county team.

 Washburn Rural junior Simon Rowley has been named the TSN Shawnee County boys basketball newcomer of the year. [File photo/TSN]

Rowley was also named the county newcomer of the year after helping 18-5 Washburn Rural win the Centennial League championship and advance to the Class 6A state tournament.

Highland Park coach Mike Williams has been named the Shawnee County boys coach of the year for the third straight season after leading the Scots to a 24-1 record and a runnerup state finish. [Photo by Mac Moore/KSHSAA Covered]

Highland Park's Mike Williams was named the county coach of the year for the third straight season, leading the Scots to a 71-4 record over the past three years.

All-Shawnee County capsules:

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Seaman senior Anna Becker has been tapped as the TopSports.news 2025 All-Shawnee County girls basketball player of the year after helping lead the Vikings to back-to-back championship games in Class 5A.

Seaman senior Anna Becker, a four-time All-Shawnee County Top 10 pick, has been named the county player of the year after helping lead the Vikings to a second-place Class 5A state finish. [File photo/TSN]

A four-time All-Shawnee County Top 10 pick and three-time United Kansas Conference player of the year, Becker helped Seaman post a 24-1 record and a second-place finish behind St. Thomas Aquinas as a senior after the Vikings won the Class 5A state title in 2024.

Becker is one of five repeat picks on the All-Shawnee County Top 10 along with Hayden senior Millie Ramsey, Seaman junior Maddie Gragg, Silver Lake junior Kailyn Hanni and Washburn Rural sophomore Maddie Vickery.

Ramsey and Gragg are three-time all-county Top 10 selections.

Also earning All-Shawnee County Top 10 spots are Washburn Rural senior Kate Hinck, Topeka High junior Keimara Marshall, Trojan sophomore Ahsyierhuajh Rayton, Shawnee Heights sophomore KK Emmot and Hayden freshman Hailey Schmidtlein.

Hayden freshman Hailey Schmidtlein has been named the Shawnee County girls basketball newcomer of the year while also earning Top 10 honors. [File photo/TSN]

Schmeidtlein, who helped Hayden post a third-place state finish in Class 4A, was also named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year, while Topeka High coach Ron Slaymaker was named the county coach of the year.

Topeka High's Ron Slaymaker has been named the Shawnee County girls basketball coach of the year after leading the Trojans to a nine-win improvement in his first season. [File photo/TSN]

The 88-year-old Slaymaker, a Kansas coaching legend and High's third coach in four seasons, led the Trojans to a nine-win improvement in the 2024-2025 campaign, with Topeka High posting a 14-8 record. 

All-Shawnee County capsules:

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

City schools combined to win 10 events in Friday's season-opening Topeka West Invitational at Hummer Sport Park, with Seaman's girls leading the way with five wins en route to a runnerup team finish behind Manhattan.

Seaman junior Ryin Miller won three gold events in Friday's Topeka West Invitational at Hummer Sports Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Seaman junior Ryin Miller, the reigning Gatorade Kansas Track and Field Athlete of the Year, was a double individual winner in the girls 1,600-meter run (4 minutes, 59.08) and the 800 (2:17.80) while also running on the Vikings' winning 4x400 relay (4:15.33).

Seaman also got wins in the girls 4x100 relay (51.94) and from senior Grace Jowers in the pole vault (10 feet, 6 inches) while sophomore Brynn Spencer posted runnerup individual finishes in the 1,600 (5:39.41) and the 3,200 (12:25.66).

Topeka High junior Keimara Marshall won the 400-meter dash in Friday's Topeka West Invitational at Hummer Sports Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Topeka High junior Keimara Marshall won the girls 400-meter dash (62.21) and finished second in the 100 (12.45) helped the Trojans finish second in the 4x100 relay (52.51), while sophomore Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton was second in the long jump (18-0.25) and the triple jump (38-2.25) and also ran on the 4x100 relay.

Seaman junior Brody Anderson (middle) and Topeka West senior Adrian Lehman (right) finished one-two in the boys 1,600 in Friday's Topeka West Invitational and Lehman won the 3,200. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

On the boys side, Seaman junior Brody Anderson led a one-two-three city finish in the 1,600 meters, winning in 4:29.71 while Topeka West senior Adrian Lehman was second (4:31.81) and Charger senior Mark Wilkie third (4:32.21).

Lehman and Wilkie came back later in the meet to go one-two in the 3,200, with Lehman finishing first in 10:09.76 and Wilkie taking second in 10:12.39.

Topeka High senior Ben Roeder won the boys 400-meter dash in Friday's Topeka West Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Topeka High senior Ben Roeder won the 400 dash in 51.91 while Seaman sophomore Quinton White won the pole vault with a clearance of 9 feet. 

TOPEKA WEST INVITATIONAL

By Todd Fertig

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural, the third-place finisher in last season’s Class 6A tournament, started the new softball season with a two-game sweep of Centennial League foe Topeka High Friday at Washburn Rural.

Junior Reagan Chapman pitched a first-game no-hitter in Washburn Rural's 7-0 win over Topeka High. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

“You don’t win championships on opening day, but that lays the groundwork for what happens moving forward,” Washburn Rural coach Joy Marie Galliart said. “We were definitely ready to face someone other than ourselves.

“We saw a lot of positives but saw a lot of things that we need to clean up. We need to execute some things better offensively. But when you only face your own pitching in practice and then you see somebody different, it kind of reveals some things that maybe you haven’t been able to see up to that point.”

Pitcher Reagan Chapman got the season started off on the right foot for Washburn Rural, spinning a no-hitter in the first game. The Junior Blues exploded for five runs in the fourth frame to win their season opener 7-0.

The junior Chapman, who was mostly found at shortstop last season, made a strong bid to be at the front of the pitching rotation for the Junior Blues. The only blemish in the outing came when she clipped a Trojan batter’s toe. She finished with six strikeouts.

“It’s hard to critique much when you come out and throw a no-hitter. But she has things she can work on,” Galliart said of Chapman’s outing. “But I thought she did a great job for the first game out. I thought our defense made the plays behind her which helped her. And obviously it gives you confidence when you know your defense is working behind you.”

“I feel good about it,” Chapman said of her day on the mound. “I had stellar defense out there.

“It’s great to be back. I hate winter. I was so ready to be back out here. I feel like we’re very connected. We’re really having a good time with each other.”

Topeka High pitcher Campbell Dawson held the Junior Blues in check for three innings. But a couple of Trojan errors got the Washburn Rural offense rolling in the fourth. Senior Avery Rupp plated two runs with a triple and the Junior Blues grabbed a 5-0 lead.

The Junior Blues added two insurance runs in the sixth inning when sophomore Justice McBurney launched a blast that hit the left field foul pole.

Washburn Rural sophomore Justice McBurney hit a two-run home run in Friday's 7-0 win over Topeka High. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Sophomore Olivia Koch got the start in the second game and held the Trojans to just one run for the first six innings. Topeka High got the bats going in the seventh inning when, trailing 6-1, they plated three runs. Trojan Taimaine Isaia blasted a home run to tighten the score to 6-4, but Koch worked the final out to preserve the victory.

Sophomore Olivia Koch picked up the pitching victory in Washburn Rural's 6-4 second game win over Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

City players garnered six of seven spots on the All-Centennial League girls basketball first team while city schools swept the three individual awards.

Washburn Rural sophomore Maddie Vickery was voted the Centennial League girls basketball player of the year by league coaches. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden freshman Hailey Schmidtlein was voted the Centennial League girls basketball newcomer of the year. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural sophomore Maddie Vickery was voted the Centennial League player of the year by league coaches while Hayden freshman Hailey Schmidtlein was named the newcomer of the year and Hayden coach Carvel Reynoldson the coach of the year after leading the Wildcats to the league championship.

Vickery and Schmidtlein were named to the all-league first team along with Manhattan junior Kat Ball, Washburn Rural senior Kate Hinck, Topeka High junior Keimara Marshall, Hayden senior Millie Ramsey and Topeka High sophomore Ahyieyrhuajh Rayton.

Hayden is represented on the all-league second team by senior Brylee Meier along with Washburn Rural senior Tenly Bunck and sophomore Gracie Hayes and Topeka High freshman Hailey Caryl.

Topeka High senior Jo'Mhara Benning and Hayden senior Norma Greco received honorable mention.   

ALL-CENTENNIAL LEAGUE GIRLS BASKETBALL

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

ELLA BOLAN, Silver Lake

A senior, Bolan was a member of Silver Lake's Class 3A state championship 4x400 relay team in the 2024 state meet, with the Eagles posting a winning time of 4:06.64. Bolan also ranked No. 4 in Shawnee County last season in the 400-meter dash (61.69 seconds).  

Washburn Rural senior Payton Fink (1666) is a multiple Class 6A state placer in both track and cross country. [File photo/TSN]

PAYTON FINK, Washburn Rural

A senior, Fink, a multiple time first-team All-Shawnee County pick, is one of Class 6A's premier distance runners. Fink finished fifth in 6A in the 3,200 (11:14.85) and seventh in the 1,600 (5:17.66) last season. A four-time state cross country medalist, Fink finished fifth in 6A last fall as the Junior Blues tied for first place in the team standings and finished second on a tiebreaker.

ALI GERBER, Silver Lake

Gerber, a sophomore, was a member of Silver Lake's Class 3A state championship 4x400 relay team in the 2024 state meet, with the Eagles posting a winning time of 4:06.64. Gerber ranked fifth in Shawnee County last season in the 400 (62.18) and fourth in the triple jump (34-0) and was also a state qualifier in cross country.

EMILY GRAF, Washburn Rural

A junior, Graf ran on Washburn Rural's 4x800 relay team that finished sixth in the Class 6A state meet last spring (9:47.16) and finished seventh in the 3,200 (11:20.57), earning All-Shawnee County first-team recognition. Graf is also a multi-time state placer in cross country, finishing in 14th place at state as the Junior Blues tied for the 6A team title and finished second on a tiebreaker.  

Seaman senior Taylie Heston was a Class 5A state medalist and an All-Shawnee County first-team pick last season. [File photo/TSN]  

TAYLIE HESTON, Seaman

A senior, Heston earned first-team All-Shawnee County recognition the past two seasons, earning a Class 5A state medal as a member of Seaman's second-place 4x800 relay team (4:02.39). A 5A state runnerup in wrestling, ranked No. 5 in Shawnee County last season in the 800 meters (2:28.82).

Washburn Rural senior Rylee Ismert was a multi-event Class 6A state medalist last spring, earning first-team All-Shawnee County honors. [File photo/TSN] 

RYLEE ISMERT, Washburn Rural

A senior distance runner, Ismert helped Washburn Rural post a sixth-place finish in Class 6A in the 4x800 relay (9:47.16) in the 2024 state meet and also placed sixth in the 1,600 (5:17.31). Ismert, a two-time first-team All-Shawnee County team pick, ranked among the county leaders in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meters last spring. Ismert placed second individually in the 6A cross country meet last fall as Rural tied for the team title and finished second on a tiebreaker.

Topeka High junior Keimara Marshall was a Class 6A state medalist in the last spring. [File photo/TSN]

KEIMARA MARSHALL, Topeka High

A junior, Marshall has established herself as one of the area's top sprinters, earning first-team all-county honors. Marshall ranked No. 1 in the county in the 100 (12.41) and 200 (26.25) in 2024 and capped her season with a 6A state medal in the 100, finishing seventh in 12.41.

Seaman junior Ryin MIller has been named Gatorade Kansas Athlete of the Year in both track last spring and in cross country this past fall. [File photo/TSN]

RYIN MILLER, Seaman 

Miller, a junior, won a pair of Class 5A state titles last spring, winning the 1,600 (4:51.58) and the 800 (2:10.80), and also finished second in the 3,200 (10:13.97) and anchored Seaman's second-place 4x400 relay (4:02.39. Miller is also the Kansas state record-holder in cross country and was the 5A runnerup this past fall

BROOKLYN NOLTE, Washburn Rural

A senior, Nolte earned All-Shawnee County first-team honors last spring after running on Washburn Rural's 4x800 relay team that finished sixth in Class 6A (9:47.16). Nolte is also a three-time all-county pick in cross country and ran on the Junior Blues' cross country team that tied for first and finished second in the 6A state meet last fall, posting a 1st-place state finish.

Topeka High freshman Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton was a two-time Class 6A medalist as a freshman in 2024. [File photo/TSN]

AHSIEYRHUAJH RAYTON, Topeka High

A sophomore, Rayton had a big freshman season for Topeka High, earning first-team All-Shawnee County recognition after placing second in the Class 6A triple jump (38-5.25) and fourth in the long jump (17-5.75). Rayton was the Shawnee County leader in both jumps and also ranked No. 5 in the 200 (26.78). 

Senior Jaida Stallbaumer ran on Seaman's second-place 4x400 relay in the Class 5A state meet last spring and also led Shawnee County in the 100-meter hurdles. [File photo/TSN]

JAIDA STALLBAUMER, Seaman

Stallbaumer, a senior, was a first-team All-Shawnee County pick in 2023 and 2024 and ran on the Vikings' second-place 4x400 relay (4:02.39). Stallbaumer ranked No. 1 in Shawnee County last season in the 100 hurldes (15.85).

ALLY STEINER, Seaman

A senior sprinter, Steiner ran on the Vikings' second-place 4x400 relay (4:02.39) in last spring's Class 5A state meet, earning All-Shawnee County first-team honors. Steiner ranked No. 3 in Shawnee County in the 100 (12.86) and the 400 (60.92). 

ELLIOT WRENCH, Hayden

A senior, was a Class 3A state qualifier in the 1,600 and 4x400 relay last season and is coming off a big cross country season last fall. Wrench set a school five-kilometer record with a time of 19 minutes, 20 seconds, surpassing last year’s record of 20:01 and finished sixth in the 4A state meet after finishing sixth in the city meet, seventh in the Centennial League and fourth at regionals.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Topeka High senior Jo'Mhara Benning was a first-team All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League pick last season. [File photo/TSN]

JO'MHARA BENNING, Topeka High

A senior pitcher, Benning earned first-team TopSports.news All-Shawnee County recognition last season after helping the Trojans post a 17-11 record. Benning also was a first-team All-Centennial League pick and earned All-Class 6A second-team recognition from the Kansas Softball Coaches Association.

TAYLOR BREES, Shawnee Heights

Brees, a senior infielder, was a first-team TSN All-Shawnee County pick last season while also earning All-United Kansas Conference first-team honors and being named to the Kansas Softball Coaches Association second team. Brees has signed a letter of intent with Washburn University.

Washburn Rural junior Reagan Chapman is a two-time All-Shawnee County first-team pick. [File photo/TSN]

REAGAN CHAPMAN, Washburn Rural

A junior, Chapman earned second-team All-Class 6A honors from the Kansas Softball Coaches Association last season while also being named to the TSN All-Shawnee County first team for the second straight season after helping lead the Junior Blues to a 20-8 record and a third-place finish in 6A.

LAYLA COLLINS, Washburn Rural

Collins, a senior, received second-team TSN All-Shawnee County honors last season after helping Washburn Rural post a third-place finish in the Class 6A state tournament. Collins also earned second-team All-Centennial League recognition for the Junior Blues, 20-8 on the year.

Silver Lake senior Kendra Cook is a two-time All-Shawnee County first-team pick and earned All-Class 3A first-team honors last spring. [File photo/TSN]

KENDRA COOK, Silver Lake

A senior pitcher, Cook earned TSN All-Shawnee County first-team recognition for the second straight season in 2024 after helping 24-3 Silver Lake post a runnerup state finish in Class 3A. A Washburn University signee, Cook, who compiled a 1.244 earned run average with 92 strikeouts, also received All-3A first-team honors from the Kansas Softball Coaches Association.

KAILYN HANNI, Silver Lake

Hanni, a left-fielder, earned first-team All-Shawnee County first-team recognition last season as a sophomore after helping Silver Lake post a 24-3 record and a runnerup finish in the Class 3A state tournament. Hanni, who hit .518 with 15 stolen bases, was also named to the Kansas Softball Coaches Association All-3A second team.

Washburn Rural sophomore Olivia Koch was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year last spring. [File photo/TSN]

OLIVIA KOCH, Washburn Rural 

A sophomore, Koch was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year last season and was named to the All-Centennial League first team and the Kansas Softball Coaches Association All-Class 6A second team after helping Rural post a 20-8 record and a third-place finish in the 6A state tournament. 

Silver Lake senior Kira Lowrey was an All-Shawnee County first-team pick last spring. [File photo/TSN]  

KIRA LOWREY, Silver Lake 

A senior third baseman/pitcher, Lowrey earned first-team All-Shawnee County first-team recognition last season as a sophomore after helping Silver Lake post a 24-3 record and a runnerup finish in the Class 3A state tournament. Lowrey, who hit .467 with 35 RBI, also received Kansas Softball Coaches Association All-3A honorable mention.

By Todd Fertig

TopSports.news

The Topeka High girls soccer team relied upon a mix of returners and new contributors to open the season with a 5-0 win over Topeka West at Hummer Sports Park Tuesday.

Topeka High freshman Emma Schell (left) celebrates an early goal with teammate Paty Acosta-Salas in the Trojans' 5-0 win over Topeka West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Freshman Emma Schell scored right out of the gate in her debut with the Trojans, punching a breakaway past the Charger goalkeeper at 38:43 of the first half. She scored again off a rebound just seven minutes later.

Topeka High junior Dana Chavarria Delacruz (22) celebrates a first-half goal in the Trojans' 5-0 win over Topeka West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

The Trojans got a goal from Dana Chavarria Delacruz later in the period to go to the intermission leading 3-0.

“We graduated a lot of players from last year, but I knew we had some ability to attack coming back,” Topeka High coach Derek Snook said. “The biggest thing was whether we were going to meld together the way we needed to and communicate the best we could.”

Having gained a commanding lead, Snook went deep into the bench, but the Trojans continued to pour it on, getting two goals from Natalie Barnes in the second half.

Junior captain Raelee Shipley (10) advances the ball in Topeka High's 5-0 win over Topeka West Tuesday. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Junior captain Raelee Shiplee knew that the Trojans needed to get a game under their belts in order to know what to work on.

“We just had to come out with intensity and communication,” Shiplee said. “After the first game, I think we learned how each other plays. So, I think it will help us more along the road during other games to know how each other plays.”

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

DRAYDEN ACOSTA, Topeka High

A junior, Acosta earned second-team All-Shawnee County recognition last season after helping Topeka High advance to the Class 6A state tournament for the second straight season.  

LIAM ANNAND, Hayden

Annand, a senior, helped Hayden post an 18-12 record and capture the Class 3A state championship last season. Annand earned second-team All-Shawnee County honors as a junior.

ISAAC ANSLEY, Washburn Rural

A junior pitcher, Ansley will be counted on to fill a major role for a Washburn Rural team that posted a 13-10 record last spring but graduated six seniors who received first or second-team all-county recognition last season.

Hayden sophomore Mason Becker was a first-team All-Shawnee County pick and the county newcomer of the year last season. [File photo/TSN]

MASON BECKER, Hayden

Becker, a sophomore, earned first-team All-Shawnee County honors and was named the county newcomer of the year last season after helping lead the Wildcats to an 18-12 record and the Class 3A state championship. 

AXTON BREWER, Seaman

A sophomore, Brewer made an impact last season for the 18-7 Vikings as a freshman pitcher/designated hitter, receiving second-team All-United Kansas Conference recognition and All-Class 5A and All-Shawnee County honorable mention.  

COOPER CAMPIDILLI, Silver Lake

A senior catcher, Campidilli has been a second-team All-Shawnee County honoree for the last two seasons while also earning All-Mid-East League recognition for the Eagles. 

Seaman senior catcher David Dobbs was a first-team All-Shawnee County and All-Class 5A pick last season. [File photo/TSN]

DAVID DOBBS, Seaman

A senior catcher, Dobbs was named to the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches All-Class 5A first team last season while also earning All-Shawnee County and All-United Kansas Conference first-team recognition for the 18-7 Vikings.

Hayden senior Cooper Grace was named the Centennial League and Shawnee County co-player of the year last season. [File photo/TSN]

COOPER GRACE, Hayden

Grace, a senior, was named the Shawnee County and Centennial League co-player of the year last season while earning first-team All-Class 3A honors and all-county and Centennial League recognition for the second straight season. A Nebraska signee, Grace helped lead the Wildcats to an 18-12 record and the 3A state title in 2024.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

KAITLYN ALDRIDGE, Shawnee Heights

A sophomore, Aldridge earned All-City first-team honors as a freshman, placing third in the city meet in the 100-yard backstroke and helping Shawnee Heights place third in the 200 free relay and the 400 free relay. Aldridge competed in the 2024 Class 5A state meet, helping the T-Birds post a 13th-place finish in the 'B' final of the 400 free relay.  

Washburn Rural junior Audrey Appuhn has won multiple Class 6A state medals two straight seasons. [File photo/TSN]

AUDREY APPUHN, Washburn Rural

Appuhn, a junior, placed in multiple events in the Class 6A state meet for the second straight season, taking fifth in the 200 individual medley (2:12.72) and sixth in the 500 freestyle (5:17.70). Appuhn also helped Rural win the 'B' final (ninth place) in the 6A 200 medley relay. Appuhn won three golds in the city meet as Rural won its 21st straight title and four golds in the Centennial League meet as the Junior Blues won a fourth straight league title.

JELLA BELGARDT, Washburn Rural

Belgardt, a senior, was part of Rural's winning 400 relay team and three second-place finishes in the city meet as the Junior Blues won their 21st straight city team title. Belgardt won a pair of gold medals and also posted a second-place and third-place finish as Rural won its fourth straight Centennial League title. Belgardt swam on Rural's team that won the 'B' final (ninth place) in the 200 medley relay (1:59.01) in the 6A state meet.

Topeka High junior Hara Del Castillo was a Centennial League champion last season. [File photo/TSN]

HARA DEL CASTILLO, Topeka High

A junior, Del Castillo earned All-City honors for the second straight season, finishing second in the city meet in the 100-yard backstroke and 100 freestyle and helping High post a third-place finish in the 200 medley relay. Del Castillo won the Centennial League title in the 100 backstroke and was second in the 100 butterfly. Del Castillo competed in the 6A state meet.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Hayden senior Chase Blaser (left) finished fifth in doubles in the Class 3A-1A state tournament last spring. [File photo/TSN]

CHASE BLASER, Hayden

A senior, Blaser teamed with then-senior Joseph Luke to post a 24-10 record and a fifth-place finish in Class 3A-1A state doubles last spring. An All-City honoree, Blaser and Luke posted a third-place finish in No 1 doubles in the city meet as well as a third in the Centennial League and a fifth-place showing at regionals. A three-sport standout, Blaser helped lead the Wildcats to the 4A-1A state bowling championship this past winter.  

Washburn Rural junior Cale Deutscher and doubles partner Brayden Kohls qualified for the Class 6A state tournament last season. [File photo/TSN] 

CALE DEUTSCHER, Washburn Rural

Deutscher, a junior, was a 2024 All-City honoree after teaming with Brayden Kohls to win the city title in No. 2 doubles. Deutscher and Kohls finished fourth in Centennial League doubles and third in Class 6A regional competition to earn a state tournament berth. Deutscher and Kohls went 1-2 at state to cap an 18-10 season.

A two-time state qualifier, Cair Paravel junior Drew Fay finished fourth in Class 3A-1A state singles last spring. [File photo/TSN]

DREW FAY, Cair Paravel Latin

Fay, a junior, is coming off a fourth-place singles finish in the Class 3A-1A state tournament a year ago, his second straight state tournament appearance. Fay, who posted a 23-11 record on the season, was an All-City honoree after finishing as the No. 1 singles runnerup in the city tournament and also finished second in 3A-1A regional competition.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural senior Tadd Armstrong was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection last season. [File photo/TSN]

TADD ARMSTRONG, Washburn Rural

Armstrong, a senior returning All-Shawnee County first-teamer, helped Washburn Rural capture its 14th straight city team title and a team berth in the Class 6A state meet with a runnerup regional finish last season. Armstrong finished fourth in the city meet (126 for 27 holes), tied for fifth in the Centennial League (79) and tied for 11th at regionals (86).

CALEB CLEVERDON, Topeka High/Cair Paravel Latin

A junior, Cleverdon helped Cair Paravel earn the third-place team trophy in the Class 2A state tournament with a tie for 32nd place with a 36-hole score of 176 after competing for Topeka High in the regular season. A second-team All-Shawnee County pick last season, Cleverdon placed ninth at regionals (84) and placed 15th in the Centennial League (86).

JACK DONOVAN, Rossville

A junior, Donovan earned an individual medal in the Class 3A state tournament, placing 20th with a 36-hole score of 162. A first-team All-Shawnee County pick as a sophomore, Donovan finished third individually in the Mid-East League tournament with an 86 and placed fourth in 3A regional competition with a 74 to earn a state tournament berth.

Hayden senior James Kuta was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection last season after helping the Wildcats finish fourth in Class 3A. [File photo/TSN]

JAMES KUTA, Hayden

A senior, Kuta tied for 14th in the Class 3A state tournament with a 36-hole score of 159 (73-86), helping Hayden finish fourth as a team. A first-team All-Shawnee County selection in 2024, Kuta tied for eighth in the Centennial League meet (82), placed 10th in the city tournament (132 for 27 holes) and tied for 11th in 3A regional competition (83) as the Wildcats finished second as a team.

Washburn Rural senior Tagan Monasmith was a second-team All-Shawnee County pick in 2024. [File photo/TSN]

TAGAN MONASMITH, Washburn Rural

A senior, Monasmith was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season. Monasmith finished fifth individually in the city tournament (126 for 27 holes), was eighth at regionals as Washburn Rural qualified for the Class 6A state tournament as a team with a runnerup finish and finished 18th in the Centennial League (88).

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural three-time Class 6A state champion and four-time finalist Easton Broxterman headlines the TopSports.news 2025 All-Shawnee County boys wrestling team.

Shawnee County wrestler of the year Easton Broxterman ended his high school career with three Class 6A state titles and four straight trips to the 6A championship match. [Photo by Mac Moore/KSHSAA Covered]

County wrestler of the year Broxterman, who won the 144-pound championship to wrap up a 37-2 season, is joined on the All-Shawnee County team by two-time Washburn Rural state champions Kristjan Marshall and Landen Kocher-Munoz as the Junior Blues finished third as a team.

Washburn Rural senior Kristjan Marshall won his second straight Class 6A state title in 2025. [Photo by Mac Moore/KSHSAA Covered]

Washburn Rural junior Landen Kocher-Munoz won his second Class 6A state title in his third straight state final in 2025. [Photo by Mac Moore/KSHSAA Covered] 

Marshall, a senior, won the 157-pound championship to cap a 33-5 season with his second straight title while junior L. Kocher-Munoz won his second state title in his third straight trip to the finals, winning the 138-pound crown with a 30-3 record.   

Washburn Rural wrestling coach Josh Hogan has been named the Shawnee County coach of the year after three Rural wrestlers won state titles and Rural finished third as a team. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]

Washburn Rural, which finished third in the 6A team standings, put a county-high nine wrestlers on the all-county first team, while Rural's Josh Hogan was named the county coach of the year and freshman 215-pounder Kaiden Marshall was selected as newcomer of the year.

The TopSports.news all-county team is based in part on selections made by the seven Topeka head coaches as well as at large selections for county schools Rossville and Silver Lake.

Also earning All-Shawnee County first-team honors for Rural in addition to the three state champions were 120-junior Ryder Harrison (27-15), senior 126-pounder Walker Doyal (28-14), junior 132-pounder Cooper Stivers (26-8), sophomore 150-pounder Brodye Kocher-Munoz (16-7), sophomore 190-pounder Jadyn Baum (28-6) and K. Marshall (17-11).

Topeka High and Hayden both put two wrestlers on the all-county first team.

Topeka High is represented by 106-pound sophomore Jose Gomez (24-13) and 165-pound senior Nick Davis (40-7) while Hayden is represented by 175-pound junior Jude Krentz (42-2) and 285-pound senior Hunter Diederich (24-10). 

Shawnee Heights is represented on the first team by 113-pound sophomore Jacob Reyes (15-14).

ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY BOYS WRESTLING

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Class 5A state champion Makayla Cadet of Highland Park headines the TopSports.news 2025 All-Shawnee County girls wrestling team while third-place teams Washburn Rural and Shawnee Heights combined for 13 spots on the first team.

TopSports.news picked the All-Shawnee County team based in part on city coaches' picks for the All-City team while also adding at-large selections.

Highland Park junior Makayla Cadet has been named the Shawnee County wrestler of the year after winning the Class 5A 190-pound state title. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]

County wrestler of the year Cadet, a junior, won the Class 5A state championship at 190 pounds, becoming Highland Park's first-ever girls state champion while posting a 23-4 record on the season.   

Washburn Rural senior Molly Spader posted a runnerup Class 6A state finish for the second straight season, leading Rural to a third-place team finish. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural put seven wrestlers on the TSN All-Shawnee County first team, led by senior Molly Spader (37-6), who posted a runnerup Class 6A state finish for the second straight season to lead the Junior Blues to a third-place team finish in 6A after winning back-to-back state titles. 

In addition to Spader, Washburn Rural is represented on the all-county team by senior 115-pounder Maddy Blow (35-11), junior 120-pounder Lacey Middleton (37-9), junior 135-pounder Madison Blanco (30-8), junior 140-pounder Emme Blanco (35-10), junior 170-pounder Elia Smith (36-8) and sophomore 235-pounder Justice McBurney (15-7).

Smith placed third in 6A while Blow, Middleton, M. Blanco and E. Blanco all placed fourth at state and McBurney posted a sixth-place finish.

Spader and Blow are three-time first-team all-county selections while M. Blanco and Smith are first-team repeat picks and Middleton and E. Blanco moved up from the second team.

Shawnee Heights senior Isabel Reyes posted a second-place Class 5A state finish at 130 pounds, helping the T-Birds finish third as a team. [File photo/TSN]

Shawnee Heights, which earned the third-place team trophy in 5A, is represented on the all-county first team by senior Isabel Reyes (37-3), the 5A runnerup at 130 pounds, along with freshman 100-pounder Ava Gutierrez (19-13), senior 125-pounder Reece Taylor (37-4), senior 140-pounder Madison Freeland (32-7), junior 145-pounder Olivia Stevens (35-10) and junior 155-pounder Cianna Graves (39-3).

Taylor, Freeland and Graves finished third in 5A while Stevens finished fourth.    

Shawnee Heights' Chad Parks was named the county coach of the year after the T-Birds posted a program-best third as a team.

Seaman senior Taylie Heston was the 120-pound runnerup in Class 5A. [File photo/TSN]

Seaman senior Koti Best was the 125-pound runnerup in Class 5A. [File photo/TSN]

Seaman put senior state 120-pound runnerup Taylie Heston (32-8) and senior 130-pound runnerup Koti Best (20-3) on the All-Shawnee County first team, along with 110-pound senior Natalie Smith (28-11).

Best was a two-time state finalist will Heston is an all-county first-team repeat pick.

Rounding out the all-county first team are Silver Lake senior 110-pounder Karley Holmes (40-12) and Rossville 145-pounder Madelyn Wonnell (34-11).

Holmes posted a third-place finish in 4A while Wonnell finished fifth in 3A-1A after helping the Bulldawgs win the 3A-1A state team championship in 2024.  

ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY GIRLS WRESTLING

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Centennial League boys basketball champion Washburn Rural, which went unbeaten in league play, dominated all-league balloting from the league coaches, sweeping all three of the individual awards.

Washburn Rural senior Amare Jones has been named the Centennial League boys basketball player of the year. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

Washburn Rural junior Simon Rowley has been named the Centennial League boys newcomer of the year. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

Rural senior Amare Jones was named the Centennial League player of the year while junior Simon Rowley was selected as the newcomer of the year and Junior Blues coach Alex Hutchins was tapped as the coach of the year.

Hayden senior James Kuta (right) has been named to the All-Centennial League boys first team. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

Jones and Rowley were also named to the all-league first team, along with Hayden senior James Kuta.

Jones, Rowley and Kuta headlined a list of nine city players who received All-Centennial League recognition.

Earning second-team all-league honors were Washburn Rural senior Kaden Ballard and Topeka High junior Bryson McComas.

Hayden junior Connor Hanika and sophomore Mason Becker received all-league honorable mention along with senior King Leonard and junior John Hoytal of Washburn Rural.

ALL-CENTENNIAL LEAGUE BOYS BASKETBALL

By NICHOLAS GAINEY

Special to TopSports.news

The Topeka High girls basketball team opened Class 6A sub-state play in exhilarating fashion, nearly losing a late lead but hanging on for a 44-41 victory over Wichita South on Wednesday night in The Dungeon at Topeka High School.

Sophomore Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton scored 17 points in Wednesday's 44-41 Topeka High home sub-state win over Wichita South. [File photo/TSN]

Freshman Hailey Caryl (40) scored 14 points in Topeka High's 44-41 sub-state win over Wichita South Wednesday night. [File photo/TSN]

Both teams struggled to put up points in the opening minutes of the contest, but freshman Hailey Caryl put the Trojans on the board first with a layup and foul, hitting the free throw to convert the three-point play.

Topeka High looked to break the game open early, with layups from Keimara Marshall and Ahsieryrhuajh Rayton giving the Trojans a 7-2 lead and forcing a timeout from the visiting Titans with 3:24 remaining in the first quarter.

The break in the action did not deter the Trojans, with Rayton knocking down a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 10-2.

Down by eight early, Wichita South went on a run of its own, with Valentina Hart finishing a layup after an offensive rebound to cut the deficit to 11-9 at the end of the period.

The second quarter opened with an excellent defensive play from Marshall, blocking Janiah Cathey’s game-tying layup attempt. But the Titans would take the lead a minute later with a 3-pointer from Mahogany Butler, forcing a timeout from Topeka High coach Ron Slaymaker.

The teams would trade leads for the remainder of the half, before a late layup from Wichita South’s Sa’Kirra Brown gave the visitors a 21-19 advantage at halftime.

Brown scored all seven of her points on the evening in the quarter. Coming out of the locker room, the Trojans stormed back, going on a 7-0 run to force a Titan timeout just under two minutes into the second half.

Topeka High tightened up its defense in the quarter, only allowing Wichita South to score four points in the frame. The cold spell did not carry over into the fourth quarter for the Titans, with Butler knocking down a 3-pointer to cut the Topeka High lead down to two.

The hosts answered with another 7-0 run, capped off by Rayton’s second 3-pointer of the evening to give the Trojans their largest lead of the night.

Wichita South refused to go quietly, with D Chiles hitting a pair of 3-pointers and Hart converting a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to one.

With the offense struggling to score from the field, Topeka High closed out the contest by attacking the basket and getting to the free throw line. The Trojans’ final seven points came from the charity stripe, helping secure the three-point victory.

Rayton led Topeka High with 17 points, shooting 50 percent from the field on the evening. Caryl added 14 points along with seven rebounds. Jo’Mhara Benning led the Trojans on the glass, pulling down eight rebounds.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Parirings have been finalized for this week's sub-state high school basketball tournaments, with 12 city teams earning home court advantage for at least the semifinals of sub-state competition, which begins Tuesday and continues through Saturday.

Both Washburn Rural (Class 6A), Highland Park (5A) and Seaman (5A) teams, Shawnee Heights' boys (5A) and Hayden's girls (4A) could all stay at home through both rounds of sub-state competition.

Topeka High's girls (6A), Topeka West's boys (5A), Shawnee Heights' girls (5A) and Hayden's boys (4A) will be at home for at least the sub-state semifinals.

Both Silver Lake and Rossville teams and the Cair Paravel Latin boys have already posted first-round sub-state wins to advance to semifinals.

Silver Lake's girls and boys will compete in the Class 3A Hiawatha sub-state while Rossville and the CPLS boys will compete in the Class 2A Valley Heights sub-state.

Here's a look at sub-state tournaments involving Shawnee County teams:

Senior Kaden Ballard and the Washburn Rural boys will open their bid for a Class 6A state tournament berth with a home semifinal game against Wichita West Tuesday night. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

CLASS 6A BOYS

West sub-state No. 3 -- Centennial League champion Washburn Rural (16-4) is the No. 3 West seed and will host No. 14 Wichita West (4-16) a 6 p.m. Tuesday semifinal.

The Washburn Rural-Wichita West winner will advance to a Friday night 7 p.m. sub-state final to face the semifinal winner between No. 6 seed Junction City (13-7) and No. 11 Manhattan (6-14).

Senior standout Kate Hinck and the Washburn Rural girls are the No. 3 West seed for the Class 6A sub-state tournament. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

CLASS 6A GIRLS

West sub-state No. 3 -- Washburn Rural, second in 6A the past two years after winning the title in 2022, is the No. 3 West seed and will host No. 14 Lawrence Free State (3-17) in a 7 p.m. Wednesday semifinal.

The Washburn Rural-Free State winner will advance to a 5 p.m. Saturday sub-state championship game to face the semifinal winner between No. 6 seed Manhattan (13-7) and No. 11 Maize (5-15).

CLASS 6A GIRLS

West sub-state No. 2 --Topeka High, the No. 7 West seed at 13-7, will host No. 10 Wichita South (8-12) Wednesday for a 6 p.m. sub-state semifinal. 

The winner of that game will advance to a 5 p.m. Saturday final to meet the winner of the semifinal between No. 2 seed Wichita Heights (17-3) and No. 15 Dodge City (1-19).

CLASS 5A GIRLS

East sub-state No. 2 -- Shawnee Heights is the No. 7 East seed at 13-7 and will host No. 10 Basehor-Linwood (10-10) in a 7 p.m. Tuesday semifinal. The T-Birds beat the Bobcats twice during the regular season in the United Kansas Conference.

The winner of that game will advance to a 7 p.m. Friday final to face the winner of the semifinal between No. 2 seed Piper (16-4) and No. 15 Kansas City-Harmon (6-14).

East sub-state No. 3 -- Highland Park (16-4) is the No. 3 East seed and will host No. 14 seed Kansas City-Washington (6-14) in a 7 p.m. semifinal on Tuesday. Hi Park owns a pair of Meadowlark Conference wins over the Wildcats this season.

The Highland Park-Washington winner will advance to a 7 p.m. Friday sub-state final to face the semifinal winner between No. 6 Aquinas (13-7) and No. 11 Pittsburg (10-10).

Undefeated Seaman begins defense of its Class 5A state title Tuesday against city rival Topeka West. [File photo/TSN]

West sub-state No. 2 --Defending Class 5A state champion Seaman is the No. 2 West seed with a perfect 20-0 record and will host city and United Kansas Conference rival Topeka West, the No. 15 West seed at 6-14, in a 7 p.m. Tuesday semifinal.

The Seaman-West winner will advance to Friday's 7 p.m. sub-state final to face the winner of the semifinal between No. 7 Kapaun Mt. Carmel (15-5) and No. 10 Valley Center (10-10).

CLASS 5A BOYS

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Easton Broxterman 

EASTON BROXTERMAN, Washburn Rural

A senior wrestling star, Broxterman claimed his third straight Class 6A state championship Saturday in Overland Park, clinching the 144-pound championship with a a 16-0 technical fall over Manhattan junior Brecken Crist-Funk. A four-time state finalist, Broxterman finished his season with a 41-2 record, including four straight technical falls in last weekend's state tournament.

Makayla Cadet

MAKAYLA CADET, Highland Park

Cadet, a junior, became Highland Park's first-ever girls state wrestling champion on her 17th birthday Saturday in Park City, registering a first-period pin over Basehor-Linwood junior Izzy Renfro in 1 minute, 36 seconds to win the Class 5A 190-pound title. Cadet, who finished 23-4 on the season, went 4-0 at state with four pins. Cadet's pin over Renfro avenged a loss on a 1:37 pin in a regional final. 

Maddie Gragg

MADDIE GRAGG, Seaman

A 5-foot-10 junior basketball standout, Gragg converted a buzzer-beating inside shot to give the undefeated and top-ranked Seaman girls a 48-47 United Kansas Conference over Piper Wednesday at Seaman. Gragg led the Vikings with 14 points against the Pirates and scored 34 points on the week as defending Class 5A state champion Seaman went 3-0 on the week to finish off a perfect 20-0 regular season.