Topeka High Trojans
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The top Shawnee County athletes from the class of 2025 are getting ready to embark on their college careers while offseason preparations for the 2025-2026 school year are well under way.
But it's also important to remember the accomplishments that made the '24-'25 campaign a special one for county athletes and teams.
Shawnee County schools claimed three state girls team championships and seven others came up just short over the past school year while three county standouts combined to claim five individual titles in three different sports.
While a case can always be made for any number of stories to sit at the top of the list, here's just one opinion on the Top 10 county girls prep stories of '24-'25.
Washburn Rural soccer celebrates its first Class 6A state championship after a 1-0 win over Mill Valley in PKs. [Photo by KSHSAA Covered]
1. HISTORIC BREAKTHROUGH -- Washburn Rural, already well established as one of the state's premier girls soccer programs, added the only missing piece from its impressive resume with its first Class 6A state championship on May 31 in Wichita. Making their 11th straight Final Four appearance, including four runnerup state finishes, the Junior Blues broke through with a 1-0 win over Mill Valley, taking the win with a 4-1 edge in penalty kicks as senior Madison Lemke came up huge in goal for Brian Hensyel's 19-2-0 Rural team.
Seaman junior Ryin Miller won three gold medals in the 2025 Class 5A state track meet at Wichita, giving her five wins in her career. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
2. MILLER TIMES --Seaman superstar runner Ryin Miller capped off her junior track and field season by sweeping Class 5A state championships in her three individual events, taking wins in the 3,200 (10:19.53), 1,600 (4:57.33) and 800-meter (2:11.14) runs at Wichita State. Miller's three wins in 2025 gave her five career titles and came on the heels of a banner cross country season last fall, which included the fastest five-kilometer run in Kansas history (16:32.62) and a runnerup finish in the 5A state meet (17:26.36) by the Viking four-sport athlete.
Hayden senior Ainzley Zulueta earned her third Class 4A singles title last fall, leading the Wildcats to their second team title in three seasons. [File photo/TSN]
3. ZULUETA, WILDCATS BACK ON TOP --After sitting out her junior high shool tennis season due to KSHSAA eligibility guidelines, Zulueta returned to the courts last fall and turned in a dominating postseason performance (eight straight 6-0, 6-0 wins in regional and state competition) en route to her third Class 4A singles championship in as many tries while leading Hayden to its second team title in three seasons by a 40-28 margin over McPherson. In addition to Zulueta's title, Christy Sheetz's Wildcats got a runnerup doubles finish from senior Emily Sheetz and freshman Sophia Wichman, a ninth-place singles finish from junior Grace Funk and an 11th-place doubles showing from juniors Izzy Glotzbach and Avery O'Bray.
Hayden's girls golf team captured its second straight Class 4A state championship last fall by 15 strokes over Wellington. [Submitted photo]
4. REPEAT FEAT --Hayden rolled to its second straight Class 4A girls golf team championship last fall, posting a 698-713 win over Wellington at Hesston as three Wildcats earned individual medals. Junior Lauren Borjon paced Hayden with a third-place state finish (76-81 -- 157) while junior Izzy Glotzbach tied for 12th (89-82 -- 171) and senior Addyson Baer tied for 16th (86-88 -- 174). Glotzbach helped the Wildcats win state titles in tennis and golf three days apart.
Highland Park junior Makayla Cadet has her hand raised as the Class 5A 190-pound state champ last winter. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
5. A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY --Highland Park junior Makayla Cadet celebrated her 17th birthday in one of the best ways you could imagine last winter, with a Class 5A state wrestling championship. Cadet, who went 23-4 on the season, became the first girls wrestler in Highland Park history to win a state championship when she pinned Basehor-Linwood junior Izzy Renfro at the 1:36 mark of the first period in Park City. Cadet's win over Renfro avenged a regional loss to the Bobcat standout.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
How successful was the 2021-22 sports year for Shawnee County high schools? Good enough that girls and boys individuals/teams deserve their own lists.
First up is TopSports.news' look at the county girls year in review, which will be followed by a look at the boys successes of the past year.
Shawnee County schools claimed three state girls team championships and several others came up just short while 10 county standouts claimed individual titles in four different sports.
While a case can always be made for any number of stories to sit at the top of the list, here's one opinion on the Top 10 Shawnee County girls prep stories of '21-'22:
Topeka High celebrates its second straight Class 6A state softball title after last Friday's 2-1 win over Washburn Rural. [Photo by Isaac Deer/TSN]
1. TROJAN RERUN -- After claiming the school's first Class 6A state softball championship in 2021, Topeka High made it two titles in a row last Friday against a familiar foe, with the Trojans edging past city and Centennial League rival Washburn Rural, 2-1, in the championship game. After leading High to a perfect 25-0 record as a junior, Stanford signee NiJaree Canady came up big again in the pitching circle and at the plate last weekend, leading the Trojans to the title.
Washburn Rural won its second Class 6A state basketball championship since 2019, taking a 40-23 win over Derby in the state final. [Submitted]
2. RURAL RULES --Washburn Rural's girls basketball team celebrated a 6A state championship for the second time since 2019, completing a 23-2 season with a 40-23 romp past Derby in the state final at Wichita State's Koch Arena. And while the basketball crown was the lone title for the Lady Blues in '21-'22, they threatened in sport after sport, finishing second in the state in golf, soccer, wrestling and softball and turning in strong cross country, volleyball and bowling campaigns.
Topeka West junior Kadence Jeffries ended her high school swimming career with a sweep of the Class 5A-1A 200 and 500 freestyle events for the third straight season. [File photo/TSN]
3. CHARGER IN CHARGE --The only thing that stopped Topeka West swimming star Kadence Jeffries during a dominating high school career was COVID-19. After sweeping the 200-yard freestyle and 500 free Class 5A-1A state titles as a freshman, Jeffries had her sophomore season wiped out by the pandemic beore returning to sweep the same two events as both a junior and senior to complete a six for six performance in state individual events. Seaman sophomore Avery Walz joined Jeffries as a 5A-1A state champ this past season, winning the 100-yard breaststroke and earning four state medals overall as the Vikings finished fourth as a team.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Class 6A state champion Washburn Rural and Class 4A-1A runnerup Hayden combined to earn nine of 12 first-team berths on the 2025 All-Centennial League girls soccer team, selected by league coaches.
Kate Hinck, Washburn Rural
Senior player of the year Kate Hinck leads six Washburn Rural players on the all-league team, with seniors Destiny Higgs, Zahra Friess, Delaney Hill and Madison Lemke and junior Dayne Shriver also earning first-team berths while Junior Blues coach Brian Hensyel was named the coach of the year and Rural sophomore Emery Hall was named the league newcomer of the year.
Destiny Higgs, Washburn Rural
Zahra Friess, Washburn Rural
Madison Lemke, Washburn Rural
Dayne Shriver, Washburn Rural
Delaney Hill, Washburn Rural
Hayden, which dropped a double overtime decision to Bishop Miege in the 4A-1A final, put senior Camryn McDonald and juniors Carsyn Broxterman and Reese Huscher on the All-Centennial first team.
Carsyn Broxterman, Hayden
Camryn McDonald, Hayden
Reese Huscher, Hayden
Topeka High junior Natalie Barnes also earned a first-team All-Centennial League spot after helping lead the Trojans to the 6A state quarterfinals.
Natalie Barnes, Topeka High
2025 All-Centennial League girls soccer
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural, which captured its first-ever Class 6A girls state championship this spring, put a city-high six players on the 15-member 2025 All-City girls soccer first team.
The All-City team is based on recommendations and voting from city coaches.
Rural is represented on the All-City first team by seniors Destiny Higgs, Kate Hinck, Addyson Kaberline, Zahra Friess and Madison Lemke and junior Dayne Shriver while Junior Blues coach Brian Hensyel was named the city coach of the year
Higgs, Hinck and Kaberline are all first-team repeat picks after helping Washburn Rural post a 19-2 rcord, capped by a 1-0 win over Mill Valley in penalty kicks (4-1).
Destiny Higgs, Washburn Rural
Kate Hinck, Washburn Rural
Addyson Kaberline, Washburn Rural
Zahra Friess, Washburn Rural
Madison Lemke, Washburn Rural
Dayne Shriver, Washburn Rural
Seaman, which advanced to the 5A state quarterfinals, is represented on the All-City team by seniors Anna Becker and Maegan Mills and junior Ava Golightley, with Becker a repeat pick and Mills receiving honorable mention in 2024.
Anna Becker, Seaman
Ava Golightley, Seaman
Hayden, which advanced to the 4A-1A championship game before losing in double overtime to Bishop Miege, put junior Carsyn Broxterman and senior Camryn McDonald on the All-City first team, with Broxterman a repeat selection and McDonald moving up to the first team after receiving honorable mention in 2024.
Carsyn Broxterman, Hayden
Camryn McDonald, Hayden
Shawnee Heights senior Izzy Van Fleet is a repeat first-team selection while T-Bird senior Bayli Benson was voted to the first team after receiving honorable mention a year ago.
Izzy Van Fleet, Shawnee Heights
Bayli Benson, Shawnee Heights
Rounding out the All-City first team are Highland Park sophomore Micah Williams and Topeka High junior Natalie Barnes.
Micah Williams, Highland Park
Natalie Barnes, Topeka High
Williams is a two-time All-City pick while Barnes earned All-City recognition for the first time after helping Topeka High reach the 6A quarterfinals.
ALL-CITY GIRLS SOCCER 2025
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
State tournament qualifiers Silver Lake, Seaman, Shawnee Heights, Washburn Rural and Topeka High combined to earn 15 of 16 spots on the 2025 TopSports.news All-Shawnee County softball first team.
Silver Lake, the Class 3A runnerup for the second straight season, put four players on the first team, including Shawnee County player of the year Kendra Cook, while 5A state qualifiers Seaman and Shawnee Heights combined for six first-teamers and 6A state runnerup Washburn Rural and fellow 6A state qualifier Topeka High combined for five first-teamers.
Kendra Cook, Silver Lake
Topeka High freshman London Backman and Hayden freshman Blakely Walter were named the co-county newcomers of the year while Washburn Rural coach Joy Marie Galliart and Silver Lake coach Nick Hamilton share the county coach of the year award for the second straight year.
London Backman, Topeka High
Blakely Walter, Hayden
Cook is joined on the All-Shawnee County first team by Eagle seniors Taylor Zordel and Kira Lowrey and junior Kailyn Hanni after Silver Lake recorded a 25-7 record.
Taylor Zordel, Silver Lake
Kira Lowrey, Silver Lake
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake
Seaman put seniors Kaelyn O'Rourke, Raegan McConnell and Anna McLaughlin and junior Aubrey Warren on the first team after the Vikings posted a 20-9 record, including a 3-2 17-inning loss to Maize South in the opening round of the 5A state tournament.
Kaelyn O'Rourke, Seaman
Raegan McConnell, Seaman
Anna McLaughlin, Seaman
Aubrey Warren, Seaman
Washburn Rural, which went 22-8 and advanced to the 6A championship game before dropping an 8-7 decision to Olathe West, put Centennial League player of the year Olivia Koch, a sophomore, on the all-county first team along with juniors Henley Rapp and Reagan Chapman.
Olivia Koch, Washburn Rural
Reagan Chapman, Washburn Rural
Henley Rapp, Washburn Rural
Shawnee Heights, which posted a 20-7 record and dropped a 3-2 decision to eventual 5A state champion St. Thomas Aquinas in the first round of the 5A state tournament, is represented by seniors Taylor Brees and Grace Proctor.
Taylor Brees, Shawnee Heights
Grace Proctor, Shawnee Heights
State qualifier Topeka High put Backman and senior Jo'Mhara Benning on the all-county first team while Hayden senior Keira Carswell rounds out the all-county squad.
Jo'Mhara Benning, Topeka High
Keira Carswell, Hayden
2025 ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY SOFTBALL
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
City softball players earned seven of the 11 spots on the 2025 All-Centennial League team while sweeping the individual awards.
Olivia Koch, Washburn Rural
Washburn Rural sophomore Olivia Koch was named the Centennial League player of the year after helping lead the Junior Blues to a runnerup finish in the Class 6A state tournament while Topeka High freshman London Backman and Hayden freshman Blakely Walter were named the league's co-newcomers of the year and Hayden coach Cody Reynolds was selected by league coaches as the coach of the year.
London Backman, Topeka High
Blakely Walter, Hayden
Topeka High, which advanced to the 6A state tournament, put a league-high three players on the all-league first team -- Backman, senior Jo'Mhara Benning and sophomore Campbell Dawson.
Washburn Rural is represented on the first team by Koch and junior Reagan Chapman while Hayden put senior Keira Carswell and Walter on the first team.
Manhattan put junior Kat Ball and senior Isabelle Peabody on the all-league first team while Junction City is represented by senior Cassidy Miller and Emporia by junior Alivia Barrett.
Washburn Rural put senior Layla Collins, junior Henley Rapp, sophomore Justice McBurney and freshman Addalyn Boleski on the second team while Topeka High is represented by sophomore Madilyn Poole and Hayden by junior Emily Peterson and freshman Carley McAllister.
Nine city players earned all-league honorable mention.
ALL-CENTENNIAL LEAGUE SOFTBALL
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Fourteen Shawnee County standouts have received All-State recognition from the Kansas Softball Coaches Association, including nine first-team picks.
Silver Lake put four players on the All-Class 3A first team after advancing to the state championship game for the second straight season while state qualifiers Seaman and Shawnee Heights combined for four first-team All-5A selections and state runnerup Washburn Rural put sophomore standout Olivia Koch on the All-6A first team.
Kendra Cook, Silver Lake
Kira Lowrey, Silver Lake
Taylor Zordel, Silver Lake
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake
Silver Lake is represented on the All-3A first team by senior pitcher Kendra Cook, senior infielders Kira Lowrey and Taylor Zordel and junior outfielder Kailyn Hanni.
Kaelyn O'Rourke, Seaman
Raegan McConnell, Seaman
Grace Proctor, Shawnee Heights
Taylor Brees, Shawnee Heights
Seaman put senior pitcher Kaelyn O'Rourke and senior catcher Raegan McConnell on the All-5A team while Shawnee Heights is represented by senior pitcher Grace Proctor and senior infielder Taylor Brees.
Olivia Koch, Washburn Rural
Washburn Rural's Koch made the All-6A team as an outfielder after being named the Centennial League player of the year this spring.
Seaman junior infielder Aubrey Warren and senior outfielder Anna McLaughlin were named to the All-5A second team.
Topeka High sophomore outfielder Campbell Dawson and freshman infielder Landon Backman received All-6A honorable mention after helping the Trojans make it to the state tournament.
Hayden senior catcher Keira Carswell received honorable mention in 4A.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden senior Cooper Grace and Shawnee Heights senior Deacon Pomeroy headline the TopSports.news 2025 All-Shawnee County baseball team.
Cooper Grace, Hayden
Deacon Pomeroy, Shawnee Heights
Grace has been named the co-county player of the year for the second straight season while Pomeroy is a four-time all-county first-team pick.
Grace, a pitcher and third baseman, helped lead Hayden to a county-best 23-1 record and the Centennial League championship this spring while Pomeroy, a pitcher and catcher, helped lead Shawnee Heights to the United Kansas Conference title and a Class 5A state tournament berth.
Grace was earlier named the player of the year in the Centennial League and the co-player of the year in 4A by the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches while Pomeroy was named the UKC player of the year and a KABC All-5A first-team selection.
Hayden sophomore Caleb Menke, a first-team All-Centennial League pick at designated hitter, was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year while Shawnee Heights' Jason Brown was named the county coach of the year after leading the T-Birds to a 21-8 record and a 5A state tournament berth in his first season as Heights' head coach.
Grace and Silver Lake senior infielder Dysen Schooler are both three-time all-county first-team selections while Seaman senior catcher David Dobbs is a first-team repeater.
Dysen Schooler, Silver Lake
David Dobbs, Seaman
Axton Brewer, Seaman
Kade Mitchell, Hayden
Dobbs is joined on the all-county first team by sophomore pitcher/designated hitter Axton Brewer and Grace and Menke are joined on the first team by Wildcat senior infielder/pitcher Liam Annand and Hayden junior outfielder Kade Mitchell.
Logan Cathcart, Silver Lake
Silver Lake senior catcher Cooper Campidilli and senior pitcher Logan Cathcart join Schooler on the all-county first team after the Eagles advanced to the 3A state tournament.
Camdren Floberg, Shawnee Heights
Shawnee Heights junior Cambren Floberg, named the UKC pitcher of the year, was a first-team selection along with teammate Pomeroy while 6A state tournament qualifier Washburn Rural is represented on the first team by junior pitcher Isaac Ansley and junior infielders Austin Ditch and Nate Selm.
Isaac Ansley, Washburn Rural
Austin Ditch, Washburn Rural
Nate Selm, Washburn Rural
Rossville, a 2A-1A state tournament qualifier, is represented on the first team by junior pitcher Cameron Miller and junior infielder Canann Mitchell.
Cameron Miller, Rossville
2025 ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY BASEBALL
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman junior Ryin Miller, who has established herself as one of Kansas' all-time distance greats in three high school seasons, headlines the 2025 All-Shawnee County girls track and field team after sweeping Class 5A state titles in her three individual events last weekend at Wichita.
Ryin Miller, Seaman
Miller, who has now won five 5A state track titles over the past two seasons, won Friday's 3,200 meters in 10 minutes, 19.53 seconds before doubling up in Saturday's 1,600 meters in 4:57.33 and the 800 in 2:11.14 and adding a fourth state medal when she anchored the Vikings' 4x400 relay to a fourth-place finish (4:03.44).
Morgan Ray, Washburn Rural
Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka HIgh
Payton Fink, Washburn Rural
Miller was Shawnee County's only state champion, but Washburn Rural junior Morgan Ray was the state runnerup in the 6A javelin (138 feet, 1 inch) and Topeka High sophomore Ahsieyrhuajh finished second in the 6A triple jump (37-4.25) and Rural senior Rylee Ismert, junior Emily Graf, senior Brooklyn Nolte and senior Payton Fink finished second in the 4x800 relay (9:29.84).
Fink also finished fifth in the 3,200 (10:59.39) and fifth in the 1,600 (5:09.90) while Rural sophomore Kailyn Petersen was fourth in the discus (124-6) and seventh in the shot put (36-6.75) and senior Molly Worley placed seventh in the long jump (17-2.75) and eighth in the high jump (5-2).
Seaman seniors Taylie Heston, Jaida Stallbaumer and Ally Steiner teamed with Miller for the fourth-place finish in the 5A 4x400 relay while the Vikings also put senior Grace Jowers and sophomores Kinley Robinson and Brynn Spencer on the all-county team.
Hayden senior Bella Reid, Rossville junior Rylee Dick and Silver Lake freshman all earned state medals in the 100-meter hurdles en route to earning all-county berths while also earning first-team spots were Topeka High junior Keimara Marshall, Highland Park senior Ke'Ahjahnae Rice, Silver Lake sophomore Ali Gerber and Rural junior Kenzie Maddox, who were all state qualifiers.
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High
All-Shawnee County selections were picked on the basis of meeting minimum standards established by local coaches as well as coaches' recommendations and performances in postseason competition.
ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY 2025 GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural, which captured three Class 6A state championships, including a state-meet record, headlines the 2025 All-Shawnee County boys track and field team.
Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural
Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural
Matthew Houser, Liam Morrison, Draden Chooncharoen, Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural
Rural senior Isaiah Terry won the 6A state title in the 400-meter dash in 47.92 seconds and junior Liam Morrison won the 300 hurdles in 37.68 before Morrison and Terry teamed with senior Matthew Houser and junior Draden Chooncharoen for a 6A meet-record time of 3:16.23 in the 4x400 relay.
Peyton Holmes, Seaman
Bryce Cochran, Seaman
Brody Anderson, Seaman
Seaman senior Peyton Holmes was the 5A runnerup in the 100 dash (10.82) while Viking senior Bryce Cochran finished third in the 400 (48.85) and Seaman junior Brody Anderson placed third in the 800 (1:55.52).
Ben Roeder, CPLS/Topeka High
Senior Ben Roeder, who competed for Cair Paravel Latin in postseason after running for Topeka High in the regular season, finished third in the 2A 400 (49.37).
Silver Lake's foursome of seniors Trent Rollenhagen and Evan Scheid and juniors Joel Miller and Braxton Rupp posted a third-place finish in the 3A 4x100 relay (42.57).
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden
Despite missing the state meet after an injury at regionals, Hayden senior multi-time state champion Jensen Schrickel earned All-City honors for the fourth straight season.
In addition to its state champions, Washburn Rural put seniors Braylon Badger, Ben Buesing, Connor Olsen and Chris Quarles, junior Brooks Kehoe and sophomore Christian Hartman-Babb on the All-City team.
Adrian Lehman and Mark Wilkie, Topeka West
Topeka West is represented on the All-City team by senior distance standouts Adrian Lehman and Mark Wilkie, who were both 5A state medalists, while Shawnee Heights senior Liam Benz and Seaman sophomore Jack Esser were also state medalists.
All-Shawnee County picks were based on meeting minimum performance standards as well as coaches' recommendations and postseason performances.
ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY 2025 BOYS TRACK AND FIELD
The 2025 All-Shawnee County boys golf team: From left -- Jack Donovan, Rossville; Higgins Hawks, Washburn Rural; Tadd Armstrong, Washburn Rural; Tagan Monasmith, Washburn Rural; Tagen Rodriguez, Hayden; James Kuta, Hayden. Not pictured: Mateo Garcia, Hayden. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
First-team repeat selections Tadd Armstrong of Washburn Rural, Jack Donovan of Rossville and Hayden's James Kuta and Tagen Rodriguez headline the 2025 All-Shawnee County boys golf team.
Seniors Armstrong and Kuta finished one-two in the city tournament, with Armstrong winning the title in a playoff, while Kuta and Rodriguez, a junior, both posted top-10 finishes in the Class 4A state tournament as Hayden finished second as a team and Donovan was a regional champion as a junior and earned a sixth-place tie in 2A-1A, his second straight state medal
Washburn Rural, which won its 15th straight city team championship, is also represented on the All-Shawnee County team by senior Tagan Monasmith and junior Higgins Hawks while Hayden also put junior Mateo Garcia on the first team.
All-Shawnee County capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Silver Lake's Dayne Johnson and Kailyn Hanni, Rossville's Jack Donovan and Seaman's Ryin Miller, who recently completed their junior years of high school, were honored Tuesday night at The Foundry as the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency 2025 Rising Stars of the year.
Silver Lake's Dayne Johnson and Rossville's Jack Donovan were named the Dan Key Farmers Agency 2025 co-male Rising Stars of the Year Tuesday night while Silver Lake's Kailyn Hanni and Seaman's Ryin Miller were named the co-female winners. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Donovan and Johnson were named the co-boys winners while Hanni and Miller shared the girls honor.
The four overall winners were picked from five girls and boys finalists chosen from weekly Rising Stars who were selected through the 2024-2025 school year.
Johnson was a football, basketball and baseball standout for the Eagles while Donovan was a football and basketball standout and a state golf medalist for the Bulldawgs.
Hanni helped lead Silver Lake to runnerup Class 3A state finishes in basketball and softball this past season and has been a state champion in basketball and golf while Miller won three individual 5A state track championships last weekend in Wichita, was the state runnerup in cross country and basketball and was a 5A state basketball champion as a sophomore.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden senior Cooper Grace has received Centennial League player of the year recognition from league coaches for the second straight season after helping lead the Wildcats to an undefeated league title and a 23-1 record overall.
Hayden senior Cooper Grace has been named the Centennial League baseball player of the year after helping lead the Wildcats to the undefeated league title. [File photo/TSN]
Grace, who shared the player of the year honor with Topeka High's Nate Plankinton in 2024, was one of five Hayden players to receive first-team honors.
Hayden's Bill Arnold has been named the Centennial League baseball coach of the year after the Wildcats won the undefeated league title. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden's Bill Arnold was voted the Centennial coach of the year.
Grace was a first-team pick as a pitcher and is joined on the first team for the Wildcats by senior infielder Liam Annand, junior outfielders Kade Mitchell and Aiden Roberts and sophomore designated hitter Caleb Menke.
Washburn Rural, which posted a 15-12 record and advanced to Class 6A state tournament this spring, is represented on the first team by junior infielder Austin Ditch while Junior Blues junior pitcher Isaac Ansley, sophomore pitcher Tyler Edmiston and junior infielder Nate Selm all earned second-team honors.
Hayden junior pitcher Connor Hanika, sophomore infielder Mason Becker, senior outfielder Brady Heinen and junior catcher Brady Deutsch were second-team picks along with Topeka High junior utility player Drayden Acosta. .
A total of four city players received all-league honorable mention.
Manhattan freshman Asher Newton was named the league's newcomer of the year.
ALL-CENTENNIAL LEAGUE BASEBALL
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
WICHITA -- Seaman junior Ryin Miller was content to let her friendly rival, Salina Central senior star Katelyn Rupe, set the early face in Friday night's Class 5A girls 3,200 meters at Cessna Stadium.
And although there were times in the race where Miller thought she might be letting Rupe too far ahead, the Seaman star relied on her 57-second quarter mile speed when it counted the most, overtaking Rupe on the final lap, winning her first 3,200 title in 10 minutes, 19.53 seconds while three-time 3,200 champ Rupe was second in 10:22.11.
Seaman junior Ryin Miller crosses the finish line in the Class 5A 3,200 meters Friday night at Cessna Stadium. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN] b]in cV
Ryin Miller and Salina Central's Katelyn Rupe exchange a hug after Friday night's Class 5A 3,200 race in Wichita. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"I didn't really want to lead too much,'' Miller said. "That takes a lot out of you when you lead, so I didn't really want to do that. I figured Katelyn would want to get out and push the pace just because she knows she's super fit and I know she's super fit so I thought her race strategy going into it would be to just be to try to run it out of me. And, honestly, I really thought she was going to do that.
"Going into the first mile she looked really strong and I was already struggling, so I was a little bit worried especially just knowing what a competitor Katelyn is and how much she really brings it at the state meet so I was just, 'Hang on, just hang on,' and trying to be positive about it, just like, 'You've got this, it's only four more laps.' ''
Miller began to gradually cut into Rupe's lead over the second mile and made her big move on the final lap, passing Rupe with about 200 meters remaining.
"(The gap) just kept getting smaller and smaller and I was, 'Ok, one lap, just give it everything you've got and see what happens,' and luckily it came out in my favor.''
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
After coming up just short of a Class 3A state championship in a runnerup finish last season Silver Lake softball will take another shot at the title in Thursday and Friday's state tournament at the Envista Softball Complex at Lake Shawnee.
Senior pitcher Kendra Cook and Silver Lake softball are back in the Class 3A state tournament after a runnerup finish a year ago. [File photo/TSN]
The Eagles punched their ticket to this year's state tournament with a hard-earned 4-3 win over Southeast Saline in its regional final at Osage City and 23-6 Silver Lake is the No. 7 seed in a loaded 3A field.
Silver Lake will begin its title bid with Thursday's 3 p.m. first-round game against No. 2 seed Wichita Trinity (24-3).
With a win Thursday Silver Lake will advance to an 1 p.m. semifinal on Friday to face the winner between No. 3 seed Burlington (25-4) and No. 6 Jefferson West (22-5).
On the other side of the bracket No. 1 Frontenac (27-1) will face No. 8 Colby (17-6) in the first round and No. 4 Riverside (21-4) will take on No. 5 Minneapolis (21-4).
The 3A title game is set for 5 p.m. on Friday, following the 3 p.m. third-place game.
Washburn Rural softball celebrates its 8-6 win over Campus in last Thursday's Class 6A regional final. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Rural, Topeka High earn 6A state tournament bids
Washburn Rural will be making its seventh straight trip to the Class 6A state tournament this week while Topeka High is back in the 6A field after winning back-to-back state championships in 2021 and 2022.
Topeka High, 19-9 on the season, is the No. 8 seed and will open its state bid at 11 a.m. Thursday at Arrocha Ball Park in Lawrence against top seed Olathe West (25-1).
The Trojans advanced to state with a 15-9 win over Maize in a regional final at Hummer Sports Park.
With a first-round win, Topeka High will move on to an 11 a.m. semifinal on Friday to face the winner between No. 4 Blue Valley North (21-6) and No. 5 Derby (21-7).
Rural (20-7) is the No. 6 state seed and will face off with No. 3 Garden City (19-5) at 5 p.m. Thursday in the final first-round game.
The 2025 All-City girls swimming and diving team -- Front, from left: Kaitlyn Aldridge, Shawnee Heights; Joslynn Grace, Seaman; Hara Del Castillo, Topeka High; Clara Sobba, Shawnee Heights. Back, from left: Ava Von Lintel, Washburn Rural; Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights; Audrey Appuhn, Washburn Rural; Sophie Heinen, Washburn Rural; Caroline Toland, Topeka High. Not pictured: Kaylee Gregg, Hayden, and Genevieve Miranda, Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Multi-time state placers Audrey Appuhn of Washburn Rural, Joslynn Grace of Seaman and Kaylee Gregg of Hayden headline the 2025 All-City girls swimming and diving team.
Appuhn, a junior, earned a pair of Class 6A individual medals for the third straight season while Seaman senior Grace was a multiple-event individual 5A-1A medalist for the second straight season and Hayden senior Gregg finished fifth in the 5A-1A state meet in one-meter diving for the second straight year.
Hayden senior Kaylee Gregg finished fifth in Class 5A-1A diving for the second straight season last Saturday. [File photo/TSN]
Washburn Rural senior Genevieve Miranda was a 2025 Class 6A state medalist in the 100-yard butterfly. [File photo/TSN]
Washburn Rural senior Genevieve Miranda was also a state medalist in 6A in last Saturday's state meet at the Capitol Federal Natatorium.
Rural, which won its 22nd straight city title, put a city-high four swimmers on the All-City first team, which is determined by performances in the city meet, while Shawnee Heights has three first-teamers.
Washburn Rural put Appuhn, Miranda and juniors Sophie Heinen and Ava Von Lintel on the first team while Heights is represented by senior Ashtynn Landry and sophomores Kaitlyn Aldridge and Clara Sobba.
Topeka High junior Hara Del Castillo is a three-time first-team honoree and is joined on the All-City team by senior teammate Caroline Toland.
Washburn Rural junior diver Rhiannon Good headlines the 12-member All-City second team and finishing third in Class 6A in one-meter diving.
All-City first-team capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural soccer is the position it set its sights on way back in March.
Now the Junior Blues are just two wins away from their ultimate goal -- the first Class 6A girls state championship in Rural's proud program history.
Washburn Rural claimed its 11th straight trip to the 6A Final Four with Monday's 5-0 state quarterfinal win over city rival Topeka High in a persistent rain at McElroy Field and the Junior Blues will be back at home Wednesday for a 6 p.m. semifinal contest against Blue Valley.
Washburn Rural senior Zahra Friess (right) scored two goals in Monday's 5-0 Class 6A quarterfinal win over Topeka High. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural senior Kate Hinck (right) scored a goal in Monday's 5-0 Class 6A quarterfinal win over Topeka High. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"We've been looking forward to this game all year,'' Washburn Rural coach Brian Hensyel said of the semifinal clash. "From the first day of practice we said we want to host the semifinal on May 28th, so we've got to battle through a tough schedule, get the top seed, do whatever we've got to do.
"But we've been in that semifinal game 10 straight years, and I think we're 4-6 or something like that. That's a hard game to win because you're playing a good team from Kansas City every time, but I love our chances on this field against whoever has to come here and play us.
"So all year, for three months, we've talked about homefield advantage and playing the semifinal on our field so to accomplish that's a pretty good deal. We'll be ready to go Wednesday night for sure.''
Rural, which improved to 17-2-0 with its 10th straight victory, took control of Monday's game with two goals in the first 5:47 of the game.
Senior Bristol Karr scored the only goal Rural would need at the 37:06 mark and senior Zahra Friess scored the first of her two goals on the night less than three minutes later.
Topeka High was still within two goals at halftime and well into the second half bfore Friess scored again with 23:43 remaining to put Rural in front 3-0.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
After a 5-10-1 regular season, Topeka High girls soccer has come to life in postseason, posting a pair of road upsets to advance to Monday's Class 6A quarterfinals.
Topeka High girls soccer is headed to the Class 6A state quarterfinals after Thursday's 3-1 win at Wichita Northwest. [Submitted photo]
Topeka High, the No. 14 West regional seed, opened regional competition with a 2-1 win in penalty kicks (5-3) at No. 3 Garden City on Tuesday and followed that up with a 3-1 win at No. 11 Wichita Northwest Thursday to claim a regional championship.
Natalie Barnes scored her first of two goals on the night off a Cierra Belaire assist 5:52 into the opening half to put the Trojans in front 1-0.
Wichita Northwest (7-10-1) tied the game at 1-1 with 7:06 left in the half on a penalty kick, but Topeka High answered with a Raelee Shipley goal with 5:55 remaining to give the Trojans a 2-1 halftime advantage.
Barnes scored her second goal with 11:52 remaining in the match to give High its final margin.
Next up for the 7-10-1 Trojans is No. 1 West seed Washburn Rural (16-2-0), which will host Topeka High in Monday's 6 p.m. state quarterfinal.
The Junior Blues advanced with a 4-1 win over Manhattan Thursday night.
Rural defeated Topeka High 3-1 in a Centennial League game on April 16.
Vikes roll to 5A quarterfinals
Seaman rolled to an 8-0 win over United Kansas Conference rival Basehor-Linwood in Thursday's Class 5A regional final at Seaman.
The Vikings, now 13-5-0, outscored its two regional opponents by an 19-0 margin en route to earning a second straight trip to the quarterfinals.
Seaman will go on the road Monday to face UKC rival De Soto (16-2-0) in a 6 p.m. contest.
The Vikings dropped a 4-3 conference game to the Wildcats on April 17.
Hayden knocks off Bullpups, 2-1
Hayden soccer moved onto the Class 4A-1A state quarterfinals with a 2-1 Thursday road win at McPherson.
Now 11-7-0 on the season, the Wildcats are the No. 4 seed for the 4A-1A quarterfinals and will travel to top seed Wichita Trinity (14-1-2) for a 6:30 p.m. Monday contest.
T-Birds' season ends at St. James
Shawnee Heights' 2025 soccer season ended in a 5-0 loss at St. James Academy in a Class 5A regional final.
The T-Birds finished with an 11-6-1 record on the season while St. James Academy improved to 17-1-0.
The Thunder's lone loss was a 3-1 regular-season loss at 6A power Washburn Rural.
St. James will host St. Thomas Aquinas at 6 p.m. Monday in a state quarterfinal.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly track and field honor roll for Shawnee County high schools throughout the 2025 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
GIRLS
100 METERS
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High 12.43
Jurnee Cole, Highland Park 12.75
Karys Deiter, Silver Lake 12.76
Ciarra Hartz, Highland Park 12.77
Morgan Robinson, Shawnee Heights 12.80
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High
200 METERS
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High 25.72
Molly Worley, Washburn Rural 26.10
Ally Steiner, Seaman 26.20
Morgan Robinson, Shawnee Heights 26.58
Jurnee Cole, Highland Park 26.68
400 METERS
Ryin Miller, Seaman 56.81
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High 59.96
Ali Gerber, Silver Lake 60.91
Madison Blanco, Washburn Rural 61.65
Sofia Harper, Hayden 61.81
Ryan Miller, Seaman
800 METERS
Ryin Miller, Seaman 2:09.28
Payton Fink, Washburn Rural 2:21.21
Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural 2:21.99
Kinley Robinson, Seaman 2:24.07
Emily Graf, Washburn Rural 2:24.19
1,600 METERS
Ryin Miller, Seaman 4:41.47
Payton Fink, Washburn Rural 5:08.00
Emily Graf, Washburn Rural 5:08.24
Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural 5:09.15
Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural 5:20.69
3,200 METERS
Ryin Miller, Seaman 10:17.74
Payton Fink, Washburn Rural 10:51.62
Emily Graf, Washburn Rural 11:20.40
Kenzie Maddox, Washburn Rural 11:28.78
Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural 11:32.65
100-METER HURDLES
Bella Reid, Hayden 15.83
Jaida Stallbaumer, Seaman 15.84
Karys Deiter, Silver Lake 16.45
Rylee Dick, Rossville 16.87
Kelcie Schneider, Washburn Rural 17.61
Jaida Stallbaumer, Seaman
300-METER HURDLES
Jaida Stallbaumer, Seaman 47.63
Ke'Ahjahnae Rice, Highland Park 47.96
Rylee Dick, Rossville 50.33
Karys Deiter, Silver Lake 51.27
Kelcie Schneider, Washburn Rural 51.39
4x100-METER RELAY
Topeka High 50.15
Washburn Rural 50.36
Seaman 50.93
Silver Lake 51.06
Topeka West 53.17
4x400-METER RELAY
Seaman 4:01.58
Washburn Rural 4:13.32
Silver Lake 4:13.34
Shawnee Heights 4:37.27
4x800-METER RELAY
Washburn Rural 9:35.40
Seaman 10:13.11
Hayden 11:10.63
Shawnee Heights 11:33.41
HIGH JUMP
Molly Worley, Washburn Rural 5-4
Journey Manhart, Silver Lake 5-2
Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka High 5-0
Alexis Burns, Washburn Rural 5-0
Tahtionna Broils, Highland Park 4-8
Klara Wilson, Washburn Rural 4-8
Jaiden Wise, Silver Lake 4-8
POLE VAULT
Grace Jowers, Seaman 11-0
Emme Blanco, Washburn Rural 8-9
Taylor Hanshaw, Shawnee Heights 8-0
Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka HIgh
LONG JUMP
Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka High 18-6
Molly Worley, Washburn Rural 17-7.75
Jayana Washington, Topeka High 17-5
Maddie Blanco, Washburn Rural 16-6.50
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake 16-3.5
TRIPLE JUMP
Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka High 38-3.25
Ali Gerber, Silver Lake 34-3.75
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake 33-4
Grace Funk, Hayden 32-7.75
Brinley Pottorf, Rossville 32-7.50
SHOT PUT
Kailyn Petersen, Washburn Rural 35-1
Alexis Rutherford, Hayden 33-6
Kayleigh Kruger, Silver Lake 33-5
Kylie Hanni, Silver Lake 32-3.5
Eve Luea, Washburn Rural 31-6
DISCUS
Kailyn Petersen, Washburn Rural 126-5
Kayleigh Kruger, Silver Lake 112-7
Eve Luea, Washburn Rural 109-3
Rayleigh Alonso, Silver Lake 104-10
Alexis Rutherford, Hayden 103-6
JAVELIN
Morgan Ray, Washburn Rural 135-10
Peyton Henry, Seaman 110-6
Payton Alexander, Seaman 105-8
Jillian Goetz, Shawnee Heights 105-1
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake 100-0
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly track and field honor roll for Shawnee County high schools throughout the 2025 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
BOYS
100 METERS
Peyton Holmes, Seaman 10.73
Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural 10.82
Evan Scheid, Silver Lake 11.13
Ben Roeder, Topeka High 11.17
Sean LeDuc, Washburn Rural 11.18
200 METERS
Bryce Cochran, Seaman 21.87
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden 21.92
Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural 22.02
Evan Scheid, Silver Lake 22.22
Matthew Houser, Washburn Rural 22.37
Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural
400 METERS
Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural 48.20
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden 48.30
Bryce Cochran, Seaman 48.43
Liam Benz, Shawnee Heights 49.63
Ben Roeder, Topeka High 49.82
Brody Anderson, Seaman
800 METERS
Brody Anderson, Seaman 1:56.22
Mark Wilkie, Topeka West 1:57.23
Ben Buesing, Washburn Rural 1:58.87
Adrian Lehman, Topeka West 1:59.08
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural 2:00.38
1,600 METERS
Adrian Lehman, Topeka West 4:18.07
Brody Anderson, Seaman 4:18.55
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural 4:19.77
Mark Wilkie, Topeka West 4:21.37
Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural 4:34.44
3,200 METERS
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural 9:16.96
Adrian Lehman, Topeka West 9:16.98
Brody Anderson, Seaman 9:34.99
Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural 9:41.18
Clayton Fink, Washburn Rural 10:03.37
110-METER HURDLES
Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural 14.59
Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural 15.50
Desean Lunkins, Topeka High 15.80
Isaac Song, Shawnee Heights 15.84
Braylon Badger, Washburn Rural 15.93
300-METER HURDLES
Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural 38.83
Braylon Badger, Washburn Rural 40.60
Isaac Song, Shawnee Heights 41.07
Michael Hurla, Seaman 41.29
Kellan Parcaro, Seaman 41.86
4x100-METER RELAY
Silver Lake 43.16
Seaman 43.48
Topeka High 43.48
Washburn Rural 43.49
Topeka West 44.50
4x400-METER RELAY
Washburn Rural 3:17.38
Topeka West 3:24.56
Topeka High 3:24.64
Hayden 3:25.32
Seaman 3:26.21
4x800-METER RELAY
Washburn Rural 8:01.63
Shawnee Heights 8:31.70
Seaman 8:43.94
Topeka High 8:46.69
Silver Lake 8:54.17
HIGH JUMP
Jack Esser, Seaman 6-5
Blake Toyne, Seaman 6-2
Brooks Ballard, Washburn Rural 6-0
Bryson Burgos, Silver Lake 6-0
Cody Quy, Seaman 6-0
Rondell Harris, Hayden 6-0
Tad McGee, Seaman 6-0
Deondre Razzano, Silver Lake 6-0
Tyler Wedl, Shawnee Heights
POLE VAULT
Tyler Wedl, Shawnee Heights 12-6
Luke Deering, Washburn Rural 10-6
Desmond Grindol, Washburn Rural 9-6
Emery Kearney, Seaman 9-6
Caleb Schwartz, Washburn Rural 9-6
Quinton White, Seaman 9-6
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden
LONG JUMP
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden 22-7
Peyton Holmes, Seaman 22-6
Elijah Berg, Topeka West 21-8
Te'Vante Ewing, Topeka High 21-5
Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park 20-11
Ethan Surey, Washburn Rural 20-11
TRIPLE JUMP
Kaden Whitehurst, Seaman 42-8
Deondre Razzano, Silver Lake 42-5.5
Cody Quy, Seaman 41-11
Bryson Burgos, Silver Lake 41-8
Ethan Surey, Washburn Rural 40-7.50
SHOT PUT
Brogen Brown, Seaman 50-11
Amir Bass, Shawnee Heights 47-3.5
F. Anguiano, Hayden 44-10
Adrian Shuler, Shawnee Heights 44-9.5
Clayton Johnson, Seaman 44-5
DISCUS
Brogen Brown, Seaman 146-0
Myles Fisher, Silver Lake 144-5
Treyton Tetuan, Hayden 137-4
Samuel Scott, Washburn Rural 136-0
Zachary Hancock, Washburn Rural 135-11
JAVELIN
Kelton Meier, Hayden 162-5
Oliver Perez, Washburn Rural 155-2
Andre Johnson, Rossville 155-1
Jackson Haas, Hayden 153-7
Gabriel Taylor, Washburn Rural 148-10
