Washburn Rural Junior Blues
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Red-hot Washburn Rural soccer continued to roll Thursday night at McElroy Field, with the Junior Blues claiming a Class 6A regional championship with a 4-1 win over Centennial League rival Manhattan.
With Thursday's win Washburn Rural improved to 16-2-0 overall with its ninth straight victory.
Washburn Rural senior Kate Hinck (9) hoists the Class 6A regional trophy as the Junior Blues celebrate Thursday's 4-1 win over Manhattan. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Washburn Rural soccer poses for a team picture after Thursday's Class 6A 4-1 regional win over Manhattan. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
"This is what we've been working for all season,'' said Rural senior captain Destiny Higgs, who had a pair of goals to lead the Junior Blues. "We know what we want and we're going to try our hardest to get it.''
Rural, 6A's top West seed, advanced to Monday's 6 p.m. state quarterfinal to host city rival Topeka High, a 3-1 winner over Wichita Northwest.
"We've worked hard all season to be here and get home field advantage and get the best possible draw,'' Washburn Rural coach Brian Hensyel said. "The girls have so far this week taken things real serious and Manhattan played with a lot of energy.
"I told their coach (Mike Sanchez) that over the last six weeks (since an 8-1 Rural win over the Indians) they've made a lot of improvement. They played really hard today and we had to match that.''
The Junior Blues never trailed after an own goal at the 35:02 mark of the opening half.
Higgs made it a 2-0 game with her first goal at the 22:15 mark of the first half off an assist from junior Dayne Shriver and Rural opened up a commanding 3-0 advantage with 7:45 left in the half on a goal from senior Zahra Friess off a pass from sophomore Emery Hall.
By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural’s version of “small ball” overcame a home run barrage by Campus Thursday, propelling the Junior Blues to the Class 6A state softball tournament.
After handling Wichita East 15-0 in the semifinal round of the 6A regional at Rural, the Junior Blues held off Campus 8-6 to advance to state next week at the University of Kansas.
Washburn Rural celebrates its Class 6A regional softball championship after Thursday's 8-6 win over Campus. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
To get through the regional, the Junior Blues had to face Campus, a team Rural beat twice the previous week.
“We talked about this several times, beating a team three times in a row is one of the hardest feats to do in athletics,” said Washburn Rural coach Joy Marie Galliart. “We ended our regular season with them, so those games were fresh in their mind. We knew it was going to be a dogfight.”
While the Junior Blues pecked away with singles, walks, stolen bases and sacrifices, Campus swung for the fences. Four of the Colts’ six hits cleared the outfield wall.
“They swing the bat very well,” Galliart said. “We’ve been preparing that they were going to come in and swing the bat and they were going to get their runs. It was a matter of us making defensive plays when they gave us a chance to get them out.
“After they hit a couple of two-run home runs, I said, ‘We have to throw a punch right back.’ And every time they scored, we responded, and we were able to score again in the next half inning.”
Washburn Rural sophomore Olivia Koch hit a home run in Thursday's 8-6 Class 6A regional win over Campus. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
The Junior Blues rapped 11 hits in the second game, the only extra-base hit being a homer by sophomore Olivia Koch.
“I was super proud of the way we executed offensively and moved runners up into scoring position to give the next person the chance to drive them in,” Galliart said. “We hit some boring ground balls, but boring ground balls with runners on third score runs.”
Galliart went with junior pitcher Reagan Chapman in the first game, a 15-0 four-inning romp over Wichita East. For the second game, the coach put the ball in the hands of two senior pitchers with the trip to state on the line.
Addie Keys went three innings, surrendering two two-run homers in the third. The Colts led momentarily, 4-3, before the Junior Blues rallied for three runs to regain the lead.
“I was excited to get the opportunity, and I knew that if something went wrong, I had a team behind me and that I had a phenomenal pitcher behind me that could also help me out if I needed it,” Keys said. “We like to change it up, and especially once they started hitting a little bit, it helped us getting another pitcher in there.”
Fellow senior Madi Davison took over, promptly surrendering a homer to the first batter of the fourth inning. But Davison settled in and gave up just a solo shot in the top of the seventh.
“I get super anxious when I’m pitching,” Davison said. “Everybody had to tell me to keep breathing. We had played (Campus) before and they had home runs off of me. I just knew that I had a good defense behind me. Their only runs were off home runs, so I think that shows how good our defense did this game.”
Washburn Rural softball poses for a team picture after Thursday's 8-6 Class 6A regional win over Campus. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
The Junior Blues are in search of their first state title since 2014. They finished third in 2024, the first season under Galliart.
“This program has a really strong history of getting to the state tournament and having players that go on to play at the elite level,” Galliart said. “So, it’s important to me, and it’s important to our kids, that we continue that tradition. The expectation is that we get there, so that’s our goal from the very beginning.”
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
The 2025 All-City boys tennis team -- Front, from left: Chase Blaser, Hayden; Evan George, Hayden; Ethan Winters, Seaman; Tres Lassiter, Topeka High; Keegan Knudtson, Washburn Rural; Kieffer O'Connor, Washburn Rural; Greyson Jones, Washburn Rural. Back, from left: Drew Fay, Cair Paravel Latin; Cole Fay, Cair Paravel Latin; Eric Buchenau, Cair Paravel Latin; Ben Tryhus, Washburn Rural; Cale Deutscher, Washburn Rural; Dylan Willingham, Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Cair Paravel Latin Class 3A-1A state doubles finalists Eric Buchenau and Drew Fay headline the 2025 All-City boys tennis team, which includes seven state medalists and 12 state qualifiers.
Buchenau and Fay, both juniors, went 29-2 on the season, with both losses coming against Wichita Collegiate's undefeated state champions, Carter and Maddox Drumright, who took a three-set win over Cair Paravel in the state final.
Hayden seniors Chase Blaser and Evan George placed fourth in 4A doubles while Washburn Rural juniors Cale Deutscher and Dylan Willingham finished seventh in 6A doubles and Cair Paravel freshman Cole Fay was 10th in 3A-1A singles.
All six Washburn Rural players earned All-City spots as the Junior Blues swept city, Centennial League and Class 6A regional team championships before finishing ninth in the 6A state tournament at Junction City.
In addition to Deutscher and Willingham, Rural is also represented on the All-City team by Greyson Jones, Keegan Knudtson, Kieffer O'Connor and Ben Tryhus.
Rounding out the All-City team are junior city No. 1 singles champion and 6A state qualifier Tres Lassiter and Seaman senior 5A state singles qualifier Ethan Winters, who helped lead the Vikings to United Kansas Conference and 5A regional team titles.
All-City tennis capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly girls swimming and diving honor roll for Topeka high schools throughout the 2025 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
200-YARD MEDLEY RELAY
Washburn Rural 2:01.75
Hayden 2:07.36
Seaman 2:07.38
Topeka High 2:11.23
Shawnee Heights 2:15.41
200-YARD FREESTYLE
Audrey Appuhn, Washburn Rural 1:55.60
Joslynn Grace, Seaman 2:01.37
Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights 2:06.15
Kaitlyn Aldridge, Shawnee Heights 2:17:02
Kaelyn Gerdel, Hayden 2:21.23
200-YARD INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY
Audrey Appuhn, Washburn Rural 2:10.28
Joslynn Grace, Seaman 2:10.69
Hara Del Castillo, Topeka High 2:25.04
Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights 2:35.31
Kaitlyn Aldridge, Shawnee Heights 2:35.91
Genevieve Miranda, Washburn Rural
50-YARD FREESTYLE
Genevieve Miranda, Washburn Rural 25.43
Joslynn Grace, Seaman 26.46
Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights 26.74
Kaylee Gregg, Hayden 27.67
Clara Sobba, Shawnee Heights 28.08
ONE-METER DIVING
Kaylee Gregg, Hayden 231.60
Sydney Thomann, Seaman 224.45
Rhiannon Good, Washburn Rural 224.05
Maddie Gregg, Hayden 183.05
Giselle Soto, Washburn Rural 163.50
Joslynn Grace, Seaman
100-YARD BUTTERFLY
Joslynn Grace, Seaman 1:00.12
Genevieve Miranda, Washburn Rural 1:01.66
Kaitlyn Aldridge, Shawnee Heights 1:07.53
Kaya Hamilton, Washburn Rural 1:17.70
Makenna Russell, Topeka West 1:25.52
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural's boys golf will be back in familiar territory next week, qualifying for the Class 6A tournament with a third-place finish in Monday's regional at Topeka Country Club.
Washburn Rural golf earned a Class 6A state tournament berth with a third-place finish in Monday's regional tournament at Topeka Country Club. [Washburn Rural golf]
All of the Junior Blues' top four posted top-10 individual medals as Rural carded a team score of 316 to finish behind Manhattan (306) and Free State (313) and advance to the state tournament, which will be held next Tuesday and Wednesday in Winfield.
Washburn Rural senior Tagan Monasmith shot a 77 to tie for fourth in Monday's Class 6A golf regional. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural senior Tadd Armstrong tied for seventh in Monday's Class 6A golf regional at Topeka Country Club with a 79. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Senior Tagan Monasmith tied for fourth place with a 77 to lead Rural while senior Tadd Armstrong tied for seventh with a 79 and junior Higgins Hawks and senior Brady Goeden tied for 10th with 80s.
Juniors Michael Wilson (81) and Peyton Goehring (91) rounded out the Junior Blues' lineup, tying for 13th and 23rd, respectively.
"We survived and advanced,'' Washburn Rural coach Jared Goehring said. "The guys accomplished a team goal and 316 on a tough golf course is an accomplishment.
"I'm proud of the guys and proud of the way (seniors) Tagan and Tadd and Brady all stepped up today.''
The trip to state will continue a longstanding tradition for the Junior Blues, who Jared Goehring said will be competing in the state event for the 40th straight season.
Team champion Manhattan was led by individual runnerup Charlie Haney (74) and third-place Tate Reid (75) while Cade Cochran tied for fourth (77) and Cooper Graham tied for 10th (80).
Free State junior Henry Thompson shot a 73 to claim the individual championship.
CLASS 6A REGIONAL GOLF
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Eric Buchenau and Drew Fay used a gritty second-set comeback to give themselves a chance to win Cair Paravel Latin's first-ever state tennis championship Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center.
Cair Paravel juniors Eric Buchenau (left)and Drew Fay posted a runnerup state doubles finish Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
But like they had all season, Wichita Collegiate senior Carter Drumright and his sophomore brother, Maddox, found a way to get the job done, dominating the third set to take a 6-2, 6-7 (5-7 tiebreaker), 6-0 victory in the state final.
The three-set victory capped off a perfect 25-0 season for the Drumrights while Buchenau and Fay, both juniors, went 29-2, with both losses coming against Collegiate's top team.
Cair Paravel junior Drew Fay returns a shot in Saturday's Class 3A-1A state doubles final at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"The end didn't finish how we wanted, but I'm proud of how we played,'' Fay said. "We played hard and gave it our all and I don't have any regrets personally.
"We definitely did better this time around. It was 8-2 the first time so I'm proud of how we played today.''
Cair Paravel junior Eric Buchenau (above) teamed with Drew Fay to post a runnerup doubles finish in Class 3A-1A state doubles Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"It didn't end how we wanted it to,'' Buchenau said. "We believed we had a shot and we never stopped believing it.''
A foreign exchange student from Germany, Buchenau was disappointed that he couldn't end his stint in the United States with a storybook finish.
"I had one shot at a state championship and I didn't make it, but of course I'm proud of how we did,'' he said.
Buchenau and Fay, the No. 3 seed, opened their day with a 6-4, 6-3 win over No. 2 seeds William Farha and Vihaan Ganganola of Wichita Collegiate in the semis.
Cair Paravel freshman Cole Fay posted a 10th-place state singles finish Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Cair Paravel freshman singles player Cole Fay also earned a state medal in his first state tournament, finishing 10th in singles.
Wichita Trinity senior Alex Hobson took an 8-1 win over Fay in the ninth-place match.
Wichita Collegiate rolled to the team championship by a 58-24 margin over Conway Springs, with Collegiate junior Charlie Gentile and freshman Amir Khisha finishing one-two in singles as Gentile took a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 win over his teammate.
Cair Paravel tied for fourth place with 19 points.
Hayden's Blaser and George fourth in 4A semis
Hayden seniors Chase Blaser and Evan George posted a fourth-place Class 4A doubles finish Saturday in Winfield to close out their high school tennis careers.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Audrey Appuhn was extremely busy Thursday at the Capitol Federal Natatorium... and that's just the way the Washburn Rural junior swimming star likes it.
Washburn Rural junior Audrey Appuhn reacts after setting a personal record in the 200-yard freestyle in Thursday's Centennial League meet. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Appuhn kicked off the Centennial League meet with a flawless rendition of the National Anthem before jumping in the pool and winning four gold medals for the runnerup Junior Blues.
It was just another day for Appuhn, who routinely combines her love for swimming with her love for music.
"I love singing the National Anthem,'' Appuhn said. "I think it's so fun and I just love to sing.''
Appuhn also loves to swim, something she's done as long as she can remember.
"My mom put me in lessons as soon as I could walk and talk,'' said Appuhn, a multi-event Class 6A state medalist the past two seasons. "And I joined the team when I was probably seven or eight and I've just been doing it for the rest of my life.
"It's definitely something I've grown up with. It's taught me a lot about excelling and not only physically but mentally and learning how to overcome challenges and I can apply that to school and relationships with my friends. I think it's definitely helped me grow as an entire person and not just an athlete.''
Appuhn also fell in love with music at a relatively young age.
"I've always been kind of a Chatty Cathy so music came pretty naturally to me because it's a pretty way that people can hear my voice,'' Appuhn said. "I started in musical theater when I was in elementary school and I joined choir in middle school.
"I'm actually the choir president at Washburn for next year, so I'm super excited about that, and I just love singing and getting to be a part of something. It's kind of like a team when you're in a choir as well so it's a really great environment. I decided for my senior year I'm also going to join marching band because why not? I'm going to play piano (keyboard) in marching band.''
And Appuhn's list of activities doesn't end there.
"I'm in National Honor Society and every weekend I go to a nursing home and I sing for like retired folk in our community,'' she said. "I just love to get involved in everything I can to really spread the love because I think everyone needs some love.''
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Cair Paravel Latin juniors Eric Buchenau and Drew Fay had to sweat out a few anxious moments in their Class 3A-1A quarterfinal doubles match Friday at Kossover Tennis Center, but the Lion standouts got the job done, advancing to Saturday's 9 a.m. state semifinal.
Cair Paravel Latin's Drew Fay (left) and Eric Buchenau advanced to the Class 3A-1A doubles semifinals Friday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Buchenau and Fay, the No. 3 seed, went 2-0 on the day, including a 6-2, 6-4 quarterfinal win over Central Plains' Paxton Dody and Peyton Dody to improve to 28-1 on the season and will face No. 2 seeds William Farha and Vihaan Ganganola of Wichita Collegiate in the semis.
After a 6-0, 6-0 romp in their first match of the day, Fay and Buchenau jumped in front 5-2 in the second set of the quarterfinals before Dody and Dody cut their deficit to 5-4.
Central Plains seemed to have some momentum at that point, but the Lions were able to hold serve and close out the win.
"It was definitely frustrating,'' said Buchenau about the close second set, "but even if you play bad you have to find a way to win and we did that.''
Fay agreed.
"It definitely wasn't how we wanted it to go and we struggled for sure, but we were just scrapping out every point and got the win,'' Fay said.
"We hopefully got the bad bullets out today so we can just play our game tomorrow.''
Cair Paravel freshman singles player Cole Fay advanced to Saturday's Class 3A-1A medal matches with a 3-1 day. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Cair Paravel freshman singles player Cole Fay also advanced to Saturday's medal matches, going 3-1 on the day.
Cole Fay moved on to Saturday with an 8-5 win over Phillipsburg senior Nathan Fischer and can still finish as high as fifth place.
Hayden seniors Chase Blaser (left) and Evan George will compete in a Class 4A doubles semifinal Saturday in Winfield. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden's Blaser and George in 4A semis
Hayden regional doubles champions Chase Blaser and Evan George won both of their Class 4A doubles matches Friday in Winfield to advance to Saturday's 9 a.m. semifinals.
The fourth-seeded Wildcat seniors, now 25-6, advanced to the semifinals with a hard-earned 3-6, 7-6 (7-5 tiebreaker), 6-3 win over McPherson.
Blaser and George will face No. 1 seed Asher Deutschendorf and Braiden Liechty of Hesston in the semifinals.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural swimming coach Bob Burdick would have loved it if his Junior Blues could have stretched their Centennial League winning streak to five straight titles Thursday.
But even though Rural fell just short of that goal with a narrow 465-441 loss to Manhattan, Burdick still walked out of Capitol Federal Natatorium proud of what his team did accomplish in its final tuneup for next weeked's Class 6A state meet.
Washburn Rural junior Audrey Appuhn won four gold medals in Thursday's Centennial League swimming and diving championships for the runnerup Junior Blues. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural senior Genevieve Miranda captured four gold medals Thursday in her final Centennial League meet at the Capitol Federal Natatorium. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Junior Audrey Appuhn and senior Genevieve Miranda both earned four gold medals -- two individual events, two relays -- on the day for the Junior Blues, who posted top-three finishes in nine of 12 events.
"We had a great meet,'' Burdick said. "We had gone four years in keeping the league title and that's the longest we've ever done it at Washburn Rural, which is great. Manhattan had waited five for this and congratutations to them.
"We've had a good year, we rebuilt the team this year and we've got it to where we want it to be. It wasn't quite strong enough to beat Manhattan. I projected it to be about a 12-point difference and it was 24 and I think our girls should be proud of themselves. Second at league is awesome.''
Appuhn won the 200-yard freestyle (1 minute, 55.60 seconds) and the 100 breastroke (1:06.95) and Miranda took the 50 freestyle (25.43) and the 100 butterfly (1:01.66) to account for Washburn Rural's four individual league titles.
Appuhn and Miranda also teamed with Sophie Heinen and Ava Von Lintel to win the 200 medley (2:02.16) and 400 free (4:02.90) relays.
Rural's Rhiannon Good finished second in one-meter diving (436.70) while Heinen was the runnerup in the 500 freestyle (6:19.61).
Topeka High junior Hara Del Castillo was a double Centennial League champion Thursday. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Topeka High junior Hara Del Castillo was also a double individual champion, winning the 200 individual medley (2:25.04) and the 100 backstroke (1:06.01) and High junior Caroline Toland finished second in the 100 breaststroke (1:13.90).
Hayden's Esa Herrera, Lilly Charvat, Kaelyn Gerdel and Kaylee Gregg finished second in the 200 medley relay (2:07.79) and the 200 free relay (1:54.28).
The Class 6A and 5A-1A state meets will be contested May 22-24 at the Capitol Federal Natatorium.
CENTENNIAL LEAGUE SWIMMING/DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS
By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
Any doubt the Hayden baseball team would finish the regular season undefeated was removed in decisive fashion Thursday. The reigning Class 3A state champions cruised to a sweep of the Junior Blues at Washburn Rural, winning 5-1 and 14-1.
Hayden senior Cooper Grace twirled a complete-game one-hitter in Thursday's 5-1 Game 1 win over Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
While running the table on the regular season and collecting a Centennial League title are not insignificant, Hayden coach Bill Arnold made sure the focus was on the future.
“We haven’t even talked about being undefeated, and all of us could care less,” Arnold said. “The undefeated part comes from going 1-0. We’ve got a very mature group in the dugout here and they buy into it. They understand there’s bigger things on the mountain we’re trying to get to.”
The headliner of the matchup was Hayden pitcher Cooper Grace, a University of Nebraska commit. Grace dominated in the first game of the doubleheader, taking a perfect game into the fifth inning. He surrendered a walk in the fifth, but – with a 3-0 lead – still had the no-hitter intact.
Grace wavered a bit in the bottom of the sixth. After striking out the first two batters, he surrendered back-to-back walks and a couple of wild pitches that allowed the runners to advance. Grace then lost the no-hit bid on a slow dribbler the Wildcats’ shortstop was unable to field in time for a play on the batter.
Grace regained his stride in the bottom of the seventh, ringing up all three Junior Blues batters.
“I was just focused on getting one out after another. I wasn’t even thinking about the no-hitter,” said Grace, who said he has thrown no-hitters in the past, but prefers to keep track of wins rather than personal achievements. “It was a complete team effort. (The Junior Blues) are a good team, so we’re happy to get the win.”
Hayden junior Connor Hanika gave up just two hits and an unearned run in four innings in the Wildcats' 15-1 Game 2 win over Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
As dominant as Grace was in the first game, fellow Hayden pitcher Connor Hanika was equally effective in the second game. The junior gave up just two hits and permitted just one unearned run over four innings. With the offense racking up 14 runs in the nightcap, Arnold lifted Hanika for senior Jett Wahlmeier to finish off the final inning.
“I’m really pleased,” Arnold said of the pitchers. “We didn’t even get to (Liam) Annand tonight. We’ve got four quality starters. I like what each one of them can bring to the plate.”
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 61.05
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
Jaida Stallbaumer, Seaman 15.84
Bella Reid, Hayden 16.07
Karys Deiter, Silver Lake 16.45
Rylee Dick, Rossville 17.21
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
Kelcie Schneider, Washburn Rural 51.39
Elliot Wrench, Hayden 52.68
4x100-METER RELAY
Topeka High 50.15
Washburn Rural 50.36
Silver Lake 51.06
Seaman 51.06
Topeka West 53.40
4x400-METER RELAY
Seaman 4:04.86
Washburn Rural 4:13.32
Silver Lake 4:13.34
Shawnee Heights 4:37.27
4x800-METER RELAY
Washburn Rural 9:35.40
Seaman 10:21.42
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 4-10
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 33-8
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake 33-4
Grace Funk, Hayden 32-7.75
Kylie Podlena, Silver Lake 32-6
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
Izzy Davis, Washburn Rural 31-0
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
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake 100-0
Rhys Brading, Seaman 96-1
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 10.94
Evan Scheid, Silver Lake 11.13
Ben Roeder, Topeka High 11.17
Tremaine Savage, Highland Park 11.22
200 METERS
Bryce Cochran, Seaman 21.87
Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural 22.07
Evan Scheid, Silver Lake 22.22
Jayden Lindsey, Topeka West 22.43
Matthew Houser, Washburn Rural 22.48
Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural
400 METERS
Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural 48.20
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden 48.30
Bryce Cochran, Seaman 49.06
Ben Roeder, Topeka High 49.82
Matthew Houser, Washburn Rural 50.27
Brody Anderson, Seaman
800 METERS
Brody Anderson, Seaman 1:56.22
Mark Wilkie, Topeka West 1:57.23
Ben Buesing, Washburn Rural 2:00.10
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural 2:00.38
Adrian Lehman, Topeka West 2:02.10
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 4:22.29
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 14.64
Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural 15.50
Desean Lunkins, Topeka High 15.80
Isaac Song, Shawnee Heights 15.84
Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park 16.18
300-METER HURDLES
Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural 38.83
Braylon Badger, Washburn Rural 40.62
Isaac Song, Shawnee Heights 41.07
Michael Hurla, Seaman 41.29
Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park 42.25
4x100-METER RELAY
Silver Lake 43.28
Seaman 43.48
Washburn Rural 43.49
Topeka High 43.87
Topeka West 44.50
4x400-METER RELAY
Washburn Rural 3:19.01
Topeka West 3:24.56
Topeka High 3:24.64
Seaman 3:26.21
Hayden 3:27.06
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
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
Cody Quy, Seaman 41-11
Deondre Razzano, Silver Lake 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 45-6
F. Anguiano, Hayden 44-10
Clayton Johnson, Seaman 44-5
Dorian Rhoten, Topeka West 44-3
Sam Scott, Washburn Rural 44-3
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
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Audrey Appuhn
AUDREY APPUHN, Washburn Rural
Appuhn, a junior, captured four gold medals in last Friday's city swimming championships at Capitol Federal Natatorium, helping lead Washburn Rural to its 22nd straight city team title. Appuhn won the 200-yard freestyle in 1 minute, 57.66 seconds and the 100 breaststroke in 1:07.60 and swam on the Junior Blues' winning 200 medley (2:01.75) and 400 free (4:04.31) relays as Rural won the team title by a 526-430 margin over Seaman.
Cale Deutscher
CALE DEUTSCHER, Washburn Rural
A junior, Deutscher teamed with Dylan Willingham to win the doubles championship in last Monday's Centennial League tennis tournament at Junction City and followed that up with a Class 6A regional doubles title Saturday at Wichita, helping the Junior Blues capture the team championships in both tournaments. Deutscher and Willingham won the league title with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Hayden's Chase Blaser and Evan George and took the regional title with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Derby's Collin Bale and Garrett Haupt.
Cole Fay
COLE FAY, Cair Paravel Latin
Fay, a freshman, captured a Class 3A-1A regional singles championship last Friday at Kossover Tennis Center, helping lead Cair Paravel Latin to the regional team championship with by a 15-13 margin over Kansas City Christian. Fay, who improved to 20-7 on the season, topped Kansas City Christian's Isaac Seitz 6-1, 6-2 in the singles final, qualifying for this weekend's 3A-1A state tournament at Kossover.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly girls swimming and diving honor roll for Topeka high schools throughout the 2025 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
200-YARD MEDLEY RELAY
Washburn Rural 2:01.75
Hayden 2:07.36
Seaman 2:07.38
Topeka High 2:11.23
Shawnee Heights 2:15.41
200-YARD FREESTYLE
Audrey Appuhn, Washburn Rural 1:56.98
Joslynn Grace, Seaman 2:01.37
Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights 2:06.15
Kaitlyn Aldridge, Shawnee Heights 2:17:02
Kaelyn Gerdel, Hayden 2:21.23
200-YARD INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY
Audrey Appuhn, Washburn Rural 2:10.28
Joslynn Grace, Seaman 2:10.69
Hara Del Castillo, Topeka High 2:31.17
Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights 2:35.31
Kaitlyn Aldridge, Shawnee Heights 2:35.91
Genevieve Miranda, Washburn Rural
50-YARD FREESTYLE
Joslynn Grace, Seaman 26.46
Genevieve Miranda, Washburn Rural 26.46
Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights 26.74
Kaylee Gregg, Hayden 27.67
Clara Sobba, Shawnee Heights 28.08
ONE-METER DIVING
Kaylee Gregg, Hayden 231.60
Rhiannon Good, Washburn Rural 224.05
Maddie Gregg, Hayden 183.05
Giselle Soto, Washburn Rural 163.50
Ella Graber, Hayden 152.35
Joslynn Grace, Seaman
100-YARD BUTTERFLY
Joslynn Grace, Seaman 1:00.12
Genevieve Miranda, Washburn Rural 1:03.09
Kaitlyn Aldridge, Shawnee Heights 1:07.53
Kaya Hamilton, Washburn Rural 1:18.44
Makenna Russell, Topeka West 1:26.77
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
There's a long list of Washburn Rural soccer players who have put together outstanding careers for the Junior Blues.
Washburn Rural senior Kate Hinck, battling Hayden junior goalkeeper Lauren Borjon outside the goal, scored four goals in Monday's 7-0 win to become Rural's career leading scorer. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
As of Monday, Rural senior forward Kate Hinck is arguably at the top of that list.
Hinck scored four goals in Monday's 7-0 Centennial League road win at Hayden, moving past former Junior Blue great Kaira Houser to set Rural's career scoring record.
"It means a lot,'' Hinck said. "I feel like I've pushed myself and just tried to be the best and be the best for the team.''
With her four goals Hinck now has 77 goals, including 23 this season with a maximum of six games still remaining.
"We've had a lot of good players who have come through here, but Kate's a special athlete, not just a soccer player but a three-sport athlete who's been a cornerstone for all those programs (volleyball, basketball, soccer) for the last four years,'' Washburn Rural coach Brian Hensyel said.
"She came here her freshman year and was a really good athlete. She's turning into a phenomenal soccer player, teammate, etc., so it was great to see her get the record. That's an amazing record to break, so we're pretty excited.''
Hinck, who will play collegiately at Washburn, scored the only goal Rural would need at the 28:04 mark of the first half and added the game's final three goals in a nine-minute span in the second half as the 13-2-0 Junior Blues wrapped up the Centennal League title with a perfect 5-0 mark.
Washburn Rural senior Zahra Friess scored a goal and had two assists in Monday's 7-0 soccer win over Hayden. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Sophomore Emery Hall scored a pair of first-half goals as Washburn Rural built a 3-0 halftime advantage and the Junior Blues got a second-half goal from senior Zahra Friess in addition to Hinck's three second-half goals.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Junior doubles champions Cale Deutscher and Dylan Willingham led the way Saturday as Washburn Rural captured the team championship in a Class 6A tennis regional at Wichita.
Washburn Rural tennis won a Class 6A regional title Saturday in Wichita after previously winning city and Centennial League championships. [Washburn Rural tennis]
Deutscher and Willingham downed Derby's Collin Bale and Garrett Haupt 6-4, 6-3 in the championship match, improving to 21-1 on the season.
The Junior Blues also got third-place regional finishes from junior Keegan Knudtson and from juniors Ben Tryhus and Kieffer O'Connor in doubles as Rural won the team title by an 18-14 margin over Manhattan.
Topeka High junior Tres Lassiter finished second in singles in Saturday's Class 6A regional in Wichita. [File photo/TSN]
Topeka High junior Tres Lassiter advanced to the singles final, dropping a 6-1, 6-3 decision to Manhattan freshman Jay Hoke in the championship match as Hoke improved to 29-4 while Lassiter is now 26-5.
Rural's Knudtson (19-9) took a 6-4, 6-1 decision over Derby's Tyler Bradt in the third-place singles match while Tryhus and O'Connor (13-10) took a 6-2, 6-2 win over Topeka High senior Alex Raymond and junior Christian Sink (18-10) to finish third in doubles.
Washburn Rural has now swept city, Centennial League and regional team titles entering Friday and Saturday's 6A state tournament at Junction City while High's Lassiter will finish off his first season of high school tennis with a state appearance and Raymond and Sink qualified for state in their first year as a doubles team.
Seaman tennis followed up its UKC team title with a runnerup finish in Saturday's Class 5A regional tournament, qualifying its entire team for state. [File photo/TSN]
Vikings qualify entire team for 5A state
Seaman followed up its United Kansas Conference championship with a strong performance in Saturday's Class 5A regional at Bonner Springs, with the Vikings finishing second as a team while qualifying their entire team for state.
The Vikings got third and fifth-place finishes in singles from freshman Camden Dutton and senior Ethan Winters while Seaman juniors Dayton Schneider and Owen Stewart finished third and junior Wesley Budge and freshman David Budge placed fifth in doubles.
Dutton (23-9) took a 6-0, 6-0 win over Piper's Chri Htoo in the third-place singles match while Winters (24-7) finished fifth with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Topeka West senior state qualifier Mark Cianciarulo (23-8 ) in the fifth-place match.
Schneider and Stewart (26-11) took a win over Topeka West senior Julian Ramcharan and freshman Collin McGee (25-12) in the third-place doubles match (score unavailable) while Budge and Budge (20-9) finished fifth with a 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-3 win over Basehor-Linwood's Luke Broxterman and David Barnett.
The 5A state meet will be contested Friday and Saturday in Salina.
Shawnee Heights' Brock Corley qualified for the Class 5A state tournament in singles with a fifth-place regional finish Saturday in De Soto. [File photo/TSN]
T-Birds' Corley earns 5A state berth
Shawnee Heights senior Brock Corley posted a fifth-place singles finish in Saturday's Class 5A regional at De Soto, earning a berth for Friday and Saturday's state tournament at Salina.
Corley, the United Kansas Conference singles champion, took a 6-2, 6-1 win over Spring Hill's B. Browning in the fifth-place regionals match.
Corley will take a 22-9 record into the state tournament.
By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
Hayden senior Kaylee Gregg pulled off a rare feat in Friday's Topeka City Girls Swimming Championships at Capitol Federal Natatorium.
Washburn Rural took first in the city meet for the 22nd straight season, with two of their leading swimmers taking two first places each.
Trailing the Junior Blues’ 526 points was Seaman with 430. Topeka High finished in third place with 307.
Hayden senior Kaylee Gregg won a pair of city titles Friday, winning the one-meter diving competition and the 50-meter freestyle. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Gregg accomplished the rare feat of winning the dive competition early in the day, then coming back to win an individual swim event. Gregg won the 50-yard freestyle and was also a part of two second-place relay teams for Hayden.
Gregg said she started swimming and diving as a freshman, having had no previous training. As a swimmer, she participates only on short races. But, in truth, she admitted she doesn’t train for swimming.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been to a swim practice,” Gregg said. “I just show up and do my best.
“I did gymnastics growing up and now I do cheer, so I had the stamina to be able to get through the 50s and the 100s,” Gregg said. “My dive coach is actually my gymnastics coach growing up. She really helped me. You’re going into water like we go into (gymnastics) pits, so it’s not that different.”
Gregg has qualified for state all four years as a diver and has participated at state on relay teams. She is holding out hope to qualify for the 50 freestyle, with one chance – the Centennial League meet – remaining.
While she didn’t quite eclipse the required time to qualify for state in the 50 freestyle, she received some other great news at the city meet.
“This has been a really cool night for me because I made the KU Cheer team today,” Gregg said. “I found out as soon as I got done with our first relay.”
Seaman senior Joslynn Grace was a double city champion Friday at the Capitol Federal Natatorium. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Having a good day in her own right was Seaman senior Joslynn Grace, who took first in the 200 individual medley and the 100 butterfly. The senior has committed to swim at the University of Nebraska-Kearney after high school. She said she enjoyed participating in the city meet one last time.
“This was really exciting for me because I’m happy with my times,” Grace said. “The city meet is really fun to just watch everybody and see them all do their thing, too.
“Swim is like my second life. I love it so much. To practice and see yourself get better is like therapy for me. I’ve enjoyed it so much.”
Audrey Appuhn captured four gold medals Friday, helping Washburn Rural win the city team championship. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Genevieve Miranda helped lead Washburn Rural to the city swimming team title Friday, posting two individual wins and swimming on two city-champion relays. [File photo/TSN]
Also placing first in two individual events were Washburn Rural’s Audrey Appuhn and Genevieve Miranda, with Appuhn winning the 200 freestyle and 100 breaststroke and Miranda winning the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke. Appuhn and Miranda also swam on the Junior Blues' winning 200 medley and 400 freestyle relay.
TEAM SCORES
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
On a night that included four meet-record performances, Washburn Rural used its depth to sweep the team titles in Friday's Joe Schrag City Championship at Hummer Sports Park.
Washburn Rural swept the team titles in Friday's Joe Schrag City Championship, winning 11 events and posting top-three finishes in 30 events. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The Junior Blues posted a total of 11 event wins on the night (six girls, five boys), but more importantly had top-three finishes in 30 events (16 boys,14 girls) en route to a 227-133 win over Seaman for the Washburn Rural boys and a 219-141 victory over the Viking girls in the team standings.
"We do put an emphasis on this meet,'' Rural coach Keith Wetzel said. "We want to keep the golden shoes (championship trophies) in our trophy cases and we talk to the kids about the importance of this meet and doing well at this meet as it really is the beginning of the big four weeks of league, regional and state.
"Everyone contributes and we talk to the kids about how we need our depth and our depth is an advantage. Our kids have just been steadily improving each week and quietly putting together really good seasons.''
Washburn Rural senior Isaiah Terry (right) edged Hayden senior Jensen Schrickel for the win in the 400-meter dash in Friday's Joe Schrag City Championship. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Highlights for the Rural boys included a city-meet record from Matthew Houser, Liam Morrison, Draden Chooncharoen and Isaiah Terry in the 4x400-meter relay (3:19.01) and a meet record in the open 400 from Terry (48.37) as well as a pair of wins from Morrison in the 110 hurdles (14.64) and 300 hurdles (38.83) and a victory in the 4x800 relay (8:16.84).
Washburn Rural's Molly Worley was a double winner in Friday's Joe Schrag City Championship, including a win in the long jump at 17-7.75. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural's Morgan Ray won the city title in the girls javelin Friday with a school-record throw of 135-2. [Submitted photo/TSN]
On the girls side, Rural got a pair of wins from wins from Molly Worley in the high jump (5-4) and the long jump (17-7.75), a school-record victory from Morgan Ray in the javelin (135-2), a win from Kailyn Petersen in the discus (126-5), a one-two-three finish in the 1,600 from Payton Fink (5:08.00), Rylee Ismert (5:19.84) and Brooklyn Nolte (5:21.55) and a win from Ismert in the 800 (2:21.99).
Other top performances:
Seaman junior Ryin Miller set city meet records in the 400 and 3,200 Friday night and also holds city marks in the 800 and 1,600. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]znzn
• Seaman junior Ryin Miller set city meet records in the girls 400 and 3,200 while also anchoring the Vikings' 4x400 relay to a victory.
Miller set the city record in the 400 in 56.81, which was also a school record, and obliberated the 39-year-old 3,200 meet record by 55 seconds with a winning time of 10:23.26.
Miller also teamed with Taylie Heston, Jaida Stallbaumer and Ally Steiner for a win in the 4x400 relay in 4:09.05 while Stallbaumer had a hand in three wins on the night, sweeping the titles in the 100 hurdles (15.88) and 300 hurdles (47.63).
The highlight of Miller's day was her performance in the open 400, an event she rarely runs and is not scheduled to run again this spring.
"That was kind of my goal of the night, to try to shoot for our school record in that,'' Miller said. "I think I just beat it so I was happy with that and also got the meet record, so that was kind of a bonus.
"The 400 was definitely my main focus tonight.''
Topeka High junior Keimara Marshall (middle) won the 100 and 200-meter dash in Friday's city meet. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
• Topeka High junior Keimari Marshall swept the titles in the girls 100 (12.43) and 200 (25.96), finished second in the 400 (59.96) and also ran on the Trojans' winning 4x100 relay (50.15).
Topeka West senior Adrian Lehman swept the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs in Friday's city meet. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
• Topeka West senior Adrian Lehman overcame a strong field to sweep the boys 1,600 and 3,200, clocking a time of 4:18.07 in the 1,600 and a time of 9:40.93 in the 3,200.
Lehman came from behind to top Wasbhburn Rural standout Brooks Kehoe (4:19.77) in the 1,600 and took control on the final laps to pull away from Rural's Henry Laubach (9:46.51) in the 3,200.
"I felt good,'' Lehman said. "I really wanted to have a stronger mile (1,600) and then come out and just win the two mile (3,200), so I'm happy with how it went.''
Lehman said that it's enjoyable for him to be able to see all the top local distance runners together in the city meet.
"I love seeing these guys, seeing how they've progressed through this year and it's just a lot of fun racing them,'' Lehman said. "They're my friends, too, so it's fun seeing them.''
Lehman's West teammate, Mark Wilkie, finished second in the 800 (1:58.81) and third in the 1,600 (4:22.29).
• Silver Lake's girls turned in a solid third-place team finish with 101 points, including a on-two-three finish from Ali Gerber (33-6), Kailyn Hanni (33-4) and Kylie Podlena (32-6) in the triple jump.
The Eagles also got second-place finishes from Kayleigh Kruger in the shot put (32-10) and the discus (112-7) while Journey Manhart finished second in the high jump (5-2).
On the boys side, Myles Fisher was the discus champion (141-6).
JOE SCHRAG CITY CHAMPIONSHIP
