WINTER SPORTS: OUTSTANDING FEMALE NOMINEES
Addi Broxterman
ADDI BROXTERMAN | Washburn Rural
PARENTS: Justin and Marla Broxterman
SPORT: Wrestling | GPA: 4.019
Broxterman ended her record-setting four-year career by helping Washburn Rural capture its third state team championship and her 146 career victories made her the winningest wrestler in Kansas history. Broxterman's 132 career wins by fall and 34 3-point nearfalls are also state records and she holds the school record with 45 single-season wins. Broxterman was a three-time state medalist, a two-time state finalist and a four-time Centennial League champion. "Addison Broxterman has set the gold standard for women's wrestling, not just at Washburn Rural, but across the state of Kansas,'' Rural coach Damon Parker said. Broxterman was also a standout for the powerhouse Junior Blue soccer program, helping Rural to a third-place Class 6A state finish this past season. Broxterman will wrestle collegiately at Fort Hays State.
Molly Busenitz
MOLLY BUSENITZ | Shawnee Heights
PARENTS: David and Isabelle Busenitz
SPORT: Wrestling | GPA: 3.7
Busenitz was a Class 6A-5A state wrestling medalist as a junior and was 17-0 with 16 pins and one technical fall as a senior before suffering an ACL tear. Busenitz was ranked second in the state when the season-ending injury occured. "Molly was a multi-sport athlete, participating in both cross country and wrestling,'' T-Bird wrestling coach Chad Parks said. "Molly was a team leader and captain in both sports as well. She also thrived in the classroom, taking honors courses thoughout high school and graduating with a 3.7 unweighted GPA.'' Busenitz was a two-time United Kansas Conference champion and posted a 49-11 career record with 44 pins. She was named Heights' 2023 wrestler of the year and will wrestle at Ottawa University.
Azaryah Duncan
AZARYAH DUNCAN | Topeka West
PARENTS: Toranal and Jada Duncan
SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 3.865
Duncan averaged seven points, three rebounds and three steals as a senior as Topeka West's girls basketball team showed significant improvement over the 2022-2023 season. "Azaryah moved here at the beginning of her sophomore year and immediately made a positive impact,'' said Jeff Skar, Duncan's high school coach at Topeka West. "She is diligent and a perfectionist. She showed great leadership during her junior and senior seasons. She made herself into a solid player through her hard work and consistency. She had some of her best games against our toughest opponents.''
Ruby Hernandez
RUBY HERNANDEZ | Highland Park
PARENTS: Luis and Alejandrina Hernandez
SPORT: Wrestling | GPA: 3.35
Hernandez was a three-year letter-winner for Highland Park's girls wrestling team and posted a record of 23-9 over the 2023 season. "Ruby was a leader on and off the mat and in all the sports and activities she participated in,'' Highland Park coach Shannon Keller said. "She would continually mentor the younger wrestlers in order to help them perform better.'' Hernandez received All-Shawnee County honorable mention as both a junior and a senior for Highland Park.
Emily Ireland
EMILY IRELAND | Hayden
PARENTS: John and Michelle Ireland
SPORT: Bowling | GPA: 3.61
Ireland posted a first-place finish in two bowling meets and was the runnerup in another meet as a senior. Ireland posted a 157 average on the 2023 season with a high game of 202. Ireland placed 16th in the Centennial League tournament and 21st at regionals. "Emily Ireland was an over-achiever,'' Hayden bowling coach Brian Hackett said. "She bowled four years for me and consistently improved each year and was always wanting to learn more and do better. She was a good team member who tried to help the younger bowlers improve their skills. She was dedicated to getting better at bowling to the point she gave up playing other sports so she could focus on bowling.''
Katie Price
KATIE PRICE | Seaman
PARENTS: Jason and Kristi Price
SPORT: Bowling | GPA: 3.54
Price capped her high school bowling career with a second-place individual finish in the Class 5A-1A state tournament with a 637 series, just four pins out of first, while helping Seaman earn the third-place team trophy. Price bowled a school-record 750 three-game series in the 19-school Free State Invitational, bowling games of 223, 248 and 279. Price bowled a 527 series in the United Kansas Conference tournament and a 505 at regionals, helping the Vikings win both team titles. As a junior Price helped Seaman capture the 5A-1A state team championship. Price has signed a letter of intent to bowl collegiately at Peru State.
Taylor Ross
TAYLOR ROSS | Silver Lake
PARENTS: Matt and Dusti Ross
SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 3.8
Ross was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection and earned All-Class 3A honorable mention as a senior after helping Silver Lake post a fourth-place finish in the 3A state basketball tournament. "Taylor Ross has been a key contributor to the success of our girls basketball team,'' Silver Lake coach Kyle Porter said. "A three-year starter, Taylor has led through her fiery personality and gritty mindset. When Taylor played well our team was at our best.'' Ross turned in a dominating 15-point, seven-rebound performance in the state semifinals against evenntual state champion Goodland. Ross was a three-sport standout for the Eagles, earning postseason recognition in all three sports, and will play basketball at Ellsworth (Iowa) Community College.
Kiki Smith
KIKI SMITH | Topeka High
PARENTS: Darold Smith and Harmony Burgess
SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 3.4
Smith completed an outstanding four-year basketball career for Topeka High with a city-leading 20.4-point scoring average as a senior. Smith connected on 50 3-pointers over the 2022-2023 season and also led the city in assists at 4.4 per game and averaged 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 steals. Smith was a four-time All-Centennial League and four-time All-Class 6A honoree. Smith helped the Trojans advance to three 6A state tournaments, including a semifinal performance in the COVID-shortened 2020 state event and a second-place finish in 2021. Smith has signed a letter of intent to play college basketball at the University of Evansville.
Addi Broxterman helped lead Washburn Rural to three state team championships during a record-setting girls wrestling career. [Submitted photo]
Molly Busenitz, a girls wrestling state placer for Shawnee Heights, is a nominee for the Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards. [File photo/TSN]
Recent Hayden graduate Emily Ireland, who was a standout bowler for the Wildcats, is a nominee for the Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards. [Submitted photo]
Seaman star bowler Katie Price, second in Class 5A-1A this past season, is a nominee for the Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards. [File photo/TSN]
Taylor Ross, a multi-sport standout for Silver Lake, helped the Eagles post top-four finishes in Class 3A basketball the past two seasons. [Submitted photo]
Topeka High product Kiki Smith, who recently completed a banner four-year basketball career for the Trojans, is a nominee for the Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards. [Submitted photo]
