Editor's note: Over the coming days, TopSports.news will take a look at all of the nominees for the 2024 Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards. All nominees will be recognized at the June 26 awards banquet, which will be held in conjunction with the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame induction at Washburn University's Memorial Union.
FALL SPORTS: OUTSTANDING MALE NOMINEES
Callen Barta
CALLEN BARTA | Seaman
PARENTS: Jerry Barta and Jeni Sloan
SPORT: Football | GPA: NA
A receiver/defensive back, Barta caught 77 passes for 1441 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior while recording 36 tackles and intercepting five passes, returning one for a touchdown. "Callen is a great example of hard work paying off,'' Seaman coach Jared Swafford said. "During his time in our program I had the privelege of watching him grow and mature as a young man. He is a young man that took a lot of pride in working hard on his craft and that ultimately paid off. I am very proud of Callen and all that he has achieved, although he is not done yet.'' A Kansas Shrine Bowl selection, Barta will play collegiately at Kansas State.
Carter Charvat
CARTER CHARVAT | Hayden
PARENTS: Matt and Sarah Charvat
SPORT: Football | GPA: 4.33
A three-sport athlete, Charvat helped lead Hayden's football team to the Class 3A state championship game last fall, earning All-Shawnee County Top 22 and All-3A recognition. A Kansas Shrine Bowl selection, Charvat was in on 117 tackles as a senior, including 71 solo stops and registered eight sacks and four tackles for loss while intercepting two passes. Charvat also helped the Wildcats advance to the 3A state tournament in basketball and was a standout thrower in track and field, qualifying for the 3A state meet. Charvat will play college football at Benedictine.
Christian Gonzales
CHRISTIAN GONZALES | Shawnee Heights
PARENTS: Ritchie and Angel Gonzales
SPORT: Football | GPA: 3.0
Gonzales, a three-year starter as a defensive lineman, was a first-team All-United Kansas Conference pick as a junior and senior and an All-Shawnee County Top 22 selection as a senior, compiling 70 tackles with eight tackles for loss and four sacks. Gonzales finished his high school career with 149 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and seven sacks and was selected to play in the Kansas Shrine Bowl. "A leader and fierce competitor, Christian dominated the trenches for the T-Birds,'' Shawnee Heights coach Jason Swift said. Gonzales has signed a letter of intent to play college football at Washburn University.
JC Heim
JC HEIM | Washburn Rural
PARENTS: John and Jennifer Heim
SPORT: Football | GPA: 3.538
Heim was named the Shawnee County and Centennial League defensive player of the year and also received All-State recognition after helping lead Washburn Rural to the Class 6A semifinals. Heim was in on 173 total tackles (102 solos) with 17 tackles for loss and eight sacks and rushed for 530 yards and 10 touchdowns. He finished his career with 255 tackles, 36 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, nine forced fumbles and five blocked kicks. "Many times when we talk about sports excellence we are usually seeing the end result of a lot of time, hard work and dedication and JC Heim's high school success story is no different,'' Rural coach Steve Buhler said. "His success story is one of persistence and drive.'' Heim will play college football at Washburn University.
Isaiah Kincade
ISAIAH KINCADE | Topeka High
PARENTS: Chad and Moshe Kincade
SPORT: Football | GPA: 4.2
Kincade has received All-Centennial League and All-Shawnee County recognition in football and baseball in multiple seasons. A wide receiver/defensive back, received second-team all-league and Second 22 honors in football last fall, recording 59 tackles for the Trojans. Kincade helped lead Topeka High's baseball team to a second straight Class 6A state tournament berth this past spring. "Isaiah has been a tremendous leader and representative of Topeka High Athletics on and off the field,'' Topeka High athletic director and baseball coach Cody Miller said. Kincade will play college football at Washburn University.
Kyrece Robinson
KYRECE ROBINSON | Washburn Rural
PARENT: Donneisha Smith
SPORT: Football | GPA: NA
Robinson, a standout lineman, received All-Shawnee County Top 22 recognition as a senior for the Chargers. A three-year varsity player, Robinson was a second-team All-United Kansas Conference selection last fall. Robinson was in on 64 tackles last fall as a defensive end with 27 tackles for loss and four sacks. Robinson, who served as a team captain for Topeka West, plans to play college footbal at Hutchinson Community College.
Recent Hayden graduate Carter Charvat was a three-sport standout for the Wildcats, advancing to state in football, basketball and track and field. [Submitted photo]
Seaman graduate Callen Barta is a candidate for the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards after a huge senior season by the Kansas State recruit. [File photo/TSN]
Recent Washburn Rural graduate JC Heim starred on both sides of the ball last fall, leading the Junior Blues to the Class 6A state semifinals while being named the Centennial League and Shawnee County defensive player of the year. [Submitted photo]
Former Topeka High multi-sport standout Isaiah Kincade is a nominee for the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Awards. [Submitted photo]
