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.
WINTER SPORTS: OUTSTANDING FEMALE NOMINEES
Zoe Canfield
ZOE CANFIELD | Washburn Rural
PARENTS: Jordan and Eileen Canfield
SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 4.46
Canfield helped Washburn Rural win Class 6A state championships in both basketball and volleyball during her high school career and the University of Kansas signee capped her prep career with a second-place state finish in the 6A basketball tournament in March. "Zoe has exhibited excellence in every aspect of her career, both in and out of the classroom,'' Rural volleyball and basketball coach Kevin Bordewick said. "On the court, as an All-State two-sport athlete, her leadership, work ethic and toughness, especially in fighting through injuries, were exemplary examples of what excellence really is. Zoe has set a standard for future Washburn Rural athletes and what they should aspire to be.''
McKenna Haltom
McKENNA HALTOM | Shawnee Heights
PARENTS: Tressa and Jamey Haltom
SPORT: Wrestling | GPA: 4.27
Haltom was a three-year letter-winner for Shawnee Heights' wrestling team, advancing to the United Kansas Conference finals two times and earning a Class 6A-5A state medal as a senior while posting a career record of 80-27 with 62 pins. "McKenna is a multi-sport athlete, participating in cross country, wrestling and track,'' Heights wrestling coach Chad Parks said. "She is also a team leader and captain in all three sports. McKenna thrives in the classroom, taking honors courses throughout high school and graduating with a 4.27 GPA. She is the student council president, a member of National Honor Society and the school newspaper editor and chief.'' Haltom will wrestle collegiately at Baker University.
Kendra Hurla
KENDRA HURLA | Rossville
PARENTS: Chris and Angie Hurla
SPORT: Wrestling | GPA: .4.0
Hurla joined a very elite group of high school athletes when she won her fourth straight Class 4A-1A state wrestling championship in February while helping the Bulldawgs win their first wrestling team championship. "Kendra is the definition of a leader,'' Rossville coach Bryce Gfeller said. "Throughout the year she was constantly the one setting our practice pace and making sure that everyone was following her lead. She has inspired many of our younger girls to try wrestling for the first time after watching her compete.'' Hurla posted a career wrestling record of 127-3 with more than 100 career pins, including a 38-0 record as a senior. Hurla also competed in volleyball, track, cheer and dance and will cheer at Washburn University.
Makenzie McDaniel
MAKENZIE McDANIEL | Silver Lake
PARENTS: Lucas and Kelli McDaniel
SPORT: Basketball | GPA: NA
McDaniel capped an outstanding high school basketball career with a Class 3A state championship. McDaniel finished her prep career with 1,493 points, 952 rebounds and 155 blocked shots while ranking No. 1 on Silver Lake's all-time career list in two-point field goals made, defensive rebounds and offensive rebounds and ranking No. 2 in career points and career blocks. McDaniel holds the single-season school record in total points, two-point field goals made, points per game, offensive rebounds and defensive rebounds. A four-year starter, the Emporia State signee was named the co-Shawnee County player of the year as a senior after averaging 19.8 points and 10.4 rebounds. McDaniel was also a standout in volleyball, softball and track and field for the Eagles.
Brenna Rutschmann
BRENNA RUTSCHMANN | Topeka West
PARENTS: Ryan and Jennifer Rutschmann
SPORT: Bowling | GPA: NA
Rutschmann placed seventh in the Class 5A state bowling tournament as a senior with a 580 three-game series after winning a 5A regional championship with a 606 series. Rutschmann was also a state medalist as a junior with a 20th-place finish before averaging 187 pins per game as a senior with a 254 high game and a 666 high series. In addition to her bowling success, Rutschmann was also involved in several others activities and clubs at Topeka West, including the school's dance team and theater program. She plans to attend college at Missouri State.
Lauren Sandstrom
LAUREN SANDSTROM | Hayden
PARENTS: James and Stacey Sandstrom
SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 3.82
A three-sport standout for the Wildcats, Sandstrom helped lead Hayden to a third-place finish in the Class 3A state basketball tournament after teaming with Emily Sheetz to win her second straight 4A state doubles title in the fall tennis season. "Lauren had a great career for the Wildcats,'' Hayden girls basketball coach Carvel Reynoldson said. "She was first-team all-league and all-county and will be going to Rockhurst to play basketball. Her leadership was a vital part of the success that the girls basketball program had.'' Sandstrom helped Hayden win a state team title in tennis her junior season and was also a key player for the Wildcats' soccer team.
Taylin Stallbaumer
TAYLIN STALLBAUMER | Seaman
PARENTS: Todd and Tonya Stallbaumer
SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 3.5
Stallbaumer helped lead Seaman to Class 5A state championships in both basketball and volleyball as a senior and also helped the Vikings reach the state quarterfinals in soccer. Stallbaumer, who received first-team All-United Kansas Conference and All-Shawnee County recognition, is the Seaman record-holder for career 3-pointers in basketball and also ranks in the top five in school history in points, assists, steals, free throw percentage and 3-point percentage. Stallbaumer finished her career with 978 points, 201 assists and 199 steals. Stallbaumer will play college volleyball at Johnson County Community College.
Kansas basketball signee Zoe Canfield helped Washburn Rural to Class 6A basketball and volleyball championships during her high school career. [File photo/TSN]
Shawnee Heights' McKenna Haltom (top) was a Class 6A-5A state wrestling medalist as a senior. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Recent Rossville graduate Kendra Hurla won four straight Class 4A-1A state wrestling titles and helped lead the Bulldawgs to a state team title as a senior. [Submitted photo]
Silver Lake four-sport standout Makenzie McDaniel helped the Eagles win the Class 3A state basketball title as a senior. [Submitted photo]
Recent Topeka West graduate Brenna Rutschmann was a two-time state bowling medalist for the Chargers. [File photo/TSN]
Lauren Sandstrom helped Hayden post a third-place state finish in the Class 3A state tournament. [Submitted photo]
Seaman product Taylin Stallbaumer helped lead Seaman to Class 5A state titles in basketball and volleyball as a senior. [File photo/TSN]
