By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
When Topeka-area soccer teams meet on the pitch, they leave it all on the field. The intense battles leave players bruised and drenched in sweat. They jostle for position and jockey for balls, pushing the boundaries of legal physicality.
But when someone within that soccer community needed help recently, the team loyalties faded instantly.
Topeka High sophomore soccer player Carson Bradney (behind bench), who is battling bone cancer, was on hand to support his team during Wednesday's match against Topeka West. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]
Rivals from throughout the Capital City are rallying behind Topeka High sophomore Carson Bradney, who in August was diagnosed with bone cancer.
Bradney is described by Trojan coach Derek Snook as one of the fiercest competitors on the field. But his opponents, as well as his teammates, are going all out to encourage him in his fight against osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer that typically affects adolescents and young adults.
Topeka High's soccer team wears T-shirts to bring attention to teammate Carson Bradney's cancer fight during warmups Wednesday at Hummer Sports Park. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]
Fundraising tables were set up Wednesday at Hummer Sports Park to raise money to benefit Topeka High sophomore Carson Bradney and his family. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]
Recent games between Topeka High and Topeka West have turned into fundraisers for the Bradney family, with shirts worn by both teams to draw attention to the cause. Chili and baked items, wrist bands and other items have been sold or raffled to help the Bradneys financially.
Other schools in the community have also gotten into the act. Seaman, which devotes a game every year to benefit cancer victims, raised more than $1,000 for the Bradneys earlier this week.
“It’s been heartwarming and amazing,” said Nicole Lutz, mother of a Topeka High player, who has helped organize fundraising efforts. “These schools who are showing up to help this family are rivalries in some aspects. But the camaraderie and team effort for this cause is amazing and beautiful.”
“It’s a terrible thing that should never happen for someone his age. But our community here in Topeka, our soccer community is amazing,” said Topeka West coach Josh Kutter. “Everyone understands that there’s things more important than sports and that when there’s a student, an athlete, that needs something, everyone’s going to come together and provide that support.”
Topeka High sophomore soccer player Carson Bradney (left), who is battling bone cancer, roots on the Trojans during Wednesday's match against Topeka West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
A tall, athletic defender, Bradney started nearly every game as a freshman and earned Centennial League honorable mention. Snook had penciled Bradney into his lineup for this season, but a sore right knee prevented him from being a full participant in summer drills.
“I had a stress fracture in my knee, so I was out for pretty much the whole summer,” Bradney said. “I started to come back the first week of the season. It was rough. I played the first game. Then after that we went to the doctor. And that’s when they found all the tumor and cancer.”
Suddenly a player his teammates were counting on was in a different kind of battle. Snook said that at first the team was shaken by the news. They didn’t know exactly what to say to encourage Bradney. But they found plenty of opportunity to encourage the sophomore, because he has hardly missed a thing.
“He comes to our 5:30 practices in the morning. He comes to our film study. He’s here all the time,” Snook said. “I’m going to get him a couple of coaching shirts because he’s going to be there.”
While soccer might not seem that important to someone battling cancer, Bradney has continued to make it a part of his routine.
“They are giving me love and support, making sure my morale is high. So even though I can’t play I can support the team in other ways,” Bradney said. “I’m pretty much their hype man. If they need water, if they need to get stretched out, I’ll be there to stretch them out. I’m just talking to them throughout (the game).”
“I hope we give him a little bit of energy,” Snook said. “If he’s feeling down, I hope that him being here, us wanting him here, I hope that gives him a little bit of (a lift). All the boys love him, and they ask about him when he’s not here. Him being here gives us energy.”
“He’s been awesome,” senior Billy Lutz said of Bradney. “He’s showed up to nearly every game. He had surgery before the Hayden game, and he was there the same day.”
Bradney’s cancer battle was not on the team’s radar prior to the season. It has caused the Trojans to see things differently, Lutz said.
“It was pretty tough for us. We had to really get together and really become a family right then and there and help him out,” Lutz said. “We have supported him. All our families have supported him. It’s tough what he’s going through, so we’ve just got to keep praying and hope for the best and surround him with good support.”
Donations to support the Bradney family can be made at www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-the-bradneys.
