By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
ANTONIO AGUIRRE, Highland Park
A senior, Aguirre has been one of the top players in the Meadowlark Conference for Highland Park the past two seasons, earning first-team all-conference honors as a sophomore and junior. Aguirre received All-City honorable mention last fall after the Scots posted a 4-13-0 record.
JAIME ALVARADO, Topeka High
A senior forward, Alvarado earned first-team All-City and All-City recognition last season for the Trojans, who posted a 7-10-0 record. Alvarado received All-City and All-Centennial League honorable mention as a sophomore in 2022.
DRADEN CHOONCHAROEN, Washburn Rural
A junior midfielder, Chooncharoen had four goals and four assists and received second-team All-Centennial League honors last fall as Washburn Rural (19-2) won its 29th straight Centennial League title (outright or shared) and finished third in Class 6A. A three-sport standout, Chooncharoen was a 4x400-meter relay state champion this past spring in track.
COOPER GRACE, Hayden
A senior defender, Grace was a first-team All-Centennial League pick and earned All-City honorable mention last season for the 6-8-3 Wildcats. An All-Stater in baseball, Grace led the Wildcats to the Class 3A state title this past spring and has made an oral commitment to Nebraska.
CAMDEN GRANADO, Shawnee Heights
A junior forward, Granado helped Shawnee Heights, who went 10-8-1 on the season, reach the Class 5A state quarterfinals last fall. Granado received All-City honorable mention as a sophomore for the T-Birds.
BRANDON HAMILTON, Washburn Rural
Hamilton, a junior midfielder, received All-Centennial League second-team honors last fall after helping Rural (19-2) win its 29th straight league title (outright or shared) on the way to a third-place finish in Class 6A. Hamilton missed considerable time with an injury in 2023, contributing one goal and one assist.
KAELIN LOY, Seaman
Loy, a senior midfielder, was a first-team All-City selection last fall for the 7-9-1 Vikings while also receiving All-United Kansas Conference honorable mention. Loy received All-City honorable mention as a sophomore in 2022.
BILLY LUTZ, Topeka High
A junior, Lutz has been the starting goalkeeper for Topeka High since his freshman season. Lutz received All-City and All-Centennial League honorable mention in 2023 for the 7-10-0 Trojans after being named the Centennial League newcomer of the year and earning second-team All-Centennial League honors as a freshman.
PRESTON MEITNER, Hayden
Meitner, a senior, was a key player for the Wildcats last season, earning All-City and All-Centennial League honorable mention after helping Hayden post a 6-8-3 record.
LIAM MORRISON, Washburn Rural
Morrison, a junior defender, received All-Centennial League honorable mention last season after helping 19-2-0 Washburn Rural win its 29th straight Centennial League championship (outright or shared) and post a third-place finish in the Class 6A state tournament. Morrison, who scored four goals with three assists in 2023, was also a Class 6A state champion in the 4x400-meter relay this past spring in track and field.
RYDER NIKKEL, Washburn Rural
A senior defender, Nikkel received first-team All-Centennial League honors last fall after helping the Junior Blues (19-2-0) win their 29th straight league championship (outright or shared) and finish third in the Class 6A state tournament. Nikkel, who had a goal and an assist, received All-City honorable mention last season and will serve as a team captain this fall..
JAFET RODRIGUEZ, Topeka West
Rodriguez, a senior defender, earned second-team All-United Kansas Conference recognition for the Chargers last season while also receiving All-City honorable mention. Rodriguez helped lead Topeka West to a 7-10-0 record.
TAGEN RODRIGUEZ, Hayden
A senior, Rodriguez is being counted on to provide leadership for the Wildcats this fall after Hayden went 6-8-3 in 2023. Rodriguez is also a golf standout, tying for 23rd place and helping Hayden finish fourth as a team in the Class 3A state meet this past spring.
BLAKE TOYNE, Seaman
A senior forward, Toyne received All-City and All-United Kansas Conference honorable mention last season for the Vikings, who are coming off a 7-9-1 record a year ago.
DYLAN WILLINGHAM, Washburn Rural
Willingham, a junior midfielder, received second-team All-Centennial League recognition and All-City honorable mention last fall after scoring 12 goals with seven assists while helping the 19-2 Junior Blues finish third in Class 6A and win their 29th straight league title (outright or shared). Willingham was a also state doubles medalist in tennis this past spring.