By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka West freshman soccer standout Valentin Del Real and Washburn Rural junior volleyball player Stella Kelly have been selected by the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency as the Rising Stars of the Week.
The Dan Key Agency will recognize top Shawnee County underclassmen throughout the bulk of the 2024-2025 school year.
Here’s a brief look at the accomplishments of Del Real and Kelly over the past week:
VALENTIN DEL REAL, Topeka West
Del Real has made an immediate impact for the Topeka West boys soccer team as a freshman midfielder.
Del Real helped the Chargers get off to a 7-2 start to the 2024 season, including a 2-1 non-league win over city and USD 501 rival Topeka High last Thursday.
The Topeka West standout contributed a goal and an assist in the Chargers' victory over the Trojans at Hummer Sports Park.
STELLA KELLY, Washburn Rural
Kelly, a 5-foot-10 junior setter, helped lead Washburn Rural's volleyball team to a perfect 5-0 record and its fourth straight Centennial League championship last Saturday at Topeka High.
Kelly contributed 140 assists on the day as the Junior Blues won 10 of 11 sets in the league tournament.
The Rural standout helped Washburn Rural improve to 18-2 on the 2024 season.