By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
After advancing to the state tournament in one sport, claiming a state title in another and compiling a 4.11 grade point average, recent Seaman graduate JahnAsia Anderson was honored Wednesday night as TopSports.news' Topeka Shawnee County Most Inspiratonal Female Athlete.
Seaman product JahnAsia Anderson, named the 2021 Topeka Shawnee County Most Inspirational Female Athlete Wednesday night, is interviewed by Bruce Steinbrock. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Anderson went out for track and field for the first time as a senior and became a Class 5A state champion in the shot put and also was a starter for the Vikings' state qualifying basketball team.
"JahnAsia's work ethic is second to none,'' Seaman girls track coach Rick Brading said. "On most days she was the last one to come in from practice. For JahnAsia to win a state championship after being slowed by (an) elbow injury is just amazing.''
Anderson was also a four-year member of a Seaman basketball team that qualified for three straight state tournaments.
"Although undersized as a post player, she wasn't afraid to bang around and do the dirty work,'' Viking baksetball coach Matt Tinsley said.
Other Most Inspirational Female nominees:
JaNeysha Hendricks
JANEYSHA HENDRICKS | Topeka High
PARENTS: Antwaun and Nicole Jones
SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 3.4
The Trojans' point guard, Hendricks helped Topeka High post a pair of second-place finishes in the Class 6A basketball tournament as well as a semifinal berth in 2020 before the state tournament was canceled. "She is a true leader on and off the floor,'' Topeka High coach Hannah Alexander said. "She leads by example and is an amazing floor leader. Her stats are usually overlooked, but this girl makes everyone around her better. She has a knack for making passes that do not look like they should be there or be open.'' Hendricks, who averaged 4.5 assists her senior season, plans to attend Tabor College and play basketball for the Bluejays.
Abbey Manzanares
ABBEY MANZANARES | Shawnee Heights
PARENTS: Joel and Tammy Manzanares
SPORT: Wrestling and cheer | GPA: 4.3
Manzanares went out for wrestling as a senior and became a starter for a Shawnee Heights team that won the United Kansas Conference team championship. Manzanares was also part of three state championship cheer squads for the T-Birds. "Abbey is an all-around great athlete and person,'' Heights wrestling coach Chad Parks said. "In addition to cheer and wrestling, Abbey shines in the classroom and as a leader in the school.'' Manzanares, who plans to attend Washburn University, was the editor of the school newspaper, a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, Spirit Club and Student Council.
Kelly Mercer
KELLY MERCER | Washburn Rural
PARENTS: Kevin and Kathleen Mercer
SPORT: Wrestling | GPA: 3.53
Mercer was an All-City selection in 2021 for the two-time state-champion Junior Blues after backing up Rural state champ Dajia Anderson as a junior. "Kelly was the model of perseverance for our women's wrestling program,'' Washburn Rural coach Damon Parker said. "During her senior year Kelly was absolutely dominant, going 13-3 with wins over five different ranked wrestlers from Division I and Division II. As a team captain in the last dual of the regular season she suffered severe ligament damage to her foot, effectively ending her wrestling career. However, she kept coming to practice on crutches and in a boot, serving as an additional coach in the room.''
Callie Moore
CALLIE MOORE | Hayden
PARENTS: Eric and Bridgette Moore
SPORT: Basketball | GPA: 4.53
Moore was a key player for Hayden's girls basketball team. "Callie is always an inspiration for those around her,'' Wildcat coach Carvel Reynoldson said. "She is one of the hardest workers and best examples that her teammates could ever ask for. Callie is the first to practice and the last to leave. She is selfless and constantly puts her body on the line as she takes a tremendous amount of charges. She is a quiet leader and her personality has blossomed the last couple years.''
