By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural, which captured its 30th straight Centennial League boys championship (outright or shared) and finished third in the Class 6A state tournament, leads the 2024 Topeka All-City boys soccer team with four first-team picks.
Ryder Nikkel, Washburn Rural
Brandon Hamiton (14), Washburn Rural
Liam Morrison (4), Washburn Rural
Dylan Willingham, Washburn Rural
The Junior Blues are represented on the 16-member first team, selected by city coaches, by senior Ryder Nikkel (defense) and juniors Brandon Hamilton (defense), Liam Morrison (defense) and Dylan Willingham (midfield).
Valentin Del Real (3), Topeka West
Diego Gonzalez-Talavera, Topeka West
Jafet Rodriguez, Topeka West
Topeka West is represented on the All-City team by freshman Valentin Del Real (midfield), sophomore Diego Gonzalez-Talavera (forward) and senior Jafet Rodriguez (defense) while Charger coach Josh Kutter was named the 2024 city coach of the year after being named co-coach of the year in 2023.
Jaime Alvarado, Topeka High
Antonio Aguirre, Topeka High
Billy Lutz, Topeka High
Topeka High also put three players on the All-City team, with first-team repeat pick Jaime Alvarado (forward) joined by senior Antonio Aguirre (midfield) and junior Billy Lutz (goalkeeper).
Camden Granado (6), Shawnee Heights
Mason Haas, Shawnee Heights
Dalton Smith, Seaman
Logan Townsend, Seaman
Shawnee Heights is represented on the All-City team by junior Camden Granado (forward) and sophomore Mason Haas (midfield) while Seaman is represented by senior Dalton Smith (defense) and senior Logan Townsend (midfield).
Cooper Grace (18), Hayden
Hayden senior Cooper Grace (defense) earned All-City first-team honors for the second straight season while Highland Park junior Neri Diaz (midfield) rounds out the first team.
Aguirre, Granado, Lutz, Rodriguez, Nikkel and Willingham all moved up to the first team after receiving honorable mention in 2023.
Willingham was named the Centennial League player of the year this fall while Rural's Hamilton, Morrison and Nikkel and High's Alvarado, Aguirre and Lutz and Hayden's Grace were also first-team picks.
Seaman's Smith and Townsend, Topeka West's Del Real, Gonzalez-Talavera and Rodriguez and Shawnee Heights' Granado and Haas were all named All-United Kansas Conference first team and Highland Park's Diaz made the All-Meadowlark Conference first team.
2024 TOPEKA ALL-CITY SOCCER
First team
Name, school Class Position
Antonio Aguirre, Topeka High Sr. Midfield
Jaime Alvarado, Topeka High Sr. Forward
Valentin Del Real, Topeka West Fr. Midfield
Neri Diaz, Highland Park Jr. Midfield
Diego Gonzalez-Talavera, Topeka West So. Forward
Cooper Grace, Hayden Sr. Defense
Camden Granado, Shawnee Heights Jr. Forward
Mason Haas, Shawnee Heights So. Midfield
Brandon Hamilton, Washburn Rural Jr. Defense
Billy Lutz, Topeka High Jr. Goalkeeper
Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural Jr. Defense
Ryder Nikkel, Washburn Rural Sr. Defense
Jafet Rodriguez, Topeka West Sr. Defense
Dalton Smith, Seaman Sr. Defense
Logan Townsend, Seaman Sr. Midfield
Dylan Willingham, Washburn Rural Jr. Midfield
Honorable Mention
Cair Paravel Latin: Judah Congdon, so.; Nathan Keys, jr. Hayden: Preston Meitner, sr. Highland Park: Kevin Cardona, so. Seaman: Bryce Cochran, sr.; Kaelin Loy, sr.; Blake Toyne, sr. Shawnee Heights: Juan Garcia, jr.; Jason Slay, jr. Topeka High: Carlos Acosta-Martinez, so.; Ian Martinez, sr. Topeka West: Giancarlo Valenzuela, jr. Washburn Rural: Draden Chooncharoen, jr.; Miles Cook, jr.; Drew Moore, jr.
Coach of the Year -- Josh Kutter, Topeka West.
