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By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

JC Heim probably could have benefitted in some areas from redshirting his freshman football season at Washburn University last fall.

Former Washburn Rural star JC Heim is already a veteran for the Washburn University defense after seeing extensive action last fall as a true freshman. [File photo/TSN]

But the Ichabods benefitted a lot more from having the 6-foot-3, 225-pound sophomore inside linebacker on the field.

"Last year he was just too good not to play and we had a big need where he was playing,'' said first-year Washburn head coach Zach Watkins, who was Heim's defensive coordinator last fall. "Now, with a full year of college under his belt and a full summer of development and our new coaching staff getting him in the right position, he's been exactly what we want with our culture and the standard of his position on defense for this team.''

The former Washburn Rural star admitted that he had some self doubt when he first took the field for the Ichabods.

"At first it was tough,'' Heim said. "Personally, I didn't think I was ready even though the coaches and the players around me believed in me for sure. The biggest part is you've got to believe in yourself. 

"As I started getting out there, the guys around me, that's what we made me better. That's what made me get this experience. That's what made me get better each day in practice where by the end of the year I was doing a lot better than I did in the first game.''

Heim saw action in all 11 games for the 3-8 Ichabods last season with a pair of starts, finishing the year with 29 tackles (13 solo), two forced fumbles, a 58-yard fumble return and a season-high 10 stops against Central Missouri.

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By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Jadyn Baum, Washburn Rural

JADYN BAUM, Washburn Rural

A junior running back, Baum received All-Centennial League and TopSports.news All-Shawnee County honorable mention last fall and has the potential to be one of the top backs in the county this season. Baum was also a first-team all-county pick in wrestling last season, posting a third-place finish in the Class 6A state tournament at 190 pounds.

GRADY BERGMANN, Silver Lake

A senior, Bergmann will serve as a team captain for the Eagles this season and could be a starter on both sides of the ball for Silver Lake, which is coming off a 7-3 campaign. Bergmann received All-Big East honorable mention as a defensive back in 2024.

Xander Blasing, Hayden

XANDER BLASING, Hayden

A 6-foot-2, 225-pound senior tight end/linebacker, Blasing received All-Shawnee County Second 22 recognition last season as Hayden posted an 11-2 record and advanced to the Class 3A state championship game for the second straight season. Blasing was in on 67 tackles (39 solo) with nine tackles for loss, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a touchdown. 

TOBIAS BONURA, Cair Paravel Latin

Bonura will be looking to provide senior leadership for a Cair Paravel Latin team which is coming off a 2-7 2024 season in the Lions' first season in 11-man football (Class 1A). Bonura received All-Flint Hills second-team recognition at running back last fall and also received All-Shawnee County honorable mention.

Cameron Brian, Seaman

CAMERON BRIAN, Seaman

Brian, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound senior linebacker, was named to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 last season and named the county defensive newcomer of the year. Brian was also a first-team All-United Kansas Conference selection after registering 112 tackles with 10 tackles for loss for the 8-3 Vikings.

BROGEN BROWN, Seaman

A 6-1, 240 senior, Brown is a returning starter at offensive guard for Seaman, earning All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after helping the Vikings go 8-3 and capture the United Kansas Conference title in 2024.

Conner Bush, Rossville

CONNER BUSH, Rossville

A 5-foot-11, 176-pound senior running back/defensive back, Bush received All-Shawnee County Top 22 recognition last fall after helping power the Bulldawgs to an 8-4 record and the Class 1A semifinals. Bush rushed for 690 yards and 10 touchdowns last season and also was in on 120 tackles with nine tackles for loss. Bush received All-Big East honorable mention.

JACK DONOVAN, Rossville

A senior wide receiver/defensive back, Donovan earned second-team All-Shawnee County recognition last season and earned All-Big East honorable mention after helping the Bulldawgs post an 8-4 record and reach the Class 1A semifinals. Donovan is also a standout for the Bulldawgs in both golf and basketball, earning first-team All-Shawnee County recognition in both sports.

MYLES FISHER, Silver Lake

Fisher, a junior, received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after helping Silver Lake post a 7-3 record in the Eagles' first season in the Big East League.

AJ GALLEGOS, Shawnee Heights

A 5-9, 150 senior wide receiver, Gallegos received All-Shawnee County Second 22 and All-United Kansas Conference second-team recognition last fall for the 2-7 T-Birds. Gallegos caught 51 passes for 842 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior.

Connor Hanika, Hayden

CONNOR HANIKA, Hayden

Hanika, a 6-5, 190 senior, is in line to take over as the Wildcats' starting quarterback this fall after backing up Jett Wahlmeier last season. Hanika helped lead Hayden to the Class 3A state final as a sophomore after an injury to Wahlmeier and Hanika, who received all-county honorable mention, caught 24 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns last season as Hayden went 11-2 and returned to the title game.

Jordy Heim, Washburn Rural

JORDY HEIM, Washburn Rural

A senior linebacker, Heim earned second-team All-Centennial League recognition for the 3-6 Junior Blues last season and received All-Shawnee County honorable mention. 

John Hoytal, Washburn Rural

JOHN HOYTAL, Washburn Rural

Hoytal, a senior, took over as Washburn Rural's starting quarterback last fall, earning second-team All-Centennial League recognition and All-Shawnee County honorable mention. Hoytal was also a standout for the Rural basketball team, helping the Junior Blues reach the Class 6A state tournament.

ANDRE JOHNSON, Rossville

A 6-0, 211 senior fullback/linebacker, Johnson was a Second 22 All-Shawnee County selection last season after helping lead Rossville to an 8-4 record and the Class 1A state semifinals. Johnson received All-Big East honorable mention. 

Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake

DAYNE JOHNSON, Silver Lake

Johnson, a 6-2, 175 senior wide receiver/defensive back, earned All-Shawnee County Top 22 recognition last season for the 7-3 Eagles and was a first-team All-Big East selection on both offense and defense. Johnson caught 51 passes for 835 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024 and also picked off six passes on defense.

Noah Kobuszewski, Seaman

NOAH KOBUSZEWSKI, Seaman

Kobuszewski, a 6-4, 240 senior tight end, received All-Shawnee County Second 22 recognition last fall for the 8-3 Vikings, who captured the United Kansas Conference championship. Kobuszewski compiled 325 receiving yards and a touchdown as a junior.

Jude Krentz, Hayden

JUDE KRENTZ, Hayden

A 5-foot-8, 180-pound senior linebacker, Krentz was an All-Shawnee County Top 22 pick last season after registering 132 tackles for the 11-2 Wildcats, who advanced to the Class 3A championship game for the second straight season. Krentz also rushed for 128 yards on 21 attempts.

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By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

The ceremony to add 10 new members to the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame Saturday morning at Washburn University had as its theme the (not always) friendly rivalry between the University of Kansas and Kansas State. Seven of the inductees spent parts of their careers at one of those two schools, with three even bridging the gap between Lawrence and Manhattan.

Former Kansas State basketball standout and successful Division I coach Tim Jankovich (right) accepts his Kansas Sports Hall of Fame plaque from HOF chairman Jim Dunning Saturday at Washburn University. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN] 

The 2025 class of inductees took the stage in the Washburn University Union Ballroom to discuss their careers, their connections to Kansas, and the people who helped them succeed.

Based in Wichita, the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame held its induction ceremony in Topeka for the second consecutive year. Linda Hargrove, director of the organization, said after a good experience in Topeka last year, it made sense to hold the event in the Capital City again because so many of the inductees had ties to the state’s two major universities.

“Topeka is a great place to have this,” Hargrove said. “The class that’s being inducted helps determine where we will hold it to draw the most people and attract the most interest.”

Former NFL Most Valuable Player Larry Brown shares a laugh with the crowd during Saturday's Kansas Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Washburn University. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Track/cross country star Deb Pihl Torneden is introduced during Saturday's Kansas Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Washburn University. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Among the inductees were former K-State athletes Larry Brown (football) and Deb Pihl Torneden (track/cross country). Representing KU were Laverne Smith (football/track) and Clifford Wiley (track).

Former Kansas State assistant and Kansas head football coach Mark Mangino is interviewed during Saturday's Kansas Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Washburn University. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Having spent parts of their careers at both of Kansas’ major universities were Tim Jankovich (basketball), Mark Mangino (football) and Bobby Randall (baseball).

A native of Pennsylvania, Mangino said he was glad that he was recognized as worthy of the honor in Kansas. He served as an assistant at K-State before serving as Kansas’ head coach from 2002 to 2009.

“To coach at both those great schools, I consider myself twice lucky,” Mangino said. “I’m glad it all happened in Kansas. I probably couldn’t have put my finger on Kansas on a map before 1990. We came out here and it ended up being a great thing for us.”

Mangino, technically a member of the 2024 class of inductees, participated in the ceremony Saturday after not being to attend last year due to illness.

Other inductees were longtime official and coach J.C. Louderback, sportswriter Bob Lutz, and wrestler Kendric Maple.

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