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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Four years ago Orrin Busenitz started his college football career on the bottom rung of the Washburn University football ladder after a standout career at Shawnee Heights.
Former Shawnee Heights standout Orrin Busenitz, a former walk-on, has worked his way up the depth chart for Washburn football to become a mainstay on the offensive line. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
But through hard work and perseverance, the 6-foot-2, 295-pound junior right guard has progressed from walk-on status to becoming a mainstay on the Ichabods' offensive line, earning the respect of his coaches and teammates along the way.
"Since his freshman year he came in and earned himself a spot and passed guys up with his work ethic,'' Washburn first-year head coach Zach Watkins said. "He's what our 'Be The Standard' culture is all about because he sets a high standard in everything he does.
"At this level you've got guys who are 6-2 and you've got guys who are 6-7, but when you've got guys that work hard and do everything right and are a great teammate and student, you're eventually going to be on the field doing something.''
Busenitz said that despite challenges along the way he's very proud of what he's been able to accomplish at Washburn.
"The COVID year kind of messed everything up and I'm a little bit undersized, so I had to go the walk-on route,'' said Busenitz, who played in the Kansas Shrine Bowl after his senior season for the T-Birds. "This is always where I wanted to be. It was always a good, successful program and I'm just kind of a homebody.
"My philosophy, even in middle school and high school, has always been just to try and out-work everybody else and eventually good things will happen.''
After redshirting as a true freshman, Busenitz suffered a setback his second season when he broke his hand during fall camp. Busenitz fought back to earn some special team work later in the season before cracking the Ichabods' starting lineup last fall.
"That second year, with the hand and some life stuff, it all kind of got pretty tough and it was all starting to pile up a little bit, but hey, the hungry dogs, they run faster, so it just pushed me even further,'' Busenitz said.
"That third year I got my shot and was a starter and am hoping to keep that spot.''
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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 2-7 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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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The Zach Watkins era in Washburn University football will officially get under way on Monday when the Ichabods report to begin preseason preparations for the 2025 season.
First-year head coach Zach Watkins will welcome his Washburn Ichabod football team on Monday for the start of fall camp. [File photo/TSN]
And that start can't come too soon for Watkins, a former Ichabod All-America linebacker and longtime assistant coach.
"The summer flew by, but the last couple of weeks have kind of inched by because you're getting so close to camp and so close to everything else,'' Watkins said. "As those things kind of inch along together it just feels like it's taking forever, but Monday we report and we'll be ready to go.''
Although Monday is the official start of fall camp, Washburn's players have spent all summer on campus getting ready for this moment as the Ichabods look to improve on last season't 3-8 record (2-7 MIAA).
"We had our entire team here this summer,'' Watkins said. "The new strength coach (Clint Dominick) made it a priority and those guys knew what it took to win in the MIAA and we told them since January that they have to do these things to have a great summer, which hopefully leads into success in the fall.''
The Ichabods return 60 lettermen from the 2024 team, including six starters on offense and eight on defense.
Junior L.J. Minner Jr. (6-foot, 205 pounds) was a second-team All-MIAA defensive pick last fall after leading the Ichabods with 103 tackles (59 solo) while senior safety Jordan Finnesy (6-1, 210), who had 89 stops (44 solo), was a third-team all-conference selection on defense and junior offensive lineman Jakobe Harmon (6-3, 305) was a third-team pick on offense.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hailey Caryl, Topeka High
HAILEY CARYL, Topeka High
A sophomore, Caryl teamed with Ava Ritter to advance to the Class 6A state tournament in doubles last fall. Caryl and Ritter finished fourth in the city meet in No. 1 doubles, third in the Centennial League meet in doubles and fifth in 6A regional competition to advance to state.
Madeline Deters, Topeka High
MADELINE DETERS, Topeka High
Deters, a senior, earned a Class 6A state medal last season, posting an eighth-place singles finish. Deters placed third in the city meet in No. 1 singles, second in singles in the Centennial Laague tournament and third in 6A regional competition. Deters also qualified for state as a sophomore.
Grace Funk, Hayden
GRACE FUNK, Hayden
A senior, Funk has earned Class 4A state singles medals in three straight seasons for the Wildcats. Funk posted a career-best ninth-place singles finish last fall to help the Wildcats win the 4A team title. Funk finished second in the city meet in No. 2 singles and placed fifth in singles in the Centennial League tournament and third at regionals.
Molly Gorman, Seaman
MOLLY GORMAN, Seaman
Gorman, a senior, switched to singles last fall after earning back-to-back Class 5A doubles state medals as a freshman and sophomore. Gorman helped Seaman win United Kansas Conference and regional team titles with perfect team scores. Gorman was the city champion in No. 2 singles and also placed second in singles in UKC and regional competition before finishing 10th at state as the Vikings finished third as a team.
Peyton Henry, Seaman
PEYTON HENRY, Seaman
Henry, a senior, teamed with graduated senior Sydney Chinn last season to post a 12th-place state finish in Class 5A doubles. Henry and Chinn swept United Kansas Conference and regional doubles titles after finishing third in the city tournament in No. 1 doubles. Henry and Chinn helped thv Vikings record perfect team scores at league and regionals.
KAYLYN HIEBSCH, Seaman
Hiebsch, a junior, teamed with Camryn Lux to finish second in the city meet in No. 2 doubles and Hiebsch and Lux also finished second in doubles in the United Kansas Conference and regional tournaments as the Vikings won team titles in both tournaments with perfect team scores.
Julia Katzer, Washburn Rural
JULIA KATZER, Washburn Rural
Katzer, a junior, qualified for the Class 6A state tournament in singles last season, earning her state berth with a fifth-place regional finish while helping the Junior Blues win a regional team title. Katzer finished third in No. 2 singles in the city meet.
