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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden girls soccer's second game of the season proved to be a lot tougher than its opener, an 8-0 road romp past Cair Paravel Latin last Friday.
Sophomore Hailey Schmidtlein (19) celebrates her second-half goal, off a corner kick from senior Grace Funk (2), in Tuesday's 3-2 Hayden non-league win over Lawrence Free State. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
But the Wildcats got the job done, going wire to wire for a 3-2 win over Class 6A Lawrence Free State in Tuesday's home-opener.
"It was a pretty physical game and I think that caught us a little bit unaware to begin with,'' Hayden coach Klaus Kreutzer said. "It took us 15, 20 minutes to get untracked and give (Free State) credit, I think they're a good team.
"But I think we held our own at the end. I think it gives us momentum for the team and I think it's good for them because we've got some new players, and after that first game, this was probably a good result and a good team to play because we're going to play some physical teams and the sooner we learn the better off we're going to be.''
Senior Carsyn Broxterman scored her sixth goal of the season in Hayden's 3-2 home non-league win over Free State Tuesday. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Hayden jumped out to a 1-0 lead at the 14:11 mark of the first half on a goal from senior Carsyn Broxterman, who now has six goals on the season.
The Wildcats, who got a shutout first half in goal from senior Lauren Borjon, were still nursing that one-goal advantage into the second half before sophomore Hailey Schmidtlein scored off a corner kick from senior Grace Funk with 30:12 remaining to put Hayden up 2-0.
Free State (1-2-1) got back within a goal at the 22:20 mark of the second half on a shot from senior Madeleine Landry, but Hayden picked up some insurance on an own goal with 11:28 remaining.
Free State converted a penalty kick from senior Cara Jeffries with 1:18 remaining to cut its deficit to 3-2, but the Wildcats were able to run out the clock to finish out the win.
The Wildcats will be back in action Wednesday, traveling to Lansing for a non-league game.
HAYDEN 3, LAWRENCE FREE STATE 2
Free State (1-2-1) 0 2 -- 2
Hayden (2-0) 1 2 -- 3
Free State -- Goals: Madeleine Landry, Cara Jeffries.
Hayden -- Goals: Carsyn Broxterman, Hailey Schmidtlein, own goal.
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By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural baseball followed up a strong weekend in Kansas City with a home Centennial League doubleheader sweep of Topeka High Tuesday to improve its record to 5-0.
Senior Gavin Payne threw a three-hit shutout Tuesday in Washburn Rural's 14-0 first-game win over Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
The Junior Blues got a five-inning shutout from senior Gavin Payne in the opening contest, then rolled out three pitchers who one-hit the Trojans in the nightcap as Washburn Rural collected wins of 14-0 and 12-0, both of which lasted five innings.
Last Saturday Washburn Rural defeated Kansas City, Mo.-Rockhurst 8-1 and Olathe South 3-0. Junior Blues coach Jay Mastin complimented his team’s performance in those contests.
Mastin said Payne’s work against Topeka High was so good, the coach had to tweak his game plan.
“He did a great job. He did everything we asked from him today,” Mastin said of Payne. “Our plan was to throw two or three guys (in the first) game, but he was pretty efficient in his innings, so we just stuck with him.”
Payne permitted Topeka High a single in each of his first three innings. He was the beneficiary of inning-ending double plays in the fourth and fifth innings. His final line included three hits, three walks and four strikeouts.
“I was just working my pitches, working the zone,” Payne said. “I’ve got a great defense behind me, so I just throw strikes and they’ll back me up.”
Washburn Rural senior Drew Moore slides safely into base in Tuesday's double-header sweep over Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
After a scoreless first inning to start the day, the Junior Blues put up four, four and six runs in their next three innings. Austin Ditch provided a bases-loaded double that plated three in the second. Drew Moore led off the third inning with a triple. Dominic Nimz collected two hits, including a fourth-inning double.
Payne admitted getting that kind of run support is a lift.
“Everything feels a lot better,” Payne said. “You’ve got more confidence going into each inning. It really helps out there.”
Washburn Rural junior Kyran Smith struck out five batters in two innings in Tuesday's double-header sweep over Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
For the second game, Mastin ran out three pitchers, with dominating effect. Isaac Ansley started the game and recorded three strikeouts in two scoreless innings. He gave way to Kyran Smith, who struck out five in two frames. Cody Stafford slammed the door, striking out all three Trojans he faced in the fifth inning. Following a leadoff single to start the game, the Junior Blues allowed only a walk in the third inning.
“We like the momentum that we’ve got going,” Mastin said. “We couldn’t start the season better than this all the way around. Our pitchers have done a great job. Our defense has been solid, and offense has been putting the pressure on the other team by getting some big hits and being aggressive on the bases.”
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Brody Anderson, Seaman
BRODY ANDERSON, Seaman
Seaman senior Brody Anderson placed third in the Class 5A 800 meters in 1 minute, 55.52 seconds last spring, earning All-Shawnee County first-team recognition. Also a three-time all-county pick and former 5A state medalist in cross country, Anderson opened his 2026 track season with a sweep of the 1,600 (4:22.82) and 3,200-meter runs (9:27.73) in Friday's Topeka High Invitational.
DRADEN CHOONCHAROEN, Washburn Rural
Chooncharoen, a senior, is a two-time Class 6A state champion, running on the Junior Blues' winning 4x400-meter relay team as a sophomore and a junior and earning a spot on the 2024 and 2025 All-Shawnee County first team. The Junior Blues set a 6A state meet record in the 4x4 last season, clocking a time of 3:16.23. Chooncharoen also helped lead Rural to the 6A state soccer championship last fall.
JACK ESSER, Seaman
A junior, Esser earned All-Shawnee County first-team honors last season after tying for fourth in the Class 5A high jump at 6-foot-2. Esser finished second in a 5A regional at 6-2 and won the city high jump championship with a personal-record jump of 6-5.
CHRISTIAN HARTMAN-BABB, Washburn Rural
Hartman-Babb, a junior, was a first-team All-Shawnee County pick last season after turning in a solid season for the city-champion Junior Blues in the sprints and high hurdles. Hartman-Babb ranked second in the county in both the 100-meter dash and the 110 hurdles in 2025.
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural
BROOKS KEHOE, Washburn Rural
Kehoe, a senior, is a returning Class 6A state medalist, placing fifth in the 3,200 meters in 2025 in a time of 9:20.97 and earning All-Shawnee County first-team recognition. A three-time all-county pick in cross country, Kehoe helped lead the Junior Blues to the 6A state team title by a single point (100-101) over Blue Valley last fall. Kehoe won the Centennial League individual title and finished second in the city meet before posting a 25th-place finish at state.
Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural
HENRY LAUBACH, Washburn Rural
Laubach, a sophomore, had a breakout season as a freshman in both cross country and track before returning from an injury to help lead the Junior Blues to the Class 6A state cross country championship last fall by a 100-101 margin over Blue Valley. Laubach led Washburn Rural with a 22nd-place individual finish. Laubach is a two-time All-Shawnee County honoree in cross country and received honorable mention in track last spring.
KELTON MEIER, Hayden
A junior, Meier earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after leading Shawnee County in the javelin. Meier was the city champion in 2025 and opened his 2026 season with an outstanding winning throw of 197 feet, 2 inches in Friday's Topeka High Invitational, winning the event by more than 49 feet. Meier is also a bowling standout for the Wildcats, placing sixth in Class 4A-1A with a 717 series.
JOEL MILLER, Silver Lake
Miller, a senior, earned a spot on the 2025 All-Shawnee County first team after teaming with then-seniors Trent Rollenhagen and Evan Scheid and then-junior Braxton Rupp to post a third-place finish in the Class 3A 4x100-meter relay in 42.57 seconds.
Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural
LIAM MORRISON, Washburn Rural
Morrison won the Class 6A championship in the 300-meter hurdles in 37.68 seconds before teaming with then-seniors Isaiah Terry and Matthew Houser and then-junior Draden Chooncharoen for a 6A meet-record time of 3:16.23 in the 4x400 relay. A three-time All-Shawnee County pick, Morrison also helped win the state 4x4 title as a sophomore in 2024. Morrison placed sixth in the 6A 110 hurdles (14.52) last spring.
BRAXTON RUPP, Silver Lake
A senior, Rupp earned a spot on the 2025 All-Shawnee County first team after teaming with then-seniors Trent Rollenhagen and Evan Scheid and then-junior Joel Miller to post a third-place finish in the Class 3A 4x100-meter relay in 42.57 seconds.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
JURNEE COLE, Highland Park
Cole, a senior, was one of the city's top sprinters last spring, ranking second in the 100-meter dash (12.75 seconds) and fifth in the 200 (26.68). An All-Shawnee County honorable mention pick in 2025, Cole opened her 2026 season in last Friday's Topeka High Invitational with second-place finishes in the 100 (12.72) and 200 (27.34) and a third in the 400 (66.88).
KARYS DEITER, Silver Lake
A sophomore state champion in volleyball and basketball for the Eagles, Deiter received All-Shawnee County first-team recognition last season after posting an eighth-place finish in the Class 3A state meet in the 100-meter hurdles in 16.74 seconds. Deiter ranked No. 3 in Shawnee County in the 100 dash and the 100 hurdles. Deiter also helped lead Silver Lake to the Class 3A volleyball title last fall and the state basketball championship this past season.
RYLEE DICK, Rossville
Dick, a senior, was an All-Shawnee County first-team selection last season after finishing eighth in Class 2A in the 100-meter hurdles in 16.77 seconds. Dick ranked fourth in Shawnee County in the 100 hurdles and third in the 300 hurdles. Dick was also a first-team all-county pick in basketball.
ALI GERBER, Silver Lake
A junior, Gerber, earned All-Shawnee County first-team honors in track last spring and was an all-county pick in cross country last fall. Gerber teamed with Ellen Doty, Jaylie Whitehead and Ella Bolan to finish sixth in the Class 3A 4x400-meter relay last spring in track and placed 35th in state cross country last fall. Gerber was a member of Silver Lake's 3A state championship 4x400 relay team in the 2024 state meet (4:06.64).
EMILY GRAF, Washburn Rural
An All-Shawnee County selection in both cross country and track, Graf teamed with then-seniors Rylee Ismert, Brooklyn Nolte and Payton Fink finished second in the Class 6A 4x800 relay (9:29.84) in the 2025 state track meet. A three-time first-team All-Shawnee County pick in cross country, Graf garnered the individual city title last fall before finishing eighth in the Centennial League, fifth in a 6A regional meet and 30th at state.
SOFIA HARPER, Hayden
Harper, a junior, is a three-time first-team All-Shawnee County pick in cross country and received all-county honorable in track last spring. Harper posted a seventh-place individual finish in the city cross country championships last fall, placed 16th in the Centennial League meet and 12th in Class 4A regional competition and was 44th at state. Harper opened her 2026 track season in Friday's Topeka High Inivitational with wins in the 200-meter dash (27.00) and 400 (62.39).
ALYSON HINCK, Washburn Rural
The Washburn Rural freshman was the individual runnerup in the city cross country meet for the team-champion Junior Blues and placed sixth in the Centennial League, eighth in Class 6A regional competition and a team-high 25th in the state meet.
KENZIE MADDOX, Washburn Rural
Maddox, a senior, is a two-time first-team All-Shawnee County pick in cross country and was an all-county first-team honoree in track last spring. Maddox finished fourth last fall in the city cross country meet before placing 14th in the Centennial League, 16th in a Class 6A regional and 49th in the 6A state meet.
Keimara Marshall, Topeka High
KEIMARA MARSHALL, Topeka High
A senior, Marshall has established herself as one of the area's top sprinters, earning first-team All-Shawnee County honors and sweeping the 100 and 200-meter dashes in the 2025 Joe Schrag City Championships. A former Class 6A state medalist, Marshall helped lead the Trojans to 6A state quarterfinals in basketball.
Ryin Miller, Seaman
RYIN MILLER, Seaman
Miller, who has been recovering from an injury that limited her to just one cross country meet last fall, has won five Class 5A state track titles over the past two seasons, sweeping the 3,200 meters in 10 minutes, 19.53 seconds, the 1,600 meters in 4:57.33 and the 800 in 2:11.14 in the 2025 state meet and adding a fourth state medal when she anchored the Vikings' 4x400 relay to a fourth-place finish (4:03.44). Miller made her 2026 debut Thursday with a win in the 800 at Washburn Rural.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
When I first covered Gary Woodland back in 1998, it sometimes seemed like success came easy for the Shawnee Heights multi-sport star.
I saw Woodland lead the T-Birds to Class 5A state basketball championships in 2000 and 2002 while he also captured three city boys golf titles.
Woodland also turned in an impressive basketball season for Washburn before opting to concentrate on golf and prior to high school Woodland was also a baseball star, which his father, Dan, told me might have been Gary's best sport.
Of course, it wasn't easy then -- with Woodland's success a combination of talent and an incredible work ethic and support system -- and it certainly isn't easy now, with Woodland batting through brain surgery and an ongoing battle with post-traumatic stress disorder that would have ended the careers of most athletes long ago.
But Woodland proved in Sunday's Houston Open that he still has what it takes to win, coming through with an emotional five-stroke victory -- his fifth tour win and first since his three-stroke 2019 U.S. Open triumph.
It was a victory for the ages, and should provide inspiration for those inside and out of sports in a time that good news seems to be increasingly harder to come by.
The 41-year-old Woodland's emotions bubbled over after he sank his final putt and especially when he engaged in a long, tearful hug with Gabby, his wife and mother of the couple's three children.
“We play an individual sport out here, but I wasn’t alone today,” Woodland told NBC after his win at 21-under-par. “I got a lot of people behind me, my team, my family and this golf world.
"Anybody that’s struggling with something, I hope they see me and don’t give up. Just keep fighting.”
Woodland received his brain tumor diagnosis in May of 2023 and underwent brain surgery later in the year to remove part of the tumor.
And just recently Woodland went public to discuss his battle with PTSD, which is related to his brain surgery. Woodland received the PGA Tour Courage Award last month.
Sunday's victory moved Woodland to No. 51 in the world, his highest ranking in five years, and punched his ticket to the upcoming Masters.
“Today was a good day, but I’m going to keep fighting,” Woodland told NBC after setting the tournament scoring record. “I’ve got a big fight ahead of me, and I’m going to keep going. But I’m proud of myself right now.”
The rest of the world, and particularly his hometown of Topeka, should be proud, too.
