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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Former Topeka West track and cross country star Lenny Njoroge was named the Topeka Shawnee County Most Inspirational Male Athlete Wednesday night at Washburn University.
Recent Topeka West graduate Lenny Njoroge was named the Topeka Shawnee County Most Inspirational Male Athlete of the Year Wednesday night at Washburn. [File photo/TSN]
Njoroge ended his high school career as a multi-time Class 5A state medalist in both cross country and track, bouncing back from a serious leg injury as a sophomore to finish fourth in cross county and post second and fourth-place state finishes in track as a senior.
"Lenny broke both bones (tibia and fibula) of his lower leg during track his sophomore year playing club soccer,'' Topeka West cross country/track coach Donnie Palmer said. "Lenny had to go through rehabilitation for seven to eight months before he could return to running.
"Lenny worked hard and came back stronger and faster for track his junior year. He continued his hard work last summer in preparation for his senior year (of cross country and soccer). Lenny is a true inspiration to our school, program and the community.''
Njoroge will run cross country and track at Kansas.
The son of Kimani Franci, Njoroge compiled a grade point average of 3.776 at Topeka West.
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By RICK PETERSONTopSports.news
Recent Hayden graduate Alyssa Droge was named the Topeka Shawnee County Most Inspirational Female Athlete Wednesday night at Washburn University.
Recent Hayden graduate Alyssa Droge was named the Topeka Shawnee County Most Inspirational Female Wednesday night at Washburn. [File photo/TSN]
Droge battled through three knee surgeries and a cancer fight to put together an outstanding softball career for Hayden.
Droge suffered anterior cruciate ligament injuries as a freshman and sophomore and and had a third injury (slight ACL tear/meniscus) in July of 2022.
In August of 2021 Droge was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, resulting in six months of chemotherapy.
Droge officially began remission in January, 2022.
"Alyssa is not only a leader on the field but also serves as a constant inspiration for the entire progam,'' Hayden softball coach Cody Reynolds said. "I get goosebumps and it makes me emotional because I'm really close with Alyssa and I'm really close to her family and I can't say enough about how strong she is.
"It's unbelievable to see her out here and I can't say enough about her.''
The daughter of Tony and Paula Droge, Alyssa compiled a high school grade point average of 4.05.
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By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
Four new inductees joined the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame Wednesday night in a ceremony at Washburn University.
Professional bowler Chris Barnes, basketball standout Crystal Kemp, longtime coach Kevin Bordewick and sportswriter Rick Peterson took turns sharing what the honor meant to them.
The 2023 Topeka Shawnee County Hall of Fame class, from left -- Rick Peterson, Kevin Bordewick, Crystal Kemp and Chris Barnes. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame inductee Chris Barnes (left) begins his induction speech Wednesday night at Washburn University. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Famers pose for a pictue after Wednesday's induction ceremonies at Washburn University. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The Hall of Fame induction was held in conjunction with the Topeka Shawnee County High School Sports Awards.
Washburn Rural’s Brooklyn DeLeye was named Female Athlete of the Year and Highland Park’s Tre Richardson received the Male Athlete of the Year award.
Receiving Most Inspirational Female and Male Athletes of the Year were Alyssa Droge of Hayden and Lenny Njoroge of Topeka West.
Njoroge, who will continue his running career at the University of Kansas, said combining recognition of young athletes and hall of fame inductees in the same event was meaningful.
“It really opens up your mind to see all these great people from Topeka who are known worldwide,” Njoroge said. “They’re pros, they’re hall of famers in other places as well so It really gives you motivation that pushes you forward. If these people from Topeka can do it, why can’t a kid from Kenya do it?
“Everybody in Topeka is behind you. I’m very thankful for everyone here and for the city of Topeka.”
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka West tennis stars Ian and Miles Cusick, who won their second straight Class 5A state doubles championship while leading Topeka West to its first-ever boys state tennis team title, were selected as the Topeka Shawnee County Spring Male Athletes of the Year Wedneday night at Washburn University.
Topeka West twin brothers Miles (right) and Ian Cusick won their second straight Class 5A state doubles championship this spring, leading the the Chargers to their first boys team title. [File photo/TSN]
The Cusicks posted a 104-14 career doubles record while earning their state titles in 2022 and 2023.
After losing their freshman season to COVID-19, the Cusicks went 29-6 as sophomores, 37-4 as juniors and 38-4 as seniors.
Ian and Miles placed ninth in the state tournament in 2021 before claiming the two state titles.
The Cusicks led Topeka West to a second-place team finish in 2022 before leading the Chargers to their first-ever boys team title this past spring.
Ian and Miles swept city, Centennial League, regional and state championships as juniors and seniors and are both members of the National Honor Society and Academic All-State honorees.
The sons of Michael and Kamela Cusick, Ian will attend the University of Kansas while Miles will attend Kansas State. Miles Cusick compiled a 4.296 grade point aveage at West while Ian had a 4.288 GPA.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural softball star Emmerson Cope and Rossville state champ Brinley Dyche were selected as Topeka Shawnee County Co-Spring Female Athletes of the Year Wednesday night at Washburn University.
Washburn Rural product Emmerson Cope has been named the Topeka Shawnee County Co-Female Spring Athlete of the Year. [File photo/TSN]
Brinley Dyche, who helped lead Rossville to the Class 3A state softball championship this spring, was named the Topeka Shawnee County Co-Female Spring Athlete of the Year Wednesday night. [File photo/TSN]
Cope helped lead Rural to back-to-back runnerup finishes in the Class 6A state tournament as a junior and senior while Dyche helped lead Rossville to the 3A state title, the Bulldawgs' first championship in 23 years.
Cope put together one of the top careers in Washburrn Rural history, helping lead the Junior Blues to three state tournaments in her three high school seasons.
Cope batted .588 over the 2023 season (through regionals) with 15 home runs and 41 runs batted in.
Cope posted a 12-2 record in the pitching circle (through regionals) with a 1.5 earned run average and 142 strikeouts in 88.2 innings.
She was named the Centennial League player of the year as a junior and senior and the Shawnee County player of the year as a senior after sharing that honor as a junior.
Cope set Washburn Rural records for single-season and career home runs and will play college softball at Nebraska.
The daughter of Wayne Cope and Laura Parker, Cope compiled a cumulative grade point average of 4.113.
Dyche picked up all three pitching wins in the 3A state tournament as Rossville captured its its first state championship since 2000.
Dyche received first-team All-3A and All-Shawnee County honors as a senior and received All-Mid-East League recognition all three seasons of her high school career.
"She is a great team leader and has been for a couple years,'' Rossville coach John Nitsch said. "She was part of her team getting two regional then a fourth at state last year and a 3A state title this year.
"Not only does she excel on the softball field she does in anything she is involved in, including her academics. She will really be missed at RHS.''
Dyche was 11-3 in 2023 with a 2.386 earned run average.
The daughter of Gid and Kristy Dyche, Brinley compiled a high school grade point average of 4.0.
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