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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
WICHITA -- Shawnee Heights sophomore star Jeremiah Smith established himself as one of the state's premier track performers right out of the gate this spring and, except for being forced to nurse a midseason injury, never looked back.
Still, the T-Bird star sprinter/hurdler wasn't necessarily expecting the kind of day he had Thursday in the Class 5A state track and field championships at Cessna Stadium.
Smith started his big day with a win in the 110-meter high hurdles and then edged Hays standout Jaren Kanak in both the 100 and 200-meter dashes to go three for three in his state track debut.
"I'm a bit surprised," said Smith, who returned to action the final two weeks of the 2021 season after recovering from a slight groin injury. "It does mean a lot, especially going against the best in the state.''
Shawnee Heights sophomore Jeremiah Smith cools off after one of his six race wins (preliminaries and finals) in Thursday's Class 5A state meet at Wichita. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
WICHITA -- Seaman senior shot-putter JahnAsia Anderson had been solid in her first and only track and field season, including a fourth-place finish in the city meet and a runner-up showing in Class 5A regional competition.
But the thought of winning a state championship was probably a pipe dream ... until Thursday that is.
Anderson surpassed her previous career-best by more than a foot and a half with a throw of 37 feet, 7 inches, taking the 5A title by nearly a foot over Great Bend junior Taryn Warren (36-8.25).
![Seaman senior JahnAsia Anderson won the Class 5A girls shot put championship with a personal-record throw of 37 feet, 7 inches. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]](/images/aa-images/E2e7Pe2XEAE3KNk.jpg)
Seaman senior JahnAsia Anderson won the Class 5A girls shot put championship with a personal-record throw of 37 feet, 7 inches. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"I didn't expect this at all, but I'm just really happy that this is the outcome,'' Anderson said.
"My coach (Jayce Brack) was really enthusiastic throughout the whole process and he made me stay calm because I was really nervous, but for my first year, not too bad.''
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
WICHITA -- As a freshman back in 2018, Washburn Rural hurdler Marquel Russell flashed his potential, placing second in Class 6A in the 110-meter hurdles.
Russell delivered on that potential Thursday at Cessna Stadium in his final state meet, claiming a state championship in the 110s in 14.79 seconts.
And although it might not have shown on the outside, Russell was thriilled to finally claim a state title.
"I felt the excitement inside me, but I know it's kind of rude to like go, 'Yeah,' or something like that, so I've always kept my excitement inside me,'' Russell said.
Washburn Rural's Marquel Russell finished off his senior season with a Class 6A state championship in the 110-meter hurdles Thursday at Wichita's Cessna Stadium. [File photo/TSN]
Russell had burst on the state scene when he claimed the state runner-up position his freshman season in 14.91 and viewed Thursday's race as a chance to show how much he's improved since then.
Russell finished fourth in the 110s as a sophomore (15.22) and posted a personal-best Thursday while Hutchinson's Stephon Hunter was second in 15.00
"I knew I've come a long ways from my freshman year and I've always felt it's better to go against fast competitors,'' Russell said. "That pushes me to get better.''
Russell was one of two Junior Blues to celebrate a state title Thursday, with junior Zsamar Sipple winning the long jump with a leap of 22 feet, 0 inches, as Washburn Rural finished fourth as a team with 40.50 points.
Washburn Rural junior Zsamar Sipple won the Class 6A long jump title Thursday at Wichita's Cessna Stadium.. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Sipple notched what proved to be his state-winning jump on his first attempt and then held on to get the win by a mere one and one-half inches over Centennial League rival Chales Jones of Manhattan, who jumped 21-10.50.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University freshman softball star Marrit Mead has been named a third-team NCAA Division II All-American at third base as voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America.
Washburn softball star Marrit Mead, a Santa Fe Trail product, has been named a third-team NCAA Division II softball All-American. [File photo/TSN]
Mead, a Santa Fe Trail product, is the first All-American selection for the Ichabod softball team since 2002.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Shawnee Heights sophomore Alex Valdivia turned in an impressive performance in his first state tournament, finishing sixth in the 36-hole Class 5A event at Sand Creek Station in Newton.
Valdivia shot a 4-over-par 76 in Monday's first round and was five shots better in Round 2, carding a 1-under 71 on Tuesday to finish with a two-day total of 147, eight shots behind senior state champion Nicklaus Mason of Mill Valley (71-68).
Shawnee Heights sophomore Alex Valdivia (right) earned a sixth-place medal in the Class 5A state golf tournament at Newton Tuesday. [Submitted]
