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Created: 28 April 2021

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Dwayne Paul became intrigued with Hayden High boys basketball long before the Wildcats' coaching position opened up.

And when Torrey Head stepped down following the 2020-21 season, Paul knew that's where he wanted to be. 

Dwayne Paul

"There were so many things that attracted me to the Hayden job -- the tradition, the history, the support that you get,'' said Paul, a former Emporia State assistant coach who most recently served as head coach and athletic director at Lebo. "I was at Emporia State and I was on my way to Southwest Baptist and I stopped in to watch Hayden play Emporia High. It was just such a great atmosphere and I was like, "This is crazy. I'm not even coaching a game, I'm just sitting here watching, and I'm sweating like I'm actually in the game.'

"I wanted to be a part of that and when the opportunity presented itself I had to go full force for it.''

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Created: 27 April 2021

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Hayden's softball team suffered a big blow in Monday's doubleheader sweep over Junction City when standout sophomore pitcher Alyssa Droge suffered a potentially-serious knee injury in the first game.

But the Wildcats responded with a couple of big blows of their own in Tuesday's home twinbill against Class 6A opponent Manhattan, rallying from behind in both games to stretch their winning streak to 10 games with a 6-5, 8-7 sweep over the Indians, taking an eight-inning victory in the nightcap.

"When Alyssa got hurt in the first game yesterday, it took the wind out of all of us,'' Hayden coach Carvel Reynoldson said. "Today I felt like we had energy warming up, but when we were playing from behind we needed some sort of spark and we got it with some really good at-bats.''

Hayden begins its celebration as sophomore Maylee Burris (30) scores the winning run in the Wildcats' 8-7 eight-inning victory over Manhattan Tuesday at Hayden. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Hayden celebrates its 8-7 eight-inning, second-game win over Manhattan Tuesday at Hayden. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

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Created: 27 April 2021

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Hayden's girls soccer team suffered through a long day Monday and had a short turnaround from that 7-0 loss to Spring Hill to get ready to face Class 6A foe Topeka High on Tuesday at Hummer Sports Park.

The Wildcats got the bounce-back Centennial League win they were looking for, however, dominating the second half to take a 3-1 victory over the Trojans.

"We did take a beating yesterday and I think we played better and I think (the girls) took it to heart,'' Hayden coach Klaus Kreutzer said. "From a coaching standpoint it was good to see them doing things that we work on in practice.

"I think they had a lot more fun today and I think they're getting the idea.''

Topeka High's Avery Zimmerman (2) battles Hayden's Kate Roeder (15) for the ball in Tuesday's 3-1 Hayden win at Hummer Sports Park. Both players scored goals in the game. [Photo by Craig Strever/Special to TSN]

Hayden sophomores Sloane Sims (5) and Piper Wrench (14) celebrate the Wildcats' 3-1 soccer win over Topeka High Tuesday at Hummer Sports Park. Wrench scored midway through the second half to put Hayden ahead to stay. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

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Details

Created: 27 April 2021

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Zoe Caryl

ZOE CARYL, Topeka High

Caryl, a senior who will play collegiately at Illinois, went 9 of 11 with three doubles, a triple, a home run and 12 runs batted in as Topeka High's softball team remained unbeaten with a 10-0, 27-8 Centennial League doubleheader sweep over Emporia last Tuesday. 

Bethany Druse

BETHANY DRUSE, Seaman

The Viking sophomore continued her dominating season in the girls 800 meters Monday at Lawrence, posting a win in the Free State Barrier Breakers track and field meet in 2 minutes, 21.02 seconds, winning by nearly two seconds. Druse ranks among the top 10 in the state (all classes) in the 800.

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