By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Jackson Esquibel

JACKSON ESQUIBEL, Shawnee Heights

A senior cross country star, Esquibel capped a sweep of city, United Kansas Conference, regional and Class 5A individual titles Saturday at Rim Rock Farm, capturing his first state cross country championship. A three-time 5A state medalist in cross country and a state champion in track, Esquibel posted a five-second victory in the state meet, clocking a five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 34.47 seconds.

Payton Fink

PAYTON FINK, Washburn Rural

Fink, a junior cross country standout, earned her third Class 6A state medal Saturday at Rim Rock Farm, posting a career-best second-place finish. Fink, the Centennial League and regional winner, was the runnerup to four-time state champion Anjali Hocker Singh of Olathe North, clocking a five-kilometer time of 18 minutes, 12.79 seconds. Fink finished fifth in the 2022 state meet and was 19th as a freshman in 2021.

Brooklyn Gormley

BROOKLYN GORMLEY, Seaman

A 6-foot-1 senior middle-hitter, Gormley was named to the Class 5A All-State Tournament team for the third time, helping lead Seaman to its first-ever 5A state volleyball championship Saturday at Salina. Gormley, who helped Seaman to a perfect 5-0 record at state, capped by a 25-19, 25-22 win over St. Thomas Aquinas in the state championship match, was also named to the All-United Kansas Conference first team.  

By RICK PETERSON

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Malachi Berg

MALACHI BERG, Topeka West

A junior quarterback, Berg rushed for one touchdown and threw for two TDs as Topeka West ended a long losing streak against USD 501 rival Topeka High with a 28-22 overtime victory. Berg rushed for 66 yards on 14 carries, including a 22-yard touchdown, and completed 12 of 19 passes for 197 yards and 13 and 60-yard TDs.

Madeline Carter

MADELINE CARTER, Washburn Rural

Carter, a junior, captured the individual girls title in Saturday's Class 6A regional cross country meet at Milford State Park, clocking a five-kilometer time of 18 minutes, 46.20 seconds. Carter led a 1-2-3 finish by the Junior Blues for the fourth straight meet, with Rural winning the regional team championship by a 41-52 margin over Manhattan.

Branton DeWeese

BRANTON DeWEESE, Washburn Rural

A sophomore quarterback, DeWeese completed 11 of 18 passes for 294 yards and four touchdown passes as 7-1 Washburn Rural clinched a share of the Centennial League championship with a 42-31 victory over Seaman. DeWeese threw for 9, 84, 24 and 20-yard touchdowns in the win.

James Letcher Jr.

JAMES LETCHER JR., Washburn University

Letcher put Washburn ahead to stay with a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown with 3:10 remaining as the Ichabods went on to take a 29-17 MIAA win at Central Oklahoma, improving to 6-2 with their third straight victory. Letcher also caught five passes and had 186 all-purpose yards in the Washburn win.

Tanner Newkirk

TANNER NEWKIRK, Hayden

The defending Class 4A state cross country champion, Hayden's senior star won a Class 4A boys individual regional title Saturday at the Kanza Park course, posting a five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 16.67 seconds to win by 54 seconds. Newkirk led the Wildcats to a second-place team finish and a state team berth.

Kory Sutton

KORY SUTTON, Shawnee Heights

A junior, Sutton won his first individual regional title, clocking a five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 45.01 seconds in the Class 5A regional at the Kanza Park course. Sutton led Shawnee Heights to a second-place team finish and a berth in the 5A state meet at Augusta.

By RICK PETERSON

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 Jesiah Bonura

JESIAH BONURA, Cair Paravel Latin

A senior football standout, Bonura compiled 435 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns in last Friday's 74-28 win over Maranatha Academy as Cair Paravel wrapped up a 6-2 regular season in just the Lions' second season as a full KSHSAA member in football. Bonura had four kickoff returns for 195 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for 193 yards and two TDs on five carries and caught four passes for 47 yards and a TD.

Jackson Esquibel

JACKSON ESQUIBEL, Shawnee Heights

Esquibel, a senior cross country star, capped a sweep of city, United Kansas Conference and Class 5A regional individual titles Saturday at Shawnee North Community Center. A two-time 5A state medalist in cross country and a state champion in track, Esquibel posted a 53-second victory in the regional meet, clocking a five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 46.02 seconds.

Payton Fink

PAYTON FINK, Washburn Rural

Fink, a junior cross country standout, followed up her Centennial League individual title with a 10-second win Saturday at Wichita, helping the Junior Blues post a sweep of city, Centennial League and regional team championships. Fink, who placed fifth in the Class 6A state meet as a sophomore, clocked a winning five-kilometer time of 18 minutes, 01.20 seconds in the regional meet.

By RICK PETERSON

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Jaren Heim

JAREN HEIM, Washburn Rural

A 6-foot-2, 215-pound senior outside linebacker, Heim scored a pair of defensive touchdowns as Washburn Rural football improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the Centennial League last Friday night with a 28-7 road win over Junction City. Heim recovered a Blue Jay fumble in the end zone for a touchdown and also scored a touchdown off a blocked punt by his brother, JC.

JC Heim

JC HEIM, Washburn Rural

Heim, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound senior outside linebacker, was a defensive force throughout Friday night's 28-7 Centennial League football win at Junction City as Washburn Rural improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the Centennial League. Heim, who also plays running back for the Junior Blues, blocked a punt that his brother, Jaren, returned for a touchdown and he returned a fumble 77 yards for a touchdown after a Packson Bettis sack.

Tanner Martin

TANNER MARTIN, Silver Lake

Martin, Silver Lake's 6-foot-1, 180-pound senior quarterback, had a hand in five touchdowns in the Eagles' 42-28 Class 3A District 3 road football victory over rival Rossville. Martin carried the ball 20 times for 157 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 134 yards and a pair of TDs. Martin also helped Silver Lake successfully convert three 2-point conversions as the Eagles improved to 4-1 on the season.

By RICK PETERSON

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Madeline Carter

MADELINE CARTER, Washburn Rural

Carter, a junior, captured the individual girls title in Saturday's Centennial League cross country championships at Milford State Park, clocking a five-kilometer time of 18 minutes, 43.3 seconds. Carter led a 1-2-3 finish by the Junior Blues for the third straight meet, with Rural winning the league team championship by a 50-52 margin over Manhattan.

 Corey Catron

COREY CATRON, Rossville

A senior running back/linebacker, Catron was pressed into duty at quarterback after an injury to Torrey Horak and sparked undefeated Rossville to a 24-19 come-from-behind win over rival Silver Lake. Catron rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown and passed for 33 yards and a TD.

By RICK PETERSON

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Jackson Esquibel

JACKSON ESQUIBEL, Shawnee Heights

Esquibel, a senior cross country star, captured his first United Kansas Conference individual title last Thursday at Shawnee North Community Center after finishing second as a junior. A two-time Class 5A state medalist in cross country and a state champion in track, Esquibel posted a 42-second victory in the conference meet, clocking a five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 40 seconds.

Payton Fink

PAYTON FINK, Washburn Rural

A junior cross country standout, Fink posted a 31-second individual victory in Saturday's Centennial League meet at Kanza Park, winning her second straight league individual championship while helping Washburn Rural repeat as the league team champion. Fink, who placed fifth in the Class 6A state meet as a sophomore, clocked a winning five-kilometer time of 17 minutes, 33.3 seconds. 

Jette Glasenapp

JETTE GLASENAPP, Shawnee Heights

A junior foreign exchange student from Germany, Glasenapp completed her first high school tennis season with a runnerup singles finish in Saturday's Class 5A state meet at Salina, capping a 36-3 season. Glasenapp's state performance followed a sweep of city, United Kansas Conference and Class 5A regional championships. Glasenapp led Shawnee Heights to a sixth-place tie (seventh on a tiebreaker) in the 5A team standings as the T-Birds' lone state qualifier. 

By RICK PETERSON

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Malachi Berg

MALACHI BERG, Topeka West

A junior quarterback, Berg led Topeka West to an 80-48 Centennial League football victory over Highland Park Friday night, rushing for 238 yards and five touchdowns on 15 attempts and completing three of four passes for 95 yards and two TDs as the Chargers posted their second victory of the season. 

Madeline Carter

MADELINE CARTER, Washburn Rural

Carter, a junior, won her second straight city title in Saturday's city cross country championships at the Kanza Park Course, clocking a five-kilometer time of 18 minutes, 14.9 seconds. Carter led a 1-2-3 finish by the Junior Blues for the second straight week, with Rural winning the team championship by a 24-33 margin over Seaman.

By RICK PETERSON

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Ma'Kenttis Adams

MA'KENTTIS ADAMS, Washburn Rural

A 5-foot-9, 195-pound senior running back, Adams scored a pair of touchdowns and set up a third TD with a long run as Washburn Rural improved to 8-2 on the season with a 34-7 Class 6A playoff victory at Garden City last Friday night. Adams helped the Junior Blues advance to the state quarterfinals while posting their fifth straight victory.

 JC Cummings

JC CUMMINGS, Hayden

A 5-foot-10, 189-pound senior running back/linebacker, Cummings helped lead 9-1 Hayden to a a come-from-behind 22-19 Class 3A playoff win over previously-unbeaten Wellsville last Friday night on the road. Unofficially, Cummings rushed for 81 yards on 16 attempts and scored the game-winning points on an 11-yard touchdown run and a 2-point conversion in the fourth quarter as the Wildcats advanced to a 3A quarterfinal game at Columbus.

Branton DeWeese

BRANTON DEWEESE, Washburn Rural

DeWeese, Washburn Rural's 6-foot, 185-pound junior quarterback, completed 14 of 21 passes for 157 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Junior Blues advanced to a Class 6A quarterfinal with a 34-7 road victory at Garden City last Friday night. DeWeese helped Washburn Rural improve to 8-2 on the season with its fifth straight win, setting up a Friday night game at Derby.

Finn Dunshee

FINN DUNSHEE, Hayden

A 5-foot-8, 160-pound junior running back/linebacker, Dunshee scored two touchdowns and a 2-point conversion as 9-1 Hayden advanced to the Class 3A quarterfinals with a come-from-behind 22-19 playoff victory over previously-unbeaten Wellsville. With Hayden trailing 13-0, Dunshee returned a Wellsville kickoff approximately 80 yards for a touchdown and also scored on an 11-yard TD run and added a 2-point conversion. 

 James Letcher Jr.

JAMES LETCHER JR., Washburn University

Letcher, a 5-foot-8, 175-pound senior, caught five passes for 127 yards, including an 84-yard touchdown, in Washburn's 37-23 MIAA loss to No. 4-ranked Pittsburg State last Saturday at Yager Stadium. Saturday's receiving yards boosted Letcher's season total to 1,005 yards, with Letcher the first Ichabod since 2018 to go over the 1,000-yard mark in a season.

Ty Weber

TY WEBER, Washburn Rural

Weber, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound senior, stood out on both sides of the ball as Washburn Rural's 8-2 football team advanced to the Class 6A  state quarterfinals with a 34-7 win at Garden City last Friday night. Weber helped spearhead a No. 1 Rural defensive unit that did not allow a point before leaving the game in the fourth quarer and he also caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Branton DeWeese while filling in on offense for the injured Lukas Hanks.

By RICK PETERSON

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 Easton Bradstreet

 EASTON BRADSTREET, Washburn Rural

The Washburn Rural senior forward was named the Centennial League soccer player of the year after scoring 29 goals and leading the Junior Blues to a 16-5 record and a fourth-place finish in the 6A state tournament. Bradstreet finished his high school career with a share of Rural's career scoring record with 57 goals.

Levi Braun

LEVI BRAUN, Washburn University

A 6-foot-4 sophomore guard, Braun tied his career high with 21 points in just 19 minutes of action as Washburn men's basketball rolled to a 96-63 non-conference win over Ottawa on Saturday at Lee Arena. Braun, a former Hayden standout, hit 7 of 10 field goals overall and 6 of 8 3-pointers against Ottawa while hitting his last six shots of the game.

Brooklyn DeLeye

BROOKLYN DELEYE, Washburn Rural

Deleye, a 6-2 senior, was named the Centennial League volleyball player of the year for the second straight season after helping lead Washburn Rural to the 2022 Class 6A state championship and a 45-1 record. DeLeye was a multi-time All-Class 6A first-team selection, helping Rural finish first, second, third and fourth in four state tournament appearances.

By RICK PETERSON

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 Easton Bradstreet

 EASTON BRADSTREET, Washburn Rural

The Washburn Rural senior forward received Class 6A All-State first-team honors from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association after scoring 29 goals and leading the Junior Blues to a 16-5 record and a fourth-place finish in the 6A state tournament. Bradstreet finished his senior year with a share of Rural's career scoring record with 57 goals.

Brady Christiansen

BRADY CHRISTIANSEN, Washburn University

A 6-foot-7 forward out of Lincoln, Neb., Christiansen scored 9 points and grabbed 19 rebounds, including 11 offensive boards, in Washburn's 70-63 men's basketball win over William Jewell last Wednesday. Christiansen's 19 boards were the most by an Ichabod since former WU star Brady Skeens had a pair of 22-rebound games in 2017.

Aubree Dewey

AUBREE DEWEY, Washburn University

A 5-7 junior guard out of Plainville, Dewey scored a game and career-high 20 points in Washburn's 65-63 women's basketball win over Southern Nazarene last Friday in the Washburn Classic. Dewey hit a pair of 3-pointers and also dished out three assists for the Ichabods.

By RICK PETERSON

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 Austin Broadie

AUSTIN BROADIE, Washburn University

A 6-foot redshirt freshman out of Wichita Trinity Academy, Broadie registered a career-high 18 kills as Washburn's volleyball team captured its first MIAA Tournament championship with a 25-18, 19-25, 25-22, 25-20 victory over Nebraska-Kearney Saturday night in St. Joseph, Mo. Broadie hit .359 on the night as the 24-7 Ichabods earned an NCAA Tournament berth. 

Finn Dunshee

FINN DUNSHEE, Hayden

A 5-8, 160-pound junior running back/linebacker, Dunshee set the tone for the night in Friday's Class 3A sectional football game at Columbus when he ran for a 60-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage as 10-1 Hayden advanced to a 3A sub-state game with a 39-19 victory. Dunshee, who also had a 67-yard run, added a 3-yard TD. 

Mackenzie Gamble

MACKENZIE GAMBLE, Washburn University

Gamble, a 5-7 junior guard out of Highlands Ranch, Colo., scored 19 points and hit 5 of 7 3-pointers as Washburn's women's basketball team opened the 2022-2023 season Friday night with a 71-55 win over Southwestern Oklahoma State in the Washburn Crossover Classic. Gamble added 9 points on three 3-pointers in Saturday's 41-38 loss to Oklahoma Baptist.

Jaden Monday

JADEN MONDAY, Washburn University

A 6-0 sophomore guard out of Independence, Mo., Monday scored a career-high 22 points and connected on 6 of 12 3-pointers to lead the way as Washburn's men's basketball team picked up its first win of the season, a 75-46 romp past No. 18-ranked Augustana Saturday at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. 

Jensen Schrickel

JENSEN SCHRICKEL, Hayden

Schrickel, a 5-9, 145 sophomore, helped lead the 10-1 Hayden football team to a 39-19 Class 3A sectional playoff win Friday night at Columbus. Schrickel caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from Wildcat quarterback Jett Wahlmeier, returned a pass interception 35 yards for a TD and kicked a 28-yard field goal and four extra points as Hayden advanced to a sub-state matchup with Holton. 

Jalyn Stevenson

JALYN STEVENSON, Washburn University

Stevenson, a 5-10 sophomore out of Spring Hill, recorded her 14th double-double of the 2022 volleyball season in Saturday's MIAA Tournament championship match at St. Joseph, Mo., registering 17 kills and 18 digs in Washburn's 25-18, 19-25, 25-22 and 25-20 victory as the 24-7 Ichabods won their first conference tournament title while earning an NCAA Tournament berth.  

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news
 

 Carter Brian

CARTER BRIAN, Cair Paravel Latin

Brian, a senior quarterback, completed 19 of 31 passes for 421 yards and six touchdowns as Cair Paravel improved to 10-0 with Friday's 66-20 win over Wichita Home School in a KCAA playoff semifinal. Brian has completed 117 of 170 pass attempts on the season for 2,179 yards and 48 touchdowns.

Grant Bruner

GRANT BRUNER, Washburn University

A junior linebacker, Bruner registered 20 tackles (10 solo) in Washburn University's 28-26 MIAA win Saturday at Pittsburg State, helping the Ichabods improve to 8-2 on the season with their fifth straight victory. Bruner, who missed five games with an injury, now has 39 tackles (20 solo) on the year.

Corey Catron

COREY CATRON, Rossville

A senior, Catron rushed for 105 yards and three touchdowns and completed 11 of 19 passes for 149 yards and a TD in Rossville's 32-12 second-round Class 2A playoff win over Nemaha Central. Catron has passed for 453 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 893 yards and 18 touchdowns on 135 carries.

Noah Hastert

NOAH HASTERT, Cair Paravel Latin

A senior receiver, Hastert caught six passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns in Cair Paravel's 66-20 win over Wichita Home School in a KCAA playoff game last Friday. Hastert has now caught 41 passes on the year for 870 yards and 21 touchdowns for the 10-0 Lions.

Brogan Renfro

BROGAN RENFRO, Silver Lake

Renfro, a senior, scored five touchdowns in Friday's 51-36 second-round Class 2A playoff victory over St. Marys Friday night. Renfro ran for four touchdowns and also caught a 22-yard TD pass from senior quarterback Daigan Kruger as Silver Lake improved to 8-2.

Jace Williams

JACE WILLIAMS, Washburn University

A senior receiver, Williams turned in the play of the game in Saturday's 28-26 Ichabod win at Pittsburg State, blocking a 33-yard Gorillas field goal attempt with 30 seconds remaining to clinch the 8-2 Ichabods' fifth straight win. Williams has caught 29 passes for 457 yards and five touchdowns.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Allen Baughman

ALLEN BAUGHMAN, Shawnee Heights

A 5-foot-8, 180-pound senior running back, Baughman carried the ball 12 times for 177 yards and three touchdowns in the first half last Thursday night as Shawnee Heights rolled to a 56-20 win over Highland Park in the regional round of the Class 5A football playoffs. Baughman scored on runs of 4, 70 and 20 yards as Shawnee Heights improved to 8-2 on the season.

JC Heim

JC HEIM, Washburn Rural

Heim a 6-2, 225-pound running back/linebacker, starred on both offense and defense Friday night as Washburn Rural improved to 10-0 with a 27-20 win over Junction City in the regional round of the Class 6A playoffs. Unofficially, Heim rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries and caught three passes for 21 yards and a touchdown. Heim scored on a 2-yard run and a 23-yard pass from Branton DeWeese.

Griffin Heinen

GRIFFIN HEINEN, Washburn Rural

A senior midfielder, Heinen had an assist and the game-winning goal on Saturday as Washburn Rural's soccer team capped a 19-2 season with a 2-1 win over Dodge City in the third-place game of the Class 6A state tournament. Heinen was credited with the assist on Hayden Shriver's goal 1:26 into the game and scored the game-winning goal with just 56 seconds remaining off an assist from Devon Rutschmann.

By RICK PETERSON

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Hunter Bentley

HUNTER BENTLEY, Washburn University

Bentley, a 5-foot-9 senior guard out of Bishop Miege, scored 16 points and added 6 rebounds and 3 assists in Washburn University's 71-69 non-conference home loss to Rockhurst University Saturday, including a late 3-pointer that gave the Ichabods a chance at the victory. 

Corey Catron

COREY CATRON, Rossville

A senior, Catron capped off an oustanding senior season in Rossville's 35-12 win over Beloit in Saturday Class 2A championship football game at Salina. Catron starred at linebacker as the Bulldawgs limited the Trojans to two touchdowns and added 73 rushing yards and a touchdown on 20 carries as Rossville captured its second straight undefeated 2A state title.

Connor Deffebaugh

 CONNOR DEFFEBAUGH, Washburn University

Deffebaugh, a 6-3 sophomore guard from Fayetteville, Ark., scored 17 points and grabbed six rebounds last Saturday as Washburn University's men's basketball team evened its record at 3-3 with a 79-69 non-conference victory over Benedictine College at Lee Arena.

Torrey Horak

TORREY HORAK, Rossville

Horak, a senior quarterback, completed 10 of 14 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns as Rossville completed a second straight 13-0 season with a 35-12 win over Beloit in the Class 2A state championship game last Saturday at Salina. Horak also ran for a touchdown.

Michael Keegan

MICHAEL KEEGAN, Washburn University

A 6-6 freshman guard from Dyersville, Iowa, Keegan scored 27 points in two games on the week as Washburn evened its record at 3-3. Keegan scored 10 points in a 69-63 loss to Oklahoma Baptist and followed that up with 17 points, 8 rebounds and three 3-pointers in Saturday's 79-69 win over Benedictine College at Lee Arena.

 Jalen Lewis

JALEN LEWIS, Washburn University

Lewis, a junior guard from Liberty, Mo., scored a career-high 30 points in a 69-63 loss to nationally-ranked Oklahoma Baptist last Tuesday, hitting 13 of 20 shots with four 3-pointers, and had 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists in the Ichabods' 79-69 win over Benedictine on Saturday.

By RICK PETERSON

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Camden Barta 

CAMDEN BARTA, Seaman

Barta, a senior quarterback, scored the game's first touchdown on a 77-yard run and went on to a huge night in Seaman's 57-6 Class 5A home playoff win over Emporia Friday night. Barta finished the game with 318 passing yards and four touchdown passes on an 18 of 22 performance and added 87 rushing yards on just four carries as Seaman improved to 6-3 on the season.

 Carter Brian

CARTER BRIAN, Cair Paravel Latin

A senior quarterback, Brian completed 16 of 24 passes for 235 yards and six touchdowns as Cair Paravel moved to 9-0 on the season with Friday's 50-0 win over the Manhattan Eagles. Brian has now passed for 1,758 yards and 42 touchdowns on the season while completing 98 of 139 attempts without an interception.

Madeline Carter

MADELINE CARTER, Washburn Rural

Carter completed an outstanding junior season with a seventh-place individual finish in Saturday's Class 6A state cross country meet in a five-kilometer time of 18 minutes, 35.2 seconds. A two-time state medalist, Carter led the Junior Blues to a fourth-place team finish.

Bethany Druse

BETHANY DRUSE, Seaman

A two-time Class 5A state medalist, Druse completed her junior season with a sixth-place finish in the Class 5A state cross country meet in a time of 19:10.4. Druse, who led Seaman to a fourth-place team finish on Saturday, finished ninth at state as a sophomore.

Giles Frederickson

GILES FREDERICKSON, Washburn Rural

A senior place-kicker, Frederickson went 7 of 7 on extra-point kicks in Rural's 52-7 Class 6A playoff victory over Wichita West Friday night. After suffering a bite from a copperhead snake four weeks ago, Frederickson has returned to kick 13 of 13 PATs the past two weeks and is 89 of 91 in his career.

Tanner Newkirk

TANNER NEWKIRK, Hayden

Newkirk, a senior, earned his fourth Class 4A state medal with his third top-three finish in Saturday's state cross country meet, taking third place individually in 16:24.3. Newkirk, who captured city, Centennial League and regional titles this fall, previously posted state finishes of 12th as a freshman, second as a sophomore and first as a junior.

By RICK PETERSON

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Bethany Druse

BETHANY DRUSE, Seaman

A junior, Druse won three gold medals in last Friday's Joe Schrag City Invitational track and field championships, helping Seaman win the girls team championship by a 146-134 margin over Washburn Rural. Druse won the 1,600 meters in 5:23.31, the 800 in 2:19.96 and anchored the Vikings' 4 x 400 relay to a win in 4:15.31.

Kadence Jeffries

KADENCE JEFFRIES, Topeka West

Jeffries, a senior, posted a pair of individual wins in last Friday's city swimming and diving championships at the Capitol Federal Natatorium, remaining undefeated in individual events on the season. A four-time state champion, Jeffries won the 200-yard freestyle by nearly seven seconds in 1:54.55 and won the 500 free by 14 seconds in 5:04.85.

Tanner Newkirk

TANNER NEWKIRK, Hayden

Newkirk, a senior, set three boys city meet records in last Friday's Joe Schrag City Invitational track and field championships at Hummer Sports Park, winning the 1,600 meters in 4:10.88, the 800 in 1:55.69 and the 3,200 in 9:18.89 to lead the Wildcats to a second-place team finish behind Washburn Rural. 

Makenna Pritchard

MAKENNA PRITCHARD, Washburn Rural

A junior, Pritchard won two individual titles and swam on two second-place relays as Washburn Rural won its 19th straight city swimming and diving team title last Friday at the Capitol Federal Natatorium. Pritchard won the 50-yard freestyle in 24.98 seconds and the 100 free in 54.06 while also swimming on the runner-up 200 medley and 400 free relays as Rural won the title by a 601-440 margin over Seaman.

TAYLIN STALLBAUMER, Seaman

Stallbaumer, a sophomore, captured three gold medals in last Friday's Joe Schrag City Invitational track and field championships, helping lead Seaman to the girls team title by a 146-134 margin over Washburn Rural. Stallbaumer won the 100-meter hurdles in 16.25 seconds, the 300 hurdles in 49.21 seconds and ran a leg on the Vikings' 4 x 400 relay team, which won in 4:15.31.

Zach Sulzen-Watson

ZACH SULZEN-WATSON, Washburn Rural

Sulzen-Watson, a senior, won a pair of individual titles in last Friday's Joe Schrag City Invitational track and field championships at Hummer Sports Park, helping lead Washburn Rural's boys team to its fifth straight city team title. Sulzen-Watson won the shot put with a throw of 51 feet, 7.50 inches and the discus with a best of 163 feet as Rural won by a 138.5-126 margin over Hayden.

 By RICK PETERSON

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Audrey Appuhn

AUDREY APPUHN, Washburn Rural

Appuhn, a freshman swimming standout, was a part of four victories in her first Topeka City Championship Friday at the Capitol Federal Natatorium, helping lead Washburn Rural to its 20th straight city team championship. Appuhn won the 200-yard freestyle in 1 minute, 57.72 seconds and the 500 free in 5:11.08 and also swam on the Junior Blues' winning 200 medley relay (1:54.84) and 400 free relay (3:40.49). 

Ala'Jah Brooks

ALA'JAH BROOKS, Topeka West

A senior track and field standout, Brooks won three individual titles in Friday's Joe Schrag City Championship at Hummer Sports Park. Brooks won the long jump with a best of 16 feet, 7.50 inches, won the 400-meter dash in 57.26 seconds and won the 200 in 25.65 seconds. Brooks was the only athlete to win three individual events in the city meet.

Mason Casebeer

MASON CASEBEER, Washburn Rural

A senior tennis standout, Casebeer captured a pair of singles championships last week, including earning his third Class 6A state tournament berth Friday at Wichita. Casebeer opened his week with a Centennial League title, earning a 6-0, 6-1 win over Manhattan's Advith Nataraja in the final. Casebeer followed up his league title with a regional championship Friday at Riverside Tennis Center, taking a 6-1, 6-1 win over Wichita East sophomore Bo Lu to help Rural win the regional team title by a 19-15 margin over Manhattan.

By RICK PETERSON

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Carter Cool

CARTER COOL, Topeka West

Cool, a sophomore, won the No. 1 singles championship in his first city tennis tournament last Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center, helping the Chargers win the city team title. Cool took an 8-2 win over Shawnee Heights' Jaden Rodriguez in the final, clinching Topeka West's 28-27 win over Washburn Rural. Cool added second-place finishes in Saturday's Emporia tournament and Monday's Centennial League meet.

 Ian Cusick

IAN CUSICK, Topeka West

A sophomore, Cusick teamed with his twin brother, Miles, to win the No. 1 doubles championship in last Thursday's city tournament at Kossover Tennis Center, helping lead West to the city team crown. The Cusicks took an 8-1 win over Nick Luetje and Mason Casebeer of Washburn Rural in the final. The Cusicks also won a tournament title last Saturday in Emporia and claimed the Centennial League doubles crown with an 8-6 win on Monday.

Miles Cusick

MILES CUSICK, Topeka West

Cusick, a sophomore, teamed with twin brother Ian, to win the No. 1 doubles championship in last Thursday's city tournament at Kossover Tennis Center, helping West win the city team championship by a point. The Cusicks took an 8-1 win over Nick Luetje and Mason Casebeer of Washburn Rural in the final. The Cusicks also won a tournament title last Saturday in Emporia and claimed the Centennial League doubles crown Monday with an 8-6 win.

 Bethany Druse

BETHANY DRUSE, Seaman

Druse, a sophomore, posted a pair of girls distance wins in last Friday's Bob Camien/Claudia Welch Seaman Relays to remain undefeated, winning the 1,600 meters in a personal-best time of 5 minutes, 19.90 seconds and returning later in the evening to take the win in the 800 in 2:22.64.

 Luke Leonetti

LUKE LEONETTI, Washburn Rural

Leonetti, a junior, followed up his city boys golf championship with the individual title in Monday's Centennial League tournament at Village Greens Golf Course, shooting a 74 to win by two strokes. Leonetti led the Junior Blues to the Centennial team crown by 11 strokes (312-323) over Emporia.

Sam Shonka

SAM SHONKA, Washburn Rural

Shonka, a senior, claimed the boys high jump title in last Friday's Bob Camien/Claudia Welch Seaman Relays, posting a five-inch improvement over his previous season-best with a clearance at 6 foot, 6 inches.

By RICK PETERSON

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 JahnAsia Anderson

JAHNASIA ANDERSON, Seaman

In her first year competing in track and field as a senior, Anderson eclipsed her previous personal-best by more than a foot and a half en route to winning the Class 5A state girls shot put championship with a throw of 37 feet, 7 inches last Thursday at Wichita State's Cessna Stadium.

 NiJaree Canady

NiJAREE CANADY, Topeka High

Canady, a junior pitcher, turned in a masterful performance in the Class 6A state softball tournament, leading Topeka High to its first-ever state softball title. Canady recorded three complete-game performances, allowing just one unearned run while striking out 48 batters as the Trojans capped a perfect 25-0 season. Canady also hit the game-winning home run in a 1-0 semifinal win over Gardner-Edgerton.

By RICK PETERSON

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NiJAREE CANADY, Topeka High

Canady starred in the pitching circle and at the plate in the Class 6A state softball tournament, ending her high school career with a second straight state championship. The Stanford signee pitched in all three games for the 22-3 Trojans, including a complete-game four-hitter in the Trojans' 2-1 victory over city rival Washburn Rural in last Friday's state championship game. Canady had a home run and a double in the Trojans' 9-0 semifinal win over Wichita Northwest.

Adisyn Caryl

ADISYN CARYL, Topeka High

A junior, Caryl helped lead Topeka High to its second straight Class 6A state softball championship. Caryl had six hits in the state tournament, including two doubles and a home run, as the Trojans capped a 22-3 season with a 2-1 victory over Washburn Rural in last Friday's championship game. Caryl advanced to state in three sports -- tennis, basketball and softball -- for the second straight year and is a three-time state qualifier in tennis and basketball. 

 By RICK PETERSON

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Alesecio Batson

ALESECIO BATSON, Topeka West

After advancing to the Class 5A state track and field championships as a freshman, the Topeka West sophomore captured a Class 5A state championship in the triple jump Friday at Wichita State's Cessna Stadium. Batson took the event lead on his first jump and went wire to wire for the title, jumping a best of 48 feet, 4.25 inches.

Finn Dunshee

FINN DUNSHEE, Hayden

The Wildcat sophomore won three Class 4A gold medals Saturday at Cessna Stadium, helping Hayden finish fifth as a team. Dunshee won the 100-meter dash in 10.84 seconds and also ran on the Wildcats' winning 4x100-meter and 4x400 relay teams. Hayden won the 4x100 relay in 42.65 seconds and the 4x400 in a 4A state meet-record time of 3:20.99.

Brinley Dyche

BRINLEY DYCHE, Rossville

A senior, Dyche picked up the pitching win in all three games as Rossvillle won its first Class 3A state softball title since 2000, capped by Friday's 2-0 win over Santa Fe Trail in the championship game. Dyche was credited with the victory in a 19-7 first-round win over Columbus,  pitched the Bulldawgs to a come-from-behind 6-4 win over Southeast-Saline in the semifinals and twirled a complete-game two-hitter In the title game while striking out 10 and not allowing a walk.

By RICK PETERSON

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ANDREW BECKLER, Washburn University

Beckler, who was earlier named the MIAA player of the year, ended his collegiate golf career with a runner-up individual finish among 84 competitors in the NCAA Division II National Championships in Palm Beach Springs, Fla., the highest national tournament finish by an Ichabod in program history. Beckler finished with a 54-hole total of 222 with rounds of 73, 74 and 75. 

NiJAREE CANADY, Topeka High

Canady, a junior, pitched a one-hitter and struck out 16 batters to key the Trojans' 3-1 victory over Manhattan in a Class 6A regional championship softball game at Hummer Sports Park. With the win Topeka High improved to 22-0 on the season and advanced to Thursday's 6A state tournament.

By RICK PETERSON

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Kadence Jeffries

 KADENCE JEFFRIES, Topeka West

Jeffries, a senior, swept the 200 and 500-yard freestyle events in last Saturday's Class 5A-1A state swimming and diving championships for the third straight season that the state meet was held, going six for six in state individual events. Jeffries, who has signed with Nebraska-Omaha, won the 200 free in 1:53.29 and the 500 free in 5:03.55 at the Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center.

Tanner Newkirk

TANNER NEWKIRK, Hayden

A senior, Newkirk swept the 800, 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs in last Friday's Class 4A regional track and field championships at Eudora, helping the Wildcats edge Louisburg for the team championship. A Kansas signee, Newkirk ran the 800 in 1:59.04, the 1,600 in 4:27.52 and the 3,200 in 9:39.51 en route to pulling off the difficult distance triple.

 By RICK PETERSON

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Audrey Appuhn

AUDREY APPUHN, Washburn Rural

Appuhn, a freshman swimming standout, posted two individual top-four finishes in her first Class 6A state meet Saturday at the Capitol Federal Natatorium, helping lead Washburn Rural to an eighth-place team finish. Appuhn finished third in the the 200-yard individual medley in 2 minutes, 10.16 seconds and fourth in the 500 free in 5:14.45. Appuhn also swam on the Junior Blues' 200 medley relay (1:55.03) and 400 free relay (3:45.72), which won 'B' finals..

Jackson Esquibel

JACKSON ESQUIBEL, Shawnee Heights

A junior track and field star, Esquibel pulled off the distance triple in last Thursday's Class 5A regional at the Olathe District Athletic Complex. A returning state medalist, Esquibel won the 1,600 meters in 4 minutes, 23.42 seconds and followed that up with a win in the 800 in 1:59.55 and a victory in the 3,200 in 9:42.42 to qualify for Friday and Saturday's 5A state meet at Wichita State's Cessna Stadium.

Grace Proctor

GRACE PROCTOR, Shawnee Heights

Proctor, a sophomore, pitched a complete-game one-hitter and recorded 13 strikeouts last Tuesday as Shawnee Heights earned a berth in Thursday and Friday's Class 5A state softball tournament at Wichita State's Wilkins Stadium with a 3-0 win over United Kansas Conference rival De Soto in a regional final at Piper. Proctor allowed only a sixth-inning double as Shawnee Heights improved to 15-7 with its third win of the season over the Wildcats.

By RICK PETERSON

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 Ian Cusick

IAN CUSICK, Topeka West

A junior, Cusick teamed with his twin brother, Miles, to win the city tennis championship in No. 1 doubles for the second straight season.in last Thursday's city tournament at Kossover Tennis Center. The Cusicks took an 8-1 win over Washburn Rural's Kyler Knudtson and Nick Luetje in the championship match, helping the Chargers win a share of the city team title with Rural.

Miles Cusick

MILES CUSICK, Topeka West

Cusick, a junior, teamed with his twin brother, Ian, to win the city tennis championship in No. 1 doubles for the second straight season.in last Thursday's city tournament at Kossover Tennis Center. Miles and Ian beat  Washburn Rural's Kyler Knudtson and Nick Luetje in the championship match, 8-1, helping the Chargers win a share of the city team title with Rural.

Bethany Druse

BETHANY DRUSE, Seaman

A junior, Druse set the Seaman school record in the girls 800 meters in last Friday's Bob Camien/Claudia Welch Invitational at Seaman, winning the event in a time of 2 minutes, 15.19 seconds. Druse's time was the best girls 800 meters clocking in the state this spring.

Marrit Mead

MARRIT MEAD, Washburn University

Mead, a sophomore, went 4 for 8 in last Saturday's 5-1, 13-3 doubleheader sweep at Emporia State, helping the Ichabods clinch the MIAA regular-season championship while extending their winning streak to 22 games. Mead, a Santa Fe Trail grad, went 1 for 3 with a run and a run batted in in the first game and went 3 for 5 in the second game with a double and a home run, scoring three runs with five RBI.

Mason Thieu

MASON THIEU, Washburn Rural

Playing his first city tennis tournament since his freshman season, the Washburn Rural senior captured the No. 1 singles championship last Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center with an 8-2 win over Topeka West's James Maag in the final match. Thieu helped lead the Junior Blues to a share of the team title with Topeka West.

Alex Valdivia

ALEX VALDIVIA, Shawnee Heights

Valdivia, a junior, followed up his United Kansas Conference individual golf title with the city championship last Monday at Topeka Country Club. Valdivia, a returning Class 5A state medalist, shot a 27-hole score of 116 to take city medalist honors by two strokes over 2021 city champ Luke Leonetti of Washburn Rural.

By RICK PETERSON

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Kadence Jeffries

KADENCE JEFFRIES, Topeka West

A junior, Jeffries posted a pair of dominating wins in last Thursday's Centennial League girls swimming championships, winning the 200-yard freetyle in 1 minutes, 54.18 seconds and the 500 free in 5:02.60, posting a career-best time in the 500. Jeffries, the 2019 state champion in both events, will compete in the Class 5A-1A state meet on Saturday at the Capitol Federal Natatorium.

By RICK PETERSON

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Ian Cusick

 IAN CUSICK, Topeka West

A junior, Cusick teamed with his twin brother, Miles, to win the Class 5A state doubles championship last Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center, helping lead the Chargers to a second-place team finish. The Cusicks took a 6-3, 6-2 win over Maize South in the title match, completing a sweep of city, Centennial League, regional and state championships.

Miles Cusick

 MILES CUSICK, Topeka West

Cusick, a junior, teamed with twin brother Ian to win the Class 5A state doubles championship last Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center, helping the Chargers post a second-place team finish. The Cusicks took a 6-3, 6-2 win over Maize South in the title match, completing a sweep of city, Centennial League, regional and state championships.

Gabby Grace

GABBY GRACE, Seaman

A senior leader for the Vikings' swimming team, Grace  was the Centennial League champ in the 100-yard freestyle and 100 backstroke and swam on Seaman's winning 200 medley and 400 free relays in last Thursday's Centennial League meet at the Capitol Federal Natatorium.

Michael Sandstrom

GUS GLOTZBACH, Hayden

Glotzbach, a junior, teamed with Michael Sandstrom to finish second in doubles in last Saturday's Class 4A state tennis tournament at Winfield for the second straight season, helping lead the Wildcats to a third-place team finish. Glotzbach and Sandstrom dropped a 6-1, 6-3 decision to Independence in the state final.

Michael Sandstrom

MICHAEL SANDSTROM, Hayden

A senior three-time state medalist, Sandstrom teamed with Glotzbach to post a state runner-up finish in doubles in last Saturday's Class 4A state tennis tournament at Winfield for the second straight season, helping lead the Wildcats to a third-place team finish. Sandstrom and Glotzbach dropped a 6-1, 6-3 decision to Independence in the state final.

Tae Thomas

TAE THOMAS, Topeka High

Thomas, a senior three-sport standout for the Trojans, recorded a three-goal hat trick in Topeka High's 7-1 Centennial League Senior Nigh soccer romp past Emporia at Hummer Sports Park as High capped an 11-5-0 regular season to earn a home berth for the Class 6A regional playoffs.

 By RICK PETERSON

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Audrey Appuhn

AUDREY APPUHN, Washburn Rural

Appuhn, a freshman swimming standout, was a part of four victories in her first Centennial League meet last Thursday at the Capitol Federal Natatorium, helping lead Washburn Rural to its third straight league team championship. Appuhn won the 200-yard individual medley in 2 minutes, 11.39 seconds and the 500 free in 5:13.53 and also swam on the Junior Blues' winning 200 medley relay (1:55.69) and 400 free relay (3:48.77).

Ian Cusick

IAN CUSICK, Topeka West

A senior, Ian and his twin brother, Miles, capped their high school tennis career with a second straight Class 5A state doubles championship Saturday at Arkansas City. The Cusicks, who earned state medals in all three of their state tournament appearances, led the Chargers to their first-ever 5A state boys team title by a 34-28 margin over Blue Valley Southwest. Ian and Miles took a 6-3, 6-4 win over Arkansas City's Oakley and Dawson O'Donnell in the final, avenging three losses earlier in the season.

Miles Cusick

MILES CUSICK, Topeka West

A senior,  Miles and his twin brother, Ian, closed out their high school tennis career with a second straight Class 5A state doubles championship Saturday at Arkansas City. The Cusicks, who earned state medals in all three of their state tournament appearances, led the Chargers to their first-ever 5A state boys team title by a 34-28 margin over Blue Valley Southwest. Miles and Ian took a 6-3, 6-4 win over Arkansas City's Oakley and Dawson O'Donnell in the final, avenging three losses earlier in the season.

By RICK PETERSON

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Olivia Bruno

OLIVIA BRUNO, Washburn Rural

A senior, Bruno had a monster week as Washburn Rural's softball team rolled to doubleheader sweeps over Centennial League foes Seaman, Manhattan and Junction City. Bruno hit seven home runs with 13 runs batted in on the week and had three-home run days against Manhattan and Junction City. Bruno, who will play collegiately at Kansas, also went 4-0 as a pitcher with 34 strikeouts while not allowing a run.

 By RICK PETERSON

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Carter Cool

CARTER COOL, Topeka West 

A senior tennis standout, Cool won his second city championship in No. 1 singles last Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center, helping Topeka West win its third straight city team title (outright or shared). Cool clinched his individual title with an 8-5 win over Washburn Rural senior standout Mason Casebeer in the final.

Ian Cusick

IAN CUSICK, Topeka West

Cusick, a senior, teamed with his twin brother, Miles Cusick, to win their third straight city tennis title in No. 1 doubles last Thursday while helping the Chargers win their third consecutive city team championship (outright or shared) by a 30-26 margin over Washburn Rural. The Cusicks, defending Class 5A state champs, took an 8-0 win over Rural in the final.

Miles Cusick

MILES CUSICK, Topeka West

A senior, Cusick teamed with his twin brother, Ian Cusick, to win a third straight city tennis title in No. 1 doubles last Thursday while helping Topeka West win its third straight city team championship (outright or shared) by a 30-26 margin over Washburn Rural. The Cusicks, defending Class 5A state champs, took an 8-0 win over Rural in the final.

By RICK PETERSON

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Elijah Brooks

ELIJAH BROOKS, Topeka West

A 6-foot-3 junior, Brooks shared game-high scoring honors with 22 points and also grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds as Topeka West earned its first Class 5A boys state tournament berth since 2010 with a 55-52 win over Seaman in Saturday's sub-state championship game. With the win the Chargers improved to 19-2 and advanced to a Tuesday night state quarterfinal game at Hays.

NiJaree Canady

NiJAREE CANADY, Topeka High

Canady, a 6-foot junior, recorded game-high totals of 21 points and 12 rebounds as Topeka High's girls earned their third straight Class 6A state basketball tournament berth with a 72-52 win over Washburn Rural. With the win the 21-2 Trojans set up a Tuesday night state quarterfinal matchup with Wichita Heights at Topeka High.

KAITLYN DOYAL, Washburn Rural

Doyal, a junior, finished seventh individually in Friday's Class 6A state girls bowling tournament at Northrock Lanes at Wichita with a 631 three-game series to help Washburn Rural earn a team trophy with a third-place finish. Doyal had a high game of 242 for the Junior Blues. 

Tyler Geiman

TYLER GEIMAN, Washburn University

A senior guard, Geiman hit a three-quarters-court buzzer-beating 3-pointer to give Washburn a dramatic 69-68 win over Northwest Missouri in Saturday night's MIAA Tournament championship game, Geiman finished with 23 points on the night after being named a first-team All-MIAA pick and all-defensive team selection earlier in the week. Geiman is a two-time All-MIAA first-teamer. 

Jalen Lewis

JALEN LEWIS, Washburn University

Lewis, a junior guard, was named the MIAA Tournament Outstanding Player after helping lead Washburn to the tournament championship for the first time since 2012. Lewis scored 29 points in a 101-72 win over Missouri Western in the semifinals and had 26 points in the Ichabods' 69-68 win over No. 1-ranked Northwest Missouri in the championship game. Lewis received All-MIAA honorable mention earlier in the week.

Makenzie Millard

MAKENZIE MILLARD, Seaman

Millard, a junior, placed a city-high fourth-place finish in last Thursday's Class 5A-1A state bowling tournament at Northrock Lanes in Wichita, bowling a 612 series with a high game of 232. Millard, who finished fifth individually at state as a sophomore, led the Vikings to a fourth-place team finish.

By RICK PETERSON

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 Bo Aldridge

BO ALDRIDGE, Highland Park

The Highland Park junior basketball standout scored 54 points in two games last week as the Scots advanced to the Class 5A boys state tournament for the second time in three seasons. Aldridge scored 27 points in a 78-65 sub-state semifinal victory over St. Thomas Aquinas last Tuesday and followed that up with another 27-point performance in Friday's 89-52 romp past Piper in the sub-state championship game. 

Malachi Berg

MALACHI BERG, Topeka West

A junior, Berg turned in a pair of big performances as Topeka West advanced to the Class 5A boys state basketball tournament for the second straight season. Berg scored 16 points in last Tuesday's 78-46 sub-state semifinal win over Goddard Eisenhower and then followed that up with a career-high 23-point game in Friday's 73-59 victory over Andover in the sub-state final as the Chargers improved to 21-1 with their 20th straight victory.

Ethan Burns

ETHAN BURNS, Seaman

A junior bowler, Burns rolled a three-game series of 668 in last Friday's Class 5A-1A state bowling tournament at Wichita's Northrock Lanes, tying for ninth place and finishing 10th on a tiebreaker as Seaman captured the state 5A-1A team championship by a 3,483-3,472 margin over Goddard Eisenhower. Burns, who finished 13th at state as a sophomore, bowled a high game of 257 in his first game at state.

Kaitlyn Doyal

KAITLYN DOYAL, Washburn Rural

Doyal capped her high school career with a fourth-place finish in last Thursday's Class 6A state bowling tournament at Wichita's Northrock Lanes, helping lead the Junior Blues to a third-placer team finish. Doyal bowled a 616 series with a high game of 235 to crack the top five after finishing seventh individually as a junior. Doyal helped Washburn Rural finish third in the 6A state meet for the second straight season.

Makenzie Millard

MAKENZIE MILLARD, Seaman

Millard, a senior bowler, earned her third Class 5A-1A girls state medal last Friday at Wichita's Northrock Lanes, posting a career-best second-place finish while leading Seaman to the state team championship. Millard bowled a 697 three-game series, including a first-game 279, after finishing fifth at the state meet as a sophomore and fourth as a junior. Millard led the Vikings to the team championship by a 3,173-3,144 margin over Bishop Carroll. 

Kiki Smith

KIKI SMITH, Topeka High

A junior guard, Smith scored 33 points with three 3-pointers as Topeka High's girls advanced to the Class 6A state basketball tournament for the fourth straight season with a 67-46 victory over Liberal last Friday at Topeka High. Smith will be playing in her third straight state tournament, helping the Trojans post a runner-up state finish last season and helping lead High to a perfect 23-0 record as a sophomore before the tourney was cut short due to COVID-19.

 By RICK PETERSON

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 Bo Aldridge

BO ALDRIDGE, Highland Park

Aldridge, a senior, scored 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as undefeated Highland Park earned its second straight Class 5A state tournament berth with an 80-52 romp past St. James Academy in Saturday's sub-state championship game at Highland Park. The Scots have won 22 straight games dating back to last year's first-round state tournament loss to Maize.

Logan Glinka

LOGAN GLINKA, Washburn Rural

A sophomore, Glinka posted a seventh-place individual finish with a 696 series as Washburn Rural dominated the Class 6A state bowling tournament last Friday at Wichita's Northrock Lanes, winning the team championship by a 3,711-3,576 margin over Olathe Northwest. Glinka, one of two underclassmen in Rural's lineup, bowled games of 205, 254 and 237.

Avery Grunert

AVERY GRUNERT, Hayden

Grunert, a junior, only made one basket in Saturday night's 42-40 Class 4A sub-state overtime victory at Fort Scott, but it was the shot of the year for the 15-7 Wildcats. With Hayden trailing 40-39, the Wildcats inbounded the ball with 3.3 seconds remaining and Grunert banked in the game-winning 3-pointer as time ran out, sending Hayden to this week's state tournament in Salina.

By RICK PETERSON

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Andrew Beckler

ANDREW BECKLER, Washburn University

Beckler, a Washburn Rural graduate, tied the Topeka Country Club amateur record with a 64 last Monday and the senior went on to win the individual championship in the Washburn Invitational by 13 strokes with a 13-under-par 54-hole score of 200 as the Ichabod golf team won the team title by nine strokes.

Jaycee Ginter

JAYCEE GINTER, Washburn University

A freshman, the former Shawnee Heights softball star pitched a no-hitter in the Ichabods' 2-0 MIAA win over Fort Hays State last Friday and Ginter also picked up the pitching win in Sunday's 7-6 win over Nebraska-Kearney while going 3 for 5 at the plate and knocking in the winning run.

By RICK PETERSON

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Dagen Brewer

DAGEN BREWER, Seaman

A senior infielder/catcher, Brewer helped Seaman's baseball team open its 2022 season with a 3-2, 3-1 non-league doubleheader sweep of Basehor-Linwood last Saturday at the Optimist Field. Brewer doubled for the Vikings' first hit of the season in the fifth inning of the first game and reached base six times on the day with three hits.

Jaycee Ginter

JAYCEE GINTER, Washburn University

Ginter, a former Shawnee Heights star, picked up both pitching victories in Saturday's Washburn softball doubleheader MIAA sweep at Central Missouri, raising her season total to a nation-best 17 wins. Ginter hurled a complete game in the Ichabods' 10-2 first-game win, giving up seven hits while striking out eight batters. Ginter came on in relief in the second game, throwing 6.2 innings and striking out 10 hitters while allowing just one run in Washburn's 5-3 12-inning win as the Ichabods improved to 24-11 overall and 6-2 in the MIAA. Ginter also had a two-run double in the opener and a run-scoring double in the second game.

Kadence Jeffries

KADENCE JEFFRIES, Topeka West

Jeffries, who has never lost an individual race in Class 5A-1A state competition, opened her senior swimming season with a pair of dominating victories in last Thursday's Topeka West Invitational at the Capitol Federal Natatorium. The four-time state champion, who has signed a letter of intent with Nebraska Omaha, picked up decisive victories in the 200-yard freestyle in 1 minute, 56.59 seconds and the 100 breaststroke in 1:08.57. Jeffries was a double state champ in both 2019 and 2021, with the '20 season canceled due to COVID-19.

 Belle Kennedy

BELLE KENNEDY, Washburn Rural

Kennedy, who was named the Class 6A midfielder of the year last season as a junior, scored a pair of goals last Friday at Washburn Rural's girls soccer team, third in 6A last season, opened its 2022 season with a 4-0 non-league road victory at Kapaun Mt. Carmel. Kennedy has signed a letter of intent with Washburn University.

Tanner Newkirk

TANNER NEWKIRK, Hayden

Newkirk, who has signed a letter of intent with Kansas, opened his senior track and field season with a dominating performance in the boys 3,200-meter run in last Friday's Free State Early Bird Invitational in Lawrence. Newkirk clocked a winning time of 9 minutes, 18.14 seconds in the event, winning by just over 40 seconds. Newkirk's time in his first race of the season eclipsed his best time of the 2021 campaign, whiich was the best in Shawnee County. by 20 seconds.

Jeremiah Smith

JEREMIAH SMITH, Shawnee Heights

A three-time Class 5A state track champion last spring as a sophomore, Smith made his junior debut with a big win in the boys 110-meter hurdles in last Friday's Free State Early Bird Invitational. Smith, who won state titles last season in the 100 and 200-meter dashes and the 110-meter hurdles, posted a season-opening win in the 110 hurdles in 14.45 seconds, winning by more than two seconds.Smith's time Friday night was just off his season-best of 14.34 seconds in 2021.

 By RICK PETERSON

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Reagan Chapman

REAGAN CHAPMAN, Washburn Rural

A freshman, Chapman, Washburn Rural softball's leadoff hitter, opened the bottom of the first of Friday's Centennial League doubleheader against Topeka High with a solo home run. Chapman added a pair of doubles in the opener while knocking in a pair of runs and scoring the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh in Rural's 4-3 win. In the nightcap, Chapman tripled and broke the game open with a three-run home run in the Junior Blues' 8-3 victory.

Jaycee Ginter

JAYCEE GINTER, Washburn University

Ginter, a junior, picked up three pitching wins as No. 21-ranked Washburn University softball swept MIAA foes Lincoln and Central Missouri Friday and Saturday. Ginter pitched five innings of no-hit ball with 10 strikeouts in a 5-0 win over Lincoln on Friday and picked up both wins on Saturday as the Ichabods took a pair of 2-1 wins over UCM. Ginter pitched a three-hitter with six strikeouts while allowing only an unearned run in the first game against the Jennies and pitched three innings of shutout ball with five strikeouts in the second game, improving to 19-2 on the season.   

Lenny Njoroge

LENNY NJOROGE, Topeka West

A returning Class 5A state medalist, Njoroge opened his senior track season with a pair of victories in last Thursday's Topeka West Invitational. Njoroge won the 1,600 meters by nearly 14 seconds in 4 minutes, 29.84 seconds and came back later in the evening to win the 3,200 by nearly 14 seconds in 9:45.51. Njoroge is also a three-time Class 5A state cross country medalist, including a fourth-place finish last fall.

By RICK PETERSON

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Trevion Alexander

TREVION ALEXANDER, Topeka West

A 6-foot-4 senior, Alexander was named tri-Centennial League boys basketball player of the year after leading Topeka West to a 21-3 record in the Class 5A state tournament, only the third time in Topeka West history the Chargers advanced to the state championship game.

Joe Berry

JOE BERRY, Washburn Rural

Berry, a 6-3 senior, was named tri-Centennial League boys basketball player of the year after being named co-league player of the year as a junior. Berry led Washburn Rural to a 14-7 record this past season and received all-league recognition for the third straight year..

By RICK PETERSON

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Kaeden Bonner

KAEDEN BONNER, Seaman

Bonner, a junior, scored a total of 43 points in the Class 5A state tournament, helping lead Seaman to the first boys state basketball championship in school history. Bonner scored 10 points with 4 assists and 3 steals in the No. 8-seeded Vikings' 54-43 first-round win over top seed Kapaun Mt. Carmel. He scored 18 points on six 3-pointers in the Vikings' 66-54 semifinal win over 2021 champion Maize with 5 assists and 2 steals and scored 15 points and hit 3 of 3 3-point attempts in Seaman's 66-47 win over De Soto in Saturday's state championship game.

Zoe Canfield

ZOE CANFIELD, Washburn Rural

A sophomore, Canfield scored 41 points in the Class 6A girls state basketball tournament as Washburn Rural captured its second state title since 2019 with a 40-23 win over Derby in Saturday's championship game. Canfield scored 23 points and hit six of seven 3-pointers and five of six free throws in the Junior Blues' 66-43 first-round win over Dodge City. Canfield scored six points on two 3-pointers and added 2 assists and 3 steals in Rural's 44-43 semifinal win over Olathe North and had 12 points with two 3s in the state championship game.

 By RICK PETERSON

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 Bo Aldridge

BO ALDRIDGE, Highland Park

Aldridge, a 6-foot-4 senior, scored 47 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in Highland Park's three Class 5A state tournament games, helping the Scots cap a 24-1 season with a third-place state finish. Aldridge scored 24 points with four 3-pointers and grabbed eight rebounds in Hi Park's 55-54 semifinal loss to eventual state champion Andover and scored 16 points with six rebounds in Saturday's 79-46 win over Hutchinson in the third-place game.

Anna Becker

ANNA BECKER, Seaman

Becker, a 5-foot-10 sophomore, earned the girls player of the year honor in the United Kansas Conference after leading Seaman to the UKC championship and a berth in the Class 5A state tournament. Becker had eight points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals in the Vikings' first-round state loss to St. James Academy, with Seaman finishing its season with a 21-2 record.

Brooklyn DeLeye 

BROOKLYN DE LEYE, Washburn Rural

De Leye, a 6-foot-2 senior, scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in Washburn Rural's 35-34 loss to Blue Valley North in Saturday's Class 6A girls state championship game. De Leye, who helped Rural win the 6A state basketball title as a junior and the 6A volleyball title as a senior, scored 43 points and grabbed 37 rebounds in the Junior Blues' three state tournament contests.

By RICK PETERSON

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Jack Bachelor

JACK BACHELOR, Washburn Rural

A 6-foot-2 senior Bachelor scored a total of 36 points and went 18 of 19 at the free throw line on the week as Washburn Rural opened 2023 with a pair of Centennial League victories. Bachelor scored 21 points and hit 10 of 11 free throws in a 64-58 win over Junction City on Tuesday and scored 15 points and went eight of eight at the free throw line in the fourth quarter on Friday in a 46-36 victory at Hayden. 

Malachi Berg

MALACHI BERG, Topeka West

Berg, a 6-3 senior, scored 18 points, including the game-winning free throw with 1.6 seconds remaining, as No. 7-ranked (Class 5A) Topeka West rallied for a 51-50 United Kansas Conference road victory over No. 6-ranked De Soto. Berg also had seven rebounds, three assists and four steals as 6-1 Topeka West moved into a tie for the UKC lead with its sixth straight victory.

Koti Best

KOTI BEST, Seaman

A sophomore 130-pound wrestler, Best was named the outstanding wrestler in last Friday's Lady Vikes Dual Tournament at Seaman. Best went 5-0 in the tournament, posting four wins by fall, including three first-period pins before picking up a win by forfeit in her final match of the day. Best helped lead Seaman to a third-place team finish with wins over Lawrence, Shawnee Mission Northwest and Lansing.

Kaeden Bonner

KAEDEN BONNER, Seaman

Bonner, a 6-3 senior, scored 25 points and went five of five from the free throw line last Thursday night as Seaman returned from the holiday break with a 60-45 home United Kansas Conference victory over Leavenworth. Bonner helped Seaman, the defending Class 5A state champion, snap a three-game losing streak and improve to 2-3 on the season.

 Makenzie McDaniel

MAKENZIE McDANIEL, Silver Lake

McDaniel, a 6-1 junior, scored 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds last Tuesday as No. 2-ranked (Class 3A) handed No. 9-ranked Rossville its first loss of the season in the Eagles' 63-50 Mid-East League road victory. Silver Lake added a 59-30 league win over Rock Creek on Friday to improve to 6-0 on the season as McDaniel contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Saint Mildren

SAINT MILDREN, Rossville

A 6-4 sophomore, Mildren scored a game-high 17 points last Tuesday as Rossville topped rival Silver Lake 50-43 in a home Mid-East League victory. Mildren helped the Bulldawgs push their winning streak to three straight games with a 52-33 league win over Riley County Friday night as Rossville improved to 3-4 on the season.  

 By RICK PETERSON

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Addison Broxterman

ADDISON BROXTERMAN, Washburn Rural

Broxterman, the Junior Blues' star senior 125-pounder, became Kansas' girls wresting record-holder for career pins and career wins in last Saturday's 34-school Washburn Women's Invitational at Washburn Rural. Broxterman went 5-0 on the day with four pins to earn the 125-pound title and helped lead the Junior Blues to the team championship by a 443-255.5 margin over Columbus. Broxterman now has 119 career pins and 127 career victories.  

Brooklyn DeLeye

BROOKLYN DeLEYE, Washburn Rural

DeLeye, a 6-foot-2 senior, scored 59 points in Washburn Rural's three games in the Thunderbird Classic girls basketball tournament, surpassing 1,000 points and 500 rebounds for her career. DeLeye had games of 21, 20 and 18 points as the third-ranked (Class 6A) Junior Blues went 2-1 on the week to finish third in the tournament and improve to 9-3 on the season.

Brylee Meier

BRYLEE MEIER, Hayden

A 6-foot sophomore, Meier scored 16 points as No. 10-ranked (Class 4A) Hayden claimed the tournament championship in the Top Gun Tournament with a 48-39 victory over Spring Hill on Saturday in Wellsville, with the Wildcats improving to 8-4 with their fourth staight victory. Meier scored 11 points in the semifinals as Hayden upset No. 3-ranked (3A) Nemaha Central, 46-40, the Thunder's first loss of the season. Meier was named to the Top Gun Tournament All-Tournament team.

Luke Perkins

LUKE PERKINS, Shawnee Heights

The senior swimming standout captured a city-best four gold medals in last Thursday's city boys swimming championships at the Capitol Federal Natatorium. A multiple time state medalist three straight seasons, Perkins won individual city titles in the 200-yard individual medley (2 minutes, 01.12 seconds) and 100 butterfly (52.63) and swam on the T-Birds' winning 200 medley relay (1:44.44) and the 200 free relay (1:33.71) teams.

Kiki Smith 

KIKI SMITH, Topeka High

Smith, a 5-foot-8 senior guard, scored 73 points in the Trojans' three games in the Firebird Classic girls basketball tournament at Free State, helping lead the No. 7-ranked (Class 6A) to the tournament championship. Smith scored 21 points in a 69-34 first-round win over Wichita Northwest, scored 36 points in just three quarters in High's 69-37 semifinal win over Eisenhower and had 16 points in the Trojans' 56-51 win over Blue Valley in the championship game, with High avenging a loss to the Tigers' in the 2022 state tournament.

Taylin Stallbaumer

TAYLIN STALLBAUMER, Seaman

A 5-foot-6 junior, Stallbaumer hit the game-winning 3-point shot as time ran out, giving No. 1-ranked (Class 5A) Seaman a 46-43 win over tournament host Emporia and the championship in the Glaciers Edge Tournament. Stallbaumer scored 15 points in the championship game, including three 3-pointers, as Seaman improved to 11-1 on the season.

By RICK PETERSON
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Hunter Bentley

HUNTER BENTLEY, Washburn University

A senior guard, Bentley scored 34 points in two games on the week for the Ichabods en route to becoming the 24th member of Washburn women's basketball 1,000-point club. Bentley scored a game-high 21 points (4 3-pointers) in a 73-49 win over Lincoln and reached her career milestone with 13 points (3 3-pointers) in a 64-55 loss to Emporia State.

Noah Hastert

NOAH HASTERT, Cair Paravel Latin

Hastert, a 6-foot-6 junior, scored 19 points and also contributed 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals as Cair Paravel improved to 7-3 on the season with a 74-45 road victory at Burlingame, the Lions' 4th straight victory.

 By RICK PETERSON

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Bo Aldridge

BO ALDRIDGE, Highland Park

A 6-foot-5 senior, Aldridge scored 67 points in three games as the undefeated and top-ranked (Class 5A) Highland Park boys basketball team won its first Topeka Invitational Tournament championship in 10 years Saturday at Topeka West. Aldridge scored 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in a 67-36 first-round win over Shawnee Mission North, scored 27 points with eight dunks in an 86-48 semifinal win over Wichita Southeast and had 18 points in the Scots' 58-47 win over Lawrence in the tournament championship game as Highland Park improved to 9-0.

Jack Bachelor

JACK BACHELOR, Washburn Rural

Bachelor, a 6-foot-2 senior, Bachelor helped lead the 10th-ranked (Class 6A) Washburn Rural's boys basketball team to a third-place finish in the Bill Hanson Memorial Tournament at Pittsburg, scoring 51 points on the week. Bachelor scored 10 points in the Junior Blues' 68-30 first-round win over Joplin, Mo., had 23 points with three 3-pointers and a four of four performance at the free throw line in a 61-43 semifinal loss to Blue Valley Northwest and had 18 points with a six of seven showing at the free throw line and three steals in 8-4 Rural's 69-63 win over Pittsburg. on Saturday.

McKinley Kruger

McKINLEY KRUGER, Silver Lake

Kruger, a 5-foot-6 junior basketball player, was named the Burlington Invitational Most Valuable Player after helping lead No. 7-ranked (Class 3A) Silver Lake to the tournament championship. Silver Lake defeated Independence 52-39 in the championship game, with Kruger scoring 20 points and hitting five 3-pointers as the Eagles improved to 10-1 on the season.

 By RICK PETERSON

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Madison Davison

MADISON DAVISON, Washburn Rural

A sophomore wrestler, Davison entered the Newton Tournament of Champions with a sub.-500 record and was the No. 16 (bottom) seed in the 145-pound weight class. In the first round Davison pulled off a major upset, pinning the No. 1 seed from Garden City. Davison then went on to pin the No. 2 and No. 4- seeded wrestlers, going 4-0 on the day with four first-period pins to win the 145-pound title and help lead Washburn Rual to the team championship by a 220-166 margin over Garden City. 

Brooklyn DeLeye

BROOKLYN DeLEYE, Washburn Rural

A 6-foot-2 senior, DeLeye led No. 5-ranked Washburn Rural to a pair of Centennial League victories on the week, scoring 17 points with three 3-pointers and grabbing 11 rebounds in a 47-46 win over No. 8 Topeka High and scoring 16 points while hitting five of nine field goal attempts and going four for four at the free throw line in a 48-32 win over Manhattan. In between her two games DeLeye was named the Gatorade Kansas Volleyball Player of the Year for the second straight season after leading Rural to a 45-1 record and the Class 6A state title. 

Katie Price

KATIE PRICE, Seaman

Price, a senior bowler, bowled an oustanding 750 three-game series to win the invididual championship in the Free State Invitational at Royal Crest Lanes. Price bowled games of 223, 248 and 279 to win the title by 134 pins as Seaman won the team championship by a 3,100-3,026 margin over Olathe East. Earlier in the week Price finished second in the Hayden quadrangular with a 579 series as Seaman, the defending Class 5A-1A state champion, won the team title by a 2,882-2599 margin over Topeka West.

By RICK PETERSON

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Elijah Brooks

ELIJAH BROOKS, Topeka West

A 6-foot-4 senior, Brooks had 43 and 33-point games in boys basketball victories over Junction City (67-66 in overtime) and Seaman (74-58) last week as 12-1 Topeka West, ranked second in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, pushed its winning streak to 11 games. In Friday night's Centennial League victory over Seaman Brooks became Topeka West's career scoring leader, moving past 2000 graduate Luke Dwyer, who scored 1,235 points. Brooks, who has scored 30 or more points in five straight games, has now scored 1,250 points at West.

Emma Krueger

EMMA KRUEGER, Washburn Rural

Krueger, a 5-11 senior, was named the most valuable player in the Lady Firebirds Winter Classic at Lawrence Free State after helping lead sixth-ranked Washburn Rural to the tournament championship. Krueger turned in an outstanding defensive effort in Rural's 3-0 week as the Junior Blues posted a 57-30 win over Leavenworth before knocking off No. 3-ranked Derby (54-37) and No. 1 Shawnee Mission East (47-38). Krueger scored 26 points in the tournament, including 10 in the championship game as Rural improved to 12-1 while pushing its winning streak to seven games.

By RICK PETERSON

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Nuria Barrientos 

NURIA BARRIENTOS, Washburn University

Barrientos, a 5-foot-11 senior from Barcelona, Spain, scored 15 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as Washburn's women's basketball team capped a 2-0 week with a 72-67 MIAA win over rival Emporia State on Saturday at Lee Arena.

Kaeden Bonner

KAEDEN BONNER, Seaman

A 6-1 junior, Bonner connected on eight 3-pointers and scored 24 points for Seaman's boys basketball team in Saturday's 72-68 loss to host McPherson in the third-place game of the McPherson Invitational. Bonner scored 51 points in Seaman's three tournament games.

By RICK PETERSON

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Elijah Brooks

ELIJAH BROOKS, Topeka West

A 6-foot-4 senior, Brooks scored a total of 47 points in two Topeka West boys basketball wins on the week as the Chargers improved to 7-1 overall and 6-1 in the Centennial League. Brooks scored 21 points in West's 71-57 win over Emporia last Tuesday and scored 26 points and grabbed 14 rebounds on Friday as West took a 79-67 league win over previously-unbeaten Highland Park.

Tyler Geiman

TYLER GEIMAN, Washburn University

Geiman, the Ichabods' 6-1 point guard, helped Washburn boost its winning streak to four games with MIAA wins at Missouri Southern and Pittsburg State. Geiman scored 12 points with 16 rebounds and seven assists in a 87-72 win over Southern last Thursday and scored 28 points with 5 rebounds and 6 assists in Saturday's 80-79 victory at Pittsburg State.

Jaliah Johnson

JALIAH JOHNSON, Washburn Rural

Johnson, Washburn Rural's star senior 155-pound wrestler, was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler in the Newton Women's Tournament of Champions after helping lead the Junior Blues to a perfect 5-0 record and the tournament team title in the dual tournament. Johnson went 5-0 with four pins and a win by forfeit. 

Carter Olson

CARTER OLSON, Shawnee Heights

Olson, a 6-6 senior, registered a pair of double-doubles last week as Shawnee Heights boosted its record to 7-1 with a pair of victories. Olson scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the T-Birds' 66-44 United Kansas Conference victory over Leavenworth last Tuesday and had 14 points and 13 rebounds in Shawnee Heights' 82-58 UKC win at Turner on Friday.

Luke Perkins

LUKE PERKINS, Shawnee Heights

Perkins won four gold medals for Shawnee Heights in last Tuesday's Topeka West Invitational swimming meet at the Capitol Federal Natatorium. Perkins won the 200-yard individual medley in 2 minutes, 6.06 seconds and the 100 butterfly in 54.07 seconds and also swam on the T-Birds' winning 200 medley relay (1:46.33) and 200 free relay (1:37.29).

Juan'Tario Roberts

JUAN'TARIO ROBERTS, Highland Park

Roberts, the Scots' standout senior guard, scored a total of 59 points in two Highland Park games on the week. Roberts scored 24 points in Highland Park's 70-54 Centennial League win over previously-unbeaten Junction City on Tuesday and scored a career-high 35 points with seven 3-pointers in Highland Park's 79-67 league loss at Topeka West on Friday.

By RICK PETERSON

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Ketraleus Aldridge

KETRALEUS ALDRIDGE, Highland Park

Aldridge, a 6-foot-4 junior, scored 56 points in two Highland Park boys basketball victories on the week as the Scots improved to 7-0 overall and 6-0 in the Centennial League. Aldridge scored 34 points (21 in the first half) in the Scots' 70-41 non-league win at Atchison on Tuesday and scored 22 points on Friday in Highland Park's 64-31 home league romp past Manhattan. 

 Jack Bachelor

JACK BACHELOR, Washburn Rural

Bachelor, a 6-2 junior, scored a game and career-high 28 points in Tuesday night's 56-51 home Centennial League win over Topeka High as Washburn Rural's boys basketball team evened its record at 3-3 overall and in the league. Bachelor went nine of nine from the field with seven 3-pointers.

Elijah Brooks

ELIJAH BROOKS, Topeka West

A 6-4 senior, Brooks scored a game-high 32 points and grabbed eight rebounds as Topeka West's boys basketball team opened the 2022 portion of its schedule with a 70-54 Centennial League road victory over Hayden Friday night, improving to 5-1 overall and 4-1 in the league. 

Ty Henry

TY HENRY, Seaman

Henry, a 6-5 senior, scored 47 points in two Seaman victories on the week as the Vikings improved to 5-2 overall and in the Centennial League. Henry scored 18 points in the Vikings' 66-44 home win over Hayden on Tuesday and followed that up with a 29-point night Friday at Topeka High as Seaman rolled to a 68-47 win at Topeka High.

 Jalen Lewis

JALEN LEWIS, Washburn University

Lewis, a 5-11 junior, scored 25 points, including 20 in the first half, as Washburn's men's basketball team improved to 8-6 on the season with a 76-64 home MIAA victory over Missouri Western Saturday at Lee Arena. Lewis canned six 3-pointers in the game as the Ichabods moved to two games over .500 for the first time this season.

 Aisya Taylor

AISYA TAYLOR, Highland Park

A 5-8 senior, Taylor scored a game-high 23 points as Highland Park's girls basketball team garnered its first victory since the 2019-2020 season with a 61-38 non-league win over Sumner Academy. last Tuesday. Taylor hit a pair of 3-pointers against the Sabres and also went three of three from the free throw line. 

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Hunter Bentley

HUNTER BENTLEY, Washburn University

Bentley, a 5-foot-9 senior guard out of Bishop Miege, scored a game-high 27 points and hit 9 of 9 free throw attempts as Washburn's women's basketball team bounced back from a pair of tough MIAA losses to take a 76-66 home victory over Northeastern State. Bentley scored 41 points on the week as the 7-8 Ichabods split games.

Tyler Geiman

TYLER GEIMAN, Washburn University

A 6-1 senior point guard, the former Blue Valley star scored a game-high 29 points, including 21 in the second half, as Washburn, using just seven players due to injury and illness, improved to 12-3 with an 88-77 come-from-behind MIAA home victory over Rogers State. Geiman also had 8 assists and 7 rebounds for the Ichabods and scored 12 straight points in the second half to spearhead the win.

Hailey Horton

HAILEY HORTON, Silver Lake

A freshman, Horton won the 155-pound title in Friday's Division II District Girls Wrestling Tournament at Marysville, helping the Eagles win the district team championship by an 88-73 margin over Holton. Horton won her first match with a 23-second pin before taking a 7-2 decision over Atchison County's Hannah Simmers in the finals.

Daigan Kruger

DAIGAN KRUGER, Silver Lake

Kruger, a junior, won the 170-pound championship in Saturday's Class 3A-1A  District Boys Wrestling Tournament at Silver Lake, posting three straight pins to help the Eagles win the team title. Kruger, now 41-1 on the season, posted pins in 36 seconds and 2 minutes, 36 seconds to reach the finals and pinned Mission Valley's Justice Dunbar in 1:09 to win the 170 title. 

CJ Powell

CJ POWELL, Highland Park

Powell, a 6-7 senior, scored 59 points in two games on the week as Highland Park's boys basketball team extended its winning streak to five games with Centennial League victories over Emporia and Seaman. Powell scored 31 points in the Scots' 63-58 win over Emporia and followed that up with a 28-point performance in the Scots' 55-47 overtime win over Seaman on Friday, forcing the OT with a clutch 3-point loss. 

Marque Wilkerson

MARQUE WILKERSON, Topeka West

Wilkerson, a 6-2 senior, scored a game-high 25 points as Topeka West's boys basketball team took over sole possession of the Centennial League lead with a 63-46 home Centennial League win over Washburn Rural. Continuing a recent hot streak, Wilkerson scored 16 points in the first half and hit 11 of 14 field goal attempts on the night as the Chargers improved to 11-2 overall and 8-1 in the league. 

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Jack Bachelor

 JACK BACHELOR, Washburn Rural

Bachelor, a 6-foot-2 senior guard, scored a total of 44 points in two Washburn Rural boys basketball wins on the week as the Junior Blues improved to 11-4 on the season. Bachelor scored 27 points in a 65-60 non-league win over Blue Valley last Tuesday, going nine of 13 from the field with three 3-pointers and six of seven at the free throw line. Bachelor followed that up with 17 points and five 3-pointers on Friday as Rural fought back from a 14-point deficit in the first half to take a 50-42 Centennial League win over Emporia. Bachelor hit six of nine shots and five of six 3-point attemps in the win over the Spartans.

Alexis Fredrickson

ALEXIS FREDRICKSON, Washburn Rural

The Junior Blues' senior 135-pound girls wrestler, Fredrickson reached the 100-victory milestone for her career in last Saturday's Centennial League tournament. Fredrickson, who began wrestling as a sophomore, went 3-1 with three pins, including a win over a No. 1-ranked (Class 6A-5A) wrestler as Washburn Rural rolled to its third straight league championship. Rural went 4-0 in the dual event, outscoring its four opponents by a 285-33 margin.

Madison Freeland

MADISON FREELAND, Shawnee Heights

A sophomore, Freeland captured the 135-pound championship in last Saturday's United Kansas Conference girls wrestling tournament at Seaman. Freeland went 3-0 on the day with pins in 48 seconds, 1 minute, 21 seconds and 1:42 to help lead Shawnee Heights to its fourth straight UKC team title by a 78-52 margin over tournament host Seaman. Freeland improved to 27-5 going into this Saturday's Class 6A-5A regional tournament at Seaman.