Shawnee Heights Thunderbirds vertTopeka High Trojans

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  • State tournament teams dominate 2025 All-Shawnee County softball team

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    State tournament qualifiers Silver Lake, Seaman, Shawnee Heights, Washburn Rural and Topeka High combined to earn 15 of 16 spots on the 2025 TopSports.news All-Shawnee County softball first team.

    Silver Lake, the Class 3A runnerup for the second straight season, put four players on the first team, including Shawnee County player of the year Kendra Cook, while 5A state qualifiers Seaman and Shawnee Heights combined for six first-teamers and 6A state runnerup Washburn Rural and fellow 6A state qualifier Topeka High combined for five first-teamers.

    KendraCook2025 1Kendra Cook, Silver Lake

    Topeka High freshman London Backman and Hayden freshman Blakely Walter were named the co-county newcomers of the year while Washburn Rural coach Joy Marie Galliart and Silver Lake coach Nick Hamilton share the county coach of the year award for the second straight year.

    LondonBackman2025softball 1 London Backman, Topeka High

    BlakelyWalter2025 1Blakely Walter, Hayden

    Cook is joined on the All-Shawnee County first team by Eagle seniors Taylor Zordel and Kira Lowrey and junior Kailyn Hanni after Silver Lake recorded a 25-7 record.

    TaylorZordel2025Softball 1Taylor Zordel, Silver Lake

    KiraLowrey2025Softball 1Kira Lowrey, Silver Lake

    KailynHanni2025SoftballState 1Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake

    Seaman put seniors Kaelyn O'Rourke, Raegan McConnell and Anna McLaughlin and junior Aubrey Warren on the first team after the Vikings posted a 20-9 record, including a 3-2 17-inning loss to Maize South in the opening round of the 5A state tournament.

    Seaman senior Kaelyn O'Rourke pitches against Maize South in the 5A State Softball Tournament held at Wilkins Stadium in Wichita on Thursday, May 29, 2025.Kaelyn O'Rourke, Seaman

    RaeganMcConnell2025TW 4Raegan McConnell, Seaman

    Seaman senior Anna Mclaughlin slides safely to first base against Maize South in the 5A State Softball Tournament held at Wilkins Stadium in Wichita on Thursday, May 29, 2025.Anna McLaughlin, Seaman

    AubreyWarren2025TW 4Aubrey Warren, Seaman

    Washburn Rural, which went 22-8 and advanced to the 6A championship game before dropping an 8-7 decision to Olathe West, put Centennial League player of the year Olivia Koch, a sophomore, on the all-county first team along with juniors Henley Rapp and Reagan Chapman.

    OliviaKoch2025StateOW 2Olivia Koch, Washburn Rural

    ReaganChapman2025STATE. 2Reagan Chapman, Washburn Rural

    HenleyRapp2025 2Henley Rapp, Washburn Rural

    Shawnee Heights, which posted a 20-7 record and dropped a 3-2 decision to eventual 5A state champion St. Thomas Aquinas in the first round of the 5A state tournament, is represented by seniors Taylor Brees and Grace Proctor.

    Shawnee Heights senior Taylor Brees races to third base in the game against St. Thomas Aquinas in the 5A State Softball Tournament at Wilkins Stadium in Wichita on Thursday, May 29, 2025.Taylor Brees, Shawnee Heights

    Shawnee Heights senior Grace Proctor pitches against St. Thomas Aquinas in the 5A State Softball Tournament at Wilkins Stadium in Wichita on Thursday, May 29, 2025.Grace Proctor, Shawnee Heights

    State qualifier Topeka High put Backman and senior Jo'Mhara Benning on the all-county first team while Hayden senior Keira Carswell rounds out the all-county squad.

    JoMharaBenningSOFTBALL 2Jo'Mhara Benning, Topeka High

    KeiraCarswell2025WR 2Keira Carswell, Hayden

    2025 ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY SOFTBALL

  • Player of the year Olivia Koch leads seven city players on All-Centennial softball first team

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    City softball players earned seven of the 11 spots on the 2025 All-Centennial League team while sweeping the individual awards.

    OliviaKoch2025 4Olivia Koch, Washburn Rural

    Washburn Rural sophomore Olivia Koch was named the Centennial League player of the year after helping lead the Junior Blues to a runnerup finish in the Class 6A state tournament while Topeka High freshman London Backman and Hayden freshman Blakely Walter were named the league's co-newcomers of the year and Hayden coach Cody Reynolds was selected by league coaches as the coach of the year.

    LondonBackman2025softball 1 London Backman, Topeka High

    BlakelyWalter2025 1Blakely Walter, Hayden

    Topeka High, which advanced to the 6A state tournament, put a league-high three players on the all-league first team -- Backman, senior Jo'Mhara Benning and sophomore Campbell Dawson.

    Washburn Rural is represented on the first team by Koch and junior Reagan Chapman while Hayden put senior Keira Carswell and Walter on the first team.

    Manhattan put junior Kat Ball and senior Isabelle Peabody on the all-league first team while Junction City is represented by senior Cassidy Miller and Emporia by junior Alivia Barrett.

    Washburn Rural put senior Layla Collins, junior Henley Rapp, sophomore Justice McBurney and freshman Addalyn Boleski on the second team while Topeka High is represented by sophomore Madilyn Poole and Hayden by junior Emily Peterson and freshman Carley McAllister.

    Nine city players earned all-league honorable mention.

    ALL-CENTENNIAL LEAGUE SOFTBALL

  • Nine Shawnee County softball standouts receive first-team KSCA All-State recognition

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Fourteen Shawnee County standouts have received All-State recognition from the Kansas Softball Coaches Association, including nine first-team picks.

    Silver Lake put four players on the All-Class 3A first team after advancing to the state championship game for the second straight season while state qualifiers Seaman and Shawnee Heights combined for four first-team All-5A selections and state runnerup Washburn Rural put sophomore standout Olivia Koch on the All-6A first team.

    KendraCook2025 1Kendra Cook, Silver Lake

     KiraLowrey2025Softball 1Kira Lowrey, Silver Lake

    TaylorZordel2025Softball 1Taylor Zordel, Silver Lake

    KailynHanni2025SoftballState 1Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake

    Silver Lake is represented on the All-3A first team by senior pitcher Kendra Cook, senior infielders Kira Lowrey and Taylor Zordel and junior outfielder Kailyn Hanni.

    Seaman senior Kaelyn O'Rourke pitches against Maize South in the 5A State Softball Tournament held at Wilkins Stadium in Wichita on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Kaelyn O'Rourke, Seaman

    RaeganMcConnell2025TW 1Raegan McConnell, Seaman

    Shawnee Heights senior Grace Proctor pitches against St. Thomas Aquinas in the 5A State Softball Tournament at Wilkins Stadium in Wichita on Thursday, May 29, 2025.Grace Proctor, Shawnee Heights

    Shawnee Heights senior Taylor Brees races to third base in the game against St. Thomas Aquinas in the 5A State Softball Tournament at Wilkins Stadium in Wichita on Thursday, May 29, 2025.Taylor Brees, Shawnee Heights

    Seaman put senior pitcher Kaelyn O'Rourke and senior catcher Raegan McConnell on the All-5A team while Shawnee Heights is represented by senior pitcher Grace Proctor and senior infielder Taylor Brees. 

    OliviaKoch2025State 2Olivia Koch, Washburn Rural

    Washburn Rural's Koch made the All-6A team as an outfielder after being named the Centennial League player of the year this spring.

    Seaman junior infielder Aubrey Warren and senior outfielder Anna McLaughlin were named to the All-5A second team.

    Topeka High sophomore outfielder Campbell Dawson and freshman infielder Landon Backman received All-6A honorable mention after helping the Trojans make it to the state tournament.

    Hayden senior catcher Keira Carswell received honorable mention in 4A.

  • Co-players of the year Cooper Grace, Deacon Pomeroy top 2025 All-Shawnee County baseball

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Hayden senior Cooper Grace and Shawnee Heights senior Deacon Pomeroy headline the TopSports.news 2025 All-Shawnee County baseball team.

    CooperGrace2025Baseball 1Cooper Grace, Hayden

    Shawnee Heights' Deacon Pomeroy bats  against Hays in the 5A State Baseball Tounament at Eck Stadium in Wichita on Thursday, May 29, 2025.Deacon Pomeroy, Shawnee Heights

    Grace has been named the co-county player of the year for the second straight season while Pomeroy is a four-time all-county first-team pick.

    Grace, a pitcher and third baseman, helped lead Hayden to a county-best 23-1 record and the Centennial League championship this spring while Pomeroy, a pitcher and catcher, helped lead Shawnee Heights to the United Kansas Conference title and a Class 5A state tournament berth. 

    Grace was earlier named the player of the year in the Centennial League and the co-player of the year in 4A by the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches while Pomeroy was named the UKC player of the year and a KABC All-5A first-team selection.

    Hayden sophomore Caleb Menke, a first-team All-Centennial League pick at designated hitter, was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year while Shawnee Heights' Jason Brown was named the county coach of the year after leading the T-Birds to a 21-8 record and a 5A state tournament berth in his first season as Heights' head coach.

    Grace and Silver Lake senior infielder Dysen Schooler are both three-time all-county first-team selections while Seaman senior catcher David Dobbs is a first-team repeater.

     DysenSchoolerSLbaseball2025 1Dysen Schooler, Silver Lake

    DavidDobbs2025Baseball 1David Dobbs, Seaman

    AxtonBrewer2025 4Axton Brewer, Seaman

    KadeMitchell2025Baseball 1Kade Mitchell, Hayden

    Dobbs is joined on the all-county first team by sophomore pitcher/designated hitter Axton Brewer and Grace and Menke are joined on the first team by Wildcat senior infielder/pitcher Liam Annand and Hayden junior outfielder Kade Mitchell.

    LoganCathcart2025 1Logan Cathcart, Silver Lake

    Silver Lake senior catcher Cooper Campidilli and senior pitcher Logan Cathcart join Schooler on the all-county first team after the Eagles advanced to the 3A state tournament.

    CamdrenFloberg2025 2Camdren Floberg, Shawnee Heights

    Shawnee Heights junior Cambren Floberg, named the UKC pitcher of the year, was a first-team selection along with teammate Pomeroy while 6A state tournament qualifier Washburn Rural is represented on the first team by junior pitcher Isaac Ansley and junior infielders Austin Ditch and Nate Selm.

    IsaacAnsley2025 2Isaac Ansley, Washburn Rural

    AustinDitchWR2025 1Austin Ditch, Washburn Rural

    NateSelmWR2025 1Nate Selm, Washburn Rural

    Rossville, a 2A-1A state tournament qualifier, is represented on the first team by junior pitcher Cameron Miller and junior infielder Canann Mitchell.

    CameronMiller2025 1Cameron Miller, Rossville

    2025 ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY BASEBALL

  • Class 5A three-event state champ Ryin Miller heads 2025 All-Shawnee County girls track and field

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Seaman junior Ryin Miller, who has established herself as one of Kansas' all-time distance greats in three high school seasons, headlines the 2025 All-Shawnee County girls track and field team after sweeping Class 5A state titles in her three individual events last weekend at Wichita.

    RyinMiller2025State800 4Ryin Miller, Seaman

    Miller, who has now won five 5A state track titles over the past two seasons, won Friday's 3,200 meters in 10 minutes, 19.53 seconds before doubling up in Saturday's 1,600 meters in 4:57.33 and the 800 in 2:11.14 and adding a fourth state medal when she anchored the Vikings' 4x400 relay to a fourth-place finish (4:03.44).

    MorganRay2025State 1Morgan Ray, Washburn Rural

    AhsieyrhuajhRayton2025State 1Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka HIgh

    PaytonFink2025State 1Payton Fink, Washburn Rural

    Miller was Shawnee County's only state champion, but Washburn Rural junior Morgan Ray was the state runnerup in the 6A javelin (138 feet, 1 inch) and Topeka High sophomore Ahsieyrhuajh finished second in the 6A triple jump (37-4.25) and Rural senior Rylee Ismert, junior Emily Graf, senior Brooklyn Nolte and senior Payton Fink finished second in the 4x800 relay (9:29.84).

    Fink also finished fifth in the 3,200 (10:59.39) and fifth in the 1,600 (5:09.90) while Rural sophomore Kailyn Petersen was fourth in the discus (124-6) and seventh in the shot put (36-6.75) and senior Molly Worley placed seventh in the long jump (17-2.75) and eighth in the high jump (5-2).

    Seaman seniors Taylie Heston, Jaida Stallbaumer and Ally Steiner teamed with Miller for the fourth-place finish in the 5A 4x400 relay while the Vikings also put senior Grace Jowers and sophomores Kinley Robinson and Brynn Spencer on the all-county team.

    Hayden senior Bella Reid, Rossville junior Rylee Dick and Silver Lake freshman all earned state medals in the 100-meter hurdles en route to earning all-county berths while also earning first-team spots were Topeka High junior Keimara Marshall, Highland Park senior Ke'Ahjahnae Rice, Silver Lake sophomore Ali Gerber and Rural junior Kenzie Maddox, who were all state qualifiers.

    KeimaraMarshallSTATEKeimara Marshall, Topeka High

    All-Shawnee County selections were picked on the basis of meeting minimum standards established by local coaches as well as coaches' recommendations and performances in postseason competition.

    ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY 2025 GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD

  • Rural state champions headline 2025 All-Shawnee County boys track and field team

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Washburn Rural, which captured three Class 6A state championships, including a state-meet record, headlines the 2025 All-Shawnee County boys track and field team.

    IsaiahTerry2025State400 4Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural

    LiamMorrison2025State 1Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural

    RuralRelay2025 2Matthew Houser, Liam Morrison, Draden Chooncharoen, Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural

    Rural senior Isaiah Terry won the 6A state title in the 400-meter dash in 47.92 seconds and junior Liam Morrison won the 300 hurdles in 37.68 before Morrison and Terry teamed with senior Matthew Houser and junior Draden Chooncharoen for a 6A meet-record time of 3:16.23 in the 4x400 relay.

    PeytonHolmes2025State 5Peyton Holmes, Seaman

    BryceCochran2025State 6Bryce Cochran, Seaman

    BrodyAnderson2025 5Brody Anderson, Seaman

    Seaman senior Peyton Holmes was the 5A runnerup in the 100 dash (10.82) while Viking senior Bryce Cochran finished third in the 400 (48.85) and Seaman junior Brody Anderson placed third in the 800 (1:55.52).

    BenRoeder2025State 1 Ben Roeder, CPLS/Topeka High

    Senior Ben Roeder, who competed for Cair Paravel Latin in postseason after running for Topeka High in the regular season, finished third in the 2A 400 (49.37).

    Silver Lake's foursome of seniors Trent Rollenhagen and Evan Scheid and juniors Joel Miller and Braxton Rupp posted a third-place finish in the 3A 4x100 relay (42.57).

    JensenSchrickel2025City 4Jensen Schrickel, Hayden

    Despite missing the state meet after an injury at regionals, Hayden senior multi-time state champion Jensen Schrickel earned All-City honors for the fourth straight season.

    In addition to its state champions, Washburn Rural put seniors Braylon Badger, Ben Buesing, Connor Olsen and Chris Quarles, junior Brooks Kehoe and sophomore Christian Hartman-Babb on the All-City team.

    AdrianLehman2025trackCity 2Adrian Lehman and Mark Wilkie, Topeka West

    Topeka West is represented on the All-City team by senior distance standouts Adrian Lehman and Mark Wilkie, who were both 5A state medalists, while Shawnee Heights senior Liam Benz and Seaman sophomore Jack Esser were also state medalists.

    All-Shawnee County picks were based on meeting minimum performance standards as well as coaches' recommendations and postseason performances.

    ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY 2025 BOYS TRACK AND FIELD

  • Repeat picks Armstrong, Donovan, Kuta, Rodriguez headline 2025 All-Shawnee County golf

    Rick Peterson

    All Cityboysgolf2025 1The 2025 All-Shawnee County boys golf team: From left -- Jack Donovan, Rossville; Higgins Hawks, Washburn Rural; Tadd Armstrong, Washburn Rural; Tagan Monasmith, Washburn Rural; Tagen Rodriguez, Hayden; James Kuta, Hayden. Not pictured: Mateo Garcia, Hayden. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    First-team repeat selections Tadd Armstrong of Washburn Rural, Jack Donovan of Rossville and Hayden's James Kuta and Tagen Rodriguez headline the 2025 All-Shawnee County boys golf team. 

    Seniors Armstrong and Kuta finished one-two in the city tournament, with Armstrong winning the title in a playoff, while Kuta and Rodriguez, a junior, both posted top-10 finishes in the Class 4A state tournament as Hayden finished second as a team and Donovan was a regional champion as a junior and earned a sixth-place tie in 2A-1A, his second straight state medal

    Washburn Rural, which won its 15th straight city team championship, is also represented on the All-Shawnee County team by senior Tagan Monasmith and junior Higgins Hawks while Hayden also put junior Mateo Garcia on the first team.

    All-Shawnee County capsules:

  • Donovan, Johnson, Hanni and Miller named Rising Stars of the Year for 2025

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Silver Lake's Dayne Johnson and Kailyn Hanni, Rossville's Jack Donovan and Seaman's Ryin Miller, who recently completed their junior years of high school, were honored Tuesday night at The Foundry as the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency 2025 Rising Stars of the year.

    RisingStars2025 1Silver Lake's Dayne Johnson and Rossville's Jack Donovan were named the Dan Key Farmers Agency 2025 co-male Rising Stars of the Year Tuesday night while Silver Lake's Kailyn Hanni and Seaman's Ryin Miller were named the co-female winners. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Donovan and Johnson were named the co-boys winners while Hanni and Miller shared the girls honor.

    The four overall winners were picked from five girls and boys finalists chosen from weekly Rising Stars who were selected through the 2024-2025 school year.

    Johnson was a football, basketball and baseball standout for the Eagles while Donovan was a football and basketball standout and a state golf medalist for the Bulldawgs.

    Hanni helped lead Silver Lake to runnerup Class 3A state finishes in basketball and softball this past season and has been a state champion in basketball and golf while Miller won three individual 5A state track championships last weekend in Wichita, was the state runnerup in cross country and basketball and was a 5A state basketball champion as a sophomore.

  • Centennial League baseball: Hayden's Cooper Grace named player of the year

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Hayden senior Cooper Grace has received Centennial League player of the year recognition from league coaches for the second straight season after helping lead the Wildcats to an undefeated league title and a 23-1 record overall.

    CooperGrace2025JC 2Hayden senior Cooper Grace has been named the Centennial League baseball player of the year after helping lead the Wildcats to the undefeated league title. [File photo/TSN]

    Grace, who shared the player of the year honor with Topeka High's Nate Plankinton in 2024, was one of five Hayden players to receive first-team honors.

    BillArnold2025Baseball 1Hayden's Bill Arnold has been named the Centennial League baseball coach of the year after the Wildcats won the undefeated league title. [File photo/TSN] 

    Hayden's Bill Arnold was voted the Centennial coach of the year.

    Grace was a first-team pick as a pitcher and is joined on the first team for the Wildcats by senior infielder Liam Annand, junior outfielders Kade Mitchell and Aiden Roberts and sophomore designated hitter Caleb Menke.

    Washburn Rural, which posted a 15-12 record and advanced to Class 6A state tournament this spring, is represented on the first team by junior infielder Austin Ditch while Junior Blues junior pitcher Isaac Ansley, sophomore pitcher Tyler Edmiston and junior infielder Nate Selm all earned second-team honors.

    Hayden junior pitcher Connor Hanika, sophomore infielder Mason Becker, senior outfielder Brady Heinen and junior catcher Brady Deutsch were second-team picks along with Topeka High junior utility player Drayden Acosta.  .  

    A total of four city players received all-league honorable mention.

    Manhattan freshman Asher Newton was named the league's newcomer of the year. 

    ALL-CENTENNIAL LEAGUE BASEBALL

  • State girls track: Ryin Miller rallies late to take win in heavyweight Class 5A 3,200 showdown

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    WICHITA -- Seaman junior Ryin Miller was content to let her friendly rival, Salina Central senior star Katelyn Rupe, set the early face in Friday night's Class 5A girls 3,200 meters at Cessna Stadium.

    And although there were times in the race where Miller thought she might be letting Rupe too far ahead, the Seaman star relied on her 57-second quarter mile speed when it counted the most, overtaking Rupe on the final lap, winning her first 3,200 title in 10 minutes, 19.53 seconds while three-time 3,200 champ Rupe was second in 10:22.11.

    RyinMiller2025State 7Seaman junior Ryin Miller crosses the finish line in the Class 5A 3,200 meters Friday night at Cessna Stadium. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN] b]in cV 

    RyinMiller2025State 9Ryin Miller and Salina Central's Katelyn Rupe exchange a hug after Friday night's Class 5A 3,200 race in Wichita. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    "I didn't really want to lead too much,'' Miller said. "That takes a lot out of you when you lead, so I didn't really want to do that. I figured Katelyn would want to get out and push the pace just because she knows she's super fit and I know she's super fit so I thought her race strategy going into it would be to just be to try to run it out of me. And, honestly, I really thought she was going to do that.

    "Going into the first mile she looked really strong and I was already struggling, so I was a little bit worried especially just knowing what a competitor Katelyn is and how much she really brings it at the state meet so I was just, 'Hang on, just hang on,' and trying to be positive about it, just like, 'You've got this, it's only four more laps.' ''

    Miller began to gradually cut into Rupe's lead over the second mile and made her big move on the final lap, passing Rupe with about 200 meters remaining.

    "(The gap) just kept getting smaller and smaller and I was, 'Ok, one lap, just give it everything you've got and see what happens,' and luckily it came out in my favor.''

  • State softball preview: Five Shawnee County teams set to launch state title bids

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    After coming up just short of a Class 3A state championship in a runnerup finish last season Silver Lake softball will take another shot at the title in Thursday and Friday's state tournament at the Envista Softball Complex at Lake Shawnee.

    KendraCook2025 1Senior pitcher Kendra Cook and Silver Lake softball are back in the Class 3A state tournament after a runnerup finish a year ago. [File photo/TSN]

    The Eagles punched their ticket to this year's state tournament with a hard-earned 4-3 win over Southeast Saline in its regional final at Osage City and 23-6 Silver Lake is the No. 7 seed in a loaded 3A field. 

    Silver Lake will begin its title bid with Thursday's 3 p.m. first-round game against No. 2 seed Wichita Trinity (24-3). 

    With a win Thursday Silver Lake will advance to an 1 p.m. semifinal on Friday to face the winner between No. 3 seed Burlington (25-4) and No. 6 Jefferson West (22-5).

    On the other side of the bracket No. 1 Frontenac (27-1) will face No. 8 Colby (17-6) in the first round and No. 4 Riverside (21-4) will take on No. 5 Minneapolis (21-4).

    The 3A title game is set for 5 p.m. on Friday, following the 3 p.m. third-place game.

    WRuralSoftball2025RegionalJube 1Washburn Rural softball celebrates its 8-6 win over Campus in last Thursday's Class 6A regional final. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

    Rural, Topeka High earn 6A state tournament bids

    Washburn Rural will be making its seventh straight trip to the Class 6A state tournament this week while Topeka High is back in the 6A field after winning back-to-back state championships in 2021 and 2022.

    Topeka High, 19-9 on the season, is the No. 8 seed and will open its state bid at 11 a.m. Thursday at Arrocha Ball Park in Lawrence against top seed Olathe West (25-1).

    The Trojans advanced to state with a 15-9 win over Maize in a regional final at Hummer Sports Park.

    With a first-round win, Topeka High will move on to an 11 a.m. semifinal on Friday to face the winner between No. 4 Blue Valley North (21-6) and No. 5 Derby (21-7). 

    Rural (20-7) is the No. 6 state seed and will face off with No. 3 Garden City (19-5) at 5 p.m. Thursday in the final first-round game.

  • State medalists top 2025 All-City girls swimming and diving team

    Rick Peterson

    All Cityswimming1st2025 1 The 2025 All-City girls swimming and diving team -- Front, from left: Kaitlyn Aldridge, Shawnee Heights; Joslynn Grace, Seaman; Hara Del Castillo, Topeka High; Clara Sobba, Shawnee Heights. Back, from left: Ava Von Lintel, Washburn Rural; Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights; Audrey Appuhn, Washburn Rural; Sophie Heinen, Washburn Rural; Caroline Toland, Topeka High. Not pictured: Kaylee Gregg, Hayden, and Genevieve Miranda, Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN] 

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Multi-time state placers Audrey Appuhn of Washburn Rural, Joslynn Grace of Seaman and Kaylee Gregg of Hayden headline the 2025 All-City girls swimming and diving team.

    Appuhn, a junior, earned a pair of Class 6A individual medals for the third straight season while Seaman senior Grace was a multiple-event individual 5A-1A medalist for the second straight season and Hayden senior Gregg finished fifth in the 5A-1A state meet in one-meter diving for the second straight year.

    KayleeGreggState 2Hayden senior Kaylee Gregg finished fifth in Class 5A-1A diving for the second straight season last Saturday. [File photo/TSN]

    GenevieveMiranda2025State 1Washburn Rural senior Genevieve Miranda was a 2025 Class 6A state medalist in the 100-yard butterfly. [File photo/TSN]

    Washburn Rural senior Genevieve Miranda was also a state medalist in 6A in last Saturday's state meet at the Capitol Federal Natatorium.

    Rural, which won its 22nd straight city title, put a city-high four swimmers on the All-City first team, which is determined by performances in the city meet, while Shawnee Heights has three first-teamers.

    Washburn Rural put Appuhn, Miranda and juniors Sophie Heinen and Ava Von Lintel on the first team while Heights is represented by senior Ashtynn Landry and sophomores Kaitlyn Aldridge and Clara Sobba.

    Topeka High junior Hara Del Castillo is a three-time first-team honoree and is joined on the All-City team by senior teammate Caroline Toland.

    Washburn Rural junior diver Rhiannon Good headlines the 12-member All-City second team and finishing third in Class 6A in one-meter diving.

    All-City first-team capsules:

  • Rural soccer earns 11th straight Class 6A Final Four berth with 5-0 win over Trojans

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Washburn Rural soccer is the position it set its sights on way back in March.

    Now the Junior Blues are just two wins away from their ultimate goal -- the first Class 6A girls state championship in Rural's proud program history.

    Washburn Rural claimed its 11th straight trip to the 6A Final Four with Monday's 5-0 state quarterfinal win over city rival Topeka High in a persistent rain at McElroy Field and the Junior Blues will be back at home Wednesday for a 6 p.m. semifinal contest against Blue Valley.

    ZahraFriess2025THquarter 4Washburn Rural senior Zahra Friess (right) scored two goals in Monday's 5-0 Class 6A quarterfinal win over Topeka High. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    KateHinck2025THquarter 4Washburn Rural senior Kate Hinck (right) scored a goal in Monday's 5-0 Class 6A quarterfinal win over Topeka High. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    "We've been looking forward to this game all year,'' Washburn Rural coach Brian Hensyel said of the semifinal clash. "From the first day of practice we said we want to host the semifinal on May 28th, so we've got to battle through a tough schedule, get the top seed, do whatever we've got to do.

    "But we've been in that semifinal game 10 straight years, and I think we're 4-6 or something like that. That's a hard game to win because you're playing a good team from Kansas City every time, but I love our chances on this field against whoever has to come here and play us.

    "So all year, for three months, we've talked about homefield advantage and playing the semifinal on our field so to accomplish that's a pretty good deal. We'll be ready to go Wednesday night for sure.''   

    Rural, which improved to 17-2-0 with its 10th straight victory, took control of Monday's game with two goals in the first 5:47 of the game.

    Senior Bristol Karr scored the only goal Rural would need at the 37:06 mark and senior Zahra Friess scored the first of her two goals on the night less than three minutes later.

    Topeka High was still within two goals at halftime and well into the second half bfore Friess scored again with 23:43 remaining to put Rural in front 3-0.

  • Regional soccer roundup: Trojans post second straight road upset

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    After a 5-10-1 regular season, Topeka High girls soccer has come to life in postseason, posting a pair of road upsets to advance to Monday's Class 6A quarterfinals.

    THSsoccer2025 2Topeka High girls soccer is headed to the Class 6A state quarterfinals after Thursday's 3-1 win at Wichita Northwest. [Submitted photo]

    Topeka High, the No. 14 West regional seed, opened regional competition with a 2-1 win in penalty kicks (5-3) at No. 3 Garden City on Tuesday and followed that up with a 3-1 win at No. 11 Wichita Northwest Thursday to claim a regional championship.

    Natalie Barnes scored her first of two goals on the night off a Cierra Belaire assist 5:52 into the opening half to put the Trojans in front 1-0.

    Wichita Northwest (7-10-1) tied the game at 1-1 with 7:06 left in the half on a penalty kick, but Topeka High answered with a Raelee Shipley goal with 5:55 remaining to give the Trojans a 2-1 halftime advantage.

    Barnes scored her second goal with 11:52 remaining in the match to give High its final margin.

    Next up for the 7-10-1 Trojans is No. 1 West seed Washburn Rural (16-2-0), which will host Topeka High in Monday's 6 p.m. state quarterfinal.

    The Junior Blues advanced with a 4-1 win over Manhattan Thursday night.

    Rural defeated Topeka High 3-1 in a Centennial League game on April 16. 

    Vikes roll to 5A quarterfinals

    Seaman rolled to an 8-0 win over United Kansas Conference rival Basehor-Linwood in Thursday's Class 5A regional final at Seaman.

    The Vikings, now 13-5-0, outscored its two regional opponents by an 19-0 margin en route to earning a second straight trip to the quarterfinals.

    Seaman will go on the road Monday to face UKC rival De Soto (16-2-0) in a 6 p.m. contest.

    The Vikings dropped a 4-3 conference game to the Wildcats on April 17.

    Hayden knocks off Bullpups, 2-1

    Hayden soccer moved onto the Class 4A-1A state quarterfinals with a 2-1 Thursday road win at McPherson.

    Now 11-7-0 on the season, the Wildcats are the No. 4 seed for the 4A-1A quarterfinals and will travel to top seed Wichita Trinity (14-1-2) for a 6:30 p.m. Monday contest. 

    T-Birds' season ends at St. James

    Shawnee Heights' 2025 soccer season ended in a 5-0 loss at St. James Academy in a Class 5A regional final.

    The T-Birds finished with an 11-6-1 record on the season while St. James Academy improved to 17-1-0.

    The Thunder's lone loss was a 3-1 regular-season loss at 6A power Washburn Rural.

    St. James will host St. Thomas Aquinas at 6 p.m. Monday in a state quarterfinal.

  • TSN Shawnee County high school girls track honor roll May 22

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly track and field honor roll for Shawnee County high schools throughout the 2025 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Coaches should designate whether times were fully automatic (FAT) or hand-timed. FAT times are considered .024 of a second faster than hand times. TopSports.news will rank the Top 5 in each event.

    GIRLS

    100 METERS

    Keimara Marshall, Topeka High            12.43

    Jurnee Cole, Highland Park                   12.75

    Karys Deiter, Silver Lake                        12.76

    Ciarra Hartz, Highland Park                  12.77

    Morgan Robinson, Shawnee Heights   12.80

    KeimaraMarshall2025 2Keimara Marshall, Topeka High

    200 METERS

    Keimara Marshall, Topeka High          25.72

    Molly Worley, Washburn Rural           26.10

    Ally Steiner, Seaman                           26.20

    Morgan Robinson, Shawnee Heights 26.58

    Jurnee Cole, Highland Park                 26.68

    400 METERS

    Ryin Miller, Seaman                           56.81

    Keimara Marshall, Topeka High         59.96

    Ali Gerber, Silver Lake                        60.91

    Madison Blanco, Washburn Rural      61.65

    Sofia Harper, Hayden                         61.81

    RyinMillerCityTrack 1Ryan Miller, Seaman

    800 METERS

    Ryin Miller, Seaman                         2:09.28  

    Payton Fink, Washburn Rural           2:21.21

    Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural          2:21.99

    Kinley Robinson, Seaman                 2:24.07

    Emily Graf, Washburn Rural              2:24.19

    1,600 METERS

    Ryin Miller, Seaman                         4:41.47

    Payton Fink, Washburn Rural           5:08.00

    Emily Graf, Washburn Rural             5:08.24

    Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural          5:09.15

    Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural      5:20.69

     3,200 METERS

    Ryin Miller, Seaman                         10:17.74

    Payton Fink, Washburn Rural           10:51.62

    Emily Graf, Washburn Rural             11:20.40

    Kenzie Maddox, Washburn Rural     11:28.78

     Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural     11:32.65

    100-METER HURDLES

    Bella Reid, Hayden                            15.83

    Jaida Stallbaumer, Seaman               15.84

    Karys Deiter, Silver Lake                   16.45

    Rylee Dick, Rossville                         16.87

    Kelcie Schneider, Washburn Rural   17.61

    Jaida Stallbaumer, Seaman

    300-METER HURDLES

    Jaida Stallbaumer, Seaman               47.63

    Ke'Ahjahnae Rice, Highland Park      47.96

    Rylee Dick, Rossville                          50.33

    Karys Deiter, Silver Lake                    51.27

    Kelcie Schneider, Washburn Rural    51.39

    4x100-METER RELAY

    Topeka High                                     50.15

    Washburn Rural                               50.36

    Seaman                                            50.93

    Silver Lake                                        51.06

    Topeka West                                     53.17

    4x400-METER RELAY

    Seaman                                          4:01.58

    Washburn Rural                              4:13.32

    Silver Lake                                       4:13.34

    Shawnee Heights                            4:37.27

    4x800-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                               9:35.40

    Seaman                                          10:13.11

    Hayden                                           11:10.63

    Shawnee Heights                            11:33.41

    HIGH JUMP

    Molly Worley, Washburn Rural         5-4

    Journey Manhart, Silver Lake            5-2

    Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka High   5-0

    Alexis Burns, Washburn Rural           5-0

    Tahtionna Broils, Highland Park        4-8

    Klara Wilson, Washburn Rural          4-8

    Jaiden Wise, Silver Lake                    4-8

    POLE VAULT

    Grace Jowers, Seaman                    11-0

    Emme Blanco, Washburn Rural        8-9

    Taylor Hanshaw, Shawnee Heights   8-0

    Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka HIgh

    LONG JUMP

    Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka High     18-6

    Molly Worley, Washburn Rural            17-7.75

    Jayana Washington, Topeka High        17-5

    Maddie Blanco, Washburn Rural         16-6.50

    Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake                     16-3.5

    TRIPLE JUMP

    Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka High          38-3.25

    Ali Gerber, Silver Lake                               34-3.75

    Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake                           33-4

    Grace Funk, Hayden                                  32-7.75

    Brinley Pottorf, Rossville                            32-7.50

    SHOT PUT

    Kailyn Petersen, Washburn Rural       35-1

    Alexis Rutherford, Hayden                 33-6

    Kayleigh Kruger, Silver Lake               33-5

    Kylie Hanni, Silver Lake                      32-3.5

    Eve Luea, Washburn Rural                  31-6

    DISCUS

    Kailyn Petersen, Washburn Rural        126-5

    Kayleigh Kruger, Silver Lake               112-7

    Eve Luea, Washburn Rural                  109-3

    Rayleigh Alonso, Silver Lake                104-10

    Alexis Rutherford, Hayden                  103-6

    JAVELIN

    Morgan Ray, Washburn Rural              135-10

    Peyton Henry, Seaman                         110-6

    Payton Alexander, Seaman                  105-8

    Jillian Goetz, Shawnee Heights             105-1

    Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake                       100-0

  • TSN Shawnee County high school boys track honor roll May 22

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly track and field honor roll for Shawnee County high schools throughout the 2025 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Coaches should designate whether times were fully automatic (FAT) or hand-timed. FAT times are considered .024 of a second faster than hand times. TopSports.news will rank the Top 5 in each event.

    BOYS

    100 METERS

    Peyton Holmes, Seaman                             10.73

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural 10.82

    Evan Scheid, Silver Lake                              11.13

    Ben Roeder, Topeka High                            11.17

    Sean LeDuc, Washburn Rural                       11.18

    200 METERS

    Bryce Cochran, Seaman                               21.87

    Jensen Schrickel, Hayden                            21.92

    Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural                       22.02

    Evan Scheid, Silver Lake                               22.22

    Matthew Houser, Washburn Rural               22.37

    IsaiahTerry2025 1Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural

    400 METERS

    Isaiah Terry, Washburn Rural                     48.20

    Jensen Schrickel, Hayden                          48.30

    Bryce Cochran, Seaman                             48.43

    Liam Benz, Shawnee Heights                     49.63

    Ben Roeder, Topeka High                          49.82

    BrodyAnderson2025 7Brody Anderson, Seaman

    800 METERS

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                       1:56.22

    Mark Wilkie, Topeka West                       1:57.23

    Ben Buesing, Washburn Rural                 1:58.87

    Adrian Lehman, Topeka West                  1:59.08

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural               2:00.38

    1,600 METERS

    Adrian Lehman, Topeka West                    4:18.07

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                          4:18.55

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural                 4:19.77

    Mark Wilkie, Topeka West                          4:21.37

    Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural                4:34.44

    3,200 METERS

    Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural                 9:16.96

    Adrian Lehman, Topeka West                    9:16.98

    Brody Anderson, Seaman                          9:34.99

    Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural               9:41.18

    Clayton Fink, Washburn Rural                   10:03.37

    110-METER HURDLES

    Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural                  14.59

    Christian Hartman-Babb, Washburn Rural   15.50

    Desean Lunkins, Topeka High                       15.80

    Isaac Song, Shawnee Heights                       15.84

    Braylon Badger, Washburn Rural                   15.93

    300-METER HURDLES

    Liam Morrison, Washburn Rural                    38.83

    Braylon Badger, Washburn Rural                   40.60

    Isaac Song, Shawnee Heights                        41.07

    Michael Hurla, Seaman                                  41.29

    Kellan Parcaro, Seaman                                  41.86

    4x100-METER RELAY

    Silver Lake                                                       43.16

    Seaman                                                           43.48

    Topeka High                                                    43.48

    Washburn Rural                                               43.49

    Topeka West                                                    44.50

    4x400-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                                            3:17.38

    Topeka West                                                 3:24.56

    Topeka High                                                  3:24.64

    Hayden                                                          3:25.32

    Seaman                                                         3:26.21

    4x800-METER RELAY

    Washburn Rural                                         8:01.63

    Shawnee Heights                                       8:31.70

    Seaman                                                      8:43.94

    Topeka High                                               8:46.69

    Silver Lake                                                  8:54.17

    HIGH JUMP

    Jack Esser, Seaman                                      6-5

    Blake Toyne, Seaman                                   6-2

    Brooks Ballard, Washburn Rural                  6-0

    Bryson Burgos, Silver Lake                           6-0

    Cody Quy, Seaman                                      6-0

    Rondell Harris, Hayden                                6-0

    Tad McGee, Seaman                                     6-0

    Deondre Razzano, Silver Lake                      6-0 

    TylerWedl2025 4Tyler Wedl, Shawnee Heights

    POLE VAULT

    Tyler Wedl, Shawnee Heights                   12-6

    Luke Deering, Washburn Rural                 10-6 

    Desmond Grindol, Washburn Rural           9-6

    Emery Kearney, Seaman                             9-6  

    Caleb Schwartz, Washburn Rural               9-6

    Quinton White, Seaman                             9-6

    JensenSchrickelSTATE 1Jensen Schrickel, Hayden

    LONG JUMP

    Jensen Schrickel, Hayden                            22-7

    Peyton Holmes, Seaman                             22-6

    Elijah Berg, Topeka West                             21-8

    Te'Vante Ewing, Topeka High                      21-5

    Rayshon Pollard, Highland Park                  20-11

    Ethan Surey, Washburn Rural                      20-11

    TRIPLE JUMP

    Kaden Whitehurst, Seaman                       42-8

    Deondre Razzano, Silver Lake                    42-5.5

    Cody Quy, Seaman                                     41-11

    Bryson Burgos, Silver Lake                         41-8

    Ethan Surey, Washburn Rural                    40-7.50

    SHOT PUT

    Brogen Brown, Seaman                              50-11

    Amir Bass, Shawnee Heights                      47-3.5

    F. Anguiano, Hayden                                  44-10

    Adrian Shuler, Shawnee Heights                 44-9.5

    Clayton Johnson, Seaman                           44-5

    DISCUS

    Brogen Brown, Seaman                            146-0

    Myles Fisher, Silver Lake                          144-5

    Treyton Tetuan, Hayden                           137-4

    Samuel Scott, Washburn Rural                 136-0

    Zachary Hancock, Washburn Rural           135-11

    JAVELIN 

    Kelton Meier, Hayden                              162-5

    Oliver Perez, Washburn Rural                   155-2

    Andre Johnson, Rossville                          155-1

    Jackson Haas, Hayden                              153-7

    Gabriel Taylor, Washburn Rural                 148-10

  • Cair Paravel state finalists Buchenau, Fay headline 2025 All-City boys tennis team

    Rick Peterson

    All Cityboystnnis2025 1The 2025 All-City boys tennis team -- Front, from left: Chase Blaser, Hayden; Evan George, Hayden; Ethan Winters, Seaman; Tres Lassiter, Topeka High; Keegan Knudtson, Washburn Rural; Kieffer O'Connor, Washburn Rural; Greyson Jones, Washburn Rural. Back, from left: Drew Fay, Cair Paravel Latin; Cole Fay, Cair Paravel Latin; Eric Buchenau, Cair Paravel Latin; Ben Tryhus, Washburn Rural; Cale Deutscher, Washburn Rural; Dylan Willingham, Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Cair Paravel Latin Class 3A-1A state doubles finalists Eric Buchenau and Drew Fay headline the 2025 All-City boys tennis team, which includes seven state medalists and 12 state qualifiers. 

    Buchenau and Fay, both juniors, went 29-2 on the season, with both losses coming against Wichita Collegiate's undefeated state champions, Carter and Maddox Drumright, who took a three-set win over Cair Paravel in the state final.

    Hayden seniors Chase Blaser and Evan George placed fourth in 4A doubles while Washburn Rural juniors Cale Deutscher and Dylan Willingham finished seventh in 6A doubles and Cair Paravel freshman Cole Fay was 10th in 3A-1A singles.

    All six Washburn Rural players earned All-City spots as the Junior Blues swept city, Centennial League and Class 6A regional team championships before finishing ninth in the 6A state tournament at Junction City.

    In addition to Deutscher and Willingham, Rural is also represented on the All-City team by Greyson Jones, Keegan Knudtson, Kieffer O'Connor and Ben Tryhus.

    Rounding out the All-City team are junior city No. 1 singles champion and 6A state qualifier Tres Lassiter and Seaman senior 5A state singles qualifier Ethan Winters, who helped lead the Vikings to United Kansas Conference and 5A regional team titles.

    All-City tennis capsules:

  • TSN city pre-state high school girls swimming and diving honor roll

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly girls swimming and diving honor roll for Topeka high schools throughout the 2025 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  TopSports.news will rank the Top 5 in each event.

    200-YARD MEDLEY RELAY

    Washburn Rural                2:01.75

    Hayden                              2:07.36

    Seaman                             2:07.38            

    Topeka High                      2:11.23

    Shawnee Heights              2:15.41

    200-YARD FREESTYLE

    Audrey Appuhn, Washburn Rural     1:55.60

    Joslynn Grace, Seaman                     2:01.37

    Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights   2:06.15

    Kaitlyn Aldridge, Shawnee Heights   2:17:02

    Kaelyn Gerdel, Hayden                      2:21.23    

    200-YARD INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY

    Audrey Appuhn, Washburn Rural     2:10.28

    Joslynn Grace, Seaman                     2:10.69

    Hara Del Castillo, Topeka High         2:25.04

    Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights   2:35.31

    Kaitlyn Aldridge, Shawnee Heights   2:35.91

    GenevieveMirandaSWIMMING 1Genevieve Miranda, Washburn Rural

    50-YARD FREESTYLE

    Genevieve Miranda, Washburn Rural  25.43

    Joslynn Grace, Seaman                       26.46

    Ashtynn Landry, Shawnee Heights      26.74

    Kaylee Gregg, Hayden                         27.67

    Clara Sobba, Shawnee Heights            28.08

    ONE-METER DIVING

    Kaylee Gregg, Hayden                         231.60

    Sydney Thomann, Seaman                  224.45

    Rhiannon Good, Washburn Rural        224.05

    Maddie Gregg, Hayden                       183.05

    Giselle Soto, Washburn Rural               163.50

    JoslynnGraceSWIM RISINGSTATE 2Joslynn Grace, Seaman

    100-YARD BUTTERFLY

    Joslynn Grace, Seaman                         1:00.12

    Genevieve Miranda, Washburn Rural   1:01.66

    Kaitlyn Aldridge, Shawnee Heights       1:07.53

    Kaya Hamilton, Washburn Rural           1:17.70

    Makenna Russell, Topeka West             1:25.52

  • Lions' Fay, Buchenau pace city netters with 3A-1A runnerup doubles finish

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Eric Buchenau and Drew Fay used a gritty second-set comeback to give themselves a chance to win Cair Paravel Latin's first-ever state tennis championship Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center.

    BuchenauFay2025State 1Cair Paravel juniors Eric Buchenau (left)and Drew Fay posted a runnerup state doubles finish Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    But like they had all season, Wichita Collegiate senior Carter Drumright and his sophomore brother, Maddox, found a way to get the job done, dominating the third set to take a 6-2, 6-7 (5-7 tiebreaker), 6-0 victory in the state final.

    The three-set victory capped off a perfect 25-0 season for the Drumrights while Buchenau and Fay, both juniors, went 29-2, with both losses coming against Collegiate's top team.

    DrewFay2025State 4Cair Paravel junior Drew Fay returns a shot in Saturday's Class 3A-1A state doubles final at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    "The end didn't finish how we wanted, but I'm proud of how we played,'' Fay said. "We played hard and gave it our all and I don't have any regrets personally.

    "We definitely did better this time around. It was 8-2 the first time so I'm proud of how we played today.''

    EricBuchenau2025State 6Cair Paravel junior Eric Buchenau (above) teamed with Drew Fay to post a runnerup doubles finish in Class 3A-1A state doubles Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    "It didn't end how we wanted it to,'' Buchenau said. "We believed we had a shot and we never stopped believing it.''

    A foreign exchange student from Germany, Buchenau was disappointed that he couldn't end his stint in the United States with a storybook finish.

    "I had one shot at a state championship and I didn't make it, but of course I'm proud of how we did,'' he said. 

    Buchenau and Fay, the No. 3 seed, opened their day with a 6-4, 6-3 win over No. 2 seeds William Farha and Vihaan Ganganola of Wichita Collegiate in the semis.

    ColeFay2025State 8Cair Paravel freshman Cole Fay posted a 10th-place state singles finish Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Cair Paravel freshman singles player Cole Fay also earned a state medal in his first state tournament, finishing 10th in singles.

    Wichita Trinity senior Alex Hobson took an 8-1 win over Fay in the ninth-place match.

    Wichita Collegiate rolled to the team championship by a 58-24 margin over Conway Springs, with Collegiate junior Charlie Gentile and freshman Amir Khisha finishing one-two in singles as Gentile took a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 win over his teammate.  

    Cair Paravel tied for fourth place with 19 points. 

    Hayden's Blaser and George fourth in 4A semis

    Hayden seniors Chase Blaser and Evan George posted a fourth-place Class 4A doubles finish Saturday in Winfield to close out their high school tennis careers.

  • Cair Paravel, Hayden doubles teams advance to state semifinals

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Cair Paravel Latin juniors Eric Buchenau and Drew Fay had to sweat out a few anxious moments in their Class 3A-1A quarterfinal doubles match Friday at Kossover Tennis Center, but the Lion standouts got the job done, advancing to Saturday's 9 a.m. state semifinal. 

    FayBuchenau2025State 1Cair Paravel Latin's Drew Fay (left) and Eric Buchenau advanced to the Class 3A-1A doubles semifinals Friday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Buchenau and Fay, the No. 3 seed, went 2-0 on the day, including a 6-2, 6-4 quarterfinal win over Central Plains' Paxton Dody and Peyton Dody to improve to 28-1 on the season and will face No. 2 seeds William Farha and Vihaan Ganganola of Wichita Collegiate in the semis.

    After a 6-0, 6-0 romp in their first match of the day, Fay and Buchenau jumped in front 5-2 in the second set of the quarterfinals before Dody and Dody cut their deficit to 5-4.

    Central Plains seemed to have some momentum at that point, but the Lions were able to hold serve and close out the win.

    "It was definitely frustrating,'' said Buchenau about the close second set, "but even if you play bad you have to find a way to win and we did that.''

    Fay agreed.

    "It definitely wasn't how we wanted it to go and we struggled for sure, but we were just scrapping out every point and got the win,'' Fay said. 

    "We hopefully got the bad bullets out today so we can just play our game tomorrow.''

    ColeFay2025State 6Cair Paravel freshman singles player Cole Fay advanced to Saturday's Class 3A-1A medal matches with a 3-1 day. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Cair Paravel freshman singles player Cole Fay also advanced to Saturday's medal matches, going 3-1 on the day.

    Cole Fay moved on to Saturday with an 8-5 win over Phillipsburg senior Nathan Fischer and can still finish as high as fifth place.

    BlaserGeorge2025tennis 1Hayden seniors Chase Blaser (left) and Evan George will compete in a Class 4A doubles semifinal Saturday in Winfield. [File photo/TSN]

    Hayden's Blaser and George in 4A semis

    Hayden regional doubles champions Chase Blaser and Evan George won both of their Class 4A doubles matches Friday in Winfield to advance to Saturday's 9 a.m. semifinals.

    The fourth-seeded Wildcat seniors, now 25-6, advanced to the semifinals with a hard-earned 3-6, 7-6 (7-5 tiebreaker), 6-3 win over McPherson.

    Blaser and George will face No. 1 seed Asher Deutschendorf and Braiden Liechty of Hesston in the semifinals.

Top Sports News Team

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