Washburn Rural Junior Blues
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural volleyball coach Kevin Bordewick reached another landmark milestone in last Saturday's Centennial League tournament, using a perfect 5-0 record on the day to raise his career victory total to 1,076 while moving past former Lansing coach Julie Slater (1071 wins) for the No. 2 spot on Kansas' all-time victory list.
Washburn Rural volleyball coach Kevin Bordewick has moved into the No. 2 spot for all-time volleyball wins in Kansas with 1,076. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
But there were no celebrations or even a mention of the accomplishment to his Junior Blues, who won their fourth straight Centennial League championship.
"I think it's really cool,'' Rural senior Kate Hinck said. "I didn't know that at all, but that's really awesome. I feel like he doesn't like to brag about himself, but he's such a great coach and just to get to play for such an amazing program is really good.''
By Saturday night, Bordewick, who is in his 30th season with the Junior Blues. was already thinking about what his team could have done better in the Centennial tournament and about getting Rural ready for its next match.
"Our next big game is our next game and our next big tournament is our next tournament,'' said Bordewick, who is 1,076-275 in his career and 1,029-235 at Rural, including an 18-2 record this fall. "We don't play any (matches) this week but we've got plenty of chances this week to correct a lot of things, even though we won all five matches.
"But we dropped a set to Manhattan I don't think should have happened, I thought there were other sets that were too close that shouldn't have been close and for me with this group I think it's more of a mental toughness thing that I think we're slowly understanding. Their sense of urgency needs to speed up since we're kind of gearing towards the postseason here in a couple of weeks.''
Bordewick has led the Junior Blues to eight Class 6A state championships, with the most recent title coming in 2022, and 25 state tournament appearances, but it's the ones that got away that he said are the hardest to forget.
"I still think in '05 we had a chance to get that one and I think in 2010 we had a chance to get that one and we let it slip in the semis,'' Bordewick said. "Those are the ones that you should have had that stick with you. And that team (in 2021) that was undefeated going into championship Saturday, I felt so good about them and we had a team meeting, we had a little film review and everybody felt good and we liked our chances and then we let it slip.
"It's the ones that get away that will eat at you, eat at me anyway. But when you lose, you have to learn from it and go on. And that's one thing these guys have always been good at. You can pick apart things, we can understand things, we try to isolate things and hopefully it transfers to a game the next time.''
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Alex Baxter
ALEX BAXTER, Topeka West
A senior golf standout, Baxter shot an 87 to win her first United Kansas Conference individual championship last Tuesday at Lakw Shawnee after finishing third in the conference tournament as a sophomore and second as a junior. Baxter's UKC title came a day after Baxter shot an 88 to tie for eighth place in the city championships.
Maegan Mills
MAEGAN MILLS, Seaman
The Seaman senior was voted the Most Valuable Player in Saturday's seven-school Seaman Invitational volleyball tournament after helping lead the Vikings to the team championship with a perfect 6-0 record. Mills helped Seaman, the defending Class 5A state champion, win all six of its matches in the round-robin event in straight sets as the Vikings improved to 21-1 on the season.
Ryin Miller
RYIN MILLER, Seaman
A junior cross country star, Miller won her fourth individual championship in as many starts this fall on Saturday, posting a five-kilometer time of 17 minutes, 14.1 seconds to win the Gold Division title in the prestigious multi-state Rim Rock Classic at Rim Rock Farm, north of Lawrence. Miller topped two-time Class 5A state champion Katelyn Rupe of Salina Central by just over three seconds (17:17.4).
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Conner Bush
CONNER BUSH, Rossville
A 5-foot-11, 176-pound junior, Bush scored three touchdowns and a 2-point conversion in Rossville's 43-0 Class 1A District 2 victory over Mission Valley Friday night. Bush scored on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Tayson Horak, a 74-yard run and a 30-yard interception return as Rossville improved to 2-3 overall and 2-0 in the district.
Layla Collins
LAYLA COLLINS, Washburn Rural
Collins, a 6-foot senior, was a force at the net throughout Saturday's Centennial League volleyball tournament at Topeka High, helping lead the Junior Blues to a perfect 5-0 record and a fourth straight league championship. Collins helped Rural win the Class 6A state title as a sophomore and was a first-team All-Shawnee County pick as a junior as Rural qualified for state.
Bryer Finley
BRYER FINLEY, Seaman
A 6-foot-5, 190-pound senior, Finley caught 12 passes for 298 yards and three touchdowns in last Friday's 43-22 United Kansas Conference victory over Lansing. Finley caught touchdown passes of 14, 12 and 78 yards from Max Huston as the Vikings improved to 4-1 overall and remained unbeaten in the UKC.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden, the smallest school in the Centennial League, played giant killer on Monday in Junction City, claiming the league championship by a 36-33 margin over Washburn Rural.
Hayden girls tennis took a bite out of another team championship on Monday in Junction City, following up its city title with the Centennial League championship. [Submitted photo]
Senior Ainzley Zulueta keyed the city-champion Wildcats' championship run with the singles title while Hayden also got a runnerup doubles finish from senior Emily Sheetz and freshman Sophia Wichman and a fifth-place finish from junior Grace Funk.
Senior Ainzley Zulueta, a two-time Class 4A state champion, led Hayden to the Centennial League team title on Monday at Junction City. [File photo/TSN]
Zulueta went a perfect 3-0 on the day, including a 6-1, 6-0 win over Topeka High junior Madeline Deters in the championship match.
Washburn Rural seniors Emerie Catlin (left) and Izzy Haggard followed up their city doubles title with the Centennial League championship on Monday in Junction City. [File photo/TSN]
Team runnerup Washburn Rural was led by the senior doubles team of Emerie Catlin and Izzy Haggard, who topped Hayden's Sheetz and Wichman in the doubles final, 6-2, 6-4.
In addition to Deters' runnerup singles finish, Topeka High got a third-place doubles finish from junior Ava Ritter and freshman Hailey Caryl, who took a 4-6, 6-3, 10-5 win over Manhattan in the third-place match. Topeka High finished fifth as a team.
Washburn Rural also got a fifth-place doubles finish from Alizah Chedzoy and Haiden McPike.
Hayden, Washburn Rural and Topeka High will all compete in regional tournaments later this week, vying for state tournament berths.
Topeka High and Washburn Rural will compete in a Class 6A regional on Thursday at Wichita's Riverside Tennis Complex while Hayden will host a 4A regional at Kossover Tennis Complex on Saturday.
CENTENNIAL LEAGUE
By CHARLES SPURLOCK
Special to TopSports.news
The Seaman Invitational cross country meet took place on a warm Saturday morning at Shawnee North Community Park with teams from Lawrence High, Piper, Shawnee Heights, Topeka High, Topeka West, Washburn Rural and Seaman competing.
Seaman junior Ryin Miller captured her fifth straight individual cross country title in Saturday's Seaman Invitational. [Photo by Charles Spurlock/TSN]
Girls varsity
Seaman junior Ryin Miller continued her amazing season with her fifth straight victory with a five-kilometer time of 17 minutes, 21.5 seconds.
Miller commented on the race: “I was happy with it. Our course definitely isn’t an easy course, but I was a little bummed with my time. The goal was to have fun and we had Homecoming last night, so my legs didn’t feel the best today. I was still happy with my effort and pushing through.”
The Lady Vikings finished 1-2-3 individually, with sophomore Brynn Spencer second in 19:37.96 and senior Stella Applehanz third in 19:47.47. Overall, Seaman placed five runners in the top 10.
Topeka West placed both of its runners in the top 15, with senior Chloe Phelps in 12th (21:49.78) and junior Payton Rice in 14th (21:52.85).
Topeka High’s top two finishers were sophomore Juliahanna Savago in 15th (22:47.09) and freshman Emma Womack in 16th (22:50.74).
Shawnee Heights placed two runners in the top 20 -- senior Elizabeth Hogan finished in 18th (22:54.58) and sophomore Abigail Lewis in 19th (22:57.45).
Washburn Rural’s top two finishers were junior Michka Mejia in 21st (23:10.6) and freshman Reese Beardslee in 22nd (23:16.05).
Final team standings
Seaman 22,Lawrence 64, Piper 66, Washburn Rural 101, Topeka High 103
Seaman:Ryin Miller (17:21.5, 1st); Brynn Spencer (19:37.96, 2nd); Stella Applehanz (19:47.47, 3rd); Kinley Robinson (21:41.98, 7th); Avery Villines (21:44.36, 9th); Hannah Wempe (21:51.24, 13th); Abigail Cooper (22:58.06, 20th); Emma Gonzalez (24:16.52, 26th).
Shawnee Heights:Elizabeth Hogan (22:54.58, 18th); Abigail Lewis (22:57.45, 19th); Kinsley Mohan (24:41.57, 28th); Adelaide Davis (25:20.43, 30th).
Topeka High:Juliahanna Savago (22:47.09, 15th); Emma Womack (22:50.74, 16th); Victoria Reynaga (24:07.92, 25th); Kimberly Cortez (29:10.08, 34th); Mackynzie Murray (31:34.84, 35th).
Topeka West:Chloe Phelps (21:49.78, 12th); Payton Rice (21:52.85, 14th).
Washburn Rural:Michka Mejia (23:10.6, 21st); Reese Beardslee (23:16.05, 22nd); Jazlyn Badger (23:48.72, 23rd); Kailey Dorzweiler (24:54.79, 29th); Harper Tenbrink (25:27.74, 31st).
Seaman junior Brody Anderson notched his third individual cross country title of the season in Saturday's Seaman Invitational. [File photo/TSN]
Topeka West senior Adrian Lehman was the individual runnerup in Saturday's Seaman Invitational. [Photo by Charles Spurlock/TSN]
Boys varsity
Local schools swept the top three places in the boys varsity race. Junior Brody Anderson of Seaman finished first with a time of 15:44.35 while senior Adrian Lehman of Topeka West was second with a time of 16:22.02 and freshman Henry Laubach of Washburn Rural was third in a time of 16:42.04.
Saturday was Anderson's third victory in five races and he discussed his thoughts on the race: “I think the race went well. The goal today was to finish the race after last week at Rim Rock where my legs gave me trouble. I kept it smooth and went out more conservatively than normal and felt good overall.”
Seaman also had three other runners finish in the top 20. Sophomore Conner Bloom finished 15th (17:36.17), senior Alex Newell finished 16th (17:36.45) and senior Corbin Morrow finished 19th (17:50.18).
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural's volleyball team went a perfect 5-0 on the day in Saturday's Centennial League tournament at Topeka High, with the Junior Blues capturing their fourth straight league championship.
Washburn Rural's volleyball team poses for a picture after winning its fourth straight Centennial League championship Saturday at Topeka High. [Washburn Rural volleyball]
The Junior Blues, ranked No. 5 in Class 6A by the Kansas Volleyball Association, won 10 of their 11 sets on the day, with only Manhattan winning a set from the champions.
Washburn Rural celebrates its deciding point in Saturday's three-set victory over Manhattan at Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Manhattan, Rural's third of five opponents in the round-robin event, defeated the Junior Blues 25-18 in the first set, but Washburn Rural bounced back to take 25-13 and 25-23 wins to close out the match.
Washburn Rural returns a shot in Saturday's Centennial League volleyball tournament at Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Washburn Rural senior Layla Collins spikes the ball during Saturday's Centennial League tournament at Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Rural, now 18-2, opened its tournament bid with a 25-19, 25-18 win over Hayden, top-ranked in 4A, followed by a 25-15, 25-17 win over Junction City, the win over Manhattan, a 25-18, 25-14 victory over Topeka High and clinching the league crown with a 25-12, 25-21 triumph over Emporia in its final match of the day.
Emporia (18-8) went 4-1 on the day to finish second, while Manhattan was third with a 3-2 record. Hayden went 2-3 in the tournament while host Topeka High posted a 1-4 record and Junction City was winless in its five matches.
Hayden junior Ella Foster sets the ball during Saturday's Centennial League tournament at Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Hayden freshman Hailey Schmidtlein spikes the ball in Saturday's Centennial League tournament. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Hayden, now 23-5, posted a 25-16, 25-18 win over Topeka High and a 25-16, 25-9 win over Junction City while the Wildcats took Emporia to three sets.
Topeka High notched its lone win with a 25-16, 25-19 win over Junction City.
CENTENNIAL LEAGUE VOLLEYBALL
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
After battling through a murderer's row of three teams who were a combined 12-1 on the season, Washburn Rural faced another tough test Friday night at Hummer Sports Park, with the Junior Blues facing unbeaten Topeka High.
But Rural looked more like the team that advanced to the 2023 Class 6A semifinals on Friday, opening defense of its Centennial League championship with a 49-21 romp past the Trojans.
Junior TJ Minikwu rushed for 149 yards and three touchdowns in Washburn Rural's 49-21 Centennial League win over Topeka High. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
"They put so much work into this and after last year the expectation was to do the same thing we did last year, go undefeated (in the regular season) and run that but sometimes it doesn't work out the way you want it to and you've got to re-establish the goals and figure out what you want to do,'' Rural coach Steve Buhler said. "We pressed really hard this week about the idea that it's another season, it's a second season, because we're defending our league championship from last year. So we've got four games to fight for that and the kids responded really well this week.
"Their motivation was really good, their focus was really good and they were excited to play with a lot of energy. That takes a lot of character because of what we've been through the last three weeks. We could have just kind of decided that we'll just play this thing out and see where it goes. They weren't that way. They worked really hard and had a good night tonight.''
Washburn Rural, now 2-3 overall and 1-0 in the Centennial League, took advantage of a couple of big plays early to jump in front 7-0 and never trailed, opening up a 28-7 halftime advantage and going in front 49-7 early in the fourth quarter before Topeka (4-1, 1-1) added a pair of TDs over the final 5:27.
Junior Kellan Roth caught a pair of touchdown passes in Friday's 49-21 Centennial League win over Topeka High. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Rural's defense stopped Topeka High on 4th-and-inches at the Trojan 29 to end High's first possession and the the Junior Blues drew a pass interference penalty on High on a 3rd-and-16 play, leading to a 6-yard touchdown pass from John Hoytal to Kellan Roth at the 7:36 mark of the opening quarter.
After stopping the Trojans on their ensuing possession, Rural junior TJ Minikwu burst loose for a 52-yard touchdown run, the first of his three TDs on the night.
Topeka High senior Tevante Ewing scored a pair of touchdowns in the Trojans' 49-21 Centennial League loss to Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Topeka High answered with a 49-yard TD pass from Zane Smith to Tevante Ewing at the 4:18 mark of the first quarter but the Trojans got no closer, with Minikwu adding a 3-yard TD and Hoytal connecting with Roth on a 16-yard scoring strike to put Rural in command by three touchdowns at the half.
Washburn Rural picked up in the second half where it left off, getting a 10-yard scoring run from Jadyn Baum, a 14-yard TD from Minikwu and a 5-yard run from Lafayette Thompson to cap its scoring.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)
THURSDAY NIGHT'S GAME
BASEHOR-LINWOOD (4-0, 4-0 UKC) vs. TOPEKA WEST (0-4, 0-4 UKC)
At Hummer Sports Park
Still looking for its first win of the 2024 season, Topeka West faces another tough United Kansas Conference test Thursday night, with league-leading Basehor-Linwood visiting Hummer Sports Park to face the Chargers. Topeka West is coming off a 63-0 UKC loss to Lansing while Basehor-Linwood took a 21-7 league win over De Soto. Bobcat junior quarterback Carson Dixon has completed 37 of 74 passes for 496 yards and seven touchdowns while senior Nick Doering has carried the ball 76 times for 425 yards and seven TDs.
FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES
Topeka High senior Tevante Ewing rushed for 169 yards in last Friday's 47-14 Centennial League win over Emporia. [File photo/TSN]
WASHBURN RURAL (1-3, 0-0 Centennial) vs. TOPEKA HIGH (4-0, 1-0 Centennial)
At Hummer Sports Park
Topeka High will be looking to extend its winning streak to five games while Washburn Rural, a Class 6A semifinalist last season, will be aiming to snap a three-game non-league losing streak to teams that are a combined 12-1 on the season. Washburn Rural, coming off a 49-23 loss to undefeated Blue Valley Northwest, will be playing its Centennial League opener Friday night while Topeka High opened league play last week with a 47-14 road win over Emporia. Topeka High senior Tevante Ewing rushed for 169 yards on 13 attempts while junior Zane Smith completed five of eight passes for 191 yards and Savon Carter caught two passes for 144 yards. Washburn Rural junior quarterback John Hoytal completed 23 of 32 throws for 235 yards against Northwest while junior receiver Kellan Roth hauled in 11 of Hoytal’s throws for 99 yards and a score. Sophomore Jadyn Baum exploded for an 80-yard touchdown run and junior TJ Minikwu blasted in from 10 yards out for another score.
Hayden junior Kade Mitchell (25) has rushed for 296 yards and scored six touchdowns this fall. [File photo/TSN]
HIAWATHA (1-3, 0-1 Class 3A District 4) at HAYDEN (3-1, 0-0 Class 3A District 4)
Hayden, the Class 3A runnerup a year ago, is coming off a 31-28 non-league loss at Wamego last Friday while Hiawatha opened Class 3A District 4 play with a 21-0 win over Jefferson West. Hayden will open district competition Friday night. Wildcat senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has completed 41 of 57 pass attempts for 619 yards and seven touchdowns while junior running back Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 33 times for 296 yards and six touchdowns. Senior Jensen Schrickel has caught 13 passes for 220 yards and scored five touchdowns.
Seaman senior quarterback Max Huston has passed for 806 yards and 12 touchdowns this fall for the 3-1 Vikings. [File photo/TSN]
LANSING (3-1, 3-0 UKC) at SEAMAN (3-1, 3-0 UKC)
Friday's game will match up United Kansas Conference co-leaders Lansing and Seaman, who are both a perfect 3-0 in league play. Seaman is coming off a 49-0 win over Kansas City-Turner while Lansing rolled to a 62-0 win over Topeka West. Seaman senior quarterback Max Huston has completed 47 of 85 passes for 806 yards and 12 touchdowns while junior Kaden McKinney has carried the ball 40 times for 235 yards and five TDs while senior Bryer Finley has caught 21 passes for 382 yards and eight TDs. Lansing senior Reid Oakley has completed 46 of 93 passes for 798 yards while sophomore Jaxon Pollard has carried the ball 61 times for 379 yards and five TDs.
WABAUNSEE (1-3, 0-1 Class 1A District 2) vs. CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (1-3, 0-1 Class 1A District 2)
At Yager Stadium
Cair Paravel will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak after opening Class 1A District 2 play last Friday with a 46-22 loss to Mission Valley. Wabaunsee is also 1-3 and 0-1 in the district after a 14-7 loss to Olpe last week. Cair Paravel will be playing its second home game of the season at Washburn University's Yager Stadium. Top players for the Lions include senior quarterback Jase Pavlik and senior running back Ben Roeder.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman's girls tennis team came within a point of capturing the team championship in Tuesday's 12-school Topeka West Invitational at Kossover Tennis Center.
Seaman junior Molly Gorman won the Topeka West Invitational title in No. 2 singles Tuesday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Seaman sophomore Emma Sweeney finished second in No. 1 singles in Tuesday's Topeka West Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Junior Molly Gorman won the No. 2 singles title and sophomore Emma Sweeney finished second in No. 1 singles to lead the way as the Vikings finished second to Olathe West in the team race by a 44-43 margin.
The Vikings also got a fifth-place finish in No. 2 doubles from Cameron Lux and KatlynHiebsch and a sixth-place finish in No. 1 doubles from Sidney Chinn and Peyton Henry.
Washburn Rural sophomore Julia Katzer posted a runnerup finish in No. 2 singles in Tuesday's Topeka West Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural, which finished fifth as a team, was led by sophomore Julia Katzer's runnerup finish in No. 2 singles while senior Carolina Chedzoy finished fifth in No. 1 singles.
City champions Emerie Catlin and Izzy Haggard, both seniors, placed third in No. 1 doubles.
Seaman, Shawnee Heights and Topeka West will all compete in next Monday's United Kansas Conference meet at Kossover while Washburn Rural will travel to Junction City next Monday for the Centennial League meet.
TOPEKA WEST INVITATIONAL
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural and Hayden fell short in their bids for the Centennial League girls golf championship Monday at Shawnee Country Club, with Manhattan successfully defending its league title.
But the Junior Blues and Wildcats both carded season-best team scores en route to second and third-place finishes and both Washburn Rural coach Jared Goehring and Hayden coach Jayson Duncan felt like Monday was a step forward for their teams with postseason rapidly approaching.
Washburn Rural posted a four-person score of 319, five strokes behind Manhattan, with five Junior Blues scoring between 76 and 83 and finishing in the top 11.
Washburn Rural senior Reece Randall tied for third place in Monday's Centennial League tournament, helping lead the Junior Blues to a second-place team finish. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural senior Natalie Peterson tied for sixth in Monday's Centennial League golf tournament. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Senior Reece Randall paced the Junior Blues with a a tie for third, shooting a 76, while senior Natalie Peterson tied for sixth (78), senior Colbey Stead placed 10th (82) and junior Lauren Cox and sophomore Kailyn Petersen tied for 11th place (83).
"Overall, it was a good day,'' Goehring said. "It was our lowest team score of the year and that's what you want to be doing this time of year. We had five girls all at 83 or better today and that's what we're going to need more of going into postseason in a week.''
Hayden junior Lauren Borjon finished second in Monday's Centennial League golf tournament, helping the Wildcats finish third as a team. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Hayden, the defending Class 4A state champion, finished five strokes behind Washburn Rural at 324, led by junior individual runnerup Lauren Borjon, who shot a 75 to finish three strokes behind individual champion Maddie Myers of Manhattan.
"It was good,'' Borjon said of her round. "It started off a little bad, but I finished really strong, and the team played good.
"I think we've come together a lot. I think we're definitely getting a lot closer and the scores are starting to get a lot closer and we're all starting to play really well.''
Hayden senior Addyson Baer posted a fifth-place individual finish in Monday's Centennial League golf tournament. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The Wildcats also got a fifth-place finish from senior Addyson Baer (77) while junior Izzy Glotzbach tied for eighth (80).
"There's not a lot of teams in this, but there's a lot of quality,'' Duncan said. "You throw us and Rural and Manhattan in a tournament and there's some good things. We played really well and came up a little short, but it's a good sign of things to come.''
Rural's Randall put herself in position to challenge for the individual title most of the day before being derailed by a triple bogey, but still finished just a stroke behind Borjon, tying Emporia junior Elise Eckert for third place, and was happy with the way she battled throughout her round.
"I think I played really well today,'' Randall said. "I think I stayed positive even after that bad hole because I didn't let that snowball. I went to the next hole and I parred. I feel like that was kind of how I was all day. I didn't let a bad hole affect me, I just moved on.''
Randall was also proud with how the Junior Blues played as a team.
"We just put up our lowest team score, which is super exciting,'' Randall said. "Our team goal is to have four counting scores under 85 and we definitely accomplished that today.''
CENTENNIAL LEAGUE GOLF
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
Ranked fourth in Class 6A, the Blue Valley Northwest Huskies traveled to Washburn Rural Friday night to validate that ranking. The Huskies jumped out to a 35-3 lead, then held on to defeat the Junior Blues, 49-23.
Washburn Rural sophomore Jadyn Baum bursts loose for an 80-yard touchdown run in Friday's 49-23 Rural loss to Blue Valley Northwest. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Junior Kellan Roth caught 11 passes for 99 yards and a TD in Friday's 49-23 Washburn Rural loss to Blue Valley Northwest. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
For the Junior Blues, it was their third consecutive game against a Kansas City-area school, a gauntlet that has not been kind. Washburn Rural fell to 1-3, but can look forward to facing more familiar foes the rest of the season.
“The first four weeks, that was the challenge,” said Washburn Rural coach Steve Buhler. “Now, next four weeks, we have league games that we have to defend the league championship from last year. We’re going to come back and get busy on that part of the season.”
The Junior Blues visit Topeka High next Friday to start a string of Centennial League games that includes Emporia, Junction City and Manhattan.
Running behind a line led by Andrew Babalola – one of the nation’s most coveted recruits – and Brock Heath – a Kansas State commit – Blue Valley Northwest plowed to two early touchdowns Friday.
The Junior Blues responded with a field goal in the first period but fell behind 21-3 when the Huskies added another touchdown just before halftime. Washburn Rural’s offense showed it could move the ball against the visitors in the first half, but two costly fumbles limited the Junior Blues’ output.
“The last three games, we get in about about a five- or six-minute stretch where we lose control of the game and let it get out of hand,” Buhler said. “It happened again tonight. We had some situations where, if we take care of the mistakes that we’re making and be more consistent…we’ve got some young guys playing, but we’ve got to quit leaning on that excuse. We’re four weeks in. We’ve got to get better.”
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka High junior tennis standout Madeline Deters and Washburn Rural junior soccer standout Dylan Willingham have been selected by the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency as the Rising Stars of the Week.
The Dan Key Agency will recognize top Shawnee County underclassmen throughout the bulk of the 2024-2025 school year.
Here’s a brief look at the accomplishments of Deters and Willingham over the past week:
Topeka High junior Madeline Deters has been named the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency female Rising Star of the Week after winning the No. 1 singles title in the Topeka High Invitational. [File photo/TSN]
MADELINE DETERS, Topeka High
A junior tennis standout, Deters won the No. 1 singles championship in last Wednesday's Topeka High Invitational at Kossover Tennis Center.
Deters posted a perfect 4-0 record in the tournament, capped by a 6-3, 6-1 win over Olathe East's Mia Huttenmueller in the title match.
A former Class 6A state qualifier, Deters improved to 14-2 on the season.
Washburn Rural junior soccer standout Dylan Willingham (right) is the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency male Rising Star of the Week. [File photo/TSN]
DYLAN WILLINGHAM, Washburn Rural
Willingham, a junior soccer standout, registered three goals and two assists on the week as Washburn Rural improved to 6-1-0 on the season with a pair of Centennial League wins.
Willingham had a goal in last Tuesday's 8-0 win over Junction City and he followed that up with two goals and two assists in last Thursday's 7-0 romp past Hayden.
Willingham was also a Class 6A state tennis medalist in doubles last spring.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)
FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES
Washburn Rural junior quarterback John Hoytal and the Junior Blues will try to snap a two-game losing streak in Friday's non-league home game against Blue Valley Northwest. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST (3-0) at WASHBURN RURAL (1-2)
Washburn Rural, which has dropped two straight road games, faces another tough non-league test Friday night against undefeated Blye Valley Northwest. The Junior Blues are coming off a 49-20 loss at Platte County, Mo. while the Huskies took a 27-24 decision over St. James Academy. Northwest senior quarterbacks Ford Bevins and Nathan Baxter have combined to go 25 of 38 passing for 428 yards and six touchdowns while junior L.J. Bowen has carried the ball 53 times for 329 yards and two TDs. Senior Trevor Garlington has 11 pass receptions for 257 yards and two TDs. Washburn Rural got defensive touchdowns from juniors Jordy Heim and Elijah Gaines against Platte County and a 76-yard TD pass from junior John Hoytal to senior Blake Recinos, but the Junior Blues couldn't keep pace with the undefeated Pirates.
Senior Jamon Wilson has helped lead Highland Park to a perfect 3-0 record to open the 2024 season. [File photo/TSN]
KC-HARMON (1-2, 0-2 Meadowlark) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (3-0, 3-0 Meadowlark)
At Hummer Sports Park
Two streaks will be on the line for Highland Park in Friday's Meadowlark Conference game against Harmon. The Scots will be looking for their fourth straight win while also trying to extend their shutout streak after outscoring their first three conference opponents by a 126-0 margin. Highland Park is coming off a 32-0 win over KC-Schlagle while Harmon dropped a 45-0 decision to KC-Washington last Friday. Harmon senior quarterback Mikey Hammer has completed 13 of 39 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown while sophomore Adrian Fernandez has carred the ball 25 times for 167 yards and two TDs. Highland Park junior quarterback Dontrail Fox has completed 17 of 38 passes for 276 yards and five TDs while senior Jamon Wilson has carried the ball 22 times for 275 yards and compiled 605 all-purpose yards and scored seven total TDs. Sophomore G'Honi Montgomery has 247 rushing yards and a TD on 35 attempts.
Topeka High junior quarterback Zane Smith has helped the Trojans get off to a 3-0 start this fall. [File photo/TSN]
TOPEKA HIGH (3-0, 0-0 Centennial) at EMPORIA (0-3, 0-0 Centennial)
At Welch Stadium
Topeka High and Emporia will open Centennial League play Friday night. Topeka High improved to a perfect 3-0 on the season in last Friday's weather-shortened 26-0 non-league road win over Wichita Southeast, the Trojans' third straight win over members of the Wichita City League. Topeka High led 13-0 when the game was delayed for approximately an hour due to lightning and added to its advantage with a 45-yard TD pass from junior Zane Smith to senior Saron Carter and led 26-0 at the half when the game was called due to the inclement weather. Carter led the Trojans' attack with three TDs on the night. Emporia is coming off a 30-20 non-league loss to Coffeyville and the Spartans have been outscored 126-45 on the year. Topeka High has outscored its first three foes by a 105-33 margin.
Shawnee Heights junior David Wakes has rushed for 275 yards and two touchdowns this fall. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
LEAVENWORTH (1-2, 1-2 UKC) at Shawnee Heights (1-2, 1-1 UKC)
Shawnee Heights is coming off a tough 42-35 home United Kansas Conference loss to Basehor-Linwood last Friday while Leavenworth picked up its first win of the season, a 51-6 UKC romp past KC-Turner. Shawnee Heights junior quarterback Aiden Scott has completed 61 of 105 passes for 918 yards and eight touchdowns while junior AJ Gallegos has caught 20 passes for 249 yards and three TDs and Tyren Parker has 15 catches for 265 yards and three TDs. Junior David Wakes has 275 rushing yards and two TDs on 52 carries while junior Royce Daniels leads the Shawnee Heights defense with 36 tackles, including 17 solo stops.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden moves back to Class 4A for the 2024-2025 school year in all sports except football in the latest classifications released by the Kansas State High school Activities Association on Thursday while Rossville will move down to 2A.
Hayden is back in its accustomed spot in 4A after a brief stint in 3A while longtime 3A school Rossville moves down to 2A in all sports except football. Hayden is a 3A school in football while Rossville is in its first season in 1A on the gridiron.
Hayden, with 333 students is the third smallest 4A school in the state while Rossville is the fourth largest 2A school with 170 students.
The other eight Shawnee County high schools remained in the same classifications -- Washburn Rural and Topeka High in 6A, Seaman, Shawnee Heights, Topeka West and Highland Park in 5A, Silver Lake in 3A and Cair Paravel Latin in 2A.
KSHSAA 2024-2025 CLASSIFICATIONS
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden girls tennis coach Christy Sheetz had very little doubt that Thursday's race for the city championship would go down to the wire.
Hayden poses for a picture after winning the city girls team tennis championship Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
And that's exactly what happened, with the come-from-behind win from the Wildcats' No. 2 doubles team of Izzy Glotzbach and Avery O'Bray in the final match of the night clinching Hayden's second city team title in three seasons by a 32-29 margin over Seaman. Washburn Rural finished third with 26 points.
"It always that way,'' Sheetz said of the close battle. "It's the way the scoring is, so you have to anticipate that it's going to be really, really tight and especially with Seaman and Washburn Rural. We're the little guy coming in.''
Hayden took a one-point margin into the No. 2 doubles final, but the Wildcats needed a win by Glotzbach and O'Bray to hold off the Vikings and got down early before rallying for an 8-4 win over Seaman's Kaylyn Hiebsch and Camryn Lux.
Hayden also got a city title from senior star Ainzley Zulueta in No. 1 singles while senior Emily Sheetz and freshman Sophia Wichman posted a second-place finish in No. 1 doubles and junior Grace Funk finished second in No. 2 singles.
"I feel really good about where the girls are right now,'' Christy Sheetz said. "We have three dual-sport athletes on our top six. We've got a volleyball player (Wichman), we've got a golfer in Izzy Glotzbach and Grace Funk also does debate so it's kind of a chess match sometimes putting partners together and figuring out where things are.
"Having Ainzley Zulueta back (after missing her junior season) is a huge part of it, Emily Sheetz coming on with a new partner who's a freshman, that was really, really important and Grace Funk doing what she did in the No. 2 singles spot but this last match (the No. 2 doubles final) was pretty amazing.''
Hayden senior Ainzley Zulueta won the city title in No. 1 singles on Thursday, helping the Wildcats capture the team championship. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Zulueta, a two-time Class 4A state singles champion, took an 8-0 win over Seaman sophomore Emma Sweeney in the No. 1 singles final, capping a dominating day.
Zulueta had to sit out her junior high school season due to an eligibility issue after attending an out-of-state tennis academy but returned to win the third city title of her career.
"I'm glad to be back,'' Zulueta said. "It's nice to be with the team again, traveling and all of that. I kind of missed it. That was the thing I missed most.''
Washburn Rural seniors Izzy Haggard (right) and Emerie Catlin won the city No. 1 doubles title Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center after winning the No. 2 crown in 2023. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural seniors Emerie Catlin and Izzy Haggard, who won the city No. 2 doubles title in 2023, won the No. 1 doubles championship on Thursday with an 8-6 win over E. Sheetz and Wichman.
Catlin and Haggard trailed 3-0 at the start of the match before rallying to claim the championship.
"We just weren't being aggressive at the net and then we clicked and started being aggressive,' Catlin said.
"We got down a little bit and she (Catlin) helped pick us up,'' Haggard said.
Haggard and Catlin have been doubles partners throughout their high school careers and Haggard said it felt good to win the No. 1 title in the duo's final city meet.
"It's a good feeling,'' she said. "I think it's the best we've ever played together.''
Seaman junior Molly Gorman won the city title in No. 2 singles Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Junior Molly Gorman won the No. 2 singles title for Seaman, taking an 8-4 win over Funk, while the Vikings also got a third-place finish in No. 1 doubles from Sidney Chinn and Peyton Henry.
CITY GIRLS TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman's girls tennis team tuned up for Thursday's city tournament with a strong showing in Tuesday's Washburn Rural Invitational at Kossover Tennis Center, led by sophomore singles champion Emma Sweeney.
Seaman sophomore Emma Sweeney captured the singles championship in Tuesday's Washburn Rural Invitational tennis tournament. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Sweeney claimed the singles title with an 8-2 win over Maize senior Rylee Frye in the championship match while the Vikings also got a third-place singles finish from junior Molly Gorman as well as a second-place doubles finish from senior Sidney Chinn and sophomore Peyton Henry and a fifth-place doubles finish from Cameron Lux and Katlyn Hiebsch.
Viking junior Molly Gorman earned a win by injury default over Emporia junior Kali Keough in the third-place singles match while Chinn and Henry dropped an 8-2 decision to Washburn Rural seniors Izzy Haggard and Emerie Catlin in the doubles final while Lux and Hiebsch took an 8-4 win over Maize in the fifth-place doubles match.
"I was more than pleased,'' Seaman coach Jamie Robinson said. "I thought we competed well and we won the matches we needed to win to get some good seeds at city.''
Senior doubles champions Izzy Haggard and Emerie Catlin of Washburn Rural celebrate a point in Tuesday's Washburn Rural Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Haggard and Catlin's doubles championship paced host Washburn Rural in Tuesday's meet.
"I thought they played with a lot of confidence today and it really showed,'' Washburn Rural coach Brad Johnston said. "They were being aggressive and finishing points early, some of the stuff we've worked on after our first few matches.''
The Junior Blues also got fifth and sixth-place finishes Tuesday from senior Carolina Chedzoy and sophomore Julia Katzer, with Chedzoy taking an 8-5 win in the fifth-place match.
Washburn Rural enters Thursday's city tournament as the defending champion, topping Seaman by a 31-28 margin in 2023 while Hayden finished third with 23 points.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Madeline Deters
MADELINE DETERS, Topeka High
A junior tennis standout, Deters won the No. 1 singles championship in last Wednesday's Topeka High Invitational at Kossover Tennis Center. Deters posted a perfect 4-0 record in the tournament, capped by a 6-3, 6-1 win over Olathe East's Mia Huttenmueller in the title match. Deters improved to 14-2 on the season.
Bryer Finley
BRYER FINLEY, Seaman
Finley, a senior wide receiver, caught four touchdown passes from Max Huston in Friday's weather-shortened 53-6 United Kansas Conference win over Topeka West. Finley scored on pass receptions of 53, 18, 65 and 34 yards in the win over Topeka West, helping the Vikings improve to 2-1 on the season.
Camden Granado
CAMDEN GRANADO, Shawnee Heights
A junior soccer and football player, Granado scored a pair of goals to help Shawnee Heights pick up its first soccer win of the season last Tuesday, a 4-2 United Kansas Conference win over De Soto, and he contributed an assist in Thursday's 4-2 UKC win over Piper. The T-Birds' placekicker, Granado went five of five on extra points in Friday's 42-35 loss to Basehor-Linwood.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
A year after having its decade-long city championship run ended by Hayden, Washburn Rural was back in its familiar spot on Monday at Western Hills as seniors Natalie Peterson and Reece Randall posted a one-two individual finish to lead the Junior Blues to an 10-stroke team victory over the Wildcats in the city event.
Washburn Rural's girls golf team poses for a team picture after posting a 10-stroke victory in Monday's city tournament at Western Hills. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"It was definitely a goal that we had set before the season started,'' Rural coach Jared Goehring said of Monday's city title. "The girls had a little bit of a sour taste left in their mouth after last year and I thought they stepped up and performed well today, especially there towards the top with Natalie and Reece leading us.''
Washburn Rural senior Natalie Peterson won the individual title in Monday's city tournament with a 77, leading the way as the Junior Blues took a 10-stroke win in the team race. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural senior Reece Randall posted a second-place finish with a 78 in Monday's city tournament at Western Hills. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
For the first time in her career Peterson led Washburn Rural in Monday's event, taking medalist honors with a 77 while Randall was a stroke back in second place.
"I just tried to stay on a par streak and didn't really focus on if I had a bad hole or not,'' Peterson said. "It just makes me feel comfortable to be myself and try my best.''
Washburn Rural also got a tie for sixth from sophomore Kailyn Petersen (84) and an eighth-place finish from junior Lauren Cox (87) to round out the Junior Blues' top four.
Goehring is hopeful that the city title was the start of a strong late-season push for the Junior Blues.
"We definitely have the potential,'' Goehring said. "Any of our six girls can go low for us. We've seen two career rounds by two different players (Peterson and Randall) this year on our roster so we kind of have the mentality that we want to continue to build our depth going into (Centennial) League next week, going into the Lawrence invite at Eagle Bend and then towards the end of year at Stagg Hills in regionals.''
Hayden senior Addyson Baer shot an 80 to finish third in Monday's city tournament at Western Hills. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Hayden junior Izzy Glotzbach shot an 81 to finish fourth in Monday's city tournament at Western Hills. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Hayden senior Addyson Baer posted a third-place with an 80 to lead the Wildcats while junior Izzy Glotzbach carded an 81 to place fourth and junior Lauren Borjon tied for sixth with an 84.
Seaman finished third in the team standings with a score of 389, led by junior Makenna Stuke, who tied Topeka West senior Alex Baxter for eighth place with an 88.
Seaman senior Jaycee Zimmerman finished 10th in the city tourney with an 89.
Actually, Washburn Rural and Peterson won a pair of titles on Monday, with the Junior Blues winning the championship in the Topeka West Invitational, which was held in conjunction with the city meet, and Peterson taking individual honors.
Emporia junior Elise Eckert was top non-city finisher in the West Invitational, placing fifth with an 82.
Seaman, Shawnee Heights and Topeka West will be right back in action on Tuesday, competing in the United Kansas Conference tournament at Lake Shawnee.
The Centennial League tournament will be held next Monday at Shawnee Country Club.
CITY TOURNAMENT
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Highland Park pushed its consecutive game shutout streak to three games on Friday, with the Scots improving to 3-0 overall and in the Meadowlark Conference with a 32-0 road win over Kansas City-Schlagle.
Highland Park senior Jamon Wilson scored two touchdowns, including an 80-yard kickoff return, in the Scots' 32-0 win over KC-Schlagle Friday night. [File photo/TSN]
Highland Park has now outscored its three Meadowlark Conference opponents by a 126-0 margin, with Friday's game its closest outcome of the season.
Scot senior Jamon Wilson continued his red hot start to the 2024 season with a pair of touchdowns, including an 80-yard kickoff return to open the second half.
Highland Park will be back at Hummer Sports Park on Friday for a Meadowlark Conference game against KC-Harmon, which is 1-2 on the season.
Topeka High junior quarterback Zane Smith helped the Trojans improve to 3-0 with a 26-0 win over Wichita Southeast Friday night. [File photo/TSN]
TOPEKA HIGH 26, WICHITA SOUTHEAST 0 -- Topeka High improved to a perfect 3-0 on the season with Friday's weather-shortened 26-0 non-league road win over Wichita Southeast.
The Trojans have now posted three straight wins over members of the Wichita City League.
Topeka High led 13-0 when the game was delayed for approximately an hour due to lightning.
High then added to its advantage with a 45-yard TD pass from Zane Smith to Saron Carter and led 26-0 at the half when the game was called due to the inclement weather conditions in the area.
Carter led the Trojans' attack with three TDs on the night.
Topeka High will open Centennial League play next Friday at Emporia's Welch Stadium.
Junior Dayne Johnson caught a pair of touchdown passes in Friday's 18-12 win over Perry-Lecompton. [File photo/TSN]
SILVER LAKE 18, PERRY-LECOMPTON 12 --Silver Lake bounced back from its loss to two-time defending Class 2A state champion Nemaha Central with Friday's 18-12 road win over Perry-Lecompton.
Junior Dayne Johnson had a big night for the 2-1 Eagles, catching a pair of touchdown passes from senior quarterback Dysen Schooler.
Silver Lake held a 7-6 lead at the half and led 15-12 at the start of the fourth quarter before adding a field goal in the fourth quarter.
The Eagles will be back on the road Friday to face Big East League foe St. Marys.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Former Washburn Rural football star JC Heim has never been a fan of sitting.
JC Heim
So when the Washburn University football coaching staff opened the door for the 6-foot-3, 225-pound linebacker to play as a true freshman, Heim jumped at the chance.
And two games into his college career Heim has taken full advantage of that opportunity.
"I knew I had great people in front of me and I was surrounded by great leaders around me,'' Heim said. "We had a great summer together and putting on the weight and the size through this awesome strength and conditioning program that we had throughout the summer definitely helped me get prepared for fall camp.
"And with the group of leaders we have, it helped me become successful throughout fall camp to learn the plays, get the plays down and be able to make plays.''
Washburn freshman linebacker JC Heim (25) posted five tackles in the second college game of his career, last Saturday's 31-21 loss to No. 5-ranked Colorado School of Mines. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
Heim saw spot duty on defense and also played on special teams in the Ichabods' season-opener at Emporia State, recording one assisted tackle, and stepped up his work load in last week's 31-28 loss to Colorado School of Mines, recording five tackles on the day.
