2018 Capital-Journal fall prep sports special section

The Topeka Capital-Journal Thursday, August 30, 2018 D1

2018 PREP FALL SPORTS

PREVIEW

3D

DUO

Washburn Rural’s Carly Bachelor, left, and Hayden’s Brooklyn Hunter have excelled in three sports throughout their high school careers. While Bachelor has earned All-City, AllCentennial League and All-State honors in volleyball, basketball and soccer, Hunter has received similar accolades in tennis, volleyball and basketball. [CHRIS NEAL/THE CAPITALJOURNAL]

Hayden three-sport star Hunter eyes historic four-peats in tennis, volleyball

By Rick Peterson

By Rick Peterson

rick.peterson@cjonline.com

H

Not married to one sport, Bachelor a woman for all Washburn Rural seasons

ayden three-sport star Brooklyn Hunter is thankful for everything she has accomplished in her high school career.

And Hunter is likely to be even more thankful years down the road when she looks back on what already ranks as one of the most successful careers in city history, with her senior year still to come.

“Sometimes I take it for granted a little bit, but I am really happy for all the accomplishments that I’ve had and really lucky,” said Hunter, who splits time between tennis and volleyball in the fall and also plays basketball for the Wildcats.

Hunter, who was featured in Sports Illustrated as a freshman, has won three straight Class 4A singles titles in tennis, posting a 21-0 record last fall to improve to 58-1 in her career.

Later this fall she will have the opportunity to become the first girls player in state history to win four straight 4A singles championships.

Hunter has also been a key part of three straight 4A Division II championship teams in volleyball, earning All-4A II first-team honors the last two seasons. Now in 4A, Hayden could join Washburn Rural as the only city school to win four straight volleyball championships with another title this fall.

Hunter also played in the 4A-II

She’s such a great kid and she works hard in everything she does. She has a great attitude and I’m so proud of her and all her accomplishments. I only wish her the best of luck when she leaves Hayden because the sky’s the limit for Brooklyn. She has a lot of good things going for her.

Coach Jessica Farmer-Walter

state basketball championship game as a freshman and has played in three straight state tournaments, earning first-team All-City honors as a junior.

“It’s gone pretty fast, but at the same time we’ve had a good three years,” Hunter said.

Jessica Farmer-Walter, who coaches Hunter in volleyball and coached her in basketball her freshman year, said she has been a great representative for the school.

“She’s such a great kid and she works hard in everything she does,” Farmer-Walter said. “She has a great attitude and I’m so proud of her and all her accomplishments. I only wish her the best of luck when she leaves Hayden because the sky’s the limit for Brooklyn. She has a lot of good things going for her.”

See HUNTER, D2

rick.peterson@cjonline.com

P

roponents of specialization maintain that for a high school athlete to reach their maximum potential, they need to concentrate on a single sport, particularly if the goal is to make it to the Division I level.

Those people apparently never met Carly Bachelor.

The Washburn Rural senior not only plays volleyball, basketball and soccer in successive seasons, but she has established herself as one of the state’s best in all three while earning a Division I scholarship from Creighton in basketball.

“I love all the sports; I wouldn’t be playing them if I didn’t," Bachelor said. “Basketball’s my favorite, but right now I’m really excited for this (volleyball) season and I’m sure as soon as I get around to basketball I’ll be super excited and the same with soccer.

“It’s really fun to surround yourself with all the different sports and people and all the different coaches.

It’s really fun."

Bachelor has been a standout since stepping on Rural’s campus and is coming off an outstanding junior season, earning All-City, All-Centennial League and All-6A honors in volleyball, basketball and soccer while the Junior Blues made deep state tournament runs in all three sports.

INSIDE PREP PREVIEW PAGE 2 • City golf capsules

PAGE 5 • Eleven city soccer players to watch • Eleven state soccer players to watch

PAGE 3 • Caroline Setter, Hayden girls hope to defend state golf championships.

• Six city golfers to watch • Six state golfers to watch

PAGE 6 • Rural girls tennis team looks to reload without state placer Rachel Osborn.

• City tennis capsules

PAGE 4 • Seaman boys soccer coach Brie Ray concerned with winning, not trailblazing.

• City soccer capsules

PAGE 7 • Six city tennis players to watch • Six area tennis players to watch • Six state tennis players to watch

She’s very much a team player, and she’s kind of set the gold standard for what you want out of a leader, out of an athlete, out of a competitor. We’ve had some really good ones out here, and she’s definitely in the top part of that group of the people we’ve had that are just competitors and hate to lose.

Coach Kevin Bordwick

Kevin Bordewick, Bachelor’s coach in volleyball and basketball, said she deserves every bit of recognition she’s received.

“She’s very much a team player, and she’s kind of set the gold standard for what you want out of a leader, out of an athlete, out of a competitor," Bordewick said.

“We’ve had some really good ones out here, and she’s definitely in the top part of that group of the people we’ve had that are just competitors and hate to lose."

The one thing that’s eluded Bachelor in her prep career is a state championship, something she and her teammates are determined to change this school year.

“Junior year was probably the peak of my career so far," Bachelor See BACHELOR, D2

PAGE 8 • Veteran Hayden, Washburn Rural volleyball teams set sights on top spots.

• City volleyball capsules PAGE 9 • Six city volleyball players to watch • Six area volleyball players to watch • Six state volleyball players to watch PAGE 10 • Healthy Rural senior Jaybe Shufelberger ready to make strong senior-season run.

• Fourteen city cross country runners to watch PAGE 11 • Fourteen area cross country runners to watch • Fourteen state cross country runners to watch

D2 Thursday, August 30, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal

CITY HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS GOLF CAPSULES HAYDEN Coach: Dan Key. Top returners: Sarah Carson, sr.; Caroline Setter, sr.; Katye Vausbinder, sr.; Anna Wiksten, sr.

Top newcomers: Jensen Heideman, so.; Haley Karolevitz, jr.; Maura McInerney, so.; Emma Teply, so.

Outlook: The Wildcats return three state medalists from the Class 4A state championship team, including individual state champion Setter. Vausbinder is a two-time state medalist while Carson earned her first state medal. “I’m excited about having a very talented senior class with a lot of tournament experience returning,” Key said.

“We will need a couple of the newcomers to step up by the end of the year to provide the depth we need to once again be competitive for another state championship run.”

SCHEDULE September: 4 at Piper Inv., 11 Hayden Inv. (Shawnee CC), 17 City tournament/Topeka West Inv. (Shawnee CC), 20 at Washburn Rural Inv. (Wamego CC), 24 Centennial League at Junction City, 27 at Hutchinson Inv. October: 1 at Silver Lake Inv., 4 at Basehor-Linwood Inv., 8 Regionals, 15 State.

SEAMAN

Carly Bachelor, left, will play NCAA Division I basketball at Creighton, but the versatile Washburn Rural standout also has helped the Junior Blues make deep state-tournament runs in volleyball and soccer. [2017 FILE PHOTOGRAPH/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL]

BACHELOR From Page D1

said. “Being so close to getting a state championship in soccer (1-0 loss to Blue Valley West in the state finals) and third place in both basketball and volleyball, it really kind of eats at you a little bit because you’re so close, but I’m really excited for what we could do this year.

The future of these programs is really good, and I think if we all just work towards our common goal of getting to state and then taking care of

business, when we get there I really think that the future is bright for our team for sure.

“The sky's the limit. I think we have potential for sure. There’s a lot to be said for teams that have great team chemistry, and at Washburn Rural we really do have great team chemistry and that really translates on the court and on the field."

With her future plans already decided, Bachelor could be forgiven for cutting out a sport or two to get ready for what is ahead with her basketball career at Creighton, but she

said that was never an option.

“Honestly, it really hasn’t crossed my mind," she said. “I’ve just had so much fun in the past, I can’t imagine not being around the same people and the teams. I’ve just had so much fun in the past three years, I would miss it too much if I quit one.

“I just feel like I have so many different friends and just great relationships throughout Washburn Rural and the different programs. If I quit I’d feel that I’d just be missing something from my life."

Hayden’s Brooklyn Hunter enters her senior season with six fall-sports state championships to her credit — three in tennis, three in volleyball. “Sometimes I take it for granted a little bit, but I am really happy for all the accomplishments that I’ve had and really lucky,” Hunter says. [2017 FILE PHOTOGRAPH/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL]

HUNTER From Page D1

Farmer-Walter knows juggling two fall sports has to be hard on Hunter at times, but she said Hunter has never complained.

“You’d never know,” Farmer-Walter said.

“She always gives me 100 percent on the floor. You’d never know she might have had a tennis meet the whole day or been up late studying. She’s always at every practice, every game giving 100 percent.”

Hunter said doing double duty is just a way of life for her.

“It is a little tough at times, but my parents (Shane and Tina) just remind me that it’s worth it and that I just

need to push through it and when it’s all over I’ll look back and just be happy that I went through it and enjoyed it at the same time,” she said.

Hunter would have had opportunities to play any of her three sports in college, but has decided on tennis and has committed to Nebraska-Kearney.

“It was pretty tough (deciding),” she said.

“Growing up I always thought it would be tennis. Then I got into high school and I thought volleyball for a few years, but then I thought about it for another two months and switched over to tennis because I just thought it would be a better fit for me.

“I really love the coach (Jake Saulsbury). I think that he’ll be great for me

and our personalities will go together really well and he’ll push me to be my best for sure.”

In the meantime, Hunter wants to do her best to finish her career off with a bang.

Winning another volleyball title might be a big challenge in a class that includes 36 schools, but Hunter believes Hayden is up to the challenge.

“We definitely want this one, too, just as much as the others if not more,” Hunter said.

The same is true in tennis, where Hunter is the player to beat.

“I definitely feel pressure, but I have for every year,” she said. “But I’m really motivated to finish off strong. I’ll also just try to enjoy the moment and not be so nervous about it and just have a good time.”

Coach: Julie McLaughlin.

Top returners: Molly Biggs, jr.; Sarah Forrer, sr.; Katie Golder, so.; Sierra Hahn, jr.; Molly McLaughlin, so.; Raymie Valdivia, jr.

Top newcomers: Bailey Alt, fr.; Emily Brewer, fr.; Madyson Hardesty, fr.; Renae Sturgeon, fr.

Outlook: Julie McLaughlin begins her second season as coach of the Vikings. “This year we continue to build our program,” McLaughlin said.

“Several of the girls have been working on their game over the summer, so we are looking forward to seeing some of their hard work pay off as we get into season. One third of our varsity team last year were freshmen, so it will be nice to start the season with all of our varsity team members having the experience of competing at the high school level.”

SCHEDULE August: 30 at Jefferson West Inv. September: 11 at Hayden Inv.

(Shawnee CC), 17 City tournament/Topeka West Inv. (Shawnee CC), 18 Seaman quadrangular (Shawnee CC), 24 Centennial League at Junction City.

October: 1 at Silver Lake Inv., 8 Regionals, 15 State.

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS Coach: Steve Giddens.

Top returners: Makaila Astle, jr.; Sydney Wellshear, sr.

Top newcomers: Haven Blosser, fr.; Kyler Bowman, so.; Rylee Broadbent, so.; Kameron Burnam, fr.; Rebecca Donaldson, jr.; Lauren Drum, fr.; Sara Eggenberger, so.; Maegen Heflin, fr.; Mia Heflin, jr.; Olivia Morgan, fr.; Amanda Reiter, jr.; Bretlynn Ward, jr.

Outlook: “Returning only two players with varsity experience, we will look to get better in a hurry,” Giddens said. “Mostly competing against our former Centennial League and city foes, we will have a tough schedule and hope that prepares us for our (United Kansas Conference) league outing later in the season. Hopefully we will improve enough to continue to qualify a team for state as we have in the past seven years.”

SCHEDULE September: 6 Shawnee Heights Inv. (Western Hills), 18 at Seaman quadrangular (Shawnee CC), 19 at Topeka High Inv. (North Topeka Golf Center), 24 United Kansas Conference (Lake Shawnee), 26 at Lawrence Inv., 27 at Junction City Inv. October: 1 at Manhattan Inv., 4 at Basehor-Linwood, 8 Regionals, 15 State.

TOPEKA HIGH Coach: Ryan Nelson.

Top returner —Abbie Cruse, jr.

Top newcomer: Zoey Burton, so.

Outlook: “It will be another rebuilding year for the Lady Trojan golfers,” Nelson said. “We return Abbie Cruse for a third season.

She looks to improve her year and make a return to the state tournament this year. I think by the end of the season we will look to make some real improvement on our scores.”

SCHEDULE September: 6 at Wamego Inv., 11 at Hayden Inv. (Shawnee CC), 17 City tournament/ Topeka West Inv. (Shawnee CC), 19 Topeka High Inv. (North Topeka Golf Center), 24 Centennial League at Junction City, 27 at Junction City Inv., 27

at Hutchinson Inv. October: 1 at Manhattan Inv., 8 Regionals, 15 State.

TOPEKA WEST Coach: Richard Mariani.

Top returners: Sada Branson, sr.; Olivia Lopez, sr.

Top newcomers: Faith Bynum, jr.; Brooke Guy, sr.; Chase Kell, fr.; Hailey Zimmerman, jr.

Outlook: “The Chargers have a young and inexperienced squad,” Mariani said. “The girls will continue to work hard this season to improve their games.”

SCHEDULE September: 4 at Salina Central Inv., 11 at Hayden Inv. (Shawnee CC), 17 City tournament/Topeka West Inv. (Shawnee CC), 24 Centennial League at Junction City, 27 at Hutchinson Inv. October: 1 at Manhattan Inv., 8 Regionals, 15 State.

WASHBURN RURAL Coach: Jared Goehring.

Top returners: Abby Depperschmidt, sr.; Kasey Hamilton, jr.; Peyton Luttjohann, sr.

Top newcomers: Annie Berger, sr.; Erica Culberson, so.; Kaitlyn Crough, fr.; Jordan Elliott, so.; Julia Hickam, fr.; Emma Kreuger, fr.; Ariahna Luarks, jr.; Madelyn Luttjohann, so.; Cassidy McMaster, jr.; McKenna Merrick, fr.; Faith Welborn, fr.

Outlook: Washburn Rural has won the 6A state title the past two seasons and four out of the last five years, but the Junior Blues graduated all six players off last year’s team.

Depperschmidt, Hamilton and Luttjohann earned varsity letters last season. “After heavy graduation the Junior Blues will look to the returning letter-winners for leadership early on in the season,” Goehring said. “Building depth throughout the season will be the key for the team to remain competitive through a tough tournament schedule.”

SCHEDULE September: 4 at SM East Inv. 10 Olathe West dual, 11 at Hayden Inv. (Shawnee CC), 17 City tournament/Topeka West Inv. (Shawnee CC), 19 at Aquinas Inv, 20 Washburn Rural Inv. (Wamego CC), 24 Centennial League at Junction City, 26 at Lawrence Inv. October: 1 at Free State Inv., 1 at Manhattan Inv., 8 Regionals, 15 State.

— Rick Peterson

The Topeka Capital-Journal Thursday, August 30, 2018 D3

Trio of state medalists return to lead state champion Hayden golf team Rural looking to reload after back-to-back 6A titles

By Rick Peterson rick.peterson@cjonline.com

Hayden’s girls golf team returns three state medalists from last year’s Class 4A state championship squad, including individual state champion Caroline Setter.

But while Hayden coach Dan Key knows that’s a great nucleus to build around, he also knows that the key to being able to make a run at a second straight title is the rest of the Wildcat lineup.

“A large part of the reason we won was our depth,’’ Key said.

“Obviously we were good at the top but we also had pretty good depth. We had seven or eight girls that gave us some depth.’’

“We’ve lost a little bit of that depth and we’re going to have to now count on some newcomers in the fourth, fifth and sixth positions in order to maintain that depth.’’

Setter, a senior, shot a 76 in last year’s state meet at Lake Shawnee to win medalist honors by four strokes while senior Katye Vausbinder finished seventh individually with an 86 last fall after tying for fifth in 4A as a sophomore.

“They definitely have the ability to shoot a low number and we’re in a good spot knowing that we have two people at the top of our lineup that have the

Caroline Setter captured the Class 4A individual championship and led Hayden to the team state championship as well in 2017.

Setter is one of three returning state medalists for the Wildcats.

[2017 CAPITAL-JOURNAL FILE PHOTO]

ability to fire something in the 70s,’’ Key said.

Sarah Carson was also a key to Hayden’s title a year ago, tying for 17th place with a 96 as the Wildcats won by six strokes over Andale.

“I think Sarah is really going to give us some stability in that third position and four, five and six is going come from about five or six girls who are battling for those three spots,’’ Key said.

Also expected to challenge for varsity spots this fall are sophomores Jensen Heideman, Haley Karolevitz, Maura McInerney and Emma Tepley.

Jared Goehring’s Washburn Rural team is also coming off a state championship, continuing a dominant run.

The Junior Blues won a second straight 6A state title and their fourth in five years last fall, taking the 2017 title by eight

strokes over Shawnee Mission East and Blue Valley West.

But Rural graduated all six players and five state medalists off last year’s team, including last year’s state runner-up, Abby Glynn, and 2016 state champ Megan Lucas.

“It will be a different look for sure,’’ Goehring said. “It will be one of those years where the varsity experience will not be quite as strong as it has been in

the past, but that outstanding senior class that we just had graduate, four of those seven girls were all junior varsity players up until their junior year, so they were all program kids.

“We still have a lot of those that will be seniors and juniors who have all been in the program and are excited for their chance this year.’’

Senior Peyton Luttjohann, an alternate on Rural’s state team a year ago, is a returning letterwinner, as are senior Abby Depperschmidt and junior Kasey Hamilton.

That trio will be counted on to provide leadership this fall while 11 newcomers could also challenge for playing time.

“Our thing is that it’s a new year and a new look with new players but our expectations will not change,’’ Goehring said.

“We’ll be searching for some depth throughout the year and for that one or two players who have the capability of going low, but we’re only going to get better as the year goes on.’’

The city returns four state medalists overall, with senior Sydney Wellshear back to lead Shawnee Heights after tying for 16th in the 5A state tournament with a 91.

Wellshear helped lead the T-Birds to a eighth-place team finish in 5A.

CITY GIRLS GOLF: SIX PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sarah Carson SARAH CARSON, SENIOR, HAYDEN Carson was one of five Hayden state medalists in the 2017 Class 4A state tournament as the Wildcats captured the team championship by a six-stroke margin.

Carson tied for 17th with a 96 at Lake Shawnee. Carson’s medal-winning performance came in her first state tournament appearance.

SIERRA HAHN, JUNIOR, SEAMAN Hahn made it to the 5A state tournament as a sophomore and led the Vikings with a tie for 53rd place as an individual state qualifier. Hahn earned her trip to the state

Sierra Hahn

Peyton Luttjohann

meet with a 10th-place regional finish.

PEYTON LUTTJOHANN, SENIOR, WASHBURN RURAL Luttjohann was Washburn Rural’s alternate for last season’s 6A state tournament team and will be counted on to step up and be a leader for the Junior Blues this fall after Rural graduated all six players from last year’s team that won a second straight 6A state title.

CAROLINE SETTER, SENIOR, HAYDEN Setter capped her junior season with the individual title by a four-stroke margin in

Caroline Setter

Katye Vausbinder

Sydney Wellshear

the 4A state tournament, shooting a 76 to lead the Wildcats to the team championship. Setter was also a regional champion and finished fifth in the city meet and was third in the Centennial League tournament. Setter has played in three state tournaments for the Wildcats.

KATYE VAUSBINDER, SENIOR, HAYDEN Vausbinder finished seventh individually in 4A with an 86 for the state-champion Wildcats. Vausbinder finished second in the city meet, was seventh in the Centennial League tournament and was the runner-up at regionals. Vausbinder is a

AREA, STATE GIRLS GOLF: SIX GOLFERS TO WATCH

Hsiang Chin HSIANG CHIN, TMP-MARIAN Coming to TMP-Marian from Taiwan as a sophomore, Chin made an immediate impact on the program. She placed sixth at the Class 3-2-1A state meet as a sophomore, capturing a regional title as well. Last year, Chin was even better, winning another regional title and adding the Class 3-2-1A state crown as well, shooting a 76 to win by five shots. Chin has 10 career victories and holds school records for nine holes (37), 18 holes (74) and scoring average (77.28).

RYLIE COOK, STANTON COUNTY Going into her junior season, Cook already has 10 top-four finishes in her career, including six tournament victories. After taking fifth at the Class 3-2-1A state meet as a freshman, she was a regional champion last year and finished runner-up at the state tournament, shooting an 81 to finish five shots out of first. Cook posted a scoring average of 78 last year and led Stanton County to a runner-up

Rylie Cook

state finish as a team.

ABBY DONOVAN, CONCORDIA Last year as a freshman, Donovan continued Concordia’s history of having at least one state qualifier every year of the program’s existence, qualifying for the Class 4A state meet where she shot a 96 and placed 17th. Donovan captured the title at the Panthers’ home meet and led Concordia to wins in three tournaments last year.

FAITH HEDGES, SEABURY The only golfer for the Seabury program the past two years, Hedges captured the Class 3-2-1A state title as a freshman, shooting an 84 at Buffalo Dunes Golf Course in Garden City to win by three shots. She took ninth at last year’s state tournament, posting a 96. Hedges is a two-time regional champion as well.

MAGGIE KING, AQUINAS King got off to a somewhat slow start last year as a sophomore, but came on strong at the end

Abby Donovan

Faith Hedges

of the season and led Aquinas to the Class 5A state championship.

She shot a career-best 80 at the state tournament to finish third, one shot out of second, and was a first-team All-Eastern Kansas League selection and regional runner-up finisher. King also placed eighth at state as a freshman, shooting a 92.

MIA TOVKACH, GARDNER-EDGERTON Tovkach is building a resume that will rival the best in state history by the time she graduates from Gardner-Edgerton. Tovkach goes into her senior year with a shot at becoming just the sixth girl in state history to win at least three state championships. Last year’s Best of Kansas Preps girls golfer of the year, Tovkach added her second state title a year ago, shooting a 72 to win the Class 6A crown. She also won the 6A title as a freshman and finished runner-up by two shots as a sophomore. ­­— Brent Maycock

TMP-Marian’s Hsiang Chin captured the Class 3-2-1A state golf title last season in her first year with the Monarchs. [2017 HAYS DAILY NEWS FILE PHOTO]

Maggie King

Mia Tovkach

two-time state medalist, finishing sixth as a sophomore, and she has played in three state tournaments.

SYDNEY WELLSHEAR, SENIOR, SHAWNEE HEIGHTS Wellshear returns for the T-Birds after tying for 16th in the 5A state meet as a junior with a 91. Wellshear helped Shawnee Heights win a 5A regional title, tying for 13th place. She is also a softball standout for Heights, helping the T-Birds win back-to-back 5A undefeated state titles.

— Rick Peterson

D4 Thursday, August 30, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal

Ray’s focus on winning soccer games, not making history Longtime Seaman assistant takes over as head coach

By Rick Peterson rick.peterson@cjonline.com

N

ew Seaman boys soccer coach Brie Ray is breaking new ground, and couldn’t care less.

Ray, a Viking assistant the past decade, is one of just a handful of females coaching boys soccer across the state and the only one in the city or Centennial League. But as far as Ray is concerned she’s just a coach. Period.

“I didn’t even think about it,’’ said Ray, who takes over this season for Craig Rocastle, who stepped down after the 2017 season. “It was not a factor one bit and it never crossed my mind. It was zero, not a thought, not on the radar.’’

What was a factor is that Ray feels like she’s the right person to get the most out of Seaman players she’s known throughout their careers.

“It came down to feeling it was necessary to do what’s right for the team,’’ Ray said.

“You’re talking longevity, you’re talking knowing families, families knowing me and having some tradition established. Transition can be hard, but this is an easy transition.’’

Ray, who played soccer at Washburn, hadn’t pursued head coaching jobs in the past, but felt like the time was right to take that step this fall.

“That doesn’t say that I’m not busy because I still do have a day job – I do physical

Brie Ray, a Seaman assistant soccer coach the past decade, takes over as the Vikings’ head coach this fall.

[RICK PETERSON/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL]

therapy during the day and I have two kids – but it felt like the right timing and I had to be fair to these boys and do what’s right for these boys, too,’’ Ray said.

Ray also received the go ahead from her husband,

Matt, to take the plunge.

“He’s got a lot more responsibilities at home now,’’ Brie said. “He’s got to pick up a lot of the pieces that I can’t be there for at home, but he was behind it the whole way.

He was excited to see what

success we would have and he pushed me into it the whole way.’’

Ray said she’s always received unconditional respect from Seaman’s players and expects that to continue in her role as head coach.

“I think they trust,’’ she said. “It’s just one of those things when you’ve been here they trust you so it’s not a transition for them, they know me. They know how I coach and this will be nothing for them.

“My expectations are the same. The way I coach is the same. What they hear from me on the field is the same.

There’s nothing that’s going to change.’’

Senior standout Gabe Porras may miss the entire season with an injury, but Seaman (11-7-0 last season) returns senior Jonathan McGrath, juniors Nate Bertrand, Jeffrey Halstead, Skyler Price and Reese Snyder and sophomores Jeron Poteete and Cadin Worcester, who all have starting experience.

Perennial city and Centennial League power Washburn Rural looks to be strong again this fall after posting a 15-4-0 record and capturing its 23rd straight Centennial League title (won or shared) last fall.

Brian Hensyel’s Junior Blues return first-team All-City picks Zach Pelton and Easton Weber, both seniors, and eight starters and 14 lettermen overall. Rural advanced to the 6A quarterfinals a year ago.

Shawnee Heights, 9-9-0 last fall with a young team, also returns a pair of first-team All-City selections — juniors Nate Seelbach and Isaiah Wilson.

CITY HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER CAPSULES HAYDEN Coach: Klaus Kreutzer.

Top returners: Connor Andres, sr.; Ethan Barnett, jr.; Colton Broxterman, sr.; Justin Broxterman, sr.; Preston Cafer, jr.; Eduardo Garcia, sr.; Jack Hutchinson, so.; Santiago Jaramillo, jr.; Koby Morgan, sr.; Aidan Renyer, jr.; Sean Sandstrom, sr.; James Stahl, jr.; Nathan Varner, sr.

Top newcomers: Tyler Broxterman, fr.; Max Colombo, fr.; Pete Harrod, so.; Michael Sandstrom, fr.; Camden Schrickel, fr.

Outlook: Hayden posted an 8-9 record last season and will build around a strong nucleus of returning players. “We have a more experienced team than last year and consequently we expect to be more competitive,” Kreutzer said.

Key returner Joe Gartner is expected to miss the season with an injury.

SCHEDULE August: 28 at Ottawa, 30 at Topeka High (Hummer).

September: 6 at Highland Park, 11 Emporia, 13 Washburn Rural, 17 Cair Paravel, 18 at Tonganoxie, 20 Shawnee Heights, 24 Seaman, 27 Topeka West .

October: 1 at Baldwin, 2 at Manhattan, 8 Bonner Springs, 11 at Topeka West (Hummer), 15 Piper, 16 at Junction City, 22-25 Regionals, 30 State quarterfinals.

November: 2-3 State.

HIGHLAND PARK Coach: Colin Moriarty.

Top returners: Adan Loya, sr.; Johanny Ortega, sr.; Bryan Sanchez, sr.

Top newcomers: Oscar Garcia, jr.; Carlos Garzona, so.; Marco Guevara, jr.

Outlook: Highland Park is coming off a 2-14 season.

“The Scots are retooling from last year after losing nine seniors,’’ Moriarty said. “They look to gain experience and grow as a team as many underclassmen step into new roles.

Anchored by a handful of seniors and a couple juniors, the Scots are young but ready to compete.’’

SCHEDULE August: 28 at Washburn Rural.

September: 4 at Junction City, 6 Hayden, 10 St. Mary’s Academy, 13 at Emporia, 17 at Topeka West (Hummer), 20 Junction City, 25 at Paola, 27 Seaman.

October: 1 Maranatha Academy, 2 at Topeka High (Hummer), 8 at KC-Washington, 9 KC-Schlagle, 11 Manhattan, 15 Ottawa, 22-25 Regionals, 30 State quarterfinals.

November: 2-3 State.

SEAMAN Coach: Brie Ray. Top returners: Nate Bertrand, jr.; Jeffrey Halstead, jr.; Jonathan McGrath, sr.; Jeron Poteete, so.; Skyler Price, jr.; Reese Snyder, jr.; Cadin Worcester, so.

Top newcomer: Kyson Evans, fr.

Outlook: The Vikings are coming off an 11-7-0 season and begin their first season under Ray, a 10-year Seaman assistant. A key Seaman returner, senior Gabe Porras, is expected to miss the season with an injury.

SCHEDULE August: 28 DeSoto, 30 at Free State.

September: 4 at Lansing, 6 at Shawnee Heights (Bettis), 11 Junction City, 13 Blue Valley, 18 at Manhattan, 20 Topeka West, 24 at Hayden, 27 at Highland Park.

October: 1 Mill Valley, 4 Emporia, 9 at Blue Valley Southwest, 11 Washburn Rural, 16 Tonganoxie, 18 at Topeka High, 22-25 Regionals, 30 State quarterfinals.

November: 2-3 State.

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS Coach: Steve Loy. Top returners: Bryce Chitanavong, sr.; Bryce Cook, jr.; London Gregory, jr.; Jonny Jasso, so.; Tyler Loy, jr.; Sequoyah Mendez, so.; Noah Nolan, sr.; Nate Seelbach, jr.; Cole Unfred, sr.; Isaiah Wilson, jr.; Josh Zeller, sr.

Top newcomers: Riley Hockman, jr.; Josiah Juarez, so.; Kaden Kennard, jr.; Peyton Olson, jr.; Collin Rahms, jr.; Miguel Ramirez, jr.; Nathan Spruill, so.; Andrew Umschied, jr.

Outlook: The T-Birds are coming off a 9-9 record last fall. “We return all but two starters from last year’s team that graduated four seniors,” Steve Loy said.

“We added depth to the positions we had last year and we are looking forward to improving on last year’s record and playing in the new (United Kansas Conference).”

SCHEDULE August: 28 at Topeka West (Hummer), 3o BasehorLinwood (Bettis).

September: 4 at DeSoto, 6 Seaman (Bettis), 11 at Lawrence, 13 Topeka High (Bettis), 18 Leavenworth (Bettis), 20 at Hayden, 25 at KC-Turner, 27 at Basehor-Linwood.

October: 2 Lansing (Bettis), 4 DeSoto (Bettis), 9 KC-Turner (Bettis), 11 at Lansing, 16 at Leavenworth, 18 at Manhattan, 22-25 Regionals, 30 State quarterfinals.

November: 2-3 State.

TOPEKA HIGH Coach: Derek Snook.

Top returners: Philip Canady, sr.; Carlos Castillo, sr.; Jose Lopez-Medina, jr.; Kelm Lear, so.; Matt Mahan, sr.; Jack Murphy, jr; Christian Torres, sr.

Top newcomers: Freddie Ford, jr.; Gregorio Leonardo, sr.; Isaias Lopez, so.; Juan Rios, jr.

Outlook: The Trojans are coming off an 8-9 season.

“We are optimistic about having a strong season,’’ Snook said. “We have a number of upperclassmen with experience to go with some talented newcomers that we hope will lead to some exciting soccer.

As always we look to be competitive.’’

SCHEDULE August: 28 at Lawrence, 30 Hayden (Hummer).

September: 4-5-8 at KAMO Tournament, 11 at Topeka West (Hummer), 13 at Shawnee Heights, 18 at Junction City, 20 Emporia (Hummer), 24 Lansing (Hummer).

October: 2 Highland Park (Hummer), 4 Manhattan (Hummer), 9 Topeka West (Hummer), 11 Cair Paravel, 16 at Washburn Rural, 18 Seaman, 22-25 Regionals, 30 State quarterfinals.

November: 2-3 State.

TOPEKA WEST Coach: Josh Kutter.

Top returners: Jonathan Ayala-Castaneda, so.; Ethan Burke, sr.; Kevin Corona-Maciel, sr.; Kevin Cruz, jr.; Diego Ceja-Solis, sr.; Nolan Elder, jr.; Enich Gillis, jr.; Angel Gomez, jr.; Jared Gomez, sr.; Augustin Martinez, jr.; Luke Ottman, sr.; Gian Paul Parrino Fernandez, sr.; Alan Perez, sr.; Eli Perez, sr.; Elmer Rodriguez Maldonado, jr.; Eric Schmelzle, jr.

Top newcomers: Kai Gillis, so.; James Schneider, jr.

Outlook: The Chargers improved to 4-12-1 last season and will be looking to take another step forward behind a strong returning nucleus. “Topeka West soccer is full of upperclassmen and returns most of its starting lineup,” Kutter said. “As character and leadership are key focuses in all high school programs, our players are taking ownership of their team. Coaches and players are excited for the season and to show continued improvement.’’

SCHEDULE August: 24 at KC-Washington, 28 Shawnee Heights (Hummer).

September: 3-5-8 at Wichita South tournament, 11 Topeka High (Hummer), 13 at Junction City (Hummer), 17 Highland Park (Hummer), 20 at Seaman, 25 Emporia, 27 at Hayden.

October: 4 at Washburn Rural, 9 at Topeka High (Hummer), 11 Hayden (Hummer), 15 Manhattan (Hummer), 17 Leavenworth (Hummer), 22-25 Regional, 30 State quarterfinals.

November: 2-3 State.

WASHBURN RURAL Coach: Brian Hensyel.

Top returners: Finn Arnold, sr.; Brandon Austin, sr.; Jake Campbell, sr.; Andre Chavez, so.; Trystan Cheung, jr.; Chase Clausing, jr.; Cristian Cortez, sr.; Kaden Harms, sr.; Jaydn Hickel, sr.; Kevin Monge, jr.; Zach Pelton, sr.; Jackson Rohn, so.; Easton Weber, sr.; Wilder Widman, sr.; Top newcomers: Wyatt Arnold, fr.; Erich Durst, so.; Ethan Hensyel, so.; Joe Morse, fr.; Porter Schafersman, fr.; Aryamann Zutshi, so.

Outlook: The Junior Blues went 15-4-0 last season and advanced to the 6A state quarterfinals. Rural has won or shared the last 23 Centennial League titles.

Rural returns eight starters and 14 lettermen. “This is a very deep team, with 20 players that will see playing time throughout the season,” Hensyel said.

“It reminds me of some of our better teams of the past in terms of work ethic.

As always, we have high expectations and if we play to our potential we will be dangerous by postseason play.”

SCHEDULE August: 28 Highland Park, 30 Wichita Northwest.

September: 4 at Olathe Northwest, 13 at Hayden, 18 at Emporia, 20 Manhattan,

24 Junction City, 27-29 at Go 4 The Goal Classic (Burlington, Iowa).

October: 3 at Olathe North, 4 Topeka West, 9 at Carroll, 11 at Seaman, 13 Miege (Overland Park), 16 Topeka High, 22-25 Regionals, 30 State quarterfinals.

November: 2-3 State.

CORNERSTONE FAMILY SCHOOLS (Approved KSHSAA school) Coach: John Ginzel.

Top returners: Creighton Beemer, sr.; Graham Gibson, sr.; Stephen Ginzel, sr.; Cody Heiland, sr.; Isaac Hickman, so.; Andrew Hunt, jr.; Seth Martin, sr.; Ryan Metcalf, jr.; Brady Steinlage, jr.; Ben Vincent, sr.

Top newcomers: Joe Cobler, jr.; Joshua Cox, jr.; Merrick Dugan, so.; Lincoln Gibson, so.; Peyton Hanna, sr.; Caleb LaGrone, jr.; Jackson O’Byrne, so.; Nathan Ryan, so.

Outlook: Cornerstone posted a 15-10 record last season and returns 11 lettermen and seven starters. Cornerstone won its third straight 5A National Homeschool championship. “We are blessed with the largest roster we’ve ever had,’’ Ginzel said. “We return two four-year starters and a lot of strength on defense. We look forward to a competitive season.’’

SCHEDULE September: 4 KC East, 7 at Whitefield, 13 at Daniel Academy, 14 Shawnee Mission Christian, 18 at St. Marys Academy, 20 at Midland Adventist, 24 Northland Christian, 25 Maur Hill-Mt. Academy, 27 Overland Christian, 28 at Eagle Heights.

October: 2 at Christ Prep, 4 Blue Ridge Christian, 5 Heritage Christian, 9 Cair Paravel, 12 at Faith Christian, 18-20 MCAA League tournament, 26-27 National Homeschool Tournament at Springfield, Mo. — Rick Peterson

The Topeka Capital-Journal Thursday, August 30, 2018 D5

CITY SOCCER: 11 PLAYERS TO WATCH

Finn Arnold

Jared Gomez

Jaydn Hickel

Matt Mahan

Jon McGrath

Zach Pelton

Skyler Price

Sean Sandstrom

Nate Seelbach

FINN ARNOLD, SENIOR, WASHBURN RURAL Arnold received All-City and All-Centennial League honorable mention last season after helping the Junior Blues post a 15-4-0 record and advance to the Class 6A state quarterfinals.

MATT MAHAN, SENIOR, TOPEKA HIGH Mahan received All-City and AllCentennial League honorable mention as a junior, helping the Trojans post an 8-9-0 record.

SKYLER PRICE, JUNIOR, SEAMAN Price turned in a solid season for Seaman as a sophomore, earning All-City and All-Centennial League honorable mention for the Vikings, who posted an 11-7-0 record.

JARED GOMEZ, SENIOR, TOPEKA WEST Gomez earned All-City and All-Centennial League honorable mention after helping Topeka West show significant improvement last fall.

JONATHAN McGRATH, SENIOR, SEAMAN McGrath is a returning starter for the Vikings, who posted an 11-7-0 record last season, and will be counted on to provide senior leadership for a young team.

SEAN SANDSTROM, SENIOR, HAYDEN Sandstrom is a top returner for the Wildcats, who will be looking to improve on last fall’s 5-12-0 record. Sandstrom received All-City and all-league honorable mention last season.

JAYDN HICKEL, SENIOR, WASHBURN RURAL Hickel earned second-team All-Centennial League honors and All-City honorable mention for the 15-4-0 Junior Blues last season.

ZACH PELTON, SENIOR, WASHBURN RURAL Pelton earned first-team All-City and AllCentennial League recognition and helped the Junior Blues go 15-4-0 and reach the 6A state quarterfinals. Pelton was named to the All-6A second team.

NATE SEELBACH, JUNIOR, SHAWNEE HEIGHTS Seelbach was a first-team All-City and second-team All-Centennial League selection, helping the T-Birds post a 9-9-0 record.

Easton Weber

Isaiah Wilson

Seelbach was named to the All-5A second team.

EASTON WEBER, SENIOR, WASHBURN RURAL Weber was a first-team All-City and second-team All-Centennial League pick for the Junior Blues, who went 15-4-0 and made it to the 6A quarterfinals.

ISAIAH WILSON, JUNIOR, SHAWNEE HEIGHTS Wilson was a first-team All-City and second-team All-Centennial League pick for the T-Birds, who went 9-9-0 and advanced to a 5A regional final. Wilson was named to the All-5A second team.

— Rick Peterson

Jake Ashford (11) was named the co-offensive player of the year last season for Mill Valley. [SUBMITTED]

AREA, STATE BOYS SOCCER: 11 PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jake Ashford

Aidan Bates

Davis Joseph

Chase Klusman

Andrew Lanier

JAKE ASHFORD, MILL VALLEY Ashford was named Co-Offensive Player of the Year in Class 5A last season after leading Mill Valley to a 10-5 record. The midfielder has been a three-time first-team All-Kaw Valley League selection and was a first-team All-Class 5A pick last year.

year last year, Joseph already has school records for shutouts in a season (11) and career (22) as well as victories (37). He was first-team All-Class 4-1A and All-Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League II last season, leading the Jaguars to a 17-4 record and runner-up state finish.

AIDAN BATES, BLUE VALLEY SOUTHWEST Bates was one of Southwest’s top offensive threats a year ago, helping lead the Timberwolves to a 20-0-1 record and the Class 5A state title, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Carroll in the championship game. Bates was first-team All-Class 5A and AllEastern Kansas League and had 25 goals and 11 assists last year.

The senior forward was named to the USA Today’s All-USA team and is a Wisconsin-Green Bay commit.

CHASE KLUSMAN, OLATHE NORTHWEST A four-year starter at center forward for Olathe Northwest, Klusman was named the Co-Offensive Player of the Year in Class 6A last year. Klusman has earned All-Sunflower League honors all three seasons, including first-team honors the past two years, and also is a two-time first-team All-Class 6A selection.

He enters his senior season with 42 goals and 22 assists in his career.

DAVIS JOSEPH, ANDOVER CENTRAL Joseph has started in goal for Andover Central since his freshman year and has been a wall.

The Class 4-1A goalkeeper of the

ANDREW LANIER, OLATHE SOUTH Lanier led Olathe South to a runner-up finish in Class 6A last year and a 17-3-1 season overall. Despite missing three games with an injury, he led the Falcons with 11 goals and

Max Lansdowne

Ethan Martinez

6 assists, finishing the season with 28 points from his attacking midfield position. Lanier, who was hurt in the state semifinal and less than 100 percent in the title game, earned first-team AllSunflower League and All-Class 6A honors.

MAX LANSDOWNE, MANHATTAN Lansdowne helped lead Manhattan to an 18-2-1 record and third-place finish in Class 6A last year. The senior defenseman was a first-team All-Centennial League and honorable mention All-Class 6A selection after helping the Indians post 11 shutouts.

ETHAN MARTINEZ, MIEGE Martinez will go down as one of the most prolific goal scorers in Miege history and led the Stags to the Class 4-1A state title last season. Martinez set a school record with 31 goals last year, breaking the old school record by eight goals. He finished with a school-record 70 points and enters his senior season ranked No. 3 in career goals scored with 32 and fifth in career points with 74. Martinez was first-team

Roberto Peralta

Matthew Ricci

All-Class 4A and first-team AllEastern Kansas League last year.

ROBERTO PERALTA, EMPORIA Peralta was one of only two juniors to earn first-team AllCentennial League honors last year. He scored seven goals and had three assists from his centerback position and is a four-year starter and three-year captain for the Spartans. Peralta plays for the KC Madrid/Barcelona club team and will travel to Spain next June to compete in the Costa Daurada Cup and Donosti Cup. MATTHEW RICCI, BLUE VALLEY SOUTHWEST Ricci was named the Class 5A Goalkeeper of the Year last season after leading Blue Valley Southwest to the Class 5A state title. Ricci posted shutouts in both the state semifinals and state championship game and for the season had 13 shutouts.

He was a first-team All-Class 5A and first-team All-Eastern Kansas League selection.

GAGE SOMMER, TONGANOXIE A converted left wing, Sommer

Gage Sommer

Cooper Wilson

made a successful transition to right-back defender last year and became a shutdown force for Tonganoxie. With an ability to pressure an attacker or to close if he was beat, Sommer helped the Chieftains lock things down on the right side, where they gave up only a handful of goals.

Sommer managed five goals and five assists and was a secondteam All-Kaw Valley League and second-team All-Class 4A selection and team captain.

COOPER WILSON, BLUE VALLEY WEST Wilson was the Class 6A Defenseman of the Year last year after helping lead Blue Valley West to the Class 6A state championship with the Jaguars allowing just one goal in the two state-tournament games.

Wilson, who also was the Eastern Kansas League Defenseman of the year, could move to midfield or forward this year and will be a captain for the Jaguars. Wilson also is the kicker for the Blue Valley West football team.

— Brent Maycock

D6 Thursday, August 30, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal

Washburn Rural’s Lauren Pryor (left) is a two-time city champion who will be counted on to lead the Junior Blues this season. Pryor teamed with Cortlyn Wolfe to finish seventh at the Class 6A state meet in doubles last year after sweeping city, league and regional titles. [2017 CAPITAL-JOURNAL FILE PHOTO]

Despite big loss, Rural’s Hedberg confident for ’18

By Rick Peterson rick.peterson@cjonline.com

P

erennial city girls tennis power Washburn Rural suffered a key loss before preseason practice even started, but the goal for longtime Junior Blue coach Kevin Hedberg is the same as it is every year, to be competitive at the city, Centennial League and Class 6A level.

Rural will be without singles standout Rachel Osborn, seventh in 6A as a freshman, with Osborn moving to Las Vegas this summer. But the Junior Blues still return junior state placer Lauren Pryor and senior state qualifier Haley Kucera to build this year’s team around.

Washburn Rural swept Centennial League (eight

straight), city (second straight) and 6A regional titles last fall before finishing fourth at state.

And while Hedberg would love to have Osborn back, he feels comfortable going to battle with this year’s team.

“I like my team and I’ve got some senior girls who have worked hard in the offseason," Hedberg said. “Haley Kucera has worked hard and is going to be good and have a good year. Harper Zimlich has worked hard, as well, and we’ve got some good young girls coming in, so it’s an exciting time for us. I’m pretty optimistic."

Pryor is a two-time city champ, winning the city title in No. 2 singles as a freshman before teaming with graduated

senior Cortlyn Wolfe a year ago to win city, Centennial League and regional doubles titles. The duo placed seventh in the 6A state tournament.

Kucera was the city champ a year ago in No. 2 singles, finished fourth in the Centennial League and was a regional runner-up to qualify for state.

Zimlich is expected to crack Rural’s top six this season, while several freshmen could also challenge for varsity spots.

In addition to Zimlich, juniors Grace Bradbury, Aditi Malay and Halley Robinett are all returners for the Junior Blues, while freshmen Emma Michalski, Shelby Schmutzler and Sheridan Wichman could all contribute. Senior foreign exchange student Pauline

Kosch could also be in the mix.

“Some of them are still trying to figure out how to balance everything, but I’ve got several freshman girls that I’m really impressed with their work ethic and how hard they want to go," Hedberg said.

“It’s a good situation."

Hedberg said a big key is to make consistent improvement over a compact high school season that only runs about seven weeks.

“You’ve got to get better," he said. “We’ve got a short season and you’ve just got to come around."

Hayden could be the team to beat in this year’s city meet (Sept. 20), with the Wildcats led by senior Brooklyn Hunter, the three-time 4A state singles champion.

Christy Sheetz’s Wildcats also return the All-City doubles team of seniors Sara Comstock and Julia Hammes, who were state qualifiers a year ago.

Seaman was second in 5A regional competition last season and qualified its entire team for state.

Sophomore singles player Elise Schreiner went 21-9 as a freshman and finished second at regionals, while junior Emma Biggs and Emma Dowd and sophomore Sarah Latendresse are also returning state qualifiers.

The city has two new head coaches this fall, with Veronica Andrade taking over at Highland Park and Riley Propps the new coach at Shawnee Heights.

CITY HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS TENNIS CAPSULES HAYDEN

HIGHLAND PARK

Coach: Christy Sheetz.

Top returners: Rhen Calhoon, so.; Sara Comstock, sr.; Julia Hammes, sr.; Brooklyn Hunter, sr.; Allyson Meier, so.; Kayla Simons, so.; Jenny Voegeli, so.

Top newcomers: Marisol Blair, so.; Jessica Comstock, so.; Abby Kleppin, so.; Isabella Valdivia, so.

Outlook: Hayden returns Hunter, three-time Class 4A state singles champion, to build this year’s team around while Comstock and Hammes, who play No. 1 doubles for the Wildcats, were All-City picks last fall.

The remainder of Hayden’s lineup will come from a large group of underclassmen. “Our extremely strong corps of sophomores will use their experience to build an even stronger record this season,’’ Sheetz said. “It is going to be a great season for girls tennis at Hayden.’’

Coach: Veronica Andrade.

Top returners: Allison Cook, jr.; DeAvion Emerson, so.; Katie Macias, jr.; Ciarra McWilliams, so.; Victoria Rella, jr.; Jackie Terrones, so.

Top newcomers: Bridget Infante, Elizabeth Marquez, Jasmin Panuco-Pelayo, Nayely Salas.

Outlook: Andrade takes over as Highland Park’s coach this fall. “As the new head coach I am looking forward to working with our returning letterwinners and new team members,’’ Andrade said.

“We are looking forward to a successful year.’’

SCHEDULE August: 30 Hayden quadrangular.

September: 4 Hayden quadrangular, 12 at Baldwin Inv., 18 at Spring Hill quadrangular, 20 City tournament (Kossover), 25 Hayden quadrangular.

October: 1 Centennial League (Kossover), 5-6 Regionals, 12-13 State (Kossover).

SCHEDULE September: 1 at Seaman Inv., 5 at Seaman Inv., 8 at Hiawatha Inv., 20 City tournament (Kossover), 25 Topeka High dual (Kossover), 27 at Bonner Springs Inv. October: 1 Centennial League (Kossover), 5-6 Regionals, 12-13 State (Emporia).

SEAMAN Coach: Mark Orozco.

Top returners: Emma Biggs, jr.; Emma Dowd, jr.; Sarah Latendresse, so.; Elise Schreiner, so.

Top newcomers: Emily Easum, sr.; Sophie Find, sr.; Abi Haas, sr.; Aleksandra Sadowska, sr.; Grace

Unruh, fr.; Jaidyn Yingling, sr.

Outlook: The Vikings return four state qualifiers from a team that was a 5A regional runner-up last fall. “This year’s team is very competitive and the ladies have put in a lot of work over the summer in anticipation for the upcoming season,’’ Orozco said. “We have a couple of international students and seniors competing for varsity spots. We look forward to the start of the season with high hopes.’’

SCHEDULE September: 1 Seaman Inv., 5 Seaman Inv., 8 at Salina Central Inv., 11 at Spring Hill Inv. (Kossover), 18 at Washburn Rural quadrangular (Kossover), 20 City tournament (Kossover), 25 at Topeka West Inv. (Kossover), 29 at Topeka West Round-Robin (Kossover).

October: 1 Centennial League (Kossover), 5-6 Regionals, 12-13 State (Emporia).

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS Coach: Riley Propps.

Top returners: Tatum Brown, so.; Shelby Butterfield, so.; Kristin Hines, jr.; Madeline Lysaught, sr.; Meriam Lysaught, so.; Emily Reb, jr.

Top newcomers: Peyton Escalante, fr.; Laura Elkoubysi, fr.

Outlook: Propps takes over as Shawnee Heights’ new head coach. “I am very excited to see the potential in this team,’’ Propps. “We are already seeing that we have a competitive set of girls who are showing dedication to the game.’’

SCHEDULE August: 30 at Emporia Inv. September: 1 at Seaman Inv., 4 at Topeka High quadrangular (Kossover), 5 at Seaman Inv., 12 at Topeka High Inv. (Kossover), 20 City tournament (Kossover), 26 at Washburn Rural All-Comers meet (Kossover), 29 Topeka West (Kossover).

October: 2 United Kansas Conference tournament at Lansing, 5-6 Regionals, 12-13 State (Emporia).

TOPEKA HIGH Coach: Duane Pomeroy.

Top returners: Maddie Cobb, sr.; Angelica Comahig, sr.; Taya Davis, sr.; Christina De La Isla, so.; Jocelyn Mercer, sr.; Beth Peterson, jr.

Top newcomers: Dalynn Johnson, so.; Esrella McCull, sr.

Outlook: “The small Trojan squad will be experienced but without much depth we will need to stay healthy,” Pomeroy said. “We will try different combinations early to determine the strongest lineup.’’

SCHEDULE August – 30 at Emporia Inv. September: 1 at Seaman Inv., 4 Topeka High quadrangular (Kossover), 10 at Lawrence quadrangular, 12 Topeka High Inv. (Kossover), 20 City tournament (Kossover), 24 at Emporia Inv. October: 1 Centennial League (Kossover), 5-6 Regionals, 12-13 State (Olathe).

TOPEKA WEST Coach: Kurt Davids.

Top returners: Kiora Brooks, sr.; Ruth Hockenbarger, so.; Katherine Stegman, sr.

Top newcomers: Yasmine Bueno, so.; Grace Ellis, jr.; Hannah Krainbill, so.; Malaika Ndhlovu, fr.; Charlie Urton, so.; Beth Winkelman, sr.

Outlook: “The Chargers will be a young and inexperienced squad this season,” Davids said. “To their credit, the girls are working hard to improve and are looking forward to the challenge of the upcoming season.’’

SCHEDULE September: 4 at Topeka High quadrangular (Kossover), 8 at Salina Central Inv., 12 at Topeka High Inv. (Kossover), 20 City tournament (Kossover), 25 Topeka West Inv. (Kossover), 29 Topeka West Round-Robin

(Kossover).

October: 1 Centennial League (Kossover), 5-6 Regionals, 12-13 State (Emporia).

WASHBURN RURAL Coach: Kevin Hedberg.

Top returners: Grace Bradbury, jr.; Haley Kucera, sr.; Aditi Malay, jr.; Lauren Pryor, jr.; Halley Robinett, jr.; Harper Zimlich, sr.

Top newcomers: Pauline Kosch, sr.; Emma Michalski, fr.; Shelby Schmutzler, fr.; Sheridan Wichman, fr.

Outlook: Rachel Osborn, who was a 6A state placer in singles as a freshman, has transferred to a Las Vegas high school, but the Junior Blues still return a strong nucleus, including All-City picks Kucera and Pryor.

SCHEDULE September: 6 Washburn Rural quadrangular (Kossover), 10 at Lawrence Inv., 11 at Manhattan quadrangular, 18 at Aquinas Inv., 18 Washburn Rural quadrangular (Kossover), 20 City tournament (Kossover), 24 at Emporia, 25 at Topeka West Inv. (Kossover), 26 Washburn Rural All-Comers meet (Kossover).

October: 1 Centennial League (Kossover), 5-6 Regionals, 12-13 State (Olathe).

— Rick Peterson

The Topeka Capital-Journal Thursday, August 30, 2018 D7

CITY TENNIS: SIX PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sara Comstock

Julia Hammes

SARA COMSTOCK, SENIOR, HAYDEN Comstock partnered with Julia Hammes to finish second in the city meet in No. 1 doubles and earn a spot on the All-City team. Comstock and Hammes took third in a Class 4A regional to earn a trip to the 4A state tournament.

JULIA HAMMES, SENIOR, HAYDEN Hammes teamed with Comstock to take second in the city meet in No. 1 doubles, earning an All-City berth. Hammes and Comstock took third in a 4A regional to qualify for the 4A state tournament .

Brooklyn Hunter

Haley Kucera

Lauren Pryor

BROOKLYN HUNTER, SENIOR, HAYDEN Hunter continued to dominate the city and 4A tennis ranks, rolling to her third straight 4A state singles championship and going 21-0 on the year. Hunter is a three-time city and 4A regional champ and a two-time Centennial League winner.

HALEY KUCERA, SENIOR, WASHBURN RURAL Kucera won the city championship in No. 2 singles to earn an All-City position and finished fourth in the Centennial League meet. Kucera was second in a 6A regional to earn a state berth.

Elise Schreiner ELISE SCHREINER, SOPHOMORE, SEAMAN Schreiner went 21-9 as a freshman for Seaman in singles and finished second at regionals to earn a berth in the 5A state tournament. Schreiner is one of four state qualifiers who return for the Vikings.

LAUREN PRYOR, JUNIOR, WASHBURN RURAL Pryor teamed with graduated senior Cortlyn Wolfe to sweep city, Centennial League and 6A regional doubles championships before the duo finished off their year with a seventh-place showing in the 6A state meet.

— Rick Peterson

AREA GIRLS TENNIS: SIX PLAYERS TO WATCH

Shelby Downard

Graci Folks

Kayla Lei

Joanna Park

Kira Schartz

Samantha Worthington

SHELBY DOWNARD, MARYSVILLE Downard finished her junior season with a 28-10 mark. The North Central Kansas League champion finished runner-up at her Class 4A regional and then took fifth at the Class 4A state meet, with her only loss at state coming to eventual runner-up Lyssa Schabe,l of Independence.

Downard has won two straight league No. 1 singles titles and was a champion at No. 1 doubles as a freshman, qualifying for state all three years. She was seventh at state in doubles and sixth at state in singles as a sophomore.

30-8 and finish third at No. 1 doubles in the Centennial League and second at regionals, helping Manhattan to runner-up team finishes at both meets. At the Class 6A state tournament, Park and Schartz placed eighth, helping the Indians to a seventhplace team finish.

KIRA SCHARTZ, MANHATTAN A Class 6A state qualifier in singles as a freshman, Schartz teamed with classmate Joanna Park to play No. 1 doubles for Manhattan last year and it was a perfect pairing. The duo went 30-8 and finished third at No. 1 doubles in the Centennial League and second at regionals. At the Class 6A state tournament, they placed eighth, helping the Indians to a seventh-place team finish.

GRACI FOLKS, PERRY-LECOMPTON Folks teamed with Samantha Worthington to post a 26-6 record and enjoy one of the best seasons in program history. The duo finished sixth at the Class 3-2-1A state tournament and took third at their regional tournament.

Folks also qualified for state in doubles in 2016 with partner Harleigh Robertson.

KAYLA LEI, MANHATTAN Lei had a tremendous freshman season for Manhattan, going 28-11 overall. She finished third at No. 1 singles in the Centennial League and then placed fourth at regionals, helping lead the Indians to runner-up team

Shelby Downard is a three-time state tennis placer for Marysville, finishing fifth in singles at last year’s Class 4A state tournament. [PHOTO COURTESY MARYSVILLE ADVOCATE] finishes at both meets. At the Class 6A state tournament, Lei managed a 10th-place finish.

JOANNA PARK, MANHATTAN Park has qualified for the Class 6A state tournament in doubles

each of her first two seasons.

Last year, she teamed with classmate Kira Schartz to go

SAMANTHA WORTHINGTON, PERRY-LECOMPTON Worthington teamed with fellow junior Graci Folks to enjoy one of the best seasons in program history. The duo went 26-6 and finished sixth at the Class 3-2-1A state tournament. They also took third at regionals. Worthington was a state qualifier in 2016 in singles play, but did not place at the state tournament.

— Brent Maycock

STATE GIRLS TENNIS: SIX PLAYERS TO WATCH

Callie Flanagan

Hannah Geoffroy

Ellie Kuckelman

Sydney Lair

Lilly McNeill

Clara Whitaker

CALLIE FLANAGAN, BLUE VALLEY NORTH Flanagan stepped in as doubles partner with Blue Valley North senior Evelyn Chang, who was a state champion in 2015 and runner-up in 2016, and helped Chang return to the pinnacle. The duo posted a 29-0 record, rolling to a 6-1, 6-1 win in the championship match. A sophomore this year, Flanagan will welcome a new partner in 2018 as she goes for another title.

HANNAH GEOFFROY, WICHITA COLLEGIATE After placing sixth in doubles at the Class 4A state meet as a sophomore, Geoffroy got a new partner in two-time singles placer Sydney Lair last year and the pairing was golden. The duo finished the season 19-2, beating Arkansas City’s Kelsie Burr and Chassidy Weathers 6-2, 6-7 (6-2), 6-2 in the championship match, one which Collegiate coach Dave Hawley called one of his “five best observed matches as a coach.”

ELLIE KUCKELMAN, BLUE VALLEY NORTH After missing her sophomore season with an injury, Kuckelman

Weathers 6-2, 6-7 (6-2), 6-2 in the finals to cap a 19-2 season.

Lair also took second in Class 4A singles as a sophomore and was fourth in singles at state as a freshman.

LILLY MCNEILL, KC CHRISTIAN Denied an undefeated state championship as a freshman when she suffered her only loss of the season in the Class 3-2-1A state semifinals, McNeill wouldn’t be denied last year.

She finished the season 25-2, beating Central Plains’ Emily Ryan 6-2, 6-0 in the championship match after posting a 6-0, 6-0 win in the semifinals. McNeill led KC Christian to the Class 3-2-1A state title and enters her junior year with a 48-3 high school singles record.

Blue Valley North’s Ellie Kuckelman captured the Class 6A state singles championship last year, beating twin sister Chloe in the title match to cap a 30-0 season. [SUBMITTED] returned with a bang last year.

The Nebraska commit went undefeated, posting a 30-0 mark.

In the 6A title match, she downed twin sister, Chloe, who won the 2016 singles crown, with a 6-4, 6-4

victory. The Kuckelmans led North to its third straight team title.

SYDNEY LAIR, WICHITA COLLEGIATE A three-time state placer in her

career, Lair finally reached the pinnacle last year. She teamed with classmate Hannah Geoffroy to capture the Class 4A doubles crown, beating Arkansas City’s Kelsie Burr and Chassidy

CLARA WHITAKER, KAPAUN Whitaker made quite a splash as a freshman, capturing the Class 5A state singles title. Whitaker posted three-game wins in both the semifinals and title match, beating Carroll’s Brittany Steven 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 for the crown.

Whitaker finished the season 33-3.

— Brent Maycock

D8 Thursday, August 30, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal

Topeka High volleyball on the rise Experienced Hayden, Rural set goals high for 2018

By Rick Peterson rick.peterson@cjonline.com

T

opeka High’s volleyball team put together a 22-15 breakout year in 2017 and has already showed signs early this season that it is ready to take the next step.

High got 2018 off to an impressive start Monday in a home triangular, including a straight-set victory over Hayden, which has won three straight state titles.

“It’s a great way to start the season,’’ said Trojan coach Emma Brann, whose team also took a straight-set win over Emporia. “We are certainly going to be working on a high now, but we’re going to be in a lot of tough matches so we’re going to make sure that we don’t let this get to our head and that we keep earning what we get.’’

Trojan senior Jaryn Benning, a first-team All-City pick last season, said the Trojans’ success a year ago boosted their confidence.

“This year is all about growing and learning from last year and improve to beat these better teams,’’ Benning said. “(Monday) I think our improvement showed a lot and I think we’re excited to take on the competition. We just want to continue to build.’’

In addition to Benning, the Trojans also return seniors Maliyah Malone, Ashley Chestnut and Roni Raines and sophomore Dejah Miller from last year’s team. Senior Tionna German, junior Destini Gibbs and freshman Chenoa Malone also are expected to be in the mix this fall. Chestnut and Malone were second-team All-City last season.

Hayden dominated Class 4A Division II, capturing the last three state

Sydney Hillmer was a second-team All-Class 4A Division II selection last year after helping Hayden to its third straight state championship. [2017 CAPITAL-JOURNAL FILE PHOTO]

championships. Because of the Kansas State High School Activities Association’s reclassification, Division II no longer exists, but the Wildcats’ quest for a fourth straight title remains intact.

“Kids don’t care what class they’re in, they just want to win,” said Hayden coach Jesica Farmer-Walter, whose Wildcats are expected to compete in 4A this season.

“The girls have really focused all summer on going back to state and winning state

again.”

Hayden, 32-14 a year ago, graduated last year’s 4A-II player of the year, Amanda Desch, but the Wildcats return senior Brooklyn Hunter, an All-City and All4A-II first teamer, as well as junior Sydney Hillmer, a second-team All-4A-II pick as a junior, and senior Maddie McGreevy, who received All4A-II honorable mention.

Also returning for the Wildcats are seniors Maesey Meier and Annie Sheetz

and junior Kyra Bauer, while seniors Ellee Finley and Megan Jump, juniors Mckenna Ellis and Jaycie Regnier and sophomore Alyssa Dinkel are expected to contribute this fall.

“We have quite a few seniors this year, and their experience of being at state and being in that environment, plus playing in club and playing in a competitive environment practically their whole life, should really help,” said Farmer-Walter, 1-1 after

a season-opening triangular.

“They’ve just got to come out and play their game and we’ve just got to focus on getting better this season and be ready to go.

“You’ll see different teams, but at the end of the day we have still got to play our game and do what we need to do on our side.’’

Washburn Rural has won seven 6A titles under Kevin Bordewick, returns a veteran group from last year’s team that finished third at state, and Bordewick thinks the Junior Blues can put themselves in a position to challenge for title No. 8.

“I think we enter every year thinking that we have a chance,” Bordewick said.

“But we also know that’s got to be earned. Nothing’s going to be given to you, but if we continue to work hard and avoid injuries, I think we have a chance to at least be in the talk for (the title).

“I don’t really know any other way to approach it, because if you have any dreams of wanting to be a state champ, I think you have to think you can do it.”

Senior Carly Bachelor returns for the Junior Blues after earning first-team All-6A honors a year ago, while senior Shelby Ebert received second-team honors. Both Bachelor and Ebert were first-team AllCity selections, and Bachelor was named the Centennial League’s co-player of the year.

Also returning are seniors Alex Entz, Sydney Houser, Abby Borough and Jenna Moore as well as juniors Macy De Leye and Hallie Jackson.

Shawnee Heights senior Amaya Tillman and Topeka High senior Jaryn Benning both earned All-City firstteam recognition a year ago, as did Seaman sophomore Camryn Turner.

CITY HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL CAPSULES HAYDEN Coach: Jesica Farmer-Walter.

Top returners: Kyra Bauer, jr.; Sydney Hillmer, jr.; Brooklyn Hunter, sr.; Maddie McGreevy, sr.; Maesey Meier, sr.; Annie Sheetz, sr.

Top newcomers: Alyssa Dinkel, so.; Mckenna Ellis, jr.; Ellee Finley, sr.; Megan Jump, sr.; Jaycie Regnier, jr.

Outlook: The Wildcats, 32-14 last season, are the three-time defending Class 4A Division II state champions, but Division II has been eliminated and Hayden will compete in the 36-school 4A division this fall.

Hunter is a two-time All-City first-team pick while Hillmer was second-team All-City and McGreevy received honorable mention. “We have lots of experience coming back and are very excited to get started and try and compete for another state championship,” Farmer-Walter said.

SCHEDULE August: 27 at Topeka High triangular, 30 at Topeka West quadrangular.

September: 8 at Baldwin Inv., 11 at Wamego triangular, 13 Hayden quadrangular, 22 at Seaman Inv., 25 at Seaman triangular.

October: 4 at Shawnee Heights triangular, 6 at DeSoto Spikefest, 9 at Manhattan quadrangular, 11 Hayden triangular, 16 Hayden triangular, 20 Sub-state, 26-27 State.

HIGHLAND PARK Coach: Lee Krause.

Top returners: Shawntera Carter, sr.; Tione Jackson, sr.; Cheyenne James, sr.

Top newcomer: Akira Shutts, fr.

Outlook: Krause takes over as the Scots will be looking to improve on last year’s 3-29 record. “We have a strong team with a lot of talent,”

Krause said. “Everyone has a positive outlook.”

SCHEDULE August: 30 at Topeka West quadrangular.

September: 4 at Seaman triangular, 6 at Topeka West quadrangular, 10 Highland Park triangular, 17 at KC-Ward triangular, 22 at Seaman Inv., 25 Highland Park quadrangular, 27 Highland Park triangular, 29 at Ottawa Inv. October: 2 at Washburn Rural quadrangular, 13 Highland Park Inv., 20 Sub-state, 26-27 State.

SEAMAN Coach: Tatiana Schafer.

Top returners: Konlynn Druse, jr.; Mason Hartter, sr.; Cheyla Myrick, sr.; Maddie Steiner, jr.; Camryn Turner, so.

Top newcomers: Jayden Brandt, so.; Morgyn Chapin, jr.

Outlook: Schafer, a Seaman alum, begins her second season as the Vikings’ head coach. Seaman was 18-21 last season and returns firstteam All-City pick Camryn Turner, who was also the city newcomer of the year, while Myrick, Druse and Steiner received All-City honorable mention last season. “We’re very young but have one of the hardest-working group of girls that I’ve seen,” Schafer said. “I’m excited to watch them grow and continue to get better every day.”

SCHEDULE August: 28 at Blue Valley triangular, 30 at Free State triangular.

September: 4 Seaman triangular, 6 at Manhattan quadrangular, 8 at Lansing Inv., 12 at Free State triangular, 18 Washburn Rural, 22 Seaman Invitational, 25 Seaman triangular.

October: 2 at Junction City triangular, 9 at Topeka West quadrangular, 13 at Emporia Inv., 15 Seaman triangular, 20

Sub-state, 26-27 State.

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS Coach: Sami McHenry.

Top returners: Alexis Dial, jr.; Abby Fischer, sr.; Briley Ginter, jr.; Jaycee Ginter, jr.; Mickey Murphy, jr.; Megan Stretton, jr.; Amaya Tillman, sr.

Top newcomers: Taylor Hawkins, so.; Kali Henry, fr.; Bailey Hughes, so.

Outlook: McHenry, a Shawnee Heights product, begins her second season as the T-Birds’ head coach, with Heights coming off a 15-16 season.

Tillman is a returning firstteam All-City selection while Murphy and Briley Ginter were second-team All-City picks a year ago and Stretton received honorable mention. “We have solid returners who are focused to improve this season and newcomers who are ready to step in and step up in the positions that we need,” McHenry said.

SCHEDULE August: 30 at Leavenworth triangular.

September: 6 at Manhattan quadrangular, 11 at KC-Turner triangular, 13 at Hayden quadrangular, 18 at Lansing triangular, 22 at Olathe East Invitational, 25 at Highland Park quadrangular.

October: 2 Shawnee Heights triangular, 4 Shawnee Heights triangular, 6 at Manhattan Invitational, 9 Shawnee Heights triangular, 13 at Emporia Inv., 20 Sub-state, 26-27 State.

TOPEKA HIGH Coach: Emma Brann.

Top returners: Jaryn Benning, sr.; Ashley Chestnut, sr.; Tionna German, sr.; Destini Gibbs, jr.; Maliyah Malone, sr.; Phoenix Michaelis, sr.; Dejah Miller, so.; Roni Raines, sr.

Top newcomers: Chenoa Malone, fr.; Nyajia Washington, jr.

Outlook: Topeka High had a breakout 22-15 season last fall in Brann’s first season at head coach. Benning was a first-team All-City pick a year ago, while Chestnut and Malone received second-team honors. “Coming out of a very strong offseason, we are more prepared than ever to make noise in not only the city standings, but also league,” Brann said. “The team is led by strong, effective senior leadership.”

SCHEDULE August: 27 Topeka High triangular, 30 at SM South quadrangular.

September: 4 at Olathe West triangular, 10 at SM North triangular, 13 at Emporia triangular, 18 at Manhattan quadrangular, 22 at Tonganoxie Inv, 27 at Highland Park triangular.

October: 2 at Junction City triangular, 6 at Manhattan Inv., 9 at Topeka West quadrangular, 13 at Abilene Inv., 20 Sub-state, 26-27 State.

TOPEKA WEST Coach: Alyx Nash.

Top returners: Brendeja Holloman, jr.; Kijah KahreMcMurray, sr.; Kim Morrow, sr.; Sydney Proctor, jr.; Kaitlyn Shima, jr.; Samantha Smith, jr.; Riley Zook, sr.

Top newcomers: Elle Haag, Makayla Howard, Miyah Larson, Jasmyne Lee. Outlook: Nash begins her second season as the Chargers’ head coach. “Each player brings their own excitement, energy, hustle and strength to the team this year,” Nash said.

“Both coaches and players are excited for the upcoming season.”

SCHEDULE August: 30 Topeka West quadrangular.

September: 6 Topeka West quadrangular, 11 Topeka West triangular, 15 at Russell Round-Robin, 18 at Manhattan

quadrangular, 22 at Campus Inv., 25 at Highland Park quadrangular, 27 at Topeka High triangular.

October: 9 at Topeka West quadrangular, 13 at Highland Park Inv., 20 Sub-State, 26-27 State.

WASHBURN RURAL Coach: Kevin Bordewick.

Top returners: Carly Bachelor, sr.; Abby Borough, sr.; Macy De Leye, jr.; Shelby Ebert, sr.; Alex Entz, sr.; Sydney Houser, sr.; Hallie Jackson, jr.; Jenna Moore, sr.

Top newcomers: None listed.

Outlook: The Junior Blues are coming off a 38-7 record and finished third in the 6A state tournament a year ago.

Bachelor is a two-time All-City pick and was named the co-city player of the year a year ago, while Ebert was first-team AllCity and De Leye and Houser were second-team picks. “We will have to pass and set at a much higher level this season for us to be successful,” Bordewick said. “We do feel our work ethic will allow us to reach the level of passing and setting that we need to be a league and state contender. We are excited to get started and see if our offseason work pays off.”

SCHEDULE August: 25 vs. Blue Valley at St. James Academy, 28 at Olathe North triangular, 30 Washburn Rural triangular.

September: 4 at Olathe West triangular, 6 at Blue Valley West triangular, 11 at Topeka West triangular, 18 at Seaman, 22 Washburn Rural Inv., 25 at Seaman triangular.

October: 2 Washburn Rural quadrangular, 6 at Derby Inv., 9 at Manhattan quadrangular, 11 at Olathe West, 13 at Emporia Inv., 20 Sub-state, 26-27 State.

— Rick Peterson

The Topeka Capital-Journal Thursday, August 30, 2018 D9

AREA VOLLEYBALL: SIX PLAYERS TO WATCH

CITY VOLLEYBALL: SIX PLAYERS TO WATCH

Cink

Cobb

Doebele

Hickman

Lueger

Willey

BROOKLYN CINK, MANHATTAN A starter since her freshman year, Cink has earned first-team All-Centennial League honors each year and last year was named player of the year in the league. The two-time first-team All-Class 6A selection led the Indians with 467 kills last year, hitting at a .312 clip. She also had 238 digs and 77 blocks. Cink has committed to Missouri State.

LEXI COBB, SILVER LAKE A starter since her freshman year, Cobb moved into the setter role for Silver Lake to replace four-year starter Taylor White and made the transition seamless. She dished out 1,072 assists as a freshman while also adding 224 digs and 48 aces. Last year as a sophomore, Cobb took on more attacking duties and, while still leading the Eagles in assists (671) and aces (50), she upped her kill total to 181 and also had 198 digs and 33 blocks. Both years, Cobb has been a first-team All-Mid-East League and second team All-Class 3A selection.

MACY DOEBELE, HANOVER

Shawnee Heights’ Amaya Tillman is a two-time first-team All-City selection who helped the T-Birds to the Class 5A state championship in 2016. [2016 CAPITAL-JOURNAL FILE PHOTO]

Doebele has led Hanover to two straight Class 1A Division I state tournaments, including a runnerup finish in 2016. Last year the outside hitter recorded a team-high 453 kills, 105 blocks and 41 aces and ranked second in assists with 395. She earned first-team All-Twin Valley and first-team All-Class 1A Division I honors a year ago and is a three-time all-league selection.

RACHEL HICKMAN, FREE STATE

Bachelor

Benning

CARLY BACHELOR, SENIOR, WASHBURN RURAL Bachelor was named the city co-player of the year last season, earning first-team All-City honors for the second straight season.

Bachelor also earned All-Centennial League first-team honors after helping the 38-7 Junior Blues finish third in the 6A state tournament. She accumulated 455 kills on the season along with 33 blocks, 148 digs and 32 service aces. Bachelor had a .302 kill efficiency and served at 96.9 percent.

JARYN BENNING, SENIOR, TOPEKA HIGH Benning moved up to the All-City first team last season after being a second-team selection as a sophomore. Benning was also a first-team All-Centennial League pick after leading the Trojans to a breakthrough 22-15 season. Benning registered 376 kills on the year along with 89 blocks, 266 digs and 58

Ebert

Hunter

Tillman

Turner

AMAYA TILLMAN, SENIOR, SHAWNEE HEIGHTS

service aces.

SHELBY EBERT, SENIOR, WASHBURN RURAL Ebert moved up to the All-City first team as a junior after receiving honorable mention as a sophomore. Ebert received second-team All-Centennial League honors after helping Rural (38-7) finish third in 6A. Ebert had 310 kills on the season with 16 blocks and 149 digs. She had a 96.3-percent serving rating with 32 aces.

BROOKLYN HUNTER, SENIOR, HAYDEN Hunter has been a two-time firstteam All-City and All-4A-II pick and was a first-team All-Centennial League selection after helping lead the 32-14 Wildcats to a third straight 4A-II state crown. Hunter, a threetime state tennis champ, was the city volleyball newcomer of the year and a second-team All-City pick as a freshman.

Tillman has made the All-City first team the past two seasons and was also a first-team All-Centennial League selection last fall. Tillman accumulated 474 kills last season and also registered 80 blocks and 91 digs. Tillman helped Shawnee Heights win the 5A state title as a sophomore.

CAMRYN TURNER, SOPHOMORE, SEAMAN Turner earned a spot on the All-City first team as a freshman and was also named the city newcomer of the year. Turner was a first-team All-Centennial League pick and the league newcomer of the year. Turner registered 198 kills this fall and also had 17 blocks, 388 assists and 146 digs while serving at 96.4 percent with 25 aces.

A University of Kansas commitment, Hickman is a four-year starter for the Firebirds, earning first-team All-Sunflower League honors each of the past two seasons. The 6-foot-3 right-side hitter set a school record last season with 419 kills on her way to second-team All-Class 6A honors. She already holds Free State’s career kill record as well with 793 and also has 91 aces, 200 blocks and 213 digs in her career.

MADISON LUEGER, CENTRALIA Pick a sport at Centralia and the chances are Lueger excels at it. She was the top hitter for the Panthers’ Class 1A Division I state championship team last year, pounding out 435 kills on her way to first-team All-Twin Valley and first-team All-Class 1A I honors. Lueger also was a first-team all-league selection in basketball and set the Class 1A state record in the javelin, winning the event for the second straight year.

HANNAH WILLEY, ABILENE An outside hitter and three-year starter for Abilene, Willey led the Cowgirls with 392 kills last year, earning first-team All-North Central Kansas League and second-team All-Class 4A honors.

Willey also had 327 digs and 28 aces, serving at 97.6 percent.

— Rick Peterson

— Brent Maycock

STATE VOLLEYBALL: SIX PLAYERS TO WATCH

Baird PAIGE BAIRD, NORTHERN VALLEY A three-time first-team All-Class 1A Division II selection as well as three-time first-team All-Western Kansas Liberty pick, Baird has starred from the moment she stepped on the court as a freshman. The 5-foot-8 outside hitter racked up 403 kills as a freshman and has improved on that mark each year, heading into her senior season with 1,578 kills. A basketball and track standout as well, Baird also has 267 aces, 72 blocks and 243 digs in her career and has college offers in all three sports.

ELLIE BOLTON, ST. JAMES ACADEMY Bolton helped lead St. James Academy back to the Class 5A state championship after a runner-up finish in 2016. The junior libero gets to just about everything on the back row as evidenced by the 602 digs she

Bolton

Dixon

came up with last year. She also has 61 career aces. Bolton earned first-team AllClass 5A honors last year.

ANNA DIXON, LOUISBURG Dixon has started since her freshman year at Louisburg, helping lead the Wildcats to a third-place finish at the Class 4A Division I state tournament as a freshman and runner-up finish as a junior. Dixon pounded out 613 kills and added 61 blocks and 58 aces on her way to earning co-player of the year honors in Class 4A I. The Kansas State commit is a three-time All-Frontier League first-teamer who has had at least 300 kills each season at Louisburg and has a school-record 1,419 kills in her career.

KARLI SCHMIDT, LANSING Schmidt starred at Immaculata as a freshman, earning first-team All-Class

Schmidt

Van Driel

Zabroske

1A Division I honors. But when the school closed after the 2016-17 school year, Schmidt landed at Lansing and had a major impact on the Lions. She led the team with 364 kills and had a 45-percent kill rate and .327 hitting efficiency as well as 38 aces. The first-team All-Class 5A selection led the Lions to a third-place finish at the Class 5A state tournament.

GRACIE VAN DRIEL, ROSE HILL A starter on two straight Class 4A Division I state championship teams, Van Driel has been one of the state’s top hitters since her freshman year. She had 385 kills last year as a junior after amassing 481 as a sophomore. For her career, the University of Kansas commit has 1,092 kills as well as 112 aces, 122 blocks and 306 digs. Van Driel is a two-time firstteam All-Class 4A Division I selection

and Player of the Year, and three-time first-team All-Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail IV League selection, earning MVP honors the past two seasons.

CAROLINE ZABROSKE, AQUINAS Serving as an outside and middle hitter for Aquinas, Zabroske led not only the Saints but the Eastern Kansas League in hitting percentage (.348) and was second in the league in kills (412) and total blocks (73).

Zabroske led the Saints to a runner-up finish at the Class 5A state tournament, earning first-team All-Class 5A honors, and also was on the Mavs 16-1 club team which captured the USA Volleyball Junior Nationals championship. A top-100 sophomore in 2017 by Prepvolleyball.com, Zabroske is a two-time first-team allleague selection.

— Brent Maycock

D10 Thursday, August 30, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal

Healthy Shufelberger ready to run in final season Rural senior a two-time city cross country champ

By Rick Peterson rick.peterson@cjonline.com

W

ashburn Rural senior cross country star Jaybe Shufelberger has yet to run a race this season, but things are already off to a much better start than they were a year ago.

Shufelberger was still hobbled by a stress fracture as she opened her junior season and felt like she was playing catch-up for much of the year.

“It was probably about mid-summer that I got (the stress fracture) so it was the rest of the summer that I couldn’t run and even when school started I wasn’t completely running yet,’’ Shufelberger said. “It was just a couple of minutes at a time.’’

Shufelberger made steady progress through the early portion of the season before hitting her stride with her second straight city individual championship in early October.

“Definitely the city meet I felt like I was back,’’ Shufelberger said. “After that race I was just like, ‘OK, this is finally the spot that I wanted to be in at the beginning of the season.’ “ Shufelberger, the top runner for Washburn Rural for three straight seasons, led the Junior Blues to their second straight city team title.

Shufelberger went on

Washburn Rural cross country standout Jaybe Shufelberger returns for her senior season after winning back-to-back city individual titles.

to place second in the Centennial League and regional meets and finished 12th in the Class 6A state meet, leading the Jr. Blues to a sixth-place team finish and earning All-State status.

The Junior Blues return several experienced runners from last season and enter the season with high hopes.

“We’ve got almost everybody returning so it should be a good year,’’ Shufelberger said.

A healthy Shufelberger also turned in a solid track season, placing fifth in the 1,600-meter run and eighth in the 3,200 and is chomping at the bit to get her senior season underway.

“I just really want to enjoy it this year because it’s my last year and I want to make

Senior Maliki Pope returns to lead Seaman’s cross country team after winning the boys city individual title last fall.

[PHOTOS BY RICK PETERSON/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL]

it better than last year definitely just because I missed out on things last year,’’ she said.

“Jaybe is the kind of athlete that every coach hopes to get to work with,’’ Washburn Rural coach Matt Swedlund said. “She always shows up, always works hard. The only time I had a hard time with her was last year when she was coming back from her stress fracture. She was so anxious to get back into it — she wasn’t thrilled with my cautious approach to workouts and holding her out of races, but even then she did everything I asked of her.

“Experiences like that have really helped to build trust between us. She knows I have her best interest in

mind and will do everything I can to help her be successful and I know she will give her absolute best every time out. I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes this year.

She has put in so much work throughout her high school career I am really hopeful that she will have a very successful senior season. Regardless of specific places and finishes I am already proud of her.’’

Shufelberger is one of three returning Rural runners who received firstteam All-City recognition a year ago, along with junior Christina Funk and sophomore Molli Christensen.

Andrew Bassett’s Shawnee Heights girls return three returning first-team AllCity picks — seniors Alisiara Hobbs and Jennifer Albrecht and junior Makenna Orton.

Other returning All-City picks are Seaman senior Erin Hebert and sophomore Tristan Fangman and Topeka High senior Abby Wagemaker.

Seaman senior Maliki Pope headlines city boys returners after winning the city individual title and placing fifth in the 5A state meet last season.

Luke Wiens’ Vikings also return senior Jace Mitchell, a first-team All-City selection a year ago.

City team champion Washburn Rural returns juniors Rylan Brown and Caleb Wright, who were both first-team All-City picks last season.

CITY CROSS COUNTRY: 14 RUNNERS TO WATCH

Jennifer Albrecht

Dawson Adams

Christina Funk

Rylan Brown

Erin Hebert

Taegan Loy

GIRLS JENNIFER ALBRECHT, SENIOR, SHAWNEE HEIGHTS Albrecht earned first-team All-City honors last fall. Albrecht finished fourth in the city meet, was 11th in the Centennial League and took fifth in Class 5A regional competition. She was a state qualifier and a second-team all-league selection.

CHRISTINA FUNK, JUNIOR, WASHBURN RURAL A first-team All-City selection, Funk took third in the city meet as Rural runners went one-two-three. Funk finished 13th in a 6A regional and was 47th in the state meet. She posted her best time at state, clocking a 20:38.

ERIN HEBERT, SENIOR, SEAMAN Hebert was a newcomer to cross country last fall and earned All-City first-team recognition. Hebert placed seventh in the city meet and was the Vikings’ No. 1 runner for most of the 2017 season.

She ran a personal-best time of 20:55 in the state meet. Hebert received AllCentennial League honorable mention.

ALISIARA HOBBS, SENIOR, SHAWNEE HEIGHTS Hobbs has made the All-City first team for three straight seasons. Hobbs finished eighth in both the city and Centennial League meets. She finished fourth in 5A regional competition and was a state qualifier. Hobbs has a personal-best time of 20:35. Hobbs was a second-team allleague selection.

SHANNON REZAC, JUNIOR, WASHBURN RURAL Rezac turned in an impressive offseason for Washburn Rural and is being counted on by Junior Blues coach Matt Swedlund to move into a key role for the defending city champions this fall.

Alisiara Hobbs

Jace Mitchell

Shannon Rezac

Maliki Pope

Jaybe Shufelberger

Jordan Tremblay

Abby Wagemaker

Caleb Wright

JAYBE SHUFELBERGER, SENIOR, WASHBURN RURAL Shufelberger was the top runner for Washburn Rural for the third year in a row.

Shufelberger won her second straight city individual title as the Junior Blues claimed a second straight team title. She went on to place second in the Centennial League and regional meets. Shufelberger led the Jr. Blues to a sixth-place team finish at state, taking 12th place and earning All-State status. Her personal-best for the season was 19:19. Shufelberger was a first-team all-league selection.

last fall after placing 13th in the city meet, 17th in the Centennial League meet and 16th in 5A regional competition.

ABBY WAGEMAKER, SENIOR, TOPEKA HIGH Wagemaker earned All-City honors after ranking as Topeka High’s No. 1 runner the entire season. Wagemaker was third in the Joe Schrag Invitational, 10th at Baldwin and had five top-10 finishes. She placed 14th at the regional meet in Junction City to earn a berth in the state meet. She capped off her season by running her fastest time of the season at 20:37. Wagemaker received all-league honorable mention.

MALIKI POPE, SENIOR, SEAMAN Pope developed into an elite 5A runner during his junior season, earning AllState honors with a 12th-place state finish in a personal-best time of 16:10.

Pope’s time in the state meet ranks No. 3 all-time at Seaman. Pope was the city boys individual champion, as well as the individual winner in the Lansing 5A regional. Pope placed fifth in the Centennial League meet. Pope was a first-team all-league selection.

BOYS DAWSON ADAMS, SOPHOMORE, HAYDEN Adams received All-City honorable mention as a freshman, finishing 18th in the city meet and placing 57th for the Wildcats in the 4A state meet.

RYLAN BROWN, JUNIOR, WASHBURN RURAL An All-City first-team selection, Brown bested his previous personal-best by a full minute and a half, posting his best time of the season at the 6A state meet in 17:04. Prior to the state meet Brown logged solid performances in the city, Centennial League and regional meets, placing in the top four on the team in each of those races. Brown was a second-team all-league selection.

TAEGAN LOY, JUNIOR, SEAMAN Loy earned All-City honorable mention

JACE MITCHELL, SENIOR, SEAMAN Mitchell emerged as a varsity runner for the Vikings in his junior season, earning All-City first-team recognition. Mitchell’s season was capped by a personal best of 17:25 at the 5A state meet, which was 48 seconds faster than he ran as a sophomore. Mitchell placed 13th at regionals, 22nd in the Centennial League and ninth in the city meet.

JORDAN TREMBLAY, JUNIOR, WASHBURN RURAL Tremblay earned All-City honorable mention in cross country last fall and also earned All-City honorable mention in track. Tremblay turned in impressive summer workouts to get ready for this season.

CALEB WRIGHT, JUNIOR, WASHBURN RURAL An All-City first-team pick last fall, Wright ran in the top five for the Junior Blues all season and finished out the year as the team’s clear No. 2 runner. Wright finished fourth in the city meet, was seventh in the Centennial League and 13th at regionals. Wright registered his fastest time of the season at state with a 16:54.

Wright was a first-team all-league pick.

— Rick Peterson

CITY HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY CAPSULES HAYDEN Coach: Lucy Leighton.

Top boys returners: Dawson Adams, so.; Ethan Emmons, so.; James Gillin, jr.; Blake Masters, sr.; Josh Meinhardt, sr.; Jackson Soza, jr.; Brandon Tinoco, so.

Top boys newcomers: Tanner Newkirk, fr.; Ryan Rockford, fr.

Boys outlook: “We’re looking forward to a great season, with a good number of solid returners and some exciting newcomers,’’ Leighton said. “State will be a major focus for us this season.’’

Top girls returners: Laura Burenheide, sr.; Mary Kyle, jr.

Top girls newcomers: Elizabeth Dunshee, fr.; Riley Schmidtlein, fr.

Girls outlook: “This will be a good building year for the team, with some strong leadership to show our new girls the ropes,’’ Leighton said. “Our focus this year will be on improving personal-best times and growing in camaraderie.’’

SCHEDULE September: 8 at Wamego Inv., 15 at Bonner Springs Inv., 22 at Rim Rock Classic, 27 at Council Grove Inv. October: 6 City meet (Shawnee North), 13 Centennial League at Emporia, 20 Regionals, 27 State (Wamego).

HIGHLAND PARK Coach: Freddy Maisberger.

Top boys returners: Kenny Hartzell, sr.; Spencer Jackson, sr.

Top boys newcomers: Robin Crawford, sr.; Brenden Hunter-Helms, fr.; Javier Osorio, jr.

Boys outlook: Highland Park will look to Hartzell and Jackson to provide leadership for the Scots this season. “I am hoping to increase our participants as the season goes on,’’ Maisberger said.

“We’re looking forward to this season.’’

Top girls returner: Jacqueline Del Real, jr.

Top girls newcomer: Kimberly Pulido, fr.

Girls outlook: As the lone returner for the Scots, Del Real will be counted on to lead Highland Park this season.

SCHEDULE September: 1 at Manhattan Inv., 8 at Joe Schrag Invitational (Felker Park), 13 at Northern Heights Inv., 15 at Baldwin Inv., 27 at Horton Inv., 29 at Junction City Inv. October: 6 City meet (Shawnee North), 13 Centennial League at Emporia, 20 Regionals, 27 State (Lawrence).

SEAMAN Boys coach: Luke Wiens.

Top boys returners: Titan Cina, so.; Devon Eich, sr.; Jack Horacek, so.; Taegan Loy, jr.; Dalton Loethen, sr.; Jace Mitchell, sr.; Chase Morstorf, jr.; Maliki Pope, sr.; Maverick Steinhoff, sr.; Collin Underwood, jr.

Top boys newcomers: Anson Applehanz, fr.; Ryan Buckley, fr.; Devon Gwaltney, fr.; Jace Moore, fr.; Kale Ralston, sr.

Boys outlook: “Since the ’17 season the Vikings have become much tougher,’’ Wiens said. “We return four of our five scorers from the state meet, including All-State performer Pope and AllCity performer Mitchell.’’

Girls coach: Rick Brading.

Top girls returners: Megan Allacher, so.; Jennifer Bayless, sr.; Tristan Fangman, so.; Riley Fisher, sr.; Hannah Gillespie, sr.; Erin Hebert, sr.; Brenna Langdon, sr.; Suzanna Mosqueda, jr.; Alex Phillis, so.; Jilyan Stallbaumer, sr.

Top girls newcomers: Gabby Grace, fr.; Hannah Mott, fr.; Emma Schultz, fr.; Emari Watkins, so.

Girls outlook: “The 2018 Lady Vikes look to have excellent depth,’’ Brading said. “With great leadership from 2017 All-City selection Erin Hebert, 2015 All-City selection Riley Fisher and a host of young talented runners, the Vikings will be much improved over last season.’’

SCHEDULE September: 1 at Manhattan Inv., 8 at Joe Schrag Inv. (Felker Park), 15 at Baldwin Inv., 22 at Rim Rock Classic, 29 Seaman Inv. (Shawnee North).

October: 6 City meet (Shawnee North), 13 Centennial League at Emporia, 20 Regionals, 27 State (Lawrence).

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS Coach: Andrew Bassett.

Top boys returners: Griffin Gaggero, Hayden Henderson, Blake Hollingsworth, Chase Johnson, Nolan Slusser.

Top boys newcomers: None listed.

Boys outlook: “The team returns five runners from a season ago,’’ Bassett said. “Senior Griffin Gaggero and junior Nolan Slusser look to lead a young team that shows great promise and I am excited for the coming season.’’

Top girls returners: Jennifer Albrecht, Alisiara Hobbs, Makenna Orton, Kylie Phillips, Isabel Reed.

Top girls newcomers: None listed.

Girls outlook: “Shawnee Heights returns its top five runners from a team that put together a strong showing at the state meet,’’ Bassett said. “We look to build on that success this season. The T-Birds are led by seniors Alisiara Hobbs and Jennifer Albrecht.’’

SCHEDULE September: 1 at Manhattan Inv., 8 at Joe Schrag Inv. (Felker Park), 15 at Baldwin Inv., 22 at Rim Rock Classic, 29 at Seaman Inv. (Shawnee North).

October: 6 City meet (Shawnee North), 11 at Basehor-Linwood Inv., 13 Centennial League at Emporia, 20 Regionals, 27 State (Lawrence).

TOPEKA HIGH Coach: Monica Schrag.

Top boys returners: Elijah Barron, jr.; Jacob Cassell, so.; Jacob Gernon, jr.; Andrew Johnson, so.; Parker Jackson, jr.; David Naves, sr.; Gabe Obenieta, so.; Gus Rios, sr.; Lucas Sands, jr.; Addison Sigg, so.

Top boys newcomers: Chris Carbon, so.; Jack Mickelson, sr.; Matthew Thomas, sr.; Parker Wise, so.

Boys outlook: “Addison Sigg is looking to continue his successful running career as he did a year ago as a freshman,’’ Schrag said.

“He will be followed by junior Parker Jackson and sophomores Andrew Johnson, Jacob Cassell and Gabe Obenieta. Young and inexperienced, the Trojans are looking for some surprises and loads of improvement as the season moves along.’’

Top girls returners: Ava Dunekack, so.; Zoe Dunekack, jr.; Mary McGuire, so.; Seeley Murphy, jr.; Lilia Nunez, jr.; Cierra Ransom, jr.; Dani Swarts, jr.; Abby Wagemaker, sr.

Top girls newcomers: Paige Carpenter, jr.; Zoe Caryl, so.; Emily Esparza-Carlos, fr.; Bella Smith, sr.; Sophie Wagemaker, fr.; Cheyenne Waggoner, so.

Girls outlook: “Finishing out her cross country career at Topeka High, Abby Wagemaker is poised for another successful season,’’ Schrag said. “She will lead a young team. Hoping to avoid the sickness and injury that plagued the team last year, the girls are ready to compete. With a host of newcomers and a few returners, the girls are hoping for a great season.’’

SCHEDULE September: 1 at Manhattan Inv., 8 at Joe Schrag Inv. (Felker Park), 15 at Baldwin Inv., 22 at Rim Rock Classic, 29 at Seaman Inv. (Shawnee North).

October: 6 City meet (Shawnee North), 13 Centennial League at Emporia, 20 Regionals, 27 State (Lawrence).

TOPEKA WEST Coach: Donnie Palmer.

Top boys returners: Caleb Eddy, sr.; Dawson Essary, sr.; Joe Jacobson, sr.; Seth Phelps, jr.; Ethan Sims, sr.

Top boys newcomers: Ryker Carlisle, fr.; Zach Clark, fr.; Luke Phelps-Roper, jr.; Louis Wilson, fr.; Oscar Zapata, jr.

Boys outlook: “We have a solid group of seniors who are ready to lead a great mix of freshmen and juniors this season,’’ Palmer said. “We will be working to take the next step this season and qualify as a team for the state meet in October.’’

Top girls returners: Aaliya Bueno, jr.; Brynn Meseke, so.; Taylor Province, sr.; Ella Teter, so.

Top girls newcomers: Anna Phelps, fr.; Lauren Province, fr.

Girls outlook: “We have a very young girls team, with only one senior,’’ Palmer said. “We will be looking to continue to improve throughout the season and qualify as many as possible for the state meet.’’

SCHEDULE August: 30 at Basehor-Linwood Inv. September: 8 Joe Schrag Inv. (Felker Park), 15 at Baldwin Inv., 18 at Tonganoxie Inv., 29 at Seaman Inv. (Shawnee North).

October: 6 City meet (Shawnee North), 13 Centennial League at Emporia, 20 Regionals, 27 State (Lawrence).

WASHBURN RURAL Coach: Matt Swedlund.

Top boys returners: Rylan Brown, jr.; Simon Santiago, jr.; Jordan Tremblay, jr.; Hunter Turner, sr.; Arrik White, so.; Caleb Wright, jr.

Top boys newcomers: Spencer Haddock, fr.; Alex Holmes, fr.; William Meek, so.; Ishaan Patel, fr.; Joseph Phillips, so.

Boys outlook: “We graduated four of our top seven boys from 2017 so we are looking to fill in our varsity squad,’’ Swedlund said. “We have a lot of boys willing to work hard and I am confident that we will have several competing for those four to seven spots. Our No. 2 and No. 3 runners from last year, Rylan Brown and Caleb Wright, both return after a solid spring track season and good conditioning over the summer. We also have strong leadership from veteran runner Hunter Turner, who is a senior this year. I expect us to continue to compete for city and league titles and to qualify for state.’’

Top girls returners: Molli Christensen, so.; Sofie Conard, jr.; Christina Funk, jr.; Lillian Issitt, jr.; Shannon Rezac, jr.; Eve Schifman, jr.; Jaybe Shufelberger, sr.; Keely Wagner, so.; Kamri Younger, so.

Top girls newcomers: Emma Curley, fr.; Emily Louderback, fr.

Girls outlook: “We are returning (five) of our top seven girls from 2017,’’ Shufelberger said. “We will be led by senior Jaybe Shufelberger, who is looking to cap off an already impressive high school career. We have experienced some injuries and setbacks on the girls side so we will be relying on our depth and looking for girls to step up, particularly at the beginning of the season while we get healthy. I expect us to continue to compete for city and league titles and to qualify for state.’’

SCHEDULE September: 1 at Aquinas Greg Wilson Classic, 8 at Olathe North Twilight Classic, 15 at Wichita East Inv., 22 at Rim Rock Classic, 29 at Seaman Inv. (Shawnee North).

October: 6 City meet (Shawnee North), 13 Centennial League at Emporia, 20 Regionals, 27 State (Lawrence).

— Rick Peterson

The Topeka Capital-Journal Thursday, August 30, 2018 D11

AREA CROSS COUNTRY: 14 RUNNERS TO WATCH BOYS

years and owning league records in both of those events as well as the 3,200.

AYDEN BLACK, MAUR HILL Black is the top returning boys runner in the Northeast Kansas League entering his senior season.

Last year, he finished runner-up at the league meet to four-time champion Luke Oatney of Pleasant Ridge after finishing third as a sophomore and 13th as a freshman. Black then took fifth at his Class 3A regional and added a 15th-place finish at the state meet. He was a sixth-place regional and 28th-place state finisher as a sophomore.

QUINN BUESSING, AXTELL One of the state’s top eight-man football quarterbacks, Buessing had doubled up his fall duties each of his first two years at Axtell. After placing 16th at regionals as a freshman, Buessing qualified for the Class 1A state meet last year as a sophomore and posted an 11th-place finish to earn All-State honors. He also took fourth at the Twin Valley League meet last year and owns a personalbest time of 17 minutes, 35.1 seconds.

DANIEL HARKIN, MANHATTAN Deuces were wild for Harkin a year ago as he made an impressive debut as a freshman for Manhattan. Harkin finished runner-up in the Centennial League and runner-up at the Indians’ Class 6A regional, both times to senior teammate Cooper Schroeder. He couldn’t quite keep the trend going at the 6A state

Black

Buessing

Harkin

Hodge

Kulp

Modrow

Nelson

Briggs

Kettler

Kuckelman

Little

Mayfield

Rossman

Stewart

meet, but was the top freshman finisher at the meet, taking seventh in a personal-best 16 minutes, 17.4 seconds. He also placed fourth at state in tennis in the spring.

JUSTIN HODGE, HIAWATHA Hodge had an immediate impact as a freshman for Hiawatha last year, winning all but two races including the Big Seven League title and Class 3A regional crown. Hodge placed fifth at the Class 3A state meet and was the second-fastest freshman at any of the state meets a year ago, posting a time of 16 minutes, 39.5 seconds.

BRETT KULP, RILEY COUNTY Riley County’s cross country tradition is steep, and Kulp has carved out his place among the best the Falcons have ever had. He captured his third straight Mid-East League title last year and can complete the career league sweep this year. Kulp also finished second at regionals and third at the Class 3A state meet after finishing fifth at state as a sophomore and seventh as a freshman.

AARON MODROW, CHAPMAN Modrow made a huge leap as a junior, winning more than half of Chapman’s meets. He captured the North Central Kansas League title and then followed with a 13-second win at the Irish’s Class 4A regional. Modrow couldn’t quite make it a postseason title sweep, but finished a career-best fifth at the Class 4A state meet and was the top underclassman in the race at 16 minutes, 40 seconds.

HENRY NELSON, SEABURY Nelson has finished top-10 at the Class 2A state meet each of his first two seasons, taking 10th as a freshman before moving up to fourth last year as a sophomore with a time of 17:08.7. Nelson holds the school record at Seabury with a time of 16:05, set last year at the Barstow (Mo.) Invitational, and he was a regional champion last year.

GIRLS TAYLOR BRIGGS, CHAPMAN Briggs was nothing short

of sensational during her freshman season at Chapman last year. Briggs only lost one race all season, to two-time Class 1A champion Autumn Princ of Sylvan-Lucas, and she was untouchable in the postseason. After winning the North Central Kansas League title by nearly two minutes, Briggs won her Class 4A regional by a minute and a half. She became the Irish’s first state champion, winning the 4A state title by 13 seconds in 18:46.4. Briggs also swept the 1,600 and 3,200 titles in state track.

ELIZABETH KETTLER, HIAWATHA Kettler led the Hiawatha girls to the Class 3A state championship, battling through health issues at the state meet to post a 10th-place finish. She finished second at the Class 3A state meet as a sophomore and fifth as a freshman and is a threetime Big Seven League champion and two-time regional champion with a career-best time of 19 minutes, 23.8 seconds.

Kettler also is a two-time state track champion in the 3,200.

OLIVIA KUCKELMAN, AXTELL Kuckelman has been a victory machine for Axtell in her first two years, winning four meet titles as a freshman and five more last year. She’s swept the Twin Valley League title each of her first two seasons and after placing 19th at the Class 1A state meet as a freshman, Kuckelman jumped to a fifth-place showing last year. Kuckelman boasts a career-best time of 20 minutes, 34.4 seconds.

FAITH LITTLE, JACKSON HEIGHTS Little will go down as one of the best distance runners in not only Jackson Heights history but also Northeast Kansas League history. A three-time league champion in cross country, Little will try to complete the career sweep this year. She holds the league record with a 19:56 set in 2016 and in her career has nine meet titles and four runner-up finishes with her highest state finish 11th in 2015.

She also excels in track, having swept the league 800 and 1,600 all three

CLARA MAYFIELD, MANHATTAN A top-30 Class 6A state finisher as a freshman and sophomore, Mayfield improved dramatically as a junior. She captured the Centennial League title by 26 seconds and then won her 6A regional by a whopping 53 seconds. At the 6A state meet, Mayfield jumped 27 places to a runner-up finish in 18:30.9, just five seconds out of first.

MOLLY ROSSMAN, WEST FRANKLIN Rossman gave West Franklin a sweep of the Flint Hills League titles a year ago, taking her second straight league crown with a 38-second win. She added runnerup finish at her Class 3A regional before finishing ninth at the Class 3A state meet to earn All-State honors for the second time. Rossman is the school record-holder in cross country with a 20:24 and also holds school track records in the 1,600 and 3,200.

AMBRYNN STEWART, BALDWIN In a program steep with tradition, Stewart is well on her way to taking her place among Baldwin’s best. As a freshman last year, Stewart finished runner-up in the Pioneer League before claiming a Class 4A regional title. She took fourth at the Class 4A state meet and has a career-best time of 19 minutes, 45 seconds.

STATE CROSS COUNTRY: 14 RUNNERS TO WATCH BOYS BRIAN BEACH, OLATHE NORTH Beach has steadily progressed during his career at Olathe North, taking 11th at the Class 6A state meet as a freshman and seventh as a sophomore before finishing runner-up last year as a junior. Beach was six seconds away from a state title with his time of 15 minutes, 56.2 seconds and he led the Eagle boys to the 6A team title. He is a two-time regional runnerup and was Sunflower League runner-up as a sophomore. His career-best is a 15:35.77 set at the Nike Cross Heartland Regionals in Sioux Falls, S.D. TRENTON COCHRAN, GARDNER-EDGERTON After taking third at last year’s Sunflower League meet, Cochran stepped things up in the postseason. He captured the Class 6A regional title and rode the momentum to the 6A state title the following week, winning by six seconds in 15 minutes, 50 seconds after taking second at state as a sophomore. Cochran’s career-best time is a 15:31, coming at the Nike Cross Heartland Regional in Sioux Falls, S.D., last November.

TEAGAN FLANAGAN, KINGMAN After playing football as a freshman and sophomore, Flanagan concentrated on cross country as a junior and hit the ground running. He captured the Central Kansas League title and then won his Class 3A regional. At state, Flanagan was in the hunt for the Class 3A title, but finished 11 seconds out of first and placed second in a career-best 16 minutes,

B. Beach

Cochran

Flanagan

Marshall

Moore

Splechter

Thompson

R. Beach

Burks

Call

Murrow

Princ

Sovereign

Trout

15.5 seconds.

ETHAN MARSHALL, AQUINAS Marshall played soccer as a freshman, but found his true calling when he switched to cross country.

His sophomore season was a transition year as he finished 41st at state, but Marshall emerged as one of the state’s elite runners last year. He swept Eastern Kansas League and Class 5A regional titles and then captured the 5A state title, posting the fastest time of any state champion.

Marshall was the top Kansas finisher at the Nike Cross Heartland Regional, taking 10th, and was the Gatorade boys cross country runner of the year.

JACK MOORE, ST. JAMES ACADEMY Moore made huge strides as a junior for St. James Academy, going from a 29th-place finisher at the Class 5A state meet as a sophomore to taking third in 5A last year, cutting more than a minute off his 2016 state time with a time of 15 minutes, 46 seconds. Moore also was runner-up in the Eastern Kansas League meet a year ago and took second in the open division at the Nike

Cross Heartland Regional in a career-best 15:44.

2A regional titles as well last year.

HADLEY SPLECHTER, YATES CENTER A three-time top-10 finisher at the Class 2A state meet, Splechter reached the pinnacle last year. He ran away from the field for a 13-second win in 16 minutes, 5.1 seconds after taking runner-up as a sophomore in 2016 to Kiowa County’s Frank Cuevas and eighth as a freshman.

Splechter is a three-time league champion and swept the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 Class 2A titles at last spring’s State Outdoor track meet.

GIRLS

ETHAN THOMPSON, MEADE Thompson will go down as one of, if not the best distance runners in Meade history. Already the school record-holder in cross country and the 3,200 in track, Thompson is coming off a runner-up finish at the Class 2A state meet a year ago, posting the fastest state time in school history by more than a minute with a 16:18. Thompson has placed top 10 at state all three years, taking seventh as a freshman and third as a sophomore, and he swept Hi-Plains League and Class

RILEY BEACH, BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST It was an impressive freshman season for Beach and the argument could be made that she was Kansas’ top girls harrier last year.

Beach won five races, including her last four, sweeping Eastern Kansas League, Class 6A regional and Class 6A state titles.

Her league title came over two-time 5A state champion Olivia Sovereign of Aquinas and she won the 6A title by five seconds.

Beach already holds school records in cross country and the 3,200 in track and field.

HANNAH BURKS, BELOIT A third-place finisher in the Class 3A state meet as a freshman, Burks ran away from the field to capture the state title last year as a sophomore. Beating twin sister Hayley by nearly a minute, Burks won in 19 minutes, 10.3 seconds — just off her career-best of 19:09 as a freshman. Burks is a two-time North Central Activities Association champion and two-time regional champion as well.

SOPHIE CALL, BLUE VALLEY WEST After placing 10th at state as a freshman in 2016, Call made the jump into the top five at last year’s state meet. Improving her state-meet time by nearly a minute, Call finished third in a career-best 18 minutes, 44.35 seconds. Call also was third at regionals and sixth at the prestigious Rim Rock Classic and won the Jaguars’ opening meet of the season last year.

SARAH MURROW, ST. JAMES ACADEMY Murrow finished runner-up at the Class 5A state meet last year as a sophomore after taking 11th at state as a freshman. She led St. James Academy to its first state cross country title and led her teammates to a fourth-place finish at the Nike Cross Regional Heartland meet, putting them in a pool for an at-large bid to nationals.

Murrow captured the 5A 3,200 title as a freshman and was runner-up last year and owns the school record in the event.

AUTUMN PRINC, SYLVAN-LUCAS Princ has been the dominant force in Class 1A girls from her first prep race.

She’s undefeated in postseason races, capturing two straight state championships. Princ won the 1A title as a freshman by more than a minute with a time of 19 minutes, 44 seconds.

Last year as a sophomore, she finished in 18:37.1 and won her second straight crown by a minute and a half. Princ also has won two straight 3,200 titles in state track.

OLIVIA SOVEREIGN, AQUINAS Sovereign was named the Best of Kansas Preps girls’ cross country runner of the year last year and it’s easy to see why. The Aquinas standout captured her second straight Class 5A state title, winning by 13 seconds. The Gatorade girls runner of the year in Kansas, Sovereign has three top-two finishes at state in her career and posted the fastest statewinning time in all classes last year. She also was the top Kansas finisher at the Nike Cross Heartland Regional, taking 12th, and is a two-time regional champion and three-time top-three finisher at the Eastern Kansas League meet.

RENEE TROUT, INDEPENDENCE Trout finished third at the Class 4A state meet as a freshman and moved up to second place last year, finishing 13 seconds behind Chapman freshman Taylor Briggs in 18:59.6. The twotime regional champion also has won two straight Southeast Kansas League titles. Her top high school time is 18:51 at the Girard Invitational, but Trout’s career best is an 18:26.53 at a national competition.

— Brent Maycock

D12 Thursday, August 30, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal