TOPEKA — The high school sports season has concluded, but awards still need to be handed out. The Topeka-area had some of the best female athletes across all sports in the state. They made impacts on the local and state level.
Vote for the Capital-Journal’s female athlete of the year now. Voting closes on Thursday at noon. The male athlete of the year voting will begin next week. Let's meet the nominees:
Rebecca Bearman, Topeka West
The senior was a key figure for the Chargers on the basketball court in the winter. She was one of the top rebounders and inside players on the offensive end. Bearman also was a stand-out for the Topeka West track and field team. The shot put thrower’s season was highlighted by a third place finish at the Joe Schrag City Meet.
Zoe Canfield, Washburn Rural
The senior and future KU basketball player finished her career as one of the best to ever do it for the Junior Blues. She helped Washburn Rural reach the Class 6A State Championship this year. She also contributed heavily for the volleyball team during her tenure. Canfield suffered a knee injury during her junior year, but that did not stop her from averaging 13.2 points per game this season.
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Angelique Gowan-Britt, Highland Park
The senior was the main ball handler for the Scots this season. Gowan-Britt’s ability to go down hill was one of her best attributes. Her head coach, Rob Brown, expressed how much the team relies on her and how much they are going to miss her. The point guard’s production allowed Highland Park to reach the regional title game this season.
Avery Grunert, Hayden
The senior had a busy year for the Wildcats. Grunert helped Hayden win the golf state championship in the fall. She will be playing golf in college at Newman University. She followed golf season with a highly productive basketball season where she helped Hayden reach the semifinals of the Class 3A State Tournament. Grunert also shined as a hurdler this spring on the track and field team.
Kendra Hurla, Rossville
The best wrestler in school history finished her final year with the Bulldawgs. Hurla helped Rossville win its first ever state championship and she claimed the individual title in the 120-pound division of the Class 4-1A competition. Hurla goes down not just in the Rossville record books, but in state history, too. She is the first wrestler in Class 4-1A to win four straight state titles.
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Katherine Keys, Cair Paravel
The senior had a dominate season for the Lions soccer team this spring. The striker scored goals aplenty and also provided much needed cover in the midfield. The John Brown University signee helped Cair Paravel reach the Class 4-1A State Championship for the first time in school history.
Kaibryn Kruger, Silver Lake
The senior and future Hutchinson Community College softball player had an excellent year for the Eagles. Kruger was a key piece to Silver Lake’s Class 3A State Championship winning basketball team. She also excelled for the softball team that reached the state title game. Kruger also notched another state title to her name by helping Silver Lake win the 4x400-meter relay in the Class 3A State Track and Field Championship.
Makenzie McDaniel, Silver Lake
The Emporia State basketball signee finished one of the most dominate high school performances in the Topeka-area. She helped Silver Lake win the Class 3A State Championship in basketball. She hit the ball extremely well for the Eagles softball team that reached the state championship, too. During the spring season, she also broke a 21-year school record in shot put with a throw of 39-feet 1-inch.
Taylin Stallbaumer, Seaman
The senior wrapped up an excellent season for the Vikings across all sports. Stallbaumer helped Seaman win the Class 5A State Championship in volleyball and basketball this season. She also performed at a high level on the track team specializing in the hurdles. Stallbaumer will play college volleyball at Johnson County Community College this fall.
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Lauren Sandstrom, Hayden
The stand-out athlete for the Wildcats impressed on the tennis court and the basketball court this season. Sandstrom won the Class 4A State Championship in doubles on the tennis side this fall. She also led Hayden into the Class 3A State Tournament basketball. The senior will be enjoying her time at Rockhurst next year to continue her basketball career.
Reece Taylor, Shawnee Heights
The wrestler shined for the Thunderbirds this season. She finished in fourth place in the Class 6-5A State Tournament in the 125-pound division. Taylor was named first team All-City in this weight class for her outstanding year.
Avery Zimmerman, Topeka High
The senior and future Emporia State soccer player concluded her final season with the Trojans this fall. Not only did she produce at a high level on the pitch, Zimmerman also qualified for the state golf tournament last fall.
Previous Athlete of the Week winners
Dec. 4-9:Will Powell, Washburn Rural swimming
Dec. 11-16:Kendra Hurla, Rossville wrestling
Jan. 2-6:Detrick Johnson, Topeka High wrestling
Jan. 8-13:Maddie Gragg, Seaman basketball
Jan. 15-20:Imani McGlory, Topeka West basketball
Jan. 22-27:Jaxon Cowdin, Topeka High swimming
Jan. 29-Feb. 3:Nora Burdiek, Rossville basketball
Feb. 5-10:Isabel Reyes, Shawnee Heights wrestling
Feb. 12-17:Rykan Carver, Shawnee Heights wrestling
Feb. 19-24:Molly Spader, Washburn Rural wrestling
Feb. 26-March 2:Ja'Corey Robinson, Highland Park basketball
March 4-9: Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake
March 25-30:Spencer Habig, Shawnee Heights softball
April 1-6:Branton DeWeese, Washburn Rural baseball
April 8-13:Drayden Acosta, Topeka High baseball
April 29-May 4:Drew Fay, Cair Paravel tennis
May 6-11:Isabelle Van Fleet,Shawnee Heights soccer
May 13-18:Makayla Ekis, Washburn Rural softball
May 20-25:Liam Annand, Hayden baseball
Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com.
