Charting Shawnee County’s Top 125: No. 1 through 125

TOPEKA, Kan. – 1. The 2019 U.S. Open champion was a basketball All-Stater and two-time Class 5A state champ at Shawnee Heights and went on to play at Washburn before transferring to Kansas and focusing on golf.

2. MIKE TORREZ, Topeka High

Pitched 18 seasons (1967-84) in the major leagues with a 185-160 record and a 3.96 career ERA and helped lead the New York Yankees to a world championship.

3. KEN BERRY, Washburn Rural

Was a one-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove-winning outfielder for 14 seasons (1962-75) in the majors.

4. MELVIN DOUGLAS, Highland Park

Wrestled his way to two Olympics, two NCAA titles, one world title and seven U.S. Freestyle championships.

5. LON KRUGER, Silver Lake

Two-time Big Eight basketball player of the year was a three-sport star who was selected in the MLB and NBA drafts.

6. CHRIS BARNES, Topeka High

A 2018 inductee into the PBA Hall of Fame, Barnes has won 19 PBA Tour titles and three majors. Barnes earned PBA Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year honors.

7. MARGARET MURDOCK, Hayden

As a shooter, earned a silver medal in the 1976 Olympics, set 13 world records and is a member of multiple halls of fame.

8. PRESTON CARRINGTON, Topeka High

Now known as Syed Abdul Mutfi, he finished fifth in the long jump at the 1972 Olympics and also excelled in basketball at Wichita State.

9. TROY WILSON, Shawnee Heights

Was a champion in three sports at either the high school, college or pro levels, with his best title being the 1994 Super Bowl.

10. TOM DINKEL, Shawnee Heights

After starring at Kansas, played for the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals for eight years, including the 1981 Super Bowl.

11. LISA CAREY, Washburn Rural

Led Rural to basketball and softball titles and won All-America honors and a national title at Oklahoma in softball.

12. ELWOOD “BINGO” DEMOSS

Considered by many to be the best second baseman in Negro Leagues history, committing only one error.

13. TOM MEIER, Hayden

An All-Stater and Mr. Kansas Basketball, Meier became an NAIA All-American and led Washburn to the national title in 1987.

14. FRED SLAUGHTER, Topeka High

A state high school track champion, the late Slaughter became a starting center at UCLA on John Wooden’s first national title team in 1964.

15. SHERI NORRIS, Topeka West

Two-time state tennis champ became a three-time All-American at Arizona State and played professionally for three years.

16. MICHAEL WILHOITE, Highland Park

Was a standout at Washburn before playing six years in the NFL for San Francisco and Seattle, including a Super Bowl appearance.

17. KYLE WEEMS, Highland Park

Still playing pro basketball after earning All-State honors and helping Scots to an undefeated season and being named Missouri Valley Player of the Year for Missouri State.

18. PEYTON WILLIAMS, Cair Paravel

Earned All-Big 12 honors in both volleyball and basketball at Kansas State and played for Team USA in the 2019 Pan American Games.

19. COREY BALLENTINE, Shawnee Heights

Was a football and track star at both Heights and Washburn before being drafted by the New York Giants in the 2019 NFL draft.

20. NADIRA HAZIM, Topeka West

All-State basketball player went on to star for Kansas State, where she ranked sixth on the school’s all-time scoring list.

21. JAMES PATRICK, Highland Park

Led Scots to the Grand State title and was an All-American at Southwest Texas and a fifth-round draft pick by Denver Nuggets.

22. AARON CROW, Washburn Rural

Standout at Rural and All-American at Missouri was a first-round MLB draft pick twice and was selected to American League All-Star team for the Royals.

23. BRENDA SHAFFER-DAHL, Heights

Set 24 Washburn basketball records from 1986-90 and remains the school leader in points (2,613) and rebounds (1,106).

24. WARREN SEITZ, Topeka West

Three-sport athlete at West played football collegiately at Missouri and then professionally in the NFL and CFL.

25. STEVE TILFORD, Topeka High

The late Tilford was a four-time World Championship team member on the road, the first U.S. Mountain Bike National Champion and a four-time Elite USCF Cyclocross National Champion.

26. RON PARADIS, Washburn Rural

State champion and All-Stater is career leading scorer for Rural’s basketball team and lettered three years at Kansas State.

27. DELVY LEWIS, Washburn Rural

Helped Rural to a state basketball title in 1960 before becoming an All-Big Eight player and three-year starter at Kansas.

28. TREY LEWIS, Washburn Rural

AP Little All-American at Washburn played as a defensive lineman for the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL.

29. KAYLEE MANNS, Washburn Rural

Three-sport standout at Rural was a two-time All-Big 12 setter for Iowa State and has put together a long playing career in Europe.

30. WILL GEARY, Topeka High

A two-time 6A wrestling champion and All-State football player for the Trojans, Geary went on to become a three-time All-Big 12 selection as a defensive lineman.

31. KYLE MCNORTON, Seaman

Linebacker led Kansas in tackles in 1980 and 1981, earning All-Big Eight honors, before playing two years for Chiefs.

32. DUFF “SIR RICHARD” COOLEY

Played 13 major-league seasons from 1893-1905, compiling 1,579 hits and a .294 batting average.

33. JAZZ SWEET, Shawnee Heights

Sweet helped lead Shawnee Heights to a 5A state volleyball title and has helped Nebraska to a NCAA national championship as well as a runner-up finish.

34. MARK ELLIOTT, Silver Lake

Multi-sport star played three baseball seasons in the minors, was QB at Washburn and one of the city’s top golfers.

35. JERAD HEAD, Hayden

All-Stater and three-sport prep standout at Hayden and two-sport standout at Washburn before making it to Major League Baseball with the Cleveland Indians.

36. JULIA “JUDY” DYER, Topeka High

The Topeka High grad and Texas Southern Hall of Famer competed in hurdles in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.

37. TRISA NICKOLEY, Heights

Earned 17 state titles as a T-Bird, never lost an individual state-title race and became an All-Big 12 performer at Missouri.

38. TED EVANS, Topeka High

Basketball star went to Oklahoma and was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 1974 before enjoying a long pro career in Europe.

39. TANNER GARDNER, Shawnee Heights

Was a two-time undefeated state wrestling champion and a three-time All American at Stanford.

40. SHARA STAFFORD, Topeka High

Is the only Topekan to capture an NCAA Division I swimming national title and was a 13-time All-American.

41. JOHN TETUAN, Hayden

Three-sport standout at Hayden became an All-America pitcher at Wichita State and a Colorado Rockies ninth-round draft pick.

42. KY THOMAS, Topeka High

Finished prep career last fall as the No. 2 rusher in state history with 7,703 yards, including 3,009 as a senior. Signed with Minnesota.

43. MARK TURGEON, Hayden

All-Stater and two-time state basketball champion became first Kansas basketball player to play in four NCAA tournaments.

44. JAHMAL McMURRAY, Highland Park

All-State pick at Highland Park and scored 1,465 points at South Florida and SMU before playing in the NBA’s G League.

45. DAN DAVIS, Hayden

All-Stater rushed for 5,598 career yards and led Hayden to an undefeated state title before playing at Missouri.

46. BROOKLYN HUNTER, Hayden

A three-sport prep standout who won four state singles titles in tennis and helped lead the Wildcats to three state titles in volleyball.

47. RUTH FAIRBANK, Topeka High

One of state’s leading all-around sportswomen won numerous city and state titles in softball, tennis, basketball and bowling.

48. JOHNNY JOHNSON, Seaman

Averaged 24.4 points as a senior at Seaman and led Washburn to two NAIA tourneys to earn a spot in the WU Hall of Fame.

49. DALE CUSHINBERRY, Highland Park

Two-time NAIA All-American set Emporia State’s single-season scoring record at 24.3 points per game and is in school’s hall of honor.

50. BARBARA SIPES, Seaman

Seven-time AAU All-American is considered one of the first great “big, mobile” players in women’s basketball.

51. DAN CNOSSEN, Shawnee Heights

The Navy SEAL is a Purple Heart and Bronze Star with Valor honoree who won six medals in the 2018 Winter Paralympics, including a gold in Biathlon.

52. AUSTIN HANSON, Seaman

Ranked as the No. 1 boccia player in the U.S. and among the top 20 players in the world over two decades.

53. ED DELK, Highland Park

Earned All-America honors in football and basketball at McPherson College, where he ranks among school’s scoring leaders.

54. SHELLEY FOSTER, Seaman

All-Stater led Seaman to a state championship before starring for Washburn, where she ranks No. 2 on the career scoring list (2,144 points).

55. “DODE” LESSER, Seaman

Little All-America offensive tackle at Washburn went on to play in the Continental and Canadian football leagues.

56. TONY LEIKER, Silver Lake

All-America defensive end at Stanford was selected in the seventh round of NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers.

57. TOM BUNGER, Washburn Rural

Captured three world championships, eight All-America honors and 11 straight All-State honors as a dead-eye shooter.

58. MARCEL CARTER, Shawnee Heights

Won eight state track golds, becoming the only male in the state to win the 200 four straight years, before starring for Florida.

59. CARROLL RAY “DINK” MOTHELL

Fifteen-year Negro Leagues veteran known as the “Super Substitute” because he played at least one game at every position.

60. JENEKA JOYCE, Washburn Rural

Three-time All-Stater was named Miss Kansas Basketball and played for 2000 national champion Notre Dame.

61. NICK STRINGER, Hayden

Multiple-sport prep star earned All-State football honors and a state title before becoming an All-Big 12 lineman at Kansas State.

62. WYATT HUBERT, Shawnee Heights

Defensive end earned All-Big 12 first-team honors for Kansas State as sophomore after registering 12.5 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks.

63. TEVEN JENKINS, Topeka High

Has made 28 career starts for Oklahoma State in the offensive line, earning All-Big 12 honorable mention the past two seasons.

64. JOCELYN BENTLEY, Highland Park

Star sprinter was a multi-year state champion and the first Kansas girl to break the 55-second mark in the 400.

65. JUSTIN GLASGOW, Seaman

Three-sport prep star won state titles in track and wrestling and was a three-year starter on the offensive line at Kansas.

66. JARED HUSKE, Highland Park

Track standout set the all-time state high school mark in the 110-meter hurdles and became an All-Pac-10 performer at Oregon.

67. JESSICA MAINZ, Shawnee Heights

Soccer and hoops standout really shined on the pitch, earning All-State honors and All-America honors at Washburn.

68. JOEL HOFFMAN, Topeka High

Tennis star won two state titles, starred collegiately for Houston and played professionally on the ATP for three years.

69. LORI GREEN, Topeka West

The all-time state leader in the 200 meters, Green went on to win four Big Eight sprint championships at Kansas.

70. DUANE MELVIN, Seaman

All-around athlete in the 1940s lettered multiple times in three sports at Washburn and played minor league baseball.

71. DAN O’MARA, Hayden

High school football and track star became a Big Eight discus and shot put champ and an All-American while at Kansas State.

72. GLENN TRAMMEL, Topeka High

Won five individual state swim titles then earned All-America honors seven times at Kansas while setting four school records.

73. BOB BENOIT, Topeka West

Won five tourneys and more than $700,000 on the PBA Tour, and was the first to bowl a perfect game in a televised title match.

74. ART GRIGGS

Halfback at Kansas and Pittsburgh spent seven years in the majors, playing every position but pitcher and catcher.

75. SCOTT LEON, Shawnee Heights

Earned all-conference honors as a pitcher at Allen County and Texas after starring as a quarterback and pitcher at Heights.

76. CRYSTAL KEMP, Topeka High

All-State basketball star averaged double figures all four years at Kansas and earned first-team All-Big 12 honors as a senior.

77. SHANNON SUDDARTH, Hayden

Swam to six state titles, earned All-America honors nine times at Notre Dame and held two Big East records for 11 years.

78. BILL McDONALD, Topeka West

Earned NAIA All-America golf honors at Washburn before winning more than a dozen Michigan and USGA amateur titles.

79. JASON STUKE, Seaman

State shot put and discus champion won an NCAA title in the shot put at Emporia State and set ESU’s discus record.

80. LEVI LEE, Topeka High

1963 All-State football player also helped High win a state track title and was coveted by numerous top-flight college programs.

81. LAMAR MADY, Topeka High

Mady spent two-plus seasons in the Raiders’ organization, including seven games in 2013, and later earned All-Indoor Football League honors.

82. WILL COKELEY, Washburn Rural

Linebacker was a juco All-American at Coffeyville, a leading tackler at Kansas State and spent time in the USFL and NFL.

83. J.P. WRIGHT, Seaman

Standout hitter was NAIA Player of the Year as a senior at Washburn and played two years as a pro in Twins organization.

84. STACEY SLAVENS, Shawnee Heights

Two-time NAIA softball All-American at Emporia State, earned national pitcher of the year honors in 1991.

85. JIM GOLDEN, Silver Lake

Played nine seasons in the minors before pitching four years in the majors, where he compiled a 9-13 record and 4.54 ERA.

86. CHUCK NELSON, Topeka High

Nelson played for the U.S. in the first Olympic volleyball event in 1964 and has played tennis at the national and world level into his ’80s.

87. LAURA KLAMM, Highland Park

Earned All-America honors three times as a pitcher and shortstop for Washburn and made the NAIA Softball Hall of Fame.

88. TROY SLUSSER, Topeka High

NAIA first-team All-American who once owned Washburn records for points, receiving yards and touchdown receptions.

89. LUKE YARNELL, Washburn Rural

Earned all-conference honors at Coffeyville and Southwestern Louisiana and played 10 years in Arena Football League.

90. LATISHA YARNELL, Washburn Rural

Multi-sport star is the career assists leader for Washburn University and was an NAIA All-America first baseman in softball.

91. DANI McHENRY, Shawnee Heights

Led T-Birds to two state volleyball titles, earned All-America honors at Washburn and also won an NCAA basketball title.

92. RYAN ZEFERJAHN, Seaman

A multi-sport standout for Seaman, Zeferjahn, a pitcher, was a third-round draft pick of the Red Sox after a standout three-year career at KU.

93. KEN “HOOK” JOHNSON, Topeka High

Finished his major league career with 4.58 ERA, pitching for three teams, to earn a spot in the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame.

94. JANELLE WRIGHT, Topeka High

Was a pentathlon All-American at Kansas State after winning six state hurdles titles and three high jump crowns as a prep star.

95. MILO MITCHELL, Topeka High

Kansas Amateur Softball Association Hall of Famer was a star right fielder for the Ed Marling’s Hornets, who won two state titles.

96. JOE DOUGLAS, Topeka High

The “Babe Ruth of Topeka softball” is a KASA Hall of Famer and was a star outfielder for the Ed Marling’s Hornets.

97. C.B. MCGRATH, Topeka West

Four-sport prep star and All-Stater played on four conference championship basketball teams at Kansas.

98. TOMMY HUNTER, Hayden

Hunter became the first player in city history to win four straight state singles tennis championships before playing at Washburn.

99. JOHN GRANTHAM, Topeka High

Won three state tennis singles titles and led the Trojans to multiple team titles before winning a conference title at Kansas.

100. BILLIE JEAN MOORE, Highland Park

Legendary college basketball coach was a star third baseman for the nationally renowned Ohse Meats fast-pitch team.

101. KRISTIE BAHNER, Topeka High

Prep volleyball and basketball star became a 1,000-point scorer at Kansas State, where she also was a top rebounder and defender.

102. BENNIE SIMECKA, Rossville

Prep All-American and All-Stater became a three-year starting lineman and honorable mention All-Big Eight player for Kansas.

103. CLARDY VINSON, Topeka High

Three-time state track champion became a Big Eight champ at Kansas State and was part of a relay team that set a world record.

104. THERON WILSON, Highland Park

Multi-sport star went to Bradley, where he was All-Missouri Valley Conference before playing professionally in Europe.

105. DAVID PROCTOR, Topeka High

Pitcher was All-American at Allen County and spent four years in the Mets organization after being a first-round draft pick.

106. DEANA ALEXANDER, Shawnee Heights

Multi-sport standout competed in track and field and basketball at Wichita State, winning four Missouri Valley javelin titles.

107. RICK DEHART, Seaman

NAIA baseball All-American for Washburn played 16 years professionally, including four seasons in the major leagues.

108. SHANNON KRUGER, Silver Lake

Prolific prep quarterback became one of Washburn’s top basketball guards, ranking top-three in 3-pointers, assists and steals.

109. TUCKER HORAK, Rossville

Horak became the state’s first QB to rush and throw for more than 2,000 yards in a season before becoming a standout at Pittsburg State.

110. CARLY BACHELOR, Washburn Rural

Bachelor was an All-Stater in volleyball, basketball and soccer for Rural and completed her freshman basketball season at Creighton in ’19-’20.

111. RAPHEAL POSEY, Highland Park

Was a double-figure basketball scorer for Texas-San Antonio after setting the city’s career passing record as a quarterback.

112. TAGEN LAMBOTTE, Rossville

Lambotte captured four straight wrestling state championships for the Bulldawgs before continuing his career at Iowa.

113. ZEKE METZ, Seaman

Now at Evansville, Metz was 5A-1A swimmer of the year in ’18 as Seaman became the first city school to win a state team swimming/diving title.

114. LAMONT AUSTIN, Highland Park

Scot All-Stater led Howard to a national juco title and played in the 2011 NCAA Tournament for Morehead State.

115. JAYME GERGEN, Washburn Rural

Three-sport prep athlete became a three-year volleyball starter and All-American at Georgia Tech and played as a pro.

116. KELSEY CHIPMAN, Washburn Rural

Chipman earned All-Big 12 volleyball recognition for Kansas State, ending her career No. 2 at KSU in block assists and No. 5 in hitting percentage.

117. MADELINE HILL, Washburn Rural

Hill was a 6A state singles champ and four-time state placer at Rural and won an NCAA Division II national singles title for Washburn.

118. EMILY DICUS, Topeka West

Dicus set seven school records and state records in the 100 freestyle and 200 free at West before becoming an All-American at Virginia.

119. CHRIS CARLSON, Seaman

Three-sport prep standout became a two-time All-American in baseball for New Mexico and spent four years in the minors.

120. SHANE WRIGHT, Hayden

All-America pitcher set nearly every Texas Tech record for a starting pitcher before playing three years in the minor leagues.

121. DUANE ZLATNIK, Rossville

An All-Stater in football and three-time state wrestling champion at Rossville, Zlatnik went on to start 31 games for KU football.

122. AUSTIN HALSEY, Washburn Rural

Halsey was an All-City, all-league, All-State and All-America pick in soccer, setting a Rural school record with 57 goals, before playing at Baker.

123. MICHAEL HOFFER, Shawnee Heights

Now at Nebraska, Hoffer ended an outstanding prep track and field career with four gold medals as a senior and won three 5A high jump titles.

124. LARRY MILLER, Topeka High

Pitched three seasons in the majors with a career ERA of 4.17 and also spent nine seasons in the minors.

125. JACK L. BYBEE, Washburn Rural

Called “one of the most spectacular” polo players in the Midwest while with Topeka’s Old Ironsides team for two decades.