TOPEKA, Kan. – HIS PERFORMANCE: Smith couldn’t have enjoyed a better debut to his high school track career. The sophomore speedster accounted for four victories at last Friday’s ESU Invitational, including wins in all three of his individual events. Smith broke the school record in winning the 100 with a time of 10.36 seconds, topping the old record of 10.43 set by former state champion and Division I sprinter Marcel Carter in 1988. Smith also won the 200 in 22.20 seconds, the 110 hurdles in 14.75 seconds and led the 400 relay to a win in 43.44 seconds.
COACH’S COMMENT: “Jeremiah is an extremely hard-working athlete,” Heights coach John Oshel said. “He comes to practice every day eager to work on drills, technique and conditioning. He is a very coachable young man who has a great love for track and field.”
TOP 5: OTHER CITY CANDIDATES
LUKAS BRENNAN/MAX COLOMBO, TOPEKA HIGH BASEBALL: Both Brennan and Colombo combined for 11 innings of no-hit baseball in wins over KC Washington and Topeka West last week. Brennan and Colombo each threw one inning in a three-inning perfect game against Washington with Brennan striking out the side and Colombo striking out two. Colombo then threw a five-inning no-hitter with 11 strikeouts in a 10-0 shutout of Topeka West and Brennan threw four innings of no-hit ball in a 14-4 win.
ZOE CARYL, TOPEKA HIGH SOFTBALL: Caryl is off to a red-hot start to her senior season in leading Topeka High to a 4-0 record. Caryl went 11 for 15 in doubleheader sweeps of Shawnee Heights and Topeka West, knocking in 14 runs in the four games. She had a 6-RBI inning against West with a three-run double and three-run home run and already has four doubles and three triples.
BETHANY DRUSE/CADE ROTHENBERGER, SEAMAN TRACK: Druse turned in the third-fastest time in the state in the 800 in winning the event at last Thursday’s Jerry Beardslee Invitational at Hummer Sports Park. Druse crossed in 2 minutes, 23 seconds, which is top in Class 5A this season, and also ran a 63.2 split on the Vikings’ 1,600 relay. Rothenberger, meanwhile, swept the 100 (11.5) and 200 (24.2) titles at the meet and also anchored Seaman’s winning 400 relay (45.5) and took third in the high jump.
GABBY GRACE/AVERY WALZ SEAMAN SWIMMING: Grace and Walz each had a hand in four victories for the Vikings at last Friday’s Topeka High Invitational. Grace swept wins in the 100 freestyle (56.99 seconds) and 100 backstroke (1:02.96), while Walz won the 200 individual medley (2:13.79) and the 100 breaststroke (1:08.15). Both were on Seaman’s winning 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays, teaming with Tauren Walz and Samantha Shea.
KATE ROEDER, HAYDEN SOCCER: Roeder scored six goals and added four assists in Hayden’s 3-1 start to the season. She scored two in in a 3-2 loss to Free State and and in a 10-0 win over Topeka West.
