TOPEKA, Kan. – Top returners: Boys — Tanner Newkirk, jr.; Jack Konrade, sr.; Luis Martinez, sr.; Quinn Alexander, sr.; Jayden Rainer, sr.; Will DeVader, sr.; Dawson Adams, sr.; Ethan Emmons, sr.; Brandon Tinoco, sr.; Stephen Moore, sr.; Nick Padilla, jr.; Daniel Fuk, jr. Girls — Miranda Hillebert, jr.; Megan Carr, jr.; Riley Schmidtlein, jr.; Mallory Renyer, jr.
Worth noting: Newkirk was Class 4A state runner-up in the 3,200 and fourth in the 1,600 in 2019 and was the Class 4A state cross country champion in the fall. … Konrade took third at state in the long jump and was on qualifying 400 relay with Alexander, Rainer and Martinez. … DeVader was state qualifier in javelin. … Hillebert, Carr and Schmidlein return from girls’ qualifying 1,600 relay.
Schedule
April — 1. at Ottawa Inv.; 9. at Lansing Inv.; 14. at Washburn Rural Inv.; 23. at Free State Inv.; 30. at Shawnee Heights Inv. May — 7. City Joe Schrag Invitational; 13. at Centennial League meet (Hummer).
HIGHLAND PARK
Coach: Freddy Maisberger
Top returners: Boys — Jay Vetaw, sr.; Morgan Dean, jr.; Ayden Prettyman, jr. Girls — Ciarra McWilliams, sr.
Worth noting: Scots return just a handful from 2019, but have promising sophomore boys class and added some upperclassmen as well to the mix.
Schedule
April — 1. at Washburn Rural Inv.; 16. at Manhattan Inv.; 21. at Washburn Rural Inv.; 30. at Shawnee Heights Inv. May — 7. at City Joe Schrag Inv.; 13. at Centennial League meet (Hummer)
SEAMAN
Coach: Scott Petersen (B)/Rick Brading (G)
Top returners: Boys — Cadin Worcester, sr.; Jack Horacek, sr.; Trey Ramirez, sr.; Cade Rotheberber, sr.; Nathan Jowers, sr.; Sean Hoffman, sr.; Carson Bush, sr.; Treyton Bush, sr.; Corbin Atkins, sr.; Jace Moore, jr. Girls — Kaylynn McClenny, jr.; Shennen Pineda-Ortega, sr.; Megan Allacher, sr.; Emma Shultz, jr.
Worth noting: Worcester was state qualifier in high jump as sophomore, taking 11th. … Distance events should be strong on both teams and boys have nice addition of Moore, an All-City cross country pick. … Brading has spent 40 years with program, but is in first year as girls’ head coach, replacing Claudia Welch. … Girls have more than 50 athletes out so numbers are good.
Schedule
April — 1. at Washburn Rural Inv.; 9. at Lansing Inv.; 16. at Manhattan Inv.; 23. at Free State Inv.; 30. Bob Camien//Claudia Welch Relays. May — 7. at City Joe Schrag Inv.; 13. at Centennial League meet (Hummer).
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS
Coach: John Oshel
Top returners: Boys — Jack Arnold, sr.; Aiden Hicks, sr.; Jacob Myers, sr. Girls — Shelby Butterfield, sr.; Laural Padilla, sr.; Hayden Henderson, sr.
Worth noting: Oshel replaces Brad Nicks as T-Birds coach and inherits teams that have strong senior talent. … Butterfield was state qualifier in hurdles in 2019.
Schedule
April — 2. at Emporia Inv.; 9. at Lansing Inv.; 14. at Washburn Rural Inv.; 30. Shawnee Heights Inv. May — 7. at City Joe Schrag Inv.; 12. United Kansas Conference meet.
TOPEKA HIGH
Coach: Tony Canacari
Top returners: Boys — none listed. Girls — none listed.
Worth noting: Trojans have mostly newcomers for 2021 season.
Schedule
April — 1. at Washburn Rural Inv.; 2. at Emporia Inv.; 14. at Washburn Rural Inv.; 16. at ESU Midwest Classic; 30. at Bob Camien/Claudia Welch Inv. (Seaman). May — 7. at City Joe Schrag Inv.; 14. at Centennial League meet (Hummer).
TOPEKA WEST
Coach: Donnie Palmer
Top returners: Boys — Chris Howell, jr.; Javion Lee, jr.; Jonathan Sanders, sr.; Mikael Glenn, jr. Girls — Kristina Branch, jr.; Anna Phelps, jr.; Adina Davis, sr.; A’mya Mallett, sr.; Miah Mosher, jr..
Worth noting: Chargers will be young overall with several freshmen and sophomores competing on the varsity level.
Schedule
April — 2. at Emporia Inv.; 9. at Lansing Inv.; 14. at Lawrence Inv.; 16. at Emporia Inv.; 23. at Free State Inv.; 30. at Shawnee Heights Inv. May — 7. City Joe Schrag Inv.; 13. at Centennial League meet (Hummer).
WASHBURN RURAL
Coach: Keith Wetzel
Top returners: Boys — Jacob Mitchell, sr.; Arrik White, sr.; Marquel Russell, sr.; Sam Shonka, sr.; Joel Goering, sr.; Mike Mercer, sr.; Spencer Haddock, jr.; Zsamar Sipple, jr.; Shaymus Santiago, jr. Girls — Elle Bray, sr.; Kelly Wagner, sr.; Ashleigh Wright, sr.; Kamri Younger, sr.; Molli Christensen, sr..
Worth noting: Rural boys were Centennial League champions in 2019, while girls finished sixth at Class 6A state meet.
Schedule
April — 1. Jerry Beardslee Inv.; 9. at Olathe East Inv.; 14. Washburn Rural INv.; 22-23. at Free State Inv.; 30. at Bob Camien/Claudia Welch Relays. May — 7. at City Joe Schrag Inv.; 13. Centennial League meet (Hummer).
