Here are the top Topeka-area high school performances from Sept. 2-7

TOPEKA — The first week of high school sports is finally here for Kansas. The Topeka area is buzzing with activity as cross country, soccer, golf, and tennis teams make waves. Meanwhile, the volleyball and football seasons are kicking off, filling the athletic calendar to the brim. Here are the top performances from the week of Sept. 2-7 involving Shawnee County teams.

If there is an athlete from the area who has made an impact this week, send nominees, with stats, to Liam Keating at lkeating@gannett.com or on X (Twitter), @liamkeating7

Boys

Tuesday, Sept. 3

Brandon Hamilton, Washburn Rural soccer: The junior nailed a spot kick and secured an assist in the Junior Blues' 5-0 win over 9-man Shawnee Heights.

Ethan Geiger, Seaman soccer: The senior scored the lone goal in the 31st minute of play to help the Vikings seal a 1-0 win over Emporia. It was the first win under head coach Tim Collins, who made his return to the sidelines after coaching Washburn University's women's team until 2015.

Valentin Del Real, Topeka West: The freshman scored the game-winning goal over Hayden in the final five minutes of the game. The 2-1 win helped the Chargers start on the right foot in the first match of the season.

Football Week 1 predictions: Picking all Topeka-area games

Thursday, Sept. 5

Brodye Kocher-Munoz, Washburn Rural soccer: The sophomore scored a hat trick in the Junior Blues 6-0 win over Wichita Northwest.

Jaime Alvarado, Topeka High soccer: The senior scored a brace as the Trojans earned their first win of the season beating Hayden 5-1.

Evan Carter, Shawnee Heights cross country: The senior finished in second place in the Bobcat Invite. He hit a time of 17:23 which was five seconds away from winning the first race of the season.

Connor Baldwin, Hayden cross country: The junior earned second place in a time of 18:18 at the Mission Valley Invite, the first race of the season for the Wildcats.

Dalton Verschelden, Rossville cross country: The junior was the fastest runner for the Bulldawgs in the Mission Valley Invite. He hit the finish line in a time of 20:58 which placed him 21st in the race.

Saturday, Sept. 7

Brody Anderson, Seaman cross country: The junior took the Manhattan Invitational title with a time of 15:35. His time was 28 seconds faster than the field.

Adrian Lehman, Topeka West cross country: Lehman secured third place in the Manhattan Invitational. He was the top finisher for the Chargers with his 16:12.

Henry Laubach, Washburn Rural cross country: The freshman hit a time of 16:29 to lead the Junior Blues in the Manhattan Invitational. Laubach hit the finish line in fourth place.

Stuart Campbell, Topeka High: Campbell earned 37th in the Manhattan Invitational as the top runner for the Trojans.

Aemon Coffman, Silver Lake cross country: The senior paced the Eagles in their home meet. He took third place with a time of 17:58.

Girls

Tuesday, Sept. 3

Reece Randall, Washburn Rural golf: The senior fired a round of 82 in the Washburn Invitational at Wamego Country Club. She finished in a tie for 11th place to help the Junior Blues take fourth place out of 13 teams.

Jaycee Zimmerman, Seaman golf: The senior took third place in the Emporia High School Invite as she finished with a round of 87.

Highland Park basketball: Jacorey Robinson makes college commitment

Wednesday, Sept. 4

Emma Sweeney, Seaman tennis: The freshman won all three of her matches by a score of 8-0, 8-0 and 8-3 as the No. 1 player. Sweeney's performance swept the field in the Vikings home tournament.

Shelby Brown, Topeka West tennis: The junior finished 2-1 at the Seaman Invite. She won her final two matches 8-6 and 8-3. Brown's only defeat in the tournament was to Sweeney.

Thursday, Sept. 5

Ava Esser, Seaman volleyball: The senior helped the Vikings win their first home match of the season by taking down Lawerence Free State 3-1 (24-26, 25-18, 25-21, 25-19).

Elliot Wrench, Hayden cross country: The senior secured second place in the first race of the season. Wrench finished in a time of 22:21 in the Mission Valley Invite.

Abigail Lewis, Shawnee Heights cross country: The sophomore hit a time of 24:08 for 31st place in the Bobcat Invite. She was the first runner to finish for the Thunderbirds.

Madelyn Wonnell, Rossville cross country: The sophomore was the top runner for the Bulldawgs in the Mission Valley Invite. She earned 22nd place in a time of 28:33.

Taryn Bell, Rossville tennis: The senior finished 1-1 in a tournament hosted by Hayden. Bell won her first match 6-3 and then lost her final match 6-4.

Saturday, Sept. 7

Ryin Miller, Seaman cross country: The junior dominated the field in the Manhattan Invitational. Miller won the race with a 16:59. She is the fourth runner to break 17:00 in Kansas history. Miller’s performance was the fastest time since 2016.

Payton Fink, Washburn Rural cross country: The senior finished second in the Manhattan Invitational with a time of 18:14.

Payton Rice, Topeka West cross country: Rice led the Chargers in the Manhattan Invitational with a 21:09 as she placed 19th.

Tessa Gerber, Silver Lake cross country: The senior hit a time of 21:22 in the Eagles’ home meet. Gerber’s time helped her take fifth place.

Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@ g annett.co m

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Here are the top Topeka-area high school performances from Sept. 2-7