Perine and Mitchell To Attend ESU

Kinsey Perine and Emma Michell have signed Letters Of Intent to play softball at Emporia State U. next year. 

Silver Lake Winter Track Meet

The Rossville boys finished in a 6th place tie of the 10 teams entered.  The Rossville  girls finished 5th of the 10 teams.  Kielyn McDonnell turned in the best performance with a first place winnig time of 13.34 in the 100 M run. Other outstanding performances were delivered by the following.

Rylee Dick 4th in Long Jump
   "        "     4th in 100 M Hur
   "        "     3rd in 300 M Hur
Brinley Pottorf    4th in triple jump
Barret Lietz    5th in shot put
      "      "        5th in javelin
Andre Johnson 4th in javelin
Mason Broce  6th in javelin
Kielyn McDonnell  1st in 100 M
Shayla Rezac    4th in 400M
     "        "          2nd in 200 M

  

Anderson Co Defeats Dawg Baseball Team

 Rossville lost a doubleheader to Anderson County on March 28 by scores of 4-1 and 6-2.  The Dawgs are 0-2 for 2024

Athletes To Watch in 2024

The Capital listed thee following Rossville track and field athletes to be looking for this year.

Shayla Rezac was 6th in both the 200m and 400m runs at the 2023 regional.

Kamoron Badura placed 16th in the long jump in the 2023 Regional

Barret Lietz was 7th in the shot put and 8th in the javalin at the same regional.

Editor's note;  The Capoital omitted  several others expected to have a good 2024 season, including Rylee Dick, Andre Johnson, and Kielyn McDonnald.

Royal Valley Invitational Golf

The Dawgs finished fourth out of seven teams with a 344 stroke total.  

Hart finished 7th with an 83.  Willett and Donovan  tied for 8th  with an 89 total. 

Softball Against Jeff West and Santa Fe Trail (revised)

The Rossville softball team won a pair of games against Jeff  West by scores of 3-1 and 5-3.

They split with Santa Fe Trail by scores 7-9 and 16-2

Brooke Springer had two doubles, two RBIs and two runs in the 16.2 win.

The Lady Dawgs  are 5-1 so far this season.

Joyce Brennan Passes Away

 Joyce Marie Brennan passed away on Monday, March 25, 2024, in Rossville.

 She was born April 27, 1929, in Kansas City, Missouri to Joseph and Esther (Lambert) Navarre.  Joyce graduated from Rossville High School in 1947. She then attended St. Mary College in Leavenworth, KS where she received her bachelor’s degree.

She taught one year of music education after graduation in Meade, Kansas.  On January 16, 1954, she was united in marriage to Roderick W. Brennan in St. Marys, Kansas.  They later divorced.

Joyce worked for many years for Westar Energy before retiring. She was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. She was also a long-time member of the Jimmie Lillard American Legion Post 31 Auxiliary in Rossville.

Joyce was preceded in death by her brother, Keith Navarre, son-in-law Michael Kerwin, and grandson Joseph Brennan.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Frank (Pam) Brennan, Lisa Kerwin, Colleen (Mike) Esser and Paul (Mary) Brennan as well as her grandchildren, Erin Kraus, Shaun Kerwin, Ryan Kerwin, Sheila Cox and Megan Hamilton and 11 great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be offered at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, April 2 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Rossville.  The Rosary will be recited before the mass starting at 1:30 pm. Burial will follow in Rossville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church or Prairie Wind Hospice and sent in care to the funeral home.

Briar Gillum At MSSU

Briar Gillum, daughter of Colleen and Scott Gillum, is a sophomore at Missouri Southern University and is on their track and field team.  She just recently won the shot put with an NCAA qulitying first place finish in the MSSU Miner's Invitational.

2024 Indoor Season
Season Bests: Shot Put - 14.44m, Weight Throw - 17.98m
USTFCCCA All-Region Shot Put
All-MIAA - Shot Put (14.44m)
MSSU Top-10 Shot Put - 7th (14.44m)
MSSU Top-10 Weight Throw - 7th (17.98m)

You can read Briar's bio at: https://mssulions.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/briar-gillum/8349

Boys Golf Team Looking Ahead

 After a successful 2023 seasibm  the Dawgs are looking forward to a top 3A season.    The core group of players were very successful at the 2023 3A State Tournament.

Junior Jonathan Hart finished 5th at State,
Sophomore Jack Donovan finished 15th at State.
Sophomore Paxton Willet finished 45th at State.

RHS Girls Defeat Nemaha-Central

 The Lady Dawgs defeated Nemaha Central 11-4 and 12-2 On March 22 to begin the season at 2-0

Ralph Cunningham Passes Away

Ralph James Cunningham, 76, of Rossville, Kansas peacefully departed life surrounded by family on March 18, 2024.  He was born December 27, 1946, in Great Bend Kansas, and grew up in Claflin, Kansas.   He is the son of the late Ralph W. and Sadie E. Cunningham, the husband of Edythe L. Cunningham, father to Michael J. Cunningham, and stepfather to Tracee A. Post and Nikki L. Bounsing.

Ralph attended both elementary and high school in Claflin graduating in 1964.  He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1966 and was assigned to the 386th Organizational Maintenance Squad at McCoy Air Base in Florida before shipping out to Okinawa, Japan where he was the Crew Chief for a KC135 during the Vietnam War.  He received an Honorable Discharge on May 26, 1970, as a Sgt. 1st Class.

Ralph and Edye met while they were both working in the meat industry. He worked in maintenance; he would help her do the safety checks since she was in charge of safety at the plant, and one check led to another, and they were married 36 1/2 years ago in a back yard of a friend on September 4th. They mostly enjoyed just being together and loved their dogs, going camping, and hanging around their grandchildren.

Ralph loved the outdoors and spent many hours camping, fishing, and hunting with his family and friends in Chase County.  Many hours were spent on the Cottonwood River, Chase County Lake, and down on South Fork creek fishing and running trout lines.  

Ralph began his career in the meat packing industry in the late 70’s where he worked in the maintenance department serving as Plant Main Superintendent for many years in Kansas, Iowa, and Texas where he later retired.  After retiring, he moved to Rossville to be near his son, and especially his grandsons, and the fishing spots he loved so much.  To help pass the time in retirement, Ralph started working part time at the Rossville school system helping in many areas; he truly loved being around the kids.  He was known and loved by many children as Mr. Ralph, and they enjoyed the time they got to spend with him.  

Ralph loved attending all his grandkids school events from dance, band, recitals, and sporting events.   After moving back to Kansas, he loved watching his grandsons play football and baseball.  He could be found under the Friday Night lights during football season sitting with his family and later right next to the fence at baseball games cheering them on.  

Ralph is preceded in death by both his father, mother, stepbrother Samuel Hunter, and stepsister Sadie Rae.  He is survived by his wife Edye of Rossville, his son Michael (Heather) Cunningham of Rossville, and two stepdaughters, Tracee (Robert) Post and Nikki (Douang) Bounsing, both of Amarillo, Texas.

Ralph has eight grandchildren - Trevor Cunningham of Salina, Sean Cunningham of Rossville, Jared Cunningham of Rossville, Caleigh Post, Emilee Cunningham, Avery Post, Adyelene Bounsing, and Brelle Bounsing all of Amarillo.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Rossville United Methodist Church, 411 Pearl St., in Rossville. The family will receive friends from noon until the service time at the church.

Memorials can be made to the Rossville United Methodist Church or the Rossville Elementary School Outdoor Classroom.

Lacock and Hurla Win At Shrine Bowl

The 2024 Shrine Bowl results can be read at the below URL.  Keera Lacock and Kendra Hurla won their respective classes.

 Results of 2024 Wrestling Shrine Bowl

TopSportsNews Baseball Players To Watch

 AVERY CROSSWHITE, Rossville

Crosswhite, a senior, hit .365 last season for the 9-13 Bulldawgs with a .422 on-base percentage. Crosswhite had 27 hits with seven doubles, three home runs, 23 runs scored and 27 runs batted in. Crosswhite was a second-team TSN All-Shawnee County pick.

Jack Donovan Makes Co Top 10 List

2023-24 ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY BOYS BASKETBALL TOP 10 

Player, school Ht. Gr. 

Tamir Anderson, Highland Park 6-4 Sr.
KaeVon Bonner, Seaman 6-1 So.
Brennon Dodge, Shawnee Heights 6-1 Sr.
Jack Donovan, Rossville 5-11 So.
Simon Everhart, Cair Paravel Latin 6-4 Sr.
Griffin Durst, Washburn Rural 6-4 Sr.
Jalen Foy, Topeka West 6-2 Jr.
Ja'Corey Robinson, Highland Park 6-4 Jr.
Jaret Sanchez, Shawnee Heights 6-5 Jr.
Mikey Williams, Highland Park 6-3 Jr

Breakfast Benefit For Senior Center

                                                             Click on iimage to enlarge 

Dannefer Farm Damaged By Tornado

 WIBW Video of tornado damage

Shrine Bowl For Wrestling

      The Kansas Shrine Bowl Board of Directors is excited to announce the addition of a new East vs. West senior all-star wrestling event in conjunction with the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association. The KWCA Kansas Shrine Duals is scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 17th, 2024 at Fugate Gymnasium on the campus of Newman University in Wichita, Kansas. The event will feature around 60 of the state’s top wrestlers, both girls and boys, competing in an East vs. West team dual format. All net proceeds from the KWCA Kansas Shrine Duals will benefit Shriners Children’s, previously known as Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Honors By Girls Basketball Team 2024

 Emma Mitchell

• A1 Lock & Key Performers Dec. 4, 2023 - TopSports.news 12.4.23

• Irish Classic All-Tournament Team

• Jeff County North Invitational All-Tournament Team

• A1 Lock & Key Performers Jan. 29, 2024 - TopSports.news 1.29.24

• All Mid-East League Honorable Mention

Rylee Dick

• A1 Lock & Key Performers Dec. 11, 2023 - TopSports.news 12.11.23

• Irish Classic All-Tournament Team & Tournament MVP

• Bonner, Dick the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency Rising Stars of the Week - TopSports.news 12.16.23

• Jeff County North Invitational All-Tournament Team

• All Mid-East League Second Team

Nora Burdiek

• Irish Classic All-Tournament Team

• Bulldawgs' Burdiek, Donovan the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency Rising Stars of the Week - TopSports.news 1.12.24

• Jeff County North Invitational All-Tournament Team

• All Mid-East League Second Team

Kinsey Perine

• Scholar Athlete of the Week: Kinsey Perine - WIBW 12.20.23

• Jeff County North Invitational All-Tournament Team

• All Mid-East League Second Team

MEL All League Boys Basketball for 23-24

 2023-2024 Mid-East League All-League Boys Basketball Players

First Team

Coley Burgess         Rock Creek
Jack Donovan        Rossville
Brady Hurla             St. Marys
Dayne Johnson        St. Marys
Brady Schneider      Rock Creek

Second Team

Brody Deiter          Silver Lake
Ben Devader          St. Marys
Eli Harmison          Riley Co.
Elijah Lopez           Silver Lake
Cameron Miller    Rossville

Honorable Mention

Kameron Badura    Rossville
Zach Frank               Wabaunsee
Dqegan Vinduska      Rock Creek

Delores Porter Passes Away

Delores A. Porter, 85, passed away Friday, March 8, 2024, at her home on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Reservation.

She was born to Cleve N. and Josephine M. (Rice) Sumner on July 15, 1938, at Holton. Delores grew up in the rural Delia community and attended Nieve Country School. She graduated from the Haskell Institute, Lawrence, KS in 1956. She was a longtime resident of Jackson, Pottawatomie, and Shawnee counties.

Delores was a homemaker and had worked at Josten’s Yearbook. She was a proud member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. Her hobbies included working crossword puzzles and spending time at the PBPN Casino watching the KC Chiefs, Royals, and K-State football and basketball teams.

Delores and N. Ward Salisbury were married on November 27, 1957, in St. Marys. Together they had four children. The marriage lasted 20 years. She later married Marvin F. Porter on March 25, 1978, in Topeka.

Delores was preceded in death by her parents, husband Marvin, son Gary Salisbury, sister Maxine Catron, and great-grandson, Kyrie

She is survived by her three daughters Debby (Mike) Kinzel, Des Moines, IA; Denise (Craig) Eaton, Delta, CO and Dawn Salisbury, Lawrence, KS; a brother, Lester (Cork) Sumner; two sisters, Janice Rafols and Helen Sumner; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the St.Croix Hospice, Topeka, or the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Community Health Services.

MEL All League Girls Basketball for 2023-24

by Rick Peterson    for    TopSports.news

Undefeated Class 3A state champion Silver Lake put three players on the All-Mid-East League girls basketball team, selected by league coaches.

The Eagles, who completed a perfect 26-0 season Saturday in Hutchinson, are represented on the All-Mid-East first team by seniors McKinley Kruger (5-foot-6) and Makenzie McDaniel (6-1) and sophomore Kailyn Hanni (5-7).

Rossville put Nora Burdiek (5-10 freshman), Rylee Dick (5-6 sophomore) and Kinsey Perine (5-9 senior) on the All-Mid-East second team.

Silver Lake seniors Kaylee Deiter (5-8) and Kaibryn Kruger (5-7) and Rossville senior Emma Mitchell (5-11) all received all-league honorable mention. 

ALL-MID-EAST LEAGUE GIRLS BASKETBALL

First team

Kailyn Hanni, 5-7 so., Silver Lake; Hayden Heim, 6-3 jr., St. Marys; McKinley Kruger, 5-6 sr., Silver Lake; Anna Lambert, 5-9 junior, Riley County; Makenzie McDaniel, 6-1 sr., Silver Lake.

Second team

Nora Burdiek, 5-10, fr., Rossville; Rylee Dick, 5-6 so., Rossville; Kaci Meseke, 5-8 sr., Wabaunsee; Kinsey Perine, 5-9 sr., Rossville; Brenna Smith, 5-11 sr., St. Marys.

Honorable mention

Kaylee Deiter, 5-8 sr., Silver Lake; Kaibryn Kruger, 5-7 sr., Silver Lake; Emma Mitchell, 5-11 sr., Rossville; Taryn Shepard, 5-8 sr., Riley County; Grace Zeller, 5-7 fr., Wabaunsee.

Grandview U. and Isaiah Luellen Win NAIA Titles

PARK CITY, Kansas – Grand View University of Des Moines, IA. powered to its third straight NAIA Men’s National Championships title on Saturday, led by three individual champions and 12 All-Americans.

Grand View, which entered as the No. 1 ranked team, scored 209 points, ahead of No. 2 ranked Life with 154 points. Placing third was Menlo, with 95.5 points.

184 #   ISAIAH LUELLEN - NATIONAL CHAMPION // ALL AMERICAN

The 5th year senior took the mat for the final match of his career. Isaiah Luellen eyed Kyle Homet of Life University. Luellen landed a shot early, resulting in a takedown and an early first-period lead. Luellen would get charged a stall call, and Homet would see his first point on the board. Luellen would begin to taste his title as he recorded an escape to go up 4-1, a late shot by Homet wouldn't land as Luellen earned his first title after four National Tournament appearances. During his decorated career, Luellen earned 5th, 4th, 3rd, and 2nd  and will end his tenure with a final placing of first at 184 pounds

• Champ. Round 1 - Isaiah Luellen won by tech fall over John Roberts (Southeastern) (TF 19-3)
• Champ. Round 2 - Isaiah Luellen won by tech fall over Rocco Horvath (Cumberland) (TF 19-4)
• Quarterfinal - Isaiah Luellen won by tech fall over Thomas Ketchen-Carter (Cumberlands) (TF 24-8)
• Semifinal - Isaiah Luellen won by decision over William Speight (Lourdes) (Dec 7-2)
• 1st Place Match - Isaiah Luellen won by decision over Kyle Homet (Life) (Dec 4-1)

You can view Isaiah.s Bio at:    https://gvvikings.com/sports/mens-wrestling/roster/isaiah-luellen/12480