A few of the Allen County Area May Athlete of the Month nominations will spend their summer months taking the next step in their athletic careers while others left area sports fans with plenty to look forward to next season.
Voting is through June 10. Readers can vote online here or by calling the Register office at (620) 365-2111.
Topping the list of nominees this month is recent 2A golf state champion Connor Newman. Besting his nearest competitor by five strokes, Newman won state in dominating fashion. After taking runner-up at state last year, Newman would not be denied this season with gold medals in all but three tournaments as a sophomore.
Another area golf receiving a nomination is Iola senior Brennen Coffield. Coffield was one of only a handful of golfers across the state to best Newman this year, and recently took seventh at the 3A KSHSAA Golf Championship in Topeka. Coffield will take his talents to Dodge City next season, but leaves Iola as one of the Mustangs’ most decorated golfers in the history of the IHS golf program.
Keegan Hill, who tied for the top highest finish at the KSHSAA Track and Field Championship while taking seventh in the 1600-meter run and 12th in the high jump. His seventh-place finish at state is his highest so far, despite multiple previous attempts as a freshman and sophomore in track and cross country.
Shaughnessy was not the only Humboldt multi-sport workhorse receiving a nomination this month. Senior shortstop/high jumper/hurdler Laney Hull received a nomination after leading the Lady Cubs to the regional title game, where they fell to eventual state champion Colgan. Hull also qualified for state in the high jump and 300-meter hurdles, where she finished sixteenth and 18th respectively.
Crest senior Kinley Edgerton ended her high school athletic career with a splash. Despite having her attention strained as she begins her college volleyball career at Manhattan Christian College, Edgerton ended her four-year run with the Lady Lancers by taking 10th at state in javelin with a 115’-8” throw, which was more than a foot further than her fourth-place throw at regionals that qualified her for state.
Iola freshman third baseman Kailyn Rodriguez is the final nomination for May athlete of the month. Hot off a state appearance as a heavyweight wrestler, Rodriguez aggressiveness served her well on the diamond as a reliable power hitter. She also proved to be one of the Mustangs’ most reliable infielders, making a habit of getting over from third to throw out a bunting batter at first.
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