The Eagle's 50th anniversary All-City team
The Eagle first published an All-City League team in 1959, when we introduced an all-league football squad. To celebrate 50 years of the league, Sports staffers this summer came up with the All-City list to end All-City list.
Led by beat writer Duane Frazier and with input from long-time coaches and observers, we're naming the all-time All-City teams in every sport. Every position, every weight, every event is represented. Years of graduation are in parentheses.
You're bound to disagree on some 50-year selections, and that's fine. It's just a way to celebrate 50 years of the league and to remind us that some pretty good talent has come through the league.
Baseball
P _ Darren Dreifort, Heights ('90)
First-round pick by Dodgers in '93
P _ Mike Pelfrey, Heights ('02)
First-round pick by Mets in '05
C _ Mark Standiford, North ('84)
Four-time All-City selection
1B - Kenny Bennett, West ('69)
Led West to '67 and '69 state titles
2B _ Chris Wimmer, East ('89)
Hit .533 and stole 28 bases as a senior
SS _ Hi Lewis, Kapaun ('64)
Pitched in two state games on way to '63 title
3B _ Jim Thomas, Southeast ('78)
Led Buffs to '78 national title
OF - Kenny Coleman, West ('60)
Batted cleanup in team's '59 title win
OF _ Todd Devereaux, Northwest ('85)
Drafted by Yankees after U. of Arizona
OF - Mark Reynolds, Southeast ('80)
DH for two years with Texas Longhorns
DH - John Lewallen, East ('90)
.518 career batting average; four-time pick
Coach - Jim Deckinger, Southeast (1964-83, '92-94; Carroll '96-97)
Won eight CL and six state titles in 23 seasons
Boys Basketball
F - Ricky Ross, South ('79)
Prolific scorer averaged 31.9 as senior
F - Antoine Carr, Heights ('79)
Played 17 seasons in the NBA
C - Greg Dreiling, Kapaun ('81)
CL's career scoring leader (1,864)
G - Aubrey Sherrod, Heights ('81)
Standout shooter before three-point line
G - Darnell Valentine, Heights ('77)
Point guard for 23-0 '77 title team
Coach - Steve Eck, South (1986-96)
Won six state titles, had 227-15 record
Girls Basketball
F - Lynette Woodard, North ('77)
Collegiate scoring leader, first female Globetrotter
F - Kareema Williams, Southeast ('88)
League's career scoring leader (1,762)
C - Mary Kennedy, Kapaun ('80)
Two-time All-State, led Kapaun to unbeaten '79 title
G - Karla Redo, Heights ('79)
Three-time pick; led Heights to '79 title
G - Kendra Jones, Northwest ('97)
Averaged 27.7 points in '97 state tournament
Coach - Don Racine, Carroll (1979-present)
468 career wins; one state championship
Boys Bowling
Cory Simmons, North ('01)
Won '01 CL title; All-American at Newman
Steve Elson, Northwest ('02)
CL champ in '00; bowled for Wichita State
Curtis Schippers, West ('05)
His '05 state title was first for CL
Jeremy Woolever, East ('05)
' 05 state runnerup; four top-six CL finishes
Kyle Lockwood, South ('06)
Won two CL titles; bowled 300 for '05 title
Joshua McBride, Northwest ('07)
Won '06 state title to highlight career
Coach - Jolie Plumlee, Heights (2002-present)
Has led Falcons to one state, three CL titles
Girls Bowling
Tina Wilson, West ('03)
Three top-10 CL finishes; led West to '01 CL title
Joni Barker, North ('05)
Four top-two finishes in CL; two CL titles
Ricki Williams, South ('05)
One regional title; two top-two CL finishes, one CL title
Jessica Spencer, North ('05)
Two CL team titles; three top-five CL finishes
Lyndsey Prather, Heights ('07)
Three consecutive top-six finishes at state
Sarah Hughes, Carroll ('07)
Led team to '05 state title; three top-five CL finishes
Coach _ Jim Nance, Carroll (2000-present)
Three league titles, one state title
Boys Cross Country
Archie San Romani, East ('59)
Standout miler won only state XC title as senior
Jim Ryun, East ('65)
Won '63 and '64 state titles; team won in '64
Bob Barratti, North ('68)
Ran away with state titles in '66 and '67
Tom Honer, West ('72)
Won individual state title, also led West to team title
Jeff Campbell, Southeast ('78)
Led Buffs to '76 team title; won '77 individual 5A title
Mike Regan, Kapaun ('82)
Ran for Georgetown after winning '81 state title
Scott Mitchell, Kapaun ('01)
Gave up soccer to win two 5A cross country titles
Coach: Larry Dostert, Carroll (1985-2000)
Led Eagles to 12 CL titles and two state titles
Girls Cross Country
Trina Bugner, Carroll ('80)
Won individual 5A crown in '79, led BC to team title
Paulette Staats, South ('89)
Two CL titles; three top-10 finishes at state
Amber Kennedy, Northwest ('96)
Two CL titles; three top-10 finishes at state
Margaret Mohr, Carroll ('99)
Swept, CL, regional and state meets in '98
Andrea Mohr, Carroll ('00)
Led team to state titles in '98 and '99
Melissa Ortiz, West ('05)
Three top-five finishes at state in four years
Coach _ Ran Nielsen, Carroll (1986-present)
Ten CL, two state titles in 21 seasons
Football
Offense
QB - Kevin Clinton, Southeast ('78)
Led SE to consecutive state titles and 21 straight wins
RB - Don Calhoun, North ('70)
All-State in '69; played in NFL from 1974-82
RB - Barry Sanders, North ('86)
Ran for 1,417 yards as senior; won Heisman at OSU
RB - Jeff Smith, Southeast ('80)
Consecutive 1,000-yard seasons; played four years in NFL
WR - Daley Gunter, Heights ('07)
Shattered state record with 68 catches for 1,357 yards
WR _ Lester McCoy, Southeast ('97)
Caught 70 passes as junior; set MIAA yardage record at ESU
TE - Mark Bell, Carroll ('75)
A TE-DE who played six seasons in NFL
OL - Tony Barker, Northwest ('87)
Three-sport star; played at Rice and in NFL
OL - Michael Irvin, West ('98)
Led West to '97 title game; played at Wyoming
OL - Mike Steele, South ('89)
Top 11 as senior; played at Georgia, then Kansas
OL - Scott Vang, Northwest ('86)
Top 11 pick in '85; went on to play at Iowa
OL - Jim Waskiewicz, East ('62)
Also won titles in wrestling, track; played five years in NFL
K - Dave Armagost, Kapaun ('83)
Made 85 percent of FGA, including 47-yarder
Defense
DL - Mike Bell, Carroll ('75)
All-Stater who played 12 seasons for Chiefs
DL - Russ Campbell, North ('87)
Two-way pick who played at K-State
DL - Doug Hoppock, Southeast ('78)
Multi-sport star; OT for K-State and in USFL
DL - Lawrence Pete, South ('84)
Play four years at Nebraska; five-year NFL veteran
LB - Kirk Allen, East ('84)
Won two titles at East; All-MVC pick at WSU
LB - Mike Beckish, Kapaun ('83)
Two state titles; played on Penn State's national title team
LB - James Walker, East ('77)
Top 11 pick in '76; later played for Chiefs
DB - John Mosier, West ('66)
One of Wichita's top athletes; TE three years in NFL
DB - Laverne Smith, Southeast ('73)
Standout running back; played for KU, Steelers
DB - Rashad Washington, Southeast ('99)
All-State football, basketball; plays for Jets
DB - Mike Boushka, Kapaun ('78)
Two-sport star; played WR at Notre Dame
P - Kamerion Wimbley, Northwest ('02)
Two-time punter, now LB for Browns
Coach - Ed Kriwiel, Kapaun (1969-90; West '53-66)
Won 297 games at West and Kapaun; owns nine state titles
Boys Golf
Johnny Stevens, East ('60)
Won '60 state title; three-time All-American at WSU
Grier Jones, Kapaun ('64)
Two-time state champ who played on PGA Tour
Gary Navarro, North ('68)
Won title in '68; earned three Kansas junior titles
Rod Nuckolls, Carroll ('75)
Won two state titles before All-America career at WSU
Rob Self, Kapaun ('82)
Member of four title teams; won '82 state title
Craig Hainline, West ('88)
Won state titles in '86,' 87; second in '88
Coach _ Ed Kriwiel, Kapaun (1970-present)
24 state titles, seven straight from '79-85
Girls Golf
Erin Wright, North ('75)
Won '73 individual title; led North to three state titles
Karla Squires, Carroll ('77)
Three-time CL champ; led Carroll to '76 two-man title
Sarah Peters, Kapaun ('84)
Led KMC to '83 state title; also won state amateur
Cathy Stevens, Kapaun ('86)
Only three-time state champion in CL
Jeane Orr, Southeast ('90)
Won state titles in '88 and '89
Kelly Eddy, East ('02)
Three top-two CL finishes, two-time state medalist
Coach _ Bob Mackey, Kapaun (1979-88)
Coached team to four CL titles, state title in '83
Boys gymnastics
All-around - Derek Clark, Southeast ('87)
Won four titles at '86 state meet
Floor exercise - Kevin Jordan, South ('83)
Won back-to-back titles along with '82 all-around
Horizontal bar - Gary Snyder, Southeast ('65)
Three consecutive titles in one event
Parallel bars - Mark Folger, South ('77)
Two-time all-Big Eight selection at OU
Long horse - Colin Womack, South ('91)
Two state titles in event; three overall
Still rings - Doug Jones, Southeast ('90)
Five career titles; two in still rings
Pommel horse - Bob Carroll, East ('67)
Won five titles, including two in pommel horse
Coach _ Bob Bobbitt, South (1978-91; North '74-77; SE '73)
Nine City League titles, one state title
Girls gymnastics
All-around - Alice Priest, Kapaun ('83)
Two-time all-around champ; six state medals
Balance beam - Shae Donham, North ('81)
Won balance beam title in '80; vault in '79
Floor exercise - Donna Armstrong, South ('75)
First state gymnastics champion from CL
Uneven bars - Amy Priest, Kapaun ('83)
Finished career with eight state titles
Vault - Kari Nett, South ('78)
Two state titles in vault
Coach _ Lisa Adams, South (1979-94)
Five unbeaten seasons, one state title
Boys Soccer
Jay Holmes, West ('85)
Playmaker led Pioneers to '84 CL title
Dat Ly, East ('85)
Diminutive player was dangerous scorer
Doug Schremmer, South ('85)
Keeper in '85; three-time all-district at Newman
LeBaron Hollimon, Northwest ('87)
Scored 26 goals in '86; later played for Wings
Eric Proffitt, Northwest ('87)
Midfielder led team to 38-2-3 record in two years
Neil Piper, Southeast ('90)
Career featured 89 total goals and assists
Braeden Cloutier, Northwest ('91)
Standout scorer; former Wing and MLS player
Tim Orindgreff, North ('91)
Led North to '89 state title; scoring leader in '90
Jeff Nix, South ('95)
Scored 80 career goals, 29 as a senior
Kelly Wolverton, Southeast ('99)
Two-time pick and All-American as senior
Corey Gonzalez, Kapaun ('00)
Two-time defender: member of '97 title team
Coach - Bobby Bribiesca, Northwest (1979-present)
Team's original coach; seven CL titles, one state title
Girls Soccer
Tammy Holmes, West ('91)
Two-time pick; All-America at Friends
Amy Slaymaker, North ('92)
Three-time All-City; led North to 6-1-1 CL record in '92
Vicky Morrison, Northwest ('95)
Led league in scoring two years
Candace Bribiesca, Northwest ('97)
Two-time pick led NW into '97 state final
Erika Sauerwein, Kapaun ('99)
Led Crusaders with 15 goals, 8 assists in '99
Kristina Kastor, East ('00)
No. 2 on CL's career scoring list
Ashley Anderson, Heights ('01)
Standout defender, three-time selection
Jessica Smith, Southeast ('02)
CL career scoring leader (128 goals)
Mary Dix, Carroll ('02)
GK with nine shutouts during junior season
Nicole Alvarez, Northwest ('03)
Scoring threat had 33 goals, 21 assists in '02
Kristen Wolverton, Southeast ('05)
Versatile performer scored 34 goals in final three seasons
Coach - Alan Shepherd, Kapaun (1990-present)
Has led Crusaders to five CL championships
Softball
P _ Beth Wilson, Heights ('91)
Won state title in '88; two perfect games in '91
P _ Lisa Ihrig, South ('92)
Three-time pick; led South to second in '91
P _ Jayne Stafford, Carroll ('81)
Won 5A title in '79; was 16-2 in '81, third in 5A
C _ Callie Piper, Northwest ('00)
Played at Florida Atlantic; now plays professionally
1B _ Kerri Long, Northwest ('94)
Hit .427 in cleanup in '94; .600 on-base percentage
MIF _ Jennifer Bachman, Carroll ('93)
Three-time All-MVC at Wichita State
MIF _ Tricia Lewis, Carroll ('91)
Hit .400 as a senior; had 16 RBIs, 32 SBs
3B _ Jill Larson, North ('76)
All-American at KU in '81; hit KU-best .400 in '79
OF _ Emily Peters, Kapaun ('94)
Led MVC in hits at WSU in '98; two-time All-MVC
OF _ Cindy Kirkhart, West ('81)
Extremely athletic; all-league at utility, pitcher, OF
OF _ Debbie Ellison, Heights ('80)
Three-time selection; hit over .400 in '80
Coach _ Merri Copeland, Northwest (1998-present, South '89-92, Heights '88)
Won CL titles at South, Northwest; led Northwest to '99 6A title
Boys Swimming
100 backstroke _ Steve Trombold, Southeast ('67)
Three-time state champion
100 breaststroke _ Josh Kittrell, East ('98)
Two-time state champion
100 butterfly _ Larry Hyde, East ('59)
National record-holder, four-time state medalist
50 freestyle _ Shawn Sullivan, Northwest ('96)
First 50-yard champ from CL in 26 years
100 freestyle _ Scott Willis, South ('78)
Eighth individual swim champion in school history
200 individual medley _ Jamie Knorr, East ('67)
Standout career included five state titles
200 freestyle _ Charles Horner, East ('65)
Second in state history to win three consecutive titles
500 freestyle _ Troy Reynolds, Northwest ('87)
Fastest state time by CL swimmer in that event
Diving _ Jim Askins, South ('64)
Won titles as sophomore and senior
Coach _ Chuck Hatter, Southeast (1962-78)
Led Buffs to seven state titles in 14 years
Girls Swimming
100 backstroke _ Jenaca Pumphrey, Heights ('00)
Won '98 title as sophomore in 57.47
100 breaststroke _ Melissa Schultz, Northwest ('86)
Three-time state champ in same event
100 butterfly _ Robin Messner, Southeast ('76)
Also won 200 IM at same state meet
50 freestyle _ Meredith Matthies, Kapaun ('07)
Two-time state champion
100 freestyle _ Tama Salter, East ('90)
Won back-to-back titles along with one in 50 free
200 freestyle _ Cory Lukens, East ('99)
Won two titles at '98 state meet
500 freestyle _ Shawn Melton, Northwest ('88)
Won state titles as a freshman and a senior
200 individual medley _ Meredith Lavery, Southeast ('91)
Two-time state champion
Diving _ Amy Aarson, Heights ('87)
First four-time diving champ in state history
Coach _ Doug Vannaman, Northwest (1985-present)
Has led Grizzlies to seven CL titles, one state title
Boys Tennis
Mike Lahey, Kapaun ('78)
One doubles, one singles title; 36 doubles wins in '77
David Goodman, Kapaun ('80)
Won two state singles titles, two doubles titles
Buff Farrow, Southeast ('85)
Two-time state singles champ; played professionally
Rhain Buth, Southeast ('90)
State's first four-time singles champ; unbeaten in career
Jack Oxler, Carroll ('94)
Two state singles titles; 49-4 record in final two years
Darren Snyder, North ('94)
One state singles title, three regional titles in career
Coach _ Larry Saksa, Southeast (1989-2001)
Led Buffs to state titles in 1990, 1991 and 1992
Girls Tennis
SoYoung Lee, Southeast ('87)
Three state titles; compiled 81-0 record
Megan Russell, Kapaun ('97)
Four-time state singles champ; 96-1 career record
Lisa Tholen, Kapaun ('90)
85-0 career record; led KMC to three team titles
Dawn Buth, Southeast ('94)
Won '90 singles title; had successful pro career
Tara Snyder, North ('95)
Played only '92 season at North; ranked No. 33 in world in '98
Corey Steven, Kapaun ('02)
Three consecutive state titles; played at Illinois-Chicago
Coach _ Cran Chase, Kapaun (1992-95)
Led KMC to three state titles; had 26-2 CL dual record
Boys Track
100 _ Leonard Scott, South ('77)
Two-time state champion
200 - Mario Ponds, Southeast ('98)
Two 200 state titles, one 100 title
400 _ Bob Hanson, East ('62)
Multiple state titles; career-best 47.1 in 440
800 _ Marcus Wright, West ('87)
Two-time winner; top time of 1:51.73
1600 _ Jim Ryun, East ('65)
Won '65 state title in time of 3:58.3
3200 _ Randy Smith, East ('71)
His 8:54.4 time is second-best in state history
110 hurdles _ Marcus Walker, East ('67)
Two-time state hurdles champion
300 hurdles _ Sylvester Cowans, Southeast ('89)
Had career-best time of 37.2
High jump _ Brad Speer, East ('84)
Had a national-best jump of 7-41/2 in '84
Long jump _ Veryl Crawford, South ('74)
Top jump of 24-113/4 is fourth-best in Kansas
Triple jump _ Jamaal Thomas, Northwest ('95)
Holds the league record at 48-83/4
Shot put _ Brian Baker, South ('02)
State champion; threw 62-43/4 as senior
Discus _ Gene Abernathy, Kapaun ('83)
No. 6 on the all-time list at 199-3
Javelin _ Trent Cantrell, South ('86)
Two-time champ; has CL meet record at 222-71/2
Pole vault _ Fred Burton, North ('63)
Set collegiate record (16-91/2) for WSU in '67
Coach - Bob Timmons, East (1956-64)
Led East to state titles in '58, '59, '61, '62, '64
Girls Track
100 - Ramona Breedlove, Southeast ('76)
Her 11.5 100 time still ranks near top
200 - Alicia McQueen, North ('79)
Swept the 100 and 200 at '79 state meet
400 - Tina Buckner, Kapaun ('93)
Had one 400 title among her six individual titles
800 - Amy Zeller, Carroll ('02)
Ran a 2:20.06 at '99 CL meet
1600 - Trina Bugner, Carroll ('80)
Won event at '80 state meet3200 - Paulette Staats, South ('89)
Still holds CL meet record at 11:30.7
100 hurdles - Jill Redo, Heights ('82)
Won state titles in '80 and '81
300 hurdles - Akilah Rounds, South ('92)
Record career includes titles in '89 and '92
High jump - Kym Carter, East ('82)
Olympic heptathlete jumped 6-21/4 at East
Long jump - ChrisDell Harris, West ('05)
Outstanding sprinter won two long jump titles
Triple jump - Jaleen Randle, Southeast ('01)
Set CL meet record with 36-7 jump as a junior
Shot put - Rhea Rogers, South ('79)
Won back-to-back titles with discontinued 8-lb. shot
Discus - Kelly Abernathy, Kapaun ('85)
State record holder with 165-2 throw as a senior
Javelin - Greta Semsroth, South ('88)
Won '87 title for South, '88 title for Independence
Pole vault - Lauren Kirsch, Kapaun ('04)
Won state title as junior: holds CL record at 9-7
Coach - Damian Smithisler, Kapaun (2002-present)
Has won four CL titles and one state title in six seasons
Volleyball
Christi Posey, Heights ('77)
Played volleyball, softball at WSU; softball at KU
Monica Spencer, East ('84)
Setter, helped lead Aces to second in 6A in '83
Dawn Horn, South ('93)
Two-time All-MVC at WSU
Lisa Donovan, Carroll ('98)
Lone setter for two 5A title teams; played at East Carolina State
Luresa Forsyth, Kapaun ('00)
Four-time pick; played at Georgia
Leah Ratzlaff, Kapaun ('02)
Two-time All-MVC selection at Creighton
Coach _ Maureen Rohleder, Carroll (1992-2004)
Won four 5A titles, tied or won CL 10 times
Wrestling
103 _ Tim Dryden, North ('85)
Won consecutive state titles
112 _ Doug Hoover, Kapaun ('02)Second four-time champion in CL history
119 _ Neil Keller, Kapaun ('87)
Three-time state champ; 29-4 record in '87
125 _ Lance Milsap, North ('81)Only three-time champ in North history
130 _ Tristen Deshazer, West ('06)
Four-time state champ; 147-3 career record
135 _ Doug Lunt, Heights ('69)
Won state titles in '68 and '69; All-American
140 _ Mark Dugan, Carroll ('02)
Two titles, had 37-0 record as a senior
145 _ Milton George, Northwest ('91)
Three 6A titles; two City League titles
152 _ Jacob Klein, Kapaun ('01)
Three titles; 148-13 career record; 41-0 as a senior
160 _ Roy Oeser, Kapaun ('77)
Four-time state champion; 102-4-2 career record
171 _ Reo Nichols, East ('77)
Back-to-back titles in '76 and '77; third in '75
189 _ Joe Nelson, South ('98)
Had 71-0 record in last two seasons; two titles
215 _ Ryan Sponsel, Carroll ('05)
Two titles, one third place; 34-3 record in '05
275 _ Jerry Corner, West ('94)
67-1 record, two titles in final two years
Coach - Duwane Miller, Kapaun (1973-86, '90-96)
Led Kapaun dynasty to 14 CL, eight state titles
This story was originally published November 11, 2009 at 8:53 PM with the headline "The Eagle's 50th anniversary All-City team."