Kansas high school athletes: 2025 stories of triumph

Kansas high school athletes in 2025 showed true grit and determination. Derby’s boys bowling team claimed a second straight Class 6A championship, with Dawson Baumgartner shining brightest in the state tournament. Maize South freshman Krislynn Martinez recorded a flawless wrestling season, finishing 37-0 without surrendering a single takedown.

In the pool, Maize junior Zachary Rife powered to two gold medals, finally reaching the top after previous close finishes. Courtney Nye from Kapaun Mount Carmel transformed from a near-quit first-year wrestler to a state champion, proving persistence pays off in high school sports.

Maize junior Zach Rife (middle) won a pair of gold medals at the Kansas high school boys swimming state championship meet over the weekend. By Maize High School

NO. 1: RECAP OF WICHITA-AREA SUCCESS AT KANSAS HIGH SCHOOL BOYS STATE SWIMMING AND DIVING

Maize’s Zach Rife delivered a “Hulk” smash to win two golds, Andover won again as a team and Collegiate won its fourth straight relay title. | Published February 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Taylor Eldridge

The Goddard boys wrestling team won its 10th title in the past 11 years at Park City Arena, capturing the Class 5A championship behind four individual champions. By Goddard High School

NO. 2: KANSAS HIGH SCHOOL STATE BOYS WRESTLING: GODDARD’S FOUR CHAMPIONS SPUR TEAM TITLE

Goddard, Maize and Derby state champions highlight the many Wichita-area winners from the boys wrestling state tournaments on Saturday. | Published March 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Taylor Eldridge

NO. 3: KANSAS HIGH SCHOOL STATE GIRLS WRESTLING: MAIZE SOUTH FRESHMAN FINISHES PERFECT YEAR

Maize South, Bishop Carroll, Derby and Wichita North all had individual state champions from the girls wrestling tournament. | Published March 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Taylor Eldridge

In her first year of wrestling, Kapaun Mount Carmel junior Courtney Nye won the 125-pound championship at the Class 5A state tournament. Nye (left) is pictured with Kapaun coach Quinton Burgess (right) following her title win.

NO. 4: THIS FIRST-TIME KAPAUN GIRLS WRESTLER ALMOST QUIT. NOW SHE’S A KANSAS STATE CHAMPION

The improbable rise of Courtney Nye was sealed with one of the most improbable comebacks at the state tournament. | Published March 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Taylor Eldridge

NO. 5: DERBY BOYS BOWLING REACHES RAREFIED AIR AS REPEAT KANSAS HIGH SCHOOL STATE CHAMPION

There were local state champs from Derby, Campus, Andover Central, Bishop Carroll, Mulvane and Andale. | Published March 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Taylor Eldridge

NO. 6: INTRODUCING THE 2025 WICHITA EAGLE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SWIMMING AND DIVE ALL-METRO TEAM

The Wichita Eagle recognized some of the best high school swimmers from the Wichita area this season. | Published March 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Taylor Eldridge

NO. 7: THE WICHITA EAGLE’S 2025 HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL ALL-STATE TEAMS FOR EVERY CLASS

Find out if your favorite high school boys basketball player received postseason recognition from the 2024-25 season. | Published April 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Taylor Eldridge

The Maize South boys golf team features several of the top golfers in the Wichita area this season.

NO. 8: RANKING 75 OF THE BEST WICHITA-AREA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS GOLFERS IN KANSAS

Highlighting the top talent in boys golf from the Wichita-area high school ranks this spring. | Published April 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Taylor Eldridge

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported and written by Taylor Eldridge and edited by McClatchy journalists.