TOPEKA – Many Topeka-area teams are looking to return to state championship-level golf this fall, with Hayden and Silver Lake returning many of the players from last year that helped them lift the ultimate trophy.
Other schools in the area are ready to take their own steps toward quality tournament performance. Each school will rely on a few golfers to help them reach their goals. Here are the best golfers from the Topeka area to keep an eye on this season.
Alex Baxter, Topeka West
The senior qualified for the second day of the Class 5A State Championship last season. In the final tournament of the season, Baxter finished 29th. Baxter’s best finish came at the United Kansas Conference Championship, where she placed second.
Lyla Blair, Shawnee Heights
The senior brings experience and knowledge to her final golf season. Blair finished 20th in the Class 5A Regional Championship. She is the Thunderbirds’ top returning golfer and was named to the United Kansas Conference Honor Roll.
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Lauren Borjon, Hayden
The reigning Class 4A state champions have one of their best players back in Borjon. The junior finished 15th last season after shooting 25 over par over two days. She also secured seventh place in the regional tournament before the state championship.
Kaitlynn Frye, sailor
The sophomore was one of three players from Seaman to qualify for the second day of the Class 5A State Championship. With his experience at state, Frye could have a great season ahead of him and help the Vikings achieve a better postseason record than last year. Seaman finished eighth as a team in 2023.
Izzy Glotzbach, Hayden
The Wildcats’ top golfer from last season is making her triumphant return this fall. The junior led Hayden to the Class 4A State Championship title last year, finishing tied for ninth place with a two-day total of 21 over par. She also took third place at the Topeka City Championship, where Hayden also captured that team title.
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake
The junior is in her second season for the Eagles. Last year, she was a key part of Silver Lake winning the Class 1-3A state championship. Hanni, who plays three sports (basketball and softball), finished 30th at the 2023 state championship.
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Natalie Peterson, Washburn Rural
The senior helped the Junior Blues finish fourth at the Class 6A State Championship last year. Peterson finished 27th and is ready to improve on that performance this fall. She also finished sixth at the Centennial League Championship last fall.
Reece Randall, Washburn Rural
The senior is the top returner from last year’s team. Randall finished 25th at the Class 6A State Championship. Her performance helped the Junior Blues finish fourth as the team narrowly missed the podium. Randall’s best performance came at the Centennial League Championship, where she finished fourth.
Makenna Stuke, sailor
The junior performed admirably as a freshman last year. Stuke returns after a strong state championship where she placed 29th. She was also a key member of the squad that won a regional title that qualified her for the state tournament.
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Jaycee Zimmerman, sailor
The senior brings experience and leadership to the Vikings’ roster. She won the United Kansas Conference Championship last year with a round of 79. She also placed eighth in the Class 5A Regional Championship, helping Seaman qualify for the state tournament.
Taylor Zordel, Silver Lake
The senior is the top returning player from last year’s Class 1-3A winning team. Zordel finished fourth in the state tournament, helping the Eagles win the first title in school history by 22 strokes. She has medaled in three consecutive years and is looking to place in four consecutive state tournaments. Zordel is being recruited by Washburn, Fort Hays State and Truman State.
Liam Keating covers high school sports for the Topeka Capital-Journal. Send him stats or information at [email protected]
