Washburn Rural High School
Encyclopedia
Washburn Rural High School is a fully accredited public high school located in southwest Topeka, Kansas
, serving students in grades 9–12. The school is located right next to Washburn Rural Middle School. Edward Raines became the principal in 2007, replacing former principal Bill Edwards. The school colors are blue and white and the school mascot is the "Junior Blue". The average annual enrollment is approximately 1,800 students.
A recently passed bond issue will allow for intense construction and improvements to the school in the coming years, as enrollment has been up and overcrowding has begun to become an issue.
Washburn Rural is a member of the Kansas State High School Activities Association
and offers a variety of sports programs. Athletic teams compete in the 6A division and are known as the "Junior Blues". Extracurricular activities are also offered in the form of performing arts, school publications, and clubs. Notable alumni include professional fingerstyle guitarist
Andy McKee
, Kansas City Royals
pitcher Aaron Crow
and Atlanta Falcons
defensive tackle Trey Lewis
The Junior Blues are classified as a 6A school, the largest classification in Kansas according to the Kansas State High School Activities Association
. Throughout its history, Washburn Rural has won 31 state championships in various sports. Many graduates have gone on to participate in Division I, Division II, and Division III athletics.
Hall of Fame. The football stadium at the school, Bowen-Glaze Stadium, is named after Bowen and his defensive coordinator during the '80s. Coach Derick Hammes took over the school's football program for the following two seasons.
. The girls' basketball team has won three titles as well, occurring in 1996, 1999, and 2009 under the leadership of Bill Annan. In July 2009, Bill Annan joined the Oklahoma State women's basketball team
as director of player development, leaving the head coaching position to Kevin Bordewick. The boys' soccer team, under Brian Hensyel, claimed the 6A boys' soccer state championship in a 3-0 win over Lawrence Free State High School
. The team finished the season 20-1, and was ranked in several national polls.
.
Topeka, Kansas
Topeka |Kansa]]: Tó Pee Kuh) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Shawnee County. It is situated along the Kansas River in the central part of Shawnee County, located in northeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was...
, serving students in grades 9–12. The school is located right next to Washburn Rural Middle School. Edward Raines became the principal in 2007, replacing former principal Bill Edwards. The school colors are blue and white and the school mascot is the "Junior Blue". The average annual enrollment is approximately 1,800 students.
A recently passed bond issue will allow for intense construction and improvements to the school in the coming years, as enrollment has been up and overcrowding has begun to become an issue.
Washburn Rural is a member of the Kansas State High School Activities Association
Kansas State High School Activities Association
The Kansas State High School Activities Association is the organization which oversees interscholastic competition in the state of Kansas at the high school level. It oversees both athletic and non-athletic competition, and sponsors championships in several sports and activities.The KSHSAA was...
and offers a variety of sports programs. Athletic teams compete in the 6A division and are known as the "Junior Blues". Extracurricular activities are also offered in the form of performing arts, school publications, and clubs. Notable alumni include professional fingerstyle guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Andy McKee
Andy McKee
Andy McKee is an American fingerstyle guitarist, currently signed to the American record label .His style of playing and his compositions have earned him a considerable international fanbase...
, Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
pitcher Aaron Crow
Aaron Crow
Aaron J. Crow is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
and Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
defensive tackle Trey Lewis
Trey Lewis
Trey Lewis is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
Academics
The school has received a 5 out of 10 rating and 4 out of 5 golden stars for parent approval rating on greatschools.net. The school has also been praised for its notable Mandarin Chinese class.Extracurricular activities
Kansas State High School Activities Association
The Kansas State High School Activities Association is the organization which oversees interscholastic competition in the state of Kansas at the high school level. It oversees both athletic and non-athletic competition, and sponsors championships in several sports and activities.The KSHSAA was...
. Throughout its history, Washburn Rural has won 31 state championships in various sports. Many graduates have gone on to participate in Division I, Division II, and Division III athletics.
Football
The football program won the state championship in 1985 and again in 1986 and 1989 under then head coach, Ron Bowen, who has since been inducted into the KSHSAAKansas State High School Activities Association
The Kansas State High School Activities Association is the organization which oversees interscholastic competition in the state of Kansas at the high school level. It oversees both athletic and non-athletic competition, and sponsors championships in several sports and activities.The KSHSAA was...
Hall of Fame. The football stadium at the school, Bowen-Glaze Stadium, is named after Bowen and his defensive coordinator during the '80s. Coach Derick Hammes took over the school's football program for the following two seasons.
Men's Rowing
In 2006, the Washburn Rural Men's Rowing team was ranked 4th in the state in their inaugural season. The following year they achieved the 2007 State Championship and since have received national recognition.Volleyball
In 2009, the Washburn Rural volleyball team was league, sub-state, and state champions. As of the 2009 season, the volleyball team has qualified for the state tournament for the thirteenth year in a row and has won the league tournament for the sixth year in a row, which is the longest such streak in league history.Cross country
In 2008, Avery Clifton, class of 2010, won the state championship with a time of 14:59.91 seconds in the 4000 meter race. Avery Clifton would defend her state title in 2009, taking first place again at the state meet.Boy's Basketball
The boys' basketball program has also experienced a fair amount of success, winning state titles in 1966, 1982, and 1985. The team is currently coached by Clint Mietler who was hired in May 2010 coming from Douglas High School. The boys' basketball program has experienced success throughout its history, winning state championships in 1966, 1982, and 1985.The 2010-2011 team captured the school's first league title in 14 yearsOther sports
In 1981, Dana Hazen broke the state record javelin throw at the Kansas RelaysKansas Relays
The Kansas Relays are a three day track meet every April held at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. Since 1923 the Kansas relays has attracted runners, throwers, and jumpers from all over the United States of America; with athletes ranging from Olympians to high school runners...
. The girls' basketball team has won three titles as well, occurring in 1996, 1999, and 2009 under the leadership of Bill Annan. In July 2009, Bill Annan joined the Oklahoma State women's basketball team
Oklahoma State Cowgirls basketball
The Oklahoma State Cowgirls women's basketball team represents Oklahoma State University and competes in the Big 12 Conference of NCAA Division I. The team's interim head coach is Jim Littell, who took over after former head coach Kurt Budke died in a plane crash on November 17, 2011...
as director of player development, leaving the head coaching position to Kevin Bordewick. The boys' soccer team, under Brian Hensyel, claimed the 6A boys' soccer state championship in a 3-0 win over Lawrence Free State High School
Lawrence Free State High School
Lawrence Free State High School is a fully accredited public high school, serving students in grades 9–12, located in Lawrence, Kansas. The current principal is Edward West....
. The team finished the season 20-1, and was ranked in several national polls.
State Championships
| State Championships | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Sport | Number of Championships | Year |
| Fall | Football American football American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by... |
3 | 1985, 1986, 1989 |
| Soccer, Boys | 2 | 2002, 2009 | |
| Volleyball Volleyball Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive... |
5 | 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 | |
| Tennis, Girls Tennis Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all... |
2 | 1990, 1993 | |
| Cross Country, Girls Cross country running Cross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road... |
1 | 1996 | |
| Golf, Girls Golf Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes.... |
1 | 2005 | |
| Winter | Basketball, Boys Basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules... |
3 | 1966, 1982, 1985 |
| Basketball, Girls Basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules... |
3 | 1996, 1999, 2009 | |
| Spring | Golf, Boys Golf Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes.... |
2 | 1997, 2009 |
| Tennis, Boys Tennis Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all... |
5 | 1988, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007 | |
| Baseball Baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond... |
2 | 1950, 1952 | |
| Softball Softball Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand... |
2 | 1995, 2008 | |
| Total | 31 | ||
S.A.D.D.
In May 2008, the school hosted a mock crash with S.A.D.D. to portray the effects of drunk driving.Band
Under the direction of Luke Chaffee who joined the staff in 2004, the band program has grown to more than 217 students, making it the largest high school marching band in Kansas, and they have enjoyed great success including playing during the halftime of the 2008 BCS National Championship Game2008 BCS National Championship Game
The 2008 Allstate BCS National Championship Game was played at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Monday, January 7, 2008, and featured the #1 and #2 college football teams in the United States as determined by the BCS Poll to decide the BCS National Championship for the 2007...
.
JROTC
WRHS has a U.S Army JROTC unit. The unit is a satellite unit from the school Topeka West High School. It is a HUD unit called Charger Battalion. Its SAI is retired Major Chuck Wright, and there are approx. 40 cadets.Notable alumni
- Ken BerryKen Berry (baseball)Allen Kent Berry is a former Major League Baseball center fielder. He was signed by the Chicago White Sox as an amateur free agent before the 1961 season. He played for the White Sox from 1962 until he was traded in 1970 to the California Angels. He also played for the Milwaukee Brewers and...
, former MLB player for the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, California Angels, Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, and Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona... - Gregg BinkleyGregg BinkleyGregg Binkley is an American television actor. Binkley grew up in Topeka, Kansas, and graduated from Washburn Rural High School. He is best known for his roles as Kenny James on the NBC sitcom My Name Is Earl and as Dan, the Del Taco spokesperson...
, actor - Aaron CrowAaron CrowAaron J. Crow is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
, 12th overall pick by the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City RoyalsThe Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
in the 2009 MLB Draft - Grant HinkleGrant HinkleGrant Hinkle is an American poker player who won the 2008 World Series of Poker $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em event. He earned $831,462 at the event, bringing his total live tournament winnings to $857,983....
, winner of the 2008 World Series of Poker2008 World Series of PokerThe 2008 World Series of Poker was the 39th annual World Series of Poker . Held in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino, the series began on May 30, 2008, and featured 55 poker championships in several variants. All events but the $10,000 World Championship No Limit Texas hold...
(WSOP) $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em event - Kris KobachKris KobachKris W. Kobach is the Secretary of State of Kansas. He is also currently of counsel with the Immigration Law Reform Institute in Washington, D.C....
, Secretary of State for Kansas - Trey LewisTrey LewisTrey Lewis is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
, current NFL player for the Atlanta FalconsAtlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Andy MckeeAndy McKeeAndy McKee is an American fingerstyle guitarist, currently signed to the American record label .His style of playing and his compositions have earned him a considerable international fanbase...
, professional fingerstyle guitaristGuitaristA guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely... - Scott McPhersonScott McPhersonScott McPherson was an American playwright.-Life:He graduated from Ohio University.In 1981, he moved to Chicago, where he acted in The Normal Heart, and The House of Blue Leaves...
, drummer for the band BeckBeckBeck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...