JaNelle Wright Casson 2000 – Arguably one of the most multi-talented athletes in school history, it was in Track and Field where JaNelle could literally do it all. JaNelle is one of the most decorated Track and Field athletes in school history. She finished her high school career as a six-time State 6A Track and Field individual champion, participating primarily in the hurdles and high jump. Additionally, JaNelle holds the all-time state record in the 100 Meter Hurdles at 13.62 and is 4th all-time in the High Jump at 5’10 ¾”. JaNelle shares the school record in the High Jump with Rita Graves, who preceded JaNelle at Kansas State (and was a multi-time All-Big 8 and All-American performer). While at Kansas State, Janelle became a 4-year letter winner, a 2 X All-American, a 2004 Big 12 Indoor Pentathlon Champion, a multi-time All Big 12 performer, and finished with the 2nd highest point total in school Pentathlon history with 4,173 points. JaNelle went on and participated in the 2004 Olympic Trials in the Heptathlon. JaNelle is ranked 80th in the Top 100 All-Time Shawnee County Athletes.

Preston-Syed Carrington-Mufti 1967 Known in high school as Preston Carrington, Preston was a fantastic basketball player as well as track athlete. As a basketball player, he was All-State his Senior year. He was also a State High Jump Champion that year with a leap of 6’8 ¾”. Though recruited by several schools to play basketball, Preston chose to start his college career at Butler County Community College where he became a two-time Track and Field All-American. Afterwards, he transferred to Wichita State where he played both basketball as a two-year starter and track and field in which he earned All-American status. As a track and field athlete, he triple-jumped 48’ ¾”, ran the 100-yard dash in 9.5, ran the 120-yard hurdles in 14.0, placed 3rd in the 1970 NCAA Championships Long Jump, followed by a 6th place finish in 1971. He qualified for the 1972 Olympic Trials in the Long Jump and placed 3rd with a jump of 26’3 ½”. At the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany, Preston placed 5th in the Long Jump with a jump of 26’11 ¾”. Preston is now a member of the Wichita State University Sports Hall of Fame and the Topeka/ Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame.

Fred Slaughter 1960– Fred played football, basketball, and track and field while attending Topeka High School. As a Junior, he led THS to the 1958 State Championship Runner-Up finish. As a Senior, he was a good enough sprinter to win First in State in the 100 Yard Dash, with a time of 9.9 seconds. It was on the sport of basketball that Fred placed his college focus. After being recruited by numerous high-profile programs in the nation, Fred chose to play for legendary Hall of Fame Coach John Wooden at UCLA. There, he quickly made an impact, earning the prestigious Seymour Armour Memorial Award as the nation’s Most Valuable Freshman. In 1964, Fred led UCLA to a 30-0 record and first ever NCAA National Championship. Ultimately, Fred finished his career at UCLA as the 2nd leading rebounder in school history with 791. As a student, Fred was UCLA’s Senior Class President during the 1963-1964 school year. He finished with a master’s degree in business administration, followed by a Juris Doctor Degree from Columbia University Law School. Fred would become the Assistant Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs at UCLA. Later, he became a sports agent and attorney for professional athletes. Fred is a member of the UCLA Hall of Fame, the Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame, and the Topeka High School Hall of Fame.

Judy Dyer 1966 – Though Judy was an excellent all-around athlete, her specialty was Track and Field. Judy competed in Track and Field before Topeka High School held a women’s program. She held AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) records in the 50 Yard Dash, 75 Yard Dash, and the Long Jump. Prior to college, she ranked 8th in the Nation in the Long Jump with a leap of 18’5”. She also became the NAIA 60 Yard Hurdle Champion. She went on to enroll and compete at Texas Southern University. There, she became one of the more decorated female athletes of her time. She was a member of the conference record setting 4×100 and Sprint Medley relay teams. Her highest accomplishments came while running the hurdle races where she placed 3rd in the 1968 Olympic Trials which led to her participation in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, Mexico. Judy is the first female athlete inducted into the Texas Southern University Sports Hall of Fame and the first Texas Southern University Female Athlete inducted into the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame. In 2001, she was inducted into the Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame and in 2016, she was inducted into the Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame. She is currently a Board Member of both the Texas Southern University Foundation and the TSU Relays.