Washburn Rural girls soccer reacts to first-ever state title

TOPEKA (KSNT) - The 2025 Washburn Rural girls soccer team has cemented itself in both school and KSHSAA history.

The Junior Blues took home the program's first-ever 6A state title on Saturday, beating Mill Valley 1-0 in the championship. The double-overtime contest ended in a shootout, with the Blues winning the shootout 4-1.

After finishing in third place in 2024 and 2023 and as runners up in 2022, finally getting their hands on the state trophy was a moment to remember for Rural's 11 seniors.

"Some of these girls I've played with since I started playing soccer when I was four," senior center midfielder Bristol Karr said. "To win it all on our last my last game ever was something so special."

Not only did Washburn Rural become the first team in program history to win the championship, but the Junior Blues are the first non-Kansas City area school to win the class 6A crown.

Senior goal keeper Madison Lemke says the Junior Blues' regular season schedule prepares them for the challenge the Kansas City area schools present. Rural beat the defending 6A champion Blue Valley West 2-0 back in May.

"It's just amazing because we get not only to prove it during the season, but we get all the trophies and the medals and the congratulations," Lemke said.

The victory has been a long time coming for both this year's graduating class and for head coach Brian Hensyel. He and his coaching staff have been at Washburn Rural for roughly 20 years, making Saturday's moment that much more special.

"Every season is it's own story, we say that a lot, and sometimes the ending is great and sometimes the ending is kind of sad," Hensyel said. "But what this one does is it just kind of solidifies all the hard work from our coaches and our past players. This was a win not just for the 2025 team, but for all the girls who have played here. This is one of the best moments of my career, without question."

He says there's a new standard for Junior Blue soccer now. The team has a state title to build off of in 2026.