WICHITA, Kan. — The Wichita Sports Commission has released their finalists for their prestigious Athlete of the Year awards in 2026. Among the six combined finalists for the boys and girls awards, three are from the Ad Astra Radio area.
Sterling’s Chelsie Brown is one of three finalists for the Lynette Woodard High School Athlete of the Year. The Black Bear tennis standout went 69-0 over the past two seasons, claiming the 3-2-1A State singles championship in each her junior and senior year. Joining Brown on the finalist list from the area is Andale’s Rylee Meyer. Our most recent Ad Astra Radio Athlete of the Week, Meyer is coming off of a state track and field meet in which she won three gold medals (100m, 200m and 300m hurdles) and also placed second in the long jump, helping Andale to the team title. She set state meet records in 4A in the 100m and 200m dashes.
Also from Sterling, Zane Farney is a finalist for the Barry Sanders High School Athlete of the Year. Farney was the feature back for the Black Bears during the football season, rushing for 2,326 yards and 42 TD and helping lead Sterling to the 1A state title. He capped his career with just over 6,700 yards and 90 rushing touchdowns. He was also part of the Sterling basketball team that claimed the 2A title for the second straight season in March. On the track this spring, Farney took the gold medal and state title in both the 110m and 300m hurdles in Class 2A.
The winners of this year’s Athlete of the Year awards will be announced at the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on Thursday, June 25 at INTRUST Bank Arena.
