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Ichabod soccer earns second straight MIAA championship with 2-0 shutout at Emporia State
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The No. 16-ranked Washburn University women's soccer team earned its second straight MIAA regular-season championship on Wednesday at Emporia State, with the Ichabods taking a 2-0 win over Hornets to wrap up their regular season.
The Ichabods, who improved to 13-3-2 overall and 10-1-1 in the MIAA, will be the top seed for the MIAA Tournament and will host a first-round game on Sunday at Yager Stadium. MIAA Tournament pairings will be set after the conclusion of Wednesday's games.
Washburn scored the only goal it would need in the 21st minute of the opening half as a shot near the top of the box from senior Viviana Soto-Herrera off an assist from senior Khloe Schuckman found the far post past the dive of ESU goalkeeper Mackenzi Goen.
Soto-Herrera's goal held up for a 1-0 WU halftime lead.
In the first half Washburn held a 5-4 shots advantage and a 2-0 advantage on corner kicks.
Following the break the Ichabods resumed control of the match, recording six shots through the first 20 minutes of the half, eventually leading to the second goal of the match.
Emporia State conceded a corner and after the free kick, a loose ball in the box fell to former Washburn Rural standout Mackinly Rohn, a sophomore, who doubled Washburn's lead in the 65th minute.
Washburn out shot Emporia State (6-8-3, 4-6-2) 15-8 in the match and held the Hornets without a corner kick.
Ichabod senior Alli Harrington recorded the shutout in goal, making four saves.
Topeka High product Avery Zimmerman, a freshman, started for Emporia State and played 84 minutes.
Shawnee Heights product Taylor Rottinghaus named MIAA Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
For the second time this season Washburn University sophomore Taylor Rottinghaus has been named the MIAA Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week by the conference.
The former Shawnee Heights multi-sport standout recorded two 20-plus dig matches to help Washburn post home sweeps over Northwest Missouri State and No. 23-ranked Missouri Western last week.
The Ichabods held both opponents to hitting percentages of under .140.
In the three-set victory over the Griffons she registered 26 digs across three sets while serving an ace and holding the nationally-ranked opponent to a .103 hitting percentage in the match.
For the week she tallied 46 digs across six sets (7.66 per set).
Washburn will round out its home schedule this week with matches against Nebraska Kearney on Friday for Alumni Day and against Fort Hays State on Saturday for Senior Day. First serve for both matches is set for 6 p.m.
Hayden to induct five-member 2024 Hall of Fame class on Dec. 7
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden Catholic High School is pleased to announce its 2024 Hall of Fame inductees, with the five-member class to be inducted in a Dec. 7 ceremony at Hayden.
Scheduled to be inducted are Mark Burghart, the late Jessica Mae Carpenter, Shannon (Suddarth) Wisne, Judy Cucciniello and Jack McGivern.
Hall of Fame capsules:
Hayden Alumni Achievement
MARK BURGHART
Burghart began his career as a research analyst in the Kansas Legislative Research Department before becoming General Counsel for the Kansas Department of Revenue, where he served for seven years.
During that time, he was responsible for litigating state and use tax cases for local, multi-state, and international businesses. Mark played a key role in developing important tax incentive programs, such as the Job Expansion and Investment Credit Act and the Enterprise Zone Act, and won a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. He also chaired the Attorney's Section of the Federation of Tax Administrators from 1989-1990.
Burghart's professional career has been centered around helping those in need. He has coached student-athletes, served on the Hayden Catholic High School Board and is currently an usher at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, he is a member of the Church Restoration Committee and has contributed to various parish initiatives as a lifelong member of Sacred Heart-St. Joseph’s Parish.
Hayden Alumni Achievement
JESSICA MAE CARPENTER
The late Carpenter dedicated her life to education and was honored as the namesake of the Jessica Carpenter Elementary School in Pflugerville, Texas.
Born in Topeka, Jessica attended St. Matthew Catholic Grade School, Hayden Catholic High School and earned her degree in Elementary Education from Kansas State University in 2001.
Her 20-year teaching career spanned from St. Matthew Catholic grade school in Topeka to Brookhollow Elementary in Texas, where she was a Special Education Resource Teacher and a district leader. Carpenter's dedication to her students, even through her four-year battle with cancer, earned her the respect of her community. In 2011-2012, she was recognized as Teacher of the Year by the Pflugerville Independent School District (ISD) and was instrumental in bringing innovative teaching methods into the classroom. Her passion for helping students with special needs, her involvement in school activities, and her commitment to education left a lasting impact on countless lives.
In 2020, after her passing, the Pflugerville ISD Board of Trustees honored her legacy by naming a new elementary school after her, following an overwhelming community vote.
Hayden Student Athletic/Activity Achievement
SHANNON (SUDDARTH) WISNE
During her career at Hayden, Suddarth was a six-time state swimming champion and went on to become a nine-time All-American at the University of Notre Dame. During her time at Hayden, Suddarth dominated the 100-yard breaststroke, winning three consecutive state titles and setting state records, one of which stood for eight years.
In addition to her swimming achievements, Suddarth was an integral member of three state championship cross country teams and the individual state runnerup in cross country. At Notre Dame, she continued her success, earning first-team All-American honors in 1998 with an eighth-place finish in the 100 breaststroke at the NCAA Division I national championships. She set Big East records in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke, which remained unbroken for 11 years.
Shannon’s dedication to her faith, family and community, along with her excellence in athletics, has earned her a well-deserved place in Topeka’s rich history of outstanding athletes. She ranks 66th on the Topeka Capital-Journal’s Top 100 Topeka High School Athletes list.