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Work ethic carries Washburn quarterback Justin Lewis to success on and off the football field
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University quarterback Justin Lewis has achieved considerable success on the football field, with the 6-foot-2, 190-pound Kennesaw, Ga. native winning a state championship in high school and earning the opportunity to play Division I football at Merrimack College.
Justin Lewis is expected to vie for Washburn's starting quarterback job this fall after transferring from Division I Merrimack College. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
But Lewis has been just as successful, maybe more so, in the classroom, graduating magna cum laude with a degree in business administration from Merrimack, located in North Andover, Mass., before opting to finish his college career at Washburn.
And Lewis, who is in line to be the Ichabods' starting quarterback this fall, said the key to his success both on and off the football field is making both sports and academics major priorities.
"You always have to have a balance of both because football just doesn't last forever, you know,'' said Lewis, who is pursuing his Masters of Business Administration degree at Washburn. "So having that degree to fall back on and those things, you've got to be the same way you are on the field in the classroom.
"You've got to be the same person you have always been and stay true to that. I think you'll inherit success on the field, but also off the field when you have that same mentality.''
After making the decision to transfer following the 2024 season, Lewis considered several other schools before ending up in Topeka for the spring semester.
"I knew after I was done with my fourth year and graduated that I would want to explore another opportunity, so I hit the portal,'' Lewis said. "I had a lot of opportunities and Washburn was actually my last visit. I ended coming on the visit and meeting coach Wat (Zach Watkins), coach Dane Simoneau (offensive coordinator) and the whole staff.
"They've done an unbelievable job with their vision. They told me their vision and everything they were expecting from me and it immediately felt like home for me, so out of all the schools that I talked to and that offered me in the portal, Washburn was the one that stood out to me.
"And it wasn't just from the football aspect, it was from the family aspect and the aspect of what coach Wat wanted from this program. Him being in his first year, too, that's something new and that's awesome to me and I wanted to be a part of that.''
Hayden legend Klaus Kreutzer turning boys soccer reins over to Wildcat alum Joey Gartner
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Legendary Hayden soccer coach Klaus Kreutzer isn't ready to step away completely from the sport he loves.
Klaus Kreutzer, who has coached Hayden soccer the past 25 seasons, will turn the boys coaching reins over to former Wildcat Joey Gartner this fall. [File photo/TSN]
But Kreutzer, who will turn 80 next month, is ready to cut back just a little after coaching Hayden the past 25 seasons.
Kreutzer, who has led the Wildcats to five state championships (two boys, three girls) confirmed to TopSports.news Friday that he's turning the boys head coaching reins over to former Wildcat player Joey Gartner this fall but will continue to coach the Hayden girls team next spring.
"I've thought for a couple of years about stepping back while I still have some time to enjoy the time away, whether it's with my wife and traveling or doing something with my kids or grandkids,'' Kreutzer said. "But I wanted somebody that I felt comfortable with to lead the program.
"And once Joey came on board last year I was excited a little bit. And then seeing what he was able to do and what he does on the field I think he's a good fit, so that's what kind of promulgated that decision.''
Kreutzer said he knows he'll miss not being on the field this fall, but will continue to remain close to the program.
"Once I made the decision, and as it gets a little bit closer to the season starting, I've kind of had some thoughts and I've really enjoyed the relationship with players,'' Kreutzer said. "I just got an email a week ago from Cooper Grace (class of 2025) that really made me feel good. Not going into what it is that he said, but his time here was memorable and I really appreciate that, and I think coaching has been a great opportunity for me.
"But stepping back a little bit I think is better than just doing it wholesale. I do enjoy other things in life and that's kind of what prompted my decision.''
Kreutzer led Hayden to boys state championships in 2000 and 2012 and has led the Wildcat girls to titles in 20012, 2013 and 2015.
"You have to have good players to be a good coach and I've had some really good ones,'' he said.
Hayden's girls have also posted five runnerup state finishes, including this past spring.
Seaman will also have a new boys soccer coach this fall, with Seaman alum Ty Hurla taking over for the Vikings.
Two-time defending MIAA champion WU soccer picked fourth in preseason coaches poll
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
KANSAS CITY, MO. -- The Washburn University women's soccer team was picked fourth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, released Friday.
Washburn soccer, back-to-back MIAA champion, has been picked fourth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
The Ichabods picked up five first-place votes, the most first-place votes in the conference, and 123 total points.
Washburn has won back-to-back MIAA regular season titles, posting a 10-1-1 record in the MIAA and a 14-4-3 overall record last fall.
The Ichabods return 17 players from last year's team and add 12 newcomers.
Washburn kicks off the season in St. Louis, Mo. where the Ichabods will play Maryville on September 4 at 4 p.m. and Missouri-St. Louis on September 6 at 12 p.m.
2025 MIAA WOMEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Central Missouri [4] – 132 points
2. Central Oklahoma [4] – 126 points
3. Missouri Western – 124 points
4. Washburn [5] – 123 points
5. Northeastern State – 92 points
6. Northwest Missouri – 89 points
7. Pittsburg State – 71 points
8. Nebraska Kearney – 69 points
9. Fort Hays State – 63 points
10. Emporia State – 53 points
11. Rogers State – 37 points
12. Missouri Southern – 19 points
13. Newman – 16 points
[#] - Number of First Place Votes
