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Former T-Bird Christian Clark continues to make mark on defense for WU

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Former Shawnee Heights standout Christian Clark has found a home in Washburn University's defensive backfield, with the 6-foot-1, 190-pound junior playing in 21 games with 15 starts at cornerback.

Former Shawnee Heights standout Christian Clark (25) came up with a key interception for Washburn in last Saturday's 38-31 overtime win at Missouri Western. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

But Clark hasn't forgotten his roots as a running back and would love to get a chance to re-live those days.

"I do miss being a running back, I' m not going to lie,'' Clark said. "I'm hoping I get to show off my running back skills at some point throughout the season on an interception or a fumble recovery, whatever it is, but I definitely miss being a running back and scoring touchdowns.''

However, Clark also embraces his role for the Washburn defense since joining the Ichabods for the 2019 season after a year at William Penn (Iowa).

"I think it just keeps me engaged every single play because playing corner, all it takes is one play to give up a touchdown so you've got to bring it every play, you can't take plays off,'' he said.

"Personally it just makes me have to become more of a competitor and really just have to embrace those one on one battles I have throughout the game.''

Hayden soccer climbs to .500 with 2-0 win over rival Seaman

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Hayden's soccer team reached the .500 mark on the season with a 2-0 shutout victory over rival Seaman Thursday at Hayden.

Even though Hayden and Seaman are now in separate leagues, Wildcat coach Klaus Kreutzer said that the Seaman game is still important to his team.

"I think they're always a little more motivated when they play a couple or three teams in town here and I thought they played well,'' Kreutzer said. "Keeping them off the scoreboard was big.''

Hayden senior Chris Hayes (4), defended by Seaman junior Jacob Anderson, scored a goal in the Wildcats' 2-0 non-league win over the Vikings Thursday. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Hayden senior Jake Muller (3), defending Seaman sophomore Logan Townsend, was credited with assists on both Wildcat goals in Thursday's 2-0 win. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Hayden, which improved to 5-5-1, got the only goal it would need from freshman Lane Neuman at the 25:28 mark of the opening half off an assist from senior Jake Muller.

The Wildcats' 1-0 lead held up through halftime before Hayden added an insurance goal just 3:22 into the second half on a shot from senior Chris Hayes off Muller's second assist of the night.

Seaman, 2-6-2, had scoring opportunities in the both halves, but couldn't get the ball past Hayden junior Zachary Cook and sophomore Chase Blaser, who shared goalkeeping duties for the Wildcats.

"I've got two guys who are fairly inexperienced but they complement each other well,'' Kreutzer said.

The Vikings' best scoring opportunity came on a second-half penalty kick attempt by freshman Brody Anderson, but Blaser made the clean save to keep Seaman, which was coming off a 2-1 win over Kansas City-Turner on Tuesday, off the scoreboard.

"We had some things figured out last game,'' Seaman coach Tim Nussbaum said. "I was pretty happy with our performance versus Turner and I thought we'd go on to bigger and better things today and just kind of reverted back to not scoring. We kind of did a lot of ball-watching and it just wasn't our day.''

Hayden will travel to Manhattan for a Centennial League game next Tuesday while Seaman will play a United Kansas Conference at Lansing.

HAYDEN 2, SEAMAN 0

Seaman (2-6-2) 0 0 -- 0

Hayden (5-5-1) 1 1 -- 2

Hayden -- Goals: Lane Neuman, Chris Hayes. Assists: Jake Muller 2. Shutout: Zachary Cook, Chase Blaser.

Enough is Enough: Bad Behavior by Coaches, Parents and Fans Must Stop

By DR. KARISSA NIEHOFF, Chief Executive Officer of the National Federation of State High School Associations

and BILL FAFLICK, Executive Director of the Kansas State High School Activities Association

There’s an unfortunate trend continuing in Kansas and across the nation that must be stopped: the bad behavior of coaches, parents and fans at high school athletic events.

We’ve all seen it: the yelling, harassing, berating, disrespecting and even physically assaulting high school referees, umpires and other officials during and after games. And oftentimes, the harassment continues on social media. Perhaps you’ve witnessed it firsthand or even been one of those offenders yourself.

Not only is this behavior unacceptable and embarrassing, but it’s also having serious consequences on the future of high school sports.

That’s because another unfortunate trend is sweeping the nation: a critical shortage of high school officials in every state. The #1 reason? You guessed it: Coaches, parents and fans mistreating officials.

National surveys of officials report alarming statistics:

55% of officials say verbal abuse from coaches, parents and fans is the No. 1 reason they quit.

59% don't feel respected.

57% think sportsmanship is getting worse.

84% feel officials are treated unfairly by spectators.

46% have felt unsafe or feared for their safety due to spectator, coach, adminnistrator or player behavior.