By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University sophomore speedster Makenzie Sais never even considered pursuing a career in track and field, with the Ichabod center-fielder more than happy to let her speed do its talking on the softball field.
Washburn sophomore Makenzie Sais has 43 stolen bases in 45 attempts for the 17-3 Ichabods, setting a single-season school record in just 20 games. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
And right now that talent is speaking volumes.
"I never ran track,'' Sais said with a chuckle. "I was always just a softball kid, never track.''
After turning in an outstanding freshman season for the Ichabods, Sais is off to a record-breaking start in 2026, already setting Washburn's single-season school record for stolen bases while taking aim --- quiet aim -- on multiple other records.
"I feel like in the past I definitely used to (pay attention to the stats), but then I feel like it just kind of started affecting the way I was competing, so I kind of just stopped caring about that and tried to just go out and play,'' said Saiz, a Frederick, Colo. native.
Sais became the Ichabod single-season leader in stolen bases against Montana State-Billings with her 34th steal and she enters this weekend's Midwest College Classic in Shawnee with a nation-best 43 stolen bases.
"I feel good about it, it's exciting,'' Sais said about her school record. "But I definitely didn't know about it at the time. I didn't know until after the fact, and it was cool to know and cool to get that, but I'm still just wanting to work for my team.''
Sais is a whopping 22 steals ahead of the No. 2-ranked player on the Division II chart and her total is 27 more than the NCAA Division I leader and 28 ahead of the NCAA Division III leader.
Sais, who has only been caught stealing twice in her 45 attempts, not only broke an Ichabod single-season record that had stood since 1999 when Torrie Beauchamp went 33 of 37 in stolen base attempts, but her 43 steals are more than the combined total of 217 Division II teams entering the weekend.
Sais also ranks fourth in the nation in hits with 28 and is second in runs scored with 25 while helping Washburn get off to a 17-3 start.
"I definitely want to keep working hard and get better every day,'' Sais said. "I feel really good with where the team's at right now. I feel like we're sitting really well, but we just need to keep striving for even more.''
That quest will continue this weekend in the Midwest College Classic at the Mid-America Sports Complex, opening with a 4:30 p.m. Thursday game against against Augustana, S.D.
The Ichabods will face Minnesota-Duluth at 10 a.m. and Bemidji State at 12:15 p.m. Friday.
On Saturday the Ichabods will take on Southwest Baptist at 10 a.m. and Minnesota State at 12:15 p.m.
The 17-3 start by the Ichabods this season ties the best start since beginning the 2003 season 17-3 en route to a 34-win season.
The Ichabods went 4-1 last weekend at the Washburn Invitational, outscoring their opponents 47-12.
In the final game of the weekend Ichabod head coach Brenda Holaday, the winningest coach in school history, collected her 300th win as the Washburn head coach in a 5-1 win over Minnesota Crookston.
Washburn second baseman Dalaney Anderson leads the nation in runs batted in with 30 while senior pitcher Sadie Walker leads the nation in innings pitched with 62.1 and she is second in appearances while posting an 8-1 record in the circle.
The Ichabods will continue their roadtrip March 6-7 in Branson, Mo. for the Grand Slam Classic with four games.
Washburn will return to Topeka on March 13 and 14, opening MIAA play with contests against Northeastern State and Rogers State.
