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Details: Created: 25 February 2026

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

The No. 3-ranked Washburn Ichabods rolled to a dominant 88-49 MIAA win over Pittsburg State on Wednesday night in Lee Arena, improving to 27-1 and 17-1 in the conference with their 28th straight home victory.

Sophomore Dillon Claussen scored a game-high 23 points with five rebounds and two blocked shots in Wednesday's 88-49 win over Pittsburg State. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

The Ichabods put up 44 points in each half while holding the Gorillas to 34 percent shooting, winning their 11th game in a row over Pitt State.

"We took care of business,'' Washburn coach Brett Ballard said. "I thought we played well on both sides and disrupted them. We created a lot of turnovers, which was good.

"I thought our defensive disruption really bothered them and we held them to a low shooting percentage and offensively we were efficient.''

The Gorillas (15-13, 9-9) took a 9-6 lead seven minutes into the half, but Washburn used an 11-0 run over the next three minutes with eight points by sophomore Dillon Claussen to take control.

Back to back 3-pointers by sophomore Marcus Glock and a 3-pointer from senior Sam Ungashick pushed the Washburn lead to 26-16 and another 12-2 run by the Ichabods doubled up the Washburn lead to 38-19 with 2:53 to play in the first half.

Washburn would go on to take a 44-26 lead into the halftime break.

The Ichabods' biggest lead reached 39 in the second half, with WU closing the final 6:57 of the game on an 18-1 run.

Washburn held the Gorillas to 0 of 8 shooting down the stretch as five different Ichabods scored.

Claussen finished with a game-high 23 points on 9 of 15 shooting while adding five rebounds and two blocked shots.

While Claussen did the bulk of his work inside, he also stepped outside to can a 3-pointer, which he said is always fun.

"It's super fun,'' Claussen said. "I worked on my 3s a lot in the offseason and I've been able to shoot them. My coaches and my teammates believe in me to shoot them so I love shooting 3s. It's fun to get out there and see one go down.''

Like Ballard, Claussen thought the Ichabods turned in a solid performance against the Gorillas.

"They've had some close games with some good teams, so we knew we had to come in here and take care of business,'' he said. "We don't have many games left in Lee Arena this year and every one matters and we executed the game plan really well. It was a great win and everyone's happy.''

Junior Jack Bachelor scored 13 points with seven rebounds and eight assists in Washburn's 88-49 win over Pittsburg State Wednesday in Lee Arena. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Sophomore Marcus Glock scored 15 points on five 3-pointers in Wednesday's 88-49 win over Pittsburg State. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Junior Jack Bachelor scored 13 points with eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals and Glock finished with 15 points off the bench, hitting five 3-pointers.

Junior Jeremiah Jones set Washburn's single-season steals record in Wednesday's 88-49 win over Pittsburg State in Lee Arena. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Junior Jeremiah Jones scored eight points with three steals, breaking the Washburn single-season steals record of 82 set by Will McNeill during the 2012-13 season.

Details: Created: 25 February 2026

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn University women's basketball used a huge third quarter to post its fifth straight victory and 20th win of the season Wednesday in Lee Arena, defeating Pittsburg State, 71-56.

Washburn senior Gabi Giovannetti (5) scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds Wednesday as the Ichabods reached the 20-win plateau with a 71-56 decision over Pittsburg State. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Now 20-7 overall and 13-5 in the MIAA, Washburn trailed by six points, 35-29, at halftime, but broke the game open with a 22-2 third quarter en route to the decisive 15-point win.

"We made some adjustments and really executed things well and finally got some stops which allowed us to get into our transition game,'' Washburn coach Lora Westling said. "I'm really proud of my team.''

Washburn has now reached 20 wins for the first time since the 2018-19 season and for the first time in Westling's four seasons as the Ichabods' head coach, but the Ichabod coach said there's still work to be done.

"I think anytime you get that done for a team, a 20-win season, is a nice thing, but we want that 21st, we want that 22nd,'' Westling said. "I'm proud of this group and we'll enjoy it tonight but then get right back to work for Saturday.''

Both sides traded baskets early on, with five ties in the first quarter alone. A 5-0 run by the Gorillas (18-9, 11-7) created some separation. Both teams shot under 35.0 percent in the first quarter, but Pittsburg State went 8-9 at the free throw line put the Gorillas in front 17-12 at the start of the second stanza.

Washburn fell behind by as many as eight points early in the second quarter. A 6-0 Washburn run kept it close after senior Payton Sterk got a layup to go at the 7:29 mark.

The Gorillas got hot from deep in the quarter, shooting 6-7 from 3-point range, with three coming inside the final four minutes to lead 35-29 at the break.

Sophomore Brooke Gomez scored 10 points, all in the second half, as Washburn posted a 71-56 decision over Pittsburg State. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

The first eight points of the second half came from the Ichabods, including the first six from sophomore Brooke Gomez, as the Ichabods went in front to stay.

Details: Created: 25 February 2026

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Hayden's bowling teams had plenty to celebrate in Wednesday's Class 4A-1A bowling regional at Gage Bowl.

Hayden junior Reece Renyer (center) celebrates after his second-game 300 in Wednesday's Class 4A-1A bowling regional at Gage Bowl. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Not only did both Hayden teams earn team berths for next week's state tournament in Wichita, with the Wildcat boys winning the regional team title and the Hayden girls finishing second, but junior Reece Renyer achieved every bowler's dream with a perfect 300 game in his second game of the day.

After a first-game 194, Renyer and fellow Wildcat junior Kelton Meier matched strikes over the first seven frames of the second game.

Hayden junior Reece Renyer reacts after a strike during his perfect 300 game Wednesday at Gage Bowl. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Meier's strike string temporarily ended with an eighth-frame spare before he struck out for a 278 while Renyer was able to go the distance for his first-ever 300.

"I was a little bit nervous going into that 10th frame,'' Renyer said. "It would definitely hit me when everyone would go quiet. That really got me and I got it done by taking deep breaths and Kelton guiding me the whole way.

"I had a 279 at state last year and that's the closest I had ever gotten.''

Hayden junior Kelton Meier finished second individually in Wednesday's Class 4A-1A bowling regional with a 682 series, including a 278 game. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Meier was oh so close to a 300 himself.

"I missed inside by like a board or two (in the eighth frame) and the outcome wasn't what I wanted that frame, but it was a really good game,'' Meier said. "I was just trying to stay up there with Reece that second game.

"We were counting down our strikes. After we struck our first frame we were like, 'OK, we have 11 left, 10 left, nine left.' It was so fun.''

Renyer stumbled a bit in the third game with a 158 after his emotional second game, but still finished the day with a 652 series to place third individually, right behind Meier, who rolled a final-game 228 to finish second with a 682 series, just 10 pins behind individual champion Kolten Powell of Ottawa.

Hayden, the defending 4A-1A state champ, won the team title by a 3,413-3,297 margin over Ottawa, as the Wildcats also got a seventh-place finish from sophomore Ashton Litke (611) and a ninth-place showing from sophomore Ben Mayer (589), while sophomore Andrew Lee (524) and junior Jason Ahlstedt (467) rounded out the lineup.

"I think we did really good today for how we've been doing throughout the season,'' Renyer said. "I think we might be a little bit behind (where they were in 2025), but I think we can pick it up going into state. We all had fun and we did what we could do.''

Meier thinks the Wildcats have the potential to make another state run next week.

"I think we're a very capable team this year and I think we showed that today, especially duing Baker,'' Meier said. "I think our overall score was one of the best we've shot all season, so we can definitely put it together when it really matters and I think we'll see that at state again.''

Hayden's girls punched their ticket to state with a runnerup team finish behind Ottawa (2,812-2,396) as senior Jenna Henkensiefken shot a 502 series, including a 213 game, to lead the Wildcats with a fourth-place individual finish.

Senior Izzy Glotzbach posted a seventh-place finish (445) while senior Emily Peterson finished ninth (424) and senior Kellyn Specht (385), senior Mayela Valdez (341) and senior Olivia Coyle (308) rounded out the Hayden lineup.

The Class 4A-1A state tournament will be held next Friday, March 6, at Wichita's Bowlero Northrock, with the boys competition at 8:50 a.m., followed by the girls at 1:40 p.m.

CLASS 4A-1A REGIONAL BOWLING

Details: Created: 25 February 2026

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Seaman's girls bowling team added a Class 5A regional team title to its city and United Kansas Conference crowns Tuesday at Gage Bowl, with the Vikings taking the regional championship by a 2,958-2,904 margin over Emporia.

Claire LaDuke (facing) celebrates a strike with her Seaman teammates during Tuesday's Class 5A regional at Gage Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Shawnee Heights also earned a berth for next week's state tournament at Wichita, finishing third as a team at 2,831.

Highland Park will also have a competitor in the girls state tournament, with Ra'Lynn Divers qualifying as an individual.

Claire LaDuke led the champion Vikings with a third-place individual finish, shooting a 565 three-game series while Seaman also got a sixth-place individual finish from Paige Snyder, who shot a 555 series.

The Vikings also got a 12th-place individual finish from Laci Cole (521), a 13th showing from Leah Crawford (516) and a 16th from Kayla Duncan (493) while Ava Carlson shot a 448.

Shawnee Heights bowling coach Scott Mercer talks to his girls team during Tuesday's Class 5A regional at Gage Bowl. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Addison VanMetre shot a 544 series to pace third-place Shawnee Heights with a seventh-place individual finish while the T-Birds' Lauryn Valdivia placed 11th (522), Emma Wederski was 14th (509), Tatum Simpson was 18th (482) and Bailey Liby was 19th (459). Reese Bell rounded out the T-Bird lineup with a 441 series.

Highland Park's Divers shot a 456 series to garner the fifth individual qualifying berth for state.

The city boys 5A contingent will also be well-represented at state, led by Shawnee Heights, which finished second as a team by a 3,417-3,275 margin to United Kansas Conference rival De Soto while Seaman and Highland Park combined for three individual qualifiers.

Evan Jones finished fifth with a 650 series to lead Shawnee Heights to a second-place team finish in Tuesday's Class 5A bowling regional at Gage Bowl. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Evan Jones shot a 650 series to pace Shawnee Heights with a fifth-place individual finish while the T-Birds also got a seventh-place finish from Braden Evans (637), a ninth from Trey Donath (622), and a 14th-place showing from Henry Schattilly (637). Chevy Stallbaumer added a 581 and Kaden Evans a 523 for Heights.

Seaman's Garrett Shaw shot a 666 series to tie for second and finish third on a tiebreaker in Tuesday's Class 5A regional at Gage Bowl. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Seaman finished fourth as a team to miss a state team berth by one spot, but the Vikings got a second-place tie (third on a tiebreaker) from Garrett Shaw, who shot a 666 to earn the second individual qualifying berth.

Highland Park earned a pair of individual state berths, with Kayden King shooting a 638 to earn the third individual qualifying spot for staate and Isaac Barnes shooting a 617 to place 10th and earn the fourth individual qualifying berth.

CLASS 5A REGIONAL BOWLING

Details: Created: 24 February 2026

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn jumped out to a quick start offensively and never looked back Tuesday, taking a 13-8 road decision over MIAA foe Fort Hays State in Hays.

The Ichabods take a break from conference play this weekend as they head to the Drury Invitational for four games beginning Friday.

Both sides traded scoring blow early on Tuesday, first with Washburn (5-6 overall, 3-1 MIAA) going up 1-0 with a Brandt Beeby RBI groundout in the first innning scoring Ian Luce, who led off with a double. The Tigers (4-10, 1-3) came back with two runs on a pair of hits and an error in the bottom of the inning to go in front.

Washburn's Owen Laessig laced a double in the second that tied the game, scoring Trenton Barry, who was hit by a pitch.

Brooks Richardson and Luce both followed with singles to score Laessig and put Washburn up 3-2. The game was evened with a two-out solo home run in the bottom of the inning by Fort Hays State.

In the fourth inning the Ichabods loaded the bases with singles by Laessig and Luce along with a walk to Chase Littrell.

Jackson Mervosh was hit by a pitch, scoring one, and Beeby hit a sacrifice fly to add another. Easton Wasinger delivered a single to center field to score two more runs and make it a 7-3 game.

Luce continued the scoring for Washburn in the fifth, smashing a two-run homer to right, scoring Barry to go up 9-3.

Fidel Hatch took over on the mound in the fourth inning, throwing a pair of scoreless innings. In the top of the sixth Beeby led off with a double and was followed by a two-run homer from Levi Risenhoover.

The bases were loaded up again and Luce deposited another run with a sacrifice fly to go up 12-3.

In the bottom of the seventh, Fort Hays State took advantage of an error in the field to score two runs. They would add two more in the eighth inning, this time coming on four hits to pull within five.

In the visitors half of the ninth Beeby plated another run with a two-out double to add some insurance. The Tigers scored one in the bottom of the ninth as Washburn rolled to a 13-8 win.

The Ichabods led 13-10 in hits and 9-5 in walks, which helped to make up for three errors in the field, while Fort Hays State played an error-free game.

Five pitchers appeared in the game for Washburn combining for four strikeouts. Mark Hoffmann started and earned the win allowing one earned run over three innings. Hatch tossed three scoreless innings while allowing just two hits.

At the plate Luce went 4 for 5 with a home run, a double and four RBI. Laessig went 3-4 with an RBI and a walk while Beeby and Risenhoover both had two hits and drove in multiple runs.

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No. 3 Washburn men improve to 27-1 with dominant 88-49 romp past Gorillas

Washburn women ride big third quarter to 20th win, 71-56 over Pittsburg State

Renyer's 300 game highlights big regional performance for Hayden bowling

Seaman girls win 5A regional bowling title, Heights qualifies both teams for state

Big offensive day pushes Washburn baseball to 13-8 win at Fort Hays State