- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University sophomore quarterback Kellen Simoncic made it into the Ichabod record book in last Saturday' 42-35 MIAA loss to Emporia State, setting a single-game record with 35 pass completions while going 35 of 48 on the day for 334 yards and four touchdown passes.
Washburn sophomore quarterback Kellen Simoncic set a single-game school record with 35 pass completions in the Ichabods' 42-35 MIAA loss to Emporia State last Saturday. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
But while the record is something the 6-foot-3, 205-pounder may appreciate at some point, right now his only focus is on getting the Ichabods back in the victory column, beginning with Saturday night's 7 o'clock road contest at Fort Hays State.
"I'm just worried about wins and losses and that's what's most important,'' Simoncic said. "You worry about wins and losses and the team. The other stuff will come along with that. I just want to win games.''
Washburn is a respectable 3-2 entering Saturday's game, with 7 and 8-point losses, and Simoncic said the Ichabod offense is getting closer to being the unit it needs to be.
"Starting fast and getting that first first down is our biggest thing right now.,'' he said. "Usually when we get that first first down and get things going, then it usually leads to pretty good things and I think we've shown that in previous games.''
In his first season as Washburn's full-time starter, Simoncic said he's becoming more and more comfortable in that role and being a leader for the Ichabods.
Through five games the Smithville, Mo. native has completed 112 of 186 pass attempts for 1,438 yards and 15 touchdowns while throwing just four interceptions.
- Details
By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
With Thursday night’s 3-0 win over Topeka West, Shawnee Heights claimed the United Kansas Conference soccer title on its home turf at the Bettis Family Sports Complex.
Shawnee Heights, which improved to 7-4-1 overall, went wire to wire for the UKC crown, winning all seven of its matches in the conference.
Shawnee Heights senior Jordan Garvin scored the game's first goal in Thursday's 3-0 UKC win over Topeka West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Shawnee Heights senior Jovany Retana scored a goal in Thursday's 3-0 win over Topeka West that clinched the UKC title for the T-Birds. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Shawnee Heights senior Jesus Carrillo Cardona (7) battles Topeka West freshman Giancarlo Valenzuela (2) for the ball in the T-Birds' 3-0 UKC win Thursday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Offensively the Thunderbirds have outscored United Kansas Conference opponents by a 20-3 margin. Jordan Garvin, Jovany Retana, Jesus Carrillo-Cardona and company are making it a complex task for the opposition to defend them.
“Sometimes I think I give too much credit to our possession and not enough to what our offense can do,” Shawnee Heights coach Nic Simons said. “There are times where it looks like we can never miss. We do a lot of great things through the midfield which has helped us win some games this year.”
The Shawnee Heights offense has been complimented by its high-flying defense. In its seven-game undefeated conference streak, the Thunderbirds have shutout five of their opponents, including Topeka West.
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden's volleyball team honored its lone senior, Jenessa Broxterman, in grand style on Senior Night Thursday at the Bueltel Activities Complex.
Broxterman played a key role as the Wildcats outlasted Topeka West in a back-and-forth five-set match, posting a 25-17, 21-25, 19-25, 25-21, 15-12 dual victory.
Hayden senior volleyball player Jenessa Broxterman, flanked by her parents Stacy and Justin Broxterman, is honored on Senior Night Thursday at Hayden. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Jenessa Broxterman (right), Hayden volleyball's lone senior, is hugged by Wildcat teammates while her younger sister, Carsyn (left), looks on. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"This was huge,'' Broxterman said. "This gives an undefeated record at home, 2-0, so it feels great and getting another win on the board makes it better for sub-state,'' Broxterman said.
Broxterman said that being able to win on Senior Night was icing on the cake.
"It makes it so much better,'' she said.
Hayden coach Jim Davis also made sure that the Broxterman sisters got the opportunity to play together for the only time this season, which was an added bonus.
Jenessa's freshman sister, Carsyn, suffered a season-ending ACL injury before the season started, but Davis inserted Caryn in the Hayden lineup for the first two points of the fifth set.
"(Davis) really wanted to see us play together and I think that's what he decided to do,'' Broxterman said. "It was awesome. I didn't think I was going to be able to play with her this year because she's a freshman and I'm a senior but it was really nice.''
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
No. 12-ranked Washburn University volleyball returns home this weekend to host Missouri Western on Friday before wrapping up the week against No. 23-ranked Central Missouri on Saturday.
![Washburn sophomore Jalyn Stevenson (10) is coming off a big performance in Tuesday's five-set win at Nebraska-Kearney. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]](/images/aa-images/JalynStevenson4.jpg)
Washburn sophomore Jalyn Stevenson (10) is coming off a big performance in Tuesday's five-set win at Nebraska-Kearney. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
Friday's match is set for 6 p.m. while Saturday's match will get under way at 2 p.m.
Washburn is coming off a big five-set victory at No. 5 Nebraska-Kearney on Tuesday to improve to 14-3 overall and 6-3 in the MIAA.
Missouri Western (5-12, 2-7 MIAA) and Central Misouri (11-6, 6-2 MIAA) faced each other on Tuesday, with the Jennies coming away with the sweep.
The Griffons have not won a true road match this year and are 0-4.
The conference standings are tightly contested between six teams as Central Oklahoma (8-2 MIAA) leads the way and Pittsburg State (6-4 MIAA) is sixth with four teams sandwiched in between.
Washburn is currently fifth with a 6-3 mark.
Saturday's match will be Washburn's fourth match against a Top-25 ranked team. The Ichabods are 2-1 so far against ranked opponents.
UCM is 3-2 in road matches.
The Ichabods have played only three matches in Lee Arena this fall and are 2-1.
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)
WASHBURN RURAL (3-2, 0-2 Centennial) at TOPEKA HIGH (1-4, 1-1 Centennial)
At Hummer Sports Park
Washburn Rural senior linebacker Ty Weber (32) is coming off a 20-tackle performance against Junction City last Friday. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Both teams will be looking to bounce back from losses, with Washburn Rural coming off a 24-6 Centennial League loss to Junction City last Friday and Topeka High dropping an 81-13 non-league decision to Wichita Northwest. Topeka High senior quarterback Peyton Wheat has completed 60 of 125 passes on the season for 978 yards and three touchdown while sophomore Jayden Norman has 30 receptions for 497 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Norman caught nine passes for 158 yards and a TD against Northwest. Washburn Rural struggled at times offensively against Junction City after an early touchdown, but senior linebacker Ty Weber registered 20 tackles (13 solos), Wyatt Conklin was in on 10.5 stops and Jaren Heim 10 tackles (seven solo).
Hayden sophomore Jett Wahlmeier completed 12 of 14 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown in last Friday's 44-28 district win at Perry-Lecompton. [Photo by Sarah Carson/Special to TSN]
ROYAL VALLEY (1-4, 0-1 district) at HAYDEN (5-0, 2-0 district)
Hayden remained unbeaten with a 44-28 Class 3A district win at Perry-Lecompton last Friday while Royal Valley dropped a 48-15 district decision to Holton in its district opener. Hayden sophomore quarterback Jett Wahlmeier completed 12 of 14 passes for 188 yards against Perry-Lecompton and has completed 46 of 60 passes on the season for 744 yards and six touchdowns while sophomore Jensen Schrickel has 15 catches for 308 yards and three TDs. Finn Dunshee has carried the ball 31 times for 417 yards while JC Cummings has 40 carries for 345 yards. Schrickel has scored 67 total points.
MADISON (4-1, 2-0 district) at CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (2-3, 0-2 district)
At Highland Park
Cair Paravel Latin is coming off a 57-20 Eight-Man Division I district loss to undefeated Burlingame last week while Madison remained unbeaten in district play with a 40-26 win over Lyndon. Cair Paravel junior Evan Will has completed 35 of 54 pass attempts for 347 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for 176 yards and two touchdowns on 23 attempts while Jase Pavlik is 25 of 38 passing for 400 yards and seven TDs. Jachin Bonura has caught 14 passes for 205 yards and six TDs while Jesiah Bonura has 14 catches for 194 yards and three TDs.
Highland Park senior Mackey James (33) leads the Scots with 50 tackles, including 33 solo stops. [File photo/TSN]
Highland Park senior quarterback Kei'Juan Johnson has rushed for 389 yards and four touchdowns and passed for 660 yards and nine TDs. [File photo/TSN]
HIGHLAND PARK (4-1, 4-0 Meadowlark) at ATCHISON (5-0, 4-0 Meadowlark)
The winner of Friday night's game will be in the driver's seat to win the Meadowlark Conference championship. Atchison posted a 55-6 league win over Kansas City-Washington last week while Highland Park is coming off its first loss of the season, a 59-22 non-league loss at Lincoln College Prep. Highland Park senior Tre Richardson has carried the ball 54 times for 1,031 yards and 16 TDs and caught 21 passes for 555 yards and nine touchdowns. Senior quarterback Kei'Juan Johnson has completed 35 of 51 passes for 660 yards and nine touchdowns and rushed for 389 yards on 33 attempts with four TDs. Mackey James has been in on 50 tackles (33 solo).
