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By KYLE MANTHE
The Washburn Review
New Washburn University women’s basketball coach Lora Westling kept it brief in her introductory press conference Friday as the sixth head coach in program history in the McPherson Booster Room of Lee Arena.
“It’s a little surreal to be standing on this side of Lee Arena,” Westling said. “It’s an honor to have been selected as the next head coach at Washburn. Obviously huge, huge, shoes to fill, if that’s even possible. But (I am) looking forward to the challenge and just really thrilled to be here.”
Former Washburn standout Lora Westling was introduced Friday as the Ichabods' new women's basketball coach. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/TSN]
The former national championship-winning player for the Ichabods, then Lady Blues, was presented with her old number 42 jersey and signature headband by Athletic Director Loren Ferré when she was introduced.
A member of the women’s basketball team from 2001-05, Westling cited the people around Washburn as a big reason why the decision to come back was so easy.
The Casper, Wyoming native thanked her parents and family for coming down for the conference. She also gave thanks to the players, coaches and staff at Western Colorado where she spent the past six seasons.
Westling gave praise to previous head coach Ron McHenry, who coached Westling in her time at Washburn, as well as assistant coaches Brette Herber and Erika Lane Yoder for the culture that had been built.
“That’s a gift, sometimes you don’t always walk into that situation. So we got great players here, great players coming in, and a great foundation to build from so I am very grateful for that,” Westling said.
Westling’s playing career ended with the 2005 national championship run, one she hopes to repeat, this time on the sidelines.
“The expectations are the same,” Westling said. “We want to win championships, we want to have great people, and we want to make the community better in every way we can.”
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By KYLE MANTHE
The Washburn Review
Baseball is a game of slumps and struggles which is why Washburn University was just happy to be back in the win column with a 7-5 mid-week win over Northwest Missouri State (14-23).
“We knew it was going to be a tough game, Northwest has been playing well,” said WU coach Harley Douglas. “Overall I thought our guys fought really well, early on especially and didn’t let us get that turtle in a shell look.”
The victory comes on the heels of two home losses to Central Oklahoma by a combined 17 runs. The Ichabods (25-13) relied on its bullpen going five deep to throw 5⅔ scoreless innings to close the game.
“I thought we did a good job of coming out. We kind of lulled there in the middle, didn’t swing as well as we needed to at certain points,” Douglas said. “But they did a good job against us.”
Connor Scott (left) celebrates a home run with his Ichabod teammates in Wednesday's 7-5 MIAA win over Northwest Missouri. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/The Washburn Review]
Washburn senior Trevor Marrell pitched a scoreless inning in Wednesday's 7-5 MIAA win over Northwest Missouri. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/The Washburn Review]
The stand alone match with the Bearcats counted as a conference game, with Washburn moving to 15-9 in MIAA play as the Ichabods get set for seven straight games on the road.
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By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
Three different city swimmers took a combined six first-place finishes on Wednesday in the Topeka West Invitational at the Capitol Federal Natatorium.
Topeka West swimmer Kadence Jeffries took first place finishes in both the 100 and 500-yard freestyle events and has yet to lose an individual event in swimming competition in 2022.
“I prepare myself mentally the night before each event,” Jeffries said. “As soon as I get on those blocks the day after, nerves kick in just a bit. When I get in, that adrenaline helps me do the best I can. The training that I’ve had also helps me compete and do the best that I can every single day.”
Topeka West senior Kadence Jeffries continued her undefeated swimming season Wednesday with a pair of wins in the Topeka West Invitational. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
“Watching our girls swim is amazing,” Topeka West coach Courtney Johnson said. “With Kadence swimming three events in a row and Blanca (Espinosa) swimming two events in a row, and everyone else swimming in separate events is great to watch. With Kadence, she just always wants to go and be in events. I’m proud of our team.”
Seaman swimmers Avery Walz and Gabby Grace also took two first-place finishes in their respective individual events and won four gold medals overall. The Viking swimmers helped their team finish in second place.
Seaman sophomore Avery Walz posted a pair of individual wins and four gold medals overall in Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Seaman senior Gabby Grace captured four gold medals, two individual wins and two relays, in Wednesday's Topeka West Invitational. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
A. Walz was the first place finisher in both the 200-yard individual medley and 100-yard breaststroke. Grace won both the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke events
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
After engineering an impressive turnaound at Topeka High, Trojan girls basketball coach Hannah Alexander confirmed to TopSports.news Thursday morning that she has accept the head coaching job at Andover High School.
"It's closer to family,'' said Alexander, who has led the Trojans to four straight Class 6A state tournament appearances with a pair of runner-up finishes. "My mom lives in Kingman and then (her husband) Blake's sister lives in Andover, so we will be closer to family and that's the whole reason behind it.''
Topeka High girls basketball coach Hannah Alexander, who has led the Trojans to an 88-8 record over the past four seasons, confirmed Thursday morning that she has accepted a position at Andover High School. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Alexander, who's team is coming off a 20-3 season, said it was an extremely difficult decision to leave Topeka High.
"It was probably one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make,'' said Alexander, a Kingman native. "The girls are great and it's a great place to be. I'm thankful for the time and experience that I've had.
"I've learned a lot from being here and I've met some amazing people -- players, coaches. My coaching staff I've been with for eight years so that's really hard (to leave), too, because we've been through a lot of ups and downs. So it was definitely not an easy decision, but it is for the family and to be closer to family.
"The boys are going to be starting school soon, so getting to a spot that we feel is comfortable for them I think is very important.''
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The Topeka Tennis Association will induct its 2022 Hall of Fame class on Saturday at the Bettis Family Sports Complex in the meeting pavilion, welcoming seven inductees into the hall.
The induction ceremonies will get under way at 6:30 p.m., with Jim Clark, Gail Johnson, Bob Keeshan, Greg and Harold Kossover and Charles and Gary Stearns being inducted.
The TTA induction weekend will get started with a 6:30 p.m. reunion/social at Genesis Health Club. Attendees will also have opportunity to play tennis.
Hall of Fame capsules:
JIM CLARK
Clark played No. 1 singles for Topeka High in 1944 and went on to serve as captain for Emporia State's tennis team and a CIC Conference champion.
Jim Clark
He coached tennis and basketball at Ottawa Junior High School and became active in the Topeka Tennis Club and Hughes Courts in 1957.
Clark as director of the Jayhawk Tennis Tournament in the 1960s, recruiting top players to Jayhawk and helping it become one of the Missouri Valley's most prestigious events.
Served as chair umpire for many of the Jayhawk finals at Hughes Courts.
Served as chair umpire for the Billy Martin vs. Vitas Gerulaitis charity event in Topeka.
GAIL JOHNSON
Johnson moved to Topeka in 1951 and started a tennis shot in his basement at 811 Randolph.
Gail Johnson
Johnon operated the only racket shop" in Topeka from 1951 to 1974.
In the 1950s, '60s and '70s, Johnson was regarded as the face of Topeka tennis.
He was the founding father of the Topeka Tennis Club, which is now the Topeka Tennis Association, and served as the Jayhawk Open Tennis Tournament director in the 1950s and '60s.
BOB KEESHAN
