Details

Created: 27 January 2022

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Washburn Rural star senior swimmer Nathen Trachta had to wait until the final team scores were announced at the end of Thursday's Topeka city swimming and diving championships to know whether his 18th birthday was going to be one he'd never forget or one that would leave a sour taste his mouth.

It turned out Trachta had plenty of reason to celebrate, helping lead Washburn Rural to its third straight city crown by a razor-thin margin of 530-526 at the Capitol Federal Natatorium.

"I knew it was going to be tight,'' Trachta said. "We were competing against very good teams, and especially getting the win for a birthday present, that was very awesome.

"I'm so proud of our team.'' 

Washburn Rural senior Nathen Trachta won the city title in the 100-yard backstroke on Thursday, was second in the 100 butterfly (above) and also swam on a pair of winning relay teams as the Junior Blues edged Seaman for the team championship, 531-525. Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Trachta earned three gold medals to go with a second-place finish and anchored the Junior Blues' 400-yard freestyle relay to a victory in the meet-ending event, giving Washburn Rural the team title.

Trachta won the the 100-yard backstroke (57.72 seconds), finished second in the 100 butterfly (54.09) and swam on the Junior Blues' winning 200 freestyle and 400 free relays.

Trachta teamed with Jalen Eilert, Jack Miranda and Luke Lemke to win the 200 free relay (1:33.25) while Miranda, Will Powell and Brogan Meier won the 400 free relay (3:22.83).

Washburn Rural's Jack Miranda won four gold medals in Thursday's city meet as the Junior Blues won their third straight city team title by a 530-526 margin over Seaman. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Miranda won four gold medals on the day, winning the 200 freestyle (1:50.09) and the 100 free (49.80) to go with his two relay wins, while Meier added a win in the 500 freestyle (5:13.72).

Seaman won just one event on the day, Jake Moss' win in the 50 freestyle (23.34), but the Vikings' depth put them in position to challenge for the team championship, with Seaman posting top-three finishes in all 11 swimming events.

Like Trachta, second-year Washburn Rural coach Jordan Metz expected a nail-biter in the city meet.

"I'm not going to lie, I was very nervous,'' Metz said. "I've been thinking about it all day while I was at my other job and I'm like, 'Did I put everybody in the right events?''

"And then I was just like, 'I've got to trust the guys and put my faith in them because they've put in the work. They got it done tonight and I couldn't be prouder of them.''

"I knew Seaman was going to be tough to beat. They've been tough to beat all season.''

Shawnee Heights didn't have the depth to challenge for the team title, but the T-Birds won four events.

Shawnee Heights' Luke Perkins won a pair of individual events and also added a relay win in Thursday's city swimming meet. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Heights' Luke Perkins won the 200 individual medley  (2:01.54) and the 100 butterfly (52.72) and teamed with Truman Brede, Guillaume Humblet and Tanner Zerger to win the meet-opening 200 medley relay (1:43.21).

The T-Birds also got a victory from Humblet in the 100 breaststroke (1:00.79).

Topeka High freshman Jaxon Cowdin was the city diving champion, recording a winning score of 233.90.

TOPEKA CITY SWIMMING AND DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

At Capitol Federal Natatorium

Team scores

Washburn Rural 530, Seaman 526, Topeka High 354, Hayden 333, Shawnee Heights 272, Topeka West 27.

Individual results

200 medley relay — 1. Shawnee Heights (Brede, Humblet, Perkins, Zerger), 1:43.21; 2. Washburn Rural (Meier, Dimick, Powell, Eilert), 1:44.71; 3. Seaman (Pekarek, Florence, O'Rourke, Greig),  1:46.33.

200 freestyle — 1. Miranda, Washburn Rural, 1:50.09; 2. Powell, Washburn Rural, 1:54.95; 3. Ramirez, Seaman, 1:55.76.

200 individual medley — 1. Perkins, Shawnee Heights, 2:01.54; 2. Meier, Washburn Rural, 2:06.44; 3. O'Rourke, Seaman, 2:07.26.

50 freestyle — 1. Moss, Seaman, 23.34; 2. Gregg, Hayden, 24.09; 3. Appelhanz, Seaman, 24.36.

One meter diving -- 1. Cowdin, Topeka High, 233.90; 2. Haag, Topeka West, 158.50; 3. Cooney, Washburn Rural, 150.70.

100 butterfly — 1. Perkins, Shawnee Heights, 52.72; 2. Trachta, Washburn Rural, 54.09; 3. O'Rourke, Seaman, 55.37.

100 freestyle — 1. Miranda, Washburn Rural, 49.80; 2. Humblet, Shawnee Heights, 50.54; 3. Florence, Seaman, 53.02.

500 freestyle — 1. Meier, Washburn Rural, 5:13.72; 2. Johnson, Hayden, 5:55.82; 3. Wagnon, Seaman, 6:02.88.

200 freestyle relay — 1. Washburn Rural (Eilert, Miranda, Lemke, Trachta), 1:33.25; 2. Shawnee Heights (Zerger, Hoobler, Perkins, Humblet), 1:33.63; Seaman (Ramirez, Biggs, Appelhanz, Florence), 1:36.59.

100 backstroke — 1. Trachta, Washburn Rural, 57.72; 2. Ramirez, Seaman, 1:02.18; 3. Brede, Shawnee Heights, 1:03.60.

100 breaststroke — 1. Humblet, Shawnee Heights, 1:00.79; 2. Florence, Seaman, 1:05.36; 3. Dimick, Washburn Rural, 1:05.76.

400 freestyle relay — 1. Washburn Rural (Miranda, Powell, Meier, Trachta), 3:22.83; 2. Seaman (Moss, Greig, Ramirez, O'Rourke), 3:33.42; 3. Seaman B (Appelhanz, Pekarek, Stuke, Wurm), 3:43.07.

ALL-CITY SWIMMING/CITY

First team

Jack Miranda, Washburn Rural; Luke Perkins, Shawnee Heights; Brogan Meier, Washburn Rural; Guillaume Humblet, Shawnee Heights; Nathen Trachta, Washburn Rural; Daniel Ramirez, Seaman, Adin Florenece, Seaman; Jake Moss, Seaman; Colin O'Rourke, Seaman; Will Powell, Washburn Rural; Jaxon Cowdin, Topeka High (diver).

Second team

Ryan Johnson, Hayden; Blaize Appelhanz, Seaman; Truman Brede, Shawnee Heights; Jalen Eilert, Washburn Rural; Cordell Dimick, Washburn Rural; Dylan Gregg, Hayden; Perry Payne, Topeka High; Marcus Greig, Seaman; Evan Hoobler, Shawnee Heights; Coldy Colwell, Washburn Rural; Luke Lemke, Washburn Rural; Robert Haag, Topeka West (diver).

Details

Created: 26 January 2022

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Washburn University men's basketball team has been red hot of late, winning six of their last seven games and eight of 10.

But the Ichabods, who had won their previous eight conference games by an average of 5.9 points including five wins by three or fewer points, got to do something Wednesday night they hadn't been able to do throughout their MIAA schedule -- celebrate a blowout.

Washburn, which improved to 12-7 overall and 9-4 in the MIAA, used a 14-0 run to open up a 46-29 halftime cushion and outscored the Jets (4-12, 1-10) by a 45-31 margin in the second half to run away with a 91-60 win at Lee Arena.

Newman had played Washburn to a 72-61 decision in Wichita on Dec. 11, but the Ichabods did a much better job of imposing their will on the Jets in Wednesday's rematch.

"That was definitely a point of emphasis, get out in attack mode and get out in transition to start the game,'' Washburn star senior point guard Tyler Geiman said. "We kind of got downhill and got some easy shots and got some other guys going, so that was good.''

Washburn senior Tyler Geiman had a double-double with 20 points and 10 assists in the Ichabods' 91-60 win over Newman Wednesday night. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

Geiman led three double-figure scorers for WU with 20 points while Geiman and senior Jeremy Harrell both registered double-doubles.

Geiman added 10 assists to go with his 20 points while Harrell had 12 points and 11 rebounds and Connor Deffebaugh scored 15 points.

Connor Deffebaugh scored 15 points in Washburn's 91-60 MIAA romp past Newman Wednesday night. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

Washburn played 14 players in the game and 12 cracked the scoring column.

"It was definitely good to get some other guys in,'' Geiman said. "They've been working hard in practice every day, so that was great to see.''

Washburn coach Brett Ballard agreed.

"It's good to give some of the guys that contribute a lot in practice but don't get in games the opportunity to play,'' Ballard said. "I think that's one of the best things about a game like this. Those guys got some solid minutes and got an opportunity to get out there in front of a crowd, which they deserve.

"So I was pleased with that and obviously was overall pleased with how we played. I thought it was a good overall game for us.''

The Ichabods didn't have a great shooting night from 3-point range (11 of 38) or the free throw line (eight of 18), but WU shot a respectable 46.8 percent from the field overall, while holding Newman to 41.2-percent shooting.

Washburn held a 42-36 rebounding edge and forced 23 Jet turnovers while committing just five floor errors.

Newman was led by Deandre Johnson with 11 points while Israel Barnes added 10 points. Both Johnson and Barnes both grabbed seven rebounds for the Jets.

Washburn will be back at Lee Arena on Saturday for a 3 p.m. game against Central Oklahoma, which is 17-2 overall, 12-1 in the MIAA and the winner of 13 straight games.

The Bronchos took a 97-87 overtime win over the Ichabods in an earlier game.

WASHBURN MEN 91, NEWMAN 60 

Newman                    29 31 -- 60 

Washburn                 46 45 -- 91 

NEWMANI (4-12, 1-10) 

Javorsky 1-2 0-0 3, Johnson 5-8 1-2 11, Barnes 4-15 0-2 10, Strong 3-8 2-2 9, Lee 1-4 0-0 2, Bunn 2-7 1-2 6, Agyapong 0-0 1-2 1, Morris 1-3 5-6 8, Jovanovic2-2 1-3 5, Oliva 2-2 0-0 5, Jones 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 21-51 11-19 60. 

WASHBURN (12-7, 9-4) 

Harrell 5-13 0-0 12, Deffebaugh 7-10 0-0 15, Geiman 8-13 1-2 20, Lewis 1-7 0-0 3, Keegan 2-4 0-0 4, Clausing 3-5 3-5 9 Nelson 3-7 0-0 7, Ellis 2-5 0-0 5, Braun 2-5 0-0 6, Monday 1-4 0-0 2, Thorne 0-1 0-0 0, Orr 1-1 3-6 5, Cordes 1-2 1-2 3, Ross 0-0 0-2 0. Totals 36-77 8-18 91. 

3-point goals -- Newman 7-17 (Barnes 2-5, Javorsky 1-2, Strong 1-4, Bunn 1-3, Morris 1-2, Oliva 1-1), Washburn 11-38 (Geiman 3-5, Braun 2-5, Harrell 2-8, Deffebaugh 1-1, Lewis 1-7, Nelson 1-4, Ellis 1-3, Thorne 0-1, Monday 0-3, Cordes 0-1), Rebounds -- Newman 36 (Johnson 7, Barnes 7), Washburn 42 (Harrell 11). Assists -- Newman 13 (Lee 8), Washburn 17 (Geiman 10). Turnovers -- Newman 23, Washburn 10. Total fouls -- Newman 22, Washburn 18. Fouled out -- none. Technical fouls -- none.

Details

Created: 26 January 2022

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Washburn University's women's basketball team didn't have a good offensive night Wednesday until Shae Sanchez and Macy Doebele got hot in the late going.

But when you hold an opponent to 30 points -- an average of 7.5 points per quarter -- you've got to like your chances to pick up a victory.

"I would hope so,'' said Doebele, a 5-foot-11 sophomore out of Hanover. "That's the biggest thing I can say about this team is that no matter what's going, usually we have our defense.

"Everyone grinds through the defensive part of it and that's something we have all committed to doing.''

Washburn senior Shae Sanchez scored 14 points with four 3-pointers in the Ichabods' 47-30 win over Newman Wednesday night. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

Sophomore Macy Doebele scored 10 points and went six of six from the free throw line in the Ichabods' 47-30 MIAA win over Newman Wednesday night. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

The Ichabods limited the 2-18 Jets, who are still looking for their first MIAA win, to what was believed to be the lowest point total in Newman program history on the way to a 47-30 win at Lee Arena.

Newman's game plan was to milk the shot clock and limit Washburn's possessions, a ploy that was somewhat successful during a 15-14 first half (WU led) and through the first five and a half minutes of the third quarter before the Ichabods (8-9 overall, 6-5 in the conference) ended the quarter with an 11-0 run to take a 28-18 lead into the fourth quarter, getting a lift from Doebele and Lauren Cassaday.

"They've been doing this the last couple of weeks, trying to slow the pace down and get you in lower possessions,'' Washburn coach Ron McHenry said of Newman. "We just didn't handle it very good (in the first half) and thank goodness our defense was good.

"That's been their (modus operandi) for a couple of weeks now and really trying to keep the game at a number they can manage. I thought the kids stayed patient and pressed them up enough to bother them. Defense wasn't an issue tonight, obviously.''

Doebele canned two free throws to open the fourth quarter, pushing Washburn's lead to 30-18, and Sanchez drained three 3-pointers over the final 3:24 as the Ichabods built their biggest lead of the night.

Washburn shot just 35.4 percent from the field and was just four of 20 from 3-point range, but limited Newman to 23.3 percent shooting and a 2 of 15 showing from outside the arc.

Sanchez, a 5-10 senior, accounted for all four of Washburn's 3-point makes and finished with a game-high 14 points while Doebele added 10 points (six of six from the free throw line), sophomore Abby Oliver eight points and Cassaday, a freshman, seven.

Senior Nuria Barrientos tied for game-high honors with eight rebounds.

Newman did not have a player with more than six points.

Washburn will be back at home Saturday to host Central Oklahoma in a 1 p.m. MIAA contest.

WASHBURN WOMEN 47, NEWMAN 30

Newman          9  5   4  12 -- 30

Washburn        9 6  13  19 -- 47 

NEWMAN (2-18, 0-14)

Ho 3-9 0-0 6, Nilles 0-3 2-2 2, Dubbert 2-13 0-0 5, Beck 0-4 0-0 0, Vang 2-4 0-0 5, Bello 2-6 2-2 6, Hayes 0-1 2-2 2, White 1-3 2-3 4, Rottinghaus 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 10-43 2-15 30.

WASHBURN (8-9, 6-5)

Cassaday 3-5 1-2 7, Gamble 0-1 0-0 0, Bentley 0-8 2-2 2, Barrientos 2-4 0-0 4, Doebele 2-4 6-6 10, Sanchez 5-9 0-0 14, Oliver 4-8 0-2 8 , Dewey 1-4 0-0 2, Sanz 0-5 0-0 0. Totals 17-48 9-12 47.

3-point shots – Newman 2-15 (Dubbert 1-7, Vang 1-2, Beck 0-4, Nilles 0-1, White 0-1), Washburn 4-20 (Sanchez 4-6, Bentley 0-6, Sanz 0-5, Barrientos 0-1, Doebele 0-1, Dewey 0-1). Rebounds – Newman 26 (Ho 8), Washburn 40 (Barrientos 8). Assists – Newman 7 (Dubbert 4), Washburn 14 (Bentley 4). Turnovers – Newman 14, Washburn 12. Total fouls – Newman 11, Washburn 12. Fouled out – none. Technical fouls – none.

Details

Created: 26 January 2022

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Washburn Rural enters Thursday's city swimming championships as the two-time team champ, but the 2022 city meet has a chance to be one of the most competitive overall in recent seasons.

The Junior Blues cruised to their second straight title last season by a decisive 402.5-292.5 margin over runner-up Hayden, but perennial city stalwart Seaman had just one entry due to COVID-related issues.

Nathen Trachta won four gold medals in last season's city swimming and diving championships, helping lead Washburn Rural to its second straight city team title. [File photo/TSN]

Senior Nathen Trachta was a four-event gold medalist a year ago, winning both of his individual events while also swimming on a pair of winning relays as the Junior Blues won nine of 12 events.

Trachta took first in the 100-yard butterfly in 54.57 seconds and the 100 backstroke in 56.16 while also swimming on the 200 free and 400 free relays and Rural also got a city title from junior Cordell Dimick in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:10.59).

Luke Perkins was able to sweep his two individual events for Shawnee Heights last season in the city meet, taking first in the 200-yard individual medley (2:04.48) and 500-yard freestyle (5:07.88), and Perkins also swam on the T-Birds' winning 200 medley relay (1:54.03).

Heights returning standout Tanner Zerger was also a city champion in the 200 medley relay in 2021.

Topeka High finished third in the team standings in last year's city meet while Shawnee Heights was fourth.

Rural's Trachta, Dimick and Jalen Eilert were first-team All-City selections last season along with Heights' Perkins and Topeka High's Perry Payne.

The city meet will get under way with diving competition at 1:30 p.m., followed by the swimming events.