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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
It's probably safe to say that no golfer in the 15-school Washburn Invitational field knows the Topeka Country Club course any better than Ichabod six-year senior Andrew Beckler, who has roamed TCC almost from the time he first picked up a club.
"I've been around this track a time or two,'' Beckler joked.
In fact that time or two actually may be closer to 1,000 rounds.
"That's probably close,'' Beckler said. "That's probably a good guess.''
Beckler put that home field advantage to good use on Monday, continuing his spring hot streak with a 7-under-par 64 in his first of two rounds on the day. The former Washburn Rural individual and team Class 6A state champion then followed that up with a 3-under 68 and will take a 9-stroke lead into Tuesday's final round.
Andrew Beckler
Beckler's opening-round 64 was just one stroke off former U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland's course record of 63 and he tied what course officials consider the amateur course record.
"They added the two new back tees, so I like to say I have the back tee record,'' Beckler said with a laugh.
Beckler had flirted with that mark with a recent 65 before going a stroke lower Monday.
"I had one less bogey, so that added up to 64 instead of 65, but I've played this course so many times and when you play your home course you don't over-think it, you just go out and play,'' Beckler said. "I know where the spots are to hit it and it's just a matter of trusting it and hitting to your spots.''
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TopSports.news
Washburn University star senior guardTyler Geiman has received first-team National Association of Basketball Coaches All-Central District honors as voted on by members of the NABC.
Tyler Geiman
Geiman was one of four first team selections from the MIAA along with Ryan Hawkins and Trevor Hudgins of Northwest Missouri and Cam Martin of Missouri Southern.
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TopSports.news
Washburn University's softball team opened MIAA play Sunday in impressive fashion, posting a 10-1, 10-2 doubleheader sweep at Pittsburg State to improve to 16-3 while extending its winning streak to eight games.
Former Shawnee Heights star Jaycee Ginter Ginter tossed a complete-game four-hitter in the first game, striking out a career-high 11 batters to improve to 7-1 on the season while also hitting a home run.
Jaycee Ginter
Ashton Friend
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn senior Brock Gilliam turned in an outstanding pitching performance in the first game of Sunday's series-ending home MIAA doubleheader against Northeastern State as the Ichabods earned a split.
Gilliam led Washburn to a 7-4 win in the first game, throwing seven scoreless innings while allowing just three hits (two in the first inning) and tying his career high with 13 strikeouts. He recorded five 1-2-3 innings and struck out the side in the fifth.
Brock Gilliam tied his career high with 13 strikeouts Sunday as Washburn took a 7-4 win over Northeastern State. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Coming off one of the most successful seasons in school history, Topeka West dominates TopSports.news' inaugural All-Shawnee County boys basketball team, with seniors Trevion Alexander and Marque Wilkerson sharing the player of the year honor while junior Elijah Brooks joins his teammates on the first team.
Topeka West senior Trevion Alexander shares Top.Sports.new All-Shawnee County boys player of the year honors with teammate Marque Wilkerson. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Topeka West senior Marque Wilkerson was named the All-Shawnee County co-player of the year with teammate Trevion Alexander. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Washburn Rural senior Joe Berry and Highland Park senior CJ Powell round out the first team, with Berry leading the Junior Blues to a 14-7 record and a berth in a Class 6A sub-state championship game while Powell led the Scots to a 12-8 record this past season after helping Hi Park advance to the 5A state tournament as a junior.
Wilkerson averaged 17.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.2 steals this past season for the 21-3 Chargers while Alexander averaged 16.6 points, 5.5 rebounds 4.3 assists and 2.3 steals and Brooks averaged 15.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.5 steals.
