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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Former Washburn Rural star Brooklyn DeLeye, a 6-foot-2 outside hitter, scored eight points on seven kills and a block Sunday in San Jose, Costa Rica as the U.S. Women's U21 National Team completed its undefeated run to the gold medal in the NORCECA Women’s Pan American Cup with a 25-18, 25-14, 25-13 win over Chile.
Former Washburn Rural star Brooklyn DeLeye (7) helped lead the U.S. U21 team to the Pan Am Cup championship Sunday in Costa Rica. [Photo by NORCECA]
The U.S. finished the tournament without losing a set in its five matches and won its third straight Pan Am title after winning in 2022 and 2023.
The U.S. finished with large margins in kills (42-15), blocks (10-2) and aces (8-2) in the title match.
The U.S. hit .516 for the match with 42 kills and just nine hitting errors in 64 attacks, while limiting Chile to a .000 hitting percentage on the same number of attacks.
In Set 1 DeLeye led all players with five points on four kills and a block and had back-to-back kills in the second set to put the U.S. in front 8-3.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University's football team will be looking to use the MIAA preseason polls as motivation after being picked No. 9 in both the coaches and preseason media polls that were released Monday by the conference office at the MIAA Football Media Day hosted Emporia State.
Washburn senior safety Jordan Finnesy, first-year head coach Zach Watkins and junior offensive lineman Jakobe Harmon addressed the MIAA media Monday at Emporia State. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The Ichabods, coming off a 3-8 season (2-7 in the MIAA) will open the 2025 season under first-year head coach Zach Watkins on Aug. 30, hosting former MIAA foe Truman State in Yager Stadium (1 p.m.). The Ichabods will open conference play on Sept. 6 at home against Northwest Missouri (1 p.m.).
The Ichabods were 2-5 in games decided by less than 10 points last season.
"(The polls) are based off of last year and nobody knows what each team is doing behind the scenes,'' Watkins said. "It's a good talking point that I will address with our team and let them know that it doesn't matter what that says.
"All that matters is if you execute and if we play well on Saturdays.''
The Ichabods were 2-5 in games decided by less than 10 points last season
The Ichabods are slated to have six starters returning on offense and eight on defense as well as three on special teams for the upcoming season.
Watkins was named the 38th head coach in program history on Nov. 26, 2024 becoming the first Ichabod alumnus to fill the top spot on the Ichabod sidelines in more than 30 years after spending the previous 11 seasons as the co-defensive coordinator on the Ichabod coaching staff.
Defending conference champion Central Oklahoma, 12-2 overall and 8-1 in the MIAA, was tapped as the preseason favorite in the coaches' poll, receiving seven of 10 first-place votes, while Pittsburg State (8-3, 7-2) topped the media poll.
Emporia State (7-4, 5-4) was picked fifth in the MIAA coaches poll and sixth in the media poll. The Hornets will open their season on Aug. 28 at Welch Stadium against non-conference foe Minot State (7 p.m.).
2025 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Central Oklahoma [7] – 78 points
2. Pittsburg State [3] – 75 points
3. Fort Hays State – 62 points
4. Central Missouri – 57 points
5. Emporia State – 50 points
6. Northwest Missouri – 41 points
7. Missouri Western – 29 points
8. Nebraska Kearney – 28 points
9. Washburn – 21 points
10. Missouri Southern – 9 points
[#] - Number of First Place Votes
2025 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
1. Pittsburg State [13] – 310 points
2. Central Oklahoma [18] – 307 points
3. Fort Hays State [2] – 271 points
4. Central Missouri [1] – 239 points
5. Northwest Missouri – 215 points
6. Emporia State – 167 points
7. Nebraska Kearney – 120 points
8. Missouri Western – 107 points
9. Washburn – 88 points
10. Missouri Southern – 46 points
[#] - Number of First Place Votes
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By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
It may seem remarkable that a kid who grew up in Gove, Kansas would eventually play Major League Baseball. But according to Bobby Randall, it’s not quite as unlikely as it seems today.
Former Major Leaguer and Division I coach Bobby Randall will be inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday at Washburn University. [Submitted photo/Kansas Sports Hall of Fame]
When Randall was drafted out of high school by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1966, he wasn’t unique.
“It was a time when small towns played baseball,” Randall said. “We played baseball fall and spring, didn’t have football. So, all those little towns played baseball, while a lot of the big schools didn’t have school baseball.
“The year that I was drafted, Ron Schueler, from a town called Catherine, over by Hays, was drafted. And Bill Russell from Pittsburg was drafted. All three of us small town Kansas kids were drafted that same year.”
Randall eventually reached the major leagues, became a Division I head coach, and is now a Kansas Sports Hall of Famer. With nine other inductees, he will be enshrined in a ceremony at Washburn University on Aug. 2.
Growing up in Gove wasn’t the obstacle it might seem. It was, in fact, a great place to grow up, Randall said.
“In Gove, they would turn the lights on at the baseball field and the whole town would come and sit in their cars around the fence and watch the game,” Randall recalled. “If you got a basehit, they would honk. It was like having 40,000 people at Yankee Stadium. That’s what it felt like to us.
“Baseball was an important part of the culture. It’s changed now. There is no small-town baseball anymore. That is sad.”
Randall said baseball games – pickup or organized – were rare in Gove. He said he never played more than 25 games in a season. Most of his training came from playing catch with his father or throwing the ball against the garage.
“I had no idea (the Dodgers) were going to draft me. I didn’t know anybody had been watching me,” Randall said. “If you’ve got talent, they will find you. There’s umpires, other coaches, people spread the word. Those scouts have their ear to the ground and it’s rare that a stone gets unturned.”
Randall turned down the Dodgers to attend Kansas State.
“I didn’t think I was ready to play professional baseball coming from a town of 300 people. I’d never played on a grass infield,” Randall said. “I just thought ‘I need to go to college.’ I didn’t have any dreams of playing in the major leagues. I wanted to play professionally just because I wanted to keep playing baseball. But I knew that going to college was the wise thing for me to do.
“I was not offered much of a bonus, so it was easy to turn that down. I had a partial scholarship to K-State. I figured, if I’m any good, I can go there and get better, then sign out of college.”
Randall didn’t get much of an opportunity at K-State until his junior season. He made the most of it, batting .390 and earning All-Big Eight honors.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Nora Burdiek, Rossville
NORA BURDIEK, Rossville
A junior outside hitter, Burdiek was a first-team TopSports.news All-Shawnee County and first-team Kansas Volleyball Association All-Class 2A selection last fall after recording 491 kills, 368 digs and 22 blocks for the 22-18 Bulldawgs. Burdiek was also an All-Big East second-team selection in as a sophomore after being named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year as a freshman in 2023. Burdiek is also one of 2A's top basketball players, receiving all-county recognition the past two seasons.
Campbell Dawson, Topeka High
CAMPBELL DAWSON, Topeka High
Dawson, a junior, turned in a solid sophomore season for an improving Topeka High program last season, with the Trojans posting a 17-19 record. Dawson, who is entering her third season as a varsity player, earned second-team TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League recognition as a sophomore. Also a standout for Topeka High in softball, Dawson helped the Trojans advance to the Class 6A state tournament.
Ella Foster, Hayden
ELLA FOSTER, Hayden
A senior libero, Foster helped lead the Wildcats to a 32-12 record and a third-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament last fall. Foster was a second-team TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League selection last season while also receiving All-Class 4A honorable mention from the Kansas Volleyball Association. Foster is a multi-sport athlete for the Wildcats, also playing basketball and soccer.
Harper Hafenstine, Seaman
HARPER HAFENSTINE, Seaman
A senior, Hafenstine is a leading returner for Seaman, which has advanced to the Class 5A state championship match the past two seasons, including the state championship in 2023. Hafenstine received TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after helping the Vikings post a 41-3 record on the year.
KYLIE HANNI, Silver Lake
Hanni is a returning junior standout for traditional Class 3A state power Silver Lake. Hanni was named to the TSN All-Shawnee County second team following the 2024 season while also earning All-Big East League second-team recognition.
KARSYN HASTERT, Cair Paravel Latin
Hastert, a senior, has earned second-team TSN All-Shawnee County honors the past two seasons for the Lions after receiving all-county honorable mention as a freshman. Hastert is also a basketball standout for Cair Paravel Latin, earning all-county recognition.
Karsyn Horyna, Washburn Rural (21)
KARSYN HORYNA, Washburn Rural
Horyna, a senior, earned a first-team berth on the TSN All-Shawnee County team last season after helping the 31-8 Junior Blues win the Centennial League championship and advance to the Class 6A state tournament. In addition to receiving her all-county honor Horyna was a second-team All-Centennial selection.
Reese Huscher, Hayden
REESE HUSCHER, Hayden
A senior, Huscher earned TSN All-Shawneee County second-team recognition last fall after helping the Wildcats post a 32-12 record and a third-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. Huscher received All-Centennial League honorable mention. Huscher was also a member of Hayden's basketball team that finished third in 4A and the Wildcat soccer team that was the 4A-1A state runnerup.
Stelly Kelly, Washburn Rural
STELLA KELLY, Washburn Rural
Kelly, a senior, earned a second-team berth on the TSN All-Shawnee County team last season after helping the 31-8 Junior Blues win the Centennial League championship and advance to the Class 6A state tournament. In addition to receiving her all-county recognition Kelly was a second-team All-Centennial selection.
Hailey Schmidtlein, Hayden
HAILEY SCHMIDTLEIN, Hayden
A sophomore middle blocker/outside hitter, Schmidtlein helped lead 32-12 Hayden to a third-place finish in Class 4A last fall, receiving All-State Tournament and second-team Class 4A All-State honors from the Kansas Volleyball Association. Schmidtlein, who registered 440 kills and 242 digs, was a first-team TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League pick and named the county co-newcomer of the year. Schmidtlein also helped Hayden finish third in 4A basketball and second in 4A-1A soccer.
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By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
For all his accomplishments in track and field, it’s possible that the most significant aspects of Cliff Wiley’s career occurred away from the track.
Former University of Kansas track star Cliff Wiley will be inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame on Aug. 2 at Washburn University. [Submitted photo/Kansas Sports Hall of Fame]
One of the world’s top sprinters in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Wiley will be inducted to the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame at a ceremony at Washburn University on August 2.
Highlighting Wiley’s career are wins in the men’s 400 meters at the 1981 Athletes World Cup in Rome and at the 1983 Pan American Games in Caracas. As a member of the University of Kansas track team, Wiley was an All-American and three-time national champion.
But before he hit those heights, Wiley was embroiled in a lawsuit with far-reaching implications for college athletes.
Having accepted Pell Grant money, which the NCAA considered an extra benefit, in addition to his track scholarship, Wiley was ruled ineligible by the governing body.
“It just didn’t make any sense to me,” Wiley said about the NCAA ruling. “I was 19 years old, fighting a case against the NCAA in federal court, sitting there with a guy from the Douglas County Legal Aid Society. We look over at the NCAA lawyers and they’re wearing these expensive suits…they weren’t shopping at the discount store.
“Where I came from, you tried to stay as far away from the law as you could, because in my neighborhood, if you had contact with the legal system, it was because you had done something wrong, or somebody had done something wrong to you.”
The lead plaintiff in Clifford Wiley vs. the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Wiley wound up separated from his KU teammates and without much of a support system.
“It was a tough deal,” Wiley said. “I didn’t understand all of the legalities, so it was difficult to talk to your family and friends about it.
“Other athletes were getting (Pell Grant) money. They would ask me what to do. I said ‘Keep taking the money. I wouldn’t tell anybody about it. But keep taking the money.' ”
Wiley trained on his own during the spring of his freshman year while the case went to court. He was finally permitted to compete thanks to an court injunction.
“I only competed in two meets that year – the conference meet and the NCAA meet,” Wiley said. “Then you go to the Olympic Trials. That’s not enough time when you’ve been sitting out the whole outdoor season, training by yourself.”
In what Wiley calls the biggest disappointment of his career, he failed to make the 1976 Olympic team.
“Guys who I had beaten my freshman year made the team,” Wiley said. “I lost that opportunity. The 200 was my best race, but I thought even if I didn’t make it in the individual race, I had a good chance of at least making the top six at the Olympic Trials in the 200, which would have put me in the relay pool.”
Wiley returned to KU and set his sights on the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. He qualified for the team in the 200 meters. But tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union escalated over the Soviets’ invasion of Afghanistan in late 1979, leading President Jimmy Carter to boycott the Summer Games. Wiley’s dream was once again deferred.
Those disappointments didn’t tarnish Wiley’s college resume, however. As one of the top sprinters coming out of high school in 1974, Wiley had offers from a lot of the best track programs in the nation. Kansas State University and the University of Kansas were both in the running.
“If you sent me a plane ticket, I came to visit your school,” Wiley said. “I visited Kansas and Kansas State because neither I nor my family understood the difference. It didn’t make sense to us. My mom would say, ‘The coach from Kansas called,’ not knowing which school it was. Several calls came in and we were like, ‘Didn’t I just talk to this coach yesterday?’ ”
Wiley ultimately selected the University of Kansas, which he called ‘one of the blue bloods of track and field in those days.’ He said the track athletes at KU exuded a quiet confidence.
“I could feel it when I got there,” Wiley said. “They were focused on the nationals. They had several guys who were national champions. It was like KU basketball is now – you just expected to be the best.”
