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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
It's been nearly two years since Washburn Rural's boys golf team has been in action due to COVID-19, but Rural still returns a solid nucleus of experienced players, which could bode well for Jared Goehring's Junior Blues this spring.
Washburn Rural graduated city champ Hayden Beck, now at Washburn, from its 2019 team, but the rest of the Junior Blues return.
"We have a very strong junior class with Luke Leonetti, Giles Frederickson and Turner Depperschmidt, and Reid Hughes and Tyler Higgins are back as seniors and all of those guys have plenty of experience playing tournament golf and postseason golf,'' Goehring said.
"We expect to hit the ground running from Day 1 because I know a lot of these guys have been itching, as has everyone who had last year canceled.''
Washburn Rural golf coach Jared Goehring talks to his team before a preseason practice. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
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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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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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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]
