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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University has named former Ichabod star and longtime assistant coach Zach Watkins as the school's new head football coach.
Zach Watkins
The former All-American linebacker and 11-year member of the Washburn coaching staff, who was iducted into the Washburn Hall of Fame in 2021, becomes the 38th head football coach in program history as well as the first Ichabod alum to fill the role in more than 30 years.
"Coach Watkins has a detailed plan to power the program forward,'' said Washburn athletics director Loren Ferre. "While the position attracted a lot of interest from other coaching candidates, we are confident the best candidate is already on our sideline."
"Zach brings a deep understanding of what it takes to win in the MIAA and is hitting the ground running. Having earned the respect and support of his players as well as other coaches in the conference, Zach is well prepared to take this program to the next level and keep it there."
Watkins began his coaching career at Northwest Missouri State and Fort Hays State University before returning to his alma mater.
As part of the Washburn coaching staff, Watkins has served as both associate head coach and co-defensive coordinator.
He has coached 56 Ichabods to All-MIAA honors on the defensive side and directly coached 23 All-MIAA selections, including 10 linebackers, three punters, three place-kickers and seven defensive backs.
In 2017, Watkins was selected as one of 34 NCAA football coaches to attend the NCAA and NFL Coaches Academy – the only MIAA coach and one of only two from the Division II ranks.
"Coach Watkins is deeply committed to Washburn University and the Ichabod football program, striving to compete for championships each and every season," said Washburn president Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek. "I have full confidence in Zach's leadership abilities and his vision for the future.
"His strong relationships with current players as well as connections to incoming recruits will help to ensure we retain our talent and grow this program into a national Division II powerhouse."
Watkins was a four-year starter at linebacker for Washburn from 2006-09, compiling an impressive career of 100 or more tackles in each season as well as a school-record 473 stops throughout his four years.
At the time, that mark placed him third all-time in NCAA Division II history.
"I would like to thank president Mazachek and athletic director Ferré for this incredible opportunity," Watkins said. "I am humbled and excited to be chosen to lead the outstanding young men in this football program. Washburn helped shape me into the man I am today and I am grateful to pay that forward in the lives of our student-athletes."
Watkins, a native of Independence, Mo., graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration from Washburn University in 2009 and completed his master's degree in sports administration at Fort Hays State in 2013.
He and his wife Amanda have two children, a son, Parker, and daughter, Naomi.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Fourteen soccer standouts have received All-State recognition from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association, led by All-Class 6A first-team pick Dylan Willingham of Washburn Rural.
Willingham, a junior midfielder, was earlier named the Centennial League player of the year and received first-team All-City recognition after helping lead the Junior Blues to a third-place finish in the 6A state tournament.
Dylan Willingham, Washburn Rural
Rural juniors Brandon Hamilton, Liam Morrison and Miles Cook were all named to the All-6A second team while senior Ryder Nikkel and junior Draden Chooncharoen received honorable mention.
Six city players earned All-5A honorable mention, with Shawnee Heights represented by juniors Camden Granado and Juan Garcia and sophomore Mason Haas and Seaman by seniors Blake Toyne, Logan Townsend and Kaelin Loy.
Cair Paravel Latin junior Nathan Keys received second-team honors in All-4A-1A while Lion sophomore Judah Congdon received honorable mention.
Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association All-State
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University volleyball was selected to its 18th NCAA Tournament appearance on Monday evening, earning the sixth seed in the Central Region.
The Ichabods will head to St. Cloud, Minn. to face No. 3 seed Nebraska-Kearney in the first round on Dec. 5.
Washburn volleyball will make its 18th appearance in the NCAA Tournament on Dec. 5 in St. Cloud, Minn. [File photo/TSN]
The Ichabods are back in the tournament after a one-year hiatus. Washburn earned the No. 6 seed, where the Ichabods were slotted in the previous two NCAA Regional Rankings.
WU is 20-7 overall overall and posted a fourth-place finish in the MIAA regular season with an 11-5 mark.
The Ichabods advanced to the MIAA Tournament quarterfinals where they fell to Northwest Missouri State, 3-1.
A time for Washburn's NCAA Tournament match against Nebraska-Kearney will be determined later.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
It took awhile Monday night for Washburn University women basketball to prove it was the dominant team against former MIAA rival Lincoln.
Washburn junior Yibari Nwidadah (middle) posted game-high totals of 25 points and 12 rebounds as the Ichabods stretched their winning streak to three games with Monday's 80-55 in over Lincoln. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
But there was no doubt who the most dominant player on the floor was, with 6-foot-2 junior center Yibari Nwidadah turning in a huge performance with 25 points and 12 rebounds as Washburn took control in the second half for an 80-55 win over the Blue Tigers in WU's home opener in Lee Arena.
"We like Bari against almost anybody,'' Washburn coach Lora Westling said. "We liked Bari against the Big 12 teams (Kansas State and Kansas in exhibitions). She does the work and she's coming along, she's getting more confident, and she's going to be dominant for us.''
Nwidadah said she's worked at being more aggressive on the court.
"Coach has talked to me a lot about being dominant and stepping up into that dominant mindset and just going out and going after everyone,'' Nwidadah said. "It's just like no matter who's in front of me I'm going to go out and be the same person every time.''
Washburn, which has now posted three straight wins by at least 22 points, struggled early against the Blue Tigers, trailing 21-16 after one quarter and trailing much of the second quarter before rallying late behind Nwidadah to take a 32-29 lead at the half.
But the Ichabods, who played without guard Aniyah Wayne due to an injury, took control with a 25-11 third quarter and a 23-15 fourth stanza to record their most lopsided win of the season.
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