Washburn University Ichabods

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn University volleyball graduated six seniors, including three All-Americans, off its 2025 team that posted a 27-5 record, earned a share of the MIAA regular-season championship and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

 Washburn University's 2026 volleyball team poses for a team picture during Monday's media day activities. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

But Chris Herron's Ichabods still have the same sky-high expectations they've always had as they open preseason preparations for the 2026 season.

Washburn graduated MIAA Player of the Year and first-team AVCA All-America middle hitter Austin Broadie, first-team All-MIAA and AVCA All-America honorable mention outside hitter Bella Limback and middle hitter Alex Dvorak, who earned second-team All-MIAA honors last fall despite missing a big chunk of the season with an injury after earning AVCA All-America honorable mention in 2024.

But the Ichabods return three-time second-time all-conference defensive specialist/libero  Taylor Rottinghaus, a former Shawnee Heights star, as well as second-team All-MIAA outside hitter Brynne Topolski and honorable mention all-conference outside hitter Keilah Rivers.   

"We like the kids we have and why I feel good about it is that we have so much experience returning,'' Herron said. "Am I going to miss some of those other kids? Yeah sure, but you know what, I think the biggest thing for is we're ready to move on.

"You have this five for five (eligibility) thing and all these injunctions, but we're just going on. We're not worried about that stuff. We like our group and they tested really well (Monday) morning, everybody passed everything, so it's great.''

Now Herron is eager to see what heights this year's edition of the Ichabods can reach.

"We talked about that (Sunday) at our first meeting,'' Herron said. "When you change three or four pieces, they leave, and then three or four new pieces come in, the whole chemistry of that team has changed dramatically, so you have to find your own chemistry.

"We said, 'Whatever happened last year was fine and good, but that was last year, now you've got to find your own.' ''  

In addition to Rottinghaus, Topolski and Rivers, Herron is expecting big things from sophomore middle blocker Brooklyn Morrisey, who came on strong late last season.

"Those middles (Broadie and Dvorak) were dynamite, they were just ridiculous, but we have Brooklyn Morrisey, who filled in the last 13 matches for Alex when she got hurt and played terrific,'' Herron said. "She played against 11 nationally-ranked teams and still hit .280-something, so that bodes well for us.''

The Ichabods have also added transfer setter Lauren Tyler from Drury and transfer first-team All-MIAA first-team outside hitter Emma Siron from Central Missouri State.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

After working his way from walk-on status and a broken hand early in his career to earn a starting position on Washburn University's offensive line, Orrin Busenitz's 2025 football season ended just two plays into the Ichabods' season-opener against Truman State when the former Shawnee Heights standout suffered a serious injury to his left knee.

Former Shawnee Heights standout Orrin Busenitz (52) has fought back from a serious knee injury on the second play of the 2025 season to return to action for the Ichabods.[Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

But while the '25 injury was the unquestioned low point of his career, the 6-foot-2, 295-pound offensive guard has battled back over the past year, determined to regain his spot as a mainstay in the trenches for the Ichabods, who opened their fall camp earlier in the week.

"You don't ever want to have a serious injury like that as I did last year, but we did it early so I've had the absolute most time to recover as possible,'' said Busenitz, who suffered a torn ACL and torn miniscus. "It was definitely tough but there's always a brighter side of some things. Coach (Zach) Watkins talks all the time about how not everything is as bad as it seems at first.

"I think for me I was able to maybe gain some better perspective of our team and I think I was able to build better relationships with the guys in that locker room and get as many mental reps as possible and all that.''

Busenitz, an All-Shawnee County pick and Kansas Shrine Bowl pick as a senior at Shawnee Heights, also used his rehab time to work on his overall physical conditioning.

"Yeah, the knee was messed up, but I'll tell you what, the rest of my body felt great, the best it's felt in three years,'' Busenitz said. "My  shoulders felt really good, so there's always a brighter side to it.

"People talk all the time about how with these injuries, a lot of it's more mental. And it's just getting back out here on the field and trusting what your body can do and trusting that you've done the work to recover and strengthen it up. And now it's just time to go.''

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Former Hayden star Finn Dunshee hasn't played football since helping lead the Wildcats to a runnerup finish in Class 3A in 2023 and playing for the East in the 2024 Kansas Shrine Bowl.

Finn Dunshee (33), who helped 12-1 Hayden post a runnerup Class 3A state finish in 2023, is back on the football field after a two-year absence with hometown Washburn University. [File photo/TSN] 

But even though he had gone on to run Division I track at Texas Christian University after winning six state titles for the Wildcats, Dunshee never completely lost his love for the gridiron.

And as time went on, that love got stronger, prompting Dunshee, named the TopSports.news Shawnee County Male Athlete of the Year in 2024, to leave TCU and accept the opportunity to play football for the hometown Ichabods.

"I'd been thinking about it, maybe not my freshman year, but that summer going into my sophomore year I had been down there at those Texas games and Texas football's a little different,'' Dunshee said. "Everybody's going crazy and I was like, 'Man, I miss football.'

"I started to get the itch again. I went through my sophomore (track) season and I came home and I ended up hitting the portal and I was like, 'Hey, you guys interested?' ''

When Washburn reached out, Dunshee said it was a relative easy decision to come home. 

"I have a big family here in Topeka and I've got all these nieces and nephews and I love them to death, so I was like, 'Why not Washburn?' '' said the 5-foot-10, 175-pounder, who is projected as a wide receiver and returner for WU.

"They were interested in me in high school and just reached out. They were like 15 dudes over their limit, but they ended up giving me a spot, so I was pretty excited.''

Dunshee, a three-time state champion in track as both a junior and senior, joined Washburn for summer workouts to get re-acquainted with the game of football before opening up fall camp this week.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn University women's soccer has been picked No. 4 in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II Women's Coaches National Pre-Season Rankings released Tuesday.

Davy Phillips' Ichabods are coming off a 14-4-6 season in 2025, including 8-0-4 in MIAA play, and advanced to the NCAA Division II semifinals.

Senior defender Lindsey Maul returns for No. 4-ranked Washburn soccer after earning first-team All-MIAA and all-region honors in 2025. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

Sophomore Leah Henke is a top returner for No. 4-ranked Washburn University soccer after being named the MIAA freshman of the year last season. [File photo/TSN] 

The Ichabods return a key nucleus of players from last year's team, including first-team All-MIAA picks Lindsey Maul, a senior defender, and Leah Henke, a sophomore forward. Henke was named the MIAA freshman of the year last fall.

Also returning are All-MIAA second-team pick Rilyn Snyder, a senior defender, third-team conference selections Grace Peterson (senior midfielder), Mackinly Rohn (senior midfielder) and Sam Searcey (junior forward) and honorable mention honorees Kate Hinck (sophomore forward) and Lili Everley (sophomore goalkeeper).

Washburn Rural products Rohn and Hinck are two of the five Topekans on the Washburn 2026 roster along with Rural grads Destiny Higgs, a redshirt freshman, and freshman Dayne Shriver, and Hayden freshman Reese Huscher.  

Washburn will open its regular season at 6 p.m. Aug. 27 in Yager Stadium against pre-season No. 21 Maryville.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn University men’s basketball coach Brett Ballard remains hospitalized after being seriously injured in a single-vehicle crash Tuesday evening.

Washburn University men's basketball coach Brett Ballard remains hospitalized after being seriously injured in a single-vehicle car accident Tuesday night; [File photo/TSN]

The accident involving the 46-year-old Ballard occurred shortly after 8 p.m. on I-470 highway near mile marker 183in Shawnee County.

Ballard's was driving westbound when his vehicle left the roadway to the left, striking a delineator post, the embankment and a bridge pillar. Emergency medical services transported Ballard to Stormont Vail Hospital.

“We are deeply saddened to share that coach Brett Ballard was seriously injured in a car accident last evening,'' Washburn University president JuliAnn Mazachek said in a statement. "Our hearts are with coach Ballard, his family, the men’s basketball program and all who are affected during this difficult time.

"We ask our community to keep them in their thoughts during this time of recovery and to respect the family’s privacy. The university will share additional information when appropriate.”

Over his nine seasons at Washburn Ballard has compiled a 198-81 record, including a 31-2 record in the 2025-2026 season. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn University present JuliAnn Mazachek released an encouraging update Saturday night from the Ballard family regarding the condition of Ichabod men's basketball coach Brett Ballard, who was injured in a one-vehicle accident Tuesday night.

Washburn University men's basketball coach Brett Ballard continues to make improvement after being severely injured in a one-vehicle crash Tuesday night. [File photo/TSN]

"Dear Washburn community,   

I am reaching out today to share the uplifting message below from the Ballard family.

The Ballard family would like to extend our gratitude to the first responders and medical staff at Stormont Vail for caring for Brett. We sincerely appreciate the outpouring of love and support from friends, family, and the community. Your prayers are felt and are making a difference.

After suffering a medical incident, Brett is receiving the care he needs and is expected to make a full recovery.

We are truly grateful for all the support shown to our family.

The outpouring of love and encouragement for Coach and his family has been deeply meaningful. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts as Brett continues on the road to recovery.''

The accident involving the 46-year-old Ballard occurred Tuesday night on I-470 highway near mile marker 183in Shawnee County.

Ballard's was driving westbound when his vehicle left the roadway to the left, striking a delineator post, the embankment and a bridge pillar. Emergency medical services transported Ballard to Stormont Vail Hospital.

Over his nine seasons at Washburn Ballard has compiled a 198-81 record, including a 31-2 record in the 2025-2026 season. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Competing in what is arguably the premier conference in NCAA Division II, Washburn University football coach Zach Watkins knows that nothing will come easy this fall.

Zach Watkins officially begins Year 2 as Washburn's head football coach on Monday when the Ichabods report for the opening of fall camp. [File photo/TSN]

But Watkins feels like there's already been a big jump in comfort level across the board as he and his staff open Year 2 at the Ichabod helm.    

"All the things that we're doing now, it's not the first time we've done them,'' said Watkins, whose team will report for fall camp Monday. "Last year, from when we got the job through our first season, was the first time we did everything as a staff, as a program, these players, so now it's not the first time anymore.

"There's also a sense of urgency that the Year 2 jump has got to happen through this summer, in this fall, and that's just improving all the processes we do to make sure we have a much more successful season.''

The Ichabods are coming off a 3-8 season (2-7 in the MIAA), but five of Washburn's losses were by seven or fewer points, including an overtime defeat.

"We've talked about that with our team,'' said Watkins, a former All-American linebacker and a member of the Washburn Hall of Fame. "Year 1 you have those losses. Year 2 you hope those turn into close wins and Year 3, 4, 5 then it turns the other way. I think we're doing everything right to make sure that happens.

"The MIAA is the gauntlet that it is, so you have to play well each week to win those close games.''

Watkins said that the Ichabods have done everything he could ask over the offeason to get ready for the upcoming campaign.

"January, when we started meetings for the 2026 team, we laid out what it's going to take to win and the summer's the most important part of that,'' Watkins said.

"The guys bought into that. We had some freshmen join us, new transfers, and this summer will put us in a much better position moving forward to the season.''

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn University linebacker JC Heim was a tackle machine last fall as a sophomore, rolling up 142 total stops to lead the MIAA and rank second in the nation.

Former Washburn Rural star JC Heim returns for his third season at Washburn after ranking second in the nation with 142 tackles in 2025. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

But like almost all great players, the 6-foot-3, 235-pound Washburn Rural product would gladly sacrifice individual stats for more team success as the Ichabods try to improve on back-to-back 3-8 seasons and three straight losing campaigns overall.

"One hundred percent, 110 percent I would give up the stats I had for a few more wins and I'm just excited to see how it works out this year,'' Heim said.

Heim, a Washburn team champion, registered 71 solo stops a year ago to rank No. 3 in the nation and had seven tackles for loss, a sack, an interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery while posting a career-high 17 tackles against Colorado School of Mines.

Heim admitted that he was surprised by last year's numbers. 

"It definitely caught me off guard,'' Heim said. "During the game you just get in that flow state and you don't realize the tackles and stats you have. I don't really tend to worry about that much. I just worry about my job, but it came with how we play our defense and how the guys did up front and that's how I was able to get the stats I had.

"I surprised myself, but the coaches and the players around me, they're confident in me and how I play the game and what I do.''

Washburn star JC Heim is focused on helping the Ichabods take a big step forward this fall after a huge sophomore campaign. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics] 

Washburn suffered five losses by seven or fewer points last season, including an overtime loss, and Heim feels like the Ichabods are poised to make a big jump this fall.

"We've got a lot of depth at a lot of positions,'' said Heim, who has 171 career tackles with 84 solo stops and eight tackles for loss. "We've got a lot of returners coming back and we've built a lot of leaders up, so I'm just excited to see how we respond to adversity this year and how we finish games.''

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

After a year out of football, former Highland Park and Washburn University standout Michael Wilhoite is back in the NFL with the Denver Broncos.

Former Highland Park and Washburn standout Michael Wilhoite, who was back in Topeka last month to co-host his annual youth camp, has rejoined the Denver Broncos coaching staff as a defensive assistant. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Multiple Denver news outlets have reported that the Broncos have added former assistant Wilhoite to their coaching staff as a defensive assistant.

Wilhoite, who previously coached outside linebackers for the Broncos, was let go in March of 2025 after an incident at the Denver airport, but all criminal chargers were eventually dropped, opening the door for Wilhoite's return. 

A member of the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame, Wilhoite put together a seven-year NFL career as a linebacker with San Francisco and Seattle, including a Super Bowl appearance, before coaching in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers and Broncos.

Wilhoite was back in Topeka last month to co-host the Mental Performance And Wellness Night and Big Kev Give Back lineup at Washburn along with close friend and fellow Hall of Famer Kyle Weems.

"Over my past year being out of work and being out of sports I spent a lot of time on myself and therapy and on mental performance and just growing and learning and gaining new tools for myself to help me stay confident in those times of lapses, those times of insecurity, those times of questioning,'' Wilhoite said during his return to Topeka. "I've been able to find different tools to help me to continue to move forward in a positive manner.

"I'm out of football for a year and that was tough. That had essentially become my identity and that had become who I was -- football coaching -- and that being taken away it kind of stripped me of that with it. It got tough, so I went and sought out help and it changed my life. It gave me perspective that I hadn't had before in my life.'' 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

If NCAA Division II follows Division I's lead in the near future, college athletes will be granted an extra season of eligibility, having five years to play five seasons.

Washburn Rural product Ty Weber is excited about the possibility of getting to play five seasons for Washburn football. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

If and when that proposal goes into effect, Washburn University senior tight end Ty Weber is likely to jump at the opportunity to play an extra season for the Ichabods.  

"The thing is, you don't get to play football much in your life,'' said the 6-foot-4 235-pound Weber, a Washburn team captain. "Once you're done you're done, and this group of guys that we have now has been some of the most fun guys I've ever gotten to play with, so it's just a joy to show up every day and it's like, 'Why would I not want to get one more?' ''

Weber, a former Washburn Rural football and baseball standout, cracked Washburn's starting lineup as a true freshman in 2023, but experienced a devastating tragedy prior to the Ichabods' fifth game of the season when his father, Billy, died suddenly at 55 years old.

Weber fought through the heartbreak to play in nine games with seven starts as a freshman and appeared in all 11 games as a sophomore with eight starts.

Weber suffered another setback last season, missing the Ichabods' first five games after being stricken with amyloidosis, a rare ailment that resulted in Weber suffering full body cramping that resulted in hospitalization.

But Weber, who suffered a broken leg in baseball as a sophomore at Rural,  once again showed his resiliency, returning to action for the final six games of the season as Washburn posted a second straight 3-8 season.   

"Those things, when they happen, they make you appreciate it more,'' Weber said. "And this maybe being my last one it kind of gives you a different sense of feeling about it.

"I'm looking forward to a year where I don't have to see the doctors much and not see the trainers as much, but also to have more wins in the win column.''

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn University was picked eighth in both the MIAA Preseason Football Coaches and Media Polls released Monday by the conference office as part of the MIAA Football Media Day hosted by Washburn in the Bill Sneed Indoor Athletic Facilty.

Zach Watkins' Washburn Ichabods were picked No. 8 in the MIAA preseason football polls, released Monday. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

The Ichabods, coming off a 3-8 season (2-7 in the MIAA) will open the 2026 season on Aug. 29, going on the road to face former MIAA foe Truman State (6 p.m.). The Ichabods will make their home debut on Sept. 5 at Yager Stadium with a non-conference tilt against Colorado School of Mines (12 p.m.).

Now the Ichabods, who dropped five games by seven or fewer points last season, will be looking to take a big jump in Year 2 of the Zach Watkins era, building around 12 returning starters and 55 lettermen.

Former Washburn Rural star Ty Weber returns for his senior season at tight end for Washburn football. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

"We've got the right guys, we've had the right preparation,'' said Washburn senior tight end Ty Weber. "I think the biggest thing for us is not necessarily proving people wrong but proving us right.

"We know the work we've put in, we know what we've done, and I think now it's just the year that we take off and really project into what we can do in the next couple of years.''

Washburn star junior linebacker JC Heim, a Washburn Rural product, ranked No. 2 in the nation in tackles last fall. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]  

Junior linebacker JC Heim, who led the MIAA and ranked No. 2 in the nation in tackles last season, agreed with Weber that the Ichabods are poised for a big season.

"It all just comes down to how we worked this summer,'' Heim said. "We averaged 92 guys this summer and that's huge for us. We had a good spring, a good summer, so I'm just excited. All we can do is control what we can control and get out there on the field and show what we can do.''

Defending conference co-champion Pittsburg State, 10-3 overall, 8-1 in the MIAA, was tapped as the preseason favorite in the coaches' poll, receiving seven of 10 first-place votes, while 2025 conference co-champ Northwest Missouri State (9-3, 8-1) topped the media poll, receiving 19 of 30 first-place votes.

Central Oklahoma (6-5, 6-3) was tapped for the No. 3 spot in the coaches poll, followed by Fort Hays State (6-5, 5-4), Central Missouri State (5-6, 5-4), Emporia State (5-6, 4-5), Nebraska-Kearney (6-5, 4-5), Washburn, Missouri Western (3-8, 2-7) and Missouri Southern (3-8, 1-8).  

Pitt State was picked No. 2 in the media poll, receiving 10 first-place votes, while Central Oklahoma received the final first-place vote and was picked third.

Central Missouri and Fort Hays State went four and five, flipping spots from the coaches poll, while Emporia State was picked sixth, while Nebraska-Kearney, Washburn, Missouri Western and Missouri Southern rounded out the poll.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn University golf coach Ronnie McHenry has announced the addition of Jeff Straight, the director of golf at Winona State since 2018, as an assistant coach for the Ichabod golf programs.

"We are thrilled to hire Jeff Straight as our new assistant golf coach here at Washburn,'' McHenry said. "His resume speaks for itself. He's been the Central Regional Coach of the Year, a four-time NSIC Coach of the Year, with many NCAA appearances, team and individual tournament wins. Very few, if any, schools have that around their programs, and now we do.

"Jeff's experience, leadership, and championship mindset make him an outstanding addition to Washburn Golf, and I'm excited to have him join our staff as our assistant coach. His experience will have an immediate impact on our student-athletes, and I believe his addition will help elevate Washburn golf as we continue pursuing conference championships and national success."

Straight joined Winona State as an assistant coach in 2014, then became the head men's golf coach in 2015. In 2018, Straight was promoted to director of golf – overseeing both the Warrior men's and women's programs.

He has been named the NSIC Coach of the Year four times and led Winona State to NCAA appearances in nine of 11 years. He's also coached WSU to four NSIC Tournament Championships, including the 2026 title. In 11 seasons directing WSU he recorded a 1,015-383 overall record for the men's team recording 26 tournament titles. The women's team has gone 506-431 the past eight seasons with four tournament wins.

Straight played in many high-level amateur and open tournaments while caddying on the PGA, Korn Ferry, Nike and Celebrity Tours.

He lives in Topeka with his wife, Xenia, and has two sons, Eric and Austin.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news 

Technically, this is Washburn University Hall of Fame volleyball coach Chris Herron's time off before the Ichabods open preparations for the 2026 season on Aug. 8.

The Topeka Hype Black 13 and under team tied for fifth in the recent USA Volleyball Girls National Championship and was ranked No. 13 in the final USA Volleyball national rankings. [Topeka Hype Volleyball] 

But Herron is happy to give up free time to coach what he calls his "littles,'' the 13 and under Topeka Hype Black team, which recently posted a tie for fifth place among 48 teams in the USA Volleyball Girls National Championship in Minneapolis, Minn.

The Hype, which represents the Kansas Networks Volleyball Club, finished its season 37-10 and garnered the No. 13 spot in the final USA Volleyball National Rankings after posting a 7-2 record in the national tournament.

Team members include local up-and-comers Breagan Ballard, Harmony Dimick, Ashlyn Lee, Rylin Leonard, Peyton McIntosh, Madeline Meitner, Gabby Pryer, Berkley Rutherford, Kolby Simoneau and Macy Sorensen.

Herron, who has a 651-145 career record at Washburn with seven MIAA championships and 19 NCAA Tournament appearances, said he also has high expectations for his Hype team.

"I've got to be honest with you, I coach them just like I coach my college team,'' Herron said. "We get after it. The practices are intense and they're focused.''

Herron is in his third season coaching the Hype after being approached by former Ichabod Wendy (Kobbeman) Rutherford. 

"They just asked me one day to coach them when they were 11, so I coached them through the first season at 11, I coached them last year at 12 and then this year at 13 and we've just got progressively better,'' Herron said.

Herron, who donates his time to coach the club team, said he continues to have a great time with the Hype.

"Really it's because I have a great group of kids, and they get it,'' Herron said. "They understand what it takes. They want to be better, they want to be really, really good and they want to be the best.

"They're fun, they're a lot of fun.''

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news 

The game of golf came a lot tougher for Washburn Rural and Washburn University product Hayden Beck on Sunday than it had on Saturday when Beck set a Lake Shawnee course record with a sizzling 62 en route to opening up a four-stroke lead in the Topeka Golf Association City Stroke Play tournament.

Former Washburn Rural and Washburn University golfer Hayden Beck rolled in a birdie putt on the first playoff hole Sunday at Shawnee Country Club to win his first TGA City Stroke Play championship. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

But Beck, who will take over as Washburn Rural girls head coach this fall after serving as a Junior Blue boys assistant this past spring, battled through an up and down day to get the job done at Shawnee Country Club, draining a long birdie putt on the first playoff hole to top former Santa Fe Trail standout and Washburn Ichabod Blake Buessing to earn his first city championship.

Hayden Beck reacts after sinking his tournament-winning putt in Sunday's TGA City Stroke Play tournament at Shawnee Country Club. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

"Being a coach now and getting to help out with the team this spring, I was always telling the guys, 'You're not always going to play perfect every single time. Even on your best rounds you could do some things better,' '' Beck said.

"I look back on yesterday and maybe I missed a couple of putts and got lucky a couple of times and it all kind of evens itself out. You've just got to stick in there.'' 

Beck carded a final-round 73 while Buessing shot a 69 Sunday and rallied from his four-stroke deficit at the start of the round to briefly take a one-shot lead.

Beck battled back to regain a one-stroke lead before Buessing pulled even on hole No. 17 and both players remained even on the final hole with a 54-hole total of 209 to force sudden death.

Buessing narrowly missed a birdie putt before Beck came through with his biggest shot of the day to end the tournament.

"I would have liked to win it in regulation, but rolling in the putt on the playoff hole was pretty sweet,'' Beck said. "It was nice to finally get one there at the end when it counts the most.''

TGA City Stroke Play champion Hayden Beck (left) exchanges congratulations with runnerup Blake Buessing Sunday at Shawnee Country Club. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Although he came up just short of the title, Buessing was pleased with his overall performance.

"It was fun, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way,'' Buessing said. "It was back and forth all day.''

Beck said that a highlight of the tournament for him was having his high school coach, Jared Goehring, serve as his caddie. Goehring is turning over the Rural girls coaching reins to his former standout while Beck will continue to serve as a boys assistant under Goehring.

"It was awesome to have coach on the bag,'' Beck said. "That was so cool just to have him out here and do that again. It kind of took me back to high school, just having him there keeping me level-headed. That was a huge help.''

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Harley Douglas stepped down Monday after 12 seasons as Washburn University baseball coach, with former Ichabod player and current assistant coach Connor Crimmins being named the interim head coach.

Harley Douglas stepped down Monday as Washburn's baseball coach after 12 seasons and 305 victories. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

"Coach Douglas stepped into a challenging situation following the passing of Coach Steve Anson, and we are grateful for his leadership during that transition," said Washburn director of athletics Loren Ferré in a Washburn release. "As a former Ichabod student-athlete, he invested deeply in our baseball program and played an important role in the recent improvements to Falley Field and Anson Stadium.

"We thank Harley for his contributions to Washburn Baseball."
 
Douglas took over as Washburn's head coach after three seasons as an assistant coach to Anson. He went 305-272 as Washburn's head coach, leading the Ichabods to their only NCAA regional appearance in 2022.

The Ichabods posted a 21-30 overall record and a 17-19 MIAA mark over the 2026 campaign after compiling four straight winning seasons (123-90).
 
"Wearing Washburn across my chest has been nothing short of one of the most amazing opportunities in my coaching and playing career," Douglas said in Washburn's release. "I hold this university in the very highest regard and always will.

"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to coach at Washburn for more than 15 years and to work with so many outstanding student-athletes. This has been a difficult decision, and one I've wrestled with for the past several weeks. I know it's time to focus on being more present for my family – my wife, my children and now our grandchildren. It's time to hang up the baseball hat and focus on my role as a husband, father and grandpa."

Douglas coached a total of 81 All-MIAA selections, including one MIAA Player and Pitcher of the Year and five MIAA first team selections. He has also coached two MLB draftees -- David Gauntt, who was selected by the Miami Marlins during the 2016 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, and Casey Steward, who went to the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2023 draft.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn University volleyball All-American Austin Broadie and Ichabod soccer All-American Belle Kennedy have been named TopSports.news' Washburn University co-women's athletes of the year for the 2025-2026 season.

Both players received MIAA conference player of the year honors as seniors while leading their teams to NCAA Tournament berths.

Austin Broadie, Washburn University [File photo/TSN]

A 6-foot middle hitter, Broadie was named a first-team American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American and named the MIAA Player of the Year as a senior.

Broadie helped lead Washburn to a 27-5 record, a share of the MIAA regular-season title (13-3) and the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

A Wichita Trinity product Broadie recorded 348 kills with a high of 25 and 17 matches with 10 or more kills.

Belle Kennedy, Washburn University

The former Washburn Rural star earned first-team NCAA All-America and NCAA All-Tournament honors and was named the MIAA defensive player of the year in her final collegiate season.

An All-Central Regional pick, Kennedy, named to the All-MIAA first team three times, helped lead the Ichabods to a 14-4-6 overall record and an 8-0-4 MIAA mark.

Kennedy helped lead the Ichabods to the NCAA semifinals before the Ichabods dropped a 2-1 decision to Franklin Pierce. 

Other women's finalists: 

Lexie Fontaine, Washburn University [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]  

LEXIE FONTAINE | Track and field

A native of Lockport, Ill., Fontaine was a two-time NCAA All-American outdoors this past spring, placing sixth in the 1,500 meters and eighth in the 800. Fontaine also earned All-American honors indoors, finishing sixth in the 800. Fontaine is the Washburn school record-holder in the indoor and outdoor 800 and 1,500 and was an MIAA champion both indoors and outdoor.  

Susana Granados Carrion, Washburn University [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics] 

SUSANA GRANADOS CARRION | Golf 

Granados Carrion, a native of Cordoba, Spain, led Washburn with a team-low 75.00 round average as a junior, earning first-team All-MIAA recognition. Granados Carrion posted six top-five individual finishes on the season and recorded a team low round of 70. 

Leah Henke, Washburn University [File photo/TSN]

LEAH HENKE | Soccer 

Henke, a Bishop Carroll product, was named the MIAA Freshman of the Year last fall while also being named to the All-MIAA and All-Region first team after helping lead Washburn (14-4-6 overall, 8-0-4 conference) to the national semifinals in the NCAA Tournament. Henke scored 12 goals on the season, the second most goals by a freshman in school history.  

Naiuri Krein, Washburn University [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]     

NAIURI KREIN | Track and field

A native of Estancia Velha, Brazil, Krein ended her Washburn multi-events career as a six-time All-American, the most-decorated track and field athlete in program history. She made seven NCAA national appearances and was a seven-time All-MIAA honoree. She owns the school record in both the indoor pentathlon and the outdoor heptathlon and was fifth in the NCAA Indoor Championships and sixth outdoors.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Ichabod basketball star Jack Bachelor has been named TopSports.news' Washburn University men's athlete of the year for the 2025-2026 season.

Jack Bachelor, Washburn University [File photo/TSN] 

The Washburn Rural product helped lead Washburn to a 31-2 record and MIAA regular-season and tournament titles as a junior, earning All-MIAA and National Association of Basketball Coaches All-Region first-team recognition for the second straight season.

Bachelor has started 76 consecutive games and 78 of 97 as an Ichabod, averaging 13.6 points for his career. Bachelor ranks 14th on Washburn's career scoring chart with 1,319 points, third in career assists (455), sixth all-time in steals (143) and seventh in career 3-pointers (207).

Bachelor averaged 15.5 points while hitting 95 3-pointers and dishing out 151 assists last season.

Bachelor was named the MIAA Tournament most valuable player last season after recording games of 24, 27 and 14 points while also dishing out 22 assists.

Other men's finalists:  

Dillon Claussen, Washburn University [File photo/TSN]

DILLON CLAUSSEN | Basketball

Claussen played in 64 games with 29 starts for WU, averaging 11.3 points and 4.9 rebounds, adding 68 blocks and 55 steals. Claussen ranks No. 3 all-time at Washburn in career field goal percentage at .641. Led the Ichabods in scoring with a 15.6-point average last season, earning first-team NABC All-District, and All-MIAA honors. Claussen scored a career-high 27 points at Nebraska-Kearney hitting 11 of 16 shots including 3 of 5 3-pointers and adding eight rebounds.

Justin Forde, Washburn University [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
JUSTIN FORDE | Track and field 

Forde was the 2026 NCAA Indoor national champion in the triple jump and finished third in the NCAA Outdoor championships. Forde was a three-time MIAA individual champion in the triple jump, winning two outdoor titles and one indoor title. Forde was a three-time all-region selection and is Washburn's school record- holder in both the indoor and outdoor triple jump. A Norwalk, Conn. native, Forde became Washburn's first NCAA individual champion when he won the indoor triple jump at 16.29 meters (53 feet, 5.50 inches.). Forde jumped a school-record 54-07.25 outdoors.

Jacob Fratzel, Washburn University [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

JACOB FRATZEL | Golf

The former St. James Academy star was named the MIAA Freshman of the Year and was a PING All-Region and first-team All-MIAA pick after leading the Ichabods with a 72.5 stroke average in 34 rounds. Fratzel posted six top-10 finishes, including one top-five placing. He recorded 14 rounds under par and finished in a tie for 18th at the NCAA National Championship with a 5-under 211. 

Kamble Haverkamp, Washburn University [File photo/TSN]

KAMBLE HAVERKAMP | Football

The Centralia product was an All-MIAA first-team selection as a senior, while also being named second-team All-Region. Haverkamp was a four-year member of the Ichabods, playing in 28 games and recording 109 tackles. Haverkamp started all 11 games at safety, recording 76 tackles with 56 solo stops. He registered11.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, four interceptions and four fumble recoveries.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Editor's note: Over the coming days TopSports.news will take a look at all 10 Washburn University women's and men's finalists for the 2025-2026 school year, followed by the Ichabod athletes of the year. 

Jack Bachelor, Washburn University [File photo/TSN]

JACK BACHELOR | Basketball

The former Washburn Rural star has started 76 consecutive games and 78 of 97 as an Ichabod, averaging 13.6 points for his career. Bachelor ranks 14th on Washburn's career scoring chart with 1,319 points, third in career assists (455), sixth all-time in steals (143) and seventh in career 3-pointers (207). Bachelor is a two-time first-team all-MIAA and NABC all-district selection. He averaged 15.5 points while hitting 95 3-pointers and dishing out 151 assists as a junior. Bachelor was named the MIAA Tournament most valuable player with games of 24, 27 and 14 points while also dishing out 22 assists.

Dillon Claussen, Washburn University [File photo/TSN]

DILLON CLAUSSEN | Basketball

Claussen played in 64 games with 29 starts for WU, averaging 11.3 points and 4.9 rebounds, adding 68 blocks and 55 steals. Claussen ranks No. 3 all-time at Washburn in career field goal percentage at .641. Led the Ichabods in scoring with a 15.6-point average last season, earning first-team NABC All-District, and All-MIAA honors. Claussen scored a career-high 27 points at Nebraska-Kearney hitting 11 of 16 shots including 3 of 5 3-pointers and adding eight rebounds.

Justin Forde, Washburn University [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
JUSTIN FORDE | Track and field 

Forde was the 2026 NCAA Indoor national champion in the triple jump and finished third in the NCAA Outdoor championships. Forde was a three-time MIAA individual champion in the triple jump, winning two outdoor titles and one indoor title. Forde was a three-time all-region selection and is Washburn's school record- holder in both the indoor and outdoor triple jump. A Norwalk, Conn. native, Forde became Washburn's first NCAA individual champion when he won the indoor triple jump at 16.29 meters (53 feet, 5.50 inches.). Forde jumped a school-record 54-07.25 outdoors.

Jacob Fratzel, Washburn University [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

JACOB FRATZEL | Golf

The former St. James Academy star was named the MIAA Freshman of the Year and was a PING All-Region and first-team All-MIAA pick after leading the Ichabods with a 72.5 stroke average in 34 rounds. Fratzel posted six top-10 finishes, including one top-five placing. He recorded 14 rounds under par and finished in a tie for 18th at the NCAA National Championship with a 5-under 211. 

Kamble Haverkamp, Washburn University [File photo/TSN]

KAMBLE HAVERKAMP | Football

The Centralia product was an All-MIAA first-team selection as a senior, while also being named second-team All-Region. Haverkamp was a four-year member of the Ichabods, playing in 28 games and recording 109 tackles. Haverkamp started all 11 games at safety, recording 76 tackles with 56 solo stops. He registered11.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, four interceptions and four fumble recoveries.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Editor's note: Over the coming days TopSports.news will take a look at all 10 Washburn University women's and men's finalists for the 2025-2026 school year, followed by the Ichabod athletes of the year.

Austin Broadie, Washburn University [File photo/TSN] 

AUSTIN BROADIE | Volleyball

A 6-foot middle hitter, Broadie was a first-team American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American and named the MIAA Player of the Year as a senior after helping lead Washburn to a 27-5 record, a share of the MIAA regular-season title (13-3) and the second round of the NCAA Tournament. A Wichita Trinity product Broadie recorded 348 kills with a high of 25 and 17 matches with 10 or more kills. 

Lexie Fontaine, Washburn University [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]  

LEXIE FONTAINE | Track and field

A native of Lockport, Ill., Fontaine was a two-time NCAA All-American outdoors this past spring, placing sixth in the 1,500 meters and eighth in the 800. Fontaine also earned All-American honors indoors, finishing sixth in the 800. Fontaine is the Washburn school record-holder in the indoor and outdoor 800 and 1,500 and was an MIAA champion both indoors and outdoor.  

Susana Granados Carrion, Washburn University [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics] 

SUSANA GRANADOS CARRION | Golf 

Granados Carrion, a native of Cordoba, Spain, led Washburn with a team-low 75.00 round average as a junior, earning first-team All-MIAA recognition. Granados Carrion posted six top-five individual finishes on the season and recorded a team low round of 70. 

Leah Henke, Washburn University [File photo/TSN]

LEAH HENKE | Soccer 

Henke, a Bishop Carroll product, was named the MIAA Freshman of the Year last fall while also being named to the All-MIAA and All-Region first team after helping lead Washburn (14-4-6 overall, 8-0-4 conference) to the national semifinals in the NCAA Tournament. Henke scored 12 goals on the season, the second most goals by a freshman in school history. 

Belle Kennedy, Washburn University [File photo/TSN] 

BELLE KENNEDY | Soccer

The former Washburn Rural star earned first-team NCAA All-America and NCAA All-Tournament honors and was named the MIAA defensive player of the year in her final collegiate season. An All-Central Regional pick, Kennedy, named to the All-MIAA first team three times, helped lead the Ichabods to a 14-4-6 overall record and an 8-0-4 MIAA mark.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

EMPORIA -- The West put together several scoring threats in Saturday's Kansas Shrine Bowl, out-gaining the East 277 yards to 218 and reaching East territory six times.

But the East defense had an answer for each and every test it faced, posting a 14-7 win in front of 6,035 fans at Welch Stadium while not allowing a West offensive score.

Washburn Rural product Brody Haas (42) celebrates a big defensive play in the East's 14-7 Shrine Bowl win Saturday in Emporia. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Former Washburn Rural star Brody Haas and Rossville product Andre Johnson both played key roles in the East's defensive effort, combining for 10 tackles (eight solo) and three pass breakups while Haas also registered a sack.

"We had a lot of good scout from the offense throughout the week and it felt like every formation was something we had already kind of seen so nothing really surprised us,'' Haas said. "We dominated the line of scrimmage and were able to cover our spaces very well, so they really couldn't do anything about it because everyone was doing their job and that's how you play good football.''

The West scored its lone touchdown when Houston Bowlin (Derby) recovered a first-quarter East fumble in the end zone while the East got touchdown passes from former Shawnee Heights star Aiden Scott and Kansas City-Washington product Savion Stone, which proved to be enough for the East to cut its deficit in the series to 30-19-2.

Former Rossville star Andre Johnson (24) registered five tackles for the East in Saturday's 14-7 Shrine Bowl victory over the West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN] 

"We were locked in the whole week,'' Johnson said. "We were ready for this West offense all week and we proved it today and made it a goose egg. It was fun.''

The East drew first blood at the 7:03 mark of the opening quarter when Scott connected with Alec Jett (St. James Academy) for a 24-yard touchdown pass (conversion failed) after Osage City product Quenten Stark picked off a pass deep in East territory and returned it 33 yards to the West 49-yard-line.

The West took its only lead of the night on Bowlin's fumble recovery in the end zone and an extra-point kick from Brody Haskell (Augusta) with 2:54 left in the opening quarter and the West reached the 4-yard-line after recovering a fumble before Hayden Heller (Mill Valley) recorded the East's second interception of the night on the third play of the second quarter to thwart the threat.

The East scored what proved to be the game-winning touchdown with 1:13 left in the opening half on a 27-yard pass from Stone to Blake Jay (Mill Valley) after Austin Zeller (Jackson Heights) recoverd a West fumble.

Stone, who was named the East Most Valuable Player, then ran for the two-point conversion to account for what proved to be the final margin after a scoreless second half.

"During halftime our coach was saying how we were doing such a good job with if we let a bad play happen we wouldn't let two happen right in a row and we didn't stack bad plays one after the other,'' said Haas, who is headed to Benedictine.

Shawnee Heights product Aiden Scott (20) was named the East's Most Inspirational Player after Saturday's 14-7 Shrine Bowl win. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Scott, who was voted the East's Most Inspirational Player, split time with Stone throughout the game, with Scott, a Washburn signee, completing 5 of 7 passes for 62 yards and Stone going 6 of 7 for 54 yards.

"The team had confidence in both of us back there in the backfield,'' Scott said. "The bond that we have definitely helps out. We helped each other and would could come to the sidelines and see what the other person sees and just go to work out there.

"We've both got talent, we both work hard, so it works out.'' 

Former Nemaha Central star Carter Hajek, who will play at Emporia State, led the East with 59 rushing yards on 13 attempts.

Salina Central product Cooper Reves was named the West MVP after rushing for a game-high 91 yards on 14 carries.

Rossville's Johnson plans to enlist in the Marines in the near future and said Saturday night's win was the perfect way to cap his football career.

"A great way to go out,'' he said. "I wanted to end it on a win. I ended on a win at the All-America Game and it's way better to go 2-0 to end my career after losing at state. It's way better.''      

EAST 14, WEST 7  

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

The Big Kev Give Back Camp took another step forward in Year 5, drawing more than 100 participants while hosting a two-day event for the first time Thursday and Friday at Washburn University.

Topeka Shawnee County Hall of Famers Kyle Weems and Michael Wilhoite co-hosted the camp while numerous other current and former local players and coaches were also on hand to serve as instructors.

Kyle Weems interacts with a young camper during Friday's Big Kev Give Back Camp at Washburn University. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Michael Wilhoite instructs campers during Friday's Big Kev Give Back Camp at Washburn University. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

"We were well over 100,'' Weems said. "At the beginning of this week we were like in the 60 range and we had people signing up at 3 in the morning, we had people signing up at 9. We get a lot of walkups and we hit it head on.

"You don't realize how much goes into something like this until you actually do it, but it's been great.''

The 2026 camp kicked off on Thursday night with the first Mental Performance And Wellness Night, followed by the traditional basketball/football camp on Friday.

The Big Kev Give Back camp is named in honor of Kyle's father, the late Kevin Weems, a former Drury and Washburn University basketball player who envisioned the local stars returning to Topeka to help inspire the youth of Topeka.

Weems and Wilhoite are both Highland Park graduates, who went on to highly successful college and pro careers.

Weems earned All-America and Missouri Valley Player of the Year basketball honors for Missouri State before embarking on a 13-year pro career overseas while Washburn product Wilhoite put together a seven-year NFL career as a linebacker with San Francisco and Seattle, including a Super Bowl appearance, before coaching in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos.

Wilhoite said he felt it was very important to add the Mental Performance And Wellness Night to the Big Kev Give Back lineup after devoting much of his past year to concentrating on the mental side of sports.

"I'm out of football for a year and that was tough,'' Wilhoite said. "That had essentially become my identity and that had become who I was -- football coaching -- and that being taken away it kind of stripped me of that with it.

"It got tough, so I went and sought out help and it changed my life. It gave me perspective that I hadn't had before in my life. And when I learned this side, it was like, 'I want to give this back. This should be given to everybody.' Everybody should know the importance of the mind and mental health and mental performance.''

Weems agreed.  

"I want to give credit to my brother Mike for coming up with this idea and I was all for it,'' Weems said. "It was good to be able to get it out there and let people understand what it is, what it's about, that it's a safe place.

"Mike and I have been blessed, to be about to live out our dreams, but at the same we're not perfect and everybody needs help. This is something that's positive and something that we wanted to bring to our city.''

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news 

The Washburn University athletic department has announced a broadcast network location change for the upcoming school year, with Brendan Dzwierzynski leading Ichabod broadcasts on the free Varsity Network through the Learfield Network.

Brendan Dzwierzynski has been named the director of broadcasting for Washburn University. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics] 

Dzwierzynski, who has served as the voice of the Ichabods in football and basketball, is moving to a full-time position in the athletic department as the director of broadcasting.

Dzwierzynski will handle play-by-play duties for Ichabod football, soccer, volleyball, men's and women's basketball, baseball, and softball. He will also write athlete profiles for wusports.com and will host the athletic department's coaches shows and podcasts.
 
"I'm thrilled to be joining Washburn Athletics full-time as the director of droadcasting, Dzwierzynski said. "This is an incredible opportunity to not only expand our play-by-play broadcast offerings but also to help tell the stories of the incredible teams, players and coaches at Washburn.

"This school has been so good to me since taking over as the voice of the Ichabods in 2023, and I can't wait to see where this new adventure goes."
 
Prior to Washburn, Dzwierzynski spent nine years as a play-by-play broadcaster and sports talk host for WIBW Radio in Topeka including the last two-plus seasons as the voice of the Ichabods. During that time, he has won nine awards from the Kansas Association of Broadcasters, including two first-place honors for best large market play-by-play.
 
Originally from LaGrange Park, Illinois, Dzwierzynski graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Kansas in 2017. He lives in Topeka with his wife, Abbey, and daughter, Alexandria.
 
"We're excited for this new adventure," Washburn athletic director Loren Ferré said. "We now have the ability to promote and tell the stories of our teams and great student-athletes through new avenues. The Varsity Network gives our fans a location to listen to Washburn Athletics wherever they go."
 
The Varsity Network is the official app for live and on-demand college sports broadcasts. Owned by Learfield, it is designed to be the ultimate hub for fans to hear their favorite school's hometown radio calls, coaches' shows, and original podcasts.

All links to broadcasts will be available through a mobile app as well as through the schedule pages on wusports.com.

With the app, Ichabod fans will be able to listen to Ichabod games and other content around the world and in their vehicles through the Varsity app using the car's entertainment center with CarPlay and all content will be archived as well.
 
Frequently asked questions

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news 

Jeremiah Nelson made the most of his first-ever appearance in the Topeka Golf Association City Match Play event, going wire to wire to capture the championship.

Jeremiah Nelson poses with his championship trophy Sunday at Shawnee Country Club after winning the 2026 TGA City Match Play championship. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

The former Washburn University golfer earned the top seed in qualifying with a 70 and posted four straight wins after receiving a first-round bye, capping his title run with a 4 and 3 win over Adam Head Sunday at Shawnee Country Club.

"I played really well today,'' Nelson said. "I had four birdies on the front and another one on the back, so I think I was 4-under through 15 holes and I thought I played pretty well.

"Adam just didn't enough putts to drop for him, but that's how match play goes.''

Jeremiah Nelson capped a dominating week in the TGA City Match Play tournament with a 4 and 3 win in Sunday's title match at Shawnee Country Club. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]  

Nelson, who tied for second in the City Stroke Play tournament in 2025, jumped out to a four-hole advantage through the opening eight holes and Head, the three-time TGA City Player of the Year, got no closer than two holes the rest of the way before Nelson clinched the championship by halving the 15th hole. 

"A couple of big par saves that kept it at a two-stroke lead on the back were huge,'' Nelson said. "I had a couple of 8-footers that I had to get to drop or it gets tighter and then anything can happen.''

 Adam Head, a three-time city player of the year, finished second in Sunday's TGA City Match Play Tournament at Shawnee Country Club. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Head was quick to give Nelson credit for his match-winning performance Sunday.

"He didn't make any mistakes,'' Head said. "I didn't really put pressure on him the front nine. He was 4-under and there weren't many opportunities for me.

"He had two holes where he struggled on the back and was able to recover and just didn't give me a window to do anything to make those four shots up. A guy like Jeremiah, there's not much you can do when you don't have your best stuff. There was a small window and he closed it really fast.''  

Emory Dease, a semifinalist in 2024, won the President's Flight title with a 2 and 1 decision over recent Hayden graduate Austin Bean, a Class 4A state qualifier this past spring. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Now in its fifth year, the Big Kev Give Back Camp, a dual basketball/football camp on the campus of Washburn University, has grown by leaps and bounds.

And Topeka Shawnee County Hall of Famers Kyle Weems and Michael Wilhoite, who launched the camp in 2021, feel like they're still just getting started.

Topeka sports legends Michael Wilhoite and Kyle Weems will co-host the fifth annual Big Kev Give Back Camp June 25-26 at Washburn University. [Photo courtesy of BKgiveback.com]

"Each year we've gotten more volunteers, we've gotten a few more signups,'' Weems said. "And it definitely has room to grow. I'm a firm believer that there's always room to improve, so I'm just excited for yet another year of the Big Kev Give Back.''

"I agree wholeheartedly,'' Wilhoite said. "I just think that more and more people and organizations and entities are going to continue to get involved as they see that this is legit and they see that this isn't a one-hit wonder. I think we continue to move forward and continue to show that this is something that we want to do for the rest of our lifetimes and give back to our hometown and our city.'' 

Weems and Wilhoite are both Highland Park graduates, who went on to highly successful college and professional careers.

Weems earned All-America and Missouri Valley Player of the Year basketball honors for Missouri State before embarking on a pro career overseas that spanned more than a decade. 

Wilhoite put together a seven-year NFL career as a linebacker with San Francisco and Seattle, including a Super Bowl appearance, before coaching in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos.

The camp was inspired by the wishes of Kyle's father, the late Kevin Weems, a former Drury and Washburn University player who envisioned the two local stars returning to the community that helped raise them to help inspire the youth of Topeka about the potential path sports can provide for them.

The 2026 camp, held in conjunction with Washburn University, will kick off on Thursday, June 25, with a brand new event from 6 to 8:30 p.m., followed by the traditional basketball/football camp from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, June 26.

The first Mental Performance And Wellness Night, open to student-athletes 12 and over, parents, coaches and athletic staff, will be held in Washburn's Petro Allied Health Center (above Lee Arena) and will focus on confidence, resilience, stress management and life beyond sports.

"Over my past year being out of work and being out of sport I spent a lot of time on myself and therapy and on mental performance and just growing and learning and gaining new tools for myself to help me stay confident in those times of lapses, those times of insecurity, those times of questioning,'' Wilhoite said.

"I've been able to find different tools to help me to continue to move forward in a positive manner and I'm just excited to share that with this city because I think something that gets overlooked so much in sport is the mind and the heart and where our soul set is.'' 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn University softball earned a 4-2 win over Missouri Western in the opening game of the MIAA Tournament on Wednesday afternoon in Emporia, improving to 36–18 on the season.

Former Seaman standout Aspen Burgardt drove in two of Washburn's four runs in Wednesday's 4-2 MIAA Tournament win over Missouri Western. [File photo/TSN]

With the win the Ichabods advanced to the MIAA Tournament quarterfinals where they will face top-seeded Missouri Southern at 11 a.m. on Thursday.

The Ichabods struck first in the bottom of the opening inning when All-MIAA first-team pick Makenzie Sais drew a leadoff walk, moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Taylor Brees and a wild pitch, then came home on an Aspen Burgardt single.

Missouri Western briefly tied the game in the third, but Washburn answered when Sais singled to start the bottom of the inning and advanced on another sacrifice bunt by Brees.

After Dalaney Anderson reached base on a passed ball, Burgardt lifted a sac fly to center to bring Sais home, putting WU up 2–1.

The Ichabods added to its lead in the fourth when Madi Moore led off with a double to left and pinch runner Ashlyn Gaughan came home on Maddie McGee's double.

Moments later, McGee and Sais executed a double steal, with McGee swiping home to make it 4–2 and wrap up the scoring.

Washburn senior Sadie Walker improved to 19-8 with a 4-2 win over Missouri Western Wednesday. [File photo/TSN]

Senior pitcher Sadie Walker delivered a complete-game victory, allowing just four hits and one earned run while striking out nine.

Walker retired the Griffons in order in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to close out the win, improving to 19-8 on the season.

Offensively, Sais went 2 for 2 with two runs scored, a walk and a stolen base, while Burgardt drove in two runs with a single and a sacrifice fly.

McGee added a double and an RBI, and Moore contributed an extra-base hit as Washburn tallied five hits on the afternoon.
 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Dalaney Anderson

DALANEY ANDERSON, Washburn University

 Drew Fay

DREW FAY, Cair Paravel Latin

A senior, Fay captured his second straight city boys tennis championship last Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center. Fay earned the No. 1 singles crown with an 8-3 win over Topeka High standout Tres Lassiter after teaming with Eric Buchenau to win the No. 1 city doubles title as a junior en route to a runnerup Class 3A-1A state finish. 

Kieffer O'Connor

KIEFFER O'CONNOR, Washburn Rural

O'Connor, a senior tennis player, teamed with Ben Tryhus to claim city and Centennial League doubles championships over a four-day period as Washburn Rural captured team titles in both events. O'Connor and Tryhus won the No. 2 doubles title in Thursday's city meet with an 8-3 win over Seaman, and the Junior Blue duo followed that up with the Centennial League doubles championship on Monday, taking a 1-6, 6-1, 10-8 win over teammates Cale Deutscher and Dylan Willingham.  

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Gavin Wilhelm gets fired up every time he gets to toe the pitching rubber for Washburn University baseball.

But the junior right-hander had extra incentive Saturday and responded with the best outing of his Ichabod career, leading WU to a 5-0 Senior Day two-hit shutout over No. 5 Pittsburg State in Steve Anson Stadium at Falley Field.

Washburn junior pitcher Gavin Wilhelm gave up just one hit in six-plus innings in Saturday's 5-0 win over No. 5 Pittsburg State. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Wilhelm, a Seaman product, gave up just one hit in 6.1 innings and recorded five strikeouts before seniors Griffin Huiatt, Blake Priest and Caleb Lunnon came on in relief to finish off the shutout over the MIAA champion Gorillas.

"All these guys here are the closest I've ever been with, and this is the most fun team I've ever been a part of,'' Wilhelm said. "The connections have just been unreal this season and just knowing that this is the guys' last game at Falley here just really meant a lot.''

Wilhelm, who improved to 3-0 on the season, got off to a quick start against the Gorillas (39-9 overall, 26-9 MIAA) and seemed to get stronger as the game wore on.

"I just felt good the entire day,'' Wilhelm said. "Everything was working for me. I had good defense behind me, I was just taking it one pitch at a time and just going from there.''

"Gavin today was really good,'' Washburn coach Harley Douglas said. "He had all his pitches working, he really commanded the zone and went after it very quickly and when you can get on top of it then you can start throwing the pitches you want and I thought he did a good job with that today.

"It's great to see, with him coming off the injury and being able to do that today.'' 

Prior to the game Washburn honored seniors Huiatt, Priest, Lunnon, Jackson Mervosh, Maclane Finley, Kyle Snyder, Max Clark and Keegan McDonald.

And once the series finale got under way it didn't take long for the Ichabods (21-28, 17-18) to get on the scoreboard.

Ian Luce singled with one out, and after Jack Borgmann walked and Levi Risenhoover was hit by a pitch, the bases were loaded.

Easton Wasinger drove one home with a single, a second scored on a wild pitch and Trenton Barry lifted a sacrifice fly to center to put the Ichabods up 3-0.  

Wilhelm held Pittsburg State without a hit until the fourth inning while Washburn went up 4-0 in the bottom of the third on a solo home run from Borgmann. 

Wilhelm exited with one out in the seventh inning and Huiatt finished off the inning.

In the seventh Borgmann slashed a single and Risenhoover worked a walk to put two runners on before Barry slapped a double into the right-center gap to account for the final margin.  

Priest took over on the mound in the middle of the eighth and he and Lunnon combined to finish out the game without allowing another baserunner as Washburn picked up its third shutout of the season.  

Luce, Borgmann and Barry also had multi-hit days.

Third baseman Jack Borgmann reached base all four times, including a home run, in Saturday's 5-0 win over No. 5 Pittsburg State. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Borgmann reached base all four times, going 2-2 with two walks, three runs and an RBI. Barry drove in a pair of runs.

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The Ichabods are 33-18 this season overall and 10-12 in the MIAA after splitting with Missouri Western on April 17 and then sweeping Northwest Missouri the following day.

 

Sophomore second baseman Dalaney Anderson is one RBI away from tying Washburn softball's single-season record. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn is currently in a tie for eighth with Northwest Missouri in the conference race at 10-12 while Emporia State is in fourth in the MIAA standings with a 28-15 overall record and a 14-8 MIAA mark after sweeping Central Missouri on Wednesday in Warrensburg. The top 10 teams in the MIAA will advance to the postseason conference tournament.

 

The Hornets were ranked 10th in the latest NCAA Central Regional Softball rankings released on April 29.

Washburn has hit the 30-win mark for five straight seasons dating back to the 2022 season. That is longest streak of 30 wins since a run between the 2002-07 seasons when the Ichabods recorded 30 wins six seasons in a row.

Washburn sophomore Makenzie Sais became the Ichabod single-season leader in stolen bases against Montana State Billings with her 34th and she broke the MIAA single-season steals record with her 66th against Northwest Missouri on April, 18 breaking the previous record of 65 by Becca Alt from Missouri-Rolla (now Missouri S&T) set in 1997 as a junior.

 

Sais' 83 career stolen bases at Washburn trail Torrie Beauchamp's 87 from 1996-1999 and Marrit Mead's 96 from 2021-24.

 

Sais has reached base in each of the last 17 games and leads the Ichabods this season with 22 multi-hit games.

 

Sais leads the NCAA D-I, D-II and D-III levels in stolen bases and she is ranked 10th in the nation in hits with 65. Sais is batting .441 in MIAA games.

 

Ichabod sophomore Dalaney Anderson is seventh in the nation in RBI with 61, which is one shy of tying the Washburn single-season record set by Savannah Moore in 2018.

 

Anderson leads the Ichabods with 18 multi-RBI games.

Senior Sadie Walker is ninth in the nation in shutouts with seven and she is 40th in strikeouts with 137.

 

Walker has surpassed the 500 career strikeout mark and has 526 entering this week, ranking second on the Ichabod career chart.

The Ichabods are outscoring their opponents 288-167 this season.

By RICK PETERSON

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Washburn University softball team closed out its regular season with a pair of come-from-behind MIAA wins Saturday afternoon, sweeping Emporia State in a doubleheader at Trusler Sports Complex.

 

Dalaney Anderson set a Washburn single-season RBI record in Saturday's MIAA road sweep at Emporia State. [File photo/TSN]

By RICK PETERSON

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By RICK PETERSON

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Washburn University has recently played some of its best baseball of the season, taking a win at nationally-ranked Rogers State two weeks ago before taking a series victory over rival Emporia State last weekend.

 

Maclane Finley is one of eight seniors Washburn will honor prior to Saturday's 1 p.m. Senior Day game against No. 5-ranked Pittsburg State. [File photo/TSN]

 

The Ichabods will be looking to build off that momentum when they host No. 5-ranked Pittsburg State in a three-game series Thursday through Sunday at Steve Anson Stadium.

 

The series opens with a 4 p.m. Thursday game, followed by a 4 o'clock contest on Friday before concluding the regular season with a 1 p.m. Senior Day game on Saturday.

 

"We've shown the last two weeks that if we go out and play our best game we can play with anybody,'' said Washburn senior pitcher Maclane Finley, a former Seaman standout. "The only games we've lost the last two weeks we've kind of beat ourselves and if we play a full nine innings we're capable of beating anybody.''

 

"Our goal has to be that we are going to be the best that we can be at the end of the year and that we're clicking on all cylinders,'' Washburn coach Harley Douglas said.

 

Washburn is 20-27 overall and 16-17 in the MIAA while Pittsburg State is 38-8 overall and 38-8 and 25-8 in the MIAA. The Gorillas have won 10 straight games.

 

Prior to the game on Saturday Ichabod seniors Finley, Jackson Mervosh, Caleb Lunnon, Griffin Huiatt, Kyle Snyder, Max Clark, Blake Priest and Keegan McDonald will be recognized on the field. The eight seniors have combined to spend 23 seaons with the Ichabods.

Washburn is scoring 7.87 runs per game on the year while opponents are scoring 7.85 runs per game. The Ichabods are 11-8 playing at home.

The Ichabods are hitting .293 and have tallied 39 home runs with 244 total walks.

The pitching staff has a 6.65 earned run average with 361 strikeouts across 407.2 innings.

Junior Ian Luce leads Washburn baseball in multiple categories entering the Ichabods' final regular-season series Thursday through Saturday against Pittsburg State. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn's Ian Luce has reached base in all 47 games, the only Ichabod to do so. Brandt Beeby's 17-game on-base streak is the second longest on the team.

Luce has a team-high 25 games with multiple hits while hitting .410 with seven home runs, five triples and 48 RBI. 

He leads the MIAA and is sixth nationally in hits.

Levi Risenhoover is hitting .304 for the Ichabods while leading the team with 11 home runs and a team-high 56 RBI.

Jack Borgmann is hitting .318 with five home runs and 32 RBI while Beeby is hitting .336 with 26 RBI, with three triples and three home runs and Easton Wasinger is hitting .309 and has driven in 32 runs with four home home runs.

Finley has thrown 64.1 innings across his 12 starts this season. He has struck out 46 batters and has a 5.32 ERA and 5-3 record, posting a team-high in victories. He has thrown into the fifth inning in every start.

Fidel Hatch has pitched in 18 games and has thrown 38.1 innings while striking out 33. He has a team-best 4.70 ERA to go along with a 2-2 record and leads the team with two saves.

Seaman product Gavin Wilhelm has pitched in 12 games while making three starts. He has a 2-0 record across 28.1 innings with 27 strikeouts and a 5.72 ERA.

Former Seaman star Dagen Brewer has started in all 46 games for Pittsburg State, hitting .446 with 21 home runs and 89 RBI while compiling a .583 on base percentage.

By RICK PETERSON

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Brody Anderson

BRODY ANDERSON, Seaman

A senior track star, Anderson won a pair of individual wins in Friday's Leitel Legacy Invitational at Lawrence Free State. Anderson, a returning Class 5A state medalist, won the 800 meters in 1 minute, 53.37 seconds and came back later to win the 3,200 in 9:11.63. Both of Anderson's winning times were personal records.

Brandt Beeby

BRANDT BEEBY, Washburn University

Beeby, a junior baseball player from Tulsa, Okla., went 3 for 3 with a pair of doubles, two runs scored and a run batted on Sunday as Washburn University took a rain-delayed 6-3 MIAA win over Emporia State at Steve Anson Stadium to claim the series win.

Jacob Fratzel

JACOB FRATZEL, Washburn University

A standout men's golfer for the Ichabods, Fratzel was named an All-MIAA first-team selection and the conference freshman of the year after leading Washburn to a second-place finish in the MIAA Tournament. A St. James Academy product, Fratzel helped WU earn an NCAA Regional berth, posting six top-10 individual finishes, including a seventh-place finish in the MIAA tourney.   

By RICK PETERSON

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Washburn University baseball overcame Emporia State and a rain delay of nearly three hours Sunday to take a 6-3 series-clinching win over the Hornets at Steve Anson Stadium.

Brandt Beeby (left) went 3-3 with a pair of doubles and Trenton Barry (4) had two hits in Washburn's 6-3 series-clinching win over ESU Sunday. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Emporia State took a 3-0 lead in its first two at-bats, but Washburn answered with six straight runs to take the win, improving to 20-27 overall and 16-17 in the MIAA.

ESU (32-15, 19-14) got on the board first as Logan Myers was hit by a pitch to lead off the game and eventually scored on a single by Noah Steele.

The Hornets added two more runs in the second as Brady Unrein led off the inning with a walk and scored from first on a one-out double by Cooper Schwindt.

An Ichabod error put runners on the corners before Logan Myers drove in Schwindt to make the score 3-0.

Washburn would quickly respond, however, scoring three runs on two hits, one hit batter and a walk to tie the game.

In the bottom half of the fourth the Ichabods picked up a leadoff double from Brandt Beeby and used a sacrifice bunt from Owen Laessig and an RBI groundout from Brooks Richardson to take a 4-3 lead.

Emporia State left six on base over the next three innings as the score stayed 4-3 through seven.

The Hornets put a pair of runners on base in the top of the eighth before lightning and rain forced the game into a delay with one out.
 
Following the long delay, the Hornets stranded both runners on base and Washburn scored two insurance runs on three hits in the bottom of the eighth to extend its advantage to 6-3 as Beeby and Eli Dean delivered back-to-back run-scoring doubles.

Emporia State got a leadoff single by Evan Abbott in the ninth and eventually brought the tying run to the plate with one out before a pair of popups ended the game.

Beeby went 3-3, including his two doubles, with two runs scored and an RBI.

Trenton Barry went 2-3 and Brooks Richardson had two RBI.

Gavin Wilhelm struck out five batters in 4.1 innings in Washburn's 6-3 win over ESU Sunday. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

WU starter Gavin Wilhelm went 4.1 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) with five strikeouts before Blake Priest, Mark Hoffman and Griffin Huiatt followed with scoreless relief stints.

Hoffman (3-5) picked up the win and Huiatt the save.

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By RICK PETERSON

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Washburn University baseball scored three runs in the seventh inning to come from behind and take game one from Emporia State 5-4 on Friday evening in Steve Anson Stadium.

Griffin Huiatt picked up the pitching win in Washburn's 5-4 come-from-behind decision over Emporia State Friday. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

The Ichabods will look to secure the series in game two at 2 p.m. on Saturday.  

After a scoreless first inning, the Hornets (31-14 overall, 18-13 MIAA) were able to walk the bases loaded in the second inning before slashing a single into right to score two runs.

Ichabod starter Kai Bennett settled in on the mound after the second, tossing scoreless third and fourth innings.

A one-out single from Jack Borgmann followed by a stolen base put him in scoring position before Jackson Mervosh cashed in with a single to left field, scoring Borgmann to put Washburn (19-26, 15-16) on the board.  

A leadoff double came around to score for Emporia State to put the Hornets in front 3-1, but an error in the outfield allowed Owen Laessig to reach second base with two outs in the bottom of the fifth.

Trenton Barry followed with a double to the outfield wall, scoring a run to make it a 3-2 game.  

The Hornets answered with one run in the sixth before Griffin Huiatt finished his outing out of the bullpen by throwing a scoreless seventh inning.

In the home half of the seventh Laessig was hit by a pitch before scoring on a triple into the right field corner by Barry.

Ian Luce followed with a single up the middle to tie the game before Borgmann slashed a double and Levi Risenhoover lifted a sacrifice fly to score Luce and give Washburn a 5-4 lead.  

Fidel Hatch took over on the mound with one out in the eighth and retired both batters he faced to strand one. He stayed on the mound in the ninth, retiring the Hornets in order with one strikeout to close out the win. 

By RICK PETERSON

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Washburn University baseball is looking to end what has been an up and down season with a bang, beginning with a weekend MIAA series against rival Emporia State Friday through Sunday at Steve Anson Stadium.

 

Junior Ian Luce leads Washburn baseball in multiple categories entering a weekend series with Emporia State. [File photo/TSN]

 

The Ichabods and Hornets will open the series with a 5 p.m. Friday contest, followed by game two at 2 p.m. on Saturday and the series finale at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

 

Washburn fell to 18-26 on the season overall and 14-16 in the MIAA after falling 7-6 to No. 14-ranked Central Missouri last time out on Tuesday.

Emporia State improved to 31-13 overall and 18-12 in the MIAA after defeating Fort Hays State 25-15 in seven innings last time out.

 

"Emporia's having a good year, they're going to be ranked in the region, but on the other hand you have the opportunity to kind of stick your opponent in the side a little bit and hurt them,'' Washburn coach Harley Douglas said. "Especially being your rival, that's a great opportunity.

 

"I really expect our guys to be fired up and do it. Everybody on my staff is a Washburn alum and this is something we look forward to every year because it means something and it's always meant something to have that rivalry, to have that connection.'' 

 

The Ichabods are coming off a fourth straight winning season in 2025, going 28-25 overall and 18-18 in the MIAA.

Washburn is scoring 8.07 runs per game on the year while opponents are scoring 8.11 runs per game. 

The Ichabods are 9-7 at home, 8-17 in road games and 1-2 in neutral field meetings.

Washburn is hitting .292 and has tallied 39 home runs.

The WU pitching staff has a 6.88 earned run average with 338 strikeouts across 380.2 innings. The Ichabods have allowed 457 hits and issued 259 walks. 

Washburn has a .966 fielding percentage as a team with 56 errors and 20 turned double plays.

Manhattan native Ian Luce has the longest current hitting streak for Washburn at 23 games heading into the weekend, the longest hitting streak of any Ichabod this season.

Luce has reached base in all 44 games, the only player to do so. Jack Borgmann's 16-game on-base streak is the second longest on the team.

Luce has a team-high 25 games with multiple hits and is hitting .426 with a .516 on base percentage. He has 30 total extra-base hits including seven home runs and five triples, has driven in 47 runs and is 18-21 in stolen base attempts.

He is first in the MIAA and second nationally in hits, third in the MIAA and 23rd nationally in batting average while ranking second in the conference in total bases and triples.

Levi Risenhoover is hitting .309 and leads the team with 11 home runs and a team-high 54 RBI. He is fifth in the MIAA in doubles and home runs while ranking sixth in RBI.

Kai Bennett has thrown 52.2 innings over his 11 starts for Washburn and leads the team with 54 strikeouts while posting a 5.30 ERA and posting a 2-4 record on the year.

Seaman graduate Maclane Finley leads Washburn with five pitching victories heading into this weekend's MIAA home series with Emporia State. [File photo/TSN]

Seaman product Maclane Finley leads the Ichabods with 58.1 innings pitched across his 11 starts. He has struck out 41 batters and has a 5.86 ERA and 5-3 record,  recording a team-high in victories. He has thrown into the fifth inning in every start.

Fidel Hatch has pitched in 16 games, making one start and throwing 36.1 innings and striking out 30. He has a team-best 4.95 ERA to go along with a 2-2 record.

Seaman grad Gavin Wilhelm has pitched in 11 games with two starts. He has a 2-0 record across 24.0 innings with 22 strikeouts and a 6.00 ERA.

John Martin is in his first season as the head coach at Emporia State after spending the previous 10 seasons at Central Oklahoma.

Emporia State is scoring 9.48 runs per game while opponents are averaging 5.57.

The Hornets offense is hitting .314 as a team with 66 home runs and have tallied 264 total walks with 293 strikeouts.

By RICK PETERSON

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Kaitlyn Aldridge

KAITLYN ALDRIDGE, Shawnee Heights

Aldridge, a junior swimming standout, won the 100-yard butterfly in last Tuesday's Topeka West Invitational at the Capitol Federal Natatorium in a time of 1 minute, 9.79 seconds while also posting a runnerup finish in the 200 individual medley (2:35.70) and swimming on the T-Birds' second-place 200 medley relay (2:21.49).

Dalaney Anderson    

DALANEY ANDERSON, Washburn University

A sophomore second baseman, had a huge weekend as Washburn University softball went 3-1 to improve to 33-18 and clinch a spot in the upcoming MIAA Tournament. Anderson, a native of Seward, Neb., hit a pair of three-run homers in Saturday's 6-4, 6-4 doubleheader split with Missouri Western and delivered two two-run doubles in Sunday's 2-0, 6-3 sweep over Northwest Missouri, giving her 10 RBI and 61 on the season, one off the WU single-season record.

Grace Funk

GRACE FUNK, Hayden

Funk, a senior  midfielder, scored three goals on the week as Hayden soccer improved to 7-0-0 on the season. Funk had a goal in the Wildcats' 5-0 win over Shawnee Heights last Monday and scored both goals in Hayden's 2-0 Centennial League win over defending Class 6A state champion Washburn Rural on Wednesday. Funk was also a multi-time 4A state medalist in tennis.

By RICK PETERSON

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Washburn University softball celebrated Senior Day in the best way possible Sunday at Gahnstrom Field, earning a 2-0, 6-3 MIAA sweep over Northwest Missouri while wrapping up a spot in the conference tournament.

 

Sophomore Dalaney Anderson had a pair of two-run doubles in Washburn's 6-3 second-game Senior Day win over Northwest Missouri, giving her 10 RBI on the weekend. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]] 

 

The Ichabods, 33-18 overall and 10-12 in the MIAA, will now have 13 days off before closing out their regular season at Emporia State on May 2.

 

Sunday's sweep over Northwest Missouri came on the heels of a Saturday split with Missouri Western, giving Washburn wins in five of its last six games and nine of its last 12 starts. The Ichabods have now surpassed their 31-win total in 2025 by two victories. 

 

"I actually liked our effort all weekend,'' Washburn coach Brenda Holaday said. "I thought yesterday could have gone the other way (in the second game against Western), but they were two close games and we needed to learn how to play 14 innings. I feel like we've still been searching for that.

 

"We've had some sweeps, but maybe against teams that weren't as high of quality as these back-to-back days, so I thought the girls were really dialed in. I was probably most proud of the amount of adjustments we made at the plate the last two days.'' 

 

Between games on Sunday Washburn honored seniors Sadie Walker, Erin Boles, Danielle Schlader, Kate Ediger and Jenna Sprague.

 

Walker and Sprague both registered complete-game pitching victories on Sunday, with Walker improving to 17-8 on the season and Sprague to 7-7.

 

Washburn sophomore Makenzie Sais tripled and scored the game-winning run in Sunday's 2-0 first-game win over Northwest Missouri and became the MIAA record-holder for stolen bases in a single season. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

 

Sophomore center-fielder Makenzie Sais stole two bases in the opener, becoming the MIAA single-season record-holder for steals with 66 while sophomore second baseman Dalaney Anderson registered two two-run doubles in the second game to give her 10 RBI on the weekend.

 

Anderson hit a pair of three-run home runs in Saturday's split with Western. 

 

"I just really wanted to put everything out there for my seniors,'' Anderson said. "I struggled a little bit at the beginning of conference, so I've really been trying to see the ball and hit the ball and wanted to do as much as I could for my seniors.'' 

 

By RICK PETERSON

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Washburn University softball split a pair of 6-4 MIAA games with Missouri Western on Saturday at Gahnstrom Field, winning the opener and falling in the nightcap.

Dalaney Anderson is mobbed by her Washburn teammates after hitting a three-run home run in Saturday's 6-4 first-game win over Missouri Western. {Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN] 

The Ichabods, who equaled their win total from the 2025 season with the first-game win, will wrap up their home schedule on Sunday, hosting Northwest Missouri in a 1 p.m. twinbill. 

Washburn used a six-run third inning in the first game against Missouri Western to take control after trailing 1-0 and held off the Griffons late.

Missouri Western opened the scoring in the top of the third on a solo home run from Halee Higdon to take a brief lead, but Washburn responded immediately in the bottom of the inning, sending 10 batters to the plate and scoring six runs.

Shawnee Heights product Taylor Brees got the Ichabods on the board with an RBI single up the middle to score Kate Ediger.

Two batters later Dalaney Anderson delivered a three-run home run to left field to put Washburn in front.

Erin Boles is congratulated by Washburn third base coach Taylor Zordel after hitting a two-run homer in Saturday's 6-4 first-game win over Missouri Western. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Seaman grad Aspen Burgardt followed with a double and Erin Boles capped the inning with a two-run home run to left-center as Washburn surged ahead 6-1.

Missouri Western chipped away with three runs over the next two innings, cutting the margin to 6-4, but Washburn's pitching and defense shut things down from there.

Senior pitcher Sadie Walker picked up her 16th win of the season in Saturday's 6-4 first-game win over Missouri Western. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Senior starter Sadie Walker earned the win in the circle, allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out six over 5 2/3 innings. Senior Jenna Sprague closed out the game to pick up the save, recording her school-record eighth career save.

At the plate, Anderson drove in three runs, Boles added two RBI and Brees drove in a run.

Washburn totaled eight hits by eight different players.

By RICK PETERSON

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Washburn University baseball built an early lead and used a six-run ninth inning to close out a 12-4 Saturday win over No. 7-ranked Rogers State, evening the series at one game each.

 

Washburn's Ian Luce hit a home run and had four RBI in Saturday's 12-4 MIAA road win over Rogers State. [File photo/TSN]

 

The Ichabods, 18-24 overall and 14-14 in the MIAA, and Hillcats (35-7, 23-5) will play the rubber match at 1 p.m. Sunday in Claremore, Okla. 

 

By RICK PETERSON

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The Washburn University softball team wraps up its home schedule this weekend, hosting Missouri Western on Saturday and Northwest Missouri on Sunday in MIAA doubleheaders.

 

Erin Boles is one of five seniors who will be honored by Washburn softball Sunday at Gahnstrom Field. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

 

Saturday's twinbill will start at 2 p.m. while Sunday's doubleader will start at 1 p.m., with the Ichabods honoring seniors Sadie Walker, Erin Boles, Danielle Schlader, Kate Ediger and Jenna Sprague between games.

 

"At times it has felt like I've been here forever, but as of right now it feels like I was just moving in yesterday to the dorms,'' Boles said.

 

Boles, Schlader and Walker have all been in the Washburn program for her entire college career.

 

"I'm super grateful for all my time here and all the experiences we've had,'' Schlader said. "I think (Sunday) will bring out some emotions.'' 

 

The Ichabods are 30-17 overall and 7-11 in the MIAA and enter the weekend in ninth place in the conference standings. Northwest Missouri is 8-8 one spot ahead of Washburn and Missouri Western is 5-11, one spot behind the Ichabods.

Washburn has clinched its fifth 30-win season in a row and will be looking to cement its spot in the MIAA tournament with a big weekend.

 

The Ichabods rolled to a 9-0, 11-2 road sweep at Newman last time out last Saturday.

 

"I feel like as a team our competitiveness has really increased,'' Boles said. "After UCM we were just so frustrated with losing and we finally got our competitive spirit back and we're going to use that as fuel, especially for this next couple of games.'' 

 

Sophomore Makenzie Sais became the Ichabods' single-season leader in stolen bases against Montana State Billings and enters the weekend with a nation-best 64 stolen bases, 20 ahead of the No. 2-ranked player.

 

Sais is just one steal off the MIAA single-season record of 65 set by Becca Alt from Missouri-Rolla (now Missouri S&T) set in 1997.

 

Sais is ranked 10th in the nation in hits with 65 and has reached base in each of the last 13 games and leads the Ichabods with 20 multi-hit games.

 

Senior pitcher Sadie Walker ranks second on Washburn's career strikeout list. [File photo/TSN]

 

Walker is eighth in the nation in shutouts with six and she is 31st in strikeouts with 126.

 

Walker went over the 500 career strikeout mark last weekend and has 515 entering this weekend, ranking second on the Ichabod career chart.

By RICK PETERSON

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Seaman High School checked all the boxes that Joe Smith was looking for in a coaching job.

Joe Smith

Smith formerly coached middle school basketball for Seaman and works and lives and has a daughter that attends school in the district.

Now the former Washburn Ichabod, who has coached Jefferson West the past five seasons, is set to add the final piece of the puzzle after being selected to succeed retiring Craig Cox as the Vikings' head boys basketball coach pending approval from the Seaman USD 345 school board.

"Obviously opportunities present themselves and you want to continue to grow and challenge yourself professionally,'' said Smith, who works at Seaman's alternative school. "But also my daughter plays and assuming she continues to play I would have some decisions to make in a couple of years anyway. Do I keep coaching at Jeff West and miss all of her games because she would still be at Seaman or do I not coach and watch her play or does she go to Jeff West? There was just a lot of family stuff to consider.

"But honestly, everything that Seaman embodies as a school district is the stuff that I kind of live my life by, so it's just kind of the right place, right time, perfect fit for me and my family.'' 

Smith takes over a Viking program that Cox led to a state title in 2022 and a third-place finish in Class 5A this past season.

The Vikings graduated a talented senior class, including Shawnee County and United Kansas Conference player of the year KaeVon Bonner, but Smith is confident Seaman can continue its run of success.

"I think the word that I would use is consistent,'' Smith said. "They are consistently in the conversation every year, no matter who they have. It's kind of a changing of the guard in a bunch of different senses. This will be the first time that a Bonner boy isn't been playing for Seaman in the last 12 years, but hopefully this will give some other guys some opportunities to showcase what they can do.

"I just want to keep them consistent and keep them in the conversation and not have any letup. I definitely don't want to go in and try to re-invent the wheel. I've just got to kind of put my stamp on things and my spin on things and just see what we can make out of it.''    

Smith, a native of Memphis, Tenn., played for Washburn from 2011-2013 and also played professionally in Denmark and for Michigan in the American Basketball Association before embarking on his coaching career.

Smith coached for two years at Washburn and also coached at Highland Park and Seaman Middle School before taking over the head coaching job at Jeff West, which posted a 15-10 record this past season.

By RICK PETERSON

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Washburn University baseball blasted a season-high seven home runs Tuesday afternoon to defeat Fort Hays State 13-5 on the road for a fifth straight win.

 

Junior Levi Risenhoover hit a pair of home runs with four RBI in Washburn's 13-5 road win at Fort Hays State. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

By RICK PETERSON

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Audrey Appuhn

AUDREY APPUHN, Washburn Rural

Appuhn, a senior swimming standout, won the 100-yard freestyle in 57.50 seconds and finished second in the 100 breaststroke in 1 minute, 15.99 seconds in Thursday's Topeka High Invitational at the Capitol Federal Natatorium. A multi-time Class 6A state medalist, Appuhn helped Washburn Rural finish third as a team in the 10-school meet.  

Lauren Borjon

LAUREN BORJON, Hayden

A senior soccer goalkeeper, Borjon teamed with Kadence Watts, to help Hayden post a 3-0 shutout over Eudora and a 5-0 shutout over Bishop Miege in a rematch of last season's Class 4A-1A state title game. Borjon and Watts have helped the 5-0 Wildcats post three straight shutouts and their fourth in five games. Borjon also helped Hayden win the 2026 4A state basketball championship. 

Liam Morrison 

LIAM MORRISON, Washburn Rural

A multi-time Class 6A state track champion, the Washburn Rural senior swept the boys hurdles races in Friday's Mike Wallace Invitational in Olathe. Morrison, a two-time Class 6A champion in 2025 and a three-time champ in his career, won the 110-meter hurdles in 14.32 seconds and the 300s in 37.61. Rural also won the 4 x 400 relay in 3 minutes, 21.82 seconds.

By RICK PETERSON

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By RICK PETERSON

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Washburn University softball team recorded its fifth straight 30-win season on Saturday afternoon with a 9-0, 11-2 MIAA doubleheader sweep over Newman in Wichita.

Senior Sadie Walker picked up her 15th pitching win in Washburn's 9-0 first-game shutout at Newman. [File photo/TSN]

The Ichabods have now won 15 straight games in a row over Newman.

Washburn combined for 28 hits and 20 runs on the day while holding the Jets to just two total runs across the two games.

The Ichabods have now reached the 30-win plateau four straight seasons, improving to 30-17 overall.

Washburn wasted no time in the opener, scoring twice in the first inning and adding four more runs in the second en route to the 9-0 run-rule victory.

The Ichabods opened the scoring when Dalaney Anderson drove in Makenzie Sais on a groundout before Madi Moore delivered a run-scoring single to plate Aspen Burgardt for an early 2-0 lead.

Washburn broke the game open in the second inning, capitalizing on Newman errors while continuing to put pressure on the Jets defensively.

Maddie McGee singled in a run, Anderson added a sacrifice fly and Burgardt doubled home another run to extend the lead to 6-0. 

Taybor Moss kept things going in the third with an RBI double, scoring Moore, while Washburn added two more runs in the fifth to seal the run-rule victory.

At the plate, Moore and Moss both went a perfect 3 for 3 with RBI, while Seaman product Burgardt added two hits and an RBI and Shawnee Heights product Taylor Brees went 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored.

Pitcher Sadie Walker tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing just two hits while striking out eight over five innings to improve to 15-8 on the season.

The Ichabods carried their momentum into game two, erupting for four runs in the first inning and four more in the second to seize control early.

After Anderson singled home Sais in the first and Madi Moore smoked a three-run homer to left field, giving Washburn a quick 4-0 advantage.

In the second, Anderson continued her big day at the plate by launching a two-run home run, and Washburn added two more runs on RBI hits from Moss and Kate Ediger to push the lead to 8-1.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn University baseball scored five runs in the first inning and five runs to walk off the game in the eighth inning in a 13-3 win over Arkansas-Fort Smith on Friday at Steve Anson Stadium.

 

Seaman product Maclane Finley picked up the pitching win Friday in Washburn's 13-3 MIAA victory over Arkansas-Fort Smith. [File photo/TSN]

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

 Washburn University football held its annual Spring Game Friday in Yager Stadium with a big twist, hosting William Jewell in a departure from previous intrasquad scrimmanges.

 

Zach Watkins' Washburn football team hosted William Jewell in its 2026 Spring Game Friday in Yager Stadium. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

 

"The reason we did it was we need to see where we're at,'' Washburn coach Zach Watkins said. "We're a young team in a lot of ways with a lot of transfers, 17 new transfers, and we have kids that redshirted last year that haven't played a college game and this is as close to a college game as we could get it.

 

"We didn't do a four-quarter scrimmage because you want to do some drill work and get better, but it exposed a lot of things good and bad, things we're doing well, things we need to improve on and you don't see that unless we play a scrimmage like that.''

 

"Practice is one thing and we make practices very competitive and very efficient and fast, but you just can't simulate live tackle scrimmaging with refs, with a play clock, another quality opponent, so it was just a really good situation for us to essentially get a game before we actually play a season.''

 

Washburn Rural product Jamond Lane goes through a contact drill during Friday's Washburn Spring Game with William Jewell. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

 

Watkins, who is heading into his second season as the Ichabods' coach, said he is very pleased with how spring ball went.   

    

"I felt great,'' he said. "We were so far ahead of where we were last year, obviously taking over year one and having a month to recruit, coaches moving here and figuring each other out.

 

"Now we're not doing any of the off the field stuff, we did that last year. Now it's just football and lifting and the football IQ acumen is way up and we're a bigger, stronger, heavier, taller, wider team and you have to have all that stuff in the MIAA. I really like where we are. We're nowhere near where we're going to be in August, but it was a really good and productive spring.''

 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn University baseball scored six runs in the first three innings Thursday afternoon and held on the rest of the way to win 9-3 over Arkansas-Fort Smith in the series opener.

 

Levi Risenhoover had a big day, including a home run and a double, in Washburn's 9-3 win over Arkansas-Fort Smith Thursday. [File photo/TSN]

 

The Ichabods will play Game 2 at 2 p.m. on Friday afternoon in Steve Anson Stadium.

  

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

 Washburn University football will hold its annual Spring Game at 6 p.m. on Friday in Yager Stadium, with a twist.

 

For the first time, in a change from the traditional intrasquad scrimmage, the Ichabods will scrimmage against William Jewell in Friday's free event, which will conclude spring football for the Ichabods.

 

Former Washburn Rural star JC Heim returns for Washburn University football after ranking second in the nation with 142 tackles in 2025. [File photo/TSN]

 

"It's kind of rare,'' said Washburn star linebacker JC Heim, who led the MIAA and finished second in the nation with 142 tackles last fall. "It's like a joint practice, like how the NFL does it, so it should be pretty cool.''

 

Washburn is getting set for its second season under Zach Watkins after posting a 3-8 record last fall.

 

The Ichabods return a strong nucleus from last year's team while adding a big group of transfers.

 

"I think the transfers have done great, kind of picking up on things in spring ball,'' said the 6-foot-3, 235-pound Heim. 

 

"It's hard coming into our defense or offense picking it up quick, but I think the transfers that we have brought in have really bought into the culture and have done well on the field.''

 

Heim said he feels like spring ball has been very productive for the Ichabods.

 

"I think overall in the spring we're starting to figure things out, now that we've had a year under our belt with the defense and the offense as well,'' Heim said. "It just seems like we've been running a lot smoother while at the same time competing.'' 

 

Second-year Washburn football coach Zach Watkins and his Ichabods will wrap up spring practice with Friday night's Spring Game. [File photo/TSN]

 

Watkins agreed.

 

"This has been a big jump from year one to year two, the development, the talent level, the schemes, the culture,'' he said. "All the knowledge of how we want to run our program is so much better going into year two now than it was year one.

 

"The foundation's been laid. Now it's just stacking on top of that.''

 

William Jewell, a member of the Great Lakes Conference, also went 3-8 in 2025.