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.
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.
Yibari Nwidadah, Washburn University [File photo/TSN]
YIBARI NWIDADAH | Basketball
As a senior the Olathe North product earned All-MIAA first-team All-Defensive honors and was named the Most Valuable Player in the MIAA Tournament after helping lead the Ichabods to the title. Nwidadah averaged 11.8 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting a team-best 57.0 percent from the field as WU advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Nwidadah finished No. 2 in program history in career field goal percentage and defensive rebounds.
Makenzie Sais, Washburn University [Fille photo/TSN]
MAKENZIE SAIS | Softball
Sais earned first-team All-MIAA and third-team All-American honors as a sophomore outfielder after hitting .421 with 48 runs scored and a .507 on-base percentage while setting Washburn and MIAA single-season records with an NCAA Division II high 69 stolen bases. A native of Frederick, Colo., Sais ranks third all-time at Washburn with 86 stolen bases and has the second-highest on-base percentage (.487) in program history.
Payton Sterk, Washburn University [File photo/TSN]
PAYTON STERK | Basketball
The Colorado Springs native earned All-MIAA second-team honors for the second straight season, starting all 32 games and logging a team-high 31.8 minutes per game while averaging a team-high 12.2 points with a team-best 55 3-pointers. Sterk also grabbed 96 rebounds with 59 assists and 48 steals. She cracked double figures in 20 games, including five with 20-plus points and a season-high 31 against Rogers State with seven 3-pointers.
Renske Ubachs [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
RENSKE UBACHS | Tennis
A native of Barendrecht, The Netherlands, Ubachs recorded a 27-7 record in singles and a 23-6 record in doubles competition as a senior, earning All-MIAA first-team honors in singles while being named the Central Region women's senior player of the year. Ubachs earned all-conference honors three straight years.
Next up: Washburn University men's athlete of the year finalists.
