By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Playing two sports at the NCAA Division II level leaves Gavin Wilhelm with very few off days.
But the hectic schedule of being a member of Washburn's golf team and punting and place-kicking for the Ichabod football team suits the former Seaman multi-sport standout just fine.
Washburn University golfer Gavin Wilhelm reacts to his championship-winning putt in Sunday's TGA City Match Play tournament at Western Hills. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Gavin Wilhelm saw action for Washburn's football team as a true freshman, averaging 47.7 yards on seven punts and kicking off 13 times. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
Wilhelm, coming off his first Topeka Golf Association City Match Play championship Sunday at Western Hills, is playing a lot of golf this summer while also working on his kicking skills and will turn his focus more towards football when WU opens fall practice in early August.
Wilhelm credits Ichabod golf coach Ronnie McHenry and WU football coach Craig Schurig with making the hectic schedule work for him and both teams.
"It's very time consuming but the coaches at Washburn do a really good job with me, allowing me to compete in both sports,'' Wilhelm said. "Whether I have to go to football and then golf or golf and then football they do a really good job of finding time and allowing me to compete in both sports.''
As a senior at Seaman, Wilhelm earned All-City/All-Shawnee County recognition in football, soccer, basketball and golf and helped the Vikings win the first boys state basketball title in school history.
Wilhelm saw action for Washburn's 7-4 football team as a true freshman, including averaging a team-high 47.7 yards on seven punts, with a long punt of 66 yards and two punts inside the 20.
Wilhelm also kicked off for the Ichabods 13 times for an average of 57.6 yards with one touchback.
Wilhelm competed in one tournament for the Ichabod golf team last fall, with a low round of 75.
And no matter how hectic his juggling act gets, Wilhelm said he still enjoys the challenge of playing both sports.
"I do enjoy it,'' he said. "I played five sports in high school and I enjoy being busy. Is it a lot of work? Yes, but that's what I love.''
