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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
A recruiting process that started before NiJaree Canady even started her high school career reached its completion Tuesday night, with the Topeka High multi-sport senior star announcing her oral commitment to the Stanford softball program.
Canady, a multi-time All-State selection in both softball and basketball, made her announcement in front of friends and family in the Topeka High cafeteria.
Topeka High star NiJaree Canady (center) orally committed to Stanford softball Tuesday night at High. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Canady was first contacted by college recruiters while still attending middle school.
"My seventh and eighth-grade years, that's when coaches kind of contacted me and then a rule went into effect where coaches couldn't contact me at all, so it was kind of dry freshman year through Sept. 1st of my junior year,'' Canady explained.
But as soon as the calendar reached Sept. 1, 2020 things really heated up and stayed that way until Tuesday's announcement.
"That's the moment that coaches can contact you and as the clock struck 12 going to Sept. 1st I think I got seven text messages from D-I coaches,'' Canady said. "It's been an experience. Ever since Sept. 1st, that's when everything took off.''
The recruiting process can definitely be a grind for top prospects, but Canady said she was treated very well by the schools that recruited her, even when she had to start narrowing down her college options.
"Honestly, the coaches I was in contact with were 100 percent supportive,'' she said. "I didn't have one coach get mad at me or anything. They all completely understood.''
Canady eventually narrowed down her colleges choices to Stanford, Arizona and UCLA after also taking unofficial visits to Kansas and Oklahoma State and didn't make her final decision until last weekend.
"This past Saturday is when I decided and Sunday is when I let the coaches know,'' Canady said.
And although she enjoyed the recruiting process, Canady said she's glad to put it behind her.
"My first softball tournament is next weekend and I'll be happy not to have any coaches behind the backstop just watching me,'' she said. "Now I'm just playing softball because I love it.
"I'm not worried about scholarships or recruiting or anything, I'm just playing the game I love.''
Canady was named TopSports.news' Shawnee County player of the year in softball as a junior after helping lead the Trojans to an undefeated season and the school's first Class 6A state softball championship.
Canady posted a perfect 21-0 pitching record with an 0.26 earned run average and 226 strikeouts while also hitting .478 with 13 home runs.
Canady was at her best in the 6A state tournament, not allowing an earned run in three complete-game pitching performances while hitting a solo home run in a 1-0 semifinal win over Gardner-Edgerton. High followed the semifinal win with a 7-1 victory over Olathe North in the state championship game.
Canady also headlined TopSports.news' first-ever All-Shawnee County girls basketball team as a junior after leading Topeka High to a second-place finish in the 6A state tournament and a 23-2 record overall.
Canady averaged 20.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.8 blocks.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Sitting on the sidelines while his Hayden teammates competed in the Class 4A state track and field championships last spring was probably the toughest day of Tanner Newkirk's athletic career.
Coming off a monster cross country season, the 4A state champ fought through injuries off and on throughout track season, but was still able to qualify for state in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs and was poised for his first state track meet since his freshman year after the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19.
Newkirk made the trip to Wichita, but his injury tightened up and prevented him from competing in any of his events.
Not being able to run at state still hurts to this day, but Newkirk has tried to use that heartbreak as motivation for his final prep cross country season.
"I was so hungry just to come out here and get some redemption,'' said Newkirk, a three-time state medalist in cross country and a multi-time state medalist in track as a freshman.
"I've just been trying to do my best because that really hurt me. It was a hard time.''
Hayden senior Tanner Newkirk is happy to be back running, and winning, after missing the state track meet with an injury. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Newkirk has been dealing with a respiratory issue in recent weeks, but has continued to excel, recording his second straight individual city title by just under 20 seconds in a five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 22.0 seconds last Saturday at the Kanza Park Course.
"My breathing has just been really off and I've struggled to get deep breaths, but obviously I'm still able to come out and compete, which is great,'' said Newkirk, who led Hayden to a second-place team finish in the city meet.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The Washburn University volleyball team holds down the No. 1 spot in the AVCA Top 25 NCAA Division II Poll for the fourth straight week after picking up two victories last week to extend its winning streak to eight in a row and improve its record to 16-1 overall and 8-0 MIAA.
Washburn received 40 first-place votes and 1,163 total points to remain atop the AVCA Top 25 Poll.
Washburn's volleyball team remains No. 1-ranked in NCAA Division II for the fourth straight week. [File photo]
Metro State-Denver and Angelo State remained No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, while MIAA member Central Missouri moved up one place to fourth Wayne State also moved up one spot to round out the top five.
In addition to the Ichabods and Jennies, the MIAA continues to be well-represented in the national rankings as Northwest Missouri moved up to No. 9 and Nebraska-Kearney dropped one place to check in at No. 15. Central Oklahoma continues to receive votes and is just outside the Top 25.
The Ichabods face another week of tough competition as they host Nebraska-Kearney Tuesday in Lee Arena before traveling to Northwest Missouri and Missouri Western this weekend.
Washburn is 4-1 this season against teams ranked in the Top 20, including two victories against teams ranked in the Top 10.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University's women's basketball team has been picked for a sixth-place finish in the MIAA 2021-22 preseason coaches and media polls.
Fort Hays State, the defending MIAA regular-season champion, was tabbed the league favorite in the coaches poll while the Tigers tied with Central Missouri for the top spot in the media poll.
Fort Hays State received six first-place votes in the coaches poll for a total of 159 points, while Central Missouri received three first-place votes and 154 points.
Defending MIAA Tournament champion Nebraska-Kearney was picked No.3 with three first-place votes and 153 points, followed by Emporia State in fourth with two first-place votes and 136 points. Central Oklahoma rounded out the top five.
Hunter Bentley is a top returning player for Washburn's women's basketball team, picked No. 6 in the MIAA coaches and media preseason polls. [File photo]
Washburn, 12-12 last season, was voted sixth and received 106 points, followed by Pittsburg State, Missouri Western, Missouri Southern, Northwest Missouri, Northeastern State, Rogers State, Lincoln and Newman. Missouri Southern tied for the No. 9 spot in the coaches poll and Lincoln and Newman tied for the 13th position.
Fort Hays State and Central Missouri both finished with 118 points in the media poll, with Central Missouri receiving five first-place votes and Fort Hays Stat four.
Nebraska-Kearney followed in third 112 points with Emporia State fourth with 98 points and Central Oklahoma fifth with 87 points.
The media picked Washburn sixth, followed by Pittsburg State, Missouri Western, Northwest Missouri, Missouri Southern, Northeastern State, Rogers State, Newman and Lincoln. Northeastern State and Rogers State tied for 13th in the media poll.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Northwest Missouri State, the 2021 NCAA Division II National Champion and MIAA regular-season champion, was picked first in the 2021-22 MIAA preseason men’s basketball coaches and media polls, with Washburn garnering the No. 2 spot in both polls after winning the MIAA postseason tournament and advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Northwest received 13 of 14 votes in the coaches poll for a total of 169 points while Washburn, 20-7 last season, received the remaining first-place vote and 157 points.
All-America point guard Tyler Geiman returns to lead Washburn's men's basketball team, which was picked No. 2 in the MIAA preseason polls. [File photo]
Central Oklahoma was picked third in the poll while Missouri Southern was selected fourth and NCAA tournament qualifier Missouri Western fifth.
Fort Hays State, Rogers State, Pittsburg State, Emporia State and Lincoln rounded out the top 10 in the coaches poll, followed by Central Missouri, Nebraska-Kearney, Northeastern State and Newman.
Northwest Missouri also dominated the media poll, receiving all nine first-place votes and 126 points.
Washburn was picked second with 116 points followed by Missouri Western, Missouri Southern and Central Oklahoma to round out the top five.
Fort Hays State was voted sixth, followed by Emporia State, Rogers State, Pittsburg State, Lincoln, Central Missouri, Nebraska-Kearney, Northeastern State and Newman.
