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Washburn senior golf standout Andrew Beckler took individual honors in the Washburn Invitational by 13 strokes while the Ichabods won the team title by 9 strokes. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University senior golf standout Andrew Beckler finally did have a bad hole in the Washburn Invitational, carding a triple bogey on the 435-yard No. 17 hole at Topeka Country Club in Tuesday's final round of the 54-hole tournament.
But that was the only misstep in a spectacular performance by the former Washburn Rural star, who put together rounds of 64, 68 and 68 (13 under par) to win the individual tournament championship by 13 strokes while leading the Ichabods to the team championship by a whopping nine strokes.
Beckler, who tied the TCC amateur course record with an opening-round 64 on Monday, began the day with a 9-stroke advantage over the field and kept his foot on the gas Tuesday, with his final round still the low score in the field despite the one bad hole.
"It was still rock solid,'' Beckler said. "I played really well, just one loose swing cost me, but I can't focus on that when I had so many good things happen this week, so many positives to take away. You've got to look at those.''
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
After four seasons, including a Class 4A Division II state championship, Hayden boys basketball coach Torrey Head has resigned his position, informing the Wildcat players of his decision Tuesday afternoon.
"When I asked Tim (Triggs, Hayden assistant coach) to do this with me, we initially said, 'Alright, let's give this four years and then evaluate,' and that's kind of what we did,'' Head told TopSports.news Tuesday.
Hayden was just 4-16 this past season, but returns several key players from that team, including third-team All-Shawnee County sophomore Joe Otting and sophomore all-county honorable mention pick Jake Muller.
Head thinks better days are ahead for the proud Wildcat program and said he thought it was important to turn over his position to a new coach with a nucleus to build around.
"I think we have some pretty decent all-league and all-city-type kids that are coming up and I think it's better to give a new person an opportunity to have some success,'' Head said. "I really just think it's advantageous to do do it now so at least the new person can have an opportunity to succeed.''
Torrey Head, with former Wildcat standouts Zach Harvey and Jett Canfield, confirmed Tuesday that he has resigned as Hayden's boys basketball coach. [Twitter/Hayden men's basketball]
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
It's been nearly two years since Washburn Rural's boys golf team has been in action due to COVID-19, but Rural still returns a solid nucleus of experienced players, which could bode well for Jared Goehring's Junior Blues this spring.
Washburn Rural graduated city champ Hayden Beck, now at Washburn, from its 2019 team, but the rest of the Junior Blues return.
"We have a very strong junior class with Luke Leonetti, Giles Frederickson and Turner Depperschmidt, and Reid Hughes and Tyler Higgins are back as seniors and all of those guys have plenty of experience playing tournament golf and postseason golf,'' Goehring said.
"We expect to hit the ground running from Day 1 because I know a lot of these guys have been itching, as has everyone who had last year canceled.''
Washburn Rural golf coach Jared Goehring talks to his team before a preseason practice. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
It's probably safe to say that no golfer in the 15-school Washburn Invitational field knows the Topeka Country Club course any better than Ichabod six-year senior Andrew Beckler, who has roamed TCC almost from the time he first picked up a club.
"I've been around this track a time or two,'' Beckler joked.
In fact that time or two actually may be closer to 1,000 rounds.
"That's probably close,'' Beckler said. "That's probably a good guess.''
Beckler put that home field advantage to good use on Monday, continuing his spring hot streak with a 7-under-par 64 in his first of two rounds on the day. The former Washburn Rural individual and team Class 6A state champion then followed that up with a 3-under 68 and will take a 9-stroke lead into Tuesday's final round.
Andrew Beckler
Beckler's opening-round 64 was just one stroke off former U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland's course record of 63 and he tied what course officials consider the amateur course record.
"They added the two new back tees, so I like to say I have the back tee record,'' Beckler said with a laugh.
Beckler had flirted with that mark with a recent 65 before going a stroke lower Monday.
"I had one less bogey, so that added up to 64 instead of 65, but I've played this course so many times and when you play your home course you don't over-think it, you just go out and play,'' Beckler said. "I know where the spots are to hit it and it's just a matter of trusting it and hitting to your spots.''
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TopSports.news
Washburn University star senior guardTyler Geiman has received first-team National Association of Basketball Coaches All-Central District honors as voted on by members of the NABC.
Tyler Geiman
Geiman was one of four first team selections from the MIAA along with Ryan Hawkins and Trevor Hudgins of Northwest Missouri and Cam Martin of Missouri Southern.
