News - Top Sports News - The top sports news from Topeka & Shawnee County.

Details: Created: 24 October 2025

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Fresh off its first MIAA win of the season last week in a 37-17 decision over Central Missouri last weekend, Washburn football team will host Fort Hays State at 1 p.m. Saturday in Yager Stadium as part of WU's Homecoming Week.

First-year Washburn coach Zach Watkins picked up his first MIAA win as a head coach last week in the Ichabods' 37-17 win over Central Missouri. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn is now 2-5 overall and 1-4 in the MIAA after snapping a four-game losing streak while the Tigers are 4-4 and 3-3 in the MIAA after suffering a 52-3 loss at No. 19 Northwest Missouri last Saturday.

"We keep talking about the fact that we have a very good process that we're implementing and we're running the program in the right way, but you have to see some tangible evidence that are wins to really back that up,'' Washburn coach Zach Watkins said. "Even without the wins for the last few weeks the players and coaches knew we were doing it the right way and kept working, but when you get a win it does validate it and it does give you some positivity that, 'Hey, we are on the right track.' ''

Ichabod sophomore linebacker JC Heim, a former Washburn Rural star, leads the nation in tackles per game with 13.6 stops per contest and junior L.J. Minner Jr. is third in the MIAA with 9.6 tackles per game, ranking 19th in NCAA D-II.

Senior safety Jordan Finnesy, who had two interceptions and a fumble recovery in the win over UCM, has 239 career tackles to rank 16th on the NCAA D-II active chart and he is also 16th on the active solo tackles chart with 146.

Senior Jake Zeller is fifth on the D-II active punting average chart at 41.9 yards per punt and he is seventh in total punting yards (6,196). Zeller is second in the MIAA and ninth in the national rankings in punting average this fall at 43.0 yards and is second on the Ichabod all-time punting average chart at 41.9 and ninth in total yards at 6,196.

Junior Chase Allen-Jackman's seven touchdown receptions lead the MIAA and rank 12th in the nation.

The Ichabod defense is 11th in turnovers gained in the national rankings and second in the MIAA and the Ichabods lead the MIAA in turnover margin and rank 14th in the nation.

The eight turnovers forced by the Ichabods last weekend against Central Missouri was a school record, as were the six interceptions, tying the six pickoffs recorded at Missouri Southern on Oct. 8, 2016.

Making his first career start, redshirt freshman Logan Madden completed 20 of 31 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns against Central Missouri while adding 14 rushing yards and a TD.

Former Topeka High star Ky Thomas posted 87 rushing yards and 33 receiving yards with two total touchdowns, and Allen-Jackman caught seven passes for 73 yards and a TD.

Fort Hays State head coach Chris Brown was an assistant at Washburn as the defensive coordinator for nine years while another former Ichabod coach on the Tiger staff, defensive coordinator Cooper Harris, was at Washburn from 2002-11, serving as linebackers coach and one season as the defensive coordinator before joining Brown in Hays.

Brown is in his 14th season as head coach at Fort Hays State, leading the Tigers to an MIAA Championship in 2017 and a co-championship in 2018 as well as their first NCAA postseason games since 1995.

Watkins has a great deal of respect for both Brown and Harris.

"Coach Brown was my D-Coordinator the whole time I played, coach Harris was my linebacker coach the whole time I played and then coach Brown hired me at Fort Hays for my first full-time coaching job,'' Watkins said. "I coached with him and coach Harris out there for three years after playing under them.

"So this week is not about me of course, but it's a special week to play your mentors in the head coaching role for the first time. We have the utmost respect for everybody we play, but especially guys you know on a personal level like those guys.''

Rick Peterson, Top Sports News Writer — Rick Peterson

Details: Created: 23 October 2025

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

Connor Hanika, Hayden

JEFFERSON WEST (6-1, 3-0 Class 3A District 4) at HAYDEN (7-0, 3-0 Class 3A District 4)

Hayden and Jefferson West will square off for the Class 3A District 4 title Friday night. The Wildcats are coming off a 48-7 district win at Perry-Lecompton last Friday while Jefferson West took a 54-12 non-district win over Atchison County. Hayden senior Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 61 times for 586 yards and has scored 14 total touchdowns while senior quarterback Connor Hanika has completed 61 of 106 passes for 950 yards and 13 TDs. Mahki Kidd has caught 18 passes for 178 yards and three touchdowns.

MANHATTAN (5-2, 2-1 Centennial League) at WASHBURN RURAL (5-2, 2-1 Centennial League)

Washburn Rural dropped a 35-20 Centennial League decision at Junction City last Friday after losing standout senior quarterback John Hoytal to an injury in the first half while Manhattan rolled to a 50-0 home league win over Topeka High. Both the Junior Blues and Indians are in line to host a first-round Class 6A West playoff game.

Joseph Kingcannon, Highland Park

HIGHLAND PARK (5-2, 4-1 Meadowlark) at KC-WASHINGTON (7-0, 5-0 Meadowlark)

Highland Park can earn a share of the Meadowlark Conference championship with a win Friday. Both teams are unbeaten on the field, with Kansas City-Washington coming off a 49-33 Meadowlark win over KC-Schlagle while Highland Park picked up a forfeit win over Kansas City-East, Mo. last Friday. Scot senior quarterback Dontrail Fox has completed 16 of 30 passes for 465 yards and six touchdowns in Hi Park's four on-field games while junior Joseph Kingcannon has gained 380 yards and scored four TDs on just 21 attempts and has caught six passes for 273 yards and three TDs. Junior G'Honi Montgomery has 341 rushing yards and three TDs on 41 carries.

PITTSBURG (3-4) vs. TOPEKA HIGH (3-4)

At Hummer Sports Park

Topeka High will close out its regular season with a non-league game against Pittsburg. The Trojans dropped a 50-0 Centennial League decision at Manhattan last Friday while Pittsburg is coming off a 42-0 win over Chanute. The Trojans and Purple Dragons have one common opponent, with Pittsburg opening its season with a 24-14 victory over Emporia while High took a 13-12 win over the Spartans in its league opener.

Cameron Miller, Rossville

WABAUNSEE (4-3, 3-1 Class 1A District 2) at ROSSVILLE (6-1, 4-0 Class 1A District 2)

Rossville remained unbeaten in the District 2 race with a come-from-behind 36-22 win over Olpe while Wabaunsee has won three straight games, including a 36-21 district win over Mission Valley last Friday. Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell has completed 67 of 103 passes for 981 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushed for 566 yards and eight TDs on 73 attempts. Conner Bush has carried the ball 36 times for 435 yards and six TDs while Cameron Miller has 24 catches for 398 yards and six TDs and Jack Donovan has 25 catches for 298 yards and two TDs.

Details: Created: 23 October 2025

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

On Oct. 7, No. 2-ranked Washburn University volleyball rolled to a 3-0 MIAA road sweep over Emporia State in the first edition of the Turnpike Tussle.

No. 2 ranked Washburn volleyball will face Emporia State for the second time this season on Friday in Whiting Fieldhouse after taking a 3-0 win at Emporia on Oct. 7. [File photo/TSN]

But Ichabod coach Chris Herron isn't expecting that dominant win to make Friday's 6 p.m. rematch in Whiting Fieldhouse against the No. 25 Hornets any easier.

"They're really good,'' Herron said of the Hornets. "I think they're the most athletic team in the conference. (Ken Murczek) has been there three years, so he's got his kids and his system and it's a good program.''

Friday's battle between the two teams tied for the MIAA lead will close out the Ichabods' five-match homestand.

The Ichabods enter the match with a 19-1 record overall and a 8-1 mark inside the MIAA, riding a seven-match and 21-set winning streak after sweeping Missouri Southern last Friday in a tight match, with WU winning 28-26, 27-25 and 25-18.

"I thought Missouri Southern humbled us a little bit,'' Herron said. "They played us really, really well and before that, we had been rolling and we'd been rolling some people. It's a coach's dream to just stay in that zone.''

Emporia State has won four straight matches since the loss to Washburn to move to 17-3 overall and 8-1 in the MIAA, defeating Missouri Southern 3-0 last time out.

Austin Broadie leads the Washburn offense with 223 kills (3.43 per set) while hitting .361, third best on the team. She has started all 20 matches and also has logged 43 blocks with 45 digs. The senior has 11 double-digit kill matches and ranks third in the MIAA in hitting percentage. She is second among conference players in kills per set.

Bella Limback is slashing a team-high .547 with 133 kills (2.11 per set) while playing and starting in all 20 matches. She has also added 72 blocks (1.14 per set), also a team high, and served eight aces. She has hit over .400 in all but three matches this season with three double-digit kill efforts. She leads the nation in hitting percentage and is third in the MIAA in blocks per set.

Alex Dvorak is second on the Ichabods with 70 blocks (1.11 per set) on the season while starting all 20 matches. Offensively, Dvorak has made 129 kills (2.05 per set) along with hitting .459, second best on the team. She has recorded five or more blocks in nine matches. The senior ranks third in the nation and second in the MIAA in hitting percentage among qualified hitters. She is also fourth in the MIAA in blocks per set.

Corinnna McMullen has started all 20 matches this season and leads Washburn with 425 assists (6.64 per set). She has also chipped in a team-high 23 service aces while ranking second on the team with 170 digs (2.66 per set). The senior has delivered 12 matches of 20-plus assists and has seven double-doubles.

Taylor Rottinghaus leads the team with 269 digs (4.14 per set). She has chipped in 82 assists while serving 22 aces as well, second most on the team. The junior libero has two matches making at least 20 digs. She ranks seventh in the MIAA in digs per set and 10th in total digs.

Brynne Topolski is second on the Ichabods with 157 kills (2.42 per set) while hitting .276. She has come off the bench in all 20 matches while making 38 blocks with 29 digs. She has five matches with double-digit kills.

Washburn leads the nation with a .306 team hitting percentage, the only team in the nation hitting over .300.

The Ichabods are ninth nationally and second among MIAA teams with 2.59 blocks per set.

On the defensive side Washburn is limiting opponents to a .121 hitting percentage, good for 10th nationally and tops in the MIAA.

The Ichabods are dishing out 13.95 assists per set on offense, good for second in the nation and first in the MIAA.

Washburn knocks down 14.86 kills per set to rank third in D-II and first among MIAA programs.

Details: Created: 23 October 2025

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

The Washburn Ichabod soccer team, in the midst of a nine-game unbeaten streak, will be at home Friday to face No. 12-ranked Central Missouri in a 6 p.m. MIAA contest in Yager Stadium.

LeahHenke2025OB 2 Freshman Leah Henke leads Washburn soccer with nine goals entering Friday's home MIAA match against Central Missouri. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn is 8-2-3 overall and 5-0-2 in the MIAA 5-0-2, while Central Missouri, 8-2-4, 5-0-3 MIAA 5-0-3, comes in on a 10-game unbeaten run, with seven wins and three ties.

"UCM is a well-coached and talented team,'' Washburn coach Davy Phillips said. "It's really fun playing in meaningful, big-time college soccer games this late in the season, so I'm excited that our ladies have earned the opportunity to compete in matchups like what Friday night offers.

"I'm looking forward to coaching our team, playing with the right mentality, and putting in another really good performance this Friday."

The Ichabods remain ranked No. 6 for the second straight week in the United Soccer Coaches Central Region Poll. Washburn currently sits third in the MIAA standings with 17 points, just one point back of league-leaders Central Missouri and Northwest Missouri State.

Offensively, Washburn is powered by freshman Leah Henke, who leads the team with nine goals, ranking second in the MIAA and tied for 22nd nationally.

As a team, the Ichabods have outscored opponents 23-11 and outshot them, 181-101.

The Jennies have been nationally ranked for eight consecutive weeks, climbing as high as No. 9 in the country.

Details: Created: 23 October 2025

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Rossville will induct its 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame class on Friday night in conjunction with its Homecoming football game against Wabaunsee.

The Rossville Athletic Hall of Fame is dedicated to the outstanding athletes and coaches who, through their athletic achievements, have brought honor to themselves, their school, and their community.

The class of 2025 includes the late Arica (Shepard) Ahlvers, Mick Keller, Monte Mitchell and the Bulldawgs' 2000 state championship softball team.

Hall of Fame capsules:

ARICA (SHEPARD) AHLVERS

A 2005 Rossville graduate, Ahlvers was a two-time Kansas Volleyball Association All-State volleyball player for Rossville. She helped lead her team to a third-place finish in Class 3A in 2004. Ahlvers holds two records at RHS and continued her volleyball career at Emporia State University. While at ESU, she was a three-time AVCA All-American, four-time All-MIAA honoree and the Hornets' record-holder for single-season and career kills, kills per set, double-figure kill matches and 20-plus kill matches. She was inducted into the ESU Hall of Fame in 2020.

MICK KELLER

Keller was the head baseball coach at Rossville from 1979-2006. He is Rossville’s all-time winningest coach with a record of 336-238. He had 14 state qualifying teams, which included Rossville’s first state baseball championship in 1991. He had three runnerup team finishes in 1985, 1986, and 1997, 49 all-league players and 55 All-State and honorable mention players. He also coached football and basketball during his teaching career at RHS from 1978-2013.

MONTE MITCHELL

A 1997 Rossville graduate, Mitchell was an all-league and All-State catcher in 1997 and 1998. He was a Kansas Baseball Coaches Association All-Star, a top 15 player in all classes and USA Today High School All-American in 1998. He continued his baseball career at Butler Community College from 1999-2000, where he was the team captain and made the All-Jayhawk Conference team in 2000. Next, he took his career to Division I Nicholls State University in 2001-2002. There, he was named to the All-Southland Conference team in 2002 with 101 career starts.

ROSSVILLE 2000 SOFTBALL TEAM

After falling one game short of a championship in 1999, Rossville won the the 2000 Class 2-1A state softball championship. The state champion team members include Erin Catron, Shayla Catron, Lena Cooper, Kayla Copeland, Ashley Dick, Laci Dick (first-team All-Mid-East League), Melissa Ebert, Jennifer Foster, Jamie Gall (first-team All-Mid-East League), Holly Gentry (All-Mid-East League honorable mention), Jozi Lutackes, Emily Napier, Jaime Robb, and Courtney Templer, who pitched all three state games as a freshman. The team was led by head coach Wendi Horak and assistant coaches Nanny Matthias and the late Jess Adams.

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Coming off big MIAA win, Washburn football set to host Tigers in Homecoming tilt

A game-by-game look at Shawnee County football games for Oct. 24-25

No. 2-ranked Washburn volleyball set to host No. 25 Emporia State in MIAA rematch

Ichabod soccer to put nine-game unbeaten streak on the line against No. 12 Jennies

Rossville to induct 2025 Hall of Fame class Friday night

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