Washburn University Ichabods
[Graphic courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Six members of the No. 25-ranked Washburn University volleyball team were recognized as All-MIAA selections by the conference on Wednesday morning, led by three-time first-team pick Jalyn Stevenson.
Washburn senior Jalyn Stevenson has been named to the All-MIAA volleyball first team for the third straight season. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
A senior outside hitter, Stevenson receive her fourth All-MIAA honor in four years, earning honorable mention as a freshman. In 2024 she has played and started in all 26 matches to lead the team with 286 kills (2.92 per set) while hitting .196 and is second on the team with 298 digs (3.04 per set). She has added 51 blocks while serving 51 aces on the year. Among the conference she ranks top-20 in kills, kills per set, points per set and total digs. Her 16 matches with double-digit kills are the most on the team.
Washburn juniors Alex Dvorak and Corinna McMullen and sophomore Taylor Rottinghaus were named to the All-MIAA second team while Austin Broadie and Bella Limback received honorable mention.
Former Washburn Rural star Taylor Russell (3), a Missouri Western sophomore, has been named to the All-MIAA volleyball first team. [File photo/TSN]
Former Washburn Rural state champion Taylor Russell, a Missouri Western sophomore, was named to the All-MIAA first team after being a seond-team pick and an All-MIAA Tournament pick as a freshman.
Russell was named a unanimous All-MIAA first-team selection after recording the third-highest number of kills in league play, achieving a total of 198 kills (3.30 AVG/S). Additionally, Russell contributed the third-highest point total in the conference in the regular season, amassing a total of 227 in 60 sets.
Dvorak lands on the second team as a middle hitter in her first season wearing blue while starting in all 26 matches. The junior is the most efficient hitter on the Ichabods, slashing .381 for the year, and is second with 215 kills (2.19 per set).
Defensively, Dvorak also leads the team in blocks with 126, including 14 solo stops. Her hitting percentage is tops in the conference and she ranks second among all MIAA players in both blocks and blocks per set. Nationally, she ranks in the top-25 in all three categories. She has hit over .400 in 13 of 26 matches on the year.
McMullen earns second team honors for a second straight season after receiving honorable mention as a freshman. The junior leads the passing attack for Washburn with 620 assists (6.39 per set) while ranking third on the team with 231 digs (2.38 per set). Her 41 service aces also lead the team while playing all 26 matches with 24 starts. She ranks third in the MIAA in aces per set and total service aces while sitting eighth in both total assists and assists per set. She has a team-high 13 double-doubles, including one in five of the last six matches.
Rottinghaus, a former Shawnee Heights star, is a second-team selection for the second straight year. Rottinghaus has 498 digs (5.08 per set) to anchor the Washburn back line on defense while playing in all 26 matches. She has a .962 reception percentage on 523 attempts while adding 80 assists and 26 aces on the offensive end. Among the MIAA she is sixth in both total digs and digs per set while ranking in the top-40 nationally in both categories. She scooped a career-high 40 digs earlier in the year against Nebraska Kearney.
Broadie earns All-MIAA honorable mention honors for the first time in her career after playing in 26 matches and making 11 starts. The senior is third on the team with 210 kills (2.14 per set) and a .254 hitting percentage. Defensively, she has made 62 total blocks while adding 50 digs. She has seven matches with double-digits kills.
Limback also received All-MIAA honorable mention for the first time in her career as a junior. She is second on the team with a .359 hitting percentage while accumulating 165 kills (1.72 per set). On the defensive end she is second on the squad with 95 blocks while adding 55 digs. She is one of three players to start in all 26 matches during the regular season. Among the MIAA she is third in hitting percentage and eighth in total blocks. Nationally she is top-100 in both categories.
Former Silver Lake standout Camilla Ossola (18), an Emporia State junior, received All-MIAA volleyball honorable mention. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Former Silver Lake standout Camilla Ossola, an Emporia State junior, also received All-MIAA honorable mention.
Washburn enters postseason play as the No. 4 seed in the MIAA Championship Tournament and will face No. 5 Northwest Missouri on Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. in St. Joseph, Mo. at the Civic Arena.
2024 ALL-MIAA VOLLEYBALL
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University athletic director Loren Ferre had nothing but kind words to say about long-time Ichabods football coach Craig Schurig's contributions to the university in a Wednesday meeting with local media members.
But Ferre said WU believed it a time for a change after announcing Monday afternoon that Schurig would not return in 2025.
Washburn athletic director Loren Ferre said the university will move as quickly as possible to get a new football coach in place after Monday's firing of veteran Ichabod coach Craig Schurig. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"We made the decision on Monday that we needed to make a change in the head coaching position,'' Ferre said. "I just think it was a decision we made that was best for the program at this time. Obviously the last two years we haven't been successful (in) win-loss record. This past year we had a lot of close losses, but still the name of the game is winning and we just felt we needed to make a change to improve that record.''
Schurig wrapped up his 23rd year at the school and 22nd football season as Washburn's head coach last Saturday with a 35-28 road win over Northeastern State, finishing a 3-8 season which included five one-possession losses, including four losses by three or fewer points and two one-point defeats. The Ichabods posted a 2-9 record in 2023 after a 7-4 mark in 2022 and a trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2021 (9-3).
Schurig is the all-time winningest coach in program history with a record of 142-109 (.566) and went 122-91 (.603) against MIAA opponents and won the MIAA regular-season championship outright in 2005. Also that year the program recorded its first 10-win season.
"Craig over the years has just been great for the community and for Washburn,'' Ferre said. "When he came here we didn't have near the facilities we have now. He came here on a promise that we would get this built and we would get things done, like the renovations to the football stadium, the weight room, the locker room, a variety of things and he just believed that we would do those things and we got them accomplished and he was a big part of that and has had a big impact on this program and in the community.''
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University men's basketball moved up five spots to No. 5 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches national rankings on Tuesday and then went out and showed why.
The Ichabods improved to a perfect 5-0 on the season with their fifth straight victory by at least 17 points, rolling to an 89-71 win over MIAA foe Pittsburg State in a non-conference game in Lee Arena.
Senior Jacob Hanna scored a game-high 20 points to lead five players in double figures for Washburn, which improved to 5-0 with an 89-71 win over Pittsburg State. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Andrew Orr scored 17 points on 7 of 9 shooting from the field in Washburn's 89-71 win over Pittsburg State. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
As they have all season, Brett Ballard's Ichabods rode their balance to the decisive victory, with all five WU starters cracking double figures. Washburn has had no fewer than four double-digit scorers in any of its five games while having as many six players reach double figures in a game.
"We have so many weapons and Ballard preaches that every single day,'' Washburn senior Andrew Orr said. "It doesn't matter who it is, we have seven, eight guys that can score 20 points on you any given night and that's the most dangerous part about our team, that we can do that and everyone plays really good defense.''
"It's a great team,'' added senior Jacob Hanna, who is his first season with the Ichabods after transferring from Illinois-Springfield. "We have a bunch of different options than get it done offensively and also on the defensive end. This team we know offense is going to come so we all just have to focus on defense and focus on the very important things.''
Hanna led the Ichabods with a game-high 20 points added seven rebounds while Orr scored 17 points on 7 of 9 shooting, Shorter finished with 15 points and Michael Keegan and Jack Bachelor added 13 points each.
"We've had some good teams but this is probably the deepest team we've had and you combine that with the experience that we have and a confident group in the right ways,'' Ballard said.
Bachelor had four steals in the game and Christiansen had seven rebounds to tie Hanna for game-high honors.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University women's basketball rolled to its first win of the season Tuesday night as the Ichabods downed William Jewell 80-58 in Liberty, Mo.
Ichabod newcomer Payton Sterk scored a Washburn career-high 25 points Tuesday night as the Ichabods picked up their first victory, 80-58 at William Jewell. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
The Ichabods will play one more road contest against Truman State at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 22 in Kirksville, Mo. before hosting Lincoln in their home-opener next Monday.
Through the first three minutes of Tuesday's game it was all Washburn (1-4) as the Ichabods jumped out to a 5-0 lead, starting with a triple by Gavi Giovannetti to open the game.
The Cardinals (1-2) nudged their way back to tie the game at seven before back-to-back Washburn 3-pointers, first by Giovannetti then by Payton Sterk, started a 10-2 run to put the Ichabods up 17-9 at the 2:07 mark of the opening quarter. William Jewell finished the quarter on a 6-0 run to make it just a two-point game.
Both sides got off to a slow start in the second quarter with just one basket for either team in the first two and a half minutes. A layup by Giovannetti and an and-one by Madelyn Amekporfor ignited what would become a 24-point quarter for Washburn.
The Ichabod lead grew to double digits as Sterk connected on a triple with 4:18 to play in the half. On the defensive end, the Ichabods held William Jewell to 2-13 shooting in the quarter.
Giovannetti ended the half with a buzzer-beating triple to cap off a 7-0 run and make it a 41-23 WU lead at the break.
[Graphic courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seven Washburn University football players earned 2024 All-MIAA recognition on Tuesday, led by sophomore wide receiver/return specialist Tre Richardson.
Richardson, a former Highland Park star, earned unanimous first-team All-MIAA honors at wide receiver and honorable mention all-conference accolades as a returner.
Former Highland Park star Tre Richardson earned first-team All-MIAA honors at wide receiver and earned honorable mention as a returner. [File photo/TSN]
Richardson ranks ninth in the nation and second in the MIAA in all-purpose yards, averaging 146.5 yards per game on thee season and he is also 16th in total receiving yards with 983 and 18th in receiving yards per game with 87.4 in the national rankings.
His 18.8 yards per reception was second in the MIAA and 23rd in the national rankings. He finished third in the MIAA in receiving touchdowns with 11. As a kick returner, he was third in the MIAA in average yards per return at 24.1 on 16 attempts. Richardson also led the Ichabods in scoring with 66 points, finishing 10th in the MIAA overall.
Named to the second team was sophomore linebacker L.J. Minner Jr., who led the Ichabods and the MIAA in tackles this season with 103 total stops including 59 solo tackles.
His solo tackles per game ranked 13th in the nation and his total tackle mark was 18th in the nation. He also tied for the team lead with 8.0 tackles for loss for 38 yards and his 5.0 sacks were second on the team. His four forced fumbles this season tied a school record as well and was seventh in the nation and led the MIAA. Minner finished the season with three straight double-digit tackle games with 15 vs Nebraska-Kearney, 10 against Central Oklahoma and 14 against Northeastern State.
Named to the third-team All-MIAA offensive unit were sophomore wide receiver Maury Sullivan and sophomore offensive lineman Jakobe Harmon.
Sullivan was second on the team in receiving yards with 550 on 39 catches with six touchdown receptions. He averaged 14.1 yards per catch and 50.0 yards receiving a game. He was third on the team in scoring with 36 total points.
Harmon helped the Ichabods to the sixth-best rushing total in the MIAA at 130.5 yards per game and the ninth-best passing offense at 229.5 yards per game. He helped anchor an offensive line that was the third-best in the MIAA in fewest sacks allowed with 17.
Selected for the third team defensive squad was junior safety Jordan Finnesy, who finished second on the team with 88 total tackles with 48 solo stops. He also added 3.5 tackles for loss for 11 yards and had nine pass breakups and an interception at Emporia State. Finnesy had a career-high 16 tackles against Central Missouri.
Recieiving MIAA honorable mention team in addition to Richardson were junior offensive lineman Nick Hogan and senior defensive tackle Chase McCoy.
Hogan started all 11 games on the offensive line for the Ichabods. He helped the Ichabods to the sixth-best rushing attack in the MIAA at 130.5 yards per game and the ninth-best passing offense at 229.5 yards per game. He helped anchor an offensive line that was the third-best in the MIAA in sacks allowed with 17.
McCoy is an honorable mention All-MIAA selection on defense for the second year in a row after leading the Ichabods with 6.5 sacks for 40 yards while adding 8.0 tackles for loss for 43 yards. He had a 20-yard interception return for a touchdown against Missouri Southern. He finished the season with 30 tackles overall and 10 solo stops.
2024 ALL-MIAA FOOTBALL
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Tayson Horak
TAYSON HORAK, Rossville
A senior quarterback, Horak had a hand in five Rossville touchdowns as the Bulldawgs rallied from a 17-point deficit with 5:30 remaining to advance to the Class 1A state football sub-state round with a 42-38 win over top seed and previously-unbeaten Jackson Heights on the road Friday night. Horak threw for touchdown passes of 17, 39, 35 and 25 yards and scored the game-winning TD on a 6-yard run as the Bulldawgs improved to 8-3 on the season with their eighth straight victory.
L.J. Minner Jr.
LJ MINNER Jr., Washburn University
A 6-foot, 205-pound sophomore linebacker out of Ferguson, Mo., Minner registered 14 tackles as Washburn ended its season with a 35-28 win at Northeastern State. Minner finished his season with 103 total tackles (59 solo), 8.0 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery for the Ichabods.
Tre Richardson
TRE RICHARDSON, Washburn University
A 5-foot-10, 175-pound sophomore receiver, the former Highland Park multi-sport star scored the game-winning touchdown with 48 seconds remaining in Washburn's season-ending 35-28 road win at Northeastern State, hauling in a 10-yard pass from Sam Van Dyne. Richardson also set up an Ichabod touchdown with an 84-yard kickoff return. Richardson caught five passes for 52 yards and had 166 all-purpose yards in the win.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The Washburn University women's soccer team is heading to the NCAA tournament for the second straight season following the release of the Division II Women's Championship bracket on Monday evening.
The Ichabods earned the No. 5 seed in the Central Region and will face No. 4 seed Central Oklahoma at 12 p.m. Friday in Warrensburg, Mo.
Washburn looks to continue a campaign that includes an MIAA regular-season championship and a 14-4-2 record.
The Ichabods will meet Central Oklahoma for the third time this season and for the second straight game after WU dropped a 1-0 decision to the Bronchos in last week's MIAA Tournament semifinal at Wichita. The Bronchos (12-6-3) fell to Central Missouri 1-0 in the MIAA tournament final.
Washburn returns to the NCAA tournament after a run to the national championship game last season, which resulted in a 1-0 loss to Point Loma in Matthews, NC.
Central Missouri will host the first two rounds of postseason after earning the No. 1 seed following the Jennies' victory in the MIAA tournament championship.
The Jennies, who are 15-4-2, will face No. 8 seed Ouachita Baptist (8-7-4) in the first round.
On the other side of the Central Region bracket, Minnesota State will host the first two rounds as the No. 2 seed.
The Mavericks will face St. Cloud State in the first round while MIAA member Missouri Western makes the trip to battle Concordia-St.Paul.
The NCAA tournament concludes with the national championship game on Sunday, Dec. 15.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
No. 10-ranked Washburn University men's basketball will be back in Lee Arena at 6 p.m. on Tuesday night, hosting MIAA rival Pittsburg State in a non-conference contest.
Sophomore Brayden Shorter leads a balanced Washburn offensive attack with a 15.8 scoring average and 12 3-pointers. [File photo/TSN]
The Ichabods are 4-0 on the season after a 77-55 win over Rockhurst in Kansas City, Mo. last Friday.
Washburn had four players reach double figures against the Hawks as WU improved recorded its fourth straight double-digit victory.
Jacob Hanna scored a game-high 19 points and added five rebounds for Washburn while Brayden Shorter scored 16 points with four 3-pointers and Michael Keegan had 15 points with nine rebounds and five assists. Jack Bachelor scored 11 points with six rebounds and four assists for the Ichabods.
The win over the Hawks snapped a four-game Washburn losing streak to Rockhurst in Mason-Halpin Fieldhosue
All five WU starters are averaging in double figures, with Shorter leading the way with a 15.8-point average with 12 3-pointers.
Andrew Orr is averaging 15.5 points, followed by Hanna at 14.8, Bachelor at 11.3 and Keegan at 11.0 points a game.
Bachelor leads the Ichabods with 22 assists while Keegan has 12 steals.
Brady Christiansen is averaging a team-high 8.3 rebounds for Washburn.
Pittsburg is 2-2 this season after topping William Jewell, 61-60. Washburn leads the all-time series with the Gorillas, 110-78. The Ichabods have won the last 23 of the last 27 meetings, including the last eight overall.
The Ichabods are 34-3 in Lee Arena against PSU and 38-16 against the Gorillas in MIAA play.
All four of the Gorilla games this season have been played in Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.
Former Missouri Southern standout Avery Taggart leads four Gorillas averaging in double-figure, scoring at 14.3 points a game while hitting a team-high 11 3-pointers. R.J. Forney Jr. is averaging 13.0 points, Darrell Washington 10.5 and Tanner Mans 10.3 points a game.
Pittsburg State is averaging 69.25 points a game while allowing 73.3 points per contest.
The Ichabods will host William Jewell on Saturday and Peru State on Nov. 30 before opening MIAA play at Nebraska-Kearney on Dec. 5.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University announced Monday afternoon that longtime Ichabod football coach will not return in 2025.
Schurig wrapped up his 22nd season as Washburn's head coach on Saturday with a 35-28 road win over Northeastern State, putting the capper on a 3-8 season.
Five of Washburn's eight losses were one-possession games, including four losses by three or fewer points and two one-point defeats.
Craig Schurig, the winningest football coach in Washburn University history, has been relieved of his coaching duties after a 22-year tenure.
The team posted a 2-9 record in 2023 season after a 7-4 mark in 2022 and a trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2021 (9-3).
Schurig, who has been at WU for 23 years, with the 2020 season being cancelled due to COVID, is the all-time winningest coach in program history with a record of 142-109 (.566). As the sixth-longest tenured football coach in MIAA history, he went 122-91 (.603) against MIAA opponents and won the MIAA regular-season championship outright in 2005.
Also that year, the program recorded its first 10-win season.
"We are grateful to Coach Schurig and his family for their long-time commitment to this university," said Washburn Athletics Director Loren Ferre. "He has built a solid program at Washburn, recruiting talented players and coaches during his two decades here.
"His commitment to excellence has laid a foundation for the future, and we appreciate all that Craig has done to advance our program, both on and off the field."
Washburn has named associate head coach Zach Watkins as interim head football coach, effective immediately.
Watkins has been on the Ichabod coaching staff for 11 seasons, serving as associate head coach and co-defensive coordinator.
Prior to his coaching career, Watkins was a standout linebacker for Washburn from 2006 to 2009.
Long-term plans for the head coaching position are still being determined.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University women's basketball stays on the road to face William Jewell in a 5:30 p.m. non-conference contest on Tuesday in the Mabee Center at Liberty, Mo.
Washburn junior Yibari Nwidadah is coming off a career-high 29-point game in last Saturday's 70-67 loss to Quincy in the Quincy Classic. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
After Tuesday's game Lora Westling's Ichabods will play a sixth straight road game to open the season at Truman State on Friday before finally playing in Lee Arena for the first time on Monday against Lincoln University.
Washburn is 0-4 on the year after falling 70-67 to Quincy in the final game of the Quincy Classic last Saturday while William Jewell will enter Tuesday's contest 1-1 after falling 68-52 to MIAA member Newman last Wednesday in Wichita.
The Ichabods are scoring 68.3 points a game on 40.8 percent shooting overall and 25.3 percent from behind the 3-point arc. Opponents average 75.8 points on 45.9 percent shooting and 29.0 percent from deep.
The matchup with William Jewell will be the 11th meeting all-time between the two programs.
Junior Yibari Nwidadah leads Washburn offensively with a 19.3 scoring average while shooting a team-high 69.4 percent from the field and also leads the Ichabods with a 7.3 rebounding average.
Against Quincy Nwidadah scored a career-high 29 points on 12-16 shooting while also registering a career-high four blocked shots. She was named to the Quincy Classic All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the event.
Junior Payton Sterk in averaging 12 points while junior Gabi Giovannetti is next in line with an 11.3 scoring average.
Ayden Shannon leads William Jewell with an 18-point scoring average on 46.2 percent shooting and 57.1 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.
Washburn is 10-0 in the all-time series with the Cardinals. Last season Washburn won an 86-66 home game over William Jewell.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Thirteen Shawnee County players have earned Kansas Volleyball Association All-State recognition, including four first-team picks.
Seaman senior Campbell Chabot earned KVA All-State first-team honors in Class 5A after helping the Vikings finish second in Class 5A this fall. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
Seaman senior Maegan Mills earned first-team KVA All-State honors in Class 5A for the second straight season after helping lead the Vikings to a runnerup state finish. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
Hayden senior Reagan McGivern earned a spot on the KVA Class 4A All-State first team after helping the Wildcats finish third in 4A. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Rossville sophomore Nora Burdiek was named to the KVA All-Class 2A All-State team. [Submitted photo]
Seniors Campbell Chabot and Meagan Mills, who helped lead Seaman to a runnerup finish in Class 5A, were named to the All-5A first team while Hayden senior Reagan McGivern earned first-team honors in 4A after helping the Wildcats post a third-place state finish and Rossville sophomore Nora Burdiek was a first-team pick in 2A after helping the Bulldawgs win a regional championship this fall.
Washburn Rural senior Layla Collins received second-team all-state recognition in 6A while Seaman senior Ava Esser was a second-team All-5A pick, freshmen Hailey Schmidtlein and Blakely Walter were second-team selections in 4A and Silver Lake senior Ella Bolan was a second-team honoree in 3A.
Rural senior Kate Hinck received All-6A honorable mention while Seaman seniors Maggie Moulden and Kinley Wilhelm received honorable mention in 5A and Hayden junior Ella Foster received honorable mention in 4A.
KANSAS VOLLEYBALL ASSOCIATION 2024 ALL-STATE
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The No. 10-ranked Washburn University men's basketball team had four players reach double figures as the team improved to 4-0 on the season in a 77-55 win over Rockhurst on Friday night in Kansas City, Mo.
Washburn senior Jacob Hanna scored 19 points Friday night as the Ichabods improved to 4-0 with a 77-55 road win over Rockhurst. [File photo/TSN]
With 4:30 to go in the opening half, the Ichabods turned a 26-24 lead into a 41-27 halftime advantage, closing the half on a 15-3 run capped by a Kade Cook dunk at the buzzer.
Washburn started the second half by scoring 10 of the first 14 points to build a 20-point lead and the Hawks got no closer than 14 the rest of the way.
The Ichabods scored eight straight points to go up 22 at 70-48 with 6:55 remaining,cruising to the 22-point win.
Former Great Lakes Valley Conference first-team selection Jacob Hanna scored a game-high 19 points back in familiar territory on 6 of 11 shooting while adding five rebounds.
Sophomore Brayden Shorter followed up his 26-point game on Tuesday with 16 points against Rockhurst, hitting four 3-pointers.
Senior Michael Keegan had 15 points with nine rebounds and five assists and sophomore Jack Bachelor scored 11 points with six rebounds and four assists.
Rockhurst was led by Jesse White who scored 18 for the Hawks.
Washburn shot a season-best 52 percent from the field, hitting 29 of 56 shots overall and going 8 of 23 from 3-point range. Washburn also held a 40-34 advantage on the glass and outscored the Hawks 40 to 14 in the paint while turning 11 Hawk turnovers into 17 points.
Washburn returns to action back on Tuesday when it will host Pittsburg State in a non-conference contest at 6 p.m. in Lee Arena.
WU women come up short in 88-83 loss to McKendree
Washburn fell behind early after a hot start by McKendree and was unable to bounce back, falling 88-83 in the first game of the Quincy Classic in Quincy, Ill.
The Ichabods will finish out the tournament against host Quincy at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
No. 24-ranked Washburn University volleyball finished off its regular season with a four-set win on the road over Arkansas-Fort Smith in the first-ever conference battle between the two teams.
Former Cair Paravel star Taryn Pridgett (18) tied for team-high honors with 15 kills as Washburn volleyball capped its regular season with a 3-1 road win over Arkansas-Fort Smith. [File photo/TSN]
The Ichabods will await their seeding in the MIAA Tournament after the KPI Rankings are calculated at the conclusion of all matches around the conference.
Washburn (20-6 overall, 11-5 MIAA) got out to a fast start, winning 25-16 in the first set. The second set went long, and ended with the Lions (14-14, 6-10) evening up the match.
The visiting Ichabods jumped out to early leads in each of the next two sets, winning both, 25-18 and 25-22.
A kill by Jalyn Stevenson began the match and three points later Corinna McMullen served an ace, forcing a timeout by Arkansas-Fort Smith as the Lions trailed 4-0.
Shortly after, a 5-0 run ending with another ace, this time via Taylor Rottinghaus, made it a 10-2 set. Both sides traded points until the Lions got a rally going, winning four in a row to cut the lead to three at 18-15. The Ichabods finished out the set by winning seven of the final eight points, with Bella Limback delivering the final blow on a pass from Sydney Conner.
In the second set the Lions got off to a quicker start, jumping ahead 6-3. Washburn tied the set up at seven on a kill by Natalie Hedlund and each side traded the lead back and forth until a 6-1 run by the Ichabods created separation at 16-12. Arkansas-Fort Smith battled back, winning six of seven points to tie things up at 19.
Washburn was the first to reach set point after an ace from McMullen. The Ichabods reached set point twice, but each time the Lions had an answer. On Fort Smith's second time reaching set point they were able to put the set away with two straight kills, ending it at 30-28.
The Ichabod offense got right back on track in the third, starting the set with a kill by Dvorak which sparked a 6-0 run. On the defensive end Dvorak and Hedlund combined for a block to finish off a 4-0 stretch that left the score at 18-10. The Lions were able to pull within five but down the stretch the Washburn offense carried the way as they hit .552 as a team with 16 kills and no errors in the 25-18 victory.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
In a season full of big plays for Washburn University football, Tre Richardson came through with one of the biggest on Saturday in Tahlequah, Okla., helping the Ichabods end their 2024 season with a 35-28 win over Northeastern State.
Former Highland Park star Tre Richardson caught the game-winning TD pass in Saturday's 35-28 Washburn win over Northeastern State. [File photo/TSN]
Washburn, which capped a 3-8 season, scored the tiebreaking touchdown with 48 seconds to play as Richardson pulled down a 3rd-and-10 pass from Sam Van Dyne in the back corner of the end zone for the game-winner, capping an 11-play, 75-yard drive that took 4:05 off the clock.
"Tre Richardson, getting the ball in his hands makes great things happen as everybody knows,'' Washburn coach Craig Schurig told KTPK Radio after the game. "We listen to our players and Tre said he felt like he could get them on a corner route and that's what it was. (Sam) put it on the money and it connected so we didn't have to rely on a fourth-down play and it felt good.''
After Richardson's TD (Trenton Brehm kick) Northeastern State (2-9) drove down to the Ichabod 28-yard-line, but the RiverHawks' final pass into the end zone was picked off by DeAndre Washington, giving the Ichabods their 12th straight win over Northeastern State.
The Ichabods took their first lead of the game at the 9:54 mark of the first quarter when Jaquez White picked off a Dereus Dortch pass and returned it 30 yards for the touchdown on his first interception of the season.
The RiverHawks came right back with a 75-yard drive of their own to tie the score with 5:34 to play.
Neither team would score the rest of the quarter and Washburn returned to the scoreboard with 8:01 to play in the opening half when Lucas Oitker had a 2-yard run up the middle, putting Washburn up 14-7.
The RiverHawks came right back and tied the score at 14-14 after a 3:02 drive but on the RiverHawks' kickoff, Richardson returned the ball 84 yards to the NSU 11-yard-line and then Tyler Bowden scampered 11 yards on the one-play touchdown drive, breaking the deadlock and putting Washburn up 21-14 at halftime.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University women's basketball fell just short of picking up its first win on Saturday afternoon in Quincy, Ill., falling 70-67 to the host team in the final game of the Quincy Classic.
Yibari Nwidadah scored a career-high 29 points with eight rebounds and four blocks in Washburn's 70-67 Saturday loss to Quincy. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
The Ichabods will stay on the road to face William Jewell on Tuesday, with tipoff set for 5:30 p.m.
After creating a 5-2 lead early, Washburn (0-4) rode the hot hand of Yibari Nwidadah in the first quarter as she scored 10 straight points for the Ichabods to put them ahead 15-8 with 3:58 left in the frame.
The WU lead grew to double figures after Madelyn Amekporfor went 2-2 at the line at the 1:15 mark. The Hawks (3-1) offense got going late in the first as they cut the lead to eight, ending the quarter down 25-17.
Quincy scored the first four points of the second quarter and picked up the aggressiveness offensively. They went 8-10 at the free throw line in the second quarter alone after not shooting from the charity stripe in the first.
After Washburn shot 50.0 percent from the floor in the first quarter they were held to 5-17 shooting (29.4) in the second.
The Hawks went from down seven to up 31-28 with 4:24 left in the half before the Ichabods finished the half strong, beginning with a trey from Brooke Gomez to break a 32-32 tie and using a 10-4 run to end the half leading 42-36.
Both sides traded baskets coming out of the half. After the Washburn lead was reduced to four a 3-pointer by Payton Sterk and a free throw by Amekporfor put it back up to eight at the 4:54 mark of the third. Each team struggled to score as both shot under 30.0 prcent from the floor. A second chance opportunity by Nwidadah extended Washburn's lead from the quarter's beginning as it ended 53-46.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University women's soccer coach Davy Phillips has announced the signing of 10 high school athletes who will be joining the Ichabods for the 2025 season, including Washburn Rural stars Destiny Higgs and Kate Hinck.
Destiny Higgs, Washburn Rural
Kate Hinck, Washburn Rural
Hinck and Higgs helped lead the Junior Blues to a third-place finish in the Class 6A state tournament last spring.
Hinck was named the Centennial League player of the year last season and both Hinck and Higgs both earned All-City and all-league first-team honors.
Signing capsules:
Bricelyn Betts – 5-1 • Attacking Midfielder • Raymore, Mo. • Raymore-Peculiar HS
Member of the Raymore-Peculiar Panthers soccer team … 2022 Midwest first-team all-conference for club team … daughter of Jeremy Betts and Tricia Trutzel-Betts … has two brothers, Brandt and Brucker, and one sister, Brilee … brother Brandt played soccer at Liberty University … plans to major in kinesiology and biology
Thea Martin – 5-7 • Defender • Lincoln, Neb. • Lincoln Southwest HS
As a junior, earned honorable mention from Omaha World Herald and Lincoln Journal Star … helped Lincoln Southwest Silverhawks win state championship with an 18-1 record … team won district championship and finished state runner-up sophomore year … as a freshman, Silverhawks claimed district championship and were state semifinalists … daughter of Erica and Brad Martin … has one brother, Judson … plans to major in biology
Destiny Higgs – 5-7 • Center Midfielder • Topeka, Kan. • Washburn Rural HS
As a junior, Higgs scored nine goals and had seven assists while earning first-team All-City (TopSports.News), first-team All-Centennial League and second-team All-State honors … helped the Washburn Rural Junior Blues to a 17-4-0 record and a third-place finish at Class 6A State Tournament … recorded eight goals and three assists as a sophomore, earning second-team All-Centennial League selection while team went 15-5-1 and finished third at state … named All-Centennial League honorable mention as a freshman after scoring three goals and adding five assists, contributing to second-place state finish for Junior Blues … daughter of Marcia and Shannon Shaddox and Jerry Higgs … has two brothers, Brian Johnson and Freddy Richter, and one sister, Mya Higgs … undecided major
Lydia Keller – 5-9 • Midfielder • Kansas City, Mo. • Park Hill HS
Earned second-team honors for district soccer and conference honorable mention as a junior … honorable mention for both district and conference as a sophomore … also plays basketball, being named honorable mention for conference … played club soccer for Kansas Rush … daughter of Trent and Haley Keller … has two brothers, Kaden and Collin … both parents are former Washburn athletes, with mom Haley playing softball and dad Trent playing baseball … planning to major in law or radiology
Brooke Willcott – 5-10 • Defender • Holton, Kan. • Holton HS
Club team won 2023 USYS State Championship and was runner-up at Midwest Regionals … team was ranked 1st in the state of Kansas for 2024 … also plays basketball for Holton High School Wildcats … named to Big 7 All-League first-team as a sophomore and was 4A All-State honorable mention pick by Sports in Kansas and KSHSAA Covered … daughter of Jennifer and Sean Willcott … plans to major in business
Kate Hinck – 5-4 • Forward • Topeka, Kan. • Washburn Rural HS
As a junior, scored 28 goals, the second-most in a season in school history … Centennial League Player of the Year … first-team All-City (Top Sports.News), first-team All-State, and first-team All-Centennial League … helped Junior Blues to a third-place finish at Class 6A State Tournament with a 17-4 record … scored 13 goals with seven assists as a sophomore … tallied 13 goals and five assists as a freshman … daughter of Rita Hinck and Dustin Hinck … has one sister, Alyson … plans to major in kinesiology
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University football will be looking to wrap up a 2024 campaign marked by a string of close losses with a win on Saturday in Tahlequah, Okla. as the Ichabods will face Northeastern State at 1 p.m.
Craig Schurig's Washburn football team will be looking to close out the 2024 season with a win Saturday at Northeastern State. [File photo/TSN]
Washburn (2-8) is coming off a 28-27 loss to No. 8-ranked Central Oklahoma last time out on Senior Day in Yager Stadium, the Ichabods' second straight one-point loss and third straight defeat by a total of five points.
Veteran Washburn coach Craig Schurig said it would be a big boost to end the season, which includes five one-possession losses overall, on a positive note.
"To be honest, the way we've played, these guys are confident,'' Schurig said. "We've played really well. The Central Missouri game and the Central Oklahoma game, those games came down to one or two plays and you're playing teams that are best in the country.
"We feel pretty good about how we're playing. We've just got to finish and it would be great to play well and hopefully we do. We're on pace to play well down there.''
The 2-8 RiverHawks, who are playing this season as a non-MIAA opponent in football only, lost 35-7 at Mississippi College last Saturday.
The Ichabods are looking for their 12th win in a row over the RiverHawks as Washburn leads the all-time series 12-1 and they are averaging 38.5 points per game in the series.
Wahburn took a 45-14 win over Northeastern State in last season's finale at Yager Stadium.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn baseball head coach Harley Douglas has announced the signing of seven players to the 2025 class that will join the Ichabods in the 2026 season.
Washburn baseball coach Harley Douglas has announced a seven-member recruiting class to join the Ichabods for the 2026 season. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
The class features two pitchers, two outfields, an infielder and two utility players.
Cal Clark | 5-10 | 180 | Utility | L/L | Kansas City, Kan. | St. James Academy
High School: A four-year member of the St. James Academy Thunder baseball program... as a junior was named the St. James Academy Offensive Player of the Year after hitting .333 with a .449 OBP... selected to KC United (KCCBA National Team) and named the Impact Athletes Hitter of the Year during club ball
Personal: Son of Missy and David Clark... has a sister, MaryBeth who swims at St. Louis University... plans to major in exercise and rehab science
Eli Dean | 5-11 | 185 | OF | R/R | Perry, Kan. | Perry Lecompton HS
High School: A four-year member of the Perry Lecompton Kaws baseball program... was a All-League honorable mention as a freshman... earned first team All-League honors as a sophomore while also being named to the All-State second team by Sports in Kansas... helped the Kaws to a 14-8 record as a junior while being named the Lawrence Journal World Player of the Year and first team All-League and All-State honors... played club ball at Building Champions Baseball Academy
Personal: Son of Angela Franson and Justin Dean... has one brother, Caden... plans to major in environmental biology
Eli Helberg | 6-0 | 190 | RHP | R/R | Holt, Neb. | Kearney HS
High School: A four-year member of the Kearney baseball team... earned All-State honorable mention honors as a freshman... had a 1.5 ERA and a 7-1 record as a sophomore helping the Bulldogs to a quarterfinal finish at state... was an All-State second team selection... was a first team selection as a junior as Kearney went 30-8 setting a new school record for wins... played club ball for the Royals Scout Team
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
On Wednesday Washburn University men's basketball coach Brett Ballard announced the signing of three high school standouts who will join the Ichabods starting in the 2025-26 academic year.
Signing with the 10th-ranked Ichabods, currently 3-0 on the season, were Shawnee Mission Northwest 6-foot-8 guard Tyler Salmon, Wichita Heights 6-8 forward Amalachi Wilkins and Washburn Rural 5-11 guard Kaden Ballard.
Signing capsules:
Tyler Salmon, Shawnee Mission Northwest
TYLER SALMON, Shawnee Mission Northwest -- As a junior Salmon averaged 9.0 points per game while helping Northwest to an undefeated Class 6A state championship. Salmon, who also plays tennis, is the son of Travis and Angie Salmon and has a sister, Sophia. His father played basketball and his mom played volleyball at Missouri-Kansas City. Salmon plans to major in business.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University softball head coach Brenda Holaday has announced the signing of 10 future Ichabods who will join the squad for the 2025-26 academic year.
The class includes eight high school signees and two junior college transfers, including three Shawnee County products.
Former Seaman star Aspen Burgardt will join the Ichabods after finishing up her two seasons at Johnson County Community College whil Taylor Brees is a senior at Shawnee Heights and Kendra Cook is in her final season at Silver Lake.
Signing capsules:
Aspen Burgardt, Johnson County (Seaman)
ASPEN BURGARDT, Johnson County Community College
The former Seaman standout, a third baseman/utility player, was named the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II National Player of the Year as a freshman and was named a first-team All-American by the NJCAA and National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Burgardt earned Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference first-team recognition and was selected as the KJCCC D-II MVP and Freshman of the Year. She led the conference with a .503 batting average, collecting 86 hits in 171 at bats. Her 86 hits also led the conference along with 33 doubles, 58 extra base hits and 84 RBI. Burgardt belted 26 home runs, which ranked second in the conference and her 33 doubles and 58 extra base hits also led the NJCAA while her 84 RBI ranked fifth. At Seaman she was a three-year starter and was named a an All-Class 5A All-State infielder twice, earning honorable mention as a junior and first-team as a senior. She was a two-time All-Centennial League selection, earning second-team as a junior and first-team her senior year and was named All-Shawnee County as a senior. She batted .473 with 35 hits, 15 doubles, two triples, eight home runs, 22 runs and 38 RBI as a senior. Burgardt is the daughter of Tim and Shanna Burgardt and has a brother, Josh.
"Aspen is the reigning NJCAA Division II Player of the Year and we are excited that she has chosen Washburn and will be coming home to finish her softball career,'' Holaday said. "We expect her to step into the middle of our lineup and provide our offense with production and power. She is a tremendous athlete and will bring that skill set to the field as well, playing both infield corner positions. Aspen goes about her business in a quiet manner, but her impact in our program will be huge.''
"I chose Washburn because of the welcoming atmosphere and the girls on the team,'' Burgardt said. "I love the competitive edge that Washburn brings to the game.''
JALIN LAVERS, Johnson County Community College
A right-handed pitcher, Lavers is a former Mulvane star and is in her second season at Johnson County. As a freshman she appeared in 14 games, 13 as a starter, and finishing with a record of 10-1 with eight complete games, one shutout and an earned run average of 4.15. She struck out 60 batters over 571/3 innings, allowing 59 hits and 34 earned runs which ranked sixth, tied for seventh and 17th respectively on JCCC's career charts. Lavers was a three-year starter at Mulvane and was named Class 4A All-State honorable mention bh the Kansas Softball Coaches Association her senior year. She was selected All-State second-team by Sports in Kansas and was a three-time All-Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League D-IV selection. Lavers batted .415 with 22 hits, 10 RBI and was 11-3 with 144 strikeouts and a 2.47 ERA in 99.1 innings as a senior while helping the Wildcats to a regional title and a state tournament berth. She is daughter of Chris Mize and Michelle Mize and has two siblings, Emma and Kreedence.
"Jalin will give us some experience and depth on the mound,'' Holaday said. "She continues to grow her game at JCCC and will be counted on this season as they try to get back to the national tournament. She is a hard worker, understands pitching and is focused on getting the most out of her opportunities. I think she will be a great fit in our program.''
"I chose Washburn because I loved the family-like feel and sisterhood of the program,'' Lavers said. "I could also tell that the coaches and school would create a great atmosphere for me to excel as an athlete and student.''
Taylor Brees, Shawnee Heights
TAYLOR BREES, Shawnee Heights High
As a junior at Shawnee Heights, Brees batted .507 with five doubles, one triple, and 21 RBI while also stealing 17 bases. Brees was named All-UKC first-team, All-State second-team and All-Shawnee County first team by Top Sports News as a junior as the T-Birds finished 17-8, reaching the regional championship. As a sophomore, hit .463 with nine doubles and 20 RBI while being named to All-State second team, All-UKC second team and All-Shawnee County second-team. Brees also plays basketball and volleyball, earning All-UKC first-team in volleyball as a senior. She serves as class president at Shawnee Heights and is a member of Spirit Club, Student Council, FCA, and National Honor Society. Thee daughter of Lindsey and Rory Brees, Taylor has two sisters, Lauryn and Aubrey. Shee plans to major in biology.
"Taylor is a three-sport athlete and we are excited about the versatility and athleticism she will bring to our program,'' Holaday said. "Her competitive spirit, skill set and team-first approach is infectious and she will help us in many ways.''
"I feel like Washburn is a place where I can make an impact,'' Brees said. "The coaches are very welcoming and the facilities are incredible. The culture and community is like no other.''
Kendra Cook, Shawnee Heights
KENDRA COOK, Silver Lake
A star pitcher for the Eagles, Cook earned first-team All-Mid-East League, All-Shawnee and All-State honors as a junior, helping Silver Lake post a second-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament. Cook went 15-2 in the circle with a 1.24 ERA and 92 strikeouts while also finishing with a .450 batting average. As a sophomore she was a first-team all-league and all-county selection after going 19-3 in the circle and was an honorable mention All-State pick after striking out 73 with a 0.63 earned run average. Cook is the daughter of Jarod and Alysia Cook and has a brother, Alek. Cook plans to major in elementary education.
"Kendra is an All-State pitcher for a reason and we are excited to have another Silver Lake product in our program,'' Holaday said. "She is an integral part of the success at Silver Lake and we expect her to make an impact here quickly. Kendra has a great skill set and she works hard on her game, but what sets her apart is the competitive attitude she takes to the mound.''
"Washburn has a great atmosphere, immediately when you step on campus it feels special, and you know its where you belong,'' Cook said. "They also have a great coaching staff.''
