Washburn University Ichabods

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Tuesday's non-conference home game against NAIA foe Friends was definitely one that No. 2-ranked Washburn University was expected to win, and probably by a sizeable margin.

Sophomore Dillon Claussen scored a game-high 19 points on 9 of 11 shooting from the field in Tuesday's 105-51 win over Friends. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Junior Jack Bachelor scored 16 points with four 3-pointers, six assists and five steals in Tuesday's 105-51 win over Friends. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

But with the start of MIAA looming next week, Brett Ballard's Ichabods still had plenty of things they wanted to work on against the Falcons.

And it's safe to say the 7-0 Ichabods reached most all of those objectives in a 105-51 rout over the Falcons at Lee Arena.

"I thought we approached this thing with the right mindset and were pretty professional about how we executed tonight,'' Ballard said. "A lot of positives, and I thought that there were some things that we'd emphasized in practice this last week that stuck and we were able to accomplish a lot of the things that we had worked on.''  

Washburn delivered its highest point output of the early season with its 105-point outburst while five Ichabods cracked double figures.

The Ichabods controlled all 40 minutes, building a 25-point halftime lead (46-21) before exploding for 59 more points in the second half.

Washburn forced 20 Falcon turnovers, turning those mistakes into 29 points, while surrendering only five of its own.

Washburn piled up 66 points in the paint, 33 second-chance points and 25 fast-break points.

The Ichabods shot 52.5 percent for the game (42 for 80), while holding Friends to just 28.3 percent shooting overall and hammering the Falcons on the glass as well with a 52-35 rebounding advantage, grabbing 21 offensive rebounds.

Sophomore Dillon Claussen led the way with 19 points, hitting 9 of 11 shots while adding six rebounds, two steals, and a block, while junior Jack Bachelor had 16 points, six assists, five steals and three rebounds, while hitting four 3-pointers.

"I felt like we did what was expected of us,'' Claussen said. "We were supposed to win that game, but like coach has been saying the past couple of games, we have a ton to work on and our ceiling is way higher than we're at right now.''

"I thought we came out and played with good energy,'' Bachelor said. "Defense was a big emphasis in this game and I thought we guarded well. I thought we played hard, played together and shared the ball. I thought it was a successful night for sure.'' 

Bryson Smith added 14 points, three assists, and three steals, while Tyson Ruud came off the bench to tie his career-high with 13 points and freshman Amalachi Wilkins had 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds off the bench, reaching double figures for the second straight game.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn University volleyball is heading to the NCAA Tournament for the 19th time in program history as the Ichabods earned the No. 6 seed in the Central Region.

Washburn heads to Kearney, Neb. on the campus of the No. 1 seed in the region and host of the eight-team tournament, Nebraska-Kearney.

Washburn's volleyball team reacts to being installed as the No. 6 Central Region seed for the NCAA Tournament in Kearney, Neb. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

The No. 7-ranked Ichabods will face the third seed and No. 4 nationally-ranked Wayne State College Thursday in a regional quarterfinal. The time for Washburn's meeting with the Wildcats in Kearney is to be determined.

The Ichabods are 26-4 on the year and finished 13-3 in the MIAA regular season, finishing tied for first with Nebraska-Kearney and Missouri Western to earn a share of the regular-season championship.  

Washburn is coming off a runnerup finish Saturday in the MIAA Tournament, dropping a 3-0 decision to No. 3 Nebraska-Kearney.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

No. 2-ranked Washburn University men's basketball returns to Lee Arena on Tuesday night to face Friends at 7 p.m. in the Ichabods' final game before the Thanksgiving break.

Washburn is 6-0 after a 90-54 win over William Jewell on Saturday in Liberty, Mo., with the 36-point win one shy of the largest win in the series history with the Cardinals.

 

Brett Ballard climbed to No. 2 on Washburn's career win list with Saturday's 90-54 road win at William Jewell. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]  

 In the win over William Jewell, Ichabod coach Brett Ballard moved into second place on the all-time win chart at Washburn, passing Glenn Cafer with his 173rd win on the Ichabod bench. Ballard is 173-79 in his ninth season, while Cafer was 172-145 in 12 seasons at Washburn.

 

Freshman Amalachi Wilkins led the Ichabods off the bench against William Jewell with 13 points on five of five shooting with four boards and two steals in 16 minutes of play. 

Friends is 5-2 on the season after defeating York, Neb., 77-55, last time out on the road.

 

The Falcons have the distinction of being the only team to defeat the Ichabods in a home opener in Lee Arena.

 

Friends topped the Ichabods, 89-88, on Nov. 16, 1990. Since then the Ichabods have won 36 consecutive home openers and Washburn is 40-1 overall in home openers after last Wednesday's 85-81 win over Rockhurst.

 

The Ichabods are fifth in scoring margin in the NCAA D2 ranks at plus 27.2 and fourth in field goal percentage at 54.4 percent.

 

Topekan Jack Bachelor is fifth in the nation in 3-pointers made with 18 while leading the MIAA and Dillon Claussen is eighth in the nation in double-doubles with two. Claussen is also 11th in the nation in field goal percentage at 73.3 and 17th in total rebounds with 45.

 

Jeremiah Jones is second in the nation in total steals with 19 and is ranked 13th in steals per game at 3.17 per contest.

 

Brady Christiansen (1) is set to play in his 100th career game for Washburn Tuesday night against Friends. [File photo/TSN]

Bachelor will be making his 50th consecutive start on Tuesday against Friends while Brady Christiansen will play in his 100th game as an Ichabod.

Washburn has a 17-game home court winning streak, which is tied for the fifth-longest in the D-II ranks.

By RICK PETERSON

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Washburn University soccer advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen Sunday after outlasting top seed Minnesota State 4-2 in penalty kicks in Mankato, Minn.

Washburn soccer celebrates after Sunday's 4-2 penalty kick win over top seed Minnesota State in Mankato, Minn. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

"We have talked about the character in the team all year long, in overtime and the shootout, our character got to show a little bit,'' Washburn coach Davy Phillips said. "We get another chance to grow together, continue to train together, and to play in meaningful games together.''

The Ichabods would come out controlling the match with their pressing style of soccer and would open the scoring in the 12th minute of the match, with MIAA freshman of the year Leah Henke converting after a save from the Mavericks' goalie after a shot by Grace Peterson.

Both teams took seven shots in the half, and both goalies had two saves at the break.

The Ichabods would come out with four shots in the opening 12 minutes of the second half, looking for a crucial second goal, but in the 60th minute, the Mavericks would find the equalizer through Maille Mathis, tying things up at 1-1.

The last 30 minutes of the match were back and forth between the teams. The Ichabods would take 13 shots in the second half while Minnesota State took six, and both had three shots on goal.

In the two 10-minute periods of overtime, the Mavericks would be in control, but could not find the back of the net as Washburn freshman goalkeeper Lili Everley would make four saves over the two OT periods to force penalty kicks. 

Washburn went up 1-0 in PKs on a conversion from Shaye Taylor, but Minnesota State pulled even on a shot from Maddix Archer.

Both keepers came up with saves before Lakin Rold put WU up 2-1.

After a Maverick miss, Mackinly Rohn put the Ichabods in front 3-1.

Courtney Kovacs converted for Minnesota State to cut the Maverick deficit to 3-2 but Washburn freshman Kate Hinck found the back of the net to end the match.

With the win, Washburn advances to the Sweet Sixteen for the second time in school history. 

The Ichabods are now 2-2 in penalty kicks in the NCAA tournament.

Everley made nine saves, breaking her season/career high that she previously set on Friday in a 2-0 win over Missouri Western.

Henke scored her 11th goal of the season, moving into a tie for fourth with Khloe Schuckman, who scored 11 goals during the 2023 campaign when the Ichabods were NCAA finalists. 

Washburn will take on the Huskies of St. Cloud State in the Sweet Sixteen at 1 p.m. Sunday in St. Joseph, Minn.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

 Washburn Ichabod soccer will square off with tournament host and No. 1 Central Region seed Minnesota State at 1 p.m. Sunday in Mankato, Minn.

Leah Henke, Washburn University
Kate Hinck, Washburn University

The Ichabods are 12-3-5 while Minnesota State is 18-1-3.

No. 4 seed Washburn is coming off a 2-0 first-round win over No. 5-seed Missouri Western while Minnesota State advanced with a 2-0 win over No. 8 Harding.

Freshman Leah Henke had a goal, her 10th of the season, and an assist in Friday's win while freshman Kate Hinck had Washburn's first goal of the game, her sixth of the season.

Sophomore Sam Searcey had the assist on Henke's goal against the Griffons and has five goals and four assists on the season.

The Ichabod defense recorded its 12th clean sheet of the year while freshman goalkeeper Lili Everley made a career-high eight saves in the match.

Defenders Rilyn Snyder and Shaye Taylor played all 90 minutes against Missouri Western and are one-two in minutes played for the Ichabods this season.

Minnesota State enters Sunday's match on a five-match unbeaten strea.

The Mavericks won the NSIC regular-season and conference tournament titles. They have three players tied for the team lead in goals with five apiece.

Sunday will be the first meeting between Minnesota State and Washburn.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

The No. 2-rankded Washburn Ichabods rolled past William Jewell 90-54 Saturday in a dominant performance, improving to 6-0 on the season.

 

Freshman Amalachi Wilkins came off the bench to lead a balanced Washburn attack with 13 points in the Ichabods' 90-54 road win at William Jewell. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Washburn returns to action on Tuesday in Lee Arena, hosting Friends in a 7 p.m. contest.

 

Washburn's defense set the tone early Saturday, turning turnovers into transition points in an 11–2 start, highlighted by fast-break finishes from Bryson Smith and Dillon Claussen.

 

After Jewell briefly closed within eight, the Ichabods countered with a decisive 9-0 run midway through the first half, fueled by 3-pointers from Smith and Jack Bachelor and a tip-in from Amalachi Wilkins.

 

Washburn outscored Jewell 30-6 in the paint in the opening frame and carried a 40-25 lead into halftime.

 

The Ichabods blew the game wide open early in the second half, using an 18-0 surge to push the margin past 30.

 

Claussen threw down a dunk, Smith converted at the rim, and reserve guard Sam Ungashick added back-to-back transition buckets during the stretch.

 

Washburn's bench outscored Jewell's 38-25 overall, and the lead eventually swelled to 40 with just over a minute remaining.

 

Wilkins led the Ichabods off the bench with 13 points on 5 of 5 shooting with four boards and two steals in 16 minutes of play.

 

Wilkins led a balanced scoring attack with Claussen adding 12 points, five rebounds and three assists, Smith scoring 12 points with four assists and three steals and Bachelor contributing 12 points and a team-high five assists.

 

Brady Christiansen scoring 10 points with eight rebounds while shooting 5 of 7 from the field and Marcus Glock chipped in seven points and three assists off the bench.

 

Washburn dominated every major statistical category, winning points off turnovers, 35–6, points in the paint, 52–16, second-chance points, 15–3, and fastbreak points, 22–5.

 

The Ichabods also controlled the glass with a 44-19 rebounding advantage.

 
 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn University women's basketball turned a tight first half into a commanding victory Saturday at Lee Arena, riding a dominant third-quarter burst to a 66-44 win over Metropolitan State Denver in the wrapup of the Washburn Classic.

Senior Gabi Giovannetti notched her first collegiate double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds in Saturday's 66-44 Washburn win over MSU Denver. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

The Ichabods moved to 3-1 on the season with their third straight win, using a balanced offensive effort and the dominant third-quarter stretch.

After taking a 33-23 lead into halftime, the Ichabods blew the game open with an 18-0 run in the third stanza, outscoring the Roadrunners 25-7 in the quarter.

"We had a nice run there,'' Washburn coach Lora Westling said. "I thought Nia McKenzie had some unbelievably impactful minutes off the ball defending and getting us in sytem. She's plus-29 on the day in 17 minutes and I thought she was the steady hand we kind of needed.

"What's really special with this team is how high the ceiling could be. They want to get better every day, we got good momentum going and hopefully here comes the fun part.'' 

Washburn shot a blistering 66.7 percent (10 of 15) in the third while holding MSU Denver to just 2 of 13.

By the end of the quarter, the Ichabods had extended their advantage to 58-30, their largest lead of the game at 28 points.

Senior Gabi Giovannetti led all scorers with 17 points, including a pair of momentum-changing treys in the third quarter, and added 10 rebounds and three steals, recording her first collegiate double-double in the process.

Senior Payton Sterk finished with 14 points, connecting twice from long range, and Britany Kogbara delivered 12 points and five rebounds off the bench.

Senior Yibari Nwidadah added seven points and eight boards and was named to the all-tournament team along with Giovannetti.

"We're still building our character,'' Giovannetti said. "We've got a new point guard mixing in, so we're just trying to stay as sharp as we can, just to get to a championship level of play.

"We wanted to come out this weekend and defend our homecourt, especially with it being new, and there's just a lot of motivators.'' 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn University soccer coach Davy Phillips became the school's all-time wins leader on Friday in Mankato, Minn. as the Ichabods advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a 2-0 victory over Missouri Western.

Davy Phillips became Washburn soccer's career wins leader on Friday with a 2-0 NCAA Central Region win over Missouri Western. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

Freshman standouts Kate Hinck and Leah Henke scored Washburn's goals, one in each half, as the Ichabods improved to 12-3-5 and advanced to Sunday's 1 p.m. game to face No. 1 seed and regional host Minnesota State-Mankato.

Phillips picked up Washburn win No. 91 to take over the top spot on the school's career victory list.

"I thought they played really, really well,'' Phillips said. "I thought the girls brought a terrific mentality and put on a really good performance today. Really happy with what they could do on the field today." 

The opening 10 minutes were controlled by the Griffons, who attempted two shots on goal in that span.

Freshman Kate Hinck scored the only goal Washburn would need in Friday's 2-0 Central Region win over Missouri Western. [File photo/TSN]

It would be a back-and-forth game until the 33rd minute when Hinck took a pass from fellow freshman Henke and found the back of the net to give Washburn a 1-0 halftime advantage. Freshman goalkeeper Lili Everley made four saves in the opening 45 minutes.

Washburn would start the second half with three shots in the opening five minutes, with two of them being on goal.

Freshman Leah Henke scored her 10th goal of the season in Friday's 2-0 Washburn Central Region win over Missouri Western. [File photo/TSN]

The Ichabods would continue to apply pressure and broke through again in the 65th minute with Henke scoring off an assist from sophomore Sam Searcey. 

Washburn, which battled Western to an 0-0 tie in the regular season, out-shot the Griffons 15-14, and both teams had eight shots on goal.

Everley made a career-high eight saves in the match.

Henke scored her 10th goal of the season, putting her fifth in Washburn history for most goals in a single season, and second-most by a freshman in a single season behind Jessica Mainz's 13 goals in 2005.

Hinck, the former Wasburn Rural star, recorded her sixth goal of her freshman campaign, tying her for 18th for the most goals for WU in a single season.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn women's basketball made a splashing debut inside the new Lee Arena on Friday night, cruising to a 70-47 win over Southwest Baptist in the opening day of the Washburn Classic.

Washburn senior Yibari Nwidadah led the way with 19 points and eight rebounds as the Ichabods rolled to a 23-point win over Southwest Baptist Friday night. [File photo/TSN]

The Ichabods will wrap up the tournament on Saturday, facing Metropolitan State of Denver at 4 p.m.  

The first seven points in Friday game came from 2-1 Washburn, starting with a 3-pointer by Payton Sterk on the first possession.

Washburn held the Bearcats (1-2) scoreless until the 5:49 mark in the first quarter.

After Southwest Baptist got within five Washburn scored 10 points in a row, going up 22-7 after Aniah Wayne knocked down a trey. Behind an 8 of 14 shooting effort the Ichabods built a 22-10 lead after one.  

A layup by senior Yibari Nwidadah with 2:29 to go before half put Washburn up 37-18, its largest lead of the game to that point. The Bearcats finished the half on a 7-2 run to go into the break down by 14.  

Out of the break the Ichabods quickly pushed the lead back up to 19 with Britany Kogbara scoring on the inside. Washburn's defense stepped up in the third, holding Southwest Baptist to just 4 of 14 shooting in the quarter. Nwidadah got a buzzer-beating and-one conversion to go, wrapping up the quarter by extending the Ichabod lead to 20 at 54-34 with her free throw.  

The first nine points in the fourth came by Washburn, with the lead reaching 30 points after Gabi Giovannetti drilled a 3-pointer on an assist by Brooke Gomez with 5:50 to play.

All 14 Ichabods logged action on the night as the Ichabods eased into the 23-point win.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

The No. 2-ranked Washburn Ichabods will be back on the road Saturday as they travel to Liberty, Mo. to face the William Jewell Cardinals at 3 p.m.

Bryson Smith scored 22 points, including the go-ahead basket, in Washburn's 85-81 win over Rockhurst Wednesday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Washburn enters the game 5-0 after topping Rockhurst 85-81 on Wednesday in Lee Arena.

William Jewell is coming off a 77-72 win over Emporia State on Wednesday and is 2-1 this season.

With Wednesday's win over the Hawks, the Ichabods improved to 40-1 all-time in their home openers, including 35 straight wins.

Junior guard Jack Bachelor, a Washburn Rural product, leads the nation in 3-pointers made with 16 and sophomore Dillon Claussen is eighth in the nation in double-doubles with two. Claussen is also 13th in the nation in field goal percentage at 78.4 and eighth in total rebounds with 40.

Jeremiah Jones leads the nation in total steals with 18 and is ranked 13th in steals per game at 3.60 per contest.

Justice Sutton leads William Jewell in scoring with a 17.7 scoring average.

Isaac Patterson is scoring 14.7 points per game with a team-high 7.0 rebounding average and Kyle Scharbrough is scoring 12.7 points a game.

The Ichabods lead the William Jewell series 14-7 after winning 81-73 last season in Topeka.

The Ichabods have lost their last two games played in Liberty, with their last win coming on Dec. 1, 1988 in a 76-58 win.

Washburn turned a five-point deficit with 2:29 to play into Wednesday's four-point win over Rockhurst.

The Ichabods outscored the Hawks 11-2 to end the game, led by Smith's driving layup with 51 seconds remaining to give the Ichabods a 81-79 lead.

After a key defensive stop, Tyson Ruud hit a free throw to extend the WU lead to three and Sam Ungashick came up with a steal in the final seconds and sank two free throws with three seconds left to seal the win.

Smith led the Ichabods with 22 points, four rebounds and five assists. Bachelor added 17 points and three assists and Claussen scored 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Ruud came off the bench for 13 points and six rebounds.

Washburn returns home to face Friends on Tuesday and will host Ottawa next Saturday.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Senior star Yibari Nwidadah and the 1-1 Washburn women will host the Washburn Classic Friday and Saturday in the new Lee Arena. [File photo/TSN]

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn University soccer will face MIAA foe Missouri Western at 10 a.m. Friday in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament in Mankato, Minn.

Washburn soccer will open its NCAA Tournament bid at 10 a.m. Friday in Mankato, Minn. against Missouri Western. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

The 11-3-5 Ichabods are the No. 4 seed in the Central Region while 12-2-7 Missouri Western is the No. 5 seed. 

"I'm very proud of this year's team and the journey that we have been on to earn the chance to compete on the national stage tomorrow,'' Washburn coach Davy Phillips said. "I'm excited for the ladies to execute our brand of soccer and continue to grow within our game model as we compete for a national championship.

"Missouri Western is a good team and well coached and it should be a really high-level college soccer game.''

Washburn enters the match after failing to win their past two matches, both against rival Emporia State, with a scoreless draw on Senior Day and a 3-2 loss in the first round of the MIAA Tournament.

Washburn and Missouri Western met earlier this year in St. Joseph, Mo., where the match ended in a 0-0 draw.

Washburn's defense has been its focal point, allowing just three goals during the MIAA regular season and scoring 20 during that span. The Ichabods allowed only 60 shots on goal all season, while they put 125 shots on goal.

Defenders Rilyn Snyder and Shaye Taylor are one-two in minutes played this season while senior Belle Kennedy anchors the Ichabods from the heart of the midfield.

The Washburn Rural alum earned MIAA Defensive Player of the Year and All-MIAA first-team honors.

Washburn is led in goals and points by freshman Leah Henke, who has nine goals on the year and has added an assist.

Sophomore Sam Searcey has five goals and four assists while freshman Kate Hinck has also found the back of the net five times this year and junior Mackinly Rohn has three goals and an assist. Hinck and Rohn are both former Washburn Rural stars.

The Griffons are coming off an MIAA Tournament title, which booked their place in the NCAA Tournament.

Washburn leads the all-time series with Western, 16-12-1. The Ichabods have won five of the last eight matches with the Griffons.

The Washburn-Missouri Western winner will advance to a 1 p.m. match on Sunday to face the winner between No. 1 seed Minnesota State-Mankato and No. 8 seed Harding. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

By RICK PETERSON

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By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Postseason play begins for the No. 7-ranked Washburn University volleyball team on Thursday in St. Joseph, Mo. as the Ichabods open their bid in the MIAA Tournament as the No. 3 seed, taking on sixth-seeded Central Missouri in the quarterfinal round at 2:30 p.m. in the Civic Arena.

 

Washburn will open its postseason on Thursday in the MIAA Tournament against Central Missouri in St. Joseph, Mo. [File photo/TSN]

 

Washburn wrapped up its regular season with a 24-3 record overall and a 13-3 mark in the MIAA while Central Missouri enters the match 20-7 record overall and 11-5 in the MIAA.

 

The Ichabods are one of six teams in the field with at least 20 victories and Washburn coach Chris Herron said all six are capable of challenging for the championship.

 

"I think any of the six teams could be the champion,'' Herron said.  

 

No. 2 seed Missouri Western (21-6, 13-3) will open the quarterfinals at 12 p.m. Thursday against No. 7 Pittsburg State (12-14, 6-10) while No. 1 Nebraska-Kearney (26-3, 13-3) will face No. 8 Fort Hays State (16-12, 5-11) at 5 o'clock and No. 4 Central Oklahoma (26-4, 12-4) will close out the day with a 7:30 match against No. 5 Emporia State (21-6, 12-4).

 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

No. 2-ranked Washburn University men's basketball used a furious late-game rally Wednesday night to remain unbeaten with an 85-81 win over Rockhurst in the debut of the newly renovated Lee Arena.

Sophomore Tyson Ruud slams home a dunk in Washburn's 85-81 win over Rockhurst Wednesday night in Lee Arena. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN] 

The Ichabods turned a five-point deficit with 2:29 to play into the four-point win, improving to 5-0 on the season.

"I think when you have the year we had last year and you play really well early and you're ranked where you're ranked, I think the expectations are high and I think our guys felt a little bit of pressure and pressed a little bit in that game,'' Washburn coach Brett Ballard said.

"That happens, but I was proud of how we responded when we could have caved and handled those last couple of minutes. Ultimately, this is really good for us to play in these type of games and it's good for us if we can really learn from it.'' 

Washburn, which led for the bulk of the game, pushed its lead to a game-high 15 at 62-47 midway through the second half, but Rockhurst responded with its best stretch of the night, using an 11-0 run to quickly close the gap.

The Hawks (2-1) hit three 3-pointers in less than four minutes to take a 79-74 lead, but from that point on the Ichabods outscored the Hawks 11-2 the rest of the game.

Bryson Smith scored 22 points, including the go-ahead basket, in Washburn's 85-81 win over Rockhurst Wednesday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Senior Bryson Smith's driving layup with 51 seconds remaining gave Ichabods an 81-79 lead.

Then, after a key defensive stop, sophomore Tyson Ruud stepped to the free throw line and hit one of two free throws to extend the Washburn edge to three.

The Hawks came up empty on the following trip, and when senior Sam Ungashick came up with a steal in the final seconds and sank two free throws with three seconds left, the Ichabods' comeback was sealed.

Smith led the Ichabods with 22 points, including 19 in the second half, on 7 of 11 shooting and a 7 of 9 showing at the free throw line.

"Coach Ballard kind of got on me at halftime and the first half I wasn't playing a good game and I felt like I had to turn it up as a senior and a leader on the team to make winning plays at the end,'' Smith said.

Jack Bachelor had 17 points with four assists as Washburn rallied for an 85-81 win over Rockhurst Wednesday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Sophomore Dillon Claussen had 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in Wednesday's 85-81 Washburn win over Rockhurst. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Junior Jack Bachelor added 17 points and four assists while Ruud came off the bench for a career-high 13 points and six rebounds and Dillon Claussen scored 12 points, with five rebounds and four assists.

Ruud has been hampered by injuries in his first two seasons at Washburn, but is now living up to the potential he showed out of Basehor-Linwood.

"It's so good to be healthy,'' Ruud said. "My prayers have been answered and it feels amazing to be out there finally.''

By RICK PETERSON

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Kamble Haverkamp 

By RICK PETERSON

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It's been a long wait, but Washburn University's basketball teams will finally get the opportunity to officially christen the newly-renovated Lee Arena this week as the Ichabods tip off the home portion of the 2025-2026 basketball season.

After seventh months of waiting, Lee Arena will be rocking Wednesday night when Washburn's men's basketball team hosts Rockhurst in a 7 p.m. contest. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

The Ichabod men will host Rockhurst at 7 p.m. Wednesday while the WU women will host back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday in the Washburn Invitational.

The $8 million dollar, seven-month-long renovation of Lee, which opened in 1984 and is the home for the Ichabod basketball and volleyball teams, necessitated major schedule changes, including the nationally-ranked WU volleyball team playing all of its regular-season matches in Whiting Fieldhouse.

But now its time to reap the rewards the new state of the art facility will provide.

"My office looks into the gym, so for the last six months every day you see it,'' Washburn men's basketball coach Brett Ballard said. "That's good and bad because it just feels like at first nothing's happening and then it's all come together.

"It looks amazing. I've always felt like we had a great atmosphere in Lee Arena, and I think this will just enhance it. I know our guys are really appreciative and excited about it. We're just ready to get that opportunity to play out there.''   

Lee, which had not been used since the Washburn men captured the NCAA Division II regional championship in late March, features a new court and scoreboards, a new seating system and updated technology.

Both Washburn basketball teams will make their debuts in the newly-renovated Lee Arena this week. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

"You just walk down there and I don't know if you can feel energy in a place, but you can feel it in there,'' Washburn women's coach Lora Westling said. "It's fresh, it's clean, it's sharp and I just can't imagine a better venue in Division II in the country. We're just dying to get on it because they've done an exceptional job with the renovation.''

"I'm excited, it looks great,'' said Washburn women's senior standout Payton Sterk. "It's really going to be awesome in there.

"It was beautiful before, so it's really been cool to see what they've been doing and I'm really excited to play in it and have my family and friends and everyone be able to be in there and watch, too.''

By RICK PETERSON

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After opening the 2025-2026 season with four straight win on the road, No. 2-ranked Washburn University men's basketball will open its home slate at 7 p.m. Wednesday, facing Rockhurst in the newly renovated Lee Arena.

Junior Jack Bachelor (14) is averaging 19.3 points and 5.0 assists for 4-0 Washburn. [File photo/TSN]

Sophomore Dillon Claussen is averaging 18.0 points and 8.8 rebounds with a pair of double-doubles for Washburn. [File photo/TSN]

By RICK PETERSON

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Jack Bachelor 

JACK BACHELOR, Washburn University

A junior guard, Bachelor scored 23 points on 7 of 13 shooting with three 3-pointers and 6 of 6 free throws in an 95-63 win over Minnesota State-Moorhead and had 14 points with five assists and three 3s in an 88-57 in over Winona State as No. 2-ranked Washburn went 2-0 in the Central Regional Challenge at Pittsburg to improve to 4-0 on the season.

Mason Becker 

MASON BECKER, Hayden

Becker, a junior, scored a 71-yard touchdown on a pass reception from Connor Hanika, rushed for 78 yards on 9 carries, went 5 of 5 on extra-point attempts to improve his season PAT streak to 61 and averaged 44.5 yards on two punts as Hayden improved to 11-0 with an 43-29 home Class 3A state quarterfinal win over Jefferson West.

 Autumn Gibbs

AUTUMN GIBBS, Washburn University 

A junior volleyball player, Gibbs came up big in Friday's 3-1 home MIAA win over Central Oklahoma. After Washburn, now No. 7-ranked, dropped a 25-23 first-set decision, Gibbs jump-started her team with six straight service points, including three aces, at the end of the second set to give WU a 25-22 win before it closed out the match with 25-19 and 25-16 wins. Washburn took a 3-0 win over Arkansas-Fort Smith the following day to earn a share of the MIAA regular-season championship.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Mason Becker 

MASON BECKER, Hayden

Becker, a junior, carried the ball 14 times for 201 yards, including touchdown runs of 53 and 65 yards, as Hayden football earned its third straight trip to the Class 3A state championship game with a 46-0 home win over Santa Fe Trail. Becker also kicked a 25-yard field goal, went 3 of 3 on extra-point kicks to remain perfect on the season and passed for a 2-point conversion as the Wildcats improved to 12-0.

Austin Broadie

AUSTIN BROADIE, Washburn University

A fifth-year senior volleyball standout out of Wichita Trinity, Broadie was named the MIAA Player of the Year after helping lead the Ichabods to a 24-3 regular-season record and a share of the conference title. Broadie finished the regular season with 298 kills on .330 hitting while also contributing 54 blocks. Broadie had 15 matches with double-digit kills and two matches with 20-plus kills.

Leah Henke

LEAH HENKE, Washburn University

The MIAA Freshman of the Year, Henke had two goals and an assist on the weekend as Washburn University soccer advanced to the NCAA Soccer Sweet 16 with a pair of Central Region wins in Mankato, Minn. Henke, a Bishop Carroll product, had a goal and an assist in Friday's 2-0 win over Missouri Western and scored her 11th goal of the season in Sunday's 4-2 win in penalty kicks over top seed Minnesota State.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Ichabod football closed out its 2025 season on Saturday with a come-from-behind 29-24 MIAA victory at Missouri Southern.

The Ichabods finished 3-8 overall and 2-7 in the MIAA, powered by a pair of late scoring drives, a defensive touchdown and two huge defensive stops on fourth down in the Lion redzone.

Sophomore cornerback Josh Grant returned a fumble 83 yards for a touchdown, helping spark Washburn's season-ending 29-24 MIAA win at Missouri Southern. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

"I don't care how you win a game in the MIAA,'' Washburn coach Zach Watkins told KTPK Radio. "It's tough to win and I'm so happy for these guys and these seniors and where this program's going moving forward.

"But to win the way we won it. We've lost that game all year (four losses between three and seven points), so to win it that way is hugely impressive and I'm proud of these guys.''

Washburn made the most of its opportunities despite being outgained 442-345, finishing four for four in the red zone and scoring 13 points off turnover, including the play of the game, an 83-yard fumble return touchdown by Josh Grant that flipped momentum early in the second half.

Washburn opened the scoring late in the first quarter when Keller Hurla capped an 80-yard drive with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Henry Mohrmann with 32 seconds left in the quarter.

Missouri Southern responded quickly with a 54-yard touchdown pass and added a field goal to take a 10-6 lead midway through the second quarter.

Logan Madden then engineered a 64-yard Washburn scoring drive, hitting former Washburn Rural standout Ty Weber on a 16-yard scoring strike to put WU back in front, 13-10.

The Ichabods added a 26-yard field goal from Aidan Battle just before halftime for a 16-10 advantage.

Early in the third quarter, Missouri Southern drove inside the Washburn red zone before the Ichabod defense provided a massive turning point.

Keith Guidry forced a fumble that Grant scooped up and returned 83 yards for a touchdown, extending the Washburn lead to 23-10.

The Lions answered with consecutive touchdown drives to take a 24-23 lead late in the third quarter.

Trailing in the fourth, Washburn delivered its best drive of the day.

Starting at its own 18, Madden guided a 12-play, 82-yard march, featuring steady runs from Cam Robinson and efficient short passes.

Madden finished the drive with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Mohrmann -- his second of the game -- with 4:16 remaining.

The Ichabod defense held from there, posting a fourth-down stop in the red zone to secure the victory. On a 4th and 2 from the Ichabod 9, the Lion running back was tackled by Washburn Rural product JC Heim and forced a fumble and Kamble Haverkamp recovered the ball at the Ichabod 7, ending the play.

Two kneel downs later, the Ichabods picked up the win.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Logan Madden threw for 186 yards and two touchdowns in Washburn's 29-24 MIAA win at Missouri Southern. [File photo/TSN]

Madden finished 21 of 26 passing for 186 yards and two touchdowns while Hurla added a 4-for-5 passing performance and a touchdown, along with 49 rushing yards.

Robinson led the ground attack with 82 yards on 17 carries.

 

Trey Harmison caught six passes for 72 yards and Nathan Lewis Jr. added five receptions for 32 yards.

Sophomore linebacker JC Heim registered 12 tackles and forced a fumble in Washburn's 29-24 MIAA road win at Missouri Southern Saturday. [File photo/TSN]

Defensively, JC Heim led Washburn with 12 tackles, while Jordan Finnesy and Jaren Heim added eight stops apiece.

Grant recorded the game-changing fumble return touchdown and had five tackles and Haverkamp added an interception.

Washburn totaled 147 rushing yards on 35 attempts and completed 25 of 31 passes for 198 yards. The Ichabods converted 7 of 12 third downs and 4 for 4 red zone chances while forcing two turnovers and scoring on both.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

The No. 2-ranked Washburn Ichabods improved to 4–0 on the season Saturday with an 88-57 rout over Winona State in Pittsburg in their final game of the Central Regional Challenge.

Junior Jack Bachelor scored 14 points with five assists and three 3-pointers in Saturday's 88-57 win over Winona State in the Central Regional Challenge. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn returns to a renovated Lee Arena for its home opener against Rockhurst on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

After falling behind 2–0 on the opening possession, Washburn responded with a 10-0 run midway through the first half, sparked by threes from Bryson Smith and Jermiah Jones and a fastbreak layup from Dillon Claussen.

That surge flipped the momentum and gave Washburn a lead it would hold for the final 37 minutes.

The Ichabods shot 50 percent in the opening half and knocked down eight triples to build a 41-26 advantage at the break.

The second half was more of the same as Washburn opened with back-to-back transition buckets from Smith and Brady Christiansen, then extended the margin with a 7-0 spurt capped by a Marcus Glock 3-pointer.

The lead ballooned to 33 points in the final minutes, the Ichabods' largest cushion of the night.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn junior Mackinly Rohn (24) and the Ichabod soccer team will compete in their third straight NCAA Tournament on Friday. [File photo/TSN]

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn women's basketball picked up its first win of the 2025-2026 season on Saturday afternoon, riding a late comeback to knock off No. 18-ranked Southwest Minnesota State 63-59 in the Ichabods' final game of the Central Region Challenge in Edmond, Okla.

Britany Kogbara

The Ichabods will return to action inside of renovated Lee Arena against Southwest Baptist at 7 p.m. next Friday at 7 p.m.  

Now 1-1 on the young season, Washburn led early Saturday thanks to points in the paint from Yibari Nwidadah and Britany Kogbara. The Ichabod lead reached six points at 15-9 after a driving basket by Brooke Gomez as WU led the Mustangs (2-2) 17-12 after the opening quarter.  

Kogbara got the first basket of the second quarter but after that Southwest Minnesota State took over, scoring the next nine points to lead by two. The deficit reached double figures at 33-22 as the Mustangs connected on five 3-pointers in the quarter. Washburn battled through the hot shooting with five more points from Kogbara in the final 90 seconds to give her 15 in the half and cut the Southwest Minnesota State lead to 35-29 at the break.  

After the first two points of the half went to Southwest Minnesota State the next 10 points went to the Ichabods as they tied the game with a bucket by Nwidadah and went in front on a pair of free throws by Payton Sterk. Southwest Minnesota State answered right back, going in front by five to end the third quarter leading 47-42.  

The Mustangs' lead reached nine with under eight minutes to play. At the 5:36 mark Sterk drilled a 3-pointer to make it 53-49 and start the Ichabod rally. Washburn got within three in the final three minutes and finally came all the way back to tie it up at 59 after Madelyn Amekporfor hit a jumper at the 1:53 mark. She followed with a fastbreak layup to put Washburn in front. The Ichabods forced three straight turnovers and sank free throws on the other end in the final minute to take the four-point win.  

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn volleyball celebrates Saturday after earning a share of the MIAA regular-season championship in Whiting Fieldhouse. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Washburn volleyball poses for a team picture after earning a share of the MIAA regular-season title Saturday at Whiting Fieldhouse. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

The outlook for a victory by No. 8-ranked Washburn volleyball over No. 7 Central Oklahoma didn't look particularly promising late in the second set Friday night in Whiting Fieldhouse.

Washburn celebrates one of three service aces from junior Autumn Gibbs (1) late in the second set that sparked the No. 8-ranked Ichabods to a 3-1 win over No. 7 Central Oklahoma. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Washburn junior Autumn Gibbs (right) celebrates her set-ending ace that gave the Ichabods a 25-22 win in the second set in Friday's 3-1 win over Central Oklahoma. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

After dropping a 25-23 first-set decision to the Bronchos and trailing most of the second set, six straight service points from junior Autumn Gibbs, with three aces including the final two points of the set, turned the tide as the Ichabods went on to post a 3-1 win to keep its MIAA regular-season championship hopes alive.

"Autumn turned the entire match around,'' Washburn coach Chris Herron said. "We were down and she goes six in a row, so it completely turned the match around.''

"I feel confident being able to serve aggressively because I know my teammates have got my back and I feel like I can go out there and no matter how I perform they're going to have my back,'' Gibbs said.

"I had a run like that at MSU and that was pretty exciting, but it's awesome when it happens because it doesn't happen often. This is a huge win and we're super excited. We've got another one tomorrow, but it's a great win.''   

 After rallying for the 25-22 second-set win, Washburn (23-3 overall, 12-3 MIAA) closed out the win with 25-19 and 25-16 wins over the Bronchos (26-4, 12-4).

Washburn will close out its regular season with a 2 p.m. home match against Arkansas-Fort Smith Saturday and the Ichabods can earn a share of the MIAA regular-season championship with a win.  

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

The No. 2-ranked Washburn University men's basketball team put together an outstanding offensive performance on Friday night in its first of two games in the Central Region Challenge at Pittsburg State, shooting 61.4 percent from the field and scoring 53 second-half points in a 95-63 win over Minnesota State-Moorhead.

 

Junior Jack Bachelor led the way with 23 points Friday as No. 2 ranked Washburn improved to 3-0 with a 95-63 win over MSU-Moorhead. [File photo/TSN]

 

The 3-0 Ichabods took control early with balanced scoring and a surge midway through the first half, then broke the game wide open after halftime with an 18-6 burst that pushed the margin to over 20.

 

After trailing 5–0 in the opening minutes, Washburn responded with an 8-2 run, capped by a Bryson Smith fast-break layup. 

 

Washburn Rural product Jack Bachelor provided a spark throughout the period, scoring 13 first-half points, highlighted by a pair of transition layups and 6-for-6 shooting at the free throw line.

 

A late stretch in which Washburn scored 11 of 13 points gave the Ichabods a 42-33 halftime lead.

 

Washburn shot 46.9 percent in the opening half while scoring 26 points in the paint, turning eight Moorhead turnovers into nine fast-break points.

 

The Ichabods came out firing in the second half, putting together a 7–0 run in the first 70 seconds thanks to a Brady Christiansen corner 3-pointer and a pair of fastbreak scores from Bachelor and Smith.

 

That stretch ballooned the lead to 49-33 and forced an early MSU-Moorhead timeout.

 

Another 9-2 run, capped by a step-back Smith three and a transition layup from Bachelor, extended the margin to 61–38.

 

The Washburn advantage reached 32 points with 6:20 left as the Ichabods continued to pile up transition points and dominate the paint.

 

The second-half numbers were staggering as Washburn shot 80 percent from the field (20 of 25) and 70 percent from three (7 of 10) while scoring 53 points on just 25 shot attempts.

 

At one point in the second half the Ichabods were 18 of 19 from the field.

 

Bachelor led the way with 23 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-6 from deep and a perfect 6-for-6 at the line.

 

Smith delivered a highly efficient 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting with a pair of threes. Christiansen added 11 points and seven rebounds, while Dillon Claussen was a force inside with 15 points, four rebounds, three assists and three blocks.

 

Jeremiah Jones added 11 points, five assists and two steals.

 

For the game, Washburn shot 35-of-57 overall (61.4 percent), 9-of-17 from three (52.9 percent) and 16-of-24 at the line while scoring 52 points in the paint, 22 points off turnovers, 20 fast-break points and 27 points from the bench.

 

Moorhead was held to 40 percent shooting and outrebounded 38–26.

 

Washburn will face Winona State on Saturday in Pittsburg.

 

Ichabod women drop 73-61 in Central Region Crossover

  

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

There's no doubt that the 2025 season has been a tough one for the Washburn University football team, with the 2-8 Ichabods suffering four one-possession losses, including a pair of three-point defeats and an overtime heartbreaker.

Senior Jordan Finnesy (1) is one of 15 Washburn seniors who will play their final collegiate game for the Ichabods Saturday at Missouri Southern. [File photo/TSN]

But Washburn will have the opportunity to finish off the season on a high note in Saturday's 1 p.m. MIAA contest at Missouri Southern. 

"We want to do whatever we can this week to get that win,'' said Washburn standout senior safety Jordan Finnesy. "Not just for the seniors but for the guys who will be going through the offseason. It just leaves a better taste in your mouth and gives you a little bit of momentum going into the offseason and then into next season.

"So it would be big to get a win this week and go out that way.''   

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn University women's basketball will head to Edmond, Okla. to tip off the 2025-26 season Friday and Saturday in the Central Region Crossover.

 

The Ichabods will face St. Cloud State at 5 p.m. on Friday and will take on No. 18-ranked Southwest Minnesota State at 1 p.m. on Saturday, with both games on the campus of Central Oklahoma.

 

Senior Yibari Nwidadah averaged 16.8 points and 8.0 rebounds last season for Washburn, earning second-team All-MIAA honors. [File photo/TSN]

Senior Payton Sterk averaged 15.7 points with 62 3-pointers last season for 18-13 Washburn, earning second-team All-MIAA recognition. [File photo/TSN]

WU coach Lora Westling, whose team went 18-13 last season and returns all five starters, said the Ichabod coaches and players are excited to get the season under way.

 

"It's time,'' Westling said. "We get those three scrimmage dates to break it up, but it's hard to simulate actual game play. Our players have been working hard, it's just we've got to figure out who we are and you can't do that until you compete.''

 

Ichabod standout senior guard Payton Sterk agreed that it's time to face off against another team.

 

"We've only played each other for however long it's been, so we're really excited to play someone else and use what we've been working on against someone else,'' Sterk said. "Both of these teams we're playing this weekend beat us last year, so we'd all like to get some revenge and want to be able to beat them and show that we've gotten better.''  

 

Westling admits that she hasn't always been pleased with her team's practices over the past four weeks, but understands that some of that is because of the high hopes for this year's team.

 

"I think part of that is because my expectations are so high for this team, which they should be,'' Westling said. "They're capable of doing some really special things. We have great people, we have talented players, so it's going to be very hard to please me this year and I think they've earned that.

  

"You want higher expectations and I think we've gotten better out of every scrimmage situation we've had, but the bar's high for this group.''

 

Sterk said the Washburn players also have extremely high hopes for the season.

 

"We have a unique opportunity this year and I think that having everyone basically returning and then adding key people, I think we all expect a lot and I think we all know that we should do a lot,'' Sterk said. "I think everyone on our team expects greatness and is striving for greatness.'' 

 

Washburn finished fifth in the MIAA regular season last winter with an 11-8 record and advanced to the MIAA Tournament semifinals. The Ichabods were picked to finish second in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll and were tabbed third by the media. Washburn received votes in the first WBCA Poll of the year.

 

Washburn is 41-15 all-time in season openers after falling 82-72 to Southwest Minnesota State last season. 

Washburn returns 10 letter-winners from last season's roster while adding four new faces in the form of three transfers and one freshman.

The experienced Ichabod roster consists of four seniors, four juniors, five sophomores and one freshman. 

Yibari Nwidadah is back for year four with the Ichabods as a senior, earning All-MIAA second-team and MIAA All-defensive team recognition as a junior after starting in 29 games and logging 28.4 minutes per game.

Nwidadah led Washburn in scoring with 16.8 points per game on 62.6 percent shooting from the floor while averaging 8.0 rebounds. The Olathe North product had 12 scoring efforts of 20-plus points and had eight double-doubles on the year. She finished first in the MIAA and third nationally in field goal percentage.

Sterk also earned All-MIAA second-team honors as a junior and was named the MIAA co-newcomer of the Year. Sterk  started in all 31 contests, logging a team-high 31.1 minutes per game while averaging 15.7 points on 41.5 percent shooting overall. She led the team with 62 3-pointers while also shooting a team-best 38.0 percent from deep.

The Colorado Springs, Colo. native grabbed 3.4 rebounds per game and averaged 2.3 assists, second most on the team. She had 10 20-plus scoring games, including three 30-plus point games. She finished second in the MIAA with 84.6 percent shooting at the free throw line and was third in the MIAA and 25th in the nation in 3-point percentage. She was also eighth in the conference in points per game.

Gabi Giovannetti enters her senior season with Washburn after being one of two players to start in all 31 games last season. She logged 27.3 minutes per game and was third on the team with an 11.6 scoring average on 41.7 percent shooting from the floor and 32.0 percent from deep with 47 made 3s, second most on the team. The Bishop Miege product also averaged 3.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals. Giovannetti delivered 18 double-digit scoring efforts and finished 11th in the MIAA in total 3-pointers made. 

Madelyn Amekporfor returns for her junior season after playing in 30 games and making 29 starts last season and logging 26.7 minutes per game. She averaged 7.8 points on 47.0 percent shooting from the floor while grabbing 5.2 rebounds per game, second most on the team. Defensively the Andover product averaged a team-high 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks and had nine games with 10-plus points and seven games with either three steals or blocks. 

Sophomore Brooke Gomez played in all 31 games and made 30 starts as a freshman, averaging 4.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and a team-high 2.7 assists. The Northglenn, Colo. native had five games with 5-plus assists, tops on the team. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

After an impressive start to the 2025-2026 season with a pair of double-digit wins in Florida, No. 2-ranked Washburn University men's basketball will end a layoff of nearly two weeks when it plays back-to-back games in the Central Regional Challenge Friday and Saturday at Pittsburg State.

Sophomore Dillon Claussen is averaging 22.5 points and 12.5 rebounds through Washburn's first two games entering this weekend's Central Regional Challenge in Pittsburg. [File photo/TSN]

The Ichabods will face Minnesota State-Moorhead at 7 p.m. Friday before taking on Winona State at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Both WU foes advanced to the NCAA Central Regional Tournament last season, with the Ichabods taking a 93-65 win over the Dragons in the NCAA Central Regional Championship in Lee Arena to advance to the NCAA Elite Eight.

Washburn opened the current season in impressive fashion in Lakeland, Florda, taking a 101-53 win over Augusta, Ga. before rallying from an 11-point deficit in the first half to take an 89-77 win over No. 3-ranked Dallas Bapist.

 

"Going 2-0 was definitely the goal,'' said Washburn 6-foot-8 sophomore standout Dillon Claussen. "We wanted to come back 2-0 and against Dallas Baptist we got down early, but our coaches preach that it's a 40-minute fight, so we stayed with it and got the job done.

"Augusta was a litle short-handed, but DB is definitely a super good team and to be able to beat them like that is big.''

Washburn coach Brett Ballard also felt that the Florida trip was a solid showing for the Ichabods.

"Augusta was great because we got out to a great start and then didn't let our foot off the gas and got to play a lot of guys, so that was awesome,'' Ballard said. "And then Dallas Baptist, although you don't want to dig yourself a hole, it was a really good opportunity for us to see how we were going to react to that with a new team.

"I thought we didn't really ever flinch and loved how we had some guys off the bench come in and help us and then how we just responded to that challenge and rose to the moment. It's early, but I think that's a really positive sign for this team.''   

In Washburn's win over Augusta Ichabod junior newcomer Jeremiah Jones had eight steals and he followed that performance with seven steals against Dallas Baptist, setting a Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic record.

 

Washburn also set a team record at the event with 103 rebounds in two games, recording 53 against Augusta and 50 against Dallas Baptist.

Following the conclusion of the Hall of Fame Classic, Claussen, Jones and junior Jack Bachelor were named to the 10-person all-classic team.

 

Junior Jack Bachelor is averaging 20 points with eight 3-pointers and 13 assists for 2-0 and No. 2-ranked Washburn. [File photo/TSN]

Claussen is averaging 22.5 points and 12.5 rebounds to lead the Ichabods, while Bachelor is averaging 20 points with eight 3-pointers and 13 assists.

 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

No. 8-ranked Washburn University volleyball will be looking to build momentum for postseason this weekend when the Ichabods cap the regular season with a pair of home matches, hosting No. 7 Central Oklahoma at 6 p.m. on Friday and at 2 p.m. Saturday against Arkansas-Fort Smith for Senior Day.

"That's basically what you're trying to do right now,'' Washburn coach Chris Herron said. "Any momentum that you have you try to keep and then build on it.

"This weekend has huge implications all throughout the conference. You say you've played in big games, but this is truly two big games.'' 

 

No. 8-ranked Washburn volleyball will close out its regular season this weekend with a pair of matches in Whiting Fieldhouse. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn is 22-3 overall and 11-3 in the MIAA while Central Oklahoma enters the week on a six-match winning streak and is 25-3 on the year and Arkansas-Fort Smith is 13-14 overall after losing its last eight matches.

This weekend's matches are the Ichabods' final tuneup for the MIAA Tournament, which will begin on Friday, Nov. 20, in St. Joseph, Mo.

Before the match on Saturday Washburn will recognize its six seniors -- Austin Broadie, Sydney Conner, Alex Dvorak, Kali Henry, Bella Limback and Corinna McMullen.

 

Broadie is a five-year member of the Ichabods, playing in 114 total matches. She has 938 career kills, a .265 career hitting percentage and 232 total blocks in her career. 

McMullen has been with the Ichabods for four years, playing in 114 career matches. She has tallied 2,664 assists with 1,057 digs and served 153 aces. 

A four-year member of the WU program, Limback has played in 102 career matches. She has 548 career kills while hitting .327 and has made 294 career blocks. 

Conner is in year four with the Ichabods, playing in 112 total matches. She has dished out 1,866 career assists, served 74 aces and scooped 765 total digs. 

Henry is a four-year member of the Washburn program, appearing in 65 career matches with 42 total digs, 16 aces and 12 assists. 

Dvorak has been with the Ichabods for two seasons, playing in 51 career matches. She has 377 kills while hitting .396 and made 223 total blocks as an Ichabod. 

Broadie leads the Washburn offense with 273 kills (3.29 per set) while hitting .334, third best on the team. She has started all 25 matches and also has logged 52 blocks with 53 digs. The senior has 13 double-digit kill matches and is third in the MIAA in hitting percentage and third in the conference in points per set and fourth in kills per set. 

Limback is slashing a team-high .472 with 162 kills (2.00 per set) while playing and starting in all 25 matches. She has added 95 blocks (1.17 per set), also a team-high and served 12 aces. She has hit over .400 in all but eight matches this season with three double-digit kill efforts. She leads the nation in hitting percentage and is fourth in the MIAA in blocks per set.

Dvorak, sidelined for the season with a knee injury, ranks second on the team with 74 blocks (1.07 per set) while starting in all 22 matches she played in. Offensively she recorded 137 kills (1.99 per set) along with hitting .462, second best on the team. She recorded five or more blocks in nine matches. The senior ranks second in the nation and second in the MIAA in hitting percentage among qualified hitters. She is also seventh in the MIAA in blocks per set. 

McMullen has started all 25 matches this season and leads Washburn with 527 assists (6.43 per set). She has also chipped in a team-high 29 service aces while ranking second on the team with 219 digs (2.67 per set). McMullen has delivered 14 matches of 20-plus assists with 10 double-doubles. She ranks eighth in the conference in assists per set. 

Junior libero Taylor Rottinghaus leads the team with 344 digs (4.14 per set). She has chipped in 99 assists while serving 26 aces, second most on the team. Rottinghaus has three matches with at least 20 digs. She ranks seventh in the MIAA in digs per set and 11th in total digs. 

Freshman Brooklyn Morrisey has played in 10 matches, including two starts in WU's past two outings after the injury to Dvorak. She has made 18 kills (1.06 per set) while hitting .229. She has added 14 blocks and seven digs. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Dillon Claussen probably could have started for a lot of college basketball programs accoss the country last season as a freshman.

But on a Washburn University team that was loaded with veterans, the 6-foot-8, 215-pounder knew he would have to wait his turn to crack the lineup and was perfectly content with his role off the bench while making an immediate impact for a 30-4 Ichabod team that made it all the way to the NCAA Division II semifinals.

Sophomore Dillon Claussen is averaging 22.5 points and 12.5 rebounds for 2-0 Washburn. [File photo/TSN] 

"Oh man, it was amazing,'' Claussen said. "I like to say that was probably the best freshman year I could have imagined. We went to the Final Four and I got to play with a bunch of other experienced players.

"As a senior, Andrew Orr had a lot of experience in the league so he taught me a lot and then I still got to play in the games, so I was super happy with it and it definitely taught me a lot and prepared me for this year when I have a bigger role.''

Claussen played an average of 15.4 minutes per game last season and averaged 7.4 points and 3.9 rebounds with 25 blocked shots while shooting 67.4 percent from the field and 70.2 percent from the free throw line.

And Claussen gives a lot of credit to last year's veterans for helping him adjust to the college game.

"Coming in as a freshman you don't know totally what it's like to be a college player and they'd been on top of their leagues,'' said Claussen, an Omaha, Neb. native. "Michael Keegan had been playing forever, Andrew Orr had been on the top of the (MIAA), really since his sophomore year.

"He'd had a huge role and (Jacob) Hanna was a super good player in his conference, so taking tips from all of them on and off the court they taught me how I could be a better person and player.''

Washburn coach Brett Ballard agreed that the season Claussen had playing behind Orr and with the other veterans was a big factor in his progress. 

"I think it's really beneficial when you come into a program with great leadership and maturity,'' Ballard said. "I think Dillon would have gone a lot of places and been successful later on, but I do think it just helped elevate him and accelorated that process a little bit because he got thrown in the fire with guys that showed him how to do it.

"And then he had to go against a guy like Andrew Orr every day. So I think that competition for Dillon in practice was really beneficial, too. You saw it last year. Andrew Orr was great and there were games the last month and a half where it was basically 50-50 because we just felt like Dillon had earned that right to play. That just showed you where he was at last year and he's taken some steps this year.''      

Claussen demonstrated that in Washburn's season-opening trip to Florida on Nov. 1st and 2nd while making the first-two starts of his college career.

Claussen scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in Washburn's 101-53 season-opening win over Augusta, Ga. and followed that up with 23 points and 12 rebounds in an 89-77 win over No. 3-ranked Dallas Baptist.

By RICK PETERSON

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Miles Cook 

MILES COOK, Washburn Rural

The Junior Blues' senior goalkeeper came up huge on Saturday night at the Stryker Complex in Wichita, with Cook coming up with two saves in penalty kicks as Rural outscored Shawnee Mission East 4-2 in PKs to take a 3-2 win over the Lancers and earn its first Class 6A state soccer championship since 2012. 

Connor Hanika

CONNOR HANIKA, Hayden

Hanika, a senior quarterback, completed 10 of 13 passes for 211 yards, including 62 and 63-yard touchdown passes to Kade Mitchell Friday night as 10-0 Hayden advanced to the Class 3A quarterfinals with a 42-0 home romp past Wellsville in a regional final.

 Leah Henke  

LEAH HENKE, Washburn University

Henke, a former Bishop Carroll star, was named the MIAA Soccer Freshman of the Year and earned first-team all-conference honors after the Washburn University forward scored a team-high nine goals for the Ichabods in an 11-2-5 regular season, including an 8-0-4 conference record.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

The No. 16-ranked Washburn University soccer team looked like it was headed to the MIAA Tournament semifinals after jumping out to a 2-0 lead over Emporia State in the opening 18 minutes Sunday in Yager Stadium.

Washburn junior Mackinly Rohn (24) scored her third goal of the season in Sunday's 3-2 MIAA Tournament loss to Emporia State. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Freshman Kate Hinck scored goal No. 5 on the season Sunday in Washburn's 3-2 MIAA Tournament loss to Emporia State. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

But the No. 7-seeded Hornets answered with three unanswered goals to advance with a 3-2 win over the No. 2-seeded Ichabods.

Now Washburn will look forward to the NCAA Division II Soccer Selection Show on Monday, Nov. 17th, at 5:30 p.m. to see where the Ichabods will play in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

Washburn got off to a hot start when junior Washburn Rural product Mackinly Rohn scored on a corner kick in the second minute to give Washburn an early 1-0 advantage.

Another former Rural star, freshman Kate Hinck, added a second Washburn goal in the 18th minute off a Sam Searcey assist to put the Ichabods in front, 2-0.

But Hinck's goal would end WU's scoring on the day, opening the door for the Hornets' comeback.

ESU got on the board in the 34th minute on a goal from Ella Favot and Washburn took a 2-1 advantage into the halftime break.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

After dropping a four-set MIAA match Friday night at No. 3-ranked Nebraska-Kearney, No. 6 Washburn University volleyball bounced back on Saturday afternoon to finish its regular-season road schedule with a 3-0 sweep over Fort Hays State.

Washburn sophomore Brynne Topolski (3) posted a match-high 13 kills in Saturday's 3-0 MIAA sweep at Fort Hays State. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

The Ichabods will return to Whiting Fieldhouse next Friday to face Central Oklahoma in a 6 p.m. ranked matchup. 

Washburn, 22-3 overall and 11-3 in the MIAA, started hot against the Tigers with a 25-12 win in the first set and built a 2-0 advantage in the match with a 25-23 win in the second set over the Tigers (15-11, 4-10).

The Ichabods then closed out the match with a 25-17 win in the third set to surpass last season's win total.

After Fort Hays State opened the match with a quick start, Washburn used a 5-0 run to lead 8-5 after a kill from sophomore Brynne Topolski. The Ichabods created separation with four points in a row, starting with a kill by senior Austin Broadie.

Defensively, the Ichabods held the Tigers to a minus-.024 hitting percentage while winning the final seven points to take the 13-point first-set victory.

Washburn trailed briefly in the second set before using an early run to go in front, this time with a 6-0 burst capped off by an ace from junior Taylor Rottinghaus to make it 9-4.

Fort Hays State pulled within two with a 5-1 run that was answered by four in a row for the Ichabods.

The Tigers scored six in a row to tie things up at 21-all, but kills from Broadie and Topolski gave Washburn an advantage and three points later sophomore Keilah Rivers ended the set with a kill.

In the third set the Ichabods jumped out to a 10-5 lead with three kills by Topolski in a 5-0 run.

The score got within two points before Washburn scored four straight starting with senior Corinnna McMullen sneaking over a kill. The Ichabods hit a clean .400 in the set to finish off the sweep.

Washburn finished the match hitting .280 overall with 52 kills while Fort Hays State registered 30 kills and an .098 hitting percentage. The Ichabods led in digs 65-45 and had a 40-28 advantage in assists.

Topolski led the Washburn offense with 13 kills while hitting .458 and adding five digs. Rivers added 10 kills and hit .364 with six scoops.

McMullen delivered a double-double with 18 assists and 14 digs while Rottinghaus had a team-high 15 digs in the back row.

Gracie Rains led the Tigers with 10 kills and Kirsten Evans had a match-high 17 digs.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

After rallying from a 14-0 deficit to forge a 17-17 halftime tie with Emporia State Saturday at Yager Stadium, Washburn University football had a golden opportunity to take its first lead of the game early in the third quarter after driving to a 1st-and-goal situation.

Washburn sophomore Cam Robinson (middle) rushed for a team-high 70 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 45-17 MIAA loss to Emporia State. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

But after the Ichabods (2-8 overall, 1-8 in the MIAA) had an apparent 3-yard Keller Hurla touchdown run wiped out by a holding penalty and missed a 34-yard field goal, Emporia State took control with 28 unanswered points to take a 45-17 MIAA victory.

"Having the ball 1st and goal, you've got to punch it in,'' Washburn coach Zach Watkins said. "And whether it's penalties or execution, you've got to be able to punch it in and being up seven with a windy day it's a whole different game. But you're forced to kick a field goal and then you miss a field goal.''

Emporia State (5–5 overall, 4–4 MIAA) took an early lead with a 13-yard blocked punt return from Kingsley Bennett and a 35-yard touchdown pass from Jamison Sarver to Diego Cearns,  but Aidan Battle got the Ichabods on the board with a 36-yard field goal late in the first quarter to cut the Hornets' lead to 14-3.

Lucas Oitker capped an 81-yard drive early in the second quarter with a 16-yard touchdown run and Cam Robinson powered in from 3 yards out just before halftime to tie the game.

But the Hornets regained control in the second half, scoring 28 unanswered points, including a pair of pick sixes, to pull away.

Emporia State broke the 17-17 tie with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Sarver to Bennett with 4:42 left in the third quarter and tacked on 21 points in the fourth quarter.

Sarver scored on a 2-yard run before Landon Boss returned an interception 43 yards for a score and Kaliel Boyd had a 29-yard pick six to close out the scoring with 4:27 remaining.

"I felt like we needed to stop being our own worst enemy,'' Emporia State coach Garin Higgins said of the Hornets' second-half rally. "I felt like we had kind of lost the momentum there at halftime and we needed to get it back.

"So that was kind of the message at half, we're got one more half, we've got 30 minutes and we need to quit shooting ourself in the foot and start executing better on both sides of the football.''

Washburn finished with 336 yards of total offense, including 137 rushing and 199 passing yards.

Robinson led the way with 101 all-purpose yards (70 rushing, 24 receiving, 7 punt return), while Oitker added 94 total yards (63 rushing, 31 receiving) and his third rushing touchdown of the season.

Washburn quarterback Logan Madden passed for 156 yards in Saturday's 45-17 loss to Emporia State in Yager Stadium. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Quarterback Logan Madden completed 14 of 34 passes for 156 yards, with Nathan Lewis Jr. catching two passes for a team-best 51 yards, including a 37-yard grab. Aden Canty added two receptions for 39 yards.

Defensively, the Ichabods were led by JC Heim, who tallied 13 tackles, and Kamble Haverkamp, who added 10 stops. L.J. Minner Jr. also contributed 10 tackles and had an interception to set up Washburn's first touchdown drive.

Washburn punter Jake Zeller averaged 51.2 yards on five punts, including a 63-yarder.

Emporia State's defense shut out Washburn in the second half Saturday on the way to a 45-17 MIAA victory in Yager Stadium. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Emporia State held a 447-336 edge in total yardage, with Sarver throwing for 219 yards and the two TDs while Cearns rushed for 136 yards on 26 attempts.

Boss led the Hornets with 12 tackles.

The Ichabods will wrap up the season next week at Missouri Southern while Emporia State will be at home to host Fort Hays State. 

EMPORIA STATE 45, WASHBURN17

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

The No. 16-ranked Washburn University soccer team will face Emporia State for the second time in five days Sunday, with the Ichabods and Hornets squaring off in a 1 p.m. MIAA Tournament quarterfinal in Yager Stadium.

Washburn, 11-2-5 overall, 8-0-4 in the MIAA, and Emporia State, 8-5-5, 5-2-5, battled to an 0-0 deadlock Wednesday at Yager Stadium, setting up Sunday's rematch.

Belle Kennedy

Leah Henke

Washburn extended its unbeaten streak to 14 games with Wednesday's tie and the Ichabods finished second in the MIAA regular-season standings while Emporia State is the No. 7 tournament seed.

The Ichabods only allowed three goals in the MIAA regular season and only three goals during their current unbeaten run.

WU freshman Lili Everley has nine shutouts on the year, which is tied for 13th in the nation.

Emporia State comes into Sunday's match after having postec scoreless draws in its last three games.

Emporia State is led in goals by freshman Ella Favot with six goals. Hornets goalkeeper Mackenzi Goen made seven saves against the Ichabods on Wednesday.

Washburn leads the all-time series 20-18-5.

The winner of Sunday's game will advance to Thursday's MIAA semifinals at the Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita against the quarterfinal winner between No. 3 seed Central Missouri and No. 6 Central Oklahoma.

Ten Ichabods earn All-MIAA recognition

Washburn senior midfielder Belle Kennedy has been named the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year while freshman forward Leah Henke was named the conference Freshman of the Year as 10 members of the Ichabods earned all-conference recognition.

Kennedy, a Washburn Rural product, was also named to the All-MIAA first team for the third straight season while Henke and junior defender Lindsey Maul were also first-team picks.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Coaches and athletes in all sports have had to deal with tough defeats, something Zach Watkins' 2025 Washburn University football team is very familiar with after suffering four one-possession losses, including back-to-back three-point decisions, one coming in overtime.

Centralia product Kamble Haverkamp is one of 15 seniors who will be recognized Saturday before Washburn's Senior Day game against Emporia State. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]

But last week's 27-24 MIAA road loss at Missouri Western was probably the toughest to take due to the way it ended.

After taking a 24-20 lead in the fourth quarter Washburn fell behind 27-24 after a Missouri Western touchdown with 1:44 remaining, but the Ichabods took over at their own 20 and converted four third-down conversions to reach the Griffon 13 with 14 seconds left.

But an incomplete pass on first down and an intentional grounding penalty on second down forced a 10-second runoff as the Ichabods were without any more timeouts, ending the game without Washburn getting the opportunity to force overtime with a relatively short field goal attempt. 

"It was definitely one of the more heartbreaking losses I've been a part of,'' Washburn senior safety Kamble Haverkamp said. "It's unfortunate. Nobody wants to lose and to lose that way was pretty tough. Everybody sees the way it ends and thinks, 'Aw, we lost because of that,' but there's a lot of plays up to that point that a lot of people don't see -- long punt returns, the defense had a 4th and 5 we didn't stop and then a 4th and 2 on the 2-yard-line. If we just get a stop we kneel it out and it doesn't matter.

"One play doesn't define the game. There's a lot of plays in there you wish you could have back, but that's the game that we play.'' 

And by early this week all of the Ichabods' focus was on Saturday's 1 p.m. Senior Day game in Yager Stadium against rival Emporia State. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Coach Chris Herron knows that No. 6-ranked Washburn University volleyball is going to miss senior middle hitter Alex Dvorak, out for the season with a knee injury.

And Herron said the Ichabods feel even worse for Dvorak, who will end her All-American career on the sidelines.

Washburn star middle hitter Alex Dvorak will miss the remainder of the 2025 season with a knee injury, forcing other Ichabods to pick up the slack. [File photo/TSN]

"It's awful,'' Herron said. "When she broke the news to our team (Tuesday), a lot of tears were shed.''

But Herron also knows that the Ichabods can't afford to dwell too long on the injury to their friend and teammate and have to focus on continuing to build momentum for their late-season push.

"It's tough, because when something like this happens, you want the world to like stop for just a second and be sorry with you, but life goes on and even though you say it's not fair, it's just what it is, so we've got to go on,'' Herron said.

"We're going to do a lot of reminding them that you've got to pick up that slack and somebody's got to fill that position, so we're trying to figure that out this week.'' 

Herron said that the rest of the team, and particuarly the middle hitters, have embraced the task of stepping up their game in the absence of Dvorak, who was injured in last Friday's loss at Missouri Western.

"We've already had the other middles come in and get extra work,'' Herron said. "Everybody feels that they need to pick up that slack and I've seen evidence of that.'' 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

The No. 16-ranked Washburn University soccer team battled Emporia State to an 0-0 Senior Night deadlock Wednesday night at Yager Stadium.

And the two rivals will do it all over again at 1 p.m. Sunday in Yager Stadium in the opening round of the MIAA Tournament.

Washburn freshman Kate Hinck (7) advances the ball in Wednesday night's 0-0 MIAA tie as Emporia State's Abby Bachman defends. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Wednesday was a back-and-forth opening 45 minutes, with Washburn (11-2-5 overall, 8-0-4 MIAA) taking five shots in the half with one on target from senior Shaye Taylor in the 43rd minute.

Freshman Lili Everley would make three saves on attempts by ESU (8-5-5, 5-2-5) to keep the game level at the break.

The Ichabods would have two shots on goal saved in the first 10 minutes of the second half.

Senior Aubrey Tanksley would put a shot off the crossbar in the 59th minute and in the 73rd minute junior Rilyn Snyder would take a free kick that would be saved off the crossbar.

Washburn took 10 shots in the second half, with six on target and saved by Hornets goalkeeper Mackenzi Goen.

The Ichabods finished second in the MIAA regular-season standings with 28 points while Pittsburg State won its first-ever MIAA regular-season championship.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

The No. 16-ranked Washburn University soccer team hosts rival Emporia State at Yager Stadium at 6 p.m. on Wednesday evening for Senior Night, looking to wrap up the MIAA regular-season title.

Washburn, 11-2-4 overall and 8-0-3 in the MIAA, can clinch the championship with a win over the Hornets (8-5-4, 5-2-4).

Multi-time MIAA pick Belle Kennedy (12) is one of 10 Washburn soccer seniors who will be recognized before Wednesday's Senior Night match against Emporia State in Yager Starium. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn will recognize seniors Sydney Achilles, Shandon Carr, Londyn Furnish, Alli Harrington, Belle Kennedy, Hunter McWilliams, Lakin Rold, Brooke Powell, Aubrey Tanksley and Shaye Taylor.

 "I'm excited that our ladies have earned the chance to compete for something really special on Senior Night,'' Washburn coach Davy Phillips said. "This senior class has been an incredible class for our program. They're the winningest class in WU soccer history (with 57 wins), they played for a national championship, and now get the chance to earn a third MIAA trophy.

"It's a really special class that I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to coach. Thank you, ladies."

Washburn extended its unbeaten streak this past weekend to 13 with a 2-0 win last Friday at Northwest Missouri and a scoreless draw against Missouri Western on Sunday.

"We are looking forward to the opportunity to continue to grow into our DNA in pursuit of another MIAA title,'' Phillips said. "Emporia is a good team and well-coached, and it's always a battle."

During their unbeaten streak, the Ichabods have only allowed three goals.

Washburn moved up three spots to No. 16 in the USC national poll and remained second in the USC Central Region poll.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn University soccer coach Davy Phillips puts a talented starting lineup on the field every time the Ichabods take the field.

But the talent doesn't stop there, and Phillips credits the Ichabods' depth for being a big factor in the Ichabods' 11-2-4 start, including a league-leading 8-0-3 MIAA record and 13-match unbeaten streak, entering Wednesday's 6 p.m. regular-season finale against Emporia State in Yager Stadium.

Junior Kylie Hinrichs (19) scored her first career goal, the game-winner, in Washburn's recent 2-1 soccer win over Fort Hays State. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Washburn sophomore Sam Searcey has five goals and three assists on the season for the MIAA-leading Ichabods, [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

"The strength is in the collective in this group, truly,'' Phillips said. "We've said it for a couple of years, but I just feel like we got deeper this year. Our depth is definitely a strength of ours.''

Washburn players who primarily come off the bench have accounted for nine of the Ichabods' 28 goals on the season while providing six of the team's 13 assists.

Washburn freshman Bricelyn Betts is mobbed by her teammates after scoring a goal in the Ichabods' 2-1 MIAA win over Fort Hays State. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Sophomore Sam Searcey (Lincoln, Neb.), who has come off the bench in 13 of 17 games, ranks second on the team with five goals and has also contributed a team-leading three assists, while freshman Jules Wardlaw (Olathe West) has a pair of goals, freshman Bricelyn Betts (Raymore, Mo.) has a goal and two assists and junior Kylie Hinrichs (Elkhorn, Neb.) has one goal, a game-winner, for the Ichabods.

"There's zero dropoff and it makes for really hard conversations as a coach explaining to players how fine that line is and why certain players get to start versus not, but if you can get past that and just concentrate on the strength it gives our team being that deep at every position, it's an incredible strength for us,'' Phillips said.

A perfect example of that bench strength was on display in Washburn's most recent home game, a 2-1 win over Fort Hays State, as Betts and Hinrichs both recorded their first career goals while Searcey provided the assist on both goals.  

"It's kind of crazy how we have such a good second lineup that it's almost like you barely see a dropoff when we go in, which is really unique at this level,'' Hinrichs said.

Betts said the key for the players coming off the bench is to provide energy and a spark when possible.

"It's just like there'a already momentum going and we just want to keep it going,'' Betts said. "Energy coming out and making a difference is definitely what we really strive to do and something that Davy emphasizes really heavily.'' 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news 

Jadyn Baum

JADYN BAUM, Washburn Rural

A junior running back, Baum sailed over the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season Friday night, picking up 182 yards and scoring three touchdowns on 15 carries as 6-3 Washburn Rural advanced to the second round of the Class 6A football playoffs with a 37-0 win over Wichita South at Bowen-Glaze Stadium. Baum scored TDs on 8, 8 and 46 yards against the Titans.

Dillon Claussen

DILLON CLAUSSEN, Washburn University

A 6-foot-8 sophomore, Claussen registered a pair of double-doubles as the No. 2-ranked Washburn men's basketball team opened the season with a pair of wins in the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic in Lakeland, Fla. The Omaha, Neb. native scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in Saturday's 101-53 win over Augusta (Ga.) and had 23 points and 12 rebounds in Sunday's 89-77 win over No. 3-ranked Dallas Baptist.

Henry Laubach

HENRY LAUBACH, Washburn Rural

A sophomore, Laubach led a balanced Washburn Rural cross country team with a 22nd-place individual finish in a five-kilometer time of 16 minutes, 40.66 seconds Saturday at Rim Rock Farm as the Junior Blues captured the Class 6A team championship by a single point, 100-101 over Blue Valley.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

The No. 19-ranked Washburn University soccer team tied Missouri Western 0-0 on the road Sunday afternoon, extending its unbeaten streak to 13 straight matches.

Freshman goalkeeper Lili Everley recorded three saves in MIAA-leading Washburn's 0-0 tie Sunday at Missouri Western. [File photo/TSN]

"The ladies put in another really solid performance today,'' Washburn coach Davy Phillips said. "We performed really well this entire weekend, and I'm very proud of our team.

"We are continuing to grow and are getting better with every game. Wednesday night (against Emporia State) will be a lot of fun vs. another good MIAA team."

Washburn improved to 11-2-4 overall and 8-0-3 in the MIAA with Sunday's deadlock.

Washburn controlled the opening 45 minutes and recorded eight shots as eight different Ichabods took a shot in the half, with five of them being on goal.

In the secnd 45 minutes, it was more of a back-and-forth game as Washburn recorded five shots while the Griffons took four, with three on goal and saved by Washburn freshman goalkeeper Lili Everley.

Junior Mackinly Rohn led Washburn with three shots.

The Ichabods stayed atop of the MIAA standings with 27 points heading into the final match of the regular season at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Yager Stadium against Emporia State. Pittsburg State is in second in the conference with 26 points.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Sophomore Dillon Claussen scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in Washburn's 89-77 win over Dallas Baptist Sunday in Lakeland, Fla. [File photo/TSN]

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

The No. 2-ranked Washburn University men's basketball team made its 2025-26 season debut Saturday, charging past Augusta 101-53 in the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic in Lakeland, Fla.

Junior Jack Bachelor tied a career high with 25 points, including five 3-pointers, in Saturday's 101-53 Washburn win over Augusta. [File photo/TSN]

The Ichabods never trailed and leding for 39:51 of the 40 minutes.

The defensive energy set the tone early as the Ichabods forced 16 first-half turnovers, converting them into 15 fast-break points and sprinting to a 56-25 halftime advantage.

Washburn completely suffocated Augusta in the paint, holding the opponents to just six points inside the lane in the first 20 minutes while pouring in 34 of their own around the rim.

On the offensive end, Washburn shot 53 percent from the field (41-77) for the game while drilling eight 3-pointers.

Meanwhile, the defense frustrated Augusta into 30 percent shooting overall, including just 6-for-30 from beyond the arc.

Junior Jack Bachelor drilled five 3-pointers on the way to a game-high 25 points, tying a career high, while adding six assists.

Sophomore Dillon Claussen delivered a dominant double-double, scoring a career-high 22 points and adding 13 rebounds and two blocks.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

 A determined fourth-quarter comeback gave Washburn University a late lead, but Missouri Western delivered the final blow as the Ichabods dropped a 27–24 MIAA road decision on Saturday.

Sophomore linebacker JC Heim registered 15 tackles in Saturday's 27-24 Washburn MIAA loss at Missouri Western. [File photo/TSN]

After the Griffons took a 27-24 lead with 1:44 to go, the Ichabods took over at their own 20 and converted four third-down conversions to reach the Griffon 13 with 14 seconds left, but an incomplete pass on first down and an intentional grounding on second down forced a 10-second runoff as the Ichabods were without any more time outs, ending the game with a three-point loss for the second week in a row.

Missouri Western controlled the opening quarter and was first on the board when Brandon Hall capped an 11-play, 71-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown run at the 6:28 mark.

Washburn responded with a drive of its own, as Aidan Battle drilled a 28-yard field goal to make it a 7-3 game with 2:06 remaining in the first quarter.

The Ichabods then grabbed their first lead in the second quarter thanks to a defensive spark.

After Jordan Finnesy forced a fumble that Kamble Haverkamp recovered at the Griffon 27, quarterback Logan Madden connected with Weston Ropp on a 13-yard touchdown strike for a 10–7 advantage with 5:24 left before halftime.

Missouri Western answered just before the break with a 33-yard Latrell Armstrong field goal to send the game tied 10–10 into the locker room.

Missouri Western pushed back in front in the third quarter behind Armstrong's 44-yard field goal and Hall's second rushing touchdown, a 33-yard burst that extended the lead to 20-10 heading to the fourth. Hall finished with 130 rushing yards as part of the Griffons' 215-yard team ground effort.

Keller Hurla entered at quarterback and engineered a 75-yard scoring drive early in the fourth stanza, finding Henry Mohrmann for a 10-yard touchdown to pull the game back within 20-17.

On the next possession, Finnesy swung momentum again with a 43-yard interception return to set up Hurla's one-yard keeper that put Washburn back on top 24–20 with 10:55 remaining.