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THE PENNANT PLAYER PROFILE
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Things are about to get real for senior Faith Rottinghaus and her Washburn University volleyball teammates and the former Shawnee Heights multi-sport standout couldn't be more excited.
The powerhouse Ichabods, who open the 2021 season at home Thursday against Cameron University, had the entire '20 season wiped out by COVID-19 and Rottinghaus admitted that it's been a tough stretch for everybody in the program.
"It was extremely weird and it was really hard on us all, just kind of mentally taxing,'' said the two-time All-MIAA first-team libero/defensive specialist. "We were continuing to go into the gym and looking forward to getting to play but yet we didn't know if we were going to play or when we were going to play.
"It was a little bit mentally challenging from that aspect of it and to stay in good physical shape was kind of challenging. We really relied on each other and support from our teammates and coaches and motivation from each other.''
Former Shawnee Heights star Faith Rottinghaus, a two-time All-MIAA first-team pick, is stoked to play her final season for Washburn's volleyball team. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Just two games into the 2021 season, there's still some things that Washburn Rural soccer coach Brian Hensyel wants to see his team clean up moving forward.
But Hensyel also knows that if the Junior Blues keep finding the back of the net the way they have in back-to-back five-goal games, Rural is going to be hard to beat.
After opening the season with a 5-0 shutout over Kapaun Mt. Carmel last Friday, Washburn Rural followed that up with a 5-1 win over city rival Shawnee Heights Tuesday night at McElroy Field.
"The offense is clicking,'' Hensyel said. "We scored a bunch of goals the first half the other night and scored the second half tonight. Ten goals in two games obviously is pretty good.
"We have some offensive weapons but Shawnee Heights played hard and they made it really tough for us. We had to earn some goals and eventually kind of broke free, but we let them back in the game a little bit just by doing silly stuff. It's August, it's early in the season and we've got to clean some of those things up, simple things.''
Washburn Rural sophomore Benett Hallauer (left) tries to control the ball in Tuesday's soccer game vs. Shawnee Hieghts. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Haley Carpenter
Haley Carpenter, Topeka High
A junior, Carpenter advanced to the Class 6A state tournament last fall in doubles, teaming with Adisyn Caryl to earn a trip to the state tournament with a fourth-place regional finish.
Adisyn Caryl
Adisyn Caryl, Topeka High
Caryl, a junior, competed for the Trojans in the 6A state tournament last fall in doubles, teaming up with Carpenter for a fourth-place regional finish. A two-time state qualifier in tennis, Caryl also plays basketball and softball for High, helping the Trojans win a 6A softball state title last spring.
Kate Fritz
Kate Fritz, Washburn Rural
A junior, Fritz competed in the 2020 6A state tournament for Rural, teaming with Meredith Kucera to win a Class 6A regional championship. Fritz, a two-time state qualifier, and Kucera took third in doubles in the Centennial League tournament.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topekan Matt Hutchinson, a former multi-sport standout at Hayden, has been named associate athletic director/director of development at Washburn University.
Matt Hutchinson
Washburn director of athletics Loren Ferré and president of Washburn alumni association and foundation Marshall Meek announced the hiring of Hutchinson, who will be moving from his previous position of assistant athletics director for external relations, a position he held at WU since 2018.
"I'm incredibly excited for this new role within athletics and to join the Washburn alumni association and foundation team," Hutchinson said in a Washburn release. "I'm thankful to Marshall Meek and Loren Ferré for the opportunity. I was fortunate to grow up around Washburn and I've considered it home for a long time. This is a unique opportunity to work with an administration, coaches, and supporters that I've admired."
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THE PENNANT PLAYER PROFILE
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
It was the kind of conversation that children have with their parents all the time, expressing their hopes and dreams for the future.
But it's starting to look like what Washburn University receiver Jace Williams promised his father, Jason, some 15 years ago could actually come true.
"Growing up I remember telling my dad before bed, 'Dad, I'm going to be a professional football player, I'm going to be a professional athlete,' '' Williams said. "At the time I didn't know which sport I was going to play, but I knew I wanted to be a pro athlete and my dad would just be like, 'OK, work hard and we'll see.' ''
With a big senior season what was once a pipe dream could be well within reach for the 6-foot-5, 235-pounder, who has already caught the eye of NFL scouts.
Washburn senior receiver Jace Williams has received attention from NFL scouts heading into the 2021 season. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
"He's just a phenomenal athlete, a very fast learner, and I think he can truly play on at the next level,'' Washburn coach Craig Schurig said of Williams. "He just needs to get a shot at it.
"That's kind of a hot position right now, that H-back, tall receiver, and he's got a unique skill set.''
