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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University's football team will be looking to use the MIAA preseason polls as motivation after being picked No. 9 in both the coaches and preseason media polls that were released Monday by the conference office at the MIAA Football Media Day hosted Emporia State.
Washburn senior safety Jordan Finnesy, first-year head coach Zach Watkins and junior offensive lineman Jakobe Harmon addressed the MIAA media Monday at Emporia State. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The Ichabods, coming off a 3-8 season (2-7 in the MIAA) will open the 2025 season under first-year head coach Zach Watkins on Aug. 30, hosting former MIAA foe Truman State in Yager Stadium (1 p.m.). The Ichabods will open conference play on Sept. 6 at home against Northwest Missouri (1 p.m.).
The Ichabods were 2-5 in games decided by less than 10 points last season.
"(The polls) are based off of last year and nobody knows what each team is doing behind the scenes,'' Watkins said. "It's a good talking point that I will address with our team and let them know that it doesn't matter what that says.
"All that matters is if you execute and if we play well on Saturdays.''
The Ichabods were 2-5 in games decided by less than 10 points last season
The Ichabods are slated to have six starters returning on offense and eight on defense as well as three on special teams for the upcoming season.
Watkins was named the 38th head coach in program history on Nov. 26, 2024 becoming the first Ichabod alumnus to fill the top spot on the Ichabod sidelines in more than 30 years after spending the previous 11 seasons as the co-defensive coordinator on the Ichabod coaching staff.
Defending conference champion Central Oklahoma, 12-2 overall and 8-1 in the MIAA, was tapped as the preseason favorite in the coaches' poll, receiving seven of 10 first-place votes, while Pittsburg State (8-3, 7-2) topped the media poll.
Emporia State (7-4, 5-4) was picked fifth in the MIAA coaches poll and sixth in the media poll. The Hornets will open their season on Aug. 28 at Welch Stadium against non-conference foe Minot State (7 p.m.).
2025 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Central Oklahoma [7] – 78 points
2. Pittsburg State [3] – 75 points
3. Fort Hays State – 62 points
4. Central Missouri – 57 points
5. Emporia State – 50 points
6. Northwest Missouri – 41 points
7. Missouri Western – 29 points
8. Nebraska Kearney – 28 points
9. Washburn – 21 points
10. Missouri Southern – 9 points
[#] - Number of First Place Votes
2025 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
1. Pittsburg State [13] – 310 points
2. Central Oklahoma [18] – 307 points
3. Fort Hays State [2] – 271 points
4. Central Missouri [1] – 239 points
5. Northwest Missouri – 215 points
6. Emporia State – 167 points
7. Nebraska Kearney – 120 points
8. Missouri Western – 107 points
9. Washburn – 88 points
10. Missouri Southern – 46 points
[#] - Number of First Place Votes
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Nora Burdiek, Rossville
NORA BURDIEK, Rossville
A junior outside hitter, Burdiek was a first-team TopSports.news All-Shawnee County and first-team Kansas Volleyball Association All-Class 2A selection last fall after recording 491 kills, 368 digs and 22 blocks for the 22-18 Bulldawgs. Burdiek was also an All-Big East second-team selection in as a sophomore after being named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year as a freshman in 2023. Burdiek is also one of 2A's top basketball players, receiving all-county recognition the past two seasons.
Campbell Dawson, Topeka High
CAMPBELL DAWSON, Topeka High
Dawson, a junior, turned in a solid sophomore season for an improving Topeka High program last season, with the Trojans posting a 17-19 record. Dawson, who is entering her third season as a varsity player, earned second-team TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League recognition as a sophomore. Also a standout for Topeka High in softball, Dawson helped the Trojans advance to the Class 6A state tournament.
Ella Foster, Hayden
ELLA FOSTER, Hayden
A senior libero, Foster helped lead the Wildcats to a 32-12 record and a third-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament last fall. Foster was a second-team TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League selection last season while also receiving All-Class 4A honorable mention from the Kansas Volleyball Association. Foster is a multi-sport athlete for the Wildcats, also playing basketball and soccer.
Harper Hafenstine, Seaman
HARPER HAFENSTINE, Seaman
A senior, Hafenstine is a leading returner for Seaman, which has advanced to the Class 5A state championship match the past two seasons, including the state championship in 2023. Hafenstine received TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after helping the Vikings post a 41-3 record on the year.
KYLIE HANNI, Silver Lake
Hanni is a returning junior standout for traditional Class 3A state power Silver Lake. Hanni was named to the TSN All-Shawnee County second team following the 2024 season while also earning All-Big East League second-team recognition.
KARSYN HASTERT, Cair Paravel Latin
Hastert, a senior, has earned second-team TSN All-Shawnee County honors the past two seasons for the Lions after receiving all-county honorable mention as a freshman. Hastert is also a basketball standout for Cair Paravel Latin, earning all-county recognition.
Karsyn Horyna, Washburn Rural (21)
KARSYN HORYNA, Washburn Rural
Horyna, a senior, earned a first-team berth on the TSN All-Shawnee County team last season after helping the 31-8 Junior Blues win the Centennial League championship and advance to the Class 6A state tournament. In addition to receiving her all-county honor Horyna was a second-team All-Centennial selection.
Reese Huscher, Hayden
REESE HUSCHER, Hayden
A senior, Huscher earned TSN All-Shawneee County second-team recognition last fall after helping the Wildcats post a 32-12 record and a third-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. Huscher received All-Centennial League honorable mention. Huscher was also a member of Hayden's basketball team that finished third in 4A and the Wildcat soccer team that was the 4A-1A state runnerup.
Stelly Kelly, Washburn Rural
STELLA KELLY, Washburn Rural
Kelly, a senior, earned a second-team berth on the TSN All-Shawnee County team last season after helping the 31-8 Junior Blues win the Centennial League championship and advance to the Class 6A state tournament. In addition to receiving her all-county recognition Kelly was a second-team All-Centennial selection.
Hailey Schmidtlein, Hayden
HAILEY SCHMIDTLEIN, Hayden
A sophomore middle blocker/outside hitter, Schmidtlein helped lead 32-12 Hayden to a third-place finish in Class 4A last fall, receiving All-State Tournament and second-team Class 4A All-State honors from the Kansas Volleyball Association. Schmidtlein, who registered 440 kills and 242 digs, was a first-team TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League pick and named the county co-newcomer of the year. Schmidtlein also helped Hayden finish third in 4A basketball and second in 4A-1A soccer.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
After being rained out on Monday, the Topeka Junior Golf Association wrapped up its 2025 summer season on Tuesday at Western Hills, crowning eight champions.
Eighty players competed in the six-event juniors program, ranging in age from 7 to 17 years old.
"It's increased from year's past and this has been a record summer as far as participants and the amount of people wanting to get involved with these junior tournaments,'' said Washburn Rural golf coach Jared Goehring, who has been the director of the TJGA program for 21 years.
Peyton Wright (middle) won the girls 15-17-year-old title in the Topeka Junior Golf Association City Championships, while Elise Eckert (left) finished second and Lauren Borjon third. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
LynnLee Mullins (middle) won the girls 13-14 title in Tuesday's Topeka Junior Golf Association City Championships at Western Hills while Brynlee Harmon (left) finished second and Reese Elliott third. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Sadie Harmon (right) and Rowan Martinek finished one-two in the 12 and under girls division in Tuesday's Topeka Junior Golf Association City Championships at Western Hills. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
On the girls side, Peyton Wright won the 15-17-year-old title while LynnLee Mullins won the 13-14 division and Sadie Harmon was the 12-and-under champion.
Easton Moulin (middle) won the 15-17 boys championship in a three-hole playoff in Tuesday's Topeka Junior Golf Association City Championships at Western Hills while Chase Hastert (left) finished second and Higgins Hawks third. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Brody Buessing (middle) won the 13-14 boys championship in Tuesday's Topeka Junior Golf Association City Championships at Western Hills while Leyton Eckert (left) finished second and Jaxon Leonardi third. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Easton Moulin won a three-hole playoff to take the championship in the boys 15-17 division while Brody Buessing was the 13-14 champ, Arjun Rao won the 11-12 division, Nikhil Rao was the 9-10 champ and Maxon Baker won the 8-and-under title.
Arjun Rao (middle) won the 11-12 boys championship in Tuesday's Topeka Junior Golf Association City Championships at Western Hills while Keaton Cox (left) finished second and Zander French third. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]L
Nikhil Rao (middle) won the 9-10 boys championship in Tuesday's Topeka Junior Golf Association City Championships at Western Hills while Beckham Schmidt (left) finished second and Jaxson McFarland third. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Maxon Baker (middle) won the 8 and under boys championship in Tuesday's Topeka Junior Golf Association City Championships at Western Hills while William Roe (left) finished second and Bennett Shinn third. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Wright, who attends Baldwin High, recorded an 18-hole score of 71, while Mullins had a nine-hole total of 49 and Harmon won with a nine-hole score of 54.
Moulin, a Holton resident, shot an 18-hole score of 77 while Buessing posted an 18-hole win at 75, Arjun Rao won with a nine-hole score of 4, Nikhil Rao won the 9-10 division with a nine-hole total of 37 and Walker shot a winning nine-hole score of 40.
TJGA CITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Last month former Shawnee Heights and Washburn University standout Phil Frost was the top qualifier and went wire to wire in the tournament to win his first Topeka Golf Association City Match Play championship.
Phil Frost captured his first TGA City Stroke Play championship Monday at Topeka Country Club. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
After winning the TGA City Match Play title last month, Phil Frost added the City Stroke Play championship on Monday at Topeka Country Club. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
On Monday at Topeka Country Club, Frost proved he could also come from behind, rallying from a two-stroke deficit at the start of the day to win his first TGA City Stroke Play title by a single stroke over first and second-round leader Jeremiah Nelson and 2024 champion Myles Alonzo with a 213 54-hole score.
Jeremiah Nelson tied for second place in the 2025 TGA City Stroke Play tournament with a 54-hole score of 214. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Former Topeka West star Myles Alonzo used a final-round 73 to tie for second place in the 2025 TGA City Stroke Play tournament with a 54-hole score of 214. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Frost carded a final-round 76 while Nelson, also a Washburn golf alum, shot a 79 and finished in a tie for second with 2024 City Stroke Play champ Myles Alonzo, a former Topeka West star, who shot a final-round 73.
Frost took the lead on the seventh hole when he holed a 117-yard approach shot but his victory was not secure until Nelton narrowly missed a birdie putt on the final hole that could have forced a sudden death playoff.
"I was able to finish it off, but it was a struggle'' Frost said. "The back nine was a challenge. After I holed out on seven I told myself, 'Just stay calm and keep playing, don't let this get you out of your rhythm.' Then it became a challenge afterwards, but I was able to hold on.
"That (No. 7) got me the lead and that got me to 1-under-par. Then we both (Frost and Nelson) went back and forth on the way in. I was able to make a putt when I needed to make a putt.''
Washburn Rural and Washburn University alum Hayden Beck shot a tournament-low 72 Monday in the final round of the TGA City Stroke Play championship at Topeka Country Club. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural and Washburn University alum Hayden Beck carded a tournament-low 72 on Monday to finish at 216 and tie for fourth place with Adam Head and Brian Walker.
Tyler Baumchen, Blake Buessing and Jason Buessing all tied for seventh at 218 while Zach Vandervoort rounded out the top 10 at 220.
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Kerry Darting was very pleased with how the international element of the Darting Basketball Academy fared in its debut last summer.
And Year 2 has gone even better.
"I think last year was just really important to get started and the experience was just great,'' Darting said. "The community around here was very supportive, the experience for the kids was great. Last year we had 22 kids and 16 of them are all in the states now, going to American universities, so last year was really important just to get it off the ground and running.
"It was very successful and I think the experience is better this year just from going through everything and kind of learning what needs to get better. We made those adjustments and it's going really well this year.''
The program numbers have more than doubled this summer while also including female athletes for the first time.
The program, which is made up of high school-aged players with college basketball aspirations, includes 44 boys and eight girls representing 13 different countries, including Australia, Italy, Spain, Lithuania, Serbia, Lithuania, Croatia, Slovenia, Norway and Sweden.
The players, competing as College Stars International under the DBA umbrella, will play in three tournaments -- two in Kansas City and one in Chicago -- before returning to their home countries later this month.
