Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower

Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower

Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower

Dalen Ridgnal speaks to a reporter on the 2023-2024 Media Day in Charles Koch Arena. Media Day gave reporters in the Wichita area a chance to speak to womens and mens basketball players.

Ridgnal poised for leadership after being last minute recruit

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Editor November 8, 2023

On a Sunday at the end of July, Dalen Ridgnal was on a Zoom call with Paul Mills for a late effort to recruit Ridgnal for the Shockers' 2023-24 campaign. By that Tuesday, Ridgnal was on a plane with 20...

Mens basketball players huddle together after a successful play by Wichita State during the game against Rogers State on Oct. 29.

‘Energy in winning’: Men’s basketball team encouraged for season

Maegan Vincent, Reporter November 7, 2023

With the 2023-2024 season of men’s basketball fast approaching, fans eagerly await to see how the Wichita State Shockers will fare in this upcoming season.  After becoming head coach in November...

Junior guard Xavier Bell looks for a teammate to pass to during the game against Rogers State on Oct. 29. The Shockers won, 74-53.

Xavier Bell overcomes shooting slump to take larger role with Wichita State basketball

Jacob Unruh, Reporter November 7, 2023

Junior guard Xavier Bell is the son of former Wichita State football player Wayne Bell. His namesake is his father’s classmate and Shocker basketball legend, Xavier McDaniel. After Bell’s senior year...

Athletes can put in the work at the new weight room in Charles Koch Arena, which was funded by multiple donors, including Fred VanVleet.

On and off the court: Athletes and coaches encouraged by new weight room in Koch Arena

Taliyah Winn, Reporter November 6, 2023

Wichita State basketball has a secret weapon this season — a fully renovated weight room. Located in Charles Koch Arena, the Fred VanVleet Sports Performance Complex was finished in late July, and...

DJ McCarty talks about her return to the Shockers basketball team. On Oct. 16, WSU Athletics hosted a press conference for the womens basketball team for their upcoming season.

‘We’re putting ourselves out there’: Senior player outlines goals for season

Isabel Ordoñez, Reporter November 6, 2023

As she stands on the threshold of her last season of Wichita State women’s basketball, DJ McCarty shared goals for her team this season as well as for the future of her career beyond basketball.  McCarty,...

Sophomore center Quincy Ballard tries to get open on offense. On Dec. 3, Wichita State traveled to Manhattan to play against K-State, losing 55-50.

‘Buys into his process’: Quincy Ballard returns from injury

Courtney Brown, Investigative News Editor November 6, 2023

Junior center Quincy Ballard missed several games last basketball season due to a lingering back injury, but after he returned this season, teammate Kenny Pohto said it doesn’t appear like he was even...

Kenny Pohto, a junior forward, enters the arena during the team presentation at Shocker Madness on Oct. 7.

After two years, Kenny Pohto steps into leadership role at last

Salsabila Attaria, Arts Editor November 6, 2023

When junior Kenny Pohto speaks, the team listens.  At least, that’s according to Wichita State’s head men’s basketball coach, Paul Mills. In a recent press conference, Mills made a point of highlighting...

School board candidates Melody McCray-Miller, Stan Reeser and Ngoc Vuong attend Wichita States school board candidate forum on Oct. 25. All were elected to the school board in the Nov. 7 election.

USD 259 school board candidates discuss teacher shortages, classroom content, more at forum

Jacob Unruh, Reporter October 29, 2023

Three USD 259 school board candidates came to Hubbard Hall on Wednesday evening to take questions and discuss their plans to improve Wichita public schools, if elected. Melody McCray-Miller, a former...

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OPINION: How to talk politics with children: you don’t

Cheyanne Tull, Reporter October 22, 2023

Growing up, I think most of us heard our parents discussing politics at some point, or we heard about it from somewhere. Should those conversations be had in private by adults or should children be educated...

A look at voter turnout at Wichita State.

Voter turnout on the rise at Wichita State

Jacob Unruh, Reporter October 21, 2023

Wichita State student voter turnout has been on the rise in recent elections. The Shockers Vote! Coalition hopes to continue to mobilize students to the polls for the upcoming election on Nov. 7. According...

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OPINION: The problem with being ‘raised in a different time’

Sascha Harvey, Opinion editor October 20, 2023

My grandmother has been known to say some pretty unsavory things over the years, things I don’t want to (and can’t) repeat. Mostly, her opinions can be linked to ignorance – ignorance about race,...

Kitrina Miller-Taylor poses for a photo. (Photo courtesy of Kitrina Miller-Taylor.)

‘Busiest I’ve ever been’: Former WSU student body president reflects on lessons learned in office

Isabel Ordoñez, Reporter October 20, 2023

Former Student Body President Kitrina Miller-Taylor found her career where social work meets social media. Miller-Taylor, who served as Wichita State’s student body president in the 2019-2020...

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