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

Austin Raetzel lifts a weight for the F45 class at the Heskett Center. Ratsel is a Wichita State alum who has been going to F45 for eight years.

Global fitness franchise F45 offered at Wichita State

Loren Amelunke, Reporter February 12, 2024

Typical memberships for F45 Training’s fitness classes cost around $155 to $175 monthly. At Wichita State, the classes are free for students and $40 each semester for faculty and staff.  F45 stands...

Madyson Espinosa dances on the field after a teammate hit a grand slam in a Wichita State game from April 2023.

‘We need Mady’: Shocker softball’s ‘hype-woman’ speaks on positivity, legacy

Allison Campbell, News Editor February 12, 2024

In the dust of the softball diamond, where the cheers and chants of Shocker softball fans and team members merge, there’s a player wearing a cowboy hat who stands out — and not just for her southern...

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OPINION: The definition of sports should include athletes of all strenuous activity

Maleah Evans, Reporter February 12, 2024

Football, basketball, baseball — I’m sure these, among others, are what come to mind when someone mentions sports. I see these and raise you: chess, skateboarding and marching band. One could argue...

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OPINION: Why commuters should get involved with the campus sports culture

Tyler Guthrie, Columnist February 10, 2024

When students arrive at Wichita State, a good many of them settle into the dorms on campus, but most settle for driving or walking distances around the university. The most recent statistic for the percentage...

Graduate student Misha Kvantaliani goes up to serve in his match on Jan. 26.

Men’s tennis player Misha Kvantaliani reflects on his final season at Wichita State

Avery Gathright, Reporter February 9, 2024

Misha Kvantaliani’s tennis journey began when he was just 5 years old living in Ukraine. Now, in his last season of collegiate tennis, Kvantaliani is reflecting on his tennis career and looking to the...

The Wichita State softball team gathers together before the match against McLennan Community College on Sept. 16.

Softball gears up for a different season with conference newcomers

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Editor February 9, 2024

Wichita State softball has a long history of success in conference play. Now, the 2023 regular season champions are gearing up for their spring campaign, and this year’s new additions to the American...

A couple of Wichita Statestudents practice  a Brazilian jiu-jitsu technique.

WSU, say hello to jiu-jitsu

Genesis Merriett, Reporter February 9, 2024

Jiu-jitsu is an art that changes who you are as a person, according to Kael Laselva. “It brings out the person you really are, and then it fixes it,” Laselva, a freshman business major, said. “After...

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OPINION: Are NFL games scripted?

Owen Prothro, Reporter February 8, 2024

In early 2023, on the “Macrodosing w/ PFT & Arian Foster” podcast, former National Football League player Arian Foster explained that everything — every game, every stat, every injury — in...

Sami Hood (#14) runs past the bases to home plate after hitting a home run. The freshman is a common starting player, and hit her fourth home run of the season.

Sami Hood strives to improve her leadership skills as shortstop

Courtney Brown, Investigative News Editor February 8, 2024

Sami Hood has been around softball since she was born. With all her siblings playing baseball and softball, she was on the field as a baby. She started tee-ball at age 3. “Ever since then, I've never...

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OPINION: Karma is Taylor Swift at your Chiefs game

Piper Pinnetti, Reporter February 7, 2024

In 2023, Taylor Swift went on tour for the first time since the Reputation Stadium Tour in 2018. During her ongoing The Eras Tour,, she’s performed in 151 different concerts across five continents. Toward...

Senior outfielder Addison Barnard practices her hitting in the batting cage at Wilkins Stadium. Barnard and her younger sister, Avery Barnard, both play for the Wichita State softball team.

Wichita State softball leader prepares for final season

Salsabila Attaria, Arts and Culture Editor February 7, 2024

Entering her final season on Wichita State’s women’s softball team, senior outfielder Addison Barnard is actively working on being a more vocal leader for her team and her sister.  “I've always...

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‘Have respect for the refs’: Student Officials Association trains Shockers for thankless but necessary job

Jacob Unruh, Assistant Sports Editor February 6, 2024

When Trent Koehler played basketball in high school, he said he would sometimes “poke the bear” by taunting the referees. Fast forward five years later, and Koehler is the head of the Wichita State...

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