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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

Freshman Abby Rexford prepares herself for her first jump at the Coach Wilson Invitational on Jan. 31. The meet took place in the Heskett Center gymnasium, from Jan. 30 to Feb. 21.

Wichita State pole vaulter hones creative skills through ‘grandma hobbies’ off the track

Mya Scott, Reporter February 11, 2025

While many athletes aspire to be the next Stephen Curry or Patrick Mahomes, Wichita State track and field’s Abby Rexford has a different idol in mind: Joanna Gaines, the HGTV star of the show “Fixer...

Josh Livingston advances to third base in the bottom of the second inning against Oklahoma State during an April 2024 game.

Baseball’s Josh Livingston went through a massive hitting slump last season. He’s glad it happened.

Jacob Unruh, Sports Editor February 10, 2025

Josh Livingston began his first season with Wichita State baseball in a terrible hitting slump that he said left him with numerous sleepless nights. At the end of April, Livingston was hitting .196 with...

Lauren Lucas talks to head coach Kristi Bredbenner after hitting a three-RBI triple in 2023. Lucas missed all of last season with an injury.

After battling injury, softball’s Lauren Lucas is ready for one final ride

Owen Prothro, Assistant Sports Editor February 10, 2025

Wichita State softball’s Lauren Lucas spent her entire 2023 season playing with a nagging pain in her right shoulder. Amazingly, she was a third-team All-American anyway, putting up a .384 batting average...

Adjunct instructor Remington Putter explains his snowball throwing activity, where students wrote on a piece of paper, crumpled it up, and then threw it across the room. The activity was meant to teach students how they could incorporate fun learning into their future classrooms.

Disc Golf Club coach emphasizes holistic, fun approach to physical education

Mia Hennen, Managing Editor February 10, 2025

If you’re in Remington Putter’s class, you might:  Be offered $20 to minimize your screen time, throw crumpled paper balls across the room or play a game of “Simon Says,” referred to as “Mr....

Wichita State baseball players touch helmets in a huddle during their game against Nebraska in Eck Stadium on March 12.

Matured Wichita State baseball team seeks first NCAA bid since 2013

Owen Prothro, Assistant Sports Editor February 9, 2025

Last year, a walkoff home run in the championship game of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) tournament ended Wichita State’s baseball season. It’s a game that returning players have thought...

Softball players huddle up before the exhibition match against Butler Community College on Oct. 3. The game was played In Wilkins Stadium and was free to all students with ID.

After falling short last year, ‘bitter’ WSU softball team looks to bounce back

Jacob Unruh, Sports Editor February 8, 2025

Last year, Wichita State softball failed to make an NCAA Regional for the first time since 2020, losing the American Athletic Conference (AAC) championship game on home turf. It’s an outcome some...

Amarrion Reese leaps forward during the Black vs. Yellow Intrasquad event on Dec. 6.  Reese competes in sprint and jump events for track and field.

Track and field preview: Shockers aim for AAC crown

Jacob Unruh, Sports Editor January 28, 2025

Steve Rainbolt has been the director of Wichita State’s track and field program for 25 years. He doesn’t go into every season expecting to compete for a conference championship.  This year, he...

Head men's tennis coach Darragh Glavin talks to Ilias Worthington and Vanja Hodzic between doubles sets on Feb. 26. Worthington and Hodzic won their match, 6-2.

WSU men’s tennis excited to make strides in spring

Owen Prothro, Assistant Sports Editor January 27, 2025

Over the offseason, Wichita State men’s tennis lost two players through graduation — Marcelo Sepulveda and Misha Kvantaliani — and sophomore Richey King, who transferred to the University of Kansas...

Sophomore Theodora Chantava gets ready to serve for a match against the University of Tulsa. Chantava's singles match was left unfinished on April 8, 2024.

‘That little bit of extra work’: WSU women’s tennis team looks to serve opponents in upcoming spring season

Owen Prothro, Assistant Sports Editor January 22, 2025

Going into his 15th season as head coach of Wichita State’s women’s tennis team, Colin Foster said the team is “farther along than we normally are at this point of the preseason.” Foster said...

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OPINION: Transfer portal is now a free throw opportunity; teams either make it, or they don’t

Piper Pinnetti, Opinion Editor November 12, 2024

The landscape of college athletics has dramatically shifted with the expansion of the NCAA’s transfer portal, which now permits student-athletes to transfer multiple times without sitting out, provided...

Jocelyn Mallonee, a piccolo flute player, holds up a sign after Wichita State's men's basketball team scored a 3-pointer. Mallonee is a member of the Shocker Sound Machine and has been performing at WSU home basketball games since 2021.

Shocker Sound Machine brings spirit, traditions to home games

Allison Campbell, Editor-in-Chief November 10, 2024

Bags of rice, old copies of The Sunflower, a rendition of “The Wheels on the Bus,” and a rallying war cry. These are just some traditions you might see or hear in action at a Wichita State basketball...

Todd Schwartz sets up a tripod in the stands in front of the pep band at Charles Koch Arena. Schwartz said he typically arrives three hours before a game to set up.

Behind the scenes of ESPN+ at Wichita State — the Black Fox Crew

Taliyah Winn, Podcast Editor November 8, 2024

While viewers tune into basketball games on ESPN+, business owner Todd Schwartz leads the team that produces the broadcast to viewers around the country. Schwartz is the owner and president of Black...

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