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

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Behind the scenes of sports content creation at Wichita State

Jacob Unruh, Assistant Sports Editor February 18, 2024

Willie Schwanke, the senior content producer at Wichita State, is the creative force behind the hype videos that play before and during the Shockers’ home sporting events that aim to excite the crowd.  Along...

The Wichita State volleyball team puts the WSU hand sign into the air to celebrate their win versus Drake University that put them into the Fab Four of the NIVT on December 6.

No NCAA, no problem: Volleyball reflects on NIVC Championship

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Editor February 16, 2024

At the start of the season, Wichita State volleyball redshirt junior Morgan Stout had doubts about her team making it to any sort of postseason, but as the season went on, she started putting the team...

Evan Kruse attempts to send the ball past Zach Oakley during the recreational mens volleyball teams practice on Jan. 30.

Men’s recreational volleyball team sees rise in interest following pandemic restrictions

Jennifer Anima, Reporter February 15, 2024

There has been a rise in interest in men’s volleyball teams around the country, and it has reached Wichita State within the last four years as they began to rebuild the recreational team on campus...

Economics and international business ,ajor Gonzalo Campos uses an ergometer machine at rowing team practice in the Heskett Center gymnasium. The Wichita State rowing team practices on ergometer machines on Tuesdays and Thursdays and does strength and conditioning for the rest of the week in preparation for their spring season.

Shocker Rowing embraces their past, present, future

Trinity Ramm, Managing Editor February 14, 2024

Since he was brought on as head rowing coach in 1999, Calvin Cupp has always been thinking about the future. Now, with assistant coach Rachel Tuck, the Shocker Rowing teams are constantly looking for...

Freshman sprinter, jumper and hurdler Josh Parrish practices his sprints during track and field practice inside the Heskett Center. Parrish and his twin brother, Jason, both compete for Wichita State.

Twins Josh and Jason Parrish use brotherly rivalry for track and field success

Jacob Unruh, Assistant Sports Editor February 13, 2024

The Parrish family is stacked with athletes. Eldest Jevon is a former wrestler at The University of Nebraska–Lincoln; Jacob is a junior cornerback at Kansas State University; and the younger siblings,...

Nicolas Acevedo celebrates with Jackie Lin after a point during the match against Omaha on March 3 at the Coleman Tennis Complex.

‘We’ll have a seat waiting for you’: Men’s tennis encourages fans to come out for spring season

Shelby DuVall, Reporter February 13, 2024

The men’s tennis team’s spring season is newly underway, with the team currently standing at 2-3 on the year. Head coach Darragh Glavin feels the team ended the fall on a good note and is looking...

Aaron Mariconda and Sean Fontes compete against eachother in a game of Super Smash Brothers.

‘I can’t do anything about this, but go team’: Announcers find new ways to experience esports

Sascha Harvey, Opinion Editor February 13, 2024

Tobin Hoshower has been playing video games since he could walk. With a dad in the tech field, gaming was a big part of his life growing up in Palmer, Alaska.  Announcing for video games, though, is...

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...

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