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

Payton Larson

Sports management student takes unique job opportunity to expand connections before graduation

Shaylee Jacobs-Wilson, Reporter November 9, 2023

Not many students can say they've done broadcast work for ESPN, but senior Payton Larson can. Through a live sports production class in the Elliott School of Communication, Larson and other students...

A look at ticket sales over time for the womens and mens basketball games inside Charles Koch Arena.

A look at women’s and men’s basketball 2023-2024 season ticket numbers

Maleah Evans, Reporter November 9, 2023

Much like a basketball itself, the number of ticket sales between the years for men’s and women’s basketball bounces up and down.  For the 2023-2024 basketball season, ticket sales have seen an...

Jamal Brown watches the ball as Lebrian Jones gets ready to make his next move in a casual game of basketball at the Steve Clark YMCA.

A peek inside basketball culture at on-campus YMCA

Jacinda Hall, Podcast Editor November 9, 2023

While Wichita State has established itself as a Division I basketball school, plenty of students and community members dribble it out for recreational fun in the Steve Clark YMCA on the university’s...

Daniela Abies 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.

Daniela Abies finds new ‘vibe’ in sophomore season

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Editor November 9, 2023

When Daniela Abies joined the Wichita State women’s basketball team last year as a true freshman, she left her home country of Spain for the first time. She didn’t speak English that well and struggled...

Ashtin Meerpohl, director of sports performance for the Wichita State men’s basketball team, works with players in the weight room inside Charles Koch Arena.

New men’s basketball director of sports performance prepares players for excellence on and off court

Jacob Unruh, Reporter November 9, 2023

In March, Ashtin Meerpohl received a phone call from Paul Mills asking if he’d like to move to Wichita. Meerpohl, a Kansas native, now works as director of sports performance for the Wichita State...

DJ Win Crabtree or DJ 4THE WIN plays music during Shocker Madness on Oct. 7.

‘It’s not just about partying’: WSU DJ hopes to spread love, positivity on and off the court

Allison Campbell, News Editor November 9, 2023

Win Crabtree lives by a simple philosophy: “Put good into the world, and good will come back to you.” It’s a mindset that has guided him personally — from the death of his father to the birth...

The Wichita State womens basketball team huddles together before the start of their Wednesday night match against Missouri Southern State University on Nov. 1.

Women’s basketball players talk importance of having supportive coaches

Cheyanne Tull, Investigative News Editor November 8, 2023

For women’s basketball players and coaches at Wichita State, their relationships transcend basketball and turn into a support system. With Wichita State women’s basketball, they make it happen through...

Henry Thengvall enters the arena during the team presentation on Oct. 7 at Shocker Madness.

Redshirt freshman does not foresee any problems this season

Sascha Harvey, Opinion Editor November 8, 2023

Does redshirt freshman Henry Thengvall have anything he’s worried about for this upcoming season of men’s basketball? No, he doesn’t.  A Wichita native, Thengvall attended Kapaun Mt. Carmel High...

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...

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