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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

Don Wadsworth and other members of the early Shocker Rowing teams sit together and catch up at the cocktail reception. The reception was held to help celebrate the rowing team's 50th anniversary.

Shocker Rowing celebrates 50th anniversary, reminisces on past and future of program

Evan Tong, Reporter April 29, 2025

The current Shocker Rowing boathouse is located on the riverfront of McLean Boulevard. However, during its 50 years as a program, the team has called many places home. “The very first one when I was...

Rick Steelsmith, the men's head bowling coach, talks about the team's 2025 season, which concluded earlier this week. The team came in second place at the Intercollegiate Team Championships.

Wichita State men’s bowling not satisfied with second-place finish at Intercollegiate Championships

Owen Prothro, Assistant Sports Editor April 28, 2025

After competing as one of the best 16 teams in the country, Wichita State men’s bowling placed second at the Intercollegiate Team Championships from April 16 to 19. While most programs would be ecstatic...

Graduate student Lauren Lucas hugs her teammates after she hit a home run in the first game of a doubleheader against Charlotte on April 25. Lucas was one of three Shockers to go yard in the 7-3 win.

Softball wins fourth-straight series against Charlotte, celebrates seniors

Mack Smith, Reporter April 27, 2025

On its senior weekend, Wichita State’s softball team was able to win its fourth straight series against an American Athletic Conference opponent. WSU took two of three games from Charlotte in...

Sophomore Kam Durnin catches a ball and goes to tag a runner out on Sunday, April 27. Durnin hit 2-5 in WSU's loss to USF.

Baseball snaps nine-game losing streak on Saturday, still loses home series to South Florida

Evan Tong, Reporter April 27, 2025

Wichita State baseball’s home series against South Florida was marred by rain delays this weekend. The Shockers only managed to take Saturday’s game and lost the series but snapped a nine-game losing...

(Photo courtesy of Wichita State Athletics)

Men’s basketball signs Jaret Valencia, another Legacy High School graduate, in transfer portal

Jacob Unruh and Owen Prothro April 25, 2025

Wichita State men’s basketball added another former player from P.J. Couisnard’s high school program in the transfer portal on Friday morning. Jaret Valencia, a sophomore forward who played his...

(Photo courtesy of Wichita State Athletics)

A quarter century of Coach ‘Bolt: WSU track and field coach celebrates 25 years on campus

Evan Tong, Reporter April 24, 2025

When Steve Rainbolt finished his fifth season as the track and field head coach at Kent State, he wanted to return home. “I was far from my family, and so this was a chance to get back home,” Rainbolt...

Sophomore guard Salese Blow, junior guard Princess Anderson and forward Jayla Murray wait to be introduced as starters against Rice University. The trio combined for 25 points in the win against the Owls.

Women’s basketball roster gutted by transfer portal as eight players leave

Jacob Unruh, Sports Editor April 24, 2025

More than half of last season’s Wichita State women’s basketball roster has entered the transfer portal, a Wichita State spokesperson confirmed. Eight players — freshman KP Parr, sophomores Salese...

Freshman guard Zion Pipkin goes up for shot in the second half against Friends. Pipkin finished with two points.

Promising freshman Zion Pipkin is last WSU men’s basketball player to enter portal

Jacob Unruh, Sports Editor April 23, 2025

Wichita State men’s basketball saw one final player enter the transfer portal on Tuesday before it closed. Zion Pipkin, a freshman guard who played 7.4 minutes per game last year, is in the portal,...

The WSU baseball team meets at the end of the game on April 2. The Shockers fell short in their comeback attempt and lost, 13-10.

Wichita State pitching allows six home runs in 14-8 loss to Kansas State, losing streak now eight games

Jacob Unruh, Sports Editor April 22, 2025

Wichita State’s pitching allowed a season-high six homers to Kansas State on Tuesday night as the Wildcats romped to a 14-8 win in Manhattan. In a repeat of WSU’s game earlier this season against...

Graduate student Ellee Eck tosses her bat after she is walked against South Dakota State University. The Shockers were walked seven times in the 6-4 loss.

Ellee Eck hits three homers as softball run rules UMKC

Jayden Woods, Reporter April 22, 2025

Wichita State softball lit up the scoreboard Tuesday afternoon, powering past UMKC with a dominant 15-2 victory at Wilkins Stadium that was called after five innings due to the run rule. The Shockers...

Sophomore Tyler Dobbs winds up to throw a pitch on April 12. Dobbs pitched 2 2/3 innings and allowed two runs against UTSA.

From Texas to Wichita State, high school teammates stay together on the baseball diamond

Mack Smith, Reporter April 21, 2025

Many athletes say goodbye to their high school teammates when they graduate, but for Wichita State baseball’s Lane Haworth, Tyler Dobbs and MJ Seo, they get to play together in college. “When you...

Junior Aaron Arnold throws a pitch against UTSA on April 12. Arnold started on the mound and allowed six runs in 1 1/3 innings.

Baseball gets swept by FAU to extend worst losing streak since 2022

Owen Prothro, Assistant Sports Editor April 19, 2025

Wichita State baseball lost its third consecutive series against an American Athletic Conference opponent over the weekend. The Shockers were swept in three games on the road against FAU. The Shockers,...

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