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The Sunflower

Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower

Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower

Chris Prout plays a competitive match of table tennis on Sept. 12. Prout is a second year player for the Wichita State team.

‘Lifelong sport’: Table tennis team embraces competition, community

Courtney Brown, Investigative News Editor September 14, 2023

If visitors made their way from the gravely parking lot into the Sunset Banquet Hall, they would be greeted by the sound of tennis balls pinging against paddles. The spacious building has several table...

Redshirt senior Natsumi Kurahashi hits the ball toward Houston on April 1, 2022. Kurahashi has been on the womens tennis team for four years and is heading into her fifth year. (cropped)

Wichita State women’s tennis diverse in more ways than one

Mia Hennen, Editor in Chief September 13, 2023

After closing off their 2022-2023 season with a handful of accomplishments, like a finished, unbeaten season at home for the first time in seven years and two weeks in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association...

The Wichita State pickleball courts on Sept. 12. Most nights, the court was packed with casual players and teams.

‘Anyone can play’: Pickleball’s astronomic rise reaches Wichita State

Trinity Ramm, Managing Editor September 13, 2023

On any given night near the Heskett Center courts, passersby can hear the familiar popping of the latest sports craze — pickleball. Pickleball is a paddle-based game that is played with up to four...

High jumper Brady Palen warms up on the track as track and field practice begins. Palen is a junior at Wichita State.

Wichita State track athlete Brady Palen high jumps into leadership role

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Editor September 13, 2023

Building off the momentum of past seasons, high jumper Brady Palen is ready to continue his track career — now as a junior. In his sophomore indoor season, Palen high jumped in eight meets, placing...

Vamshi Voopkur, a new recruit on the JV Valorant team, warms up for an esports match on Sept. 12.

Esports team prepares for new season after tryouts

Avery Gathright, Reporter September 13, 2023

The Wichita State esports team is hoping for a successful season after holding tryouts last month. The team wants to climb the ranks of collegiate esports while strengthening the bonds between members. The...

Aliyah Welters, an assistant coach for Wichita States track and field team, watches runners at the Sept. 12 practice. Welters helps coach pole vaulters on the team.

New pole vaulting, assistant track and field coach brings positivity to WSU team

Lydia Steeby, Reporter September 12, 2023

Five-time All American and seven-time All Atlantic Coast Conference pole vaulter Aliyah Welters joined Wichita State’s track and field team as an assistant coach this year.  Welters grew up doing...

Wichita Valkyries rugby team members set up for a scrum. In rugby, forwards from each team push against each other in a scrum to obtain possession of the ball, which is thrown between the teams.

Building a sisterhood: Wichita rugby brings experienced, inexperienced players together

Isabel Ordoñez, Reporter September 12, 2023

What started as a group of rugby fans teaching themselves to play has evolved into the competitive women’s rugby team, the Wichita Valkyries. The Wichita Women's Rugby Football Club was founded...

The WSU volleyball starting players huddle together before the start of the first set against Colorado on Sept. 9. This matchup was Colorados first time facing Wichita State.

Wichita State volleyball returns key players to build on last season

Jacob Unruh, Reporter September 12, 2023

After the team’s first postseason berth since 2017 last year, Wichita State volleyball is looking to compete at an even higher level this season. Last year, an 18-13 season concluded with a nomination...

The mens golf team is looking forward to the rest of their season. (Courtesy of GoShockers.com)

‘The vibes are really, really good’: Men’s golf looks forward to record-setting year

Sascha Harvey, Opinion Editor September 11, 2023

Wichita State men’s golf hasn’t made it to the national championship since 2005, during head coach Judd Easterling’s senior year. Other than the loss of Braeburn Golf Course in 2014, not much has...

Director of Operations Roger Shurtz watches the mens cross country runners finish out the meet at the JK Gold Classic on Sept. 2.

‘Die together’: Cross country teams share goals after successful first meet

Mia Hennen, Editor in Chief September 11, 2023

After sweeping the competition at their first meet of the season, the Wichita State cross country teams have their eyes set on bigger and better wins for the new season. At the JK Gold Classic,...

Hunter Orr tries shooting clay pigeons during the Wichita State Shooting Team practice on Sept. 6. The team hosts practice at Ark Valley Gun Club three times a week and competes about once a month in Kansas and surrounding states.

University shooting team prioritizes safety, friendship

Salsabila Attaria, Arts and Culture Editor September 11, 2023

For the president and vice president of the Wichita State shooting team, the lesser-recognized sport provides a safe place to practice the hobby. Tyler Bayliff, team president, and Kolton Varner, team...

Players get set up to recieve the ball during the match against the University of Colorado. This matchup was the last of three during the Shocker Volleyball Classic.

‘Embarrassed’: Volleyball swept by Colorado

Jacob Unruh, Reporter September 11, 2023

On Taylor Swift Night in Charles Koch Arena, Wichita State volleyball put up a blank space in the sets column as they lost 3-0 (21-25), (11-25), (23-25) to Colorado. The Buffaloes maintained a 3...

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