Skip to Main Content
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

Sophomore Brady Hamilton pitches ball against East Carolina on May 3. The Pirates won, 6-1, against the Shockers.

Baseball hits walk-off to win series against East Carolina

Jayden Woods, Reporter May 4, 2025

Wichita State baseball kept its postseason hopes alive over the weekend, taking two of three games from East Carolina in a pivotal American Athletic Conference series at Eck Stadium.  Fueled by...

Senior Camryn Compton greets her teammates after making the first run for WSU against the University of Kansas on April 30. The Shockers fell, 5-3, after going nine innings.

Softball closes out regular season with series win at Memphis, misses out on AAC Championship bye

Jacob Unruh, Sports Editor May 4, 2025

Wichita State softball took two of three games on the road against Memphis over the weekend — but it wasn’t enough to earn a bye in the upcoming American Athletic Conference Championship. After...

Senior Audrey Parson rests after running the women's 800 meters on April 11. Parson was WSU's second fastest runner in the women's 800 at the KT Woodman Classic.

‘The hard work is paying off’: Track and field’s Audrey Parson on five years as a Shocker

Ainsley Smyth, News Editor May 1, 2025

Audrey Parson has always been competitive. The senior Wichita State track and field athlete said it's something that started young, with her dad encouraging her along the way.  Parson started running...

Graduate student Lauren Lucas readies up to hit the ball back during a game against the University of Kansas. The Shockers dropped the game, 5-3, after going to two extra innings.

Softball sends final home game this season to extra innings, loses to Kansas

Owen Prothro, Assistant Sports Editor April 30, 2025

In its final home game of the season, Wichita State’s softball team forced extra innings after trailing by two runs in the bottom of the seventh. The Shockers ultimately pushed the game to a ninth...

(Image courtesy of Emmanuel Okorafor and Wichita State Athletics)

Men’s basketball signs Nigerian center Emmanuel Okorafor from Seton Hall

Owen Prothro, Assistant Sports Editor April 29, 2025

Emmanuel Okorafor, a 6-foot-9 junior center, announced his commitment to Wichita State’s men’s basketball team on Tuesday afternoon via X, formerly known as Twitter. He will join the Shockers as...

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...

Load More Stories