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
Kristy Mace

Kristy Mace, Photographer

Kristy Mace is a photographer for The Sunflower. Mace served as the photo editor during the 2023-2024 year. She’s majoring in psychology. Mace hopes to go on to get her Ph.D. and become a neuropsychologist. She does professional photography aside from The Sunflower.

All content by Kristy Mace
Wichita State bench players celebrate a 3-pointer in the second half against Emporia State. The Shockers shot 40% from the 3-point line on Oct. 27.

[Photo] Men’s basketball flashes potential in exhibition blowout of Emporia State

Jacob Unruh, Sports Editor
October 27, 2024
Jeff Blubaugh and Sarah Lopez prepare for a forum at on housing at Friend's University. The candidates discussed subjects such as new home ownership, zoning, taxes, and more.

[Photo] Live on or near campus? Meet the candidates who represent you in the Kansas Legislature.

Jacob Unruh, Sports Editor
October 17, 2024
Ornella Niankan guards Jordan Jackson during the Oct. 5 scrimmage. Jackson is a redshirt sophomore and a transfer from Texas Woman's.

Aicha Ndour and Ella Anciaux jump for possession of the ball during the Oct. 5 scrimmage. Wichita State has their exhibition game against Northeastern State on Oct. 30.

The Wichita State cheer team performs a group routine on Oct. 5. The cheer team also won the Shocktober Fest spirit award at Shocker Madness.

The Wichita State cheer team performs a group routine on Oct. 5. The cheer team also won the Shocktober Fest spirit award at Shocker Madness.

The Wichita State dance team performs a routine at Shocker Madness. The dance team performs at all the home basketball games throughout the year.

The Shocker Sound Machine performs several songs during their Shocker Madness routine. The band performs at all the home games in Koch Arena.

Quincy Ballard turns to pass the ball to a teammate during the Shocker Madness scrimmage. The men's basketball team had a 12 minute game at the end of the Oct. 5 event.

A Wichita State cheerleader jumps during a timeout in the men's scrimmage on Oct. 5. Shocker Madness closed out the week long events to celebrate Shocktoberfest.

Harlond Beverly dribbles past defenders during an intrasquad scrimmage at Shocker Madness on Oct. 5. Beverly scored a team-high 10 points for the black team.

[Photo] Harlond Beverly makes an impact on and off the court for WSU basketball

November 1, 2024
Riley McMillan and Matthew Phan pose with Rick Muma after being crowned Shocktoberfest Royalty.

Wichita State players stand on the sidelines in the fifth set against Rice. The Shockers fell to the Owls 3-2 on Oct. 6.

Alyssa Gonzales passes the ball over the net in the fifth set on Oct. 6. Gonzales scored 14.5 points against Rice and made 13 kills.

Emerson Wilford hits the ball over the net in the fourth set. Wilford scored 10 kills and nine digs during the game.

Katie Galligan passes the ball to a teammate in the fourth set. Galligan, a junior, scored 11 digs during the game on Oct. 6.

Emerson Wilford runs to save a ball that lands on a table in the fourth set. Wilford scored 10 kills and nine digs during the game.

The Wichita State Shockers celebrate after winning the point on a long volley. The Shockers fell to Rice 3-2 on Oct. 6.

Emerson Wilford passes the ball to a teammate in the third set. Wilford scored 12.5 points for the Shockers on Oct. 6.

Brooklyn Leggett and her teammates celebrate after scoring a point in the third set on Oct. 6. Wichita State took the third set against Rice 25-22.

[Photo] Volleyball spoils Tulane’s senior day with a sweep

November 10, 2024
Maddie Wilson and Brooklyn Leggett block the ball from Rice in the third set. The two players had a combined 10 blocks during the game.

Izzi Strand sets the ball to a teammate during the second set against Rice. Strand made 44 assists during the game.

Reagan Anderson recieves the ball from Rice in the second set. Anderson, a sophomore, made six digs during the game.

Morgan Stout and Izzi Strand jump to block the ball in the second set. The two players had a combined six blocks during the game.

Maddie Wilson jumps to hit the ball over the net in the second set. Wilson had nine kills during the game against Rice on Oct. 6.

Annalie Heliste passes the ball to a teammate during the second set. Heliste made 11 digs and five assists during the game against Rice.

Maddie Wilson jumps to hit the ball over the net in the second set. Wilson had nine kills and seven blocks during the game against Rice.

[Photo] Volleyball drops ‘sweet and sour’ game to Rice, snaps winning streak

October 6, 2024
Maddie Wilson and Brooklyn Leggett jump and try to block the ball. Leggett made three blocks during the game against Rice.

Alyssa Gonzales hits the ball past the Rice blockers on Oct. 6. Gonzales, a redshirt freshman, scored 13 kills during the game.

Annalie Heliste digs the ball in the first set. Heliste, a senior, made 11 digs during the Oct. 6 game.

Morgan Stout attempts a kill against Rice on Oct. 6. The Shockers fell to the Owls 3-2, and faced their first conference loss this season.

[Photo] Volleyball's Morgan Stout has a competitive fire — and another side fans don’t see

October 30, 2024
Emerson Wilford hits the ball past the Rice defenders on Oct. 6. Wilford, a junior, scored 10 kills and three blocks during the game.

Morgan Stout jumps to fake a hit in the first set. Stout made 13 kills and three blocks during the game on Oct. 6.

Morgan Stout attempts a kill in the first set against Rice on Oct. 6. Stout, a redshirt senior, made 13 kills throughout the game.

The acrobatic roller skating duo performed at the "Paranormal Cirque II" on Sept. 14. The stunt consisted of a woman swinging from the neck of a man with roller skates.

PHOTOS: Paranormal Cirque

Kristy Mace, Photographer
September 18, 2024
The men's basketball team plays a scrimmage match during practice on Sept. 17. The team played in three teams: red, blue and black.

PHOTOS: Men’s basketball open practice

Kristy Mace and Evan Tong
September 18, 2024
Madi Montgomery, a junior, gets dunked at the water dunking station. Montgomery is a transition mentor who helped set up WSU's first Shocker State Fair.

PHOTOS: Shocker State Fair

Kristy Mace, Photographer
September 17, 2024
Haiya Patel and Dhruv Lakhiyar, two aerospace engineering students, throw fake axes at the inflatable targets at the Shocker State Fair on Sept. 13. The event, hosted by the Office of First-Year Programs, was held outside of Charles Koch Arena.

[Photo] ‘Something that energizes’: Shocker Fair creates spectacle for students and transition mentors

Mya Scott, Reporter
September 17, 2024
PHOTOS: Empty Bowls Wichita fundraiser

PHOTOS: Empty Bowls Wichita fundraiser

Joselyn Steele and Kristy Mace
September 9, 2024
The winners of clash of the colleges, the College of Health Professions, pose while their photo is taken beneath fireworks on Aug. 23 at the 10th annual Clash of the Colleges competition.

PHOTOS: Clash of the Colleges 2024

Kristy Mace, Mya Scott, and Cheyanne Tull
August 26, 2024
Engineering students chant together as they prepare to head outside for the Clash of the Colleges event on Aug. 23. The Pre-Party for engineering students allowed some to get letters and exclamation marks painted on their chests.

PHOTOS: College of Engineering Clash of the Colleges Pep Rally

Kristy Mace, Photographer
August 25, 2024
A graduate smiles while listening to the opening remarks on May 11. Wichita State hosted three commencement ceremonies throughout the day.

PHOTOS: Spring Graduation 2024

Kristy Mace, Allison Campbell, and Taliyah Winn
May 14, 2024
Last to perform at SAC's Shockers Got Talent event was the student band Tall Glass of Root Beer. The group performed their rendition of "Paranoid" by Black Sabbath.

PHOTOS: Shockers Got Talent

Kristy Mace, Photo Editor
April 13, 2024
Dalen Ridgnal attempts a 3-point shot during the second half on March 15. Wichita State fell to UAB in the third round match of the AAC tournament.

[Photo] Men’s basketball’s season ends in the quarterfinals of the AAC tournament against UAB

March 15, 2024
The Shockers celebrate their win versus No. 5 Memphis by holding a mocking thumbs down. The gesture is in reference to a video of Memphis played earlier in the game.

PHOTOS: Men’s basketball vs. Memphis in AAC tournament

Kristy Mace, Photo Editor
March 14, 2024
Harlond Beverly yells after the Shockers win against Memphis on March 14. The team will face UAB in their next round of competition.

Quincy Ballard shoots a basket early in the second half of the game. Ballard scored eight points in the second round match versus Memphis.

Bijan Cortes jumps to pass the ball to a teammate in the second half. Cortes scored 11 points and five assists during the March 14 match.

Teammates Colby Rogers and Quincy Ballard block a shot by Memphis. Wichita State defeated the Memphis 71-65 on Thursday afternoon.

Quincy Ballard jumps for the start of game tip off on March 14. Ballard, a nearly 7-foot junior, scored eight points throughout the game.

Dalen Ridgnal adds Wichita State's label to the quarterfinals bracket following their win against Memphis. Ridgnal scored eight points throughout the game.

DJ McCarty runs past the South Florida defense during the AAC tournament second-round match. The senior scored four points on March 10 and a total of 171 points throughout her final collegiate season.

PHOTOS: Women’s basketball vs. South Florida in AAC tournament

Kristy Mace, Photo Editor
March 12, 2024
Daniela Abies adds the Wichita State badge to the round two bracket following the Shockers' win on March 9. Wichita State advanced to round two and will face South Florida.

PHOTOS: Women’s Basketball vs. Florida Atlantic in AAC tournament

Kristy Mace, Photo Editor
March 10, 2024
Aaron Haynes, an Alpha Phi Alpha member, strolls on Feb. 17. Haynes studies forensic science at Wichita State.

PHOTOS: Battle of the Greeks

Kristy Mace, Photo editor
February 27, 2024
Cody Johnson plays his guitar during his opening song on Feb. 9. Johnson performed at Intrust Bank Arena as part of The Leather Tour.

PHOTOS: Cody Johnson Concert

Kristy Mace, Photo Editor
February 11, 2024
Owen Prothro

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.

[Photo] No NCAA, no problem: Volleyball reflects on NIVC Championship

February 16, 2024
Morgan Stout flexes after the team scores a point to advance their lead in the third set. Stout led the team in points scored for the Dec. 6 game, scoring 18 points.

The sideline players lift freshman Reagan Anderson during the third set of the Dec. 6 game versus Drake.

Barbara Koehler jumps for a kill during the third set against Drake University in the Great 8 of the NIVT. Koehler only played one set on Dec. 6, but scored four kills and three digs.

Morgan Stout turns to her teammates to celebrate a point in the third set of the Great 8 match. Stout scored 18 points for the Shockers, including 14 kills.

Emerson Wilford hits the ball past Drake's blockers in the third set on Dec. 6. Wilford, a sophomore outside hitter, scored five and a half points during the game.

The Shockers celebrate a point made in the third set against Drake in the Great 8 of the NIVT. Following this win, WSU will move on to the Fab Four versus Montana State.

Teammates Izzi Strand and Natalie Foster look to each other while celebrating a point made in the close second set. Between the two, Strand and Foster scored a third of the team's points, putting up 24.5 points together.

Morgan Stout swings for a kill during the second set of the game versus Drake on Dec. 6. Stout scored 14 kills throughout the game, nine of which were in the first set exclusively.

Morgan Stout swings to get the ball over the net in the second set against Drank in the Great 8.

Brylee Kelly talks to teammate Natalie Foster after a timeout in the second set. Kelly played two sets of the Dec. 6 game versus Drake University.

[Photo] ‘Fell in love with it’: Brylee Kelly reflects on journey, achievements at Wichita State

December 11, 2023
Morgan Stout swings to hit the ball past the Drake blocker in the second set. Stout scored 18 points throughout the night, including 14 kills.

The Shockers celebrate a point made in the close first set against Drake in the Great 8 of the NIVT. Though sets usually go to 25, the Shockers won the first set 30-28.

Gabi Maas, Katie Galligan and Morgan Stout celebrate after evening the score early in the first set. Wichita State faced Drake University of Des Moines, Iowa in the Great 8 of the NIVT.

[Photo] Volleyball sweeps Drake to advance to semifinals of NIVC

December 7, 2023
11.29 mbb vs richmond-34

Kadrian Ayarza

Cheri Kempf, the senior vice president and director of softball for Athletes Unlimited, speaks during the Nov. 17 press conference in Heskett Center.

Thy Vo

Trinity Ramm

[Photo] Ramm: How I found and left The Sunflower

May 7, 2024
Loren Amelunke

Sophie Hillman, who plays Cassie, performs her solo routine during the presentation of "A Chorus Line" on Nov. 3. Hillman is in her last semester at Wichita State, having gathered several credits throughout her college career.

PHOTOS: ‘A Chorus Line’

Kristy Mace, Photo Editor
November 6, 2023
Melissa Espinoza

Following the Shocker win against the MSSU Lions, Aniya Bell waves to the audience. Wichita won their Nov. 1 exhibition match, 75-65.

PHOTOS: Women’s basketball vs Missouri Southern State

Kristy Mace and Cheyanne Tull
November 2, 2023
Rapper Tech N9ne performs at the end of the Shocker Madness event in Koch Arena on Oct. 7. Tech N9ne performed an hour long set including hit songs "Red Kingdom", "Hood Go Crazy", and "Face Off".

PHOTOS: Shocker Madness

Kristy Mace, Photo Editor
October 12, 2023
Morgan Weber watches as Morgan Stout hits the ball past an opposing player in the Oct. 6 game in Charles Koch Arena.

[Photo] Wichita State volleyball sweeps South Florida

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Editor
October 11, 2023
Representatives from WSU Tech walked in the Shocktoberfest Parade on Oct. 6. Members of WSU Tech marched with banners, a model airplane, and a car.

PHOTOS: Shocktoberfest Parade

Kristy Mace, Photo Editor
October 10, 2023
Leslie Powell holds a banner during the speaker presentation on Oct. 7. The banner is in memory of her daughter, Haley Powell, who passed away in 2022.

PHOTOS: Purple Mile

Kristy Mace, Photo Editor
October 9, 2023
Wu waves to the audience enjoying the Shocktoberfest Parade on Oct. 6. The parade wrapped up in Braeburn Square, where a patio party was also hosted.

The Wichita State Shockers celebrate after taking a point in the second set. WSU won the first three matches to take the win against Temple on Oct. 6.

[Photo] Sophia Rohling leads volleyball to victory against Temple

October 8, 2023
WSU faculty members listen during a panel presentation. Almost 50 new faculty members were hired for the fall 2024 semester.

[Photo] Nearly 50 faculty hired for fall semester

September 12, 2024
Elizabeth Wingo, director of risk management for Sedgwick County, speaks during the Humanities Panel in the RSC on Oct. 3. Wingo sat between Susan Castro and Robin Henry.

[Photo] ‘Come alive’: Panelists share value of humanities, encourage stretching comfort zones

October 6, 2023
Managing Director with Alvarez and Marsal Healthcare Industry Group, Mark Finucane, speaks during the Beyond the Degree Panel on Oct. 3. Finucane sat next to Clarence Albury, a graduate student.

Students, staff and faculty were invited to the RSC for the Beyond the Degree Panel event on Oct. 3. The panel consisted of current students, staff and community members.

Alexander Engledow

Morgan Weber runs a lap around the arena with her team, high-fiving fans. Wichita State won against Charlotte, 3-0 on Sept. 23.

PHOTOS: Volleyball vs. Charlotte 49ers

Kristy Mace, Photo Editor
September 26, 2023
A goat chews grass from one of the lots by the innovation campus on Sept. 14. There was a total of 140 goats on campus.

[Photo] ‘It’s an all-around benefit’: Goats visit WSU Campus

Lydia Steeby, Reporter
September 19, 2023
Chris Prout plays a competitive match of table tennis on Sept. 12. Prout is a second year player for the Wichita State team.

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

Courtney Brown, Investigative News Editor
September 14, 2023
The WSU volleyball starting players huddle together before the start of the first set against Colorado on Sept. 9. This matchup was Colorado's first time facing Wichita State.

[Photo] Wichita State volleyball returns key players to build on last season

Jacob Unruh, Reporter
September 12, 2023
Andrea Glessner, a staff member with Wichita State, waits before her blood draw. The Blood Draw event, hosted on Sept. 5 and 6, took place in the RSC.

Ryan Hughes, a member of the community, sits as he is prepped for the blood draw. The Blood Drive event was hosted in the Ballroom of the RSC on Sept. 5 and 6.

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