The Sunflower v. 130 i. 18 (Feb. 10, 2026)

SPRING SPORTS

How the equestrian world, track and field have helped Kelli DeSpain build bonds

BY MYA SCOTT opinion@thesunflower.com

While most girls were into Barbies and dresses at the age of 7, Kelli DeSpain got her first horseriding lessons in a barn on the outskirts of Edmond, Okla.

Born into a family of horse riders, DeSpain said that it was always “something she wanted to do.”

“Growing up, going to my grandparents’ ranch, riding their horses and then eventually my dad and papa bought me a horse,” DeSpain said. “His name was Freddy.”

She didn’t just ride for fun, however. In her youth, DeSpain competed in shows, where horses compete in events including speed and jumping. DeSpain and her horses have placed top 10 nationally and won about $15,000 in scholarships.

“I was pretty good,” DeSpain said. “I don’t like to brag about it, but yes.”

Riding horses wasn’t the only thing she was good at in her youth. DeSpain found a passion in track and field, specifically throwing events, in middle school and continued into high school. She went on to earn back-to-back Oklahoma State Championships in discus at Edmond Memorial High. Now a sophomore in college at Wichita State, DeSpain shares her passion for track with her teammates.

But it wasn’t always easy.

“I didn’t have a horse here last year, and so I kind of struggled with that, just missing home a lot,” DeSpain said.

To combat the rising homesickness, DeSpain bought Josie, an opinionated and sassy Pony of America, in August to keep in Wichita. She resides at a place called Eagle View, about 20 minutes away from where DeSpain lives.

“It definitely helps me mentally,” she said. “It’s just very relaxing for me and turns my brain off. … There’s never a bad moment out there for me with them.”

The joy of horses isn’t kept just in DeSpain’s heart; she shares her love with her teammates.

“We ended up becoming fast friends,” junior Karlynn Hornung said. “As soon as I learned that (she) had horses, I was like, ‘Ooh yep, we’re friends now.’… I think there’s been a couple times where I’ve been like, ‘Hey, Kelli, can we go see the horses? I just need to go see a horse; I miss my animals.’” It isn’t just her pets that draw her friends to her, however. Hornung described DeSpain as an “amazing” person.

“She wants to make everybody feel good and wants to try to bring a smile to everybody’s face,” Hornung said. “It’s always a good day when Kelli’s around.” Now, alone or with her newfound friends, DeSpain has Josie nearby to visit whenever she finds time, day or night, to just clear her thoughts.

How Wichita State track and field can add titles No. 37 and 38 under Steve Rainbolt

BY OWEN PROTHRO sports@thesunflower.com

You may get a conflicting answer if you ask Steve Rainbolt about the recent success of Wichita State’s track and field program. The men’s team won backto-back American Conference Outdoor Championships in 2022 and 2023. They’ve placed in the top five every year since then. But Rainbolt would describe the women’s team as a group that’s rebuilding since joining the conference. The only title they’ve won was in 2019.

“We’ve had really good success in women’s track and crosscountry,” the Shockers’ 26th-year head coach said. “Right now, we’re in what I will refer to as a ‘rebuilding mode.’ We don’t like that. We want to be battling for conference titles in women’s track and field.”

He goes back to a photo that hangs in his office, sitting on the northeast corner of the StudentAthlete Success Center next to Koch Arena. The photo shows the 2004 team posed with both the men’s and women’s Missouri Valley Conference trophies in front of them. It was Rainbolt’s fourth season at the helm.

For the program, the photo is a blast to the past. For Rainbolt, it’s what he envisions for the future of Wichita State’s track and field program.

“We’ve won 36 titles in my 25 years here,” Rainbolt said. “Winning the conference championship is how I measure our success. We win conference titles, or I feel like we’ve got to figure out why we didn’t win and what we need to do to win next time.”

Where the women’s team can score big

An elementary answer to what the Shockers’ women’s track and field team needs is recruitment — and recruitment of “real good athletes,” alongside developers, is at the heart of the rebuild.

“We need to recruit better athletes all the time. Continue upping the profile of the athletes that we are recruiting,” Rainbolt put it plainly. “Well, we’re working hard on that. We’re trying real hard to fill our team with better and better athletes.”

But that’s too simple. Beyond recruitment, Rainbolt still needs to figure out how to get to the next level.

He said the coaching staff analyzes how other teams in the conference “exploit” certain areas and events. It’s not the kind of exploitation that bends rules to create an unfair advantage.

It’s knowing what areas are tougher to score in than others, then recruiting to fill those gaps.

“I use the term ‘exploit,’ where you can exploit that,” Rainbolt said. “Where you can recruit to that event and go, ‘Hey, we can score some points in that event if we can get two or three good athletes in that event. Then, we’ll get them up in the scoring.”

One event he sees real strength in this season is the women’s pole vault.

Four vaulters traveled to the DeLoss Dodds invitational on Jan. 30, and all four placed in the top 10 of the meet. At the home Coach Wilson Invitational the same weekend, sophomore Alexis Phillips took home silver with a 3.69-meter vault.

“I’ve seen a strong group from the previous meet and previous years. They’re really strong,” senior Lucy Ndungu said.

Along with the pole vaulters, Ndungu and the distance runners are also poised to score for the Shockers. Graduate Sarah Bertry is coming off a successful crosscountry season. So is freshman Mercy Jepkoech.

Freshman Vivien Joritch Kipkorir out of Iten, Kenya, is also expected to be near the top of women’s distance times.

“Wherever they’ve came from, they have a pretty strong image of showing they’re able to score at the conference level,” Ndungu said. “Specifically, the 5k, 3k and the mile.”

It’s an encouraging sign for Rainbolt.

“We can be a solid, upperdivision team on the women’s side,” he said.

The men’s side of the American is no joke

Only one conference has been faster in men’s sprints than the American over the past few track and field seasons: the Southeastern Conference.

In 2024, it took a 20.47 second time to qualify for the finals of the SEC Outdoor Championships in the 200 meters. For the American’s runners, the time was 20.56 seconds and 20.91 seconds in the Big 12.

Just last year, 9.99 seconds led the preliminaries during the men’s 100 meters at the SEC Championships. The top time was 10.21 seconds in the American, followed by the Big 12’s top time at 10.31.

“All those other conferences — the Big 10, the Big 12, the Pac-12, the ACC — none of them were as tough as our league. Except the SEC,” Rainbolt said. “It was almost equal. So, what are you going to do? Recruit to

that event?

“It’s an awfully tough event to recruit to. They better be a pretty good athlete, or they’re not going to make the final. They’re just not.

“They’re not going to make the final if they’re not an awfully good athlete, or until they develop. And that’s a possibility, but that’s the new world that we live in.”

Only one goal sits in the minds of Wichita State’s men’s sprinters: win both the indoor and outdoor conference championships.

“I go to meets thinking that I can win,” junior Jason Parrish said. “I know most of our athletes in the program, they’re going in with the same mindset (of) whatever it takes. They’re going to try to win or place high enough to get All-Conference at the conference meet.”

Distance events, like on the women’s side, are also a strength of this season’s team.

The Shockers have welcomed newcomers in Elkana Kipruto and Kelvin Kipyego, who have been off to a record-setting start since the cross-country season.

Kipruto, in his first season sporting the black and yellow, has shattered program records like the men’s 8-kilometer and became the first Wichita State cross-country runner to win a conference title since 1992. He also set a record in the men’s 5,000-meter by nearly 30 seconds.

Both Kirputo and Kipyego have entered the top 10 in program history in the men’s mile and 3,000-meter. Sophomore Chairo Ogbebor has also etched his name in the record books after a 6.65-second 60-meter race at the Coach Wilson Invitational.

Teammates knew right away that Kipruto would be special.

“I seen him train once, and just the stride pattern and everything he does,” Parrish said. “During cross-country, when he eventually won (the conference) and made nationals, is when I knew he’s the real deal.”

It may not be the 2004 team that won both the men’s and women’s conference titles, but Rainbolt is confident that the 2026 Wichita State track and field squad has what it takes to compete at the top.

“We’ve got a very, very nice men’s team that’s going to be tough to beat at the American Conference Championship in Birmingham, Ala.,” he said. “But on the women’s side, our team is not as strong. It’s a good team. In fact, I’m pleased with how things look early on. … I think we stand a good chance of achieving our goal of finishing in the upper-half of the conference.”

‘She’s not done yet’: Lucy Ndungu approaches senior season with hope after injury

BY TALIYAH WINN editor@thesunflower.com

It was the 2024 NCAA West Preliminaries, a step away from the national championship. In her junior year, Lucy Ndungu qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 10,000meter, with a time of 34:23.39. In between races, Ndungu, one of Wichita State’s top runners, broke her toe. Her coaches didn’t find out until weeks later.

“I raced through the pain, trained through the pain,” Ndungu said. “But my goal was to keep pushing myself and see how far I can go. And I did so, made it to nationals with an injury. Not many knew.”

Ndungu didn’t realize the severity of the injury at the time, but did feel the pain. She just “had to hold on,” she said. For her, that meant a runner-up finish at the cross-country conference championship.

“You don’t do what she did without being a tremendous competitor,” said Kirk Hunter, assistant track and field distance coach. “To even think about qualifying for nationals… most people wouldn’t have even thought about that.”

The injury finally forced her to take a break and focus on recovery. She had to rely on her coaches, doctors and trainers to make sure she was on the right track. Now in her senior year, Ndungu wouldn’t say that period was easy.

“I had to motivate myself and just keep on holding on to hope, faith, that everything will work out. I’ll come back stronger,” Ndungu said. “That was the goal to take a leave and also be able to come back stronger from where I left off.”

But injury is a part of life, especially for a high-level athlete. Ndungu said she still found positives in her situation.

“I can say I enjoyed it, because that’s how life is,” Ndungu said. “You encounter some circumstances that you have to keep pushing (through) to keep on moving forward.”

A tough competitor

No matter the year, Ndungu always has the same goal — to push herself as far as she can.

“I don’t have a limit on myself,” Ndungu said. “But my goal is to help our team score, help our team go far and just see what we can all do together.”

Faith is the main driver for Ndungu. When she’s at the line or preparing to compete, she prays and clears her mind.

“If I have anything going on in me, any anxiety, I just, I talk it out to God, and I always remind myself, even if I feel what I’m feeling, I’m still going to run,” she said. “So I’d rather conserve my energy and use that energy on the line.”

But there is more to be done. Nearing the transition from indoor to outdoor meets, Ndungu and her coaches are still waiting for what the season holds.

She had to rely on her coaches, doctors and trainers to make sure she was on the right track.

“I’m grateful to have been given a chance here at Wichita State University,” Ndungu said. “It’s bittersweet to really hear or really see. It’s coming to an end slowly, but we’re not done yet.”

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Taliyah Winn editor@thesunflower.com

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A ‘better note’ is on the horizon in 2026 for Shocker Baseball

BY OWEN PROTHRO sports@thesunflower.com

Eight months and 14 days ago, Matt Rose’s solo shot for South Florida at BayCare Ballpark ended Wichita State’s season and left a stinging number: 36.

Thirty-six losses. Tied for the second-most the Shockers have worn. A number and lingering taste they’re looking to erase for good.

Jaden Gustafson, a Wichitan and one of seven returners, is reminded of what could have been and what’s still left on the table.

“There was never really any thoughts about leaving. Seriously,” the Maize High alum said. “I felt like there was some unfinished stuff I have here. I don’t like the way that last season … the taste it left in our mouth. I was ready to come back and end it on a better note.”

Gustafson wasn’t alone. Brady Hamilton, Zeb Henry, Karsen Richard, Nico Rodriguez, Owen Washburn and Kaleb Duncan were ready, too.

“They’ve been at the center of this thing, in terms of making it feel right,” coach Brian Green said. “Proud of these guys. We’re ready to go. We could go tomorrow.”

They’ll have to wait a little longer. The Shockers open their season at home for the first time since 2021 against Northern Colorado from Feb. 13-15. Valentine’s Day will feature a doubleheader, creating a fourgame series.

It’s the first sign of a season built with intent. Five of WSU’s six non-conference series will be four games. Of the 55 games this season, 33 will be at Eck Stadium.

The Shockers have eight midweek games scheduled — five on friendly turf — including a two-game series at home against Nebraska March 17-18. They went 2-9 in 11 midweek matchups last year, with wins against cross-town Division II Newman and Oral Roberts.

The change in scheduling is by design.

One: It limits travel time.

“You get into six-hour travel days, and to fill our 55, 56 games, we really wanted to establish that at home,” Green said.

Two: It allows a team with 31 new players (14 four-year transfers, 16 junior college transfers and one true freshman) to maximize time spent with coaches at their own facilities and with their own equipment.

“With all of the home games that we have, it gives us an opportunity to coach our players and maintain developing our players,” Green said. “You go on the road, and there’s five, six players that are left at home. They’re not working with the coaches. That’s a big deal as you get into April.”

While scheduling was a piece to this season’s puzzle, so was establishing a 38-player roster.

New era of NCAA means a new era of recruiting Recruitment has changed everywhere — from transfer portal chaos, NIL and last summer’s unprecedented House vs. NCAA settlement. Green estimated that coaches get 48 hours from the first interaction with a portal prospect to when that player signs with the university.

Green still aligns himself with player goals, familial relationships with players and the team’s goals. But his aim this offseason was to build the culture from the ground up. He’s tired of entitlement and players putting themselves before the program.

“Everybody’s got nice facilities and everybody’s got resources or money for players,” Green said. “The alignment piece is where the culture piece is going to improve our program. I felt like I failed at that last year. That’s why I feel like we’ve got really positive alignment with the culture of our group this year.” When scouting, experience was at the top of the list. It didn’t matter what your numbers were to Green. If you had 200 at bats or

That was one of the things that we really tried to target. If you look at our (14) guys coming out of the portal, they all had major experience with their team. At least 15 appearances on the mound, at least 75 at bats at the plate. Number one was experience.”

BRIAN GREEN Baseball Head Coach

started every game at a position, it showed him that your team had trust in you.

“That was one of the things that we really tried to target,” Green said. “If you look at our (14) guys coming out of the portal, they all had major experience with their team. At least 15 appearances on the mound, at least 75 at bats at the plate. Number one was experience.”

That philosophy and those metrics are just part of the roster rebuild. A cultural turnaround was at the forefront, too.

Returners ‘anchor’ the locker room vibe

With 31 new faces, those who are mainstays are the glue. And it’s no easy task to get that many new players bought into the same locker room.

They’ll have to keep everyone in the same framework and lead by example if the Shockers want to make another conference title game push and an NCAA Tournament berth.

“We talk every day about, ‘Adversities come. It’s guaranteed,’” Green said. “We’re going to have to patch where it’s not going well, whether it be the individual or the group. What I like most, and what I’m so thankful and appreciative with these guys, is their integrity and desire to make Wichita State great again. They mean it.

“We didn’t have a great season last year,” Green continued. “But from day one, Brady and Gus and Zeb and Wash and Dunk and Nico and Rich, they’ve held that locker room to a standard that says, ‘We’re not going through that again. We’re not going to have entitlement. We’re going to have something to prove.’ I really feel like they’ve anchored the beginning of what we want to be the culture.”

For Gustafson, that looks like playing and practicing with a competitive edge — that no workout or drill should be lackadaisical. As a self-proclaimed nonverbal leader, he thinks his actions will have a trickle-down effect.

It’s already starting to show.

“Last year when things went wrong, we just kind of laid down instead of fighting,” Gustafson said. “I’ve always been the type of person when things don’t go right, you have to get up and fight. I think we’ve got a lot of guys who

have that same mentality.”

When junior pitcher Hamilton was thrust into a leadership role last season in the bullpen, he admitted he didn’t have an idea of what being a cornerstone meant or what it looked like to keep everyone engaged when adversity hit.

It became apparent in the locker room that they didn’t have the right frame of mind. But from last year’s learning curve heading into this season, Hamilton thinks he’s in a better position to lead.

“I don’t think that we built, player-wise, a ‘team locker room’ that was able to still be tough with that adversity that we hit throughout the season,” he said. “That’s definitely not something we’re letting happen again. A bunch of new guys coming in, the good news is those guys, they’re all old. They’re experienced, and they’re really competitive.

“It’s a complete turnaround in the vibe of the locker room that I’ve seen in the past two years.”

More on the battery mates

The pitcher and catcher, the battery mates, for any team, help dictate the game. When they’re humming, so is everyone else.

But with two returning pitchers and the loss of Mauricio Millan, whom former players say they would “hang his banner” for his leadership, questions surrounded if the Shockers will improve on their struggles from a season ago.

They allowed the second-most runs in the American and even hit a program-low when they gave up 17 in a game to Louisiana Tech — one single blemish during a season with 36 of them.

It was a point of emphasis to shore up the mound, as Green signed 16 pitchers over the offseason, including Ethan Rogers out of high school, who turned down an MLB contract to attend Wichita State.

Green pointed to right handers Matthew Cuccias (Glendale), Johnny Nuanez (Grossmont)

and left hander Mitchell Johnson (Cowley) as pitchers to look out for from the JUCO ranks.

“Really impressed with our portal pitchers,” Green added. “Amar (Tsengeg) from Northwestern and Brady (Owens) from Georgia State are guys that you’re going to see a lot of.”

Paring down the lineup to just four starters remains the next challenge. So is filling Millan’s shoes.

“I think you’re going to see a little bit of a committee situation,” Green said of the catchers.

Max Kaufer, a South Carolina transfer, brings an elite defensive skillset. Once he finds his bat, Green believes Kaufer has a shot in the pros.

“He can really, really receive. That was one of the things that Mo was so good at in his career,” Green said.

Ethan Gonzalez, a Blinn College (Texas) transfer, already has the pop in the batter’s box. He hit 48 homers last season and finished the year batting .381. He made the NJCAA National Championship in both of his seasons for the Buccaneers and won the whole thing as a freshman.

On the staffing side of the bullpen, the hiring of Collin Wilbur to coach the catchers full-time has already helped fill the gaps.

“Hiring a true professional catching coach was going to majorly impact this,” Green said. “Brady would tell you, ‘Thank you, coach.’ We’re stealing strikes, and we’re keeping strikes in the zone. … Our catching core is outstanding.”

Last year’s scars won’t fade, but they’ve scabbed into something useful. With new faces, old voices and a locker room built on a vibe shift, the Shockers don’t just expect to find success — they expect to be different.

SCHEDULE

BUILT TOUGH BUILT TOUGH

Wichita State softball channels warready mentality with their new mantra

BY OWEN PROTHRO sports@thesunflower.com

Designed by women volunteers during World War II, the P-40 Warhawk helped Allied Powers win the war on the Pacific Front and played a major role in dogfights in Africa and China.

Warhawks used by the U.S. military had the largelyrecognizable shark mouth painted on the nose. They were built tough, withstanding many blows at a time.

Those planes, and the people who crafted them, have come to redefine Wichita State’s softball team. For a program founded on grit, development and second chances, this season’s “built tough” mantra fits the bill.

The Shockers will even wear it on their sleeves.

The shark mouth detail is strategically placed on batters’ protective equipment, a tasteful homage to hard work done in the past. It also signals that Wichita State is war-ready.

“We’re going to have to stick together,” coach Kristi Bredbenner said. “We’re going to take some lumps. We’ve got one of the hardest schedules that I’ve had, and that’s my jam. If we want to be the best, we’ve got to learn how to compete with the best. That’s the war that we’re going into.”

That identity was put to the test last Friday to Sunday when the Shockers traveled to Waco, Texas for the Getterman Classic at Baylor. Wichita State opened the tournament against No. 22/24 Mississippi State before the faced hosts, the Bears, in a Friday doubleheader.

The opening stretch should quickly align a team with 14 transfers and seven returners with just a season spent in the program — five of which are sophomores. The Shockers will spend the first month of the season away from Wilkins Stadium with eight Power Conference matchups.

Their first home game is March 4 at 6 p.m. against Kansas.

With so many fresh faces and young returners, it only felt right to invent a motto. After last season’s shortcomings, the culture needed a minor facelift. And with so many players sharing a common goal, it didn’t take long for it to take effect.

“There just seems to be more joy for each other this year,” Bredbenner said. “Which I think is always going to be a big part of our program, is seeing each other’s success and celebrating it. I didn’t see much of that last year. There was a bit of this me over we mentality with some of our kids, and I think that’s changed this year. You see them get excited for each other.”

“

We’ve got one of the hardest schedules that I’ve had, and that’s my jam. If we want to be the best, we’ve got to learn how to compete with the best.”

KRISTI BREDBENNER Head softball coach

Finding a ‘forever home’

Roster turnover has become a new norm within collegiate athletics programs over the last decade. The Shockers’ softball team was met with a mass exodus just last offseason when nine players entered the transfer portal and a handful exhausted eligibility.

In return, Wichita State matched the losses in the transfer portal with as many signings from either four-year or junior colleges. Five true freshmen round out the newcomers.

But Bredbenner, in her 15th season as head coach, has become a master at finding gems and offering often-overlooked players a second chance to blossom into the players they’d always dreamt of being. Ellee Eck, Sydney McKinney, CC Wong, Lauren Howell, Asia Webber and Riley Buck, among others, come to mind when thinking of the late bloomers the Shockers have welcomed with open arms.

“The transfer portal’s been a blessing in a lot of ways,” Bredbenner said. “We’ve had some major impact players that have come into our program. You could name multiple … that ended up really being key players. We had a pretty mass exodus and I think that is the world that we live in now, and we got to embrace it.”

And for high school juniors, the two years between then and their freshman season can change drastically — from coaching changes, to facility changes, to even changes at the university and administration level.

“Once a kid actually gets to that school, it’s a little bit more of that unknown factor,” Bredbenner said.

As was the case with sophomore Ausha Moore, who transferred from interconference foe North Texas. As soon as she and Bredbenner talked after Moore entered the transfer portal, the open arms at Wichita State and thoughts of “Second-chance U” felt right.

“I really liked how inclusive the program is,” Moore said. “You can be who you want to be. I really got a personable feeling from the coaching staff, (the one) that I always knew that they had.

“I knew I wanted to make the right decision and I didn’t want

to transfer again. I wanted to be somewhere I could call my forever home.”

“Forever home.” That’s what Bredbenner wants to offer.

“You get yourself that opportunity to maybe get the kid that is a better fit, or that’s looking for rejuvenation,” Bredbenner said. “That’s looking for maybe a more educated, more mature decision the second time around. Like Ausha said, to try to find that forever home. I think we’ve got to embrace it, you know?”

But with so many new names, and players who have only been in the program a season, bringing them together was just as tasking as forming the roster.

Troubles with the curve

Sophomore pitcher Ryley Nihart, one of the seven returners, admitted with so many new faces this year that the team hit some rough patches when they were introduced in the fall. Getting everyone on the same page as one another was difficult.

Even so, she believes it will help the team out overall. They’ve been able to adapt and improve on locker room trends from a year ago.

Hence the “built tough” motto.

A statement grounded in the sweat, hard work, and second chances the Shockers have been given. The start of a program

writing its next chapter.

“It was so great for us to receive so many new people because we were able to turn things around from what it was last year,” Nihart said. “I think last year, we had a standard and we had a way of doing things that wasn’t necessarily the right way. With how many new people we have this year, we were able to create our own way and our own culture, and a new way of doing things.”

For Moore, the new beginning was a refreshing change.

“Everybody’s been very welcoming with all the different types of personalities that we have,” she said. “They’ve always made me feel comfortable to come in and be myself since day one.” Friday against a top 25 opponent will reveal how together the Shockers are from the jump. That’s what the tough games and bonding moments are all about. But, no matter what, Wichita State is “built tough” like the Warhawks that inspired the movement.

“We’re going to learn from our mistakes,” Bredbenner said. “We’re going to have some tough games and we’re going to come together as a team and fight. Hopefully by the end of the year, we’ve got that mentality that we’ve been battle tested enough that we can win this battle, and win this war.”

State women’s tennis players

against Kentucky on Feb. 7, 2025. File

Women’s tennis brings title aspirations under first-year head coach

BY MACK SMITH mackred22@gmail.com

Wichita State women’s tennis is off to a strong start in Jacob Eddins’ first year at the helm, with wins over Texas State, former American Conference foe Southern Methodist, and both Iowa and Iowa State.

The Shockers have started 7-3 early this spring and bring more than a winning record with them.

“Our goal is to win the conference, and to play (in the) NCAA (tournament),” junior Giorgia Roselli said. “The mindset is try to play the hardest that we can and try to achieve our goal every day.”

Even though Eddins is in his first head coaching job at the collegiate level, his priorities are to take each match one at a time to keep WSU grounded during its 2026 campaign.

“We’ve got a really talented group,” Eddins said. “We’re going to be tested early in the season, but I think it’s good for us to see where we are early. Then, hopefully be playing our best tennis by the end of the year.”

In September, WSU welcomed Eddins as the new Shocker head women’s tennis coach. Eddins took over for Colin Foster, who coached from 2009-25, and helped build a foundation of success.

Eddins said his time taking in the culture of the program has “been great” so far.

“The girls have been really receptive. We’re trying to work extremely hard to achieve some of our goals that we set forth early in the year,” he said. “It’s been fun, been rewarding to see the girls

Men’s

have some success in the fall.”

“I really like him,” Roselli said. “Me and Xin Tong spent a lot of time with him during the fall. That really helped us. He’s pretty direct on the court, and that’s really good. He tells us what to do.”

Wang echoed Roselli’s sentiment.

“I think he is a really nice (person), even when we are not on the tennis court,” she said. “I think that he helped us a lot during the fall. So, when the season starts, I think he will help everyone to get better.”

During the fall, Wang and Roselli competed in and won the American Conference Doubles Championship, defeating Charlotte in two 6-4 decisions. Roselli also placed as the runner-up in the singles championship.

“I told Xin Tong before I was really nervous. I couldn’t sleep the night before,” Roselli said. “We played that same team in practice, and we lost against Charlotte. Everything that happened in practice actually made us want it more. And after we did it, I couldn’t believe it at first. I was like, ‘Wait what? We really did it, like we won the conference?’ We were just so excited to have another chance to play together.”

For Eddins, it was a fast start to his tenure.

“It was a lot of fun, especially being my first semester here as a new head coach,” Eddins said about Wang and Roselli’s doubles win. “Just to be part of that with the girls, a lot of credit to them. They did an unbelievable job

throughout the fall, and it was just a lot of fun to be part of.”

The Shockers began the spring by playing two teams ranked in the top 10 of the preseason ITA Collegiate Tennis Rankings. The Shockers played No. 6 Oklahoma in their second match this spring and No. 10 Oklahoma State shortly after. They fell to both the Sooners and Cowgirls.

But Roselli and Wong both agreed that playing top-ranked competition to start the slate is beneficial for the team.

“I think it’s important to get some of those really tough matches in early,” Eddins said. “It just shows us where we’re at, and that’s the level that we want to compete at.”

In total, Wichita State has six conference matches ahead of it this season. The Shockers will play Tulane, South Florida and Tulsa at home. They’ll travel to play UTSA, Rice and North Texas. Roselli is confident about this season’s talent.

“We have the best players in our conference,” Roselli said. “Our team is really good when we play all together and, in every position, we can really do a great job.”

The Shockers still have plenty of work before then, but their eyes are set on what’s ahead.

“Going into conference play, I think we want to be in a position to win all of those matches,” Eddins said. “Especially down the stretch into the tournament, we want to be in a position to win the conference tournament … (and) bring the trophy back to Wichita State.”

tennis on cusp of breakout after up-and-down start

BY OWEN PROTHRO sports@thesunflower.com

A 4-6 start for Wichita State men’s tennis isn’t deterring the team from a successful spring.

The Shockers, under fourthyear coach Darragh Glavin, have already faced multiple tough squads in Arizona State (9-1), Grand Canyon (6-1) and No. 10 Oklahoma (7-1) — all away from home.

They believe as home matches and conference foes crop up, the loaded nonconference slate will pay dividends. The lessons they learned will translate down the stretch as the American Conference Championship approaches.

“The lesson I took, and the whole squad has taken (from those matches), is we’re very close,” senior Luke Bracks said.

“We were very close against Arizona State, which is one of the top teams in the country. We’re a very talented team this year. Probably one of the most talented I’ve been on.”

Wichita State, coming off its most successful season under Glavin and highest winning percentage since the 2021-22 campaign, wanted to challenge itself during the nonconference portion of the 2026 spring season. And with many good teams in the region, including the nationally ranked Sooners, it only made sense.

“We know we’re capable of

that competition,” Glavin said. “So just scheduling that to try to set us up for good rankings and results.”

But a hard schedule so far has come with a cost.

The Shockers have fallen into a hole during five of their six losses in the doubles portion of a match. The ball just hasn’t been able to get rolling when singles matches come around. Another lesson learned for this year’s team.

“Honestly, we could’ve been 4-1 if we win some of those doubles points,” Glavin said. “We’re leading a lot of singles courts … (but) we could’ve had that doubles point and been close.”

Both players and coaches agree that this season’s roster is one of the most talented yet.

Five returning players — Zaid Al Mashni, Alejandro Jacome, Amir Milushev, Ilias Worthington and Bracks — have all weathered at least a season of collegiate tennis. Freshmen Felix Bockelmann-Evans, Rodrigo Cruz, James Lammas and Pablo Roche Alcaya round out the roster.

“We’ve had years where we knew we had to win maybe three or four courts to have a chance,” Glavin said. “Right now, we feel like we have a chance at every court that someone’s out there on. That’s been exciting.”

Bracks pointed to sophomores

Al Mashni and Worthington as players who’ve stepped up their games since joining the program last season. And Bracks, a senior, thinks it’s exciting to see as his final year unfolds.

“There’s been a lot of good players that are maybe playing a little rough right now,” Bracks said. “When they start playing well, we’ll have a very good team, for sure.”

For Bracks and fellow senior Jacome, leading by example and making the freshmen feel at home has been a priority.

“When they need something, I make sure I’m trying to be there,” Jacome said. “If they need help with school or other parts of life, on and off the court, I try to help as much as I can.”

That kind of leadership from upperclassmen is especially important for new players coming into a program and sport that’s dominated by an international scene. They come to a new country and have to adapt to a new way of life, culture and dynamics surrounding a team.

“That early on is pretty tough for new guys,” Glavin said.

As Wichita State continues finding its footing, the team knows the sky is the limit. And as home and conference matches start, the Shockers should find that form.

at

Boise State.

JUCO transfers add proven production for WSU softball

BY MACK SMITH

mackred22@gmail.com

Trinity Allen and Mickayla Tosch, two junior college transfers, come to Wichita State after both having successful careers at McLennan Community College in Texas.

“Coming from McLennan, I liked the culture that surrounded Wichita and Coach B (Kristi Bredbenner),” Allen said. “When I came on my visit, she told me that (the program) was very blue collar, and we work for everything we get.”

Allen played in 122 games for the Highlanders and hit .510, with 47 home runs, 192 RBI and stole 46 bases. In her sophomore year, Allen was named a First Team AllAmerican and was the NJCAA and NFCA National Player of the Year.

“It was great, it was awesome,” Allen said. “At the same time, this is a different level (with) different expectations. I think that in mind, ‘Yes, I am good. I was the best at that level.’ But at the same time, it’s just a new journey, and it’s a fresh start.”’

So far, coach Kristi Bredbenner has seen Allen come into her own after the fall season.

“I think it took her a little while in the fall,” Bredbenner said. “I think she was disappointed with her performance and kind of nervous. Then, all of a sudden, it started clicking for her.

“Just in this last month, the at bats, the barrels that she’s had, the confidence that you’re seeing with her swing — I think that she’s going to be an impact for us offensively.”

Tosch played in 115 games across two seasons at McLennan,

‘Embrace

BY MALEAH EVANS arts@thesunflower.com

received two Rawlings NJCAA Division I Gold Glove Awards and was named to the NJCAA Second Team All-American in her sophomore season.

“Coming from McLennan, I had high expectations of where I wanted to go next,” Tosch said.

“Meeting Coach E (Elizabeth Economon) and Coach B just kind of felt like home and like a family. That’s a big thing that I strive to be a part of, just a family, and they were going to push me to be my best.”

Tosch comes from an athletic background: her mother and father both played Division I athletics at the University of Texas-Pan American (now Texas Rio Grande Valley).

“Sports have been my life since I was three years old,” Tosch said. “Both my parents are also coaches, so that’s all I’ve ever known. I’ve always played plenty of sports, and just being a competitive person is just something that’s part of my personality.”

Bredbenner said she appreciates the competitive side of Tosch, but has had to “reign” her in.

“She’ll run through a brick wall six times and be completely dizzy from doing it until you say, ‘Hey, calm down a little bit. 90% is good for you right now,’” Bredbenner said. “That’s awesome. That’s something that I think can kind of spread throughout our culture in a really positive way.”

During their time at McLennan, Allen and Tosch roomed together, and still do at Wichita State.

“It’s amazing that we’ve been roommates for three years now,

and just being with her, she makes me work hard and just makes me a better person,” Tosch added, “having someone that knows me through and through. Just being in a new spot is really comforting. I think we get along great and we play ball together. So it’s just good to have our energy bounce back and forth between each other.”

“They’re well coached, they’re coached hard, they’re loved harder,” Bredbenner said about Allen’s and Tosch’s time at McLennan. “There’s a lot of similarities between our programs and theirs. It’s a different level and they’ve had a lot of success, and they’re bringing a very confident mindset, a very successful two years at a McLennan program. They’re bringing that in and bringing that culture.”

Allen and Tosch traveled back to Waco when the Shockers played in the Getterman Classic to open the season last Friday to Sunday. They were just six miles away from where their collegiate careers started.

“I’m looking forward to a lot of our tournaments in Texas, especially our Baylor tournament,” Allen said. “Just going back to Waco and just seeing all the familiar faces in that city, and just being able to see my old coaches and my family and my sister that now plays in McLennan.

“That’s going to be a fun opening weekend.”

Tosch echoed Allen’s sentiment.

“I think it’s something that’s super exciting, seeing our coaches (and) family,” Tosch said. “Just being in a place that I know well.”

‘Go out with a bang’: Jaden Gustafson enters fourth and final year with Shocker baseball

BY MACK SMITH mackred22@gmail.com

Many collegiate athletes have bounced around to multiple teams throughout their playing careers since the transfer portal era started in 2018. However, this is not the case for senior outfielder Jaden Gustafson.

He is entering his fourth year with Wichita State on a team with 31 newcomers.

“It means everything (to be heading into my fourth year here),” Gustafson said. “I want to win here, and that’s always been my goal. This is my last chance to do it, so I’m going to try to go out with a bang.”

Gustafson, a Maize High graduate, has improved each year that he’s been with WSU. His batting average, runs, hits, slugging percentage, walks and on-base percentage have all gone up from year to year. He credits the coaching staff with this annual uptick.

“That’s just a testament to the coaching,” Gustafson said of his steady improvement. “I think it’s just listening to the coaches, taking little tips from them and kind of making it your own and just improving day by day.”

Gustafson’s batting average is one of his most impressive statistics. He hit .303 last season, up from .296 the previous year. His batting average isn’t the only metric to see an increase. So has his power at the plate. After not recording a home run as a freshman and sophomore, Gustafson hit his three career home

the weird’: Former softball players return

Balancing graduate-level coursework, mentoring younger players and maintaining your own softball training seems like a difficult set of tasks.

To former Shockers CC Wong and Sydney McKinney, they are. But the joy they get from the sport they know so well helps ease the balance.

“I’m trying to find time to be a human in it all,” Wong said. “But I love what I do, so it’s not hard to find the time to be human. It’s not like I hate what I’m doing, so it’s an easy thing to juggle. There’s worse things to juggle than what we’re doing. It’s just time consuming. But, there’s nothing I’d rather be doing right now.”

Wong and McKinney both transferred in and played at Wichita State within the last six years. Wong, as a senior in 2024, and McKinney, from 2019-23.

“My year here was one of the best and most positive environments that I’ve been in,” Wong said. “I wanted to stay in that, and I want to be a coach. … I want to learn from them and continue to grow.”

McKinney explored options postgraduation and picked up a job at Marshall as an assistant coach. After spending a year away from the place she rewrote records at,

she missed her people.

“One day, I was at Coach B’s eating with Coach E, Coach B and their families, and they wanted me to come back. I wanted to come back, so it was just kind of a perfect fit,” she said. “They feel like they’re my other moms, so I think it’s just cool to be able to work with them now and still be mentored by them every day.”

Both McKinney and Wong work as defensive coordinators while playing for professional teams. Wong plays for Team Canada, and McKinney plays in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), a top-tier professional circuit that recently partnered with the MLB. McKinney and Wong work with Lauren Lucas, another former Wichita State softball player.

Lucas, a 2025 alum, currently plays in a professional league in Mexico and isn’t with the team, however.

Economon, affectionately known as Coach E, said that seeing Wong and McKinney grow both as players and coworkers is “really cool.”

“They were such gifted athletes, and I remind them a lot that as gifted as you are physically, your maturity takes time … the ‘aha moment’ is different for everybody,” Economon said. “I got to watch Syd much longer than I got to watch CC, but there was some of the same

stuff that happened for CC in one year that I watched Syd do over five years, and that was really cool.

“I can see them understanding the game at a higher level, because they’re so much more mature than they were when they got here. They take what’s useful to them as players, and then they try to translate it to our kids in maybe a different way than I do it.”

Economon also said that she’s been able to let Wong and McKinney in on more of the behind-the-scenes work coaches are tasked with, but overall, much of her coaching style translates into how she interacts with coworkers.

“What you see is what you get,” Economon said. “I don’t want to paralyze the players … so (Wong and McKinney) get the full explanation.”

Both Wong and McKinney said that the Wichita State softball program, and the people within it, are large reasons why they came back to work post-graduation.

“They are basically my second chance, because when I transferred from my other school, I was very not in a great place mentally. I wasn’t happy. I wanted to quit softball,” Wong said. “I will forever be indebted to that for giving me that second chance and being able to love what I want to do again.

“I don’t think I would have (made Team Canada) anywhere

runs last season, including his first on April 6 at Charlotte.

“It was great,” Gustafson said. “As soon as I saw the ball go over the fence, it was like, ‘Finally.’ It was nice to just see one finally go over.”

The 6-foot-3, left-handed outfielder hopes to enjoy this feeling more during the upcoming season. In the offseason, he focused on getting stronger and having more barrel control to improve that aspect of his game.

“We finally got Gustafson in the weight room, so that’s a real positive,” head coach Brian Green said with a smile.

The Shockers struggled last season, finishing the year at 20-36, including a record of 5-23 in nonhome games. The 36 losses tied for second-most in program history.

“I don’t like the way last season (went), the taste it left in our mouth,” Gustafson said.

Despite the disappointing season, Gustafson didn’t hesitate to return to WSU for his senior year. It gave him enough motivation to “go out with a bang” with his hometown team.

“There were never really any thoughts about leaving,” Gustafson said. “I’m a Wichita kid. There’s some unfinished stuff I have here. I was ready to come back and end it on a better note, for sure.”

Wichita State opens its season against Northern Colorado at 3:05 p.m. on Friday at Eck Stadium.

“I always enjoy playing at Eck so being able to start the season off with a home series is pretty cool,” Gustafson said.

as grad assistants

else, I think this was the staff that made me make Team Canada … I will love this place until I die.”

McKinney also said that Wichita State is a great second-chance school for players. She said that a lot of other programs try to reinvent players into play styles that fit the program, but the Shockers work to uplift them where they are already at.

“We really embrace the weird and bring out the best (in) individual players and their personalities,” McKinney said. “That’s what drew me here. That’s why I love it here.”

When mentoring the younger

players, both women take lessons they received from time spent in the program, and the negative emotions they don’t want the younger players to feel, and work around those.

“How I felt at my old school, I don’t want people to feel like that,” Wong said. “So I think that’s what is rooted in how I want to treat the kids.”

Wichita State will spend its first month this season on the road before its home opener against Kansas on March 4.

Three alumni inducted into LAS Hall of Fame

BY KAMI STEINLE

steinlekami@gmail.com

The Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences inducted three Wichita State alumni into its Hall of Fame on Tuesday —

Warren E. Pickett, Robert E. Shields and Scott W. Stucky.

Every year, LAS holds a ceremony to honor the three alumni for their achievements in their respective fields. During this event, each alumni reflected on how their time at WSU helped them get where they are now. They all received their undergraduate degrees from WSU: Pickett in mathematics and physics, Shields in political science and Stucky in history.

“It is about celebrating the education that shaped them and the endearing value of the liberal arts and sciences in a world that often measures success in immediate or technical terms,” LAS dean Sarah Beth Estes said. “(It) does not train us for a single job. It prepares us for a lifetime of living.”

Warren E. Pickett

Pickett graduated from WSU in 1969 with a BS in mathematics and physics and a MS in physics in 1971.

“I was gobsmacked by Estes informing me of this honor to be inducted into the hall of fame,” Pickett said. “I realized there was another reason that I would come

to Wichita to this ceremony, and that was to honor Wichita State University myself, from my heart, because it was at Wichita State University that my future was given shape.”

Pickett received his PhD in physics from Stony Brook University after completing his degrees at WSU and later held postdoctoral appointments at the University of Bristol, the University of California, Berkeley and Northwestern University. Most recently, he was a professor in the department of physics at University of California, Davis, but retired in 2021.

“(It’s important to) do your best to broaden your background for education in liberal arts and sciences,” Pickett said. “It’s sort of the college that’s dedicated to that.”

Robert E. Shields

Shields graduated from WSU in 1968 with a BA in political science.

Shields said James Rhatigan, former dean of students and senior vice president of Student Affairs, was “one of the biggest influences” on him throughout his time at WSU.

“In the 60 years since then, I have remained devoted to Wichita State,” Shields said. “Participated in activities and been involved with it ever since, in every way I could.”

He received his juris doctorate from New York University School of Law and over the course of his career has litigated cases in 20 states. He was a founding partner of Doffermyre Shields Canfield & Knowles LLC and retired in 2024.

During his time at WSU he was also an active member of the University Debate Society, Beta Theta Pi fraternity and the Student Government Association, of which he was president for two years. In 1968, he won the National Debate Tournament and he was selected by Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha as the national Student Speaker of the Year.

“I think the most important thing, behind your studies, is to be involved in student activities as much as possible,” Shields said. “I was able to be more involved … (you’ll) get the most out of college if you’re as involved as you possibly can.”

Scott W. Stucky

In 1970, Stucky graduated from WSU with a BA in history. He also served as student body president for one term during his time at WSU and also cited Rhatigan for helping him gain the skills he needed in his career. During his first semester he also pledged to the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

“The thing I got out of Wichita State was not historical knowledge … wasn’t necessarily academic,”

Stucky said. “It was how to move in society, how to get along with people … I owe that more than anything else to my fraternity. I got so much out of (that), one of the best decisions I ever made in college.”

After he graduated from WSU, he got his juris doctorate from Harvard Law School and received master’s degrees from Trinity University and George Washington University in history and international law respectively.

“When I got here (to WSU), the university had a rather detailed board curriculum,” Stucky said. “Which I thought did a very good job of exposing students to the things they needed to be exposed to.”

He also served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve as a second lieutenant and then later a judge advocate. George W. Bush appointed Stucky to the U.S. court of appeals for the armed forces in 2006 and in 2021 transitioned to a senior judge and still holds this position now.

“We are not only celebrating what you have accomplished, we are celebrating how you accomplished it,” Estes said while opening the ceremony. “You are living proof that the liberal arts and sciences matter deeply, not just for careers, but for citizenship, for leadership and for meaningful lives.”

Esports team meets with SGA finance commission ahead of student fee hearings

BY KASS LEWIS news@thesunflower.com

Wichita State Varsity Esports

requested a special meeting with the Student Government Association’s finance commission on Friday ahead of the student fee hearings, which begin SGA’s process of deciding how to allocate funding to various campus entities. Student fee entities get 15 minutes to present their organization’s need for funding, then there is a 15-minute Q&A period. The presenting entity will typically cover how it functions and spends its money, and then requests funding based on specific needs provided in the presentation. The meeting held on Friday lasted 25 minutes.

“I’ve gone through (the student fees) process as an assistant director and as a director,” esports director Joseph Mazzara said.

“Most of our time — which is very limited in a budget hearing — talks about what we do… So this is really just an opportunity to just get ahead of that and make our hearing a little bit more about the topic at hand and illustrate what

our need is.”

Mazzara said he requested the meeting because of the quick turnover in SGA, hoping to use the time to explain what the team does.

“It’s really a mixed bag whether people know what esports is or not,” Mazzara said. “We spend a lot of time on our proposal talking about what we do and informing people.”

Past funding in esports

The money esports gets from student fees is split between two funds: esports scholarships and varsity esports. In fiscal year 2024, esports received $25,000 for its scholarship fund and around $150,000 for its varsity team.

In 2025, esports received $10,000 of its $95,000 request for its scholarship fund and $40,000 of its requested $155,440 for its varsity team.

“This program is technically profitable from student fees, just by headcount,” Mazzara said.

WSU’s student fee breakdown, which details where student fees are typically allocated, does not include how much is typically

allocated to the varsity esports team.

According to fall 2024 full-time equivalent enrollment and last year’s SGA student fee budget of $10.9 million, a 12-hour student contributed about $748 on average. This means that esports’ 62-player team contributed about $46,390 to the student fee budget last year.

Based on these approximations, the team brought in about $128,600 less than it was allocated in FY2024, including both the varsity team fund and scholarship fund. With last year’s budget shortfall and funding cuts, based on average headcount, the team brought in $3,600 less than its FY2025 allocations.

Effects of last year’s shortfall

Mazzara said that the biggest hit to the varsity esports team following last year’s school-wide student fee shortfall of $900,000 was the team’s ability to travel.

After the finance commission formulates a recommended budget, it submits that recommendation to the Student Senate for approval. Last year, representatives of esports

Helping hands: Wu’s Big Event brings positive impact to community

BY MIA MALCOLM Miamalcolm4@gmail.com

Wichita State’s largest one-day community service event has just made its semi-annual appearance. Students, alumni, faculty and other volunteers spent their Saturday morning volunteering in the Wichita community.

Kicking off at 9 a.m in the Rhatigan Student Center’s Beggs Ballroom, more than 130 volunteers were provided with breakfast and background information about the event before dispersing to 16 different locations.

According to Amy Nguyen, vice president of marketing for WSU’s Community Service Board, transportation was provided, and the volunteers went to different sites to do a variety of work.

“This is an opportunity for all Wichita State students to have a free experience of being able to have transportation provided and food provided, but also at the same time going and giving back to the community,” Nguyen, who is also WSU’s student body vice president, said.

Locations include the Shocker Support Locker, Tanganyika Wildlife Park, Rainbows United and more. Hannah Melendez, food and hunger chair for the Community Service Board took part in volunteering at Exploration Place.

“Right now we are helping (Exploration Place) prepare for their big chocolate event. I’ve heard it’s really fun and very fancy.” Melendez said. “We’re wiping down some chairs and tables … we also have some people cleaning up outside.”

Stacy Ward Lattin, United Way of the Plains’ manager of community outreach and public engagement, works with the nonprofit organizations that need volunteers. She said that not only does volunteering help the community, but it can also be educational and inspiring to those who participate.

“I think it’s good for students to get an opportunity to see (the community) whether they’re from here and they’ve grown up in Wichita or not … hopefully they’ll enjoy their time and be inspired to continue to volunteer and make that a part of their routine,” Ward Lattin said.

The Community Service Board, a student council that focuses on service and active citizenship in the community, organizes the event every semester.

“This is, I think, my sixth Wu’s Big Event that I’ve done in leadership… It’s been a really amazing experience,” said Matthew Phan, president of the Community Service Board. “I think civic engagement is such an important aspect to being a true Shocker … It’s always so exciting to see all the different types of volunteers that we have.”

Loren Belew, the student program coordinator for Student Engagement and Belonging, said she appreciates seeing all the work students put in.

and other groups attended the senate’s meeting — where it would vote on the initial allocations of student fees for FY2026 — and requested more money.

“We’ve had students in our program where we are the reason they’ve been on a plane for the first time,” Mazzara told the Senate at that meeting. “We just took a team to Myrtle Beach for a Rocket League competition, and that was the first time one of our students got to see the ocean. Travel is a huge transformational opportunity for those students.”

Mazzara said that this year the esports team has had to turn down trips to competitions in Myrtle Beach and at Michigan State.

Recently, when the esports team hosted around 100 high school students to tour the esports space, the program was unable to provide food to the visitors.

“We couldn’t feed them,” Kenzie Kessler, the team’s program manager, said. “For the amount of people that are interested in the program, we can’t keep up with the demand … to put on events.”

“I’m really proud of our student leaders and the leadership that they’ve shown in this event each semester,” Belew said. “They work really hard at it, and for me as an advisor, it’s really great to see them shine and put on this event.”

For many students, this was not their first time attending.

Jordan Manning, a senior majoring in aerospace, aeronautical and astronautical engineering said he had prior experience volunteering for Wu’s Big Event.

“This is actually my second time being here … In the Fall I was also here and we were helping package brochures to send out to Elementary schools to get them interested,” said Manning.

Tony Cao, a senior majoring in management information systems, said the day inspires people to connect.

“It makes people encouraged to do things together with your friends and with your club or community… It makes you feel like you’re making a difference,” Cao said.

ARTS & CULTURE

CONFRONTING COMPLICITY

Student exhibition turns the viewer into a witness

BY DESTINY REICHER destinyereicher@gmail.com

Zelda McAfee’s BFA thesis exhibition, “Hell is Empty, and You Are Here,” challenges visitors to confront how silence and loyalty can make ordinary people complicit in harm. Throughout February, visitors to ShiftSpace Gallery at 120 E. 1st St. N. in Wichita can experience the painful journey behind senior McAfee’s exhibition.

The exhibition addresses a deep theme of childhood abuse, neglect and assault, topics that McAfee said are often minimized or ignored within communities. It showcases more than a year of artistic work drawn from McAfee’s family materials, including letters, photographs and archival documents from their childhood.

“This work is not meant for the viewer,” McAfee said. “You are in a dynamic that was never supposed to be seen.”

The exhibition is an L-shape, arranged strategically to guide visitors through the gallery, piecing together a story that feels unavoidable.

“You are so easily an accomplice in excusing behavior because someone is your friend, your

“

I still get a visceral reaction of disgust. But I feel like it was important that these things be seen.”

ZELDA MCAFEE Senior, fine arts sudent

lover or your child,” McAfee said.

“Covering for them is never okay.”

A core part of the exhibition includes letters written by McAfee’s father while he was serving in the military, addressed to McAfee and other family members in the event of his death.

The letters, which outlined funeral arrangements and final goodbyes, are displayed on mirrors, ensuring that viewers see themselves reflected as they read, breaking down the distance between the observer and subject.

“When you are looking the mirrors and reading all of the text, you realize how easily these things could involve you,” McAfee said.

McAfee described the process of creating the exhibition as methodical, explaining that the work was not intended as a

personal confession or emotional release. While the exhibition draws from personal materials, they said assembling the pieces began to feel less like storytelling and more like documentation.

“It almost started feeling like I was evidence building,” McAfee said. “The pieces led you to a conclusion by the end of your exploration of the gallery.”

At the corner of the L-shaped exhibition, the viewer is met with a picture of McAfee as a child titled “Is This Arousing?”. McAfee said it is meant to unsettle. The gallery is arranged so the piece is not immediately visible, making it so viewers walk the length of the exhibit before encountering what McAfee describes as a “gut punch.”

Revisiting archival materials, like the photos and letters, was emotionally difficult, but McAfee said the discomfort was necessary.

“I still get a visceral reaction of disgust,” McAfee said. “But I felt like it was important that these things be seen.”

Despite the heaviness of the subject matter, the exhibition incorporates moments of childhood whimsy through colorful alphabet magnets and children’s

together with their families for a photo on Feb. 7.

toys and books, meant to create a false sense of security.

“I always have to have some element of whimsy throughout,” McAfee said. “So I added those fridge magnets, like a pop of color, to lead you into this false sense of security. When you see it from afar, you think, ‘Oh, these are cute, I recognize those,’ and then you actually look at the work and you’re like, ‘Oh.’”

McAfee hopes that visitors leave the exhibition questioning not only the actions shown in the work, but the ways silence and loyalty can enable harm.

“These letters could have been sent to you,” they said. “This could be about someone you know.”

REVIEW: Braeburn Square’s new Pizza Shuttle finally touches down

BY ANTHONY GONZALEZ-MEIDNA 65nthony@gmail.com

The late-night staple that has blessed the University of Kansas and Kansas State for so long has now made its way to Wichita State.

After opening Feb. 2, Pizza Shuttle is the latest addition to WSU dining culture.

In the spirit of a real investigative reporter, I decided to do some research and give myself an actual base to stand on for this review. So I went to Manhattan, Kan., on Friday the 30th, and I saw what an established Pizza Shuttle is all about.

ordered a single topping pepperoni pizza from the WSU location. I ordered at precisely 12:36 p.m., and received my food at 12:48 p.m. The pizza came out piping hot and looked great.

I paid $8.79, for the pizza with no drink. I appreciated the “walk-in special” which allows you to receive a 10” single-topping pizza and a drink for $8, or a 14” single topping pizza and two drinks for $14. However, both deals are a dollar more than their counterparts in Manhattan.

participated in the Poetry Out Loud

Poetry Out Loud connects campus to local art community

BY DESTINY REICHER

destinyereicher@gmail.com

High school students from across the region gathered at the Ulrich Museum of Art on Saturday, Feb. 6, to perform memorized poetry in the region three Poetry Out Loud competition.

Poetry Out Loud is a national program that encourages high school students to connect with their communities through poetry, while competing against each other.

First, students perform at their local schools where they are judged on their memorization and performance, then they can advance to the regional and state competitions before finalists are selected for the national competition in Washington, D.C.

The regional competition consisted of two rounds, with students performing a different memorized poem in each round before a panel of judges. Performances were evaluated by Chris Hill, a local community arts advocate and poet, and Kiara Suarez-Sosa and Payton Dearmont, both high school educators.

For both competitors, the competition offered their first opportunity to perform in a university art space.

Keiryn Hein, a student from Northfield Academy in Wichita, placed first in the competition.

“I took a poetry class that I honestly didn’t like very much at first, but it introduced me to poetry,” Hein said. “I started writing poetry and kind of fell in love with it.”

Hein said that preparing for the competition felt a lot like preparing for a theater monologue, which she is no stranger to. It involves memorization as well as understanding the emotion behind the content, then translating that emotion into your words.

“It’s not just about memorizing,” Hein said. “It’s about understanding what (a poem) means, how it feels and the images behind it.”

Kennedy Meinecke, a student at Wichita East High School who placed second overall, attributes her love for spoken word and performing to her theater background.

“I don’t really do forensics or anything, but I do acting and theater, and with that it came very naturally to me,” Meinecke said. “I like to try different interpretations as I practice and see what happens.”

Several of the students’ family members were in the audience, reflecting on the growth they had seen throughout the competition process.

Shawna Hein, Keiryn Hein’s mother and the Head of School at Northfield Academy, said the competition is a great opportunity for her daughter to get into local arts. Shawna said she is grateful for the opportunity for her daughter and other students to explore creativity beyond the classroom.

“Finding a place for (Keiryn’s) poetry has been really broadening for her,” she said. “It’s really great for her to be able to spread her wings.”

The Ulrich hosts a variety of community events throughout the year for people of all ages. Brenda Linchman, the museum’s associate director of education, said that events like Poetry Out Loud align with its mission of community engagement and arts education.

“Our mission is to open the doors of the museum to everyone,” Linchman said. “We want the Ulrich to be a resource for all ages and support creative growth in the community.”

Stacy Chesnut, the Kansas region three coordinator for Poetry Out Loud and an educator at Wichita High School East, said she believes that collaboration between educational institutions, like Wichita State University and the Poetry Out Loud program, allows younger students to access opportunities they might not otherwise have.

“When institutions work together, we can provide opportunities that support student growth and progression,” Chestnut said.

The impact of the program extends beyond high school.

Ismail Saeed, a freshman political science major at Wichita State University and last year’s Poetry Out Loud State winner, said that participating in the competition helped connect him to Wichita’s art community.

“It really helped me get connected to the art scene in Wichita,” Saeed said. “Poetry is a beautiful art form, and it’s something people of all ages should be able to explore.”

A part of me was curious about whether a newly opened Pizza Shuttle would be any different from tried and true Pizza Shuttle.

I entered the Manhattan PS around 10:10 p.m. and ordered a single-topping pepperoni pizza around roughly 10:15 p.m. I received my food at about 10:29 p.m. I paid $7.69 including tax, thanks to a promotion that offered a one-topping 10-inch pizza and a drink for $7.00.

After my research, I made my way to the WSU’s Pizza Shuttle on opening day to decide if the newest location lives up to these core principles.

Ambiance

I enjoyed the ambiance of the shuttle. The music that was played over the speakers was harmless and provided an upbeat tone for my meal.

Seating was okay. There are a decent amount of seats, but if you want to bring a group, then the options are limited. There is a table toward the back half of the restaurant which offers the most seats indoors. In the outdoor patio section, there are more tables which overlook the Braeburn Square fountain. If you come with a group, hopefully the weather is alright, because this would be your best shot at having enough seats for everyone.

I enjoy the open kitchen design that Pizza Shuttle has. With every pizza being made to order, a pleasant surprise was getting to see my pizza get hand tossed in front of me.

Food Pizza Shuttle has an expansive menu. Through comparing the two menus, I was able to see that every pizza on the Manhattan location menu is available on the WSU menu. For the sake of comparison I also

When eating the pizza, I found the tomato sauce base to be very flavorful and a highlight of the pizza as a whole. The other toppings also tasted fresh, which I think showed the overall pizza to be high-quality.

Overall thoughts

Overall, I think for the price, the convenience, and overall quality of the food, Pizza Shuttle for me gets an 8.8 out of 10 on my grading scale.

From the Manhattan location, the pizza reminded me of QuickTrip, a familiar taste for Wichitans. But at WSU, many elements of the pizza reminded me of Papa Johns.

The service at the new Pizza Shuttle was appreciated. The experience was quick, but the front of house was friendly and polite. I saw the employees do their best to explain the menu to customers as well as keep the shuttle clean. But what makes Pizza Shuttle unique is their menu.

I think the variety on the Pizza Shuttle menu is hard to beat.

During my research, I had pepperoni and the wing shuttle (wing sauce base, with chicken and cheese). I also tried Trixie’s jalapeno popper, a rather unique offering (cream cheese base, ranch dressing, cheese, jalapeno, and bacon), and Paul’s curly tail, a unique name for their version of a meat lover’s including the works of pepperoni, bacon, ham, beef and sausage. The other pizzas I had were the bacon mac-n-cheese and BBQ chicken pizzas. All of which have been incredibly appetizing, and all are something I would return to.

For Pizza Shuttle to be one of the only available restaurants that is open until midnight in the area, I think it will be a major player for many on-campus students.

As for myself, I can already see myself sharing a laugh with friends over a Pizza Shuttle pizza.

OPINION

HALFTIME SHOWDOWN

Bad Bunny’s halftime emphasizes pride and unity

Miamalcolm4@gmail.com

“The only thing more powerful than hate is love.” With this statement splashed across the jumbotron, Bad Bunny has captured the attention of many as he showcased Latine pride at this year’s Super Bowl halftime show.

The performance was deeply symbolic. Bad Bunny had a vision and message he wanted to share, and he executed it in a way I have never seen.

For me, it is safe to say that “God bless America,” has a new meaning because of Bad Bunny’s performance.

At the end of the performance Bad Bunny listed all of the Latin, South and Central American countries. Then he listed the North American countries. Bad Bunny’s shout of “God bless America” means all of the Americas and all the people within.

Growing up in the United States of America, when people said, “God bless America,” it always just seemed like they meant the United States, but technicality-wise it says America, not the U.S. Bad Bunny emphasized that and showed that that phrase has a more collective meaning than what is usually meant.

It was evident that Bad Bunny was a bit nervous at the start, but it quickly wore off, and he began to control the energy.

He showcased his Puerto Rican culture in the performance. The

performers were surrounded by sugar cane fields, farmers in traditional straw hats (pavas), Puerto Rican vendors, latine businesses and more.

The energy was a genuine, joyful and prideful take on a Super Bowl performance. While watching, especially for the song “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS,” I could feel the energy through the screen and it made me happy. Videos after the performance showed the instrumentalists continuing to play outside the stadium after the show was done.

Bad Bunny had some very encouraging words for the audience during the violinist’s opening of “Monaco.” He stated his full birth name, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, and said that because he never stopped believing in himself he was able to get to where he was, and that others could too.

“Vales más de lo que piensas,” Bad Bunny said in Spanish which translates to “you’re worth more than you think.”

After winning three Grammy awards this year, there was a part in the halftime show where Bad Bunny handed a Grammy to a little boy. To me, the moment symbolizes that anyone can go after their dreams no matter what.

This performance symbolized unity. And at the end of the show, Bad Bunny revealed a football that said, “Together, we are America.” It was a beautiful halftime show, with a powerful message that is not said often enough.

Performative patriotism

When news broke that Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, also known as Bad Bunny, was headlining the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, the country was divided.

Some (racist) individuals voiced complaints, explaining that a Spanish-speaking artist performing at an American event was problematic. This quickly became an elementary-level educational issue when people against the chosen performer stated he wasn’t American despite Puerto Rico being a literal United States territory. The people of Puerto Rico are American citizens.

TPUSA stated they would be hosting the “All-American Halftime Show.” The organization claimed that it would be promoting family values and Christianity.

“The All-American Halftime Show is an opportunity for all Americans to enjoy a halftime show with no agenda other than to celebrate faith, family and freedom,” said TPUSA spokesman Andrew Kolvet.

Faith, family and freedom?

Let’s get into it.

The show started around the same time as the Super Bowl’s official halftime show.

It was time for the big headliner of the entire event … Kid Rock. Cue fireworks. An American flag descended as the backdrop. He appears in a huge fur coat and what looked to be jean shorts. He’s lip syncing

Swiping and snapping, Shockers’ outlook on dating

Dating has long been something at the forefront of the mind of the average college student. From the stories of our grandparents’ college sweethearts to the updates we send to the group chat, dating permeates the lives of many of Wichita State’s students.

question, what is it about people in relationships that makes their partner stick around?

Pessimism in dating is not a new concept. The age-old image of the grumpy spinster might be the first to come to mind. However, with marriage less on the forefront of society’s mind, the term “spinster” has become outdated. Women are now remaining single for longer than ever. According to a Morgan Stanley study, by 2030, 45% of women ages 25-44 will be single. In my opinion, this is due to changing societal expectations about gender roles in relationships. Some women want a provider, some men want an Instagram fitness baddie. Dynamics are changing, and with them, so are our chances of actually finding someone compatible. This begs the

“I think the reason it’s lasted this long is it wasn’t a casual relationship or a stepping stone to a more serious relationship,” senior Kinley Doyon, who’s been in a relationship for 2 ½ years, said. “There was a lot of communication that happened. Hearing my friend’s perspectives on stuff they’ve encountered through dating apps, I feel like I just got really, really lucky with someone that is willing to communicate and have those deep conversations.”

Societal pressure to keep things casual is a big talking point in the media right now. From the casual flings of “Sex and the City,” to the situationship of “Heated Rivalry,” they are everywhere.

“I feel like there is a big expectation to keep things casual. There’s a lot more stages to dating, it’s very informal,” Doyon said.

“The texting phase, the snapping phase, the talking phase, and then you’re going on dates, but you’re not really dating, and then you have to discuss if you’re in a committed monogamous relationship as opposed to an open relationship.”

Galahad Nichols, a single

(very poorly) and dancing to “Bawitdaba.”

The second song of his set wasn’t even his. It was an acoustic cover of Cody Johnson’s “Til You Can’t,” which Kid Rock performed under his legal name, Robert Richie. Towards the end of the song, he tells the audience how he was compelled to write an extra verse for this song to perform for them tonight. The verse was instructive, people need to dust off their bibles and give their lives to Jesus before time runs out.

I find that extremely ironic when this man has written songs about assaulting girls. In his song “Cool Daddy Cool,” he sings, “Young ladies, young ladies, I like ’em underage. See, some say that’s statutory, but I say it’s mandatory.”

I acknowledge that plenty of other artists have said similar things in their songs. What I can’t ignore is that none of them were the headliner for the alternative “All-American Halftime Show” hosted by Turning Point — a foundation built on Christian values, right?

The entire premise of this halftime show is rooted in racism.

By presenting this as the “All-American” alternative, the organizers are communicating that there is one single look, sound and feel to America, which is just fundamentally wrong and dangerous. You are also simultaneously saying those same qualifiers are what make you Christian. Not only was it objectively bad, it was intentionally ignorant.

this Valentine’s Day

sophomore, had different opinions.

“The people that I know are all very focused on relationships. They’re very long-term relationship oriented.”

Dating apps have also shifted the way college students act in the dating realm.

“I feel like it can be hard to find people who are available without dating apps. I think they’re a tool for people to meet other people,” Nichols said.

Dating apps can feel a little like window shopping at times, with the constant stream of selfies and mirror pictures. What message does that send to the hopeless romantics swiping away?

“I think dating apps tend to be looks-forward,” Doyon said. “(If) you are looking for a more casual relationship with someone that you could have fun with or someone you’re physically attracted to, I think they serve that purpose.”

With all the negatives of dating, Doyon and Nichols reiterated their positivity and hope for dating on campus. So what do students have to look forward to on Valentine’s Day?

As an avid Green Day fan since childhood, I was incredibly hyped to hear that they would be performing at the Super Bowl this year, especially with the band’s history of being politically outspoken, a lot of which has been targeted at the Trump administration.

When President Donald Trump was elected in 2016, the band led a “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA” chant at the American Music Awards. Recently Billy Joe Armstrong changed the lyrics in “American Idiot” from “I’m not a part of the redneck agenda” to “I’m not a part of the MAGA agenda.” At the Super Bowl though, they were pretty tame, possibly due to restrictions placed by organizers. The band’s set consisted of shortened versions of three of their songs which played before kick-off. They opened with “Holiday” to a raucous crowd and cheers, then went into “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” which is my personal favorite and closed with “American Idiot.” And despite the censored version playing on live TV, they still included the lyric “the subliminal mindfuck America.”

The song originally came out after 9/11 and is a commentary on the government taking advantage of societal hysteria through the passage of the Patriot Act. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them open the Super Bowl, and found it hilarious that the idea of them and Bad Bunny performing at the event was protested so heavily, even by Trump himself.

Super Bowl LX commercial highlights

The Super Bowl, as always, delivered on iconic commercials. From controversial to cringe, Super Bowl LX had them all. Enjoy perusing my picks for best throwback, most relevant, funniest, and more.

Best Throwback

years. I think that Valentine’s Day really pushed us towards finding romance, but I think that we could celebrate any type of love,” she said. “So for the last few years, I’ve been choosing to celebrate platonic love. Those are the people that will be around no matter who your partner is at the time.”

The perspectives on dating at WSU are as varied as its students.

From pessimistic app swipers, to hopeful moonstruck romantics, Wichita State is sure to have them all.

With this variety, I think it is easy to forget those of our friends that are struggling with romantic love this season – or every season. There’s so much pressure on college students to live their lives to the fullest, and for some reason, that must involve romantic love.

But why?

Romantic love is disappointing. It results in dissatisfaction and begrudging. Unless you’re one of those lucky few who found their soulmate, dating, and especially dating apps, are the worst for the rest of us.

Doyon says platonic love.

“I started doing Palentines with my friends instead, and we’ve been doing it for probably five or six

Be kind to your single friends this Valentine’s season, and maybe set them up with a mutual friend on a blind date. They’ll definitely have more luck than on Tinder.

This depends on which generation you’re coming from. 90’s kids might’ve appreciated the star-studded “Good Will Dunkin” ad, with big names like Ben Affleck and Matt LeBlanc advertising for Dunkin’ Donuts. Younger folks might’ve preferred Briam Baumgartner reprising his role as Kevin Malone from “The Office” in an ad for financial technology start-up Ramp, even featuring his world-famous chili, which — this time — doesn’t spill. My personal favorite was “Good Will Dunkin.” I mean, Joey? C’mon. How you doin’?

Most Giggles

The funniest ad this year, or at least the cheekiest, was certainly Novartis’ “relax your tight end.” The ad pokes gentle fun at the “finger-free” method of prostate cancer screening. Famous tight ends such as Rob Gronkowski are seen painting, bathing and doing other relaxing activities, showcasing the stress-free method Novartis advertises.

Most Cringe

One ad that made my face turn up was the Wegovy weight loss ad featuring Kenan Thompson and DJ Khaled. Maybe it’s my dislike of Thompson on Saturday Night Live, or the over-memeification of DJ Khaled, but it fell flat and was not as funny as it was trying to be.

SPRING SERVICE

More Than 100 shockers volunteer across the city at Wu’s Big Event

LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

Tuesday, Feb. 10

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Rhatigan Student Center

Celebrate the Year of the Horse with cultural activities, traditional foods and special performances. The celebration is hosted by the Office of Student Engagement and Belonging.

CRAM CAFE

Tuesday, Feb. 10

4 - 7 p.m.

Rhatigan Student Center

Come for a calm and focused space to finish assignments, prepare for tests, and enjoy free snacks and drinks. The event is open for all students to join.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY

Tuesday, Feb. 10

6 p.m.

Charles Koch Arena

Come support the Shocker women’s basketball team against Florida Atlantic on Champions 4 Literacy and Education Appreciation Night. Students get free online tickets.

LEADERSHIP LUNCHEON

Wednesday, Feb. 11

Noon - 1:30 p.m.

Rhatigan Student Center

Join students and professionals to eat and hear from a panel of student leaders about leadership. The event is hosted by the Office of Student Engagement and Belonging.

MEN’S BASKETBALL VS SOUTH FLORIDA UNIVERSITY

Wednesday, Feb. 11

6:30 p.m.

Charles Koch Arena

Come support the Shocker men’s basketball team against South Florida on Champions 4 Literacy and Education Appreciation Night. Students get free online tickets.

SHARE THE LOVE

Thursday, Feb. 12

11 a.m.

Rhatigan Student Center

Check out the RSC to grab some Valentine’s Day goodies to give to your loved ones. Supplies are available while they last, sponsored by the Rhatigan Student Center.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH MOVIE NIGHT, FEATURING “MARSHALL” Thursday, Feb. 12

7:15 - 10 p.m.

Hubbard Hall

Come for a screening of the 2018 film “Marshall,” featuring the story of Thurgood Marshall’s journey to become the first Black supreme court justice. The screening is hosted by the Black Student Union.

JO ZAKAS MUSICAL THEATER INCUBATOR SHOWING Thursday, Feb. 12

7:30 - 10 p.m.

Hughes Metropolitan Complex

Enjoy a performance from the writing team of Amanda D’Archangelis and Sami Horneff from the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop. Students get free tickets with ID.

SHOCKERS AFTER DARK: CASINO NIGHT Friday, Feb. 13

8 - 10 p.m.

Rhatigan Student Center

Come to the RSC for a night of blackjack, poker, roulette, bingo and more. Cash in your chips for a chance at prizes, or check out the nugget or fry bar.

WICHITA CLEAN STREAMS Saturday, Feb. 14

10 a.m.

HAVE AN EVENT YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED?

CONTACT THE ARTS EDITOR: arts@thesunflower.com

CONTACT THE NEWS EDITOR: news@thesunflower.com