Sunflower Slate

Roll call has officially returned, Sunflower State-ians. And this week’s a doozy. Let’s hit it.

FOOTBALL

MIAA

Nothing like being named defensive player of the week in your first start, right Brad Cole?

The Washburn wide receiver-turned-linebacker grabbed MIAA honors for defense in his first start after switching to linebacker from wide receiver and produced dividends immediately. Cole, a 6 foot-3, 205-pound junior, picked off a pass and returned it 30 yards for the Ichabods’ first score in a 23-0 win at Missouri Southern, Wasburn’s first shutout in 46 games. Cole also recovered a fumble and returned it eight yards, and had three tackles — including a tackle for loss. That’s called stepping up when your team needs you, and trust me this one needed a boost after a hot start followed by some deflating losses.

Brad Cole, Washburn

KCAC

Beau Cox. Where would Bethel be right now without him? This running back blew up the KCAC in 2006, fought through a frustrating, injury-plagued season in 2007 and now he’s making a case for Offensive Player of the Year honors in the KCAC. Oh, and he’s this week’s offensive player of the week. He’s so versatile that when he steps on the field, you can’t just focus on him running. Ask Bethany. He had 18 carries for 64 yards against the Swedes in a 13-6 win … and eight catches for 101 yards … and one pass completion for 55 yards. Booyah.

Beau Cox, Bethel

JAYHAWK

Fort Scott’s defense is scary. I’ve said this before, though. But this latest guy … just the thought of him hitting quarterbacks makes me weep with joy. Jason Pierre-Paul is the Jayhawk Conference defensive player of the week after his 10 tackle, 1.5 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 recovered fumble performance in the Greyhounds’ third shutout of the year. That’s 6-foot-5 inches and 280 pounds of high-octane defensive pressure coming at you. Can’t wait until they play Butler. Teammate Jasmine Hopkins was the co-offensive player of the week with 143 yards rushing and 2 TDs, sharing honors with Garden City running back Chase Bieberle, a freshman out of Great Bend. Beebs rushed for 161 yards and 2 TDs and had a receiving touchdown, too. And he scored the game-winner in OT vs. Coffeyville. Garden City freshman punter Daniel Balman was the special teams player of the week.

Chase Bieberle, GCCC

VOLLEYBALL

MIAA

Someone forgot to tell Emporia State’s Arica Shephard that girls that are 5-foot-9 aren’t supposed to be All-American outside hitters and teammate Ting Liu that 6-foot-1 girls aren’t supposed to be setters. They’ve got it backwards, right?

The junior from Rossville showed why Emporia State is on a 16-game winning streak by leading the Hornets to a 4-0 record at the Washburn Lady Blues Fall Classic this weekend — all sweeps. Shephard averaged 5.21 kills and 3.67 digs per set in Topeka on her way to MIAA hitter of the week honors, and Liu was named setter of the week after averaging 14.7 assists per set. For the record, this is the fourth time Liu has won this award this season. Out of six times its been given out. She’s good.

Arica Shephard, ESU

KCAC

Bethany’s Lisa Runnebaum is your KCAC hitter of the week for the second time this season after helping the Swedes go 3-0 this week in league games against Saint Mary, Southwestern and McPherson. Runnebaum 53 kills, 40 digs and six aces on the week and coach Nathalea Stephenson says she’s the team leader. And Bethany is still very much in the hunt for the league title. Wichitan Audrey Schellenberg’s Tabor squad also went 3-0 this week, and her 7.36 assists per game ration was a big reason why. Bethel’s Kristen Schrag, a Moundridge product, is the defensive specialist of the week for the second time this season. There’s going to be some tough decisions when it comes time to pick an All-KCAC first team this year.

Audrey Schellenberg, Tabor

SOCCER

Quick question to ponder before I get into this: Why aren’t the MIAA schools based out of Kansas better at soccer? Any thoughts? Is this just a down year?

KCAC

On the men’s side, McPherson’s Armando Rodriguez is the men’s offensive player of the week after a one goal, 1 assist effort in a 3-0 win over Ottawa. Somebody needs to fill me in here … Southwestern’s Stacy Harkness scored a goal in each game she played this week, wins at Oklahoma Wesleyan and Bethany. Upon further review, there are no less than three Harknesses on the Moundbuilders’ women’s soccer team. What gives? Sisters, cousins, what? They’re from Wichita so I was thinking about doing a story on it if I can get a little background info …

CROSS COUNTRY

And finally, my man Skyler Delmott is the MIAA cross country runner of the week for the second time this season. He finished second overall at the Jock’s Nitch Invitational in Emporia, pacing the Hornets to the team trophy. Smile, dude.

Southwestern’s Andrew Topham and Ericka Joiner were tops in the KCAC this week.

I’m out.

-TA