Shocker Brew 6/14: Shocker Success

Two On First, Another One, and much more!

Good morning! Her time at WSU may be over, but Sydney McKinney is still doing the same thing she has always done from her days at Wilkins Stadium. She makes the pro game look simple.

What else are we tossing into today’s Brew?

⚾️ Two On First
🏀 Another One
​🌾 And much, much more!

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Two On First. To the surprise of pretty much nobody, junior Brock Rodden and sophomore Payton Tolle were named to the First Team All-Central Region by the American Baseball Coaches Association. They are the first Shockers to earn First Team honors since 2018 when Alec Bohm was selected to the team.

  • Rodden, WSU’s consistent second baseman, earned his way to the selection after putting up stellar numbers in batting average (.371), runs scored (62), and RBIs (64); all second-best in the AAC.

  • Tolle, one of the best dual-threat players in the nation, earned his selection after going 9-3 on the mound with a 4.62 ERA across 15 appearances, and added 13 home runs and 50 RBIs from the plate.

🔼 Over The Bar. After completing her season at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with Louisville, new assistant coach Aliyah Welter will make her way down to Shocker Nation to take over the pole vault program.

“I’m super excited about the energy that she is going to bring to our coaching staff and to our program,” said head coach Steve Rainbolt about his newest hire. Welter will join the team of coaches after placing 12th nationally in the pole vault event this season, a personal record for her. “Welter is one of the most impressive athletes I’ve coached,” said her former coach, Brooke Rasnick.

The Shockers are getting a good one, and her energy and perspective is going to be something the student-athletes are going to be able to benefit from.

🔼 Another One. Shocker Nation has another player joining its women’s basketball program as Coach Nooner’s newest addition. Jayla Murray will join the roster next season for WSU coming from Florida Southwestern State.

“[She] is a gifted player who adds size, versatility, and explosiveness to our wings and forwards,” said Coach Nooner. She brings an impressive resume to Wichita State with a Third Team NJCAA All-American award, a Southern Conference Player of the Year award, and First Team All-Conference selection. Entering her junior her, Murray will look to contribute to the team as a fierce competitor.

🤔 SHOCKER TRIVIA

HOF’er. The 2023 Kansas Sports Hall of Fame inducted three former Shockers this week, including the great Lynbert Johnson. The former basketball player saw great personal success with the team during his time at Wichita State.

Our question today — do you know what years Mr. Johnson was a part of the basketball program at WSU?

Think you got it? Scroll on down to the bottom of this email for the answer!

🌾 ONE BIG THING

The 2023 Kansas Sports Hall of Fame had a couple members from Shocker Nation nominated into the club. These legends, with their hard work and dedication to their craft, earned their spots and will forever be remembered for their efforts.

  • Sara Lungren Walkup, as one of the best volleyball players to suit up for the program, was inducted to the KSHOF from her time with the program from 2003-2007.

  • Brent Kemnitz, the legendary pitching coach from 1978-2016, was inducted for his efforts contributing to the storied history that is Shocker baseball.

  • Lynbert “Cheese” Johnson, the three-time MVP All-Conference team member and two-time Honorable Mention All-American, was inducted as one of the most decorated members during his time at WSU.

📬 STICK WITH US

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📅 THE DAYS AHEAD

Wednesday 6/14

No scheduled events

Thursday 6/15

No scheduled events

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: 1975-1979!

He finished with the fifth-most points in Shocker history with 1,907 career points and is a current member of the Shocker Sports Hall of Fame after being inducted in 1986.

Have a great Wednesday, y’all.