From buzzer-beaters to bowl victories, the 2024-25 school year delivered no shortage of unforgettable moments for Kansas State athletics.
Across every season, Wildcat fans were treated to rivalry wins, emotional milestones and historic performances that left a lasting mark on the program’s history.
Here’s a look back at the top 10 moments that defined K-State sports this year.
1. WBB Sweet 16 berth
For the first time since 2002, the No. 5-seeded K-State women earned a spot in the Sweet 16 after downing No. 4 seed Kentucky 80-79 in an overtime classic in Lexington, Kentucky.
The Wildcats were led by a dominant perimeter shooting performance from senior transfer forward Temira Poindexter, who drilled eight 3-pointers in the contest to score a game-high 24 points.
One of the key storylines from the program-changing win, however, flew under the radar as senior Serena Sundell became the program’s all-time assists leader, passing Shalee Lehning’s mark of 800.
“It doesn’t compare,” Sundell said of breaking the record. “I would choose the Sweet 16 every single day over getting that record.”
Sundell scored 19 points with 14 assists, including the game-tying shot to send the Wildcats into overtime. In her second game back from a foot injury, fellow star senior Ayoka Lee scored 16 points on 8-18 shooting with nine rebounds and two blocks.
While the Wildcats nearly fell in the ensuing matchup with No. 1 seed USC, the feat of making the second weekend was the proper send-off for the Wildcats’ super core of seniors and highlighted K-State sports this year.
2. Bernat wins at Augusta National
Senior Carla Bernat took home the prestigious Augusta National Women’s Amateur title in April. Not only did Bernat hoist a trophy at arguably the most prestigious golf course in the world, but she set a handful of historic marks and program firsts.
Her three consecutive days of 4-under par for a final score of 12-under allowed her to become the first player to score in the 60s in all three days of the event. As the winner, she was the first Spaniard to win the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship and the first Wildcat.
A transfer from Tulane who followed head coach Stew Burke, Bernat has helped redefine the Wildcats’ program in just two years. Her win at Augusta will live in K-State and worldwide golf history forever.
3. Sophomores star in Rate Bowl win
K-State football dramatically completed a 17-point comeback to beat Rutgers 44-41 in the 2024 Rate Bowl in December. The fearless fight offered promise for the future of the football program, as a handful of rising juniors starred in Phoenix.
Running back Dylan Edwards, taking the reins of the running game for NFL draftee DJ Giddens, sprinted for the game-winning touchdown with four minutes remaining. The sophomore collected 196 rushing yards and three total touchdowns, earning offensive MVP honors in his debut as a starter.
The Wildcats’ sophomore slinger, Avery Johnson, put the finishing touches on an impressive debut season as the starting quarterback. With three passing touchdowns against Rutgers, he passed Will Howard (2023) and Ell Roberson (2003) for most touchdown passes in a season at K-State, with 25 passing touchdowns.
4. Football wins 16th straight Sunflower Showdown
K-State extended its winning streak over rival Kansas to 16 consecutive games on Oct. 27, winning 29-27 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
With a fourth-quarter lead for the second straight year, Kansas appeared to finally snap its losing streak in the Sunflower Showdown. However, Jayhawk quarterback Jalon Daniels, who had struggled to protect the football all season, gave the Wildcats the chance they needed with his second turnover of the game.
Sophomore linebacker Austin Romaine forced a fumble on Daniels with 3:44 left on the clock, stopping Kansas from having a chance to put the game away. With 1:47 left on the clock, Chris Tennant stepped up and tied his career-long field goal to give K-State its 29-27 lead and eventually the win.
5. MBB’s six-game win streak, Beasley returns to Bramlage for KU upset
While a second-straight season missing the NCAA Tournament won’t go down as a fond year for men’s basketball, its six-game win streak in February rejuvenated a previously lackluster season.
The Wildcats extended the streak with two ranked wins in four days, starting with head coach Jerome Tang’s third win over rival Kansas at Bramlage in as many years at the helm. Then, against No. 13 Arizona, K-State outlasted the opposing Wildcats for a 73-70 win.
Against KU, former K-State star Michael Beasley was back in Manhattan for the Sunflower Showdown as the Wildcats took down rival No. 16 Kansas 81-73.
The following day, Beasley was arrested at the Manhattan Regional Airport for possession of marijuana. He was released on a $750 bond.
“Though it’s still fresh, I’m focused on learning and making better decisions,” Beasley said in a social media post. “… Returning to Manhattan felt like coming home. And that win over KU truly showcased the heart and resilience of our community.”
The six-game winning streak is the second-longest of Tang’s tenure and the longest since a nine-game winning streak from Dec. 3, 2022, to Jan. 10, 2023, in his first year.
6. Women’s golf secures first NCAA Championship berth
For the first time in program history, K-State women’s golf will play in the NCAA Championship as the No. 5-seeded Wildcats tied for second place at the 2025 NCAA Lexington Regional.
K-State was led by senior Carla Bernat, who claimed the individual leaderboard title at the par-72, 6,095-yard Keene Trace Golf Club. She led the field by going 9-under par on the par 5s, including the rare feat of an albatross on Wednesday, scoring a two on a par 5.
7. Lee becomes all-time leading scorer
One game cannot describe the legacy of Ayoka Lee. Her career was cemented in the rafters after her NCAA Division I women’s basketball record of 61 points in a single game. She later became K-State’s all-time leading shot blocker and rebounder.
After scoring point No. 2,334 on Dec. 5, Lee sat alone at the top as K-State’s all-time leading scorer. After her Sweet 16 performance, Lee finished her college career with 2,533 points.
8. Sundell leads WBB over No. 9 TCU
In a season full of moments for women’s basketball, Sundell stole the show at Bramlage Coliseum in front of 7,477 fans on Feb. 5, leading K-State to a gusty 59-50 win over No. 9 TCU, who later reached the Elite Eight.
Sundell, the nation’s leader in assists, proved why she is one of the best overall players in the country with 27 points, six rebounds and four assists. 23 of her 27 points came in the second half, where she made 9-13 field goals, dominating in the paint.
9. Baseball historic start
While the rest of the season’s story is unwritten, K-State baseball welcomed its first moment in the university’s spotlight during the first half of the schedule.
Despite a 1-4 road trip to start the season, the Wildcats quickly regrouped and won the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series Champions in Arlington, Texas. The feat came across three ranked wins in as many days, defeating then-No. 5 Arkansas, No. 25 Michigan and No. 22 TCU.
Then, to start conference play, K-State kept the foot on the gas and recorded an 8-1 start in the Big 12, setting a new school record and starting a perfect 10-0 at Tointon Family Stadium.
The Wildcats sit on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble in the latest projection by D1Baseball, looking to make the postseason for the first time since 2010-11.
10. Giddens bullies Buffs at Boulder
K-State and Colorado renewed their old conference rivalry on Oct. 12 and delivered a classic performance under the lights, led by junior running back DJ Giddens.
Entering the contest, Colorado had not allowed a 100-yard rusher in a single matchup. Giddens put an end to that mark with 127 yards in the first half, finishing with 182 yards on 25 attempts for an average of 7.3 yards per play.
While he’s a calm, mild-tempered presence off the field, Giddens is a force to be reckoned with when the cleats are laced up. The game brought the highlight of juking Buffalo cornerback Shilo Sanders, brother of quarterback Shedeur Sanders and son of Colorado coach Deion Sanders.
What DJ Giddens just did to Shilo Sanders is illegal in at least 35 states pic.twitter.com/b15LPYsryK
— John Kurtz (@jlkurtz) October 13, 2024
Honorable Mention
- Sophie Bert wins Big 12 title
- New T&F assistant Tara Davis-Woodall wins Olympic gold
- Camden Beebe announces medical retirement
- Parrish, Giddens, and Sigle drafted to the NFL
- Sundell, Poindexter move to WNBA, Lee retires from basketball
- Aliyah Carter starts pro career in France
- Colleen Corbin named 2nd soccer coach
