TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn head tennis coach Kirby Ronning has announced the elevation of Santiago Rendon to assistant coach for both the men's and women's programs beginning in the 2026-27 season.  

"Santi has been an instrumental part of the rise of our program over the past five years, both as a national champion during his playing career and as a graduate assistant coach," said head coach Kirby Ronning. "He will have a long and successful career as a college tennis coach and we couldn't be more grateful to have him here at Washburn."  

Rendon, a former Ichabod All-American, has spent the past two seasons on the coaching staff as a graduate assistant for both programs. During his two seasons on the coaching staff Washburn has made four appearances in the NCAA Tournament, won two MIAA/GAC Tournament championships and a pair of MIAA Regular Season Championships while also helping guide the men to the 2024-25 NCAA championship match.  

Over his three-year career with Washburn as a student-athlete, he compiled more than 100 total victories going 53-23 in doubles. In doubles Rendon went 53-19 in his time in Topeka, also reaching the 20-win mark in his junior and senior seasons. During the fall of 2023 Rendon and Tim Hammes qualified for the ITA Cup in doubles and won four straight matches over three days to become the first pair of Ichabods to win an ITA Cup Doubles National Championship. 

The Bogota, Colombia native helped Washburn to three straight NCAA Tournament Appearances including a spot in the NCAA National Championships his senior season. The Ichabods also won back-to-back MIAA/GAC Tournament Championships in 2022-23 and 23-24 as well as the MIAA/GAC Regular Season Championship in 2023-24. 

Rendon, a Bogota, Colombia native, is a two-time graduate from Washburn. He earned his bachelor's degree in business in 2024 and graduated with his MBA in 2026.