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2025 Aquatics GB Swimming Championships

2025 AQUATICS GB SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS After a week of intense racing, we’ve reached the end of the 2025 Aquatics GB Swimming Championships. Tonight represents swimmers last chance to make their case to be on the plane for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Tonight’s session begins with the men’s 50 butterfly, where Ben Proud, Jacob […]

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2025 Aquatics GB Swimming Championships

2025 AQUATICS GB SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

After a week of intense racing, we’ve reached the end of the 2025 Aquatics GB Swimming Championships. Tonight represents swimmers last chance to make their case to be on the plane for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.

Tonight’s session begins with the men’s 50 butterfly, where Ben Proud, Jacob Peters, and Jack Brown face off. Proud won the men’s 50 freestyle in London this week and is a former World Champion in this event. Meanwhile, Peters comes in as the top seed and 17-year-old Brown made waves this week with a 51.87 in the 100 butterfly.

Later, the action shifts to the men’s 200 backstroke. There, Oliver Morgan aims for a backstroke sweep. He’s been on fire this weekend and qualified as the second seed (1:59.33) behind Olympic medalist Luke Greenbank (1:57.92). Greenbank leads the field by over a second and the Worlds consideration time is 1:57.28, so Morgan will have his work cut out for him. The top four men were all under 2:00 this morning as Jonny Marshall (1:59.33) tied with Morgan and Matthew Ward clocked 1:59.63.

After the 800 freestyle fastest heat, the women’s events turn towards the sprints. Angharad Evans hit a lifetime best 2:21.86 in the 200 breaststroke to punch her ticket to Worlds. It was an exciting swim that also built the hype for her 100 breaststroke, where she’s the British record holder. Then, veteran Freya Anderson and rising star Eva Okaro go head-t0-head in the 100 freestyle. Anderson comes in as the top seed (54.37) and is looking to bounce back after missing the 200 freestyle ‘A’ final this week. Okaro has been having the opposite week, building confidence and qualifying for Worlds, and joined Anderson sub-55 seconds this morning (54.95).

The meet closes with the men’s 200 freestyle final. Matt Richards is already pre-qualified for Worlds in this race, leaving one individual qualification spot open for the rest of the field. Duncan Scott looks well-positioned to take it, he’s been swimming strong all week–setting a 200 butterfly British record–and qualified second for the final in 1:47.31. But, James Guy was out like a shot during his 400 freestyle at the beginning of the week and leads the into the final with a 1:46.85 prelims swim.

Men’s 50-Meter Butterfly

Junior Final

  • British Record: 22.75 — Ben Proud (2017)
  • British Junior Record: 23.10 — Ben Proud (2013)

Top 3:

  1. Ethan Soppett-Moss, Corby — 24.56
  2. Chengze Duan, RTW Monson — 24.59
  3. Matthew Hamilton, Plymouth — 24.61

Ethan Soppett-Moss earned the first win of the last session at the 2025 Aquatics GB Swimming Championships. He pipped Chengze Duan by three-hundredths to win the 50 butterfly junior final, stopping the clock at 24.56.

It was a close final all around, as Duan got his hands on the wall two-hundredths ahead of Matthew Hamilton‘s 24.61.

Multi-Class Para Final

  • S6 British Record: 32.01 — Sascha Kindred (2015)

Top 3:

  1. Bruce Dee, Northampton (S6) — 33.75 (738 points)

Bruce Dee was the lone racer in this multi-class para final. He’s been on the podium multiple times throughout this week and picked up another medal by winning gold in the 50 butterfly. He swam a lifetime best 33.75 to take home the win, earning 738 para points.

British Open Final

  • World Record: 22.27 — Andriy Govorov, Ukraine (2018)
  • European Record: 22.27 — Andriy Govorov, Ukraine (2018)
  • British Record: 22.75 — Ben Proud (2017)
  • Aquatics GB 2025 Worlds Consideration Time: —

Top 3:

  1. Ben Proud, Chelsea & Westminster — 23.21
  2. Jacob Peters, Bath PC /Josh Gammon, Bath PC — 23.44
  3. (tie)

A long finish nearly cost Ben Proud the win in the race, but he’d done enough work over the one length of butterfly to earn gold in the British Open final of the men’s 50 butterfly. It’s his second win of the week, he won the 50 freestyle earlier this week. Proud called the time, a 23.21, a “very standard” one for this point in the season after the race.

Over two-tenths behind Proud, Jacob Peters and Josh Gammon tied for the silver medal at 23.44.

Women’s 800-Meter Freestyle

British Open — Fastest Heat

  • World Record: 8:04.79 — Katie Ledecky, United States (2016)
  • European Record: 8:14.10 — Rebecca Adlington, Great Britain (2008)
  • British Record: 8:14.10 — Rebecca Adlington, Great Britain (2008)
  • Aquatics GB 2025 Worlds Consideration Time: 8:25.84

Top 3:

  1. Amelie Blocksidge, Salford — 8:37.85
  2. Fleur Lewis, Loughborough Uni — 8:42.34
  3. Lucy Fox, Loughborough PC — 8:47.29

Teenager Amelie Blocksidge controlled the fastest heat of the women’s 800 freestyle. It was the opposite strategy from the one she used in the 400 freestyle earlier in the week, where she was right at the back of the field until the second half of the race. In that race, she just ran out of room to chase down Megan Barnes. But Blocksidge is most comfortable in the distance freestyle events and was in a race against the clock as she charged ahead of the 800 freestyle field.

She flipped at the halfway mark in 4:16.88, then maintained her lead over the second 400 meters, taking the win in 8:37.95. She defended her British title in this race from a year ago and completed the distance freestyle sweep with the win.

Over the back half of the race, Fleur Lewis disengaged from her battle with Lucy Fox and broke away from the field as well. She didn’t challenge Blocksidge for the win, but comfortably picked up the silver medal in

Men’s 200-Meter Backstroke

Junior Final

Top 3:

  1. Dean Fearn, Aberdeen — 2:01.67
  2. Daniel Ransom, Leeds — 2:01.68
  3. Finlay Pope, Stockport — 2:02.25

Up in lane two, Toby Godsell had the lead at the 100-meter mark, holding about a three-tenth lead. He maintained his lead at the 150-meter mark. He was overtaken down the stretch as four swimmers charged on the last length.

It came down to the touch, but Dean Fearn came up with the win by a hundredth over the 100 backstroke junior final winner Daniel Ransom. The pair swam 2:01.67 and 2:01.68 and were both under the consideration time for European Juniors.

Stockport’s Finlay Pope took third in the final with a 2:02.25, while Godspell finished fifth in 2:02.57 after a gutsy opening.

British Open Final

  • World Record: 1:51.92 — Aaron Piersol, United States (2009)
  • European Record: 1:53.23 — Evgeny Rylov, Russia (2021)
  • British Record: 1:54.43 — Luke Greenbank (2021)
  • Aquatics GB 2025 Worlds Consideration Time: 1:57.28

Top 3:

  1. Oliver Morgan, Birmingham — 1:55.55 *Worlds Consideration Time* 
  2. Luke Greenbank, Loughborough — 1:56.20 *Worlds Consideration Time*
  3. Jonny Marshall, Carnegie — 1:58.31

Ollie Morgan completed the backstroke sweep at this week’s championships by winning the 200 backstroke in thrilling fashion. Morgan was lights out from the start of the race, opening in a 26.13, almost a second ahead of the rest of the field.

Morgan continued to charge, flipping at the 100-mark in 54.78, well under Luke Greenbank‘s British record pace. In the lane next to him, Greenbank was running third at the halfway point, behind Morgan and Jonny Marshall. Morgan was still under British record pace with 50-meters remaining. He lost touch with the pace on the final 50 meters but was far enough ahead to win by .65 seconds, even as Greenbank mounted a charge on the back half of the race.

Morgan swam a lifetime best 1:55.55 that makes him the second-fastest British performer in event history, behind only Greenbank. The swim was well under the Aquatics GB consideration time and Greenbank joined him under that cut with a 1:56.20. Greenbank got back in the water in January and since he finished second isn’t automatically qualified for the Worlds team, but it would be a shock if the organizers left him off the roster after he cleared the cut by over a second.

Marshall got on his third backstroke podium of the week with a 1:58.31.

Women’s 100-Meter Breaststroke

Junior Final

  • British Record: 1:05.54 — Angharad Evans (2024)
  • British Junior Record: 1:06.35 — Sophie Taylor (2014)

Top 3:

  1. Imogen Myles, Sevenoaks — 1:10.16
  2. Charlotte Hardy, Millfield — 1:10.28
  3. Gabrielle Idle-Beavers, Mt. Kelly — 1:10.73

Gabrielle Idle-Beavers had the lead at the turn of the girls’ 100 breaststroke junior final. Imogen Myles was the only swimmer to go out with Idle-Beavers under 33 seconds, turning .15 seconds behind Idle-Beavers’ opening 32.69 split.

Myles struck on the closing meters, timing her race well and getting her hands on the wall first. She touched in 1:10.16 while Charlotte Hardy closed strong as well to place second in 1:10.28. Idle-Beavers held on for a top three position in 1:10.73.

Multi-Class Para Final

  • SB7 British Record: 1:29.69 — Iona Winnifrith (2024)
  • SB8 British Record: 1:13.83 — Brock Whiston (2019)
  • SB13 British Record: 1:13.81 — Rebecca Redfern (2019)
  • SB14 British Record: 1:12.89 — Bethany Firth (2016)

Top 3:

  1. Rebecca Redfern, Worcester (SB13) — 1:14.27 (993 points)
  2. Iona Winnifrith, Tonbridge (SB7) — 1:30.21 (869 points)
  3. Brock Whiston, London Dis (SB8) — 1:20.82 (858 points)

Paralympic champion Rebecca Redfearn picked up the win in the multi-class para final of the women’s 100 breaststroke. She swam 1:14.27, coming within a second of her SB13 British record and going faster than she went to win Paralympic gold in her classification this summer in Paris.

Iona Winnifrith, the SB7 British record holder, was also within a second of her standard as she picked up the silver medal. She swam a 1:30.61, which earned her 869 points, nine more than Brock Whiston. Whiston earned bronze and was under the Para Worlds consideration time for the SB8 classification.

British Open Final:

  • World Record: 1:04.13 — Lilly King, United States (2017)
  • European Record: 1:04.35 — Rūta Meilutyte, Lithuania (2013)
  • British Record: 1:05.54 — Angharad Evans (2024)
  • Aquatics GB 2025 Worlds Consideration Time: 1:06.31

Top 3:

  1. Angharad Evans, Stirling — 1:05.37 *British Record, Worlds Consideration Time* 
  2. Kara Hanlon, Edinburgh — 1:06.93
  3. Anna Morgan, Edinburgh — 1:08.39

Angharad Evans took down her 100 breaststroke British record in the same pool where she broke it last year. After qualifying for the Worlds team in the 200 breaststroke earlier this week, Evans said before the race she wasn’t feeling any pressure ahead of this race.

Evans quickly asserted herself in this race. She turned over five-tenths ahead of the field in 31.05, just two-hundredths off British record pace. She did all the work to get under the record on the second half of her race, coming home in 34.32 to break her standard with a 1:05.37.

Additionally, the swim makes her the fastest female 100 breaststroker in the world this season ahead of the 1:05.82 Anita Bottazzo swam last week.

Edinburgh teammates Kara Hanlon and Anna Morgan share the podium again this week, now going 2-3 in the 100 breaststroke. Hanlon swam 1:06.93, while Morgan clocked 1:08.39.

Women’s 100-Meter Freestyle

Junior Final

  • British Record: 52.75 — Anna Hopkin (2021)
  • British Junior Record: 53.31 — Freya Anderson (2019)

Top 3:

  1. Skye Carter, Basildon – 55.64
  2. Annabelle Compton, Wycombe – 55.70
  3. Emma Wood, Leeds – 55.78

Skye Carter has had a strong week in London, finding success in both junior and British Open finals. She added to this week’s resume by closing strongly and getting the win in the girls’ junior 100 freestyle final. She hit the wall in 55.64, right on her lifetime best.

Annabelle Compton earned second from lane two, six-hundredths behind Carter with a 55.70. Leeds’ Emma Wood touched third in 55.78.

Multi-Class Para Final

  • S5 British Record: 1:11.71 — Tully Kearney (2022)
  • S9 British Record: 1:03.00 — Toni Shaw (2019)
  • S10 British Record: 1:01.00 — Faye Rodgers (2025)
  • S11 British Record: 1:10.42 — Scarlett Humphrey (2025)
  • S12 British Record: 58.94 — Hannah Russell (2016)

Top 3:

  1. Faye Rodgers, Aberdeen (S10) — 1:01.10 (861 points)
  2. Callie-Ann Warrington, RTW Monson (S10) — 1:02.33 (811 points)
  3. Scarlett Humphrey, Northampton (S11) — 1:10.31 (775 points) *S11 British Record* 

It was a great race between S10 swimmers Faye Rodgers and Callie-Ann Warrington. In prelims, Rodgers broke Warrington’s 100 freestyle S10 British Record, swimming a 1:01.00. She was a tenth off that time in tonight’s final, which she put down to her finish post-race, as she swam away from sprint-specialist Warrington down the stretch.

Rodgers’ time wins her the multi-class para British title in this race with 861 points, while Warrington earned silver with 811 points (1:02.33).

Scarlett Humphrey has been rattling her British records all week and took one down here in the 100 freestyle. She broke the 100 freestyle S11 record she swam earlier this year, posting a 1:10.31, bettering the mark by nine-hundredths as she won bronze with 775 points.

British Open Final

  • World Record: 51.71 — Sarah Sjöström, Sweden (2017)
  • European Record: 51.71 — Sarah Sjöström, Sweden (2017)
  • British Record: 52.75 — Anna Hopkin (2021)
  • Aquatics GB 2025 Worlds Consideration Time: 53.55

Top 4:

  1. Freya Anderson, Bath PC — 54.09
  2. Eva Okaro, Repton — 54.10
  3. Freya Colbert, Loughborough — 54.54
  4. Theodora Taylor, Torfaen — 54.59

Sprint specialist Eva Okaro took the 100 freestyle final out first, flipping in 26.13. Freya Anderson was running second in 26.22 and pushed on the back half of the race. She got her hand on the wall a hundredth ahead of Okaro to win the British title, 54.09 to 54.10.

No one made the Aquatics GB Worlds Consideration time for the individual event and the times do not add up to the Aquatics GB qualification time, though the organizers could opt to send the relay anyway. That would give Freya Colbert another swim in what’s turning into a busy Worlds for her. It would also send 16-year-old Theodora Taylor to Singapore, who had a big swim out of lane eight to finish fourth in 54.59, five-hundredths behind Colbert.

Men’s 200-Meter Freestyle

Junior Final

  • British Record: 1:44.22 — Tom Dean (2021)
  • British Junior Record: 1:45.77 — Matt Richards (2021)

Top 3:

  1. Hayden Annan, RTW Monson — 1:50.06
  2. Jacob Mills, Repton — 1:50.08
  3. Gabriel Shepherd, Leeds — 1:50.41

Hayden Annan won the boys’ 200 freestyle junior final by two-hundredths ahead of Jacob Mills, who has been having an excellent week, getting under the Worlds consideration time in the 100 freestyle with a 48.03. Annan’s 1:50.06 was a lifetime best for him, as was Mills’ 1:50.08.

The top three swimmers were all sub-1:51 as Gabriel Shepherd touched in 1:50.41.

Multi-Class Para Final

  • S14 British Record: 1:51.30 — William Ellard (2024)

Top 3:

  1. William Ellard, Norwich (S14) — 1:53.38 (945 points)
  2. Dylan Broom, Swansea (S14) — 1:58.38 (831 points)
  3. Mark Tompsett, Bolton (S14) — 2:02.24 (754 points)

William Ellard, the 200 freestyle S14 Paralympic champion, picked up the British title in the event with a 1:53.38. Ellard was outside of the 200 freestyle S14 world record he set last spring in Berlin but got under the consideration time for the 2025 Para World Swimming Championships later this summer.

Ellard flew away from the field for the win in the all S14 final, but Dylan Broom was able to join Ellard under the 2:00 mark, swimming a 1:58.38 for 831 points and the silver medal. Mark Tompsett, who took down the 100 backstroke S14 European record earlier this week, earned medal by swimming 2:02.24 and picking up 754 points for a bronze medal.

British Open Final

  • World Record: 1:42.00 — Paul Biedermann, Germany (2009)
  • European Record: 1:42.00 — Paul Biedermann, Germany (2009)
  • British Record: 1:44.22 — Tom Dean (2021)
  • Aquatics GB 2025 Worlds Consideration Time: 1:45.96

Top 4:

  1. Duncan Scott, Stirling/James Guy, Manchester — 1:45.08
  2. (tie)
  3. Matt Richards, Manchester — 1:45.35
  4. Jack McMillan, Stirling — 1:46.49

Duncan Scott and James Guy had the chance to do the funniest thing possible and they did just that. With only one individual 200 freestyle spot available because Matt Richards was pre-selected to the event after winning Olympic silver in Paris, Scott and Guy tied for the gold in the men’s 200 freestyle final.

Both will go to Singapore as the men’s 4×200 freestyle relay qualified for the World Championships, but it’s an open question as to how the organizers will break the tie. The posted selection criteria for the championships does not specify how to handle a tie in this situation.

It was a thrilling race well before the final result though. Richards was out like a shot, turning at the 50 in 23.65 and the 100 in 49.80, well under British record pace. Alex Painter, swimming next to Richards in lane 8, was second at the 50 but Guy, then Scott overtook him by the halfway mark.

Richards still led at the 150-mark in 1:16.65, with Scott moving into second ahead of Guy. In the middle of the pool, both Scott and Guy hunted Richards down on the final 50 meters and hit the wall together in 1:45.08. They are now tied for third-fastest in the world this season.

Richards said after the race he would never take the race out that fast again and touched third in 1:45.35 with Scott’s Stirling training parter Jack McMillan touching fourth. McMillan contributed to the British men’s 4×200 freestyle relay gold by swimming in prelims in Paris and will now help the team chase gold in Singapore.

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Fordham Announces 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame Class

Story Links Bronx, N.Y. – Eight individuals will be enshrined into the Fordham University Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, October 17, in the McShane Center as part of Homecoming Weekend. Those making up the 2025 Hall of Fame class are Mike Bonneville, FCHR ’03 (Rowing), Andrew Cordova, FCRH ’93 (Squash), […]

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Bronx, N.Y. – Eight individuals will be enshrined into the Fordham University Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, October 17, in the McShane Center as part of Homecoming Weekend. Those making up the 2025 Hall of Fame class are Mike Bonneville, FCHR ’03 (Rowing), Andrew Cordova, FCRH ’93 (Squash), Courtney Collyer, FCRH ’12 (Women’s Swimming), Kevin Fitzgerald (Men’s Track & Field), Bill Harris (Water Polo – Head Coach), Stan Michael, GABELLI ’88 (Football), Eric Reese, GABELLI ’08 (Baseball), and John Rollins, FCRH ’86 (Men’s Soccer).
 
The eight will join the likes of Frankie Frisch, Vince Lombardi, Wellington Mara, and Vin Scully in the Fordham Athletics Hall of Fame when the new class is inducted.

Mike BonnevilleMike Bonneville, FCHR ’03 (Rowing)

* Four-year member of men’s crew

* Won medals at major national events all four years at Fordham

* The most successful coxswain in Fordham rowing history

* Took home a gold medal in varsity lightweight 4 as sophomore at Dad Vail National Championship

* Won a gold medal in varsity lightweight 8 as junior at Dad Vail National Championship

* A gold medalist at the ECAC National Collegiate Invitational Regatta in varsity lightweight 8 as senior

* Made the Grand Final of the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Regatta in both 2001 and 2002

* Member of the lightweight 4 that won the inaugural Atlantic 10 title in 2000

 

Courtney Collyer, FCRH ’12 (Women’s Swimming)

* Received the 2012 Terence O’Donnell Award, presented to the Fordham athlete who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, loyalty, dedi­cation and self-discipline.

Courtney Collyer* Recipient of the 2012 Atlantic 10 Sportsmanship Award

* Six-time Atlantic 10 champion

* Won the 200 Fly all four years at the Atlantic 10 Championships

* Set one Atlantic 10 individual and one relay record

* Set five school individual records and was a member of four school-record setting relay teams

* Named Rookie of the Meet as a freshman in 2009

* Won the 200 Fly and 400 IM as a freshman at the Atlantic 10 Championship

* Set A-10 conference records in the 200 fly and with the 800 free relay at A-10s

* Won the 200 Fly and was second in the 200 IM as a sophomore at the Atlantic 10 Championships

* Won the 200 Fly and second in the 400 IM at the Atlantic 10 Championship as a junior

* Finished the season with an NCAA “B” cut in the 200 IM at the A-10 Championship

* Won the 100 and  200 Fly at the Atlantic 10 Championship as a senior

* Recorded NCAA “B” cuts in the 100 and 200 Fly and with the 800 Free Relay as a senior

 

Andrew Cordova, FCRH ’93 (Squash)

Andrew Cordova* Four-year member of the team

* Went 18-8 as a freshman at position 4, one of only two freshmen to play in top nine all four years

* Was 20-8 as a sophomore and #4/5 positions, undefeated at nationals

* 21-7 as a junior at the #5 position, undefeated at nationals

* Team ranked #13 in the country as a junior

* 20-8 record as a senior at number 3 position

* Served as co-captain of the 1992-1993 team

* Invited to the National Singles Championship (top 64 players in the country)

* Inducted into the Maryland State Squash Racquets Association Hall of Fame in 2011

* ISDA Tour Player from 2001-2008

Kevin Fitzgerald (Men’s Track & Field)

Kevin Fitzgerald* Six-time Atlantic 10 champion over his career

* Four-time Metropolitan champion over his career

* Competed in the mile and with the 4×800 relay at the 2012 IC4A Championships, earning All-East honors with second place finishes in both

* Earned First Team All-Atlantic 10 honors by winning the 1000m at the 2012 Atlantic 10 Indoor Championship in a season-best time of 2:26.96

* Also garnered First Team All-A-10 accolades with the winning 4×800 relay that set an Atlantic 10 conference record by winning the race in a time of 7:25.29, a school record that still stands

* Helped the Rams to a third place finish at the 2012 Atlantic 10 Indoor Championship, tying for the Rams’ best-ever finish at the Championship, with 91.5 points (the team’s best total at A-10’s)

* 2011 First Team All-Atlantic 10 selection as a junior after winning the 1,000 meters in 2:29.02 at the Atlantic 10 Championship

* Was also a part of the winning 4×800 relay at the 2011 Atlantic 10 Indoor Championship in 7:40.51

* Named to the 2011 Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team

* Finished second at the IC4A Championship as a part of the 4×800 relay team that set the school record with a time of 7:26.00, the second fastest time in the nation

* Won the 1000m title as a sophomore at the 2010 IC4A Indoor Championships in a time of 2:27.91 to earn All-East honors

* Scored at the 2010 Atlantic 10 Indoor Championship, taking fourth in the 1000m (2:27.98)

* Named Academic All-Atlantic as a junior and senior

Bill Harris (Water Polo – Head Coach)

Bill Harris* Has been with the water polo program for the past 21 years

* Served as head coach from 2004-2020 and as associate head coach through 2024

*  333 wins (most in the history of the program), 224 as head coach

* .571 winning percentage, vs. .233 for 5 years prior to arrival

* One regular season league championships (2009)

* Four league championships and NCAA appearances (2021 – 2024)

* 2009 CWPA Northern Division Coach of the Year

* 2017 MAWPC East Division Coach of the Year

* 2018 MAWPC Championship Coach of the Tournament

* 2019 MAWPC East Division Co-Coach of the Year

* 2021 and 2022 MAWPC Champions

* 2021 and 2022 NCAA Championship Berth

* Coaching accolades:

o   2009 CWPA Northern Division Coach of the Year

o   2017 MAWPC East Division Coach of the Year

o   2018 MAWPC Championship Coach of the Tournament

o   2019 MAWPC East Division Co-Coach of the Year

* Athlete accolades:

o   21 all American athletes, 10 as head coach

o   56 all conference athletes, 28 as head coach

* Over his time at Rose Hill, he has expanded the reach of Fordham water polo across the U.S. and internationally with players from Italy, Turkey, Spain, Malta, Greece, Sweden, Israel, Brazil, Hungary, France, South Africa and Venezuela

* Consistently has raised the bar for the program to eventually convince the athletic department to invest in the program with athletic scholarships

* That investment was quickly rewarded with four straight MAWPC Championships and 4 NCAA Championship berths, including a semi-final finish and a #3 final national ranking in 2024 (highest of any school in history outside CA).

 

Stan Michael, GABELLI ’88 (Football)

Stan Michael* Transferred to Fordham from SUNY Cortland midway through fall of sophomore year (1969)

* Key member of the 1969 defense that held five opponents scoreless and yielded 45 points in eight games

* Recorded 47 tackles as a sophomore, fifth highest on team

* Became a starter as a junior in 1970 when the team was elevated to varsity status

* Had 68 total tackles, 27 solo, and recovered four fumbles for a defense that recorded three shutouts

* Earned All-State honors in 1970

* Voted co-captain as a senior in 1971

* Recorded 104 tackles, 40 solo, and blocked a kick

* Named team MVP and was named All-State

* Stan’s play was critical to making Fordham’s huge transition from successful club level ball to successful varsity possible.

 

Eric Reese, GABELLI ’08 (Baseball)

* Four-year member of the baseball team

Eric Reese* Current career rankings

  • 4th – hits (233) (was third when he graduated)
  • 5th – walks (125)
  • T-7th – runs (165)
  • T-9th – games played (198)
  • 10th – at bats (712)
  • 10th – total bases (308)
  • 11th – RBI (123)
  • 13th – stolen bases (60)


* Helped Fordham finish third in the Atlantic 10 & qualify for the Atlantic 10 Tournament as a freshman
* Had 18-multi-hit games as a sophomore
* Served as a team captain as a junior and senior
* Named First Team All-Atlantic 10

* Helped Fordham finish second in the 2007 Atlantic 10 & reach the final of the Atlantic 10 Championship
* Selected to the 2007 Atlantic 10 all-championship team
* Had 81 hits as a junior, second only to HOFer Mike Marchiano (102) for the single season record
* Second Ram ever to have 80 hits and 55 runs scored in the same season (Marchiano)
* 2008 All-Atlantic 10 honorable mention
* Named to the Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference Team
* ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA First Team Academic All-District
* Recipient of the Benedict T. Harter Award at the Block F Awards dinner
 
John Rollins, FCRH ’86 (Men’s Soccer)
John Rollins* Four-year starter
* Two-time All-MAAC selection
* Two-time First Team All-Tri-State Conference pick
* Honorable Mention All-New York State as a senior
* Started and played every minute as a senior in 1985, leading team to a 13-4-3 record
* Named First Team All-MAAC and All-Tri-State Conference in 1985
* Also named Honorable Mention All-New York State
* 1985 club ranked fourth in New York State Region and top 35 in nation
* Had one goal and six assists as a senior
* Started and played every minute as a junior in 1984, leading team to an 11-6-3 record
* Named Second Team All-MAAC and First Team All-Tri-State Conference as a junior
* 1984 team was ranked eighth in New York State
* Started and played every minute as a sophomore in 1983, leading team to a 10-6-4 record
* Earned Second Team All-Tri-State Conference honors in 1983
* Started and played every minute as a freshman in 1982, leading team to an 11-2-4 record
* 1982 team was ranked third in New York State region and top 30 in country
* Team tied then #1 LIU, 1-1, on Edwards Parade in front of what was considered to be largest soccer crowd ever on Edwards Parade
 
Congratulations to the Fordham Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2025! Each of these individuals’ contributions are an integral part of the proud history of Fordham Athletics, and their legacies will be forever remembered and celebrated. 
 
Tickets to attend the October 17 ceremony will be available soon.



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Africa’s Digital Sports Unicorn Connecting The Diaspora And Powering The Continent’s Rise

AfroBallers was founded to amplify the voices and achievements of African and African-descended … More athletes worldwide. Supplied AfroBallers has transformed from a sports media platform into a significant cultural force that reshapes the way African athletes and sports stories are told, represented, and celebrated. Founded by Elliot Osagie and Kevin Bahun-Wilson, AfroBallers operates at […]

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AfroBallers has transformed from a sports media platform into a significant cultural force that reshapes the way African athletes and sports stories are told, represented, and celebrated. Founded by Elliot Osagie and Kevin Bahun-Wilson, AfroBallers operates at the intersection of sports, culture, and technology. Osagie, an Emmy-nominated software engineer and music executive, and Bahun-Wilson, a French-Togolese-Ghanaian entrepreneur with a PhD in mechanical engineering, created the platform with a bold mission: to amplify the voices and achievements of African and African-descended athletes worldwide.

The platform emerged from a desire to globalize African excellence and to change the perspective on how African talent is perceived. What sets AfroBallers apart is its ability to connect with audiences on a variety of digital platforms; whether it’s Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads, or YouTube-making it a touchpoint for fans regardless of their preferred medium.As a result, AfroBallers has become a unique and influential entity within the fragmented landscape of African sports media.

This influence is also driving tangible change in the African sports business. A prime example is the groundbreaking partnership between the reigning Basketball Africa League (BAL) Champions, Angola’s Atlético Petróleos de Luanda, more commonly known as Petro de Luanda, and Puma. This landmark deal, which designates Puma as the football partner of one of Angola’s most storied clubs, indicates a shift in how African teams are valued on the global stage.

In an interview with Forbes.com, the two co-founders discussed this partnership, the factors that position clubs for sponsorships, the power of storytelling, and their collaboration with Afrikicks.

Pioneering Partnerships: Making the Global Local

The impact of AfroBallers is undeniable. When J. Cole signed with the Basketball Africa League (BAL), it was AfroBallers—not ESPN or Reuters—that broke the news. Cited by Bleacher Report and Complex, AfroBallers not only reported the story but also helped shape its global narrative. With a digital-first and culturally aware approach, they have become the go-to source for fans seeking authentic news about the African sports ecosystem.

Strategic partnerships with global institutions, such as the NFL, further highlight AfroBallers’ influence. Since the launch of NFL Africa, they have co-created content tailored to African audiences, showcasing local talent and making complex stories engaging and relatable. They serve as a bridge between different worlds: local and global, tradition and innovation, as well as the diaspora and Africa.

But AfroBallers’ storytelling doesn’t end at the screen, it extends into real-world deal-making. The landmark partnership between Angola’s Atlético Petróleos de Luanda (Petro de Luanda) and Puma is a sample of the work that they continue to do. Far from a chance collaboration, the deal was the result of AfroBallers’ strategic matchmaking, aligning Petro’s competitive legacy and growing visibility with Puma’s global brand footprint which already has a growing influence on football across the continent.

Bahun-Wilson explained, “We acknowledged the strength of Petro de Luanda, not only because of their winning culture but also due to their structure, ambition, and fan base, which made them an excellent fit for a brand like Puma.” The steps taken to close the deal were strategic. AfroBallers acted as the link, aligning brand values, performance, and long-term goals. This partnership marked a significant milestone, signalling to other African clubs that such high-level collaborations are achievable when a solid foundation is laid.

Bahun-Wilson added, “I believe this sets a new precedent for African basketball. However, teams need to invest in their own storytelling and in promoting their players. When everything is in place, when the right infrastructure exists, teams will be ready for more sponsorship opportunities.”

He pointed to Petro as a prime example, noting, “They have been investing in their athletes’ stories on social media, in their graphics, and so on. Any team that follows a similar approach, like some of the Egyptian teams, would be ready for more significant brand partnerships.”

AfroBallers as a Cultural Conduit

This partnership, along with others in development, highlights a deeper mission: to amplify African sports culture while connecting the diaspora. AfroBallers is uniquely positioned to serve as both a platform and a bridge. “We don’t just want to close deals; we want to share stories that resonate globally,” Osagie explains. Through player features, behind-the-scenes content, and high-visibility sponsorships, the consistent goal is to keep African sports visible, viable, and celebrated both at home and abroad. In this sense, AfroBallers becomes more than just a middleman.

They are custodians of culture, committed to presenting African sports in an aspirational, marketable, and deeply authentic way. “As we continue to push the needle and raise global brand awareness for the African market, we’re also focusing on athlete incubation and talent discovery,” says Osagie. “It all begins with the media platform. It starts with telling the story. And that’s what AfroBallers is here to do.”

How Storytelling Is The Heartbeat of African Sports

AfroBallers believes that the key to unlocking more global brand partnerships lies in how African athletes and teams tell their stories. They emphasize the importance of investing in storytelling—showcasing the journeys, struggles, and triumphs of athletes to humanize their brands and create deeper emotional connections with fans. “A player doesn’t need to be the MVP to have a global following,” says Osagie. “The unique personalities, character, and cultural influence of African athletes can create enormous marketing value. This is a strength that clubs can leverage.”

Bahun-Wilson cites the example of Carlos Morais, an Angola-born basketball star who played in the NBA and captained Petro de Luanda to a championship. Despite his success, Morais hasn’t yet landed a major brand endorsement, primarily due to a lack of focused storytelling surrounding his brand. “It’s not just about playing well; it’s about telling your story,” adds Bahun-Wilson.

Infrastructure and Identity: The Dual Engines of African Sports Growth

While storytelling remains a powerful tool, the co-founders emphasize that narrative alone isn’t enough. For African clubs to compete on the global stage and attract meaningful sponsorships, they must also invest in the infrastructure that sustains long-term growth. This means building in-house media teams, strengthening digital marketing efforts, and establishing the administrative capacity to handle high-level brand partnerships.

“You can’t just rely on the BAL or other leagues,” Bahun-Wilson explains. “Clubs need to build their own ecosystems and invest in their own growth. This includes training players, enhancing facilities, and ensuring there’s a clear pathway for both players and brands to succeed.”

At the same time, AfroBallers champions a parallel investment; one in culture. They see African identity not just as a differentiator but as an economic asset. “The culture itself has marketing value,” Osagie points out. “It’s about embracing the culture and allowing athletes to be their authentic selves. The world is drawn to that authenticity.”

This idea of “culture as currency” is especially powerful for smaller clubs that may lack financial muscle but have rich, untapped stories to tell. By crafting compelling narratives around their teams and players, these clubs can position themselves for recognition, even before they break into global leagues. For AfroBallers, real growth happens when culture and infrastructure move in tandem.

Afrikicks and AfroBallers: A Powerful Collaboration for Social Change

AfroBallers’ mission extends beyond sponsorships and partnerships; it also intersects with social impact. Their collaboration with Afrikicks, a nonprofit that has donated over 330,000 pairs of shoes and facilitated over 1.6 million contributions of essential resources across 10 African countries, reflects their commitment to giving back. Jonitta Wallace, the Executive Director of Afrikicks and Strategy & Operations Manager at AfroBallers, has been instrumental in uniting the two organizations for impactful projects. “Afrikicks and AfroBallers share a mentality of giving back,” says Wallace.

“Through our partnership, we aim to deliver shoes to athletes, orphanages, and schools across Africa, starting with West Africa. Afrikicks has already sent over 250,000 pairs of shoes to the region, and now we’re working to scale that impact even further.” Afrikicks’ initiatives extend beyond the sports world, providing food, clothing, medical supplies, and educational resources to underserved communities. The partnership with AfroBallers amplifies these efforts, using AfroBallers’ digital platform and reach to bring greater visibility to Afrikicks’ on-the-ground work.

The Road Ahead, Setting New Standards for African Sports Media

Looking to the future, AfroBallers aims to continue its efforts in both sports media and athlete development. Their ultimate goal is to help African clubs, federations, and athletes gain recognition and financial support from global brands.

“The goal is to make African sports visible on the global stage while ensuring that athletes receive the recognition they deserve,” Osagie reflects. “It starts with creating a platform that amplifies their voices and tells their stories in an impactful way.”

Through their work with teams like Petro de Luanda and collaborations with organizations such as Afrikicks, AfroBallers is establishing new standards for how African clubs engage with international brands. They believe that the key to success lies in a combination of culture, storytelling, and infrastructure; each element building upon the other to create a sustainable ecosystem where African athletes can thrive.

AfroBallers is, in every sense, a unicorn, not just because of what they do, but because of how they do it: with purpose, pride, and a vision grounded in African excellence. Whether it’s brokering groundbreaking partnerships, spotlighting untold stories, or driving social change through collaborations like Afrikicks, AfroBallers continues to raise the bar for what African sports media can be. As they build an ecosystem where athletes, brands, and communities can thrive together, they’re not just changing perceptions, they’re setting new global standards. In doing so, AfroBallers stands as a beacon of what is possible when culture, storytelling, and strategy unite to empower a continent.



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Big personal best for Ross Kuhn as Chargers finish up Last Chance Weekend

Story Links As the regular season comes to an end for the Hillsdale College men’s track and field team, the Chargers did their best to set up a strong push at the NCAA DII Outdoor Championships at the end of May with their performances in Last Chance meets this past weekend. At […]

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As the regular season comes to an end for the Hillsdale College men’s track and field team, the Chargers did their best to set up a strong push at the NCAA DII Outdoor Championships at the end of May with their performances in Last Chance meets this past weekend.

At least one Charger almost certainly jumped into the national meet field with a massive personal best. Running out in Oregon in a stacked Portland Twilight meet on Saturday, senior Ross Kuhn cut four seconds off his previous best effort in the 1,500m run to place ninth in a field full of Division I athletes and professionals with a time or 3:43.54. That mark is not only a provisional qualifying mark but the 16th best time in NCAA DII this year, virtually locking Kuhn in to his first trip to the NCAA DII Outdoor Championships and into the 20-athlete field for the 1,500m run.

Another athlete competing in Portland, Gabriel Phillips, ran a season best in the 3,000m steeplechase in 9:14.97 to finish fifth.

Hillsdale also had several athletes competing at the Len Paddock Open hosted by the University of Michigan on Friday. Ben Haas, the nation’s top seed in the hammer throw, won the invitational title with a mark of 64.82 meters, a provisional qualifying mark but not an improvement on his NCAA DII-leading throw of 67.21 meters. Mark Masaka took seventh in the 800m run with a time of 1:53.88, and Jackson Childress placed eighth in the discus with a throw of 48.64 meters as well.

The Chargers finished up the weekend on Sunday at the GVSU Last Chance Invite in Allendale, Michigan. Senior Jamahl Burke closed out a strong career at Hillsdale with a third-place finish in the 400m dash (49.20) and a sixth place finish in the 200m dash (22.16), while Childress also took eighth in the discus with a throw of 46.90 meters.

Hillsdale now turns its focus to the NCAA DII Outdoor Championships, scheduled to take place on May 22-24 in Pueblo, Colorado. Hillsdale has four athletes who are in position to make the field — Kuhn, Haas, Cass Dobrowolski and Richie Johnston, and will await the official announcement of the field on NCAA.com tomorrow at 5 p.m.

Photo by Sarah Chappelle



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Chargers wrap up regular season with good times in Last Chance meets

Story Links The Hillsdale College women’s track and field team made good use of its final weekend of meets before the announcement of the 2025 NCAA DII Outdoor Championships field, with one athlete increasing her chances of making the meet at Last Chance meets this past Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Racing in […]

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The Hillsdale College women’s track and field team made good use of its final weekend of meets before the announcement of the 2025 NCAA DII Outdoor Championships field, with one athlete increasing her chances of making the meet at Last Chance meets this past Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Racing in the Portland Twilight Meet, a massive distance meet with top professionals and NCAA DI competitors out in Oregon, freshman Evyn Humphrey ran a new personal best in the 1,500m run, finishing eighth in 4:23.73 to move herself on to the bubble to make the 2025 NCAA DII Outdoor Championships. Humphrey’s time now ranks 23rd among NCAA DII competitors, giving her a good shot to be among the 20 athletes selected to compete in the 1,500m championships at the end of May once declarations are complete. A qualification for Humphrey would be a second trip to the national meet after the freshman competed in the indoor Mile in March.

Hillsdale also had several athletes competing on Friday at the Len Paddock Invite, hosted by the University of Michigan. Senior Reese Dragovich finished a decorated career with the Chargers with a fourth place finish in the 800m run in 2:10.88, while junior Lucy Minning took third in the 100m dash in 12.01. Junior Averi Parker, already likely qualified for the national meet in the hammer throw, took seventh with a throw of 53.87 meters, a provisional qualifying mark but not a improvement on her season best.

The Chargers finished the weekend with a trip to Allendale, Michigan for the GVSU Last Chance Invite. Minning took second in the 100m dash (11.85) and fourth in the 200m dash (25.11) for Hillsdale, while Josee Behling finished her Hillsdale career with a third place finish in the 400m dash (56.33). In the field, Parker took sixth in the discus with a throw of 43.36 meters, while senior Katie Sayles threw a provisional mark of 53.89 meters to take fourth in the hammer, and senior Kaylee Jackson took third in the pole vault with a provisional mark clearance of 3.81 meters, though neither mark was an improvement on their previous season best.

Hillsdale now turns its focus to the NCAA DII Outdoor Championships, scheduled to take place on May 22-24 in Pueblo, Colorado. Hillsdale has three athletes who are in position to make the field — Parker, Allison Kuzma and Tara Townsend — and two more in Humphrey and Jackson who are on the bubble with a shot to get in. The Chargers await the official announcement of the field on NCAA.com tomorrow at 5 p.m.

Photo by Tiffany Treppa

 



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Beach volleyball comepetes in Big 8 Pairs Conference Championship, finish season – The Connection

The beach volleyball team played aggressively at the Big 8 Paris Conference Championship on April 25th. The Hawks played against eight other teams, including Sacramento City College and Folsom Lake College at the tournament. Head Coach Kari Nahlen said the girls worked very hard and that she is proud of the girls’ rankings in 14th […]

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The beach volleyball team played aggressively at the Big 8 Paris Conference Championship on April 25th.

The Hawks played against eight other teams, including Sacramento City College and Folsom Lake College at the tournament.

Head Coach Kari Nahlen said the girls worked very hard and that she is proud of the girls’ rankings in 14th and sixth place.

“They just really pushed,” Nahlen said. “I mean, out of 20 teams that are just amazing teams to have, they gave us a huge powerhouse conference. That just shows that we are right in it and that we are a powerhouse team, or becoming one at least.”

Freshman split blocker Kaylie Reyes and sophomore split blocker Cassidy Pham dominated their matches with aggressive hits and sets, beating their own teammates, Jordyn Kwalwasser and Abigail Siever, in their CRC vs CRC match.

Reyes said that her and Pham had to work at being smart with shots and how to hit shots that opponents were not expecting.

“Obviously everybody else can hit straight down, but we were just trying our best to put it in spots that they won’t know,” Reyes said.

Pham and Reyes won two out of three matches, with their two wins earning them sixth place with San Joaquin Delta taking fifth.

Sophomore big Siever and sophomore split blocker Kwalwasser started off losing their first match, but gained momentum as the matches went on.

“Not the outcome we were hoping for, but we fought as a team and that’s all you can ask for,” Kwalwasser said.

After the loss Kwalwasser and Siever continued to play aggressively and had good blocks and hits, winning one out of four matches in the tournament.

“We’re very offensive heavy,” Kwalwasser said. “We do a lot more hitting and we’re very strong in that aspect, so that’s what we’re really comfortable with.”

Kwalwasser and Siever took 14th place in the consolation matches, with Sierra College beating them for 13th place.

The Hawks advanced their way into the Paris Regional Championship before ending their season on May 3.



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Empire 8 Conference Players of the Week – May 12, 2025

General | 5/12/2025 11:53:11 AM Story Links Below are the Empire 8 Players of the Week, released on May 12, 2025, for games played from May 5-May 11. It is the 36th Empire 8 weekly honors release of the 2024-25 season. Sports featured include men’s and women’s outdoor track and field.   […]

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General | 5/12/2025 11:53:11 AM

Below are the Empire 8 Players of the Week, released on May 12, 2025, for games played from May 5-May 11. It is the 36th Empire 8 weekly honors release of the 2024-25 season. Sports featured include men’s and women’s outdoor track and field.

 

MEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD

TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK – Jonathan Zavala, SUNY Brockport, Sr., Middle Distance, Montgomery, NY/Valley Central

Zavala shattered the all-time Empire 8 record in winning the 1,500-meter run at the F.I.R.E meet hosted by Williams College on Friday, May 9, as he crossed the finish line in a time of 3:46.96. That time is currently 12th best in all of Division III to date this season.

 

FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK – Neil Peters, Alfred, Sr., Long Jump/Sprints, Bronx, NY/DeWitt Clinton

Peters earned two third place finishes in the final of his two events at the St. John Fisher University Cardinal Last Chance Meet on Sunday. In the prelims of the 100-meter dash, he qualified for the final by placing third on a time of 11.08. Peters also finished third in the final with a time of 11:09 seconds. He also competed in the long jump where he posted a personal best of 6.69 meters (21’-11.5”). Previously, Peters had a 5.92-meter (19’-5.25”) mark in the long jump at the Baldwin Wallace University Harrison Dillard Twilight on Friday.  

WOMEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD

TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK – Marissa Wise, SUNY Brockport, Sr., Sprints/Hurdles, Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna

Wise won the 400-meter hurdles at the Cardinal Last Chance, hosted by St. John Fisher University on Sunday afternoon in an impressive time of 1:02.16, just eight one-hundredths of a second ahead of teammate Lexi Rodriguez. Wise’s time is currently the 19th best in all of Division III to date this season.

 

FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK – Katie Jacques, Nazareth, Gr., Jumps, Rexford, NY/Shenedehowa

Jacques moved into the top-50 nationally after winning the triple jump at the Cardinal Last Chance, hosted by St. John Fisher University on Sunday afternoon, clearing 11.51 meters (37’ 9.25”).

 

ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE

The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit www.empire8.com.

 

EMPIRE 8 SOCIAL MEDIA

YouTube – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram

 





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