BOONE, N.C. – The App State women’s track and field team launches the 2025-26 indoor season at the Visit Winston-Salem College Kick-Off at the JDL Fast Track on Saturday. Field events will start at 9:30 a.m., and track events are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.
 
Twenty-five Mountaineers return to the High Country after guiding App State to a third-place finish at the 2025 Sun Belt Indoor Championships, the best team finish for the Black and Gold since winning the title in 2016. Lilly Nichols, who set the school, conference, and Polish U20 women’s indoor pole vault record with a clearance of 4.26m (13′ 11.75″) in her collegiate debut, returns for her sophomore season. The Broomfield, Colo., native secured silver and earned Second-Team All-SBC honors in the women’s pole vault with 4.18m (13′ 8.5″) at last year’s indoor championship. Joining Nichols in the pole vault and returning for her senior season is Ava Studney. Studney matched Suzanne Makinson’s 2004 clearance of 4.06m (13′ 3.75″) during the 2024 campaign and stands tied for second on the App State all-time list. She also finished sixth at the conference championship last year with a clearance of 3.73m (12′ 2.75″). 
 
Sprinters Kendall Johnson, Nicole Wells and Jayla Adams return for their junior seasons. Johnson set the school record with a time of 7.42 in the women’s 60-meter prelims at the SBC Championship and finished seventh overall in the final with a time of 7.51. The previous record was 7.44, set in 2005 by Jennifer Claud. Additionally, Johnson, alongside Addison Ollendick-Smith, Ja’Naya Linder and Adams, earned Second-Team All-SBC honors for their performance in the women’s 4×400-meter relay at the conference championship. The quartet stopped the clock at 3:45.19, coming within two seconds of the program record of 3:43.85, which was set at the 2023 Sun Belt Indoor Championships. 
 
Ollendick-Smith, who holds the program record in the women’s 600 meters (1:33.95) and stands second all-time in the women’s 800 meters (2:11.13), returns for her senior season, specializing in mid-distance events. In addition to helping the Mountaineers to a second-place finish in the women’s 4×400-meter relay, she was a part of the women’s distance medley relay team that also secured silver at the conference championship meet with a time of 11:35.52. 
 
Junior Rhys Ammon and sophomore Savannah Moore return to the track for the Mountaineers’ distance squad this year. The duo secured spots in both the women’s 600 meters and women’s 1,000 meters last winter, with Moore leading the way, ranking second all-time in the 600 meters (1:36.45) and third all-time in the 1,000 meters (2:57.90). Junior Dianna Boykin and sophomores Emily Edwards and Brittany Ellis make their returns for App State’s throws squad. Boykin and Ellis both recorded personal bests in the women’s weight throw with marks of 14.20m (46′ 7.25″) and 12.86m (42′ 2.25″), respectively at the SBC meet. Edwards led the team in the shot put last season with a personal best mark of 12.57m (41′ 3″), which she set at the 2025 Virginia Tech Invitational. 
 
For the 2025-26 campaign, thirteen newcomers will don the Black and Gold. Senior Damyja Alejandro-Ortiz, who spent three seasons at Lenoir-Rhyne, and sophomore Micayla Collins, who spent her freshman season at Virginia Tech, joins App State’s sprints squad alongside freshman Tatiana Blake. Freshmen Alana Braxton, Kelly MacBride, and Ashlynn Wimberly will specialize in the jumps events this season. Distance freshmen Josie Jackson, Allie Kinlaw, Tessa Massa, Julia Mayer, Elizabeth McCart, Lika Strydom, and Ashby Williams are set to step onto the track after making their collegiate debuts on the cross country course this fall. Massa, Jackson, and McCart earned All-SBC honors after helping the Mountaineer women to their second consecutive Sun Belt Cross Country team title. Additionally, Massa was tabbed as the Sun Belt Women’s Cross Country Freshman of the Year for her efforts.
 
On Deck 
App State’s indoor season will resume on Saturday, Jan. 10, with the UNC Asheville Collegiate Opener at Tryon International in Mill Spring, N.C.
 

The Track & Tennis Center will host some of the top athletes in the world over the course of the day, including a 90-minute “FloTrack Night in America” session featuring top heats in mid-distance and distance events beginning at 3 p.m.

During the meet, the Terriers will honor the late Sharon Colyear-Danville ’83, who passed away in 2024. The two-time Olympian and BU Hall of Famer’s legacy will be honored with a ceremony at approximately 9:40 a.m. with her husband of 43 years Bob Danville and their two sons, Reid and Neil Danville, in attendance.

How to Watch

FloTrack brings you live coverage of the track events from the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener. Catch all of the action and start your subscription today! SIGN UP HERE: https://flosports.link/3HPCJzR. In addition to live race coverage you’ll gain access to track news, events, original content, and more.

How To Watch: Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener

When: Saturday, December 6

TV: Download the FloSports TV app on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast

Mobile: Download the FloSports iOS and Android apps

Web: Bookmark FloTrack.org in your favorite browser

Parking Advisory

Indoor Track & Field – Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener (Track & Tennis Center) – 10 a.m.

Very limited parking is available at an event rate of $14 in the Langsam Garage (LOT B) located at 142 Gardner St., Boston, MA 02215. Those arriving after 8:30 a.m. should proceed directly to the Essex Street Garage & Lot (LOT F) located at 148 Essex Street, Brookline, MA 02446.

Track Schedule (Faster heats first):

9:45 a.m.     Women’s 60H FINAL

9:50 a.m.     Men’s 60H FINAL

9:55 a.m.     Men’s 60m Trials

10:00 a.m.   Women’s 400m

10:05 a.m.   Men’s 400m

10:15 a.m.   Women’s 600m

10:25 a.m.   Men’s 600m

10:35 a.m.   Women’s 300m

10:45 a.m.   Men’s 300m

10:57 a.m.   Women’s 60m Final

11:00 a.m.   Men’s 60m Final

11:05 a.m.   Women’s 800m

11:12 a.m.   Men’s 800m

11:18 a.m.   Women’s 200m

11:25 a.m.   Men’s 200m

11:35 a.m.   Women’s 4x400m

11:40 a.m.   Men’s 4x400m

12:00 p.m.   Women’s Mile

12:20 p.m.   Men’s Mile

12:55 p.m.   Women’s 3k

1:40 p.m.     Men’s 3k

2:55pm – Start of FloTrack Night in America (elite window)

3:00 p.m.     Women’s 800m Invite

3:05 p.m.     Men’s 800m Invite

3:11 p.m.     Women’s Mile Invite

3:19 p.m.     Men’s Mile Invite

3:27 p.m.     Women’s 3k Invite

3:39 p.m.     Men’s 3k Invite

3:52 p.m.     Women’s 5k Invite

4:13 p.m.     Men’s 5k Invite

4:29 p.m.     Men’s 600m Invite

4:30 p.m.     Women’s Open 5k (9 HEATS)

7:15 p.m.     Men’s Open 5k (9 HEATS)

Field Schedule (Best flights last):

Rolling start beginning at 11 a.m.

Women’s High Jump followed by Men’s High Jump

Women’s Shot Put followed by Men’s Shot Put

Women’s Pole Vault followed by Men’s Pole Vault

Women’s Long Jump followed by Men’s Long Jump

Women’s Weight Throw (Following men’s shot put) followed by Men’s WT

Women’s Triple Jump (Following men’s long jump)

CHICAGO — The 2025-26 season begins for the University of Chicago women’s track and field season on Friday afternoon as the Maroons travel just South of campus to Chicago State for the Cougar Alumni Classic.

MEET DETAILS:

UCHICAGO WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD NOTES:

* The University of Chicago women’s track and field team returns to action on Friday after a successful 2025 season.
* The Maroons brought home a 6th-place finish in the National Championships and a 2nd-place finish in the UAA Championships last season.
* Marina Semple was ranked 16th in NCAA Division III, 5th in the Midwest Region, and 2nd in the UAA in the Long Jump with a mark of 5.70 meters.
* Nora Holmes was ranked 21st in NCAA Division III, 6th in the Midwest Region, and 3rd in the UAA in the 3000m Run with a time of 9:48.40.
* Estelle Snider was ranked 23rd in NCAA Division III, 7th in the Midwest Region, and 5th in the UAA in the 3000m Run with a time of 9:48.72.
* Snider was also ranked 30th in NCAA Division III, 3rd in the Midwest Region, and 6th in the UAA in the 5000m Run with a time of 17:15.83.
* Emma Kelly was ranked 30th in NCAA Division III, 8th in the Midwest Region, and 4th in the UAA in the 800m Run with a time of 2:14.16.
* Elizabeth Mulvaney was ranked 32nd in NCAA Division III, 9th in the Midwest Region, and 4th in the UAA in the High Jump with a mark of 1.65 meters.
* Celeste Taylor was ranked 39th in NCAA Division III, 4th in the Midwest Region, and 2nd in the UAA in the Pole Vault with a mark of 3.58 meters.
* Alexandra Watson was ranked 42nd in NCAA Division III, 11th in the Midwest Region, and 5th in the UAA in the Long Jump with a mark of 5.58 meters.
* After competing in the Cougar Alumni Classic this weekend, the Maroons will break for the holidays before hosting the Phoenix Invite at Henry Crown Fieldhouse on January 10.

ATHLETES COMPETING:

* Brooke Caldwell – Shot Put
* Selah Dungey – High Jump
* Camila Garanton – 200m Run / 400m Dash
* Chloe Hayden – 400m Dash
* Katherine Hunt – 60m Dash
* Maddie Lyons – 60m Dash / 200m Run
* Evelyn McCabe – 60m Dash / 200m Run
* Rielley McNeill – Shot Put
* Lindsay Recker – Pole Vault
* Nicole Roesler – 600m Run
* Ellocin Samborski – 60m Dash / 200m Run
* Lillian Seaver – Shot Put
* Alexa Shepherd – 600m Run
* Celeste Taylor – Pole Vault
* Juliet Winiecki – 60m Hurdles

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Long Beach State Men’s Volleyball will honor five exceptional contributors to the program’s legacy this summer, as Curtis Jackson, Taylor Gregory, Nick Amado, Ralph Smith and longtime assistant coach Andy Read are set to be inducted into the Wall of Honor. 

The Wall of Honor recognizes individuals who have elevated the Beach through competitive excellence, leadership, service, and lifelong commitment to the program. 

“This year’s Wall of Honor recipients embody the true spirit of Beach culture and its decades-long tradition of excellence,” said Harold Noriega, co-chair of the Wall of Honor Committee. “I’ve had the privilege of watching Andy Read coach and mentor these outstanding athletes over the past thirty years, as well as the honor of sharing the court with my former teammate and fellow inductee, Ralph Smith. It’s an extraordinary group of men who continue to support the program and give back in meaningful ways. Welcome, Legends!” 

“This year’s Wall of Honor committee has nominated five new inductees to the men’s volleyball Wall of Honor,” added co-chair Mike D’Alessandro. “These five honorees all had outstanding volleyball careers at the Beach. Andy Read is being honored for the three decades of coaching expertise he provided for the program. He helped develop countless great players and great teams and has been a major contributor to the Beach’s success over the years. 

“There are four all-time great players for the Beach being inducted as well. Curtis Jackson, an extremely gifted player as both an outside hitter and libero, was a great leader who competed with our 1999 Final Four team and deserves to be honored among the very best who have ever played here. 

“Congratulations to all of this year’s inductees. All are extremely well deserved and tremendous additions to the group of Long Beach State’s best-ever men’s volleyball players and contributors. Welcome to the group, guys!” 

Head Coach Alan Knipe also expressed his pride in the 2025 class, saying “this is a spectacular class of Long Beach State greats! Each of these men has played a vital role in shaping Long Beach State men’s volleyball into what it is today. As competitors, leaders and coaches, they have left an undeniable mark on our program. I couldn’t be happier or prouder of this group. I thank them for their tremendous contributions to our culture, and I’m thrilled to see them recognized for their impact.” 

Curtis Jackson (1999–2000) 

A dynamic and fiercely competitive two-year standout, Curtis Jackson played a pivotal role in Long Beach State’s run to the 1999 NCAA Championship match. After transferring from Golden West College, where he was the Junior College National Player of the Year, Jackson immediately stepped in as a starting outside hitter and helped guide the Beach to the national finals. 

In 2000, Jackson made one of the most selfless position changes in program history, converting to libero during the NCAA’s first season using the position. Despite being a 6-1 outside hitter capable of producing at an elite level, he embraced the transition wholeheartedly, becoming Long Beach State’s first libero and setting a standard for toughness, team-first mentality and relentless competitiveness. His impact helped bridge eras of Beach volleyball history and cemented his standing as one of the program’s most respected teammates. 

Taylor Gregory (2013–16) 

One of the most influential middle blockers of the modern era, Taylor Gregory was a four-year starter, an All-American and a captain whose leadership helped spark the resurgence of Long Beach State men’s volleyball in the mid-2010s. 

Gregory was a freshman in head coach Alan Knipe‘s first year back from coaching the U.S. Olympic Team, and his development was central to reestablishing the Beach as a national contender. In 2016, he captained LBSU to its first NCAA Final Four appearance of the decade, the launching point for the championship era that followed. 

He set, and still holds, several individual program records, establishing himself as one of the most productive and reliable middle blockers in Long Beach State history. After a successful professional playing career, Gregory transitioned into collegiate coaching and is now thriving as the Associate Head Coach at Ole Miss, continuing to develop elite blockers and defensive systems. 

Nick Amado (2017–19) 

A steadying force and championship anchor in the middle, Nick Amado embodied resilience, poise and competitive fire during one of the greatest eras in program history. 

A junior college transfer who worked tirelessly to elevate his game, Amado became a two-year starter for the Beach. In those two seasons he won back-to-back NCAA Championships. Widely regarded as the final piece of the puzzle for the 2018 and 2019 title teams, Amado’s presence, leadership and ultra-competitive edge solidified the lineup and helped drive Long Beach State to the top of college volleyball. 

He authored one of the most iconic moments in program history, delivering the championship-clinching kill to secure the 2018 NCAA title. Amado has since enjoyed a successful professional career and is currently coaching at Golden West College, continuing to shape the next generation of players. 

Ralph Smith 

A standout setter and one of the premier players of his era, Ralph Smith played and set for one of Long Beach State’s best teams ever during the late 1970s and early 1980s. His playmaking, competitiveness and on-court command established him among the elite setters in program history. 

After his collegiate career, Smith went on to set for the U.S. Men’s National Team for multiple seasons and became a multi-time USAV All-American with the famed Outrigger Canoe Club. His longevity and excellence in both indoor and club competition helped shape an entire era of American volleyball. 

And, as longtime teammates still love to joke, he “could never beat his old buddies and teammates who played for Raymond Construction.” A beloved competitor with a legendary résumé, Smith’s career represents the golden foundation of Beach volleyball history. 

Andy Read 

Few individuals have contributed more sustained dedication to Long Beach State men’s volleyball than longtime assistant coach Andy Read. A cornerstone of the program for nearly three decades, Read has served as an invaluable mentor, strategist and architect of the Beach’s championship success. 

He coached through multiple Final Four runs, three NCAA national championships and some of the most decorated rosters in program history. Read also served as interim head coach from 2010–12 during Alan Knipe‘s tenure with the U.S. Olympic Team and has been instrumental in developing countless All-Americans, Olympians and professional athletes. 

More than the wins, Read represents the heart of the program: a coach who has invested extraordinary time, energy and personal commitment. His loyalty, expertise and enduring presence have been foundational to the Beach’s culture, stability and championship identity. 

The 2025 Wall of Honor Class will be formally recognized at the Randy Sandefur Memorial Golf Tournament, celebrating the legacy, history and future of Long Beach State Men’s Volleyball.  

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – The UT Arlington track and field program has officially announced its 2026 indoor schedule, featuring six-regular season meets across the region before the Mavericks head to WAC Indoor Championships and pursue qualifying spots at the NCAA Indoor Championships.

UTA opens the season on January 16 at the Arkansas Invitational in Fayetteville, marking the program’s third trip to one of the nation’s best indoor facilities.

The Mavericks follow with a limited roster competing at the Robert Platt Invitational, hosted by the University of Houston, on January 30-31.

UTA will then travel down I-35 to College Station for Texas A&M’s Charlie Thomas Invitational. The two-day event is set for February 6-7 and is one of the largest, most high-profile collegiate meets in the state.

The Mavs then head to west Texas for the Texas Tech Jarvis Scott Invitational on February 13-14 in Lubbock.

UTA will close the month of February at the WAC Indoor Championships, set for February 27-28 in Spokane, Wash. The Mavericks will look to build momentum in their fourth year in the Western Athletic Conference.

Qualifying Mavericks from the conference tournament will advance to the NCAA Indoor Championships, hosted by Arkansas on March 13-14 in Fayetteville, Ark.

#BuckEm

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