Sports
2025 World Team Trials Preview & Predictions
The 2025 World Team Trials Challenge Tournament will take place on May 16-17 in Louisville, Kentucky. The winner of every bracket will qualify for Final X to compete for a world team spot on June 14. You can watch the World Team Trials Challenge tournament only on FloWrestling and check out a full preview with predictions for the men’s freestyle division in the article below.
65 Kilograms
- Nick Lee
- Jesse Mendez
- Seth Gross
- Marcus Blaze
- Bo Bassett
- Aden Valencia
- Real Woods
- Beau Bartlett
- Brock Hardy
- Carter Young
65 kg is one of the deepest weights at the World Team Trials and has a ton of parity. As the 2023 world team member, Nick Lee will likely be the #1 seed and is a slight favorite on paper. Lee has significant wins in his senior-level career over Joey McKenna, Yianni Diakomihalis, Matt Kolodzik, Islam Dudaev, Austin Gomez, Andrew Alirez, and several other notable wrestlers over the past few years. Lee hasn’t wrestled since the Olympic Trials over a year ago, but if he’s wrestling his best in Louisville, he’s the pick to win this deep bracket.
Lee’s wins over Yianni at Final X 2023:
Two-time NCAA champ Jesse Mendez is coming off a runner-up finish at the US Open and also finished fourth at the 2024 Olympic Trials. Mendez won a U20 world silver medal in 2023 and should be considered most likely to win this bracket after Nick Lee.
Jesse Mendez’s win over Beau Bartlett at the 2025 US Open:
Bo Bassett, Seth Gross, and Marcus Blaze are all wrestlers I consider “wild cards” at 65 kg. Iowa commit Bassett is still just a junior in high school, but he’s had incredible success that suggests he could make a deep run in this bracket. Bassett won a U20 world bronze medal and notably went 4-0 last year against Aden Valencia (who finished third at the US Open). At the very least, it will be fascinating to see how Bassett wrestles against accomplished college wrestlers in this field.
Bassett’s run at the U20 Worlds:
Blaze and Gross are wild cards primarily because they are coming up from 61 kg. Gross just finished second at the 2025 US Open while defeating Blaze in the semis. Blaze, an incoming freshman at Penn State, is a U17 world champion and won a bronze medal at the U20 world championships last year. Beyond that, he’s had domestic success, placing third at the 2024 Olympic Trials (at 57 kg), second at the 2024 World Team Trials (at 61 kg), and third at the 2025 US Open (at 61 kg). In all of those events, Blaze has accumulated victories over Daton Fix, Nahshon Garrett, Seth Gross, Luke Lilledahl, Nathan Tomasello, and Nico Megaludis. If Gross and Blaze can translate the success they’ve had to 65 kg, they’ll absolutely be factors at the World Team Trials.
Aden Valencia, Real Woods, and Beau Bartlett finished 3-5, respectively at the US Open and showcase the depth of this bracket. Valencia, a true freshman at Stanford, had a breakout tournament in Vegas with two wins over Woods and a razor-thin loss to Joey McKenna. Though Woods lost to Valencia, he went on to defeat Bartlett. Beyond that, Woods won a bronze medal in February at the Ranking Series tournament in Albania against top-level competition.
Aden Valencia’s win over Seth Gross:
Then there’s Beau Bartlett, who lost close matches to both Jesse Mendez and Real Woods in Vegas. Despite those losses, Bartlett shouldn’t be underestimated at the Trials and should be considered a contender as much as anyone else in the bracket.
Finally, Brock Hardy is the only wrestler in the field we didn’t see in Vegas. Hardy won a U23 world bronze medal in 2023 and is coming off a great college season where he finished as the NCAA runner-up at 141 pounds. He’s a bit of a dark horse because he hasn’t competed on the freestyle scene recently, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes a deep run in this bracket.
65 kg WTT Predictions
- Nick Lee
- Jesse Mendez
- Marcus Blaze
- Bo Bassett
70 Kilograms
- James Green
- PJ Duke
- Ian Parker
- Will Lewan
- Bryce Andonian
- Ridge Lovett
- Antrell Taylor
- Caleb Henson
- Brayton Lee
- Jackson Arrington
Like 65 kg, the bracket at 70 kg is incredibly deep with some interesting contenders. At the top, James Green should be considered the favorite to win this bracket based on his dominance at the weight class over the past 10 years. Every year Green has tried to make the world team at 70 kg; he has succeeded. Beyond that, Green is a two-time world medalist, placing bronze in 2015 and silver in 2017. However, Green is 32 years old and even briefly retired two years ago. The World Team Trials will be a test unlike Green has faced in a significant time domestically and will tell us if Green is still wrestling at or close to his peak.
After Green, high schooler and Penn State commit PJ Duke should be considered the next top contender at 70 kg. I broke down why PJ Duke can win the WTT here, but it’s also worth briefly highlighting Duke in this preview. Duke won a bronze medal at the U20 world championships last year and then went on to have incredible success at the senior level. In late September, Duke placed third at the World Team Trials while defeating Will Lewan, Jarrett Jacques, and Yahya Thomas. A few months later, Duke won the Bill Farrell after pinning Bryce Andonian and defeating Will Lewan (10-4). Duke is the real deal, and won’t be underestimated by anyone in Louisville.
PJ Duke US Open Follow-Along:
NCAA champion Antrell Taylor, Ridge Lovett, and Caleb Henson are all interesting additions to the field as wrestlers who didn’t compete at the US Open. We haven’t seen any of these wrestlers compete in freestyle much over the past few years, but all of the pedigrees prove they’ll be a factor in this bracket. I wouldn’t be surprised if any wrestler from this group of three makes a run to the finals.
Then there’s the group of wrestlers we saw at the Open – Ian Parker, Will Lewan, Bryce Andonian, Brayton Lee, and Jackson Arrington. This group displays the depth of the weight, but should all be considered underdogs to win or even make the finals.
70 kg WTT Predictions
- James Green
- PJ Duke
- Ridge Lovett
- Caleb Henson
74 Kilograms
- David Carr
- Quincy Monday
- Jarrett Jacques
- Michael Caliendo
- Terrell Barraclough
- Peyton Hall
- Joseph Blaze
- Edward Scott
- Elroy Perkin
We saw most of these wrestlers at the US Open, and that makes it fairly easy to predict how things will go in Louisville. David Carr is the clear favorite after finishing as the US Open runner-up while only losing to Mitchell Mesenbrink in the finals. Before that finals loss, Carr had notable wins over Jarrett Jacques (11-0) and Ed Scott (11-0). Carr also has folkstyle wins over Quincy Monday, who will likely be the #2 seed and the favorite to meet Carr in the finals.
David Carr breaks down his win against Olympic Silver medalist Daichi Takatani:
Despite the folkstyle losses to Carr, Monday has been solid on the freestyle scene over this year with a third-place finish at the US Open, gold at the Dan Kolov in Bulgaria (January), and silver at the Henri Deglane (January). If there’s any wrestler in the field who can challenge Carr, Monday should be considered the man to do it.
After Monday, Michael Caliendo is also an interesting contender and didn’t compete at the US Open last month. Caliendo hasn’t been active in freestyle over the past few years, but his close losses to Mitchell Mesenbrink this season suggest he’s a worthy challenger to both Monday and Carr. Caliendo has an outstanding neutral offense, and he’s one of the wrestlers I’m most looking forward to watching in Louisville.
74 kg WTT Predictions
- David Carr
- Quincy Monday
- Michael Caliendo
- Jarrett Jacques
79 Kilograms
- Dean Hamiti Jr
- Levi Haines
- Simon Ruiz
- Carson Kharchla
- Muhamed McBryde
- Kennedy Monday
- Ethan Riddle
The 79 kg bracket at the WTT is essentially a smaller version of the 79 kg bracket from the US Open. In Vegas, DJ Hamiti finished as the runner-up with a tech fall over Kennedy Monday while losing to Evan Wick in the finals 9-1. Simon Ruiz finished in third place at the US Open, also only losing to Evan Wick (9-5) but defeating Carson Kharchla (twice, 3-2 and 7-7) and Muhamed McBryde (6-4). From these results, Hamiti should be considered a slight favorite, but Ruiz and Kharchla are interesting challengers capable of making a run to the finals.
Levi Haines is the only wrestler in this bracket who didn’t wrestle at the US Open. While Haines lost to Hamiti at the NCAA Tournament, Haines is capable of winning this bracket in Louisville. Haines hasn’t competed much in freestyle, but he notably finished 4th at the 2024 World Team Trials at 79 kg. There, Haines lost to Jordan Burroughs and David Carr but defeated US Open winner Evan Wick (by pin) and Keegan O’Toole (6-0). Haines’ wrestling translates well to freestyle, and he has incredible potential to win in Louisville and at Final X.
79 kg WTT Predictions
- Levi Haines
- DJ Hamiti
- Simon Ruiz
- Kennedy Monday
86 Kilograms
- Kyle Dake
- Chance Marsteller
- Carter Starocci
- Parker Keckeisen
- Marcus Coleman
86 kg might be the smallest bracket at the Trials, but it’s packed with high-level talent. Kyle Dake should be considered the favorite and will likely have a rematch with Parker Keckeisen in the semis. At the US Open, Dake won a controlling 8-1 decision over Keckeisen and will be a big favorite to reach the finals at the World Team Trials.
Dake vs Keckeisen:
On the other side of the bracket, Chance Marsteller vs Carter Starocci might be the most anticipated semi-final match of the tournament. Marsteller and Starocci have wrestled three times in the past with Starocci winning the first two matches (4-2 in 2020 and 7-0 in 2021) and Marsteller winning the most recent match (5-4 in 2022). This is a true toss-up match and will be incredibly close from start to finish.
Marsteller’s win over Starocci from the 2022 WTT:

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The potential finals match between Dake and Marstller/Starocci is also incredibly compelling. Dake should be considered the favorite regardless of who he’s wrestling, but I expect either Marsteller or Starocci to challenge Dake. If it’s Starocci, there’s the familiarity factor with both training at the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club. Beyond that, both wrestlers have similar styles with elite defense, positioning, and pressure. Now that Starocci is focused solely on freestyle, it will be interesting to see where he stacks up against the best in the world.
The potential Marsteller-Dake matchup is also a fascinating one. Marsteller is a master game-planner, as displayed by his Final X wins over Jordan Burroughs. Also, Marsteller was teched by Valencia at the Kolov in January but then lost a competitive match (4-2) against Valencia at the US Open. I expect Marsteller to be prepared to beat Dake, and if they wrestle in Louisville, it should be a battle.
86 kg WTT Predictions
- Kyle Dake
- Carter Starocci
- Chance Marsteller
- Parker Keckeisen
92 Kilograms
- Josh Barr
- Jacob Cardenas
- Aeoden Sinclair
- Michael Macchiavello
- Dustin Plott
- Patrick Brophy
Josh Barr and Jacob Cardenas didn’t wrestle at the US Open but have the freestyle credentials that make them serious contenders to win the Trials. Barr, coming off a runner-up performance at the NCAA Tournament and notably defeated Jacob Cardenas in the semis. Beyond that, Barr had a breakout freestyle season last summer after making the U20 team at 86 kg. Barr made incredible progress last year after losing to Sinclair in the US Open finals (10-0) and then defeating Sinclair in a three-match series at the U20 World Team Trials. After that, Barr went on to win a silver medal at the U20 World Championships. Barr dealt with a hamstring injury in the postseason at NCAAs, but I expect him to be fully healthy at the Trials, and he’s my favorite to win the 92 kg bracket.
Barr’s win over Sinclair to make the U20 World Team:

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As a three-time U23 world medalist, Jacob Cardenas has the best freestyle credentials of any wrestler in the field. Cardenas also has high-level international wins over Miriani Maisuradze (2024 92 kg world silver), Alan Bagaev (2019 U20 World Champ), and Mustafagadzhi Malachdibirov (2024 U20 World Champ and 2024 U23 world bronze). Because of those results, Cardenas is currently ranked #15 in the world at 92 kg and would be a serious medal threat if he wrestled at Worlds this year.
Then there’s Aeoden Sinclair, who finished as a runner-up at the US Open last month and notably defeated Mike Macchiavello (1-1) before losing to Trent Hidlay (7-1). Along with that performance, Sinclair defeated Josh Barr twice last summer and should be right in the mix with Cardenas and Barr to win this bracket. My biggest concern with picking Sinclair is that he might be a bit undersized for 92 kg – especially against a wrestler like Jacob Cardenas.
Sinclair’s win over Macchiavello:

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Though he lost to Sinclair, Macchivello should still be considered a legitimate threat in Louisville and is capable of defeating any wrestler in this field. Macchiavello notably made Final X in 2023 and finished third at the World Team Trials last year.
92 kg WTT Predictions
- Josh Barr
- Jacob Cardenas
- Michael Macchiavello
- Aeoden Sinclair
97 Kilograms
- Jay Aiello
- Justin Rademacher
- Eric Schultz
- Gavin Hoffman
- Christian Knop
- Ethan Laird
97 kg has added intrigue at the World Team Trials with the uncertain future of world and Olympic champion Kyle Snyder. If Snyder doesn’t wrestle at Final X, then the winner of the World Team Trials would likely be the world team representative at 97 kg.
With only 6 wrestlers entered, there are currently three major contenders – Jay Aiello, Eric Schultz, and Justin Rademacher. Aiello should be considered the favorite after finishing in second at the US Open. Aiello also is U23 World Bronze medalist (2021) and has a recent win over 2023 92 kg world champion Rizabek Aitmukhan. Along with those international results, Aiello defeated Justin Rademacher at the 2024 Bill Farrell and has four straight wins over Eric Schultz.
Aiello’s win over Rademacher:

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Despite suffering the loss to Aiello at the Farrell, Justin Rademacher has made incredible progress over the past year highlighted by a U20 world bronze medal last year and most recently a senior Pan-Am gold medal last week. Rademacher wrestlers better every time out, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Rademacher comes out on top in Louisville.
Eric Schultz is the final wrestler I consider a serious contender in this bracket, and he made a late move up to 97 kg after wrestling 92 kg at the US Open. Though Schultz has lost the last four matches to Aiello, Schultz has three senior-level freestyle wins over Aiello. Schultz is a slight underdog in this bracket, but he’s absolutely capable of finishing on the top of the podium.
97 kg WTT Predictions
- Jay Aiello
- Justin Rademacher
- Eric Schultz
- Gavin Hoffman
125 Kilograms
- Demetrius Thomas
- Hayden Zillmer
- Trent Hillger
- Christian Lance
- Jordan Wood
- Lucas Stoddard
All of the wrestlers entered at the World Team Trials also wrestled at the US Open last month. In Vegas, Demetrius Thomas was the surprise of the tournament, finishing as the runner-up to Wyatt Hendrickson. On his way to the finals, Thomas pulled off upset wins over Hayden Zillmer (6-6) and Jordan Wood (6-1). Because of that performance, Thomas should be the #1 seed and won’t be underestimated by anyone at 125 kg in Louisville.
Thomas’ win over Zillmer:

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Though he lost to Thomas at the Open, Hayden Zillmer will be considered the favorite by many to win the 125 kg bracket at the World Team Trials. Zillmer forfeited in the third-place match at the Open to Christian Lance, but defeated Trent Hillger (6-5). On top of that, Zillmer made the world team at 125 kg in 2022 and also holds a win over Wyatt Hendrickson from that year. Hillger, Lance, Wood, and Stoddard are all worthy contenders, but Zillmer’s my pick to win this bracket at the Trials.
125 kg WTT Predictions
- Hayden Zillmer
- Demetrius Thomas
- Trent Hillger
- Jordan Wood

Sports
Wisconsin vs EIU in NCAA volleyball; recap as Badgers sweep Panthers
8:05 am CT December 5, 2025
More to read from Wisconsin’s NCAA tournament match against Eastern Illinois
John Steppe
9:09 pm CT December 4, 2025
Wisconsin stats leaders vs Eastern Illinois
John Steppe
- Kills: Mimi Colyer and Una Vajagic with 10
- Hitting percentage: Trinity Shadd-Ceres with 1.000 hitting percentage on four total attacks
- Service aces: Kristen Simon and Charlie Fuerbringer with two
- Assists: Charlie Fuerbringer with 35
- Digs: Kristen Simon with 15
- Total blocks: Alicia Andrew and Charlie Fuerbringer with four each
8:31 pm CT December 4, 2025
Who does Wisconsin play next in NCAA tournament?
John Steppe
Wisconsin will face North Carolina in the second round of the NCAA tournament after the third-seeded Badgers swept Eastern Illinois. North Carolina upset sixth-seeded UTEP in the first round before Wisconsin’s match.
The match will be Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. and air on ESPN+.
8:29 pm CT December 4, 2025
Wisconsin completes sweep vs Eastern Illinois
John Steppe
For the 13th time in Kelly Sheffield’s 13 seasons as Wisconsin head coach, the Badgers are advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament. Wisconsin won the third set, 25-19, to complete the sweep over Eastern Illinois. The Panthers went on a 4-0 scoring run before UW finally put it away with a kill by Tosia Serafinowska.
8:23 pm CT December 4, 2025
Wisconsin has 19-11 lead in third set vs Eastern Illinois
John Steppe
Wisconsin is on a 3-0 scoring run as a sweep is pretty much inevitable. Mimi Colyer is up to 10 kills, extending her streak to 16 consecutive matches with at least 10 kills. (Her only match without 10-plus kills was on Oct. 10 as the Badgers were swept by Penn State.)
8:18 pm CT December 4, 2025
Eastern Illinois appears more competitive in third set, but Badgers still have nice lead
John Steppe
After scoring only six points in the second set, Eastern Illinois already has nine points in the third set. UW is hitting its worst percentage of the match at a still-very-respectable .348 and has more service errors in this set (three) than in the first two sets combined (one).
8:03 pm CT December 4, 2025
See the replay of Trinity Shadd-Ceres’ second kill of match
John Steppe
8:01 pm CT December 4, 2025
Wisconsin vs Eastern Illinois stats comparison through first two sets
John Steppe
- Kills: Wisconsin 30, Eastern Illinois 10
- Hitting percentage: Wisconsin .510, Eastern Illinois minus-.033
- Blocks: Wisconsin 5, Eastern Illinois 2
- Service aces: Wisconsin 5, Eastern Illinois 1
7:57 pm CT December 4, 2025
Wisconsin dominates Eastern Illinois in second set, wins 25-6
John Steppe
Wisconsin’s second set was its most lopsided one of the season.
The Badgers held Eastern Illinois to minus-.077 hitting and took the set, 25-6. Mimi Colyer had an extended service run at the end. Madison Quest and Trinity Shadd-Ceres subbed in later in the set and made a quick impact. Shadd-Ceres had a pair of kills to make it 24-6 before an EIU attack error clinched the set for the Badgers.
7:33 pm CT December 4, 2025
Wisconsin takes first set vs Eastern Illinois, 25-11
John Steppe
Wisconsin unsurprisingly has an obvious talent advantage here. The Badgers hit .480 in the first set while Eastern Illinois hit .000. Mimi Colyer had six kills without any attack errors. Una Vajagic has five kills, but she also has three attack errors.
It would be even more lopsided if UW had not gotten a little sloppy later in the set. UW at one point had a 17-3 lead.
7:24 pm CT December 4, 2025
Wisconsin goes on 5-0 scoring run, takes 17-3 lead in first set vs Eastern Illinois
John Steppe
This could be a very fast match.
Wisconsin has a 17-3 lead over Eastern Illinois. UW is hitting .750 while EIU is hitting minus-.211. EIU is siding out only 12.5% of the time.
7:11 pm CT December 4, 2025
Wisconsin setter Addy Horner not in uniform vs Eastern Illinois
John Steppe
Wisconsin backup setter Addy Horner was in sweatpants during starting lineups. Charlie Fuerbringer, of course, is starting.
7:07 pm CT December 4, 2025
When will Wisconsin vs. Eastern Illinois begin?
John Steppe
The official start time for the Wisconsin-Eastern Illinois match is 7:12 p.m. CT. There was a 30-minute break after the UTEP-North Carolina match.
6:58 pm CT December 4, 2025
Wisconsin pregame notes ahead of playing Eastern Illinois in first round
John Steppe
- Wisconsin has not lost to an unranked opponent this season.
- The Badgers only lost two sets in the entire month of November.
- Every year in the Kelly Sheffield era, Wisconsin has advanced to at least the regional semifinals (or Sweet 16).
- UW’s .317 hitting percentage is second-best in the country, trailing only Nebraska. It also is at pace to finish as the second-highest hitting percentage in UW program history.
6:33 pm CT December 4, 2025
North Carolina topples UTEP in four sets, Wisconsin match to begin at roughly 7 p.m.
John Steppe
The anticipated 7 p.m. start will be pretty close to accurate after North Carolina toppled sixth-seeded UTEP in four sets. There is a 30-minute break before Wisconsin’s match against Eastern Illinois gets underway.
6:30 pm CT December 4, 2025
What is Wisconsin’s all-time record against Eastern Illinois?
John Steppe
Wisconsin is 4-2 overall all-time against Eastern Illinois. The Badgers have not faced the Panthers in the last three decades, though. Here are all the all-time matchups:
- Sept. 22, 1978: Loss in three sets
- Sept. 3, 1983: Win in four sets
- Aug. 31, 1984: Loss in three sets
- Sept. 2, 1988: Win in four sets
- Sept. 9, 1994: Win in three sets
- Sept. 15, 1995: Win in three sets
5:52 pm CT December 4, 2025
Who will Wisconsin volleyball play next if/when it defeats Eastern Illinois?
John Steppe
The winner of the Wisconsin-Eastern Illinois match will play the winner of the UTEP-North Carolina match. The second-round match will be Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. at the UW Field House. The Badgers have yet to lose a first or second-round match in the Kelly Sheffield era.
5:30 pm CT December 4, 2025
How to watch Wisconsin vs Eastern Illinois NCAA tournament match
John Steppe
- TV: none
- Streaming: ESPN+, which requires a subscription.
Sports
BC Opens Indoor Season at Sharon Colyear-Danville
Last year’s attempt at the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener saw five top ten marks set at the BU Track & Tennis Center. Kyla Palmer ran the second fastest 600m in program history, while Kylee Bernard and Ava Carter recorded top five marks in the 300m.
Following this weekend, the team has a month long break before returning for the Suffolk Ice Breaker Challenge, held at the TRACK at New Balance on January 18.
Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener
Saturday, Dec. 6 | 9:30 a.m. | Boston, Mass. – BU Track & Tennis Center
Live Results | Watch | Meet Info
Eagles Competing: Elizabeth Barlow, Anna Becker, Kylee Bernard, Iris Bergman, Ellie Buckley, Ava Carter, Gina Certo, Claire Crowley, Ella Fadil, Erin Finley, Imogen Gardiner, Gabrielle Hamel, Kyra Holland, Hanna Hollins, Kyla Palmer, Sydney Segalla, Anna Sonsini, Yaroslava Yalysovetska, Ron-Niah Wright
Sports
Mountaineers Open Indoor Season at the Visit Winston-Salem College Kick-Off
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.
Sports
Track & Field Prepares for Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener
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)
Sports
Women’s Track & Field Travels to Chicago State for Season Opener
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:
| Friday, December 5 – 2 PM CT |
| Cougar Alumni Classic |
| Chicago, IL |
| Chicago State University |
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
Sports
Long Beach State Men’s Volleyball Announces 2025 Wall of Honor Class
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.
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