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The final event of the Freeride World Tour Challenger series took place at Arapahoe Basin April 15-16. Edwards skier Joey Leonardo placed fourth no the second day to punch his ticket to the Freeride World Tour next winter.Casey Day/FWT Edwards skier Joey Leonardo has qualified for the 2026 Freeride World Tour (FWT). The 22-year-old placed […]

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The final event of the Freeride World Tour Challenger series took place at Arapahoe Basin April 15-16. Edwards skier Joey Leonardo placed fourth no the second day to punch his ticket to the Freeride World Tour next winter.
Casey Day/FWT

Edwards skier Joey Leonardo has qualified for the 2026 Freeride World Tour (FWT). The 22-year-old placed fourth at the final stop of FWT Challenger series at Arapahoe Basin on Wednesday to wind up second in the overall season rankings. He’ll join Glenwood Springs skier Kelly Hilleke — who won the second event at the two-day competition at A-Basin and was the overall season champion as well — and nine other athletes from Region 2 on next year’s FWT.

“Boy am I excited about it,” Leonardo said. “It’s a childhood dream come true.” 

The FWT Challenger series is the penultimate step to the FWT, which is the highest level of freeride skiing and snowboarding on the planet. Nine Region 1 (Europe, Oceania and Asia) and nine Region 2 (North and South America) athletes are awarded slots on the FWT based upon their season rankings on the FWT Challenger circuit, which included four scheduled stops this year.



Leonardo won the FWT World Junior championship in 2020 and placed eighth in 2021. Never a member of an official ski team, Leonardo was coached by his dad, Jeff, who grew up in New Jersey and didn’t start to ski until his late teens.

Joey Leonardo goes big at the Freeride Junior World Championship in Verbier, Switzerland, on March 31, 2021. Leonardo finished eighth.
Moritz Ablinger / Freeride Junior World Championship

“I couldn’t have done it without him, and my mom as well,” Leonardo said. “I’m eternally grateful for everything they’ve done for me. I definitely wouldn’t be here without them.”



The 2021 Battle Mountain graduate has spent the last four years pursuing a degree at Montana State University, honing his freeride skills at nearby Bridger Bowl. His results database is a little sparse — he only competed in one competition each year from 2022-2024 — as he leaned into his studies more than the slopes. It’s been worth it though: Leonardo graduates in a couple weeks with a major in environmental science with a land and rehabilitation focus and a minor in Spanish.

“I know skiing is not entirely a reliable career and getting an education is a good thing, so I’ve definitely prioritized that,” he said.

This past winter, however, Leonardo took advantage of having just a three-credit course load. He competed at four FWT Qualifier events — which included a pair of victories at Copper Mountain and a bronze at Crested Butte — and three FWT Challenger competitions. His original goal was to accumulate enough points to make it into the four-star competitions for next year.

The first Challenger stop at Whitewater in Canada was canceled due to unsafe conditions. Without the guarantee of an eventual makeup competition in A-Basin, Leonardo knew he couldn’t fall at stop No. 2 at Kirkwood Mountain Resort on March 29-31, as final rankings are determined by an athlete’s two best results.

“I just tried to play it smart,” he said of his mindset going into Kirkwood. “I didn’t try to do anything too crazy, just linked up a bunch of features, threw a left 3, right 3 in. I just wanted to stay on my feet, have a good run.”

He was rewarded with a victory.

“Honestly, if it wasn’t for that comp, I wouldn’t be on the tour next year,” Leonardo admitted before adding that he came into the Whitewater makeup event on April 15 at A-Basin with a similarly conservative approach. “I knew I was ahead and I figured if I just landed a good run, not doing anything too crazy again — like it worked in Kirkwood — that it would be good enough.”

He didn’t hold back too much, however, on the icy east wall of “The Legend,” turning two 360s in addition to a front and backflip off various features.

“I just didn’t do enough at the top,” Leonardo said of his 10th-place showing, which left his FWT dreams on life support going into the next day.

“It turned the pressure on for sure,” he continued. “I knew for the second day I would have to step my run up if I wanted to make it.”

The Edwards product, who grew up skiing mostly at Vail and Beaver Creek, did exactly that. He charged into “Tom and Jerry” with zero hesitation and popped a massive backflip into “narrow North Pole.” Then he stomped a left 360 into a front flip off the Hollywood wind lip midway through. He continued to rack up points on the lower section of the course, dropping another left 360 and a second back flip. At the bottom of “land of the giants,” he tweaked a safety grab through the hallway air cliff.

“The venue was awesome,” Leonardo said of A-Basin, which he only skied at once or twice growing up and not at all in the last seven years. “It could have used a bit more snow. It definitely added a scariness factor to the runs — there was a lot of no-fall zones.”

Hilleke took the win while Canadian Lochlan Harvey placed second and Aspen’s Canyon Cherney picked up the bronze. Even with a wooden medal, Leonardo left satisfied.

“It was just a great week and (I’m) thrilled with the outcome,” he said.

Joey Leonardo launches a front flip off a feature at A-Basin during the Freeride World Tour Challenger event on April 16.
Casey Day/FWT

FWT coming to the Olympics in 2030?

It’s an exciting time in the world of freeriding. The International Olympic Committee is expected to announce this year whether or not the sport should be included in the 2030 Olympic program.

“I just think that would be so cool — even if I didn’t get to participate — just for the growth of the sport,” Leonardo said. “But that’s in the future and I’m just looking forward to this next winter more than anything.”

Good news: there will be a global championship in 2026, too. The inaugural FIS Freeride World Championships are set for Feb. 1-6 in Andorra. Freeride is also coming back to the U.S. It was announced April 14 that the FWT will return to the country for the first time since 2017 as the YETI Alaska Pro brings athletes to the technical spines of Haines.

“Bringing the Tour back to Alaska has been a dream in the making for years,” stated Nicolas Hale-Woods, CEO and founder of FWT, in a press release. “Haines offers some of the most dramatic and respected terrain in the world—it’s the ultimate freeride venue.”

Alaska also hosted FWT events in 2015, 2016 and 2017. U.S. resorts have hosted more than 100 FWT Junior, Qualifier and Challenger events.

Next year, Leonardo plans to base himself out of Tacoma, Washington, but will spend a couple months in Europe over the winter since he’s guaranteed the first four FWT stops. If he can be in the top-13 at the finals qualification cut, he’d get to go to Alaska and earn FWT starting rights for next year as well.

“For awhile I’ve been saying that even just to get one winter on the tour, even if I wasn’t able to re-qualify, that would be sufficient. But I know as soon as I get a comp in or two, I’m definitely going to want to do this for another year,” he said. “Competing with the best of the best, I’m going to have to step my game up. But it’s just something I’ve really wanted for a really long time, so I’m excited to give it my best shot.” 

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Eight Hawks Named USTFCCCA Outdoor Track & Field All-Region

Story Links NEW ORLEANS, La. – On Wednesday, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced the Division III All-Region selections following the conclusion of the regular season. Top five individuals in each event from each region earned All-Region honors, in addition to each of the members of a top-three ranked relay team. […]

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NEW ORLEANS, La.  On Wednesday, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced the Division III All-Region selections following the conclusion of the regular season. Top five individuals in each event from each region earned All-Region honors, in addition to each of the members of a top-three ranked relay team. Data is compiled based on Regional TFRI.

The eight Hawks named include senior Conor Convery (Port Jervis, N.Y.), senior Riley Brutvan (Gardiner, N.Y.), sophomore Christopher Hergott (Hamden, Conn.), freshman Aidan Lybarger (South Burlington, Vt.), senior Cali Leonard (Boston, Mass.), junior Madison DiPasquale (Wallingford, Conn.), sophomore Jordan Murphy (East Hampton, Conn.) and freshman Tamara Greene (Hartford, Conn.). 

Convery ends his career named all-region in the hammer throw event. Conor was the Conference of New England (CNE) champion in the event tossing a program-best 54.70 meters. He finished in second place in the New England Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships at 52.96 meters and came in 10th in the NEICAAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at a distance of 53.95 meters. 

Brutvan finishes his career for the Hawks by being named all-region in the 3000 meter steeplechase. Riley finished in second place in the 3000 meter steeplechase at a time of 9:39.64 seconds. Brutvan followed it up coming in second at the New England Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships at a time of 9:33.25 for a second best time in program history. He later finished 11th in the NEICAAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at a time of 9:34.17. 

Hergott finishes the year being named all-region in the 100 meter dash and the long jump events. Christopher’s best time in the long jump event in the outdoor season came on April 19th in the Trinity Invitational hitting 7.23 meters. He broke the program record in the 100 meter dash at a time of 10.56 seconds in the same meet. In the NEICAAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships Hergott finished in 8th in the 100 meter at a time of 10.59 seconds. 

Lybarger was named an all-region selection in discus in his first year in West Hartford. Aidan broke the program record in the event on May 10th in the NEICAAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships throwing a distance of 52.49 meters. Lybarger also was the CNE Champion in the event at 50.29 meters and also placed 4th in the New England Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships at a distance of 50.08 meters.

Leonard was named all-region in the 100 meter hurdles event. Cali broke the program record for event on May 10th in the NEICAAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at a time of 14.36 seconds. Leonard won the 100 meter hurdles in the CNE Championships at a time of 15.04 seconds. She also placed in 4th in the New England D3 Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

DiPasquale was awarded all-region in the shot put and the discus throw  events. Madison was named the CNE Field Athlete of the Year after placing first in discus, second in shot put and second in hammer throw. She broke the program record for shot put on May 3rd in the New England D3 Outdoor Track and Field Championships coming in 4th hitting 12.89 meters.

Murphy was named all-region in the high jump and the heptathlon. Jordan was the CNE champion in the high jump at 1.61 meters. She also won the heptathlon on April 11th and 12th in the Silfen Invitational scoring 4071. Murphy later placed third in the high jump at the New England D3 Outdoor Track and Field Championships and 5th in the NEICAAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

Greene rounds out the group being named all-region in the 100 meter hurdles. Tamara was the runner up in the 100 meter hurdles event in the CNE Championships at a time of 15.49 seconds. She later finished in 6th in the New England D3 Outdoor Track and Field Championships at a time of 14.89 seconds. She also ran her best time in the event on May 10th in the NEICAAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at a time of 14.60 seconds. 

To read the official release click this link!

For the latest information on Hartford Athletics follow the Hawks on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.





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Connor Lanical Named Elite 90 Winner for DIII Men’s Outdoor Track & Field

Story Links WAVERLY, Iowa- Connor Lancial is named the Elite 90 Winner for DIII Men’s Outdoor Track & Field. Lancial has become the fourth winner in school history and the third winner from track & field. The NCAA ELITE 90 award honors the exceptional achievements of student-athletes. This prestigious accolade is given to those […]

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WAVERLY, Iowa- Connor Lancial is named the Elite 90 Winner for DIII Men’s Outdoor Track & Field. Lancial has become the fourth winner in school history and the third winner from track & field.

The NCAA ELITE 90 award honors the exceptional achievements of student-athletes. This prestigious accolade is given to those who have not only excelled at a national championship level in their sport but have also achieved the highest academic standards among their peers. The Elite 90 is proudly awarded to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA at the finals site for each of the NCAA’s 90 championships.

Lancial is set to compete in the 3000m steeplechase at the 2025 National Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The Championships will take place on May 22 (Thu) – May 24 (Sat) at the SPIRE Institute’s Outdoor Track & Field facility in Geneva, Ohio. 



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Pennsylvania boys high school volleyball Week 9 rankings

The date for the start of the Pennsylvania boys volleyball playoffs is slowly approaching. With district playoffs now underway, the top teams in the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association rankings will want to put themselves in the best position to pursue state gold. In Class 3A, No. 2 North Allegheny and No. 3 Seneca Valley will […]

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The date for the start of the Pennsylvania boys volleyball playoffs is slowly approaching. With district playoffs now underway, the top teams in the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association rankings will want to put themselves in the best position to pursue state gold. In Class 3A, No. 2 North Allegheny and No. 3 Seneca Valley will meet for the WPIAL title this week.

The Tigers are the gold standard for boys volleyball in Western Pennsylvania. North Allegheny has collected 22 WPIAL volleyball champions with the last coming in 2022. Seneca Valley has yet to claim a district championship. The Raiders have lost in the district final four times since 2015.

Regardless of who wins at Peters Township High School later this week, both teams will be headed to the PIAA playoffs, which start June 3 at various sites across the state.

Here’s a look at the top 10 ranked teams in each class:

1. Cumberland Valley

2. North Allegheny

3. Seneca Valley

4. Governor Mifflin

5. Cedar Crest

6. Northeastern

7. Emmaus

8. Central Duaphin

9. Central York

10. Pennsbury

1. Meadville Area

2. Manheim Central

3. Shaler Area

4. York Suburban

5. Holy Redeemer

6. Ambridge

7. Saegertown

8. South Fayette

9. Seton LaSalle

10. Brandywine Heights

–Josh Rizzo | rizzo42789@gmail.com | @J_oshrizzo



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Concordia University Irvine Drops Men’s, Women’s Swimming & Diving Programs

Concordia University Irvine in Irvine, California has announced the elimination of four swimming programs, including its NCAA Division II men’s and women’s swimming & diving programs. The school also eliminated its men’s and women’s tennis programs, effective at the end of this season. This reduces the school’s athletics department to 20 varsity programs (counting all […]

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Concordia University Irvine in Irvine, California has announced the elimination of four swimming programs, including its NCAA Division II men’s and women’s swimming & diving programs. The school also eliminated its men’s and women’s tennis programs, effective at the end of this season.

This reduces the school’s athletics department to 20 varsity programs (counting all track & field programs separately), and does not field a varsity football team.

“The decision follows a comprehensive evaluation of the university’s academic and athletic offerings, resource allocation, and long-term strategic priorities,” the school said in a statement. “University leadership, in partnership with the Department of Athletics, determined that the current model is not sustainable in the midst of increasing operational costs, facility limitations, and significant changes in the collegiate athletics landscape.”

Student athletes who choose to stay at Concordia will retain their scholarships.

Concordia head coach Bert Bergen informed the team of the news on Tuesday. His email read, in part:

“I am so terribly sorry about this news and am horrified by the timing.  You put your faith in me, you chose this program to continue your athletic pursuits and I cannot imagine what you are feeling.

I understand how terrible this timing is.  I want each of you to know that I will be available for phone calls and will do everything I can with every available NCAA and NAIA institution in this country to find you a new home.

I am sickened that you won’t get to be a part of this community, that I will not have the wonderful opportunity to coach, mentor and learn from you.  You will always be very special to me and I know that God has a plan for your futures.  Please do not be discouraged. Take time to process and then, let’s find solutions for each of you.”

Bergen has been actively seeking homes for his athletes on college swimming recruiting Facebook pages, among other places.

According to Federal data, the swimming program had 23 men and 25 women to start the season, while the tennis program had 10 men and 10 women.

The school, which has undergraduate enrollment of 1,474, is a private Lutheran-affiliated school. The school was an NAIA school but completed its transition to become a full NCAA Division II member in summer 2017. Student-athletes make up almost a third of the school’s enrollment.

The swimming & diving teams finished 6th on the women’s side and 4th on the men’s side at the 2025 PCSC Championship meet.

The swimming & diving programs (and water polo programs) use the nearby William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center, which is about a 10 minute drive from the school’s main campus. That pool is part of the United States’ national hosting rotation and will host the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships, among many other meets.

The men’s tennis team, meanwhile, just won their first-ever NCAA West Regional and advanced to the NCAA tournament, where they lost 4-2. The women’s team finished 5th in the PacWest.

The swimming program joins Union Commonwealth University in Kentucky, and Cal Poly in California as programs lost this summer. That has been offset, though, by the addition of programs at D1 Marquette University and D2 Pitt-Johnston University in recent weeks.





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University of Minnesota Athletics

MINNEAPOLIS – The Big Ten Conference announced its championship awards Wednesday with the University of Minnesota represented by Kostas Zaltos as the B1G Men’s Field Athlete of the Championships. Additionally, Zariyah Black and Joe Manser were chosen as the B1G Sportsmanship Award winners for 2025. Zaltos is the first Gopher to earn the outdoor Big Ten Field Athlete […]

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MINNEAPOLIS – The Big Ten Conference announced its championship awards Wednesday with the University of Minnesota represented by Kostas Zaltos as the B1G Men’s Field Athlete of the Championships. Additionally, Zariyah Black and Joe Manser were chosen as the B1G Sportsmanship Award winners for 2025.

Zaltos is the first Gopher to earn the outdoor Big Ten Field Athlete of the Championships since 2009 when Aaron Studt was honored. The Maroon and Gold set three Big Ten Outdoor Championship meet records during the weekend, starting with the men’s hammer throw and Kostas Zaltos. In his final Big Ten Championships Zaltos won his fourth Big Ten gold medal with an effort of 77.67m (254-10). The fourth Big Ten title in the hammer throw makes Zaltos the first man to win the event at the conference meet four times. Zaltos’ meet-record toss of 77.67m (254-10) broke the meet record that was held by his teammate, Angelos Mantzouranis, who finished second overall to claim his second Big Ten medal of his career as just a sophomore.

“I am happy to be here again and compete,” Zaltos said after his victory. “That was my last dance, I was very pumped and excited to be here and perform and set another meet record. Last year Angelos messaged me saying ‘I broke it a little bit just to give you something for next year,’ and I said, ‘just wait, I will break it again,’ and I am happy I did.”

 

Zariyah Black was given the B1G Sportsmanship Award after finishing 10th in the women’s 100m hurdles in Eugene. The recent UMN graduate clocked a time of 13.66, the second-fastest time of her 2025 outdoor season, and missed a spot in the Big Ten final by just 0.006 seconds. Black also was the lead leg of Minnesota’s 4x100m relay team. 

 

Manser was the men’s recipient of the B1G Sportsmanship Award for 2025. The Edina, Minn., native competed in the men’s 400m prelims where he clocked a 48.56 and finished 22nd overall. 

 

Up Next

Minnesota next competes at the 2025 NCAA West Regional from May 28-31 in Bryan-College Station, Texas, at Texas A&M. The meet will be contested at E.B. Cushing Stadium. 

 

For more information on the Gophers, continue to check back with GopherSports.com. Keep up with the University of Minnesota cross country and track and field team on X.com (Twitter) and Instagram (@GopherCCTF) and on Facebook, so you do not miss any content during the season.



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Spots open for Guns-n-Hoses First Responders Beach Volleyball Fundraiser

Leadership Youngsville and the Youngsville Chamber of Commerce are hosting a beach volleyball competition to support Youngsville first responders, Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 6 PM -9 PM at Sugar Beach at the Youngsville Sports Complex. The main event will feature the Youngsville Police Department and the Youngsville Fire Department competing against each other in […]

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Leadership Youngsville and the Youngsville Chamber of Commerce are hosting a beach volleyball competition to support Youngsville first responders, Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 6 PM -9 PM at Sugar Beach at the Youngsville Sports Complex. The main event will feature the Youngsville Police Department and the Youngsville Fire Department competing against each other in a friendly, competitive beach volleyball tournament.

Interested beach volleyball players who want to play in the tournament can sign up at www.YoungsvilleSportsComplex.comfor $120 or call (337) 857-6804. The deadline to register is Friday, May 30, by 3:00 PM.

Free admission Lost in Art Custom Gallery will be offering face painting for kids and donating a portion of their proceeds to the first responders. Bon Temps Concessions will be providing food and drinks. Fun for the whole family.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Youngsville Police Department and the Youngsville Fire Department. Sponsorship opportunities are available at www.YoungsvilleChamber.com or contact Angie Eckman, angie@adworx.com or call (337) 278-2841.





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