TROY, Ala. – Aaliyah Murphy continues Troy’s track and field schedule on Thursday, June 19, as she battles among the elite in the 2025 USATF u20 Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., at 7:13 p.m. for the 400m hurdles. If she qualifies, Murphy will compete in the finals on Friday, June 20, at 7:20 p.m.
 

“We are excited to have Aaliyah compete in the USATF U20 National Championships in Eugene, Ore.,” director of track & field / cross country Marc Davis said. “She’s been training well and had a great indoor and outdoor season. I’m looking forward to watching her compete tomorrow evening.”
 
Murphy holds the Troy program outdoor record for the 400m hurdles when she shattered the record at the Doc Anderson Invitational. She crossed the line for first with a time of 59.94 to break a record that stood since 1988. Through the outdoor season, Murphy’s put together the top seven times in the 400m hurdles event for the Trojans. In her seven attempts at the event, she’s collected three first-place finishes at the Doc Anderson Invitational, Southern Miss Invitational and South Alabama Invitational. At the SBC Outdoor Championships, the freshman punched her ticket to the final round with a fourth-place fun in the preliminaries at 1:01.63 – she went on to finish runner-up in the finals at 1:00.49.
 
 
 

This past year, Sioux Falls residents and sports fans were treated to watching the NCAA DII Volleyball Championships at the Sanford Pentagon.

Following a successful second foray into hosting the event here in the Sioux Empire (first hosted in 2016), its set to return this December.

Per The Sioux Falls Sports Authority:

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Sioux Falls Sports Authority and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) are excited to announce that Sioux Falls has been selected to host the 2025 NCAA Division II Women’s Volleyball Championship for the second consecutive year. The event will return to the Sanford Pentagon on December 11-13, 2025.

“It’s always a thrill to be awarded an NCAA championship event and it’s especially meaningful to be selected to host the NCAA DII Women’s Volleyball Championship for the second consecutive year along with the NSIC,” said Thomas Lee, Executive Director of the Sioux Falls Sports Authority. “The venue, the level of play, and the atmosphere will make this another memorable experience for everyone involved. This marks Sioux Falls’ 14^th time hosting an NCAA DI or DII championship as we continue to showcase our city as a premier destination for collegiate athletics.”

“We look forward to another year of working with the Sioux Falls Sports Authority and the Sanford Pentagon staffs to host this elite event,” said NSIC Commissioner Erin Lind.  “Hosting back-to-back years in a first-class facility will only enhance the experience provided to the student-athletes, coaches and fans.”

READ MORE: ‘Championship Foundation’ – South Dakota State FB Preview

The 2025 NCAA DII Women’s Volleyball Championship will take place on Heritage Court at the Sanford Pentagon and include the quarterfinals, semifinals, and championship match. In 2024, Lynn University captured the national championship in a thrilling five-set victory over San Francisco State University.

“We couldn’t be more excited to host the 2025 NCAA DII Volleyball Championship on Heritage Court at the Sanford Pentagon,” said Steve Young, president of Sanford Sports. “Over the past decade, the Pentagon has hosted some of the biggest and most thrilling NCAA events, including last year’s Division II volleyball title match. This will be another first-class event for the players, teams, and fans in Sioux Falls!”

Tickets for the 2025 NCAA DII Women’s Volleyball Championship will go on sale at a later date. For further information, visit https://www.ncaa.com/sports/volleyball-women/d2

Source: Sioux Falls Sports Authority

It’s hard to believe that it’s already time to start planning July 4th celebrations, but alas, it has arrived. This July 4th, Nikki Beach Miami Beach is turning back the clock to revive the iconic Penrod’s Beach Club, the ’80s and ’90s haute spot that redefined South Beach’s vibrant spirit. On July 4, 2025, from 12 PM to 9 PM, the legendary beach club returns to its original home at 1 Ocean Drive for a one-day celebration that promises nostalgia, high-energy vibes, and a heartfelt tribute to its founder, Jack Penrod. This is more than a party—it’s a journey through time, honoring the legacy of a visionary who transformed Miami Beach into a global destination.

Photo Credit: Nikki Beach Global

A brief history for those who are not aware of how major this comeback is—in 1984, Jack Penrod took on a bold challenge from the City of Miami Beach to restore its reputation as the American Riviera. At the time, South Beach was less glamorous than it is today. With a 40-year lease and a vision for hospitality, Jack, alongside his future wife and business partner Lucia Penrod, opened Penrod’s Beach Club in 1989. The three-story, 35,000-square-foot venue at 1 Ocean Drive became a game-changer, offering a tailgate-style sports bar, nightclub, and beach volleyball courts. Iconic events—like a man-made ski mountain in Lummus Park, a Bon Jovi beach concert, and MTV Spring Break—cemented Penrod’s as the heartbeat of South Beach.

Photo Credit: Nikki Beach Hospitality Group

Jack’s innovative marketing, including importing sand and palm trees to Northeast cities during winter, sparked a tourism boom that revitalized Miami Beach. His efforts didn’t just create a venue; they reshaped a city, turning South Beach into a global hotspot. In 1997, after the tragic loss of his daughter Nicole to a drunk driver, Jack and Lucia transformed the space into Café Nikki, a butterfly garden honoring her memory. This heartfelt tribute evolved into Nikki Beach in 1998, now a global lifestyle brand spanning 10 countries, all rooted in the ethos of “Celebrating Life.”

Jack’s contributions earned him the honor of “Jack Penrod Day” on April 17, 2012, declared by Miami-Dade County and Miami Beach. Following his passing earlier this year at 85, this July 4th event, hosted by Lucia Penrod, serves as a poignant tribute to his enduring impact.

Photo Credit: Nikki Beach Hospitality Group

Today, locals and tourists get a rare chance to step back into Jack’s world as Nikki Beach Miami Beach undergoes a full transformation to echo the look and feel of the original Penrod’s Beach Club. Expect an iconic throwback, complete with beach volleyball, live musicians, and dancers bringing the sand to life. Resident DJs will spin songs from every era Penrod’s thrived in, from synth-pop anthems to grunge classics, ensuring the dance floor stays electric. The event captures the carefree, sun-soaked energy that made Penrod’s the ultimate playground for locals, tourists, and celebrities alike.

Adding to the nostalgic allure, a special throwback menu will feature classic dishes from Penrod’s golden days. Savor conch fritters, juicy burgers, smoked fish dip, and tangy key lime pie—flavors that defined an era. Guests are also invited to bring vintage Penrod’s memorabilia—think hats, t-shirts, or mugs—for a complimentary beer, a nod to those who helped make the club a cultural cornerstone.

The return of Penrod’s Beach Club is a love letter to Nikki Beach Miami Beach’s roots and a toast to its future. Guests of all generations are invited to relive the magic of South Beach’s early days while celebrating the global legacy of Nikki Beach.

Book Now

ORANGE COUNTY BOYS OUTSTANDING COMPETITOR 2024-25

This award recognizes an Orange County athlete who was a standout in multiple sports, a team leader and someone who also excelled in areas outside of sports.

Name: Jackson Harlan

School: Corona del Mar

Year: Senior

Sports: Water polo, basketball

Notable highlights: It’s not unusual for two-sport athletes to participate in sports that have similarities.

Sometimes excellent basketball players are excellent volleyball players because the jumping skills are similar. Football offensive linemen get into wrestling because hand-to-hand combat is found in both.

Corona del Mar senior Jackson Harlan was a star in water polo and basketball. That is an unusual two-sport combination.

In water polo Harlan was an All-Orange County first-team selection and was selected to the All-CIF Southern Section Open Division team. An attacker, Harlan scored a school single-season record 139 goals and added 37 assists to lead Corona del Mar to the CIF-SS Open Division semifinals.

He recently withdrew his commitment to UC Santa Barbara for water polo to accept a scholarship offer from UCLA.

Harlan used his 6-foot-6, 210-pound frame to score those goals in the pool and to get rebounds and score inside on the basketball court. He averaged 13 points and seven rebounds a game for the Sea Kings, who finished 21-9 overall and placed third in the challenging Sunset League.

Harlan’s ability to grab just about every rebound in his area impressed Corona del Mar boys basketball coach Jason Simco.

“When coaches watched game film together,” Simco said, “we’d see Jackson get a great rebound and we’d say, ‘Holy moly, how are we gonna get that rebound next year?’”