Sports
Massachusetts student arrested by ICE on his way to volleyball practice released
A Massachusetts high school student who was arrested by immigration agents on his way to volleyball practice has been released from custody. CHELMSFORD, Mass. — Editor’s note: The video above was published June 1, 2025. A Massachusetts high school student who was arrested by immigration agents on his way to volleyball practice has been released […]

A Massachusetts high school student who was arrested by immigration agents on his way to volleyball practice has been released from custody.
CHELMSFORD, Mass. — Editor’s note: The video above was published June 1, 2025.
A Massachusetts high school student who was arrested by immigration agents on his way to volleyball practice has been released from custody after a judge granted him bond Thursday.
Marcelo Gomes da Silva, 18, who came to the U.S. from Brazil at age 7, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Saturday. Authorities have said the agents were looking for the Milford High School teenager’s father, who owns the car Gomes da Silva was driving at the time and had parked in a friend’s driveway.
“It shouldn’t have happened in the first place. This is all a waste,” his lawyer, Robin Nice, told reporters after a hearing in Chelmsford. Gomes da Silva appeared at the hearing via video from elsewhere in Massachusetts before being released on $2,000 bond.
“We disrupted a kid’s life. We just disrupted a community’s life,” Nice said. “These kids should be celebrating graduation and prom, I assume? They should be doing kid stuff, and it is a travesty and a waste of our judicial process to have to go through this.”
She said Gomes da Silva slept on the cement floor of a room holding 25 to 35 men, many twice his age, most of the time he was detained, with no windows, no time outside and no permission to shower. He was able to brush his teeth twice. Nice said that at one point Gomes da Silva asked for a Bible and was denied.
He went to the hospital Wednesday because he had concerns about a concussion he received before he was detained and was suffering from a bad cold, Nice said.
“He’s looking forward to eating Snickers and chicken nuggets when he is released,” she said.
Not ICE’s target, but detained anyway
U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said earlier this week that ICE officers were targeting a “known public safety threat” and that Gomes da Silva’s father “has a habit of reckless driving at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour through residential areas.”
“While ICE officers never intended to apprehend Gomes da Silva, he was found to be in the United States illegally and subject to removal proceedings, so officers made the arrest,” she said in a statement.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said Monday that “like any local law enforcement officer, if you encounter someone that has a warrant or … he’s here illegally, we will take action on it.”
Gomes da Silva initially entered the country on a visitor visa and was later issued a student visa that has since lapsed, Nice said. She described him as deeply rooted in his community and a dedicated member of both the school marching band and a band at his church.
The immigration judge set a placeholder hearing date for a couple of weeks from Thursday, but it might take place months from that, Nice said.
“We’re optimistic that he’ll have a future in the United States,” she said.
A federal judge considering Gomes da Silva’s request to be released while his immigration case proceeds has given the government until June 16 to respond and ordered that Gomes da Silva not be moved out of Massachusetts without 48 hours’ notice given to the court. The government sought permission Wednesday to move Gomes da Silva to a detention facility in a different New England state, Nice said. A judge quickly denied the request.
A shaken community
“I love my son. We need Marcelo back home. It’s no family without him,” João Paulo Gomes Pereira said in a video released Wednesday. “We love America. Please, bring my son back.”
The video showed the family in the teen’s bedroom. Gomes da Silva’s sister describes watching movies with her brother and enjoying food he cooks for her: “I miss everything about him.”
Students at Milford High staged a walkout Monday to protest his detainment. Other supporters wore white and packed the stands of the high school gymnasium Tuesday night, when the volleyball team dedicated a match to their missing teammate.
Hanna Ghannan, who graduated from the school the day after Gomes de Silva was detained, was among those cheering outside the courthouse as the news came that her classmate would be let out on bond.
“I’m just happy that everyone’s coming to together as a community because there is a lot of hate — and I mean a lot of hate,” she said.
Amani Jack, also a recent Milford High graduate, said her classmate’s absence loomed large over the graduation ceremony, where he was supposed to play in the band. She said if she had a chance to speak with the president, she’d ask him to ‘just put yourself in our shoes.’
“He did say he was going to deport criminals,” she said. “Marcelo is not a criminal. He’s a student. I really want him to take a step in our shoes, witnessing this. Try and understand how we feel. We’re just trying to graduate high school.”
Veronica Hernandez, a family advocate from Medford who said she works in a largely Hispanic community where ICE has had an active presence, said cases like Gomes da Silva’s show immigration enforcement is serious about taking “anybody” without legal status, not just those accused of crimes.
“I think seeing that something so simple as a child driving themselves and their friends to volleyball practice at risk struck a chord,” she said.
Associated Press reporter Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire, contributed to this story.
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Sports
Zac Stubblety-Cook to miss World Swimming Championships
Australian Zac Stubblety-Cook — an Olympic gold and silver medalist in the 200m breaststroke — will miss the World Swimming Championships that start July 26 in Singapore, citing a back injury. “It’s disappointing, but I had a lot of time off last year and I am committed to the next four years,” Stubblety-Cook said, according […]

Australian Zac Stubblety-Cook — an Olympic gold and silver medalist in the 200m breaststroke — will miss the World Swimming Championships that start July 26 in Singapore, citing a back injury.
“It’s disappointing, but I had a lot of time off last year and I am committed to the next four years,” Stubblety-Cook said, according to a press release. “It’s a setback but a minor one, and hopefully by the time the pool team dive in Singapore — I’ll be back in the water myself.”
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Stubblety-Cook, 26, took Olympic 200m breast gold in Tokyo and silver in Paris behind France’s Leon Marchand, who is entered in all four of his Olympic gold medal events in Singapore.
Stubblety-Cook is the third-fastest man in history in the 200m breast behind China’s Qin Haiyang (also entered in worlds) and Marchand.
“My coach Mel Marshall and I both believe my best time is still in me, so I’m still chasing that … and there’s a lot of racing left in me,” Stubblety-Cook said, according to the release.
World Aquatics
World Aquatics Championships 2025: How to watch, schedule, preview
World Championships competition in swimming, diving, artistic swimming and water polo air live on Peacock.
Sports
Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2025: Leidos’ Chad Buechel
Chad Buechel, Leidos Chad Buechel Vice President & Division Manager, Defense Enterprise IT Modernization Division within the Digital Modernization Sector, Leidos Most recently, Chad Buechel’s team stepped in to support the Defense Department’s goal of accelerating the migration of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s IT network to the Defense Information Systems Agency’s modernized DODNet. […]


Chad Buechel
Vice President & Division Manager, Defense Enterprise IT Modernization Division within the Digital Modernization Sector, Leidos
Most recently, Chad Buechel’s team stepped in to support the Defense Department’s goal of accelerating the migration of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s IT network to the Defense Information Systems Agency’s modernized DODNet.
In less than 48 hours, they assembled a team and partnered with both DISA and DARPA to embark on a pivotal 80-day migration, proving the capabilities of DODNet and Leidos’ agility to fast-track migrations for other Defense Agencies and Field Activities. The teamwork and collaboration seen throughout the process has been described as nothing short of extraordinary, with each stakeholder — regardless of badge — stepping in to ensure mission success.
Delivering smarter outcomes that make government more efficient is core to the company’s mission. For example, Leidos protects mission-critical DOD data on “no-fail” networks essential to national security every day. The company saved the department over $645 million by identifying and implementing improvements in network cybersecurity, artificial intelligence operations and cloud use. Its work also increased network availability to 99.9% at no additional cost.
Bryan Jolly, senior vice president of digital modernization for Leidos’ DISA IT business area, described Buechel as a mission-driven leader who brings exceptional energy, focus and execution to one of the Defense Department’s most complex IT modernization efforts.
“Under his leadership, the Leidos team is accelerating the DES program and DODNet migration — delivering transformative capabilities that strengthen cybersecurity, enhance user experience and increase mission effectiveness across the Fourth Estate,” he said. “Chad’s ability to lead with vision while driving results makes him a standout leader and a key force shaping the future of defense IT.”
Why Watch
Buechel’s team is helping DISA consolidate the Fourth Estate’s agencies onto a common IT infrastructure through the Defense Enclave Services program. With the modernized DODNet, they are improving efficiency, enabling data-driven decisions and providing a secure, scalable network to keep agencies mission-ready. These capabilities allow users to protect and connect the warfighter while staying agile in a fast-changing environment.
Buechel said the Leidos DES program is a true team effort that brings together talent, innovation and mission focus to deliver a secure, modern and efficient IT environment for the Fourth Estate. He added that he’s proud of his team’s ability to move fast, think strategically and work closely with DISA and the DAFAs.
“Through DODNet, we’re not just consolidating infrastructure—we’re enabling the agility, resilience and scalability defense agencies need to accelerate decision making and support the warfighter in today’s dynamic threat landscape,” he said.
Fun Fact: Buechel was a college track and field athlete at Brown University. He still holds a school record for the steeplechase, a 3,000-meter race that combines running with obstacles, hurdles and water jumps. He was also a three-time All-Ivy Champion for indoor track — and is a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan.
See the entire Top DOD Execs to Watch in 2025 list here.
Sports
The LA Olympics are 3 years away. Here’s a first look at the schedule
Keep up with LAist. If you’re enjoying this article, you’ll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less. Los Angeles is officially three years out from the Olympic Games and to mark the occasion, organizers on Monday […]

Los Angeles is officially three years out from the Olympic Games and to mark the occasion, organizers on Monday released a preview of the competition schedule.
Track and field will dominate the first week of the Games at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum, and swimming will close it out at SoFi Stadium.
It’s a switch-up from how things have historically been done. Typically, track and field athletics are in the second week of the 2028 Games. Some things aren’t changing though — the marathon will still take place on the competition’s final weekend, starting on the Venice Beach boardwalk.
The rest of the Games will take place across the region, temporarily transforming many of Los Angeles’s most historic and treasured locations.
Gymnastics will be held at Crypto.com Arena in downtown L.A. Basketball will be at Inglewood Dome. Beach volleyball will take over Alamitos Beach. The cycling road race will start on the Venice Beach boardwalk.
Sepulveda Basin will host skateboarders. Trestles Beach, which stretches from Orange County into San Diego County, will hold the surfing competition. The L.A. Convention Center downtown will have fencing, table tennis, taekwondo, judo and wrestling.
Baseball will, of course, be at Dodger Stadium.
A couple events will be as far away as Oklahoma. Softball, canoe and kayaking competitions will take place in Oklahoma City’s Whitewater Center and Softball Park.
It’s the third time L.A. will host the Olympics. Opening ceremonies will kick off at L.A. Memorial Coliseum and SoFi Stadium at 5 p.m., July 14, 2028.
Tickets aren’t on sale, yet. But you can check out the daily schedule here.
Here’s the venue list
Sports
132 Scarlet Knights Named Big Ten Distinguished Scholars
Story Links PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers Athletics placed 132 Scarlet Knights on the 2024-25 Big Ten Distinguished Scholars list, the conference announced. It marks the fifth-consecutive academic year that over 125 Rutgers student-athletes were named to the list. A total of 33 Scarlet Knights earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average (GPA) […]

Story Links
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers Athletics placed 132 Scarlet Knights on the 2024-25 Big Ten Distinguished Scholars list, the conference announced. It marks the fifth-consecutive academic year that over 125 Rutgers student-athletes were named to the list.
A total of 33 Scarlet Knights earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average (GPA) during the previous academic term. Those individuals are listed below;
- Lucy Bannatyne, Field Hockey
- Paulina Niklaus, Field Hockey
- Tyler Needham, Football
- Emily Leese, Gymnastics
- Gianna Ortiz, Gymnastics
- Aidan Flynn, Men’s Soccer
- Noah Kriesman, Men’s Track and Field
- Nico Morales, Men’s Track and Field
- Alissa Kinkela, Volleyball
- Emma Baeyens, Women’s Cross Country
- Emily James, Women’s Golf
- Krystal Li, Women’s Golf
- Lucrezia Rossettin, Women’s Golf
- Erin Duggan, Women’s Lacrosse
- Victoria Goldrick, Women’s Lacrosse
- Kimberly Greenblatt, Women’s Lacrosse
- Madison Karpe, Women’s Lacrosse
- Kelsey Klein, Women’s Lacrosse
- A’Mya Dill-El, Women’s Rowing
- Julia Galesi, Women’s Rowing
- Ruby Hatfield, Women’s Rowing
- Kathryn Koleto, Women’s Rowing
- Sydney Lehrer, Women’s Rowing
- Claire Nealon , Women’s Rowing
- Orian Gablan, Women’s Swimming & Diving
- Grace Hagemaster, Women’s Swimming & Diving
- Katherine Lang, Women’s Swimming & Diving
- Hale Oal, Women’s Swimming & Diving
- Natalie Schick, Women’s Swimming & Diving
- Jade Smits, Women’s Swimming & Diving
- Charlee Crawford, Women’s Track and Field
- Emma Keating, Women’s Track and Field
- Suzy Lacombe, Women’s Track and Field
Big Ten Faculty Representatives established the Distinguished Scholar Award in 2008 to supplement the Academic All-Big Ten program. Distinguished Scholar Award recipients must have earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition in the previous academic year, must have been enrolled full time at the institution for the entire previous academic year (two semesters or three quarters) and earned a minimum GPA of 3.70 or better during the previous academic year, excluding any summer grades. The Academic All-Big Ten threshold is a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for a student’s academic career.
Rutgers Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Selections by Sport
Baseball (3)
- RJ Johnson Jr.
- JD Jones
- Joe Mazza
Field Hockey (10)
- Natalie Arnold
- Lucy Bannatyne
- Olivia Beattie
- Guillermina Causarano
- Ava Cickavage
- Sophia Howard
- Vicky Jure
- Paulina Niklaus
- Indy Van Ek
- Puck Winter
Football (10)
- Djibril Abdou Rahman
- DJ Allen
- Joe De Croce
- Moses Gbagbe-Sowah
- Kyonte Hamilton
- Nelson Monegro Breton
- Tyler Needham
- Nick Oliveira
- Terrence Salami
- Reggie Sutton
Gymnastics (9)
- Elia Aird
- Olivia DiNovi
- Campbell Earley
- Emily Leese
- Jacqueline Manifold
- Gianna Ortiz
- Anna Pagliaro
- Matis Rains
- Ginger Richards
Men’s Cross Country (1)
Men’s Golf (1)
Men’s Lacrosse (5)
- Brock Desmarais
- Justin Lawler
- Dean Scalamandre
- Cardin Stoller
- Marco Wimmershoff
Men’s Soccer (4)
- Nicholas Collins
- Aidan Flynn
- Andrew Noel
- Erick Ruiz
Men’s Track and Field (9)
- Steven Coponi
- Ian Habjan
- Noah Kriesman
- Nico Morales
- Zachary Novak
- Brian O’ Sullivan
- Robert Paneque
- Sincere Robinson
- Zachary Semerjian
Softball (2)
- Jillian Anderson
- Georgia Ingle
Volleyball (2)
- Makenzie Dyrstad
- Alissa Kinkela
Women’s Basketball (2)
- Kennedy Brandt
- Awa Sidibe
Women’s Cross Country (3)
- Emma Baeyens
- Lorena David
- Casey Walter
Women’s Golf (4)
- Emily James
- Krystal Li
- Lorena Rossettin
- Lucrezia Rossettin
Women’s Lacrosse (14)
- Makenna Boutin
- Katie Buck
- Ava Chiarella
- Kayleigh Coughlin
- Erin Devine
- Erin Duggan
- Gianna Eglauf
- Victoria Goldrick
- Kimberly Greenblatt
- Madison Karpe
- Kelsey Klein
- Sophia Rowell
- Samantha Swanovich
- Grace Toth
Women’s Rowing (20)
- Lauren Andersen
- Elli Arbogast
- Madison Cancro
- Megan Cherichello
- A’Mya Dill-El
- Katharina Dowlin
- Abigail Franks
- Julia Galesi
- Madeline Galesi
- Catherine Garvey
- Ruby Hatfield
- Vanessa Karayiannis
- Kathryn Koleto
- Sydney Lehrer
- Madison Miller
- Catherine Montgomery
- Claire Nealon
- Emily Szopa
- Seher Talukdar
- Sofia Ulinski
Women’s Soccer (7)
- Kassidy Banks
- Olivia Bodmer
- Kylie Daigle
- Cameron Kennett
- Olivia Russomanno
- Tehya Scheuten
- Patricia Tsokos
Women’s Swimming and Diving (13)
- Sephora Ford
- Orian Gablan
- Grace Hagemaster
- Ella Hall
- Katherine Lang
- Shannon Meadway
- Hale Oal
- Holly Prasanto
- Natalie Schick
- Elinor Schinsky
- Jade Smits
- Emma Solseng
- Molly Urkiel
Women’s Tennis (2)
- Jackeline Lopez
- Mai Nguyen
Women’s Track and Field (9)
- Anna Barber
- Bailey Bertrand
- Celine-Jada Brown
- Charlee Crawford
- Kelly Enterline
- Samantha Gravatt
- Emma Keating
- Suzy Lacombe
- Kristina Tossas
Wrestling (2)
- Alfred DeSantis
- Hadyn Packer
Sports
Ladybug Water Polo team wins UIL state championship under coaches Brown and Painter
This article was created by AI using a video recording of the meeting. It summarizes the key points discussed, but for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Link to Full Meeting Under the bright lights of the Brazosport ISD Board Meeting, a wave […]

This article was created by AI using a video recording of the meeting. It summarizes the key points discussed, but for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting.
Link to Full Meeting
Head coach Robert Brown and assistant coach Kyle Painter stood proudly as the team was recognized for their remarkable journey. With an impressive season record of 28 wins and just 2 losses, the Ladybugs showcased their resilience, overcoming challenges and setting high goals throughout the year. Their path to the championship was marked by significant victories, including a thrilling 14-8 win over Southlake Carroll in the semifinals and a nail-biting 11-9 overtime victory against Foster in the state championship game.
Since water polo became a UIL sanctioned sport in 2022, the Ladybugs have consistently excelled, boasting a combined record of 76 wins and 9 losses over the past three years. Notably, seven of those losses were to Foster, making their championship win even sweeter. The team’s success is not just a reflection of their athletic prowess but also of the unwavering support from families, staff, and fans who rallied behind them throughout the season.
As the meeting continued, the board took a moment to express gratitude to the water polo families and fans for their steadfast encouragement. The celebration culminated in the introduction of the team members, each recognized for their contributions to this historic achievement.
This championship is more than just a title; it symbolizes the spirit of determination and collaboration that unites the Brazosport community. As the Ladybugs prepare for the next season, their legacy of excellence continues to inspire, reminding everyone of what can be achieved through hard work and unity.
Converted from November 18, 2024 Brazosport ISD Board Meeting meeting on July 14, 2025
Link to Full Meeting
Sports
SEC’s Greg Sankey: CFP expansion not a done deal – Field Level Media – Professional sports content solutions
The College Football Playoff could remain at 12 teams if the Southeastern Conference and Big Ten can’t come to an agreement, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said Monday. “That’s fine,” Sankey said as SEC media days kicked off in Atlanta. “We have a 12-team playoff, five conference champions. That can stay if we can’t agree.” Coaches […]

The College Football Playoff could remain at 12 teams if the Southeastern Conference and Big Ten can’t come to an agreement, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said Monday.
“That’s fine,” Sankey said as SEC media days kicked off in Atlanta. “We have a 12-team playoff, five conference champions. That can stay if we can’t agree.”
Coaches in the SEC would like to see a 16-team playoff that follows the “5+11” model, made up of the five highest-ranked conference champions and 11 at-large bids.
The Big Ten has proposed a format where the Big Ten and SEC would each get four automatic bids, with two going to both the ACC and Big 12 and one more to the highest-ranked champion of another conference. The rest of the field — either 14 or 16 teams — would come from at-large bids.
“We had a different view coming out of (SEC meetings) around the notion of allocations, if you will,” Sankey said, referring to automatic bids. “I think you’ll probably hear that again from our coaches. The Big Ten has a different view, that’s fine.”
Although all sides at least seem to favor increasing the size of the field, Sankey said it’s not a foregone conclusion.
“I think there’s this notion that there has to be this magic moment and something has to happen with expansion, and it has to be forced,” he said.
There is a Dec. 1 deadline to determine a format for the CFP in 2026 and beyond.
–Field Level Media
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