Sports
34 Johnnies Achieve Academic All-MIAC Honors in Track & Field
By: Ryan Klinkner, SJU Director of Athletic Communications Story Links MIAC Release BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Thirty-four Saint John’s University track and field student-athletes earned 2024-25 Winter and Spring Academic All-MIAC honors on Thursday, June 26. For the fifth-straight academic year, SJU led the MIAC in male honorees with a total of […]

MIAC Release
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Thirty-four Saint John’s University track and field student-athletes earned 2024-25 Winter and Spring Academic All-MIAC honors on Thursday, June 26.
For the fifth-straight academic year, SJU led the MIAC in male honorees with a total of 173 in 2024-25, followed by Gustavus Adolphus (149), Macalester (134), St. Olaf (133) and Carleton (110). The Johnnies had 85 fall honorees in cross country, football and soccer.
Those honored (listed alphabetically) include:
-Senior Andrew Adams (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata), a finance major (pre-law emphasis) with a 3.96 GPA;
-Senior Tommy Allen (Woodbury, Minn./St. Paul Academy), a biochemistry major (pre-medicine emphasis) with a 4.0 GPA;
-Junior Jacob Becker (Lincoln, Neb./Mount Michael Benedictine), a computer science and mathematics double-major with a 3.78 GPA;
-Sophomore Noah Besemann (New Brighton, Minn./Irondale), a biology and environmental studies double-major with a 4.0 GPA;
-Sophomore Connor Brynteson (Minneapolis, Minn./Robbinsdale Cooper), a computer science major with 3.94 GPA;
-Senior Eamon Cavanaugh (Oak Park, Ill./Oak Park and River Forest), a history (secondary education) major with a 3.88 GPA;
-Senior Ryan Conzemius (La Crosse, Wis./Aquinas), a biology major with a 3.90 GPA;
-Junior Mitchell Degen (Brainerd, Minn.), a global business leadership major with a 3.85 GPA;
-Sophomore Aaron Freier (Red Wing, Minn.), an art major with a 3.91 GPA;
-Senior Jaeden Frost (Omro, Wis.), a nutrition major with a 3.59 GPA;
-Senior Joe Gathje (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson), an economics major with a 4.0 GPA;
-Junior Kole Guth (St. Peter, Minn.), an exercise and health science major with a 3.55 GPA;
-Sophomore Matt Hansen (Longmont, Colo./Niwot), a global business leadership major with a 3.69 GPA;
-Sophomore Jack Johnston (Maple Grove, Minn.), a biochemistry major with a 3.77 GPA;
-Sophomore Vincent Kaluza (Cold Spring, Minn./Rocori), a physics major with a 3.78 GPA;
-Junior Aiden Langheim (Jordan, Minn.), a finance major with a 3.79 GPA;
-Senior Max Lelwica (Brainerd, Minn.), a biochemistry major (pre-medicine emphasis) with a 3.68 GPA;
-Senior Ethan Leonard (Chaska, Minn.), an accounting major with a 3.78 GPA;
-Junior Jacob Malecha (Lonsdale, Minn./New Prague), a global business leadership major with a 3.67 GPA;
-Sophomore Peyton Martinek (Coon Rapids, Minn.), a physics major with a 3.69 GPA;
-Sophomore Max McCoy (Bennington, Neb./Mount Michael Benedictine), a biology major with a 3.69 GPA;
-Senior Jackson McDowell (Centennial, Colo./Arapahoe), a global business leadership major with a 3.66 GPA;
-Sophomore Lars Molenkamp (Almere, Netherlands/Oostvaarders College), an economics major with a 4.0 GPA;
-Junior Owen Montreuil (Jordan, Minn.), a finance major with a 3.98 GPA;
-Junior Aidan Morey (Omaha, Neb./Creighton Prep), an accounting major with a 3.96 GPA;
-Senior Sam Rabaey (Hastings, Minn.), a mathematics and physics double-major with a 3.97 GPA;
-Senior Liam Sheeley (Edina, Minn./Holy Angels), an exercise and health science major with a 3.72 GPA;
-Sophomore Cooper Smith (Alvarado, Minn./East Grand Forks), an accounting major with a 4.0 GPA;
-Junior Nick St. Peter (Maple Grove, Minn.), a data science major with a 3.90 GPA;
-Sophomore Cole Stencel (Mapleton, Minn./Maple River), a physics major with a 3.82 GPA;
-Senior Aidan Thomas (Blaine, Minn./Totino-Grace), a computer science and mathematics double-major with a 4.0 GPA;
-Senior Anthony Thurk (St. Bonifacius, Minn./Waconia), an accounting major with a 3.51 GPA;
-Sophomore Andrew Withuski (Wahpeton, N.D.), a biology major (pre-dentistry emphasis) with a 3.57 GPA;
-Sophomore Wyatt Witschen (Monticello, Minn.), a finance major with a 3.68 GPA.
Student-athletes must be a sophomore, junior or senior with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 on a 4.00 scale to qualify for Academic All-MIAC recognition. Transfers, like freshmen, must complete a full academic year to be eligible the following season.
Athletically, student-athletes must be a member of a MIAC-sponsored, varsity team and be academically and athletically eligible. The student-athlete must have utilized a season of participation (per NCAA and MIAC definitions) and have remained on the sports roster through the conclusion of the sports season.
The Academic All-MIAC honor is the fourth in track and field for Allen and the third for nine others: Adams, Cavanaugh, Conzemius, Frost, Gathje, Lelwica, Leonard, Sheeley and Thomas.
Degen, Lelwica, McDowell, Montreuil and Thurk were named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team June 24.
SJU track and field finished second – by half a point, 207-206.5 – out of 11 teams at the 2025 MIAC Outdoor Championships and third at the MIAC indoor meet. SJU qualified six athletes in six events at the 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships and finished fourth out of 73 teams. The Johnnies collected a program-record six top-eight finishes across the three-day meet and seven total All-America performances.
Sports
Pro Volleyball Federation Joins Major League Volleyball in Blockbuster Women’s Sports Merger
The 2025 NWSL regular season returned this past weekend after a month-long international break, and the San Diego Wave are already ahead of schedule. Because after a tumultuous end to 2024 followed by offseason roster and front office shakeups, the club has so far exceeded the soccer world’s — and possibly even their own — […]

The 2025 NWSL regular season returned this past weekend after a month-long international break, and the San Diego Wave are already ahead of schedule.
Because after a tumultuous end to 2024 followed by offseason roster and front office shakeups, the club has so far exceeded the soccer world’s — and possibly even their own — expectations.
San Diego entered the second half of the year in third place in the NWSL standings, having lost only one of their last nine games before play suspended in late June. Along the way, the club produced a legitimate 2025 MVP candidate in forward Delphine Cascarino while also leaning hard into the league’s youth movement, becoming the first NWSL club to start three 17-year-olds in the same match.
But as the second season starts to rev up, there are still lingering questions about the team’s ability to create consistency on the pitch — not to mention the club’s big picture plans.
The Wave know they don’t have everything figured out just yet. But it’s safe to say the light at the end of the tunnel showed up far sooner on the field than expected for a young team riding out a game-changing season.

Veteran Kailen Sheridan sees San Diego start anew
At the end of 2024, all San Diego Wave goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan wanted was a break from soccer.
A member of the Wave since their inaugural 2022 season, Sheridan saw her team abruptly plummet down the NWSL table after winning the shield in 2023, failing to make the playoffs for the first time in club history.
And the trouble wasn’t contained to the field. Amid the skid, the Wave parted ways with head coach Casey Stoney, dealt with allegations of front office toxicity† linked to club president Jill Ellis, and saw USWNT legend and founding Wave star Alex Morgan’s surprise retirement.
“I remember at the end of last season being kind of bombarded with everything, and not sure how we were moving forward,” Sheridan told Just Women’s Sports. “I want to be the best version of myself on the field and off the field. The people who were left felt that as well, and we needed some time away.”
After a disappointing finish, San Diego saw further roster shifts dominate the offseason headlines. USWNT defender Naomi Girma transferred to WSL side Chelsea for a then-record transfer fee, while star-in-the-making Jaedyn Shaw requested a trade to the North Carolina Courage. Change appeared to be chasing the Wave whether the club’s remaining players were ready or not.
“Honestly, it was a really rough couple of weeks,” Sheridan continued. “But once we got out, we could turn our focus onto what this year could look like, how we could have a really strong year but also focus on our growth.”
The growing pains hurt. But as more changes brought a shift in leadership and perspective, a blank slate also began to emerge. The team entered 2025 under new ownership. Ellis left for a role at FIFA while former Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall took over as head coach, setting a fresh tone across the franchise.
“For me, it was coming in with less expectation,” said Sheridan. “More just being ready to work and put in the effort to create a new culture.”

Young Wave star Trinity Armstrong takes a leap of faith
After winning a national championship in her first season with UNC, then-17-year-old Trinity Armstrong was looking for a challenge.
She decided to turn professional in 2025. She then entered the NWSL under the U18 mechanism — a legal process that allows underage players to pick their pro teams. The wide-open nature of San Diego’s rebuild spoke to her.
“It felt like the best environment for me. To not only try and earn a spot, but then be a consistent starter,” she told JWS. After Girma’s transfer, the team needed a new cornerstone center-back. Armstrong felt emboldened by conversations with Eidevall about the team’s developing defensive identity.
Armstrong was keenly aware of the legacy left by departed Wave superstars like Alex Morgan and Abby Dahlkemper. She liked the idea of adding to that history while also making her own mark as her star grew.
“It felt like they had their own successes in the past. But from what I was hearing coming in, it was basically a brand new team,” she continued. “I was very excited to be a part of that young group to rebrand ourselves and push forward.”
In January, Armstrong signed a three-year deal with the Wave. And she already has 11 starts under her belt this season. She’s particularly effective in possession, completing nearly 90% of her passes with the ability to cut through lines to spring play forward.

Teen Wave stars write a new chapter
Armstrong became a key component to the Wave’s rebuild. She joined fellow teen talents Melanie Barcenas and Kimmy Ascanio playing Eidevall’s preferred style of purposeful possession. In Eidevall’s game plan, San Diego holds the lion’s share of the ball, executing plays at a tempo that sets defenses on their heels.
The Wave relied on established internationals like Sheridan and Cascarino to propel them forward with consistency. But transitioning to quickly developing the team’s youngsters also sets the club up for years to come.
“We were unsure of how they would gel at such a young age. And honestly, they’ve blown all of us away,” Sheridan said of her new teammates. “We’ve been really impressed with their mentality — and their desire.”
The respect is mutual. Armstrong credits Sheridan with helping her adjust while adopting the same emphasis on growth that’s become the team’s calling card.
“Kailen, coming in, she’s been such a great mentor to me,” Armstrong said. “She’s been super encouraging. I can only speak good things about her.”

San Diego finds its footing on the pitch
It’s easy enough for confidence-building and good vibes to carry a team through preseason training. But once the regular-season whistle blew, both veterans and newcomers were happily surprised at how quickly they were able to produce.
“It was just so beautiful to see us connecting, seeing our midfield and our forward line have these great combinations and getting really good goals off of them,” said Armstrong. “This could really be something that pushes us all the way to the championship.”
“I honestly wasn’t 100% confident in how successful we would be putting it all together right away,” Sheridan recalled. “It’s great to see that we’ve been able to get through those first couple hurdles of gelling and creating chemistry. We’ll still hit a bunch of bumps going forward, but ultimately, I was confident in the individual talent.”
Much of the credit goes to the homegrown focus Eidevall imparted on his new squad within his first few weeks.
“The drive was, how do I make each player better?” Sheridan said of her coach’s approach. “That was humongous for us.”
Eidevall made headlines during his time at Arsenal, where he won two FA Cups but could never seriously endanger Chelsea FC’s dominant run. When the 42-year-old crossed over to the NWSL after mutually parting ways with the WSL last October, he arrived with a bottom-up perspective.
His players have responded in kind.
“The mindset to want to grow, to want to develop, that’s been great from the players and from the staff,” he recently told reporters. “The commitment to the team and to the group, that’s such an important aspect. And you can see that these players create something special between them.”
Anchors of the central defense, Sheridan and Armstrong both enjoy playing technical football. They like the ball at their feet, connecting out of the back to set up the dynamic midfield, and setting their frontline free.
With half a season to go, San Diego has already scored more goals than they did in the entire 2024 season. It resulted in the third-best goal differential in the NWSL standings.
“It’s a very tight team,” added Eidevall. “We see that when players are coming on from the bench. We see how the bench and the starting XI interact. And that’s very important because at the end of the day, this is team sport.”

Marching into the NWSL season’s back half
July’s break allowed players across the league the opportunity to reset. Armstrong spent her days caring for her rescue pit bull mix Mochi — adopted a few months ago from the local Humane Society — going on hikes and taking trips to the beach. She also celebrated her 18th birthday, graduating from the separate U18 locker room shared with Barcenas and Ascanio to join the rest of the team.
But while the Wave’s turnaround looks to be in full swing, the real tests might still lie ahead. No longer a surprise, their opponents can now review tape on the team’s first-half successes. They’re able to better counter San Diego’s new form.
On Saturday, the Wave restarted their 2025 campaign with another positive result, though one tempered with missed opportunities. Despite both out-possessing and generating more attack than the North Carolina Courage, San Diego settled for a scoreless draw. The outcome pointed to a strong performance from the defense, while also showcasing yet another opportunity for growth.
Sheridan doesn’t appear to be too rattled. Returning refreshed, she’s confident in her team’s ability to recapture the continuity they so fluidly created at the beginning of the season. Just so long as they stick together.
“We’ve started with a mindset of ‘Okay, we’re back at zero,'” Sheridan said. “How do we want this to look, and how do we want to go forward from here?”
†An October 2024 lawsuit filed by five former club employees alleging the Wave of workplace misconduct remains active and unresolved.
Sports
Women’s pro volleyball leagues’ merger includes San Diego team
SACRAMENTO – In a landmark move for the sport, Pro Volleyball Federation and Major League Volleyball have announced plans for a single, united league poised to elevate professional women’s volleyball in the United States. The unified league will be branded as MLV. The unification and modernization of the business model will bring new team owners, league governance, […]

SACRAMENTO – In a landmark move for the sport, Pro Volleyball Federation and Major League Volleyball have announced plans for a single, united league poised to elevate professional women’s volleyball in the United States.
The unified league will be branded as MLV.
The unification and modernization of the business model will bring new team owners, league governance, ownership standards, and an innovative approach to off-court player opportunities and fan engagement.
MLV will feature the following team lineup for 2026: Atlanta, Columbus, Dallas, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Omaha, Orlando, and San Diego.
In 2027, the league is slated to expand with two more franchises, with the addition of teams in Washington, D.C., and Northern California. These teams will use 2026 to introduce fans to the league in advance of their inaugural seasons.
The Northern California team is majority-owned by entrepreneur Vivek Ranadivé, and DC is owned by the controlling partners of D.C. United.
“To see the sport continue to grow with the consolidation of these teams and their leaders elevates the excitement level to new heights,” said Jen Spicher, Pro Volleyball Federation’s chief executive officer.
“Our belief in the team-ownership model that we played under for the first two seasons is stronger than ever and will showcase the sport at a greater level throughout the nation.”
MLV will be the longest-running professional women’s volleyball league and the only one operating with independently owned teams in-market, alongside a league structure built to resemble those at the pinnacle of sports. It will build on its first two seasons, which saw digital engagement of more than 80 million social impressions, nearly one million total engagements, and over 250,000 social followers.
In addition, attendance has reached more than 750,000 over the first two campaigns, with 45 nationally-televised matches – including an inaugural All-Star Match that drew a peak viewership of 445,000 on CBS network television.
Scheduled to begin play in January 2026, MLV is an evolution of PVF, and the upcoming campaign will be recorded as the league’s third season. The new structure and brand have been established to provide a centralized, elite platform for the sport, delivering world-class competition. It represents a step forward for women’s pro volleyball, intending to elevate the sport among America’s major leagues.
The 2026 season will start with the opening of the free agency signing period on Thursday, Aug. 7. At that time, teams will begin to construct their rosters in the hopes of capturing the MLV Championship.
“I’m incredibly excited to bring MLV to Northern California,” said Ranadivé. “Women’s volleyball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, with fan interest and viewership at an all-time high. We have a unique opportunity to build something special, elevate these phenomenal athletes, and create unforgettable fan experiences.”
The San Diego Mojo women’s professional volleyball team is a founding member of Major League Volleyball. The team is owned by longtime San Diegan and UC San Diego alum Gary E. Jacobs, a co-founder and chairman of the board of the Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs High Tech High Charter School and managing director of Jacobs Investment Company.
Sports
Cup and Shield 2025-26 – Last 64 and Last 32 draw
The draw for the Last 32 of the 2025-26 National Cup has thrown up two big ties to whet the appetite for the new season. Defending champions Malory Eagles – who also won the Women the MAAREE Women’s Super League title in April – will host fellow Final 4 qualifiers last season, London Vinarius, in […]

Defending champions Malory Eagles – who also won the Women the MAAREE Women’s Super League title in April – will host fellow Final 4 qualifiers last season, London Vinarius, in a mouth-watering all-London tie.
In the men’s draw, National Cup winners in 2024, Durham Palatinates, will host DYNAMIK Men’s Super League winners in 2025, London Giants.
Both the women’s and the men’s National Cups this coming season will feature England U20 teams, who will play their opening matches away from home.


The women’s team who will be coached by Darren Lewis, will face last season’s National Shield semi-finalists, Northampton.
The men, meanwhile, who will be led into action by Sam Shenton, will make the trip to the capital to take on Division 1 side London Aces.
Other ties of note in the women’s competition see Super League Durham Platinates host Loughborough Students and Division 1 newcomers Manchester Marvels travel to another top-flight side in Darkstar Derbyshire, who reached the semi-final last season.
Super League sides Essex Rebels and Team SideOut Polonia were among those given byes.
In the men’s section, Richmond Docklands, who preserved their Super League status for this coming season via the end-of-season play-offs visit Tamworth Spartans, while Leeds Gorse, newly-promoted back to Super League for 2025-26, go to Loughborough Students.
Reigning champions Essex Rebels will begin their title defence by hosting Division 1 newcomers Manchester Marvels.
Byes were handed to the likes of Malory Eagles, who have made the quarter-finals for each of the last 20 years, 2025 National Shield winners Wessex and 2016 and 2017 winners IBB Polonia London.
The Last 64 and Last 32 ties of the National Shield were also drawn among a record 163 teams entering the four competitions.
You can watch the full draws for all of those matches on the Volleyball England YouTube Channel here.
Following three preliminary ties played on 6th and 7th September, Last 64 National Shield ties will be played on 27th and 28th September, while Last 32 matches in both competitions will take place on 1st and 2nd November.
Sports
Miah McDonald Earns MAAC's Nomination for NCAA Woman of the Year
Story Links POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – Graduate shortstop Miah McDonald of the Marist University softball team has been named one of two Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference nominees for NCAA Woman of the Year. McDonald’s remarkable collegiate career was capped by a historic 2025 season, during which she earned the following honors: College Sports Communicators First Team […]

POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – Graduate shortstop Miah McDonald of the Marist University softball team has been named one of two Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference nominees for NCAA Woman of the Year.
McDonald’s remarkable collegiate career was capped by a historic 2025 season, during which she earned the following honors:
- College Sports Communicators First Team Academic All-American (first female student-athlete in school history to be named First Team Academic All-American)
- Top 100 nationally by Softball America (#45) and D1Softball (#55), Top 100 in D1Softball Mid-Major rankings (#6), and ranked in D1Softball’s top shortstops nationally (#4)
- MAAC Player of the Year (second straight year)
- ECAC Player of the Year
- First Team NFCA All-Region
- First Team All-MAAC
- MAAC All-Academic Team
- Team captain (third straight year)
McDonald made a lasting impact in the program’s and conference’s record books this season and throughout her career:
- Set the single-season program record for home runs (28) for the second straight year, which was also a MAAC single-season record.
- Set career program records for home runs, runs, runs batted in, hits, and triples.
- Set the MAAC’s all-time records in runs and runs batted in.
Siena’s Grace Dobrzynski was also nominated by the MAAC for NCAA Woman of the Year. Marist also nominated softball’s Kiley Myers for the honor.
Established in 1991, the NCAA Woman of the Year Award honors female student-athletes who have excelled in their community, athletics, and academics throughout their college careers. The Woman of the Year selection committee will next choose 10 women from each division to announce its Top 30. The top three honorees in each division will then be announced, and the Woman of the Year will be celebrated at the January 2026 NCAA Convention.
Sports
Who will be the Athens-area 2025 preseason volleyball player of the year?
It’s time for readers to pick their fall 2025 preseason player of the year for volleyball. Below are the nominees, which have been directly taken from the preseason all-area team list that went out Tuesday, July 29. All players were hand-picked by the coaches. Preseason hot shots: Here are 74 Athens-area high school volleyball players […]
It’s time for readers to pick their fall 2025 preseason player of the year for volleyball.
Below are the nominees, which have been directly taken from the preseason all-area team list that went out Tuesday, July 29. All players were hand-picked by the coaches.
The poll will remain open until Tuesday, Aug. 12, at 5 p.m.
Athens-area preseason volleyball player of the year reader poll
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Germany Beach Volleyball European Championships | Wire
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