Sports

Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus Deliver Career

Published

5 months ago

July 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus Deliver Career-Defining Performance at the CHIO Aachen

Sunday, July 6, 2025 | Posted by Liz Ruggiero

Belgian rider stuns the dressage world in his Grand Prix debut season

The crowd in Aachen erupted with emotion as Belgian show jumper–turned-dressage sensation, Justin Verboomen, delivered a career-defining performance aboard his self-schooled stallion Zonik Plus. Not only did they capture the 2025 Lindt-Prize, but they also won over hearts and made history at the CHIO Aachen, one of the sport’s most prestigious stages.

Photo – Justin Verboomen, on his Zonik Plus, as well as Ernst Tanner, Dr. Adalbert Lechner and Michal Spiller (Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lindt & Sprüngli AG, CEO of Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG and Managing Director of Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli Deutschland GmbH), Chief Judge Katrina Wüst and ALRV President Stefanie Peters (CHIO Aachen/Jasmin Metzner)

Grand Prix Breakthrough

Verboomen and Zonik Plus are in their first-ever Grand Prix season, and this appearance marked their debut at the World Equestrian Festival in Aachen. In a stunning upset, the Belgian duo defeated reigning Olympic silver medalist Isabell Werth and her mount Wendy de Fontaine—the most decorated dressage rider of all time.

Verboomen posted a score of 89.40%, narrowly edging out Werth’s 88.44%. Third place went to Germany’s Frederic Wandres aboard Bluetooth OLD, while Great Britain’s Becky Moody took fourth with Jagerbomb (85.490%).

This marks the first time a Belgian pair has won the Lindt-Prize at CHIO Aachen, further cementing Verboomen’s performance as one of the season’s biggest surprises.

The Harmony That Won It All

What made the victory so memorable wasn’t just the score—it was the way it happened. Verboomen and Zonik Plus displayed textbook harmony, fluidity, and emotional connection in their freestyle performance.

“Dressage should feel like dancing—two partners moving as one,” Verboomen said after the test. “I wanted the ride to feel smooth and emotional. I wanted people to get goosebumps.” Judging by the crowd’s thunderous standing ovation, he succeeded.

The freestyle was choreographed to custom-composed melodies that reflected the pair’s unique bond. Verboomen discovered Zonik Plus as a two-year-old in Portugal and has trained him personally ever since. That years-long relationship was on full display as they entered their final centerline to the rhythm of the clapping audience—Zonik Plus never flinched.

The Crowd Goes Wild

As Verboomen halted and saluted, the stadium exploded. Cheers, whistles, and a roaring ovation filled the arena even before the final score was revealed. When the 89.40% flashed across the board, the noise reached new heights.

“I’m overjoyed,” Verboomen said, fighting back emotion after the prize-giving. “My horse was unbelievable. I had an amazing connection with him today—that was my number one goal this week.”

Gracious in Second

Despite her second-place finish, Isabell Werth was pleased with her ride on Wendy de Fontaine. “Yesterday, Wendy was on fire. Today she was more relaxed,” said Werth. “I’m happy with how she’s developed throughout the week. The canter was much better, and the transitions were excellent.”

On being beaten by Verboomen? Werth was characteristically gracious: “I love to compete. Sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes not. That’s the sport.”
Wandres Finds the Podium Again

German rider Frederic Wandres, who won team gold at the Olympics, returned to the podium with a solid freestyle ride on Bluetooth OLD. “It was a tough week—the heat at the start and now the rain made things challenging,” he explained. His freestyle music, themed “All You Need Is Love,” debuted in the arena for the first time. “I didn’t even have a chance to test it. But it worked perfectly.”

A Glimpse of What’s to Come

Birgit Rosenberg, CHIO Aachen’s Head of Sport, was enthusiastic about the level of sport displayed. “The big winner today is the sport itself. There was a lot of criticism leading into this week, but today’s performances were the answer,” she said. “The horses, the riders, the teams, the grooms—everyone gave everything. This is a preview of what we can expect next year at the World Championships.”

[embedded content]

All CHIO Aachen 2025 results.

Related Topics:amazing big equestrian happy history music new Olympics photo season show sports team test

Up Next

Texas athlete Osawese Agbonkonkon excels in high jump and novel writing

Don't Miss

U.S. Girls U19 National Team Falls to Bulgaria in Five Sets at 2025 World Championship

Click to comment

Sports

NCAA women’s volleyball championship: All-time winners list

Published

10 minutes ago

December 17, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Dec 16, 2025, 04:21 PM ET

The 2025 NCAA women’s volleyball championship will take place from Dec. 18-21 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. The 2025 Final Four teams heading to Kansas City are Pittsburgh (Pitt), Kentucky, Texas A&M and Wisconsin.

In 2024, Penn State defeated Louisville to take home the title. Stanford has the most all-time championships, with nine titles to its name. Penn State takes second place with eight, followed by Nebraska in third with five.

Check out the all-time winners list for the NCAA women’s volleyball championship below:

2024: Penn State

2023: Texas

2022: Texas

2021: Wisconsin

2020: Kentucky

2019: Stanford

2018: Stanford

2017: Nebraska

2016: Stanford

2015: Nebraska

2014: Penn State

2013: Penn State

2012: Texas

2011: UCLA

2010: Penn State

2009: Penn State

2008: Penn State

2007: Penn State

2006: Nebraska

2005: Washington

2004: Stanford

2003: Southern California

2002: Southern California

2001: Stanford

2000: Nebraska

1999: Penn State

1998: Long Beach State

1997: Stanford

1996: Stanford

1995: Nebraska

1994: Stanford

1993: Long Beach State

1992: Stanford

1991: UCLA

1990: UCLA

1989: Long Beach State

1988: Texas

1987: Hawai’i

1986: Pacific

1985: Pacific

1984: UCLA

1983: Hawai’i

1982: Hawai’i

1981: Southern California

For more NCAA updates, check out the ESPN hub page with scores, rankings and more.

Link

Sports

Forty-One Sun Belt Volleyball Student-Athletes Earn Academic All-District Honors

Published

27 minutes ago

December 17, 2025

Your Sports Nation

NEW ORLEANS – Forty-one Sun Belt Conference volleyball student-athletes have been selected to the 2025 Academic All-District® NCAA Division I Volleyball Team.

Four Sun Belt volleyball student-athletes selected as Academic All-District® honorees were selected for advancement to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members including App State’s Maya Winterhoff, Georgia Southern’s Kirsten Barrett and Reagan Barth and Texas State’s Samantha Wunsch.

Student-athletes selected as CSC Academic All-America® finalists are denoted with an asterisk and will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced January 13, 2026.

The 2025 Academic All-District® Volleyball teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes volleyball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.

To qualify for All-District honors, a student-athlete must maintain a grade-point average of 3.50 or better and compete in at least 90% of the institution’s matches OR have started at least 66% of the institution’s matches.

For more information about CSC Academic All-District® and Academic All-America® Teams program, visit AcademicAllAmerica.com.

Sun Belt Academic All-District Selections
Lou Johnson, App State
Maya Winterhoff*, App State
Addison Heidemann, App State
Ali Morris, App State
Erin Madigan, Arkansas State
Devyn Lewis, Arkansas State
Libby Gee-Weiler, Arkansas State
Addison Collum, Arkansas State
Anna Rita, Coastal Carolina
Emma Van Elslande, Coastal Carolina
Ava Wallis, Coastal Carolina
Emily Fowler, Coastal Carolina
Mayte Camacho, Georgia Southern
Lydia Seymour, Georgia Southern
Kirsten Barrett*, Georgia Southern
Reagan Barth*, Georgia Southern
Shanelle Martinez, Georgia State
Nazli Guvener, Georgia State
Alessia Cappai, Georgia State
Grace Wenrich, James Madison
Rebecca Watkins, James Madison
Julia McNeley, James Madison
Elli Barry, Marshall
Marae Reilly, Marshall
Bella Thompson, Marshall
Kate Kilpatrick, Old Dominion
Adrienne Peji, Old Dominion
Elisa Maggi, Old Dominion
Lillie Johnson, Southern Miss
Morgen Durgens, Southern Miss
Brynn Botkin, Southern Miss
Sadie McAda, Southern Miss
Brooke Bentke, Texas State
Anna Blaine, Texas State
Bailey Hanner, Texas State
Samantha Wunsch*, Texas State
Amiah Butler, Troy
Kalina Calvillo, Troy
Jaci Mesa, Troy
Olivia Kwiatkowski, Troy
Morgan Howard, ULM

Link

Sports

Track and Field Announces 2025-26 Indoor Track and Field Schedule

Published

39 minutes ago

December 17, 2025

Your Sports Nation

RICHMOND, Va. — The University of Richmond indoor track and field Director of Track/Head Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field, Lori Taylor has announced the 2025-26 indoor schedule, featuring a competitive slate of meets across Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts leading into the postseason.

The Spiders open the new year with the VCU Rams Indoor Invite on Jan. 9 in Richmond, before traveling to the Wesley A. Brown Invitational at the Naval Academy on Jan. 16-17. Richmond will compete in a split weekend on Jan. 23-24, sending athletes to the VMI Invitational in Lexington, Va., and the Liberty Open in Lynchburg, Va.

Action continues Jan. 30-31 with another split meet, as the Spiders take part in the Penn State National Open in University Park, Pa., and the Patriot Games hosted by George Mason in Fairfax, Va.

February competition begins at the VMI Winter Relays on Feb. 6-7, followed by the ECAC/IC4A Championships at Boston on Feb. 7. The Spiders return to Liberty for the Darius Dixon Invitational on Feb. 13, then head back to Boston for the David Hemery Valentine Invitational on Feb. 14. The regular season concludes with the Father Diamond Invitational at George Mason on Feb. 20.

Postseason action begins at the Atlantic 10 Indoor Track and Field Championships on Feb. 27-28, with qualifying athletes advancing to the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships on March 13.

A complete schedule with meet times and additional details will be available on RichmondSpiders.com as the season approaches.

Link

Sports

Former volleyball coach charged after viral video sparks investigation

Published

44 minutes ago

December 17, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Updated Dec. 16, 2025, 7:03 p.m. ET

A former volleyball coach who appeared in a viral sting operation video back in August has been formally charged. Levi Garrett, 34, was charged with dissemination of matter harmful to minors following an investigation.

A probable cause affidavit states he allegedly sent sexually explicit photos of himself to someone he thought was an underage boy. He appeared in a viral video by YouTuber Jidon Adams, prompting an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police detective to open up a case against him.

Link

Sports

Track & Field | Virginia Track & Field Names Distance Carnival After Mark & Cynthia Lorenzoni

Published

54 minutes ago

December 17, 2025

Your Sports Nation

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The University of Virginia track and field program will name the prestigious distance carnival at the Virginia Challenge on Friday, April 17th, the Mark & Cynthia Lorenzoni Distance Night at the Virginia Challenge.

Virginia is set to host the annual Virginia Challenge outdoor track & field meet on Friday and Saturday, April 17-18 at Lannigan Field. The meet is known to feature high level competition across all event areas, but especially in the distance events. The distance carnival is set to be named in honor of long time Virginia Track & Field/Cross Country supporters, Mark and Cynthia Lorenzoni. The Lorenzonis have served the Charlottesville community for over 40 years as the couple co-owns The Ragged Mountain Running and Walking Shop with their two eldest children, Alec and Audrey.

“When I think about volunteerism and commitment to the community, it would be difficult to imagine any family doing more than Mark & Cynthia Lorenzoni,” said Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Vin Lananna. “For decades, Mark & Cynthia have positively impacted thousands of running enthusiasts. We are honored to recognize them with the Mark & Cynthia Lorenzoni Distance Night at the Virginia Challenge.”

“What an honor to be recognized in such a public arena and to be closely affiliated with an iconic program that has not only given our family so much to cheer for, but even more importantly, has enriched our lives through the hundreds of special friendships we’ve had the pleasure of sharing with our wonderful UVA Track & Field coaches and athletes over the past 45 years,” said Mark Lorenzoni.

A running family, M. Lorenzoni began his running career back in high school. A recreational runner throughout college, M. Lorenzoni took up road racing and even began his amateur coaching career by coaching his wife, Cynthia. Since then, he has coached runners at all levels while also continuing to run himself.

“What a wonderful surprise and great honor to have our family name affiliated with this magnificent program in such a thoughtful way,” said M. Lorenzoni.

Also beginning her career back in high school, Cynthia Lorenzoni was undefeated in cross country and track & field before going on to compete in college at Michigan State. As a Spartan, C. Lorenzoni finished runner-up at the Big 10 Cross Country Championships during her freshman season and finished 16th at the NCAA Cross Country Championships the same year. After college, she continued to train and compete post collegiately winning the Marine Corps Marathon twice, recorded a 13th place finish at the Boston Marathon and posted a personal best time of 2:38 in the marathon.

“We are humbled by this genuinely thoughtful gesture and we’re very grateful to Coach Vin, his hardworking and caring staff, to [Virginia Director of Athletics] Carla Williams and especially to all of our wonderful “kids” (what we fondly call our UVA Track & Field athletes) for this incredible honor,” said M. Lorenzoni.

Mark and Cynthia, who have four children that all ran cross country in high school, have served the community for over 45 years. Not only as the founders of The Ragged Mountain Running and Walking Shop but between the two of them have also served on nearly 30 not-for-profit community boards and having directed, on a volunteer basis, close to 900 local races that have raised over $8 million for area organizations.

“Giving back to a sport that has given so much to our family, in so many meaningful ways, has truly been both one of the easiest and most rewarding things in our life together,” said M. Lorenzoni.

The Lorenzonis commitment to the sport of cross country and track & field is evident not only in their personal pursuits and community endeavors but also in their continued support of the Virginia Track & Field/Cross Country program. The first annual Mark & Cynthia Lorenzoni Distance Night at the Virginia Challenge is set to take place on Friday, April 17^th at Lannigan Field.

Link

Sports

Volleyball Signs Two-Time First Team All-AAC Opposite Jorda Crook as Transfer – Ole Miss Athletics

Published

1 hour ago

December 17, 2025

Your Sports Nation

OXFORD, Miss. – Head coach Bre Henry and the Ole Miss volleyball program have made another splash in the transfer portal, singing All-AAC opposite Jorda Crook as a transfer.

Crook heads to Oxford after spending her first three seasons at UAB. Crook will have one more season of eligibility remaining.

A native of Ohatchee, Ala., Crook built an impressive resume as one of the top opposites in the region over her time at UAB. Crook tallied 835 kills on .215 hitting, while adding 321 digs, 166.0 blocks and 49 service aces over 74 matches and 255 sets played.

Crook is a two-time First Team All-AAC selection, who recorded the biggest season of her career in 2025, tallying 394 kills on .230 hitting, while adding 165 digs, 67.0 blocks and 25 aces. Crook took home five AAC Player of the Week awards in her UAB career, including three consecutive awards in 2025, becoming the first UAB volleyball player to ever accomplish the feat.

Crook finished the conference season with an American-best 264 kills across 59 sets, hitting .228. Nationally, Crook ranked among the best, standing in 29th in the nation in points per set ahead of the NCAA Tournament semifinals.

Over the course of the season, Crook delivered countless standout moments, including 25 kills each against Jacksonville and Tulane, while tallying 21 kills, seven digs and five blocks on a sizzling .364 hitting percentage in an upset win for UAB over NCAA Tournament qualifier South Florida.

Crook joins fellow transfers Tenesyn Frye (Houston) and Nina Moorer (Texas State), as well as incoming freshmen Rileigh Butler, Jaidyn Hartsfield, Ryea Jackson, Coco Natarajan and Sophie Taylor as new Rebels next season.

Fans can continue to show support for the Rebels by joining the ACE Club. Funds from the ACE Club are a major component in helping the Ole Miss volleyball program compete at the highest level. For more information and to donate, click here.

Get rewarded for attending events by joining Rebel Rewards powered by Coca-Cola, the official fan loyalty program of the Ole Miss Rebels. Download the Ole Miss Sports mobile app, sign up for a Rebel Rewards account, and start earning points immediately that can be redeemed for exclusive prizes and experiences.

Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Rebels by following Ole Miss Volleyball on X at @OleMissVB, on Instagram at @olemissvb and on Facebook at Ole Miss Volleyball. See exclusive photo and video content from behind the scenes and connect in real time with everything Ole Miss.

Link