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The Incredible Comeback of Elite U.S. Star Track Athlete

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Track is going through a revolution. Advances in shoe technology and professionalized training bleeding into youth athletics is producing unprecedented performances. The sport is becoming younger and younger by the year.

For example, in the ~50 years since Jim Ryun became the first US high schooler to break 4:00 in the mile, ten athletes accomplished the feat. But in the last five years alone, twenty high school boys broke the 4:00 barrier.

Hobbs Kessler, a 1,500m specialist from the US, recently alluded to how much the competition has stepped up in the last year alone. He placed 5th in 1,500m Olympic final last year but failed to make the 2025 World Championship team. The staggering progression in the sport makes Donovan Brazier’s comeback all the more impressive.

Any track fan is familiar with Brazier, but if you are not, here’s a brief reminder. He was the 4th fastest all-time US high schooler in the 800 meters back in 2014 and a NCAA champion the subsequent year when he ran 1:43.55. That time broke Jim Ryun’s 50 year junior record (under 20), which stood until Cooper Lutkenhaus’ recent performance at the US trials.

He turned pro after one collegiate season then signed with Nike. In 2019 became a World Champion, American record holder in the 800 meters, and was awarded the Jesse Owens award for best US track athlete. He was the first American to ever win a world title in the 800. Over the next two years he continued his dominance, setting the indoor American 800 record (twice) and running an impressive 3:35 over 1,500 meters. Suffice it to say he was on top of the sport.

Donovan Brazier, Track and Field, Running

Jul 9, 2017; London, United Kingdom; Nijel Amos (BOT) defeats Donovan Brazier (USA) to win the 800m in 1:43.18 during the London Anniversary Games in an IAAF Diamond League meet at London Stadium at Olympic Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

However, a series of injuries and multiple surgeries between 2021-2023 kept him off the start line for nearly three years, in a time when the sport was progressing faster than ever. In arecent interview with CITIUS Mag, Brazier mentions he hasn’t really been healthy since 2021, despite racing a bit in the winter of 2022.

The Comeback

Due to the nature of Brazier’s foot injuries, running really wasn’t an option for a long time. He tried to maintain some fitness using the elliptical and bike (imagine seeing the world champion next to you at Planet Fitness). But he was basically completely removed from the sport, not even watching or keeping up with major events. In early 2025 he linked up with coach Mike Smith in Flagstaff, AZ to start a return to the sport, not really knowing what to expect.

The 800 meters has gotten so strong in America, we just have to manage our expectations

– Donovan Brazier

He started training somewhat seriously in March of 2025, and one of his first workouts back was 2 sets of 4 x 400 meters in 1:12 with about a minute of rest between each (at altitude). It had him absolutely dying and questioning whether he could regain his fitness. To put it in perspective, this is a guy who a few years ago could run two consecutive 400’s in about 51-52 seconds each.

As an exercise physiologist and someone who trains quite a bit at similar distances myself, let’s just say I would probably would have shared his concerns. But, fast forward to June and he wins a small 800m race in Nashville in 1:44. Unbelievable. Then, in August, he runs the fastest time of his life (1:42.16) and becomes the US champion. Even more unbelievable.

Unlike team or more skill-based sports, pure fitness is a huge part of success in track, which is what makes this story so impressive. Within 4-5 months, Brazier went from struggling in a workout that a well-trained recreational runner could complete, to being back on top of the most grueling event in track, ready to compete for a medal on the World Championship stage in September. It goes to show the amazing things the body can accomplish with the right mindset and training.



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EIU Hosts Former OVC Rival On Wednesday

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EASTERN ILLINOIS (2-6) vs. Eastern Kentucky (2-7)

Wednesday, December 10  •  7 pm 

Charleston, Ill.  •  Groniger Arena

GAME INFO

RADIO: Hit Mix 88.9 WEIU

TV: ESPN+

LIVE STATS: www.eiupanthers.com

SERIES RECORD: EKU leads 28-18

LAST MEETING: EIU 81, EIU 66 on Dec. 14, 2024 at Berea College (Ky.)

NOTES: EIU Complete Game Notes

GAME 9

Eastern Illinois plays its second straight home game as the Panthers will have four of five contests at Groniger Arena in the month of December.   The Panthers host former Ohio Valley Conference rival Eastern Kentucky on Wednesday night.  EIU lost its OVC opener on Saturday against Lindenwood falling to 2-6 on the season with three straight losses.   It was EIU’s first loss at home this season and snapped a four game home win streak.  Eastern Kentucky snapped its seven game losing skid at home over the weekend with a big win over IU East to move the Colonels to 2-7 on the season.  

JACOBI WITH A DOUBLE-DOUBLE

Graduate student Kooper Jacobi posted his first double-double of the season on Saturday with 20 points and 10 rebounds against Lindenwood.  Jacobi led the OVC in both rebounding (8.9 rpg) and double-doubles (9) last year and had just missed adding to his career total in two other games this season.  The double-double against Lindenwood was the 12th of his EIU career as he continues to inch his way towards 500 career rebounds at EIU (453 at EIU … 8.1 rpg for EIU career / 538 college career).  

OLAFIOYE WITH A CAREER HIGH 

Last season Malik Olafioye scored in double figures in two games cracking the double figure mark for the first time with ten points in the OVC opener at Southeast Missouri and posting a season high 11 points in a win over Blackburn.  In this year’s OVC opener with Lindenwood, Olafioye again opened conference play with double figure scoring as he finished with a career high 14 points going 5-of-10 from the field and 3-of-4 from the line.  His previous high this season was nine points in the opener at Valparaiso.

PANTHERS GOOD IN THE FIRST HALF 

Eastern Illinois opened the first half of OVC play on Saturday connecting for the Panthers best 20 minutes of the season as they shot 54.8 percent from the floor to take a 41-34 lead into the break.  It was the fourth time this season EIU has shot 50 percent or better in a half with 51.7 percent at home against Tiffin in the first half and second half efforts at Central Arkansas and at Purdue.  On the season EIU is shooting 41.0 percent from the field (10th in the OVC) while averaging 62.1 points per game (11th in the OVC). 

UP NEXT

Sunday – December 14, 2025 at #4 Iowa State (12 pm on ESPN+)



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NIU Women’s Golf Signs One for 2026-27 Season

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Women’s Golf | December 8

DeKALB, Ill.—Northern Illinois University women’s golf coach Kim Kester has announced the signing of Nethra Sheri for the upcoming season.
 
Sheri comes to the Huskies women’s golf program after competing for Coppell High School in Irving, Texas. With the Cowboys, Sheri was a member of the team that claimed the 2025 6A State Championship, placed third at the 2024 6A State tournament, and claimed District championships in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Sheri also tied for first place at District championships and took third at Regionals.
 
Sheri has made her mark on the junior golf tour, competing with the Texas Junior Golf Team, All-American Tour, and American Junior Golf Tour. With the Texas Junior team, Sheri has claimed two victories and six top-5 finishes. Sheri added four top-15 finishes with the American Junior Golf tour, and two wins with the All-American tour. Additionally, Sheri was the Women’s Southern Amateur Quarterfinalist in 2025.
 
“We are excited to welcome Nethra to the NIU golf family,” noted Kester. “She brings a lot of tournament experience to NIU. She has had a great junior career. We are excited to see what she can do academically and athletically.”
 
The 2025-26 NIU women’s golf team returns to action on January 25-27 as they compete at the UCF Challenge in Orlando, Florida.
 
Want to stay in the know with NIU Women’s Golf? Follow the team on Facebook (Northern Illinois University Women’s Golf), X/Twitter (@NIUWomensGolf), and on Instagram (@niuwomensgolf).
 





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Watch Nebraska volleyball vs Kansas: TV channel, time, streaming

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Dec. 9, 2025, 5:15 a.m. CT

The Nebraska volleyball team enters the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament after sweeping Kansas State last Saturday. The Huskers now face the Kansas Jayhawks, who defeated Miami in four sets.

Nebraska’s offense ranks first nationally with a .352 hitting percentage. The defense is equally impressive, ranking first nationally in opponent hitting percentage at .125. 

Junior Harper Murray leads the team with 3.55 kills and 2.15 digs per set and a team high 30 aces. Setter Bergen Reilly runs the offense at an elite level with an average of 10.31 assists and 2.73 digs per set. Middle blocker Andi Jackson is averaging 2.75 kills per set on .467 hitting with 1.13 blocks per set. 





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Liberty League Performers of the Week for December 8

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Men’s Basketball Performer of the Week – Evan Cabral

Evan Cabral had a monster week for Ithaca as he averaged 26.7 points on 33-of-49 shooting for the floor, to go along with 6.7 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.3 assists per game. Cabral started the week with a career-high 31 points in a loss to Rochester as he went 12-for-23 shooting with seven rebounds and four steals. He then shot 12-for-16 for 27 points with eight boards and four steals at Vassar. Cabral concluded the week with 22 points on 9-of-10 shooting in a win at Skidmore.

Women’s Track & Field – Field Performer of the Week – Rachel Larson

Rachel Larson was a fourth place finisher with a time of 8.58 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles to open the 2025-26 season at Cornell’s Greg Page Relays. That time is currently No. 1 in Division III after the opening weekend of the season.

Women’s Swimming & Diving – Swimmer of the Week – Elizabeth Bodie

Sophomore Elizabeth Bodie had an impressive three day Bomber Invitational in which Ithaca totaled 2,307 points to outpace Rochester (2,037.5) and Smith College (1,135). Bodie won the 100-yard butterfly (56.54) added a runner-up in the 200 fly (2:08.15) and was third in the 100-yard backstroke (58.68) in an IC 1-2-3 finish. She also contributed to Ithaca’s 800-yard freestyle relay winning team that produced a finals time of 7:49.41.

Women’s Track & Field Rookie of the Week – Lola Gitlin

Lola Gitlin posted a time of 10:25.57 in the 3000-meter run to finish third overall in her first collegiate track race at the Cornell Greg Page Relays.

HONOR ROLL

Junior guard Tori Drevna had another steady week for the Bombers averaging 14.0 points per game across three appearances. Drevna connected on 3-of-4 and 2-of-3 from downtown against Rochester and Vassar, as she tallied 17 points along with seven boards and six assists in the loss to the ‘Jackets. She also nearly tallied her first double-double of the season in the 69-54 win over Skidmore with 13 points and eight rebounds.

Senior diver Kian Long was able to earn valuable team points for Ithaca as they nearly doubled the score of second-place University of Rochester across the three day Bomber Invitational. Long began his weekend winning on the 3-meter as he was second going into the evenings finals before outpacing Hobart’s Daniel Barrientos with a finals score of 513.95, compared to Barrientos who put together a 504.90. The senior diver followed it up with nearly a 50 point win on the 1-meter boards as he put together a finals score of 482.25, which bested Alfred University’s Jaxson McQuaid (436.00).

Graduate freestyler Matthew Mitros was impressive across Ithaca three day Bomber Invitational in which they won over the University of Rochester and five other schools. Mitros captured the 50 free (20.26, NCAA B‑cut) and powered Ithaca’s winning 200 free (1:22.48) and 400 medley relays (3:21.88) on opening night, then helping the Bombers take Friday’s 200 medley relay to cap a three‑relay sweep. He also scored a second-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly (50.05).

Lily Seyfert claimed fifth in the shot put with a heave of 12.78 meters, which is currently ninth in the nation, to begin the season at the Cornell Greg Page Relays.



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Sheehan, Parker, Jones and Munson Among the NJAC Athlete of the Week Winners

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PITMAN, NJ  – Rowan’s Braden Sheehan of the men’s swim team and Anthony Parker, Nyla Jones, and Naa’ilah Munson of the track & field teams were among the student-athletes honored by the NJAC with its weekly honors in those sports.

Sheehan was named the Men’s Swimmer of the Week as he won two events in Rowan’s 101.5-84.5 win over Swarthmore. The junior took first in the 100 free (46.92) and the 100 IM (51.55), while also clocking a split of 22.54 in the 200 mixed medley relay where the Profs finished second (1:38.98).

 

Rowan’s track and field teams got the new year underway at the Fastrack Season Opener. Parker was named the NJAC as claimed the long jump in his collegiate debut with a leap of 7.08 meters, which was the #13 mark in Division III.

 

Jones was picked as the Women’s Track Athlete of the Week as she clocked a 40.69 in the 300 meters,  which is the 11th all-time best in Division III and current tops in the NJAC.  The sophomore also was second in 60 hurdles with top conference time (8.93).

 

Munson was named the Women’s Track Rookie of the Week as she made her collegiate debut, posting the top NJAC mark in the triple jump. The freshman reached 11.16 meters to place fourth in the meet at Ocean Breeze.

 

Rowan’s men’s and women’s swim teams and the men’s and women’s track and field teams will return to competition in January.

 

 



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Indoor season opens for Track & Field at annual Mel Tjeerdsma Classic

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MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Indoor season got underway over the weekend as Benedictine Track & Field competed in the annual Mel Tjeerdsma Classic hosted by Northwest Missouri State University.

The meet hosted 18 programs, including fellow Heart schools Baker, MNU and Park. 

Women’s Results:

Ayn Olsen, fifth place, 300 meters

Aileen Ambuul, seventh place, 300 meters

Maria Connealy, sixth place, high jump

Haley Protz, sixth place, pole vault

Evelyn Brandt, eighth place, pole vault

Madison Helton, fifth place, long jump; fifth place, triple jump

Elizabeth Geist, eighth place, shot put

Mary Logan, sixth place, weight throw

Men’s Results:

Will Bensen, eighth place, 400 meters

John Philip Butler, eighth place, 600 yards

4×400 meter relay (Will Benson, John Philip Butler, Owen Dulac, Cole McGrath), eighth place

Kevin Taylor, third place, pole vault

Christopher Coyne, fourth place, pole vault

The indoor season continues on Dec. 12 with a trip to Seward, Neb., for the Bulldog Early Bird hosted by Concorida University. 

www.ravenathletics.com | #UnleashGreatness | www.benedictine.edu



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