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Gerardo Fernández Tabares, a Pioneer in Weightlifting, Passes Away at 71

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Gerardo Fernández Tabares, a Pioneer in Weightlifting, Passes Away at 71

Fernández’s talent was evident from the beginning. He was a champion at the Seventh National School Games in 1969 and secured the National Youth Championship title from 1971 to 1973. Between 1975 and 1979, he dominated the National First Category Championship and emerged victorious at the Seventh Pan American Games in 1975, winning two gold medals and one silver.

Throughout his illustrious career, Fernández set 84 records, both nationally and internationally, and earned the title of the strongest man in the Americas by lifting 400 kg in the biathlon. After retiring from active sports, he continued to impart his expertise as a coach. From 2013 to 2017, his youth teams dominated the provincial championships in the 11-12 and 13-14 year categories. Additionally, in 2002 and 2003, he embarked on a mission to Venezuela.

Gerardo Fernández Tabares was a renowned Cuban weightlifter, known for being the first Latin American to lift 400 kilograms in the biathlon. He achieved numerous national and international records throughout his career.

Fernández won two gold medals and one silver at the Seventh Pan American Games in 1975, set 84 records, and was declared the strongest man in the Americas for lifting 400 kg. He also competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympics and various international competitions.

The Cuban Weightlifting Federation released an official statement commemorating his life and achievements: “Today we say goodbye to a great figure in Cuban sports, a father, grandfather, brother, friend, and mentor.” The message highlighted his remarkable sports career and his invaluable contribution to mentoring future generations.

Journalist Jesús González Bayolo shared a heartfelt memory on social media: “I heard from colleague Carlos Hernández Luján from the television news: Gerardo Fernández Tabares has passed away. I felt a jolt because I became a specialist writer in the sport of the strongmen, and… he was the first weightlifter I interviewed.”

González Bayolo reminisced about his first experience as a sports journalist in March 1973 when prominent Cuban coach Manuel Suárez asked him to cover one of Fernández’s feats. “I went to the Sports City and interviewed Gerardo Fernández Tabares because he had broken a record of the then strongest Cuban weightlifter, Fernando Bernal,” he recalled.

Gerardo Fernández Tabares: Legacy and Achievements

Who was Gerardo Fernández Tabares?

Gerardo Fernández Tabares, a celebrated Cuban weightlifter and the first Latin American to lift 400 kilograms in the biathlon, passed away on Saturday, January 4, at the age of 71. The news of his death was shared by Rodolfo Suárez Muñoz: “Today, Saturday, January 4, at midday, we bid farewell to the distinguished athlete and weightlifting coach, Gerardo Fernández Tabares, a Cuban sports icon. Forever in our memories.”

What were some of his notable achievements?

In the 1976 Montreal Olympics, Fernández achieved a sixth-place finish, and at the 1977 World Senior Championships in Stuttgart, he came in fifth. His prowess extended to international competitions like the Panonia Cup, the “Blue Sables” International Tournament, and the Balkans Cup, where he garnered a collection of gold, silver, and bronze medals.

How did Fernández contribute after retiring from competitive sports?

After retiring, Fernández dedicated himself to coaching, leading successful youth teams in provincial championships. He also worked on a mission in Venezuela from 2002 to 2003.

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NCAA Volleyball Regional Schedule Set

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December 8, 2025

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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The fourth-seeded Indiana volleyball team (25-7, 14-6 B1G) will play in the Sweet 16 for just the second time in program history. The NCAA announced start times and dates for next week’s regional semifinals on Sunday (Dec. 7) afternoon. The Hoosiers will play top-seeded Texas at Gregory Gymnasium on Friday (Dec. 12) afternoon at Noon ET on ESPN.

 

Following the greatest regular season in program history, IU was awarded a top-16 national seed and the chance to host the opening two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. The Hoosiers made quick work of their first two matchups, sweeping Toledo and fifth-seeded Colorado in Bloomington to advance to the Sweet 16.

 

IU is one of five Big Ten programs remaining in the NCAA Tournament. Of the 16 schools left in the big dance, IU is one of two teams (Cal Poly) that didn’t make the big dance last year. The Hoosiers have already set a single-season program record for wins (25) and will attempt to advance to the regional final for the first time in program history.

 

The other matchup in the Austin Regional will pit second-seeded Stanford and third-seeded Wisconsin against each other. Their match will begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of IU’s. The winners of both regional semifinals will meet on Sunday (Dec. 14) afternoon for a spot in the national semifinals in Kansas City.



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Louisville volleyball NCAA Tournament bracket, Texas A&M vs UofL game

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December 8, 2025

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Dec. 6, 2025Updated Dec. 7, 2025, 6:08 a.m. ET

After defeating Marquette 3-2 in the second round of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament on Saturday night, No. 2 Louisville will travel to Lincoln, Nebraska, and take on No. 3 Texas A&M in the Sweet 16 at 7 p.m. Friday.

This will be the Cardinals’ seventh consecutive regional appearance but first with Dan Meske as head coach.

Here’s everything you need to know to keep up with the match from home:

No. 2 seed Louisville versus No. 3 seed Texas A&M will be broadcast live on ESPN or ESPN2.

Authenticated subscribers can access ESPN2 via TV-connected devices or by going to WatchESPN.com or the WatchESPN app.

Those without cable can access ESPN2 via streaming services, with Fubo offering a free trial.

Buy Louisville volleyball tickets here

After defeating Marquette, UofL will play Texas A&M in the Lincoln, Nebraska, Regional Friday at 7 pm. Here’s a look at the tournament schedule:

  • First and second rounds: Dec. 4-6
  • Regionals: Dec. 11-14
  • Semifinals: Dec. 18 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri
  • Championship: Dec. 21 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri



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The Omaha World-Herald’s Nebraska All-Class volleyball teams

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December 8, 2025

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Men’s T&F Opens Season at Diplomat Open

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December 7, 2025

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Lancaster, PA (December 6, 2025) – The DeSales University men’s track & field team opened the 2025-26 indoor T&F season competing at the Diplomat Open at Franklin & Marshall College on Friday.

The Bulldogs posted 10 MAC qualfying times/marks in the meet.

Among the qualifying times were junior Bryce Guthier taking second in the 400-meters with a time of 52.08. It is the fifth fastest time in indoor history.  Senior Davis Trump also qualified in the 5K with a time of 16:20.32.

In the field events, DSU posted eight qualfying marks. Junior Weston Simak qualified for the MAC Championships in both the long jump (6.52m) and triple jump (13.72m). His triple jump mark was the second best in team history.  First-year Luke Heimann also qualfied in the triple jump (11.86m).

Junior Jonathan Castronovo took home first place in the long jump with a mark of 6.58m, the second best long jump in team history.

First-year John Amoretti qualified in the shot put (12.33m), seniors Jonathan Eudja and Giovanni Wellington qualified in the weight throw with marks of 14.85m and 14.23m. First-year Ryan Rodriguez also quallified in the weight throw (11.89m).

The Bulldogs won’t return to action till the New Year at the Blue and Grey Invitational on Jan. 17th.

 



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Women’s Track & Field Turns in Multiple High Marks to Begin Season at Cornell

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December 7, 2025

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RESULTS

ITHACA, N.Y. –

The Ithaca College women’s track & field team opened its 2025-26 season over the weekend as the Bombers made the short trip across town to compete in the Greg Page Relays hosted by Cornell University on December 5-6.

Lola Gitlin posted a time of 10:25.57 in the 3000-meter run to finish third overall.

Rachel Larson was a fourth place finisher with a time of 8.58 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles. That time is currently No. 1 in Division III after the opening weekend of the season.

Aynisha McQuillar took fifth in the 200-meter dash in a time of 26.61 seconds. McQuillar also ran in the 60-meter dash and posted the 11th fastest time in DIII during the prelim with a performance of 7.78 seconds.

Lyla Powers was fifth in the 500-meter dash with a time of 1:21.75.

Lily Seyfert claimed fifth in the shot put with a heave of 12.78 meters, which is currently ninth in the nation.

Bree Boyle and Erin Eastwood each cleared 3.54 meters in the pole vault, which is tied for 11th on the Division III performance list.

Alexis Brown turned in a leap of 11.02 meters in the triple jump for the 17th best mark in the country.

Ithaca is off for the remainder of 2025 and will return to Cornell on January 10 for the Southern Tier Invitational.

 



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Men’s Track & Field Opens Indoor Season at Cornell Greg Page Relays

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December 7, 2025

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RESULTS

ITHACA, N.Y. –

The Ithaca College men’s track & field team opened its 2025-26 season over the weekend as the Bombers made the short trip across town to compete in the Greg Page Relays hosted by Cornell University on December 5-6.

Anik Vossschulte claimed third in the 200-meter dash in a time of 23.32 seconds, while Jacob Antilety was seventh at 23.71 seconds.

Matt Lokshin posted a time of 8.65 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles to place third in the event. Aidan Irwin took fourth in the high jump with a mark of 1.70 meters.

Quinten Lewis posted a mark of 13.73 meters in the triple jump to place fourth and Sebastien-Oliver Lacrete was sixth at 12.68 meters, while Evan Cherry secured fifth in the long jump with a leap of 6.84 meters.

IC’s 4×400-meter relay team of Damian Simmonds, Griffin Lupes, Noah McKibben and George Nilson placed sixth in 3:34.49.

Luke Ellor finished sixth in the shot put with a mark of 14.40 meters.

Three Bombers finished within the top eight in the 500-meter dash as Brad Kellogg was sixth in 1:09.73, Peter Tysiak followed in seventh with 1:10.74 and Matthew DeJulio was next at 1:11.59.

Kaiden Chandler and Luke Ferrer posted times of 4:41.29 and 4:53.44 in the mile to finish in seventh and eighth.

Raf Campanile was seventh in the pole vault with a clearance of 4.25 meters.

Ithaca is off for the remainder of 2025 and will return to Cornell on January 10 for the Southern Tier Invitational.

 



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