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After being replaced by Sabalenka as world number one at the end of last season, Swiatek has no shortage of motivation heading into the Melbourne Park major. Gauff’s sole Grand Slam title came at Flushing Meadows in 2023 and she underlined her hardcourt credentials by beating both Sabalenka and Swiatek en route to winning the […]

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Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka (WTA 5) celebrates with the trophy after winning a Women's Singles final match between Russian Rybakina and Belarusian Sabalenka at the 'Australian Open' tennis Grand Slam, Saturday 28 January 2023 in Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia. 
BELGA PHOTO PATRICK HAMILTON (Photo by PATRICK HAMILTON / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP)
After being replaced by Sabalenka as world number one at the end of last season, Swiatek has no shortage of motivation heading into the Melbourne Park major.

Gauff’s sole Grand Slam title came at Flushing Meadows in 2023 and she underlined her hardcourt credentials by beating both Sabalenka and Swiatek en route to winning the WTA Finals in November.
The Pole held the top spot for 125 weeks during two spells from the 2022 season and while the clay courts of Paris continue to offer her the best chance of adding to her five major titles she is already showing strong form in Australia.
“I think after the way she finished (last season), she’s going to be really interesting to see,” said Australia’s former women’s doubles world number one Rennae Stubbs.
– Reuters
Swiatek came up short in her bid to lead Poland to victory at the United Cup after she lost in straight sets to American Gauff, who hailed the win over the Pole as one of the best performances of her career.
“You have to focus on improving yourself every day, do your best, and hope for the best. That’s my mentality going into the Australian Open.”
“I believe she has absolutely put her hands up to be one of the favourites for the Australian Open.”
Melbourne’s blue courts have often favoured big hitters like Zheng and there are few women on the tour who pack a punch like Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion.
Aryna Sabalenka will look to join a select group of players to win three straight Australian Open titles this month but the big question ahead of the year’s first Grand Slam is can anyone stop the Belarusian from tightening her grip on the women’s game?
Rybakina, who lost to Sabalenka in the 2023 Australian Open final, has bolstered her team by adding Novak Djokovic’s former coach Goran Ivanisevic and has already started to reap the rewards with dominant displays in the build-up to the 12-26 January Grand Slam.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka should also be in the mix, providing she overcomes the abdominal issue that scuttled her Auckland title bid.
Jasmine Paolini was the surprise package of the 2024 season with runner-up finishes at the French Open and Wimbledon and the ever-smiling Italian will hope she can be third-time lucky in the tournament dubbed the “Happy Slam”.
A Melbourne semi-finalist in 2022, Swiatek, 23, delivered some strong individual performances in the United Cup mixed team competition, taking Poland to the final last weekend.
Last year’s tournament highlighted the depth of the women’s game with China’s Zheng Qinwen enjoying an inspired run to the final and the Olympic champion will be fresh for another tilt at the title after opting out of warm-up tournaments.
That kind of form has earned comparisons with Serena Williams, who got to the final four at 10 Grand Slams between 2014 and 2017 during a run when the American great won six of her 23 major titles.
“I was able to overcome difficult moments by maintaining a high level of tennis for a long time. This is what all players seek, so it’s nice to feel like this already in the first week of competition.”
“Definitely, I’ve got some confidence at the Grand Slams,” said Sabalenka, who can become the first woman to capture three successive Australian Open titles since Switzerland’s Martina Hingis achieved the feat from 1997-1999.
The 26-year-old world number one is the red-hot favourite at Melbourne Park, where another victory would give her a fourth major title and widen the gap in the rankings to Poland’s Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff of the United States.
Sabalenka, who started her season by winning an 18th career WTA title in Brisbane on Sunday, has reached at least the semi-finals at nine of her last 12 Grand Slams, a run which included the addition of the US Open crown to her trophy cabinet.

Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka celebrates with the trophy after winning the Australian Open.
Photo: PATRICK HAMILTON

“I know I’m capable of so many things, that I’m able to hold that beautiful trophy. It’s good to know that. But there’s still (some) way to go. A lot of things have to be done.
“I’m very satisfied with my game,” said the world number two, who served a month-long suspension late last year over a doping violation.

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Redbirds’ Secure Runner-Up Finishes and Three Individual MVC Titles on Day Two of MVC Championship

Story Links CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Illinois State track & field program closed out the 2025 MVC Outdoor Track & Field Championship at the Lew Hartzog Track & Field Complex, Sunday afternoon. The Redbirds squads each secured runner-up finishes across the two-day event. The men’s team finished with 151 points […]

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CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Illinois State track & field program closed out the 2025 MVC Outdoor Track & Field Championship at the Lew Hartzog Track & Field Complex, Sunday afternoon.

The Redbirds squads each secured runner-up finishes across the two-day event. The men’s team finished with 151 points as the women’s team tallied 116 points.

In the early hours of day two, Freshman Victor Byaundaombe took home the MVC title for the men’s triple jump. Byaundaombe recorded a 14.94m (49-0.25) on his fifth attempt to secure the win and claim his first individual conference championship of his career. 

Junior Lindsey Miller successfully defended her title in the women’s 100m with a time of 11.54. Miller’s time is a new personal best mark and remains fifth in Illinois State history. 

Junior Rob Pulliam secured the top spot in the Valley for the men’s high jump following a clearance at 2.02m (6-7.50). Pulliam’s win marks his first MVC individual title of his career. Freshman Trey Thomas finished on the podium alongside Pulliam after his third-place finish, after he cleared the bar at 1.99m (6-6.25).

Senior Kiley Sanders closed out the heptathlon with a second-place finish with 4923. Sanders’ runner-up effort marks the highest finish at the MVC title meet in her career. Sanders’ point total is also a new personal best and moves her to 10th in Illinois State history for the heptathlon

In the men’s decathlon, Senior Ariel Atias secured his eighth career MVC medal with a runner-up finish after he tallied 6945 points. Sophomore Ryan Schaefer recorded a fourth-place finish and a new personal best point total of 6652. Schaefer’s total also saw him move to seventh all-time in Redbird history for the decathlon.

Sophomore Ava Lawless secured her second career MVC medal after a runner-up finish in the women’s triple jump. Lawless recorded a jump of 12.21m (40-0.75), a top-10 mark and moves her to 10th in Redbird history.

Junior Jake Welch secured a runner-up finish with a time of 46.82 in the men’s 400m. Welch improved on his top-10 mark he set this season in Texas and moved to eighth in program history.

Senior Kevyere Mack earned his first career MVC medal with a runner-up finish in the men’s 110m hurdles. Mack recorded a time of 14.20 and improved on his top-10 mark he set on Saturday.

In the women’s 100m hurdles, Junior Erin Starks and Senior Corrina Courser earned podium finishes after finishing second and third. Starks recorded a time of 13.51 as Courser followed with a mark of 13.62.

Junior Enyinnaya Nwagwu, Jr. tallied a runner-up finish with a time of 20.82 in the men’s 200m. On the women’s side, Junior Erin Starks finished third with a time of 23.86 to secure a podium finish in both the men’s and women’s 200m events for the Redbirds.

In the men’s and women’s 4x100m relays, each team earned a runner-up finish. The men’s team of Reed, Welch, Nwagwu, and Paul finished with a time of 39.91, the second fastest time in program history. The women’s team of Courser, Starks, Miller, and Daniel also finished second with a time of 44.83, the third fastest mark in Redbird history.

Along with the three individual champions and several podium finishes, the Redbirds also had numerous point scores on day two. The full list of point scores is provided below:

Cole Stevens, Weight Throw, 7th

Astor Snaider, Triple Jump, 5th

Rob Pulliam, Triple Jump, 5th

Madison Saunders, Triple Jump, 4th

Adison Scott, Hammer Throw, 6th

Kane Shields, 1500m, 7th

Julian Baker, 1500m, 8th

Grace Erb, 1500m, 8th

Cambria Geyer, 100m hurdles, 5th, 400m hurdles, 4th

Evan Watson, 400m, 6th

Enyinnaya Nwagwu, 100m, 4th, 200m, 2nd

Zach Paul, 100m, 5th

Colleen Zeibert, 800m, 7th

Lindsey Miller, 200m, 5th

Immaculate Daniel, 200m, 8th

Maggie Reed, 5000m, 7th

Nick Doud, 5000m, 7th

UP NEXT

The Redbirds will wait and find out which student-athletes will be representing Illinois State in College Station, Texas for the NCAA Division West First Round, which begins on Wednesday, May 28.



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Assistant Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach in Biddeford, ME for University of New England

Details Posted: 18-May-25 Location: Biddeford, Maine Type: Full-time Categories: Coaching Sector: Collegiate Sports Required Education: 4 Year Degree The University of New England, a NCAA Division III member of the Conference of New England (CNE) is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach. This position is a full-time, 12-month assignment […]

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Details

Posted: 18-May-25

Location: Biddeford, Maine

Type: Full-time

Categories:

Coaching

Sector:

Collegiate Sports

Required Education:

4 Year Degree

The University of New England, a NCAA Division III member of the Conference of New England (CNE) is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach. This position is a full-time, 12-month assignment with full benefits.


The tennis programs will commence varsity competition beginning in the 2025-26 academic year. The Nor’easters will practice and compete at a newly-renovated, state-of-the art on-campus facility located just minutes from some of the most picturesque beaches in the region.


Reporting to the Head Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach, the successful candidate will assist in creating and prioritizing a first-class NCAA Division III student-athlete experience. The Assistant Coach will be responsible for on-court coaching and teaching and will assist the head coach with various administrative tasks including planning travel, coordinating meals, maintaining an equipment and uniform inventory, and other duties as assigned.


A bachelor’s degree is required. Preference will be given to those candidates with previous collegiate coaching experience or have an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates comparable knowledge and skills


Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Interested candidates should apply by submitting a cover letter, resume, and list of three references to https://une.peopleadmin.com/postings/21997


Consistent with federal and state law and University policy, the University of New England is committed to the fundamental concept of equal opportunity for all of the members of the University community. The University prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination in employment, the provision of academic services or in any other area of University life based on race, color, sex, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, ethnicity, genetic information, HIV status, or status as a veteran. Prohibited bias factors will not be permitted to have an adverse influence upon decisions regarding students, employees, applicants for admission, applicants for employment, contractors, volunteers or participants in and/or users of institutional programs, services, and activities.

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About University of New England

The University of New England is a private NCAA Division III institution located on the beautiful Southern Maine coast. The Nor’easters sponsor 19 varsity sports and are a member of the Conference of New England (CNE) and the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA), with affiliate membership in the Little East Conference for the sport of women’s swimming.


Connections working at University of New England



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TCU, Barroso Sá Conclude Participation at NCAA National Championships

Story Links CARLSBAD, Calif. – TCU and Sofia Barroso Sá closed the books on the 2024-25 season on Sunday following the third round of the NCAA National Championships. Competing as an individual, Barroso Sá tied for 119th after posting a 54-hole score of 12-over 228 at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa. She was plus-three and T43 to […]

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TCU, Barroso Sá Conclude Participation at NCAA National Championships

CARLSBAD, Calif. – TCU and Sofia Barroso Sá closed the books on the 2024-25 season on Sunday following the third round of the NCAA National Championships.
 
Competing as an individual, Barroso Sá tied for 119th after posting a 54-hole score of 12-over 228 at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa. She was plus-three and T43 to begin the day.
 
Barroso Sá played even-par golf for a 27-hole stretch bridging rounds one and two. She collected seven birdies across her stay in southern California, increasing her team-leading season tally to 118. 
 
The visit to Carlsbad was the culmination of a standout junior year. Barroso Sá qualified for Nationals for the second time as a Frog after placing a solo fourth (-6, 210) at the NCAA Lexington Regional. In addition to birdies, she led TCU in top-10’s (five), top-20’s (nine) and par-or-better rounds (19) and tied for the team-high in counters (32). Her 118 birdies were the second-most ever record in a season by a TCU player. Barroso Sá started every tournament for TCU for the third straight season and finished even or under par in five events. She achieved a season and career-high Scoreboard ranking of 68th following Regionals. 
 
The Horned Frogs now break for the offseason with players due back in August ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. 
 
 

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Women’s Relay Team Takes Fourth to Wrap Up ECAC Championships

Story Links FAIRFAX, Virginia – The Marist women’s track & field team raced day two of its ninth and final meet of the 2025 outdoor season, the ECAC Outdoor Championships, on Sunday. The event took place at the GMU Field House in Fairfax, VA. The women’s 4×800 meter relay (Fletcher, O’Brien, Fisher, […]

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FAIRFAX, Virginia – The Marist women’s track & field team raced day two of its ninth and final meet of the 2025 outdoor season, the ECAC Outdoor Championships, on Sunday. The event took place at the GMU Field House in Fairfax, VA.

The women’s 4×800 meter relay (Fletcher, O’Brien, Fisher, Mirabile) closed out the ECAC Championships with a fourth-place finish of 9:09.22, earning them All-ECAC honors.

ECAC Outdoor Championships

Sunday, May 18th, 2025

GMU Field House

Fairfax, Virginia

3000 Meter Run: 10 – Julia Radjenovic, 10:34.62

4×800 Meter Relay: 4 – Marist (Fletcher, O’Brien, Fisher, Mirabile), 9:09.22



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District 3, 11 action in baseball, softball, lacrosse and volleyball set to begin | Sports

District 3 baseball (all game times 4:30 p.m. unless noted) Monday, May 19 Class 6A quarterfinals 8-Northeastern at 1-Governor Mifflin 5-Ephrata at 4-Wilson 7-Manheim Twsp. at 2-Hempfield 11-Red Lion at 3-Cedar Cliff Class 5A quarterfinals 9-Northern York at 1-Palmyra 12-Conestoga Valley at 4-Exeter Twsp. 10-Elizabethtown at 2-Lower Dauphin 11-Manheim Central at 3-Lampeter-Strasburg Class 4A quarterfinals […]

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District 3 baseball (all game times 4:30 p.m. unless noted)

Monday, May 19

Class 6A quarterfinals

8-Northeastern at 1-Governor Mifflin

5-Ephrata at 4-Wilson

7-Manheim Twsp. at 2-Hempfield

11-Red Lion at 3-Cedar Cliff

Class 5A quarterfinals

9-Northern York at 1-Palmyra

12-Conestoga Valley at 4-Exeter Twsp.

10-Elizabethtown at 2-Lower Dauphin

11-Manheim Central at 3-Lampeter-Strasburg

Class 4A quarterfinals

8-Oley Valley at 1-East Pennsboro

5-James Buchanan at 4-Fleetwood

7-West Perry at 2-Northern Lebanon

6-Boiling Springs at 3-Kennard Dale

Class 3A quarterfinals

5-Kutztown at 4-Wyomissing

6-Littlestown at 3-Berks Catholic

Class 2A semifinals

4-Delone Catholic at 1-Halifax

3-Newport at 2-Camp Hill

Class 1A quarterfinals

4-Conestoga Christian vs. 1-Mount Calvary Christian at Net Sports Complex, 6:30 p.m.

3-High Point Baptist vs, 2-Christian School York at Dover HS

District 3 softball (all game times 4:30 p.m. unless noted)

Monday, May 19

Class 6A quarterfinals

9-Dallastown at 8-Penn Manor

13-Manheim Twsp. at 4-Central York

12-Red Lion vs. 5-Chambersburg at Norlo Park

10-Hempfield at 7-Carlisle

14-Conestoga Valley at 3-South Western

11-Mechanicsburg at 6-Wilson

Class 5A quarterfinals

9-Hershey at 8-Lower Dauphin

13-Shippensburg at 4-Donegal

12-New Oxford at 5-Red Land

10-Northern York at 7-Warwick, 6:30 p.m.

14-Manheim Central at 3-Twin Valley

11-Susquehannock at 6-Lampeter Strasburg

Class 4A quarterfinals

8-East Pennsboro at 1-Northern Lebanon

5-ELCO at 4-Middletown

6-Hamburg at 3-Big Spring

7-Fleetwood at 2-Kennard Dale

Class 3A quarterfinals

8-Schuylkill Valley at 1-Susquenita

5-Lancaster Catholic at 4-Littlestown

6-Biglerville vs. 3-Trinity at Wass Park

7-Upper Dauphin vs. 2-Kutztown at Kutztown Park

Class 2A semifinals

4-Camp Hill vs. 1-Brandywine Heights at Lyons Field, 6:30 p.m.

3-Halifac at 2-Delone Catholic

District 3 boys lacrosse

Tuesday, May 20

Class 3A quarterfinals

8-Mechanicsburg at 1-Central York, 5 p.m.

5-Penn Manor vs. 4-Cumberland Valley at Eagle View MS, 7 p.m.

7-Central Dauphin at 2-Manheim Twsp., 5:30 p.m.

11-Ephrata at 3-Wilson, 7 p.m.

Class 2A quarterfinals

8-Hershey at 1-Trinity, 7 p.m.

5-Cocalico at 4-Lower Dauphin, 7 p.m.

7-Palmyra at 2-Lampeter Strasburg, 5 p.m.

York Catholic/Garden Spot winner at 3-Twin Valley, 7 p.m.

District 3 girls lacrosse

Tuesday, May 20

Class 3A quarterfinals

8-Wilson at 1-Dallastown, 7 p.m.

5-Elizabethtown at 4-New Oxford, 7 p.m.

7-Hempfield vs. 2-Cumberland Valley at Eagle View MS, 5 p.m.

6-Penn Manor at 3-Manheim Twsp., 4 p.m.

Class 2A quarterfinals

9-Red Land at 1-Wyomissing, 4 p.m.

5-York Catholic at 4-Twin Valley, 5 p.m.

10-West Shore Christian at 2-Hershey, 6:30 p.m.

6-Trinity at 3-Susquehannock, 7 p.m.

District 3 boys volleyball

Tuesday, May 20

Class 3A first round

16-Penn Manor at 1-Cumberland Valley

9-Hempfield at 8-Mechanicsburg, 4:30 p.m.

13-Northeastern at 4-Warwick (all game times 7 p.m. unless noted)

12-Red Land at 5-Palmyra

15-Carlisle at 2-Governor Mifflin

10-Cocalico at 7-Central Dauphin

14-Dallastown at 3-Cedar Crest

11-Exeter Twsp. at 6-Central York

Class 2A first round (all game times 7 p.m. unless noted)

9-Harisburg Christian at 8-Northern Lebanon

13-Millersburg at 4-Linville Hill Christian

12-Hershey at 5-Lancaster Mennonite

10-Schuylkill Valley at 7-Berks Catholic

14-York Catholic at 3-Brandywine Heights

11-New Covenant Christian at 6-West Shore Christian

District 11 baseball

Tuesday, May 20

Class 5A quarterfinals

5-Bangor at 4-Blue Mountain, 4:30 p.m.

Class 3A quarterfinals (all game times 4:30 p.m.)

5-Pine Grove at 4-Notre Dame G.P.

6-Pen Argyl at 3-Salisbury

Class A semifinals

4-Weatherly vs. 1-Nativity BVM at North Schuylkill, 4:30 p.m.

3- Notre Dame ES vs. 2-Moravian Academy at Easton. 4 p.m.

Wednesday, May 21

Class 6A quarterfinals (all game times 4 p.m.)

8-Easton at 1-Parkland

5-Stroudsburg at 4-Nazareth

6-Emmaus at 3-Freedom

7-East Stroudsburg South at 2-Liberty

Class 4A quarterfinals

5-Jim Thorpe at 4-Bethlehem Catholic, 4:30 p.m.

6-Lehighton at 3-Saucon Valley, 4:30 p.m.

Class 2A quarterfinals

5-Marian Catholic at 4-Minersville, 4:30 p.m.

District 11 softball

Wednesday, May 21

Class 4A quarterfinals (All game times 4 p.m.)

8-Bethlehem Catholic at 1-Northwestern

5-Notre Dame GP at 4- Tamaqua

6-Palmerton at 3-Blue Mountain

7-Saucon Valley at 2-North Schuylkill

Thursday, May 22

Class 6A quarterfinals

East Stroudsburg South/Easton winner at 1-Freedom

5-Stroudsburg at 4-Liberty

6-Northampton at 3-Emmaus

Whitehall/Parkland winner at 2-Nazareth

Class 3A semifinals

4-Northern Lehigh vs. 1-Pine Grove at Blue Mountain, 4:30 p.m.

3-Pen Argyl vs. 2-Palisades at Pates Park, 5 p.m.

Class 2A semifinals

4-Mahanoy vs. 1-Williams Valley at Pine Grove, 6:30 p.m.

3-Minersville vs. 2-Svhuylkill Haven at Pine Grove, 4:30 p.m.

Friday, May 23

Class 5A quarterfinals

Bangor/Pottsville winner vs. 1-Pleasant Valley

3-Pocono Mountain East vs. 2-Southern Lehigh

Class 1A semifinals

4-Nativity BVM vs. 1- Tri Valley at Blue Mountain, 6:30 p.m.

3-Shenandoah Valley vs. 2-Marian Catholic at Blue Mountain, 4:30 p.m.

District 11 boys lacrosse

Tuesday, May 20

Class 3A semifinals

4-Nazareth vs. 1-Easton at Northampton, 7 p.m.

3-Parkland vs. 2-Delaware Valley at Northampton, 5 p.m.

Class 2A semifinals

4-Southern Lehigh vs. 1-Central Catholic at Emmaus, 7 p.m.

3-Northwestern vs. 2-Moravian Academy at Emmaus, 5 p.m.

District 11 girls lacrosse

Monday, May 19

Class 3A semifinals

4-Emmaus vs. 1-Pleasant Valley at Northampton, 7 p.m.

3-Easton vs. 2-Nazareth at Northampton, 5 p.m.

Class 2A semifinals

4-Saucon Valley vs. 1-Southern Lehigh at Emmaus, 7 p.m.

3-Northwestern vs. 2-Central Catholic at Emmaus, 5 p.m.

District 11 boys volleyball

Tuesday, May 20

Class 3A quarterfinals

Easton/William Allen winner at 1-Emmaus, 6 p.m.

5-Parkland at 4-Nazareth, 5 p.m.

6-Dieruff at 3-Freedom, 5 p.m.

7-Northampton at 2-Whitehall, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, May 21

Class 2A semifinals

4-Notre Dame GP vs. 1-Southern Lehigh at Catasaqua, 6:45 p.m.

2-Lincoln Leadership vs. 3-Bethlehem Catholic at Catasauqua, 5 p.m.



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Meet The Oklahoman sports team reporting on OU and OSU athletics

I’ll always remember the first time I entered Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium as a reporter. Fresh out of college at Northeastern State University and working at the Lawton Constitution, I was certainly in a new environment at that mid-week luncheon early in the 2008 season. Then, OU offensive lineman Phil Loadholt walked in. […]

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Meet The Oklahoman sports team reporting on OU and OSU athletics

I’ll always remember the first time I entered Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium as a reporter.

Fresh out of college at Northeastern State University and working at the Lawton Constitution, I was certainly in a new environment at that mid-week luncheon early in the 2008 season.

Then, OU offensive lineman Phil Loadholt walked in. All 6 feet, 8 inches and 330 pounds.

The football players at NSU looked nothing like this behemoth. 

At 5 feet, 10 inches tall and nowhere nearly as athletic, I suddenly wasn’t sure if I was there to ask him questions or serve as his mid-day snack. 

But I shook off that crazy thought and went to work. I was hooked.

From left, Jacob Unruh, Ryan Aber, Scott Wright and Colton Sulley make up The Oklahoman's college sports team.

I wanted to cover big-time sports. And in Oklahoma, where I have lived my entire life, that’s college sports.

OU and Oklahoma State, to be specific.

I spent the next 11 years working to get to a college press box.

High school sports. Minor league baseball. Boxing. Auto racing. Even some college sports. I covered it all at the Constitution and beginning in 2011 as a copy editor at The Oklahoman. 

As much as I loved that, I still wanted more.

Finally, in 2019, I made the leap, taking over as one of The Oklahoman’s OSU beat writers. 

Working alongside Scott Wright, I was living a dream.

I helped deliver the best storytelling in the state on OSU stars like Cade Cunningham, Chuba Hubbard, Ollie Gordon II, Malcolm Rodriguez, Roc Riggio, the Boone Twins and more. I won an APSE award for my in-depth story on Jim Knowles

I was at the Fiesta Bowl comeback against Notre Dame. I was there for the final Bedlam football game, weaving my way around a fan-filled Boone Pickens Stadium turf after OSU’s win. I covered tough news during the COVID-19 pandemic and the basketball postseason ban.

Every moment lived up to my expectations and then some.

And I did it with the best college sports coverage team possible 

Which is why now as The Oklahoman’s deputy sports editor, I believe there is no better place to find the news on OU and OSU. 

It’s time to get to know our team, whose bylines you will see throughout our coverage of the Sooners and Cowboys.

Ryan Aber (OU)

Ryan Aber covers the Sooners.

Growing up watching ESPN’s “SportsCenter” in elementary school, Aber decided to take a journalism class at Hefner Junior High and quickly became hooked on writing.

He enjoys telling the stories of the people he covers, both in and away from their sports.

Aber has been with The Oklahoman since 2006, covering high schools, the then-Oklahoma City RedHawks minor-league baseball team and the Oklahoma City Barons hockey team before moving over to cover OU athletics in 2013. Before returning home to work at The Oklahoman, Aber spent time at the Muskogee Phoenix, Southwest Times Record in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas.

An alum of Putnam City North and Northeastern State University, Aber has lived in Oklahoma for almost all of his life.

Aber lives in Moore with his wife, Kim, and daughter, Sidney. His older daughter, Kaylee, lives and goes to school in Stillwater.

When not working, Aber plays hockey, attends as many concerts as he can and does some woodworking.

Read Ryan’s work here.

Colton Sulley (OU)

Colton Sulley covers the Sooners.

Sulley is a passionate journalist from Oklahoma City with a lifelong love for athletics and storytelling. 

An OU graduate, Colton discovered his calling at the OU Daily, where his dedication to sports journalism truly came to life. The Daily not only shaped his career but also gave him a sense of belonging and lifelong friendships.

Colton’s student newspaper stoked his competitive nature to new levels, and it’s where he figured out there’s nothing he’d rather be doing. Waking up every morning determined to write must-reads, chase the stories of the week, go the extra mile to find sourcing beyond press availabilities and serve a passionate and engaged audience is a dream come true. 

In February 2024, he joined The Oklahoman as an OU beat writer, continuing to cover the Sooners with the same energy and insight that first fueled his dreams.

Read Colton’s work here.

Scott Wright (OSU)

Scott Wright covers the Cowboys.

Nearing 20 years on the staff of The Oklahoman, Scott Wright has covered almost every beat in the sports department, from high schools and minor- league teams to OU and — for the last eight years — Oklahoma State.

Originally from Yukon, his life in sports media began on the broadcast side, with internships at local news stations, plus a few years running the board and answering phones at the Sports Animal.

In 2002, he turned his focus to writing, which kickstarted a career that took him to newspapers in towns like Bethany and Shawnee before he joined The Oklahoman in September 2005. 

Since 2017, he has established himself as a trusted figure and consistent voice covering Oklahoma State athletics.

Read Scott’s work here.

Contributing: Ryan Aber, Colton Sulley and Scott Wright, The Oklahoman

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