Connect with us
https://yoursportsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/call-to-1.png

Sports

A work in progress

Published

11 months ago

on

A work in progress

Before the Sampson County businessman talked about how the baseball and softball training will work, though, he wanted to highlight something more important: the tutoring rooms at the front of the building.
Included with the nets for the baseball training will be a golf simulator, so parents whose kids are practicing or training will have something to do, which Thornton noted was important.
He noted that he got equipment as well, including pitching machines and nets that he will install at his Clinton training facility.
“For me, this isn’t a retirement fund. This is all about the kids,” he added, the latter of which he repeated multiple times throughout the interview, highlighting that this project is truly for the student-athletes it will be serving.
“It’s about 30 feet to the wall,” said Thornton, pointing from the edge of the turf to the cinder blocks on the other side. “So anywhere between 30 and 40 feet, four or five nets, so that they can do teamwork. They can pitch and hit while having a pitcher throw to them. We can run lessons out of here.
With a budding soccer program in Sampson County, which allows kids to play together from a young age through high school, Thornton saw an opportunity to do something with baseball and softball. “We’re trying to rebuild our feeder programs, which is what we did with football eight or 10 years ago. That’s what I want to do with baseball,” he stressed
Thornton said he is hoping to have the practice facility open to both the public and travel teams by March 1, a date that has been pushed back from the original goal of having it completed this winter.
“I want my parents and the kids that come in here and use this facility to understand that they’re student-athletes and the student comes first,” he said, adding that his hope was to get the help of teachers, mentors, or possibly even other students, to come in and tutor others in whatever subject they might need help.
“I want them (the public) to know that if they need a place, there’s a place they can send kids. They can work with kids. They can work as a team,” he said.
Reach Brandt Young at (910) 247-9036, at byoung@clintonnc.com, or on the Sampson Independent Facebook page.
“I’d like to have different things in here to pull in different kinds of people,” he added. “Because when it’s nice and sunny, they’re gonna play baseball outside, which they should. But, if they want to work at night or on Saturday and Sunday when they’re not playing, we’ll fill that gap.”
Turning the corner past the dividing wall in the front of the building leads you straight to the newly-installed turf which lines the big, open space that once housed a gym.
“I can have Division 1 softball girls, Division 1 baseball boys. They can come give lessons.”
“Baseball has become important to me through my sons. I love to play it, too, but it’s really become important to me because of my kids. So, to see all the kids that go to Fayetteville, Wilmington, or to Raleigh and not have anything near — and the people that don’t (go to those cities) because they can’t travel much and go to other places — it was solving the problem by having them come here,” he continued.
A recent trip to Washington, D.C. led Thornton to the ABCA, or the American Baseball Coaches Association, which provided opportunities for the businessman to network and learn more about his new venture.
In a building that once housed Lean Bodz gym for over 30 years, owner Greg Thornton has taken it in a different direction, transforming it into a space for baseball and softball training.
A nutrition area will be added later on, Thornton noted, as well as a workout area consisting of treadmills, weight training, and a TV to “keep your mind off of it (training).”
The back portion of the building will serve more for pitchers, with three long lanes that they can practice their craft in. Like many things in the building, Thornton noted that this was a “work in a progress,” with changes still to come.
A local team is already taking advantage of the space, which isn’t complete, but has enough amenities to host some training. Coach Terry Smith, with the Clinton Colts, currently holds practice in the former gym at least twice a week, if not more. Thornton said Smith has about six teams he works out at the facility.
The property, at 212 Wall St., has sat vacant since Hurricane Florence came through the area. A combination of damage from the hurricane and the ensuing COVID-19 pandemic provided the perfect storm to make the gym less than viable, Thornton said.

10
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

‘U’ Falls in Sweet 16 to No. 4 Pittsburgh

Published

52 minutes ago

on

December 13, 2025

By


PITTSBURGH, Pa. — The No. 4 seeded Minnesota volleyball team fell to the No. 1 seeded Pittsburgh Panthers on Thursday night at the Petersen Events Center in three sets. The set scores of the match were 25-16, 25-23, 25-22.

The Gophers season ended in the Sweet 16 for the 21st time in program history with a 24-10 (12-8 B1G) record.

“Congrats to Pittsburgh on the win and for the university and city for being such great hosts,” said head coach Keegan Cook. “I’m proud of the way our team battled tonight and throughout the season. We just fell a little bit short tonight. I told the team I have loved coaching them all year and appreciate their willingness to learn and grow. We’re going to miss these seniors next year, but we’re glad to get back to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament and continue to push the program forward.”

Kelly Kinney and Carly Gilk led Minnesota with nine kills while Stella Swenson had 28 assists, three blocks and three aces. Julia Hanson was held to eight kills in her final collegiate match.

The Gophers (24-10, 12-8 Big Ten) were outhit the Panthers (29-4, 18-2 ACC) .271 to .178, leading in kills (47 to 33) and digs (48 to 34). Minnesota had more aces (4 to 3) and blocks (10 to 5).

Julia Hanson commented on her time at Minnesota and what it meant for her to end her career as a Golden Gopher.

“There were times that I questioned myself and how things were going after my sophomore year,” Hansen said. “But I’m so glad to be a part of this program and so proud to have that ‘M’ on my chest. It means everything to me. I’m so thankful for my time at Minnesota.”

For Pittsburgh, Olivia Babcock had 19 kills while Brooke Mosher went for 35 assists. Bre Kelly and Blaire Bayless also had eight kills for the Panthers.

How It Happened

SET 1 | Pittsburgh started out hot, scoring six of the first seven points before Minnesota called a timeout. The Gophers tallied a pair of kills to get it to four at 7-3 before the Panthers scored three straight on two kills and a block to go up 10-3. An attacking error followed by a kill from Kinney and a block from Myers cut it to four again at 11-7. Following a service error from Minnesota, the Gophers scored four of the next five to force a Pitt timeout, trailing 13-11. Swenson tallied an ace, Gilk had a kill and Taylor combined with Gilk on a block. After the timeout, the Panthers bounced back by scoring four of five, taking a 17-12 lead and forcing coach Cook’s final timeout of the frame. The Gophers would get no closer than five the rest of the way as the Panthers closed out the first frame, 25-16. Pitt hit .267 for the set while Minnesota hit just .026.

SET 2 | Minnesota came out strong, scoring seven of the first 12. Swenson had two aces while Kinney tallied a pair of kills. A kill from Myers and a block from Kinney and Myers put the Gophers up 10-9 before three straight from Pitt forced a Minnesota timeout, trailing 12-10. Kills from Swenson and Gilk combined with a Panthers attacking error helped give Minnesota back the lead at 14-13. The Panthers scored three of the next four to tie it up at 16-16. Two more kills put them up 18-16, forcing Minnesota’s final timeout of the set. Pitt would go up by as many as three at 22-19 before two errors cut the lead to just one at 22-21, leading to a Pitt timeout. A Panthers hitting error and kill from Hanson tied it up at 23-23, forcing one more Pitt timeout. A kill and a block won the set for Pitt, 25-23.

SET 3 | Pitt scored seven of the first 11 points before kills from Taylor and Gilk combined with a block from Hanson and Taylor tied it up at 7-7. The Panthers went on a 5-2 spurt after that, getting four kills and an ace to go up 12-9, forcing a Minnesota timeout. The Gophers would battle back, scoring five of the next seven to cut it to 15-14. Kills from Gilk and Myers combined with an ace from Garr tied it up at 17 apiece. A pair of kills from Myers put Minnesota up 19-18, leading to a Panthers timeout. After the break, Minnesota got a block and a Pitt error to go up 21-19 before the Panthers answered back with two more to tie it at 21. The two teams exchanged the next pair of points before the Panthers closed out the match on a 3-0 run to win, 25-22.

Game Notes

» Minnesota is now 1-3 all-time against Pitt, including 0-2 in the NCAA Tournament.

» The Gophers are now 10-11 in the NCAA Regional Semifinals.

» Minnesota posted 10+ blocks for the 15th time this season.

» Minnesota is now 4-7 against ranked opponents this season.

» McKenna Garr (10) posted 10+ digs for the 24th time in 2025.

» Lourdes Myers went for six blocks to lead Minnesota.

» Stella Swenson went for 28 assists and a team-best three aces.

Up Next

Minnesota’s spring season begins in January.



Link

1
Continue Reading

Sports

Nebraska Volleyball keeping practices light-hearted as they prep for NCAA Regional

Published

1 hour ago

on

December 13, 2025

By


LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Nebraska volleyball is keeping the practices light-hearted as they prep to play Kansas in the NCAA Regional.

The Huskers come into the Round of 16 with a 32-0 record and a lot of pressure to make the Final Four. With the mountain of expectations, the players and coaching staff are keeping the training fun and focused on each round rather than the latter goals.

“We still have a lot of fun in our practice, so even though the level is so high, we’re still managing to find ways to have fun,” junior middle blocker Andi Jackson said.

The light-hearted practices and emphasis on playing freely, has really proven to help Jackson’s game. This season she is hitting a nation-best .483 and is averaging 1.14 blocks per set.

“If you look too far into the future, you’re probably going to get a little nervous and get a little stressed out. So just really focusing on what we’re doing in the moment and focusing on where our feet are,” junior outside hitter Harper Murray said.

Nebraska VB’s HC Dani Busboom Kelly, MB Andi Jackson, and OH Harper Murray Pre-Sweet 16 Press Conference | Dec. 11, 2025

No. 1 ranked Nebraska will face off against 16th ranked Kansas on Friday, Dec. 12. The match starts 30 minutes after the conclusion of the two-seed Louisville versus three-seed Texas A&M match, which begins at 6 p.m. CT.

Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Copyright 2025 KOLN. All rights reserved.



Link

3
Continue Reading

Sports

Louisville vs Texas A&M channel, TV, UofL volleyball game time today

Published

1 hour ago

on

December 13, 2025

By


Dec. 12, 2025, 5:10 a.m. ET

No. 2 Louisville volleyball takes on No. 3 Texas A&M in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 today at Bob Devaney Sports Complex in Lincoln, Nebraska.

This match marks UofL’s seventh straight regional appearance and first with Dan Meske as head coach.

Here’s everything you need to know to follow today’s match from home:

Today’s match between No. 2 seed Louisville and No. 3 seed Texas A&M is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Buy Louisville volleyball tickets here



Link

4
Continue Reading

Sports

No. 3 Badgers stump Cardinal, advance to Regional Finals

Published

2 hours ago

on

December 12, 2025

By


AUSTIN, Texas – The No. 3 seeded Wisconsin volleyball team defeated No. 2 Stanford (25-17, 21-25, 25-23, 25-22) behind another prolific performance on the offensive end—hitting .420 (70 – 15 – 131) by the conclusion of the four-set match. 

The Badgers (27-4) were clicking on all cylinders in the first frame, as UW exploded for a .514 swinging percentage to jump out to a hot start in the first frame. 

Wisconsin utilized a 5-0 serving run from libero Kristen Simon, highlighted by an ace turned in by the freshman—guiding the Badgers to a 15-9 advantage. UW and the Cardinal (29-5) continued to trade points throughout the latter half of the set, led by nine kills from outside hitter Mimi Colyer. 

Stanford was quick to provide a response in this back-and-forth affair, as they put together three separate 3-0 runs to put away the Badgers and even up the match. UW fought back late with the help of a kill apiece from middle blocker Carter Booth and Colyer. Unfortunately for the Badgers, it was not enough, as they fell 21-25 to even up the match at one apiece.

The teams continued to be even throughout the first half of the third frame, with Stanford building a 17-14 cushion. In one of the largest turning points of the match, freshman Natalie Wardlow stepped up in the clutch with three-straight service aces to give UW an 18-17 lead. Wardlow’s four aces on the afternoon tied a career-best, as she last finished with four against No. 1 Nebraska on Oct. 31. 

The Badgers kept the pressure on, forcing the Cardinal out of the system for the remainder of the third set. Right side Grace Egan capped it off with a kill to secure a 25-23 victory. 

Set four brought the same intensity, as Wisconsin jumped out to a 10-6 lead with a pair of kills turned in by outside hitter Una Vajagic. The redshirt sophomore finished with her 10th double-double, hitting .411 with 13 kills, complemented by 11 digs on the defensive end.  

The Cardinal battled and tied it up at 14-14 before the Badgers’ rattled off three consecutive points. Colyer racked up her 2,000th kill of her career in the process—accumulating a match-high 27 at Gregory Gym. The senior earned her final three in the late stages of set four, pushing Wisconsin to the Regional Finals. 

Offensively, Booth tied a career-best with 14 kills, last doing so in the Regional Semifinal last season against Texas A&M. The Denver, Colorado, native swung .700 (14 – 0 – 20) against the Cardinal, as she finished errorless for the fourth-straight match. 

Middle blocker Alicia Andrew joined her in the process, racking up seven kills on nine attempts without an attack error. 

Setter Charlie Fuerbringer was the centerpiece throughout the entirety of the match, tallying a career-high 61 assists to guide the Badgers to their highest hitting percentage in a four-set match in program history. 

Straight from the Court

Head Coach Kelly Sheffield (on this afternoon’s match): “It was just two teams that were just battling like crazy. The level of talent out there on the court and the level of play out there, that easily could have been a Final Four match. It’s unusual to see that high level and back-and-forth in the Sweet 16.”

(On freshman Natalie Wardlow’s serving): “It was huge because we were down by a few points, and she got in there and got three aces in a row. She’s put in the work, and she’s got that ability to doubt people as a passer and get you doubting. She’s got that ability, we have a few of those players who can do that.”

Middle Blocker Carter Booth (on what went right offensively): “I think it was just coming into the match with the mentality that we’re on the attack, knowing that we have a bit of an advantage in transition from what we’ve studied over the film. I think it was really an emphasis for us to always be the ones throwing punches, not the ones taking them.” 

Outside Hitter Mimi Colyer (on playing in marquee matches): “I want to get in these big games and be competitive and play with a group of girls that want to win and need to win. I think our team is doing just that, I think we’re gelling at the right time and I think we’re gaining so much momentum.”

Setter Charlie Fuerbringer (on Una Vajagic’s performance): “I think she’s literally the most underrated player in the whole NCAA. She hit .444 and had 13 kills tonight, and she passes dimes. When Una passes, I think we hit over .500 every time, so I just don’t think she’s talked about enough and the amount she does for our team is huge.”

Notes: 

  • For the first time in program history, Wisconsin beat Stanford. The Badgers and Cardinal met six times previously in program history.

  • Wisconsin will advance to the Regional Finals for the eighth-straight season.

  • UW improves to 16-7 in program history in Regional Finals, and head coach Kelly Sheffield is 11-2.

  • The Badgers improve to 73-29 all-time in the NCAA tournament.

  • Wisconsin wore its black jersey for just the second time this season. The Badgers previously wore black in a 3-1 victory over Florida on Sept. 16. This marks just the third time in program history UW has worn black, and it’s first in 1999 at Penn State.

  • Freshman Natalie Wardlow tied a career-best with four service aces against Stanford.

  • Senior Carter Booth recorded a season-best 14 kills. She totaled 14 kills on 20 swings, while also hitting .700 for the match. This also marks her fourth-straight match without a hitting error.

  • For the 12th match this season, outside hitter Mimi Colyer tallied 20 or more kills. She had a match-high 27 kills on 51 swings while hitting 373. With 27 kills, Colyer joins the 2,000 career kill club.

  • For the eighth time this season, Wisconsin hit .400 or better. The Badgers hit .420 (70-15-131).

  • Badgers had three players with double-figure kills, Colyer (27), Booth (14) and Una Vajagic (13).

  • Setter Charlie Fuerbringer set a career-best 61 assists against Stanford. She previously totaled 59 against Ohio State on November 27, 2024.

Up Next: The Badgers are set to take on No. 1 Texas in the NCAA Regional Final on Sunday, Dec. 14 for a trip to the NCAA Championship. Match time is still to be determined.



Link

4
Continue Reading

Sports

Alabama A&M Graduates 26 at Fall Commencement

Published

2 hours ago

on

December 12, 2025

By


THE HILL | Twenty-six Alabama A&M University student-athletes earned degrees at the University’s fall commencement ceremony on Friday at the AAMU Event Center.
 

Of the class, six of the graduates were baseball student-athletes, five were from volleyball, four were from women’s basketball, three were from football and softball, two from women’ s bowling and one each from men’s track & field, women’s soccer and women’s tennis.
 
Below are the graduates, listed by sport with their major.
 






























Name Sports Major
Isaac Casto Baseball Liberal Studies
Chevalier Dorris Baseball Mechanical Engineering
Brycen Hammonds Baseball Communications Media
Juan Rey Baseball Finance
Trey Scott Baseball Management
Avery Seaton Baseball Business Administration
Tyrell Lawrence Football Master’s in Business Administration
Jordan Milton Football Communications Media
Nikobe Myers Football Management
Preston London Men’s Track & Field Mechanical Engineering
Jalia Callway Softball Plant Biochemistry
Paige Scott Softball Political Science
Alyssa Charter-Smith Softball Liberal Studies
Moses Davenport Women’s Basketball Master’s in Business Administration
Kamaria Gibson Women’s Basketball Liberal Studies
Jaiyah Smith Women’s Basketball Liberal Studies
Mailyn Wilkerson Women’s Basketball Master’s in Business Administration 
Tamyra Long Women’s Bowling Biology
Megan Whorton Women’s Bowling Sport Management
Daniela Marroquin Women’s Soccer Business Administration
Yana Dhamija  Women’s Tennis Computer Science
Fatoumata Camara Volleyball Liberal Studies
Kemora Coachman Volleyball Business Administration
Bailey Duckett Volleyball Management
Myiah Porter Volleyball Psychology
Kennedy Robinson Volleyball Computer Science

 

For complete coverage of Alabama A&M Athletics – Huntsville’s only Division I program – check out the official homepage at www.aamusports.com. Remember to follow us on social media: Instagram (@aamuathletics), Facebook (aamubulldogathletics), Twitter (@_aamuathletics) and TikTok (aamuathletics).
 



Link

3
Continue Reading

Sports

Nebraska track and field shines with record-breaking season debut

Published

2 hours ago

on

December 12, 2025

By


LINCOLN, Neb — Nebraska’s track and field team made a powerful start to their season at the Husker Holiday Open, securing event titles in 18 of 29 events and setting two new school records. Axelina Johansson highlighted the meet by breaking both the school and Swedish records in the shot put with a mark of 19.72m (64-8 1/2). Dyson Wicker also set a new school record in the men’s pole vault, clearing 5.62m (18-5 1/4).

Cade Moran claimed the men’s shot put title, achieving a mark of 20.07m (65-10 1/4), which ranks fifth in school history. Donna Douglas made an impressive debut, winning the women’s weight throw with a mark of 19.33m (63-5). Aspen Fears took the women’s pole vault title, clearing 3.96m (12-11 3/4).

Seth Schnakenberg set a personal best in the men’s weight throw with a mark of 20.87m (68-5 3/4), while Abrielle Artley won the women’s 300m with a time of 39.00. Elo Blessing Okpah and Ashriel Dixion excelled in the 60m races, with Okpah taking first in the women’s event and Dixion securing second in the men’s.

Brayden Bergkamp and Kate Campos both won their respective 60m hurdles events, with Bergkamp setting a personal best of 8.18. Alea Hardie and Gabe Nash claimed the mile titles, with Hardie achieving a personal best of 4:56.18.

In the men’s 600m, William McDavid emerged victorious with a time of 1:20.05. Ela Velepec claimed the women’s high jump title with a personal best of 1.83m (6-0). The Huskers also dominated the 4×400 relays, with both the men’s and women’s teams taking first place.

Desire Tonye-Nyemeck won the men’s high jump, clearing 2.14m (7-0 1/4). Nebraska will next host the Graduate Classic on Jan. 16-17 at the Devaney Sports Center Indoor Track.



Link

4
Continue Reading

Most Viewed Posts

Trending