For Nevada javelin thrower Lilly Urban, her first attempt is usually her best.

But the Wolf Pack track and field star had to make her third throw a charm at last week’s NCAA West Preliminary.

After a hurl of 50.96 meters in her first attempt and 50.53 on her second, Urban sat outside a top-12 spot required to qualify for the NCAA Championships.

“I was stressing,” Urban admitted. “I was back in the grass waiting for everyone to throw, and I kind of freaked out stressing about, ‘Will I make it? Will I not make it?’ I knew my mark wasn’t far enough, so I was kind of scared but still motivated. I wanted to do it and just thought that we’re going all in.”

Urban increased the pace on her approach and unleashed a throw that sailed through the prevailing during the 91-degree day. After releasing the javelin, she walked over to her coach Scott Williamson and gave a head shrug, not knowing if it was good enough to move into the top 12. Then her mark flashed, a throw of 53.49 meters, moving her into eight place to clinch a trip to Oregon’s Hayward Field for the national championships.

“I was a little nervous,” Williamson said heading into the last throw. “That was a great competition with so many kids that got to that point that competed really well. She’s a javelin thrower that doesn’t necessarily like headwinds, and we kind of had a headwind and a crosswind, so that maybe affected her a little bit more. I knew she could do it. It was just a matter of putting it together and adjusting her technique a little.”

Urban has had a historic sophomore season at Nevada, breaking the school javelin record four times, including a personal best of 56.89 meters at the Mountain West Championship to win gold and clear the second-best throw by more than three meters. Urban’s throw of 56.89 meters ranks ninth in the nation with Georgia freshman Manuela Rotundo having the NCAA’s longest throw this year at 64.17 meters.

Urban has already earned All-American honors by being one of 24 javelin throwers to qualify for nationals. But she could be the first to win first-team All-American honors with a top-eight finish since hammer thrower Caira Hane in 2006. That’s the kind of potential Williamson saw in Urban when he recruited her out of Germany many years ago.

Williamson heard of Urban through an agency called Scholar Book and was recruiting her before the pandemic. But once COVID-19 spread across the globe, Urban decided to stay in her home country. At that point, she thought her dream of competing in the United States had come and gone. But Williamson reached back out to the Frankfurt native once the world returned to normalcy and lured her to Reno with the help of Nicola Ader, the German native who won seven All-American honors with the Wolf Pack in the heptathlon/pentathlon before serving an assistant.

“I was pretty happy because she could speak German,” Urban said of Ader’s impact. “Even though my English is not bad, it just felt comfortable and kind of nice to have someone that knows your culture and where you come from and speaks the language, which makes everything easier than I thought. There’s a great connection now. We have about five Germans on the team.”

Urban will be the first individual to make the national championships for Nevada since Ader’s senior season in 2022. She is the first Wolf Pack javelin thrower to make nationals since Marissa Hammond in 2011. But Nevada has sent at least one individual or relay team to six of the last eight NCAA outdoor track and field championships.

“That’s a pretty remarkable thing,” Williamson said. “When you start looking at the level of athletes that are at that meet and what it takes to get there, that’s pretty big accomplishment, and I’m proud of the fact that we’ve been able to do that.”

Next week will mark Urban’s first trip to Eugene’s Hayward Field, which is considered the world’s greatest track and field stadium. It underwent a $270 million renovation that was completed in 2022. The Wolf Pack contingent will leave Reno for Oregon on Tuesday with Urban competing Thursday. She expects to be nervous and excited when she takes to the track.

“I think it’s gonna be a mix” Urban said. “I’m pretty excited, and I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. But still a little bit of pressure, so I hope I don’t get too nervous. But I think it will be a great mix because it will be fun and pressure at the same time, and sometimes that means the greatest things will happen.”

After Urban’s family in Germany stayed up past midnight to track her throw at the NCAA West Preliminary online, at least one family member will support her in person next week. Urban’s older sister, Hannah, is making the trip from Deutschland to America and will be in Oregon for nationals, bringing a little piece of home to Urban’s biggest competition yet.

“It’s exciting because I often see my friends having their family here at conference or at prelims, and it’s just fun to see them having family around,” Urban said. “I know how it feels to have family around because when I was in Germany they would always come to my meets. To have her here this year is just a huge thing, and I appreciate that she’s making it the whole way from Germany to here.”

Urban didn’t get to Nevada until the middle of the semester during her freshman year in January 2024. Less than 18 months later, she will compete against the best javelin throwers in college. Urban increased her personal best from 49.03 meters last year to almost 57 this year, something she credits to working out with the multis group in practice to increase her power and speed.

Williamson said he quickly realized Urban had the work ethic and total package to make it to nationals. It perhaps has come quicker than anybody expected. But as Urban heads off to Oregon, she does so with Williamson’s advice of enjoying the moment and following the script that has led to so much success this season. And if she does that, she could return to Reno a first-team All-American.

“I don’t want to expect too much, but I really hope I can throw around 55 or 56 again, which could maybe place in the first 8,” Urban said. “That would be a really huge goal. I’m always proud to stand for the Wolf Pack, and I try to give something back for all they give me for studying here, for doing sports here. So, I’m happy to give that back, and I hope that next year it’s going to be more people competing with me on the national stage.”

Wolf Pack outdoor track and field All-Americans

* Nicola Ader (pentathlon, heptathlon, long jump)

* Nicole Wadden (heptathlon)

* Emily Myers (steeplechase)

* Caira Hane (hammer throw)

* Nicole Petty (800 meters)

* Marissa Hammond (javelin)

* Jenni Ashcroft (pole vault)

* Ali McKnight (heptathlon)

* 4×400 relay (Emily Costello, Annalies Kalma, Carolyn Ross, Halyn Senegal)

* 4×100 relay (Samantha Calhoun, Angelica Earls, Tanisha Hawkins, Kashae Knox)

Bozeman, Mont.- For the past five years at least, Northern Arizona has been the standard when it comes to outdoor track and field in the Big Sky Conference. The Lumberjacks have won nine titles between the men and women’s program, including sweeping both this year. Montana State has seemingly been the only team to challenge NAU, especially the last two seasons. 

The Bobcats have closed the gap between themselves and Northern Arizona, winning the Big Sky title on the men’s side in Bozeman last season, and the women putting up their best point total in program history. The proof of the gap closing is the amount of athletes headed to nationals. NAU will send five total athletes, while MSU will send three individual athletes alongside the first ever women’s 4X400 relay team. 

Senior Rob McManus, a two-time Big Sky Conference winner in the 3,000 meter steeplechase, will represent the Bobcats again on the national stage. McManus expressed how the success of the Bobcats has been growing over the last few years. “It’s a lot of hard work. The men winning the title on this home track last year really showed we’re just so competitive and such a well-rounded team.”

McManus also mentioned the emergence of the women’s team. “The women’s team coming into indoor and outdoor conference this year, just showing that they can really compete with an NAU and be super competitive at the conference level. And I think our women’s teams just really turned it up a notch too.” 

Peyton Garrison, Bobcats junior sprinter and member of the 4X400 relay team, spoke on how special this Montana State program has become. “This program is so special, I think every year we all notice how it just keeps growing, gets getting better, and as you can see, there’s more people going to nationals. And that’s all we can ask for.”

Garrison also mentioned that the closeness of all the girls amongst the team is truly what makes them great, especially on the relay team. The team not only communicates at a high level, but goes to dinner together and spends time with one another often, building chemistry that has led them to history. This will be the first Montana State 4X400 meter relay team to compete at the national event. 

The Montana State women set records at that seemed like almost every meet they showed up to. Whether it was sprints, long distance running, or field events, this Bobcats team has made their mark in history. The Bobcats finished second at the conference championships, finishing behind NAU for the fourth-straight year. A lot of the younger talent is performing at a high-level, showing that the Bobcats could dethrone the Lumberjacks in the near future. 

Hailey Coey, the junior jumper from Billings, is one of those Bobcats that has been tearing up the field events everywhere she goes. Coey has made her mark in long jump, launching herself to a mark of 21-3.50, placing her into the number two spot in Big Sky Conference history. The Billings West graduate jumped over 21 feet during regionals, securing her spot as the first ever Montana State long jumper to qualify for the national meet. Coey also holds the Montana State record for long jump. 

Coey made a statement when speaking on the success of this Bobcats women’s program in 2025. “I think we probably have the best MSU women’s team in school history.” Coey also noted that it excites her to not only be able to represent Montana State on the biggest stage, but to see her fellow teammates, “excel and have great successes.” Another Bobcat athlete speaking on the joy they get from the team performing well, the biggest reason why this team is so successful, they are all bought into the bigger goal. 

Head coach Lyle Weese spoke on the teams ability to bring the best out of one another, “They have, raised each other’s ability level, but to see so many school records, school records in every event group, obviously it’s exciting for our program, but also that so many of them will be back and not graduating.” 

The Bobcats have the opportunity to shrink the gap and break more records next week, as the NCAA National Track and Field Championships begin in Eugene, Oregon. 

By Ethan Hudson

As the 2024/25 school year comes to an end for Greenwich Country Day School (GCDS), so does the spring 2025 athletic season, one that proved to be very successful for GCDS. With a season that yielded a coveted New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) championship, GCDS Athletic Director Tim Helstein had high praise for the Tigers, declaring the season as one of the most successful the school has ever had.

The GCDS Boys Varsity tennis team was among one of the most victorious Tiger programs this spring, capturing the Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) Tournament team championship (the first in program history), regular season tournament championship, and NEPSAC championship. With a 15-0 regular season record, head coach Steve Feder credited the consistent winning to his players’ attitudes, saying, “I am so proud of our team for their commitment to each other. Tennis is usually an individual sport but our players are completely invested in our team’s success.”

Undefeated seasons for the GCDS spring sports programs do not stop there. Joining the Boys Varsity Tennis team with perfect regular seasons are the Boys Varsity Golf team (11-0) and the Boys Varsity Lacrosse team (16-0). The latter ended the season with a FAA regular season championship, the second in the last three years for the Boys Varsity Lacrosse program. The team benefited from strong veteran leadership throughout the season. “Our senior class in particular deserves a lot of credit – they are flat out winners both on and off the field,” said head coach Andrew Copelan.

In addition to the boys varsity team, the GCDS Girls Varsity Lacrosse team capped off an impressive season, qualifying for the FAA semifinal. Senior Ella Wilner made history this season becoming the first player to score a 200th career goal in GCDS Girls Lacrosse history.

Although not all programs were fortunate enough to go undefeated in the FAA, athletes from all respective teams still turned out some impressive performances this spring. Junior Grace Gapen, a member of GCDS’s track and field team won first place at the NEPSAC Track and Field championships, winning both shot put and discus.

Yet the individual accolades for the Tigers do not stop there. After every athletic season, GCDS distributes their “Pride Award” for each sport, one that goes to a student-athlete who has overcome adversity, shown true dedication, and growth throughout the season. For Varsity Baseball, Bryce Hill and Mason Zuniga received the award. For Varsity Softball, Gabby Zarro was the recipient. For Boys Varsity Tennis, Julian Toub received the award. For Girls Varsity Tennis, Brynn Forlizzi and Jane Loverro were the recipients. For Boys Varsity Golf, Brennan Cunnion received the award. For Girls Varsity Golf, Charlotte Datwent was the recipient. For Boys Varsity Lacrosse, Parkin Overbay received the award. For Girls Varsity Lacrosse, Chloe Morris was the recipient. For Varsity Rowing, Cate Auerswald and Sof ia Orr received the award. For Varsity Sailing, Harrison Thompson was the recipient. For Varsity Track and Field, Romell Sarsoza and Annetta Solari received the award. For Girls Water Polo, Fiorella Deus was the recipient

As important as performance is for athletes during games, their behavior after the final whistle is something that GCDS does not take lightly. That’s why, similar to the Pride Award, one student-athlete from every team is selected as the recipient of the “Coaches Award,” which goes to an athlete who demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship throughout the season.

This year, the Tigers truly showed their sportsmanship stripes. In fact, some teams had more than one recipient, such as MD Mutescu and Katherine Salce of the Varsity Rowing team, Liam Kennon, Mia Secko-Thompson, and Charlie Maloney of the Varsity Track and Field team, William Bugbee, Steve Carre, and Griffyn Flood of the Boys Varsity Lacrosse team, Bianca Amen and Ella Wilner of the Girls Varsity Lacrosse team, and Kathryn Byxbee, Talia SandhuZach Cole, Nico Della Pietra, and Austin Nelson of the Girls Water Polo team. Landon Ristau of the Varsity Baseball team received the award, as well as Peter Manuel of the Boys Varsity Golf team, Alex Darwent of the Girls Varsity Golf team, Grant Zucconi of the Varsity Sailing team, Sophia Schwartz of the Varsity Softball team, Felipe Miguens of the Boys Varsity Tennis team, and Abby Greenlatt of the Girls Varsity Tennis team.

Because of so many notable individual seasons this year, GCDS will be graduating 20 senior student-athletes who have committed to play their respective sports at the college level, ranging from NCAA Division I to Division III.

Ben Bilden will be playing soccer at Dartmouth; MD Mutescu will be rowing at Northeastern; Austin Nelson will be playing water polo at George Washington; Eli Rosen will be running track and field at Emory; Ella Larken will be rowing at Villanova; Brianna McDermott will be playing basketball at Holy Cross; Owen Chickering will be sailing at Northeastern; Dylan Kellan will be playing lacrosse at Notre Dame; Wyatt Lupo will be playing golf at Hamilton; Mia Rodgers will be playing golf at Wesleyan; Emily Behr will be swimming at Trinity; Bobby Jones will be playing lacrosse at MIT; Griffyn Flood will be playing lacrosse at Wesleyan; Danielle Braver will be playing soccer at William Smith; Brennan Cunnion will be playing football at Dennison; Luca Corsano Leopizzi will be playing football at Johns Hopkins; Stephen Carre will be playing lacrosse at Sacred Heart; Jackson Anderson will be rowing at Princeton; Elle Price will be playing hockey at Albertus Magnus; Ella Wilner will be playing lacrosse at Clemson. These former Tigers are sure to keep dominating, regardless of the color of their uniforms.

The spring 2025 athletic season resulted in a plethora of medals, trophies, and memories for GCDS student-athletes. Helstein expressed his content with this year’s athletes, saying “It was a pleasure to watch you practice and compete with pride and purpose. It is without question that I can say, ‘You have earned your stripes!’ Go Tigers!”

Seventeen Edmonds-Woodway student athletes who will be competing at the collegiate level signed their national letters of intent during a ceremony at the high school Thursday afternoon. Teammates, family members and coaches were in attendance to watch as the athletes committed to continuing their athletic careers in college.

The athletes are:

Abby McCorvey – Edmonds College – Softball

Catie Ingalls – Nebraska Wesleyan University – Softball

Kate Baldock – Emerson College – Soccer

Gabbie Martin-Mazzeo – Pomona-Pitzer College – Soccer

Isak Haverlock – Olympic College – Baseball

Josh Akiyama – Shoreline Community College – Baseball

Noah Ushikubo – Northwest University – Track and Field

Nick Manz – Northwest Nazarene University – Track and Field

Luke Adams – Carroll University – Cross Country/Track and Field

Soloman September – Illinois College – Football

Rienna Mostrales – Everett Community College – Volleyball

Adison Oliver – Montana State University – Dance

Madison Morales-Tomas – University of Washington – Dance

Sumire Talik-Martinez – Delaware State University – Equestrian

Simone Bennett – Grinnell College – Swim

Boden Chapek – University of Washington – Rowing

Cameron Hiatt – Dartmouth College – Basketball

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — UTEP’s Marissa Simpson and Loubna Benhadja are about a week away from the most important track and field meet of the 2025 season.

Last weekend, after great performances at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field West First Round, Simpson and Benhadja punched their ticket to the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

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Before the pair of Miners head to Eugene, Oregon, UTEP made sure to celebrate their achievements with a small sendoff surprise party at Kidd Field.

Simpson is going to her third consecutive outdoor championships, and fifth overall, including her two indoor trips in 2024 and 2025. Benhadja is making her second trip overall, but first in the 400 hurdles. Benhadja competed at the 2024 championships in the 4×400-meter relay.

On Thursday, June 12, Simpson is scheduled to compete in the women’s 100-meter hurdles semifinal at 5:05 p.m. PT/6:05 MT, and Benhadja will run the 400-meter hurdles semifinal at 6:14 p.m. PT/7:14 MT.

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Every collegiate track star’s dream at the start of the 2025 outdoor track and field season is to step foot on Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, for the National Outdoor Track and Field Championships.