Sports

Affinity in athletics: Building bonds beyond competition

Published

2 months ago

November 25, 2025

Long after the cheers have faded and the scoreboard has dimmed, the benefits of UND’s principled commitment to athletics carry on, writers say

In this file photo from 2024, Hannah Watson (center), a member of Special Olympics Cheer, rehearses during a practice session with teammates and other members of UND Cheer and UND Dance. Special Olympics athletes have performed regularly with UND Cheer and Hockey Cheer at multiple UND sporting events. UND archival photo.

Editor’s note: The following letter, written by Erik Martinson, deputy athletics director/COO at UND; Julia Matthews, a UND graduate student and track and field athlete; and Dan Mikkelson, chairman of the Board of Trustees of Edgewood Real Investment Trust, introduces a special edition of UND Today devoted to the Affinity core value of the UND LEADS Strategic Plan.

As readers know, UND Today focuses on UND LEADS core values in our issue published on the last Tuesday of each month. This means that each of the stories in today’s issue centers on a UND program or activity that reflects the plan’s core value of Affinity.

To continue the monthly UND Today series, our issue on Jan. 27, 2026, will be devoted to the “Discovery” core value.

Comments or questions? Contact Tom Dennis, UND Today editor, at tom.dennis@UND.edu. Thank you for reading!

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By Erik Martinson, Julia Matthews and Dan Mikkelson

Affinity is about connection — creating a sense of belonging that unites people around shared values and experiences. Athletics embodies this principle by serving as a powerful bridge between campus and community.

That’s why, at the University of North Dakota, the “Affinity” core value of the UND LEADS Strategic Plan includes this commitment: “Strengthen athletic excellence at UND by supporting our student athletes and enhancing our athletic facilities.”

When we talk about athletic excellence, we’re not only referring to wins and championships. We’re talking about the relationships forged through sport, the commitment to making the very best use of our facilities and the pride that resonates across our city, state and region.

Supporting our student-athletes and enhancing facilities are critical steps toward strengthening this bond. An investment in Athletics signals our commitment to success both on and off the field, court and ice. These efforts cultivate an environment where students thrive, alumni feel connected, and fans rally together under the Green and White.

Athletics also serves as a community asset. Game days bring thousands together, creating traditions that span generations. Facility rentals, track meets, youth games, clinics and partnerships with local organizations extend this impact beyond campus, inspiring future leaders and fostering a culture of togetherness.

Here’s what we mean.

Erik Martinson and Julia Matthews stand with the Nodak Insurance Company Sports Performance Center's weight room in the background. — Erik Martinson, UND’s Deputy Director of Athletics/COO, and Julia Matthews, a UND graduate student and track and field athlete, stand in the weight room of UND’s Nodak Insurance Company Sports Performance Center, the largest weight room in the Dakotas. Martinson and Matthews are two of the authors of today’s UND LEADS “Affinity” Issue introductory letter. Photo by Tom Dennis/UND Today.

‘Nothing short of amazing’

One of us, Julia Matthews, is an honors graduate from UND who’s now a UND graduate student in Forensic Science. “In addition, I also compete as a student-athlete on the women’s track and field team in shot put, hammer and weight throw,” Julia says.

“My time at UND has been nothing short of amazing. The professors, coaches, support staff and my teammates have truly made this place feel like home.

“Over the past four years, I’ve been fortunate enough to see how much time, energy and care the University and alumni invest into athletics. Even small improvements, like no longer having to walk under the Columbia bridge to reach sports medicine, have made a huge difference in our daily lives.

“The addition of the Nodak Insurance Company Sports Performance Center has been truly life changing,” Julia continues. “Its state-of-the-art design not only improves our training but also centralizes everything we need before, during and after practice.

“In a place where winters can be brutally cold, having one accessible, indoor home base has been amazing. Before this facility, walking to the Hyslop Sports Center to lift meant completely cooling down after practice and then having to re-warm up before lifting due to the cold.

“Academically, having our support staff in a single, easily accessible location has been invaluable,” says Julia. “As student-athletes, time management is everything, and these facilities allow us to better balance academics, training and recovery. They’ve also created a stronger sense of community, bringing all student-athletes together in a shared space where we can connect and support one another.

“My experience has been a testament to how UND continues to strengthen athletic excellence by supporting student-athletes and enhancing the facilities that make our success possible,” she concludes.

Dan, Tommy and Jolene Mikkelson hold the UND Letterwinners Association Honorary Award, which they were awarded in September. — In September, at the 50th annual UND Athletics Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony, Dan, Tommy and Jolene Mikkelson were presented with the UND Letterwinners Association Honorary Award (shown here).
On its website, North Dakota Athletics describes the award as follows: “The Mikkelson family’s impact can be felt across all of UND athletics, spreading their generous gifts across all areas. Dan, Jolene and Tommy will be the second generation of honorary letterwinners in the family joining Dan’s father Fritz Mikkelson.
“Dan and Jolene, both graduates of UND, have made a gift to UND athletics every year since 1991, spreading their treasure across multiple programs for scholarships and endowments.
“Their son, Tommy, can often be found in the stands encouraging the crowd to get loud or showing off his stellar dance moves at all UND sporting events. He is an athlete with North Dakota Special Olympics, where he is able to have frequent interactions with UND student-athletes.” Photo courtesy of UND Athletics.

Character on and off the field

Another of us, Dan Mikkelson, is a Class of 1990 alum who can testify to how the ripple effects of athletic excellence – and the character development it can foster – extend beyond campus to improve Grand Forks and North Dakota’s quality of life.

“I am a lifelong resident of Grand Forks,” says Dan. “I have been involved with our family’s real estate and property management business in Grand Forks and have continued in its endeavors. Currently I serve as chairman of the Board of Edgewood Real Estate Investment Trust, which has real estate holdings in 14 states.

“My father, the late Francis (Fritz) Mikkelson, instilled in me that building a good business in Grand Forks requires a obligation to support UND because it benefits both the University and the community as well. Athletics in particular serves as the face of the university by bringing people together and enhancing community spirit.

“Over the years, I have had the pleasure of working with and subsequently employing several student athletes. I always found them to be hard working, of good character and great to work with.

“My wife Jolene, ’98, and son Tommy and I have enjoyed and admired the way student athletes and coaching staff go above and beyond to help support many community organizations,” Dan continues.

“Specifically, we’re thinking about Special Olympics, in which our son competes. Tommy has been involved with Special Olympics for about 20 years, and has benefitted from the support and involvement of the UND student athletes and coaches. Their involvement truly enriches the lives of all the special-needs athletes and volunteers.

“It’s a pleasure for us to support the students in their academic pursuits and success,” Dan concludes. “Moreover, we enjoy watching and supporting UND’s student athletes, who are to dedicated to their sport as well as studies, and yet take part in very meaningful community activities.

“All in all, it’s rewarding for us to see student athletes thrive and contribute to help UND flourish, as well as becoming successful assets to their communities after graduation.”

UND LEADS

In experiences such as those described above, affinity becomes tangible. It’s the shared cheer in the stands, the handshake after a hard-fought game, the warmth of an indoor facility, the availability of an open field and the sense of pride that binds UND to Grand Forks and beyond.

By championing athletic excellence, UND strengthens affinity — not just within our university, but across the entire community we serve.

About the authors:

Erik Martinson serves as deputy athletics director/COO at the University of North Dakota. Julia Matthews is a UND graduate student and track and field athlete, and Dan Mikkelson is chairman of the Board of Trustees of Edgewood Real Investment Trust.

All three writers are graduates of UND.

>> Questions or comments about the UND LEADS Strategic Plan? Your thoughts are welcome! Please contact Ryan Zerr, associate vice president for Strategy & Implementation, or Anna Marie Kinney, coordinator of the University Writing Program, the co-chairs of the UND LEADS Implementation Committee. You also may offer your thoughts by visiting the UND LEADS Strategic Plan home page and clicking on the “Provide your feedback” link.

Thank you for your support of the UND LEADS Strategic Plan!

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Sports

Volleyball adds five transfers to 2026 roster

Published

2 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Your Sports Nation

TEMPE – After graduating six in 2025, the 2026 Sun Devil Volleyball roster has reloaded by signing five transfers, including two pin hitters, two middle blockers and a setter.

The pin hitters joining the team are Aniya Clinton (graduate from Kansas State) and Una Vajagic (junior from Wisconsin). The middle blockers are Aurora Papac (sophomore from Kansas) and Tosia Serafinowska (redshirt sophomore from Wisconsin). Lastly, the newest setter on the team is Isabella Costantini (senior from UTRGV). All five will join the team for the spring semester.

“We feel like we were able to address all of our needs with these roster additions, creating more depth than we’ve ever had,” said head coach JJ Van Niel. “Throughout the recruiting process, it became apparent that each of them will truly be committed to the Sun Devil Volleyball way, and for that, we are grateful and excited. When you couple exceptional athleticism and skill with passion, great things can happen, and we feel these five will continue to help us achieve our lofty program goals!”

There are also four incoming freshmen that will join the roster who all signed in November. Paige Lehman and Elle Mottola joining this month and Ella Hope and Grace Martin joining in the summer.

Aniya Clinton
Graduate | 6-2 | Outside Hitter | Midland, Texas | Kansas State

Spent four seasons at Kansas State, redshirting her freshman year. In 2025, she helped them get to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Played in all but two matches in 2025 and was second on the team in kills with 351. She had 18 matches with double-digit kills, including three with 20 or more, and notched nine double-doubles this season also.
Her career high in kills is 25, which she has reached three times (twice in 2025, once in 2024).
In 2024, she played in 23 of 27 matches, collecting double-digit kills eight times, ending the season with a streak of five matches in a row.
Named to the All-Big 12 Rookie Team in 2023. That season, she had 13 matches where she reached double figures in kills.
Before college, she played club for Texas Advantage and attended Midland High School in Midland, Texas
A four-year starter for Midland, she earned the 2020 District 2-6A Outstanding Hitter Award in addition to her selection to the 2020 Texas 6A Girls Coaches Association’s All-State Team
In her senior season, she helped Midland reach the Texas 6A bi-district playoffs with a 19-17 record. She led the Lady Bulldogs with 396 kills in 2021 while ranking second on her team with 274 digs.
Played club volleyball under head coach and 1984 Chinese Olympian Ping Cao, finishing third in the national tournament in 2021.
Her parents are Calonski and Kaelie, and she has one older sister Camryn.
Her dad played basketball at Southwestern Oklahoma State, and her mom played basketball at Tarleton State.

Isabella Costantini
Senior | 5-10 | Setter | Curitiba, Brazil | UTRGV

Played for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley for the last two seasons (2024-25). In 2023, she played for Tyler Junior College.
Two-time Southland Conference Setter of the Year and First Team All-Conference (2025 and 2024).
Her career high in assists is 66, which she earned in 2024. She has 25 matches in her DI career with 40 or more assists and 13 with 50 or more, including three matches of 60 or more. She also has 23 double-doubles in her DI career.
Helped the Vaqueros win the 2025 Southland Conference Championship. She was named to the SLC Volleyball All-Tournament Team. She had three SLC Setter of the Week honors this season. She had 10 double-doubles, 10 matches with 40-plus assists and five with 50-plus assists in 2025.
2024 Newcomer of the Year. Was also the SLC Setter of the Week five times this season. She set the single-season program record for assists per set with 11.34. She had 13 double-doubles and 15 matches with 40 or more assists. In eight matches, she had 50 or more assists, two of which were 60 or more, with her career high of 66 coming this season.
At Tyler Junior College in 2023, she had 72 aces, which was T-10th most in NJCAA Div. I. She was named to the All-Region XIV Second Team.
Named to the 2025 CSC Academic All-District Team.

Aurora Papac
Sophomore | 6-4 | Middle Blocker | Požega, Croatia | Kansas

In her freshman season at Kansas in 2025, she played in 78 out of 131 sets and made an impact. She was third on the team in blocks with 107.
Her career high in blocks was 11 against South Florida in 2-25.
Prior to college, she was experienced on the international circuit, having competed for Croatia in the U19 World Championships in 2023, European Championships in 2019, 2022 and 2024 and the U20 MEVZA Qualification in 2024.
Chosen as the best middle blocker at MEVZA and at the U19 World Championships in 2023.
Attended Sport Gymnasium Zagreb.
Her parents are Ivan and Martina Papac and she has two younger brothers, Vito and Donat.

Tosia Serafinowska
Redshirt Sophomore | 6-4 | Middle Blocker | Kiekrz, Poland | Wisconsin

Spent her first two seasons at Wisconsin and is a member of the Polish National Team.
In 2025, she appeared in five matches, making her collegiate debut against Chicago State.
She did not play in 2024.
Prior to college, she played for GKS Wiezyca 2011 Stezyca.
She is a three-time gold medal winner in the U17, U18 and U19 Polish Championships. She is a three-time tournament MVP and three-time Best Middle Blocker award winner.
Earned a silver medal at the 2021 U16 EEVZA and 2021 EEVZA U17.
Awarded leader in blocker ranking in all phases and the best middle blocker statistics at 2021 CEV U16.
Full name is Antonina.
Her parents are Monika and Tomasz and she has two siblings Zofia and Wojciech. Her sister plays volleyball at Campbellsville University in Kentucky. Her father played basketball for the First Division of Poland men’s basketball team

Una Vajagic
Junior | 6-0 | Outside Hitter | Novi Sad, Serbia | Wisconsin

Spent her first two seasons at Wisconsin and has been with the Serbian National Team since 2020.
She started all matches in 2025 at outside hitter, helping her team reach the national semifinals, and ended the season with 10 double-doubles. She was second on the team in total kills with 307 and in digs with 275. She had 18 matches with double-digit kills, including the last seven in a row
Did not play in 2024 due to injury.
Prior to college, she played with Jedinstvo Stara Pazova, one of the top-tier professional volleyball programs in Serbia.
Helped Serbia take first place at the World School Volleyball Championship in Brazil.
Helped her U19 team to victory in The Serbian Cup, Serbian SuperCup and the Serbian Superleague during the 2023-24 season. She was voted MVP in both the Serbian Cup and Serbian SuperCup.
At the 2023 FIVB Volleyball Women’s U21 World Championship, Vajagic earned best scorer and attacker with 16.0 kills and 17.12 points per match.
She is a three-time Balkan Championships Gold Medal winner and in 2023 was named Best Outside Hitter.
Earned a Silver and Bronze medal at the 2022 and 2020 European Championships.
Her parents are Milana and Borislav Vajagic and she has one sister Nadja.

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Sports

Saint Francis Men’s Volleyball Falls To BYU During Night One

Published

2 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Men’s Volleyball | 1/9/2026 10:41:00 PM

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

>> Sam Lane led the Red Flash with six kills and a .667 kill percentage.

>> Nicholas Lynch protected the net with three blocks.

>> Saint Francis fell to BYU (25-22, 25-20, 25-18).

TURNING POINT OF THE GAME

After a media timeout, the Red Flash was down 15-8 halfway through the first set. However, BYU made back-to-back errors that gave Saint Francis an opening to go on a 7-1 run. Brady Stump collected three aces in a row to force a timeout call by the Cougars. Kyle Charles ended the run with a clean kill assisted by middle blocker Lane. Although, BYU continued to strike the ball to win all three sets.

FLASH MOMENTS

Saint Francis started the second set with a 3-1 lead. Charles assisted both Lane and Cole Dorn for a kill each. The Red Flash went on a 6-2 run to extend their lead to 13-8. BYU created four errors to increase the score gap. Nathan Zini and Lane both threw down kills that were passed up by Charles.

Lane claimed the first kill of the set thanks to an assist from Charles for the Red Flash. They quickly went on a 5-1 stretch with help from a kill by Dorn and service ace from Lane. BYU continued to make errors as they had another three alone in the run.

FLASH NUGGETS

Stump finished the late night with five kills and three aces.

Lane collected six kills, a hitting percentage of .556, and a kill percentage of .667.

Dorn registered five kills and two assisted blocks.

Lynch recorded three blocks and two kills.

Richard Kaminski had a team high five digs.

Charles tossed in 18 assists during the match.

NEXT ON TAP

The Red Flash will continue round two against the Cougars tomorrow in Utah at 9 PM.

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Sports

Washington and Lee Announces 2025 Fall Term Scholar-Athlete Awards

Published

2 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Your Sports Nation

LEXINGTON, Va. – Jan Hathorn, Washington and Lee University’s Michael F. Walsh Director of Athletics, announced that 427 student-athletes earned the W&L Scholar-Athlete Award for achieving a grade-point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher during the recently completed fall term in December.

The university’s 603 student-athletes combined for an outstanding 3.643 GPA while completing 9,813 credit hours, with 31 student-athletes studying abroad during the fall term.

In the department, 98 Generals earned a perfect 4.0 GPA for the semester. A table featuring these individuals is included below, alphabetized by sport first then last name.

To view a complete listing of the 2025 Fall Term Scholar Athlete award winners, click this link.

Last Name	First Name	Sport	Grad Year
Cimballa	John	Baseball	29
Lagges	Nick	Baseball	26
Teague	Camdyn	Baseball	28
Turner	John	Baseball	26
Brickner	Amanda	Field Hockey	26
Dreany	Charlotte	Field Hockey	28
McDonald	Julia	Field Hockey	26
Zoota	Lauren	Field Hockey	28
Bodnar	Cip	Football	29
Cigelske	Burke	Football	26
Johnson	Henry	Football	29
Shallcross	Carter	Football / Lacrosse	28
Hobson	Ari	Men’s Basketball	28
Ransom	Jackson	Men’s Basketball	28
Amare	Davis	Men’s Cross Country / Track & Field	28
Benjamin	Wyatt	Men’s Cross Country / Track & Field	27
Cooper	Robert	Men’s Cross Country / Track & Field	27
Kodenski	Jackson	Men’s Cross Country / Track & Field	27
Mehendale	Raja	Men’s Cross Country / Track & Field	28
Rush	Keaton	Men’s Cross Country / Track & Field	26
Blanton	Matt	Men’s Lacrosse	28
Bryant	Jack	Men’s Lacrosse	28
Kallen	Gray	Men’s Lacrosse	29
Lehman	Andrew	Men’s Lacrosse	26
Reiter	Gabe	Men’s Lacrosse	28
Smink	Eli	Men’s Lacrosse	29
Cordova	Aaron	Men’s Soccer	27
Furman	Miles	Men’s Soccer	28
Furman	Spencer	Men’s Soccer	27
Hall	Willy	Men’s Soccer	26
Jenkins	Matthew	Men’s Soccer	27
Joseph	Will	Men’s Soccer	26
Ordway	Christopher	Men’s Soccer	29
Peterson	Trey	Men’s Soccer	28
Gray	Aiden	Men’s Swimming	27
Murphy	Patrick	Men’s Swimming	26
Pharr	Rhodes	Men’s Swimming	26
Ramos	John	Men’s Swimming	27
Tinsley	Cooper	Men’s Swimming	28
Imorde	Henry	Men’s Tennis	29
Rao	Sanjheev	Men’s Tennis	27
Clark	Schuyler	Men’s Track & Field	26
Heinze	Luke	Men’s Track & Field	29
Jakubowski-Lewis	Danny	Men’s Track & Field	26
Capuzzi	Brooke	Riding	27
Condrell	Jade	Riding	26
Csatlos	Sophie	Riding	29
Ghostine	Sarah	Riding	29
Hammer	Kate	Riding	29
Martin	Kate	Riding	26
McClure	Henry	Riding	28
Miranda	Kaycie	Riding	29
Sinclair	Ryon	Riding	29
Debiec	Riley	Volleyball	26
Mitchener	Grace	Volleyball	27
Natwick	Caroline	Volleyball	26
Pierre-Louis	Diane	Volleyball	26
Trainor	Turi	Volleyball	27
Lawson	Katie	Women’s Basketball	26
McGuinness	Quinn	Women’s Basketball	26
Prechel	Elka	Women’s Basketball	26
Adams	Hannah	Women’s Cross Country / Track & Field	27
Brown	Reese	Women’s Cross Country / Track & Field	27
Engle	Josie	Women’s Cross Country / Track & Field	29
Harvey	Lydia	Women’s Cross Country / Track & Field	27
King	Sally	Women’s Cross Country / Track & Field	29
Nastopoulos	Lily	Women’s Cross Country / Track & Field	29
Bhatt	Toral	Women’s Golf	29
Wong	Ella	Women’s Golf	27
Taylor	Carleigh	Women’s Lacrosse	28
Andrews	Calla	Women’s Soccer	27
Bowman	Shay	Women’s Soccer	27
Espinosa	Julia	Women’s Soccer	29
Gabriel	Chrysoula	Women’s Soccer	29
Green	Mary Parrish	Women’s Soccer	29
Hecker	Ava	Women’s Soccer	26
McEnroe	Katherine	Women’s Soccer	28
Mellides	Maura	Women’s Soccer	29
Watson	Abigail	Women’s Soccer	27
Attar	Clara	Women’s Swimming	26
Brame-Goldthwaite	Sophia	Women’s Swimming	29
Bredehoeft	Celia	Women’s Swimming	28
Fenton	Frances	Women’s Swimming	29
Hackman	Dani	Women’s Swimming	26
Jellig	Maria	Women’s Swimming	26
Lathrop	Virginia	Women’s Swimming	29
McBoyle	Paige	Women’s Swimming	26
Donnelly	Sarah	Women’s Tennis	28
Kach	Jordan	Women’s Tennis	26
Long	Lauren	Women’s Tennis	26
Cholewa	Abigail	Women’s Track & Field	27
Morante	Mackenzie	Women’s Track & Field	27
Sawicki	Elizabeth	Women’s Track & Field	29
Wood	Katie	Women’s Track & Field	28
Rubin	Ben	Wrestling	28
Santowski	John	Wrestling	26
Svetanant	Tharun	Wrestling	27
Wright	Jacob	Wrestling	27

Nestled in the mountains of Virginia, Washington and Lee University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Founded in 1749, W&L is the ninth-oldest college in the United States and a top-ranked liberal arts university. With over 500 student-athletes in 24 varsity sports, the Generals have celebrated over 265 conference championships. Learn more about the Blue and White by visiting www.generalssports.com or on social media at @WLUGenerals.

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Sports

Track and Field Begins 2026 Strong at TCNJ Lions Invitational

Published

2 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Your Sports Nation

NEW YORK – Columbia track & field opened the 2026 indoor season with multiple podium finishes, personal bests, and program marks at the TCNJ Lions Invitational on Friday inside the Armory.

FIELD EVENTS

Columbia turned in a strong showing across the field events. In the women’s pole vault, Jessica Thompson led the Lions with a third-place finish after clearing a personal best mark of 3.80m and is currently at the 64th spot in the nation. Seraiah Bruno and Lucy Markow each cleared 3.50m, with Bruno recording a season best.

On the men’s side of the pole vault, Liam Wright delivered a runner-up finish with a clearance of 4.55m, while Gavin Holcombe placed fifth at 4.40m.

In the high jump, Collin Moore led Columbia with a third-place finish in the men’s competition after clearing 1.95m. On the women’s side, Norina Khanzada and Fiona McKenna each cleared 1.50m, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.

Zayna Flynn represented Columbia in the women’s shot put, placing ninth with a mark of 8.17m. In the men’s shot put, Adam Jaros finished 10th with a throw of 10.27m.

RUNNING EVENTS

Columbia delivered a strong performance on the track. In the men’s sprints, Matthew Mazero captured the 200m title with a time of 21.85, earning the 84th spot in the nation while Zach Willen followed closely in second at 21.98. The duo returned to the track in the 60m finals, where Mazero placed third with a time of 7.02, and Willen added a personal best with a 7.12 race effort.

The men’s 40 relay quartet of Evan Singleton, Caden Cutchall, Zach Willen, and Matthew Mazero sped past the competition, finishing second with a time of 3:20.79. Cutchall also impressed in the 500m, placing third in the 50 competition with a personal-best 1:04.99, while Haydn Brotschi posted a personal best time of 33.98 to finish second in the 300m.

On the women’s side, Columbia placed third in the 4×400 relay, crossing the line in 4:10.82 behind a strong effort from Kylie Castillo, Jayla Johnson, Olivia Dada, and Roya Amirhamzeh. Castillo also added a fifth-place finish in the 200m with a time of 26.16, while Olivia Sterling finished sixth in the 60m finals at 8.00.

In the middle-distance events, Roya Amirhamzeh clocked 1:21.85 in the 500m, while the Lions continued to post solid depth performances in the 300m, led by Kylie Castillo, who ran 41.23.

UP NEXT

The Lions are heading to Yale for an Ivy competition against Yale and Dartmouth on Saturday, January 17, with field events scheduled at 11 am and running events scheduled at 2:30 pm

Stay up to date on all things Columbia track & field by following the Lions on Twitter (@CULionsXCTF), Instagram (@culionsxctf) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).

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Sports

Buffs Building Towards Opener – University of Colorado Athletics

Published

3 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Your Sports Nation

BOULDER — Head coach Ann Elliott Whidden and her Colorado lacrosse team returned to the field inside the Ford Practice Facility on Thursday, officially marking the start of the 2026 season.

The Buffaloes enter their 13th season in 2026, all under the direction of Whidden, who has compiled a 130-75 record.

“It is great to be back with this team,” Whidden expressed. “This group is highly focused and motivated to get to work and we have had a great start to our spring practices. The intensity and competitiveness they bring everyday has been great to see.”

Colorado played seven fall warm-up games, including a pair against the team’s season-opening opponent, Northwestern. The Buffs also played exhibition games against Canada’s U20 National Team, Marquette, Denver, and Stanford before their annual scrimmage against CU alums.

The 2025 Buffs finished 8-8 overall and 4-1 in Big 12 play, earning the No. 2 seed in the inaugural Big 12 Tournament. Returning defender Jess Peluso scored Nike Lacrosse Media All-America honorable mention honors last season and was the Big 12’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Sophomore goaltender Elena Oh won four Big 12 Goalkeeper of the Week awards last year and was selected to the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team. She led the Big 12 and ranked 18th in the NCAA with a 9.81 goals-against average in her freshman season. Oh was also third in the conference with a .399 save% and made 5.93 saves per game (5th Big 12).

Also returning in 2026 are All-Conference selections Maddie Shoup and Lily Assini. The offensive duo finished second and third on the team in points last season, respectively. Shoup totaled career-highs in goals (30) and assists (13) for 43 total points. Assini totaled 16 goals and a career-high 23 assists for a career-best 39 points.

Colorado scored 178 total goals in 2025 and returns 57% of its scoring from a year ago.

“We are so excited for the spring and the challenges we have on our schedule,” Whidden added. “We are looking forward to taking the next few weeks to lock in on ourselves and just focus on getting better everyday so we are prepared for those opportunities. This is a great group and I’m just really looking forwarding to seeing what we can do this season!”

Nine true freshmen will look to compete for some key roles this spring. Whidden added newcomers Rowan Edson, Georgia Rios and Sophia Yeskulsky to the attack, Charlotte Yeskulsky, Alison Stevens, Julia Etu and Parker Lemm to the middles and Hailie Abrams and Ryann McLeod to the defensive corps. Jillian Kane joins the goalie depth chart, having played her first two seasons at Colby College.

The season gets underway with a trip to Evanston, Ill., to play national runner-up Northwestern on Feb. 9. The Buffs’ first home game is set for Feb. 15 against Cornell.

For more information on Colorado Lacrosse, please visit cubuffs.com/wlax. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffswlax on Instagram, X, TikTok, and Facebook.

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Sports

Jenkins Adds Marinkovic to 2026 Transfer Class

Published

3 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Your Sports Nation

CHARLOTTE – Charlotte Volleyball Head Coach Benavia Jenkins has announced the signing of NC State transfer outside hitter Sara Marinkovic.

A native of Belgrade, Serbia, Marinkovic joins the 49ers from NC State where she spent her freshman season, appearing in one match and tallying one kill. Before college, she attended Gimnazija “Branko Radičević” Stara Pazova where she earned first team All-Region honors. Academically, she earned a diploma for excellent achievement. The outside hitter finished first in all pioneer, cadet and junior competitions while playing club.

“I really loved the energy I felt watching the games,” said Marinkovic. “I’ve heard great things about how kind and supportive the coaches, staff, and players are, and how hard everyone works. It also means a lot to me to have my former teammate, Jovana, going through this process with me.”

During the 2020-21 club season, she placed third in the Serbian Prva Liga with OK Omladinac and went on to finish first the following year. At the 2024-25 Servia SuperCup, she placed second with Jedinstvo Stara Pazova.

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