Sports
Launiere Announces Retirement After 36 Years Leading Utah Volleyball
The program’s all-time winningest head coach (689-439), Launiere retires as the third-longest tenured head coach in the history of Utah Athletics behind only Greg Marsden, who led Utah’s gymnastics program for 40 years (1976-2015), and Don Reddish, head coach of Utah’s men’s swimming program for 37 years. Launiere also is the second-winningest head coach in department history behind Marsden (1,048-208-8).
“After 36 years as the head Volleyball coach at the University of Utah, I have made the difficult decision to announce my retirement,” Launiere said. “While it is not easy to walk away from a lifetime’s work, I am ready and excited to begin the next chapter of my life. Thank you to the hundreds of players whom I have had the privilege to coach, and the many assistant coaches, support staff and administrators who were my daily collaborators to build this program into what it is today. I will miss the daily interactions, but I know our relationships will last a lifetime. It has been an honor to represent one of the greatest universities in the country. I will forever love Utah and will always be a Ute!”
Launiere built Utah Volleyball from the ground up, beginning in 1990, as she turned Utah into a perennial top25 program. Under her watch, the Utes were ranked in the AVCA Coaches Top 25 poll 183 weeks, including twice achieving a program-record 45 consecutive weeks ranked, from 2000-2002 and again from 2019-2022.
“It is nearly impossible to put into words the impact Beth Launiere has made at the University of Utah,” said Utah Athletics Director Mark Harlan. “Her legacy as one of the greatest coaches in the history of Utah Athletics is well-established, and the number of student-athletes, coaches and staff she has influenced in such a positive way stands at the top of her lengthy list of accomplishments. The standard of excellence and winning culture that Beth has created and sustained here for nearly four decades cements her place in Utah Athletics history. She will be greatly missed, but her established standard and culture will carry forward. Please join me in saluting Beth Launiere on her incredible career.”
Launiere led Utah to 20 NCAA Tournament appearances, including back-to-back in her final two seasons.
The 2025 Utes showed grit and determination going 4-1 in their last five matches of the regular season to punch their ticket to dance, including two top25 wins over No. 23 BYU and No. 13 Kansas. In 2024, Utah earned a No. 4 seed and hosted the first and second rounds at the Jon M. Huntsman Center to cap a season in which it ranked No. 23 in the final AVCA poll.
The Utes made four Sweet 16 appearances under Launiere, in 2001, 2008, 2017 and 2019.
With Launiere leading the way, Utah earned six conference championships (2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2008, all in the Mountain West), and notched 20 of the 25 20-win seasons in program history—including a record 28 wins in 2006.
Under Launiere’s watch, 16 athletes earned 24 All-America honors including Kim Turner who was the first Utah Volleyball player to receive the honor in 2003 and is the only Utah Volleyball player with a jersey retired in the Huntsman Center rafters. Turner is joined by Dani Drews who was recognized all four years she suited up for the Utes (2018-21) and is the most decorated Utah Volleyball player in program history, and most recently Kamryn Gibadlo who earned the recognition during 2024’s NCAA Tournament run.
Launiere’s coaching tree is equally impressive, having identified some of the best and brightest up-and-coming talent in the collegiate volleyball world. Most notably, Arizona State’s JJ Van Niel and BYU’s Heather Olmstead served as assistant coaches on Launiere’s staffs over the years.
Van Niel has recently shot up the coaching ranks, being named the Big 12 Coach of the Year two seasons in a row (2024 and 2025) and the AVCA’s Pacific Region Coach of the Year (2024) while leading the Sun Devils to a record of 84-13 since taking over the program in 2022. Van Niel spent three seasons in Salt Lake City with Launiere from 2015-17, two as an assistant head coach and one as associate head coach.
Olmstead has made her own noise with the Cougars, leading BYU to a 279-55 record in 10 seasons at the helm, earning the 2018 AVCA National Coach of the Year, and holding the highest active winning percentage of any NCAA Division I women’s volleyball coach (min. three seasons) at .848.
Launiere leaves the Utes as a four-time AVCA West Region Coach of the Year (2001, 2006, 2008, 2019), a three-time Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year (2004, 2006, 2008), a Pac-12 Coach of the Year (2019) and a five-time Don Reddish Award winner (1998, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005).
FOLLOW THE UTES
For an inside look at the Utah Volleyball program, including tournament, roster and news updates, fans can follow the Utes on social media (Twitter: @UtahVolleyball | Instagram: @utahvolleyball).
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL MOBILE APP OF THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH TODAY – UTAH 360
MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Indoor season got underway over the weekend as Benedictine Track & Field competed in the annual Mel Tjeerdsma Classic hosted by Northwest Missouri State University.
The meet hosted 18 programs, including fellow Heart schools Baker, MNU and Park.
Women’s Results:
Ayn Olsen, fifth place, 300 meters
Aileen Ambuul, seventh place, 300 meters
Maria Connealy, sixth place, high jump
Haley Protz, sixth place, pole vault
Evelyn Brandt, eighth place, pole vault
Madison Helton, fifth place, long jump; fifth place, triple jump
Elizabeth Geist, eighth place, shot put
Mary Logan, sixth place, weight throw
Men’s Results:
Will Bensen, eighth place, 400 meters
John Philip Butler, eighth place, 600 yards
4×400 meter relay (Will Benson, John Philip Butler, Owen Dulac, Cole McGrath), eighth place
Kevin Taylor, third place, pole vault
Christopher Coyne, fourth place, pole vault
The indoor season continues on Dec. 12 with a trip to Seward, Neb., for the Bulldog Early Bird hosted by Concorida University.
www.ravenathletics.com | #UnleashGreatness | www.benedictine.edu
“Overall, I thought both teams finished the season on a high note. I was really impressed with several of our individual runners and their performances. Our seniors stepped up with some good races. Also, we’re fairly young on both sides with multiple first-years scoring for us. We look forward to taking this positive momentum into the indoor track & field season. Go Big Green!” Mike Nelson, the Marjorie & Herbert Chase ’30 Director of Dartmouth Track & Field and Cross Country, said.
Colton McMaster highlighted the men’s throwing events by taking first place in the shot put (17.26m) and weight throw (19.11m). Zaneta Pivcova stood out in women’s throws, placing third in the shot put with her 14.67m mark and putting herself at third all-time in the program’s top ten list.
In the women’s jumps, Maya Pacarro placed second in the triple jump with her 11.45m mark, while Charlotte DiRocco similarly placed second in the high jump, clearing 1.63m. The men also found success in their jumping events, with all three pole vaulters earning top spots in the event. David Adams cleared 5.00m for first place, followed by Jack Tan clearing 4.60m and earning second place in his collegiate debut and rounded out by Sam Starrs in third place with his 4.60m finish.
In the running events, Winston Morgan placed second overall in the 200m, putting himself at third all-time with a 21.73 finish. Richard Rozkydalek began his collegiate career by placing second in the 600m with a 1:21.09 finish. Keion Grieve and Michael Bueker followed behind, placing second and third, respectively. For the women, Imogen Brown placed sixth in the 600m and put herself at fifth all-time with a final mark of 1:39.01.
Rebeka Zibritova opened her collegiate career by putting herself at sixth all-time in the 60mH with a final time of 8.88.
ALL-TIME TOP TEN LIST
60m Hurdles
1. 8.20 – Cha’Mia Rothwell – 2018
2. 8.45 – Mariella Schweitzer – 2025
3. 8.74 – Allison Frantz – 2015
8.74 – Abby Feeney – 2016
4. 8.76 – Daniela Ruelas Lomeli – 2025
5. 8.79 – Janae Dunchack – 2012
6. 8.88 – Lauren Ready – 2015
8.88 – Anoush Krafian – 2022
8.88 – Rebeka Zibritova – 2025
7. 8.92 – Danielle Johnson – 2025
8. 8.99 – Danielle Okonta – 2017
8.99 – Alexandra Tanner – 2011
8.99 – Priscilla Trojano – 2012
Women’s Shot Put
1. 14.99m – Amy Winchester
2. 14.76m – Julia Reglewski
3. 14.67m – Zaneta Pivcova – 2025
4. 14.59m – Lily Lockhart
5. 14.56m – Autumn Clark – 2024
6. 14.52m – Allison Cardlin
7. 14.47m – Emmaline Berg
8. 14.42m – Sarah Beasley
9. 14.14m – Jamila Smith
10. 14.11m – Meagan Verdeyen
Women’s 600m
1. 1:35.98 – Annie Jackson – 2023
2. 1:37.00 – Arianna Gragg – 2019
3. 1:37.72 – Julia Pye – 2023
4. 1:38.78 – Andie Murray – 2022
5. 1:39.01 – Imogen Brown – 2025
6. 1:41.74 – Sarah Adams – 2019
7. 1:44.00 – Sara Fragione – 2022
8.
9.
10.
Men’s 200m
1. 21.48 – Myles Epstein – 2022
2. 21.62 – Bryce Thomas – 2025
3. 21.73 – Winston Morgan – 2025
4. 21.76 – Donovan Spearman – 2019
5. 21.86 – Muhammed Adbul-Shakoor – 2010
6. 22.03 – Jalil Bishop – 2011
7. 22.04 – Painter Richards-Baker – 2025
22.04 – Nils Wilderberg – 2022
22.04 – Mathiur Farber – 2019
22.04 – Lloyd May – 2017
8. 22.07 – Adam Couirr – 2017
9. 22.12 – Connor Reilly – 2010
Men’s 600m
1. 1:18.43 – J’Voughn Blake – 2023
2. 1:18.65 – Adrien Jacobs – 2024
3. 1:19.90 – DJ Matusz – 2022
4. 1:20.45 – Mason Childers – 2022
5. 1:21.09 – Richard Rozkydalek -2025
6. 1:22.67 – Max Frye – 2019
7. 1:23.06 – Aidan Robinson – 2021
8. 1:23.10 – Keion Grieve – 2025
9. 1:23.66 – Michael Bueker – 2025
Sports
Ferris State provides early commencement celebration for two volleyball team members headed to NCAA DII Elite Eight
December 8, 2025
Tia Brandel-Wilhelm, and President Bill Pink
BIG RAPIDS, Mich. —
Two members of the Ferris State University volleyball team has one important thing
to take care of before heading to South Dakota for the NCAA Division II National Tournament:
graduate.
Ferris State President Bill Pink and Provost Bobby Fleischman conducted a special
ceremony for outside hitter Emma Bleecher and Ivy Wilhelm, a student worker with the
team, complete with academic regalia. The team members won’t be back from the tournament
in time to participate in Friday’s ceremony with their classmates.
“We do this because we like to celebrate our Bulldogs,” Pink said. “We like to celebrate
our graduates, and when you’re not able to join us for all the good reasons. When
your success is so prominent in our university, these things happen. But that’s why
our university is built to adjust so that we’re able to help our students.”
The volleyball team earned its way to the NCAA DII Elite Eight for the second year
in a row. Pink said he didn’t want the students’ athletic success to prohibit them
from participating in a treasured academic milestone.
“We’re used to this kind of success,” Pink told the students. “It’s how we do our
business here at Ferris State. We make sure that we honor and recognize when our students
have accomplishments. Our students finish what we start. So, it’s an honor to be able
to celebrate with you this way.”
Students wore their caps and gowns for the brief celebration. Bleecher, a Criminal
Justice Administration major from Champaign, Illinois said it was nice to be able
to be presented with her diploma even if she couldn’t be a part of the larger ceremony
on Friday morning.
“I think it’s amazing,” she said. “I think it’s just like a blessing to be here, and
it’s just cool to be able to do both.”
Wilhelm, who works with the team’s social media, earned a bachelor’s degree in Marketing.
“In moments like this, when I know it’s my community and they’re going to show up
for me, I know 100% I was right to be here these four years,” she said.
The team captured the NCAA DII Midwest Region Championship on Saturday and has been
selected as the No. 8 seed Elite Eight rounded to be held Dec. 11 to 13, in Sioux
Falls, South Dakota.
The Bulldogs will square off against top-seeded and unbeaten University of Tampa in
the national quarterfinals on Thursday, Dec. 11 with first serve set for 8 p.m. at
the Sanford Pentagon.
The Bulldogs will be making their second consecutive NCAA Division II Elite Eight
appearance after making their first since 2013 a year ago.
Saturday’s victory marked the fifth time Ferris State claimed a regional championship
as the Bulldogs previously won crowns back in 1987 and 1989 along with 2013 and 2024.
Ferris State, which is guided by 30th-year head coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm, is 27-7
this year heading into the D2 Elite Eight. The Bulldogs finished the regular season
as the GLIAC Champions and earned runner-up honors in the GLIAC Tournament as the
host institution.
GRAPEVINE, Tex. —
Allie Wildsmith (Bainbridge Island, Wash.) of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy track & field team has been named the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Women’s NCAA Division III National Athlete of the Week in recognition of her performance this past weekend at Boston University’s Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener.
The reigning indoor and outdoor high jump National Champion wasted started her first title defense of the season by needing just two jumps to win the event. Wildsmith passed up on the first five bars before clearing her first attempt of the day at 1.63 meters (5′ 4.25″). The senior needed just one jump again to get over the next height of 1.68m (5′ 6″), which the remaining three of her original five competitors bowed out on.
As the last jumper left, Wildsmith secured easy one-try clearances on the next two heights of 1.73m (5′ 8″) and 1.78m (5′ 10″) before closing out her day with tries at the NCAA DIII indoor record of 1.83m (6′ 0″). Despite knocking the bar off on all three tries, the senior’s dominance was on full display as she extended her undefeated streak to 11 event wins in a row.
Wildsmith and Bears track & field will be out of action for the next few weeks due to the holiday break, but they’ll be back and raring to go on January 17th for the self-hosted CGA Winter Invite #1 at Gregory Field House.
PELLA— Winning the mile in his first action of the indoor season, Central College men’s track and field junior Jack Brown (Norwalk) was named the American Rivers Conference Track Events Performer of the Week Monday.
Brown’s mile time clocked in at 4 minutes, 7.80 seconds at the Frigid Bee Opener hosted by St. Ambrose University on Saturday. He won the race by 4.87 seconds and currently has the top time in Division III.
Central hosts the Dutch Holiday Preview on Friday, December 12 inside the H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse.
Youth substance abuse prevention program looks to athletes to spread the word
Want To Avoid Having A Troublesome Teen? Get Boys Involved In Youth Sports, Study Says | Health and Wellness
Want To Avoid Having A Troublesome Teen? Get Boys Involved In Youth Sports, Study Says | Nation
Gopher Football’s Top NIL Deals Revealed
Indoor season opens for Track & Field at annual Mel Tjeerdsma Classic
Track and Field Opens Indoor Season with Success in Boston Area
Ferris State provides early commencement celebration for two volleyball team members headed to NCAA DII Elite Eight
Wildsmith Earns USTFCCCA National Weekly Nod
VYPE HOU 2025 Volleyball Setter of the Year Fan Poll
Philly youth football players arrested for stealing in Florida – NBC10 Philadelphia
Want To Avoid Having A Troublesome Teen? Get Boys Involved In Youth Sports, Study Says
Central’s Brown named conference men’s runner of the week
Limestone’s Mia Lamberti repeats as Volleyball Player of the Year
Greene chosen to AFCA 35 Under 35 Leadership Institute
Coggins Auto Group celebrates five years of local ownership, community commitment, and growth | Business
First Tee Winter Registration is open
Fargo girl, 13, dies after collapsing during school basketball game – Grand Forks Herald
CPG Brands Like Allegra Are Betting on F1 for the First Time
Volleyball Recaps – November 18
F1 Las Vegas: Verstappen win, Norris and Piastri DQ tighten 2025 title fight
Two Pro Volleyball Leagues Serve Up Plans for Minnesota Teams
Utah State Announces 2025-26 Indoor Track & Field Schedule
Sycamores unveil 2026 track and field schedule
Redemption Means First Pro Stock World Championship for Dallas Glenn
Texas volleyball vs Kentucky game score: Live SEC tournament updates
Bowl Projections: ESPN predicts 12-team College Football Playoff bracket, full bowl slate after Week 14
Indiana’s rapid ascent and its impact across college football
How this startup (and a KC sports icon) turned young players into card-carrying legends overnight
Pohlman admits ‘there might be some spats’ as he pushes to get Kyle Busch winning again
Robert “Bobby” Lewis Hardin, 56
Why a rising mid-major power with an NCAA Tournament team opted out of revenue-sharing — and advertised it
NBA Legend Michael Jordan to Join NBC Sports as Special Contributor
Falcons mailbag
Portal Update – Basketball and Gymnastics Take Hits
has always dreamed in Mercurial. Now his initials are on the boots.
The new Kyl…
-
Rec Sports2 weeks agoFirst Tee Winter Registration is open
-
Rec Sports2 weeks agoFargo girl, 13, dies after collapsing during school basketball game – Grand Forks Herald
-
Motorsports2 weeks agoCPG Brands Like Allegra Are Betting on F1 for the First Time
-
Sports3 weeks agoVolleyball Recaps – November 18
-
Motorsports2 weeks agoF1 Las Vegas: Verstappen win, Norris and Piastri DQ tighten 2025 title fight
-
Sports2 weeks agoTwo Pro Volleyball Leagues Serve Up Plans for Minnesota Teams
-
Sports2 weeks agoUtah State Announces 2025-26 Indoor Track & Field Schedule
-
Sports2 weeks agoSycamores unveil 2026 track and field schedule
-
Motorsports2 weeks agoRedemption Means First Pro Stock World Championship for Dallas Glenn
-
Sports2 weeks agoTexas volleyball vs Kentucky game score: Live SEC tournament updates