Sports

Students “excel” at Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge Regional Competition

On Sunday, April 6, the Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge (MECC) Regional Competition was hosted at the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Organized by MECC fellow, Senior Lecturer at Isenberg and ‘Excel Ninja,’ Nora Junaid, this competition is the first ever regional competition and UMass was chosen as the first host. […]

Published

4 weeks ago

April 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Students “excel” at Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge Regional Competition

Around 150 students participated in this year’s competition, with several UMass students in attendance. Critical thinking skills were put to the test as students were given visual, speed, formatting and data challenges, all to be completed in a short amount of time.

Ted de Peyster, Christian Claiborne and Darius Lupo, co-founders and executive board members of the UMass Excel Club, ran support for this event. The club was tasked with running training sessions, marketing and promotion for the competition. Founded in mid-February, the club aims to broaden and better Excel skills across campus.

“54 percent of businesses globally use Excel,” de Peyster said. “We want to increase proficiency across UMass and creative thinking ability in preparation for future jobs.”

According to Claiborne, UMass is ranked 13th in the global power rankings when it comes to Collegiate Excel competitions, ranking higher than other universities such as Brown University, Brigham Young University and the University of South Africa.

Featured panelists included Diarmuid Early, whose described as “The LeBron James of Excel Spreadsheets” by Investor’s Business Daily and Cristiano Galvão, a Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) and organizer of Excel Weekend, the largest Excel conference in Latin America, hosted in São Paulo.

Early currently serves as a partner at The Golden Company, a Boston-based data-driven insights company. He’s been participating in Excel competitions since 2013, winning the Financial Modeling World Cup in 2021. No matter where he goes in life, Early says he’ll always be “The Excel guy in one shape or another.”

According to Early, some Excel competition formats include calculating financial analysis on certain companies, using provided data such as profits thresholds and historical forecasts. Other formats are similar to Esports, with Early saying that the Esports model “…is more problem solving – like solving poker hands.”

For this competition, speed is the name of the game, and so long as the problem is correctly solved, just about all methods are allowed. This includes pre-written code from previous training sessions and the use of artificial intelligence such as ChatGPT. However, Early warned that ChatGPT often backfires in complex systems like Excel.

Between rounds, Grant the Finance Bro, self-proclaimed “Chief Shareholder Value Officer” and “Freak in the (spread)sheets” known as notyouraveragefinancebro online, gave a comedic presentation to the competitors. Discussion topics included the “What not to do’s” of business, such as texting your boss at 11:11 for good luck or talking about Excel during a first date.

Grant also discussed the importance of nepotism in the world of finances. “If your parents can’t get you a job, tell them to work harder,” joked Grant. “If that doesn’t work, get new parents.”

According to Grant, his career in content creation started out as a simple passion project. In his free time, he made jokes about accounting online, but over time, his account went viral. Now, he is a go-to man for financial humor on TikTok, Instagram and LinkedIn, also speaking at Excel competitions. Grant’s brand loyalty was on full display throughout the event, telling the Massachusetts Daily Collegian that “If UMass is Excel, take UConn and make it worse – that’s Google Sheets.”

Galvão, as a Microsoft MVP, is given the chance to travel across the world to events just like these and promote Excel. He expressed gratitude and a sincere dedication to encourage Excel proficiency through his teaching program or attendance at programs like these.

“I love coming to these events because they promote interest in Excel and give people the chance to really develop their skills in this useful program,” Galvão said.

Dwayne Safer, Finance Professor at Messiah University in Central Pennsylvania, traveled over five hours to participate in today’s competition with his team. This is their first time at UMass and first time participating in a regional competition.

“We’re thankful to be here,” Safer said. “UMass has been very welcoming!”

Safer prepares in class, taking a few weeks to introduce and coach his students. His squad, which began two years ago, has already seen success at Excel competitions, with one student attending last year’s championship in Las Vegas and four more attending this year.

Dan Hannon, a senior operations and information management major at UMass and Teaching Assistant in Prof. Junaid’s Intro to Business Systems class, participated in his first Excel competition. He has been using Excel throughout his college career and has earned an ‘Excel Ambassador’ designation from Microsoft.

Hannon’s preparation included completing the practice challenges designed by Prof. Junaid, learning the various shortcuts in Excel and even creating some of his own challenges for UMass’ Excel Club. “As an e-sport, there is always a need to prepare strategy and think on your feet, ” Hannon explained. “In an event like this, you have to be ready to always be at the go.”

Nathan Legare can be reached at [email protected] and followed on X (formerly Twitter @Legare_Nathan.

Samuel Cavalheiro can be reached at [email protected] and followed on X (formerly Twitter) @samcavalheiro1.

Up Next

What top

Don't Miss

Team Vitality and Nescafé Announce Strategic Commercial Partnership

Click to comment

Sports

Arquette, No. 7 Oregon State take series opener from Hawaii

HONOLULU — As the baseball gods willed, the local player of Oregon State present led off Friday night’s contest at Les Murakami Stadium by smacking a ball right at the local player of Oregon State past. Aiva Arquette’s leadoff effort for No. 7 OSU got through Hawaii shortstop (and former Beaver) Jordan Donahue, setting the […]

Published

5 minutes ago

May 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Aiva Arquette’s leadoff effort for No. 7 OSU got through Hawaii shortstop (and former Beaver) Jordan Donahue, setting the tone for an 11-4 Beavers runaway over the Rainbow Warriors in the opener of a four-game nonconference series.

Arquette, a 2022 Saint Louis School graduate from Kailua who played his first two collegiate seasons at Washington, appeared at ease playing the first lifetime game at the Les. In his senior season as a Crusader, the HHSAA tournament was played at Iron Maehara Stadium on Maui. His sophomore and junior prep seasons were wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I loved it, you know?” the 6-foot-5 shortstop and elite MLB Draft prospect said. “I mean, the team loves it. We enjoyed coming back to Hawaii and just competing.”

Arquette, whose younger sister Adrianna plays for the Rainbow Wahine volleyball team, had this series circled from the moment he heard about it during his official visit to Corvallis.

So, apparently, did many others for OSU (33-11). Beaver gear was prominent among patrons at the sold-out Les.

“There’s a lot,” Arquette said of his supporters. “I’m just grateful to have him on my side and just … gladly put on a show for them.”

The HHSAA Hall of Honor inductee went 2-for-5 with a walk, a double and three runs scored.

Before he chose to go to college, he was an 18^th-round pick by Arizona. A monster sophomore season at UW boosted his stock considerably.

Arquette projected as a top-five pick in the draft before this season and his 2025 campaign — .363 hitting, .481 on-base percentage, .726 slugging, 16 home runs — has done nothing to change that.

UH tried out a four-man outfield against him. That was another first.

“It shocked me,” he said.

The venue and the star treatment weren’t the only new experiences. Friday was also his first time this season batting leadoff; Arquette spent the first 43 games of the season batting second.

Oregon State shortstop Aiva Arquette, left, shadowed Hawaii’s Ben Zeigler-Namoa as Zeigler-Namoa took a lead at second base in the eighth inning Friday. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

With the help of Arquette reaching on an error to begin the game, OSU jumped out to a 6-0 lead through two innings on Itsuki Takemoto (2-5). The two-way player from Japan lasted four with nine runs charged (eight earned). Max Jones was the bright spot out of the bullpen for UH (28-15) with 2 1/3 innings of scoreless work.

Catcher Wilson Weber blew it open for the Beavers with a bases-clearing double in the fourth.

Eric Segura (7-1) got the win for the Beavers in working five innings.

UH did not record an extra-base hit. Takemoto, who remained in the game as the designated hitter once his start was done, was the only ‘Bow to register a multi-hit game.

Sebastian Gonzalez is set to take the mound for UH in Game 2 of the series at 6:35 p.m. Saturday.

“That’s the best word in baseball. Tomorrow,” UH coach Rich Hill told the Spectrum Sports postgame crew.

Saturday and Sunday’s 1:05 p.m. contest are sold out; there are limited seats left for Monday’s series finale.

Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.

Link

Sports

Cal Poly Beach Volleyball reaches semifinals at NCAA Championship but falls to #2 TCU

GULF SHORES, Ala. – Cal Poly beach volleyball came up mere points away from advancing to the NCAA National Championship. However, the No. 6 Mustangs fell to No. 2 TCU in the NCAA Championship Semifinals by a score of 3-1. Three of the five matches went to three sets with several games decided by two […]

Published

26 minutes ago

May 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Three of the five matches went to three sets with several games decided by two points. TCU picked up wins at the No. 1 and No. 4 spots to go up 2-0. The No. 2 Mustang pair of Izzy Martinez and Logan Walter then won their match to make it 2-1.

At that point, the 3’s and the 5’s went to a third set with the Mustangs needing to win both. Both pairs battled back-and-forth. However, TCU’s No. 3 pair won in the third set 15-13 to clinch the dual.

2025 was another historic year for the Mustangs as the team made it to the NCAA Championship Semifinals for the second straight year and won 31 matches on the season.

The Mustangs will lose nine total seniors, four of which were starters and includes players who have been All-Americans and All-Big West honorees.

Beach Volleyball Match Results
TCU vs Cal Poly May 03, 2025 at Gulf Shores, AL

Daniela Alvarez/Tania Moreno (TCU) def. Piper Ferch/Erin Inskeep (CP) 27-25, 21-12
Izzy Martinez/Logan Walter (CP) def. Hailey Hamlett/Maria Gonzalez (TCU) 21-15, 17-21, 15-12
Allanis Navas/Sofia Izuzquiza (TCU) def. Quinn Perry/Lindsey Sparks (CP) 21-13, 18-21, 15-13
Ana Vergara/Anhelina Khmil (TCU) def. Ella Connor/Madi Nichols (CP) 25-23, 21-18
Abbey Reinard/Elise Lenahan (CP) vs. Stacy Reeves/Denie Konstantinova (TCU) 14-21, 21-18, 11-13, unfinished

Order of finish: Doubles (1,4,2,3)

Earlier in the day Cal Poly knocked off third-ranked Stanford 3-1

Cal Poly beach volleyball took down the No. 3 seed Stanford 3-1 in the Quarterfinals of the NCAA Championship Saturday to advance to the Semifinals later on Saturday.

The No. 6 seed Mustangs will take on No. 2 seed TCU in the semifinals at 11:30 a.m. PT. The match will air live on ESPN2 and ESPN+.

Against Stanford, Cal Poly got wins from the No. 1 pair of Erin Inskeep and Piper Ferch, the No. 5 pair of Abbey Reinard and Elise Lenahan, and was clinched by the No. 4 pair of Ella Connor and Madi Nichols.

This is the second straight year Cal Poly has advanced to the NCAA Championship Semifinals.

Beach Volleyball Match Results
Stanford vs Cal Poly May 03, 2025 at Gulf Shores, AL

Piper Ferch/Erin Inskeep (CP) def. Taylor Wilson/Ruby Sorra (STAN) 21-16, 21-15
Brooke Rockwell/Avery Jackson (STAN) def. Izzy Martinez/Logan Walter (CP) 21-14, 21-15
Quinn Perry/Lindsey Sparks (CP) vs. Charlotta Bell/Kelly Belardi (STAN) 10-21, 24-24, unfinished
Ella Connor/Madi Nichols (CP) def. Chloe Hoffman/Logan Tusher (STAN) 21-19, 21-16
Abbey Reinard/Elise Lenahan (CP) def. Daria Gusarova/Emmy Sharp (STAN) 21-17, 21-13

Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,5,4)

(Article courtesy of Cal Poly Athletics).

Link

Sports

Long Beach Poly vs. Canyon, CIF Beach Volleyball Championship – The562.org

TODAY: Wilson, Millikan, Poly Open CIF Water Polo Playoffs Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. three Long Beach schools will host opening-round CIF-SS water polo playoff games. Wilson will be at the Belmont, Millikan will be at home, and Poly will host their game at Cabrillo. We will have live updates and coverage from all three […]

Published

1 hour ago

May 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

TODAY: Wilson, Millikan, Poly Open CIF Water Polo Playoffs

Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. three Long Beach schools will host opening-round CIF-SS water polo playoff games. Wilson will be at the Belmont, Millikan will be at home, and Poly will host their game at Cabrillo. We will have live updates and coverage from all three games. Division 3 No. 1 Wilson vs. Malibu @ […]

Link

Sports

Mustangs Come Up Just Short of TCU in NCAA Championship Semifinal

Published

2 hours ago

May 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

2025 was another historic year for the Mustangs as the team made it to the NCAA Championship Semifinals for the second straight year and won 31 matches on the season.

The Mustangs will lose nine total seniors, four of which were starters and includes players who have been All-Americans and All-Big West honorees.

Beach Volleyball Match Results
TCU vs Cal Poly May 03, 2025 at Gulf Shores, AL
#2 TCU 3, #6 Cal Poly 1

1. Daniela Alvarez/Tania Moreno (TCU) def. Piper Ferch/Erin Inskeep (CP) 27-25, 21-12
2. Izzy Martinez/Logan Walter (CP) def. Hailey Hamlett/Maria Gonzalez (TCU) 21-15, 17-21, 15-12
3. Allanis Navas/Sofia Izuzquiza (TCU) def. Quinn Perry/Lindsey Sparks (CP) 21-13, 18-21, 15-13
4. Ana Vergara/Anhelina Khmil (TCU) def. Ella Connor/Madi Nichols (CP) 25-23, 21-18
5. Abbey Reinard/Elise Lenahan (CP) vs. Stacy Reeves/Denie Konstantinova (TCU) 14-21, 21-18, 11-13, unfinished

Order of finish: Doubles (1,4,2,3)

Link

Sports

Men’s Track in 11th Following Day One of Division III New England Championships

Story Links NEW LONDON, CONN (May 2, 2025) – The Tufts University men’s track and field team finish day one of the Division III New England Championships in 11th place out of 24 teams in a solid start to the two day competition at the United States Coast Guard Academy down […]

Published

2 hours ago

May 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

NEW LONDON, CONN (May 2, 2025) – The Tufts University men’s track and field team finish day one of the Division III New England Championships in 11th place out of 24 teams in a solid start to the two day competition at the United States Coast Guard Academy down in New London.

Senior Eric Meyer picked up the first points of the day for the Jumbos with a sixth place finish in the hammer throw. He earned the triplet of points with a toss of 50.36m earning him an All-New England nod. Fellow senior Ross Miller took fifth in the javelin throw, setting a new personal best with an impressive mark of 59.82m. It was the second longest throw in program history, and plenty to earn him a spot on the All-New England roster.

First year Dylan Moreno sits in sixth in the decathlon following fifth place finishes in the high jump and 400m run. His points tally of 2918 sits just ahead of Cole Anderson. Anderson finished seventh overall in the decathlon following day one, and managed to take first place in the shot put with a 12.10m toss.

Senior Noah Turner booked a spot in the 100m dash after he finished eighth in the preliminary heat with a 10.77. He will compete in the 100m finals tomorrow at 1:10 pm.

The Jumbos will resume competition in New London tomorrow morning at 11:30 am.

–JUMBOS–

Link

Sports

Texas Tech Red Raiders – Official Athletics Website

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech volleyball announced the signing of French U20 National Team member Kallista Jioshvili Ravva on Saturday. The incoming freshman played in the Senior League in France and was a member of several youth national teams. Most recently, Jioshvili Ravva helped her team to a World School Championship title with the National Center. […]

Published

2 hours ago

May 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech volleyball announced the signing of French U20 National Team member Kallista Jioshvili Ravva on Saturday.

The incoming freshman played in the Senior League in France and was a member of several youth national teams. Most recently, Jioshvili Ravva helped her team to a World School Championship title with the National Center.

She has experience both indoors and on the sand as she was a French Beach Volleyball Champion twice and also has one Indoor Volleyball Championship to her credit.

Her mother, Victoria Ravva, is renowned as one of the best pro volleyball players to come out of France. As a pro, she won 40 league titles, earned MVP honors and ‘best scorer’ three times and ‘best blocker’ honors eight times in both the French League and the CEV Champions League.

Tech has now added four transfers and seven freshmen to its roster for the 2025 campaign.

Link