A Watford water polo team has secured promotion after an epic game and a momentous comeback.

Watford Water Polo’s Saxons team, who train at Woodside Leisure Centre, topped the British Water Polo League (BWPL) qualification table after their penalty win against London Otter and a 17-16 victory over Rotherham Metro on Saturday, April 5.

Heading to Haberdasher’s Boys’ School on Sunday, April 6, a lot was on the line. Defeat to British Army Water Polo and an Otter Water Polo win over Rotherham would see the Saxons slip to third in the table and miss out on qualification.

The game began with the Saxons getting off to the perfect start, but the Watford side were soon 6-8 down at half time, with their chances of promotion slowly fading.

However, the team rallied and came back fighting in the second half. The boys clawed back a 12-10 win in a truly epic match.

The Saxons will start next season’s BWPL in Division 3 along with their Men’s and Women’s 1st teams, who are both in Division One.

The Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World 2025: Salaries, Net Worth & Total Earnings.

In 2025, the world’s top athletes not only excel in their sports but also dominate global earnings through salaries, endorsements, and business ventures. Forbes reports that these 10 athletes earned a combined $1.4 billion this year, setting new records. This article ranks the highest-paid athletes of 2025 from #10 to #1, providing detailed insights into their earnings, career highlights, and net worth.

#10 Kevin Durant: NBA Star with Lucrative Endorsements

Kevin Durant, a top NBA player for the Phoenix Suns, continues to generate massive income from his $51.4 million salary and $50 million in endorsements. Durant’s investments in Homage and his media company Boardroom have expanded his off-court empire. His net worth currently sits at an estimated $300 Million.

#9 Shohei Ohtani: Baseball’s Two-Way Sensation

Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers’ superstar, earned $2.5 million on the field but raked in $100 million through endorsements with major global brands. His unique talent as a pitcher and hitter, coupled with massive marketability, makes him one of baseball’s highest earners. His net worth currently sits at an estimated $150 Million.

#8 Karim Benzema: Saudi Pro League’s Top Earner

Karim Benzema’s move to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad club secured him a $100 million salary. Though quieter off the pitch, Benzema remains an Adidas endorser and is rumored to consider an MLS move ahead of 2026. His net worth currently sits at an estimated $200 Million.

#7 Juan Soto: MLB’s Rising Star with Historic Contract

Juan Soto’s $765 million Mets contract is historic, making him a financial powerhouse in MLB. His endorsements with Celsius and Call of Duty boost his income alongside his on-field performance. His net worth currently sits at an estimated $100 Million.

#6 LeBron James: Basketball Legend and Billionaire Entrepreneur

LeBron James continues to dominate both on the court and in business, with $48.8 million in salary and $85 million in endorsements. His SpringHill production company is a leading player in sports media. His net worth currently sits at an estimated $1.2 Billion.

#5 Lionel Messi: MLS Icon and Global Superstar

Messi’s impact on MLS and his $60 million contract with Inter Miami elevate him among the top earners worldwide. His business ventures and endorsements amplify his financial influence. His net worth currently sits at an estimated $850 Million.

#4 Dak Prescott: NFL’s Highest-Paid Quarterback

Dak Prescott’s record-breaking NFL contract and strong endorsements make him one of football’s richest players. His contract restructuring maximized his earnings in 2025. His net worth currently sits at an estimated $90 Million.

#3 Tyson Fury: Boxing’s Heavyweight Champion and Media Personality

Tyson Fury remains a top earner in boxing, earning $140 million from fights and media deals. His Netflix show and tourism promotion contracts bolster his off-ring income. His net worth currently sits at an estimated $160 Million.

#2 Stephen Curry: NBA’s Most Lucrative Contract Ever

Stephen Curry set new NBA earnings records with his $56 million salary and $100 million endorsements. His Under Armour sneaker deal and media projects make him a financial juggernaut. His net worth currently sits at an estimated $240 Million.

#1 Cristiano Ronaldo: The World’s Highest-Paid Athlete in 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo tops the 2025 list with $275 million in earnings, fueled by a record-breaking salary at Al-Nassr and diverse business investments. His global brand remains unmatched. His net worth currently sits at an estimated $1.45 Billion.

Conclusion: The Future of Athlete Earnings Looks Bright

The highest-paid athletes in 2025 showcase the blend of extraordinary talent, marketability, and entrepreneurship. From basketball courts to soccer fields, their earnings reflect the growing commercial value of sports worldwide. With endorsements, media ventures, and savvy investments, these athletes continue to set financial milestones, inspiring the next generation of sports stars and entrepreneurs alike.

The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial.

The562’s high school softball coverage is sponsored by Playmakers. Visit LetsBePlaymakers.org for more information on their adaptive sports programs.

If you walked up to LBCC’s softball field hoping to catch the first round of CIF Division 4 playoffs between Long Beach Poly and Edison, you might be very confused to see 30 identical players on the turf. Each team wore identical uniforms from their pinstripes down to their socks, but the Jackrabbits brought the bats and energy on their way to a 5-1 win over the Vikings.

As Poly geared up to take the field, Ki’ele Ho-Ching; the 2024 Moore League Player of the Year, No. 1 recruit for the class of 2026 and an Oklahoma University commit; returned to her place on the field at shortstop for the first time this season – and she immediately made her presence known.

After starting Poly pitcher Tegan Breaux struck out the first two Edison hitters, senior Sophia Hannappel was the first Viking to get on base after a line drive deflected off the glove of first baseman Kween Tauala. Sophomore Aubrey Catron hit a deep fly to the left field wall that sent Hannappel racing for home, but she couldn’t outrun Ho-Ching’s arm.

As the cutoff man positioned in left field, Ho-Ching completed the relay on a one-hop shot to keep Edison scoreless in the first inning. She completed another huge relay from left field in the top of the fourth to prevent another Edison run.

“We cut those two girls off at home with those terrific relays, even with her cannon not being at 100%,” Head Coach Elizabeth Sanches said. “75% Ki’ele is still 120% everybody else. So, we’re grateful.”

While the relays could easily be added to Ho-Ching’s defensive highlight reel, her and junior Emoni Lam Sam held down the left side of the infield with more top-notch defense. The two Division 1 commits knocked down any ball that came at them, which helped hold Edison to six hits throughout seven innings. 

“Honestly, it was a little hard at first. The mental side of it is a lot,” Ho-Ching said of her defensive return. “Not playing for one, then all of a sudden coming back and just being thrown back out there, first play, first throw, a relay. I didn’t expect to throw the ball at all today, to be honest, but hey, I threw it like 20 times.”

Ho-Ching and E. Lam Sam are two major players in the strong junior class at 1600 Atlantic. E. Lam Sam was defensively clean on the turf but also played a big role in the lineup, going 2 for 4 with two RBI doubles to left field. 

Long Beach Poly was the first to get on the board in the bottom of the third. Freshman Victoria Sepulveda led the inning off with a single to right field and was moved over to second off a sac bunt from junior Persja Lam Sam. 

E. Lam Sam knocked in her first RBI as the next batter, followed by another RBI double from Tauala, who was also 2 for 4 on the day.

Edison responded in the top half of the fifth inning with their only score of the game. After Catron led off with a double, she was thrown out by Ho-Ching’s second relay on another left field double from sophomore Elina Garcia. 

Garcia advanced to third on the throw from Ho-Ching. Sophomore Savannah Fisher was walked to put runners threatening at the corners. A double pickle resulted in a run for the Vikings after a misthrow got out of the Jackrabbit infield. 

With a close 2-1 score, Poly’s bats came alive in the bottom of the fifth. P. Lam Sam was hit by a pitch and soon driven in off Emoni’s second RBI double. Emoni came around to score herself when junior Alayna Veavealagi singled to right.

Junior Janelle Morris doubled to move Veavealagi to third, who eventually scored off an RBI single from junior Sunni Vaafuti. Morris was 3 for 3 and the only Jackrabbit to swat 1.000 on the day.

“[Morris] made the adjustments and was able to trust her hands and trust her experience and trust her reps and stay back long enough to where she was driving it, not just to the right side, but right in the gap, in the perfect spot to get those runs in,” Sanches said.

NEW ORLEANS – The Sun Belt Conference on Thursday announced its Outdoor Track & Field awards, recognizing standout performances from the 2025 season. The awards were voted on by the head coaches within the league for both men’s and women’s.
 
The Sun Belt also announced the All-Sun Belt Conference honorees from the 2025 Sun Belt Outdoor Championships.
 
The student-athletes recognized include:
 
•    Men’s Outdoor Track Performer of the Year: Jacob Pyeatt, Arkansas State
•    Men’s Outdoor Field Performer of the Year: Aiden Hayes, Texas State 
•    Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Newcomer of the Year: Drew Donley, Texas State
•    Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Freshman of the Year: Lawson Jacobs, Louisiana 
•    Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year: John Frazier, Texas State
•    Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Elite Award Winner: Jacob Pyeatt, Arkansas State
 
•    Women’s Outdoor Track Performer of the Year: Abigail Parra, Texas State 
•    Women’s Outdoor Field Performer of the Year: Imani Moore, Georgia Southern 
•    Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Newcomer of the Year: Emma Russum, App State
•    Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Freshman of the Year: Charlize Goody, Texas State
•    Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year: John Frazier, Texas State
•    Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Elite Award Winner: Lara Roberts, Texas State
 
Men’s Outdoor Track Performer of the Year: Jacob Pyeatt, Arkansas State
Arkansas State’s Jacob Pyeatt finished as Co-High Point Scorer at the conference meet, scoring 20 points with golds in the 5000 meters and 10,000 meters to earn Men’s Outdoor Track Performer of the Year honors. He broke the meet record in the 5000 by nearly 10 seconds, finishing in 13:50.83, over 30 seconds faster than the runner-up finisher. In the 10,000, Pyeatt finished in 29:54.18. During the season, Pyeatt was the league’s top distance athlete, leading with program-record marks in the 5,000 (13:35.90) and 10,000 (28:28.50) while ranking second in the 1500 meters (3:45.80). In the West Region, Pyeatt enters the week ranked among the top 50 in both the 5K (33rd) and 10K (49th). After breaking his own school record in the 5K at the Raleigh Relays, Pyeatt earned SBC Men’s Track Athlete of the Week honors on April 2.
 
Women’s Outdoor Track Performer of the Year: Abigail Parra, Texas State
Texas State’s Abigail Parra was named the Top Meet Scorer at the 2025 SBC Championships, after she scored a total of 23 points in three events and helped the women’s team secure the SBC title for the 2nd year in a row. She won the 1500m with a time of 4:23.76 (2nd in program History), placed second in the 800m with a personal-best time of 2:08.58 (9th in program History), and ended the day placing fourth in the 5000m with another personal-best time of 17:02.06 (3rd in program History). During the season, Parra recorded the school record for the 1500m, with a time of 4:18.87, and is the only Sun Belt athlete this season to break the 4:20.00 mark in the event. No stranger to the record book, she holds six of the 10 fastest times in Texas State history for the event.
 
Men’s Outdoor Field Performer of the Year: Aiden Hayes, Texas State
Texas State’s Aiden Hayes earned first place in the high jump and tied the meet record and SBC record, with a mark of 2.25m, a mark that had not been touched since 1994 to earn Men’s Outdoor Field Performer of the Year honors. He now sits ranked tied for second for the event in the NCAA rankings and is tied at the top for the event in the NCAA West Region. He recorded three top two finishes this season in the high jump, winning both the SBC Championships and the Bobcat Invitational. He also recorded three of the top 10 high jump marks in Texas State history this season.
 
Women’s Outdoor Field Performer of the Year: Imani Moore, Georgia Southern

Georgia Southern’s Imani Moore was the Sun Belt Conference Champion in the Long Jump and Triple Jump and the highest women’s field event scorer to earn Women’s Outdoor Field Performer of the Year honors. Moore is the current Sun Belt Conference Leader in the Long Jump & Triple Jump and is ranked inside the top 10 in the long jump in the south region and top 25 in the long jump nationally. She broke both the Georgia Southern program and Georgia Southern facility record in the long jump and currently holds the second best mark in the record books in the triple jump. For her efforts this spring, Moore has qualified for the NCAA East Regional in both the long jump and triple jump.
 
Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Newcomer of the Year: Drew Donley, Texas State
In his first season competing for Texas State, Drew Donley became the Sun Belt Champion in the 200m and placed third overall in the 100m. He set the school record for Texas State in the 100m (10.22) and holds four of the five fastest times ever recorded in the 100m in school history. He earned seven first place finishes throughout the season and was named Sun Belt Track Athlete of the Week twice during the season. Donley is ranked in the top 25 in the NCAA for the 200m and is qualified for regionals in both the 100m and 200m.
 
Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Newcomer of the Year: Emma Russum, App State
App State senior Emma Russum clinched the Sun Belt crown in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 10:36.27 and secured silver in the women’s 5,000 meters with a time of 16:53.59. In the App State all-time list, Russum ranks second in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase and women’s 10,000 meters, as well as fourth in the women’s 5,000 meters. Over the course of the season, Russum has led the Sun Belt in the women’s 5,000 meters with a personal-best of 16:30.30, the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase with a personal-best of 10:34.13, and the women’s 10,000 meters with a personal-best of 34:41.91. The senior also rounds out the NCAA Southeast Region’s top-25 in the women’s 10,000 meters and women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase categories.
 
Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Freshman of the Year: Lawson Jacobs, Louisiana
The Sun Belt 2025 Indoor Track Performer and Freshman of the Year, Louisiana’s Lawson Jacobs captured the outdoor 400m title, setting a school record with a time of 45.57, just 0.06 seconds off the SBC record. The freshman also ran the final leg of Louisiana’s gold medal-winning 4x100m relay squad that ran a 39.55. Jacobs’ record in the 400m broke a Louisiana record set back in 1973 and was the third-oldest men’s record still standing. Jacobs is 10th in the region in the 400m, and Louisiana’s 4×100 team is also 28th in the east.
 
Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Freshman of the Year: Charlize Goody, Texas State
In her first season as a Bobcat, Charlize Goody won the Sun Belt title in the javelin and placed second in the women’s discus. Goody is the only athlete in the Sun Belt this season to record a mark of 50 meters or better in the javelin, which she has done three times this season. She has won four of the five javelin competitions she has competed in this season, recorded the Texas State freshman record for the event and has four of the top-five marks in school history for the javelin throw. She is ranked top-20 in the NCAA West Region and 33rd in the NCAA for the javelin.
 
Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year: John Frazier, Texas State

Texas State head coach John Frazier was named both the Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year. He led the men’s team to its first SBC Outdoor title since 2019 and a total of 145 points. He led four men’s athletes to first place at the championship meet, and nine other athletes to the podium in their events. The Bobcats won the meet by 19 points and secured the title going into the men’s 4×400. Frazier also led the women’s team to the 2025 SBC Championship title after it secured 119 points. He coached four first-place finishers on the women’s side and had three more athletes reach the podium in their events. Frazier has coached Lara Roberts to not only a Sun Belt title, but also to the leading mark in the NCAA. He has helped two athletes break school records this season and seven athletes record top-10 times in Texas State History.
 
Frazier has led 14 male athletes, nine female athletes and one men’s relay currently qualified for the NCAA Regional meet and has led three athletes to being ranked in the top-10 of the NCAA in their respective events.
 

Arkansas State’s Jacob Pyeatt was named the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Elite Award Winner as Texas State’s Lara Roberts was named the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Elite Award Winner.
 
The SBC Elite Award recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the Sun Belt Conference Championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The SBC Elite award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating on the final day for each of the Sun Belt Conference’s championships.
 
2025 Sun Belt Men’s Outdoor Track & Field All-Conference First Team
Ethan Lipham, App State
Menachem Chen, Arkansas State
Colby Eddowes, Arkansas State
Bradley Jelmert, Arkansas State
Noa Isaia, Arkansas State
Jacob Pyeatt, Arkansas State
Mark Daley, Louisiana
Jonathan Gamarra, Louisiana
Chris Gravois, Louisiana
Camren Hardy, Louisiana
Jeremy Nelson, Louisiana
Lawson Jacobs, Louisiana
Joseph Patterson, Louisiana
Caemon Scott, Louisiana
Hunter Ullrich, Louisiana
Reuben Booysen, South Alabama
Kendal White, South Alabama
Piers Cameron, Southern Miss
Drew Donley, Texas State
Easton Hammond, Texas State
Aiden Hayes, Texas State
Chris Preddie, Texas State
Tydreke Thomas, Troy
 
2025 Sun Belt Men’s Outdoor Track & Field All-Conference Second Team
Matthew Gray, App State
Ethan Turner, App State
Brandon Williams, Arkansas State
Terrique Webb, Coastal Carolina
Samuel Mika, South Alabama
Sacha Perrier, South Alabama
Javel Fullerton, Southern Miss
Conner Mozee, Southern Miss
Kelsey Singleton, Southern Miss
Shedrack Akpeki, Texas State
Daniel Harrold, Texas State
Michael Hermes, Texas State
Kason O’Riley, Texas State
Connor Warzecha, Texas State
Altwayne Bedward, Troy
Evan Brown, Troy
Michael Eady, Troy
Keylan Hicks, Troy
Imani Coleman, ULM
Matthew Malcolm, ULM
Santana Richardson, ULM
Stafon Roach, ULM
J’Marcus Sewell, ULM
 
2025 Sun Belt Men’s Outdoor Track & Field All-Conference Third Team
Armonte Ferguson, App State
Ray Lee, App State
Brandon Parker, App State
Jonathan Wilson, App State
Thomas Wlazlowski, App State
Kamil Przybyla, Arkansas State
Trey Kraimer, Coastal Carolina
Adam Groves, Coastal Carolina
William Howard, Louisiana
Federico Bovo, Louisiana
Teodor Borgius, Louisiana
Dallas Beck, South Alabama
Javon Glen, South Alabama
Bobby Gray, South Alabama
Tre Hill, South Alabama
Marlon Miller, South Alabama
Jordan Morrison, South Alabama
Zayne Palomino, Southern Miss
De’Aundre Ward, Southern Miss
Mihajlo Katanic, Texas State
Daniel Strooh, Texas State
Carlo Martinez-Jaramillo, ULM
Devin Bilbo, ULM
 
2025 Sun Belt Women’s Outdoor Track & Field All-Conference First Team
Emma Russum, App State
Carly Pujol, Arkansas State
Molly Jones, Coastal Carolina
Amanda Kinloch, Coastal Carolina
Shatalya Dorsett, Georgia Southern
Emani George, Georgia Southern
Imani Moore, Georgia Southern
Devine Parker, Georgia Southern
NaJ Watson, Georgia Southern
Kimola Hines, Louisiana
Isabelle Russell, Louisiana
Jaellene Burgess, Southern Miss
Taliyah Lindsey, Southern Miss
Addison McLaurin, Southern Miss
Kennedi Sanders, Southern Miss
Alana Simon, Southern Miss
Abigail Parra, Texas State
Melanie Duron, Texas State
Lara Roberts, Texas State
Charlize Goody, Texas State
Savanna Lawson, ULM
Katerina Natsiopoulou, ULM
 
2025 Sun Belt Women’s Outdoor Track & Field All-Conference Second Team
Lilly Nichols, App State
Miranda Burgett, Arkansas State
Michelle Ogbemudia, Arkansas State
Kennedy Hood, Georgia Southern
Leonaya Knox, Georgia Southern
Holly Mpassy, James Madison
Amairi Ashford, Louisiana
Alaysha Veal, Louisiana
Destiny Berryman, Marshall
Iyana Johnson, South Alabama
Calli Stokes, South Alabama
Joidon Boddie, Southern Miss
Cadence Lapp, Southern Miss
Tacherria Lawson, Southern Miss
Valencia Watson, Southern Miss
Jasmine Jimenez, Troy
Aaliyah Murphy, Troy
Kady Schwietz, Troy
Haley Wilson, Troy
 
2025 Sun Belt Women’s Outdoor Track & Field All-Conference Third Team
Tyra Nabors, Arkansas State
Amilia Wise-Sweat, Coastal Carolina
Christine Fitzgerald, James Madison
Esther Germain, James Madison
Erica Moolman, James Madison
Kadence Wilson, James Madison
Lily Murray, Louisiana
Quincy Simon, Louisiana
Reem Tammam, Louisiana
Jaala Thymes, Louisiana
Chaniqua Tonge, Louisiana
Shenell Tucker, Louisiana
Hannah Wyler, Marshall
Taylor Spencer, Marshall
Charleen Elizondo, South Alabama
Ava Wheaton, South Alabama
Jelese Alexander, Southern Miss
Sophia Haberer, Texas State
Shanyah Washington, Troy
Alice Hultberg, ULM