WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (theACC.com) – After two days of the 2025 Atlantic Coast Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships, the Louisville women and Duke men sit atop the leaderboards. The Duke men hold a 16-point advantage over second-place North Carolina, while Louisville boasts a much slimmer two-point lead over California. Throughout the first two days of the ACC Championships, 13 total Kentner Stadium facility records have fallen.
 
Notre Dame’s Jadin O’Brien became a four-time ACC Champion by winning the heptathlon with an ACC Championship record of 6,220 points. The senior won all seven events over the course of two days and broke the 10-year-old meet record by 163 points. O’Brien, who was the national runner-up in 2024, was joined on the podium by her teammate Alaina Brady and Louisville’s Lucy Fellows, who finished in second and third, respectively. O’Brien also became the first Notre Dame student-athlete to ever win the ACC title in the heptathlon.
 

NC State’s Angelina Napoleon set the ACC Outdoor Track & Field Championship record in the women’s 3000-meter steeplechase on Friday, crossing the finish line in 9:27.85. Napoleon shattered the previous record by more than 13 seconds on her way to victory. Louisville’s Layla Roebke finished second (9:54.20), while North Carolina’s Sydney Masciarelli took third (9:57.75) with all three podium finishes being personal bests.
 
Louisville’s Paul Kallenberg won his second ACC decathlon championship on Friday, while his teammate, KJ Byrd, finished second. The 2023 ACC Champion logged a personal-best 7,944 points on his way to earning the gold medal. Byrd finished with 7,849 points, while North Carolina’s Max Stakun-Pickering logged 7,596 points for a third-place finish.
 

In the women’s long jump, Stanford’s Alyssa Jones became the Cardinal’s first-ever ACC outdoor track & field gold medalist, with a jump of 6.54 meters (21-5.5). Her mark was just two-hundredths of a meter shy of the meet record. Louisville’s Synclair Savage captured second, while Jones’ Stanford teammate Teagan Zwaanstra finished in third place.
 
A pair of freshmen claimed the top two spots on the men’s long jump podium with NC State’s Tyson Adams claiming the crown. The Wolfpack newcomer posted a mark of 7.69 meters (25-2.75) to sneak past Cal’s Trevor Rogers (7.66m/25-1.75). Duke’s Maxwell Forte was the bronze medalist with a 7.52-meter (24-8.25) mark.
 

Duke’s Simen Guttormsen swept the ACC pole vault championships, winning both the indoor and outdoor titles on the year. The 2025 NCAA Indoor Track & Field national champion cleared 5.50 meters (18-0.5) on Friday to win the gold medal. Louisville’s Lucas Couron, California’s Tyler Burns and Virginia Tech’s Conner McClure all finished tied for second, clearing 5.31 meters (17-5) on their second attempts.
 
Facility records fell in several preliminary events on the track, including the men’s and women’s 100-meter dash, women’s 100-meter hurdles, women’s 400-meter dash and men’s pole vault. North Carolina’s Makayla Paige also tied the facility record in the women’s 800-meter run.
 
 
Top-Three Event Finishers
Women’s Heptathlon

1. Jadin O’Brien, Notre Dame, 6220 points [MR, FR]
2. Alaina Brady, Notre Dame, 5751 points
3. Lucy Fellows, Louisville, 5603 points

 
Men’s Decathlon

1. Paul Kallenberg, Louisville, 7,944 points
2. KJ Byrd, Louisville, 7,849 points
3. Max Stakun-Pickering, 7,596 points

 
Women’s Long Jump

1. Alyssa Jones, Stanford, 6.54m (21-5.5) [FR]
2. Synclair Savage, Louisville, 6.41m (21-0.5)
3. Teagan Zwaanstra, Stanford, 6.26m (20-6.5)

 
Women’s Shot Put

1. Jayden Ulrich, Louisville, 17.56m (57-7.5)
2. Lucija Leko, California, 16.80m (55-1.5)
3. Caisa-Marie Lindfors, California, 16.67m (54-8.25)

 
Men’s Shot Put

1. Tommy Kitchell, North Carolina, 20.18m (66-2.5)
2. Noah Koch, Louisville, 18.44m (60-6)
3. Nicholas Bodbehere, California, 18.21m (59-9)

 
Men’s Long Jump

1. Tyson Adams, NC State, 7.69m (25-2.75)
2. Trevor Rogers, California, 7.66m (25-1.75)
3. Maxwell Forte, Duke, 7.52m (24-8.25)

 
Men’s Pole Vault

1. Simen Guttormsen, Duke, 5.60m (18-4.5) [FR]
2. Lucas Couron, Louisville; Tyler Burns, California; Conner McClure, Virginia Tech, 5.31m (17-5)

 
Women’s 3000m Steeplechase

1. Angelina Napoleon, NC State, 9:27.85 [MR]
2. Layla Roebke, Louisville, 9:54.20
3. Sydner Masciarelli, North Carolina, 9:57.75

 
Men’s 3000m Steeplechase

1. Brett Gardner, NC State, 8:40.55
2. CJ Singleton, Notre Dame, 8:42.41
3. Declan Rymer, Virginia Tech, 8:42.65

 
MR – Meet Record
FR – Facility Record
 
Women’s Team Scores (7 of 21 events scored)

 
Men’s Team Scores (8 of 21 events scored)

~LongBeachBuilt~

LIVERMORE — Twelve scholar-athletes from Livermore and Granada high schools will be recognized at the Olympian Scholarship Awards banquet on May 19 at Granada High. Four finalists will receive $2,500 scholarships each, and eight will receive $750 scholarships. The winners will be announced at the banquet.

“The 12 finalists represent the best of the best in our community,” Livermore-Granada Booster co-president Lora Silva said. “We are so honored to be able to showcase their talents. They are truly the highlight of the evening.”

Founded in 1949 by a group of former Livermore High athletes, students and local business owners, the Livermore-Granada Boosters were created to foster and encourage the combination of scholarship and athletics as part of the high school culture. The first boosters believed that academic achievers and sports enthusiasts make for future community leaders and good citizens.

In 1958, the Boosters instituted the Olympian Award to honor male scholar-athletes from Livermore High. Then in 1966, the award was expanded to include the newly opened Granada High. The evening, hosted by the Boosters, will include team awards and the induction of two graduates into the Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees are Granada graduate Maryann Gong (2013) and Livermore graduate Jason Knight (1993).

“The Olympian Awards Banquet is a unique and special event,” Booster co-president Vern Chase said. “It brings the two Livermore high schools together to celebrate the students’ athletic accomplishments and to support the Olympian Finalists.”

This year’s 12 finalists:

DELANEY AUMUA – A Granada senior with a weighted GPA of 3.5, Aumua has played four years of varsity softball, earning multiple accolades, including first-team All-League in 2022 and 2023, and North Coast Section player of the year in 2023. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Aumua has served as class president for three years. She plans to continue her softball career at Auburn University while pursuing a degree in business.

SOPHIA BERTOLO – A senior at Granada with a weighted GPA of 4.09, Bertolo has participated in track and field, basketball and flag football, earning seven varsity letters. She also received the Livermore Granada Boosters’ award for flag football and is a standout 300-meter hurdler. Bertolo plans to study kinesiology with a minor in nutrition at a four-year university.

KAITLYN BRONGIEL  – A Granada senior with a weighted GPA of 4.1, Brongiel participated in basketball for four years, track and field for three years and flag football for one year, receiving a total of eight varsity letters. She was selected first-team all-league in basketball in 2025, second-team all-league in flag football in 2023, all-league in track and field and placed third in the East Bay Athletic League high jump. Brongiel plans to attend either UC Santa Cruz or Cal Lutheran University, study education and play basketball.

SOPHIA GEROCHI – A Livermore senior with a weighted GPA of 4.35, Gerochi has played varsity softball for four years, helping her team win EBAL championships in 2022 and 2024 and reach the NCS Division 2 championships in 2023 and 2024. She earned first-team all-league honors in 2024 and second-team all-league in 2022. Her awards include offensive player of the year in 2024 and defensive player of the year in 2023. She has been an NCS scholar athlete all four years, achieved the principal’s honor roll and is an AP scholar with distinction. Gerochi plans to continue her softball career at the University of Illinois while pursuing a degree in kinesiology.

MALANA ISLAND – A senior at Livermore with a weighted GPA of 4.4, Island earned eight varsity letters in water polo and swimming. Her team awards include best defensive player in 2022, best offensive player in 2023 and team most valuable player in 2024. She has been selected to all-EBAL teams three times. Her academic awards include NCS scholar athlete and principal’s honor roll. She plans to attend UC Berkeley and study industrial or chemical engineering.

GABRIELLE MCCLUNG – A Livermore senior with a weighted GPA of 4.44, McClung has earned eight varsity letters in water polo and lacrosse. She earned first-team all-EBAL lacrosse honors in 2024 and second team in 2023 as goalie. She helped lead her water polo team to the second round of the NCS playoffs. Her team awards include defensive player of the year in 2022 and 2024. Her academic awards include principal’s honor roll, AP scholar distinction award, and the Presidential Award in academic excellence. McClung plans to attend George Fox University in Oregon and study civil engineering.

GABRIEL BENITEZ – A Granada senior, Benitez has a weighted GPA of 3.69. He was on the swim team for four years and received four varsity letters and the team coach’s award. By the end of the 2025 season, Benitez figures to be a 10-time EBAL competitor and three-time NCS qualifier. Benitez also served as ASB president, vice president, treasurer and liaison. He plans to attend California Lutheran University and compete on the school’s swim team.

NOAH BLAKE – A senior at Granada with a 4.05 weighted GPA, Blake wrestled and played football all four years and received five varsity letters. He was first-team all-EBAL as a running back and was an EBAL silver medalist in wrestling. Blake has coached children at Kidstrong, served as a CYO basketball referee and as a Granada Little League umpire. He plans to transfer to Cal Poly in 2026 to pursue a degree in finance.

HAYDEN HOBBS – A senior at Granada with a 4.14-weighted GPA, Hobbs participated in football for four years, baseball for three years, and track and field for one year while earning three varsity letters. He was named the EBAL’s defensive player of the year and all-league first team his senior year, as well as second-team all-league his junior year. Hobbs has also done a great deal of volunteer work. He plans to attend Cal Poly and study business, with an emphasis in information systems and finance.

MATTHEW BENSON – A Livermore senior with a weighted GPA of 4.04, Benson earned six varsity letters in football, soccer and track and field. An all-league football selection, he won the green-collar award for hard work in football and the coach’s award in soccer. He has earned multiple NCS scholar-athlete awards and has been on the principal’s honor roll all four years. Benson plans to attend San Diego State and study political science, as well as pre-law.

CHANDLER SMOAK – A Livermore senior, Smoak has a weighted GPA of 4.14 and has earned seven varsity letters in football and track and field. He earned first-team all-EBAL in the discus, and in football, captured first-team All-EBAL honors on the offensive and defensive lines as a senior, as well as second-team distinction as a junior. His academic honors include NCS scholar athlete and principal’s honor roll all four years. Smoak plans to continue his track career and major in mechanical engineering at Colorado State.

DIEGO VALVERDE  – A senior at Livermore, Valverde has a weighted GPA of 4.2 and has earned four varsity letters in football and track and field. He earned second-team all-league honors in football and helped his team advance to the NCS playoffs. In track, he was one of the top high jumpers in the EBAL. His academic honors include principal’s honor roll all four years. Valverde plans to attend San Jose State University and major in statistics and applied mathematics.

Men’s Outdoor Track and Field | 5/17/2025 8:25:08 AM

The 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships qualifiers were announced on Friday, May 16 with a total of 29 student-athletes from the Empire 8 Conference qualifying to compete for national titles. The three-day meet will run from Thursday, May 22 to Saturday, May 24 at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, OH. Live video of the meet will be available at NCAA.com.

A total of five Empire 8 institutions have at least one student-athlete who qualified and are entered in the 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Empire 8 Champion SUNY Geneseo has a total of 21 student-athletes competing. SUNY Brockport has four student-athletes competing, St. John Fisher University has a pair of student-athletes in competition, while Nazareth University and Houghton University each have one student-athlete competing.

There are 17 E8 women’s student-athletes competing in a combined 15 different events (13 individual and two relays). SUNY Brockport senior Rebecca Heuler is the defending national champion in the javelin, while Penelope Greene is a returning All-American in both the 5,000- and 10,000-meters. Brynn Mooney of Geneseo, who won the indoor 400-meter national title, is competing in four separate events (200-meters, 400-meters, 4 x 100-meter relay and 4 x 400-meter relay), while teammate Jillian Ambler of SUNY Geneseo is competing in three separate events (100-meter hurdles, long jump and 4 x 100-meter relay).

On the men’s side, 12 different student-athletes are competing in nine events (eight individual and one relay). Jacob Miller of SUNY Geneseo is set to compete in both the 400-meter dash and 4 x 400-meter relay, while teammate Ryan Hagan will compete in the 1,500- and 5,000-meters and fellow Geneseo standout Charlie Wilson is competing in the 5,000- and 10,000-meter races.

For each men’s individual event contested, including the decathlon, the top 22 declared student-athletes were accepted into the championships.  For each women’s individual event contested, including the heptathlon, the top 22 declared student-athletes were accepted into the championships. For each relay event contested, the top 16 declared relay teams, one per institution, were accepted into the championships.  

 

Below is a complete list of the Empire 8 student-athletes who received a bid to the NCAA Championship with their national rank and their seed time/mark.

 

WOMEN

200-Meter Dash (Prelims, Thursday, May 22, 6:55 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 3:50 p.m.)

17. Brynn Mooney, So., SUNY Geneseo – :24.20

400-Meter Dash (Prelims, Friday, May 23, 3:15 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 2:20 p.m.)

6. Brynn Mooney, So., SUNY Geneseo – :54.45

800-Meter Run (Prelims, Friday, May 23, 4:15 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 3:00 p.m.)

12. Sierra Doody, Jr., SUNY Geneseo – 2:08.09

14. Janelle Eckl, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – 2:08.89

5,000-Meter Run (Finals, Saturday, May 24, 4:25 p.m.)

1. Penelope Greene, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – 16:12.88 !

10,000-Meter Run (Finals, Thursday, May 22, 9:15 p.m.)

1. Penelope Greene, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – 33:42.16 !

6. Lily Fowler-Conner, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – 35:04.34

17. Gabriella McCarthy, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – 35:04.34

100-Meter Hurdles (Prelims, Friday, May 23, 2:30 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 2 p.m.)

13. Cierra Franz, Sr., St. John Fisher – :14.13

14. Jillian Ambler, So., SUNY Geneseo – :14.14

400-Meter Hurdles (Prelims, Thursday, May 22, 6:25 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 3:25 p.m.)

10. Lexi Rodriguez, Jr., SUNY Brockport – 1:01.36

3,000-Meter Steeplechase (Prelims, Thursday, May 22, 7:35 p.m.; Finals, Friday, May 23, 4:55 p.m.)

5. Ann Brennan, Jr., SUNY Geneseo – 10:33.41

4 x 100-Meter Relay (Prelims, Thursday, May 22, 5:25 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 1:15 p.m.)

9. Sam Pynn, Sr., Brynn Mooney, So., Jillian Ambler, So., Kayla Anastasia, Jr., SUNY Geneseo – :46.33

4 x 400-Meter Relay (Prelims, Thursday, May 22, 8:15 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 5 p.m.)

15. Nicole Gretzinger, Jr., Janelle Eckl, Sr., Sierra Doody, Jr., Brynn Mooney, So., SUNY Geneseo – 3:46.26

High Jump (Prelims and Finals, Friday, May 23, 11:30 a.m.)

6. Alexa Belanger, Fr., Houghton – 1.71 meters

Pole Vault (Prelims and Finals, Thursday, May 22, 12:30 p.m.)

12. Isabel Morse, Jr., Nazareth – 3.89 meters

Long Jump (Prelims and Finals, Thursday, May 22, 5:30 p.m.)

13. Jillian Ambler, So., SUNY Geneseo – 5.90 meters

 

Hammer Throw (Prelims and Finals, Saturday, May 24, 11 a.m.)

21. Zoe Connor, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – 52.51 meters

Javelin Throw (Prelims and Finals, Thursday, May 22, 3:30 p.m.)

22. Rebecca Heuler, Sr., SUNY Brockport – 41.23 meters ^

^ 2024 NCAA Champion

! 2024 NCAA First Team All-American

MEN

400-Meter Dash (Prelims, Friday, May 23, 3 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 2:10 p.m.)

17. Jacob Miller, Jr., SUNY Geneseo – :47.17

800-Meter Run (Prelims, Friday, May 23, 4 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 2:50 p.m.)

14. Matthew Sheehan, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – 1:50.22

1,500-Meter Run (Prelims, Friday, May 22, 5:35 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 1:25 p.m.)

11. Jonathan Zavala, Sr., SUNY Brockport – 3:46.96

12. Ryan Hagan, So., SUNY Geneseo – 3:47.14

5,000-Meter Run (Finals, Saturday, May 24, 4 p.m.)

6. Ryan Hagan, So., SUNY Geneseo – 14:04.11

12. Charlie Wilson, Gr., SUNY Geneseo – 14:08.50

10,000-Meter Run (Finals, Thursday, May 22, 8:30 p.m.)

13. Charlie Wilson, Gr., SUNY Geneseo – 29:40.95

400-Meter Hurdles (Prelims, Thursday, May 22, 6:10 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 3:15 p.m.)

16. Ayden Grinion, Jr., SUNY Brockport – :52.62

3,000-Meter Steeplechase (Prelims, Thursday, May 22, 7:10 p.m.; Finals, Friday, May 23, 4:40 p.m.)

3. Pierce Young, So., SUNY Geneseo – 8:50.73

12. Emerson Comer, So., SUNY Geneseo – 8:54.32

4 x 400-Meter Relay (Prelims, Thursday, May 22, 8 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 4:50 p.m.)

3. Arjun Ohja, Fr, Sam Belmont, So., Giancarlo Di Fava, So., Jacob Miller, Jr., SUNY Geneseo – 3:09.30

Hammer Throw (Prelims and Finals, Saturday, May 24, 1:45 p.m.)

9. Brandon Kaplan, Jr., St. John Fisher – 60.87 meters

 

ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE

The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit www.empire8.com.

 

EMPIRE 8 SOCIAL MEDIA

YouTube – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram

 

CONWAY, S.C. —- Coastal Carolina Athletics posted the second-highest spring departmental GPA at 3.40, the department announced Friday.

18 of 19 programs earned over a 3.0 during the spring semester.

This accomplishment marks 22-straight semesters of a 3.0 or better departmental GPA.

“I am proud of the commitment our student-athletes continue to show in the classroom,” said Coastal Carolina Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and University Recreation Chance Miller. “Posting a 3.40 departmental GPA—our second-highest ever—and seeing 18 of 19 programs eclipse the 3.0 mark this spring is a true testament to their dedication, discipline, and the culture here at Coastal Carolina. This also marks our 22nd consecutive semester with a departmental GPA above 3.0, a remarkable streak that reflects the consistent standard of excellence upheld by our programs. I want to extend a special thank you to our Student-Athlete Academic Services team for their tireless support and leadership. This is a shared achievement, and one that continues to define what it means to be a Chanticleer.”

A DEEPER DIVE

• 137 student-athletes made the Dean’s List
• 75 student-athletes made the President’s List
• 385 student-athletes made Chauncey’s Honor Roll (3.0+ semester GPA)
• 107 student-athletes are Elite Chants (4.0 semester GPA) 
• This was the highest Spring GPA on record, outside of Spring 2020 (COVID semester). 
• Baseball set a semester GPA record, highest of all time including COVID semester (3.557). 
• Football earned it’s highest GPA on record, outside of Spring 2020 (COVID semester) (3.071).
• Lacrosse earned it’s highest GPA on record, outside of Spring 2020 (COVID semester) (3.629).
• Women’s Cross Country tied its highest GPA in program history (3.719).
• Softball earned it’s highest GPA on record, outside of Spring 2020 (COVID semester) (3.670).
• Volleyball earned it’s highest GPA on record, outside of Spring 2020 (COVID semester) (3.634).
• Beach Volleyball earned it’s second highest GPA on record (3.824).
• Women’s Golf had it’s highest Spring semester GPA ever (3.875).
• Best semesters on record (excluding 2020):

  • Fall 2024 (3.425)
  • Spring 2024 (3.40)
  • Spring 2024 (3.375)
  • Fall 2023 (3.305)
  • Spring 2023 (3.264)
  • Fall 2022 (3.196)

It was an up-and-down regular season for the Santa Barbara High boys volleyball team.

But timing is everything in sports, and the Dons found their groove at the right time, elevating their game to a championship level for the postseason. After losing two of their last three matches to end the regular campaign, they’ve stepped up and reeled off four playoff wins to reach a CIF-Southern Section division final for the 10th time in program history.

Santa Barbara (18-10) faces Newport Beach-Sage Hill (17-10) for the Division 4 title on Saturday at 1 p.m. at J.R. Richards Gym.

Santa Barbara is seeking its fourth CIF-SS championship (previous titles in 2021, 1992, 1978). In 2021, the Dons played at home and won a five-set epic against Huntington Beach for the Division 2 title.

Sage Hill is going for a second straight crown. The private school won the Division 5 title last year, their first-ever CIF championship in boys volleyball.

The Lightning are led by 6-foot-10 senior outside hitter Jackson Cryst, who has committed to newly crowned NCAA champion Long Beach State. He had a monster match in last year’s final, racking up 54 kills in a five-set win over San Marino; he was named as the Division 5 Player of the Year. The team also returns All-CIF players Connor Gapp (a setter this season after playing opposite last year) and outside hitter Dylan Han.

Santa Barbara went through lapses of out-of-sync play during big matches this season. In the crosstown battles against Dos Pueblos and San Marcos, the Dons went 1-3, losing both meetings against DP and falling to San Marcos at home, with a chance to earn a share of the Channel League title.

The defeat in the league finale was the pivotal moment of the turnaround. The Dons, who were ranked 68th in the final CIF-SS boys volleyball power ranking and placed in Division 4 for the playoffs (Sage Hill was 65th), finished the regular season with a non-league win at Santa Ynez before beating Elsinore, Santa Ana-Foothill, Sherman Oaks-Notre Dame and Corona-Santiago in their playoff run.

“I definitely think there’s a calmness throughout the matches now,” said Chad Arneson of his team’s play. “We’re all kind of trusting each other out there and realizing that, ‘Hey, it’s a team sport, and not one guy is going to (win the match).’ I think having that positive energy has helped the boys pick it up.”

Senior setter Chase Holdren credited a new-found energy for the team’s resurgence.

“Since the first round of CIF, we’ve, all been so much better,” he said. “All of our energy has been high, something clicked. We just have a lot more energy, and we’ve been great throughout CIF. Everyone’s been hitting well, passing, well, we’ve all just clicked.”

The play of senior outside hitter Benicio Duarte is a perfect example of the Dons’ upturn. He dealt with the loss of his grandfather and suffered a back injury during the season and it affected his play.

“It was a hard time for me, so I had to take a step back from volleyball and kind of just figure out some stuff,” said Duarte. “And now that I’m back, I think I’m a lot more open minded and ready to bring home the CIF championship.”

Duarte has been a force during the Dons’ run-up to the final. In a tense five-set win at Foothill in the second round, he had a huge night, blasting 17 kills, with sizzling .517 hitting percentage. He had a team-high 11 kills in a quarterfinal sweep of Notre Dame and put down 12 kills to share high honors with Luke Zuffelato in the semifinal victory at Santiago.

“It’s like a day and night difference. He’s flipped the coin and, yeah, it’s cool,” said Arneson. “I’m really proud of him, and I’m also just proud of the rest of the team. The kids have worked so hard. It’s great to see, Benicio and Chase do so well but, overall, it’s been all the players on the team too.”

Holdren, who also played a stellar match at Foothill (59 assists, 11 digs, three kills and a key block) is pumped to see Duarte burying balls on a consistent bases.

“It gives me another good option,” he said. “I mean, we had a lot of injuries throughout the middle of the season. I feel like now everyone’s back. We got a very talented six guys out there on the court, and we have very good hitting options. Everyone’s a weapon, so having Benny is just another great weapon.”

Chase Holdren and Benicio Duarte are part of Santa Barbara’s rich volleyball history. Chase’s father, Clay, played middle blocker on San Marcos’ first CIF championship team in 1991. Benicio’s dad, Marcelo, was an All-CIF player at Santa Barbara High in 1989 and later played on the AVP pro beach volleyball tour.

Asked about the reaction of their fathers on playing for a CIF championship, Chase Holdren said: “He told me it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get out there. ‘The lights are bright, but you gotta just take advantage of it and you want to go win it.’”

Making the CIF final was like a blessing for the Duarte family. Benicio said his father “was really excited, especially because my grandfather just passed away, and we were all dealing with that. He always watched me play volleyball, so he always wanted to see me do that, he always wanted to see me go to a CIF final.

“So, I feel like I’ve just gotta make it happen…gotta win it.”

Arneson, who will be coaching in his fifth CIF final for the Dons, called it a “special time,” seeing the sons of local volleyball fame play for a CIF title.

“That’s what’s so great about the volleyball culture in Santa Barbara, is having past players, and now dads, that have been such a huge part in the Santa Barbara volleyball community,” he said. “And, it’s an honor to be able to coach their sons, and the parents have been so great and supportive. It’s pretty special to see their sons do so well and have an opportunity to win a CIF title. 

(Clay and Marcelo) were great players, they had that refuse-to-lose mentality. And, our boys, and their sons, are doing so well throughout these rounds of playoffs. There’s so much maturity and growth, and for myself, too. I always want to get better as a coach. I feel like I got these kids in the right mind frame and, and they rose to the occasion. So it’s really fun, and I’ve been enjoying this moment.”