Sports
Magic happens when kids and adults learn to swim. Tragedy can strike if they don't.
At a swim meet just outside St. Louis, heads turned when a team of young swimmers walked through the rec center with their parents in tow. A supportive mom kept her eye on the clock while the Makos Swim Team athletes tucked their natural curls, braids, and locs into yellow swimming caps. In the bleachers, […]
At a swim meet just outside St. Louis, heads turned when a team of young swimmers walked through the rec center with their parents in tow.
A supportive mom kept her eye on the clock while the Makos Swim Team athletes tucked their natural curls, braids, and locs into yellow swimming caps. In the bleachers, spectators whispered about the team’s presence at the pool in Centralia, Illinois — as they do at almost every competition.
“They don’t know that we’re listening,” Randella Randell, a swimmer’s mom, later said. “But we’re here to stay. We’re here to represent. We’re going to show you that Black kids know how to swim. We swim, too.”
Randell’s son, Elijah Gilliam, 14, is a member of the Makos’ competitive YMCA and USA Swimming program based in North St. Louis. Almost 40 athletes, ages 4 to 19, swim on the squad, which encourages Black and multiracial kids to participate in the sport. Coached by Terea Goodwin and Torrie Preciado, the team also spreads the word about water safety in their community.
“If we can get everybody to learn how to swim, just that little bit, it would save so many lives,” said Goodwin, a kitchen and bathroom designer by day who is known as Coach T at the pool. “Swimming is life.”
But just like mako sharks, such teams of Black swimmers are rare. Detroit has the Razor Aquatics, Howard University in Washington, D.C., has a team that’s made headlines for winning championships, and some alums from North Carolina A&T’s former swim team created a group to offer water safety classes.
In the past, Black Americans were barred from many public swimming pools. When racial segregation was officially banned, white Americans established private swim clubs that required members to pay a fee that wasn’t always affordable. As a result, swimming remained effectively segregated, and many Black Americans stayed away from pools.
The impact is still felt. More than a third of Black adults report they do not know how to swim, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics, more than twice the rate for adults overall.
Seeing a need in their community, the parents of the Makos swimmers formed the Black Swimmers Alliance at the end of 2023 with a goal of “bridging the gap in aquatic skills,” according to its website. But the group, which offers swim lessons to families of color, is concerned about the flow of grant money dwindling because of the recent federal backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Even so, they are fundraising directly on their own, because lives are being lost.
In late January, a 6-year-old died at a hotel pool in St. Louis. A boy the same age drowned while taking swim lessons at a St. Louis County pool in 2022. And across the river in Hamel, Illinois, a 3-year-old boy drowned in a backyard pool last summer.
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 through 4, according to the CDC. Black children and Black adults drown far more often than their white peers.
Members of the Black Swimmers Alliance discussed those statistics before their advocacy work began. They also had to address another issue — many of the adult volunteers and parents with children on the Makos team didn’t know how to swim. Even though their children were swimming competitively, the fear of drowning and the repercussions of history had kept the parents out of the pool.
The Makos athletes also noticed that their parents were timid around water. That’s when their roles reversed. The children started to look out for the grown-ups.
Joseph Johnson, now 14, called out his mom, Connie Johnson, when she tried to give him a few tips about how to improve his performance.
“He was like, ‘Mom, you have no idea,'” the now-55-year-old recalled. “At first, I was offended, but he was absolutely right. I didn’t know how to swim.”
She signed up for lessons with Coach T.
Najma Nasiruddin-Crump and her husband, Joshua Crump, signed up, too. His daughter Kaia Collins-Crump, now 14, had told them she wanted to join the Makos team the first time she saw it. But among the three of them, no one knew how to swim.
Joshua Crump, 38, said he initially felt silly at the lessons, then started to get the hang of it.
“I don’t swim well enough to beat any of the children in a race,” he said with a chuckle.
Nasiruddin-Crump, 33, said she was terrified the first time she jumped in the deep end. “It is the only moment in my life outside of birthing my children that I’ve been afraid of something,” she said. “But once you do it, it’s freedom. It’s pure freedom.”
Mahoganny Richardson, whose daughter Ava is on the team, volunteered to teach more Makos parents how to swim.
She said the work starts outside the pool with a conversation about a person’s experiences with water. She has heard stories about adults who were pushed into pools, then told to sink or swim. Black women were often told to stay out of the water to maintain hairstyles that would swell if their hair got wet.
Bradlin Jacob-Simms, 47, decided to learn how to swim almost 20 years after her family survived Hurricane Katrina. She evacuated the day before the storm hit but said one of her friends survived only because that woman’s brother was able to swim to find help.
“If it wasn’t for him, they would have died,” she said, noting that hundreds did drown.
“That’s the reason why swimming is important to me,” she said. “A lot of times, us as African Americans, we shy away from it. It’s not really in our schools. It’s not really pushed.”
Makos swimmer Rocket McDonald, 13, encouraged his mom, Jamie McDonald, to get back into the water and stick with it. When she was a child, her parents had signed her up for swim lessons, but she never got the hang of it. Her dad was always leery of the water. McDonald didn’t understand why until she read about a race riot at a pool not far from where her dad grew up that happened after St. Louis desegregated public pools in 1949.
“It was a full-circle moment,” McDonald said. “It all makes sense now.”
Now, at 42, McDonald is learning to swim again.
Safety is always a priority for the Makos team. Coach T makes the athletes practice swimming in full clothing as a survival skill.
Years ago, as a lifeguard in Kansas City, Missouri, Coach T pulled dozens of children out of recreational swimming pools who were drowning. Most of them, she said, were Black children who came to cool off but didn’t know how to swim.
“I was literally jumping in daily, probably hourly, getting kids out of every section,” Goodwin said. After repeated rescues, too many to count, she decided to offer lessons.
Swim lessons can be costly. The Black Swimmers Alliance aimed to fund 1,000 free swim lessons by the end of 2025. It had already funded 150 lessons in St. Louis. But when the group looked for grants, the alliance scaled back its goal to 500 lessons, out of caution about what funding would be available.
It’s still committed to helping Black athletes swim competitively throughout their school years and in college.
Most of the time, the Makos swimmers practice in a YMCA pool that doesn’t have starting blocks. Backstroke flags are held in place with fishing wire, and the assistant coach’s husband, José Preciado, used his 3-D printer to make red, regulation 15-meter markers for the team. Once a week, parents drive the team to a different YMCA pool that has starting blocks. That pool is about 5 degrees warmer for its senior patrons’ comfort. Sometimes the young swimmers fuss about the heat, but practicing there helps them prepare for meets.
Parents said white officials have frequently disqualified Makos swimmers. So some of the team parents studied the rules of the sport, and eventually four became officials to diversify the ranks and ensure all swimmers are treated fairly. Still, parents said, that hasn’t stopped occasional racist comments from bystanders and other swimmers at meets.
“Some didn’t think we’d make it this far, not because of who we are but where we’re from,” Goodwin has taught the Makos swimmers to recite. “So we have to show them.”
And this spring, Richardson is offering lessons for Makos parents while their children practice.
“It’s not just about swimming,” Richardson said. “It’s about overcoming something that once felt impossible.”
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Sports
Volleyball Announces 2025 Roster – Dartmouth College Athletics
By: Callie Cyr Story Links HANOVER, N.H. – Dartmouth Volleyball Head Coach Kevin Maureen Campbell has announced the addition of five student-athletes as part of the incoming Class of 2029. “We are very excited to welcome this group of highly skilled volleyball players to The Woods and to Dartmouth. They […]
HANOVER, N.H. – Dartmouth Volleyball Head Coach Kevin Maureen Campbell has announced the addition of five student-athletes as part of the incoming Class of 2029.
“We are very excited to welcome this group of highly skilled volleyball players to The Woods and to Dartmouth. They bring talent and deep knowledge of the sport of volleyball and will make an immediate impact to the program on and off the court,” said Campbell.
Zori Brown
5-11 | OH | Pembroke Pines, Fla. | St. Thomas Aquinas
Before Dartmouth: Four Years varsity in volleyball, Second Team All-County freshman year, First Team All-County junior and senior year, Varsity Offensive Player of the Year junior year, Season MVP senior year, Principal’s Honor Roll every quarter, Two-time state champion, 2025 ACVA All-American Third Team, National Athletic Honor Society, Rho Kappa, National Honor Society, College Board National African American Recognition Award.
Why Dartmouth? “My high school prides themselves on having a tight community. There are many resources for students to succeed as well as a support system of amazing teachers and administrators. I have always wanted to attend a college that valued having a close community. I visited Dartmouth at the beginning of April. As I met and spoke to more students and faculty, I realized how special Dartmouth is. The students all support each other and value one another. Getting the chance to be a part of a community like that would be an opportunity of a lifetime.”
Julia York
6-1 | S | Chicago, Ill. | Loyola Academy
Before Dartmouth: Three-year varsity letter winner and senior captain for Loyola Academy volleyball, four-year captain MOD Volleyball Club Blue Elite Team, three-year JVA Class of 2025 Watch List, three-year AVCA Class of 2025 Phenom Watch List, Prep Dig Shooting Star, Under Armour Next Volleyball Camp National Team Tryout Invitee, USVA NTDP Great Lakes Accelerator Invitee, LWC Autumn Nights Invite All-Tournament Team, Adidas President’s Day Classic St. Louis Open Division All-Tournament Team, Milwaukee Grand Slam Open Division All-Tournament Team, National Honor Society, Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, Loyola Academy Humanities Dumbach Scholar, AP Scholar.
Why Dartmouth? “There are so many reasons why I chose Dartmouth. However, the two most influential reasons are the volleyball program under the leadership of Coach Kevin Campbell and the launch of Dartmouth Dialogues. I want to play for a school where athletics are supported, celebrated, and competitive and the coaches care about me as a human, not just as an athlete. I want to go to school where the students listen to each other and strive to understand different perspectives. I know in my heart that I will find both at Dartmouth. On the volleyball court and in the classroom, Dartmouth is where I will become the best version of myself.”
Elle McCreery
6-1 | MB | Phoenix, Ariz. | Xavier College Prep
Before Dartmouth:
Four-year volleyball varsity letter, All-Region First Team Recognition, All-Region Honorable Mention Recognition, Tournament MVP at NYC Juniors Collegiate Camp, All-Conference First Team Recognition, USA 18 National Division Champion with Arizona Sky, Named All-Tournament Team Honorable Mention, First Team All-Academic for all four years of high school, Honor Roll every quarter all four years, Student Athlete Scholars Merit Society.
Why Dartmouth? “I chose Dartmouth because of the high academics and the chance to play volleyball. Although the school also drew me in with its tight-knit community, the endless opportunities they provide for students to get involved, the vast alumnae group and aid they give students for the future.”
Riley Imamura
5-11 | OH/RS/MB | Carmel, Calif. | Carmel
Before Dartmouth: Four-year varsity letter winner in volleyball and track & field, All-Monterey County MVP (2024), All-Monterey County First Team (2022, 2023 & 2024), All-Gabilan League MVP (2024), Pacific Coast Athletic League First team (2022, 2023, & 2024), Highest Honor Roll (2021-2025), Top 100 Students (2021-2025).
Why Dartmouth? “I chose Dartmouth because of the unique academic opportunities and the amazing volleyball program. The remarkable sense of community I felt when I visited campus immediately made me feel at home. I know Dartmouth is a place where I will be challenged and supported to grow as an athlete, a student, and a person and I can’t wait for the next four years!”
Annika Roberson
6-2 | OPP | New Orleans, La. | Benjamin Franklin
Before Dartmouth: Three-year Varsity starter, two-time All-State selection, LHSCA All Star, 2024 Division II State Runners Up, Captain, National Merit Finalist, All Academic Composite Volleyball Team, National Honor Society.
Why Dartmouth? “I chose Dartmouth because of its strong sense of community. I attended camp the summer before my senior year of high school and immediately knew that I wanted to spend the next four years in Hanover. What stood out to me most was how genuinely welcoming and supportive everyone was—from the coaches and players to my admissions tour guide and the Dartmouth Coach driver. That spirit of support and camaraderie is woven into the culture at Dartmouth, and it made me confident that I would be joining a place where I could thrive. Dartmouth offers the unique opportunity to pursue both athletic and academic excellence within a supportive environment—one that will challenge me to grow not only as a student-athlete, but also as a person.”
Sports
Daniela Alvarez: AVCA Collegiate Beach Player of the Year
Story Links FORT WORTH – In the second year of the award, Daniela Alvarez received the AVCA Collegiate Beach Player of the Year honor. The award comes after her First Team All-American accolade for the season. Heading into the NCAA tournament, Alvarez has posted 123 career wins during her time at […]
FORT WORTH – In the second year of the award, Daniela Alvarez received the AVCA Collegiate Beach Player of the Year honor. The award comes after her First Team All-American accolade for the season.
Heading into the NCAA tournament, Alvarez has posted 123 career wins during her time at TCU, making her the most winningest individual in the program’s history. With partner Moreno, the two-time AVCA Pair of the Year (2022, 2023) became the winningest pair for TCU after they hit 100 wins together on April 18.
Playing all matches from the No. 1 spot, Alvarez posts a 25-6 record on the season. With Moreno, the two have posted a record of 14-4, and with Hailey Hamlett a record of 10-1 on the season.
Sports
Keegan Cook pleased with Stella Swenson, etc.
Gilk (Champlin Park) and Garr (Rush City) were two of the top senior volleyball prospects in the state last year. Garr was considered the best libero in Minnesota’s high school ranks. The 6-2 Gilk was the No. 1 senior and ranked 27th nationally in the 2025 class. One of the biggest surprises this spring was […]
Gilk (Champlin Park) and Garr (Rush City) were two of the top senior volleyball prospects in the state last year. Garr was considered the best libero in Minnesota’s high school ranks. The 6-2 Gilk was the No. 1 senior and ranked 27th nationally in the 2025 class.
One of the biggest surprises this spring was the 6-5 Taylor, a long and athletic middle blocker from Houston. Middle blocker Lourdès Myers, a graduate transfer from Purdue, was a key addition as well.
“This spring let us know we brought in some good freshmen,” Cook said. “[Myers] has certainly made an impact for us already.”
Top incoming freshman Kelly Kinney from Florida is the 11th-ranked senior in the country. The 6-2 All-America outside hitter won’t join the team until the summer, but Kinney and Taylor will play for Cook on the U.S. U19 team at the world championship in July.
The 6-1 senior from Prior Lake was named a unanimous all-league first-team performer, and she was an honorable mention All-American.
Sports
High school beach volleyball: Southern Section girls’ playoff results and updated pairings
SOUTHERN SECTION GIRLS BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS TUESDAY’S RESULTS QUARTERFINALS DIVISION 1 Mira Costa 4, Edison 1 Los Alamitos 4, Santa Margarita 1 Redondo Union 4, San Marcos 1 JSerra 5, San Juan Hills 0 DIVISION 2 South Torrance 3, Crean Lutheran 2 Advertisement Millikan 3, San Clemente 2 Capistrano Valley Christian 3, El Segundo 2 […]
SOUTHERN SECTION GIRLS BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
TUESDAY’S RESULTS
QUARTERFINALS
DIVISION 1
Mira Costa 4, Edison 1
Los Alamitos 4, Santa Margarita 1
Redondo Union 4, San Marcos 1
JSerra 5, San Juan Hills 0
DIVISION 2
South Torrance 3, Crean Lutheran 2
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Millikan 3, San Clemente 2
Capistrano Valley Christian 3, El Segundo 2
Santa Barbara vs. Long Beach Wilson, today at 3 p.m. at Santa Barbara East Beach
DIVISION 3
Campbell Hall 3, Warren 2
Anaheim Canyon 4, Capistrano Valley 1
Long Beach Poly 3, Laguna Blanca 2
Linfield Christian 4, Laguna Hills 1
THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE
(All matches at 2 p.m. unless noted)
SEMIFINALS
DIVISION 1
Los Alamitos at Mira Costa
Redondo Union at JSerra
DIVISION 2
South Torrance at Millikan
Capistrano Valley Christian vs. Santa Barbara/LB Wilson
DIVISION 3
Campbell Hall at Anaheim Canyon
Long Beach Poly at Linfield Christian
Note: Finals in all divisions Saturday at Long Beach City College.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Sports
Fordham Athletics Host 91st Annual Block F Awards Dinner
Story Links Gallery: (5-1-2025) 2025 Block Awards Dinner Bronx, N.Y. – As the 2024-2025 season begins to wind down, the Fordham University Athletic Department held its 91st annual Block F Awards Dinner in the Rose Hill Gym on Wednesday night to honor Fordham University’s student-athletes for their accomplishments during the academic […]
Bronx, N.Y. – As the 2024-2025 season begins to wind down, the Fordham University Athletic Department held its 91st annual Block F Awards Dinner in the Rose Hill Gym on Wednesday night to honor Fordham University’s student-athletes for their accomplishments during the academic year.
Among those honored were water polo’s Jacopo Parrella, who was the recipient of the Vincent T. Lombardi Award as Fordham’s top male student-athlete, women’s cross country/Track & Field’s Katarina Birimac, and women’s swimming’s Ainhoa Martin, co-recipients of the Claire and Jack Hobbs Award as Fordham’s top female student-athlete, and head water polo coach Brian Bacharach, who received the Iron Major Award as Fordham’s Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year.
and Chris Dietrich
The Vincent T. Lombardi Award is presented to the Male Athlete of the Year for distinguished athletic achievements in the winning tradition of Vince Lombardi. The award honors the memory of one of Fordham’s famed Seven Blocks of Granite, who is considered one of football’s greatest coaches.
Parrella, the MVP of the 2024 Mid-Atlantic Conference Championship, was a major reason for the water polo squad’s success this year as the Rams won their fourth straight league title and finished the regular season undefeated. He was named 2024 Mid-Atlantic Conference All-Championship Team after compiling eight goals, two assists, and six steals in three games at the championship. Parrella finished the season with 48 goals and 42 assists for 90 points as the Rams advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Championship. But more than his numbers, Parrella was the heart and soul of the team for the last four years. He moved position to allow the Rams to field their strongest team, and was responsible for guarding the other team’s top perimeter players.
and Chris Dietrich
The Claire & Jack Hobbs Memorial Award is presented to the Female Athlete of the Year who has achieved outstanding athletic accomplishments. The award is named in honor of the late Claire and Jack Hobbs. Jack was a 1938 graduate of Fordham College and a 1941 graduate of Fordham Law, and he and his wife were avid Fordham followers.
Birimac, who earned All-Atlantic 10 honors in both cross country and indoor track and field, finished second at the 2024 Atlantic 10 Cross Country Championship to earn Second Team All-A-10 honors. It was the highest finish ever for a Ram at the Atlantic 10 Championship and she is only the fourth Fordham woman to earn All-Atlantic 10 honors in cross country. Indoors, Birimac took first in the 5K at the 2025 Atlantic 10 Indoor Championship and paced third in the 3K. She also was the Metropolitan indoor champion in both the 1000m and mile run and was a silver medalist in the mile run at the ECAC Indoor Championship. Academically, Birimac was named Academic All-Atlantic 10 for the indoor season.
and Chris Dietrich
Martin, who also won the Hobbs Award last year, won two individual titles at the 2025 Atlantic 10 Championship. She took gold in the 400 individual medley for the second straight season in 4:13.40, as well as the 200 breaststroke event in 2:11.55 for First Team All-Atlantic 10 honors. Both winning times were NCAA “B” cut times. Martin also picked up a silver medal and Second Team All-Atlantic 10 accolades in the 200 individual medley, as well as a bronze as a part of the 800 freestyle relay, which set a school record in 7:17.59. Academically, she was named to Academic All-Atlantic 10. Martin closes out her Fordham career tied for the most A-10 titles of any swimmer in the history of Fordham swimming (six) and only the second female swimmer to qualify for NCAA’s.
Brian Bacharach
Bacharach picks up his second straight Iron Major award as the Fordham Coach of the Year, third overall, after leading the water polo squad to its fourth straight MAWPC conference championship and fourth consecutive NCAA championship appearance. This year he took the team to a new level as the Rams went undefeated in the regular season en route to the championship. Fordham was then awarded a three-seed for the NCAA National Championships where the Rams defeated Long Beach State in the first round, Fordham’s first ever water polo win at the championship. The Rams then fell to USC in overtime in the semifinals to close out the season with a 32-1 record and tied for third in the national rankings.
Following the season, Bacharach was named ACWPC National Coach of the Year
The night opened with a special recognition of former Director of Academic Advising for Student Athletes, Frank Taylor, who was presented with a special Celebration of Service award.
Below is a list of the other award winners:
Patrick Kenneally Award – Alex Usatine (Sr., Men’s Basketball Head Manager): The Patrick Kenneally Award is presented to a Fordham student who serves the Athletic Department in capacities other than athletic participation. The award honors the memory of Pat Kenneally, equipment and business manager for 54 years.
Usatine has been the epitome of Fordham Basketball and Fordham Athletics throughout his four years of service as a student manager, and this year, as head manager. Not only does he support the student-athletes and coaches in every way imaginable, he has also been a phenomenal friend and mentor to countless other managers. During his time with Fordham Basketball, his positive impact has been felt by many. Whether he arrived at the gym at 4:30 a.m. to ensure that practice loops were washed in time for 6:0 a.m. practice, or if the team didn’t get back to campus until 4:00 a.m. after a road game in Chicago, Alex always had a smile on his face and was willing to put others’ needs before his own every single time.
Terence O’Donnell Award (Sportsmanship & Dedication) – Abdou Tsimbila (Gr., Men’s Basketball): The O’Donnell Memorial Award is presented to the Fordham athlete who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, loyalty, dedication and self-discipline. The award is in memory of Terry O’Donnell, a 1955 graduate who died in a military plane crash shortly after graduation.
Tsimbila, a four-year member of the men’s basketball program, despite his size, he was always a calming presence for his teammates, even when things weren’t going as planned. Arriving at Fordham in 2021 he immediately became part of the RAMily and was as dedicated to the program as anyone. He fought through adversity and injury, never letting it get him or his teammates down, always being a smiling face for others to turn to. He leaves Fordham with his name in the record book but more importantly with his name associated with an award that sums up what he has meant to the program and university.
Jack Coffey Award – Steve Westerduin (Senior Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Event Management): The Jack Coffey award is presented to a Fordham administrator, alumnus or coach for outstanding contributions and dedication to the athletic program. It is named for the late Jack Coffey, long-time baseball coach and graduate manager of Athletics.
Westerduin, who has been a member of the Fordham Athletic Department since 2014 when he served as an intern, is the backbone of the department. He works tirelessly to make sure all the facilities are in working order for games and practices and his dedication to Fordham on a daily basis for over a decade is second-to-none. Westerduin is constantly putting out fires and making the most of his situation and also adds to the department’s culture and looks for ways to improve the work environment.
Benedict T. Harter Award – Gannon Brady (Sr., Baseball): The Benedict T. Harter award is presented to the Gabelli School of Business senior athlete who has made significant academic and athletic contributions. The award honors Ben Harter, Gabelli School of Business Class of 1939, a former dean of both Fordham’s undergraduate and graduate schools of business, who was an avid follower and supporter of Fordham Athletics.
Brady is a four-year member of the baseball squad. He is a multiple Atlantic 10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll recipient and was also named CSC Academic All-District last spring. This year he has a 1-1 record with one save for the Rams with a team-high 17 appearances.
Kieran Award – Lauryn Sweeney (Sr., Volleyball): The Kieran Award, presented to the Fordham College senior athlete who has made significant academic and athletic contributions. The award honors the memory of John Kieran, Fordham College Class of 1912, and a famous radio broadcaster, sports editor of the New York Times and a member of Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
Sweeney is a four-year member of the volleyball program. She is a double major in International Political Economy and Theology with a concentration in American Catholic studies and is a multi-Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference selection. She was named team MVP this year and served as a 2024 team captain.
Kiwanis Community Service – Mallory McClellan (Sr., Softball): Fordham Kiwanis is part of a worldwide service organization that is committed to improving the quality of life through volunteer action. The members of Fordham Kiwanis, comprised of university faculty, staff, and administrators, wish to recognize student-athletes who not only excel in academics and in their respective sports, but who are also committed to working in community service activities.
McClellan, a four-year member of the softball program, has served as the campus ambassador for Strong Girls United (SGU) for the past three years, and has been a member of the group the past four years. She has helped Fordham female athletes, specifically the softball team, partner with Public School 55 in the Bronx for the past four years working with third through fifth grade girls with a focus on increasing mental and physical well-being among these students. She has used the SGU material to develop an age and skill appropriate curriculum for these students, and coordinated getting her teammates to and from the school in the fall the past three years. McClellan’s efforts with the group were highlighted on The Today Show.
Ram Rising Award – Amy Mallah (Assistant Equipment Manager): The Rising Star Award recognizes an emerging leader at Fordham Athletics who demonstrates a passion for their work, Fordham Athletics, and the Fordham tradition. The recipient shows promise in their field and is making a large impact on the Fordham community in the short time that they have been a part of the Fordham Athletics staff.
Since joining the equipment room last fall, Mallah has been fantastic in the organization of the team equipment and the ordering gear for next year. Her exceptional dedication and impact in the equipment room has helped to push the Fordham Athletics branding forward and she has ensured the equipment room runs smoothly while demonstrating passion for her work.
Marty Glickman Award – Lou Orlando: Presented to the WFUV student play-by-play announcer who best follows the examples taught by Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Glickman. The award honors the memory of Marty Glickman, who was the broadcast coach at WFUV from 1987-99.
Orlando, a senior, worked his way up the ranks to eventually become the main play-by-play voice of the football and men’s basketball Rams while also serving as the Sports Manager at WFUV. He can also be heard calling Fordham baseball and softball games in the little spare time he has.
National Strength and Conditioning All-American Strength and Conditioning Athletes of the Year – Tommy McAndrews (Baseball), Jessica Zebrowski (Swimming)
Athlete Academic Achievement Awards: (Presented to senior student-athletes who have been selected for outstanding athletic and academic achievement with a 3.5 GPA or better):
Fordham College at Rose Hill
Natalia Alvaraz, Dance
Trey Bradford, Football
Taya Davis, Basketball
Anne DiRago, Cheer
Lauren Donovan, Dance
Molly Ewing, Rowing
Owen Hardy, Soccer
Audrey Hayes, Volleyball
Anna Hinck, Rowing
Amelia Hong, Dance
Aarav Jhunjhunwala, Squash
Taz Kanjanakaset, Swimming & Diving
Jillian Klostermann, Rowing
Emilie Krog, Swimming & Diving
Thomas Lecari, Water Polo
Jaehee Park, Swimming & Diving
Andres Perez, Baseball
Arianna Psareas, Rowing
Kaitlyn Ross, Track & Field
Lauryn Sweeney, Volleyball
Christian Taylor, Swimming & Diving
Madeline Wambach, Swimming & Diving
Emilee Watkins, Softball
Sydney Wells, Softball
Gabelli School of Business
Anya Alfonsetti-Terry, Track & Field
Caitrina Barton, Cross Country/Track & Field
Lorraine Bergmann, Tennis
Michael Biryukov, Swimming & Diving
Gannon Brady, Baseball
Alex Casarella, Baseball
Brian Desmond, Men’s Swimming & Diving
Abigail Doyle, Soccer
Molly Farrell, Swimming & Diving
Will Haslett, Football
Lucas Isaacman, Squash
Mark Katsev, Water Polo
Chris Konefal, Golf
Karina Lacson, Dance
Daniel Langlois, Swimming & Diving
Ainhoa Martin, Swimming & Diving
Leire Martin, Swimming & Diving
Tristan McFarlane, Soccer
Gabriel Melillo, Water Polo
Ryan Meyer, Baseball
Helen Moloney, Cross Country/Track & Field
Jake Mrva, Golf
Brian Nussbaum, Basketball
Jacopo Parrella, Water Polo
Len Ray, Swimming & Diving
Bryan Ruland, Golf
Rodolfo Sanchez, Cross Country/Track & Field
Anthony Scarlata, Baseball
Mya Sharkey, Swimming & Diving
Emma Rose Shaughnessy, Swimming & Diving
Madison Soucey, Soccer
Bennett Van Liew, Squash
Carley Walker, Rowing
Madison Wong, Swimming & Diving
Kevin Zahariev, Swimming & Diving
Team MVPs
Men’s Basketball: Jackie Johnson III
Women’s Basketball: Taylor Donaldson and Irene Murua
Cheerleading: Annie DiRago
Men’s Cross Country: Nathan Bezuneh and Sean Reidy
Women’s Cross Country: Katarina Birimac
Dance: Karina Lacson
Football: Matt Jaworski
Golf: Jake Mrva
Rowing: Eliza Collins
Men’s Soccer: Daniel D’Ippolito
Women’s Soccer: Liina Tervo
Squash: Bennett Van Liew
Men’s Swimming & Diving: Christian Taylor
Women’s Swimming & Diving: Ainhoa Martin
Men’s Tennis: Dhillon Virdee-Oakley
Women’s Tennis: Lorraine Bergmann
Men’s Indoor Track & Field: Njaminaweh Abdul-Latif and Rodolfo Sanchez
Women’s Indoor Track & Field: Katarina Birimac
Volleyball: Lauryn Sweeney
Water Polo: Jacopo Parrella
Note: Baseball, Softball, and Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track will name an MVP at the conclusions of their seasons.
Sports
George Jenkins boys volleyball wins first-ever district championship
LAKELAND — It didn’t matter if the George Jenkins volleyball program was down early. The team put the past behind them and went full steam ahead the last five points of each game. And ultimately, this pulled out a 3-1 win (25-18, 25-22, 25-20 and 27-20) over Venice in the Class 3A, District 8 Championship […]
LAKELAND — It didn’t matter if the George Jenkins volleyball program was down early. The team put the past behind them and went full steam ahead the last five points of each game.
And ultimately, this pulled out a 3-1 win (25-18, 25-22, 25-20 and 27-20) over Venice in the Class 3A, District 8 Championship game Wednesday at George Jenkins High School. The championship clincher marked the first time in school history the boys volleyball program won the district championship.
“It’s been a long time coming. They earned it. The boys worked hard in the off-season. And they stayed undefeated. They stayed mentally tough. And even after losing that first set, we could have given up, and they fought back and they won,” George Jenkins head volleyball coach Jena Ousley said after the game.
Yes, George Jenkins, the No. 41 team in all of Florida, did go down 25-18 in the first match. But all-county junior outside hitter Jacob Aca produced a huge block in that second set to tie it up at 20. The Eagles went on a 3-1 run, and a mishap on the Venice side led to that 25-22 win. What was huge in this second set was passing and serve-receive. The setter, sophomore Matthew Aca — Jacob’s brother, who busted his chin open diving for a ball — was effective, and that opened up kills for the outside hitters.
“I felt like I put in effort. I felt like they needed me, so I came back as fast as possible and put effort in defense, (trying) to make sure every ball was up,” Matthew Aca said. “Everybody really worked hard.”
George Jenkins continued to work hard in that third set as Jacob Aca smashed a spike that put the Eagles up 21-18 before a timeout, which led to an eventual 25-20 win and a 2-1 score. What worked well in this set was senior setter Toron Benion coming in and executing that jump-serve and serve-receive. Benion, who typically doesn’t play in the back row, passed the ball well and set his teammates up on offense.
“I managed to keep my head up and lift everybody’s spirits up, and in the end, we just worked hard and took the lead,” Benion said.
The overall lead in the district championship was never relinquished thanks to Jacob Aca’s kills and junior middle hitter Diego Ayala’s serve, which catapulted a 27-25 win in the waning moments.
‘We just had to go in (and) forget the mistakes. Also, we had to take risks. … Sometimes the game doesn’t come easy. You’ve got to take the risk,” Jacob Aca said.
The Eagles will now go to either Orlando or Miami for regional action.
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