This Week’s Events
Saturday, December 13
Women’s Basketball hosts Niagara – 2:00 p.m. {BUY TICKETS – all tickets $8.88}
80’s Weekend :: $1 Hot Dogs // KidZone // Postgame Layups on the Court (age 12 & younger)
Sunday, December 14
Men’s Basketball hosts Oakland City – 2:00 p.m. {BUY TICKETS}
80’s Weekend :: $1 Hot Dogs // KidZone // Postgame Layups on the Court (age 12 & younger)
 
Viking of the Week
Izabella Zingaro, Women’s Basketball
Averaged 17.5 points per game – shooting 83-percent from the floor on the week – while also averaging 7.0 rebounds per contest.
 
Women’s Basketball
-The Vikings return home for one game this week, hosting Niagara on Saturday.
-Saturday’s game will be played in Woodling Gymnasium, where the Vikings are 3-0 this season.
-Last time out, Cleveland State started Horizon League play, going 1-1 including a 72-55 victory at Oakland.

Men’s Basketball

-The Vikings will have a single game this week, hosting Oakland City on Sunday.

-Sunday’s game will mark the second inside Woodling Gymnasium for the Vikings, a place where they picked up a 109-56 victory over Waynesburg earlier this year.

-Last time out, Cleveland State started Horizon League play, with Jaidon Lipscomb averaging 19.0 points and the duo of Priest Ryan and Josiah Harris averaging 9.0 rebounds through the first two #HLMBB games.

Track & Field

-Cleveland State opened the 2025-26 indoor season with three school records.

-The Vikings are now off until the Falcon Early Bird Open on Friday, Jan. 9.

-Natalie Keller set the 5000 mark with a time of 17:54.57 at the YSU Open.

-Olivia Todd and Madison Morris followed it up with school records in the 300 at the Tom Wright Open.

Two Hope College juniors have claimed MIAA Athlete of the Week distinction: Parker Hovey in men’s basketball and Dylan Terpstra in men’s track and field.

Hovey (Hart, Michigan / Hart) is the MIAA Men’s Basketball Athlete of the Week for the first time.

Terpstra (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville) is the MIAA Men’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week for the first time.

Hovey averaged 16.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.0 blocks over two games: a 71-64 victory at Ohio Northern University on Friday and a 60-59 win at Ohio Wesleyan University on Saturday.

The 6-foot-5 forward matched his career high with 21 points on 80% field-goal shooting at Ohio Wesleyan (8-of-10). He sank two go-ahead free throws with 10 seconds remaining and made all five of his attempts at the foul line.

Terpstra clocked the fastest 400-meter time in NCAA Division III on Friday with a school-record run of 48.16 seconds at Grand Valley State University’s Holiday Open.

The communication major eclipsed Brandon Wolliston’s 2017 Flying Dutchmen record in the event on GVSU’s 300-meter track and topped a field of 18 runners during the season-opening meet.

Terpstra also led off the second-place 4×400 relay that finished in 3:20.58.

The 33^rd edition of the multi-sport event returns to the location of the very first regional Games in 1959, as the Thai capital of Bangkok plays host together with the Chonburi region. The full SEA Games schedule is available to view here.

During his four years as a member of the Patriots’ track and field program, Yap developed into one of Mason’s top throwers, earning multiple Atlantic 10 Championship appearances and cementing his place in the program’s record books. Yap credits his time at George Mason for preparing him to compete at the international level. He believes that the four years of balancing academics, athletics, and an internship gave him the confidence to pursue his dreams.

“I really have to thank all the coaches, professors, and managers that have been through this journey with me the past several years,” said Yap. “Without the support of them, I don’t think I would be where I am at today.”

 

One of Yap’s most memorable moments at George Mason was breaking the school record in men’s hammer throw during the season opener of his final year. He recounts the experience as unexpected but incredibly rewarding, as he had two throws that surpassed the previous record.

 

“It was even more memorable because there was a lot going on throughout the year as a team, and I was fortunate enough to have Coach Becky (Hartley) there,” Yap said. “She was the one that saw something in me and gave me a chance to compete for Mason. Being able to celebrate with her and have that moment where all the hard work is on display, that is something that I will never forget.”

 

Yap’s passion for track and field is what drives him to continue competing. He loves the process, the training, and the constant pursuit of improvement. Despite most athletes retiring after college, Yap felt he had the discipline, drive, and physical ability to keep going.

 

In addition to his love for the sport, representing the Philippines added an extra layer of motivation for Yap. As a first-generation Filipino-American, he takes pride in his heritage and is inspired by the opportunity to wear the country’s colors.

 

“I very much throw to achieve goals that I set for myself,” said Yap. “But to also make my family and friends proud is something that inspires me as well.”

 

Competing in the SEA Games is an opportunity for Yap to honor his family’s heritage. It allows him to visit the Philippines, see his relatives, and express gratitude for the love and support he has received throughout his journey. As Yap prepares to compete in the SEA Games, he looks forward to representing the Philippines and contributing to the success of his country.

 

“It makes me very proud being able to represent where my family comes from,” Yap said. “I can’t express my gratitude to all the family and friends who have shown me love and support through this journey. At the end of the day, I want to make them proud.”

His dedication, discipline, and love for the sport continue to drive him towards achieving his goals and making his family and friends proud.

Beyond athletics, Yap has also begun building a successful professional career. A graduate of four academic programs from the Costello College of Business, Yap currently works for Navy Federal Credit Union, where he supports member-focused financial services and applies the same discipline and work ethic that defined his collegiate experience. Balancing full-time work with elite-level training has strengthened his time-management skills and reinforced his commitment to pursuing excellence both on and off the field. Read the recent article on Yap’s career success LINK.

“I have trained ever so hard for this moment, and I have faith leading up to these games that I know I can put out a solid performance,” said Yap. “Likewise, I personally want to contribute towards the success and make the country proud.”