2025 AQUATICS GB SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS After a week of intense racing, we’ve reached the end of the 2025 Aquatics GB Swimming Championships. Tonight represents swimmers last chance to make their case to be on the plane for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Tonight’s session begins with the men’s 50 butterfly, where Ben Proud, Jacob […]
After a week of intense racing, we’ve reached the end of the 2025 Aquatics GB Swimming Championships. Tonight represents swimmers last chance to make their case to be on the plane for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
Tonight’s session begins with the men’s 50 butterfly, where Ben Proud, Jacob Peters, and Jack Brown face off. Proud won the men’s 50 freestyle in London this week and is a former World Champion in this event. Meanwhile, Peters comes in as the top seed and 17-year-old Brown made waves this week with a 51.87 in the 100 butterfly.
Later, the action shifts to the men’s 200 backstroke. There, Oliver Morgan aims for a backstroke sweep. He’s been on fire this weekend and qualified as the second seed (1:59.33) behind Olympic medalist Luke Greenbank (1:57.92). Greenbank leads the field by over a second and the Worlds consideration time is 1:57.28, so Morgan will have his work cut out for him. The top four men were all under 2:00 this morning as Jonny Marshall (1:59.33) tied with Morgan and Matthew Ward clocked 1:59.63.
After the 800 freestyle fastest heat, the women’s events turn towards the sprints. Angharad Evans hit a lifetime best 2:21.86 in the 200 breaststroke to punch her ticket to Worlds. It was an exciting swim that also built the hype for her 100 breaststroke, where she’s the British record holder. Then, veteran Freya Anderson and rising star Eva Okaro go head-t0-head in the 100 freestyle. Anderson comes in as the top seed (54.37) and is looking to bounce back after missing the 200 freestyle ‘A’ final this week. Okaro has been having the opposite week, building confidence and qualifying for Worlds, and joined Anderson sub-55 seconds this morning (54.95).
The meet closes with the men’s 200 freestyle final. Matt Richards is already pre-qualified for Worlds in this race, leaving one individual qualification spot open for the rest of the field. Duncan Scott looks well-positioned to take it, he’s been swimming strong all week–setting a 200 butterfly British record–and qualified second for the final in 1:47.31. But, James Guy was out like a shot during his 400 freestyle at the beginning of the week and leads the into the final with a 1:46.85 prelims swim.
Men’s 50-Meter Butterfly
Junior Final
British Record: 22.75 — Ben Proud (2017)
British Junior Record: 23.10 — Ben Proud (2013)
Top 3:
Ethan Soppett-Moss, Corby — 24.56
Chengze Duan, RTW Monson — 24.59
Matthew Hamilton, Plymouth — 24.61
Ethan Soppett-Moss earned the first win of the last session at the 2025 Aquatics GB Swimming Championships. He pipped Chengze Duan by three-hundredths to win the 50 butterfly junior final, stopping the clock at 24.56.
It was a close final all around, as Duan got his hands on the wall two-hundredths ahead of Matthew Hamilton‘s 24.61.
Multi-Class Para Final
S6 British Record: 32.01 — Sascha Kindred (2015)
Top 3:
Bruce Dee, Northampton (S6) — 33.75 (738 points)
Bruce Dee was the lone racer in this multi-class para final. He’s been on the podium multiple times throughout this week and picked up another medal by winning gold in the 50 butterfly. He swam a lifetime best 33.75 to take home the win, earning 738 para points.
British Open Final
World Record: 22.27 — Andriy Govorov, Ukraine (2018)
European Record: 22.27 — Andriy Govorov, Ukraine (2018)
British Record: 22.75 — Ben Proud (2017)
Aquatics GB 2025 Worlds Consideration Time: —
Top 3:
Ben Proud, Chelsea & Westminster — 23.21
Jacob Peters, Bath PC /Josh Gammon, Bath PC — 23.44
(tie)
A long finish nearly cost Ben Proud the win in the race, but he’d done enough work over the one length of butterfly to earn gold in the British Open final of the men’s 50 butterfly. It’s his second win of the week, he won the 50 freestyle earlier this week. Proud called the time, a 23.21, a “very standard” one for this point in the season after the race.
Over two-tenths behind Proud, Jacob Peters and Josh Gammon tied for the silver medal at 23.44.
Women’s 800-Meter Freestyle
British Open — Fastest Heat
World Record: 8:04.79 — Katie Ledecky, United States (2016)
European Record: 8:14.10 — Rebecca Adlington, Great Britain (2008)
British Record: 8:14.10 — Rebecca Adlington, Great Britain (2008)
Teenager Amelie Blocksidge controlled the fastest heat of the women’s 800 freestyle. It was the opposite strategy from the one she used in the 400 freestyle earlier in the week, where she was right at the back of the field until the second half of the race. In that race, she just ran out of room to chase down Megan Barnes. But Blocksidge is most comfortable in the distance freestyle events and was in a race against the clock as she charged ahead of the 800 freestyle field.
She flipped at the halfway mark in 4:16.88, then maintained her lead over the second 400 meters, taking the win in 8:37.95. She defended her British title in this race from a year ago and completed the distance freestyle sweep with the win.
Over the back half of the race, Fleur Lewis disengaged from her battle with Lucy Fox and broke away from the field as well. She didn’t challenge Blocksidge for the win, but comfortably picked up the silver medal in
Men’s 200-Meter Backstroke
Junior Final
Top 3:
Dean Fearn, Aberdeen — 2:01.67
Daniel Ransom, Leeds — 2:01.68
Finlay Pope, Stockport — 2:02.25
Up in lane two, Toby Godsell had the lead at the 100-meter mark, holding about a three-tenth lead. He maintained his lead at the 150-meter mark. He was overtaken down the stretch as four swimmers charged on the last length.
It came down to the touch, but Dean Fearn came up with the win by a hundredth over the 100 backstroke junior final winner Daniel Ransom. The pair swam 2:01.67 and 2:01.68 and were both under the consideration time for European Juniors.
Stockport’s Finlay Pope took third in the final with a 2:02.25, while Godspell finished fifth in 2:02.57 after a gutsy opening.
British Open Final
World Record: 1:51.92 — Aaron Piersol, United States (2009)
European Record: 1:53.23 — Evgeny Rylov, Russia (2021)
Oliver Morgan, Birmingham — 1:55.55 *Worlds Consideration Time*
Luke Greenbank, Loughborough — 1:56.20 *Worlds Consideration Time*
Jonny Marshall, Carnegie — 1:58.31
Ollie Morgan completed the backstroke sweep at this week’s championships by winning the 200 backstroke in thrilling fashion. Morgan was lights out from the start of the race, opening in a 26.13, almost a second ahead of the rest of the field.
Morgan continued to charge, flipping at the 100-mark in 54.78, well under Luke Greenbank‘s British record pace. In the lane next to him, Greenbank was running third at the halfway point, behind Morgan and Jonny Marshall. Morgan was still under British record pace with 50-meters remaining. He lost touch with the pace on the final 50 meters but was far enough ahead to win by .65 seconds, even as Greenbank mounted a charge on the back half of the race.
Morgan swam a lifetime best 1:55.55 that makes him the second-fastest British performer in event history, behind only Greenbank. The swim was well under the Aquatics GB consideration time and Greenbank joined him under that cut with a 1:56.20. Greenbank got back in the water in January and since he finished second isn’t automatically qualified for the Worlds team, but it would be a shock if the organizers left him off the roster after he cleared the cut by over a second.
Marshall got on his third backstroke podium of the week with a 1:58.31.
Women’s 100-Meter Breaststroke
Junior Final
British Record: 1:05.54 — Angharad Evans (2024)
British Junior Record: 1:06.35 — Sophie Taylor (2014)
Top 3:
Imogen Myles, Sevenoaks — 1:10.16
Charlotte Hardy, Millfield — 1:10.28
Gabrielle Idle-Beavers, Mt. Kelly — 1:10.73
Gabrielle Idle-Beavers had the lead at the turn of the girls’ 100 breaststroke junior final. Imogen Myles was the only swimmer to go out with Idle-Beavers under 33 seconds, turning .15 seconds behind Idle-Beavers’ opening 32.69 split.
Myles struck on the closing meters, timing her race well and getting her hands on the wall first. She touched in 1:10.16 while Charlotte Hardy closed strong as well to place second in 1:10.28. Idle-Beavers held on for a top three position in 1:10.73.
Multi-Class Para Final
SB7 British Record: 1:29.69 — Iona Winnifrith (2024)
SB8 British Record: 1:13.83 — Brock Whiston (2019)
SB13 British Record: 1:13.81 — Rebecca Redfern (2019)
SB14 British Record: 1:12.89 — Bethany Firth (2016)
Brock Whiston, London Dis (SB8) — 1:20.82 (858 points)
Paralympic champion Rebecca Redfearn picked up the win in the multi-class para final of the women’s 100 breaststroke. She swam 1:14.27, coming within a second of her SB13 British record and going faster than she went to win Paralympic gold in her classification this summer in Paris.
Iona Winnifrith, the SB7 British record holder, was also within a second of her standard as she picked up the silver medal. She swam a 1:30.61, which earned her 869 points, nine more than Brock Whiston. Whiston earned bronze and was under the Para Worlds consideration time for the SB8 classification.
British Open Final:
World Record: 1:04.13 — Lilly King, United States (2017)
European Record: 1:04.35 — Rūta Meilutyte, Lithuania (2013)
Angharad Evans took down her 100 breaststroke British record in the same pool where she broke it last year. After qualifying for the Worlds team in the 200 breaststroke earlier this week, Evans said before the race she wasn’t feeling any pressure ahead of this race.
Evans quickly asserted herself in this race. She turned over five-tenths ahead of the field in 31.05, just two-hundredths off British record pace. She did all the work to get under the record on the second half of her race, coming home in 34.32 to break her standard with a 1:05.37.
Additionally, the swim makes her the fastest female 100 breaststroker in the world this season ahead of the 1:05.82 Anita Bottazzo swam last week.
Edinburgh teammates Kara Hanlon and Anna Morgan share the podium again this week, now going 2-3 in the 100 breaststroke. Hanlon swam 1:06.93, while Morgan clocked 1:08.39.
Women’s 100-Meter Freestyle
Junior Final
British Record: 52.75 — Anna Hopkin (2021)
British Junior Record: 53.31 — Freya Anderson (2019)
Top 3:
Skye Carter, Basildon – 55.64
Annabelle Compton, Wycombe – 55.70
Emma Wood, Leeds – 55.78
Skye Carter has had a strong week in London, finding success in both junior and British Open finals. She added to this week’s resume by closing strongly and getting the win in the girls’ junior 100 freestyle final. She hit the wall in 55.64, right on her lifetime best.
Annabelle Compton earned second from lane two, six-hundredths behind Carter with a 55.70. Leeds’ Emma Wood touched third in 55.78.
Multi-Class Para Final
S5 British Record: 1:11.71 — Tully Kearney (2022)
S9 British Record: 1:03.00 — Toni Shaw (2019)
S10 British Record: 1:01.00 — Faye Rodgers (2025)
S11 British Record: 1:10.42 — Scarlett Humphrey (2025)
It was a great race between S10 swimmers Faye Rodgers and Callie-Ann Warrington. In prelims, Rodgers broke Warrington’s 100 freestyle S10 British Record, swimming a 1:01.00. She was a tenth off that time in tonight’s final, which she put down to her finish post-race, as she swam away from sprint-specialist Warrington down the stretch.
Rodgers’ time wins her the multi-class para British title in this race with 861 points, while Warrington earned silver with 811 points (1:02.33).
Scarlett Humphrey has been rattling her British records all week and took one down here in the 100 freestyle. She broke the 100 freestyle S11 record she swam earlier this year, posting a 1:10.31, bettering the mark by nine-hundredths as she won bronze with 775 points.
British Open Final
World Record: 51.71 — Sarah Sjöström, Sweden (2017)
European Record: 51.71 — Sarah Sjöström, Sweden (2017)
British Record: 52.75 — Anna Hopkin (2021)
Aquatics GB 2025 Worlds Consideration Time: 53.55
Top 4:
Freya Anderson, Bath PC — 54.09
Eva Okaro, Repton — 54.10
Freya Colbert, Loughborough — 54.54
Theodora Taylor, Torfaen — 54.59
Sprint specialist Eva Okaro took the 100 freestyle final out first, flipping in 26.13. Freya Anderson was running second in 26.22 and pushed on the back half of the race. She got her hand on the wall a hundredth ahead of Okaro to win the British title, 54.09 to 54.10.
No one made the Aquatics GB Worlds Consideration time for the individual event and the times do not add up to the Aquatics GB qualification time, though the organizers could opt to send the relay anyway. That would give Freya Colbert another swim in what’s turning into a busy Worlds for her. It would also send 16-year-old Theodora Taylor to Singapore, who had a big swim out of lane eight to finish fourth in 54.59, five-hundredths behind Colbert.
Men’s 200-Meter Freestyle
Junior Final
British Record: 1:44.22 — Tom Dean (2021)
British Junior Record: 1:45.77 — Matt Richards (2021)
Top 3:
Hayden Annan, RTW Monson — 1:50.06
Jacob Mills, Repton — 1:50.08
Gabriel Shepherd, Leeds — 1:50.41
Hayden Annan won the boys’ 200 freestyle junior final by two-hundredths ahead of Jacob Mills, who has been having an excellent week, getting under the Worlds consideration time in the 100 freestyle with a 48.03. Annan’s 1:50.06 was a lifetime best for him, as was Mills’ 1:50.08.
The top three swimmers were all sub-1:51 as Gabriel Shepherd touched in 1:50.41.
Multi-Class Para Final
S14 British Record: 1:51.30 — William Ellard (2024)
Top 3:
William Ellard, Norwich (S14) — 1:53.38 (945 points)
Dylan Broom, Swansea (S14) — 1:58.38 (831 points)
Mark Tompsett, Bolton (S14) — 2:02.24 (754 points)
William Ellard, the 200 freestyle S14 Paralympic champion, picked up the British title in the event with a 1:53.38. Ellard was outside of the 200 freestyle S14 world record he set last spring in Berlin but got under the consideration time for the 2025 Para World Swimming Championships later this summer.
Ellard flew away from the field for the win in the all S14 final, but Dylan Broom was able to join Ellard under the 2:00 mark, swimming a 1:58.38 for 831 points and the silver medal. Mark Tompsett, who took down the 100 backstroke S14 European record earlier this week, earned medal by swimming 2:02.24 and picking up 754 points for a bronze medal.
British Open Final
World Record: 1:42.00 — Paul Biedermann, Germany (2009)
European Record: 1:42.00 — Paul Biedermann, Germany (2009)
Duncan Scott, Stirling/James Guy, Manchester — 1:45.08
(tie)
Matt Richards, Manchester — 1:45.35
Jack McMillan, Stirling — 1:46.49
Duncan Scott and James Guy had the chance to do the funniest thing possible and they did just that. With only one individual 200 freestyle spot available because Matt Richards was pre-selected to the event after winning Olympic silver in Paris, Scott and Guy tied for the gold in the men’s 200 freestyle final.
Both will go to Singapore as the men’s 4×200 freestyle relay qualified for the World Championships, but it’s an open question as to how the organizers will break the tie. The posted selection criteria for the championships does not specify how to handle a tie in this situation.
It was a thrilling race well before the final result though. Richards was out like a shot, turning at the 50 in 23.65 and the 100 in 49.80, well under British record pace. Alex Painter, swimming next to Richards in lane 8, was second at the 50 but Guy, then Scott overtook him by the halfway mark.
Richards still led at the 150-mark in 1:16.65, with Scott moving into second ahead of Guy. In the middle of the pool, both Scott and Guy hunted Richards down on the final 50 meters and hit the wall together in 1:45.08. They are now tied for third-fastest in the world this season.
Richards said after the race he would never take the race out that fast again and touched third in 1:45.35 with Scott’s Stirling training parter Jack McMillan touching fourth. McMillan contributed to the British men’s 4×200 freestyle relay gold by swimming in prelims in Paris and will now help the team chase gold in Singapore.
Lucas and Urraca Strike Gold at MEAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships – Both Eagles Squads Take Fourth
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NORFOLK, Va. – The North Carolina Central women’s and men’s track & field teams concluded competition at the 2025 MEAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships on May 15-17 at William Price Stadium, […]
NORFOLK, Va. – The North Carolina Central women’s and men’s track & field teams concluded competition at the 2025 MEAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships on May 15-17 at William Price Stadium, with both teams finishing fourth. This is the highest finish in the Division I era for the Eagles in the outdoor championships.
The podium for the women’s teams included Howard (292 points), claiming its fourth consecutive conference title. Norfolk State (189) and Morgan State (74) finished in front of the Eagles. NCCU was one point shy of third with 73 points. Delaware State (72), South Carolina State (50), Coppin State (25) and Maryland Eastern Shore (25) completed the standings.
For the fourth straight year, Norfolk State (227 points) won the men’s conference championship. Coppin State and Howard trailed behind in a tie as both teams collected 111.5 points. NC Central (93), South Carolina State (81), Delaware State (71), Morgan State (67) and Maryland Eastern Shore (52) rounded out the championships.
Two Eagles won individual gold as Tia Lucas and Gabriel Urraca topped the podium. Lucas won her second career gold in the women’s high jump clearing 1.77m for a new personal record and the top mark in the MEAC. Urraca took home his first medal as an Eagle after throwing 17.61m in the men’s shot put for a season best.
Two silver medals were placed on the shoulders of Jonathan Raijon-Koger and Nelson Anderson. Raijon-Koger leaped for a season-best 2.09m in the men’s high jump. He also won silver at last year’s outdoor championship and gold indoors this season. Anderson finished second in the men’s hammer throw with 51.10m as his best distance.
Sa’Niya Fowler left Norfolk with two bronze medals in women’s discus (42.92m) and hammer (51.72m). On the track, Nyree Bacchus added to NCCU’s point total after a third-place finish in the women’s 400m (54.62). Laila Jackson ran for her third straight medal in the 800m, this time crossing the finish line in third (2:09.63).
The final two bronze medals went to Matthew Swepson in men’s hammer and javelin throw. In the hammer, Swepson had a season-best 46.95m throw, finishing right behind his teammate Anderson. On the final day, he threw 52.17m, placing third in the javelin event. Swepson also competed in the discus and shot put, finishing sixth in both events. He collected 18 points for the Eagles, earning Outstanding Co-Field Athlete Performer at the championships. This is the third time that Swepson has won this honor throughout his career at NCCU.
Gold
Tia Lucas – women’s high jump (1.77m) *All-MEAC First Team – HJ
Gabriel Urraca – men’s shot put (17.61m) *All-MEAC First Team – SP
Silver
Jonathan Raijon-Koger – men’s high jump (2.09m) *All-MEAC Second Team – HJ
Nelson Anderson – men’s hammer (51.10m) *All-MEAC Second Team – HT
Bronze
Sa’Niya Fowler – women’s discus (42.92m) *All-MEAC Third Team – DT
Sa’Niya Fowler – women’s hammer (51.72m) *All-MEAC Third Team – HT
Matthew Swepson – men’s hammer (46.95m) *All-MEAC Third Team – HT
Nyree Bacchus – women’s 400m (54.62) *All-MEAC Third Team – 400m
Laila Jackson – women’s 800m (2:09.63) *All-MEAC Third Team – 800m
Matthew Swepson – men’s javelin throw (52.17m) *All-MEAC Third Team – JT
Penn knocks off Saint Joseph in inaugural IHSAA boys volleyball sectional
ELKHART ― Bryan Forbes had a day to remember Saturday. The Penn High School senior led his team to an IHSAA boys volleyball sectional title Saturday afternoon in the inaugural state tournament series for the sport. He then was making a clean and quick exit in his tuxedo following the championship match in Tubbs Gymnasium […]
ELKHART ― Bryan Forbes had a day to remember Saturday.
The Penn High School senior led his team to an IHSAA boys volleyball sectional title Saturday afternoon in the inaugural state tournament series for the sport.
He then was making a clean and quick exit in his tuxedo following the championship match in Tubbs Gymnasium at Elkhart High School to attend Penn’s prom that night.
More: Top boys sports performers, IHSAA volleyball sectional results for May 12-17, 2025
More: IHSAA boys volleyball has arrived. These South Bend area teams will be playing
“Honestly, this is probably one of my best days ever,” said Forbes in the Penn locker room as he dressed in his tux. “I got to play my favorite sport and win a sectional with some of my best friends, and now I get to go have fun at the prom.”
It was a good day indeed for the experienced Forbes, a six-foot outside hitter with an impressive skill set to go with a huge competitive streak.
Forbes set the tone as the Kingsmen topped Saint Joseph 25-23, 25-20, 9-25, 25-10. The Kingsmen (13-10) advance to the Valparaiso Regional on Saturday, May 24 to play the Michigan City Sectional winner. The Michigan City sectional final was later Saturday night.
The Huskies, who will lose seven seniors, finish at 14-14 after a fourth loss to the Kingsmen this season.
Penn, which had to outlast Riley 3-2 in the second semifinal match Saturday morning, seized the momentum in the title tilt. The Kingsmen trailed 22-19 in the opening set before rallying for the win. Sophomore Kelan Whitehouse, a 6-3 outside hitter, came up huge at crunch time for Penn with three kills downs the stretch for the win.
“We had to dig deep in the semifinals earlier, and we had to remember that in set one in this match,” said Penn coach Kelley Watts, who coaches the Kingsmen with her husband, Mark. “We’ve drilled on getting through the highs and the lows in a match. We pushed through in that first set.”
More: Here are the best South Bend area high school girls sports performances, May 12-17
The Kingsmen, who have three seniors, led 19-14 in set two before the Huskies rallied within 22-20. Junior Christian Bonner delivered a key kill late as Penn scored the final three points to go up 2-0.
The Huskies, who got strong play from senior Logan Gutermuth and fine serving from junior Colin Penn, rolled to a 14-4 lead in the third set. The Huskies closed out the set on a high to cut the Penn lead to 2-1.
The final set saw the Kingsmen regroup and take a 13-2 lead as Forbes set the tone. After an animated talk with his team following the third set, the high-flying Forbes crushed a huge kill early in the fourth and final set, following with a fist pump.
The emotional leader of the Kingsmen then helped his squad close out the match. Penn won the title when 6-6 sophomore Liam Carter had a block for match point.
“The way he (Forbes) plays, we play as a team,” stated Watts. “He just has a competitive spirit and a determination. I thought that Liam (Carter) was huge for us in the middle. Logan (Warner) had some strong hits too and Christian Bonner, who joined our team late, was a huge spark.
“To win this is absolutely huge in what is does for the future of our program in building it. At Penn, it’s all about never settling and pushing for excellence in everything. That’s the tradition there.”
Forbes admitted that he had a lot of fun in this one.
“This means a lot to me,” Forbes said. “I love this game. I’ve been playing it since I was nine. My mom is a coach, so I’ve always been around volleyball. I’m very competitive.
“It was very important to win the first set. We had to get our focus up to do that. I knew this would be a tough match. St. Joe wanted it and told me they were going to beat us this time.”
The Huskies, who beat Northridge 3-0 in the first semifinal Saturday, had lost to Penn 3-1, 2-1 and 3-1 during the regular season.
“I could not be prouder of a group,” said St. Joe coach Dani Gaff. “The most impressive thing was how they won that third set. Would we have liked to win that first set? Yes. But I prefer to live in the what’s next and not the ‘would of, should of, could of.’ My players just put together a statement win in that third set after going down 2-0. I was just real proud of them for that. Their energy was so impressive.
“Penn is a great team. They are well-rounded, especially Forbes. No. 7 (Kelan Whitehouse) did a great job for them too. My team just showed improvement in so many areas this season.”
Penn beat Riley 18-25, 19-25, 25-14, 25-16, 15-13 in the second semifinal after St. Joe bested Northridge 25-18, 25-22, 25-13. Riley finished at 15-16 and Northridge at 9-11.
Geebs: Browning celebrated at 16th Street Hermosa Beach paddleout
Greg Browning’s paddleout at 16th Street in Hermosa Beach spanned generations, from Haggerty’s Surf Club legends to South Bay Boardriders Club groms. Browning’s stoke for surfing, both in front of and behind the camera inspired and bound South Bay surfers in a kinship that transpired all differences “No sad shit,” Browning made his brother Jeff […]
Greg Browning’s paddleout at 16th Street in Hermosa Beach spanned generations, from Haggerty’s Surf Club legends to South Bay Boardriders Club groms. Browning’s stoke for surfing, both in front of and behind the camera inspired and bound South Bay surfers in a kinship that transpired all differences
“No sad shit,” Browning made his brother Jeff promise after his passing from ALS last month.
His wish was respected. The paddleout was all Geebs. ER
Junior Sandfest Volleyball Tournament raises money for Little Light House | News
TULSA, Okla. — The junior division of the Sandfest Volleyball Tournament is raising money for the Little Light House for the 18th year. Tracy Weldon, the director of the Little Light House Fundraiser Volleyball Tournament, explained the services Little Light House provides for kids. “It’s a school here in town for special needs kids for people […]
TULSA, Okla. — The junior division of the Sandfest Volleyball Tournament is raising money for the Little Light House for the 18th year.
Tracy Weldon, the director of the Little Light House Fundraiser Volleyball Tournament, explained the services Little Light House provides for kids.
“It’s a school here in town for special needs kids for people who don’t know what that is. They provide services like speech therapy, physical therapy, several services that a lot of families don’t get anywhere else other than the Little Light House. They are private donations, corporate donations, their funding comes from those. They are not government funded, United Way, funded any other way. So our tournament is just a way for us to give back part of that.”
Since Weldon’s employer Webco had often been a sponsor of Little Light House in the past, he approached them when he decided he wanted to put together a volleyball tournament to benefit the school.
“It started when Owen, my oldest son, was a student at the Little Lighthouse and the volleyball community really embraced the tournament, which I was a part of that community before I was ever married and that’s kind of where I got the idea, but I had no idea that it would grow like it would.”
Now, the tournament has to be spread across two separate weekends to accommodate all players.
“We originally started with a grass tournament. The first year was five teams and it has grown over the years to where we have a juniors division and an adult or open division. This is our 18th year and it’s gotten big enough that we have to do juniors one weekend and then the adult tournament later in the summer on a different weekend, so it’s grown quite a bit since the first five team tournament.”
Weldon said this weekend’s junior tournament had about 55 teams competing.
“All the money we raise goes directly to the Little Lighthouse. Now, we have expenses for court rental and stuff like that…All of the people that help us put on the tournament, that’s volunteer work strictly. Nobody gets paid anything for that, so other than court rental and T-shirt costs, stuff like that, everything else goes to the Little Lighthouse.”
The Adult tournament is set to be held the first weekend of August.
To learn more about Little Lighthouse, click here.
Naperville North boys water polo rolls over Neuqua and moves on to the Sectional Final
Naperville North boys water polo has won three straight sectionals, and this year, they are attempting to do it as hosts against Neuqua Valley. On the other side of the pool, the Wildcats look for an upset and avenge a 22-12 loss earlier this season. This highlight is sponsored by BMO. Naperville North opens the IHSA […]
Naperville North boys water polo has won three straight sectionals, and this year, they are attempting to do it as hosts against Neuqua Valley. On the other side of the pool, the Wildcats look for an upset and avenge a 22-12 loss earlier this season. This highlight is sponsored by BMO.
Naperville North opens the IHSA Boys Water Polo Sectional Semifinal with a 6-0 lead against Neuqua
Four minutes in with an early 1-0 lead, the Huskies start to work it around and inside to Jack Reif, who scores to go up 2-0.
Looking to get on the scoreboard, Declan Puacz flicks it to Mario Valente, whose point-blank shot is stopped by the arm of Caleb Uson. Neuqua stays scoreless.
After a save late in the quarter, Uson sends it down the pool to Jack Boudeman. Boudeman is free to get close, rise up and shoot. His goal puts North ahead 3-0.
The Huskies’ offense starts to heat up as two quick passes set up Jack Reif, whose thunderous shot finds the net. 4-0 North, holding Neuqua scoreless in the first quarter.
Down 6-0 in the second, Puacz gets a quick steal and takes off on his own… They have a numbers advantage on the break, and the senior rises to fire home the Wildcats’ first goal.
Huskies extend lead to double digits and move on to play Waubonsie Valley in the Sectional Final
The Huskies didn’t let off the gas at all. Here is Reif being hounded by two defenders and still finishing strong. 7-1 North.
Here’s a perfect pass to start the break. It lands right in front of Mason Hoffman, who hustles ahead to free himself up. He raises up, pump fake! And he flicks it over for some style points. 9-1 North as they roar ahead.
For Neuqua, Puacz finds Milan O’Connor in front of the net; he slings it off the post, and it doinks in. North leads 10-3 now.
Here’s Reif working around the side of the net. He passes it to Hoffman, who muscles in another shot. North leads 11-4.
Already with a commanding lead in the second half, North takes possession again. Jack Reif is right where he wants to be and scores again. North takes it 19-9, without much struggle. They play Waubonsie for the sectional final.
For more prep sports highlights, visit the Naperville Sports Weekly page.
McCutcheon boys volleyball reflects on turnaround in first IHSAA season
LAFAYETTE ― McCutcheon boys volleyball coach Keith Crisler saw his players meld together after two years of learning the sport together. Boys who picked up the sport for the first time two seasons ago became a formidable group that learned to pass, digs and score points together as a unit. Advertisement McCutcheon was swept in […]
LAFAYETTE ― McCutcheon boys volleyball coach Keith Crisler saw his players meld together after two years of learning the sport together.
Boys who picked up the sport for the first time two seasons ago became a formidable group that learned to pass, digs and score points together as a unit.
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McCutcheon was swept in the first IHSAA sectional boys title title on Saturday afternoon to Zionsville 25-19, 25-14, 25-18, but the program summitted after going 11-20 in 2023 and 6-18 in 2024.
For Crisler, finishing with a 15-10 record in 2025 was a breakthrough for his Mavericks.
More: Boys volleyball experiencing growing pains despite popularity in first season under IHSAA
“One word I would say is growth,” Crisler said. “Growth as individuals, as athletes and as a program in the sport. Boys volleyball and men’s volleyball in Indiana has (some time) to grow, but I feel like we’ve had a successful season because we took that pioneering step to learn something new and that’s not an easy thing to do.”
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The number of boys volleyball teams expanded from 35 in 2022 to the 133 competing in the IHSAA playoffs this spring.
As the competition grew, so did McCutcheon.
McCutcheon Mavericks defensive specialist Jack Smith (9) celebrates Saturday, May 17, 2025, during the IHSAA boys volleyball sectionals championship match against the Zionsville Eagles at Harrison High School in West Lafayette, Indiana.
“I don’t think anyone should leave this season with their head down and their shoulders slumped,” Crisler said. “They are pioneer men and left their mark in their first official year in Indiana.”
The growth of McCutcheon volleyball was headed by graduating starters senior libero Khelan Patel, middle blocker Jayden Heygood, setter Kieraan Jordan, outside hitter Josh Madsen and outside hitter Malachi Kenner.
Patel, Heygood, Jordan, Madsen and Kenner were the “founding fathers of McCutcheon boys volleyball,” per Crisler.
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More: IHSAA boys volleyball sectional semifinals: McCutcheon advances to championship against Zionsville
“They are the true pioneers,” Crisler added. “A lot of what we did this season is because of them. With experiences they had and how they led the younger boys in our program, they should probably have a statue or something like that.”
Patel was a consistent libero who attacked and placed shot receives in playable directions for his offense.
“It just shows the effort and drive we had for the game,” Patel said. “I know all of us who have been playing, we go play during the offseason because of how much we love the sport. We really took it upon ourselves to grow the game, build the program and build what we had within our community at McCutcheon volleyball.”
McCutcheon Mavericks libero Khelan Patel (1) celebrates Saturday, May 17, 2025, during the IHSAA boys volleyball sectionals championship match against the Zionsville Eagles at Harrison High School in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Jordan distributed the ball as a setter but could also provide an extra body at the net to make blocks or earn kills and points for his team.
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“It’s truly something special to be there during the first year and build this thing from the ground up when it wasn’t a fully sanctioned sport,” Jordan said. “It’s just awesome to see it blossom into this and see it expand like football and baseball.”
Jordan and Patel saw the culture grow at McCutcheon through their activity, setting an example for future players to come.
“It shows how much we’ve grown from March 10 and the first day of the season to now,” Jordan said. “We’ve been really focused and bought into the program and this was our goal, to make it to the championship. It showed there was so much focus put into this team.”
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@jconline.com, on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: McCutcheon boys volleyball shows growth in 2025 season
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