Sports

How a deadly confluence of factors led to a 'terrible and traumatic' Easter weekend …

“Terrible and traumatic,” is how the Surf Life Saving New South Wales chief, Steven Pearce, summed up what has been declared the deadliest Easter long weekend on record, well before it was even over. Seven people across NSW and Victoria were confirmed to have drowned by the morning of Easter Monday, and while the fatal […]

Published

4 weeks ago

April 21, 2025

Your Sports Nation

How a deadly confluence of factors led to a 'terrible and traumatic' Easter weekend ...

Seven people across NSW and Victoria were confirmed to have drowned by the morning of Easter Monday, and while the fatal heavy seas had returned to largely normal levels, crews were still searching for two people missing since Good Friday.

The tragedies occurred at different beaches across the east coast of Australia, and while most involved alarmingly large waves sweeping swimmers or fishers off rocks, their varying circumstances were the result of a deadly confluence of factors.

Authorities have blamed what they call a perfect storm for beach fatalities: a low-pressure system generating hazardous surf; unseasonably warm and sunny weather; and risky behaviour when much of the nation was enjoying a long weekend.

Dean Narramore, a senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, said the writing was on the wall early on Friday.

“The main driver was a very deep and intense low-pressure system west of New Zealand, that combined with an upper level low,” he explained.

That generated strong winds, which drove the large swells. “The energy moved westwards,” Narramore said, with some swells refracted to eastern Victoria.

Large waves crash against rocks on Bronte beach in Sydney

At the same time, a high-pressure system over eastern Australia brought warm northerly winds, with temperatures 5-10C above average.

“There was plenty of sunshine, and all of that combined with the Easter long weekend meant a lot of people were heading out to the beach,” Narramore said.

By mid-morning, images began swirling online of violent waves at some of NSW’s most famous beaches, with surging seas crashing on to roads and into shopfronts. Wave heights exceeded five metres.

In Sydney, with temperatures reaching the mid-20s, even beaches within the city’s harbour, which are traditionally calm and protected from coastal swells, were closed.

Sign up for the Afternoon Update: Election 2025 email newsletter

The closures did not stop everyone. Surfers were seen riding waves at the usually waveless Balmoral and Nielsen Park beaches.

At the coastal beach of Coogee, swimmers and surfers defied closures.

At Manly’s Queenscliff beach, footage circulated of swimmers gripping to handlebars before being swept from its ocean pool.

In Newcastle, ferocious waves reached well past the beach, with wheelie bins seen dragged into the water.

Within hours, details of the first drownings were announced by authorities.

A 58-year-old man had been washed off a breakwall at Wollongong harbour early on Friday as he walked to a fishing spot. Family members jumped in but failed to save him.

Later, at Middle Head Point on Sydney’s north shore, a man was washed off rocks and drowned.

By the late afternoon, a young man was “extricated from the water face down” at Eden, on the far south coast of NSW, after being washed off rocks.

In Victoria, three Chinese nationals at San Remo beach near Phillip Island were swept into the sea. One woman was rescued, but another was pulled from the water unconscious and could not be revived. Her 41-year-old husband could not be located.

“Every drowning is a tragedy, and this is an absolutely tragic start to the Easter long weekend,” Pearce said on Friday night, as search teams looked for a swimmer who went missing from Sydney’s Little Bay beach, last seen struggling in the swell in the mid-afternoon.

Despite Pearce’s warnings, things would only get worse. While wave heights eased slightly on Saturday, to between two and four metres, conditions remained hazardous and many beaches were closed.

More deaths on the coast

Two people rock fishing at Tathra, on the NSW south coast, were swept into the ocean. One returned conscious and breathing. The other was later found dead.

On Sunday morning, another two rock fishers braved conditions, this time at Wattamolla, just south of Sydney. They were swept off rocks, with the Westpac helicopter called in to save them. They were both retrieved, with one pronounced dead at the scene.

Later that day, a nine-year-old boy became trapped between rocks at a beach on the NSW mid north coast. Distraught witnesses told the Daily Telegraph how the parents of the boy, trapped from the chest, were unable to free him. They held his hand and spoke to him, but as tides rose, he ultimately drowned.

People watch a large wave breaking on a rock pool at North Narrabeen beach in Sydney

Meanwhile, more than 150 rescues were made by volunteer and professional lifesavers across NSW, with an alarming number of near misses. Rescue helicopters had performed 30 missions by Monday morning.

By Monday afternoon, once swells had returned to near normal levels, Victorian authorities called off the search for the missing 41-year-old Chinese national.

It brought the death toll from the long weekend to eight, as searches continued for the swimmer missing off Sydney’s Little Bay beach.

Devastating but predictable

Pearce said the outcome was devastating for volunteer surf lifesavers, but predictable.

“There’s no other description I would have to say for such a religious weekend this has been absolutely horrific,” he said.

“[It’s] just the culmination of hot temperatures, a long weekend, hundreds of thousands of people going to the coastline and an enormous swell.”

Every fatality that surf lifesavers responded to in NSW related to someone being washed off a rock.

A surfer jumps to catch a wave on Bronte beach in Sydney

With the long weekend over, Pearce was wary of the coming Anzac Day long weekend, despite rain predicted.

“Our volunteer lifesavers and our lifeguards have risked their lives multitudes of times.”

He urged swimmers to only enter the water at patrolled beaches.

“If there is no red and yellow flags flying, there will be no one there … that can possibly save you.”

Related Topics:20s images late new night rock rocks sports surfing

Up Next

Boxing class for seniors helps with symptoms of Parkinson's disease

Don't Miss

ATLANTIS PARADISE ISLAND UNVEILS LINEUP FOR 2025 BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS MEN'S …

Click to comment

Sports

2025 Tech Volleyball Season Ticket Renewals Go Live – Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

THE FLATS – Season ticket renewals for Georgia Tech volleyball’s highly anticipated 2025 season are available now, the program announced on Tuesday. The announcement follows a 2024 season in which the Yellow Jackets sold out all 13 matches in O’Keefe Gymnasium, reached 84 consecutive weeks in the top-25 rankings, and recorded wins over three top-25 opponents, […]

Published

19 minutes ago

May 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

THE FLATS – Season ticket renewals for Georgia Tech volleyball’s highly anticipated 2025 season are available now, the program announced on Tuesday.

The announcement follows a 2024 season in which the Yellow Jackets sold out all 13 matches in O’Keefe Gymnasium, reached 84 consecutive weeks in the top-25 rankings, and recorded wins over three top-25 opponents, including a top-15 win against No. 13 Florida.

Pricing

2025 Season Ticket Pricing:

- - Season Tickets: $125
  - Faculty/Staff: $100

All seating is general admission.

Purchasing Tickets

Renew your season tickets through your ticket account found at www.ramblinwreck.com/myaccount or by calling the Georgia Tech Ticket Office at 888.TECH.TIX. To renew online, please log into your account and click on Season Ticket Renewals located in the right-hand column. If you need assistance, the Georgia Tech Ticket Office is open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The renewal deadline is July 15.

This Season

The Jackets are set to return a core group from the 2024 NCAA Regional including Liv Mogridge, Larissa Mendes, Heloise Soares, and Sofia Velez. Tech has also added a number of freshman and transfers from the portal including Ital Lopuyo from Texas A&M and Bianca Garibaldi from ACC competitor, Pittsburgh.

Full Steam Ahead

Full Steam Ahead is a $500 million fundraising initiative to achieve Georgia Tech athletics’ goal of competing for championships at the highest level in the next era of intercollegiate athletics. The initiative will fund transformative projects for Tech athletics, including renovations of Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field (the historic home of Georgia Tech football), the Zelnak Basketball Center (the practice and training facility for Tech basketball) and O’Keefe Gymnasium (the venerable home of Yellow Jackets volleyball), as well as additional projects and initiatives to further advance Georgia Tech athletics through program wide-operational support. All members of the Georgia Tech community are invited to visit atfund.org/FullSteamAhead for full details and renderings of the renovation projects, as well as to learn about opportunities to contribute online.

For the latest information on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, follow us on X (@GTAthletics), Facebook, Instagram or visit us at www.ramblinwreck.com.

Link

Sports

Beach Volleyball standout Corbett leaves Mercer as all-time great – BLITZ

Feature Photo by Mercer University Katy Corbett left an indelible mark at Tallulah Falls School as one of the top volleyball and basketball players in school history when she graduated in the Spring of 2021. After signing with Mercer to play beach volleyball, there was no doubt she was going to leave a legacy just […]

Published

24 minutes ago

May 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Feature Photo by Mercer University

Katy Corbett left an indelible mark at Tallulah Falls School as one of the top volleyball and basketball players in school history when she graduated in the Spring of 2021. After signing with Mercer to play beach volleyball, there was no doubt she was going to leave a legacy just as strong when her career came to a close.

May marked the end of the road for Corbett, who can begin reflecting on the remarkable accomplishments she’s had for the Bears. It wasn’t at all easy, specifically in making the jump from indoor to beach volleyball.

“Switching from indoor to beach volleyball came with a lot of adjustments—both physically and mentally,” says Katy. “Skill-wise, a lot of the contacts in beach are different. From how you set the ball, the timing of your approach, to the way you defend—all of it feels different than indoors. In indoor, you’ve got six players and each person has their specific role. But in beach, it’s just two people, and you have to be able to do everything—pass, set, hit, serve, defend. I was an outside hitter in indoor and played six rotations, so I was comfortable passing and hitting. But setting was something I really hadn’t done much, so that was a big learning curve. I also had to develop a top-spin serve and learn how to pull on defense—two things I hadn’t done before. It took a lot of time, hard work, and great coaching to build those skills, but I’m proud of the progress I made. Mentally, beach volleyball is probably the toughest sport I’ve played. You’re involved in almost every play, so it’s easy to overthink or get caught up in mistakes. I really had to grow in confidence and learn how to reset quickly. We call it having a “Goldfish Mentality”—forgetting the last play and focusing on the next point. That mindset was huge for me.”

Corbett, along with teammate Nicole O’Mara earned the Top Flight Award by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). The duo was named to the All-Sun Belt Conference team, earning 28 victories (23 in straight sets). Corbett and O’Mara had three win streaks of at least five matches, including 11 straight. They had a pair of wins over nationally-ranked foes, highlighted by a win over #18 Georgia State. The team’s overall 24 wins is a program record (14-year history). Furthermore, Corbett and fellow Mercer standout Liv Diaz were selected back in November to compete in the AVCA Beach National Championships. Often, Corbett was on nationally-televised broadcasts, playing on ESPN and similar networks.

“When I was a freshman, playing on ESPN or against top-ranked teams felt really intimidating,” adds Katy. “I’d be going up against girls who were a few years older, more experienced, and then there’s the thought of people watching from all over—it definitely got in my head sometimes. But as I got older and more confident, that started to fade. By the time I was a senior, I honestly didn’t even think about the ESPN cameras. When playing ranked teams I started focusing more on things I could control: playing with confidence, giving full effort, and bringing energy. Nicole and I had one of our biggest wins against #18 ranked Georgia State.”

Framed Print (11×14) – Katy Corbett College Spotlight

That victory is a big core memory for Katy, as are the accolades and honors that came along the way. But she has a specific memory/moment that stands above the rest.

“My favorite memory actually just happened at conference this year,” she tells. “We were in our second match of the day playing Coastal Carolina. My partner Nicole and I had won the first set, lost the second, and were playing the third to 15. Even though our team had already lost the dual, we still had to finish our match. We were down 10-14 in the third, and both teams were on the sidelines watching. Right before the switch at 11-14, I got a cramp in my calf and we had to call a timeout so our trainer could help. Somehow, we came back and won 16-14. It was such a crazy and fun moment—definitely the most exciting match I’ve ever played.”

Another great memory for Corbett came when getting the opportunity to play at nationals.

“Getting to go to Nationals for the Pairs Tournament was one of my favorite experiences at Mercer,” admits Katy. “My partner Liv and I earned a spot during the preseason of my senior year in a bid tournament, and we competed against some of the top pairs in the country. The level of competition was super high. It was such an honor to be there and represent our team, and we won two of our matches. Liv and I were the first pair in Mercer history to participate in the AVAC Pairs Tournament.”

With stories that’ll last a lifetime and a career win total of 69 – tops in Mercer history – Katy has left a legacy at yet another school. So now, the question is – what’s next for her to accomplish?

“Next up, I’ll be heading to Augusta University in Athens for my Master of Science in Nursing,” says Katy. “It is a 16-month program that begins this fall. Upon completion, and I plan to work in a critical care unit and eventually go back to school to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and earn a Doctorate of Nursing in Anesthesia. Right now, I don’t have any formal plans for volleyball, but I’m definitely not done playing. One of the great things about beach volleyball is that it doesn’t have to end after college—you can keep competing in tournaments, and I hope to do just that with some of my former teammates. The sport has been such a huge part of my life, and I honestly don’t see myself ever fully stepping away from it. Eventually, I’d love to help grow the beach volleyball community in North Georgia by running camps or clinics so more people can experience just how special this sport is.”

Corbett set school marks (at the time of graduation) at TFS with 852 career kills and 981 digs, and added 91 assists, 27 blocks, and 113 aces. She was twice named BLITZ Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons, and was a 2-time All-Region selection. She guided the Lady Indians to two Sweet 16 runs.

Link

Sports

Mount St. Mary’s Sees 190 Student-Athletes, Staff Earn Degrees at Commencement

Story Links EMMITSBURG, Md. (May 20, 2025) – On Saturday, May 10, Mount St. Mary’s University held their 217th Commencement at Knott Arena. Among the group of graduates there were 190 student-athletes and staff members. Staff with Degrees Jeremy Freeman, Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach, Master of Business Administration Leandros Misdrachis, […]

Published

31 minutes ago

May 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

EMMITSBURG, Md. (May 20, 2025) – On Saturday, May 10, Mount St. Mary’s University held their 217^th Commencement at Knott Arena. Among the group of graduates there were 190 student-athletes and staff members.

Staff with Degrees
Jeremy Freeman, Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach, Master of Business Administration
Leandros Misdrachis, Tennis Head Coach, Master of Business Administration
Zach Koons, Ticket Manager, Master of Science in Sport Management
Tara Bowman, Head Dance Coach, Bolte School of Business, Bachelor of Science

Master of Business Administration
Olivia Block, Women’s Golf

Timmy Bonner, Men’s Swimming & Diving
Daniel Bradley, Men’s Lacrosse

Todd Charles, Track & Field
Winston Chodnicki, Men’s Lacrosse
Jackie Christ, Women’s Basketball
Caden Cote, Men’s Lacrosse
Cormac Giblin, Men’s Lacrosse

Nicholas Hildebrandt, Track & Field
Luc Holden, Men’s Soccer
Damon James, Men’s Rugby (Also earned M.S. in Sport Management)
Sofia Kostirko, Women’s Tennis
Shirley Liang, Women’s Tennis
Xavier Lipscomb, Men’s Basketball

Diego Miguelena, Track & Field
Moses Moran, Men’s Lacrosse
Maddie Novak, Women’s Basketball

Caleb Padgett, Men’s Swimming & Diving
Noah Persing, Men’s Lacrosse
Mackie Sacarellos, Men’s Soccer
Jack Smith, Men’s Lacrosse
Jacopo Sottocornola, Men’s Tennis
David Stirpe, Baseball
Zoe Truxon, Softball
Ben Ward, Men’s Lacrosse
Rebecca Valentine, Women’s Water Polo

Master of Science in Health Administration
Blake Beal, Baseball
Madison Bee, Women’s Soccer

Andrew LaManna, Track & Field
Shandree McNatt, Women’s Rugby

Master of Science in Sport Management
Taylor Carter, Women’s Soccer
Raimondo Partito, Men’s Soccer
Logan Yi, Baseball

Master of Arts in Teaching
Natalie Villaflor, Women’s Basketball

Master of Science in Biotechnology and Management
Chiara Matteodo, Women’s Tennis

Emma McClafferty, Track & Field
Kayla Pennington, Women’s Soccer

Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
Aaron Thompson, Men’s Tennis
Jeremy Wilson, Men’s Lacrosse

College of Liberal Arts, Bachelor of Arts

Dominic Amilcare, Track & Field

Derek Ayibanini, Track & Field

Emelie Beckman, Track & Field

Juliana Bertolini, Track & Field

Keighan DeCoff, Track & Field
Peter Dray, Esports
Emily Felice, Softball

Avery Ferron, Track & Field
Zachary Fischer, Men’s Water Polo
Ivan Garcia, Men’s Rugby

Aidan Grady, Men’s Swimming & Diving
Michael Gutshall, Esports
Katelyn Heffner, Women’s Lacrosse
Hunter Hertzog, Men’s Rugby
Rachel Hines, Bowling
Jasmine Lindsay-Huskey, Women’s Basketball

Gabrielle Joffrion, Women’s Swimming & Diving
Ally Krieger, Women’s Soccer
Delaney LaRose, Women’s Lacrosse
Brianna Manni, Softball
Joseph Maxson, Men’s Water Polo
Alexis Mobley, Dance

Conor Moran, Men’s Swimming & Diving
Aedan Myles, Women’s Rugby

Anne Marie Oriakhi, Track & Field
Marcus Patterson, Men’s Rugby
Jo Raflo, Women’s Basketball
Ford Rubel, Men’s Rugby

Rory Smist, Women’s Swimming & Diving

Simone Smith, Track & Field
Dylan Staub, Men’s Rugby

Xavier Suggs, Track & Field
Kelsey White, Women’s Soccer

College of Liberal Arts, Bachelor of Science
Benee-Jolie Barron, Women’s Rugby
William Borden, Men’s Rugby
Sophia Cender, Women’s Rugby

Riley Keffer, Track & Field
Vasilije Marinkovic, Men’s Water Polo
Christian Myers, Esports

Natalie Spadaccini, Track & Field

Richard J. Bolte, Sr. School of Business, Bachelor of Science
Terrell Ard Jr, Men’s Basketball
Connor Barrett, Men’s Lacrosse
Brian Bradley, Men’s Lacrosse
Bastian Brunello, Men’s Rugby
Jacob Coldwell, Men’s Lacrosse
Evan Corbett, Men’s Rugby
Jedy Cordilia, Men’s Basketball
Kevin Doyle Jr., Men’s Lacrosse
Malcolm Dread, Men’s Basketball
Nick Fleming, Baseball

Jannah Hall, Track & Field
Alex Hatok, Men’s Rugby
Liam Horton, Men’s Rugby
Fintan Hughes, Men’s Rugby
Jaedyn Jamison, Women’s Basketball
Elijah Jumper, Men’s Rugby
Alexa Leandro, Women’s Rugby
Michael Lemishko, Men’s Water Polo

Devyn Lewis, Track & Field
Ryan McCarthy, Women’s Tennis
Hayden McKay, Men’s Rugby
William McManus, Men’s Rugby
Nathalie Mejia, Women’s Soccer
Nathanael Merchant, Men’s Lacrosse
John Miller IV, Men’s Lacrosse

Jovana Miloradovic, Track & Field
Molly Molchanoff, Women’s Lacrosse
Luisangely Navas, Women’s Soccer

Torian Neblett, Track & Field
Mekai Nelson, Men’s Lacrosse
Tommy Niehaus, Men’s Lacrosse

Andrew Norris, Men’s Swimming & Diving

Aidan O’Brien, Track & Field
Joshua Olaosebikan, Men’s Basketball
Bella Pescatore, Women’s Tennis

Garcelle Pierre, Track & Field

Patrick Rankin, Men’s Swimming & Diving
Julian Reyes, Esports
Gavin Schaffer, Men’s Lacrosse
Draško Šekaric, Men’s Water Polo
Joseph Sharrock, Men’s Rugby

Brandon Smith, Track & Field
Devin Smith, Men’s Golf
Aaron Sorkin, Men’s Golf
James Stelluti, Men’s Rugby

Will Stephenson, Track & Field
Dominik Topolsky, Men’s Soccer
William Vandegrift, Men’s Lacrosse
Nicholas Wallace-Whitfield, Men’s Water Polo

Lauren Wetzel, Women’s Swimming & Diving
Kevin Whitty, Men’s Lacrosse
Chris Wylde, Men’s Rugby
Jonathan Yowell, Men’s Soccer

School of Education, Bachelor of Science
Gianna Danze, Men’s Rugby

Ellie Dorian, Track & Field
Danny Salisbury, Baseball

Claire Svetz, Women’s Swimming & Diving

School of Science, Mathematics & Technology, Bachelor of Science
Dola Adebayo, Men’s Basketball
Teni Adesida, Men’s Rugby
George Apostol, Men’s Rugby

Elizabeth Bomberger, Track & Field
Dani Brown, Softball
Kyle Cincinnati, Baseball
Erika Cui, Women’s Golf
Robyn Currie, Women’s Water Polo

Arran Fahey, Track & Field
Kyle Fisher, Men’s Rugby
Rex Flanagan, Men’s Soccer

Nicholas Fox, Men’s Swimming & Diving
Laurenne Gallagher, Softball

Seth Garbanzos, Men’s Swimming & Diving
Jessa Garwood, Women’s Rugby

Matthew Grossman, Track & Field
Madison Harmening, Women’s Lacrosse
Brett Haugh, Esports
Nate Hopkins, Men’s Water Polo

Elizabeth Horner, Women’s Swimming & Diving
Alex Hoy, Men’s Water Polo

Louis Jacks, Track & Field

Jasmine Kidd, Track & Field

Julia Kirschnick, Track & Field

Alexander Koo, Track & Field

Seth Lassiter, Track & Field
Shemar Lewis, Men’s Rugby
Gianna McGahan, Bowling
Olivia Murphy, Softball

Gabriel Nwaete, Track & Field

Alexander Nwokoroku, Track & Field
Finn O’Leary, Men’s Rugby
Gavin Pennell, Men’s Soccer

Daniel Reader, Track & Field
Rosa Revueltas Pareja, Women’s Basketball
Jason Rivera, Baseball

John Ruona, Track & Field
Anna Salerno, Women’s Lacrosse
Hannah Sayre, Women’s Water Polo

Meghan Speicher, Women’s Swimming & Diving
Landon Strappazon, Men’s Rugby
Emily Streett, Women’s Soccer
Lindsey Tolliver, Women’s Lacrosse
Beatrice Vieira, Women’s Water Polo

Michelle Weaver, Track & Field

Zaria Wilson, Track & Field
Filippos Zachiotis, Men’s Tennis

Kevin Zaleski, Track & Field
Carter Zwirz, Men’s Water Polo

Link

Sports

Swimming and water polo competition begins at RU

Swimming and water polo competition begins at RU RAJSHAHI, May 20, 2025 (BSS)- A three-day inter-college swimming and water polo competition began at Rajshahi University (RU) today. Pro-vice chancellor (Administration) Professor Main Uddin opened the competition at RU swimming pool through hoisting the national flag this morning as the chief guest. In the competition, more […]

Published

2 hours ago

May 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Swimming and water polo competition begins at RU

RAJSHAHI, May 20, 2025 (BSS)- A three-day inter-college swimming and water

polo competition began at Rajshahi University (RU) today.

Pro-vice chancellor (Administration) Professor Main Uddin opened the

competition at RU swimming pool through hoisting the national flag this

morning as the chief guest.

In the competition, more than 100 players both male and female from 11 hall

teams are taking part in 21 events, including four female teams.

Prizes will be distributed among the winners on Thursday, the closing day of

the event.

Pro-Vice chancellor (Academic) Prof Farid Uddin Khan, Treasurer Prof Matiar

Rahman and Agriculture Faculty Dean Prof Arifur Rahman, among others, were

present at the inaugural ceremony.

Link

Sports

Felista Mugo: Kenya’s Gen Z MMA Queen fighting her way to global stardom

Felista Mugo is a dynamic Kenyan mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter who embodies the spirit and resilience of Kenya’s Gen Z generation. At 25 years old, she represents a new wave of young Kenyan athletes breaking barriers in sports traditionally dominated by other regions. Known as “The Young Queen,” Mugo has quickly become a symbol […]

Published

2 hours ago

May 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Felista Mugo is a dynamic Kenyan mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter who embodies the spirit and resilience of Kenya’s Gen Z generation.

At 25 years old, she represents a new wave of young Kenyan athletes breaking barriers in sports traditionally dominated by other regions. Known as “The Young Queen,” Mugo has quickly become a symbol of hope and national pride for many aspiring fighters in Kenya and across Africa.

Mugo’s MMA career has seen its share of challenges. Early losses, including a unanimous decision defeat to Sephora Kiala and a TKO loss to Nicole Van Wyk in 2023, tested her resolve.

However, these setbacks only strengthened her determination. She moved her training base to the Elite Training Center in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, where she honed her skills, particularly in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, earning a blue belt and improving her striking and grappling techniques.

Her breakthrough came in 2024, marked by a series of impressive victories. At EFC 114 in June, she secured a first-round TKO against Aneesha Mayman, demonstrating her aggressive and versatile fighting style.

This was followed by wins over Chidimma Faith, Precious Okoh, and a submission victory via rear-naked choke against Merit Nwaji at the Warrior Sports Championship 11 in October. These performances have solidified her reputation as a formidable competitor in the women’s strawweight division.

Felista Mugo’s fighting style is characterized by relentless pressure, powerful punches, and effective ground game tactics.

Beyond her physical prowess, she carries the Kenyan flag with pride, inspiring many young Kenyans, especially women, to pursue MMA and combat sports.

Her social media presence and public appearances highlight her role as a trailblazer for Kenyan Gen Z athletes who are redefining the country’s sporting landscape.

Despite her growing success, Mugo remains focused and humble, crediting her coaches, family, and faith for her journey.

She is also keen on avenging her loss to Nicole Van Wyk, showing a competitive spirit that resonates with her generation’s ethos of resilience and ambition.

Felista Mugo’s story is not just about MMA; it is about a young Kenyan woman from Gen Z breaking new ground, challenging stereotypes, and inspiring a generation to dream bigger and fight harder.

ALSO READ: Kenyan referees appointed to officiate 2024/25 CAF Champions League final

Link

Sports

Utah baseball, Salt Lake City bid farewell to Smith's Ballpark after 30 years

Kaden Carpenter crouched at home plate and peered out at the snow-covered peaks of the Wasatch Front and the gray rain clouds hovering overhead. Then the junior Ute outfielder moved his eyes from the sky to the dirt, where baseball legends like Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron trekked on this corner of Salt Lake City […]

Published

2 hours ago

May 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Utah baseball, Salt Lake City bid farewell to Smith's Ballpark after 30 years

Smith’s Ballpark was empty, outside of a few stadium workers cleaning up the stale popcorn and trash left behind by Utah’s fans.

There will be no more strike calls. There will be no more moonshot homers cascading into the berm. “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” will no longer play on the stadium’s speakers during seventh-inning stretches.

On Saturday, Carpenter and the Utes closed the final chapter of baseball at the beloved Salt Lake ballpark.

“It‘s brought a lot of joy to a lot of families and people’s lives, including mine,” Carpenter said following Utah’s season-ending loss to TCU on Saturday.

“I think it means a lot to the city, and I really hope they do something productive with this area and this space.”

Previously the home of the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees, Smith’s Ballpark has served as the city’s baseball tabernacle since 1994. But baseball, in one form or another, had been played on the corner of West Temple and 1300 South since the 1920s.

Not anymore.

The Bees now reside in The Ballpark at America First Square in South Jordan. The University of Utah’s baseball team, which has called the stadium home since 1996, will move into a new on-campus venue, Charlie Monfort Field at America First Ballpark, in 2026.

Saying goodbye to the ballpark that has been the heart, soul and home for Ute baseball for three decades was bittersweet.

“I thought it was a pretty special time because, I mean, as a little kid, you dream of playing in a park like that,” said former Utah pitcher Shawn Andreasen, who played in Utah’s first contest at Smith’s Ballpark.

‘So many memories’

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Salt Lake Bees play the Oklahoma City Dodgers, at Smith’s Ballpark on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024.

Perched in the stands, several rows behind third base, Chad Mortenson wore a gray Bees’ hoodie and a vintage Oakland A’s baseball cap on his head, while waiting for Saturday’s first pitch.

The Salt Lake native considers himself a “sentimental” baseball fan. He attended the minor league team’s final contest at Smith’s Ballpark in 2024. He was also in attendance for the opening Bees’ contest at the stadium in 1994.

On Saturday, he rummaged through his closet and old cardboard boxes in search of a T-shirt he bought 30 years prior. Sadly, he couldn’t find it, but nothing was going to stop him from missing the last game in the old Salt Lake ballpark.

(Anna Fuder | Utah Athletics) Smith’s Ballpark became the full-time home of Ute baseball in 1996. The program will play at a new 1,200-seat stadium on campus starting in 2026.

“If I had to estimate, I’ve been to a game at least every season since it started,” Mortenson said.

When Smith’s was first being built, Mortenson was taking driver’s ed classes. During test runs with an instructor, he’d purposely drive on 1300 South and West Temple to see how construction was coming along.

“There was lot of hype when it first opened,” Mortenson said. “I was really excited about it.”

Once it was finished, Mortenson regularly attended games with his family, friends and — admittedly — had several awkward dates.

“There was one date I had where we didn’t talk at all the whole time,” he said, laughing. ”I was way too shy back then. We sat in the upper deck and said two words to each other.”

Bridger Nesbit has been attending games for three years at Smith’s Ballpark. He sat alone in the right outfield on Saturday, cheering on several of his roommates, who are on the U.’s baseball team.

He’ll often switch seats between innings to take in different sight lines and sounds during matchups. The view of Mount Olympus is what he’ll miss most about the stadium.

“I’m probably more sad than anything,” Nesbit said. “The natural beauty, I think, is the big draw. The backdrop of the mountains, you can’t beat it. Plus, you’re only minutes away from downtown, which kind of makes it pretty special.”

Mortenson concurs.

In fact, he’d put the view up against any Major League Baseball park in the country.

“You can’t beat this view,” Mortenson said. “I’ve been to the new ballpark. The mountains are about three times as far away as the new one.”

Salt Lake City leaders hope to turn the old stadium into a mixed-use development in the future with housing, entertainment, parks and other amenities. The current plan involves preserving a portion of the old stadium.

But to some fans, like Mortenson and Nesbit, nothing will ever beat a baseball game in Smith’s Ballpark.

“This ballpark, in particular, just has so many memories,” Mortenson said. “It‘s a shame to see it go.”

‘It was a special time’

(Sophia Kuder | Utah Athletics) Ute infielder Core Jackson, 10, plays during the team’s final game at Smith’s Ballpark on May 17, 2025.

The Utes played their first contest at the ballpark in 1994 in an extra-innings win over BYU. They played their in-state rival at Smith’s again in 1995 before moving into the stadium full-time a season later.

Before the 1996 season, the program had to spend its time at Ute Field, a baseball park located between the U.’s medical center and Fort Douglas.

Dan Poulton, a former Ute pitcher who played with the program during the ′90s, can remember how nice it was to play at Smith’s against BYU in 1994 and 1995. He also remembers some of the struggles the baseball team had in its previous home.

“It wasn’t great,” Poulton said. “I came from a college in southern Idaho, and their baseball field was immaculate. It was a nice location to play. How it was taken care of rivaled a lot of the big league parks and some of the Division I parks. Ours was a little bit of an afterthought.”

Beyond center field, Poulton recounts, there was a dump where the university would unload all of its grass clippings from days and weeks of mowing around the campus.

“It was a big pile of grass pile in the back, out past center field,“ Poulton said. ”It would pile up after time. It was interesting.”

The field’s conditions weren’t the greatest, either. Andreasen can remember being jealous of other programs’ neatly manicured fields in comparison to Utah’s home field that reminded him of unruly “cow pastures.”

“You go to Arizona State, you play on those fields, and then you have ours. It‘s like, it‘s like, ‘wow, we’re like the dumping grounds of everything,’” Poulton said.

“It was kind of embarrassing, in a way, but it was still our home field.”

Their experiences at Ute Field made playing at Smith’s Ballpark that much more special.

“It was surreal for me,” Andreasen said. “I always dreamed of doing as a little kid. To be playing in a big ballpark with a bunch of fans watching with the big scoreboard, it was a special time.”

It continued for nearly 30 years until last Saturday. Now, with the final game played in the historic stadium, Utah will soon begin its new journey at Charlie Monfort Field at American First Ballpark.

Fans, students and alumni will no longer have to travel off campus to catch a game. The field will be artificial turf, meaning the winter upkeep needed at Smith’s will be eliminated.

In the past, the baseball program would drive four hours to St. George for several days of the week to practice in warmer conditions while Salt Lake City was blanketed in snow.

“Having everything in one place changes your daily routine,” Utah head coach Gary Henderson said. “It‘s been great to be a part of Smith’s over the last three decades. But this is a game changer. This will help in preparation and help in recruiting.”

Last Friday, the baseball program hosted the topping out ceremony, a celebration of the final steel beam being placed for its new, 1,200-seat stadium.

Players, coaches, and members of Utah’s athletic administration were all able to sign the steel beam with red markers.

It was a reminder of what is to come, but also what the Utes are leaving behind.

“I know a lot of people will miss it,” Poulton said of Smith’s Ballpark. “I think it‘s great they’re expanding into their own stadium. But, it‘s also sad that they’re moving away.”

On Saturday, Carpenter continued to sit alone on the field of Smith’s Ballpark after the team’s final game. Rain drizzled on his grass-stained uniform, while he took in the view from home plate.

This was a second home for him, where he’s spent grueling hours swinging his bat and diving for fly balls in the outfield.

Carpenter ultimately decided it was time to head inside as the rain picked up. He took a few more moments to say his final goodbye to Smith’s Ballpark before heading into the clubhouse.

Behind him, he left behind decades of baseball memories, an empty grass field, green stands that once hosted thousands of fans and — most of all — the home of baseball in Salt Lake City.