GRAND FORKS — In a hallway of East Grand Forks Senior High school, track and field all-time school records are displayed in a frame.

The display needs an overhaul after the year the Green Wave have put together.

Jez Jones (triple jump, 4×400 relay), Messi Kalenda (shot put) and Mavrik Martine (discus) have all broken East Grand Forks school records and will now take on the Minnesota Class AA state track and field meet Wednesday and Thursday in St. Michael, Minn.

“It’s just an amazing group of guys,” Jones said. “We push each other every single day. We joke around a lot so that’s what makes the environment fun. Practice can be hard, but when you have boys joking around, it gets you through it day by day.”

Jones broke the school’s triple jump record last season with a jump of 44 feet, 3 inches. This year, the Green Wave 4×400 team broke the school record with the 4×800 school record in its sight, as well.

The 4×400 relay team includes Jones, Weston Mahar, Cooper Hills and Dereon Dadeah.

The 4×800 relay team includes Mahar, Hills, Dadeah and Rylan Slack.

Jones is also eyeing the school record in the 400 meters. He holds the No. 4 time in Class AA this season at 49.7 seconds. Brayden Carlson set the EGF mark in 2024 at 49.63 seconds.

Kalenda,

who became a Green Wave football standout a couple of years after fleeing the Congo

, broke a long-standing EGF record.

Kalenda, who ranks fifth in the shot put in Class AA at 54 feet, 4.5 inches, broke a 46-year-old Green Wave record. Keith Solem held the previous record of 53-4, thrown in 1979.

Kalenda has signed to compete in football and track and field next year at Minot State.

Martine broke a 20-year-old record. His best discus throw of 162-2 feet ranks ninth in Class AA this year and broke the school record of Brady Herndon, who had 158-4 in 2005.

“I wanted to break the school record since I was in eighth grade,” Martine said, “so it’s pretty cool now that it’s my senior year, and I did it.”

All three Green Wave record-breakers have a similar story of 2025 state qualifying redemption after falling short in 2024.

“I needed a 51 (feet), and I threw a 50,” Kalenda said of the shot put.

“I came up 14 inches short,” Martine said of the discus.

“I was 2 inches short of going,” Jones said of the triple jump. “I was a sophomore and really nervous and scratched my first jump, so I started to worry about a lot of things.”

Jones, now a junior, has received college recruiting interest from Concordia Moorhead and West Point. He has high goals for the state meet.

“My goal is to win state in the 400,” he said. “The (school) record is a side piece that would come along with it. I’m low key nervous. Anything can happen, so I have to keep my head level and be myself.”

In the end, the Green Wave record-breakers are happy to have each other to continue to improve.

“I enjoy having (Martine) every day in practice,” Kalenda said. “He pushes me. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be able to throw as far as I can.”

Area Minnesota athletes ranked in the Top 5 in each state track and field event, per athletic.net

Boys
Class A
Shot put — 2. Jake Borowicz, Roseau, 55-9.75
Class AA
400 — 4. Jez Jones, EGF, :49.70
Shot put — 5. Messi Kalenda, EGF, 54-4.5
Girls
Class A
100 — 1. Ava Phrakonkham, Bagley-Fosston, :11.80
200 — 1. Phrakonkham, Bagley-Fosston, :24.78
Shot put — 4. McKinley Folland, KCC, 39-6.5
Discus — 1. Allison LaVine, Clearbrook-Gonvick, 132-5

Take advantage of this special pre-sale opportunity for men’s basketball season ticket members to purchase tickets before the general public!  The pre-sale will be available to season ticket members starting Thursday, June 12.  Tickets will go on sale to all fans June 26.

 

The pre-sale will launch based on priority point rank as of May 31. Tickets will go on sale at the following times:

• 10am – Thursday, June 12 – #MUBB Priority Point Rank 1-250
• 2pm – Thursday, June 12 – #MUBB Priority Point Rank 251-500
• 10am – Friday, June 13 – #MUBB Priority Point Rank 501-750
• 2pm – Friday, June 13 – #MUBB Priority Point Rank 751-1,000
• 10am – Monday, June 16 – #MUBB Priority Point Rank 1,000+

Season ticket members will receive an email with their link to purchase prior to each on-sale date and time.
 
For questions email athletics@marquette.edu or call or text the Marquette Ticket Office at 414-288-4668.

With state-of-the-art facilities and a diversity of landscapes and resources, Alabama is winning the sports tourism game. In 2024 the industry had more than $614 million in economic impact on local economies throughout the state, as reported in the Sports Alabama Annual Report. Sports Alabama is a trade association that promotes the state as a premier sports destination and works with its 11 member-destinations in recruiting and attracting events of all sizes to Alabama.

Its largest member, Birmingham, hosted 150 events in 2024, including Major League Baseball at Rickwood Field, which was televised to an estimated 2.5 million viewers. Last year sports tourism contributed more than $249 million in economic impact. The 2024 SEC Baseball Championship alone resulted in a $15 million economic impact and welcomed a record 180,000 attendees. The Sports Business Journal included Birmingham in its Top 50 Best Sports Business Cities in the country and one of 2024’s best sports cities without a major professional sports franchise.

The 130-acre Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater, which opened in Albertville in 2021, hosts numerous travel ball tournaments on its nine turf diamonds. (Colette Boehm / Alabama Living)

While Birmingham boasts the largest share of the state’s sports tourism business, smaller destinations are also seeing very big impacts from the sector. As the market shows signs of continued growth across Alabama, several locations are increasing their investment by building sports tourism facilities. They expect more events being held in their communities and larger returns in the form of economic impact.

The 130-acre Sand Mountain Park and Amphitheater opened in Albertville in 2021; the city of Saraland is nearing completion on a $72 million sports complex on a 100-acre site. The city of Muscle Shoals has announced plans for a $65 million complex, and Alabama’s Beaches Sports & Events has purchased 111 acres for a multifaceted sports tourism complex.

“I believe that Alabama is positioned to continue serving as host to quality events for years to come,” says Don Dukemineer, president of Sports Alabama and director of sports development for Decatur/Morgan County Tourism.

“Destinations continue to research and plan for facility growth that matches their community need, while also matching that community need to sports tourism goals of attracting new visitors. The work each team does helps build a new interest in the outdoor and recreational offerings Alabama has, while also generating economic impact for the hospitality community.”

Hundreds of high school athletes compete in the AHSAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship. The event will return to Gulf Shores Sportsplex this year. (Colette Boehm / Alabama Living)

An economic driver

According to Katy Norton, president of Marshall County Tourism & Sports, the Sand Mountain Park generates more than $20 million each year in economic impact and has also spurred new business activity. “Since the park opened in 2021, we have seen three new hotels break ground” — Fairfield Inn and Suites, Hampton Inn Albertville and Home 2 Suites by Hilton, all now open.

“We have also seen several brands come into our market, restaurants, etc., as well as a new movie theater. So, the park has definitely driven economic growth for Albertville and the county as a whole.”

The complex, which cost a reported $86 million to build, has outdoor facilities including nine turf diamonds, five turf multisport fields, a Miracle League field, 16-court tennis center, a 7,500-square-foot amphitheater, 18-hole disc golf course and a 3.5-mile trail, in addition to seven playgrounds, an RV park, dog parks and a water park with a lazy river. The indoor, two-story Fitness and Aquatics Center houses an eight-lane indoor competition pool, four hardwood courts and 25,000-plus square feet of event space.

At the southernmost end of the state, the local sports and events commission is proposing a new complex in Gulf Shores, with a price tag of nearly $56 million for outdoor facilities and an additional $43 million for an indoor phase. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach hosted 142 events last year, and officials estimate a current economic impact of more than $84 million annually.

The commission sees the new facilities as a means to maintain and increase sport tourism activities – and their positive impacts – despite the increasing local need for facilities from the rapidly bourgeoning population along the coast. A feasibility study estimates a year-one impact of 38 additional events that will generate a total economic impact of more than $62 million. In year five, that estimated impact grows to $84 million.

In addition to new, large complexes like these, Marshall County and Alabama’s Beaches sports authorities, along with others throughout the state, say Alabama’s diversity of natural resources adds to the types of events that can be hosted in the state.

“Location plays a key role in organizers choosing Alabama’s beaches for events,” says Michelle Russ, vice president of sales, sports and events at Alabama’s Beaches Sports & Events. “Our natural assets are the heartbeat of the destination. Any destination can have an amazing sports complex, but not every destination has 32 miles of beaches, the Gulf of Mexico, back bays and freshwater lakes.”

Building on natural resources

The NCAA Collegiate Beach Volleyball National Championship, which recently announced a return to Gulf Shores’ beaches in 2027 through 2031, is played on the public beaches. The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, which winds through Orange Beach and Gulf State Park, is a venue for high school and collegiate track and field competitions and, along with the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, for an annual triathlon that garners hundreds of participants each year.

Norton sees the same value of the natural resources in her north Alabama destination.

“Lake Guntersville brings $1 billion in economic impact to Marshall County every year. In the region, including Jackson County and surrounding areas, economic impact from the lake is $4 billion. From a fishing standpoint, our lake’s reputation for producing large bags of fish consistently brings many of the tournament anglers to us.”

The lake is also home to HydroFest each summer. Competitors come from across the country to race at speeds up to 200 mph. The two-day event includes five classes of speedboats.

HydroFest on Lake Guntersville. (Colette Boehm / Alabama Living)

The combination of natural resources and built facilities, Norton notes, is a winning one for her region. “Marshall County is truly blessed with Lake Guntersville and our state parks, three in our county,” she says. “We know that the largest generator for tourism is the state park itself. However, the buildout of Sand Mountain Park and Amphitheater has brought a new clientele to our community and introduced our lake and area to new families who we hope will continue to visit even when they aren’t playing ball.”

“Our rich history and tradition detail why Alabama is so unique in the sports tourism landscapes,” Dukemineer says, “first while hosting events only Alabama can, but second because of unique venues throughout the state that can host a variety of exciting events. I’m so proud of the work our members do each and every day to provide quality experiences to every visitor who travels to Alabama.”

Sports Alabama member organizations are Auburn-Opelika Tourism, Sport Birmingham, Decatur-Morgan County Tourism, Visit Dothan, Foley Sports Tourism, Alabama’s Beaches Sports & Events, Explore Rocket City, Marshall County Tourism & Sports, Visit Mobile, The Shoals and Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports.

Teamwork results in a sports tourism win

A conversation that began in 2017 has resulted in a partnership that is paying off in economic development opportunities through sports tourism for one central Alabama county. The partnership conceived a project now known as 17 Springs in Millbrook, where two of three phases are complete and the fruits of the years-long labor are already being reaped.

Phase 1 was completed in 2023 and a ribbon cutting for Phase 2 was held in February. These phases constitute a sports complex known as The Fields at 17 Springs. The nearly 120-acre venue includes state-of-the-art facilities, including five multipurpose turf fields, including one with stadium seating for 5,500 along with a track, as well as 12 pickleball courts, one grass field, four futsal courts and 12 tennis courts.

The Fieldhouse is an 86,000-square-foot facility featuring a 42,000-square-foot event space that can accommodate four basketball courts, eight volleyball courts or 12 wrestling mats. The indoor space also includes a concession area and locker rooms, along with three conference rooms. According to Elmore County Chief Operations Officer Richie Beyer, the technology and versatility of The Fieldhouse’s design will make it a popular venue for events other than sports.

Aerial view of 17 Springs in Millbrook. (Colette Boehm / Alabama Living)

The Elmore County Commission is one of five partners in the $100 million project, along with the Elmore County Board of Education, City of Millbrook, YMCA of Greater Montgomery and Elmore County Economic Development Authority. Public input, along with partners’ needs and their abilities to support the project in different ways, all contributed to the 17 Springs concept.

“It’s unique, the way the partnership came together,” says Beyers. “It started through some conversations with the Grandview YMCA, on their 70 acres of land. They were trying to figure out how to masterplan that. Then the city (of Millbrook) started talking to them about needs, the Board of Education had some needs and there was just a synergy where everybody was pulled together. And ECEDA was the right entity to start the process with feasibility studies. ECEDA was the linchpin that held the feasibility part together for the five partners.

“In addition to our five partners,” he says, “our design team, contractors and utilities partners, including Central Alabama Electric Cooperative and Central Access, have done everything they can to help us, to guide and prioritize.”

The facilities at 17 Springs are already popular for both local sporting events and visiting tournaments. Beyers believes the surrounding businesses are already seeing a positive impact from that play.

This article previously appeared in Alabama Living.

Goldfields-born water polo star Luke Pavillard is set to continue his decorated career with Pro Recco as the Italian powerhouse looks to bolster its ranks after a long line of departures.

Pavillard has been linked to Pro Recco since early this year after an official contract offer.

The 29-year-old is not on Pro Recco’s 2025 team list and club officials have yet to confirm any incoming reinforcements.

However, a European source last week reported Pavillard would be among the star non-European replacements for up to seven departures that include fellow Australian Aaron Younger.

Founded in 1913, Pro Recco has won the lucrative Champions League a record 11 times.

Pavillard was last year among the best performers in national men’s team the Aussie Sharks that finished eighth at the Paris Olympics by scoring 14 goals in seven games.

He also boasts a gold medal and a silver medal playing for Australia in tournaments dating back to 2017 and 2022, respectively.

The Aussie Sharks have been in the US training with the American team before heading to similar camps in Thailand alongside the Croatian and Serbian national teams.

Serbia are the reigning Olympic champions, with the Asian camps considered vital lead-ups for the Sharks ahead of the World Cup that starts in Singapore on July 12.

Pavillard took up water polo in Perth during his early teens thanks to the influence of his father Hugh.

Hugh Pavillard arrived in the Goldfields in the mid-1980s and was a key figure when water polo was among the biggest participation sports at the old Lord Forrest Olympic Pool.

It included a mid-1990s stint on the State League roster of the now-defunct Goldfields Vikings.

After the family left the region in about 1998, a young Luke began his water polo journey with the Melville Sharks at the Bicton Baths.

He missed selection for the Tokyo Olympics, but moved into the professional ranks with a three-year contract with Barceloneta in the Champions League.

Massive international sporting events are coming to American shores – the FIFA Club World Cup, the FIFA Men’s World Cup, the Summer Olympics – and the term of the “host broadcaster” is becoming more common in our lexicon.

However, the role is about a whole lot more these days than producing the live game. How are host broadcasters being tasked with providing their many rightsholders with more content and how has it all changed in an era of social media? Tim Stott, Executive Producer, Digital for Host Broadcast Services (HBS) sheds some light on the topic.

Watch Now on SVG PLAY:

This conversation was hosted at the SVG Digital Engagement Forum in New York City and was moderated by Brandon Costa, Director of Digital at SVG.

SVG PLAY is your home for all Sports Video Group live event and long-form video content. As an SVG member and sponsor, receive simple access to all SVG event panels, case studies, keynotes, and more all in one place. To visit SVG PLAY, CLICK HERE.

The men’s squad will kick off competiton on Wednesday, with five athletes competing across three events.

Peyton Bair, the NCAA Indoor heptathlon champion, will compete in the decathlon this season. Bair enters the field seeded second and will compete in ten events across the first two days of the meet.

Rémi Rougetet and Tuomas Närhi will compete in the javelin this weekend. Rougetet enters the field as a two-time All-American, finishing fifth in the event at the 2024 championships. Narhi will compete in his first NCAA meet after finishing second in the javelin at the East First Round.

Abdullahi Hassan and Sam Navarro round out the men’s roster, competing in the 800m. Hassan is competing in his fourth outdoor championship and enters the field as the reigning NCAA Indoor Runner-up over the distance. Navarro will compete in his first NCAA Championship as a Bulldog, punching his ticket with a huge personal best at the East First Round.

The women will begin competition on Thursday alongside Bair, who will compete the decathlon that same evening.

The meet will be available to stream on ESPN+.

For more information on the Mississippi State track and field program, visit HailState.com and follow “HailStateTF” on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.