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USA Volleyball tabs 3-time Olympic medalist April Ross to head beach c…

USA Volleyball has named three-time Olympic medalist April Ross as head of coaching for the beach national teams, turning to one of the country’s most successful beach volleyball players after the Americans had their first-ever medal shutout in Paris. The national governing body said the southern California native will work to improve the performance of […]

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USA Volleyball has named three-time Olympic medalist April Ross as head of coaching for the beach national teams, turning to one of the country’s most successful beach volleyball players after the Americans had their first-ever medal shutout in Paris.

The national governing body said the southern California native will work to improve the performance of “our top American athletes on the international stage” as it looks ahead to hosting the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

“I’m honored to join USA Volleyball in this new role and look forward to working with our coaches and athletes to continue the legacy of success on the international stage,” Ross said. “I’ve always believed in the power of collaboration, and I’m excited to be part of a team that shares that vision.”

Ross, 42, won a silver medal in London, a bronze in Rio de Janeiro and a gold medal in Tokyo — with three different partners; she also won back-to-back NCAA indoor volleyball titles at Southern California.

“April brings a unique combination of elite-level experience, deep technical knowledge, and a passion for mentoring,” said Sean Scott, director of beach national teams. “She’s competed at the highest levels and understands what it takes to succeed. I’m excited to work alongside her as we continue to build a world-class coaching culture that supports our athletes’ growth and prepares them to win at the highest level.”



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NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships 2025

The NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships 2025 take place at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon in Eugene from Wednesday, June 11, through Saturday, June 14. Featuring the best college track and field student-athletes attending university in the United States, the championships are a chance for these athletes to make their […]

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The NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships 2025 take place at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon in Eugene from Wednesday, June 11, through Saturday, June 14.

Featuring the best college track and field student-athletes attending university in the United States, the championships are a chance for these athletes to make their marks.

Action will be broadcast and streamed in the U.S. on the ESPN network.

Discover the full schedule of events and the top three results from every single final below.



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Women’s Volleyball Announces 2025 Schedule

Story Links CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard women’s volleyball announced its 2025 schedule comprised of seven non-conference contests and its annual 14-match Ivy League slate.  With nine contests set to be played inside the Malkin Athletic Center, the Crimson will look to make its return to the Ivy League Tournament as it returns […]

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard women’s volleyball announced its 2025 schedule comprised of seven non-conference contests and its annual 14-match Ivy League slate.  With nine contests set to be played inside the Malkin Athletic Center, the Crimson will look to make its return to the Ivy League Tournament as it returns to action in less than two months. 

Harvard’s season will begin on the road as the Crimson heads to the Sunshine State to compete at the UNF Invitational.  The Crimson’s season and the tournament will kick off as Harvard faces the host North Florida Ospreys on Friday, September 5.

Harvard will compete on its home court for the first time on Friday, September 12 at 7:00 p.m. ET as Washington State travels to Cambridge.  The Crimson will then host Seton Hall to close out the weekend on Sunday, September 14 at 7:00 p.m. ET. 

The Crimson’s final non-conference contests will take place just down the road as it meets with a trio of New England teams in Chestnut Hill, Mass. including the host Boston College (Sept. 18), Bryant (Sept. 19), and Stonehill (Sept. 20). 

Following its non-conference season, the Crimson will begin its quest for an Ivy League Championship against Dartmouth on Sunday, September 28 at 4:00 p.m. ET in Hanover, NH.  During the first half of conference play Harvard will host Penn (Oct. 10) and Princeton (Oct. 11).

A majority of the Crimson’s home action will come in the second portion of Ivy action as Harvard will then host the Big Green (Oct. 25), Columbia (Oct. 31), Cornell (Nov. 1), Yale (Nov. 7), and Brown (Nov. 8) in five straight matches. 

With the addition of five first-years and the leadership of its co-captains Brynne Faltinsky and Yvette Easton, the Crimson will look to return to the Ivy League tournament for the first time since 2023.  The postseason playoffs will be held on the campus of the top seed and will be held on November 21 and 22. 

 



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Long Beach Poly Boys’ Wrestling Wins CIF State Academic Championship – The562.org

The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial. The Long Beach Poly boys’ wrestling team won a CIF State Academic Championship, as announced by the CIF last week. Forty schools were recognized for having the highest collective grade point averages in each sport, and the Jackrabbits led the […]

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Poly boys wrestling



The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial.

The Long Beach Poly boys’ wrestling team won a CIF State Academic Championship, as announced by the CIF last week. Forty schools were recognized for having the highest collective grade point averages in each sport, and the Jackrabbits led the state in boys’ wrestling with a 3.7 GPA.

The announcement comes a month after Poly wrestling celebrated both boys’ and girls’ CIF-SS Academic Championships at Angel Stadium, along with three other Long Beach sports programs. The Poly boys’ wrestling team was the only team to win in consecutive years, and the only one to also capture a CIF State Academic Championship.

“I am extremely proud of my wrestlers winning the CIF academic championships this year and it was a testament to the hard work and discipline our wrestlers put on the mat and off the mat,” said Poly coach Ken Lee. “Winning this is a reflection of the commitment our wrestlers have not only to the sport but to their futures. I am beyond proud of these wrestlers for proving that greatness can be achieved in every arena, both mentally and physically.”

The Jackrabbits become the first Long Beach school to win a CIF State Academic Championship since Wilson girls’ water polo did it in 2023.

The championship caps off a decorated school year for Long Beach Poly, both in the classroom and in athletics. The Jackrabbits won four CIF-SS championships and had four programs earn CIF-SS academic titles. They also captured a runner-up plaque at the state level, capped off by this CIF State Academic Team Championship.





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Seminoles Set for NCAA Outdoor Championships in Oregon

TALLAHASSEE – The No. 20/21 Florida State track and field teams are set for the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon at historic Hayward Field from June 11-14. The Seminoles have five men and five women competing in nine individual events and three relay teams at the top collegiate meet in the country. […]

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TALLAHASSEE – The No. 20/21 Florida State track and field teams are set for the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon at historic Hayward Field from June 11-14.

The Seminoles have five men and five women competing in nine individual events and three relay teams at the top collegiate meet in the country. The men will compete on Wednesday and Friday, while the women’s events will take place Thursday on Saturday.

MEET NOTES:

Florida State will begin on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. ET with the Semifinals of the men’s 4×100-meters relay team of Jaiden Rollins, Neo Mosebi, Micahi Danzy and Durian Moss. The Seminoles will need to finish within the top two of the heat or post the next three fastest qualifying times to make the 12-team final on Friday.

The meet will be streamed live on ESPN+ and coverage throughout the meet can also be found on the ESPN family of networks during the week. Live results will be available through flash results.

The Seminoles have had at least one student-athlete finishing in the top 16 at every NCAA Championship since 1976, earning All-America honors.

 

NATIONAL RANKINGS:

Florida State is the only school have both teams ranked in the week 10 USTFCCCA national poll.

The 20th-ranked men’s team enters the first round led by Danzy after qualifying individually in the 400 and participating on the 4×100. The Tallahassee native will be the first 400 runner since 2015 to represent Florida State. His time (44.38) is the fastest in the nation and 22nd all-time in collegiate history. Danzy becomes the first freshman to qualify individually since Trey Cunningham punched his ticket in the 110 hurdles in 2018.

The 21st-ranked women’s team will be highlighted by two-time All-American Shenese Walker, who punched her individual ticket after claiming the crown at the NCAA East Preliminary in the 100, lowering her personal best with the second-fastest time in program history at 10.98. Walker’s time currently ranks fourth in the nation.

 LAST TIME OUT:

The Seminoles competed at the NCAA East First Round in Jacksonville, Florida on May 28-31.

FSU saw one program record and four others established FSU all-time top 10 performances.  

The women’s 4×100 of Lucy May Sleeman, Walker, Liana Tyson and Joella Lloyd won the race with a time of 42.72, which ranks second in the nation this season. The Noles erased the previous conference and program record of 43.13 that was set by the Seminoles in 2019 behind Kelcie Simmons, Karimah Davis, Shauna Helps and Ka’Tia Seymour.

Walker was joined by Lloyd, who followed in fourth place, resetting her own Antigua and Barbuda national record and third-fastest time in program history at 11.01

Kaelyaah Liburd reset her own national record in the women’s 400, after lowering her performance best with the third-fastest time in program history at 51.31 to punch her ticket to the National Championships after placing sixth.

After coming off an ACC title in the men’s 4×100 relay of Rollins, Danzy, Mosebi and Moss placed with a time of 38.81.

Kyvon Tatham will compete in the men’s triple jump with the sixth-farthest mark in the nation at 16.01m.

Curtis Williams punched his ticket in the long jump with a mark of 7.59m.

Brooke Mullins qualified for women’s 3,000 steeplechase after finishing fourth in her heat with a time of 10:05.67. Mullins is the first athlete to compete in the event since Bridget Blake in 2016.

Tyson Williams advanced in the men’s 110 hurdles after qualifying with a time of 13.54. Mosebi qualified for his first outdoor nationals in the men’s 100, placing 10.08.

Kayla Pinkard punched her first career ticket in the women’s triple jump after placing 10th with a mark of 13.01m.

FLORIDA STATE NCAA OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11 – Men’s semifinal/final

7:05 p.m.    4x100m relay

8:08 p.m.    110m hurdles –Tyson Williams 

8:25 p.m.    100m– Neo Mosebi


8:40 p.m.-   Long jump-Curtis Williams (final)

8:41 p.m.    400m – Micahi Danzy 

 

THURSDAY, JUNE 12 – Women’s semifinal


7:05 p.m.     4x100m relay

7:38 p.m.     3,000m Steeplechase- Brooke Mullins

8:25 p.m.     100m –Shenese Walker, Joella Lloyd

8:41 p.m.     400m – Kaelyaah Liburd 

9:14 p.m.     400m hurdles – Tyra Wilson 

10:36 p.m.   
4x400m relay

FRIDAY, JUNE 13- Men’s final

8:02 p.m.     4x100m relay


8:10 p.m.-   Triple jump-Kyvon Tatham 

8:42 p.m.     110m hurdles –Tyson Williams 


8:52 p.m.     100m- Neo Mosebi

9:02 p.m.    400m – Micahi Danzy

SATURDAY, JUNE 14- Women’s finals

9:02 p.m.    4x100m relay

9:10 p.m.    Triple jump-Kayla Pinkard

9:24 p.m.    3,000m Steeplechase- Brooke Mullins

10:02 p.m.  100m –Shenese Walker, Joella Lloyd

10:14 p.m.  400m – Kaelyaah Liburd


10:21 p.m.   4x400m relay 

10:27 p.m.  400m hurdles – Tyra Wilson 

NCAA OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIP MEET INFORMATION: 

Meet Home 


Meet Schedule 

Tickets 

Stream links

Live Results 

Complete Men’s Entries List 

Complete Women’s Entries List 

 

For more information on Florida State track and field, follow Twitter (X) 
@FSU_Track and Instagram @FSU_Track.      

 





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‘Jones Sand Volleyball Court’ hosts weekly games to support various causes

The Jones family invites people over for weekly volleyball games and tournaments. WISCASSET, Maine — From a love of volleyball to a legacy of giving back, Julie Jones has turned her backyard into a place where sport and community thrive, one serve at a time. Julie wears many hats. She’s a daycare provider, a mother, […]

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The Jones family invites people over for weekly volleyball games and tournaments.

WISCASSET, Maine — From a love of volleyball to a legacy of giving back, Julie Jones has turned her backyard into a place where sport and community thrive, one serve at a time.

Julie wears many hats. She’s a daycare provider, a mother, a volleyball coach, and now, the heart behind a thriving community tradition. Tucked away in her Wiscasset backyard is a homemade sand volleyball court—built not for competition, but for connection.

“I don’t really do it for myself,” Julie said. “I love the sport, but I especially love seeing young athletes enjoy learning it and seeing their growth.”

That love for volleyball and for bringing people together is what inspired Julie and her family to create a space where locals—and even those from hours away—can come together to play a few games, chat around a fire, and enjoy each other’s company.

It all started when Julie was pregnant with her first daughter and noticed a gap in local sports offerings. 

“Our school only offered volleyball for girls and basketball for boys,” Julie said. “So after she was born, we were like, okay, what are we going to do to get volleyball rolling here in Wiscasset?”

With a background as a player, coach, and volleyball mom, Julie wanted to show others how fun the sport can be.

On Thursdays, the Jones’ hosts an open court where anyone can pick up a game, growing into something bigger than just a pastime. They’ve become a community event.

“Win or lose, it doesn’t matter,” Julie said. “It’s just about bringing people together and having fun.”

Now, the Jones family hosts fundraising tournaments that, at times, support various organizations throughout the season.

One recent event supported the Side-Out Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to metastatic breast cancer research.

“For Julie, it’s her passion,” Emily Hayes, the Northeast community engagement leader for the Side-Out Foundation, explained. “And you can feel it just seep off of her when you talk to her or are around her.”

Julie’s impact stretches beyond her own efforts, with two of her children now playing college volleyball and another who appreciates the sport, carrying on the family tradition.

“My whole journey with volleyball has been a whole family thing for me,” Julie’s daughter, Alyeea Jones, said. “It’s never been an individualized thing.”

Alyeea smiles when talking about her mom’s endless energy. 

“Sometimes I’m like, ‘Mom, let me give you a break. Just go take a rest.’ But she loves it too much.”

The Jones family also hosts tournaments that don’t support an organization. Instead, the funds are used for court maintenance. 

Currently, the family is raising money to build a second sand court. Proceeds from upcoming events, including one happening this Saturday, will go toward making that dream a reality.

Details about the tournament can be found on the Jones Sand Volleyball Court Facebook page.

For more local stories continue with us on our NEWS CENTER Maine+ streaming app. 

For the latest breaking news, weather, and traffic alerts, download the NEWS CENTER Maine mobile app.



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Sienna Toohey,16, stuns crowd with swim in 100m breaststroke final

Toohey is faster at the same age. Yes, times have changed, but there is something special about this youngster. Australian swimming was buzzing with excitement on night two of the national trials when Toohey won her race in a personal best time of 1:06.55, just clear of Ella Ramsay (1:06.86). Sienna Toohey is interviewed on […]

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Toohey is faster at the same age. Yes, times have changed, but there is something special about this youngster.

Australian swimming was buzzing with excitement on night two of the national trials when Toohey won her race in a personal best time of 1:06.55, just clear of Ella Ramsay (1:06.86).

Sienna Toohey is interviewed on Channel Nine after her win in the women’s 100m breaststroke final on Tuesday evening.

Sienna Toohey is interviewed on Channel Nine after her win in the women’s 100m breaststroke final on Tuesday evening. Credit: Channel Nine

The time would have won a gold medal at Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004.

By the time Toohey was being interviewed poolside, she was almost inconsolable.

“I’m just so excited because I worked so hard,” Toohey said as tears rolled down her cheeks. “I was so nervous and so happy I have done it.

“It’s been very hard living in Canberra for the last six weeks.”

Toohey waved to family in the stands before greeting reporters. She’d spoken to some a year earlier when, as a 15-year-old, she’d narrowly missed making a maiden Olympics team.

“It was definitely something that I really wanted to be a part of,” Toohey said. “It was definitely [tears of] relief.”

How did she get into swimming? When did the dream really kick in?

“I started swimming because I wanted to play water polo, but my parents told me that I couldn’t do water polo if I didn’t swim,” Toohey said.

Sienna Toohey is swimming faster than Liesel Jones was at her age.

Sienna Toohey is swimming faster than Liesel Jones was at her age.Credit: Sienna Toohey/Instagram

“I started swimming just to do it and then my brother started to get really good at it. I got to the point where I had to choose swimming or water polo. Obviously, I chose swimming. It was the right choice.”

Next month, the shy schoolgirl will travel to Singapore and represent her country at the world championships.

Not a bad story to take back to school.

“They’re very curious about swimming but they don’t really understand most parts of it. They know that I’m good though,” Toohey said.

“I’ve told them my goals and they’re very supportive. I’m sure I’ll go back and I’ll have numerous messages from them all.”

Sienna Toohey (left) in tears after winning the women’s 100m breaststroke final at the Australian swimming trials in Adelaide.

Sienna Toohey (left) in tears after winning the women’s 100m breaststroke final at the Australian swimming trials in Adelaide.Credit: Getty Images

Astute swimming judges have been whispering Toohey’s name for some time.

Last year, she broke Jones’ 15-year-old age record that had stood since 2000. Earlier this year, Toohey lowered Jones’ national record among 16-year-old breaststrokers in the two-lap event.

Jones’ best time as a 16-year-old was 1:07.31. Toohey is nearly a second quicker at the same age, but is now gunning for Jones’ overall Australian record of 1:05.09.

Toohey, who is now the eighth-fastest Australian in the event, was lucky enough to meet her hero during last year’s Olympic trials.

Leisel Jones with her Olympic silver medal, aged just 15.

Leisel Jones with her Olympic silver medal, aged just 15.Credit: Craig Golding

“After nationals [this year] she sent me a message the night after I broke her record,” Toohey said.

“It honestly made my week. Getting something personalised from her … and her telling me to keep going and that things can happen when you’re young, was definitely inspiring.

“I watched some of her races when I was first chasing down her records.”

When the Brisbane Olympics arrive, Toohey is likely to be in the prime of her career, still at a tender age of 23.

Toohey admits she has thought about the prospect of competing at a home Olympics. She is living proof that the Olympic dream burns bright in the nation’s young athletes.

“When the Brisbane Olympics first got announced, that was the Olympic team I was hoping to get on. Now I’ve made this [world championship] one, we’ll have to push the timeline up a bit more,” Toohey said.

“It’d definitely mean a lot being in my home country, plus some family members could come.

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“I just want to reach the top and hopefully get a medal at the Olympics one day.”

Once Toohey had finished her interviews, she was greeted by some of her teenage friends.

“I now know someone who’s going to be famous,” one was overheard saying.

For Sienna Toohey, the road to Brisbane 2032 starts now — and she’s already ahead of schedule.

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