SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Kansas City Men’s Track and Field’s Tory Lanham has yet another honor to add to his prolific 2024-25 season, bringing in the Summit League’s Men’s Track Athlete of the Year honors. This comes in addition to his Second Team All-American status, Summit League May/June Male Athlete of the Month, Summit League Most Outstanding Performer of the Championship, First Team All-League and four Kwik Star Peak Performer of the Week honors. 

Lanham capped his season at the NCAA Championships, placing 13th in the national semifinals of the 200-meter race. He owns the program record in the race as the first athlete in KC history to go sub-20 seconds, a feat that he accomplished five times throughout the outdoor season. He ran the 24th-fastest 200-meter time in the nation this year, clocking a 20.33 in the NCAA West Regional on May 28. In addition, he anchored the league’s gold medal 4×400-meter team and the silver medal 4×100-meter team.

Lanham is the third athlete in program history to earn the Summit League’s male athlete of the year designation, and is the first since Anthony Boyer in 2009-10.

MSOC6/23/2025 11:00 AM | By: Cal Athletics

 
The California men’s soccer team will play a 15-game regular-season schedule in 2025 highlighted by six matches against teams that reached the 2024 NCAA Championship, six home games and eight ACC matches, head coach Leonard Griffin announced Monday.
 
Cal’s 2025 opponents UCLA, Duke, Clemson, SMU, Wake Forest and Stanford all competed in the postseason last fall. The Golden Bears are also slated to play five teams that finished ranked last year in SMU (5), Wake Forest (6), Clemson (9), Stanford (13) and Duke (15).
 
The Golden Bears open the regular season against three programs with Griffin connections. The season opener takes place Aug. 21 at nearby Saint Mary’s in Moraga, where the Bears’ boss was an assistant coach from 2011-13. Cal then faces former Pac-12 rival UCLA – Griffin’s alma mater – on Aug. 24. Griffin won the NCAA championship with the Bruins in 2002 and earned All-America honors as a senior in 2003. Cal hosts its first home game at Edwards Stadium on Aug. 28 against San Francisco, which Griffin led as the Dons’ head coach from 2019 through the spring of 2021.
 
The Bears begin their second season in the ACC with an early season conference match at Boston College on Sept. 7. Cal’s first home game against an ACC opponent takes place Sept. 14, when Duke visits Edwards Stadium. The Bears had a memorable game with the Blue Devils in the 2024 ACC Championship quarterfinal round, in which Cal upset its second-ranked hosts 2-0 in Durham, North Carolina. Cal next plays Clemson on Sept. 19 in South Carolina. The Tigers were Cal’s opponent in the ACC tournament semifinal, and despite a pair of rallies, the Bears fell 3-2 in Cary, North Carolina.
 
In their penultimate regular-season home game this fall, the Bears host Wake Forest on Oct. 11. While they did not play the Demon Deacons in their inaugural ACC season last fall, the Bears played then-No. 18 Wake to an impressive 1-1 tie – thanks to a goal by former Bear Kevin Carmichael – in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, early 2023.
 
The Bears close the regular season in the Big Clasico against Stanford on Halloween in Berkeley. In last year’s Big Clasico on the Farm, Carmichael came up big again when he scored the gamewinner in a 1-0 Cal victory.
 
Cal then competes in the ACC Championship, which starts on campus sites on Nov. 6 and culminates in the Nov. 19 final in Cary, North Carolina.
 
The Bears finished 2024 with a flourish, winning three out of four matches on the road to get within perhaps a win or two of reaching the postseason. After the victory at Stanford in the regular-season finale, the Bears upset No. 14 North Carolina 2-1 on the road in its ACC Championship opener, with defender Alfredo Ortiz converting Cal’s first penalty kick of the season to clinch the win. The win at Duke followed and then came the close loss to Clemson, with the Bears finishing the year 8-8-2.
 
Griffin brings back a bevy of talented Bears for 2025 including sophomore forward Malcolm Zalayet, the team’s top returning goalscorer who netted four goals last year. Zalayet also led Cal in assists with four. Ortiz, another returning sophomore, was the Bears’ fourth-leading scorer last year with seven points from three goals and one assist. Goalkeeper Connor Lambe – who posted a 1.06 goals-against average in 12 games for the Bears in 2023 – is back as a graduate student this fall.
 
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Speed Show: How Summer of 2025 is Shaping Up to Be Faster Than Olympic Year

Last year was an extraordinary season for the sport of swimming. Because of the Olympic Games in Paris, athletes targeted their best shape possible and to deliver at the most important time. Less than a year later, the pace hasn’t slowed for many swimmers, who have clocked several historic times in the last couple of weeks as they prepare for the World Championships of Singapore.

The 2024 season did not disappoint. It had everything. The Olympics. World records. Some of the fastest times in history. China’s Pan Zhanle twice broke the world record in the 100-meter freestyle. Aussie Ariarne Titmus clocked a phenomenal 1:52.23 in the 200 freestyle. American Gretchen Walsh became the fastest woman in the world in the 100 butterfly with a mark of 55.18. Bobby Finke defended his Olympic title in the 1500 freestyle by breaking Sun Yang’s 12-year-old world record.

By the season’s finale, seven world records had been broken and in 31 cases, swimmers entered the historical top-10 of their event for the first time in their career. Beyond world records in 2024, Summer McIntosh became the second-fastest woman in the 800 freestyle when she stopped the clock at 8:11.39. We also saw a 4:28.22 from backstroek queen Kaylee McKeown in the 400 IM. One of the most fascinating performances of 2024 was Lukas Martens’ 400 freestyle at the German Championships, where he finished in 3:40.33. And that was just the beginning for the German.

Martens broke the first world record of 2025, with the Olympic champ putting on a show in his trademark 400 freestyle. From 3:40.33, he went down to 3:39.96 and beat the 3:40.07 that had stood to Paul Biedermann since 2009. Then, the Americans took over. At the Pro Swim Series stop in Ft. Lauderdale, Walsh and Katie Ledecky improved their own records in 100 butterfly and 800 freestyle, respectively. Those efforts were followed by McIntosh dominating at the Canadian Trials, where she turned the world upside down with three world records and personal-best times in the 800 freestyle and 200 butterfly.

Although the year’s biggest event has not yet unfolded, we have already matched the same amount of world records that were witnessed last year. The number is likely to climb in Singapore.

Beyond the world records already set this year, there have been a number of noteworthy marks from a historical perspective. Australia’s, Lani Pallister in now the third-fastest woman in the history of the 800 freestyle and 1500 freestyle with times of 8:10.84 and 15:39.14, and she is sixth in the 400 freestyle. For the first time, Pallister went under the four-minute barrier in the 400 free (3:59.72), proof that her training with coach Dean Boxall is paying off. Another name that fired a warning shot to the swimming world is Sven Schwarz. The German became the European record holder in 800 freestyle in 7:38.12 and is now a top-five performer in the event.

Just because it is a post-Olympics year, that doesn’t mean the times have to slow. Rather, plenty of athletes are hungry to elevate their status and make 2025 a launching point toward the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The 2025 World Records

Lukas Martens (GER) – 400 freestyle – 3:39.96 (04/12)
Gretchen Walsh (USA) – 100 butterfly – 55.09 (05/03)
Gretchen Walsh (USA) – 100 butterfly – 54.60 (05/03)
Katie Ledecky (USA) – 800 freestyle – 8:04.12 (05/03)
Summer McIntosh (CAN) – 400 freestyle – 3:54.18 (06/07)
Summer McIntosh (CAN) – 200 medley – 2:05.70 (06/09)
Summer McIntosh (CAN) – 400m medley – 4:23.65 (06/11)

Swimmers Denting the Top-10 All-Time Performer List in a Specific Event For the First Time in 2025

Lani Pallister (AUS) – 1500 freestyle – 15:39.14 – No. 3
Wan Letian (CHN) – 50 backstroke – 27.09 – No. 4
Luca Urlando (USA) – 200 butterfly – 1:52.37 – No. 4
Luke Hobson (USA) – 200 freestyle – 1:43.73 – No. 5
Sven Schwarz (GER) – 800 freestyle – 7:38.12 – No. 5
Pavel Samusenko (RUS) – 50 backstroke – 24.01 – No. 5
Lani Pallister (AUS) – 400 freestyle – 3:59.72 – No. 6
Li Bingjie (CHN) – 400 freestyle – 3:59.99 – No. 7
Claire Curzan (USA) – 200 backstroke – 2:05.09 – No. 7
Gretchen Walsh (USA) – 50 freestyle – 23.91 – No. 8
Claire Weinstein (USA) – 400 freestyle – 4:00.05 – No. 8
Sven Schwarz (GER) – 1500 freestyle – 14:36.82 – No. 9
Ivan Kozhakin (RUS) – 50 breaststroke – 26.46 – No. 9
Ilya Kharun (CAN) – 100 butterfly – 50.37 – No. 9
Guilherme Caribe Santos (BRA) – 100 freestyle – 47.10 – No. 10
Lukas Martens (GER) – 800 freestyle – 7:39.10 – No. 10
Eneli Jefimova (EST) – 50 breaststroke – 29.83 – No. 10
Bobby Finke (USA) – 400 medley – 4:07.46 – No. 10

General | June 23, 2025

PHILADELPHIA – Kayla Storrs, who has most recently served as the Associate Director of People, Culture, and Belonging for the University of Oklahoma Athletics, has been named the Head of Community Engagement and Wellbeing at Penn. The position is shared between the Division of Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics and Wellness at Penn.
 
Storrs joined Oklahoma Athletics in 2023 where she worked closely with the Associate AD for People, Culture, and Belonging to design and implement strategic initiatives to foster community for more than 360 full-time staff. She also led large-scale programs and professional development opportunities, resulting in a 15% increase in employee participation and strengthened community engagement over the course of one year.
 
“We are thrilled to welcome Kayla to our Penn Athletics and Recreation team,” Alanna Wren, the T. Gibbs Kane, Jr. W’69 Director of Athletics and Recreation said. “We were compelled by her specific experiences in admissions and recruitment, public health and her work in higher education and also independent schools. Her academic and professional credentials will help Kayla make an immediate impact on both our Division and Wellness at Penn.”
 
“Kayla brings a dynamic blend of experience and strategic thinking to this role,” says Benoit Dubé, MD, Associate Provost and Chief Wellness Officer, University of Pennsylvania. “Her unique background in both wellness and athletics gives her a powerful lens to view and understand the deep connection between belonging, performance, and wellbeing. We’re thrilled to welcome a leader who so fully embodies the values that guide our work within Wellness at Penn and across the University.”
 
“I’m really excited to step into this role at Penn,” Storrs said. “This work is personal to me, as I’ve seen how powerful it is when people feel supported, connected, and like they truly belong. I care deeply about community and holistic wellbeing, and I’m looking forward to building intentional spaces where that’s not just a goal, but a lived experience.”
 
From 2020 to 2023, Kayla served at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis, where she partnered closely with Human Resources and Senior Leadership to shape inclusive and strategic hiring practices. Prior to that, she spent four years at the University of Oklahoma in the Office of Admissions and Recruitment, where she held roles as an Admissions Counselor and Assistant Director of Diversity Enrichment Programs.
 
A proud double alumna of the University of Oklahoma, Storrs earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies in 2014. She went on to earn her Master of Public Health from the University of Kentucky in 2016 and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Adult and Higher Education at OU. Her research explores parental support of first-generation college students in the college admissions process. In addition to her administrative work, she has taught as an adjunct instructor at OU, UK, and Brebeuf Jesuit. Storrs is also a Gates Millennium Scholar.
 

A freshman outside hitter, Kelly Kinney comes to Minnesota as a true freshman from West Palm Beach, Fla. Kinney had a decorated prep career, tallying 1340 kills (.301 hitting), 769 digs, 148 aces and 115 blocks. As a senior in 2024, she posted 370 kills (.322), 189 digs, 45 aces and 21 blocks. She was ranked by Prep Volleyball as the No. 11 overall ranked player in the 2025 class, including the No. 1 ranking of any player in the south. The four-time Palm Beast Post All-District and Sun Sentinel All-Region selection was named an Under Armour All-American in 2024.

GS: Take us through your background and childhood.

KK: I have one older sister, Lily. My parents, Alison and Matt, live in West Palm Beach, Florida, which is where I’ve lived my whole life. I come from a super athletic family and everyone loves to play sports. My sister and I are three years apart, so we got to play in high school for one year together, and that was super special. She went on to play club volleyball at Florida State, where she graduated in three years and is staying there to do graduate school. She’s very into math and data science. My parents are my biggest role models and supporters. My dad works in sales and has done that for his whole career.

GS: How did you first get into volleyball? Did you try other sports growing up?

KK: I played alot of sports. My dad was a big soccer player (played in college at Columbia and Claremont McKenna College) and my mom played tennis, so those were two of the sports I grew up playing. I also spent several years as a swimmer. I started playing volleyball because my older sister tried it and really enjoyed it. I played for a local club for three years and I was pretty bad. I started off on the third team but kept getting better and finally got a spot on the first team as a middle blocker (I was one of the tallest players). I worked my way up and eventually moved to another club to play, transitioning to outside hitter in my 14’s year. I never wanted to come off the court, so I asked my coach what I needed to do to play six rotations. She told me to work on my passing, so that whole 14’s year I dedicated to passing and defense.

GS: When did you know that you were really starting to improve and that you could have a future in this sport?

KK: I got invited to the National Team Development Program for Team USA when I was 14. I was a little surprised that I got invited because it’s a pretty selective team, so that meant a lot to me. It helped me transition from playing at a pretty mediocre level to pushing myself and my teammates to chase greater heights. My 15’s year of club, we qualified for nationals for the first time, so that was a big step. NTDP helped push me and make me a better player. I knew after doing that, I could play in college.

GS: When did you know that you wanted to play in college? What was your club experience like?

KK: I’d say early in my 15’s year. It became real in that 15’s year when colleges started to recruit me. That year I also moved to Tribe Volleyball Club, which was my third club of my volleyball career. There I met my best friends, had great coaches and a great team. 16’s year was my favorite year of all time. We were the underdogs and we had that chip on our shoulder but we had a ton of success. We had a lot of college attention on our team and it was a little stressful, but it’s when my goal of playing in college was solidified. I then committed right before my 17’s year. My 18’s year we finished third in the nation and it was a super fun way to end my club career.

GS: Did you ever have a dream school growing up or were you more open?

KK: I did not have a dream school. I knew I wanted to leave Florida, that was my only preference. I grew up there my whole life and wanted something different. I loved the idea of playing in the Big Ten, it’s the best volleyball conference. So I was looking at Big Ten schools and a few California schools as well. 

GS: How did your relationship with Minnesota and Coach Cook begin?

KK: I got to play for Keegan [Cook] with Team USA’s U19 group, so we got to know each other there. Then on June 15 of my junior year, we had a phone call that night and I realized how special of a place Minnesota is. I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. I wanted to keep my options open on June 15 but Minnesota shot straight up the list. I talked about it with my family about the whole process. It came down to the program that cares about me as much as a person as they do as a player. I want to be known as more than a volleyball player and the coaching staff cultivates who I am outside of volleyball. The girls on the team are super special too. I got to talk to Jordan [Taylor], McKenna [Garr] and Carly [Gilk] and get to know them during the process. I can’t see myself being a part of any other team. One of the phone calls I had with the staff, my mom ended up with tears in her eyes. I just knew it was the right decision.

GS: Did you ever visit Minnesota before committing?

KK: In 2022 we were at the Northern Lights Tournament in Minnesota. So I just kind of walked around with my teammates on campus. There was a hockey game going on at the time, so there was a lot of buzz on campus. I also came on a visit the fall of 2022 and saw a couple games during the Big Ten/Pac-12 Challenge. I took a picture in front of the Gopher ‘M’ at Coffman, and it ended up being in the same Gophers shirt I committed in.

GS: What was your official visit to Minnesota like?

KK: I came with the other three freshmen signees in the fall of 2023. I knew Jordan [Taylor] a little bit from NTDP, but we weren’t super close. I met Carly [Gilk] at AAU’s before either of us committed, because we both were considering Minnesota. We ended up committing on the same day. I met McKenna [Garr] for the first time and that was awesome. I got to meet all the girls on the team as well, including Mckenna [Wucherer], who I really look up to. She’s amazing to talk to. During the visit we got to see a game and the Pav was packed. It was so cool to see the atmosphere that I was going to be able to play in. The fans are amazing here. They’re so dedicated and it’s such a healthy culture. We also got to go to a hockey game, and it just felt so ‘Minnesota.’ We also got to watch practice on the visit and it gave me a lot to look forward to in coming here.

GS: You were born raised in Florida. Was it ever a concern for your family with you going so far away for school?

KK: Their main concern is just my happiness. They wanted me to go somewhere I would find my second family. They felt really comfortable with the coaches and the people here. As long as I’m happy, they’re happy.

GS: For those that haven’t seen you play before, how would you describe yourself as a player?

KK: I’m a pretty well-rounded player and can play in a lot of areas on the court. I’ll do anything to help the team win, whatever that looks like. Since I’ve played so many different  positions, I can hit a lot of different shots, including from the back row. I’m excited that I have a good technical base, but have a lot of room to grow and get better.

GS: What excites you most about your first collegiate volleyball season?

KK: I’ve just been looking forward to this for so long. The fact I’m blessed enough to play in the Big Ten and Division I in general is super exciting to me. It’s going to show how much my work in the past is going to pay off. I’m going to be able to grow so much as a player. I’m looking forward to playing in different gyms around the Big Ten and be with the team. We’ve had a couple open gyms and lifts, but I can’t wait to see how it pays off on the court.

GS: Where are you most excited to go and play?

KK: Probably everywhere. I’ve only been to a few colleges, so I’m excited to play in so many different gyms. One of my club teammates is on UCLA, so I can’t wait to play them. Other than that, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Penn State. I’m looking forward to seeing my NTDP teammates across the net from me during my games.

GS: What have your teammates told you about our rivalry matches?

KK: Not much so far. I do know the games against Wisconsin are some of the most anticipating matches of the year. I watched both of them last year and they were amazing five-set battles. I can’t wait to live it out myself.

GS: What goals do you have for the team and for yourself this year?

KK: I want the team to go as far as we can. A Big Ten championship and deep run in the tournament is always the goal. For myself, to have a solid freshman year, doing whatever I need to do to help the team. I can’t wait to play in front of the fans too. I want to be a better player every single day and work really hard in practice. I want to grow as a player and as a person.

GS: Do you have a favorite Golden Gopher that you look up to?

KK: I have watched Stephanie Samedy play, when I started watching volleyball. It’s cool that she’s from Florida too. Other than that, I have just watched so many players that I like and try to take something from each of their games.

GS: When you’re not playing volleyball, what do you like to do?

KK: I’m a huge reader. I like hanging out with friends, going to the beach or going to the pool. I’m excited to explore Minneapolis, I’ve been to a few restaurants so far but haven’t really been able to explore the city.

Rapid Fire:

Favorite Food: Pasta or Sushi

Fun Fact: I went on a mission trip to Nicaragua to build houses this year

Big Kill or Big Block: Block

Favorite Sport To Watch: Basketball or Soccer

Pro Sports Team: Liverpool FC

Favorite Vacation Spot: Greece

TV Shows: Supernatural, SWAT, Court of Gold and The Last Dance

Biggest Inspirations: My mom and sister