Aquatic Sports Association president Karl Izzo said that the Malta waterpolo national team’s performances in the European Championship qualifiers have shown that this team means business and are keen to maintain their progress in the international sphere.

Izzo spoke to the Times of Malta at the end of the European Championship qualifiers at the National Pool where the Maltese selection booked their place in a sixth successive continental finals.

Hard-fought victories over Ukraine and Portugal ensured Milan Cirovic’s men will board the plane for Belgrade, Serbia, in January, where they will look to improve on the 15th placing achieved two years ago.

However, there is growing optimism among the waterpolo clan that the national team can make even more strides forward in the Euro finals and reach a higher placing, particularly after their resilient performance against continental giants France which saw the team only lose in a penalty shoot-out, after the match ended in a 10-10.

The result was particularly remarkable as the last time the two countries met a few years ago, France prevailed 17-7.

“All the people that came to the pool, or watched the match on television, today realised that this waterpolo national team means business,” Izzo told the Times of Malta.

“This is the first time that we managed such a result against France, as the last time we faced them, we ended up losing by a big margin.

“Today, the players were really at their very best, quite remarkable when one considers that this was the third match in the space of three days.

“It was a very good performance, with the players scoring some spectacular goals, but we were let down by some mistakes that cost us dear.”

Izzo said that Malta’s sixth successive qualification was proof that the work carried out not only by the ASA but also by the club was reaping the desired dividends.

“This result is a clear testament that all the work carried out, not only by the ASA, but also the clubs, who are have invested heavily in foreign coaches and infrastructure, is reaping the desired dividends,” Izzo said.

“It’s a clear sign that the whole waterpolo community in Malta is determined to work together so we continue to climb the ladder in European waterpolo and improve on the 15th placing achieved in the last edition.”

Young talent

One of the young, talented players in the squad is Benji Cachia, who could not hide his pride following the team’s achievements this week.

“We took part in the European qualifiers with a clear plan – to secure qualification for the continental finals,” Cachia said.

“The team achieved this goal against Portugal, and today we knew we had a tough job on our hands when facing France.

“The French are a team that always places very highly in top competitions and we gave them a good run for their money.

“We wanted to win the match, but it was not to be. But no doubt, we are making huge strides forward and  we will do everything in our power to try and arrive as high as possible in the next Euros in January.”

SHREWSBURY – For Agawam boys volleyball star setter David Dzhenzherukha, the joy of a Div. 2 state title in 2023 was a bit overshadowed by the feeling he didn’t carry his weight as much as former superstar Dan Yovenko, who dominated in every big moment that season.

Twice in three years strikes a different tune, though, especially against the program that reverse-swept the Brownies in last year’s state semifinals.

In a well-balanced showing paced by Dzhenzherukha’s 46 assists and four kills, as well as a phenomenal defensive performance to dominate the third and fourth sets, top-seeded Agawam (24-1) defeated No. 3 Wayland in the Div. 2 state final, 3-1 (25-22, 23-25, 25-13, 25-16) at Shrewsbury High School.

“In 2023, we won a state championship, but I feel like I didn’t win a state championship – Dan (Yovenko) won a state championship,” Dzhenzherukha said. “That’s been my fuel to win another one. Last year, in the semifinals against Wayland, we got reverse swept. That just added to the motivation to play the best we could for this season. … This is the (thing) I’ve (wanted most) I think ever. This is the best feeling I think I’ve ever had.”

Yovenko erupted for 22 kills to finally take down Westfield in the last state title. Depth was at the heart of this one.

The Warriors (16-9) struggled to effectively block Agawam’s attack, primarily because Dzhenzherukha used all of his weapons in different critical moments.

In the third set, junior Tim Karcha – who didn’t commit an error en route to 16 kills – touched down six in a major momentum shift. Senior Joe Culhane (15 kills) caught fire for eight in the fourth set to seal the match, all while right-side Dennis Nesen (nine kills) found his moments to strike, and middles Chase Gerani (seven kills, two blocks) and John Cote (three kills, two blocks) made a lasting mark on offense and defense.

“This one hit really different because we didn’t have a Dan Yovenko to lean on … this was a team win,” said Agawam head coach Kevin Pender. “Our team is so balanced, that we can find any guy. (Dzhenzherukha) is incredible, he’s able to run the offense. He’s Tom Brady-level.”

“I think we have the most well-rounded team in the whole state,” Dzhenzherukha added. “Most teams have that one guy that just shines. … You have to try to stop all of us.”

Wayland was in great shape in the first two sets, playing strong defensively while star junior Finn Bell (25 kills) caught fire early. Bell’s seven kills and three aces in the first set couldn’t edge out a win in a 25-22 loss, but he and Cooper Szeremeta (eight kills) teamed up to lead the attack in a 25-23 win to even up the match.

But a vicious rally to nearly force extra points lit a spark for the Brownies, which they rolled into a 7-1 start to the third set.

“It helped energize that we’re still in this, we can do it,” Pender said.

Karcha dominated in pockets as Agawam built a 21-9 lead, complemented by kills from Culhane, Nesen and Gerani. Culhane did the same with five kills in a 6-1 run to separate from a 6-6 tie to start the fourth.

The team’s defense perhaps made the biggest impact, though, as Agawam’s blocking gave Bell and Wayland’s fellow hitters fits. And when it didn’t, the back row extended rallies with signature digs.

“That was the winner – I think we kept balls alive, we put pressure on them to score, and we didn’t make it easy,” Pender said. “We were able to turn on a defensive skill set that we really didn’t have to most of the year. … The true story is the display of defense.”

Zach O’Donnell had 35 assists for Wayland, which was making its second straight state finals appearance after making just one trip in program history prior.

“When I’m able to zoom out, I’m really proud of the trajectory of the program and the growth of the players in it,” said Wayland head coach Phil George. “It’s a deep team, we’ll be very excited about next season, but I’m also really proud of the seniors, who kind of ushered in the most successful era we’ve had in this program’s history.”

PLEASE NOTE: Your free event news can be posted on the Babbitt Weekly Community Calendar. Send to: [email protected].

Peter Mitchell Days is coming up again and the committee will need help selling raffle tickets and buttons at Zup’s. She will have shifts Monday-Friday running from 10-12, 12-2 and 2-4. If you can help please call or text Carolyn Holm 218-404-6585 or there will be a book up at Zup’s when people are selling raffles and buttons.

Woodland Presbyterian Church Peter Mitchell Salad Luncheon is Friday, June 20 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.; 20 Acacia Rd, Babbitt; Adults $10, six and under $5.

SATURDAY, JUNE 14

11 AM – 4 PM Walleye Whamma Fishing Contest – Birch Lake.

4:30 PM Firemen’s beer garden/food – Arena. 

7:00 PM Awards Ceremony at Babbitt Arena. Open to the public.

SUNDAY, JUNE 15

Noon BEACH VOLLEYBALL – Babbitt Public Beach.

MonDAY, JUNE 16

2:00 PM Ventriloquist – James Wedgwood – Public Library. Free.

TUESDAY, JUNE 17

6:00 PM Cribbage Tournament – Singles – at Fish Tales. 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18

6:00 PM SMEAR TOURNAMENT – Fish Tales. $20 entry per team.

THURSDAY, JUNE 19

NOON Medallion Hunt – Clue posted daily at Zup’s. 

Turn in to Carolyn Holm.

4:00 PM youth pool tournament  – Teen Center.

6:00 PM TEXAS HOld em  – at Fish Tales $10 entry fee. 

6:00 PM Youth dodgeball  at Municipal Center Gym. 

FRIDAY, JUNE 20

Noon – Close Firemen’s Beer Garden

Noon – Close Lions BBQ Wagon at Fairgrounds

4 p.m. – 10 p.m. Babbitt Figure skating taco Wagon at Fairgrounds

11:00 AM – 1 PM SALAD Luncheon.  Woodland Presbyterian Church

3:00 PM YOUTH DISC GOLF  

Doubles. Nine holes. 17 and Under. Fountain Hills Park. 

4:30 PM Youth bean bag tourney – Age 17 & under. 2-person 

team. Sign up starts 3 PM under big tent. 

4:00 PM – 7 PM ADULT PICKLEBALL – Teams of 2, Municipal Center Gym.

Pre-register by June 13: [email protected] 

4:00 PM – 7 PM SPAGHETTI FEED – St. Pius X Catholic Church

5:00 PM – 9 PM wizard’s Kingdom inflatables – Open

6 PM – 9 PM JAMMIN JOE – Under the Big Tent

5:30 PM ADULT SINGLES DISC GOLF – 18 holes. Fountain Hills Park. 

6:00 PM MISS & Little Miss Babbitt – at School Auditorium. 

9 PM – 12 PM OUTDOOR CONCERT – McCullough Brothers
 

SATURDAY, JUNE 21

8 AM – 11 AM Pancake Breakfast at St. Pius X Catholic Church. 

9:00 AM 18 HOLE PAR 3 SCRAMBLE – 3-4 person team. 18 team limit. 

Register Golf Course in advance or 8 AM day of. 9 AM start. Must be 18. 

9:00 AM 5K RUN – Central Blvd. by Big Rock. Check in at 8 AM.

Noon “Are You Mr. or Mrs. Peter Mitchell?” 

Must shake hands. If found notify Carolyn Holm. 

Noon -5 PM Petting zoo at Fairgrounds

10 AM – 2 PM Babbitt History Center  open at Municipal Center 

11 AM – 3 PM ATV RIDE  By Babbitt Snowmobile and ATV Club. 

Check in at 10 a.m. at Big Tent

11:00 AM Kiddie & ADULT Races at Park across from Shopping Center.

11 AM – 4 PM PIE SOCIAL at Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd 

11 AM – 10 PM Lions BBQ Wagon at Fairgrounds

NOON – Close Firemen’s Beer Garden

Noon – 10 PM wizard’s Kingdom inflatables – Open

Noon – 10 PM BAbbitt figure skating club taco wagon

1:00 PM – 4 PM CLASSIC CAR SHOW  Field on Commerce Road

1 PM – 3 PM ROOT BEER FLOATS Evangelical Lutheran Church parking lot 

1:00 PM – 3 PM BINGO Municipal Center Gym. Sponsored by Friends of Library 

1:00 PM ADULT BEAN BAG Tourney Big Tent. Double elimination.  Sign Up starts noon on Friday at Beer Garden. 

5:30 PM Zup’s 36th Annual Bocce Ball at Fair Grounds. Sign

up at Car Show before 4 p.m. 32 team cut off. Trophies + Purse.

7 PM MEDALLION HUNT Ages 0-17 No parent help. Big Tent for clues. 

8 PM – Midnight OUTDOOR CONCERT Music by Northwoods Band 

Under the big tent at Fairgrounds. FREE!

10:15 PM Fireworks – If heavy rain moved to Sunday. 
 

SUNDAY, JUNE 22

11 AM ADULT Disc GOlf TournEY – Doubles. 27 holes. Red Pine Run. 

11 AM – 5 PM Lions BBQ Wagon at Fairgrounds

11 AM – 3 PM wizard’s Kingdom inflatables – Open

11 AM Rover Radar Run – Park across from The Rock.

Check-in at 10:30 AM. Owners must have button. 

11 AM – 4 PM BAbbitt figure skating club taco wagon

12:30 PM PARADE Line up North Drive and Alder Road. 

NOON – 5 PM Firemen’s Beer Garden

NOON Holey Board Tourney at Big Tent. Double elimination. 

Sign up starts noon on Saturday at Beer Garden.

2:00 PM Parade – Parade from Linney Avenue to Babbitt Road. 

3:00 PM Sawdust pile near Big Tent. Age groups.

3:45 PM FREE WATERMELON FEED  near Big Tent.  

4 PM MEDALLION HUNT Ages 0-17 No parent help. Big Tent for clues. 

5 PM Button & RAFFLE PRIZE drawings under Big Tent

EUGENE, Oregon — Kelsi Oldroyd capped her banner career at Utah Valley University with an 8th-place finish in the javelin at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Hayward Field on Thursday to earn First Team All-America status.

Oldroyd’s best throw on Thursday came in her third attempt of the day, at 56.37 meters (184-11), as she becomes the first Utah Valley thrower to earn outdoor All-American and is just the second first-teamer in program history (Everlyn Kemboi, 2023 5k). Valentina Barrios Bornacelli of Missouri was the individual champion, with her mark of 62.00 meters (203-5) winning the title on her final throw of the meet.

In 2025, Oldroyd won her third straight WAC Outdoor title in the javelin while also advancing to the NCAA Regional and national semifinal for the third consecutive season. This year, in her final season of eligibility, she broke through to earn All-America status, making an appearance at the NCAA Championships. She’s the first-ever All-American for Utah Valley in the javelin and becomes the 15th All-American in outdoor track & field in program history. 

Utah Valley Outdoor T&F All-Americans

Ross Bjork announced Thursday that Ohio State will share a total of $18 million with athletes from four sports in 2025-26: Football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball and women’s volleyball.

Bjork declined to specify how much of the $18 million will be allocated to each of those sports, but said the Buckeyes’ revenue-sharing decisions will be driven by metrics.

While the revenue-sharing cap for the first year of revenue sharing following the House v. NCAA settlement was set at $20.5 million, Bjork said that schools are required to count added scholarships against that total up to $2.5 million. Because Ohio State chose to add 91 scholarships across its 36 sports, its cap for directly shared revenue with athletes drops to $18 million.

That $18 million will be limited to just four sports, however, with football players likely to receive the majority of that money. Football is by far the biggest revenue driver among Ohio State’s sports, followed by men’s basketball, while paying women’s basketball and volleyball players will satisfy Title IX requirements for revenue sharing.

Stay tuned with Eleven Warriors for additional coverage of Ross Bjork’s summer press conference on Thursday.