Former Gaza hostage Mia Schem revealed Thursday that she is the woman who filed a complaint alleging a well-known Tel Aviv fitness trainer raped her. In a preview for an upcoming interview with Channel 12, Schem said she could no longer remain silent. “In captivity, in the Hamas tunnels and without a hand, I had hope,” […]
Former Gaza hostage Mia Schem revealed Thursday that she is the woman who filed a complaint alleging a well-known Tel Aviv fitness trainer raped her.
In a preview for an upcoming interview with Channel 12, Schem said she could no longer remain silent.
“In captivity, in the Hamas tunnels and without a hand, I had hope,” she said. “Suddenly, I am in darkness.”
According to Schem, the alleged assault occurred about six weeks ago. She later filed a complaint with the North Tel Aviv police station. The trainer, who has a large social media following, was arrested but released last month due to a lack of sufficient evidence, police said.
Schem and the trainer knew each other beforehand—she had been one of his clients at a fitness studio in north Tel Aviv. A few days before filing the police complaint, she reportedly invited him to her apartment for help with something personal, not for a training session. The invitation came at the suggestion of a friend.
After they met, Schem reportedly contacted several friends, saying she felt disoriented and could not fully recall what had happened. However, Schem said she feared she may have been sexually assaulted.
Schem told police the trainer entered her bedroom, where the alleged assault took place, according to a report by Ynet.
During questioning, the trainer initially denied entering the room, but later changed his version of events and admitted to briefly stepping inside while Schem was changing clothes.
In a police confrontation between the two, Schem told the trainer, “I was dazed for three days because of you,” and asked him not to look at her. When he refused, an investigator instructed him to avert his gaze, Ynet added.
Schem described five signs she said supported her account—three physical marks on her body and two findings from medical tests. The trainer did not respond to these claims, instead repeating, “I’m a good person,” and at one point breaking down in tears, saying, “I have a family.”
She told investigators she continues to suffer delayed flashbacks, all of which involve the trainer.
In addition to Schem’s complaint, police have also questioned the trainer in connection with a separate allegation, as reported by Ynet.
In that case, a different young woman accused him of harassment via disappearing messages sent a year earlier. She said he sent unsolicited, sexually explicit messages.
The trainer’s attorney, Sassy Gez, denied all the allegations. “He is an innocent man with no criminal record,” Gez said. “The complainant herself said during the confrontation that she ‘thinks it happened.’ The fact that he was released without any conditions proves that no rape occurred. The case will be closed soon due to a lack of evidence.”
While police have not confirmed the identity of the complainant, they stated that the investigation is ongoing.
Story Links WALTHAM, Mass. – Caitlin Burmester was named the Northeast 10 Female Scholar Athlete of the Year to highlight Bentley’s night at the NE10 Awards Banquet on Tuesday. Bentley won the Pioneers Cup for overall excellence in women’s sports during the 2024-25 season. Overall, Bentley finished second in the NE10 […]
WALTHAM, Mass. – Caitlin Burmester was named the Northeast 10 Female Scholar Athlete of the Year to highlight Bentley’s night at the NE10 Awards Banquet on Tuesday.
Bentley won the Pioneers Cup for overall excellence in women’s sports during the 2024-25 season.
Overall, Bentley finished second in the NE10 Presidents’ Cup Standings, which combines men’s and women’s teams performances in the regular season standings throughout the year.
Eric Gaynor was presented with the Faculty Mentor Award.
Burmester’s award caps a standout senior year for the cross country and track and field teams.
The fall cross country season saw her lead the Falcons to the first NE10 championship in program history and she qualified individually for the NCAA Championship. She was the NCAA East Region champion, the USTFCCCA East Region Runner of the Year and the NE10 Sport Excellence Award winner for women’s cross country.
In track and field she won four individual gold medals, the 800 meter and the one mile indoors and the 800 and 1500 meter outdoors.
Burmester, who was Bentley’s Edward J. Powers Scholar-Athlete Award winner, majored in both accounting and liberal studies and maintained a 3.95 GPA. She’s earned eight NE10 Academic All-Conference team selections in her career for both cross country and track.
The last Falcon female athlete to win this award was women’s basketball standout and Bentley Hall of Famer Lauren Battista in 2014.
The Pioneers Cup for women’s sports is awarded to the institution that compiles the most cumulative points based on finishes in the regular season standings from all of its programs competing in league championships.
Women’s basketball won the NE10 regular season championship and volleyball finished in second. Women’s soccer, field hockey, women’s lacrosse and softball all had top-four finishes.
Success continued into the postseason.
Basketball won the NE10 Championship for the fourth straight season and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight. Volleyball advanced to the Final Four for the first time in program history. Cross country won the first NE10 Championship in program history.
Softball and soccer both advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Swimming and diving were runners-up at the NE10 Championship.
Gaynor is a Lecturer in Bentley’s Department of Accounting. A Certified Public Accountant, his work is primarily with health & human service agencies, with an emphasis on child welfare. He advises several state agencies as Senior Consultant for Sivic Solutions Group and was a Project Manager with Maximus specializing in revenue maximization.
Professor Gaynor’s nomination was submitted by Bentley volleyball players Elizabeth Blinn and Sofia Zingariello, who noted “Professor Gaynor is one of Bentley’s most prominent mentors. He makes himself available for many hours of the day outside of class time, so that students can ask him questions about class material, their careers, or anything else that they may need to be successful.”
They added, “above all, Professor Gaynor is committed to building meaningful relationships with his students and staying in touch with them after they have taken his class. He is always sending out networking events and other career-growing opportunities to his current and former students, in an effort to help prepare them for a career after graduating. No professor has prepared us for the real-world like Professor Gaynor has.”
Two Lodi High athletes brought home hardware from the CIF State Track and Field Championships this past weekend at Buchanan High in Clovis. Senior Keily Ramirez placed fifth in the girls pole vault with a 12-foot, 4-inch clearance in the preliminaries and a 12-2 in the finals, and junior Gracelynne Duenas placed seventh in the […]
Two Lodi High athletes brought home hardware from the CIF State Track and Field Championships this past weekend at Buchanan High in Clovis.
Senior Keily Ramirez placed fifth in the girls pole vault with a 12-foot, 4-inch clearance in the preliminaries and a 12-2 in the finals, and junior Gracelynne Duenas placed seventh in the girls discus with a 145-foot, 3-inch throw in the finals.
June 3, 2025 Ferris State Athletics has announced the induction of 10 members into the Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame for the Class of 2025. BIG RAPIDS, Mich. — Ten Ferris State University alumni representing nine sports programs have been chosen for selection as the Ferris State University Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame […]
June 3, 2025
BIG RAPIDS, Mich. —
Ten Ferris State University alumni representing nine sports programs have been chosen
for selection as the Ferris State University Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame Class
of 2025, which will be enshrined on campus this fall.
The 2025 class includes: Chad Billins (Hockey, 2008-12), Karla (Fairbanks) Griffin
(Volleyball, 2001-04), Rachel (Folcik) McClure (Women’s Basketball, 2004-08), Dan
Hutcheson (Wrestling, 1989-93), Justin Keenan (Men’s Basketball, 2007-11), Alan Morin
(Men’s Golf, 1989-91), Tina Muir (Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country, 2008-12),
Jeff Pierce (Football Athlete & Coach, 1974-2011), Rex Schuberg (Men’s Track & Field,
1974-78) and Justin Zimmer (Football, 2011-15).
The event is planned for Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Jim Wink Arena on the Ferris State
campus inside the Ewigleben Sports Complex.
The class includes seven people who earned All-America honors at Ferris State, including
a group of the school’s all-time greats in their respective sports in Billins, Fairbanks,
Folcik, Hutcheson, Keenan, Muir and Zimmer.
It also features longtime football coach Jeff Pierce in addition to local benefactor,
supporter and former athlete Rex Schuberg as well as Alan Morin, who has went on to
achieve incredible success in the golf world.
A 10-member committee comprised of faculty, staff, alumni and community members selected
the 2025 inductees from a large group of initial nominees.
“We’re extremely thrilled to announce this year’s class of inductees, which is a truly
exceptional group,” Athletics Director Steve Brockelbank said. “This class includes
many of the school’s all-time greats and is an outstanding group that has achieved
at the highest level. They are very deserving of the recognition and we look forward
to honoring these talented individuals this fall.”
This year’s Hall of Fame event will take place the night prior to the Bulldogs’ 2025
football home opener against Pittsburg State, which is planned for Thursday, Aug.
28, at Top Taggart Field.
The Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame, which inducted its Charter Class in 2000, was
established to honor those student-athletes and coaches who have distinguished themselves
in their sport or honorary members who made truly exceptional contributions to athletics.
Those who are inducted must first meet the following nomination criteria – nominees
must be departed from Ferris State University for at least 10 years; nominees must
have earned at least one varsity letter and must have distinguished themselves by
exemplary performance in the field of athletics; Secondary consideration is given
for the performance of meritorious service in behalf of Ferris State Athletics after
leaving Ferris State or a singular contribution to the Athletics program, and nominees
must have demonstrated good citizenship and conducted exemplary professional/occupational
careers which reflect credit on the individual and Ferris State University.
The 2025 Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame inductees are:
Chad Billins (Hockey, 2008-12) – Billins played a lead role in the Bulldogs’ historic
first-ever trip to the NCAA Division I Frozen Four and the national championship game
as a senior in 2011-12. He served as a team captain as the Bulldogs captured the school’s
second CCHA Championship and eventually reached the title game. Billins earned All-CCHA
First Team accolades as a senior and was a AHCA All-American while also being tabbed
to the NCAA All-Tournament Team.
The Bulldog standout finished his senior campaign with 29 points on seven goals and
22 assists as one of the nation’s top blueliners. He played in 149 games over his
four-year career, totaling 67 points on 17 goals and 50 assists. Billins also received
the CCHA Scholar-Athlete of the ear Award for his work in the classroom as one of
the country’s top all-around student-athletes. Following graduation, he inked a AHL
contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins and was chosen to play in the 2013 AHL All-Star
Game while helping Grand Rapids claim the Calder Cup Championship.
He earned an NHL contract with the Calgary Flames and appeared in 10 NHL games. Overall,
he spent 12 seasons playing professionally in the AHL, NHL and overseas in Russia,
Denmark and Sweeden. Billins was also a member of the United States Olympic Team in
2018.
Karla (Fairbanks) Griffin (Volleyball, 2001-04) – Fairbanks was a two-time All-American
in volleyball for Ferris State in 2003 and 2004. The two-time All-GLIAC First Team
choice also earned GLIAC All-Tournament Team accolades during her memorable career
with the Bulldogs. She earned team Most Valuable Player honors and concluded her career
ranked third on the school’s all-time leaders list with 1,649 career kills.
She also ranked fourth in aces with 185 and owned three of the school’s top eight
single-match kills performances upon the conclusion of her collegiate career. She
helped lead the Bulldogs to two NCAA Division II National Tournament appearances and
was chosen as the school’s female Dean Davenport Bulldog of the Year Award recipient
as the top student-athlete in her senior campaign.
Rachel (Folcik) McClure (Women’s Basketball, 2004-08) – A 2007-08 ESPN The Magazine
Academic All-America First Team recipient, Folcik twice picked up All-America Honorable
Mention honors on the hardwood for the Bulldogs and was named to both the NCAA Division
II State Farm Coaches’ and Women’s Division II Basketball Bulletin Honorable Mention
All-America Teams following her final season. She was also both a Daktronics All-Great
Lakes Region First Team selection along with being named to the Women’s Basketball
Coaches Association (WBCA) Region 4 First Team. Folcik was honored as an All-GLIAC
North Division First Team pick and a GLIAC North Division All-Defensive Team selection
for the second-straight year in her final campaign.
She concluded her FSU career listed second in school history with 1,705 career points
and was only 16 shy of tying Lucy DeMartin’s school-record total of 1,721 points at
FSU. The 6-1 Folcik posted a school-record 677 career made field goals and is listed
second with 793 rebounds all-time at Ferris State. In 2007-08, Folcik was the squad’s
leading scorer (19.5 ppg) and rebounder (8.3 rpg). She reached double-figure scoring
in 25 of her 27 contests while posting 12 double-double (points & rebounds) efforts.
The 2006-07 NCAA Division II Kodak/Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Honorable
Mention All-American was named to the All-Great Lakes Region First Team in both of
her final two collegiate campaigns. Folcik finished her final season ranked second
in the GLIAC in scoring (19.5 ppg.) along with tied for second in free throw percentage
(.833) and third in rebounding (8.3 rpg.).
She totaled 81 double-figure scoring games in 113 career contests as a Bulldog player.
Also, Folcik scored 20 points or more 12 times in 2007-08 with three games of 30 points
or more. As a junior in 2006-07, Folcik led the Bulldogs to a school-record 23 wins
(23-9) and the program’s first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen.
Folcik’s 241 made field goals and 602 total points that season were both school single-season
marks while her 261 rebounds was the second-highest seasonal figure in FSU history.
The two-time team captain, who averaged a team-best 18.8 points per game in 2006-07,
scored in double-figures 27 times as a junior and notched 13 double-double (points
& rebounds) performances.
She finished the year listed second overall in scoring and fifth in rebounds among
the GLIAC’s overall leaders while ranking second in both field goal (.555) and free
throw (.860) percentage.
Dan Hutcheson (Wrestling, 1989-93) – He was a three-time wrestling All-American for
the Bulldogs and also a two-time Academic All-American. He claimed the school’s Bulldog
of the Year honor in 1990-91 before later serving as an assistant wrestling coach
for the Bulldogs. He went on to work for the MHSAA after a long and distinguished
career as a prep coach and administrator where he was tabbed as the region’s athletic
director of the year while at Howell High School.
As a collegiate senior in the 1992-93 campaign, Hutcheson posted a 32-5 overall record
and led FSU to a seventh-place team finish at the D2 National Championships while
being chosen as the school’s Most Outstanding Wrestler. He finished as the national
runner-up at 167 pounds and was a two-time regional titlist and three-time GLIAC Champion
on the mat.
He also claimed GLIAC All-Academic Team recognition and was a four-year letterwinner
for the Bulldogs under head coach Jim Miller. In his junior season in 1991-92, Hutcheson
led the Bulldogs with a 37-7 overall mark and posted eight pins. He took fifth place
at nationals as a junior and also beat the nation’s top-ranked Division I wrestler
from Iowa at the Las Vegas Invitational in his junior campaign.
Justin Keenan (Men’s Basketball, 2007-11) – Keenan finished his collegiate career
as the GLIAC’s all-time scoring leader and earned NCAA Division II National Player
of the Year honors in 2010-11 after leading Ferris State to the NCAA D2 Sweet Sixteen
and the GLIAC Championship. He led the GLIAC in scoring three consecutive seasons
and was the only player in Division II to rank among the nation’s top 20 players in
both scoring and rebounding his final campaign. Keenan became only the third player
in league annals to win the coveted GLIAC Player of the Year honor twice. Twice, he
earned All-America accolades, becoming the first Bulldog player in 36 years to claim
the nod and FSU’s first-ever All-America pick at the D2 level as a junior in 2009-10.
He was chosen to participate in the 2011 Reese’s Division II All-Star Game and was
a consensus All-America choice from multiple organizations as a senior. He was also
a three-time All-GLIAC and two-time all-region selection. He concluded his career
by scoring 2,259 career points, ranking second all-time in school history. He also
finished as FSU’s all-time leader with 797 made free throws while ranking third in
rebounding (901), and seventh in field goal percentage (.548) on the all-time chart.
Keenan has since went on to enjoy a lengthy professional career overseas in some of
the world’s top leagues since the completion of his collegiate career.
Alan Morin (Men’s Golf, 1989-91) – A 1992 FSU graduate, Morin was a three-year letterwinner
for the Bulldogs and was the team’s Most Valuable Player in 1989. He claimed individual
champion honors at the 1989 GLIAC Championship and was a two-time all-conference honoree.
A Professional Golf Management alum, Morin was honored as the 2022 Ferris State Distinguished
Alumni Award recipient and has enjoyed a stellar professional career, including being
the 2024 champion of the National PGA Senior Club Professional Championship. He twice
has been on the United States of America PGA Cup Team and is a 21-time qualifier for
the National PGA Club Professional Championship.
Morin has also qualified 14 times for the National PGA Assistant Professional Championship
and is a five-time qualifier for the National PGA Senior Club Professional Championship.
Among his many accomplishments, Morin has qualified for two US Open’s (1998 and 2003)
along with six PGA Championships and five Senior PGA Championships. He’s also qualified
for the PGA Tour Honda Classic 12 times and made the cut on three occasions.
He’s made the PGA Tour Ford Championship at Doral four times and the PGA Tour Puerto
Rico Open four times. In South Florida, he was selected to the section’s PGA Hall
of Fame in 2021 and has been the South Florida PGA Player of the Year 11 times along
with four times as the Senior Player of the Year. He’s also won the South Florida
PGA Section Championship five times among his many other professional accomplishments.
Tina Muir (Track & Field/Cross Country, 2008-12) – One of the most decorated student-athletes
in Bulldog history, Muir was an 11-time All-American for the Bulldogs during her track
and field/cross country career. She earned runner-up honors in the 5,000 meters at
the 2012 NCAA D2 Outdoor Championships when she also placed fourth in the 10K. Muir
finished a personal-best seventh overall and sixth in scoring position at the 2011
NCAA D2 National Cross Country Championships to earn All-America honors for the fourth
consecutive campaign.
She is the only four-time All-America choice in FSU women’s cross country history
and her performance represented the highest individual finish ever for the Bulldogs,
who tied for the best team finish in school history with an eighth place showing in
2011. Muir earned GLIAC Cross Country Athlete of the Year recognition and twice won
the league’s individual cross country crown.
She helped FSU to a number three national ranking. Muir also claimed All-GLIAC and
GLIAC All- Academic honors four-straight years and was a three-time recipient of the
GLIAC Commissioner’s Award in addition to claiming COSIDA Academic All-America honors
and being a finalist for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award. Muir went on to compete
in the British Olympic Trials and had a lengthy professional elite racing career.
Jeff Pierce (Football, 1974-2011) – A Bulldog football alum, Pierce was a mainstay
in the Bulldog program, first as a player and later as a coach. After playing at Ferris
State from 1974-77 and graduating from FSU, he joined the Bulldog staff in 1983 under
then head coach Nick Coso. He later served as a defensive coordinator for seven years,
helping construct one of the country’s top units in the early to mid-1990’s for coach
Keith Otterbein. His 1992 FSU defense led NCAA Division II in points allowed per game
while his 1994 unit was tops in the MIFC. Pierce then went on to serve as the head
coach at Ferris State for 17 seasons, becoming the program’s all-time winningest head
coach at the time with 102 career victories.
He guided the Bulldogs to three GLIAC Championships, two NCAA Division II Playoff
bids and an appearance in the national semifinals in 1995, which at the time represented
the highest finish in program history. Pierce received the MIFC Coach of the Year
honor in 1995 and was a longtime ambassador for Bulldog Athletics and FSU Football
in the Big Rapids community and across the state. After departing from Ferris State,
he later served as an assistant coach in the GLIAC at then fellow conference member
Northwood University.
Rex Schuberg (Track and Field, 1974-78, Benefactor) – A longtime benefactor of Ferris
State University, Schuberg competed for the Bulldogs in track and field in the 1970s.
He graduated from Ferris State in 1978 and served eight years on the FSU Alumni Board,
including a term as president from 1998-2000. He received the Distinguished Alumni
Award from the institution in 1994 and has actively supported Bulldog Athletics and
the university in the local community. Schuberg has been a member of the Ferris’ President’s
Society and a former chair of the Gridiron Club. He and his son, Tyler, who is a Bulldog
Football alum, were honored as grand marshals of the 2015 homecoming celebration.
His other son, Kyle, also competed in track and field at Ferris State University.
The Big Rapids native was one of the Bulldogs’ top performers during his collegiate
career on the track. Schuberg is also a member of the Mecosta County Sports Hall of
Fame and has been a prominent businessman in the Big Rapids community.
Justin Zimmer (Football (2011-15) – A standout defensive tackle, Zimmer helped lead
the Bulldogs to back-to-back GLIAC Championships in 2014 and 2015 as one of the nation’s
top linemen on the defensive front. He finished his career as a three-time All-GLIAC
First Team selection for the Bulldogs and was also chosen to the 2015 CoSIDA Academic
All-America First Team squad, making him a three-time Academic All-American and two-time
first-team recipient. Statistically, Zimmer led the Bulldogs in tackles (81), quarterback
sacks (13), tackles for loss (26) and forced fumbles (4) as a senior standout.
He helped lead the Bulldogs to back-to-back unbeaten regular seasons and the first
two NCAA D2 Playoff appearances under head coach Tony Annese. Zimmer went on to enjoy
a professional career in the National Football League with the Buffalo Bills, New
Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins along with spending
time in the Canadian Football League. He finished his Ferris State career with 216
tackles, 26 sacks, 48.5 tackles for loss, an interception, a touchdown, 14 pass deflections,
nine forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and three blocked kicks. Zimmer was also
a two-time All-America choice on the field for the Bulldogs as FSU began a nation-leading
playoff streak that continues to this day.
Rutgers track and field qualified eight of its athletes to compete in the 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which will take place Wednesday, June 11 through Saturday, June 14 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. The eight qualifications are a school record, with the Scarlet Knights competing in men’s and women’s […]
Rutgers track and field qualified eight of its athletes to compete in the 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which will take place Wednesday, June 11 through Saturday, June 14 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. The eight qualifications are a school record, with the Scarlet Knights competing in men’s and women’s competitions across disciplines on both the track and in the field.
Rutgers overcame several challenges during the NCAA East First Round, including weather delays, midnight start times because of the delays, and 95-degree temperatures in Jacksonville. However, as track and field director Bobby Farrell said to scarletknights.com, “None of that affected their focus and drive. Not only did we get eight out of 16 through to the NCAA Finals, but 13 out of 16 placed in the top 20. We came to compete.”
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The remarkable performances included several school records on the track. Charlee Crawford broke the Rutgers women’s 400-meter record twice, surpassing a 42-year-old record set by Lori McCauley in 1983 with a first heat time of 52.18. In the quarterfinals, she broke that record with a time of 51.80, breaking the 52-second mark.
Chris Serrao broke another school record in the men’s 110-meter hurdles, with a time of 13.49, surging past Eugene Norman’s previous record set in 1984. Bryce Tucker ran a time of 50 seconds flat to punch his ticket to the NCAA Championships. Crawford, Serrao, and Tucker will look to continue their performances and compete for podium finishes in Eugene.
Joining the track athletes are remarkable performers inside the oval. Chloe Timberg will look to defend her national title in the women’s pole vault after clearing a height of 4.24m (13’ 11”). In the men’s pole vault, Nico Morales and Kevin O’Sullivan will make their NCAA championship debuts after clearing heights of 5.33m (17’ 5.75”) in qualifiers.
Paige Floriea will also make her NCAA Championship debut in the long jump, with a qualifying mark of 6.22m (20’ 5”) in Jacksonville. Floriea is in her first season as a Scarlet Knight after transferring from UNC. To round out the field, Steve Coponi qualified on the first day of competition in the javelin toss, with a throw of 69.87m (229’ 2”) to secure his first trip to the national competition. To bring some perspective, that is the equivalent of more than 75 yards on a football field.
With track and field representing Rutgers in the final athletic competition of the 2024-25 school year, be sure to cheer on the Scarlet Knights as they compete on the national stage!
Story Links NEW ORLEANS, La. – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced its 2025 NCAA Division II All-American honors, and Colorado State University Pueblo Track & Field made a major impact with 10 student-athletes earning prestigious All-American recognition. Headlining the list was senior thrower Katherine Higgins, […]
NEW ORLEANS, La. – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced its 2025 NCAA Division II All-American honors, and Colorado State University Pueblo Track & Field made a major impact with 10 student-athletes earning prestigious All-American recognition. Headlining the list was senior thrower Katherine Higgins, who was also named the South Central Region Field Athlete of the Year by the USTFCCCA.
Higgins concluded a dominant season and career by capturing both the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championship and the NCAA Division II National Title in the shot put, where she recorded a personal-best throw of 16.38 meters on her home turf in Pueblo, Colorado. In addition to her athletic prowess, Higgins received the Elite 90 Award, which honors the student-athlete at the national championships with the highest GPA, cementing her legacy as both a champion and a scholar. She graduates as a six-time All-American.
Joining Higgins on the women’s All-American list were:
Helen Braybrook – The junior mid-distance standout from England was the national runner-up in the outdoor 800 meters and the indoor national champion in the same event.
Febe Wessels – A junior, Wessels earned first-team All-American honors in the shot put, finishing fifth at nationals.
Keturah Templeman – The freshman made an immediate impact, earning second-team All-American honors in the javelin.
Leah Keisler – A first-year runner who captured the indoor national title and earned first-team All-American status outdoors in the 800 meters.
Margot Thomas-Gatel – A fan favorite and fifth-year senior from France, Thomas-Gatel closed out her ThunderWolves career with a sixth-place finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, claiming first-team All-American honors.
On the men’s side, CSU Pueblo collected four All-American awards:
Reece Sharman-Newell – The elite mid-distance runner claimed the national championship in the 1,500 meters, earning first-team All-American honors.
Jon Sweepe – The sophomore grabbed second-team All-American honors in the 1,500 meters.
Tim Anstett – Delivered a strong performance in the 800 meters to claim first-team All-American recognition.
Emil Meggle – The sophomore rounded out the group with second-team All-American honors in the 800 meters.
With 10 total All-American honors, a national champion on each side, and regional and academic accolades, CSU Pueblo Track & Field continued to assert itself as a national powerhouse in NCAA Division II athletics
For the second time in her collegiate career, Seeley Lake native Klaire Kovatch is headed to her sport’s biggest stage after clinching another trip to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon from June 11-14. Kovatch, now a junior at Colorado State, earned her trip by placing 12th in the discus at […]
For the second time in her collegiate career, Seeley Lake native Klaire Kovatch is headed to her sport’s biggest stage after clinching another trip to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon from June 11-14.
Kovatch, now a junior at Colorado State, earned her trip by placing 12th in the discus at the West Regional meet in College Station, Texas this past weekend. Her throw of 178-2 on her second attempt was good enough to earn the 12th and final qualifying spot from the regional meet.
The Seeley-Swan high school graduate will be seeded 23rd out of 24 throwers at nationals later this month, however her top throw of the season would put her inside of the top 10 competitors; She set a career-best mark of 190 feet in the discus while winning a Mountain West Conference title in the event just two weeks prior.
The top seeded thrower for women’s discus at nationals this year is Louisville senior Jayden Ulrich who registered a toss of 212 feet, 7 inches at regionals.
Kovatch previously advanced to Outdoor nationals in 2023 as a redshirt freshman, finishing 21st overall in Eugene that season with a mark of just under 170 feet.
Prior to her time at Colorado State, Kovatch won three class C state titles in the discus at Seeley-Swan. She likely would have won four if not for COVID cancelling her junior season. She was also named the Montana Gatorade Girls Track & Field Player of the Year for 2020-21.
Kovatch will be in action on the final day of the NCAA Championships, with the women’s discus throw scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 14.
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