Boys volleyball: IHSAA announces sectional pairings
Fishers will host Sectional 8 in the IHSAA’s inaugural boys volleyball state tournament next week. The Tigers will play Hamilton Southeastern in a rematch of last Thursday’s Mudsock match. Fishers won in straight sets. Pictured for the Tigers is JT Guler. Pictured for the Royals is Sean Smart. (Julie Brown) Posted By: Richie Hall May […]
Fishers will host Sectional 8 in the IHSAA’s inaugural boys volleyball state
tournament next week. The Tigers will play Hamilton Southeastern in a rematch of last Thursday’s Mudsock match. Fishers won in straight sets.
Pictured for the Tigers is JT Guler. Pictured for the Royals is Sean Smart. (Julie Brown)
Posted By: Richie Hall May 7, 2025
The REPORTER
The IHSAA announced the sectional pairings for its inaugural boys volleyball state tournament last Sunday.
The tournament will be in a one-class format. The majority of Hamilton County schools will compete in Sectional 8 at Fishers. Action begins next Wednesday, May 14 with two first-round games.
Westfield takes on Carmel in the opener, scheduled for 6 p.m. That will be followed by a Mudsock rematch between the host Tigers and Hamilton Southeastern at 8 p.m.
First-round games continue on Thursday, May 15. Guerin Catholic and Noblesville will face off in the first contest at 6 p.m., with Peru and Kokomo playing at 8 p.m.
Semifinals take place the morning of Saturday, May 17. The Wednesday winners play each other in the first match at 11 a.m., with the Thursday winners facing off in the second semifinal at 1 p.m. The championship match is set for 7 p.m.
University plays at Pike
University will play in Sectional 9 at Pike, a nine-team site. The Trailblazers take on Cardinal Ritter in a quarterfinal match at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, following a 5:30 p.m. contest between MTI School of Knowledge and Brebeuf Jesuit.
Bishop Chatard and the host Red Devils play the opening-round match at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The winner of that match plays Park Tudor in a quarterfinal match at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 15. North Central and International play each other in a 5:30 p.m. quarterfinal.
Semifinals take place Saturday morning beginning at 10 a.m., with the championship set for 5 p.m.
Track and Field: Area athletes litter Class 1A and Class 2A – Brainerd Dispatch
ST. MICHAEL — Pequot Lakes knows how to jump. The Patriots will send five different athletes in field events to the Class 2A State Track and Field meet June 11-12 at St. Michael-Albertville High School. Oliver McKenna, Bode Eggena and Becker Lipke all qualified for the high jump. McKenna won the section title by clearing […]
The Patriots will send five different athletes in field events to the Class 2A State Track and Field meet June 11-12 at St. Michael-Albertville High School.
Oliver McKenna, Bode Eggena and Becker Lipke all qualified for the high jump. McKenna won the section title by clearing 6-foot-3, while Eggena and Lipke cleared the state standard of 6-1.
Senior Reese Laposky returns to state in the long jump and adds the high jump to her list this year. Laposky cleared a state standard of 5-1 in the high jump and a state standard of 16-7.25 in the long jump. He placed 21st at state last year with a 16-2.25.
Grace Knutson also cleared the state standard of 5-1 in the high jump.
“Five out of our six high jumpers are going to the state track meet, which is pretty cool,” Pequot coach Brian Homan said. “Oliver is a young freshman who broke the section record and then Bode and Becker are both returning. Reese is another high jumper and also returns in the long jump. The trick for her will be managing her time as they both go on at the same time.”
On the track, Pequot’s Brooklin Hansen qualified for the 100-meter hurdles and three girls’ relay teams made it, too.
Chelby Wothe
“Grace is a seventh grader, so she comes with very little experience,” Pequot coach Jeff Brever said. “We moved her up from junior high halfway through the year and she blossomed. Brooklin is a ninth grader and it’s the same concept, just try to get into the finals.”
Ashley Slaybaugh, Josie Taylor, Lila Nordby and Ava Merta make up the 4×100 relay team. Slaybaugh, Taylor and Merta and joined by Chelby Wothe for the 4×200 relay team. While Slaybaugh, Taylor and Wothe team with Carlie Eggert in the 4×400 relay.
“We have a lot of the same girls back and we are bringing the experience to state,” Brever said. “We need to touch up some things, but right now we are the third best in the state and we want to make the finals for our relays.”
Malin Youngberg
The Little Falls Flyers will send five to state in Noah Cameron (300 hurdles), Elise Ballou (pole vault), Madeline Chisholm (high jump), Kobi Cameron (pole vault) and Malin Youngberg (3200 run).
Youngberg won the section title in the 3200 in 11:09.32.
Pierz’s Aiden Jones highlights the multiple area athletes in the Class 1A State Track and Field meet June 10-11 at St. Michael-Albertville High School.
Jones will compete in three events. He won the Section 5-1A title in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and teamed with Brayden Foust, Paul Nieman and Kyle Stangl to qualify in the 4×100.
Foust placed second in the 100 dash to reach state, while Kaleb Poser (300 hurdles) and Wyatt Betsinger (1600 run) also qualified.
Aitkin’s Isaiah Baker will compete in two events after winning the Section 7-1A title in the triple and high jumps.
Pillager’s Violette Metz advanced in three events by winning the Section 6-1A title in the 200 dash, 300 hurdles and teaming with Veronica Metz, Sophie Schlosser and McKenna Camacho in the 4×100 relay. Camacho qualified in the triple jump.
Audrey Brownell
submitted photo
Staples-Motley’s Audrey Brownell is one of the favorites in the 1600 and 3200 runs at state.
“She’s going to be ready,” S-M head coach Bruce Fuhrman said. “I think she has a good chance. The one she really wants is the two-mile and she seems like she’s at full strength.”
S-M’s Avandre Brandt is back at state in the 200 dash and high jump. Sawyer Ferdon qualified in the triple and long jumps. Turner Beachy is a section champ in the pole vault, Noah Larson won the 110 hurdles and Adrian Gomez qualified in the shot put.
“I’m hoping Noah can make it out of the prelims,” Fuhrman said. “He should be in the hunt for a medal. If Turner can turn it up like he has, I think he has a chance of winning. Avandre’s best chance is going to be in the 200 and Sawyer has a chance to medal in the triple jump.”
Pillager’s Andrew Brown (100 dash) and Frank Brown (high jump) will compete along with the 4×100 and 4×200 relay teams of Dawson Weihandl, Dru Hutchinson, Tyson Becker and Frank Brown.
“Andrew had a great showing at sections,” Pillager head coach Jim Bentson said. “He’s been consistently under 11 seconds all year. That leads into the relay teams and he and Tyson are inseparable. We moved Dawson from the 400, 200 to the 100, 200, so we had him coming off the blocks, which helped. Frank has always been consistent for us and he knows that we’re starting at six feet and he’s been there.”
Wadena-Deer Creek’s Amber Collins won the section title in the 400 dash to return. WDC’s Grant Nelson returns in the 800 run. Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale’s Brady Rach qualified in the 800 and 1600 runs.
Callie Norman (triple jump) is the lone Pine River-Backus Tiger at state.
Crosby-Ironton’s AJ Westin made state in the 800 with a section title. C-I’s 4×100 relay of Evan Ryberg, Michael Anderson, Braylon Kannell and Jeremy Hanson placed second at sections to qualify.
Lucy Lewandowski
Lucy Lewandowski returns to state in the pole vault. C-I’s 4×400 relay (Margaret Ringhand, Sammie Hachey, Anna Westin, Maria Ringhand) and 4×800 relay (Maria Ringhand, Madeline Lacerte, Margaret Ringhand, Westin) teams also qualified.
Pierz’s Quinn Gruber (800 run), Beverly Rentz (shot put) and Payton Stangl (discus) reached state along with the 4×100 (Avery Gruber, Claire Gruber, Aurora Walberg, Lydia Prokott) and 4×800 (Chloe Lochner, Morgan Litke, Sophie Leidenfrost, Quinn Gruber) relay teams.
CONRAD ENGSTROM may be reached at 218-855-5861 or conrad.engstrom@brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/the_rad34.
The Champlain Valley girls dominated mid-distance events to retain their crown. The Essex boys were everywhere to return to glory. And Mount Mansfield’s Avery Gilbert won a year-long duel to reset the day’s lone state record. Those were the headlines from Saturday’s Division I high school track and field state championships. But they were far […]
The Champlain Valley girls dominated mid-distance events to retain their crown. The Essex boys were everywhere to return to glory. And Mount Mansfield’s Avery Gilbert won a year-long duel to reset the day’s lone state record.
Those were the headlines from Saturday’s Division I high school track and field state championships. But they were far from the only storylines to close out a trio of state meets in as many days at Burlington’s D.G. Weaver Athletic Complex.
From Burr and Burton junior Robin Tashjian’s 30-point day to North Country’s Sabine Brueck closing out her star-studded career with a pair of victories to St. Johnsbury’s Andrew Thornton-Sherman’s three wins and Essex thrower Alexander Johnson’s sweep for his first outdoor crowns, plenty was packed in a four-plus hour window.
Brueck summed up the feeling of many: “I just gave it my all.”
More: Vermont high school track and field state championships 2025: Complete results, scores
In the girls team standings, CVU piled up 91 points for the title repeat, while BBA and South Burlington tied for runner-up honors with 71 points. The Essex boys racked up 137 points to dethrone St. Johnsbury (100), which had won the last four D-I crowns. It’s Essex’s 19th crown overall and first since 2019.
“For today, it’s all about place,” Essex coach Katie White said. “We knew we had a little bit of buffer, but you don’t know what’s going to happen on the day or what other people are doing. We went full steam ahead and everyone showed up. Across the board, everyone contributed.”
How CVU girls, Essex boys captured their team titles
A year ago in their run to the first championship in program history, CVU girls tallied 71 of 112 points in races 400 meters and up. Saturday, they scored 62 points in those same events, paced by senior Alice Kredell, who won the 1,500 (4 minutes, 41.19 seconds) and 3,000 (10:30.22), and Isabella Gravina-Budis, the 800 champion in 2:16.95.
Audrey Neilson (third in the 1,500, fourth in the 800), Lydia Donahue (second in the 1,500 and 3,000 and Charlotte Crum (fourth in the 1,500) added to CVU’s dominance on the track.
Kredell’s double wins gave her eight individual state titles combined from cross-country and indoor and outdoor track.
“It was a great day,” said Kredell, who’s set to continue her running career at the University of Maryland. “We came in not knowing what to expect, but if everything went the way it should, we thought we could win.”
More: U-32 rolls to championship sweep at D-II track and field state meet
The Essex boys placed multiple athletes in seven out of the 15 individual events on Saturday. Junior Thomas Meek was front in center for the Hornets, sweeping the 100 (11.03) and 200 (22.31) for his first outdoor crowns and running a leg on the winning 4×100 relay squad (43.68) with teammates Gregory Maiberger, Sanjin Hadzic and Brady Botelho.
The senior Johnson, a three-time indoor individual champion, comfortably won shot put (54 feet, 2 inches) and discus (160-11) for his first titles in outdoor track. Essex throwers produced in general: 42 points in total from Johnson, Kymani Mignott, Diwash Maidali, Joseph Gershon and Jeffrey Gershon.
“I was happy with my performances this season,” said Johnson, who will compete at nationals later this month.
In addition to his contribution on the Essex 4×100, Hadzic’s 20 individual points included victory in long jump (21-8.25).
Avery Gilbert storms to 110 hurdles state record
Since the winter season, MMU’s Gilbert and Essex’s Hadzic have waged an entertaining, intense battle in the 55 and 110 hurdles. Hadzic came away with the state-meet win and indoor state record in the 55. And last weekend, both hurdlers broke 14 seconds and the state’s overall record, with Hadzic bursting through victorious at 13.79.
But Saturday, Gilbert’s fast start was enough to create an early cushion and go on to establish a new standard at 13.74. At least for another week. Both hurdlers will race at the New England championships as well as nationals.
“All of my fastest times have been with (Hadzic) in a race. All of his fastest times have been with me in a race,” Gilbert said. “It’s a special kind of competitive relationship and people are pushed to their best when they have someone to work off of.”
Gilbert also won the 300 hurdles (39.24) and placed fifth in the 200.
Hailey Richards overcomes ‘mental block’ to win pole vault
Last month, Brattleboro’s Hailey Richards faced a “mental block” in pole vault.
“I was scared to go upside down,” the sophomore said.
Richards worked through it and also started using a new pole. The result? A massive personal-best and a state title on Saturday. Richards cleared nearly a foot higher than her previous best, going over at 10-1.75 for first.
Richards also broke a 20-year-old Brattleboro school record.
“I’m so thankful I have an amazing coach who always believes in me,” Richards said. “I’m beyond excited.”
Saturday’s other standouts include:
Colchester’s Brinlee Gilfillan: The junior swept the 100 (12.27) and 200 (25.53) for the third straight year. She also anchored Colchester’s winning 4×100 relay.
North Country’s Sabine Brueck: The Montana State-bound senior captured the 300 hurdles (43.63) for the fourth straight year, nearly breaking her state record in the process. Brueck, who will next attempt to defend her decathlon crown, owns 19 state titles across indoor and outdoor.
Essex’s Tess Adams: The senior did not lose an in-state meet in discus or shot put over the last two seasons after pulling off back-to-back titles Saturday.
Mount Anthony’s Ella Palisano: Less than a week after setting the high jump record at 6 feet, Palisano won that event Saturday to highlight a 28-point individual effort.
BBA’s Robin Tashjian: The state record-holder in the 100 hurdles, Tashjian cruised in her top event for the win and placed second in triple jump and third in the 100 and 300 hurdles.
St. Johnsbury’s Andrew Thornton-Sherman: The senior swept the 1,500 (3:57.98) and 800 (1:57.04) and ran a blistering anchor leg to rally the Hilltoppers to the 4×400 triumph.
St. Johnsbury’s Micah McDonald: Won a jump-off for first place in high jump (5-10) and captured javelin (167-01).
Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter:@aabrami5.
DIVISION I GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Team scores: 1. Champlain Valley 91; T2. Burr and Burton, South Burlington 71; 4. Essex 64; 5. St. Johnsbury 57.25; 6. Colchester 57; 6. Colchester 57; 7. North Country 40; 8. Mount Mansfield 34; 9. Mount Anthony 32; 10. Burlington 16.25; 11. Brattleboro 14.25; 12. Rutland 7; 13. Spaulding .25.
300 hurdles: 1. Sabine Brueck, NC 43.63; 2. Sydney Schoenbeck, SJ 45.40; 3. Robin Tashjian, BBA 44.45; 4. Amelia Shelton, Rut 48.03; 5. Kate Bradford, Col 48.87; 6. Teagan Thurber, Bratt 49.07.
4×100: 1. Colchester (Abiti, Pratt, Vartuli, Gilfillan) 49.85; 2. Essex 50.22; 3. South Burlington 51.23; 4. Mount Mansfield 51.63; 5. St. Johnsbury 52.61; 6. North Country 53.16.
4×400: 1. Burr and Burton (McGlinn, M. Harris, E. Harris, Corbett) 4:10.38; 2. Colchester 4:11.31; 3. Champlain Valley 4:13.19; 4. St. Johnsbury 4:19.71; 5. South Burlington 4:23.07; 6. Essex 4:24.49; 6.
4×800: 1. Burr and Burton (McGlinn, M. Harris, Martin, E. Harris) 9:57.02; 2. Essex 10:09.06; 3. St. Johnsbury 10:13.67; 4. Champlain Valley 10:16.42; 5. North Country 10:17.63; 6. South Burlington 10:25.64.
1,500: 1. Andrew Thornton-Sherman, SJ 3:57.98; 2. Benjamin Holoch, CVU 4:03.51; 3. Emmett Johnson, SJ 4:04.26; 4. Nicholas Kidder, Spa 4:04.75; 5. Jacoby Soter, BFA 4:05.99; 6. Joel Thornton-Sherman, SJ 4:07.64.
3,000: 1. Nicholas Kidder, Spa 8:50.40; 2. Benjamin Holoch, CVU 8:58.53; 3. Joel Thornton-Sherman, SJ 9:00.37; 4. Juan Solana, SJ 9:00.39; 5. Teddy Tremblay, BFA 9:03.37; 6. Nico Conathan-Leach, Bratt 9:05.52.
110 hurdles: 1. Avery Gilbert, MMU 13.74 (state record); 2. Sanjin Hadzic, Essex 13.86; 3. Carter Faas, Col 15.56; 4. Max Lesny, Essex 16.17; 5. Henry Dimitroff, Essex 16.25; 6. Wilder Thomas, SJ 16.50.
300 hurdles: 1. Avery Gilbert, MMu 39.24; 2. Carter Faas, Col 40.78; 3. Henry Dimitroff, Essex 42.13; 4. William Carter, SJ 42.29; 5. Jack Currie, Col 42.88; 6. Max Lesny, Essex 43.32.
2025 NCAA Men’s Formchart #3 — A&M Narrowly Takes Over
Aggie senior Sam Whitmarsh, the 800 runner-up in ’24, is picked to score 10 points this time. (ERROL ANDERSON/THE SPORTING IMAGE) IF YOU’RE A TEAM SCORE FOLLOWER, don’t emulate a Dodger fan and leave the meet early. It looks as if there’ll be no shortage of action on the track as the men’s meet winds […]
Aggie senior Sam Whitmarsh, the 800 runner-up in ’24, is picked to score 10 points this time. (ERROL ANDERSON/THE SPORTING IMAGE)
IF YOU’RE A TEAM SCORE FOLLOWER, don’t emulate a Dodger fan and leave the meet early. It looks as if there’ll be no shortage of action on the track as the men’s meet winds up.
With 2 running events remaining — the 5000 and 4×4 — Minnesota projects to be in the lead, a point up on Texas A&M. But then New Mexico is slotted for 18 off a 1-2 in the 5000 and suddenly the Lobos are up by 8 with just the relay to go. But while the Aggies are favored to win, New Mexico doesn’t have a baton foursome and A&M slides to a narrow win.
Note that while A&M has won this title 3 times and tied for it once, the highest New Mexico finish ever was 5th in ’65. Remember Charlie Greene?
The 10-deep predictions for each event (‘ = athlete not eligible for U.S. international teams):
WWE Money In The Bank 2025 Review, Results & Analysis
John Pollock & Wai Ting review WWE Money In The Bank featuring this year’s MITB ladder match winners, John Cena & Logan Paul vs. Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso, and a surprise return to close the show. Plus, John gives his thoughts on WWE-AAA Worlds Collide featuring El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Chad Gable. Jordan […]
John Pollock&Wai Ting review WWE Money In The Bank featuring this year’s MITB ladder match winners, John Cena & Logan Paul vs. Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso, and a surprise return to close the show.
Plus, John gives his thoughts on WWE-AAA Worlds Collide featuring El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Chad Gable.
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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Due to overwhelming community support, Missouri Western State University will reinstate the Griffon Track & Field program. MWSU announced last week that it would be ending Track & Field due to facility limitations. “Given the dedication of our student athletes and their success in competition and […]
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Due to overwhelming community support, Missouri Western State University will reinstate the Griffon Track & Field program.
MWSU announced last week that it would be ending Track & Field due to facility limitations.
“Given the dedication of our student athletes and their success in competition and in the classroom, it was a difficult decision to make,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, president. “I appreciate the supporters who have stepped up to help us create a plan to support the team in the future.”
“This is a great day!” said Andy Carter, director of athletics. “I am grateful that people want to ensure we can provide an outstanding student-athlete experience for Griffon Track and Field.”
“The Missouri Western Board of Governors is eager to work with Griffon Track & Field supporters to build the future of this program,” said Lee Tieman, chair of the MWSU board of governors. “It’s always a good day when you can do something to directly help our students.”
REACTION to Cowboys acquisition 
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