Powered by its incredible men’s and women’s cross-country teams, BYU is once again among the nation’s premier athletic programs.

The Cougars finished No. 25 in the Learfield Directors’ Cup standings for the recently completed 2024-25 school year, improving upon last year’s No. 36 finish. The Cougars racked up 813.75 points, after notching 637.5 points in 2023-24.

It is the second time since 2021 and eighth time in the past 22 years that BYU has finished in the top 25.

The higher the national finish, the higher the point total awarded to the institution. For instance, BYU garnered the maximum 100 points per team last November when it swept the NCAA cross-country championships, the first school since Colorado in 2004 to win both titles on the same day.

The Directors’ Cup, directed by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), recognizes schools for all-around success in NCAA-sponsored sports.

Texas won the overall title again with 1,255.25 points, edging out USC by 1.5 points. BYU was the highest ranked Big 12 school in the Directors’ Cup final standings.

This is the second-straight year that BYU can claim instate supremacy, after Utah broke through in 2022-23 to dethrone the Cougars for the first time since the Directors’ Cup program began in 1993.

Fueled by the ski team’s national championship, the Utes picked up 423.5 points this school year, placing 60th.

Among the other Utah schools, Utah State of the Mountain West checked in at 104th place with 180 points, followed by Utah Valley (143rd), Southern Utah (221st) and Weber State (254th).

The Wildcats got all 37.5 of their points when their softball team made the NCAA Tournament.

BYU does not have some of the spring sports, such as lacrosse, rowing, water polo and beach volleyball, but still garnered 90.75 points in that period because its men’s golf team placed 13th (62.25 points) and its women’s golf team placed 43rd (28.5 points) at their respective national events in the spring.

As has generally been the case, BYU started strong due to the success of its football, cross-country and women’s soccer and volleyball teams, then faded a bit as the school year wore on. The Cougars were in fourth place, with 311.5 points, at the conclusion of the fall seasons, trailing only Stanford, North Carolina and Penn State.

BYU earned 61.5 points when its football team went 11-2 and was ranked No. 13 in the final Associated Press Top 25 poll.

The Cougars picked up 291 points in the winter sports, and were 10th overall at the conclusion of those events. The men’s basketball team’s Sweet 16 run (tied for ninth, essentially) garnered the Cougars 64 points.

BYU is the highest-placing Big 12 school in the standings, with Oklahoma State second at No. 29 and Arizona State third at No. 34.

The Wyoming Coaches Foundation All-Star games are scheduled for Saturday, July 26th, at Casper College. Practices begin on Wednesday, the 23rd, and these seniors will be playing in their final high school event. Here’s the list of participants for the volleyball, girls’ basketball, and boys’ basketball games.

South Volleyball Roster:

Jaylie Critchfield-Evanston

Brenly Shipp-Lingle-Fort Laramie

Gavrielle Dawson-Wheatland

Shaylah Frazier-Star Valley

Addison Hickey-Mountain View

Payton Anderson-Lyman

Landree Meeks-Douglas

Desirae Iacovetto-Wheatland

Gabrielle Rogers-Pinedale

Cambry Harmon-Cokeville

Olive Osmera-Torrington

Calie Dahl-Douglas

South Volleyball Coaches:

Sally Nichols-Wheatland

Jessica Vega-Cheyenne Central

Shaylee Mortimore-Torrington

North Volleyball Roster:

Madelynn Mills-Upton

Naomi Andersen-Sheridan

Emme Mullinax-Big Horn

Jordan Kroeger-Kelly Walsh

Rainey Powell-Cody

Kailee Holst-Sheridan

Sophia Radakovich-Cody

Ava Praus-Thunder Basin

Hanna Hill-Thermopolis

Breeley Materi-Upton

Grace Finkle-Buffalo

McKinlee Scammon-Tongue River

North Volleyball Coaches:

Kristen Masters-Tongue River

Virginia Starr-Cody

Shannon Hill-Thermopolis

South Girls Basketball Roster

Kyenna Jackson-Encampment

Jessica Hoffman-Pine Bluffs

Elyn Bowers-Pinedale

Karson Tempel-Cheyenne Central

McKinlee Covolo-Mountain View

Izzy Kelly-Cheyenne Central

Owen Hansen-Lyman

Teryn Stokes-Torrington

Emily Dana-Star Valley

Janae Skidmore-Kemmerer

South Basketball Coaches:

Zane Lindsey-Cheyenne Central

Kassidy Johnson-Douglas

North Girls Basketball Roster:

Breanne Walker-Burlington

Paxten Aksamit-Tongue River

Kaylie Neary-Campbell County

Lauren Kuhbacher-Campbell County

Kennedy Davila-Kelly Walsh

Camryn Costello-Natrona

Brynn Sybrant-Natrona

Saige Kidd-Powell

Briana Meza-Wright

North Girls Basketball Coaches:

Farrah Patterson-Buffalo

Coty Nikont-Big Horn

Kelley Nelson-Buffalo

South Boys Basketball Roster:

Brody Roberts-Lingle Fort Laramie

Shawn Shmidl-Pine Bluffs

Alex Gosar-Pinedale

Weston Dyer-Torrington

Gunner Henrie-Encampment

Camden Hessler-Cheyenne East

Jaden Smith-Laramie

Max Alexander-Laramie

Jordan Mendez-Evanston

Aden Neese-Farson Eden

South Boys Basketball Coaches:

Robert Watsabaugh-Evanston

Rick Mitchelson-Farson Eden

North Boys Basketball Roster:

Rhett Watt-Upton

Brody Potter-Thermopolis

Alex Jordan Powell

Lane Hladky-Campell County

Truman DeGrange-Campbell County

Jace Nicholls-Lovell

Jaxson Neely-Wright

Brady Engling-Buffalo

Nomar Gonzalez-Campbell County

Tanner Hagar-Natrona

North Boys Basketball Coaches:

Pat Neely-Wright

Bubba Hladky-Campbell County

Shane Durtsche-Lovell

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic Women’s Soccer Head Coach Patrick Baker has announced his team’s 2025 schedule, highlighted by home matches versus in-state rivals Florida State and FGCU, along with a game versus Loyola on Thursday, August 14 at Flagler Credit Union Stadium to open the season.

The Owls’ annual game at Flagler Credit Union Stadium kicks off at 7 p.m., with tickets for that match on sale now at ticketmaster.com. The remaining nine of FAU’s home matches are set for FAU Soccer Stadium with free admission. A complete promotional schedule, TV and streaming schedule will be announced in August. 

Following the opener versus the Greyhounds, the Owls will face five Sunshine State opponents over the next six games with road matches at UCF (Aug. 17), Miami (Aug. 21), FIU (Aug. 24) and Jacksonville (Sept. 4), and home matches versus FGCU (Aug. 31) and Florida State (Sept. 7).

The American Athletic Conference slate has the Owls at home versus UTSA, Tulsa, Temple, UAB and North Texas, with UTSA as the conference-opener on Sept. 11 in Paradise. The regular-season season finale comes at USF on Oct. 30 in Tampa.

The AAC Tournament begins on November 3 in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., with the semifinals set for November 6 and the championship on November 9.

One of the top 40 winningest active Division I women’s soccer head coaches, Baker enters his 13th season at the helm of the Owls in 2025 and 34th overall as a head coach.

Follow FAU on Social Media

To stay up to date on all things Florida Atlantic women’s soccer, follow FAU on social media @FAUWSoccer.

SEATTLE – Eight Washington student-athletes from five different programs have been named recipients of the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Awards, one of the most prestigious honors in college athletics. Amongst the eight honorees, Jamie Hsieh was named the sport winner for Women’s Golf, while Hsieh and Jami Schlueter of Track & Field were among the twenty semifinalists for Sports Scholar of the Year.
 
The Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars were announced in the June 5 issue of Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. Inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe, Jr.’s commitment to education, the awards honor students of color who demonstrate a commitment to community service and student leadership in addition to their athletic ability.
 
The Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars have maintained at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average, are at least sophomores academically, and have been active on their campuses or in their communities. Nearly 700 student-athletes were nominated in 2024-25.
 
Thirty-three sports are represented in the awards, with Jamie Hsieh winning top honors for women’s golf. A senior from Taiwan, Hsieh has a 3.78 GPA majoring in Business Administration: Finance and has been one of UW’s top players through her career, leading the team at the 2022 Regional Championships and the 2024 Pac-12 Championships (tying for 11th).
 
Hsieh and Schlueter were two of twenty semifinalists across the entire NCAA for the Sports Scholar of the Year honor. From London, England, Schlueter just completed his senior season on the track squad, where he was runner-up in the decathlon at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships. He reached the 2025 NCAA Indoor Championships in the heptathlon and the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Championships in the decathlon, earning two All-America honors. He holds a 3.65 cumulative GPA double majoring in Psychology and Sociology.
 
Jing Gardner, a sophomore from Softball majoring in Business Administration, was named to the First Team with a 3.78 cumulative GPA.
 
Rhonda Newton from Track & Field, a junior, earned Second Team honors with a 3.84 cumulative GPA majoring in Law, Societies and Justice.
 
Dalayah Daniels, a senior from Women’s Basketball who went on to be drafted in the second round of the WNBA draft, was named Second Team with a 3.50 GPA earning her Masters in Information Management.
 
Jenny Chang from Women’s Golf, majoring in Psychology, earned First Team honors with a 3.78 GPA.
 
Senior Taylor Russon from Gymnastics picked up First Team status, earning a Masters in Information Management with a 3.97 cumulative GPA.
 
And Kristin Lin, a sophomore from Gymnastics, was named Second Team with a 3.79 GPA majoring in Public Health: Global Health.

University of Washington Arthur Ashe Award Recipients

Dalayah Daniels, Women’s Basketball, 3.50 GPA, Masters in Information Management, Second Team

Jenny Chang, Women’s Golf, 3.78 GPA, Psychology, First Team

Jamie Hsieh, Women’s Golf, 3.78 GPA, Business Administration: Finance, First Team

Kristin Lin, Gymnastics, 3.79 GPA, Public Health: Global Health, Second Team

Taylor Russon, Gymnastics, 3.97 GPA, Masters in Information Management, First Team

Jing Gardner, Softball, 3.78 GPA, Business Administration, First Team

Jami Schlueter, Men’s Track & Field, 3.65 GPA, Psychology and Sociology, First Team

Rhonda Newton, Women’s Track & Field, 3.84 GPA, Law, Societies and Justice, Second Team

Overall Sport Winner

Jamie Hsieh, Women’s Golf

National Semifinalists (Top-20 Individuals)

Jamie Hsieh

Jami Schlueter

A member of the ­current GBHS beach volleyball ­dynasty took third in a ­prestigious ­tournament in California ­recently, while a pair looking to keep GBHS at that level won a ­tournament in Gulf Shores. Estelle Reese, a key ­member of GBHS’ back-to-back state and national championship teams, as well as their state ­runner up ­finish in this past ­season’s ­indoor […]

Sophia Sanders, the CIF San Diego Section girls water polo player of the year while at Bishop’s, won her second NCAA Championship after Stanford beat USC 11-7 in the NCAA title game in Indianapolis on May 11.

A driver, she finished the season with 20 goals with four multi-goal games and 14 assists while playing in all 26 games for the 25-1 Cardinal.

In the NCAA tournament, Sanders scored a goal against Hawaii and one against Wagner. Last season, Sanders had 44 goals and 19 assists with 15 multi-goal games.

Stanford’s only loss came in a 12-11 setback to USC. The Cardinal then won 10 games in a row, all against ranked teams.

Record setter

Riley Hull (Helix) broke the Villanova freshman women ‘s water polo scoring record with 81 goals. She also had 36 assists and finished with 117 points, including a season-high 10 in a match against VMI.

Hull, who also played field hockey at Helix, was the MAAC rookie of the year as well as honorable mention All-American. An NCAA Division I program,  Villanova was 21-12 this season, losing to Marist in the semifinals of the conference tournament. After one season, Hull ranks third in team history in goals and fifth in points.

More water polo

Maggie Johnson (Bishop’s) was one of USC’s captains this season, finishing the season with 23 goals and 58 assists. Isabel Zimmerman (Cathedral Catholic) played in all 34 games for the 29-5 Trojans with 20 goals and 15 assists.

• Julia Bonaguido (Bishop’s) helped Cal to a 19-5 record and a spot in the NCAA Championships with 36 goals.

• Freshman attacker Jenna Human (Santana) had nine goals for UCLA, which went to the eight-team NCAA Championships and finished 20-6. Camille Greenlee (Bishop’s) redshirted for the Bruins this season.

• Lisbon Zeigler (Bishop’s) scored the game-winning goal as Pomona-Pitzer beat Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 9-8 to capture its fourth straight NCAA Division III championship. She finished the season with 27 goals and 15 assists. The Sagehens finished the season 25-10 while playing Division I teams like USC and UCLA.

Baseball

Right-hander Cody Delvecchio (Mission Hills) was the only local player in the College World Series. He started for UCLA against Arkansas, going four innings, allowing seven hits and three runs over four innings. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out three. Delvecchio finished his junior season with a 1-4 record. He made eight starts, working 27 innings with 12 walks and 39 strikeouts.

• Ryan Lovato (Madison/Grossmont College) was a student manager and bullpen catcher for College World Series champion LSU. An outfielder, Lovato started his college playing career at Cal State San Bernardino before transferring to Grossmont College and on to LSU.

• Zach Daubet (Clairemont) and Ryan Fenn (Granite Hills) helped lead Cal Poly to a 43-19 record and berh in the NCAA Regionals. Daubet, who was a first-team All-Big West selection, hit .360 with nine homers, 29 RBIs and scored 53 runs.

Fenn hit a team-leading .365 with a pair of homers, 42 RBIs and a team-leading 54 runs. He drove in two against Oregon and three hits against Utah Valley. Arizona beat Cal Poly twice to win the regional.

• Left-hander Jackson Betancourt (Mira Mesa) led NCAA Division II Montana State Billings to its first playoff win. He finished the season 5-3 with a 3.61 ERA. A senior, he is the Great Northwest Athletic Conference’s all-time leader in starts. Catcher Jason Wright (Westview) played in 18 games for the Yellowjackets with two homers and 11 RBIs.

Softball

Indiana Langford (Poway) was Michigan’s top hitter, batting .406. A junior second baseman, she raised her average 77 points from last season, had 20 multi-hit games and had a 20-game on-base streak. She was named first-team All-Big Ten as well as All-Big Ten Tournament. She registered a hit and scored two runs in both games against Texas and Central Florida in the NCAA regionals. Michigan finished the season 39-21.

Basketball

Sophomore guard Shea Fitzgerald (Cathedral Catholic), playing at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY, was named Liberty League player of the year and all-region and was NCAA Division III third-team All-American. He is the first player in school history to garner All-American honors. He averaged 19.7 points a game with a team-leading 75 assists while playing a team-leading 31.7 minutes a game. He scored 20 or more points in 12 games and had a career high 34 points against Middlebury and Cortland.

In the pros

Tyler Nevin (Poway), who played 68 games in the major leagues across four seasons with the Orioles, Tigers and Athletics, batting .204 with 12 homers and 49 RBIs, has signed a two-year contract extension with the Seibu Lions of the Japanese Pacific League.

Nevin, a 28-year-old corner infielder/outfielder, is hitting .269 with five homers and 32 RBIs in 68 games. The Lions are 37-31 and in fourth place in the Pacific League, trailing the Nippon-Ham Fighters, Orix Blue Whales and Softbank Hawks.

• Infielder Hannah Flippen (Bonita Vista/Utah), catcher Sharlize Palacios (Eastlake/UCLA) and pitcher Megan Faraimo (Cathedral Catholic/UCLA) are playing for the Talons in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. Flippen is hitting .410 with two homers and 13 RBIs. Palacios is hitting .268 with a pair of homers and five RBIs. Faraimo is 1-0 in seven appearances. The Talons are 9-3 and tied for first with the Bandits. The league is based in Wichita.

• Erika Piancastelli (Carlsbad/McNeese State) is playing for the Volts in the AUSL.

John Maffei’s Alumni Report appears during the college season. Readers are encouraged to send items on local athletes to john.maffei@sduniontribune.com. 

 

Originally Published: June 26, 2025 at 3:11 PM PDT