College Sports
Rising Local Star: Claire Driscoll’s Journey Through Gymnastics
Claire May 27, 2025 by Staff Writer At just 10 years old, Claire Driscoll is already making waves in the gymnastics world. A dedicated and driven athlete, Claire began her gymnastics journey at the age of four. What started as recreational classes quickly turned into something more when she was invited into the Rising Stars […]


May 27, 2025 by Staff Writer
At just 10 years old, Claire Driscoll is already making waves in the gymnastics world. A dedicated and driven athlete, Claire began her gymnastics journey at the age of four. What started as recreational classes quickly turned into something more when she was invited into the Rising Stars pre-team program — a developmental path designed to prepare young gymnasts for the USA Gymnastics (USAG) competitive track.
Claire currently competes in the USAG Developmental Program, formerly known as the Junior Olympic (JO) Program. This rigorous program includes ten levels, and Claire has impressively advanced through Level 7. She is now training for Level 8 with her sights set on the 2026 competitive season.
Her accomplishments speak for themselves. Claire won her first State Championship at age 7 in Level 3 (2022) and has since claimed two more titles — in Level 6 (2024) and Level 7 (2025). These achievements make her one of the youngest gymnasts in Massachusetts to reach this level of success. Most recently, she played a key role in helping her Level 7 team take first place in the Massachusetts USAG State Championship.
Claire’s talent has been recognized on a regional level as well. She qualified two years in a row to represent Massachusetts on the State Team at the USAG Regional Championship, competing against athletes from across New England and New York. There, she earned 1st place on Vault — two years in a row — with an impressive score of 9.90, along with 2nd place on Beam and 4th in the All-Around.
Claire trains at Head Over Heels Gymnastics Center in Norwell, where she practices four days a week for a total of 15 hours. Her training spans the entire year and is guided by her three veteran coaches — Cynthia, Patty, and JC — whom she deeply admires and appreciates. In addition to practice, Claire competes in nine meets per season and continues to push herself to develop new and complex skills. Recent skills in the works include a backflip and aerial on the balance beam, full-twisting layouts on the floor, and a Tsukahara vault — a skill involving a backflip off the vault table.
Claire maintains a strong connection with her teammates and looks up to the older girls on the team for guidance and inspiration. That camaraderie and mentorship play a significant role in her continued growth and joy in the sport.
Off the mat, Claire is just like any other 10-year-old. She enjoys shopping, traveling, biking through Wompatuck State Park, swimming, diving, and even a bit of volleyball. She cherishes time spent with friends and family, especially around the fire pit, and loves keeping up with the latest dance trends and music.
Claire’s dream is to reach Level 10 — the highest tier in the USAG Developmental Program — and from there, earn a spot on a Division 1 college gymnastics team. With only 62 colleges in the country offering Division 1 gymnastics, the road ahead is undoubtedly competitive. But if her current path is any indication, Claire has both the talent and the tenacity to get there.
As her family puts it, “This sport is incredibly demanding — it takes discipline, courage, and an unwavering love for what you do. Watching Claire perform these skills is as nerve-wracking as it is exhilarating. We are so proud of her.”
To follow Claire’s inspiring journey, you can find her on Instagram: @clairedriscoll_gymnast2032
College Sports
Former Badger Joe Pavelski won his first American Century Championship
Retirement is treating Joe Pavelski well. The Wisonsinite who won the 2006 NCAA men’s ice hockey national championship with the Badgers before playing 18 years in the NHL got some more silverware July 13, when he won the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe with a walk-off eagle putt. “You heard all the rumors about […]
Retirement is treating Joe Pavelski well.
The Wisonsinite who won the 2006 NCAA men’s ice hockey national championship with the Badgers before playing 18 years in the NHL got some more silverware July 13, when he won the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe with a walk-off eagle putt.
“You heard all the rumors about not a lot of current athletes are winning, then Steph (Curry) went and did it, so I had to retire a year ago to get this thing,” Pavelski said in an on-course interview with NBC Sports after winning.
The ball had yet to go in the hole before he began to celebrate.
Pavelski has participated in the event nine times, but this is his first win. He finished second in the ACC in 2022 and 2024 — the latter including a playoff-hole loss to former tennis star Mardy Fish — along with eight top 10s before finally breaking through this summer.
“The birthday and anniversary always line up on this weekend. It’s special coming out here,” Pavelski said following the event, holding the trophy. “Selfishly, I get to play a bunch of golf. It’s a very competitive group out here and just an awesome setting. It feels so good to finally get one.”
The 41-year-old from Plover, Wisconsin scored 73 points in the tournament, with a 2-under 70 on Friday, par 72 on Saturday and 4-under 68 on Sunday. John Smoltz in second place had 64.
The tournament uses a Stableford format, awarding points for each hole’s score. A hole in one is worth eight points, an eagle is six, birdie is three, par is 1 and bogey is zero points with negative two points being awarded for a double bogey or worse.
How did others with Wisconsin connections perform?
Pavelski was one of a handful of people with connections to Wisconsin to participate.
Tony Romo, who grew up in Burlington and has won the ACC three times (2018, 2019 and 2022), finished in the top 10 with 54 points.
Future NFL Hall of Famer and former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers scored 44 points en route to finishing 15th. His righthand man with the Pack, wide receiver Davante Adams, didn’t do so hot, finishing tied for 63rd with -12 points.
And if two former Packers weren’t enough, AJ Hawk finished with five points, good enough for 47th place.
College Sports
Which college football stars have the highest NIL projection in 2025?
There is no shortage of star power in college football this year, and some of the game’s biggest names are projected to rake in millions of Name, Image and Likeness dollars as they compete for a postseason berth. Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood is the only true freshman ranked inside the top 10 of college football’s […]

There is no shortage of star power in college football this year, and some of the game’s biggest names are projected to rake in millions of Name, Image and Likeness dollars as they compete for a postseason berth.
Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood is the only true freshman ranked inside the top 10 of college football’s top NIL earners after signing a reported $12.5 million deal with the Wolverines. The former five-star holds an On3 NIL valuation of $3 million as he prepares to take the starting role.
Experienced starting quarterbacks like Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt ($3.1 million), Penn State’s Drew Allar ($3.1 million) and Clemson’s Cade Klubnik ($3.4 million) passed up the opportunity to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, but more development and enticing NIL earnings were too good to ignore.
Among the SEC’s top quarterbacks, Florida’s DJ Lagway ($3.7 million) and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers both hold NIL valuations of $3.7 million after breaking out as freshmen last season.
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, another star passer that declined turning pro, ranks fourth nationally with a $3.8 million NIL valuation after leading the SEC in passing.
The only non-quarterback on the list is Ohio State star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. The sophomore holds an NIL valuation of $4.2 million after helping lead the Buckeyes to a national championship.
Miami paid handsomely for Georgia transfer quarterback Carson Beck, a two-year starter that posted a 24-3 record leading the Bulldogs. The sixth-year senior ranks second with an NIL valuation of $4.3 million and reportedly accepted $4.5 million to play for the Hurricanes.
Top-10 NIL earners in college football (On3)
No. 10 Michigan QB Bryce Underwood, $3 million
No. 9 Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt, $3.1 million
No. 8 Penn State QB Drew Allar, $3.1 million
No. 7 Clemson QB Cade Klubnik, $3.4 million
No. 6 Florida QB DJ Lagway, $3.7 million
No. 5 South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers, $3.7 million
No. 4 LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier, $3.8 million
No. 3 Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith, $4.2 million
No. 2 Miami QB Carson Beck, $4.3 million
No. 1 Texas QB Arch Manning, $6.8 million
Leading all college athletes is non other than Texas quarterback Arch Manning. The former five-star has only started two games through his first two seasons, but his talent and family legacy have propelled him to the top in NIL valuations ($6.8 million) by a wide margin.
College Sports
4-star target reveals crucial factor in recruitment
The Michigan football team is hoping to land a big commitment soon as four-star linebacker Nick Abrams is set to announce his college decision this week. The Wolverines are one of his top schools, but they have a lot of tough competition. Abrams is one of the best LBs in the 2026 class, so Sherrone […]

The Michigan football team is hoping to land a big commitment soon as four-star linebacker Nick Abrams is set to announce his college decision this week. The Wolverines are one of his top schools, but they have a lot of tough competition. Abrams is one of the best LBs in the 2026 class, so Sherrone Moore and the rest of the Michigan staff are going to have to really show how the program is above the rest.
Nick Abrams is set to announce his decision next week as he commitment date is July 16th. Abrams has offers from a plethora of major programs around the country, but the main teams to watch are Michigan, Alabama, Georgia and Oregon.
In this new era of college football, NIL is a big factor in every player’s recruitment. Even if guys aren’t going pro, they have a chance to make a name for themselves in college. The Michigan football program is known for being a big NIL program, and that is something that Abrams likes to see.
“For me and my family, it is the true NIL; the name, image, likeness,” he said, according to an article from 247Sports. “It’s branding, exposure. Revenue sharing, that will come, but just looking for ways to enhance my brand. That is kind of how we look at it.”
Abrams is a four-star recruit, according to 247Sports. He is the #229 player in the 2026 recruiting class, the #14 LB and the #6 player in the state of Maryland. Abrams currently attends McDonogh School in Owings Mills, MD. Michigan is hoping to keep Abrams in Big Ten country.
The Michigan football team doesn’t have to wait very long to hear a commitment as Nick Abrams will make a decision in just a few days. Sherrone Moore and the Wolverines are hoping to continue the momentum that they have built on the recruiting trail.
College Sports
Deion Sanders wants NFL-style fines for uniform violations in college football
When he was an NFL player, Deion Sanders was fined multiple times for uniform violations. Now that Sanders is the Colorado head coach, he’d like to see such fines brought to college football. Sanders said at Big 12 media days that he dislikes how many players in college football wear their pants down only to […]

When he was an NFL player, Deion Sanders was fined multiple times for uniform violations. Now that Sanders is the Colorado head coach, he’d like to see such fines brought to college football.
Sanders said at Big 12 media days that he dislikes how many players in college football wear their pants down only to their thighs, with nothing covering their knees.
Advertisement
“Let’s do something about the uniforms,” Sanders said. “We’ve got guys in biker shorts. That makes me sick because I’m a football guy — I played this game at a high level and I have so much respect for this game. How can we allow guys out there in biker shorts, no knee pads, no nothing, literally pants up under their thighs, and that’s cool?”
College football officials could enforce the uniform rules by throwing flags on players who don’t wear knee pads, but Sanders said he’d like to see the rule enforced with fines.
“I think there should be a fine implemented for that stuff, and let’s have more respect for this tremendous game,” Sanders said.
Sanders has also said he wishes the NCAA had a salary cap, and that the NCAA would adopt NFL playing rules. As college football becomes more than ever a professional sport, Sanders wants to go all the way and make it as close to the NFL as it can possibly get.
College Sports
Campbell Hall set to reopen in August following $37 million renovations
Campbell Hall is set to reopen its doors to MSU students this August, following the much-needed renovations that are nearing completion. The $37 million renovations for the century-old building were approved by the MSU Board of Trustees in February 2024. While there is not a specific date in place, Campbell Hall will open as part of […]

Campbell Hall is set to reopen its doors to MSU students this August, following the much-needed renovations that are nearing completion. The $37 million renovations for the century-old building were approved by the MSU Board of Trustees in February 2024.
While there is not a specific date in place, Campbell Hall will open as part of MSU’s fall move-in process, said Associate Director of Communications Bethany Balks.
“That means that if we have some students with some programmatic early arrivals, Honors College does have an impact program, so some of those students may be residents of Campbell Hall,” Balks said. “Our international students move in on August 16th and 17th, and then most of our other students moving into Campbell Hall will be moving in on the 19th through the 21st.”
Campbell Hall, which was built in 1939, is the third building in West Circle Drive to go through key renovations, Balks said. With MSU focused on physical structure and safety updates while keeping the building’s historical aesthetic.
“Because we know our West Circle halls are very popular with students and alumni love to come back and look at them, there were some important upgrades we needed to make,” Balks said.
Among the necessary renovations were accessibility upgrades, as Campbell Hall did not have any elevators in the building. Now, it will have a full elevator on the south side of the hall, an elevator lift from the first floor to the basement level on the north side and an accessible entrance ramp on the southwest side of the building.
“We worked on other safety features including sprinkling and upgraded wiring,” Balks said. “We worked to have some energy efficiencies through all new windows in the hall.”
For bathroom upgrades, Balks said the university looked for best practices across other peer institutions and found that Penn State University and Ohio State University had started doing a different kind of setup.
Living wings will now have community sinks that any resident can use with the inclusion of private bathrooms with individual shower rooms and fully enclosed toilets. Instead of having gender-specific bathrooms, Balks said the bathroom upgrades offer some flexibility in the ways the hall can have different makeups of genders in the building and for residents while also being more supportive when students have guests in their spaces.
MSU, in collaboration with the Residence Education and Housing Services, the MSU Dairy Store and other partners, is working on a ribbon-cutting ceremony to take place on September 12.
“There were many donors that contributed towards the Honors College portion of the Campbell Hall renovations, but we’re also bringing some of our construction partners, IPF and other leaders around campus to really just celebrate this exciting renovation and reopening,” Balks said.
In addition to the ribbon cutting ceremony, Balks said there will be other activities planned for both community members and the Honors College, with MSU’s residence education team working with the college on other welcome events taking place in both Campbell Hall and West Circle.
Balks said the building’s renovation was a $37 million project, with around $3 million dollars of funding contributed through the Honors College and the remaining funds through MSU’s Division of Residential and Hospitality Services.
“It’s an important renovation, it’s an important project for us to continue to support student success,” Balks said. “We’re really excited about the spaces that we’re collectively building.”
Other inclusions stemming from the renovation include improved student spaces for gathering and community building, a seminar room and office spaces to serve the Honors College. The hall will also have more centralized services available to the West Circle portion of North Neighborhood in Campbell Hall including a mail center, package processing location and package center.
Support student media!
Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
Discussion
Share and discuss “Campbell Hall set to reopen in August following $37 million renovations” on social media.
College Sports
Lane Kiffin trolls Hugh Freeze over recruiting criticisms with fishing video
Lane Kiffin played the troll game once again and targeted Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze Sunday. The Ole Miss coach likely heard about Freeze’s controversy surrounding how much golf he plays amid critiques of Auburn’s recruiting classes. So because of that, Kiffin was out on the boat Sunday, American flag and all. With that, he […]

Lane Kiffin played the troll game once again and targeted Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze Sunday. The Ole Miss coach likely heard about Freeze’s controversy surrounding how much golf he plays amid critiques of Auburn’s recruiting classes.
So because of that, Kiffin was out on the boat Sunday, American flag and all. With that, he was fishing and perhaps signaling to Freeze that he couldn’t “haul in the big fish” in terms of recruits.
Whatever he was going for, Kiffin was being his typical self. You can see the video that Kiffin tagged Freeze in below.
Ironically, Freeze already commented on his golf game amid the recruiting backlash. He recently joined David Pollack on See Ball Get Ball.
“You know, everybody seems to like to talk about my golf game,” Freeze responded. “It’s not as good as it used to be.”
Freeze’s response is in regard to a recent report from AL.com that the Auburn coach is playing significantly more golf than his peers in recent times. In the month of June alone, Freeze got on the course 10 times, AL.com found. They also say he has recorded more than 20 rounds throughout the calendar year already, showing a handicap of 7.4.
In comparison, South Carolina‘s Shane Beamer came up in second place, having three recorded scores in June. Other coaches like Georgia‘s Kirby Smart are sitting at zero.
“This is that time where people are looking for things to write about,” Freeze said. “And I do love golf. I enjoy playing, but what people don’t realize is, you know, I assure you that I never missed a camp day or a recruiting day but if camp got over at three o’clock one day, and Jill (Freeze’s wife) and I go out at 4:30, we absolutely might do that.
“And I’m not apologizing for that part of it. But my focus is 100% on getting Auburn in that win column this fall. And I do think the biggest thing that’s causing most of it is the recruiting rankings right now, because we’ve been top 10 my two years here in recruiting, and currently we’re not. And good Lord, we could spend 30 minutes on why I think that is.”
At the same time, Auburn’s recruiting class is off to a slow start as their 2026 recruiting class is ranked 71st nationally as of this report. Couple that with consecutive losing seasons to begin his Auburn tenure, 2025 could be a make-or-break season for the Tigers’ head coach.
Barkley Truax contributed to this report
-
Technology2 weeks ago
Pet fitness and wellness trends for a healthier and happier dog
-
College Sports2 weeks ago
WAC to Rebrand to UAC, Add Five New Members in 2026
-
Motorsports2 weeks ago
Why Cosmetics are Making Up for Lost Time in Women’s Sports
-
College Sports2 weeks ago
A new era of Dickinson hockey begins behind the bench – The Dickinson Press
-
Health3 weeks ago
Florida assault survivor shares hope for change with new mental health law
-
Motorsports2 weeks ago
NASCAR This Week – Patriot Publishing LLC
-
Motorsports1 week ago
Team Penske names new leadership
-
Sports3 weeks ago
How to Market FAST Sports Content to New Audiences
-
Youtube3 weeks ago
Funniest MLB rain delay moments
-
Youtube2 weeks ago
BREAKING: NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signs the RICHEST annual salary in league history