SINGAPORE – For nearly five minutes, Taiwanese swimmer Tang Cheng-yao commanded the attention of an entire arena at the World Aquatics Masters Championships.

On Aug 10, about 150 competitors, officials, family and friends were on their feet at the WCH Arena, the cheers and applause thunderous as they shouted words of encouragement to the 96-year-old swimmer as she splashed her way to the finish of the 200m freestyle.

Partially blind in her right eye and deaf in her left ear, the nonagenarian was the oldest female competitor at the July 26-Aug 22 championships.

She was the only swimmer in the 50m and 200m freestyle and the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke events (95-99 age group), and even set a championship record of 12 minutes 54.04 seconds in the 200m breaststroke on Aug 12.

But records are not what Tang aims for, as being in the pool gives her happiness and keeps the doctor away.

Speaking via a translator, Tang, who was born in Anhui, China, said: “Swimming makes me rarely sick. But my swimming journey has seen countless battles. In my youth, I swam with great energy, but now, at 96, I am slower.

“At such an advanced age, some have already given up… yet here I am, still swimming. But of course, after swimming, it’s either sore here or painful there.”

Back home, Tang, who has two sons and two grandchildren, swims 400m every day, though it takes a long time because “I swim very slowly”.

In the winter, when it gets too cold to swim, she goes on long walks.

She first learnt to swim when she was four, when her parents took her to the seaside in Shandong.

She credits her longevity in the pool to her Christian faith, adding: “I just keep my body and mind well every day. I go to classes at church as a small group, and I live joyfully. My religion comforts me and I don’t burden myself with worries, and that’s why I can focus on what I like to do.”

Even as a century beckons for the 96-year-old, she plans to continue swimming and taking part in masters competitions.

She said: “It all depends on whether God gives me time. If he lets me live, I will swim.”

Tang has enjoyed her time in Singapore, where she had celebrity-like status at the arena with multiple requests for photographs as fellow athletes and officials marvelled at her longevity in the sport.

The fiercely independent swimmer also shared an anecdote about her arrival in Singapore, when staff at Changi Airport offered her a wheelchair as she disembarked from the plane.

She initially declined, turning to her 74-year-old son to ask why others assumed she needed one.

Tang said: “Reluctantly, I complied but felt embarrassed, and I questioned my age constantly. My son assured me it was just company policy, and he said to me, ‘You can run, you don’t need a wheelchair’.”

The World Aquatics Masters Championships features about 6,000 athletes aged 25 and above from around 100 countries and territories competing in swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming, and open water swimming.

The swimming competition ran from Aug 7 to 14, with water polo and diving to be contested from Aug 16 to 22 and Aug 17 to 22 respectively.

Among the participants at the month-long event were others like Tang, who defied their ages by remaining active and competitive.

Japanese swimmer Kazuo Yasuda, the oldest male competitor at 97, is about four months older than Tang.

There was also Margaret Jopling, who at 90 made her overseas debut and swam in the 50m and 800m freestyle, 50m and 100m backstroke and 50m breaststroke.

The Australian swims to stay mentally and physically fit, but more than that, she cherishes the friends she has made in the masters community and at her club, Port Macquarie Masters.

“I have always been competitive, and I love being in the water,” said Jopling, who is single.

“My objective in a competition like this is to finish the race and not get disqualified. And yes, it keeps me fit, but I love that it keeps me in with all my friends. I live alone and I look forward to meeting them at swims. In Australia, we have social events, Christmas parties and those sorts.

“I have enjoyed my time in Singapore and I hope to go to more masters events overseas after this.”

Roster  |  Schedule  |  2024 Statistics
 
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University volleyball team was slotted seventh in the 2025 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division preseason coaches’ poll, the conference office announced Thursday.
 
Reigning Atlantic Region champions Gannon garnered four first-place votes and was projected to win the PSAC West while defending PSAC Tournament victors Indiana (Pa.) captured three first-place votes in second place. The remainder of the Western Division poll saw Clarion claim third followed by Seton Hill, Pitt-Johnstown, Edinboro, The Rock and California (Pa.).
 
Shepherd was situated first in the PSAC East with four first-place votes while East Stroudsburg and Shippensburg tallied two first-place nods apiece in second and third place, respectively. The remainder of the Eastern Division prognostication saw Bloomsburg in fourth followed by Millersville, West Chester, Lock Haven and Kutztown.

Slippery Rock has been on the brink of achieving its first winning record since 2014 in each of the last three seasons after finishing 12-14 in 2024, 14-15 in 2023 and 14-16 in 2022.

 

While SRU will be tasked with replacing three-time All-PSAC West outside hitter Erica Selfridge and the program’s career digs leader Kate Lachendro-Biery as well as key contributors Chelsie Wheeler and Aslyn Pry there is still plenty of reason to be optimistic as The Rock brings back 10 athletes that appeared in at least 14 matches a year ago to go with a promising incoming recruiting class.

A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP

First-year head coach Dylan Lasher was chosen as the next leader of the Slippery Rock volleyball program on March 28, 2025. Lasher is the 13th head coach in SRU varsity volleyball history.

 

Lasher comes to Slippery Rock after most recently serving as the head coach of both the women’s and men’s volleyball teams at Thiel College. He has also been a head coach at both Chatham and Millikin. Overall, he has 10 seasons of collegiate head coach experience (women’s + men’s).

 

Lasher’s coaching resume includes being named the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Coach of the Year on two occasions – in 2017 as the women’s coach at Chatham and in 2025 as the men’s coach at Thiel. 

 

The Ford City, Pennsylvania native served five seasons as the head men’s volleyball coach at Thiel and added the role of head women’s coach prior to the 2024 fall season. He inherited a women’s program that went 3-22 in 2023 and immediately made it a contender in his first full season with the squad by guiding the Tomcats to a 17-9 record in 2024.

 

The 14-win improvement from 2023 to 2024 was the second-best year-to-year improvement among all 419 NCAA Division III women’s volleyball programs that fall.

 

Lasher rounded out his coaching staff over the summer with the addition of assistant Raquel McDonald. A familiar face to Lasher, McDonald comes to The Rock after spending two successful seasons at Thiel where she assisted in all facets of the men’s and women’s volleyball programs.

RETURNING  SENIORS

The Rock’s 2025 senior class features three all-conference caliber athletes in middle blocker Lauren VonderHaar, outside hitter Callie Chevalier and setter Jaeden Yost. Veterans of a combined 227 collegiate matches, all three have been mainstays in SRU’s lineup since stepping foot on campus in 2022.

 

VonderHaar has firmly established herself as one of the top middle blockers in the Atlantic Region over the last two years. One of three athletes to start all 26 matches a season ago, VonderHaar recorded 122 blocks (41 solo / 81 assisted) defensively in addition to 111 kills via a .221 attack percentage on offense. She closed 2024 ranked 22nd in the nation, and fourth in the PSAC, in blocks per sets (1.26).

 

Yost has served as Slippery Rock’s lead setter in each of the last three seasons. Along with VonderHaar and the now-graduated Selfridge, Yost was one of three Rock athletes to start every match a season ago. In addition to delivering 550 assists (5.67 per set), Yost also compiled a team-high 40 aces and ranked third in digs with 218 (2.25 per set).

 

Chevalier has displayed the ability to take over a match on any given night as evidenced by her 28 career double-digit kill performances. Last season, Chevalier went for 210 kills in 22 matches (79 sets) on a .177 attack percentage to go with 42 blocks.

 

The trio are all ranked among the program’s all-time best in a vareity of statistical categories. Yost opens her senior year slotted ninth in program history in career assists (1,705) and 17th in aces (113) while VonderHaar is 10th in total blocks (258) and Chevalier being positioned 25th in kills (645).

 

Rounding out The Rock’s senior class is libero / defensive specialist Arielle Walter who has played in 15 matches through the first three years of her career.

RETURNING  JUNIORS

After seeing limited playing time as rookies in 2023 the junior trio of opposite / outside Hitter Kaitlyn Danszczak, defensive specialist / setter Brooke Farrah and middle blocker / opposite Victoria Nalbach all saw a serious uptick in playing time a season ago.

 

Danszczak started 14 matches while making 22 appearances en route to finishing the season with 104 kills and 24 blocks. Nalbach added 20 blocks in 18 matches and Farrah split time as The Rock’s second setter with 159 assists and nine aces in 19 contests.

RETURNING SOPHOMORES

Six of The Rock’s eight-athlete freshmen class from 2024 will return for their sophomore seasons.

 

Outside Hitter / defensive specialist / libero Marley Annis, libero Kara Pasquale, setter Paityn Krause and defensive specialist / outside hitter Gwen McCarthy all saw playing time as rookies.

 

As a freshman, Pasquale appeared in 24 of The Rock’s 26 matches while leading all Rock rookies in sets played (89). She concluded the year ranked third on the team overall in aces (26) and fourth in digs (169 / 1.90).

 

Krause split time as Slippery Rock’s second setter during her rookie campaign on the way to recording 234 assists (3.97), 115 digs (1.95) and 11 aces across 20 matches.

 

As outsides a season ago, opportunities were sparce for Annis and McCarthy behind the veteran quartet of Selfridge, Wheeler, Chevalier and Danszczak. The pair combined to provide SRU with 60 kills, seven aces and 10 blocks with McCarthy making 15 appearances and Annis 14.

 

After not appearing in a match as rookies, outside hitter Ava Haynes and middle blocker Addison Jones will compete for expanded roles in their second year with the program.

WELCOME TO THE ROCK

The Rock’s 2025 freshman class is made up of nine athletes covering the entire court. The new enrollees come from three states in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan.

 

2025 SRU Freshman Class

Name-Position-Hometown (in Pennsylvania unless noted)

Hayden Deming – Outside Hitter / Opposite – Mattawan, Michigan

Ash Deniker – Middle Blocker – Greensburg 

Alayna Esselink – Middle Blocker – Richmond, Michigan

Abby Kolcum – Setter – Chardon, Ohio         

Emry Rumbaugh – Outside Hitter / Opposite – Kittanning

Leah Schreckengost – Libero / Defensive Specialist – Freeport

Cassidy Stancombe – Libero / Defensive Specialist – Johnstown     

Sidney Stevenson – Libero – Pittsburgh

Addie Varnish – Setter – Carnegie

THE SCHEDULE

In addition to the always-competitive PSAC West round-robin gauntlet, Slippery Rock will play 13 non-conference matches as part of its 27-match schedule in 2025.

 

Of its 20 unique opponents, nine closed last season in possession of a winning record with four earning NCAA Tournament bids.

 

From top to bottom the PSAC West is one of the strongest divisions in the nation. A true “no nights off” league, six of the eight Western Division programs had winning records a year ago with Slippery Rock nearly being the seventh after finishing just two matches under .500.

 

The bulk of Slippery Rock’s non-conference slate occurs at the start of the year. The Rock officially open the 2025 season with four matches at the Fairmont State Classic (Sept. 5-6) against Elizabeth City State, UVa.-Wise, Palm Beach Atlantic and host Fairmont State.

 

SRU then moves on to the Hall of Fame City Challenge (Sept. 12-13) where it will face host Malone, Bluefield State, Illinois Springfield and Bloomsburg. The final four-match weekend of the season comes at the D’Youville Tournament (Sept. 19-20) with tilts against Assumption, host D’Youville, Frostburg State and Kutztown on deck.

 

The Rock’s final non-conference match of the regular season will serve as SRU’s home-opener when Shippensburg visits Morrow Field House 2 p.m. Sept. 27.

 

Slippery Rock’s PSAC West schedule features home-and-home matches with its seven division foes beginning Sept. 24 at Clarion and running until its Nov. 15 regular-season finale at Edinboro.

 

If Slippery Rock finishes in the top four of PSAC West standings at the conclusion of the season, The Rock will see their season continue into the PSAC Tournament for the first time since 2008.

 

2025 PSAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll

First-place votes in parentheses

 

West Division

1) Gannon (4)

2) IUP (3)

3) Clarion

4) Seton Hill (1)

5) Pitt-Johnstown

6) Edinboro

7) THE ROCK

8) California

 

East Division

1) Shepherd (4)

2) East Stroudsburg (2)

3) Shippensburg (2)

4) Bloomsburg

5) Millersville

6) West Chester

7) Lock Haven

8) Kutztown

To stay up to date with all that happens at The Rock, follow our official Athletic Communication accounts on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter, @Rock_Athletics), Facebook (RockAthletics) and Instagram (RockAthletics).

Statesboro — The Georgia Southern cross country program has released its 2025 fall schedule, which includes several key road trips for the Eagles. 

The season will open on Aug. 29, when the Eagles travel to Spartanburg, South Carolina, to compete at Milliken Research Park. 

Following the season opener, Georgia Southern will head to Tallahassee, Florida, for a meet at Apalachee Regional Park on Sept. 12, hosted by Florida State University. 

On Sept. 26, the Eagles will stay closer to home with a meet in Milledgeville, Georgia, before traveling to Hardeeville, South Carolina, on Oct. 11. 

The final regular-season meet is scheduled for Oct. 18, when the team returns to Milliken Research Park for one last tune-up before the conference championship. 

Oct. 31 marks the start of postseason action with the Sun Belt Championship in Foley, Alabama. Last season, the Eagles finished 12th at the Graham Creek Nature Preserve. 

Should any Georgia Southern individual or team qualify during regionals, they will proceed to the NCAA Championships on Nov. 22 in Columbia, Missouri. 

By: Bill Morgal, sports information director

A total of 122 student-athletes from Shippensburg University have combined for 137 Division II Athletic Directors Association (D2ADA) Academic Achievement Awards for the 2024-25 academic year.
 
Per D2ADA, in order for a student-athlete to receive an Academic Achievement Award, the athletics director must be a current dues-paying member. The student-athlete, meanwhile, must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, have completed a minimum of two years (four semesters) of college level work at a two-year and/or four-year institution, and also been an active member of an intercollegiate team during the last academic year.
 
In total, there were a record-breaking 22,756 student-athletes from 202 institutions recognized for the 2024-25 D2ADA Academic Achievement Awards.
 
The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) had the most inductees of any league in NCAA Division II with a total of 2,051 student-athletes recognized.
  

Shippensburg’s 2024-25 D2ADA honorees:
(Individuals who competed in more than one sport are listed multiple times in SU’s total per the D2ADA guidelines. This includes student-athletes who compete in both cross country and track & field.)
 
Makayla Agosto, Women’s Soccer
Emma Albee, Field Hockey
Carter Arbuthnot, Baseball
Alexa Bailey, Women’s Lacrosse

Kyle Baker, Men’s Track & Field, Men’s Cross Country

Melanie Barger, Women’s Track & Field
Conner Barto, Baseball

Payton Bauer, Women’s Track & Field
Reagan Bauman, Softball

Lauren Bellows, Women’s Track & Field

Carissa Bender, Women’s Track & Field

Carly Bennett, Women’s Track & Field
Eric Bohenek, Baseball
Isabelle Bombas, Volleyball
Jackson Boone, Men’s Basketball
Karim Brice, Football

Emily Calamia, Women’s Track & Field
Carme Caracotche Picone, Field Hockey
Bella Chimienti, Women’s Basketball
Chloe Chipego, Women’s Soccer
Maddie Clabaugh, Volleyball
Timothy Conner, Men’s Basketball
Emilia Conners, Field Hockey

Ethan Conrad, Men’s Track & Field
Ryleigh Cook, Women’s Soccer
Lauren Croll, Women’s Swimming

Tommy Crum Jr., Men’s Track & Field, Men’s Cross Country
Jaxon Dalena, Baseball
Kearstin Davis, Volleyball

Makayla Decker, Women’s Track & Field
Yasmin De Meyer, Field Hockey and Women’s Tennis
Kaitlyn DiCandilo, Women’s Soccer

Lilah Drager, Women’s Track & Field, Women’s Cross Country
Madalyn Dyer, Softball
Kyler Everly, Wrestling
Brea Fennick, Women’s Swimming
Robbie Ferlick, Men’s Swimming
Jenna Folmar, Women’s Soccer
Laurel Gingrich, Women’s Swimming

Aiden Gonder, Men’s Track & Field, Men’s Cross Country

Abby Gotwals, Women’s Track & Field
Emma Grove, Women’s Swimming

Jackson Gutekunst, Men’s Track & Field, Men’s Cross Country
Brynn Hauck, Women’s Lacrosse
Carter Hawkes, Men’s Swimming
Bryce Herb, Baseball
Claudia Hudson, Women’s Soccer
Hannah Hudson, Women’s Swimming

Kelsey Hull, Women’s Track & Field, Women’s Cross Country
David Johnson, Men’s Swimming
Kayla Johnson, Volleyball
Brady Kain, Baseball

Alexis Keefer, Women’s Track & Field
Mia Kemp, Women’s Soccer
Janelle Kingsboro, Women’s Tennis
Mason Koeth, Men’s Swimming
Shay Kolivoski, Volleyball
Diesel Koser, Wrestling
Luke Kramer, Men’s Soccer
Alyssa Krueger, Women’s Lacrosse
Michelle Kubiak, Women’s Swimming

Ashley Laukus, Women’s Track & Field
Erica Lampus, Volleyball
Sammy Lerario, Women’s Soccer

Kyra Love, Women’s Track & Field
Connor Ludwig, Men’s Swimming

Madison Malcolm, Women’s Track & Field

Katie Mancino, Women’s Track & Field
Caitlyn Martell, Softball
Trey Martin, Men’s Basketball

Victoria Mattioli, Women’s Track & Field, Women’s Cross Country
Taryn Mayer, Field Hockey
Jack McCann, Men’s Soccer
Cooper Mercer, Men’s Swimming
Abbie Miller, Women’s Basketball
Katelyn Minney, Softball

Leah Moffitt, Women’s Track & Field, Women’s Cross Country
Kelly Naude, Field Hockey
Eve Nealon, Women’s Basketball
Gracen Nutt, Volleyball
Jenna Ober, Women’s Swimming

Elliot Oliphant, Volleyball and Women’s Track & Field
Ethan Omondi, Men’s Soccer
Ryan Orr, Football
Francesca Picone, Women’s Lacrosse
Ali Pioli, Women’s Lacrosse

Nicola Pugge, Women’s Track & Field

Garrett Quinan, Men’s Track & Field, Men’s Cross Country
Maegan Quinn, Women’s Soccer

Abby Reasoner, Women’s Track & Field
Matt Riley, Men’s Soccer
Carolina Rodriguez Sanchez, Women’s Basketball
Brooklynn Rupert, Women’s Tennis
Sarah Sabocsik, Softball

Ian Sherlock, Men’s Track & Field, Men’s Cross Country
Tyler Sherman, Baseball
Trey Shoemaker, Wrestling

Maddie Sieg, Women’s Track & Field
Savannah Silvestre, Field Hockey

ShanAnn Simmons, Women’s Track & Field
Olivia Sitkowski, Women’s Swimming
Kayla Snyder, Field Hockey
Peyton Stadler, Football
Olivia Stephen, Women’s Soccer
Sam Stoner, Football
Love Thoren, Men’s Soccer

Katy Todd, Women’s Track & Field, Women’s Cross Country

Quinton Townsend, Men’s Track & Field
Maddy Tursi, Women’s Soccer
Nathan VanNatter, Men’s Swimming
Zaidian Van Orden, Men’s Swimming
Kayla Vosburg, Women’s Lacrosse
Sara Vosburg, Women’s Lacrosse
Josh Waite, Football
Gabrielle Walker, Women’s Soccer
Ally Weaver, Softball

Teagan Weaver, Men’s Track & Field
Erby Weller, Baseball
Gracie Wetzel, Women’s Swimming

Ava Whysong, Women’s Track & Field, Women’s Cross Country
Katie Willis, Women’s Soccer

Ryan Wolfe, Men’s Track & Field, Men’s Cross Country