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Four Top-25 Finishes Highlight First Day at NCAA West First Rounds

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BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Montana State track and field started strong at the NCAA West First Rounds on Wednesday, with all four Bobcat men’s athletes in action finishing in the top-25 in their events at E.B. Cushing Stadium in College Station, Texas. 

Highlighting the day was Big Sky champion Harvey Cramb winning his heat of the 1,500 meters in comfortable fashion to advance to Friday’s national quarterfinal. 

Elsewhere, Colby Wilson ended his legendary career tying for 15th in the pole vault, Sam Ells finished one spot out of advancing to Friday’s regional final in the 1,500 meters, and Elijah Jackman placed 25th in the hammer throw. 

Following two thunderstorm delays, Jackman got Montana State’s day started in the men’s hammer throw by finishing well above his ranking entering the meet. 

The junior from Tigard, Oregon, fouled his first attempt before launching a mark of 204-1 on his second throw. 

Jackman stood in fourth through the first two of four progressively seeded flights, and finished his day in 25th having outpaced his original No. 36 seed among the 48 competitors on Wednesday. 

Jackman closes the book on a 2025 season in which he earned three All-Big Sky honors, securing silver medals at the Big Sky Outdoor Championships in the hammer and discus after earning silver in at the Big Sky Indoor Championships in the weight throw. 

Later on the track, Harvey Cramb and Sam Ells ran gritty races as part of back-to-back heats in the 1,500 meters. 

Cramb, a sophomore from Brisbane, Australia, executed his gameplan to perfection, never wavering from the top three spots in the pack and coasting down the home stretch to win his heat and secure a spot in Friday’s national quarterfinal. 

Cramb, who came in seeded eighth in the West region, is now among the 24 remaining competitors in that event who will be trying to punch one of 12 tickets to the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene. 

Friday’s race is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. CT. 

Ells, a junior from Kalispell, Montana, came tantalizingly close to joining Cramb in Friday’s regional final. 

The All-Big Sky cross country runner clocked the tenth-fastest time in prelims among the 48-man field (3:47.02), but finished as the first man out of qualifying as the tenth to cross the line in his heat. 

In the four heats, the top-five finishers from each race advanced, plus the next four fastest times. All four of the wild card spots came out of Ells’ heat, which was by far the fastest race among the four sections—thus, despite running a race three seconds faster than his teammate, Cramb, the junior ended his season on the outside looking in from College Station. 

Finally on Wednesday, a legendary career came to a close on the pole vault runway for five-time Big Sky champion Colby Wilson. 

The graduate student from Olympia, Washington, tied for 15th, coming up just one bar shy of booking what would have been his fourth NCAA Championships appearance. 

Wilson smoothly cleared the first and second bars on his opening attempts, gliding above the infield for clearances of 16-05.50 and 16-11.50. 

Yet, with the wind playing a major factor, the veteran found more trouble at the next bar of 17-05.50–three close misses put his fate in the hands of the field, with 14 clearing the bar to put Wilson just barely on the wrong side of qualification for Eugene. 

Wilson ends his career with an astonishing 34 career wins, including five Big Sky championship titles, both the indoor and outdoor Big Sky Championship meet records, school records in both the indoor and outdoor pole vault, the Big Sky Conference record indoors, and three NCAA Championship appearances with an All-American honor in 2022. 

FROM THE COACH 

“Elijah, Sam, Harvey, and Colby started our West Region Championships off on a great note by each competing and representing Montana State so well. Elijah started us off by competing really well in the hammer throw and finishing significantly higher than where he was ranked coming into the meet. Sam Ells fought in the 1,500 meters and just narrowly missed making it to the next round on Friday. Harvey Cramb executed his race in the 1,500 meters perfectly and moved to the next round on Friday where he is one race away from qualifying for the NCAA final round in Eugene. Bobcat legend Colby Wilson finished out his record-setting career and just narrowly missed qualifying for the NCAA final round. Colby had an unprecedented career spanning so many years of elite performance. He leaves an incredible legacy.” 

UP NEXT 

Montana State’s women take to E.B. Cushing Stadium on Thursday for their first day of competition at the NCAA West First Rounds. 

Clara Fox, a sophomore from Bozeman, competes in the javelin at 2:30 p.m. CT. 

Shortly after, Hailey Coey looks to continue one of the all-time seasons by a Bobcat in the long jump at 4:30 p.m. CT. The junior from Billings is ranked ninth in the West Region and will be in an advantageous position to try to make it to Eugene as part of the final flight.  

For the first time in program history, multiple women’s pole vaulters will compete at the regional stage, with both Big Sky champion Tatum Richards (seeded 41st) and Megan Bell (seeded 48th) in action at 5:30 p.m. CT. in the national semifinals. 

At 6 p.m. CT. on Thursday, Big Sky Conference record-holder Sydney Brewster enters the shot put ring. The sophomore is ranked 13th in the West region, and will be joined in the event by fellow sophomore teammate Emma Brensdal, ranked 29th in the West.  

Also at 6 p.m. CT on Thursday, junior Millie Hubbell races in the prelims of the 100 meter hurdles. The two-time Big Sky silver medalist currently holds the second-fastest time in program history and is seeded 29th in the West region. 

At 8:20 p.m. CT, junior Giulia Gandolfi will race in the prelims of the 400 meter hurdles. The native of Faenza, Italy, is doubling this week in College Station, and hopes to run twice on Saturday—once in the 400 meter hurdle final and again as part of the 4×400 meter relay. 

In the final event on Thursday, school record-holder Peyton Garrison gets in the starting blocks for the 200 meters at 8:45 p.m. CT. Garrison, seeded 45th, will also run in the Bobcats’ 4×400 meter relay on Saturday evening. 

The NCAA West First Rounds will stream live on ESPN+ with coverage beginning at 5 p.m. MT/6 p.m. CT on Thursday, and beginning at 4 p.m. MT/5 p.m. CT on both Friday and Saturday.   

A full meet schedule is available here and start lists can be viewed here. A meet central webpage with links to live results, information, streaming, and more can be found here.   

#GoCatsGo 



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Creighton volleyball defeats Arizona State, advances to Elite Eight

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December 11, 2025

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Creighton took on Arizona State in Lexington in the Sweet 16 on Thursday afternoon.The Jays got on the board first.Ava Martin with a kill. The Jays were up 10-7 in the first set.Arizona State took a slight lead, but the Jays started to cut down the deficit.Back-to-back kills from Kiara Reinhardt gave CU the 20-18 lead and forced an ASU timeout.A kill from Martin got CU the set one victory, 26-24. Set 2 saw Creighton up 2-1. The start of the second set was anyone’s game, but Creighton started pulling away with a 7-4 lead.Neither team had led by more than three points during Thursday’s match.The Sun Devils won set 2, 25-19.The Bluejays got on the board first in the set 3.CU went on a 5-1 run in the third set.The Bluejays dominated in set 3, 25-13.The Bluejays were on the board first in set 4, going on a 3-0 run.Reinhardt helped Martin lead the Jays to success during the match.The Bluejays won 3-1 after a 25-18 set 4 victory.Creighton will face the winner of the Kentucky-Cal Poly game in the Elite Eight.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |

LEXINGTON, Ky. —

Creighton took on Arizona State in Lexington in the Sweet 16 on Thursday afternoon.

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The Jays got on the board first.

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Ava Martin with a kill. The Jays were up 10-7 in the first set.

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Arizona State took a slight lead, but the Jays started to cut down the deficit.

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Back-to-back kills from Kiara Reinhardt gave CU the 20-18 lead and forced an ASU timeout.

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A kill from Martin got CU the set one victory, 26-24.

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Set 2 saw Creighton up 2-1.

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The start of the second set was anyone’s game, but Creighton started pulling away with a 7-4 lead.

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Neither team had led by more than three points during Thursday’s match.

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The Sun Devils won set 2, 25-19.

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The Bluejays got on the board first in the set 3.

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CU went on a 5-1 run in the third set.

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The Bluejays dominated in set 3, 25-13.

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The Bluejays were on the board first in set 4, going on a 3-0 run.

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Reinhardt helped Martin lead the Jays to success during the match.

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The Bluejays won 3-1 after a 25-18 set 4 victory.

Creighton will face the winner of the Kentucky-Cal Poly game in the Elite Eight.

Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.

NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |





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Thirty-one UGA Student-Athletes Expected to Graduate Friday

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December 11, 2025

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ATHENS, Ga. — Thirty-one University of Georgia student-athletes are expected to receive their degrees Friday, December 12 at the annual fall commencement ceremonies. 

The undergraduate ceremony begins at 10 a.m. and the graduate ceremony begins at 2:30 p.m. in Stegeman Coliseum. 

The following student-athletes are scheduled for graduation:

 

Baseball 

Robert Burnett (Housing Management & Policy), Brandt Pancer (Real Estate)

 

Women’s Basketball

Savannah Henderson (Sociology)

 

Equestrian

Aphrodite Papandreou (Real Estate )

 

Football

Henry Bates (Risk Management and Insurance), Tyler Clark (Sociology), Daylen Everette (Sport Management), Terrell Foster (Risk Management and Insurance), Earnest Greene (Housing Management & Policy), Patrick Hester (Management), Justin Houston (Housing Management & Policy), Cooper Johnson (Sport Management), Toby Johnson (Sociology), Christen Miller (Housing Management & Policy), Kavon Townsend (Housing Management & Policy)

 

Soccer

Madeline Baker (Consumer Economics), Jordan Brown (Psychology), Summer Denigan (Sport Management)

 

Softball

Lilliana Backes (Finance), Madison Kerpics (Masters in Comparative Biomedical Science)

 

Men’s Swimming and Diving

Tommy-Lee Camblong (Biology), Sam Parker (Psychology)

 

Men’s Tennis

Miguel Perez Pena (Financial Planning), Oscar Pinto Sansano (Political Science)

 

Men’s Track and Field

Jordan Fick (Sport Management), Alon Rogow (Sport Management)

 

Women’s Track and Field

Aaliyah Butler (International Affairs), Kaila Jackson (Journalism), Autumn Wilson (Finance)

 

Volleyball

Estelle Haugen (Dietetics), Bianna Muoneke (Sociology)

 



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2025 DII women’s volleyball championship: Bracket, schedule, scores

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December 11, 2025

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Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 DII women’s volleyball championship. 

The championship bracket was revealed during a selection show on Monday, Nov. 24, live streamed here on NCAA.com. Twenty-three teams earned automatic qualification, with the remaining 41 teams selected at-large by the Division II Women’s Volleyball Committee. Teams from each of the eight regional sites received initial seeds Nos. 1-8. 

2025 DII women’s volleyball championship bracket

Click or tap here for the 2025 interactive bracket

DII women's volleyball updated bracket

2025 NCAA DII women’s volleyball schedule

  • Quarterfinals: Thursday, Dec. 11
  • Semifinals: Friday, Dec. 12 | ESPN+
  • National Championship: Saturday, Dec. 13 | ESPN+
  • Selection show: 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, November 24
  • Regionals: Dec. 4-6
    • Thursday, Dec. 4
      • No. 3 Indiana (Pennsylvania) 3, No. 6 Fairmont State 0
      • No. 3 Anderson (South Carolina) 3, No. 6 Augusta 1
      • No. 3 Lynn 3, No. 6 UAH 2
      • No. 6 Washburn 3, No. 3 Wayne State (Nebraska) 0
      • No. 3 Mercy 3, No. 6 Molloy 2
      • No. 2 East Stroudsburg 3, No. 7 Charleston (West Virginia) 0
      • No. 3 Ferris State 3, No. 6 Quincy 2
      • No. 2 Lenoir-Rhyne 3, No. 7 Lander 1
      • No. 7 Colorado Sch. of Mines 3, No. 2 UCCS 2
      • No. 3 Fresno Pacific 3, No. 6 Western Washington 0
      • No. 2 Barry 3, No. 7 Eckerd 0
      • No. 2 Concordia-St. Paul 3, No. 7 Central Oklahoma 0
      • No. 7 Holy Family 3, No. 2 Adelphi 2 
      • No. 7 Rockhurst 3, No. 2 Ohio Dominican 0
      • No. 3 Angelo State 3, No. 6 Lubbock Christian 1
      • No. 5 Flagler 3, No. 4 Carson-Newman 1
      • No. 1 Gannon 3, No. 8 Fayetteville State 0
      • No. 7 Central Washington 3, No. 2 Simon Fraser 2
      • No. 1 Tampa 3, No. 8 Spring Hill 0
      • No. 8 UIndy 3, No. 1 Missouri-State Louis 2
      • No. 4 St. Cloud St. 3, No. 5 Missouri Western 1
      • No. 1 Bentley 3, No. 8 Bridgeport 1
      • No. 1 MSU Denver 3, No. 8 Colorado Mesa 0
      • No. 4 Pitt.-Johnstown 4, No. 5 Shepherd 0
      • No. 4 West Florida 3, No. 5 Palm Beach Atl. 2
      • No. 1 Wingate 3, No. 8 Emmanuel (Georgia) 1
      • No. 1 Point Loma 3, No. 8 CSUSB 2
      • No. 1 Nebraska-Kearney 3, No. 8 Oklahoma Baptist 2
      • No. 5 Post 3, No. 4 American Int’l 1
      • No. 5 Findlay 3, No. 4 Wayne State (Michigan) 2
      • No. 4 West Tex. A&M 3, No. 5 CSU Pueblo 1
      • No. 5 Alas. Fairbanks 3, No. 4 Alas. Anchorage 0
    • Friday, Dec. 5
      • No. 2 Barry 3, No. 3 Lynn 0
      • No. 3 Indiana (PA) 3, No. 2 East Stroudsburg 1
      • No. 3 Anderson (SC) 3, No. 2 Lenoir-Rhyne 1
      • No. 3 Mercy 3, No. 7 Holy Family 1
      • No. 2 Concordia-St. Paul 3, No. 6 Washburn 0
      • No. 3 Ferris State 3, No. 7 Rockhurst 0
      • No. 3 Angelo State 3, No. 7 Colorado Sch. of Mines 0
      • No. 1 Bentley 3, No. 5 Post 1
      • No. 3 Fresno Pacific 3, No. 7 Central Washington 2
      • No. 1 Gannon 3, No. 4 Pitt.-Johnstown 1
      • No. 1 Tampa 3, No. 4 West Florida 1
      • No. 1 Wingate 3, No. 5 Flagler 1
      • No. 8 UIndy 3, No. 5 Findlay 1
      • No. 4 St. Cloud State 3, No. 1 Nebraska-Kearney 1
      • No. 1 MSU Denver 3, No. 4 West Tex. A&M 1
      • No. 1 Point Loma 3, No. 5 Alas. Fairbanks 1
    • Saturday, Dec. 6

NCAA DII women’s volleyball championship history

Here is the full list of champions and runners-up since 1981:

Year Champion (Record) Coach Score Runner-Up Site
2024 Lynn (33-3) Adam Milewski 3-2 San Francisco St. Sioux Falls, SD
2023 Cal State LA (24-10) Juan Figueroa 3-1  West Texas A&M Moon Township, PA
2022 West Texas A&M (33-4) Kendra Potts 3-1 Concordia-St. Paul Seattle, Wash.
2021 Tampa (34-2) Chris Catanach 3-0 Washburn Tampa, FL.
2020 Canceled due to Covid-19 — — — —
2019 Cal State San Bernardino (33-0) Kim Cherniss 3-1 Nebraska-Kearney Denver, Co.
2018 Tampa (33-4) Chris Catanach 3-2 Western Washington Pittsburgh, Pa.
2017 Concordia-St. Paul (34-3) Brady Starkey 3-0 Florida Southern Pensacola, Fla.
2016 Concordia-St. Paul (32-4) Brady Starkey 3-0 Alaska Anchorage Sioux Falls, S.D.
2015 Wheeling Jesuit (39-4) Christy Benner 3-0 Palm Beach Atlantic  Tampa, Fla. 
2014 Tampa (33-1) Chris Catanach 3-0 S’west Minnesota State Louisville, Ky.
2013 Concordia-St. Paul (35-3) Brady Starkey 3-0 BYU-Hawaii Cedar Rapids, Iowa
2012 Concordia-St. Paul (34-4) Brady Starkey 3-2 Tampa Pensacola, Fla.
2011 Concordia-St. Paul (34-2) Brady Starkey 3-0 Cal State San Bernardino Cal State San Bernardino
2010 Concordia-St. Paul (32-4) Brady Starkey 3-1 Tampa Louisville, Ky.
2009 Concordia-St. Paul (37-0) Brady Starkey 3-0 West Texas A&M Concordia-St. Paul
2008 Concordia-St. Paul (37-1) Brady Starkey 3-2 Cal State San Bernardino Concordia-St. Paul
2007 Concordia-St. Paul (36-4) Brady Starkey 3-1 Western Washington Washburn
2006 Tampa (35-1) Chris Catanach 3-1 North Alabama West Florida
2005 Grand Valley State (32-1) Deanne Scanlon 3-1 Nebraska-Kearney Nebraska-Kearney
2004 Barry (34-1) Dave Nichols 3-1 Truman Barry
2003 North Alabama (33-7) Matt Peck 3-0 Concordia-St. Paul Cal State San Bernardino
2002 BYU-Hawaii (27-2) Wilfred Navalta 3-0 Truman West Texas A&M
2001 Barry (32-2) Dave Nichols 3-0 South Dakota State Grand Valley State
2000 Hawaii Pacific (28-0) Tita Ahuna 3-0 Augustana (S.D.) Augustana (S.D.)
1999 BYU-Hawaii (30-2) Wilfred Navalta 3-0 Tampa Battle Creek, Mich.
1998 Hawaii Pacific (31-5) Tita Ahuna 3-1 North Dakota State Kissimmee, Fla.
1997 West Texas A&M (37-1) Debbie Hendricks 3-2 Barry Cal State Bakersfield
1996 Nebraska-Omaha (35-2) Rose Shires 3-2 Tampa Central Missouri
1995 Barry (34-2) Leonid Yelin 3-1 Northern Michigan Barry
1994 Northern Michigan (32-4) Mark Rosen 3-1 Cal State Bakersfield Cal State Bakersfield
1993 Northern Michigan (38-1) Jim Moore 3-1 Cal State Bakersfield Northern Michigan
1992 Portland State (36-1) Jeff Mozzochi 3-2 Northern Michigan Portland State
1991 West Texas A&M (36-2) Jim Giacomazzi 3-0 Portland State West Texas A&M
1990 West Texas A&M (38-1) Kim Hudson 3-0 North Dakota State Cal State Bakersfield
1989 Cal State Bakersfield (21-15) David Rubio 3-0 Sacramento State Cal State Bakersfield
1988 Portland State (36-5) Jeff Mozzochi 3-0 Cal State Northridge North Dakota State
1987 Cal State Northridge (35-6) Walt Ker 3-2 Central Missouri Nebraska-Omaha
1986 UC Riverside (29-7) Sue Gozansky 3-0 Cal State Northridge Sacramento State
1985 Portland State (36-5) Jeff Mozzochi 3-1 Cal State Northridge Portland State
1984 Portland State (33-4) Jeff Mozzochi 3-0 Cal State Northridge Portland State
1983 Cal State Northridge (30- 6) Walt Ker 3-2 Portland State Florida Southern
1982 UC Riverside (31-5) Sue Gozansky 3-0 Cal State Northridge Cal State Northridge
1981 Sacramento State (28-6) Debby Colbery 3-0 Lewis UC Riverside

The 16 remaining NCAA volleyball tournament teams, re-ranked

With the first two rounds of the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament completed, check out Michella Chester’s re-rankings of the remaining 16 teams.

READ MORE

What to know about each team in the DII women’s volleyball quarterfinals

The final three days of the 2025 DII women’s volleyball season are set to commence at the Sanford Pentagon. Here’s what to watch.

READ MORE

Undefeated women’s volleyball teams in 2025

Follow along as we see how long DI women’s volleyball teams can remain perfect.

READ MORE





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Track Heads North to Spokane Invitational

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December 11, 2025

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PULLMAN, Wash. — WSU track will head north to Spokane on Saturday for the Spokane Invitational. Races will start with the Women’s 1 mile at 1:40 pm PT and will conclude at 6:10 pm PT with the Mixed 4×400. WSU Runners will look to continue their strong start to the year in a competitive field in Spokane.

Meet Info – Spokane Invitational

Dates: Saturday, Dec. 13

Venue: The Podium  |  Spokane, Wash.

Results: AthleticLive

Live Stream: RunnerSpace

Meet Schedule (PDF)

Last Time Out – BU Season Opener (Dec. 6, 2025)

Rosemary Longisa, Zenah Cheptoo, and Nicole Bissell set personal bests in their first race of the indoor track season. Longisa and Cheptoo also set school records in the 3k and 5k, respectively. Kipchoge and Kurui impressed in an elite field in the Men’s 5k Invitational.

Up Next:

Washington State will have a month break from the action and continue their season at the UW Preview on January 16th and 17th.

For all the latest WSU Track and Field news, photos, and videos, like the team on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/wsucougartrack) or follow on Twitter (@ WSUCougarXCTF) and Instagram (@WSUCougarXCTF).

 

 



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Ella Thompson of Camas named All-Region volleyball player of the year

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December 11, 2025

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That’s exactly what Thompson is.

The senior capped her high school career by leading Camas to its third consecutive state trophy. Thompson was named to the Class 4A all-tournament team after helping the Papermakers place fifth.

Averaging nearly five kills per set this season, Thompson was named the 4A Greater St. Helens League MVP.

The Columbian’s All-Region volleyball player of the year will continue her career at the University of Miami-Florida, which she committed to at the beginning of her junior year.

Not bad considering Thompson took up volleyball, in part, to chart her own athletic course in her family.

“It was always something different for me to go to volleyball practice,” Thompson said. “It felt special because it was unique to me. That’s when I started to grow a love for it.”

Thompson still does track and field. Last spring, she placed fifth in the javelin at the 4A state meet while also competing in the shot put, high jump and hurdles.

Thompson joked that her father, who competed at Boise State, is still trying to convince her to do the heptathlon in college.

“I shook them all when I decided I wanted to go (to college) for volleyball,” Thompson said. “My dad was so sad, but he’ll get over it. Now he loves going to volleyball games.”

Thompson also fell in love with volleyball because of the friends she quickly made. Those include four fellow Camas seniors who she has played with since eighth grade.

With program-best fifth-place state finishes the past two years, and a sixth-place finish in 2023, that senior class has raised the standards at Camas. They’ve also had a lot of fun along the way.

“On the court we know it’s time to work, but that doesn’t mean you should be rude,” Thompson said. “We’re always creating a positive environment to grow. You know you can make mistakes and can ask the upperclassmen for help.”

Thompson’s senior season wasn’t without a setback. She missed a few early-season matches while recovering from bursitis in her shoulder.

Once healthy, Thompson got to work on honing a skill she hopes will make an impact at the collegiate level — her serve. She unveiled a jump serve that begins with her tossing the ball more than 15 feet in the air before hitting with powerful topspin.

That serve produced 10 aces in the Papermakers’ state quarterfinal match against Wenatchee.

“I’m convinced that if my serving is really good they’re going to have to put me on the court, even as a serving sub,” Thompson said. “My goal from club through this year has been to become an accurate, strong server.”

Thompson doesn’t worry about moving across the country for college. She lived in Texas before moving to Washington at age 12 and loves warmer climates.

Miami went 27-6 this season, reached the second round of the NCAA tournament and finished the regular season ranked No. 13 in the coaches poll.

Beyond that, Thompson said the comfort she felt with Miami’s program made her decision easy. She committed immediately when offered a change to play for the Hurricanes.

“Their head coach (Jose ‘Keno’ Gandara), he was like a big dad,” Thompson said. “He’s your biggest supporter. It felt like family.”

But there’s one more achievement Thompson is targeting before she graduates from Camas. She hopes to contend for a state title in her family’s main sport.

“I’m so excited for track season,” she said. “Senior year, I might as well go and do as many events as I can.”

The rest of the All-Region volleyball team

FIRST TEAM

Bailey Espana, La Center: The senior moved from setter to hitter, finishing with 447 kills (4.76 per set) along with 273 digs and 339 assists.

Sophia Gourley, Columbia River: The junior was 2A GSHL Player of the Year with 402 kills. Her 96 aces set a single-season program record.

Gracie Jacoby, Prairie: The junior was 3A GSHL player of the year, averaging more than 15 kills and 10 assists. Selected to 3A state all-tournament team.

Quinn Pederson, Camas: The senior took on role of primary setter, averaging more than five assists per set. Also second on team in digs.

Shaylee Stephen, Camas: The 6-foot-3 senior and University of Portland commit led the 4A GSHL in blocks and was second on team in kills.

SECOND TEAM

Emily Capen, Kalama: The senior outside hitter was Trico League MVP, leading the Chinooks to the district title and the 1A state tournament.

Paige Hanes, Ridgefield: The junior was 2A GSHL offensive co-MVP, leading the Spudders in kills for a second consecutive season.

Ella Eib, R.A. Long: The senior was 2A GSHL offensive co-MVP. She logged 362 kills with a .315 hitting average along with 110 blocks.

Emmah Sanchez, Camas: The senior libero battled through injuries to lead the 4A GSHL in digs, averaging nearly four per set.

Avery Seley, Columbia River: The senior finished as the program’s all-time assists leader, logging 587 this season including 120 at the state tournament.

Alivia Snyder, Prairie: The senior stood out for her versatility as a setter, defender and hitter in helping Falcons to third place in state.





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Houston Athletics, LLH Healthcare Announce Indoor Track Naming Rights Partnership

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December 11, 2025

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HOUSTON – University of Houston Athletics and Live Life Healthy (LLH) Healthcare announced a significant multi-year partnership on Thursday that aligns two brands focused on the health and wellness of their communities. As part of the agreement, LLH Healthcare becomes the official naming rights partner of the Houston indoor track facility, which will now be known as the LLH Healthcare Indoor Track.
 
This partnership strengthens UH’s commitment to providing student-athletes with world-class resources while highlighting LLH Healthcare’s dedication to advancing health, wellness and innovation across the Greater Houston area.
 
“We wanted to do something different and outside the box with this partnership with LLH Healthcare,” Vice President for Athletics Eddie Nuñez said. “We believe this collaborative partnership between Houston Athletics and LLH raises the bar for health and wellness in our community and in our athletics department. This partnership also bolsters our historic track and field program and continues to improve the facilities needed for our track and field athletes to compete at their best. LLH is another great example of a valued partner who sees the whole picture plan and supports Houston Athletics in every facet from NIL to facilities.”
 
The LLH Healthcare Indoor Track hosts multiple professional, collegiate, high school, youth and all-comers meets every year with thousands of athletes competing at the highest level. Houston’s indoor track was installed ahead of the 2019 season and includes a six-lane, 200-meter banked oval and an eight-lane straightaway for 60-meter hurdles and sprints. The installation also includes two horizontal jump runways with sand pits and two pole vault runways, boxes and pits.
 

“I’m so excited about the partnership with Live Life Healthy,” Track & Field Head Coach Carl Lewis said. “It’s such an important message to people of all ages, and the support that we’re getting from the community is incredible. This partnership is going to benefit the entire City of Houston, not just the University of Houston.”
 
Another key component to the partnership includes a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) program that will directly support University of Houston student-athletes.  LLH Healthcare will collaborate with selected athletes to promote a “Live Life Healthy” initiative.
 
“Partnering with the University of Houston reflects exactly who we are: committed to elevating health, performance, and opportunity for the communities we serve,” says Zachary Rogers, CEO of LLH Healthcare. “Under the legendary leadership of Coach Carl Lewis, UH has built a culture defined by speed, discipline, and excellence. The LLH Healthcare Indoor Track is more than a name—it’s an investment in Houston’s future and a commitment to supporting student-athletes with the same innovative, preventative-care approach we deliver to employers across the region. We’re proud to stand with UH as they shape tomorrow’s leaders.”
 
LLH Healthcare provides employees and their families with a preventative health plan that offers zero-cost health benefits.  LLH Healthcare aims to maintain a healthy workforce through a comprehensive approach to health management by utilizing services such as telemedicine, genomics screenings and lab testing, coaching and more.
 
With this commitment, LLH Healthcare becomes the Official Employee Benefits Partner of Houston Cougar Athletics, as well as a member of the Nantz Leadership Society.
 
“This is an exciting time for UH Athletics across all of our programs and it’s a privilege to partner with an innovative company like LLH Healthcare on the new renovations for the Indoor Track Facility to enhance our student-athlete experience,” said Shane Hildreth, General Manager of Houston Cougars Sports Properties.
 
Houston Cougars Sports Properties, the locally based team of Learfield – the media and technology company powering college athletics – is the exclusive multimedia rights holder for Houston Athletics and oversees all sponsorship agreements on behalf of the Cougars.
 
About LLH Healthcare
Founded in 2019, LLH Healthcare is where champions choose care.  Our mission is to empower individuals and families to take charge of their health through proactive, preventative care.  With a full suite of telemedicine services, 24/7 virtual access to healthcare professionals, and household-wide coverage – including hospital indemnity benefits – LLH Healthcare supports the everyday wellbeing of those striving to perform at their best.  From the workplace to the playing field, we help build healthier lives for today’s and tomorrow’s champions.
 
About Learfield
Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield’s presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.
 
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Track and Field by providing NIL opportunities and by joining the Podium Club, which provides support directly to Houston Track and Field for needs beyond its operating budget.

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— UHCougars.com —

 
 





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