Sports

Makenzie & Aria Fischer To Be Honored Before June 20 Match Against Spain

Story Links Irvine, CA – May 29, 2025 – Two-time Olympic gold medalists Makenzie and Aria Fischer will be honored on June 20 following their retirement from international water polo. The dynamic sister act from Laguna Beach, California, won every possible championship and will be recognized prior to the start of […]

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3 weeks ago

May 29, 2025

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Irvine, CA – May 29, 2025 – Two-time Olympic gold medalists Makenzie and Aria Fischer will be honored on June 20 following their retirement from international water polo. The dynamic sister act from Laguna Beach, California, won every possible championship and will be recognized prior to the start of the USA Women’s National Team match against Spain at 7pm PT at the Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine. Tickets for the match are available by clicking here. Live streaming will available at Overnght.com.

“It feels surreal that I was able to play the sport I loved with my best friends while representing our country on the biggest athletic stage,” said Makenzie, 28, who is two years older than Aria. “The memories that stick with me most are the laughs shared with teammates in the in-between moments along the journey, not a goal scored or a game won. Water polo has truly introduced me to some of the most wonderful people in my life. I am also thankful for all of the coaches I had along the way that pushed me to be the best version of myself in and out of the pool. Finally, I would not have achieved the success I did without my family’s unwavering support and commitment. I feel especially lucky to have been able to share this entire journey with Aria right by my side, something I will cherish forever! As I close out this chapter of my life, I am walking away with lifelong friendships and irreplaceable mentors. Water polo has also given me the grit and confidence to tackle whatever the next challenge might be!”

Makenzie’s star-studded career included two Olympic gold medals, three World Championship titles, two Pan American Games crowns and one World Cup. Collegiately, she was one of the all-time greats. She led Stanford to three NCAA Championship titles (including two with Aria, in 2019 and 2022), was twice named the NCAA Tournament MVP, and twice won the Cutino Award which honors the top player in the college game. She was also a four-time All-America selection. Her dominance was clear even at Laguna Beach High School, where she won two CIF Southern Section titles and was twice named player of the year.

USA Water Polo national team head coach Adam Krikorian said of Makenzie: “Her speed, length, versatility, and intelligence truly opened the door for our team to play the beautiful style of game that people across the globe were in awe of. It’s no coincidence that her growth was directly correlated with the program’s rise to prominence. Fish is one of the rare few that could change the outcome of a competition with her performance in ANY phase of the game. Matching her world-class skills with savvy intuition helped to spark numerous dominating performances.”

Aria, 26, shared many of the same podiums as her sister, including Olympic gold in both 2016 and 2020. But Aria made history of her own in Rio 2016 by becoming the youngest female team-sport athlete in US history to win gold, at 17. She also claimed two World Championship titles in 2017 and 2019 (both with Makenzie), as well as Pan American Games and World Cup gold. At Stanford, Aria made her mark on three NCAA Championship teams and was named the 2023 Cutino Award winner and ACWPC Player of the Year. She was also a four-time All-American and NCAA Tournament MVP. At Laguna Beach High School, she won three CIF Southern Section titles and was named player of the year in 2017.

“It’s not an easy decision to retire from a sport knowing that athletically you have more to give,” Aria said, “but, ultimately, I’m proud of myself for always placing my happiness and mental health above everything else, and for knowing when it’s time to let go. I grew up playing on the US National Team, and I’m honored to have played alongside so many strong women who taught me so much about water polo and life during those formative teenage years. I will always appreciate my teammates and the irreplaceable bond we’ve developed over the years. I’m thankful for every coach I’ve had along the way: high school, club, college, and national team. Without them, none of my success is possible. A special thank you to my coaches at Stanford, JT, Susan, and Kyle, for always looking at me as a human being first, water polo player second. I will forever be grateful to my mom and dad, who sacrificed so much for me to be able to train, especially that first Olympics. Thank you to my Oma and Opa, who never missed a game. And lastly, thanks to my sister Makenzie, one of the best water polo players to ever play the game. Water polo made us inseparable, and there is no one else I would rather share the experience of winning two Olympic gold medals with than my sister. I couldn’t think of a better way to go out than together.”

Krikorian added, “What goes untold about Aria’s journey is just how much she immersed herself into the process of improvement. Not just the time and effort she put in, but the thought and intention in which she plotted out her path. Her rise from the youngest member on the 2016 Team to becoming one of the most dominant centers to play the game, was truly remarkable. The fiercest of competitors, she held each one of us to a competitive standard that kept us hungry and always striving for perfection.”

For more information on the Team USA Women and their series against Spain, click here.

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Illinois Track and Field Signee, Humphries, Breaks USATF U20 Championships Heptathlon Record

Story Links Full Results EUGENE, Ore. — Illinois track and field heptathlon signee, Meagan Humphries, has shattered World medalist Anna Hall’s USATF U20 Championships record in the heptathlon with a score of 5,791 points. Hall’s record of 5,660 points has stood for seven years when as she set it in 2018. Humphries, […]

Published

7 minutes ago

June 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Full Results

EUGENE, Ore. — Illinois track and field heptathlon signee, Meagan Humphries, has shattered World medalist Anna Hall’s USATF U20 Championships record in the heptathlon with a score of 5,791 points. Hall’s record of 5,660 points has stood for seven years when as she set it in 2018.

Humphries, now a USATF U20 Champion, signed to Illinois eight days ago (June 12) to join an elite combined events room. She’s already improved her heptathlon personal best over 300 points from the time she signed when it stood at 5,452 points. She won the high jump, shot put and long jump en route to this record shattering 5,791-point performance.

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Olivia Miller commits to Findlay – Morning Journal

The recruiting process wasn’t easy for Olivia Miller, but her college decision was at the end of the day. Heading into her senior year, the Bay outside hitter announced her commitment to play Division II volleyball at the University of Findlay. Although Findlay isn’t Bay Village, it felt like home. “Everybody always talks about the […]

Published

8 minutes ago

June 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The recruiting process wasn’t easy for Olivia Miller, but her college decision was at the end of the day.

Heading into her senior year, the Bay outside hitter announced her commitment to play Division II volleyball at the University of Findlay.

Although Findlay isn’t Bay Village, it felt like home.

“Everybody always talks about the feeling you get when this is the right one,” Miller said. “It took a little while, but I just got that feeling this is the choice I need to make and it felt like the right time. I got that feeling of belonging.”

With a bigger role, Miller had a monster junior season in 2024. She led the Rockets with 4.7 kills and 3.6 digs per set and earned Cleveland West Conference Player of the Year honors. Miller was also an All-District and Morning Journal first-team selection.

Bay also finished 21-3 with an undefeated conference record and a Division III district final appearance.

Trying to make her decision, Miller had a few things for which she was looking. She wanted to play in D-II for a good program that was close to home.

Findlay checked all the boxes. The Oilers made their first NCAA Tournament appearance last year since 2017 and reached the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history. They also won their first-ever Great Midwest Athletic Conference tournament championship.

“They have amazing coaches. Coach Wick (Colchagoff) and Coach Hannah (Tong), I can’t say enough about them,” Miller said. “Their team culture really stood out to me. I loved the way the team interacted at the practices I was at. That’s really the big thing that I was looking for. Coach Wick and Coach Hannah brought a lot to the team, and that was very important to me.”

While navigating through the recruiting process, Miller had a helping hand in Bay coach Katie Seal. In her 12 seasons at Bay, Seal has been fortunate to see a handful of her talented players go on to play college volleyball.

Miller has been a pillar of the program for the past few years, so it’s an exciting time to say the least.

“It means everything,” Seal said. “She’s been through the process just chatting with me about her experiences with these different colleges. It’s been nice to have that relationship with her, too. All of her choices were going to be phenomenal for her, and I’m just so happy she landed at a place she’s really excited about. It’s just really exciting for her and us as a Bay family.”

Seal has also seen Miller’s growth from her freshman year to now. Back in 2022 when Miller debuted on the varsity, Seal described her as a quiet player and has now seen her blossom into the player and leader she is today.

“Olivia has evolved a lot,” Seal said. “She has really become a leader between last season and even here in the offseason. All the younger girls really look up to her. She’s not going out there just trying to get all the points herself. She’s really helping the team get better. You can see that in open gyms and even in our conditioning and weightlifting.”

Bay has been very successful in Miller’s time wearing a Rockets’ uniform. Now with her senior season coming up, Miller is ready to end her career with a bang.

When her time at Bay comes to an end, Miller is excited for what’s to come at Findlay.

“I’m thrilled,” she said. “I’ve already got contact information for some of the girls that are also committed. I’m really excited to make some new friends. I’m following everyone on Instagram and seeing what everybody’s up to. I’m just really excited to be a part of a program with the history that Findlay has.”

Originally Published: June 20, 2025 at 6:14 PM EDT

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Drew Fucci Named 2025 USTFCCCA South Central Region Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year

NEW ORLEANS – University of Houston Track & Field assistant coach Drew Fucci was named the 2025 USTFCCCA South Central Region Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Assistant Coach of the Year, the organization announced Friday. Fucci’s group of hurdlers, high jumpers and multi-athletes earned 49 of the 96 points scored at the Big 12 […]

Published

26 minutes ago

June 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

NEW ORLEANS – University of Houston Track & Field assistant coach Drew Fucci was named the 2025 USTFCCCA South Central Region Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Assistant Coach of the Year, the organization announced Friday.

Fucci’s group of hurdlers, high jumpers and multi-athletes earned 49 of the 96 points scored at the Big 12 Outdoor Championship while two hurdlers and one multi-athlete accounted for Houston’s 15 points at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. A full list of winners can be found here.

BIG 12
At the Big 12 Championship, four Cougars scored a total of 19 points in the 110-meter hurdles highlighted by Big 12 Champion Jamar Marshall Jr.’s time of 13.13 to set both a meet and school record. Senior John Adesola placed third in the 110-meter hurdles and finished fourth in the 100-meter. Sophomore Jairius Burton placed seventh and junior Anthony Trucks finished eighth.

Senior Grant Levesque earned second in the decathlon with 7,848 points, just three points from setting a school record.

Houston’s high jump squad collected 17 points with sophomore Antrea Mita in second place, senior My’Kell Beck in third and junior Turey Stoudemire’s seventh-place finish.

NCAA OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Fucci and the Cougars concluded the 2025 season with a 19^th-place finish and earned four individual All-America honors.

In the 110-meter hurdles, Adesola placed third while Marshall Jr. finished fourth to earn First Team All-America recognition. Levesque posted a fifth-place finish in the decathlon for First Team, and Mita earned Second Team honors in the high jump.

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Track and Field by supporting LinkingCoogs – UH’s very own NIL collective – and by joining the Podium Club which provides support directly to Houston Track and Field for needs beyond its operating budget.

STAY CONNECTED

Fans can receive updates on #HTownSpeedCity by following @UHCougarTF on X and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team’s Facebook page at UHCougarTF or on the team’s Instagram page at @uhcougartf.

– UHCougars.com –

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Notre Dame’s new volleyball coach accepts challenge | High Schools

Dating to her volleyball playing days, Emily Boggetto has always been a competitor. As a result of that competitive fire, Boggetto has never been one to run away from a challenge. So it’s no surprise Boggetto is looking forward to the opportunity to replace longtime Notre Dame volleyball coach Tara Young. “I can definitely feel the […]

Published

27 minutes ago

June 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Dating to her volleyball playing days, Emily Boggetto has always been a competitor.

As a result of that competitive fire, Boggetto has never been one to run away from a challenge.

So it’s no surprise Boggetto is looking forward to the opportunity to replace longtime Notre Dame volleyball coach Tara Young.

“I can definitely feel the pressure,” said Boggetto, who played collegiately at Southeast Missouri State. “But being a college athlete, I tend to strive under pressure. I’ve played in the postseason in college and played under pressure. I love a challenge. I love to take it on and see where I can go with it.”

Young has been the Pios’ coach for the past 26 years. She had a 783-276 record, leading Notre Dame to 25 district championships and 26 straight playoff appearances. During that time, the Pios reached the state final nine times — winning five titles and reaching the semifinals eight times.

“I would never back away from pressure,” said Boggetto, 27, an Illinois native. “I feel like it makes me better and hopefully it makes me a better coach for the girls.”

Although this is Boggetto’s first head coaching job, she has more than five years of experience coaching high school level girls in club volleyball in Chicago.

Boggetto has been in Louisiana for a year and spent this past season as an assistant coach at Jennings. Her fiancé is a Notre Dame graduate who encouraged her to pursue the position when it became available.

“We had a conversation and he said, ‘You have to try and get that job. It’s an awesome place to be,’ ” Boggetto said. “He said, ‘It’s an awesome environment and they put a lot into their athletics.’ ”

Boggetto will look to bring her experience and zest to Notre Dame.

“I’m very competitive and I have been since I was a little girl,” she said. “I want to play the best teams. I want to beat the best teams, so you’ll continue to see us play a very competitive schedule. I want to win.”

Young gave Boggetto a vote of confidence.

“They got a great young woman who played in college and has been coaching in the area for a little while,” Young said. “I have the utmost confidence in Emily taking over the program. The program is in great hands with her.”

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Cal Men’s Water Polo Announces 2025 Schedule

Published

37 minutes ago

June 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Cal Athletics MPOLO 6/20/2025 10:19 AM | By: Cal Athletics Golden Bears To Face Challenging Slate Of Opponents The California men’s water polo team announced a challenging 2025 schedule Friday, highlighted by all four semifinalists from last year’s NCAA Championship and at least eight opponents who finished 2024 ranked in the final CWPA poll. The Golden Bears, who wrapped up last season ranked No. 6 in the country, open the campaign Aug. 30-31 at the Air Force Open. Their first regular-season home game takes place Sept. 27 against Pepperdine. Cal’s MPSF opener is scheduled for Oct. 4 against defending national…

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Beth Alford-Sullivan Named USTFCCCA Northeast Region Men’s Coach of the Year

STORRS, Conn.- UConn Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Beth Alford-Sullivan has been named the 2025 USTFCCCA Northeast Region Men’s Coach of the Year, the association announced Friday. Coach Alford-Sullivan took home Northeast Men’s Region Indoor Coach of the Year, sweeping the men’s coaching award for the second consecutive season. Coach Alford-Sullivan and the Huskies […]

Published

48 minutes ago

June 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

STORRS, Conn.- UConn Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Beth Alford-Sullivan has been named the 2025 USTFCCCA Northeast Region Men’s Coach of the Year, the association announced Friday. Coach Alford-Sullivan took home Northeast Men’s Region Indoor Coach of the Year, sweeping the men’s coaching award for the second consecutive season.

Coach Alford-Sullivan and the Huskies completed the season sweep of BIG EAST Track & Field titles, as both the men’s and women’s side claimed their respective indoor and outdoor titles for the fourth straight season. Coach Alford-Sullivan led the men’s team to a conference record 298 points, headlined by 7 BIG EAST Champions. Overall, the men’s track & field team finished with 2 NCAA All-Americans, 27 all-time program top 10 marks, and 2 new school records.

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