Sports

A farewell to the stories – and the people – who turned chaos into copy -30-

I have no recollection of why I decided to join the Daily Bruin. But for whatever reason, my sophomore self decided to stick to applying, and I thank her for it. I’ve always loved writing. Plain and simple. I knew I wasn’t the best at it, but I did give myself the occasional pat on […]

Published

3 weeks ago

June 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

I have no recollection of why I decided to join the Daily Bruin. But for whatever reason, my sophomore self decided to stick to applying, and I thank her for it.

I’ve always loved writing. Plain and simple. I knew I wasn’t the best at it, but I did give myself the occasional pat on the back. But the most humbling experience was receiving my first article back from a round of edits. I contemplated whether I was a good fit for the paper while looking at the several yellow highlights.

Once I soothed the bruise to my ego, I dedicated my time to being better.

I hadn’t intentionally joined the men’s water polo beat. I remember Benjamin Royer sending me a message on Slack to ask if I was interested because I wasn’t writing until the tennis season began. I then opened my laptop and googled what water polo was. While very hesitant and completely unfamiliar, I said yes. It was a great decision because it allowed me to view one of the best shows of athleticism I’d ever seen, and I had the Benjamin Royer as an editor.

I always enjoyed reading his articles, completely in awe of how he kept his writing so engaging regardless of the match’s outcome. How could a person take you from the stands to the field through words? His articles felt like a first-person viewpoint of the players’ experience of the match rather than just a summary of what happened. I am very lucky to have had the chance to work with him. So, it’s only right that my first “thank you” goes to him. Thank you, Ben, for making me a better writer.

The first time I felt proud of my writing was during my first season with the team. It definitely helped that the water polo team was undefeated for the entirety of the regular season. But covering in person truly transformed my experience at The Bruin. I got to witness Jack Larsen almost beating the record for number of goals in a match during Adam Wright’s tenure as head coach. I saw Rafael Real Vergara land a goal on their opponent from the other side of the pool. I thought this was as good as it was going to get. But it got a whole lot better the following year when Ryder Dodd joined the team. Fresh off winning a medal in Paris with the United States Olympic team and ready to make his presence known, Ryder gave me a front-row seat to a world-class level performance.

My favorite article was my weekend coverage of the matches against Pepperdine and Air Force. It was the first lede I was proud of, and it landed on the top of the sports section. I’ll be honest, it was hard not to let it get to my head.

The women’s team was nothing short of mind-blowing. Lauren Steele made it her personal mission to make my jaw drop. I thank Felicia Keller for being my editor and showing me how to stay sharp under pressure.

My two seasons of covering the men’s tennis team were definitely memorable. I remember interviewing head coach Billy Martin and just knowing this would be my favorite beat yet. Throughout the two years, I loved seeing everything boil down to a single court. My favorite memory from the first season was seeing Spencer Johnson play against Harvard, with the fate of the team resting on his shoulders for the second time that season. I caught myself almost falling off the bench from anticipation. Undoubtedly impressed but not at all surprised by his win, I made sure to translate the satisfaction he had during his interview into words.

And for my last tennis article, I got to experience that all over again. It was the first time the team made it that far in the season in years. The match was at home versus USC, so it felt 10 times more intense. When everything came down to Johnson and Rudy Quan, I stuck to the back courts because regardless of the outcome, I wanted my last minutes in tennis to be like my first.

That day will forever be my favorite team win and the most bittersweet ending.

Reflecting on the first sport I covered, I’d like to thank the women’s rowing team for bearing with my amateur questions and consistently giving great quotes. I can’t imagine how it felt to answer “How’s the team building their chemistry?” over and over again.

And of course, to Rahaf Abumansour – who was a friend before the paper, a best friend during and a sister after (because you’re stuck with me) – I am forever thankful that we were on this journey together. We were never on the same beat, but we made sure to come to each other’s games as if the other were on the field. I’ll forever miss being each other’s biggest supporter on this journey. If I could do this all over again, I would if it meant I’d have you by my side.

But I can’t end this article without thanking my first-ever advocate. To mama, who kept every letter and ridiculous note I’ve written, thank you for showing me my writing meant something.

Tuker was Sports staff 2024-2025, a Sports reporter 2023-2024 and an Opinion columnist and Sports contributor 2022-2023.

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Sports

Wyo. Coaches Foundation All-Star Rosters Announced

The Wyoming Coaches Foundation All-Star games are scheduled for Saturday, July 26th, at Casper College. Practices begin on Wednesday, the 23rd, and these seniors will be playing in their final high school event. Here’s the list of participants for the volleyball, girls’ basketball, and boys’ basketball games. South Volleyball Roster: Jaylie Critchfield-Evanston Brenly Shipp-Lingle-Fort Laramie […]

Published

5 minutes ago

June 27, 2025

Your Sports Nation

South Volleyball Roster:

Jaylie Critchfield-Evanston

Brenly Shipp-Lingle-Fort Laramie

Gavrielle Dawson-Wheatland

Shaylah Frazier-Star Valley

Addison Hickey-Mountain View

Payton Anderson-Lyman

Landree Meeks-Douglas

Desirae Iacovetto-Wheatland

Gabrielle Rogers-Pinedale

Cambry Harmon-Cokeville

Olive Osmera-Torrington

Calie Dahl-Douglas

South Volleyball Coaches:

Sally Nichols-Wheatland

Jessica Vega-Cheyenne Central

Shaylee Mortimore-Torrington

North Volleyball Roster:

Madelynn Mills-Upton

Naomi Andersen-Sheridan

Emme Mullinax-Big Horn

Jordan Kroeger-Kelly Walsh

Rainey Powell-Cody

Kailee Holst-Sheridan

Sophia Radakovich-Cody

Ava Praus-Thunder Basin

Hanna Hill-Thermopolis

Breeley Materi-Upton

Grace Finkle-Buffalo

McKinlee Scammon-Tongue River

North Volleyball Coaches:

Kristen Masters-Tongue River

Virginia Starr-Cody

Shannon Hill-Thermopolis

South Girls Basketball Roster

Kyenna Jackson-Encampment

Jessica Hoffman-Pine Bluffs

Elyn Bowers-Pinedale

Karson Tempel-Cheyenne Central

McKinlee Covolo-Mountain View

Izzy Kelly-Cheyenne Central

Owen Hansen-Lyman

Teryn Stokes-Torrington

Emily Dana-Star Valley

Janae Skidmore-Kemmerer

South Basketball Coaches:

Zane Lindsey-Cheyenne Central

Kassidy Johnson-Douglas

North Girls Basketball Roster:

Breanne Walker-Burlington

Paxten Aksamit-Tongue River

Kaylie Neary-Campbell County

Lauren Kuhbacher-Campbell County

Kennedy Davila-Kelly Walsh

Camryn Costello-Natrona

Brynn Sybrant-Natrona

Saige Kidd-Powell

Briana Meza-Wright

North Girls Basketball Coaches:

Farrah Patterson-Buffalo

Coty Nikont-Big Horn

Kelley Nelson-Buffalo

South Boys Basketball Roster:

Brody Roberts-Lingle Fort Laramie

Shawn Shmidl-Pine Bluffs

Alex Gosar-Pinedale

Weston Dyer-Torrington

Gunner Henrie-Encampment

Camden Hessler-Cheyenne East

Jaden Smith-Laramie

Max Alexander-Laramie

Jordan Mendez-Evanston

Aden Neese-Farson Eden

South Boys Basketball Coaches:

Robert Watsabaugh-Evanston

Rick Mitchelson-Farson Eden

North Boys Basketball Roster:

Rhett Watt-Upton

Brody Potter-Thermopolis

Alex Jordan Powell

Lane Hladky-Campell County

Truman DeGrange-Campbell County

Jace Nicholls-Lovell

Jaxson Neely-Wright

Brady Engling-Buffalo

Nomar Gonzalez-Campbell County

Tanner Hagar-Natrona

North Boys Basketball Coaches:

Pat Neely-Wright

Bubba Hladky-Campbell County

Shane Durtsche-Lovell

2024 WCA All-Star Volleyball Match

Gallery Credit: Frank Gambino

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Sports

Florida Atlantic University Athletics

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic Women’s Soccer Head Coach Patrick Baker has announced his team’s 2025 schedule, highlighted by home matches versus in-state rivals Florida State and FGCU, along with a game versus Loyola on Thursday, August 14 at Flagler Credit Union Stadium to open the season. The Owls’ annual game at Flagler Credit Union Stadium kicks off at 7 […]

Published

9 minutes ago

June 27, 2025

Your Sports Nation

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

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

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

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

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

Follow FAU on Social Media

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

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Sports

Hsieh, Schlueter Lead Eight Husky Arthur Ashe Scholars

Story Links SEATTLE – Eight Washington student-athletes from five different programs have been named recipients of the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Awards, one of the most prestigious honors in college athletics. Amongst the eight honorees, Jamie Hsieh was named the sport winner for Women’s Golf, while Hsieh and Jami Schlueter of […]

Published

25 minutes ago

June 27, 2025

Your Sports Nation

SEATTLE – Eight Washington student-athletes from five different programs have been named recipients of the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Awards, one of the most prestigious honors in college athletics. Amongst the eight honorees, Jamie Hsieh was named the sport winner for Women’s Golf, while Hsieh and Jami Schlueter of Track & Field were among the twenty semifinalists for Sports Scholar of the Year.

The Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars were announced in the June 5 issue of Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. Inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe, Jr.’s commitment to education, the awards honor students of color who demonstrate a commitment to community service and student leadership in addition to their athletic ability.

The Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars have maintained at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average, are at least sophomores academically, and have been active on their campuses or in their communities. Nearly 700 student-athletes were nominated in 2024-25.

Thirty-three sports are represented in the awards, with Jamie Hsieh winning top honors for women’s golf. A senior from Taiwan, Hsieh has a 3.78 GPA majoring in Business Administration: Finance and has been one of UW’s top players through her career, leading the team at the 2022 Regional Championships and the 2024 Pac-12 Championships (tying for 11th).

Hsieh and Schlueter were two of twenty semifinalists across the entire NCAA for the Sports Scholar of the Year honor. From London, England, Schlueter just completed his senior season on the track squad, where he was runner-up in the decathlon at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships. He reached the 2025 NCAA Indoor Championships in the heptathlon and the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Championships in the decathlon, earning two All-America honors. He holds a 3.65 cumulative GPA double majoring in Psychology and Sociology.

Jing Gardner, a sophomore from Softball majoring in Business Administration, was named to the First Team with a 3.78 cumulative GPA.

Rhonda Newton from Track & Field, a junior, earned Second Team honors with a 3.84 cumulative GPA majoring in Law, Societies and Justice.

Dalayah Daniels, a senior from Women’s Basketball who went on to be drafted in the second round of the WNBA draft, was named Second Team with a 3.50 GPA earning her Masters in Information Management.

Jenny Chang from Women’s Golf, majoring in Psychology, earned First Team honors with a 3.78 GPA.

Senior Taylor Russon from Gymnastics picked up First Team status, earning a Masters in Information Management with a 3.97 cumulative GPA.

And Kristin Lin, a sophomore from Gymnastics, was named Second Team with a 3.79 GPA majoring in Public Health: Global Health.

University of Washington Arthur Ashe Award Recipients

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall Sport Winner

Jamie Hsieh, Women’s Golf

National Semifinalists (Top-20 Individuals)

Jamie Hsieh

Jami Schlueter

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Reese finishes third out of 30 at CBVA’s Women’s Open

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

Published

30 minutes ago

June 27, 2025

Your Sports Nation

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San Diego’s water polo players shine during college season

Sophia Sanders, the CIF San Diego Section girls water polo player of the year while at Bishop’s, won her second NCAA Championship after Stanford beat USC 11-7 in the NCAA title game in Indianapolis on May 11. A driver, she finished the season with 20 goals with four multi-goal games and 14 assists while playing […]

Published

36 minutes ago

June 27, 2025

Your Sports Nation

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

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

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

Record setter

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

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

More water polo

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

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

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

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

Baseball

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

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

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

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

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

Softball

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

Basketball

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

In the pros

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Women’s Track & Field Lands 69 Athletes on Patriot League Academic Honor Roll

LEWISBURG, Pa.- Bucknell women’s track and field continued its excellence off-the-field success in the classroom by placing a league-high 69 student-athletes on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll as announced this week by the conference office. The squadron recorded a 3.51 semester GPA. To be eligible for the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, a student-athlete […]

Published

1 hour ago

June 27, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LEWISBURG, Pa.- Bucknell women’s track and field continued its excellence off-the-field success in the classroom by placing a league-high 69 student-athletes on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll as announced this week by the conference office. The squadron recorded a 3.51 semester GPA.

To be eligible for the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, a student-athlete must earn a 3.20 grade point average (GPA) in the spring semester and participate in one of the Patriot League’s spring championship sports.

Of Bucknell’s 69 Honor Roll members, 57 also made the Bucknell Dean’s List with a GPA of 3.50 or better, and 13 women’s track and field student-athletes earned perfect 4.0s: Alexa Andron, Noel Fullman, Ainsley Danilson, Lauren Joyce, Keeley Misutka, Brenna Paxton, Sarah Policano, Laura Posh, Karly Renn, Caryn Rippey, Kaitlyn Segreti, Aidan Smith, and Brylee Tereska.

Evelyn Bliss and Kaitlyn Segreti earned Patriot League All-Academic Honors and Brylee Tereska made the CSC (College Sports Communicators) Academic All-District list.

Below are the Bucknell women’s track and field members of the 2025 Patriot League Academic Honor Roll:

Amanda Agambire	Jr.	Economics
Christine Ajao	Sr.	International Relations
Alexa Andron	So.	Economics
Megan Baggetta	So.	Psychology
Madeline Barber	Jr.	Environmental Studies
Evelyn Bliss	So.	Biology
Ella Boback	Jr.	Biology
Emma Bronson	So.	Biology
Elizabeth Bryant	Jr.	Psychology
Cami Burkett	Fr.	Biomedical Engineering
Megan Cain	Fr.	Bachelor of Arts
Anna Carruthers	Fr.	Communications
Tori Chace	Jr.	Anthropology
Alison Cooke	Jr.	Education
Ainsley Danilson	Fr.	Bachelor of Arts
Ella Derstine	Sr.	Markets, Innovation, and Design
Morgan DeWeese	Jr.	Chemistry
Liz Dlugos	So.	Biology
Sarah Dolphin	Sr.	Finance
Remy Dubac	So.	Markets, Innovation, and Design
Madison Fowler	Fr.	Bachelor of Arts
Noel Fullman	Sr.	Economics
Kailey Granger	So.	Mechanical Engineering
Avery Hargis	Fr.	Bachelor of Arts
Bella Johns	So.	Literary Studies
Lauren Joyce	Jr.	Markets, Innovation, and Design
Clara Knab	Fr.	Bachelor of Arts
Alexandra Lea	Fr.	Neuroscience
Madeline Lehker	Jr.	Biomedical Engineering
Katie Loew	Sr.	Mathematical Economics
Ava Lomberto	Fr.	Bachelor of Arts
Caroline McCaffrey	Fr.	Biology
Devin McConnaughey	Jr.	Political Science
Regan McGrath	So.	Biology
Margaret McLoughlin	Sr.	Computer Science
Shaelan McNally	Fr.	Bachelor of Arts
Abby Michaelson	So.	Biology
Maura Michalczyk	Fr.	Chemical Engineering
Keeley Misutka	Sr.	Chemistry
Katie Moncavage	Fr.	Bachelor of Arts
Malana Neal	Fr.	Bachelor of Arts
Prizila Negrete	So.	Computer Science
Kerry O’Day	Fr.	Mathematical Economics
Brenna Paxton	Sr.	Education
Sarah Policano	Sr.	Psychology
Anna Posh	Sr.	Biomedical Engineering
Laura Posh	So.	Markets, Innovation, and Design
Avery Rebar	Jr.	Biology
Hailey Reinhard	So.	Mathematics
Kera Reinhard	Sr.	Mathematics
Karly Renn	Sr.	Chemical Engineering
Meghan Rentner	So.	Political Science
Caryn Rippey	Jr.	Environmental Engineering
Abby Romero	Fr.	Biology
Cassidy Roop	Fr.	Biology
Mary Grace Sabatini	Fr.	Bachelor of Arts
Kaitlyn Segreti	Sr.	Art History
Lauren Shaffer	Jr.	Biology
Justley Sharp	So.	Biology
Aidan Smith	Jr.	Literary Studies
Sierra Strasser	Fr.	Communications
Brylee Tereska	Jr.	Biology
Kassidy Torchia	Fr.	Biology
Katrina Torelli	So.	Markets, Innovation, and Design
Lauren Trapani	Sr.	Mechanical Engineering
Siena Vestri	Sr.	Animal Behavior
Grace Vives	Jr.	Economics
Bradley Weldon	So.	Psychology
Jenna Wright	Fr.	Computer Science