Overview

The competition has reached the critical stage where the wheat is being sorted from the chaff. The leading Groups A and B have been ranked and the top two teams earn direct access to the quarterfinals. The lower two teams in each group — Italy, USA, Montenegro and Greece, await the winners of the Crossovers 1 groups — Iran and Germany and Australia and China, who play on Tuesday. The winners of Wednesday’s matches go to the quarterfinals. Groups G and H enter round-robin series, eventually to decide rankings 13-20.

Match Reports

Match 17, Group E, COLOMBIA 5 ARGENTINA 13 (1-2, 1-6, 1-2, 2-3)

Argentina outplayed Colombia and channelled shots to the goalkeeper, who had a fantastic day. The slow start gave way to an excellent second quarter and the match then cruised to its finalisation. Argentina opened and closed the opening quarter and denied Colombia a penalty success. Alejo Teijeiro, who scored six goals against Australia on day two, blasted in a seven-metre shot for 2-1 inside the last minute. He was in the mix of five different players who progressed the score to 7-1 in the first five minutes of the second quarter with the last three all coming on counter. Juan Castillo broke the near 10-minute famine and Santiago Rivera scored his second on counter as Argentina turned at 8-2.

Felipe Merino opened for Colombia in the third period and Juan Zuluaga, a five-goal hero on day one, hit the crossbar on penalty. Argentina sent in two more to go the final quarter 10-3 ahead. Rivera cross-caged his third goal from the right and Thomas Arias converted a Colombian penalty attempt for 11-4. Enrique Olano made it 11-5 with his six-metre-foul shot, leaving Argentina to close out the match with the final two goals, the last to Teijeiro from five metres for 13-5.

Match Heroes
Teijeiro and Rivera made three each, but the real hero was goalkeeper Martin Del Rosso with a spectacular 17 saves.

Turning Point
Argentina shaking off the 1-1 shackles to race to 7-1 and 8-2 by halftime.

Stats Don’t Lie
Argentina made just three from seven on extra but stopped 11 of 13 Colombian attempts. Argentina made its one penalty shot and Colombia missed two of three. Argentina had the better of steals at 10-8 and was more parsimonious on shooting at 25 to 39.

Bottom Line
Argentina gained its first victory for second in the group behind Australia and Colombia is winless.

Match 18, Group F, CANADA 12 CHINA 13 (1-3, 4-5, 5-2, 2-3)

China gained its second win to win the group and set it up for the harder matches to come. The win took its toll as China had to work hard to maintain the lead after a wonderful start and then a damaging third period where Canada forced its way into the reckoning, levelling by the final break. Canada started the scoring with China landing the next four goals with Yang Yiheng netting a pair either side of the first break. Giancarlo Marquez scored off the left-post position on action for 4-2 while Liu Jinyi went on counter for 5-2. Nicholas Furneaux and Marquez scored their second goals for 5-4. However, Yang and captain Cai Yuhao lengthened China’s margin to three. Marquez hammered in his third and Deng Zirui scored on extra from the right-post position for 8-5 by halftime.

Canada allowed Yang to make it 9-5 and then scored the next three goals. Li Diheng stopped the rot on counter and Leo Hachem and Ion Diacenco scored their second goals for 10-10 before the final break. Canada was back in the match. Li Chang countered for the first goal of the fourth and Kyson Becker was naughty enough to gain a red card with substitution. Yang scored his fifth on the subsequent extra-man play for 12-10. Marquez was equal to the task with two smashing goals from two metres for 12-12 at 2:39. scored from the post at 1:35 and despite both teams having a timeout, no further goals came. Canada had the last two shots with one forcing a corner. Both were stopped by the goalkeeper and China had survived the resurgent Canadian tactics.

Match Heroes
Yang top-scored with five goals for China and captain Cai landed two. For Canada, Marquez also scored five and goalkeeper Harrison Labrosse made 10 saves.

Turning Point
China led 4-1 and then 9-5. Canada swung the pendulum in the third for 10-10, but could not cross the line in the final quarter.

Stats Don’t Lie
China went four from six on extra to Canada’s one from one. On penalties, China converted two and Canada one. China stole the ball 11 times to nine and outshot Canada 37-3.

Bottom Line
China wins the group and Canada has to settle for second, ahead of Singapore.

Match 19, Group C, BRAZIL 9 GERMANY 18 (2-5, 2-3, 2-4, 3-6)

Germany cruised into the next stage with two victories with four positive quarters at the expense of Brazil. Germany had bigger men lurking and some swift shooters as the score kept amassing. Artur Diaz started the scoring for Brazil. Germany slotted the next three and then the last two after another Brazilian strike. Senior international Till Hofmann scored on extra and then hit the bar on penalty. First-day hero Lucas Wulfhorst began the second period on extra for Brazil as goals were traded to 7-4. Finn Taubert nabbed his second on a cross pass to the left post to bring up the 8-4 halftime scoreline in favour of Germany.

Luk Jaschke and Taubert made it 10-4 early in the third period before trading continued until Tobias Scherrieble blasted from the top for 12-6 by the buzzer. Come the final quarter, the goals kept flowing with Elias Metten and Wulfhorst trading; Vukasin Simic and Taubert lifting Germany to 15-7 and Diaz having his penalty attempt stopped. He made up for it with a score on extra at the left-post position. Then Scherrieble scored identical shots with Andre Freitas firing from the top for Brazil and Fynn Janke slotting his second on a cross pass to centre forward.

Match Heroes
Taubert scored four and Scherrieble three while goalkeeper Max Spittank took in eight saves. For Brazil, Wulfhorst nailed three and Diaz two. Lucas Gomes made nine saves in three quarters in goal for Brazil.

Turning Point
From 3-1 to 5-2, setting the tone of the match early on.

Stats Don’t Lie
Germany converted five from eight on extra and Brazil five from nine. Germany missed one of three penalty attempts and Brazil one from two. Germany made 20 steals to 12 and shot 39 times to 23.

Bottom Line
Germany easily won the group with two wins, setting it up for the crossovers. Brazil finished second ahead of South Africa.

Match 20, Group D, KAZAKHSTAN 9 IRAN 16 (1-1, 2-7, 3-4, 3-4)

Iran made it two from two thanks to an abundance of goals in the second quarter that spearheaded the victory. Iran had a 15-13 win over New Zealand already in the bag and wanted more glory, achieving that with some precision shooting and excellent extra-man statistics. The first quarter was tight as the score attests and the first few minutes of the second quarter were also close. The breakthrough came after the 2-2 scoreline when Iran rattled in a pair with Aldiyar Akimbay — a four-goal scorer in the first match — slotting a penalty goal for 4-3 down. Then Soheil Pargari scored his second and third goals in a four-goal spurt that had Iran at 8-3 by halftime.

Mehrab Golestanirad opened the second half from two metres for his second strike with second-day hero Arman Shams, who scored eight goals against New Zealand, putting away a penalty. The next Iran penalty attempt was stopped and Kazakhstan seized the opportunity to score twice with the first the best goal of the match when Al-Farabi Kubaidolla steered in a high pass at centre forward. Almat Madimar converted a penalty for his second and the margin was trimmed to five. Goals were traded until the buzzer with Iran holding a commanding 12-6 lead going into the final period. Madimar converted two extra-man situations at the top of the fourth period with Farbod Borghei replying from the top after a timeout. Madimar brought up his fifth goal of the match and eighth of the tournament from the deep left for 13-9, but Iran fired in the last three with Golestanirad claiming his fourth at 14-9 off the right-post position on extra.

Match Heroes
Golestanirad racked up four goals with Ali Abolghasemi and Pargari netting three apiece for Iran. Amirhossein Amirian was once again on form, pulling in 11 saves for Iran. Kazakhstan’s best scorer was Madimar with five to go with the three from the first match. Akzhan Aday made 10 saves in goal.

Turning Point
Iran going from 2-2 early in the second quarter to 8-3 by halftime.

Stats Don’t Lie
Iran plundered seven from 12 on extra and Kazakhstan only two from four. On penalties, Kazakhstan sent in both chances and Iran missed one of its two. Both teams were in stealing mood with Iran edging Kazakhstan 16-15. Kazakhstan shot 35-34.

Bottom Line

Iran has been impressive with big players and big shooters and this shone through today with  the group victory. Kazakhstan did well to target Shams and restrict him to one goal.

Match 21, Group B, SERBIA 14 ITALY 12 (4-5, 4-3, 5-2, 1-2)

Serbia emerged the victor in a spiteful match in which 10 players failed to make it to the final whistle. It all started in the second quarter when Rodoljub Gajic gained his third major foul. Filippo Gandolfo did the same a minute into the third period. Then senior international Luka Gladovic allegedly mouthed off once too often and was sent for the match at 6:11. Enrico Tringali Capuano gained a red card, followed soon after by Serbia’s Kosta Bodiroga even though he had only two majors against his name.

The fourth period was where it all happened as the volcano started to erupt. Emanuele Marini joined the burgeoning list of departees, alongside Filip Novakovic in a double exclusion. With the match 13-11 to Serbia, Augusto Massa collected a third foul, as did Mattia di Corato. Tommaso Cora, Italy’s top scorer with four goals, went at 1:40 on three fouls. Serbia was 14-12 up at this stage. Come the final minute and Italian goalkeeper Jacopo Rubini left the pool in pain and slammed his fist on the referees’ rostrum, earning a red card. This meant, substitute goalkeeper Federico Castrucci had to go on attack, as Rubini had, and he played out the last 30 seconds at centre forward. The referees were taking no nonsense as the substitute benches were swiftly depleted.

The score was level at two, three and four in the first quarter and all the numbers from five to eight in the second quarter where Alessandro Gullotta grabbed a pair of goals for Italy and Gladovic collected his third.

The third period was tied at nine and 10. Then Miljan Dokanovic scored twice either side of a timeout and Strahinja Krstic scored his second with a brilliant catch and turn at centre forward for 13-10, 15 seconds from the break. Italy pulled two back with Cora taking his fourth at 2:49. Vuk Andelic responded on extra at 1:38 and Italy, despite taking a timeout, could not narrow the gap, even with Rubini up on attack.

Match Heroes
Gladovic topped the Serbian roster with three goals with four others hitting two. Goalkeeper Mihailo Gosic made 12 saves. For Italy, Cora topped with four goals with three others on two.

Turning Point
The three-goal difference at the end of the third period.

Stats Don’t Lie
Serbia was strong on extra with 10 from 16 to Italy’s six from 13. On penalties, Italy scored the only two. Italy stole the ball eight times to five and shot 43 to 34.

Bottom Line
Serbia had less players ejected — four to six — and managed to win without Gladovic in the second half. It was the battle for second in the group and for kudos for later rounds.

Match 22, Group A, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 16 MONTENEGRO 10 (5-5, 4-1, 3-3, 4-1)

USA broke through for its first win in Zagreb, recovering from two goals down to win the rest of the match 16-8. USA’s progression is going in the right direction with the tougher matches yet to come. After Montenegro went two up, USA captain Ryder Dodd, an Olympian, scored from the penalty line and then from low inside on the left after two snap passes. Montenegro regained the lead and USA snatched it back with consecutive goals for 4-3. Montenegro regrouped and Ivan Markovic and Tim Perov made it 5-4. William Schneider scored off the left-post position on extra for 5-5 soon before the break. Dodd had his penalty stopped at 4:59 in the second quarter as goals were hard to come by. On the next attack, Drasko Samardzic scored the first goal for four minutes to put Montenegro in front, for what was the last time. A USA juggernaut was unleashed with four goals — two from Max Zelikov — closing the half with USA in front 9-6.

Perov and Markovic both scored on extra to start the third period. USA went to a timeout with no effect but soon after Schneider buried twice on extra and senior international Ben Liechty added another for 12-8. Danilo Dragovic blasted from the top before the buzzer. USA’s Bode Brinkema converted three penalty fouls in the final quarter and team-mates missed two more as did one Montenegrin attempt. The goalkeepers were on fire. Srdan Janovic’s stop by Charlie Mills rebounded to halfway.

Match Heroes
USA’s Schneider with his four-goal haul, followed by Dodd and Brinkema with three each. Mills made 11 saves in goal. Perov and Markovic were double scorers for Montenegro.

Turning Point
USA busting free in the second quarter and maintaining that three-goal difference through the third quarter.

Stats Don’t Lie
USA managed four from seven on extra to Montenegro’s slightly better four from six. USA put away an incredible six penalty goals while missing three. Montenegro gained one from two. On steals, Montenegro was sneakier with 10-6 and it also shot more at 35-30.

Match 23, Group A, HUNGARY 15 CROATIA 11 (4-1, 3-2, 3-5, 5-3)

Hungary kept its title hopes alive with group victory and a third straight win in Zagreb.  It was a match packed with 35 major fouls with Hungary giving up the most. Hungary was in control from the start at 4-1 at the quarter and then 7-3 by halftime. Hungary used six different scorers and another missed a penalty attempt. It was Zsombor Porge who closed the first-half’s scoring for his second goal. On the other side of the ledger, the tournament’s most prolific shooter, Vlaho Pavlic, had three goals and a missed penalty attempt.

Croatia came back strongly in the third period, scoring the first two goals before Mor Benedek, son of the late legendary triple Olympic champion Tibor Benedek, converted a penalty for Hungary. Maro Susic squeezed in a pair for Croatia on extra and the margin was one. Hungary called a timeout to no avail and Ante Jerkovic slotted his second goal for the 8-8 score. Botond Balogh and Andras Toth scored their second goals to give Hungary the ascendancy at the final break. Luka Penava traded goals with Benedek and Balogh for 12-10 and Pavlic nailed his fourth at 2:39 to trail Hungary by one. Balogh, captain Oliver Leinweber and Porge laid in goals on three consecutive attacks while keeping the door shut at the other end for the victory.

Match Heroes
Hungary’s Balogh lifted his tournament tally to nine with four goals and Porge netted three to double his score. Pavlic (CRO) is the tournament’s best with four goals pushing him out to 16. Both goalkeepers snared 13 saves — Hungary’s David Szitas and Croatia’s captain Mauro Cubranic.

Turning Point
Hungary’s 6-1 two minutes into the second quarter and then Croatia’s resilience to level at eight and then 12-11 inside the final three minutes. Hungary’s final triple sealed the deal.

Stats Don’t Lie
Hungary converted six from nine on extra and denied Croatia a humbling 14 from 20. Bothe teams missed one of their three chances on penalty; Hungary led the steals 6-5 and both shot 37 times.

Bottom Line
Hungary is the reigning champion and made sure with that late burst. Croatia has more work to do.

Match 24, Group B, GREECE 17 SPAIN 18 (3-5, 5-5, 4-2, 5-6)

The real action in this match was saved for the final quarter, or so it seemed. Spain was chasing group supremacy and Greece was hoping for a second win. It came down a five-minute period in the final quarter. Spain started with the first two goals and maintained that differential until quarter time for 5-3. Greece levelled midway through the second quarter for six, but Spain kept sneaking out to two goals, making Greece play catch-up. Oier Aguirre became the second highest scorer in Zagreb, scoring twice in the first quarter and three more in the second while big man Semir Spachits was making waves with a hat-trick for Greece.

It was Spachits who drew Greece level at 2:58 in the third period screaming one in from the four-metre line. Apostolos Georgaras levelled at 12 to close the third period after Biel Gomila had taken Spain ahead at 12-11. Spain led the way in the fourth with Greece catching up twice for 14-14. The rhythm was lost as Greece did the unthinkable and Nikolaos Giannatos took Greece into uncharted territory and one goal ahead. It was short-lived as Greece pounded in the next four goals with Albert Sabadell scoring twice, Aguirre with his seventh and Eudald Flaque with his third. In two minutes, Spain changed the face of the match and had a three-goal advantage with 1:05 on the clock. Spachits scored at 0:48 and Spyridon Lykoudis, who had an excellent match, converted a penalty at 0:09 — too late to force a shootout.

Match Heroes
Aguirre with a fantastic seven goals to lift him to 13 from three matches. Flaque and Perrone scored three each. For Spain. Spachits notched five, Lykoudis and Georgaras three each for Greece.

Turning Point
There were six levelled scores — six, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15. Spain scored four straight to come from one down to three ahead in just on two minutes that saw it clear by three a minute from time.

Stats Don’t Lie
Spain went four from eight on extra and denied Greece a huge nine from 15. Spain missed its one penalty chance while Greece scored three from four. Spain won the steals 7-5 and Greece the overall shots 41-38.

Bottom Line
Spain is unbeaten and Greece was looking for way out of the bottom two. Still, there is plenty of time to redress this situation.

Final Points

Group A: Hungary 9, Croatia 6, United States of America 3, Montenegro 0
Group B: Spain 9, Serbia 5, Greece 4, Italy 0
Group C: Germany 6, Brazil 3, South Africa 0
Group D: Iran 6, Kazakhstan 3, New Zealand 0
Group E: Australia 6, Argentina 3, Colombia 0
Group F: China 3, Canada 3, Singapore 0

Day 4 Schedule

Group G
Match 25. 09:00. 2C Brazil v 3D New Zealand
Match 26. 10:30. 2E Argentina v 3F Singapore

Group H
Match 27. 16:00. Group H, 3C South Africa v 2D Kazakhstan
Match 28. 17:30. Group H, 3E Colombia v 2F Canada

Crossovers 1
Match 29. 19:00. 1D Iran v 1C Germany
Match 30. 20:30. 1E Australia v 1F China

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State Athletics has announced Kendall Fearn will be the new head coach for Long Beach State Softball, replacing Kim Sowder who announced her retirement following her 19th season in charge of the program in 2025.
 
Kendall Fearn has played a large part in the rise of San Diego State Softball nationally as the lead assistant for the Aztecs, joining the team prior to the 2023 season. Leading the team’s recruiting efforts and serving as the defensive coordinator, Fearn and San Diego State have made three straight NCAA tournament appearances during her tenure, including a memorable run to the Super Regionals in 2023 when the Aztecs advanced out of the Los Angeles Regional hosted by UCLA and coming one game short of the program’s first trip to the Women’s College World Series. 
 
The Aztecs have won three straight Mountain West Tournament Championships and the 2024 regular season title, posting a 108-56 record during Fearn’s time with the program. 
 
“I am ecstatic to share that Kendall Fearn has accepted the position of Head Coach of Long Beach State Softball,” said Executive Director of Athletics, Bobby Smitheran. “She brings with her a strong foundation shaped by mentorship under some of the most respected figures in the sport. Her experience, passion, and relentless drive will no doubt elevate a program already steeped in proud tradition and history, one built on the foundation laid by coaching icons Pete Manarino and Kim Sowder.
 
“Fearn has proven herself as a program builder, a championship winner, and a leader who has successfully guided teams through NCAA Regional and Super Regional competition. She understands what it takes to compete and win at the highest levels of collegiate softball. Known nationally as a tireless recruiter, she brings a compelling and visionary plan for the future of Beach Softball, emphasizing sustained success and a culture where student-athletes can thrive. Beyond wins and losses, Fearn is a developer of people, someone who deeply values academic achievement and the holistic development of her student-athletes.”
 
Fearn brings extensive coaching experience from across the country, which has shaped her path to Long Beach State. Prior to her time in San Diego, she spent five seasons as the Associate Head Coach at Indiana under Shonda Stanton, working primarily with the offense and defense. Indiana posted a 126-101 record during Fearn’s tenure, and the program set school records in both home runs and stolen bases under her offensive leadership.
 
Preceding her time in Indiana, Fearn worked for four seasons at Marshall, also with Stanton, as the program’s Associate Head Coach. Fearn was the team’s hitting coach while working with the outfielders. During her time at Marshall, the team hit .313 and the Thundering Herd won 135 games in her four seasons in Huntington, which included a Conference USA title and the second-ever NCAA postseason appearance for the program.
 
Fearn was a four-year starter at UNLV as a corner infielder and was coached in part by Long Beach State legend Pete Manarino. After her playing career, she immediately transitioned into coaching, spending two seasons on the UNLV staff before taking a position at Georgia Southern and eventually moving on to Marshall.
 
“I am honored to be named the next head coach of Long Beach State Softball and am grateful for this incredible opportunity!” said Fearn. “I would like to thank President Jane Close Conoley and Vice President Scott Apel for their support and extend a huge thank you to Bobby Smitheran, Katie Burd, and everyone who participated in the search process for believing in me and my vision as a head coach. Through this process it was exciting to see how our values align in all the right ways prioritizing character, hard work, and community. I am committed to our softball student-athletes growing and winning in every area of their lives to include their student-athlete experience, on-field performance, academic success, and building connections within the Long Beach community that we are so proud to represent. 
 
“As the leader of this program, it will be my charge to celebrate and continue telling the amazing traditions of Long Beach State Softball to our recruits, current team, and community. Under the leadership of two amazing coaches in Kim Sowder and Pete Manarino, Long Beach State has a legacy of going to the Women’s College World Series, winning conference championships, making NCAA tournament appearances, and creating a dynamic group of softball alumni that have left their mark on this special program. 
 
“My vision is to establish a purposeful culture that is grounded in talent, grit, and unity. My coaching staff and I will drive our holistic player development approach paired with relentless recruiting efforts to lead us to compete for Big West titles while also graduating champions and remarkable people who are prepared for success beyond the game.”
 
Fearn becomes just the fifth head coach in program history, and only the third in the last 42 years, with Manarino (23 seasons) and Sowder (19 seasons) having led the program for the majority of its existence.
 
“I would like to extend my thanks to Katie Burd, our Softball sport supervisor and Senior Associate AD for Financial Operations for leading this national search,” added Smitheran. “This is a highly prized job and drew interest from a competitive pool of candidates nationwide. Katie’s diligence and commitment to finding the best fit for our program were instrumental in this exciting new chapter for Long Beach State Softball.”
 
What they’re saying about Fearn:
“Long Beach State Softball has a proud and rich tradition and to see a former player of mine in Kendall Fearn assume the head coaching role is exciting. During my two seasons with her at UNLV and as a graduate assistant coach, she demonstrated great passion, leadership, and hard work. These traits will serve her well as head coach and I wish her the best of luck!”

~Pete Manarino, Former Head Coach, Long Beach State & UNLV
 
“Long Beach State Softball has made a remarkable hire in Kendall Fearn. As a dynamic and relational leader, she will foster a connected program with high-functioning synergy. Kendall’s aggressive and fundamental style of play will produce an exciting brand of softball. Her passion for the game is matched only by her unwavering commitment to equipping and empowering her student-athletes to continuously grow and excel. As an elite recruiter and talent developer, Kendall’s competitive character, heart-driven mindset, and person-first approach are instrumental in building a championship culture. She has consistently elevated every program she has been associated with, and her vision, coupled with a process-based approach, will propel Long Beach State Softball into a new era of success.”
~Shonda Stanton, Head Coach, Indiana
 
“Kendall Fearn is a home run hire for Long Beach State. She is a first-class human, mentor, leader, recruiter and developer of talent. She will no doubt elevate the Beach softball program and do it with class and integrity. Truly one of the good ones, I am excited to see her put her mark on the LBSU program and compete for Big West championships.”
~Stacey Nuveman-Deniz, Head Coach, San Diego State
 
“What a great day for Long Beach State softball! Kendall is an excellent coach that is invested deeply in the development of young women. Beach fans can expect a team that will compete hard, play fundamentally sound softball, and be excellent members of the community. I look forward to watching Kendall’s head coaching career begin.”
~Jessica Allister, Head Coach, Stanford

 

Olympian Knowledge Omovoh joined the Grand Canyon University track and field coaching staff in 2022, bringing elite international experience to the Lopes’ sprints and relays unit. In 2024, she was elevated to the position of Graduate Assistant Coach, where she continues to mentor, train and develop GCU’s top sprinting talent.

A veteran of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, Omovoh brings world-class competition experience and an athlete-first coaching philosophy to GCU’s sprint corps. She specializes in technical development, relay transitions, and performance psychology, blending her competitive background with academic expertise in mental resilience and leadership.

Originally from Nigeria, Omovoh has represented her country on the world’s biggest stages—including the World Athletics Championships, Commonwealth Games, and multiple African regional championships. A dynamic sprinter across the 100m and 400m distances, she has earned national titles and relay honors at every level of competition, culminating in her Olympic debut in Tokyo.

She made history at the 2020 Nigerian Olympic Trials, winning the 400m national title and finishing top three in the 100m, earning her a spot on three Olympic relay teams: the 4x100m, 4x400m, and mixed 4x400m relays. She went on to finish 6th in the 400m final at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, solidifying her standing as one of Africa’s elite quarter-milers.

Omovoh’s career as a junior athlete demonstrated early promise and national dominance. She earned back-to-back gold medals in the 400 meters at the Nigerian National U-18 Championships (2015 & 2016) in Lagos. In 2017, she captured the 400m and 4x400m titles at the ECOWAS U-23 Championships in The Gambia, and later won the U-20 national title in Abuja. That same year, she was named Team Nigeria Captain for the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas and the World U-18 Championships in Kenya.

Athletic Honors

• 2022 Outdoor All-American
• 2022 Commonwealth Games Finalist – 6th in the 400m
• 2021 Indoor All-American
• 2021 Outdoor All-American
• 2020 Indoor All-American
• 2020 Tokyo Olympian – 4x100m, 4x400m, Mixed 4x400m Relays
• 2x Nigerian National Champion – 400m (Senior level)
• Top 2 finisher in 400m & 100m at 2020 Olympic Trials
• ECOWAS U-23 Champion – 400m & 4x400m
• Multiple National Titles – U-17 & U-20 levels
• Commonwealth Top 8 Finalist

Academic Honors

• 2020 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll
• 2021 SEC Academic Honor Roll
• 3x Academic All-American (2020, 2021, 2022)
• Multiple President’s Honor Roll

Coaching Impact at GCU

Omovoh originally competed for GCU as a student-athlete in 2019 before transferring to the University of South Carolina. As a coach now, she has played a key role in building GCU’s sprint program, contributing to back-to-back NCAA national qualifiers in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Her coaching focus includes:

• Technical refinement in sprint mechanics and block starts
• Relay development – especially 4x100m and 4x400m
• Mental performance coaching and resilience training
• Recruitment and transition support for student-athletes

Her presence has coincided with one of the most successful stretches in program history, with multiple sprinters and relay teams advancing to NCAA Regionals and Nationals. She has also been instrumental in recruiting international and American talent and ensuring smooth adaptation for new athletes.

Under the mentorship of Coach Tom Flood, Omovoh has contributed to:

• Refining baton exchanges in men’s and women’s relays
• Improving transition phases and drive mechanics in sprint groups
• Mentoring athletes in academic-athletic balance and mental discipline

Coaching Philosophy

” I understand what it means to be a college student while competing at the highest level of athletics the Olympics under intense pressure. Coming from a humble background, without major substantial support, staying focused and reaching the global stage was no small feat. Yet, I remained determined, and that same resilient spirit fuels how I mentor and support GCU athletes today.”

“Alongside my athletic career, I have pursued academic excellence earning multiple degrees while balancing the demands of elite competition. I use my journey to show student-athletes that it’s possible to excel both on the track and in the classroom. My goal is to help them believe in themselves, push through challenges, and become well-rounded champions in life.”

Omovoh uses her lived experiences to uplift and guide GCU athletes, encouraging them to push through setbacks and pursue excellence both on and off the track. Her unique background rising from limited support to Olympic-level success is more than a résumé; it is a source of strength and inspiration for the athletes she mentors every day.

Certifications & Education

Athletics Certifications (IOC): International Olympic Committee

• Sport Coaching
• Professional Sport Management
• Mentally Fit: Athlete Mental Health & Resilience

Education:

• B.S., Experimental Psychology, University of South Carolina (2021)
• M.A., Interdisciplinary Studies (Psychology, Leadership, Communication), Texas Tech University (2022)
• MBA (Cybersecurity Emphasis) – in progress, Grand Canyon University

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June 17, 2025

A game of beach volleyball in Georgetown, anyone?

By Jerry Hill
Baylor Bear Insider
 
Not only had Nathaniel Ezekiel not been beaten in a 400-meter hurdles race since last summer’s Paris Olympics, the Baylor senior had rarely even been pushed during the NCAA outdoor track and field season.
 
“I feel like the whole season, I’ve actually been competing against myself,” he said.
 

In the semifinals at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ezekiel beat former Baylor teammate Johnny Brackins of USC by more than two seconds. And when he was finally pushed by Texas A&M senior Ja’Qualon Scott over the last 100 meters in Friday’s final, the Nigerian Olympian responded.
 
“That was pretty cool,” said Ezekiel, who pulled away from Scott down the stretch to win in a school-record time of 47.49 seconds that ranks as the third-fastest in NCAA history and the fourth-fastest time in the world this year.
 

“I think sometimes, when there’s a lot of pressure, that’s when you actually do your best. I felt the guy from A&M right behind me, and I was like, ‘No, bro, no way you’re getting first!’ The pressure was good, I love it. Feeling that kind of pressure from someone for the first time in the season, I was like, ‘Okay, this is good. I just have to kick it again.”’
 
Baylor head coach Michael Ford said Ezekiel “set it up really well” in the early stages of Friday’s final.
 
“I thought those first six hurdles, he set it up like he wanted to,” Ford said. “I think he had a small little issue on, I want to say, hurdle eight. I think he got a little too close to it. He was running really well through there, but then he cleaned up hurdle nine. And hurdle nine is usually the one that I’m always concerned about him.
 
“I always tell him to go have fun. Just execute like you’ve been doing all year. You’re the only one that has run under 48 this year. Just do what you’ve been doing.”
 
One of 10 male candidates on the latest update for the Bowerman Award that’s presented to the top collegiate track and field athletes of the year, Ezekiel capped off his phenomenal four-year career at Baylor with his first NCAA national championship.
 
 A nine-time All-American, Ezekiel was a two-time bronze medalist in the outdoor 400-meter hurdles and was the runner-up in the 400 meters at the 2025 NCAA Indoor Championship, losing by one-hundredth of a second to Georgia’s Will Floyd.
 
“It’s amazing,” said Ezekiel, Baylor’s first national champion in the 400 hurdles since two-time winner Bayano Kamani (1999, 2001) and the Bears’ first outdoor national champion since Trayvon Bromell won the 100 meters in 2014. “I didn’t get it indoors, but I said to myself, ‘I’m going to do my best to bring it home in the outdoors.’ And I did. I should say God did. and I’m grateful.”
 
It was also Ford’s first NCAA outdoor national champion in four years as the head coach. Alexis Brown, who won the NCAA indoor championship in the long jump, was the bronze medalist outdoors.
 
“My first national champion as a (Baylor sprints) coach was here with Trayvon, so I told them, ‘Who’s going to be my first national champ as a head coach out here?”’ Ford said. “And Nate was the one who did it. it’s always going to be special to me, having our first national champion in Nate in the 400 hurdles.”
 
The Nigerian record-holder as well, Ezekiel is turning pro this summer and could be back in Eugene for a Diamond League meet on July 5. Ultimately, his goal would be to go against the best in the world at the World Championships Sept. 13-21 in Tokyo.
 
Ezekiel was actually ranked No. 2 in the world until Sunday, when reigning Olympic gold medalist Raj Benjamin (46.54) from the U.S. and Brazilian bronze medalist Alison dos Santos (46.68) were both clocked in under 47 seconds at a Diamond League meet in Stockholm, Sweden.
 
“It’s pretty amazing to run a fast time, 47.49, in my last race being a Baylor Bear,” Ezekiel said. “Obviously, I’ve learned a lot, and I’ve put that into practice. I consider myself a professional athlete, and I have the mindset to do something better.”
 
Ford will be back in Eugene even earlier, returning for the USA Track and Field U20 Championships that begin Thursday at historic Hayward Field, where the Bears will be represented by freshman sprinter Hannah Lowe and triple jumper Iyanna Webb.
 
A Bowerman Award candidate as well, Brown and junior sprinter Tiriah Kelley are scheduled to compete in the Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships July 31-Aug. 3 in Eugene, vying for spots in the World Championships in Tokyo.