California, the Golden State, is renowned for the beautiful weather that draws people to its stunning landscapes and multiple sports opportunities.
Californians are frequently out in the open thanks to their sunny climate, running, hiking, climbing, cycling, paddling, skating, golfing, swimming and surfing. People play beach volleyball at the seaside, or steel their bodies in open-air gyms. The Pacific coastal state in the west of the United States is a paradise for active holidaymakers.
Santa Monica is the Mecca of the body cult. Bikers, inline skaters and joggers prefer to do their sport bare-chested or in extremely skimpy outfits on its lengthy cycle path. With a backdrop of the Los Angeles skyline, the beach is a catwalk for all those who have trained to chisel their bodies to the common ideal of beauty – some perhaps aided by a good dose of silicone.
Everyone meets on the beach
The hustle and bustle on the beach is lively, colourful and diverse. New performances are put on every minute on the free stage. Sometimes muscle packs run through the deep, fine sand in front of the lifeguards’ red Baywatch towers. Then a whimsical bon vivant skates past in the direction of Malibu, where the Hollywood stars from Beverly Hills have their beach villas.
Everyone meets on the beach – celebrities and no-names, up-and-comers and drop-outs, rich and poor. Just like on the parallel Ocean Avenue, the parade mile for horsepower freaks.
Customized souped-up cars with screeching tyres pull away from classic cars and rusty clunkers at traffic lights. Behind them, Harley-Davidson bikers with long beards chug away after casting a longing glance over to the Santa Monica Pier. After all, this is where the famous Route 66 ends, which begins almost 4,000 kilometres in Chicago to the east. Route 66 will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026.
Surfing hotspot and ‘small sharks’
For those not into motorcycles, there’s a great alternative: Surfing, the most Californian of all sports. At the Aqua Surf School, coaches like Chad Bonsack get beginners on the board in just a few hours. All you need is a bit of fitness, a little talent and some courage. “There are actually only ever small sharks in Santa Monica Bay,” Bonsack tries to reassure his students, who naturally ask about the infamous great white sharks first.
The feeling of happiness when you ride the first small wave for a few metres will dispel any doubts. Until then, countless failed attempts to get onto the board from the lying paddle position to the bent standing position require perseverance and willpower.
“Don’t get discouraged,” says Bonsack. “The ocean always shows us who’s boss!” Gradually, the plunges become fewer and the surf rides longer. Bonsack knows his trade. After all, the surf instructor has already guided two young wave riders into the top 20 in the world.
Where bodybuilding and beach volleyball grew up
To get anywhere near there, most of his surfing students would first have build up their body strength. The place for this is Muscle Beach, a legendary open-air gym originally built in Santa Monica in the mid-1930s. Arnold Schwarzenegger also trained there when the beach area was the centre of the bodybuilding boom in the 1970s. As one of the most successful bodybuilders of all time, Schwarzenegger became a Hollywood star and later governor of California.
But there’s not only body-building on Muscle Beach. There is also beach volleyball, a game invented in Hawaii in 1905. The first club was founded in Santa Monica, where the first official beach volleyball tournament was held in 1944. Beach volleyball will return to Santa Monica for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The climate in south-west California is perfect for sport, usually sunny and warm, but never hot and humid. If it does get too hot, head to the mountains for climbing, rafting or hiking. From Death Valley to Yosemite, California has nine national parks, more than any other state.
More choices: Skiing or golf?
And when it gets a little chilly on the coast in winter, some sports fans head go skiing at for well-known resorts such as Heavenly and Palisades on Lake Tahoe or Mammoth on the edge of the Sierra Nevada.
Others, namely golfers, are drawn to the warm desert. Their destination is Palm Springs, around 180 kilometres east of LA. The city in the Coachella Valley at the foot of the more than 3,300 metre San Jacinto Peak was long the home of Hollywood stars such as Ava Gardner, Cary Grant and Frank Sinatra.
Sven Wiedenhaupt worked there as managing director of the Indian Wells Golf Resort, one of the top golf addresses in California.
Golf is very popular in the US and Pebble Beach on the cliffs of the the Monterey Peninsula is one of the most beautiful courses in the world. But the choice is huge in the greater Palm Springs area, with around 100 golf courses, Wiedenhaupt says.
If all this physical activity is not your thing, there is still the classic way of enjoying California’s stunning scenery and way of life: Motoring on the legendary coastal road Highway 1.
Cyclists in Santa Monica can enjoy the ride if they don’t worry too much about all the sand. To effectively navigate sandy bike paths, just adjust your riding technique. Max Whittaker/Visit California/dpa-tmn
Beverly Hills, where you might spot Hollywood stars such as Jack Nicholson and Jennifer Lawrence. Max Whittaker/Visit California/dpa-tmn
First protected in 1864, Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, and hiking. David H. Collier/Visit California/dpa-tmn
The Santa Monica Pier offers activities for the whole family from rides to carnival games. Max Whittaker/Visit California/dpa-tmn
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — William & Mary volleyball announced the signing of three student-athletes to its incoming 2026 freshman class on Monday. Joining the Tribe is Regan Hill, Emily McKee, and Teagan Pocius.
“We are so excited to welcome our 2026 signing class!” said William & Mary interim head coach Emma Minnick. This group brings high-level club experience, strong talent, and an immediate commitment to our program’s culture and goals. We are confident they will elevate our play and we can’t wait for them to join the team!”
2026 W&M TRIBE VOLLEYBALL FRESHMAN SIGNING CLASS
NAME
POS
HT
HOMETOWN / HIGH SCHOOL
Regan Hill
OPP
5-10
Garnet Valley, Pa. / Garnet Valley HS
Emily McKee
OH
5-11
Stamford, Conn. / King School
Teagan Pocius
MB
6-0
St. Louis, Mo. / Marquette HS
Regan Hill 5-10 • Opposite hitter • Garnet Valley, Pa. • Garnet Valley High School
HIGH SCHOOL:Two-time first team all-state selection at Garnet Valley High School where she holds the school record for kills, blocks, and aces… Earned all-district and All-Central League honors three times… Varsity captain… Played for club teams Dynamic Volleyball Academy and East Coast Power.
PERSONAL:Intends to major in biology… Had a 3.97 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society and National Art Society… Four-time honor roll selection and two-time distinguished honor roll… Grandfather played football at Northwestern College in Iowa.
Why W&M? “I chose William & Mary because it has a really strong academic program and opportunities to help me in my career development. I’m also excited to get the chance to play volleyball there, challenging myself both academically and athletically. Lastly, the atmosphere there is everything I was hoping for. The community is so supportive, and the campus is beyond gorgeous.”
Emily McKee
5-11 • Outside hitter • Stamford, Conn. • King School
HIGH SCHOOL:Four-year varsity player and two-year captain at King School in Connecticut… Four-time FAA All-League First Team selection… Named 2025 NEPSAC Class A Player of the Year… Helped lead King to four FAA championships, four NEPSAC championships, and three undefeated seasons with a total record of 86-1… Holds the school record for kills with over 1,000… Named to the 2025 AVCA All-American Watchlist and AVCA Girls High School All-Region Team playing for Northeast Volleyball Club.
PERSONAL:Intends to major in business… Participated in the Fellowship Friday Mentor & Clinker Buddy Program Mentor, which provides mentoring to younger students in the community… Earned high honors in the classroom every year of her high school career.
Why W&M? “I chose William & Mary because the sense of belonging I felt with the volleyball team was unmatched. It’s a place where I know I’ll be pushed both academically and athletically, and the program’s supportive, competitive, and team-oriented culture truly stood out to me. I can’t wait to get on campus and be a part of this program.”
Teagan Pocius
6-0 • Middle blocker • St. Louis, Mo. • Marquette High School
HIGH SCHOOL:All-state, all-district and all-conference selection at Marquette High School… Owns school records for career kills (986), career blocks (413), single-season blocks (139), single-game kills (32), and single-game blocks (10)… Named to the 2024 USAV All-Tournament Team… Earned AVCA All-Region honors in 2024 and 2025… Tabbed to the AVCA All-America Watch List… Played for Rockwood Thunder Club team.
PERSONAL:Intends to major in business analytics… Had a 3.96 GPA and was a four-time academic all-state selection… Has played viola in orchestra since fourth grade… Member of the National Honor Society.
Why W&M? “I chose W&M because it’s literally a complete package. It has everything down to the academics, the athletics, the team, and the environment I was looking for. Truly, [it was] such an easy choice to make.”
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Fans can keep up with the Tribe by following @WMTribeVB on X/Twitter and Instagram.
MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State track and field coaches are offering all ages and genders to attend 10 Monday afternoons of educational and instructional sessions at the Wildcats home facility, the Cliff Rovelto Indoor Track. Interested athletes can register at the link above.
Starting December 29 through March 4, from 5:00-6:30 p.m., attendees will develop proper running mechanics, speed, strength and event specific skills. Coaches will also teach injury prevention and warm-up/cool-down techniques.
Dates:
December 29
January 5, 12, 19, 26
February 4, 11, 18, 25
March 4
Attendees will be charged $750, plus a $41.50 fee, and are expected to bring their own athletic gear and necessary equipment. Any questions can be sent to assistant coach Trey Brokaw at tbrokaw@kstatesports.com or (309) 335-3895.
— k-statesports.com —
How to follow the ‘Cats: For complete information on the K-State Track and Field and Cross Country Teams, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team’s social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
Nebraska senior shot put thrower from Hok, Sweden, Axelina Johansson was named NCAA DI National Athlete of the Week on Monday following her record breaking performance in the season opener Husker Holiday Open.
On Friday at the Husker Holiday Open, Johansson threw for a mark of 19.72m (64’ 8.5”) to shatter her own school record. Notably, this throw set a new Swedish record and an NCAA record.
Johansson was named a Big Ten Preseason Track and Field Athlete to Watch earlier this season. She previously held the shot put school record with a throw of 19.31 (63’ 4.25”) set on March 1, 2025.
The international student athlete placed 10th in the Olympic shot put competition in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where she competed as a part of the Swedish team.
Johansson adds this new record to her extensive list of accomplishments throughout her collegiate career and looks to add many more in her final year.
The Huskers will continue indoor competition on Friday, Jan. 16 and Saturday, Jan. 17 at the Graduate Classic at the Devaney Center Indoor Track.
Another deep run in the NCAA Tournament is over for the No. 1 seed Texas Longhorns (26-4) after falling to the No. 3 seed Wisconsin Badgers (28-4) in the Elite Eight on Sunday at Gregory Gymnasium in a 3-1 defeat.
Texas was consistently out of system for the entire match and struggled to consistently match Wisconsin in any area of the game even though the Horns held a statistical edge in several categories. The biggest issue was the subpar performance from junior outside hitter Torrey Stafford, who hit .132 with nine kills and four attacking errors — the Longhorns needed more from their star, outshone on her home court by Badgers standout Mimi Colyer notching a match-high 23 kills on a .309 hitting percentage.
The young Texas team struggled to find answers across the board as head coach Jerritt Elliott tried to find sparks from his bench, a failed effort.
In the first set, both teams came out swinging and stayed neck to neck attacking the net at 5-5. True freshman outside hitter Abby Vander Wal aided the Longhorns with four kills during the set, alongside fellow true freshman outside hitter Cari Spears landing three kills in the first set. Texas was able to gain a small lead as Wisconsin continued to capitalize on attacks and force errors to gain a 23-17 lead. Longhorn middle blocker Nya Bunton snagged a two kills for Texas as the match closed out with Wisconsin taking the opening set, 25-22, despite the Longhorns saving five set points.
In the second set, Wisconsin jumped out to an early 4-2 lead with Colyer snagging early kills. The Longhorns cut the lead to 11-10 by forcing attacking errors, but the Badgers stayed steady, maintaining their lead with outside hitter Grace Egan swinging strong at the net to extending the lead to 18-13. The Longhorns stayed in the match with the leadership of senior outside hitter Whitney Lauenstein tagging four late kills, but the Badges closed the second set, 25-21, having never trailed in it.
All gas in the intense third set with both teams pumping attack after attack with the Longhorns taking a 8-7 lead. While both teams stayed on each others heel’s by countering each other’s attacks until Longhorn setter Rella Binney served back-to-back aces to put Texas up 15-12. The Longhorns stood strong at the net, forcing Badger errors to close the third set, 25-20, to prolong the match, albeit only briefly.
In the fourth set, the Longhorns use the momentum from the third set and go on a 4-0 run with kills from Vander Wal and Spears. The Badgers did not lay down as they were able to for errors and counter attack with the aid of outside hitter Una Vajagic to go on a 12-4 run, putting Wisconsin up, 12-8. The Longhorns managed a 4-0 run while libero Ramsey Gary landed an ace bring the match to 18-15, but the Badgers eventually closed the fourth and final set by forcing seven Longhorn errors to end the match, 25-19.
Penn State women’s volleyball got itself a setter from the portal.
The Nittany Lions earned the commitment from Florida setter Alexis Stucky.
Stucky was teammates with now-Penn State right-side hitter Kennedy Martin during her first two seasons with the Gators. This past season, Stucky showed that she was a great setter with or without Martin. She had a career-high 56 assists against Missouri and had over 300 kills this season.
The two are back to being teammates, and the blue and white have a new setter.
Stucky will join incoming freshman Danielle Whitmire as the two setters on the team.
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AUSTIN, Texas (WKOW) – Wisconsin volleyball is celebrating a thrilling victory after defeating top-seeded Texas in the NCAA regional finals. The Badgers, led by coach Kelly Sheffield, will advance to the Final Four.
Sheffield’s team triumphed in four sets, 25-22, 25-21, 20-25, 25-19, marking their sixth Final Four appearance under his leadership, and seventh overall in program history. This victory is Wisconsin’s first Elite Eight win at an opponent’s home venue.
The Badgers’ win comes after a previous loss to Texas on Aug. 31.
Wisconsin will face Kentucky in the national semifinals on Dec. 18, with Pittsburgh and Texas A&M also in the Final Four. The Final Four takes place in Kansas City.
