College Sports

Bemidji fire chief receives Northwest Technical College’s inaugural IMPACT Award

BEMIDJI — When Bemidji Fire Chief Justin Sherwood started his career more than 20 years ago, he considered himself “just a guy who loved the fire service.” Since then, his role has blossomed into much more. On Thursday, he returned to the institution that helped kickstart his career to receive Northwest Technical College’s inaugural Innovation, […]

Published

4 weeks ago

May 3, 2025

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BEMIDJI — When Bemidji Fire Chief Justin Sherwood started his career more than 20 years ago, he considered himself “just a guy who loved the fire service.”

Since then, his role has blossomed into much more.

On Thursday, he returned to the institution that helped kickstart his career to receive Northwest Technical College’s inaugural Innovation, Mastery, Progress, Achievement, Community and Technology (IMPACT) Award.

“(This award) is presented to a truly remarkable leader in both industries and public service,” NTC Executive Vice President Ketmani Kouanchao noted during the program. “(Sherwood) has dedicated his career to advancing fire service technology, transforming challenges into opportunities and inspiring the next generation of first responders and innovators … His dedication to excellence, leadership and service embodies the very spirit of this award.”

050325.N.BP.IMPACTAWARD 5.jpg — Ketmani Kouanchao, Northwest Technical College’s executive vice president, speaks during an IMPACT Award presentation on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at NTC.

Sherwood was

named fire chief in 2021;

at the time, he had 18 years of fire service under his belt. He holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Bemidji State, a fire service technology certificate from NTC, an associate of applied science degree in fire service technology from the College of Western Idaho and is pursuing a master’s degree in public safety leadership and administration at Arizona State.

He also earned a chief fire officer certification from the Center for Public Safety Excellence, is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Managing Officer Program, and serves as the Region 2 northern representative for the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association.

In addition to his accolades, Sherwood is a writer with work published in the Minnesota Fire Chief and Firehouse magazines. Much of his writing focuses on the importance of mental health practices and work-life balance, values that play a huge factor in Sherwood’s role as a leader and mentor.

“I love the way that Justin’s story ties to what we try to do here at NTC of career expertise, the technical, the work that (he has) done and learned in those spaces,” BSU and NTC President John Hoffman said, “but also the commitments to mental health and holistic health and life beyond the workplace.”

050325.N.BP.IMPACTAWARD 1.jpg — John Hoffman, president of Bemidji State and Northwest Technical College, speaks during an IMPACT Award presentation on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at NTC.

During his acceptance speech, Sherwood took a moment to note the stigma surrounding mental health in the fire service.

“This job is incredibly hard and I guess I get emotional because we put a lot of time into it,” he said. “…Here I am being vulnerable because fire chiefs aren’t supposed to be criers, but I’m probably the most emotional fire chief in the country. But I own it.”

050325.N.BP.IMPACTAWARD 2.jpg — Attendees clap for a speaker during a Northwest Technical College IMPACT Award presentation on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at NTC.

Sherwood recalled the day he was notified that he would receive the award, expressing feelings of gratitude and relief. Looking out into the audience filled with his family, friends and colleagues, he credited his support system for getting him where he is today.

“Regardless of the impostor syndrome, it isn’t about my individual accomplishments or … the types of awards I’m getting, but it is truly about those who support me,” he said. “So I want to say thanks to my mentors and supporters in this room, my colleagues from the city … but most importantly, my family.

“You guys have really supported me even in those seasons that were really hard. So your love, and, I have to note, extreme patience, is what got me here.”

050325.N.BP.IMPACTAWARD 3.jpg — Bemidji Fire Chief Justin Sherwood speaks during a Northwest Technical College IMPACT Award presentation on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at NTC.

In closing, Sherwood thanked NTC for choosing him as the first-ever recipient of the IMPACT award and noted the symbolism of the item, which he plans to display at his office in the fire hall.

“(This award) will always serve as a strong reminder for me and a powerful motivation to continue leading with purpose, integrity, motivation and dedication, because all we can do is give our best effort,” he said. “When I started this path, (I) wanted to help people, but ultimately be a dreamer and do my best and try to always use my position to advocate for those who couldn’t.”

Madelyn Haasken is the multimedia editor at the Bemidji Pioneer. She is a 2020 graduate of Bemidji State University with a degree in Mass Communication, with minors in writing and design. In her free time, she likes watching hockey, doing crossword puzzles and being outside.

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College Sports

Alofe, Kovacs Clinch Spots at 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships

Story Links JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Harvard track & field continued its sensational week at the NCAA East First Round, as two more Crimson clinched their spots at next month’s NCAA Outdoor Championships. For the second time in his Crimson career, sophomore Tito Alofe will compete at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, […]

Published

3 hours ago

May 31, 2025

Your Sports Nation

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Harvard track & field continued its sensational week at the NCAA East First Round, as two more Crimson clinched their spots at next month’s NCAA Outdoor Championships.

For the second time in his Crimson career, sophomore Tito Alofe will compete at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, as the Peachtree City, Georgia native will head to Eugene, Oregon to feature in the men’s high jump final. Fellow sophomore Ferenc Kovacs will make his NCAA Outdoor Championships debut next month in the men’s 1500m.

An All-America First Team selection in the outdoor men’s high jump during his inaugural collegiate campaign in 2024, Alofe will head back to the NCAA Outdoor Championships for a second-straight season. In Jacksonville, Alofe showed perseverance at each height. After leaping over the bar at 2.05m (6’8.75″) on his second attempt, Alofe cleared both 2.10m (6’10.75″) and 2.15m (7′.5″) on his first attempts. Alofe missed his first two jumps at 2.18m (7’1.75″) but punched his ticket to Hayward Field by clearing the bar on his third and final try, finishing in a tied for third in the first flight.

The men’s 1500m saw another Crimson qualify for the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Featuring in the second heat, Kovacs orchestrated a stellar run, posting a split of 45.06 in the opening 300m and closing out the race with a 52.97 over the last lap. The school record holder in the 1500m, Kovacs finished in third in the second heat with a time of 3:44.54 to automatically qualify for the 1500m semifinals in Eugene.

Racing in the third and final heat, Harvard’s men’s 4x100m relay squad went toe-to-toe with the some of the nation’s top teams, as sophomore Timi Esan, junior Jonas Clarke and first-years Jordan Coleman and Harlow Tong combined for a time of 39.43, finishing in 15^th place.

In the men’s 3000m steeplechase, first-year William Brunner made his NCAA East First Round debut. A native of Vail, Colorado, Brunner navigated the obstacles to a time of 9:03.27, finishing in 29^th place.

Harvard wrapped the action on the track with two participants in the men’s 5000m. Finishing in 21^st place, sophomore Charlie Ortmans posted a time of 14:19.81. A qualifier in the men’s 10,000m, junior Shane Brosnan took 37^th after crossing the finish line in 14:43.96.

After action was suspended yesterday due to severe weather in the Jacksonville area, senior Anastasia Retsa concluded her time in the Sunshine State in the women’s pole vault. A native of Athens, Greece, Retsa finished in 15^th after clearing 4.09m (13’5″) on her second attempt.

UP NEXT:

Harvard concludes its time at the 2025 NCAA East First Round tomorrow, as the Crimson will feature in six events on the final day of action in Jacksonville.

For complete coverage of Harvard Track & Field, follow us on Twitter (@HarvardTFXC) and Instagram (@harvardtfxc).

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NHL Playoffs 2025: Stanley Cup Final schedule, bracket, scores, as Oilers meet Panthers in rematch

The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers will meet in a Stanley Cup rematch. On Thursday night, the Oilers finished off the Western Conference Final with a 6-3 win over the Dallas Stars in Game 5. Even though the Stars were the team with their backs against the wall, the Oilers were the more desperate squad […]

Published

3 hours ago

May 31, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers will meet in a Stanley Cup rematch. On Thursday night, the Oilers finished off the Western Conference Final with a 6-3 win over the Dallas Stars in Game 5.

Even though the Stars were the team with their backs against the wall, the Oilers were the more desperate squad from the opening puck drop. Corey Perry scored a power play goal just 2:31 into the game, and Edmonton was off and running. Not long after Perry broke the ice, Mattias Janmark scored on a breakaway thanks to an ill-timed line change by the Stars.

That goal, the second on as many shots for Edmonton, was enough for Dallas coach Pete DeBoer to give goaltender Jake Oettinger the hook.

Casey Smith replaced Oettinger, and he promptly surrendered the first playoff goal of Jeff Skinner’s 15-year career, which gave the Oilers a 3-0 lead in the first period.

Dallas managed to claw its way back and get the score to 3-2, but that’s when Connor McDavid threw on his cape. After a blocked shot flew out of the Oilers’ zone and toward center ice, McDavid kicked on the jets to beat Roope Hintz to the loose puck and deke out DeSmith on the breakaway.

McDavid finished the game with a goal and an assist, and he was at his best in this series-clinching matchup. His running mate, Leon Draisaitl, also notched a couple points in the form of two assists.

Additionally, Perry’s first-period tally was his seventh of the playoffs, which set a record for the most by any player over the age of 39. Perry has given the Oilers valuable depth scoring thanks to his presence around the crease.

Now that they’re through to the Stanley Cup Final, the Oilers will get a familiar foe. The Panthers just dispatched the Carolina Hurricanes with ease and are looking to repeat as Cup champs. Edmonton overcame a 3-0 deficit to force a Game 7 in 2024, but can it finish the job this time around?

For the complete schedule and results for the Stanley Cup Final, follow along right here at CBS Sports.

Stanley Cup Final

Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers

Western Conference Final

(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers

Eastern Conference Final

(2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) Florida Panthers

Round 2

(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (3) Florida Panthers

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (2) Carolina Hurricanes

(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (2) Dallas Stars

(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers

Round 1

(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (WC1) Ottawa Senators

(2)Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (3) Florida Panthers

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (WC2) Montreal Canadiens

(2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) New Jersey Devils

(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (WC2) St. Louis Blues

(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Colorado Avalanche

(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild

(2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers

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SEC adjusting its gymnastics tournament | The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Let us read it for you. Listen now. Your browser does not support the audio element. MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. — The 2025 gymnastics season was the first in which the SEC had nine teams, but only eight qualified for the conference championship meet. Arkansas was the odd team out after finishing ninth in the conference […]

Published

9 hours ago

May 31, 2025

Your Sports Nation

MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. — The 2025 gymnastics season was the first in which the SEC had nine teams, but only eight qualified for the conference championship meet.

Arkansas was the odd team out after finishing ninth in the conference by National Qualifying Score, calculated by taking a team’s top six overall scores — three of which must be away from home — then dropping the top score and averaging the remaining five.

It was the first time in the league’s history that every team did not participate at the conference championship meet, and it was the only conference in which that happened.

Beginning in 2026, however, all SEC gymnastics programs will compete.

“All nine will be invited,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said at the conclusion of the league’s spring meetings Thursday. “Noting just the high level of competition and the impact on some of the score opportunities, it’s important for all of us to compete together.”

The Razorbacks’ NQS was ninth in the league but 16th in the country, meaning a team that did not qualify for its conference tournament was still a national seed in the NCAA postseason.

Arkansas was the only team not competing during conference championship weekend, giving it one less opportunity than every other team to boost its NQS before the NCAA Championships.

The Razorbacks tried to add a meet at Oregon State, which held a final meet against Fisk University because it is the only member of the Pac-12, but the NCAA did not permit Arkansas to add the competition after a request and subsequent appeal.

For 2026 and beyond, there will be an afternoon session of competition with four teams and a night session with the remaining five. A bye rotation will presumably be used for the session with an odd number of teams.

Sankey also announced the league would begin exploring a neutral site to host the SEC softball tournament in 2027 and beyond.

Christina Long

Christina Long is the editor of Hawgs Illustrated magazine. She has previously covered Arkansas athletics for the Southwest Times Record and Clemson athletics for the Greenville (S.C.) News. Long is a member of the Association for Women in Sports Media, Football Writers Association of America, U.S. Basketball Writers Association and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, and a voter for the Heisman Trophy. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri.

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Dartmouth in a Strong Position After Day One of IRA National Championship

By: Justin Lafleur Story Links CAMDEN, N.J. – The Dartmouth men’s lightweight rowing team saw both its first and second varsity eights qualify for grand finals following strong heats on Friday at the IRA National Championship. The second varsity eight began the day, and the regatta, by placing […]

Published

11 hours ago

May 31, 2025

Your Sports Nation

By: Justin Lafleur

CAMDEN, N.J. – The Dartmouth men’s lightweight rowing team saw both its first and second varsity eights qualify for grand finals following strong heats on Friday at the IRA National Championship.

The second varsity eight began the day, and the regatta, by placing second in its heat with a time of 5:52.760. The Big Green only trailed Penn (5:49.120) and was less than one quarter of a second ahead of both Yale (5:52.940) and Georgetown (5:53.010) in a down-to-the-wire finish for top three and qualification into the grand final.

The varsity eight followed by also coming in second (5:42.910), just ahead of MIT (5:43.110) while beating Ivy League foes Yale (5:47.550) and Columbia (6:01.330). Dartmouth only trailed Harvard (5:39.840) and that was by barely over three seconds.

The varsity four came in ninth in its time trial with a time of 6:31.749 then came in fifth in the AB semifinals (6:54.490). The Big Green will compete in the B final on Saturday. Saturday’s B final is set for 2:40 p.m.

Meanwhile, the two eights will compete in grand finals Sunday, with the 2V set for 10:10 a.m. and varsity eight at 11:40.

Some scenes from day one of the IRA National Championship #GoBigGreen | #TheWoods pic.twitter.com/stfEkH0mg9

— Dartmouth Men’s Lightweight Rowing (@DartmouthLights) May 31, 2025

Complete Results

Varsity Eight
Heat 1
1. Harvard – 5:39.840
2. Dartmouth – 5:42.910
3. MIT – 5:43.110
4. Yale – 5:47.550
5. Columbia – 6:01.330

Second Varsity Eight
Heat 2
1. Penn – 5:49.120
2. Dartmouth – 5:52.760
3. Yale – 5:52.940
4. Georgetown – 5:53.010

Varsity Four
Time Trial
9. Dartmouth – 6:31.749
(out of 11 crews)

Semifinal
1. Penn – 6:26.010
2. Harvard – 6:28.550
3. Mercyhurst – 6:29.590
4. Princeton – 6:53.030
5. Dartmouth – 6:54.490

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Marian's Kattner will attend Lackawanna College – Times News Online

Published May 30. 2025 10:53AM Marian’s Maddie Kattner will continue her academic and athletic careers at Lackawanna College. Kattner will play soccer for the Falcons. Attending a signing ceremony at the school with Kattner were her parents Sheila and Jeff Kattner, Marian head of school Mike Brennan, sister Emma Kattner, and Marian Athletic Director Peter […]

Published

14 hours ago

May 31, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Marian's Kattner will attend Lackawanna College – Times News Online

Published May 30. 2025 10:53AM

Marian’s Maddie Kattner will continue her academic and athletic careers at Lackawanna College. Kattner will play soccer for the Falcons. Attending a signing ceremony at the school with Kattner were her parents Sheila and Jeff Kattner, Marian head of school Mike Brennan, sister Emma Kattner, and Marian Athletic Director Peter Sanfilippo. Kattner plans to major in sports management.

Marian’s Maddie Kattner (seated, center) will continue her academic and athletic careers at Lackawanna College. Kattner will play soccer for the Falcons. With Kattner are her parents Sheila and Jeff Kattner. In the back row, from left are Marian head of school Mike Brennan, sister Emma Kattner, and Marian Athletic Director Peter Sanfilippo. Kattner plans to major in sports management. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

College Sports

New soccer league coming to Snohomish County

Snohomish United is helping aspiring professional soccer players reach their dreams. SNOHOMISH, Wash. — Some of the best young soccer players are descending upon Snohomish County, forming Washington’s newest soccer team. All of them have one goal in mind. “I’d like to see if I can land myself in a professional soccer environment,” said Chase […]

Published

14 hours ago

May 31, 2025

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New soccer league coming to Snohomish County

Snohomish United is helping aspiring professional soccer players reach their dreams.

SNOHOMISH, Wash. — Some of the best young soccer players are descending upon Snohomish County, forming Washington’s newest soccer team.

All of them have one goal in mind.

“I’d like to see if I can land myself in a professional soccer environment,” said Chase Potter.

“In the long term, I want to play professional soccer,” said Sebastian Rangel.

Both are currently on the roster for Snohomish United. The team consists of some of the top college soccer players in the state.

They play in USL League Two. USL League Two is a developmental league for players looking to move from college into the pros.

Coach Anthony Sardon said the competition is top tier.

“A lot of these guys are gonna be drafted. Some will get drafted after this summer. We have a couple of MLS draftees on our roster already.”

Sebastian Rangel and Chase Potter both play for Gonzaga.

“Everyone here is dedicated to what they’re doing,” said Potter. “They’re obsessed with what they’re doing and it’s a great environment because that rubs off on you.”

“You’ve weeded out the people who are just playing for fun,” added Rangel. “These are people who all want to take that next step to play pro.”

Christian Soto was First Team All-PAC-12 and played for a national championship at the University of Washington.

“There’s a lot of talent. Goals are gonna be scored, plays are gonna be made,” he said.

Though players come from all over, the team is rooted in its Snohomish community.

“We are part of this community,” said Coach Sardon. “We want people from downtown to come down here and watch us play. Then go eat, go shop.”

Under the Snohomish United umbrella is TOPSoccer – a league for youth with intellectual, emotional, or physical disabilities.

“We build soccer skills, gross motor skills, but more than that they get to be part of a team,” said TOPSoccer organizer Linda Kautz.

USL League Two is hoping to bring a women’s team to Snohomish in the near future.

For now, the young men of Snohomish United pursue their professional soccer dreams. The team was already 4-0 as of May 30. They play their home opener June 1 at Stocker Fields in Snohomish.

“Our guys like to get the fans into it and get them pumped,” said Soto. “It’s exciting to watch.”