Sports
Best Stories of 2025: “Record-setter Ethan Strand now ‘future of U.S. distance running’”
As 2025 comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to revisit some of the stories that resonated most across Vestavia Hills. These aren’t just top clicks or biggest headlines — they’re pieces that captured something real about the people, places and moments that defined the year.
Ethan Strand is the talk of the U.S. track and field scene this year — and he shows no signs of slowing down.
The Vestavia Hills native and University of North Carolina standout shattered the NCAA indoor mile record at the Boston University John Thomas Terrier Classic on Feb. 1, clocking 3 minutes, 48.32 seconds. In doing so, he became the first NCAA runner to break the 3:50 barrier indoors, surpassing the previous record of 3:50.39 set by Cooper Teare in 2021.
His performance now ranks among the fastest indoor miles in world history. As if it wasn’t clear before, when Strand set an NCAA mark in the 3,000 meters, it became undeniable — a new superstar is on the rise in U.S. track.
A CHAMPION’S BEGINNINGS
At Vestavia Hills High School, Strand was a two-time Alabama Gatorade Cross Country Runner of the Year, winning multiple championships and setting numerous records.
As a junior, he won the 1,600- and 3,200-meter races at the Class 7A state outdoor meet while anchoring the 4×800 relay team to a second-place finish. In the 800 meters, he clocked a personal-best 1:54.52 to win the state title, contributing to a runner-up team finish. That same year, he ran a blistering 4:11 mile at the Music City Distance Carnival, making him one of the nation’s top high school milers.
That drive continued into college, where he rapidly evolved into one of the most versatile distance runners in the country. His ability to compete across multiple events — 1,500 meters, 3,000 meters, and now the mile — has made him a major force in NCAA track and field.
A DEFINING PERFORMANCE
Strand’s record-breaking run at the Terrier Classic wasn’t just another race — it was a statement. Competing against a mix of elite collegiate and professional athletes, he demonstrated not only speed but also tactical intelligence beyond his years.
“I checked the clock with two laps to go and thought, ‘OK, if I close well, I’m going to run really fast,’” Strand recalled on Carolina Insider.
The race started at a blistering pace, with the leaders passing the 800-meter mark in 1:53. Strand stayed patient, moving up strategically. With two laps remaining, he was in third behind Robert Farken of On Athletics Club and Adam Fogg of Under Armour Baltimore Distance. As the final bell rang, he surged ahead, breaking away down the backstretch and crossing the finish line with arms outstretched in celebration.
“I didn’t quite know what today was going to be,” Strand told reporters after the race. “I just wanted to get a qualifier in for nationals, but to come out and run that was pretty cool.”
RIVALRY FUELS GREATNESS
A major factor in Strand’s rapid rise has been his rivalry-turned-partnership with North Carolina teammate Parker Wolfe. The two have pushed each other in training and competition, creating an environment where each runner continues to elevate his performance.
“When Parker and I are on the track and it’s just the two of us, we’re very competitive,” Strand said on Carolina Insider. “We absolutely treat each other as competitors, but when it comes down to it, we’re trying to beat everyone else first. And if it’s just the two of us left at the end, then yeah, we’re going to go at it.”
Their duel for the NCAA 3,000-meter record was a prime example. Both runners shattered the previous collegiate best, with Strand edging Wolfe in an epic final lap.
“I took a step up in fitness coming into the fall, and I think that showed in the 3K with Parker,” Strand said. “We ran six seconds faster than any collegian ever has.”
UNC head coach Chris Miltenberg believes the two are more than just standout collegiate athletes.
“Every day, I think I’m looking at the next two great American distance runners — Ethan Strand and Parker Wolfe,” Miltenberg said. “These guys are not just NCAA stars. They are the future of U.S. distance running.”
A STAR AMONG PROS
Strand’s rising stardom was on full display when he was honored at a North Carolina basketball game following his record-breaking run. As he walked onto the court at the Dean Smith Center, he received a roaring ovation from thousands of Tar Heel fans — proof that his accomplishments are being recognized far beyond the track.
His breakthrough mile also made waves beyond the NCAA ranks, catching the attention of professional runners. His time placed him third on the all-time indoor mile list at the time, but it didn’t take long for the pros to respond. Shortly after, Norwegian superstar Jakob Ingebrigtsen set a new world-best mark, demonstrating how Strand’s emergence is helping push the entire sport forward.
His rapid rise raises intriguing questions about what comes next. With two NCAA records under his belt, he faces a crucial decision about how to structure the remainder of his collegiate career and his approach to the NCAA Championships.
“This opens up so many more opportunities,” Strand said. “After the 1,500 last year, I was ninth in the Olympic Trials final. That made me think maybe I need to take a step up and focus on different events. And now, the mile is in play. I don’t really know yet, but whatever combination helps us score the most points, that’s what I’ll do.”
THE ROAD AHEAD
As a senior, Strand is entering the final stretch of his collegiate career, with major championships on the horizon. The NCAA indoor championships, set for March 14-15 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, will be his next big test. Then comes the outdoor season, culminating in the NCAA outdoor championships from June 11-14 in Eugene, Oregon.
For now, Strand remains focused on the present. The NCAA championships loom, offering another chance to prove himself against the best in collegiate running. Beyond that, the transition to professional running seems inevitable, with U.S. Olympic team aspirations likely forming in the back of his mind.
“When you finish a race and do better than you ever have, it’s a feeling you can’t beat,” Strand said. “The only way to get that feeling again is to do it again.”
Strand credits his time at UNC and the guidance of Miltenberg with helping him see his future beyond college.
“He told me, ‘We’re going to get you here, you’re going to run really fast, and we’re going to set you up for the next seven or eight years after college.’ That’s why I came here,” Strand said.
From Vestavia Hills to Chapel Hill and beyond, Strand’s journey is just beginning.
Men’s Volleyball | 1/10/2026 11:12:00 PM
BOX SCORE
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Brady Stump finished the night with 12 kills.
>> Kyle Charles had 19 assists in the stat line.
>> Saint Francis fell to BYU on day two (25-18, 25-19, 25-19).
TURNING POINT OF THE GAME
Just when BYU thought it was going to take the first set 24-14, Saint Francis went on a 4-0 run to close the gap. Sam Lane had the kill to start the stretch from a toss up by Brayden Kuruzovich. Stump had the next two service aces and then Jackson Decker finished off the run with a kill from Kuruzovich. However, the Cougars took the last point to win the set and did not release their foot from the gas. BYU won the next two sets, winning 3-0.
FLASH MOMENTS
The Red Flash went on two 3-1 runs during the third set. They first run started the set thanks to a startup kill by Charles off a Stump assist. Stump was up next for a kill from Decker. The second stretch was set up by Charles but this time to Brayden Gall. After a service error by BYU, Decker produced two straight aces to put Saint Francis up 10-8.
FLASH NUGGETS
Stump finished the night with 12 kills and two aces.
Lane collected five kills and a kill percentage of .500.
Nicholas Lynch recorded nine kills and eight digs.
Charles tossed in 19 assists during the match.
Gall had four kills, two assisted blocks, a hitting percentage of .600, and a .800 kill percentage.
NEXT ON TAP
The Red Flash will head down south next weekend to face Northern Kentucky on Friday and Saturday.
PATRIOT POINTS
- Redshirt senior outside hitter Liam French led the Patriots in kills with 15.
- Junior outside hitter Robert Evangelista led the team in aces with two. Evangelista also had the second-most kills on the team with 14.
- Senior setter Georgi Zahariev led with 42 assists.
- Sophomore libero Stef Kins had a game-high 14 digs, followed by Zahariev with nine.
All five sets at the RAC were tightly contested, with the largest lead either school enjoyed being only five points. Every set also featured scoring streaks that would turn the momentum for the team that would eventually win the set.
SET #1: GMU – 25, Catawba – 20
After George Mason opened the first set with a service error, the Patriots jumped to an early 6-3 lead and held off the Catawba Indians from ever taking the lead. The score came as close as 15-13, but the Patriots went on a 10-5 run to take the first set 25-20.
SET #2: GMU – 22, Catawba 25
The second set saw the Patriots take a commanding 6-2 lead, thanks to kills by French, senior middle blocker Elijah Lazor and Evangelista. However, the Catawba Indians scored three points in quick succession to chip away at the Patriot lead. Eventually the score was tied 14-14, and Catawba rattled off the first of their two five-plus scoring streaks.
It was the Patriots’ turn to chip away at the deficit, and they capitalized on multiple Catawba Indian errors. George Mason was able to cut the Catawba Indian lead to just 22-20. Unfortunately for the Patriots, both schools would trade the final five points, and Catawba held off the Patriot rally to take the second set, 25-22.
SET #3: GMU – 25, Catawba 23
The third set saw the roles reversed; Catawba this time jump to an early four point lead, and George Mason went on a hot streak to narrowly take the set. The tipping point for this set happened when the Patriots were trailing the Catawba Indians 18-15 and went on a 6-1 run to retake the lead 21-20. The set was tied at 22, but kills from junior opposite hitter Jackson Herbert and French propelled the Patriots to take the third set 25-23.
SET #4: GMU – 22, Catawba 25
In the fourth set, the largest lead either school held was just two points. However, that all changed when Catawba went on a 7-2 run to take a 23-18 lead. The Patriots went on a subsequent 4-1 run, but Catawba’s senior outside hitter John Cordray ended George Mason’s rally bid with a set-ending kill. Cordray would go on to have a game-high 19 kills.
SET #4: GMU – 12, Catawba 15
The fifth and final set saw the most scoring streaks on either side in the whole game. George Mason stormed out and scored their only five-score streak of the night. The Patriots went into the abbreviated period break with a commanding 8-4 lead, but the Catawba Indians quickly evaporated that lead with their second five-plus scoring streak of the game.
With the score tied at 10-a-piece, Catawba took the lead with a Cordray kill and never looked back. A subsequent Catawba kill extended the lead. George Mason’s Evangelista recorded the team’s eventual final kill of the night right after, but the Catawba Indians once again held off the Patriot rally with a 3-1 run and ultimately sealed the upset.
COACH’S CORNER
“Hats off to Catawba’s head coach Bill Ferguson and his crew,” said Patriot head Coach Jay Hosack. “They came ready to play, and we did not look like we were ready to respond. January volleyball is always not the best, but it’s how you respond that will show the true heart of this team. I know we will learn from this.”
UP NEXT
After the home opener, the Patriots will travel to Columbus, Ohio, for two matches. They will face host No. 14 Ohio State on Jan. 15, followed by a meeting with No. 3 Long Beach State the next day (Jan. 16). The Patriots will then return home to host Merrimack on Jan. 24th at 6 p.m. at the RAC.
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Sports
Commodore Success Continues Saturday – Vanderbilt University Athletics – Official Athletics Website
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A 4×400-meter relay win closed out Vanderbilt track and field’s first meet of 2026, during which the Commodores broke two school records and compiled a total of 19 marks ranking in the program’s all-time top 10 over two days at the Rod McCravy Memorial Track and Field Meet.
After clocking the No. 2 mark in Vanderbilt history on Friday, London Jackson-Bray earned a top 5 finish in the 60 meters final with a time of 7.53 seconds.
Falon Spearman, who broke her own 60-meter hurdles record on Day 1, registered a time of 8.24 seconds, good for a second-place finish.
Five Commodores clocked times ranking top 10 in program history in the 300 meters. Ford led the way with a fourth-place finish and a time of 37.65 seconds, which ranks second in school history. Allyria McBride followed, coming in sixth with the third-ranked time in the Vandy record books, 37.78 seconds. Devyn Parham, Joy Moorer and Spearman’s marks are respectively ranked fifth, seventh and ninth all-time at Vanderbilt. Parham clocked 38.83 seconds for a 16th-place finish. Moorer and Spearman placed 24th and 25th with respective times of 39.24 and 39.36 seconds.
In the shot put, Sarah Marvin placed fourth overall with a 15.39-meter throw.
For the second meet in a row, Pryncess Jackson recorded a personal-best in the triple jump. The sophomore placed third with a 12.56-meter jump, improving her third-ranked mark in the program’s record books. Anaya Webster and Anya Carey registered marks of 12.33 and 11.96 meters, finishing seventh and ninth, respectively.
To end the weekend, Vanderbilt collected a win in the 4×400-meter relay with a squad consisting of Moorer, Faith Franklin, McBride and Madyson Wilson. The Dores turned in a time of 3:34.48, which ranks second in program history.
The Commodores return home to host the Vanderbilt Invitational Friday and Saturday. Fans can follow Vanderbilt track and field on Facebook, Instagram and X at @VandyXCTrack.
Penn State men’s volleyball opened its season with a 3-1 win over Mount Olive Friday night. Sean Harvey tallied 13 kills on the night, Miller Trubey added 10, and Owen Rose had six blocks for the Nittany Lions.
How It Happened
Miller Trubey opened up set one with a kill, and Gage Gabriel added one of his own to give the Nittany Lions an early 2-0 lead. Maksim Kazanov swung hard to put Mount Olive on the board. Trubey struck for another kill, followed by a solo block. Carter Dittman got in on the action as well, but a kill-block sequence by Mount Olive tied the set at 6-6.
Harvey and Dittman stayed strong on the attack, the Lions keeping a short lead of 11-9. A Sean Harvey backrow attack and a Mount Olive foot fault gave Penn State the 17-15 edge. The Lions and Trojans traded kills, but back-to-back swings by Gabriel kept Penn State ahead by two.
Christos Savvidis ended the Penn State run, and Matthew Ekberg added a 5-foot line slam. Trubey’s sixth kill and a Schwob-Rose block ended set one and gave the Nittany Lions the 25-20 win.
Harvey started set two with a solo block, and Trubey added a shot down the line, but a net violation and a Mount Olive kill tied it up 2-2. Kory Grant dominated set two for Mount Olive, starting with a strong attack down the line. A kill by Owen Rose and a triple block pushed the Lions ahead 6-4.
Mount Olive’s middle blocker Matthew Ekberg owned the block throughout the match, racking up his second of the set. Another attack by Trubey and Michael Schwob’s save and monstrous block pushed the Lions ahead 10-7. Solid defense and a Trubey kill forced a Mount Olive timeout.
Several attack and service errors by the Trojans gave the Lions an 18-11 lead. Rose tallied a solo block, forcing a Mount Olive timeout at 21-11. Trubey snagged an ace, but Grant began a 7-0 Trojan run with an ace, followed by another Ekberg block.
Grant then tallied another ace, and Lion errors forced Penn State to call a timeout at 23-17. A kill by Olszewski and another Grant service ace forced another Nittany Lion timeout, leading 23-20. Schwob took control with two kills, ending in another 25-20 set, and gave the Lions the 2-0 advantage.
Matthew Luoma opened the scoring with a kill for the Lions’ first point of the set. Kazanov and Harvey then traded kills, giving the Trojans a 7-5 advantage. After a slow start, back-to-back attacks by Rose trimmed the deficit to one.
Consecutive Penn State attack errors, followed by an Ekberg service ace, pushed Mount Olive ahead 14-10. An additional Lions hitting error and an Ekberg kill out of the timeout extended the Trojans’ lead to 16-10.
A service error briefly ended the run, but Mount Olive quickly recovered with swings from Kazanov and Ekberg. Kazanov’s tenth kill of the night stretched the lead to 20-13. Rose answered with consecutive middle attacks, though the Lions still trailed 22-15.
Jaidyn Bethel recorded his first career kill, followed by a Harvey kill and a block by Gabriel, prompting a Lions timeout with Mount Olive leading 23–19. Savvidos sealed the set with a kill, securing the 25–20 win for the Trojans.
Jaxon Herr got things started in the fourth set with a service ace, followed by a Harvey kill. Two Mount Olive errors extended the Lions’ early lead before Ekberg answered with a kill. Bethel and Rose added attacks to push Penn State out to a 7-3 lead.
Savvidos stopped the run with a powerful swing, but Harvey responded to make it 9-5. Two more Trojan errors forced a Mount Olive timeout. Out of the break, Rose delivered a service ace. Ekberg scored through the block, and Kazanov followed with an ace, but the Trojans still trailed 12-7.
Ekberg continued his strong showing at the net to make it 14–9. Gabriel and Ekberg traded kills before a Luoma swing landed, and a Rose block prompted another Mount Olive timeout with Penn State ahead 17–10. Bethel added a cross-court kill, Harvey scored on a roll shot, and Gabriel followed with a deep shot to extend the lead to 20–14.
Luoma struck again, and Rose added a kill, putting Penn State at match point. Ekberg and Kazanov kept the pressure on, delivering a collective 25 kills and seven blocks on the night, but a successful challenge overturned the final call, sealing the match win for Penn State.
Takeaways
- Harvey and Trubey opened the season strong with aggressive offensive play, positioning themselves as key offensive leaders moving forward.
- The team recorded 17 service errors on the night, including seven in the third-set loss, allowing Mount Olive to capitalize and force a fourth set. Reducing errors from the service line will create extended runs for the offense.
- The triple block proved to be a force for the Nittany Lions, being used quite often through the matchup and contributing to the 11 blocks on the night.
What’s Next?
Head Coach Mark Pavlik and his Nittany Lions will be back in Rec Hall at 3 p.m. on Saturday against the Manhattan Jaspers on Big Ten Plus.
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