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Big Country's top 1A storylines to watch at 2025 Texas (UIL) State Track & Field Meet

The best track and field athletes from the Big Country and West Texas are heading to Austin to compete in the 2025 UIL State Track and Field Meet. The UIL State Meet started Thursday and wraps up Saturday at Mike A. Myers Stadium at the University of Texas in Austin. Here are the Big Country’s […]

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Big Country's top 1A storylines to watch at 2025 Texas (UIL) State Track & Field Meet


The best track and field athletes from the Big Country and West Texas are heading to Austin to compete in the 2025 UIL State Track and Field Meet.

The UIL State Meet started Thursday and wraps up Saturday at Mike A. Myers Stadium at the University of Texas in Austin.

Here are the Big Country’s top 1A storylines to watch on Day 3 of the UIL State Track and Field Meet:

Gordon’s Stryker, Ry Reed to compete in six separate events

Brothers Stryker and Ry Reed will have an incredible opportunity to make waves and dominate the podium at the UIL State Track and Field meet when they hit the track Saturday at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin.

The Gordon juniors are set to compete in a combined six events for the Longhorns and should be regarded as early favorites to capture gold medals in many of them.

Ry Reed is set to run in the 1A boys 100-meter dash, the 4×200-meter relay and the 4×400-meter relay for Gordon. Stryker Reed, meanwhile, will participate in the 1A boys 110-meter hurdles, the high jump, the 300-meter hurdles and as the anchor on the Longhorns’ 4×400-meter relay team.

Ry Reed could be the Big Country and Lone Star State’s fastest sprinter at the 1A level.

He holds the top qualifying time for the UIL State Meet in the 100-meter dash after capturing gold at the Region II-1A Meet at Abilene Christian with a time of 10.62 seconds.

Ry Reed joins Iredell’s Jordan Gutierrez (10.65) as the only two 1A sprinters whose qualifying times clocked in under the 11-second mark, which should set up a photo finish for two of the Big Country’s top sprinters.

Additionally, Ry Reed will participate as the first leg of Gordon’s 4×200 and 4×400-meter relay teams. Reed and the Longhorns also secured the top qualifying times in both relay races too after winning gold at the Region II-1A Meet in the 4×200 (1:30.47) and in the 4×400 (3:19.97).

Stryker Reed will serve as the Longhorns’ anchor in the 4×400, an event where Gordon beat the next fastest qualifying time by a healthy 5.40 seconds.

Stryker Reed’s greatest opportunities to separate himself from the competition, though, will come via the high jump and hurdle races.

He should be a significant favorite to win gold, or at least land on the podium, in both the 110-meter hurdles and the 300-meter hurdles. Reed owns the fastest qualifying times in both events: he captured first place in 110-meter hurdles (14.48 seconds) and in the 300-meter hurdles (38.78) at the regional meet.

He should have a big leg up on the competition in the 300-meter hurdles with a qualifying time nearly 2.50 seconds faster than his next quickest competitor. Reed should have a much tighter race in the 110-meter hurdles with fellow Gordon junior Kaden Crowe (14.72 seconds) having the only other qualifying time within a second of him in this event.

High jump will be Stryker Reed’s biggest test with a crowded and talented field competing against him for a spot on the podium. Reed took home a first-place finish in the high jump at the Region II-1A Meet (6-4), but will enter the state meet ranking fourth among all state qualifiers.

If Reed can hit a 6-6 clearance or match his mark from the regional meet, he’ll likely leap his way back onto the podium.

Big Country battles to headline boys, girls relay races

Few events on any day of the UIL State Track and Field Meet will have as much Big Country flavor as the boys and girls 1A relay races.

On the girls side, three Big Country schools will be represented in the 4×100-meter relay, two will race in the 4×200-meter relay and four more Big Country schools will participate in the 4×400-meter relay.

Gordon leads a deep field in the 4×100 with the top qualifying time of 50.71 seconds, giving the Lady Longhorns nearly a full second advantage on the majority of their competition based on qualifying times. Rotan (52.00) and Cross Plains (52.64) should also be considered prime contenders in this event in the middle of the pack.

In the girls 4×200, Gordon and Eula will be neck-and-neck fighting for a coveted spot on the podium. Eula (1:48.40) enters the state meet with the second-fastest qualifying time in this event while Gordon (1:49.76) should be right there in the mix too after the Jaybirds and Lady Longhorns finished first and second, respectively, at their regional meet.

Big Country schools will have a legitimate opportunity to sweep the gold, silver and bronze medals in a crowded 1A girls 4×400 field. Gordon (4:10.61) and Eula (4:12.33) should be considered the early favorites with the top qualifying times, but don’t discount Jayton (4:16.13) from emerging as a front runner and don’t be surprised if Cross Plains (4:35.37) makes a push for the podium in this event too.

On the boys side, four Big Country schools will race in the 4×100, three will compete in the 4×200 and three will participate in the 4×400.

The boys 4×100 will be a showcase for several of the Big Country’s top 1A sprinters with Strawn (43.68 seconds), Jayton (44.05) and Iredell (44.08) entering as the early favorites with the three fastest qualifying times. Hamlin, however, will make this race interesting with a qualifying time of 44.58 seconds and a strong anchor leg which should create a golden opportunity for three Big Country relay teams to claim spots on the podium.

The Gordon boys will be the prohibitive favorites in both the 4×200 (1:30.47) and the 4×400-meter relays (3:19.97), but the Longhorns will face some stiff competition from other area schools.

Gordon’s toughest local competition in both relay races will be Jayton and Cross Plains.

The Jaybirds should give the Longhorns all they can handle in the 4×200. Gordon edged out Jayton by less than a second during a photo finish in this event at the regional meet.

Gordon’s advantage in the 4×400 is, on paper, much greater though: the Longhorns own the fastest qualifying time by nearly 6 seconds, making them heavy favorites here. However, Jayton (3:25.37) and Cross Plains (3:30.91) boast the second and third-fastest qualifying times in the 4×400 and could easily turn this race into a Big Country podium sweep too.

Five Big Country athletes will vie for gold in girls triple jump

The 1A girls triple jump will have the exciting distinction of the only event at the UIL State Track and Field Meet this weekend that will boast a majority of Big Country athletes participating.

Five of the Big Country’s most prolific triple jumpers will fight for a gold medal and podium spots amidst a crowded and talented field of 1A athletes.

Eula sophomore Reagan Barr enters the weekend with the field’s top qualifying mark of 36 feet, 2.5 inches after claiming a gold medal during the Region II-1A Meet at Abilene Christian.

Barr will face tough competition, though, from Bronte senior Emalyn Bohensky, Aspermont freshman Emilee Silva, Gorman junior Delila Crain and Zephyr senior Haley Eason.

All five Big Country triple jumpers will have good opportunities to earn medals, with Bronte’s Bohensky (35-08.75) and Aspermont’s Silva (35-06.75) likely to give Barr a run for her money as the second and third-highest rated qualifiers in this event.

Crain (34-06.00), a dynamic girls basketball star at Gorman, and Eason (33-11.75), an experienced senior veteran, should also be prime contenders for a triple jump medal.

The threshold for a gold medal in this event will likely be a clearance of 36-plus feet and a leap of 35-plus feet should position any one of these Big Country athletes to earn a medal.

Jayton’s Chisum, Roby’s Benson look to dominate distance events

Jayton junior Jace Chisum and Roby senior Lilly Benson were fiercely competitive against one another in the 1600-meter run and the 3200-meter run during the Region II-1A Meet at Abilene Christian.

Chisum and Benson were neck-and-neck through a majority of their distance races at the regional meet and swept first and second place in those events between the two of them.

Now, the distance runner duo is likely to experience a similar chippy, competitive dynamic at the UIL State Meet in Austin.

Chisum, who earned silver medals in these events as a sophomore at state last year, returns to the state meet this time with the third-fastest qualifying time in the 1A girls 3200 (11:43.52) and the second-fastest qualifying mark for the 1600 (5:23.57).

Benson, meanwhile, clocked in just behind Chisum in a pair of photo finishes at the regional meet. She clocks in with the third-fastest 1600 time (5:23.57) and the fourth-quickest 1600 time (11:53.97).

Both will need to challenge the McMullen County junior duo of Isabella Billingsly and London Yanity in both the 3200 and 1600. Chisum, Benson and the McMullen County duo collectively hold the top four qualifying times in both distance races.

Chisum and Benson will likely vie for a bronze medal in the 3200 based upon qualifying times, but both Big Country runners will have a strong chance to capture gold in the 1600.

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UFC Fight Night results, highlights

Kamaru Usman took advantage of his UFC Fight Night main event with Joaquin Buckley to prove he is still one of the elite welterweights in the world. Usman took a unanimous decision win over Buckley on the strength of his wrestling base in the upset. From the early rounds, Usman patiently worked to avoid Buckley’s […]

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UFC Fight Night results, highlights

Kamaru Usman took advantage of his UFC Fight Night main event with Joaquin Buckley to prove he is still one of the elite welterweights in the world. Usman took a unanimous decision win over Buckley on the strength of his wrestling base in the upset.

From the early rounds, Usman patiently worked to avoid Buckley’s dangerous strikes and pick his moments to drive in for takedowns. Once the fight hit the ground, it was clear Buckley had no defense to what Usman brought to the table.

Usman was able to score the takedown in the first four rounds. Every time the fight hit the ground, Buckley was unable to work back to his feet. Usman worked ground and pound every round, opening cuts over Buckley’s right eye and in his mouth. The fight was never in danger of being finished, but Usman was able to grind out round after round on the strength of his wrestling base.

Buckley finally avoided the takedown in the fifth round, allowing him to get his striking going. But it was too little, too late for Buckley as the former welterweight champion had already build a massive lead on the official scorecards.

After the conclusion of the fifth and final round, Usman was awarded the victory by scores of  49-46, 49-46 and 48-47.

“It feels good. It’s been a while,” Usman said after picking up his first win since losing his welterweight title to Leon Edwards in August 2022. “I needed to get that monkey off my back. I know I’m still able to do this at the highest level. You have to pull off the skills and use the experience. I feel good.” 

Usman now moves back into position to attempt to regain the welterweight championship, having lost to Edwards twice before a majority decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev in a fight Usman took on 10 days’ notice at middleweight.

“I expected him to be really, really tough, which he was,” Usman said of the fight. “I know what it takes to work and get in here. Thank you to him for bringing everything he brought. I know it’s a running joke for everyone to get on the internet and say, ‘his knees, his knees,’ well shut the f— up.” 

CBS Sports was with you the entire way on Saturday, bringing you all the results and highlights from the UFC Fight Night below.

UFC Fight Night card, odds

  • Kamaru Usman def. Joaquin Buckley via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
  • Rose Namajunas def. Miranda Maverick via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
  • Edmen Shahbazyan def. Andre Petroski via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
  • Raoni Barcelos def. Cody Garbrandt via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Cody Brundage via third-round TKO (punches)
  • Alonzo Menifield def. Oumar Sy via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Rodolfo Bellato vs. Paul Craig ends in no contest after illegal strike
  • Michael Chiesa def. Court McGee via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
  • Malcolm Wellmaker def. Kris Moutinho via first-round knockout (punch)
  • Jose Ochoa def. Cody Durden via second-round knockout (punch)
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'A massive deal'

MENU ACCOUNT SECTIONS OTHER CLASSIFIEDS CONTACT US / FAQ 1

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    Highlights

    Highlgiths include Justice Alexander (Concord Academy), Kyndoll English and Cooper Cox (Grace Christian of Sanford), Ginny Anne Dumont (Providence Day), and Lila Kelly (Forsyth Country Day). Web Editor : J. Mike Blake Posted 2025-06-15T07:08:29-0400 – Updated 2025-06-15T07:10:05-0400 0

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    Highlights

    Highlgiths include Justice Alexander (Concord Academy), Kyndoll English and Cooper Cox (Grace Christian of Sanford), Ginny Anne Dumont (Providence Day), and Lila Kelly (Forsyth Country Day).

    Web Editor : J. Mike Blake

    Posted 2025-06-15T07:08:29-0400 – Updated 2025-06-15T07:10:05-0400

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    'This is a culture'

    Since seeing thousands of comments justifying the recent murder of a teenage TikTok star in Pakistan, Sunaina Bukhari is considering abandoning her 88,000 followers.   “In my family, it wasn’t an accepted profession at all, but I’d managed to convince them, and even ended up setting up my own business,” she said.  Then last week, Sana […]

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    'This is a culture'

    Since seeing thousands of comments justifying the recent murder of a teenage TikTok star in Pakistan, Sunaina Bukhari is considering abandoning her 88,000 followers.  

    “In my family, it wasn’t an accepted profession at all, but I’d managed to convince them, and even ended up setting up my own business,” she said. 

    Then last week, Sana Yousaf was shot dead outside her house in the capital Islamabad by a man whose advances she had repeatedly rejected, police said. 

    News of the murder led to an outpouring of comments under her final post — her 17th birthday celebration where she blew out the candles on a cake.

    In between condolence messages, some blamed her for her own death: “You reap what you sow” or “it’s deserved, she was tarnishing Islam”. 

    Yousaf had racked up more than a million followers on social media, where she shared her favourite cafes, skincare products and traditional shalwar kameez outfits. 

    TikTok is wildly popular in Pakistan, in part because of its accessibility to a population with low literacy levels. On it, women have found both audience and income, rare in a country where fewer than a quarter of the women participate in the formal economy. 

    But as TikTok’s views have surged, so have efforts to police the platform.

    Pakistani telecommunications authorities have repeatedly blocked or threatened to block the app over what it calls “immoral behaviour”, amid backlash against LGBTQ and sexual content.

    TikTok has pledged to better moderate content and blocked millions of videos that do not meet its community guidelines as well as at the request of Pakistan authorities.

    After Yousaf’s murder, Bukhari, 28, said her family no longer backs her involvement in the industry.

    “I’m the first influencer in my family, and maybe the last,” she told AFP. 

    – ‘Fear of being judged’ –

    Only 30 percent of women in Pakistan own a smartphone compared to twice as many men (58 percent), the largest gap in the world, according to the Mobile Gender Gap Report of 2025. 

    “Friends and family often discourage them from using social media for fear of being judged,” said a statement from the Digital Rights Foundation (DRF).

    In southwestern Balochistan, where tribal law governs many rural areas, a man confessed to orchestrating the murder of his 14-year-old daughter earlier this year over TikTok videos that he said compromised her honour.

    In October, police in Karachi, in the south, announced the arrest of a man who had killed four women relatives over “indecent” TikTok videos. 

    These murders each revive memories of Qandeel Baloch, dubbed Pakistan’s Kim Kardashian and one of the country’s first breakout social media stars whose videos shot her to fame. 

    After years in the spotlight, she was suffocated by her brother. 

    Violence against women is pervasive in Pakistan, according to the country’s Human Rights Commission, and cases of women being attacked after rejecting men are not uncommon.

    “This isn’t one crazy man, this is a culture,” said Kanwal Ahmed, who leads a closed Facebook group of 300,000 women to share advice. 

    “Every woman in Pakistan knows this fear. Whether she’s on TikTok or has a private Instagram with 50 followers, men show up. In her DMs. In her comments. On her street,” she wrote in a post.  

    In the fifth-most-populous country in the world, where 60 percent of the population is under the age of 30, the director of digital rights organisation Bolo Bhi, Usama Khilji , says “many women don’t post their profile picture, but a flower, an object, very rarely their face”.

    “The misogyny and the patriarchy that is prevalent in this society is reflected on the online spaces,” he added. 

    A 22-year-old man was arrested over Yousaf’s murder and is due to appear in court next week. 

    At a vigil in the capital last week, around 80 men and women gathered, holding placards that read “no means no”. 

    “Social media has given us a voice, but the opposing voices are louder,” said Hira, a young woman who joined the gathering. 

    The capital’s police chief, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, used a press conference to send a “clear message” to the public. 

    “If our sisters or daughters want to become influencers, professionally or as amateurs, we must encourage them,” he said.

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    WATCH

    Nebraska High School Rodeo Athletes put a bow on their 2024-2025 season at the NEHSRA Finals held in Valentine, Nebraska June 11-14. The top four athletes in each event punched their ticket to the National High School Finals Rodeo that will take place in Rock Springs, Wyoming July 13-19, 2025. Video spotlights from the Champion’s […]

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    WATCH

    Nebraska High School Rodeo Athletes put a bow on their 2024-2025 season at the NEHSRA Finals held in Valentine, Nebraska June 11-14. The top four athletes in each event punched their ticket to the National High School Finals Rodeo that will take place in Rock Springs, Wyoming July 13-19, 2025.

    Video spotlights from the Champion’s Circle are brought to you by Ravenscroft Red Angus.

    Meet this year’s class of state champions below!

    All-Around Cowgirl, Breakaway Roping, and Team Roping State Champion | Reagan McIntyre – Grand Island, NE

    All- Around Cowboy | Kaddo Schrunk – Pender, NE

    Bareback Riding State Champion | Koltdyn Heath – Minden, NE

    Barrel Racing State Champion | Kallan Cox – Purdum, NE

    Boys Cutting State Champion | Cash Cooper – Kilgore, NE

    Boys Cutting State Champion | Ava Smith – Pender, NE

    Goat Tying State Champion | Tatum Reid – Crawford, NE

    Heeling State Champion | Owen Littau – Newport, NE

    Light Rifle State Champion | Karsyn Chesley – Harrisburg, NE

    Nebraska High School Rodeo Queen | Felycia Kerkman – Atkinson, NE

    Pole Bending State Champion | Rylee Nall Sillivan – St. Paul

    Reined Cow Horse State Champion | Callie Olson – Bloomfield, NE

    Saddle Bronc Riding and Bull Riding State Champion | Grady Gorwill – Hyannis, NE

    Steer Wrestling State Champion | Cotter Johnston – Stapleton, NE

    Tie Down Roping State Champion | Tyler McCauley – Pender, NE

    Trap Shooting State Champion | Case Shane

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    TCPalm Summer Celebration Vote

    School is out for summer. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to move on from the year that was.As our Spring All-Area teams continue to be revealed this week, the 2024-25 athletic calendar remains the subject of TCPalm’s Summer Celebration series, a weekly poll to vote on who are the area’s best programs, athletes, traditions […]

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    TCPalm Summer Celebration Vote


    School is out for summer. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to move on from the year that was.As our Spring All-Area teams continue to be revealed this week, the 2024-25 athletic calendar remains the subject of TCPalm’s Summer Celebration series, a weekly poll to vote on who are the area’s best programs, athletes, traditions and more from last year and beyond. 

    Last week, we wanted to see who was the area’s best boys athlete from the 2024-25 high school calendar. Vero Beach junior pitcher Sebastian Dimitroff won the poll with 47.47% of the vote.

    This week, we ask the same question, this time with the girls. The poll is set to close at 12 p.m. Friday.

    Without further ado, it’s time to punch in the votes and continue enjoying the summer.

    Hailey Brereton, St. Lucie West Centennial soccer and softball

    Centennial’s Hailey Brereton (23) pitches against Vero during a high school District 7-7A softball final, May 1, 2025, in Port St. Lucie. St. Lucie West Centennial won 6-0.

    Year: Senior

    Brereton was the backup goalkeeper for an Eagles soccer team that finished with a 10-7 record. However, she’s a nominee because of her work on the softball field. The Murray State signee paced all local pitchers with 227 strikeouts and an .144 opponents batting average.  while boisting a record of an 11-4 record and a 1.74 ERA.

    What helped Brereton win TCPalm’s Softball Player of the Year was her strong pitching campaign combined with her work at the plate. After hitting just two home runs through her first three seasons, the senior went deep four times. She added six doubles, two triples, 24 RBIs, batted .429 and compiled a 1.392 OPS.

    Emerson Brinn, South Fork cross country and track and field

    South Fork's Emerson Brinn competes in the Region 4-3A Cross Country Championships at South Fork High School on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023.

    Year: Junior

    Brinn started her junior season by being named TCPalm’s Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year after she claimed eighth in the Class 3A state championship meet with a personal-best time of 18:43.8. She ended her year with an All-Area First Team selection in track and field thanks to winning a district title and third-place state finish in the 1,600-meter run.  

    Ivy Cooper, Fort Pierce Central volleyball

    Fort Pierce Central's Ivy Cooper (14) passes the ball against Okeechobee in a high school volleyball match, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, at Okeechobee High School. Okeechobee won in five sets.

    Year: Senior

    Cooper was not only viewed as the area’s best prospect but her talent has caught the attention of plenty across the state and country. The senior captain was named an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention, which recognizes her as one of the top 250 players in the United States. The Virginia Tech signee put up 355 digs, 75 assists, 39 kills and 39 service aces during the 2024-25 season.  

    Kha’Lyah Delva, Fort Pierce Central wrestling

    Fort Pierce Central senior Kha'Lyah Delva (third from the left) stands on the podium after placing second at the 145-pound weight class during the FHSAA Girls state championships on Saturday, March 8, 2025 from Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee.

    Year: Senior

    The Cobras senior capped her career with back-to-back state runner up finishes. Delva started the season at 155 pounds before making the switch to 145 at the start of the calendar year. The change didn’t slow her down as she claimed district and regional titles en route to a 40-2 record. 

    Valerie Gomez, Jensen Beach tennis

    Jensen Beach’s Valerie Gomez serves in a high school tennis Region 7-3A semifinal against Lincoln Park Academy on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Jensen Beach.

    Year: Senior

    When you suffer your first singles defeat at the final match of the season, you’ve had an exemplary campaign. Gomez was comfortably the area’s best player as her performance propelled the Falcons to the Class 3A state championship match. There, she lost to Nease No. 1 Kylie Kochis in straight sets to wrap up her singles season at 14-1.

    Gomez had similar success at doubles competition alongside sophomore Domenica Ayleen Monserrate. The duo went 11-1 together, winning their first 10 matches after taking a loss against St. Thomas Aquinas’ top pairing in the state semifinals. She was a state qualifier in both singles and doubles competition after winning District 14-3A titles. Gomez will play collegiate in Pensacola at the University of West Florida.

    Ella Gravlee, Vero Beach volleyball

    Vero Beach outside hitter Ella Gravlee attempts a kill against Fort Pierce Central during a high school volleyball match on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 in Vero Beach.

    Year: Sophomore

    With Cooper off to Virginia Tech, this rising junior will likely talent over the mantle as the area’s best volleyball prospect. Blasting shots from the middle of the floor or any area at the net, the 6-foot-3 Gravlee and her powerful, precise swings made her the area’s most intimidating presence. She used her power and shot variety to lead all local players with 336 kills. Gravlee had six matches of 20 or more kills, including a 23-kill effort during the team’s regional semifinal win over Olympia. 

    Jada Mosley, Vero Beach weightlifting

    Vero Beach senior Jada Mosley celebrates after winning the Olympic title at the 199-pound weight class during the Class 3A state championships on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025 from the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.

    Year: Senior

    Mosley was yet another dominant lifter to come out of Vero, becoming the eighth champion in program history after claiming the Olympic title at the 199-pound weight class in the Class 3A state meet. The senior won the crown with total lifts of 385 pounds. She later backed that up with a runner-up state finish in traditional competition. Prior to state, Mosley swept through districts and regionals.

    Taylor-Nicole Overton, Vero Beach track and field

    Vero Beach’s Taylor-Nicole Overton (left) competes in the 100m during the 29th annual Bill Wilson Invitational on Saturday, Mar. 8, 2025, at Sebastian River High School.

    Year: Sophomore

    Overton concluded her first season in Vero by doing something the program hasn’t seen in 23 years. The sophomore became the program’s first track state champion, winning the 400-meter dash in a personal-record time of 53.19 seconds at the Class 4A state meet. She outpaced Fletcher’s Zyaire Thomas by 0.05 seconds.

    Overton wasn’t done as she placed second in the 200 (23.99), 10th in the 100 (12.22) and helped Vero’s 1,600-meter relay team to a fourth-place finish. She swept the four events at districts and regionals.

    Adrienne Rivera, Fort Pierce Central flag football

    Fort Pierce Central’s Adrienne Rivera (5) scores a touchdown against Seminole Ridge in a high school flag football game, Thursday, Mar. 13, 2025, in Fort Pierce.

    Year: Senior

    For the third consecutive season, this Cobras quarterback is TCPalm’s Flag Football Offensive Player of the Year. It’s hard to argue that anyone else was more deserving as Rivera set career highs in completion percentage (68%) and quarterback rating (122.8) while tying her career best of 60 touchdown passes and throwing for a career-low 16 interceptions.

    She led the area with 4,524 passing yards while adding 595 yards and 15 more scores through the running game. Following a legendary prep career, Rivera has signed to play collegiately at Keiser.

    Ellie Smith, Vero Beach volleyball

    Vero Beach setter Ellie Smith keeps the ball alive against Fort Pierce Central during a high school volleyball match on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 in Vero Beach.

    Year: Senior 

    Starting all four years of her varsity career, Smith saved her finest campaign for her last en route to being named TCPalm’s Volleyball Player of the Year.

    The captain and leader of the Treasure Coast’s best team, the 5-foot-7 setter topped the area with 708 assists and averaged 9.8 assists per set. She also added 135 digs, 24 aces and 15 blocks. Smith will play collegiately at Northern Illinois. 

    Savannah Tatum, South Fork flag football and soccer

    Game action as South Fork hosts Martin County for their Region 2-3A Final at South Fork’s football field on April 23 in Tropical Farms. Martin Couty wins 7-6.

    Year: Senior

    Tatum was a star for both on a Bulldogs soccer team that captured a district title and a Bulldogs flag football team that enjoyed an eight-game improvement.

    On the pitch, she recorded an assist in 14 games to lead the area with 25 assists while pouring in 13 goals. Tatum was even better on the football field as the senior threw for 2,152 yards, 33 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while rushing for 1,309 yards and 17 touchdowns.

    Giovanna Waksman, Pine soccer

    Pine’s (30) Giovanna Waksman holds up a heart to the crowd after scoring goal during the FHSAA tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025 in DeLand.

    Year: Sophomore

    It wasn’t simply that she ran circles around opponents or that she smashed the Knights’ all-time record books while facing constant double and triple teams, Waksman’s production was elite even by national standards. According to MaxPreps, the sophomore led the country with a whopping 87 goals and 188 points. She appeared in every match, averaging 4.6 goals and 9.9 points per game to lead the program to its first state title game appearance.

    Her success directly impacted whether or not Pine went home victorious or in defeat as the Knights were 16-0-1 in matches where Waksman scored and 0-2 in matches she didn’t. Beyond uncanny dribbling skills and tremendous ability to send missiles off either foot, the Brazilian star is a particularly intelligent player willing to deliver beautiful balls to a teammate making a run. The sophomore had a team-best 14 assists.

    Road Trip Essentials

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    Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at 772-985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com. 

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