Sports

BOYS WEIGHTLIFTING

LAKELAND – It literally came down to the final lift of the meet. And when that lift failed, Venice’s Tanner Ruh became a state champion … again. In one of the most exciting matchups at Saturday’s Class 3A state weightlifting championships, Ruh won the Traditional 169-pound class at Lakeland’s RP Funding Center. Venice teammate Dillon […]

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4 weeks ago

April 13, 2025

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LAKELAND – It literally came down to the final lift of the meet. And when that lift failed, Venice’s Tanner Ruh became a state champion … again.

In one of the most exciting matchups at Saturday’s Class 3A state weightlifting championships, Ruh won the Traditional 169-pound class at Lakeland’s RP Funding Center.

Venice teammate Dillon Bryant also took home a title after he captured the 238-pound class. As football players, they both got to add a second state championship ring to their hands.

In all, the area boasted three state title winners, including Imagine’s Angel Vazquez.

Ruh scored 295 in the clean and jerk and 320 in the bench for 610 total pounds. He then watched as several challengers tried and failed to outlift him.

“I expected to have a little higher total, but things worked in my favor,” Ruh said. “My coaches always have faith in me. We knew what I was going to have to do to win. I barely hit it, but I’ll take it.”

When Joseph McNicholas of Windemere failed to lift 365 pounds, the title was Ruh’s. Eli Anglin of Crestview was second.

Venice’s coach Clay Burton said Ruh bought into the strategy and it paid off.

“He was committed to the plan we had. He’s so quiet and coachable, everything you want in an athlete,” Burton said. “He competed against himself all year and had no real competition. We knew there would in the state meet.”

Bryant, like Ruh, did not compete in Olympic, eschewing the snatch even though he has succeeded there in the past. In traditional, he did what he had to do. He lifted 340 in the clean and jerk and 365 in the bench for 705 pounds, 20 pounds better than runner-up Peyton McKenzie of University.

Bryant, who came to Venice from Braden River two years ago, said he was confident going in, knowing if he made his lifts, he had a great chance of winning.

“I weighed in a lot lighter than usual in case there was a tie. I started a little higher an usual, just a little below my PR,” Bryant said. “I didn’t get any PRs. I tied one and made another but it was a no-lift.”

Burton said Bryant is an old-school type of performer, letting his actions do the talking rather than words.

“He’s an example. He’ll show you what to do instead of telling you about it. He’s a great kid with a great family,” Burton said. “It’s been a great day for all the kids.”

When asked which championship was better – football or weightlifting – Bryant said it was apples and oranges and you could not compare.

Venice’s heavyweights had a big day. Keshawn Reid finished third with a combined 715 pounds in traditional, while Michael Hall with fifth with 680 pounds. Like the others, neither participated in Olympic.

The result was a second-place team finish in the state with 20 points, behind only Pace, which had 37. Pace also won the Olympic category with 30.

But the best story came from the area’s third state champion, Imagine’s Vazquez. For him, it was the culmination of three years of hard, sometimes frustrating work.

Vazquez won the Olympic competition in the 119-pound class to earn the first boys weightlifting state title in school history. He narrowly missed the traditional title, losing on a tiebreaker to finish second.

Vazquez lifted 150 pounds in the snatch and 195 in the clean and jerk for 345 total pounds. He was 10 pounds better than Diego Nieves of Foundation Academy.

Vazquez, who missed two years due to back problems from weightlifting compounded by a car accident, said the work was worth it.

“This took a lot of hard work. I had a lot of back pain and I had to change my style to win this year,” Vazquez said. “It was a little heartbreaking to lose the traditional but I’m happy to be here.”

Vazquez won the Olympic lift using an old-school hybrid clean and jerk technique where he squats in the jerk section, kind of like what occures in the snatch, so the legs do the work rather than the back. It is legal, but rarely used. Coach A.J. Atwood had to tell the judges of the technique so they wouldn’t be surprised and could judge it.

“It’s a lift very few people used anymore. It requires a different training technique than the split jerk,” Atwood said. “It was popular in the 60s and it went away. It’s called a hybrid lift because very few do it anymore.”

In the traditional, Atwood started Vazquez at 195 on the bench instead of 200 to get him on the board. He hit 195 and 205, but missed 215.

The strategy didn’t work, as Elijah Mize of Keystone Heights lifted 225 in the bench to forge a tie at 400 pounds. Mize was 1.2 pounds lighter, so he was declared the winner.

Atwood said he was happy to have Vazquez back this season after a summer where they tested the waters to see if he could do it.

“All season long he’s had a goal in mind and every day that’s been on his mind,” Atwood said. “When you get an athlete who can take what you teach him and progress and medal at states, that’s a great feeling.

What also felt good for Atwood were the results for Jeremiah Richards, who placed third in the Olympic lifts, with a 515 pound score, and fourth in traditional, with 595 pounds.

Imagine ended up fourth in the state in 1A Olympic with 11 points, behind winner Fort White (24), Williston (16) and Keystone Heights (13).

Related Topics:athlete big car center coach competition football happy history season show sports team university weightlifting white

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Princeton University

Ivy League Outdoor Heptagonal Championships Sat. May 10th and Sun. May 11th | New Haven, Conn. Live Results | ESPN+ | Schedule PRINCETON, N.J. – The Princeton men’s track and field team will compete for its 12th all-time Triple Crown at the Ivy League Outdoor Heptagonal Championships this weekend in New Haven, Conn. […]

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32 minutes ago

May 9, 2025

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Ivy League Outdoor Heptagonal Championships
Sat. May 10th and Sun. May 11th | New Haven, Conn.
Live Results | ESPN+ | Schedule

PRINCETON, N.J. – The Princeton men’s track and field team will compete for its 12th all-time Triple Crown at the Ivy League Outdoor Heptagonal Championships this weekend in New Haven, Conn.

After winning both the 2024 cross country and 2025 indoor Ivy championship titles, Princeton will seek another outdoor title which would complete the program’s second-consecutive Triple Crown.

Outdoor Season in Review
The Tigers have had a strong outdoor season so far, setting new program records in four events, including the 1500, the 10000, the 4×400 relay and the discus.

Most recently, the Tigers hosted the Larry Ellis Invitational at home in Weaver Stadium last weekend. Karl Dietz, Kavon Miller, Joey Gant and Xavier Donaldson ran the record-breaking 4×400 relay, clocking in at 3:04.85 to clear the previous school record of 3:05.86 set in 2011.

For their efforts, the group was named Ivy Athlete of the Week.

Harrison Witt also had a standout weekend at home, setting a new Princeton record in the 1500 with a time of 3:37.22 to break the previous record of 3:37.60 set by Sam Ellis in 2022.

After the regular season, Princeton leads the Ivy League in seven events. Jadon Spain ranks first in the 100 (10.22), Joey Gant leads the 200 (20.88), Myles Hogan leads in the 5000 (13:37.56) and Jackson Shorten leads in the steeplechase (8:40.45).

In the field events, Greg Foster leads the league in the long jump (8.11m/26′ 7.25″), while Casey Helm leads in the discus (63.37m/207-11″) and Joe Licata leads in the shot put (19.24m/63-1.5″).

National Notice

Several Tigers currently rank high up on the NCAA Qualifying list.

Foster holds onto third in the long jump, while Helm ranks sixth in the discus. Licata ranks 20th in the shot put.

Witt ranks 17th nationally in the 1500.

The Tiger 4×400 squad from Larry Ellis comes in at 30th on the list.

Last Time Around

At last year’s Outdoor Heps, the Tigers achieved their 10th all-time Triple Crown at home in Weaver Stadium, winning Ivy Outdoor Heps for the 22nd time after compiling 204.5 points. The Triple Crown was also the first under Head Coach Jason Vigilante.

In the fall, Princeton won its fourth-consecutive cross country Ivy League championship on its home course at Meadows campus. In the Winter, the Tigers followed up their success by winning their 11th-consecutive indoor Ivy League title.

Now, Princeton will look to complete the Triple Crown in New Haven on Saturday and Sunday.

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Sports

Wodonga Waterpolo Club among recipients of Victorian Government ‘Change Our Game’ sport funding

The Wodonga Dolphins Waterpolo Club is among the recipients of Victorian Government grants as part of The Change Our Game Community Activation Grants program, benefitting more than 11,500 individuals. The Wodonga Dolphins Waterpolo Club will deliver the Funfit Ladies Water Polo Program, a 10-week program with modified rules catering to beginners with all levels of […]

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46 minutes ago

May 9, 2025

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The Wodonga Dolphins Waterpolo Club will deliver the Funfit Ladies Water Polo Program, a 10-week program with modified rules catering to beginners with all levels of fitness.

The Change Our Game Community Activation Grants program delivers grants of up to $10,000 to community sport and recreation clubs to help inspire women and girls to take part – including new women’s programs, opportunities for club leadership roles and other on and off field options.

Since 2018, The Change Our Game Community Activation Grants program has provided more than 700 grants totalling more than $3.7 million for community sport and active recreation clubs and organisations across the state.

Another recipient, Broadmeadows Basketball Association, will provide 60 multicultural women from three junior clubs access to a nine-week program featuring closed basketball sessions and the opportunity for formal coaching accreditation.

Community leaders are also backed through the program – among them Warrnambool Wolves Football Club’s U14 Girls Coach Melissa Francis, who will undertake the Football Australia/AFC C-Diploma to further her coaching journey and support the club’s junior teams.

Through the Fair Access Policy Roadmap, launched in August 2022, and the Community Activation Grants Program, the State Government is helping community sporting organisations achieve more equitable access and increase the number of women and girls actively taking part in their club.

Victorian Director of the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation Sarah Styles noted “Community sport is a powerful vehicle to create positive change. We are dedicated to breaking down barriers and fostering a level playing field for women and girls in community sport.”

Warrnambool Wolves Club President Jeff Morland-Hunt added “as part of our strategic plan, one of our key goals is to invest in opportunities for both new and experienced coaches, with a strong focus on supporting junior and girls’ coaching pathways. This grant brings us one step closer to achieving that vision.”

For more information about Change Our Game programs, visit changeourgame.vic.gov.au.

2nd February 2025 – Applications open for 2025 Change Our Game Community Activation Grants program

23rd October 2024 – Change Our Game continues to support opportunities for women as sport and active recreation leaders

5th February 2024 – Applications open for 2024 Change Our Game Community Activation Grants program

25th October 2022 – Hockey Victoria’s Suzanne Henderson among 96 Change our Game scholarship recipients

25th May 2021 – Victorian Government continues to support Change Our Game program

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MU track and field signs European distance athlete Lecoutre | Mizzou Sports

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May 9, 2025

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Dutch multi-eventers strong on day one of conference meet

Story Links INDIANOLA — Three of the four Central College track & field athletes entered in the men’s decathlon and women’s heptathlon are in position to score after the first day of competition at the American Rivers Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships Thursday. Reid Pakkebier (senior, Cedar Rapids, Kennedy HS) is […]

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1 hour ago

May 9, 2025

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INDIANOLA — Three of the four Central College track & field athletes entered in the men’s decathlon and women’s heptathlon are in position to score after the first day of competition at the American Rivers Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships Thursday.

Reid Pakkebier (senior, Cedar Rapids, Kennedy HS) is currently second in the men’s decathlon with 3,606 points and teammate Gage Huyser (junior, Pella) is third with 3,387 points. In the women’s heptathlon Sage Austin (Carlisle) has 2,179 points to sit in eighth place. Jessica Larson (freshman, Britt, Garner-Hayfield HS) is in 12th with 1,813 points.

“They all competed well and set themselves up for success tomorrow,” assistant coach Aaron Fuller said.

Pakkebier had new personal-best marks in the 400-meter dash (51.01 seconds) and shot put (42 feet, 6.75 inches). He also had the fastest 100-meter dash time in 11.09 seconds. Huyser also ran the fastest 400 meters of his career in 51.20 seconds.

Austin’s best event was the 200-meter dash, running the fourth-fastest time in 26.77 seconds. Larson had a new personal-best in the 110-meter hurdles (18.11 seconds) and a season-best shot put (22-9.75).

Day two of the decathlon and heptathlon starts at 10 a.m. Friday in Indianola. The meet will start in earnest at 1 p.m. with field events followed by track events at 2:30 p.m.

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Track and Field Completes Regular Season at Army West Point Twilight

Story Links The Keiser University men’s and women’s track and field teams competed in the West Point Twilight meet today, and the Seahawks navigated through a lengthy weather delay to stand out in their final meet before NAIA Outdoor Nationals. KU was able to log nine top-15 placements at the meet, while Dallas […]

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2 hours ago

May 9, 2025

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The Keiser University men’s and women’s track and field teams competed in the West Point Twilight meet today, and the Seahawks navigated through a lengthy weather delay to stand out in their final meet before NAIA Outdoor Nationals. KU was able to log nine top-15 placements at the meet, while Dallas Desouza placed first overall in the men’s 400m. With this meet completed, Keiser now shifts its focus toward May 21, in Marion, Ind. where the Seahawks will compete for championship glory.

1.Dallas Desouza – 400m (48.34)

2. Dallas Desouza, Devin Christopher, Alex Cruz, Hugo Biget – 4x100m Relay (41.76)

2. Braylen Jones – Triple Jump (14.34m – 47 ft)

2. Claudio Pugnetti – Javelin Throw – 60.48m – 198.5 ft)

3. Hugo Biget – Long Jump (6.66m – 21.10 ft)

3. Gorata Gabankitse – 800m (1:52.22)

5. Charlem Diable – Triple Jump (14.17m – 46.6 ft)

9. Sigmund Le Fjeld – Triple Jump (13.66m – 44.9 ft)

11. Niesha Aldajuste – Hammer Throw (38.87m – 127.6 ft)

The Seahawks will go for it all at the NAIA Outdoor National Championship, starting May 21st in Marion, Ind.

For all the latest on Keiser track and field, follow @keisertf on X and Instagram and like us on Facebook.

General athletic news can be found at KUSeahawks on Facebook, kuseahawks on Instagram, and kuseahawks on X.

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Florida State University Athletics

TALLAHASSEE – The awards are continuing to stack up for freshman pitcher Jazzy Francik as she was named one of 10 finalists for the NFCA National Freshman of the Year award. Francik was the only ACC player to make the list and continues the Seminoles’ streak as having a top 10 finalist for the award […]

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2 hours ago

May 9, 2025

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TALLAHASSEE – The awards are continuing to stack up for freshman pitcher Jazzy Francik as she was named one of 10 finalists for the NFCA National Freshman of the Year award. Francik was the only ACC player to make the list and continues the Seminoles’ streak as having a top 10 finalist for the award in four consecutive seasons.

Francik has been a breakout star for the Noles in the circle as she leads the team with a 1.64 ERA in 81.1 innings. Francik is 9-2 this season and has been outstanding as of late. In her last three starts, Francik has pitched 19 scoreless innings and struck out 21 batters while allowing just five hits. Francik threw the first no-hitter against a ranked opponent in program history last week against Virginia Tech. It was also the first no-hitter by a true freshman since Lacey Waldrop in 2012.

The list will be trimmed to three athletes on May 22.

For updates and exclusive content, follow the Seminoles on X (FSU_Softball), Instagram (fsusoftball) and Facebook (Florida State Seminoles Softball).

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