Ann Storck Center – a Fort Lauderdale-based private nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, hosted its 39th Annual All Heart Volleyball Challenge on the sand in Pompano Beach on June 7.

Players in attendance bumped, set and gave back to support the Center’s mission throughout all its programs and services to discover ability and build independence so that individuals live happier, more independent, fulfilling lives. The annual event raised $17,000 and awareness for the Ann Storck Center, which accommodates 96 permanent residents and serves more than 300 clients daily through an array of critical care, learning and ability-focused programs.

Players enjoyed a fun-filled day of volleyball, a live DJ, a raffle, prizes, lunch, dinner, beverages and more. Supporters played in co-ed 6’s volleyball teams in the beach volleyball tournament in competitive or recreational divisions.

“We are filled with gratitude after an unforgettable day at the 39th
Annual All Heart Volleyball Challenge on Pompano Beach,” said Ann Stock Center CEO Patricia (Pat) Murphy. “Seeing our community come together to support Ann Storck Center and the individuals we serve is truly inspiring. It reminds us of the strength and compassion surrounding our mission.”

Ann Storck Center thanks the sponsors for their generous support. 2025 sponsors are Beach House, Lucky Fish Beach Bar + Grill, Oceanic, Jet’s Pizza, Parkshore Pharmacy, Lowes, Gulf Stream Brewery, TDON and CHEW.

For more information, visit annstorckcenter.org/

Paso Robles High School celebrates student-athletes’ academic and athletic achievements during College Signing Day ceremony

PASO ROBLES — Paso Robles High School proudly hosted its annual College Signing Day on Tuesday, May 20 at 4 p.m. in Gil Asa Gym, honoring five outstanding student-athletes who have committed to continuing their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level.

This special event celebrates the hard work, determination, and achievement of student-athletes who have earned the opportunity to compete in college athletics. It also acknowledges the unwavering support of families, coaches, educators, and teammates who have helped shape their journey.

The following Bearcat athletes signed their National Letters of Intent:

• Tyler Daillak – Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo (Division I Cross Country & Track & Field)
• Park Craig – California Lutheran University (Football)
• Denisse De La Cruz Lopez – Missouri Valley College (Wrestling)
• Garrett Haggmark – Seattle University (Division I Swimming)
• Ezra Smeltzer – Cuesta College (Water Polo & Swimming)

“We are incredibly proud of these student-athletes and the commitment they have shown to both their academic and athletic goals,” said Michael Sauret, Athletic Director at Paso Robles High School. “Their success reflects the strength of our school community and the dedication of everyone who has supported them along the way.”

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The 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships are underway at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. The action kicked off on Wednesday, June 11 and concludes on Saturday, June 14. The men will compete on Wednesday and Friday, while the women will compete on Thursday and Saturday.

Here are the results from the finals of the meet.

Day 1: Wednesday, June 11

Men’s hammer throw

1. Kostas Zaltos (Minnesota) – 78.08m
2. Angelos Mantzouranis (Minnesota) – 76.96m
3. Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan (Ole Miss) – 76.78m
4. Texas Tanner (Air Force) – 75.22m
5. Rory Devaney (Cal Poly) – 74.16m
6. Ryan Johnson (Iowa) – 71.91m
7. Daniel Reynolds (Wyoming) – 69.68m
8. Christian Toro (Duke) – 68.94m

Theo Kahler is the news editor at Runner’s World. He’s a former all-conference collegiate runner at Winthrop University, and he received his master’s degree in liberal arts studies from Wake Forest University, where he was a member of one of the top distance-running teams in the NCAA. Kahler has reported on the ground at major events such as the Paris Olympics, U.S. Olympic Trials, New York City Marathon, and Boston Marathon. He’s run 14:20 in the 5K, 1:05:36 in the half marathon, and enjoys spotting tracks from the sky on airplanes. (Look for colorful ovals around football fields.)

The Long Beach track and field world lost one of its most beloved and respected coaches two weeks ago with the passing of Chucky Hampton following an illness.

Hampton, a 1994 alum of Long Beach Poly, was a jumps coach who mentored and coached many of the city’s best and brightest athletes over the last two decades. No matter what school an athlete went to, Hampton loved working with Long Beach kids, whether as a club coach at the youth level, or with the city’s best high school leapers.

Poly coach Crystal Irving paid tribute to Hampton, who passed away shortly the Poly boys won a CIF-SS title, and Wilson won the girls’ title (with Poly in second).

“I went to visit him and took the CIF trophy to share the good news and pray and love on him,” she said. “Yesterday morning, God said it is time to go home with him. Your job here is done. I don’t know how we got through the season or even the day, just had to keep pushing for the kids.”

Irving remembered Hampton’s ability to look at an athlete and imagine a brilliant future for them based on their physical gifts.

“Just an amazing coach to youth and college athletes, he managed to bring out the best in each one he coached,” she said. 

Hampton competed for Poly in high school, then at LBCC where he was the MVP in 1997. A two-time Moore League long jump champ, he was the recipient of the Mark Carrier Award and Leon Foreman Award at Poly. An assistant coach with Poly, Wilson, Cabrillo and many other schools through the years, Hampton had been on the staff at Cerritos College for the last two decades, coaching eight individual state champions as well as 27 SoCal and conference champs.

Hampton’s coaching legacy was felt up in Clovis at last weekend’s CIF State Finals, where one of his many mentees, Loren Webster, brought home a long jump state title for Wilson just days after his passing. 

Known for a personality as bright as his coaching acumen, Hampton’s many athletes flooded social media with tributes to Hampton and his impact on their lives.

“Words can’t express the gratitude that I have for Coach Chucky, rest easy,” wrote Poly alum and UCLA long jumper Jade McDonald. 

Poly alum and Texas A&M All-American Zhane Smith is now a pro jumper. She wrote, “You made such an impact on so many lives, especially mine. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. Really the only person who still believed in me till this day. I promise to finish the job we started together.”

A strong testimony came from Poly alum Ariana Washington, a high school and college All-American, champion, and Olympian.

“My first coach–you always gave me everything you had and pushed me to do the same in everything I ever did. Your voice in my head got me through many workouts even in college. I’ll never forget any of our conversations and many moments when I needed a kick in the ass or a reminder of who I was. I felt so proud coming home after Rio to see you at the jumps pit…

“I’ll never understand what you and your mom saw in me as a little 8th grader at a middle school track meet that I ran in with not a lick of practice–you told my mom you’d guarantee I would go to college for free if I joined the Long Beach Sprinters. You were right, like you always were about many things. You were a genius.

“I will forever remember you for all that you are: unapologetic, loud, motivating, and selfless. LOVE YOU FOREVER + REST IN HEAVEN COACH CHUCKY.”

Service info is pending and will be posted when available.

EUGENE, OR – Coming off a stellar performance in the East Regionals in Jacksonville, hammer thrower Alex Kristeller competed in the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, OR on Wednesday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

·      The Graduate Student from Wilkes Barre, PA concludes his career donning the Green and White by competing in the Finals Round of the Men’s Hammer and threw 61.07m.

·      Last week in the Southeast, Kristeller performed exceptionally well by throwing a top distance of 64.99 to clinch a spot in the finals weekend, edging out Virginia Tech’s Lukas Baroke.

·      Kristeller became the second Jasper to take on the national field in Eugene, following former teammate RJ Decker who secured 17th place nationally in 2024.

·      His personal best in the hammer remains at 66.90m, which he set at the Larry Ellis Invitational, hosted by Princeton in 2024.

QUOTE FROM THE JASPERS:

“Alex has had an outstanding career and has a lot to be proud of.” Said Director of Cross Country and Track and Field, Kerri Inman. “He represents the Jaspers well.”

ANCHORAGE – The Alaska Anchorage volleyball team will take the Alaska Airlines Center court a record 17 times in 2025 as head coach Stacie Meisner unveiled the Seawolves’ upcoming schedule Wednesday.

UAA’s 16 regular-season home matches are the most slated since the arena’s opening in 2014, and the most for any Seawolf team since 1999.

“We are really excited to host some great competition for our fans early this season with the Alaska/Hawaii Challenge and the return of our Seawolf Invitational,” said Meisner, whose program led NCAA Div. II last season with over 1,600 fans per contest. “It should bring some energy to campus to start the year and put us in position for some great crowds when we hit conference play.”

Following the Aug. 23 Seawolf Alumni exhibition match, UAA will host key West Regional matches Aug. 28-30 against Hawaii Pacific, Chaminade and Hawaii Hilo in the Alaska/Hawaii Challenge, presented by Alaska Airlines. That event also includes Alaska Fairbanks against the Islands schools.

Three more non-conference tests await the next week when Biola, Cal State San Marcos and Minot State visit for the Seawolf Invitational, Sept. 4-6.

UAA concludes the non-league slate with three matches – including a showdown with Cal State San Bernardino – Sept. 11-13 in Fairbanks, before beginning the Great Northwest Athletic Conference campaign with a Sept. 18 road match at Seattle Pacific.

UAA hosts Western Oregon on Sept. 25 in its league home opener, and Saint Martin’s two nights later. Other key home dates include Oct. 16 against defending GNAC champ Central Washington, Oct. 31 against Alaska Fairbanks, Nov. 8 against traditional rival Western Washington, and Nov. 22 for senior day against Seattle Pacific.

Should the Seawolves advance to the NCAA West Regional Championships, those matches would be held Dec. 4-7 at a to-be-determined site.

Full-season and single-match tickets go on sale later this summer. Check GoSeawolves.com for updates and more information.