The 2025 track and field calendar was exhilarating from start to finish, fueled by the indoor and outdoor world championships, the always-exciting Diamond League circuit, the seven World Marathon Majors, and everything in between.

As it so often does, Boston University’s indoor track played host to national and world records across the distance events, laying the groundwork for an outdoor campaign defined by breakthrough performances that had been a long time coming.

As a track and field fan, there were dozens of jumps, throws, and times that could credibly stake their claim as the best of the year, but as someone who has always favored the distance side of the sport, it’s safe to say I’m a bit biased.

With an electric 2026 season on the horizon, here are three of my many favorite performances from 2025.

Jane Hedengren Re-Wrote The Record Books

After a senior cross country campaign that saw her become the fastest high school girl ever to run a 5K on grass, former Timpview (Utah) standout and current BYU phenom Jane Hedengren rapidly emerged as a household name.

Over the last 12 months, Hedengren has cemented herself as one of the greatest high school athletes of all time, and through just one collegiate semester, she has already separated herself at the NCAA level.

In March, she delivered a historic double at Nike Indoor Nationals, running 4:26.14 in the mile and 15:13.26 in the 5000 meters, lowering the previous national records by nearly two seconds and more than 15 seconds, respectively.

That momentum carried into the outdoor season, where she set new U.S. high school national records in the mile (4:23.50), 5000 meters (14:57.93), two mile (9:17.75), and 3000 meters (8:40.03).

Less than five months later, Hedengren opened her BYU career by setting three straight 6K course records, two of which resulted in Big 12 and NCAA Regional titles, before finishing runner-up at the NCAA Championships.

Her penultimate race of 2025 capped the year in historic fashion. At the BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener, Hedengren ran 14:44.79, shattering Doris Lemngole’s indoor collegiate record of 14:52.57 set in 2024 and Parker Valby’s outdoor collegiate record of 14:52.18 from the 2024 NCAA Championships.

Cooper Lutkenhaus Establishes Himself As The Next 800m Star

For nearly 30 years, Bell Gardens (Calif.) Michael Granville sat atop the high school record books in the 800, one of the few prep records that had yet to be unseated by this generation of distance talent.

Just a few years ago, the duo of Cade Flatt and Will Sumner came as close as anyone ever had, with the former finishing just three-hundredths of a second shy.

It wasn’t until this past June that Granville’s record was finally beaten, with Lutkenhaus doing so at the Brooks PR Invitational, stopping the clock at 1:46.26.

The summer of personal bests was just beginning for the Justin Northwest (Texas) sophomore, as 11 days later, he became the first high schooler to ever break 1:46, winning Nike Outdoor Nationals in 1:45.45.

Little did we know Lutkenhaus had a lot more in store for the American distance running circuit, and where else better to do it than at Hayward Field.

After running 1:47.23 and 1:45.57 to make it all the way to the U.S. Championships final, the record-breaking sophomore held his own with the sport’s elite, finishing runner-up to Donovan Brazier in 1:42.27.

The 16-year-old established a new world U18 record and now sits behind Botswana’s Nijel Amos on the world U20 all-time list.

Beatrice Chebet Becomes First Woman To Ever Break 14:00

At the 2023 Prefontaine Classic, which acted as the Diamond League final that season, Beatrice Chebet came close to history in the 5000m, battling the clock for 12.5 laps as she stopped the clock at 14:05.92, which at the time was No. 2 in world history.

Less than two years later, Chebet once again took on the 5000m distance in Eugene, Oregon, but this time left the Pacific Northwest with an accomplishment no other woman has ever matched. 

In a field that had 17 women sub-15, and 10 sub-14:30, Chebet took down compatriot Agnes Jebet Ngetich and Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay, with the trio finishing in 13:58.06, 14:01.29, and 14:04.41, respectively.

The 25-year-old became the first woman to ever break 14:00 after coming close on multiple occasions, and currently owns the fourth and seventh fastest performances in world history to pair nicely with her world record.

FloTrack Is The Streaming Home For Many Track And Field Meets Each Year

Don’t miss all the track and field season action streaming on FloTrack. Check out the FloTrack schedule for more events.

FloTrack Archived Footage

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A season with championship aspirations was off to a scuffling start for the Gorham volleyball team. The offense was sputtering, and it was showing up on the scoreboard. The Rams dropped two of their first four matches, and coach Emma Tirrell knew it wasn’t the time to wait for things to sort themselves out.

“Our offense and our transition from passing to scoring a point just wasn’t generating enough,” she said.

Tirrell had an idea: Move the Rams’ best player, Liana Edwards, from playing both right-side hitter and setter to a full-time setter role, and switch from running a 6-2 with two setters to a 5-1 with one setter.

“It was that Liana needs to be touching the ball as much as possible,” Tirrell said. “(We thought) ‘Let’s see what happens when she’s the only setter.’”

With Edwards in her new role, the Rams flourished, winning 12 of their last 13 games and earning their third straight Class A championship. For her performance as Gorham’s versatile linchpin, Edwards is our choice for Varsity Maine Player of the Year for the second year in a row. Kellan Schwinn, Washington Academy’s outside hitter, was also considered.

Edwards said she was proud of how the Rams responded to the early struggles, and how they capped their season in impressive fashion with a 3-1 victory over Thornton Academy.

“Comparing this year’s state game to last year’s state game — last year, looking back, we didn’t have a lot of great, hard kills. We didn’t have a lot of swings,” Edwards said. “This year, in the Thornton Academy game, we really proved ourselves and got 10 times the amount of kills and points. We earned our points.”

In the middle of it all was Edwards, who, at 6 feet tall has the height of a middle blocker, the hard hit of an outside and the defensive abilities of a libero. She showcased that versatility during the season, totaling 337 assists, 171 digs, 90 kills and 41 aces.

“She’s a really talented volleyball athlete,” Tirrell said. “It is uncommon to have that (versatility). A lot of girls work their tails off during their whole entire career, but it’s just not something that comes to them as an athlete. It’s pretty cool and pretty rare that Liana has that.”

It’s setting, however, where Edwards feels most effective.

“Previously, I played soccer and I was a goalie,” she said. “I’ve always had something, they would say, special with my hands.”

She was at home at the position this fall, providing the Gorham hitters with precise passes for their spikes.

“Being a setter is like being the quarterback on your team,” Edwards said. “I’ve definitely worked a lot, in and out of the gym, on my mental game, making sure I don’t get in my head from my mistakes or other people’s mistakes.”

That work ethic, Tirrell said, isn’t new.

“She puts a lot of effort into meticulously watching videos of herself play to get better,” Tirrell said. “She wants to be her best.”

This year, however, Edwards became a stronger voice in and out of matches. She took a prominent role in a team meeting after the 2-2 start, in which the Rams talked over what they felt they needed to do to turn things around.

“She’s grown a lot with her communication,” Tirrell said. “This was the first year she really harnessed bringing her other teammates with her too, and leading.”

Edwards said leadership this season was a “priority.”

“We all had to relearn how to communicate with each other, and how to all gain our leadership skills back after not playing with each other for a long time,” she said. “Everyone put in their all, and we all bonded together.”

It’s hard to believe the 2025 Cheboygan-area fall sports season has been done for a while now.

Whether it was volleyball, cross country, or golf, there were great athletes across the board.  

Who do you think was the best girls athlete in the Cheboygan area this past fall? Be sure to vote in this poll, which opens on Monday, Dec. 29, and closes on Thursday, Jan. 1, at 11 p.m.

Here’s a look at the candidates:  

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. –   Jordan Johnson of B-CU Men’s Basketball have been named Wildcat of the Week for the week of December 22-28, 2025.

Jordan Johnson was excellent for B-CU in a road contest at the No. 1 team in the nation, Arizona. He posted a team-high 18 points on 7-10 shooting including a 4-6 clip from three, two assists, and a rebound. 

Each week, The Bethune-Cookman Office of Athletic Communications recognizes one male and one female student-athlete through the Wildcats of the Week award.

This award recognizes student-athletes who have excelled in competition, in the classroom, and in the community over the past week, exemplifying the Championship Culture of Wildcat Athletics. 

2025-26 Wildcats of the Week

December 22-28

W: N/A (No Women’s Competition This Week

M: Jordan Johnson, Men’s Basketball

December 15-21

W: Tyler Butler, Women’s Basketball

M: Jakobi Heady, Men’s Basketball

December 8-14

W: N/A (No Women’s Competition This Week

M: Jakobi Heady, Men’s Basketball

December 1-7

W: Daimoni Dorsey, Women’s Basketball

M: Sha’Nard Walker, Track & Field

November 24-30

W: Chanelle McDonald, Women’s Basketball

M: Jakobi Heady, Men’s Basketball

November 17-23

W: Jordan Brooks, Women’s Basketball

M: Timmy McClain, Football

November 10-16

W: Shayla Henry, Volleyball

M: Javon Ross, Football

November 3-9

W: Madison Molock, Tennis

M: Arterio Morris, Men’s Basketball

October 27-November 2

W: Amya Jennings, Volleyball

M: Andrew Kiplagat, Cross Country

October 20-26

W: Sthefany Carvalho, Volleyball

M: Jaylen Lewis, Football

October 13-19

W: Melissa Gonzalez, Volleyball

M: N/A (No Men’s Competition this Week)

October 6-12

W: Valencia Butler, Cross Country

M: Andrew Kiplagat, Cross Country

September 29-October 5

W: Amya Jennings, Volleyball

M: Ali Scott Jr., Football

September 22-28

W: Sierra Herndon, Volleyball

M: Javon Ross, Football

September 15-21

W: Zahara El-Zein

M: Maleek Huggins, Football

September 8-14

W: Nola Hemphill, Volleyball

M: Cam’Ron Ransom, Football

September 1-7

W: Reese Wilson, Women’s Golf

M: Stephen Sparrow Jr., Football

August 25 – 31

W: Kaleigh Williams, Volleyball

M: Andrew Kiplagat, Cross Country

For all the latest Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Facebook (Bethune-Cookman Athletics), X (@BCUAthletics), Instagram (@BCU_Athletics) and BCUAthletics.com. 

 

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State Director of Athletics Nathan Christensen announced Monday afternoon that Ted Kopacz has been named the 11th head volleyball coach in Sycamore history.
 
“I’m thrilled to welcome Ted to the Sycamores as our head volleyball coach,” said Christensen. “From the very beginning, Ted quickly emerged as the leader we wanted to guide our program. He is one of the brightest young minds and a tireless recruiter in the sport, earning strong recommendations from across the country. Ted has won multiple championships and brings valuable experience working with high-level student-athletes. With deep roots in the Midwest, he understands the exceptional volleyball talent surrounding Indiana State University. Please join me in welcoming Ted and his family to the Wabash Valley.”
 
“I am incredibly humbled and honored to be named Head Coach of the Indiana State Volleyball Program,” Kopacz said. “I want to thank Nathan Christensen, Angie Lansing, and President Godard for their trust and support. Their thoughtfulness and vision for the University and the Athletic Department showcased their passion to work together to build something special in Terre Haute and the surrounding Vigo County Community.”
 
The Libertyville, Illinois native played club volleyball at Indiana University where he was a captain and earned All-Big Ten and All-MIVA honors. Kopacz graduated from Indiana with a degree in Informatics and Computing with a specialty in Sports Marketing and Management. He has recorded coaching stints at Colorado State, Nebraska Omaha, and Colorado, as well as with USA Volleyball.
 
“Indiana is a hotbed for volleyball and the sport is barreling towards becoming the next major sport across the country,” Kopacz said. “I’m determined to build a program rooted in work ethic, problem solving, and collaboration, one that is competitive not just in the Valley, but across the Midwest. I am fired up to get started with this talented group of student-athletes and to make the University and community proud. Go Sycamores!”
 
Kopacz spent two seasons at Colorado State as the lead defensive coach, implementing an opportunistic style of play and mindset focused on improving team defense. The Rams went from last in the conference in opponent hitting efficiency in 2023, to first in both 2024 (.190) and 2025 (.187). Among his individual work included daily practice planning focusing on blocking, team defense, middle/setter offense and overall team development, mapping individual development plans for each athlete.
 
The Rams’ defensive success propelled Colorado State to both the 2024 Mountain West Conference regular season and tournament championship, earning the program’s first NCAA Tournament Berth since 2019. He guided 2024 AVCA All-American Malaya Jones during the run, while Jones and Emery Herman both recorded AVCA All-Region honors.
 
He also served as the head coach of the 2024 Mountain West All-Star team that finished as the Silver Medalists at the Global Challenge Tournament held in Pula, Croatia.
 
Prior to the Rams, Kopacz spent the last two seasons as an Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at the University of Nebraska Omaha. At Omaha, he mentored the setter position and assisted in the development of offensive game-plans. Kopacz helped Omaha to their first D1 NCAA tournament appearance and first Summit League Championship in 2023. His work with the program included mentoring AVCA All-American McKenna Ruch, while also helping guide Ruch and Shayla McCormick to AVCA All-Region honors.

Kopacz started his college coaching career at the University of Colorado in January of 2021 as a Volunteer Assistant Coach. With the Buffaloes, he assisted with the training of first contact and floor defense and helped design scouting reports and prepare the scout team.

After graduation from Indiana in 2016, he worked in Benefits Administration, most recently as a Senior Account Manager at bswift, while consulting for several different clubs and high school teams in the Chicagoland area.

 

Follow the Sycamores

For the latest information on the Sycamore Volleyball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Fans can also receive updates on Sycamore Athletics by downloading the March On App from both the App Store and the Google Play Store.

The University of Colorado Boulder has selected Fernando Lovo to lead its premier athletic department, CU Chancellor Justin Schwartz announced today.  Lovo, who comes to Boulder from the University of New Mexico, was approved by unanimous vote of the CU Board of Regents and will succeed Rick George, who will transition to an AD Emeritus role.  Lovo will officially start on January 1, 2026. 
 
“When we began our national search for a new Director of Athletics, we sought someone of high character, committed to the student-athlete experience who has an innovative approach to revenue generation,” said Schwartz. “Fernando is a dynamic leader who is perfect for these dynamic times and embodies CU’s high standards and values. He has a proven track record of leading student-athletes to success both in competition and in the classroom, and I’m confident that he is the perfect steward to lead CU Athletics into this new era of college athletics. We are thrilled to welcome Fernando, Jordan, Liam and Layla to the Buffalo family.”
 
After joining New Mexico as Vice President/Director of Athletics in December, 2024, Lovo presided over eight Mountain West titles, tied for the fourth-most in school history and the most of any Mountain West school last year. UNM finished 2024-2025 ranked 49th in the Learfield Director’s Cup, tops among all Group of 5 schools and is off to another strong start this year, finishing the fall ranked 20th, which also leads the G5.  The Lobos also set numerous academic records, including a Mountain West record 231 Scholar-Athlete selections, which goes to student-athletes who have achieved a 3.5 GPA or higher, and 273 conference All-Academic Team members, which recognizes those student-athletes who have cumulative GPA for the academic year of 3.0 or higher. 
 
“I’m honored to join this incredible group of student-athletes, coaches and staff at a tremendous institution that strives for excellence and espouses the right values,” said Lovo. “We are in a time of extraordinary change in college athletics and Colorado should lead the way in shaping what comes next. I look forward to helping our student-athletes succeed in every aspect of their lives while bringing championships to Buff Nation. I am sincerely grateful to the CU Board of Regents, President Saliman, and Chancellor Schwartz for this incredible opportunity to lead this iconic department and its storied programs.  I am also honored to take over leadership of CU Boulder Athletics from Rick George, one of the legendary athletic directors in the country.”  
 
In just his second week on the job at New Mexico, Lovo was tasked with hiring a new football coach and brought in Jason Eck, who promptly led the Lobos to a 9-3 regular season record, their first nine-win season since 2016 and a berth in the Rate Bowl against Minnesota, while earning Mountain West Coach of the Year honors. Lovo also hired basketball coach Eric Olen from UC San Diego in what is widely considered one of the best hires of the offseason and who has UNM off to a 10-2 start this year.  
 
Lovo also led the UNM Athletic Department to a record revenue year, growing the overall operating budget of the department by 17.6% from FY25 to FY26, and achieving record marks in ticket sales, multimedia rights, parking, concessions, and trademark and licensing revenue, along with a record year in Lobo Club fundraising.
 

Prior to becoming Vice President/Director of Athletics for New Mexico, Lovo had two stints at the University of Texas at Austin, during which he served in a number of administrative roles.  Beginning in December 2021, he was Senior Associate Athletics Director for Facilities and Operations before quickly being promoted to Senior Associate Athletics Director, Facilities, Capital Projects & Game Operations. His final position with the Longhorns was as Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director- Operations, where, in addition to serving as sports coordinator for men’s basketball and men’s and women’s tennis, he oversaw nearly half a billion dollars in capital projects.  
 
Lovo first joined UT as Chief of Staff for Football from 2016 through early 2021 before taking the position of Chief of Staff with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.  

A native of New Orleans, Lovo grew up in Miami. He and his wife, Jordan, have two children, Liam and Layla.