Port of Spain-based Royhil Seals Water Polo Club had a strong showing at the Curacao Aquatics Association Summer Water Polo Tournament, held in Willemstad over the past week, winning two gold medals along with one silver and one bronze.

The club fielded two teams in the Under-14 coed category and one team each in the Under-16 girls and Under-16 coed divisions, competing against opponents from Curacao and Peru.

Royhil Seals dominated the U-14 coed competition, with both their teams advancing to the final after semifinal victories. In an all-Seals showdown, the Trinidad and Tobago club walked away with both the gold and silver medals in the division.

In the U-16 girls category, Royhil Seals faced Orca’s Club of Curacao in a best-of-seven series.

After dropping the opening match, the Seals bounced back impressively, winning three straight games.

They conceded another in the fifth, but closed out the series in the sixth match to clinch the gold medal.

In the U-16 coed division, the Seals battled hard but finished third overall, earning a bronze medal behind Aquatica of Peru and Orca’s Club of Curacao.

The tournament concluded on Saturday, capping a successful campaign for the Trinidad and Tobago club on the regional stage.

UTICA, N.Y. — Special Olympics New York announced the Mohawk Valley host for the Summer Games over the next three years.

Utica University has been selected as the host site for the Summer Games, which will welcome over 1,200 athletes each June from 2026 to 2028.

The six sports in the Summer Games are basketball, powerlifting, swimming, tennis, volleyball and track and field.

Utica University will act as the central hub for the Summer Games, hosting both the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the majority of the events.

In addition, Hamilton College, the City of Utica and Mohawk Valley Community College will also host various segments of the Summer Games.

Special Olympics New York is recognized as one of the largest state chapters in the United States.

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente said that it’s an honor to have the Summer Games in our area.

“This is more than a sporting event—it’s a celebration of courage, determination and inclusion. We look forward to welcoming these incredible athletes, their families and supporters and showing them the warmth, pride and spirit that define our community,” he said.

For more about Special Olympics New York, click here.

The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial.

The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.

The562’s coverage of high school volleyball in 2025 is brought to you by the MLP’s Bay Area Breakers.

The 2025 CIF-SS Beach Volleyball Championships had the feel of a Moore League showcase, with three Long Beach teams playing for championships on the Long Beach City College sand courts. 

First up, Long Beach Poly took care of business with a thrilling win over Canyon in the Division 3 title match, setting the tone for an epic clash between Wilson and Millikan for the D2 crown. The Bruins and Rams played a very even match, with Wilson surviving with a 3-2 win to earn the program’s first CIF title and give the Moore League a pair of CIF titles in a two-hour span.

Poly trailed Canyon 2-1 in the first championship final, needing to win the last two matches to emerge victorious. It all came down to Court 4, where Simone Millsap and Alyssa Luna survived multiple match points for Poly with the antire crowd watching their match. The Jackrabbits were able to win 17-15 in the third set to clinch the title and set off the first celebration of the day.

“It was a battle from beginning to end,” head coach Litara Keil said. “I don’t think there was ever a break for relief and I think this whole playoff series it’s been like that where we’re down and we have to come back and the girls have come back on top every single time.”

In the next match, Wilson was able to defeat Millikan for a third time in the 2025 season, and the third win was certainly the toughest to attain. With the score tied 1-1, the remaining three matches went to a decisive third set, with a pair of nail-biters on Courts 2 & 4. The Bruins got the clinching point from Iyla Alvarado and Jane Morrison on Court 4, as the pair improved to 14-0 on the season.

After reaching the CIF semifinals the year prior, Wilson’s stated goal was to make it the CIF finals. Not only did they get there, but they got the gold, capping off a memorable season of beach volleyball as Long Beach looks to stake its claim in the emerging CIF sport.

“So much credit to Millikan. They’re outstanding,” said Wilson head coach Jeremy Cook, fresh off the championship celebration. “They’re such good sports, and we knew it was gonna be tough. They’ve been battling us hard since we started this whole thing, so a ton of credit to Millikan, and then I’m just so proud of our girls for refusing to lose. As a team, we’ve won 17 straight, and we’re not winning easily, but we were winning. It’s unbelievable.”

The Long Beach football community suffered a shocking loss earlier this month with the sudden passing of LBCC alum and Super Bowl LII champion Bryan Braman at the age of 38. Braman was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer in February and despite aggressive treatment, declined rapidly before passing away on July 17.

“We’re saddened by the passing of LBCC alum and Super Bowl champ Bryan Braman,” reads an LBCC official statement. His strength and spirit inspired many. Rest in peace.”

Braman leaves behind two daughters, aged 11 and 8. A GoFundMe posted earlier this year raised over $90,000, including a $10,000 donation from JJ Watt, Braman’s teammate on the Houston Texans.

Braman underwent several surgeries in Seattle as well as a form of cell therapy as part of the efforts to save his life.

Braman was a star with the Vikings who went on to a role player career in the NFL with the Eagles and Texans, winning a Super Bowl in Philadelphia.

Eight former University of Arkansas student-athletes have been selected as members of the 2025 class of the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor, the university’s athletic department announced Monday (July 28).

Makeba Alcide (women’s track & field), Brian Baker (men’s track & field/cross country), Zack Cox (baseball), the late Ryan Mallett (football), C’eira Ricketts (women’s basketball), James Rouse (football), Dwight Stewart (men’s basketball) and Clint Stoerner (football) will be inducted in a ceremony to be held Sept. 26, 2025, at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville.

Mallett will be inducted posthumously.

The ceremony is set for the night prior to the Razorbacks’ first-ever meeting with Notre Dame at 11 a.m. inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Inductees are elected to the UA Sports Hall of Honor based on a vote by former Razorback letterwinners in conjunction with the A Club.

“Every year it is a privilege to induct our Razorback greats into the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor, and this year is no exception,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek said in a statement. “Our 2025 class represents individuals whose achievements, character and legacy have forever shaped the proud tradition of Razorback Athletics. It will truly be a fantastic weekend honoring them in September.”

Following are brief notes on the 2025 UA Sports Hall of Honor inductees.
Makeba Alcide
A St. Lucian native, Alcide competed for the Razorback women’s track and field team from 2009 to 2013, excelling in the pentathlon and heptathlon. She set a then-collegiate record in the pentathlon with a score of 4,569 points to win the 2013 SEC Indoor title and then finished third at the NCAA Championships.

Brian Baker
A distance runner and member of the Razorback dynasty in the 1990s, Baker was part of nine national championship team titles accumulated by Arkansas from 1990 to 1993, which included a pair of national triple crowns in 1992 and 1993.

Zack Cox
Cox spent two years as the third baseman for the Razorbacks in 2009-10 and proved himself as one of the best hitters in school history. His season batting average of .429 and hit total of 102 in 2010 still lead all Arkansas hitters over a decade later.

Ryan Mallett
One of the most prolific passers in Razorback history, Mallett came to Arkansas after playing his freshman season at the University of Michigan. In two years as a Razorback, Mallett completed 491 of 814 pass attempts for 7,493 yards and 62 touchdowns.

C’eira Ricketts
Ricketts was an All-Southeastern Conference guard for the Razorbacks from 2008-12. The Louisville, Ky.-native’s name is sprinkled throughout the Arkansas record books, including being eighth in total career points.

James Rouse
Rouse played football for four years for the Razorbacks (1985, 1987–1989), rushing for 2,887 yards and 39 touchdowns. In the 1987 season, Rouse ran for 1,004 yards and 17 touchdowns, giving the Razorbacks their first 1,000-yard rusher since Ben Cowins in 1978.

Dwight Stewart
Stewart was a three-time letterwinner for the Razorbacks from 1993 to 1995, after transferring to Arkansas from South Plains Junior College. The big man helped the Hogs to 85 victories, three Sweet Sixteens, two Elite Eights, two Final Fours, two consecutive NCAA Tournament Championship Games and the 1994 NCAA National Championship.

Clint Stoerner
Stoerner was a Second-Team All-SEC quarterback in 1998 and 1999 leading the Razorbacks to a share of the SEC Western Division title in 1998. Stoerner was Arkansas’ offensive leader in each of three years – 1997-1999 – as well as Arkansas’ total offensive leader – 528 passes completed and 57 touchdowns.

Related

FULLERTON, Calif. – The Cal State Fullerton women’s volleyball team invites family, friends, fans, and alumni to attend their 2025 Volley & Vibes Fundraiser on Saturday, August 16, in Titan Gym. The scrimmage will take place at 10:00 a.m., and the fundraiser will begin at 11:30 a.m.

Guests at the fundraiser will enjoy food, beverages, both silent and live auctions, and the opportunity to mingle with new head coach Nicky Cannon, her staff, and the student-athletes. Attendees are encouraged to wear their Titan gear and come ready to celebrate the upcoming season!

All proceeds from this event will directly benefit the Titans Women’s Volleyball program.

Please register for Volley & Vibes by August 15 

Register Here

EVENT DETAILS

DATE:

Saturday, August 16, 2025

10:00 a.m. Blue vs White Scrimmage

11:30 a.m. Program & Brunch 

LOCATION:

Titan Gym KHS 268

800 N State College Blvd, 

Fullerton, CA 92831

PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES:

Platinum Sponsor – $5,000

Includes a table for 10 guests, food and 2 drink tickets for each guest, signage at the fundraiser, sponsor recognition in the practice gym, Pre Game locker room experience for one home game, Access to Practices, Q&A with Coaching Staff, and a complimentary gift basket (contains Titan gear, and wine)

Cost of Goods & Services: $169.95

Gold Sponsor- $1,250

Includes a table for 10 guests, food and 2 drink tickets for each guest, signage at the fundraiser, sponsor recognition on the Donor Wall in the practice gym, Q&A with Coaching Staff, and a complimentary gift basket (contains Titan gear, and wine)

Cost of Goods & Services: $158.96

Silver Sponsor – $1,000

Includes a table for 10 guests, food and 2 drink tickets for each guest, signage at the fundraiser, Q&A with Coaching Staff

Cost of Goods & Services: $89.00

Individual Ticket- $75

Includes food, 2 drink tickets, and dessert

Cost of Goods and Services: $8.90

Titans Volleyball Alumna Ticket- $40

Includes food, 2 drink tickets, and dessert for a Titans Volleyball Alumna

Cost of Goods and Services: $8.90

Unable to Attend but Wish to Donate – $175

Please accept my donation to the Women’s Volleyball program. Value of goods & services: $0.00

Register Here

If you are unable to attend the event but would still like to show your support with a donation in any amount, click here to give a gift to the Women’s Volleyball Fund. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Athletics Development Team at 657-278-7034 or athleticevents@fullerton.edu

SUPPORT THE TITANS!

Fans can purchase tickets for various Cal State Fullerton athletic events by visiting FullertonTitansTickets.com. The Athletic Ticket Office can also be contacted by phone at 657-278-2783 or by email at athletictixs@fullerton.edu. The Ticket Office is located at the Titan Baseball ticketing office and is open from 10 am – 4 pm PT, Monday – Friday. 

FOLLOW THE TITANS!

Fans can keep up with the latest in Titan Athletics by following us on Facebook (Facebook/FullertonTitans), X (@FullertonTitans) Instagram (@FullertonTitans), YouTube (FullertonTitansAthletics) and TikTok (@FullertonTitans). In addition, the softball team has established its own Instagram (@Fullerton_WVB) and X accounts (@Fullerton_WVB).

WATCH THE TITANS ON ESPN+

Titans fans can now watch every home event exclusively on ESPN+. Cal State Fullerton has built a top-tier production studio to give the viewers an ESPN quality production for all games at Titan Stadium. Additionally, all schools in the Big West Conference are committed to producing ESPN quality streams which will allow fans to watch the Titans on ESPN+ for all road conference games.