Sports

Coey Qualifies for Nationals on Day Two in Texas

Published

7 months ago

May 30, 2025

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Hailey Coey launched herself into Eugene in the long jump to headline the second day of action for the Montana State track and field team on Thursday at the NCAA West First Rounds in College Station, Texas.

Coey, a junior from Billings, became the first long jumper in school history to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and just the 13th different Bobcat woman ever to punch her ticket to the national stage.

“Hailey’s qualification for the NCAA finals in Eugene was certainly the highlight of the day,” head coach Lyle Weese said. “She always seems to be at her best when up against high-level competitors. Her ability to embrace the competition and make the most of the moment is incredibly impressive.”

Following the first two of four flights, the school-record holder knew she would likely have to jump 21 feet from the third flight to keep her season alive—something she had done only once during the outdoor season when she hit 21-03.50 at the Bengal Invitational on May 3 to climb to No. 2 all-time in Big Sky Conference history.

After obtaining a mark of 20-04.25 on her first attempt, Coey put everything together to fly 21-01.50 on her second attempt, then finished her series with another big jump of 20-09.25.

When it was over, Coey’s second jump had placed her eighth out of 48 competitors–plenty good enough to grab one of the 12 tickets to Eugene.

“I’m honored to be the first Bobcat long jumper to make it to the NCAA Outdoor Championships, especially being a Montana native,” Coey said. “This is a dream come true and I’m excited to represent MSU on the national stage.”

Coey is the first Bobcat woman to make it to the NCAA Outdoor Championships since Camila Noe (2023).

Elsewhere, several Montana State athletes closed incredible seasons with strong performances in Texas.

Sydney Brewster, a sophomore from Sandy, Oregon, finished 20th in the shot put following an impressive year in which she won the Big Sky indoor title and set the Big Sky Conference indoor and outdoor records.

Giulia Gandolfi, a junior from Faenza, Italy, finished 27th in the 400 meter hurdles, just barely missing out on qualifying for Saturday’s 24-woman national quarterfinal. Gandolfi, who will run the third leg on Saturday in the national quarterfinals of the 4×400 meter relay, clocked the second-fastest race of her life (58.91), just a few tenths of a second off the fifth-fastest race in school history. Gandolfi had come into the regional meet seeded 40th in the West, but well out-performed that projection to come within a hair of qualifying for the regional final.

Peyton Garrison, a junior from New Castle, Colorado, finished 42nd in the 200 meters. The Big Sky silver medalist in the 4×100 meter relay and the Big Sky bronze medalist in the 200 meters will run the second leg on Saturday for the Cats’ ninth-seeded 4×400 meter relay team.

Millie Hubbell, a junior from Littleton, Colorado, placed 43rd in the 100 meter hurdles. The Big Sky indoor silver medalist in the 60 meter hurdles and Big Sky outdoor silver medalist in the 100 meter hurdles also ran the second-fastest race in school history this season.

Emma Brensdal, a sophomore from Plentywood, took 46th in the shot put to close a phenomenal year in which she broke the school record in the discus and recorded the second-best shot put mark in program history.

Tatum Richards, a sophomore from Emmett, Idaho, and Megan Bell, a freshman from Ann Arbor, Michigan, both failed to clear the opening bar in the pole vault competition. Richards and Bell were representing the Cats as the first-ever pair of Bobcat teammates to qualify for the NCAA Regional stage in the women’s pole vault in the same year.

Clara Fox, a sophomore from Bozeman, fouled her three attempts in the javelin to close a year in which she placed third at the Big Sky Championships and climbed to No. 5 all-time in program history in the event.

UP NEXT

Montana State’s men return to E.B. Cushing Stadium on Friday for the third day of competition at the NCAA West First Rounds.

Harvey Cramb will race for a ticket to Eugene in the 1,500 meters at 5:15 p.m. CT.

The Australian sophomore qualified for Friday’s national quarterfinal by winning his heat on Wednesday, and Friday will seek to make his second trip to nationals this year after placing 11th in the mile at the indoor championships in March.

Cramb will be in the second of two heats, with the top five from each heat plus the next two-fastest times advancing to the NCAA Championships.

Then, ‘Steeple U’ takes to the track at 5:40 p.m. CT with three Bobcats trying to book trips to Eugene.

Will Kelly and Owen Smith will race in the second of three heats, with Smith trying to replicate his magic from last year at NCAA Regionals, when he entered the meet seeded 43rd before grabbing one of 12 spots to nationals.

This year, Smith is seeded 23rd, while Kelly is seeded 30th.

In the third heat of the steeplechase, three-time All-American and two-time Big Sky champion Rob McManus toes the line looking for yet another NCAA Championships appearance.

McManus is seeded fourth in the West and ranks sixth nationally in the event.

The meet will stream live on ESPN+ beginning at 4 p.m. MT/5 p.m. CT.

A full meet schedule is available here and start lists can be viewed here. A meet central webpage with links to live results, information, streaming, and more can be found here.

#GoCatsGo

Link

Sports

Tennessee Tech Closes 2025 with Tennessee State at Eblen Center

Published

2 hours ago

December 28, 2025

Your Sports Nation

By Jeff Bowe, TTU Athletics Media Relations

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech (6-7, 1-1) men’s basketball plays its final game of 2025 against Tennessee State (7-5, 1-1) at Hooper Eblen Center at 7:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Dec. 30.

The Golden Eagles return to the hardwood after an extended break for the holidays to face the Tigers. TSU has won five of the last seven games but most recently fell, 91-82, to SEMO, opening OVC competition 1-1. Tech has won three of the last four games and opened conference play with an 85-74 victory over SEMO, then fell to UT Martin (L, 62-86).

TTU enters today’s game 4-2 at home this season with wins over SEMO, Bethel (101-69), Berea (86-64), and Va. Lynchburg (118-58), and losses to West Ga. (L, 59-61) and UT Martin (L, 62-86).

GAME INFORMATION
Matchup: Tennessee Tech (6-7, 1-1 OVC) vs. Tennessee State (7-5, 1-1 OVC)
Date & Time: Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 7:30 p.m. CT
Venue: Hooper Eblen Center
Watch: ESPN+ | Dylan Vazzano (PxP) and Frank Harrell (Analyst)
Radio: 106.1 The Eagle | Noah McKay (PxP) and Jacob Vinson (Analyst)
Promotion: Purple Haze – WEAR PURPLE!

INSIDE THE SERIES
Overall: TSU leads, 41-39
In Cookeville: Tech leads, 23-17
In Nashville: TSU leads, 18-22
Neutral sites: TSU leads 2-0
Current Streak: TTU won 1
Last Meeting: TTU won 77-74 in Cookeville (Feb. 22, 2025)

TECH NOTES
Dani Pounds leads Tech in scoring, averaging 12.5 points per game (19th in OVC), and Mekhi Cameron is second on the team with 12.2 points per game (20th in OVC). Pounds is fourth in the OVC in free-throw percentage, shooting 84.1 from the line. Pounds leads the Golden Eagles in rebounds with 4.8 per game (20th in OVC).

JaJuan Nicholls is second on the team in rebounds per game (4.7), which is 23rd in the conference.

Tennessee Tech’s 118 points against Va. Lynchburg (W, 118-58, 11/10/25) mark the third-most points scored in a single game by an OVC team this season.

Ty Owens is second in the OVC with 4.2 assists per game (54 total). Nicholls is tied for fifth in the conference in blocks per game (1.2) and fourth in the OVC in total blocks (16).

The Golden Eagles are second in the conference in points per game (79.7), as well as fourth in the conference in scoring margin (3.5). TTU holds the second-best shooting percentage in the OVC (47.0, 365-777), making three fewer shots than the conference leaders (Lindenwood, 47.4).

OPPONENT NOTES
Tennessee State (7-5, 1-1) leads the all-time series 41-39 as the teams split the last two matchups during the 2024-25 season.

The Tigers are coming off a hard-fought 91–82 loss to Southeast Missouri at the Gentry Center, while the Golden Eagles also enter the contest following a defeat.

The game marks the return to action for both programs after a 10-day break. Tennessee State will open the 2026 calendar year on the road at Little Rock on Saturday, Jan. 3.

Aaron Nkrumah leads the Tigers in scoring with 17.0 points per game, averaging 4.8 rebounds per contest and 2.6 assists per game. Travis Harper II is second on the team with 15.8 points per game, and Dante Harris is third on the squad per contest with 12.6 points on average.

PURCHASE TICKETS
Tickets for Tennessee Tech Men’s Basketball are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office, or order online at TTUsports.com.

FOLLOW THE GOLDEN EAGLES
Fans can be sure to follow the Golden Eagles men’s basketball team on X (@TTU_Basketball), Instagram (TTUMBB), and Facebook (TTU MBB) for all of the news, notes, and updates.

Link

Sports

Top 25 Moments of 2025

Published

3 hours ago

December 28, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Helms, a transfer from Texas A&M, bested his previous Heptathlon score of 5394 which he earned at the Stan Scott Invite and Multis taking place on Jan. 30-Feb. 1, hosted by Texas Tech. He has had immense success in the Key City, posting three different splits at the Red Raider open in the 60m hurdles (8.30), 4x400m (3:16.21, 49.27 split) and pole vault (16-2/4.93m).

At the Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Robertson has etched herself in the record books. At the NCAA Outdoor National Championships, she recorded the best finish by a Bronco since the 2022 campaign by finishing 53rd in a field of 254 total runners.

Robertson was the first Bronco woman to earn All-America honors in the 1,500 since 2019 (Emma Bates). Hanna Ackermann also posted a top finish while in Eugene. Ackermann recorded a time of 9:54.21 in the steeplechase. The time was the third-fastest time in Boise State history.

Helms registered a score of 7,696 in the decathlon. His mark ranks third in Boise State school history and improved his previous mark in the decathlon at the 2025 Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships which were hosted by Fresno State in Clovis, California.

Link

Sports

Shondell Inks Transfer Lameen Mambu – Purdue Boilermakers

Published

3 hours ago

December 28, 2025

Your Sports Nation

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Outside hitter Lameen “Mimi” Mambu is set to transfer to Purdue volleyball, announced by head coach Dave Shondell. Mambu joins the Boilermakers after spending her freshman season at Georgia Tech, where she led the Yellow Jackets’ offense with 345 points and 304 kills.

“What a wonderful Christmas gift to get the commitment from a smart and dynamic student-athlete,” Shondell said. “We’re excited to have this hard-hitting high-flyer join our team after such a strong first season at Georgia Tech where she helped lead them to an NCAA tournament appearance. We watched Mimi play in high school and knew she would be a special player. Mimi learned so much about our program from Kash [Akasha Anderson] and Isabelle Bardin who are good friends from the D.C. area.”

2025 // AS A FRESHMAN AT GEORGIA TECH

Played in all 30 matches as a freshman, making 25 starts
Led Georgia Tech’s offense with 345 points, 304 kills and 854 attempts while averaging 2.92 kills per set
Posted 10 digs, seven kills and two block assists at Purdue in Georgia Tech’s 3-1 win at Purdue (9/3).
Averaged one dig per set with .46 blocks per set
Recorded a season-high 17 kills vs. Georgia (9/19)
Secured a career-high 20 points vs. Arkansas State (8/31), including a career-high 16 digs and 16 kills
Registered three double-doubles
Went nearly errorless on the attack in the sweep at Clemson (11/12), posting a .481 attack % behind 14 kills and one error on 27 swings
Saw at least 20 attacks in 25 matches and 40 attacks in four matches
Served up four aces in the season-opener vs. Wofford (8/29), a career-high
Totaled 14 kills, second-most on the team, along with four digs and a block assist in the five set loss to UCLA in the NCAA First Round

HIGH SCHOOL

Spent four years playing at Chantilly High School
A three-time District Player of the Year award winner (2022-2024)
Three-time All-State First Team honoree (2022-2024)
Four-time All-Region First Team honoree (2021-2024)
Led her to team to become three-time District Champions (2021, 2022, 2024) and two-time Regional Champions (2022 And 2024)
2025 Under Armor Next Volleyball All-American competitor
Won a silver medal with the United States U19 National Team during the summer of 2025

Link

Sports

Best of small school volleyball in Palm Beach

Published

3 hours ago

December 28, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Dec. 28, 2025, 10:54 a.m. ET

The 2025 Palm Beach Post All-County teams are here!

The Palm Beach County High School Sports Awards is proud to announce the Player of the Year nominees for small school volleyball.

Player of the Year winners will be announced at the South Florida Fair in a live ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 24. Nominees will be able to register to attend for free, thanks to sponsors. For more information about the show, please reach out to deputy sports editor Eric J. Wallace (ejwallace@pbpost.com).

Link

Sports

Best of large school volleyball in Palm Beach

Published

3 hours ago

December 28, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Dec. 28, 2025, 10:54 a.m. ET

The 2025 Palm Beach Post All-County teams are here!

The Palm Beach County High School Sports Awards is proud to announce the Player of the Year nominees for large school volleyball.

Link

Sports

December 28 – Kelly Sheffield was hired to coach UW-Madison’s Volleyball team

Published

4 hours ago

December 28, 2025

Your Sports Nation

MADISON, Wis. — On this day, December 28, 2012, Kelly Sheffield was hired as Wisconsin’s head volleyball coach, instantly propelling the program into one of the best in the country.

The Badgers had been coached by Pete Waite for the previous 13 years, and the program had been struggling since 2008. Sheffield turned things around immediately in his first season, making it all the way to the national championship in 2013, falling just short to Penn State.

Since then, the Badgers have made the NCAA tournament each season and have not lost more than 10 games in any season since he was hired.

He led the program to the top of the mountain in 2021, when they defeated Nebraska for the first championship in program history.

Since then, they have made the Final Four twice, most recently this past season, where they fell just short to the Kentucky Wildcats in five sets.

Sheffield has also coached 20 different Badgers to 45 All-American nominations, headlined by Dana Rettke and Sarah Franklin who won AVCA Player of the Year honors in 2021 and 2023.

Click here to download the WMTV15 News app or our WMTV15 First Alert weather app.

Link