College Track and Field: Lelwica wins MIAC decathlon title – Brainerd Dispatch
COLLEGEVILLE — Max Lelwica is a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion. The St. John’s University senior and 2021 Brainerd graduate showed out at the MIAC Championship May 1-2 and placed first in the decathlon with 6,905 points at Carleton’s Laird Stadium. Lelwica finished just 27 points off the St. John’s record set by Maguire Peterson […]
COLLEGEVILLE — Max Lelwica is a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion.
The St. John’s University senior and 2021 Brainerd graduate showed out at the MIAC Championship May 1-2 and placed first in the decathlon with 6,905 points at Carleton’s Laird Stadium.
Lelwica finished just 27 points off the St. John’s record set by Maguire Peterson at the 2022 NCAA Division III Championships.
Lelwica will get one last chance to break that mark at the NCAA Division III Championships May 22-24 in Geneva, Ohio.
Lelwica is the fifth Johnnie to win the decathlon at the MIAC championship. It’s also his first MIAC title in any event.
“It was a pretty gloomy day, but that’s almost nice because then the sun doesn’t beat you down over the course of the two days,” Lelwica said. “My buddy and I had been training all throughout the fall and preparing the whole year just for this big meet. It was fun to go out with my teammates and compete. It’s a long two days, but it’s a lot of fun. I was just trying to score points for the team because it’s always close between us and Bethel.”
Lelwica posted personal bests in four events and won six of the 10. On the second day, Lelwica won the 110-meter hurdles, discus and pole vault, while placing second in the 1500 run to clinch the title.
Max Lelwica competes in last year’s NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Saint John’s University Athletics
“Right before the last event, the 1500, I asked my coach who I needed to stick with just to score points,” Lelwica said. “Thankfully, by then, it didn’t matter quite what I ran in terms of winning the MIAC. However, I was trying to get our school record.
“It feels good to get a payoff for the hard work you put in and I’m just very thankful it came together. It’s easy during the decathlon for stuff to go wrong just because there’s so much going on.”
He ran a 15.17 in the 110 hurdles and threw a personal best 39.29 meters in the discus. He tied for first in the pole vault, clearing the bar at 4.2 meters. He threw 46.48 meters in the javelin to place fourth — his worst finish.
During the first day of competition, Lelwica ran a personal best 11.39 in the 100 dash for third. He followed it with a personal best 6.48 meters in the long jump to win. He won the high jump at 1.89 meters and the 400 dash with a personal best time of 50.31.
Max Lelwica celebrates during the MIAC Decathlon Championships May 2-3 at Carleton College.
Michael Abdella / SJU
He collected third in the shot put with a throw of 11.83 meters.
“I had a really solid Day One, which is usually my weaker point,” Lelwica said. “I was in the lead after Day One and felt like if I came out and took care of business on Day Two, I should be able to get it done because I’m a better Day Two performer. I tried not to think about it too much and just stayed focused on the task at hand.”
His favorite event in the decathlon is the hurdles.
“I get that question a lot and I usually answer with just whatever is going well because it’s kind of hit or miss,” Lelwica said.
Lelwica said it was Mike Degen who recommended he try the decathlon in college. Degen’s son, Mitch, graduated from Brainerd in 2022 and is currently a thrower for St. John’s. Degen won the javelin with a first-place 58.46 toss.
“He thought I would do very well at it,” Lelwica said. “When I toured here and talked to the coaches, they told me they’ll take anyone interested in it. They’ll never force us to do anything, but for the decathlon, you have to want to put the work in to do it because it’s so many events. I’ve never been a top-end athlete and just been decent at a bunch of things and I went into college right away thinking I was going to try this out.”
Max Lelwica
Paul Middlestaedt, (320) 293-5566
The biggest learning curve for Lelwica we43 the hurdles, high jump and pole vault.
“The vault has been tough, but learning the events wasn’t as tough for me as just getting faster,” Lelwica said. “I was pretty slow coming out of high school and didn’t have a ton of athleticism. I was just a jumper and learned a lot on how to get faster and more powerful.”
Lelwica was fifth in the heptathlon in the MIAC Indoor Championships Feb. 27-March 1. He placed ninth at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships March 14-15.
Before the Indoor Championships, Lelwica won the Wartburg Invite with 5,063 points in the heptathlon.
Lelwica will graduate with a degree in biochemistry and plans to go to medical school after taking a gap year. He was a three-sport athlete at Brainerd High School competing in soccer, basketball and track and field
“I’ve had really good coaches here at St. John’s and they’re willing to work with me,” Lelwica said. “I’ve learned a lot from them. My teammates and coaches have given me the right regimen and kind of helped me figure out things, so I can apply them.”
CONRAD ENGSTROM may be reached at 218-855-5861 or conrad.engstrom@brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/the_rad34.
Year: Senior School: St. John’s University Sport: Track and field Major: Biochemistry High School: Brainerd class of 2021 Highlights: He won the MIAC Decathlon with 6,905 points and collected personal bests in four events.
Best beaches in Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie: Blind Creek nude beach
Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, South Causeway, Jetty Park, Avalon, Gulfstream, John Brooks, Frederick Douglass, Kimberly Bergalis top the list. Let’s go to the beach — in Fort Pierce and near Port St. Lucie. These are the best beaches in the area, either popular and packed with people or lesser-known with small parking lots to […]
Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, South Causeway, Jetty Park, Avalon, Gulfstream, John Brooks, Frederick Douglass, Kimberly Bergalis top the list.
Let’s go to the beach — in Fort Pierce and near Port St. Lucie.
These are the best beaches in the area, either popular and packed with people or lesser-known with small parking lots to keep crowds away.
This list includes whether these beaches have restrooms and outdoor showers, as well as other amenities such as picnic pavilions and sand volleyball courts. All have parking lots, some paved and others not.
No lifeguards are on duty unless otherwise noted. All are free except state parks. No pets, alcohol, fires, camping or fireworks are allowed at beaches in Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County — with the exception of Walton Rocks Beach in Jensen Beach, which allows pets.
Here are the 16 best beaches in Fort Pierce and near Port St. Lucie, from north to south in St. Lucie County.
Vero Beach: 15 best beaches includes Jaycee Park, South Beach, Round Island, Sebastian Inlet
Staff pick: Entertainment reporter loves Fort Pierce beach for surfing, snorkeling
Avalon State Park
North State Road A1A, 4 miles north of Fort Pierce Inlet State Park or 9 miles south of Vero Beach
Open 8 a.m. to sunset daily
$2 per vehicle, pedestrians and bicyclists (use honor box to pay fees; correct change required)
Includes 1.7 miles of beach, restrooms, showers, water fountains, picnic pavilions, paved parking, nature trail
Popular surf spot for beginner and intermediate surfers
Pepper Park Beachside
3302 N. State Road A1A, Fort Pierce
52-acre park next to National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum
Open 24 hours daily
Lifeguards on duty during day
Includes restrooms, showers, water fountains, picnic pavilions, grills, sand volleyball court, tennis courts, pickleball courts, basketball court, paved parking
Popular beginner surf spot and snorkeling spot because of shallow reefs about 100 yards offshore and Urca de Lima shipwreck, the state’s first underwater archeological preserve located in about 20 feet of water
Fort Pierce Inlet State Park
905 Shorewinds Drive, Fort Pierce
Half-mile of dune, coastal hammock and pristine beach
Open 8 a.m. to sunset daily
$6 per vehicle up to 8 people; $4 single-occupant vehicle; $2 per pedestrian, bicyclist, extra passenger
Includes restrooms, showers, water fountains, picnic pavilions, hiking trails, bicycle path, paved parking
Popular experienced surf spot and snorkeling spot because of rocky jetty to see snook, lobsters, sea turtles, nurse sharks, tropical fish, jacks and the occasional hogfish
Snorkeling: 6 best snorkel spots in Vero Beach, Fort Pierce, Stuart
Surfing: 6 best beginner surf spots in Fort Pierce, Jensen Beach, Stuart
South Causeway Beach
Jetty Park Beach (Fort Pierce Beach)
Seaway Drive and State Road A1A, Fort Pierce
Open sunrise to sunset daily
Includes restrooms, pavilions, deck, bike rack, paved parking lot
Walk along the South Jetty to see manatees and dolphins when conditions allowed and watch kite surfers on windy days fly across the water
Porpoise Beach
Gulfstream Beach
State Road A1A and Gulfstream Avenue, Fort Pierce
Open sunrise to sunset daily
Small paved parking lot
South Beach Park
Kimberly Bergalis Memorial Park
S. Ocean Drive and Melaleuca Drive, Fort Pierce
Open sunrise to sunset daily
Includes restrooms, showers, pavilions, grills, paved parking lot
Named after 23-year-old woman who died of AIDS-related illnesses in 1991 after she was infected with HIV by a Jensen Beach dentist
Surfside Park
Coconut Drive Park
Blue Heron Beach
John Brooks Park Beachside
3300 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce
Open sunrise to sunset daily
226-acre upland and wetland preserve with 2 miles of beachfront dunes
Includes wooden ramp dune crossover with covered viewing area, small unpaved parking lot
Named after environmental activist John Brooks
Only beach that allows horseback riding tours
Frederick Douglass Memorial Park
3600 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce
Open sunrise to sunset daily
Includes restrooms, pavilions, picnic tables, unpaved parking lot
Named after the famous African-American abolitionist, editor and author
Middle Cove Beach
Blind Creek Beachside
Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm’s entertainment reporter dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com. Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at profile.tcpalm.com/newsletters/manage.
Wednesday, June 25, Coronado Fire Station Venue (126 Orange Ave) You’re invited to an evening of fun, community, and purpose as we come together to support the Alzheimer’s Association in the heart of Coronado. Enjoy a lively cocktail hour starting at 5:00 p.m., followed by a spirited game of Bunco from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Whether you’re a seasoned Bunco […]
Wednesday, June 25, Coronado Fire Station Venue (126 Orange Ave)
You’re invited to an evening of fun, community, and purpose as we come together to support the Alzheimer’s Association in the heart of Coronado. Enjoy a lively cocktail hour starting at 5:00 p.m., followed by a spirited game of Bunco from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Whether you’re a seasoned Bunco pro or brand new to the game, it’s all about rolling the dice for a cause that matters.
Enjoy raffles, prizes, signature cocktails, light bites, and surprises throughout the night. All proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.
Bring your friends, your lucky dice, and your heart for giving. Let’s roll for awareness, support families, and raise critical funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. For more information and to purchase your ticket, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1393131938129?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Sports Production Innovation Summit 2025: Picture Gallery
SVG Europe together with event partner GRUP MEDIAPRO welcomed 200 people to Barcelona for last week’s inaugural Sports Production Innovation Summit. Attendees were treated to insights from leading figures at organisations including Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), International Sports Broadcasting (ISB) MotoGP, Hexagon Cup, SailGP, Telefonica Broadcast Services, GRUP MEDIAPRO and more, with topics discussed including […]
SVG Europe together with event partner GRUP MEDIAPRO welcomed 200 people to Barcelona for last week’s inaugural Sports Production Innovation Summit.
Attendees were treated to insights from leading figures at organisations including Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), International Sports Broadcasting (ISB) MotoGP, Hexagon Cup, SailGP, Telefonica Broadcast Services, GRUP MEDIAPRO and more, with topics discussed including the latest innovations in AI-driven production, cloud-based workflows, content creation for emerging and challenger sports and the future of centralised and remote production.
SVG Europe’s Sports Production Innovation Summit took place in Barcelona with event partner GRUP MEDIAPRO
James Ransome of title sponsor Ross Video delivers his welcome remarks
Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) chief technology officer Sotiris Salamouris, in conversation with SVG co-executive director of editorial services Ken Kerschbaumer
Laura Llames, LiveU, Country Manager, South Europe, speaking as part of the Capturing the Action panel
Mads Astrup Rønning, Green Producers Club, Founder & Head of International Operations, Steve Knee, Cloudbass, Managing Director, Ursula Romero, ISB, Managing Director, Judith Fernandez, Grup Mediapro, Head of Sustainability speak about sustainability in sports production
Fernando Pinto Jez, TVU Networks, Head of Solutions, EMEA, speaks about how how Mediapro and TVU Networks helped CONCACAF centralise VAR operations
GRUP MEDIAPRO CEO and President Tatxo Benet welcomes attendees
SVG Europe’s George Bevir, with Victor Casanovas, SevenMila Sports Agency, General Manager, Jose Garnes, Hexagon Cup, Head of Content and Chris Carpenter, SailGP, Exec Producer speak about creating content for new and challenger sports
David Jaouen, Haivision, Senior Sales Director, Broadcast Europe, on innovation in cost-effective content creation
Moderator Paco Garcia with Laia Espuny Planelles, Automatic.TV (Part of Grup Mediapro), Product Manager Sergi Sendra, MotoGP, Head of Global Technology, Fernando Pinto Jez, TVU Networks, Head of Solutions, EMEA discuss innovation and AI in sports production
SVG Europe’s George Bevir with Ursula Romero, ISB, Managing Director, Greg Breakell, ISB, Senior Coordinating Producer / Director and Sofia Zhuang, ISB, Coordinating Producer The World Games speak about the upcoming World Games 2025
Emili Planas, Grup Mediapro, CTO and Operations Manager on a panel discussing remote production, along with Roberto Jimeno Jiménez, Telefonica Broadcast Services, CTO, Donald Sievewright, Matrox, EMEA Sales Director, Dirk Thometzek, LucidLink, Solutions Architect
Canada loses 3-0 to No. 2 Brazil in women’s Volleyball Nations League action | National Sports
ISTANBUL – Canada’s women’s team lost its third match in three days with a 3-0 defeat to No. 2 Brazil in the 2025 Volleyball Nations League on Friday. VNL rookie Abby Guezen led the Canadians with 13 points, all off the attack. Nyadholi Thokbuom tallied 12 points — nine off the attack, two off blocks […]
ISTANBUL – Canada’s women’s team lost its third match in three days with a 3-0 defeat to No. 2 Brazil in the 2025 Volleyball Nations League on Friday.
VNL rookie Abby Guezen led the Canadians with 13 points, all off the attack. Nyadholi Thokbuom tallied 12 points — nine off the attack, two off blocks and one off a serve.
Set scores were 25-20, 25-23 and 25-23.
Canada (2-5) also lost 3-2 to South Korea on Wednesday and 3-0 to host Turkey on Thursday.
The Canadians rank 15th in the 18-country round robin with five preliminary phase matches remaining.
Canada will have a day off before facing Belgium on Sunday.
“I’m very happy to see the team getting better each day,” head coach Giovanni Guidetti said. “Today we had a chance to win two sets against Brazil, that means the team is performing well because we played at the same level as Brazil, so we should be proud of that. We need to be better at the end of the sets, but again, we had a chance against Brazil, which is a good sign.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.
Enquirer readers’ choices for 2024-2025 fall athletes of the year
In a vote that ended June 20, Cincinnati.com readers selected the Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Athletes of the Year for the 2024-2025 fall season. The Enquirer placed the athlete of the week winners from all fall sports into one ballot per category. Here are the readers’ choices for winners. Advertisement The winter athletes of […]
In a vote that ended June 20, Cincinnati.com readers selected the Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Athletes of the Year for the 2024-2025 fall season.
The Enquirer placed the athlete of the week winners from all fall sports into one ballot per category. Here are the readers’ choices for winners.
Advertisement
The winter athletes of the year voting will begin Monday, June 23, and the spring vote will be Monday, June 30.
Beacon Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine
Ohio football team of the year: Batavia
Northern Kentucky/Indiana football team of the year: Bishop Brossart
Boys fall team of the year: Villa Madonna cross country
Girls fall team of the year: Villa Madonna volleyball
Ohio boys cross-country athlete of the year: Caden Winship, Mason
Northern Kentucky/Indiana boys cross-country athlete of the year: Mark Antrobus, Villa Madonna
Ohio girls cross-country athlete of the year: Sophia France, Little Miami
Northern Kentucky/Indiana girls cross-country athlete of the year: Ellie Frey, Conner
Advertisement
Boys golfer of the year: Cayse Morgan, Elder
Girls golfer of the year: Eva Becerril, Sycamore
Field hockey athlete of the year: Chloe Castellini, Summit Country Day
Ohio big-school football player of the year: Caden Piening, Anderson
Ohio small-school football player of the year: Elijah Guttman, Cincinnati Country Day
Ohio big-school boys soccer player of the year: Brody Sucher, Kings
Ohio small-school boys soccer player of the year: Clemente Volk, Summit Country Day
Ohio big-school girls soccer player of the year: Emma Hartmann, Little Miami
Ohio small-school girls soccer player of the year: Ayla Jodrey, Bethel-Tate
Advertisement
Northern Kentucky/Indiana boys soccer player of the year: Parker Monson, Simon Kenton
Northern Kentucky/Indiana girls soccer player of the year: Rachel Shewmaker, Bishop Brossart
Ohio girls tennis player of the year: Lucy Glassmeyer, Mariemont
Ohio big-school girls volleyball player of the year: Malia Brinkman, Mount Notre Dame
Ohio small-school girls volleyball player of the year: Savanna Stacey, McNicholas
Northern Kentucky/Indiana girls volleyball player of the year: Victoria Sebald, Villa Madonna
Water polo player of the year: Marco DiLoreto, Mason
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Enquirer fall high school athletes of the year 2024-2025
In the Sunday editions of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, look for the 2025 Spring All-County section, honoring the top high school athletes in track and field, baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis, water polo, boys weightlifting, boys volleyball and beach volleyball in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Here is the online version of the 2025 Spring […]
In the Sunday editions of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, look for the 2025 Spring All-County section, honoring the top high school athletes in track and field, baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis, water polo, boys weightlifting, boys volleyball and beach volleyball in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Here is the online version of the 2025 Spring All-County:
Broward County
The best of Broward County high school sports: Spring 2025 All-County honorees
Palm Beach County
The best of Palm Beach County high school sports: Spring 2025 All-County honorees
