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Coppin State track star aims for world championships after NCAA success

BALTIMORE — Jarrett Gentles set a school record at Coppin State in the 400m hurdles before qualifying for the NCAA track and field championships in Eugene, Oregon, where he finished in 9th place. “My first time being there felt like I belonged there, stepping on the track. Definitely electrifying stadium. Everybody was loud and it […]

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BALTIMORE — Jarrett Gentles set a school record at Coppin State in the 400m hurdles before qualifying for the NCAA track and field championships in Eugene, Oregon, where he finished in 9th place.

“My first time being there felt like I belonged there, stepping on the track. Definitely electrifying stadium. Everybody was loud and it was a great run,” Gentles said.

The senior athlete also received 2nd team All-American honors, becoming only the 3rd Coppin State Eagle in that event to achieve that distinction.

Hear from Jarrett Gentles while he prepares to reach his goals

Coppin State athlete who earned All-American nod says he is not done yet

“That accolade means everything because like as I said, like looking back in high school I was able to become an all-American my last year also in high school like senior year so like knowing that it was my last year collegiately competing,” Gentles said.

But the grind doesn’t stop for Gentles. There’s an even bigger goal he’s shooting for.

“One of my biggest goals was to try for the world championship team and stuff like that, get a chance at it. With the time I ran this season, I did qualify to go to U.S. trials, so I’m taking my chances with that. It starts, I think July 31st, August 1st, so I’m training for that right now until I get a chance to make the world team,” Gentles said.

His hard work is paying off as he pursues his dreams.

“I’ve been working so hard that now it’s finally like blossoming into something that is the deserving and I feel like I stay the same, like stay down, stay committed to the goals of like, you know, training every day max potential 100%, and I just keep grinding,” he said.

Even though he’s no longer running for Coppin State, Gentles has one more year left as a grad student. He’ll still be around aiming for a professional career.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.





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Joseph Benson Elevated to CCNY Head Cross Country/Track and Field Coach

Story Links Release Courtesy CCNY Athletic Communications NEW YORK – The City College of New York has announced that Joseph Benson, a proud alumnus and longtime assistant coach, has been elevated to Head Coach of the men’s and women’s cross country and track & field programs ahead of the 2025–26 academic year, […]

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Release Courtesy CCNY Athletic Communications

NEW YORK – The City College of New York has announced that Joseph Benson, a proud alumnus and longtime assistant coach, has been elevated to Head Coach of the men’s and women’s cross country and track & field programs ahead of the 2025–26 academic year, Interim Director of Athletics Karina Jorge announced Thursday.

“Joey is a product of our program who understands the demands, the legacy, and the potential of CCNY Athletics,” said Interim Director of Athletics Karina Jorge. “His passion for CCNY, combined with his leadership, consistency, and deep understanding of our programs, make him the ideal choice to lead our cross country and track & field programs. He’s helped lay the foundation for much of our recent success, and we are confident he will continue to build a culture of excellence and elevate our teams both competitively and academically.”

A dedicated member of the CCNY coaching staff since 2017, Benson has been instrumental in the success of the Beavers’ cross country and distance squads. His tenure has been marked by championship performances, NCAA Regional appearances, and a steadfast commitment to the athletic and personal development of his student-athletes.

“I’m incredibly excited and honored to be named head coach of cross country and track & field at CCNY,” said Benson. “As an alumnus, this program and this school hold a special place in my heart. There’s a rich history of success here — some of which I’ve been fortunate to be part of — and I’m looking forward to building on that legacy and helping our student-athletes continue to grow, compete, and succeed both on and off the track.”

During his time as an assistant coach, Benson helped lead CCNY to numerous CUNY Athletic Conference titles across both track & field and cross country: 

  • Men’s Cross Country CUNYAC Championships: 2018, 2019
  • Men’s Indoor & Track & Field CUNYAC Championships: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023
  • Men’s Outdoor Track & Field CUNYAC Championships: 2018, 2019
  • Women’s Indoor Track & Field CUNYAC Championships: 2018, 2019, 2020
  • Women’s Outdoor Track & Field CUNYAC Championship: 2018
  • Women’s Cross Country CUNYAC Runner-Up Finishes: 2021, 2022

In 2022–23, Benson was elevated to Co-Head Coach for the indoor track & field season, guiding the men’s team to a dramatic one-point victory at the CUNYAC Indoor Championship and earning CUNYAC Coach of the Year honors. Later that spring, both the men’s and women’s outdoor teams finished as runners-up at the conference championships.

A passionate runner, Benson’s journey with CCNY began as a student-athlete from 2014 to 2015, competing in both cross country and track & field. He later served as team manager before earning his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from CCNY’s Grove School of Engineering in 2016. Outside of athletics, Benson works professionally in Radio Frequency (RF) Engineering, where he designs critical communication infrastructure for high-level projects—bringing the same precision and problem-solving approach to his coaching philosophy.


For the latest news on the CUNY Athletic Conference, log on to cunyathletics.com – the official site of the CUNY Athletic Conference. Also, become a follower of the CUNYAC on Instagram (@CUNYAC), Twitter (@CUNYAC) and YouTube (@CUNY Athletic Conference), and “LIKE” Us on Facebook (CUNY Athletic Conference).





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White County Lady Warriors – BLITZ

Three straight 30-win seasons, and a Final 4 run for the second time in a 3-year stretch. That’s phenomenal. The Lady Warriors will look to retool the lineup and continue to be one of the top teams in North Georgia. PRESEASON INFO 2024 Record: 32-10; Region Runner-Up; Final 4Head Coach: Yarixa Oakes (4th Season)Returning Starters: […]

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Three straight 30-win seasons, and a Final 4 run for the second time in a 3-year stretch. That’s phenomenal. The Lady Warriors will look to retool the lineup and continue to be one of the top teams in North Georgia.

PRESEASON INFO

2024 Record: 32-10; Region Runner-Up; Final 4
Head Coach: Yarixa Oakes (4th Season)
Returning Starters: 2
Key Departures: Mya Yeh, Jenna Pratt, Emma Kerley, Sarah Jarrard,
Baylee Rae Vandiver, Rylee Elrod, Brooklyn Thomason
Key Players: Daylee Barrett, Kalynn Watkins, Aslyn Burkett, incoming freshmen Madi Coker & Mya Palmer; transfer Emmy Barton
Strengths: “We are a young team with a lot of potential,” says Oakes. “We have multiple utility players to allow us to switch up rotations depending on opponents giving us an advantage over other teams.”

“We would love to make another long run into state, have a winning record, and finish top-2 in the region,” says Oakes of the expectations for the girls.



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No. 9 Five Long Beach Teams Win CIF-SS Academic Championships – The562.org

Out of 556 total high schools in the CIF-SS, Long Beach Poly boys’ and girls’ cross country, Poly boys’ and girls’ wrestling, and Wilson girls’ water polo posted the highest cumulative unweighted team GPAs in the large school division for their respective sports. This success, both in each team’s sport and in the classroom, earn […]

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Out of 556 total high schools in the CIF-SS, Long Beach Poly boys’ and girls’ cross country, Poly boys’ and girls’ wrestling, and Wilson girls’ water polo posted the highest cumulative unweighted team GPAs in the large school division for their respective sports. This success, both in each team’s sport and in the classroom, earn the No. 9 spot for our Top 10 High School Sports Moments of the Year.

The CIF Southern Section is one of the most competitive in the state. It contains more than double the amount of schools than any other section in the state, with the second largest being the Sac-Joaquin Section, which encompasses 198 schools. This makes it highly competitive both on the field, and off.

Schools with an enrollment of 1,500 or above are deemed to be large schools. For each CIF sanctioned sport, a small school and large school are commemorated as academic team champions for the school year at an Angels’ baseball game. 

CIF celebrated these academic championships with a ceremony at Angel Stadium in April. Two representatives from each team held a banner with their title and waved up to the crowd from the field as each name was announced. 

Long Beach Poly boys’ and girls’ cross country had unweighted GPAs of 3.950 and 3.957, respectively, Poly boys’ and girls’ wrestling posted GPAs of 3.765 and 3.821, respectively, and Wilson girls’ water polo possessed a GPA of 3.936.

Poly’s boys’ wrestling, girls’ swim and dive, boys’ water polo, and girls’ golf were also recognized at last year’s edition of the event, making it the third year in a row that four or more Long Beach teams have won the award.



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Nebraska Volleyball Tabbed Preseason Big Ten Favorite

Nebraska volleyball is the Big Ten preseason favorite heading into Dani Busboom Kelly’s first season in charge. The conference released its preseason coaches poll and all-conference team on Thursday ahead of next week’s Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. Four Huskers made the 20-player all-conference team: setter Bergen Reilly, outside hitter Harper Murray and middle […]

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Nebraska volleyball is the Big Ten preseason favorite heading into Dani Busboom Kelly’s first season in charge.

The conference released its preseason coaches poll and all-conference team on Thursday ahead of next week’s Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. Four Huskers made the 20-player all-conference team: setter Bergen Reilly, outside hitter Harper Murray and middle blockers Andi Jackson and Rebekah Allick. The first three were unanimous picks.

The Huskers went 33-3 overall last season including 19-1 in Big Ten play, falling in the national semifinals. The Huskers return most of their starters but lost legendary head coach John Cook to retirement following the season. Despite the coaching change, the program didn’t see a single player transfer out or decommit, giving Busboom Kelly a loaded roster to begin her head coaching career in Lincoln.

Penn State, who won the national championship and tied Nebraska for first in the Big Ten last season, is second. Wisconsin, Minnesota and UCLA round out the preseason top five.

Besides the three Huskers, only two others were unanimous all-conference selections and both are Nittany Lions: sophomore setter Izzy Starck and junior opposite hitter Kennedy Martin, a high-profile transfer from Florida. Nebraska four selections tied for the most with UCLA. Penn State and Wisconsin each placed three representatives on the team.

Reilly is a two-time Big Ten Setter of the Year. The 6-foot-1 junior from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was second in the Big Ten (and 10th nationally) with 11.08 assists per set last season. She led the Huskers to their highest hitting percentage since 2016 at .284. Reilly was a second-team AVCA All-American and a first-team All-Big Ten selection, setting a record by earning Big Ten Setter of the Week five times in one season.

Murray was also a second-team All-American and first-team ALl-Big Ten performer last season after leading the Husker attack at 3.4 kills per set on .257 hitting. She averaged 2.43 digs per set and recorded nine double-doubles while leading Nebraska with 39 service aces. The 6-foot-2 junior from Ann Arbor, Michigan, will represent Nebraska in Chicago next week.

Jackson was a first-team All-America and Big Ten selection last year after one of the most efficient seasons in program history. The 6-foot-3 middle blocker from Brighton, Colorado, averaged 2.62 kills per set on a blistering .439 hitting, sixth in the country and fourth in Nebraska history. She also averaged 1.18 blocks per set.

Allick, who will join Murray and Busboom Kelly in Chicago for Big Ten Media Days, is the longest-tenured Husker alongside fellow senior Maisie Boesiger. A three-year starter, the 6-foot-4 Lincoln native has been a dominant blocker throughout her career and took a step forward offensively as well last year. She averaged 1.82 kills per set on a career-high .357 hitting to go with her team-leading 1.43 blocks per set, 14th in the nation and third in the Big Ten.

Busboom Kelly, Murray and Allick will speak at Big Ten Media Days on Monday. Fan will get a look at the Huskers during the team’s Red-White Scrimmage on Aug. 9 and Alumni Match on Aug. 16 before they open the season at the AVCA First Serve Showcase at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Aug. 22.



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From court to college: Track phenom Nick Blann leaps to Union Commonwealth | Sports

After an impressive, yet brief high school track career, Nick Blann, the national champion in the long jump and state champion in the triple jump, officially signed to the next level. Joining multiple athletes from Logan County this past year, Blann adds his name to the list of athletes signed to compete at the collegiate […]

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After an impressive, yet brief high school track career, Nick Blann, the national champion in the long jump and state champion in the triple jump, officially signed to the next level. Joining multiple athletes from Logan County this past year, Blann adds his name to the list of athletes signed to compete at the collegiate level. Blann signed his letter of intent to compete for the Union Commonwealth University Bulldogs as a collegiate track athlete. With offers from Morehead State and Kentucky Christian University, Blann ultimately decided to go with the Bulldogs for his future track career.

This past spring saw Blann join the Logan County Track and Field team and make history in his lone year as a standout in both the long jump events and the triple jump events. Blann earned the state title with a mark of 45-0 in the triple jump and set his personal best in the long jump with a 22-7.75 mark for the national title.



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Union County Lady Panthers – BLITZ

Not many programs lost as much talent as Union County did from its Elite 8 team a year ago. Four senior leaders that were the top statistical players are gone, though a couple starters return. Despite the youth, the Lady Panthers are eager to grow. PRESEASON INFO 2024 Record: 18-19; Elite 8Head Coach: Megan Brown […]

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Not many programs lost as much talent as Union County did from its Elite 8 team a year ago. Four senior leaders that were the top statistical players are gone, though a couple starters return. Despite the youth, the Lady Panthers are eager to grow.

PRESEASON INFO

2024 Record: 18-19; Elite 8
Head Coach: Megan Brown (4th Season)
Returning Starters: 2
Key Departures: Lily Brookshire, Katelyn Brown, Charlei Robinson, Mallory Rouse
Key Players: Reese Jones (SR H), Sofia Foster (JR), Samantha Combs (SO), Emry Sosensky (SO); New additions Blaire Hedden (JR), Amie Sauers (JR), Austin Beal (JR), Kamryn Brown (JR S)
Strengths: Defense

“We have a young group but they are eager, excited, and ready to face some tough opponents,” says coach Megan Brown. “This group plays with a lot of heart, they have great attitudes, and they have fun!”



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