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Dear Annie

Dear Annie: There’s a little boy in my son’s school — he’s 6 years old — who has a history of being very physical with other kids, including my son. They were in the same class previously, and my son would come home upset, sometimes with bruises, telling me this boy had hit or shoved […]

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3 weeks ago

April 21, 2025

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Dear Annie: There’s a little boy in my son’s school — he’s 6 years old — who has a history of being very physical with other kids, including my son. They were in the same class previously, and my son would come home upset, sometimes with bruises, telling me this boy had hit or shoved him during the day. Thankfully, they’re not in the same class anymore, but they’ve ended up on two different sports teams together in the past year. And the same thing keeps happening.

Just recently, my son came home after practice with a bruise on his back where this boy punched him. He wasn’t the only one. Other kids have been hurt, too — nothing life-threatening, but enough to cause pain, fear and frustration. What hurts me most is that the boy’s parents never apologize. The mom in particular seems to excuse or downplay the behavior, treating him like he’s too little to be held accountable, while other children are being hurt.

I feel protective and, frankly, angry. I want to advocate for my son, but I also don’t want to be that parent who makes waves or alienates another family. I’ve thought about just pulling my son off the team — but why should he have to lose out on something he enjoys because of another child’s behavior?

I keep wondering: what’s the right thing to do here? How do I protect my child while still trying to show compassion for another one who may be struggling? And is there a way to address this with the other parents or the coach without making it worse? — Concerned Mom

Dear Concerned: You’re right to be concerned — and your instincts are spot on.

No child should be expected to tolerate physical aggression, especially in a setting that’s supposed to be safe and fun. Sports are meant to build confidence and teamwork — not bruises and anxiety. The fact that this behavior is recurring across different environments tells me this is not an isolated issue, and it needs to be addressed head-on.

You don’t need to remove your son from the team. That would punish him for someone else’s behavior. Instead, speak directly with the coach or league organizer. Calmly explain what has happened and how it’s affected your child. Focus on safety — not blame. Ask what steps are in place to protect kids and what can be done moving forward.

As for the other parents, it’s unfortunate they haven’t stepped up. But their denial doesn’t mean you have to stay silent. If you feel comfortable, a direct but respectful conversation might help — but don’t count on it. Some parents need more growing up than their children.

At the age of 6, your son needs you as his advocate. Trust yourself. Protecting him is not overreacting; it’s good parenting.

“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.

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Delaware Valley volleyball tops Wilkes-Barre Area – Scranton Times-Tribune

Gino Gualandi had 17 kills and 11 digs, leading Delaware Valley over Wilkes-Barre Area, 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-22), in a Wyoming Valley Conference win at home Friday. Luke Peereboom added 13 kills and three blocks for the Warriors, while Eric Choi had 40 assists and nine digs. Blue Ridge 3, Hazleton Area 0: Parker Glasgow had […]

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8 minutes ago

May 10, 2025

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Gino Gualandi had 17 kills and 11 digs, leading Delaware Valley over Wilkes-Barre Area, 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-22), in a Wyoming Valley Conference win at home Friday.

Luke Peereboom added 13 kills and three blocks for the Warriors, while Eric Choi had 40 assists and nine digs.

Blue Ridge 3, Hazleton Area 0: Parker Glasgow had nine kills and an ace, as Blue Ridge swept Hazleton Area, 25-18, 25-15, 25-16, in a nonleague win.

Landon Bishop added seven kills and six aces, while Owen Martin had six kills and 10 digs.

Girls lacrosse

Holy Redeemer 8, Delaware Valley 5: Holy Redeemer scored three goals in the fourth quarter to lead the Royals past Delaware Valley in a Wyoming Valley Conference win.

The game was moved to Delaware Valley because of field conditions.

Gillian Parsons led the way for Redeemer with four goals, and Megan Albrecht added a hat trick for the Royals.

For the Warriors, Ava Kraszewski had two goals and an assist, while Rhyanne Rettinger added a goal and an assist.

HR — Goals: Parsons 4, Albrecht 3, Glaser; Saves: Curley 7; DV — Goals: Kraszewski 2, Morris, Liz, Rettinger; Assists: Kraszewski, Rettinger; Saves: Palacios 6.

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Stanford, UCLA Advance at NCAA Women’s Water Polo Tourney

Stanford, UCLA Advance to Semifinals of NCAA Women’s Water Polo Tournament The quarterfinals of the NCAA Women’s Water Polo Tournament featured the top four seeds advancing to the semifinals during Friday action at the famed Indiana University Natatorium. Top seeded Stanford and defending champion UCLA could be on a collision course to meet in the […]

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17 minutes ago

May 10, 2025

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Stanford, UCLA Advance to Semifinals of NCAA Women’s Water Polo Tournament

The quarterfinals of the NCAA Women’s Water Polo Tournament featured the top four seeds advancing to the semifinals during Friday action at the famed Indiana University Natatorium. Top seeded Stanford and defending champion UCLA could be on a collision course to meet in the title game after securing victories in their opening contests.

Here’s a look at the quarterfinal results.

Stanford 28, Wagner 6

Juliette Dhalluin

No. 1 seeded Stanford scored 10 times in the opening period and cruised over Wagner, which advanced to Indianapolis by beating McKendree in an opening-round matchup. Stanford received scoring from 13 players and received hat tricks from Alissa Pascual, Juliette Dhalluin, Maggie Hawkins, Ella Woodhead and Ryann Neushul.

Carlota Alonso scored twice for Wagner.

Hawaii 8, Cal 7

A three-goal fourth quartet enabled fourth-seeded Hawaii to rally from behind and take down Cal-Berkeley. Jordan Wedderburn, Ema Vernoux and Bernadette Doyle scored in the final period for Hawaii, which stormed back from a 6-5 deficit through three quarters. Alia Burlock, Wedderburn, Vernoux and Doyle all scored twice for Hawaii. Goalie Talia Fonseca made nine saves.

Cal was paced by Eszter Varro, who registered a hat trick.

UCLA 11, Loyola-Marymount 8

Defending champion UCLA was tested by Loyola-Marymount, but the Bruins kept LMU off the scoreboard in the final quarter to register a three-goal triumph. Emma Lineback fired in five goals for UCLA, the second seed, while Bia Mantellato added three scores. Goalie Lauren Steele was credited with nine saves.

Ruth Arino Ruiz had five goals and Carolina Magano tallied three times to account for the Loyola-Marymount scoring.

USC 18, Harvard 7

The third-seeded University of Southern California found the net five times in each of the first two quarters to build a big lead and was never threatened. Emily Ausmus and Ava Stryker scored three times each for the Trojans, who received three assists from Rachel Gazzaniga.

Ruby Hodge led Harvard with three goals.

Semifinals (Saturday, May 10)

Stanford vs. Hawaii – Noon

UCLA vs. USC – 2 p.m.

The semifinals will be streamed on NCAA.com

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Sports

Laramie Senior Will Arens Signs With St. Olaf Track Team

Laramie senior Will Arens has signed to compete in track and field at St. Olaf College in Minnesota. Arens is a four-year letter-winner in indoor and outdoor track at Laramie High School. He has been a sprinter, jumper, and relay member in four years at LHS. Arens qualified in three events for the outdoor track […]

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29 minutes ago

May 10, 2025

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During the 2024 outdoor season, Arens helped the Plainsmen take third place in the 4×400-meter relay at the 4A state track meet. They ran 3:25.23. Will also placed ninth in the long jump and 16th in the triple jump.

This spring, Arens has pre-qualified for the state championships in the long jump with a leap of 21-5.50. That is a personal best.

He has run 12.48 in the 100 meters, 25.03 in the 200 meters, and 52.65 in the 400 meters. Arens has also run on 4×100, 4×400, and Sprint Medley relays during the 2025 indoor and outdoor seasons.

Besides track and field, Arens has played baseball for the American Legion Laramie Rangers. He helped them to a top-four finish in the 2024 season.

St. Olaf College is in Northfield, MN. The Oles compete at the NCAA Division III level and are members of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAA).

Cheyenne East Track Meet

Gallery Credit: Shannon Dutcher

Wyoming/307 Track Classic

Gallery Credit: Shannon Dutcher

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George Jenkins boys volleyball halts season in regional semifinals

George Jenkins boys volleyball ends season in regional semifinals George Jenkins boys volleyball ended its season in the regional semifinals, the farthest the team has ever been. ORLANDO — The George Jenkins boys volleyball team knew the competition would ramp up in the Class 3A regional semifinals Friday at Freedom High School. After all, when […]

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31 minutes ago

May 10, 2025

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ORLANDO — The George Jenkins boys volleyball team knew the competition would ramp up in the Class 3A regional semifinals Friday at Freedom High School.

After all, when you win as many games in a row as the Eagles did in 2025, every team gave the best shot. So, it’s to no surprise that Freedom — the No. 1 seed in regionals and the No. 13 team in all of Florida that has had a program for 16 years — played the best volleyball, ultimately winning 3-0 over No. 4-seeded and No. 39 George Jenkins, ending the Eagles season.

“It just goes to show that they played a lot of high-level competition, so they didn’t fold under pressure. … And I think it was hard to come back from that, so it was a tough one. Our boys, they’ve given their hearts all season and that’s a tough way to go out. … I think we gave them everything we had. So, that’s all you can ask for,” George Jenkins head boys volleyball coach Jena Ousley said after the game.

From the get-go, Freedom was executing several kills high off the block, which seemingly surprised the George Jenkins bunch. Freedom’s outside hitters flat-out dominated, which was the theme in three sets.

Still, the Eagles showed fight, passing solidly on serve-receive. But George Jenkins couldn’t put the ball down like the 23 other matches played in 2025.

“This is the best team we played all season. They had a solid offense. They had people coming off the bench with solid offense. They have a stacked team. They have a lot of people,” Ousley said.

This deep team ended the Eagles 2025 season, but many of George Jenkins’ key cogs will make their return in 2026, as there is just one starting senior in right-side hitter RJ Benion. Benion was second on the team in kills and hitting percentage, and third on the team in total blocks and receptions. Benion will be playing volleyball at Stetson University in DeLand next year.

Still, junior outside hitter Jacob Aca, who led the team in kills, serving aces and assists, will be back. Other major key returners will be sophomore outside hitter Matthew Aca, junior middle hitter Diego Ayala, junior Libero William Snell, junior middle blocker Damian Garcia, junior outside hitter Kevin Sanchez, middle blocker Matthew Hornsby and freshman defensive specialist Luke Talbot.

While nobody wants to lose, Jacob Aca said going as far as the team did was gratifying.

“I’m happy where we landed. We fought hard. This is the farthest we’ve ever been. It feels nice to be in a different gym. We’re in Orlando. We are for a little Polk school that doesn’t go anywhere. Now we’re here in the big leagues playing Orlando teams,” Aca said.

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Siesta Beach makes two lists ranking top beaches in world

Drone video taken showed clumps of seaweed covering parts of South Florida’s shoreline. SIESTA KEY, Fla.– Florida beaches are always popular tourist destinations in the U.S., but one beach in particular is making headlines. Siesta Beach, located on Siesta Key off Florida’s Gulf Coast, has made two different lists of the best beaches in the […]

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34 minutes ago

May 10, 2025

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Drone video taken showed clumps of seaweed covering parts of South Florida’s shoreline.

SIESTA KEY, Fla.– Florida beaches are always popular tourist destinations in the U.S., but one beach in particular is making headlines.

Siesta Beach, located on Siesta Key off Florida’s Gulf Coast, has made two different lists of the best beaches in the world.

Siesta Key as a whole is great for vacationing, with Sarasota County marketing it to tourists for its beaches, food and fun atmosphere.

THE BEST CAMPING SPOTS IN AMERICA IN 2025

January 2017: A man in tropical ocean water at Siesta Key Beach in Florida.

(John Greim/Loop Images/Universal Images Group / Getty Images)

Known for its beautiful sunsets and gorgeous turquoise blue waters, Siesta Beach was ranked highly for its white sands, made of 99% pure white quartz, and idyllic atmosphere.

The beach came in fourth place out of 25 on Trip Advisor’s Best of the Best Beaches in the World list.

Another list, curated by The World’s 50 Best Beaches, Siesta Beach ranked No. 42 out of 50. It was the only beach in the U.S. to make the cut.

World’s 50 Best Beaches gave high marks to Siesta Beach as a great spot for families. In particular, the beach has tennis and volleyball courts, a shaded playground area and two concession stands.

Siesta Beach on Siesta Key off Sarasota was named one of the best beaches in the U.S. by Tripadvisor in 2025.

(Miami Herald / Getty Images / Getty Images)

The waters of Siesta Beach, while beautiful, are also shallow near the shoreline, making it great for wading and beach walks. It is the most favored of Siesta Key’s beaches, according to the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce.

CORAL BABIES HEAD TO FLORIDA KEYS TO HELP RESTORE DYING REEFS

SARASOTA, UNITED STATES – August 26: Sarasota County Emergency Services lifeguard lieutenant Drew Bittle patrols the area at Siesta Beach on August 26, 2018 in Siesta Key, Florida.

(Eve Edelheit for The Washington Post / Getty Images)

The beach stays warm year-round, with average highs in the upper-80s in the summer months, World’s 50 Best Beaches reports.

To see what other beaches made the lists, visit World’s 50 Best Beaches website here, and Trip Advisor’s here.

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Sports

Marquette University Athletics

LA CROSSE, Wisconsin – Marquette University track & field sophomore Riley Ward set a new program record in the javelin with a 42.35-meter throw on Friday at the Uncaged Eagle Open, while Julia Beck and Annika Bynum tied the program records in the 100 hurdles and high jump, respectively. “We had a really good meet, […]

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50 minutes ago

May 10, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LA CROSSE, Wisconsin – Marquette University track & field sophomore Riley Ward set a new program record in the javelin with a 42.35-meter throw on Friday at the Uncaged Eagle Open, while Julia Beck and Annika Bynum tied the program records in the 100 hurdles and high jump, respectively.

“We had a really good meet, three school records, a couple event victories, multiple top-ten marks and a ton of PRs,” Bert Rogers said. “We came to compete and had multiple breakthroughs. We are ready to make some noise at Big East next week.”

It was the second week in a row the program record fell in the javelin. Tessa Hollander had a 42.32-meter throw last Friday at the Badger Challenge.

Annika Bynum tied the program record in the high jump, clearing 1.80 meters. Bynum shares the program record with Erynn James (2010, Cerritos College) and Lindsey Mirkes (2021, Spire Institute).

Julia Beck tied the program record in the 100 hurdles at 13.92 seconds, sharing the record with Megan Kosman (2001, Conference USA Championships).

Sophie Herriot tied for the fourth-best mark in program history in pole vault, clearing 3.85 meters. Herriot joins Carrie Schmid, who cleared 3.85 meters in 2008 at Arizona State.

Emma Coon ran the eighth-fastest 3000m steeplechase time in program history to finish first at 10:48.00.

Maggie Olejnik had the ninth-best triple jump mark in program history at 11.70 meters.

Charlie Smith set a new PR in the shot put at 14.38 meters to finish second.

UP NEXT: Marquette travels to Storrs, Connecticut for the 2025 BIG EAST Outdoor Championships presented by JEEP May 15-17.

Keep up with the Marquette men’s and women’s track and field programs through social media by following on X (@MUTFXC) and Instagram (@MUTFXC) and ‘liking’ on Facebook (/MUTFXC).

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