Three U.P. Student-Athletes are finalists for Sports Illustrated’s ‘Youth Athlete of the Year’ award. The Sports Illustrated contest is determined by public voting. 

“We’re searching for an exceptional young athlete who represents everything we love about sports: a dedication to greatness, fierce competition, and a commitment to their teammates and competitors alike. The champion will appear in a 3BRAND advertisement in Sports Illustrated and receive $25,000 to set them up for a bright future.” 

Lauren Adams of Norway, Elliott Kraemer of Norway, and Braylin Calhoun of Munising are among the contenders for a spot in the contest’s Top 20.

Calhoun, a Munising native, is currently leading his group in the competition. He’s a member of the National Honor Society and an active participant in his church community. Although he’s only preparing to enter 8th grade, Braylin is already making waves on the AAU basketball circuit, standing out among some of the top talent in the state, and beyond. 

Want to vote for Braylin and learn more? Click here!

Adams, a Norway native, is currently in second place in her group in the competition. A standout in both basketball and track, she was named Skyline Conference Player of the Year on the court, earned First Team All-State honors, and was selected to the All-U.P. Dream Team. In track, Adams was a two-time state champion in her events. 

Want to support Lauren and learn more? Click here!

Elliott, a Norway native, is currently 11th place in his group in the competition. Kraemer was a standout multi-sport athlete for the Knights, helping Norway’s baseball team to an undefeated season and a deep playoff run. 

Want to support Elliott and learn more? Click here!

You can use your Free Daily Vote once every 24 hours, and you can cast votes by donation for your favorite athlete at any time.

Voting for the TOP 20 ends Thursday the 7th of August at 10PM ET. 

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ITTF has concluded a productive site visit to Dakar, Senegal, confirming excellent preparations for the table tennis competition at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The inspection, led by Mohamed Eldawlatly, ITTF Head of Events, reinforced confidence in what promises to be an outstanding tournament. 

The table tennis competition will take place from 31 October to 5 November 2026 at the Dakar Expo Centre, positioned just 10 minutes from the Youth Olympic Village. This proximity provides a significant advantage for athletes, minimising travel time and maximising rest and preparation opportunities. 

The short distance allows athletes to return to the village between sessions and maintain their regular routines—crucial factors for young competitors experiencing their first major international tournament. 

ITTF is fully committed to the success of the first Olympic event on the African continent and will provide comprehensive technical support for the Dakar 2026 table tennis competition. A dedicated Technical Competition Team, comprising an ITTF Technical Delegate and Competition Manager from the federation’s professional staff, will ensure the highest standards of event management. 

This support extends beyond competition operations, with ITTF Development activities playing a crucial role in the athletes’ qualification process. This is particularly significant for African players, many of whom are progressing through development programmes currently taking place across the continent, including talent identification events like the ongoing Africa Hopes Week & Challenge in Lagos. 

The inspection team worked closely with organisers to maximise spectator capacity and enhance athlete facilities. Plans are advancing to optimise seating configurations whilst ensuring excellent viewing conditions and broadcast quality. 

The venue’s flexibility allows for reconfiguration between competition phases, accommodating maximum participation in early rounds while creating intimate, arena-style environments for medal matches. 

Special attention is being given to spectator experience, with plans to incorporate Senegalese cultural elements into competition presentation. Many spectators will be experiencing high-level table tennis for the first time, creating opportunities for innovative fan engagement. 

The Youth Olympic Games’ emphasis on education and inspiration provides scope for creative presentation that honours both local traditions and Olympic values. 

 African Development Milestone 

Dakar 2026 also represents a significant milestone for African table tennis development. Young players across the continent now have the inspiring prospect of competing in a Youth Olympic Games on home soil. 

ITTF’s expanding development work across Africa creates clear pathways for emerging talents, with current Hopes programme participants potentially progressing to compete in Dakar. The timing aligns perfectly with the federation’s continental development strategy. 

ITTF’s support for Dakar 2026 encompasses athlete development, technical expertise, and promoting table tennis growth across Africa and the global youth sports community. As the continent strengthens its table tennis infrastructure through expanding development programmes, the timing is ideal for this landmark event. 

Preparations will now focus on finalising venue enhancements and operational procedures, ensuring the world’s best young table tennis players find a competition environment worthy of their talents when they arrive in Dakar. 

The countdown to what promises to be a memorable tournament has begun. 

The Hamilton County Annual Youth Shoot will be Wednesday at the Boone Valley Izaak Walton League, 2944 Fenton Avenue, Webster City.

This event is from 4 to 8 p.m.

This is come and go event is for kids ages 8 through 18. There will be prizes for kids who attend.

The evening is sponsored by Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited and the Boone Valley Izaak Walton League.

PHOTO PROVIDED
Penn FC’s 2007 F Black 18/19U team won the 2025 US Youth Soccer National Championship in Florida over the weekend. The team, which consists of numerous District 4 and area palyers, poses with the banner. In the front row is, from left, Josephine Devlin, Regan Schroder, Ella Moore, Addison Stover, Madi Merrell, Emily Erb, Viktorya Luckenbach and Kathryn Reynolds. In the back row is, from left, assistant coach Jay Stover, Janae Swartz, Cameron Ofak, Haley Bull, Eliza Artell, Cassidey Snyder, Amber Liu, Mackenzie Daldo, Kali O’Connell, Chelsea Coburn, Joselyn Swartz and coach Adam Freeman. The 2007 F Black 18/19U team defeated Rangers FC Elite of Michigan in the championship game on Sunday, 3-2.

Over the weekend, Penn FC’s 18/19U girls soccer team won the 2025 US Youth Soccer National Championship in Florida, competing against talented teams from throughout the United States. The team features numerous District 4 and area athletes. Penn FC’s all-star team defeated Solar South of Texas, 1-0, on Tuesday before losing to Cook Inlet SC of Alaska, 2-0, on Wednesday. On Thursday, Penn FC beat FW United of Indiana, 4-0 and won in the semifinals on Saturday over Madison 56ers Elite of Wisconsin in PKs, 5-4.

In Sunday’s championship, Penn FC earned a tight 3-2 win against Rangers FC Elite of Michigan.

The Penn FC team which won the national title, which was named 2007 F Black, consists of the following players: Josephine Devlin, Regan Schroder, Ella Moore, Addison Stover, Madi Merrell, Emily Erb, Viktorya Luckenbach, Kathryn Reynolds, Janae Swartz, Cameron Ofak, Haley Bull, Eliza Artell, Cassidey Snyder, Amber Liu, Mackenzie Daldo, Kali O’Connell, Chelsea Coburn and Joselyn Swartz. The team is coached by Adam Freeman and assistant Jay Stover.

A woman injured in crash on July 4, 2024, is suing the estate of the 73-year-old nun who hit her, herself killed in the crash.

Jodean Munley, along with Thomas J. Munley, her husband, and Logan Munley, her son, filed a civil suit on July 10, which names Sister Kathryn Clauss, IHM President of the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, as executrix of the estate of Sister Anne McDonald and the congregation itself.

Thomas Munley is a senior Lackawanna County judge.

Sister Anne McDonald was driving south on Hill Street, Jessup, at about 10:45 a.m. when she lost control of her vehicle, hitting two areas of fencing at the Jessup Youth Sports field and then hitting Munley near the point where the road’s name changes to Moosic Lake Road.

According to the complaint:

The blunt force impact of the crash sent Jodean Munley more than 10 feet into the air and she landed on her head about 20 feet away.

She was found unconscious, bleeding from her head and incapacitated with a bone protruding from her forearm.

Munley, the complaint states, did not breath for an extended period of time and then began gasping for air as she lay on the ground, unable to move.

The complaint lists multiple ailments Jodean Munley suffered during and after her hospital stay, including gastrointestinal discomfort, reliance on medications and emotional instability.

It references expenses incurred relative to Munley’s recuperation and alleges that such expenses are likely to continue.

Others affected

Logan Munley witnessed his mother being struck by the motor vehicle, being thrown in the air and landing on her head.

He also witnessed her laying on the ground, bleeding, with a compound fracture to her arm, causing him to sustain emotional, mental and physical injuries.

“Plaintiff Logan Munley was caused to suffer the trauma of objectively believing his Mother, Plaintiff Jodean Munley, was dead,” the complaint reads.

The lawsuit alleged Thomas J. Munley sustained emotional and mental injuries, including loss of companionship, affection and assistance from his wife.

Attorneys Thomas W. Munley, Edward G. Krowiak and  Jesse B. Hallinan are representing the Munleys.

Attorney Michael Perry is representing the estate of Sister Anne McDonald and the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Then: That afternoon of July 4, 2024,  Sister Anne McDonald, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, was driving south on Hill Street  when she lost control of her car, began driving erratically and hit Jodean Munley, the wife of Senior Judge Thomas Munley.

Now: Jodean Munley, her husband Thomas Munley and son Logan Munley are suing the estate of Sister Anne McDonald and Congregation of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary for alleging Jodean Munley sustained life-threatening, traumatic injuries due to McDonald’s negligent and careless conduct.

Originally Published: July 27, 2025 at 12:32 AM EDT