DVIDS – News – Beach Rescue to Ranger Tab: Journey of an Airman Leader
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — Part 1: The Rescue “I saw a life on the line and did what needed to be done.” Before he earned the coveted Ranger tab, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Trevor Thrasher-an aerospace medical technician at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, was ankle-deep in red-flag surf near his […]
“I saw a life on the line and did what needed to be done.”
Before he earned the coveted Ranger tab, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Trevor Thrasher-an aerospace medical technician at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, was ankle-deep in red-flag surf near his hometown of San Clemente, California, unaware that instinct and training would soon make him a hero.
“It was the last leave I took before Ranger School,” Thrasher said. “Just a classic summer day: big swells, packed beach, and strong rip currents.”
Thrasher had grown up in the ocean swimming, playing water polo, and working as a lifeguard. This background would prepare him for the day ahead as well as his journey graduating from Army Ranger School.
“My dad and I were body surfing, and we’d drifted down the beach a bit when I spotted two adolescents caught in a rip current,” he said. “One had made it back in, but the other was clearly struggling; he was being pulled out and looked panicked.”
Thrasher wasted no time. He swam toward the struggling swimmer, calling out to assess the situation, fighting the pull of the rip current.
“He said, ‘No, I’m not okay,’ and I could see it in his face; he was scared,” Thrasher said. “I told him, ‘Hey, I used to be a lifeguard, I’ve got you!’ Then I wrapped my arm around him and used the current to take us out a bit, away from the crashing waves.”
Despite no longer being on duty as a lifeguard, Thrasher used his training to keep the swimmer calm and in control until a lifeguard boat from the state beach patrol arrived to take over care. It was the same stretch of coastline he used to work on as a lifeguard, but that day, he wasn’t wearing a uniform for the state or his country; just acting on instinct.
“For me, it wasn’t anything crazy,” Thrasher said. “It was second nature. I had done it before. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”
Part 2: The Ranger
Before the beach rescue proved his true character, Thrasher was securing approval to attend Army Ranger School. It was a process that required the endorsement of Col. Paul DeFlorio, the 99th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron commander, to confirm that Thrasher, an Air Force medic, possessed the determination to endure the rigors of the 62-day course.
“A lot of people think medics can’t lead, but I wanted to change that perception,” Thrasher said. “I didn’t want to just be the guy you call when you get hurt. I wanted to be the one you follow into the fight and the one who gets you home alive.”
DeFlorio interviewed Thrasher to understand his motivations and qualifications. The conversation assured DeFlorio that Thrasher could succeed at Ranger School.
“I think the benefit of Airmen participating in sister service training is immeasurable,” said DeFlorio. “We fight as a joint force, and anyone who has cross-trained like this is a force multiplier.”
Getting his commander’s approval wasn’t the only obstacle Thrasher had to take to secure his slot at Ranger School. He attended a pre-Ranger course at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Texas . The course simulated the physical and mental rigors he would endure, pushing him through intense field training, leadership evaluations and sleep deprivation. Before he knew it, Thrasher was on the way to Fort Moore, Georgia to begin the first phase of Ranger School, known as the Darby Phase.
During the Darby Phase, Thrasher completed the Ranger Physical Assessment, which included a five-mile run, 12-mile ruck march, land navigation and a combat water survival test. The next phase, the Mountain Phase, took place in the rugged terrain of Dahlonega, Georgia. It challenged students with mountaineering operations, combat patrols and leadership under fatigue.
“When everything is stripped away, such as food, sleep and comfort, you see people’s true character,” Thrasher said. “Leadership isn’t about how you perform when things are easy, but how you hold yourself when everything is hard.”
The final stretch of Ranger School was the Swamp Phase at Eglin AFB, Florida, designed to push students to their limits in a jungle-like environment, testing their ability to lead extended patrols in harsh conditions with minimal supplies. Successful completion of Ranger School earns the coveted Ranger tab, signifying the ability to lead in demanding environments.
“The military demands people who rise to the occasion,” Thrasher said. “Leadership means being ready to act at a moment’s notice, even when the future is uncertain.”
After graduating Ranger School, Thrasher went on to receive an early promotion under Airman below-the-zone and was awarded the Air and Space Achievement Medal. From his experience completing Ranger School and the beach rescue, one of Thrasher’s lasting lessons was learning to see stress as “a privilege of leadership.” He explained that he now views high-pressure situations not as burdens, but as opportunities to lead.
“The leadership quality Thrasher best demonstrates is humility,” DeFlorio said. “Despite being one of only 355 Airmen to ever earn a Ranger tab, receiving a medal for saving someone from drowning and earning below-the-zone promotion, he remains quiet, humble and reserved. He’s the prototypical quiet professional, and sometimes, the softer you speak, the more people listen.”
Date Taken:
05.09.2025
Date Posted:
05.20.2025 16:37
Story ID:
498513
Location:
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, NEVADA, US
Hometown:
SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA, US
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32
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NCAA track and field: 4 BYU women make finals, including program’s 1st flat sprinter
PROVO — Sami Oblad never expected to be where she was Thursday night at the close of the first day of the NCAA Division I women’s outdoor track and field championships in Eugene, Oregon. The senior from Stansbury Park — and a converted volleyball player turned former heptathlete and high jumper — became the first […]
PROVO — Sami Oblad never expected to be where she was Thursday night at the close of the first day of the NCAA Division I women’s outdoor track and field championships in Eugene, Oregon.
The senior from Stansbury Park — and a converted volleyball player turned former heptathlete and high jumper — became the first flat sprinter (100, 200 or 400 meter) to qualify for an NCAA final in BYU women’s track history when she advanced out of Thursday night’s semifinals at Hayward Field.
Oblad, who is scheduled to race in the 400-meter finals Saturday night, clocked the third-fastest time of her career in 51.20 seconds to finish eighth and become the first BYU female sprinter in seven tries to make a final.
“I never expected to be here,” Oblad said after her race. “I’m glad that hard work is paying off, and it’s putting me where I want to be. … I’ve been on the verge of tears all day. I’m very emotional right now.”
Oblad was one of four BYU women to advance to Saturday’s final for one of the premier distance running programs in the country. The others were more natural to the Cougars’ historic legacy, though.
Meghan Hunter broke the two-minute barrier for the third time in her storied career to finish fourth in the 800-meter semifinals in 1:59.96 and advance to Saturday’s final.
Lexy Halladay-Lowry and Taylor Lovell both qualified in the 3,000-meter steeplechase — arguably the university’s most accomplished event, where men’s teammate and U.S. Olympian James Corrigan will race for a championship Friday night.
Halladay-Lowry eased to a third-place time of 9:36.24 as the senior from Meridian, Idaho looks to add a sixth first-team All-America honor, and Lovell after clinching a spot with a personal-best time of 9:37.97 — the No. 3 mark in BYU history.
The duo will compete at 5:38 p.m. MDT Saturday for a spot on the podium, and they’ll be joined by Utah State’s Shelby Jensen.
The sophomore from Saratoga Springs advanced to the first national final of her career in 9:38.01, a fifth-place finish in her heat and 10th overall. Jensen is the first Aggie woman to advance to the finals of an NCAA outdoor championship race since Cierra Simmons-Mecham in the steeplechase final in 2018.
“She executed the race like a pro and responded when girls went by her in the latter half of the race,” Utah State coach Artie Gulden said of Jensen. “She responded and was able to follow them and just compete like crazy over the last two laps.”
SEE YOU SATURDAY
Halladay-Lowry locks in her spot in Saturday’s steeplechase final with a 9:36.24
— BYU Track & Field/Cross Country (@BYUTFXC) June 13, 2025
Oblad will be the fifth BYU 400-meter runner to race in a final this year, but the first in an open race. The men’s 4×400-meter relay squad — led by Oblad’s fiancé Eli Hazlett — qualified with the last spot in Wednesday’s semifinals to earn a title bid.
“That definitely got me more amped,” Oblad said. “If all my training partners were doing it, then I just had to join them.”
Four BYU women contested finals Thursday, including the 1,500-meter duo of Riley Chamberlain and Carlee Hansen who finished back-to-back. Hansen, the junior from Bountiful who transferred from North Carolina before setting the program record at the NCAA West prelims in 4:07.64, finished 15th in 4:12.35 — officially .08 seconds behind Chamberlain, a junior from Loomis, California.
Both earned second-team All-America honors.
Gretchen Hoekstre added a 21st-place finish in the shot put with a throw of 15.88 meters (52 feet, 1.25 inches), and freshman Tessa Buswell was 21st in the 800 in 2:05.94.
Kelsi Oldroyd became the first-ever All-American from Utah Valley in the javelin with her eighth-place throw of 56.37 meters (184-11), capping a banner season that included a third straight WAC outdoor javelin title and a national semifinal for the third consecutive season.
Utah’s 4×100-meter relay squad, led by Emily Rose, closed out the season just .02 from breaking their own school record, finishing in 43.86.
Morgan Jensen and McKaylie Caesar finished neck-and-neck in the 10,000-meter run in 33:11.05 and 33:34.36, respectively, for 19th and 20th overall.
While Thursday’s competition was mostly about the women, two dozen athletes wrapped up the men’s decathlon. That included BYU junior Ben Barton, who posted a sixth-place finish with 7,777 points for first-team All-American honors.
Barton is the highest-placed finisher in the decathlon from BYU since Curtis Pugsley also placed sixth in 2000. He briefly moved up to second behind Mississippi State star Peyton Bair with a 14.22 110-meter hurdle and a discus throw of 36.86 meters (120-11).
BYU sophomore Jaden Roskelley finished 19th with 7,475 points, including the second-best mark in the discus with a hurl of 45.72 meters (150-0). Bair added to his indoor multi-event national title with a first-place finish and a personal-best 8,323 points with first-place finishes in the 100 (10.25) and 400 (46.00).
The Key Takeaways for this article were generated with the assistance of large language models and reviewed by our editorial team. The article, itself, is solely human-written.
Mehringer concludes record-setting season with Second Team All-America accolades
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EUGENE, Ore. – Indiana State sophomore hurdler Rachel Mehringer closed her record-breaking season with the Blue and White Thursday evening, placing 13th in the 100m hurdles at the NCAA Outdoor National Championships. Mehringer ran a time of 13.15 to finish fifth in her semifinal heat and inside […]
EUGENE, Ore. – Indiana State sophomore hurdler Rachel Mehringer closed her record-breaking season with the Blue and White Thursday evening, placing 13th in the 100m hurdles at the NCAA Outdoor National Championships.
Mehringer ran a time of 13.15 to finish fifth in her semifinal heat and inside the top 15 in her NCAA National Championship debut, collecting Second Team All-America honors in the process.
Thursday’s performance closed the best season by a 100m hurdles athlete in Missouri Valley Conference history. Each of Mehringer’s last seven races ended with a time of 13.15 or better, including five under 13.10 (13.03 and 13.04 at Indiana State, 13.07 at the MVC Championships, 13.05 and 13.08 at the NCAA East First Round).
Mehringer’s sophomore season included an Indiana State and Missouri Valley Conference record time of 13.04 at the Sycamore Open, and she also broke the MVC Championship record with her time of 13.07 at Southern Illinois. Following the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, she owns the school and conference records in both the 60m hurdles and 100m hurdles while also having three facility records (60m dash, 60m hurdles, 100m hurdles).
The Schnellville, Indiana, native now owns the three fastest indoor 60m hurdles times in conference history (8.19, 8.19, 8.20) and the seven fastest outdoor 100m hurdles times in conference history (13.03, 13.04, 13.05, 13.07, 13.08, 13.12, 13.15), all of which were run during the 2024-25 season.
Up Next
Indiana State has four athletes – freshmen distance runners Gnister Grant (3000m steeplechase) and Peyton Smith (5000m), and freshmen throwers Olivia Marshall (shot put) and Emma Yoder (discus) – who qualified for the 2025 USATF U20 Outdoor Championships. The Sycamore quartet will compete June 19-20 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
Follow the Sycamores
For the latest information on the Sycamore Track & Field and Cross Country teams, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook and Twitter. Fans can also receive updates on Sycamore Athletics by downloading the March On App from the both the App Store and the Google Play Store.
NCAA Women’s DI Track and Field Championships 2025 Results & Scores
The NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships are already halfway complete, with Wednesday solidifying the men’s track final qualifiers and field winners and Thursday recording the women’s track finalists and field winners. Now the stage is set for the final rounds to commence on Friday for the men and Saturday for the women […]
The NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships are already halfway complete, with Wednesday solidifying the men’s track final qualifiers and field winners and Thursday recording the women’s track finalists and field winners.
Now the stage is set for the final rounds to commence on Friday for the men and Saturday for the women in Eugene, Oregon and Hayward Field.
As the competition heats up, find out who from Thursday’s semifinals made the cut and who fell short of claiming the opportunity for national glory.
Women’s NCAA Track And Field Championship Team Leaderboard
After the completion of six events, Georgia is firmly on top with a near-double digit lead. The Bulldogs have taken their No. 1 national ranking and shown just how competitive they are despite facing a disqualification during the 4×100 relays.
Here’s the leaderboard so far:
Georgia — 26
Illinois — 16.5
Washington — 16
Louisville — 15
Colorado State — 10
Missouri — 10
New Mexico –10
Stanford — 8
Texas — 8
Texas Tech — 8
NC State — 8
Rutgers — 8
Baylor — 6.5
South Dakota — 6.5
West Virginia — 6
TCU — 6
Texas State — 6
Arkansas — 5
Oklahoma State — 5
Kansas — 4.5
California — 4
Nebraska — 4
USC — 4
Florida — 4
Georgetown — 4
VCU — 3
Oregon — 3
UCLA — 3
Alabama — 3
LSU — 3
Gonzaga — 2
North Dakota — 2
Rice — 2
Fresno State — 1
Tarleton State — 1
Utah Valley — 1
Wisconsin — 1
Throw Winners
The No. 1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs kicked Thursday’s events off with a win from Stephanie Ratcliffe in the hammer throw. Her 71.37 meter toss was a season-best.
Mya Lesnar, daughter of the iconic WWE performer Brock Lesnar, showed exactly why she’s the No. 1 ranked women’s shot putter in the country. Lesnar came away with a national title in the shot put with a throw of 19.01 meters, settling just one meter shy of tying the collegiate record to put Colorado State on the board.
Taking first in the javelin throw and advancing to Saturday’s finals was Valentina Barrios Bornacelli, a junior out of Missouri. She had a 62.00 meter throw to claim a new personal best, with Georgia’s Manuela Rotundo finishing nearly two meters behind.
Jump Winners
Hana Moll from the Washington Huskies set a new meet record and collegiate record in the pole vault, securing a 4.79 meter jump. She surpassed the previous meet record of 4.71 meters clocked by Chloe Timberg of Rutgers during last year’s NCAA DI Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Just like her last name suggests, Synclair Savage of the Louisville Cardinals took charge in the long jump, collecting a new personal best at 6.72 meters. Alyssa Jones of the other Cardinal school in attendance, Stanford, was just 0.02 meters off, but still qualified for the finals as the runner-up.
Distance Winner
The only women’s track final of the day was the 10,000 meter event, and freshman Pamela Kosgei from New Mexico set a new meet record at 31:17.82. It is also a personal best for Kosgei, beating out the former meet record holder Parker Valby at 31:46.09 set during last year’s NCAA DI Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Track Qualifiers
Here are all of the athletes and relay teams that qualified for the finals. They will all run again on Saturday in the finals beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Where To Watch NCAA Track And Field Championships 2025
All Times Eastern.
Wednesday, June 11
Men’s Day 1: 7:00 PM | ESPN
Thursday, June 12
Women’s Day 1: 7:00 PM | ESPN
Friday, June 13
Men’s Day 2: 8:00 PM | ESPN2
Saturday, June 14
Women’s Day 2: 9:00 PM | ESPN2
NCAA Track And Field Championships 2025 Schedule
All times Eastern.
Thursday, June 12
Track Events
7:00 PM – 4x100m Relay, Semifinal, Women
7:21 PM – 1500m, Semifinal, Women
7:38 PM – 3000m Steeplechase, Semifinal, Women
8:08 PM – 100m Hurdles, Semifinal, Women
8:25 PM – 100m, Semifinal, Women
8:41 PM – 400m, Semifinal, Women
8:58 PM – 800m, Semifinal, Women
9:14 PM – 400m Hurdles, Semifinal, Women
9:29 PM – 200m, Semifinal, Women
9:56 PM – 10,000m, Final, Women
10:36 PM – 4x400m Relay, Semifinal, Women
Field Events
3:30 PM – Hammer Throw, Final, Women
7:35 PM – Pole Vault, Final, Women
8:15 PM – Javelin, Final, Women
8:40 PM – Long Jump, Final, Women
9:10 PM – Shot Put, Final, Women
Combined Events
12:45 PM – 110M Hurdles, Decathlon, Men
1:35 PM – Discus, Decathlon, Men
2:45 PM – Pole Vault, Decathlon, Men
5:15 PM – Javelin, Decathlon, Men
9:43 PM – 1500M, Decathlon, Men
Friday, June 13
Track Events
8:02 PM – 4x100m Relay, Final, Men
8:12 PM – 1500m, Final, Men
8:24 PM – 3000m Steeplechase, Final, Men
8:42 PM – 110m Hurdles, Final, Men
8:52 PM – 100m, Final, Men
9:02 PM – 400m, Final, Men
9:14 PM – 800m, Final, Men
9:27 PM – 400m Hurdles, Final, Men
9:37 PM – 200m, Final, Men
9:55 PM – 5000m, Final, Men
10:21 PM – 4x400m Relay, Final, Men
Field Events
5:15 PM – Discus, Final, Men
7:30 PM – High Jump, Final, Men
8:10 PM – Triple Jump, Final Men
Combined Events
2:45 PM – 100 Hurdles, Heptathlon, Women
3:45 PM – High Jump, Heptathlon, Women
5:45 PM – Shot Put, Heptathlon, Women
9:43 PM – 200M, Heptathlon, Women
Saturday, June 14
Track Events
9:02 PM – 4x100m Relay, Final, Women
9:11 PM – 1500m, Final, Women
9:24 PM – 3000m Steeplechase, Final, Women
9:42 PM – 100m Hurdles, Final, Women
9:52 PM – 100m, Final, Women
10:02 PM – 400m, Final, Women
10:14 PM – 800m, Final, Women
10:27 PM – 400m Hurdles, Final, Women
10:37 PM – 200m, Final, Women
10:55 PM – 5000m, Final, Women
11:21 PM – 4x400m Relay, Final, Women
Field Events
3:30 PM – Discus, Final, Women
8:30 PM – High Jump, Final, Women
9:10 PM – Triple Jump, Final, Women
Combined Events
6:30 PM – Long Jump, Heptathlon, Women
7:45 PM – Javelin, Heptathlon, Women
10:43 – 800M, Heptathlon, Women
FloTrack Is The Streaming Home For Many Track And Field Meets Each Year
Don’t miss all the track and field season action streaming on FloTrack. Check out the FloTrack schedule for more events.
FloTrack Archived Footage
Video footage from each event will be archived and stored in a video library for FloTrack subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.
Steve Westerduin Named Associate AD for Facilities, Operations & Events
Steve Westerduin has joined the Massachusetts Athletics staff as the Associate Athletic Director for Facilities, Operations & Events (June 11). Prior to UMass, Westerduin spent 11 years at Fordham University as part of the Rams’ facilities staff. In his most recent role at Fordham, Westerduin served as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Event Management overseeing […]
Steve Westerduin has joined the Massachusetts Athletics staff as the Associate Athletic Director for Facilities, Operations & Events (June 11).
Prior to UMass, Westerduin spent 11 years at Fordham University as part of the Rams’ facilities staff. In his most recent role at Fordham, Westerduin served as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Event Management overseeing all aspect of the Athletic Facilities and Event Management, Fitness and Recreation, Club Sport and Intramural Departments. He was part of Fordham’s Senior Leadership Cabinet for Athletics, advising on all aspects related to facilities, events, fitness, recreational and intramural sports and was the sport administrator for the Fordham men’s water polo and baseball programs.
During his tenure at Fordham, he also held the titles of Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Event Management, Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities and Event Management and Athletic Facilities Manager. Westerduin began his career at Fordham in 2014, as an intern.
Among his responsibilities during his time in the Bronx, Westerduin managed contracts, permits, fees and insurance for all camps and outside rentals. He was also responsible for creating and overseeing the scheduling process for all varsity team practices and games, outside rentals, and University events across all athletic facilities. He served as the liaison for athletics on all capital projects and facility planning and filled the role of women’s rowing sport administrator. Westerduin was the Championship Director for Atlantic 10, Patriot League, and NCAA post-season contests hosted by Fordham, as well.
Prior to arriving at Fordham, Westerduin worked in the New York Mets ticket office. He also interned for both SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Oswego athletic departments in various capacities.
A 2012 graduate of the State University of New York College at Oswego, Westerduin received a master’s degree in sport management from St. John’s University in 2014.
Hailey Coey and 4×400 Relay represent Bobcat women at NCAA Nationals | Montana State
Courtesy: MSU Athletics MSU Athletics EUGENE, Ore. – The Montana State women’s track and field team concluded their season at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships this week. Hailey Coey represented the Bobcats in the long jump. In her first nationals appearance, Coey jumped just over 19 feet, securing 20th place overall. Competing against […]
EUGENE, Ore. – The Montana State women’s track and field team concluded their season at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships this week.
Hailey Coey represented the Bobcats in the long jump. In her first nationals appearance, Coey jumped just over 19 feet, securing 20th place overall. Competing against some of the nation’s best, this marked a strong conclusion to her season.
The Bobcats’ 4×400 relay team also took part in the championships. Positioned in lane two for the first heat, the team finished the race in 3 minutes, 36.7 seconds. They placed seventh in their heat and 21st overall.
For both Coey and the relay team, the event was an opportunity to compete against top athletes and showcase their talents on a national level. Plus, a proud moment to bring the blue and gold to the biggest stage in college track and field.