TFFRS Rankings YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University track and field programs will pursue respective Mid-American Conference (MAC) outdoor championships as the Eagles are set to begin postseason competition at the 2025 MAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, hosted by Ohio University, at Goldsberry Track, in Athens, Thursday-Saturday, May 15-17.
Fans can access live results, heat sheets, a meet schedule, and both the men’s and women’s respective MAC Outdoor Record Books using the MAC Championship Central Page. Those looking to attend the meet can purchase tickets here and access further meet information, including a parking guide here.
The meet will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 15, 11 a.m. Friday, May 16, and 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 17, followed by the award ceremony at 5 p.m.
Also, stay posted to EMUEagles.com for a post-meet recap with final results attached and follow EMU cross country/track & field social media on Instagram, X, and Facebook at @EMUXC_TF for more track & field content.
EMU MEN AT MAC OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
The EMU men aim to secure their 25th MAC outdoor championship and their first since the 2018 campaign. That season, Eastern dominated its competition as it scored 184.50 points, nearly 20 points more than the second-place finisher, Akron (166). Hlynur Andresson was named Most Valuable Performer after capturing individual titles in the 5,000m run, 3,000m steeplechase, and 10,000m run.
Legendary Men’s Head Coach John Goodridge was tabbed Coach of the Year for the seventh and final time of his EMU tenure, and the Eagles earned five All-MAC First Team honors, two second team selections, and captured the Men’s Track Freshman of the Year award with then-freshman Tyler Johnson securing the accolade.
The Eastern men hold the most MAC outdoor titles all-time as they post 24, six more than the 18 held by Western Michigan, who no longer has a men’s track & field program yet remains second all-time. Eastern holds nine meet records, including eight individual events plus the 4x400m relay record (3:07.66 – 1989). It also owns the largest margin of victory as the 1984 team posted 99 points more than the runner-up.
Individually, the EMU men hold 29 MAC Outdoor Championships Most Valuable Performer awards, including Almighty Williamson‘s from last season after breaking a meet record in the 110m hurdles in 13.53. They also compile 20 coach of the year distinctions, 11 most outstanding performance honors, five freshman performer of the year accolades, with former Eagle Ryan Johnson grabbing the praise last season after winning the hammer throw with a 65.17m (213-09) heave, and three assistant coach of the year decorations.
EMU WOMEN AT MAC OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Eastern women are seeking their 13th MAC Outdoor Championship and first since 2016 as they became the first women’s team in MAC history to win the cross country, indoor track & field, and outdoor track & field title that season. Overall, they join the men with the most outdoor titles in the conference as they boast 12, including winning seven consecutive from 1987-93, the most consecutive outdoor conference championships in MAC history. The Eagles own two MAC Outdoor Championships event records with Alsu Bogdanova setting the most recent one as she ran a 16:09.13 5000m at the 2018 rendition of the meet. Like the men, the women too own the largest margin of victory, winning by 74 points in 1988.
Individually, the Eastern women have captured 12 MAC Outdoor Championships Most Value Performers awards, seven coach of the year awards, six most outstanding performances honors, and one freshman performer of the year accolade.
LAST TIME OUT: AT HILLSDALE LAST CHANCE, MAY 7
For the men, Olawole Olanrewaju (Akoko North-West, Nigeria/Wallas Universal Secondary School/Lenoir-Rhyne) earned his spot at the top of the MAC, tying for the best 400m dash time in the conference with a personal-best 46.85. Senior Gabe Singh (Toledo, Ohio/Sylvania Northview/Oakland) claimed a new PR of 47.25, placing fourth during the race. Freshman Michael Hawkins (Detroit, Mich./Cass Technical/Michigan State) also grabbed a PR, placing 12th with a time of 49.14. Olanrewaju’s time tied Bamidele Ajayi (Eikiti State, Nigeria Metropolitan International College Lenoir-Rhyne) for first place in the MAC. Additionally, three of the top four 400m times in the conference now belong to the Eagles.
Senior Formula Thompson (St. Catherine, Jamaica/Jamaica College/Nebraska) placed third in the triple jump with a 14.65m (48-00.80) leap, setting a new season-best for the four-year senior that ranks him third in the MAC.
Hawkins punched his way into second with a 52.35 PR in the 400m hurdles. This ranks him in the top three in the MAC along with Singh in first place (50.62).
A season-best was made during the hammer throw as sophomore Jake McEachern (Lloydminster, Alberta/Lloydminster Comprehensive) finished third with a 63.20m (207-04.20) toss.
Freshman Ajah Arscott (Plantation, Fla./Taravella) highlighted the performances for the Eastern women as she placed first in both the 100m dash prelims (11.72) and 200m dash (23.52). Both times marked collegiate personal-bests and rank inside the MAC top six, led by her 200m time that stands third in the conference and fifth in EMU program history.
Josephine Oloye (Iwaro-Oka, Nigeria/Geomi Secondary School/Tayelolu Memorial) had a strong performance in the 400m dash, placing first in an outdoor season-best 54.03, a time that stands fourth in the conference.
LAST TIME OUT: AT LEN PADDOCK OPEN, MAY 9
For the women, Erica King (McDonald, Pa./South Fayette Township) placed third in the javelin throw with a personal-best 42.17m (138-04) mark that ranks her fourth in the conference and improves her program top-10 standing to sixth all-time. Lena Korte (Clinton, Mich./Clinton/Concordia) and Elise Gregory (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge) set season-bests as Korte finished fourth throwing 44.72m (113-11) and Gregory slotted fifth with a 28.27m (92-09) sling.
Freshman Shamoya Clemetson (Naples, Fla./Barron Collier) won the 100m hurdles in a career-standard 13.76 that ranks fourth in the MAC. Nikol Antoniadi (Didimoticho, Greece/Geniko Lykeio Didimotichou) placed fourth in the event (14.36) while Maleah Scott (Farmington, Minn./Farmington) grabbed a season-best, finishing in 15.77.
In the men’s competition, McEachern placed third in the hammer throw with his second season-best toss of the week in the event as he threw the hammer 63.50m (208-04), a mark that ranks second in the conference. Drew Knieper (Lake Orion, Mich./Lake Orion/Hope College) grabbed a 48.24m (158-03) PR in the event.
Hawkins turned in his third PR of the week with a 14.33 run in the 110m hurdles, placing sixth. His time ranks third in the MAC.
Eastern posted strong performances in the 1500m run as four out of the five Eagles in the event ran a season or personal-best time. Ty Dailey (Phoenix, Md./Dulaney) placed third in a season-best 3:58.0, Donovan Johnson (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville Central) slotted fifth in a PR 3:59.89, along with Aaron Schwieterman (Miamisburg, Ohio/Miamisburg) in sixth in a personal-best 4:01.14. Isaac Garcia (Greely, Col./South County) rounded-out the group with a 4:14.38 PR.
TOP CONFERENCE MARKS: MEN
The men currently hold 25 marks that rank inside the MAC top five and eight that slot first in the conference. The Eagles earned four conference top-five marks at the Hillsdale College Last Chance, May 7, and Len Paddock Open, May 9. Olanrewaju tied Ajayi for the fastest 400m in the MAC, running the distance in 46.85. Singh ran the conference’s fourth-fastest 400m in 47.25.Carson McCoy (Pittsburgh, Pa./Deer Lakes) notched a 4:49.22 1500m time that stands fourth in the MAC, andThompson bounded 14.65m (48-00.80)in the triple jump, a mark that ranks third in the conference.
The Eastern women hold 13 marks that rank inside the MAC top five and three that slot first in the conference. The Eagles earned three conference top-five marks at the Hillsdale College Last Chance, May 7, and Len Paddock Open, May 9. In Hillsdale, Arscott ran a 23.52 200m dash, good for third in the MAC while Oloye ran the conferences’ fourth-fastest 400m in 54.03. At the Len Paddock Open, King set another PR in the javelin throw with a 42.17m (138-04) toss that stands fourth in the MAC.
Both the men’s and women’s programs are ranked in the conference and regional standings by the United States Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches’ Association of America (USTFCCCA) in the sixth Track & Field Rating Index of the season, released May 6.
The women rank second in the MAC with a score of 650.09 and stand 12th in the region, posting a rating of 201.88, improving one spot in the conference rankings and two in the regional from the fifth checkpoint (April 29). The Eastern men remain in the No. 3 spot in the MAC for a third consecutive week with a score of 1165.88 and stand as the 11th-best team in the Great Lakes Region with a score of 330.69, moving up two spots from the fifth checkpoint.
USTFCCCA EVENT SQUAD RANKINGS: MEN
The Eastern men check into the USTFCCCA Event Squad Rankings in 12 events and rank inside the top 25 in the 400m hurdles, led by Singh with a time of 50.62, a time that serves as a MAC-best and checks into both the East Qualifying and National Top-50 List. Just outside of the top-25 at No. 26 is the high jump squad, led by Brendan Hill (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne) and Lucky Fiaku‘s (Nimo, Nigeria/Busy International Secondary) 2.12m bounces, also ranking on East Qualifying List.
USTFCCCA EVENT SQUAD RANKINGS: WOMEN
The Eastern women are also ranked in 12 events by the USTFCCCA, including a 16th ranked triple jump squad led by Kyra Buffen (Columbus, Ga./Buford/Benedict), with a distance of 12.60m (41-04.25), one that ranks on the East Qualifying List
EAST QUALIFYING LIST
Eastern Michigan has a total of six student-athletes on the East Qualifying List. For the men, Singh holds the highest spot, standing 17th with a 50.62 400m hurdles time. Hill and Fiaku each slot 26th on the list in the high jump with a 2.12m (6-11.50) bounce. McEachern’s 63.50m (208-04) checks in at No. 32. Kian Wiles‘(Hull, England/St. Mary’s College) 3:40.73 1500m ranks 42nd, and Samuel Jeffery (Fonthill, Ontario/E.L. Crossley Secondary) ranks 45th in the decathlon with a score of 6,641 points.
For the women, Saraiah Walkes (Manatee County, Fla./The-Out-of-Door-Academy) owns two times on the list, with her highest ranking coming in the 400m as she slots 36th with a time of 52.88. She also stands 43rd on the list in the 200m (23.30). Buffen checks in at No. 46 on the leaderboards with a 12.60m (41-04.25) triple jump.
PROGRAM TOP-10 MARKS: MEN
The men most recently posted four top-10 marks at the Jesse Owens Classic and Duke Twilight, May 2-4. Singh had the highest mark on the top-10 leaderboards as he bettered his program No. 3 400m hurdles time to 50.62. At the Duke Twilight, Wiles topped his 1500m PR by nearly three seconds, finishing in 3:40.73 and moving up to fourth on the all-time list, while Hill and Fiaku’s 2.12m (06-11.50) high jumps tie for the eighth-best on the program ledgers and are the highest jump from an Eagle since 2009. Overall, the men have set 23 program top-10 marks in the outdoor campaign.
PROGRAM TOP-10 MARKS: WOMEN
The Eastern women most recently grabbed two program top 10 marks at the Hillsdale College Last Chance, May 7, and Len Paddock Open, May 9. Arscott made her first mark on the list as her 23.52 200m ranks her fifth all-time while King’s 42.17m (138-04) javelin throw at the Len Paddock Open moved her up to sixth in program annals. Overall, the women’s team has set 23 program top-10 marks in the outdoor season.
UP NEXT
Qualifying Eagles will compete at the 2025 NCAA East Prelims hosted by the University of North Florida, in Jacksonville, Wednesday-Saturday, May 28-31.
FOLLOW US
For updates on all things EMU cross country/track & field, continue to check EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram, X, and Facebook at @EMUXC_TF.
Previously Noted
SINGH TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK X2
Singh was recently tabbed MAC Men’s Track Athlete of the Week for the second time this season after bettering his conference-best 400m hurdles time to 50.62 seconds, finishing first at the Jesse Owens Classic, hosted by Ohio State University, May 2-3. His time ranks second in the Great Lakes Region, 17th on the East Qualifying List, 36th in the nation, and third in EMU program history. He cruised to a first-place finish by a wide margin as he finished .51 seconds ahead of the runner-up (51.13) for his first win in the event this season. Singh bested five other MAC student-athletes in the race and finished ahead of two Power Four student-athletes. He posted the fastest time in the region, sixth-best time on the East Qualifying List, and 14th-fastest time in the nation over the weekend.
The honor marks the second of the season for Singh as he previously garnered the accolade after running what was then a conference-best 400m hurdles mark of 50.67 seconds, placing third at the 44 Farms Team Invitational, hosted by Texas A&M University, April 11–12.
The award is Eastern Michigan’s fourth of the outdoor season and brings the team’s total to seven on the 2024-25 campaign as Lachlan Cornelius (Brisbane, Australia/Anglican Church Grammar School) most recently earned the award, April 29, before Singh and Walkeseach earned it, April 15, prior to Fiaku (field) and Oloye (track) garnering the award in the indoor season, Dec. 10, and McCoy (track) earning the recognition, Feb. 11.
SINGH’S HISTORIC RUN IN 400M HURDLES
Singh’s run in the 400m hurdles this season is approaching historic levels as he is just .72 seconds shy of tying for the MAC record (49.90) set by Central Michigan University’s Al Washington in 1988, .54 seconds away from tying for the EMU program record, held by Jeff Dils (1979), and .16 seconds from tying former Eagle and Olympian Eric Alejandro (Rio de Janeiro – 2016) for the second-best time in program history (50.51 – 2008).
LAST TIME OUT: AT JESSE OWENS CLASSIC, MAY 2-3
For the men, Hill and Fiaku set the top high jump mark in the MAC with jumps of 2.12m (06-11.50), good for eighth in program history while marking the first edit to the event’s top-10 list since former Eagle Xavier Clais posted a 2.14m (07-01.25 – Program No. 4) jump in the 2009 season. Singh bettered his conference-best time in the 400m hurdles, placing first in 50.62.
On the women’s side, freshman Ashtan Winfrey (Columbus, Ohio/Columbus Africentric Early College) put on a show in the long jump in front of a hometown crowd, leaping 5.83m (19-01.50) for the best mark of the meet, a personal-best, and the eighth-best jump in the MAC this season. Also finishing in the top 10 for the long jump was Nene Garner (Powell, Ohio/Thomas Worthington), who jumped a personal-best 5.48m (17-11.75), as well as Clemetson, who finished with a 5.30m (17-04.75) mark.
Due to poor weather in Columbus, multiple events were not completed, including the 110m hurdles, 200m dash, 400m dash, discus throw, triple jump, and 4x100m relay.
LAST TIME OUT: AT DUKE TWILIGHT, MAY 4
For the men, Wiles improved his MAC-leading time in the 1500m run by nearly three seconds, finishing 12th in 3:40.73, jumping the distance runner to fourth in EMU laurels. Cornelius finished sixth in the 800m run with a 1:49.62.
On the women’s side, senior Chloie Musta (Mesick, Mich./Cadillac) had a strong showing in the 800m run, finishing 12th out of 38 runners in a career-best 2:08.08, placing her third in the MAC this season and sixth in EMU history.
Marta Moreno (Wassenaar, Netherlands/American School of The Hague) saw action in the 5000m, placing 27th in 16:51.44.
LACHLAN CORNELIUS NAMED MAC TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Cornelius was named Men’s MAC Track Athlete of the Week, April 29, for his performance at the GVSU Extra Weekend Meet, hosted by Grand Valley State.
Cornelius placed first in 800m invitational in a MAC-best and personal standard 1:48.38, his time is the fastest by an Eastern student-athlete since Eastern Michigan legend and former United States Olympian (1996 – Atlanta) Paul McMullen ran the distance in 1:46.48 in 1995, the second-fastest time in program history while Cornelius’ mark stands eighth on the program leaderboards.
Cornelius’ time topped his previous conference-best mark (1:49.25) by nearly one full second as his time currently ranks sixth in the Great Lakes Region and 43rd on the East Qualifying List.
AT HILLSDALE TUNE-UP, APRIL 26
The 1500m was a strong race for the Eagles, led by AJ Hawkins‘ (Worthington, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne) first-place finish in a personal-best 4:06.2, all four Eagles set career-best marks in the race including Schwieterman’s 4:03.03 that earned him third place.
King earned a win in the javelin throw for the second time in her collegiate career as she set a personal-best with a 41.17m (135-01) toss, a mark that stands fifth in the MAC, seventh in program history, and 12th in the Great Lakes Region. Clemetson earned a career-best in the event with a 30.21m (99-01) mark, just one of her three PRs on the day as she also set new standards in the 200m (seventh – 25.79) and the 100m hurdles (first – 13.78). Her 100m hurdles time stands third in the MAC and 14th in the region.
AT GVSU EXTRA WEEKEND, APRIL 26
Wiles followed in second in the 800m in a career-best 1:48.77 that ranks him second in the conference behind Cornelius.
Cornelius’ time ranks sixth in the Great Lakes Region and 42nd on the East Qualifying List. For Wiles, his time stands ninth in the region.
Anna Bathellier (Ile d’Yeu, France/College Les Sicardieres) and Cora Henderson (Courtice, Ontario/Courtice Secondary) each competed in the 800m invitational. Bathellier placed sixth in 2:14.43 while Henderson finished closely behind in seventh in an outdoor season-best 2:14.55.
AT WAKE FOREST INVITATIONAL, APRIL 18
Musta ran a MAC-best 800m, finishing seventh out of 63 competitors in a personal best 2:08.50. Her time ranks seventh in program history and improved her top-10 standing by three spots from 10th to seventh. Cornelius placed third out of 73 in the 800m in a MAC-best and personal-best 1:49.25, a time that also ranks ninth in the Great Lakes Region.
AT GEORGIA TECH INVITATIONAL, APRIL 18-19
Walkes placed second out of 85 student-athletes in the 100m dash in a season-best 11.61. Her time stands as the fastest in the MAC this season and 11th in the Great Lakes Region. Arscott turned in a strong showing in the same race with a 12th-place finish in 11.92. For the second straight week, the 4x400m relay team of Olanrewaju, Ajayi, Roberts, and Singh ran a MAC-best time as they bettered their previous conference-best (3:08.39) by 1.04 seconds, placing first out of 29 teams in 3:07.35. Their time stands third in the Great Lakes Region and 36th on the East Qualifying List.
Walkes continued to lead a 4x400m squad of herself, Arscott, Oloye, and Demetria Henderson (Tampa, Fla./Freedom), to a third-place outing out of 27 teams in a MAC-best 3:39.06, a time that also ranks as the ninth-fastest in program laurels and is the first edit to the program top-10 list since 2018. Furthermore, the time ranks fourth in the Great Lakes Region.
AT ELAINE LEIGH INVITATIONAL, APRIL 19
Liv Hatch (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso) placed first out of 14 competitors in the 3000m steeplechase in a personal-best 11:44.23. Her time was over 12 seconds faster than the second-place finisher (11:56.65) at the Elaine Leigh Invite.
AT 44 FARMS TEAM INVITATIONAL AND CHIPPEWA CHALLENGE: APRIL 11-13
Walkes and Singh both finished with Mid-American Conference-best times to highlight the Eastern Michigan University track and field teams action at the Texas A&M 44 Farms Team Invitational, hosted by Texas A&M University, at E.B. Cushing Stadium.
At the Chippewa Challenge, hosted by Central Michigan University, April 12, freshman Mia Biehl (East Lansing, Mich./East Lansing) set a personal best in the 400m dash with a 58.42 mark, placing fourth in the event. Senior Nyla Joseph-Guevara (Coral Springs, Fla./Fort Lauderdale) placed second in the long jump with a leap of 5.40m (17-08.75), and Brent finished second in the hammer throw with a 52.42m (172-0.0) mark.
SINGH AND WALKES NAMED MAC TRACK ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Track athletes Singh and Walkes were named Men’s and Women’s MAC Track Athlete of the Week, respectively, April 15, for their performances at the 44 Farms Team Invitational, hosted by Texas A&M, Friday-Saturday, April 11-12.
Singh placed third in the 400m hurdles out of 32 competitors in 50.67. His time stands as the best in the MAC and the Great Lakes Region, while standing eighth on the East Qualifying List, and 15th in the country. Furthermore, Singh’s time stands as the best in the MAC by 2.56 seconds, the fastest in the region by 1.1 seconds, and third in program laurels. Additionally, he was the highest finisher from a group of five schools in the event.
Singh went on to anchor a 4x400m relay team that finished sixth out of 16 teams in a MAC-best 3:08.39, a time that stands over two seconds faster than the second-fastest time in the conference. The mark also stands as the second fastest in the region, and 33rd on the East Qualifying List.
Walkes ran two MAC-best times, personal bests, and program/Great Lakes Region top-three marks. She placed seventh out of 66 in the 200m dash in 23.30, and fifth out of 39 in the 400m in 52.88 at the 44 Farms Team Invitational, hosted by Texas A&M, April 11–12. Walkes’ 400m time stands as the fastest in the Great Lakes Region while her 200m mark ranks third. Both times rank inside the top 25 on the East Qualifying List as well, with her 400m mark standing 19th, and her 200m time ranking 25th. Nationally, Walkes ranks 31st in the 400m and 49th in the 200m. Moreover, she was the highest finisher from a group of five school in each of her races.
AT SPARTAN INVITATIONAL: APRIL 4
The Eastern Michigan track and field teams turned in a total of 21 personal bests and 17 top-three finishes while in action at the nearby Spartan Invitational, hosted by Michigan State, at Ralph Young Field Friday, April 4. 13 Eagles on the women’s side turned in career highs in their respective events, with Korte throwing a personal best 47.76m (156-08) in the hammer throw while Cara Weber (Union, Ky./Larry A. Ryle) placed first in the unseeded 1500m run with a personal best time of 4:56.63. Overall, the women earned eight top-three finishes. On the men’s side, 11 Eagles set personal bests to go with nine top-three showings, Joey Furlong (Deer Park, Ill./Barrington) ran the MAC’s second-best 5000m time in 14:51.98.
AT TEXAS RELAYS, BOBCAT INVITATIONAL, AND RALEIGH RELAYS: MARCH 27-29
The Eastern women posted two top-three finishes while the two programs combined for 12 personal-best marks, with the men posting eight and the women grabbing four, and five program top-10 marks as the women earned three and the men secured two.
RETURNING MAC CHAMPS – OUTDOOR SEASON
The Eagles return Buffen and Thompson who both won the triple jump at the 2024 MAC Outdoor Championships. Buffen won the event with a 12.64m (05.75) bound, a mark that stands as the fourth-best in program history. She also became the first Eastern woman to win the event at the outdoor championships since 1999.
Thompson became the first EMU male jumper to win the triple jump at the outdoor championships since United States Olympian Donald Scott did so in the 2015 campaign, as Thompson claimed gold with a 15.57m (51-01.00) jump, a mark that sits sixth in the program top-10 leaderboards.
ALL-MAC RETURNERS – OUTDOOR SEASON
The Eagles return seven All-MAC athletes from the outdoor season.
Women’s All-MAC Returners
Kyra Buffen – First Team
Paige Marchant – Second Team
Saraiah Walkes – Second Team
Josephine Oloye – Second Team
Men’s All-MAC Returners
Formula Thompson – First Team
Gabe Singh – Second Team
Jake McEachern – Second Team
NCAA EAST PRELIMS RETURNERS
The men’s squad returns three student-athletes who qualified for the 2024 NCAA East Prelims in Thompson, who punched his ticket in the triple jump, Mabin, who earned his entry in the 110m hurdles, and McEachern who qualified in the hammer throw.
The women return Buffen, who saw action in the triple jump after winning an individual MAC title in the event and Anita Zaro (Timirsoara, Romania/Faculty of Physical Education and Sport) who ran in the 3000m steeplechase.
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
McEachern won the hammer throw (67.32m – 220-10), shot put (15.93m – 52-03.16), and discus (49.22m – 161-05) events at the Canadian U20 Track & Field Championships. Joining him in competing nationally was Thompson, who saw action at the Jamaican Olympic Trials in the long and triple jump. Mabin also earned himself a spot at the USA U20 Track & Field Championships in the 110m hurdles.
2024 MAC OUTDOORS FINISH
The Eastern women placed second with 126.5 points while the men slotted third with 121 points. The women’s second-place finish at the meet marked its 11th straight season doing so while the men’s marked the 12th consecutive year it has finished inside the top-three. Kent State claimed the women’s title with 137.5 points and Akron won the men’s, scoring 189.
NEW COACHES
The Eagles have adjusted their coaching staff ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. Chris Best and Sterling Roberts have been promoted to Directors of Cross Country/Track & Field. Best will take on the head coaching duties for the women’s team while Roberts will do so for the men’s. Sue Parks opted to return to hands-on coaching duties and will serve as an Associate Head Coach while still acting as the Head Women’s Cross Country Coach. Eastern added two newcomers to the coaching staff in Austin Whitelaw (distance) and Nia Henderson (throws). Whitelaw comes to Ypsilanti after most recently serving as an assistant track & field/cross country coach as well as recruiting coordinator for the University of Connecticut (2022-24). Henderson brings five years of NAIA coaching experience with her as she oversaw nine NAIA All-Americans at nearby Madonna University. She was also named Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Assistant Coach of the Year in 2023.
HONOLULU — Charlie Wade will take it every single time.
The No. 2 Hawaii men’s volleyball team proudly showcased its stacked roster in its season-opening sweep of the New Jersey Institute of Technology, 25-11, 25-16, 25-14 on Friday night at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.
UH, which reached last year’s national semifinals, dismissed the Highlanders with a 13.5-0 advantage in blocks and a 6-0 advantage in aces.
A crowd of 5,685 passed through the turnstiles (6,721 tickets issued) for the brisk show. Opposite Kristian Titriyski pounded 12 kills on 22 swings, Adrien Roure added eight and UH committed only four attack errors as it hit .517 to NJIT’s .045.
Junior setter Tread Rosenthal made good on the extra inch he grew since last season — he’s up to 6 feet 11 — with a career-high-tying eight blocks and three aces dealt. On a prolonged second match point, Rosenthal ended it himself with a dump shot.
FINAL: No. 2 #HawaiiMVB sweeps NJIT 25-11, 25-16, 25-14 in the 2026 season opener.
UH hits .517, outblocks NJIT 12-0 and out-aces 6-0. The look of a national title contender, again. pic.twitter.com/BaE9imcODX
With a roster stocked with national team-caliber players, one of Wade’s biggest challenges on the night was not the opponent — it was how to get everyone involved. But the massive talent was definitely not an unbearable weight for the 17th-year head coach as UH won its 13th straight season opener.
“It’s a lot better than not having any talent, you know what I’m saying?” Wade said. “I don’t think you can ever have too many good players.”
So stacked was the lineup that two experienced players who would start for a significant portion of the country, hitter Finn Kearney and middle Ofeck Hazan, were limited to serving-sub duty in the first two sets, then got some run in the third with the match well in hand.
Hazan, the native of Israel who was effective as a true freshman last year, was displaced from the starting lineup by Grand Canyon transfer Trevell Jordan, who registered four kills on six swings, four digs and six blocks.
“It was a lot of the fans, the community,” Jordan said post-match of what made UH his choice as he had to leave the GCU program that suddenly shut down at the NCAA Division I level in the spring. “Just what the program has built and become. And it just really invited me. I knew a lot of the guys too, and they helped me get here and made it so much easier for me.”
Wade quipped, “And the coaching?” Jordan smiled and nodded.
Among the other starters, Louis Sakanoko put down four kills on eight swings and Justin Todd was 3-for-3 in the middle. UH made do without sophomore opposite Kainoa Wade, the coach’s son who missed the match after taking some balls off the head in practice this week.
Wade said he felt the program is still ascendent with Rosenthal the centerpiece coming off a sweep loss to UCLA in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
UH broke through for national titles in 2021 and 2022, but has been a half-step behind old rivals UCLA and Long Beach State in the endgame in the last few years. Wade’s longtime associate head coach, Milan Zarkovic, left for UCLA in the offseason. To counter, Wade promoted alumnus Kupono Fey to be his new right-hand man and added former Ball State head coach Donan Cruz to his staff.
The 6-foot-10 Jordan ball-hawked above the net about a foot higher than the reach of anyone for NJIT. He was clearly Wade’s kind of competitor as UH looks to make up for the loss of vocal team leader Kurt Nusterer in the middle.
UH also didn’t appear to lose a step with libero Quintin Greenidge of Canada stepping into the starting lineup for ‘Eleu Choy, the fan favorite who completed a six-year college career in 2025. Greenidge was named a co-starter with UH veteran Kai Taylor, though Greenidge received the bulk of the playing time.
Hawaii libero Quintin Greenidge received a serve against NJIT in the 2026 season opener. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
“The best players want to go play with other good players,” Wade said. “If there’s a guy who doesn’t want to come, and we’ve had this — we clearly have missed some recruits that are like, ‘ehhh, I’m not going in that gym, because I’m years away from playing. It’s the wrong spot.’
“We want guys who are going to come in and battle and are confident enough, good enough players where they think, ‘look, I’m going to play. I’m a good player. Doesn’t matter, my first year, my fourth year.’ So, everybody here knows what they signed up for. This is the best of the best on a global level. These are the best players in the world at their age group, and that is not hyperbolic. That is a fact. So they all signed up for it, and here we go — let’s try to win as many matches (as) we can, let’s let them keep trying to improve and become professionals and Olympians and hopefully win a boatload of matches along the way.”
UH gets its next chance to add one to its ledger in a rematch with NJIT at 5 p.m. Sunday. Andre Aleixo led the Highlanders with 10 kills and 10 digs.
Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach State athletics for the 2025-26 season is sponsored by Marilyn Bohl.
Long Beach State men’s volleyball fans got their first look at the defending national champions on Friday, as the Beach hosted their annual North American Challenge with the first of two pairs of matchups against Alberta and Calgary. First-year head coach Nick MacRae used the games as an opportunity to get everyone involved, as the Beach defeated Alberta 3-1 in the afternoon before sweeping Calgary 25-10, 25-14, 25-23.
“This is a big-time jump start for our season with bringing down Calgary and Alberta [from Canada],” MacRae said. “We have a great relationship with both teams, and they’re going to help challenge us and give us a lot of lessons to learn as a staff and a team. You saw two different matchups today with two different lineups, and a lot of guys going through growth while always trying to flex our Long Beach brand.”
The second lineup against Calgary featured a handful of familiar returning starters from last year, including senior star Skyler Varga, who was deemed Player of the Game and led the match with 13 kills on an efficient .500 hitting. Alex Kandev and Daniil Hershtynovich each chipped in seven kills apiece, as the Beach hit a collective .431 on the night.
The two matchups also provided an opportunity for fans to get a look at a couple of standout freshmen, including Long Beach native and 6-foot-10 middle Jackson Cryst, who was in on four blocks against Calgary. Earlier in the day, freshman Wojciech Gajek won Player of the Game with a 16-kill performance against Alberta, while freshman Myles Jordan also had a solid debut with six kills.
The Beach will be back in action on Sunday with another double header, taking on Calgary at 10am before facing Alberta at 5:30pm.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Tread Rosenthal and Trevell Jordan were up for a block against NJIT Highlanders Andrew Fedmasu during an NCAA mens’ volleyball game on Friday.
The University of Hawaii men’s volleyball team scored the first five points and never looked back in its season-opening sweep of the New Jersey Institute of Technology tonight.
UH never trailed in a 25-11, 25-16, 25-14 romp before a boisterous turnstile crowd of 5,685 at Bankoh Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center.
It was evident from the start that the Highlanders were not at the level of the Rainbow Warriors, who are ranked No. 2 nationally in the coaches preseason poll.
The opening salvo displayed just part of the Warriors’ wide array of weaponry. It started with Adrien Roure and Kristian Titriyski kills, followed by Tread Rosenthal’s first ace, a block by Justin Todd and Titriyski and then Rosenthal’s second of his team-high three aces.
After NJIT settled down a little, UH middle Trevell Jordan got into rhythm with his first kill, followed immediately by a combo block with Rosenthal, putting Hawaii ahead 9-3.
Titriyski led UH with 12 kills, including four in the first set. He also had two aces.
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Hawaii hit .517 to .045 for the visitors.
UH’s setter, Rosenthal, also led the block party, in on eight of his team’s 13.5. NJIT had no blocks. The Warriors had 10 in the first set alone.
Andre Aleixo led NJIT with 10 kills.
The Highlanders kept it close with three ties to start the third set, but then the Warriors strung together one of Roure’s eight kills with two blocks by Finn Kearney and Ofeck Hazan go ahead 6-3.
This was the first of eight home matches to start the season for UH.
The same teams meet Sunday, with first serve at 5 p.m. The Warriors will receive their 2025 Big West championship rings after the match.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Ten BYU football players received Phil Steele postseason honors today, including five who were named All-American among 10 who received Big 12 All-Conference recognition.
All-American honorees include safety Faletau Satuala, who was named second team, and running back LJ Martin, who was a third-team selection. In addition, linebacker Jack Kelly, center Bruce Mitchell and safety Tanner Wall received honorable mention honors.
SATUALA, a 6-4, 210-pound sophomore from Bountiful, Utah, was previously named second-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America. He played in all 14 games for No. 12-ranked BYU, leading the Cougars in tackles (84) and forced fumbles (2) and was third on the team in interceptions (3) and tackles for loss (7.5). He was also previously named All-Big 12 First Team by Sports Info Solutions and All-Big 12 Third Team by the conference coaches.
MARTIN was previously named second-team All-American by Pro Football Network as well as Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Year and first team Big 12 by the conference coaches. In addition, he was named first-team All-Big 12 by both Pro Football Focus and Sports Info Solutions. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound junior from El Paso, Texas, led the Big 12 in yards rushing (1,305), yards per game (100.4) and all-purpose yards (1,560). He was also second in the Big 12 in rushing touchdowns (12).
KELLY was previously honored by the Big 12 coaches as first-team All-Big 12 and received honorable mention honors as Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. The 6-2, 240-pound senior captain from Kearns, Utah, finished the regular season third in the Big 12 in sacks (10), fourth in tackles for loss (13.5) and tied for fifth in forced fumbles (2). He was also previously named to the Pro Football Network All-Big 12 Third Team.
MITCHELL was also honored by the Big 12 coaches as first-team All-Big 12 and honorable-mention Offensive Lineman of the Year. He was also named Pro Football Network first team All-Big 12 and to the 2025 Pro Football Focus All-Big 12 Football Team. The 6-4, 305-pound junior from Kearns, Utah, was on the midseason watch list for the Rimington Trophy and was the sixth-highest graded center in the country during the regular season by PFF. He was also twice named to the PFF National Team of the Week at center.
WALL, a two-year captain, helped lead BYU to a 25-4 record as the starting safety. He was previously honored as first-team All-Big 12 by the conference coaches. The 6-1, 205-pound senior from Arlington, Virginia, finished the year second on the team in tackles (71) and interceptions (4). In September, Wall was named to the prestigious 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team by the American Football Coaches Association. He was also a finalist for both the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy and the Pop Warner College Football Award and was a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award.
PHIL STEELE BIG 12 ALL-CONFERENCE Phil Steel first team Big 12 All-Conference selections included Kelly, Martin, Mitchell, Satuala and punt returner Parker Kingston, who was also named second-team All-Conference at wide receiver. Wall was also named to the All-Big 12 Second Team.
Third-team honorees included long snapper Garrison Grimes and defensive tackle John Taumoepeau, while fourth-team selections included linebacker Isaiah Glasker and cornerback Evan Johnson.
First Team – LJ Martin (running back) – Bruce Mitchell (center) – Jack Kelly (linebacker) – Faletau Satuala (safety) – Parker Kingston (punt returner) Second Team – Parker Kingston (receiver) – Tanner Wall (safety) Third Team – John Taumoepeau (defensive tackle) – Garrison Grimes (long snapper) Fourth Team – Isaiah Glasker (linebacker) – Evan Johnson (cornerback)
The top high school volleyball players in the state regardless of class are featured in the AL.com Super All-State team.
The team was compiled by the AL.com high school sports staff with input from coaches.
AL.com named Player of the Year, Attacker MVP, Setter MVP, Defensive MVP and Coach of the Year. Award winners are listed separately, but considered part of the Super All-State team.
AL.COM SUPER ALL-STATE VOLLEYBALL TEAM
(Players listed alphabetically)
Ava Bartlett, Addison, 5-11, Jr., Middle
Bennett Boulo, St. Paul’s, 5-10, Sr., Setter/Right Side
Kendall Buckley, Bob Jones, 6-0, Sr., Outside Hitter
Millie Burgess, Vestavia Hills, 6-1, Sr., Outside Hitter
Mary George Vandergriff, Guntersville, 5-8, Sr., Setter
Elise Wheeler, Pleasant Valley, 5-9, Jr., Setter
Bea Wiggins, Spain Park, 5-11, Sr., Outside Hitter
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
McGill-Toolen’s Alice Wood sets the ball during a 2025 match. (Erin Nelson Sweeney)Erin Nelson Sweeney
Alice Wood, McGill-Toolen
5-9, Jr., Setter
ATTACKER MVP
Daphne’s Ella Lomax attacks during a 2025 match. (Dennis Victory | preps@al.com)Dennis Victory
Ella Lomax, Daphne
5-11, Sr., Outside Hitter
DEFENSIVE MVP
Thompson’s Kenzly Foote readies for play against McGill-Toolen during the AHSAA Class 7A volleyball state championship at Bill Harris Arena in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Dennis Victory | preps@al.com)Dennis Victory
Kenzly Foote, Thompson
5-7, Sr., Defensive Specialist
SETTER MVP
Spanish Fort’s Cailyn Boykin sets the ball against Hazel Green during the AHSAA Class 6A volleyball state championship at Bill Harris Arena in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Dennis Victory | preps@al.com)Dennis Victory
Cailyn Boykin, Spanish Fort
5-8, Jr., Setter
COACH OF THE YEAR
Cherokee County coach Tiffany Rieger walks to receive the trophy during the AHSAA Class 4A volleyball state championship at Bill Harris Arena in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Dennis Victory | preps@al.com)Dennis Victory
