Connect with us
https://yoursportsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/call-to-1.png

Sports

Ellie Kennedy

Published

on

Ellie Kennedy

There was only one way for Ellie Kennedy to make the U.S. roster for the 2025 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships.

She would have to make an appearance on the podium in Maniago, Italy, the second of two road world cup stops this past May. There was no other way to make it to the big show Aug. 28-31 in Ronse, Belgium.

Well, check that box.

Racing as an independent, Kennedy, a WT2 rider, earned a bronze medal in the road race at Maniago, securing her spot as one of nine women to make the U.S. team and the only tricyclist.

Her immediate reaction, especially after a pair of frustrating fifth-place finishes at the first world cup May 1-4 in Ostend, Belgium?

“I was done with race, in my rental van,” Kennedy said. “I basically cried for 20 minutes.

“In racing, anything can happen. You have to work hard, but you have to be lucky. In Belgium, I was basically blocked. I think in Italy, everything went my way.”

It sure did. Her coach, Mark Sortino, agreed.

“Not totally surprised, but just sheer gratitude for her to experience the result that I know she could do in overcoming all obstacles,” Sortino said. “I think it’s years in the making of making mistakes at the wrong time and learning from them.”

Kennedy, now 68, battles cerebellar ataxia, a group of neurological disorders, which more than likely was caused by sarin gas exposure during her tour of duty in the U.S. Army in the Persian Gulf War. For the first 20 to 30 minutes of a race, everything is typically fine. But after that?

“On the first lap (in Maniago), I looked great, but by the fourth lap I was holding on and going as fast I can possibly go,” she said. “I guess I looked like a drunk cyclist. And when I stopped, I could hardly get off the bike.”

Her condition affects the cerebellum, which is the part of the brain that coordinates movement and balance. It doesn’t cause dizziness, she said, though she does get nauseous.

In 2019, Kennedy was using a wheelchair and doctors told her the prognosis wasn’t good.

But Kennedy made some important changes in her life, “and something switched with me.” In a good way.

Riding a tricycle isn’t exactly easy, either, which makes her accomplishment that much sweeter.

“We’re not very aerodynamic, and if you have a balance issue, it’s hard to get low for a long time,” Kennedy said. “When you take corners, you have to be careful, otherwise you’ll tip over.”

Kennedy who previously lived in Boise, Idaho, now resides in balmy Tucson, Arizona. She’s typically up by 4 a.m. and out the door within the hour to train to avoid the worst of the heat. Because of her cerebellar ataxia, she also can’t ride for hours at a crack, usually limiting her training to one or two hours at the most. Higher intensity workouts are done indoors.

Usually by 9 a.m., she’s done and can enjoy the rest of her day. But racing is more than physical for her.

It’s the mental game, too, and just as big a challenge.

“You have to do a lot of visualization,” she said. “I typically ride a course many times before I ride the race. I want to know every nook and cranny of the course. It just really helps me.”

But in Maniago, Kennedy couldn’t do that, because part of the course was on a major road and she doesn’t go there unless someone is assisting her.

Her workaround was to drive her rental van many times prior to the race. It wasn’t ideal, but it worked.

“As far as the mental thing, it’s the preparation, making sure everything is squared up, so when race day comes, you’re ready,” she said. “(It’s) just trying to relax and remember, number one, I’m going to be safe. If I crash, I won’t be in the running.”

Sortino said her mental game is on point, which should help her in Ronse.

“Mentally, she’s committed and dedicated and has that sort of tenacious mindset that keeps her going no matter obstacle is in front of her,” he said. “She keeps going. She’s highly driven like a lot of successful athletes at this level.”

For riders who are new to Para-cycling, Kennedy has a few words of advice about starting out and sticking with it.

One is to ask a ton of questions. Use internet search engines to learn as much as you can and find the right people, like Sortino, who can provide astute counsel. 

The second is as easy as it is challenging: Have fun.

“It’s not always going to be fun, that’s the truth,” she said. “Just keep at it. Do whatever it takes to be as healthy as you can be.”

Sports

Big day for Hillsdale’s throwers as Charger men kick off season at GVSU Holiday Open

Published

on


The Hillsdale College men’s track and field team got off to a strong start in the throws on Friday, kicking off the 2025-26 indoor season at the GVSU Holiday Open.

All four of Hillsdale’s season-opening provisional qualifying marks came in the shot put and weight throw at the meet, showing why the Chargers are one of the best throws programs in NCAA DII.

Leading the way was senior and defending NCAA DII weight throw national champion Ben Haas, who began his title defense by taking second overall and first among collegiate throwers in the event on Friday with a provisional qualfying throw of 21.33 meters. 

Haas was joined in setting a provisional qualifying mark in the weight throw by not one, but two teammates on Friday. Redshirt freshman Dominic Scharer had an collegiate debut to remember on Friday, opening his career with a 20.02 meter mark that makes him the just the fourth Charger in program history to break 20 meters in the weight throw. Along with Scharer, junior Dimitry Ermakov had a massive new personal best in the weight throw to earn a provisional mark in the event for the first time with a distance of 18.58 meters. That mark gives Ermakov the sixth-best weight throw mark in Hillsdale College history as well.

Along with his performance in the weight throw, Haas also started strong in the shot put, placing fourth with a throw of 17.24 meters to give himself a second provisional mark on the day. Scharer also had a notable debut in the shot put, with a top throw of 14.99 meters that gives him the eighth-best mark in program history as well.

On the track, Hillsdale had a few notable standouts. Senior Gabriel Phillips ran well against an elite field in the fastest heat of the 5,000m run, finishing ninth in a new personal best time of 14:30.62, the fourth-best mark in the event in program history. Freshman John Richardson also had a strong first collegiate 5K, finishing in a strong time of 15:02.60 for the Chargers as well, and junior Caleb Youngstedt also ran a new personal best in the 5K of 15:06.17 for Hillsdale.

Two freshmen put together impressive first races as well for the Chargers. Watson Magwenzi had a debut to remember for Hillsdale, becoming just the 11th Charger in program history to go under seven seconds in the 60m dash with a time of 6.99, and also running a solid 22.53 in his first collegiate 200. In the 400m dash, freshman Jack Polizzi also started fast for Hillsdale, placing sixth in 49.48 just ahead of teammate Zealand Tarrant, who ran a new personal best 49.77 to take ninth.  Magwenzi also was pushed in the 60 and 200 by sophomore Sam Jones, who a personal best 7.03 in the 60 and a 22.63 in the 200.

Senior Mark Masaka placed 10th (1:56.19) and freshman Wyatt Widolff placed 14th (1:57.48) in the 800m run as well for Hillsdale, and freshman Luan Kummle took 14th in the long jump (6.26 meters).

Hillsdale now heads into the Christmas break, and will pick back up in 2026 with the Al Campbell Invite hosted by the University of Akron on Jan. 16.



Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Men’s Track & Field: Stefanowicz Tops Hurdles Record at M City Classic

Published

on



MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Macalester College men’s track & field team opened the 2026 indoor season at the M City Classic, hosted by the University of Minnesota on Friday. Senior Sebastian Stefanowicz (Portland, Ore./Valley Catholic) broke the school record in the 60-meter hurdles.

Stefanowicz finished fifth in the 60-meter hurdles behind three Division I athletes and an unattached runner with a time of 8.63. The performance betters the old record of 8.68, set by John Shepard ’01 in 1999. Senior Hamza Mahamud (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie) finished seventh in 9.10. Stefanowicz also placed 12th in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.15, which ranks sixth on Macalester’s all-time performance list.

In the 600 meters, seniors Henry Schonebaum (Faribault, Minn./Faribault) and Thomas Malecha (Faribault, Minn.) finished sixth and seventh, respectively. First year Aj Baehr (Columbia, Mo./Rock Bridge) took seventh in the 400 meters (51.18) in his first collegiate race.

In the field events, first year Alex Peters (Belle Plaine, Minn./Jordan) took fourth in the shot put with a mark of 12.55 meters (41-2.25) in his first competition as a Scot. Sophomore Ataa Mensah (St. Paul, Minn./Roseville) finished fourth in the triple jump with a leap of 12.77 meters (41-10.75), followed by first year Garner Miyagawa (Encinitas, Calif./San Dieguito Academy) in fifth with a mark of 12.26 (40-2.75).

Macalester resumes competition in January by hosting the Vanessa Seljeskog Classic on Jan. 24 in the Leonard Center Fieldhouse.

Click here for results.

 



Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Tigers Win Seven Events at Birmingham Icebreaker

Published

on


BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Memphis track and field opened its 2025-26 indoor season with a strong showing on Friday at the Birmingham CrossPlex, earning seven event wins—the most of any team in the field.

Gizel Clayton captured the women’s 60-meter hurdles (8.43) title for the second straight year, while Alex Bobak won the mile (4:15.97) for the first time in his career, setting a personal best in the process. Poorna Raorane also took home a victory in the shot (14.65m) put after finishing third at last year’s meet.

Courtland Noble won the 400m (48.55) making his second career victory in this event.

The Tigers recorded 10 top-five finishes, including sophomore Trinity Brown, who placed second and set a PR in the triple jump (11.91m).

Memphis athletes combined for 21 personal records, the most in a single meet since Feb. 15, 2025, at the Bulldog Open and Invite.

A full list of today’s six wins, top-five finishes and PRs can be found below. Comprehensive meet results can be found in the link above.

Tigers will be back in action in the new year, opening 2026 at the Bob Teel Invitational in Columbus, Missouri, on January 24.

Wins

Gizel Clayton, Women’s 60mH, 8.43

Alex Bobak, Men’s One Mile, 4:15.97

Poorna Raorane, Women’s Shot Put, 14.65m

Oageng Mdlela, Men’s Triple Jump, 15.16m

Kaseiana Meriweather, Women’s 200m, 24.08

Courtland Noble, Men’s 400m, 48.55

Meghan Porterfield, Women’s Weight Throw, 17.49m

Top Finishes (Top 5)

Kaseiana Meriweather, 2nd, Women’s 60m, 7.49

Destiny Jenkins, 4th, Women’s 60m, 7.55

Jazmyn James, 2nd, Women’s Shot Put, 13.88m

Meghan Porterfield, 3rd, Women’s Shot Put, 13.30m

Jean Yves Thiemble Marco, 3rd, Men’s Long Jump, 7.20m

Kouto Anyika, 4th, Men’s 300m, 33.95

Alexandra Allen, 2nd, Women’s 400m, 56.61

Judy Elful, 3rd, Women’s 400m, 56.95

Lilith Stenger, 2nd, Women’s High Jump, 1.60m

Trinity Brown, 2nd, Women’s Triple Jump, 11.91m

Tristian Robinson, 2nd, Men’s Weight Throw, 17.55m

Natalie Albert, 2nd, Women’s Weight Throw, 17.21m

Dajuan Montague, 2nd, Men’s High Jump, 2.10m

PRs

Elizabeth Markwell, Women’s 3000m, 11:10.48

Brooke Doyle, Women’s 3000m, 11:44.71

Jackson Turner, Men’s 3000m, 9:03.57

Jay Prettyman, Men’s 3000m, 9:12.56

Jagger Noel, Men’s 3000m, 9:19.46

Kaseiana Meriweather, Women’s 60m, 7.49

Destiny Jenkins, Women’s 60m, 7.55

Alex Bobak, Men’s One Mile, 4:15.97

Urko Extebeste, Men’s One Mile, 4:28.33

Resse Martin, Women’s 1000m, 3:10.96

Shantel Reed, Women’s 300m, 42.22

Kouto Anyika, Men’s 300m, 33.95

Bryson Wilson, Men’s 300m, 34.47

Jonathan Bunch Jr., Men’s 300m, 36.70

Alexandra Allen, Women’s 400m, 56.61

Lilith Stenger, Women’s High Jump, 1.60m

Trinity Brown, Women’s Triple Jump, 11.91m

Tristian Robinson, Men’s Weight Throw, 17.55m

Amri White, Men’s Weight Throw, 15.70m

Zion Smith, Women’s Long Jump, 5.15m

Dajuan Montague, Men’s High Jump, 2.10m

How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tiger Cross Country and Track & Field, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team’s social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

 





Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Liston Breaks 5K School Record, Track & Field Starts Indoor Season Strong

Published

on


MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – In their first meet in 195 days, the men’s and women’s track and field teams started strong at the MSU Chuck Peterson Open and M City Classic, with Molly Liston setting a school record in the 5000-meter and multiple top-five finishes against Division I, II, and III opponents at the M City Classic. 

Head Coach Aaron Lund elected to send Liston to the Chuck Peterson Open, hosted by MSU-Mankato, with the goal of setting the school record in the 5000m, fresh off of a cross country season where she finished 41st at the NCAA Championships, just one spot away from All-American honors. It was clear that the heartbreak in Spartansburg, South Carolina fueled Liston, who crushed the previous school record of 17:30.02, set in 2006 by Kourtney Joyce, with a time of 17:11.07. The Richfield native maintained record-setting pace throughout the race, running 1000m times of 3:24.98, 3:25.29, 3:27.42, 3:29.41, and 3:23.97 to break the record. 

The other nine women for Gustavus traveled to Minneapolis to compete at the M City Classic, hosted by the University of Minnesota. Maddox Lee competed in the pentathlon for the Gusties, scoring 2455 to finish 16th, including tying a personal record in the high jump, clearing 1.44m. On the track, McKenzie Luetmer set her personal record with a time of 8.22 in the 60-meter, as the only person who ran the race for Gustavus. In the 60-meter hurdles, three Gusties advanced to the finals after qualifying in the prelims. In the finals, all three Gustavus women ran faster times than their prelim times, where sophomore Kayla Kajer set a personal record with a time of 9.64, first-year Sophia Vogel ran a time of 9.72, and sophomore Emily Podulke finished just a second slower with a time of 9.73 to finish sixth, seventh, and eighth, respectively. Sophomore Teagan Stark was the only entrant for the Gustie women in the 400-meter, running a time of 1:05.26 to finish third in the event and classmate Ella Kienitz was the only entrant in the 600-meter, crossing the finish line in a time of 1:47.79. Two Gustavus women ran in the 300-meter, with Lauren Rocheford finishing in 11th with a time of 45.13 and Podulke with a time of 46.55. Luetmer and Vogel competed in the 200-meter, completing in times of 27.53 and 28.64 respectively. In the field, first-year Kaylee Hawks and Kajer both reached heights of 1.55m, good for second at the M City Classic.  

On the men’s side, first-year Amos Anderson started the season for the Gusties, running in the 60-meter prelims, placing 36th with a time of 7.71. In the 400-meter, first-year Luke Scheel led the Gustavus contingent with a time of 52.00 to finish 10th place, followed by Cohen Stursa with a time of 52.67 and Reese Blondin with a time of 53.77. Stursa was also the only entry in the 200-meter for the Gusties, finishing in a time of 24.17 for 19th. In the field, two Gusties competed in the long jump, Ben Wynia and Logan Sandmeyer. Wynia jumped a 6.07m mark, good for ninth place and Sandmeyer leaped to a 5.91m mark, finishing 10th. Three entrants competed in the pole vault, led by first-year Anderson and sophomore Alex Palmer, both vaulting over heights of 3.90m, with senior Joe Ream just behind them with a height of 3.75m. 

Gustavus track and field takes a few weeks off now, getting back to competition on January 17th, when the team competes at the Ole Opener, hosted by St. Olaf in Northfield. 

 


 





Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Mens track & field kick start their indoor season at SDSU

Published

on


BROOKINGS, S.D. — The Jimmie men opened their indoor season with a strong first showing, posting competitive marks across sprint, distance, jump, and throw events.

Avery Ligon placed 20th in the 60 meter with a time of 7.17.

Xander Rath placed 35th in the 60 meter with a time of 7.43.

Conrad P. Baard placed 30th in the 200 meter with a time of 24.04, and 16th in the 400 meter with a time of 57.18.

Andrew Rexin placed 35th in the 200 meter with a time of 24.85, and 18th in the 400 meter with a time of 59.02.

Cael Church placed 15th in the 300 meter with a time of 37.43, and 12th in the 600 meter with a time of 1:26.90.

Clark Lortscher placed 5th in the 3000 meter with a PR of 8:57.81.

Cole Campbell placed 7th in the 3000 meter with a PR of 9:01.75.

Noah Sayler placed 10th in the 3000 meter with a PR of 9:16.42.

Aaron Devine placed 12th in the 3000 meter with a time of 9:19.37.

Lucas Dahl placed 13th in the 3000 meter with a PR of 9:20.35.

Braeden Kinzler placed 14th in the 3000 meter with a time of 9:22.51.

Payton Mukkada placed 15th in the 3000 meter with a time of 9:22.69.

Gavyn Graham placed 18th in the 3000 meter with a time of 9:37.02.

Adam Sobolik placed 19th in the 3000 meter with a time of 9:38.14.

Landon Thompson placed 20th in the 3000 meter with a time of 9:47.66.

Samuel Sampers placed 21st in the 3000 meter with a time of 9:50.89.

Kadin Marshall placed 24th in the 3000 meter with a time of 9:59.83.

Liam Pospisil placed 25th in the 3000 meter with a PR of 10:26.49.

Ethan Duval placed 3rd in the High Jump at 2.00m (6’6.75″), a PR.

Riley Johnson placed 10th in the High Jump at 1.80m (5’10.75″).

Trevor Waldo placed 17th in the Long Jump at 6.02m (19’9″).

Jayden Bittner placed 20th in the Long Jump at 5.75m (18’10.5″).

Brady Crabtree placed 14th in Pole Vault at 4.25m (13’11.25″), a PR.

Evan Schmit placed 11th in Shot Put at 14.59m (47’10.5″) and 20th in Weight Throw at 13.88m (45’6.5″), a PR.

Jobe Rystedt placed 16th in Shot Put at 13.56m (44’6″) and 26th in Weight Throw at 12.11m (39’8.75″).

WHATS NEXT?

The Jimmies return to action on Thursday, 11 December, competing at the Dakota Alumni Classic hosted by NDSU in Fargo, N.D.

 



Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Miami Announces 2026 Schedule – University of Miami Athletics

Published

on


CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami track and field program announced its highly competitive 2026 indoor and outdoor schedules Friday, highlighted by three home meets at Cobb Stadium.

The Hurricanes open the season Jan. 16 in Gainesville, Fla., at the Jimmy Carnes Invitational before traveling to Fayetteville, Ark., for the Razorback Invitational on Jan. 30–31. The regular season continues at the Tiger Paw Invitational in Clemson, S.C., on Feb. 13–14.

The ACC Indoor Championships are set for Feb. 26–28 in Boston, Mass., while the NCAA Indoor Championships will be held March 13–14 in Fayetteville.

Miami opens the outdoor season at home with a pair of meets, hosting the Hurricane Invitational on March 20–21 and the Hurricane Collegiate Invitational on March 27–28.

The Hurricanes return to Gainesville for the Florida Relays on April 3–4 before hosting their final home meet of the season, the Hurricane Alumni Invitational, on April 10–11.

Miami then heads back to Gainesville for the Tom Jones Memorial on April 17–18 prior to competing at the historic Penn Relays in Philadelphia, Pa., from April 23–25. The Hurricanes close the regular season at the UNF East Coast Relays in Jacksonville, Fla., on May 1–2.

Louisville, Ky., will host the ACC Outdoor Championships from May 14–16, while the NCAA East Prelims are set for May 27–30 in Lexington, Ky.

The 2026 season concludes at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore., from June 10–13.





Link

Continue Reading

Most Viewed Posts

Trending