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Evision bowls MENA over – BroadcastPro ME

Tapping into the MENA region’s growing passion for cricket, evision has built a dominant sports portfolio through smart rights deals, platform innovation and unique monetisation strategies. In an exclusive conversation with BroadcastPro ME, evision’s Head of Content Sunil Joy shares how the company has used sport to reshape the region’s entertainment landscape. In an era […]

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Tapping into the MENA region’s growing passion for cricket, evision has built a dominant sports portfolio through smart rights deals, platform innovation and unique monetisation strategies. In an exclusive conversation with BroadcastPro ME, evision’s Head of Content Sunil Joy shares how the company has used sport to reshape the region’s entertainment landscape.

In an era defined by mobile-first audiences, on-demand content and real-time social media interaction, sport remains one of the most powerful engines of engagement. Its unpredictability captures the imagination of a global audience, while technology continues to transform how fans experience the action, no matter how far they are from the field.

And as personalisation becomes central to sports consumption, streaming platforms feed this transformation with anytime, anywhere viewing. This expands reach and offers flexibility that caters to the diverse demands of sports enthusiasts, in return driving smart monetisation models that support and benefit a growing segment. From pay-per-view to on-demand shows, sports broadcasting has undergone a sea change.

Sunil Joy, Evision’s Head of Content

The MENA region, with its historic love for football, has witnessed growing loyalty towards cricket, driven largely by the South Asian diaspora and the recent trend of hosting international cricketing events in the region. The sport has established a stable following in markets such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, attracting significant viewership and offering brands a valuable opportunity to connect with a niche audience.

Identifying the substantial cricket fanbase in the region, evision seized the opportunity to establish itself as the MENA home of cricket. The media and entertainment arm of the region’s biggest tech company, e&, has seen the region’s demand for premium cricket and has strategically acquired broadcasting rights to some premium games, including exclusive ICC rights.

Recognising the growing demand for cricket, evision launched CricLife in 2019 alongside the 12th ICC Cricket World Cup, and the channel quickly evolved into a dedicated platform for showcasing international cricket. Rising interest in the sport soon led to the launch of CricLife2 and CricLife3, along with their availability on the streaming platform StarzPlay. This was the first local streamer to recognise the value of sports content and begin investing in niche sports rights, challenging the near-monopoly of regional heavyweight beIN. The subsequent acquisition by evision of a majority stake in StarzPlay strengthened both companies’ positions in the competitive sports rights arena, establishing them together as a formidable force in the region.

Imam-ul-Haq of Pakistan is run out by Axar Patel of India (not pictured) during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match between Pakistan and India at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23, 2025, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

After securing key tournament exclusive rights from the ICC, the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board, evision expanded the lineup in 2023 to include the Indian Premier League (IPL), the most popular cricket league in the world. “Since then we’ve strategically built one of the most comprehensive cricket portfolios in the region, now holding the rights to all ICC tournaments, the Asia Cup, the IPL and more,” says Sunil Joy, Head of Content at evision.

While evision has made a special investment in cricket, it has also broadly invested in sports rights that serve a wide range of interests and preferences. “Sport has helped us create appointment viewing again. We’ve seen significant spikes in user acquisition, time spent and retention, particularly among younger audiences. More importantly, it has strengthened our platform’s brand equity,” says Joy.

Cricket rights are no doubt expensive, but evision has always made it publicly clear that it only goes after rights that are commercially viable. To make that possible, it has developed a multifaceted monetisation strategy that combines strategic partnerships, subscription models, advertising revenues and content bundling.

Specifically with the IPL, where evision has exclusive MENA linear broadcasting rights and non-exclusive MENA digital rights, leveraging both depends on how smartly it can activate and scale. For the latter, evision platforms offer superior quality of service through ultra-low latency, regional customisation and smart bundling options, making it the preferred streaming destination for IPL in the region.

“Our approach ensures we cater to the monetisation potential of exclusivity and the fan-first promise of accessibility. It boosts our advertising inventory and revenue potential, as more brands can enter the IPL ecosystem through targeted, scalable campaigns,” says Joy.

With media rights valued at a staggering $6.2bn for the 2023- 2027 cycle and per-match value of $15.1m, the IPL is a global sport and entertainment phenomenon. It has consistently ranked among the top five sports leagues worldwide, standing with the NFL (US), Premier League (UK), NBA (US) and MLB (US) in terms of media rights valuation, fan engagement and franchise worth. With a diverse, top-tier player base from the great cricketing nations of the world, its global footprint continues to expand.

Pat Cummins of Australia lifts the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Trophy after victory in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup India 2023 Final between India and Australia at Narendra Modi Stadium on November 19, 2023, in Ahmedabad, India. (Photo by Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Broadcast in over 190 countries, it is one of the most-watched sporting events in the world, with the Middle East emerging as its largest international market.

Securing rights to a premium sports property like the IPL was the result of a clear, forward-looking strategy centred on market insight, regional commitment and platform capability. It is a more controllable, scalable asset with long-tail value, explains Joy.

“IPL is a commercially sustainable asset. It’s repeatable, localisable and monetisable each year. And when it comes to securing such a powerful property, exclusivity is everything. We understand that streaming success hinges on strategic rights management. While licensing remains key, the true value lies in how those rights are activated in a region witnessing exponential digital growth.”

Recognising the region’s growing passion for cricket, and understanding the craving for accessibility and engagement, allowed the company to move swiftly and decisively when the rights became available. Aligned with that came its core commitment to building long-term value in sport.

“We weren’t just bidding for content; we were investing in a multi-year vision that supports the growth of cricket and other premium sports in the region. Our track record with exclusive properties like UFC, Serie A, PGA and the ICC portfolio strengthened our position for evision and StarzPlay as a credible, capable partner,” adds Joy.

Marking a bold step forward this year, with the aim of significantly expanding reach across segments, some IPL matches have been made free to watch via evision’s AVOD (advertising-based video on demand) platform Starz On.

In today’s competitive rights environment, exclusivity is merely a part of the ecosystem. It is primarily about the end-to-end experience – activating, packaging and retaining value – rather than just about streaming the game. Being a premium appointment viewing model backed by high-value sponsorships, expert coverage and curated programming has reinforced evision’s prospects. Low latency, regional language options and smart bundling make the platform an important choice for cricket fans in the MENA.

Steve Smith of Australia flips the coin as Jos Buttler of England looks on ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match between Australia and England at Gaddafi Stadium on February 22, 2025, in Lahore, Pakistan. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

“What sets us apart is the broader network that has been built to retain sports audiences beyond the tournament. We’re not just a cricket destination, we’re an entertainment hub – viewers are left with fewer reasons to leave and more reasons to stay,” says Joy.

Owing to the nature of its fan following, serving a vast viewing field was an important element of the IPL content acquisition strategy. Cricket audiences in India have deep-rooted state and city allegiances, which the IPL thrives on. The MENA viewer, on the other hand, is cosmopolitan and player-driven, with a higher ARPU (average revenue per user). The IPL balances both worlds – in India it builds on loyalties, while in the MENA it amplifies cross-border narratives that resonate with a multicultural audience.

“This duality is what makes the IPL such a powerful property,” says Joy. “It is deeply local at its core, yet truly global in its appeal. And we tailor our strategy to suit that. Our storytelling, promotions and platform experience differ by market, making the experience inclusive, aspirational and globally tuned.”

India is undoubtedly the IPL’s core market, accounting for over 80% of viewership. Ad models reflect broad targeting, high frequency and multi-platform amplification. In contrast, the MENA is a premium, precision-driven market. Brands think of regional relevance, audience affinity and cultural alignment.

Optimising a premium product such as the IPL requires a model that can adapt to changing viewing patterns as well as diverse market conditions. Evision depends on a blend of multiple streams that include subscription, ad-supported models and sponsorships tailored to different content types and viewing experiences. For the current IPL season, it has introduced an ad-supported model that allows it to leverage programmatic ads as well as partner with brands to tap into a larger audience base, and simultaneously increase revenue through targeted, scalable ad opportunities.

Given the popularity of the IPL in the GCC, customisation efforts are geared towards enhancing the experience with curated match highlights, smarter ad targeting based on user behaviour and low-latency streaming.

“On our platforms, latency has been brought down to 8-12 seconds and the aim is to adopt the ultralow-latency tech (1-3 seconds) soon. We are using adaptive cloud-based delivery infrastructure, [and have] built responsive UIs and synchronised data layers that ensure users get the same experience on a mobile app, web browser or connected TV,” says Joy.

Piracy poses a significant challenge to rights exclusivity. Illegal streaming during high-profile tournaments, facilitated by social media and unauthorised IPTV apps, is prevalent. It threatens overall revenue and undermines sponsor confidence, says Joy. “By investing in advanced security measures, enhancing legal streaming services and collaborating with regulatory bodies, the industry can combat piracy effectively and safeguard investments in sports media.”

Sports consumption is undergoing a significant transformation in the MENA, with exciting possibilities for the future of sports media in the region. From a passive consumer base, it has evolved into an active sports engagement hub and curator of premium sporting content, strengthening the link between audiences and sport.

And as AI leans into all of this, interactive viewing will be the standard. Broadcasters are integrating real-time stats, interactive features and social media-style edits to optimise vertical viewing. As technology brings about this flexibility, power has shifted to viewers. Fans enjoy deeper engagement than ever before by way of AR, VR and 360-degree broadcasts. AI powers dynamic graphics and visuals during live sport, and offers in-game enhancements like player tracking, augmented reality overlays or even virtual commentators.

“Traditional gave a fixed angle, and digital is changing all of that,” says Joy. “On-demand controls allow viewers to pause, rewind or watch key moments in slow motion or at their own pace.”

Growth in MENA digital sports consumption is largely driven by Gen Z and millennials, whose engagement and viewership surpasses their counterparts in Europe and the US. Interest in sport has climbed from 27% in 2021 to 36% in 2024 among 16-24-year-olds, a 33% increase over three years. This is linked to strategic regional investment in local and international sports leagues, clubs and events that are increasingly accessible via digital platforms.

Football remains the dominant sport in terms of content acquisition, viewership numbers and commercial viability. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, nearly 93% of the adult population in the country tuned in for key matches. However, cricket is becoming increasingly significant. Data from the 2023 IPL shows strong viewership growth in the GCC, with the UAE leading in engagement. This growth is expected to continue with the rising popularity of the IPL and as more international cricket tournaments are hosted in the region.

The future of MENA sports streaming, and specifically in the GCC, will be about delivering a personalised, accessible sporting experience for the viewer while unravelling new revenue streams that guarantee long-term digital growth and sustainability for the broadcaster.

“Evision’s objective is to invest responsibly, scale strategically and become the trusted digital sports destination in the region, and in so doing deepen our impact on the sporting landscape,” concludes Joy.





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Todd Allen Lane Obituary – Santa Cruz (1964-2025)

Todd Allen Lane OBITUARY Todd Allen Lane, a devoted husband, loving father, generous friend, and respected member of the Santa Cruz community, passed away unexpectedly on April 27, 2025, in his hometown of Santa Cruz, California. He was 61 years old. Born on January 7, 1964, in Santa Cruz, Todd was proud of the company […]

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Todd Allen Lane


OBITUARY

Todd Allen Lane, a devoted husband, loving father, generous friend, and respected member of the Santa Cruz community, passed away unexpectedly on April 27, 2025, in his hometown of Santa Cruz, California. He was 61 years old.

Born on January 7, 1964, in Santa Cruz, Todd was proud of the company he built, a successful pool company business. For over 40 years, he ran a thriving business built on quality craftsmanship and trustworthiness. Beyond his professional achievements, he was most proud of his family.

Todd and Carrie were married for over 22 years, together raising their three children. He supported them wholeheartedly–in the pool at water polo and swim meets, in school, and in every ambition they pursued. He was their biggest cheerleader, and instilled in them a strong work ethic and encouraged them to follow their passions.

Todd loved to cook and was serious about his barbeque skills. Some of his most cherished memories were family vacations to Hawaii. He recently had the opportunity to visit his oldest daughter in Rome during her semester abroad, where he also visited his grandmother’s hometown of Lucca. He enjoyed spending time at the beach and in the ocean. He worked out daily and prioritized an active lifestyle. As a friend, Todd was the one who showed up, ready to help, to laugh and to listen. He was generous, funny and if he loved you, you knew that.

He is survived by his wife Carrie; two daughters, Dillan and Addison and his son, Ryder who will forever carry his love in their hearts. Also survived by his mother; Donna Sawyer, his father, John Lane and wife Joan. Todd is predeceased by his sister, Christy Lane. Todd also leaves behind countless friends, extended family, and members of the community who were touched by his spirit.

Todd lived fully and loved deeply, you could say he wore his heart on his sleeve. His memory will live on in the lives he brightened and the legacy he leaves behind. He is deeply loved, dearly missed and forever remembered.

A celebration of life will be held on June 14, 2025, where family and friends will gather to honor and celebrate his extraordinary life. Please email, toddlanecelebration@gmail.com for further information. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, a reflection of Todd’s giving nature.



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MIAC teams prep for another week of NCAA Championship competition

Outdoor Track & FieldThe NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Track & Field Committee announced the accepted entries for the 2025 NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championships over the weekend. Thirty-five MIAC student-athletes are listed among the qualifiers for this year’s NCAA Championships. For each individual event contested, including the […]

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Outdoor Track & Field
The NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Track & Field Committee announced the accepted entries for the 2025 NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championships over the weekend. Thirty-five MIAC student-athletes are listed among the qualifiers for this year’s NCAA Championships.

For each individual event contested, including the decathlon and heptathlon, the top 22 declared student-athletes were accepted into the competition. For each relay event contested, the top 16 declared relay teams, one per institution, were accepted into the competition.

The championships run from Thursday, May 22, to Saturday, May 24, at the Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio.

A complete list of national qualifiers from the MIAC is below.



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University Northern Iowa

CARBONDALE, Ill. — The opening day of the 2025 Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Outdoor Track and Field Championships got off to a strong start for the UNI Panthers on Saturday as Northern Iowa secured three field event titles at the Lew Hartzog Track and Field Complex on the Southern Illinois University campus. Josey Dunbar set […]

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CARBONDALE, Ill. — The opening day of the 2025 Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Outdoor Track and Field Championships got off to a strong start for the UNI Panthers on Saturday as Northern Iowa secured three field event titles at the Lew Hartzog Track and Field Complex on the Southern Illinois University campus.

Josey Dunbar set a new career-best to win her first MVC championship in the women’s long jump, while Justice Miller successfully defending his conference title in the men’s javelin throw. Additionally, Brendan Safley outlasted a competitive field to win the men’s pole vault in thrilling fashion.

The Panthers also secured 14 qualifying spots in 13 events for Sunday’s finals, recording 12 career-best marks. UNI sits in second place in the women’s team race with 31 points, while the Panther men are in third with 37.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Dunbar set the tone early in the women’s long jump, leaping for a career-best 6.09 meters on her first attempt, the second-best mark in outdoor program history. After placing 11th in the MVC indoor long jump back in February, Dunbar joins Dianna Leftridge (1994, 1995) and Allenah Marcucci (2021) as the fourth MVC outdoor long jump champion in school history, and only the fourth Panther to ever leap for over six meters.

Miller’s javelin title defense was a tight competition, but would swing his way with a 64.57-meter throw to become Northern Iowa’s first-ever thrower to win the javelin in consecutive seasons, while also being the conference’s first repeat champion in the event since 2018 and 2019. Davis Brogan also put on a strong showing in the javelin throw with a career-best 59.13-meter toss, while Zack Butcher took seventh (54.56m).

Safely’s chase of a second outdoor conference pole vaulting crown came down to the wire, edging out Indiana State’s Will Staggs with a 5.38-meter vault, tying his career-best. With the win, Safely, who previously won the MVC outdoor pole vault in 2023 and the indoor vaulting title this past winter, becomes the first UNI vaulter to sweep both the indoor and outdoor vaulting championships in the same year since Sam Kranz in 2011.

In the multi-event competitions, the Panthers flexed their muscles with Joey Perry jumping out to an early lead on day one through four events, winning the 100-meter hurdles and 200-meter dash, along with a second place showing in the high jump to record 3,199 points. Katy Hand, who won the shot put portion of the heptathlon, sits in fifth (2,939 points) with Silvana Kabolo (2,902 points) in eighth. Butcher meanwhile leads the decathlon through five events with 4,040 points, winning the 100 and 400 meters, as well as the shot put with second place showings in both the long jump and high jump. Brody Lovell sits in in seventh in the decathlon with 3,458 points.

Additionally in field action, Breanna Hackman collected a runner-up finish in the women’s discus with a 47.45-meter throw, while David Russell threw for 50.78 meters in the men’s discus, placing fifth.

In distance competition, Emma Hoins finished second in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase (10:20.08), while Caleb Shumaker (30:53.87) and Eden Mueller (37:32.52) each recorded a fifth-place finish in their respective 10,000-meter runs.

 

The following athletes all secured top finishes in their preliminary heats and will advance to Sunday’s finals:

Women’s 1,500m

 


Women’s 100m Hurdles

 


Men’s 400m

 


Women’s 400m

 


Men’s 100m

 


Men’s 800m

 


Men’s 400m Hurdles

 


Women’s 400m Hurdles

 


Men’s 200m

 

WOMEN’S TEAM STANDINGS (Thru Day One)

  • 1st – Indiana State (66.5)
  • 2nd – UNI (31)
  • T3rd – Missouri State (29)
  • T3rd – Illinois State (29)
  • 5th – Drake (26)
  • 6th – Belmont (21)
  • 7th – Murray State (11.5)
  • 8th – Bradley (11)
  • 9th – Southern Illinois (9)
  • T10th – Evansville (0)
  • T10th – UIC (0)

 

MEN’S TEAM STANDINGS (Thru Day One)

  • 1st – Indiana State (64)
  • 2nd – Illinois State (44)
  • 3rd – UNI (37)
  • 4th – Belmont (35)
  • 5th – Drake (23)
  • T6th – Southern Illinois (11)
  • T6th – Valparaiso (11)
  • 8th – Bradley (6)
  • 9th – Evansville (3)
  • 10th – UIC (0)

 

UP NEXT

The Panthers will conclude action at the MVC Outdoor Championships tomorrow beginning at 9 a.m. CT. Live coverage of the meet can be found on ESPN+ beginning at 1:10 p.m. CT.

 

UNI track and field action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Track and Field), X (@UNITrackFieldXC) and on Instagram (@uni_tf_xc). Schedules and rosters, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.



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No. 17/13 Track and Field’s Garrett and Smallwood win SEC hurdle titles

Story Links LEXINGTON, Ky. – Akala Garrett and Kendrick Smallwood led No. 17/13 Texas Track and Field with hurdle titles on the final day of the SEC Outdoor Championships. The 17th-ranked men finished seventh with 53.5 points, and the No. 13 women tied for ninth with 52 points. Smallwood became […]

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LEXINGTON, Ky. – Akala Garrett and Kendrick Smallwood led No. 17/13 Texas Track and Field with hurdle titles on the final day of the SEC Outdoor Championships. The 17th-ranked men finished seventh with 53.5 points, and the No. 13 women tied for ninth with 52 points.

Smallwood became the first male Longhorn to ever win a SEC track and field title on Saturday with a school-record time of 13.13 in the 110-meter hurdles. Smallwood now owns the five fastest times in UT history and is tied for the 12th-fastest time in NCAA history. The win gave the Longhorns 10 team points.

Garrett later won the second-ever SEC track and field title for UT’s women in the 400-meter hurdles with her time of 54.84. Her time equals her eighth-fastest time in school history and she has now won back-to-back 400mH conference titles after setting the Big 12 Championship record last season at 54.73. Freshman Mackenzie Collins was seventh with a time of 58.37, and the two combined for 12 team points.

In the men’s 400m hurdles, Kody Blackwood improved his personal best by .01 second to finish in 48.78 for the silver medal. Blackwood’s time improves his spot to No. 3 on the school’s all-time performer list. Chris Brinkley Jr. was seventh with a personal-best time of 50.58. The two combined for 10 team points.

Grad transfer Elizabeth Stockman used an 80-meter kick to secure the bronze medal in the 1500-meter run with her time of 4:20.88. She scored six team points for the Longhorns.

Sophomore Osawese Agbonkonkon returned to the high jump and finished tied for seventh clearing 2.12m (6-11.5) to score 1.5 points. Kelsey Daniel was also seventh in the men’s triple jump with a season-best mark of 15.79m (51-9.75) to score two points.

Back on the track, Kenondra Davis finished fourth with a personal-best time of 22.68 in the 200-meter, while freshman Holly Okuku was eighth in 23.10. Davis later finished eighth in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.35 and the two combined for seven points.

Xavier Butler added a fifth-place finish in the men’s 200m with a time of 20.28 for four points.

The women’s 4×100-meter relay of Carleta Bernard, Okuku, Davis and Nita Koom-Dadzie finished eighth with a time of 43.85 to score one team point. The men’s relay saw Smallwood, John Rutledge, Almond Small and Butler finish fourth with a season-best time of 38.81 – the seventh-best time in program history.

Isaac Alonzo added a point for the men finishing eighth in the 5000-meters with his season best performance of 13:56.61.

Texas ended the competition with the women’s 4×400 relay of Ramiah Elliott, Garrett, Carleta Bernard and Okuku finishing sixth in 3:31.90. The men’s 4×400 relay of Nabil Tezkratt, Logan Popelka, Blackwood and Rutledge were fifth in 3:04.42.

Texas Scorers:

Nina Ndubuisi – Shot Put (1st) – 10 pts

Akala Garrett – 400mH (1st) – 10 pts

Elizabeth Stockman – 1500m (3rd) – 6 pts

Aaliyah Foster – Long Jump (4th) – 5 pts

Kenondra Davis – 200m (4th) – 5 pts

Eva Jess – 10K – (5th) – 4 pts

Meagan Humphries – Heptathlon – (5th) – 4 pts

Elliott, Garrett, Bernard, Okuku – 4×4 (6th) – 3 pts

Mackenzie Collins – 400mH (7th) – 2 pts

Bernard, Okuku, Davis, Koom-Dadzie – 4×100 (8th) – 1 pt

Holly Okuku – 200m (8th) – 1 pt

Kenondra Davis – 100m (8th) – 1 pt

Kendrick Smallwood – 110mH (1st) – 10 pts

Kody Blackwood – 400mH (2nd) – 8 pts

Solomon Washington – Long Jump (4th) – 5 pts

Smallwood, Rutledge, Small, Butler – 4×100 (4th) – 5 pts

Brock Lewis – Decathlon – (5th) – 4 pts

Xavier Butler – 200m (5th) – 4 pts

Tezkratt, Popelka, Blackwood, Rutledge – 4×400 (5th) – 4 pts

Logan Patete – 3K Steeple – (7th) – 2 pts

Isaac Alonso – 10K – (7th) – 2 pts

Kelsey Daniel – Long Jump (7th) – 2 pts

Chris Brinkley Jr. – 400mH (7th) – 2 pts

Kelsey Daniel – triple Jump (7th) – 2 pts

Osawese Agbonkonkon – High Jump (t-7th) – 1.5 pts

Isaac Alonzo – 5K (8th) – 1 pt



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Matt Shaw Made Changes with Iowa Cubs—But Not the Ones You'd Think

Cubs Video If you were hoping that you’d click on this article, open it up and read that Matt Shaw had either changed his setup or gotten rid of his leg kick, then I have bad news for you; he hasn’t. Shaw’s general batting stance, load, and leg kick are all in a very similar […]

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Matt Shaw Made Changes with Iowa Cubs—But Not the Ones You'd Think

Cubs Video

If you were hoping that you’d click on this article, open it up and read that Matt Shaw had either changed his setup or gotten rid of his leg kick, then I have bad news for you; he hasn’t. Shaw’s general batting stance, load, and leg kick are all in a very similar form to what you saw earlier this year in Chicago; there is no massive overhaul underway on those aspects of his swing. If he didn’t fix the two things many wanted him to fix, how, then, has he made any changes? The answer is far more subtle, but I think it’s quite meaningful.

Let’s first remind ourselves what Shaw looked like during his time with the Cubs. I’ve chosen a hit Shaw recorded in a game against the Padres on April 5. Here’s a video of the hit in question. Shaw was up 2-1 in the count against Padres starter Nick Pivetta. The pitch is a cutter located belt-high, on the outer third of the plate. Pivetta’s cutter does not grade out particularly well based on Stuff+. This is a pitch you’d think Shaw should do damage on. The result? A weak “single” (it’s a single in the scorebook, but the 88-mph ground ball had an xBA of .150 on it) to the right side. It was not quality contact, and he was clearly lucky to come away with a positive outcome.

Weak ground balls were far too frequent during the rookie’s first ride of the senior circuit. Shaw is always going to be a bit of a groundball merchant at times; it comes with the territory of a high-contact, aggressive hitter: They can get sucked into swinging at less-than-excellent pitches. It’s what you get when you trade power for contact. But this isn’t necessarily a pitch Shaw should struggle to hit hard the other way. 

Let’s compare this to a plate appearance the Cubs’ youngster took Thursday evening against the St. Paul Saints. Shaw was up to hit in the ninth inning. Saints pitcher Brady Feigl is a long-time Triple-A veteran, as the 34-year-old has been in professional baseball since 2014, even making a few appearances with the Pirates in 2024. He’s not a chump, anyway. Feigl started Shaw off with a changeup a bit higher than belt-high, but the same general area as the Pivetta pitch. Like the Pivetta pitch, this one was located on the outer third of the strike zone. Unlike our previous example, though, Shaw deposited the ball into the right-center-field bleachers with a 102-MPH exit velocity, for a walk-off home run. It was his second of the day.

Your initial response is likely, “I don’t see anything different,” and on my initial watch, I didn’t see much different, either. He’s still got the awkward, toe-in setup (the video from his home run with the I-Cubs gives you a really great side shot in all of its glory). He’s still using the same leg kick. The pitch is in the same general area. Feigl isn’t Pivetta, but Pivetta’s cutter isn’t a great pitch. But then I saw it. It’s subtle, but it’s his front shoulder and the posture of his top half that have changed.

Screenshot 2025-05-17 103422.pngScreenshot 2025-05-17 113543.png

Sadly, the I-Cubs feed is not shot in HD, so it’s a bit fuzzy, but you can kind of see it if you’re looking. There are two small changes here. The first is that he appears, during his leg kick, to remain a bit more upright on the top half. He’s staying taller. The second is that the front shoulder is slightly less closed-off, and less tucked in. It’s hard to capture in the video above, as the feed cuts very quickly from the side-view to the pitch, but you can really see it on his first home run of the day, below. This home run was also on a pitch on the outer third—a fastball that was actually a ball, according to Statcast. Shaw hit a home run to right on this pitch, as well.

Screenshot 2025-05-17 104928.png

Once again, note that the top half remains taller and he’s less hunched, but also the front shoulder is in a slightly more open position. What this allows him to do is clear through his top half better and stay through the ball. With a closed-off and tucked-in front shoulder and elbow, it becomes just a bit more difficult to clear on the swing; his own body was acting as a barrier. That forced extra rotation and for him to pull off the ball. With his home runs, and with his shoulder in a slightly more open position to begin with, he wasn’t fighting his own top half anymore. Instead, he gave himself a little added flexibility. Look at the point of contact between the two swings. Remember, these are both pitches in the same general area.

Screenshot 2025-05-17 115119.pngScreenshot 2025-05-17 115001.png

You can also take note of where Shaw’s back side (and where his top half, in general) is. He hits a ground ball against the Padres for a few reasons. His back side isn’t able to stay tall and lift the ball, and his entire top half has to rotate more to clear his closed-off front shoulder. On the home run, he’s able to stay “outside-in,” as an old-hitting coach would say. He doesn’t rely as much on rotating his shoulders (or at least, that rotation occurs more organically), and his backside stays in a position where he can lift the ball. 

This represents a much more subtle change than eliminating a leg kick or changing his stance; baseball is literally a game of inches. Those inches are the difference between a 100-MPH home run to right-center field and a weak topper to second base. They’re also how a slump happens. When you’re just an inch or two off with your swing, it messes with everything. Not every fix requires a full swing overhaul. Funky can work, as long as the sum of the parts results in good contact.

Shaw’s swing looks much better. There are times in which he doesn’t use the big leg kick, and there are times he does. Friday night, one day after the two homers I highlighted above, Shaw hit two more home runs against the Saints again. This time, he didn’t use the kick on either of them. But his first home run was, once again, to the opposite field. It came off former top prospect Tyler Beede, on a cutter. And once again, note the upper body and point of contact:

Screenshot 2025-05-17 120017.pngScreenshot 2025-05-17 120152.png

All of this is just a very long way to say; Matt Shaw’s swing is back—literally and figueatively. And with his swing back, it’s likely we see him back in Chicago sooner, rather than later. The swing feels fluid again, and he doesn’t look like he’s fighting himself, like he was earlier this year. I expect when he comes back, we’ll see a better run from the Cubs’ top position-player prospect, because of these very subtle changes. 

What do you think of Matt Shaw’s changes? Do you think these will help the infielder hit better in his second go? When would you like to see him come back? Let us know in the comment section below!


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Long Beach Poly Boys Win CIF-SS Title, Girls Finish as Runner-Up – The562.org

The562’s cross country and track & field coverage is sponsored by Joe Carlson & Debbie Hughes. The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial. It’s the sign of a historically dominant program when even your bad days end with gold. Despite injuries to two of their top sprinters and a DNF, nothing […]

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The562’s cross country and track & field coverage is sponsored by Joe Carlson & Debbie Hughes.

The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial.

It’s the sign of a historically dominant program when even your bad days end with gold.

Despite injuries to two of their top sprinters and a DNF, nothing could stop Long Beach Poly from continuing its reign at the CIF-SS track finals on Saturday at Moorpark High School. Though the setbacks will affect their entries into the CIF State meet, the Jackrabbits still walked away as CIF-SS Division 1 champions for the boys and runners-up for the girls.

“We’re just excited to see this team have this type of success after so many adverse situations happening,” said Poly coach Crystal Irving. “Adversity makes you stronger, so I’m glad that we’re able to come out on top and move on to next week. We’re very blessed and pleased with the outcome.”

It is the 133rd CIF-SS championship in school history for Poly and the 19th for boys’ track & field. It’s also the Jackrabbits’ first time going back-to-back as CIF-SS track champions since 2007.

The Jackrabbits will be back at Moorpark next week for the Masters Meet, where they’ll look to qualify as many entries as possible into the CIF State finals. The CIF State finals will be held at Buchanan High School in Clovis on May 30–31.

Boys

The Long Beach Poly boys came into the meet without their top sprinter in Julius Johnson, who was the Moore League champion in both the 100m and the 200m. The sophomore has been nursing a foot injury that should keep him out for another few weeks.

On top of that, the boys opened their first race with a DNF in the 4x100m, where they were favored to earn at least six points for their team. The error came on the final baton exchange, bringing the Jackrabbits to a complete halt. They immediately pleaded for interference by the lane next to them — but to no avail.

The combination of setbacks left Poly trailing heading into the final race, where the Jackrabbits needed a win in the 4x400m to clinch the title. Gus Armstrong, Jarrius Hill, Darieon Shufford, and Noah Smith found that win with a 3:13.20 — 36 hundredths ahead of Rancho Cucamonga who finished second in the overall scoring.

“Just seeing my team put the work in and put me in that spot, I knew I had to close it out like that,” said Smith, who anchored a tight final leg.

Smith also came in second in the 400m with a time of 47.79. Due to injuries last year, it’s the first time Smith was able to run in an individual event at the CIF-SS finals.

“Last year it was definitely a hard year for me,” he said. “It kinda hurt me a little bit [not running in the 400m] and not being able to showcase what I can do and help my team out in different ways. So this year I knew I could put points up for the guys and I tried my best to win.”

The Jackrabbits had another second place finish in the 110m hurdles where Lynnox Newton ran a 13.96. The time comes as a new personal-record for Newton and it’s the first time he’s gone under 14 seconds.

Poly picked up another nine points in the 200m where they had a total of three different runners. Malachi Dawson came in fourth with a 21.72 and Hill finished sixth with a 21.86. Jaylen Mcneil ran as an alternative for Johnson and finished in eighth with a 21.98.

Girls

The second-place finish for the Poly girls marks the eighth consecutive CIF-SS finals in which they’ve claimed one of the top two spots. The Jackrabbits entered the day as defending champions, having won the title a year ago. They finished 32 points behind Wilson in first place, but 39 points ahead of Santiago Canyon in third.

Poly opened the day with a win in the 4x100m, where Leila Holland, Jaylin Hunter, Aniyah Brooks, and Brooklyn Lee ran a 46.05. The Jackrabbits finished just ahead of Wilson in second place by nearly a second.

The Jackrabbits had their only CIF-SS individual champion in the field events, where Jillene Wetteland finished first in the high jump. Wetteland cleared 5-6 to give her team ten points.

It’s the third time Wetteland has won the high jump at the CIF-SS Finals. She also won the event as a freshman and again last year as a junior.

“I was just clean through 5-6. It wasn’t like my best day ever but that’s all I really needed,” she said. “I’m mad I didn’t win it sophomore year but I think three out of four is pretty good and I’m happy with it.”

The Jackrabbits faced another injury to Hunter during her 400m where she finished in eighth place. Hunter was carted off the field to Poly’s tent and was later a scratch in the 200m.

Kadence Bain had a pair of podium finishes for Poly in both the 110m hurdles and the 300m hurdles. Bain ran a 14.51 in the 100m hurdles in third place and finished second in the 300m hurdles with a time of 42.97.

Bain was one of three runners for the Jackrabbits in the 300m hurdles, where Joy Anderson also finished in fourth place and Miyana Gramata-Massey came in eighth. Poly came out of the event with 14 points.

Boys’ Results

4×100 – (Jarrius Hill, Malachi Dawson, Jaylen Mcneil, Donte Wright) DNF

110m Hurdles – Lynnox Newton, 2nd, 13.96

400m – Noah Smith, 2nd, 47.79

400m – Jarrius Hill, 5th, 48.35

100m – Julius Johnson, DNS

100m – Malachi Dawson, 6th, 10.76

200m – Julius Johnson, DNS

200m – Malachi Dawson, 4th, 21.72

200m – Jarrius Hill, 6th, 21.86

200m – Jaylen Mcneil, 8th, 21.98

4x400m – 1st (Gus Armstrong, Jarrius Hill, Darieon Shufford, Noah Smith), 3:13.20

Long Jump – Jonathan Weston, 7th, 21-4.25

Shot Put – Jaden Akens, 9th, 43-5.50

Girls’ Results:

4x100m – 1st, (Leila Holland, Jaylin Hunter, Aniyah Brooks, Brooklyn Lee), 46.05

100m Hurdles – Kadence Bain, 3rd, 14.51

400m – Aurya Beatty, 4th, 56.52, 

400m – Jaylin Hunter, 8th, 58.37

100m – Leila Holland, 5th, 11.98

100m – Brooklyn Lee, 3rd, 11.84

300m Hurdles – Kadence Bain, 2nd, 42.97

300m Hurdles – Joy Anderson, 4th, 43.38

300m Hurdles – Miyana Gramata-Massey, 8th, 45.00

200m – Jaylin Hunter, DNS

200m – Aurya Beatty, 4th, 24.33

200m – Nevaeh Lewis, 7th, 25.08

4x400m – 2nd (Aurya Beatty, Brianna Wells, Aliyah Stokes, Nevaeh Lewis), 3:52.25

High Jump – Jillene Wetteland, 1st, 5-6

High Jump – Joy Anderson, 5th, 5-4



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