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Fnatic’s League of Legends Team in 2025 / Image credit: Red Bull Content Pool, Marius Faulhaber The Fnatic LoL team supports the new LEC format, favoring a smaller playoff pool and best-of-3 matches for more competitive gameplay. Coach GrabbZ has introduced valuable structure and discipline, helping Fnatic steadily improve during the 2025 season. Fnatic players […]

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Fnatic's League of Legends Team in 2025
Fnatic’s League of Legends Team in 2025 / Image credit: Red Bull Content Pool, Marius Faulhaber
  • The Fnatic LoL team supports the new LEC format, favoring a smaller playoff pool and best-of-3 matches for more competitive gameplay.
  • Coach GrabbZ has introduced valuable structure and discipline, helping Fnatic steadily improve during the 2025 season.
  • Fnatic players hope for more best-of-3 or best-of-5 formats, the return of classic in-game items, and relegation to improve esports.
  • The team believes esports will continue to grow as gaming quality increases, attracting broader audiences.
  • Mikyx expressed personal interest in competing in fighting games like Mortal Kombat in the future.
  • Fnatic’s partnership with Red Bull has enhanced player health and performance.

Esports Insider recently sat down with one of Europe’s most prominent League of Legends teams. We spoke with three members of Fnatic: Marek ‘Humanoid’ Brázda, Mihael ‘Mikyx’ Mehle, and Iván ‘Razork’ Martín Díaz, to hear about their thoughts on the state of esports in 2025.

Each player offered unique insight into what it’s like to compete in League of Legends on the pro level, so here are a few things Fnatic wants you to know.

How does Fnatic feel about the LEC Spring Split 2025?

League of Legends сharacters
League of Legends сharacters / Image credit: Riot Games

The LEC Spring Split is heating up in 2025, so we asked the Fnatic players what they’re excited about in the latest tournament. Humanoid told us why he prefers only having the six top teams go to the playoffs, as opposed to larger formats.

Marek ‘Humanoid’ Brázda told Esports Insider:

“I think the format has improved. We got rid of the best of 1s; we got the best of 3s. Looks fun, and only the top 6 teams are going to the playoffs. I think top 8 is way too many teams. I think the top 6 is better. So far, I like it.” 

Fnatic also expressed interest in facing other teams that have partnerships with Red Bull, as they’d like to prove who’s the best at League out of their impressive lineup of teams, including T1.

GrabbZ has helped Fnatic reach new heights

Humanoid of Fnatic / Image credit: Fnatic

Fabian ‘GrabbZ’ Lohmann joined the Fnatic family as a coach in November 2024 and quickly became a valued team member. Humanoid explained that GrabbZ brings structure to the team in a way that only a coach can. He said:

“I feel like GrabbZ has brought a lot of discipline, and he’s not super strict or anything, but I feel like the coach that we had last year, we were very close to each other, so it felt like just another player. I feel like the relationship has to be a bit different with your coach.”

Humanoid also shared that he thinks Fnatic has been steadily improving since GrabbZ was brought on board, which may give them the edge they need to get even further in the LEC Spring this year. 

“I think so far we have been improving slowly with GrabbZ. GrabbZ is doing a great job.”

What does Fnatic want to see in League of Legends esports?

Razork of Fnatic / Image credit: Fnatic

One of the most important questions we had the chance to ask Fnatic was regarding the changes they’d like to see in the esports scene and League of Legends as a whole. Iván ‘Razork’ Martín Díaz touched on his preferred format for LoL, sharing that he largely prefers best of 3 for League.

Razork told Esports Insider: 

“Make more best of 3s, but that’s already happened, so I hope that’s going to stay. Best of 3 or best of 5.” 

Mihael ‘Mikyx’ Mehle jumped in to share how he thinks League of Legends could improve, including the possible return of old items, such as Prowler’s Claw. 

Mikyx explained:

“Gameplay-wise, I’d like some old items back. The old items are very fun, like Prowler’s Claw, for example. For the esports scene, I think Relegation would be fun again.” 

There are many ways that Riot Games is improving the League of Legends experience at any given time. Fnatic thinks bringing back some of the older content would actually strengthen the competitive title and the esports scene in general.

Fnatic found a new home with Red Bull

Mikyx of Fnatic / Image credit: Fnatic

Red Bull has partnered with many top esports teams over the years, and Fnatic is the latest to join their roster. Esports Insider asked the athletes how the partnership has helped advance their careers, and Mikyx shared that Red Bull has helped transition him into an active lifestyle with regular exercise. He said:

“I’ve had Red Bull as a sponsor for a few years now. We went to the Red Bull Performance Center, so that was something that Red Bull could offer for me that was pretty useful. We took some tests and did some exercises to make sure we were healthy. That’s actually one of the reasons I started going to the gym.” 

Though Fnatic’s League athletes aren’t competing in physical sports professionally, it takes a well-balanced diet with just enough exercise to stay healthy. Exercise can improve cognitive health, arguably just as essential in competitive gaming as in traditional sports.

Will esports grow larger in the future?

Fnatic offered professional insight into why they believe esports could grow larger in the future. The talented League team conveyed that as video games improve, the fan base for esports games will likely grow bigger. Razork explained further:

“It’s still growing, and it’s not stopping, so I don’t see a reason why it would. Video games are going to get even better, so everybody is going to be playing games.”

Mikyx also expressed his interest in playing fighting games at the competitive level in the future. He even noted Mortal Kombat as the type of game he’d like to try his hand at in the larger esports scene.

“I would like to, at some point, play a Fighting game competitively. I think that sounds very fun, like Mortal Kombat, for example. Practicing for 1v1 matchups is very fun. If you’re good, you win. I like the aspect of that,” said Mikyx.

Conclusion

Every member of Fnatic has goals they’d like to reach in the future. As they continue to delve deeper into the LEC Spring, Fnatic will find new strategies to help the athletes advance in their esports careers. 

Fnatic will face other top teams in the coming weeks, and Razork, Mikyx, and Humanoid are determined to bring their A-game.

Who is Razork?

A League of Legends prodigy, Iván ‘Razork’ Martín Díaz, is a European esports athlete on Fnatic’s roster who is now participating in the LEC Spring Split 2025.

Who is Mikyx?

Mihael ‘Mikyx’ Mehle is a European athlete who has played for many major esports teams, including G2 and Excel Esports. A dedicated member of Fnatic, Mikyx is currently competing in the LEC Spring 2025.

Who is Humanoid?

Throughout his esports career, athlete Marek ‘Humanoid’ Brázda has participated in many League tournaments. Fnatic is Humanoid’s home for now, though he’s also been part of teams like MAD Lions and Splyce.

What is the LEC Spring 2025?

The second split for the League of Legends EMEA Championship, the LEC Spring, brings together some of the best LoL teams from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East to compete against each other in a thrilling competition.

References

  1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3951958/ (PMC)
  2. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370763158_Physical_Exercise_and_Performance_in_Esports_Players_An_Initial_Systematic_Review (Research Gate)

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ACC Qualifies 406 for NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships First Round

Story Links CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) –  The NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Track and Field and Cross Country Committee has announced the participants for the 2025 NCAA DI men’s and women’s outdoor track and field championships first round competitions. The Atlantic Coast Conference will be represented by 406 student-athletes.   The […]

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) –  The NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Track and Field and Cross Country Committee has announced the participants for the 2025 NCAA DI men’s and women’s outdoor track and field championships first round competitions. The Atlantic Coast Conference will be represented by 406 student-athletes.
 

The first round competitions are scheduled for Wednesday, May 28 – Saturday, May 31. The University of North Florida, in Jacksonville, Florida, will host the East first round and Texas A&M University, in College Station, Texas, will host the West first round. The qualifiers out of these two regions will compete in the NCAA Division I men’s and women’s outdoor track and field championships held June 11-14 in Eugene, Oregon.
 
The complete list of participants is available on the following website. All of the action from Jacksonville and College Station will be streamed on ESPN+.
 





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Gulf Breeze beach volleyball team claims national title for second consecutive year

GULF BREEZE, Fla. — The Gulf Breeze beach volleyball team are national champions once again. This is the second year in a row the Lady Dolphins have taken the title. They beat New Smyrna Beach High School in the 2A FHSAA state championship game. This team didn’t even exist a few years ago, and they’re […]

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GULF BREEZE, Fla. — The Gulf Breeze beach volleyball team are national champions once again.

This is the second year in a row the Lady Dolphins have taken the title. They beat New Smyrna Beach High School in the 2A FHSAA state championship game.

This team didn’t even exist a few years ago, and they’re already national champions again. They earned that title by being the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, according to MaxPreps.com.

“I think the first time it was crazy. National champions, that’s kind of unheard of here,” said senior volleyball player Bella Satterwhite. “So just to have it back-to-back, I mean, is amazing and it’s all because of the community, our coaches, the parents — since we are are parent-funded. Everything helps and we couldn’t thank the community enough.”

Eight players are committed to play at D-1 schools, another accomplishment for the team.



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USA Cadet Men Beat Venezuela 29-2 At 2025 PanAm Aquatics Water Polo Championships

Story Links Medellin, Colombia – May 23 – The USA Cadet Men beat Venezuela 29-2 today in the quarterfinals at the 2025 PanAm Aquatics Water Polo Championships. Cord McCall was everywhere with four goals, five assists, and three steals. Hunter Coleman also scored four while goalkeeper Alistair Sterrett notched ten saves […]

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Medellin, Colombia – May 23 – The USA Cadet Men beat Venezuela 29-2 today in the quarterfinals at the 2025 PanAm Aquatics Water Polo Championships. Cord McCall was everywhere with four goals, five assists, and three steals. Hunter Coleman also scored four while goalkeeper Alistair Sterrett notched ten saves in the cage. Team USA returns to action for the semifinals tomorrow, May 24 at 7:00pm ET/4:00pm PT with the opponent TBD.

Team USA got on the board first with four first quarter goals. Sungwon Shin, McCall (2), and Curren Francisco all converted penalty shots for the early 4-0 lead after one as the defense did not allow a goal. In the second period, the United States jumped all over Venezuela. Ten goals crossed the line via Andrew Schneider, Coleman, Shin, Christopher Koo (2), Ronan Keane (2), Liam Zarcu, William Gorsche, and Jack Davis while Venezuela managed just one from Gabriel Vasquez to set the score at 14-1 at the break.

The second half was more of the same from the Americans. In the third period, there were goals from Zarcu, Cortez Chavez, Davis, Schneider, McCall, and Coleman (2) while Venezuela went scoreless again. The final frame saw Keane, Coleman, Shin, McCall, Chavez, Koo, Schneider, and Francisco dent the twine for the United States and Daniel Rodriguez put one more home for Venezuela to set the final score at 29-2.

Team USA went 0/4 on power plays and 6/6 on penalties while Venezuela went 0/6 on power plays and 0/0 on penalties.

Scoring – Stats

USA 29 (4, 10, 7, 8) H. Coleman 4, C. McCall 4, R. Keane 3, C. Koo 3, A. Schneider 3, S. Shin 3, J. Davis 2, C. Francisco 2, L. Zarcu 2, C. Chavez 2, W. Gorsche 1

VEN 2 (0, 1, 0, 1) D. Rodriguez 1, G. Vasquez 1

Saves – USA – A. Sterrett 10, E. Wallace 5 – VEN – W. Perez 5

6×5 – USA – 0/4 – VEN – 0/6

Penalties – USA – 6/6 – VEN – 0/0

 



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Penelope Greene of SUNY Geneseo Wins 10,000-Meter National Championship on Day One of 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships

Men’s Outdoor Track and Field | 5/22/2025 7:56:50 PM Story Links 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships Live Results 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Live Video SUNY Geneseo senior Penelope Greene rolled […]

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Men’s Outdoor Track and Field | 5/22/2025 7:56:50 PM



SUNY Geneseo senior Penelope Greene rolled to the NCAA Championship in the 10,000-meter run, as several Empire 8 student-athletes competed on day one of the 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Thursday, May 22 at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, OH.

In the final event of the night, Greene, who sixth in the 10,000-meter championship race last season, came in as the top-seed and led wire-to-wire, running each of her 25 laps in the race in 83 seconds or faster, repelling an early challenge from runner-up Riley Beuse of Lewis and Clark College, building her lead at about the 5,000-meter mark and extending throughout the final half of the race to eventually win by more than 33 seconds in a time of 33 seconds in a time of 33:46.70 to become the sixth different Empire 8 student-athlete to win a women’s outdoor track and field national title.

Greene’s teammate, Gabriella McCarthy, placed sixth in the event to earn First Team All-American honors with a time of 34:51.59 and Lilly Fowler-Conner was ninth in 35:08.11 to earn Second Team All-American honors.

Rebecca Heuler of SUNY Brockport, the 2024 NCAA Champion in the javelin throw, earned First Team All-American honors this season by placing sixth overall with a toss of 40.78 meters. She was the final student-athlete to qualify for the event.

Isabel Morse of Nazareth (pole vault), Jillian Ambler (long jump) and Brynn Mooney (200-meters) of Geneseo in addition to Lexi Rodriguez of Brockport (400-meter hurdles all earned NCAA Second Team All-Americans in their respective events on Thursday.

On the men’s side, Geneseo graduate student Charlie Wilson crossed the finish line third in the 10,000-meter run in an Empire 8 all-time record time of 29:21.43 but was moved up to second and national runner-up honors due to a disqualification.

Geneseo’s 4 x 400-meter relay team of Arjun Ohja, Sam Belmont, Giancarlo Di Fava, and Jacob Miller qualified for Saturday’s final with an impressive third place finish in the prelims.

Emerson Comer of Geneseo earned NCAA Second Team All-American honors in the 3,000-meter steeplechase after placing 13th in the prelims Thursday. His teammate Pierce Young will compete in the finals of the event on Friday afternoon at 4:40 p.m. Ryan Hagan of Geneseo and Jonathan Zavala of Brockport will compete in the finals of the 1,500-meters after qualifying Thursday.

Below is a complete list of the Empire 8 student-athletes who competed in the NCAA Championships on Thursday and those who are competing over the next two days. Action begins from SPIRE with Alexa Belanger of Houghton competing in the high jump, starting at 11:30 a.m.

 

WOMEN’S THURSDAY RESULTS

10,000-Meter Run

Penelope Greene, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – first place – 33:46.70

NCAA National Champion; First Team All-American

Gabriella McCarthy, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – sixth place – 34:51.49

First Team All-American

Lily Fowler-Conner, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – ninth place – 35:08.11

Second Team All-American

Javelin Throw (Prelims and Finals, Thursday, May 22, 3:30 p.m.)

Rebecca Heuler, Sr., SUNY Brockport – sixth place 40.78 meters (133′ 9″)

First Team All-American (Second All-American Honor. was NCAA Champion in 2024)

200-Meter Dash

Brynn Mooney, So., SUNY Geneseo – 13th in prelims – :24.57

Second Team All-American

400-Meter Hurdles

Lexi Rodriguez, Jr., SUNY Brockport – 10th in prelims – 1:02.38

Second Team All-American

Long Jump

Jillian Ambler, So., SUNY Geneseo – 12th in prelims – 5.70 meters

Second Team All-American

3,000-Meter Steeplechase (Finals, Friday, May 23, 4:55 p.m.)

Ann Brennan, Jr., SUNY Geneseo – second in prelims – 10:33.41

4 x 400-Meter Relay

Nicole Gretzinger, Jr., Janelle Eckl, Sr., Sierra Doody, Jr., Brynn Mooney, So., SUNY Geneseo – 11th in prelims – 3:49.56

4 x 100-Meter Relay

Sam Pynn, Sr., Brynn Mooney, So., Jillian Ambler, So., Kayla Anastasia, Jr., SUNY Geneseo – 13th in prelims – :47.28

Pole Vault

Isabel Morse, Jr., Nazareth – tied for 12th – 3.75 meters

Second Team All-American

MEN’S THURSDAY RESULTS

10,000-Meter Run (Finals, Thursday, May 22, 8:30 p.m.)

Charlie Wilson, Gr., SUNY Geneseo – second – 29:21.43

National Runner-Up; First Team All-American; All-Time Empire 8 Record

1,500-Meter Run Prelims (Finals, Saturday, May 24, 1:25 p.m.)

Ryan Hagan, So., SUNY Geneseo – seventh in prelims – 3:52.68

Jonathan Zavala, Sr., SUNY Brockport – 10h in prelims – 3:53.38

3,000-Meter Steeplechase Prelims (Finals, Friday, May 23, 4:40 p.m.)

Pierce Young, So., SUNY Geneseo – eighth in prelims – 8:59.64

Emerson Comer, So., SUNY Geneseo – 13th in prelims – 9:01.54

Comer – Second Team All-American

4 x 400-Meter Relay Prelims (Finals, Saturday, May 24, 4:50 p.m.)

Arjun Ohja, Fr, Sam Belmont, So., Giancarlo Di Fava, So., Jacob Miller, Jr., SUNY Geneseo – third in prelims – 3:11.45

400-Meter Hurdles

Ayden Grinion, Jr., SUNY Brockport – 19th in prelims – :54.78

UPCOMING WOMEN’S EVENTS

High Jump (Prelims and Finals, Friday, May 23, 11:30 a.m.)

6. Alexa Belanger, Fr., Houghton – 1.71 meters

100-Meter Hurdles (Prelims, Friday, May 23, 2:30 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 2 p.m.)

13. Cierra Franz, Sr., St. John Fisher – :14.13

14. Jillian Ambler, So., SUNY Geneseo – :14.14

400-Meter Dash (Prelims, Friday, May 23, 3:15 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 2:20 p.m.)

6. Brynn Mooney, So., SUNY Geneseo – :54.45

800-Meter Run (Prelims, Friday, May 23, 4:15 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 3:00 p.m.)

12. Sierra Doody, Jr., SUNY Geneseo – 2:08.09

14. Janelle Eckl, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – 2:08.89

5,000-Meter Run (Finals, Saturday, May 24, 4:25 p.m.)

1. Penelope Greene, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – 16:12.88 !

Hammer Throw (Prelims and Finals, Saturday, May 24, 11 a.m.)

21. Zoe Connor, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – 52.51 meters

UPCOMING MEN’S EVENTS

400-Meter Dash (Prelims, Friday, May 23, 3 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 2:10 p.m.)

17. Jacob Miller, Jr., SUNY Geneseo – :47.17

800-Meter Run (Prelims, Friday, May 23, 4 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 2:50 p.m.)

14. Matthew Sheehan, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – 1:50.22

5,000-Meter Run (Finals, Saturday, May 24, 4 p.m.)

6. Ryan Hagan, So., SUNY Geneseo – 14:04.11

12. Charlie Wilson, Gr., SUNY Geneseo – 14:08.50

Hammer Throw (Prelims and Finals, Saturday, May 24, 1:45 p.m.)

9. Brandon Kaplan, Jr., St. John Fisher – 60.87 meters

 

ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE

The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit www.empire8.com.

 

EMPIRE 8 SOCIAL MEDIA

YouTube – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram

 





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Blue Jays Open Competition at NCAA DIII Outdoor Track & Field Championships

Story Links GENEVA, OH – The Johns Hopkins women’s outdoor track and field team kicked off competition Thursday on Day One of the 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships.   Three Blue Jays competed in the 1500-meter prelims, led by Annie Huang, who posted a time of 4:34.70. […]

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GENEVA, OH – The Johns Hopkins women’s outdoor track and field team kicked off competition Thursday on Day One of the 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
 
Three Blue Jays competed in the 1500-meter prelims, led by Annie Huang, who posted a time of 4:34.70. Harrinee Senthilkumar followed closely with a 4:38.76 and Emma Kothari rounded out the trio with a 4:46.57. Despite strong efforts, none advanced to Saturday’s final.
 
In the 3000-meter steeplechase, Cooper Brotherton finished with a time of 11:08.00. The 4×400-meter relay team composed of Senthilkumar, Lianne Saussy, Lorna Arcese and Anna Zinsser clocked in at 3:55.04, but also did not qualify for the final.
 
Action continues tomorrow as three Blue Jays return to the track for Day Two of the championships. Lauren Phillips will compete in the 400-meter dash at 3:15 p.m., aiming for a spot in Saturday’s final. She’ll be joined by Mirra Klimov in the 100-meter dash prelim at 3:45 p.m., as Huang will return for the 800-meter prelims at 4:15 p.m.
 



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Mira Costa boys volleyball will face Huntington Beach in CIF Regional final

One week after a thrilling five-set CIF-Southern Section Division 1 final, the Mira Costa and Huntington Beach boys volleyball teams will meet against Saturday. After winning the first two rounds of the CIF Regional, the Mustangs (35-2) and Oilers (36-4) face off in the regional final at 6 p.m. at Mira Costa. The winner advances […]

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One week after a thrilling five-set CIF-Southern Section Division 1 final, the Mira Costa and Huntington Beach boys volleyball teams will meet against Saturday.

After winning the first two rounds of the CIF Regional, the Mustangs (35-2) and Oilers (36-4) face off in the regional final at 6 p.m. at Mira Costa. The winner advances to the first CIF State boys volleyball final, May 31 at Fresno City College.

Mira Costa won the fifth set in the CIF-SS final to claim its ninth title. The match scores were: 25-19, 22-25, 25-19, 29-31, 15-11.

As expected with the top two teams, the match had extended rallies, big swings of momentum for both sides.

Grayson Bradford led Mira Costa with 25 kills and Mateo Fuerbringer had 17. Logan Hutnick led Huntington Beach with 22 kills, Benjamin Arguello and Nicholas Ganier finished with 13 and 12, respectively.

“From a maturity standpoint and from a cohesion standpoint, we’ve just stepped it up,” senior outside hitter Thatcher Fahlbusch said after the final. “Start of the season, everyone was kind of mad about not playing and we were rotating and as things settled in, kudos to all of the seniors and juniors, great job of stepping in and leading.

“I think ultimately our team culture got us this (CIF-SS title). Last year, we didn’t have great team culture and then we had to turn it around and I think this is a direct result  of the guys loving each other and working for each other.”

This is the third meeting between the two teams and the third with a championship on the line. The teams met back in February in the finals of the Redondo/Mira Costa co-hosted tournament.



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