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Five Thoughts on the 2024

With the Cowboy baseball season coming to an end Sunday evening, the Oklahoma State sports calendar is just about ready to turn to 2025-26. Dave Smith still has athletes competing at the NCAA Championships, but for the most part, the Cowboys and Cowgirls are done for the summer. Before the offseason truly starts, let’s take […]

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Five Thoughts on the 2024

With the Cowboy baseball season coming to an end Sunday evening, the Oklahoma State sports calendar is just about ready to turn to 2025-26.

Dave Smith still has athletes competing at the NCAA Championships, but for the most part, the Cowboys and Cowgirls are done for the summer. Before the offseason truly starts, let’s take a look back at the school year that was for OSU Athletics.

1. Back to the Future

Oklahoma State is a wrestling and golf school.

If you would’ve told that to someone back in 2006, they would’ve told you “Duh,” but if you would’ve gone back three years ago, it might’ve been tough to see the path for the OSU wrestling and golf teams to step so directly into the national spotlight.

Spurred by the dawning of the David Taylor era, Wyatt Hendrickson doing back flips and the Cowboys being as good as they have been in some time, interest in OSU wrestling seems to be as high now as it has been in a while. Although the Cowboys still have work to do to catch up with the four-time defending champion Nittany Lions, OSU is firmly in the title hunt again.

As for the Cowboy golf team, OSU had won a title in 2018, but losing Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra to LIV and Brian Start to the portal in the years following meant the Pokes had to do a bit of a rebuild. That rebuild ended up looking more like a reload. The Cowboys took home national title No. 12 last month, doing so with a lineup of four sophomores and a freshman.

It wasn’t the most fun year of OSU athletics (see the final nine games of the football season), but Cowboy fans should be thankful that in a year where football was as down as its been in sometime and basketball (again) went through a reset that the ole reliable sports of wrestling and golf were there.

2. It Brought Some High Highs

As down as this school year might’ve seemed because of football and men’s basketball, it provided some all-time OSU moments.

Wyatt Hendrickson’s win against Gable Steveson might be the best singular OSU sports moment of this century, much less the school year. Seriously, which moments outdo that? The John Lucas shot? Collin Oliver’s fourth-down sack in 2021 Bedlam? There can’t be many. Of the 1.2 million YouTube views of Hendrickson’s win, I have to have contributed about 350.

Outside of Hendrickson beating Steveson, here are a few of my other favorite moments from the school year:

• Brennan Presley breaking the all-time receptions record against TCU

• The Cowgirl basketball team coming back from down 15 to beat No. 9 TCU

• Baseball’s walk-off win on Sunday to eliminate Georgia

3. And Some Lows

I don’t want to linger on the 2024 football season any more than I have to, but man, that stunk.

Three moments from the season were particularly smelly: An OK West Virginia team running for 389 yards in Boone Pickens Stadium; the 52-0 season-ending loss to Colorado; and the circus that was the Board of Regents reported “standoff” with Mike Gundy.

We’ll get a little more into the Cowboys’ offseason later, but for how dire things seemed back in early December, there seems to be a new energy surrounding OSU football with the new staff and the cavalcade of incoming transfers. That energy boost was much needed after Cowboy fans had to watch their team lose nine times in a row to close the year.

4. Predictions Mean Even Less in Chaotic Portal Era

Take a look at where these five OSU teams were predicted to finish in the Big 12 going into this school year vs. where they actually finished:

Football — 3rd ➡️ 16th
Men’s basketball — 14th ➡️ 12th
Women’s basketball — 11th ➡️ 3rd
Baseball — 1st ➡️ 7th
Softball — 1st ➡️ 4th

Men’s basketball was close. Other than that, you might’ve been better off betting the opposite of those preseason polls. And I don’t even think it’s the pollsters’ faults either — whether it’s coaches or media. It’s hard enough to keep on top of the roster comings and goings of one team, much less 16, and have an educated argument as to how good that team will be compared to these other 15 teams that also have a ton of new players on them.

Gundy has long said that rankings shouldn’t come out until October or so. In the runaway train that is modern media, that’s not going to happen, but now more than ever you have to judge college teams on how they are actually playing as opposed to what you think they might be.

5. How Will History Remember the Football Offseason?

This year was the first time that the OSU football program had to use the portal to the extent the Cowboys did. OSU added more than 30 transfers this offseason — an offseason unlike any other in OSU’s history to this point.

In 20 years, will we all look back at this offseason as a sign of the crazy portal era times? Or is this just going to become commonplace? I reside in the camp that hopes something gets done about just how easily players are able to jump from one school to another. But with each passing day, the college athletic landscape just seems more like a mess that needs to be figured out.

Maybe legislation sets guard rails soon and we all look back at this time like a fever dream. Or maybe this is the first offseason of a new normal for OSU football.

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Thomas Named Big West Men’s Field Athlete of the Year

Story Links IRVINE, Calif. – The Big West announced its 2025 Track & Field Awards on Friday. To no surprise, decathlete Brad Thomas was named Men’s Field Athlete of the Year.   After his record performance at the Big West Championships Multis, it was only fitting that Thomas received this honor. With […]

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IRVINE, Calif. – The Big West announced its 2025 Track & Field Awards on Friday. To no surprise, decathlete Brad Thomas was named Men’s Field Athlete of the Year.
 
After his record performance at the Big West Championships Multis, it was only fitting that Thomas received this honor. With a podium finish in nine of the 10 events, including four first-place finishes, he ended with 8,108 points—a school, meet, and overall conference record. Naturally, he finished first in the Decathlon and was named Men’s Field Athlete of the Meet.
 
Outside of the Big West, Thomas wrapped up his phenomenal senior season last week at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon. His second-place finish of 7,888 points etched his name in history as UC Santa Barbara’s highest-placing decathlete ever. With the top-eight finish, he also earned All-America First Team distinction.
 

Thomas becomes the first Gaucho Men’s Track & Field member to receive a Big West end-of-season individual award since Shyan Vaziri won Track Athlete of the Year in 2016. He is the first Gaucho to ever win Big West Men’s Field Athlete of the Year.
 



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Spartans win boys state volleyball championship | Sports

De Smet Jesuit beat St. Louis University High at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau to win the state volleyball championship. (Photo provided) Photo provided The De Smet Jesuit Spartans ended a 34-1 season by winning the Missouri boys volleyball championship. De Smet swept St. Louis University High in straight sets 25-14, 25-19, 25-19 […]

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DeSmet state champs

De Smet Jesuit beat St. Louis University High at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau to win the state volleyball championship. (Photo provided)




The De Smet Jesuit Spartans ended a 34-1 season by winning the Missouri boys volleyball championship.

De Smet swept St. Louis University High in straight sets 25-14, 25-19, 25-19 at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau.

It also was the 200th career victory for coach Tim Haffner.

This was the first state-recognized championship for De Smet. Last season was the first year the Missouri State High School Activities Association officially recognized volleyball as a sport for boys. Before, it was a club sport featuring mainly teams in the St. Louis area.

As a club team, the Spartans won three state titles, with the last one happening in 2023.

“This year the players and I knew that we were going to have a good team,” Haffner said. “We only graduated two guys last year, so we had a lot returning that saw a lot of playing time last season. I knew that experience would serve us well this year. 

“For me, the question wasn’t if we would be good. The question was just how good we would be. I knew we had a high ceiling.”

The Spartans featured eight seniors this spring.

The lone loss came April 2, at Marquette in five sets.

“The Marquette match was a good one. I thought we played well overall,” Haffner said. “Marquette was also a senior-heavy team that had a lot of experience.”

When postseason play began, the Spartans rolled everyone. De Smet didn’t lose a set.

“On paper, it certainly looked like we were dominant with the way every match was 3-0 in the postseason,” Haffner said. “But the reality was that we played well in the first set in only one playoff game, which was the state final.”

In topping SLUH, the Spartans also defeated a conference rival. 

“The players on the two teams know each other so well through club volleyball. The stage was set for a massive game,” Haffner said. “The team came out with a ton of confidence and executed the game plan so well. 

“We were all happy to win the title, but I think we were also so happy with the way we won it.  It was our best game of the season.”

Getting win No. 200 was important for Haffner.

“It’s special to get to a big number no matter what it is. And I reached 100 when this senior class were freshman,” Haffner said. “Riley (Massey) and Evan (Strahlendorf) were on that team. It is special to have the memory of 100 and 200 with them.”

Haffner now has coached two teams to state titles. He won state in 2021 leading Cor Jesu and now with the boys in 2025. 

“I am really proud of the way those teams bought in on caring about their teammates on and off the court. They were great friends,” Haffner said. “And there is no doubt that led to our success. 

“I have been really lucky to be at the schools, coaching at the right time to have those players.”



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Michael Kelly departs USF for Navy athletic director role

Michael Kelly, who has led the University of South Florida Athletics since 2018, is stepping down to become the athletic director at the United States Naval Academy. During his seven years at USF, Kelly expanded the program to 21 varsity sports and led the Bulls to 21 American Athletic Conference team championships. Under his leadership, […]

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Michael Kelly, who has led the University of South Florida Athletics since 2018, is stepping down to become the athletic director at the United States Naval Academy.

During his seven years at USF, Kelly expanded the program to 21 varsity sports and led the Bulls to 21 American Athletic Conference team championships. Under his leadership, the school saw the addition of women’s lacrosse and beach volleyball, and several national accolades, including two NCAA championships and more than 30 NCAA postseason appearances.

Michael-Kelly-usf
Michael Kelly

Kelly also spearheaded the launch of USF’s on-campus stadium, a $348.5 million project slated to open in 2027, while nearly doubling the athletic department’s budget and securing over $100 million in philanthropic gifts, according to a statement.

“This isn’t about leaving South Florida, it’s about the chance to serve a place that’s long been meaningful to me,” Kelly said. “I’m deeply proud of what we’ve built together.”

USF President Rhea Law praised Kelly’s legacy: “He supported our students, coaches, alumni and fans like a family. That culture of success is among the highlights of his leadership.”

Jay Stroman, chief executive officer of the USF Foundation and co-chair of the stadium project, will serve as interim vice president for athletics.

Further details on the search for a permanent successor are expected in the coming weeks.



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210 fall athletes to watch over 70 days – Monterey Herald

Laird Welch, Stevenson water polo: Having produced over 100 goals in each of the last two years, the senior will look to make it three straight seasons over the century mark. Blessed with a powerful arm outside the 2-meter position, Welch is a two-time Gabilan Division co-Offensive Player of the Year, and one of the […]

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Laird Welch, Stevenson water polo: Having produced over 100 goals in each of the last two years, the senior will look to make it three straight seasons over the century mark.

Blessed with a powerful arm outside the 2-meter position, Welch is a two-time Gabilan Division co-Offensive Player of the Year, and one of the Pirates better defenders.

Kevin Azpeitia, Marina cross country: The Mariners historic run to the program’s first Gabilan Division and Central Coast Section titles last fall started with Azpeitia.

The distance ace was the runner-up at the Gabilan Division finals, then led a parade of Mariners across the finish line in capturing the CCS Division IV team championship.

Harper Szpur, Pacific Grove golf: Finishing in the upper third of the Central Coast Section finals last fall, Szpur is a returning all-leaguer for the Breakers.

The senior earned medalist honors for Pacific Grove throughout the season, improving her range and accuracy in the off-season.



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Harrison Adds Four to Sports Performance Staff

Story Links CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Performance Medgar Harrison added Assistant Sports Performance Coaches Austin Van Buskirk and Michael Fiorito and graduate assistants Alan Anderson and Austin Okruta to his staff ahead of the 2025-26 academic year. “In the ever-evolving landscape of college athletics, […]

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CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Performance Medgar Harrison added Assistant Sports Performance Coaches Austin Van Buskirk and Michael Fiorito and graduate assistants Alan Anderson and Austin Okruta to his staff ahead of the 2025-26 academic year.

“In the ever-evolving landscape of college athletics, change is both constant and necessary,” said Harrison. “Over the past 30 days, we’ve seen the departure of six valued staff members, each of whom contributed significantly to the development of our student-athletes and the success of our programs. We thank them for their dedication and wish them continued success in their next chapters. At the same time, I’m excited to announce the addition of four dynamic new professionals to our sports performance team. Each brings unique experiences, fresh energy, and a shared commitment to helping our student-athletes thrive both on and off the field. Their arrival marks a new chapter for our department—one filled with innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering focus on performance, health, and development.

“We are moving forward with great momentum, and I am confident that this team will not only meet the demands of our growing programs but will also help shape the future of sports performance department at APSU.”

Van Buskirk remains on Harrison’s staff after serving as a volunteer assistant last season while working with the Governors. baseball and track programs.

In addition to his duties for APSU in 2024-25, Van Buskirk also served as a strength and conditioning coach for the 101st Airborne Division on Fort Campbell since July 2023, where he was attached to 1st Brigade, working alongside the 2-32 field artillery regiment and the 2-327 infantry battalions. He helped develop and coach platoon-sized element strength and conditioning programs and supported physical training leaders in managing a battalion of 600-plus soldiers, collaborated with health professional staffs, created and ran Air Assault Prep Academy within the battalion, and more.

Prior to arriving at Fort Campbell, Van Buskirk was a strength and conditioning intern at Ohio State, Aug. 2022-Jan. 2023, working with the 12 Buckeyes programs, where he led team warms ups, recovery sessions, and worked with injured student-athletes’ rehabilitation.

Van Buskirk began his career as an Air Force ROTC in Bowling Green, Ohio, where he completed a semester’s worth of coaching and programming for 80 cadets.

Van Burskirk earned his bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green in 2021 and graduated with his master’s from Concordia of Chicago in 2023.

Fiorito comes to Clarksville after serving as a Strength and Conditioning Assistant for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since April 2024, working alongside the Buccaneers’ head of strength and conditioning, Anthony Piroli, in Tampa Bay’s performance rehab department.

In addition, Fiorito also assisted with practice and pregame dynamic warm-up groups, utilized key performance indicators to prescribe and implement programming at the positional and individual levels, and more.

Prior to his time in Tampa, Florida, Fiorito was an Assistant Strength Coach and Recreational Center Coordinator at the New Mexico Military Institute, Jan.-April 2024, where he was responsible for the direct development and implementation of year-long performance training programs for the Broncos’ baseball, basketball, and cross country teams. He also assisted the head strength coach in the programming and execution of training programs for the football and volleyball programs. 

Fiorito’s first postgraduate experience came as an NFL Bill Walsh Fellowship Strength Intern for the Buccaneers, July-Sept. 2023, where he met daily with the Director of Sports Performance Rehab, led groups through gameday and pre-game warmups and activations, and more.

He served as a graduate assistant for Toledo’s football team, Aug. 2021-June 2023, leading in-season lifts for developmental groups, trained incoming freshman and pro day athletes, and created and led high needs program for athletes to achieve better exercise technique and general mobility. He began his career as an intern for Cincinnati’s football team.

Fiorito earned his bachelor’s degree from Illinois State in 2021 and his master’s from Toledo in 2023. 

Okruta joins Harrison’s staff after previously serving as a strength and conditioning intern for Pittsburg’s football team since Jan.

While with the Panthers’ he helped to set up and break down daily lifts, direct injured student-athletes through their return-to-play progression, demonstrating lifts and drills, and assisted in Pro Day training.

 Okruta began his strength and conditioning career at the NST Sports Performace in Twinsburg, Ohio as an intern where he assisted in training, ran drills, and more.

Okruta graduated from Kent State in Aug. 2024 and currently is working towards his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification.

Anderson remains on Harrison’s staff after previously serving as a strength and conditioning coaching intern since July 2024, where he primarily worked with the Governors’ baseball, softball, and track and field programs.

Anderson served in the 101st Airborne Division, 2021-25. During his time in the Army, Anderson served as a Brigade Innovations Officer, DSSB Battalion Adjutant, TC Executive Officer, and a Maintenance Platoon Leader/Battalion Maintenance Officer. 

Prior to his time on Fort Campbell, Anderson was a member of the Auburn Army ROTC, July 2019-21.

Anderson earned his bachelor’s degree in physical activity and health in May 2021



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Ali Waldon’s fight extends off the volleyball court

TAMPA, Fla. — Like any fine-tuned athlete, Ali Waldon pays attention to the little details.  She knows which one of her two ports the nurse should draw blood from. She knows what medication she’s had and which ones she needs. Waldon’s been poked and prodded so often, she’s lost count. “Sometimes it’s multiple pricks a day,” […]

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TAMPA, Fla. — Like any fine-tuned athlete, Ali Waldon pays attention to the little details. 

She knows which one of her two ports the nurse should draw blood from. She knows what medication she’s had and which ones she needs. Waldon’s been poked and prodded so often, she’s lost count.

“Sometimes it’s multiple pricks a day,” Waldon said.


What You Need To Know

  • Ali Waldon starred on the volleyball court at Clearwater Central Catholic where she won a state championship. She took her talents to Mercer University. 
  •  As Waldon was enjoying playing college volleyball, she began feeling intense pain in her hip. Tests revealed a cancerous tumor.
  •  Since the diagnosis in September, Waldon’s undergone surgery and began chemotherapy treatments.


There is a method to this madness.

And a reason she must endure getting stuck with needles so often. Waldon has cancer. And she is battling this hideous disease the same way she battles on the volleyball court. Persistent hip pain turned out to be osteosarcoma. And with that cancer diagnosis in September, Waldon, and her family’s world was turned upside down.

She had to leave school and her volleyball team at Mercer University to begin treatment. She’s had surgery. She’s had doses of chemotherapy. She’s lost her hair and her eyebrows. But she hasn’t lost her drive.

“You do what you have to do to do,” she said. “Not without complaints, kind of.”

That’s the attitude of an athlete. Ali starred on the volleyball court at Clearwater Central Catholic where she helped the Marauders win a state championship in 2022. She took her talents to Mercer where she made an immediate impact for the Bears. When cancer sidelined her, Waldon’s teammates rallied around her.

But it’s Waldon who has rallied and set the tone.

“She’s handled this better than probably most adults would,” her mother Julie Rodgers said. “And has always had just a really positive attitude and just a light through all of it.”

Cancer’s shown Waldon how independent she is. It’s also shown how resilient and what a fighter she is. Ali knew she was tough. Now she’s showing cancer just how tough.

“I have a greater appreciation for all the nurses and doctors that have helped me,” she said. “I try to be an easy patient and just make their day a little bit better.”



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