Sports

Gopher Greeks reach NCAA Track & Field championships

If NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t already own the nickname “Greek Freak”, the Gophers men’s track & field team would have a pair of athletes who deserve that moniker. Kostas Zaltos and Angelos Mantzouranis both came to the University of Minnesota from Greece, and both are freakishly strong. Zaltos and Mantzouranis qualified for the NCAA […]

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1 month ago

June 11, 2025

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If NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t already own the nickname “Greek Freak”, the Gophers men’s track & field team would have a pair of athletes who deserve that moniker.

Kostas Zaltos and Angelos Mantzouranis both came to the University of Minnesota from Greece, and both are freakishly strong. Zaltos and Mantzouranis qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the hammer throw and will compete in Oregon later this week.

***Click the video box for the complete story from Alec Ausmus***

“The results are talking by themselves,” Zaltos said. “We are already doing the best.”

Zaltos, a senior, captured his fourth Big Ten title this year, further cementing his legacy as one of the most decorated throwers in Gopher history. Meanwhile, Mantzouranis, a rising underclassman, has quickly made a name for himself, breaking records and pushing Zaltos in every practice.

“I’m in a good physical spot,” Mantzouranis said. “I feel really good. I’m just looking for something better.”

Though only one can claim the national title, the two are used to competing against each other — it happens every day in training.

“I can’t catch a breath with him,” Zaltos said. “Even if I have a very good throw, I know he can top it with a better one.”

“I push him in the weight room, he pushes me in the throws,” Mantzouranis added. “We both benefit from it.”

Their practice field bears the marks of their battles — divots from hammer after hammer — but the pair still chase down every throw themselves.

“We’re getting our steps in,” Zaltos joked. “It’s good for our heart.”

As the NCAA Championships approach, the Gophers’ Greek duo will look to bring home top honors — even if it means one must edge out the other.

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Former HBCU Football Player Killed, Current Student Charged

Police say a “parking garage dispute” at the Mac4460 apartments near South MacGregor Way and Calhoun in Houston, Texas, ended with the fatal shooting of a former HBCU athlete Friday evening. The victim, 24-year-old Tyler Martinez, played four seasons as a defensive tackle at Texas Southern University. Martinez completed his football career in 2023. He […]

Published

43 minutes ago

July 13, 2025

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He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene. Police arrested 22-year-old Isaac Robinson, who is enrolled as a sophomore at Texas Southern University and is a fellow resident of the apartment complex, after he reportedly returned to the scene. Authorities charged Robinson with first-degree felony murder and set his bond at $100,000. If released, he must wear a GPS monitor, follow a nightly curfew, avoid weapons, drugs, and alcohol, and stay within Harris County or adjacent counties.

HBCU Tyler Martinez Houston Texas Southern University — #93 Tyler Martinez, Courtesy of Texas Southern Athletics

Details of the Incident and Legal Proceedings

Houstonstringer.com reports that Robinson admitted to his involvement in the shooting in court records. Prosecutors said a woman connected to Robinson handed him a firearm during the altercation. Witnesses said Martinez had begun to withdraw when Robinson “allegedly fired three shots into Martinez’s torso.” Robinson appeared overnight in Harris County Probable Cause Court. He currently attends Texas Southern University as a sophomore and works for a local security company.

Martinez, a Houston native and Humble High graduate, joined the TSU Tigers in 2019. Standing 6-3 and weighing 283 pounds, he played every season through 2023. He recorded 57 tackles in 20 games, including four sacks. HBCU football analysts recognized his steady performance. The Bluebloods network called him “the best DT in the SWAC,” reflecting his significant impact on the field.

Concerns Raised for HBCU Student Safety

This case highlights concerns about safety in off-campus student housing and emphasizes the need for conflict resolution efforts within the Houston community. We will continue monitoring the situation and provide updates as they become available.

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Canada outlasts Thailand 3-2 in women’s Volleyball Nations League

By Canadian Press on July 13, 2025. ARLINGTON — The team from the Land of the Smiles went home disappointed after dropping a tough match to Canada in the women’s Volleyball Nations League tournament on Sunday. Canada defeated Thailand 3-2 in the best-of-five match, played at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. Thailand won the […]

Published

43 minutes ago

July 13, 2025

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By Canadian Press on July 13, 2025.

ARLINGTON — The team from the Land of the Smiles went home disappointed after dropping a tough match to Canada in the women’s Volleyball Nations League tournament on Sunday.

Canada defeated Thailand 3-2 in the best-of-five match, played at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.

Thailand won the opening set 25-17, but the Canadians bounced back with 25-23 and 30-28 wins to take a 2-1 lead. Thailand forced a fifth set with a 25-23 win in the fourth.

Canada won the tiebreaker 15-13.

Hilary Howe Johnson led all Canadian scorers with 25 points, while Emily Maglio had 19. Kongyot Ajcharaporn led Thailand’s scoring with 27 points, while Kokram Pimpichaya had 23.

Canada committed more unforced errors in the match (24-20) and had more blocks (14-7). Thailand led in digs (166-144) and attacks (84-66).

Canada remains 16th in the 18-team preliminary round robin with three wins, while Thailand is 17th with just one win.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 13, 2025.

The Canadian Press

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Spartan Chosen sends 11 athletes to the AAU Junior Olympic Games

When Forest track and field head coach Brett Stanley started Spartan Chosen ten years ago, he had one goal: giving his athletes the foundation to compete at the highest level of sport. “We had 38 All-Americans last year and six national championships last year,” Stanley said. “We’re running the same course this year.” Of those […]

Published

53 minutes ago

July 13, 2025

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When Forest track and field head coach Brett Stanley started Spartan Chosen ten years ago, he had one goal: giving his athletes the foundation to compete at the highest level of sport.

“We had 38 All-Americans last year and six national championships last year,” Stanley said. “We’re running the same course this year.”

Of those six national champions nine-year-old Joseph Sorrentino III holds the AAU nationals record for the Turbo Javelin in the 7- and 8-year-old divisions. Sorrentino along with Terry Holloway, Jakari Thomas, Troy Rushing, Ariana Damon, Amiyah Damon, Taraji Rushing, Jarod Palmer, Tyrail Moore Jr., Nicolas Sorrentino, and Amiya Cogdell all qualified for the AAU Junior Olympics Games in Humble, Texas on July 28 – August 2.

Love and discipline drive the Spartan Chosen program. Way before you suit up for an event with Spartan Chosen you have to meet strict GPA requirements to toe the line. Creating a component few AAU programs regardless of sport rarely enforce.

“Just understanding workflow, how to train the body, what the body needs and honestly man loving on the kids, man we have to,” Stanley said.

The benefits of having children as young as five-years-old partner with Chosen Spartan chosen to train and discipline their bodies for any sport they play in the future. The team is another support system every young athlete needs on their journey.

With Stanley’s program functioning as a training ground for at least five of the seven public schools in Marion County, Spartan Chosen isn’t the only program that benefits from their youth development.

“We’re developing and building relationships because track and field as a whole, not just in Marion County, is an afterthought,” Stanley said. “We’re trying to expose kids to track and field and build that relationship. Spartan Chosen has a home in family.”

Koi Davis comes from a family of sprinters. Now he’s taking the track

Spartan Chosen’s developmental status doesn’t hinge on the Junior Olympic performances. While that title holds weight, its the personal improvements Stanley sees in his team on-and-off track that give his athletes a head start.

“What we do in the summer is to make sure we give back,” Stanley said. “Once you start seeing these accolades from these young kids who are going to eventually be at high school level. If the county is starting to see these kids progress right now on this level and becoming national champions out of 10,000 athletes. Just imagine how good they get on the high school level with the proper facility in place.”

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2025 MLB Draft Central | Arkansas Razorbacks

ATLANTA – The 2025 MLB Draft is here! ESPN and MLB Network will have full coverage of the first three rounds of the draft, which is set to begin at 5 p.m. CT Sunday, July 13. Day 1 of the draft consists of 105 picks: the first three rounds, compensatory rounds, competitive balance rounds and […]

Published

1 hour ago

July 13, 2025

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ATLANTA – The 2025 MLB Draft is here!

ESPN and MLB Network will have full coverage of the first three rounds of the draft, which is set to begin at 5 p.m. CT Sunday, July 13. Day 1 of the draft consists of 105 picks: the first three rounds, compensatory rounds, competitive balance rounds and prospect promotion incentive selections.

Coverage of Day 2 of the draft — consisting of rounds 4-20 on Monday, July 14 — will be streamed on MLB.com beginning at 10:30 a.m. CT.

MLB Draft Schedule
Day 1 (Rounds 1-3)
» 5 p.m. CT Sunday, July 13
» Watch on ESPN & MLB Network

Day 2 (Rounds 4-20)
» 10:30 a.m. CT Monday, July 14
» Watch on MLB.com

By The Numbers
6 – program record for most position players selected in a single draft (1985)
7 – program record for most pitchers selected in a single draft (2013)
10 – Razorbacks selected in the first round of the draft
11 – program record for most total selections in a single draft (2013 & 2018)
267 – all-time draft selections in Razorback history

Razorback Draft Notes
» Since 1975, Arkansas has had at least one player selected in each of the past 50 MLB drafts.
» Since 2018, no school in the country has more overall draft selections than Arkansas (53).
» Arkansas has had double-digit players selected in a single draft on three occasions: 1985 (10), 2013 (11), 2018 (11).
» Since Matt Hobbs’ first season as pitching coach in 2019, Arkansas has had 23 pitchers selected in the MLB draft, including 16 pitchers taken in the first 10 rounds.
» Since Nate Thompson’s first season as hitting coach and recruiting coordinator in 2018, Arkansas has had 24 hitters selected in the MLB draft. No program in the country has had more hitters selected in the MLB draft than Arkansas since Thompson’s first year on the job.

For complete coverage of Arkansas baseball, follow the Hogs on Twitter (@RazorbackBSB), Instagram (@RazorbackBSB) and Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Baseball).

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PHOTO GALLERY: Summer Bash at Brite Lake offers cool time | Lifestyle

Families enjoyed games, food and lots of great music Saturday as Tehachapi Valley Recreation & Park District hosted its Summer Bash at Brite Lake. Several families came from Ridgecrest and Rosamond, saying they came to “cool off” from the summer heat of the flat lands. As a cool evening breeze came off the lake, attendees […]

Published

2 hours ago

July 13, 2025

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As a cool evening breeze came off the lake, attendees played beach volleyball, horseshoes, balloon tennis or tossed bean bags in a cornhole competition. They ate. They listened to local band “42 Out,” so named as its members live in the Tehachapi area, which just happens to be 42 miles from Bakersfield.

Along with TVRPD, the afternoon had a corporate sponsor, Tehachapi Cement Co.

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Wealth Management Strategies for High

Published

2 hours ago

July 13, 2025

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The 2025 Wimbledon Championships underscored a stark reality for high-profile athletes: the UK’s aggressive tax regime for non-residents is reshaping how they manage their wealth. With prize money surging to £3 million for singles champions—only to face a 43% tax bite—the pressure on athletes to optimize their financial strategies has never been higher. For investors and wealth managers, this environment presents both challenges and opportunities to design tax-efficient portfolios that align with the unique needs of global celebrities and athletes.

The New Tax Landscape: A Heavy Burden, a Steep Price

The UK’s taxation of non-residents on Wimbledon earnings is a masterclass in fiscal rigor. Singles champions, for instance, face a £1.3 million tax bill on their £3 million prize, with nearly the entire sum taxed at the 45% Additional Rate due to the absence of a personal allowance. Even first-round losers see over 40% of their £66,000 payout whisked away in taxes. Add sponsorship income and image rights tied to the tournament—also taxable—and the financial strain becomes clear.

The reveals a stark contrast: while the UK imposes a 45% rate on top earners, Monaco charges zero income tax for residents. This disparity explains why athletes like Jannik Sinner, based in Monaco, face minimal UK tax leakage, whereas others from high-tax jurisdictions like Poland or the U.S. endure double whammy deductions.

Beyond Prize Money: Sponsorships and Global Reporting

The UK’s reach extends beyond direct earnings. Sponsorship deals and global endorsement contracts tied to Wimbledon participation are now subject to scrutiny. For example, a player’s £10 million global endorsement deal might see a portion taxed in the UK if promotional activities occur during the tournament. Combined with stringent reporting requirements—non-residents must file annual tax returns—the burden of compliance adds another layer of complexity.

Tax-Efficient Strategies: Mitigating the Fiscal Headwinds

For wealth managers, the solution lies in a multi-pronged approach:

Jurisdictional Arbitrage:
Offshore residency in low-tax jurisdictions like Monaco or Singapore can dramatically reduce tax exposure. Athletes domiciled in these regions avoid the UK’s punitive rates, as seen in Jannik Sinner’s case.
Structuring Income Through Trusts and Entities:
Using trusts or offshore companies to hold sponsorship income can shield assets from aggressive UK taxation. For example, routing earnings through a Luxembourg-based entity might reduce the taxable footprint in the UK.
Deductions Optimization:
Maximizing allowable expenses—such as travel, coaching fees, and agent commissions—can lower taxable income. However, athletes must meticulously document these costs to avoid disputes.
Tax-Advantaged Investments:
Allocating capital to tax-efficient vehicles like real estate investment trusts (REITs) or dividend-paying stocks in tax-friendly regions can minimize liabilities. The highlights the growing demand for professional tax planning, a sector poised for expansion.

Investment Opportunities in the Tax Complexity Era

The rise in tax challenges for athletes creates niches for investors:

Tax Advisory Services: Firms specializing in cross-border tax planning (e.g., PwC’s Global Mobility Services) are likely to see sustained demand.
Offshore Financial Centers: The shows regions like the Cayman Islands or Jersey growing at 2-3% annually, driven by demand for wealth management solutions.
Real Estate in Tax-Friendly Jurisdictions: Properties in low-tax areas—such as Monaco’s luxury apartments or Singapore’s high-rise condos—could attract athletes seeking both residency and investment returns.

Conclusion: Balancing Prestige and Profit

While Wimbledon’s allure ensures athletes will continue competing there, the financial stakes demand proactive wealth management. Investors should focus on tax-efficient structures, jurisdictional optimization, and professional advisory services to help clients navigate this landscape. For athletes, the path to preserving wealth lies not just in winning titles but in mastering the tax codes that follow them across the globe.

In an era where tax regimes are as dynamic as the athletes themselves, the winners will be those who turn fiscal complexity into strategic advantage.