CLEVELAND, Ohio – More than 70 Cleveland State student-athletes participated in last weekend’s Cleveland State University Commencement ceremonies, highlighted by two Valedictorians in Chloe Amoroso and Jose Valdez-Saldana.
 

Amoroso, a member of a track & field team, earned a degree in mechanical engineering and was the 2025 Washkewicz College of Engineering Valedictorian.
 
Valdez-Saldana, a member of the esports team, was the 2025 Monte Ahuja College of Business Valedictorian after earning a degree in accounting.
 
In addition to the two Valedictorians, 43 Vikings graduated with honors, as 17 earned Summa Cum Laude (3.80+), 10 earned Magna Cum Laude (3.60+) and 16 earned Cum Laude (3.30+) honors.
 

Four of the graduates were members of the Jack, Joseph & Morton Mandel Honors College; Ariana Coats (XC/Track & Field), Filippa Frogner (Women’s Tennis), Maia Taylor-Casamayor (Women’s Fencing), and Tereze Vevere (Women’s Tennis), while 11 of this weekend’s honorees became two-time graduates of Cleveland State University.

A complete list of 2024-25 graduates can be found below:

Submitted by The Evergreen State College

The Evergreen State College had a strong first day at the 2025 Cascade Collegiate Conference Track and Field Championships presented by U.S. Bank on Friday, May 9 at Southern Oregon University. Alauna Carstens (Jr.) and Izabelle Trefts (Jr.) each won an event.

Carstens was victorious in the women’s 10,000-meter run with a time of 37:36.40. She won by just under 10 seconds over Damaris Kibiwot from Lewis-Clark State College, who placed second in 37:46.07. Molly Connor from College of Idaho was third at 38:09.13. Carstens, Kibiwot, and Connor battled for most of the race.

Trefts (Jr.) took first place in the women’s 5,000-meter race walk in 23:55.48. She also registered All-Conference honors. Second place went to Grace Wong from the University of British Columbia, who was timed at 27:12.08. Chantell Dass from UBC was third at 28:33.98.

The wins earned All-Conference honors for Carstens and Trefts. Both qualified for the 2025 NAIA Track and Field Championships in their respective events earlier this season.

Also on Friday, River Scheuerell (Sr.) of Evergreen placed third in the men’s 5,000-meter race walk with a time of 26:13.92. He was named All-Conference. His time is ranked 20th in the NAIA this year.

Max Baeder (So.) placed ninth in the men’s 10,000-meter run. He earned a time of 32:43.67, which ranks third on Evergreen’s all-time list.

In the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, Rowan Hicks (So.) represented Evergreen. He completed the race in 10:49.96.

Abigail Strickland (Sr.) of the Geoducks set a school record in the women’s hammer throw with a distance of 42.14 meters (138’ 3”). She won the first heat and placed 10th overall out of 22 athletes in the event.

Claire Ryan (So.) also competed in the women’s hammer throw. Her top effort covered 35.28 meters (115’ 9”). In the men’s hammer throw, Paul Stewart (So.) was marked at 38.27 meters (125’ 6”).

“So many congratulations to Abigail on the school record in the hammer and the rest of the family today in Ashland,” Evergreen Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Joel Pearson commented. “It was a great day to be a Geoduck! I was proud of Max for pouring his heart in the 10k with the third-best time in school history!

“I’m so thrilled for Alauna and Izabelle!” Pearson added. “Those two prepared amazingly well for the championships and seeing them perform well was just awesome!”

“It was so exciting watching these athletes compete today!” said Evergreen Assistant Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Katie Burnett. “For Alauna and Izabelle it was a great prep for nationals. For Abigail, it was incredible watching her finish her collegiate hammer career with a school record! Max ended the night well and I know this experience will help him and the others prepare for next season to be even stronger.”

Sackrider Takes Third Place in Discus at CCC Championships

Jalyn Sackrider (Sr.) from The Evergreen State College earned third place in the women’s discus throw as the 2025 Cascade Collegiate Conference Track and Field Championships presented by U.S. Bank concluded on Saturday, May 10 at Southern Oregon University. Also scoring for the Geoducks was Corona Parker (Sr.) with a sixth place finish in the women’s high jump.

Sackrider’s top mark of 40.82 meters (133′ 11″) broke the Evergreen school record. By placing third, Sackrider earned All-CCC honors. Earlier this year, Sackrider was named First Team All-CCC and Co-Defensive Player of the Year in women’s basketball.

On Saturday, she achieved her top throw in the second round of the finals. The toss surpassed her previous career-best of 39.09 meters (128′ 3″) and moved her into a medalist position in the standings. She was just .05 meter (2″) out of second place.

Aurora Parsons of Oregon Tech won the women’s discus with a toss of 42.42 meters (139′ 2″). Kaylee Wuest from College of Idaho was second at 40.87 meters (134′ 1″).

“It was a great second day at conference,” Evergreen Assistant Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Katie Burnett commented. “Jalyn ended her collegiate season with a stellar showing, hitting a school record and earning All-Conference!”

Parker cleared 1.63 meters (5′ 4.25″) in the women’s high jump to match two other competitors in a tie for fourth place. She took sixth place on jumps. The top three finishers also cleared an identical height, as each was successful at 1.69 meters (5′ 6.50″). Kayla Morgan from Corban University earned first place on jumps.

Three other Geoducks also competed during the second day of the CCC Championships.

Abigail Strickland (Sr.) was timed at 1:10.96 in the women’s 400-meter hurdles as she took 10th place. She set a new personal record in the event.

Izabelle Trefts (Jr.) participated in the women’s 5,000-meter run and registered a time of 19:40.87. Trefts won the women’s 5,000-meter race walk on Friday.

Max Baeder (So.), who competed in the men’s 10,000-meter run on Friday, followed up by racing in the men’s 5,000-meter run on Saturday. His time in the 5,000 was 16:16.08.

“I’m incredibly excited about today!” said Evergreen Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Joel Pearson. “Corona had an excellent start to the day with a sixth place finish. Jalyn breaking 40 meters and destroying the school record by over a meter was so exciting to watch! Abigail continued to have a very successful meet with a season best in the 400 hurdles.”

The Geoducks tied for eighth place in the women’s team standings. University of British Columbia won the women’s team title. The Geoducks were 11th in the men’s team standings. Eastern Oregon University earned the men’s team championship.

Evergreen will conclude the season at the 2025 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The meet will be held in Marion, Indiana, on May 21-23.
 
Geoduck Performances at CCC Championships
Women’s 400-meter hurdles:  Abigail Strickland,1:10.96 (Season Best)
Women’s 5,000-meter race walk:  Izabelle Trefts, 23:55.48 (1st place, All-CCC)
Women’s 5,000-meter run: Izabelle Trefts, 19:40.87
Women’s 10,000-meter run:  Alauna Carstens, 37:36.40 (1st place, All-CCC)
Women’s Discus:  Jalyn Sackrider, 40.82m (133′ 11″; 3rd place, All-CCC, School Record)
Women’s Hammer:  Abigail Strickland, 42.14m (138′ 3″; School Record)
Women’s Hammer:  Claire Ryan, 35.28m (115′ 9″)
Women’s High Jump:  Corona Parker, 1.63m (5′ 4.25″; 6th place)
Men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase:  Rowan Hicks, 10:49.96
Men’s 5,000-meter race walk:  River Scheuerell, 16:13.92 (3rd place, All-CCC)
Men’s 5,000-meter run:  Max Baeder, 16:16.08
Men’s 10,000-meter run:  Max Baeder, 32:43.67 (3rd All-Time for TESC)
Men’s Hammer:  Paul Stewart, 38.27m (125′ 6″)

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2. Rocky road, part 1

3. Rocky road, part 2

4. Can Belleville East break through?

5. Back to the future

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Highlighted by a school-record 11 programs within the top-10 percent nationally, North Florida Athletics exemplified its academic excellence with the announcement of its 2023-24 APR numbers, announced by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). 

Men’s basketball, men’s golf, men’s tennis, softball, women’s cross country, women’s golf, women’s beach volleyball, women’s soccer, women’s swimming, women’s tennis and volleyball were listed within the top-10 percent mark in the nation. 

10 North Florida programs notched a perfect 1,000 score on the multi-year rate and 14 were perfect in their single-year scores.

The NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate (APR) is based on data submitted by the institution for the 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic years. The rate also incorporates data from graduation rates, eligibility and retention of student-athletes.

WHAT IS THE APR?

The APR system includes rewards for superior academic performance and penalties for teams that do not achieve certain academic benchmarks. Data collection occurs annually, and results are announced in the spring (from the APR).

North Florida Athletics APR Multi-Year Report Numbers

Men’s Teams

Baseball | 989

Men’s Basketball | 994

Men’s Cross Country | 992

Men’s Golf | 1,000

Men’s Soccer | 981

Men’s Tennis | 1,000

Men’s Track and Field | 990

Women’s Teams

Women’s Basketball | 988

Women’s Cross Country | 1,000

Women’s Golf | 1,000

Softball | 1,000

Women’s Soccer | 1,000

Beach Volleyball | 1,000

Swimming | 1,000

Women’s Tennis | 1,000

Women’s Track and Field | 995

Volleyball | 1,000

North Florida Athletics APR Single-Year Report Numbers | 2023-24

Men’s Teams

Baseball | 981

Men’s Basketball | 1,000

Men’s Cross Country | 1,000

Men’s Golf | 1,000

Men’s Soccer | 1,000

Men’s Tennis | 1,000

Men’s Track and Field | 989

Women’s Teams

Women’s Basketball | 974

Women’s Cross Country | 1,000

Women’s Golf | 1,000

Softball | 1,000

Women’s Soccer | 1,000

Beach Volleyball | 1,000

Swimming | 1,000

Women’s Tennis | 1,000

Women’s Track and Field | 1,000

Volleyball | 1,000

Amanda Chambers didn’t know exactly where her water polo journey would take her when she arrived at San Diego State in 2021. But now, four seasons, three Golden Coast Conference All-Academic Team awards, and countless early morning practices later, she leaves the Aztecs with more than just stats and accolades—she leaves with resilience, growth, and a legacy of leadership.

“I think what I’m most proud of is sticking with it when it got really difficult,” Chambers said. “I know coming from a player who didn’t get a lot of minutes their freshman or really sophomore year, having the ability to find enjoyment in different parts of being a part of a team and being in a collegiate environment, and using that to better myself as an athlete going into my upperclassmen years.”

That persistence paid off. Chambers appeared in 55 games during her junior and senior seasons, recording career highs in goals, assists, and steals. She finished her career totaling 42 goals, 12 being in 2025, 33 assists, and 75 points in her 98 games played.

The transition to SDSU from her home country of Canada wasn’t entirely foreign. She had already trained in San Diego and played in California tournaments before college. 

“Luckily for me, I’d been to California quite a few times, just as close by, and I’ve done some training in San Diego,” she said. “So I know for me, I didn’t have that culture shock that I know a lot of international athletes get.”

Still, adapting to a new level of play came with its own challenges.

“It’s a lot more aggressive in Canada. For me, it was learning the reffing, being a lot softer, and having to let go of a lot of those aggressive tendencies so that I’d stop getting so many kick-outs.”

Off the pool deck, Chambers found her rhythm on campus in quiet corners of the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union. 

“My favorite spot to study was always the second or third floor student union. I’ve spent a lot of time here over my last four years,” she said. 

Her favorite off-campus escape? The Pacific Beach boardwalk and Torrey Pines trails, where she and teammate Rose Kanemy spent countless afternoons walking and exploring.

One thing she missed from home? 

“I’m from Vancouver Island, and it’s not a city, and I miss the lack of traffic and the two-lane highways. One thing I will miss about San Diego, however, is how many new things there are to do, places to eat at.”

As a psychology major, Chambers found herself constantly connecting the dots between her academic and athletic lives. 

“With my major, I have flip-flopped a lot with what I want to do with it. I wanted to go and do my master’s in Ph.D in clinical psychology for a long time, and I was originally going to apply that to sports psychology, and then I recently decided that I want to be in more of an applied environment, so I’ve decided to go back and get my teaching degree so I can be a school psychologist.”

Her time as a student-athlete shaped that decision. 

“I think that playing sports here has really helped with that, because I’ve decided that, along with being a counselor, I want to teach physical education as well.”

The academic recognition she’s received over her career isn’t lost on her. 

“I didn’t know about the all-academic awards until I think last year, that was awesome. I got to see three years of them. They are important to me. My academics have always been really important. It’s nice to have that acknowledgement.”

Balancing athletics and academics wasn’t easy, but it helped her develop structure.

“I take my school really seriously. And I think having athletics has actually helped me balance it, because the more I have to do I find, the easier I find organizing everything.”

“Our practices are always in the beginning of the day, so I think it’s created a good habit of my day starting as soon as I wake up. So I think it’s made me less lazy.”

Looking ahead, Chambers is excited for what’s next—and to discover who she is beyond water polo. 

“I am excited to figure out who I am without water polo,” she said. I think it’ll be really interesting to focus on building a career instead of just building my athletic capacity.”

She doesn’t rule out returning to the sport someday: “We have a little league on Vancouver Island. It’s not much. So I could see myself eventually, maybe playing for a Master’s team in Canada, but if so, that would be in a while.”

Chambers also takes pride in the cultural growth of the SDSU program.

 “I would say since I first got here, the culture is a lot more optimistic,” she said. “Especially with a very sudden change in like coaching staff… every single year, I’ve seen people buy into the culture more and work harder as a collective.”

She credits head coach Dana Ochsner for guiding that evolution: “Dana has done a great job building that culture, and I’ve felt supported by her.”

When asked to pinpoint a turning point in her career, Chambers didn’t hesitate. 

“My junior year, I really felt the shift then, where I felt like a more pivotal member of the team, and I started trusting myself more… that was around February of junior year, when we went to New York.”

Finishing her collegiate career alongside fellow senior and roommate Rose Kanemy has made the experience all the more meaningful. 

“We’ve been talking a lot about it. We’re roommates. We’re very close… It’s been really special for us to form that relationship.”

Their bond extends beyond the pool. 

“We get breakfast a lot together, we go on walks, we kind of spend all our time together. So that’s going to be a big transition for us going back to not having conjoined lives.”

Chambers hopes she and her class leave behind more than numbers. 

“One of the things that we’re really hoping that both of us, specifically, but also our class and seniors, are remembered for is the community and culture that we have tried to develop on the team.”

That culture shift, she said, was intentional. 

“When we came in, there was still a lot of separation between each class. It was the freshmen who had to do all the dirty work and stuff like that. And after our freshman year, we decided that that’s not how we could get teams to function.”

“Now this year, I mean, I don’t think that you could look at our team and tell us for the under and upper classmen for that class, and that’s something that we’re really proud of.”

Amanda Chambers arrived in San Diego as a quiet, gritty attacker from Vancouver Island. She leaves it a leader, a mentor, and an advocate for balance, ready to shape young minds and perhaps, one day, return to the pool. But this time, by her own design.