Sports

Home advantage as Team Singapore looks to rule the pool at World Aquatics Championships

Published

5 months ago

July 4, 2025

MORE than 2,500 athletes from over 180 countries have registered to take part in this month’s World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.

Many of the world’s top swimmers are expected to be in town, including the likes of two-time Olympic gold medallist Strahinja Rasovic from Serbia, American Olympic silver medal winner Claire Weinstein and Scotland’s most decorated Olympian Duncan Scott.

The WCH, as the competition is called, is the sport’s flagship international meet and is being held in South-east Asia for the first time. It runs from Jul 11 to Aug 3 and there are six aquatic sports: swimming, artistic swimming, water polo, diving, high diving, and open water swimming.

Singapore will be represented by its largest-ever contingent at the WCH with 72 athletes – of which nearly half (32) are making their debut – in all the disciplines except for high diving. At the 2023 championships in Fukuoka, Singapore fielded 27 athletes in four disciplines.

The line-up this year includes 16 swimmers, 10 divers, nine artistic swimmers, eight open water swimmers, as well as the men’s and women’s water polo squads.

Swimming and artistic swimming events will take place at the new 4,800-seater WCH Arena, which was built earlier this year on a former open-air car park next to the Leisure Park Kallang mall, a short walk from the National Stadium.

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The other two competition venues are the OCBC Aquatics Centre, where diving and water polo will take place; and Palawan Green in Sentosa, where spectators can catch the open water and high diving events.

A view of the new WCH Arena, one of three venues for the upcoming World Aquatics Championships in Singapore PHOTO: REUTERS

‘Purpose and pride’

Distance swimmer Gan Ching Hwee said that nothing can beat the feeling of competing for one’s country in front of a packed home crowd.

“I’ve had the privilege of representing Singapore at major events like the Olympics, but standing on the blocks in front of a home crowd is something I’ve dreamed about for a long time,” noted Gan, who turns 22 later this month.

She finished ninth in the 1,500-metre freestyle at last year’s Paris Olympics, setting a national record for that event as well as the 800-metre freestyle.

“It gives you an extra sense of purpose and pride. This is a milestone not just for us as athletes, but for Singapore sport, and I hope our performances will inspire more young Singaporeans to believe in themselves and chase their goals,” she added.

Lee Kai Yang, the captain of the men’s water polo team that is making its first appearance at the WCH, said he is ready to go full throttle and show what the team can do on the world stage.

The 29-year-old is a goalkeeper who has already helped Singapore win several medals, including gold at the Southeast Asian Games in 2015, 2017 and 2023.

“Many of us have grown up competing at the regional level, and now we finally get the chance to represent Singapore on the world stage,” he explained. “We know we will be up against some of the best in the world, but we are ready to step up, give everything we have got, and show what Singapore water polo is capable of.”

While it is a first outing for the men’s team at the WCH, the women’s water polo team is competing at the global meet for the second time, having made their debut in Doha last year.

Some of the other members of Team Singapore to watch out for in the pool are Teong Tzen Wei, who was a silver medallist at the last Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2023.

The 27-year-old also claimed a silver at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 in the 50-metre butterfly, becoming just the third Singaporean to win a swimming medal in that quadrennial event.

Over in diving, among those to keep an eye on are synchronised springboard divers Max Lee and Ayden Ng, winners of the Sportsboy Team of the Year (event) at last year’s Singapore Sports Awards.

In artistic swimming, Debbie Soh leads a nine-member team that includes Yvette Chong and Kiera Lee. The trio recently secured a bronze medal in the overall duet category of the 2025 World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup Series, which was Singapore’s first ever medal in the circuit.

Singapore Aquatics president Kenneth Goh said the fact that so many of the Republic’s athletes are making their WCH debut “speaks volumes about the depth of talent” today.

He added: “We have established ourselves as a powerhouse in aquatics in the region, consistently competing against the best in Asia. But to become the best in the world, we must challenge ourselves against the very best, and we will not shy away from that.”

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Ohio Volleyball Places Seven Athletes on 2025 Academic All-MAC Team

Published

1 hour ago

December 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

CLEVELAND – The Ohio volleyball team placed seven athletes on the 2025 Volleyball All-Mid-American Conference Team, as announced by the league on Monday, Dec. 15.

Eastern Michigan, Miami, and Western Michigan led the league with eight student-athletes honored. Ball State, Buffalo, Central Michigan, and Ohio followed behind with seven honorees each.

The Academic All-MAC honor is awarded to a student-athlete who has excelled in both athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.20 and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests in that sport.

2025 Volleyball Academic All-MAC Team
Caroline Curran, Junior, Engineering Tech & MGMT (3.852)
Sierra Evans, Sophomore, Journalism News and Info. (3.457)
Olivia Gardner, Junior, Exercise Physiology (3.660)
Lexi Grissett, Sophomore, Marketing (4.000)
Kendall Hickey, Junior, Communication Studies (3.396)
Bryn Janke, Sophomore, Accounting & Finance (3.895)
Darbi Ricketts, Sophomore, Exercise Physiology – Strength & Conditioning (3.384)

#OUohyeah

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Owls Dominate Cross Country Regional Honors

Published

1 hour ago

December 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. – The Southern Connecticut State Univeristy cross country teams dominated the East Region year-end awards, selected by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

The Northeast 10 champions, Jonathan Volpe and Courtney Henchcliffe, each were named region Athletes of the Year. Both also won the East Region and advanced with their teams to the NCAA Championships.

Coaches John Wallin and Melissa Stoll were each named East Region Coach of the Year. Brian Nill is the SCSU lead assistant for cross country.

The Owls dominated this fall, with the men becoming the first program in NE10 history to claim four consecutive NE10 championships. The women repeated as conference champs for the second time in three seasons, winning the school’s first title in 2023. Volpe’s individual crown was his second league title.

ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 10 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.

Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.

Fans can subscribe via this link to follow NE10 NOW on FloSports this season. The partnership between the NE10 and FloSports works to provide funds back to the athletic departments of the Northeast-10 Conference in support of student-athletes while promoting the league on a national platform.

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Five Golden Flashes Named to Volleyball Academic All-MAC Team

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1 hour ago

December 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

CLEVELAND — The Kent State volleyball program had five student-athletes earn Academic All-MAC honors, as the Mid-American Conference recognized a total of 78 student-athletes for their accomplishments this past season.

The Academic All-MAC honor is awarded to a student-athlete who has excelled in both athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.20 and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests that season.

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For complete coverage of Kent State Volleyball, download the official Kent State Golden Flashes app (iOS, Android) and follow the Golden Flashes on social media on X, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates.

2025 Volleyball Academic All-MAC Team (Kent State honorees)

Greta Bolognini, Senior, Business Management

Hailey Brenner, Sophomore, Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology

Lesley Furuta, Sophomore, General Business

Mackenzie McGuire, Senior, Exercise Science

Nadia Miller, Sophomore, Exercise Science

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Track & Field 2026 Home Meet Tickets on Sale Now

Published

2 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

HOUSTON – Single meet tickets for Houston Track & Field’s 2026 home meets are on sale now, the Houston Athletics ticket office announced Monday. Tickets are available for purchase by clicking here.
Track & Field Home Schedule

General admission and expanded seating options, including a new premium section located near the finish line to provide an upgraded view of the action, will be available for all six home meets.

Fans have two ticket options for each meet. Daily tickets are priced at $15 for non-premium general admission. Those wanting to be closer to the action can purchase premium seating for $25, located near the finish line with chairbacks included.

Group tickets will also be

available to purchase. For more information, please call the Houston Athletics Ticket Office at 713-462-6647 or via email at tickets@central.uh.edu.

2026 HOME REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
Jan. 10: Leonard Hilton Memorial Invitational
Jan. 30-31: Robert Platt Invitational
Feb. 13: Howie Ryan Invitational
March 19: Kirk Baptiste Invitational
April 17-18: Tom Tellez Alumni Invitational
April 29: Cameron Burrell Invitational

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Track and Field by providing NIL opportunities, purchasing tickets and by joining the Podium Club, which provides support directly to Houston Track and Field for needs beyond its operating budget.

STAY CONNECTED

Fans can receive updates on #HTownSpeedCity by following @UHCougarTF on X and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team’s Facebook page at UHCougarTF or on the team’s Instagram page at @uhcougartf.

– UHCougars.com –

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Men’s Volleyball Picked Sixth In MIVA Preseason Poll

Published

2 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association has announced the 2026 preseason poll this morning with Lindenwood coming in at number six with 33 votes. The Lions were picked to finish ahead of Purdue Fort Wayne (24 votes), Northern Kentucky (19 votes), and Queens (16 votes).

Loyola Chicago was picked to win the conference as they received 73 votes (five first place votes) and right behind them is Ohio State with 68 votes (two first place votes). Rounding out the top five was Ball State (63 votes), Lewis (57 votes), and McKendree (52 votes). There were 12 players named to the 2026 Preseason All-MIVA Team with Patrick Rogers from Ball State being named the 2026 Preseason MIVA Player of the Year.

Lindenwood opens the season on January 9th at Long Beach State at 9 p.m. CT and MIVA play will start on February 4 at 7 p.m. in Hyland Arena against Loyola Chicago.

2026 Preseason Poll

1. Loyola Chicago – 73 (5)

2. Ohio State – 68 (2)

3. Ball State – 63 (1)

4. Lewis – 57 (1)

5. McKendree – 52

6. Lindenwood – 33

7. Purdue Fort Wayne – 24

8. Northern Kentucky – 19

9. Queens – 16

2026 Preseason All-MIVA Team (alphabetical by team)

Lucas Machado – Ball State

*Patrick Rogers – Ball State

Oguzhan Oguz – Lewis

Nico Paula – Lewis

Ryan McElligott – Loyola Chicago

Daniel Fabikovic – Loyola Chicago

Aleksander Sosa – Loyola Chicago

Yadiel Diaz – McKendree

Nate Flayter – McKendree

Stanislaw Chacinski – Ohio State

Shane Wetzel – Ohio State

Logan Muir – Purdue Fort Wayne

*Preseason Player of the Year

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Logan Muir Selected to Preseason All-MIVA Team

Published

2 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Purdue Fort Wayne men’s volleyball’s Logan Muir was selected for the Preseason All-MIVA Team, the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association announced on Monday (Dec. 15).

Muir was named to the 2025 All-MIVA Second Team following last season.

The Junior led the Mastodons in points (464.5), kills (391) and service aces (41) last year. He was second in the MIVA in kills per set (4.39), aces per set (0.41) and points per set (5.19) during conference play. Muir’s 5.09 points per set ranked fifth in the nation. The California native also was 10th in the MIVA in hitting percentage with .299. Muir recorded double-digit kills in 19 of the ‘Dons’ 26 matches. He hit a career-high 23 kills in three sets at McKendree, the third most in the program’s rally scoring era.

Purdue Fort Wayne finished seventh in the MIVA last season, finishing with a 4-12 conference record.

Muir and the Mastodons open the season on the Arnie Ball Court against Missouri S&T on January 10.