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House lawmakers hold heated hearing over transgender participation in women's sports

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House lawmakers hold heated hearing over transgender participation in women's sports

(TNND) — House lawmakers took part Wednesday in a heated hearing on transgender participation in women’s sports.

Two female athletes, including a young woman who made headlines recently by taking a knee against a transgender competitor in a fencing bout, called for greater protections of biological females in sports.

And Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the chair of the hearing’s subcommittee, verbally sparred with her Democratic colleagues who questioned the purpose of the hearing.

Subcommittee ranking member Rep. Melanie Stansbury, a Democrat from New Mexico, even made a failed motion to adjourn the hearing before witnesses could speak.

The hearing, titled “Unfair Play: Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” was held by the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, part of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Stansbury said in her opening comments that the hearing “literally has nothing to do” with government efficiency, the aim of that particular subcommittee, and called for the quick adjournment.

The members voted and denied the adjournment by a narrow margin, so the hearing continued.

“I do want to say welcome to our guests and to your families,” Stansbury said. “We do appreciate all of you coming here to tell your stories. But I want to make clear that this hearing is actually not about oversight or DOGE but about spreading hate and using trans lives to distract from the real issues that Americans are facing, from attacks on our economy to attacks on our democracy to attacks on our communities.”

Four witnesses were called to testify.

Stephanie Turner is a female fencer who took a knee to protest competing against a transgender athlete.

Damien Lehfeldt is the chair of USA Fencing, the sport’s national governing body that supports over 700 affiliated clubs and 45,000 members.

Payton McNabb is a former high school volleyball player who was seriously hurt when a transgender athlete spiked a ball that hit her in the head.

Fatima Goss Graves is the CEO of the National Women’s Law Center.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order in early February aimed at barring transgender female athletes from competing in women’s or girls’ sports.

Greene said in her opening remarks that she looked “forward to fighting and winning the battle to keep men out of women’s sports, alongside President Trump and brave women like Stephanie and Payton who are here today.”

The Georgia Republican cited a New York Times/Ipsos survey from January that found 79% of Americans don’t support transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.

“Female athletes should never be forced to compete against mentally ill biological men who parade around in women’s clothes,” Greene said. “But we’ll hear from witnesses today who had to face off against biological male competitors. This led one to suffer a life-altering physical injury from a volleyball spike to her head. The other was thrown out of a recent fencing competition for refusing to compete against a man. Why is this happening when we have federal laws on the books intended to foster women’s sports?”

Turner said USA Fencing has over 200 self-declared members who identify as transgender.

“Each time a man competes in the women’s category with USA Fencing’s support, it removes fair sport and takes opportunities from women,” Turner told lawmakers.

She said biological males have an advantage with speed and power in the combat sport.

“That knee I took in protest was a cry for help and an act of desperation,” Turner said, telling lawmakers that it took her a long time to work up the courage to speak out about the perceived wrongs being committed against female fencers.

Turner said she felt “betrayed” and “unwelcome” by USA Fencing.

Lehfeldt, the chair of USA Fencing, told lawmakers that gender participation is a complex topic.

But, he said, “Considerations of safety and fairness are paramount.”

Lehfeldt said USA Fencing is governed by the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, which he said forbids organizations like his from adopting eligibility criteria that are stricter than the sport’s international federation.

The International Fencing Federation doesn’t ban transgender participation, he said.

And the consensus among national governing bodies, including USA Fencing, is that a transgender ban could violate the Ted Stevens Act, he said.

He said USA Fencing is prepared to change participation requirements if the law, research or international consensus changes.

But, he said, “Ultimately, fencing is a sport of strategy and technique.”

And Lehfeldt said it’s his belief that transgender competitors don’t have an inherent advantage over female competitors.

Cisgender women have beaten transgender women in 55% of bouts USA Fencing has data for, he said.

McNabb, the former volleyball player, told lawmakers that she’s now an advocate for biological female athletes after her sports-playing days were cut short.

“I’ve decided to turn my pain into purpose,” she said.

McNabb said she was knocked unconscious and suffered a brain injury when she was struck by a volleyball that was spiked by a transgender opponent.

McNabb said she’s calling for more state-level laws defining what constitutes a female athlete and protecting biological female athletes.

Goss Graves told lawmakers that transgender bans are discriminatory and, in her view, they hurt all women.

Goss Graves said there are other inequities in female athletics that are being ignored after the Trump administration laid off federal Education Department staff.

“As an expert in women’s rights in sports and in society, I want to be clear here: Transgender women do not pose a threat to women’s sports. Transgender women belong in sports,” Goss Graves said.

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12 RedHawks Recognized as Academic All-MAC

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January 9, 2026

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CLEVELAND— The Mid-American Conference announced its Academic All-MAC honorees for the 2025 cross country season today. 12 RedHawks (eight men and four women) were recognized:
 
Nick Dunn, Sophomore, Nursing
Ben Fahnestock, Sophomore, Kinesiology
Tom Heal, Senior, Biology/Premedical & Pre-Health Studies
Anton Martinez, Senior, Data Science and Statistics
Weston Naville, Senior, Healthcare Sales/Kinesiology
Chris Perkins, Junior, Chemical Engineering
Josh Razor, Junior, Engineering Management
Patrick Wills, Senior, Political Science
Linda Conchetto, Sophomore, Chemical Engineering
Cara Naas, Sophomore, Nursing
Cara Razavi, Junior, Biology/Premedical & Pre-Health Studies
Nora Zubillaga, Senior, Biochemistry
 
To qualify for the Academic All-MAC Team, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests scheduled or completed in the particular sport. First-year students and any transfer in their first year of residence are not eligible for the award.
 
The complete list of honorees is available here.
 



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ESPN presents LOVB’s 2026 professional volleyball season

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January 9, 2026

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ESPN and League One Volleyball (LOVB), the largest brand in youth volleyball, have announced their distribution schedule for LOVB’s 2026 women’s volleyball season. ESPN will present 28 matches across ESPN platforms beginning Sunday, Jan. 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET with LOVB Atlanta vs. LOVB Austin on ESPN2, building on a historic year for women’s volleyball across ESPN platforms in which the 2025 NCAA Tournament and regular season delivered record viewership and year-over-year growth.

The ESPN season opener from H-E-B Center at Cedar Park in Austin, Texas, features last year’s No. 1 regular-season team, LOVB Atlanta, as it seeks revenge in its first match since falling to eventual champions LOVB Austin in last season’s semifinals. Atlanta, led by hometown hero Tia Jamerson, faces Madisen Skinner and a LOVB Austin squad featuring eight former Longhorns.

The opening weekend also features LOVB Nebraska hosting LOVB Houston at 4 p.m. on ESPN+, spotlighting hometown favorite Lexi Rodriguez as she steps into a featured role for Nebraska with two-time Olympic medalist Jessica Wong-Orantes taking the season off. Nebraska faces a Houston squad led by Madi Kingdon Rishel, known for its high-energy style and strong social presence across platforms.

Kevin Barnett and Salina Rockwell will call LOVB Atlanta vs. LOVB Austin and Rich Burk and Kevin Wong will provide commentary for LOVB Houston vs. LOVB Nebraska.

All of ESPN. All in One Place.
ESPN offers its full suite of networks and services directly to fans on the ESPN App, providing more choice, flexibility and access to all of ESPN, including more than 47,000 live events per year, on-demand replays, industry-leading studio shows and original programming, and more. The ESPN App gives fans a unique viewing experience that includes multiview and synchronized two-screen viewing options, swipe-able vertical video and a personalized SportsCenter For You, as well as integrated game stats, ESPN Fantasy sports, betting odds and information from DraftKings, sports merchandise, and more. These features are available to all fans who watch on the ESPN App on mobile and connected TV devices, whether they subscribe directly or through a pay TV package. Bundling options available for fans include a limited time offer for the ESPN DTC Unlimited plan with Disney+ and Hulu for $29.99/month for the first 12 months. For more visit stream.espn.com. 

2026 League One Volleyball (LOVB) on ESPN Platforms:

Day Times (ET) Network Away Host Market
Sun, Jan 11 4:00 p.m. ESPN+ Houston at Nebraska Omaha
Sun, Jan 11 7:30 p.m. ESPN2 Atlanta at Austin Austin
Sun, Jan 18 6:00 p.m. ESPN+ Atlanta at Nebraska Omaha
Thu, Jan 22 8:00 p.m. ESPN+ Houston at Salt Lake City Salt Lake
Sun, Jan 25 7:00 p.m. ESPN2 Nebraska at Atlanta Atlanta
Thu, Jan 29 9:00 p.m. ESPN+ Austin at Salt Lake City Salt Lake
Fri, Jan 30 8:00 p.m. ESPN+ Madison at Nebraska Omaha
Sun, Feb 1 4:00 p.m. ESPN+ Austin at Nebraska Omaha
Sun, Feb 1 6:30 p.m. ESPN2 Madison at Houston Houston
Thu, Feb 5 8:00 p.m. ESPN+ Salt Lake City at Madison Madison
Sat, Feb 7 2:00 p.m. ESPN+ Atlanta at Madison Madison
Fri, Feb 13 TBD ESPN+ LOVB Classic Kansas City
Sat. Feb 14 TBD ESPN+ LOVB Classic Kansas City
Sun, Feb 15 TBD ESPN+ LOVB Classic Kansas City
Thu, Feb 19 8:00 p.m. ESPN+ Atlanta at Houston Houston
Fri, Feb 20 8:00 p.m. ESPN+ Madison at Austin Austin
Sun, Feb 22 6:00 p.m. ESPN+ Madison at Nebraska Omaha
Sun, Mar 1 3:00 p.m. ESPN+ Salt Lake City at Atlanta Atlanta
Thu, Mar 5 9:00 p.m. ESPN+ Atlanta at Salt Lake City Salt Lake
Fri, Mar 6 8:00 p.m. ESPN+ Houston at Austin Austin
Thu, Mar 12 8:00 p.m. ESPN+ Nebraska at Madison Madison
Sun, Mar 15 3:00 p.m. ESPN+ Austin at Madison Madison
Fri, Mar 20 8:00 p.m. ESPN+ Nebraska at Austin Austin
Thu, Mar 26 8:00 p.m. ESPN+ Madison at Austin Austin
Sat, Mar 28 TBD ESPN+ Madison at Atlanta Atlanta
Thu, Apr 2 8:00 p.m. ESPN+ Salt Lake City at Austin Austin
Sat, Apr 4 TBD ESPN+ Houston at Atlanta Atlanta
Sat, Apr 11 TBD ESPN2 LOVB Finals Louisville

-30-

Media Contact:
Beatrix.Panitz@espn.com
Garrett.Cowan@espn.com



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Track & Field Opens Indoor Season Saturday at Leonard Hilton Memorial Invitational

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January 9, 2026

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HOUSTON – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) track & field teams will open their indoor seasons Saturday at the Leonard Hilton Memorial Invitational hosted by Houston at the Yeoman Fieldhouse. 
 

Competition begins with field events at 10 a.m. Running events will start at 1:30 p.m. Participating teams include the Vaqueros and hosting Cougars, Southland Conference (SLC) foes Lamar and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Texas, Rice (men only), Prairie View A&M, Sam Houston State, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Huston-Tillotson, Jacksonville College, St. Thomas (TX), and Texas Southern. 
 
The Vaqueros are familiar with Yeoman Fieldhouse and have had success at the facility. UTRGV’s sprinters will be competing en masse to show where they are early in the season and try to earn their way onto a relay. UTRGV will see 12 student-athletes make their Vaqueros debuts at the meet. 
 
Returners to watch include Efe Latham, Nayla Harris, Jizzale Davis, Aaron Cooper, Keamonie Archie, Corin Burns and Richard Young. Harris and Davis were UTRGV’s top women’s sprinters in 2025 and come into the new season with high expectations. Cooper and Archie headline the talented men’s jumps squad. Burns and Young shined in the men’s sprints last season and are sure to continue stacking up record book marks in 2026. 
 
Meet Schedule 
Field Events 
Women’s weight throw, 10 a.m. 
Efe Latham 
 
Women’s shot put, following weight throw competition 
Efe Latham
 
Men’s shot put, following women’s 
Antoine Walker
 
Men’s high jump, 11 a.m. 
Zaire Cunningham
Paul Agba
 
Women’s long jump, 1:30 p.m. 
Saniyah Richardson 
Nayla Harris 
 
Men’s long jump, 1:30 p.m. 
Keamonie Archie 
 
Women’s triple jump, following long jump
La’Zariah Bethany 
Avianna Miller 
 
Men’s triple jump, following long jump 
Aaron Cooper 
Hebrew Hunter 
 
Running Events 
Women’s 60-meter dash semifinal, 1:30 p.m. 
Aliyah Castillo
Nayla Harris 
Jizzale Davis 
Aniya Heckstall 
Treasure Vallerie 
Kaliyah Poston 
Ashley Lingueno 
 
Men’s 60-meter dash semifinal, 1:50 p.m. 
Richard Young 
Derrick Hahn 
Alejandro Arellano 
Corin Burns 
Gael Romo 
Keamonie Archie 
 
Men’s 600-yard run, 2:25 p.m. 
Derrius Henry 
 
Men’s 60-meter hurdles semifinal, 2:35 p.m. 
Daniel Siaffa 
Jaylen Critton 
Jefferson Jean 
Braydn Gilliam
 
Women’s 60-meter hurdles semifinal, 2:50 p.m. 
Dior Williams 
Madisyn Jackson 
Ashley Lingueno 
Talyna Ligier
Trezur Connley 
 
Women’s mile, 3:05 p.m. 
Lilliana Guerrero 
N Vanee Anchike
Faith Cruz 
Kailey Salazar 
 
Men’s mile, 3:20 p.m. 
Adrianno Gonzalez 
Abraham Morales 
Nirmit Dahiya
 
Women’s 400-meter dash, 3:35 p.m. 
Madisyn Jackson 
Talyna Ligier 
 
Men’s 400-meter dash, 3:50 p.m. 
Jaylen Critton 
Daniel Siaffa 
Sam Johnson II 
 
Women’s 60-meter hurdles final, 4:10 p.m. 
TBD 
 
Men’s 60-meter hurdles final, 4:15 p.m. 
TBD 
 
Women’s 60-meter dash final, 4:20 p.m. 
TBD 
 
Men’s 60-meter dash final, 4:25 p.m. 
TBD 
 
Women’s 1,000-meter run, 4:30 p.m. 
N Vanee Anchike 
 
Men’s 800-meter run, 4:50 p.m. 
Diego Pina 
 
Women’s 200-meter dash, 5 p.m. 
Trezur Connley 
Madisyn Jackson 
Dior Williams 
Talyna Ligier 
Aliyah Castillo 
Saniyah Richardson 
Treasure Vallerie 
Kaliyah Poston
Aniyah Heckstall 
Jizzale Davis 
 
Men’s 200-meter dash, 5:25 p.m. 
Braydn Gilliam
Jefferson Jean 
Jaylen Critton 
Daniel Siaffa 
Derrick Hahn 
Gael Romo 
Alejandro Arellano 
Corin Burns 
Richard Young 
 
Women’s 3,000-meter run, 6 p.m. 
Faith Cruz 
 



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Four from Lion Volleyball named to SLC Volleyball All-Academic team

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28 minutes ago

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January 9, 2026

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FRISCO – The East Texas A&M University volleyball team had four volleyball players named to the Southland Conference Volleyball All-Academic Team on Friday morning.
 
Gracie Campbell (Klein Oak), Rendi Fetty (Farmersville), Haley Mullaney (Victory Christian Academy), and Jade Washington (Waco – Midway) are the four honorees for the Lions.
 
To be eligible for the Southland All-Academic team, each nominee must have a minimum 3.25 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale); completed at least ONE full semester at the nominating institution during the season in which the nomination occurs; and participated in at least 50 percent of the team’s meets in the position listed on this form during the most recently completed season.
 
Campbell was named to first team All-Southland last season, while also earning College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team honors. She is also a Dean’s List scholar and has been named to the Southland Commissioner’s Honor Roll throughout her career. Campbell is a business administration major.
 
Fetty appeared in 26 matches last season and has also been named to the Dean’s List. She is a communication studies major.
 

Mullaney was also named to the CSC Academic All-District team and serves as the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee at East Texas A&M. She appeared in all 28 matches last season and is a Dean’s List Scholar and was named to the SLC Commissioner’s Honor Roll. Mullaney is an early childhood education major.
 
Washington was named to first team All-Southland following her freshman season, appearing in 28 games. She is a Dean’s List recipient and is a psychology major.
 
2025 SOUTHLAND VOLLEYBALL ALL-ACADEMIC TEAMS
STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Isabella Costantini, UTRGV, Jr., Multidisciplinary Studies
 
2025 Southland Volleyball All-Academic Team
EAST TEXAS A&M
Gracie Campbell, Sr., Business Administration 
Rendi Fetty, Sr., Communication Studies
Haley Mullaney, Jr., Early Childhood Education
Jade Washington, So., Psychology
 
HCU 
Allana Archie, Jr., Psychology 
Katy Barger, So., Allied Health
Joya Euhus, Fr., International Business
Peyton Fadal, So., Allied Health
Hannah Redrow, Jr., Marketing
 
UIW 
Alex Beauchamp, So., Business Administration
Vanessa Eregie, So., Nursing 
Finely Evans, Biology
Kyla Malone, Sr., Healthcare Science 
 
LAMAR
Alexa Gonzalez, So., Marketing
Lyric Jordan, Jr., Exercise Science
Hailey McElrath, So., Communication Broadcasting
Taisha Rhone, Jr., Exercise Science
Daniella Udegbunam, R-Fr., University Studies
 
MCNEESE
Neal Grace Berry, Fr., Agricultural Sciences 

Lauren Fuller, Sr., Health & Human Performance
Ava Henry, Fr., Marketing
Kinga Ziolkowska, Fr., Marketing
 
NEW ORLEANS
Vanae Sapp, Gr., Master’s Counselor Education
Alessandra Meoni, Gr., Mathematics
Defne Eciroglu, Jr., Chemistry
Lani Alleman, Jr., Psychology
Courtney Roundtree, Sr., Sociology
 
NICHOLLS
Tierney Terrell, Jr., Psychology
 
NORTHWESTERN STATE
Olivia Bush, Jr., Business
Julia Whitfield, Fr., Business
Emmarie McFarland, Fr., Criminal Justice
Samaya Wesson, Jr., Marketing
Makenna Tryon, Jr., Marketing
 
SOUTHEASTERN
India Bennett, R-Sr., Integrated Science and Technology 
Ainsley Driska, Jr., Child Life
Lily Morgan, Sr., Kinesiology
Alexis Logarbo, Sr., Biological Sciences
Peyton Stokley, Sr., Biological Sciences
 
SFA 
Caroline Kahle, Sr., Kinesiology Teaching
Kyanna Creecy, Jr., Kinesiology Teaching
Jayden Flynn, Sr., Communication Sciences and Disorders
Izabella Ortiz, Sr., Kinesiology
Katherine Holtman, So., Biology 
 
TEXAS A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI
Brooklyn Jaeger, Jr., Kinesiology 
Virginia Van Der Werff, So., Biomedical Studies
Kenna Buchanan, Jr., Kinesiology
Katelyn Krienke, Sr., Biomedical Sciences
Kaitlyn Baumann, Sr., English
 
UTRGV
Isabella Costantini, Jr., Multidisciplinary Studies 
Martina Franco, So., Kinesiology
Dimitra Nanou, Fr., Biology
Julianna Bryant, Jr., Criminal Justice
Valentina Sarti Cipriani, Sr., Mass Communication

 

-ETAMU-



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Bulldogs Host UNC Asheville Collegiate Opener at Tryon International

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January 9, 2026

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ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville track & field team will officially open its 2026 season by hosting the UNC Asheville Collegiate Opener at Tryon International this Saturday (Jan. 10). 

The Bulldogs are hosting the inaugural Collegiate Track and Field meet in Tryon Athletics state of the art Mondo Super X 720 Indoor Track. The facility will later host the Big South Indoor Championships Feb. 27-28. 

The meet will begin at 10 a.m. starting with the women’s pole vault and men’s and women’s 3k and will conclude with the 4x400m relays at 5:15 p.m. Results for all events tomorrow can be found here.

EARLY SEASON RESULTS

Seven members of the program opened their seasons at the Winston-Salem College Kick-Off on Dec. 6, with early-season excitement as two school record resets and three additional personal bests highlighted the event. Alison Graf set a new school record in the women’s mile with a time of 4:56.64, and Aneta Kucerová dropped the women’s 3,000m record to 9:54.49. 


To stay updated with all things surrounding Asheville track & field, follow the team on 𝕩.





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Reese Gregory named Vermont Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year

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January 9, 2026

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Jan. 9, 2026, 2:45 p.m. ET





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