Warwick Volleyball Camp, the final Wildcats sports camp of the summer, opened on Monday morning with varsity coach Shawn Thomas and nine incoming seventh- and eighth-grader athletes.

The morning started with a getting to know you session. Coach Thomas introduced himself and his volleyball background, and the girls then did the same. He then went over some volleyball basics such as positions, lines on the court and terminology such as “touches” and “attack”.

The players then ran laps around the court and learned some stretching drills before coach Thomas demonstrated the correct volleyball stance.

The camp runs through Wednesday. Then on Monday, Aug. 18, volleyball and the rest of the varsity and junior varsity fall sports start their practices. Modified practices start on Sept. 3, the second day of school.

The newly upgraded Kawana Aquatic Centre is set to delight swimmers on the Sunshine Coast, with a modernised facility and expanded car parking now open.

With more than 200,000 visitors using the centre annually, the upgrade is a welcome boost for the region.

Supported by $938,000 from the Albanese Government, the improvements are part of Sunshine Coast Council’s $14 million investment to enhance the centre’s capacity as a significant sporting and wellness facility.

A new 20-metre, five-lane enclosed pool and new changerooms were delivered in the first stage in 2024.

New public amenities, offices, a cafe, expanded picnic area and additional car parking to support the growing number of users have now been completed in stage two.

This includes a Changing Places facility to provide safe, hygienic and dignified changing options for people with high support needs and their carers.

The Kawana Aquatic Centre is part of the broader Kawana Sports Precinct, which includes Sunshine Coast Stadium and Lake Kawana, which regularly host local, national and international sporting events.

These facilities are operated by Council contract partners who provide the day-to-day site operation, programming and access for the community.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the project reflected Council’s commitment to building a connected, liveable and thriving region.

“This is an investment in our future, supporting local families and athletes and also strengthening our reputation as a premier destination for sport and recreation,” Mayor Natoli said.

“Facilities like the Kawana Aquatic Centre are vital to our community’s wellbeing and economic vitality, attracting events, creating jobs and encouraging active lifestyles.

“Plus, the centre provides the perfect spaces for families to connect, and to play.

“It’s a proud moment for the Sunshine Coast and a great example of how we’re planning for a healthy future.”

Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain MP said it was wonderful to see these improvements made to the hugely popular Kawana Aquatic Centre.

“This investment means there are three heated swimming pools for lessons, fitness and leisure and new aquatic facilities for people of all ages and abilities on the Sunshine Coast,” Ms McBain said.

“The Albanese Government will continue to partner with local governments to deliver projects like this for communities across the country.”

Senator for Queensland, Corinne Mulholland said the Albanese Government had supported another great project for the Sunshine Coast.

“The aquatic centre features a 50-metre outdoor pool and 25-metre pool catering for diving and water polo,” Ms Mulholland said.

“There’s also a new dedicated five-lane 20-metre enclosed learn-to-swim facility with aquatic wheelchair and hoist access.”

Sunshine Coast Council Division 3 Councillor Tim Burns said the completed works marked a significant milestone for the region.

“This upgrade is about more than just bricks and mortar, it’s about creating a space where people of all ages and abilities can come together to swim, train and connect,” Cr Burns said.

“The Kawana Aquatic Centre is a cornerstone of this regional sporting precinct and these improvements ensure it continues to meet the needs of our growing community.

“We’re proud to deliver a facility that supports healthy lifestyles, elite training and everyday fun.

“I’m excited to see our athletes, families and recreational swimmers embracing the upgraded facilities.”

Kawana Aquatic Centre is operated by lessee, City Venue Management (CVM), providing the day-to-day site operation, programming and access for the community.

CVM Chief Executive Officer Jay Clarke said as one of the region’s most popular aquatic facilities, the centre played a vital role in promoting swim safety, health, and wellbeing.

“We’re excited to see the recent upgrades complete and to welcome even more patrons back to Kawana Aquatic Centre – now an even better experience for the Sunshine Coast community,” Mr Clarke said.

“With brand new amenities and expanded spaces, we’re able to grow our learn-to-swim programs through Rackley Swimming, expand our squad and fitness offerings, and continue providing a welcoming hub for both locals and visitors.

“It’s a fantastic outcome for the community, and we’re proud to be part of it.” 

To celebrate the completion, the community is invited to a Community Open Day on Saturday, September 13, 2025 from 10am to 4pm at the Kawana Aquatic Centre.

The event will feature live broadcasts, free entry, face painting, pool games, giveaways and activities for all ages.

The hugely popular Council-owned aquatic centre has three heated swimming pools all built to cater for lessons, fitness or leisure. It offers a range of facilities and programs for all ages and abilities.

It features a 50-metre outdoor pool, 25-metre pool which can cater for diving and water polo, and a new dedicated five-lane 20-metre enclosed learn-to-swim facility with aquatic wheelchair and hoist access.

The Kawana Aquatic Centre is one of nine Council-owned aquatic centres across our region. The other aquatic centres are located at Beerwah, Caloundra, Buderim, Cotton Tree, Coolum, Palmwoods, Nambour, and Eumundi.

All facilities are operated by Council contract partners who provide the day-to-day site operation, programming and access for the community.

Catching up with the Champs: West Linn’s Hayden Williams-Downing

Published 4:17 pm Tuesday, August 12, 2025

They were the best and the brightest.

They were the strongest and the fastest.

They jumped the highest and the farthest and they scored the most.

“They” were the champions of the 2025 spring season and the West Linn Tidings is taking a moment to look back on their successes and check in on their summers.

Name: Hayden Williams-Downing

School: West Linn High School, University of Oregon

Age: 18

Sport: Track and field

Accomplishments: Williams-Downing, an Oregon commit, capped her stellar high school career with a near-perfect senior season as a javelin thrower. A four-time Three Rivers League champion, she went unbeaten in the javelin for a second straight year and won her second straight Class 6A title, ending the competition with a winning mark of 152 feet.Summer Stuff: Williams-Downing competed in USATF U-20 National Championships at Hayward Field on June 19, placing third with a throw of 148-2. After that, she took seventh in the Nike Outdoor Nationals with a throw of 144-7 at Hayward Field on June 22.

Fun Stuff: “I had the most fun at Nike Outdoor Nationals with West Linn Track Club. We brought a ton of athletes and had some amazing relay teams. We made memories that I will never forget.” – Hayden Williams-Downing

Future Stuff: “I am so excited to become friends with my soon-to-be teammates (at Oregon). I am also excited to get on a structured lifting plan; I think that will be one of the main things that makes me a better athlete. I’ve never had an actual day-to-day strength training plan.” – Hayden Williams-Downing

By: Contact: Tom Krychkowski; Assistant Athletic Director for Communications & Marketing

JERSEY CITY, N.J. | The 2025 campaign is officially set for the New Jersey City University men’s soccer team, as the Gothic Knights announced their full schedule Tuesday afternoon. The slate includes 19 regular season contests, highlighted by a competitive non-conference lineup and a tough New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) schedule that kicks off in late September.

The season begins with a two-day trip to western New York as NJCU opens against Buffalo State under the lights on Thursday, August 29 at 7:00 p.m., followed by a neutral-site clash against Fredonia on Friday, August 30 at 4:30 p.m.

The Gothic Knights return home on Tuesday, September 3 to host Manhattanville at 2:00 p.m. at Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field, the first of five home matches in the month. NJCU will then hit the road for four straight contests, taking on St. Elizabeth (Sept. 6), Hunter (Sept. 8), St. Joseph’s Long Island (Sept. 10), and Lehman (Sept. 18).

“This season we’ve put the right pieces in place to return to the NJAC postseason,” said head coach Brendan Guzman. “We’re going to trust our upperclassmen to set the tone while leaning on some of the newcomers to boost the roster and bring some electricity to the pitch.”

City match ups continue with a trio of home games in mid-September as the Knights welcome CCNY (Sept. 13), John Jay (Sept. 15), and Medgar Evers (Sept. 20). A non-conference road trip to Penn State Abington on Sept. 24 wraps up the out-of-league schedule.

“Kevin Alves (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford) and Jona Caballero (Union City, N.J./Jose Marti STEM Academy) will look to lead the team from experience as well as former NJAC All-Conference award winners, while our well-rounded freshman class continues to raise the bar set by the seniors,” said Guzman.

The NJAC gauntlet begins Saturday, September 27 when NJCU hosts perennial contender Montclair State. From there, the Knights will face a full slate of conference rivals, including road matches at Rowan (Oct. 1), Stockton (Oct. 4), Rutgers-Camden (Oct. 18), Rutgers-Newark (Oct. 25), and William Paterson (Oct. 29). Key home matchups include Kean (Oct. 11), Ramapo (Oct. 15), and TCNJ (Oct. 22).

For the latest news, updates, and information on New Jersey City University sports, visit njcugothicknights.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Gothic Knights news by following NJCU Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

 

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Drake University athletics finished as the runner-up in the race for the 2024-25 Missouri Valley Conference All-Academic Award, thanks to the efforts of over 250 student-athletes, the league announced this morning.
 
The Bulldogs were behind only Belmont in the final All-Academic Award standings and were one of four institutions in The Valley to post a collective grade point average of 3.500 or higher. The top four finishers are listed below.
 

 
 
With this placement, Drake became the only school in the Missouri Valley Conference to place inside the top three of the final standings for the MVC All-Academic Award and MVC All-Sports Championship.
 
“Bulldogs everywhere should take immense pride in these accomplishments by our student-athletes,” Drake Athletics Director Brian Hardin said. “Drake University is a truly special place where you can not only obtain a world-class education, but also experience premier athletics, both as a participant and a spectator. We are incredibly proud of the continued effort by our entire student and staff populations in their pursuit of sustained excellence in competition and the classroom.”
 

All Drake teams held grade point averages greater than 3.22. Among the women’s teams, basketball posted the top mark with a collective GPA of 3.75. Women’s golf (3.63) and women’s soccer (3.62) followed. On the men’s side, soccer boasted a 3.49 team GPA, just ahead of cross country/track & field (3.35) and tennis (3.30).
 
Four teams (men’s basketball, women’s basketball, women’s golf, and women’s XC/TF) earned their best semester GPA in Drake’s recorded history while rowing, and both men’s and women’s soccer posted their second-best team GPA marks on record.
 
Belmont University’s first-place finish marked its third top placement in as many years.
 
Individual student-athletes were recognized on individual lists by the Missouri Valley Conference. 188 Bulldogs were named to the 2024-25 MVC Honor Roll while 81 earned the prestigious Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award and 15 standouts received the Board of Directors Academic Excellence Award.
 
For the MVC Honor Roll, a student-athlete must have recorded a minimum 3.2 grade point average for a specified term, been a member of an athletics team, and been enrolled full time during the term in which they earned the honor. The Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award requires a minimum grade point average of 3.5 for each of the previous two semesters, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2, and participation in athletics for a minimum of two years. Finally, the more exclusive Board of Directors Academic Excellence Award requires a minimum 3.8 cumulative GPA, participation in athletics for a minimum of two years, and the student-athlete must be within 18 hours of graduation by the end of the spring semester.  

Following its eighth championship in program history, Penn State welcomes eight new faces to the squad, including three transfers and five freshmen recruits.

Here’s a brief overview of each one.

Transfer portal additions

Redshirt senior Addie Lyon is a setter who hails from O’Fallon, Missouri. She’s a veteran transfer from Saint Louis, where she spent two seasons, totaling 1,131 assists, 272 digs, 46 aces and 35 blocks across 56 matches.

Also joining Penn State through the transfer portal is junior Kennedy Martin. Now the tallest Nittany Lion, the 6-foot-6 right-side hitter spent the last two seasons at Florida, starting 53 games for the Gators.

Martin averaged a nation-leading 6.28 points per set in her sophomore season, hitting .362 with 512 kills, 146 digs, 64 blocks and 31 aces. Those numbers earned her 2024 AVCA Southeast Regional Player of the Year honors as well as first team All-American laurels.

The Fort Mill, South Carolina, native is no stranger to big games, tallying a whopping 33 kills on .310 hitting in the second round of last year’s NCAA Tournament in Florida’s five-set win against Kansas. Martin will surely play a key role on this year’s squad and could be one of the team’s top attackers.

The final transfer joining the squad is sophomore outside hitter Emmi Sellman, who comes over from Big Ten rival Ohio State. The No. 5 overall recruit in 2024, Sellman earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors following a strong first season in which she totaled 219 kills, 128 digs, 21 blocks and 16 aces in 20 matches.

Sellman’s best performance came against the Nittany Lions in Columbus, where she racked up 27 kills and nine digs in the five set loss.

Meet the freshmen

Alongside the transfer portal players, Penn State also welcomes five freshmen. The first commitment of the class was from 6-foot-4 outside hitter Marin Collins, a five star recruit out of Hamburg, New York.

In her junior and senior seasons at Frontier Senior High, Collins racked up 693 kills, 246 digs and 88 aces across 101 sets. She also spent six seasons playing club for Niagara Frontier Volleyball.

Joining Collins is four star recruit Gabrielle Nichols. The 6-foot-2 middle blocker carries the most national recognition of the recruits as a member of the 2025 Girls U19 National Team — she tallied 72 points, 47 kills and 20 blocks in nine games for them this summer.

Nichols also played for VolleyFX and Reagan High School, where she had 599 kills and 230 blocks across 200 high school sets.

Another incoming freshman is Indianapolis native Lexi Gin. She spent her high school career at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School where she won the 2021 3A Indiana State Championship.

Across 358 high school sets, Gin recorded 149 aces and over 1400 digs, but also played club volleyball for Munciana where she was coached by former Penn State star Jonni Parker.

Four star recruit Alexis Ewing brings over an impressive family legacy as the daughter of NBA Hall of Fame center Patrick Ewing and collegiate volleyball star Cheryl Weaver.

Ewing hails from Potomac, Maryland, where she played varsity ball at Bullis High School and club ball for the Virginia Juniors. She racked up over 300 kills and 24 blocks in her senior season and also participated in the National Team Development Program leading up to her collegiate debut.

The final recruit also carries a familiar name with her. Ava Jurevicius joins her older sister Caroline who is coming off a season where she earned a spot on the All-Big Ten freshman team. The sisters played together at Notre Dame-Cathedral School, where they won the Ohio Division II state championship in 2022 before moving to Nebraska.

Jurevicius had 263 kills and 282 digs in her senior season at Lincoln Lutheran, and will join a strong rotation of defensive specialists led by senior Gillian Grimes.

These newcomers will kick off their Penn State careers at the AVCA First Serve Tournament on Aug. 23 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

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