Sports
How Summer of 2025 is Looking Faster Than Olympic Year
Speed Show: How Summer of 2025 is Shaping Up to Be Faster Than Olympic Year Last year was an extraordinary season for the sport of swimming. Because of the Olympic Games in Paris, athletes targeted their best shape possible and to deliver at the most important time. Less than a year later, the pace hasn’t […]
Speed Show: How Summer of 2025 is Shaping Up to Be Faster Than Olympic Year
Last year was an extraordinary season for the sport of swimming. Because of the Olympic Games in Paris, athletes targeted their best shape possible and to deliver at the most important time. Less than a year later, the pace hasn’t slowed for many swimmers, who have clocked several historic times in the last couple of weeks as they prepare for the World Championships of Singapore.
The 2024 season did not disappoint. It had everything. The Olympics. World records. Some of the fastest times in history. China’s Pan Zhanle twice broke the world record in the 100-meter freestyle. Aussie Ariarne Titmus clocked a phenomenal 1:52.23 in the 200 freestyle. American Gretchen Walsh became the fastest woman in the world in the 100 butterfly with a mark of 55.18. Bobby Finke defended his Olympic title in the 1500 freestyle by breaking Sun Yang’s 12-year-old world record.
By the season’s finale, seven world records had been broken and in 31 cases, swimmers entered the historical top-10 of their event for the first time in their career. Beyond world records in 2024, Summer McIntosh became the second-fastest woman in the 800 freestyle when she stopped the clock at 8:11.39. We also saw a 4:28.22 from backstroek queen Kaylee McKeown in the 400 IM. One of the most fascinating performances of 2024 was Lukas Martens’ 400 freestyle at the German Championships, where he finished in 3:40.33. And that was just the beginning for the German.
Martens broke the first world record of 2025, with the Olympic champ putting on a show in his trademark 400 freestyle. From 3:40.33, he went down to 3:39.96 and beat the 3:40.07 that had stood to Paul Biedermann since 2009. Then, the Americans took over. At the Pro Swim Series stop in Ft. Lauderdale, Walsh and Katie Ledecky improved their own records in 100 butterfly and 800 freestyle, respectively. Those efforts were followed by McIntosh dominating at the Canadian Trials, where she turned the world upside down with three world records and personal-best times in the 800 freestyle and 200 butterfly.
Although the year’s biggest event has not yet unfolded, we have already matched the same amount of world records that were witnessed last year. The number is likely to climb in Singapore.
Beyond the world records already set this year, there have been a number of noteworthy marks from a historical perspective. Australia’s, Lani Pallister in now the third-fastest woman in the history of the 800 freestyle and 1500 freestyle with times of 8:10.84 and 15:39.14, and she is sixth in the 400 freestyle. For the first time, Pallister went under the four-minute barrier in the 400 free (3:59.72), proof that her training with coach Dean Boxall is paying off. Another name that fired a warning shot to the swimming world is Sven Schwarz. The German became the European record holder in 800 freestyle in 7:38.12 and is now a top-five performer in the event.
Just because it is a post-Olympics year, that doesn’t mean the times have to slow. Rather, plenty of athletes are hungry to elevate their status and make 2025 a launching point toward the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The 2025 World Records
Lukas Martens (GER) – 400 freestyle – 3:39.96 (04/12)
Gretchen Walsh (USA) – 100 butterfly – 55.09 (05/03)
Gretchen Walsh (USA) – 100 butterfly – 54.60 (05/03)
Katie Ledecky (USA) – 800 freestyle – 8:04.12 (05/03)
Summer McIntosh (CAN) – 400 freestyle – 3:54.18 (06/07)
Summer McIntosh (CAN) – 200 medley – 2:05.70 (06/09)
Summer McIntosh (CAN) – 400m medley – 4:23.65 (06/11)
Swimmers Denting the Top-10 All-Time Performer List in a Specific Event For the First Time in 2025
Lani Pallister (AUS) – 1500 freestyle – 15:39.14 – No. 3
Wan Letian (CHN) – 50 backstroke – 27.09 – No. 4
Luca Urlando (USA) – 200 butterfly – 1:52.37 – No. 4
Luke Hobson (USA) – 200 freestyle – 1:43.73 – No. 5
Sven Schwarz (GER) – 800 freestyle – 7:38.12 – No. 5
Pavel Samusenko (RUS) – 50 backstroke – 24.01 – No. 5
Lani Pallister (AUS) – 400 freestyle – 3:59.72 – No. 6
Li Bingjie (CHN) – 400 freestyle – 3:59.99 – No. 7
Claire Curzan (USA) – 200 backstroke – 2:05.09 – No. 7
Gretchen Walsh (USA) – 50 freestyle – 23.91 – No. 8
Claire Weinstein (USA) – 400 freestyle – 4:00.05 – No. 8
Sven Schwarz (GER) – 1500 freestyle – 14:36.82 – No. 9
Ivan Kozhakin (RUS) – 50 breaststroke – 26.46 – No. 9
Ilya Kharun (CAN) – 100 butterfly – 50.37 – No. 9
Guilherme Caribe Santos (BRA) – 100 freestyle – 47.10 – No. 10
Lukas Martens (GER) – 800 freestyle – 7:39.10 – No. 10
Eneli Jefimova (EST) – 50 breaststroke – 29.83 – No. 10
Bobby Finke (USA) – 400 medley – 4:07.46 – No. 10
Sports
UA online expands military tuition grant to include graduate students
The University of Alabama has increased its support for military members through the UA Online Military Tuition Grant. Previously available only to undergraduate students, the grant now includes active-duty graduate students. The tuition grant helps with tuition costs not covered by military tuition assistance. It can cover up to six credit hours per semester and as […]
The University of Alabama has increased its support for military members through the UA Online Military Tuition Grant. Previously available only to undergraduate students, the grant now includes active-duty graduate students. The tuition grant helps with tuition costs not covered by military tuition assistance. It can cover up to six credit hours per semester and as many as 18 credit hours per academic year, up to the maximum amount allowed by a student’s service branch. With this financial assistance, tuition for a UA Online program can be nearly free for military service members, excluding books and other fees.
The expanded grant eligibility takes effect in Fall 2025 and is available to eligible service members.
“As the daughter of a career Marine, I’ve witnessed firsthand the profound sacrifices our military service members make for our country,” said Amanda Ingram, executive director of online and continuing education for UA’s Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education. “This expansion is an investment that reflects our deep gratitude and commitment to those who serve.”
Since the grant’s launch in 2022, UA Online has assisted nearly 350 service members and covered more than $200,000 in out-of-pocket college costs.
“UA Online is uniquely positioned to assist active-duty military service members in pursuing their degrees,” Ingram said. “With UA Online’s flexible and asynchronous course delivery, military students can complete coursework alongside their busy schedules and deployments.”
The University is a gold-level Military Friendly and Spouse Friendly Tier 1 Research Institute for 2025–2026. It is also an unlimited Yellow Ribbon school. Additionally, U.S. Veterans magazine has again recognized UA as a top Veteran-Friendly school. These awards recognize the University’s dedicated efforts to address the needs of military members and their families.
Courtesy of the University of Alabama
Sports
Maui County volleyball officials sought for upcoming high school volleyball season : Maui Now
July 26, 2025, 10:00 AM HST Volleyball officials are being recruited for the upcoming high school volleyball season. Stock photo Maui County Volleyball Officials, a non-profit organization, is recruiting officials for the upcoming high school volleyball seasons during the 2025-2026 school year. No experience is necessary. Training and equipment will be provided. The first officials […]
July 26, 2025, 10:00 AM HST
Maui County Volleyball Officials, a non-profit organization, is recruiting officials for the upcoming high school volleyball seasons during the 2025-2026 school year.
No experience is necessary. Training and equipment will be provided. The first officials training session is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Seabury Hall in Makawao.
Games are scheduled for Tuesday through Friday evenings and Saturday mornings.
An announcement says: “If you are interested in giving back to the volleyball community, our student athletes, and Maui County, (as well as making some extra cash) we’d love to have you join our team!”
For more information, scan the QR code below or contact Ke’van Dudoit at 808-250-5674.
Sports
Germany wins historic first women’s water polo medal at Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU Games
Written by Sarah Maat, FISU Young Reporter, Canada The Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games women’s water polo tournament ended in extraordinary fashion on Saturday, 26 July as the champions, Germany, held Team USA scoreless through the first half. Captain Sinia Plotz led the remarkable charge for the winners, scoring three goals in the host […]
Written by Sarah Maat, FISU Young Reporter, Canada
The Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games women’s water polo tournament ended in extraordinary fashion on Saturday, 26 July as the champions, Germany, held Team USA scoreless through the first half. Captain Sinia Plotz led the remarkable charge for the winners, scoring three goals in the host country’s defeat of the Red, White and Blue.
It looked like the local crowd knew an exceptional final was incoming—for they showed up in top form.
“It was so amazing,” Plotz said, beaming. “We had like all our fans, and the crowd, the families, friends. Everyone was screaming for us, so it was incredible. I don’t know. I have no words, honestly.”
Black, red, and yellow balloons littered the stands as cheers for “Deutschland” echoed over the outdoor pool in Duisburg. Little voices were some of the loudest to sing the chants while a megaphone and drum kept the sold-out stadium on beat.
Darja Heinbichner, Germany’s superb goalkeeper, shared Plotz’ loss for words over the atmosphere.
“They helped us a lot. I had goosebumps the whole game, to be honest. It’s just amazing. I don’t have words.”
Scoreless first half for USA
Even standing room became precious as Germany built a strong lead early. Plotz set the tone after two minutes with a top right penalty shot so strong it lodged the ball perfectly between net and post. Deutschland went on to score three more in the first half, all while shutting out Team USA.
“I think the difference was definitely our goalkeeper. She was amazing, and then also that we all helped each other,” the captain said.
“We were talking a lot on defence. We were picking each other up when they were driving and, well, I think in the end it was our goalkeeper, but we played amazing together.”
In water polo, it’s almost unheard of to hold this kind of dominance throughout an entire half. The United States side had been used to sharing the scoring amongst many throughout the tournament, so their offensive woes seemed to catch them by surprise.
At the halftime break, US head coach Adam Wright was seen directing a huddle with his players. As he tried to get them back on course, he yelled: “You can’t play afraid.”
However, the Germans knew what to expect coming back from the intermission and impeccable defence was always part of the plan. After their semi-final win over New Zealand, the women mentioned the importance of defence in the final match and carried that value through to the end.
“My defence was perfect,” Heinbicher said of her teammates after winning gold. “It helped me a lot. We were really concentrated.”
A solid first half didn’t mean the locals were in the clear yet, however. At half, conversations on the German side focused on the importance of closing out in the same way they had started.
“I remember I told the team, don’t celebrate too early because we were just three goals in front. It doesn’t mean anything in water polo in one minute, everything can change,” Heinbicher said.
Plotz reflected on her team’s offensive dominance throughout the match as well, highlighting how the host team never stopped attacking.
“We didn’t want to let them counter us because they are really fast. And I think it worked.”
Germany—with assistance from a vibrant atmosphere—kept up the pace and landed themselves in the history books with their country’s first women’s water polo medal at the FISU Games. An exciting fact that was not lost on the team.
“It’s our first medal with the German team,” the goalie said. “And to achieve this in front of my family, my friends, the family and friends of my teammates. It’s the best thing that could have happened.”
In almost every post-game interview the student-athletes mentioned making history, and at one point, even stormed the mixed zone together for a cheer of excitement.
Italy also medalled on the women’s side thanks to a 10-5 win over New Zealand.
Also on Saturday, Italy became the first country in FISU Games history to tally three straight gold medals in men’s water polo with a 16-12 win over the USA. Germany defeated Hungary 21-20 in a shoot-out for bronze.
Sports
Jake Stewart – Purdue Boilermakers
Jake Stewart enters his first season as the assistant coach for the men[apos]s and women[apos]s cross country and track and field teams. He is in charge of the men[apos]s distance group. Stewart came to Purdue from Lamar University where he spent three seasons as the distance coach for the track and field teams and two […]
Jake Stewart enters his first season as the assistant coach for the men[apos]s and women[apos]s cross country and track and field teams. He is in charge of the men[apos]s distance group.
Stewart came to Purdue from Lamar University where he spent three seasons as the distance coach for the track and field teams and two as the assistant cross country coach.
In his first season as assistant cross country coach at Lamar, Stewart was named the Southland Conference Coach of the Year after the men won four of their five invitationals including a top finish at the 12-team conference championships. He also led the Cardinals to a third place finish at the regional meet last year.
Prior to his time at Lamar, Stewart was the assistant coach for the Iona College men[apos]s and women[apos]s cross country and track and field teams for three seasons. In his time with the Gaels, the men[apos]s cross country team finished third in 2006 and runner-up in 2007 and 2008, the highest finish of any program in school history. The men[apos]s team was also honored for its scholastic achievements as it was named the NCAA Division I All-Academic Team of the Year in 2006 and 2007.
While at Iona, he coached four student-athletes who competed at the World Cross Country Championships for their respective nations. He also helped lead eight All-Americans in both cross country and track and field, 10 NCAA Track & Field Championships qualifiers, and 26 MAAC indoor and outdoor track and field champions.
Stewart has guided student-athletes to some very impressive marks. The top times he has coached for men are as follows:
-1:48.33 in the 800-meter run
-3:40.89 in 1,500m
-4:04.93 in the mile
-8:35.75 in the 3,000 steeplechase
-7:59.89 for the 3,000m
-13:35.75 in the 5,000m
-28:32.62 in the 10,000m.
With his impressive résumé, Stewart knows what it takes to build a distance program that is capable of competing at the highest level.
Before entering the coaching ranks, Stewart was a four year member of the cross country and track and field team. During his athletic career, the Gaels won four MAAC championships and finished in the top 10 each year. He was the team captain in 2005, the first walk-on in program history to carry the honor. Stewart graduated in 2005 with a bachelor of science in English.
In the spring of 2006, Stewart began his coaching career as an assistant track coach at Western Oregon University. There, he mainly worked as a distance oach. He helped coach four student-athletes who provisionally qualified for the Division II National Championships. He also served as the Western United States recruiting coordinator and helped bring in one of the deepest recruiting classes in the programs history.
He is a native of Kelso, Wash., and is married to his wife, Brandi.
Sports
Nebraska volleyball claims top spot in Big Ten preseason poll
The Nebraska volleyball team has been selected as the Big Ten’s top team in the coaches’ 2025 preseason poll. The league’s 18 coaches voted the Huskers as the conference’s No. 1 team, with Penn State ranked second, followed by Wisconsin, which placed third. The Huskers are coming off their fifth Big Ten title in 2024 […]
The Nebraska volleyball team has been selected as the Big Ten’s top team in the coaches’ 2025 preseason poll. The league’s 18 coaches voted the Huskers as the conference’s No. 1 team, with Penn State ranked second, followed by Wisconsin, which placed third.
The Huskers are coming off their fifth Big Ten title in 2024 with a 19-1 conference record. They finished the season with a 33-3 record and reached the NCAA Semifinals.
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The program enters the 2025 season under new leadership after the surprise retirement of former head coach John Cook. Former Louisville head coach Dani Busboom Kelly replaced Cook.
The Big Ten’s coaches have also noticed the individual talent the Huskers roster holds this season. Four Huskers were named to the Preseason All-Big Ten Team.
Andi Jackson is a junior middle blocker. She was an AVCA All-America First Team member and a unanimous All-Big Ten First Team honoree last season.
Harper Murray is a junior outside hitter. She was an AVCA Second Team All-American last year and led the Huskers in kills with 3.40 per set.
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Bergen Reilly is a junior setter. She is coming off her second straight AVCA All-America Second Team honors and is the first player in conference history to win Big Ten Setter of the Year as both a freshman and sophomore.
Rebekah Allick is a senior middle blocker. She averaged 1.82 kills per set in 2024 with a career-best .357 hitting percentage. She had a team-high 1.43 blocks per set. She was an All-Big Ten Second Team selection in 2022 and 2023.
Earlier this week, Jackson, Murray, and Reilly were named to the AVCA Player of the Year watch list. The three juniors are among the 30 players named to the list.
Nebraska will begin the 2025 season on Friday, August 22, when the Huskers host Pittsburgh at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Find the entire Big Ten volleyball preseason poll by scrolling below.
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2025 BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON POLL1. Nebraska2. Penn State3. Wisconsin4. Minnesota5. UCLA6. USC7. Purdue8. Washington9. Illinois10. Michigan11. Indiana12. Oregon13. Ohio State14. Michigan State15. Northwestern16. Maryland17. Iowa18. Rutgers
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Nebraska volleyball voted No. 1 in Big Ten preseason poll
Sports
No. 4 Long Beach Poly Girls’ Volleyball Wins CIF-SS Championship – The562.org
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial. The562’s coverage of high school volleyball in 2025 is brought to you by the MLP’s Bay Area Breakers. The Long Beach Poly girls’ volleyball team showed “the Long Beach” in them while winning a five-setter against Bishop Diego in the CIF-SS Division 3 championship last […]
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial.
The562’s coverage of high school volleyball in 2025 is brought to you by the MLP’s Bay Area Breakers.
The Long Beach Poly girls’ volleyball team showed “the Long Beach” in them while winning a five-setter against Bishop Diego in the CIF-SS Division 3 championship last November, earning the No. 4 spot on our Top 10 Long Beach Sports Moments of the Year.
The championship win was Poly’s third in girls’ volleyball program history and marked the 131st CIF-SS championship in school history. It was also the Jackrabbits’ first volleyball title since 2010.
“It’s just the grit, it’s the Long Beach in them,” said Poly coach Gerald Aquiningoc after the win. “It feels amazing. I can’t even put it into words yet—I haven’t processed it. It was up and down, but it’s just them. They don’t give up. That fifth set, when it was win or go home, they went into the huddle and said, ‘We’re not losing. We’re not going home without a ring.’”
Cedra Saolotoga-Talaga had 15 digs and a team-high 14 kills in the match, and also contributed one of Poly’s 12 total aces. Sydney Mercado finished the game with a match-high five aces. Taimane Poe and Aleeya Salima also chipped in with 10 kills each.
Moore League Players of the Year and middle blocker duo Layla Moore and Kristin Dear held UCLA-committed outside hitter Eliana Urzua to just a .095 hitting percentage, while combining for seven blocks. Dear also hit a match-high .571.
“Just look at this, man—it’s amazing,” said Aquiningoc after the game, while the Jackrabbits celebrated behind the Cerritos College gym with family and friends. “The bond that we have is just unbreakable and too undeniably good to lose. They did their very best today, and as the game went on, we just decided we’re not losing.”
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