Sports
How to make Wisconsin youth sports more play
Participation in local youth sports programs can have plenty of positive benefits for children, including exercise, life lessons and healthy competition.
In her new book “More Than Play: How Law, Policy, and Politics Shape American Youth Sport,” author Dionne Koller makes the case that youth sports create value for a variety of stakeholders but also come with some negative consequences.
She told WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” this is a $20 billion industry that serves as the starting point for many future professional athletes.
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“We love sports in this country at all levels,” Koller said. “Everything from parents who just enjoy watching their kids perform to the Olympic and Paralympic movements, [which] get the benefit out of a pipeline of kids who become elites at a very early age.”
Fiercer competition for that successful payoff at the youth level has brought more specialization and professionalization for young athletes, which Koller said can have problematic outcomes.
She noted research showing significant burnout that has children leaving sports because it stops being fun for them.
“Kids are encouraged to pick a sport, become really good at that sport, and then train year-round,” Koller said. “That is mentally exhausting. It is physically taxing. They end up with what the medical community has called an ‘epidemic of preventable over-training issues.’”
Koller said youth sports can also expose young athletes to varying forms of abuse, ranging from overuse injuries and developmentally inappropriate training to the most extreme examples like the sexual assault case of disgraced former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.
She pointed to a lack of regulation in the industry, with Congress and many states taking a hands-off approach to how children’s sports are administered.
“Parents are surprised that, no, for the most part, nobody else is watching,” Koller said. “It’s a very low barrier to entry to get into youth sport coaching because there’s no government entity saying, ‘Hey, we need to make sure that the people who are engaging children’s minds and bodies in sports necessarily know what they’re doing.’”
She wants to see governments put in place basic minimum safety standards, like background checks for coaches but “not micromanaging tee ball.”
At the same time, Koller would like youth sports organizations to make sure they put more emphasis on fun and fitness rather than specialization and training.
That’s one of the goals of the Oshkosh Area School District’s Recreation Department.
Director of recreation Kabel Helmbrecht told “Wisconsin Today” that the philosophy of his staff and volunteers is all about setting up kids to play and have fun with their friends.
“It’s not about the wins and losses. It’s about skill development,” Helmbrecht said. “It’s about the friendships that these kids are going to make, teaching them life skills — how to manage adversity, how to work together as a team — all of these great things that happen in youth sports.”
Working under the umbrella of the school district gives his programs some advantages over municipal recreation divisions and other independent sports organizations.
Helmbrecht is able to organize participants by the school they attend, so they can be more comfortable playing with other students they already know.
School district resources also help them keep the cost down for parents and families, ensuring competitions are held locally, with fixed schedules and no travel.
He sends out surveys to families who participate in their youth basketball program, and he’s proud of their 93 percent satisfaction rate.
The emphasis on fun and play instead of wins and losses means their volunteer coaches, who all go through criminal background checks, don’t need to be experts on their sports. They just need to be engaged and supportive.
“The biggest thing is just being a positive role model for the kids,” Helmbrecht said. “Having fun with the kids and just being an active adult in their lives is huge.”
He also sees kids branching out into less traditional sports that may be more accessible and less competitive, like disc golf, pickleball or bowling.
Helmbrecht sees those as activities that can start in youth sports and last a lifetime, even if the child never earns a varsity letter or an Olympic medal.
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University’s track and field team begins its 2025-26 season at Vanderbilt’s Commodore Winter Challenge, Saturday, at the David Williams II Recreation & Wellness Center in Nashville.
The meet is Austin Peay’s first of five in the indoor campaign’s regular season and also the first of three times the Govs will travel to the Music City ahead of the spring’s outdoor season.
Led by third-year head coach Asha Gibson-Smith, the Governors return 21 athletes including Taylin Segree who was a four-time ASUN Freshman of the Week and qualified for the USATF U20 Championships last season.
Gibson-Smith also welcomed six veteran newcomers in transfers Holly Harding (Lindenwood), Mallory Hodge (Eastern Kentucky), Laure Marie Kidakula (Georgia State), Mariah Mitchem (Coker University), Raven Payne (Bellarmine), and Zoe Spann-McDonald (West Virginia State). The Govs’ newcomer class features a quartet of freshmen, with Emily Bey, Molly Brown, China Giaimo, and Te’Onja Hinds set to begin their collegiate careers at Vanderbilt’s meet.
Saturday’s events begin in the field at 8:30 a.m. with Marcia Dejesus, Giaimo, and Emma Tucker competing in the weight throw. At the same time, Ja’Kyah Montgomery will be competing in the high jump. APSU concludes the day at 3:55 p.m. with Taylah Upshaw competing in the 1,000-meter.
Saturday’s meet will be streamed live on SEC Network+ with Jake Lyman on the call. Live results are available at the link atop this article.
Up Next
Austin Peay returns to action in mid-January when it returns to Nashville to the Vanderbilt Invitational, Jan. 16-17, at the David Williams II Recreation & Wellness Center
Austin Peay Competition List
Weight Throw (8:30 a.m.) – Marcia Dejesus, China Giaimo, Emma Tucker
High Jump (8:30 a.m.) – Ja’Kyah Montgomery
Pole Vault (10 a.m.) – Myra Eriksson
Long Jump (11:30 a.m.) – Denim Goddard, Madelyn Kocik
60m Hurdles Prelims (12 p.m.) – Molly Brown, Nevaeh Schmeling, Zoe Spann-McDonald
Shot Put (12:30 p.m.) – Marcia Dejesus, China Giaimo, Emma Tucker
Triple Jump (2:30 p.m.) – Denim Goddard, Madelyn Kocik, Ja’Kyah Montgomery
300m (2:35 p.m.) – Isis Banks, Alijanae Cole, Seven Pettus
600m (3:15 p.m.) – Alexis Arnett, Mia McGee, Taylin Segree
1000m (3:55 p.m.) – Taylah Upshaw
Follow the Govs on Socials
For news and updates throughout the 2025-26 track & field season, follow the Governors on X and Instagram (@GovsXCTF) or check back at LetsGoPeay.com
Men’s Track and Field | 12/5/2025 6:55:00 PM
Findlay, Ohio – First-place finishes in shot put and 1,000 meter helped senior Justin Tharayil grab third-place in the heptathlon with 3,900 points at the 2025 Oiler Opener and Multi, hosted by Findlay University. He finished behind Camden St.John of Findlay and first-place Nick Farfoglia of conference foe Wittenberg, who had 4,556 points.
Tharayil posted first-place finishes in shot put (10.89m), and 1000 meter (3:02.56), and took second in high jump (1.80m). His high jump and shot put marks make it a career-best for the senior. He also had a 3.10m mark in pole vault to help solidify his third-place ranking. His 3,900 points is a career-best in the heptathlon.
Scored Events
- 60m – 7.91 (4th)
- Long Jump – 5.86m (3rd)
- Shot Put – 10.89m (1st)
- High Jump – 1.80m (T-2nd)
- 60m Hurdles – 9.84 (3rd)
- Pole Vault – 3.10m (3rd)
- 1000m – 3:02.56 (1st)
Up Next for the Big Red
Denison travels to Springfield, Ohio to compete in the Tiger Opener hosted by Wittenberg University tomorrow Saturday, December 6.
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. The Hartford Men’s Track and Field team is eager to start the upcoming indoor season. The Hawks come off the heels of a Conference Championship a season ago, as well as a 14th place finish in the NCAA Division III New England Championship. The group looks to build on last year’s success to push themselves even further in the 2025-26 season.
Familiar Faces:
Head coach Connor Green comes back for his third year at the helm of both the Men’s and Women’s Track and Field coach. He welcomes back 34 returners who look to make their mark following a successful season last year. Amongst the top returners is sophomore Aidan Lybarger (South Burlington, Vt.) who last year was honored as USTFCCCA Outdoor Track & Field All-Region in Discus, CNE All-Conference First Team (Discus), as well as becoming a school record holder (Outdoor Discus – 52.49 Meters).
“I think we’re going to have a pretty good season overall, especially from the throwers perspective. We all have gotten a lot better from last year which is amazing.” Lybarger said.
Senior Peter Effinger (Washingtonville, N.Y.) is also a key returner for the Hawks, coming off a CNE Academic All-Conference season, a year ago.
“I’d like to go out and have a good season, set some PRs, and hopefully win another championship. Continue with hard training, making good progress in workouts, and trying to get under those milestones.” said Effinger.
Another key returner is junior Thomas Yonkers (Farmington, Conn.), who last season was honored as CNE Academic All-Conference, College Sports Communicators Academic All-District, School Record (Outdoor Pole Vault – 4.25 Meters).
“I think we’re looking to get back to the CNE and win the conference again, and we’re looking like a good team like last year. I’m most excited to see how the freshmen really develop their spots on the team. We’ve got a couple new vaulters, who I’m really excited to see this year in their first college season. ” Yonkers said.
Season Outlook:
The Hawks will begin their season at the Yale invitational on Dec. 6th. Following that event they will take on the Wesleyan University Invitational on Jan. 24th. They will also compete in the John Thomas Terrier Classic at Boston University on Jan. 31st. The Hawks will close out the indoor track and field season at the NCAA Division III New England Championships in Boston at the New England at the Track of New Balance.
For the latest information on Hartford Athletics follow the Hawks on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.
Sports
Kentucky Track and Field Opens 2025-26 Indoor Season at Commodore Winter Challenge – UK Athletics
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Wildcats track and field team is set for the start of a new indoor season this Saturday in Nashville, Tenn. at the Commodore Winter Challenge, hosted by Vanderbilt University.
For the first event of the new season, the Wildcats will send 45 total athletes to Nashville, competing across 21 separate events. The travel list for the weekend’s event is highlighted by returners Camden Bentley, Hannah Douglas, Sharmelle Holmes, Stacey Onyepunuka, Kate Powers and Emmi Scales on the women’s side and Grayson Brashear, Patrick Faust, Miles Jones, Devin Sealey and Anthony Waterman on the men’s side.
The Wildcats welcome 40 total newcomers to the 2025-26 roster, including 22 on the men’s side and 18 on the women’s side. Of the 40 new additions, 30 feature as true freshman, looking to make their collegiate debut this weekend for the Wildcats.
During the indoor portion of the 2025-26 schedule, the Wildcats will compete in eight meets, beginning with tomorrow’s event in Nashville. Following the turn of the calendar, Kentucky will host the Rod McCravy Memorial on Jan. 9-10 at the Norton Center in Louisville, Ky.
The final stretch of the regular season for the Cats consists of the Crossroads of America Invitational (Jan. 23-24), Razorback Invitational (Jan. 30-31) and the David Hemery Valentine Invitational and the Tiger Paw Invitational on Feb. 13-14.
For the second consecutive season, the Texas A&M Aggies will play host to the 2026 SEC Indoor Championships at the Fasken Indoor Track & Field Facility in College Station, Texas on Feb. 26-28. The 2025-26 indoor season will conclude on Mar. 13-14 in the Cats’ second trip to Fayetteville, Ark. for the NCAA Championships.
On Saturday in Nashville, Kentucky will compete against fellow SEC programs Tennessee and host Vanderbilt, as well as Arkansas State, Austin Peay, Belmont, Chattanooga, Lipscomb, Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky.
Competition for the Commodore Winter Challenge in Nashville is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. ET, starting with Meagan Ewers, Gwyneth Lori, Kate Powers and Addison Stadsholt representing the Wildcats in the women’s weight throw event.
Event Schedule
| Commodore Winter Challenge: Saturday, December 6: ALL TIMES IN EASTERN TIME | |||
| Women’s Weight Throw | 9:30 a.m. | FINAL | Meagan Ewers, Gwyneth Lori, Kate Powers, Addison Stadsholt |
| Women’s High Jump | 9:30 a.m. | FINAL | Kemarah Howard |
| Men’s High Jump | 9:30 a.m. | FINAL | Devin Sealey |
| Men’s Long Jump | 11:00 a.m. | FINAL | Kingi McNair |
| Men’s Pole Vault | 11:00 a.m. | FINAL | Grant Harrison, Jack Marek |
| Men’s Weight Throw | 11:30 a.m. | FINAL | Grayson Brashear, Brock Conrad, Cian Crampton |
| Women’s Long Jump | 12:30 p.m. | FINAL | Dahlia Beasley, Julia Gunnell, Kemarah Howard, Skyler Reynolds |
| Women’s 60m Hurdles | 1:00 p.m. | PRELIMS | Dahlia Beasley, Camden Bentley, Julia Gunnell, Kashia Hoo, Kori Martin, Rukia Nusra Omulisia, Emmi Scales, Alene Washington |
| Men’s 60m Hurdles | 1:25 p.m. | PRELIMS | Anthony Waterman |
| Women’s Shot Put | 1:30 p.m. | FINAL | Dahlia Beasley, Meagan Ewers, Julia Gunnell, Gwyneth Lori, Addison Stadsholt |
| Women’s 60m | 1:45 p.m. | PRELIMS | Briley Cline, Sharmelle Holmes, Naseera Efua Quansah, Briana St. Louis |
| Women’s Pole Vault | 2:00 p.m. | FINAL | Kaylee Daniel, Annie Murphy, Chelsea Wetzel |
| Men’s 60m | 2:00 p.m. | PRELIMS | Coy Hyre, Miles Jones, Jack Marek, Zyrie Stewart-McLaren, Oscar Baltan Vivero |
| Men’s 60m Hurdles | 2:45 p.m. | FINAL | TBD |
| Women’s 60m Hurdles | 2:55 p.m. | FINAL | TBD |
| Men’s 60m | 3:05 p.m. | FINAL | TBD |
| Women’s 60m | 3:15 p.m. | FINAL | TBD |
| Men’s/Women’s Triple Jump | 3:30 p.m. | FINAL | Theo Mudzengerere |
| Men’s Shot Put | 3:30 p.m. | FINAL | Grayson Brashear, Brock Conrad |
| Women’s 300m | 3:35 p.m. | FINAL | Dahlia Beasley, A’Laji Bradley, Briley Cline, Tressia Davis, Hannah Douglas, Julia Gunnell, Kashia Hoo, JahQueen McClellan, Rukia Nusra Omulisia, Emmi Scales, Briana St. Louis, Alene Washington |
| Men’s 300m | 3:55 p.m. | FINAL | Tyrique Johnson, Brandon Nyandoro, TK Pahuwa, Zyrie Stewart-McLaren, Oscar Baltan Vivero |
| Women’s 600m | 4:15 p.m. | FINAL | Vanice Kerubo Nyagisera |
| Men’s 600m | 4:35 p.m. | FINAL | Patrick Faust |
| Women’s 4x400m | 5:05 p.m. | FINAL | Kentucky |
| Men’s 4x400m | 5:20 p.m. | FINAL | Kentucky |
Follow Kentucky Track and Field and Cross Country on Facebook, Instagram, X, and UKathletics.com.
The Iowa State volleyball team will return to the NCAA Tournament after missing out last season. The No. 23 Cyclones (22-7, 12-6 Big 12) will face the St. Thomas Tommies (21-9, 11-5 Summit League) in the opening round.
“This is the first time I get to experience something like this, and I’m just really happy I get to experience it with this group of girls in this program,” senior middle blocker Tierney Jackson said. “I’m ready to have a long run in Minnesota.”
Iowa State will be participating in its 18th NCAA Tournament, while the Tommies are making their first appearance in program history.
This is the first postseason St. Thomas is eligible to compete in after elevating to the Division I level for the 2021 season. The Tommies won their first Summit League Tournament, making them undefeated in Division I postseason play.
The Tommies secured their NCAA Tournament berth by claiming the Summit League title. St. Thomas defeated No. 1 seed South Dakota State in the Summit League Tournament championship.
The Tommies are the only team to defeat the Jackrabbits over the past two seasons, winning in 2024 and 2025.
The Summit League champion has not won an NCAA Tournament match for 28 seasons. The last tournament victory for the conference came in 1977 — a five-set win for Oral Roberts over Arizona.
The Big 12 does not hold a conference tournament, giving its automatic NCAA bid to the regular-season champion.
No. 8 Arizona State (26-3, 17-1 Big 12) had a near-perfect conference schedule, their one loss coming to the Cyclones on Oct. 31. The Halloween victory was Iowa State’s biggest win of the season.
“I am super excited to make the tournament and continue on our run with my favorite group of girls, and we’re excited to go to Minnesota,” senior setter Morgan Brandt said.
Brandt was the Big 12 Setter of the Year and leads all active Big 12 players with 3,736 career assists. She also led a Cyclone offense that topped the conference in assists at 13.03 per set.
Iowa State occasionally switched from a 5-1 to give sophomore setter Ava Martin opportunities.
St. Thomas had an impressive nonconference schedule, with its best win coming against Big Ten opponent Northwestern. The Tommies won seven straight matches after defeating Northwestern, a program best since joining Division I.
The match will be played at Minnesota’s Maturi Pavilion, a venue where St. Thomas has already taken a set this season. The Tommies took a set from then-No. 11 Minnesota on Aug. 31, the first set victory against a ranked opponent in program history.
While the Cyclones are favored in this matchup, they have lost their last two matches, while the Tommies have won five straight.
These teams have met once before. In 2021, Iowa State swept St. Thomas in the same building as part of the Diet Coke Classic. The only active player from that match is Iowa State redshirt senior defensive specialist Paula Krzeslak. She has appeared in 94 matches across her Cyclone career.
Both head coaches have led their programs for more than 20 years. Christy Johnson-Lynch is in her 21st season with Iowa State, and Thanh Pham is in his 23rd season at St. Thomas. Pham coached the Tommies to a Division III national championship in 2012, while Johnson-Lynch has guided Iowa State to two Division I regional finals (2008, 2011).
“We never want to take the day for granted,” Johnson-Lynch said. “So we’re excited to get up there and get going.”
St. Thomas will play Iowa State at 4:30 p.m. Friday at Maturi Pavilion and will stream on ESPN+. The winner will advance to face either No. 4 seed Minnesota or Fairfield in the second round Saturday.
Event: BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener
Host: Boston University
Date: Saturday, Dec. 6, 2024
Location: Boston University Track and Tennis Center (Boston, Mass.)
Live Results: PortlandPilots.com
Live Video: PortlandPilots.com
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS & PILOTS’ ENTRIES
• Women’s Mile: 9 a.m (PT) | Rose Perotin
• Men’s 3000m: 11:40 a.m (PT) | Mark Milner
• Men’s 5000m: 4:15 p.m (PT) | Jonas Price
THIS WEEK
• The Pilots are set to compete at the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener, hosted by Boston University in Boston. They will be represented in three events.
• Live results and video streaming are available on PortlandPilots.com.
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