College Sports

Howell’s Rori Gregory has never rowed, but will for Michigan State

HOWELL — Years of dedication and experience in their chosen sports were reflected when 27 seniors were featured in Howell High School’s annual college signing ceremony Thursday. Then there’s Rori Gregory. She received her scholarship to Michigan State University in rowing, a sport in which she’s never competed. Gregory’s story is fairly common in collegiate […]

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1 month ago

May 3, 2025

Your Sports Nation

HOWELL — Years of dedication and experience in their chosen sports were reflected when 27 seniors were featured in Howell High School’s annual college signing ceremony Thursday.

Then there’s Rori Gregory.

She received her scholarship to Michigan State University in rowing, a sport in which she’s never competed.

Gregory’s story is fairly common in collegiate rowing, which takes athletes from other sports and molds them into competitive rowers.

A noteworthy example is Ellen Tomek, a bench player for the 2000 and 2001 Flint Powers Catholic state championship basketball teams who started rowing at Michigan before competing in three Summer Olympics.

Gregory’s primary sport growing up was gymnastics. She has been a sprinter and jumper on Howell’s track and field team the last two years.

Rowing wasn’t on her radar until she saw something on social media during January of her junior year. The MSU rowing team was holding a webinar for aspiring rowers to give them insight into the program.

Gregory’s interest was piqued. She was eventually offered a spot on the team.

“I wasn’t really thinking about going for athletics,” she said. “Kids don’t get recruited out of high school gymnastics for college gymnastics. In the last few years, I started exploring track and field options. After getting this offer, I was really just excited to try something new.

“It’s crazy. I never thought I’d be a college athlete, let alone a D1 college athlete.”

Being a life-long gymnast turned out to be a plus for Gregory.

“It takes discipline to succeed in gymnastics,” said Gregory, a state qualifier in floor exercise. “That was something they like, which I’m grateful for.”

Many of the incoming freshmen joining Gregory are in the same boat, so to speak. Only a handful of Michigan high schools have rowing teams.

“A lot of girls in my recruiting class have never done it before,” Gregory said. “It’s exciting to know I’m not going to be alone in that.”

RELATED: Record-setting Howell running back Justin Jones commits to Division I football program

RELATED: Howell’s Bobby Kanka signs with Michigan to end lengthy recruiting process

A different path

Another Howell athlete taking an unconventional path after high school is offensive lineman Tanner Baidel.

Baidel will compete next year for LEAD Prep Academy in Brighton, a transitionary program at the Legacy Center for players hoping to boost their college stock after high school. The program has partnered with Washtenaw Community College, allowing players to take up to nine credit hours so they begin working toward a degree without burning a year of eligibility.

“I was trying to put a lot of film out there to coaches,” said Baidel, a first-team all-Livingston County selection. “I really wasn’t getting that many bites. Legacy contacted me and I did some research into Legacy. They had 115 D1 commits in four years and the roster is about 40, 50 guys. Statistically if I go there, I’ll have a lot better likelihood of playing where I want to be, the bigger D1 level.”

Baidel is one of five players from Howell’s KLAA and district championship football team that were part of Thursday’s ceremony. The others were Aiden Horvath (Adrian), Justin Jones (Western Michigan), Grant Stewart (Indiana Wesleyan) and Shawn Turpin (Northwood).

Bobby Kanka had a signing ceremony on early national signing day in December and enrolled at the University of Michigan in January.

Kicker Luis Maldonado is going to Schoolcraft College to play soccer.

Baseball, golf well-represented

During the ceremony, each athlete had a moment for photos with coaches, parents and teammates.

That meant the baseball team had to stand by to make frequent trips to the table at which photos were taken. With seven players moving on to college, the baseball team had the most athletes advancing to the next level of any Howell squad.

Baseball players who are moving on to college are Neko Hall (Madonna), Nick Hoorn (Northwood), Caleb Park (Spring Arbor), Gavin Pejakovich (Kalamazoo College), Josh Soneral (Alma), James Steakley (Defiance) and JT Thomas (Saginaw Valley). Jones is a member of the baseball team.

“It’s awesome, especially since I’ve grown up with most of them since I was 7, 8 years old,” Hoorn said. “It’s great to see all the success they’ve had and just over the years having fun with your buddies.”

The boys golf and lacrosse teams each had three athletes take part in the ceremony. It was a particularly impressive number for the golf team, which can use only six players for most varsity events and five in the postseason.

Jacob Dault will play golf for Cleary University, Lucas Downing for Kalamazoo College and Zach Spencer for Ferris State.

“Three and hopefully a few more,” Spencer said. “It’s iron sharpens iron. We battle hard every day in practice. Five people play in the starting lineup. That’s a grind to get in there. It’s fun working with guys who want to move on and play hard and compete.”

Lacrosse players who will play in college are Caleb Edwards (Trine), Nolan O’Dea (Alma) and Gage Overton (Lawrence Tech).

Other Howell athletes who signed with colleges are Addison Caldwell (Oakland University, softball), Marleigh Chapman (Albion, soccer), Alison Farr (Lansing Community College, basketball), Maurisa Mikus (Aquinas, basketball), Colton Ralko (Lake Superior State, swimming), Estie Sura (Hillsdale, tennis) and Addison Wonnacott (Cleary, bowling).

Contact Bill Khan at wkhan@gannett.com. Follow him on X @BillKhan

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College Sports

Meet St. Thomas Aquinas High School’s top 10 students in Class of 2025

Special to Foster’s | Fosters Daily Democrat DOVER — St. Thomas Aquinas High School’s top 10 students for the Class of 2025 have been announced. The graduates are listed below in alphabetical order with descriptions provided by the school. Luciano Barbini Luciano Barbini is the son of Ann Marie Dunne and Denis Barbini and lives […]

Published

18 minutes ago

June 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Special to Foster’s
| Fosters Daily Democrat

DOVER — St. Thomas Aquinas High School’s top 10 students for the Class of 2025 have been announced.

The graduates are listed below in alphabetical order with descriptions provided by the school.

Luciano Barbini

Luciano Barbini is the son of Ann Marie Dunne and Denis Barbini and lives in North Hampton, New Hampshire. He attended St. Mary Academy in Dover, NH, and is a member of St. Michael’s Parish in Exeter.

Luciano has been a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society throughout high school. He earned department awards in Biology and Geometry during his freshman year, was recognized as a scholar athlete, and received a Presidential Scholarship from Rochester Institute of Technology.

He has been actively involved in sports throughout high school, competing in cross country all four years—earning Most Improved Player as a freshman and Best Team Spirit as a senior. He also participated in indoor track for three years, outdoor track for two years, and played one year of baseball.

Luciano served as co-moderator of the Biotech and Gardening Clubs, and outside of school, he enjoys woodworking, running, and outdoor activities. He consistently volunteered at school events including open houses, canned food drives, and theater concessions. He also participated in community events such as Cardboard City and baked cookies for St. Ann’s. Additionally, he served as an altar server at his church and assisted teachers with various projects.

Luciano works year-round part-time at L.L. Bean in North Hampton. He was accepted to several colleges including the University of New Hampshire Honors College, RPI, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), and RIT. He plans to attend WPI in the fall of 2025 due to its strong program, close proximity to home, and supportive student community.

Though still undecided on his specific major, Luciano is interested in pursuing a science-related field and hopes to contribute to the betterment of humanity through engineering or science.

Emma Franson

Emma Franson is the daughter of Camilla and Stephen Franson and lives in Hampton, New Hampshire. She attended Saint Patrick’s Academy in Portsmouth and is a member of Netcast Church in Danvers, Massachusetts.

Emma is a member of both the National Honor Society and the National Spanish Honor Society. She has earned several awards including the AP Environmental Science Award, the Art Department Award, and the St. Michael’s College Book Award. She also won the Junior Speech Competition and served as Vice President of both the Student Advisory Board (SAB) and NHS.

She has been active in sports, earning a varsity letter on the ski team in 2025, and has participated in dance from 2018 to 2025 at the Portsmouth School of Ballet, with prior training at NHAPA.

Emma has volunteered with Upshot Dog Rescue in Puerto Rico, helping rescue dogs from 2021 to 2024. She is currently employed as Head of Gifting, Shipping, and Live Event Preparation for The Remarkable Practice, and as a Wellness Technician at Bonfire Wellness.

She was accepted to Fairfield University with the Magis Merit Scholarship and Honors Program, as well as Providence College with Alberta’s Magnus Merit Scholarship. Emma will be attending Providence College in the fall of 2025. She chose Providence because she felt an immediate connection to the campus and community, appreciating the polite environment, academic rigor, strong alumni network, and proximity to home. The scholarship was also an important factor.

Emma plans to major in Marketing with a focus on Real Estate. She is in the process of obtaining her real estate license and hopes to work as an agent before eventually earning her brokerage license. Ultimately, she aspires to open her own brokerage specializing in luxury residential and commercial real estate.

Lucille Galitski, Salutatorian

Lucille Galitski is the daughter of Susanne and Timothy Galitski of Kensington, New Hampshire. She is the older sister of Katy and Vivi. Lucille attended middle school at Heronfield Academy in Hampton Falls.

She is a member of both the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. Lucille is the recipient of several academic distinctions, including the Rochester Institute of Technology Book Award, the Humanities & Social Sciences Award, the Pre-Calculus Department Award, and the Spanish Department Award, which she received three times. She also earned a Gold Medal on the National Spanish Exam for three consecutive years and consistently achieved Honor Roll status throughout her academic career.

A dedicated student and global citizen, Lucille participated in the Spanish Club at St. Thomas Aquinas and has studied ballet since childhood.

Lucille has been actively involved in community service throughout high school. Her volunteer work includes helping with numerous school events, such as food drives, volunteering at the Kensington Public Library, and serving as a student leader on the 2024 international service trip to Peru.

During the summer months, Lucille works part-time at Market Basket.

This fall, Lucille will attend Vienna University of Economics and Business in Austria. She plans to pursue a degree in international business or diplomacy and is excited to study in a global academic environment that aligns with her interests in culture, language, and international affairs.

Skylar Knowlton

Skylar Knowlton is the daughter of Christina Schipani and Ron Knowlton of South Hampton, New Hampshire. She is the younger sister of Jesse and Justin Knowlton. Skylar attended middle school at Barnard School in South Hampton.

She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. Skylar is the recipient of the prestigious Harvard Book Award in recognition of her academic excellence.

A dedicated and decorated swimmer, Skylar has been competing for 11 years, including all four years of high school. She broke state records in both the 200 and 500 freestyle, holds multiple school records, and is a four-time NISCA All-American in those events (2023 & 2024), with additional honors pending. She is also a two-time Scholastic All-American (2023, 2024), making her one of the top swimmers in the state and beyond.

Skylar has given back to her community in many ways. She volunteered at her former school, Barnard, during her freshman, sophomore, and senior years, helped with Cedardale Health and Fitness’s summer swim league, and assisted at a Special Olympics swim meet held at Haverhill High School.

Skylar was accepted to and will attend Indiana University Bloomington this fall, where she received both an athletic scholarship for swimming and a Dean’s Scholarship. She will major in Marketing at the Kelley School of Business with a minor in Psychology. She chose Indiana for its nationally recognized women’s swimming program and renowned business school, as well as the strong sense of community she felt during her visit.

In the future, Skylar is interested in architecture and real estate, and is currently working toward her New Hampshire real estate license. She hopes to one day start her own business.

Andrew McMorrow, Valedictorian

Andrew McMorrow is the son of John McMorrow of Dover, New Hampshire. He has one half-brother, Bryan McMorrow. Andrew attended middle school at Rye Junior High.

He is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. Andrew is the recipient of the Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship ($40,000), was named a QuestBridge National College Match Finalist, and was a National Finalist in the Coolidge Cup Debate. He has earned numerous honors through Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), including 1st place in the FBLA State competition for Business Law, serving as a State Officer, and developing a resume platform now used by more than 21,000 students nationwide.

Andrew has been a dedicated multi-sport athlete, competing all four years in various varsity sports. He ran Varsity Cross Country from freshman through junior year, qualifying for the New England Meet of Champions in 10th grade. He was a member of the Varsity Ski Team for three years, the Varsity Golf team his junior and senior years, and played baseball for three years, earning the Coaches Award in 10th grade and Most Improved in 11th.

Beyond athletics, Andrew was deeply involved in several extracurricular pursuits. He was active in FBLA all four years, serving as a State Officer his junior and senior years. He led financial literacy workshops across 36+ schools and developed fblaresume.com, a resume-building platform. As founder and president of the school’s Debate Team, he coached peers, helped grow the team to over 10 members, and earned first place at the State Qualifier and National Finalist honors at the Coolidge Cup. He also participated in the FIRST Robotics Team throughout high school, serving as Lead Programmer and Finance Manager. In Student Government, Andrew served on the Student Advisory Board and as Treasurer his senior year. He also interned with the Kelly Ayotte for Governor Campaign, managing event logistics and contributing to voter outreach strategy.

Andrew spent summer 2024 completing courses at Stanford University in Computer Science, Philosophy of Technology, and Civil Engineering.

Committed to service, Andrew volunteered at St. Ann’s Home in Dover, teaching technology skills to senior citizens from 2022–2024. He also helped organize resume and interview workshops for underserved schools throughout New Hampshire via FBLA’s outreach program, and participated in numerous FIRST Robotics community STEM events from 2021–2024.

During the summer, Andrew works at The Oaks Golf Course in Somersworth.

Andrew was accepted to Stanford University and will attend this fall. He plans to major in Computer Science with potential minors in political science or nanotechnology. He hopes to one day start and lead his own technology company.

Charlie Monteiro

Charlie Monteiro is the son of Theresa and Joseph Monteiro of Dover, New Hampshire. He is the younger brother of Luke and the older brother of Amelia, Rae, Maria, George, and Rita. Charlie attended middle school at St. Mary Academy in Dover and is a member of Saint Mary’s Church.

He is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. Charlie is the recipient of several academic awards, including Silver and Bronze Medals on the National Spanish Exam, the prestigious Rensselaer Medal, and the Jack Leary Award. He consistently earned Honor Roll and President’s List recognition throughout his academic career.

A standout athlete, Charlie was a key member of the Cross Country, Indoor Track, and Outdoor Track teams. He was named MVP of the Outdoor Track team his junior year and served as captain of both the Cross Country and Indoor Track teams during his senior year.

Outside of athletics and academics, Charlie is a talented musician who plays both guitar and piano. He has also been actively involved in community service throughout high school. His volunteer work includes participation in various St. Thomas Aquinas service events, a February community outreach program around the Seacoast, and serving as a summer camp counselor.

Charlie works at Strafford Farms Restaurant in Dover during the summer months.

He was accepted to the University of New Hampshire — where he was selected for both the Paul Scholars Program and the Hamel Scholars Program — as well as to the Honors Program at Saint Anselm College. Charlie will attend the University of New Hampshire this fall and plans to study Business. He hopes to one day start and run his own business.

Delaney Riley

Delaney Riley is the daughter of James and Susan Riley and resides in Newmarket, New Hampshire. She attended Newmarket Jr. Sr. High School and is a member of St. Mary Church in Newmarket.

Delaney is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. Throughout high school, she earned several honors including a Bronze Medal on the National Spanish Exam (9th grade), the Yale Book Award (11th grade), English Department Award (11th grade), AP Scholar Award (11th grade), the NHIAA Scholar Athlete Award (12th grade), and received the Spanish Seal of Biliteracy in gold (12th grade).

Athletically, Delaney played soccer for four years (2 years JV, 2 years varsity) and was part of two state championship teams in 2023 and 2024. She also played varsity ice hockey all four years, earning Most Improved Player and Seacoast Standout Player honors in 9th grade, and serving as assistant captain in her senior year. Additionally, she participated in lacrosse for two years JV and served as a varsity manager for one year. Outside of school, she played club hockey for four years and trained privately for six years in power skating and edge work with professional figure skater Mark Farrington.

Delaney contributed to her community by assistant coaching Granite State Wild Youth Hockey at the Dover Ice Arena during 9th and 10th grade, and volunteering with Special Olympics teaching children with disabilities to ice skate during 10th and 11th grades.

She has held a part-time job since 10th grade as a waitress and shift leader at The Airfield Cafe in North Hampton, NH. Delaney also completed a winter term internship at Atlantic Coast Surgical Suites, where she studied anesthesiology, nursing, and orthopedic surgery.

Delaney was accepted to several colleges including Connecticut College (Founders Scholarship), Emmanuel College (Dean’s Scholarship), Quinnipiac University (Honors Program), Sacred Heart University, Saint Anselm College, Saint Michael’s College, Stonehill College, and the University of New Hampshire. She has chosen to attend Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut, citing New England location, small class sizes, proximity to the ocean, a unique honor code, strong study abroad programs, prestigious reputation, scholarships, and a competitive women’s hockey program as factors influencing her decision.

She plans to major in Biology on a Pre-Med track and hopes to work in Orthopedics one day while traveling the world.

Andrew Rodriguez

Andrew Rodriguez is the son of Martha and Jack Rodriguez of Somersworth, New Hampshire. He is the younger brother of Madison and the older brother of Jackson. Andrew attended middle school at St. Mary Academy in Dover.

He is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. Andrew is the recipient of the Computing Medal Scholarship to the Rochester Institute of Technology, the 2025 National Football Foundation Joe Yukica Scholar-Athlete Award, and was named an NHIAA Scholar-Athlete. He consistently earned High Honors throughout his academic career.

An accomplished athlete, Andrew played Varsity Football all four years, serving as a team captain his senior year. He was recognized as a Second Team All-State Linebacker and received the Jack Leary Award in 2024. In track and field, he competed all four years, setting the school record in pole vault his sophomore and junior years. He was also a member of the Indoor Track team (freshman, junior, and senior years), the Varsity Alpine Ski Racing team (sophomore through senior years), and played Varsity Lacrosse his junior and senior years.

Outside of athletics, Andrew was involved in Future Business Leaders of America during his junior and senior years and earned the rank of Eagle Scout, completing a major service project at St. Joseph’s Church in 2024.

Andrew has been active in numerous community service initiatives throughout high school. His volunteer efforts include organizing food drives, assisting with community races through “Run for God,” participating in shelter improvement projects, giving school tours, and leading an international service trip to Chile. He also led his Eagle Scout project, designing and installing custom shelving units for St. Joseph’s Church as part of a facility improvement plan.

During the summer, Andrew works at Showtime Auto Detailing in Rochester, New Hampshire.

Andrew was accepted to several universities, including the University of Miami, Northeastern, UMass Amherst, and the University of Colorado Boulder. He will attend Clemson University this fall, where he plans to study Mechanical Engineering. He chose Clemson for its strong engineering program, vibrant campus life, and the ROTC scholarship and additional financial aid he received. Andrew hopes to pursue a future in the engineering field while serving his country through ROTC.

Mason Ruger

Mason Ruger is the son of William and Jennifer Ruger of York, Maine. He is the younger brother of Caleb Ruger. Mason attended Dorothy Hamm Middle School in Arlington, Virginia, and his family are parishioners at Immaculate Conception Church in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

He is a member of the National Honor Society. Among his academic recognitions, Mason received Department Awards in Algebra II, Chemistry, and U.S. History during his junior year, was consistently on the President’s List, and earned an Honorable Mention in the National Spanish Exam.

A dedicated multi-sport athlete, Mason earned three varsity letters in his junior and senior years, receiving the Jack Leary Award. He was also honored with the Scholar-Athlete Award from the NHIAA and NH Athletic Directors Association in 2025.

Mason competed on the Varsity Cross Country team all four years, placing 17th in the 2024 Division III Championships and qualifying for the Meet of Champions his senior year. He was awarded the team’s Dedication to the Sport Award.

In Indoor Track, Mason set and broke multiple school records in the 600m and 4x400m relay events. He placed 4th in the 600m at the 2025 Division II Championships and earned the Saints Award. In his junior year, he was the 600m runner-up and team MVP.

In Outdoor Track, Mason was a consistent state qualifier in the 800m, 400m, and relay events. He helped break the school record in the 4x400m relay his senior year and was named Seacoast Champion in the 4x800m relay.

Mason also played Varsity Basketball during his sophomore year.

In service to others, Mason volunteered with the Run For God program as a mentor and counselor, assisted with the Penny Sale fundraiser for Our Lady of Angels, and helped with cleaning and support work at the Corpus Christi Parish Center.

Mason was accepted to several prestigious institutions, including Clemson, William and Mary, RPI, RIT, and the University of Pittsburgh. He will attend William and Mary this fall to major in Biology on a pre-med track. His decision was influenced by the school’s rigorous academics, family legacy, and its location in the South.

Mason hopes to attend medical school after college and looks forward to starting a family in the future.

Madeline Shilling

Madeline Shilling is the daughter of Tamara and Kevin Shilling of Durham, New Hampshire. She is the older sister of Eleanor. The Shilling family are parishioners at Saint Thomas More Church in Durham. Madeline attended middle school at Saint Mary Academy in Dover.

She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. Throughout high school, Madeline earned numerous academic awards including the English and Social Studies Department Awards as a freshman, the AP Environmental Science Award as a sophomore, and received bronze medals on the National Spanish Exam her freshman and sophomore years. She was also awarded an $80,000 scholarship from Elmira College during her junior year.

An avid performer, Madeline has been involved in theater all four years, participating in productions such as Into the Woods, Legally Blonde, Les Miserables, and others. She served as Vice President of the Theater Club her junior year and Co-President her senior year. She also played in the Jazz Band and Band during her freshman and sophomore years. Outside of school, Madeline has played violin in the UNH Youth Symphony Orchestra since 7th grade and has studied dance since she was two years old, focusing on jazz, ballet, tap, and pointe.

Madeline has volunteered weekly at the Durham Public Library throughout high school and has been a member of its Teen Advisory Board. She has also worked every summer at the Live and Learn Early Learning Center.

Madeline was accepted to several colleges including the University of New Hampshire Honors College, University of Vermont Patrick Leahy Honors College, Connecticut College, Wellesley College, Wesleyan University, and more. She has chosen to attend Hamilton College, feeling it was the best fit and most like home. Madeline plans to double major in Biology and Spanish on a pre-med track. Her dream is to become a bilingual physician who participates in programs like Doctors Without Borders to provide medical care to underprivileged communities around the world.

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College Sports

Adrian Women’s Soccer Unveils 2025 Schedule; Opens Season with Six Home Matches

Story Links 2025 Adrian College Women’s Soccer Schedule ADRIAN, Mich. – The Adrian College women’s soccer team is set to kick off the 2025 season at the end of August, launching their campaign with a six-match homestand. The Bulldogs have officially released their fall […]

Published

55 minutes ago

June 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

ADRIAN, Mich. – The Adrian College women’s soccer team is set to kick off the 2025 season at the end of August, launching their campaign with a six-match homestand. The Bulldogs have officially released their fall schedule, which promises exciting home action early in the year.

Adrian opens the season on August 29 against Hiram College, followed by five consecutive home matches against Ohio Wesleyan, Manchester, Otterbein, Madonna, and Wittenberg. The team hits the road for the first time on September 16 to face Wilmington before returning to Docking Stadium to take on Mount Union. The Bulldogs will close out the month with back-to-back away games at Kenyon and Baldwin Wallace.

Conference play in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) begins the first weekend of October. Adrian will host Kalamazoo, Alma, Trine, and Hope in conference matchups, while traveling to face Saint Mary’s, Olivet, Albion, and Calvin.

“We’re looking to build on last year’s success,” said head coach Nathan Kronewetter. “We believe our non-conference schedule features strong competition that will prepare us for MIAA play. With a front-loaded home schedule, we’re excited to energize the campus community and aim for home-field advantage in the postseason.”

The Bulldogs wrapped up the 2024 season with a 12-5-1 overall record and a 5-2-1 mark in conference play. With momentum on their side, the team looks to contend for the MIAA title this fall.

Tickets for Adrian’s 2025 home matches will be available at a later date.

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Air Force hockey releases full 2025-2026 schedule, Falcons to open season against Denver and Colorado College | Sports

The summer months may be here but it’s time to make plans for fall and winter as Air Force hockey announced its schedule for the 2025-2026 season on Wednesday. The Falcons and coach Frank Serratore begin the season with a run through the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. Air Force travels to Omaha on Oct. 3 […]

Published

1 hour ago

June 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The summer months may be here but it’s time to make plans for fall and winter as Air Force hockey announced its schedule for the 2025-2026 season on Wednesday.

The Falcons and coach Frank Serratore begin the season with a run through the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. Air Force travels to Omaha on Oct. 3 for an exhibition. Air Force will then host Denver on Oct. 10 and Colorado College Oct. 11, returning the Battle for the Pikes Peak Trophy between the Falcons and Tigers to one game.

The following weekend, the Falcons will host St. Thomas which is currently a part of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association but will join the NCHC in the 2026-2027 season.

Following that series, Air Force opens Atlantic Hockey America play with their first official road series of the season at Rochester Institute of Technology, which captured the AHA championship two seasons ago.

Air Force returns to host Brown University on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. The Falcons played the Bears in Rhode Island last season.

Air Force opens the second half of the season at Arizona State on Jan. 2 and 3 for the Desert Classic, which includes the host Sun Devils (another NCHC team), Alaska-Anchorage and Michigan Tech.

Of course, Air Force and Army will renew their storied rivalry with the Falcons traveling to West Point Nov. 21 and 23. As usual, Air Force will celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday on the road as they travel to Canisius in Buffalo, N.Y., the next weekend.

Air Force and Army conclude their four-game series when the Falcons host the Black Knights at Cadet Ice Arena on Feb. 20 and 21.

The Falcons will close the regular season at Bentley the following weekend. Bentley claimed the conference title last season.

Air Force hockey schedule

Home series in bold

* denotes AHA series

Oct. 3: Omaha (exh.)

Oct. 10: Denver

Oct. 11: Colorado College

Oct. 17-18: St. Thomas

Oct. 24-25: RIT*

Oct. 31-Nov. 1: Brown

Nov. 7-8: Sacred Heart University*

Nov. 14-15: Holy Cross*

Nov. 21, 23: Army West Point*

Nov. 28-29: Canisius*

Dec. 5-6: Robert Morris University*

Jan. 2-3: Arizona State Desert Classic

Jan. 9-10: Bentley*

Jan. 16-17: Holy Cross*

Jan. 30-31: Sacred Heart University*

Feb. 6-7: Niagara*

Feb. 13-14: Mercyhurst*

Feb. 20-21: Army West Point*

Feb. 27-28: Bentley*

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State College Spikes vs Crosscutters Season Finale in State College, PA | Event Calendar

August 28 @ 6:35 pm FIREWORKS Night Guy Gadowsky Bobblehead Giveaway First 1,000 Fans Fresh off the first-ever Frozen Four in Penn State men’s ice hockey history, head coach Guy Gadowsky will bring his signature look to his bobblehead, presented by Centre Dental Care by Dr. Carnicella, giving the first 1,000 fans at the regular […]

Published

2 hours ago

June 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

August 28

@

6:35 pm

FIREWORKS Night

Guy Gadowsky Bobblehead Giveaway First 1,000 Fans Fresh off the first-ever Frozen Four in Penn State men’s ice hockey history, head coach Guy Gadowsky will bring his signature look to his bobblehead, presented by Centre Dental Care by Dr. Carnicella, giving the first 1,000 fans at the regular season home finale something to really sink their teeth into.

Thirsty Thursday return to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park! Fans of age can get $2 12-oz. drafts from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.!

THON NightIn 2024, THON raised a record-breaking $16.9 million – join the Spikes in kicking off the drive towards bettering that for THON 2025, as we come together #ForTheKids!

Sports, State College Spikes

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10 Things to Know About UNO During the College World Series | News

Every June, Omaha transforms into the epicenter of college baseball, drawing tens of thousands of fans from across the country to Charles Schwab Field and the surrounding Baseball Village. This summer marks UNO’s debut as an official co-host, coinciding with the CWS’s 75th anniversary in Omaha, a city where the “greatest show on dirt” has […]

Published

2 hours ago

June 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Every June, Omaha transforms into the epicenter of college baseball, drawing tens of thousands of fans from across the country to Charles Schwab Field and the surrounding Baseball Village.

This summer marks UNO’s debut as an official co-host, coinciding with the CWS’s 75th anniversary in Omaha, a city where the “greatest show on dirt” has become a defining tradition.

1. UNO is Omaha’s University

Omaha is our campus. UNO is Nebraska’s only public urban-metropolitan university and a member of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU), meaning we’re built for the city we serve. As part of the University of Nebraska System, we combine big-time academics with big-city opportunities. About 15,000 students are enrolled at the university, and half of our 125,000 living alumni live and work right here in Omaha. In fact, 81% of Maverick graduates stay after graduating.

2. UNO Students Intern and Work for the College World Series, Plus Fortune 500 Giants

UNO’s role as co-host is more than symbolic—it’s hands-on. Mavericks are everywhere during the CWS: in the press box, on the field, behind the scenes, and in the stands.

Broadcasting: Since 2017, student journalists from UNO’s MavRadio have covered the College World Series in full, delivering play-by-play coverage, interviews, and features—often winning awards for their outstanding work.
Athletic Training: UNO students in the Athletic Training program assist professionals during the tournament, providing support to players and gaining critical on-the-ground experience.
Mud Crew: UNO students, including several softball players, have even joined the CWS “mud crew,” prepping hundreds of baseballs before each game with special mud to improve grip—an iconic, behind-the-scenes tradition.

Berkshire Hathaway. Union Pacific. Mutual of Omaha. Kiewit Corporation. All four have headquarters in Omaha, and UNO students regularly land paid internships (and full-time gigs) with these industry leaders.

Mav Radio's Benjamin Helwig takes photos from the upper deck in right field as he captures the scene of the College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park

3. Even Before Becoming a Co-Host, UNO was Making Waves at the CWS

It’s not just the players and press crews representing UNO during the College World Series—the stands are filled with Maverick pride, too.

In 2016, a young UNO fan made national headlines when he locked eyes with an ESPN camera and held the stare with stone-cold intensity, all while proudly rocking his Maverick gear. The moment went viral and quickly became a fan-favorite clip during the tournament, proving that Maverick spirit starts young and runs deep.

"The Road to Omaha" sculpture was designed by former UNO student John Labja, who used 13 UNO students as models for the statue, which now stands outside TD Ameritrade Park as a tribute to the College World Series

4. UNO is an Academic and Research Powerhouse

With consecutive years of record-breaking research, innovation is in our DNA. Some of our unique programs include:

️ Counterterrorism: UNO is home to NCITE, the Department of Homeland Security’s Center of Excellence for terrorism prevention and counterterrorism research. NCITE is the nation’s leading academic center for the study of emerging and novel terrorism threats.

Artificial Intelligence: UNO is one the only universities to offer a bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence in the Midwest.

Biomechanics: The Biomechanics Research Building – home to the Pitching Lab, the Center for Cardiovascular Research in Biomechanics, and more – calls our campus home. It’s the only building like it in the entire world.

Aviation: Students have a direct pipeline to careers in aviation thanks to the Aviation Institute. With state-of-the-art flight simulation technology and partnerships with United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and more, careers take flight at UNO.

UNO researcher Jorge M. Zuniga, Ph.D, left, works with 9-year-old Rue Gillespie.

5. UNO Excellence Goes Beyond Academics

Omaha Athletics fields 16 men’s and women’s sports teams. While 15 sports compete in the Summit League, men’s ice hockey competes in the powerhouse National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). In addition to the men’s basketball team’s 2025 Summit League championship, the following teams have clinched conference titles since 2019:

Men’s Soccer: 2020, 2023

Women’s Soccer: 2022

Men’s Basketball: 2025

Baseball: 2019

Softball: 2022, 2023

Volleyball: 2023

University of Nebraska at Omaha fans cheer on the UNO men’s basketball team as they load the bus as they make their way to the NCAA basketball tournament

6. Warren Buffett Taught at UNO —Yes, That Warren Buffett

Before becoming the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett taught investment courses from 1952 to 1962 at UNO’s College of Business Administration (CBA). Today, the CBA offers the Genius of Warren Buffett course, where students take a deep dive into his legendary investing strategies.

Warren Buffett teaching at Omaha University, now the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

7. Do You Recognize These Famous Mavericks?

Once a Maverick, always a Maverick! Here are just a handful of Mavericks who attended classes at UNO or are degree-holding UNO alumni that have gone on to do big things:

Chuck Hagel: Former U.S. Senator representing Nebraska and Secretary of Defense (pictured below).

Peter Fonda: Award-winning actor from films that include “Easy Rider,” “3:10 to Yuma,” and “Ulee’s Gold”

Connie Claussen: Women’s sports pioneer and legendary softball coach.

Conor Oberst: Indie music icon and Bright Eyes frontman.

Jake Guentzel: Omaha native and 2017 Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Marlin Briscoe: The first Black starting quarterback in professional football and 2016 College Football Hall of Fame inductee.

Shaq Barrett: Super Bowl-winning linebacker.

Greg Zeurlein: NFL kicker with a big leg and a bigger nickname, “Legatron.”

Zach Miller: Record-breaking Mavericks quarterback and NFL tight end-turned country music artist.

UNO graduates received their degrees during the December Commencement at Baxter Arena for the University of Nebraska at Omaha on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Omaha, Nebraska.

8. We Wrote the (Virtual) Textbook on Online Learning

UNO has been a pioneer in online education for more than 25 years, with online programs regularly ranking among the best in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report. The 2025 rankings were no different:

#4: Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs for Veterans

#6: Overall Rank for Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs

#29: Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans

#41: Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs

#57: Overall Rank for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs

9. UNO is the Nation’s Best Public University for Military Veterans

Military Times ranked UNO the top public university in the nation for veterans in 2024. The Office of Military and Veterans Services helps veterans and military-connected individuals, prepare for civilian careers, build connections with employers, access Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits, navigate the university admissions and financial aid processes

University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Office of Military and Veterans Services hosts the kickoff of the annual “The Things They Carry” Ruck March at Baxter Arena

10. What’s Not to “Like” About UNO?

According to Rival IQ’s 2024 Higher Education Social Media Engagement Report, UNO has one of the highest engagement rates in all of higher education. Stay connected with UNO (@UNOmaha) through the CWS and beyond on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter (X), and LinkedIn!

University of Nebraska at Omaha Social Media Ambassadors Miracle Olawuyi, left, and Lana Huetson have their pictures taken during the College World Series

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ATLANTA – The U.S. Under-16 Girls’ National Team and U.S. Under-15 Girls’ National Team will both travel to Europe in June for training camps and matches. The U.S. U-16 GNT will be in the Netherlands while the U-15s will travel to the Netherlands and Germany border for some rare full international matches for this age […]

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4 hours ago

June 6, 2025

Your Sports Nation

ATLANTA – The U.S. Under-16 Girls’ National Team and U.S. Under-15 Girls’ National Team will both travel to Europe in June for training camps and matches.

The U.S. U-16 GNT will be in the Netherlands while the U-15s will travel to the Netherlands and Germany border for some rare full international matches for this age group.

Head coach Ciara Crinion will lead the U-16s which will play three games, taking on the Netherlands (June 11), Germany (June 13) and Norway (June 16). All games will be held at Sportpark Parkzicht in Uden, Netherlands.

Vanessa Mann will coach her first international matches after taking the helm of the U-15s with the young Americans playing two matches, facing the Netherlands on June 12 at Sportpark Vondersweijde in Oldenzaal, Netherlands, which is close to the border with Germany. The USA will then take on Germany on June 15 at OBI-Arena in Rheine, Germany.

(+Players That Impressed: ECNL Girls 2025 North Carolina National Event)

All 20 players on the U-16 roster were born in 2009 except for midfielder Loradana Paletta, who was born 2011, while all the U-15 players were born in 2010. The cut-off eligibility age for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is Jan. 1, 2008, and all 40 players over these two camps are available for selection for the World Cup Team, which will be made up primarily of 2008s.

One player in the U-15 GNT camp, midfielder Valentina Perrotta, trained this past season with the DC Power FC in the USL Super League and saw action in one match this year. She plays her youth club soccer with Bethesda FC.

Eight players on the U-16 roster helped the USA win the 2024 Concacaf Girls’ Under-15 Championship in Costa Rica with defenders Melia Brewer (two goals) and Elena Vera; midfielders Caroline Swann (two goals), Mia Corona (two goals), Paletta (one goal), Amari Manning (two goals)and Taylor Morrell; and forwards Deus Stanislaus (three goals) and Carolina Reyna, (team-high six goals).

U.S. U-15 GNT goalkeeper Carmen O’Dea is the only player playing outside the United States. Born in Spain to a Spanish mother and American father, she plays for the FC Barcelona youth teams.

U.S. U-15 GIRLS’ NATIONAL TEAM (Club; Hometown)

International Training Camp – Germany

Goalkeepers (2): Carmen O’Dea (FC Barcelona; Barcelona, ESP), Avellina Saunders (Utah Royals FC Arizona; Phoenix, Ariz.)

Defenders (7): Nina Clement (FC Stars; Hopkinton, Mass.), Ally Damron (San Diego Surf SC; San Diego, Calif.), Kylie Guerrero (Solar SC; Coppell, Texas), Madison Kline (St. Louis Scott Gallagher; Edwardsville, Ill.), Tilly Shaeffer (Sting Austin; San Antonio, Texas), Cassandra Travers (Bay Area Surf SC; Santa Cruz, Calif.), Gigi Zuniga (Mountain View Los Altos SC; Watsonville, Calif.)

Midfielders (6):  Natalia Hanson (Penn Fusion SA; Coatesville, Pa.), Ainsley McGuire (St. Louis Scott Gallagher; St. Louis, Mo.), Isabella Ortiz (Florida United SC; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Valentina Perrotta (DC Power Football Club – USL Super League; Rockville, Md.), Avery Walbruch (La Roca FC; Highland, Utah), Kiyomi Yoshimura (Mountain View Los Altos SC; Santa Clara, Calif.)

Forwards (5): Caroline Barrow (Albion Hurricanes FC; Houston, Texas), Ella Carr (Sting Austin; Spicewood, Texas), Riley Rountree (Eastside FC; Seattle, Wash.), Rhea Steil (HTX; Spring, Texas), Isabelle York (TophatSC; Atlanta, Ga.)

U.S. U-16 GIRLS’ NATIONAL TEAM (Club; Hometown)

International Training Camp – Netherlands

Goalkeepers (2): Marley Higgins (Pacific Northwest SC; Portland, Ore.), Malia Zillman (Rockford Raptors FC; Madison, Wis.)

Defenders (7): Emily Baxter (TophatSC; Atlanta, Ga.), Meila Brewer (Kansas City Athletics; Overland Park, Kansas), Kendra Hansen (Pateadores SC; Tustin, Calif.), Marin Kotschau (Colorado Rapids Youth SC; Thornton, Colo.), Madeline Maves (Crossfire Premier; Seattle, Wash.), Elena Vera (Bay Area Surf SC; Fairfield, Calif.), Anaiah Williams (Eclipse Select SC; Glendale Heights, Ill.)

Midfielders (6): Mia Corona (Legends FC; Cypress, Calif.), Taylor Morrell (Virginia Development Academy; Leesburg, Va.), Loradana Paletta (New York City FC; Syosset, N.Y.), Georgia Restovich (St. Louis Scott Gallagher; St. Louis, Mo.), Carolina Reyna (Sting Austin; Austin, Texas), Caroline Swann (Solar SC; Dallas, Texas)

Forwards (5): Lilah Helwig (FC DELCO; Frackville, Pa.), Amari Manning (Players Development Academy; Flemington, N.J.), Kyleigh Pete (Sting Dallas Royal; Grand Prairie, Texas), Deus Stanislaus (Players Development Academy; Fort Washington, Pa.), Daphne Van der Weide (Virginia Development Academy; Vienna, Va.)