Sports

Inside The Herd: Ethan Bowens, Men’s Track & Field

Published

2 months ago

October 30, 2025

Editor’s Note: Inside The Herd is an original series where we highlight our student-athletes and tell their Marshall stories. Every student-athlete at Marshall has a story about their journey and we hope that their stories inspire others to live their Marshall moments as well! Go Herd!

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – When Ethan Bowens started his Marshall journey in 2021, there was no indication he would ever be a Division I athlete.

At the time Bowens enrolled as a student, Marshall had not even reinstated its Men’s Track program.

Little did Bowens know then the next four years would take him on a journey in which he not only realized his childhood goals of being a Division I student-athlete, but that those experiences would also shape his future and help him champion his studies with a global and even interstellar impact project that has earned him numerous accolades at the conference and university levels, as well as global recognition.

“I don’t think I could’ve dreamed a better life than the one I live right now and I thank my Lord and savior for that because without him, I wouldn’t be here,” Bowens said. “It’s been fantastic. I never would’ve believed that I’d received a NASA grant and flown to Puerto Rico to present my findings and then be named the Sun Belt post-graduate award winner.”

Growing up in nearby Wayne, W.Va., Bowens’ youth was spent going to Marshall games and cheering on the Herd with his father, who was a Marshall graduate. Like many from the Tri-State area, his dreams were to one day be a Division I athlete.

However, after graduating from Wayne High School in the Class of 2021, Bowens thought he’d put that dream aside to pursue a degree at Marshall University in Exercise Science.

“My dream coming out of high school was to be a part of Division I athletics, as most kids who play high school sports would,” Bowens said. “But I hung up my football cleats and track spikes to pursue a career in academics, and that’s what I did my freshman year. I dedicated myself to my studies.”

Then, something incredible happened as his sophomore year was getting underway. You could say the stars aligned perfectly.

“Probably into my sophomore year in October, I got word that the Men’s Track and Field team was going to be coming back at Marshall University after a 20-year hiatus,” Bowens continued. “The first thing I did was E-mail Coach (Caleb) Bowen and my high school coach to try to get some face-time and see if that’s something I could try out for. I ended up making the team and now we’ve run three seasons with two incredible coaching staffs, and I couldn’t be more happy.”

Based on Bowens’ high school dreams, he’d made it. However, with all great athletes, his pursuit of excellence did not stop there.

Instead, he took his career as a student-athlete to the next level, using what he learned through his own athletic journey and the science behind his own training to drive his academic pursuit of excellence in Exercise Science.

Bowens embarked on a research project that included a unique study on muscle atrophy and the impacts of zero gravity on muscles for astronauts, based on variables of age and gender.

The project’s focus was helping astronauts better prepare for long, sustained missions with resistance training which would counter-balance the impact of hypertrophy.

NASA took notice of his efforts and Bowens was offered a research fellowship through NASA’s West Virginia Space Grant Consortium, which led him on a journey that produced more than 460 hours of research over the next year and landed him in Puerto Rico to present his findings.

That research was completely intertwined with his athletic career as Bowens maintained a balance of academics and athletics.

“A lot (of the research) was at a computer looking at muscle fibers – their length and size – and recording that data,” Bowens said. “It’s hard to balance with track and field, so I would look at a lot of the muscles on the bus while traveling during the down time.”

Bowens credited Marshall Track & Field coach Keith Roberts for sharing in his vision of success and for his coaches and teammates for their sacrifice as he pursued the project.

“Coach Roberts and his staff have been fantastic to me and all the athletes, and that’s why I speak so highly of them and this program,” Bowens said. “I missed the first meet of the season to fly to Puerto Rico (for the presentation) and it was never a question of commitment or character to the team. They were excited for me. I couldn’t be more thankful for the support I’ve received from them and from my teammates as well.”

It is a journey that earned him the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Male Post-Graduate Student-Athlete of the Year Award, which he was honored for this month, adding to a previous distinction of “Best Undergraduate Student” during Marshall’s 36^th Annual Health Sciences Research Day in Nov. 2024.

“I was very blessed and very fortunate to be able to receive an award that’s Sun Belt wide, especially with all the talent – both academically and athletically in this conference,” Bowens said. “To be named as one of the top recipients in this conference was just fantastic. It’s a big blessing and I’m thankful for the coaches, staff, and mentors that I’ve had to interact with here at Marshall and the professors that taught me. The whole experience we have is excellent here!”

Just as in the onset of his Marshall journey when he continued to build on his dreams, Bowens knows the work isn’t finished for him in athletics or academia.

As he finishes his Marshall track career in the near future, Bowens is applying for medical school with the hopes of being accepted into the Fall 2026 class.

His future plans include becoming a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist for one of the U.S. branches with a 10-year plan of practicing medicine and getting people back to health and their daily activities.

One thing that Bowens said has been special in his athletic journey is how that, no matter where they travel, folks always yell “Go Herd” and say when they graduated from Marshall when they see the Marshall ‘M’ being worn by he and his teammates.

Bowens said there’s just something special about that Marshall ‘M’ – a quality he felt as a young kid while going to games, but even more now that he’s a Son of Marshall.

“I bleed Green!” Bowens said. “Marshall has always been a place – my Dad graduated from here – so it’s a place that I always wanted to go, but now, I look at it in a different light having sacrificed and committed so many hours of my time to this university.

“The people here are, bar none, some of the greatest in the world, and the reach of that Marshall ‘M’ is pretty wide. I love this university and the people here and everything about this community.”

No matter where life may take Bowens – medical school, the military, NASA and beyond – he made sure one thing was clear: the Marshall ‘M’ and the pride that comes along with it will be with him every step of his journey.

INSIDE THE HERD

Name: Ethan Bowens

Sport: Track & Field

Year: Junior

Hometown: Wayne, W.Va.

Major: Exercise Science

Awards

–            2025 Sun Belt Male Postgraduate Scholar Athlete Of The Year

–            2024 Best Undergraduate Student – Marshall University Health Sciences

–            2024 Chad Pennington Leadership Award – MARCOs

–            2024 Teammate of the Year – MARCOs

–            Grant from NASA’s West Virginia Space Grant Consortium

Goals: Medical School in Fall 2026 and become a PMR for the military

For all the latest information about Marshall Athletics, follow @HerdZone on X and Instagram.

To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS and Android.

—HerdZone.com—

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South Dakota earns three Summit League Academic All-League selections

Published

9 minutes ago

December 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — South Dakota volleyball’s Avery Van Hook, Kamryn Farris and Amanda Loschen were named to the Summit League Volleyball Academic All-League team, announced the league office Monday.

South Dakota accounted for three of the seven spots on the Academic All-League team and was the only program to have multiple athletes named to the team. Van Hook has been named to the Academic All-League Team in consecutive seasons, while Farris and Loschen appeared on the team for the first time in their career.

The three Coyotes were also named to the 2025 CSC Academic All-District Team.

To be eligible for the Academic All-League team, a student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.30 (on a 4.0 scale), completed at least one full academic year at the current institution and participated in 50 percent of their team’s competitions.

Nominations are brought forth by sports information directors from the league’s participating members, and voting is conducted by both SIDs and FARs. The teams are made up of ten student-athletes receiving the most votes with all ties standing.

2025 Summit League Volleyball Academic All-League Team

Name	School	Yr.	Pos.	GPA	Major
Ally Barth	NDSU	Sr.	MB	3.94	Management Communication
Kamryn Farris	South Dakota	Sr.	DS	3.75	Business
Avery Van Hook**	South Dakota	Jr.	S	3.87	Kinesiology & Sport Management
Kali Jurgensmeier**	Omaha	Sr.	OH	3.82	Biology
Amanda Loschen	South Dakota	Jr.	MB	3.86	Medical Biology
Lauren Perugini**	North Dakota	Jr.	OH	4.00	Dietetics
Joslyn Richardson**	SDSU	Jr.	DS	4.00	Construction Management

*Career Academic All-League honors

Stay up to date with all things Coyotes by following South Dakota Athletics on Facebook /SDCoyotes, X (Twitter) @SDCoyotes, and Instagram @sdcoyotes! #GoYotes x #WeAreSouthDakota

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Tomashek named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week

Published

4 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

HOUGHTON, Mich. – Michigan Tech men’s basketball senior Marcus Tomashek has been named the GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week for week six, the league office announced on Monday.

The honor marks the ninth of his career and the first of his senior season.

Tomashek, a standout from Green Bay, Wisconsin, averaged 30.5 points, 5.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds to lead the No. 9 nationally-ranked Huskies to win over Florida Tech (64-52) before blitzing the high-flying offense of the Lynn Fighting Knights (105-67) at the Florida Tech Christmas Classic over the weekend to wrap non-conference play with a 11-1 record overall.

In the largest scoring game against a Division II opponent in over 15 years, Tomashek netted a season-high 39 points in the 105-67 win on 14-21 from the field and 11-17 from 3-point land, breaking the school record for single-game 3-point field goals made, surpassing fellow Husky All-Americans Kyle Monroe and Ben Stelzer. He also added four assists that helped the Huskies break the team record for most 3-point field goals made with 23.

Tomashek finished the weekend shooting 54.1 percent from the field (20-37), 50 percent from long range (14-28) and a perfect 7-7 from the charity stripe.

The Huskies resume GLIAC play next weekend, hosting Grand Valley State Thursday and Davenport on Saturday.

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SCAC Announces 2025 Fall All-Sportsmanship Teams

Published

4 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

SUWANEE, Ga. — The Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) today announced its 18th annual fall All-Sportsmanship teams. A total of 63 student-athletes – the most since 2011-12 – were selected to the 2025 squad in the sports of men’s cross country, women’s cross country, football, men’s soccer, women’s soccer and volleyball.

Since the inaugural All-Sportsmanship teams were honored in the fall of 2008, the SCAC has recognized over 2,500 student-athletes who each, in his or her own way, has displayed the league’s core belief in the value of honorable conduct.

For this year’s selections, each conference head coach was asked to elect one member from his or her team who displayed good sportsmanship throughout the season.

The 2025 SCAC All-Sportsmanship honorees for the fall sports season are listed below:

2025 All-Sportsmanship Men’s Cross Country Team
Centenary College – Zack Wroten, Fy., Benton, Louisiana
Colorado College – Luc Santos, Sr., Exeter, New Hampshire
Concordia University (Texas) – Gerardo Leal, Fy., Dallas, Texas
University of Dallas – Martin Lane, So., Hot Springs, South Dakota
Hendrix College – Davin Barragan, Fy., Hot Springs, Arkansas
LeTourneau University – Austin Jett, Jr., Magnolia, Texas
McMurry University – Roman Perez, Sr., Big Spring, Texas
University of the Ozarks – Daniel Sanderson, Sr., Clarksville, Arkansas
Schreiner University – Sean Dansby, Jr., Pasadena, Texas
University of St. Thomas – Mason McFeeters, Jr., Lake Jackson, Texas
Texas Lutheran University – Peyton Bristow, Fy., Round Rock, Texas

2025 All-Sportsmanship Women’s Cross Country
Centenary College – Grayson Shugart, So., McKinney, Texas
Colorado College – Brooktie Frogge, Sr., Nashville, Tennessee
Concordia University (Texas) – Camille McWhorter, Jr., Humble, Texas
University of Dallas – Teresa Chshen, Jr., River Ridge, Louisiana
Hendrix College – Pippy Newell, Fy., Owasso, Oklahoma
LeTourneau University – Alayna Galloway, Sr., Montgomery, Texas
McMurry University – Madison Soultanova, Sr., Jacksonville, Texas
University of the Ozarks – Chloe Weathers, Sr., Clarksville, Arkansas
Schreiner University – Piper Hoeke, So., Boerne, Texas
University of St. Thomas – Alejandra Ramon, Jr., Klein, Texas
Texas Lutheran University – Audrey Malbrough, So., Selma, Texas

2025 All-Sportsmanship Football
Austin College – Evan Dennis, Sr., McKinney, Texas
Centenary College – Gideon Bowman, So., Destrehan, Louisiana
Hendrix College – Auvic White, Sr., Munford, Tennessee
Lyon College – Grayson Johnson, Jr., Anniston, Alabama
McMurry University – Kimani Smith, Sr., Austin, Texas
Texas Lutheran University – Anthony Ortegon, Jr., Houston, Texas

2025 All-Sportsmanship Men’s Soccer
Austin College – Justin Ajdukovich, Sr., Frisco, Texas
Centenary College – Joshua Mensah, So., Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Colorado College – Will Jones, So., Colorado Springs, Colorado
Concordia University (Texas) – Steven Dolan, Jr., Bellevue, Washington
University of Dallas – Josh Longlois, So., Houston, Texas
Hendrix College – Charlie Mata, Sr., Houston, Texas
LeTourneau University – Nate Bransford, Sr., Kijabe, Kenya
McMurry University – Abel Gonzalez, Fy., Dallas, Texas
University of the Ozarks – Hunter Robert, Sr., Montgomery, Texas
Schreiner University – Derek Toney, Fy., San Antonio, Texas
University of St. Thomas – Elijah Flores, Sr., Missouri City, Texas
Texas Lutheran University – Preston Huff, Sr., Houston, Texas

2025 All-Sportsmanship Women’s Soccer
Austin College – Lynna Martin, Fy., Paris, Texas
Centenary College – Anna Hobart, Fy., Natchitoches, Louisiana
Concordia University (Texas) – Lilianna Cherry, Jr., Kingwood, Texas
University of Dallas – Kit Gibbons, Sr., Tomball, Texas
Hendrix College – Ella Kelly, Sr., Webster Groves, Missouri
LeTourneau University – Clarissa Martinez, Sr., Richwood, Texas
McMurry University – Alexandria Flores, Jr., San Angelo, Texas
University of the Ozarks – Jayden Vazquez, So., Dardanelle, Arkansas
Schreiner University – Aspen Ulibarri, So., Clovis, New Mexico
University of St. Thomas – Bre Medina, Fy., Pearland, Texas
Texas Lutheran University – Alysa Marquez, Jr., Miami, Florida

2025 All-Sportsmanship Volleyball
Austin College – Selah Coleman, Sr., Houston, Texas
Centenary College – Hannah Dimmel, Jr., Navasota, Texas
Colorado College – Meghan Gannon, Jr., Cleveland, Ohio
Concordia University (Texas) – Camryn Parker, Sr., Garland, Texas
University of Dallas – Breana Timms, Fy., Mansfield, Texas
Hendrix College – Lily Meyer, Sr., Omaha, Nebraska
LeTourneau University – Emma Smith, Sr., San Antonio, Texas
McMurry University – Jalie Miller, So., Rockwall, Texas
University of the Ozarks – Claire Zeiler, Fy., Paris, Arkansas
Schreiner University – Emma Frye, Jr., Tigard, Oregon
University of St. Thomas – Madi Baker, Jr., Rancho Cucamonga, California
Texas Lutheran University – Ryann Ely, Sr., Montgomery, Texas

To view an archive of past All-Sportsmanship teams, click here.

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RICHARDSON NAMED TO ACADEMIC ALL-LEAGUE TEAM

Published

4 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota State junior Joslyn Richardson was one of four repeat honorees on the 2025 Summit League Volleyball Academic All-League Team released by conference officials Monday. A total of seven volleyball athletes league-wide were named to the team that was voted on by the membership’s faculty athletic representatives and sports information directors.

Richardson, a two-time Summit League Scholar of the Championship presented by JLG Architects, collected the second all-academic honor of her career.

Richardson played every match as the Jackrabbits’ libero in 2025 and led the team in digs per set with 3.31. She also set a new program record with 41 ace serves this year.

To be eligible for the Academic All-League team, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.30 (on a 4.0 scale), completed at least one full academic year at the current institution and participated in 50 percent of their team’s competitions.

Nominations are brought forth by sports information directors from the league’s ten institutions and voting is conducted by both the SIDs and facility athletic representatives (FARs). The team is made up of the seven student-athletes receiving the most votes with all ties standing.

2025 Summit League Volleyball Academic All-League Team

Name	School	Yr.	Pos.	GPA	Major
Ally Barth	NDSU	Sr.	MB	3.94	Management Communication
Kamryn Farris	South Dakota	Sr.	DS	3.75	Business
Avery Van Hook**	South Dakota	Jr.	S	3.87	Kinesiology & Sport Management
Kali Jurgensmeier**	Omaha	Sr.	OH	3.82	Biology
Amanda Loschen	South Dakota	Jr.	MB	3.86	Medical Biology
Lauren Perugini**	North Dakota	Jr.	OH	4.00	Dietetics
Joslyn Richardson**	SDSU	Jr.	DS	4.00	Construction Management

*Career Academic All-League honors

-GoJacks.com-

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Una Vajagic becomes first Badger Volleyball starter to transfer after national semifinal run | Sports

Published

5 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

MADISON, Wis. — In a surprising move on the volleyball court, Una Vajagic has announced that she is entering the transfer portal. This news is a stunner for Badger fans, as the sophomore ranked second on the team in kills and becomes the first Badger starter to leave since their national semifinal run.

Vajagic was expected to take on a larger role next season with the graduation of Mimi Colyer and Carter Booth. However, head coach Kelly Sheffield is already taking steps to replenish the roster, bringing in Florida’s Jaela Auguste, a Middle Blocker, and Eva Travis, an Outside Hitter from UC-Santa Barbara.

Looking ahead, there is promising news for Wisconsin volleyball. According to PrepDig, Wisconsin boasts the #1 recruiting class in the nation, incoming in 2026. This signals a bright future for the program despite the unexpected departure of Vajagic.

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Tigers Picked Fourth in EIVA Preseason Poll

Published

5 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

PRINCETON, N.J. – The Tigers were picked to finish fourth in the EIVA preseason poll, announced Monday. Mason Rice and Ryan Vena were named EIVA preseason players to watch.

With 26 points, Princeton is fourth in the rankings behind Penn State, which was unanimously selected first, NJIT, and George Mason.

Vena and Rice were named players to watch by the EIVA coaches. Vena, a senior middle blocker, was a First Team All-EIVA honoree in 2025. Rice, a sophomore pin, was named to the Second Team All-EIVA after a breakout freshman season.

In 2025, the Tigers went 15-11 overall and 10-2 in the EIVA, winning the EIVA regular season championship before falling to Penn State in the EIVA tournament finals.

The Tigers will kick off the 2026 season on January 3rd as they take on Toronto Metropolitan on the road in Canada. First serve is set for 8 p.m.

2026 EIVA Preseason Coaches’ Poll