Friday morning at Thomas Brooks Park in Cary, North Carolina, was marked by fast action and fierce competition among teams battling to advance to the 10U Futures Invitational Semifinals. Wrapping up pool play with an 8-game slate saw teams grinding till the last out, eager to compete in bracket play tomorrow. Catch up on all the action from Friday’s games at the 10U Futures Invitational.

Knights Knation 13, Top Tier 2

Totaling an impressive 14-hit performance, Knights Knation ran away early on with a seven-run first inning. Solidifying their performance with some stellar pitching, starter Jaxon Leist worked four scoreless innings, surrendering only one hit while punching out five. The offense was stacked all around with five different players each having multi-hit games, led by Hunter Hamrick going 3-for-3 with two extra-base hits, including a two-RBI triple. Roberto Gutierrez led the team in RBIs with three, leading Knights Knation to an impressive win and a spot in the semifinals.

Original Florida Pokers of Parkland 10, ZT Prospects National 9

In what ultimately felt like the game of the day at Thomas Brooks Park, the Original Florida Pokers of Parkland worked a seven-run third inning, taking the momentum in loud fashion. With two outs in the top of the fourth, the Pokers stole home in a tied ball game, sending Jonathan Pierre home, where he was called safe to take the lead. Pierre also would have a big day at the plate, recording two triples as well as scoring the game-winning run. Tied for the team lead in RBIs, Cannon Allen went 2-for-3, picking up two stolen bases; also pitching two shutout innings, allowing no hits to secure the Pokers the win and a spot in the semifinals.

Scottsdale Dirtbags 5, Vault Boys National 2

In a game that needed extra innings to find a winner, the Scottsdale Dirtbags scratched across three runs during the top of the seventh, securing a win. Getting a great outing from their starting pitcher Noah Kirk, who worked five innings of two-run baseball with three strikeouts, handed the ball off to Ahdan Ontiveros. Pitching the rest of the game for the Dirtbags, Ontiveros went two innings of no-hit and no-run baseball that secured the Dirtbags the win. Driving in two of the three runs in the seventh, Mathias Solis hammered a bases-clearing triple down the left field line, his second hit of the game. Everett Van Bogaert drove home the final run of the game with an RBI groundout, and a scoreless frame from Ontiveros closed out the 5-2 win, securing the Dirtbags a semifinals berth.

TBT Ballers SoCal 10, West Raleigh 2

With a complete game performance from their starting pitcher, TBT Ballers SoCal executed when it mattered, picking up a 10-2 win. Leading the team in RBIs, Mattix Edwards went 1-for-4, scoring two runs from his first-inning triple to get things started. Luke Erickson was dominant on the mound, going a complete game of two-run ball for TBT Ballers SoCal. Multi-hit games from Jayden Agee and Mason Giffis helped lead the team to a 10-run performance on 10 total hits from the offense. With the win today, the TBT Ballers SoCal secured their spot in the semifinals.

Memphis Tigers 12, Perfect Performance Outlaws 5

After being outhit 11 to six, the Memphis Tigers were able to put up 12 runs and outlast the Perfect Performance Outlaws. Titus Watson led the Tigers with a big day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two stolen bases. The Perfect Performance Outlaws fought hard to stay in the game, led by Max Krevit’s 2-for-3 day at the plate, picking up two RBIs. Ultimately, the Tigers bullpen got the job done with a combined two innings of work from Grayson Stephney and Beckham Natola; the bullpen only gave up one run and maintained the lead.

DG29 Baseball Academy 6, New Level National 0

Carried by a 5.2 inning performance from starter Samir Galindo, DG29 Baseball Academy was able to shut out New Level National. Galdino, while only giving up one hit on the day, was also able to rack up five strikeouts in his impressive performance. Going 2-for-3 at the plate and picking up an RBI triple, Byron O. found his groove at the plate as one of two players picking up two hits today. Being able to spread out production was critical as five of the six runs scored were driven in by five different players, securing the 6-0 victory for DG29 Baseball Academy.

Tennessee Elite 8, Ghost National 4

Outscoring Ghost National 7-0 in the first two innings of the game, Tennessee Elite coasted their way to an 8-4 win. Logan A. picked up the final two RBIs of the first inning, hitting an inside-the-park home run that gave them an early 4-0 lead. Keeping the lead on the mound was starter Aiden F., going 3.2 innings, giving up one hit and one earned run with a pair of strikeouts. Finishing the game for Tennessee Elite, going 2.1 innings, Hudson Y. recorded five of his seven outs with strikeouts. That didn’t stop Ghost National from fighting back. Putting up a three-run fifth inning led by Robbie Cerciello’s two-RBI single. Tennessee Elite held strong and closed out the game with a flyout to right field.

Stacked Baseball 13, Jersey Storm 3

A great day from the offense was met by a great day from the pitching staff for Stacked Baseball, picking up a 13-3 win. Getting four innings of work from Ollie Arvesen, only giving up one earned run, the bullpen was phenomenal as well. With two innings in relief from Noa de la Torre and Shun Shiraiwa giving up two runs, the bats kept the game out of reach for Jersey Storm. The offense was led by Lennox Cort and Jack Williams, both recording multi-hit and multi-RBI games. Scoring 10 of their 13 runs in the fifth and sixth, put the game out of reach.

EUGENE, Ore. – Luke Hatfield Jackson claimed Second Team All-American honors in the high jump at the 2025 NCAA Championships Friday night. 

Graduate student, Hatfield Jackson garnered Second Team honors by placing 15th ,jumping over the height of 7′ 0.5″ (2.15m). Athletes who place ninth through 16th earn second team honors.  

Paden Lewis, the senior from Jefferson City, MO. placed 19th in the men’s discus. Lewis threw to the distance of 184′ 7″ (56.27m). 

MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary’s Volleyball continues to build up their 2025-26 squad with youthful talent, adding freshman Zoe Joshua out of Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks. Unlike most prep players, Joshua focussed purely on beach while playing for the Knights, giving her loads of experience on the sand despite coming in as just a freshman.

With numerous tournament wins to her name including the the 18u AVP and the 18u Walker Beach, Joshua concluded her pre collegiate beach career by being named the Mission League MVP after leading Notre Dame Sherman Oaks to an undefeated regular season and a trip to the CIF Southern Section DII Tournament. Standing at 5-8 and left hand dominant, Joshua will bring another dynamic dimension to Saint Mary’s Beach Volleyball

Joshua originally committed to the University of Utah, but after the discontinuation of their program, re-opened her recruiting and selected Saint Mary’s to be the place to call home for the next four years. 

“Zoe  is a 5’8″ left-handed defender who has achieved notable success in her beach volleyball career!” noted Head Coach Janice Harrer, “Her passion and persistence are qualities that will bring her success in the classroom and in competition!  She brings notable experience on the sand, and we look forward to what she will bring to the SMC program!”

Now with four true freshmen coming in for the 2025-26 season, the Gaels truly have set the building blocks for success in the near and far future.

#GaelsRise

Al Sermeno/KLC fotos

Mykolas Alekna, one of the best athletes in Cal history, closed out his Golden Bear career Friday with a second-place finish at the NCAA Championships.

T&F6/13/2025 8:52 PM | By: Cal Athletics

Two-Time World Medalist Battles In Clash Of Olympians

EUGENE, Ore. – Coming into day three of the NCAA Outdoor Championships, just one man from California track & field had yet to compete: discus world record-holder Mykolas Alekna, who hoped to follow up second- and third-place finishes at his first two NCAA Championships with a title for the Golden Bears. All knew nothing would come easy, however, as his main opponent in the ring was the No. 2 discus thrower in the history of the NCAA: Oklahoma’s Ralford Mullings, who had posted a best mark of 69.13m (226-9) in March at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays and, like Alekna, was a finalist at the 2024 Olympic Games.
 
Competing third in the initial order, Alekna took an early lead with a first-round throw of 66.44m (218-0), while Mullings’ first throw came off his hand short and wobbly; the reverse happened in the second round, as the Cal graduate took an intentional foul while Mullings moved into second place with a throw of 65.92 (216-3). The Jamaican native then took the lead for good in the third round after another Alekna foul, the discus finally falling at 67.70m (222-1) to break a 33-year-old meet record.
 
The next three throws featured multiple personal bests in a battle for third place, prompting several cries of admiration from the crowd. USC’s Racquil Broderick, who was one of just two men to qualify from the first flight, unleashed a throw of 63.31m (207-8) in round five, after which Virginia Tech’s Uladzislau Puchko responded with a 63.94m (209-9) to surge ahead. Neither of them ultimately challenged for the top two spots, which came down, as billed, to Alekna and Mullings: Alekna’s fourth throw sailed farther than any of his previous attempts but was ultimately ruled foul, while his fifth throw improved his mark to 66.77m (219-0).
 
Alekna’s sixth throw crashed into the right side of the cage, ricocheting off the pole with a resounding clong. Mullings, his victory assured, then launched a personal-best rocket of 69.31m (227-4) for the final exclamation point.
 
In addition to becoming the first man in world history to surpass the 75-meter mark in the discus as well as a three-time top-three NCAA finisher, Alekna’s outstanding career at Cal includes an Olympic silver medal, two World medals, and two European medals; his 2022 gold in the latter made him the youngest European champion in history at just 19 years old, while his silver at the 2022 World Championships enshrined him as the youngest world medalist in history. He appeared on The Bowerman Watch List 23 times – the most by any thrower in the history of the award and third-most among all men – and broke eight facility records and 10 meet records throughout his four years as a collegian to cement himself as one of the greatest throwers of all time.
 
2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships – Day Two Results
Men’s Discus Final – 2. Mykolas Alekna 66.77m/219-0
 
 
UP NEXT
Olympic discus thrower Caisa-Marie Lindfors will close out Cal’s outing at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, competing in Flight Two of the women’s discus Saturday. The event is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. PT.
 
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For complete coverage of Cal track & field, follow the Bears on X/Twitter (@CalTFXC), Instagram (@caltfxc) and Facebook (@Cal Cross Country/Track and Field).
 

WESTWOOD – The Needham boys volleyball team started Friday night firing on all cylinders on a stage the program – making its fifth straight Div. 1 state final appearance – is quite used to.

But Brookline, in its first trip since it last won a state championship in 1992, wouldn’t be denied of the ultimate glory any longer.

Anchored by junior setter Alec Smagula (49 assists, four blocks, three kills) and senior outside hitter Kris Vaivars (27 kills), the top-seeded Warriors (25-1) shook off a rocky start to end a 33-year title drought with a 3-1 win (20-25, 27-25, 25-22, 25-15) over the No. 3 Rockets in a Div. 1 state final that lived up to its billing.

Resilience and late-game composure were staples for Brookline all year, so it was fitting for its first lead of the match to come in extra points of the second set, and for that to spark wins over the next two frames inside a jam-packed Xaverian High School.

“Right now, it’s surreal,” Vaivars said. “That fourth set, the emotions – it was crazy. This is something I worked for for my whole high school career. Coming close, going to the semifinals (in 2023), quarters (last year), for it to finally come true in my senior year … it’s amazing.”

Not much could go wrong for Needham early in each of the first two sets, twice taking a 6-1 lead.

Outside hitters Matt Cloonan (14 kills) and Will Rozman (12 kills) got off to hot starts, pairing with stellar blocking and passing to keep the Warriors at a safe distance for all of a 25-20 first set. Countless intense battles at the net and high-intensity defense filled every frame, but Needham’s efforts prevailed more consistently.

Much of the same success continued in the second, though Brookline punched back with a few big runs to tie the score at 9-9, and then at 18-18. Smagula and Vaivars played central parts, but the all-around contributions from right-side Conor Christopher (nine kills, block), middles Luka Gallucci (three kills, three blocks) and Liam Raybould (five kills, three blocks), and outside hitter Amir Tomer (nine kills, two blocks) were critical.

First-year head coach Lexi De La Cruz couldn’t say enough about the spark off the bench either, as junior Sebi Levi had some good passes and sophomore Jacob Lam eventually took over the libero role after the second set.

“Jacob Lam, the 10-grader that just came in to the libero – at this stage – it was amazing,” De La Cruz said. “He didn’t play the whole season. … He was a key factor.”

Side-out volleyball followed from there, and Needham twice had set-point lined up. Service errors on both extended it, and Smagula’s assist to Tomer paired with his ensuing block to even up the match.

“We knew we had no choice,” Vaivars said. “We had to come out, we’re playing for our lives, we’re playing for our careers. We knew that we were a better team, so we just locked in and did it.”

“(Needham) came out strong, I was expecting that,” De La Cruz added. “My team kept fighting. … The job was done in the second set. We were down 24-23. If we don’t win that set, we don’t win the match.”

Will McDonald, Cloonan, Rozman and the defense kept the rock-fight going in the third set for Needham, but Vaivars erupted in pockets to separate the Warriors for a lead as large as 17-11. The Rockets clawed back, but the Vaivars’ ninth and 10th kills of the set secured a 25-22 win and a 2-1 lead.

“I knew we had to win that third set,” Vaivars said. “I knew the ball was coming to me. I knew what I had to do.”

What can’t be lost from the set, though, was the three-year starter who assisted Vaivars all 10 times – as well as Christopher’s four kills in the span.

“(Smagula), for me, was the MVP of the day,” De La Cruz said. “He was really smart on the way to use his best weapon. He used his best weapon when he needed it, and when he opened the game – just like the last set – everyone was scoring. He had a game plan, he stuck with it, and today, for me, he was the best player on the court.”

Brookline took off from there, using a 13-3 run to build a 20-9 lead in the deciding fourth set.