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Kolbe clinches second championship appearance in NCAA Track and Field event hosted at UNF

Four different UNF athletes competed in the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field East Region, which UNF hosted at Hodges Stadium.  UNF senior middle distance runner Smilla Kolbe stole the show by punching a ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon. After posting a time of 2:02.29 in round one on […]

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Four different UNF athletes competed in the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field East Region, which UNF hosted at Hodges Stadium. 

UNF senior middle distance runner Smilla Kolbe stole the show by punching a ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon. After posting a time of 2:02.29 in round one on Thursday, which was good for fifth place, Kolbe shortened her time by over two seconds to clinch her second consecutive championship appearance. 

“This year was honestly the first time I’ve even raced on this track,” Kolbe said in a video to UNF Athletics. “I’ve had only amazing races here, especially today to qualify on the home track qualifying for Oregon is amazing with the home crowd, the teammates.”

With a time of 2:00.09, Kolbe secured her fourth fastest 800-meter time and the second fastest of her career. 

“I feel like this year I’m in a different position than last year,” Kolbe said. “So, of course, I have way bigger goals this year.”

Just after winning ASUN Most Outstanding Women’s Track Performer of the Year, Kolbe lived up to the award by becoming the third Osprey to advance to consecutive championships. Joining the likes of Briana Frazier (2011, 2012), the other Osprey to win Track Performer of the Year, and Eden Meyer (2017, 2018), Kolbe will compete at Hayward Field from June 11-14.

Other Ospreys Who Competed In Regionals

Right after Kolbe’s heat, junior Ella Chandler participated in the 800-meter, placing sixth in her group. 

Fifth-year senior Aidan O’Gorman and graduate student Robert Pedroza ran preliminary races late last week, with O’Gorman finishing 24th in the men’s 10,000-meter race, while Pedroza was seventh in his 800-meter heat. 

Both athletes competed late into the night following a five-hour weather delay. According to UNF Athletics, Pedroza began his event just before midnight, while O’Gorman began his race just before one in the morning. 

While this is the end of Pedroza and O’Gorman’s careers, they depart UNF as record holders for their respective races.

___

For more information or news tips, or if you see an error in this story or have any compliments or concerns, contact editor@unfspinnaker.com.



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Dino Zammit’s late strike sees Sliema past Neptunes as San Ġiljan edge Sirens in thriller

It may not carry the “Beautiful Game” label like football, but waterpolo brings its own brand of raw drama – as Saturday’s gripping clashes between Sirens and San Ġiljan, and derby rivals Sliema and Neptunes, clearly showed. Saturday’s action-packed fixtures at Tal‑Qroqq delivered a double dose of waterpolo excitement. In one corner, Sirens put everything […]

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It may not carry the “Beautiful Game” label like football, but waterpolo brings its own brand of raw drama – as Saturday’s gripping clashes between Sirens and San Ġiljan, and derby rivals Sliema and Neptunes, clearly showed.

Saturday’s action-packed fixtures at Tal‑Qroqq delivered a double dose of waterpolo excitement.

In one corner, Sirens put everything on the line against powerhouse San Ġiljan in a gripping encounter; in the other, long-time rivals Sliema and Neptunes engaged in another fierce derby that swung back and forth.

Both matches showcased the sport’s signature blend of intensity, tactical flair, and nail-biting drama – proof that waterpolo has a spectacle all its own.

Saturday’s duel between Sirens and San Ġiljan fitted the bill perfectly.

It had been a truly balanced contest, with the team from St Paul’s Bay only a whisker away from pulling off a shock win.

In a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Sirens came agonisingly close to pulling off a shock result against San Ġiljan.

The match swung like a pendulum, and though Sirens eventually fell short, their performance after a heavy defeat to Neptunes deserves plaudits.

It was end-to-end excitement with two missed man-ups from Sirens resulting in the fall off of Ranko Perovic’s side.

The Northenders were left chasing the game early on, undone by a disastrous second session that saw them slip to a 7-2 half-time deficit after initially falling 4-0 behind.

Nicolas Bicari has been pivotal when scoring four goals in the late sessions.

San Ġiljan capitalised through Aaron Younger’s hat-trick, two of which came from five-metre throws.

Nikolai Zammit also netted a vital brace, striking just as Sirens looked to rally from 3-0 down, ending the first session at 3-2.

Zammit’s goals steadied the ship for the Saints, but Sirens roared back in the third session. A blistering 5-1 stretch began with two stunning goals from Kydon Agius, the second of which saw him pirouette past his marker before slotting past goalkeeper Jake Tanti.

The comeback brought the score to 8-7 entering the final quarter.

Bicari’s equaliser made it 8-8 early in the fourth session, setting up a grandstand finish.

Tully and Younger then restored San Ġiljan’s lead – though the latter’s goal came from a debatable penalty – only for Gianni Farrugia to bring Sirens back into contention once again.

In the dying moments, Isaiah Riolo’s powerful effort struck the post, dashing Sirens’ hopes of a famous win.

Having just beaten Neptunes, more was expected from San Ġiljan – but they’ll feel relieved to have escaped with the points.

In the second match, Sliema came out firing in the opening session, racing to a 3-0 lead that reflected their early sharpness.

Liam Galea opened the scoring with a beautifully executed backhand, setting the tone for the Blues.

With his team rattled, Neptunes coach Aleksandar Ćirić called an early time-out in a bid to restore composure – and it paid off.

Neptunes responded immediately, clawing their way back into the match as Stevie Camilleri struck twice early in the second session to swing the momentum and give the Reds a 4-3 lead.

What followed was a tense, end-to-end battle.

Each time Neptunes edged ahead, Sliema found a reply – until Angelos Vlachopoulos fired home to give Sliema a narrow 7-6 advantage at the halfway mark.

The third session continued in the same vein, with Neptunes again chasing the game.

Alec Fenech brought them level at 7-7, but quickfire goals from Galea and Jayden Cassar saw Sliema open up a two-goal cushion.

The Reds, however, refused to back down. Gergo Zalánki and Julian Valletta kept them in touching distance before Jordan Camilleri brought the sides level again at 10-10.

Ben Cachia capitalised on a man-up situation to restore Sliema’s lead at 11-10, but Stevie Camilleri responded instantly.

Then, just before the buzzer, Jordan Camilleri struck once more to give Neptunes a 12-11 lead going into the final quarter.

With just one goal separating the sides, the stage was set for a dramatic final act.

Neptunes extended their lead through Gergo Zalánki.

However, a lightning counter-attack sprung directly from the goalkeeper’s hand allowed Ben Cachia to cut the deficit to 12–13.

Liam Galea then restored parity with a thunderous nine‑metre strike.

The lead swung again when teenage sensation Sam Engerer rose above the pack to make it 14-13 for Sliema.

Neptunes answered through Gialanze, but Sliema were determined not to be denied.

In a dramatic finale, Dino Zammit showcased his composure and technique, lobbing a delicate ball over Marco Rossi as the buzzer sounded.

It was an unforgettable climax to an extraordinary match.

RESULTS

TA’ XBIEX AMIGOS    10

MARSAXLOKK MFF LTD        21

(0-4, 1-6, 5-7, 4-4)

TA’ XBIEX: T. Schembri, J. Farrugia, A. Camenzuli, L. Grech Carr 1, T.J. Mifsud, M. Manara, F. Scardino, R. Pelicaric 6, N. Bonavia, J. Culic 1, Z. Bartolo, A. Formosa, A. Theuma, S. Van Wyk 2.

MARSAXLOKK: M. Farrugia, M. Lanzon 1, N. Bogdanovic 6, A. Aquilina 1, R. Spiteri 2, L. Brownrigg, S. Mifsud, J. Pawley, R. Galea 3, J. Borg Tabone 4, A. Fava 1, A. Cook 3, J. Micallef, B. Lewis.

SIRENS          10

SAN ĠILJAN 11

(2-3, 0-4, 5-1, 3-3)

SIRENS: J. Parnis, P. Serracino, N. Bicari 4, P. Borg 1, J. Cachia 1, K. Agius 2, M. Ortoleva, I. Riolo , J. Zerafa Gregory, M. Sciberras , N. Rafailovic, G. Farrugia 1, M. Bonello Dupius, G. Pace.

SAN ĠILJAN: J. Tanti, D. Bugeja, D. Tully 1, R. Caruana, A. Younger 3, M. Zammit 2, J. Bonavia 1 , B. Plumpton 1, J. Abela 1 , N. Zammit  2, D. Zammit  , N. Schiavone, Z. Attard, G. Bonavia.

Refs : A. Rondoni, R. Spiteri.

NEPTUNES 14

SLIEMA 15

(2-3, 4-4, 6-4,2-3)

NEPTUNES: M. Castillo, S. Gialanze 3, G. Zalanki 3, L. Mallia , J. Camilleri 3, J. Valletta 1, S. Camilleri 3, M.Castillo , B. Schranz, J. Bajada , A. Fenech 1, M. Azzopardi, M. Rossi, E. Mallia.

SLIEMA: N.Grixti, E. Schembri , L. Galea 3, J. Gambin 1, J. Cassar 2, B. Cachia 3, J. Cutajar, D. Rizzo 1, J. Chircop, A. Galea, A. Vlachopulos 2, D. Zammit 2, B. Busuttil, S. Engerer 1

Refs: Marco Piano, Massimo Angilleri.





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Beatrice Chebet emotional after setting world record in Prefontaine Classic 5000m win

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Beatrice Chebet emotional after setting world record in Prefontaine Classic 5000m win


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Faith Kipyegon 'grateful' to make history, break 1500m world record at Prefontaine

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Faith Kipyegon 'grateful' to make history, break 1500m world record at Prefontaine


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Ryann Neushul, Ava Stryker Named to USA Water Polo Squad for World Championships | Sports

Santa Barbara will once again be represented on the USA Women’s National Water Polo Team in a major international tournament. Former local high school stars Ryann Neushul and Ava Stryker have been named to the 15-player roster for the World Aquatics World Championships, July 10-23 in Singapore. Neushul is a 2024 Olympian out of Dos […]

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Santa Barbara will once again be represented on the USA Women’s National Water Polo Team in a major international tournament.

Former local high school stars Ryann Neushul and Ava Stryker have been named to the 15-player roster for the World Aquatics World Championships, July 10-23 in Singapore.

Neushul is a 2024 Olympian out of Dos Pueblos High. This spring she won a fourth NCAA Women’s Water Polo championship at Stanford, becoming the first player in program history to win four titles. She was honored as the Association of Water Polo Coaches Player of the Year.

In addition, Neushul was named the recipient of the prestigious Peter J. Cutino Award, presented to the college women’s water polo of the year. She is the second member of her family to win the award, joining older sister Kiley, who is a two-time honoree (2012, 2015).

Ava Stryker is one of seven newcomers on the Team USA squad for the World Championships. (USC Athletics)

In her international career, Ryann Neushul has played on three gold-medal winning teams at the World Championships (2019, 2022, 2024). Sisters Kiley (2015, 2017) and Jamie (2017) also have won world championship gold with Team USA.

Styker, a San Marcos alum who completed her sophomore season at USC and was a repeat All-American honoree, will be making her debut at the senior World Championships. She is one of seven newcomers coach Adam Krikorian has picked to the squad.

Stryker competed for the U.S. at the 2023 World Aquatics Junior World Championships and won a gold medal at the 2022 FINA Youth World Championships.

Team USA has been drawn into Group B where the action begins Thursday, July 10 against China at 9:10 p.m. Pacific time. They’ll also meet the Netherlands and Argentina in group play. Live streaming of the World Championships will be available on Peacock.

The roster selected for World Championships features seven returning Olympians from the Paris Olympic Games in 2024, including two-time Olympian and Tokyo gold medalist Amanda Longan. The others are Tara Prentice, Jenna Flynn, Jewel Roemer, Emily Ausmus, Ella Woodhead and Ryann Neushul.

Joining Stryker on the list of newcomers are Anna Pearson (UCLA), Julia Bonaguidi (UC San Diego), Emma Lineback (UCLA), Isabel Williams (Cal), Rachel Gazzaniga (USC) and Malia Allen (UCLA).

Santa Barbara High alum Molly Cahill is an assistant coach for Team USA.



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AAU Boys’ National Championships 2025 – Wave 2 Day 2 Recap

2nd day of Wave 2 of AAU Boys Nationals is now well under way and things are heating up as teams are getting ready for the last two days of competition and trying to seal their gold/championship bracket claims.   17 Open – Results As someone over on VolleyTalk said this is one topsy-turvy division.  Only […]

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2nd day of Wave 2 of AAU Boys Nationals is now well under way and things are heating up as teams are getting ready for the last two days of competition and trying to seal their gold/championship bracket claims.  

17 Open – Results

As someone over on VolleyTalk said this is one topsy-turvy division.  Only 5 teams remain undefeated (949, Coast, Rockstar, Triangle and 630) Of these 5 only Coast has not dropped a set yet and aside from a tough first match against Team’Sota they have been pretty flawless, not giving up more than 19 points to any of their opponents in today’s matches.  

Big upsets of the day included :

#37 Academy beating #1 overall seed MVVC 2-0 in a tight 25-23, 25-22 win.  

#32 Adidas KIVA  beating #5 MB Surf in a quick fashion in the early game this morning.  MB Surf did not play great all day today going 1-2 on the day and putting themselves in danger of potentially missing out on the challenge matches if they dont beat the so far undefeated Rockstar team.  There are a few scenarios if they lose that they will not make the cut.

One of the big pleasant surprises of the tournament so far has been #44 MOD B17 Blue whose only losses so far are to MB Surf and Rockstar in the pool.  They look poised to come out #2 from this pool.  This is a testament to the coaching staff and the team making some changes and really getting these boys ready for the biggest tournament of the year.

There are lots of permutations still but suffice to say that these are the teams still alive for top 4 spots in each pool:

Pool A: MVVC B 17 Red, Academy 17O Under Armour, Pinnacle 17-Amado, Legion 17 Elite Gold, HVA 17 PERFORMANCE RED

Pool B: 7 out of 8 teams are still alive! C2 Attack Boys 17-1 Elite, AZ Fear 17 JG, 630 Volleyball 17-1, NCVC 17-Mizuno, Seaside 17-Black, PVC Sandlot 17-Blue, EXCEL 17N Red.  This pool may get a sub .500 team into the challenge bracket so you can imagine the parity of these teams.

Pool C: This pool is a lot simpler with only 5 teams still alive:  949 B17 Black, Triangle Boys 17 Black, SouthCoastVolleyball 17-1, Bay to Bay 17-1, Team Rockstar 17 Gold

Pool D: COAST Boys 17-1 Pat, HPSTL B17 Royal, MKE Sting 17-1, Adversity South 17 Adidas, SMASH Boys 17-1

Pool E: MB Surf ASICS 17’s 1 ,Team Rockstar 17 Rockstar, GSL 17 Elect – Josh, MVC 17-Joe, Adidas KIVA 17B Red, MOD B17 Blue

Pool F: Balboa Bay 17Blue, WPVC Boys 17 Armour Black, The St. James Boys 17 N, OMNI 17-1 National, Warren Sixpack 17-1

15 Open – Results

If yesterday was a long day for 15s, today was even worse.  Teams were playing well until 2:30-3 PM here in Florida with a lot of matches going deep into 3rd sets.  We lost a bunch of unbeaten teams from yesterday and now only a few remain, including:  Team Rockstar 15 Rockstar, MB Surf ASICS 15’s 1, Bay to Bay 15-1, Balboa Bay 15Blue, MVVC B 15 Red, COAST Boys 15-1 Chris, BORINQUEN COQUI 15-1M.  Number of these teams will play each other tomorrow so this exclusive club will be reduced further after AM matches determining the challenge match contenders.

Of the top seeds 630 returned back to their winning ways even without Tommy Clifford and proved their a good overall team that can compete with anyone.  However two other big upsets of the day included:

#2 GVA losing to #35 Apex1 in a crazy back and forth match with Apex1 coming out on top 2-1 in sets.  

#6 HPSTL also lost to #18 SC Legends and have put themselves in a bit of a tough spot as they are taking on a red-hot Balboa Bay team.  Its not a must win for HPSTL but with a loss they may find themselves in a 3-way tie for 4ths seed with Jax Skyline and SC Legends.

Teams still alive for Gold Bracket:

Pool A: Team Rockstar 15 Rockstar, Academy 15O Under Armour, BVA – Lions 15-1, Aspire 15 Black Panther, SCB 15 Salty Kris, DallasOne 15 Black

Pool B: 5 teams for 4 spots in this GVA Boys 15u Pink, MOD B15 Blue, MKE Sting 15-1, SPVB B15 Elite, APEX1 15-A1BLACK

Pool C: 4 teams have already clinched spots but not the order of finish and they all play each other tomorrow:  630 Volleyball 15-1, Miami United 15N Jonathan, Cinci Attack 15 Black, BORINQUEN COQUI 15-1M

Pool D: Top 2 seeds have already been decide but MB Surf ASICS 15’s 1 and COAST Boys 15-1 Chris will determine the winner of the pool in their matchup tomorrow.  Other spots will be claimed by either Legion 15 Elite Gold or Academy Boys 15 TT and SNVF U15 MOUNT ADAMS

Pool E: This is one of those pools where anything can still happen and 3-4 record may get someone into the challenge rounds.  Bay to Bay 15-1, MVVC B 15 Red (NC), Outrigger U15, OCVC 15-1, Warren Sixpack 15-1, and Elevation 15 Peak Boys can all still make it out of the pool.  We predict there will be some scoreboard watching here and some 3 way ties that will need to be broken with golden sets 🙂

Pool F: HPSTL B15 Royal, Balboa Bay 15Blue, SC Legends 15-Elite, AZ Fear 15 SB, JAX SKYLINE 15B Royal.  

14 Open – Results

Later today… 

Top Club of the Day

Later tonight… Lots of volleyball still to be played…

Top Performance of the Day

TBD, lots of volleyball going on here still 🙂

Follow the nationals here!

AAU Nationals Wave 1 – Orlando, Florida – Schedule | Watch 

AAU Nationals Wave 2 – Orlando, Florida – Schedule | Watch 

For more data on boys’ nationals please take a look at this spreadsheet: 

Boys National Championships DataSheet

 

 

 



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Relax, new transfer portal opening Sunday not allowing free agency

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It was a move that, on paper, looked like it could upend college football’s summer when the NCAA allowed yet another transfer portal window. It’s not that big of a deal or we would have heard something from Arkansas coach Sam Pittman or athletics director Hunter Yurachek by now. It’s not like […]

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It was a move that, on paper, looked like it could upend college football’s summer when the NCAA allowed yet another transfer portal window.

It’s not that big of a deal or we would have heard something from Arkansas coach Sam Pittman or athletics director Hunter Yurachek by now. It’s not like they don’t have other stuff to worry about, either.

As the one-time transfer portal window opens on July 7, the mood across Power Four front offices is something less than anxious.

“Big nothing-burger,” one general manager told CBS Sports, summing up the expectations for the new 30-day window with a flatness that’s become the norm in recent weeks.

NCAA logo flag at the NCAA Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field.

A NCAA logo flag at the NCAA Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

While the NCAA’s Committee on Legislative Relief billed the policy as a relief valve for players facing roster crunches, inside football’s most powerful programs, nobody is expecting fireworks.

The new transfer portal window, which runs through August 5, only applies to players labeled as “designated student-athletes” by their schools.

The catch? These aren’t the stars or even the key backups most fans debate on message boards. They’re largely walk-ons or, at best, end-of-roster scholarship players.

“No one of note will be entering during this window,” a high-ranking Power Four official told CBS Sports. “These are kids that we essentially don’t find good enough.”

The mechanics of the rule are simple. The one-time waiver allows schools to off-load players who would otherwise count against the new 105-player roster limit.

The old system capped scholarships at 85 but let teams stack walk-ons to fill depth charts. Now, with new legal settlements and evolving NCAA regulations, teams have to be more selective.

There won’t be as much buddy spots on the roster any more.

Schools have until July 6 to submit their lists of players and once designated, those players are free to seek opportunities elsewhere. The consensus is the schools have all the power on this one.

“(Players) don’t have any leverage,” said another Power Four general manager to CBS Sports. “During this time period, the schools have all the leverage.”

Arkansas coach Sam Pittman with athletic director Hunter Yurachek before the game

Arkansas coach Sam Pittman with athletic director Hunter Yurachek before the game against Louisiana Tech / Nilsen Roman – Hogs on SI Images

The NCAA’s rationale for the window is to allow compliance with the new 105-player roster limit and giving a fair shot to players squeezed out by roster math.

Few expect any really good players in position with NIL deals to force a team to designate them eligible to enter the portal.

The process is “at the school’s discretion.” If a player is out, it’s because the staff has decided so.

The timing of the window also works against major movement. By July, most teams have settled their depth charts. Fall camp is just weeks away.

Scholarships are spoken for, summer workouts are in full swing, and coaches are focused on refining schemes, not reshuffling rosters.

For the walk-ons and fringe scholarship players who do hit the portal, the odds of landing at a new FBS destination are slim.

The data from previous cycles shows it.

Of the 1,194 players who left Power Four schools during the last regular portal windows, only 42% signed with another Power Four program, and 31% dropped to the Group of Five. Many won’t find a new home at all.

This is the latest new rule for a college football landscape that has changed rapidly since the transfer portal’s debut in 2018.

It’s a tool for the Razorbacks to use and keep a strong roster, not a lifeline for players with options.



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