The trio join spring transfers Dionii Fraga, Kenadie Patterson and Emoni Bush and freshmen Tekoa Barnes, Alyssa Flack and Avaya Maga as the nine newcomers for 2025.

ADA AWAGU | MIDDLE BLOCKER | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS | GEORGIA TECH

Awagu comes to Oklahoma from Georgia Tech after enrolling early in January. The San Antonio, Texas, native will have four years of eligibility as she joins the freshman class. In high school, she recorded over 1,000 kills and 250 blocks. As a senior, she was an AVCA All-America honorable mention and AVCA All-Region team member. Awagu also earned district offensive player of the year honors and was the team MVP as a junior and senior. A four-time all-district selection, she led her team to the 2024 State Sweet 16.

“Ada is a very talented young middle blocker with a very high ceiling,” Mansfield said. “We do some unique things with that position as a program and we are excited to help her explore her potential here. We are thrilled to have Ada on campus this summer as she gets acclimated to our team.”

Awagu is the daughter of Nnenna and Slyvester Awagu and has three siblings: Erinne, Jianna and Obi. She was a member of the Academic Honor Roll at Johnson High School.

HARPER HALL | SETTER | HIGHLAND PARK, TEXAS | UCSB

Hall joins the Sooners from UCSB and will have three seasons of eligibility remaining. As a freshman, she registered seven double-doubles, while appearing in all 30 matches. She ended the season as the Gaucho leader in assists with 649 averaging 5.74 per set. 

“We recruited Harper out of high school, so we were very familiar with her skillset and work ethic,” Mansfield said. “Harper will bring a level of competition that will be felt in our gym right away. She thinks about the game differently and we are excited for her to bring her creativity to the setting position.”

Prior to UCSB, Hall attended Highland Park High School where she was a three-year letter winner. She led a team that ranked as high as second in the country among high school teams and was a three-time district champion. She was named the Newcomer of the Year in her conference and earned First Team All-District honors while accumulating over 2,500 career assists. She was named the District Setter of the Year and garnered Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State honors.

A native of Highland Park, Texas, Hall is the Daughter of Wendy and Derek Hall and has a brother, Leo.

PIPER JUSTISS | SETTER | AUSTIN, TEXAS | PEPPERDINE

Justiss comes to Oklahoma after spending her freshman season at Pepperdine. After not appearing in any matches as a true freshman, she will have four years of eligibility remaining at OU.

“Piper is a setter that can pretty much play every facet of the game,” Mansfield said. “We are looking forward to Piper learning the intricacies of our offense and putting her own spin on it. We are really excited to have her join our program and get going with our team this summer.”

Justiss graduated from Bowie High School where she lettered one year as a setter. She totaled 204 assists, 141 kills, and 24 aces her senior year, earning 6A All-District honors in 2023. She also played for Austin Skyline, where she finished third at Salt Lake City Showdown and earned All-Tournament honors in 2023. Justiss also spent time with Roots and Top Flight Volleyball Clubs.

A native of Austin, Texas, Justiss is the daughter of Joseph and Laura Justiss and has one brother, Reagan. Her dad played baseball at Liberty and Dallas Baptist. 

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MARDEN – Guelph/Eramosa officials held a ribbon cutting here on July 17 to mark the opening of six new beach volleyball courts.

The project cost around $230,000, but was fully funded by Perpetual Motion Sports, an adult recreational sports league. 

Founder Dave Kelly said beach volleyball is one of Perpetual Motion Sports’ most popular sports, with 292 teams across different levels this year. 

Kelly said he couldn’t find enough courts to meet demand so he first approached the township in late 2023 about constructing more courts on the grounds of the Royal Distributing Athletic Performance Centre in Marden. 

After some deliberation, Kelly and the township landed on an agreement earlier this year that has Perpetual Motion Sports paying the final cost in return for free and exclusive use of the courts during specific hours until the end of 2035. 

The hours are Sunday to Thursday, 6:30 to 8:30pm, from May to early September. 

Jeff Myer, manager of parks and facilities for the township, said the courts are available to rent for $15 per hour.

Myer added the rental fee was more focused at teams or leagues, and if, for example, a family of four showed up and was hitting a ball around, township officials wouldn’t kick them out. 

Myer commended contractor Bomar Landscaping for completing the project on a tight deadline.

Mayor Chris White, who noted the six Marden courts are the first beach volleyball courts in the township, said the township “may have to copy some of these over in Rockwood.”

The new courts were immediately put to use on July 17.

WINTHROP, Mass. – Following a remarkable four-year career marked by championship dominance, unwavering leadership, and deep-rooted service to both his team and university, Norwich University men’s swimming & diving standout Will Thompson (Downingtown, Pa.) has been named the 2024-25 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Athlete of the Year for Men’s Sports, as announced by the league office on Friday afternoon.

Thompson becomes just the second male athlete in Norwich history to receive the GNAC’s highest individual honor for graduating student-athletes, joining fellow swimming & diving icon Benjamin Stark ’24, who earned the award last year.  Together with Emily Oliver ’19, the school’s lone GNAC Woman of the Year honoree, Thompson enters an exclusive class of Cadets recognized for excellence across academics, athletics, leadership, and service during their time in maroon and gold.

“It is a tremendous honor to receive this award, and I can’t imagine any other way to top off my four years at Norwich,” Thompson said.  “I never would’ve imagined that I would be capable of achieving this when I started at Norwich, and I know that this achievement is a result of the hard work put in by myself, my coaches, and my teammates, both of whom I thank tremendously.”

His selection caps a decorated collegiate journey that saw him transform from promising rookie to one of the most dominant athletes in conference history: a force in the pool, a leader in the Corps of Cadets, and a cornerstone of Norwich’s sustained championship culture.

“We are once again incredibly proud to have a Norwich student-athlete selected as the GNAC Athlete of the Year,” said Ed Hockenbury, Director of Athletics.  “Will is an amazing young man – an exceptional athlete, a great student, and an outstanding member of the Corps of Cadets.  He was not only an exceptional performer on our championship swim team, but very clearly a leader by word and example on the team whose work ethic, encouragement, and motivation helped his teammates perform their best while also maintaining the very high standards within our swimming and diving program.

We are tremendously proud of Will, we thank him for all he has done for Norwich, and we are grateful that our GNAC colleagues recognized the excellence in Division III collegiate athletics that Will Thompson embodies.”

A five-time GNAC Swimmer of the Week, Thompson exits as one of the most decorated student-athletes to ever compete for Norwich, with 22 GNAC championships to his name, including nine individual titles and 13 more as a relay contributor.  His trophy-laden career included 27 All-Conference honors, with eight selections in each of his final two seasons and seven more as a sophomore, underscoring both consistency and growth throughout his time in the pool.

After contributing to a single GNAC relay championship as a rookie in 2021-22, Thompson’s rise was both swift and relentless.  He broke out with six titles in 2022-23, followed by a career-best eight in 2023-24.  He closed his senior season with seven GNAC crowns, helping to secure Norwich’s third straight GNAC Men’s Swimming & Diving Championship.

In the water, Thompson was a technician and a competitor, most notably in the breaststroke events.  He leaves Norwich holding program records in the 50-yard (25.84), 100-yard (57.19), and 200-yard (2:09.03) breaststroke, and is a member of four record-setting relay teams, including the 200 (1:24.73) and 400 (3:08.63) freestyle relays and the 200 (1:33.93) and 400 (3:29.16) medley relays.  He also played a pivotal role in three GNAC Championship meet records, posting top times in the 50-yard breaststroke (25.84), 400 freestyle relay (3:12.22), and 200 medley relay (1:35.30) across multiple seasons.

His accolades were not confined to numbers alone.  Thompson was honored as the team’s Rookie of the Year in 2021-22 and later selected as the program’s 2023-24 Athlete of the Year, recognizing not just athletic ability, but leadership, sportsmanship, and dedication.

“Will’s dedication to the sport and his team has been nothing short of inspiring,” said Head Coach Jennifer Cournoyer, who led the Cadets to GNAC titles in each of Thompson’s final three seasons.  “He consistently showed up for those early morning practices, driven by a fierce competitive spirit that not only elevated his performance but also that of his teammates.

I enjoyed strategizing with him about relays as he would point out his teammates’ strengths.  It’s a true honor to see him recognized as Male Athlete of the Year for the GNAC.  As he transitions from the pool to a new chapter as a state police officer, I have no doubt he’ll approach this next challenge with the same determination and commitment he displayed in college.  We’ll miss him greatly, but we can’t wait to see the impact he’ll make in the community.”

Beyond his performance between the lanes, Thompson established himself as a leader in all areas of campus life.

A member of the Norwich University Corps of Cadets, he served in the prestigious Regimental Guard Mount Section, ultimately rising to Officer in Charge (OIC) as a senior.  In that role, he modeled the discipline, accountability, and professionalism that defined both his athletic and military experiences at Norwich.

In the classroom, Thompson maintained a 3.36 GPA while balancing the demands of elite collegiate athletics and Corps leadership.  He was a two-time GNAC All-Academic Team honoree, embodying the NCAA Division III commitment to holistic student-athlete development.

Thompson’s leadership extended beyond the pool deck, where he helped guide relays, supported his teammates’ development, and shaped the team’s culture through example.

Thompson’s collegiate arc coincided with Norwich’s rise as a dominant force in GNAC men’s swimming.  With Thompson as a central figure, the Cadets captured three straight conference titles from 2023 to 2025.  His ability to compete at a high level across multiple strokes and distances gave Norwich the flexibility and firepower to secure key points at championship meets.

With Thompson’s selection, Norwich becomes the first institution in GNAC history to produce back-to-back Male Athlete of the Year honorees.  Last year, Benjamin Stark ’24 was honored after a 14-title career and Navy commission.  This year, Thompson’s legacy builds on that foundation with his own record-breaking trajectory and quiet leadership.

His award also adds to Norwich’s growing legacy in conference-wide honors.  In 2019, Emily Oliver ’19 earned GNAC Woman of the Year, capping off a legendary three-sport career in volleyball, basketball, and softball.  Thompson’s honor also comes on the heels of Ed Hockenbury, Director of Athletics, being named the GNAC Executive (AD) of the Year in late June.

Prior to his nomination, Thompson was asked to provide a personal statement to support his esteemed resume and discuss how his collegiate career has shaped him, including through academics, achievements, service, and leadership.  He shared the following as his personal statement:

Throughout my four years at Norwich University, I’ve grown through the unique challenges of scholarship, athletics, and leadership within a military college environment.  As a member of the Corps of Cadets, a collegiate swimmer, and a committed public servant, I’ve learned that leadership is grounded in service, resilience, and discipline.  These experiences have shaped my character and empowered me to lead with integrity, whether on campus, as an ocean rescue lifeguard in Maine, or in my future career as a State Trooper.  Each challenge has strengthened my confidence and commitment to serving others.

Some of my most impactful academic experiences came from practical exercises in my intelligence courses.  In these simulations, classmates and I worked in assigned roles to analyze and present findings on real-world terror threats.  These collaborative problem-solving opportunities gave me a firsthand sense of the complexity of national security work.  They strengthened my communication, decision-making, and critical thinking skills, which are essential to a successful law enforcement career.  Balancing these demands with a full athletic schedule required me to grow as a student and strengthen my time management skills.

My experience as a student-athlete was integral to my development as a leader.  Across all four years on the swim team, I regularly participated in optional double practices and additional meets, including competitions against top Division I, II, and III programs, which provided me the opportunity to represent Norwich at some of the biggest meets in the country, including at the U.S. Naval Academy.  These early-morning practices pushed me to physical and mental exhaustion, teaching me the value of discipline and perseverance.  I was honored to serve as the men’s team captain in my senior year.  That role allowed me to motivate my teammates, lead extra practices, and practice leadership within a tight-knit group.

My leadership development extended well beyond the pool.  As a cadet leader during my junior and senior years, I held two different positions in the Corps of Cadets, overseeing up to 10 peers while coordinating with a staff of 10-15 and working closely with the Commandant’s office.  Leading in a dynamic environment alongside 18-year-old college sophomores and seasoned combat veterans gave me a uniquely diverse and challenging leadership setting.  These experiences taught me adaptability, humility, and communication skills across experience levels and backgrounds.

Outside the academic year, I served as an ocean rescue lifeguard in Ogunquit, Maine, during the summers of 2023, 2024, and now 2025.  In 2024, I was promoted to Head Guard of Community Outreach.  In that role, I helped lead public education initiatives focused on water safety, coordinated department messaging through social media, and served as a liaison between our team and the community.  Throughout my work in that position, I deepened my understanding of public service and community involvement, both of which are values that I intend to prioritize throughout my career in law enforcement.

The GNAC Athlete of the Year is selected annually from among graduating student-athletes nominated by each member institution.  Finalists are evaluated based on academic performance, athletic accomplishments, leadership, and community involvement.  Thompson was one of eight men’s finalists in this year’s selection cycle, alongside EJ Gonzalez of Albertus Magnus College men’s soccer; George Chaya Jr. of Elms College baseball; Tim Callahan of Lasell University baseball; Eddie Kaftan of Mitchell College baseball; Christopher Margiatto of Regis College men’s cross country and men’s track and field; Dylan Dickey of Saint Joseph’s College of Maine men’s track and field and men’s soccer; and Braeden Laframboise of University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) men’s cross country.

He will be honored at the 2025 GNAC Professional Development Seminar held at Emmanuel College on Tuesday, Aug. 12.

Thompson graduated from Norwich this past spring and is preparing for a career in law enforcement, with plans to join the state police in Maine.  His legacy endures not only in records and medals, but in the example he set for others: disciplined, resilient, and wholly committed to his craft.

Thompson leaves the program as one of its most accomplished competitors and most admired teammates, a student-athlete whose name now sits among the most distinguished in Norwich and GNAC history.  His impact, both measurable and immeasurable, will ripple through the Norwich swimming program long after his final race.

 

BERLIN — San Diego volleyball dropped a 3-1 decision to Team Chinese Taipei on Friday, suffering its second loss while representing the United States at the World University Games despite another strong performance from Isabel Clark.

Team USA fell in the first set by a 25-23 margin, rallied to win the second set, 25-21, then lost back-to-back 25-19 decisions in sets three and four.

Ten kills from Kennedy Osunsanmi and nine more from Nemo Beach helped bolster Clark’s efforts on offense. Olivia Bennett and Kylie Munday anchored the United States’ defense by combining for 27 digs, and multiple blocks from three different players allowed Team USA to out-block Chinese Taipei by a 14-1 margin.

The United States jumped ahead of Chinese Taipei early in the match’s opening frame, leading by as many as four when a service ace from Clark made it 8-4. That advantage held until the final stages of the set, when Chinese Taipei returned the favor and took an 18-17 lead with a service ace of its own. Both teams traded points enroute to a 23-23 tie, but a late kill and service ace from Chinese Taipei granted it the pair of points it needed to claim set one.

Team USA opened up the second set with a 5-0 run that was fueled by a handful of attack errors from Chinese Taipei and a kill from Nemo Beach. The Americans stayed ahead by as many as six as the set progressed, claiming 16-11 and 22-16 advantages before a clutch kill from Clark sealed it and tied the match 1-1.

Sets three and four unfolded in similar fashion to one another. Team USA battled back and forth with Chinese Taipei early on in both frames, and was tied with its opponent near the midpoint of each set before falling behind down the stretch.

San Diego/Team USA is back in action on Sunday at 5:00 AM PST, when it takes on Team Chile to begin the Women’s Placing 9-16 round at Sportforum Große Halle.

From July 16-27, 2025, San Diego volleyball will join around 8,500 other student-athletes and officials from over 150 countries in competing for medals in 18 sports at the World University Games, one of the largest multi-sport events in the world. The Toreros will be representing the USA as the nation’s only women’s volleyball team in the Games. 
 

Cullowhee, N.C. – Fresh off a second-place finish at the 2025 Southern Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships, head coach Jesse Norman announced the addition of 13 newcomers to the Western Carolina women’s track and field and cross country teams. The Catamount women enter 2025-26 after recording their highest finish at the conference championship meet since 2018.

The 13 newcomers to the women’s squad, including 10 freshmen and three transfer additions, add five new Catamounts to the sprint and hurdles group, and three to the jump squad. Norman is also bringing in a pair of multi-event athletes to support Kendal Hudson and a pair of distance runners before rounding out the incoming signees with a transfer addition in Gaby Reeve.

Norman described the group of 13 newcomers “a very exciting group of newcomers this year highlighted the quality and depth of our sprints group.”

“This group of recruits represents a big push from the coaching staff in identifying top-end student-athletes that can help us close the gap on our competition,” said Norman. “The quality of our sprints group, paired with the continued depth building of the rest of the group, we feel will help us make some significant jumps in our competitiveness this upcoming year.”

WCU opens the year with cross country season in the fall of 2025, with the indoor season spanning the end of the fall and beginning of the spring semesters. The year culminates with the outdoor season in the spring of 2026.

Women’s Cross Country / Track & Field 2025=26 Signees

Sprint/Hurdle Group:

Jada Erwin (Charlotte Country Day School – Charlotte, N.C.)

PR’s: 60m – 7.85, 100m – 12.00, 200m – 24.90, 400m – 56.50

Coach Notes: A solid all-around sprinter, Jada gives us a sprinter with a ton of versatility. While she’ll probably mainly focus on the longer sprints, we’re excited about the range that she brings to the WCU sprint squad and her future ability to run a range of events.

Emma Goins (Little Miami HS – Maineville, Ohio)

PR’s: 60m – 7.84, 100m – 11.74, 200m – 24.27

Coach Notes: An exciting addition from Ohio, Emma brings an immediate, up-front impact to the women’s sprint squad here at WCU. As she continues to develop, she will be looked at to help lead the women’s sprint squad to the forefront of the Southern Conference.

Gabrielle Harris (Columbus HS – Columbus, Ga.)

PR’s: 100m – 12.25, 200m – 24.57, 400m – 58.16

Coach Notes: Gabby is an exciting addition as her potential in both the 100m and 400m should be high based on her current 200m personal best. If she can develop in one of those two events to better match her 200m performance, she will be a high point scorer within the Southern Conference.

Grace Nwaeme (Tokyo, Japan)

PR’s: 100m – 12.09, 200m – 24.49, 400m – 56.40

Coach Notes: An international addition from overseas, Grace has the potential to bring some high-level performances to the Southern Conference. She has some high goals for herself. Part of her goal is to return to her PR levels this next year.

Shania Shirley (William Hough HS – Hunterville, N.C.)

PR’s: 60m – 7.92, 100m – 11.97, 200m – 24.55

Coach Notes: Another exciting addition to the women’s sprint squad, Shania is someone who will bolster our short sprints program and provide some healthy competition for Emma (Goins) and our returning ladies. 

Jumps Group:

Gisele Dulnuan-Kersey (Queens University / Franklinton HS – Youngsville, N.C.)

PR’s: Long Jump – 18-2.5, Triple Jump – 37-0.5

Coach Notes: A transfer from Queens University in Charlotte, Gisele will be a depth piece in our horizontal jumps group. We’ll need to get her back to and even beyond her high school marks, but she is extremely excited about joining our strong horizontal jumps group this next year.

Morgan Edwards (Cuthbertson HS – Waxhaw, N.C.)

PR’s: Pole Vault – 12-0

Coach Notes: Morgan is someone who, from the beginning, was incredibly excited about jumping here at WCU. Her development this past spring puts her in a position to be a strong contender within the Southern Conference this year in the pole vault.

Gracie Sutton (Swain County HS – Bryson City, N.C.)

PR’s: High Jump – 5-4

Coach Notes: A local product, Gracie comes to WCU from right down the road here in Western North Carolina. She was someone who even other local high school coaches told us about. We’re excited to see how she develops this year in the high jump.

Multi’s Group:

McCarey Beaty (McMinn Central HS – Englewood, Tenn.)

PR’s: 60H – 9.73, Long Jump – 17-8.5, Shot Put – 32-9.75

Coach Notes: One of our early commitments, McCarey, is an exciting addition to our women’s multi’s group. She is a great all-around athlete and will team up well with our current group to continue helping us develop more depth and quality in this event group.

Celia Gully (Seneca HS – Seneca, S.C.)

PR’s: 100H – 15.10, Long Jump – 5.51m, Triple Jump – 11.46m

Coach Notes: Celia is another great all-around student-athlete, with her stronger areas being in the horizontal jumps. She helps us continue building out our multi’s group and gives us some flexibility with her open events.

Throws Group:

Gaby Reeve (Muskegon Community College – Newaygo, Mich.)

PR’s: Discus – 39.85m, Hammer Throw – 37.46m

Coach Notes: A solid addition to our throws group, Gaby will be looked at to help push the upper group of our current women throwers as we continue to build out the depth and quality of this group. She brings immediate college experience to the group this next year.

Distance Group:

Madeline Hladik (Pfeiffer University – Harrisburg, N.C.)

PR’s: 3K Steeplechase – 11:48, 5k – 18:17

Coach Notes: A transfer from Pfeiffer, Madeline will pair well with our steeplechase group this next year. She’ll need to develop a bit more to help our cross country lineup, but she is excited about training with the group of ladies that we currently have this next year.

Ashlyn Watkins (Bishop Moore HS – Orlando, Fla.)

PR’s: 800m – 2:16, 1600m – 5:26, 5k – 18:48

Coach Notes: An exciting addition from the Sunshine state, Ashlyn focused this spring mainly on the 800m, experiencing some great breakthroughs. We’ll continue that progression while also working on further developing her in other events this upcoming year.