Sports

Kyle Radde is helping new generation of Penn boys volleyball

MISHAWAKA ― Mark Watts had seen enough. After Kyle Radde dunked the basketball, stole an ensuing pass and dunked the ball again, Watts knew he had a volleyball player on his hands. He walked across the gym floor and approached Radde about trying out the sport. The rest, as they say, is history. Two decades […]

Published

1 month ago

May 22, 2025

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MISHAWAKA ― Mark Watts had seen enough.

After Kyle Radde dunked the basketball, stole an ensuing pass and dunked the ball again, Watts knew he had a volleyball player on his hands. He walked across the gym floor and approached Radde about trying out the sport.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Two decades later, the two are on the same coaching staff — Watts a co-head coach with his wife, Kelley, and Radde an assistant for the Penn High School boys volleyball team. After being one of 16 programs to win an inaugural IHSAA sectional title in the sport, the Kingsmen will look to add regional hardware this weekend in Valparaiso.

“It’s awesome,” Radde said. “It’s where my roots started. And it all started in that gym that we’re practicing in now.”

A decorated pro volleyball career

As he alluded to, Radde is a Penn alum. Watts, a former teacher and girls volleyball coach at the school, was overseeing the intramural basketball teams at Penn when Radde showed off his athletic display.

A club boys volleyball team was formed in Radde’s junior and senior years, but it fizzled out once he graduated. While the team at Penn was over, Radde’s career in the sport was just starting.

He would play collegiately in the NAIA at Calumet College before transferring to the club team at Michigan State University in East Lansing. Radde would then spend some time overseas playing the game, including in countries like Austria, Belgum and Denmark.

Beach volleyball is where Radde would find his niche. He became one of the better players in the country at it, using his 6-foot-8 frame and dynamic leaping ability to be a force around the net. In 2014, he and his playing partner were one of four teams in a 104-team field to advance to the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) Main Draw in St. Petersburg, Florida.

He has continued to play locally, as well as starting his coaching career. That journey has taken him to the University of Olivet in Michigan and the Northern Indiana Volleyball Association, among other places, along with his current assistant gig with Penn.

At age 39, Radde is still playing. He needs shoulder surgery to fix some things this fall, but he plans on pursuing his pro career next summer after he’s healed up.

“I told the boys: I didn’t start until I was 17 or 18, and then I ended up playing professionally for 16 years … a lot of people would say that’s a late start, but it’s better late than never,” Radde said. “I’m glad I took that opportunity to play because, honestly, in my mind, there’s no better sport than volleyball.”

Helping the next generation of Penn boys volleyball

It was unknown if Penn would field a team for the first-ever IHSAA season as late as mid-February. Once the Watts committed to being the head coaches, though, the season became a reality.

“It’s amazing,” Mark Watts said. “It feels impossible. I’m enjoying it. Sometimes I sit back and think, ‘How the heck did we get here?’”

Radde’s impact is felt by everyone on the team, especially sophomore Liam Carter. The 6-foot-6 middle hitter has played at NIVA for four years, with Radde being one of his first coaches. He was unsure if he wanted to play for the high school team, but Radde convinced him to be part of history.

“I went to one practice, and it was definitely challenging,” Carter said. “I talked to (Radde) at another place I play at (NIVA) and he told me how much of a big deal this is with it being the first year and how big it could be for college.”

Like most teams in the area, there have been growing pains for Penn this year. They were able to put it all together in last week’s sectionals, though, beating three solid teams in Warsaw, South Bend Riley and Saint Joseph to claim the title.

“That’s why we coach,” Radde said. “It’s not for me to come out here and win a state title; it’s for the look on their faces when they won sectionals and how they felt. I’ve had some big wins in my career, and it means a lot. To see them having that same feeling, that’s where all the reward comes from coaching.”

Penn (13-10) now enters regional weekend as the underdog. They will face Washington Township (19-3) in the second semifinal at approximately 1 p.m. ET/noon CT Saturday, May 24, at Valparaiso High School. The first semifinal pits Lake Central (27-6) against Boone Grove (23-4) at 11 a.m. ET/10 a.m. CT. The final is set for 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT.

The Kingsmen know it’ll be an uphill battle, but they’re ready for the challenge.

“I’m going to tell them to go out there and swing away,” Radde added. “Play aggressive, dive on the ground and be ready.”

Follow Austin Hough on X (formerly Twitter) @AustinRHough and on Facebook at “Austin Hough – South Bend Tribune.” Hough can be emailed at ahough@gannett.com.

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Sports

87-year-old Central Florida woman still competes in track and field

If you need help with the Public File, call (407) 291-6000 At WKMG, we are committed to informing and delighting our audience. In our commitment to covering our communities with innovation and excellence, we incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance our news gathering, reporting, and presentation processes. Read our article to see how we […]

Published

28 minutes ago

June 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

If you need help with the Public File, call (407) 291-6000

At WKMG, we are committed to informing and delighting our audience. In our commitment to covering our communities with innovation and excellence, we incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance our news gathering, reporting, and presentation processes. Read our article to see how we are using Artificial Intelligence.

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Sports

Quentin Nauman wins second national track and field title

The past few months have been incredible for Western Dubuque High School sensation Quentin Nauman. Along with capturing four state championships earlier this year, Nauman won the HOKA Festival of Miles in St. Louis. But over the weekend, Nauman won perhaps his biggest race of the year. Running on his future track at Hayward Field […]

Published

39 minutes ago

June 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The past few months have been incredible for Western Dubuque High School sensation Quentin Nauman.

Along with capturing four state championships earlier this year, Nauman won the HOKA Festival of Miles in St. Louis. But over the weekend, Nauman won perhaps his biggest race of the year.

Running on his future track at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon, Nauman won the mile at the Nike Outdoor Nationals/USA Track and Field U20 Championships.

The senior-to-be clocked a time of 4:00.52 to win by just .01 second over Evan Noonan running for the Nike Elite Club. Nauman, a 17-year-old, was also ninth in the 800 at the meet, which features the best athletes in the country.

Nauman won gold at the Iowa high school state track and field championships in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200, along with running on the winning distance medley relay. He swept the four races as a sophomore and is also a multi-time Drake Relays champion.

Nauman has already committed to run at Oregon when he exhausts his high school eligibility.

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Parkway Central freshman takes fifth at state tennis tournament | Sports

Parkway Central Colts freshman Arhan Meka finished fifth in his first state boys tennis tournament. Parkway Central Colts freshman Arhan Meka with Colts coach Lee Hays. (Photo provided) Provided Coach Lee Hayes was happy to have Meka join his program. “I had heard of him through the kids on the team and some teaching pros,” […]

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2 hours ago

June 24, 2025

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Parkway Central Colts freshman Arhan Meka finished fifth in his first state boys tennis tournament.

ParkwayCentraltennisfreshman — Parkway Central Colts freshman Arhan Meka with Colts coach Lee Hays. (Photo provided)

Provided

Parkway Central Colts freshman Arhan Meka with Colts coach Lee Hays. (Photo provided)

Provided

Coach Lee Hayes was happy to have Meka join his program.

“I had heard of him through the kids on the team and some teaching pros,” Hays said. “He was young and impressive as a player.”

Meka went 17-2 in the regular season and in districts. His only two losses were to Eureka senior and Class 3 state singles runner-up and Webster Groves’ Paul Castleman, the Class 2 singles runner-up.

In the Class quarterfinals, Meka lost 6-2, 6-2 to Castleman.

“Castleman really wanted the match,” Hays said. “He raised his level and played exceptionally well against Arhan.”

Meka then rebounded with three wins to finish fifth. Meka defeated Noah Blum, of Warrensburg, 6-1, 7-5 to finish in fifth place.

His strong effort at state impressed Hays.

“He is not a quitter,” Hays said. “Though disappointed, he finished strong. To be 14 and be this solid of a player, he will be fun to watch. If he stays with it and is healthy, he will be a player we will all enjoy watching.”

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Meet the High Divers of the World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025

Up next in the Women’s competition is Maya Kelly. Maya achieved a 6th place finish at the World Aquatics High Diving World Cup 2024 in Bahrain, Manama and is excited to compete in Singapore 2025. We put Maya into the question-and-answer hot seat. Here’s what we got from her: Image Source: Maya Kelly competes at […]

Published

3 hours ago

June 24, 2025

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Up next in the Women’s competition is Maya Kelly. Maya achieved a 6th place finish at the World Aquatics High Diving World Cup 2024 in Bahrain, Manama and is excited to compete in Singapore 2025.

We put Maya into the question-and-answer hot seat. Here’s what we got from her:

Maya finds beauty in architecture, and one landmark stands out to her is Copenhagen Opera House “I do find the Opera House really cool in Copenhagen, so I think I would like that,” she shared. A dive with the iconic building as a backdrop would be a spectacular sight!

Though her competition experience is just beginning, Maya has a favorite. “Probably Bahrain,” she said, referring to her current World Cup event in Bahrain. Her only other major competition was in Montreal during her junior years, but “that was indoors,” so this outdoor adventure takes the top spot.

Maya finds her competitive focus with the help of music—and she’s a proud Swiftie! “Probably anything by Taylor Swift,” she revealed about her go-to playlist. “I have a specific meet playlist I listen to before every competition.” Swift’s empowering lyrics and catchy tunes help set the mood.

Among her repertoire, one dive stands out as her favorite. “Probably my backflip pike,” Maya said. While she didn’t compete with it at Bahrain 2024 World Cup, it remains her personal signature move, showcasing her grace and precision in the air.

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Attend water polo tournament on the waters of Oswego Lake this weekend

Attend water polo tournament on the waters of Oswego Lake this weekend Published 4:20 pm Monday, June 23, 2025 The tournament was held for the first time in 2024. (Courtesy photo: Lake Oswego Open Water Polo Invitational) Those strolling near Millennium Plaza Park and Lakewood Bay this weekend may notice splashing and excitement emanating from […]

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4 hours ago

June 24, 2025

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Attend water polo tournament on the waters of Oswego Lake this weekend

Published 4:20 pm Monday, June 23, 2025

: The tournament was held for the first time in 2024.
(Courtesy photo: Lake Oswego Open Water Polo Invitational)

Those strolling near Millennium Plaza Park and Lakewood Bay this weekend may notice splashing and excitement emanating from the Oswego Lake waters near the Lakeshore Inn.

The Lake Corporation and the Lake Oswego Water Polo Organization are organizing the second annual Lake Oswego Open Water Polo Invitational from Friday, June 27 to Sunday, June 29 at a sectioned-off course on Lakewood Bay near the Lakeshore Inn.

The event will feature teams from the local water polo club (which includes athletes from Lake Oswego High School and Lakeridge High School) as well as squads from areas such as San Diego, Seattle, Portland and Beaverton.

Organizer Katy Brown said the idea was hatched due in part to the success of the local water polo teams and wanting to provide a community event while highlighting a sport that is often overlooked in the Pacific Northwest. The area of play had never been used as a water polo course before, but Brown said it worked well.

“It far exceeded our expectations,” Brown said of last year’s event. “We got great feedback from the water polo club and the community.”

The Lake Oswego Water Polo Organization consists of more than 100 kids ranging in age from 8 through 18. It includes competitive teams with a range of ages that compete year-round, club director Daniel Ramirez said. A number of teams recently qualified for the Junior Olympics.

“We have the best depth (in the Pacific Northwest) and it’s a real testament to the kids, the coaching staff and the community we have built,” Ramirez said. “Our kids like being a part of our club. They are proud to be local athletes. They like our coaching staff, enjoy competing for us and the community we bring.”

Competitive water polo players have to be very strong swimmers who are able to stay in the water for minutes on end while being grabbed by opponents, and Ramirez said the sport promotes swimming skills and confidence.

“The intense exercise allowed me to perform much better academically. It taught me discipline, and the twelve years of practice taught me time management to also keep up with my school work,” Lakeridge High school graduate Adrienne Medak said in a press release.

Ramirez said an event like this gives exposure to the sport while providing an opportunity for the kids to get more recognition.

For more information on the event, visit https://lowpoopenwaterinvitational2025-n53399.mystrikingly.com/#home.

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Will Taylor's minor league baseball journey brought him back to Greenville for the weekend

Former Dutch Fork and Clemson standout Will Taylor is now a member of the Greenville Grasshoppers, part of the Pirates organization. GREENVILLE, S.C. — Will Taylor was back in familiar territory this past weekend. The Dutch Fork graduate is in his first full season of professional baseball. A fifth round draft pick by the Pirates […]

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4 hours ago

June 24, 2025

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Will Taylor's minor league baseball journey brought him back to Greenville for the weekend

Former Dutch Fork and Clemson standout Will Taylor is now a member of the Greenville Grasshoppers, part of the Pirates organization.

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Will Taylor was back in familiar territory this past weekend.

The Dutch Fork graduate is in his first full season of professional baseball. A fifth round draft pick by the Pirates in the 2024 MLB Draft, Taylor started his career at the Single A affiliate in Bradenton, Florida before being called him to Greensboro, the High A affiliate of the Pirates.

That promotion brought him to the Upstate as Greensboro faced the Greenville Drive at Fluor Field where Taylor has played before during his days at Clemson.

In his first two seasons at Clemson, Taylor played football and baseball. Taylor came to the Tiger program as a quarterback with the plant for him to move to wide receiver. As a freshman in 2021, he was the team’s primary punt returner before suffering a season ending knee injury which set him back at bit in the spring for baseball.

In 2024, Taylor had made the decision to concentrate on baseball and last April, he injured his wrist while diving for a foul ball and that broken bone in his wrist kept him out of the lineup for the rest of the season.

But in spite of those setbacks, Taylor looks back on his time at Clemson with great fondness as he was one of the occassional athletes who played two sports in college at a high level.