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Men's Basketball Adds Brandon Cole to Staff as Assistant Coach

Story Links STOCKTON, Calif. – With experience coaching several different levels of basketball, Brandon Cole was named Assistant Coach on the Pacific men’s basketball staff, announced by head coach Dave Smart. “I’m very grateful, humbled and excited to be part of Coach Smart’s staff. I’m ready to go to work with an amazing group of coaches […]

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Men's Basketball Adds Brandon Cole to Staff as Assistant Coach

STOCKTON, Calif. – With experience coaching several different levels of basketball, Brandon Cole was named Assistant Coach on the Pacific men’s basketball staff, announced by head coach Dave Smart.
 
“I’m very grateful, humbled and excited to be part of Coach Smart’s staff. I’m ready to go to work with an amazing group of coaches that are like-minded in achieving tremendous goals on and off the court,” Cole said.
 
Cole spent last season coaching Jalen Green Elite on the adidas 3SSB Circuit in 2024 and helped the team reach the Elite Eight. He previously Coached West Coast Elite on the Under Armour Circuit from 2018-2023, which included a run to the 17U Championship game in 2022.
 
“Coach Cole is very well connected in California. His time with Jalen Green Elite and West Coast Elite allowed him to coach some of the top players in the state and in the country over the last few years,” Smart said. “Brandon has a really good understanding of what it takes for a player to be successful at this level. He’ll be an influential floor coach and teacher for us, as well as a great recruiter, especially in California.”
 
Cole also has collegiate coaching experience with stops at Central Wyoming, Fresno Pacific and Sierra College. Cole, in his one season at Central Wyoming, helped the Rustlers to a 20-win season and a playoff birth while competing in the difficult Region 9 in 2017-18.
 
He was both an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Fresno Pacific in 2016-17, and spent five seasons at Sierra College from 2011-16 when he was promoted to associate head coach in 2015. The Wolverines reached the playoffs each year during Cole’s tenure.
 
As a student-athlete, Cole played two years at Sierra College, one year at Dakota State University and finished his career at Ashford University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sports recreation and management from Ashford and holds a master’s degree in business administration.
 
Stay Social
For all the latest on Pacific Men’s Basketball, be sure to follow the team on X (@PacificMensBB), Instagram (@PacificMensBB) and “like” the team’s official Facebook page (Pacific Men’s Basketball).
 
#PacificProud
 

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New sports facilities coming to campus

From pickleball’s growing popularity to post-Nationals basketball hype, the University of Florida has seen a growing demand for on-campus recreational sports sites in recent years.  The Flavet Outdoor Recreational Complex can meet it. Interim President Kent Fuchs proposed the complex in response to the demand during his tenure as president. The project has been in […]

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From pickleball’s growing popularity to post-Nationals basketball hype, the University of Florida has seen a growing demand for on-campus recreational sports sites in recent years. 

The Flavet Outdoor Recreational Complex can meet it.

Interim President Kent Fuchs proposed the complex in response to the demand during his tenure as president. The project has been in the planning stages ever since and is intended to be fully functional by early 2026.

The plan includes six pickleball courts, two sand volleyball courts, three table tennis courts and lawn space, adding to the six existing tennis courts. The complex will be located on Flavet Field, near Tolbert residential area and fraternity row.

Marty Dempsey, RecSports director of facilities and operations, said one of the initiative’s main goals was to replace facilities from the Broward Outdoor Recreational Complex, which was torn down to make room for the Honors Village. 

“We were very committed to making sure that the student voice was heard loud and clear and was the biggest driver in what we put into the final design,” Dempsey said. 

RecSports wants the complex to offer more than sporting grounds, he said. Its design includes a shaded pavilion, green space, lawn games and hammocks for UF’s athletic and non-athletic students alike.

“We are hoping that the whole area creates almost a Central Park vibe in the middle of campus,” he said. 

While the complex is the only current RecSports initiative underway, Dempsey said other in-demand facility plans may develop in the future. 

Elly Beshears, a 21-year-old UF economics senior, has played beach volleyball for two years and serves as a social chair for the UF Beach Volleyball team.

“I’m super excited about that [the new complex], especially since sometimes it gets overcrowded at Southwest,” Beshears said. “You try and get a court available, showing up with your friends, but then you can’t get on one. With this initiative, sporting facilities will be made more readily accessible to the UF community.”

Jennifer Kennymore Royer, interim director of GatorWell Health Promotion Services, said the facility would have a positive effect on UF students’ holistic development. 

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“Physical well-being is an important aspect of overall well-being and has the potential to impact many aspects of well-being, including stress management and social connection,” Royer said. 

The complex is projected to cost $6 million. It’s funded through the President’s Office and the Capital Improvement Trust Fund, a special fund used by Florida public universities to help finance construction and maintenance projects. The money comes from student tuition fees. 

Jenna Cohen, a 21-year-old UF alumna and former treasurer of the UF beach volleyball team, said building the complex on UF’s main campus will help students get more involved with sports. “I feel like a lot of people got closer to outdoor activities when there was the one right by Broward, versus there only being courts that’s basically accessible only by bus or car,” Cohen said.

Connor Griffiths, a 22-year-old UF first-year medical student and former vice president of the UF table tennis club, said the only facility for table tennis is at Southwest Recreation Center. 

“Having somewhere else on campus that has tables would be awesome,” Griffiths said. “It’s nice that they’re spread out, too. Everyone that lives kind of in that area could have tables nearby.” 

Contact Swasthi Maharaj at smaharaj@thealligator.org. Follow her on X @s_maharaj1611.

The Independent Florida Alligator has been independent of the university since 1971, your donation today could help #SaveStudentNewsrooms. Please consider giving today.



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Volleyball England begins 70th year celebrations

Volleyball England today begins its 70th anniversary year celebrations! It was on 28th May 1955 that the first ever meeting of the Amateur Volleyball Association (AVA) of Great Britain and Northern Ireland took place.  Just under a year later, a constitution was finalised on 6th April 1956, paving the way for organised volleyball to be […]

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Volleyball England today begins its 70th anniversary year celebrations!

It was on 28th May 1955 that the first ever meeting of the Amateur Volleyball Association (AVA) of Great Britain and Northern Ireland took place. 

Just under a year later, a constitution was finalised on 6th April 1956, paving the way for organised volleyball to be established in the UK. 

The AVA was the forerunner to the individual Home Nation national associations that now govern the sport in each of those countries today, with the AVA renamed the English Volleyball Association in 1972 and Volleyball England in 2006. 

Richard Callicott OBE, Honorary President of Volleyball England, reflected on the sport’s incredible journey over the last seven decades:

“The sport has changed in so many ways in the last 70 years, with tactics, techniques, skills, fitness and commitment all improving. But the most important aspect is that the sport is enjoyed and is considered fun for so many boys and girls, and men and women of all levels of ability.”

“The development of Volleyball in England was held back due to the lack of indoor facilities until the 1970s. It was only when Sports halls were built that indoor sports were able to develop.

“Coaches were the mechanism for the expansion of Volleyball, and clubs were the means by which young people were encouraged into the sport.

“Until then, volleyball was played outdoors on grass. Events such as Sandwell, Whitfield and Ashcombe were able to showcase the sport (Sandwell was in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest in Europe).”

The competitive structure also saw significant growth in the sport across the country, with Richard saying, “Over the years, competitions have expanded and players have benefited from National, Regional and Local leagues, producing some outstanding players.

“England has had some great players who have gone on to play for professional clubs in Europe and around the world. This was never truer than in the lead up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“We have now competed in the Olympic and Paralympic Games as Great Britain in Volleyball, Beach Volleyball and Sitting Volleyball. Indeed, Mo Glover and Audrey Cooper were our first players to play in the Olympic Games in 1996 in Atlanta.

England now we has a men’s Team, Joaquin and Javier Bello, winning a bronze medal in the second Commonwealth Beach Tournament in the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham as well as a gold medal in Brazil last year in the Elite 16. They are currently ranked 10th in the world, with other English pairs close behind.

“The sport of volleyball is one of the most widely played in the world, and England is part of the European Confederation, which has over 50 Federations to compete against. I am confident that we will see our teams show increasing progress in the coming years.

“Now for the next 70 years!” said Richard.

To mark the occasion, Volleyball England will be staging several events in recognition of its 70th year, including one at Cup Finals 2026. 

Members of the Volleyball England Heritage Project Core Group will also be looking to unlock some of the many stories from the past 70 years that will be told through the Facebook Group and Heritage podcast. 

From the record number of England caps for Ann Jarvis (176) to the Bello brothers winning an Elite 16 event for the first time, the sport has never been short of memorable moments – and they are keen to document the best moments that have been enjoyed across the community. 

For now, though, members are encouraged to send in any written literature images or videos they wish to share that may be of interest to others. 

If you do so, please send via email to info@volleyballengland.org, detailing what has been submitted, as well as who has sent it and contact information in case of query. 



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Fuseini, Modeste earn superlatives, 12 ETAMU track and field athletes named to all-Southland teams

Twelve student-athletes from the East Texas A&M University track and field teams earned all-Southland Conference recognition following their performances at the SLC Outdoor Championships, including a pair of superlative awards. Highlighting the honors for the Lions are Ibrahim Fuseini (Accra, Ghana), who earned the conference’s Athlete of the Year award to go along with being the Outstanding […]

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Twelve student-athletes from the East Texas A&M University track and field teams earned all-Southland Conference recognition following their performances at the SLC Outdoor Championships, including a pair of superlative awards.

Highlighting the honors for the Lions are Ibrahim Fuseini (Accra, Ghana), who earned the conference’s Athlete of the Year award to go along with being the Outstanding Running Events performer and the Most Valuable Performer at the outdoor meet, while Armani Modeste (Castries, Saint Lucia) was named the co-Newcomer of the Year.

Fuseini put together an impressive season for East Texas A&M as he went 4 for 4 in winning conference championships at the meet in Houston, being part of two school record and one Southland meet record performance as well. He won the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, 4×100 meter relay, and 4×400 meter relay, setting the school record in the 200 meter dash and the 4×100 meter relay, and breaking the Lions’ SLC meet record in the 4×100 meter relay as well.

Modeste ran alongside Fuseini in the 4×100 meter relay and 4×400 meter relay, winning gold in both races, while also scoring points for the Lions in the 200 meter dash (fourth) and the 400 meter dash (seventh).

Along with the individual honors, the conference also announced the all-conference teams, with 12 Lions being named to the three all-conference teams. The Lions finished fourth on the men’s side at the conference championships, while the Lion women finished sixth.

Fuseini earned first team all-Southland honors in the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, 4×100 meter relay, and 4×400 meter relay. Joining Fuseini on the first team are Justin Vincent (Agde, France) in the men’s long jump, Veronika Kramarenko (Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine) in the women’s high jump, and Romi Griese (Salzkotten, Germany) in the women’s discus.

The four individual champions on the first team were joined by the 4×100 meter relay team of Fuseini, Modeste, Enoch Fosuhene (Accra, Ghana), and Oguz Uyar (Cannakele, Turkey) and the 4×400 meter relay team of Fuseini, Modeste, Fosuhene, and Philip Krenek (Prague, Czech Republic).

Fosuhene was also named to second team all-Southland in the 200 meter dash, while Jonas Gran (Riehen, Switzerland) earned second team honors in the decathlon.

On the women’s side, the third team all-conference honors were Analice Pursley (Georgetown – East View) in the 400 meter hurdles, Cassandra Rendon (San Antonio – Madison) in the discus, and Blessing Samuel (Ghana) in the long jump.

Southland Conference Outdoor Track & Field superlative awards are nominated and voted upon by the league’s head coaches. Voting for oneself or one’s own athletes is not permitted. All-conference distinction is given to the first-, second- and third-place finishers in each championship event final.

Women’s Athlete of the Year – Samari Finney, Northwestern State
Women’s Outstanding Running Events Performer – Maygan Shaw, Northwestern State
Women’s Outstanding Field Events Performer – Raven-Symone Jarrett, Northwestern State
Women’s Freshman of the Year and Most Valuable Performer – Elizabeth Khatevi, A&M-Corpus Christi
Women’s Newcomer of the Year – Basia Mitchell, SFA
Women’s Phil Olson Coach of the Year – Mike Heimerman, Northwestern State
Men’s Athlete of the Year, Most Outstanding Running Events Performer and Most Valuable Performer – Ibrahim Fuseini, East Texas A&M
Men’s Outstanding Field Events Performer – Marcus Francis, McNeese
Men’s Freshman of the Year – Elkana Kipruto, SFA
Men’s Co-Newcomer of the Year – Emmanuel Ekuma, A&M-Corpus Christi
Men’s Co-Newcomer of the Year – Armani Modeste, East Texas A&M
Leon Johnson Award (Men’s Coach of the Year) – Robert Hansen, SFA

2025 SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE MEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS

Event First Second Third
100 meter dash Ibrahim Fuseini, East Texas A&M Corin Burns, UTRGV Tavis Wilson, NSU
200 meter dash Ibrahim Fuseini, East Texas A&M Enoch Fosuhene, East Texas A&M Corin Burns, UTRGV
400 meter dash Cameron Chin, Lamar William Achee, NSU Victory Achapoekri, SLU
800 meter run Phillip Jensen e Castro, TAMUCC Tray’Quan Francis, McNeese Luke Parker, Lamar
1,500 meter run Edouard Lecrivain, HCU Fredd Richardson, Lamar Riley Elliott, SFA
5,000 meter run Elkana Kipruto, SFA Griffin Neal, UIW Freddy Richardson, UIW
10,000 meter run Elkana Kipruto, SFA Griffin Neal, UIW Lloyd Sheppard-Brown, Lamar
110 meter hurdles Olufolabo Ogunyemi, SLU Dishawn Lamb, NSU Ashton Munoz-Nieves, HCU
400 meter hurdles Jarvis Anderson, SFA Jaden Powell, McNeese Denzel Hinds, HCU
3,000 meter steeplechase Christopher Daniels, UIW Zephirin Darhan, SFA Ethan Malsich, UIW
4×100 meter relay Oguz Uyar, Enoch Fosuhene, Armani Modeste, Ibrahim Fuseini – East Texas A&M Galen Loyd, Mikkel Johansson, Elijah Rowe, Tavis Wilson — NSU  Christopher Murphy, Madonna Favour, Daryl Bachmann, Darryl George, Jr. – UNO
4×400 meter relay Enoch Fosuhene, Philip Krenek, Armani Modeste,  Ibrahim Fuseini– East Texas A&M Vincent Granini, Desmond Duncan, Galen Loyd, William Achee – NSU Alejandro Arellano, Jamari Harts, Ricky Young, Derrius Henry –UTRGV
High Jump Elijah Jackson, Lamar Hunter Murphy, SFA Nicholas Grullon, SFA
Pole Vault Brayden Hill, SFA Garrett Savage, SFA Cade Carter, SFA
Long Jump Justin Vincent, East Texas A&M Keamonie Archie, UTRGV Christopher Murphy, UNO
Triple Jump Bryson Williams, SFA Joshua Gillis-Harry, HCU Aaron Cooper, UTRGV
Shot Put Marcus Francis, McNeese Donroy Brown, SLU Emmanuel Ekuma, TAMUCC
Discus Throw Marcus Francis, McNeese Anthony Oliver, Lamar Micah Miller, SLU
Hammer Throw Anthony Oliver, Lamar Gerrit Viser, SLU Tyler Challis, McNeese
Javelin Throw Thomas Knoop, Lamar Gabriel Lim, SLU Alex Del Popolo, TAMUCC
Decathlon Leo Chauchard, UIW Jonas Gran, East Texas A&M Bruce Boon, NSU

2025 SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE WOMEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS

Event First Second Third
100 meter dash Nayla Harris, UTRGV Sileena Farrell, NSU Kennedy Swann, SFA
200 meter dash Maygan Shaw, NSU Jizzale Davis, UTRGV Samari Finney, NSU
400 meter dash Maygan Shaw, NSU Onyah Onyinye Favour, SLU Samari Finney, NSU
800 meter run Elizabeth Khatevi, TAMUCC Lilliana Guerrero, UTRGV Kailey Salazar, UTRGV
1,500 meter run Elizabeth Khatevi, TAMUCC Eline Mast, HCU Inca Padfield, Lamar
5,000 meter run Elizabeth Khatevi, TAMUCC Inca Padfield, Lamar Alicia Finnis, TAMUCC
10,000 meter run Valentine Jemutai, SFA Ahston Rainey, Lamar Alicia Finnis, TAMUCC
100 meter hurdles Kayli Johnson, Lamar Helen Baugaretn, UNO Raven-Symone Jarrett, NSU
400 meter hurdles Esther Nwaze, SLU Silet Gray, NSU Analice Pursley, East Texas A&M
3,000 meter steeplechase Samantha Gonzalez, UTRGV Oceane Cercueil, UIW Micah Mizell, TAMUCC
4×100 meter relay Samari Finney, Maygan Shaw, Dynia Lewis, Sileena Farrell — NSU Kierra Yarbough, Jada Gibson, Kennedy Swann, Whitenee Teagle — SFA Ahmasia Brown, Kayla Smith, Kayli Johnson, Chantell Brown — Lamar
4×400 meter relay Kahliyah Anderson, Tranasia Jones, Margret Conteh, Samari Finney — NSU Miriam Kauer, Nina Sorapuru, Esther Nwanze, Onyah Onyinye Favour — SLU Aliyah Castillo, Zoe Adams, Trinity Kirk, Jizzale Davis — UTRGV
High Jump Veronika Kramarenko, East Texas A&M Achol Maywin, UTRGV Isabella Gonzalez-Velasquez, UIW
Pole Vault Kalli Knott, NSU Iliana Singh, UIW Kira Van Den Ham, SFA
Long Jump Samari Finney, NSU Kayli Johnson, Lamar Blessing Samuel, East Texas A&M
Triple Jump Jaslyn Smith, NSU Nyadhol Thichoit, TAMUCC Kayli Johnson, Lamar
Shot Put Shakera Williams, NSU Efe Latham, UTRGV Jaslyn Russell, McNeese
Discus Throw Romi Griese, East Texas A&M Shakera Kirk, NSU Cassandra Rendon, East Texas A&M
Hammer Throw Hannah Hilding, UTRGV Breyunna Dowell, TAMUUC Cyan Green, TAMUCC
Javelin Throw Neelie Schiel, Lamar Cecile Bogliolo, Lamar Teodors Samac, NSU
Heptathlon Raven-Symone Jarrett, NSU Basia Mitchell, SFA Mariam Buenanueva-Saleme, Lamar

Article source and photo credit: lionathletics.com



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Rutgers Freshman Becomes Tunnel to Towers Student Athlete Advocate

Rutgers University freshman Caitlin Collins hails from a family of firefighters, so when the opportunity came to show support to fallen heroes of September 11th, she threw her hat into the ring. “It’s my way of giving back to the people I know who have served,” Collins told Fox Sports Radio New Jersey a couple […]

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Rutgers University freshman Caitlin Collins hails from a family of firefighters, so when the opportunity came to show support to fallen heroes of September 11th, she threw her hat into the ring.

“It’s my way of giving back to the people I know who have served,” Collins told Fox Sports Radio New Jersey a couple of days before Memorial Day. “I think about sharing the stories of growing up in a firehouse, navigating holidays, birthdays, and graduations around my dad’s firehouse schedule. Growing up around it I learned about the scarifies first responders make every day.”

Collins is the daughter of a firefighter captain, granddaughter of a retired firefighter, and great-granddaughter of a former battalion chief.

This spring, she just completed her freshman season on the Rutgers women’s Lacrosse team and is now the latest member of the Student Athlete Advocate Program through the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

The Foundation was formed over 20 years ago in honor of the sacrifice made by FDNY Stephen Siller, who laid down his life to save others on September 11, 2001.

The Foundation has supported the nation’s first responders, veterans, and their families by providing mortgage-free homes to the families of fallen heroes.

According to a press release issued by T2T, since 2021, Tunnel to Towers has joined up with the NCAA to provide an opportunity to “connect current student-athletes to the foundation’s mission and ensure young Americans ‘Never Forget’ the sacrifices made by first responders and military members.”

To date, 18 student-athletes and young professionals have collaborated with the foundation to participate in the initiative.

Collins was chosen along with Jack Holl, a senior water polo player at Pennsylvania State University-Behrend, to represent the foundation.

Continued Collins: “I would always see their commercials, and my dad’s fire station has worked with the Foundation in the past. We had a ‘My Cause’ game back in March, and it was a no-brainer to choose Tunnels to Towers. I went to their website, and they had a column for student athletes, and I saw other athletes sharing their stories, and I wanted to be a part of it.”

Added Tunnel to Towers Media Relations Manager Nick Diamantis: “Caitlin’s background was everything we looked for in building this program. Her long lineage of family and first responder units totally captures what we try to do here to get a younger demographic of people helping out the Foundation, spreading the mission nationwide.”

Collins will take part in the Tunnel to Towers Tower Climb on June 1 in New York City at One World Observatory. The event has been taking place since 2015, and celebrates the life and scarifies of all 9-11 heroes.

“It’s a way to give back and carry on the legacy of others. Seeing other people my age grow up the same way you did is relatable, and it’s fun to be a part of. I was born in 2006, so I only know the post-9/11 world, so it’s important to me to promote that we never forget what families have gone through.”

Michael Cohen is the News and Sports Director at Fox Sports Radio New Jersey and Magic 98.3 FM, as well as a radio production assistant with Fox and Magic in New Jersey. He started his career in Somerset in 2018 initially as a news fill-in at WCTC 1450 AM, and soon moved up to higher responsibilities in the ensuing years, assuming News & Sports Director title in 2021Prior to his time with Fox Sports New Jersey, Michael was play-by-play voice for New Jersey Jackals baseball, and as well as play-by-play and color for the College of Staten Island basketball (men and women), softball and baseball. Michael began his career as a news and sportswriter with the Jersey Journal of Hudson County.



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Mathea Olin Scours Vancouver Island for Waves on a Sailboat

Vancouver Island holds many secrets, but you can find them if you look. Photo: YouTube//Screenshot The west coast of Vancouver Island holds many secrets. I grew up there, poking my nose around different corners, slogging through the mud beneath the trees in search of waves, and I have not found most of them. There are […]

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Mathea Olin Scours Vancouver Island for Waves on a Sailboat
mathea olin sailing Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island holds many secrets, but you can find them if you look. Photo: YouTube//Screenshot

The Inertia

The west coast of Vancouver Island holds many secrets. I grew up there, poking my nose around different corners, slogging through the mud beneath the trees in search of waves, and I have not found most of them. There are endless waves breaking off endless points and over endless shifting sandbars, many of which require more than just legs to access. It’s a stunningly beautiful place made more beautiful by the work that goes into seeing those beautiful places. Canadian surfer Mathea Olin knows that as well as anyone, and she decided to explore the rugged coastline of her home in Rip Curl’s Transports of Delight II.

“Finding waves where you can surf and you’re the only one out, like, those are moments for me when I know where I’m meant to be,” Olin said. “Those are the moments I’m going to continue to find and explore our coastline and push my limits on a sailboat and just overall learn more about the ocean and who I want to be.”

Vancouver Island isn’t exactly known for it’s perfect, sunny days. The storms come fast and hard, full of driving rain and howling wind. The ocean is moodier there than many other places; ripping currents and freezing cold water that’s sometimes crystal clear and other times as clear as mud.

Olin, like many who call the island home, has a strong connection with the place she grew up. And growing up in Tofino, the ocean is home. Like anywhere else, you can’t always bank on perfect waves.

“For me a huge part of it is just being out there in the ocean. Out in nature,” Olin explained. “It’s definitely a cherry on top when you actually get swell on a sailing trip.”

As I mentioned, Vancouver Island is full of secrets, and Olin wants to keep uncovering them. It’s a magical place, but it’s not just because of the waves.

“Being a surfer, you’re always so enamored by the coastline and what it has to offer,” she said. “Every corner we rounded there was something new to look at. Little moments like that make me want to keep going a little bit farther, not knowing what you’re going to find.”

This is the second such trip Olin has done, and she learned a few valuable lessons from the first go-around.

“Last trip was a crash course in sailing with friend and mentor Satch Robertson,” Rip Curl wrote. “This time, Mathea came prepared. That’s the beauty of doing things for a second time. You know more, have a sense for extra goals and can truly let go of any anxieties. There’s something incredibly empowering about having the skills to chart your own course too. To take your adventure into your own hands. The freedom to explore wherever the wind takes you — and the confidence to make the journey your own.”

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Women’s Track Star Scatchard, Water Polo’s Pozaric Receive Princeton’s Top Senior Athletic Awards

AWARDS SHOW: Princeton University women’s track and cross country star Mena Scatchard, left, is all smiles as she receives the C. Otto von Kienbusch Award from Princeton Director of Athletics John Mack last Thursday evening at the Gary Walters ’67 Princeton Varsity Club Awards Banquet. The award is given annually to a Princeton senior woman […]

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AWARDS SHOW: Princeton University women’s track and cross country star Mena Scatchard, left, is all smiles as she receives the C. Otto von Kienbusch Award from Princeton Director of Athletics John Mack last Thursday evening at the Gary Walters ’67 Princeton Varsity Club Awards Banquet. The award is given annually to a Princeton senior woman of high scholastic rank who has demonstrated general proficiency in athletics and the qualities of a true sportswoman. During her Tiger career, Scatchard was eight-time Ivy League champion and a 2025 NCAA indoor runner-up in the mile. (Photo provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

One is a petite, wiry runner from England while the other is a chiseled 6’4 bruiser from Croatia who dominates in the pool.

Coming to Princeton from Europe in 2021, the two athletes, Mena Scatchard and Roko Pozaric, produced stellar college careers. Scatchard established herself as one of the most accomplished distance runners in the 47-year history of Princeton women’s track and field. Pozaric, for his part, ended his Tiger men’s water polo career with the most goals in program history.

Last Thursday evening, Scatchard and Pozaric were honored as the top Princeton senior athletes at the Gary Walters ’67 Princeton Varsity Club Awards Banquet. Scatchard received the C. Otto von Kienbusch Award given annually to a Princeton senior woman of high scholastic rank who has demonstrated general proficiency in athletics and the qualities of a true sportswoman. Pozaric won the William Winston Roper Trophy awarded annually to a Princeton senior man of high scholastic rank who has demonstrated general proficiency in athletics and the qualities of a true sportsman.

Scatchard displayed her quality time and time again as an eight-time Ivy League champion. A 2025 NCAA indoor runner-up in the mile, Scatchard is just the second Tiger woman to place that high at nationals – and she did it while climbing from 10th to second with the fastest final two laps in the entire field.

At the conference level, Scatchard won individual Ivy titles in four events, while winning four 4×800 relay titles. She set four facility records during her championship performances.

Additionally, Scatchard, a native of North Yorkshire, U.K., is a nine-time first team and three-time second team All-Ivy honoree.  Scatchard has rewritten the Princeton record books during her four years. She holds seven program records, including the 800 meters, 1,500, 5,000, 3,000, mile, and as a part of 4×800 and distance medley relays. She also ranks second all-time in the Princeton record books in three other events, while making the all-time top-10 in four more. Scatchard’s performances have landed her in the Ivy League all-time top-10, all-meets in seven events.
A rare middle distance runner who also excels on the cross country course, Scatchard is a two-time

All-Ivy performer and finished second overall last fall to lead the Tigers to their first cross country Heps title in nine years. Scatchard’s individual achievements and leadership have guided Princeton women’s cross country and women’s track and field to new heights this year, helping the program complete its first Triple Crown (Ivy cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track titles) since 2011 and third all-time — two milestones that will be cemented and cherished in the history of the program.

MAKING A SPLASH: Princeton University men’s water polo player Roko Pozaric unloads the ball in action this season. Pozaric, who tallied a program-record 281 goals in his Tiger career, was named last Thursday as the recipient of the William Winston Roper Trophy awarded annually to a Princeton senior man of high scholastic rank who has demonstrated general proficiency in athletics and the qualities of a true sportsman.  (Photo by Shelley M. Szwast, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

Pozaric made history of his own for the Tiger men’s water polo team as a four-time All-American and three time conference Northeast Water Polo Conference (NWPC) Player of the Year. He is Princeton’s all-time leading goal scorer with 281 tallies while also ranking second all-time in assists, ranking Pozaric as arguably the best player in program history. Pozaric who hails from Zagreb Croatia, made an immediate impact when he arrived at Princeton, being named the NWPC Rookie of the Year and Rookie of the NWPC Tournament on his way to his first All-American honors.

In 2023, Pozaric had a career year with 76 goals and 47 assists and received recognition as the NWPC Tournament MVP and was named a Cutino Award finalist, an award presented annually by the Olympic Club to honor the nation’s most outstanding Division I male and female water polo athletes.

During his carer, Pozaric has helped transform the program into a national contender as the Tigers have won the conference title four years in a row, making it to the NCAA Final Four in 2023 and earning a program-record 28 wins, finishing ranked fifth in the country the last two seasons and beating two of the water polo “big four,” in Cal and Stanford, during his career. Pozaric is a four-time first-team All-NWPC performer and a 14-time conference Player of the Week.



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