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Mocs Extend 3.0 GPA Streak with Top Semester on Record

Story Links CHATTANOOGA—The Chattanooga Mocs just completed a fantastic semester. NIT Championships in men’s basketball and men’s tennis as well as several individual performances in NCAA Tournaments in multiple sports did not dim the focus in the classroom one iota. The Mocs combined for a 3.4339 grade point average for the spring […]

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CHATTANOOGA—The Chattanooga Mocs just completed a fantastic semester. NIT Championships in men’s basketball and men’s tennis as well as several individual performances in NCAA Tournaments in multiple sports did not dim the focus in the classroom one iota.

The Mocs combined for a 3.4339 grade point average for the spring term, which eclipses 3.421 in the spring of 2020 for the best on record. Of the 299 student-athletes enrolled, 215 made the Dean’s List with 245 total earning A.D. Honor Roll merit.

 

“It was another impressive semester for our student-athletes,” Vice Chancellor for Athletics Mark Wharton shared. “The work they put in to compete at the highest level in all phases of the collegiate experience is elite and appreciated.

 

“We thank (Asst. Vice Chancellor) Dr. Emily Blackman and the work of her academic support staff in continuing an impressive run of excellence in the classroom.”

 

The run includes three consecutive semesters above the 3.30 mark. It’s also the third in a row that every program topped 3.0 or better as a team. There is also the 3.0 run of 14 straight terms for the department as a whole.

 

Two new records were set in the honor categories.

  • 71.9% Dean’s List | Former mark: 71.0%, Spring 2020

  • 81.94% A.D. Honor Roll | Former: 81.88%, Spring 2020

 
Sixty-five earned perfect 4.0 marks is fourth most. That was led by Southern Conference Regular Season Champion softball with 11, while football and soccer added 10 apiece. The top team in spring 2025?
 

Soccer again proved top of the table with its fourth straight term of 3.70 or higher. The 3.7527 bested women’s golf in second (3.7097). Seven squads – soccer, women’s golf, softball (3.6691), women’s cross country (3.6517), women’s track & field/cross country (3.6047), volleyball (3.5948) and men’s tennis (3.5439) exceeded 3.5 for the semester.
 
Nine teams improved their strong work from the fall. Women’s golf made the biggest jump of .2180 and was joined by football (.1811) and volleyball (.1213) in exceeding their previous marks by 0.10 or higher.
 
The Mocs Student-Athlete Academic Enhancement Center has been led by Dr. Blackman since 2010. Lindsey Felix, assistant athletics director, has been a key member of her staff for nearly as long helping guide the unit. Their staff includes assistant director Amber Evans, academic advisors Katie Feeney and Leland Malloy, director of learning services Kaelin King and assistant learning specialist Shantih Crowdis.
 

The Student-Athlete Study Abroad Experience through the Health & Human Performance program has 13 students set for a 10-day trip to Argentina May 26-June4. The program focuses on developing individual and global citizenship through the lens of leadership and sport while gaining an understanding of the economic, political, cultural and social factors at play in an international context.
 
Click here to donate to reduce the total cost of $6,000 per student for the course including airfare, lodging, meals and tuition.
 
Sport-by-Sport Breakdowns
Men’s Basketball – 3.32 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 13 | Dean’s List: 10 | 4.0: 4

  • 3.32 is the second-best semester GPA behind 3.36 in spring of 2020.

  • This semester’s 3.3299 was .0061 ahead of the 3.3238 registered in the fall. Easily the best academic year in program history.

  • Three straight 3.0 semesters for the first time. Eighth total for the program.

  • Record four 4.0 students: Frank Champion, Garrison Keeslar, Parker Robison and Bash Wieland. Keeslar and Robison were 4.0 for 2024-25.

  • 10 Dean’s List: Frank Champion, Sean Cusano, Honor Huff, Garrison Keeslar, Ryan Lopez, Collin Mulholland, Isaiah Otyaluk, Makai Richards, Parker Robison & Bash Wieland.

  • 13 AD Honor Roll: Frank Champion, Sean Cusano, Latif Diouf, Houston Holland, Honor Huff, Garrison Keeslar, Jack Kostel, Ryan Lopez, Isaiah Otyaluk, Makai Richards, Parker Robison & Bash Wieland.

 
Women’s Basketball – 3.45 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 11 | Dean’s List: 11 | 4.0: 1

  • Third-best academic semester on record with all coming in the spring (2020: 3.64/2024: 3.474).

  • Jade Moore not only had a 4.0 in spring, she did it for the 2024-25 academic year. The program has had at least one 4.0 student in every semester since fall of 2016 (17 in a row).

  • 13th semester with double digits on Dean’s List: Brooke Anya, Masa Buzic, Ava Card, Gianna Corbitt, Takia Davis, Caia Elisaldez, Kalifa Ford, Jade Moore, Karsen Murphy, Sigrun Olafsdottir & Frode Flos van der Schans.

  • AD Honor Roll: Brooke Anya, Masa Buzic, Ava Card, Gianna Corbitt, Takia Davis, Caia Elisaldez, Kalifa Ford, Jade Moore, Karsen Murphy, Sigrun Olafsdottir & Frode Flos van der Schans.

 
Beach Volleyball – 3.35 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 14 | Dean’s List: 12 | 4.0: 3

  • 10 straight semesters besting 3.30 GPA.

  • Three 4.0 students: McKenna Faychak, Maddie Lecik & Doga Ocal. All three posted 4.0 for the academic calendar.

  • 12 on Dean’s List: Jordyn Butler, Neva Clark, Taylor Clark, McKenna Faychak, Paige Gallentine, Kit Gresham, Ansley Gulledge, Julia Lawrence, Maddie Lecik, Madeline McCabe, Doga Ocal & Corina Vale.

  • 14 made the AD Honor Roll: Jordyn Butler, Neva Clark, Taylor Clark, McKenna Faychak, Paige Gallentine, Kit Gresham, Ansley Gulledge, Sydney Jackwin, Joy Courtright, Julia Lawrence, Maddie Lecik, Madeline McCabe, Doga Ocal & Corina Vale.

 
Men’s Cross Country – 3.30 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 6 | Dean’s List: 5 | 4.0: 2

  • 32nd semester above 3.0 and 29th at 3.3 or higher.

  • Two 4.0 terms: Cash Coggins & Wes Gibbs.

  • Dean’s List (5): Cash Coggins, Wes Gibbs, Riley Hanson, Aaron Isbell & Jack Martin.

  • AD Honor Roll (6): Cash Coggins, Ian Etheridge, Wes Gibbs, Riley Hanson, Aaron Isbell & Jack Martin.

 
Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field – 3.65 GPA (XC)/3.60 (T&F) | AD Honor Roll: 26 | Dean’s List: 22 | 4.0: 9

  • 25th time the cross country program turned in 3.60 or better, 18th for track & field as a whole.

  • Nine 4.0s is a record for cross country: Lola Baker, Lesley Boyd, Sarah Brotton, Taylor Crawford, Michaela Dabney, Kaitlyn Fisher, Lexi Foley, Anna Roberson & Brooke Tyll.

  • Two shy of the track & field record with 22 on the Dean’s List: Lola Baker, Leah Boyd, Lesley Boyd, Sarah Brotton, Taylor Crawford, Michaela Dabney, Andrea Ellis, Kaitlyn Fisher, Lexi Foley, Maya McCloskey, Ava McGue, Adelaide McKeown, Aubrey Park, Kennedy Reynolds, Anna Roberson, Ryleigh Simmons, Olivia Steele, Emma Thweatt, Brooke Tyll, Ellie Von Herrmann, Audrey Wade & Maddie Wheatcroft.

  • 26 on the AD Honor Roll: Lola Baker, Leah Boyd, Lesley Boyd, Sarah Brotton, Taylor Crawford, Michaela Dabney, Andrea Ellis, Kaitlyn Fisher, Lexi Foley, Norah Haney, Stella Henry, Maya McCloskey, Ava McGue, Adelaide McKeown, Aubrey Park, Kennedy Reynolds, Anna Roberson, Ryleigh Simmons, Olivia Steele, Emma Thweatt, Brooke Tyll, Sarah Unterholzner, Ellie Von Herrmann, Audrey Wade & Maddie Wheatcroft.

 
Football – 3.25 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 60 | Dean’s List: 52 | 4.0: 10

  • Program record GPA.

  • The 10 best GPAs in program history have come in Coach Rusty Wright’s tenure (13 semesters)

  • 10 4.0 students marked double digits for the program for the fifth time with all five coming in the last five terms: DJ Adams, Battle Alberson, Chase Artopoeus, Gabe Flores, JJ Heath, Kobe Joseph, Alen Karajic, Ryan Merklinger, Kristian Ozane & Nick Paul. Alberson, Artopoeus, Flores & Joseph all had 4.0s for the academic year.

  • 52 on Dean’s List. 3rd time with 50+ (52-Spring 2020/54-Fall 2024): DJ Adams, Battle Alberson, Watts Alexander, Chase Artopoeus, Samari Brooks, Will Brown, Erik Bussmann, Gunnar Clary, Matthew Clemmer, Taylor Crumedy, Chris Domercant, Kaelin Drakeford, Jarian Dunlap, Nathaniel Eberly-Rodriguez, Landon Feggins, Gabe Flores, Bryce Goodner, Hudson Gray, Leroy Harris III, JJ Heath, Gavin Helton, Montrell Henderson, Ryan Ingram, Tracy Jackson, Malachi Jeffries, Heath Jehu, Josh Jones, Kobe Joseph, Alen Karajic, Luke Keith, Gray Kelley, Jude Kelley, AJ Little, Devin Lively, Solomon Locke, John McIntyre, Ryan Merklinger, Ethan Myers, Jules Ney, Camden Orth, Kristian Ozane, Nick Paul, Tee Perry, BJ Ragland, Grant Reid, Luke Schomburg, KJ Sejour, Peter Sesterhenn, Tylor Smiley, CJ Smith, Christian Va’a & Joshua Williams.

  • 60 on AD Honor Roll. Fourth time with 60+: DJ Adams, Battle Alberson, Watts Alexander, Chase Artopoeus, Samari Brooks, Will Brown, Erik Bussmann, Gunnar Clary, Matthew Clemmer, Taylor Crumedy, Amanuel Dickson, Chris Domercant, Kaelin Drakeford, Jarian Dunlap, Nathaniel Eberly-Rodriguez, Landon Feggins, Gabe Flores, Bryce Goodner, Hudson Gray, Daniel Green, Leroy Harris III, Isaiah Harvey, JJ Heath, Gavin Helton, Montrell Henderson, Ryan Ingram, Tracy Jackson, Malachi Jeffries, Heath Jehu, Josh Jones, Kobe Joseph, Alen Karajic, Luke Keith, Gray Kelley, Jude Kelley, AJ Little, Devin Lively, Solomon Locke, John McIntyre, Ryan Merklinger, Ethan Myers, Jules Ney, Camden Orth, Kristian Ozane, Nick Paul, Tee Perry, BJ Ragland, Tyrell Ragland, Grant Reid, Luke Schomburg, KJ Sejour, Peter Sesterhenn, Tylor Smiley, CJ Smith, David Stewart, Ky Tayo, Christian Va’a, Chris Victor, Joshua Williams & Journey Wyche.

 
Men’s Golf – 3.39 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 10 | Dean’s List: 8 | 4.0: 2

  • Fourth-best semester GPA (3.39) and highest since 3.49 in the spring of 2021.

  • Two 4.0 students: Camden Braidech & Aidan Cohl. Braidech, a 2025 NCAA Tournament Qualifier, recorded a 4.0 for the academic year.

  • Dean’s List (8): Camden Braidech, Dalton Burts, Dalton Chuba, Aidan Cohl, Nick Etherton, Ward Harris, Carson Johnson & Elliott Simonsen.

  • Tied program record (Spring 2014) with 10 on the AD Honor Roll (10): Camden Braidech, Dalton Burts, Dalton Chuba, Aidan Cohl, Nick Etherton, Ward Harris, Carson Johnson, Elliott Simonsen, Braedon Wear & Ethan Whitaker.

 
Women’s Golf – 3.70 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 6 | Dean’s List: 6 | 4.0: 0

  • Reached the 3.70 threshold for the ninth time.

  • 20th occasion with six or more on Dean’s List: Makenzie Cooper, Alexis Daniel, Violeta Fernandez-Tagle, Giulia Foresta, Kera Healey & Chloe Stevenazzi.

  • Six also on AD Honor Roll: Makenzie Cooper, Alexis Daniel, Violeta Fernandez-Tagle, Giulia Foresta, Kera Healey & Chloe Stevenazzi.

 
Soccer – 3.75 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 24 | Dean’s List: 24 | 4.0: 10

  • Best GPA in the department and fourth straight semester at 3.70 or better.

  • Program record GPA.

  • 6th time with double digit 4.0 students: Ella Attaway, Anna Hussey, Sylvie Keck, Carmya Mastrangelo, Zoey Mize, Hannah Morton, Nicole Solete, Brenna Swiger, Kelly Tuerff & Lilly Kate Varino. Attaway, Hussey, Keck, Solete, Swiger and Varino all had 4.0 over both terms in 2024-25.

  • Ninth semester with 20 or more on Dean’s List. Ella Attaway, Savannah Dunahay, Caroline Ekern, Anna Hussey, Naomi Kato, Sylvie Keck, Abbey Marak, Carmya Mastrangelo, Sophia Mize, Zoey Mize, Taylor Morris, Hannah Morton, Betha Pucek, Caroline Richvalsky, Ella Roth, Clarissa Salinas, Nicole Solete, Brenna Swiger, Paige Thomas, Kelly Tuerff, Lilly Kate Varino, Elle Wakefield & Reese Wilson.

  • 20 or more on AD Honor Roll for 16th time. Ella Attaway, Savannah Dunahay, Caroline Ekern, Anna Hussey, Naomi Kato, Sylvie Keck, Abbey Marak, Carmya Mastrangelo, Sophia Mize, Zoey Mize, Taylor Morris, Hannah Morton, Betha Pucek, Caroline Richvalsky, Ella Roth, Clarissa Salinas, Nicole Solete, Brenna Swiger, Paige Thomas, Kelly Tuerff, Lilly Kate Varino, Elle Wakefield & Reese Wilson.

 
Softball – 3.66 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 25 | Dean’s List: 24 | 4.0: 11

  • Program record GPA. Second consecutive semester posting a new standard.

  • Ninth semester at 3.5 or better.

  • Department-high 11 4.0 students is also a team record: Abi Bunt, Anna Dovey, Shayna Glass, Grace Hixson, Alyssa Lavdis, Olivia Lipari, Taylor Long, Abi Pikas, Baileigh Pitts, Emma Sam Reed & Kailey Snell. Bunt, Lipari, Long and Snell all turned in 4.0s for the academic year.

  • 24 on the Dean’s List is another new program record: Abi Bunt, Izzy Carlyle, Camryn Cernuto, Lexi Cooley, Anna Dovey, Shayna Glass, Peja Goold, Grace Hixson, Meghan Kernea, Alyssa Lavdis, Olivia Lipari, Taylor Long, Peyton O’Flaherty, Alyssa Orlando, Abi Pikas, Baileigh Pitts, Jayce Purdy, Emma Sam Reed, Acelynn Sellers, Kailey Snell, Presley Williamson & Zoe Wright.

  • 25 on AD Honor Roll. Abi Bunt, Izzy Carlyle, Camryn Cernuto, Lexi Cooley, Anna Dovey, Shayna Glass, Peja Goold, Grace Hixson, Meghan Kernea, Riley Lamb, Alyssa Lavdis, Olivia Lipari, Taylor Long, Peyton O’Flaherty, Alyssa Orlando, Abi Pikas, Baileigh Pitts, Jayce Purdy, Emma Sam Reed, Acelynn Sellers, Kailey Snell, Presley Williamson & Zoe Wright.

 
Men’s Tennis – 3.54 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 12 | Dean’s List: 9 | 4.0: 2

  • 10th time the program has reached 3.5 or better for the team GPA. The 3.54 ranks eighth on that list.

  • 4.0 students (2): Gabriel Castillo & Kristof Kincses. Kincses was a 4.0 student for the academic year.

  • Dean’s List (9): Gabriel Castillo, Carson Gompert, Cortland Grove, Sebastian Johnson, Jakub Jupa, Kristof Kincses, Matej Laibl, Ryan Mudre & Carter Ramthun.

  • 12 AD Honor Roll student-athletes makes it 11 of last 12 semesters in double figures. Ethan Carr, Gabriel Castillo, Carson Gompert, Cortland Grove, Sebastian Johnson, Jakub Jupa, Kristof Kincses, Matej Laibl, Jaxon Lamb, Ryan Mudre, Carter Ramthun & Walker Valentine. Twelve ties the program record (set in the fall of 2023.

 
Women’s Tennis – 3.44 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 8 | Dean’s List: 5 | 4.0: 2

  • 25th time posting 3.40 or better as a team including three in a row.

  • 4.0 students (2): Rozalie Dohnalova & Alice Hall.

  • Dean’s List (5): Zara Burns, Rozalie Dohnalova, Alice Hall, Emma Pedretti & Savannah Presson.

  • 100 percent of the roster made AD Honor Roll (8). Zara Burns, Rozalie Dohnalova, Alice Hall, Rufaro Magarira, Margaret Manolache, Madlena Orlova, Emma Pedretti & Savannah Presson

 
Volleyball – 3.59 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 17 | Dean’s List: 16 | 4.0: 5

  • 10th on the all-time list for team GPA and 17th occasion besting the 3.5 mark.

  • 4.0 students (5): Finley Hilliard, Cansu Kornosor, Chiara Napoli, Doga Ocal & Elena Vukmanov. Ocal was a 4.0 both terms of 2024-25.

  • 10th time with 15+ on Dean’s List (16): Chandler Alter, Marcelle Baez-Carlo, Caiti Barthel, Bailey Burgess, Jordyn Butler, Paige Gallentine, Finley Hilliard, Kynli Kirkendoll, Cansu Kornosor, Mallory Merz, Chiara Napoli, Doga Ocal, Elaine Redman, Gracie Rose, Elena Vukmanov & Destiny Wiggins.

  • 14th time with 15 or more making AD Honor Roll (17). Chandler Alter, Marcelle Baez-Carlo, Caiti Barthel, Bailey Burgess, Jordyn Butler, Paige Gallentine, Finley Hilliard, Sydney Jackwin, Kynli Kirkendoll, Cansu Kornosor, Mallory Merz, Chiara Napoli, Doga Ocal, Elaine Redman, Gracie Rose, Elena Vukmanov & Destiny Wiggins.

 
Wrestling – 3.19 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 20 | Dean’s List: 16 | 4.0: 5

  • Best academic year on record with program-record GPA in the fall (3.39) and the spring’s 3.19 ranking fifth.

  • 4.0 students (5): Kendrick Curtis, Jackson Hurst, Landon Lewis, Kaleb Snodgrass & Connor Strong. All five were 4.0s for 2024-25 on the whole.

  • Dean’s List (16) – 8th time with 16 or more: Blake Boarman, Easton Cooper, Kendrick Curtis, Sergio Desiante, Wyatt Gibbs, Hayden Hughes, Jackson Hurst, Eli Knight, Landon Lewis, Cavarius Liddie, Tre McTorry, Kamdyn Munro, Brody Murray, Kaleb Snodgrass, Connor Strong & Logan Webster.

  • AD Honor Roll students (20) – 8th occasion with 20 or more. Blake Boarman, Tavian Camper, Carson Chalk, Easton Cooper, Kendrick Curtis, Dayne Dalrymple, Sergio Desiante, Wyatt Gibbs, Hayden Hughes, Jackson Hurst, Eli Knight, Landon Lewis, Cavarius Liddie, Bryce Luna, Tre McTorry, Kamdyn Munro, Brody Murray, Kaleb Snodgrass, Connor Strong & Logan Webster.

 
GoMocs.com is the official website of the Chattanooga Mocs. Buy officially licensed gear in our online store. The Mocs can also be followed on their official Facebook page or on Twitter. Find out how to join the UTC Mocs Club and support more than 300 student-athletes by clicking here. NIL opportunities with Chattanooga Mocs student-athletes can be found here.





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Transgender athlete AB Hernandez shares 2 California state titles

Trump signs executive order banning trans women from sports teams President Trump signed an executive order barring transgender women and girls from playing on school sports teams. The California Interscholastic Federation crowned two champions in a pair of events at Saturday’s state high school track and field meet when transgender athlete AB Hernandez placed first […]

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The California Interscholastic Federation crowned two champions in a pair of events at Saturday’s state high school track and field meet when transgender athlete AB Hernandez placed first in the high jump and triple jump – and finished second in the long jump.

Hernandez shared the podium with her cisgender competitors following a rule change enacted last week that allowed athletes assigned female at birth to receive medals based on where they would have finished if a transgender athlete had not competed.

The awards ceremonies after the events did not produce any protests or disruptions – according to New York Times reporting from the meet in Clovis, California – as some had feared if Hernandez won a state title.

Hernandez and Brooke White of River City High School celebrated on the podium after the long jump as they “put their arms around each other, held their medals out from their chests and smiled for photos.”

Despite isolated protests outside and inside the stadium, cheers largely drowned them out, the Times reported.

Hernandez also was part of a three-way tie for first in the high jump after all three competitors cleared the same height.

The rule change was made after President Donald Trump demanded that Hernandez – a 16-year-old junior at Jurupa Valley High School in Riverside County – not be allowed to compete in girls track and field events at the state meet. Trump threatened to withhold federal funds to the state if it did not comply with an executive order he signed Feb. 5 seeking to bar transgender student athletes from playing women’s sports.

State athletics officials drafted the new rule to allow additional female athletes to take part in events in which a transgender athlete was competing.

“The CIF values all of our student-athletes and we will continue to uphold our mission of providing students with the opportunity to belong, connect, and compete while complying with California law and Education Code,” the federation said in a statement.



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Chavez named head volleyball coach at GRHS

Glen Roses Kelsi Chavez was named the new head volleyball coach at Glen Rose HS last month, replacing Sandy Langford, who accepted the head volleyball position at Nocona. Photo Credit: Jay Hinton photo Jay Hinton Glen Rose Reporter GLEN ROSE — When Kelsi Chavez was named the head volleyball coach at Glen Rose High School […]

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Glen Roses Kelsi Chavez was named the new head volleyball coach at Glen Rose HS last month, replacing Sandy Langford, who accepted the head volleyball position at Nocona. Photo Credit: Jay Hinton photo
Jay Hinton Glen Rose Reporter GLEN ROSE — When Kelsi Chavez was named the head volleyball coach at Glen Rose High School last month, she…



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Transgender runner repeats as Washington high school (WIAA) state track and field champion

Amid spectator boos and jeers, and fellow student-athletes’ protests, East Valley of Spokane transgender senior Veronica Garcia accomplished what she set out to do – win another Class 2A girls 400-meter dash at the WIAA championships in Tacoma. As the defending champion, Garcia led from near-start to finish Saturday afternoon in winning the race in […]

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Amid spectator boos and jeers, and fellow student-athletes’ protests, East Valley of Spokane transgender senior Veronica Garcia accomplished what she set out to do – win another Class 2A girls 400-meter dash at the WIAA championships in Tacoma.

As the defending champion, Garcia led from near-start to finish Saturday afternoon in winning the race in 55.70 seconds at Mount Tahoma Stadium.

League rival Lauren Matthew, of West Valley of Spokane, finished second at 56.75. Cedarcrest’s Lydia Swenson was third at 57.72.

And yet, what should’ve been a joyous occasion for any repeat state-meet winner, Garcia was met by a wave of loud boss and leave-girls-sports-to-girls remarks from spectators sitting in the grandstands and standing around the infield fences, according to observers.

On the awards’ stand afterward, a couple the podium finishers refused to share the spotlight with Garcia as the event champion.

Another group of competing athletes wore T-shirts that read, “Keep Women’s Sports Female.”

After Garcia finished her day in the girls’ 4×400 relay, she spoke to a group of media members, including reporters from the (Spokane) Spokesman-Review, (Vancouver) Columbian, The Seattle Times and the (Tacoma) News Tribune.

“I’m really proud of myself,” Garcia told reporters. “I did what I came to do, and that’s good enough for me.”

For nearly two decades, the WIAA has allowed transgender students to compete in athletics, and in the gender-specific divisions in which they identify personally.

In other words, Garcia broke no rules Saturday. But that didn’t stop the loud sirens of disapproval shown by others in the stadium.

“I’ll be honest, I kind of expect it,” Garcia told reporters. “But it maybe didn’t have their intended effect. It made me angry, but not angry as in, ‘I wanted to give up,’ but angry as in, ‘I’m going to push.'”

—



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Mars, Seneca Valley and more first-round matchups – Butler Eagle

Mars’ Sean Brennan (19) with a shot on goal against Bethel Park in a WPIAL Class 2A boys lacrosse quarterfinal game Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Mars wins 18-0. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle The PIAA released the 2025 state baseball, softball, boys volleyball and boys and girls lacrosse brackets this weekend. […]

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Mars’ Sean Brennan (19) with a shot on goal against Bethel Park in a WPIAL Class 2A boys lacrosse quarterfinal game Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Mars wins 18-0. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle

The PIAA released the 2025 state baseball, softball, boys volleyball and boys and girls lacrosse brackets this weekend.

Four Butler County teams have made states, which begin Monday. Nine-time WPIAL champion Mars boys lacrosse is seeking a fifth straight PIAA title game appearance, and is joined by the girls team, which just won its third straight WPIAL title.

This marks the eighth time that Seneca Valley’s baseball team has made the state tournament and the first since 2014. The Raiders’ boys volleyball team is aiming to make a run after falling short in the WPIAL title match.

Here are the first-round matchups, sites and times for every Butler County team.


Related Article: PIAA baseball: Seneca Valley to square off with McDowell in opening round


Related Article: WPIAL boys volleyball: North Allegheny denies Seneca Valley first gold in Class 3A championship

PIAA baseball tournament: Local matchups, sites, times

Monday, June 2

4 — Class 6A first round: McDowell at Seneca Valley

PIAA boys lacrosse tournament: Local matchups, sites, times

Tuesday, June 3

6:30 — Class 2A first round: Lower Dauphin at Mars

PIAA girls lacrosse tournament: Local matchups, sites, times

Tuesday, June 3

5 — Class 2A first round: Twin Valley at Mars

PIAA boys volleyball tournament: Local matchups, sites, times

Tuesday, June 3

5:30 — Class 3A first round: Seneca Valley at Central York





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Michigan State Athletics

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State head volleyball coach Kristen Kelsay has rounded out her staff for the 2025 season, announcing the additions of Matt Jackson as an assistant coach and four-year Spartan letterwinner Julia Bishop as a graduate assistant Sunday. “I am thrilled to add Matt and Julia to our staff,” said Kelsay. “Matt is […]

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EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State head volleyball coach Kristen Kelsay has rounded out her staff for the 2025 season, announcing the additions of Matt Jackson as an assistant coach and four-year Spartan letterwinner Julia Bishop as a graduate assistant Sunday.

“I am thrilled to add Matt and Julia to our staff,” said Kelsay. “Matt is a welcome addition to our Spartan family and the perfect piece to round out our coaching staff. Julia is a Spartan through and through and I cannot wait to see her coaching career flourish, starting with her alma mater.”

Jackson arrives in East Lansing after serving as a club coach at Winter Park Volleyball Club in Winter Park, Florida, since 2014. At WPVC, Jackson worked as a head coach for players between the ages of 12 and 18 and also worked as WPVC’s lead mentor, leading a group of 25 mentors. 

Since 2023, Jackson has served as the program lead at West Orange High School in Winter Garden, Florida, coaching both the varsity and freshman volleyball teams. 

Jackson, who hails from Ococee, Florida, holds VertiMax and USA Volleyball IMPACT certifications. He graduated from the University of Central Florida in December 2018 with a degree in sport and exercise science and was a setter on UCF’s club volleyball team. 

“I am thrilled to be joining Michigan State at such an exciting time with the return of head coach Kristen Kelsay to the program and such an amazing staff,” said Jackson. “I am looking forward to joining MSU at a time where things are on the up and can’t wait to see where we can take this program. I would like to thank Coach Kristen for giving me an opportunity to join this staff and Coach Aaron and Shawna from WPVC for giving me a platform to grow as a coach and be ready for this opportunity.”  

Bishop, a setter at MSU from 2021-24, finished her career as one of just five three-time captains in program history. In four seasons, she logged 1,761 assists, 572 digs, 131 kills and 56 service aces. Last October, Bishop was named one of 18 recipients of the American Volleyball Association (AVCA) Coaches 4 Coaches Scholarship, awarded to young coaches and recent college graduates who have interest in coaching volleyball. She was the only active undergraduate student-athlete to earn the scholarship in 2024. 

The Dearborn, Michigan, native is the owner of Zone1 Volleyball Training, where she attends and coaches interscholastic volleyball camps throughout the state of Michigan. 

Bishop graduated from MSU with a degree in computational data science this spring. She is a three-time College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honoree, three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and 2023 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. 

“I’m incredibly grateful and excited to be joining the Michigan State volleyball staff,” said Bishop. “It is a privilege to come back in this new role and contribute to a program and university that have given me so much. I’d like to thank Coach Kristen Kelsay and the entire staff for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I am thrilled to start this next chapter! Go Green!” 





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Transgender track and field athlete makes history after winning at California championships

Keep up with LAist. If you’re enjoying this article, you’ll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less. A transgender female student athlete competing at California’s high school track and field championship finals took home first place […]

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A transgender female student athlete competing at California’s high school track and field championship finals took home first place in the high jump and triple jump, and second place in the long jump.

It marked a historic moment at the 2025 CIF Track and Field Championships held on Saturday at Buchanan High School in Clovis. There has not been a known transgender student reach the state finals in the competitions until this year.

The participation in the track and field championships by Jurupa Valley High School junior AB Hernandez has in some ways pushed the limits on how the broader participation of transgender student athletes in sports can look.

It forced the state agency that oversees high school sports to grapple with how to address when a transgender student athlete participates in games, but the agency did so in the face of heavy criticism over the fairness of allowing a transgender female to compete against non transgender females.

The championships even drew national attention, including from President Trump – who threatened to withhold federal funding from California over the student’s participation in the games. The federal Department of Justice also announced it would investigate whether California was violating the landmark civil rights laws known as Title IX. The investigation centers on a state law passed in 2013 that allows students who meet certain requirements to compete on sports teams that reflect their gender identity, rather than their biological sex.

The photo captures an athlete in mid-air during what appears to be a long jump event. The athlete is dressed in a navy blue and white uniform with "VHS" on the chest. In the background, you can see other athletes, spectators, and tents, all suggesting that this is part of an outdoor track and field competition.

CLOVIS, CALIFORNIA – MAY 30: Transgender athlete AB Hernandez of Jurupa Valley competes in the girls long jump during the CIF State Track and Field Championships at Veterans Memorial Stadium on May 30, 2025 in Clovis, California.

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AB Hernandez gets to keep her wins, but so do the female athletes that came in just behind her in the jumping events. This is the case after the CIF changed the rules to allow for an additional female competitor to get a medal if they are beaten by the transgender female athlete.

While Hernandez secured wins in her jumping events, the changes put her virtually in a league of her own.

The CIF initially expanded the eligibility for more “biological females” to compete in the championships than had previously qualified, and later made another change to the rules to allow a girl who placed second to a transgender athlete to also share the medal and spot on the podium.

The change is an experiment that came after mounting pressure and protest by some residents and public officials in the state. Gov. Gavin Newsom and some coaches and spectators at the championship events said they thought the rules were a fair compromise.

But in what was a clamorous week of outrage, there were stronger calls to have Hernandez eliminated from the games altogether. Local officials held a press conference in Clovis on Thursday to speak out against Hernandez’s participation, as well as to call for the protection of girls’ sports.

The photo displays a banner flying in the sky with the message "NO BOYS IN GIRLS' SPORTS!" written in bold red capital letters. The banner appears to be part of an aerial display or protest.

CLOVIS, CALIFORNIA – MAY 30: A plane tows a sign that reads No Boys in Girls Sports in protest to transgender athlete AB Hernandez of Jurupa Valley (not pictured) during the CIF State Track and Field Championships at Veterans Memorial Stadium on May 30, 2025 in Clovis, California.

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On Saturday, cheers erupted when Hernandez’s name was called as she stood on the track before her competition. In the distance, a small crowd of protesters tried to form a chant as her name was called. They stood outside the stadium as they had a day before.

The small protest was largely drowned out by the cheering and focus on the competitions inside the stadium. A day earlier one person was arrested for allegedly striking another during the protest. And a small airplane flew over the stadium with a banner that read “No boys in girls’ sports.”

Inside the stadium Saturday, there were no apparent disruptions or major displays of political infighting. Some spectators wore T-shirts that displayed words against the transgender athlete’s participation in the games.

There was a brief pause in one moment, when an announcer asked spectators to respect the athletes who were there to compete, including Hernandez.





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