The pride of Arkansas’ athletics came up short this weekend. The Track and Field national championships finished up on Saturday, with the Men’s and Women’s teams finishing in the top 10.

Arkansas track and field national championship performances

The ladies finished eighth with 26 points, accumulating points in the 400m, 5,000m, 10,000, and the 4X400m races. Roesy Effiong (50.51) and Kaylyn Brown (51.30) came in third and fifth in the 400m, respectively, while Paityn Noe gained eight points by herself, coming in sixth in the 5,000m and fourth in the 10,000m. Sanaria Butler, Kayla Davis, Sanu Jallow, and Effiong won silver in the 4x400m.

The Hogs also had participants in the 100m hurdles (Shania Myers), 800m (Jallow), and long jump (Funminiyi Olajide), but both missed the mark.

Three SEC teams ahead of the Razorbacks. South Carolina bested Arkansas by two points to earn seventh, and Texas A&M jumped ahead with 43 points to take the bronze medal. However, Georgia takes the crown by a large margin, putting up 73 points and outscoring second-placed USC by 26 points.

Men’s results

The Men’s track and field team came in third but was only one point away from sharing the national championship with Texas A&M and USC. The Razorbacks participated in nine events, scoring in six.

Long Jumper Henry Kiner placed third with a leap of 7.96 meters, while Uroy Ryan was 0.04m away from playing sixth and earning three additional points. The Hogs struck out on their long-distance race (10,000m) but went one for two in the middle-distance races. Ravaldo Marshall placed third, and Tyrice Taylor placed eighth in the 800m for a combined seven points.

The sprinters claimed the bronze in the 4X100m and 4X400 meter relays, while Jordan Anthony finished fourth in the 200m and won the individual national championship in the 100m.

Following the NCAA championship meet, Anthony—a receiver for the Razorback football team—announced his intentions to go pro. Rumors that the Texas A&M transfer was switching to track and field full-time have been floating around for a while, but nothing official surfaced until now. With his departure, Arkansas not only loses the 100m record-holder for the Hogs, but a speedy wideout for the football team.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Luke Smiley

Mayfield, sophomore

Every team needs a leader. Luke Smiley has embodied that in several different ways. During his freshman year, he helped start the Mayfield boys volleyball team from scratch. This season, not only did he play at a high level, he propelled the Wildcats to the second seed in Division II, Region 7 and elevated the play of the team around him. While the team’s main setter, averaging 5.6 assists, he also helped Devan Calabrese grow into a second setter for Mayfield so that he could impact the game in other ways as well. Smiley was second on the team in digs per set (2.7) and kills (2.4), while being tied for the team high in blocks (0.4). He also led the area in aces with 92 to help earn second-team All-Ohio honors.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Mike McGarry, VASJ

Eleven games into the season, VASJ was stuck in a rut. At 5-6, the Vikings needed a kick. With a senior-laden squad, McGarry remained confident in the squad. That feeling rubbed off on the team, and what ensued was an 11-match win streak, a share of the NEOBVL title and a trip to the regional semifinals after an upset over second-seeded Mayfield. During that 11-match streak, the Vikings dropped just three sets and were a well-oiled machine. They had several attackers who could lead the group and a defense that kept them in sets all match long. With size up front, four of their starters standing over 6-foot, the block led the way all season. The end-of-season run can propel the team to a new level for years to come.

FIRST TEAM

(in alphabetical order)

MB Daelan Brandon, Sr., VASJ

The area’s leader in blocks per set, 0.9 was a spark for the Vikings all season long. He also contributed with 1.8 kills per set to help the attack grow. Thiel signee.

OH Dedrick Davis, Sr., VASJ

A six-rotation player for the Vikings, led the team in kills (2.5) while also averaging 2.3 digs and 33 aces. Indiana Tech signee.

OH/MB Ian Galati, Jr., Chardon

Last year’s player of the year, took on a bigger role from the pin this season as he focused on helping a younger team improve. Averaged 4.1 digs and 3.8 kills.

L Trent Hornak, Sr., Berkshire

Almost every ball over the net found a way to Hornak. Averaged 8.8 digs per set, almost double the player behind him in the area. Also added 30 aces for the Badgers.

S Ryan Kessinger, Sr., Berkshire

Spread it out to a very deep attack for the Badgers as he averaged 7 assists flat along with 62 aces. His growth helped lead Berkshire to a regional final.

S/RS Avery Laux, Jr., Chardon

Still a strong setter, averaged 4.6 assists per set. Also grew in both rows, being the second in both kills with 1.5 and digs with 2.1.

OH Sam Reynolds, Sr., Mentor

The area’s lead attacker with 4.8 kills per set as the Cardinals’ go-to hitter. Also compiled 51 aces and three digs, which also led the team.

OH Jake Starr, Sr., Berkshire

The lead attacker for the Badgers, averaged 2.6 kills per set and a six-rotation player. Was second on the team in digs (4.9) and aces (42).

S Noam Welch, Sr. Mentor

Grew as a setter over the season to help the Cardinals’ attack behind Reynolds grow this season. Averaged 7 assists with 2.7 digs and 29 aces.

SECOND TEAM

(in alphabetical order)

OH Devan Calabrese, Sr., Mayfield: While a strong hitter for the Wildcats, averaging a team-high 2.5, also led them in digs with 3.1.

DS/L Drake Martinez, Sr., North: Led the upstart Rangers from the back row with 2.6 digs.

S Joseph Monaco, So., VASJ: His growth was a key part in the Vikings run to a regional semifinal. Spread the ball out with 6.9 assists while also averaging 2.7 digs, 0.3 blocks and 49 aces.

OH/OPP TJ Nelson, Sr., Mayfield: Grew with his teammates this season with 2.3 digs, 1.9 kills and 43 aces.

OH Mario Romangi, Sr., Berkshire: An all-around player for the Badgers, averaging 3.4 digs and 2.3 kills.

OH Gavin Stewart, Sr., Euclid: Took over as the team’s No. 1 hitter and grew to with a young team.

S Mikhail Stitt, Jr., Euclid: Handled the transition from libero to setter well, led from the front row and will be a key piece in the team’s continued growth next season.

L Shane Wagenak, Sr., VASJ: Headlined a strong back row for the Vikings, racking up 2.7 digs and 10 aces.

DS/L Chazz Weigel, Jr., Mentor: Another strong year anchoring the back row for the Cardinals, with a tie for the team high in digs with 3. Also added 19 aces to his total.

HONOR ROLL

Berkshire: Levi Rohl, Maddox Fuentes; Chardon: Jacob Nieset; Euclid: Fred Johnson; Mayfield: Dominic Piscioneri; Mentor: Pavi Singh; North: Izzak Nelson; NDCL: Brennan Kogovsek; VASJ: Ryan Jones, Dallas Helmers

Originally Published: June 17, 2025 at 4:45 PM EDT

Twelve University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa student-athletes were chosen for the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic At-Large All-District Team.

Honorees

• ʻEleu Choy – Men’s Volleyball
• Anson Cabello – Men’s Golf
• Josh Hayashida – Men’s Golf
• Tyler Ogawa – Men’s Golf
• Dane Watanabe – Men’s Golf
• James Whitworth – Men’s Golf
• Varnika S. Achanta – Women’s Golf
• Sarah Burton – Beach Volleyball
• Alana Embry – Beach Volleyball
• Daisy Logtens – Water Polo
• Roni Perlman – Water Polo
• Jordan Wedderburn – Water Polo

In order to be eligible, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.50 cumulative GPA. While all student-athletes who meet the requirements can be named to the at-large all-district team, schools are limited to just six male and six female honorees.

Candidates came from a pool of more than a dozen of UH Mānoa’s NCAA-sponsored sports, including men’s volleyball, women’s beach volleyball, women’s water polo and men’s and women’s golf.

For more on the honorees, visit Hawaiiathletics.com.

They’ve both thought about what it’ll look like for their shirt to hang on a shelf this summer. 

“I’ve been stressing a little bit about this one just because I wanted it to look perfect,” Nelson said. “I feel like if it’s going to have a Nike swoosh on it, I want it to be like my best work ever.”

For him, he said, it’ll feel real when it’s printed. Until then, this seems like a dream.

“Every once in a while, it’ll hit me,” Pollner said. “I’ll be like, ‘Wow, I’m working for Nike right now.’ I feel like it hasn’t really hit me yet, what I’m doing.”

It’s not the only thing. She thinks back to a few months ago, when she told herself she’d never transfer from Ohio Wesleyan.

What would she tell herself now?

“I would tell myself to go for it,” she said. “I didn’t realize until I came out here this summer that change is scary, and that it’s hard to be by yourself and do big things.”

The change was probably the biggest risk she’s ever taken, she thinks.

“But also, I think the bigger the risk, the bigger the reward. That’s probably what I would tell myself: Yeah, it’s going to be scary. It’s going to be hard to leave your friends. You’re comfortable where you are, but you have all these goals and ambitions and if you want to accomplish them, it’s going to require big risk and big change.”

Rossi and Pollner’s designs can be found on this year’s Nike Outdoor Nationals merchandise, available for purchase at Hayward Field during the June 19 – 22 event.

GREENWOOD, Ind. – After an incredible season on the court and in the classroom, three Ramblers of Loyola Chicago’s men’s volleyball were selected to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, per the organization’s announcement on Tuesday. Incoming seniors Brad Bell and Ryan McElligott each earned the first CSC academic honor of their careers while graduate Parker Van Buren collected his second.  

Bell, an accounting major, finished his junior year with a 3.82 GPA while making 22 starts in 23 matches. The Salem, Wis. native was second on the team in total blocks with 70.0, comprised of 63 block assists and seven solos, both career-bests. As a middle blocker, Bell was also a top offensive contributor with 111 kills and a .445 hitting percentage. Earlier this summer, he was named to the Academic All-MIVA Team for the second consecutive season.  

The nation’s No. 1 assist leader wears Maroon and Gold and excels inside the classroom; McElligott studies finance and holds a 3.70 GPA. In 27 matches, McElligott made 26 starts and totaled 1,016 assists, averaging 10.81 per set – good for first in the country and in the league. Hailing from Mundelein, Ill., the First Team All-Conference setter ranked second among the Ramblers in service aces with 32 and had 75 total kills on a .415 hitting percentage. Defensively, he contributed 164 digs and 69.0 blocks, second and third on the team, respectively. McElligott had a statement junior campaign, receiving MIVA All-Tournament Team honors in addition to his All-MIVA First Team selection, an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention and an Academic All-MIVA nod.  

Back-to-back MIVA Player of the Year and MBA graduate Van Buren capped his collegiate academic career with a 3.96 GPA. Starting in all of Loyola’s matches but one, Van Buren led the league and the team with 435 total kills, averaging 4.39 per set, on a career-best .403 hitting percentage; he is the program’s third all-career leader in kills (1,647). Van Buren also had the team and league-high 47 service aces, cementing his spot in the Ramblers’ record book as the third all-time service ace leader with 135 across his career. Born and raised in Cross Plains, Wis., Van Buren leaves Loyola as one of its most decorated student-athletes, garnering an All-MIVA First Team selection, MIVA Tournament MVP, his second AVCA All-American First Team honor and an Academic All-MIVA nod in 2025.  

The 2024-25 Academic All-District® Men’s At-Large teams, selected by CSC, recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances in competition and in the classroom. McElligott and Van Buren were both selected as CSC Academic All-America® finalists and advanced to the national ballot, which is voted on by CSC members, and will be announced July 9.   

AUSTIN, Texas — Panther softball third baseman Kate Lappe has been selected to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America Third Team, as announced by CSC on Tuesday. Lappe also joins Lauren Heinsch (women’s soccer), Kira Fallert (volleyball), and Tytan Anderson (men’s basketball) as Northern Iowa’s fourth Academic All-American honoree this year.

The 2025 MVC Most Valuable Player, Kate Lappe earns CSC Academic All-America honors for the first time for the Panther softball team since 2000 with a 3.72 GPA in accounting and finance. A junior from Bondurant, Iowa, Lappe was a Preseason All-MVC Third Base selection and was named MVC Player of the Week twice and D1Softball.com National Player of the Week once during the 2025 regular season. She was named All-MVC First Team Third Base and MVC All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the season. 

Lappe finished the 2025 campaign with 61 hits, 34 runs, and 48 RBIs for a .433 batting average and a .915 slugging percentage. Her 19 home runs are tied for second on UNI’s single-season home runs record list while her batting average and slugging percentage are solo-second in each single-season category along with her .542 on-base percentage. Through the MVC Tournament, Lappe led the league in batting average, home runs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and total bases and was second in home runs per game, RBIs, RBIs per game, and total walks.

UNI’s All-Time CSC Academic All-Americans

• 1974 – Paul James (Football) – First Team
• 1977 – Mark Enright (Men’s Basketball) – Honorable Mention
• 1977 – Mike Kemp (Men’s Basketball) – Honorable Mention
• 1978 – Tim Weber (Baseball) – Second Team
• 1980 – Owen Docktor (Football) – Second Team
• 1982 – Ray Storck (Men’s Basketball) – Honorable Mention
• 1984 – Randy Kraayenbrink (Men’s Basketball) – Second Team
• 1985 – Mary Bernhardt (Volleyball) – First Team
• 1986 – Mary Bernhardt (Volleyball) – First Team
• 1987 – Mary Bernhardt (Volleyball) – First Team
• 1989 – Kris Schroeder (Volleyball) – Second Team
• 1991 – Mike Schulte (Football) – Second Team
• 1992 – Gary Steffensmeier (Wrestling) – Third Team
• 1992 – Karen Vande Voort (Softball) – Third Team
• 1994 – Karen Vande Voort (Softball) – Second Team
• 1995 – Kate Galer (Volleyball) – Third Team
• 1996 – Kate Galer (Volleyball) – First Team
• 1998 – Jon Judisch (Track & Field) – Third Team
• 1999 – Brad Meester (Football) – First Team
• 2000 – Levente Timar (Track & Field) – Third Team
• 2000 – Kylie Sloan (Softball) – Third Team
• 2001 – Ryan Brunner (Baseball) – Third Team
• 2001 – Levente Timar (Track & Field) – Third Team
• 2002 – Travus Welsch (Baseball) – Third Team
• 2002 – Balaza Csillag (Track & Field/Cross Country) – Third Team
• 2002 – Jill Arganbright (Volleyball) – Second Team
• 2003 – Dirk Homewood (Track & Field/Cross Country) – First Team
• 2003 – Jill Arganbright (Volleyball) – First Team
• 2003 – Jill Arganbright (Volleyball) -First Team
• 2003 – Molly O’Brien (Volleyball) – Second Team
• 2003 – Katie Miller (Women’s Basketball) – Third Team
• 2004 – Dirk Homewood (Track & Field/Cross Country) – Second Team
• 2005 – Dirk Homewood (Track & Field/Cross Country) – First Team
• 2006 – James Lindgren (Football) – First Team
• 2007 – Nick Baima (Wrestling) – Third Team
• 2008 – Mat Clark (Track & Field/Cross Country) – First Team
• 2008 – Josh Mahoney (Football) – Second Team
• 2009 – Mat Clark (Track & Field/Cross Country) – First Team
• 2009 – Ryan Grenko (Track & Field/Cross Country) – Second Team
• 2009- Josh Mahoney (Football) – First Team
• 2010 – Ben Boothby (Football) – Second Team
• 2011 – Ben Boothby (Football) – First Team
• 2011 – Jacqui Kalin (Women’s Basketball) – Second Team
• 2013 – Jacqui Kalin (Women’s Basketball) – First Team
• 2013 – Shelby Kintzel (Volleyball) – First Team
• 2013 – Macy Ubben (Volleyball) – Second Team
• 2015 – Holly Salzbrenner (Track & Field/Cross Country) – Third Team
• 2015 – Isaac Ales (Football) – Second Team
• 2015 – Jacob Rathmacher (Football) – First Team
• 2015 – Karter Schult (Football) – First Team
• 2016 – Karter Schult (Football) – First Team
• 2017 – Marcus Weymiller (Football) – Second Team
• 2018 – Alex Jackson (Track & Field/Cross Country) – First Team
• 2018 – Marcus Weymiller (Football) – First Team
• 2019 – Alex Jackson (Track & Field/Cross Country) – First Team
• 2022 – AJ Green (Men’s Basketball) – Second Team
• 2023 – Tyrell Gordon (Wrestling) – Third Team
• 2024 – Lauren Heinsch (Women’s Soccer) – Second Team
• 2024 – Kira Fallert (Volleyball) – Second Team
• 2025 – Tytan Anderson (Men’s Basketball) – Second Team
• 2025 – Kate Lappe (Softball) – Third Team

ABOUT COLLEGE SPORTS COMMUNICATORS

College Sports Communicators was founded in 1957 and is a 3,200+ member national association for strategic, creative and digital communicators across intercollegiate athletics in the United States and Canada. 

From its founding in 1957 until the 2022 name change, the organization was known as College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

The organization, which celebrated its 65th year during the 2021-22 academic year, is the second oldest management association in all of intercollegiate athletics. College Sports Communicators became an affiliated partner with NACDA (National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics) in December of 2008.

UNI softball action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Softball), X (@UNISoftball), and on Instagram (@unisoftball). The 2025 schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.