By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Bradley Franklin has wasted little time carrying over his high school success to the collegiate stage as he will compete for a national championship as just a true freshman.

Franklin punched his ticket to the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championship for outdoor track and field with one of the top times in the men’s 110-meter hurdles on Saturday, May 31 at the East Regional at the University of North Florida.

Competing for the Samford Bulldogs, Franklin qualified for nationals with a time of 13.46 seconds in the event, which was good enough for fifth place in the regional field. He was the only member of the Bulldogs to reach nationals.

Franklin’s regional performance is just one of many standout times from his freshman season. He broke the SoCon record for the 110-meter hurdles at the SoCon Championship on May 13 at the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium, securing the conference championship in the process.

His individual title helped Samford secure its fifth-straight conference title in men’s outdoor track and field.

Franklin was named the 2023-24 Shelby County Male Athlete of the Year after placing sixth in the indoor men’s 60-meter hurdles at the 2023 New Balance Nationals and third in the men’s 110-meter hurdles at the outdoor New Balance Nationals in 2024.

He also finished undefeated in his senior indoor season in the hurdles. Franklin finished 7-0 in the 60-meter hurdles, including the Class 7A state championship with a personal-record time of 7.62 seconds. He would beat that time at nationals to record a 7.61-second time.

Franklin then won eight of his nine starts in the 110-meter hurdles and set a new state championship meet record with a time of 13.37 seconds to win his second-straight title in the event. His then personal-record time beat out Hoover alum Marlon Humphrey for the state record.

Franklin also won the 300-meter hurdle state championship after going 5-0 in the event and finished in fifth place in the 100-meter dash state finals in 2024.

Franklin will compete in the 110-meter hurdle national championship at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. The semifinals will be Wednesday, June 11 at 7:08 p.m. central time on ESPN and the finals will be Friday, June 13 at 7:42 p.m. on ESPN2. Both will also be streamed on ESPN+.

In other county news, Pelham native Erin Long competed in regionals for Samford but missed out on qualifying for her second-career nationals. She finished in 18th place with a throw of 47.97 after winning the SoCon Championship in the event earlier in the month.

ROCK SPRINGS — Rock Springs High School has announced the hiring of Casey Rood as the new head coach of the Lady Tigers volleyball program, set to lead the team into the 2025 season and beyond.

Rood, a former multi-sport standout and collegiate volleyball player, brings an impressive athletic and coaching résumé to the program. She returns to Rock Springs with prior experience on the Tigers’ sideline, having served as an assistant coach during a three-year stretch in which the team won a conference title and made three state tournament appearances.

Most recently, Rood worked as an assistant coach at Green River High School, helping guide the Wolves to a second-place finish in conference play and a state tournament berth.

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As a high school athlete, Rood helped lead her volleyball team to a state championship and two district titles while earning Idaho State Journal All-State First Team honors. In track and field, she played a major role in capturing a state title and four district championships, and still holds four school relay records.

At the collegiate level, Rood’s success continued. She contributed to two Region 9 championships and two NJCAA Final Four appearances, later going on to record the third-most blocks in a single season at Montana State University Billings.

Rock Springs High School praised Rood for bringing “a wealth of experience and a winning culture” to the program. In addition to her on-court accomplishments, she is known for building strong, disciplined teams and creating a positive environment focused on athlete growth both in and out of competition.

Rood’s coaching philosophy emphasizes leadership, accountability, and resilience. She draws on lessons from both long-time mentors and local coaching colleagues, aiming to prepare athletes for success beyond high school.

The volleyball program’s summer activities are already in motion. Rood encourages student-athletes to attend summer weight training beginning Monday, June 9 during the girls’ session from 6:30 to 8:00 a.m.

The first open gym session will take place Tuesday, June 17 from 8:15 to 10:00 a.m. in the lower gym at Rock Springs High School. Athletes and parents are invited to attend and meet Coach Rood. Open gyms will continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer at the same time.

Rock Springs High School staff and community members have welcomed Rood’s return to the program with enthusiasm as she takes the helm of Lady Tiger volleyball.

For additional information about the program or summer activities, families are encouraged to attend the first open gym.

Texas A&M University hosted the NCAA Track and Field Championship West Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium from Wednesday, May 28 to Saturday, May 31, 2025. Hosting dozens of teams to compete in College Station for a chance at the Championship in Eugene, Oregon, the Texas A&M Aggies competed amongst steep competition, with over 20 athletes advancing across track and field events. Beginning Wednesday, June 11, 2025, the Aggies who advanced will begin to compete in semifinal and finals competitions in an effort to become national champions.

June 2, 2025

Omene was one of 21 athletes selected to train for the NORCECA U23 Pan American Cup, which will be held in July 27-August 4 in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

The athletes will gather for a training camp at the National Team Training Center in Anaheim, Calif., from July 20-27. From this pool, 12 will be chosen to represent the United States in Guatemala.

Omene, who graduated from Princeton last month after completing his senior season, was a 2025 AVCA All-American Honorable Mention and a First Team All-EIVA honoree. 

Omene ended the season leading the league in three stat categories, including kills per set (4.40), service aces (0.48) and points per set (5.31). He also earned EIVA weekly honors five times over the course of the season, making over 20 kills in four matches and 15 or more in 14. 

As a captain this season, Omene led Princeton to an EIVA Regular Season Championship title and its third EIVA Championship match in his four years.

No stranger to the international stage, however, Omene helped the USA win the U21 World Championship and claim silver at the U21 Pan American Cup in 2023. 

Omene will now look ahead to Anaheim in July, where he will vie for a spot on the squad that will head to Guatemala for the Pan American Cup. 

 

Where the good news shines

Three athletes will represent Colorado State at the NCAA Track and Field Championships.

Klaire Kovatch punched her ticket in the discus event on the final day of the NCAA West Regionals on Saturday.

Her first attempt of 52.64 meters was not enough to put her over the line, but her second throw of 54.32m vaulted her into qualifying position. 

Kajsa Borrman (hammer) and Mya Lesnar (shot put) qualified during regionals on Friday. Nationals will be held June 11-14 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

(“Colorado Sunshine” celebrates the good news in sports. Suggestions are encouraged through sports editor Paul Klee at paul.klee@gazette.com.)

WINSTON-SALEM, NC – Tierra Lindsey and Janai Tillman from the Winston-Salem State University volleyball team participated in the second annual Ditsala International Cup, a premier women’s volleyball tournament bringing together collegiate student-athletes from the United States and national teams from across Southern Africa.

The competition took place May 29-June 1 in Gaborone, Botswana.

Head Coach Christa Brown was among the U.S. delegation coaching staff, alongside coaches from Alabama State, Bowie State, Morgan State, Norfolk State, and Virginia State.

The tournament provided a platform for elite-level competition while offering local student-athletes the opportunity to sharpen their skills and engage with international players and coaches. Beyond the matches, the event promotes cultural exchange and fosters the development

of volleyball in the region.

In addition to competing, the American student-athletes will visit the U.S. Embassy in Botswana to meet with diplomats, learn about embassy initiatives, and engage in discussions on sports diplomacy. This visit underscores how athletics serve as a bridge for international collaboration

and development.

The Rams were apart of Team HBCU Botswana and they were the Ditsala International Cup Winners.

About the Botswana Volleyball Federation

Founded in 1979, the Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF) has grown into a competitive force in Southern Africa, with 44 teams and more than 500 active players. Affiliated with international governing bodies, the BVF continues to elevate the sport through grassroots programs, annual

competitions, and player development initiatives.

 

About Bring It Promotions

Bring It Promotions (BIP) is a full-service volleyball travel agency with a global presence, specializing in international volleyball tours, events, and professional career development. Since 1996, BIP has organized volleyball experiences at all levels, leveraging an extensive

international network to serve athletes and coaches.