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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois soccer head coach Katie Hultin announced the additions of Cayla Jackson (Clermont, Fla.) and Lauren Smith (Frisco, Texas) to the Fighting Illini roster for the 2025 season. 

CAYLA JACKSON | FORWARD | CLERMONT, FLA. | GEORGIA // EAST RIDGE HS // TAMPA BAY UNITED

ABOUT JACKSON

Made 16 appearances, seven starts, in her freshman season at Georgia
Scored the game-winning goal on her collegiate debut vs. Illinois on Sept. 5, 2024
Played for Tampa Bay United ECNL and East Ridge High School
Ranked in IMG Top 150 rankings
Named to First Team ECNL in 2021-22 and Second Team ECNL in 2022-23
Selected to ECNL Girls National Training Camp in 2022
Helped lead Tampa Bay United to ECNL U16 Final Four
Selected to ODP and USYNT U-14, U15, and U-16 player pools
Twice named to Orlando Sentinel First Team All-Central Florida
Named to three All-Area First Teams
Set school records for most goals in season and career
Captained East Ridge for two seasons
Scored 46 goals with 22 assists in junior season
Scored 38 goals with 17 assists in sophomore season and earned district championship.

Jackson joins the Illini after spending 2024 at Georgia. During her freshman campaign with the Bulldogs, Jackson scored one goal, on her collegiate debut vs. Illinois on Sept. 5, in 10 appearances, all coming off of the bench.

HULTIN’S TAKE: “We’re excited to welcome Cayla Jackson to our Fighting Illini famILLy. After a solid year at Georgia and a standout youth career, Cayla has proven herself to be a smart, technical and dynamic player. She brings a high level of skill and creativity to the field, but just as importantly, she’s a person of strong character, with an incredible work ethic, a positive attitude, and natural leadership qualities that will make an immediate impact.” 

WHY ILLINOIS: “I chose Illinois because it felt like home. My father went to Illinois State and this is the second time I’ve been recruited by the University with a completely different staff. I also scored my first collegiate goal versus Illinois and I feel as though God’s purpose was for me to be here.”

LAUREN SMITH | DEFENDER | FRISCO, TEXAS | TEXAS TECH // MEMORIAL HS // STING DALLAS BLACK 06

ABOUT SMITH

Was a mid-year enrollee at Texas Tech…did not feature in a game with the Red Raiders
Two-time all-district selection at Memorial HS
Was named team’s defensive player of the year as a freshman
Attended elementary and middle school with current Illini Bella Zanoni

Smith joins the Illini after spending the spring at Texas Tech as an early enrollee. She was a two-time all-district selection at Memorial HS, where she tallied 10 goals in her high school career. She was also named the team’s defensive player of the year as a freshman.

HULTIN’S TAKE: “We’re excited to add Lauren Smith to our program. She had a strong youth career and gained valuable experience this spring that has prepared her well for the college level. Lauren will be a great addition to our back line. She’s athletic, dominant in the air and brings a relentless mentality when it comes to protecting our goal. We’re looking forward to the impact she’ll make in our defensive unit.” 

WHY ILLINOIS: “I chose Illinois because I feel it is the best fit for me and will give me the best opportunity both athletically and academically.”

Eleven Carson High athletes have signed national letters of intent with colleges. Those players, which were provided by the school’s athletic administration, include:

Division I

* Sawyer Macy, cross country and track, Lehigh University

* Dominic Porter, wrestling, Mercyhurst University

* Aurora Giurlani, cheerleading, Nevada

Division II

* Sergio Villanueva, football, Wooster College

Division III

* Ewan Kalley, men’s swimming, University of Redlands

* Johan Lizarraga, men’s soccer, Concordia College

* Joshua Lopez, men’s soccer, Concordia College

NAIA

* London Bishop, cheerleading, Carroll College

* Angelo Macias, football, University of St. Mary

Junior college

* Alondra Carrillo, women’s soccer Truckee Meadows Community College

* Danika Presswood, softball, Northeast Iowa Community College

WILSON, N.C. — May 21, 2025 — Barton College is pleased to welcome its newest members to the Board of Trustees. These distinguished individuals bring a wealth of experience and leadership across various fields, from marketing and healthcare to sports management and business operations, and will play a key role in advancing the College’s mission. 

“This group of accomplished leaders join an already strong and dedicated board, and their collective expertise and insight further expand the intellectual capital and experience guiding Barton’s future,”  shared Dr. Douglas N. Searcy, president.  “Our new trustees not only enhance the profile of the College across the region and the nation, but—most importantly—they share a deep commitment to our students, our mission, and the continued growth of both Barton and the Wilson community. Their leadership and investment will help advance the forward momentum of our institution and our hometown.”

About the Newly Installed Members of the Board of Trustees — 

Mark Hillard received his business degree from Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) in 1981. He began his healthcare career in California in 1984, relocating to Arizona in 1990, and continuing in healthcare administration until retiring in May 2022. Mr. Hillard held various positions in healthcare administration early in his career in California and Arizona.  Most notable is his Chief Executive Officer position at Maricopa Integrated Health System (the Maricopa County health system now Valleywise Health), and Chief Operations Officer of University Physicians Health Plans in Tucson, Arizona.  He served as Chief Financial Officer with the parent companies of St. Luke’s Health System and Maricopa Integrated Health System. Mr. Hillard has served on several boards, including Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Mercy Care Health Plan, Phoenix Area Medical Education Consortium, and Arizona Care Network.  He and his wife Julie live in Scottsdale, Arizona and have two sons.

Rebecca Howard is an alumna of Barton College, where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in English with a Drama minor in 1993. She currently serves as Vice President of Marketing for FCI Brands in Nashville, Tennessee, and is responsible for directing the company’s national marketing and sales initiatives. Prior to this appointment in 2008, Ms. Howard served as the Assistant Director for Marketing, Statistical Analysis, and Training for the American Red Cross Regional Blood Services in Norfolk, Virginia and was the recipient of the National Tiffany Award for Outstanding Leadership.  Ms. Howard lives in Huntersville, North Carolina with her wife, Chrisy.

Elmer Polite is the President of Lifepoint Health’s Eastern Division and Duke-Lifepoint Joint Venture. In this role, Mr. Polite provides operational oversight for Lifepoint’s acute care hospitals in Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Prior to his interim president role, he served as chief financial officer of the Eastern Division, overseeing financial operations for 26 hospital campuses located in Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Mr. Polite earned his Bachelor of Science Degrees in Accounting and also in Agribusiness and Economics from South Carolina State University.  He also completed a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in finance from DeVry University.  Mr. Polite has three children and lives in Brentwood, Tennessee with his wife, Tonya.

Rick Schlesinger is President of Business Operations for the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Team. He is in his 22nd season with the Brewers and sixth in his current position after being promoted in 2019. He has previously held roles with the organization as executive vice president of business operations (2003-10) and chief operating officer (2011-18). Prior to joining the organization, Schlesinger spent five seasons (1998-2002) as vice president of business and legal affairs/assistant general manager for the Anaheim Angels. He previously worked for Walt Disney Pictures and Television in motion picture development and production (1993-1998) and at the Los Angeles law firm of Latham and Watkins (1986-1993).  Mr. Schlesinger is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1983, and received his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School (cum laude) in 1986. A native of Bayside, Wisconsin, he currently resides in Hartland, Wisconsin, with his wife, Kate. They have five children, Bradley, Sam, Caitlin, Molly, and Mathieu.

Corey Taylor is a graduate of Barton College, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business/Psychology with a concentration in Management in 1994. A member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, he was also a four-year starter on the Barton Soccer Team and was inducted into the Barton College Soccer Hall of Fame in‬ 2011.‬‬ Mr. Taylor currently serves as the Director of Client‬ Relations for Corporate Payroll Services and is responsible for the Charlotte, Atlanta, Chicago, Washington, and Philadelphia offices. He lives in Monroe, North Carolina with his wife, Sherri, and they have two sons, Cameron and Nicholas.

Sheila Wiggins earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education at Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) and a Master of Arts in Education with a focus on Learning Disabilities at East Carolina University. Now a retired educator, Mrs. Wiggins’ professional career included teaching appointments in the Vance County and Nash County School Systems, as well as Nash Community College and Barton College. She has served on a number of Boards of Directors, including the Arts Council of Wilson, the Barton College Alumni Board and Board of Advisors, as well as the Auxiliary Board of the Wilson Medical Center, the Parents Council at Meredith College, and the Weekday School Board for the First Presbyterian Church in Wilson. The Wiggins are members of the First Presbyterian Church in Wilson, where she has served as chair of the Christian Education Ministries, deacon, elder, and Clerk of Session. Mrs. Wiggins is married to Jack and they have two children, Farrell and Barker.

END

Albizu University is proud to announce the launch of Intercollegiate Athletics with men’s and women’s soccer teams at its Miami Campus, with competition to begin in Fall 2025. The university initiated the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ (NAIA) Pathways to Membership process, enhancing student life and furthering its mission to promote academic and personal growth through inclusive excellence.

“This is a transformational step forward for our Miami Campus,” said Dr. Yianni Vassiliou, Chancellor of Albizu University’s Miami Campus. “Adding intercollegiate athletics—beginning with men’s and women’s soccer—supports our commitment to expanding student engagement, enhancing campus vibrancy, and growing enrollment in a mission-aligned and sustainable way.”

The proposed program anticipates recruiting an initial cohort of 30 student-athletes, supported by a targeted scholarship program and athletic director and coaching staff, with plans for expansion in subsequent years. The initiative complements Albizu’s degrees and academic focus in psychology, health, education, and community-centered professions, drawing from South Florida’s strong soccer culture and demand for mental health, education, behavioral sciences, and culturally responsive education.

Albizu’s administration has identified local field partnerships and a clear implementation timeline, including coaching staff and launching outreach this spring. Juan Carlos (JC) Gonzalez has been hired as the Athletic Director and Men’s & Women’s Head Soccer Coach. The university projects significant enrollment growth from the program, with expectations to double the impact through future athletic offerings.

To request additional information, please contact Athletic Director Gonzalez at jcgonzalez@albizu.edu or fill out the online form at www.albizu.edu/athletics. 

About Albizu University

Proud of its roots and commitment to excellence in program offerings, Albizu University is a private, non-profit institution of higher learning with campuses in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Miami, Florida, and a University Center in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.  It was the only regionally accredited secular University in the continental United States named in honor of a Hispanic, the distinguished Puerto Rican psychologist Dr. Carlos Albizu-Miranda. To date, over 9,000 graduates call Albizu University their Alma Mater—a university that prides itself on educating culturally competent individuals capable of serving the diverse populations of our global community.  Albizu University offers undergraduate and graduate programs in psychology, education, speech-language pathology, and human services, as well as an ESOL program, taught by a diverse, expert faculty. Total enrollment is over 2,000 students representing 65 countries.  Albizu University’s Miami Campus was recently recognized as the top institution for Best Online Master’s in Organizational Psychology Programs 2020 by BestColleges.com.  For more information, visit albizu.edu. 

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WARDSVILLE — The Fatima Lady Comets ended their season Tuesday with an 8-0 loss to the Collegiate School of Med-Bio Science Owls in the quarterfinals of the Class 1 District 1 Tournament.

The Owls led 7-0 at the half before finishing off the mercy rule with a goal in the final half.

Fatima, the No. 9 seed, ended its season with a 2-15 record.

Top-seeded Collegiate School of Med-Bio Science (13-3) will take on the winner of fourth-seeded Bishop DuBourg and No. 5 seed Gateway Science Charter, which is scheduled for 5 p.m. today, in the semifinals at noon Saturday.