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No. 17 Winter Haven beach volleyball advances to regional final

WINTER HAVEN ― It’s expected that the farther a team goes in the regional beach volleyball playoffs, the stiffer the competition will get. That’s exactly what happened in the Class 3A regional semifinals on Friday at Winter Haven, as Winter Haven, the No. 1 seed in regionals and the No. 17 team in all of […]

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WINTER HAVEN ― It’s expected that the farther a team goes in the regional beach volleyball playoffs, the stiffer the competition will get.

That’s exactly what happened in the Class 3A regional semifinals on Friday at Winter Haven, as Winter Haven, the No. 1 seed in regionals and the No. 17 team in all of Florida, took on Riverview Sarasota as the No. 4 seed in regionals. The Rams took the momentum early before the Blue Devils recaptured its magical momentum that has been evident all year, ultimately winning 3-1 and advancing to the regional finals.

“(I’m) proud of the team for getting one step closer — 100%. This is two out of five. The third one is going to be big for a regional championship and to advance to a final four. But I’m so proud of them ― the fight that they showed today and the resolve playing against a better team and better competition where everything wasn’t going our way all the time. We had to battle some adversity, and the kids responded and answered that call. All the credit too. All the credit to the girls for seeing better competition and stepping up to the plate,” Winter Haven head volleyball coach Dylan Sechrest said.

Boasting some talented players, the No. 1 line of Sarasota won over Winter Haven’s, which comprises The Ledger’s Player of the Year Rylee Tanner and Kylie Catrett. But Tanner and Catrett put up a fight.

Still, the No. 2 line comprised of Sophia Whitaker and Kindyl Goff was challenged as well but eventually came up victorious 2-0.

For the No. 3 line, Emily Drier and Addison Traina seized control the entire time, winning 2-0.

Additionally, in an effort to play much better than last week’s performance, the No. 4 line of Hala Heath and Isabella Sumner fought tooth and nail down to the wire and would go on to go down 2-1.

“…I got to give them their flowers: They fought a lot better. They did lose the first set. Still came out a little slow there. But then the second set they came fighting back and took the second set from them. … So, a much better battle today (for)the 4 line, especially seeing some better competition as well. They played better today. (They) just got to continue to do a little bit better of a job of following the game plan and making in-game adjustments.”

And the No. 5 line, Camila DeJesus and Leah Robles, put on a dominate show from start to finish, also winning 2-0.

With an overall good showing, Sechrest said it will be all about honing skills, practicing solid serves, putting the opposing team in compromising situations and minimizing errors.

The regional final will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Winter Haven High School vs. Venice — the No. 22 team in Florida.



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Prestina Ochonogor punches ticket to NCAA National Championships

Story Links BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Prestina Ochonogor became the second Texan in as many days to qualify for the NCAA National Championships at the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Thursday.   Along with Ochonogor punching a ticket to Eugene, Victoria Cameron earned a berth in […]

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BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Prestina Ochonogor became the second Texan in as many days to qualify for the NCAA National Championships at the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Thursday.
 
Along with Ochonogor punching a ticket to Eugene, Victoria Cameron earned a berth in Saturday’s quarterfinals in both the 100 and 200. Cameron will be in the 24 women field in each event in hopes of posting a top 12 finish to earn a spot in Eugene in each event.
 
“I’m so proud of this young lady right here,” said head coach Bobby Carter” “Again, I’ve told my athletes, it’s all about surviving and advancing. Today she did just that! There will be much more to come.”
 
WAC Female Freshman of the Year, Prestina Ochonogor, became the second Texan to punch her ticket to Eugene. Ochonogor increased her leap on each of her three jumps. She started with a 7.33-meter jump on her first attempt. Her second attempt just posted a 7.47-meter mark which would have been enough to qualify, but she wasn’t done yet. The Benin, Nigeria, native, then posted a 6.66-meter jump just a centimeter shy of her school record. The leap qualified Ochonogor for nationals with the second-best leap in the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds.
 
“I want to thank God and I am very grateful from the beginning to the end,” said Ochonogor after punching her ticket.  “I want to thank my family and coaches. Go Texans, I love you! See you in Oregon!”
 
Ochonogor is not new to the big stage. This past summer at 17 years old, she represented Nigeria at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the long jump. She placed 12th in the stacked field and was one of the youngest track athletes at the Games. The freshman will be making her second appearance at an 2025 NCAA National Championships after earning a First Team All-American honor earlier this year. She finished eighth in the long jump at the indoor championships.
 
The 2025 WAC Female Outdoor Athlete of the Year, Victoria Cameron earned a spot in both the 100-meter and 200-meter quarterfinals on Saturday with her Thursday night performances. First, the sophomore won her heat in the 100 in 11.07 seconds and qualified for Saturday with the sixth best performance. In her first race of the day, the Stephenville native narrowly broke her school record again, coming within .02 seconds. The Texan is the only athlete from a non-Power Four Conference among the top 18 qualifiers in the 100.
 
Less than two hours later, Cameron punched her ticket for Saturday in the 200 meters. The sophomore finished second in her heat crossing in 23.19 seconds. She posted the 17th fastest time in the 48 women field. She will punch a ticket to the NCAA Championships in Track Town USA by being among the top 12 runners in the field of 24 in each event set to run on Saturday.
 
A pair of Texan women also competed in the 200. Lauren Roy finished 32nd in the field in 23.56 seconds. Amandine Estival crossed in 23.79 seconds to earn 38th overall.
 
Friday, the Texans will be in hopes of punching a pair of tickets to Eugene in the men’s triple jump. In the final day of the men’s NCAA West Preliminary Rounds, both Sir Jonathan Sims and Gabriele Tosti will be competing in the triple jump. The duo will be competing in the fourth flight, estimated to start around 3:45 p.m. Tosti enters as the third ranked jumper in the nation and Sims boasts the ninth best jump in the West.
 
On Saturday, Cameron will be running in three events all with the chances to punch herself a ticket to Oregon. She will start in the 4×100 relay scheduled to run at 5 p.m. with her teammates, Hanna Dudley, Amandine Estival and Lauren Roy. She will then run in the third heat of the 100 meters slated to start at 6:35 p.m. Her final race of the day will be in the 200 racing out of the first heat at 7:50 p.m. Sofia DeGroot will make her NCAA West debut in the triple jump at 2:30 p.m.
 
With just two days left at the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds, the top 12 in each event on each of the final two days will earn themselves a trip to Eugene. The Purple and White have four individuals still looking to punch their tickets to Eugene, Ore., as well as a four-women relay team. The NCAA National Championships will be held at Hayward Field from June 11-14.
 
 
 





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Winnie Kipsang Moves On To 800m Quarterfinals On Day 2 Of The 2025 NCAA West Regional

Story Links COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Day two of the 2025 NCAA West Regional wrapped up for the UT Arlington track and field team which was highlighted by Winnie Kipsang moving on to the quarterfinals in the women’s 800m.   In a crowded 800m field which featured six heats, Kipsang won […]

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COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Day two of the 2025 NCAA West Regional wrapped up for the UT Arlington track and field team which was highlighted by Winnie Kipsang moving on to the quarterfinals in the women’s 800m.
 
In a crowded 800m field which featured six heats, Kipsang won heat 4 with a qualifying time of 2:04.95. Kipsang was in the back of the pack about 300m in before making her move, moving up two spots after 400m. In the final stretch, Kipsang gave it all she had to take the lead in the final 100m and win her respective heat. Kipsang’s time was the 11th fastest overall and moves on to the quarterfinals on the fourth and final day of the west regional on Saturday, May 31. It was her second fastest time in the 800m this outdoor season.
 
The lone Maverick to compete in multiple events, Adeyemi Talabi, was in action in both her events of the long jump and the 100m dash. Talabi finished with her second-best jump of the outdoor season, leaping 5.75m. In the 100m dash, Talabi finished in the top 40 with a time of 11.53, her fourth fastest mark of the outdoor season.
 
In the first round of the women’s 100m hurdles, Zaire Moore finished with a time of 13.73, her fifth fastest mark of the outdoor season.
 
The Mavs return to the track on Friday, May 30, with the second and final day of action for the men. Calen Jones is set to compete in the high jump which is slated to begin at 3:30 p.m.
 
The women will return to action on Saturday, May 31, with Kipsang competing in the quarterfinals of the 800m which is set to begin at 7:05 p.m.
 

– #BuckEm –

 
FOLLOW ALONG
For updates, behind-the-scenes photos, videos and more engaging and personal content, be sure to follow the UTA track and field and cross country teams on X (formally known as Twitter) (@UTAMavsTFXC), Instagram (@UTAMavsTFXC) and Facebook (/UTAMavsTFXC).
 





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Obiora Okeke Punches Ticket to NCAA Championships

Story Links JACKSONVILLE, Fla.— Obiora Okeke punched his ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Thursday afternoon at the NCAA East Regionals hosted by the University of North Florida. Okeke needed a top-12 finish in his event to qualify for a spot in the finals in Eugene, Oregon. He did so in the […]

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla.Obiora Okeke punched his ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Thursday afternoon at the NCAA East Regionals hosted by the University of North Florida.

Okeke needed a top-12 finish in his event to qualify for a spot in the finals in Eugene, Oregon. He did so in the first round of the shot put, finishing in fourth place overall. After fouls on both his first two throws, Okeke clutched up on his third and final throw with an impressive mark of 19.52m (64-1) to punch his ticket. 

 


This will mark Okeke’s second straight appearance at the NCAA Championships. 

The results for the entire weekend can be found HERE, including the times from every Lion competing in Jacksonville.  

Okeke will advance to compete in the finals of the shot put at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon. The meet is set to begin on Wednesday, June 11th. 

The schedule will be released soon.

Still to compete at East Regionals will be Madison Williams, taking part in the first round of the long jump at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. 

In the evening session on Thursday, Rory Clare will get things started in the first round of the 1500m at 6:30 p.m. Lucy Henkel will then compete in the first round of the 800m at 7:50 p.m. Both will look to advance to the quarterfinals of each event which will take place on Saturday evening. 

Okeke will compete in his third event of the weekend, the first round of the discus, on Friday at 1 p.m.

The full schedule for every event can be found HERE. Follow along with live results HERE. Tickets are available HERE. Stream information for all four days can be found HERE. 

COLUMBIA NCAA EASTERN REGIONAL RESULTS

Women

800m: Lucy Henkel (TBD)

1500m: Rory Clare (TBD)

Long Jump: Madison Williams (TBD)

 

Men

1500m: Matt Gatune (43rd – 3:47.45)

Hammer: Obiora Okeke (44th – 58.82m)

Hammer: Parker Kim (42nd – 59.25m)

Shot Put: Obiora Okeke (4th -19.52m) TICKET PUNCHED!!

Discus: Obiora Okeke (TBD)

 

Stay up to date on all things Columbia track & field by following the Lions on Twitter (@CULionsXCTF), Instagram (@culionsxctf) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).





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Martin, Rickerd Notch ACWPC All-America Honorable Mention

ERIE, Pa. – Penn State Behrend women’s water polo junior Darragh Martin (Green Lane, PA/Upper Perkiomen) and sophomore Makenzie Rickerd (Rockford, MI/Rockford) were selected 2025 Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) Division III All-America Honorable Mention. Martin, an All-CWPA Second Team selection, led the Lions with 41 goals. She also tallied 37 steals, 16 assists, […]

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ERIE, Pa. – Penn State Behrend women’s water polo junior Darragh Martin (Green Lane, PA/Upper Perkiomen) and sophomore Makenzie Rickerd (Rockford, MI/Rockford) were selected 2025 Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) Division III All-America Honorable Mention.

Martin, an All-CWPA Second Team selection, led the Lions with 41 goals. She also tallied 37 steals, 16 assists, six drawn kickouts, and five sprint wins. This marks the second straight year that she has earned this honor.

Rickerd, a first time All-American, recorded 39 goals, 27 steals, 18 assists, and 12 drawn ejections in her second collegiate season. She was also named to the CWPA All-Tournament Team.

The ACWPC All-America award is a prestigious honor that recognizes athletes nationally and throughout all collegiate divisions. This award is presented to water polo athletes who exhibit immense talent in the pool, provide leadership, and have helped build and advance the sport.



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Ellis Qualifies for Nationals on Day Two of NCAA West Prelims

Story Links COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – The Kansas Track & Field team wrapped up Day Two of the NCAA West Prelims, with Erica Ellis qualifying for Nationals, making the total of five Jayhawks heading to nationals through two days of NCAA West Prelims. The day kicked off with the […]

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COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – The Kansas Track & Field team wrapped up Day Two of the NCAA West Prelims, with Erica Ellis qualifying for Nationals, making the total of five Jayhawks heading to nationals through two days of NCAA West Prelims.

The day kicked off with the Women’s Pole Vault team, where Erica Ellis cleared 4.42m bar to advance to NCAA Nationals in Eugene, Ore. The Women’s Pole Vault squad has now had back-to-back years with a member of the team qualifying for Nationals, with Mason Meinershagen qualifying last outdoor season. 

As for running events, in the Women’s 1500m, Emmaculate Jemutai, who holds the School Record in the event, ran a time of 4:20.07 to qualify for the Quarterfinals on Saturday. Pearl Awanya tied her PR running a time of 52.36 in the Women’s 400m to qualify for the Quarterfinals on Saturday. In the Women’s 800m, Aaliyah Moore ran a season-best time of 2:03.94 to move her into the Quarterfinals Saturday night.

The Jayhawks continue at the NCAA West Prelims tomorrow, starting with Joseph Kieny & Dimitrios Pavlidis in the Men’s Discus at 1 PM CT, Tanner Talley in the Men’s 1500m at 5:15 PM CT & TJ Robinson at 7:05 PM CT in the Men’s 800m. 

HOW TO FOLLOW:

Updates throughout the meet will be available on the Kansas Track and Field Instagram and X accounts. Fans who wish to watch the event will be able to stream the broadcast on ESPN+.



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Mira Costa boys volleyball looking to add CIF State title to season’s accomplishments

The Mira Costa boys volleyball team has a chance to make history. The Mustangs, who won their ninth CIF Southern Section championship two weeks ago and a CIF Southern California Regional title last week, now have their sights on winning a CIF State championship. This is the first year that there are state championships for […]

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The Mira Costa boys volleyball team has a chance to make history.

The Mustangs, who won their ninth CIF Southern Section championship two weeks ago and a CIF Southern California Regional title last week, now have their sights on winning a CIF State championship.

This is the first year that there are state championships for boys volleyball.

Mira Costa (36-2) will face Archbishop Mitty (40-2) in the Division I final at Fresno City College on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

Mira Costa won regional titles in 2016 and 2021 before winning its third title last week by sweeping Huntington Beach. Mira Costa lost in the regional final in 2018 and last year.

Archbishop Mitty won the 2013 Division I Northern California Regional title and lost in the regional final last year.

“It would mean everything just to be the first real California state champions,” Mira Costa middle blocker Alex Heins said after the regional final. “That would be such a cool honor. We all want it so bad.”

The two losses this season for Archbishop Mitty (40-2) were to Junipero Serra of Modesto on April 3 and a five-set match against Santa Cruz on April 14.

The Mustangs lost their first match of the season March 8 against Loyola in the final of the Best of the West tournament in San Diego. Their last loss was on April 5 to Chicago’s Marist High in five sets in the finals of the Karch Kiraly Tournament of Champions in Santa Barbara.

After going the five-set limit against Huntington Beach in the CIF-SS Division 1 final, the Mustangs swept their way through the CIF SoCal Regional defeating Beckman, Newport Harbor and Huntington Beach.

For seniors like Thatcher Fahlbusch, winning would be the perfect way to cap their high school volleyball careers.

“I made the switch to Costa (after transferring from Loyola),” Fahlbusch said. “I had to do the 35-day sit-out and last season (junior year) wasn’t easy for me.

“I came back this year and I knew I had a chance to come in and work for a starting spot, a lot went into that. A lot of work and I think the ups and downs, made me who I am today and I’m grateful for them.”

Fahlbusch initially committed to Grand Canyon University. However, in April GCU announced that it was cutting the men’s volleyball program.

Earlier this month, Fahlbusch announced that he committed to Hawaii.

Match info

The state final match will air live on the NFHS Network at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are available via GoFan for $12 (general admission) and $8 (children 5 and over; students and seniors 65 and over).



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