The University of Missouri’s track and field team returns to the recently renovated Hearnes Center indoor track facility for its first home meet of the season, hosting the Alexis Jarrett Invitational in Columbia, Mo., at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10.

First opened in 1972, the Hearnes Center has served as a central home for Missouri’s volleyball, wrestling, gymnastics (until 2026) and track & field. The Fieldhouse originally featured a 200-meter track, sprint straightaway and multiple event runways. Now, it features a 200m, 21m Radius and 12 Degree Banked Mondo Track. Over its history, the center has hosted major competitions including the 1991 Big Eight Indoor Track & Field Championship and continues to be a key site for the team.

Last Year’s Alexis Jarrett Invitational

Last year, the Tigers had their first home meet of the season during this invitational. During this meet, 15 Tigers set personal bests across nine different events. On top of that, 12 different Tigers had event wins such as Sam Innes and Petra Gombas for their throws. Alongside them, Reagan Kimrey had a 13.60m shot put throw and Anna Vedral led the pole-vaulters. Lastly, Rahel Broemmel set a career mark in the 1000m.

The Tigers have 39 women athletes on the roster this season, each competing in their respective events.

The Tigers’ roster features 30 male athletes ready for the 2026 season.

With a deep and stacked roster on both the men’s and women’s sides, the Tigers enter the Alexis Jarrett Invitational ready to open the indoor season strong at home. Veteran leaders and new athletes across all event groups will push for early success this weekend.

“I think that they’re ready to be better versions of themselves in a really short period of time, based on what I’m seeing,” assistant coach TJ Harris said.

To read more about Missouri’s Track & Field team, follow @Rock MNation and @SophBleedsLa on X.com

CHICAGO – DePaul track and field is ready to return to competition on Saturday, Jan. 10, following a brief hiatus, as the Blue Demons head back to Gately Park. While the meet takes place at DePaul’s home venue, the shared facility will be hosted by Wisconsin this weekend as part of the Badger Midwest Invite. DePaul returns to the Badger Midwest Invite for the third consecutive season with hopes of strong performances on both the track and in the field.
 
The Field
DePaul will compete alongside a local field that includes Ball State, Chicago State, UIC, and Wisconsin. Field events begin at 2 p.m. CT, followed by track events at 3:55 p.m. CT, with finals slated for 5:40 p.m. CT.
 
December Rewind
The Blue Demons carry early momentum into the new year after competing in three December meets at Notre Dame, Boston University, and Gately Indoor. To open the year in South Bend, Ind., Jaiden Gary and Jaiah Hopf earned first-place finishes in the shot put and long jump, respectively, while Katelyn Welsh became DePaul’s first female pole vaulter in program history.
 
In Boston, Vivian Wyller posted a personal-best time of 17:11.22 in the 5,000 meters before an outstanding day for DePaul at its home meet, the Blue Demon Holiday Classic. The meet saw 12 individual event champions crowned, with 21 personal records set during the Blue Demons’ final competition of the 2025 calendar year.
 
Newcomers
To open the 2025–26 DePaul University Winter Quarter, the Blue Demons’ women’s track and field team welcomed two newcomers. Helen Baumgarten, an international product from Germany, enters her redshirt-junior campaign after transferring from New Orleans. The multi-event specialist reunites with first-year DePaul assistant coach Ben Hibbert.
 
Antioch, Ill., native and Ball State transfer Rosie Gonzales joins the Blue Demons as a freshman. Gonzales specializes in distance running and hails from Antioch Community High School, located roughly three miles south of the Illinois-Wisconsin border. Both newcomers join the fray hoping to make an immediate impact.
 
Follow along with DePaul at the Badger Midwest Invite: Live Results | Event Schedule | Blue Demons
 
Up Next
The Blue Demons compete locally at the Cardinal Opener on Saturday, Jan. 17, hosted by North Central College.

Well, thanks to so many of you guys that have come out this morning. We’re excited to, to be here. Um, my name is Kirsten Bernthal Booth. I’m the president of business operations for Love, Nebraska, and we have *** special announcement, um, before we open at home on Sunday. So I’m gonna now turn it over to Jordan Larson for *** few words. Hey everyone, welcome. Um, so I’m gonna kind of read this just because. We’re probably gonna be fumbled, so I’m gonna try to get through it, but I’ve read it probably 10 times, so hopefully, there’s no tears. Um, the season isn’t about an ending. It’s about celebrating that made the journey possible. Oh, after this year, I’ll be stepping away from competitive volleyball, and rather than making this the finish line, I want to spend this season honoring the people, places, and moments that shaped it all. Are you. Every gym, every jersey, every teammate coach, and Van has played *** role, and this year is my way of saying thank you. It’s been I’ve been incredibly fortunate to play this game alongside people who challenged me. Pushed me and supported me and believe in something bigger than myself. None of this would have happened alone. This season is for the shared work, the memories and lessons and for the love of the game that has been constant from the very beginning. So I wanna celebrate together, um, one more season competing, connecting and appreciate just how special this ride has been. Um, grateful for every step and ready for one more. And, um, I think just recognizing how special it is for me to be home and be able to do this in front of *** state that just really loves volleyball and this really isn’t about me. There’s been so many greats that have come on before me and maybe haven’t had. The proper buy to the game and um I hope this is just kind of setting that foundation for others to to follow suit.

CHICAGO – University of Evansville volleyball commit Wren Jones earned a prestigious honor today as she was announced as the 2025-26 Gatorade Arkansas Volleyball Player of the Year following her final season at Conway High School.
 
Gatorade Player of the Year is the top honor in high school sports, celebrating the nation’s best high school athletes for their excellence in sport, academics and community. The award recognizes Jones as Arkansas’ best high school volleyball player, and she joins an elite legacy that spans professional athletes and coaches to CEOs, such as Kerri Walsh Jennings (1995-96, Archbishop Mitty High School, CA), April Ross (1999-00, Newport Harbor High School, CA) and Campbell Flynn (2024-25, Mercy High School, MI). 
 
“Winning a Gatorade Player of the Year award puts Wren in elite company, and we couldn’t be prouder of her,” University of Evansville head volleyball coach Zach Weinberg said. “Winning this award goes beyond what she does on the court; it highlights her academics, her service to her community, and most importantly, her exemplary character. Wren is a phenomenal volleyball player, but an even better human being, and we couldn’t be happier that she is an Ace!”
 
The 5-foot-11 senior outside hitter led the Wampus Cats to a 30-5 record and the Class 6A state championship this past season. Jones compiled 543 kills and 252 digs, including 25 kills and 16 digs in a 3-1 win over Fayetteville High School in the state final. Jones also recorded 51 service aces and 36 blocks while posting a .451 kill percentage. The MVP of the Class 6A state championship match, she concluded her prep volleyball career with 1,228 kills. 
 
Jones has volunteered locally with Community Connections, a nonprofit that works with special needs children. She has also donated her time as a youth volleyball coach and as part of multiple community service initiatives through her church youth group.
 
Jones has maintained a weighted 3.29 GPA in the classroom. She has signed a written letter of athletic aid to play volleyball at the University of Evansville this fall. 
 

The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one state winner from each of the 50 states and Washington D.C., in 12 different sports: football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, baseball, softball, boys and girls soccer, and boys and girls track & field. In total, 610 high school athletes are honored each year. From the pool of state winners, one national winner is selected in each of the 12 sports. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which leverages experts including coaches, scouts, media and others as sources to help evaluate and determine the winners in each sport. 
 

Men’s Volleyball | 1/9/2026 11:00:00 AM

The 2026 Empire 8 men’s volleyball season is set to begin on Saturday, January 10, 2026 with three teams in action. This will be the final season before the Empire 8 officially sponsors men’s volleyball as championship sport in 2027. Seven teams will compete this season with Hartwick College joining the group in their inaugural season. 

Fans can watch the action all season long, free of charge on the Empire 8 Network.

2026 Empire 8 Men’s Volleyball Players to Watch

(Sorted Alphabetically by Team)

 

ELMIRA COLLEGE – Head Coach Eddie Daoreuang

Luke Jata, Jr., OH, Smithtown, NY/Hauppauge – Jata finished the 2025 season with 216 kills and was ninth in the United Volleyball Conference in both kills (2.67) and points (3.49) per set last season

Nick Rohman, So., S, Levittown, NY/Division Avenue – Rohman finished his debut season averaging 6.43 assists per set, totaling 135. He will be looked at to be a leader for the Soaring Eagles in 2026. 

HARTWICK COLLEGE – Head Coach Joshua Bigford

Nate Roorbach, Fr., S, East Aurora, NY/East Aurora – Roorbach is set to take the court for the first time in his collegiate career in 2026. He will be exciting to watch in the Hawks’ debut season. 

Anthony Ruggiero, Fr., OH, Schenectady, NY/Guilderland – Ruggiero will also be playing in his debut season in 2026. He will be expected to take on a big offensive role for the Hawks. 

HOUGHTON UNIVERSITY – Head Coach Mark Corbin

Jerry Buno, So., S, Portland, OH/Skyview – Buno finished his season totaling 260 assists, averaging 3.61 assists per game. Defensively, he totaled 92 digs averaging 1.26 per set. 

Devin Cline, Jr., MH, Belmont, NY, Genesee Valley-Belfast – Cline was a top contributor offensively for the Highlanders last season. He was top-three in kills totaling 102. He averaged 1.55 kills per set. He hadded 12 service aces, 45 digs and 25 blocks in 2025. 

NAZARETH UNIVERSITY – Head Coach Eben Meyer

AJ Burda, Sr., S, Fairport, NY/Fairport – Burda led the Golden Flyers with 712 assists and averaged 7.19 assists per set. He was sixth in the UVC in assists per set. He also finished third on the team in digs totaling 151. 

Ryan Murphy, So., MB, Penfield, NY/Penfield – Murphy had an outstanding first season with the Golden Flyers. He led the team in blocks with 57. He ranked ninth in his conference in hitting percentage with .349. He registered 131 kills and 31 digs on the season. 

SUNY POLY – Head Coach Daniel Short

PJ Gottler, Sr., OH, Buffalo, NY/St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute – Gottler finished his junior season leading the team in kills with 340. He averaged 3.04 kills per set, putting him fifth in his conference, and hit at .275 percent. He was also third in his conference in service aces per set with 0.44 with 41 total. 

Thomas McNulty, Sr., LB, Port Jefferson Station, NY/ Comsewogue – McNulty, the 2025 Empire 8 Co-Libero/Defensive Player of the Year, had a stellar season. He totaled 350 digs, averaging 3.10 digs per set. His dig numbers led his conference. He also had an impressive .939 reception percentage. 

RUSSELL SAGE COLLEGE – Reid Hartl

Dylan Fox, Jr., OPP, Albany, NY/Colonie – Fox, the 2024 Empire 8 Co-Rookie of the Year, was a first team E8 all-conference pick last season. He finished is 2025 season with 325 kills and averaged 3.01 kills per set. He addd 164 total digs and 60 blocks. He finished second in his conference in total kills.

Anthony Guetti, So. S, Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa – Guetti finished his debut season with 813 assists and averaged 7.26 assists per set. These numbers put him fifth in his conference. He added 116 digs and 36 blocks on the season. 

ST. JOHN FISHER UNIVERSITY – Head Coach Matt Cohen

Casey Jackson, Sr., OH, Spencerport, NY/Spencerport – Jackson played in 88 sets over 27 matches in his 2025 season. He finished third on the team with 154 kills and fourth with 93 digs. He also amassed 21 service aces and 21 total blocks on his way to second team all-E8 honors. 

Sonepith Keoviengsamay, Jr., OH, Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy – Keoviengsamay, the 2024 Empire 8 Co-Rookie of the Year, earned second team all-E8 honors last season after slamming 155 kills while hitting nearly .250 across 68 sets over 23 matches. 

 

Empire 8 Men’s Volleyball Returning All-Americans, All-Region & Major E8 Award Winners

• Dylan Fox, Russell Sage, Jr., OPP, Albany, NY/Colonie – 2024 Empire 8 Co-Rookie of the Year
• Sonepith Keoviengsamay, St. John Fisher, Jr., OH, Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy – 2024 Empire 8 Co-Rookie of the Year