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OUTLOOK ON NEW FOOTHILL AREA RELEAGUING: Artesia could see more sports fighting for playoff spots in future new conference

June 11, 2025 By Loren Kopff • @LorenKopff on X This is the first in a series of area schools involved in the upcoming Foothill Area releaguing that will begin for the 2026-2027 school year. The 20 schools involved, in what will be a new conference are from the current 605 League, Del Rio League, […]

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June 11, 2025

By Loren Kopff • @LorenKopff on X

This is the first in a series of area schools involved in the upcoming Foothill Area releaguing that will begin for the 2026-2027 school year. The 20 schools involved, in what will be a new conference are from the current 605 League, Del Rio League, Gateway League and Mid-Cities League. The name of the new conference and potential leagues will be determined during the 2025-2026 school year. This is the third time since the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year that area schools have been involved in releaguing.

When Artesia High, and two other area schools, broke off from the old Suburban League after the 2017-2018 school year to form the 605 League with the addition of three other schools, it was meant to create more competitive equity in its athletic program. In the past seven years, the Pioneers have seen some success while other sports continued to struggle.

Now, those struggling sports will have a chance to do something that was not possible in the former Suburban League, or even the 605 League-compete for a CIF-Southern Section playoff berth.

Artesia athletic director Matt Soriano, who hasn’t been in his position as long as the other athletic directors, wasn’t as skeptical when the process began leading up to the May 1 Foothill Area releaguing vote.

“To be honest, I don’t think I had the most positive favoritism towards a 20-team league”, said Soriano. “As a new A.D., I just heard, ‘oh, it’s time to revote for bylaws and see if anyone’s open to releaguing’”.

The initial buzz amongst the athletic directors was to simply keep the 605 League together and not add other schools. But all six proposals which were brought to the table last month involved a 20-school conference.

“We kind of sat down as A.D.’s and said, ‘hey, we like the six of us staying together in most sports’ even though we would get killed by Cerritos and Whitney in some tennis events or golf events,” said Soriano. “We’re competitive in every other sport, and I like the six of us about it.”

The 2018-2019 school year had mixed feelings around the 605 League with Artesia winning two league titles and sharing one of the major sports in the inaugural year. The most notable one was the football team where the Pioneers won all three league games and advanced to the Division 12 championship game. Since then, the program has finished in second place and earned a playoff spot.

Boys soccer won its first 605 League title in 2019 and the softball team tied Cerritos High for first place that spring. Since then, the Pioneers have won 11 league titles, six coming from boys soccer, three from boys basketball, and one each from girls flag football and girls soccer.

Soriano went to the first meeting with the plan of just moving for football only because he thought that’s how Orange County schools did their releaguing.

“We sat down as A.D.’s and said if we’re going to support something, I need to know number one, we’re all in this, or if we’re going to be against this, we’re all against it,” said Soriano. “The one commitment we couldn’t have was that Glenn would still field a football team.”

With the new 20-school conference, Artesia may not face ABC Unified School District rival Cerritos in league competition, but the program figures to be in a desirable place for playoff contention every season.

“We were not the best team in [the 605 League], but every school had a chance to qualify for the playoffs every year,” said Soriano. “And I think that’ s the way we wanted it to be. There were years where we won on the last play on a double reverse against Pioneer to qualify for the playoffs. There were years that Glenn was up there in the top two; there were years where they weren’t in the top two. Pioneer didn’t get an automatic bid this [past season] but they went to the [CIF-Southern Section] finals. The 605 League gave people what they wanted out of it, football-wise.”

Soriano says other than boys basketball and some of the other major sports, which has been near or at the top of the league consistently, the other sports aren’t nowhere near the other schools. Part of that reason, which the league has looked at and voted together as a league, is some schools in certain sports have a lower level team.

Since the 605 League was formed, the Artesia girls volleyball program has finished no higher than third place while the other two fall sports, boys water polo and girls tennis have finished in fourth place or below. In fact, of the major sports, the Pioneers have finished in fourth place 18 times, fifth place 10 times and last place nine times.

Boys basketball and the two soccer programs have done quite well as has the softball program and should be grouped in with the upper to ‘middle of the pack’ schools once the new conference begins. Sports like boys tennis, boys volleyball, boys water polo, girls basketball and girls tennis are projected to be situated in the last of the three or four leagues in two years and be with other fifth and sixth place teams from the Del Rio League, Gateway League and Mid-Cities League. It should be noted that in a six-team league, the top three get an automatic playoff berth.

“It is going to be every sport on a per sport basis,” said Soriano. “So, just like in Orange County, your football team may be in this league, but your basketball teams will be in a different league. The model, I think, that makes the most sense…is if there are 20 teams in every place but football, you do four leagues of five [teams]. That would make the top three all get an [automatic] berth. Technically, you would get 12 automatic spots out of your 20 teams.”

Soriano believes that the new conference will benefit Artesia in a lot of the sports that aren’t mentioned on an everyday basis. For example, Artesia’s girls basketball team most likely wouldn’t have to play Cerritos, Pioneer or Whitney twice every season in league competition.

“I’m not even saying it will help us get wins, it will just help the games be more competitive,” said Soriano. “The big part about it is we have to sit down as a group and decide…I guarantee the first year is going to be based on CIF rankings. But they talk about some relegation or promotion. If you’re in the middle league, hey, you won and you get to move up to the top league. I would prefer to see two teams [go] up and down every time.”

He continued to add that since this will be a conference, divided into three or four leagues, technically by the rules, the conference can do whatever it wants regarding the movement of teams to other leagues every year instead of going off power rankings.

This upcoming school year will be a stressful one for the athletic directors and principals for the 20 schools. When the 605 League was formed, there were four school districts involved and transportation, while difficult at times, wasn’t as big as an issue as it will be in two years. The scheduling of sporting events will be a nightmare, especially during the winter season as your traditional girls-boys basketball doubleheaders could be compromised.

“When we started meeting as the 20 schools, that was the whole 605 League’s contention; is how do you guys do it,” asked Soriano. “La Mirada kind of looked at me and was like, ‘well, when we ask for a bus, my district gives us a bus’. Well, my district doesn’t. Every bus that we took as a sports team was an overtime payment to a bus driver. My transportation [bill] is huge, and that’s with me sending boys and girls basketball to the same place.”

Another issue that schools will have to navigate through is the splitting up of cheerleaders during basketball games or other school functions. Soriano was quick to mention that Artesia decided to have its senior prom on a Thursday night in the middle of league. He worked with the other five athletic directors to have the games off that Thursday so the players could go to the prom and admitted he doesn’t know if he can get that same commitment from the other 14 schools that will be part of the new conference.

One bright area of the new conference will be schools reuniting with old rivals from previous leagues. It’s a fact that Artesia will face Bellflower High, La Mirada High, Mayfair High and Norwalk High in many sports. Those four schools were in the Suburban League prior to 2018.

“I don’t come from a time when all the rivalries [happened],” said Soriano. “I know I can just look up scores and see the main ones; the football, the soccer and basketball. We had some battles with Mayfair, but some of it is if we wanted to renew rivalries and things like that, we would have called them earlier and played non-league [games].

“We, as a 605 League, didn’t even want to play Gahr in anything anymore, even though they’re a part of a school district that had three of us in it,” he continued. “It took a long time for Cerritos football to say [they’ll] play Gahr. When we were playing Gahr and the scores weren’t very close…if Gahr is with us, then it should say that we should be competitive with them, and I think that’s the point of a conference.” 


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Gulfport Bounces Back Volleyball Tournament

July 15, 2025 by Ethan Perelstein After nearly a year of hiatus, 30 teams played in the Gulfport Bounces Back Volleyball Tournament on July 12.Photo By Ethan Perelstein Almost a year since Hurricane Helene washed away Gulfport’s beloved sand volleyball court, the City sponsored the Gulfport Bounces Back Volleyball Tournament July 12. Gulfport Bounces Back […]

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Two teams play beach volleyball
Two teams play beach volleyball After nearly a year of hiatus, 30 teams played in the Gulfport Bounces Back Volleyball Tournament on July 12.
Photo By Ethan Perelstein

Almost a year since Hurricane Helene washed away Gulfport’s beloved sand volleyball court, the City sponsored the Gulfport Bounces Back Volleyball Tournament July 12.

Gulfport Bounces Back Volleyball Tournament

The tournament ran all day. About 30 four-person teams of hopefuls began the day, aiming for the 6 p.m. final match.

Team names included “Sets on the Beach,” “Spikopaths,” “Tie Me Up and Feed Me Chicken,” and “That’s What She Set.” The winner for the best team name was “Pass and Hitties.”

Two teams compete in beach volleyball.
Two teams compete in beach volleyball. Bump, set, spike! Gulfport Bounces Back Volleyball Tournament ran all day.
Photo By Ethan Perelstein

A group of Gulfportians who call themselves the Good Vibes Tribe organized the tournament.

“We are literally just a group of friends that get together and play volleyball who are very passionate about Gulfport,” said Paul Ladd, a member of the group. The crew of players practiced regularly in Gulfport before the storms washed the courts out, and have been playing elsewhere since.

“It’s good to be home. It’s always going to be home for sure, as long as we can play here,” Ladd said.


Looking for more things to do in St. Petersburg, Gulfport, and the beaches? Check out The Gabber Newspaper’s full calendar of events.


Additionally, the City of Gulfport and VETSports sponsored the event. All proceeds from the day were donated to VETSports, an organization that fights combat veteran isolation through team sports.

The event also featured an O’Maddy’s pop-up and Gulfport Realty’s “Gulfport Bounces Back” beach ball.

Two teams compete in beach volleyball.
Two teams compete in beach volleyball. Athletes returned from the court, bronzed, dusted, and slicked by sun, sand, and sweat throughout the day.
Photo By Ethan Perelsein

Play Ball

The 30 teams were split across four courts, where they played it out tournament pool style for silver and gold. There were no referees, and the teams scored their own games between themselves and their opponents.

Bump, set, spike. Bump, set, spike. Athletes played hard, jumping to block or spike above the net or diving into the sand. Then they returned from the court, bronzed, dusted, and slicked by sun, sand, and sweat throughout the day.

A man jumps, preparing to serve a volleyball.
A man jumps, preparing to serve a volleyball. All proceeds from the day were donated to VETSports, an organization that fights combat veteran isolation through team sports.
Photo By Ethan Perelstein

“It’s an addiction,” said Cosi Jackson, local volleyball player and Ward III City Council member. “This is team sport, and these people are like family. Once you play on a team with someone, they’re going to help you move your house, they’re going to be there for you if you go out of town, if you need someone to watch your dog. They’re gonna play with you until literally midnight, these people.”

At the end of the day, team “Latin Power” won the silver medal and a party in a bucket, and team “ParkView” won gold, along with the 3D-printed trophies of the Gulfport Gecko.


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Bookmark The Gabber Newspaper’s storm coverage page for quick access to relevant tropical storm updates. No hype, no guessing, just updates on shelters, sandbags, and closures. And sign up for text alerts to get real-time guidance and prep advice when there’s a named storm heading our way. Also, check out our downtown Gulfport and beach web cams.

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Jaskot Named NJCU Women's Volleyball Head Coach

By: Contact: Tom Krychkowski; Assistant Athletic Director for Communications & Marketing JERSEY CITY, NJ | New Jersey City University (NJCU) has announced that Britni Jaskot has been named the next Head Coach of the women’s volleyball team. An accomplished leader with extensive NCAA Division I coaching and operations experience, Jaskot joins the program following a […]

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Jaskot Named NJCU Women's Volleyball Head Coach

JERSEY CITY, NJ | New Jersey City University (NJCU) has announced that Britni Jaskot has been named the next Head Coach of the women’s volleyball team.

An accomplished leader with extensive NCAA Division I coaching and operations experience, Jaskot joins the program following a successful tenure as an assistant coach at Saint Louis University. She brings a proven track record of building competitive programs, fostering player development, and managing elite-level volleyball operations across multiple institutions.

“We are thrilled to welcome Britni Jaskot as the new head coach of our women’s volleyball program, said Athletic Director Robert Cole.” “Britni’s experience as a standout player in the conference, her long-standing connections to local club volleyball, and her extensive coaching background at the Division I level speak volumes. She is a proven winner who cares deeply about the student-athlete experience and is committed to fostering a culture of accountability and growth. With Britni at the helm, we’re confident our program is poised for short and long-term success.”

Prior to her time at Saint Louis, Jaskot served on the staff at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU), where she helped guide the Knights to their first-ever NCAA Division I Tournament appearance and a Northeast Conference (NEC) Championship title in 2022. Her contributions were recognized as part of the NEC Coaching Staff of the Year in both 2022 and 2023.

“I’m incredibly honored to be named the next head coach of NJCU Women’s Volleyball, said Jaskot.” “Thank you to Director of Athletics Bobby Cole for believing in my vision and giving me the opportunity to lead this program into its next chapter. Throughout my journey, I’ve been fortunate to learn from some of the best minds in the game, and I’m ready to bring that knowledge—and my passion for building a championship culture—to the Gothic Knights. From the moment I stepped on campus and connected with the search committee, I felt something powerful: a sense of pride, tradition, and community that’s alive and growing. Wearing the Gothic Knights logo is more than just a job—it’s a privilege. I’m excited to get to know our student-athletes, dive into the heart of this community, and start building something special together. The future is bright, and I’m grateful to be a part of it. Let’s get to work. Go Gothic Knights!” 

Jaskot also held the role of Director of Volleyball Operations at Rutgers University, managing all aspects of team logistics including travel coordination, recruiting arrangements, budgeting, and game-day operations. Her administrative acumen complements her coaching strengths, which include individualized skill development, team culture building, and high-level recruiting.

A New Jersey native, Jaskot began her coaching career at her alma mater, Kean University, where she played four years of collegiate volleyball, captaining the Cougars to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and winning two NJAC Conference Championships. She later returned to Kean as a student assistant coach with the men’s volleyball program.

“Britni is an extremely talented coach with tremendous work ethic, said NJCU Hall of Famer and current Head Coach at the University of New Hampshire, Chris Feliciano.” “She has a great ability to identify talent and cultivate an environment in which that talent can flourish. NJCU got this hire right and I am excited to see the program flourish.”

In addition to her collegiate coaching experience, Jaskot has been a longtime head coach with D.I.G.S Volleyball Club in Bergen County, working with youth athletes on both their personal and athletic development.

Jaskot holds a Master’s degree in Sport Management from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Kean University, with minors in Health Education and Athletic Coaching.

For the latest news, updates, and information on New Jersey City University sports, visit njcugothicknights.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Gothic Knights news by following NJCU Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

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One Hundred Fifty Student-Athletes Named Big Ten Distinguished Scholars – Penn State

ROSEMONT, Ill. – One hundred fifty Penn State student-athletes earned Big Ten Distinguished Scholar honors, the conference announced Monday. Of the 150, 31 student athletes were recognized for achieving perfect 4.0s, The Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award is presented to student-athletes who have recorded a grade-point average of 3.7 or higher during the previous academic year. […]

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ROSEMONT, Ill. – One hundred fifty Penn State student-athletes earned Big Ten Distinguished Scholar honors, the conference announced Monday. Of the 150, 31 student athletes were recognized for achieving perfect 4.0s,

The Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award is presented to student-athletes who have recorded a grade-point average of 3.7 or higher during the previous academic year.

Penn State’s seven highest Big Ten Distinguished Scholar totals have come in the past seven years. The 31 Nittany Lion students earning a 4.0 during the 2024-25 academic year narrowly misses the school record of 32, set last year.

The athletic department’s academic success included 423 student-athletes earning Academic All-Big Ten honors and 199 Nittany Lions who graduated during the 2024-25 academic year (December and May).

Penn State Big Ten Distinguished Scholar totals since 2017-18:

2024-25: 150

2023-24: 165

2022-23: 174 (non-alternate grading school record)

2021-22: 157

2020-21: 183*

2019-20: 144*

2018-19: 117

2017-18: 90

* – alternate grading system used due to COVID-19.

 

A total of 25 of Penn State teams had at least one Big Ten Distinguished Scholar (men’s and women’s cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field are combined).

Women’s Track and Field led the way with a program record 19 honorees, besting last year’s high of 18. Football and men’s volleyball each matched their program highs of 10 and six, respectively.

The 150 honorees boost Penn State to a total of 1,784 Big Ten Distinguished Scholars since the program was established by the Big Ten Faculty Representatives in 2008-09 to supplement the Academic All-Big Ten program.

Similar to the Academic All-Big Ten honor, Distinguished Scholar Award recipients must be in at least their second academic year at their institution. The Distinguished Scholar Award encompasses only students with a minimum GPA of 3.7 or higher for the previous academic year, excluding summer school.

Graduation Success Rates

Penn State student-athletes continue to register record-breaking graduation rates and perform well above their peers nationwide. The Nittany Lions posted a record-tying 93% NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR) and 11 programs earned perfect 100% ratings. This is the eight consecutive year the Nittany Lions posted a record or record-tying performance in the classroom, according to data reported by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

The NCAA’s annual graduation rates report of Division I institutions across the nation revealed Penn State student-athletes at the University Park campus earned a Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 93% to equal the school’s all-time record of 93%, which was set in the 2023 NCAA report. Nittany Lion students posted a 93% graduation rate compared to the 90% average for all Division I institutions for student-athletes entering from 2014-15 academic year through the 2017-18 academic year.

Penn State student-athletes have logged a Graduation Success Rate in the 88-93% range during each of the past 18 NCAA reports, improving from 88% in the 2015 report to a record-tying 93% report in the 2024 report.

Penn State Among the Nation’s Most Comprehensive and Successful Athletic Programs

Under the leadership of Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, Dr. Patrick Kraft, Penn State has one of the nation’s most comprehensive and successful athletic programs, featuring 800 student-athletes across 31 varsity programs (16 men’s, 15 women’s). The Nittany Lions’ 31 programs are tied for the fourth-highest number of sports sponsored by a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) institution.



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2025 MileSplit All-National T&F Honors: All-Sophomore Boys Team

MileSplit is proud to present the 2025 All-National Track & Field Honors. As part of a nationwide initiative, these honors recognize the top high school athletes in the country based on verified performances from the outdoor season. Athletes have been selected through a data-driven process to highlight excellence across every event, grade level, and team tier – […]

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MileSplit is proud to present the 2025 All-National Track & Field Honors. As part of a nationwide initiative, these honors recognize the top high school athletes in the country based on verified performances from the outdoor season. Athletes have been selected through a data-driven process to highlight excellence across every event, grade level, and team tier – from First Team through Honorable Mention, as well as All-Freshman to All-Senior teams. Congratulations to all of the athletes who took their performances to the next level this season.





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Portland Fire reignited in the Global Epicenter of Women's Sports

Facebook Instagram TikTok About NBC Chicago Telemundo Chicago Our News Standards Submit Tips for Investigations Newsletters Connect With Us Xfinity: Internet, TV, streaming, more WMAQ Public Inspection File WMAQ Accessibility WMAQ Employment Information Send Feedback FCC Applications Terms of Service Your Privacy Choices Privacy Policy Advertise with us CA Notice Ad Choices Copyright © 2025 […]

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Portland Fire reignited in the Global Epicenter of Women's Sports


Copyright © 2025 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All rights reserved

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Figures leads a bipartisan bill on national NIL guidelines

WASHINGTON — Congressman Shomari Figures is helping to lead a bill to establish a national framework on student-athlete compensation. The bipartisan legislation dubbed the Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act would set federal rules for student-athletes’ ability to earn money from their name, image and likeness. A House Energy and Commerce […]

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Figures leads a bipartisan bill on national NIL guidelines

WASHINGTON — Congressman Shomari Figures is helping to lead a bill to establish a national framework on student-athlete compensation.

The bipartisan legislation dubbed the Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act would set federal rules for student-athletes’ ability to earn money from their name, image and likeness.

A House Energy and Commerce subcommittee will hold a markup on the NIL bill on Tuesday. Figures, D-Mobile, introduced the bill last week alongside other lawmakers, including Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-FL, and seven other representatives. Figures said the collegiate sports bill is especially relevant in Alabama.

“This bill was just an effort to help streamline efficiencies and get us to a point where we can just get back to enjoying the sports that we like,” Figures told Alabama Daily News.

The SCORE Act would codify student-athletes’ ability to receive NIL compensation. The federal guidelines would overrule any state NIL laws. Alabama does not currently have a specific NIL law after state legislation was repealed in 2022.

Student-athletes would be able to hire agents to represent them in NIL agreements. Agents would be required to register with an interstate intercollegiate college association, like the NCAA.

“This bill lays out some clear guideposts for what’s required of universities (and) what students can expect to receive from universities and conferences,” Figures told ADN.

The bill requires most Division I schools to provide student-athletes a range of services, including academic and career support, mental health programs, NIL guidance and financial literacy resources. Schools would need to provide medical and health benefits to athletes. Athletes would also receive injury-related protections and academic financial assistance.

“College athletics are a vital part of American culture, and it’s clear—from both student-athletes and universities—that a national framework is long overdue,” Bilirakis said in a statement. “The Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements Act delivers the stability, clarity and transparency that stakeholders have been calling for.”

It allows athletic associations to set parameters around student-athletes transferring between institutions, eligibility and recruitment.

College athletes would be prohibited from being employees of universities, conferences or athletic associations.

Schools or universities with high media rights revenues would not be allowed to use non-athlete student fees to help fund intercollegiate athletic programs. Other schools would be required to post publicly how student fees are used for athletics.

University of Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne expressed his support for the legislation in a social media post.

“Wonderful to see a bipartisan effort with the introduction of the SCORE Act that could lead to stability for college athletics,” he said.

The SEC commissioner said the legislation provides a “national solution” for athletes, coaches and universities.

“I welcome the commitment of Representative Shomari Figures to support a sustainable future for college athletics,” Greg Sankey said in a statement. “During this time of historic change, his efforts to provide clarity and stability to student-athletes, universities and the broader collegiate sports landscape are meaningful.”

Figures said he understands there is broad interest in NIL and expects the bill will continue to be improved as it’s considered in the House.

“My hope is that we can continue to try to work to make this bill the strongest it can be in terms of protections it offers for student-athletes and the clarity that it offers for universities, for conferences and for the governing sports organizations,” he said.

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