NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Southern Connecticut Women’s Outdoor Track & Field standout Hannah Caiola was selected to compete in the 400m Dash at the 2025 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships in Pueblo, Colorado, as announced by the NCAA on May 13th. It is the third-straight national championship appearance for Caiola and the second this year. 

Caiola has been absolutely dominant on the track this season. Coming off a decorated indoor season, she broke the SCSU Outdoor Record in the 400m Dash with a time of 52.36. That is currently the #2 time in all of Division II, and ranks in the top-40 across all divisions. She brought home three golds at the 2025 Northeast-10 Conference Championships, winning the 200m, 400m, and 4×100, and was named the meet’s Most Outstanding Track Performer. Most recently, she won the New England Championships in the 200m Dash with a personal-best time of 23.81, which ranks 35th in all of Division II. It is also the second-fastest 200m time in program history. She was also an All-East Region performer in four events (200m, 400m, 4×100, 4×400). 

This marks Caiola’s second time being selected for the Outdoor National Championships and her third national selection overall. At the 2024 NCAA Outdoor National Championships, she placed ninth in the 400m Dash, and finished 11th in the same event at this year’s Indoor National Championships, earning second-team All-American honors both times. 

Caiola, alongside four Owls from the Men’s team, will compete at the 2025 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships from May 22nd-24th, hosted by CSU Pueblo in Pueblo, Colorado. 

Competition on all three days of the championship will be streamed on the Mountain West Network.

 

This weekend’s championship meet will be Wyoming’s last chance to qualify student-athletes for the NCAA West First Round in College Station, Texas, the first stop on the way to the NCAA Outdoor Championships. The top 48 declared student-athletes are accepted to the West First Round in individual events while the top 24 relay teams are accepted. Combined events (Heptathlon and Decathlon) will only send 24 competitors to the Championships, skipping the First Round.

The Individual event and relay team accepted entries will be posted on NCAA.com next week following the conclusion of all conference championships.

2025 OUTDOOR RECAP

Wyoming racked up 32 first-place finishes and broke four school records in the 2025 outdoor season. Pokes also set 32 Top-10 program marks and currently have 35 Top-10 marks in the Mountain West this season.

Nationally, the Cowboys boast six Top-50 marks in the nation while the Cowgirls have three in the Top-100.

Senior thrower Daniel Reynolds has followed his indoor national weight throw title by breaking the school hammer throw record with the No. 9 throw in the country of 72.97 meters.  

Junior distance runner Jacob White added to his school records this season with the 1,500 meters and 5,000 meters. He now holds six school records across cross country and indoor/outdoor track and field.

Freshman sprinter Taliah Morris has shown out in her first outdoor season with three Top-10 program times. The Wyoming native holds Top-10 MW times in four events heading into the conference championships.

Senior Allyson Fertig joined the throws squad after hanging up her hooping shoes after an illustrious basketball career capped off by the Mountain West Player of the Year award. In just her third meet since throwing in high school, she entered the Wyoming record book with the No. 10 throw in outdoor history of 14.60 meters. She currently holds the No. 7 throw in the conference this season.

Junior Ryker Holtzen, the reigning MW 3,000-meter steeplechase champion, broke the program record in the steeplechase with a time of 8:35.70 at the Stanford Invite. His time is No. 17 in the nation this season and second in the conference.

WYOMING SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (All Times MT)

Thursday:

10:50 a.m. – Women’s Heptathlon

Noon – Women’s Hammer Throw

2:15 p.m. – Men’s Hammer Throw

6:30 p.m. – Women’s 800m Prelim

6:50 p.m. – Men’s 800m Prelim

7:10 p.m. – Women’s 200m Prelim

7:35 p.m. – Men’s 200m Prelim

8 p.m. – Women’s 400m Hurdles Prelim

8 p.m. – Men’s Javelin

8:20 p.m. – Men’s 400m Hurdles Prelim

9 p.m. – Women’s 10,000m

9:40 p.m. – Men’s 10,000m

Friday:

11:20 a.m. – Women’s Heptathlon

5 p.m. – Men’s Long Jump

6:30 p.m. – Women’s 100m Hurdles Prelim

6:30 p.m. – Women’s Shot Put

6:45 p.m. – Men’s 110m Hurdles Prelim

7:10 p.m. – Women’s 1,500m Prelim

7:30 p.m. – Men’s 1,500m Prelim

7:35 p.m. – Women’s Long Jump

7:50 p.m. – Women’s 400m Prelim

8:15 p.m. – Men’s 400m Prelim

8:30 p.m. – Men’s Shot Put

8:40 p.m. – Women’s 100m Prelim

9 p.m. – Men’s 100m Prelim

9:20 p.m. – Women’s 3,000m Steeplechase

9:40 p.m. – Men’s 3,000m Steeplechase

Saturday:

4 p.m. – Women’s Triple Jump

4:15 p.m. – Men’s Discus

4:30 p.m. – Women’s High Jump

6:35 p.m. – Women’s 4x100m Relay

6:45 p.m. – Men’s 4x100m Relay

6:55 p.m. – Women’s 1,500m Final

7:05 p.m. – Men’s 1,500m Final

7:15 p.m. – Women’s 100m Hurdles Final

7:15 p.m. – Men’s Triple Jump

7:25 p.m. – Men’s 110m Hurdles Final

7:35 p.m. – Women’s 400m Final

7:45 p.m. – Men’s 400m Final

7:55 p.m. – Women’s 100m Final

8:05 p.m. – Men’s 100m Final

8:15 p.m. – Women’s 800m Final

8:25 p.m. – Men’s 800m Final

8:35 p.m. – Women’s 400m Hurdles Final

8:45 p.m. – Men’s 400m Hurdles Final

8:55 p.m. – Women’s 200m Final

9:05 p.m. – Men’s 200m Final

9:15 p.m. – Women’s 5,000m

9:35 p.m. – Men’s 5,000m

10:00 p.m. – Women’s 4x400m Relay

10:10 p.m. – Men’s 4x400m Relay

 

LAST TIME OUT

In the last regular-season meet of the season, Wyoming crossed the border to compete at the Doug Max Invitational in Fort Collins, Colo. Wyoming earned six first-place finishes, set 34 personal bests and ended with 12 Top-10 school marks.

Senior thrower Cam Burkett had a great outing by breaking his personal best in the shot put and winning the event. His throw of 63′ 1″ (19.23 meters), the only put over 19 meters, leads the MW and is No. 23 in the nation.

Junior jumper Elayna Chafee won the triple jump with a huge PR of 12.49 meters, good for No. 4 in school history and No. 5 in the MW this season. She also finished second in the long jump with a leap of 5.93 meters.

Junior Jacob White and senior Mason Norman broke the previous school record in the 1,500 meters in Saturday’s meet. White finished with a time of 3:40.52, also the new meet record, while Norman ran a time of 3:42.57, after altitude conversions.

Freshman Taliah Morris tied for first in the women’s 100-meter dash. Her personal-best time of 11.67 moved her to No. 3 in program history.

Stay up to date with Wyoming track & field by following @wyo_track on X and Instagram.

 

-WYO-

In their pursuit of keeping people out of their cars during the Olympics, Los Angeles County leaders will consider installing a water taxi for the 2028 Olympics to transport fans between San Pedro and Long Beach, where multiple events will be hosted.

County Supervisor Janice Hahn introduced a motion Wednesday during Metro’s Olympics and Paralympics committee meeting to launch a feasibility study assessing ridership demand, cost and possible routes. The motion was unanimously approved by the committee members and public comment was overwhelmingly supportive, with some residents suggesting a water taxi be installed sooner to accommodate for the upcoming months-long closure of the Vincent Thomas Bridge.

“If we’re serious about the 2028 Games being transit-first, we must make transit safe, accessible, reliable and fun for people, and we can’t only rely on our buses and trains,” said Hahn, who chairs the committee. “[The water taxi] would give residents, workers and tourists an affordable alternative to driving and parking at these Games venues.”

The motion was co-authored by Mayor Karen Bass, Metro board members Fernando Dutra and Jacquelin Dupont-Walker, and Inglewood Mayor James Butts. The study will be delivered back to the board in 90 days.

So far, San Pedro isn’t slated to host any events, but will serve as the “Croatia House” — a cultural hub for Croatia’s athletes, leaders and tourists. That agreement was made last year between L.A. City Councilmember Tim McOsker and Zlatko Mateša, the president of the National Olympic Committee of Croatia. Long Beach will host 11 events, including beach volleyball, water polo and rowing.

Los Angeles faces challenges in meeting its transit goals for the 2028 Games, which Bass proposed as a “car-free” Olympics, largely dependent on the acquisition of thousands of buses to transport fans to venues across the region.

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said the city has received leasing commitments for about 650 buses. Officials’ goal is to lease nearly 3,000 buses for a price tag of roughly $2 billion. Metro previously asked the federal government to cover the funding in a request for $3.2 billion toward Olympics projects. But as the Trump administration has threatened funds across multiple departments, the monies remain in flux.

Hahn previously told The Times that Metro will move forward with its plans under the assumption that funding will be fulfilled.

The water taxi would offer alternatives to bus needs and was presented as a way to alleviate congestion along the two bridges connecting San Pedro to Long Beach and surrounding roads. Fans would be able to park in San Pedro, or board the ferry from Metro’s J Line.

There is precedent for the ferry service, Hahn said, citing an operation that once shuttled passengers between the Terminal Island fishing village and San Pedro. That ferry ran from 1941 to 1963, according to the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, which is housed in one of the original ferry buildings.

ROCK ISLAND — Head men’s and women’s water polo coach Ryan Pryor has announced the hiring of Morgan Riordan as the programs’ new assistant coach.

“I am excited to add Morgan to our coaching staff,” said Pryor. “She has a great combination of coaching and playing experience, having competed at the NCAA Championships during her time as an athlete at Salem. Adding Morgan as a full-time assistant coach is a great step for our program as we continue to build our ultimate goal of winning national championships. Her skills, experience, and enthusiasm will be a tremendous asset to the team.”

Riordan comes to Augustana after serving as an assistant coach with the Salem water polo and swimming team since 2022. She also assisted with the athletic department and has experience with various game operations and management. Riordan competed for the Salem women’s water polo and swim teams from 2021-24 and was a part of two national championship appearances in water polo in 2021 and 2022. She earned her undergraduate degree in Sports Management last year and is working towards her MBA in Sport & Recreation Management currently. Riordan was a four-time Dean’s List recipient, a four-time ACWPC All-Academic selection, and made the Western Water Polo Association’s All-Academic Team four times. 

“I am incredibly honored and excited to join Augustana as the assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s water polo teams,” said Riordan. “I look forward to supporting these talented student-athletes and contributing to a program that values hard work, growth, and team culture.”

In addition to her role with Salem Athletics, Riordan worked with the North West Chicago Water Polo Club last summer as a Junior Olympic Coach. She also spent time working with the Chicago Aquatics Water Polo Club, Chicago Park District, and USA Water Polo as a volunteer instructor. 

Riordan’s duties with Augustana water polo will begin August 1. 

RICHMOND, VA – The 2024-25 athletic season was truly memorable for Fayetteville State University (FSU). At the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) annual Spring General Assembly meeting and end-of-year awards reception in Richmond, VA, Fayetteville State University was honored with six awards. The conference office announced its highest administrative and team awards during the reception on Wednesday afternoon.

Athletics Director of the Year: Anthony Todd Bennett

Under the leadership of Anthony Todd Bennett, FSU excelled in the CIAA, securing numerous conference championship victories. These included titles in women’s cross country, indoor track & field, women’s basketball, and bowling. Additionally, FSU’s teams in men’s golf and cross country, women’s outdoor track & field, and volleyball achieved runner-up positions in their respective CIAA tournaments. The men’s basketball program also made school history with a first-round win in the Atlantic Region NCAA Playoffs.

Academically, FSU’s bowling team boasted a GPA of 3.623, while the softball team achieved an impressive GPA of 3.655, earning them Team GPA awards.

Anthony Bennett has been the Director of Athletics at Fayetteville State University since 2015. Over the past decade, ten of the Broncos’ eleven programs have captured a total of 28 titles. Bennett attributes this success to a collective effort, stating, “It’s not just an AD award, but a team effort.”

Female Scholar Athlete of the Year: Nia Gibson
Nia Gibson has made remarkable contributions to both the cross country and track & field teams at Fayetteville State University. As team captain for both sports, her leadership and dedication have been truly inspiring. Nia has earned individual accolades such as the FSU Academic Excellence Highest GPA Award for Women’s Cross Country for the past three years and FSU’s MVP for Women’s Cross Country in 2025.

Nia’s recent accomplishments in cross country and track & field further highlight her exceptional talent and determination. At the CIAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship in May 2025, she secured impressive placements, including 2nd in the 3000 meters and 4th in the 1500 meters. Her performance at the Aggie Invitational and other events throughout the year consistently demonstrated her competitive spirit and skill, earning top positions and contributing to her team’s success. Specifically, she ranked 1st in the 4×800 meters at the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational, CIAA Indoor Track and Field Championship, Camel City Distance, Mondo College Invitational, JDL Early Bird Invitational, and Visit Winston-Salem College Kick-off. She also ranked 2nd in the 3000 meters at the CIAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship, 4th in the 1500 meters at the same event, and 4th in the 800 meters at the Marlin Invitational.

CIAA John Holley Sports Information Director(SID) of the Year: Adrian Ferguson
Adrian Ferguson‘s leadership and forward-thinking approach have transformed Fayetteville State Athletics Communications and Media into one of the premier Athletics Departments in the CIAA. His extensive knowledge and respected leadership are sought after by peers both within and outside the CIAA conference. Adrian played a pivotal role in the purchase and installation of a new media board at Capel Arena, enhancing the visual experience for fans and athletes alike. His dedication to producing quality content for media boards, social media, and sports networks has significantly elevated the department’s profile. With 30 years of experience in Sports Information, his expertise and dedication are unparalleled. His contributions have not only enhanced Fayetteville State University’s Athletics Communications but have also set a standard of excellence within the CIAA and beyond. 

John Holley was a veteran publications, public relations, and sports information practitioner with more than 25 years of experience in the field. A native of Baltimore, Md., Holley directed the public information, publications and sports information programs at Albany (Ga.) State College for 14 years. In addition, he held public relations posts at Morgan State University, Mansfield (Pa.) University, and Lincoln (Mo.) University. Holley also served as sports information director at Norfolk State University and Morehead (Ky.) State University. A North Carolina Central University graduate, Holley was a member of the Public Relations Society of America, Communications Media of Mid-America, and the College Sports Information Directors of America.

Eric Moore Post-Graduate Scholarship Recipient: Ashlynn Hill
Ashlynn Hill, a recent graduate of Fayetteville State University with a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Fitness Management, has been awarded this year’s Eric Moore Post-Graduate Scholarship. She was one of only nine individuals selected from over 130 applicants for UNC Chapel Hill’s prestigious and well-respected Sport Administration Graduate Program.

This esteemed scholarship provides $10,000 to a college graduate pursuing a post-degree in communications, marketing, or media, and entering their first year of graduate studies. Applicants must seek admission or have been accepted into a sports administration program that will help them achieve a career in intercollegiate athletics.

Eric Moore was inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame in 2019. Moore, known affectionately as “The Guru,” was a media pioneer and a preeminent figure in the world of CIAA Sports Information and Communications, credited with developing the league’s online presence and setting the conference’s standards for in-game statistics. Moore served as a resource, guide, and mentor to many sports information directors within the CIAA and across the NCAA. He was also the Executive Director of the Black College Sports Information Directors’ Association, a role he had held since 2001. 

Loretta Taylor Women’s All-Sports Award: Fayetteville State University
This marks the fourth consecutive year that Fayetteville State University (FSU) has won this prestigious award, which is determined by a championship point system. During the 2024-25 athletic year, FSU’s women’s teams excelled, capturing four conference titles. They dominated in cross country, securing their seventh consecutive championship, basketball with their second consecutive win, bowling with their third consecutive victory, and indoor track and field with their fifth consecutive title. Additionally, the volleyball team finished as runner-up in the championship, and the women’s outdoor track and field team narrowly missed first place, finishing second by just 0.5 points.
 
Loretta J. Taylor is a former Fayetteville State women’s head basketball coach (1944-1977) and Bronco Hall of Famer. She was with the Broncos during an important time for gender equality in collegiate sports in America. Taylor served the institution for over 32 years, mainly as an instructor and coach. She was named the CIAA Coach of the Year in 1974-75 when the Broncos finished 18-2. Her Broncos finished as CIAA Runners-up twice. 
 
Most Positive Game Day Environment: Fayetteville State University
Selected by members of the CIAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), this award is presented to the school that demonstrates exemplary sportsmanship by its student-athletes and coaches during both home and away contests. Additionally, the vibrant atmosphere and excitement at volleyball, basketball, and football games, enhanced by videos and light/smoke shows during Bronco team introductions, have created an electrifying environment that energizes both players and fans.

Before announcing the end-of-year awards, the CIAA honored all Coach of the Year recipients from each respective season. Fayetteville State University (FSU) had two coaches recognized: Inez Turner, who was named Coach of the Year for women’s cross country and indoor track & field, and Luke D’Alessio, who received the award for men’s basketball.