Connect with us

Sports

Police arrest Decatur man for hidden camera at Planet Fitness, investigation ongoing

Detectives quickly identified James Barone, a 55-year-old male from Decatur, as the suspect in this case. On March 18, the Decatur Police Department was alerted to an incident at Planet Fitness, located at 3194 N. Water Street in Decatur, Illinois. Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Decatur Police Department’s […]

Published

on

Police arrest Decatur man for hidden camera at Planet Fitness, investigation ongoing

Detectives quickly identified James Barone, a 55-year-old male from Decatur, as the suspect in this case. On March 18, the Decatur Police Department was alerted to an incident at Planet Fitness, located at 3194 N. Water Street in Decatur, Illinois. Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Decatur Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division at (217) 424-2734 or Crimestoppers at (217) 423-8477.DPD’s Tech Unit immediately initiated an investigation and identified the individuals recorded on the hidden camera and has since notified them, including a juvenile victim. This investigation remains active, and additional charges may be filed as new information emerges. Multiple electronic items were seized and will be analyzed to identify any additional victims.Barone was booked into the Macon County Jail on preliminary charges of Unauthorized Video Recording/Live Video Transmission and Production of Child Pornography. Decatur Police have arrested a man accused of secretly installing hidden cameras and recording individuals in the tanning area of a Planet Fitness gym.On March 19, Barone was arrested, and a search warrant was executed at his residence. A customer notified staff of a hidden camera found in the tanning bed area. Planet Fitness staff promptly contacted the Decatur Police Department.

Sports

Matty Awards Honor CSUN Student-Athletes in Year-End Celebration

Story Links WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – CSUN celebrated the best of Matador Athletics in 2024-25 on Monday night (May 5) as CSUN student-athletes and staff gathered at Pinstripes in Woodland Hills for the second annual Matty Awards and Senior Sash Ceremony. The Matty Awards, preceded by the annual Senior Sash Ceremony, opened with remarks from SAAC Co-Presidents Erica Adams and Jackie […]

Published

on


WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – CSUN celebrated the best of Matador Athletics in 2024-25 on Monday night (May 5) as CSUN student-athletes and staff gathered at Pinstripes in Woodland Hills for the second annual Matty Awards and Senior Sash Ceremony.

The Matty Awards, preceded by the annual Senior Sash Ceremony, opened with remarks from SAAC Co-Presidents Erica Adams and Jackie O’Neill. Acting Director of Athletics Mary Beth Walker then shared her thoughts before turning the podium over to CSUN President Erika D. Beck. Adams and O’Neill then returned to the stage and thanked members of the Athletics Department who have impacted their collective experience as CSUN student-athletes.

Each graduating student-athlete was then presented his/her CSUN Athletics sash for graduation by the Matador Achievement Center staff. The annual ceremony celebrated 80 senior and graduate student-athletes on Monday.

The evening then returned to the Matty Awards, an event that honors student-athletes in several informal categories, including Team Hype Man/Woman, Most Likely to be Late to the Team Bus, Team Comedian, Most Likely to Win the Squid Games, and Unsung Hero.

The awards were handed out by various Matador student-athlete emcees; Marin Byers (Water Polo), Kim Turgut (Women’s Golf), Lorenzo Bertozzi (Men’s Volleyball), Tasha Mae (Beach Volleyball), and Madison Shepperson (Tennis) as student-athletes in each sport were honored in five categories as voted upon by their fellow student-athletes.

Awards were also handed out by the CSUN Sports Performance Team (Iron Matador Award), CSUN Acting Director of Athletics Mary Beth Walker (Matador of the Year), and CSUN Deputy Director of Athletics Sonia Hahn (Champions Cup).


2025 MATTY AWARD WINNERS

Team Hype Man/Woman Award Winners

Baseball – Andrew Gauna

Softball – Gizella Vargas Sandoval

Beach Volleyball – Layla Cederlind

Men’s Volleyball – Braden Pool-Harris

Women’s Volleyball – Jan Marie Duhaylungsod

Men’s Soccer – Siddiq Lezzar

Women’s Soccer – Angelica Claiborne

Men’s Track & Field/XC – Ja’Patrick Smith

Women’s Track & Field/XC – Camryn Harris

Men’s Basketball – Festus Ndumanya

Women’s Basketball – Laini Dahlin

Men’s Golf – Bryson Barnes

Women’s Golf – Gracie Piar

Women’s Tennis – Jackie O’Neill

Water Polo – Marin Byars

Most Likely to be Late to the Team Bus Award Winners

Baseball – Royce Clayton, Jr.

Softball – Elisa Gulfin

Beach Volleyball – Julia Bazylevych

Men’s Volleyball – Malcolm King

Women’s Volleyball – Julia Bazylevych

Men’s Soccer – Michael Blevins

Women’s Soccer – Paige Califf

Men’s Track & Field/XC – Logan Davis

Women’s Track & Field/XC – Elin Markarian

Men’s Basketball – Marcus Adams Jr.

Women’s Basketball – Sincere Hardwick

Men’s Golf – Bryson Barnes

Women’s Golf – Kim Turgut

Women’s Tennis – Annette Robertson

Water Polo – Jessica Matkovich

Team Comedian Award Winners

Baseball – Tyler Mejia

Softball – Tiara Westbrook

Beach Volleyball – Kinley Lindhardt

Men’s Volleyball – Shane Nhem

Women’s Volleyball – Iye Okolo

Men’s Soccer – Kike Pineda

Women’s Soccer – Jackie Victorio

Men’s Track & Field/XC – Shamil Youngblood

Women’s Track & Field/XC – Leann Hamilton

Men’s Basketball – Festus Ndumanya

Women’s Basketball – Nnenna Orji

Women’s Golf – Ariya Soldwisch

Men’s Golf – Nick Fry

Women’s Tennis – Emma Moratalla Sanz

Water Polo – Kate Cornejo

Most Likely to Win the Squid Games Award Winners

Baseball – Logan Miller

Softball – Kaylee Escutia

Beach Volleyball – Tasha Mae

Men’s Volleyball – Chris Karnezis

Women’s Volleyball – Katie Kolar

Men’s Soccer – Siddiq Lezzar

Women’s Soccer – Yoshi Rubalcava

Men’s Track & Field/XC – Gabe Martinez

Women’s Track & Field/XC – Brianna Kelpis

Men’s Basketball – Keonte Jones

Women’s Basketball – Erika Aspajo

Men’s Golf – Yuo Torii

Women’s Golf – Nicole Tanoue

Women’s Tennis – Nicole West

Water Polo – Jessica Matkovich

Unsung Hero Award Winners

Baseball – Angel Cortez

Softball – Mia Cortez

Beach Volleyball – Jill Rodig

Men’s Volleyball – Joao Pedro Avila

Women’s Volleyball – Paige Sentes

Men’s Soccer – Jake Shaked

Women’s Soccer – Ashly Torres

Men’s Track & Field/XC – Jayden Smith

Women’s Track & Field/XC – Audrie Reuss

Men’s Basketball – Robert Thibiant

Women’s Basketball – Erica Adams

Men’s Golf – Dillon Jonke

Women’s Golf – Meghan Paracuelles

Women’s Tennis – Sofia Dermenjyan

Water Polo – Valeria Martinez

Iron Matador Award

Elijah Ignacio, Men’s Track & Field

Kinley Lindhardt, Beach Volleyball

Male and Female Matadors of the Year Award

Mahmoud Fofana, Basketball

Dodi Telek, Water Polo

Champions Cup Award – Community Service

Baseball

Water Polo

 

Gallery: (5-7-2025) 2025 Matty Awards/Senior Sash Ceremony

#GoMatadors



Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Draw For 2025 Water Polo World Championship Groups Revealed

This evening at the World Aquatics interim office in Budapest, preliminary round groups for the water polo tournaments at the 2025 World Championships were drawn. Men’s Draw Serbia, the reigning Olympic Champions, will face off with Italy, the reigning World Championship silver medalists, in Group A. Romania and South Africa round out the first competition […]

Published

on


This evening at the World Aquatics interim office in Budapest, preliminary round groups for the water polo tournaments at the 2025 World Championships were drawn.

Men’s Draw

Serbia, the reigning Olympic Champions, will face off with Italy, the reigning World Championship silver medalists, in Group A. Romania and South Africa round out the first competition group.

The Group B team with the hottest hand is Spain, who is fresh off a World Cup title in April. They will look to beat Hungary, the 2023 World Champions, as well as Japan and Australia to continue their win streak.

Singapore, the home team for this championship, will face the three western hemisphere giants (Canada, United States, and Brazil) in Group C. Of the four, the U.S. boasts the best recent track record, earning bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In Group D, Croatia will be the team to beat, as they were the 2024 Doha World Champions and the Olympic silver medalists. To advance on, it will have to take on regional rivals Greece and Montenegro as well as China. 

Group A

  • Serbia
  • Italy
  • Romania
  • South Africa

Group B

  • Spain
  • Hungary
  • Japan
  • Australia

Group C

  • United States
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • Singapore

Group D

  • Croatia
  • Greece
  • China
  • Montenegro

Women’s Draw

In Group A, Olympic silver medalist team Australia will look to fend off regional foes New Zealand and Singapore as well as Italy.

For the American Women, who claimed the 2024 World Championships gold, the fight to defend their title will start in Group B. They’ll have to face The Netherlands, the 2023 World Champions, as well as Argentina and China.

After going head-to-head in the World Cup Final in April (with Greece coming out on top), Greece and Hungary will get a re-match in Group C. Japan and Croatia will join the pair in the first round play-off.

Finally, in Group D, all eyes will be on Spain. The Spanish women boast the most recent Olympic gold medal, and even though they suffered two upset losses at the World Cup last month, they’re still heavy favorites to advance. Western European rivals France and Great Britain were also drawn into Group D, as was South Africa.

Group A

  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • Italy
  • Singapore

Group B

  • United States
  • Netherlands
  • China
  • Argentina

Group C

  • Hungary 
  • Greece
  • Croatia
  • Japan

Group D

  • Spain
  • Great Britain
  • South Africa
  • France

The draw ceremony was hosted by World Aquatics President Captain Husain Al-Musallam and Singapore 2025 Co-Chair Mark Chay. Athletes Laura Ester Ramos of Spain and Filip Filipovic of Serbia hosted alongside Al-Musallam and Chay.

Women’s competition in Singapore will begin on July 11, while men’s will start the following day. Over the first week, group competition will occur round-robin style before some crossover matches. The competition will advance to quarterfinals and then semifinals. The women’s and men’s tournament will conclude on July 23 and 24, respectively, with gold medal matches.





Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Hope College hires Jordan Bartolazzi as track & field coach

Hope College has hired Jordan Bartolazzi, a four-time College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Track and Field Coach of the Year, as its next head coach. Bartolazzi will take over for Kevin Cole, who is stepping down as Hope’s men’s and women’s track and field coach following the 2025 outdoor season. “I am honored to […]

Published

on


Hope College has hired Jordan Bartolazzi, a four-time College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Track and Field Coach of the Year, as its next head coach.

Bartolazzi will take over for Kevin Cole, who is stepping down as Hope’s men’s and women’s track and field coach following the 2025 outdoor season.

“I am honored to be joining the Hope College community and can’t wait to get started. Coaching provides an outstanding opportunity to impact the lives of student-athletes, something I feel very passionate about,” Bartolazzi said in a press release. “Hope’s mission to provide transformational experiences for students in a Christian context appeals deeply to me and will be a great fit for me and my family. I look forward to building on the success that Hope has seen under Coach Cole’s guidance. We intend to build a program with sustained success at the conference and national level, all while prioritizing the growth and personal development of our student-athletes.”

Bartolazzi has served at Elmhurst University (Illinois) as the director of track and field and cross country since 2017 and will finish the outdoor season with the Blue Jays just as Cole will finish this season at Hope

. He guided the Elmhurst women to their first CCIW indoor and outdoor titles in 2025, earning CCIW Coaching Staff of the Year accolades in both seasons.

Director of Athletics Tim Schoonveld said Bartolazzi fits the Hope Athletics mission of academic success, competitive excellence and transformational experiences.

“We are thrilled to have Jordan, his wife, Steph, and their family — Amelia, Mabel, Arlo, and Lester — joining our team. They are amazing people who will only make our team stronger and more impactful,” Schoonveld said. “Jordan has demonstrated competitive excellence as he has built his team from small numbers into league champions. His love for building transformational relationships and caring for his student athletes was evident throughout the search process. We cannot wait for him to join our team and to enhance all that we do at Hope College and in the athletic department.”

Bartolazzi oversaw tremendous growth in Elmhurst track and field during his tenure, with participation increasing from fewer than 15 student-athletes in 2017 to 90 this season. He coached 11 Elmhurst student-athletes to United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All America honors in 20 events, including 15 since 2023. He was chosen as CCIW Track and Field Coach of the Year during the 2025 indoor and outdoor seasons, and once in both 2023 and 2022.

In March, Bartolazzi guided the Elmhurst women’s track and field team to a Top 10 finish at the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships. He was chosen as the USTFCCCA Women’s Indoor Coach of the Year for the Midwest Region.

In 2021, Bartolazzi led Elmhurst women’s cross country to the program’s first CCIW crown in 18 years. He was named the CCIW Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year that season.

As a student-athlete, Bartolazzi competed on both the men’s cross country and men’s track and field teams at Elmhurst before graduating in 2015 with degrees in theological studies and Christian ministry, and organizational communication.

Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as  Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.   





Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Is this the year for top-ranked BHS boys volleyball team?

It’s been more than three decades since Brookline High School’s boys’ volleyball team last captured a state championship in 1992. Currently ranked #1 in the state with a 12-1 record, the Warriors are eyeing another one, after a transformation in culture and with a strong sense of team chemistry. First-year head coach Lexi De La […]

Published

on


It’s been more than three decades since Brookline High School’s boys’ volleyball team last captured a state championship in 1992.

Currently ranked #1 in the state with a 12-1 record, the Warriors are eyeing another one, after a transformation in culture and with a strong sense of team chemistry. First-year head coach Lexi De La Cruz brings over a decade of volleyball experience,from playing and coaching at the collegiate level in Puerto Rico to leading top-tier programs at Lasell University and SMASH Volleyball’s nationally ranked U18 team.

His vision was clear from day one: to win a state championship. But for De La Cruz, the journey is as important as the outcome. “My vision and goal since day one is to win the state championships. The boys understood the mission”, said De La Cruz.

Assistant coaches Justin Soohoo and Julian Vesneske, both veterans of the Brookline volleyball community, have witnessed the sport’s evolution in town firsthand. Soohoo, now in his 14th year of coaching, emphasizes consistency and challenge in practice, ensuring players are always pushed to grow while maintaining familiar routines that build confidence. Vesneske, reflecting on the program’s trajectory, notes that “the culture of volleyball in Brookline is massive now.”

Get the latest Brookline news free in your inbox.

All fields required. You may unsubscribe at any time.

“If you want to make JV at Brookline, you have to be a varsity caliber player at another town,” said Soohoo. Nearly every player on the roster has club experience, and the result is a roster filled with athletes recognized among the very best in New England.

Captain Kristaps Vaivars (left) and Amir Tomer (right) get ready to receive a serve. Photo by Jovina Yu

For the players, this season feels fundamentally different. Junior captain and outside hitter Amir Tomer describes how the team’s high expectations have fueled their performance. “We knew that everyone was looking at us to be a strong team. So, we hold ourselves to high expectations, and it makes us play better.”

Tomer credits De La Cruz’s coaching for encouraging players to use skills from outside volleyball and implement them into their game, “instead of thinking inside the box, which is kind of how we used to do things.”

Sophomore Kais Al-Fakhuri, who shifted from middle to right side this year, highlights the effectiveness of the coaching staff’s time management and in-game adjustments. He notes that Coach De La Cruz’s timeouts are not just routine breaks, but pivotal turning points. “We just instantly went on a run after a timeout,” Al-Fakhuri says, underscoring how tactical adjustments and focused regrouping have helped the Warriors regain control and surge ahead in crucial moments.

Team chemistry and mutual support are also key factors to the team’s resilience, the players say.

Tomer said the season has been a dream so far for both players and alumni, and the team is not just hoping for success, they’re preparing for it.

“I think this is our year,” said Al-Fakhuri.

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the year of the last BHS boys volleyball state championship. The correct date is 1992. 

This story was produced in collaboration with the Reinventing Journalism course at Brandeis University, taught by Professor Neil Swidey, with mentoring for student journalists by Brookline.News editorial adviser Ellen Clegg and editor Sam Mintz. Read more about the collaboration here.    



Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Three Redhawks Earn OVC Weekly Awards

Story Links CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Three athletes claimed Ohio Valley Conference Athletes of the Week for their performances this past weekend, the league announced Wednesday afternoon. This is the fourth week in a row where SEMO has three OVC athletes of the week. Paden Lewis claimed his second OVC Outdoor Male […]

Published

on


CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Three athletes claimed Ohio Valley Conference Athletes of the Week for their performances this past weekend, the league announced Wednesday afternoon.

This is the fourth week in a row where SEMO has three OVC athletes of the week.

Paden Lewis claimed his second OVC Outdoor Male athlete of the week this week. Lewis notched two first place finishes in the Shot Put and Discus. In the shot put Lewis threw to the distance of 60′ 3.50″and in the discus throw had a mark of 182′ 5.00″. Lewis currently ranks 54th in the nation in the shot put, first in the OVC, and third overall in the SEMO record books. His Discus throw this past weekend earned him a new personal best that pushed him to 73rd in the NCAA, 1st in the OVC, and 3rd in the SEMO records.

Brianna Dixon won the OVC female field athlete of the week, her first OVC outdoor award of the season. This past weekend Dixon continued to rewrite the SEMO record books and broke her own high jump record with a jump of 5′ 10.75″. That jump puts her at 25th in the NCAA and first in the OVC.

Andreese Ortiz records her first career OVC Outdoor of the week award winning Female Freshman of the week. Ortiz posted a fourth place finish in the shot put 42′ 1.00″ and 11th in the discus 140′ 9″. Her discus throw was a new personal best and she now ranks second in the OVC. 

The Redhawks will end the Outdoor regular season this weekend competing at the Billy Hayes Invite in Bloomington, Ind. and at the Sycamore Open in Terre Haute, Ind. 

 





Link

Continue Reading

Sports

DWU Volleyball Releases 2025 Schedule

Mitchell, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball team has released its 2025 schedule, which features a competitive mix of non-conference contests and Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) matchups as the Tigers look to build momentum and make a strong postseason push this fall.  DWU will spend its first eleven matches on the road, beginning […]

Published

on


Mitchell, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball team has released its 2025 schedule, which features a competitive mix of non-conference contests and Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) matchups as the Tigers look to build momentum and make a strong postseason push this fall. 

DWU will spend its first eleven matches on the road, beginning the season in Valley City, N.D., on August 16 with games against Dickinson State and Valley City State in an early tournament. The following weekend, August 22–23, the Tigers head to Sioux City, Iowa, for a two-day tournament that will showcase strong non-conference competition. In Sioux City, they will face William Penn, Rocky Mountain, McPherson, and Missouri Valley. From there, the team travels to Salina, Kan., for another two-day tournament hosted by Kansas Wesleyan, where they will face some opponents from across the NAIA. 

Before entering conference play, the Tigers will renew their in-state rivalry with Dakota State, facing the Trojans twice during the season. 

GPAC action kicks off on September 8 against Waldorf, marking the team’s home opener. Other key conference matchups include Northwestern (Sept. 10), Morningside (Sept. 24), Midland (Sept. 27), and Concordia (Oct. 18). 

 

The Tigers’ success this season will be powered by a strong group of returners who are set to lead the team. Among them are several key players who played pivotal roles last season and are ready to step up once again. 

Emily Dale (Sr., Huron, S.D., Business Management and Digital Media Design) –Honorable Mention (2024-25 Season)
Dale played in 29 matches last season, starting 28 and appearing in 114 sets. She recorded 261 kills (2.29 per set) with a hitting percentage of .217. In conference play, she had 158 kills (2.55 per set) with a hitting percentage of .262. Additionally, she tallied 51 digs, 97 blocks, 8 aces, and 327 points. Her leadership and versatility will be key for the Tigers in 2025. 

Karly VanDerWerff (So., Platte, S.D., Business) 
VanDerWerff competed in 22 matches last season, starting 19 and playing 80 sets. She posted 154 kills (1.93 per set) with a hitting percentage of .295. In GPAC play, she recorded 77 kills (2.26 per set) and a hitting percentage of .341. Defensively, she contributed 68 blocks and 23 digs. With her ability to contribute both offensively and defensively, VanDerWerff is poised to be a key asset in the upcoming season. 

Kayleigh Hybertson (Jr., Sioux Falls, S.D., Nursing) – Setter of The Year / First Team (2024-25 Season) 
Hybertson played 29 matches last season, starting 27 and appearing in 114 sets. She tallied 82 kills and 982 assists (8.61 per set), along with 306 digs (2.68 per set) and 32 service aces. Hybertson’s all-around game, including her ability to set up the offense and contribute defensively, makes her one of the team’s most valuable players heading into 2025. 

Lily Ranschau (Sr., Garrettson, S.D., Business) 
Ranschau played 24 matches last season, starting 9, and recorded 180 kills (2.25 per set) with a hitting percentage of .120. She also contributed 60 digs, 24 blocks, and 4 service aces. Ranschau’s experience and leadership will be essential to the Tigers’ success in the upcoming season. 

Elizabeth Tyler (So., Mitchell, S.D., Elementary and Special Education) – Second Team (2024-25 Season)
Tyler appeared in 29 matches last season, contributing 57 assists, 673 digs, and 21 service aces. She was a key defensive presence, recording 374 digs in GPAC play. Her consistent passing and digging abilities will be critical to the Tigers’ defense in 2025. 



Link

Continue Reading

Most Viewed Posts

Trending