As a teenager, Sam Betz used to walk the halls of Danville Area High School into its athletic training room as a curious co-op student. Now he walks in as one of the school’s two certified athletic trainers, responsible for the health and safety of hundreds of student-athletes.

“Every day is different. You never know what’s going to come through the door,” said Betz ’23/25M, a Danville native and Commonwealth University–Lock Haven alumnus. “As a high school athletic trainer, you cover pretty much everything.”

Betz’s responsibilities include injury evaluation and management, game and practice coverage, and handling parts of the registration process, such as tracking physicals. On any given day, the training room fills with athletes from nearly every sport the school offers.

“I really wanted to come back to Danville,” said Betz, who completed Lock Haven’s accelerated three-plus-two athletic training program, finishing his undergraduate work in three years and advancing straight into the two-year graduate program. “This is home, and it’s pretty special to be working with the same person I did my co-op with.”

Discovering Athletic Training

Betz’s interest in athletic training started in the same place he now works, spending afternoons as a co-op high school student in the training room with John Zayas ’12/13M, the athletic trainer and Bloomsburg alumnus who’s now his colleague.

“I got to see what the job really looks like day to day,” Betz said. “I saw how much care goes into it with building relationships with athletes, coaches, and the whole community.”

What impressed him most was watching injured athletes move through the entire process.

“Treating someone, helping them through rehab, and then seeing them come back to the sport they love,” Betz said. “That really stuck with me,”

Majoring in Athletic Training

When it came time to pick a college, Betz toured several schools but kept coming back to Lock Haven. The campus, the town, and especially the athletic training faculty made the decision easy.

“I really liked the professors I met and the curriculum they had,” Betz said. “Lock Haven is a beautiful town, and the sports culture there is strong. Working with all the different teams was great.”

As an undergraduate, Betz took courses in anatomy, physiology, exercise physiology and sports psychology, among others. Those classes, he said, laid the groundwork for graduate study.

“I really enjoyed learning about the body, especially in lab,” Betz said. “Getting that foundational understanding was huge for going into the master’s program.”

Advancing in Athletic Training

In graduate school, Betz said the focus shifted to higher-level skills. Courses in evaluation techniques and functional anatomy were particularly meaningful. Betz points to the cadaver lab as a pivotal experience.

“Being able to see a real human body — muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, blood vessels — that’s pretty much everything you’d want to see,” he said. “It made the anatomy we learned in undergrad come to life.”

Betz credits his evaluation techniques courses with shaping him as a clinician.

“Evaluation and assessment are one of the big domains of athletic training,” he said. “Those classes were probably my favorite, because that’s where you really learn how to assess the body.”

Clinical Rotations

Clinical experiences started close to campus. Betz’s first rotation was at Lock Haven, where he worked with football, volleyball, track and field. His second rotation took him to Lycoming College in Williamsport, where he focused primarily on men’s lacrosse, with some time with wrestling and women’s lacrosse.

A third rotation exposed him to multiple settings in quick succession. He spent time at Bald Eagle High School, rode along with an EMS crew, and observed at a chiropractor’s office that emphasized sports patients. He also participated in an industrial athletic training day at the Frito-Lay facility in Williamsport.

“In the industrial setting, you’re working with people in factories, doing a lot of ergonomics and injury prevention,” Betz said. “It’s a different world, but it’s good to know those options exist. Amazon and other companies hire athletic trainers for those roles.”

High-Level Immersion at Clemson

The capstone of Betz’s clinical training was his immersion experience — a full-semester internship that serves as the fourth and final clinical rotation in the graduate program. Betz headed south to Clemson University and joined the track and field sports medicine staff for five months. The internship sharpened skills in three key areas, he said.

“First was rehab,” Betz said. “Really understanding how to program rehab. My preceptor (internship mentor) emphasized how important that is.”

Second was preparation.

“I didn’t travel much with the team, but I helped pack before trips,” Betz said. “You make sure you have everything — rehab equipment, electrical stimulation units, medications, foam rollers, cupping sets. You may not need all of it, but if you do, it has to be there.”

The third lesson was about balance.

“Athletic training is a serious job, because you’re responsible for people’s health,” Betz said. “You need to build relationships, ask athletes how school is going, what their goals are. Crack a joke once in a while. That makes a difference for them.”

High-impact Experiences

Across his clinical rotations, Betz saw athletes from a wide range of sports and levels. That variety, he said, is essential for athletic training students.

“Different sports come with different injury patterns,” he said. “In swimming and baseball, you see a lot of upper extremity injuries like shoulders and elbows. In track and cross country, you see a lot of lower extremity injuries. Football adds more acute injuries like ankle sprains and contusions.”

Prepared for the Profession

Looking back, Betz says Lock Haven’s athletic training program gave him both the technical skills and the confidence he needed.

“The professors were really supportive in the classroom, with clinical placements, and with helping you figure out your goals,” Betz said. “The curriculum prepared me to pass the board exam and to do my job day to day.”

That preparation shows up every time an athlete walks in with a new injury.

“There are moments where I’m doing an evaluation and I can remember sitting in class learning the exact technique,” Betz said. “It’s a good feeling to know that what you learned translates directly to helping someone in front of you.”

Louisville, Ky. – Indiana track and field opened the Rod McCravy Invitational on Friday (January 9) inside Norton Sports & Learning Center with several personal bests on the day.
 
“The first meet back from break really tests how much work athletes put in while away,” said assistant coach Megan Tomei. “Training without proper facilities, a coach present, or training partners isn’t easy, but those challenges aren’t excuses. The work still has to get done.”
 
“I’m proud of how this group showed up and competed against strong competition. A lot of PRs on the board. We’re excited to see how the rest of the season unfolds.”
 
The day started with the high jumps, with all Hoosiers finishing in the top 15. Kaselle Davis (7^th), Taylor Schoonveld (T-8^th), Chayla Rankin (T-8^th), and Josie Page (11^th) all recorded a height of 1.70m/5-7 in the women’s competition. Lee Martin earned a fifth-place finish with his height of 2.03m/6-8.75. Jay Hmurovich also placed 11^th with a height of 2.00m/6-6.75.
 
The day started with the jumps group. Lee Martin led the men’s side with a fifth place finish in the high jump (2.05m/6-8.75. He was followed by Jay Hmurovich with his mark of 2.00m/6-6.75.
 
In the long jump, Elle Knepp set a new personal best with her jump of 5.54m/18-2.25. Alex Smith followed in the men’s jump with a season best mark of 7.00m/22-11.75 to finish ninth.
 
Indiana continued to show bright spots with the throwers in the weight throw. Hannah Alexander put up a personal best to finish fifth with a distance of 19.99m/65-7. On the men’s side, Hunter Smith (20.81m/68-3.25), Nikolaos Sidirenios (20.00m/65-7.5), and Michael Neuenroth (19.39m/63-7.5) all saw top 10 finishes.
 
The field events finished with season best marks in the women’s pole vault. Kailen Kramer (3.90m/12-9.5) and Isabel German (3.75m/12-3.5) placed 10^th and 11^th, respectively with their best marks of the early season.
 
It was a great first day on the track for the cream and crimson, starting with the sprints.
 
Aliyah Johnson and Jasiah Rogers ran qualifying times for tomorrow’s 60-meter finals. Tyler Tarter and John Colquitt will also be advancing the 60-meter hurdle finals after earning automatic qualifying times.
 
In the 400m, Keira Davis earned the first event win of the weekend, running a time of 53.50 that ranks third in IU history. Ava Olomajeye earned also earned a fifth place finish with her time of 55.71. in the men’s race, Kalen Sargent took home a fourth place finish in a time of 48.07.
 
The Hoosiers continued to gain top 10 finishes. Amelia Dodds (1:28.76) and Ciara Kepner (1:33.89) finished second and seventh, respectively, in the 600-meter run. Daquan Tate and Cameron Mullens followed in the men’s race, placing third and eighth, respectively.
 
The Day finished with the women’s 1,000-meter run where another school record was broken. Lily Myers finished in a record time of 2:43.32 to become the second Hoosier this season to become a record holder (Trelee Banks-Rose; 300m).
 
The final day of competition will start tomorrow, Jan. 10^th, at 10:30 am with the men’s shot put.
 
Follow Indiana track and field and cross country via X, Facebook and Instagram.
 
#NeverDaunted

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – After a month-long break, Ole Miss men’s and women’s track & field returned to competition with several strong performances at the first day of Kentucky’s Rod McCravy Memorial on Friday.
 
Senior and reigning NCAA Outdoor men’s high jump champion Arvesta Troupe was in midseason form in his first collegiate competition since claiming his national crown last June. Troupe already had the competition won with his first clearance at 2.13m/6-11.75, as no other jumpers in the field were able to clear any higher than 2.05m/6-08.75.
 
From there, Troupe got to work, passing to 2.20m/7-02.50 and clearing on his first attempt, and then passing again to 2.23m/7-03.75, which he cleared on his third and final attempt. That height stands as an indoor PR and improves upon his spot at No. 3 in the Ole Miss record books indoors.
 
Troupe went on to take three attempts at 2.26m/7-5 – one quarter-inch off his career-best 2.27m/7-05.25 that won his national title last year – but was unable to convert in today’s season debut.
 
Ole Miss also got straight to work with two powerful performances in the weight throw competitions, particularly in the women’s edition.
 
Junior Akaoma Odeluga unleashed a five-foot PR on her sixth and final attempt of the day to win at 22.95m/75-03.50, moving her to No. 5 in that stacked section of the Ole Miss record book. Fellow junior and reigning SEC silver medalist Skylar Soli had a career day as well, finishing runner-up at a PR of her own at 22.21m/72-10.50 to improve upon her spot in sixth all-time at Ole Miss.
 
Ole Miss also received two powerful debuts from newcomers Nyah Edwards and Natalie Brown. Edwards, a senior transfer from East Carolina, uncorked a four-foot PR in the third round to finish fourth at 20.50m/67-03.25, good already for ninth in school history. Brown – a freshman from Matthews, North Carolina – began her college career with a ninth-place finish and a finals appearance, topping out at her second-round effort 18.87m/61-11 to already rank 13th in school history.
 
In the men’s weight, All-American senior Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan began his final collegiate season with an impressive opening performance. Robinson-O’Hagan – a member of the preseason watch list for The Bowerman, college track & field’s version of the Heisman Trophy – was the top collegiate finisher in second place at 23.78m/78-00.25.
 
Fellow senior Bryson Smith was right behind him in third place, tossing a career-best heave of 22.11m/72-05.50 that ranks second in school history behind Robinson-O’Hagan. Senior Mason Hickel rounded out the Rebel men in competition, finishing fourth at a strong opener of 21.27m/69-09.50.
 
Sophomore Lily Beattie, the defending silver medalist in the SEC women’s pole vault outdoors, began her second campaign with the Rebels above the four-meter line. Beattie was the fifth-place finisher at 4.05m/13-03.50.
 
On the track, sophomore Tarique Wright had a superb beginning to his 2026 season. Wright shaved half a tenth off his prior best in the 60-meter dash, finishing seventh in the preliminary round before running that same exact time in the semifinal, where he finished 11th overall. That time moves him into a tie for 11th in Ole Miss history.
 
Elsewhere on the track, Ole Miss received solid performances from Stone Smith in the men’s 1000-meter (second, 2:28.65; event debut), Jonathan Stock in the men’s 600-meter (sixth, 1:19.51; PR), multi athletes Caughran Fowler (8.46, PR) and William Numnum (8.66, PR) in the men’s 60-meter hurdles, and Lizzie Hatton in the women’s 200-meter dash (27th, 25.22; PR).
 
Competition resumes for Ole Miss at 9:30 a.m. CT with the women’s shot put.
 
REBELS IN DAY ONE COMPETITION
 
Men’s 60-Meter Dash – Prelims
7. Tarique Wright – 6.79q – PR, T-No. 11 Ole Miss History
 
Men’s 60-Meter Dash – Semifinals
11. Tarique Wright – 6.79 – Ties PR
 
Women’s 200-Meter Dash
27. Lizzie Hatton – 25.22 – Indoor PR
 
Women’s 400-Meter Dash
13. Patchnalie Compere – 59.17 – Collegiate Debut
 
Men’s 600-Meter
6. Jonathan Stock – 1:19.51 – PR
 
Men’s 1000-Meter
2. Stone Smith – 2:28.65 – Event Debut
 
Women’s 60-Meter Hurdles – Prelims
35. Bayli Major – 8.90 – Collegiate Debut
40. Carmela Coulter – 9.15 – Collegiate Debut
44. Nyajah Gordon – 9.38
 
Men’s 60-Meter Hurdles – Prelims
12. Caughran Fowler – 8.46q – PR
17. William Numnum – 8.80q – Collegiate Debut
 
Men’s 60-Meter Hurdles – Semifinals
12. William Numnum – 8.66 – PR
17. Caughran Fowler – 8.67
 
Women’s High Jump
NH Carmela Coulter
 
Men’s High Jump
1. Arvesta Troupe – 2.23m/7-03.75 – Indoor PR, No. 3 Ole Miss History Indoor
 
Women’s Pole Vault
5. Lily Beattie – 4.05m/13-03.50
T6. Mary Cate Doughty – 3.90m/12-09.50
11. Katie McFarland – 3.75m/12-03.50
13. Aly Francolini – 3.75m/12-03.50
T14. Rachel Homoly – 3.75m/12-03.50 – Ole Miss Debut, No. 15 Ole Miss History Indoors
NH Katelyn Hulsey
 
Women’s Long Jump
10. Indya Dotson – 5.73m/18-09.75
25. Nyajah Gordon – 5.19m/17-00.50
FOUL Lizzie Hatton
 
Women’s Weight Throw
1. Akaoma Odeluga – 22.95m/75-03.50 – 5-foot PR, No. 5 Ole Miss History
2. Skylar Soli – 22.21m/72-10.50 – PR, No. 6 Ole Miss History
4. Nyah Edwards – 20.50m/67-03.25 – Ole Miss Debut, 4-foot PR, No. 9 Ole Miss History
9. Natalie Brown – 18.87m/61-11 – Collegiate Debut, No. 13 Ole Miss History
13. Naomi Woolfolk – 17.90m/58-08.75 – PR, No. 15 Ole Miss History
16. Temidayo Owoyemi – 16.66m/54-8 – Collegiate Debut
 
Men’s Weight Throw
2. Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan – 23.78m/78-00.25 – Top Collegiate Finisher
3. Bryson Smith – 22.11m/72-05.50 – PR, No. 2 Ole Miss History
4. Mason Hickel – 21.27m/69-09.50
 

ATHENS, Ga. — The Georgia track & field teams are set to begin their 2026 seasons on Saturday when they compete at the Clemson Invitational.
 

The one-day meet will take place at the Rock Norman Track & Field Complex, providing the Bulldogs with their first of two trips to Clemson’s campus this season. 
 
When Do The Bulldogs Start?: The Bulldogs will open competition in the men’s pole vault with Alon Rogow, Maximus Tucker and Romet Vahter at 10 a.m. on Saturday.  The women will start action in the long jump at 12 p.m. with Toni Birden, Ava Kitchings, Chelsi Williams and Ella Rush competing.
 
Where To Catch The Action: There will be ESPN streaming coverage of the Clemson Invitational starting at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday.

ESPN+ Info:

Clemson Invitational – Saturday, January 10

ESPN+ – https://gado.gs/dxl

 

Live Results: For results on Saturday, please visit: https://gado.gs/dxm

 

Coach Caryl’s Comments: “The beginning of January is always an exciting time for those of us involved in collegiate track and field, and that level of excitement is even more elevated this year in Athens.  We are coming off 2025 indoor and outdoor seasons that saw us have three top two national team finishes, including the women winning the NCAA outdoor title, we have more than 45 newcomers with unlimited potential and we are getting the opportunity to practice and compete on our brand new Spec Towns Track.  The energy level is extremely high and I can’t wait to get going in Clemson.  Go Dawgs!”

 

A Look Back At The 2025 Indoor Season: Georgia posted matching second-place finishes on the men and women’s side at the 2025 NCAA Indoor Championships after the Bulldog women finished fourth at last year’s SEC indoor meet and the men took ninth.  UGA opened at the Ted Nelson Invitational in College Station, Texas, last year.

 

Where This Season Will Take The Dogs: Following Saturday’s meet, the Bulldogs will head to Albuquerque, N.M., for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Collegiate Open on Jan. 23-24.  Georgia will have another four regular season meets before opening the postseason at the SEC Indoor Championships on Feb. 26-28 in College Station. The NCAA Championships will be held two weeks later as the indoor season wraps in Fayetteville, Ark., on March 13-14.

 

Where To Find Bulldogs News: Results and recaps from the Bulldogs’ indoor season will be found at georgiadogs.com. News and updates from Georgia’s track & field and cross country teams are always located on X/Instagram at @UGATrack. 

RESULTS

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. | The Farmingdale State College indoor track and field teams opened 2026 competition Friday night at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex, as the Rams took part in the St. Thomas Aquinas Invitational.

The Rams’ men’s contingent was led by high jumpers Ethan Zacarolli (Fr.; Hillsdale, N.Y.) and John Juste (Sr.; Uniondale, N.Y.), who paced the event when they both cleared a height of 1.93 meters (6-4). Zacarolli’s time of 8.74 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles was good for sixth place, while FSC’s 4×200 meter relay team of sophomore Daniel Akpan (Selden, N.Y.), sophomore Nathaniel White (Mamaroneck, N.Y.), freshman Xavier Anthony (Dix Hills, N.Y.) and senior Dontay Taylor (Layou, St. Vincent and the Grenadines) placed fourth by clocking a 1:32.67 time.

Farmingdale State junior Mishell Delgado (Bronx, N.Y.) moved to No. 3 on the school’s all-time performance list in the pole vault, clearing a third-place height of 2.75m (9-0.25). The Rams’ 4×200 meter relay quartet placed sixth, with senior Olivia Finnegan (Massapequa, N.Y.), freshman Emily Graziano (East Islip, N.Y.), senior Mia Harris (Manhattan, N.Y.) and freshman Amelia Vitale (Hauppauge, N.Y.) running a time of 1:53.46. 

FSC is back on the track next Saturday, January 17, when the teams travel to New London, Conn., for the Coast Guard Academy’s Winter Invite No. 1 competition.

FLAGSTAFF – Sun Devil Track and Field had a strong showing to open the 2026 indoor campaign on Friday night at the NAU Axe’ Em open. Four different Sun Devils claimed individual first-place finishes, while both the men’s and women’s 4x400m relay teams took first place as well. 

Arizona State was well represented at top of the women’s triple jump, as the Sun Devils claimed two spots on the podium. Senior Aliyah Adams took first in the triple jump with a 15.88m effort, followed by Myla Tate who earned a 12.02m to take third. 

Ashantai Bollers bursted out the gate in the Women’s 200m and never looked back. Bollers managed to clock in at 24.08 to bring home an individual first place. 

The women’s 4x400m relay team saw Alexia Schofield, Naiya Morgan, Aliyah Canty, and Taiwo Mary Kudoro take first after posting a 3:51.56 finishing time. The men’s 4x400m relay team led by Amir Thompson, Mateo Medina, Nasir Tucker, and DeMar Coleman posted a 3:12.98 time that earned a first-place finish in a nail-biting event to close out the NAU Axe’ Em open.

Graduate student Brandon Lloyd opened the season on a high note with a 19.13m effort in the men’s shot put to secure a spot atop the podium. To round out the evening, freshman Malith Yasiru shined in his debut, landing a 15.1m triple jump to earn first. 

The Sun Devils will be back in action from Jan.16-17, as the team is set to hit the road and compete at Texas Tech’s Corky Classic. 

Top-three Sun Devil finishers
1) Aliyah Adams, Women’s Triple Jump (12.55m)
1) Ashantai Bollers, Women’s 200m (24.08)
1) Malith Yasiru, Men’s Triple Jump (15.10m)
1) Brandon Lloyd, Men’s Shot Put (19.13m)
1) Women’s 4x400m (3:51.56)
1) Men’s 4x400m (3:12.98)
2) Alexandria Johnson, Women’s Long Jump (5.86m)
2) Kayla Case, Women’s mile (5:21.70)
2) Ashantai Bollers, Women’s 60m (7.43)
2) Alexia Schofield, Women’s 200m (24.59)
2) Brennen McHenry, Men’s Long Jump (7.54)
3) Richlu Tudee, Men’s 60m (6.76 PR)
3) Myla Tate, Women’s Triple Jump (12.02)
3) Ava McCumber Gandara, Women’s 400m (55.42)
3) Naiya Morgan, Women’s 200m (24.66)
3) Preston Beery, Men’s Shot Put (18.07 PR) 

FRIDAY NIGHT AXE ‘EM OPEN FULL RESULTS
Women’s Long Jump:
Second place  – Alexandria Johnson (5.86m)

Weight Throw:
Sixth place –  Ines Lopez Arias (15.88m) 

Women’s 1 Mile:
Second place – Kayla Case (5:21.70)  
Fourth Place – Alizee Garcia Parsons (5:28.99)
Ninth place –  Ashley Tarasenko (5:51.33)

Men’s 1 Mile:
Fourth place – Glenn Thomas (4:30.97, PR) 
13th – Brady Nieto (4:43.43)

Men’s Weight Throw:
Sixth place – Charlie Merritt (17.51m, PR)
Ninth place – Sam Cappos (16.38m)
12th place – Owen Lee (15.73m)

60m Hurdles:
Fifth place – Nolan Bartley (8.11)

Women’s 60m Finals:
Second place – Ashantai Bollers (7.43)
Seventh place – Kennedi Porter (7.65)
Eighth place – Kennedi Porter (7.65)

Men’s 60m Finals: 
Third place – Richlu Tudee (6.76, PR) 
Fourth Place – Marlon Colbert (6.78, PR)

Women’s High Jump: 
Fifth place – Grace Cunningham (1.66m)

Women’s Triple Jump:
First place – Aliyah Adams (12.55)
Third place – Myla Tate (12.02)

Men’s Triple Jump:
First place – Malith Yasiru (15.10m)

Women’s 400m:
Third place – Ava McCumber Gandara (55.42)
Fourth place – Taiwo Kudoro (55.86)
Tenth place – Aliyah Canty (58.00)
Fifteenth place – Mia Chavez (59.71)

Men’s 400m:  
Sixth place – Kingston Waring (49.11)
Eighth place – Tyler Schierenberg (49.86)
Twelfth place – Wyatt Preble (50.81, PR)

Women’s 800m: 
Sixth place –  Sophie Mann (2:20.71, PR)
Eighth place – Jade Allen (2:25.13)

Men’s 800m:
Ninth place –  Asher Leslie (2:00.16)

Women’s Shot Put:
Third place – Ines Lopez (15.14m)
Sixth place – Harlie Medrano (11.98m)

Women’s 200m:
First place – Ashantai Bollers (24.08)
Second place – Alexia Schofield (24.59)
Third place – Naiya Morgan (24.66)
11th – Kennedi Porter (25.61)

Men’s 200m:
Fifth place – Duaine Mayrant (22.15)

Women’s 4x400m:
First place – Alexia Schofield, Naiya Morgan, Aliyah Canty, and Taiwo Kudoro (3:51.56)

Men’s 4x400m:
First place – Amir Thompson, Mateo Medina, Nasir Tucker, and DeMar Coleman  (3:12.98)

Men’s Shot Put:
First place – Brandon Lloyd (19.13m)
Third place – Preston Beery (18.07, PR) 
Fourth place – Owen Lee (17.17)
Fifth place – Charlie Merritt (16.95, PR)
Sixth place – Sam Cappos (16.70, PR)
11th – Trey Wakefield (13.51m, PR)

Women’s Long Jump:
Second place – Alexandria Johnson (5.86m)

Men’s Long Jump:
Second place – Brennen McHenry (7.54)
Seventh place – Jaden Patterson (7.12m)
Ninth place – Trey Wakefield (6.77m)

Follow along
Keep up with the Sun Devils throughout their 2026 season via the team’s social media, @SunDevilTFXC, which will be updated regularly with news, results, stories and more.