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Rock set to host track & field summer camps in June

Story Links SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University track & field and cross country programs will host summer camps for each event group this June for boys and girls entering grades 8-12 in the fall.   The Rock will offer camps for the following groups of athletes: All camps are […]

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SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University track & field and cross country programs will host summer camps for each event group this June for boys and girls entering grades 8-12 in the fall.
 
The Rock will offer camps for the following groups of athletes:

All camps are open to boys and girls ages 12-18 or athletes that will be between grades 8-12 in the fall.
 

Each camp will offer overnight accommodations on campus and a commuter option that does not include overnight accommodations. Camps will include a full campus tour, lectures about proper nutrition and training for track & field athletes, workouts and practices, group games and all meals.
 

The camps will be led by a highly decorated staff that includes the Slippery Rock track & field coaching staff and other college and high school coaches from throughout the region, as well as multiple current and former track & field student-athletes from SRU.
 

Details regarding each camp and registration links for each camp can be found below. For more information, please contact SRU head track & field coach Bill Jordan at william.jordan@sru.edu.

About Rock Track & Field: The Slippery Rock track & field program is one of the top NCAA Division II programs in the Atlantic Region and routinely ranks among the top three in the region for both the men’s and women’s teams. SRU won the 2024 PSAC women’s cross country title and the 2024-25 PSAC women’s indoor track & field and outdoor track & field titles while the men’s team ranked in the top five in the region as well. Prospective student-athletes are encouraged to fill out a recruiting form HERE.

SRU CROSS COUNTRY / DISTANCE RUNNING CAMP

Registration and Full Camp Info: LINK

Dates: June 22-25

For: Boys and Girls Ages 12-18 (rising grades 8-12)

Description: The camp will serve as an early preseason conditioning camp for individuals or teams. Training in camp will be designed to lay the foundation for a successful summer training block. Athletes will learn mechanics and drills, race planning and implementation, strength and conditioning and mental toughness to navigate training and racing.

Cost: $425 (overnight) / $400 (commuter)

Contact: Bobby Over (robert.over@sru.edu)

Instructors: Bobby Over (SRU XC/Distance coach), current and former SRU distance runners

SRU POLE VAULTERS CAMP

Registration and Full Camp Info: LINK

Dates: June 27-29

For: Boys and Girls Ages 12-18 (rising grades 8-12)

Description: One of the top pole vault camps in the area that has developed hundreds of collegiate pole vaulters and some of the top vaulters in the state over the last 30+ seasons. Campers will learn vaulting and training techniques from some of the best pole vault coaches in the region with Brady Rhoades and his staff from The Vault Shack leading the group along with Tim Tray of Vault Athletics.

Cost: $400 (overnight) / $375 (commuter)

Contact: Bill Jordan (william.jordan@sru.edu)

Instructors: Brady Rhoades (Westminster pole vault coach and owner of The Vault Shack), Tim Tray (owner of Vault Athletics), staff members from The Vault Shack, current and former SRU pole vaulters

SRU THROWERS WEEKEND CAMP

Registration and Full Camp Info: LINK

Dates: June 27-29

For: Boys and Girls Ages 12-18 (rising grades 8-12)

Description: High quality, in-depth coverage of the discus, shot put and javelin, as well as a brief introduction to the hammer. Campers will learn warm-up drills, throwing drills and technique progressions in all three events. Sessions will include weightlifting, plyometrics, medicine ball workouts and other drills directly related to throwing.

Cost: $400 (overnight) / $375 (commuter)

Contact: Bill Jordan (william.jordan@sru.edu)

Instructors: Michael Petro (Hood College head coach), Tony Carr (SRU alum), Jim Geist (SRU throws coach), Judy Geist (SRU throws coach), current and former SRU throwers

SRU JUMPERS WEEKEND CAMP

Registration and Full Camp Info: LINK

Dates: June 27-29

For: Boys and Girls Ages 12-18 (rising grades 8-12)

Description: High quality, in-depth coverage of the high jump, long jump and triple jump. Campers can choose a jump to specialize in or can gain a wide breadth of knowledge for all jumps. The camp will include seven instructional sessions and one video lecture session on jumping technique and other topics directly relate to jumping. Camp will include weightlifting, plyometrics and speed and power development.

Cost: $400 (overnight) / $375 (commuter)

Contact: Tabitha Bemis (tabitha.bemis@sru.edu)

Instructors: Tabitha Bemis (SRU assistant coach), Al Dines (40+ years experience as coach and official), Dan Rockage (former SRU coach/Hickory High School), current and former SRU jumpers)

 

SRU SPRINTERS & HURDLERS WEEKEND CAMP

Registration and Full Camp Info: LINK

Dates: June 27-29

For: Boys and Girls Ages 12-18 (rising grades 8-12)

Description: Three-day camp that covers advances sprinting and hurdling techniques. Athletes will work on warm-up drills, hurdle drills, starts, techniques for high and intermediate hurdles and will go through sessions on weightlifting, plyometrics, aquatic workouts and other topics directly related to sprinting and hurdling.

Cost: $400 (overnight) / $375 (commuter)

Contact: Bill Jordan (william.jordan@sru.edu)

Instructors: Nathan Shadeck (SRU sprints and hurdles coach), Tom Wise (SRU Hall of Famer), Vanere Maynard (SRU assistant sprints coach)

To stay up to date with all that happens at The Rock, follow our official athletic communication accounts on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter, @Rock_Athletics), Facebook (RockAthletics) and Instagram (RockAthletics).

 





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Future Olympians likely among NZ’s World University Games team

Some of Team New Zealand athletes for the FISU World University Games in Germany in July 2025 Photo: Supplied / Colin McDiarmid A team of 84 student athletes are going to represent New Zealand at the World University Games in Germany later this month. Organised by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), it is one […]

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Some of Team New Zealand athletes for the FISU World University Games in Germany in July 2025.

Some of Team New Zealand athletes for the FISU World University Games in Germany in July 2025
Photo: Supplied / Colin McDiarmid

A team of 84 student athletes are going to represent New Zealand at the World University Games in Germany later this month.

Organised by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), it is one of the world’s largest multi-sport events.

Around 8500 student athletes and officials representing 150 countries are expected for the games, competing in 18 different sports, including archery, athletics, 3×3 basketball, beach volleyball, fencing, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, taekwondo, rowing and water polo.

Head of the New Zealand delegation Evelyn Williamson said household names such as Anthony Mosse, Hamish Kerr, Eliza McCartney, Zoe Hobbs and Lauren Boyle had used the event as a stepping stone to bigger things.

“The games are a unique opportunity for athletes to perform at an elite level and gain experience in a high-performance environment. It’s where future Olympians are forged.”

Williamson said New Zealand had been involved in the biannual event since 1983 and had won 30 medals – nine gold, 12 silver and nine bronze.

“It’s not an easy competition to be part of and be successful at,” she said. “The competition is very strong – world champions are there, Olympic champions…

“Just because they’re university age, it doesn’t mean that they’re not highly competitive. It has been something that University and Tertiary Sport New Zealand over the years has been involved with. But this is the biggest team I think we’ve seen in recent memory.”

The games will be held at the Rhine-Ruhr cities of Bochum, Duisburg and Essen from 16-27 July.

Williamson said it was a unique opportunity in multi-sport games that did not come around very often.

“There are some challenges for us because it’s a multi-city format and we spread across 11 hotels in three cities. It’s gonna be pretty unique in that way. It is going to be an awesome opportunity for our athletes.”

Williamson also encouraged New Zealanders to follow the games and athletes on social media.

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Stingers repeat Paris water polo success against USA

The Australian women’s water polo team have inflicted more pain on the USA with another penalty shootout win over their Olympic rivals in Perth. With former skipper and three-time Olympian Zoe Arancini announcing her retirement, the Stingers opened the Tri Nations series in style. Playing their first match at home since winning silver at the […]

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The Australian women’s water polo team have inflicted more pain on the USA with another penalty shootout win over their Olympic rivals in Perth.

With former skipper and three-time Olympian Zoe Arancini announcing her retirement, the Stingers opened the Tri Nations series in style.

Playing their first match at home since winning silver at the Paris Olympics, the Australians posted a thrilling win after the scores were locked at 8-8 at the end of regulation time.

In Paris the Stingers downed the three-time Olympic champions in the semi-finals in a dramatic penalty shoot-out after the scores were also 8-8 at fulltime.

stingersstingers

The celebrations were memorable when the Stingers toppled USA at the Olympics last year. (AP PHOTO)

After some huge saves in their latest shoot-out by goalkeepers Gabi Palm and Gen Longman, fellow Olympian Alice Williams slotted the winning goal.

Williams was everywhere, opening the scoring for Australia after converting a penalty, while she also found the back of the cage in the dying seconds of the first quarter to level the scores 2-2.

The Aussies added another two goals to their haul in the second quarter, courtesy of Abby Andrews and Olivia Mitchell.

In the third, a buzzer-beater goal from Dani Jackovich put the hosts back in it, trailing by one at the three-quarter time break.

Williams scored another in the fourth quarter, with Jakovich again nailing her shot in the final minutes to draw level at 8-8.

For proud veteran Bronte Halligan, it was a case of deja vu.

“An 8-8 score and then to go into penalties…the irony wasn’t lost on me. Almost 12 months ago we had the exact same score in the semi-final against them at the Olympics,” Halligan said.

“It was just a true dedication to the hard work the girls have put in all year and it was really exciting for our first official home game (this cycle) on home soil to come up with a big win in penalties.”

Meanwhile, Arancini, who isn’t playing in the series, confirmed her retirement from the international stage after a 16-year career.

asrnciniasrncini

Former captain Zoe Arancini has called time on a great career spanning three Olympics. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Arancini made her debut for the Aussie Stingers in 2009 and went on to amass 330 international caps and played in the Rio, Tokyo and Paris Games.

Having achieved podium success at every major international competition in world water polo, Arancini said the timing felt right to step away.

“I’ve done this for 16 years now, and to finish on such an amazing note at Paris 2024 is pretty special,” Arancini said.

“I’m ready for the next chapter of my life… I know it’s the right decision because I’m happy, I’m content, and it’s my choice.

“I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved, and I’m so excited for the next generation to step in.”

The Australians next face Italy on Sunday in Perth as the teams gear up for the world aquatic championships in Singapore next month.



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NASA Astronaut Captures Rare Jellyfish-Like Transient Luminous Event Above Clouds

NEED TO KNOW NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers, 36, captured a transient luminous event above thunderstorm clouds on Thursday, July 3 “As we went over Mexico and the U.S. this morning, I caught this sprite,” the former collegiate volleyball player said Ayers is aboard the International Space Station as pilot of SpaceX Dragon’s Crew-10, which arrived […]

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NEED TO KNOW

  • NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers, 36, captured a transient luminous event above thunderstorm clouds on Thursday, July 3
  • “As we went over Mexico and the U.S. this morning, I caught this sprite,” the former collegiate volleyball player said
  • Ayers is aboard the International Space Station as pilot of SpaceX Dragon’s Crew-10, which arrived at the ISS in March

A NASA astronaut is in awe of what she witnessed above the clouds.

Nichole Ayers, who is aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as pilot of SpaceX Dragon’s Crew-10, captured the moment when a rare electrical phenomenon occurred above thunderstorm clouds on Thursday, July 3. 

“Just. Wow,” the 36-year-old astronaut wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the red jellyfish-like electrical occurrence. “As we went over Mexico and the U.S. this morning, I caught this sprite.”

A sprite is “an atmospheric phenomenon associated with lightning,” according to NASA’s Earth Observatory.

The transient luminous event on July 3, 2025.

Nichole Ayers/Instagram


Providing more context, Ayers wrote, “Sprites are TLEs or transient luminous events that happen above the clouds and are triggered by intense electrical activity in the thunderstorms below.”

“We have a great view above the clouds, so scientists can use these types of pictures to better understand the formation, characteristics, and relationship of TLEs to thunderstorms,” she concluded.

This red sprite, like a previous one NASA captured in June 2024, has red tendrils associated with jellyfish sprites due to “the positively charged lightning [interacting] with atmospheric nitrogen, creating an electrical breakdown that produces flashes of red light.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Another red sprite that NASA captured in June 2024.

Nichole Ayers/NASA


In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE in May, Ayers talked about the beauty of being in space, where she gets to fly around the world every 90 minutes, with the chance to watch a sunset or a sunrise every 45 minutes.

“I think that ‘excited’ is an understatement,” Ayers, a former collegiate volleyball player, said at the time. “I like to say the English language doesn’t have the right words to describe how amazing the experience is. The launch was amazing. And then getting to come through the hatch of the International Space Station, just awesome, amazing, ecstatic.”

Nichole Ayers.

SpaceX


”It’s been an amazing experience so far,” Ayers added.

The NASA astronaut arrived at the ISS aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule and the Falcon 9 rocket on March 14 as part of Crew-10.

While in space, Ayers and other astronauts on the mission are conducting science experiments, participating in spacewalks and working out.

They will return to Earth in the fall after their six-month mission.





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Endowment will fund UC Berkeley men’s aquatic sports programs for years to come

University of California, Berkeley benefactors Ned and Carol Spieker have gifted $26 million to endow the university’s men’s aquatic programs, the largest gift in Cal Athletics history.  Ned Spieker, UC Berkeley class of ‘66, played water polo at Cal, so it’s personal. The coach positions will be named the Ned Spieker Men’s Swim Head Coach […]

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University of California, Berkeley benefactors Ned and Carol Spieker have gifted $26 million to endow the university’s men’s aquatic programs, the largest gift in Cal Athletics history. 

Ned Spieker, UC Berkeley class of ‘66, played water polo at Cal, so it’s personal.

The coach positions will be named the Ned Spieker Men’s Swim Head Coach in perpetuity, and the Ned Spieker Men’s Water Polo Head Coach for 20 years. 

“As an alum and coach, it’s hard to put into words what it means to see this kind of commitment,” said men’s water polo head coach Kirk Everist. “It honors our past, supports our present, and guarantees a strong future for the program we all love.”

In 2022, Ned Spieker and his wife Carol made the largest gift in Haas School of Business history with a $30 million commitment that transformed the undergraduate business program from a two-year to a four-year experience, now known as the Spieker Undergraduate Business Program. 

Ned Spieker founded Spieker Properties, one of the largest commercial property companies in the United States, and has also been involved in Haas campus planning, serving as a catalyst for the construction of Chou Hall. Carol Spieker is a trustee emeritus of the UC Berkeley Foundation.

UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons spoke about student athletes in a statement Wednesday.

“From early morning practices to late-night study sessions, they push boundaries daily, driven by passion and commitment that requires steadfast support,” said Rich. 

Cal Athletics now has five endowed sports — men’s golf, women’s golf, rugby, men’s water polo and men’s swimming and diving.



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Mana Spikers deliver shock win, Bounty Spikers dominate in thrilling volleyball finals

Mana Spikers were the surprise winners in the women’s division. CB SPORTS/25070331 After eight intense weeks of non-stop volleyball action, the 2025 Indoor Volleyball Tournament wrapped up Wednesday night at the National Sports Arena with two electrifying finals that showcased resilience, teamwork and pure athletic excellence. The tournament, which drew widespread community interest and […]

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Mana Spikers deliver shock win, Bounty Spikers dominate in thrilling volleyball finals

Mana Spikers were the surprise winners in the women’s division. CB SPORTS/25070331

After eight intense weeks of non-stop volleyball action, the 2025 Indoor Volleyball Tournament wrapped up Wednesday night at the National Sports Arena with two electrifying finals that showcased resilience, teamwork and pure athletic excellence.

The tournament, which drew widespread community interest and strong fan support, concluded with a surprise win in the women’s division and a much-celebrated triumph for the men’s Bounty Spikers team.

The headline of the night — and of the entire tournament — was the improbable and inspiring victory by the Mana Spikers in the women’s division.
Playing both the semifinals and finals with just five players, the Mana Spikers demonstrated unmatched determination, stamina and cohesion.

“No competition is an easy competition, especially when it comes down to the finals. Although we were short of players at this crucial moment, our team showed up for each other and played our hearts out to the fullest,” said Mana Spikers’ Nicolea Mateariki.

“I first began my volleyball journey with Aunty Jackie Rongo and the AKTT Volleyball Team, where I gained confidence, knowledge, and skill. Each week, we make use of the Nikao Hall and TSA Sports Arena to upskill ourselves and take our development to a better level.

“For this eight-week tournament, I’m happy and humbled to take the dub with my Mana Spikers sisters and hope to continue playing this amazing sport in the future.”

Bounty Spikers capitalised on their momentum throughout the tournament to secure a well-deserved championship title. NICOLEA MATEARIKI/25070330

Their semifinal match saw them take on the reigning champions, Bounty Spikers, in what was expected to be a one-sided affair. But the Mana squad flipped the script, pulling off a stunning upset that sent shockwaves through the competition.

With one player down due to injury and no substitutes available, the Mana Spikers relied heavily on sharp communication, strategic court coverage and sheer willpower to carry them through the final stages.

The final was no less dramatic, as the short-handed squad delivered a masterclass in controlled aggression and smart play, sealing their championship win and leaving fans in awe.

Mana Spikers setter Eclipse Tutere said: “The excuse of being at a disadvantage is what losers say. Champions focus on winning no matter the odds.”

In the men’s competition, the Bounty Spikers capitalised on their momentum throughout the tournament to secure a well-deserved championship title.

The team, made up primarily of Cook Islands athletes with a strong complement of talented Fijian players, blended physical power with precision and excellent court dynamics.

Their path to the title was marked by consistently dominant performances, with standout plays at the net and excellent service games.





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Volleyball state No. 1 recruit Gentry Barker is leaving Lovejoy to transfer to Lake Travis

Volleyball phenom Gentry Barker, the No. 1 recruit in the state in the Class of 2027, said Saturday night that she is leaving 10-time state champion Lovejoy. She is moving back to Austin, where she grew up, and will be transferring to Lake Travis for her junior year. “I’ve always wanted to move back to […]

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Volleyball phenom Gentry Barker, the No. 1 recruit in the state in the Class of 2027, said Saturday night that she is leaving 10-time state champion Lovejoy.

She is moving back to Austin, where she grew up, and will be transferring to Lake Travis for her junior year.

“I’ve always wanted to move back to Austin, and my mom is finally letting me this year,” Barker said.

It’s a huge loss for a Lovejoy program that is tied for the third-most state titles in UIL history. The MaxPreps first-team All-American outside hitter had 484 kills, 483 digs and 42 aces for a 36-9 Class 5A Division II regional finalist as a sophomore, she was named the District 9-5A MVP and she is the No. 1 player in the Prep Dig state recruiting rankings for the Class of 2027.

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“I am definitely going to miss the volleyball a lot,” Barker said of leaving Lovejoy. “It has been really helpful, and I really enjoyed playing with a lot of advanced people, but I think it will be fun at LT too. I get to play with a lot of my old friends.”

Barker was The Dallas Morning News All-Area newcomer of the year as a freshman in 2023. She had a team-high 424 kills as Lovejoy won the Class 5A state title, and she was named the MVP of the state final after recording a match-high 17 kills to go with 11 digs as Lovejoy beat Liberty Hill in three sets to win its fourth state title in five years.

She will join a Lake Travis team that finished fourth in its district and lost in the first round of the 6A Division I playoffs last season. Lake Travis is a two-time state champion, winning back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011.

Lovejoy will have a new head coach next season, as Sean McMurry was hired after leading A&M Consolidated to a 35-11 record and regional final appearance in Class 5A Division I in 2024. McMurry replaces Natalie Bates (Puckett), who announced in January that she was leaving Lovejoy and will be taking a break from coaching.

Barker has not committed to a college but said, “I’m probably going to commit sooner than later.”

Find more high school sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

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