NEW ORLEANS — Vera Sjöberg, a Boston University track & field team alumna, was named the USTFCCCA Northeast Track Athlete of the Year for the outdoor season on Friday afternoon.

Sjöberg finished as national runner-up in the 5000m with a time of 15:34.77 at the NCAA Championships, the best finish by a Patriot League or BU woman ever. That also earned her First Team All-America honors in the event. Her performance in the 5K gave BU eight points and tied the Terriers for 34th place, the best finish of any Northeast school. 

She also qualified for the 1500m final and finished 11^th, snagging a Second Team All-America nod. She was one of two athletes to compete in both the 1500m and 5000m and was the first Patriot League or BU woman to compete in multiple events at the NCAA Championships.

On the conference level, the Stockholm, Sweden native won the 1500m, 5000m and was part of the winning 4x800m squad, setting meet records of 4:14.37 and 16:11.40 in the 1500m & 5000m, respectfully. For her efforts, she was named Patriot League Track Athlete of the Meet.

Sjöberg, who graduated from BU in just three years with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in women, gender and sexuality, also set school records in the 1500m (4:07.39) and 5000m (15:27.51) this season. 

After four unforgettable seasons together, this was our final year of CYO volleyball—and the SFDS Blue and Gold made it count. With grit, heart, and hustle, our girls showed up one last time and took St. Stan’s by storm, winning the 2025 CYO Championship in just two games. The victory was made even sweeter as we defeated the previously undefeated St. Margaret’s—a team many thought couldn’t be beaten.

This wasn’t just a victory on paper. It was the product of years of practice, hustle, laughter, team bonding, and heart. With only one set lost all season, these girls played with fire in their souls and joy in their hearts. The team went strong all season, and when it came time to take things to the next level in the playoffs, they stepped up—every single one of them.

With a roster of 19 players, each girl knew she was a vital part of something bigger than herself. Whether playing every set or cheering from the sidelines, every teammate mattered—and it showed.

We want to give a special shoutout to a few standout players who consistently brought their A-game:

Maeve Murphy took things to the next level with her powerhouse serves and fierce back-row spikes—a true game-changer.

Niamh Mullen amazed us all with her unwavering focus and the ability to pull off plays no one saw coming.

Sadie Corvi had a killer instinct on the court. Always one step ahead, she could read the opposing team like a book and place the ball with precision.

Taryn Martin was our set master, placing the ball perfectly every time, giving our hitters the setup they needed to crush it.

Jane Bender was a model of consistency and heart. She never gave less than 100% and made magic happen in the clutch moments.

Reese Dennis played with unmatched intensity. No matter where she was on the court, she played all out, all the time—always in it for the kill.

And when it came time to turn it up in the playoffs, we knew we had secret weapons ready to shine:

Joey Pompeo was a game-changer. The moment she stepped on the court, the other team knew they had a serious force to deal with. Whether she was blocking at the net or spiking with power, Joey made her presence known.

Lily Warnock, our go-to setter in the clutch, is always steady, always smart.

Taylor Grosseto, a strong outside hitter, her left-hand line shots that were lethal and perfectly timed.

Ella Gatto, an intimidating front-row presence whose service aces and aggressive play made her a force to be reckoned with.

There are so many girls worth mentioning—each one brought their own spark to this team. They showed up to every practice, every game, with a spirit of teamwork, sportsmanship, and fun. Because in the end, it wasn’t just about winning (though that was pretty great)—it was about the bond they built, the laughs they shared, and the memories that will last far beyond the last whistle.

We also want to recognize the following girls who brought unmatched team spirit to every game. Their energy, positivity, and love for the team were felt on and off the court:

Angelina Rasmussen, Olivia Coursey, Miley Furano, Joyce Geraci, Lilana Giammona, Kinley Hearn, Amelia O’Sullivan, Annalise O’Sullivan, and Mackenzie Rivera

This season wasn’t just about the wins. It was about showing up, lifting each other up, and having fun together. You girls made magic—and memories—that will last a lifetime. Congratulations, champions! 

Good luck in High School 

Love, Coach Chrystie 

Zagreb, Croatia – June 20 – The USA Men’s Junior National Team came through with an exciting 18-16 win over Hungary in semifinal action at the World Aquatics U20 World Championship earlier today. Ryder Dodd starred again with six goals to lead the way while Landon Akerstrom and Peter Castillo scored three each. Team USA will now face off against Spain in the gold medal match on Saturday at 2:30pm et/11:30am pt. All matches are scheduled to stream live on the World Aquatics YouTube. Live statistics will be available for every match from MicroPlus Timing Services.

Hungary began the game with two quick goals from Csongor Lugosi and the captain Oliver Leinweber before Bode Brinkema floated in Team USA’s first score. Martin Toth pushed the lead back to two and then Benjamin Liechty cut the deficit right back to one. From there, Leinweber and Adam Peocz scored for Hungary but Castillo and William Schneider answered to close the quarter for the United States trailing 5-4. In the second period, the Hungarian side opened with three goals from Botond Balogh, Vince Varga, and Leinweber before Gavin Appledorn found the back of the net for the Americans. Zsombor Porge tacked on one more but Akerstrom (2) and Dodd quickly brought Team USA within one. Mor Benedek and Akerstrom traded scores to close the half with Hungary holding a 10-9 lead.

Brinkema won the opening sprint to start the second half which allowed Liechty to find Castillo for a game-tying goal. One minute later, Dodd rang the register from six meters to give Team USA its first lead of the day. Varga would have an answer for Hungary and then the captains would weigh in. Dodd converted a penalty shot to regain the lead before Leinweber hit from six meters twice in the final few minutes to give the Hungarians a 13-12 edge after three. The United States would step up its game in the final frame to close things out. Dodd (2), Castillo, and Ryan Ohl came out firing to put the Americans ahead by three before Hungary could respond. They would turn to their captain Leinweber for another pair of goals to cut the deficit down to one with 2:38 remaining. On the ensuing possession, Liechty found Brinkema for a beautiful cross cage goal from long distance. Hungary would bring the ball up the pool needing a score and they earned an exclusion but Marton Zeman was denied by Charles Mills who quickly flipped the ball out of harm’s way to Castillo. Castillo found Dodd with no Hungarian goalkeeper to beat and Dodd skipped home the dagger from half tank. Varga would score a meaningless goal late for Hungary to set the final score at 18-16 for Team USA.

Team USA went 6/16 on power plays and 3/3 on penalties in regulation while Hungary went 4/7 on power plays and 4/4 on penalties. 

Scoring – Stats

USA 18 (4, 5, 3, 6) R. Dodd 6, L. Akerstrom 3, P. Castillo 3, B. Brinkema 2, G. Appledorn 1, B. Liecthy 1, R. Ohl 1, W. Schneider 1

HUN 16 (5, 5, 3, 3) O. Leinweber 7, V. Varga 3, B. Balogh 1, M. Benedek 1, C. Lugosi 1, A. Peocz 1, Z. Porge 1, M. Toth 1

Saves – USA – C. Mills 4 – HUN – G. Szabo 4, D. Szitas 3

6×5 – USA – 6/16 – HUN – 4/7

Penalties – USA – 3/3 – HUN – 4/4

 

NEW ORLEANS, La. — Senior Savannah Sutherland and assistant coach Steven Rajewsky of the University of Michigan women’s track and field team have earned United States Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Regional Awards, as announced Friday (June 20).

Sutherland was named Great Lakes Region Women’s Track Athlete of the Year, while Rajewsky was named the Great Lakes Region Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year.

A vote of USTFCCCA member coaches determined

Award winners following the conclusion of the 2025 NCAA DI Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. Performances from both the NCAA Championships and the regular season were considered.

Sutherland captured her second national title in the 400-meter hurdles and her third straight top-two finish at the NCAA Championships on June 14. She ran a personal-best 52.46 seconds to finish 2.20 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher, set five records — the NCAA record, the NCAA Championship meet record, the Big Ten record, the Michigan program record and the Canadian national record — and earned first team All-America honors.

The Borden, Saskatchewan, native is now just the second runner in NCAA history to break 53 seconds, with Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone setting the previous collegiate record of 52.75 in 2018. The time comes in at No. 9 in the world on the all-time performance list and is tied for the second-fastest time in the world this season.

Sutherland also ran the second leg of the 4×400-meter relay at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, running 50.71 for the fastest second leg and second-fastest split of the race. The relay squad finished 19th overall with a time of 3:33.75 to be named All-America honorable mention.

The senior capped an impressive career in her final season for the Maize and Blue, winning her third straight Big Ten title in the 400-meter hurdles before setting the NCAA East First Round meet record (54.39) for the second consecutive year. She also helped set the program record in the 4×400-meter relay twice this season and earned a third-place finish at the Big Ten Championships.

Rajewsky, in his 12th year as an assistant coach at Michigan, coached Sutherland to setting a collegiate record of 52.46 in winning the 400-meter hurdles at the NCAA DI Outdoor Championships. His sprint/hurdle group also twice lowered the program record in the 4×400m relay and finished third at the Big Ten Championships.

• USTFCCCA Release

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Jadin O’Brien was named as the Great Lakes Region Field Athlete of the Year for the 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field season, as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

The Pewaukee, Wisconsin native finished as the runner-up in the heptathlon at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships last weekend. She posted a personal-record and program-record score of 6256, which put her as No. 12 on the all-time collegiate scoring chart in the event. In May, she captured the ACC Outdoor Track & Field title in the heptathlon with a then-PR of 6220. O’Brien set a meet record in the event and became the first Notre Dame track and field athlete to win the ACC heptathlon crown.

O’Brien swept the 2025 USTFCCCA Region Field Athlete of the Year awards as she also earned the honor after the conclusion of the indoor track & field season.

The full list of USTFCCCA Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year is available to read by following this link.