Connect with us

Sports

Ryann Neushul wins fourth NCAA National Championship as Stanford beats USC

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana. – Ryann Neushul ends her collegiate water polo career at Stanford University as the Cardinal only 4-time national champion. Top-ranked Stanford beat #3 USC 11-7 to win the program’s 10th overall national title. The 2018 Dos Pueblos High School graduate Neushul won her first national championship at Stanford in 2019 as a freshman. […]

Published

on


INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana. – Ryann Neushul ends her collegiate water polo career at Stanford University as the Cardinal only 4-time national champion.

Top-ranked Stanford beat #3 USC 11-7 to win the program’s 10th overall national title.

The 2018 Dos Pueblos High School graduate Neushul won her first national championship at Stanford in 2019 as a freshman.

She trained on the U.S. National Team for the next two seasons and did not compete in the college seasons.

She returned to Palo Alto to help Stanford win back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023.

Ryann took the college season off in 2024 as she played in the 2024 Olympics.

She scored a goal in Sunday’s win over the Trojans and was named First Team All-Tournament.

Her older sisters Kiley and Jamie each won 3 national titles at Stanford.

Ryann was one of many players with local ties to play in Sunday’s title game.

San Marcos alums Makenna Stretz and Reagan McEachen are on Stanford while San Marcos alums Ava Stryker and Madison Haaland-Ford play for USC. Stryker scored a goal for USC.

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

News Channel 3-12 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.



Link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Long Beach Poly vs. Santa Monica, CIF Softball – The562.org

LB in MLB: Offseason Update In just over two weeks, Spring Training will officially be underway for the 2023 Major League Baseball season. Ballplayers from across the country will flock to the warm weather of Arizona or Florida to prepare for another big league campaign. This offseason has been a busy one for Long Beach’s […]

Published

on


LB in MLB: Offseason Update

In just over two weeks, Spring Training will officially be underway for the 2023 Major League Baseball season. Ballplayers from across the country will flock to the warm weather of Arizona or Florida to prepare for another big league campaign. This offseason has been a busy one for Long Beach’s MLB talent, with new teams, […]



Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Learning to Speak English A Prescient Move for Italian Star | Stories

State AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyomingPuerto RicoUS Virgin IslandsArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces PacificArmed Forces EuropeNorthern Mariana IslandsMarshall IslandsAmerican SamoaFederated States of MicronesiaGuamPalauAlberta, CanadaBritish Columbia, CanadaManitoba, CanadaNew Brunswick, CanadaNewfoundland, CanadaNova Scotia, CanadaNorthwest Territories, CanadaNunavut, CanadaOntario, CanadaPrince Edward Island, CanadaQuebec, CanadaSaskatchewan, CanadaYukon Territory, Canada Zip Code Country United States of […]

Published

on







Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Eleven Carson High athletes sign national letters of intent at college level

Eleven Carson High athletes have signed national letters of intent with colleges. Those players, which were provided by the school’s athletic administration, include: Division I * Sawyer Macy, cross country and track, Lehigh University * Dominic Porter, wrestling, Mercyhurst University * Aurora Giurlani, cheerleading, Nevada Division II * Sergio Villanueva, football, Wooster College Division III […]

Published

on


Eleven Carson High athletes have signed national letters of intent with colleges. Those players, which were provided by the school’s athletic administration, include:

Division I

* Sawyer Macy, cross country and track, Lehigh University

* Dominic Porter, wrestling, Mercyhurst University

* Aurora Giurlani, cheerleading, Nevada

Division II

* Sergio Villanueva, football, Wooster College

Division III

* Ewan Kalley, men’s swimming, University of Redlands

* Johan Lizarraga, men’s soccer, Concordia College

* Joshua Lopez, men’s soccer, Concordia College

NAIA

* London Bishop, cheerleading, Carroll College

* Angelo Macias, football, University of St. Mary

Junior college

* Alondra Carrillo, women’s soccer Truckee Meadows Community College

* Danika Presswood, softball, Northeast Iowa Community College



Link

Continue Reading

Sports

UCF women’s volleyball club’s journey to nationals | Sports

The UCF women’s club volleyball team poses with their medals and championship trophy after competing at nationals in Arizona on April 19. “The most memorable moment was when we reached the finals,” Giselle Hansen, junior integrated  business major, said. “We all proved to ourselves what we were capable of.” Courtesy from Giselle Hansen For the […]

Published

on








UCF Women’s Volleyball Club’s Journey to Nationals

The UCF women’s club volleyball team poses with their medals and championship trophy after competing at nationals in Arizona on April 19. “The most memorable moment was when we reached the finals,” Giselle Hansen, junior integrated  business major, said. “We all proved to ourselves what we were capable of.”




For the UCF women’s club volleyball team, the 2024-2025 season was a testament to teamwork, resilience and the sheer will to overcome adversity thrown their way.

Unlike UCF’s NCAA Division l women’s volleyball team, which requires students to have a full-time athletic commitment and compete at the highest collegiate level, UCF’s women’s club volleyball allows students to still play competitively without the same demands.

The club is divided into two teams, A and B, to give more players the chance to compete in regional tournaments and the national championship in the fall and spring semesters.

For many collegiate club teams, the road to nationals starts long before the tournament itself. Beginning with grueling practices, internal struggles that test each player and tough losses, this year’s NCVF National Championship in Arizona from April 17 to April 19 was no exception. The women’s club volleyball team are no strangers to the championship, having competed every year in the spring semester.

“I would describe this semester’s club season as fun and interesting,” Francceska Monsalve, sophomore libero, said. “Some of the biggest challenges we faced were practicing what we preached. We had a hard time sticking to what we said we would change throughout the season.”

Despite their challenges, the team’s ability to build upon their shortcomings and maintain communication with one another proved to be their greatest asset. Their obstacles ranged from scheduling conflicts, lack of communication during practices, injuries and the need to push themselves harder as a team to progress, Monsalve said.

“We had lots of ups and downs this season, but we handled it with good communication, and that’s how we overcame a lot of the hardships,” Monsalve said.

In volleyball, as well as in any sport, to overcome adversity, one needs resilience. For the women’s club volleyball players, that’s what was displayed as they pushed through their challenges with scheduling, communication, injuries and practices.

“The key for us was realizing that progress isn’t always linear,” Giselle Hansen, junior middle blocker, said. “It’s not about being perfect; it’s about improvement, and we did that.”

When the team secured its spot at nationals by playing well in its ranking tournaments, they knew the pressure was on. However, the UCF team was ready, both physically and mentally. The team was aware that to succeed on such a grand stage, it had to get rid of distractions, focus on its strengths and come together as a unit. 

“Our approach going into nationals was to drop all the drama and really play our game,” Monsalve said. “We mentally prepared by going in full gear, ready to work as a team, and physically by practicing hard and holding ourselves accountable for our mistakes.”

The determination and grit to stay present in the moment paid off when the team reached the finals—an outcome that had seemed almost impossible earlier in the season due to their difficulties during practices and the fear of the team not progressing fast enough, Hansen said.

Both A and B teams practice three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for two and half hours at the Education Gym on UCF’s main campus. As nationals got closer, the practice schedule stayed the same for the teams due to time constraints on facility access. 

There are practices multiple times a week and about five tournaments each semester. 

“The moment we made it to the finals was when it really showed that everything, we’d worked for paid off,” Alysa Howell, sophomore outside hitter, said. “We were all so proud of how far we’d come, especially considering how difficult the season had been.” 

The team’s unity and will power became more apparent as they came face to face with the intensity of nationals with the nonstop gameplay that lasted from 8 a.m. to noon for three consecutive days. Both A and B teams played against nine other colligate teams from across the country, one being another Florida school, Florida Atlantic University.

“The most memorable moment was when we reached the finals. We all proved to ourselves what we were capable of,” Hansen said. “It was proof that when we put in the work and support each other, we can accomplish anything.”

In the fall semester, the team goes against other Florida schools such as University of Florida and Florida State University. In the spring semester players travel out of state to their competitions as well as to the national championship.

For the players, nationals wasn’t just about the win, but the lessons they learned along the way. For Monsalve, the biggest takeaway was the importance of team chemistry.

“I learned that with good chemistry and supportiveness, we can accomplish many things,” Monsalve said.

Her teammate, Howell, resonated with this sentiment.

“What sets us apart is our unbreakable bond. When we’re down, we pick each other up. And when we’re up, we make sure no one gets left behind,” Howell said. 

The season ended on April 22 and will pick up once again in the fall semester of 2025. The team is already setting its sights on the future.

“Moving forward, we have a lot of potential to build on,” Howell said. “Next season, I’m excited to see how we grow. We’ve laid the groundwork for success, and now it’s about pushing ourselves to be better every day.”

Tryouts are held at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters, and while returning players such as Hansen, Monsalve and Howell have high chances in returning again for the next season, every athlete must earn their spot.

“After nationals, I’m feeling more confident than ever about our future,” Annie Scepkova, freshman middle blocker, said. “We’ve built something solid this year, and next season, we’re going to take everything we’ve learned and elevate it to the next level.”

The trip to nationals was an unforgettable experience for some of the the team members. Not only did they spend their time scoring on the court, but also got the chance to explore Arizona for the first time together. Their itinerary was filled with walking around the Arizona State University campus, cheering on ASU’s baseball team at a home game, and exploring the nightlife in downtown Phoenix, Hansen said.

“What I’ll remember most from nationals is the celebration with the team after our final match,” Scepkova said. “It wasn’t just about celebrating the victory; it was about sharing those moments with the people I consider family. Those are the memories that will stay with me forever.”

With their grit, unwavering bond and resilience, the UCF women’s volleyball team has shown that no challenge is too great when they come together as a team. 



Link

Continue Reading

Sports

Kim Sowder Announces Retirement Following 19 Years As Long Beach State Softball Head Coach

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Head Coach Kim Sowder has announced her retirement, effective this summer following 19 years at the helm of the Long Beach State Softball program.   With 579 career wins, Sowder ranks fourth all-time in total wins in Big West history and among the Top 50 coaches in NCAA Division I history. […]

Published

on


LONG BEACH, Calif. – Head Coach Kim Sowder has announced her retirement, effective this summer following 19 years at the helm of the Long Beach State Softball program.
 
With 579 career wins, Sowder ranks fourth all-time in total wins in Big West history and among the Top 50 coaches in NCAA Division I history. Her 279 wins in Big West conference play rank third all-time, trailing only her mentor Pete Manarino at Long Beach State and Cal State Fullerton’s Judi Garman, winning nearly 70% of Big West games.
 
A five-time Big West Coach of the Year, Sowder led Long Beach State to five Big West championships and nine NCAA tournament appearances, never finishing lower than fourth place in her 19 years at the Beach.
 
Under her leadership, Long Beach State student-athletes won two Big West Player of the Year, five Big West Pitcher of the Year awards, and eight Big West Freshman of the Year selections, along with 21 All-Region selections. The Beach also excelled in the classroom, posting a team GPA over 3.30 this year, and regularly earned community service recognition.
 
An outstanding student-athlete at the Beach, Sowder was an All-America shortstop, playing a major role in leading Long Beach State to three straight Women’s College World Series appearances to finish her career, including a fourth-place finish in 1991, the highest ever for the program. She remains Long Beach State’s career leader in stolen bases and ranks in the program’s Top 10 in hits. Sowder was inducted into the Long Beach State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998.
 
Following a brief stint as an assistant coach at Pacific, Sowder returned to the Beach, joining Manarino’s staff in 1996 and after 10 years as an assistant took over as the program’s head coach in 2007.
 
“Over the course of four decades, Kim Sowder has been the heart and soul of Long Beach State Softball, first as a student-athlete and then coach, and her impact on our university, student-athletes, and the game of softball is immeasurable,” said Executive Director of Athletics, Bobby Smitheran.  
 
“Kim’s commitment to excellence has been evident in every facet of her leadership. More than the wins and accolades, it’s the way she has led with integrity, developed future leaders, celebrated academic achievement, and upheld the proud tradition of Beach Athletics that sets her apart. Her career has served as an example to her student-athletes that passion, commitment, and hard work can result in championship success on and off the field. We are grateful for her incredible legacy and wish her and husband Shawn the very best in this next chapter.”
 
A national search will begin immediately. Since the program started in 1981, Long Beach State softball has had just four coaches in its tenure, with Manarino and Sowder combining to lead the program since 1984, 42 seasons in total. The Beach has made five Women’s College World Series appearances, won 10 Big West titles and has advanced to the NCAA postseason on 26 occasions, averaging more than 30 wins per season throughout the 45-year history of the program.
 
A Message from Kim Sowder:
 

I’m simply filled with pride and gratitude.

 

Playing and coaching at Long Beach State has truly been the gift of a lifetime. I want to express my deepest thanks to everyone who has given me these incredible opportunities and supported me throughout this joyous journey. My heart has always been all in with this program and University and it still is, just in a different role, as proud alum and supporter.

 

The relationships I’ve gained over the years have been the most special part of my journey, and I will continue to cherish them deeply. I’ve always believed it’s the people who make Long Beach State such a special place.

 

To all the players I’ve had the honor to coach: Thank you for choosing the Beach, pouring your hearts into Long Beach State Softball and making it the special program that it is. Your pursuit of excellence and your resilience through victories and challenges have inspired me and taught me so much along the way. I look forward to being part of your lives in this next chapter.

 

To all the coaches that have served our program alongside me with everything you had, you have meant the world to me, and I’m forever indebted to you. It was always a team effort. I would especially like to thank my longtime assistant, Panita, whose unwavering loyalty, servant leadership, hard work, and love for our program is unparalleled.

 

To all my fellow coaches at the Beach. It has been an honor to be your teammate. I am so fortunate to have been inspired by your passion, integrity, loyalty and relentless pursuit of excellence on and off the field.

 

To all the staff and administrators who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes, thank you for being the team behind the team. Your efforts have never gone unnoticed, and you have been instrumental in our student athlete’s successes.

 

Special thanks to our alumni and generous donors. Your generosity and unwavering support have helped elevate our program and enriched the experiences of our student athletes and coaches in countless ways.

 

From the bottom of my heart – thank you.

 

Kim



Link

Continue Reading

Sports

University of Missouri Kansas City Official Athletics Website

SIOUX FALLS – Following a stellar showing at the Summit League Outdoor Track & Field Championships this past weekend, Kansas City had six student-athletes named to the Summit League Men’s All-League Team. Nahshon Houston brings home the honor in long jump while Tory Lanham and Amari Eugene were each named to the all-league team for […]

Published

on


SIOUX FALLS – Following a stellar showing at the Summit League Outdoor Track & Field Championships this past weekend, Kansas City had six student-athletes named to the Summit League Men’s All-League Team. Nahshon Houston brings home the honor in long jump while Tory Lanham and Amari Eugene were each named to the all-league team for their performances in the 200-meter dash. In addition, the Roos 4×100-meter and 4×400-meter relay teams nabbed all-league designations.

Lanham also earned the distinction of Most Outstanding Male Performer of the Championship, bringing home a pair of gold medals in the 200-meter dash and the 4×400-meter relay and anchoring the 4×100-meter team to a silver medal finish. The Most Outstanding Performer of the Championship is determined by a vote of the participating head coaches and is based upon the student-athletes’ performance during the Summit League Outdoor Track and Field Championships. He becomes the first Roo to earn the title since its inception in 2017-18.

Lanham went for his second-straight league title in the 200-meter dash, logging a time of 20.83 in the finals. He made history during the preliminary round, recording a Summit League Championship record of 20.52. Eugene went for a 21.05 mark in the finals, claiming the third-place medal.

Houston cemented himself as the king of long jump in the Summit League, defending his Indoor title with another gold medal. He went for a personal best of 7.67 meters, taking the title by 0.02 meters.

Kansas City’s relay teams were both anchored by Lanham, including an epic comeback in the 4×400 title race. Joining him on the gold medal-winning team were Eugene, Mason Rogers and Najee Simpson, combining for a school-record of 3:12.04. The 4×100 team took second with a time of 40.46, comprised of Lanham, Eugene, Rogers and Victor Sewankambo.

2025 #SummitOTF Men’s All-League Team (61)

KANSAS CITY (6)


·      Amari Eugene (4×100, 200, 4×400)

·      Nahshon Houston (Long Jump)

·      Tory Lanham (4×100, 200, 4×400)

·      Mason Rogers (4×100, 4×400)

·      Victor Sewankambo (4×100)

·      Najee Simpson (4×400)

NORTH DAKOTA (4)

·      Jiri Ceska (800)

·      Henrik Lindstrot (Steeplechase)

·      Ethan Thomas (Javelin, Shot-Put)

·      Jory Vasek (400)

NORTH DAKOTA STATE (10)

·      Peter Dryburgh (Javelin)

·      Bryce Enerson (Decathlon)

·      Reece Grosserode (Triple Jump)

·      Hunter Merkley (Long Jump)

·      Carlton Mukurazita (Triple Jump)

·      Blake Nyenati (110H)

·      Kaden Pastian (Shot-Put, Hammer)

·      Zach Ramos (Shot-Put, Discus)

·      Sam Roller (Javelin)

·      Jayden Williams (Long Jump)

ORAL ROBERTS (3)

·      Abraham Chelangam (1,500, 5,000, 10,000)

·      Lukundo Kapambalala (100)

·      Jordan Wenger (High Jump)

SOUTH DAKOTA (16)

·      Andrew Atwood (4×400)

·      Ethan Baessler (4×100, 100)

·      Townsend Barton (Decathlon)

·      Spencer Buley (Pole Vault)

·      Jaden Damiano (4×100)

·      Mikael Grace (110H)

·      Henry Grayson (4×400)

·      Jaden Guthmiller (4×100, 100)

·      Evan Janzen (4×400)

·      Beau Karst (Pole Vault)

·      Joe Lynch (High Jump)

·      Tommy Nikkel (4×100, 4×400)

·      Caleb Rivera (1,500)

·      Carsen Staehr (Triple Jump)

·      Quincy Warren (Hammer)

·      Tre Young (Pole Vault)

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE (16)

·      Josh Becker (Steeplechase)

·      Sam Castle (800, 4×400)

·      Joe Dustin (800)

·      Jackson Dutcher (1,500)

·      Lucas Flemmer (400, 4×400)

·      Caiden Fredrick (Discus)

·      Caymen Gebheim (Discus)

·      Gunnar Gunderson (400H)

·      Thailan Hallman (4×400)

·      Cashton Johnson (5,000, 10,000)

·      Cody Larson (Steeplechase, 5000)

·      Pierre Lear (110H)

·      Carson Noecker (10,000)

·      James Pierce (400, 4×400)

·      Grayson Ring (High Jump)

·      Hunter Wallster (Hammer)

ST. THOMAS (6)

·      Johnny Bezdicek (4×100)

·      Riddik Collier (4×100)

·      Sam Duffing (400H)

·      Jayson Koel (4×100)

·      Mitchell Piehl (4×100,200)

·      Jack Rosner (400H, Decathlon)



Link

Continue Reading

Most Viewed Posts

Trending