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Rylee Erisman Lowers 100 Free NAG Record at Juniors East

Speedo Winter Juniors East: Thomas Heilman, Rylee Erisman Take Down National Age Group Records One day after becoming the first 18-and-under swimmer to swim under 44 in the 100 butterfly, Thomas Heilman has again posted a groundbreaking effort in a butterfly race, this time over double the distance. Racing in the 200 fly final at the […]

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4 months ago

December 15, 2024

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Rylee Erisman Lowers 100 Free NAG Record at Juniors East

Speedo Winter Juniors East: Thomas Heilman, Rylee Erisman Take Down National Age Group Records

One day after becoming the first 18-and-under swimmer to swim under 44 in the 100 butterfly, Thomas Heilman has again posted a groundbreaking effort in a butterfly race, this time over double the distance. Racing in the 200 fly final at the eastern edition of U.S. Junior Nationals in Greensboro, N.C., Heilman won by almost five seconds while breaking the 17-18 National Age Group record by one-and-a-half seconds.

Heilman was up on the field by a full second after only two lengths, and he pulled away to clock 1:38.95, crushing the 17-18 NAG record of 1:40.39 set by Aiden Hayes in 2022. Heilman also crushed his own Juniors record of 1:40.73, which doubles as the 15-16 NAG record. Heilman was the U.S. Olympic Trials champion in the 200-meter fly last year, and he won an Olympic silver medal after racing in the prelims of the U.S. men’s 200 medley relay.

In the race behind Heilman for the places in the event, Lakeside Swim Team’s Thomas Mercer placed second in 1:43.88, while New Wave’s Sam Marsteiner placed third (1:44.60).

Later in the session, Heilman led off Cavalier Aquatics’ 400 free relay in 42.23, quicker than the winning time in the individual event later in the night.

Earlier this week, Rylee Erisman of Laker Swim became the second-fastest 15-16 girl ever in the 50-yard freestyle. Now, Erisman has become the first swimmer in the age group to ever swim under 47 seconds in the 100 free as she won the event in 46.69.

Erisman took almost a half-second off her own previous record of 47.14, which she set at last month’s Florida 4A state meet to break Claire Curzan’s previous record of 47.23. Erisman’s time would have placed fourth in the event at last year’s NCAA Championships, trailing only Gretchen Walsh and graduated swimmers Katharine Berkoff and Isabel Ivey.

Erisman won winner of four individual gold medals at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships, including in the 100-meter free, and she was a U.S. Olympic Trials finalist in the 50-meter free. The high school sophomore continues to build toward an attempt at qualifying for a senior-level national team as soon as next year.

In the 100 free final, Lakeside Swim Team’s Charlotte Crush took second in 47.85, three tenths ahead of Upper Dublin’s Annie Jia (48.07). Crush was swimming the second half of a quick double after winning the 200 backstroke in 1:48.69. Jersey Wahoos’ Audrey Derivaux took second in 1:50.91, while Jersey Aquatic Club’s Sarah Rodrigues was third (1:51.14).

After lowering her own 15-16 NAG record in the 100 back to 49.46 in a relay leadoff Thursday evening and then doubling up with 100 fly and 100 back wins Friday, Crush finished just four tenths off the NAG mark in this event held by Regan Smith (1:48.30). Entering the day, her best time was 1:50.55 before going 1:48.93 in prelims prior to a further drop at night. As with Erisman in the 100 free, this performance would have placed Crush fourth at last year’s NCAA Championships, and she ranks 16th in history in the event.

At the end of the session, Erisman and Crush would both return to racing in the 400 free relay. Erisman anchored her team in 46.98 while Crush split 47.36.

Jersey Wahoos’ Audrey Derivaux, already the winner in both individual medley events this week, cruised throughout the 200 fly final. She touched in 1:55.18 while TAC Titans’ Nikki Nixon closed well to take second in 1:55.94, with Derivaux’s teammate Alyce Lehman third (1:56.55).

The first-place finishers in two other women’s events posted times that would have scored at the 2024 NCAA meet. Scarlet Aquatics’ Chloe Kim, already the winner of the 500 freestyle, claimed first in the 1650 free in 16:00.21, beating out Sarasota Sharks’ Abby Dunford (16:07.04) and North Carolina Aquatic Club’s Daisy Collins (16:14.52).

In the 200 breaststroke, Mason Manta Rays’ Addie Robillard overtook SwimMAC Carolina’s Elle Scott on the final 50 yards and pulled away to win in 2:07.75. Scott was second in 2:08.62, and Greensboro Swim Association’s Kaidy Stout took third (2:10.50).

In the men’s competition, Gwinnett Aquatic Club’s Baylor Stanton completed his backstroke sweep with a time of 1:40.89 in the 200, putting him ahead of Area Tallahassee’s Ethan Ekk (1:42.41) and Sarasota Sharks’ David Melnychuk (1:42.50). An extremely tight finish in the 200 breast saw the top-three finishers touch within a tenth, with Old Dominion’s Gabe Nunziata closing in 29.13 to claim the win in 1:54.36. Highland Hurricanes’ Josh Bey came in second at 1:54.43, two hundredths ahead of Team Suffolk’s Noah Cakir (1:54.45).

The 1650 free went to Shawmut’s Will Mulgrew in 14:50.97, ahead of Laker Swim’s Ryan Erisman (14:57.76) and Colin Jacobs (15:01.34), while Huntsville’s Luke Bedsole held off Central Ohio’s Austin Carpente in the 100 free, 42.91 to 42.99, with Bolles’ Andy Kravchenko third (43.06).

The TAC Titans finished one second clear of the field in the women’s 400 free relay with a team of Reina Liu, Sloane Whelehan, Mere Whelehan and Caden Martin clocking 3:18.13. Lakeside Swim Team (3:19.07) and Laker Swim (3:19.18) rounded out the top-three. The team from Bolles won the men’s relay in 2:53.78, breaking the Juniors meet record of 2:54.66 set by Cavalier last year. This year’s Heilman-led Cavalier team took second (2:56.65) ahead of Lakeside (2:57.01).

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Can Stephen Curry carry the Golden State Warriors if Jimmy Butler's injury lingers?

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April 24, 2025

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Can Stephen Curry carry the Golden State Warriors if Jimmy Butler's injury lingers?

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How to watch Yahoo Sports' NFL Draft Live show

The 2025 NFL Draft starts Thursday, April 24. Players including Cam Ward, Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter and Will Johnson will be in the mix, and coverage is airing across all the usual suspects — NFL Network, ESPN, ESPN2, NFL+ and ESPN+. But you can also find coverage of the 2025 NFL Draft right here on […]

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5 hours ago

April 24, 2025

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How to watch Yahoo Sports' NFL Draft Live show

Host Jason Fitz will be joined in studio by Football 301’s Nate Tice, Charles McDonald and Matt Harmon for pick-by-pick analysis, with senior NFL reporters Charles Robinson and Jori Epstein making appearances. Yahoo Sports Draft Live will be available to stream via the Yahoo Sports website, app, YouTube, X and Facebook.

In addition to the Yahoo Sports Draft Live show, Yahoo Sports will also deliver expanded coverage throughout the draft, including a crossover Football 301 and Yahoo Fantasy Forecast show breaking down the first round of the draft and a live edition of Inside Coverage this Saturday, April 26, at 4 p.m. ET. Also on tap: A live edition of Football 301 Sunday, April 27, at 3 p.m. ET to deliver final draft grades and a taping of Yahoo Fantasy Forecast this Sunday to break down what this draft means for your fantasy teams next year. Are you ready to tune in?

Stream Yahoo Sports’ NFL Draft Live show

Here’s what else you can do in the Yahoo Sports app:

Connect with other NFL fans

The Yahoo Sports app will let you connect with other fans around the NFL Draft in real time. Using the Discussions feature, you can chat with each other and Yahoo Sports experts about each player and pick in the draft.

To access Discussions for each player, go to their prospect pages. You can find Discussions about the broader draft in a draft megathread.

Use emojis to react to NFL draft picks

You can now react to each pick in the draft with emojis — but only a select few. You can share if you agree with the pick, if you’re unsure how you feel about the pick, or if you don’t like the pick.

Emoji reactions are available on both iOS and Android versions of the Yahoo Sports app.

Live activities feature

The Yahoo Sports app has a new live activities feature, which lets you stay up to date on each pick in the draft, even if your phone is locked.

When is the 2025 NFL Draft?

Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 24, at 8 p.m. ET. Rounds 2-7 will follow on Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26.

Yahoo Sports Draft Live time

Yahoo Sports’ NFL Draft Live show will begin at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 24. Friday’s Yahoo Sports Draft Live show will stream at 7 p.m. ET.

2025 NFL Draft channel

In addition to Yahoo Sports’ coverage of the draft, you can tune into coverage of this year’s NFL Draft on NFL Network, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes (Spanish broadcast). You can stream coverage on NFL+ and ESPN+.

More ways to watch the NFL Draft:

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Dowagiac Union High announces Class of 2025 Top 10

Dowagiac Union High announces Class of 2025 Top 10 Published 1:56 pm Thursday, April 24, 2025 From left: Markus Ottinger (Salutatorian,3.952 GPA), Guadalupe Brito (Valedictorian), Nevaeh Hemminger (Valedictorian), Lauren Balsbaugh (No. 9, 3.950 GPA), Brenna Mott (Valedictorian), Merrill Adams (No. 10, 3.920), Emerson Kruger (Valedictorian), Rebecca Guernsey (Valedictorian), Carlee Spagnoli (Valedictorian), Emma Stanger (Valedictorian). (Submitted) […]

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6 hours ago

April 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Dowagiac Union High announces Class of 2025 Top 10

Published 1:56 pm Thursday, April 24, 2025

: From left: Markus Ottinger (Salutatorian,3.952 GPA), Guadalupe Brito (Valedictorian), Nevaeh Hemminger (Valedictorian), Lauren Balsbaugh (No. 9, 3.950 GPA), Brenna Mott (Valedictorian), Merrill Adams (No. 10, 3.920), Emerson Kruger (Valedictorian), Rebecca Guernsey (Valedictorian), Carlee Spagnoli (Valedictorian), Emma Stanger (Valedictorian). (Submitted)

DOWAGIAC — Dowagiac Union High School has announced the Top Ten Graduates from the Class of 2025.

The following students have excelled both in and out of the classroom by maintaining a superb academic record, while also participating in numerous extracurricular activities and teams. Commencement will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18 at Chris Taylor Alumni Field. This year, seven Chieftains earned 4.0 GPAs to achieve Valedictorian status.

Graduating as a Valedictorian of the Class of 2025 is Guadalupe Brito. Guadalupe is the daughter of Andres and Natalia Brito. Her high school activities include National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Humanities Club, Educational Talent Search, varsity soccer and wrestling.

Her Awards include academic Award of Excellence, Academic Achievement Award, Student of the Month, Honorable Mention for soccer from the Lakeland Conference, Honorable Mention all-conference wrestling and high honors. She plans to attend Ferris State University to pursue a degree in diagnostic medical sonography and she hopes to one day become an ultrasound technician.

Also graduating as Valedictorian is Rebecca Guernsey. Rebecca is the daughter of Richard and Jennifer Guernsey. Her high school activities include golf, softball, basketball, National Honors Society, robotics and powerlifting. Her awards include National Rural Small Town Academic Award, a six-time first-team all-conference honoree – four times in golf, two for soccer – two-time first team All-State golf, three-time state qualifier.

She is also an individual regional champion in golf and is a five-time team MVP – three in golf, two in softball. She plans to attend Bethel University to get a bachelor’s degree in sports management and her career plan is to become a golf course manager and a PGA professional.

Nevaeh Hemminger is also graduating as a Valedictorian. Nevaeh is the daughter of Regina Hemminger and Chad Velthouse. Her High School activities include National Honor Society, Chieftain Heart, Humanities and National Society of High Schools. Her awards include student of the month and she was aNational Rural and Small Town Recognition Award winner. She has received High Honor Awards, First Generation Recognition Award, CTE Health and Therapeutic Awards, the Award of Academic Excellence, National Career Readiness Certificate and has been a CTE Outstanding Award recipient.

After graduation, Nevaeh plans to attend Southwestern Michigan College for another year before entering the workforce or possibly transferring to the University of Michigan. At the University of Michigan, she plans to major in business and minor in entrepreneurship. Her goal is to become a successful entrepreneur and business owner by opening a bakery within five years of graduation.

Emerson Kruger is Dowagiac’s next Valedictorian. Emerson is the daughter of Andy and Jacqueline Krueger. Activities include being Vice President of the Rotary Interact Club, secretary of Student Senate, captain of the varsity volleyball team, member of National Honor Society and also a member of the Humanities Club and Environmental Club.

Her awards include receiving High Honors and the Academic Award of Excellence. She’s been Student of the Month and had a volleyball academic All-State award. Emerson plans to attend the University of Michigan to major in kinesiology and exercise science. Emerson hopes to become either a physical or occupational therapist or work for a sports team as an athletic trainer.

Brenna Mott is also graduating as a Valedictorian. Brenna is the daughter of Jason and Stephanie Mott. Her high school activities include Vice President of the National Honor Society, treasurer of Student Senate, chair of Rotary Interact Club and a member of Humanities Club and Environmental Club. Her awards include an Academic Award of Excellence, High Honors, individual, All-State basketball and individual All-State volleyball.

Brenna plans to attend Michigan State University. In the future, she dreams of working for the Detroit Lions as a member of their managing and marketing team, where she can promote them on social media,

Graduating as a Dowagiac Valedictorian is Carlee Spagnoli. She is the daughter of Michael Spagnoli and Mickey Spagnoli. Her high school activities include softball, golf and National Honor Society. She is a member of the Career and Technical Education showcase team that represented the Dowagiac’s automotive class in Lansing.

Carlee Earned her ASE certification in maintenance, light repair and brakes. Her Awards include High honors, the Academic Award of Excellence, Academic all-state team and individual all-state for softball and golf and all-conference for golf. Carlee plans to attend Ferris State University for either radiography or nuclear medicine. She hopes to work in a hospital as a radiography tech or a nuclear medicine tech.

Dowagiac’s final Valedictorian for the Class of 2025 is Emma Stanger. She is the daughter of Mike and Melissa Stanger. Her school activities include Rotary Interact – where she was the treasurer last year and president this year – Environmental Club Leadership Team, Student Senate, National Honor Society. Humanities and Chieftain Heart.

She also represents Dowagiac in the Michigan Gateway Foundation Youth Advisory Council. Emma is a 14-year member and team captain of the Miss Michelle and Company dance team. Her Awards include High Honors, MVP, all-state and academic all-state for competitive cheer.

Emma plans to attend Purdue University and major in marketing. After graduating college, she aims to work in the sports industry being behind the scenes working on marketing.

Representing the Class of 2025 as Salutatorian is Markus Ottinger with a GPA of 3.952. He is the son of Brandon Ottinger and Sherry Chaline. Markus’ high school activities include National Honor Society, Rotary Interact and Environmental Club. His awards include receiving an Academic Award of Excellence and being recognized for high honors. He was honorable mention at the 106 and 113-pound weight class and was first team all-conference in wrestling. He was also Academic All-State for four years, a four-year wrestling varsity starter and is ASE certified in maintenance and light repair and plans to attend Western Michigan University to study computer science, computer systems and information. He hopes to become a certified information technician.

Lauren Balsbaugh is ranked number 9 with a GPA of 3.95. She is the daughter of TJ and Kelly Balsbaugh.Her high school activities include National Honor Society, Rotary Interact, Environmental Club, Student Senate, Chieftain Heart, varsity sideline cheer along with varsity competitive cheer and varsity tennis. Her awards include Certificates of Excellence all four years of high school, High honors and Academic All-State for competitive cheer. She’s been the MVP for tennis and has made all-conference in competitive cheer as well. Lauren plans to attend Saint Mary’s College and after graduation hopes to start as a registered nurse before returning to get a master’s degree to become a nurse practitioner.

Merrill Adams is ranked number 10, graduating with a GPA of 3.92. She is the daughter of John and Erin Adams. She is enrolled at Cassopolis Ross Beatty for agriculture classes and is dual-enrolled at Southwestern Michigan College. She is the Vice President of the Cassopolis FFA chapter, Michigan’s Region One FFA Reporter, is a member of Student Senate, Vice President of the Dowagiac National Honor Society and Rotary Interact Club.

She has received high honors all four years of high school and was the recipient of Green Hand, chapter and state degrees for FFA. She also received a state chapter award for FFA and placed sixth at the Michigan FFA State Convention in the prepared public speaking competition.

Merrill is currently Miss Cassopolis and Miss Congeniality 2025. She plans to attend Southwestern Michigan College for agricultural business before getting her certificate in agricultural operations from Michigan State University. After graduating, she plans to get her bachelor’s in animal science from Kansas State University’s online program. She plans to be a MagnaWave practitioner and hopes to become an agricultural science teacher.

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Amazon Prime Video Taps Eric Church, John Fogerty for NASCAR Theme

Some music never goes out of style. Amazon Prime Video has enlisted country star Eric Church and former Creedence Clearwater Revival leader John Fogerty to update the band’s classic “Up Around The Bend” for use as a theme for the streamer’s new coverage of NASCAR. “Working with both Eric Church — an incredible artist who […]

Published

6 hours ago

April 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Amazon Prime Video Taps Eric Church, John Fogerty for NASCAR Theme

Some music never goes out of style.

Amazon Prime Video has enlisted country star Eric Church and former Creedence Clearwater Revival leader John Fogerty to update the band’s classic “Up Around The Bend” for use as a theme for the streamer’s new coverage of NASCAR.

“Working with both Eric Church — an incredible artist who is a genuine NASCAR fan — and the legendary John Fogerty to put a fresh spin on his iconic hit gives our coverage a distinctive sound that matches the energy of the sport,” said Stacey Rosenson, Head of U.S. Sports Marketing, Prime Video, in a statement. “Incorporating the anthem into our new commercial featuring the legendary duo of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Steve Letarte, alongside current Cup Series star Chase Elliott, taps into the heartbeat of NASCAR and highlights our commitment to delivering a unique, fun, and exciting viewing experience for fans.”

Other media companies are working a little harder to win fans to new racing properties. Fox Sports earlier this year ran promos featuring Josef Newgarden, who has won the Indianapolis 500 back to back on two separate occasions, along with Tom Brady, Fox Sports’ lead NFL analyst, to win fans for IndyCar.

Popular on Variety

The song debuts Thursday in commercials that tout Prime Video’s coverage and will appear across linear platforms leading up to the debut on May 25. The commercial, produced by 77 Ventures and Boomshot, features racing icon and Prime Video analyst Dale Earnhardt Jr., analyst Steve Letarte, and Cup Series star Chase Elliott.

The new anthem will premiere during Prime Video’s presentation of the Coca-Cola 600 from Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 25, and will be woven into broadcasts throughout the streamer’s exclusive five-race NASCAR Cup Series package.

Sports

Surfers Dharma – The Journey to Purpose (ft. Koa Smith, Tom Carroll, Pacha Light)

Filmmaker and narrator Uriel Jean Armel sets out to document what it means to live with purpose. Along the way, iconic surfers including Tom Carroll, who turned his struggle with addiction into a gift, and rising voices for activism and awareness through surfing like Koa Smith and Pacha Light share their own stories of transformation. […]

Published

8 hours ago

April 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Surfers Dharma – The Journey to Purpose (ft. Koa Smith, Tom Carroll, Pacha Light)

Through this movie, we aim to bring awareness on environmental issues in Indonesia.
If you would like to support this cause, you can reach out to Risman via his IG page: Lombok Plastic Free IG page @lombokplasticfree

Or, Sungai Watch who provided us with some additional footage. Their their teams are cleaning up beaches and rivers of Indonesia, installing barriers to prevent the trash from coming to the ocean: @sungaiwatch – you can also support and donate through their webpage: sungai.watch

If you are interested in the topics of healing and meditation, head over to the website of Dr Joe Dispenza (drjoedispenza.com), both Koa and Uriel have been attending his retreats and found deep healing through his studies and practices

Thank you to all our kickstarter donors who made this journey possible. To be continued!

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Garbiñe Muguruza and Kosovare Asllani plot sporting pathway to social sustainability …

A former World No.1 in women’s tennis and a footballer who has played in the top divisions of Spain, England, France, Italy and the USA joined forces with Laureus and sustainability partner, EY, at the Laureus World Sports Awards earlier this week, to begin a new chapter in social sustainability in sport. Both two-time Grand […]

Published

8 hours ago

April 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Garbiñe Muguruza and Kosovare Asllani plot sporting pathway to social sustainability ...

Both two-time Grand Slam champion Garbiñe Muguruza and Kosovare Asllani, capped 192 times for the Sweden women’s national football team, are Laureus Ambassadors with a history of advocacy. They chose the 25th anniversary Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid to convene a panel of changemakers including representatives from NGOs, elite sporting events and industry with the goal of developing actionable strategies that can be adopted across sport to foster social sustainability.‘Local to Global – Sport as a Catalyst for a Better World’ was presented by Laureus and EY at the Palacio de Cibeles, the venue later that same day for the Laureus World Sports Awards, attended by the world’s greatest athletes.The conversation spotlighted real-world examples of sport transforming communities, fostering inclusion, resilience, education, and health outcomes, both through community initiatives and also major international events.