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Sanchez signs with NMJC track and field – www.hobbsnews.com

Published

6 months ago

June 14, 2025

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Sanchez signs with NMJC track and field

PETER STEIN/NEWS-SUN

Alejandra Sanchez thought she’d try something new. She didn’t realize it would be something that would turn into a college athletic career.

Sanchez was a Hobbs High junior in the spring of 2024 when track & field first beckoned. She had been a softball player, had played some basketball and run cross country, but had never ventured into the world of javelin throwing before giving it a whirl late in the ’24 season.

Sanchez, though, was a natural. She took to javelin rather easily during her few competitions as a junior. And as a senior this past spring, Sanchez took off. She didn’t just hold her own as a javelin thrower, she broke the school record, then broke her own record, then broke it again.

New Mexico Junior College took notice. And Sanchez, who graduated Hobbs High last month, is now on her way to junior college track & field, having signed her letter of intent to throw the javelin for NMJC’s nationally-renowned program.

“Super excited, super excited to be here,” Sanchez said during last week’s signing ceremony at the Hobbs High School student union building. “Super excited to be able to commit to this team and to the school.”

NMJC seemed a perfect place for Sanchez to move her career to the next level.

“The good fit was staying close to my family,” she said. “And the (NMJC) teammates, and the coaches also fit me as well, great coaches.”

“Her future is very bright,” Hobbs javelin coach Selena Ornelas said at the signing. “She’s going to go and do good things at the next level. She’s just scratched the surface. She’s still going to learn what her body can and can’t do.”

What it can do is fling that javelin. Entering the 2025 season, Hallie Wilson held the Hobbs school record of 121 feet, 4.5 inches. Sanchez took that down this season during a meet at Eastern New Mexico University with her throw of 124 feet, 9 inches.

Later in the season, Sanchez established a new javelin mark with her throw of 125 feet, 11 inches during a meet at Albuquerque Academy.

Then on May 2 during the Ross Black Relays at Lovington High School, Sanchez broke her own record yet again, this time with a throw of 127 feet, 1 inch.
“And this was the only full season she got to compete,” Ornelas said. “She’s going to explode at NMJC; I’m excited to see her explode.”

Though javelin was new for Sanchez last year, it wasn’t a totally unfamiliar feel.

“It goes back to my roots from softball,” she said, “it goes back to what I learned throwing the softball.”

Ornelas saw potential for a sport crossover.

“My coach told me that she could get me somewhere with throwing the javelin,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez says she was eventually approached by a member of the NMJC track & field program who informed the then-Hobbs senior that the Thunderbirds’ coaching staff was interested in bringing her to the next level. Sanchez was asked if she was interested.

“And I was like, ‘Oh yeah, of course,’” Sanchez recalled.

Sanchez did go to NMJC and had a conversation. Soon she was a junior college javelin thrower-to-be.

But Sanchez knows that stepping up to face some of the nation’s fiercest junior college opponents won’t be easy.

“I think it’s going to be pretty good competition,” she said. “I’ve just got to go out there, do my best, work hard for it.”

The New Mexico Junior College women’s track & field program is first-rate, having won consecutive national championships in 2023 and ’24 – and five of the last eight titles – and placed third nationally this year. So the pressure is on for Sanchez to adjust to that elite level.

“I think that’s another thing that’ll push me to want more,” she said, “and to compete better and harder.”

“She’s a competitor,” Ornelas said, “and that program is about competing at a high level. But I think she’s going to succeed.”

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Ohio Volleyball Places Seven Athletes on 2025 Academic All-MAC Team

Published

24 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

CLEVELAND – The Ohio volleyball team placed seven athletes on the 2025 Volleyball All-Mid-American Conference Team, as announced by the league on Monday, Dec. 15.

Eastern Michigan, Miami, and Western Michigan led the league with eight student-athletes honored. Ball State, Buffalo, Central Michigan, and Ohio followed behind with seven honorees each.

The Academic All-MAC honor is awarded to a student-athlete who has excelled in both athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.20 and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests in that sport.

2025 Volleyball Academic All-MAC Team
Caroline Curran, Junior, Engineering Tech & MGMT (3.852)
Sierra Evans, Sophomore, Journalism News and Info. (3.457)
Olivia Gardner, Junior, Exercise Physiology (3.660)
Lexi Grissett, Sophomore, Marketing (4.000)
Kendall Hickey, Junior, Communication Studies (3.396)
Bryn Janke, Sophomore, Accounting & Finance (3.895)
Darbi Ricketts, Sophomore, Exercise Physiology – Strength & Conditioning (3.384)

#OUohyeah

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Owls Dominate Cross Country Regional Honors

Published

31 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. – The Southern Connecticut State Univeristy cross country teams dominated the East Region year-end awards, selected by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

The Northeast 10 champions, Jonathan Volpe and Courtney Henchcliffe, each were named region Athletes of the Year. Both also won the East Region and advanced with their teams to the NCAA Championships.

Coaches John Wallin and Melissa Stoll were each named East Region Coach of the Year. Brian Nill is the SCSU lead assistant for cross country.

The Owls dominated this fall, with the men becoming the first program in NE10 history to claim four consecutive NE10 championships. The women repeated as conference champs for the second time in three seasons, winning the school’s first title in 2023. Volpe’s individual crown was his second league title.

ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 10 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.

Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.

Fans can subscribe via this link to follow NE10 NOW on FloSports this season. The partnership between the NE10 and FloSports works to provide funds back to the athletic departments of the Northeast-10 Conference in support of student-athletes while promoting the league on a national platform.

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Five Golden Flashes Named to Volleyball Academic All-MAC Team

Published

41 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

CLEVELAND — The Kent State volleyball program had five student-athletes earn Academic All-MAC honors, as the Mid-American Conference recognized a total of 78 student-athletes for their accomplishments this past season.

The Academic All-MAC honor is awarded to a student-athlete who has excelled in both athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.20 and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests that season.

FOLLOW KENT STATE VOLLEYBALL

For complete coverage of Kent State Volleyball, download the official Kent State Golden Flashes app (iOS, Android) and follow the Golden Flashes on social media on X, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates.

2025 Volleyball Academic All-MAC Team (Kent State honorees)

Greta Bolognini, Senior, Business Management

Hailey Brenner, Sophomore, Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology

Lesley Furuta, Sophomore, General Business

Mackenzie McGuire, Senior, Exercise Science

Nadia Miller, Sophomore, Exercise Science

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Track & Field 2026 Home Meet Tickets on Sale Now

Published

47 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

HOUSTON – Single meet tickets for Houston Track & Field’s 2026 home meets are on sale now, the Houston Athletics ticket office announced Monday. Tickets are available for purchase by clicking here.
Track & Field Home Schedule

General admission and expanded seating options, including a new premium section located near the finish line to provide an upgraded view of the action, will be available for all six home meets.

Fans have two ticket options for each meet. Daily tickets are priced at $15 for non-premium general admission. Those wanting to be closer to the action can purchase premium seating for $25, located near the finish line with chairbacks included.

Group tickets will also be

available to purchase. For more information, please call the Houston Athletics Ticket Office at 713-462-6647 or via email at tickets@central.uh.edu.

2026 HOME REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
Jan. 10: Leonard Hilton Memorial Invitational
Jan. 30-31: Robert Platt Invitational
Feb. 13: Howie Ryan Invitational
March 19: Kirk Baptiste Invitational
April 17-18: Tom Tellez Alumni Invitational
April 29: Cameron Burrell Invitational

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Track and Field by providing NIL opportunities, purchasing tickets and by joining the Podium Club, which provides support directly to Houston Track and Field for needs beyond its operating budget.

STAY CONNECTED

Fans can receive updates on #HTownSpeedCity by following @UHCougarTF on X and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team’s Facebook page at UHCougarTF or on the team’s Instagram page at @uhcougartf.

– UHCougars.com –

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Men’s Volleyball Picked Sixth In MIVA Preseason Poll

Published

57 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association has announced the 2026 preseason poll this morning with Lindenwood coming in at number six with 33 votes. The Lions were picked to finish ahead of Purdue Fort Wayne (24 votes), Northern Kentucky (19 votes), and Queens (16 votes).

Loyola Chicago was picked to win the conference as they received 73 votes (five first place votes) and right behind them is Ohio State with 68 votes (two first place votes). Rounding out the top five was Ball State (63 votes), Lewis (57 votes), and McKendree (52 votes). There were 12 players named to the 2026 Preseason All-MIVA Team with Patrick Rogers from Ball State being named the 2026 Preseason MIVA Player of the Year.

Lindenwood opens the season on January 9th at Long Beach State at 9 p.m. CT and MIVA play will start on February 4 at 7 p.m. in Hyland Arena against Loyola Chicago.

2026 Preseason Poll

1. Loyola Chicago – 73 (5)

2. Ohio State – 68 (2)

3. Ball State – 63 (1)

4. Lewis – 57 (1)

5. McKendree – 52

6. Lindenwood – 33

7. Purdue Fort Wayne – 24

8. Northern Kentucky – 19

9. Queens – 16

2026 Preseason All-MIVA Team (alphabetical by team)

Lucas Machado – Ball State

*Patrick Rogers – Ball State

Oguzhan Oguz – Lewis

Nico Paula – Lewis

Ryan McElligott – Loyola Chicago

Daniel Fabikovic – Loyola Chicago

Aleksander Sosa – Loyola Chicago

Yadiel Diaz – McKendree

Nate Flayter – McKendree

Stanislaw Chacinski – Ohio State

Shane Wetzel – Ohio State

Logan Muir – Purdue Fort Wayne

*Preseason Player of the Year

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Logan Muir Selected to Preseason All-MIVA Team

Published

1 hour ago

December 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Purdue Fort Wayne men’s volleyball’s Logan Muir was selected for the Preseason All-MIVA Team, the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association announced on Monday (Dec. 15).

Muir was named to the 2025 All-MIVA Second Team following last season.

The Junior led the Mastodons in points (464.5), kills (391) and service aces (41) last year. He was second in the MIVA in kills per set (4.39), aces per set (0.41) and points per set (5.19) during conference play. Muir’s 5.09 points per set ranked fifth in the nation. The California native also was 10th in the MIVA in hitting percentage with .299. Muir recorded double-digit kills in 19 of the ‘Dons’ 26 matches. He hit a career-high 23 kills in three sets at McKendree, the third most in the program’s rally scoring era.

Purdue Fort Wayne finished seventh in the MIVA last season, finishing with a 4-12 conference record.

Muir and the Mastodons open the season on the Arnie Ball Court against Missouri S&T on January 10.