Story Links HAMMOND, La. – Six members of the Southeastern Louisiana University football team earned spots on the 2024 Louisiana Sports Writers Association All-Louisiana Collegiate Football Teams, which were released by the LSWA Thursday. Southeastern had a total of seven All-Louisiana selections, which was the fourth-highest in the state behind UL Lafayette (10), LSU (10) and […]
HAMMOND, La. – Six members of the Southeastern Louisiana University football team earned spots on the 2024 Louisiana Sports Writers Association All-Louisiana Collegiate Football Teams, which were released by the LSWA Thursday.
Southeastern had a total of seven All-Louisiana selections, which was the fourth-highest in the state behind UL Lafayette (10), LSU (10) and Tulane (8) and the most among all FCS in-state schools.
Darius Lewis was named to the team twice, as a first team return specialist and second team wide receiver. Lewis is the first player in program history to be named to the All-Louisiana team at multiple positions in the same season.
Lewis added more accolades to his growing postseason trophy case. The New Orleans native previously earned All-America recognition from the Associated Press, FCS Football Central and Phil Steele to go with his multiple first team All-Southland Conference nods at wide receiver and punt returner.
As a receiver, he is currently ninth in the FCS with 82 receptions and eighth nationally in receptions per game at the end of the regular season. His 82 receptions are the second-most in program history and accounted for 806 yards and five touchdowns. As a punt returner, he leads the FCS in the national rankings with 18.5 yards per punt return.
Calligan was the Lions’ top cornerback in his lone season in Hammond after transferring from Jackson State. The New Iberia, Louisiana native and first team All-SLC selection finished with 39 tackles (29 solo) from his cornerback position and consistently drew the opposing team’s top receiver. Calligan intercepted a pass in 30-27 overtime victory over Lamar and recorded a season-high seven tackles in a 24-23 win over Stephen F. Austin. He was credited with a season-high two pass breakups in a 37-7 road victory over HCU. Wicks earned his first All-Louisiana nod to go with his first team All-SLC selection after serving as the leader of the Southeastern offensive line, starting all 12 games at right tackle. The Plaquemine, Louisiana native helped clear the way for the SLC’s leading rusher and helped the Lions rank third in the SLC with 29.0 points per game versus league competition.
Like Calligan, Peeples also earned first team All-Southland honors in his lone season in the green and gold, serving as SLU’s top pass rusher in his first season in Hammond. The Stone Mountain, Georgia native was fifth in the Southland in sacks with four of those sacks coming versus Southland Conference competition. Peeples had two sacks in 24-23 win over Stephen F. Austin, while also credited for sacks at HCU and versus Stephen F. Austin. He made a season-high eight tackles in a 30-27 SLU overtime win at Lamar.
Ford, a second team All-SLC pick, was one of the Lions’ top tacklers in his first year as a full-time starter. The Olive Branch, Mississippi product finished the regular season ranked 11th in the SLC in tackles. In conference games, his 55 tackles are good for 10th in the league. He posted 14 tackles versus UIW and recorded 10 tackles in SLC wins over SFA and East Texas A&M. Ford intercepted a pass and returned it 42 yards to set up a touchdown in a 37-7 victory over HCU and forced a fumble in a 24-23 victory over SFA. Mahler took over the full-time punting role midway through the season after splitting time with teammate Jack Hunter. His 45.6 punting average would have been good for sixth in FCS had he attempted enough punts to qualify in the national rankings. Nine of the Vacherie, Louisiana native’s 32 punts were over 50 yards, including a school-record tying 75-yarder at Nicholls and a 72-yard punt that was the third-longest in school history in a 30-27 overtime win at Lamar. LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and linebacker Whit Weeks were named the state’s offensive and defensive player of the year, respectively. ULM running back Ahmad Hardy (Freshman of the Year), Tulane wide receiver Mario Williams (Newcomer of the Year) and UL Lafayette head coach Michael Desormeaux (Coach of the Year). A voting panel of media and athletic communications directors selected the teams. Southeastern will open spring practice March 11 to begin official preparations for the 2025 season opener at Louisiana Tech Aug. 30.2024 LSWA All-Louisiana Collegiate Football Teams Offensive Player of the Year: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU Defensive Player of the Year: Whit Weeks, LB, LSU Freshman of the Year: Ahmad Hardy, RB, ULM Newcomer of the Year: Mario Williams, WR, Tulane Coach of the Year: Michael Desormeaux, UL LafayetteSecond Team Offense Pos. | Name | School | Cl. | Hometown OL | Brockhim Wicks | Southeastern | Sr. | Plaquemine, La. OL | Derrick Graham | Tulane | Jr. | Lake Minneola, Fla. OL | Emery Jones | LSU | Jr. | Baton Rouge, La. OL | Cole LeClair | McNeese | Sr. | Middleburg, Fla. OL | Josh Remetich | Tulane | Sr. | New Orleans, La. TE | Mason Taylor | LSU | Jr. | Plantation, Fla. WR | Darius Lewis | Southeastern | Sr. | New Orleans, La. WR | Mario Williams | Tulane | Sr. | Tampa, Fla. RB | Joshon Barbie | McNeese | So. | New Orleans, La. RB | Daylon Charles | Louisiana Christian | Sr. | Gueydan, La. RB | Collin Guggenheim | Nicholls | Sr. | Kenner, La. QB | Ben Wooldridge | UL Lafayette | Sr. | Pleasanton, Calif.Second Team Specialists Pos. | Name | School | Cl. | Hometown P | Alec Mahler | Southeastern | So. | Vacherie, La. K | Damian Ramos | LSU | Jr. | Baltimore, Md. Second Team Defense Pos. | Name | School | Cl. | Hometown DL | Warren Peeples | Southeastern | Sr. | Stone Mountain, Ga. DL | Logan Brimmer | Louisiana Christian | Sr. | Boutte, La. DL | Savion Jones | LSU | Sr. | Vacherie, La. DL | Rasheed Lovelace | Nicholls | So. | Pensacola, Fla. LB | Eli Ennis | Nicholls | Jr. | Ohatchee, Ala. LB | Blake Gotcher | Northwestern State | Sr. | Little Elm, Texas LB | Bradyn Swinson | LSU | Sr. | Douglasville, Ga. DB | Khamron Ford | Southeastern | Sr. | Olive Branch, Miss. DB | Zy Alexander | LSU | Sr. | Loreauville, La. DB | Bailey Despanie | Tulane | Jr. | Lafayette, La. DB | Yusef Leak | McNeese | Sr. | Orlando, Fla. DB | Tyree Skipper | UL Lafayette | Jr. | New Orleans, La. DB | Jacob Wilson | Centenary | Fr. | Shreveport, LaFirst Team Specialists Pos. | Name | School | Cl. | Hometown P | Finn Lappin | McNeese | Fr. | Melbourne, Australia K | Kenneth Almendares | UL Lafayette | Sr. | Clute, Texas RS | Darius Lewis | Southeastern | Sr. | New Orleans, La. RS | Rayshawn Pleasant | Tulane | So. | West Monroe, La.TICKETS For ticket information, contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net. Southeastern will continue offering mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail or text message in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
SOCIAL MEDIA For more information on Southeastern Football, follow @LionUpFootball and @Coach_Scelfo on X, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and follow lionupfootball on Instagram.
TOUCHDOWN CLUB/S CLUB Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the football program are encouraged to join the Touchdown Club. Lion football alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
All membership fees and donations to both the Touchdown Club and S Club (football) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern football program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
CLEAR BAG POLICY Southeastern Athletics observes a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.
First Team Defense Pos. | Name | School | Cl. | Hometown DL | David Blay | Louisiana Tech | Jr. | Levittown, Pa. DL | Ckelby Givens | Southern | Jr. | Shreveport, La. DL | Patrick Jenkins | Tulane | Sr. | New Orleans, La. DL | Jordan Lawson | UL Lafayette | Jr. | Brandon, Miss. LB | Andrew Jones | Grambling | Jr. | Marrero, La. LB | K.C. Ossai | UL Lafayette | Sr. | Conroe, Texas LB | Whit Weeks | LSU | So. | Watkinsville, Ga. DB | Keydrain Calligan | Southeastern | Sr. | New Iberia, La. DB | Tyrone Lewis | UL Lafayette | Sr. | Hammond, La. DB | Keyon Martin | UL Lafayette | Sr. | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. DB | Wydett Williams | ULM | Jr. | Lake Providence, La.First Team Offense Pos. | Name | School | Cl. | Hometown OL | Landon Burton | UL Lafayette | Sr. | Lafayette, La. OL | Will Campbell | LSU | Jr. | Monroe, La. OL | AJ Gillie | UL Lafayette | Sr. | Natchitoches, La. OL | Shadre Hurst | Tulane | So. | Cartersville, Ga. OL | Evan Roussel | Nicholls | Sr. | Lutcher, La. TE | Terrance Carter | UL Lafayette | So. | Killeen, Texas WR | Tru Edwards | Louisiana Tech | Sr. | Shreveport, La. WR | Kyren Lacy | LSU | Sr. | Thibodaux, La. RB | Ahmad Hardy | ULM | Fr. | Monticello, Miss. RB | Makhi Hughes | Tulane | So. | Birmingham, Ala. QB | Garrett Nussmeier | LSU | Jr. | Lake Charles, La.
Leverette and Li Named to AVCA Player of the Year Watch List
LOS ANGELES – Junior outside hitters Cheridyn Leverette and Maggie Li have been named to the AVCA Division I Player of the Year Award Watch List, presented by Nike Volleyball, announced on Tuesday morning. Leverette and Li are two of 30 standout athletes selected from 20 institutions to appear on the watch list. UCLA […]
LOS ANGELES – Junior outside hitters Cheridyn Leverette and Maggie Li have been named to the AVCA Division I Player of the Year Award Watch List, presented by Nike Volleyball, announced on Tuesday morning.
Leverette and Li are two of 30 standout athletes selected from 20 institutions to appear on the watch list. UCLA is one of just nine programs to boast multiple honorees.
Leverette’s quickly emerged as one of top player players in the nation to stardom following her breakout 2024 season where she earned AVCA All-America Honorable Mention and First Team All-Big Ten honors. After limited appearances in 2022, she emerged as a reliable starter in 2023, ranking third on the team with 288 kills and leading in service aces. By 2024, Leverette led the Bruins in five statistical categories, totaled 435 kills with 20+ kills in three matches, and posted a remarkable 29-kill outing at Purdue—the highest kill tally by a Bruin in the last three years. Her consistency was unmatched, recording double-digit kills in 27 of 28 matches and becoming just the fifth Bruin in the rally scoring era with 20 straight matches in double figures.
Li will join UCLA after two fantastic seasons as a standout outside hitter at Cal. As a freshman in 2023, she led all Division I newcomers in multiple categories and became the first in program history to earn AVCA Pacific West Region Freshman of the Year and VolleyballMag All-America Honorable Mention. She continued her dominance in 2024, starting every match and ranking among the ACC’s top three in kills, kills per set, and total points. She went on to register a total of 463 kills and seven double-doubles. Li earned Pac-12 and ACC weekly honors at record-setting rates and posted seven 20+ kill performances, including a season-high 28 against Saint Mary’s.
Track & Field Earns USTFCCCA All-Academic Team Honors
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NEW ORLEANS, La. – Austin Peay State University’s track and field team earned the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Team honor, the organization announced. The Governors posted at least a 3.37 grade-point average across both the fall and spring semesters during the 2024-25 academic […]
NEW ORLEANS, La. – Austin Peay State University’s track and field team earned the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Team honor, the organization announced.
The Governors posted at least a 3.37 grade-point average across both the fall and spring semesters during the 2024-25 academic year, with a 3.5 GPA in the fall and a 3.37 in the spring. Additionally, the APSU had 23 student-athletes named to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll and 26 tabbed to the dean’s list last season. The program also has posted at least a 3.0 GPA for 14-straight semesters.
The USTFCCCA All-Academic Team honor marks the second-straight for the Governors and the eighth time the program has received the academic distinction since 2010.
In order to be eligible for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team Award, institutions must post at least a 3.0 GPA for the academic year.
Austin Peay was one of two Atlantic Sun Conference programs to earn the honor, joined by Eastern Kentucky.
For news and updates, follow the Austin Peay track and field team on X or Instagram (@GovsXCTF) or check back at LetsGoPeay.com for the latest news and stories.
Jacob Carrico was hired as a graduate assistant coach for the Purdue Fort Wayne women’s volleyball team prior to the 2025 season. Carrico spent four years played collegiate volleyball at Indiana Tech, playing in 83 matches as a Warrior. He won back-to-back WHAC regular season and conference tournament titles in 2022 and 2023. He had 396 digs […]
Jacob Carrico was hired as a graduate assistant coach for the Purdue Fort Wayne women’s volleyball team prior to the 2025 season.
Carrico spent four years played collegiate volleyball at Indiana Tech, playing in 83 matches as a Warrior. He won back-to-back WHAC regular season and conference tournament titles in 2022 and 2023. He had 396 digs in his career.
ATLANTA (AP) — The San Francisco Giants optioned Hayden Birdsong to Triple-A Sacramento after the right-hander failed to record an out in Monday night’s 9-5 loss to the Atlanta Braves. Birdsong (4-4) issued four walks, hit a batter and threw a wild pitch while allowing five runs against the Braves. He threw just six of […]
ATLANTA (AP) — The San Francisco Giants optioned Hayden Birdsong to Triple-A Sacramento after the right-hander failed to record an out in Monday night’s 9-5 loss to the Atlanta Braves.
Birdsong (4-4) issued four walks, hit a batter and threw a wild pitch while allowing five runs against the Braves. He threw just six of his 25 pitches for strikes in the Giants’ sixth straight loss.
It was the first time in 37 career appearances Birdsong did not record an out. He has 17 walks in his last 13 innings.
The loss left Birdsong’s ERA at 4.80, including an 8.13 mark in his last seven starts.
San Francisco also optioned right-hander Tristan Beck to Sacramento and recalled right-handers Carson Seymour and Sean Hjelle from the Triple-A team in moves announced by the team on Tuesday. Beck threw 1 1/3 perfect innings on Monday night, leaving his ERA at 5.68.
Sara Hughes made a surprising decision to pick Ally Batenhorst as her new beach volleyball partner. The soon-to-be 23-year-old is bailing on a promising indoor career in an attempt to qualify for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Although this kind of switch is not uncommon, it is still an earth-shattering move in the world of volleyball.
One of the best indoor players in the world will kick off her shoes to join the former world champion on the sand. Nobody saw it coming!
Sara Hughes is already established as one of the top players in beach volleyball.
Sara Hughes is no stranger to the beach. The former top-ranked recruit in both disciplines of the sport chose to play beach volleyball for USC in college and at one point won 103 matches in a row. The Trojans won multiple national titles while she was on the team.
At 5-foot-10, Hughes is considered one of the best defenders in the world. The 30-year-old seems to get a touch on every single ball. It’s insane!
Hughes played with multiple different partners as a professional over the last eight years. She and Kelly Cheng ultimately chose to go their separate ways after a shocking upset loss to Switzerland at the Olympics last summer and an injury.
With the sour taste of Paris now in her rearview mirror, these next four years will focus on Los Angeles.
Enter Ally Batenhorst.
Batenhorst began her college volleyball career at Nebraska and later transferred to USC. She only played indoor for the Trojans but she played both indoor and outdoor for the Huskers, with a 39-28 career record on the sand.
However, Ally Batenhorst has not played on the beach since early 2024. The 6-foot-5 outside hitter signed a professional contract with the Omaha Supernovas of the Pro Volleyball Federation after college.
She recorded 128 kills on 348 swings (36.8%) as a rookie.
Batenhorst’s first year with Omaha was also her last.
She is making the move from indoor to outdoor.
Although Ally Batenhorst loved her time with the Supernovas, she moved back to California during the offseason and fell back in love with the beach. Hughes eventually asked her to be her partner for at least the next three years, which was an easy yes.
They officially announced their partnership earlier this week. It is very big news!
This is a little bit of a risk for Hughes. Batenhorst is not new to the sand but she is still learning the game on a professional level after a 18-month(ish) focus on indoor volleyball.
By partnering now, Hughes and Batenhorst will have enough time to get acclimated before the Los Angeles Olympics cycle gets going. Their partnership, while surprising, could be a really dominant force on the international level if everything comes together as smoothly as they hope!
Johansson Wins Shot Put at World University Games – University of Nebraska
Nebraska track and field senior Axelina Johansson won the shot put gold medal at the FISU Summer World University Games in Bochum, Germany on Tuesday. Johansson, representing Sweden, threw 60-6 1/2 (18.45m) to earn the top spot on the podium. Johansson is a two-time NCAA champion in the shot put and six-time All-American, as well […]
Nebraska track and field senior Axelina Johansson won the shot put gold medal at the FISU Summer World University Games in Bochum, Germany on Tuesday.
Johansson, representing Sweden, threw 60-6 1/2 (18.45m) to earn the top spot on the podium. Johansson is a two-time NCAA champion in the shot put and six-time All-American, as well as the Nebraska school record holder in the event. She placed 10th at the Olympics last summer.
Husker junior Miné De Klerk, representing South Africa, finished in fourth place with a mark of 56-10 1/4 (17.33m). De Klerk is a two-time All-American in the shot put and also competed at the Olympics last year.