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Sports analytics site lists Bills' DB as top player at his position for 2024

The Buffalo Bills have one of the most underrated players in the game roaming their secondary. And it looks like he may finally be getting the credit he deserves. Cody Alexander — Head of Football Operations for sports analytics company Field Vision Sports — shared his top five NFL cornerbacks from the 2024 season on […]

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Sports analytics site lists Bills' DB as top player at his position for 2024

The Buffalo Bills have one of the most underrated players in the game roaming their secondary. And it looks like he may finally be getting the credit he deserves.

Cody Alexander — Head of Football Operations for sports analytics company Field Vision Sports — shared his top five NFL cornerbacks from the 2024 season on X this week. Of course, the likes of All-Pros Pat Surtain II, Derek Stingley Jr., and Marlon Humphrey were within the group.

But his No. 1 CB? None other than the Bills’ CB1, Christian Benford.

According to Field Vision’s havoc rating system, Benford ranked highest in the league among CBs with a 95.0 rating. He also posted a 90.2 zone coverage grade and allowed 18.6 receiving yards per game.

”He is a pure zone CB who can play man,” said Alexander in his X post “Still, Benford is a perfect fit in the Bills system on a down-for-down basis.“

One may be wondering, “what’s the havoc rating?” Here’s how it’s described on Field Vision’s site:

“Field Vision’s Havoc Ratings were built by creating a model that calculate individual player impact on a play-by-play basis,” says Field Vision’s website. “Accounting for virtually every outcome a player is responsible for that creates (or degrades) value for their team.

RELATED: Bills’ belief in overlooked CB prospect yields mega payday for Day 3 draft pick

”Field Vision’s Havoc Rating is an expression of a players value (i.e. How good they are) relative to others in their position group, accounting for the scheme that they play in. Our goal is to get to the most precise, data-based ranking of players and how good they are relative to their peers based on the play-by-play results they actually produce on the field.”

The havoc scale ranges from 0-100.

Benford may still be underrated nationally, but Buffalo’s general manager Brandon Beane knows just how valuable he is with the recent contract extension he took care of him with. And if he keeps outperforming his sixth-round pick status from 2022, Benford could be one of the best investments Beane has made during his Bills’ tenure.

Christian Benford and Rasul Douglas

Buffalo Bills cornerbacks Christian Benford (47) and Rasul Douglas (31). / Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

—  Enjoy free coverage of the Bills from Buffalo Bills on SI  —

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40 years after falling in love at the SEA Games, this Singaporean couple will compete in the pool again

“I actually played competitively for Queenstown in the local scene until in my 50s,” he added. Ms Cheong also served as vice-president of swimming with the Singapore Swimming Association for a short period of time. But her relationship with her sport was slightly more complicated. “It’s more of a love-hate thing. I was burnt out already […]

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“I actually played competitively for Queenstown in the local scene until in my 50s,” he added.

Ms Cheong also served as vice-president of swimming with the Singapore Swimming Association for a short period of time. But her relationship with her sport was slightly more complicated.

“It’s more of a love-hate thing. I was burnt out already by the time I quit the sport, I really didn’t want to touch the water so much, I didn’t train by myself a lot. If I do, I’d just go and do a few laps,” she said.

“But I would say that over the recent years, I have come to terms with my past. That ‘hate’ part is gone, I’m much more comfortable going back.”

When the opportunity to take part in the Masters Championships in Singapore this year came up, the husband-and-wife duo decided to take the plunge.

“He was the instigator. He was the one talking to me about it,” said Ms Cheong.

“How often does Singapore host this?” added Mr Koh. “I was pretty excited.”

But it is also not without a sense of trepidation.

“A bit fearful in the sense that water polo is a fitness game, and we’re all so out of shape. Getting the team together was a bit intimidating,” said Mr Koh.

“But other than that, we always try to remind ourselves that we train a bit differently. Now, we don’t do so much sprints because we’re all old.”

Ms Cheong will compete in two relays – the 4x50m freestyle and the 4x50m medley – with some former teammates.

“Three of us are old teammates … We trained together, we were from the same club before. So it’s more of for old times’ sake,” she said.

More than competing, the pair are looking forward to simply doing sport together again.

“It’s nice to do things together. Even though we are in different venues, with different timings (for our events),” said Mr Koh.

‘I used to watch him training. Those were really fun times. Now, less so because 40 years have passed, and we’ve been working,” added Ms Cheong. “It would be really nice to go watch him again.”



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Katy ISD Names 2024-25 Athletes of the Year

KATY, Texas (Covering Katy News) — Katy ISD Athletics has named three standout student-athletes as its 2024-25 Athletes of the Year, recognizing their excellence in competition and academics. Adam Carter of Katy High School earned male athlete of the year honors, while Ananya Sriniketh of Tompkins High School and Janey Campbell of Seven Lakes High […]

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KATY, Texas (Covering Katy News) — Katy ISD Athletics has named three standout student-athletes as its 2024-25 Athletes of the Year, recognizing their excellence in competition and academics.

Adam Carter of Katy High School earned male athlete of the year honors, while Ananya Sriniketh of Tompkins High School and Janey Campbell of Seven Lakes High School shared female athlete of the year recognition.

“Congratulations to our three Katy ISD Athletes of the Year! Their talent, leadership and dedication have set the standard for excellence in athletics and academics,” said Lance Carter, executive director of athletics for Katy ISD. “We celebrate their incredible accomplishments and the positive impact they’ve made on their teams, campuses and in Katy ISD.”

Male Athlete of the Year

Adam Carter — Katy High School, football and track and field

Carter competed in football and track and field for four years at Katy High School, reaching the University Interscholastic League state meet in track the past two seasons while serving as a three-year starter for the Tigers football team.

The senior medaled three times at the state track meet, winning one gold and two silver medals. He holds school records in shot put and discus at Katy High School, plus the District 19-6A and 6A Region 3 shot put records. Carter also set the school record for longest punt at 78 yards.

As a senior, Carter was named district MVP in football and earned All-Greater Houston area team honors. In track, he won district titles in shot put and discus, claimed area champion honors in shot put, captured regional championships in both events and won the state title in shot put. The Texas High School Coaches Association named him MVP of its Super Elite Track and Field Team.

Carter will compete at Texas State University.

Female Athletes of the Year

Ananya Sriniketh — Tompkins High School, tennis

Sriniketh lettered in varsity tennis for four consecutive years and won four district championships in singles.

She reached the state finals as a sophomore, earning a silver medal, then captured the state singles championship as a senior after a seven-hour match. The Texas High School Coaches Association named her to its Super Elite Team for Team Tennis.

Sriniketh earned Academic All-District and All-State recognition during her high school career.

She will compete at Claremont McKenna College.

Janey Campbell — Seven Lakes High School, swimming and track and field

Campbell lettered three years in swimming and competed at the UIL State Track and Field Meet all four years of high school.

She won three district titles in discus and one in shot put during her career. Campbell captured the 2025 Texas Relays Shot Put Championship and qualified for state track meets each year, placing in the top five annually before winning the shot put as a senior. The Texas High School Coaches Association named her to its Super Elite team for track and field.

Campbell will compete at the University of Michigan.



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‘U’ Announces Details for Exhibition Match vs. Selected Alumni

MINNEAPOLIS — The University of Minnesota volleyball program will host an exhibition match on Saturday, Aug. 16 at 3 p.m. at Maturi Pavilion. The match will feature the 2025 Golden Gophers competing against several alumni, including multiple current or recent professionals. “I’m thrilled to welcome home so many incredible Gophers to the home crowd at the […]

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MINNEAPOLIS — The University of Minnesota volleyball program will host an exhibition match on Saturday, Aug. 16 at 3 p.m. at Maturi Pavilion. The match will feature the 2025 Golden Gophers competing against several alumni, including multiple current or recent professionals.

“I’m thrilled to welcome home so many incredible Gophers to the home crowd at the Pav,” said head coach Keegan Cook. “I’m most excited for our athletes to spend time and compete against women who helped build this program to where it is today.”

The team will feature almost 20 AVCA All-America honors, including four Big Ten Player of the Year accolades and one national player of the year. Between the players on the team, 10 of them played in a Final Four.

Assistant coach Pedro Mendes will serve as the head coach for the alumni team.

Admission for the event will be free. The program has been planning this event for the last few months, but was securing logistical and personnel details before announcing.

Outside Hitters:

-Daly Santana (2012-15); 2015 Big Ten Player of the Year, Two-Time AVCA All-America, 2015 Final Four participant

-Sarah Wilhite (2013-16); 2016 Big Ten and National Player of the Year, 2016 AVCA All-America, 2015 and 2016 Final Four participant

-Lexi Hart (2016-19); Four-time AVCA All-America, 2016 North Region Freshman of the Year, 2016 and 2019 Final Four participant

Setters:

Elise McGhie (2022-24); Two-time Academic All-Big Ten, 2024 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award

-Jen Bowman (2003-04); 2004 AVCA First Team All-America, 2004 Final Four participant

Libero/DS:

-Dalianliz Rosado (2014-17); Fourth all-time at Minnesota in digs, 2015 and 2016 Final Four participant

-Rachel Kilkelly (2019-22); Three-time Academic All-Big Ten, 2019 Final Four participant

Middle Blockers:

-Tori Dixon (2010-13); Three-time AVCA All-America, seventh all-time in blocks at Minnesota

-Hannah Tapp (2012-15); Two-time AVCA All-America, 2015 Final Four participant, Second all-time in blocks at Minnesota

-Ellie Husemann (2019-22); Three-time Academic All-Big Ten, 2019 Final Four participant

Opposites:

-Stephanie Samedy (2017-21); Five-time AVCA All-America, 2020, 2021 Big Ten Player of the Year, 2019 Final Four participant

-Katherine Harms (2009-12); 2012 AVCA All-America, 2009 Final Four Participant



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Change of plans: McBain’s Rodenbaugh switches from hoops to track and field | Sports

MCBAIN — Most college student-athletes entering the NCAA’s transfer portal just change schools. Ben Rodenbaugh changed schools and sports — before he even started college. The recent McBain High School graduate, who was headed to Trine University for basketball, is now going to Grand Valley State University for track and field. Specifically, the high jump. […]

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MCBAIN — Most college student-athletes entering the NCAA’s transfer portal just change schools.

Ben Rodenbaugh changed schools and sports — before he even started college.

The recent McBain High School graduate, who was headed to Trine University for basketball, is now going to Grand Valley State University for track and field.

Specifically, the high jump.

The change came after Rodenbaugh put together a pretty darn special track and field season that included a state championship.

“With how my track season went where I started off breaking the school record, then I go to states and win and go out to Oregon and compete at Nike Nationals, I just thought why not go chase that at Grand Valley,” Rodenbaugh said.

“The biggest reason, though, was just the fact that it was closer than going to Indiana.”

Rodenbaugh re-broke McBain’s program record in the high jump with a leap of 6-feet, 10-inches at Highland Conference double-dual meet May 5 at Manton.

He duplicated that feat at the 53rd annual Cadillac News Meet on Memorial Day to set the meet record after sharing it in 2024 with former Marion standout Braden Prielipp — now jumping at Grand Valley, as well.

Rodenbaugh then took first with a leap of 6-9 at the MHSAA Division 3 State Finals Meet May 31 at Kent City High School.

He wrapped up his prep career with a jump of 6-6.25 at Nike Outdoor Nationals in Eugene, Ore., on June 22.

“With how track season went, it would have been a shame to never know what I could have done,” Rodenbaugh said. “With D3 basketball versus D2 track, I went with the track and field.

“I prefer basketball any day of the week but the money was definitely a part of it, too. Right before that meet at Manton, they sent a text to me and then we kept in touch after that.”

NCAA Division III schools — like Trine — can not give athletic scholarships but do often find ways to reduce tuition, fees, etc. through academic moneys.

Not playing college basketball will still be on Rodenbaugh’s mind.

“I will always have that wonder with basketball, seeing how fast I could transition to a collegiate player,” he said. “Trine won the national championship (in 2024) so they’ve got a great program, too.”

Rodenbaugh is headed to a program that has its own pedigree when it comes to championships, as well.

Grand Valley’s men have 18 GLIAC team titles overall and had 16 individual champions this past spring.

The Lakers took third overall at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships last month in Colorado.

When it comes to the high jump specifically, Grand Valley State’s Jaivon Harrison is a three-time NCAA D2 champion with a personal-best height of 7-5.

“Grand Valley pretty much runs the conference for track and they always compete at nationals,” Rodenbaugh said.

“I’m not just going to some random track program. I am going to a place that knows how to make athletes better.”

The seven-foot mark is Rodenbaugh’s mind, too.

“I am hoping my freshman year, I can break the seven-foot barrier,” he said. “I want to compete for national championships, too.”

Rodenbaugh will major in exercise science at Grand Valley with the plan of becoming a chiropractor.





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VOLLEYBALL ANNOUNCES 2025 SCHEDULE – Le Moyne College Athletics

Story Links Syracuse, N.Y. – The Le Moyne College volleyball team will open its third Division I season and first under the direction of head coach Fiona Cunningham at home on Friday, August 29, as the team’s schedule was released on Friday afternoon.   The 28-match schedule will feature 13 […]

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Syracuse, N.Y. – The Le Moyne College volleyball team will open its third Division I season and first under the direction of head coach Fiona Cunningham at home on Friday, August 29, as the team’s schedule was released on Friday afternoon.
 
The 28-match schedule will feature 13 home contests, 11 road matches and four contests at neutral sites. The Dolphins will play 16 Northeast Conference matches and 12 non-conference affairs. New this year, the NEC schedule features one home and home series and a two-match home series against each of the other seven opponents.
 
The Dolphins will open the season by partnering with Syracuse University for the second straight year to host the Salt City Classic on August 29, 30 and 31. The Dolphins will host Rider University on Friday the 29th and Niagara University on Saturday the 30th. The Classic wraps up on Sunday the 31st as Syracuse hosts the Dolphins.
 
The following week, the Dolphins will head to Newark, Delaware for the University of Delaware’s Blue Hen Invitational. The Dolphins will take on Hampton University and Virginia Tech on Saturday, September 6 and then face the host Blue Hens on Sunday the 7th.

The Dolphins head to Annapolis, Maryland the following weekend for the Navy Invitational. They take on Gardner-Webb University on Friday the 12th and the host Mids on Saturday afternoon.

 

The team’s next three matches are in Syracuse against New York foes. They kick off the stretch at home against Canisius University on Wednesday the 17th. Two days later, they head across town to Syracuse University to take on St. John’s University as part of the Syracuse Invitational. The following day, they welcome Siena College to Ted Grant Court for their final non-conference home match of the season.

 

The Dolphins conclude non-conference play and September at Holy Cross on Tuesday the 30th.

 

The team opens October and Northeast Conference play with a home series against LIU on Friday the 3rd and Saturday the 4th. After heading to FDU on Wednesday the 8th, the Dolphins host defending NEC champion Chicago State University for the first time for Friday and Saturday matches.

 

The Dolphins then trek to Stonehill College for matches on the 17th and 18th.

They are home for their next three matches. The ‘Phins host Central Connecticut State on the 24th and 25th and then complete their season series with FDU on Wednesday the 29th.

 

The following weekend, they head to NEC newcomer the University of New Haven for matches on Halloween and November 1.

The Dolphins wrap up their home schedule by hosting Mercyhurst University on Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th.

 

They close out the regular season on the road at Saint Francis University on the 14th and 15th.

 

The Northeast Conference Championship will feature a four-team field and will be held on November 21 and 22 at the site of the highest seed.

 



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The impact of President Donald Trump’s ‘Saving College Sports’ executive order | Penn State Sports News

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday introducing new financial restrictions and guidelines for college athletics, further reshaping the landscape following the House V. NCAA settlement approved in June. The executive order, titled “Saving College Sports,” proclaims universities shouldn’t allow any of its athletes to receive “third party, pay-for-play payments,” and lays out guidelines […]

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President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday introducing new financial restrictions and guidelines for college athletics, further reshaping the landscape following the House V. NCAA settlement approved in June.

The executive order, titled “Saving College Sports,” proclaims universities shouldn’t allow any of its athletes to receive “third party, pay-for-play payments,” and lays out guidelines for protecting athletic scholarships for non-revenue sports based on an athletic department’s annual earnings.

The order said an antitrust ruling in 2021 that allowed athletes to receive payments off their name, image and likeness (NIL) and the elimination of transfer restrictions “has created an out-of-control, rudderless system in which competing university donors engage in bidding wars for the best players.”

Trump cited that 65% of Team USA’s athletes at the 2024 Olympic Games were current or former NCAA athletes, while 75% were collegiate athletes, as partial reasoning for the order.

Scholarship guidelines

Athletic departments that earned more than $125 million in revenue during the 2024–25 athletic season should increase scholarship opportunities in non-revenue sports the following season and fill all roster spots permitted under collegiate athletic rules.

Meanwhile, athletic departments making more than $50 million in revenue during that same time frame should provide “at least as many” scholarship opportunities in non-revenue sports as they did in 2024–25.

Finally, any athletic departments making less than $50 million in revenue or those without revenue-generating sports should not disproportionately scale back scholarships or roster spots based on revenue.

Penn State falls into the first category, with its athletic department generating $220.7 million in revenue during the 2023–24 athletic year — a figure that could grow when the 2024–25 reports are released.

To comply with the order, Penn State must provide more scholarship opportunities than it did last year in non-revenue sports, while also providing the greatest number of roster spots allowed in non-revenue sports under NCAA rules.

Non-revenue sports at Penn State include tennis, gymnastics, fencing and track and field.

Paying players

There have been rumors of third parties, such as booster collectives (donors, alumni and other interested parties) paying student athletes, especially in football, large sums of money to attend certain universities.

Trump’s executive order works to amend that trend.

While the executive order describes such payments as “improper,” the ban doesn’t apply to any money paid to athletes for the fair market value of services they provide to third parties, like brand endorsements.

The executive order states that any revenue-sharing between universities and athletes must be designed to preserve or increase scholarships and opportunities for women’s and non-revenue sports.

“A national solution is urgently needed to prevent this situation from deteriorating beyond repair and to protect non-revenue sports, including many women’s sports, that comprise the backbone of intercollegiate athletics, drive American superiority at the Olympics and other international competitions, and catalyze hundreds of thousands of student-athletes to fuel American success in myriad ways,” Trump stated in the order.

                                MORE SPORTS COVERAGE


U.S. Department of Education sets precedent, invalidates transgender records

A new precedent has been set in collegiate athletics.

                          

If you’re interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here.



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