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FORT WORTH – In the Big 12’s first year of sponsoring the sport, TCU has earned three of the four beach volleyball yearly awards. The undefeated duo of Anhelina Khmil and Ana Vergara garnered the Big 12 Pair of the Year honors, followed by Sofia Izuzquiza as Big 12’s Freshman of […]
FORT WORTH – In the Big 12’s first year of sponsoring the sport, TCU has earned three of the four beach volleyball yearly awards. The undefeated duo of Anhelina Khmil and Ana Vergara garnered the Big 12 Pair of the Year honors, followed by Sofia Izuzquiza as Big 12’s Freshman of the Year. Head coach Hector Gutierrez has been named the Big 12 Coach of the Year.
In addition, six Horned Frogs took a spot on the conference’s All-Big 12 Team: Daniela Alvarez, Maria Gonzalez, Hailey Hamlett, Khmil, Tania Moreno and Vergara.
Heading into the NCAA tournament this weekend Khmil and Vergara boast a record of 18-0, with 17 of those wins coming from the No. 4 spot. The two are the only Horned Frog pairing to remain undefeated this season. Additionally, Khmil leads the team in ranked wins, with 20 victories under her belt.
In her first year at TCU, Izuzquiza earned herself a record of 26-5, and has appeared in the most matches of anyone in her freshmen class. Her 26 wins put her at the third most wins for a Horned Frog this season. Starting with a ranked win over then-No. 5 Stanford, she has earned herself 18 ranked wins on the season. This is the fourth consecutive year for TCU to win Freshman of the Year honors in their respective conference.
In his ninth year as a head coach for TCU, Gutierrez led the squad to a season record of 28-5. In the last AVCA Coaches poll before the NCAA tournament, the Horned Frogs are ranked No. 1 for the third time this season. The top ranking additionally marked TCU’s six consecutive week ranked in the AVCA Top Two.
This is the third conference coach of the year award for Gutierrez. In the Gutierrez era he has coached an all-time record of 216-81.
Rector Gerasimos Siasos honours University of Athens Students—World Champions in Women’s Water Polo
In an atmosphere of pride and emotion, Rector Gerasimos Siasos honoured today, in the Old Senate Hall of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the students who were part of Greece Women’s National Water Polo Team—the one that won first place at the FINA Women’s Water Polo World Cup held in China. The students […]
In an atmosphere of pride and emotion, Rector Gerasimos Siasos honoured today, in the Old Senate Hall of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the students who were part of Greece Women’s National Water Polo Team—the one that won first place at the FINA Women’s Water Polo World Cup held in China. The students honoured were: Foivi Angelidi (School of Dentistry), Marina Kotsioni (School of Physical Education and Sport Science), Christina Siouti (School of Medicine), Vasiliki Plevritou (School of Dentistry), and Sofia Tornarou (School of Medicine).
The Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Professor Gerasimos Siasos, gave a warm welcome to the athletes and presented them with commendations in recognition of their effort and sporting ethos. Also in attendance at the awards ceremony were the Chair of the NKUA’s Committee on Sport and Physical Activity and Member of the NKUA’s Administration Council, Professor Athanasia Smirniotou, the Dean of the School of Physical Education and Sport Science, Professor Gerasimos Terzis, the Chair of the NKUA’s School of Medicine, Professor Nikolaos Arkadopoulos, and the member of the scientific commission of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Associate Professor at the NKUA’s School of Medicine, Giorgos Marinos.
‘Your achievement proves that academic excellence can harmoniously coexist with elite-level sport. You set an inspiring example for future generations and make us all very proud. Our University is with you every step of the way to support you with your dreams’, said the Rector, Professor GerasimosSiasos.
The students, for their part, thanked the University administration for the honour and support, emphasizing that the accomplishment belongs to the entire team and everyone who backs them daily as they strive to achieve academic goals and compete for championships, all while balancing their studies with the demands of high-level sport.
The ceremony concluded with wishes for continued success, both in academic and athletic pursuits.
Pisgah state-medalist Childress signs with Berry College track and field | Sports
Pisgah girls track and field head coach Gus Hembree did not have an official assistant coach specializing in throwing events for the 2025 season. But he will have to find a replacement for his program’s “unofficial” throwing coach now that state-medal winning thrower Ashton Childress is off to compete at the collegiate level. “Ashton’s basically […]
Pisgah girls track and field head coach Gus Hembree did not have an official assistant coach specializing in throwing events for the 2025 season.
But he will have to find a replacement for his program’s “unofficial” throwing coach now that state-medal winning thrower Ashton Childress is off to compete at the collegiate level.
“Ashton’s basically been the coach for the girls on the throwing side,” Hembree said. “She’s been a great leader. She really helped my younger throwers, took them under her wings and helped them all while she was having a phenomenal season herself.”
Childress recently signed scholarship papers with Berry College of Mount Berry, Georgia during a signing ceremony at Pisgah High School.
Childress will compete in the javelin, shot put, discus and hammer throw at Berry, which contacted her back in the fall. Childress received a letter from Berry noting that they had seen her sectional and state meet marks from her junior season and wanted her to join its track and field program.
“I was really surprised,” Childress said.
Childress transferred to Pisgah from Fyffe in the early part of her freshman year and joined the junior varsity basketball team. Hembree convinced her to give track and field at Pisgah a try. Childress ultimately jumped into the sport wholeheartedly and began to attend camps and train with former Hungarian Olympian and Auburn University thrower Gabor Mate.
“At first, it was a lot of form work,” Childress said. “As I learned more, I’ve really progressed in my technique and speed.”
Childress won Jackson County Track and Field titles in the javelin and discus during her junior year and won a sectional title in the javelin before posting a fifth-place state finish in the javelin (96 feet) during the 2024 AHSAA Championships’ Class 2A Girls Track and Field Meet.
This past season, Childress won the Jackson County Girls javelin county title again and won Class 2A Girls Section 3 championships in the javelin, discus and shot put before medaling at state with third-place state finishes in the javelin (107 feet, one inch) and the discus (99-6).
Childress’ stellar season track and field came on the heels of one in basketball in which she averaged 9.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.3 blocked shots per game while helping Pisgah win the Class 2A Girls Basketball state championship. Childress was selected to the Class 2A Girls All-State Tournament Team after contributing 15 points, nine rebounds and five assists in the No. 7-ranked Eagles’ 84-72 state-title game win over top-ranked Decatur Heritage.
Childress, who had more than 800 points and 800 rebounds during her two seasons at Pisgah, had basketball offers from Snead State and Gadsden State but chose Berry in part because it had a program for her major, wildlife sciences, and for a love for throwing.
“She had (basketball) opportunities, but I always tell them find what will make them happy, and she’s done that and I couldn’t be prouder for her,” said Pisgah head coach Carey Ellison.
Hembree said Childress will fit well at Berry just as she did at Pisgah.
“Berry is getting a phenomenal ‘track-a-lete,’ but more importantly, getting a great person,” Hembree said. “She will fit in really well with their program and will be a big asset to them.”
Associate Head Coach, Volleyball in New York, NY for Fordham University
Details Posted: 28-May-25 Location: New York, New York Type: Full-time Categories: Coaching Coaching – Volleyball Sector: Collegiate Sports Preferred Education: 4 Year Degree Associate Head Coach, VolleyballWomen’s Volleyball, Rose HillFordham University
Fordham University has an excellent reputation as a dynamic institution located in New York City. Founded in 1841, Fordham enrolls more than 16,000 […]
Associate Head Coach, Volleyball Women’s Volleyball, Rose Hill Fordham University
Fordham University has an excellent reputation as a dynamic institution located in New York City. Founded in 1841, Fordham enrolls more than 16,000 undergraduate and graduate students in its 9 Colleges and Schools.
•Fordham University offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to its employees, which includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance. •We offer tuition remission for employees and their dependents. •A generous employer match towards a 403(b) retirement plan. •As a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), Fordham is considered a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, a federal program designed to forgive student loan debt for employees of certain public and certain nonprofit employers. •As part of its work-life balance program, the University provides generous PTO including 15 vacation days, 12 sick days, 4 personal days, 6 summer Fridays, and holidays that include paid time off between Christmas and New year. •University employees have access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAP provides no-cost, professional, and confidential services, to help employees and family members address a variety of personal, family, life, and work-related issues.
Position Summary Reporting to the Head Coach, Volleyball, the Associate Head Coach, Volleyball, will facilitate the development of the program, including planning, coaching, teaching, and recruiting, and will assist the Head Coach in managing the program.
This position requires frequent travel, as well as evening and weekend hours.
Essential Functions •Assists the Head Coach in recruiting, including calling prospective student-athletes, evaluating high school and junior college players, setting up campus visits and maintaining accurate records and databases, instructing and retaining highly skilled student-athletes, fundraising, developing game strategy and attending all program events upon request. •Provides instruction to volleyball student-athletes on the fundamentals, details, and strategies of volleyball as assigned by the Head Coach. •Intermittently steps in as a practice player competing at a high Division I level. •Complies with all NCAA, Atlantic 10 Conference, and University rules and regulations. •Counsels student-athletes in sport participation, personal development, and academics. •Assists in the marketing and promotion of the program. •Provides administrative support for team travel. •Acts as liaison with Equipment Manager when ordering and monitoring team equipment.
Essential Functions Note This list is not intended to be an exhaustive list. The University may assign additional related duties as necessary.
Additional Functions •Attends fundraising and community service events upon request to support the program. •Operates University-owned or leased vehicles to transport students, staff, and/or equipment in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and insurance requirements.
Required Qualifications: Education and Experience •Bachelor’s Degree. •Minimum of 1 year of coaching experience.
Required Qualifications: Knowledge and Skills •High-level organizational skills. •Demonstrated skill in developing and motivating student-athletes academically and athletically. •Demonstrated commitment and motivation to building a successful program. •Strong interpersonal and communication skills. •Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. •Understanding and knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations. •Successful candidates should have a knowledge of and commitment to the goals of Jesuit Education.
Preferred Qualifications •Familiarity with Data Volley. •Coaching experience at the NCAA Division I level. •Valid Driver’s License.
Minimum Starting Salary: $55,000
Maximum Starting Salary: $62,400
Note: Salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience, and skills.
ABOUT FORDHAM Founded in 1841, Fordham is the Jesuit University of New York, offering an exceptional education distinguished by the Jesuit tradition to more than 16,000 students in its 9 colleges and schools. It has residential campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, a campus in West Harrison, N.Y., the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk, N.Y., and the London Centre in the United Kingdom.
Fordham University is committed to excellence through diversity and welcomes candidates of all backgrounds.
Fordham is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories
STATE TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONS 400: Nevaeh Anderson, Pueblo 47.36 1600: Katherine McNulty, Catalina Foothills 4:52.74 3200: Katherine McNulty, Catalina Foothills 10:46.39 JAVELIN: Isaac Moyle, Salpointe 208-04 4×400: Buena, 3:17.64: Ricardo Brooks, Armani Ramirez-Sperle, Jayden Thomas, Vijay Carrier
STATE TRACK AND FIELD SECOND PLACE 1600: Amelia North, Rincon University 4:55.63 110 HURDLES: Jett Merrill, Ironwood Ridge 14.10 DISCUS: Caleb Miller, Mica Mountain 159-04
STATE TRACK AND FIELD THIRD PLACE 200: Nevaeh Anderson, Pueblo 21.84 400: Donovan Davidson, Empire 48.25 800: Noah Macias, Mica Mountain 1:53.47 DISCUS: Shawn Bookman, Buena 158-05 HIGH JUMP: Sean McCarthy, Canyon del Oro 6-06 SHOT PUT: Liz Ugwu, Sahuaro 41-07.75 12.69 TRIPLE JUMP: Cayla Jones, Cienega 37-05.50 4×100: Mica Mountain, 41.18: Jordan Perry, Makhi Prescott, Nathaniel Bryant, Tyree Evans
400 METERS Nevaeh Anderson, Sr. Pueblo 47.36 (2nd State) Donovan Davidson, Sr. Empire 47.86 Vijay Carrier, Jr. Buena 48.34 Cristiano Morales, Jr. Salpointe 48.84 Jordan Perry, Sr. Mica Mountain 49.21
Aliyah Hatchett, So. Cienega 57.22 Aliyah Akinbile, Jr. Catalina Foothills 57.51 Rose Barlette, Jr. Cienega 57.99 Sedona Drumm-Lee, So. Catalina Foothills 58.90 Taylor Tatum, Sr. Sabino 59.19
800 METERS Noah Macias, Sr. Mica Mountain 1:53.47 Milo Mandolini, So. Sabino 1:55.94 Danny Knapp, Sr. Rio Rico 1:57.42 Aric Accetta, Sr. Salpointe 1:57.81 Arian Puig, So. Rio Rico 1:58.17
Katherine McNulty, Jr. Catalina Foothills 2:14.23 Cameron Kohl, Jr. Pusch Ridge 2:15.21 Amelia North, Sr. Rincon University 2:16.89 Sophy Floyd, Fr. Pusch Ridge 2:19.15 Abigail Schultz, Jr. Ironwood Ridge 2:19.77
1600 METERS Milo Mandolini, So. Sabino 4:17.64 Andrew Smith, Sr. Tanque Verde 4:23.04 Emiliano Caldera, Jr. Catalina 4:24.44 Aric Accetta, Sr. Salpointe 4:26.06 Finnegan Hawes, Jr. Rincon University 4:28.67
Katherine McNulty, Jr. Catalina Foothills 4:52.74 (Best in State) Amelia North, Sr. Rincon University 4:55.63 (2nd State) Hailey Burke, So. Mica Mountain 4:59.75 Abigail Kurgat, Sr. Rincon University 5:09.48 Hayley Floyd, Jr. Pusch Ridge 5:09.89
3200 METERS Andrew Smith, Sr. Tanque Verde 9:19.40 Jose Hernandez, Sr. Rio Rico 9:29.26 Emiliano Caldera, Jr. Catalina 9:39.36 Finnegan Hawes, Jr. Rincon University 9:40.37 Lucas Williams, Sr. Mica Mountain 9:44.20
Amelia North, Sr. Rincon University 10:38.25 (Best in State) Katherine McNulty, Jr. Catalina Foothills 10:46.39 (2nd in State) Hayley Floyd, Jr. Pusch Ridge 11:05.01 Hailey Burke, So. Mica Mountain 11:07.75 Abigail Kurgat, Sr. Rincon University 11:12.92
110/100 METER HURDLES Jett Merrill, So. Ironwood Ridge 14.02 (2nd in State) Kyler Holthaus, Sr. Ironwood Ridge 14.80 Kevin Bruns, Sr. Tucson 15.05 Nasim Pedrego, Jr. Salpointe 15.12 Ethan Mack, Sr. Cienega 15.41
California changed rules for a track-and-field meet after a trans athlete’s success. What to know | Sports
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California is opening up its track-and-field championship to more girls after a transgender athlete drew controversy for qualifying for the meet. The California Interscholastic Federation announced the temporary rule change Tuesday after high school junior AB Hernandez’s success drew backlash, including from President Donald Trump. He criticized the athlete’s participation in […]
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California is opening up its track-and-field championship to more girls after a transgender athlete drew controversy for qualifying for the meet.
The California Interscholastic Federation announced the temporary rule change Tuesday after high school junior AB Hernandez’s success drew backlash, including from President Donald Trump. He criticized the athlete’s participation in a social media post Tuesday, though the group said it decided on the rule change before that.
Here’s what to know:
State law lets trans athletes compete
Former California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a law in 2013 allowing students to participate in sex-segregated school programs, including on sports teams, and use bathrooms and other facilities that align with their gender identity.
A Republican-led effort to block that law failed recently in the Democratic-dominated Legislature. Another proposal that also failed would have required the federation to ban students whose sex was assigned male at birth from participating on a girls school sports team.
Federation announces rule change
The federation said it was launching a “pilot entry process” to allow more girls participate in the championship track-and-field meet.
Under the change, “any biological female student-athlete who would have earned the next qualifying mark for one of their Section’s automatic qualifying entries in the CIF State meet, and did not achieve the CIF State at-large mark in the finals at their Section meet” could compete, the group said.
If a transgender athlete medals, their ranking would not displace a “biological female” student from medaling, the federation confirmed. In high jump, triple jump and long jump — all of the state championship events Hernandez qualified to compete in — a “biological female” who would have earned podium placement will get the medal for that place and will be reflected in the records, the federal said.
The federation did not specify how they define “biological female” or how they would verify whether a competitor meets that definition.
Experts from organizations including the American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association and American Psychological Association say gender is a spectrum, not a binary structure consisting of only males and females.
Backlash centers on one student
Hernandez, a trans athlete in Southern California, is at the center of the debate. She won the long jump and triple jump during the division finals and is expected to perform well this weekend. She also set a triple jump meet record at the Ontario Relays earlier this year.
Critics have accused her of having an unfair advantage over other athletes.
Hernandez told the publication Capital & Main earlier this month that she couldn’t worry about the actions of critics, who have called out her participation and heckled her at postseason meets.
“I’m still a child, you’re an adult, and for you to act like a child shows how you are as a person,” she said.
She noted that she has lost some of her events, saying that disproved arguments that she can’t be beat.
Rule change prompts criticism
The rule change may discriminate against transgender athletes, said Elana Redfield, a policy director at the UCLA School of Law Williams Institute, which researches sexual orientation and gender identity policies.
“The CIF policy creates two sets of rules — one for transgender girls, who must earn a place through traditional measures of competition, and another for ‘biological females,’ some of whom are allowed an extra chance to earn a spot,” Redfield said in an email.
The change seems to “thread a fine needle” by trying to ensure cisgender girls aren’t denied a competition slot while still allowing trans athletes to participate, Redfield said.
Doriane Lambelet Coleman, a professor at Duke Law School, said the change would help ensure that “no female athlete loses a place on a team or in a competition when a trans girl is included.”
“Unlike inclusion policies that ignore sex differences, doing it this way doesn’t gaslight the other girls about their biology,” said Coleman, who has researches subjects including children, sports and law and wrote recently on the evolving definition of sex.
Izzy Gardon, a spokesperson for California Gov. Gavin Newsom, called the rule change “a reasonable, respectful way to navigate a complex issue without compromising competitive fairness” and said the governor thought it was a thoughtful approach. Newsom angered some liberal allies earlier this year when he questioned the fairness of transgender girls participation in girls sports.
Associated Press writer Janie Har in San Francisco contributed.
Austin is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Austin on X: @sophieadanna
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Army West Point Wins 2024-25 Patriot League Presidents’ Cup
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Army West Point claimed the Patriot League Presidents’ Cup, winning three League Championships during the 2024-25 academic year to finish atop the leaderboard. The Black Knights also topped the women’s standings, while Navy collected the men’s title for the third straight year. Army West Point earned […]
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Army West Point claimed the Patriot League Presidents’ Cup, winning three League Championships during the 2024-25 academic year to finish atop the leaderboard. The Black Knights also topped the women’s standings, while Navy collected the men’s title for the third straight year.
Army West Point earned 150.25 overall points to capture the Patriot League Presidents’ Cup for the fifth time in program history and the first time since the 2004-05 academic year (Presidents’ Cup History), snapping Navy’s record-breaking streak of 10 straight overall titles. Navy finished second with 142.25 overall points, while Bucknell (139.75), Boston University (136.5) and Lehigh (112.25) make up the top five.
The Black Knights claimed the League crown in women’s cross country, men’s swimming and diving and women’s outdoor track and field. They also won the regular-season titles in softball and women’s tennis to help finish with a League-leading 84.25 points in the women’s standings. Boston University compiled 84 points, collecting League titles in women’s indoor track and field, women’s rowing, softball, women’s soccer and women’s tennis. Bucknell (75.25), Navy (75.25) and Lehigh (62.25) round out the closely-contested top five.
The Mids won League titles in men’s cross country, men’s indoor track and field, women’s golf and women’s lacrosse, men’s outdoor track and field and women’s swimming and diving. The Navy team also played for the League title in men’s basketball, helping to accumulate 67 points in the men’s standings. Army West Point (66) finished one point behind. Bucknell (64.25), Boston University (52.5) and Lehigh (50) ranked third, fourth and fifth, respectively, on the men’s leaderboard.
The Patriot League Presidents’ Cup is awarded to the member institution with the highest cumulative sports point total in the Patriot League standings for sponsored men’s and women’s sports. Points are awarded based on a combination of an institution’s regular-season and tournament finishes in each sport.
In football, points are awarded based on the final regular-season standings. If there is no regular-season competition and a Patriot League Championship determines the champion, points are awarded based on the final championship standings. If all teams compete in the Patriot League Championship and there is a regular-season competition, points are awarded based on the average of the final regular-season standings and the tournament finish. If all teams do not participate in the Patriot League Championship and a regular-season competition is held, points are awarded based on the average of the final season standings and the tournament finish. For those teams not participating in the Championship, the final regular-season standings will be utilized.
Bucknell leads all programs with 18 overall Patriot League Presidents’ Cup titles, followed by Navy with 11 and Army West Point with five trophies. The three schools are the only winners of the overall title in League history.
2024-25 Patriot League Presidents Cup Final Standings
(number of Patriot League sports in parentheses)
OVERALL
1. Army West Point, 150.25 (20)
2. Navy, 142.25 (21)
3. Bucknell, 139.75 (24)
4. Boston University, 136.5 (20)
5. Lehigh, 112.25 (24)
6. Colgate, 94.75 (22)
7. Holy Cross, 85.25 (24)
8. Loyola Maryland, 69 (17)
9. Lafayette, 67.75 (22)
10. American, 57.75 (15)
MEN
1. Navy, 67 (10)
2. Army West Point, 66 (10)
3. Bucknell, 64.25 (11)
4. Boston University, 52.5 (8)
5. Lehigh, 50 (11)
6. Colgate, 46 (10)
7. Holy Cross, 44 (11)
8. Lafayette, 32.75 (11)
9. Loyola Maryland, 29.75 (7)
10. American, 27 (6)
WOMEN
1. Army West Point, 84.25 (10)
2. Boston University, 84 (12)
3. Bucknell, 75.5 (13)
4. Navy, 75.25 (11)
5. Lehigh, 62.25 (13)
6. Colgate, 48.75 (12)
7. Holy Cross, 41.25 (13)
8. Loyola Maryland, 39.25 (10)
9. Lafayette, 35 (11)
10. American, 30.75 (9)
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes who are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.
