Sports
Thompson alum Bradley Franklin qualifies for NCAA track and field national championship with Samford – Shelby County Reporter
Thompson alum Bradley Franklin qualifies for NCAA track and field national championship with Samford
Published 2:43 pm Monday, June 2, 2025

- Thompson alum and current Samford star Bradley Franklin qualified for the NCAA track and field national championship after the former Shelby County Male Athlete of the Year finished fifth at regionals as a true freshman. (Contributed/Samford University Athletics)
By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Bradley Franklin has wasted little time carrying over his high school success to the collegiate stage as he will compete for a national championship as just a true freshman.
Franklin punched his ticket to the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championship for outdoor track and field with one of the top times in the men’s 110-meter hurdles on Saturday, May 31 at the East Regional at the University of North Florida.
Competing for the Samford Bulldogs, Franklin qualified for nationals with a time of 13.46 seconds in the event, which was good enough for fifth place in the regional field. He was the only member of the Bulldogs to reach nationals.
Franklin’s regional performance is just one of many standout times from his freshman season. He broke the SoCon record for the 110-meter hurdles at the SoCon Championship on May 13 at the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium, securing the conference championship in the process.
His individual title helped Samford secure its fifth-straight conference title in men’s outdoor track and field.
Franklin was named the 2023-24 Shelby County Male Athlete of the Year after placing sixth in the indoor men’s 60-meter hurdles at the 2023 New Balance Nationals and third in the men’s 110-meter hurdles at the outdoor New Balance Nationals in 2024.
He also finished undefeated in his senior indoor season in the hurdles. Franklin finished 7-0 in the 60-meter hurdles, including the Class 7A state championship with a personal-record time of 7.62 seconds. He would beat that time at nationals to record a 7.61-second time.
Franklin then won eight of his nine starts in the 110-meter hurdles and set a new state championship meet record with a time of 13.37 seconds to win his second-straight title in the event. His then personal-record time beat out Hoover alum Marlon Humphrey for the state record.
Franklin also won the 300-meter hurdle state championship after going 5-0 in the event and finished in fifth place in the 100-meter dash state finals in 2024.
Franklin will compete in the 110-meter hurdle national championship at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. The semifinals will be Wednesday, June 11 at 7:08 p.m. central time on ESPN and the finals will be Friday, June 13 at 7:42 p.m. on ESPN2. Both will also be streamed on ESPN+.
In other county news, Pelham native Erin Long competed in regionals for Samford but missed out on qualifying for her second-career nationals. She finished in 18th place with a throw of 47.97 after winning the SoCon Championship in the event earlier in the month.
Sports
Viking track and field in Fargo on Thursday.
VALLEY CITY, N.D. – The Valley City State University Men’s and Women’s Track and Field teams will be in Fargo on Thursday, December 11th for the NDSU Dakota Alumni Classic at the Shelly Ellig Indoor and Track and Field facility on the campus of North Dakota State University.
The men are coming off a fourth-place finish at the Mike Thorson Open in Bismarck at the University of Mary on Saturday. Cameron Champagnie took first in the triple jump with a jump of 13.58m. The men had 18 top eight finishes on the day and scored 91 team points.
On the women’s side, Frida Barrera continues to impress. The freshman took second in the 1 Mile run and the 800m run. He time in the 1 Mile run of 5:21.61 set the school record in that event by 4.67 seconds. He time in the 800m of 2:26.69 was 2.45 seconds off the school mark. The women had nine top eight finishes and scored 59 team points which was good enough for third place.
The field events on Thursday begin at 12:00 p.m. with the weight throw. The running events will begin at 4:30 p.m. with the preliminaries of the 60m hurdles.
Live results can be found here
Sports
2025 Big 12 Volleyball National Honors
The following Big 12 volleyball players have earned national postseason recognition. Check back frequently for updates.
2025 AVCA Division I Women’s Volleyball All-Region Teams & Awards
Central Region
Rachel Van Gorp, Iowa State, First Team
Reese Ptacek , Kansas, First Team
Jovanna Zelenovic, Kansas, First Team, Region Freshman of the Year
Ava LeGrand, Kansas State, First Team
Shaylee Myers, Kansas State, First Team, Region Player of the Year
Morgan Brandt, Iowa State, Honorable Mention
Rhian Swanson, Kansas, Honorable Mention
Pacific Region
Noemie Glover, Arizona State, First Team
Bailey Miller, Arizona State, First Team
Colby Neal, Arizona State, First Team
Jordan Wilson, Arizona, First Team
Southeast Region
Avah Armour, UCF, First Team
Southwest Region
Evan Hendrix, TCU, First Team
Ksenia Rakhmanchik , Baylor, First Team
Alice Volpe, TCU, Honorable Mention
West Region
Suli Davis, BYU, First Team, Region Freshman of the Year
Brielle Kemavor, BYU, First Team
Ana Burilovic, Colorado, First Team
Kamryn Gibadlo, Utah, First Team
Alex Bower, BYU, Honorable Mention
Claire Little Chambers, BYU, Honorable Mention
Sports
Volleyball Returns to National Stage, Faces Concordia-St. Paul in NCAA Quarterfinal
ELITE EIGHT QUARTERFINAL PREVIEW
No. 7 Gannon vs. No. 2 Concordia-St. Paul
Thursday, December 11 • 2:30 PM (ET)
Sanford Pentagon – Sioux Falls, S.D.
The Matchup
The NCAA Division II Elite Eight opens with a high-profile quarterfinal as No. 7 Gannon challenges one of the most dominant programs in Division II history, No. 2 Concordia-St. Paul.
Gannon enters the national tournament for the second straight year and the fourth time in the last five seasons. Concordia-St. Paul arrives in Sioux Falls seeking its 10th national title under head coach Brady Starkey, who has built a 688-96 record over 22 seasons and has guided the Golden Bears to 13 Elite Eight appearances.
This will be the second all-time meeting between the two programs. The Golden Bears earned a 3–1 victory in a neutral-site match earlier this season on September 7.
Head-to-Head
Gannon is making its second straight trip to the Elite Eight and fourth in the last five years. The Golden Knights face a renowned Concordia-St. Paul team in the quarterfinals. The Golden Bears are in search of their tenth NCAA national championship, last winning in 2017. This marks the 13th trip to the Elite Eight in head coach Brady Starkey’s 22 seasons. Starkey owns an incredible 688-96 record as head coach. After losing to St. Cloud State in the NSIC championship match Concordia-St. Paul came back to defeat the Huskies in the Central Regional title game on Saturday, winning 3-2.
Series History: Concordia-St. Paul leads 1–0 (last meeting: Sept. 7, 2024 – CSP 3, Gannon 1)
Quotes from Gannon Head Coach Matt Darling
On facing Concordia-St. Paul:
“Concordia is one of the most storied Division II programs, and they have earned that status. Competing against them on this stage creates a tremendous challenge and an opportunity for our team.”
On the Gannon team’s progress:
“I am proud of what this group has accomplished this season. They are a connected and resilient team, and I look forward to having another week with them.”
How Gannon Advanced: Atlantic Regional Champions
Gannon hosted the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional for the fourth straight year and came away with a second straight regional crown. The Golden Knights opened up with a 3-0 win over CIAA champion and No. 8 seed Fayetteville State in the quarterfinals. Next was a familiar foe in No. 4 Pitt-Johnstown. After dropping the first set to the Mountain Cats the Golden Knights won the next three games for a 3-1 win.
For the third time this season Gannon defeated Indiana (Pa.), prevailing by scores of 25-15, 25-15, 25-20. The Crimson Hawks had upset PSAC champion East Stroudsburg in the semifinals. Gannon is making its fourth trip to the Elite Eight in the last five years.
Atlantic Regional Results
Thursday, December 4 – Quarterfinals
No. 1 Gannon 3, No. 8 Fayetteville State 0
- Kills: Wake 15, Williams 11
- Assists: Arslan 38
- Blocks: Williams 4, Smith 3
Friday, December 5 – Semifinals
Gannon 3, Pitt-Johnstown 1
- Kills: Williams 17, Wake 11, Smith 10
- Assists: Arslan 47
- Digs: Fowler 13
- Blocks: Smith 5, Atwell 3, Arslan 3
Saturday, December 6 – Championship Match
Gannon 3, Indiana (Pa.) 0
- Kills: Yazicioglu 13, Wake 11
- Assists: Arslan 41
- Digs: Williams 11
- Blocks: Atwell 5, Smith 3, Yazicioglu
All-Tournament Honors
Gannon had five players named to the 12-member Atlantic Regional All-Tournament Team. They included Bengisu Arslan (Ankara, Turkey/Private Çankaya Doga Anatolian), Lauren Atwell (Mars, Pa./Mars Area), Alexis Fowler (Cranberry Township, PA/Eden Christian Academy), Sydney Wake (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson) and Abbey Williams (Chicago, Ill./Mother Mcauley Liberal Arts). Arslan was previously named to the All-Tournament Team in 2022 as a freshman.
Arslan earned her second career regional tournament honor, previously recognized in 2022.
National and Regional Accolades
AVCA All-Americans (Honorable Mention)
AVCA All-Atlantic Region – First Team
D2CCA All-Atlantic Region
- Arslan – First Team
- Atwell – Second Team
- Wake – Second Team
PSAC West Major Awards
All-PSAC West
- First Team: Arslan, Atwell, Wake
- Second Team: Yazicioglu
Record Book Performances
Bengisu Arslan (Ankara, Turkey/Private Çankaya Doga Anatolian) — Senior Setter
- 4,481 career assists (2nd all-time at Gannon)
- 1,375 assists this season (2nd all-time at Gannon)
- Also ranks in the top 10 in service aces, matches played, and sets played
Lauren Atwell (Mars, Pa./Mars Area) — Junior Middle Blocker
- 365 career blocks (3rd all-time)
- Top 10 in single-season hitting percentage
Additional Notes
- Kasey Smith (Meadville, Pa./Villa Maria) ranks 7th in single-season hitting percentage (.360)
- Atwell ranks 9th (.333)
Gannon’s Elite Eight History
The Golden Knights are making their eighth appearance in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. They lost in the quarterfinals in 1991, ’92, and ’93 with head coach Gerry Burbules at the helm. Gannon returned to the Elite Eight in 2017 under head coach Matt Darling and posted a 3-0 win over Regis to advance to the semifinals, where Florida Southern edged the Golden Knights, 3-2. Gannon reached the Final Four for a second time in 2021, upsetting No. 4 seed Hillsdale, 3-1, before losing to host and top-seeded Tampa in the semifinals.
1991 (No. 8 seed, Canyon, Texas)
vs. West Texas A&M – L, 0-3 (14-16, 8-15, 4-15)
1992 (No. 8 seed, Portland, Ore.)
vs. Portland State – L, 0-3 (6-15, 5-15, 4-15)
1993 (Marquette, Mich.)
vs. CSU Bakersfield – L, 0-3 (8-15, 7-15, 6-15)
2017 (No. 7 seed, Pensacola, Fla.)
vs. No. 2 Regis – W, 3-0 (25-20, 28-26, 25-17)
vs. No. 3 Florida Southern – L, 3-2 (25-16, 15-25, 23-25, 26-24, 12-15)
2019 (No. 7 seed, Denver, Colo.)
vs. No. 2 Nebraska-Kearney – L, 1-3 (25-19, 22-25, 17-25, 15-25)
2021 (No. 5 seed, Tampa, Fla.)
vs. No. 4 Hillsdale – W, 3-1 (20-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-16)
vs. No. 1 Tampa – L, 1-3 (21-25, 20-25, 25-23, 18-25)
2022 (No. 5 seed, Seattle, Wash.)
vs. No. 4 Cal St. LA – L, 0-3 (11-25, 14-25, 18-25)
2024 (No. 6 seed, Sioux Falls, S.D.)
vs. No. 3 Angelo State – L, 2-3 (26-28, 25-15, 25-17, 19-25, 6-15)
What’s at Stake
The winner of the Gannon–Concordia-St. Paul quarterfinal will advance to the NCAA Division II semifinals on Friday, December 12 at 5:00 p.m. (ET), facing the winner of No. 3 Point Loma vs. No. 6 Bentley.
Sports
Brendan Sorsby from Cincy would be interesting
I think I saw it rumored that he might portal…pretty nice stats against ACC-comparable competition…maybe he doesn’t see B12 starter to ACC starter as a logical move though…unless he’s just unhappy at Cincy
I don’t see us taking someone like Minchey…4-star or not, he’s only managed 15 attempts in 3 years. I think we’ll see someone with a proven on-field track college track record
Sports
Historic Pairing: Bickley, Sears Collect AVCA All-America Recognition
LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 10, 2025) — Lubbock Christian University Volleyball added another milestone to its record-setting 2025 campaign on Tuesday, as seniors Lily Bickley and freshman Camdyn Sears were both named AVCA All-America Honorable Mention, becoming the first NCAA-era All-Americans in program history. The selections cap a landmark season in which the Lady Chaps finished 25–8, claimed their first Lone Star Conference Regular Season Championship, and earned the program’s first NCAA Division II postseason berth, advancing to the South Central Regional in Denver.
Bickley closes her LCU career as one of the most decorated and productive players of the rally-scoring era. The AVCA All-Region selection finished the season with 368 kills (fifth in LSC), a .325 hitting percentage (fifth in Lone Star Conference), 100 blocks (eighth in LSC), and 435 points (3.48 points per set ranked 16th in LSC), ranking among the LSC’s top offensive threats while appearing in national statistical charts throughout the season. The First Team All-LSC selection ends her four-year career with 1,177 kills—the second-highest total in LCU’s rally-scoring era—and 266 total blocks, including 225 block assists, the fourth-highest rally-era total and top-10 overall in program history. Already the LSC’s Academic Player of the Year, Bickley’s All-America honor adds a fitting final accolade to a senior season in which she served as one of the league’s most efficient and consistent attackers.
Sears’ recognition completes one of the strongest freshman campaigns in school history. The LSC Freshman of the Year and Setter of the Year (first player in LSC history to claim those two honors in the same season) and AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention setter recorded a double-double in each of her final five matches, finishing the season with 23 double-doubles and solidifying herself among the most reliable setters in the South Central Region. She totaled 1,309 assists (ranks seventh nationally) — the 10th-best single-season total in program history and the second-best in LCU’s rally-scoring era—while adding 385 digs (12th in LSC), 29 blocks, and directing an offense that ended the season leading the LSC in both kills per set and assists per set. The LSC Championship All-Tournament Team selection delivered 39 assists and 11 digs in LCU’s NCAA Tournament match, continuing a late-season surge that helped carry the Lady Chaps to their first postseason appearance.
The honors mark the 23rd and 24th All-America honors issued to LCU student-athletes in the volleyball program’s history, and Bickley and Sears mark the first pair of LCU volleyball student-athletes to claim All-America honors (same season) since Jordan Goings and Elissa Loynes were recognized in 2009. Bickley and Sears mark LCU’s first-ever All-America recipients in the NCAA era and the first recognized since Goings received recognition in 2009 during LCU’s NAIA era.
LCU Volleyball All-America Honorees
NAIA Era
| Year | Student-Athlete | Team/Honor | Organization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Kari Beznar | Second Team | NAIA All-America |
| 1998 | Mindy Jones | Third Team | NAIA All-America |
| 1999 | Kari Beznar | Second Team | NAIA All-America |
| 1999 | Mindy Jones | Honorable Mention | NAIA All-America |
| 2000 | Mindy Jones | Second Team | NAIA All-America |
| 2000 | Shelby Smith | Honorable Mention | NAIA All-America |
| 2001 | Beth Lankford | Honorable Mention | NAIA All-America |
| 2001 | Mandy Moffitt | Honorable Mention | NAIA All-America |
| 2002 | Beth Lankford | Honorable Mention | NAIA All-America |
| 2002 | Mandy Moffitt | Third Team | NAIA All-America |
| 2002 | Julie Williams | Honorable Mention | NAIA All-America |
| 2003 | Beth Lankford | Honorable Mention | NAIA All-America |
| 2003 | Mandy Moffitt | Second Team | NAIA All-America |
| 2003 | Stacy Simpson | Honorable Mention | NAIA All-America |
| 2004 | Mandy Moffitt | Second Team | NAIA All-America |
| 2004 | Meagan Kamplain | Honorable Mention | NAIA All-America |
| 2007 | Rachel Stuyvesant | Third Team | NAIA All-America |
| 2008 | Rachel Stuyvesant | Second Team | NAIA All-America |
| 2009 | Elissa Loynes | Third Team | NAIA All-America |
| 2009 | Jordan Goings | Honorable Mention | NAIA All-America |
| 2010 | Jordan Goings | Honorable Mention | NAIA All-America |
| 2011 | Jordan Goings | Honorable Mention | NAIA All-America |
NCAA Era (2013–Present)
| Year | Student-Athlete | Team/Honor | Organization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Lily Bickley | Honorable Mention | AVCA All-America |
| 2025 | Camdyn Sears | Honorable Mention | AVCA All-America |
Sports
Jeremiah Harris and Collin Bui-Hayes Earn First Big South Weekly Honors of the Season – University of South Carolina
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – After a first successful meet of the indoor season, the USC Upstate men’s track and field team has collected two Big South Athlete of the Week honors.
Jeremiah Harris was named the Big South Men’s Track Athlete of the Week following his performance at the Visit Winston-Salem College Kick-Off. Harris currently sits first in the Big South for the men’s 200m with his time of 21.53. His time was both a personal best and moved him to second all-time in school history.
Picking up the second weekly award for the Spartans was Collin Bui-Hayes. Tabbed the Big South Men’s Freshman of the week, Bui-Hayes sits second in the Big South for the 60m. In his first collegiate meet, the freshman posted a time of 6.88, a personal best. The time ranks him fourth all-time in school history.
Connect with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
Twitter | @UpstateXCTrack @UpstateSpartans
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YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
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