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Three PSAC coaches to attend 2025 NCAA/WeCOACH Women Coaches Academy

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*ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND RELEASE COURTESY WeCOACH*

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Three Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference coaches will attend this year’s NCAA Women Coaches Academy (WCA), hosted by WeCOACH: Clarion Men’s and Women’s Swimming head coach Brehan Kelley, Millersville Field Hockey assistant coach Erica Metz, and Kutztown Women’s Soccer assistant coach Madeline Reed. Reed was also the recipient of the Margueritte Aozasa Legacy Coach Academy Scholarship, awarded as one of multiple legacy scholarships that honor the memory of the trailblazing women coaches who came before.

Set to take place May 18-21, 2025 in Denver, Colorado and hosted in collaboration with the NCAA, the WeCOACH Academies offer multi-day transformational experiences focused on leadership development and personal growth for women coaches from all sports and collegiate levels, including both two-year and four-year institutions.  

A total of 103 women coaches will convene in Denver, with 85 participating in WCA and 18 engaging in the advanced Academy 2.0 program. 

These women represent 24 different sports and come from a diverse range of institutions including NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, NAIA, 3C2A, NJCAA, and NWAC. 

“The NCAA is proud to continue its partnership with WeCOACH to host the 2025 NCAA Women Coaches Academy and NCAA Academy 2.0,” said DeeDee Merritt, NCAA Managing Director of Leadership Development. “The NCAA remains committed to educating and empowering student-athletes, coaches, and athletics administrators through transformative experiences that foster effective leadership, promote inclusive excellence, and strengthen the college sports landscape. These academies align seamlessly with our mission and have consistently delivered meaningful outcomes in the support, advancement, and retention of women coaches in collegiate athletics. WeCOACH continues to be an invaluable partner in providing development and community for women coaches. Through collaborations like this, we are able to expand our reach and deepen our impact.”  

A highlight of this year’s Academies will be the presentation of the 2024-25 Lifetime Achievement Awards, presented by Jostens, recognizing five outstanding women coaches for their enduring impact on the profession. Attendees will also gain insights and inspiration during a keynote conversation with the honorees.  

“The Academy experience is nothing short of transformational,” said Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCOACH. “Our participants leave feeling renewed and equipped with tools, strategies, and a powerful sisterhood of support. Data shows our graduates remain in the coaching profession at rates well above the national average—and that’s the kind of impact we aim to scale. Thanks to our generous donors, we’re proud to have awarded more than $39,000 in scholarship funding for Denver participants to expand access and support participation.”  

Since its inception, more than 2,300 coaches have graduated from the NCAA WCA. The program centers on holistic leadership development, providing women coaches with the skills, confidence, and community to elevate their effectiveness both personally and professionally. Academy 2.0, an advanced program exclusively for WCA alumnae, offers a deeper dive into leadership and professional growth in a highly interactive, small-group setting.  

WeCOACH extends deep gratitude to the NCAA for its longstanding support. WeCOACH also wants to extend thanks to this year’s generous Academy Partners whose support makes these programs possible: Gatorade, Hudl, Marines, Simple Modern, Jostens, Alex Morgan Foundation, Athlete Assessments, Bakline, Betsy Butterick – the Coaches’ Coach, Equitable Advisors – Latrice Smith, Legends of the Ball, Natasha Watley Foundation, NOX, Return on Inclusion, The Sports Bra Project, This One Media, and Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport.  

Several conferences and sport associations also stepped up to support our Academies as sponsors: Atlantic 10 Conference, Big Ten Conference, College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW), Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC), Horizon League, Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA), Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association (NCATA), National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), Pac-12 Conference, Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), and Sunshine State Conference (SSC).  

May 19-21 NCAA Women Coaches Academy Class #54 Participants:  

Claire Abele | Butte College – Head Coach, Soccer   

Devan Acosta | Hanover College – Head Coach, Golf  

Lindsay Allman | Florida State University – Associate Head Coach, Volleyball  

Lauryn Andrew | Concordia University-Irvine – Graduate Assistant Coach, Volleyball  

Miranda Armstrong | Pomona-Pitzer Colleges – Associate Head Coach, Soccer  

Sloane Baumgartner | Elmhurst University – Head Coach, Lacrosse  

Emily Bitka | Daemen University – Head Coach, Lacrosse  

Jenn Blomme | Whitman College – Head Coach, Swimming  

Eileen Bringman | Cornell University – Associate Head Coach, Swimming & Diving  

Laura Broderick | Yale University – Assistant Coach, Cross Country, Track & Field  

Jasmine Brown | Oberlin College – Head Coach, Volleyball  

Lynnzee Brown | Pennsylvania State University – Assistant Coach, Gymnastics  

Daiysa Burrell | Norfolk State University – Assistant Coach, XC, Track & Field  

Kendra Bush | Rochester Institute of Technology – Assistant Coach, XC, Track & Field  

Karen Byers | Seattle Pacific University – Head Coach, Basketball  

Jasmine Chambers | South Carolina State University – Assistant Coach, Volleyball  

Erin Chrissobolis | Ohio Northern University – Assistant Coach, Swimming & Diving  

Adeline Chung-Feder | Wagner College – Assistant Coach, Fencing  

Shannon Coughlin | UW Green Bay – Assistant Coach, Volleyball  

Alexandria Courtney | Minot State University – Head Coach, Volleyball  

Vinsetta Covington | Kentucky State University – Assistant Coach, Basketball  

Chloe Curtis | Loyola Marymount University – Head Coach, XC, Track & Field  

Jeanne Czipri | Central College (Iowa) – Head Coach, Volleyball  

Jessica Darmelio | Carmel High School – Head Coach, Basketball  

Arla Davis | McDaniel College – Assistant Coach, Field Hockey  

Melissa DeVore | Coker University – Head Coach, Basketball  

Amy Donovan | University of Alaska Fairbanks – Head Coach, Basketball  

Kaycie Dunkerley | Lewis & Clark College – Assistant Coach, Basketball  

Maisie Elston | Mount St. Joseph University – Head Coach, Basketball  

Catherine Ely | Bryn Mawr College – Head Coach, Crew  

Uloma Enyogasi | Lynn University – Assistant Coach, Basketball  

Alyxx Estrada | Regis University – Assistant Coach, Softball  

Amanda Evans | New Mexico Highlands University – Head Coach, Soccer  

Hillary Fitts | Hofstra University – Head Coach, Field Hockey  

Allison Fordyce | Susquehanna University – Head Coach, Field Hockey  

Marissa Fortuna | St. Lawrence University – Graduate Assistant Coach, Soccer  

Lindsey Garcia | Occidental College – Head Coach, Water Polo  

Mahogany Green | Hamilton College – Head Coach, Basketball  

Katie Guns | St. Norbert College – Head Coach, Soccer  

Elyssa Hawkins | Biola University – Assistant Coach, Water Polo  

Madison Heck | Virginia Wesleyan University – Head Coach, Lacrosse  

Shirlynn Hight | Talladega College – Head Coach, Acrobatics & Tumbling  

Gabrielle Holko | Susquehanna University – Head Coach, Basketball  

Katie Horton | Florida State University – Director of Operations, Beach Volleyball  

Cornysia Island | University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff – Assistant Coach, Volleyball  

Kellis Johnson | Dominican University – Assistant Coach, Soccer  

Jenna Kalwa | University of Saint Joseph – Head Coach, Soccer  

Maile’ana Kanewa-Hermelyn | University of Michigan – Assistant Coach, Gymnastics  

Brehan Kelley | PennWest Clarion – Head Coach, Swimming  

Abigail Kemble | Eastern University – Head Coach, Field Hockey  

Nina Klein | Quinnipiac University – Head Coach, Field Hockey  

Megan Kronschnabel | Claremont Mudd Scripps – Assistant Coach, Volleyball  

Courtney Kust | Hope College – Associate Head Coach, Basketball  

Moneshia McKenney | Clemson University – Assistant Coach, Volleyball  

Erica Metz | Millersville University – Assistant Coach, Field Hockey  

Baylee Mires | University of Louisville – Assistant Coach, XC, Track & Field  

Brittney Morris | St. Mary’s College of Maryland – Head Coach, Lacrosse  

Raina Nolan | Emmanuel University – Head Coach, Acrobatics & Tumbling  

Haley Overstreet | Sewanee, The University of the South – Head Coach, Field Hockey  

Sara Pasour | University of North Carolina at Pembroke – Assistant Coach, Volleyball  

Kate Pearson | Rowan University – Head Coach, Basketball  

Ana Pego | Quinnipiac University – Assistant Coach, Volleyball  

Barbara Perkins | University of Denver – Head Coach, Triathlon  

Megan Rabenberg | Loyola University Maryland – Assistant Coach, Rowing  

Madeline Reed | Kutztown University – Assistant Coach, Soccer  

Erin Reeves | Colby College – Head Coach, Tennis  

Kaitlyn Reny | University of Redlands – Assistant Coach, Swimming & Diving  

Kelly Rider | Curry College – Head Coach, Hockey  

Toccara Ross | Central Michigan University – Assistant Coach, Basketball  

Erin Schneidtmiller | University of Louisville – Assistant Coach, Field Hockey  

Katelyn Sherman | Ave Maria University – Head Coach, Lacrosse  

Janelle Silver-Martin | Florida Gulf Coast University – Assistant Coach, Basketball  

Katie Smith | Xavier University – Head Coach, Soccer  

Claire Sporer | Michigan State University – Strength Coach, Basketball  

Hannah Tepper | Trinity College – Assistant Coach, Field Hockey  

Arli Tilves | Carnegie Mellon University – Assistant Coach, Swimming  

Julieta Toledo | The Ohio State University – Assistant Coach, Fencing  

Arieon Trinity | Agnes Scott College – Head Coach, Volleyball  

Melissa Valenzuela | Illinois Wesleyan University – Head Coach, Flag Football  

Amy Vaughan | Nova Southeastern University – Head Coach, Soccer  

Jae-Lyn Visscher | University of South Florida – Assistant Coach, Beach Volleyball  

Lauren Voigt | The College of Wooster – Head Coach, Field Hockey  

Janice Washington | Lincoln University – Head Coach, Basketball  

Shannon Witzel | Spalding University – Head Coach, Lacrosse  

Doshia Woods | University of Denver – Head Coach, Basketball  

For the first time since returning to in-person Academies after the COVID-19 pandemic, WeCOACH will host a second Women Coaches Academy in Indianapolis at the NCAA National Office from November 16-18. Applications are currently open for WCA Class #55 in Indianapolis. 

ABOUT the NCAA

The NCAA is a diverse association of more than 1,100 member colleges and universities that prioritize academics, well-being and fairness to create greater opportunities for more than half a million student-athletes each year. The NCAA provides a pathway to higher education and beyond for student-athletes pursuing academic goals and competing in NCAA sports. More than 54,000 student-athletes experience the pinnacle of intercollegiate athletics by competing in NCAA championships each year. Visit www.ncaa.org and www.ncaa.com for more details about the Association and the corporate partnerships that support the NCAA and its student-athletes.

ABOUT WeCOACH 

Founded in 2011, WeCOACH is a one-of-a-kind 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to recruiting, advancing, and retaining women coaches in all sports and levels through year-round professional growth & leadership development programs. Prior to Title IX, over 90% of women’s collegiate sports teams were coached by women. Today, over 50 years later, the data indicates that number has decreased to 41% across all three NCAA Divisions, with only 7% women head coaches of color. Only 5% women coach men’s teams. At the youth level, the data is hard to estimate, approximately less than 20% of teams are coached by women. WeCOACH launched MOVE the NUMBERS in 2022 to help change the landscape for women coaches and the student-athletes they lead. If she can see her, she can be her. For more information visit MOVE the NUMBERS. 



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Texas A&M star Ifenna Cos‑Okpalla signs with League One Volleyball

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Dec. 28, 2025, 12:20 p.m. CT

At the end of the season, after some of the adrenaline from the Texas A&M championship run had subsided, head coach Jamie Morrison revealed that a few players on his roster would have the opportunity to compete at the next level. While he didn’t name names, we had a pretty strong idea of which standout athletes he was referring to.

On Sunday morning, it was officially announced that senior middle blocker and 2025 NCAAVB Champion Ifenna Cos-Okpalla signed a professional contract to play with League One Volleyball (LOVB) Salt Lake. She joins senior opposite Logan Lednicky in the league, who recently signed with LOVB Houston. Cos-Okpalla was also drafted by MLV but ultimately chose to pursue her career with LOVB. We knew a move was coming soon after the news broke that she had signed with Valor Sports Agency just days before this announcement.





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Deaf volleyball coach speaks volumes (video)

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Sherry Bryant was born deaf, but that hasn’t stopped her from becoming a wife, mother and volleyball coach for Copper Sky Multigenerational Center’s youth volleyball league.

Bryant can’t hear and she doesn’t speak, but she uses hand gestures and written notes to communicate with players. During practice, she is often in the action pointing players to proper positions and cheering on successful plays.

Her desire to coach stems from more than her love of the game. She is able to spend time with her daughter on the court and show that deaf people are not limited.

“My daughter plays, and I feel it benefits her and the girls,” Bryant said. “If there are no volunteers, there might be no one to coach. Another reason is to show deaf people can do it.”

From time to time, Bryant’s players are unable to understand their coach’s instructions.

“This is my first (coaching) experience,” Bryant said. “My assistant coach (Nikki Lucchesi) helps me a lot. She speaks to the players.”

For Copper Sky Sports Coordinator David Aviles, picking Bryant to coach was simple.

“When you run a sports program there are times you run low on coaches,” Aviles said. “I reached out to the parents for the girls, and [Bryant] volunteered. She’s done a great job and really enjoys it.”

Bryant’s team won its first game. The players were attentive to her instructions.

“It’s inspirational for the kids to see that she’s out there coaching,” Aviles said. “She takes a hands-on approach and plays with them. It seems to be working well.”

This story appeared in the February issue of InMaricopa News.



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Cos-Okpalla Inks Professional Contract with LOVB Salt Lake – Texas A&M Athletics

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BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M volleyball’s Ifenna Cos-Okpalla signed her first professional contract with League One Volleyball (LOVB) Salt Lake, the organization announced Sunday.
 
Fresh off leading the Aggies to their first NCAA title, Cos-Okpalla was announced as one of seven collegiate athletes selected for LOVB and will take her talents to Utah. The middle blocker was highly sought after following her senior season, as she garnered First Team All-America honors and led the country in blocks with 199 on the year.
 
“I couldn’t be happier for Ifenna [Cos-Okpalla] as she starts her pro career,” head coach Jamie Morrison said. “When I took this job one of my goals for the program was to become the best place to develop our athletes into professional and international players. We want to build a clear pathway from college to the professional game, and I know Ifenna is going to thrive at the next level.”
 
The Flower Mound, Texas, native made history in the final match of her career, setting the program record for career blocks. She entered the contest with 561, one shy of the Jazzmin Babers former record (562), and with her second of the match passed the milestone and added two more to finish her career with 565. Her senior season on its own also made history, as she tallied 199 stuffs which was a single-season record.
 
Cos-Okpalla’s versatility is what made her stand out, as offensively she recorded 629 kills over her four years while recording back-to-back years with over 200 in 2024 (228) and 2025 (236). Not only did her production rise every year, so did her efficiency which culminated in the program record for hitting percentage in a season this year at .422 percent.
 
The All-American separates herself from other middle blockers nationwide from the service line, racking up a team-high 42 aces this season which is the most by an Aggie since 2019. Her variety of scoring helped her accumulate 396.5 points on the year.
 
Leaving a legacy, Cos-Okpalla departs Aggieland a two-time All-American, two-time All-SEC First Team honoree, three-time All-Region selection, an NCAA and SEC All-Tournament Team member and a program record 14-time SEC weekly award winner.
 
FOLLOW THE AGGIES
Visit 12thMan.com for more information on Texas A&M volleyball. Fans can keep up to date with the A&M volleyball team on Facebook, Instagram and on Twitter/X by following @AggieVolleyball.





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South Carolina Gamecocks Defensive Back Plans to Enter the Transfer Portal

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After transferring to South Carolina prior to the 2025 season, defensive back Myles Norwood will enter the transfer portal in hopes of finishing his last year of eligibility elsewhere next fall. Norwood began his career at Iowa State, transferred to Ball State, and then to South Carolina. He will be looking for his fourth home this offseason.

Norwood was a collegiate track star turned defensive back in his college career. His journey began at Iowa Western Community College where he was a track and field participant for the Reivers. Following his freshman year in track he moved on to Iowa State to play for then head coach Matt Campbell (now Penn State). He spent two seasons with the cyclones appearing in just one game against West Virginia in 2022. In 2024, he transferred to New Mexico State in February, but never played for the Aggies before transferring to Ball State just three months later.

At Ball State, Norwood appeared in all 12 games for the Cardinals making seven starts. He was credited with with 38 tackles including 2.0 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and a team-leading 10 pass breakups. After his breakout season with the Cardinals, Norwood commited to the Gamecocks for the 2025 season. He appeared in 10 games, with two starts, in his time in Columbia as he racked up 19 total tackles this past season.

Updated Transfer Portal Tracker

Cason Henry enters the transfer porta

South Carolina offensive lineman Cason Henry (75) blocks Louisiana State University defensive end Bradyn Swinson (4) during the third quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, September 14, 2024. | Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In addition to Norwood, 11 other Gamecocks have entered the portal so far with the offensive line room taking the biggest hit. That list includes OL Tree Babalade, OL Cason Henry, WR Brian Rowe Jr., QB Air Noland, OL Mac Walters, OL Nick Sharpe, OL Trovon Baugh, DL Zavian Hardy, LB Jaron Willis, LB Taeshawn Alston, and K Peyton Argent.

A few others have already declared their move to the 2026 NFL Draft. Wide receiver Jared Brown was the latest to make his intentions known. He joins defensive tackle Monkell Goodwine, defensive tackle Nick Barrett, and defensive end Bryan Thomas Jr. as those entering their names in the 2026 NFL Draft, with tight end Jordan Dingle expected to be the next name as his eligibility is out.

Join the community:

  • Follow Alex Joyce on Twitter: @AlexJoyceSI
  • Follow Joey Walraven on Twitter: @thejoeywalraven

You can follow us for future coverage by clicking “Follow” on the top right-hand corner of the page. Also, be sure to follow us on X at @GamecocksDigest and on Facebook!

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Tennessee Tech Closes 2025 with Tennessee State at Eblen Center

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By Jeff Bowe, TTU Athletics Media Relations 

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech (6-7, 1-1) men’s basketball plays its final game of 2025 against Tennessee State (7-5, 1-1) at Hooper Eblen Center at 7:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Dec. 30.

The Golden Eagles return to the hardwood after an extended break for the holidays to face the Tigers. TSU has won five of the last seven games but most recently fell, 91-82, to SEMO, opening OVC competition 1-1. Tech has won three of the last four games and opened conference play with an 85-74 victory over SEMO, then fell to UT Martin (L, 62-86).

TTU enters today’s game 4-2 at home this season with wins over SEMO, Bethel (101-69), Berea (86-64), and Va. Lynchburg (118-58), and losses to West Ga. (L, 59-61) and UT Martin (L, 62-86).

GAME INFORMATION
Matchup: Tennessee Tech (6-7, 1-1 OVC) vs. Tennessee State (7-5, 1-1 OVC)
Date & Time: Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 7:30 p.m. CT
Venue: Hooper Eblen Center
Watch: ESPN+ | Dylan Vazzano (PxP) and Frank Harrell (Analyst)
Radio: 106.1 The Eagle | Noah McKay (PxP) and Jacob Vinson (Analyst)
Promotion: Purple Haze – WEAR PURPLE! 

INSIDE THE SERIES
Overall: TSU leads, 41-39
In Cookeville: Tech leads, 23-17
In Nashville: TSU leads, 18-22
Neutral sites: TSU leads 2-0
Current Streak: TTU won 1
Last Meeting: TTU won 77-74 in Cookeville (Feb. 22, 2025)

TECH NOTES
Dani Pounds leads Tech in scoring, averaging 12.5 points per game (19th in OVC), and Mekhi Cameron is second on the team with 12.2 points per game (20th in OVC). Pounds is fourth in the OVC in free-throw percentage, shooting 84.1 from the line. Pounds leads the Golden Eagles in rebounds with 4.8 per game (20th in OVC).

JaJuan Nicholls is second on the team in rebounds per game (4.7), which is 23rd in the conference.

Tennessee Tech’s 118 points against Va. Lynchburg (W, 118-58, 11/10/25) mark the third-most points scored in a single game by an OVC team this season.

Ty Owens is second in the OVC with 4.2 assists per game (54 total). Nicholls is tied for fifth in the conference in blocks per game (1.2) and fourth in the OVC in total blocks (16).

The Golden Eagles are second in the conference in points per game (79.7), as well as fourth in the conference in scoring margin (3.5). TTU holds the second-best shooting percentage in the OVC (47.0, 365-777), making three fewer shots than the conference leaders (Lindenwood, 47.4).

OPPONENT NOTES
Tennessee State (7-5, 1-1) leads the all-time series 41-39 as the teams split the last two matchups during the 2024-25 season.

The Tigers are coming off a hard-fought 91–82 loss to Southeast Missouri at the Gentry Center, while the Golden Eagles also enter the contest following a defeat.

The game marks the return to action for both programs after a 10-day break. Tennessee State will open the 2026 calendar year on the road at Little Rock on Saturday, Jan. 3.

Aaron Nkrumah leads the Tigers in scoring with 17.0 points per game, averaging 4.8 rebounds per contest and 2.6 assists per game. Travis Harper II is second on the team with 15.8 points per game, and Dante Harris is third on the squad per contest with 12.6 points on average.  

PURCHASE TICKETS
Tickets for Tennessee Tech Men’s Basketball are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office, or order online at TTUsports.com.

FOLLOW THE GOLDEN EAGLES
Fans can be sure to follow the Golden Eagles men’s basketball team on X (@TTU_Basketball), Instagram (TTUMBB), and Facebook (TTU MBB) for all of the news, notes, and updates.

 





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Top 25 Moments of 2025

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Helms, a transfer from Texas A&M, bested his previous Heptathlon score of 5394 which he earned at the Stan Scott Invite and Multis taking place on Jan. 30-Feb. 1, hosted by Texas Tech. He has had immense success in the Key City, posting three different splits at the Red Raider open in the 60m hurdles (8.30), 4x400m (3:16.21, 49.27 split) and pole vault (16-2/4.93m).

At the Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Robertson has etched herself in the record books. At the NCAA Outdoor National Championships, she recorded the best finish by a Bronco since the 2022 campaign by finishing 53rd in a field of 254 total runners.

Robertson was the first Bronco woman to earn All-America honors in the 1,500 since 2019 (Emma Bates). Hanna Ackermann also posted a top finish while in Eugene. Ackermann recorded a time of 9:54.21 in the steeplechase. The time was the third-fastest time in Boise State history.

Helms registered a score of 7,696 in the decathlon. His mark ranks third in Boise State school history and improved his previous mark in the decathlon at the 2025 Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships which were hosted by Fresno State in Clovis, California.



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