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Track Squads Open Season Friday in Indiana

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The Southeast Missouri Track and Field teams return for its indoor season Friday. The squads will travel to Terre Haute, Indiana to compete in the John Gartland Invitational, hosted by Indiana State University. 

The meet fires off at 5 p.m. on Friday starting with the field events. The running events will start at 5:40 p.m. The meet will continue Saturday morning starting at 11 a.m. 

The Redhawks will be competing against Eastern Illinois, Indiana State, Marian (Ind.), Rose-Hulman (Ind.), Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (Ind.), Valparaiso (Ind.) and Wheaton (Ill.).

Last Season

The SEMO women’s squad won the OVC Championships, which was their third consecutive indoor team championship. The men finished second to Little Rock by 13.5 points. 

Last Season Awards

Last season Breanna Miles claimed the Female Track Athlete of the year for the second year in a row. Anna Thomason was tabbed as Co-Female Athlete of the year while also winning Female Athlete of the Championships. 

On the men’s side, Paden Lewis won Male Field Athlete of the year and Co-Male Athlete of the Championship. 

Head coach Eric Crumpecker also won Women’s Coach of the Year, for the third straight season and the fourth time in his career. 

This Year’s Team

The Redhawk’s women’s squad returns 21 athletes from last year’s squad. Highlighting the returners are senior pentathlete Anna Thomason, junior sprinter Brianna Dixon, graduate distance runner Erika Mellor, senior pole vaulter Clara Billing, senior thrower Bailie Hux, sophomore sprinter Alaina Lester and junior sprinter Sydney Burdine. All of these athletes are returning OVC indoor event champions. 

The team also recruited four transfers including Liberty Blackburn and Makayla Jones who both transferred from OVC foe Little Rock. The team also added 11 freshmen.

On the men’s side they return 23 athletes from last season’s team. Highlighting the returners from the men’s team is Sullivan Gleason, who the pole vault event at the OVC championships last season. Other returning runner up finishes at the OVC indoor championships last season include senior pole vaulter Tanner Koontz, senior thrower Quinton Maxwell, sophomore heptathlete Luis Schadlich, and junior sprinter Marcus Gordon Jr.

The team also recruited seven freshmen and four transfers. Included in the transfers are Trenton Braswell, who was a two-time All-Conference thrower at the NAIA level.

The Coaches

SEMO returns all four coaches from last season. Leading the way for the 18th season is head coach Eric Crumpecker, and it will be his 35th season at SEMO. Associate head coach Ryan Lane enters his 17th season and specializes in coaching the distance runners. 

Assistant coach Eric Fox returns for his sixth season. Fox oversees the Redhawks multi-event athletes, pole vaulters, hurdle runners and jumpers. The final assistant is Theresa Scott, who begins her sixth season with the Redhawks. Scott coaches the Redhawk sprint and relay teams and assists with hurdle runners.

The Schedule 

After this weekend’s opener, SEMO will host the Redhawks Invite on Jan. 10. The Redhawks then travel to Bloomington for the Indiana Invitational on Jan. 16–17, followed by the Don DeNoon Invitational at Southern Illinois on Jan. 23.

The back half of the season features the PNC Lenny Lyles Invite at Louisville (Jan. 30–31), the Missouri Invitational  (Feb. 6), the Heartland Invitational, in Indianapolis, Indiana (Feb. 13–14), and the Redhawks Open on Feb. 20.

The indoor season concludes with the OVC Indoor Championships in Louisville, Kentucky on Feb. 24–25. Qualifying athletes will compete at the NCAA Indoor Championships on March 13–14.

OVC Scholar Athlete

In the offseason, Sullivan Gleason won the OVC Scholar Athlete award. The award is the highest individual honor that can be earned by OVC student-athletes and is given annually to three men and three women student-athletes for their accomplishments in both the classroom and athletic arena, and because of their leadership qualities.

Gleason, a native of O’Fallon, Missouri, finished third at the OVC Outdoor Championships. He also qualified for the NCAA West Regional where he finished 33rd. He won the pole vault at three meets including the OVC Indoor Championships. He also took the title at the Billy Hayes where he set a personal best of 17′ 0.25″. 

 





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Drake Relays Announces January Training Sessions for Officials Ahead of 2026 Relays

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December 11, 2025

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DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake Relays will kick off preparations for the 2026 edition of America’s Athletic Classic by hosting two in-person officials training sessions in January. Open to all officials, including those not working the Drake Relays and those who would like to simply learn more about track and field officiating, the sessions are designed to improve officiating consistency, expand technical expertise, and provide event-area training for the upcoming high school, collegiate, and elite track & field seasons.

Training sessions will be held Sunday, January 11, 2026, and Sunday, January 25, 2026, featuring instruction from Drake Relays Head Officials and event-area leaders. Both dates will offer hands-on demonstrations, situational review, and shared best practices across multiple levels of competition.

These training initiatives are made possible through the leadership of Jim Walczyk, USATF Iowa President and Drake Relays Officials Coordinator. Walczyk’s longstanding commitment to education and community development continues to elevate the standard and consistency of officiating at the Drake Relays.

“Jim Walczyk’s leadership and tireless efforts continue to elevate the professional conduct that defines America’s Athletic Classic,” said Blake Boldon, the Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays. “We are incredibly fortunate to work with such a dedicated and knowledgeable community of officials from throughout Iowa and across the country. Their commitment ensures that athletes at every level, from high school competitors to Olympians, experience the fairness, precision, and world-class environment that distinguish the Drake Relays as a global destination.”

 

JANUARY 11 TRAINING HIGHLIGHTS

Active Threat Training — Scott Law, Drake University Executive Director of Public Safety & University Operations.

This essential session equips staff and volunteers with the skills needed to respond during an active threat using the Run, Hide, Fight model. The program emphasizes situational awareness, rapid decision-making, and coordination with law enforcement to ensure the safety of participants and spectators at major events such as the Drake Relays.

Total Station Training — Randy Baker & Mark Tigges, long-time members of the Drake Relays Electronics Crew with extensive experience in total station operation and electronic officiating systems.

Weights & Measures — Jon Turner, Drake Relays Head Weights & Measures Official for more than 35 years and brings extensive experience from USATF Championships, NCAA events, conference championships, and three U.S. Olympic Trials.

 

JANUARY 25 TRAINING HIGHLIGHTS

Throws Training — Doug Johansen, widely regarded as one of Iowa’s premier throws officials and has officiated multiple NCAA Championships and Olympic Trials. He currently serves as the Drake Relays Head Throws Official.

Vertical Jumps Training — Curt Broek, a former Drake Relays athlete and long-time Head Jumps Official, Broek has served for over 20 years and is the current USATF Iowa Officials Certification Chair.

Horizontal Jumps Training — Sharon Plant, a Drake Relays jumps official for more than a decade with national-level experience from the Olympic Trials, NCAA Regionals, and NCAA Championships.

Running Events Training — Carolyn Hill and Ryan Elsbernd. Hill retired from a career in track and field meet management serving as the Assistant Athletic Director for Relays Operations. She is a Master-level USATF official with extensive national championship experience. Elsbernd serves as Head Umpire for the Drake Relays and is a Master-level USATF official with significant experience across NCAA Championships and Olympic Trials.

Para Athletics Training — Ryan Elsbernd is a national leader in Para Track & Field officiating and will focus the training on expanding the pipeline of certified officials in this growing discipline.

Immediately following the January 25 training session, all attendees are invited to join the Drake Relays community at the Drake Women’s Basketball game as the Bulldogs host Murray State at 2:00 PM.

Individuals interested in learning more should contact Tre Stanton at tre.stanton@drake.edu

 



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Creighton volleyball defeats Arizona State, advances to Elite Eight

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December 11, 2025

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Creighton took on Arizona State in Lexington in the Sweet 16 on Thursday afternoon.The Jays got on the board first.Ava Martin with a kill. The Jays were up 10-7 in the first set.Arizona State took a slight lead, but the Jays started to cut down the deficit.Back-to-back kills from Kiara Reinhardt gave CU the 20-18 lead and forced an ASU timeout.A kill from Martin got CU the set one victory, 26-24. Set 2 saw Creighton up 2-1. The start of the second set was anyone’s game, but Creighton started pulling away with a 7-4 lead.Neither team had led by more than three points during Thursday’s match.The Sun Devils won set 2, 25-19.The Bluejays got on the board first in the set 3.CU went on a 5-1 run in the third set.The Bluejays dominated in set 3, 25-13.The Bluejays were on the board first in set 4, going on a 3-0 run.Reinhardt helped Martin lead the Jays to success during the match.The Bluejays won 3-1 after a 25-18 set 4 victory.Creighton will face the winner of the Kentucky-Cal Poly game in the Elite Eight.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |

LEXINGTON, Ky. —

Creighton took on Arizona State in Lexington in the Sweet 16 on Thursday afternoon.

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The Jays got on the board first.

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Ava Martin with a kill. The Jays were up 10-7 in the first set.

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Arizona State took a slight lead, but the Jays started to cut down the deficit.

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Back-to-back kills from Kiara Reinhardt gave CU the 20-18 lead and forced an ASU timeout.

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A kill from Martin got CU the set one victory, 26-24.

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Set 2 saw Creighton up 2-1.

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The start of the second set was anyone’s game, but Creighton started pulling away with a 7-4 lead.

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Neither team had led by more than three points during Thursday’s match.

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The Sun Devils won set 2, 25-19.

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The Bluejays got on the board first in the set 3.

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CU went on a 5-1 run in the third set.

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The Bluejays dominated in set 3, 25-13.

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The Bluejays were on the board first in set 4, going on a 3-0 run.

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Reinhardt helped Martin lead the Jays to success during the match.

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The Bluejays won 3-1 after a 25-18 set 4 victory.

Creighton will face the winner of the Kentucky-Cal Poly game in the Elite Eight.

Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.

NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |





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Thirty-one UGA Student-Athletes Expected to Graduate Friday

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December 11, 2025

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ATHENS, Ga. — Thirty-one University of Georgia student-athletes are expected to receive their degrees Friday, December 12 at the annual fall commencement ceremonies. 

The undergraduate ceremony begins at 10 a.m. and the graduate ceremony begins at 2:30 p.m. in Stegeman Coliseum. 

The following student-athletes are scheduled for graduation:

 

Baseball 

Robert Burnett (Housing Management & Policy), Brandt Pancer (Real Estate)

 

Women’s Basketball

Savannah Henderson (Sociology)

 

Equestrian

Aphrodite Papandreou (Real Estate )

 

Football

Henry Bates (Risk Management and Insurance), Tyler Clark (Sociology), Daylen Everette (Sport Management), Terrell Foster (Risk Management and Insurance), Earnest Greene (Housing Management & Policy), Patrick Hester (Management), Justin Houston (Housing Management & Policy), Cooper Johnson (Sport Management), Toby Johnson (Sociology), Christen Miller (Housing Management & Policy), Kavon Townsend (Housing Management & Policy)

 

Soccer

Madeline Baker (Consumer Economics), Jordan Brown (Psychology), Summer Denigan (Sport Management)

 

Softball

Lilliana Backes (Finance), Madison Kerpics (Masters in Comparative Biomedical Science)

 

Men’s Swimming and Diving

Tommy-Lee Camblong (Biology), Sam Parker (Psychology)

 

Men’s Tennis

Miguel Perez Pena (Financial Planning), Oscar Pinto Sansano (Political Science)

 

Men’s Track and Field

Jordan Fick (Sport Management), Alon Rogow (Sport Management)

 

Women’s Track and Field

Aaliyah Butler (International Affairs), Kaila Jackson (Journalism), Autumn Wilson (Finance)

 

Volleyball

Estelle Haugen (Dietetics), Bianna Muoneke (Sociology)

 



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2025 DII women’s volleyball championship: Bracket, schedule, scores

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December 11, 2025

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Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 DII women’s volleyball championship. 

The championship bracket was revealed during a selection show on Monday, Nov. 24, live streamed here on NCAA.com. Twenty-three teams earned automatic qualification, with the remaining 41 teams selected at-large by the Division II Women’s Volleyball Committee. Teams from each of the eight regional sites received initial seeds Nos. 1-8. 

2025 DII women’s volleyball championship bracket

Click or tap here for the 2025 interactive bracket

DII women's volleyball updated bracket

2025 NCAA DII women’s volleyball schedule

  • Quarterfinals: Thursday, Dec. 11
  • Semifinals: Friday, Dec. 12 | ESPN+
  • National Championship: Saturday, Dec. 13 | ESPN+
  • Selection show: 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, November 24
  • Regionals: Dec. 4-6
    • Thursday, Dec. 4
      • No. 3 Indiana (Pennsylvania) 3, No. 6 Fairmont State 0
      • No. 3 Anderson (South Carolina) 3, No. 6 Augusta 1
      • No. 3 Lynn 3, No. 6 UAH 2
      • No. 6 Washburn 3, No. 3 Wayne State (Nebraska) 0
      • No. 3 Mercy 3, No. 6 Molloy 2
      • No. 2 East Stroudsburg 3, No. 7 Charleston (West Virginia) 0
      • No. 3 Ferris State 3, No. 6 Quincy 2
      • No. 2 Lenoir-Rhyne 3, No. 7 Lander 1
      • No. 7 Colorado Sch. of Mines 3, No. 2 UCCS 2
      • No. 3 Fresno Pacific 3, No. 6 Western Washington 0
      • No. 2 Barry 3, No. 7 Eckerd 0
      • No. 2 Concordia-St. Paul 3, No. 7 Central Oklahoma 0
      • No. 7 Holy Family 3, No. 2 Adelphi 2 
      • No. 7 Rockhurst 3, No. 2 Ohio Dominican 0
      • No. 3 Angelo State 3, No. 6 Lubbock Christian 1
      • No. 5 Flagler 3, No. 4 Carson-Newman 1
      • No. 1 Gannon 3, No. 8 Fayetteville State 0
      • No. 7 Central Washington 3, No. 2 Simon Fraser 2
      • No. 1 Tampa 3, No. 8 Spring Hill 0
      • No. 8 UIndy 3, No. 1 Missouri-State Louis 2
      • No. 4 St. Cloud St. 3, No. 5 Missouri Western 1
      • No. 1 Bentley 3, No. 8 Bridgeport 1
      • No. 1 MSU Denver 3, No. 8 Colorado Mesa 0
      • No. 4 Pitt.-Johnstown 4, No. 5 Shepherd 0
      • No. 4 West Florida 3, No. 5 Palm Beach Atl. 2
      • No. 1 Wingate 3, No. 8 Emmanuel (Georgia) 1
      • No. 1 Point Loma 3, No. 8 CSUSB 2
      • No. 1 Nebraska-Kearney 3, No. 8 Oklahoma Baptist 2
      • No. 5 Post 3, No. 4 American Int’l 1
      • No. 5 Findlay 3, No. 4 Wayne State (Michigan) 2
      • No. 4 West Tex. A&M 3, No. 5 CSU Pueblo 1
      • No. 5 Alas. Fairbanks 3, No. 4 Alas. Anchorage 0
    • Friday, Dec. 5
      • No. 2 Barry 3, No. 3 Lynn 0
      • No. 3 Indiana (PA) 3, No. 2 East Stroudsburg 1
      • No. 3 Anderson (SC) 3, No. 2 Lenoir-Rhyne 1
      • No. 3 Mercy 3, No. 7 Holy Family 1
      • No. 2 Concordia-St. Paul 3, No. 6 Washburn 0
      • No. 3 Ferris State 3, No. 7 Rockhurst 0
      • No. 3 Angelo State 3, No. 7 Colorado Sch. of Mines 0
      • No. 1 Bentley 3, No. 5 Post 1
      • No. 3 Fresno Pacific 3, No. 7 Central Washington 2
      • No. 1 Gannon 3, No. 4 Pitt.-Johnstown 1
      • No. 1 Tampa 3, No. 4 West Florida 1
      • No. 1 Wingate 3, No. 5 Flagler 1
      • No. 8 UIndy 3, No. 5 Findlay 1
      • No. 4 St. Cloud State 3, No. 1 Nebraska-Kearney 1
      • No. 1 MSU Denver 3, No. 4 West Tex. A&M 1
      • No. 1 Point Loma 3, No. 5 Alas. Fairbanks 1
    • Saturday, Dec. 6

NCAA DII women’s volleyball championship history

Here is the full list of champions and runners-up since 1981:

Year Champion (Record) Coach Score Runner-Up Site
2024 Lynn (33-3) Adam Milewski 3-2 San Francisco St. Sioux Falls, SD
2023 Cal State LA (24-10) Juan Figueroa 3-1  West Texas A&M Moon Township, PA
2022 West Texas A&M (33-4) Kendra Potts 3-1 Concordia-St. Paul Seattle, Wash.
2021 Tampa (34-2) Chris Catanach 3-0 Washburn Tampa, FL.
2020 Canceled due to Covid-19 — — — —
2019 Cal State San Bernardino (33-0) Kim Cherniss 3-1 Nebraska-Kearney Denver, Co.
2018 Tampa (33-4) Chris Catanach 3-2 Western Washington Pittsburgh, Pa.
2017 Concordia-St. Paul (34-3) Brady Starkey 3-0 Florida Southern Pensacola, Fla.
2016 Concordia-St. Paul (32-4) Brady Starkey 3-0 Alaska Anchorage Sioux Falls, S.D.
2015 Wheeling Jesuit (39-4) Christy Benner 3-0 Palm Beach Atlantic  Tampa, Fla. 
2014 Tampa (33-1) Chris Catanach 3-0 S’west Minnesota State Louisville, Ky.
2013 Concordia-St. Paul (35-3) Brady Starkey 3-0 BYU-Hawaii Cedar Rapids, Iowa
2012 Concordia-St. Paul (34-4) Brady Starkey 3-2 Tampa Pensacola, Fla.
2011 Concordia-St. Paul (34-2) Brady Starkey 3-0 Cal State San Bernardino Cal State San Bernardino
2010 Concordia-St. Paul (32-4) Brady Starkey 3-1 Tampa Louisville, Ky.
2009 Concordia-St. Paul (37-0) Brady Starkey 3-0 West Texas A&M Concordia-St. Paul
2008 Concordia-St. Paul (37-1) Brady Starkey 3-2 Cal State San Bernardino Concordia-St. Paul
2007 Concordia-St. Paul (36-4) Brady Starkey 3-1 Western Washington Washburn
2006 Tampa (35-1) Chris Catanach 3-1 North Alabama West Florida
2005 Grand Valley State (32-1) Deanne Scanlon 3-1 Nebraska-Kearney Nebraska-Kearney
2004 Barry (34-1) Dave Nichols 3-1 Truman Barry
2003 North Alabama (33-7) Matt Peck 3-0 Concordia-St. Paul Cal State San Bernardino
2002 BYU-Hawaii (27-2) Wilfred Navalta 3-0 Truman West Texas A&M
2001 Barry (32-2) Dave Nichols 3-0 South Dakota State Grand Valley State
2000 Hawaii Pacific (28-0) Tita Ahuna 3-0 Augustana (S.D.) Augustana (S.D.)
1999 BYU-Hawaii (30-2) Wilfred Navalta 3-0 Tampa Battle Creek, Mich.
1998 Hawaii Pacific (31-5) Tita Ahuna 3-1 North Dakota State Kissimmee, Fla.
1997 West Texas A&M (37-1) Debbie Hendricks 3-2 Barry Cal State Bakersfield
1996 Nebraska-Omaha (35-2) Rose Shires 3-2 Tampa Central Missouri
1995 Barry (34-2) Leonid Yelin 3-1 Northern Michigan Barry
1994 Northern Michigan (32-4) Mark Rosen 3-1 Cal State Bakersfield Cal State Bakersfield
1993 Northern Michigan (38-1) Jim Moore 3-1 Cal State Bakersfield Northern Michigan
1992 Portland State (36-1) Jeff Mozzochi 3-2 Northern Michigan Portland State
1991 West Texas A&M (36-2) Jim Giacomazzi 3-0 Portland State West Texas A&M
1990 West Texas A&M (38-1) Kim Hudson 3-0 North Dakota State Cal State Bakersfield
1989 Cal State Bakersfield (21-15) David Rubio 3-0 Sacramento State Cal State Bakersfield
1988 Portland State (36-5) Jeff Mozzochi 3-0 Cal State Northridge North Dakota State
1987 Cal State Northridge (35-6) Walt Ker 3-2 Central Missouri Nebraska-Omaha
1986 UC Riverside (29-7) Sue Gozansky 3-0 Cal State Northridge Sacramento State
1985 Portland State (36-5) Jeff Mozzochi 3-1 Cal State Northridge Portland State
1984 Portland State (33-4) Jeff Mozzochi 3-0 Cal State Northridge Portland State
1983 Cal State Northridge (30- 6) Walt Ker 3-2 Portland State Florida Southern
1982 UC Riverside (31-5) Sue Gozansky 3-0 Cal State Northridge Cal State Northridge
1981 Sacramento State (28-6) Debby Colbery 3-0 Lewis UC Riverside

The 16 remaining NCAA volleyball tournament teams, re-ranked

With the first two rounds of the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament completed, check out Michella Chester’s re-rankings of the remaining 16 teams.

READ MORE

What to know about each team in the DII women’s volleyball quarterfinals

The final three days of the 2025 DII women’s volleyball season are set to commence at the Sanford Pentagon. Here’s what to watch.

READ MORE

Undefeated women’s volleyball teams in 2025

Follow along as we see how long DI women’s volleyball teams can remain perfect.

READ MORE





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Track Heads North to Spokane Invitational

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December 11, 2025

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PULLMAN, Wash. — WSU track will head north to Spokane on Saturday for the Spokane Invitational. Races will start with the Women’s 1 mile at 1:40 pm PT and will conclude at 6:10 pm PT with the Mixed 4×400. WSU Runners will look to continue their strong start to the year in a competitive field in Spokane.

Meet Info – Spokane Invitational

Dates: Saturday, Dec. 13

Venue: The Podium  |  Spokane, Wash.

Results: AthleticLive

Live Stream: RunnerSpace

Meet Schedule (PDF)

Last Time Out – BU Season Opener (Dec. 6, 2025)

Rosemary Longisa, Zenah Cheptoo, and Nicole Bissell set personal bests in their first race of the indoor track season. Longisa and Cheptoo also set school records in the 3k and 5k, respectively. Kipchoge and Kurui impressed in an elite field in the Men’s 5k Invitational.

Up Next:

Washington State will have a month break from the action and continue their season at the UW Preview on January 16th and 17th.

For all the latest WSU Track and Field news, photos, and videos, like the team on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/wsucougartrack) or follow on Twitter (@ WSUCougarXCTF) and Instagram (@WSUCougarXCTF).

 

 



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Ella Thompson of Camas named All-Region volleyball player of the year

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December 11, 2025

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That’s exactly what Thompson is.

The senior capped her high school career by leading Camas to its third consecutive state trophy. Thompson was named to the Class 4A all-tournament team after helping the Papermakers place fifth.

Averaging nearly five kills per set this season, Thompson was named the 4A Greater St. Helens League MVP.

The Columbian’s All-Region volleyball player of the year will continue her career at the University of Miami-Florida, which she committed to at the beginning of her junior year.

Not bad considering Thompson took up volleyball, in part, to chart her own athletic course in her family.

“It was always something different for me to go to volleyball practice,” Thompson said. “It felt special because it was unique to me. That’s when I started to grow a love for it.”

Thompson still does track and field. Last spring, she placed fifth in the javelin at the 4A state meet while also competing in the shot put, high jump and hurdles.

Thompson joked that her father, who competed at Boise State, is still trying to convince her to do the heptathlon in college.

“I shook them all when I decided I wanted to go (to college) for volleyball,” Thompson said. “My dad was so sad, but he’ll get over it. Now he loves going to volleyball games.”

Thompson also fell in love with volleyball because of the friends she quickly made. Those include four fellow Camas seniors who she has played with since eighth grade.

With program-best fifth-place state finishes the past two years, and a sixth-place finish in 2023, that senior class has raised the standards at Camas. They’ve also had a lot of fun along the way.

“On the court we know it’s time to work, but that doesn’t mean you should be rude,” Thompson said. “We’re always creating a positive environment to grow. You know you can make mistakes and can ask the upperclassmen for help.”

Thompson’s senior season wasn’t without a setback. She missed a few early-season matches while recovering from bursitis in her shoulder.

Once healthy, Thompson got to work on honing a skill she hopes will make an impact at the collegiate level — her serve. She unveiled a jump serve that begins with her tossing the ball more than 15 feet in the air before hitting with powerful topspin.

That serve produced 10 aces in the Papermakers’ state quarterfinal match against Wenatchee.

“I’m convinced that if my serving is really good they’re going to have to put me on the court, even as a serving sub,” Thompson said. “My goal from club through this year has been to become an accurate, strong server.”

Thompson doesn’t worry about moving across the country for college. She lived in Texas before moving to Washington at age 12 and loves warmer climates.

Miami went 27-6 this season, reached the second round of the NCAA tournament and finished the regular season ranked No. 13 in the coaches poll.

Beyond that, Thompson said the comfort she felt with Miami’s program made her decision easy. She committed immediately when offered a change to play for the Hurricanes.

“Their head coach (Jose ‘Keno’ Gandara), he was like a big dad,” Thompson said. “He’s your biggest supporter. It felt like family.”

But there’s one more achievement Thompson is targeting before she graduates from Camas. She hopes to contend for a state title in her family’s main sport.

“I’m so excited for track season,” she said. “Senior year, I might as well go and do as many events as I can.”

The rest of the All-Region volleyball team

FIRST TEAM

Bailey Espana, La Center: The senior moved from setter to hitter, finishing with 447 kills (4.76 per set) along with 273 digs and 339 assists.

Sophia Gourley, Columbia River: The junior was 2A GSHL Player of the Year with 402 kills. Her 96 aces set a single-season program record.

Gracie Jacoby, Prairie: The junior was 3A GSHL player of the year, averaging more than 15 kills and 10 assists. Selected to 3A state all-tournament team.

Quinn Pederson, Camas: The senior took on role of primary setter, averaging more than five assists per set. Also second on team in digs.

Shaylee Stephen, Camas: The 6-foot-3 senior and University of Portland commit led the 4A GSHL in blocks and was second on team in kills.

SECOND TEAM

Emily Capen, Kalama: The senior outside hitter was Trico League MVP, leading the Chinooks to the district title and the 1A state tournament.

Paige Hanes, Ridgefield: The junior was 2A GSHL offensive co-MVP, leading the Spudders in kills for a second consecutive season.

Ella Eib, R.A. Long: The senior was 2A GSHL offensive co-MVP. She logged 362 kills with a .315 hitting average along with 110 blocks.

Emmah Sanchez, Camas: The senior libero battled through injuries to lead the 4A GSHL in digs, averaging nearly four per set.

Avery Seley, Columbia River: The senior finished as the program’s all-time assists leader, logging 587 this season including 120 at the state tournament.

Alivia Snyder, Prairie: The senior stood out for her versatility as a setter, defender and hitter in helping Falcons to third place in state.





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