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Two Minnesotans help lead Oklahoma Sooners to 7th NCAA women’s gymnastics title

It was a rookie year to remember for Lily Pederson and Elle Mueller on the University of Oklahoma women’s gymnastics team. The freshmen helped lead the Sooners to their seventh NCAA title back in April.  “I knew it could be achievable, but I didn’t know freshman year, right out of the gate,” Mueller said. “Being […]

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It was a rookie year to remember for Lily Pederson and Elle Mueller on the University of Oklahoma women’s gymnastics team. The freshmen helped lead the Sooners to their seventh NCAA title back in April. 

“I knew it could be achievable, but I didn’t know freshman year, right out of the gate,” Mueller said.

“Being able to have two people from the same state, and two friends being able to go to the same college, and accomplish both of our dreams and goals, it’s amazing,” Pederson said.

Pederson grew up competing for Flips Gymnastics in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and Mueller at Twin City Twisters in Champlin, Minnesota. The two often competed against each other as kids.

NCAA Regionals - Seattle

Elle Mueller of the Oklahoma Sooners competes on the floor exercise during the NCAA Seattle Regional gymnastics meet at Alaska Airlines Arena on April 6, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.

Ali Gradischer / Getty Images


“So literally we’ve known each other since we were so young, to now we’re teammates at OU, so now it’s so cool that both of us from Minnesota are now at the number one college,” Pederson said.

Now, these northerners are creating names for themselves in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). 

“Yeah, we’re really proud. I mean, we get made fun of for our accents sometimes, but it’s fine, it’s totally fine,” Pederson said, laughing.

It was a rare experience for two freshmen to contribute in big ways at the Division I NCAA Nationals. Mueller competed on the floor, earning a 9.90, and again on the vault, earning a 9.98 for the Sooners.

“I wasn’t competing for myself anymore, I was competing for my team because we all wanted to win that national championship,” Mueller said.

Pederson competed on the beam, vault and bars at nationals. She rebounded from a fall on the beam in the semifinals in a huge way, earning a 9.9375 after nailing her dismount when it mattered most.

2025 NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships

Lily Pederson of the University of Oklahoma performs her beam routine during the NCAA Gymnastics Championships at Dickies Arena on April 19, 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Aric Becker/ISI Photos / Getty Images


“On day two, I completed the best beam routine I’ve had in my life. I had the best score I’ve ever had,” Pederson said. “It was such an amazing feeling, and knowing everyone believed in me and was confident in me, like the celebration after, it was a feeling like no other. I was feeling all the emotions and it’s a feeling I’ll never forget.”

No matter how big the wins are now and in the future, these gymnasts are always thankful for where the love of this sport started.

“[It] keeps me humble and keeps me to myself and reminds me of how far I’ve come,” Mueller said.

The Sooners had a nearly undefeated season and won the SEC for the first time in this conference.



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Canes Sign Tyson Jost To One-Year Contract

RALEIGH, N.C. – Eric Tulsky, General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has signed forward Tyson Jost to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay Jost $775,000 on the NHL level or $300,000 in the American Hockey League (AHL), with a guarantee of at least $600,000. “Tyson […]

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RALEIGH, N.C. – Eric Tulsky, General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has signed forward Tyson Jost to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay Jost $775,000 on the NHL level or $300,000 in the American Hockey League (AHL), with a guarantee of at least $600,000.

“Tyson was able to contribute to our organization in a number of different ways last year, and we’re happy to keep him here,” said Tulsky. “He’s extremely well-liked and hard-working and capable of playing a number of different roles in the lineup.”

Jost, 27, appeared in 39 regular-season games for the Hurricanes in 2024-25, totaling nine points (4g, 5a). He also played 14 games in the AHL with Chicago, scoring four goals and adding five assists (9 points). Selected by the Avalanche in the first round, 10th overall, of the 2016 NHL Draft, Jost has registered 149 points (61g, 88a) in 495 career NHL games with Colorado, Minnesota, Buffalo and Carolina. The 5’11”, 187-pound forward has also tallied 30 points (13g, 17a) in 52 career AHL games with San Antonio, Colorado, Rochester and Chicago.

Prior to turning professional, Jost posted 35 points (16g, 19a) in 33 NCAA games with North Dakota during his lone season of college hockey in 2016-17. The St. Albert, Alta., native has represented Canada at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship, and two IIHF World Championships (2018-19), winning silver in 2017 and 2019.



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Reign keeper Claudia Dickey earns second straight clean sheet when the United States …

Reign keeper Claudia Dickey, who also shut out Ireland in her international debut last week, stopped a shot from Reign teammate and Canada’s Jordyn Huitema. WASHINGTON — Just playing for the U.S. national team was a big opportunity for Claire Hutton. Then Canada left her a bit too much space at the edge of the […]

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Reign keeper Claudia Dickey earns second straight clean sheet when the United States ...

Reign keeper Claudia Dickey, who also shut out Ireland in her international debut last week, stopped a shot from Reign teammate and Canada’s Jordyn Huitema.

WASHINGTON — Just playing for the U.S. national team was a big opportunity for Claire Hutton.

Then Canada left her a bit too much space at the edge of the 6-yard box — and Rose Lavelle found her with a perfect corner kick. The 19-year-old midfielder was ready.

Hutton headed home her first international goal, and the Americans easily dispatched Canada 3-0 in a friendly Wednesday for their fifth straight victory. Sam Coffey and Yazmeen Ryan also scored.

“Set pieces are something we focus on. It’s what we talk about,” Hutton said. “At the international level, it’s what sets teams apart, especially in big tournaments. So being able to get my head on Rose’s perfect ball there was just amazing. Hoping for more in the future.”

The Americans have won five straight friendlies by a combined score of 18-0 since their 2-1 loss to Brazil in early April. The 19-year-old Hutton was making her sixth appearance for the national team, and her goal in the 36th minute gave the U.S. a 2-0 lead.

“It’s just amazing. To wear this jersey, wear this badge, it weighs a lot. I know the history behind it,” said Hutton, who plays for the Kansas City Current. “We talked about the U.S. legacy this past week. Just knowing that I get to be a part of it, it means the world to me.”

U.S. coach Emma Hayes gave many of her Europe-based options a break for this stretch of three games in seven days, which also included two 4-0 wins over Ireland. That left opportunities for less experienced players like Hutton.

“As I’ve said many times, I’m all about improving the whole ecosystem. I think more opportunities for more players with the national team will improve the NWSL,” Hayes said. “Because it gives players hope and belief that if they perform, that they’re going to get an opportunity.”

The U.S. opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Lavelle delivered a free kick into the penalty area from near the left sideline. Canada’s Janine Sonis tried to head clear, but the ball fell to Avery Patterson and then bounced to Coffey about 9 yards from the goal.

Both Coffey and Patterson stabbed at the ball, and both appeared to make contact with it. It went straight into the net. Coffey was credited with the goal and Patterson with an assist.

“I will give her full credit for that. I did not touch it at all,” Patterson said, not entirely believably. “I laid it up for her on a platter.”

Seattle Reign keeper Claudia Dickey, who also shut out Ireland in her international debut last Thursday, stopped a shot from in close by her Reign teammate and Canada forward Jordyn Huitema shortly after Coffey’s goal. But the Americans created far more chances.

Canada coach Casey Stoney called her team’s performance “inexcusable” and said her players’ fitness wasn’t good enough.

“A lack of commitment and desire, which is not this team,” she said. “Losing draws, losing 50-50s, not getting up to the ball, not pressing — it’s not good enough. I’m not going to hide away from it.”

Lavelle received a standing ovation when she was subbed out around the midway point of the second half. The crowd also gave a big cheer when Tara McKeown — who plays locally for the Washington Spirit — came on as a late sub for the U.S. McKeown assisted on Ryan’s goal in the 89th minute.

The U.S. plays friendlies against South Korea on Sept. 6 in Harrison, New Jersey, and against Japan on Sept. 9 in Columbus, Ohio.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

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OSU’s Jeremiah Smith Signs Adidas Sponsorship Contract Ahead of 2025 CFB Season

After taking the college football world by storm as a true freshman last season, Jeremiah Smith is cashing in on his fame with an endorsement deal from Adidas. Adidas announced on Wednesday that the Ohio State star has joined its family of athletes. Nike, which has a sponsorship deal with the Buckeyes, offered Smith his […]

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After taking the college football world by storm as a true freshman last season, Jeremiah Smith is cashing in on his fame with an endorsement deal from Adidas.

Adidas announced on Wednesday that the Ohio State star has joined its family of athletes.

Nike, which has a sponsorship deal with the Buckeyes, offered Smith his own NIL deal.

Per The Athletic’s Manny Navarro, Smith turned down Nike’s proposal in favor of the offer from Adidas.

“I’ve been wearing Adidas since I was a young kid, 11, 10 years old,” Smith told Navarro of his decision. “To be a part of the brand is something special.”

Financial details of Smith’s deal with Adidas are unknown at this time.

Per On3.com, Smith is the most valuable non-quarterback in college sports with a $4.2 million NIL valuation. The only players ranked ahead of him are Arch Manning ($6.8 million) and Carson Beck ($4.3 million).

Smith, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2024 freshman class, originally committed to Ohio State in December 2022. He broke multiple Buckeyes receiving records in his first season, including receiving yards by a freshman (1,315) and most touchdown catches in a season (15).

The 19-year-old also dominated throughout the College Football Playoff to help Ohio State win the national title. He recorded 381 yards and five touchdowns on 19 catches in four playoff games.

In addition to his status as arguably the best receiver in college football, Smith boosted his profile in May when he was revealed as a cover athlete, along with Alabama’s Ryan Williams, for EA Sports’ College Football 26 game.

Even though he can’t enter the NFL draft for two more years, Smith showed so much ability as a true freshman that ESPN’s Jake Trotter noted prior to this year’s draft that several pro scouts said he would have been a top-five pick in 2025 if he were eligible.

Smith and the Buckeyes will kick off the 2025 season in a marquee matchup with Texas at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30. These two teams met in the College Football Playoff semifinal in January, with Ohio State earning a 28-14 win.



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This is the week college sports become pro sports

It would be naive to say major college sports have retained their aura of pure amateurism without creeping toward professionalism in recent decades. TV contracts have ballooned. Coaches’ salaries have swelled. The whole production of college sports has felt more professional. Name, image and likeness (NIL) has been a game-changer that puts money in athletes’ […]

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It would be naive to say major college sports have retained their aura of pure amateurism without creeping toward professionalism in recent decades.

TV contracts have ballooned. Coaches’ salaries have swelled. The whole production of college sports has felt more professional. Name, image and likeness (NIL) has been a game-changer that puts money in athletes’ pockets.

At any of those points along the way, you might have felt like college sports crossed a threshold. But for me, the real tipping point was the approval of the House settlement that authorizes actual revenue-sharing for athletes.

Straight payments from schools to athletes — up to $20.5 million per school this year — are different from anything else that has come before.

Better players on revenue-generating teams will earn considerable six-figure salaries. Administrators will manage the money in a way similar to how a pro team manages a salary cap.

Tuesday was the first day those payments could be made to athletes.

This is where the rubber hits the road — or, more specifically, where the money hits the bank accounts.



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Cole Hutson on what he’s majoring in at Boston University: ‘Hockey’

ARLINGTON, VA — Defenseman Cole Hutson may be preparing for his sophomore year of college, but his focus is firmly on the ice. Asked about his major at Boston University, Hutson had a simple answer. “Hockey,” he joked. Given Hutson’s on-ice performance last season, he’s passing with flying colors. After the Capitals selected him 43rd […]

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ARLINGTON, VA — Defenseman Cole Hutson may be preparing for his sophomore year of college, but his focus is firmly on the ice. Asked about his major at Boston University, Hutson had a simple answer.

“Hockey,” he joked.

Given Hutson’s on-ice performance last season, he’s passing with flying colors. After the Capitals selected him 43rd in the 2024 NHL Draft, he recorded 48 points (14g, 34a) in 19 games as a freshman at BU, winning the Tim Taylor Award as the NCAA’s rookie of the year and leading all first-year skaters in scoring.

Hutson acknowledged Wednesday that transitioning to the NCAA wasn’t easy, though he ultimately found success.

“I think it was obviously really tough on me,” he said. “It was a big adjustment, for sure, from the USHL. Just older guys that are more physical coming after you every night. That wore and tore on me every day, as it should. Just did what it takes to get to the next level, and it made me a lot better.”

One of the turning points, in his assessment, was playing for Team USA at World Juniors. Hutson was arguably the team’s best player, becoming the first defenseman in tournament history to lead the all players in scoring with 11 points (3g, 8a) in 7 games.

Hutson pointed to Capitals rookie Ryan Leonard as someone he particularly benefitted from playing with at the tournament.

“I think just obviously playing with all those unbelievable players that were there (gave me confidence),” he said. “Just them reading the same plays that I was and just reading off each other really well. I think playing with a guy that is here right now, Ryan Leonard, he changes the tempo of games, and playing with a guy like that can help your team win games just like that.”

After his season ended with a loss in the NCAA National Championship game, Hutson found himself rooting against the team that had drafted him just months before. His brother Lane, who won the Calder Trophy in his rookie season with the Montreal Canadiens, matched up against the Capitals in the NHL playoffs.

So when the series moved to Montreal for Game 3, Cole made the trip to cheer him on, complete with a Canadiens-themed sweater.

His fashion choices earned some lighthearted backlash in DC — head coach Spencer Carbery joked that the sweater was “terrible” — but Hutson pointed out that the Capitals weren’t the ones who ponied up for the seats.

“I know a lot of the fans saw me in a Habs sweater. (I) took a lot of crap from the staff and management here, but what I told them is ‘He bought me the ticket, so I’ve got to cheer for him in his seats,’” he said.

Next time, however, Hutson hopes he won’t need a ticket.

“If that series comes back around, hopefully I’m playing in it,” he said.

But Hutson doesn’t feel ready to jump to the NHL just yet. He showed plenty of scoring talent last season, but he plans to work on his defensive game next year to balance out his play.

“Just rounding out my game, being super mature (on) both sides of the puck,” he said of his goals. “I think taking care of the defensive side before I jump for the offensive part of the game — even though it’s a lot more fun than the defensive side — that’s where you’re going to need (to improve) to make it to the next level.”

Beyond just his development goals, Hutson is plenty happy to spend another year at school. He told reporters that his plan was always to play at least two seasons at BU, maybe even three or four if he’s enjoying himself. His freshman year experience only reinforced that belief.

“I had such a fun first year, and it’d be stupid not to go back,” he said.

And if he can continue what he started last year, Hutson’s sure to get an A+ in hockey.



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Golf influencer Grace Charis talks feeding into ‘golf girl’ role, balancing tournament play and social media content

Grace Charis has made a name for herself in the golf world, becoming a top influencer with over eight million combined followers on social media. And the 22-year-old has done this without being a pro golfer. Charis posts videos of her golfing mixed in with content that some would call a little spicy for social […]

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Grace Charis has made a name for herself in the golf world, becoming a top influencer with over eight million combined followers on social media. And the 22-year-old has done this without being a pro golfer.

Charis posts videos of her golfing mixed in with content that some would call a little spicy for social media. On3 recently caught up with Charis and asked if she intended to become a golf influencer when she took up the sport during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Not necessarily. It just compounded,” Grace Charis told On3. “So, it took off, it did well, and I just kept posting, and so I was cycled into this niche. And people just would see me as that. So it’s almost like I got stuck into it, but I really enjoyed it. I think it has to do with people’s view on me being the golf girl, but also me feeding into that. So I wasn’t against it.”

Charis has 3.7 million followers on Instagram, three million followers on TikTok, one million followers on X/Twitter and 1.5 million subscribers on her YouTube channel. She believes people enjoy her content for multiple reasons.

“I’m pretty positive and happy, and I’m in a good space outside. It’s usually a beautiful scene, or it’s an interesting hole, or there’s something captivating about my content,” she explained. “So, I think people are just engaged with what I’m doing. Because I’ll do some cool stuff.”

Grace Charis competed in Spain last month

Charis enjoys making content, but she continues to grow as a golfer by competing in more tournaments. Last month, Charis competed in Spain at the Tenerife Women’s Open. Later this month, Charis will compete in a tournament that is “on the border of Texas and Arkansas,” two hours from where she lives in Dallas, she said.

But does Charis have a hard time balancing preparing for tournaments and putting out engaging content? “That’s interesting you bring that up, because it has been, a lot of times when I compete, I can’t think of anything besides competing and learning the course, and making sure that I’m in the right headspace,” she said. “But I think over time, because you get very locked in on that, but over time, I’m also just trying to have fun out there.

Will Grace Charis make the jump to pro?

“…… You want to stay focused and not have some kind of video take you out of your headspace there. But if there’s something interesting, I’m like, “No, this is too cool to not document. I have to.” It’s part of my nature, try and share that.”

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Network

Charis’s success as an influencer has led to her launching an apparel line called Dialed Golf. When talking about the company, Charis said, “I just wanted a golf brand that reflects who I am as a person, where the performance meets personality. And I think my company, Dialed Golf, is reflective of that. There’s a lot of creativity and comfort. So, the performance wear, everything on there is just comfortable, well-made.”

Charis seems to be in a good spot in her career. And when it comes to her future in the sport, Charis is not ruling out a plan to go pro.

“I do like tournament golf. I don’t see myself quitting anytime soon,” Charis said. “It’s been good for me as a person, just in general. So, I can see myself just keep playing. And if the low rounds come and I have the opportunity to go pro, that would be amazing. But just playing as many tournaments as I can, trying to make cuts, trying to make a little bread out there, would be great.”



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