Sports
University of Akron Athletics
NCAA OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS: MEET INFORMATION | SCHEDULE OF EVENTS | LIVE STATS | WEDNESDAY LIVE VIDEO | WEDNESDAY LIVE VIDEO (POLE VAULT) | FRIDAY LIVE VIDEO AKRON, Ohio – University of Akron track and field redshirt senior pole vaulter Hunter Garretson (Newcomerstown, Ohio) and freshman Bismack Kipchirchir (Eldama Ravine, Kenya) are set […]

AKRON, Ohio – University of Akron track and field redshirt senior pole vaulter Hunter Garretson (Newcomerstown, Ohio) and freshman Bismack Kipchirchir (Eldama Ravine, Kenya) are set to vie for national titles when the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, hosted at the University of Oregon at Historic Heyward Field gets underway on Wednesday (June 11) in Eugene, Ore.
Coverage of the meet as well as live field event coverage will be provided on ESPN+ each day of competition.
UP NEXT: Garretson and Kipchirchir will represent the Zips at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships this week.
Garretson will compete for the Zips in the men’s pole vault at 7:35 p.m. ET on Wednesday (June 11) before Kipchirchir runs in the semifinal round of the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase at 7:38 p.m. ET. The finals of the steeplechase are slated for 8:24 p.m. ET on Friday (June 13).
Garretson, who owns the No. 11 mark (18-1.75/5.53m) in the NCAA this season, will be making his third NCAA Outdoor Championship appearance in the men’s pole vault after earning First-Team All-America accolades on the strength of a runner-up effort at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, where he eclipsed 18-8.25 (5.70m).
Earlier this season, he garnered First-Team All-America honors at the NCAA Indoor Championships.
Garretson captured his ninth overall Mid-American Conference title with a mark of 18-0.50 (5.50m) at MAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships on May 15 in Athens, Ohio, before posting a qualifying mark of 17-5.75 (5.33m) at the NCAA East Preliminary Round on May 28 in Jacksonville, Fla.
Kipchirchir will be making his NCAA Championship debut after registering a qualifying time of 8:42.88 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the NCAA East Preliminary Round on May 30 in Jacksonville, Fla. Kipchirchir also collected the MAC title in the event on May 16 in Athens, Ohio, in a time of 8:45.34.
Kipchirchir enters competition with the No. 8 time in the NCAA this season in the steeplechase crossing the line in a school-record time of 8:27.51 at the Bryan Clay Invitational.
AKRON MEN’S QUALIFIERS (Qualifying Rank-Qualifying Mark):
Pole Vault: Hunter Garretson (No. 11-18-1-75/5.53m)
3,000M Steeplechase: Bismack Kipchirchir (No. 8-8:27.51)
For the complete list of entries, please log on to NCAA.com
NCAA OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS MEET SCHEDULE: The NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship meet begins at 3 p.m. ET at Heyward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon on Wednesday (June 11), with the start of the men’s decathlon. Field events start with the men’s hammer at 4:30 p.m. ET before running events kick off with the men’s 4×100 relay semifinals at 7:05 p.m. ET and conclude with the running of the men’s 4×400 relay at 10:36 p.m. ET.
The second day opens with the men’s 110-meter hurdles as part of the decathlon at 12:45 p.m. ET. Field events start with the women’s hammer at 4:30 p.m. ET, before running events begin with the semifinal round of the women’s 4×100 relay at 7:05 p.m. ET. The semifinals of the women’s 4×400 relay closes out the day’s action at 10:36 p.m. ET.
Third-day competition commences on Friday with the women’s 100-meter hurdles as part of the heptathlon at 2:45 p.m. ET. The men’s high jumps kick off field events at 7:30 p.m. ET, before the running events take the track with the final of the men’s 4×100 relay at 8:02 p.m. ET. The men’s 4×400 relay final will conclude the men’s portion of the championship at 10:36 p.m. ET.
The final day of the championship kicks off with the women’s long jump for the heptathlon at 5 p.m. ET. The women’s high jump starts field events at 8:30 p.m. ET, before the final of the women’s 4×100 relay is slated to begin at 9:02 p.m. ET. The women’s 4×400 relay final will conclude the women’s portion of the championship at 11:21 p.m. ET.
For a complete schedule of events, log on to NCAA.com. Live results (click here) will be available throughout the meet as well as live video (click here).
The tentative schedule of events for the Zips at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships are as follows;
Wednesday, June 11
7:35 p.m. ET – Hunter Garretson (Men’s Pole Vault)
7:38 p.m. ET – Bismack Kipchirchir (Men’s 3,000-Meter Steeplechase Semifinals)
Friday, June 13
8:24 p.m. ET – Bismack Kipchirchir (Men’s 3,000-Meter Steeplechase Finals)
NCAA CHAMPIONS: Akron’s entries will be looking to add to the tradition of the Zips’ track and field program, which already includes nine individual national champions. Christi Smith made history in 2000 when she became the first national champion in school history, capturing gold in the heptathlon. Stevi Large was the next to accomplish the feat, winning the women’s hammer throw in 2009. Annika Roloff captured the women’s pole vault in 2014. Shawn Barber became the school’s first male champion claiming the indoor pole vault title in 2014 before again earning the crown at the 2015 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships. Clayton Murphy became Akron’s first-ever NCAA champion in a running event winning the indoor 800 meters and outdoor 1,500 meters in 2016. In 2017, Matt Ludwig claimed the national title in the men’s pole vault.
TOP TIMES IN THE MAC: The Zips have registered 13 overall top performances in the Mid-American Conference during the outdoor campaign.
Outdoor
NATIONAL RANKINGS: The University of Akron track and field teams have garnered recognition for their efforts during the 2025 outdoor season as the Zips are rated among the Top 30 in the Event Squad rankings for six events released on May 20, 2025, as part of the United States Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field National Rating Index.
Akron is rated ninth nationally in the men’s pole vault, 13th in the men’s shot put, 17th in the men’s hammer and women’s hammer, 21st in the men’s discus and 22nd in the women’s discus.
ZIPS RANK AMONG NATION’S BEST IN 2025 TFRRS RANKINGS: Akron have four individual student-athletes ranked in the Top 50 nationally by the Track and Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS) for the 2025 outdoor campaign as Bismack Kipchirchir is rated eighth in the nation in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase (8:27.51).
Additionally, Hunter Garretson is 11th in the nation in the men’s pole vault (18-1.75/5.53m), redshirt junior Owen Wendl (Medina, Ohio) is 13th in the men’s discus (200-11/61.23m) and sophomore Mason Birch (Strongsville, Ohio) is 48th in the men’s high jump (7-0.25/2.14m).
OWEN WENDL NAMED MAC MOST OUTSTANDING PERFORMER: Owen Wendl was honored by the Mid-American Conference as its 2025 Outdoor Track and Field Men’s Most Outstanding Field Performer of the Year, the league unveiled on May 22.
Wendl captured a pair of MAC titles winning the men’s discus and shot put with a pair of career-best marks. Wendl capped his championship efforts claiming the title in the men’s discus, the fourth MAC title of his Zips’ career, with a career-best mark of 200-10 (61.23m), just off the meet record of 201-9 and conference record of 205-9. His performance stands as the No. 13 mark in the United States in the discus in 2025.
Wendl opened the weekend capturing the men’s shot put for his third career league title with a career-best throw of 60-2.50 (18.35m). His effort stands as the No. 71 mark in the NCAA this season and the No. 2 effort in outdoor program history.
ZIPS CAPTURE MAC MEN’S OUTDOOR TEAM TITLE: The University of Akron men’s track and field team made it back-to-back-to-back Mid-American Conference Outdoor Track and Field titles capturing the program’s 11th overall outdoor crown at the MAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships hosted by Ohio at Goldsberry Track on May 17.
AKRON EARNS TRIO OF MAC CHAMPIONSHIP HONORS: Akron Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Kendra Reimer-Gonzales was named as the MAC Men’s Coach of the Year.
Bismack Kipchirchir was tabbed as the Most Valuable Performer of the Meet and league’s Men’s Track Freshman of the Year.
Freshman Rukia Omulisia (Nairobi, Kenya) was selected as the MAC’s Women’s Track Freshman of the Year
USTFCCCA HONORS GARRETSON AS GREAT LAKES REGIONAL FIELD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR:
Hunter Garretson was honored by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as the Great Lakes Region Men’s Field Athlete of the Year, the USTFCCCA announced on March 20.
Garretson becomes the fourth Zip to collect All-Regional honors since 2007 joining Olympians Clayton Murphy (2016-Track) and Shawn Barber (2015-Field) and Cadeau Kelley (2008-Field). He previously captured the honor during the 2023 outdoor campaign.
GARRETSON EARNS FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICA ACCOLADES:
Hunter Garretson captured First-Team All-America accolades on the strength of a third-place performance at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships on March 14 in Virginia Beach, Va.
A five-time All-America honoree, Garretson captured First-Team laurels for the third time in his decorated career eclipsing 18-6.75 (5.66m).
After passing at the opening height of 17-7 (5.36m), Garretson cleared the next two bars of 17-11 (5.46m) and 18-3 (5.56m) on his initial runs at the heights.
He needed two attempts to clear 18-4.75 (5.61m) before besting the bar at 18-6.75 (5.66m) on his final attempt.
After missing his initial attempt at 18-8.34 (5.71m), Garretson passed his next two jumps. He was unable to clear the bar at 18-10.75 (5.76m) on each of his attempts and finished with a third-place effort.
GARRETSON NAMED ELITE 90 WINNER: Hunter Garretson was the recipient of the Elite 90 award for the 2025 NCAA Division Men’s Track and Field Indoor Championship.
Garretson, who is majoring in mathematics, boasts a perfect 4.0 GPA, was presented with the award during a presentation on March 14.
Winning the honor for the third consecutive season, Garretson became the first three-time recipient of the award in Division I track and field and ninth overall three-time honoree across all sports in Division I.
The honor was the fourth time a Zip has garnered the distinguished honor joining Tyler Sanda, who won the award as a member of the Akron men’s soccer team in 2015.
AKRON GARNERS TRIO OF MAC INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD SPECIALTY AWARDS:
Hunter Garretson and Bismack Kipchirchir were honored by the Mid-American Conference as its 2025 Indoor Track and Field Men’s Most Outstanding Track and Field Performers of the Year, the league unveiled on March 7.
Additionally, Akron assistant coach Randy Overby was tabbed by his peers as the Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year.
Garretson earned his fifth consecutive MAC indoor pole title and eighth overall league championship besting the field at the MAC Indoor Track and Field Championships on March 1 with a mark of 17-9 (5.41m). His five indoor conference pole vault titles and eight overall combined (indoor/outdoor) pole vault championships are the most in league history.
Kipchirchir turned in a stellar effort at the MAC Championships garnering Most Valuable Performer and Freshman of the Year accolades with runner-up finishes in the men’s mile, 3,000 and 5,000 meters.
He opened his championship run crossing the line second in the men’s 5,000 meters in a career-best time of 14:29.74, the fifth-fastest time in indoor program history. In final-day competition, Kipchirchir placed second in the men’s mile in a time of 4:12.45 before capturing Second-Team All-MAC honors in the men’s 3,000 meters in a time of 8:11.78.
The Akron’s men’s team under Overby’s tutelage dominated the sprints and hurdles at the MAC Indoor Track and Field Championships (Feb. 28-March 1) scoring 54 points en route to securing its ninth overall indoor league title and first since 2020.
The team produced three All-MAC performances, with redshirt senior Jimmy Harkelroad (Huron, Ohio) earning First-Team honors in the 400M and 4×400 relay alongside sophomore Braylyn Farrington (Alabaster, Ala.), AJ Jordan and sophomore Andrew Styles (Freeport, Bahamas), while also receiving Second-Team recognition in the 200M.
The 4x400M relay squad, consisting of Farrington, Harkelroad, Jordan, and Styles, claimed victory, as did Harkelroad in the 400M. Additionally, Jordan secured third-place finishes in the 60M and 200M, while junior Tysean Baronette (Middletown, Del.) (4th – 200M), Rennie Gittens, Jr. (4th – 60M), Farrington (4th – 400M), and Styles (5th – 400M) delivered strong performances. Under expert coaching, the team has recorded the MAC’s top times this season in the 400M and 4×400 relay, along with the second-best marks in the 60M and 200M.
AKRON CROSS COUNTRY EARNS USTFCCCA ALL-ACADEMIC ACCOLADES: The Akron cross country team under the leadership of Zips’ director of track and field/cross country Kendra Reimer-Gonzales and cross country head coach Evans Kiptoo garnered recognition for the squad’s efforts in the classroom as the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) tabbed Akron a Division I All-Academic team for the 2024 campaign.
The Akron men’s squad was honored for recording a 3.335 GPA, while the women’s team garnered recognition for its work in the classroom for the 11th straight year with a 3.356 cumulative GPA.
Overall, 209 women’s teams and 183 men’s teams earned All-Academic team honors.
CRACKING THE ALL-TIME TOP FIVE PERFORMANCES: The Zips added 28 overall top five performances and five school records in program history to the record book during the 2025 outdoor campaign.
CRACKING THE ALL-TIME TOP FIVE PERFORMANCES: The Zips added 28 overall top five performances and five school records in program history to the record book during the 2025 indoor campaign.
TOP MARKS:
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Sports
Jake Kinne – Men’s Water Polo
2007: Named honorable mention ACWPC All-American and honorable mention All-MPSF … Appeared in all 32 games … Finished third on the team with 39 goals … Scored at least one goal in 23 of the 32 games … Had 12 multiple-goal games …Scored a season-high four goaals on Sept. 8 against Chapman … Tallied three […]

Prior to LBSU: Played two years of water polo at Long Beach City College (2004-05) … helped lead LBCC to the 2005 CCCAA Championship … was a two-time All-American as well as earning first team All-SoCal and All-South Coast Conference honors … led LBCC to a 32-5 mark in 2005 as the Vikings won the state title with a 5-3 win over Golden West College • Kinne had two goals in the title game • was named to the All-State Tournament team … LBCC also won the South Coast Conference Championship and finished second at the Southern California Regional Playoffs … team finished third place in the state in 2004, going 26-6.
High School: Graduated from Newberg High School in 2004 … Lettered in water polo as a prep.
Personal: Born May 29, 1986 in Stockton, Calif. … Both parents attended the University of Oregon … A history major.
Sports
Marlborough App
Tim Macfarlane and Kieran Hickman at the conclusion of their epic paddling adventure. Photo supplied Paddles up: Marlborough kayakers The Boomtown Boys have completed the gruelling Yukon 1000 paddling race. Tim Macfarlane and Kieran Hickman finished the race in joint eighth position, covering the 1000 mile (1600km) journey from Whitehorse in Canada to Dalton Highway […]
Tim Macfarlane and Kieran Hickman at the conclusion of their epic paddling adventure. Photo supplied
Paddles up: Marlborough kayakers The Boomtown Boys have completed the gruelling Yukon 1000 paddling race. Tim Macfarlane and Kieran Hickman finished the race in joint eighth position, covering the 1000 mile (1600km) journey from Whitehorse in Canada to Dalton Highway Bridge in Alaska in seven days, six hours and 56 minutes. Kieran described it as “good fun, but really challenging … a wicked experience, I just loved it”. Kieran and Tim competed against an elite 30-strong field, which was chosen from around 2500 entries from all over the world.
Sam’s the man: Marlborough hockey player Sam Young has been named in the Under-18 South men’s team for the forthcoming U18 Queensland Series from December 15-20 at Kings College in Auckland. The South and North teams will take on each other as well as Queensland and The Mavericks in an event featuring some of New Zealand and Queensland’s best U18 talent.

Georgia at Games: Former Marlborough water polo player Georgia Reed is representing New Zealand at the World University Games in Germany. Georgia came through the Stadium 2000 swim school, played flipper ball, then represented Marlborough Girls’ College and the province with distinction soon after the sport’s inception in Marlborough.
Marty moves on: Martyn Vercoe, team manager of the Chiefs, will join head coach Clayton McMillan at Munster next season. The former Marlborough rep cricketer has worked as manager in a number of environments over the past 12 years. In addition to his current positions with the All Blacks XV and the Chiefs, he was also Team Manager with the New Zealand U20s from 2016 to 2022 and Tasman Mako from 2013 to 2020.
Tasman back on track: Back on track and back in the black. That was the positive message delivered at the Tasman Rugby Union’s recent annual general meeting. It was a very different picture when former chairman Wayne Young and his deputy Tony Healey came on to an interim board in February after considerable upheaval. The board has turned a predicted $400,000 budget blowout into a $70,000 surplus and is aiming to get to $100,000.
“We are really just tidying relationships with the community, stakeholders and sponsors, and have gone back to basics. That old saying, you don’t spend more than what you earn. We shouldn’t be accepting losses and gave very clear direction on what was acceptable and what was not. It is a reset and staff have really bought into it,” says Wayne.
Wayne and Tony will only stay on the board for another year. Tony has returned as an independent director and is joined by Nelson accountant Michael Parker and Motueka logger Mike Fraser. Riwaka businessman David Inch has also come on to the board, replacing Murchison’s Tony Peacock, who resigned recently.
More Mako men: The Tasman Mako men’s selectors have named another group of players in their ever-increasing squad to contest the Bunnings NPC which begins for them on August 3 in Tauranga. Added to the mix is last season’s Nelson College standout, first five Harry Inch. He joins a group of players who were on development contracts in2024 but are now fully contracted. They include the NZ under-20 trio of Cooper Roberts, Eli Oudenryn and Sione Mafi, plus Hunter Leppien, Johnny Lee and Brodie Robinson. A couple of exciting newcomers are former Queensland Reds and Western Force lock/flanker Lopeti Faifua, the Australian just 23-years-of-age, and 22-year-old hooker Tomasi Maka, who played for Moana Pasifika last season. Recently confirmed is former All Blacks centre/wing Leicester Fainga’anuku.
Woodbourne half: The 42nd annual Woodbourne Half Marathon will take place on Sunday, August 10 from 9am at the RNZAF Sports Fields at Woodbourne. 5km and 10km fun runs will take place on safe off road courses through the Pernod Ricard vineyards. The half marathon has three entry options – walk, hybrid run/walk or run. The course is on a mix of vineyard, gravel roads and quiet roads to the south of Renwick. Entries are available online at “Eventfinda Blenheim”, paper entries at Mitchell Sports in downtown Blenheim (cash only), and entries on the day at race HQ (additional $5 late entry fee applies – EFTPOS available). Any questions can be directed to the Woodbourne Half Marathon Facebook page, or by email to Mark at [email protected]
Sports
Texas A&M to Big Leagues
After months of impressive outings in MiLB, a former Texas A&M pitcher earned a call-up to Major League Baseball on Monday. Southpaw reliever Brandyn Garcia was bumped up from the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers to the Seattle Mariners. He was selected by the Mariners in the 11th round of the 2023 MLB Draft, following his senior […]


After months of impressive outings in MiLB, a former Texas A&M pitcher earned a call-up to Major League Baseball on Monday.
Southpaw reliever Brandyn Garcia was bumped up from the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers to the Seattle Mariners. He was selected by the Mariners in the 11th round of the 2023 MLB Draft, following his senior season with the Aggies. In his first season with the High-A Everett AquaSox and Double-A Arkansas Travelers, Garcia recorded a 2.25 ERA with 134 strikeouts in 116.0 innings pitched. His performances on the bump earned him the organization’s co-minor league pitcher of the year in 2024.
With Garcia being just one of two left-handed relievers and the Mariners bullpen suffering from burnout, the well-earned call-up to the Major Leagues could prove to be beneficial for both parties.
The 25-year-old’s first appearance on the bump for the Mariners will be his MLB debut. According to MLB Pipeline, Garcia ranks as the top left-handed prospect in the organization and the No. 4 pitching prospect in the system, while also being the No. 13 overall prospect.
Through 68 career minor league appearances, he has secured an 11-7 record with seven saves and a 2.49 ERA. Garcia has also struck out 184 hitters and walked just 67, which is good for 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings. Now, he will aim to continue that success at the highest level in baseball with the Mariners organization.
Before he put on the Maroon and White uniform for the Aggies, Garcia led Quinnipiac in strikeouts and wins in back-to-back seasons in 2021 and 2022. Before transferring to Texas A&M, the lefty posted a 7.15 ERA with 12 starts in 61.2 innings pitched during his time with the Bobcats.
Garcia’s numbers improved tremendously with the Aggies in 2023, as he secured a 5.56 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 43.2 innings pitched and one save. His 3-3 overall in 27 appearances helped aid Texas A&M to an NCAA Regional appearance, which the program eventually fell flat against the Stanford Cardinal.
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Granby, Connecticut, native translated that improvement on the mound during his senior season to the MiLB. With much need for arms in the starting rotation and a relief role, the Mariners organization could place Garcia on the mound in either fashion sooner rather than later.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.
Sports
Claire Spiller – Track & Field/XC
TFFRS Bio (Coastal Carolina) Personal Bests Long Jump 5.36m Triple Jump 12.62m 2025 Outdoors (At Coastal Carolina) Finished seventh in the triple jump at the Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Championship (12.04 meters) … Fifth-place finish in the triple jump in the Charlotte Invitational (12.16 meters) […]

TFFRS Bio (Coastal Carolina)
Personal Bests
Long Jump | 5.36m |
Triple Jump | 12.62m |
2025 Outdoors (At Coastal Carolina)
Finished seventh in the triple jump at the Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Championship (12.04 meters) … Fifth-place finish in the triple jump in the Charlotte Invitational (12.16 meters) … Back-to-back second-place finishes in the triple jump at the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational (12.49 meters) and Myrtle Beach Collegiate Challenge (12.34 meters).
2025 Indoors (At Coastal Carolina)
Finished fourth in the triple jump at the Sun Belt Conference Indoor Championships (12.34 meters), the fourth-best mark in school history … Third-place finish in the triple jump at the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational (12.29 meters) … Finished third in the triple jump at the Hokie Invitational (12.25 meters) … Second-place finish in the triple jump at the Clemson Opener (12.28 meters).
2024 Outdoors (At Coastal Carolina)
Finished seventh in the triple jump at the Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Championship (12.33 meters) … Mark of 12.62 meters in the triple jump at the East Coast Relays ranks fourth in program history … Collected second-place finishes in the triple jump at the Weems Baskin Invitational (11.91 meters), Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational (12.34 meters), and Myrtle Beach Collegiate Challenge (11.81 meters).
2024 Indoors (At Coastal Carolina)
Finished 10th in the triple jump at the Sun Belt Conference Indoor Championship (12.11 meters) … Back-to-back wins in the triple jump at the Carolina Challenge (12.02 meters) and Gamecock Opener (12.01 meters).
2023 Outdoors (At Coastal Carolina)
Competed in seven meets in the outdoor season for the Chanticleers … Recorded a 21st-place finish in the triple jump with a mark of 11.44 (1.6) meters at the 2023 Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships … Finished third in the triple jump event with a mark of 11.49 (1.7) meters at the Myrtle Beach Collegiate Challenge … Also turned in a third-place finish in the triple jump with a distance of 11.70 meters at the Weems Baskin Relays … Placed ninth in the long jump event with a leap of 5.36 (-3.4) meters at the Weems Baskin Relays … Finished seventh in the triple jump event at the USC Open with a mark of 11.90 (0.8) meters … Also placed 25th in the long jump at the USC Open with a distance of 5.17 (-0.3) meters … Turned in a personal-best mark of 11.91 (1.6) meters in the triple jump at the UF Tom Jones Memorial Invitational, placing 17th overall … Recorded marks of 11.76 (1.0) meters in the triple jump and 4.89 (0.2) meters in the long jump at the UNF East Coast Relays … Posted a mark of 4.91 (0.4) meters in the long jump at the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational … Earned a spot on the President’s List (4.0 GPA) for the 2023 spring semester.
2023 Indoors (At Coastal Carolina)
Competed in the triple jump and long jump events in five meets during the indoor season … Placed 15th in the triple jump event with a mark of 11.68 meters at the 2023 Sun Belt Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships … Also finished 30th in the long jump event at the conference championship meet with a distance of 5.28 meters … Recorded a third-place finish in the triple jump event with a mark of 11.36 meters in her collegiate debut at the Gamecock Opener … Finished fourth in the triple jump event with a mark of 11.05 meters at the Carolina Challenge … Turned in a distance of 4.96 meters in the long jump to finish 18th overall at the Carolina Challenge … Picked up a pair of top-25 place finishes at the Bob Pollock Invitational, placing 16th in the triple jump (11.14 meters) and 25th in the long jump (5.35 meters) … Finished 11th overall in the triple jump event with a distance of 11.51 meters at the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational … Registered a mark of 5.23 meters in the long jump event at the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational … Named to the Dean’s List (3.5 GPA or higher) for the 2022 fall semester.
High School
A four-year letterwinner in track & field at College Station High School … Competed in the long jump, triple jump, 400-meters, and was part of the 4×400-meter relay team … Was a three-time team captain … Ranked as high as No. 24 nationally in the triple jump by MaxPreps in 2021 … Was the 2022 district champion in the triple jump as a senior … Was the 2021 area champion in the triple jump as a junior … Set the school record in the triple jump at 39′ 0.5 … A member of the National Honor Society … Earned All-Academic honors throughout her high school career … Has two younger siblings – twins, Malorie and Meriah.
Sports
Semifinal day at men’s water polo
Day 14 Schedule Classification 7-8 Match 45. 16:00. Classification 3-4Match 47. 17:35. Classification 5-6Match 46. 20:00. Classification 1-2Match 48. 21:35. Overview In the classification 9-10 match, Romania came from 8-1 down at quarter time to force a penalty shootout at 16-16 but it could not survive with Japan finishing 20-19 in sudden death. In the […]
Day 14 Schedule
Classification 7-8
Match 45. 16:00.
Classification 3-4
Match 47. 17:35.
Classification 5-6
Match 46. 20:00.
Classification 1-2
Match 48. 21:35.
Overview
In the classification 9-10 match, Romania came from 8-1 down at quarter time to force a penalty shootout at 16-16 but it could not survive with Japan finishing 20-19 in sudden death.
In the classification match for 11th position, Canada turned the tables on Brazil, winning 16-11 after losing the round encounter on penalty shootout.
Match Reports
Classification 9-10
Match 40, JAPAN 20 ROMANIA 19 in sudden-death penalty shootout. FT: 16-16. Pens: 4-3 (8-1, 4-3, 2-8, 2-4)
What an incredible match this was! For Japan to go 8-1 in the first quarter and then to allow Romania to win the rest of the match 15-8 and force a penalty shootout was truly remarkable by the Romanians. And then for the shootout to go to sudden death after the first rotation yielded two saves each was equally fantastic. A delight to watch.
The first quarter was like a tsunami with eight goals to one. That’s averaging every attack and the 4-1 score came before the four-minute mark. Yusuke Inaba plugged the first two for Japan; Daichi Ogihara had a pair, as well and Kiyomu Date scored three of the last four. Romania took a timeout at 4:20 but the Japanese responded with four goals. Centre forward Alexandru Gheorghe gained the first Romanian goal. In the second quarter, Romania came back into the fray and denied many Japanese chances. Francesco Iudean scored his 13th and 14th goals of the tournament for 8-3 with Inaba picking up his third before Gheorghe repeated his first-quarter effort for 9-4. Three more Japanese goals came within a minute inside the last 1:40 before halftime, Inaba netting his fourth from a snappy six-metre shot and Date going on counter for his fourth.
Who would have thought that Romania would bring its A game in the third quarter, shooting five unanswered goals with more to come? That it did with Andrei Neamtu grabbing two. Japan called a timeout, gained an exclusion and Kenta Araki converted from the left post for 13-9. Levente Vancsik buried his shot and minutes later Inaba cherished a four-goal margin on counter. Neamtu and Vlad-Luca Georgescu, both on extra, narrowed the margin to two with two last-minute goals with the 12th with four seconds on the clock.
The last quarter was a heart-stopper with traded goals from Andrei Tepelus in the first minute to Adachi at 16-14. Sebastian Oltean drilled from the top and Georgescu scored his most important goal to equalise on extra from the top right at 0:34. Japan had two shots covered and the shootout had been booked.
Japan started and missed its first two and Romania missed its second shot. The next three went in and Romania had its fourth shot saved meaning the match was tied at 18-18. The next two shots were successful, ending the rotation and sending the match into sudden death. Watanabe did what he couldn’t at the start, by scoring Japan’s 20th goal and Georgescu had his shot blocked by goalkeeper Ren Sasano for the Japanese victory.
Match Heroes
Japan’s Inaba with five goals to finish with 23 in Singapore. Date collected four (12) while Watanabe’s one pushed him to 17. Captain Marius-Florin Tic stopped 14 shots for 60 in Singapore.
Turning Point
Japan’s 8-1 and then Romania’s relentless surge back to 16-16.
Stats Don’t Lie
Japan converted seven from 11 on extra and Romania a fantastic six from eight. There were two penalty goals for Japan and one for Romania. The teams stole the ball seven times each and Japan shot 38 to 34.
Bottom Line
Japan was 13th last year and Romania 10th in its first return since 2013 when it was 13th. This year it will settle for 10th. Japan was ninth in 2022 as well, a year after finishing 10th at the home Olympic Games. It was eighth at this year’s World Cup, so is up there with the best. This was its third win here.
What He Said
Yusuke INABA (JPN) — Captain and Five Goals
On the close match:
“I have no idea how it became like that. We (conceded) a lot of goals in the third quarter and it was really a tough game, see-saw game. I don’t know, for us, it was a terrible game. We were leading by seven, eight goals, then they came back to tie and first we missed two penalties… it was wow, just wow.”
On what changed in the third quarter:
“In the third quarter, they changed tactics. They put two centres every time and we got many exclusions than goals, so they were really smarter than us. In the last 11 seconds, we really wanted to score because we knew that if we went to penalties, we would have a lower possibility of winning. Their goalkeeper Marius-Florin (TIC) is really good, so in the last 11 seconds, everyone really wanted to score, but we couldn’t. But after these 11 seconds, I said to everyone ‘Just think about victory’, and then we won, so it’s OK.”
On Japan’s campaign:
“We were really good here compared to the Paris Olympics. In Paris, when we played against Hungary, against Spain, we lost by 15, 14 goals, which is a lot. But this time, by five or six, so now, for sure, we are getting better. Step by step but it’s OK; we will continue to grow.”
Classification 11-12
Match 39, BRAZIL 11 CANADA 16 (3-1, 2-4, 1-5, 5-6)
Canada won the battle of the Americas, coming from 4-1 behind to win by five and back in the numbers after missing 2024 and finishing 12th in 2023. These two teams met in the rounds and Brazil won 19-18 in penalty shootout on day six. Canada did not make that mistake twice. Head coach Pat Oaten is no stranger to international limelight coaching, leading the Canadian junior women’s team to the world crown at Calgary 2003. He also did a long stint with the senior women’s team and with Brazil women.
Brazil had the better of the first quarter at 3-1 with captain Gustavo Guimaraes with the first two goals — off the left-post position on cross and from deep right. Roko Pozaric replied for Canada on counter and Marcos Pedroso took it to 3-1 from centre forward, but about five metres out. Pedro Real gave Brazil a 4-1 advantage nearly three minutes into the second period and Nikos Gerakoudis replied, both from the same position at the top. Brazilian head coach Thiago Nacimento collected a yellow card. Guimaraes hit the penalty goal for a three-goal margin. Canada jumped back into the match with Jason O’Donnell from the top right. Aleksa Gardijan did not survive a VAR review for a violent action but Brazil could not convert the extra chance. Ali Oussadou converted a penalty foul and Reuel D’Souza brought up his 20th goal from the top on extra for 5-5.
Canada’s dominance continued in the third period with captain Bogdan Djerkovic dragging one down off the right-post position on extra; Pozaric from the top left; D’Souza on penalty and then from the top right for 9-5. Lucas Farias broke the more-than-10-minute drought from deep right at 1:24. After a Brazilian challenge was rejected. D’Souza brought up goal number 23 from the penalty line and 10-6 at the final break.
O’Donnell grabbed his second with a cross-cage shot in the first minute of the final stanza. Goals were traded with D’Souza scoring a pair, including the first helicopter (360-degree) shot of the tournament off a six-metre free throw. Captain Djerkovic scored another from centre for 14-8; Luca Andrade scored twice for Brazil as his team’s leading scorer and Guimaraes finished all scoring with his fifth. On the other side, D’Souza converted a penalty for his seventh of the match in his first World Championships for eight years.
Match Heroes
Canada’s D’Souza, with seven goals, to make him the tournament’s leading scorer by far with 26. Guimaraes scored five goals for 12, one behind Andrade, who scored twice today. Joao Fernandes finished with 10 saves and an incredible 64 in Singapore.
Turning Point
Canada turning from 4-1 down and onwards to victory.
Stats Don’t Lie
Canada converted five from 12 on extra and Brazil four from eight. On penalties, Canada put away four and Brazil two. Canada made nine steals to three and shot a huge 41 to 29.
Bottom Line
Canada is now 11th and Brazil up from 14th in 2023.
What He Said
Reuel D’SOUZA (CAN) — Player of the Match
On the match:
“I’m really proud of my team. This was a big goal of ours today, to come out and beat Brazil by any means. We knew it was going to be a dogfight and I’m just really proud of how we took it one possession at a time; we chipped away and ultimately we did what we wanted to do.”
On what changed after trailing in the first quarter:
“We reminded ourselves what makes us a group. It’s our love for each other, love for the team, love for the country. That was the message, that was the motto. Chip away one possession at a time, play for Canada and play with heart. When push came to shove, we were the ones to bring the energy. A 9am game is not easy for anybody, even the best athletes in the world. We woke up today on a mission and we ultimately went out and did what we wanted to do.”
On scoring seven goals:
“This whole tournament, I’ve been telling myself that I just need to go out there and do what I’m capable of. I know what I can do and I just had to go out there and do it. For me, it’s not about scoring goals. It’s about helping my team win, about putting my team in the best position to win games. And I feel like if I can stay out of exclusion problems, stay in the water, I can contribute in a lot of ways, not just scoring goals. I’m very proud of what I did this week and I’m really proud of my team for our ability to recover from that first game and come back today.”
On Canada’s Singapore 2025 campaign:
“There were a lot of ups and downs. There were some games that we wanted to perform better and today, we did what we wanted to do, so today was the up. I think there were a lot of downs, but this is what we need. We need these games, we want to play these difficult games, we want to get put in tough, uncomfortable experiences and positions. As far as preparation for Los Angeles 2028 goes, we’re going to have to beat Brazil and Argentina to go. That’s plain and simple, so the more times (we get) to play Brazil, the better. Getting to play them twice this week is great for us. We’re really happy to end on a good note before we see each other again in December for hopefully Division 2 of the World Cup.”
Sports
Spalding Water Polo have been nominated for the Swim England Water Polo Club of the Year award
Spalding Water Polo Club has been nominated for a coveted national award. Their name has been put forward for the Swim England Water Polo Club of the Year accolade. The news has been hailed as a ‘massive and wonderful achievement’ for the club who meet at the Castle Sports Complex in Spalding and also train […]

Spalding Water Polo Club has been nominated for a coveted national award.
Their name has been put forward for the Swim England Water Polo Club of the Year accolade.
The news has been hailed as a ‘massive and wonderful achievement’ for the club who meet at the Castle Sports Complex in Spalding and also train in the summer at the Bourne outdoor pool.

The annual awards bring the entirety of the aquatics community together to celebrate the individuals, groups and organisations for their outstanding contributions throughout the past 12 months.
In 2025, the awards will highlight achievements from clubs, coaches, teachers, volunteers, inclusion, health and much more – showcasing those that create great experiences across aquatics.
The Club of the Year awards are discipline-specific, highlighting the unique contributions of clubs across aquatics.
It highlights where clubs go above and beyond to create exceptional experiences both in and out of the water, placing their members at the heart of everything they do.
The ceremony will be held at the Great Hall at the University of Birmingham on Saturday, November 29.
The Spalding club play in the Hertfordshire League and took part in its tournament at Letchworth Lido.
Six matches would be played by each team, with a game lasting eight minutes.
Things would not be easy for Spalding as they had several players pull out at the last minute which meant they travelled with only eight players, little more than half a full squad, and no recognised goalkeeper.
Having agreed a rota for goalkeeping, captain Nathan Henfrey took the first game in goal against Dunstable.
Spalding were switched on from the start, keeping a solid defence and scoring twice through Adam Found and Sam Murray for a 2-0 opening game win.
The second game against host team Hertford saw Frazer McGruer in goal for Spalding.
Spalding scored first through Dan Leigh but Hertford were able to equalise.
Spalding were then able to capitalise on a turnover foul which allowed Henfrey to score the winning goal of the game in a 2-1 success.
The third game saw Spalding play Enfield where this time Leigh went in goal.
The game was even with both teams scoring twice, the two Spalding goals coming from Murray.
However, in the final minute, Spalding gave away a penalty allowing Enfield to take a 3-2 win.
Going into the fourth game against Cambridge, McGruer volunteered to take the remaining games in goal.
This brought about Spalding’s most dominant performance after a 4-1 victory with goals coming from Adam Found, Henfrey, Adam Gibbons and Murray.
Moving into the last few games, a couple of players volunteered from Hertford to boost Spalding’s substitute options.
However, the Spalding players were noticeably tiring against what would prove to be the toughest opponents of the night.
Bedford were able to beat Spalding 5-0 before Watford defeated them 5-1, Leigh getting the goal in the final game.
The Spalding players, including Lola Westrick and Paige Cheek, deserve great praise for putting in a tremendous amount of effort and working well as a team.
Spalding finished the night with three wins and three losses, putting them fourth out of the seven teams. Watford were the overall winners.
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