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University of New Hampshire

DURHAM, N.H.  – The University of New Hampshire volleyball program, led by head coach Christopher Feliciano, announced Tuesday the addition of eight newcomers to the defending America East conference championship team for the 2025 season.   The newcomers – all freshmen – hail from six states and two European countries.   “My staff and I […]

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DURHAM, N.H.  – The University of New Hampshire volleyball program, led by head coach Christopher Feliciano, announced Tuesday the addition of eight newcomers to the defending America East conference championship team for the 2025 season.
 
The newcomers – all freshmen – hail from six states and two European countries.
 
“My staff and I are beyond excited to welcome the 2029 class to Durham,” said Feliciano, who will enter his seventh year at UNH’s helm in 2025. “We feel this class will have an immediate impact on the success of our program both on and off the court. Our team culture is the driving force to our success, and these young women with the guidance our outstanding returners will thrive.”
 












Name Class Pos. Ht. Hometonw/high School
Lucy Certock Fr. OH 6-2 Danville, Calif. / San Ramon Valley
Evey Jurden Fr. RS/OH 6-2 Springfield, Va. / West Springfield
Raya Evlogieva Fr. OH/OPP 6-1 Sofia, Bulgaria / Sports School General Vladimir Stoychev
Dylan Hunt Fr. OH/DS 5-11 Pickerington, Ohio / Pickerington North
Jannelize Perez Fr. L/DS 5-3 Orlando, Fla. / Lake Highland Prep
Elena Chappel Fr. MB 6-0 Zionsville, Ind. / Zionsville Community
Milan Curl Fr. OH/RS 6-0 Chesapeake, Va. / Hickory
Varya Zvereva Fr. MB 6-2 Korolev, Russia / The Grammar School Limassol

Chertock is a 6-foot-2 outside hitter out of San Ramon Valley High School, where she was named MVP of the Wolves and East Bay Athletic League All-Tournament Team as a junior in 2023. She also received East Bay Athletic League Honorable Mention in 2022.

 

Chertock also plays for the NorCal Volleyball Club and was named an All-NorCal Player in 2023.

 

She has been named to the AVCA Phenom Watchlist and the Junior Volleyball Association Watchlist, as well as to the Volleyball mag Dream Team.

 

Jurden is a 6-2 right side hitter/outside hitter from West Springfield High School, where she recorded more than 1,200 career kills and 300 career assists. She led the Spartans to the semifinals in 2024, when she was the District Player of the Year and the Region Player of the Year.

 

She was also named both the district and region Player of the Year as a junior in 2023. Jurden garnered All-State First Team and Washington Post All-Metro Team recognition that season. As a sophomore, she received All-District Team honors.

 

Jurden was named to the Junior Volleyball Association Watchlist as well as the American Volleyball Coaches Association Phenom Watchlist and the PrepVolleyball.com Watchlist for the Class of 2025.

 

Jurden was selected to the USA Volleyball High Performance Program as a hitter (in 2019) and as a setter (2020) in separate years.

 

She has played for the Virginia Elite Volleyball Club for seven seasons. In 2023-24, Jurden led the team in both kills and hitting percentage as the team finished 13th in the nation at the USAV National Championship.

 

Evlogieva is a 6-1 outside hitter/opposite who plays for the VC SCKA club team. She led the team to second place in both the Bulgarian league and the Bulgarian Cup in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, as well as third place this past season.

 

Evlogieva has competed on a Bulgarian national team each of the past four years: 16 and under (2022), 17 and under (2023), 18 and under (2024), and 21 and under (2025).

 

Evlogieva competed in both basketball and swimming at Sports School General Vladimir Stoychev.

 

Hunt is a 5-11 outside hitter/defensive specialist from Pickerington North High School, where she was an All-State Team honoree in both volleyball and basketball. She recorded 1,150 career kills to finish as the Panthers’ all-time leader.

 

Hunt garnered All-State First Team accolades as a senior. She is a two-time conference Player of the Year (2023, 2024) who was also named All-District First Team and All-Conference First Team both those years.  Hunt was All-Conference Second Team in 2021 and 2022. Her team awards include MVP and two-time Offensive Player of the Year.

 

Hunt also plays for the Mintonette Sports club team.

 

Perez is a 5-3 libero/defensive specialist out of Lake Highland Prep, where she led the team to a state championship as a senior in 2024 and a state championship appearance in ’23.  Perez also attended Lake Nona High School and was the only freshman on the varsity team in 2021.

 

Perez played for the Team Florida Girls Future Select Team in 2019 and won gold. She also plays club for OTVA and lettered in beach volleyball.

 

Chappell is a 6-0 middle blocker from Zionsville Community High School. She led the Eagles to a 26-7 record as a junior in 2023 and then was sidelined by injury in the ’24 season.

 

Chappell also plays for the Circle City Volleyball Club, where she placed fifth at the USAV Nationals in 15 American (2021-22 season) and 19th place at the USAV Nationals in 16 USA (2022-23).  She was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Presidents’ Day Classic in both the 2021-22 and 2023-24 seasons.

 

Curl is a 6-0 outside hitter/right side hitter at Hickory High School, where she was a four-year letterwinner and won the state championship as a freshman. Curl also plays for the East Coast Volleyball Club.

 

Zvereva is a 6-2 middle blocker out of The Grammar School Limassol. She led her team to a Pancyprian Championships qualification selection two of the last three years, and to an ISF sectional championship in 2023-24.

 

She also plays on the AEL volleyball club team.

 

Zvereva was awarded a Gold GTO badge stage 3 (Ready for Labor and Defense), which is a Russian sports award given for achieving specific physical fitness standards in the GTO program.

 

These eight student-athletes join a UNH volleyball program that won the 2024 America East tournament championship to advance to the NCAA tournament for the eighth time.

 



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Event-by-event predictions for the 2025 NCAA outdoor track and field championships

The 2025 DI men’s and women’s outdoor track and field championships are this week. There’s no better time than now for my championship predictions, event by event. Let’s dive in. Women’s event predictions 100 meters — Predicted Winner: Tima Godbless, LSU Simply making the final in the women’s 100 meters will be a difficult task. […]

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The 2025 DI men’s and women’s outdoor track and field championships are this week. There’s no better time than now for my championship predictions, event by event. Let’s dive in.

Women’s event predictions

100 meters — Predicted Winner: Tima Godbless, LSU

Simply making the final in the women’s 100 meters will be a difficult task. Predicting a winner here is no easy choice — and my pick could miss the final. However, I’m going with Tima Godbless after the LSU Tiger ran 10.91 in the East first round. Godbless has progressed with every meet this season, going from 11.20 in March to 11.14 in April to 11.06 at SEC championships to 10.9. 

LIVE UPDATES: Click or tap here to follow along for live updates from the championship

100 hurdles — Predicted Winner: Habiba Harris, Florida

I was skeptical about Habiba Harris’ outlook for championships after she failed to break 13 seconds in the 100 hurdles for a month stretch across April and May. Then came the postseason. Harris burst back on the scene by running 12.75, 12.62, 12.80 and 12.80 across her last four races. The Florida freshman has earned the right to be the favorite entering Eugene.

200 meters — Predicted Winner: JaMeesia Ford, South Carolina

JaMeesia Ford ran 22.01 to win the SEC title, the sixth-fastest finish in collegiate history. She hasn’t lost a 200 meter race all season long, and I don’t think that’ll change in Eugene.

400 meters — Predicted Winner: Aaliyah Butler, Georgia

I think we’ll see a sub-50 time that wins the women’s 400 meter title this year. Georgia’s Aaliyah Butler is the only woman to run such a time this season at 49.44. Moreover, she beat her top competition this year at the SEC championships, showing she can step up when the stakes are high.

CAN’T MISS: 4 must-watch heats at the 2025 DI outdoor track and field championships

400 hurdles — Predicted Winner: Savannah Sutherland, Michigan

Savannah Sutherland is two years removed from when she won the 400 meter hurdles title in 2023, but I think she returns to the top of the podium in 2025. Sutherland has run the fastest time in the country this year and is undefeated in the 400 hurdles this year.

800 meters — Predicted Winner: Michaela Rose, LSU

Michaela Rose already has an outdoor 800 meter title from 2023 and has established herself as one of the best 800 meter runners in women’s NCAA history. Rose has run 1:58.12 in the 800 this year, giving her another all-time mark. While this year’s field is full of sub-two-minute runners, Rose has proven she can reach a different level before. I wouldn’t be surprised if she did it again in Eugene.

1500 meters — Predicted Winner: Chloe Foerster, Washington

Chloe Foerster’s my pick to win the women’s 1500 meters based on her performances in a pair of impressive wins over tough fields. Foerster ran 4:05.75 to win the Bryan Clay Invitational and 4:07.32 to win the Stanford Invitational. That 4:05 time is a top-10 all-time mark in a year where seven women joined the top-10 all-time performers list. It’s not easy to predict a winner here, but I’m going to go with the battle-tested Washington Husky.

3000 meter steeplechase — Predicted Winner: Doris Lemngole, Alabama

Steeplechase sensation Doris Lemngole has the top three all-time marks in collegiate history, two from this season. Lemgole is the pick here.

RECORD-BREAKING: Tracking every track and field record broken in the 2025 season

5000 meters — Predicted Winner: Pamela Kosgei, New Mexico

Pamela Kosgei has run the second-fastest 5000 meters in NCAA history, and her PR is less than half a second away from the collegiate record. She’s the favorite here.

10,000 meters — Predicted Winner: Pamela Kosgei, New Mexico

I’m predicting Pamela Kosgei will pull off the distance double. Kosgei has run 31:02.73 in the 10K this year, No. 2 all-time.

4×100 meter relay — Predicted Winner: Southern California

USC has four sprinters in the 100 meter semifinals. The Trojans also have the fastest 4×100 meter squad in the country this year. USC’s the pick here.

4×400 meter relay — Predicted Winner: Arkansas

Arkansas has won the last two outdoor 4×400 meter relay titles and has the top time in the country this year. I’m not picking against the Razorbacks.

Long jump — Predicted Winner: Alexis Brown, Baylor

I have Alexis Brown completing the season sweep in the long jump. Brown has jumped over 6.89 meters eight times this season (four wind-legal), with a season-best of 7.03 meters. No one else has surpassed 6.82 meters this year. Brown has what it takes to pull off the sweep.

Triple jump — Predicted Winner: Winny Bii, Texas A&M.

The triple jump is wide open this year. Three women have all cleared 14 meters, with another reaching 13.99 meters. Texas A&M’s Winny Bii and Oklahoma’s Agur Dwol have each cleared 14 meters at two meets this season. My pick is Winny Bii since she made two 14 meter triple jumps at her last two meets.

High jump — Predicted Winner: Elena Kulichenko, Georgia

Elena Kulichenko has tied for the NCAA high jump title at the last indoor and outdoor championships. While she hasn’t cleared 1.90 meters outdoors in 2025, she has an outdoor PR of 1.97 meters. I think she’ll be atop the podium yet again.

BROOMS OUT: 16 indoor champions looking for a season sweep at the 2025 outdoor championships

Pole vault — Predicted Winner: Amanda Moll, Washington

Amanda Moll completes arguably the greatest season in women’s collegiate pole vault history with an outdoor title. She already has the outdoor record.

Discus — Predicted Winner: Jayden Ulrich, Louisville

Jayden Ulrich threw 66.14 meters in her season opener back in March, then threw 69.39 meters in April (No. 2 performer in NCAA history) and enters the NCAA championship final off of a first round meet where she surpassed 64.50 meters twice. Ulrich is the pick here after all of those performances.

Shot put — Predicted Winner: Mya Lesnar, Colorado State

Mya Lesnar had a shot put series where she threw 17.05m, 19.28m, 19.60m and 18.99m. The latter three throws would all lead the NCAA. Lesnar also has three throws outside of that series that have reached 18.50 meters. No other athlete has more than three 18.50m throws total this season. Lesnar has been the most consistent to throw the shot put long distances this season.

Hammer — Predicted Winner: Stephanie Ratcliffe, Georgia

At the SEC Championships, Stephanie Ratcliffe’s shortest hammer throw was 68.35 meters. She had four throws that surpassed 70 meters at the meet. Ratcliffe hadn’t thrown shorter than 69 meters in her last three meets before the first-round competition. She still finished with the second-best throw across the first rounds at 67.13m. Ratcliffe is peaking at the right time.

Javelin — Predicted Winner: Lianna Davidson, Georgia

Lianna Davidson finished second in the javelin in the 2024 championships when she was at Texas A&M. This year she threw 63.79 meters, the third-best throw in collegiate history, back in March. While Davidson’s mark trails her teammate Manuela Rotundo this year, Davidson is the veteran Bulldog with the SEC title. I think Davidson’s championship experience carries her to a title.

Heptathlon — Predicted Winner: Jadin O’Brien, Notre Dame

Jadin O’Brien finally gets the elusive heptathlon title after winning three NCAA titles in the pentathlon indoors. O’Brien is my pick here because she’s already reached 6,200-plus points twice this season and has three total performances in her career. No one else has reached that threshold more than once.

AWARD WATCH: Here are the Bowerman frontrunners entering the 2025 NCAA outdoor championships

Men’s event predictions

100 meters — Predicted Winner: Jordan Anthony, Arkansas

By this point, every track fan knows Jordan Anthony ran a windy 9.75 in the first round West meet. But don’t let performance overshadow a pair of 9.95 and 9.96 sprints run at SEC championships on back-to-back days. Anthony is the only athlete with two 9.9 100 meters at the same meet; no other sprinter has run sub-10 seconds twice in the same month.

I’m expecting the NCAA title to take a sub-10 second race, and Anthony is the most likely to run the fastest on the biggest stage.

UP NEXT: These records could fall at the DI outdoor track championships

110 hurdles — Predicted Winner: Kendrick Smallwood, Texas

Kendrick Smallwood has run a pair of 13.13 races at his last two meets. Those two performances make him my favorite entering the championships.

200 meters — Predicted Winner: Jordan Anthony, Arkansas

I have Jordan Anthony pulling off the sweep of the short sprints. Auburn’s Makanakaishe Charamba and Kentucky’s Carli Makarawu — a pair of Olympic finalists — pose the biggest threat to preventing the sweep, but Anthony is the SEC champion among the group. 

400 meters — Predicted Winner: Samuel Ogazi, Alabama

My pick from a loaded 400 meter group came down to who I think is most likely to run sub-45 on the championship stage. Samuel Ogazi has run sub-45 twice this year (plus another 45.04 race) and ran 44.52 at last year’s championships. Even last year, Ogazi ran sub-45 twice before Eugene, proving he can run fast even with a lengthy season.

400 hurdles — Predicted Winner: Nathaniel Ezekiel, Baylor

Nathaniel Ezekiel is the only male to break 48 seconds in the 400 hurdles this season. He’s also only running the 400 hurdles individually at championships, scratching from the 400 open where he could’ve been eligible based on his regular season. That singular event focus should drive him to a championship.

MORE: Every indoor and outdoor track and field individual event champion from the 21st century

800 meters — Predicted Winner: Christian Jackson, Virginia Tech

Christian Jackson caught my eye after running 1:44.83 to win the ACC title and 1:45.31 to lead the East region. Those are two impressive times late in the season, giving Jackson momentum entering racing in Eugene.

1500 meters — Predicted Winner: Liam Murphy, Villanova

Liam Murphy is the collegiate record holder in the 1500 meters. I’m not picking against him.

3000 meter steeplechase — Predicted Winner: James Corrigan, BYU

The steeplechase might come down to the Olympian vs. the freshman. BYU’s James Corrigan has built up this outdoor season after representing Team USA in the Olympics in the steeplechase last year. He still ran 8:22.20 with the build-up. 

Meanwhile, Louisville freshman Geoffrey Kirwa ran the No. 3 outdoor steeplechase in collegiate history in 8:13.89 — still slower than Corrigan’s PR. Fellow freshman Mathew Kosgei (New Mexico) and Collins Kiprop Kipngok (Kentucky) are other top contenders, but I’m going to lean on Corrigan’s experience to win the title in my prediction.

5000 meters — Predicted Winner: Habtom Samuel, New Mexico

Habtom Samuel is the collegiate record holder in the 5000 meters and is the best distance runner in the country. He’s my pick here.

10,000 meters — Predicted Winner: Habtom Samuel, New Mexico

Habtom Samuel isn’t the 10K collegiate record holder. That would be his teammate Ishmael Kipkurui. However, Samuel is the defending 10K champion, achieving the feat while falling last year. Samuel’s ability to overcome adversity on multiple occasions makes me think that he can withstand whatever happens in this year’s 10K and go back-to-back.

MORE: Every potential repeat champion at the 2025 DI outdoor track and field championships

4×100 meter relay — Predicted Winner: Auburn

While Auburn’s relay squad doesn’t have the fastest time in the NCAA this season, the Tigers do return all four runners from last season’s quartet that ran 38.03 to win the NCAA title. I think the continuity can get Auburn over the top to kick off the championship meets final men’s day.

4×400 meter relay — Predicted Winner: Florida

It’s hard to pick against the Gators in a 4×4. It’s even harder when they have thrown out two different groups that have both run top-five times in the country, no slower than 3:02.01. Florida’s the pick here.

Long jump — Predicted Winner: Charles Godfred, Minnesota

Charles Godfred has five long jumps of over 8.00 meters this year. He’s my pick to win the long jump.

Triple jump — Predicted Winner: Brandon Green, Oklahoma

Brandon Green has jumped 16.90 or greater on three occasions (one over the allowable) and over 16.55 meters four other times. No other athlete has surpassed 16.54 meters this year. Green should win the triple jump.

High jump — Predicted Winner: Riyon Rankin, Georgia

Riyon Rankin cleared 2.27 meters and 2.29 meters in his last two meets before the first round competition. The sophomore is trending upward entering the championship season and he’s my pick to win the championship.

Pole vault — Predicted Winner: Logan Hammer, Utah State

5.68. 5.70. 5.65. 5.65. Those are Logan Hammer’s clearances from his last four meets before the West first round meet. Hammer was consistently clearing a height that could win him an NCAA title throughout the regular season. That’ll pay off in Eugene.

Discus — Predicted Winner: Mykolas Alekna, California

I think this is the year Mykolas Alekna finally puts it together on the biggest stage. He’s already the multi-time collegiate record holder in the discus. All that’s missing is an NCAA title.

Shot put — Predicted Winner: Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan, Ole Miss

Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan makes it four straight shot put titles. While the Ole Miss Rebel only has the No. 2 mark nationally entering the final, he’s been the most consistent shot putter in the country with six throws over 20.3 meters in the month of May.

Hammer — Predicted Winner: Angelos Mantzouranis, Minnesota

This pick came down to two Minnesota Gophers: Angelos Mantzouranis and Kostas Zaltos. I went with Mantzouranis since he hasn’t thrown below 75 meters since March.

Javelin — Predicted Winner: Keyshawn Strachan, Nebraska

Keyshawn Strachan has two throws over 80 meters and five throws over 77 meters this season. I think that consistent ability to reach 77 meters will carry Strachan to a title.

Decathlon — Predicted Winner: Peyton Bair, Mississippi State

After winning the indoor heptathlon, I think Peyton Bair pulls off the sweep in the combined events in 2025. Bair only has one heptathlon under his belt from back in April, but he did PR in the open 400 meters in May.



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A look at Eastview, North St. Paul and Central – Twin Cities

The inaugural Minnesota State High School League-sanctioned boys volleyball state tournament takes place this week at St. Thomas. It’s a three-day, eight-team event that opens with Tuesday’s quarterfinals and ends Thursday with one team left standing as a history maker. Here are three East Metro teams with a chance to stake their claim as the […]

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The inaugural Minnesota State High School League-sanctioned boys volleyball state tournament takes place this week at St. Thomas.

It’s a three-day, eight-team event that opens with Tuesday’s quarterfinals and ends Thursday with one team left standing as a history maker.

Here are three East Metro teams with a chance to stake their claim as the first state champion.

Eastview

The Lightning (27-3) are the No. 2 seed this week, and for good reason. Eastview can win this tournament. It just took top-seeded Eden Prairie to five sets in mid-May and beat the Eagles 2-0 in a tournament in Bloomington in late April.

The Lightning feature just three seniors, a scary proposition given the fact that taking a set from Eastview in matches this year was a legitimate feat. It didn’t drop a set in 24 of its 30 matches to date.

The Lightning will meet seventh-seeded Hopkins at 1 p.m.

North St. Paul

The Polars (25-2) are the No. 5 seed and will take on fourth-seeded Spring Lake Park at 3 p.m. But the seeding may undersell the Polars’ potency.

North St. Paul’s only two losses all season came at the hands of Eastview, the No. 2 seed in this week’s tournament, and it beat Spring Lake Park less than a month ago.

The Polars featured a balanced attack with a number of players through which they can run their offense and score.

St. Paul Central

The Minutemen are the de facto home team in St. Paul this week after edging Eagan in a five-set thriller in their section final.

Central (23-7) is the No. 6 seed and will square off with third-seeded Rogers at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

The Minutemen have won nine straight matches and star Josiah Walker, who touts 208 kills offensively to go with 101 digs. But the Central offense runs through Gus Walz, who has a whopping 568 assists.



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Schoolgirl surfaces as future of Australian swimming

An emotional 16-year-old schoolgirl is being hailed as the future of Australian swimming after earning world championship selection. Sienna Toohey left seasoned campaigners including Kaylee McKeown in awe with a stunning swim at Australia’s selection trials in Adelaide on Tuesday night. The Albury teen, who only started swimming because she wanted to play water polo, […]

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An emotional 16-year-old schoolgirl is being hailed as the future of Australian swimming after earning world championship selection.

Sienna Toohey left seasoned campaigners including Kaylee McKeown in awe with a stunning swim at Australia’s selection trials in Adelaide on Tuesday night.

The Albury teen, who only started swimming because she wanted to play water polo, triumphed in the women’s 100m breaststroke.

Toohey’s victory, in a personal best time of one minute 06.55 seconds, secured her berth at the world titles in Singapore from July 27 to August 3.

Sienna TooheySienna Toohey

Sienna Toohey is comforted by Cate Campbell after making the Dolphins’ team for the world titles. (Delly Carr/AAP PHOTOS)

“All of these people being my idols, now I get to be on the team with them,” Toohey said.

“These are people that I was watching two years ago, saying I want to be like them.”

The daughter of the relieving principal at Albury High School, Toohey initially wanted to be a water polo player.

“My parents told me that I couldn’t do water polo if I didn’t swim, so I started swimming,” she said.

“And then my water polo progressed and my swimming was too at the same time.

“I got to the point where I had to choose swimming or water polo. Obviously, I chose swimming – it was the right choice.”

Five-time Olympic gold medallist McKeown was among those impressed with Toohey’s feat at the South Australian Aquatic Centre.

“I was 16 when I made my first team and it really taught me a lot being with the older guys,” McKeown said after winning the 100m backstroke final on Tuesday night.

McKeownMcKeown

Backstroke champ Kaylee McKeown has offered some advice to schoolgirl sensation Sienna Toohey. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

“I’m excited to see young swimmers coming through the ranks.

“The more experience that they can get leading into LA (the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics), we have a really good chance of doing Australia proud.”

McKeown, who has told of the mental toll during her decorated career, offered some advice to the precocious Toohey.

“Just to enjoy yourself,” McKeown said.

“The more you be serious, the more you’re harsh on yourself, you keep just digging yourself in a bit of a hole and it’s quite hard to get out of.”

For Toohey, she now will revise plans which had centred on the goal of swimming at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

“The team I was first aiming to get on was definitely that one,” she said.

“Now that I’ve made this one, we’ll have to push up the timeline a bit more.”

Also on Tuesday night, Alex Perkins threatened the national women’s 50m butterfly record by clocking 25.36 seconds, 0.05 shy of Holly Barratt’s benchmark set six years ago.

Injury-plagued Ed Sommerville, 20, made his first senior long-course national team by winning the men’s 200m freestyle in 1:44.93 ahead of Sam Short (1:45.71).

Joshua Edwards-Smith prevailed in the men’s 100m backstroke in 54.28 and and Matt Temple took out the men’s 100m butterfly in 51.00.



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MLB Buys Stake in Jomboy Media, Partners for Digital Content

Jimmy “Jomboy” O’Brien has made it to the big leagues. O’Brien’s Jomboy Media has inked a strategic pact with Major League Baseball, under which MLB is acquiring a minority stake in his baseball-centered media company. Financial terms of the deal aren’t being disclosed. The partnership will see Jomboy Media and MLB collaborate on content activations […]

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Jimmy “Jomboy” O’Brien has made it to the big leagues.

O’Brien’s Jomboy Media has inked a strategic pact with Major League Baseball, under which MLB is acquiring a minority stake in his baseball-centered media company. Financial terms of the deal aren’t being disclosed.

The partnership will see Jomboy Media and MLB collaborate on content activations around tentpole moments like the MLB All-Star Game and the Home Run Derby. Under the pact, Jomboy Media also will gain access to intellectual property from MLB and individual clubs, to be integrated across “new apparel, home goods and more” that will be sold on Jomboy’s ecommerce site and other distribution channels.

The investment also is aimed at growing Jomboy Media’s stable of intellectual property, including podcasts “Talkin’ Baseball” and “Talkin’ Yanks” and the Warehouse Games, a kind of baseball-cricket hybrid indoor league “where backyard and back-alley sports meets high-end production.” MLB plans to work with Jomboy Media to have pro baseball stars, as well as the league’s media and celebrity partners, appear in the Warehouse Games. Per Jomboy, the Warehouse Games is nearing 400 million all-time views.

“Our community is the reason we’ve been able to turn this from ‘just a hobby’ into something bigger than we ever could’ve imagined,” said O’Brien, 36, who founded the company in 2017 with his friend Jake Storiale. “Partnering with MLB marks a huge moment for Jomboy Media, and through this partnership, we’ll be able to give back to our community with storytelling that’s deeper than ever before.”

Noah Garden, MLB’s deputy commissioner for business and media, said the league has “long admired the passionate fandom of Jimmy O’Brien and his unique ability to connect with baseball fans.” The partnership “will ensure that Jomboy Media will have the resources and access to MLB intellectual property necessary to help it continue to grow,” Garden said. “We are looking forward to bringing baseball fans more entertaining content to help further expand baseball’s online presence and deeper the connection between our sport and its fans.”

New York-based Jomboy Media currently has 54 employees. The company has several million followers across Instagram, X, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. In 2024, Jomboy Media generated more than 93 million engagements on social media, the company claims.

The partnership was the result of months of negotiations between MLB and Jomboy Media, led on Jomboy’s side by CEO Courtney Hirsch. “We’ve always believed that deep storytelling and our unique approach to content and community can grow the game — and now we’re excited to do that alongside the league itself,” said Hirsch.

Two of Jomboy Media’s investors and board members — producer and entrepreneur Jack Davis and Adam Friedman of Connect Ventures — played key roles in landing the MLB deal, the company said. (Connect Ventures is a joint investment partnership between CAA and venture-capital firm NEA.) Other investors include Patrick Schwarzenegger, Eli Roth, Cameron Fuller, WWE, Quinn Cook, Billy Crystal, Josh Hader, Gabrielle Union, Dwyane Wade, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, current and former MLB players Christian Yelich, CC Sabathia, Noah Syndergaard and Trea Turner, and NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns.

Jomboy has longtime sponsorship deals with DraftKings and SeatGeek, each in their fifth consecutive years as partners, as well as with DirecTV, T-Mobile, Corona and Best Western.

(Pictured above: Jimmy O’Brien)



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Brag House Explores NIL Initiative to Expand Revenue Opportuniti

Brag House Holdings (NASDAQ: TBH) announces a NIL initiative for student-athletes to monetize personal brands through digital collectibles. The NIL market was valued at $917M in 2022, with projections to exceed $1.5B by 2027. The platform aims to launch a pilot on select campuses by late 2025, leveraging access to over 200 NCAA campuses. Brag […]

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  • Brag House Holdings (NASDAQ: TBH) announces a NIL initiative for student-athletes to monetize personal brands through digital collectibles.
  • The NIL market was valued at $917M in 2022, with projections to exceed $1.5B by 2027.
  • The platform aims to launch a pilot on select campuses by late 2025, leveraging access to over 200 NCAA campuses.

Brag House Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: TBH) is venturing into the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) space with an innovative initiative aimed at allowing student-athletes to monetize their personal brands via digital collectibles and blockchain-backed experiences. This strategic move builds on Brag House’s partnership with Learfield, granting access to over 200 NCAA campuses, primarily in Division 1.

The initiative will see student-athletes create and sell authenticated digital assets, such as signature highlight reels and exclusive game-day access passes. These efforts will allow athletes to retain majority earnings from initial sales as well as revenue shares from resales. The platform will feature a no-code interface and compliance tools to ensure adherence to NCAA regulations, coupled with blockchain technology for secure transactions.

The NIL market has shown rapid growth, reaching $917 million in 2022 and projected to surpass $1.5 billion by 2027. Meanwhile, the global NFT trading volume topped $24 billion in 2023. Brag House’s focus on inclusive NIL compensation stands out as it targets the broader student-athlete population rather than just high-profile individuals.

Despite the promising outlook, the initiative’s execution faces some challenges, including the need for a suitable blockchain framework and compliance with diverse NIL regulations. The pilot program is expected to begin in late 2025, which may delay immediate revenue opportunities.

Brag House aims to empower the next generation of student-athletes by providing meaningful revenue opportunities while embracing Gen Z’s demand for authenticity and digital innovation, thus aligning with growing market trends.



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Showcase Q&A: Scotland County’s Hamlin discusses her grandfather’s legacy, music and pickleball

The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. MEMPHIS, Mo. — Kwyn Hamlin signed a letter of intent for more than just herself. By […]

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The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10.

MEMPHIS, Mo. — Kwyn Hamlin signed a letter of intent for more than just herself.

By signing with the University of Central Missouri to continue her track and field career, Hamlin is continuing a family tradition. Her grandfather, Charley Hamlin, brought home five state medals for Knox County in 1961.

Charley will not get to see Kwyn live out her college track and field dreams, though. The Hamlin family lost Charley to cancer in August 2020.

“To honor him and carry on the Hamlin legacy, I guess you could say, meant a lot because he helped me a lot with track,” Kwyn Hamlin said. 

Even as Charley fought cancer, he was still there for Kwyn.

“When he was really sick, he would still come to all my track meets in my seventh and eighth grade year,” Kwyn Hamlin said.

Charley was also there in spirit with Kwyn, a six-time state qualifier in her career at Scotland County and state medalist in two events this spring, when she signed with UCM on January 19 — Charley’s birthday.

“It means everything,” Hamlin said of carrying on her grandfather’s legacy.

Hamlin will lace up her high tops one more time before beginning her college track career. Hamlin will represent Scotland County for the Missouri girls in the fourth annual Muddy River Showcase. Hamlin discussed her future as a physical therapist, music, pickleball, and more with Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey in this Showcase Q&A.

Q: What are you looking forward to most about playing in the Muddy River Showcase?

A: Definitely being able to lace up the shoes one last time before college and playing with and against some of the best girls in the area.

Q: You’re going to UCM for track. What events are you going to be participating in there?

A: We talked about high jump and some sprints, maybe some different new events.

Q: What are you doing this summer to prepare for what lies ahead?

A: I’m in contact with my college coach a lot. I went and performed in the all-star track meet not too long ago, and he said that he was watching it. He sends workouts and all that. I’ve just been going into the weight room and lifting, getting ready for the college experience.

Q: Will one last time on the basketball court be like one last hoorah? It’s not for a district title or anything. You’re just out there hooping.

A: Yeah, I’m really excited. Basketball was definitely something I wanted to go to college for, but when it came down to it, I was enjoying track more than basketball. It was close, though. I had a few offers for basketball, but UCM really stuck out to me, so I decided to keep doing track.

Q: Did you ever think about doing both basketball and track?

A: I did, but I’m studying kinesiology, so I’ll need to focus more on my studies.

Q: What made you want to get into kinesiology?

A: I have awful ankles. It’s like an inside joke. We have a Barstool page for our school, and I get posted a lot just because of how bad my ankles are. I spend a lot of time in physical therapy because of them, so I want to be able to help other people who have also struggled. Not being able to play a sport is really hard on someone mentally and physically, so I want to help people get back to what they want to do.

Q: Do you have to do anything different as you’re preparing for a meet or a game because of your ankles? Do you wear a brace?

A: I do in basketball. I wear two ankle braces playing basketball, but not during track. I think it’s the defensive slides and things like that that are hard on my ankles. You’d think high jump would be hard on them but it’s really not.

Q: Do you have any crazy ankle injury stories?

A: I was playing AAU basketball this summer, and I had to have my right foot in a boot. I got hurt at the beginning of July. Then softball came along, and I slid into second base, and I rolled my left ankle, so I was in a boot and then I had a brace on my left ankle.

Q: What other hobbies do you have outside of track, basketball, softball, and school?

A: I love pickleball. My friends and I play pickleball all the time. It’s just so fun. We have really nice courts at our town park, so my friends go up there and have little tournaments. I go golfing a little bit here and there, too.

Q: Do you know what your rating is?

A: No, we just play. There are some old people out there every once in a while, and they get very serious.

Q: How long have you been playing pickleball?

A: Since about last July, but then I hurt my ankle, so I had to sit out for a while.

Q: Have you played pickleball much this summer?

A: It hasn’t really been great weather, so maybe like three or four times. I play with my grandpa a lot. He’s a big pickleball guy, but like I said, the older people always take it very seriously, so it’s hard to play with them.

Q: What’s your favorite dessert?

A: Probably apple pie. That’s always so good.

Q: Who’s your favorite musical artist?

A: Probably Usher. I like the 2010s rap. Usher or Drake. I was really big on the Kendrick Lamar-Drake drama there for a while. I probably changed sides like every week.

Q: Did you end up on Drake’s side?

A: Kind of. I like his old music more than Kendrick, but I like Kendrick’s new music more than Drake’s.

Q: So, you were on both sides then?

A: Yeah. The Super Bowl halftime performance by Kendrick kind of sealed it, though. Name dropping at the Super Bowl is crazy.

Q: Do you have a playlist or a few songs that you listen to before a meet or a game?

A: Not really a playlist. It kind of depends. I’ll just come across a song and be like man, “This is really good.” Something by Drake, we’ll just say that.

Q: Is there anything else people should know about Kwyn Hamlin?

A: I hate to lose. I might be the biggest sore loser on the planet. I hate losing. I will do anything in my power not to lose.

Check out more of the Muddy River Showcase Q&As at the links below:

Illini West’s Reagan Reed

Payson Seymour’s Blake Schwartz

South Shelby’s Callie McWilliams

Canton’s Tyler Frazier

West Hancock’s Lewis Siegfried

Quincy Notre Dame’s Alex Dance

Mendon Unity’s Chloe Shaffer

Western’s Casen Tobias

Palmyra’s Clare Williams

Payson Seymour’s Ella Archer

Palmyra’s Mason Smith



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