Sports
USOPC Announces U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Inductees
Courtesy: USOPC COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee today announced the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame, Class of 2025, which will be honored and inducted in a special ceremony held Saturday, July 12 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Bound by excellence and defined by legacy, the Class of 2025 […]

Courtesy: USOPC
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee today announced the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame, Class of 2025, which will be honored and inducted in a special ceremony held Saturday, July 12 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Bound by excellence and defined by legacy, the Class of 2025 brings together eight individual Olympic and Paralympic athletes, two teams, two legends, one coach and one special contributor, together representing some of the most celebrated names in Olympic and Paralympic history.
The inductees include Steve Cash (sled hockey), Gabby Douglas (artistic gymnastics), Anita DeFrantz (legend: rowing), Allyson Felix (track and field), Susan Hagel (Para archery, Para track and field, wheelchair basketball), Flo Hyman (legend: indoor volleyball), Kerri Walsh Jennings (beach volleyball), Mike Krzyzewski (coach: basketball), Phil Knight (special contributor: Nike founder), Bode Miller (alpine skiing), Marla Runyan (Para track and field), Serena Williams (tennis), the 2010 Four-man Bobsled Team, and the 2004 Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team.
SwimSwam Note: Two swimmers, Paralympians Cortney Jordan and Sharon Hetrick, along with legendary swim coach James “Doc” Counsilman, were among the nominees to be inducted.
“We’re proud to welcome the Class of 2025 into the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame and to honor the extraordinary accomplishments they’ve made as representatives of Team USA,” said USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland. “This induction celebrates not only their remarkable performances and lasting impact but also acknowledges the essential contributions of those who supported their journeys every step of the way. Earning a place in the Hall of Fame is no small feat—especially given the incredible talent across this year’s group of finalists.”
The Class of 2025 has represented the United States at a combined 42 Olympic and Paralympic Games, earning 51 medals, including 35 golds. This year also marks the introduction of three new sports or disciplines to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame: Para archery, represented by Susan Hagel; women’s wheelchair basketball, through the 2004 U.S. women’s team; and women’s rowing, with Anita DeFrantz becoming the first female rower inducted. Additionally, the U.S. men’s four-man bobsled team becomes the first bobsled team honored, and Steve Cash makes history as the first individual sled hockey player selected in the Paralympian category.
National Governing Bodies, alumni, current athletes and additional members of the Olympic and Paralympic community were invited to nominate eligible athletes. From there, a nominating committee comprised of individuals from the Olympic and Paralympic Movement narrowed down the pool of nominees to a set of finalists. The Class of 2025 was determined by a voting process that includes Olympians and Paralympians, members of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic family and an online vote open to fans. The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame was one of the first national sports halls of fame to include fan voting as part of its selection process, and this year, nearly 300,000 votes were cast across all platforms.
This will be the 18th class inducted into the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame, bringing the total to 210 inductees (individuals and teams). The first class was inducted in 1983, and the most recent class was inducted in 2022. Find the entire list of Hall of Fame inductees here. The weekend will also feature the 2025 U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum’s Festival, taking place July 10-13 in Colorado Springs, known as Olympic City USA. The festival will feature athlete meet and greets, free access to the USOPM, and special events including the Festival Kickoff Celebration, Community Movie Night, and more – all celebrating the legacy of America’s greatest athletes. Learn more at usopm.org/hof.
The distinguished class of 2025 includes:
Steve Cash (Paralympian: sled hockey – 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018) Steve Cash is a legendary figure in sled hockey, celebrated as a three-time Paralympic gold medalist and five-time world champion. Widely regarded as one of the greatest goaltenders in the sport’s history, Cash made history at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games by becoming the only goalie ever to record five shutouts in a single tournament. He holds virtually every major goaltending record in sled hockey, both for Team USA and internationally, including most minutes played, highest save percentage, and the second-lowest goals-against average. Off the ice, Cash continues to shape the future of the sport through coaching and mentorship. He has developed specialized training programs for sled hockey goaltenders and remains deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of athletes. He is a passionate advocate for mental health, working to break down the stigma surrounding psychological challenges among elite athletes.
Gabby Douglas (Olympian: artistic gymnastics – 2012, 2016)
Gabby Douglas made history at the Olympic Games London 2012, becoming the first Black woman to win the all-around gold medal in gymnastics. A trailblazer and two-time Olympic team gold medalist (2012, 2016), Douglas also contributed to two world championship team titles, earning a total of six medals across the Olympic and world stages. She was the first U.S. gymnast to capture gold in both the all-around and team competitions at a single Olympic Games—a feat she achieved in London—and is one of only two American women to win back-to-back Olympic team golds. At just 16 years old, Douglas broke barriers and redefined what was possible in the sport. Her groundbreaking achievements helped pave the way for future generations of gymnasts, including Simone Biles, who would go on to continue her legacy of excellence and representation on the global stage.
Anita DeFrantz (Legend: rowing 1980, 1984)
Anita DeFrantz made history at the Olympic Games Montreal 1976, winning bronze in the inaugural women’s eight event and becoming the first—and still the only—Black woman to earn an Olympic medal in rowing. Her trailblazing legacy extends far beyond the water, however, and in 1986, she became the first African American and first woman elected to the International Olympic Committee, breaking barriers at the highest levels of sport governance. DeFrantz played a pivotal role as vice president of the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Organizing Committee, helping to deliver one of the most financially and operationally successful Games in Olympic history. For her unwavering commitment to the Olympic Movement, she received the prestigious Olympic Order in 1980, and in 2024, was honored with the NCAA President’s Gerald R. Ford Award. Through two decades of leadership at the LA84 Foundation, DeFrantz has expanded access to sport for underserved youth across Los Angeles, cementing her impact on both the sport of rowing and the broader Olympic and Paralympic Movement.
Allyson Felix (Olympian: track and field – 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020)
Allyson Felix is the most decorated athlete in the history of track and field, amassing 31 medals across the Olympic Games and world championships. Over the course of five consecutive Olympic Games appearances, she earned 11 Olympic medals—including seven golds—making her the most decorated female track and field athlete in Olympic history. At the Olympic Games London 2012, Felix captured three gold medals, including anchoring a world-record-setting 4×100-meter relay. She is also a 14-time world champion and holds the record for the most career medals at the World Athletics Championships, with 20 in total. Beyond the track, Felix has become a powerful advocate. She’s been a leading voice for maternity health and gender equity, working to create better pathways for women to succeed in sport, business and family life. In 2024, she was elected to the International Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Commission and appointed to the USOPC Board of Directors—continuing her legacy of leadership and impact within the Olympic and Paralympic Movement.
Susan Hagel (Paralympian: wheelchair basketball, Para archery, Para track and field – 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996)
Susan Hagel is a trailblazer in adaptive sport, having competed in six Paralympic Games across three different sports where she earned four gold and two bronze medals. Over the course of her decorated career, she earned numerous honors, including the prestigious International Wheelchair Basketball Federation Triad Award in 1998. A 16-time All-Tournament Team selection, Hagel was a cornerstone of 14 U.S. national teams, representing her country at the Paralympic Games, Pan American Games and Gold Cup competitions. As a member of the NWBA Hall of Fame committee, Hagel continues to champion opportunities in sport for individuals with disabilities. A role model to women and junior girls in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association, she holds the distinction of having the longest playing career of any woman in her division. Hagel’s legacy is defined not only by her athletic achievements but also by her unwavering dedication to the growth and inclusivity of adaptive sport.
Flo Hyman (Legend: indoor volleyball – 1980, 1984)
Hyman led the U.S. women’s volleyball team through the boycott of the Olympic Games Moscow 1980 but stayed with the team to lead them the silver medal in 1984, the first Olympic volleyball medal for the United States. Hyman’s tenure as an Olympic athlete was cut short by both the boycott and her death, but her legacy was solidified in just one appearance at the Olympic Games in 1984. After the Olympic Games Los Angeles 1984, she went to play professionally in Japan. Hyman is often credited with the rise of women’s volleyball in America. In 1987, National Girls and Women in Sports Day began and, in the beginning, NGWSD served as a remembrance of Hyman who passed away in 1986. After the 1984 Games, she advocated for women’s sports and testified on Capitol Hill on behalf of strengthening Title IX. This work helped pave the way for the success of women on the Olympic and Paralympic stages today.
Kerri Walsh Jennings (Olympian: volleyball – 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016)
Kerri Walsh Jennings is one of the most decorated athletes in beach volleyball history. A three-time Olympic gold medalist (2004, 2008, 2012) and bronze medalist (2016), she holds the record for the most career victories in both international and domestic beach volleyball, with 135 wins. A three-time world champion (2003, 2005, 2007), Walsh Jennings also set records for the most consecutive match wins (112) and tournament wins (19). Alongside longtime partner Misty May-Treanor, she achieved an unprecedented 21 consecutive Olympic match victories across three Olympic Games. Walsh Jennings’ resilience, dominance and dedication have left an enduring legacy in the sport of beach volleyball and beyond. Despite undergoing five shoulder surgeries, she returned to win the Rio Grand Slam in 2016. In one of her most memorable feats, she competed at the Olympic Games London 2012 while five weeks pregnant.
Mike Krzyzewski (Coach: basketball – 2009, 2012, 2016)
Widely known as “Coach K,” Mike Krzyzewski is one of the most accomplished and respected figures in basketball history. As head coach of the U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball Team, he led the program to three consecutive Olympic gold medals (2008, 2012, 2016), and six overall golds as head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team. His international coaching résumé also includes silver at the 1987 World University Games, bronze medals at the 1990 and 2006 FIBA World Championships, and gold at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship, 2010 FIBA World Championship, and 2014 FIBA World Cup. He played a pivotal role in restoring Team USA’s dominance on the world stage, taking over after bronze in 2004 and leading the “Redeem Team” to Olympic gold at Beijing 2008. Under his leadership, Team USA reestablished itself as a global powerhouse. During his 42-season tenure at Duke University, he guided the Blue Devils to five NCAA championships and a record 13 Final Four appearances—the most in NCAA men’s basketball history. A three-time Naismith College Coach of the Year, he remains the winningest coach in NCAA Division I men’s basketball history. A graduate of West Point, Krzyzewski served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1974, reaching the rank of Captain before beginning his legendary coaching career.
Phil Knight (special contributor)
As the visionary founder of Nike, Phil Knight has been a transformative force in the world of sport—particularly for Team USA and the realm of track and field. A steadfast partner of USA Track & Field since 1991 and Team USA since 2005, Knight’s impact has been defined by innovation, advocacy and unwavering support for athletes. From selling running shoes out of his car in the early days to building one of the most iconic athletic brands in history, Knight has consistently championed athletes and their pursuit of excellence. Knight’s commitment to sport reflects the very spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic movements. Nike is a proud partner or sponsor of numerous National Governing Bodies, and in 2014, the company signed one of the largest sponsorship deals in sports history at the time—extending its partnership with USA Track & Field for an additional 23 years. Today, Knight and Nike continue to outfit Team USA athletes during the world’s biggest sporting moments, delivering custom-designed gear for Olympians and Paralympians across both the Summer and Winter Games. Through ongoing innovation in performance apparel and global marketing campaigns that spotlight athletes’ achievements, Nike has helped Team USA athletes push boundaries and inspire audiences worldwide.
Bode Miller (Olympian: alpine skiing – 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014)
Bode Miller is one of the most accomplished alpine skiers in history. He claimed a gold medal in the alpine combined at the Olympic Winter Games Vancouver 2010 and earned three medals at the same Olympic Winter Games, leading Team USA to a record eight alpine medals. Miller’s success spanned multiple world championships, where he won back-to-back double golds in 2003 (giant slalom, alpine combined) and 2005 (downhill, super-G). He also secured two FIS overall world cup titles in 2005 and 2008. Miller is the only U.S. male skier to win world cup races in all five events—downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom and combined—accumulating 33 victories. With six Olympic medals, he ranks second behind Apolo Ohno for the most individual Winter Olympic medals by any Team USA athlete. His decade-long success helped propel the U.S. Alpine Ski Team to its most successful era. Since retiring in 2017, Miller has remained deeply engaged in the worlds of sport and innovation, cofounding the ski company Bomber to bring his vision for high-performance gear to life. Committed to giving back, he leads the Turtle Ridge Foundation, which supports youth and adaptive sports through annual fundraising events such as a ski race at Cannon Mountain and a golf and tennis tournament at Tamarack. In 2018, he joined NBC as an alpine skiing analyst for the Olympic Games, sharing his expertise with a global audience.
Marla Runyan (Paralympian: Para track and field – Paralympian – 1992, 1996 | Olympian: track and field – 2000, 2004)
Marla Runyan made history as the first visually impaired athlete to compete in the Olympic Games and remains the only U.S. athlete to have competed in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. At the Barcelona 1992 Paralympic Games, she achieved remarkable success, winning gold in the 100-, 200-, and 400-meter races as well as the long jump, while also competing in cycling. She added a fifth gold medal at the Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games with a victory in the pentathlon, along with a silver in the shot put. In 2000, Runyan became the first blind athlete to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team, competing in the 1,500m event in Sydney. In Paralympic sport, Runyan held the women’s T13 400-meter world record for an astounding 29 years, until it was broken in 2024. Over the course of her career, she earned six Paralympic medals—five of them gold—and claimed three national titles in outdoor track and field and three in road 5K events. In 2001, she co-authored her autobiography, No Finish Line: My Life as I See It, offering an inspiring account of her journey. Since 2013, she has continued to make an impact as a teacher and ambassador for the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusetts.
Serena Williams (Olympian: tennis – 2000, 2008, 2012, 2016)
With four Olympic gold medals and 23 Grand Slam singles titles, Serena Williams is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players in history. She ranks fifth in all-time career titles and boasts a remarkable 84% win percentage. Williams held the world No. 1 ranking in women’s singles for a total of 319 weeks, finishing as the year-end No. 1 on five occasions. Throughout her storied career, Williams revolutionized women’s tennis, redefining the sport with her unmatched power, athleticism, and mental toughness. Alongside her sister Venus, she helped usher in the power era of the women’s game, setting new standards for excellence. Together, the Williams sisters claimed 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and captured Olympic gold in Sydney 2000, Beijing 2008, and London 2012, becoming the most successful doubles team in Olympic history. From the public courts of Compton to the pinnacle of global sport, Serena Williams’ legacy transcends her records and championships—she remains an enduring symbol of determination, resilience, and inspiration.
2010 Four-Man Bobsled (Olympians: Steven Holcomb, Justin Olsen, Steve Mesler, Curt Tomasevicz)
Team Night Train, the 2010 U.S. four-man bobsled team, made history at the Olympic Winter Games Vancouver 2010 by winning gold and ending a 62-year drought in the event, Team USA’s first Olympic title since 1948. The team earned its medal at the Whistler Sliding Centre, known for its challenging course and infamous Turn 13, where six sleds crashed during the first two runs. Before Vancouver, the team won gold at the 2009 world championships in Lake Placid, marking the first U.S. victory in that event in 50 years and setting the stage for their Olympic triumph. They were later featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, marking only the second time bobsledding appeared on the magazine’s cover. The four were named Team USA’s Team of the Year in both 2009 and 2010, the first to earn the honor in back-to-back years, a feat not repeated until the U.S. women’s hockey team in 2017 and 2018. Throughout their journey, the team supported pilot Steven Holcomb as he battled and overcame a degenerative eye disease first diagnosed in 2002. The procedure he would go through, C3-R, would eventually be renamed to Holcomb C3-R, marking the first time a medical procedure was named after an Olympic athlete.
2004 Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team (Paralympians: Susan Katz, Christina Ripp, Renee Tyree, Janna (Crawford) Mizens, Carlee Hoffman-Schwarz, Stephanie Wheeler, Teresa Lannon, Jennifer (Howitt) Browning, Jennifer Warkins, Emily Hoskins, Patty Cisneros Prevo, Jana (Stump) Shelfer)
The U.S. women’s wheelchair basketball team won its first gold medal in 16 years at the Paralympic Games Athens 2004. Christina (Ripp) Schwab and Stephanie Wheeler went on to coach future national teams, Wheeler in 2016 and Schwab in 2024. Both are members of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association Hall of Fame. Six members of the 2004 team (Emily Hoskins, Patty Cisneros Prevo, Carlee Hoffman-Schwarz, Wheeler, Schwab, Jennifer Warkins) returned to win gold again at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, marking the first back-to-back titles for the program. In 2004, the U.S. defeated five-time defending champion Canada in the semifinal and avenged a narrow group-stage loss to Australia with a 56–44 victory in the gold-medal game, setting the stage for continued success in future Paralympic Games.
The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Saturday, July 12 in Colorado Springs. For more information on the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame, visit . Red-carpet arrivals, interviews and the induction awards will be open to the media. Access information will be available soon.
Sports
Fenstermaker, Kozich, and Signorella Each Earn USTFCCCA All-Region Honors
Story Links New Orleans, LA (May 21, 2025) – The trio of first-year’s, Sadie Fenstermaker, Ellie Kozich, and Brooke Signorella were each named USTFCCCA All-Region as announced by the organization on its web site on Wednesday afternoon. The top-5 individuals in each event from each region earned All-Region distinction, in addition to each member of […]

New Orleans, LA (May 21, 2025) – The trio of first-year’s, Sadie Fenstermaker, Ellie Kozich, and Brooke Signorella were each named USTFCCCA All-Region as announced by the organization on its web site on Wednesday afternoon.
The top-5 individuals in each event from each region earned All-Region distinction, in addition to each member of the region’s top-3 relay teams. The regions used for this award – East, Great Lakes, Metro, Mid-Atlantic, Mideast, Midwest, Niagara, North, South, and West – match those used during the cross country season.
Kozich earns All-Region honors for the second time after also taking home the honor during the indoor season. She posted the second best time in the region in the 10K at 36:56.42.
Signorella and Fenstermaker each earn All-Region for the first time with Signorella recording the third best mark in the long jump (5.74m) and Fenstermaker in the hammer throw.
Sports
John Mayer – Women’s Beach Volleyball Coach
JOHN MAYER BVB BIO | JOHN MAYER TEAM USA BIO John Mayer begins his 11th year as the head coach of LMU’s beach volleyball program in 2025-2026. Mayer is leading the beach volleyball program to one of the most successful stretches of any team in school history. Beach Volleyball is the only coach in school history […]

John Mayer begins his 11th year as the head coach of LMU’s beach volleyball program in 2025-2026.
Mayer is leading the beach volleyball program to one of the most successful stretches of any team in school history. Beach Volleyball is the only coach in school history to win five or more consecutive WCC Championships. Following a sixth-consecutive WCC Championship, led the Lions to the program’s first National Title Game appearance in 2025. Mayer’s Lions won a school-record 38 duals in his 10th year leading the Lions, including defeating 12 opponents ranked in the top-10 and multiple wins over #1 ranked opponents. In the NCAA Championships, LMU opened with a 3-0 sweep over #13 FAU before putting together one of the most impressive single days in program history. On Saturday, May 3, 2025, LMU knocked off four-time defending national champions USC, 3-1, to advance to that afternoon’s semifinals. The Lions then took down top-seeded #1 UCLA in a reverse sweep in the semifinals to advance to the Sunday’s championship dual. In the national title game, LMU and TCU split courts two through five to set up championship point in the third set of Court 1, before the Horned Frogs eventually ended LMU’s season. Mayer became the first coach in school history, across any sport, to be named National Coach of the Year, after the AVCA Announced that honor the week of the NCAA Tournament. Along with that award, the AVCA also named Michelle Shaffer and Chloe Hooker Second Team All-Americans, as well as Top Flight Pairs on four different courts with Flight 2 (Anna Pelloia and Chloe Hooker), Flight 3 (Abbey Thorup and Lisa Luini), Flight 4 (Isabelle Reffel and Magdalena Rabitsch), and Flight 5 (Tanon Rosenthal and Giuliana Poletti Corrales) all winning over 75% of their matches on those courts. The WCC Awards continued as Mayer was named West Coast Conference Coach of the Year for the conference record sixth consecutive season. Mayer also mentored the WCC Pair of the Year for the fifth consecutive season, the WCC Defensive Player of the Year for the fifth consecutive season, and the WCC Co-Freshman of the Year for the fourth time over the past five years. LMU also saw additional conference recognition with seven First Team All-WCC and three Second Team All-WCC selections.
In 2024, Mayer led his Lions to a win in Gulf Shores, Alabama, at the NCAA Championships against #9 Hawaii before falling to the eventual national champions, USC, for the second consecutive season. The Lions finished the year ranked eighth nationally and Mayer earned his fifth-straight WCC Coach of the Year recognition. Under Mayer, Vilhelmiina Prihti was named to the AVCA All-American team for the second time and Michelle Shaffer earned her first All-American recognition in her first season playing with the Lions. Mayer mentored the WCC Pair of the Year for fifth time in his career and the WCC Defensive Player of the Year for the fourth consecutive season.
For three-consecutive seasons between 2021 and 2023, Mayer coached the Lions to a top-5 finish nationally with a return to the NCAA Championships. In 2022-23, the Lions returned to the NCAA Championships and defeated #11 Hawaii before falling to the eventual national champions, #3 USC, 3-1 to close the season. The Lions went 29-9 on the season, including a perfect home record after unveiling new on-campus courts. Additionally, Mayer was named WCC Coach of the Year for the fourth-consecutive season and mentored the WCC Pair of the Year, the WCC Defensive Player of the Year, the WCC Freshman of the Year, five first team All-WCC Players, two AVCA Top Flight Winners, and two AVCA All-Americans in 2023.
The 2021-22 season continued to build on the foundation Mayer set for the program. In addition to being named West Coast Conference Coach of the Year for the third consecutive season, Mayer coached four AVCA All-Americans, the WCC Pair of the Year, the WCC Defensive Player of the Year, and the WCC Co-Freshman of the Year. The Lions finished the year with a school-record 32 wins, did not drop a court in the WCC Championships, and won a program-record three games in the NCAA Championships in Gulf Shores before bowing out in the semifinals. LMU finished fourth in the final AVCA Poll in 2022.
After a brief 2019-20 season, LMU was able to dominate the 2020-21 season with a 31-8 record as they added another West Coast Conference Championship to their list of achievements. Coach Mayer was selected to the USA National Team as a result while also coaching Madi Firnett to WCC Freshman of the Year honors.
Before a shortened 2019-20 season, where the team ended with a 6-3 record, Mayer was coming off of an impressive 2018-19 season, where he led the Lions to their first-ever conference title. The team beat Pepperdine for the first time in program history to win the West Coast Conference Championship. The conference win came after a 27-11 season, including seven wins over ranked opponents.
On June 7, 2015, the West Coast Conference added women’s beach volleyball as a WCC-sponsored sport. As the sport quickly gained status within the NCAA and the WCC, former LMU Athletics Director Dr. William Husak announced, on August 5, 2015, the hiring of Mayer as the LMU beach volleyball head coach.
At the time of the hire, Husak said, “The sport of beach volleyball has quickly grown at all levels, especially within the NCAA. We added the sport in 2012 and since have seen the positive and important impact on our department. As the sport grows, we wanted to continue to establish it here at LMU. We are very excited to have John take over the program on a full-time basis. He has had success at all levels of volleyball and we are fortunate he will be the program’s first official head coach.”
Mayer guided his 2018 squad to a 22-14 overall mark, and a berth into the semifinal round of play from the 2018 West Coast Conference Championships, but eventually dropped the match to Saint Mary’s. The Lions, playing as the #2 seed in the tournament, beat Pacific to advance to the match against the third-seeded Gaels. Following the season, McKayla Ferris and Jessie Prichard highlighted a quartet of Lions lauded by the West Coast Conference, earning All-WCC first-team honors. Sara Kovac and Savannah Slattery were also honored, earning second-team selections.
Mayer’s 2016 squad finished the year at 6-17, but reached the semifinals of the inaugural WCC Championships. Rachelle Suaava and Avery Bush were named All-WCC, while Kekai Whitford and Sascha Dominique took home All-Freshman selections. The Lions finished the year ranked in the Top-20 of the DiG Magazine poll.
The 2017 season saw LMU post a 15-14 overall record, but the Lions, playing as the #3 seed at the WCC Championship Tournament, reached the final match before falling to Pepperdine. LMU’s top pair of Savannah Slattery and Sarah Sponcil went 20-9 at the top of the order in 2017, as the duo reached the quarterfinal round at the USA Volleyball Collegiate Championships in the postseason. Sponcil was ultimately named WCC Player of the Year, while Slattery took home WCC Freshman of the Year, and both were named first team All-WCC. Sara Kovac and Jessie Prichard also garnered All-WCC recognition, earning honorable mention picks. Finally, Prichard and Slattery were named to the WCC All-Freshman team.
Prior to being named head coach, Mayer spent the previous four seasons as a volunteer assistant coach working with the LMU sand volleyball program. He had also served as the head coach of the men’s volleyball program at Santa Monica College since 2008. As head coach at Santa Monica College, Mayer was named 2015 Coach of the Year after guiding his squad to a State Championship.
“We are one of the few schools in the country that will actually be practicing at the beach, which is a huge advantage for training and developing our athletes,” said Mayer. “The sport of beach volleyball has taken off at the collegiate level with schools all over the country adding teams. Having the WCC now involved with a postseason championship shows how big the sport has become in a few short years. I imagine beach volleyball will soon be one of the premier sports for female athletes at the college level.”
A 2005 graduate of Pepperdine University, Mayer helped guide Pepperdine to a National Championship in his senior year. Before transferring to Pepperdine, Mayer won a pair of State Championships playing at Pierce College.
Mayer made his AVP debut in 2003 at Hermosa Beach. In 2009, Mayer with partner Jeff Nygaard won the AVP Open at San Diego and was also named the Most Improved Player. In 2013, Mayer finished top-10 in all six events he entered into. Teamed with Ryan Doherty as the fourth-seed in the tournament, Mayer won the 2015 AVP Kingston Seattle Open men’s title en route to being named 2015 AVP Men’s MVP and Best Defender. In addition to his title, Mayer made four finals appearances, and six semifinal runs in 2015. Again, teamed with Doherty in 2016, Mayer won the AVP New Orleans title.
John Mayer was born June 11, 1982, in Thousand Oaks, CA. Mayer currently lives in Mar Vista, Calif. with his wife, dermatologist Dr. Paola Rodriguez, and daughter.
Sports
Five Oles collect eight outdoor USTFCCCA All-Region honors
Story Links NEW ORLEANS, La. – Five members of the St. Olaf College men’s and women’s track and field teams combined to earn eight U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-North Region accolades for the 2025 outdoor season, as announced on Wednesday. Senior Alison Bode, senior […]

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Five members of the St. Olaf College men’s and women’s track and field teams combined to earn eight U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-North Region accolades for the 2025 outdoor season, as announced on Wednesday.
Senior Alison Bode, senior Sophie Abernethy, and junior Isabel Wyatt accounted for six all-region honors for the St. Olaf women, while juniors Ignatius Fitzgerald and Lance Nemecek each earned one accolade for the Ole men. The USTFCCCA awards all-region honors to the top-five individuals in each event from each region, as well as each of the members of a top-three-ranked relay team.
Bode collected all-region honors in the 1,500-meter run (4:35.42), 5,000-meter run (17:04.08), and 10,000-meter run (35:35.82), with all three times ranking fourth in the North Region this season. The senior has been an all-region honoree a combined seven times in indoor and outdoor track and field during her career, including twice in both the outdoor 5,000- and 10,000-meter runs.
Wyatt added a pair of outdoor all-region awards to her indoor accolade in the 800-meter run earlier this year by posting top-five times in the region in the 800-meter run (2:09.44) and 1,500-meter run (4:34.25). The junior’s school-record and conference-championship time in the 800-meter run was the top time in the region this season, while her time in the 1,500-meter run was third.
Abernethy landed her first individual all-region accolade after running the region’s fifth-fastest time in the 1,500-meter run (4:37.23). The senior was previously part of St. Olaf’s all-region distance medley relay during the 2024 indoor season.
Nemecek was a first-time all-region honoree after recording the No. 3 time in the region in the 800-meter run (1:51.32) from his Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) title in the event. That time also ranks second on St. Olaf’s all-time performers’ list in the event.
Fitzgerald earned his first all-region accolade thanks to the No. 5 time in the region in the 1,500-meter run (3:48.55) from the UW-La Crosse Final Qualifier last week. The junior’s time sits fifth on the program’s all-time performers’ list.
Fitzgerald, Bode, and Wyatt are three of the four Oles who will compete at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships later this week in Geneva, Ohio. Fitzgerald and Bode will begin the meet by competing in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (6:10 p.m. CT) and 10,000-meter run (8:15 p.m. CT) on Thursday, May 22.
Sports
Men’s Volleyball Is Coming To Landmark Beginning In 2026
After much anticipation, men’s volleyball is officially coming to the Landmark conference starting in the 2026-2027 season. This will expand the conference’s championship offerings to 24 sports. “Sport sponsorship continues to grow across the Landmark Conference, and adding men’s volleyball as our 24th varsity sport is a clear and exciting next step,” stated Landmark Commissioner […]

After much anticipation, men’s volleyball is officially coming to the Landmark conference starting in the 2026-2027 season. This will expand the conference’s championship offerings to 24 sports.
“Sport sponsorship continues to grow across the Landmark Conference, and adding men’s volleyball as our 24th varsity sport is a clear and exciting next step,” stated Landmark Commissioner Katie Boldvich. “Its competitive nature aligns well with the values of our league, and its growth nationally reflects the momentum we’re seeing on our own campuses. We’re grateful to the leadership at Scranton and Lycoming for their vision and open communication to allow us to make this announcement together. We’re especially pleased to bring all participating schools under one conference umbrella, which will strengthen scheduling, create another championship experience, and enhance the overall opportunity for all of our Landmark student-athletes.”
The addition of men’s volleyball comes as Lycoming College and The University of Scranton announced starting varsity programs, joining four current Landmark institutions — Drew University, Elizabethtown College, Juniata College, and Wilkes University — that already sponsor the sport and currently compete in the Continental Volleyball Conference (CVC).
“We are excited to launch this new program together with the Landmark Conference,” Lycoming College Director of Athletics Mike Clark said. “The program enhances our athletic offerings in a manner that will create some positive outcomes for many programs that call Lamade Gym home. We are confident that the men’s volleyball program will be a vital part of the Lycoming experience, providing valuable lessons in leadership, teamwork, and dedication.”
With the inclusion of Lycoming and Scranton, all six schools will be positioned to compete for the conference’s first automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III Men’s Volleyball Championship in the spring of 2027.
“Adding men’s volleyball aligns with our goal to provide a diverse and dynamic student-athlete experience,” said Scranton Executive Director of Athletics Dave Martin. “We’re eager to see the energy and opportunity this new program will bring to our campus.”
The Landmark will develop scheduling and championship structures over the coming year, with full conference play anticipated in 2026-27.
More information will be shared as details are finalized.
When Will Landmark Begin Sponsoring Men’s Volleyball?
Landmark will begin sponsoring men’s volleyball in the 2026-2027 season.
Which Institutions Will Be Participating?
There will be six teams participating in the 2026-2027 Landmark season- Drew University, Elizabethtown College, Juniata College, Wilkes University, Lycoming College, and The University of Scranton.
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Sports
All-Region Honors Announced – Wartburg College Athletics
Story Links NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana – All Region honors for the 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field season were announced on Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) following the conclusion of the regular season. Top-5 individuals in each event from each region earned All-Region […]

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana – All Region honors for the 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field season were announced on Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) following the conclusion of the regular season.
Top-5 individuals in each event from each region earned All-Region honors, in addition to each of the members of a top-3 ranked relay team. Data is compiled based on Regional TFRI.
Wartburg’s Honorees:
Women
Sophia Stahle– 4x400m, 400m Hurdles
Haley Meyer– 4x400m
Ryann Decker– 4x400m, 400m Hurdles
JoJo Tyynismaa– 4x400m, 100m Hurdles, 400m, 400m Hurdles
Shaniah Johnson– Triple Jump
Ellie Meyer– 3000m Steeplechase, 5000m
Emma True– Hammer Throw
Men
Ian Neyens– 4x400m
Hutton Edney– 4x400m
Ben Roussell- 4x400m
Jensen Clapp– 4x400m, 400m
Tyrell Adams– High Jump
Elliott Bond– Long Jump
Carson Collet– Pole Vault
Carter Cruise– 800m
Jacob Green– 10000m
Isaiah Hammerand– 5000m
Jack Kinzer– 3000m Steeplechase
Nathan Kinzer– 1500m
Connor Lancial– 3000m Steeplechase
Deyton Love– 110m Hurdles, 400m Hurdles, Long Jump
Christian Nunley– Discus
Trent Polley– Javelin Throw
Tyler Schermerhorn– 5000m, 10000m
Lance Sobaski– 3000m Steeplechase, 5000m
Sports
Volleyball Adds Division II Standout Kendyl MacAskill to 2025 Squad
Story Links CHATTANOOGA — The Chattanooga indoor volleyball team continued to bolster its 2025 roster this week after the team revealed the addition of Division II transfer Kendyl MacAskill, head coach Julie Torbett Thomas announced on Wednesday. Having just graduated from Azusa Pacific in California, MacAskill will now join the Mocs as […]

CHATTANOOGA — The Chattanooga indoor volleyball team continued to bolster its 2025 roster this week after the team revealed the addition of Division II transfer Kendyl MacAskill, head coach Julie Torbett Thomas announced on Wednesday.
Having just graduated from Azusa Pacific in California, MacAskill will now join the Mocs as a ‘redshirt-senior’ with one year remaining in her eligibility. MacAskill’s six-foot-two frame will reside in UTC’s hitting group, as she joins the team as on outside/opposite side hitter.
“Kendyl is a great addition to our volleyball program,” Coach Torbett Thomas said. “She’s long and lean; a fierce competitor. She was coached by her mother, who played in college, which is always a bonus. She’s loyal, coming off a stellar four-year career at Azusa Pacific.
“I love her competitive nature—she hates to lose—and she’s just a great person to be around.”
MacAskill comes to the Mocs having been a mainstay in the Azusa Pacific lineup the last three seasons. A regular starter for the Cougars, MacAskill is coming off her best season to date in 2024 having earned PacWest Second Team All-Conference honors following a season where she recorded 246 kills (2.41 kills/set) and 82 blocks (0.80 blocks/set) on the year.
The Grand Junction, Colorado, native wraps up her time at Azusa Pacific with a grand total of 463 kills, a .259 career hitting percentage, 181 blocks, 127 digs, 52 assists and 14 aces. Not only that, but MacAskill leaves APU having been a standout in the classroom as well, being named to the school’s Dean’s List in each of her four seasons in attendance while also receiving CSC Academic All-District honors her senior year.
Prior to her committing to Azusa Pacific, MacAskill was a star in her home state of Colorado playing at Palisade High School. A three-time Western Slope League First Team All-Conference player, MacAskill’s senior season saw her rake in countless honors that included being named WSL Player of the Year, the Daily Sentinel Female Athlete of the Year as well as being named to numerous Colorado All-State teams.
MacAskill also etched her name into the Palisade record book before she took her talents to California, as she capped off her time at Palisade High as the school’s recordholder for most blocks in a match, season and career. MacAskill was also a multi-sport athlete for the Bulldogs, earning all-conference accolades for her efforts on the Palisade basketball and track & field teams.
Kendyl MacAskill, born August 14, 2003, is the daughter of Matthew and Wendy MacAskill. She also has two sisters: Alexandra and Braeleigh. Wendy (mother) played college volleyball at Colorado State (1991-94). Her sister Alexandra played volleyball at Adams State (2019-21) and St. Thomas (2022-23) while her other sister Braeleigh is currently playing volleyball at Corban University. Kendyl intends on entering the master’s program here at UTC.
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