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Utah State Track & Field Prepares for NCAA West First Rounds

LOGAN, Utah – Utah State track and field’s 21 qualified athletes are set to compete at the 2025 NCAA West First Rounds at E.B. Cushing Stadium in College Station, Texas, from Wednesday to Saturday, May 28-31.   MEET INFORMATION 2025 NCAA West First Rounds Date: May 28-31, 2025  Start: Wednesday @ 9 a.m.; Thursday @ 9 […]

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LOGAN, Utah – Utah State track and field’s 21 qualified athletes are set to compete at the 2025 NCAA West First Rounds at E.B. Cushing Stadium in College Station, Texas, from Wednesday to Saturday, May 28-31.
 
MEET INFORMATION
2025 NCAA West First Rounds
Date: May 28-31, 2025 
Start: Wednesday @ 9 a.m.; Thursday @ 9 a.m.; Friday @ noon; Saturday @ noon (MT)
Site: College Station, Texas
Venue: E.B. Cushing Stadium
Live Streaming: ESPN+
Live Results: Record Timing
Competitions: Meet Schedule and Start Lists (Men and Women)
More Information: Championships Central
 
DIRECTOR OF TRACK & FIELD/CROSS COUNTRY ARTIE GULDEN
“This will be a great week for us! We are very proud to have 21 student-athletes here at the NCAA West prelims. We have a lot of kids not satisfied with just being here – they want to move on. If we can compete like we’ve competed all year, I like our chances to have a number of them move on to the NCAA finals.”
 
RAISING THE BAR
Hammer, who holds the USU outdoor pole vault record, made Aggie history by clearing 5.50 meters (18-0.5) at the BYU Indoor Invitational on January 11, setting the Utah State indoor pole vault record. His mark bested the previous record of 5.45 meters (17-10.5), which was set by Lance White in 1994 and matched by Mark Calvin in 1998. Hammer broke his own record the following week by clearing 5.55 meters (18-2.5) at the Snake River Open on Jan. 17. At the Roman Ruiz Speed and Power Invite on Feb. 1, Hammer broke both his own record and the George Nelson Fieldhouse record with his mark of 5.60 meters (18-4.5). On February 15, the Nampa, Idaho, product cleared 5.61 meters (18-4.75) at the Tyson Invitational to break the school record. Hammer tied his school record en route to a sixth-place finish at the 2025 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships, earning first-team All-American honors. He joins White as the only USU men’s pole vaulters to earn both indoor and outdoor All-American honors.
 
On April 17, Hammer broke his own outdoor school record and Mountain West record at the Pacific Coast Invitational, clearing 5.68 meters (18-7.5), then broke it again two days later at the Beach Invitational with a height of 5.70 meters (18-8.25). He also broke his own MW championship record by clearing 5.65 meters (18-6.5) at the conference championships on May 17. Hammer enters the prelims with the second-best outdoor pole vault mark in the NCAA and the seventh-highest mark of any American, professional or collegiate, in 2025.
 
REWRITING THE RECORD BOOK
Utah State distance runners have set six school records during the 2025 outdoor campaign. At the Stanford Invitational on April 4, graduate Camren Todd shattered the USU record in the 10,000 meters with his finishing time of 28:10.91, a time 22.54 seconds faster than the record set by Luke Beattie in 2021. Junior Sarah Ellis became the first Aggie woman to break a school record in the 2024-25 campaign by running the 5,000 meters in 16:04.58, topping Mica Rivera’s time of 16:07.73 set in 2023. On April 16 at the Bryan Clay Invitational, junior Logan Garnica broke the USU record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 8:33.91, topping graduate teammate Max Wehrli’s mark from the 2024 edition of the meet. Stanford’s track hosted another Utah State school record as Thornley topped Ellis’ 5,000-meter performance with her own time of 16:01.44 at the Payton Jordan Invitational. Two more school records fell at the 2025 Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Clovis, California, as graduate Hannah Davidson ran the 1,500 meters in 4:23.72, topping Tylee Skinner’s time of 4:23.99 from 2018, and sophomore Shelby Jensen clocked in at 9:48.44 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase to best Cierra Simmons-Mecham’s record time of 9:49.33 from the same 2018 season. Five of the six record-breaking runners will feature at the NCAA prelims.
 
USU’s sprint squad set their first school record of the year in the final meet of the regular season. At the Franson Last Chance in Azusa, California, the women’s 4×400-meter relay team of freshman Mashaylee Jones, senior Emma Reeves, Nielson and junior Alison Richter broke USU’s 29-year-old record in the event with their time of 3:38.66.
 
POLE VAULT U
Utah State pole vaulters have claimed eight top-10 placements in Aggie history so far in the 2025 track and field season. Hammer’s indoor school record of 5.61 meters (18-4.75) headlined a prolific indoor season that also saw Richards set the sixth-best mark in school history at the Tyson Invitational with a clearance of 5.25 meters (17-2.75) and junior Marshall Rasmussen set the seventh best with a height of 5.21 meters (17-1) at the MW Indoor Championships. On the women’s side, freshman Abbie Scott claimed the second-best height in Aggie history by clearing 4.11 meters (13-5.75) in her silver-medal performance at the MW Indoor Championships and freshman Lucy Jeppson set the fifth-best mark with her clearance of 3.88 meters (12-8.75) at the BYU December Invitational. Aggie vaulters have carried their momentum into the outdoor season, with Richards setting USU’s fourth-best mark of 5.30 meters (17-4.75) at the Bobcat Invitational, Rasmussen posting the seventh-best mark of 5.19 meters (17-0.25) at the UNLV Rebel ELITE, and Hammer twice breaking the outdoor school record at April’s Long Beach, California, meets. All three vaulters are set to compete at the NCAA prelims on Wednesday.
 
BOUND FOR OREGON?
Utah State has 21 athletes competing in 18 events at the NCAA West First Rounds. Berths to the First Rounds were awarded to the region’s top 48 individuals and top 24 relay teams in each event. Aggie athletes set to compete this weekend are listed below with their regional seed and converted marks.
 
USU Men:
 












Event USU Athletes
800 Meters 16. Landon Bott, 1:47.11.
10,000 Meters 18. Camren Todd, 28:10.91.
3,000-Meter Steeplechase 9. Logan Garnica, 8:33.91; 34. Garrett Woodhouse, 8:46.89.
4×100-Meter Relay 17. Utah State (Diego Aguirre-Stewart, Daniel Chase, Mathew Hall, Ayodele Ojo, Brennan Benson), 39.65.
High Jump 32. Taite Priestley, 2.12 meters (6-11.5).
Pole Vault 2. Logan Hammer, 5.70 meters (18-8.25); 27. Javin Richards, 5.30 meters (17-4.5); 44. Marshall Rasmussen, 5.19 meters (17-0.25).
Discus 29. Nate Franz, 57.13 meters (187-5); 39. Joseph Turner, 56.37 meters (184-11).
Javelin 25. Walker Deede, 68.72 meters (225-5).

 
USU Women:
 

 
The top-12 finishers in each event at each of the NCAA West and East First Rounds will qualify for the NCAA Outdoor National Championships, held at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, from June 11-14.
  
LAST MEET
The Utah State men’s team placed third and the women’s team finished ninth at the 2025 Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Clovis, California, from May 15-17. The Aggies won two individual titles, earned 11 medals, broke two school records and posted 10 performances that rank in the top 10 in Utah State history.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
Fans can follow the Utah State track and field programs on X at USUTF_XC, on Facebook at USUTrack and on Instagram at USUTF_XC. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on X at USUAthletics or on Facebook at Utah State University Athletics.
 
-USU-
 





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Sports

UH women’s water polo adds 2 Europeans

Select an option below to continue reading this premium story. Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading. The University of Hawaii women’s water polo program, coming off back to back appearances in the national semifinals, announced two signings Monday. Coach James Robinson, entering his second season at the helm, said Asimina […]

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Sandi Rodriguez – Director of Student Athlete Services (Baseball, Soccer, Indoor/Beach VB, Softball) – Softball Support Staff

Sandi Rodriguez was named Assistant Director of Student Athlete Services in October 2018 after serving as the Administrative Assistant to Soccer, Softball and Tennis programs since 2015.  Her current sport oversight includes Baseball, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Beach Volleyball, & Indoor Volleyball. Prior to this appointment, Rodriguez served as an Administrative Assistant for Women’s Basketball, Men’s […]

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Sandi Rodriguez was named Assistant Director of Student Athlete Services in October 2018 after serving as the Administrative Assistant to Soccer, Softball and Tennis programs since 2015. 

Her current sport oversight includes Baseball, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Beach Volleyball, & Indoor Volleyball.

Prior to this appointment, Rodriguez served as an Administrative Assistant for Women’s Basketball, Men’s Golf, Women’s Golf, Soccer, Softball, and Tennis from July 2015. 

The Gray, LA. native, began her career as the McNeese Academic Study Lab Coordinator from January 2011 – June 2013. She received her Associate degree from McNeese in December 2010 and her Bachelor degree in December 2012. 

Rodriguez is deeply involved in the community serving multiple roles within Pack 107 as a committee member, unit fundraising chair, unit advancement chair, and a pack administrator.

Rodriguez and her husband Jason have one son, Braedon. 

 



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Demarshay Johnson Jr. Joins Beach Men’s Basketball

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State Men’s Basketball has secured the commitment of Demarshay Johnson Jr., as the big man will reunite with Chris Acker, transferring to the Beach from San Diego State.   Demarshay Johnson Jr. | Center | 6-10, 220 | Richmond, Calif.   A high-level Division I transfer with experience and […]

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LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State Men’s Basketball has secured the commitment of Demarshay Johnson Jr., as the big man will reunite with Chris Acker, transferring to the Beach from San Diego State.
 
Demarshay Johnson Jr. | Center | 6-10, 220 | Richmond, Calif.
 
A high-level Division I transfer with experience and familiarity with Chris Acker from their time together at San Diego State, Johnson comes to the Beach after four seasons with the Aztecs program, where he played in 39 games as a depth option in the post. Johnson appeared in 14 games as a junior, setting career highs of eight points and eight rebounds while playing at San Diego State. Coming out of high school as the No. 27 center in the nation, Johnson led Salesian College Prep to three TCAL titles.
 
Acker on Johnson:
“I had the pleasure of coaching Demarshay for three seasons at San Diego State. Each year I saw his drive and competitive spirit grow. He is now ready for the opportunity to take a major step forward. I saw him take huge strides in games last season where he was a huge reason why San Diego State won some of those games. His IQ, athleticism, and versatility defensively will help our defense take a major step forward this season. He’s also shown flashes of being able to impact games on the offensive end as well.”
 
The addition of Johnson Jr. gives Long Beach State another Division I transfer, joining Isaiah Lewis and Shaquil Bender as commits for the 2025-26 squad. He joins returner Derrick Michael Xzavierro and highly touted incoming freshman Dallas Washington in what should be an exciting front court next season.
 



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Gator legend Jac Caglianone receives long awaited call

The Kansas City Royals announced Sunday night they are calling up their top prospect — MLB’s No.10 prospect overall — former Gators first-baseman Jac Caglianone. Caglianone has been making his rounds in pro baseball. The left-handed power bat has been dominating the minor leagues — and can now dominate in the majors. Caglianone was a […]

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Gator legend Jac Caglianone receives long awaited call

The Kansas City Royals announced Sunday night they are calling up their top prospect — MLB’s No.10 prospect overall — former Gators first-baseman Jac Caglianone.

Caglianone has been making his rounds in pro baseball. The left-handed power bat has been dominating the minor leagues — and can now dominate in the majors.

Caglianone was a dynamo at Florida. In his three years at UF, he broke countless records. Not only did he have the record for the most home runs hit in a season, but he also broke the career record with 75 home runs at UF — one more than Matt Laporta‘s 74.

Life After College

Caglianone’s power has translated well to pro ball. Since getting drafted last July, he has climbed his way through the minors. He started his career playing for the Quad City River Bandits in 2024. In 29 games, he batted .241 with two home runs and 14 RBIs.

He then got called up to the Royals’ Double A affiliate — the Northwest Arkansas Travelers. During his time in Northwest Arkansas, he played 38 games batting well above .300 and hit the cover off baseballs with nine home runs and 43 RBIs. This quick offensive explosion got him a call up to Triple A with the Omaha Storm Chasers.

In just 12 games as a Storm Chaser, he continued his offensive tear — hitting .319 with 6 home runs and 13 RBIs including five home runs in his first four games.

Power Outage

The Royals have been getting their wins from their pitching staff. Kansas City’s team ERA is 3.13 — fourth best in baseball — and their strikeout to walk ratio as a team is just under 3-1. They are currently above .500, sitting at 31-29.

However, their run-scoring ability has left a lot to be desired. Kansas City has struggled to get their bats going all year. In 60 games played, the team has 198 runs scored on the season — tied for second worst in baseball.  Kansas City also only has 34 home runs on the season — one less than the amount of homers Caglianone hit in his last year at UF and the least in the MLB.

Royals’ manager Matt Quatraro believes Caglianone could be a major spark for a struggling offense.

“He’s super talented,” Quatraro said during Spring Training. “When you see him step out onto the field, you can see that he’s athletic… he moves around the bag well and the power clearly stands out.”

What’s Next for Cags?

The Royals have an off day before they hit the road. They will start their six-game road trip in St. Louis to take on their in-state rival Cardinals.

Caglianone is expected to make his major league debut tomorrow and it’s something that Gator fans and Royals fans have been looking forward to since draft day. He will be joining former Gator Jonathan India in the big leagues. First pitch at Busch Stadium is set for tomorrow at 7:45 p.m.

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Two students protest transgender medalist at Oregon track and field state championships

Two high jumpers refused to accept their medals at Saturday’s Oregon state track and field championships, opting instead to protest the inclusion of a transgender athlete at Hayward Field. Tigard’s Alexa Anderson and Sherwood’s Reese Eckard (who finished third and fourth, respectively) stood on the back side of the podium and didn’t grab their medals. […]

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Two high jumpers refused to accept their medals at Saturday’s Oregon state track and field championships, opting instead to protest the inclusion of a transgender athlete at Hayward Field.

Tigard’s Alexa Anderson and Sherwood’s Reese Eckard (who finished third and fourth, respectively) stood on the back side of the podium and didn’t grab their medals.

One of the athletes, who tied for fifth in the high jump, is a transgender girl. The Oregonian/OregonLive is not naming the transgender athlete to protect her privacy.

Video from the day showed that a podium official gestured for Anderson and Eckard to move out of the way of the podium.

As of the 2024-25 school year, the OSAA’s policy on gender identity participation (Policy 37) allows student-athletes to participate in the activity that aligns with their “consistently asserted gender identity.”

Anderson told Fox News that she and Eckard protested at the podium in response to the OSAA’s policy that allows transgender students to participate in the sports that align with their gender identity.

“We didn’t refuse to stand on the podium out of hate. We did it because someone has to say this isn’t right,” she told Fox News. “In order to protect the integrity and fairness of girls sports we must stand up for what is right.”

The OSAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the student protest.

While there were no audible complaints from the crowd during the weekend, some attendees wore shirts that showed their displeasure with the OSAA’s current policy. Many wore shirts that said “Save girls sports” or shirts with “XX” on them to symbolize female chromosomes.

There was also some backlash on social media among anti-transgender accounts on X (formerly known as Twitter) like Riley Gaines and former tennis champion Martina Navratilova.

At the track and field state championships in 2024, McDaniels’ Ada Gallagher became the first known transgender student-athlete to win an individual state championship in Oregon. The OSAA keeps track of participation numbers in all activities, but the data does not include what gender a student was assigned at birth.

Gallagher’s time at Hayward Field last spring was a much different sight from this year’s state championships.

Last year’s 200- and 400-meter podium finishers were accompanied by Eugene law enforcement, and brought out to receive their medals by a different door on the ground floor at Hayward Field to ensure that they didn’t cross in front of fans in the stands.

Every time Gallagher’s name was called in the 2024 state meet, boos could be heard from the stands. They were loudest for the 200-meter dash final she won and were even louder when she was presented her medal.

This year, the Class 6A high jumpers were escorted to the field by an OSAA staffer. There was no visible law enforcement presence during the podium ceremony.

“We always review and try to learn from our events about how we can continue to provide a meaningful, championship experience to all student-athletes,” OSAA Executive Director Peter Weber told The Oregonian/OregonLive.

In February, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at preventing transgender women and girls from participating in the sports that align with their gender identity.

A month later, that order was followed up with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opening an investigation into Portland Public Schools and the Oregon School Activities Association, claiming that the two entities are in violation of Title IX by allowing a transgender girl to compete in girls sports.

Weber has told The Oregonian/OregonLive that a policy that discriminates based on gender identity could lead to a loss of funding for schools under Oregon state law.



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Stellar season for Nelson Volleyball Club 17U

A stellar season for the Nelson Volleyball 17U Club has come to an end, with the club finishing among the best in BC. A month after winning the Division Two Provincial Championships in Richmond, the team of West Kootenay teens competed in the 200-team Seattle Evergreen Classic May 24-26, finishing in the middle of the […]

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A stellar season for the Nelson Volleyball 17U Club has come to an end, with the club finishing among the best in BC.

A month after winning the Division Two Provincial Championships in Richmond, the team of West Kootenay teens competed in the 200-team Seattle Evergreen Classic May 24-26, finishing in the middle of the pack of 28 teams in their division.

Nelson played eight close games with teams from US cities including Tacoma, Coeur d’Alene and Seattle.

Coach Sara Smith says the Nelson Club has come a long ways, languishing in Division Five only two seasons ago, but now amongst the best teams in BC.

“The arc of the team was perfect,” says Smith.

“They peaked in provincials, they came together and excelled at just the right time.”

The Richmond finals were the culmination of the Volleyball BC Super Series, with tournaments in Langley and Vernon as well.

“All the girls came in as athletes but left as real team mates,” says NVC captain Gianna Davidson, “we learned how to play as one, not just for ourselves.”

Davidson is one of four Grade 12s leaving the team, along with New Denver’s Ria Kosling, Nelson’s Paityn Lake and Crawford Bay’s Georgia Shuel.

Graduating player, and NVC alumni Kara Strong, who moved to join the Fraser Valley’s legendary Rain City club in January, was selected to the National U17 All Star Team, making her one of the top six 17U players in Canada. Strong went on to lead Rain City to a national club championship.

Smith, a former college player and mom of three who returned to club and school coaching for the last six seasons, says NVC has a promising year ahead.

“We’ve got a lot of girls coming up for next year and we’re going to field a 18U team,” says Smith, “we’ll see if we can break into the top 12 teams in the province.”


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