College Station, Texas – North Dakota State’s Sam Roller and South Dakota’s Tre Young punched thier tickets to the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Wednesday to headline the opening day of competition amongst Summit League atheltes.

Kansas City

Tory Lanham claimed one of the top three automatic spots in his heat by sprinting a 20.73 in the 200-meter dash. The Roo sophomore ranks 12^th heading into the quarterfinals on Friday at 7:50 PM. 

 

North Dakota

Ethan Thomas (shot put) and Jiri Ceska (800 meters) were the first North Dakota track and field athletes to compete at the NCAA West Preliminary Round on Wednesday.

Thomas finished 35th in the shot put with a toss of 57-11 1/4 (17.66m). His throw gave him the longest throw at the NCAA Regional in program history and he also now owns the best finish in the event in school history on the men’s side at the meet. The previous best shot put throw for UND at the NCAA Regional was owned by Shawn Johnson, who had a toss of 53-9 1/4 (16.39m) at the 2014 NCAA West Preliminary Round. By throwing the shot, Thomas became just the fourth UND athlete on the men’s side to compete in the event at the meet in program history.

Ceska took 40th in the 800 meters with a time of 1:50.64. With his time, he now has the second-fastest 800-meter time on the men’s side at the meet in school history, trailing only Jesse Middendorf, who ran a time of 1:50.50 at the 2023 NCAA West Preliminary Round. Ceska is now the fourth runner in UND history on the men’s side to compete at the meet in the 800 meters.

Ceska drew heat one and was shy of the time to qualify for the 800-meter quarterfinal on Friday. The final qualifying time in his heat went to Edouard Lecrivain of Texas Christian, who ran a time of 1:48.96.

North Dakota State

Senior javelin thrower Sam Roller advanced to the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Wednesday to headline the opening day of competition for the North Dakota State men’s track & field team at the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds.

 

Roller (Thompson, N.D.) is headed to the NCAA Championships for the first time, throwing a career best 231-1 (70.43m) on his final attempt for eighth place in the javelin on Wednesday. The top 12 finishers in each event advance to Eugene, Ore., for the national meet.

 

Bison senior Zack Ramos finished 19th in the shot put with a throw of 60-00.50 (18.30m), an improvement of 16 places over his seed entering the meet.

 

Bison sophomore Jayden Williams placed 27^th in the long jump in his NCAA debut with a leap of 23-11 (7.29m).

 

NDSU’s 110 hurdle trio of Blake Nyenati (13.92), Brooks Turner (13.96), and Brock Johnsen (14.20) finished 28^th, 32^nd, and 40^th respectively. 

 

South Dakota

South Dakota senior Tre Young punched his ticket to the NCAA Championships during Wednesday evening’s NCAA West Preliminary competition in College Station. Young will make his first trip to Eugene, Oregon and the NCAA Championships after placing 12^th at Wednesday’s pole vault semifinal with a clearance of 17-5.5 (5.32m).

Spencer Buley also cleared 17-5.5 during Wednesday’s competition, but he needed third attempt clearances at all of the bars he went over putting him outside of the top 12 to finish 14^th. Beau Karst cleared 16-11.5 (5.17m) in his first NCAA West appearance. Wyatt Stewart competed as well, but was not able to clear the opening bar at 16-5.5 bar. 

 

On the track, all three Coyotes advanced to the quarterfinals Friday evening. In the first race of the night, Jaden Damiano ran 13.68 in the first heat of the 110-meter hurdles, taking the third qualifying spot in the heat. In the final heat of the 110 hurdles, Mikael Grace did the same thing as Damiano, taking the third qualifying spot of his heat with a time of 13.75.

Mason Sindelar was not able to claim one of the top three automatic in his heat, but the 1:48.93 time he finished with placed him 22^nd out of 24 qualifying spots.

 

Damiano and Grace compete in the 110-meter hurdle quarterfinal at 6:15 p.m. Friday. Sindelar’s 800-meter quarterfinal is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

South Dakota State

South Dakota State’s Pierre Lear competed in the preliminary heats of the 110-hurdles Wednesday at the NCAA West Regional.

Lear posted a time of 13.76, placing 21st to qualify for the quarterfinals on Friday at 6:15 PM.

Lear’s teammates take the track Thursday to continue the Jackrabbits’ week in Texas. 

Thursday, May 29

6 p.m. 100-meter hurdles (Brielle Dixon)

9:10 p.m. 10,000-meter run semifinals (Jessica Lutmer and Courtney Stadter)

Friday, May 30

1 p.m. discus throw (Ethan Fischer, Caymen Gebheim, Caiden Fredrick) 

3:30 p.m. High Jump-(Grayson Ring)

5:40 p.m. 3000-meter steeplechase quarterfinals (Cody Larson, Josh Becker)

6:15 p.m. 110- Hurdles (Pierre Lear)

Saturday, May 25

3:30 p.m. High Jump (Madison Kizer)

6:15 p.m. 100-meter hurdle quarterfinals (Brielle Dixon)

#SUMMITOTF

 

Niagara University, NY – Niagara head coach Ren Cefra announced today that Leah Allen, Gabrielle Belony and Natasa Ljubicic have all committed to join the Purple Eagles volleyball program for the 2025-26 season.

Allen, an Elma, NY native is a right side hitter and is coming from Niagara Frontier Volleyball Club.

Belony is a transfer from Georgian Court University. A native of Baldwin, NY, Belony is a middle blocker.

Ljubicic is a middle blocker from Stoney Creek, Ontario who played for Halton Hurricane Volleyball Club.

“We are excited to welcome Natasa, Leah, and Gabrielle to our Purple Eagle family.  All three will add size and depth to our volleyball team.  They are all exceptional student athletes with high character. I have no doubt that they will integrate seamlessly into our team culture.”

As the final four seconds ticked off the clock, Naperville North senior Jack Reif held onto the ball as a New Trier player tried in vain to pry it from his hands.

The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Jack Reif’s teammates, including senior Mason Hofmann, knew a dream was about to become reality.

“He has great ball control,” Hofmann said. “He’s a super big guy, so when we need someone to keep possession, he’s the guy that you go to.”

When the horn sounded, the Navy-bound Jack Reif turned and hurled the ball to the ceiling of Stevenson’s natatorium as his mother, Naperville North boys water polo coach Kelly Reif, began jumping up and down on the pool deck.

That was the beginning of a celebration capping a storybook ending.

The Huskies, led by Jack Reif and Hofmann, had just rallied to beat New Trier 7-6 on Saturday night to win the first state championship in program history.

“Their best player shot the ball, and we got the save,” Jack Reif said. “We were able to spread out, and I knew they’d get the ball to me. I’m the biggest guy in the pool, so I was able to hold him off.

“I was just overwhelmed with emotion.”

So was Kelly Reif, the former Waubonsie Valley and Indiana star who began coaching the Huskies in 2021, when Jack Reif was in eighth grade.

“It was just like all the emotions at once,” Kelly Reif said. “We’ve worked so hard for this.

“His freshman year, I looked at this group of kids, and I said, ‘We’re winning state your senior year. Watch us.’ And with four seconds left, I just couldn’t believe it that we had the ball in the hands of one of our strongest players. I knew we could kill four seconds. I was so excited.”

Kelly Reif first introduced Jack Reif to water polo when he was 8 years old. Her husband, Myles Reif, coached the club team that included Jack Reif and Hofmann, who were the two best scorers for Naperville North (31-4) this season.

Hofmann, a Johns Hopkins recruit, finished with 171 goals and 91 assists, and Jack Reif had 121 goals and 72 assists. Each scored six goals in the Huskies’ 17-10 victory over Young in the semifinals earlier that day.

New Trier (31-3), which had won three of the four regular-season meetings with Naperville North, led 6-2 at halftime but didn’t score again. The Huskies rallied behind Hofmann, who had three goals and an assist, and Jack Reif, who contributed one goal and one assist.

Hofmann assisted junior Caden Tsao’s go-ahead goal with 4:09 left in the fourth quarter. Jack Reif led Naperville North’s strong defense the rest of the way.

“As you can see, none of the kids give up ever,” Kelly Reif said. “To be able to shut them out in the second half is incredible. You saw Jack and Mason just take charge, like ‘we’re not losing this game,’ so it was awesome.”

Hofmann had dreamed of winning a state title even before he entered high school. Doing it alongside Jack Reif made it even better.

“I’ve been playing with Jack for probably 10 years,” Hofmann said. “Almost every time I’ve played water polo, he’s been there, too, whether it’s at a practice in the morning, at a gym, or in the weight room, late-night drives to masters practice. He’s been there the whole way.

“It’s our last game playing with each other, so it’s bittersweet.”

Jack Reif never played football, despite his size. Water polo and swimming were his only sports, and playing for his mother was an added bonus.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said. “Working hard at practice and then going home and talking about the practice and game-prepping with her in late nights, early mornings, I’ll never forget that.

“The bond we have is really something special. Not a lot of people get to experience that, especially winning a state championship, so I’m very proud of our team.”

Kelly Reif, who has a career record of 110-28, is equally proud.

“I feel very blessed to have this opportunity,” she said. “Not many people get the opportunity to wear the hat of mom and coach, nonetheless a state championship, so it’s just so exciting.

“I love him so much. I love all the kids so much. It’s just a really special bond that we have.”

Jack Reif also had a bond with his great-grandfather Bob Young, a Navy veteran who served in World War II and later became a high school football coach and then an Illinois High School Association official for football and basketball. Young died at age 99 one week before the Huskies won the state title.

“After our last sectional game, I found out that he had passed away,” Kelly Reif said. “So this is extra special. I’m sure he’s up there looking down and pulled us through for that one.”

Young was a role model for Jack Reif.

“He always loved telling stories about the Navy, so I really looked up to him,” Jack Reif said. “He was a great man.”

So Jack Reif jumped at the opportunity to attend the Naval Academy.

“I took it with no regrets, didn’t look back at all,” he said. “I’m really excited to serve my country.”

Upon graduation from the Naval Academy, Jack Reif will be required to serve five years on active duty. He’s ready to do it for one simple reason.

“I just want to give back to the things that have given me the most,” he said. “This country has given me so many excellent things. It’s a great opportunity for myself to be successful but also to give back.”

Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.

Originally Published: May 29, 2025 at 8:16 AM CDT

2025 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Tuesday, June 3 – Saturday, June 7, 2025
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Indiana University Natatorium
• LCM (50 meters)
• Meet Central

On Wednesday evening, USA Swimming released the pre-scratch psych sheets for the 2025 U.S. National Championships, which serves as the sole selection meet to determine the U.S. rosters for the World Championships, World Junior Championships, and World University Games.

The meet begins on Tuesday, June 3, and concludes on Saturday, June 7. The competition will be held at the IUPUI Natatorium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The biggest absence from the entry lists is Caeleb Dressel, the nine-time Olympic gold medalist who recently returned to competition at the Fort Lauderdale Pro Swim Series—his first meet since the Paris Olympics. While Dressel didn’t collect any individual medals in Paris, he still walked away with two relay golds.

In Fort Lauderdale, the Florida Gator posted times of 22.21 in the 50 freestyle and 23.32 in the 50 butterfly, placing 5th and 4th, respectively.

His absence is not too surprising, as he is expecting his second child in the coming weeks.

Dressel’s training partner, nine-time Olympic champion Katie Ledecky—the most decorated American female swimmer in history—is entered in her signature events: the 200, 400, 800, and 1500 free. At last year’s Trials, she won the 200 free but ultimately chose not to swim it individually at the Olympics.

She heads into this meet with huge momentum, fresh off a world record-setting 800 free (8:04.12) at the aforementioned Fort Lauderdale meet. That same event will open the competition on night one—and it’s sure to bring fireworks.

Virginia senior Gretchen Walsh, coming off two world record-setting 100 fly performances in Fort Lauderdale, is entered in the 50 free, 100 free, 50 fly, and 100 fly. She is not entered in the 50 back, despite speculation from fans about her potential in the event.

Torri Huske, the reigning Olympic champion in the 100 fly, is entered in the 50, 100, and 200 free, 50 and 100 fly, and 200 IM. The 100 fly and 200 IM conflict at Worlds, and she faces a potential scheduling decision on the final day between the 50 free and 200 IM. If she secures a spot in the 100 fly, she is likely to focus on the 50 free. If she is upset by someone else for a Worlds spot in the 100 fly, possibly by Regan Smith, she would likely pursue the IM route instead.

Walsh’s training partner, Kate Douglass, the reigning Olympic champion in the 200 breast and two-time defending world champion in the 200 IM, is entered in seven events: the 50, 100, and 200 breast; 50 and 100 free; 50 fly; and 200 IM. She faces the same 200 IM/50 free double as Torri Huske on the final day. With no long course 200 IM appearances since the Olympics, a scratch from that event in favor of the 50 free appears likely.

Bob Bowman-trained Regan Smith, the world record holder in the 100 back, is entered in the 50, 100, and 200 back, as well as the 100 and 200 fly. She won silver in the 100 back, 200 back, and 200 fly at the Paris Olympics and enters the meet as the heavy favorite in those three events. She is also a co-favorite in the 50 back alongside NC State pro and 100 back Olympic bronze medalist Katharine Berkoff, who is entered in all three backstroke distances as well as the 50 and 100 free.

On the men’s side, Smith’s training partner Shaine Casas is entered in seven events, including his signature 200 IM, as well as the 50 and 100 back, 50 and 100 fly, and 100 and 200 free. Texas training mate Carson Foster will join him in the 200 IM and 200 free, and will also contest the 200 fly and 400 free, in addition to his best event—the 400 IM—where he won silver at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships before earning bronze in Paris.

Virginia’s Claire Curzan, a 2021 Olympian in the 100 fly and 2024 World champion in all three backstroke events, is dropping fly entirely and is entered in all backstroke distances, plus the 50 and 100 free.

Additionally, 100 breaststroke world record holder Lilly King is focusing solely on the sprint breast events, opting out of the 200 entirely. She is the third-fastest American ever in the 200 breast with her 2:19.92 from the 2021 Olympics, where she earned silver.

Questions remain about the finalized lineups of America’s most versatile swimmers, many of whom are way over-entered.

Below is a list of some of USA Swimming’s top stars’ entries. This list is not comprehensive.

Women:

• Katie Ledecky — 200 Free, 400 Free, 800 Free, 1500 Free
• Kate Douglass — 50 Breast, 100 Breast, 200 Breast, 50 Free, 100 Free, 50 Fly, 200 IM
• Alex Walsh — 50 Breast, 100 Breast, 200 Breast, 200 IM
• Torri Huske — 50 Free, 100 Free, 200 Free, 50 Fly, 100 Fly, 200 IM
• Claire Curzan — 50 Back, 100 Back, 200 Back, 50 Free, 100 Free
• Katie Grimes — 400 Free, 800 Free, 1500 Free, 400 IM, 200 Fly, 200 Back
• Gretchen Walsh — 50 Free, 100 Free, 50 Fly, 100 Fly
• Regan Smith — 50 Back, 100 Back, 200 Back, 100 Fly, 200 Fly
• Lilly King — 50 Breast, 100 Breast
• Rylee Erisman — 50 Free, 100 Free, 200 Free, 50 Back, 100 Back
• Audrey Derivaux — 100 Fly, 200 Fly, 200 Back, 200 IM, 400 IM
• Erin Gemmell — 50 Free, 100 Free, 200 Free, 400 Free, 200 IM
• Bella Sims — 50 Free, 100 Free, 200 Free, 400 Free, 50 Back, 100 Back, 200 IM
• Simone Manuel — 50 Free, 100 Free, 200 Free, 100 Fly
• Jillian Cox — 200 Free, 400 Free, 800 Free, 1500 Free
• Leah Hayes — 200 IM, 400 IM, 100 Breast, 200 Breast
• Emma Weber — 50 Breast, 100 Breast, 200 Breast
• Katharine Berkoff — 50 Back, 100 Back, 200 Back, 5o Free, 100 Free
• Phoebe Bacon — 50 Back, 100 Back, 200 Back, 100 Fly, 200 IM
• Skyler Smith — 50 Breast, 100 Breast
• Leah Shackley — 50 Back, 100 Back, 200 Back, 50 Fly, 100 Fly, 50 Free
• Claire Weinstein — 100 Free, 200 Free, 400 Free, 800 Free, 1500 Free
• Alex Shackell — 100 Fly, 200 Fly, 200 Free, 200 IM
• Anna Moesch — 50 Free, 100 Free, 200 Free
• McKenzie Siroky — 50 Breast, 100 Breast
• Rhyan White — 50 Back, 100 Back, 200 Back
• Emma Weyant — 200 Free, 400 Free, 400 IM

Men:

• Shaine Casas — 50 Back, 100 Back, 50 Fly, 100 Fly, 100 Free, 200 Free, 200 IM
• Carson Foster — 200 Free, 400 Free, 200 IM, 400 IM, 200 Fly
• Kieran Smith — 100 Free, 200 Free, 400 Free, 200 IM, 400 IM, 200 Back
• Jack Alexy — 50 Free, 100 Free
• Luke Hobson — 100 Free, 200 Free, 400 Free
• Chris Guiliano — 50 Free, 100 Free, 200 Free
• Michael Andrew — 50 Breast, 100 Breast, 50 Fly, 100 Fly, 50 Back, 50 Free
• Bobby Finke — 800 Free, 1500 Free, 400 IM
• Rex Maurer — 200 Free, 400 Free, 800 Free, 400 IM
• Maximus Williamson — 50 Free, 100 Free, 200 Free, 100 Fly, 100 Back, 200 IM
• David Johnston — 400 Free, 800 Free, 1500 Free, 400 IM
• Luka Mijatovic — 200 Free, 400 Free, 800 Free, 1500 Free, 400 IM
• Brooks Curry — 50 Free, 100 Free, 200 Free
• Destin Lasco — 100 Free, 200 Free, 100 Back, 200 Back, 200 IM
• Matt King — 50 Free, 100 Free
• Jack Aikins — 50 Back, 100 Back, 200 Back
• Aaron Shackell — 200 Free, 400 Free, 200 Fly
• Jonny Kulow — 50 Free, 100 Free, 50 Fly, 100 Fly
• Patrick Sammon — 50 Free, 100 Free, 200 Free
• Campbell McKean — 50 Breast, 100 Breast, 200 Breast, 50 Fly, 200 IM
• Nate Germonprez — 50 Breast, 100 Breast, 200 Breast, 200 IM
• Josh Matheny — 100 Breast, 200 Breast
• Will Modglin — 50 Back, 100 Back, 200 Back, 100 Free, 200 IM
• Thomas Heilman — 50 Fly, 100 Fly, 200 Fly, 50 Free, 200 Free, 200 IM
• Luca Urlando — 50 Fly, 100 Fly, 200 Fly, 200 Free
• Dare Rose — 50 Fly, 100 Fly
• Quintin McCarty — 50 Back, 100 Back, 50 Free, 100 Free
• Keaton Jones — 100 Back, 200 Back
• Gabriel Jett — 100 Fly, 200 Fly, 200 Free
• Ryan Held — 50 Free
• Santo Condorelli — 50 Free

On a rainy night following a six hour weather delay, Foster took fourth place with a jump of 7.64m/25-¾” to qualify for the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore. next month. 

It will mark the first Outdoor NCAA Championship appearance for Foster, a five time Ivy League long jump champion and two-time indoor NCAA competitor. 

Also embarking on the road to Eugene, Harrison Witt, Sam Rodman and Chris Paige all advanced to Friday’s quarterfinals after the first round of competition. 

In the 1500m, Witt took first place in heat four with a time of 3:39.86 to automatically qualify for the next round. His time was second overall.

Similarly, in the 800m, Rodman won his heat with a mark of 1:47.28 to automatically qualify. The time put him at sixth in the overall standings and is less than 0.5 seconds off from his personal best. 

Chris Paige set a new personal best in the 400m hurdles, clocking in at 50.61. Taking second place in heat four, Paige automatically qualified for the quarterfinals. 

Also on night one, a pair of Tigers competed in the 10,000m as first-year Jacob Nenow and senior Nicholas Bendtsen finished 19th (29:39.35) and 22nd (29:40.22), respectively. 

Asher Robbins took 21st in the hammer throw with a mark of 63.66m/208-10″. Joey Gant also finished in the top 30, clocking in at 46.65 in the 400. 

Up Next

Princeton will pick up competition again on Friday, May 30th in Jacksonville. Friday will include quarterfinals of tonight’s track events, the 5000m, the 4×400 relay, and additional field event