Sports
Water polo coach accused of retaliation after abuse probe
On April 8, Stanford announced to investigation participants that an external investigator had been hired to conduct an investigation into men’s water polo head coach Brian Flacks for alleged retaliation against his players following an initial investigation that closed in February, clearing Flacks of emotional abuse allegations.
Letters to the University sent between August and May by parents of players raised concerns about Flacks’ abusive behaviors, intimidation and retaliation. One letter considered by the University as a part of the first investigation, which was reviewed by The Daily, alleged that Flacks’ punishments included “public shaming and belittling, vicious and intense shouting, manipulative psychological mind games, and limiting playtime.”
Families and players now accuse Flacks of retaliation against the players who participated in the initial abuse investigation.
In a public statement made in April, Flacks’ attorney wrote, “He has been fully exonerated and this matter is appropriately closed. Any allegations of retaliation against players are as preposterous as they are false. It is unfortunate that such a false cloud should continue to hang over both the coach and Stanford as they both deserve better.”
Flacks — a UCLA water polo walk-on — served as head coach at Harvard Westlake High School’s Water Polo from 2011 until he was hired by Stanford in 2022. The Daily reached out to Flacks for comment but was told that he could not provide comment due to the ongoing investigation.
“When [my son] enrolled at Stanford and joined the Stanford water polo team, we entrusted both the University and the team with his physical and psychological well-being. We were profoundly disappointed,” a family formerly associated with the team wrote in a statement to The Daily. They chose to be anonymous for fear of retaliation against their family.
In April, two former and 13 current players wrote letters of support for Flacks following the launch of the second investigation. Water polo team captain CJ Indart ’25 wrote in a statement to The Daily that the letter “was written and signed without any involvement or pressure from the coaching staff. The individuals who signed said statement did so on their own volition.”
30 parents of players also wrote and signed a letter of support for Flacks, writing that “a supermajority of parents support Brian Flacks.”
Danielle Pittman, whose son Riley Pittman ’25 was the team’s 2024 senior captain, labeled Flacks’ treatment as a case of “tough love” and likened him to former Alabama football coach Nick Saban.
“I don’t think it’s accurate to say [Flacks is] unfair. I’m not gonna say that kids didn’t get upset because I think athletes in all programs across the nation and in other countries get upset too. I just think it’s the nature of the beast,” Pittman said.
The first investigation began in the fall following letters written to the University by parents of current and former players on the team. In one of the letters sent in September, which was reviewed by The Daily, parents alleged that “Flacks clearly does not believe in any ‘positive coaching’ and has said to the team he doesn’t believe in positive feedback. He does believe in practicing under constant and immense pressure, with only negative or critical feedback, and has demonstrated limited patience for any behaviors other than strict obedience to his authoritarian practices.”
In a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle, a University spokesperson said that Flacks received a letter at the conclusion of the investigation, which “did not substantiate the claims that were raised” in the initial investigation.
The second investigation into alleged retaliation against players for sparking the first investigation came amid a wave of athletic staff turnover across sports departments. Just two weeks after the close of the first investigation, former athletic director Bernard Muir resigned. One month later, former head football coach Troy Taylor was fired due to an investigation into his bullying of female athletic staffers.
Another participant in the investigation who chose to remain anonymous due to fear of retaliation raised questions about the independence of the investigators hired for both investigations. The initial abuse investigation was conducted by a law school friend of Stanford’s Deputy General Counsel. The ongoing investigation is being conducted a former attorney at Stanford’s Office of the General Counsel until 2024.
“It is difficult to think of an independent investigator that could be less independent than one who was a senior internal lawyer in Stanford’s Office of General Counsel until last year and worked for Stanford for five of the last 10 years,” the investigation participant said.
According to a parent letter written to the University, Flacks allegedly obtained confidential information from the first investigation’s reports, including information about which players took part in the first investigation. These players were promised confidentiality by the University.
The University and Flacks’ attorney denied this claim. In a statement to The Daily, the University wrote that they “did not provide a copy of the report” to Flacks.
In a letter to the University used in the first investigation, parents also accused Flacks instructing the players to take the 2023 Anonymous Annual Survey, where athletes provide feedback on their athletic experience, in the presence of the coach. The letter further alleged that players were warned not to give negative feedback and were told to conduct the survey with Flacks in the room.
A source close to Flacks who chose to remain anonymous due to the ongoing investigation called the claim “absolutely false.”
“In at least one [call with a parent], Coach Flacks represented that the Athletic Director told him his job was secure as long as the student-athletes were happy [sic]. To assure the parents that the student-athletes were happy, Coach Flacks further represented that the most recent Annual Survey of feedback from the student-athletes was the best one in 22 years,” a parent of a player wrote in a letter to the University.
In an email to a parent reviewed by The Daily, Stanford’s assistant vice president for employee and labor relations Phung Truong wrote that she did not believe the survey would be conducted in 2024.
At least one player removed himself from the team due to the alleged hostile environment created by Flacks, according to March 30 letters to University administration and athletic directors that have been reviewed by The Daily. The University denied comment on this matter, citing the ongoing investigation.
“How many more need to be driven out, silenced, or retaliated against before Stanford takes action? These high achieving student-athletes deserve better. It’s time to acknowledge the hiring mistake — no one gets it right 100% of the time. It’s time for real accountability and leadership that reflects the values of Stanford: integrity, experience, and respect. These student-athletes deserve a coach who meets the highest standard — not one who undermines their well-being,” one of the investigation participants wrote in an email to The Daily.
Players and their families are still participating in interviews for the ongoing investigation.
This article has been updated to reflect that in addition to the student letters of support, 30 parents of players also signed a letter of support for Flacks.
This article has been updated to better reflect the content and the dates of the letters sent by parents to the University, as well as the timeline of the University’s second investigation. It has also been updated to include the timing of the Anonymous Annual Survey and to better reflect the information allegedly distributed regarding the initial investigation.
STANFORD, Calif. – In its season opener, No. 9 Stanford fell in straight sets to No. 12 Lewis, 30-28, 25-21, 25-22, Saturday, in Burnham Pavilion.
Stanford (0-1) hit .231 as a team, while Lewis (2-0) posted a .355 clip. The Flyers registered 11.0 blocks to just 2.5 by the Cardinal. Both teams tallied three service aces.
Senior opposite Moses Wagner led the team with 12 kills, six digs, an ace and a block. Outside hitter Alex Rottman, who redshirted last season, added seven kills on .417 hitting.
Senior Theoren Brouillette started the match at setter, totaling 21 assists and a team-best seven digs in two sets played. Sophomore Ryan Gant set in the third, finishing with 12 assists and two digs.
In total, 15 of 19 Cardinal players appeared in the match, including true freshmen Luke Morrison and Erik Ask. Morrison came off the bench as a serving sub in all three sets, while Ask started the third at outside hitter and totaled three kills and a dig.
Senior Theo Snoey notched five kills, four digs, two assists and two aces, while junior Nate Clinton chipped in with three kills, five digs and a block. Both Snoey and Clinton stated at outside hitter.
Junior Gray Mandelbaum and sophomore Kaumana Carreira were the starting middle blockers for the Cardinal. Mandelbaum registered four kills on six swings with just one miscue. Carreira finished with a kill, a dig and two blocks.
Sophomore Kai Schmitt started at libero, collecting two digs in two sets. Sophomore Evan Porter replaced Schmitt in the third and had six digs.
Up next, Stanford travels to Phoenix for the First Point Collegiate Challenge, Jan. 17-18. The Cardinal will face No. 7 Loyola Chicago and No. 16 Ball State at the Phoenix Convention Center.
O’Sullivan owned the previous record which he set in 2025 at the Armory. His new school record cleared the bar at 18′ 2.5 (5.5m) and was an Ott Center record as well.
“Great start to the year,” said Bobby Farrell, director of track & field and cross country. “We were able to come out of the gate strong and get some NCAA top ranked performances. The field events were outstanding today. We’re looking forward to next week when we open up the majority of the track events.”
A dominant showing in the field events helped spark one of the program’s best season-opening performances. The Scarlet Knights posted six first-place finishes and a number of marks near the top of the NCAA rankings.
Rutgers took the top spot in the triple, long and high jump events. Malachi Yehudah was first in the high jump, clearing 2.11m (6′ 11″), while Sincere Robinson won the long jump. The Big Ten Champion and NCAA qualifier posted a mark of 7.77m (25′ 6″) in his first action in nearly a year after returning from injury. Donavan Anderson finished first in the triple jump with a leap of 15.89m (52′ 1.75″).
The Scarlet Knights also took second place in three field events on the men’s side. Anthony Conrey finished runner up to Robinson in the long jump with a leap of 7.03m (23′ 0.75″), while Daniel Arana followed Anderson in the triple jump with a distance of 15.33m (50′ 3.50″). Brian O’Sullivan was second in the pole vault, clearing a height of 5.45m (17′ 10.5″).
Andrew Krall finished first in the weight throw, earning a mark of 19.43m (63′ 9″) and Celine-Jada Brown turned in the first-place effort on the women’s side. Also coming back from a yearlong hiatus, Brown returned to her Big Ten Champion and NCAA qualifier form as she took first in the long jump with a distance of 6.45m (21′ 2″). The distance from Brown set the Ott Center record for the event.
Also supporting the effort on the women’s side was Jenovia Logan, who took second in the high jump with a height of 1.78m (5′ 10″), followed by Alanna Woolfolk in third, clearing 1.72m (5′ 7.75″). Tey’ana Ames finished second in the shot put with a throw of 15.45m (50′ 8.25″), while Llyric Driscoll and Ayotunde Folawewo went 3-4 in the triple jump. Driscoll jumped 12.34m (40′ 6″), followed by Folawewo with a distance of 12.33m (40′ 5.50″).
Anna Barber finished third in the weight throw, recording a distance of 16.70m (54′ 9.5″).
Rutgers will make a return trip to the Ott Center next week for the Quaker Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 17.
Penn Select
Men’s Results
Pole Vault
1. Kevin O’Sullivan 5.55m (18′ 2.5″) – SCHOOL RECORD
2. Brian O’Sullivan 5.45m (17′ 10.5″)
High Jump
1. Malachi Yehudah 2.11m (6′ 11″)
Long Jump
1. Sincere Robinson 7.77m (25′ 6″)
2. Anthony Conrey 7.03m (23′ 0.75″)
Triple Jump
1. Donavan Anderson 15.89m (52′ 1.75″)
2. Daniel Arana 15.33m (50′ 3.50″)
Weight Throw
1. Andrew Krall 19.43m (63′ 9″)
400M
2. Gabriel Rodriguez 48.83
Women’s Results
High Jump
2. Jenovia Logan 1.78m (5′ 10″)
3. Alanna Woolfolk 1.72m (5′ 7.75″)
Long Jump
1. Celine-Jada Brown 6.45m (21′ 2″)
Shot Put
2. Tey’ana Ames 15.45m (50′ 8.25″)
Triple Jump
3. Llyric Driscoll 12.34m (40′ 6″)
4. Ayotunde Folawewo 12.33m (40′ 5.50″)
Weight Throw
3. Anna Barber 16.70m (54′ 9.5″)
Sports
Isaiah Cadengo Posts Pair of Top 10 Marks as Vikings Close Season-Opening Silver & Blue Invitational
RENO, Nev. — Isaiah Cadengo sat and watched as two of his teammates set top 10 marks on the first day of the Silver & Blue Invitational Friday. Saturday, Cadengo ran like a man eager to put his own name in the record books as the freshman sprinter posted a pair of top 10 marks to lead the Vikings on the second day of the meet at Reno Sparks Convention Center.
Cadengo opened the day in the men’s 400 meters where he placed second overall in 48.56 seconds. The time set a freshman record and moved him up to No. 2 overall in the indoor 400 meters at Portland State, all in his first-ever race as a Viking. Freshman Zach Payne followed at fourth in 49.80 seconds, moving him up to fifth in the freshman top 10.
Cadengo wasn’t done, however. He returned to the track for the 200 meters later in the day, and finished fifth in the event in 21.91 seconds. The time moved him up to second in the freshman rankings and fourth overall at Portland State.
Fellow freshman Jack Macdonald – one of the two stars for the Vikings Friday alongside Emma Stolte – nearly bettered Cadengo in the 200. Running in a later heat, Macdonald finished in 21.95 seconds, putting him third in the freshman rankings and fifth overall. Macdonald may have been able to push for a faster time but won his heat by more than half a second.
It was the second top 10 mark of the weekend for Macdonald. He got his first with a time of 6.93 seconds in the 60 meters Friday, moving him up to second in the freshman rankings and sixth overall.
Payne, meanwhile, followed his classmates with a time of 22.38 seconds in the 200 meters, earning him a second freshman top 10 of the day. Payne now ranks sixth in the 200 in the freshman record book.
Stolte, like Macdonald, followed a top 10 mark Friday with another Saturday. Fifth all-time in the mile after Friday, Stolte moved up to second all-time in the 800 meters with her finish in 2:11.99.
Stolte came within 0.34 seconds of the school record that Katie Camarena set at 2:11.65 in 2022. Camarena set seven school records that season, none of which have fallen since. Stolte came as close as anyone has to bettering one of Camarena’s records Saturday, however.
The Vikings also got a pair of event wins out of their field athletes Saturday. One didn’t come with much suspense as Edward Niyongere was the only athlete in the men’s triple jump after another athlete scratched. Even still, Niyongere jumped 46-07.50 (14.21m) on his second attempt, a mark that would have put him in the top 10 if he wasn’t already ranked sixth all-time.
Freshman Natalie Fisher, meanwhile, had a more dramatic win in the women’s shot put. She passed Nevada’s Johanna Haas on her final attempt with a personal-best throw of 40-00.00 (12.19m). Fisher, who improved on all six attempts during the competition, added close to 15 inches to her overall best in the shot put with the winning mark.
The winning throw also moved Fisher up to third in the freshman rankings in the shot put. She entered the freshman top 10 in the weight throw Friday, moving up to eighth with a throw of 38-04.00 (11.68m).
A number of other Vikings competing Saturday showed improvement over their season openers a year ago. That group included all four Vikings competing in the women’s 200 meters. Tori Forst and Sienna Rosario led that group at third and fourth overall, respectively, while finishing in 25.36 and 25.66 seconds. Forst’s time was better than her first two 200-meter times last season. Rosario’s, meanwhile, was close to two seconds faster than their season opener a year ago.
Savannah Beasley placed 14th in the women’s 200 meters in 26.76 seconds, setting a personal best by 1.7 seconds. Ashley Peterson placed 16th in 26.90 seconds, eleven-hundredths of a second faster than her season opener in 2025.
Dillon Brost did the same thing on the men’s side of the 200 meters. The sophomore placed 17th overall in 22.98 seconds, not a personal best but two and a half seconds better than his season opener as a freshman.
Aidan Sweeney set an overall personal best with his 200-meter finish in 23.71 seconds.
Freshman Farhan Ibrahim shaved close to eight seconds off his indoor best in the 3k while finishing second in the event in 8:56.79. Luke Gillingham followed at fourth in 9:03.13, shaving 13 seconds off his best in the 3k.
The Vikings will be back in action next week when they head to Seattle, Wash., for the UW Preview next Friday and Saturday.
Silver & Blue Invitational
Reno Sparks Convention Center
Reno, Nev.
Jan. 9-10, 2026
Women’s Results:
60m (Prelims): 3. Tori Forst, 7.74; 7. Sienna Rosario, 7.94; 11. Aida Wheat, 8.14. 60m (Final): 2. Tori Forst, 7.67; 7. Sienna Rosario, 7.92. 200m: 3. Tori Forst, 25.36; 4. Sienna Rosario, 25.66; 14. Savannah Beasley, 26.76; 16. Ashley Peterson, 26.90. 400m: 4. Ashley Peterson, 1:00.85. 600m: 6. Hannah Butterfield, DQ. 800m: 2. Emma Stolte, 2:11.99. 1,000m: 1. Hannah Butterfield, 3:07.26. Mile: 1. Emma Stolte, 4:54.25; 9. Sam Sharp, 5:33.24; 11. Libby Fox, 5:45.67. 3,000m: 7. Sam Sharp, 10:59.76; 10. Libby Fox, 11:26.42. 60H (Prelims): 15. Savannah Beasley, 9.66. Shot Put: 1. Natalie Fisher, 40-00.00 (12.19m). Weight Throw: 3. Natalie Fisher, 38-04.00 (11.68m).
Men’s Results:
60m (Prelims): 4. Jack Macdonald, 6.99; 16. Dillon Brost, 7.25. 60m (Final): 4. Jack Macdonald, 6.93. 200m: 5. Isaiah Cadengo, 21.91; 7. Jack Macdonald, 21.95; 9. Zach Payne, 22.38; 17. Dillon Brost, 22.98; 21. Aidan Sweeney, 23.71; Preston Jones, DNF. 400m: 2. Isaiah Cadengo, 48.56; 4. Zach Payne, 49.80; 5. Preston Jones, 51.36. 1,000m: 1. Amir Ahmed, 2:41.49. Mile: 5. Luke Gillingham, 4:29.48; 6. Farhan Ibrahim, 4:31.46. 3,000m: 2. Farhan Ibrahim, 8:56.79; 4. Luke Gillingham, 9:03.13. 60H (Prelims): 4. Aidan Sweeney, 8.66; 5. Deghlan Johnson, 8.68. 60H (Final): 4. Deghlan Johnson, 8.60; 5. Aidan Sweeney, 8.68. Triple Jump: 1. Edward Niyongere, 46-07.50 (14.21m). Weight Throw: 1. Daniel Coppedge, 50-10.75 (15.51m); 3. Carter Green, 36-05.75 (11.12m).
Jan. 11, 2026, 5:01 a.m. ET
The Providence Journal is proud to announce the 2025 All-State Girls Volleyball first and second teams. The Journal Sports staff, with some help from the coaches associations, determines the first- and second-team members.
2025 Providence Journal All-State Girls Volleyball Team
First Team
Lyla Auth, Westerly
Senior, Outside hitter
Auth steered Westerly to its second girls volleyball championship as the best player in Division II. The Manhattan University commit finished with 268 kills and a 49.8 kill percentage this fall. The Bulldogs finished the year undefeated and Auth’s near-perfect play on the outside was the biggest reason.
Sports
Virat Kohli Creates History at 38, Smashes Three World Records in First ODI Against New Zealand
With this feat, Kohli surpassed the record of legendary Sachin Tendulkar by becoming the fastest player to reach 28,000 international runs, achieving the landmark in just 624 innings. In comparison, Sachin Tendulkar took 644 innings, while Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara reached the mark in 666 innings.
Kohli reached the milestone with a boundary, needing just 25 runs before the match to complete 28,000 international runs. Earlier, only Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara had entered this elite club.
The New Zealand ODI also saw Kohli become the second-highest run-scorer in international cricket history. By scoring 42 runs in the match, he overtook Kumar Sangakkara, who has 28,016 international runs to his name. Sachin Tendulkar remains at the top of the list.
In Test cricket, Virat Kohli has scored 9,230 runs in 123 matches, while in T20 Internationals he has amassed 4,188 runs across 125 matches. Before the New Zealand series, Kohli had played 556 international matches, scoring 27,975 runs in 623 innings at an impressive average of 52.58, including 84 centuries and 145 half-centuries.
Adding to his rich vein of form, Kohli has registered two centuries and three half-centuries in his last five matches, underlining his consistency and match-winning ability.
Virat Kohli’s latest achievement not only reinforces his place among the greatest cricketers of all time but also highlights his unmatched longevity and hunger for excellence on the international stage.
Rasheed, also known as Casper, is a sports photographer who interned for The562 throughout his senior year of high school and is currently attending CSULB while continuing to freelance. To access his work, you can check his Instagram and site below:
Instagram: @visuals.casper
https://casper-visuals.com/
Transfer portal tracker: Former Auburn WR Cam Coleman commits to Texas; QB Dylan Raiola set to visit Oregon
NASCAR Hall of Fame Reveals 18 New Iconic Cars in “Glory Road: Owners” Exhibit
Former 5-star QB sparks transfer portal battle between two college football programs
Whitefish Winter Carnival reveals Prime, Duchess
Cardinal Drops Season Opener – Stanford Cardinal
The unsung winner, loser of the 2025-26 college football season
Youth Hockey Game Erupts Into Wild Brawl During AHL Intermission: WATCH
Youth art contest invites Cullman Housing Authority residents to share ‘What Home Means to Me’
College football transfer portal: Power Four teams with most 2026 departures
“I Hope It Does Happen”: Top JGR Official Floats Unprecedented NASCAR Playoff Scenario
Calling All Young Artists: Show Your Work At Youth Art Month 2026
Joel Klatt describes Kyle Whittingham hire at Michigan as a ‘tremendous fit’
Transgender teen athlete in a Supreme Court fight knows the upcoming sports season could be her last | State
O’Sullivan Sets School Record at Penn Select
Pennsylvania hockey org says it’s probing youth fight
Stempien to seek opening for Branch County Circuit Court Judge | WTVB | 1590 AM · 95.5 FM
#11 Volleyball Practices, Then Meets Media Prior to #2 Kentucky Match
Maine wraps up Fall Semester with a win in Black Bear Invitational
Ross Brawn to receive Autosport Gold Medal Award at 2026 Autosport Awards, Honouring a Lifetime Shaping Modern F1
Princeton Area Community Foundation awards more than $1.3 million to 40 local nonprofits ⋆ Princeton, NJ local news %
Nascar legal saga ends as 23XI, Front Row secure settlement
Downtown Athletic Club of Hawaiʻi gives $300K to Boost the ’Bows NIL fund
Sunoco to sponsor No. 8 Ganassi Honda IndyCar in multi-year deal
WNBA’s Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers in NC, making debut for national team at USA camp at Duke
Badgers news: Wisconsin lands 2nd commitment from transfer portal
Nike Signs 10 LSU Athletes to NIL deals
Three Clarkson Volleyball Players Named to CSC Academic All-District List
Five Youth Sports Trends We’re Watching in 2026
Beach Volleyball Unveils 2026 Spring Schedule – University of South Carolina Athletics
Kentucky AD explains NIL, JMI partnership and cap rules
-
Sports3 weeks agoBadgers news: Wisconsin lands 2nd commitment from transfer portal
-
Rec Sports1 week agoFive Youth Sports Trends We’re Watching in 2026
-
Sports2 weeks agoKentucky VB adds an All-American honorable mention, loses Brooke Bultema to portal
-
Motorsports3 weeks agoDr. Patrick Staropoli Lands Full-Time O’Reilly Ride with Big Machine Racing
-
Motorsports2 weeks agoBangShift.com IHRA Acquires Historic Memphis Motorsports Park In Millington Tennessee. Big Race Weekend’s Planned For 2026!
-
NIL2 weeks ago
Fifty years after IU’s undefeated champs … a Rose Bowl
-
Sports2 weeks ago2025 Volleyball Player of the Year: Witherow makes big impact on Central program | Nvdaily
-
Sports2 weeks agoColorado volleyball poised to repeat success
-
Sports3 weeks agoTexas A&M volleyball’s sweep of Kentucky attracts record viewership
-
Sports2 weeks agoH.S. INDOOR TRACK & FIELD: GLOW region athletes face off at Nazareth University | Sports