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Westhill lacrosse hazing called a 'mistake made by good people'

The evening of April 24th seemed like a typical night off for a group of high school lacrosse teammates in Central New York. With no game of their own, several members of the Westhill High lacrosse team took in another local contest, at a rival school, with plans to cap off their evening with a […]

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Westhill lacrosse hazing called a 'mistake made by good people'

The evening of April 24th seemed like a typical night off for a group of high school lacrosse teammates in Central New York. With no game of their own, several members of the Westhill High lacrosse team took in another local contest, at a rival school, with plans to cap off their evening with a stop at a local fast food restaurant.

The events which took place on the trip from the game to the restaurant, however, were anything but typical.

They also do not reflect the typical behavior of those allegedly involved in the hazing act, according to a former teammate who gave an exclusive interview to ABC News this week on Good Morning America.

Gage Talucci, a Westhill student in the junior class, who left the team a few weeks prior to the hazing incident said, “I think this was a mistake that was made by good people that I had known for many years,” during the interview.

The details of a hazing incident, which has brought international attention to this Syracuse high school community, continue to emerge. It has been described as everything from a criminal act of kidnapping to poor judgement by a group of high school kids looking to prank some of their teammates.

As described by Onodaga County District Attorney William J. Fitzpatrick, the event was “hazing on steroids.”

As many as 11 teens were involved in the plan to prank the younger lacrosse players. According to multiple reports, the victims were in a vehicle that pulled over during the drive from the lacrosse game to a McDonald’s restaurant. The driver of the car claimed to be lost.

While the car was stopped, a large group of teens emerged from a wooded area, dressed in black, pretending to be kidnappers, according to Fitzpatrick. A number of the potential victims fled from the scene, but the perpetrators, which reportedly had at least one knife and a handgun, grabbed one of the players, threw a pillowcase over his head, tied him up and threw him in the trunk of a car. He was transported to another wooded area where he was released. Shortly thereafter, several of those involved returned to the area, picked up the victim and took him home. The entire incident was also captured on video.

The next morning, the victim’s family reported the incident to Westhill officials, as video of events began to circulate among members of the student body. According to a report by CNN, a school resource officer then reported the incident to the Onondaga County Sherrif’s office, leading to an investigation by the school district and the district attorney’s office.

Talucci told Good Morning America that he left the team to focus on school and his personal life, but said he has known many of the 11 students facing charges, the large majority of which are members of the Westhill lacrosse team, since middle school and describes them as “good people that made bad decisions.”

He went on to tell ABC, “I’ve known these boys for so long, this is not something I would have expected from any of them and anybody at Westhill for that matter. This whole story does not reflect every one of the athletes or students or anybody related to Westhill at all.”

Westhill lacrosse coach Aaron Cahill, who is in his first year with the team, claimed to have had no prior knowledge of the hazing plans during a lengthy statement on the matter on social media. He echoed Tallucci by saying the incident does not reflect the culture of the program which he said is “built on inclusion, kindness, and accountability.”

Shortly after news of the incident broke, Westhill School Superintendent Steve Dunham informed the school and its lacrosse families that he was cancelling the remainder of its season.

“Some may argue that all student-athletes should not be punished for the actions of a few. While I understand the perspective, we must address the culture of the program, and the most appropriate way to do that is with a reset,” Dunham said in an email announcing his decision.

Talucci termed this decision “unfair” and expressed concerned for those members of the team who were not involved.

“My worry about this whole thing is that it’s going to change the stigma that’s already been happening with lacrosse, that these boys are seen as degenerates and the whole community is just not good.”

Talucci’s mother, Rosemary, who was also part of the GMA interview, supported her son’s position.

“The boys who did this are good kids,” said Rosemary Talucci. “They do come from good families. They just made a huge mistake and I think a lot of schools can learn from that.”

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New Terre Haute logo highlights city's history and sports

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) — Dozens of officials and residents gathered outside Terre Haute City Hall on Thursday morning to witness the unveiling of the city’s new logo and brand. The design, crafted with Terre Haute’s architectural and cultural history in mind, marks a significant step in updating the city’s visual identity. Mayor Brandon Sakbun […]

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New Terre Haute logo highlights city's history and sports

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) — Dozens of officials and residents gathered outside Terre Haute City Hall on Thursday morning to witness the unveiling of the city’s new logo and brand. The design, crafted with Terre Haute’s architectural and cultural history in mind, marks a significant step in updating the city’s visual identity.

Mayor Brandon Sakbun emphasized the importance of differentiating the new logo from the city seal, which will continue to be used for formal and legal purposes. The logo will be featured on communications, signage, and public-facing materials, such as street signs and city cars.



“This is just the beginning of this process,” Sakbun said. “Of course, we are going to update the street signs and some of the cars. But the main project is that we are updating the website. So digital marketing and our digital presence is something that a lot of Hoosiers and people from Illinois and Kentucky see when they visit Terre Haute. So we wanted to offer that fresh start.”

The new logo incorporates blues and yellows, consistent with the Terre Haute flag and other city initiatives. It prominently features the steeple of the Vigo County Courthouse, a landmark of the city, and includes a basketball silhouette to highlight the impact of sports in Terre Haute. The logo’s tagline, “Meet us at the crossroads,” represents the city’s historic highway intersections.

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Five northeastern South Dakota athletes win events on opening day of state track meet

SIOUX FALLS — Northeastern South Dakota athletes won five events on the opening day of the 2025 South Dakota State High School Track and Field Championships. Competition in the three-class, three-day meet opened on Thursday, May 29 and continues through Saturday, May 31. Area event winners included: Taryn Hermansen, Aberdeen Central — Class AA girls’ […]

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Five northeastern South Dakota athletes win events on opening day of state track meet


SIOUX FALLS — Northeastern South Dakota athletes won five events on the opening day of the 2025 South Dakota State High School Track and Field Championships.

Competition in the three-class, three-day meet opened on Thursday, May 29 and continues through Saturday, May 31.

Area event winners included:

  • Taryn Hermansen, Aberdeen Central — Class AA girls’ shot put (45 feet, 6.5 inches).
  • Jalyssa Hutson, Ipswich — Class B girls’ pole vault (11 feet).
  • Dustin Wurtz, Leola — Class B boys’ discus (163-11).
  • Deubrook Area — Class B girls’ 3,200-meter relay (9:47.61). Runners included Makenna Ekern, Neely Gustad, Nora Olsen and Kylee Johnson.
  • Sioux Valley — Class A boys’ 3,200 relay (8:02:49). Runners included Brock Christopherson, Carson Wosje, Mitchell Guthmiller and Brady Hiltunen.
Dane Stark of Watertown and Wyatt Balliew of Douglas run in the Class AA boys' 3,200-meter relay during the opening day of the South Dakota High School Track and Field Championships on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls.

Other area place winners, by division, included:

Class AA Girls

Malia Kranz of Watertown placed third in the shot put (40-4) and Jaidyn Forsyth of Aberdeen Central added a fifth-place finish in the pole vault (11-0).

Class AA Boys

There were area place winners in Class AA boys’ events on Thursday.

Aberdeen Central's Kylee Ewing and Watertown's Jeryn Fieber compete in the Class AA girls' medley relay during the opening day of the South Dakota High School Track and Field Championships on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls.

Class A Girls

Emma Gorvin of Sioux Valley placed fifth (5-1) and Sarah Zubke of Webster Area tied for seventh (4-11) in the high jump.

Groton Area placed fourth in the 3,200-meter relay (9:48.65) with runnres Ryelle Gilbert, Faith and Taryn Traphagen and Kella Tracy.

Clark-Willow Lake took fifth (4:15.01) and Groton Area eighth (4:17.12) in the medley relay. Clark-Willow Lake runners included Madison Brenden, Johanna Vandersnick, Cadence Bochek and Kamryn Nesheim. MaKenna Krause, Taryn Traphagen, Laila Roberts and Kella Tracy ran for Groton Area.

Class A Boys

Lucas Johnson of Great Plains Lutheran placed fourth (6-4) in the high jump. Taiton Boersma of Elkton-Lake Benton (51-11.75) took third and Michael Severson of Clark-Willow Lake (48-10.75) seventh in shot put. Samuel Rick of Milbank (second, 14-0), Gabe Sather of Deuel (third, 13-3), Eliot Erickson of Elkton-Lake Benton (fifth, 12-3) and Jeron McCreay of Webster Area (eighth, 12-3) each placed in the pole vault.

Groton Area took fourth (3:38.49) in the medley relay with Brevin Fliehs, Lincoln Krause, Keegen Tracy and Blake Pauli. Milbank was fifth (3:38.9) with runners Garrett Weber, Harley Zemlicka, Emmett Hanson and Bryan Meyer and Sioux Valley eighth (3:40.84) with runners Jakob Guthmiller, Donovan Rose, Christopherson and Hiltunen.

Great Plains Lutheran's Hayden Karli (2751) leads Karson Keiser of Winnter, Cole Dewald of Hanson and Brant Wassenaar of Sioux Falls Christian in the final leg of the Class A boys' medley relay during the opening day of the South Dakota High School Track and Field Championships on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls. GPL finished ninth.

Class B Girls

Other area place winners in the pole vault included Marley Guthmiller of Ipswich (second, 10-0), Courtney Leidholt of Warner (third, 10-0), Peyton Schnabel of North Central (tied for fourth, 9-3), Avery bruns of Warner (sixth, 9-3) and Carleigh Dosch of North Central (seventh, 8-9). Chloe Raw of Arlington took second (18-0) and Kaydee Mackner of Warner seventh (16-5) in the long jump. Hadlee Holt of Iroquois-Lake Preston (second, 140-1), Audi Currier of De Smet (fourth, 118-10) and Tristan Geditz of Ipswich (eighth, 112-6) each placed in the discus.

Warner was fourth (10:09.35), Potter County fifth (10:13.21), Ipswich (10:15.82) and Faulkton Area eighth (10:16.35) in the 3,200 relay. Haivyn Schuchardt, Katelyn Wirth, Reese Holm and Addison Heinrich ran for Warner; Dannika Kaup, Paige and Jadyn Ahlemeier and Emma Schlachter for Potter County; Madisyn Gellhaus, Gracyn Kadlec, Jennay Gisi and Isabella Henderson for Ipswich; and Reese Hadrick, Rhyann Roseland, Claire Cotton and Austina Sorensen for Faulkton Area.

Northwestern finished sixth (4:24.9), Deubrook Area seventh (4:27.44) and Herreid-Selby Area eighth (4:27.87) in the medley. Rachel Melius, Brenna Halverson, Elexis Kramp and Ella Boekelheide ran for Northwestern; Kyra Bowne, Matti Ramlo, Johnson and Olsen for Deubrook Area; and Stephanie Allbee, Brooklyn Helm, Breanna Jochim and Katie Allbee for HSA.

Florence-Henry runners Addison (2267) and Ana Byer and Aberdeen Roncalli runners Hazel Kannegieter (2051) and Mataya Henrich are pictured in the Class A girls' medley relay during the opening day of the South Dakota High School Track and Field Championships on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls.

Class B Boys

Landon Larson of Potter County placed third in the long jump (21-3.75) and Sam Leen of Deubrook Area seventh in the discus (136-3).

Frederick Area placed third in thre 3,200 relay (8:35.14) with runners Noah Kippley, Howard Sumption, Titus Kippley and Gavin Nickelson. Sunshine Bible Academy took fifth (8:37.17) with runners Owan Watson, Jensen Wipf, Toby Mickelson and Jimmy Burma. Deubrook Area followed in sixth (8:37.31) with runners Charlie Olsen, Josh Mitchell, Brody Gladis and Josh Moberg.

Wilmot’s boys recorded a second-place finish in the medley relay (3:38.75) with runners Keitrick Genia, Jaxen Dockter, Kolby Haubris and Ethan Schwenn.

Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sports or email: rmerriam@thepublicopinion.com

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Coastal Bend baseball State Semifinal fifth round playoff highlights and scores 2025

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coastal Bend started the 2025 UIL high school baseball playoffs with 29 teams, and 3 have advanced to the State Semifinal fifth round. UIL 4A-DICalallen vs. China SpringGame 1: Friday at 2 p.m. at Baylor UniversityGame 2: Saturday at 4 p.m. at Northside ISD Field #2 in SAGame 3 (If […]

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Coastal Bend baseball State Semifinal fifth round playoff highlights and scores 2025

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coastal Bend started the 2025 UIL high school baseball playoffs with 29 teams, and 3 have advanced to the State Semifinal fifth round.

UIL 4A-DI
Calallen vs. China Spring
Game 1: Friday at 2 p.m. at Baylor University
Game 2: Saturday at 4 p.m. at Northside ISD Field #2 in SA
Game 3 (If needed): 30 minutes after game 2

UIL 3A-DI
London vs. Huntington
1 Game Only: London 6, Huntington 3 (HIGHLIGHTS)

London battles back in State Semifinal, advancing to first UIL 3A-DI State Championship since 2022

UIL 3A-DII
Orange Grove vs. Thrall (All games at North East Sports Park in SA)
Game 1: Orange Grove 1, Thrall 4
Game 2: Orange Grove 7, Thrall 1
Game 3 (If needed): Saturday at 3 p.m.

Coastal Bend Baseball State Tournament History
Calallen – 2024 (State Runner-Up), 2011 (State Runner-Up), 2010 (State Runner-up), 2008 (State Champion), 2005 (State Champion), 2003 (State Semifinals), 2002 (State Runner-Up), 2000 (State Champion), 1998 (State Runner-Up), 1996 (State Semifinals), 1995 (State Semifinals), 1993 (State Semifinals)
Sinton – 2023 (State Semifinals), 2022 (State Champion), 2021 (State Semifinals), 2017 (State Semifinals), 2014 (State Semifinals), 2007 (State Semifinals), 2003 (State Runner-up), 2002 (State Champion), 1999 (State Semifinals), 1989 (State Champion), 1988 (State Champion), 1975 (State Runner-up)
London – 2024 (State Semifinals), 2023 (State Semifinals), 2022 (State Champion), 2021 (State Runner-Up)
Incarnate Word Academy – 2019 (State Runner-Up), 2003 (State Semifinals), 2001 (State Semifinals), 2000 (State Semifinals), 1999 (State Semifinals), 1998 (State Runner-Up)
Veterans Memorial – 2018 (State Semifinals)
Moody – 2017 (State Semifinals), 2013 (State Runner-Up), 2009 (State Runner-Up), 2007 (State Champion), 2006 (State Semifinals), 2004 (State Champion), 2003 (State Semifinals), 2000 (State Runner-Up), 1997 (State Semifinals), 1995 (State Semifinals), 1994 (State Runner-Up) 1983 (State Runner-Up), 1978 (State Semifinals)
Banquete – 2016 (State Semifinals)
Bishop – 2015 (State Runner-Up)
Carroll – 2012 (State Semifinals), 2011 (State Semifinals), 2010 (State Champion), 1993 (State Semifinals), 1989 (State Runner-Up), 1972 (State Semifinals), 1962 (State Semifinals)
St. John Paul II – 2012 (TAPPS State Semifinals), 2011 (TAPPS State Champion), 2010 (TAPPS State Champion)
Robstown – 2011 (State Semifinals), 1992 (State Champion), 1991 (State Champion), 1990 (State Runner-Up), 1988 (State Semifinals), 1987 (State Semifinals)
Falfurrias – 2006 (State Runner-Up), 1993 (State Runner-Up), 1991 (State Champion)
Santa Gertrudis Academy – 1999 (State Runner-Up)
Freer – 1990 (State Champion)
Orange Grove – 1994 (State Champion)
Three Rivers – 1987 (State Semifinals)
Riviera Kaufer – 1986 (State Champion), 1985 (State Champion), 1982 (State Semifinals), 1979 (State Champion)
Odem – 1984 (State Champion)
Alice – 1970 (State Semifinals)
King – 1967 (State Champion)
Solomon Coles – 1965 (PVIL State Champion)
Corpus Christi Academy – 1957 (TCIL State Champion)
Miller – 1951

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COMMUNITY NOTES

PRESS RELEASE: VALE SCHOOL DISTRICT The Vale High School Track and Field team expects victory. Case in point: The Viking track and field team will send over 20 athletes – including a host of district champions – to the 2025 OSAA 3A Track and Field State Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene on May 29 […]

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COMMUNITY NOTES

PRESS RELEASE: VALE SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Vale High School Track and Field team expects victory.

Case in point: The Viking track and field team will send over 20 athletes – including a host of district champions – to the 2025 OSAA 3A Track and Field State Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene on May 29 and 30.

The Viking tracksters will make the journey to Eugene after a virtuoso performance at the district meet in Milton-Freewater last week.

“We did well (at district). We expected to do exactly what we did and we knew what our potential was,” said Paul Bentz, Vale High School Track coach.

The Vale girls track team – for the second year in a row – clinched the team title at the district meet while the boys team finished second. Burns claimed top honors in boys team standings at district.

Bentz said the performance of his team was impressive, especially because of the unique attributes of track competition.

“It is a very mentally tough sport. Especially district because you have to do it that day (of district) or it doesn’t matter,” he said.

The Vikings will send 10 girls and 11 boys to the state meet.

On the girls’ side, juniors Peyton Bates, Karlee Crane, Elli Jacobs, Claire Johnson, Addie Saunders and Kesley Stepleton qualified for the state meet. Seniors Brynlee Hartley and Bella Johnson along with sophomore Kaylynn Brandon and freshman Anna Jacobs also qualified for state competition. Hartley won top honors at district in the pole vault event and will compete in that event at state. Johnson clinched the district title in the 300 hurdles and 100 hurdles events.

Bates claimed the district title in the javelin event and will compete in that category at state. Brandon will be part of the Lady Viks’ 4×100 and 4×400 relay teams and will compete in triple jump at state. Brandon claimed the district crown in the triple jump event.

Crane will compete in high jump event. Anna Jacobs will compete as part of Vale’s 4×400 relay team at state while Elli Jacobs will participate in the 4×400, 4×100 relay team events and run in the 400- and 200-meter races.

Claire Johnson will go to Eugene to race as part of the 4×100 relay team and compete in the 100- and 200-meter races. Bentz said Claire Johnson broke her own school record and the district record at Milton-Freewater in the 100-meter race. Johnson captured district titles in the 100- and 200-meter races.

Saunders is set to participate in the 3,000 and 1,500 races while Stepleton will journey to Eugene as an alternate. Saunders was the district champion in the 1,500- and 3,000-meter races.

For the boys, junior Trent Braese will travel to the west side of Oregon as an alternate while senior Skyler Cade will compete as part of the Vikings 4×400 relay team. Rye Cummings, sophomore, will also go to Eugene as an alternate.

Senior Jake DeVos will compete as a member of the 4×100 relay team, run in the 100-meter dash and do the shot put at state. DeVos claimed the district title in the shot put and 100-meter race events. Sophomore Duncan Fritz will run in the 3,000- and 800-meter races at state. Senior Brady Jacobs will compete at state as part of the Vikings 4×400 relay team while freshman Bannock Lamb will participate in the 4×400 and the 4×100 meter relay races. Junior Brody McElroy will travel to state as an alternate in the 4×400 relay team while sophomore Collin Mulvany will run with the Vale 4×400 and 4×100 relay teams.

Senior Kase Schaffeld is set to throw the shot put at state, run in the 100-meter race and compete as part of the 4×100 relay team and compete in the discus event. Schaffeld claimed the district title in the discus event.

Freshman Brandon Stewart will compete in the pole vault event at state.

Bentz said a winning attitude honed in the crucible of tough competition paid big dividends for his team this year.

“We traveled and went to some pretty big meets to get some exposure. That’s probably the biggest difference. We went out to get some extreme competition,” he said.

He said his track athletes arrive for the sport in the spring already primed for success.

“They come in and know how to win,” said Bentz.

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HIGHLIGHTS

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5.29.25 Highlights

Fri, 30 May 2025 09:29:18 GMT (1748597358295) Story, non-I.S. – News3 v1.0.0 (common) 355e25de400aec4211b96a0ff896487bbdbf2799 Fallback Presentation. Using deprecated PresentationRouter. Download the AppGet your news faster with our mobile experience Install by WTOV Sports Fri, May 30th 2025 at 11:36 PM 0

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5.29.25 Highlights

Fri, 30 May 2025 09:29:18 GMT (1748597358295)

Story, non-I.S. – News3 v1.0.0 (common)

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