ROSEMONT, ILL. – The Big Ten Conference announced the 2025 Big Ten Women’s Outdoor Track and Field postseason individual award recipients on Wednesday, as selected by the conference’s head coaches. The NCAA championship meet was held last weekend at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. 

Michigan’s Savannah Sutherland won Women’s Track Athlete of the Year, while Washington’s Hana Moll was selected as Field Athlete of the Year and Illinois’ Melissa Wullschleger was tabbed as Freshman of the Year. 

Sutherland claimed the new collegiate record in the women’s 400 meter hurdles with a time of 52.46 to claim first place in the event. She beat gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s seven-year-old record of 52.75. 
 
Moll, the 2024 NCAA Indoor National Champion, earned first place in pole vault. To do so, she cleared 4.79m (15-8.5) which broke her twin sister Amanda’s record set in the 2025 Big Ten Outdoor Championships. She also beat the defending NCAA Outdoor Champion Chloe Timberg from Rutgers. 
 
Illinois’ Wullschleger made an impressive debut in the NCAA championships, finishing fourth overall in the heptathlon with a score of 5,928 points. The heptathlete performed exceptionally well in the shot put and javelin on her way to a podium finish. In the shot put, she earned fourth place with a mark of 13.61m (44-8) and in javelin she earned third place with a mark of 5.96m (19-6.75). Wullschleger also became the first All-American for Illinois since 1996. 

Earlier this month, the Big Ten announced the award recipients for Track Athlete of the Championships, Field Athlete of the Championships and Coach of the Year, as well as the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honorees. 
 

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota volleyball head coach Jesse Tupac has announced the addition of Autumn Jordan and An Lieve den Hamer to the Fighting Hawks program for the 2025 season.
The Fighting Hawks add an outside hitter from Arkansas and an opposite hitter from the Netherlands.
 
Head Coach Jesse Tupac on the signees:
“We could not be more excited to announce two new additions to our fall roster.  Our recruiting coordinator, Kristen Tupac, did a phenomenal job bringing in two transfers that will make an immediate and lasting impact on our program.  Both Autumn and An bring high level experience from their collegiate and prep programs; and will add intense competition and depth to an already exciting fall roster.  The 2025 season is lining up to be a very fun year of volleyball, and we cannot wait to get started.  Go Hawks!”
 
Autumn Jordan | 6-2 | OH/OPP | Bentonville, Ark. | Bentonville West HS / Stephen F. Austin
Jordan comes to UND with a resume full of achievements at the prep level. A two-time All-Conference selection and the 6A Tournament MVP, she helped lead her teams to several playoff runs, culminating in a national championship in 2022 with the Ozark Juniors Volleyball Club. She was also named to the All-Tournament Team twice, earned Player of the Match honors four times, was a seven-time Player of the Week, the West All-Star Player, and was named to the 6A West All-Conference team during her high school career. She averaged 1.90 blocks per set in her senior season, leading her team in that category.
Off the court, Jordan graduated Cum Laude and earned the Bentonville Community Scholarship award. She plans to major in kinesiology at UND.
 
Jordan on why she chose UND:
“I chose UND because of the immediate love and respect I received from the players and coaches. You see and hear a lot within the recruiting process, but nothing spoke to me more than the family feel I immediately got from the group. The coaching staff is honest and very transparent, and that’s exactly what I was looking for during my new journey.” 
 
Coach J. Tupac on Jordan:
“Autumn is a rock star human being and a physical presence on both sides of the ball.  Her size and ability to score points on both pins are impressive.  On top of that, she is a one-of-a-kind person who will fit in with our team and program immediately.  We cannot wait for Autumn to join us in Grand Forks.”
 
An Lieve den Hamer | 6-0 | OPP | Apeldoorn, Netherlands | Veluws College Walterbosch / Arizona
Den Hamer arrives in Grand Forks with a diverse background, having developed her game in the Netherlands before continuing her academic and athletic career at the University of Arizona. She trained with the top division with SV Dynamo Apeldoorn for 11 years for coach Rémon ter Harmsel. The Netherlands native trained with the Dutch national youth team in 2020. She helped the SV Dynamo place first at the Internation Youth Tournament in 2018 and 2022. The opposite hitter also was a National Champion with SV Dynamo in Girl 17U in 2022-23. While playing with her 15U team in 2019 she placed first at the United World Games Klagenfurt.
As a freshman at Arizona, she appeared in one set against Texas Southern where she recorded one kill.
She plans to major in marketing at UND.
 
Lieve den Hamer on why she chose UND
“The vibes and energy at UND are amazing. I felt a good connection with the coaches, I love the goals, and I am so excited to get to work.”
 
Coach J. Tupac on Lieve den Hamer:
“From the first conversation we had with An we knew she was a fit for our program. She is incredibly hungry to compete and make history.  And it was clear our values and goals were perfectly aligned.  Along with her season of NCAA play at Arizona, she brings a wealth of experiences internationally as both an outside hitter and opposite.  We are very excited to have An joining our program this fall.”
 
For more information on North Dakota Volleyball, follow on social media @UNDvolleyball or visit FightingHawks.com.

— UND —

Celebrate the Fourth of July in true island style July 4-6 at South Seas as the island resort hosts a weekend filled with festive activities, live entertainment and spectacular waterfront fireworks, all set against the stunning backdrop of Captiva Island.

Throughout the holiday weekend and all summer long, South Seas offers special short- and long-term stay promotions that bring together the comfort of a waterfront home with the indulgence of luxury resort amenities. 

The South Seas Star-Spangled Celebration features a wide variety of events, activities and food and drink options available to Club Captiva and registered South Seas Resort guests. The celebration kicks off on Friday, July 4 at 9 a.m. with a Kid’s Fishing Tournament at Bayview Pier, followed by a full day of events, including a Watermelon Eating Contest at noon, live music at the Bayview Pool Complex, a Patriotic Resort Cart Parade from 3 to 5 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m.

Saturday, July 5 begins with a 9 a.m. patriotic Turtle Trot and One-Mile Fun Run/Walk at Sunset Beach, followed by family-friendly events such as a Patriotic Turtle Craft at 11 a.m., a Rubber Ducky Race down the slide at Bayview Pool at 5 p.m. and a Beach Party from 6 to 8 p.m. at Sunset Beach.

Sunday, July 6 features 11 a.m. Build-a-Beach-Buddy, Jumbo Beach Volleyball and Bingo at 3 p.m. For a full schedule of events for the Star-Spangled Celebration Weekend Activities, visit www.SouthSeas.com/Event/South-Seas-Star-Spangled-Celebration.  

For more information, visit SouthSeas.com, call 800-237-6000 or follow the resort on Facebook at @SouthSeasResort and Instagram at @SouthSeasResort.

2025 SETTECOLLI TROPHY

There are swim meets, and then there’s the Settecolli Trophy—a Roman institution that, for many Italians, marks the true beginning of summer. From June 26 to 28, the historic Foro Italico in Rome will once again host one of the most prestigious and emotionally resonant competitions in the European swimming calendar.

First held in 1963, Settecolli is the oldest annual international swim meet in the world, but its relevance today is as strong as ever. For swimmers, it’s often a crucial stop ahead of the major summer championships. For fans, it’s something more: an experience, a tradition, a moment to come together as a community.

In a country where sports like soccer dominate headlines, Settecolli is one of the few events that brings together swimming fans from all across Italy—from local swim clubs to national team supporters, from young kids in team gear to parents, coaches, and lifelong enthusiasts. It’s not just about times and medals: it’s about the shared passion, the atmosphere, the beauty of watching world-class swimming under the Roman sun (and stars).

Set in the open-air pool of the Stadio del Nuoto, surrounded by marble statues and the scent of Mediterranean pine trees, the meet feels like a postcard come to life. But what makes it truly unique is its audience: families arriving in buses from across the country, kids waving homemade signs, entire teams cheering from the stands. For many Italian swimmers, watching the Settecolli from the bleachers as a child is the first spark that lights the dream of an Olympic journey.

For the athletes, it’s a chance to compete against some of the best in the world in one of the sport’s most iconic venues. For the public, it’s a reunion. Year after year, Rome becomes the capital of Italian swimming—a place where elite performance and heartfelt fandom meet in one unforgettable event.

THE 2025 EDITION

This year’s edition carries particular weight. With the World Championships in Singapore (July 27–August 3) just a month away, Settecolli serves as a critical test and final qualifying opportunity for many athletes chasing a ticket to the global stage. It’s also a World Aquatics-approved meet, that is expected to draw over 20,000 spectators, thanks in part to its unique mix of sport, entertainment, and public engagement.

The host nation, Italy, will be fielding a powerhouse team featuring a full slate of Olympic and World champions.

Leading the way are Thomas Ceccon, Gregorio Paltrinieri, Simona Quadarella, Nicolo Martinenghi, Benedetta Pilato, Sara Franceschi, Alberto Razzetti, and rising star Sara Curtis.

The men’s 100 backstroke showdown between Ceccon and world record holder Kliment Kolesnikov (competing as a neutral athlete) is shaping up to be one of the weekend’s highlights.

Great Britain arrives in Rome with one of the deepest rosters of the meet, including Duncan Scott, Tom Dean, Matt Richards, James Guy, Jacob Whittle, Ben Proud, Freya Anderson, Lucy Hope, Eva Okaro, and Jacob Mills. With this mix of Olympic pedigree and emerging talent, expect fireworks across multiple events.

From Germany, open water ace Florian Wellbrock returns to the pool, joined by freestyle stalwart Isabel Gose, sprint backstroker Ole Braunschweig, breaststroker Lucas Matzerath, and versatile Julia Mrozinski.

Switzerland brings a focused team headlined by Olympic medalist Noe Ponti, along with Roman Mityukov, Antonio Djakovic, Nina Kost, and Lisa Mamié—all key figures in the nation’s recent swimming surge.

Spain adds depth to the women’s field with África Zamorano, Carla Carrón, Emma Carrasco, and Paula Juste, while distance specialist Carlos Garach leads their men’s contingent.

In Italy, there are very few sporting events where swimming feels like a national celebration. Trofeo Settecolli is one of them.

So whether you’re watching from the stands or following along from afar, keep an eye on Rome this June. Because when Settecolli comes around, all swimming dreams lead to the Eternal City.

Two Fox C-6 graduates competed in the NCAA Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. on June 11-14.

Arkansas State University sophomore Noa Isaia, a 2023 Seckman graduate, threw the hammer 65-08 meters (213-feet, six inches) on the first day. Isaia’s 19th-place finish, in his first NCAA Championships, earned him honorable mention All-American honors. University of Minnesota senior Kostas Zaltos won the event at 78.08, the sixth-longest throw in NCAA history.

Isaia qualified for nationals at a regional meet in College Station, Tex., placing ninth in 65.97 (216-5). He was the Sun Belt Conference champion this spring.

Isaia threw a personal-best 66.22 at the Arkansas State Alumni Classic in April. His PR in the shot put was 15.34 in February, during the indoor season, and he tossed the discus 53 meters, another PR, in March at an outdoor meet.

As a senior at Seckman in 2023, Isaia won the Class 5 state title in the discus with a throw of 59.23 meters and placed seventh in the shot put at 16.55. A high school discus weighs 1.6 kilograms (3.53 pounds) compared to the collegiate weight of 2.0 kilos (4.4 pounds).

Isaia was a freshman last year and took fifth place in the hammer throw at the Sun Belt championships in 56.24. He also was runner-up in the discus at the Music City Challenge and third in both the discus (52.21) and hammer (55.49) at the Alumni Classic.

Luke Hatfield-Jackson, a Fox 2019 alumnus, also made his first appearance at the NCAA Championships for Southeast Missouri State University. Hatfield-Jackson competed in the high jump competition on June 13, finishing 15th in 2.15 meters, earning him second team All-American honors. Athletes who place ninth through 16th earn second team honors.  

Hatfield-Jackson earned his NCAA nationals ticket in the regional meet at College Station, clearing 2.17 meters (7-1.5). The national college record of 2.38 was set in 1989 by Hollis Conway of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

“The (regional) competition was really good,” Hatfield-Jackson said before the NCAA championships started. “I snuck in on my last attempt at 2.17. I had missed the two attempts before. It was my first time at a regional meet.”

At SEMO, Hatfield-Jackson earned a bachelor’s degree in general education and a master’s certificate in trauma and resiliency. He has a fiancée, lives in Cape Girardeau full time and will be a volunteer coach for the Redhawks in 2026.

During his senior year at Fox, Hatfield-Jackson finished fourth in the state in the triple jump and second in the high jump, at 1.85. The first time he cleared seven feet was when he competed for Maryville University.

“Honestly, (seven feet) became consistent after that,” he said. “I was hitting 2.15 (meters) every other meet. That’s been consistent at SEMO. When you get to a new height, you figure out the different runways because we thought we had hit a plateau at 2.15, but my PR (2.19) was in 2023.”

During an indoor Ohio Valley Conference meet in 2024, Hatfield-Jackson tore an Achilles tendon. That cost him the rest of that season, the 2024 outdoor season and the 2025 indoor campaign. He did earn top OVC male field honors, for the second straight year, before the injury. At the 2024 indoor Redhawk Invitational, he was first in the high jump and long jump at 2.05 and 7.34. He also finished first in the long jump (6.96) at the Bellarmine Classic and placed in three events at the Illini Challenge.

“(I had) no pain (with the tear),” he said. “(It was) a full rip, a very confusing moment. It sounded like a piece of plastic breaking in my shoe. (I had) a lot of anger afterward.”

It was six months before he was able to start running again. Being a student-athlete means compartmentalizing athletics and academics. He still had classes to pass.

“Thankfully, the teachers were very lenient and helpful,” he said. “Now a lot of stuff is done (online).”

He said the injury has robbed him of some run-up speed.

“We’ve been building on that all season. It was a mental battle. My proudest achievement is making it (to Eugene). I was always one step away in regionals. Nothing is close to this.”

In the 2022 indoor season, Hatfield-Jackson had 14 top-five and eight first-place finishes. During the 2023 outdoor season, he broke the SEMO record in the high jump in 2.19 at the Mississippi State Relays. At the OVC meet, he was second in the high jump (2.11), first in the long jump (7.98) and third in the triple jump (15.21).

Once the collegiate season is over, Hatfield-Jackson hopes to qualify for the USA national team trials in August, back in Eugene.