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Women’s sports are fighting an uphill battle against our social media algorithms

Women’s sport is more and more getting the attention it deserves. Stadiums are filling, television ratings for many sports are climbing and athletes such as the Matildas’ Mary Fowler, triple Olympic gold medallist Jess Fox and star cricketer Ellyse Perry are becoming household names. Despite this progress, an invisible threat looms, one that risks undoing […]

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Women’s sport is more and more getting the attention it deserves.

Stadiums are filling, television ratings for many sports are climbing and athletes such as the Matildas’ Mary Fowler, triple Olympic gold medallist Jess Fox and star cricketer Ellyse Perry are becoming household names.

Despite this progress, an invisible threat looms, one that risks undoing years of advocacy and momentum.

That threat is the algorithm.

How sports consumption is changing

As more fans consume sport through digital platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and increasingly, AI-curated streaming services such as WSC Sports, the content they see is being selected not by editors but by artificial intelligence (AI).

Algorithms, trained to maximise engagement and profits, are deciding what appears in your feed, which video auto-plays next, and which highlights are pushed to the top of your screen.

But here is the problem: algorithms prioritise content that is already popular.

That usually means men’s sport.

This creates what researchers call an echo chamber effect, where users are shown more of what they already engage with and less of what they don’t.

In sport, this can be deeply problematic.

If a user clicks on highlights from the AFL men’s competition for example, the algorithm will respond by serving up more men’s footy content.

Over time, content from women’s competitions risks being squeezed out, not because it is unworthy but because it has not yet achieved the same levels of engagement.

This is not a glitch, it is a structural flaw in how digital platforms are designed to serve content.

It means women’s sport, already underrepresented in traditional media, risks becoming all but invisible to many users in this AI-driven ecosystem.

Also, generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Sora and others don’t just curate content, they now create it.

Match reports, fan commentary, video summaries and social posts are being generated by machines. But these systems are trained on historical data, which overwhelmingly favours men’s sport.

So, the more content the algorithm generates, the more it reproduces the same imbalance. What was once human bias is now being automated and scaled across millions of screens.

This may sound abstract, but it has real-world consequences.

Young fans raised on algorithmically curated content are less likely to see women’s sport unless they actively search for it. And if they don’t see it, they don’t form emotional attachments to it.

That has major implications for ticket sales, merchandise, viewership and sponsorship investment.

An uphill battle

In short, visibility drives viability. If women’s sport becomes digitally invisible, it risks becoming financially unsustainable.

A 2024 study in Victoria shows only around 15% of traditional sports media coverage in the state goes to women’s sport. This mirrors a 2019 European Union study across 22 countries, which found 85% of print media coverage is dedicated to male athletes.

And while progress has been made, particularly during events such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup or the Olympics, regular, everyday visibility remains an uphill battle.

AI threatens to compound these historic disparities. A 2024 study found algorithms trained on historical data reproduce and even amplify gender bias.

The very systems that could democratise access to sport content may, in fact, be reinforcing old inequalities.

What can be done?

We can’t turn off the algorithm. But we can hold it to account.

Platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Netflix should be required to undergo independent algorithmic audits.

These would evaluate whether content recommendation engines are systemically under-representing women’s sport and propose changes.

In Europe, the Artificial Intelligence Act, one of the world’s first comprehensive AI regulations, requires transparency and oversight for high-risk AI applications. Australia and other countries should consider similar obligations for content platforms.

Sport organisations and broadcasters need to create intentional pathways for fans to discover women’s sport, even if they haven’t previously engaged with it.

That means curated playlists, featured stories and digital campaigns that surface content outside the fan’s usual algorithmic bubble.

Platforms must balance personalisation with diversity.

We also need better media literacy, especially for younger audiences. Fans should be encouraged to explore beyond what’s served to them, seek out women’s sport channels, and recognise when the algorithm is reinforcing narrow viewing habits.

Teaching this in schools, sport clubs and community programs could make a big difference.

An opportunity for Australia

Australia is well placed to lead this change because our women’s national teams are globally competitive, our domestic leagues are growing and fan appetite is rising.

But without visibility, this momentum can fade. We must remember that algorithms don’t just reflect our preferences, they shape them.

In an age where AI can dictate what we see, the battle for attention becomes even more crucial.

If we want women’s sport to thrive every week, we need to ensure it is seen, heard and valued in the digital spaces where fandom now lives.

Because in the age of AI, what we don’t see may be just as powerful as what we do.



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Heptathlon And Decathlon Rankings, 2025 NCAA Track and Field Championships

The 2025 NCAA Track and Field National Championships are arriving quickly and the fields are set. Two groups of athletes will be competing in both track and field events, the Heptathletes and Decathletes.  See who the top competitors in each event are, ranked based on their best performance of the season. With no Leo Neugebauer […]

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The 2025 NCAA Track and Field National Championships are arriving quickly and the fields are set. Two groups of athletes will be competing in both track and field events, the Heptathletes and Decathletes. 

See who the top competitors in each event are, ranked based on their best performance of the season. With no Leo Neugebauer in the men’s field, a new champion will be crowned, looking to break his record of total points scored. 

Women’s Heptathlon

  1. Sofia Iakushina – Texas A&M – 6260 pts
  2. Pippi Lotta Enok – Oklahoma – 6258 pts
  3. Jadin O’Brien – Notre Dame – 6231 pts
  4. Annika Williams – Oregon – 5914 pts
  5. Lucie Kienast – Illinois – 5851 pts
  6. Sydney Johnson – UCLA – 5820 pts
  7. Sofia Cosculluela – Washington – 5817 pts
  8. Izzy Goudros – Harvard – 5807 pts
  9. Alaina Brady – Notre Dame – 5751 pts
  10. Melissa Wullschleger – Illinois – 5749 pts

Men’s Decathlon

  1. Till Steinforth – Nebraska – 8265 pts
  2. Peyton Bair – Mississippi State – 8111 pts
  3. Brad Thomas – UC Santa Barbara – 8108 pts
  4. Jaden Roskelley – BYU – 8000 pts
  5. Paul Kallenberg – Louisville – 7944 pts
  6. Marcus Weaver – Arkansas – 7940 pts
  7. Ryan Gregory – Long Beach State – 7898 pts
  8. Abraham Vogelsang – Iowa – 7874 pts
  9. Ben Barton – BYU – 7865 pts
  10. Maxwell Forte – Duke – 7853 pts

About Hayward Field

Hayward Field, which was built in 1919, is no stranger to top-tier track and field events, including the Diamond League and the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

The venue is named after Bill Hayward, who ran the University of Oregon track and field program from 1904 to 1947. Though it originally was intended for Ducks football, many additions and renovations over the century have helped it become a premier destination.

In September 2023, the venue became the first facility outside of Zurich or Brussels to host the two-day season-ending Wanda Diamond League Final, where the year’s 32 overall champions were crowned.

What Schools Won The Team Titles At The 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s And Women’s Outdoor Track And Field Championships?

The Arkansas women took home the outdoor team title in 2024, sweeping the indoor and outdoor championships for the 2023-2024 season.

Florida, led by legendary head coach Mike Holloway, secured the men’s title in 2024, giving the Gators three consecutive outdoor men’s titles. Florida became the first team to three-peat since Texas A&M (2009-2011).

What Schools Have Won The Most Titles At The NCAA Division I Outdoor Track And Field Championships?

The NCAA Division I Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships first was held in 1921. 

USC owns the most men’s titles with 25, while Arkansas is the only other program with 10 or more (10).

The NCAA Division I Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships first was held in 1982. 

LSU has won the most women’s titles with 14. The next-closest is Texas with five.

From FloTrack YouTube

Check out these potential future collegiate stars: Incredible Finish In 8-Year-Old 4×1 National Championship

FloTrack Is The Streaming Home For Many Track And Field Meets Each Year

Don’t miss all the track and field season action streaming on FloTrack. Check out the FloTrack schedule for more events.

FloTrack Archived Footage

Video footage from each event will be archived and stored in a video library for FloTrack subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.

Join The Track & Field Conversation On Social





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Meadville boys volleyball team beats Shaler in PIAA Class 2A semifinal

Tymir Phillips part of Meadville boys volleyball team’s PIAA semi win Meadville’s Tymir Phillips, District 10’s new Class 3A long jump titlist, helped the Bulldogs’ boys volleyball team reach the PIAA Class 2A final. NOTE: This story will be updated. SHARON — For the fifth time in six years, Meadville’s boys volleyball team will compete […]

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NOTE: This story will be updated.

SHARON — For the fifth time in six years, Meadville’s boys volleyball team will compete in a PIAA Class 2A championship match.

The Bulldogs resumed their dynasty-level run with a sweep of Shaler Tuesday, June 10 at Sharon High School’s gymnasium. They topped the Titans 25-20, 25-15, 25-19 in a state semifinal between district champions that went into their first serve with a combined record of 35-1.

The match also pitted the PIAA’s 2024 winners aside the Tigers’ net. Meadville won the 2A final at Penn State University’s Rec Hall, which preceded the Titans’ win in the 3A final.

Shaler reverted to 2A status for the PIAA’s current enrollment cycle, which is why it couldn’t repeat at that level.

The 2A state final on Saturday, June 14 will be a familiar scenario for most of Meadville’s current players. Rec Hall is where they helped defeat Manheim Central for the program’s third overall state championship.

Meadville (18-0) and Manheim Central (22-0) will meet there for an 11 a.m. rematch. Manheim Central guaranteed that with its three-set victory vs. District 3 rival York Suburban in June 10’s other state semifinal.

Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNcopper.



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Bainbridge lacrosse caps successful spring season with state title

The Spartans won three playoff games, including a 23-5 victory over Selah in the Washington High School Boys Lacrosse Association 2A championship. Bainbridge High School’s boys lacrosse program used to win state titles on a regular basis. The Spartans’ most recent championship victory could be a sign that the team is back to being a […]

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The Spartans won three playoff games, including a 23-5 victory over Selah in the Washington High School Boys Lacrosse Association 2A championship.

Bainbridge High School’s boys lacrosse program used to win state titles on a regular basis. The Spartans’ most recent championship victory could be a sign that the team is back to being a perennial contender.

Last month in the Washington High School Boys Lacrosse Association Class 2A title game against Selah at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, senior attack Henry Moreshead scored seven goals and freshman attack Caston Rosenfeld added five goals to lead the Spartans to a 23-5 victory over Selah. It was the program’s first title-game victory since 2007. Bainbridge, which finished with a 12-5 overall record, posted playoff wins against Bellingham (16-11) and Orting (15-8) in order to reach the championship contest.

Joining Moreshead in earning Region 3 All-Metro first-team honors this season were junior midfielder Aaron Lolley, junior face-off specialist Noah Weiss, junior defenders Quentin Faust and Hugh Fields, and senior defender Dylan Jones. Lolley also earned USA Lacrosse High School All-American status.

The championship victory was the latest in a long list of accolades for Bainbridge head coach Jack Visco, who eclipsed 300 career wins this spring. Visco joined the Spartans’ staff in 2003, leading the team to an undefeated record and a state title, the school’s ninth in a span of 10 seasons at the time (the team placed second to Visco’s Mercer Island team in 2001).

Bainbridge and Mercer Island continued to battle for state supremacy early in Visco’s career with Bainbridge. Mercer Island topped the Spartans in the 2004 title game. Bainbridge earned revenge in 2007, knocking off Mercer Island 9-7 for the championship. The last time the two teams met for the state title, in 2011, Mercer Island came away with a 5-3 win.

Lacrosse is one of several sports Bainbridge students participate in that are considered “club” sports. Others include water polo, mountain biking, rowing sailing and ultimate frisbee. Club sports are not overseen or sponsored by Bainbridge Island School District, nor are they sanctioned by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, the state’s governing body for high school athletics in sports such as football, basketball, soccer, baseball, softball and track and field.

The WIAA considered amendments to add boys and girls lacrosse as officially-sanctioned sports several times in the past, starting in 1999 and most recently in 2011, but member schools voted down those measures.

Spartans rank high in Scholastic Cup standings

In addition to boys lacrosse, Bainbridge High School’s successful year in sports included the girls and boys swim/dive teams capturing state titles in the fall and winter, followed by the baseball team winning it all in the spring. There were numerous other league and district titles claimed by the Spartans, who rank second on the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s Class 2A Scholastic Cup list for 2024-25. Sehome is first with 1,535 points, followed by Bainbridge (1,289).

The Scholastic Cup recognizes schools’ athletic and academic performances over the course of the academic year.



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Women’s Soccer Announces Schedule for 2025 Season

Story Links BUY TICKETS HERE! 503 GAMES PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Pilots Women’s Soccer announced on Tuesday their schedule for the 2025 fall season. The schedule features matchups against four teams who qualified for the NCAA Tournament last season, […]

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PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Pilots Women’s Soccer announced on Tuesday their schedule for the 2025 fall season. The schedule features matchups against four teams who qualified for the NCAA Tournament last season, a WCC schedule that brings in conference newcomer Seattle University and a high-quality matchups against some of the best teams in the nation.

The schedule also features the return of Portland’s 503 deal. For select games this season, fans can purchase tickets online for $5 with free parking and a special $3 food item. Three women’s soccer games this year will be 503 games this season.

“Our Fall 2025 schedule reflects our commitment to competing at the highest level,” Portland Head Coach Michelle French said. “Each match is an opportunity to test ourselves, stay true to our identity and pursue excellence as a program.”

The Pilots will play the British Columbia Thunderbirds in an exhibition on Aug. 8 at Merlo Field before officially opening the season against the Oregon Ducks on the road on Aug. 17. The Ducks went 5-11-2 overall and 1-8-2 in their first year in the Big Ten. The Pilots and Ducks last played in 2022 to a 1-1 draw at Merlo Field.

The first two home games come the following week, with the Pilots hosting the Cal State Fullerton Titans on Aug. 21 and the Long Beach State Beach on Aug. 24. The Titans went 6-9-4 and 4-3-3 in Big West play while the Beach went 6-9-3 and 3-5-2 in the Big West. The Pilots have not played the Beach ever as a program and are 4-0-0 all-time against the Titans, last playing in 2007. Portland’s matchup against the Beach is also the first 503 game of the year for the Pilots.

A challenging week follows, with the Pilots taking on the USC Trojans down in Los Angeles on Aug. 28 before returning home to host the UCLA Bruins on Sept. 4 at Merlo. Both teams made the NCAA Tournament last season, with USC finishing 18-1-4 overall and 10-0-1 in the Big Ten to earn a No. 1 seed in the tournament last year. They advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinal before falling to Wake Forest. The Bruins were a No. 2 seed in the tournament, posting a 17-4-3 overall record and 8-1-2 in Big Ten play. UCLA fell in the second round of the tournament to Virginia Tech. The Pilots and Trojans played last season, with Portland falling 2-1, while the Pilots and Bruins played last in 2009 to a 2-1 Bruins victory in LA.

Portland hosts the CSUN Matadors – who went 5-11-3 last season and 3-4-3 in the Big West – on Sept. 7 before taking on their crosstown rivals in the Portland State Vikings at Hillsboro Stadium on Sept. 13. The Vikings were 4-9-5 overall last season and 2-3-3 against Big Sky opponents, with the Pilots having won all eight matches against the Vikings, including their most recent showdown in 2017.

The next NCAA Tournament team for Portland, the Utah State Aggies, follows soon after. The Aggies, who were a No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament after going 18-1-5 and 7-1-3 in Mountain West play, come to Portland on Sept. 20. The Pilots then open conference play against the Santa Clara Broncos on Sept. 24 at Merlo Field, hosting the reigning WCC champs at Merlo Field. The Broncos went 13-4-4 overall and 6-1-3 against WCC opponents. The game against the Broncos will be a 503 game as well.

Portland hits the road for their next two conference contests, taking on the Pacific Tigers in Stockton on Sept. 28 and the Oregon State Beavers on Oct. 4 in Corvallis. The Tigers finished last in the WCC with a 2-17-1 overall record and an 0-10 conference finish while the Beavers were tied for fifth with a 7-9-2 overall record and a 5-3-2 WCC finish. The Pilots beat both teams at Merlo Field last season.

Portland’s return home will see them face a pair of California teams, hosting the San Diego Toreros on Oct. 8 and the San Francisco Dons on Oct. 11. Both teams were tied for ninth in the WCC last season with a 1-7-2 conference record, with the Toreros finishing 3-11-5 overall and the Dons 5-11-2. The matchup against the Toreros will be AVID night for Portland, a partnership with several schools in Oregon bringing in students from middle through high school from Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) programs at their respective schools. In the matchup against the Dons, the Pilots will host their Oktoberfest night as well as the annual wiener dog race.

The Pilots hit the road soon after to play the Saint Mary’s Gaels in Moraga on Oct. 18, a team that finished tied for seventh with the Pilots at 4-3-3 in WCC play and 7-7-4 overall. The Pilots beat the Gaels last season 3-1 at home. The Pilots officially welcome the Seattle U Redhawks to the WCC on Oct. 22, visiting Seattle. Seattle U finished 10-3-6 with a 4-1-2 WAC record, their third straight year of 10 wins or more. The Pilots beat the Redhawks 1-0 in 2023 the last time the two teams met.

Portland returns home to host the Washington State Cougars on Oct. 25 and the Gonzaga Bulldogs on Oct. 31. The Cougars and Zags finished fifth and fourth respectively in the WCC last year, with Washington State going 8-5-6 overall and 5-2-3 in WCC play and Gonzaga finishing 10-7-2 and 6-3-1 against conference opponents. The Pilots tied the Cougars last year and fell to Gonzaga on the road.

Portland finishes the 2025 regular season on the road, heading to Southern California to face the Pepperdine Waves on Nov. 5 and the LMU Lions on Nov. 8. The Waves tied the Broncos with a 6-1-3 record in WCC play and 12-4-5 record overall, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament as a 7-seed. LMU finished in a tie for fifth at 5-3-2 in conference play and 11-5-2 overall. Portland fell 2-0 to Pepperdine and tied LMU 2-2 at home.

The Pilots finished 9-5-6 overall last season, making it four years in a row they’ve posted a record with at least nine wins. This is the first time they’ve maintained a stretch with at least that many wins in a season since between 2010 and 2013. The Pilots finished seventh in the revamped WCC.

Tickets for the 2025 season are live now, with season tickets, flex packs and single-game tickets available at PortlandPilots.com/SOCCERTIX2025. You can click the URL or check out the link in the right-hand column to get yours today. You can buy tickets for 503 games at PortlandPilots.com/503.

Below is the full schedule for the 2025 fall season.

2025 Fall Schedule

Aug. 8 vs. British Columbia (Exh.), TBA

Aug. 17 at Oregon, 6:30 p.m. 

Aug. 21 vs. Cal State Fullerton, 7 p.m.

Aug. 24 vs. Long Beach State, 1 p.m.

Aug. 28 at USC, 7 p.m.

Sept. 4 vs. UCLA, 7 p.m.

Sept. 7 vs. CSUN, 1 p.m.

Sept. 13 at Portland State, 6 p.m.

Sept. 20 vs. Utah State, 7 p.m.

Sept. 24 vs. Santa Clara*, 7 p.m.

Sept. 28 vs. Pacific*, 12 p.m.

Oc. 4 at Oregon State*, 12 p.m.

Oct. 8 vs. San Diego*, 5 p.m.

Oct. 11 vs. San Francisco*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 18 at Saint Mary’s*, 3 p.m.

Oct. 22 at Seattle U*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 25 vs. Washington State*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 31 vs. Gonzaga*, 7 p.m.

Nov. 2 at Pepperdine*, 3 p.m.

Nov. 9 vs. LMU*, 1 p.m.

 

*Indicates WCC match

Bold indicates home match

All times are PST

All game times and dates are subject to change


Get Your Tickets Now!
Secure your spot now for any upcoming Portland Pilots ticketed home event by visiting PortlandPilots.com/Tickets or by downloading the Portland Pilots App.  For group and fan experience package information, email pilotsboxoffice@up.edu.

Donate Today 

Fans interested in making a contribution to University of Portland Athletics can do so by clicking here. Your gift helps our over 300 student-athletes compete at the highest level – on and off the field – in the rapidly changing world of intercollegiate athletics. All gifts to Pilot Athletics are 100% tax deductible.

Follow Along With the Action

Get the latest news and information about your favorite University of Portland athletic programs by visiting PortlandPilots.com. You can also follow along for the most dynamic coverage and team-centric content by following us on Twitter, liking us on Facebook, and following us on Instagram.

 





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MW Track & Field Student-Athletes Set To Compete At NCAA Outdoor Championships – Mountain West Conference

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Mountain West student-athletes will compete in this week’s 2025 NCAA championships in Eugene, Oregon after qualifying at the NCAA West Preliminaries in College Station, Texas, May 28-June 1. The national meet begins Wednesday, June 11 and concludes on Saturday, June 14. The Mountain West has a total of 30 individual representatives with […]

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Mountain West student-athletes will compete in this week’s 2025 NCAA championships in Eugene, Oregon after qualifying at the NCAA West Preliminaries in College Station, Texas, May 28-June 1. The national meet begins Wednesday, June 11 and concludes on Saturday, June 14.

The Mountain West has a total of 30 individual representatives with 11 competing in a combined 13 events on the men’s side and 19 in 21 events on the women’s. The Conference sent one relay team to nationals with the New Mexico women’s 4×400-meter squad heading to Eugene.

New Mexico’s Habtom Samuel will be looking to defend his NCAA title in the 10,000-meter race, while Wyoming’s Daniel Reynolds will eye an outdoor hammer throw title after winning the 2025 NCAA Indoor Weight Throw Championship in March.

The entire list of qualifiers at the NCAA Championships is below, and fans can watch the event with a subscription to ESPN+.

2025 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Qualifiers
School Name Event
Air Force Brayden Richards Decathlon
Air Force Texas Tanner Hammer Throw, Discus
Boise State Hanna Ackermann 3,000-Meter Steeplechase
Boise State Landon Helms Decathlon
Boise State Kaiya Robertson 1,500 Meters
Colorado State Kajsa Borrman Hammer Throw
Colorado State Klaire Kovatch Discus
Colorado State Mya Lesnar Shot Put
Fresno State Cierra Jackson Shot Put, Discus
Fresno State Ella Spaulding Heptathlon
Nevada Lilly Urban Javelin
New Mexico Rebecca Grieve Women’s 4×400-Meter Relay
New Mexico Lou-Anne Pouzancre Hoyer Women’s 4×400-Meter Relay
New Mexico Hanna Kiess Women’s 4×400-Meter Relay
New Mexico Ishmael Kipkurui 5,000 Meters; 10,000 Meters
New Mexico Mathew Kosgei 3,000-Meter Steeplechase
New Mexico Pamela Kosgei 5,000 Meters, 10,000 Meters
New Mexico Marion Jepngetich 5,000 Meters
New Mexico Sophia McDonell 3,000-Meter Steeplechase
New Mexico Sofia Pineda Women’s 4×400-Meter Relay
New Mexico Judy Rono 1,500 Meters
New Mexico Habtom Samuel 5,000 Meters; 10,000 Meters
San Diego State Shaquena Foote 400 Meters
San José State Katharina Graman Triple Jump
San José State Sky Hagan 100-Meter Hurdles
San José State Simone Johnson Triple Jump
San José State Emilia Sjostrand Triple Jump
San José State Cameron Tarver 200 Meters
UNLV Krishna Jayasankar Discus
Utah State Logan Hammer Pole Vault
Utah State Shelby Jensen 3,000-Meter Steeplechase
Wyoming Ryker Holtzen 3,000-Meter Steeplechase
Wyoming Daniel Reynolds Shot Put; Hammer Throw
Wyoming Jacob White 5,000 Meters





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Central rallies to force fifth set but falls in quarterfinal – Twin Cities

St. Paul Central earned the first point in state boys volleyball tournament history, but Rogers earned the first win. In a thriller. The Royals let a two-set lead get away but used a fifth-set surge before hanging on for a 25-21, 25-21, 23-25, 21-25, 15-13 win Tuesday in a quarterfinal at the University of St. […]

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St. Paul Central earned the first point in state boys volleyball tournament history, but Rogers earned the first win.

In a thriller.

The Royals let a two-set lead get away but used a fifth-set surge before hanging on for a 25-21, 25-21, 23-25, 21-25, 15-13 win Tuesday in a quarterfinal at the University of St. Thomas.

“We came in with the mindset of we’re going to do what we do and play hard and try to get this out in three or four, but St. Paul Central said otherwise,” Rogers coach Jarol Torres said. “That was a very tough team, and a great showing by them. They definitely challenged us.”

The third-seeded Royals, who will get No. 2 Eastview in a Wednesday 3 p.m. semifinal, lost their season opener but has won 26 straight since — 19 by sweep.

But the sixth seed from the St. Paul City Conference had something to prove against a suburban school.

“We just kept fighting for each other, fighting for our fans, fighting for St. Paul City. We’re representing not only us but all of the conference,” said Marcus Ivy.

Josiah Walker had 24 kills, and Colson Pearce 11 for the Minutemen (21-6). Gus Walz had 52 assists with his dad, Gov. Tim Walz, watching.

“(Walker) is a beast,” Ivy said. “He’s MVP of the St. Paul conference. He’s a machine. He’s one of the best outside hitters in the state, and he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves because he’s from the City.”

Down two sets, a kill from Walker capped a 6-1 run to put St. Paul Central up 20-17 in set three. Overcoming four late unforced errors, a kill by Pearce got the Minutemen within a game.

A Rogers service error, kill by Walker and block by Ivy were the final three Minutemen points in set four.

“I feel like in the third and fourth set, when they got ahead, we just stopped believing,” said Grant Anderson, who had 15 kills for Rogers. “Jarol was telling us we’ve got to believe: ‘We came all this way; you can’t just give up now.’ That was the biggest difference between our play in the third and fourth and fifth set.”

Central grabbed a 6-4 led in the deciding set, but the Royals scored six of the next seven points to make it 10-7.

“Although it stinks, and I wanted it for them so badly, a lot of teams can’t be down two sets and push it to five and then only lose by two,” Central coach Georgia Tilton said. “The message is although we lost, you are all resilient human beings who have a lot to be grateful for, and it doesn’t take away from anything they’ve done thus far.”

Colson Pearce (15) and Josiah Walker of St. Paul Central set up for a block against a Rogers hitter during a quarterfinal playoff game of the State Boys Volleyball Tournament at the University of St Thomas in St. Paul on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. Rogers defeated Central 3-2 in the first match of the inaugural Minnesota State High School League-sanctioned boys volleyball state tournament. (Bennett Moger / Pioneer Press)
Colson Pearce (15) and Josiah Walker of St. Paul Central set up for a block against a Rogers hitter during a quarterfinal playoff game of the State Boys Volleyball Tournament at the University of St Thomas in St. Paul on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. Rogers defeated Central 3-2 in the first match of the inaugural Minnesota State High School League-sanctioned boys volleyball state tournament. (Bennett Moger / Pioneer Press)
Senior setter, Gus Walz from St. Paul Central, celebrates toward the crowd after a point and a big swing in momentum during a quarterfinal playoff game of the State Boys Volleyball Tournament vs Rogers at the University of St Thomas in St. Paul on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Bennett Moger / Pioneer Press)
Senior setter, Gus Walz from St. Paul Central, celebrates toward the crowd after a point and a big swing in momentum during a quarterfinal playoff game of the State Boys Volleyball Tournament vs Rogers at the University of St Thomas in St. Paul on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Bennett Moger / Pioneer Press)
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, center right, joined by his wife, Gwen, watches their son, Gus Walz, a setter for St. Paul Central, during a quarterfinal playoff game against Rogers in the State Boys Volleyball Tournament at the University of St Thomas in St. Paul on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Bennett Moger / Pioneer Press)
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, center right, joined by his wife, Gwen, watches their son, Gus Walz, a setter for St. Paul Central, during a quarterfinal playoff game against Rogers in the State Boys Volleyball Tournament at the University of St Thomas in St. Paul on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Bennett Moger / Pioneer Press)



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