Athlete Spotlight

Olivia Pichardo is the first woman to make the roster of Division I baseball team

February 7, 2023 by Tara S

Laurel Wamsley, Jonathan Franklin | NPR

When Brown University’s baseball season starts in February, one of the players taking the field will make history. Olivia Pichardo, a first-year student from Queens, N.Y., will be first woman on the roster of a Division I college baseball team in the U.S.

“It’s kind of crazy to know that I’m living out my dream right now and my ideal college experience that I’ve always wanted, so that’s really cool,” Pichardo said in a media release. She said being named to the team is surreal, as it has been her goal since eighth grade to continue playing baseball in college.

Pichardo walked on to Brown’s team following tryouts and a grueling assessment process – during which she immediately impressed the head coach, demonstrating her abilities as an infielder, outfielder and pitcher.

“It’s a workout common for baseball and allows us to evaluate athleticism and arm strength, as well as both offensive and defensive skills,” said Brown baseball head coach Grant Achilles. “Olivia put together the most complete walk-on tryout I have seen from a player since becoming a head coach.”

The first of many successes on the ballfield for women

Making the cut is just the latest achievement on the ballfield for Pichardo. This year, the 18-year-old was named to the roster of the USA Baseball Women’s National Team as a right-handed pitcher and outfielder.

Pichardo will be a utility player for Brown, able to play in both infield and outfield positions.

Brown University Athletics

Women have been making strides onto the rosters of baseball teams in recent years. In May, Kelsie Whitmore became the first woman to start in a game in pro baseball’s Atlantic League, taking left field for the Staten Island FerryHawks.

Baseball For All, an organization that advocates for girls and women in baseball, keeps a list of colleges and universities that will consider talented players, regardless of gender. There are 8 women (including Pichardo) who are rostered to play varsity college baseball in the spring of 2023, according to the organization.

Pichardo says her teammates have been welcoming, and cheered when she was named to the roster.

Brown University Athletics

Baseball has always been her sport of choice, despite critics’ opinions

Pichardo will be a utility player in both the infield and outfield when the college season starts. She says when Achilles announced during an October team meeting that she had made the cut, her new teammates broke out into applause.

“I did not expect that at all — that definitely took me by surprise,” Pichardo said. “Everyone was super happy about it.”

But in an interview with Morning Edition, Pichardo tells NPR’s A Martinez that throughout her baseball career, there have been countless times where many tried to discourage her away from the sport.

“Throughout all of my baseball career, every time I progress to the next level, more and more people would ask me about maybe switching to softball,” Pichardo said.

“There’s no shade towards softball, but it’s just that I’ve never played softball before,” she added.

Nevertheless, with any luck, she’ll be far from the last woman to play college baseball at the highest level.

“I’m just really glad that we’re having more and more female baseball players at the collegiate level, and no matter what division, it’s just really good to see this progression,” Pichardo said. “It’s really paving the way for other girls in the next generation to also have these goals that they want to achieve and dream big and know that they can do it.”

Meet Olivia Pichardo, the First Woman in Division 1 Baseball: ‘Inspiring Girls Is My Biggest Motivator’

February 7, 2023 by Tara S

By Natasha Dye | People

In November, Olivia Pichardo’s dreams came true. After weeks of tryouts — preceded by years of practices and games and time spent throwing a ball with her dad — the 18-year-old athlete earned a spot on Brown University’s baseball team, making her the first woman to play for a Division 1 varsity college baseball team.

On the last day of tryouts, Pichardo sat among rows of male hopefuls in an auditorium at Brown, eager to learn if she made the cut.

That’s when Head Coach Grant Achilles delivered the best news of her life: “Olivia, thanks for joining us for the Fall and officially for the Spring.”

Everyone clapped for Pichardo, a pitcher, as she lit up with a smile, displaying the “quiet confidence” — as her mother Maximo calls it — that wowed Bears leadership. “I’ve always set a standard to perform at a certain level for every single game,” says Pichardo. “Throughout my life, I’ve had pretty high expectations for myself.”

It’s a drive that began developing at the age of 6, when Pichardo made her Little League debut in her hometown of Queens, New York.

But in those early days, baseball was just an excuse to have a good time with her father Max, who volunteered to be a coach on all her teams. “He grew up playing baseball in the Dominican Republic,” she says. “He helped me develop a love for the game rather than developing all of the technical skills, because at that age it’s mostly about having fun.”

Pichardo says the fun of baseball temporarily faded at the age of 14, when she started “getting insecure about being a girl playing baseball,” while others switched to softball.

Participating in baseball camps sponsored by MLB and USA Baseball helped her overcome the discomfort. “That was a big motivator for me to keep going,” she says, “and not really care about what other people might have to say about me.”

After finding success at the MLB Breakthrough Series and an MLB Grit event, she made the USA Baseball Women’s National Team at just 18, playing as a right-handed pitcher and outfielder last summer.

Hustling on the global stage made her even more determined to find a university where she could continue pursuing her passion. “I knew that I wanted and could play college baseball,” she says, “but the problem was finding the right school that fit me academically and where I would join the baseball team.”

The perfect place turned out to be Brown, the Providence, R.I. Ivy League university where she became just one of the 5.5% of applicants to be accepted into the class of 2026, partly thanks to her impressive 5.2 GPA.

Receiving her acceptance letter was “a happy moment” for Pichardo, who says Brown was her mother’s top choice. “She cried when I got in, which made me uncomfortable,” she says, laughing.

As Pichardo began her studies last semester, she signed up to try out for the baseball team as a walk-on. Heading into the audition, she was confident in her ability to stand out. “I’ve always been able to not only just keep up,” she says, “but also excel.” Now she feels like just another one of the Bears. “My teammates treat me like they would each other, which I appreciate,” she says. “It’s all I could ask for.”

Currently, she’s leaning towards a major in business economics “because it’s a versatile degree” that will give her options if she doesn’t go pro. “I’m thinking about maybe pursuing an MLB front-office job one day,” says Pichardo, who became fascinated with the “behind-the-scenes” of baseball as an intern with the New York Mets last Spring.

But for now Pichardo is focused on the upcoming season, kicking off Feb. 24. against the Memphis Tigers.

Her preparation has included reading Training Camp by Jon Gordon, a mandatory assignment for the Bears that encourages baseballers to find “something outside of yourself to play for,” she says.

When Pichardo hits the field, she’ll play for the next generation of female baseball players. “When I was little, I didn’t know there were other girls playing baseball,” she says. “Inspiring girls is my biggest motivator.”

23 UNDER 23 FOR 2023: YOUNG STARS SHINE BRIGHT IN WOMEN’S SPORTS

February 7, 2023 by Tara S

By: Emma Hruby | Just Women’s Sports

From NWSL MVP Sophia Smith to Olympic gymnast Suni Lee, from college basketball star Aliyah Boston to world-class runner Athing Mu, the future of women’s sports looks bright.

As we enter a new year, Just Women’s Sports takes a look at 23 athletes under 23 years old who we expect to shine in 2023.

One note: The list is limited to American athletes. So while athletes such as Germany’s Lena Oberdorf, Australia’s Ariarne Titmus and more should be considered among the best young stars in the world, they are not included here.

SEASONED PROS

MIA FISHEL, 21 – SOCCER

Why has Fishel not earned a call-up to the U.S. women’s national team? That question is only becoming more pressing as she continues to make her name in Liga MX.

One of the brightest young soccer stars, Fishel became the first foreign-born player to win the league’s Golden Boot with 17 goals for UANL Tigres. She also helped lead the Tigres to the Liga MX title. Fishel’s abilities — and her potential — made her an easy choice for this list.

NAOMI GIRMA, 22 – SOCCER

Girma is the present and future of the USWNT defense. After she was taken No. 1 overall in the last NWSL Draft, Girma had just about as good of a rookie season as one could have. Not only did the San Diego Wave star win Rookie of the Year, she was also named Defender of the Year and earned a spot among the NWSL’s Best XI.

She made her first appearance for the USWNT in April. Since then, she’s recorded 10 caps and was named to the Best XI for the Concacaf W Championship.

RHYNE HOWARD, 22 – BASKETBALL

Howard had a stellar 2022, which culminated in the WNBA Rookie of the Year award. The No. 1 overall draft pick out of Kentucky in April, she became the lone rookie to earn a roster spot for the All-Star game and took Rookie of the Month honors every month from May to August. Howard finished the season at eighth on the scoring list with 16.2 points per game.

TRINITY RODMAN, 20 – SOCCER

For Rodman, 2021 served as a coming-out party, and 2022 continued the celebration. She became the youngest player drafted in NWSL history in 2021 and helped lead the Spirit to the NWSL title that same year. She followed that up with a record contract in 2022, and in August she was named one of 20 finalists for the prestigious Ballon d’Or.

Internationally, Rodman scored her first USWNT goal in 2022 after making her national team debut in February. She just continues to get better, and that shouldn’t change in 2023.

SOPHIA SMITH, 22 – SOCCER

Smith is one of the best young soccer players in the world right now. At just 22 years old, she led the USWNT in scoring in 2022 with 11 goals, becoming the youngest player to do so since 21-year-old Mia Hamm in 1993.

In 2022, the Portland Thorns forward also became the youngest NWSL MVP, and she was named MVP of the championship match and as a member of the league’s Best XI. And she very well could be adding U.S. Soccer Player of the Year to her list of accolades. As the national team sets its sights on the 2023 World Cup, Smith will be a key piece for the defending champions.

OLYMPIC MEDALISTS

JORDAN CHILES, 21 – GYMNASTICS

After she helped the United States to a team silver at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, she played a key role in the team winning gold at the World Championships in 2022. She also earned silver medals in the vault and floor exercises. Chiles is one to watch as the 2024 Olympic cycle approaches.

KATE DOUGLASS, 21 – SWIMMING

Douglass put together arguably the greatest individual performance in collegiate swimming history in 2022, breaking American records in three separate events — in three separate strokes and distances.

The Virginia senior followed up that performance by winning three medals at the World Championships, including bronze in the 200-meter breaststroke. At the short course World Championships in December, she won two individual gold medals and seven total medals.

EILEEN GU, 19 – SKIING

Gu stunned the world in 2022, winning Olympic gold in big air and halfpipe while also capturing a silver in slopestyle. Born in the United States but competing for China, she became the youngest gold-medal winner ever in freestyle skiing and became just the second woman to land a double cork 1620 in competition on her first attempt.

As her celebrity skyrocketed, sponsorship deals also poured in for Gu. She finished the year as the third-highest-paid female athlete behind tennis stars Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams, bringing in an astounding $20.1 million, according to Forbes.

TORRI HUSKE, 20 – SWIMMING

After finishing the NCAA season strong, Huske was a member of Team USA at the World Championships in June. There, she won the 100 butterfly in a new American record time for her first individual world title. She also claimed a bronze in the 100 freestyle, and she led all swimmers with six total medals.

She continued that run at the short course World Championships in December, winning seven total medals and topping the podium four times. As the swimming world starts to set its eyes on the Paris Olympics, Huske will be one to watch.

CHLOE KIM, 22 – SNOWBOARDING

Kim had a successful 2022, defending her 2018 Olympic title in the halfpipe at the Beijing Olympics. She scored a 94, well above the rest of the competition, and is eyeing a return for the 2026 Olympics. If she tops the podium again in Italy, she would become the first woman ever to earn three Olympic gold medals in snowboarding.

SUNI LEE, 19 – GYMNASTICS

After she became a household name at the Tokyo Olympics, Lee began her freshman year at Auburn. While there, she won the 2022 national title in the balance beam and placed second in the all-around. She has announced that the upcoming NCAA season will be her last as she plans to return to elite gymnastics, with her sights set on the 2024 Olympics.

ATHING MU, 20 – TRACK AND FIELD

Following up on her stunning Olympic campaign in 2021, Mu continued her run in 2022, winning the world title in the 800 meters. In doing so, she became the first American woman to win the world title in the 800 and the youngest woman in history to win both Olympic and world titles in an individual track and field event.

Mu hasn’t lost on the outdoor track since Sept. 2019, a streak that dates back three years. Look for her to continue to dominate the track in 2023.

COLLEGE STARS

ALIYAH BOSTON, 21 – BASKETBALL

Boston’s trophy case must be groaning under the weight of all her awards from 2022. She won the national championship with South Carolina, and she was named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament. She also won the Naismith College Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards, the Wooden Award and the AP Player of the Year award.

You name it, she won it in 2022 — except for the ESPY for Best Collegiate Athlete, which went to Jocelyn Alo. But that doesn’t take away from Boston’s accomplishments. She’s also started her senior season with similar success. The undefeated Gamecocks have a good shot at winning back-to-back titles, and that’s largely due to Boston.

PAIGE BUECKERS, 21 – BASKETBALL

It’s hard to know what kind of year Bueckers will have in 2023, as she will miss all of this season with a knee injury. But Bueckers’ capabilities cannot be disputed. Even after missing much of last season with a knee injury, she returned to help lead UConn to the national championship game.

CAITLIN CLARK, 20 – BASKETBALL

Iowa basketball would not be Iowa basketball without Clark. Known for her logo 3-pointers and insane range, she single-handedly has sought to will Iowa to victory multiple times this season.

As a sophomore in the 2021-22 season, Clark became the first women’s player to lead the NCAA in scoring and assists. She also had a streak of 19 games with at least 15 points and five assists, the longest such streak in women’s basketball. Only Trae Young at Oklahoma has recorded a longer such streak.

AZZI FUDD, 20 – BASKETBALL

In the absence of Bueckers, Fudd stepped up in a big way for UConn to start this season. Before she went down with her own knee injury in early December, the sophomore led the Huskies in scoring with 20.6 points while adding 2.7 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 rebounds. She also posted 32 points against a then-top 5 Texas team, tying her with Diana Taurasi for the most points scored by a UConn player against a top-five opponent. And she should be making her return to the court soon.

CAROLINE HARVEY, 20 – ICE HOCKEY

The youngest player named to the 2021 World Championship roster for Team USA, Harvey subsequently made the Olympic and World Championship rosters in 2022. The defender had a stellar run at worlds, recording three goals and five assists for eight points. She’s in the midst of her freshman year at Wisconsin, with 25 points — including 18 assists — through 21 games.

TAYLOR HEISE, 22 – ICE HOCKEY

Heise entered her fifth year at Minnesota on a high note. A member of Team USA and the 2022 winner of the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, she made her World Championship debut in 2022 with a bang. En route to the silver medal, Heise led the tournament in scoring with 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) through seven games. She was named Best Forward and tournament MVP.

The Golden Gophers star is not done rolling. Through 19 games this season, she has 13 goals and 21 assists, which puts her on track to beat her 29 goals and 37 assists through 39 games last season.

ROSE ZHANG, 19 – GOLF

Zhang became the first athlete to sign an NIL deal with Adidas in June after she won the individual NCAA title and helped lead Stanford to its second NCAA title. In her freshman season, she broke the NCAA’s single-season scoring average with an astounding 69.68.

She received invitations to the U.S. Open and British Open this year, finishing tied for 40th and tied for 28th, respectively. She’s topped the world amateurs ranking for two years in a row. Look out for Zhang to make another NCAA title run in her sophomore season.

TIARE JENNINGS, 20 – SOFTBALL

While the spotlight of the 2022 Women’s College World Series centered on departing senior Jocelyn Alo, Jennings also continued to make a name for herself at Oklahoma. A two-time WCWS champion, she’s twice been named to the All-Tournament team — all in her first two seasons with the Sooners.

She batted .385 and blasted 24 home runs in the 2022 season. Her total of 72 RBI was tied for third in the NCAA. She also excelled in the field, posting a .982 fielding percentage and recording just two errors all season long. During the WCWS, she set the record for RBIs with 15, adding to the Sooners’ record-breaking 64 runs.

NEXT WAVE

COCO GAUFF, 18 – TENNIS

When Serena Williams announced her retirement from tennis in 2022, the question became: Who is the future of American tennis? As eyes turned to Williams’ final stretch of matches, the answer to that question went on an incredible run of her own.

Gauff rocketed up to a career-high world No. 1 in the doubles rankings in August and a career-high No. 4 in singles in October. The French Open, which came in the same month as her high school graduation, provided the stage for Gauff’s first-ever Grand Slam final. She also reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open for the first time in 2022. In October, she became the youngest singles player to qualify for the WTA Finals since Maria Sharapova in 2005. While Gauff still has yet to win her first major, the 18-year-old is well on her way there.

HARPER MURRAY, 18 – VOLLEYBALL

The Nebraska volleyball commit was named to our All-American team in December after capping her high school career with an eye-popping senior season. She ended with a .410 hitting percentage and 663 kills. That bumped her career total to 2,245, and she also finished with 1,423 career digs.

Her efforts earned her Michigan’s Miss Volleyball title, and she will enter her career at Nebraska as the No. 1-ranked recruit in the country.

ISABEAU LEVITO, 15 – FIGURE SKATING

Levito made her senior international debut in 2022, placing first at the Philadelphia Summer International in her first senior competition. She followed that up by winning gold in her first appearance on the Challenger circuit.

She made her Grand Prix debut at Skate America in October, where she finished second behind world champion Kaori Sakamoto of Japan. She became the youngest American to qualify for the Grand Prix Final since Caroline Zhang in 2007. With her sights set on the 2026 Olympics, Levito will be one to watch this year and for years to come.

U-20 HONORABLE MENTIONS

CHLOE KOVELESKY, 15 – GOLF

Kovelesky became the youngest player to play in the U.S. Women’s Open in 2021. In 2022, she placed first in the Portland Classic Amateur Open and qualified for her first LPGA event.

OLIVIA MOULTRIE, 17 – SOCCER

After making her professional debut in the NWSL in 2021, Moultrie scored her first goal for the Portland Thorns in 2022. She won a championship with the club just a few months later, and she soaked in (most of) the celebrations.

JAEDYN SHAW, 18 – SOCCER

Shaw is another teenager who has made a splash in the NWSL. She joined the San Diego Wave in July, she wasted no time, scoring her first professional goal in her first start. She finished the season with three goals for the expansion club.

ALYSSA THOMPSON, 18 – SOCCER

In September, Thompson became the youngest player since Sophia Smith to earn a senior national team call-up. She made her debut with the USWNT in front of a packed crowd at Wembley Stadium in London and finished the year with two caps.

GRETCHEN WALSH, 19 – SWIMMING

Walsh had a breakout freshman season for Virginia, becoming the first freshman ever to crack 21 seconds in the 50 freestyle. One of just two swimmers to break 21 seconds in the meet, she was bested only by teammate Douglass, who took gold. She later won the 100 freestyle with the fourth-fastest collegiate swim of all time.

SUNI LEE MAKES AUBURN GYMNASTICS HISTORY IN NIGHT OF PERFECT 10S

February 7, 2023 by Tara S

By: Emma Hruby | Just Women’s Sports

Suni Lee recorded two perfect 10s on Friday night, adding to a total tally of nine perfect 10s on the night.

The two were her first 10s of the season, coming on bars and beam. In total, Lee has eight in her collegiate career, the most in Auburn women’s gymnastics history. Despite the 10s, Auburn fell to Alabama in the overall meet scores.

Florida’s Leanne Wong also posted two 10s on the night while Maile O’Keefe, Luisa Blanco, Aleah Finnegan, Sierra Brooks and Abby Heiskell all recorded 10s in their respective meets.

Hannah Gladden to Pursue MMA Dreams

November 18, 2022 by Tara S

Few days ago I posted that I have decided to purse my dream in MMA. I have a Wrestling background of 9 year. And few things in my arsenal that will help me in the sport.

I am looking for a spot to train to prepare myself and in the next 4 to 5 month I want to be able to have a fight lined up if possible.

I am a very humble Athlete that works hard. If you know anyone that would love to help sponsor me while I chase my dream please let me know. I do believe that I could be on the UFC before you know it.

Here is my Credentials and its not all of it.

HANNAH LASHAE GLADDEN

2019-20 Team USA Ranking: No. 3 at 76 kg/167.5 lbs.

Years on Team USA: 2 (2018-2020)

Residence: Gadsden, Ala.

Club: Lion WC

College: Emmanuel College (2018-2019), Univ. of the Cumberlands (2016-2018), Campbellsville Univ. (2014-2016)

High School: Ohatchee, Ala.

Born: August 13, 1996 in Gadsden, Ala.

Height: 5-4

Career Highlights

2018 Pan American Championships bronze medalist

Second in 2018 and 2019 World Team Trials Challenge Tournament

Second in 2019 U.S. Open

Third in 2018 U.S. Open

2018 SFU International champion (Canada)

Second in 2017 Dave Schultz Memorial International

Three-time WCWA All-American (2015, 2017, 2019)

2019: Fourth at Bill Farrell Memorial International… Eighth in UWW Test Event (Japan)… Fifth at Canada Cup… Seventh in Poland Open… Second in World Team Trials Challenge Tournament… Seventh at U23 World Team Trials… Second at U.S. Open…

2018: SFU International champion (Canada)… Second in World Team Trials Challenge Tournament… Third at U.S. Open… Third in Pan American Championships… Fourth at Bill Farrell Memorial International … Third at U23 World Team Trials

2017: Sixth at U.S. World Team Trials… Dave Schultz Memorial International silver medalist…

2016: Second in Last Chance Trials Qualifier…

2015: Seventh in UWW Junior Nationals… Sixth in University Nationals…

2014: Sixth at UWW Junior Nationals…

2013: Pan American Cadet champion…

College: Fourth in 2019 WCWA Nationals for Emmanuel College… Coached by Kristie Davis… Sixth at 2017 WCWA College Nationals for the Univ. of the Cumberlands… Coached by Donnie Stephens there… Sixth at 2015 WCWA College Nationals for Campbellsville Univ… Previously coached by Lee Miracle… Majors in Criminal Justice with a minor in Kinesiology…

High School: Two-time Boys AHSAA Alabama State qualifier… first girl to qualify in Alabama history…

Age-Group Achievements: Fifth at 2014 Folkstyle Junior Nationals… Fourth at 2013 Junior Nationals… Third at 2013 Folkstyle Junior Nationals… Sixth at 2012 Junior Nationals… Third in 2012 Cadet Nationals… Third in 2012 UWW Cadet Nationals…

Hobbies: training for MMA…

Instagram: hannahlashaejohnson44

Amit Elor, 18, becomes youngest American to win world wrestling title

November 17, 2022 by Tara S

By: Cody Goodwin | USA Today

Amit Elor, at just 18 years old, became the youngest American wrestler ever to win a Senior world title this week.

Elor won gold at the 2022 Senior women’s freestyle world championships in Belgrade, Serbia. She went 4-0 and took first at 72 kilograms (158 pounds), securing a 10-0 technical fall win in Thursday’s final over Kazakhstan’s Zhamila Bakbergenova.

“I’m still in shock,” Elor told USA Wrestling afterward. “It’s unbelievable. It’s setting the new standard for girls younger than me. It’s about being an inspiration for others.”

The California native and New York resident turned 18 on Jan. 1 of this year, and she supplants Kyle Snyder as the youngest American wrestler, man or woman, to become a world champion. Snyder was previously the youngest when he won in 2015.

Japan's Masako Furuichi, left, and Amit Elor, of the United States, compete in their women's freestyle 72 kg wrestling match during the Wrestling World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

Elor was dominant this week. She outscored her four opponents 27-2, and registered wins over three past world medalists:

3-2 over Japan’s Masako Furuichi, the 2021 world champ;
a 39-second pin over Turkey’s Buse Tosun, a 2021 world bronze medalist;
and her 10-0 win over Bakbergenova, the 2021 world silver medalist.

“All the training I’m doing, it’s good and it’s working,” Elor told USA Wrestling. “This has been my dream since I was a little girl. This is what I want more than anything in the whole world. I think about it every single day.”

“I just stuck to my style and what I believe in. If I do that, I can beat anybody in the world. I still have so much to work on. But I believe in my style and I believe in my coaches, and it worked out.”

Elor’s gold-medal finish was the lead highlight for the U.S. women’s freestyle world team this week in Serbia.

The American women took second in the team race for the second straight year, totaling 157 points behind seven medalists. They finished behind Japan, who scored 190 thanks to nine total medalists, including five individual champs. China took third with 84 points.

Elor was one of three American women to win gold, tying the 2019 team for the most by a U.S. women’s freestyle team. The seven medalists also ties a USA Wrestling record, matching the totals from 2003 in New York City and 2021 in Oslo, Norway.

Dominique Parrish won gold at 53 kilos (116) in her first trip to the world championships. At 68 kilos (150), Tamyra Mensah-Stock, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist, won her second world title, outscoring her four opponents 34-0. She recorded a first-period pin in her finals match on Thursday, and is now a five-time world and Olympic medalist.

Behind them:

Helen Maroulis finished second at 57 kilos (125), and is now an eight-time world and Olympic medalist;
Kayla Miracle also took second, at 62 kilos (136), for the second consecutive year;
Sarah Hildebrandt won bronze at 50 kilos (110) to become a four-time world and Olympic medalist;
and Mallory Velte secured her second Senior-level world medal with a bronze-medal finish at 65 kilos (143).

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In the last 14 months, Elor has won a 2021 Cadet world title, a 2021 Junior world title, a 2022 Junior world title, and now 2022 Senior world gold. Across all four competitions, she’s 14-0 and has outscored her opponents 131-3.

And, again, she’s just 18. She said she plans to stick around for a long, long time.

“There’s still so much more to accomplish,” she continued. “My number one dream is to be an Olympic champion, but there’s world championships every single year, and each year is a new year and a chance to prove that you’re number one. I love that.

“There were a lot of nerves, but every time I felt nerves, I just reminded myself why I’m wrestling, and that I love this sport. So just go out there and enjoy it. If you don’t enjoy the moment, it’s not worth it.”

Cody Goodwin covers wrestling and high school sports for the Des Moines Register. Follow him on Twitter at @codygoodwin.

Meet Anna Leigh Waters

November 17, 2022 by Tara S

Anna Leigh Waters is Top 5 in the world in women’s professional pickleball and competes in all three divisions: Women’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles, and Singles. Upon going pro at only twelve years of age, she became the youngest professional pickleball player in history. She partners with her mom, Leigh Waters, and helped develop the two’s family trait of “banging” and “ripping” on the pickleball court. When the Waters made their debut in pickleball, they pioneered a new playing style that relies on power and reflex volleys paired with rock-solid defense and resets. Rather than patiently dinking and waiting for their opponents to make a mistake, the Waters prefer to speed things up and muscle their way through points – an aggressive style that has won them a passionate fan base. Anna Leigh Waters is also a fierce competitor when it comes to Singles and Mixed Doubles and generally partners up with JW Johnson, Kyle Yates, or Tyson McGuffin for the latter event.

Waters is a national champion in Women’s Doubles, winning her first gold medal at the 2021 Orlando Cup. She also took golds in Singles at the Newport Beach Showcase, the Orlando Cup, and the Texas Open – all in 2021. Waters finished first in Women’s Doubles at the Tournament of Champions, as well as at the Margaritaville USA Pickleball Nationals Championship. She is the youngest professional pickleball champion in history, capturing titles at only twelve years of age. She is a bronze medalist in Singles at the 2021 U.S. Open and a silver and bronze medalist (Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles, respectively) at the 2021 Acrytech Atlanta Open.

Waters, along with her mom, took the whole of 2020 off from pickleball due to concerns about COVID-19, but has lost no time working her way back up to the top since her return to the Pro Circuit in 2021. Waters seems to balance her pro pickleball career, normal teenagerhood, and competitive travel soccer with ease. She is quick to smile and laugh on-court, but her passion and fire leaves no one in doubt about what she wants the result to be. Outside of pickleball, she enjoys soccer, shopping, cooking, and fashion.

AS SUE BIRD AND SYLVIA FOWLES SAY GOODBYE, WNBA PLAYERS REFLECT ON THEIR LEGACIES

August 12, 2022 by Tara S

BY Emma Hruby | Just Women’s Sports

The WNBA regular season is nearing its end, and so are the careers of two of the game’s best players.

Sylvia Fowles and Sue Bird will meet for the final time in the regular season Friday, as Fowles’ Minnesota Lynx host Bird’s Seattle Storm. In the coming weeks, each will step onto a WNBA court for the final time as a player. Still, the impact each has had on the game will remain.

Los Angeles Sparks forward and WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike underlined the power of both players, which extends well beyond their stat lines.

“The legacy that they’re leaving – it touches so many young players that I can’t wait to see how that evolves in someone else’s game,” Ogwumike told Just Women’s Sports. “They’ve done so much for the league, so much for the culture, so much for certain franchises that are now living in history.

“I’m happy we can give them their flowers while they’re still going hard and hooping.”

As a young player, Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum looked up to the duo, who she said not only influenced her game but also made her proud to be part of a league like the WNBA.

“You can’t speak enough to what both of them have done in different realms of the sport,” Plum said.

Speaking at the WNBA’s All-Star weekend, stars from across the league pointed to Bird and Fowles as trailblazers, role models and leaders.

Chicago Sky guard Candace Parker has played against Fowles since she was 14 years old and matched up against Bird for the first time in college in 2006, but also has gotten to play alongside both as part of gold-medal winning U.S. Olympic teams.

“For me personally, they’ve made me better as teammates but also made me better competing against them,” she said. “It’s amazing to be able to honor them.”

For Connecticut Sun forward Jonquel Jones, Fowles is “the toughest matchup” that she’s ever played against in her career.

“So strong physically. So dominant. A great finisher around the rim,” she said of the Lynx center. “She’s definitely someone that I look up to, someone that I try to model and shape my game around. She was the prototype of what success for a long time in this league looks like.”

Jones views Bird as a “prototype” for point guards in the league. The Storm star has helped shape the game both for the WNBA and women’s sports as a whole, Jones said.

“I’m happy to say that she’s a member of the WNBA and I’m a member of the WNBA with her,” she added.

When Fowles and Bird each were asked about the other’s impact, both focused on the strengths of the person – not the player.

“Sue Bird is everything this game needed: her leadership, her sisterhood, her friendship and just the things she does for the community,” Fowles said. “I think any young player, young point guard should have a good foundation of role models to go off of and Sue Bird is definitely one of those people.”

For Bird, Fowles’ care for her teammates sets the Lynx center apart from the rest.

“Sylvia is the one player I think in our league, when you see how her teammates interact with her, how they take to her – I know they jokingly call her grandma and whatnot – she really just has a certain nature about her that is so warm, so welcoming and so inviting,” Bird said. “I think the way that she impacts her team, the way she’s able to bring groups together, I can’t even think of another player that does it the same way Syl does.

“Believe me, I could sit here and talk about points and rebounds and championships and all of the things, but that, I think, is the secret ingredient that she has.”

Younger players, including Atlanta Dream rookie Rhyne Howard and New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, recognize how Fowles and Bird have elevated the WNBA.

“It’s pretty remarkable, what they’ve meant to our sport and to everyone,” Ionescu said. “Where they came from and where they’ve left the game is absolutely in better hands. We’re excited as younger athletes to continue to pave the way for those to follow but they’ve done an incredible job and their career has been nothing short of amazing.”

For Howard, Fowles and Bird have provided footsteps to follow.

“They’ve set the stone,” Howard said. “They’ve been and done everything that young rookies like me want to do. So just to have them to look up to is big.”

Seattle Storm star Jewell Loyd sees in the retirements of Fowles and Bird a call to action for those still in the league and those to come.

“They’re what it means to be a professional athlete. To be a role model. To be a leader,” she said. “They are a generational talent. It’s sad that they’re leaving but they’ve left their mark and it’s our job now to carry that through.”

Little League Softball World Series: Meet the 12 Teams

August 12, 2022 by Tara S

By: Emma Hruby | Just Women’s Sports

The Little League Softball World Series begins Tuesday, marking the second year in a row that the event has graced the fields of Greenville, N.C.

For the first time, the competition features 12 teams in a brand-new expanded bracket. A total of eight U.S. teams and four international teams are going for the title.

LLSWS TEAMS

Central: Daniel Boone Little League (Columbia, Mo.)

For the second straight year, Daniel Boone represents the Central Region. The team placed third last year and looks this year to become the first team from Missouri to win the tournament.

Mid-Atlantic: Delmar (Md.) Little League

A newcomer, Delmar recorded 48 runs across four games in the the first-ever Mid-Atlantic Region tournament. The defending state champion is the only team from Maryland to make it to the LLSWS.

Northwest: Issaquah (Wash.) Little League

Issaquah features a one-two punch in star pitchers Shaelyn Erickson and London White. The team went undefeated in its regional tournament to reach the LLSWS for the seventh time.

Southwest: Midway Little League (Hewitt, Texas)

A three-time LLSWS champion from Texas, Midway nearly missed the tournament after losing to Louisiana early in the Southwest Region tournament. The team rebounded in the championship game and aims to win the World Series once again.

North Carolina (Host): Pitt County Girls Softball Little League

Pitt County beat two-time LLWS champions Rowan to claim the first spot in Greenville in early July.

New England: Milford (Conn.) Little League

Another team with a dominant pitching duo, Milford went 4-0 in the first-ever New England Regional softball tournament. With 18 strikeouts over four victories, the team allowed just three earned runs.

Southeast: Chesterfield (Va.) Little League

This year’s appearance from Chesterfield marks the seventh time a team from Virginia will make the tournament. It’s the second-straight trip to the LLSWS for Chesterfield, which went 3-0 in the regional tournament, including a 4-3 against Rowan (N.C.) in the championship game.

West: La Verne (Calif.) Little League

The 22nd team from California to make the tournament, La Verne scored 30 runs in the West Region tournament and allowed just one. Pitcher Katie Coldiron has been outstanding in the circle, recording 44 strikeouts since the start of district tournament play.

Asia-Pacific: Negros Occidental Little League (Philippines)

The Asia-Pacific champion is trying to become the first team from its region to win the LLSWS.

Latin America: Guayama (Puerto Rico) Softball Little League

Guayama makes its first-ever appearance at the LLSWS and is the first Puerto Rican team to represent the Latin American Region since 2017.

Canada: St. Albert Softball Little League

The Canadian team did not drop a game in its regional championship run and has won 38 total gamest this season compared to just six losses. St. Albert logged two double-digit run games in the regional tournament.

Europe and Africa: Emilia Romagna Little League (Italy)

Emilia Romagna becomes the first Italian team in the tournament since 2019. The group is looking to be the first international team to win the tournament since 2001.

[Read more…]