American Gold Sports Alliance

Athlete Spotlight

NOT DONE YET: TWHS’ Rayome primed for next challenge on the mat

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BY: Matthew Ogle | VYPE

Junior Riley Rayome is gradually becoming a staple in a long line of acclaimed athletes at The Woodlands.

After taking gold at the UIL State Tournament last Winter, Rayome has subsequently set the stage for this season with style. This past weekend – her birthday weekend, no less – she won the Preseason National Tournament for USA Wrestling (115 weight class), and became the first TWHS student to earn the title of Most Outstanding Wrestler at the tournament.

Despite the precedent she’s already established, Rayome remains determined.

“I try to stay humble and realize that there are still things that I can accomplish,” she said. “I try to look at it as if I’m not done yet. There will always be someone better than me, so I just need to keep going. Once I accomplish something I just try to set a higher goal, which means I can’t let off the gas.”

Given the presence she has on the mat, it comes as no surprise that this junior Highlander will be the wrestling team’s captain in the upcoming season – a role she doesn’t take lightly.

“The pressure is high, but I do enjoy it,” said Rayome. “There’s a lot that comes with being a potential role model and setting an example for the team, but that’s part of what makes it fun. I like being able to have that control, and being able to say ‘I’ve done these things, I’ve been places’.”

“It also helps me to improve my leadership skills. I just enjoy helping people see what this sport can bring them, in order to help them see out their own visions.”

Considering her father, Jeffery Rayome, is her wrestling coach at The Woodlands, it’s not hard to see where Riley got her dedication to the sport from – dating all the way back when she started in second grade.

Riley Rayome with her father, Coach Jeffery RayomePhoto provided by Riley Rayome

“He (Rayome’s father) is the reason I started wrestling,” she said. “I would watch his practices as a kid, and seeing his passion made me want to go into it. Now that he’s my high school coach, I love having him in my corner. It makes me feel like I have a lot of trust in my matches, because I know that I’ll have the best person possible backing me up.”

Rayome named Brian Keck Preseason Nationals girls high school Outstanding Wrestler during exciting finals

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BY GARY ABBOTT, USA WRESTLING

Many of the nation’s best girls high school wrestlers came out to test themselves at the Brian Keck Memorial Preseason Nationals. While a number of weight classes were won by well-established national stars, some of the champions used this event to make a name for themselves.

The Outstanding Wrestler was Texas star Riley Rayome of JfloTrained, who defeated Kaura Coles of Montana, 11-4 in the 115-pound finals. Rayome broke open a competitive match with some great wrestling, especially on the mat. Rayome came into Des Moines with a No. 7 national ranking, while Coles was at No. 6. It was one of the most competitive weight classes in the tournament.

One of the top wrestlers in the field, No. 2 nationally ranked Eduarda Rodrigues of California, powered through her 155-pound bracket with pins in all five of her matches. She wrapped up the title with a fall over No. 19 Kaylee Davis of Prodigy Wrestling of Oklahoma in 2:56.

The 170-pound finals featured a pair of elite stars, with Iowan Naomi Simon of the Iowa City WC, ranked No. 2 at 170 pounds, against Illinois’ Valerie Hamilton of SOT-C, who is No. 1 at 135 pounds and jumped up for this event. Although Hamilton was able to turn Simon for back points, it was Simon who controlled most of the positions on the way to a 6-3 win.

While the tournament was loaded with nationally ranked high school girls, and most of the champions were high in the rankings, two of the individual champions came to Des Moines unranked, 130-pound winner Riley Hanrahan of Team Nazar Training Center in Wisconsin and 190-pound wrestler Libby Dix of Iowa.

Hanrahan stopped No. 11 ranked Lilyana Balderas of the Sunkist Kids Monster Garage in the finals with a pin in 5:44. Hanrahan beat No. 8 Briney Rueb, No. 30 Chloe Sanders and No. 4 Samantha Sachs on the way to the finals.

Dix scored a 4-0 decision in the finals against No. 6 Mariah Brumley of Lebanon Yellowjackets of Missouri. Her first win in the tournament was over No. 2 ranked Tirza Twoteeth of Montana, by pin in 5:13. Dix won her first three matches by pin.

The first two matches of the finals finished with pins, as No. 3 Katey Valdez of Betterman Elite Wrestling of Colorado (100) and No. 5 Gabrielle Tedesco of Lake Gibson High in Florida (105).

Valdez pinned Jubilee Rendon of Team Xtreme in Texas in 40 seconds, and Tedesco, a 2023 Junior Nationals champion, pinned Athea Valenzuela of Arizona in 1:42.

At 110 pounds, No. 24 Ava Peters of Aviators needed sudden victory to defeat Alicia Serratos of Wolf Pack WC in California, 9-7.

No. 6 Sierra Chiesa of Bad Karma WC of Pennsylvania was powerful in her victory at 120 pounds, holding a strong lead before pinning No. 5 Lexie Lopez of Victory WC of Colorado.

No. 9 Kaylyn Harrill of The Best Wrestler in Nebraska opened up her offense in a 10-4 win over Brissa Bernal of Oklahoma, who competes for BullTrained Wrestling. Bernal, who has been nationally ranked in the past, is coming back after missing substantial time with injury.

Harrill will be competing in the U15 Pan American Championships later this fall.

No. 27 Emma Chacon of Arizona stopped Iowa’s Isabella Miller of Big Game WC in a competitive final at 135 pounds, by a 5-2 margin.

Taking the 140-pound title was No. 11 Cassandra Gonzales of Minnesota Elite WC, who shut out No. 16 Gianna DiBenedetto of the Swamp Monsters WC of California. Also winning by a shutout was No. 3 Gretchen Donally of Montana, who stopped No. 23 Mackenzie Pratt of Illinois, 7-0.

In a battle of nationally ranked athletes at 235 pounds, No. 12 Mia Cienega of the Ascend Wrestling Academy controlled No. 6 Chloe Hoselton of SOT-C, 5-2.

BRIAN KECK PRESEASON NATIONALS

At Des Moines, Iowa, October 29, 2023

9th-12th Grade Girls results

100 pounds

1st – Katey Valdez (Betterman Elite Wrestling) won by fall over Jubilee Rendon (Team Xtreme Wrestling) (Fall 0:40)

3rd – Zurri Zamora (Texas) won by fall over Brianne Graves (Ohio) (Fall 3:22)

5th – Katie Biscoglia (Ubasa Wrestling Academy) won by fall over Mia Navarro (California) (Fall 2:38)

7th – Mya Hairston (Thoroughbred Wrestling Academy (TWA)) won by decision over Abigail Mendoza (Texas Style Wrestling Club) (Dec 8-2)

105 pounds

1st – Gabriele Tedesco (Lake Gibson High School Wrestling) won by fall over Athea Valenzuela (Arizona Girls Wrestling) (Fall 1:42)

3rd – Elizabeth Valenzuela Smith (Arizona Girls Wrestling) won by decision over Jazmine Turner (Grace M Davis High School Wrestling) (Dec 6-1)

5th – Kendall Moe (Contenders Wrestling Academy) won by decision over Sloane Kruger (Mat Demon Wrestling Club) (Dec 4-2)

7th – Layla Phillips (Immortal Athletics WC) won by fall over Payton Thiele (The Best Wrestler) (Fall 0:47)

110 pounds

1st – Ava Peters (Aviators Wrestling) won in sudden victory – 1 over Alicia Serratos (Wolf Pack WC) (SV-1 9-7)

3rd – Sophia Shultz (The Best Wrestler) won by fall over Sofia Ferran (Golden Bears Wrestling Club) (Fall 5:00)

5th Place Match

Madison Heinzer (Daniel Cormier Wrestling Club) won by decision over Madilyn Enterline (Bad Karma Wrestling Club) (Dec 6-2)

7th Place Match

Cheyenne Frank (Michigan Revolution Wrestling Club) won by fall over Abigail Gindele (Pursuit Wrestling Minnesota) (Fall 0:30)

115 pounds

1st – Riley Rayome (Jflo Trained) won by decision over Kaura Coles (Montana) (Dec 11-4)

3rd – Gigi Bragg (Michigan Revolution Wrestling Club) won by decision over Lindsey Lopez (Victory Wrestling Club – VTC) (Dec 4-1)

5th – Kamdyn Saulter (Summit Wrestling Academy) won by fall over Reanah Utterback (Sebolt Wrestling Academy) (Fall 0:58)

7th – Bk Martinez (Ayala High School Wrestling) won by fall over Tessa Urias (ReZults Wrestling) (Fall 2:28)

120 pounds

1st – Sierra Chiesa (Bad Karma Wrestling Club) won by fall over Lexie Lopez (Victory Wrestling Club – VTC) (Fall 5:41)

3rd – Kailey Benson (Missouri) won by major decision over Aiyana Perkins (Oklahoma) (Maj 12-0)

5th – Kylee Kurszewski (Neenah Wrestling) won by decision over Izzy LeVine (Arizona Girls Wrestling) (Dec 10-5)

7th – Ariella Dobin (Toss Em Up Wrestling Academy) won by fall over Madalyn Deiter (North Montana Wrestling Club) (Fall 4:53)

125 pounds

1st – Kaylyn Harrill (The Best Wrestler) won by decision over Brissa Bernal (BullTrained Wrestling) (Dec 10-4)

3rd – Ava Milliner (Heart and Pride Wrestling Club) won in sudden victory – 1 over Dealya Collins (Mineral Point Wrestling Club) (SV-1 11-9)

5th – Jamie Laswell (Arizona Girls Wrestling) won by decision over Lindsey Rywolt (South Side Wrestling Club) (Dec 3-0)

7th – Arianna Ruiz (Golden Bears Wrestling Club) won by fall over Kate Doughty (Lockdown Wrestling Club) (Fall 1:48)

130 pounds

1st – Riley Hanrahan (Team Nazar Training Center) won by fall over Lilyana Balderas (Sunkist Kids Monster Garage) (Fall 5:44)

3rd – Lynn Horn (Oklahoma) won by fall over Camille Rainey (Warrior Trained Wrestling) (Fall 1:52)

5th – Landri VonGonten (Legacy Wrestling Club) won by medical forfeit over Samantha Sachs (Legacy Wrestling Center) (MFF)

7th – Regan Rosseter (The Best Wrestler) won by decision over Chloe Sanders (Big Game Wrestling Club) (Dec 10-6)

135 pounds

1st – Emma Chacon (Arizona Girls Wrestling) won by decision over Isabella Miller (Big Game Wrestling Club) (Dec 5-2)

3rd – Taylor Colangelo (Lions Wrestling Club) won by decision over Lyniann Gusick (Sebolt Women Wrestling Academy) (Dec 3-0)

5th – Dulce Bocanegra (Warrior Trained Wrestling) won by decision over Margaret Buurma (Michigan Revolution Wrestling Club) (Dec 5-1)

7th – Makenzee Neal (Montana) won by fall over Faith Vondy (Victory Wrestling Club – VTC) (Fall 3:37)

140 pounds

1st – Cassandra Gonzales (MN Elite Wrestling Club) won by decision over Gianna DiBenedetto (Swamp Monsters Wrestling Club) (Dec 5-0)

3rd – Harlow Skenandore (Askren Wrestling Academy) won by decision over Audrey Levendusky (Tennessee) (Dec 4-1)

5th – Alex Maday (Swamp Monsters Wrestling Club) won by fall over Hayden Bratland (Ubasa Wrestling Academy) (Fall 4:02)

7th – Kayden Sipp (2 Tuff Gym Wrestling Club) won by decision over Alyssa Keane (Natural Athlete Wrestling Club) (Dec 8-2)

145 pounds

1st – Gretchen Donally (Montana) won by decision over Mackenzie Pratt (Illinois) (Dec 7-0)

3rd – Olivia Davis (Premier Wrestling Club) won by decision over Brijatte Garcia (Spartan Mat Club) (Dec 9-2)

5th – Alyona Rik (Florida) won by fall over Cadie Percy (Colorado) (Fall 0:29)

7th – Hadyn Stine (Best Trained Wrestling) won by medical forfeit over Ciara Riner (West Virginia) (MFF)

155 pounds

1st – Eduarda Rodrigues (Team Thunder Wrestling Club) won by fall over Kaylee Davis (Prodigy Wrestling) (Fall 2:56)

3rd – Desza Munson (Betterman Elite Wrestling) won by decision over Haylee McGrew (Iowa) (Dec 4-0)

5th – Addeline Graser (Nebraska Wrestling Academy) won by fall over Emma Heaton (806 Elite Wrestling) (Fall 2:34)

7th – Grace Alagbo (Pinnacle Wrestling Club) won in sudden victory – 1 over Isabelle Olesen (Askren Wrestling Academy) (SV-1 6-4)

170 pounds

1st – Naomi Simon (Iowa City Wrestling Club) won by decision over Valerie Hamilton (SOT-C) (Dec 6-3)

3rd – KyLee Lindsley (Bozeman Wrestling Club) won by fall over Alison Evans (Betterman Elite Wrestling) (Fall 2:32)

5th – Alexandria Ray (Edmond North High School Wrestling) won by decision over Chloe Harris (Lawrence Elite Wrestling Club) (Dec 4-1)

7th – Sophia Bassino (Team Nazar Training Center) won by decision over Madison Ward (Midwest Xtreme Wrestling) (Dec 5-4)

190 pounds

1st – Libby Dix (Iowa) won by decision over Mariyah Brumley (Lebanon Yellowjacket Wrestling) (Dec 4-0)

3rd – Tirza Twoteeth (Kalispell Wrestling Club) won by fall over Juliana LeFort (Best Trained Wrestling) (Fall 3:56)

5th – Morgan Miller (Kansas) won by medical forfeit over Avey Mitchell (Texas) (MFF)

7th – Nicole Fernandez (Missouri) won by fall over Calise McCandless (Power Training Center) (Fall 3:48)

235 pounds

1st – Mia Cienega (Ascend Wrestling Academy) won by decision over Chloe Hoselton (SOT-C) (Dec 5-2)

3rd – Alexis Stinson (Victory Wrestling) won by fall over Kelbey Brewer (Darkhorse Wrestling Club) (Fall 1:36)

5th – Lorelei Hartman (Wolf Pack WC) won by fall over Ariana Chavez (Borger Youth Wrestling) (Fall 3:50)

7th – Caitlyn Sohm (Nebraska) won by fall over Reese Baxter (Ubasa Wrestling Academy) (Fall 2:38)

Sophia Smith, Angel Reese make Forbes’ ‘30 under 30’ list

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By: Emma Hruby | Just Women’s Sports

A number of women’s sports stars have made this year’s Forbes “30 Under 30” list, including Sophia Smith and Angel Reese.

Forbes features 30 people who are changing the game in sports, including Smith, who helped lead the U.S. women’s national team in the 2023 World Cup. Despite a disappointing finish at the tournament, the 23-year-old forward represents the future of the national team, and she also won the NWSL Golden Boot with 11 goals for the Portland Thorns.

Reese led the LSU basketball team to its first national title in April 2023. The Most Outstanding Player of the 2023 Final Four, the 21-year-old’s national profile skyrocketed, and she has endorsement deals with Reebok, Coach and more. While Reese is off to a rocky start to the new season, including an unexplained four-game absence, she remains among the biggest stars in the college game.

Other honorees from the world of women’s sports include:

  • Napheesa Collier, 27, Minnesota Lynx forward
  • Jessica Pegula, 29, tennis player
  • Kate Douglass, 22, Team USA swimmer
  • Sha’Carri Richardson, Team USA sprinter
  • Olivia Dunne, 21, LSU gymnast
  • Diana Flores, 26, flag football quarterback
  • Maddie Musselman, 25, Team USA water polo player

Several more names included on the list come from the business side of women’s sports, including Robyn Brown, who is the senior manager of brand and content strategy for the Phoenix Mercury, and Natalie White, who founded women’s basketball shoe brand Moolah Kicks.

300 Matches and Counting: Celebrating Drea Casillas’ Legendary Footy Journey

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By: Tara Miller | AGSA

Groundbreaker. History Maker. Legend.

October marked a monumental occasion for the New York Magpies as they celebrated Drea Casillas’ incredible achievement of playing her 300th Aussie Rules footy match. A true pioneer in the sport, Casillas etched her name into the annals of history as a trailblazer, an inspiring athlete, and an absolute legend on the field.

Meet Andrea “Drea” Casillas

Hailing from Albuquerque, NM, and having called Brooklyn, NY home, Drea Casillas stood tall at 5’07” and weighed 135 pounds. Her journey in Aussie Rules football commenced in 2005, marking the genesis of a remarkable career that transcended boundaries and redefined limits.

A Remarkable Journey

Casillas’ dedication to the sport had been unwavering since her inaugural year, blossoming as a player and becoming an integral part of the New York Lady Magpies. Her resilience and commitment saw her don the number 11 jersey, standing firm in the defense position, showcasing remarkable skills and an unwavering passion for the game.

Notably, Casillas had been an invaluable asset to the USA Freedom, representing her country at prestigious events such as the 2011 International Cup, 2010 49th Parallel Cup, and the 2009 Tour Down Under. Her contributions to the national team had been monumental, solidifying her reputation as an exceptional athlete and a symbol of sporting excellence.

Casillas’ love for footy was palpable, evident in her dedication to her team and the sport itself. Her infectious enthusiasm for the game transcended borders, evident in her anticipation for her upcoming journey to Australia, a place where her distinctive accent became a conversation starter.

In the words of Chris Adams, “Casillas loves her footy,” a sentiment echoed by all who had witnessed her grace the field with her remarkable skills and unyielding spirit.

A Legacy in the Making

As Casillas geared up for her 300th match, she stood as a testament to perseverance, dedication, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Her unwavering commitment to Aussie Rules footy had not only shaped her journey but had also inspired countless individuals within the sport and beyond.

Her milestone was not merely a numerical feat but a testament to her enduring love for the game and her enduring impact on the sport’s landscape. Casillas’ legacy as a groundbreaker, history maker, and true legend of Aussie Rules footy was etched in the hearts and minds of all who had had the privilege to witness her remarkable journey.

The New York Magpies, alongside the footy community, saluted Drea Casillas on this momentous occasion and extended heartfelt congratulations on her incredible achievement of 300 games. Here’s to the legacy of a true sporting icon and many more milestones to come!

For returning Simone Biles, competing with joy is the biggest triumph of all

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Betsy Reed | Editor, Guardian US

In the aftermath of an astounding comeback in which she won four gold medals and a silver after a two-year international absence, Simone Biles had every reason to celebrate her renewed dominance and a historic performance that marked her as the most decorated gymnast of all time.

Instead, as she faced up to the press on Sunday evening at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp, Biles was firm. She did not care about the medals.

“I had to prove to myself that I could still get out here, twist,” she said. “I could prove all the haters wrong, that I’m not a quitter, this, that and the other. For me, I didn’t care. As long as I’m out there twisting again and finding the joy for gymnastics again, who cares?”

Simone Biles en route to gold on the balance beam at the 2023 Gymnastics World Championships at the Sportpaleis in Antwerp

Two years ago, when she was forced to withdraw from the Olympics after suffering from the “twisties”, completely losing her air awareness, Biles retreated from the sport. Even this year, she was unsure that she would return to gymnastics. As she worked hard to address her deteriorated mental health, she embraced therapy, focusing on living in the moment rather than looking ahead. She has learned how to sometimes say “no”.

The joy that Biles was able to compete with throughout the event was her biggest triumph of all. By advocating for herself and having the clarity to prioritise her mental and physical health during one of the most important moments of her career, Biles has likely prolonged her career. Her decisions over the last two years will have a greater lasting impact both within and beyond her sport than any peerless new skill.

Such was Biles’s determination to remain in the moment and not look ahead, she has been hesitant to even mention the Paris Olympics since she returned to competition. Still, the obvious consequence of the results in Antwerp is that Biles has re-established herself as the dominant force in the sport right as Paris approaches.

But she is not the only star. Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade shared all five podiums with Biles in Antwerp, and it was thrilling to see the 24-year-old push the best gymnast in the world with the promise that there is more to come. Biles genuinely seemed to enjoy the presence of a worthy rival. While they competed fiercely, both athletes were gracious and thoughtful throughout. After the event, Biles and Andrade danced at the post-event gala.

Older gymnasts will continue to dominate the pre-Paris narratives. Gabby Douglas, the 2012 Olympic all-around champion, announced in July that she is back in training and planning to return in 2024 having not competed since the Rio Olympics. The relentless criticism and abuse from both the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games also had a destructive effect on Douglas’s mental health, leading to a far longer retreat from the sport.

Simone Biles with her friend and Rebeca Andrade.
Simone Biles with her friend and Rebeca Andrade. Photograph: Virginia Mayo/AP

Eight years is a long time between competitions, but Douglas is only a year older than Biles and the 27-year-old is so talented that it will be taken seriously. Sunisa Lee, the all-around champion in Tokyo, will also attempt to return to a second Olympics after serious kidney issues this year.

After such incredible performances in Tokyo and then last year in Liverpool, Antwerp proved to be a disappointing outing for British gymnasts until Jake Jarman produced an incredible vaulting performance on the final day. Jarman has been capable of astonishingly difficult skills for a long time yet things are coming together. The 21-year-old is now armed with the confidence of being a world champion and he continues to improve as an all-around gymnast.

Despite his fall in the pommel horse final, Max Whitlock’s performances in Antwerp made it clear that he will be in the fight as he attempts to defend his Olympic gold-medal on the pommel horse for a third time. The contest for gold with the clean, elegant Rhys McClenaghan of Ireland, now a two-time world champion, will be one of the highlights of the event.

Rhys McClenaghan of Ireland competes on his way to winning a second world title.

Meanwhile, Alice Kinsella performed admirably to finish seventh in the women’s all-around final after learning of Jessica Gadirova’s injury withdrawal just minutes before the final was to begin and the women will be competing for another team medal in Paris. Antwerp did, however, underline that Gadirova remains their only consistent individual medal threat. Considering she qualified third in the all-around and for four of the five individual finals, she is a damn good one.

If women’s gymnastics continues to trend towards older, longer careers, men’s gymnastics is the youngest it has been in years. Daiki Hashimoto continued his dominance by consolidating his status as the first teenage men’s Olympic all-around champion by winning his second world title at 23. However, last year’s champion, 23-year-old Zhang Boheng, opted not to compete in Antwerp. Instead, he won the Asian Games just over a week earlier, scoring more than three points higher than Hashimoto. Their battle in Paris will be enormous.

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you move on, I was hoping you would consider taking the step of supporting the Guardian’s journalism. 

Lexi Thompson to play in PGA Tour’s Shriners Children’s Open

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By: Michael Collins, ESPN Senior Writer

Lexi Thompson is set to become the seventh woman ever to tee it up against the men on the PGA Tour.

Thompson, 28, accepted a sponsor invitation to play in the Shriners Children’s Open, which begins Oct. 12 in Las Vegas.

“I’m hopeful that my ability to play with the men next week at the Shriners Children’s Open sends a great message to the young women that you can chase your dream regardless of how hard it is,” Thompson said in a statement Wednesday announcing her entry. “I’m grateful to Shriners Children’s for this opportunity to spend the week alongside these inspirational kids.”

Thompson is no stranger to making history. At age 12 in 2007, she became the youngest player ever to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open. She also became the youngest winner of an LPGA tournament when she took the Navistar LPGA Classic at age 16 in 2011.

Since joining the LPGA in 2012, Thompson has 11 victories.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lexi to the 2023 tournament,” said Patrick Lindsey, executive director of the Shriners Children’s Open. “We are eager to have Lexi on the course and continue to break through barriers.”

Brittany Lincicome was the last woman to play a PGA Tour event, teeing it up at the 2018 Barbasol Championship. Ten years before that, Michelle Wie West played in the 2008 Legends Reno-Tahoe Open. Wie West played in eight PGA Tour events throughout her career. The other women who have played on the tour: Suzy Whaley, Annika Sorenstam, Shirley Spork and Babe Didrikson Zaharias.

Aliyah Boston is the unanimous pick for WNBA Rookie of the Year

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By: Emma Hruby | Just Women’s Sports

Aliyah Boston is the unanimous selection for the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year award, receiving all 60 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.

The No. 1 overall pick out of South Carolina proved to be everything and more for the Indiana Fever this season, putting together one of the best rookie seasons on record. Her 14.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game helped the Fever to 13 wins, an improvement from the five games they won last season.

Boston led all rookies in scoring, rebounds, steals, blocks and minutes per game. She also became just the sixth rookie All-Star starter.

In the first six games of her career, Boston averaged 15 points per game on 70% shooting – something no other WNBA player had done before. And she’s the first player in WNBA history to average 15 points per game on 60% shooting through 20 career games.

“Aliyah’s not normal. She’s not the normal rookie,” Fever veteran Erica Wheeler said. “She understands what it means to be a great teammate, and a great sister, too. She’s a franchise player.”

In August, Boston became the fourth rookie in WNBA history to have a 25-point, 10-rebound, four-steal game. She finished the season with 11 double-doubles to lead the 2023 rookie class.

Joining Boston on the All-Rookie team are Dorka Juhász and Diamond Miller of the Minnesota Lynx, Li Meng of the Washington Mystics and Jordan Horston of the Seattle Storm.

Female kickers make a historic achievement

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CONOR NICHOLL | Great Bend Tribune

ANDALE – Andale senior Marlo Sullivan has served as the Indians’ kicker all four years and comes from an athletic family.

Marlo’s older sister, Maguire, played in 35 matches for Kansas State soccer from 2018-2021. Maguire Sullivan graduated from Wichita Carroll. Her two siblings are Malone and Marlo.

Last week, Sullivan and Nickerson kicker Ayla Ontjes delivered a rare feat in an 85-7 Andale victory.

Sullivan made multiple extra points, while Ontjes was successful on her second-quarter attempt. Nickerson assistant football coach Parker Bruce is an Andale graduate, and his mother Mindy, has worked in the Andale administration.

This marks the second time in Kansas high school football history that female kickers on opposing teams scored on kicks.
Andale, owns the nation’s longest football winning streak at 56, often tries for two points. Sullivan has consistently converted extra points when given the opportunity. 
Her statistics are similar the last three seasons.
Notably on Oct. 30, 2020, Sullivan kicked two extra points in a 74-7 win versus Larned. In 2021, she was the first girl to score in a state title game with three extra points.
In 2022, Sullivan earned second-team all league honors and finished 23-of-29 on extra points. That included 2-of-3 on extra points in the 3A state championship against Holton.

Andale coach Dylan Schmidt told SunflowerSportsSolutions.com (S3) that Sullivan converts 90% of her practice kicks.

As a freshman, she asked coach Schmidt to tryout as a kicker.

Sullivan is the second girl to score in a state title. In 2016, Maroa-Forsyth’s Reilly Fitzpatrick converted an extra point in the 2A Illinois state championship game.
Sullivan has earned numerous opportunities since Andale has tallied at least 64 points in a 5-0 start.

Sullivan made 1-of-2 extra points Week 1 against Wellington in a 75-28 victory. She made 4-of-5 extra points in a 64-13 win versus Rose Hill in Week 2.
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Sullivan will finish her career as a top-five female kicker in Kansas annals. Ontjes kicks extra points and has played volleyball, basketball and soccer.
Ontjes made 4-of-5 extra points in 2022, and missed her other extra point before Friday. Ontjes had 122 digs for Nickerson volleyball last season, and was recovering from injury in late August.
Ontjes comes from an athletic family with sisters Madison and Kieryn. Madison played soccer at Hutchinson Community College.
S3’s main sourcing came from an extensive database called LuckyShow.org, a website cited by MaxPreps and other major news outlets on various sports statistics.
LuckyShow.org is run by Paul S. Luchter, known for his documentation and database work. Luchter, a Columbia University graduate in Operations Research, wrote on his Linked In page: “It is fun and easy recording documents and associated work. I am accurate, enthusiastic, quick and personable. No one can do it better.”
Pertinent information was also confirmed by S3 through newspaper and online accounts.
On Oct. 28, 2005, Topeka’s Anne Schafer kicked a 40-yard field goal in a 57-3 loss against Lawrence. In the same contest, Lawrence’s Abby Vestal kicked three extra points. The 40-yarder is the longest reported field goal by a girl in Kansas history.
Schafer made a field goal and cut Lawrence’s deficit to 21-3. Vestal tallied her first extra point in the second quarter.

“Topeka High’s Anne Schafer showed off her leg in this attempt,” the Lawrence Journal World wrote. “She boomed this low, line drive just over the cross bar on a long field goal try, giving the Trojans their only points.”
Vestal played for Lawrence as a junior and senior. She was invited to come out by former longtime Lawrence coach Dirk Wedd, who saw her play for the LHS soccer team.
On Sept. 2, 2005, Vestal made two extra points in a 49-7 win versus Leavenworth. On Sept. 16, 2005, Schafer’s Topeka team won 36-13 versus Shawnee Mission. Vestal’s Lawrence squad won 35-14 against SM North. Schafer went 4-for-4 on extra points, and Vestal was 5-5.

Seven weeks later, the teams met up in a Week 9 matchup. Topeka was highly depleted entering the season’s final contest. Lawrence viewed itself a state contender. Both girl kickers scored.
In 2006, Vestal opened the season with 10-of-11 extra points.

“She’s done everything we’ve asked of her and more,” Wedd said to the LJ-World. “There are no gifts here.”
On Sept. 1, 2006, Vestal kicked three extra points in a 34-27 versus Olathe North.
Vestal also kicked a 25-yard extra point and 20-yard field goal in a 16-3 win versus SM East Sept. 29, 2006. Vestal had a 22-yard field goal in a 31-7 win versus Washburn Rural Oct. 13, 2006.
After high school, Vestal had successful kicking games in an indoor professional men’s league.
Two female kickers have scored in the same game for opposing teams a couple of times in different states, including Louisiana, Indiana, California, New York, Nevada, Washington D.C. and Missouri.
A Nov. 16, 1991 New York game marked the first time two females both scored in the same contest. A 2006 Illinois game featured two girls on the same team scoring on the same team. This also happened in South Carolina in ’08, Michigan in ’14 and Louisiana in 2020, per Lucky Show.
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Labette County’s Missy Dantic enjoyed a standout career. She made an extra point Sept. 13, 2013. On Sept. 5, 2014, Dantic kicked a 31-yard field goal in a 51-10 loss to Independence.
The 31-yarder marked a milestone for Dantic on several levels. Per Kpreps, it was believed to be a school record and her first field goal in a game.
Dantic was a longtime club soccer player from Owasso, Okla. and attended Labette County as a freshman. Then-LC coach Jesse Ybarra approached her midway through her freshman season if she would consider kicking for the Grizzlies. Dantic earned second team all-SEK as a junior.
“When we talk about sending her out for a field goal, it’s not one of those deals where we’re rolling the dice and she might make something happen,” Ybarra told KPreps. “We’re pretty confident that if we got a good snap and a good hold, she’s probably going to strike it well. If we stall out somewhere close, we feel pretty confident that we can at least put some points on the board and come away with something on the drive. In high school football, that’s a rarity almost.”
A week later, Dantic made a 33-yard field goal in a 43-31 loss to Osawatomie. In 2015, Dantic combined for 18 kicking points in two games and 32 for the season. That included a career-best 34-yard field goal.
**
Rossville’s Alyssa Howard is also one of the top girl kickers in Kansas history. In 2005, Howard kicked an extra point in a 25-0 win versus Sabetha. Howard kicked four extra points Oct. 21, 2005.
In a 20-10 loss to Silver Lake, Howard made a 27-yard field goal Sept. 8, 2006. She kicked two extra points and two field goals on Oct. 31, 2006 in a 27-13 win versus Jefferson County North.
Wichita Collegiate showcased a brother-and-sister combination in a 52-0 win versus Wellington Sept. 30, 2016. Addison Harris was 6-of-6 on extra points and Bekah Harris kicked a field goal.
**
The Centennial League has had several female kickers. Topeka High’s Ruth Fiander kicked field goals in 2014. Topeka Highland Park’s Ruth Cazier notably scored in a couple games in 2014.
Recently, Topeka High’s Talayah Thomas, a standout basketball player, kicked for the Trojans. Notably, Thomas made 7-of-7 extra points Oct. 2, 2020.
Outside of the City League, Andi Basalo made six extra points for Blue Valley North in a 48-13 win versus Blue Valley Northwest in 2017.
Hillary Krebs had seven kicking points in a 13-6 win for Sabetha against Nemaha Central.
In 2019, Goddard’s Brooke Sullivan kicked six of six extra points in a 48-0 win versus Arkansas City. Sullivan went to Goddard and played soccer for Kansas State. She played soccer, football and basketball for the Lions.
Riverton’s Chloe Parker had three extra points in a 52-0 win versus Baxter Springs in 2021.
Last year, Mission Valley had a 29-12 win versus McLouth on Sept. 30, 2022. MV’s Hemi Duejring made two of two extra points. Duejring made four extra points last year

Hometown Hopefuls: Jennifer Lozano, “La Traviesa”, brings family and Texas pride to every punch

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Throughout the summer, in a series called Hometown Hopefuls, NBC is spotlighting the stories of Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls from all fifty states, as well as Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, as they work towards the opportunity to represent their country at the Paris 2024 Games next year. We’ll learn about their paths to their sports’ biggest stage, and the towns and communities that have been formative along the way. Visit NBCSports.com/hometownhopefuls for more stories from across America as these Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls prepare for Paris in summer 2024.

U.S. boxer Jennifer Lozano wears the nickname of “La Traviesa” (the troublemaker) with pride. It came from her grandmother – “Abuelita” to Jennifer – whose tragic passing has been one of many powerful forces shaping the life of the Olympic hopeful from the border town of Laredo, Texas.

In a conversation with NBC Sports, Lozano discusses her relationships with the most important women in her life and how she was able to channel an inscrutable level of grief—one that would break most people—into strength, resilience, and motivation as she attempts to make her first Olympic appearance in Paris 2024.

Lozano, who has family roots in Mexico, also shares her reality of life in a border town, her pride in her heritage, how she went from a little girl watching Jackie Nava fights on Saturday nights with her grandmother to a professional making her passion her career, and how she channels her family and her identity into her boxing.

*This interview has been edited for length and clarity. It contains some graphic descriptions that may be difficult for some readers, and reader discretion is advised.

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