American Gold Sports Alliance

Women's Sports

Alyssa Thomas breaks her own WNBA record with sixth triple-double

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Emma Hruby | Just Women’s Sports

Alyssa Thomas is picking up right were she left off last season, breaking her own WNBA record for triple-doubles for the second time in less than a week.

Her 14-point, 11-rebound and 12-assist performance Sunday, which propelled the Connecticut Sun to an 96-72 victory over the Chicago Sky, came just five days after her first triple-double of the season. Thomas now has six overall in her career, and four in regular-season competition, both WNBA records.

The WNBA is coming off the year of the triple-double, with nine recorded during the 2022 season, including four by Thomas. That includes the first two in WNBA Finals history. She also is the first player with more than two triple-doubles in a single season. Her first four triple-doubles all came after July 21 in the 2022 season.

In addition to Thomas’ staggering success, Candace Parker and Sabrina Ionescu each had two apiece in 2022, and Moriah Jefferson had one.

“I think the game is changing,” Parker said following the third triple-double of her career in June 2022. “I think we’re gonna very soon see this on a nightly basis. We’re going to see those playmakers who have the ball in their hands. So I don’t know how long I’m going to hold onto this. But I’m grateful for this opportunity to play on a team where we can spread the wealth.”

How many triple-doubles have been recorded in WNBA history? There have been 22 triple-doubles in the league’s 27 seasons, with 18 being recorded during the regular season and just four during the playoffs.

Sheryl Swoopes recorded the first playoff triple-double in 2005, while Courtney Vandersloot did so last year. Thomas joined their club in this year’s Finals.

Swoopes, Vandersloot, Thomas, Parker and Ionescu are the only players with multiple triple-doubles in their careers. While 22 triple-doubles have been recorded, they have come from just 11 total players.

Sheryl Swoopes (2)

Swoopes recorded the league’s first-ever triple-double on July 27, 1999, while playing for the Houston Comets. She recorded 14 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists. She would later get her second triple-double on September 3, 2005, with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

Margo Dydek

While with the Utah Starzz, Dydek had 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 blocks on June 7, 2001. Dydek remains the only WNBA player to have recorded a triple-double through blocks and not assists.

Lisa Leslie

Leslie set a new bar on September 9, 2004, recording 29 points, 15 rebounds and 10 blocks for the Los Angeles Sparks. That stood as the record for most points in a triple-double until Ionescu broke it in 2022.

Deanna Nolan

On May 21, 2005, Nolan recorded the first of two triple-doubles that year. That season became the first with multiple triple-doubles in a season. She had 11 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for the Detroit Shock.

Temeka Johnson

As a member of the Seattle Storm, Johnson recorded 13 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists on July 24, 2014.

Candace Parker (3)

It took nine seasons for Parker to record her first triple-double. On July 28, 2017, she had 11 points, 17 rebounds and 15 assists for the Sparks.

Her other two came in 2022, with Parker recording the first triple-double of the year on May 22, with 16 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. While she became the oldest player to record a triple-double in WNBA history in that game, she later became the first player to record three triple-doubles in league history with another one on June 23 (10 points, 10 rebounds, 14 assists).

Courtney Vandersloot (2)

Vandersloot recorded the first of her two triple-doubles on July 20, 2018, recording 13 points, 10 rebounds and 15 assists. She recorded her second triple-double during the 2021 postseason, notching 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

Chelsea Gray

As a member of the Sparks, Gray recorded a triple-double on July 7, 2019. She had 13 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists.

Sabrina Ionescu (3)

Ionescu’s first triple-double came on May 18, 2021, as she recorded 26 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists – the highest point total since Leslie’s triple-double in 2004.

She bested that number with a 27-point, 13-rebound and 12-assist performance on June 12, 2022. Then, against the Aces on July 7, Ionescu set the record for points in a triple-double, recording 31 points – the first 30-plus point triple-double – and adding 13 rebounds and 10 assists.

Moriah Jefferson

Jefferson added her name to the list on June 28, 2022, with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, for the first triple-double in Minnesota Lynx history.

Alyssa Thomas (6)

Thomas recorded the first triple-double of her career and the first in Connecticut Sun history on July 22, 2022. The star forward tallied 15 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.

Less than two weeks later, on Aug. 2, Thomas recorded 10 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists to become just the third player in WNBA history to record multiple triple-doubles in a single season — joining Parker and Ionescu, who also did so in 2022.

She added yet another — and the first in WNBA Finals history — on Sept. 15, with 16 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists in a Game 3 win against the Las Vegas Aces. Then she followed it up with still another in the team’s Game 4 loss to Las Vegas, notching 11 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds to become the first WNBA player to post back-to-back triple-doubles.

On June 20, 2023, Thomas posted her fifth career triple-double, with 13 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists. And her sixth came just five days later, on June 25, in a 14-point, 11-rebound and 12-assist performance.

Rose Zhang’s star continues to rise with top-10 finish in pro major debut

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Emma Hruby | Just Women’s Sports

Rose Zhang’s star continues to rise in the LPGA, as she followed up her winning professional debut with a top-10 finish at her first pro major at the Women’s PGA Championship.

The 20-year-old American finished tied for eighth place behind a final-round charge at Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey. She shot a 67 on Sunday to finish at five under par, three shots back of the lead.

“I would say I’m content with the result. I’m not content with how I played,” Zhang said. “From the beginning of the week, I feel like there’s always room to work on things, and I’m really satisfied with my overall performance, but there’s little mistakes that I made that you just can’t really afford to make.

“I felt really confident with my putter the whole day, and the last couple days I feel like that really saved me this entire week. But the last couple holes, putts fell a little short, they lipped out a little bit.”

Ruoning Yin won the title at eight under par, becoming just the second woman from China to win a major championship. She beat Japan’s Yuka Saso by one stroke, birdying the final hole to join Shanshan Feng in Chinese golf history. Feng won 10 times on the LPGA Tour, though her only major win came at the PGA Championship in 2012.

“I would say she’s definitely the goal that I’m chasing,” Yin said of Feng. “But I think she is the person who inspired me the most.”

For Zhang, who just made the jump from college (where she won back-to-back national titles), the difficulty of the court stood out as the main difference from her past competitions.

“I feel like it’s still golf, so I still felt the same energy as any other event except this is major week, and the golf course is a lot harder,” she said. “It’s playing a lot more difficult. You have to be on your toes at all times. Losing a little bit of focus causes you to have errors, and that’s just something you can’t afford at a major championship.

“But I think that was the different part, was just making sure that you’re still in the moment and you’re still hitting it shot by shot, regardless of what the result is.”

Zhang climbed to within one shot of the lead Sunday before a few mistakes on the back nine sunk her shot at victory. But she still recorded her best-ever finish at a major (she played in several as an amateur), which she called “pretty special.”

“It’s definitely a different dynamic when you’re a professional versus an amateur,” she said. “And when you’re playing your game, you really have to be precise with your numbers, really understand what your swing is doing, and there is no room for error. Therefore, I’m excited to keep working on my game.”

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark wins Honda Cup: ‘Sky’s the limit’ for women’s sports

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Emma Hruby | Just Women’s Sports

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark is no stranger to winning, be it awards or basketball games. And she won one of the biggest awards of her career Monday, as she was named the 2023 Honda Cup winner and Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year.

The 12 finalists for the Honda Cup came from 12 NCAA women’s sports, including Florida gymnast Trinity Thomas, Virginia swimmer Kate Douglass and UCLA soccer player Lilly Reale.

Two other athletes joined Clark among the top three finalists — Texas volleyball player Logan Eggleston and Stanford golfer Rose Zhang — but the Iowa basketball star took home the honors.

Clark, who also won player of the year accolades in her sport, led Iowa to its first national championship game in school history this April. She also became the first Division I women’s basketball player to have more than 1,000 points and 300 assists in the same season.

“It’s truly a tremendous honor. And, to all these women, you guys are incredible. It could have gone to any of you. I’m just lucky to be up here in your guys’ presence and obviously my two coaches who are amazing women. We have an all-woman coaching staff. I get inspired by the best every single day, whether it’s them, whether it’s my coaches,” Clark said as she accepted the award. “I know my family is watching back home. Just a tremendous honor. I’m lucky to be here.”

The summer already has been a busy one for the star. After throwing out the first pitch at an Iowa Cubs baseball game in early June, she traveled north to see Taylor Swift in Minneapolis. Next, she’ll take her talents to the golf course at the John Deere Classic Pro-Am golf event on July 5.

Clark noted that getting to spend the weekend alongside the other athletes was “so much fun.”

“I get to learn what the other athletes’ daily lives are like. I’m their biggest fans as well,” she said. “I try to make time for every women’s sport and want to help elevate their sports to the next level, too.”

She also said that while she attends sporting events to cheer on other Iowa women’s sports teams and athletes, the weekend has helped fuel the fire to attend even more of those events.

“It makes me want to watch and support them even more,” Clark said. “If you’re not watching women’s sports, you’re truly missing out. Now is the time to tune in, as the sky’s the limit for women’s sports.”

Cardinals Women’s Sports Teams Win MAC’s Jacoby Trophy for First Place in All-Sports Standings

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Ball State University

CLEVELAND, Ohio – – Ball State University women’s sports teams have been awarded the 2023 Jacoby Trophy, presented annually by the Mid-American Conference to the school whose women’s teams win first place in the league’s cumulative standings. Ball State men’s teams finished second in 2022-23 men’s standings, their best standing since 2013. BSU’s 1-2 finish for both awards marks the school’s best combined finish since 2001.

Bolstered by regular season titles in volleyball, gymnastics and outdoor track, Ball State women’s teams edged Miami and Kent State for the Jacoby Trophy title. It is the Cardinals’ sixth Jacoby Trophy and their first since 2003 (also won in 2002, 2001, 2000, 1998).

“We are proud to celebrate the athletic accomplishments of our talented female student-athletes who have set the standard for excellence in the MAC this season,” said Ball State Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell. “We applaud our devoted coaches and dedicated staff for establishing programs in which our student-athletes thrive.”

Ball State men finished second to Toledo in this year’s competition. Cardinals men’s teams are four-time winners of the Reese Trophy and this year’s runner-up finish is Ball State’s fourth (2013, 2001, 1992). BSU men’s teams were led by second-place MAC finishes in golf and baseball.

Together, BSU men and women finished among the MAC’s top two in their respective all-sports standings for the third time since 1998. Cardinals women’s teams finished first, and men’s teams finished second, in each of 2023, 2001 and 1998. During that 26-year span, only Ball State and Kent State boast multiple 1-2 finishes for the two league trophies.

Mitchell added: “Winning the Jacoby Trophy and placing second in the Reese Trophy standings reinforces our commitment to make excellence routine as we develop leaders and winners. Today is a great day to be a Cardinal!”

Out of 18 sports who compete in the MAC, eight finished first or second in the league and 10 had teams or individuals reach national postseason competition – including baseball and women’s track teams who remain active in NCAA championships.

‘We’re not stopping’: Marketing efforts elevate OU women’s sports growth amid record-breaking athletics seasons

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Colton Sulley | OU Daily

Since being hired as OU’s executive associate athletics director for external engagement on April 21, 2022, Leah Beasley and her team have been trying to keep up with the records being broken by the Sooners’ women’s athletics teams.

They’ve tried many marketing tools, including newspaper ads, mass emails and social media videos to properly highlight the growth and successes the various sports teams have garnered this season.

A November 2022 report from Samba TV found the fastest-growing audiences are for women’s sports compared to men’s as the WNBA, NWSL and NCAA women’s basketball grew more than the NBA, MLS and NCAA men’s basketball in 2022.

Beasley says OU women’s athletics has grown, especially since its major programs led by Patty Gasso (softball), K.J. Kindler (women’s gymnastics) and Jennie Baranczyk (women’s basketball) have won more than their male counterparts the last few seasons.

“I think it’s on an upward trajectory and I think it has been,” Beasley told the OU Daily. “And now the national awareness of it has grown so much.”

The Women’s College World Series will be on a national stage when it begins Thursday as all four contests will be broadcasted live on ESPN.

Gasso, who is known to speak her mind when it comes to women’s sports equality issues, credits the rise of social media for the increased interest in women’s college softball and the awareness of the history of inequalities female college athletes have endured.

“People are speaking and being heard and I think social media has been a really good thing in that way,” Gasso, who will lead No. 1 OU in its quest for a third consecutive national title over the next week in Oklahoma City, told the Daily. “People are showing comparisons of what men are getting and what women are getting and there’s an outrage now.”

When asked if she thinks OU is leading the charge for women’s college athletics, Beasley, who arrived in Norman from Mississippi State, said: “a hundred percent.”

“It obviously starts at the top,” Beasley said. “It starts with (athletic director Joe Castiglione) and just his vision of making sure that we are pouring into our student-athletes, but that we’re giving them the tools to then help out OU in return.”

Stacey Dales, a former two-time All-American basketball player at OU and current NFL Network reporter, has watched and marveled from afar at not only the success of the Sooners’ women’s athletics programs, but the access and the engagement.

The key to interest both fans and recruits who end up attending OU is the longevity of the women’s staff. Sherri Coale, who coached Dales, was in Norman for 25 seasons. Gasso is in her 29th season, while Kindler just coached her 17th with the Sooners.

“A lot of (the) time, you look at the men’s game,” Dales told the Daily. “And sometimes the coaches in the men’s world don’t have as long of a time to develop necessarily and … I love the fact that (Coale) was there for as long as she was. I know (Baranczyk) will be a staple for a very long time and Patty is another example of sustained success over time and when you have success, players want to come and play for you.

“It’s a commitment from the university to not only invest in the programs, but to make sure that the best coaches are in a position to lead and guide and I think that’s why you have sustained success.”

Coming from Mississippi State, Beasley was excited by the prospects of working at a school with great success in athletics, especially in women’s sports.

Beasley frequently travels to as many away games as she can and sees unlimited potential for the Sooners as they enter the SEC, a conference she’s familiar with, in 2024.

“It’s a dream come true. … It’s been an amazing year,” Beasley said. “And all I can see is a higher trajectory in the future. We’re not stopping. And it’s amazing. It’s because our coaches won’t either and our coaches want the best, and we want the best for our coaches and their teams.”

Maggie Nichols, a two-time medalist at the World Championships and Pan American Championships and former Sooners gymnast who’s considered one of the greatest athletes in OU history, sees the increased media attention women’s sports are getting as the reason for the growth and success of both collegiate women’s gymnastics and softball.

“I think OU women’s sports is just very energetic and has a lot of talent,” Nichols told the Daily. “Which really makes the media come to us. But I think us continuing to be so successful in both gymnastics and softball really helps with that. Especially with all that media attention and I know softball gets so many viewers during their national championships so that always helps as well.”

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Under Armour’s new marketing strategy will maximize womenswear and footwear

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By: The Gist

CEO Stephanie Linnartz said Tuesday that womenswear and footwear will star in the company’s growth strategy, declaring that it “will go after women harder than this company has ever seen.”

SPORTS BIZ

Picture Source: PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

The GIST: Under Armour’s (UA) new chief doesn’t want to leave money on the table. CEO Stephanie Linnartz said Tuesday that womenswear and footwear will star in the company’s growth strategy, declaring that it “will go after women harder than this company has ever seen.”

The details: Linnartz said footwear is essential to growing UA’s womenswear business. It will kick off efforts by remarketing existing products but will eventually launch new shoes with the help of sneaker and branding experts. The strategy aligns with UA’s refreshed focus on Sportstyle, its athleisure division.

The context: The company’s revenue rose 8% to $1.4B in Q4, but UA hasn’t maximized its footwear or womenswear businesses. Shoes comprise 25% of UA’s annual revenue and women’s products account for even less, so both industries are the definition of untapped potential.

  • The global footwear industry is expected to generate almost $400B in revenue this year, up 3.5% YoY, while the women’s athleticwear market will approach $200B globally in 2023. Sheesh.

Zooming out: A rejuvenated marketing effort and the promise of new products also opens the door for UA to incorporate female athletes into its brand identity. If the company decides to grow its women’s sports endorsements, basketball should be its first play — hoopers lead the pack for sartorial currency, especially for footwear.

  • Aliyah Boston may not be on UA’s books anymore, but the brand can tap WNBA champ Kelsey Plum after the parties struck an agreement last November and try to recruit popular talent in the pros and college. Watch this space.

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

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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.

Ole Miss’ Tenly Grisham wants to put her name, tribe on the map

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BY: Scott Procter | BVM Sports

PHILADELPHIA, Miss. (BVM) – Tenly Grisham first stepped into the batter’s box for one of the most accomplished high school softball programs in the country as a seventh grader. There was some initial fear as she looked across the infield at the pitcher’s mound to see athletes four or five years older than her, but Grisham believes it was one of the best things to ever happen to her.

“It was nerve-wracking for sure,” Grisham said of leading off for Neshoba Central High School in the seventh grade. “I was coming in a seventh grader and I didn’t know what to expect. I was kind of thrown into the fire with going in as the leadoff (hitter) but I knew I had eight other players behind me that would help me out so I knew as long as I tried to do my part as best as I could, they had my back.

“My coach giving me that opportunity was the best thing I could’ve asked for.”

The decision to throw Grisham directly into the fire has resulted in nothing but success for Mississippi’s most dominant softball program.

After a 31-3 record this past season, Grisham helped lead the Rockets to their ninth-straight MHSAA Class 5A state title. Grisham has been Nashoba Central’s leadoff hitter for the last six years and has five championship rings to show for it. The only year without a championship came in 2020 when the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Rockets have gone an eye-popping 96-5 over the last three seasons and although Grisham is a major reason why, the opportunity she’s been afforded throughout her prep career is not lost on her.

“It’s been amazing,” Grisham said of the Rockets’ dynasty. “Not everyone has the opportunity to play for such an outstanding high school program and I thank God everyday for blessing me with that opportunity. Just playing with them shows how much I love softball.

“Every player, whether they’re the nine-hole batter or the leadoff, cheers from the side like they love the game so much and want to win and I could not thank them enough for having my back.”

Perhaps the only thing more impressive than Neshoba’s 8-1 record in the playoffs this season and dominant sweep of East Central (7-0, 14-4) in the state finals is what Grisham accomplished during her senior campaign.

The 5-foot-4 senior batted .531 with 23 RBIs, 55 runs scored and 45 stolen bases. She was walked 15 times and struck out just once all season in 111 plate appearances. The elite play led to Grisham becoming just the third Gatorade Mississippi Softball Player of the Year to be chosen from Neshoba Central.

“I was very shocked because there are several talented players in Mississippi, especially in softball,” Grisham said of the Gatorade honor. “Being named Gatorade Player of the Year, I’m speechless about it and I didn’t know how to react when my mom told me. I’m honored.”

Neshoba Central swept New Hope (9-0, 7-1) to punch its ticket to the MHSAA State Championship Series, and the Trojans’ head coach knows just how important the Rockets’ leadoff hitter was to their success in every facet of the game.

“Tenly is a triple-threat on offense,” New Hope head coach Casey Finch said in a Gatorade press release. “She can slap for power, place the short ball and her speed and knowledge on the basepaths is incredible. She’s also an exceptional defensive player.”

Ranked as the nation’s No. 42 recruit (No. 28 among infielders) in the Class of 2022 by Extra Inning Softball, Grisham is on the doorstep of a dream she’s had since a child: playing collegiate softball.

The Gatorade Mississippi Softball POY will stay close to home and headline the Ole Miss Rebels’ No. 3-ranked recruiting class. Much like being thrown into the fire as a seventh-grade leadoff hitter for a state championship-caliber squad, Grisham feels like she has an opportunity in Oxford that she can’t pass up.

“They gave me a really big opportunity to come play for them and they were so welcoming and loving,” Grisham said of Ole Miss softball. “They knew me, I wasn’t just another number, I was a player and person to them. They made Oxford feel like home.”

Grisham is a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the only federally recognized American Indian tribe living within the state of Mississippi. As one of the United States’ original first nations, the tribe is more than 11,000 members strong and Grisham hopes to be an inspiration to her community.

The future Rebel will certainly work to elevate her status within the softball world, but more important than that is showing other young ladies like her what hard work can do.

“I want to prove that any Choctaw little girl that plays softball can do it; they can make it to the big stage,” Grisham said. “I just want to make a name for myself but as well as my tribe and let them know like, “she grew up playing on the rec ball fields and she made it there.’ I just want them to know that they can make it. That’s the main thing.”

Grisham capped off decorated career with title, Gatorade Player of the Year honors

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By the time she was a senior this past spring, Neshoba Central’s Tenly Grisham was a well-known player in the Mississippi prep softball scene.

An Ole Miss signee, Grisham had been starting for the Lady Rockets since middle school and has won a state championship with the team every year she’s played varsity fast-pitch. That was capped off in 2022 with the school’s ninth straight fast-pitch title in MHSAA Class 5A.

Grisham hit .531 this past season with a .612 on-base percentage, 45 stolen bases, eight doubles, two triples, one home run, 23 RBIs and 55 runs scored from the leadoff position while manning shortstop for the Lady Rockets. She was named the 2021-22 Gatorade Mississippi Softball Player of the Year and was also a first-team All-State and first-team All-Region 3-5A selection.

Because of her dynamic senior season, Grisham was named the 2022 Premier Preps Softball Player of the Year.

“It’s truly a blessing and an honor,” Grisham said of earning Premier Preps recognition in addition to Gatorade Player of the Year. “I am grateful for both, and I’m glad to represent my tribe (the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians) and school with these prestigious awards.”

In 2017, Grisham took over at third base for Neshoba Central when she was only a seventh grader. At the time, Trae Embry was head coach of the Lady Rockets, and current head coach Zach Sanders was an assistant. Even back then, Sanders said Grisham stood out as an athlete.

“We knew something was special about her the first time we saw her walk onto the field,” Sanders recalled. “You’re talking about a small-statured seventh-grade girl who the ball came off the bat of differently. She was able to play positions unlike any seventh grader you’d ever seen. You really just had to be there to understand.”

Sanders said Grisham was second-team All-State in her seventh-grade season, which showed just how much potential she had.

“She was really good as a young player, and she didn’t stop at that,” Sanders said. “She grew and continued to make it to where she was Gatorade Player of the Year, which is one of the top honors you can get as a softball player in the state of Mississippi.”

Even after six years of starting for the Lady Rockets, Grisham said it doesn’t feel like six years have gone by.

“If I could go back, I would tell myself to take it all in, have fun and just enjoy every moment because it goes by super fast,” Grisham said.

The 2022 Class 5A state championship was the school’s ninth in a row (the 2020 spring season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic), and the pressure was always on Neshoba Central every season to keep repeating as state champions. 

“We learned to take it one pitch and one game at a time,” Grisham explained. “We had to have fun or the pressure was overwhelming. When you have a team that is able to connect with each other, then it’s easy to play with no pressure.”

As a youth softball player, Grisham looked up to former standout shortstop Hailey Lunderman, a 2015 graduate of Neshoba Central and fellow member of the MBCI. Like Lunderman, Grisham signed with Ole Miss to continue her softball career, and Grisham said she’s honored to follow a similar career path to someone she idolized.

“I definitely looked up to her,” Grisham said. “She played with so much grit and passion, how could you not want to be like her? It was nerve-wracking at first (batting leadoff like Lunderman did) because she was the greatest to be in that leadoff spot, so I knew I had big shoes to fill. But watching her play year after year, to take the torch was the best honor and feeling.”

Now, Grisham will have the chance to represent the MBCI and Neshoba Central at the SEC level, and it’s an opportunity she doesn’t take lightly.

“Playing collegiate softball has always been a goal of mine,” Grisham said. “It’s a blessing. Now I get to be a role model to all the young Native girls (who watch me) as well as represent the tribe that has cheered for me all of these years.”

Seeing Grisham have so much success is no surprise to Sanders, and he only expects that success to continue at Ole Miss.

“Looking back all the way to when she was in seventh grade, she was just an exceptional athlete,” Sanders said. “I would say you wouldn’t find a better kid overall athletic-wise, and she’s also just a great young lady.”

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