Jun. 18—BEMIDJI — Bemidji State women's soccer head coach Jim Stone announced Thursday afternoon the dates and opponents for the 2026 season, the 31st in program history.

The Beavers open the fresh season Friday, Aug. 28, and will play an 18-match regular season.

Ahead of the start of their 18-match regular season, the Beavers will play three exhibition matches, Aug. 21-23, beginning Friday, Aug. 21, against College of Saint Benedict at Chet Anderson Stadium. The Beavers will then travel to Wisconsin-Superior and St. Catherine the following Saturday and Sunday.

The Beavers' 2026 season officially gets underway the following weekend when they host regional opponents Missouri Western State and Northwest Missouri State at Chet Anderson Stadium, Aug. 28 and 30. BSU then concludes its nonconference schedule with a road trip to Mankato on Sept. 4 to face regional foe Grand Valley State.

The 15-match Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference schedule begins the following weekend with the Beavers traveling to Sioux Falls (Sept. 11) and Southwest Minnesota State (Sept. 13). BSU then returns home Sept. 18-20 and hosts Wayne State and Augustana for its first NSIC home matches. Bemidji State closes out play in September with another road trip, beginning with Minot State on Sept. 25 and ending at U-Mary on Sept. 27. Five of the seven matches during the month will be played on the road.

Bemidji State soccer fans will get a better look at the Beavers during the month of October as five of the team's matches will be played at their home pitch, Chet Anderson Stadium. BSU kicks off the month by hosting Minnesota State and St. Cloud State on Oct. 2 and 4. BSU then has a split weekend, traveling to Minnesota Crookston on Oct. 9 and then returning home to host Minnesota State Moorhead on Oct. 11.

The Beavers then make a road trip south to face Winona State (Oct. 16) and Concordia-St. Paul (Oct. 18). BSU hosts its final regular-season home matches on Oct. 23 and 25 against Jamestown and Northern State. The final match of the regular season then follows as the Beavers travel to Minnesota Duluth on Thursday, Oct. 29, ahead of the 2026 NSIC Tournament.

The Beavers will attempt to qualify for their 17th straight postseason when the NSIC Tournament begins Nov. 2 at campus sites. The winner of the NSIC Tournament earns an automatic bid into the NCAA D-II Women's Soccer Tournament, which begins Nov. 12. BSU will attempt to qualify for its second consecutive NCAA Tournament and fifth in the last six seasons. BSU has made six NCAA Tournament appearances in its 31-year history.

2026 will be the 25th season under head coach Jim Stone, who boasts a 271-144-53 career record. His career winning percentage of .636 is the second-best winning percentage among active coaches in the NSIC. His 24 seasons at a single institution are tied for the 10th-longest tenure among active coaches in Division II.

The five-time NSIC Coach of the Year returns an experienced group to the pitch in 2026, with 21 letterwinners returning of the 34 rostered student-athletes. Stone returns United Soccer Coaches All-Region selection Megan Ko as well as All-NSIC selections Madeline Davey (Second Team), Maggie Kramer (Second Team) and Ella Wade (Second Team).

Somerset Academy does not have the long history of winning that some other Broward County schools do. The Panthers had not recorded a full, winning season since 2017.

Thanks in large part to Jon Mora, that changed this season.

Mora was the spark plug and most dangerous hitter for Somerset Academy, leading it to a 17-14 season and a trip to the regional finals for the first time in program history. Mora is the Sun Sentinel Broward County 4A-1A player of the year.

“I want to give thanks to our coaching staff,” said Mora, whose father, Juan, is a co-coach of the year. “I feel like we have the best coaching staff in Broward County. But it was pretty sick because we worked pretty hard, day in, day out, early mornings, late nights.  And I just want to give all credit to our coaching staff.”

Mora has consistently been one of Broward County’s top contact hitters. He hit .522 as a sophomore in 2024 and repeated that as a junior last year. Mora has also been one of the county’s top base-stealers, leading Broward with 36 steals in 2024 and finishing second with another 36 last year (behind last year’s player of the year, Jordan Rich).

The star outfielder kept the stellar contact ability and speed as a senior, hitting .521 with 28 steals. But he added significantly more power. Mora had 23 extra-base hits and five home runs in his first three high school seasons. This season, he set career-highs with 11 doubles, eight triples and four home runs.

“I think it just coming naturally,” Mora said. “Just getting older, growing into my man strength a little bit, working out a little harder and throwing some more weights up.”

Like Broward County large-schools player of the year Gio Rojas, Mora is signed with Miami — if he does not opt to turn pro. Perfect Game ranks him as the No. 122 prospect in the draft.

“J.D. (Arteaga) runs a great program over there,” Mora said, “and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to even go to there to that beautiful school. It’s been a dream of mine since I could have remembered. … I just can’t wait to get on campus and just be great.”

Running off at the typewriter. …

Last week, I argued that the Big 12 faced a defining moment.

Would Commissioner Brett Yormark, UCF and the rest of the conference membership stand up for the integrity of college athletics, or would they surrender to the growing reality Nick Saban recently described before Congress — a world in which every NCAA rule is merely an invitation to file a lawsuit?

Now we have our answer.

The Big 12 stood up.

And Texas Tech backed down.

And college athletics is better for it.

Earlier this week, the conference took the extraordinary step of filing a federal lawsuit seeking to preserve its ability to sanction Texas Tech if it chose to field quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who admitted to extensive sports gambling activity that included betting on his own team.

The filing sent a powerful message, and hours later, Sorsby announced plans to enter the NFL supplemental draft, effectively ending the immediate standoff. But make no mistake, the most important development wasn’t Sorsby’s decision; it was the conference’s willingness to fight.

That matters because Texas Tech was hardly some expendable member institution. The Red Raiders are the defending Big 12 champions and arguably the conference’s best hope of earning a coveted College Football Playoff berth this season.

Yet Yormark and the league’s presidents recognized something larger than wins and losses. They actually understood that the credibility of competition itself was at stake.

For more than a century, sports has operated under a simple principle: participants cannot bet on the games they could possibly influence. The reason isn’t complicated. Once athletes wager on their own sport, public trust begins to erode. Fans question outcomes. Opponents question motives. The legitimacy of the competition comes under scrutiny.

The Big 12 understood that reality.

Texas Tech, however, preferred a different narrative.

School officials repeatedly framed their support of Sorsby as a matter of compassion and mental health.

Puh-leeze.

Nobody disputes that gambling addiction is serious. Nobody disputes that Sorsby deserves treatment, counseling and support.

But participation is not treatment, and being a starting quarterback for a national title contender is not a medical necessity.

Texas Tech could have supported Sorsby’s recovery without making him the face of its football program. It could have demonstrated compassion while simultaneously acknowledging that actions carry consequences.

Instead, the school chose a path that looked suspiciously convenient for a team with championship aspirations.

The rest of college athletics noticed. The Big 12 noticed. And ultimately the conference decided protecting its reputation was more important than protecting a contender.

Contrast that with what occurred in the Big Ten during Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal. While the Wolverines marched toward a national championship three years ago, the conference imposed a limited suspension on Jim Harbaugh but never seriously challenged Michigan’s ability to continue pursuing college football’s biggest prize.

The Big 12 took a different approach here. Rather than shrugging and hoping the controversy disappeared, conference leaders made clear they were prepared to use every available tool to defend what they viewed as the integrity of the league.

That is exactly what conferences are supposed to do. College athletics desperately needs governing bodies willing to enforce standards even when doing so is inconvenient.

Correction: ESPECIALLY when it is inconvenient.

The Big 12 didn’t choose the easy path. It chose the right one.

In an era when lawsuits, politicians and judges increasingly dictate the rules of college sports,  Yormark and the Big 12 membership reminded everyone that conferences still have a responsibility to protect the games themselves.

For one day at least, integrity won.

SHORT STUFF: The three stipulations Iran must accept to end the war with the United States: (1) Freeze nuclear activity. (2) Reopen the Strait of Hormuz. (3) Pay Mike Norvell’s buyout at Florida State. … At 38-years-old, the legendary Lionel Messi became the oldest player to ever record a hat trick at the World Cup. It seems that not even Father Time can defend the Magnificent Messi … Overall, the NBA Finals between the Knicks and the Spurs averaged 20.6 million viewers, according to Nielsen, the highest since the 1998 series between Chicago and Utah when Michael Jordan won his sixth and final NBA title. Who knew that the only thing as compelling as MJ’s dynasty was a Knicks team with legitimate hope. And, by the way, congratulations to Jalen Brunson for winning Finals Most Valuable Player, but judging by the post-game arrest reports during the series, my vote for the MVP went to the NYPD. …

Boxer Floyd Mayweather is facing two felony charges alleging theft and “intent to defraud” by passing a bad check to purchase a fancy-smancy $200,000 wrist watch in Las Vegas. It seems “Money” Mayweather should change his name to Funny Money Mayweather. … The winning golfer in this week’s U.S. Open will get $4.3 million. LIV Golf used to call that sort of money chump change, but now they call it next season’s entire operating budget. … My three favorites at the U.S. Open this weekend: (1) Scottie Scheffler. (2) Rory McIlroy. (3) The USGA’s sadistic course superintendent. … The Jacksonville Jaguars are auctioning off the wig Trevor Lawrence wore during their schedule release video that fooled many fans into thinking he was actually cutting his famous long, blond hair. The wig is the biggest joke the franchise has played on its fans since the hiring of Urban Meyer. …

Sorry, Jalen Brunson, but Saban is still the greatest Nick of all-time! … It took only one NBA Finals appearance for Wemby to go from the fresh new face of the NBA to the biggest villain in the NBA. The transformation was so fast it almost qualifies as a Eurostep through public opinion. … Eight different franchises have won NBA championships in the last eight seasons. I guess you could say dynasties and dominance have been replaced by, “Hey, we’ll figure it out in May and June.” … Can you believe they held a UFC fight night on the White House lawn? Then again, I guess it’s appropriate. Nothing defines today’s America like politics that feel less like governance and more like a pay-per-view main event. …

LAST WORD: With today being Juneteenth, let us never forget the words of the late, great Muhammad Ali: “Don’t count the days. Make the days count.”

Gavin Simpson of Marshfield won three individual events and was part of a winning relay at the Far West League middle school track meet.

Simpson won the 100 (11.97 seconds) and 200 (24.23) and also took the high jump, clearing 5 feet, 8 inches. He also was part of Marshfield’s winning 4x100 relay (47.98).

North Bend’s Raleigh Collier won both the 800 (2:11.06) and 1,500 (4:29.69).

Tyler Camp of Azalea in Brookings won the 100 hurdles (14.53) and 200 hurdles (26.49).

Other winners were Reedsport’s Julien Nazareno in the 400 (55.69), North Bend’s Michael Lu in the shot put (38-5), Winston’s Eli Knebel in the discus (165-7), Myrtle Point’s David Huff in the aero javelin (160-1), North Bend’s Blake Horton in the pole vault (10-3) and Quintin Coordes of Waldport in the long jump (19-6 ¾).

Azalea won the 4x400 relay in 4:04.99.

North Bend took the team title with 102.5 points while Marshfield was second among the district’s 14 schools with 96.

For the girls, Isabella Graybill of Siuslaw was a triple winner, taking the 100 hurdles (16.96), 200 hurdles (31.35) and high jump (4-11).

Peyton Mattecheck of North Bend won both the 100 (13.36) and shot put (33-5 ¾) and Leila Newman of Azalea won the 800 (2:37.46) and 1,500 (5:07.63).

Other winners were Vivian Westgaard of Coquille in the 400 (1:03.64), Lyric Brownell of Siuslaw in the discus (76-0), Miley Moser of Waldport in the aero javelin (117-2), and Siuslaw’s Hosanna Stone in the pole vault (8-0) and Kinley Krieger in the long jump (15-6 ½). Marshfield won both the 4x100 relay (54.49) and 4x400 relay (4:37.76).

Siuslaw easily won the team title with 130.5 points. Marshfield was a distant second with 88.

The top three finishers in each event are listed below.

GIRLS

Team Scores: Siuslaw 130.5, Marshfield 88, North Bend 64, Winston 59, Harbor Lights 55, Coquille 54.5, Azalea 42, Suthelrin 30, Reedsport 21, Waldport 16, Myrtle Point 12, Driftwood 12.

100 — 1. Peyton Mattecheck, NB, 13.36; 2. Calli McGriff, Mar, 13.61; 3. Ireland Kirchgesler, HL, 13.73.

200 — 1. Calli McGriff, Mar, 27.97; 2. Peyton Mattecheck, NB, 28.40; 3. Emali Logsdon, Win, 28.43.

400 — 1. Vivian Westgaard, Coq, 1:03.64; 2. Lucy Seedborg, Mar, 1:05.19; 3. Isabella Graybill, Siu, 1:05.42.

800 — 1. Leila Newman, Aza, 2:37.46; 2. Dizzy Smith, Mar, 2:43.01; 3. Caitlin Abrahamsen, NB, 2:43.71.

1,500 — 1. Leila Newman, Aza, 5:07.63; 2. Caitlin Abrahamsen, NB, 5:25.80; 3. Hosanna Stone, Siu, 5:39.78.

100 Hurdles — 1. Isabella Graybill, Siu, 16.96; 2. Brylee Young, Win, 17.70; 3. Paige Johnson, HL, 18.06.

200 Hurdles — 1. Isabella Graybill, Siu, 31.35; 2. Brylee Young, Win, 33.10; 3. Paige Johnson, HL, 33.71.

4x100 Relay — 1. Marshfield, 54.49; 2. Tie-Siuslaw and Reedsport, 56.96.

4x400 Relay — 1. Marshfield, 4:37.76; 2. Coquille, 4:40.05; 3. Siuslaw, 4:56.82.

Shot put — 1. Peyton Mattecheck, NB, 33-5 3/4; 2. Emelyn Lake, Siu, 33-0; 3. Maci Knebel, Win, 32-5.

Discus — 1. Lyric Brownlee, Siu, 76-0; 2. Macy Richcreek, Win, 74-3; 3. Temperance Rupp, Siu, 73-1.

Aero Javelin — 1. Miley Moser, Wal, 117-2; 2. Macy Richcreek, Win, 110-8; 3. Alyssa Rusher, NB, 84-5.

High Jump — 1. Isabela Graybill, Siu, 4-11; 2. Emma Hunt, Sut, 4-8; 3. Ashlynn Burkman, Aza, 4-8.

Pole Vault — 1. Hosanna Stone, Siu, 8-0; 2. Claire Blanc, Mar, 7-6; 3. Kaiyan Carter, NB, 7-6.

Long Jump — Kinley Krieger, Siu, 15-6 ½; 2. Paige Johnson, HL, 15-0; 3. Vivian Westgaard, Coq, 14-10.

BOYS

Team Scores: North Bend 102.5, Marshfield 96, Azalea 69, Siuslaw 66.5, Winson 57.5, Waldport 40.5, Reedsport 36, Coquille 32, Gold Beach 29.5, Coffenberry 28, Myrtle Point 17, Sutherlin 10.5.

100 — 1. Gavin Simpson, Mar, 11.97; 2. Julien Nazareno, Ree, 12.09; 3. Liam Hogue Shippey, Cof, 12.50.

200 — 1. Gavin Simpson, Mar, 24.23; 2. Julien Nazareno, Ree, 25.22; 3. Liam Hogue Shippey, Cof, 25.57.

400 — 1. Julien Nazareno, Ree, 55.69; 2. Owen Fisher, Mar, 55.94; 3. Curren Christensen, Aza, 57.97.

800 — 1. Raleigh Collier, NB, 2:11.06; 2. Ryder Boehlje, Siu, 2:16.02; 3. Luke Henthorn, Coq, 2:17.60.

1,500 — 1. Raleigh Collier, NB, 4:29.69; 2. Luke Henthorn, Coq, 4:49.36; 3. Joseph Serbu, Wal, 4:50.51.

100 Hurdles — 1. Tyler Camp, Aza, 14.53; 2. AJ Guyton Jr., Mar, 17.01; 3. Beckham Katavich, Aza, 17.41.

200 Hurdles — 1. Tyler Camp, Aza, 26.49; 2. Jacob Bates, NB, 28.92; 3. Talon Hester, Win, 29.24

4x100 Relay — 1. Marshfield, 47.98; 2. North Bend, 48.48; 3. Winston, 51.41.

4x400 Relay — 1. Azalea, 4:04.99; 2. North Bend, 4:10.59; 3. Coquille, 4:13.95.

Shot Put — 1. Michael Lu, NB, 38-5; 2. Eli Knebel, Win, 38-0 ¾; 3. Jack Thomason, Coq, 38-0.

Discus — 1. Eli Knebel, Win, 165-7; 2. Grayson Goforth, Wal, 133-10; 3. Liam Hogue Shippey, Cof, 127-11.

Aero Javelin — 1. David Huff, MP, 160-1; 2. Wilson Holland, Mar, 152-1; 3. Quintin Coordes, Wal, 148-3.

High Jump — 1. Gavin Simpson, Mar, 5-8; 2. Liam Hogue Shippey, Cof, 5-4; 3. Tie-Quinton Coordes, Wal, and Shawn Contreras, Win, 5-4.

Pole Vault — 1. Blake Horton, NB, 10-3; 2. Landon Linton, Siu, 8-6; 3. Tie-Bo Harnden, NB, and Trendel DeSantis, Siu, 8-0.

Long Jump — 1. Quintin Coordes, Wal, 19-6 3/4; 2. Owen Fisher, Mar, 18-7 1/4; 3. Shawn Contreras, Win, 17-11.

The turn of each school year means the potential for athletic departments to bring in new faces to their coaching staffs to help lead programs into the future.

Greenville ISD took a step toward the future with the hiring of new basketball coaches Cindee Wright for the Lady Lions and Anthony Portley for the Lions.

According to Wright’s LinkedIn page, the coach received her Master of Education in teaching from Ashford University and has held several different coaching positions throughout the years.

A report from the Webster Parish Journal says that Wright previously coached as an assistant in five different collegiate settings ranging from community colleges to universities.

She has also previously served as a head coach for Vermilion Community College, Cavalry Baptist Academy, Southwood High School and Minden High School.

On the flip side, Portley is a familiar face to the Greenville community. The coach is a Greenville High School alum who played for the Lions during his high school career and has had various coaching stints, including one of his latest stops being as an assistant coach at East Texas A&M University.

Portley comes back to his hometown and will look to lead the basketball program, alongside Wright, into the future.

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