The Goldey-Beacom Lightning women’s basketball team dropped a conference matchup against Georgian Court on Thursday evening, falling 73-52 at their home court in Wilmington.
The Lightning hosted the visiting team at the Joseph West Jones Center, where they battled their Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference rivals but ultimately came up short by 21 points.
The defeat marks another challenging game for Goldey-Beacom as they continue their season against CACC competition.
Three student-athletes from Goldey-Beacom College earned recognition on the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Weekly Honor Roll for basketball this week.
On the men’s side, junior players Julian Williams from Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Emarquis Jones from Brooklyn, New York, were both selected for the Men’s Basketball Weekly Honor Roll.
The women’s basketball program also had representation, with junior Genesis Garcia from Aguada, Puerto Rico, earning a spot on the Women’s Basketball Weekly Honor Roll.
The weekly honors recognize outstanding individual performances by student-athletes across the CACC conference during recent games.
The Goldey-Beacom Lightning’s remarkable run came to a disappointing conclusion Thursday night, as the team suffered a narrow 80-78 defeat on the road against Felician University in Rutherford, New Jersey.
The highly anticipated matchup between the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference’s two leading teams delivered the thrilling contest that fans expected, though the outcome wasn’t what Lightning supporters had hoped for.
The loss brings an end to Goldey-Beacom’s impressive eight-game winning streak, marking their first defeat since their hot streak began. The two-point margin highlights just how competitive the game remained throughout, with both teams battling for conference supremacy.
The Lightning will now look to regroup and start a new winning streak as they continue their conference schedule.
The Goldey-Beacom Lightning women’s basketball team encountered a challenging road game this week, traveling to Rutherford, New Jersey to take on Felician University.
The Lightning faced an uphill battle against the Golden Falcons, who currently hold the runner-up position in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference standings. Goldey-Beacom was unable to keep pace with their opponents throughout the contest, ultimately suffering a decisive 90-49 defeat.
The loss highlights the competitive nature of conference play as the Lightning continue their season against strong opposition within the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference.
The Goldey-Beacom College track and field programs began their 2025-26 athletic season by competing at the Fastrack National Invite held in Staten Island, New York.
Both the men’s and women’s teams from the Wilmington-based college are entering this season with considerable momentum from their previous campaign. The men’s squad achieved a historic milestone last year by capturing their first-ever Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference championship in program history.
Meanwhile, the women’s team also had a strong showing in conference competition, securing a third-place finish in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference standings.
These impressive results from the previous season have created elevated expectations and optimism for both programs as they embark on their current campaign. The Lightning teams will look to build upon their recent success throughout the 2025-26 season.
HAMPTON, Va. – The Salisbury University women’s swimming program delivered a dominant performance this weekend, capturing their second straight New Jersey Athletic Conference championship title at the Hampton Aquaplex.
Unlike last season’s nail-biting finish that earned the Sea Gulls their inaugural conference crown, this year’s victory was decisive from start to finish. The nationally-ranked 24th team controlled the four-day competition, accumulating an impressive 1,635 total points.
The Sea Gulls’ commanding lead left little doubt about the outcome, as they finished more than 600 points ahead of runner-up Mary Washington, which earned 987.5 points. Rowan University claimed third place with 971.5 points in the 10-team field at the 2026 NJAC Swimming & Diving Championships that concluded Sunday.
The back-to-back conference titles mark a significant achievement for the Salisbury program, demonstrating the team’s growth from last year’s dramatic championship victory to this season’s wire-to-wire dominance.
The Salisbury University men’s swimming program added another impressive achievement to its resume this weekend, capturing second place at the New Jersey Athletic Conference Swimming and Diving Championships held in Hampton, Virginia.
The Sea Gulls, currently ranked 18th nationally, concluded their championship run on Sunday at the Hampton Aquaplex, demonstrating the program’s continued improvement within conference standings. The team’s silver medal performance represents their ongoing progress as they work their way up through the league hierarchy.
Sunday marked the conclusion of the four-day championship event, where Salisbury’s swimmers competed against other NJAC institutions for conference supremacy. The strong finish caps off what has been a successful season for the Sea Gulls’ swimming program.
Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner made a strong comeback Monday, securing a commanding 6-1, 6-4 victory over Czech player Tomas Machac during opening round action at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha. This marked Sinner’s return to competition following a heartbreaking semifinal defeat at the Australian Open in late January.
The second-seeded Sinner, who had claimed back-to-back Australian Open titles before falling to Novak Djokovic in a five-set thriller (3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4) in Melbourne, showed no signs of that disappointment on Monday. The Italian played flawless tennis, avoiding any break point situations while limiting his unforced errors to just nine throughout the match.
Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, seeded fourth and the 2023 tournament winner in Doha, also cruised through his opening match with a 6-4, 6-2 triumph over China’s Juncheng Shang.
Czech Republic’s Jakub Mensik, the sixth seed, managed to overcome British qualifier Jan Choinski in three sets, 6-7 (6), 6-2, 6-4. Other players advancing included Australia’s Alexei Popyrin and French competitors Arthur Fils and Valentin Royer.
At the Delray Beach Open in Florida, American Alex Michelsen dominated on serve, capturing 86% of his service points in a 7-6 (4), 6-4 upset victory over Monaco’s sixth-seeded Valentin Vacherot. Michelsen’s serving was particularly sharp, winning an impressive 92.3% of points when landing his first serve (36 of 39 attempts).
American Frances Tiafoe, the eighth seed and 2018 Delray Beach champion, advanced with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata. Fellow American Marcos Giron also moved forward, defeating Japanese qualifier Sho Shimabukuro 6-3, 7-5. France’s Terence Atmane and Hong Kong’s Chak Lam Coleman Wong also claimed first-round victories.
The Rio Open saw a disappointing day for Brazilian tennis, as all three home country players competing Monday suffered first-round exits.
Peru’s Ignacio Buse mounted a comeback to eliminate Brazilian qualifier Igor Marcondes 4-6, 7-5, 6-4. Czech player Vit Kopriva defeated Brazil’s Gustavo Heide 6-2, 7-6 (5), while Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann ousted Joao Lucas Reis Da Silva 7-6 (3), 6-4.
In Monday’s biggest upset, Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic, who entered as a lucky loser from qualifying, knocked out Germany’s seventh-seeded Daniel Altmaier 6-4, 7-6 (7). Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo and Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante both advanced with straight-set victories.
British heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury revealed Monday that Anthony Joshua’s devastating car accident in Nigeria became the pivotal moment that convinced him to end his retirement and step back into the boxing ring.
The former heavyweight titleholder Joshua suffered minor injuries in the December crash that tragically took the lives of two members of his training team – strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami and trainer Latif “Latz” Ayodele.
Speaking to media at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where he’s scheduled to battle Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11 for his comeback fight, Fury explained how the tragedy influenced his thinking.
“The biggest turning point in this comeback for me was the tragedy that happened with Anthony Joshua,” Fury stated during Monday’s press conference.
“I hear all that bad news that’s gone on and I thought, you know what, life is very short, very precious and very fragile.
“Tomorrow is a mystery, we have to live for today. And me living for that day, I made my mind up there and then that I’m going to come back to boxing – because it’s something that I love, I’m passionate about and that I’ve always been in love with.”
The 37-year-old fighter officially announced his comeback from retirement this past January. His upcoming match will mark his first time in the ring since suffering a defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024, ending his second reign as world heavyweight champion.
SALISBURY, Md. – Salisbury University’s men’s tennis program, currently ranked 39th nationally, secured a commanding 7-0 victory against the Goucher College Gophers this past Sunday at the university’s Indoor Tennis Center.
The decisive win held special significance as it marked the inaugural official match triumph for newly appointed head coach Tyler Linscott, who recently took over leadership of the Sea Gulls tennis program.
The Sea Gulls dominated across all match-ups during the afternoon competition, shutting out their opponents completely in what proved to be a strong opening performance under their new coaching leadership.
SCRANTON, Pa. – The Salisbury University men’s lacrosse squad showcased their championship caliber with a dominant 20-3 triumph over Scranton University’s Royals during Saturday’s matchup at Weiss Field.
The second-ranked Sea Gulls established complete control from the opening faceoff, executing a perfect first half that featured 13 consecutive goals without allowing a single score from their opponents. This overwhelming offensive display set the tone for what would become a lopsided victory.
The afternoon contest demonstrated Salisbury’s offensive prowess and defensive discipline as they maintained their momentum throughout the game. The Sea Gulls’ ability to dominate both ends of the field proved too much for the Royals to overcome.
This decisive victory continues Salisbury’s strong season performance and reinforces their position as one of the top-ranked programs in collegiate men’s lacrosse.
WASHINGTON, DC – Salisbury University’s women’s lacrosse squad delivered a dominant performance on Saturday, defeating the Catholic University of America Cardinals by a score of 17-9 at Carlini Field.
The Sea Gulls, currently holding the third position in national rankings, secured their second victory away from home within a span of four days. The team’s strong showing in the nation’s capital demonstrated their continued excellence on the road this season.
Saturday’s matchup saw Salisbury control the game against the Cardinals, building a substantial lead through consistent offensive pressure and solid defensive play throughout the contest.
SALISBURY, Md. – Salisbury University’s baseball program kicked off the 2026 season in dominant fashion Saturday, as the nationally fifth-ranked Sea Gulls delivered a stunning doubleheader sweep against the visiting Moravian Greyhounds at Donnie Williams Sea Gull Baseball Stadium.
The Sea Gulls showcased an explosive offensive performance throughout both contests, shutting out their opponents by scores of 30-0 and 13-0. Each game was completed in seven innings on Saturday afternoon.
The overwhelming victories marked an impressive start to the new campaign for the highly-ranked Salisbury squad, demonstrating the team’s offensive firepower right from the season’s opening day.
HAMPTON, Va. – Salisbury University’s women’s swimming program, currently ranked 24th nationally, moved closer to capturing their second straight New Jersey Athletic Conference championship following an outstanding performance on Saturday.
The Sea Gulls demonstrated their dominance during the third day of competition at the 2026 NJAC Swimming & Diving Championships, held at Hampton Aquaplex in Virginia.
With their strong showing throughout the weekend, Salisbury appears well-positioned to defend their conference title and claim consecutive NJAC crowns.
HAMPTON, Va. – A senior leader from Salisbury University’s 18th-ranked men’s swimming squad captured his first championship title, capping off an impressive third day of competition at the 2026 New Jersey Athletic Conference Swimming & Diving Championships on Saturday at the Hampton Aquaplex.
Dominic Kazzi earned the top spot in the 100-yard breaststroke, marking a breakthrough victory for the veteran swimmer who had been seeking his first conference gold medal. The triumph highlighted another solid performance for the Sea Gulls, who continue to hold their position as strong contenders in the team standings.
The championship meet showcased the depth and talent of Salisbury’s swimming program, with the team maintaining their competitive edge throughout the multi-day event. Kazzi’s victory represents the culmination of years of training and dedication as he approaches the end of his collegiate swimming career.
Competition at the NJAC Championships continues as teams battle for conference supremacy in the pool, with Salisbury’s swimmers looking to build on their momentum from Saturday’s successful session.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Salisbury University’s women’s basketball squad secured an important conference victory during their weekend road trip, defeating the University of Mary Washington on Saturday afternoon.
The Sea Gulls claimed a crucial win in SCORE conference play, adding another victory to their season record while competing away from their home court.
The triumph in Fredericksburg, Virginia represents a significant achievement for the Salisbury program as they continue their campaign in conference competition.
SALISBURY, Md. – Salisbury University’s women’s tennis squad kicked off their 2026 campaign with a narrow defeat on Saturday, falling to Stevens University by a score of 4-3 at the SU Outdoor Tennis Center.
The Sea Gulls battled hard in their home opener but came up just short against the visiting Ducks in what proved to be a closely contested match. The one-point margin highlighted the competitive nature of the season-opening encounter.
The match took place on Saturday afternoon at Salisbury University’s outdoor tennis facility, marking the beginning of what the Sea Gulls hope will be a successful 2026 season despite the disappointing start.
The University of Delaware Blue Hens baseball squad is gearing up for their inaugural home game of the season as they prepare to face off against La Salle.
The team will be taking the field at their home diamond for the first time this season, marking an important milestone in their campaign. This matchup represents the official start of home games for the Blue Hens as they look to establish momentum on familiar territory.
The contest against La Salle will give local fans their first opportunity to see the team in action at home this year, as the Blue Hens work to build on their early season performance.
DALLAS – University of Delaware senior basketball standout Justyn Fernandez has captured his second Conference USA Player of the Week award this season, recognition that comes after he powered the Fightin’ Blue Hens to two wins in league action over the past week.
The weekly honor highlights Fernandez’s outstanding performance as he continues to lead Delaware’s men’s basketball team through conference play. His efforts helped the Blue Hens maintain their perfect 2-0 record during the week in Conference USA matchups.
This marks the second time this season that the senior has received the prestigious weekly recognition from Conference USA officials, underscoring his consistent impact on the court for the Delaware program.
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware men’s basketball squad is preparing to make program history this Wednesday evening at the Bob Carpenter Center as they welcome Western Kentucky for what will be the Blue Hens’ inaugural UDance Night celebration.
This milestone event represents a first for the Delaware basketball program, combining athletic competition with the university’s signature dance marathon tradition. The Blue Hens will take the court against the visiting Western Kentucky team in what promises to be a memorable evening for fans and players alike.
The matchup is scheduled to tip off Wednesday night at the Bob Carpenter Center in Newark, where Delaware supporters will have the opportunity to witness this historic moment in Blue Hens basketball.
The University of Delaware Blue Hens softball team delivered an exciting finish to their home-opening weekend, completing a doubleheader sweep against Saint Joseph’s on Sunday, February 15th.
The Blue Hens dominated the opening contest, securing an 11-3 victory that concluded after six innings due to the run rule. Delaware’s offensive power was on full display as they built a commanding lead throughout the game.
Game two provided much more drama for the home crowd. Trailing entering the bottom of the seventh inning, the Blue Hens mounted a spectacular comeback, scoring three runs in their final at-bat to secure a walk-off victory over the Hawks.
The doubleheader victories capped off a successful 3-2 record for Delaware’s opening weekend at home. The Blue Hens demonstrated both their offensive capabilities in the first game and their resilience in the nightcap, showing they can win games in multiple ways.
The dramatic finish in game two highlighted the team’s ability to perform under pressure, with the seventh-inning rally providing an exciting conclusion for fans in attendance at the home opener.
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware ice hockey squad has learned their fate for the upcoming Atlantic Hockey America Championship tournament following the conclusion of regular season play.
The Blue Hens, who earned the seventh seed in the tournament, are set to clash with sixth-seeded Robert Morris in their opening playoff matchup on Thursday, February 19. The game will take place in St. Charles, Missouri, with the opening faceoff scheduled for 2 p.m. Eastern Time.
Fans who want to follow the action can watch the game via streaming on FloHockey.
The matchup represents a crucial postseason opportunity for Delaware’s hockey program as they look to advance through the AHA Championship bracket.
Boxing legends Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have tentatively scheduled their highly anticipated exhibition match, with reports indicating the bout will occur in Africa next spring.
Sources suggest the exhibition is planned for April 25, 2026, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The venue would be Kinshasa, Congo, the same historic location that hosted the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” championship fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman back in 1974.
The 59-year-old “Iron” Mike Tyson, who holds a professional record of 50-7 with 2 no contests, recently returned to the ring against Jake Paul in a Netflix-streamed event on November 15, 2024. Tyson was defeated by unanimous decision in that eight-round contest and hasn’t secured a victory since his February 22, 2003 win over Clifford Etienne.
Meanwhile, 48-year-old Floyd “Money” Mayweather, who maintains his perfect 50-0 professional record, last competed against John Gotti III on August 24, 2024. This marked Mayweather’s eighth exhibition since hanging up his gloves as an undefeated champion following his victory over MMA fighter Conor McGregor in August 2017.
Initial announcements about the potential matchup surfaced in September 2025, though specific details remained scarce. Questions arose about the fight’s status when Mayweather’s exhibition against Mike Zambidis was scheduled for June 27 in Athens, Greece.
However, Tyson confirmed the plans during a Friday interview with TMZ, stating: “Yeah, that’s happening. You think I’d give that up? I was minding my business, he challenged me!”
MILAN, Feb 16 – Japanese figure skater Ryuichi Kihara revealed he performed through constant tears during his historic Olympic comeback, as he and skating partner Riku Miura delivered Japan’s inaugural pairs figure skating gold medal with an emotionally charged performance Monday.
The accomplished duo, who hold two world championship titles, faced heartbreak after placing fifth in Sunday’s short program following a costly lift mistake. However, they bounced back with a commanding free skate routine set to the Gladiator theme that their coaching team described as fueled by determination, faith, and seven years of perseverance.
The 33-year-old Kihara admitted he arrived at practice still emotionally affected by their previous performance and unable to move past the error.
“I couldn’t stop crying since this morning, I just couldn’t bounce back from yesterday’s mistake, I really couldn’t snap out of it, the tears kept flowing … even on the ice I couldn’t stop crying,” he explained, though he credited the overwhelming support from others with helping him regain focus.
“Riku, my coach, my friends in Japan… everyone around me sent me messages of support. Everyone said it’s not over yet… Normally I’m the stronger one but this time around Riku really supported me,” Kihara added.
His 24-year-old partner Miura explained that witnessing Kihara’s emotional state motivated her to step up as the team’s anchor.
“Ryuichi has been crying since this morning, and so I felt like I needed to be strong and support him and help him focus,” Miura stated.
The skating partnership, which began in 2019, arrived at the Olympics as top contenders following their victory at December’s Grand Prix Final in Nagoya and their first-place finish in the pairs portion of the team competition, where they contributed to Japan’s silver medal.
However, their journey has been marked by significant physical challenges. Kihara has dealt with ongoing back problems, while Miura has consistently competed despite a shoulder that frequently dislocates. During the 2025 Japan Championships, she popped her shoulder back into place during warmups after it dislocated, then went on to achieve a personal-best short program score.
Their free skate routine embodied these battles through its themes of warfare, endurance, and victory.
Performing to Andrea Bocelli’s rendition of music from the “Gladiator” film score, the pair executed each element with the precision that had eluded them the day before, their movements reflecting the toughness that has characterized their collaboration.
“We made a huge mistake yesterday but for the past seven years we’ve worked so hard … we have grown over the last seven years,” Miura reflected, explaining their mindset to “forget what happened yesterday and start from scratch.”
This groundbreaking gold medal represents another significant achievement for Japan in a sport traditionally controlled by European and North American teams. Prior to earning world silver in 2022, Japan had not reached a major ISU pairs podium for ten years.
Kihara, who broke down emotionally after completing their routine, admitted they hadn’t anticipated winning the top prize.
“We knew that the last group was filled with amazing skaters, and so we honestly didn’t think that we would win gold tonight,” he shared. “It’s a little bit of a disbelief … that we’re able to get a medal for Japan pair skating for the first time ever.”
ELON, N.C. – The Delaware Blue Hens baseball program wrapped up their season-opening weekend with a twin bill against Elon University this past Saturday.
The Blue Hens made the trip to North Carolina on February 14th to face the Phoenix in the doubleheader matchup, marking the conclusion of Delaware’s first weekend of competition for the new season.
BOSTON – A University of Delaware distance runner made history Saturday, smashing the school’s 5,000-meter record at the Valentine Invitational track meet.
Marie-Theres Gruber, competing for the Blue Hens track and field program, demolished the previous program standard in the 5K during the Boston competition. Her record-breaking performance highlighted a strong day for Delaware athletics.
The Blue Hens didn’t stop there, as three additional athletes secured spots among the program’s all-time top-10 performances in their respective events during Saturday’s meet.
The Valentine Invitational provided an excellent stage for Delaware’s track and field team to showcase their talents against quality competition, with Gruber’s historic run leading the way for the Blue Hens’ impressive showing.
The University of Delaware Blue Hens softball squad delivered high drama on Saturday, February 14th, splitting a twin bill against the Georgetown Hoyas in spectacular fashion.
In the opening contest, Delaware found themselves trailing 7-3 entering the bottom half of the seventh and final inning. What happened next was pure magic for the home crowd, as the Blue Hens mounted an incredible four-run rally to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
The heroics culminated when Bridget Chapman stepped to the plate and delivered a clutch walk-off single, sending teammates and fans into celebration as Delaware captured an 8-7 victory.
However, the second game told a different story entirely. Georgetown bounced back with strong pitching and timely hitting to shut out the Blue Hens 3-0, ensuring the day would end with each team claiming one victory.
The doubleheader showcased both the resilience and competitive spirit that defines college softball, with Delaware’s remarkable comeback in game one serving as a testament to never giving up until the final out.
The University of Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens basketball squad continued their recent hot streak Saturday, defeating Missouri State 76-67 on the road in Springfield, Missouri.
The victory marks the third straight win for Delaware, bringing their overall season record to 9-16 while improving to 5-9 in Conference USA competition. Missouri State suffered the loss, dropping their record to 13-12 overall with a 7-7 mark in CUSA play.
The Blue Hens have shown significant improvement during this three-game winning streak, finding their rhythm as the conference season progresses. The road victory demonstrates the team’s growing confidence and ability to perform away from their home court.
QUEENS, N.Y. – The University of Delaware men’s lacrosse squad earned their first victory of the season Saturday, edging St. John’s 12-11 in a hard-fought contest in New York. John McCurry powered the Blue Hens’ offense with three goals, marking his first hat trick of the campaign.
The narrow victory moves Delaware’s record to 1-2 on the young season, while St. John’s remains winless at 0-2. The Fightin’ Blue Hens managed to hold off the Red Storm in what proved to be a closely contested battle throughout.
McCurry’s offensive explosion provided the spark Delaware needed to secure the one-goal triumph on the road. The performance gives the Blue Hens momentum as they continue their 2026 campaign.
The NBA’s annual midseason celebration achieved the ratings success it has been seeking for years.
Sunday’s All-Star Game broadcast on NBC drew 8.8 million viewers combined across television and streaming platforms, representing the largest viewership for the event since 2011, based on initial Nielsen ratings and Adobe Analytics released Monday.
This viewership total represented an 87% increase from the previous year’s 4.7 million viewers, with the dramatic improvement attributed to the league’s new tournament structure pitting “USA vs. the World” teams that provided genuine competition beyond typical exhibition play.
Peak viewership reached 9.8 million during the 7:00-7:15 p.m. Eastern time slot, coinciding with the most competitive moments as USA Stripes edged the World squad 48-45 in the tournament’s most intense and decisive period.
Individual standouts included Anthony Edwards, who earned MVP recognition after posting 32 points, nine rebounds and three assists for USA Stars throughout the three 12-minute contests, while Victor Wembanyama led the World team’s effort with 33 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots.
While acknowledging room for improvement, the revised format provided the competitive element league officials have sought to restore in recent seasons.
Strategic scheduling also contributed to the success, as the game aired following NBC’s comprehensive Winter Olympics coverage for the 2026 Milan Cortina games and transitioned smoothly into the network’s primetime lineup.
Tennis champion Coco Gauff expressed her concerns about recent developments in the United States during a media session Sunday at the Dubai Tennis Championships, stating she remains “proud to be an American” while condemning the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti that occurred in Minneapolis recently.
“Everything going on in the U.S. — obviously I’m not really for it. I don’t think people should be dying in the streets just for existing. I don’t like what’s going on,” Gauff said.
The 21-year-old, who has won two Grand Slam titles, joins a number of other American athletes who have publicly criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement following the agency’s involvement in the deaths of Good and Pretti.
Winter Olympic athlete Hunter Hess previously made headlines on February 6 when he told the media, “Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.” His comments prompted President Donald Trump to label Hess a “real Loser” on Truth Social.
Tennis player Madison Keys, currently ranked 17th globally and fourth among U.S. women’s players, has also shared her thoughts on the situation.
“I am hopeful that we as a country can come together and get back to the values that I think make our country great,” Keys said. “We are very diverse. We are a home of immigrants. and I hope that we can get back to those values.”
However, Taylor Fritz, the highest-ranked American male tennis player, chose not to discuss the matter publicly.
“I feel like whatever I say here is going to get put in a headline, and it’s going to get taken out of context,” he said. “So, I’d really rather not do something that’s going to cause a big distraction for me in the middle of the tournament.”
Gauff, whose grandmother made history as the first Black student to integrate public schools in Delray Beach, Florida, in 1961, believes athletes have the “right” to remain silent on political matters, though she plans to continue addressing such topics when asked.
“I think the biggest thing I hate is when people say stay out of it when we’re being asked it,” she said. “If you ask me, I’m going to give you my honest answer. For me, that’s my honest answer. I always try to always answer honestly. I have no problems. I lived this. My grandma is literally an activist. This is literally my life. I’m OK answering tough questions.”
The stage is set for another epic showdown between North American rivals as the United States and Canada advance to the Olympic women’s hockey championship game, though this time around, Team USA appears to hold all the advantages.
Team USA dominated Sweden 5-0 in semifinal action, while Canada barely squeezed past Switzerland 2-1 despite outshooting them by a massive 46-8 margin.
Thursday’s gold medal contest at Santagiulia arena will mark the eighth straight Olympics where either the U.S. or Canada claims the top prize in women’s hockey, a streak dating back to the sport’s Olympic debut in 1998.
“You want to beat the best teams, and I think for women’s hockey, that’s the best match-up you can ask for,” Canadian goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens commented. “It’s going to be intense, it’s going to be competitive.”
While Canada enters as the reigning Olympic champions with five gold medals to their credit, they’ve been playing catch-up to the Americans lately. Team USA has captured their last six head-to-head matchups and delivered a stunning blow during group play with a 5-0 shutout – the first time Canada had ever been blanked in Olympic competition.
That defeat followed an equally lopsided showing in the November-December Rivalry Series, where the U.S. outscored Canada 27-4 across four games, including a crushing 10-4 victory. The Americans also topped Canada twice while capturing last year’s World Championship.
The two nations have taken different roster approaches. Canada stuck with their veteran core, selecting all players from the PWHL, while Team USA mixed seasoned players with fresh talent, including seven collegiate athletes.
Throughout the Milan tournament, the Americans have been absolutely unstoppable. They remain the only undefeated squad, having netted 31 goals while allowing just one score – which came in their tournament opener.
Remarkably, the U.S. has scored multiple first-period goals only once during the competition, and that came against Canada as other opponents managed to stay competitive early before American superiority took over.
“Believe it or not, we have been challenged,” American defender Laila Edwards noted. “We have just overcome it and succeeded. We will take what we can get and hopefully come out on top.”
Despite their recent struggles, Canada holds a 4-2 advantage in previous Olympic finals between these teams and hopes to channel their latest setback into championship motivation.
“I honestly think it makes us more hungry,” Canadian forward Julia Gosling said following Monday’s semifinal win. “It’s a gold-medal game, anything can happen.”
NEW YORK — A Cleveland Browns defensive back is recovering at home after being attacked by a group of four men in a Manhattan hotel lobby during the early morning hours on Monday.
Ronnie Hickman, a 24-year-old safety for the Browns, sustained minor injuries in the assault and received medical treatment before being discharged, according to team officials. The player is now resting with his family as he recovers from the incident.
New York City police responded to an emergency call at 4:35 a.m. Monday regarding an assault taking place in a hotel lobby, according to law enforcement officials.
“Upon arrival, officers were informed that four unidentified individuals punched a 24-year-old male about the body following a verbal dispute,” police said. “The suspects fled the location in an unknown direction.”
The investigation remains active, and authorities have not made any arrests in connection with the attack, the New York Police Department confirmed in their official statement.
Hickman joined the Browns as an undrafted free agent after completing his college career at Ohio State University. During his three-year NFL tenure, he has appeared in 41 games and compiled impressive defensive statistics, including 173 total tackles, three interceptions, and one fumble recovery.
Source: https://srnnews.com/police-browns-safety-ronnie-hickman-jumped-by-4-men-in-a-new-york-hotel-lobby/
Team captain Marie-Philip Poulin etched her name in Olympic history Monday, netting two goals to propel Canada into the women’s ice hockey championship game with a 2-1 victory over Switzerland in Milan.
The triumph marks Canada’s eighth straight appearance in an Olympic women’s hockey final, maintaining their perfect record of reaching the title game since the sport debuted at the Winter Games. Poulin’s performance was particularly notable as she shattered the all-time Olympic women’s scoring record, tallying her 19th and 20th career goals.
Thursday’s gold medal contest will pit the defending Olympic champions against their longtime rivals from the United States, as Canada seeks their sixth Olympic title against a youthful American squad.
Switzerland managed to find the net once through forward Rahel Enzler in the opening minutes of the final period, but couldn’t overcome Canada’s offensive dominance. The Canadians peppered the Swiss goal with 46 shots compared to just eight for their opponents.
The bronze medal will be decided Thursday when Switzerland takes on Sweden.
Despite missing the final two preliminary round contests due to a knee problem, Poulin showed no signs of rust at Santagiulia arena. The player known as “Captain Clutch” broke through after a goalless opening frame to make Olympic history.
Her record-setting 19th Olympic goal came via a skillful slap shot that bounced off the ice surface and sailed over Swiss goaltender Andrea Braendli’s equipment, surpassing fellow Canadian Hayley Wickenheiser’s previous milestone and igniting celebrations among the maple leaf supporters in attendance.
Poulin wasn’t finished there, adding her second tally less than seven minutes afterward by jamming home a rebound while diving toward the net during a scramble in front of the goal.
The Canadian star found herself in penalty trouble four minutes later after delivering a hard check on Swiss player Laura Zimmermann along the boards, but escaped a major infraction that could have significantly impacted the outcome, serving only a two-minute minor penalty.
While Switzerland had stunned hockey powerhouse Finland in the quarterfinal round, they couldn’t sustain that upset magic against Canada. Enzler’s goal, set up by teammate Alina Muller in the third period’s early stages, provided only a brief moment of optimism for the Swiss cause.
Source: https://srnnews.com/olympics-ice-hockey-poulin-powers-canada-into-womens-final/
Minnesota Twins pitcher Pablo Lopez ended his live batting practice session early on Monday after experiencing elbow discomfort, team manager Derek Shelton confirmed to reporters.
Lopez was working out at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida, the team’s spring training facility, as he prepares to represent Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic next month. The right-handed pitcher completed more than two innings facing live batters before the session was cut short.
During his third simulated inning, Lopez felt discomfort after delivering his second pitch and immediately stopped throwing. The 30-year-old pitcher, who celebrates his birthday on March 7, is set to undergo medical imaging to assess the extent of the problem as he enters his ninth major league season and fourth year with Minnesota.
“I mean, obviously, it’s February 16, and I think he and (pitching coach Pete Maki) had a little bit of a conversation on the second pitch he threw during the third up and felt some soreness,” Shelton told reporters. “And after he and Pete talked, we decided, out of an abundance of caution, let’s get him off, let’s get him off the field and make sure he’s OK. So, you know, we will have more information. We’ll get some imaging on it, just because of how important it is and he is to us.”
Lopez has been a reliable starter for Minnesota, making 32 starts in each season from 2022 through 2024. However, he faced multiple injury challenges in 2025, landing on the injured list three separate times due to a hamstring problem, a muscle issue in his throwing shoulder, and a forearm strain. Despite these setbacks, he posted a 5-4 record with a 2.74 ERA across 14 starts, pitching 75 2/3 innings.
“I don’t know if anybody in that room takes care of himself as well as Pablo does, not only during the season, but in the offseason,” Shelton said of Lopez, who has been Minnesota’s opening day starter for the past three seasons. “And the fact that he has awareness of his body, and he and Pete have a strong relationship, and we’re able to have a conversation. It was like, OK, let’s hold off and take a look here and kind of move on from that.”
Throughout his eight-year career split between the Miami Marlins and Minnesota Twins, Lopez has compiled a 59-53 record with a 3.81 ERA across 172 starts. He has recorded 994 strikeouts while allowing 251 walks over 965 innings pitched. The veteran pitcher is currently in the third year of a four-year contract worth $73.5 million that he signed in 2023.
Source: https://srnnews.com/twins-rhp-pablo-lopez-dealing-with-elbow-soreness/
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – The Swedish women’s curling team maintained their flawless Olympic performance Monday, securing a challenging 6-4 victory over Switzerland to extend their winning streak to six consecutive matches and solidify their lead in the round-robin tournament.
Led by skip Anna Hasselborg, Sweden faced their most difficult challenge yet against Switzerland’s team, captained by Silvana Tirinzoni. The Swiss squad enters the Olympics as four-time world champions, making this matchup particularly significant.
“We know they were the team to beat,” Hasselborg commented after the victory. The Swedish skip previously captured gold at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics and earned bronze in Beijing four years later.
“They’ve had an amazing season and we haven’t played them this year, but they have played so well. So we just wanted to go out there and play the other rock colour and just make our shots,” Hasselborg explained. “We were playing well and we were like, and we went pretty hard, like offensive and made a lot of good draws today.”
Switzerland quickly recovered from their loss, defeating Britain’s team led by Sophie Jackson with a commanding 10-6 victory during the evening session. The Swiss team now holds joint-second place in the standings alongside the United States, skippered by Tabitha Peterson, and South Korea, led by Gim Eun-ji. All three teams have recorded four victories against two defeats.
Canada demonstrated significant improvement throughout Monday’s competition, first overwhelming China 10-5 for their second tournament victory, then following up with a 9-6 triumph over Japan to strengthen their playoff positioning.
“I think every game we’ve seen us play better and better as the event’s gone on and we just have to keep going the way we are,” stated Canadian skip Rachel Homan.
Despite Canada’s status as two-time world champions and pre-tournament gold medal favorites, Homan carries a disappointing Olympic history. She has competed in the previous two Games but failed to qualify for the semifinals on both occasions.
The Canadian team currently sits in joint-fifth position with Denmark, having won three of their six matches.
Host nation Italy finally broke through for their inaugural tournament victory after suffering five consecutive defeats, defeating the United States 7-2 to the enthusiasm of supporters at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium.
“We really had a good performance this evening,” said Italian skip Stefania Constantini, who captured bronze in mixed doubles competition last week with partner Amos Mosaner. “We were in control of the ice. We really worked good with the teamwork to put every stone in the right position. It’s good to finally have a win.”
Source: https://srnnews.com/olympics-curling-hasselborgs-sweden-stay-perfect-canada-claim-back-to-back-wins/
Canada’s women’s hockey team captain Marie-Philip Poulin made Olympic history Monday, establishing a new all-time scoring record for women’s hockey at the Games during her country’s semifinal matchup with Switzerland in Milan.
Known by her nickname “Captain Clutch,” the veteran athlete netted her record-breaking 19th Olympic goal in the second period at Santagiulia arena. Her slap shot ricocheted off the ice surface before sailing over Swiss goaltender Andrea Braendli’s leg pad, giving Canada a 1-0 advantage and surpassing the previous mark held by fellow Canadian Hayley Wickenheiser.
The milestone moment was just the beginning for Poulin, who secured her 20th Olympic goal fewer than seven minutes afterward. She managed to flip the puck into the net while diving toward the goal, further cementing her historic performance.
The five-time Olympic competitor had been sidelined during Canada’s final two preliminary round contests due to a knee injury sustained in Milan. She made her return to action during Canada’s dominant 5-1 quarterfinal victory over Germany on Saturday, where she equaled Wickenheiser’s longstanding record with her first goal of the Milano Cortina Games.
The reigning Olympic champions are pursuing their sixth gold medal in women’s hockey.
TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge shared the same concerns as many of the team’s supporters during the offseason, watching anxiously as prominent free agents continued joining other organizations.
“It was brutal,” Judge remarked on Monday following the team’s initial complete roster practice session. “Early on it was pretty tough to watch. I’m like: Man, we’re the New York Yankees. Let’s go out there and get the right people.”
The team leader discussed various topics at length, including the absence of a championship trophy despite earning his third American League MVP honor, his performance against 22-year-old pitcher Carlos Lagrange during practice, his role leading Team USA in the forthcoming World Baseball Classic, and the elbow ailment that affected him last season.
Judge was sidelined for 10 contests from July 25 through August 5 due to a flexor strain in his right elbow, which occurred while making a defensive throw from right field during a game in Toronto on July 22. He remained away from outfield duties until September 5 and threw cautiously at just 67.9 mph. While Judge regained some arm power throughout the remainder of the campaign, he never reached complete recovery.
“I’ve never dealt with any elbow stuff, so I was definitely concerned,” he stated.
Judge remained uncertain about avoiding surgical intervention until after the playoff run concluded.
“They ran all the checks again and did all the tests and they said: ‘You’re good to go,’” he recalled. “And I said: All right, when can we start throwing? So it was good. It was great. It was great to hear those words so that now I can go into the offseason and just prepare the way I need to be in the best shape to start the year.”
His elbow has returned to complete strength.
“Throwing to bases a couple of times already, so no worries,” he explained. “Just excited to get back out there and just have the confidence, especially — that was the toughest thing for me last year, was the pitcher’s working his butt off and the guys around me were working their butt off and then the ball was hit to me and I had no shot.”
Judge, who will celebrate his 34th birthday in April, captured his third AL MVP award in four seasons, joining an exclusive group as only the fourth major league player to reach 50 home runs four separate times, alongside Babe Ruth, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa. He claimed his first AL batting championship with a league-leading .331 average, along with 53 home runs, 114 RBIs, an AL-best 124 walks, and a major league-topping 1.144 OPS. During postseason play, he performed well with 13 hits in 36 at-bats, including one homer, seven RBIs, and a 1.273 OPS.
During Monday’s workout, Judge seemed to send a ball over the left field wall against a 99.3 mph pitch from Lagrange (pronounced La-GRAN-he), but later struck out against a 102.6 mph fastball from the 6-foot-7 right-handed pitcher, who finished last season at the Double-A level.
The Yankees, pursuing their first championship since 2009, secured center fielder Trent Grisham early in the offseason but delayed making significant additions until recently.
“Let’s sign these guys right now and start adding more pieces because I’m seeing other teams around the league get better,” Judge commented. “They’re making trades. They’re signing big prospects or big players. And we’re sitting there for a while kind of making smaller moves.”
When asked if he communicated his concerns to Yankees management, Judge displayed a wide smile and responded: “Yeah, oh, yeah.”
“It was frustrating, but I think we’re right where we need to be,” he concluded.
The president of FIFA officially picked up his Lebanese passport during a ceremony at Beirut’s Interior Ministry on Monday, several months after Lebanon’s president approved his citizenship application.
Gianni Infantino, whose wife Lina al-Ashkar is a Lebanese national, expressed gratitude to President Joseph Aoun during their meeting at the ministry. The FIFA leader completed standard procedures including submitting paperwork, posing for photos, and providing fingerprints before officials presented him with his new blue Lebanese travel document.
The soccer executive now holds triple citizenship, as he also maintains passports from Italy and Switzerland.
Speaking in footage broadcast by Lebanese television networks, Infantino expressed his joy about the milestone. “I’m very proud and very happy to be here in Beirut at the Ministry of Interior to finally get my Lebanese passport,” he stated. “I love Lebanon.”
The citizenship approval represents an unusual departure from standard Lebanese regulations. Typically, Lebanese women cannot transfer their nationality to foreign spouses or their children under the country’s legal framework. However, President Aoun created a special exemption for Infantino and extended citizenship privileges to his family members as well.
In contrast, Lebanese men who marry foreign women can automatically grant their nationality to any children, while their wives may qualify for citizenship following a specified marriage duration.
FIFA serves as the worldwide governing organization for professional soccer.
The French Ice Hockey Federation announced Monday that defender Pierre Crinon has been removed from the men’s Olympic ice hockey tournament following an altercation during France’s match against Canada.
The incident occurred with seven minutes remaining in France’s crushing 10-2 defeat on Sunday, when Crinon got into a physical confrontation with Canada’s Tom Wilson. Both athletes received two-minute roughing penalties plus 25-minute fighting penalties, as fighting is banned in Olympic competition.
Following the on-ice incident, Crinon was questioned by Pierre-Yves Gerbeau, who serves as the French Ice Hockey Federation president and deputy chef de mission for France’s Olympic delegation.
Although the International Ice Hockey Federation chose not to impose additional penalties on either player, French officials were particularly upset with Crinon’s conduct as he exited the rink after his ejection.
According to the French federation’s official statement: “The provocative behaviour of Pierre Crinon when he left the ice, even though he had just been excluded from the match for a fight, constitutes a clear violation of the Olympic spirit and also undermines the values of our sport.”
The statement continued: “The decision was therefore taken, in full alignment with the French National Olympic and Sports Committee, not to allow his participation in the next match/matches of the Olympic tournament.”
France concluded Group A play without earning any points and now faces Germany in Tuesday’s playoff round. The victor of that matchup will move on to face Slovakia in the quarterfinals.
Source: https://srnnews.com/olympics-ice-hockey-france-suspend-crinon-for-rest-of-games-after-canada-fight/
LIVIGNO, ITALY – Canadian skier Megan Oldham claimed the top spot on the podium in Monday’s women’s freestyle skiing big air competition at the Winter Olympics.
The victory came as Eileen Gu of China, who previously held the title as defending champion, secured second place with a silver medal finish. Rounding out the medal winners was Italy’s Flora Tabanelli, who earned the bronze medal in third place.
The competition took place in Livigno, Italy, marking another exciting moment in Winter Olympic freestyle skiing events.
Source: https://srnnews.com/olympics-freestyle-canadas-oldham-wins-womens-big-air-final/
