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Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Canada's Savannah Sutherland is moving fast and breaking records
Canada's Savannah Sutherland now holds both the Canadian and NCAA record in the women's 400-metre hurdles. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images via Reuters - image credit) For the last year, Savannah Sutherland has been moving fast and breaking records. But for the next week, the 21-year-old hurdles phenom is taking a well-deserved break from preparing for Canadian nationals and the world championships. She's in her hometown of Borden, Sask., spending time with her family – and working on a new role. Advertisement "I'm an aunt as of February," Sutherland told CBC Sports. "My nephew [is] about five months old now, so that's really special to me. Family is huge to me." It marks a slower pace than Sutherland had been operating at for the past year. That started with her Olympic debut last summer in Paris and wrapped up with a spectacular performance to end her collegiate career with the University of Michigan at last month's NCAA outdoor championships. Sutherland captured her second NCAA title in the women's 400-metre hurdles by running a record-breaking time of 52.46 seconds at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. Not only did she better her own Canadian record (53.08), it was also an NCAA Championship meet record, a Big Ten record, and a new NCAA record. It was also the ninth-fastest time ever recorded in the event. Advertisement The previous NCAA best of 52.75 was set in 2018 by two-time Olympic champ – and current world No. 1 – Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Sutherland and McLaughlin-Levrone are the only women's runners in NCAA history to break 53 seconds, and the Canadian is still coming to terms with being in such exclusive company. "Obviously, Sydney's the greatest to ever do it, so, it's kind of surreal to just have my name mentioned in the same conversations as hers, honestly," Sutherland said. "I don't think that that will ever fully sink in." Sutherland has already shared the track with McLaughlin-Levrone, when the Canadian reached the final in her Olympic debut, finishing seventh. That race marked another record-book moment for Sutherland, becoming the youngest-ever Canadian to reach an Olympic track final. Advertisement Records aside, making that final opened Sutherland's eyes to her own growing potential. "I think making the Olympic final last season really boosted my confidence," Sutherland said. "I think that that was the big difference this season, just knowing that the ceiling is higher than I expected it to be." "When I made the Paris Olympics, it sent the message to me that, today, no matter who's on the track, I belong there, I've earned my spot there because I've competed at the highest level. But now that I'm ninth all-time – typically there's nine lanes on the track – so now it's like whoever's on the track, I have earned my spot there." Not long after breaking McLaughlin-Levrone's record, Sutherland was named the NCAA's women's outdoor track athlete of the year. That made her Michigan's first athlete to ever earn a national honour in track and field. Advertisement "Michigan is definitely more of a distance [running] school, historically," she said. "You know, Saskatchewan isn't really a big track place either. So, I kind of have always been from a place where maybe it was a little bit more difficult, or maybe you had to work a little harder, drive a little farther, or compete indoors for a longer amount of time, than other places. "So [I] just kind of leaned into that and it kind of felt familiar in that sense." WATCH | Sutherland on NCAA record, going pro ahead of Tokyo worlds: Hometown support 'pushed me to the next level' Sutherland grew up in the village of Borden, which is about 50 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon. The population only numbers about 300 and Sutherland credits the "tight-knit community" with helping her get to where she is today. Advertisement "Everybody knows everything that goes on in each other's life – which can be both a blessing and a curse at times – [but] for me it was mostly a blessing because I always had the support of the entire community behind me," Sutherland said. "I think that it was a driving factor because it pushed me to want to represent these people that I know are supporting me. I think it just pushed me to the next level, knowing that I was running for everybody else and accomplishing all of these things for the entire community and not just myself." While she was aware of track and field sports from small meets in elementary school, Sutherland really took the first steps in her career by following in the footsteps of her older brother, Cole. "He's five years older than me, and I really looked up to him and was chasing after him in a lot of aspects," Sutherland said. "So, I would find myself enrolled in the sports that he was passionate about. I did volleyball as a result of that, then he also did track and ended up winning provincials one year as a discus thrower. Advertisement "And I said, 'hey, that's pretty cool. I want to try and do that.'" It was at a high school track meet in 2016 where a coach from a neighbouring town noticed Sutherland's raw talent and approached her with an offer. "[He] said, you know, 'hey, you're pretty fast. You should check out this track camp in the summer.' And I did, and then it ended up being selections for Team Saskatchewan," she said. "I ended up going and being selected for U16 nationals and doing the [100], the [200], the [300], and then both relays." The 13-year-old Sutherland made the final in the 100 at that event, but was mostly memorable for her because it was when she bought her first pair of track spikes and learned how to use the starting blocks. Advertisement Sutherland wasn't immediately drawn to the event she's now known for, but her talent was undeniable. "Yeah, hurdles in general was something that I didn't really want to do," she said with a laugh. "First, my coach [Lee Wolfater] told me to just check it out. So, I was very hesitant. "He said, 'we'll do it for two meets. And if it goes horribly, you never have to see a hurdle ever again in your life.'" Sutherland won both of those races in Saskatoon and would see many, many hurdles again, as she began to specialize in the 400m hurdles. It wasn't long until both Sutherland siblings made their mark in Saskatchewan track and field, evidence of which is still visible in their high school gymnasium. Advertisement "Now it's funny because our provincial banners are hanging next to each other on the wall of the gym," she said. "That's pretty special. I would definitely say [my brother was] the driving factor." Canada's Savannah Sutherland is shown in this 2023 file photo while competing in the women's 400m hurdles semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. (File/AFP via Getty Images) Her brother and parents still live in Borden, but Sutherland has a tangible connection to her family when she runs, in the form of a silver St. Christopher necklace. That "lucky necklace" is around Sutherland's neck every time she races, and she said it serves as a reminder of why she competes. "I look at it every time I'm in the blocks and just remind myself who I'm running for and why I'm doing what I do." Advertisement World championships on the horizon Sutherland's 2025 season will continue with a few more meets, including Canadian nationals, before culminating with September's world championships in Tokyo, where her goal is clear. "Honestly, [I'm] trying to keep my expectations low. [The] first thing is to make the final like I did last year," she said. "It's a super competitive event, right now and I feel like anything can happen, especially when there's hurdles involved. So I'm just kind of trying to keep my head on straight and hopefully finish higher than I did last year. "Just as long as I'm making forward progress, I think that's enough for me."
New York Times
21-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
How to watch the 2025 Men's College World Series between LSU and Coastal Carolina
Fresh off an enlivening and altogether chaotic comeback, the LSU Tigers have a chance to win their eighth NCAA title in program history this weekend. On the other side, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers will try to go 2-for-2 in College World Series appearances, and the team brings a 26-game winning streak into the championship action. We're primed for a good one in Cornhusker country. Advertisement College World Series broadcasts are also available on ESPN+. Chanticleers coach Kevin Schnall rightfully insists on the proper pronunciation. 'It's SHON-ta-cleers, not CHAN-ta-cleers,' he clarified after another momentous win, this time over Oregon State. With two more wins, they can also call themselves national champs. Catcher Caden Bodine, a top-round prospect, leads Coastal Carolina's balanced and intimidating lineup. Right-handers Jacob Morrison and Cameron Flukey make for a strong 1-2 punch atop the mound. And first baseman Colby Thorndyke comes in with a searing swing. He recorded five RBIs last time out in Wednesday's 11-3 demolition of Louisville. The Chanticleers made their maiden World Series trip in 2016, dropping the opener to Arizona before bouncing back with consecutive wins. Their opponents, meanwhile, have won the series seven times, more than any school in the country except USC (which hasn't made a final since 2001). LSU last won it all in 2023, when current MLB superstar Paul Skenes led his team past Florida. This year's iteration has a flair for the dramatic, reaching the World Series off an 11th-hour comeback against SEC rival Arkansas. The Tigers were down 5-3 in the ninth inning, before a pair of defensive mishaps by the Razorbacks put Jared Jones in walk-off position. LSU's first baseman had previously tied the game up with a solo moonshot in the eighth inning. He followed that up with the decisive base hit into straightaway center field. The Tigers enjoy tone-setting starting pitching. Southpaw Kade Anderson is a contender for the No. 1 pick in the upcoming MLB Draft, while right-hander Anthony Eyanson more than holds his own. The duo racks up strikeouts and has delivered in pressurized situations, and will have to do it again. Streaming, betting and ticketing links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. (Photo of Jared Jones: Steven Branscombe / Imagn Images)
Washington Post
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
White Sox call up Tim Elko from Triple-A, claim Yoendrys Gómez off waivers from Dodgers
CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox selected the contract of infielder Tim Elko from Triple-A Charlotte and placed him in the lineup at first base for his major league debut against the Miami Marlins on Saturday night. The 26-year-old Elko was slotted to bat eighth. He hit .348 with 10 homers and 23 RBIs in 31 games with Charlotte. Elko was selected by Chicago in the 10th round of the 2022 amateur draft after he helped lead Ole Miss to the NCAA title.
USA Today
28-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former UNC basketball standout Caleb Love anchors Arizona's upset win over Iowa State
I'm confident that every UNC basketball fan remembers the name Caleb Love. Currently in his fifth and final season of college basketball, Love is now an integral part of the Arizona Wildcats. Before heading to the desert, Love spent his first three seasons at North Carolina: playing well, but not living up to his lofty expectations. Love's greatest moment as a Tar Heel, though, came in the 2022 Final Four against arch-rival Duke. As UNC clung to a 75-74 lead in the final 30 seconds, Love drained a deep 3-pointer that proved to be the final dagger. Three years later for Arizona, Love nailed another clutch shot – again, helping his team win late. With the Wildcats trailing Iowa State, 71-68, in the closing seconds of regulation on Monday, January 27, Love drained a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from beyond half-court. Love sent the game into overtime and, five minutes later, his Arizona squad upset the third-ranked team in the nation. Make sure you watch the clip above closely, as Love then runs around the court and sends the Wildcat faithful into a cheering frenzy. Love ended the upset win with a game-high 22 points. Love helped North Carolina improbably reach the 2022 NCAA Championship, where it choked away a 15-point halftime lead to Kansas. Many saw the Tar Heels' title game appearance as a surprise, ourselves included, but they embarked on a regular season hot streak and held off top-seeded Baylor. Love, Armando Bacot and RJ Davis all returned the following year, giving many UNC fans hope another NCAA Title was in reach. North Carolina instead ended up missing the tournament, then Love transferred that offseason. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
