Sports

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SPORTS 4/19/25 4:09pm

Elon University women’s lacrosse clinches playoff berth behind dominant second half

By Benjamin Berfield

Elon University women’s lacrosse won its penultimate home game in style, clinching a playoff spot against Towson University with a 16-8 victory on April 19. Elon endured a back-and-forth first half before outscoring Towson 10-6 in the second half. It is the team’s fifth win in the last seven games. Elon achieved this feat thanks to redshirt sophomore Ana Lee Vandiver and senior Sammy Fisher, who combined for nine goals, scoring five and four, respectively. Vandiver tied her season high goals with the performance. 

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SPORTS 4/18/25 10:13am

$6.6 billion bet in first year of legalized sports betting in North Carolina

By Miles Hayford

It’s been 13 months since sports betting was legalized in North Carolina, and the inaugural year was a success for the state and betting operators but led to an increase in gambling addiction. A total of $6.6 billion in bets were placed in the first year, with players winning more than $5.85 billion. The eight authorized sports betting operators — Underdog Sports Wagering, BETMGM, ESPN Bet, Draft Kings, bet365, Fanatics Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook and Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise — made more than $713 million in the first year and the state received $128 million in tax revenue.

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SPORTS 4/15/25 7:41pm

Elon University men’s basketball lands two transfer guards

By Miles Hayford

After losing two of its best offensive players in TK and TJ Simpkins to the transfer portal, Elon University men’s basketball has finally made its first move in the portal. Bryson Cokley, a transfer from George Mason University and Randall Petus II, who played at Northern Kentucky University last year. Acquiring guard play was a crucial need for the Phoenix as it lost two of their best guards in the Simpkins brothers and potentially losing sophomore Nick Dorn who has also recently entered the transfer portal. 

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SPORTS 4/13/25 9:47pm

Elon University baseball flys high, low against Towson

By Kathan Gandhi

Elon baseball exits its three-game weekend series against Towson University with two more additions to the win column. After heavy rain postponed Elon’s game on Friday, the Phoenix opened the weekend playing a double-header versus the Towson Tigers on Saturday, April 12. The Phoenix started the series with a 10-0 win and a 23-5 loss in a doubleheader. The final game of the series witnessed a 6-4 victory for the Phoenix. Following the series, Elon now has a 13-22 record for the season. Elon plays University of North Carolina, Greensboro  next at 6 p.m. April 15 at Latham Park. 

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SPORTS 4/12/25 7:05pm

Elon University men’s basketball star transfers to Seton Hall University

By Miles Hayford

Elon men’s basketball’s star TJ Simpkins is transferring to Seton Hall University, according to an announcement on social media April 12. Simpkins was a key aspect of Elon’s offense as he averaged 14.6 points per game with the third most total points on the team. He had an average of 3.8 rebounds per game and the second most total assists with 85. He led the team in steals with 45 and added 11 blocks on the season. Simpkins was impressive against Power Four opponents this year, scoring 18 against North Carolina and 16 against Notre Dame.

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SPORTS 4/9/25 8:51pm

Elon University men’s basketball star guard transfers to University of Oregon

By Miles Hayford

Elon men’s basketball’s leading scorer in points per game from last season TK Simpkins is transferring to the University of Oregon. Simpkins announced on social media on April 9 that he is transferring. Simpkins was instrumental for the Phoenix this year as he made the All-CAA Second Team by leading the team in points with an average of 16.4 points per game. He was second on the team in 3-pointers with 58 and was third in assists with 70. He shot 36.7% from beyond the arc and 42.3% from the field.

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SPORTS 4/8/25 10:58pm

Elon baseball falls to top-ranked North Carolina in thrilling, high-scoring game

By Miles Hayford

Elon baseball fell just short of upsetting North Carolina in a high-scoring affair as it lost 12-10 on April 8. It was a grueling, three and half hour affair that saw multiple lead changes throughout the back-and-forth game. It was the second year in a row where Elon lost to North Carolina by two or less runs. Elon hasn’t beaten the Tar Heels since 2010. But Elon put up a valiant effort against the 16th ranked team in the country and one of the best pitching staffs in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

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SPORTS 4/6/25 4:33pm

Elon University sophomore pitcher throws complete game to cap off series sweep against Charleston

By Benjamin Berfield

The Elon University softball team continued its torrid stretch over the past month with a 5-1 victory against the College of Charleston on April 6. Elon swept Charleston in a series where it only allowed three runs in three games. It is Elon’s third series sweep in the last 16 games in which it is 13-3. Elon accomplished its sweep thanks to sophomore pitcher Anna Dew, who threw a complete game, striking out six batters while allowing just one hit over five innings. “I always have had the confidence that I could do it." Dew said.

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SPORTS 4/4/25 9:07pm

Elon University softball beats Charleston in extra innings in top-ranked CAA clash

By Miles Hayford

Elon University softball defeated the College of Charleston 3-2 in an extra innings, walk-off thriller in a battle of the Coastal Athletic Association’s best. The two teams entered the game tied for first place in the CAA as they both boasted a 9-3 conference record, but it was Elon who came out on top after nine grueling innings of play that almost lasted three hours.  Both teams strangely mirrored each other in the first inning with a flurry of baserunners getting on base, but few runs were actually scored. Charleston started the game off hot with a leadoff double, followed by a walk. Sophomore pitcher Lia Miller looked shaky early on, triggering a mound visit from her coaches and her catches, hoping to settle her down and prevent any further damage. After getting one out, Miller walked another, loading the bases. Charleston drove one run in, but Miller got out of the jam, stranding two runners. 

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SPORTS 4/2/25 9:40pm

Elon University women’s basketball leading scorer transfers to Wake Forest

By Miles Hayford

Elon University women’s basketball star Raven Preston announced on social media April 2 that she is transferring to Wake Forest for the 2025-26 season. Preston, a redshirt sophomore, led the team in scoring this season with 12.3 points per game and also led the team’s effort on the glass with a team-high 8.7 rebounds per game. She was also first in steals and second in assists. Freshman Alyssa Ervin announced on March 31 she will be transferring to Furman next season. Redshirt freshman Ava Leroux and juniors Regina Walton and Hannah Dereje have entered the transfer portal.

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SPORTS 4/2/25 4:08pm

Senior midfielder breaks career points record, leads Southern Alamance boy's lacrosse past Eastern Alamance

By Evan Bennett

Talan Cook’s journey to becoming Southern Alamance’s all-time points leader began long before his name topped the record books. As a young player, he was already invested in the team's culture, watching his older brother play before joining the team himself. On April 1, Cook’s four-goal performance in a 15-1 win over Eastern Alamance not only led his team to victory but also secured his place in the program’s history as he broke the career points record. Cook reflected on the milestone with a sense of gratitude. 

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SPORTS 4/2/25 10:09am

Elon athletes turn their names into brands with help from Elon University NIL store

By Anjolina Fantaroni

Elon University student-athletes can now be seen wearing their names not only on the field, but off. The name, image, likeness store empowers student athletes to represent their brand by creating merchandise, such as jerseys and sweatshirts, with $6 per shirt, $8 per crewneck, $10 per hoodie, and $12 per jersey going back to the student athlete. Elon University has recently partnered with the NIL store and has contracted with 86 out of the Elon 503 student-athletes. There are 44 men’s and 42 women’s customized items seen on the Elon NIL website. 

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SPORTS 3/30/25 6:37pm

Elon football stars hope to play in the NFL

By Miles Hayford

Six players including Chandler Brayboy and Kevin Burkett have declared for the NFL Draft and are hoping to make an NFL roster next season. Burkett excelled in his final year at Elon, earning first team All-CAA honors and being ranked by Pro Football Focus as the top pass protecting offensive lineman in all of FCS Football. Wide receiver and kick returner Chandler Brayboy also has his sights set on the NFL. Nationally recognized, he earned Second Team All-American honors from the Associated Press and was named the Phil Steele FCS Special Teams Player of the Year. 

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SPORTS 3/29/25 5:22pm

Elon University lacrosse holds off Campbell for 13-10 Senior Day win

By Miles Hayford

Despite a late comeback by Campbell, the Elon University lacrosse team held on to secure a 13-10 Senior Day victory, thanks to hat tricks from both freshman Lillian Austin and redshirt sophomore Ana Lee Vandiver. The win continued a 7-game conference win streak dating back to last season for Elon, the longest in program history. The Phoenix moves to 3-0 in conference play and remain atop the Coastal Athletic Association standings alongside Drexel and Stony Brook. Elon plays next at Delaware on April 4.

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SPORTS 3/29/25 10:50am

Southeast Alamance girls soccer avenges loss, defeats Northwood

By Evan Bennett

Southeast Alamance High School had one thing on its mind Thursday night: redemption. Following a tough 1-0 loss at Northwood High School two weeks ago, the Stallions approached the conference rematch with a determined mentality, emphasizing physicality and defense. The outcome? A gritty 3-2 win that not only avenged its previous loss but also demonstrated its growth and resiliency. With confidence soaring, the Stallions will aim to build on this momentum when they travel to North Moore for another pivotal conference showdown against the Mustangs on April 1.

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SPORTS 3/28/25 6:31pm

Southern Alamance dominates in run-rule win over Chatham Central

By Sydney Spencer

With runners at first and second and one out in the bottom of the fifth, senior shortstop Mark King delivered a win for the Southern Alamance High School baseball team in royal fashion. The Patriots entered the inning with an 8-0 lead over Chatham Central. Down 0-2 in the count, King smashed a double into left field, scoring both runners and securing the walk-off 10-0 run-rule win. Southern Alamance improved to a 10-2 record and will look to build upon the non-conference victory before its next conference match at home against Person High School at 7 p.m April 1.

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SPORTS 3/28/25 4:04pm

9 Elon University men’s basketball players enter transfer portal, only two scholarship players left on roster

By Miles Hayford

Despite coming off one of their best seasons in years, Elon’s men’s basketball team has seen a flurry of activity in the transfer portal with nine players entering the portal since it opened March 24, leaving only two scholarship players on the roster. Junior TK Simpkins, sophomore TJ Simpkins, graduate student Matthew Van Komen and sophomore Nick Dorn have officially entered the transfer portal. Redshirt sophomore Andrew King, junior Jameel Rideout, redshirt freshman Brayden Crump, junior Deandre Smart and sophomore Kendall Campbell announced on social media that they have all also entered the transfer portal.

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SPORTS 3/27/25 12:33pm

Graham girls soccer falls to Northwood 10-1

By Christian Holland

Graham High School’s girl's soccer team fell to Northwood, 10-1, in conference play on March 26 at Graham High School. While the score was lopsided, the determination and teamwork in communication has significantly improved for Graham as the team entered the game 1-4. The victory against Graham was a solid bounce back for the Chargers after falling to Seaforth in such a lopsided score. The win improves Northwood to 5-5 overall and 4-1 in conference. Meanwhile, Graham falls to 1-5 overall and 1-4 in conference. The Red Devils will reevaluate and take lessons learned into their next match. 

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SPORTS 3/25/25 10:14pm

Elon University baseball falls to Wake Forest 10-0

By Benjamin Berfield

The Elon University baseball team was mercy ruled in its yearly home matchup against Wake Forest 10-0. The Demon Deacons, who are ranked 16th in the country, notched 13 hits, while preventing Elon’s starting lineup from gaining any momentum. Its win comes after two consecutive seasons in which Elon pulled off upset wins at Latham Park. The loss gives Elon a 9-15 record. It will open a three game series against Delaware at 6 p.m. March 28 at Latham Park.

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SPORTS 3/25/25 6:19pm

6 Elon University men’s basketball stars enter the transfer portal

By Miles Hayford

Elon men’s basketball’s star duo, junior TK Simpkins and sophomore TJ Simpkins, have officially entered the transfer portal, and sophomore Nick Dorn is reportedly entering the transfer portal, he told the recruiting database On3. Both redshirt sophomore Andrew King and junior Deandre Smart announced on social media on March 25 that they have also entered the transfer portal. Entering the portal does not guarantee that they will leave Elon, but it would grant a release so that other schools are allowed to contact them about playing for other teams next season. 

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