Sports – Page 15 – Lake Weekly

Our Lady of the Lake University Welcomes New Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach

Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) is proud to introduce the newest leader of its cross country and track & field programs Aaron Stallworth. With a deep background in collegiate athletics, a passion for student-athlete development, and a values-driven philosophy, Stallworth brings a wealth of experience and a fresh vision to Saints Athletics.

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Stallworth is a graduate of Marquette High School (2016) and Aurora University (2021), where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sport Management. As a former sprinter and jumper, he competed at both the high school and collegiate levels and was part of the 2019 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Championship team at Aurora. He also holds a USTFCCCA Track & Field Technical Certification.

Athletic Director Tom Norris commented,

“We are thrilled to welcome such a dynamic and accomplished coach to Our Lady of the Lake University. Aaron’s passion for developing student-athletes both on and off the track, combined with his proven success at multiple levels, makes him a great fit for our program. His values align strongly with OLLU’s mission, and we’re excited about the energy, vision, and leadership he brings to our cross country and track & field teams.”

Before joining OLLU, he developed his coaching expertise at several institutions across the Midwest:

Wisconsin Lutheran College (2021–2022): As a Graduate Assistant, he coached sprints, horizontal jumps, and combined events, guiding athletes to 2 All-American honors, 9 national championship qualifications, 14 school records, and a total of 55 top-ten performances.
Defiance College (2022–2023): Starting as Assistant Coach and later promoted to Interim Head Coach, he made an immediate impact. His tenure included conference champions, All-Conference honorees, and record-breaking performances, as well as hosting major meets such as the 2023 NJCAA Region XII Indoor Championship.
Bethel College (2023–2024): Serving as Head Track & Field Coach and Assistant Cross Country Coach, he helped rewrite the record books with 17 new track and field school records and two in cross country, while also building meet infrastructure and reinforcing the program’s academic success.
University of Missouri–St. Louis (2024–2025): Most recently, he coached sprints, jumps, and throws, helping athletes set 24 school records and earn academic honors, including one NCAA DII Provisional National Qualifier.

“I was drawn to coaching at OLLU because of the values the University operates on,” Stallworth shared. “Being able to lead a competitive program is an opportunity that I am blessed to have, and I am excited to be working with some great student-athletes on and off the track and cross-country course.”

His coaching philosophy centers around four pillars: Faith, Family, Academics, and Athletics — in that order. He believes in meeting student-athletes where they are, prioritizing injury prevention, and preparing them to compete at their peak when it matters most.

In his first year, he aims to build on the strong foundation already established at OLLU. “I want us to continue the program’s run of success and be more competitive at the conference, regional, and national level,” he said. “More importantly, I want our student-athletes to grow in their faith, excel in the classroom, and have a truly positive student-athlete experience.”

When it comes to recruiting, he seeks athletes who are coachable, academically driven, and fiercely competitive.

To the Saints community, alumni, and new recruits, Coach Stallworth’s message is clear:

“I’m extremely thankful and blessed for this opportunity to be a part of the OLLU community. I can’t wait to get to work, and I can’t wait to help lead this program to more success!”

As the 2025-2026 season approaches, OLLU Saints fans can look forward to a new era of excellence — on the track, in the classroom, and throughout the university community.

OLLU Men’s Soccer Poised For 2025 Season

The Our Lady of the Lake University men’s soccer team is heading into the 2025 season with confidence and a lot to prove. Under the guidance of longtime head coach Shane Hurley and assistant coach Jesus Cortes, the Saints are focused on building off last season’s playoff appearance and pushing even further this fall.

OLLU came in at No. 8 in the RRAC Preseason Poll. With a solid mix of returning veterans and promising new additions, the Saints have been sharp in preseason training and are showing real chemistry on the field. There’s a clear energy around the program, one that points to a team ready to take the next step.

Coach Hurley and Coach Cortes have put a strong emphasis on discipline, teamwork, and consistency, and it’s showing in how the team is preparing. The Saints know the road won’t be easy, especially with powerhouse teams like LSU Shreveport and Xavier at the top of the conference, but there’s a belief within the group that they can compete with anyone.

“This group has shown the kind of character, commitment, and cohesion we want to see from a competitive squad,” said Coach Hurley. “They’ve been pushing themselves hard in preseason, and we’re excited to show the results of that effort.”

This year’s team is not hoping to make the playoffs alone—their goal is to compete for a championship. With momentum building and a clear sense of purpose, OLLU Men’s Soccer could be one of the surprise teams to watch in the RRAC this season.

Voting was conducted by the conference’s head coaches. Results of the poll are shown below with points calculated through a 12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 format.

Results are shown below with first-place votes appearing in parentheses.

1.	LSU Shreveport (10)	140
2.	Xavier (1)	130
3.	LSU Alexandria (1)	114
4.	Louisiana Christian	110
5.	Texas A&M-San Antonio	95
6.	Texas A&M-Texarkana	74
7.	Jarvis Christian	67
8.	Our Lady of the Lake	64
9.	Texas A&M-Victoria	60
10.	Southwest	38
11.	North American	30
12.	Texas College	14

Defending Champion OLLU Slotted Third in RRAC Preseason Rankings

Despite capturing their first-ever Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) regular season championship and storming through the conference tournament with wins over both perennial powers Xavier and Texas A&M-Texarkana, Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) finds itself in a surprising spot heading into the 2025 volleyball season: ranked third in the preseason coaches poll.

OLLU wrapped up the 2024 season with an impressive 19-12 overall record and a near-perfect 15-1 mark in RRAC play. The Saints continued their dominance in the RRAC tournament, entering as the No. 2 seed and toppling both Xavier and TAMUT to capture the tournament crown and avenge previous title game losses.

Yet, in the 2025 preseason poll, it’s Texas A&M-Texarkana (TAMUT)—the team OLLU defeated in the tournament—that takes the top spot, earning four first-place votes. Xavier (La.) comes in second with one first-place nod, while OLLU, despite their championship pedigree, sits in third place with just one first-place vote.

Rounding out the poll are Louisiana Christian (4th), Jarvis Christian (5th), and Texas College (6th).

The conference shrinks to six teams this year following the departure of Huston-Tillotson and Paul Quinn, while University of the Southwest has paused its volleyball program for the season.

Voting was conducted by the RRAC’s head coaches, using a 6-5-4-3-2-1 points system.

2025 RRAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll

(First-place votes in parentheses)

Texas A&M-Texarkana (4) – 33 pts
Xavier (La.) (1) – 29 pts
Our Lady of the Lake (Texas) (1) – 27 pts
Louisiana Christian – 19 pts
Jarvis Christian (Texas) – 13 pts
Texas College – 6 pts

Ross Marzetti Named Head Tennis Coach at Our Lady of the Lake University

Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) has named Ross Marzetti as the new head coach of its men’s and women’s tennis programs. The appointment marks a significant step for the former Saints student-athlete and assistant coach, who brings deep ties to the university and a clear vision for the program’s future.

Marzetti is no stranger to the OLLU campus. He competed as a student-athlete for the Saints and has served as an assistant coach for the past two seasons. His time as both a player and coach has shaped his philosophy and strengthened his connection to the university, making this new role a natural progression.

Before returning to OLLU as a coach, Marzetti built experience as both a competitor and mentor, contributing to the program’s growing reputation in the Red River Athletic Conference. Last season, he played a key role in helping the women’s team capture a conference championship in an inspiring postseason run. That success, along with his deep commitment to player development, helped pave the way for his promotion. The men’s team also had an historic season, finishing 20-2 on the year while also reaching a program high ranking of third nationally.

As head coach, Marzetti will oversee both programs with a focus on building a culture of hard work, mutual respect, and consistent improvement. His approach to coaching is development-focused, with a strong emphasis on creating an environment where student-athletes can thrive on the court, in the classroom, and as members of the community.

In terms of recruiting, Marzetti looks for more than just tennis talent. He prioritizes student-athletes who are competitive, coachable, and committed to being part of a team-first culture. His goal is to continue growing the program in a way that reflects OLLU’s values—while maintaining high standards for academic and athletic achievement.

“It’s incredibly meaningful to lead the same program that helped shape who I am today,” Marzetti said.

Marzetti succeeds former head coach Dave Watts, who served as both a mentor and foundational figure in the program’s recent success. Building on that momentum, Marzetti aims to elevate the Saints’ presence in the conference while fostering leadership and character among his players.

Marzetti extends his gratitude to Athletic Director Tom Norris and Assistant Athletic Director Haley Holzem for their leadership and support during the hiring process.

Athletic Director Tom Norris had the following statement,

“We are excited to welcome Ross as the next head coach of our men’s and women’s tennis program. Ross brings a unique perspective as a former OLLU Tennis student-athlete and as an assistant coach for the last two seasons. He has helped build the program into the national contender it is today, and we look forward to watching him continue to sustain a high level of success on the court and in the classroom. “

Coach Marzetti begins his new role immediately and is currently preparing the Saints for the upcoming fall season.

Our Lady of the Lake Women’s Soccer Eyes Strong Season Amidst Competitive RRAC Field

The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) women’s soccer team is preparing to begin the 2025 season with high hopes after being ranked sixth in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) preseason poll. With only the top six teams advancing to the conference tournament this year, the Saints find themselves right on the edge — a position that adds intensity and urgency to every match ahead.

Xavier University claimed the top spot in the poll after winning last year’s RRAC tournament on penalty kicks, earning nine first-place votes. LSU Alexandria and LSU Shreveport followed in second and third, while Louisiana Christian and Texas A&M-Texarkana edged out OLLU for the next two spots. The Saints collected 83 points in the voting, placing them just behind the top five and clearly within reach of a postseason berth.

After a competitive showing last season, OLLU will be looking to take the next step, relying on returning experience and new energy to push them forward. The talent is there, and with the tournament format tightening, every game on the schedule carries added weight.

While preseason rankings offer a glimpse into expectations, they do not dictate outcomes. The Saints are eager to prove they belong among the RRAC’s elite and won’t be content with sixth. The 2025 campaign is shaping up to be a fight, one in which the Saints will be prepared for.

Head Coach Lee Williams commented,

“As we approach the upcoming soccer season, we are filled with excitement and optimism about what lies ahead for the OLLU Women’s Soccer program. This year promises to be one of the most competitive seasons we’ve had in recent years.

The student-athletes worked efficiently during the summer and are continuing to work tirelessly in the lead-up to our first game. Their hard work, focus, and intensity have been relentless. This has set a strong foundation for what we aim to achieve this season.

We are welcoming back a lot of experienced SAINTS, while also adding a very talented group of new players to the SAINTS family. The additions have fitted seamlessly into our high-performing environment, bringing fresh energy and diversity that will complement our existing group. This mix of youth and experience—from San Antonio and all over the globe—puts us in a good position to face the challenges that lie ahead this season.

We are focused on enhancing our tactical approach, refining our playing style, and building on our team-first culture that emphasizes a relentless commitment to improving each other every day, with a ruthless streak in competition.

This fall season, we will face some excellent opponents, and we relish the opportunity to test ourselves against the best. I am confident that the team’s hard work will translate into success both on and off the field this year. We look forward to having the continued support of our fans, families, and the entire OLLU community as we begin our journey toward achieving our goals.”

NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Nationals

The Our Lady of the Lake (OLLU) men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams began competition at the 2025 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships on Wednesday at Indiana Weleyan University. The Saints and the entire field battled chilly and wet conditions throughout the day.

Aziza Clark impressed as she ran a 1:01.14 to finish second in her 400m hurdles heat and fourth overall to earn a spot in the event finals later this week.

Other Notable Performances

Lawren Turner finished 20th with a jump of 5.13m.
Richard Davis turned in a time of 55.30 in the men’s 400m hurdles

Day 2 Action

Malik White – 110m hurdles (1:15 pm CT)
Women’s 4x400m relay (7:15 pm CT)
Men’s 4x400m relay (7:45 pm CT)

To view full results click HERE

For the latest news, updates, and information on the OLLU Saints, fans can visit ollusaintsathletics.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Saints news by following @ollusaintsathletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Outdoor Track & Field Primed for NAIA Championships

The Our Lady of the Lake (OLLU) men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams are primed for the 2025 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships this week set to take place at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana.

The 2025 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships are set to commence on May 21, 2025, and team champions will be crowned on May 23. The NAIA Track and Field National Championships are a three-day event that encompass several individual track and field events. Each student-athlete earns points for their respective teams and the team with the highest point total at the end is crowned the champion for that year.

The Saints will be well-represented at the Championships as 11 men and seven women are set to compete for a National Championship.

Men’s Qualifiers

Yvann Agah – 4x100m relay and 4x400m relay
Jalen Bell – 100m, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay
Richard Davis – 400m hurdles, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay
De’Jon Lewis – Triple jump
Sean Lin – 4x100m relay
Ethan Navarro – 4x400m relay
Boaz Nyandega – 4x400m relay
Jesus Riefkohl-Delgado – 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay
Julian Verastegui – 4x400m relay
Malik White – 110m hurdles, 4x100m relay
Spencer Williams – 4x100m relay

Women’s Qualifiers

Aziza Clark – 400m hurdles, 4x400m relay
Tara Madrid – 4x400m relay
Larrisa McHenry – 4x400m relay
Morghan Neely – 4x400m relay
Autumn Roberts – 4x400m relay
Alexandria Segura – 4x400m relay
Lawren Tanner – Long jump

NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships Central

To watch all the action click HERE

Raven Swain Tabbed to Lead OLLU Volleyball

Raven Swain has been named the 4th head coach of the Our Lady of the Lake (OLLU) volleyball program, OLLU Director of Athletics Tom Norris announced on Monday.

Swain is no stranger to the OLLU volleyball program, serving as the assistant coach for the last three seasons. Swain was also a standout on the court for the Saints from 2013-2017. The Austin, Texas native was named the 2017 Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) Player of the Year as well as an honorable mention NAIA All-American. During the same season, Swain was also named the AVCA All-South Central Region Player of the Year.

She holds the all-time record for most matches played and is second in most sets played with 416. Swain also holds the following records: all-time digs with 1,188 and season kills with 379. Swain was part of the team that won its first-ever RRAC regular season and tournament title in 2015 and subsequently won in 2016 and 2017. In 2017, the team made it to pool play at the NAIA National Championship Tournament.

“I am excited to name Coach Swain the next head coach of the Saints,” said Norris. “Raven was played a pivotal part in laying the foundation for this program. Her ability to build relationships with her student-athletes and bring the best out of them shined bright during her time as an assistant coach. I look forward to watching Coach Swain continue to lead our program and sustaining its success.”

Swain takes over the program after an NAIA National Tournament appearance during the 2024 season. The Saints earned an automatic bid by winning the RRAC Tournament, defeating Texas A&M-Texarkana in the finals by a score of 3-0. OLLU finished with an overall record of 23-9 and 14-2 in RRAC action.

“I want to say thank you to OLLU President Dr. Abel A. Chávez and Athletic Director Tom Norris for this amazing opportunity to be the next head volleyball coach of this great university,” said Swain. “It’s such a surreal moment for me to be able to lead the same program that has always been so special to me as a player, assistant coach, and now head coach. OLLU volleyball has a long history of being very competitive and successful, and I look forward to continuing that tradition of winning! I thank the coaches that have come before me, and I’m grateful that I’m able to build upon the foundation that they have set for this program, but more importantly I’m excited to give back and inspire these young women in a positive way to be the best they can be both on and off the court. I’m beyond honored for this opportunity, and I can’t wait for the success to continue for this program. Go Saints!”

Aziza Clark Named USTFCCCA South Central Region Track Athlete of the Year

Aziza Clark of Our Lady of the Lake (OLLU) women’s outdoor track and field team has been named the South Central Region women’s track athlete of the year as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Friday.

Clark, a San Antonio native is currently ranked seventh nationally in the 400-meter hurdles, setting a personal best of 1:00.98. She was the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) Champion in the event. Clark is set to compete in the upcoming NAIA Outdoor Championships next week in the 400m hurdles as well as the 4×400-meter relay.

Award winners are determined by a vote of USTFCCA member coaches at the conclusion of the regular season.

To view a complete list of USTFCCCA winners click HERE.

OLLU Wins 10th RRAC All Sports Award

The Our Lady of the Lake (OLLU) Saints reclaimed the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) All-Sports award as announced by the league office on Thursday. The award is the 10th for OLLU, a conference record. The Saints won nine consecutive awards, but Xavier claimed the top spot during the 2023-24 season to break the streak.

The All-Sports Award is given annually to the RRAC athletic program that performs best across the conference’s sports in a given academic year. Points are awarded to the top five teams in regular season conference standings using a 10-8-6-4-2 scoring system, while results in conference tournaments and championship events merit additional points on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis. In sports such as tennis, track & field, golf and cross country, postseason team finishes are awarded regular season and postseason points. A sport must have at least four schools participating and conduct a RRAC tournament to qualify for inclusion in point calculations.

The Saints compiled 122 points to take back the crown, separating themselves from Xavier who scored 102 points.

OLLU had a strong start to the season in the fall as both the men’s and women’s cross country teams claimed conference championships. Volleyball placed second in the regular season but won the conference tournament. The spring was equally as impressive for the Saints as women’s tennis and softball each earned conference championships.

“I am very proud of the hard work our student-athletes and coaches have put in this year to earn the RRAC All-Sports award, says OLLU Athletic Director Tom Norris, who is in his second year as head of the program. “To earn the award for the 10th time is a testament to the culture of excellence that has been established at Our Lady of the Lake.”