United States of America
After three years of mediocrity to begin his college career, he's burst onto the fringe of the national scene, raising questions about just how high the ceiling might be for a kid who talks about making a .7 second jump in the 100-meter dash without a hint of doubt in his voice.
This story won a national award from the College Media Association for "Best Breaking News story."
Six years ago, wrestler Desmond "Desi" Green was ready to put a punctuation mark on one of the greatest athletic careers UB had ever seen. He was the fastest wrestler in school history to 100 career wins. He had two Mid-American Conference Championships (149 pounds) to his name.
Eight years ago, an unknown linebacker from Florida who played only one year of high school football received just one offer to play Division-I FBS from UB. That player, Khalil Mack, took to the game quickly. He went on to become an All-American, the NCAA's all-time leader in forced fumbles, and most recently, the NFL's defensive player of the year.
A UB alumnus is threatening to sue UB over its April decision to cut four sports teams, particularly UB swimming, to which he has donated $15,000 since 2015. Richard Lydecker, a successful civil litigator with offices in Miami, New York and Tampa, is outraged that UB solicited his pledge to give up to $50,000 to the men's swim team, but then cut the team without warning.
The first time Dave Hahn stood at the summit of Mount Everest, he did not experience a feeling of elation. Hahn only spent 10 minutes at the top before his focus shifted to the next task - finding a way back down. "It wasn't this moment for celebrating," Hahn said.
FULTON - Nobody expected Matej Zavacky to win a Section III wrestling title for Fulton this season. In September, he barely knew how to wrestle within American rules. In January, he wasn't even a lock to crack the starting lineup for Sectionals.
OSWEGO - Keeping Morgan Nandin off the softball field has never been easy. During a game in her college career at Syracuse University, she was sliding into second base when the ball hit her in her mouth, knocking out the top half of her bottom teeth.
After Zach Towers tore his meniscus this past fall, he couldn't walk for two months. He worked his way through physical therapy all year. On March 27, his doctor gave him the news he was waiting for: He could finally get back into the pool.
When Steven Bennett was 12 years old, he waited for his parents to leave the house, grabbed his pogo stick and dragged his mattress into the backyard. He had his sights set on something extreme - to complete a full backflip on his pogo stick.