It’s the fall semester, and the Weber State sports teams are starting up their seasons. As the Wildcats gear up for another year, here is a look at six of the top sports stories from over the summer.
Tiffany Hellstrom competes in NCAA Track and Field Championships
In her final season with the track and field team, Tiffany Hellstrom was the only athlete from Weber State to make it all the way to the NCAA Track and Field Championships. Competing in the javelin throw, Hellstrom launched a season-best 158-foot-10-inch throw in her first attempt at the competition. It would end up being her best throw at the finals, and would give her a 14th place finish. She was later awarded second team All-American honors for her performance.
Reigning Big Sky MVP signs with Italian basketball club
Men’s basketball star Davion Berry signed with PMS Torino of the Italian A2 Gold Series late in July. Berry spent the early part of his summer working out with NBA teams for a chance at being drafted. After the draft passed and he wasn’t selected, Berry was signed by the Portland Trail Blazers to play for their summer league team. Berry appeared in two games for the Blazers for only 10 minutes, scoring two points and pulling down two rebounds. A week after summer league ended, Berry signed his deal with Torino.
Longtime Weber State coach retires
After spending more than 30 years as head coach of the track and field program at Weber State, Jim Blaisdell retired this summer. During his time as coach of the program, the Wildcats took home 18 Big Sky titles, and produced 29 All-American athletes.
Weber State hockey player signs with team in Finland
Braxton Green finished his fifth season with the Wildcats hockey team earlier this year, and in July he signed a deal with the Finnish hockey team, Kauhavan Hela-Kiekko. Green finished his WSU career tied for first on the team with 46 points last season. He scored 24 goals and made 22 assists, while averaging five points per game.
Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year tries out for Ukrainian National Basketball Team
Joel Bolomboy, the Wildcats’ leading rebounder last season, received an invitation to try out for the Ukrainian National Basketball Team over the summer. Bolomboy was one of 30 players to be invited to tryout for the chance to play in the Basketball World Cup, taking place from the end of August through the beginning of September.
Weber State linebacker gets signed by the Carolina Panthers
Number five all-time in school history for total tackles, Anthony Morales saw his dream come true when he signed a three-year rookie contract with the Panthers in July. Morales participated in the Panthers rookie camp earlier in the summer, and was offered a contract with the Panthers just days before the beginning of their training camp.