PRO FOOTBALL
University of Virginia running back J’Mari Taylor and Navy slotback Eli Heidenreich have been invited to the NFL combine, which will be held from Feb. 23 to March 2 in Indianapolis.
Taylor collected 1,335 all-purpose yards (1,062 rushing, 253 receiving and 20 on a kickoff return) and 16 touchdowns last season, becoming the first UVA running back to surpass 1,000 rushing yards since 2018. He made the All-ACC first team.
Heidenreich rushed for 941 yards and six touchdowns and caught 77 passes for 499 yards and three scores last season. He also had nine punt returns for 54 yards.
MEN’S SOCCER
Lionsbridge reveals 2026 schedule
Lionsbridge FC has released its 2026 schedule as it gets set to enter its ninth season.
The team, coached by Chris Whalley, will open May 9 at Virginia Beach United and then play its home opener May 13 against Grove United at TowneBank Stadium in Newport News.
The regular-season finale is set for July 11 against Charlottesville at home.
COLLEGE WOMEN’S TENNIS
ODU duo pick up SBC accolade
Old Dominion women’s tennis players Lidiia Rasskouskaia and Ulyana Romanova have been named the Sun Belt Doubles Team of the Week.
They went 2-0 against No. 3 doubles teams from Penn State and Wake Forest, winning 6-4 and 6-1. They improved to 4-2 in the spring season.
COLLEGE TRACK AND FIELD
NSU’s Robinson collects MEAC award
Norfolk State’s Brooklyn Robinson has been selected as the MEAC Track Athlete of the Week.
The senior from Prince George posted a school-record time of 8.21 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles at the Penn Classic. She broke the record she set last year in the event.
Robinson also placed seventh in the long jump (5.76 meters) and ninth in the 200 meters (24.63 seconds).
Grassfield grad grabs league honor
California (Pennsylvania) University’s Loreena Manser has recently been named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Field Athlete of the Week.
The sophomore out of Grassfield High shattered her week-old school record in the long jump at the Doug Raymond Invitational, hosted by Kent State. She won the event with a leap of 6.04 meters (19-9.75 feet).
Manser also placed second in the 200-meter dash (24.65), finished sixth in the 60-meter dash and was a member of the 4×400-meter relay team.
GYMNASTICS
W&M alum will be Winter Cup analyst
Former William & Mary men’s gymnastics standout Christian Marsh has recently been selected by USA Gymnastics as a member of the commentary team for the livestream of the 2026 Winter Cup on Feb. 21-22 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Coverage of the event will stream for free on USA Gymnastics’ YouTube channel.
Marsh was a six-time USAG Collegiate All-American and a 2023 Nissen Emery Award finalist.
HIGH SCHOOLS
Eight from 757 make all-state team
Tabb’s Braelynn Hill, McKinley Starnes and Myles Hairston have made the VHSL Class 3 All-State Competition Cheer first team.
York’s Marlie McNair and Madison Farris also were first-team selections.
New Kent’s Norah Friedriszik, Tabb’s Emery Ilardi and York’s London Turner were on the second team.
Briefly
Virginia Tech has revised its season-opening baseball series schedule against William & Mary in Blacksburg. The teams will now play a 3 p.m. game Friday and a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday with inclement weather in the forecast for Sunday.
Ten William & Mary players have been named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division I National Academic Squad: Eme Schmittel, Alexandra de Jesus, Josette DeGour, Amelia Morgan, Bridget Lawn, Sophie Ermellini, Ava Rossman, Emma Cari, Gracie Clawson and Lilly Johnson.
Nine Christopher Newport field hockey players have made the NFHCA National Academic Squad: Kendall Gibson, Caroline Hughlett, Courtney Hughlett, Lindsey Loar, Avery Mast, Gigi Stephan, Brylee Johnston, Anna Mosciano and Kelly Via.
https://www.pilotonline.com/2026/02/11/uva-running-back-jmari-taylor-invited-to-nfl-combine/
