PAYSON, Ariz. — After firing a final-round even-par 72 and finishing the tournament at 1-under-par 215, Utah Valley sophomore Dane Huddleston captured the 2025 WAC Championship individual title in dramatic fashion, winning on the second hole of a playoff Sunday afternoon at Chaparral Pines. The victory marks Huddleston’s school-record fifth individual title of the season.

In a drama-filled final round, Huddleston drained a clutch 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to help force the playoff with Seattle U’s Kevin Li. Li narrowly missed a tournament-winning putt of his own, with his attempt just lipping out. The two battled through two tense playoff holes before Huddleston ultimately secured the championship.

“Unbelievable day,” said Utah Valley head coach Chris Curran. “Almost came back and got it done as a team. Dane was so clutch coming down the stretch. You just know if he gets in the mix he’s going to find a way to win.”

Huddleston becomes just the second player in Utah Valley history to win a WAC individual title, joining Gabe Lysen, who earned medalist honors in 2021 at Boulder Creek Golf Club in Las Vegas. With wins this season at the Utah Shootout, Kapolei Invitational, Mesquite Desert Classic, Bandon Dunes Championship, and now the WAC Championship, Huddleston stands alone as UVU’s all-time leader in career individual titles, breaking the previous record of four set by Brady McKinlay during the 2022-23 season. Huddleston’s five victories this season are tied for the fourth-most in NCAA history, joining notable names such as Phil Mickelson (Arizona State, 1991-92) and Corey Pavin (UCLA, 1981-82) as players to win five individual titles in a single season. Only 24 golfers in NCAA history have accomplished the feat, with Tiger Woods (Stanford, 1995-96), Jay Don Blake (Utah State, 1980-81), and Matt Hill (NC State, 2008-09) sharing the all-time record with eight wins.

Huddleston’s final-round 72 featured an impressive seven birdies, helping him post a three-round total of 1-under-par 215 (75-68-72). As a team, Utah Valley carded a final-round 1-over-par 289 to finish third on the nine-team leaderboard with a three-round score of 24-over-par 888 (304-295-289). The Wolverines finished just four strokes behind team champion Seattle U (+20) and only one stroke behind runner-up Grand Canyon (+23).

Freshman Paxton Maxwell continued his strong play with a final-round 2-over-par 74, finishing tied for sixth with a three-round total of 3-over-par 219 (72-73-74). Maxwell recorded three birdies and 11 pars on Sunday. Ryan Seamons delivered the team’s best round of the day, firing a 4-under-par 68 to move up 19 spots on the leaderboard and finish tied for 20th with a three-round score of 11-over-par 227 (82-77-68). Seamons was nearly flawless, tallying five birdies and 12 pars in his final round. Ethan Efford posted a 5-over-par 77 on Sunday to finish tied for 23rd at 13-over-par 229 (75-77-77), recording four birdies and nine pars in the final round.

Andrew Hawk, who subbed into the lineup for the final two rounds, carded a 3-over-par 75 on Sunday, highlighted by an eagle on the 341-yard par-4 third hole along with three birdies. Hawk did not place individually because he did not compete in the opening round.

Utah Valley now awaits a postseason invitation, likely to the National Golf Invitational. Huddleston will also continue his season individually, competing at one of the NCAA’s six regionals. He will find out his regional destination during the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship Selection Show on Wednesday (April 30) at 11 a.m. MT on the Golf Channel.

Fredette takes administrative position with USA 3×3

One of the most prolific 3×3 athletes to ever represent the United States will make even more history for the red, white and blue in the next chapter of a loaded basketball odyssey.

Jimmer Fredette, a 2024 Olympian and former No. 1 ranked 3×3 player in the world, is officially hanging up his sneakers and becoming the first managing director of the USA 3×3 Men’s National Team in USA Basketball history.

The former college phenom, who announced his retirement from the game he grew synonymous with on April 23, will now transition into his first experience as a hoops executive. For someone accustomed to raucous crowds erupting while he knifed through defenses and iced games with an outstretched palm clouding his vision, it’s safe to say his new title will bring a completely new set of responsibilities.

Instead of lacing up to drop defenders in the half-court, Fredette will now pinpoint the USA 3×3 Men’s National Team coaching staff and personnel for marquee international competitions – ranging from the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 to FIBA’s pro circuit – over the next three years.

“It’s definitely different,” Fredette said. “It’s a lot more mental than physical and something where you’re watching a lot more film, you’re watching a lot more tape on players and games … It’s a different brain muscle that I’ll be flexing, but I’ll really enjoy being able to dig into the weeds of some of these players and try to figure out a system.”

So how does someone who scooped, scored and dished his way into the most grandiose stage in sport adjust to the duties of a first-of-its-kind role? For Fredette, it’s about leaning on experience and embracing the next opportunity.

The Glen Falls, New York, native knows a thing or two about what makes a team tick. After amending BYU’s entire offensive record book while hypnotizing defenders of all shapes and sizes from 2008-11, Fredette appeared in 235 combined contests in the NBA from 2011-16 before dominating with a pair of professional organizations overseas.

In 2022, his extensive portfolio ultimately guided him toward USA Basketball’s 3×3 program, a somewhat unexpected but fruitful finale to his journey as a player. While donning the red, white and blue, Fredette not only starred, but he gradually recognized the tendencies of a well-oiled 3×3 machine.

“You definitely want to have complementary styles of play,” Fredette said. “I’ve been through that from a player standpoint, so I do have a good perspective on what that looks like. You know a little bit more about this stuff than you would think just because you’ve been in it. A team who can complement each other is important, not just on the court but off the court.

“Are these guys able to communicate with each other the way that they need to and have the tough conversations to make sure they’re moving in the right direction?”

Fredette endured the same process with three other 3×3 veterans – Canyon Barry, Dylan Travis and Karieem Maddox – a foursome which quickly morphed into a brotherhood throughout Fredette’s entire stint with USA Basketball.

Cougar baseball edges Grand Canyon 10-9

BYU’s Halladay-Lowry wins national award

NEW ORLEANS — The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association named Lexy Halladay-Lowry the National Female Athlete of the Week on Monday.

Halladay-Lowry ran 9:18.05 in the 3000m steeplechase at the Payton Jordan Invitational on April 25. Her time ranks sixth all-time in NCAA history and second in BYU program history.

The previous week, Halladay-Lowry ran 14:52.93 in the 5000m at the Bryan Clay Invitational on April 17. Her time stands as the third-fastest in NCAA history and broke the BYU school record.

During her track and field career at BYU, Halladay-Lowry has earned five First Team All-America honors and set three individual school records: the indoor 3000m, indoor 5000m, and outdoor 5000m.

She was also named Big 12 Athlete of the Week on April 23.

Halladay-Lowry is the first BYU women’s athlete to earn National Athlete of the Week honors since Whittni Orton Morgan on September 20, 2021.