Nikki Hiltz celebrates after winning the women's 1,500m title at the US Outdoor Track and Field Championships (AL BELLO)Nikki Hiltz captured her fourth consecutive 1,500-meter US outdoor title while Noah Lyles and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden cruised into the 200m finals on Saturday at the US Athletics Championships.Hiltz won in dramatic fashion, crossing the finish line in 4:06.92 with Addy Wiley .04 of a second behind and Emily Mackay third in 4:06.98.The 31-year-old Californian has also won four US 1,500m indoor titles in a row, giving Hiltz a US record eight-title streak overall with her victory at New York's Icahn Stadium."I love this city. My mom is from Long Island so I feel like a little part of me is from here," Hiltz said.It was her grandmother being in the audience, however, that motivated Hiltz over the final strides."She doesn't come to a lot of meets so I had to perform," Hiltz said. "That last 50 I told myself this is for grandma."Reigning world 200m champion Lyles, a four-time world champion at the distance, advanced to the 200m final by taking his qualifying heat in 20.51 seconds after a Friday night 100m final victory."The legs are tired," Lyles said. "But that's what the prelims are for. By the end of the day I'll have gotten my rest, seen my medical crew and we'll be ready for the final."Lyles, 29, holds the American 200m record of 19.31 seconds from the 2022 World Championships at Eugene.Jefferson-Wooden, who won 100m, 200m and 4x100m titles at the 2025 worlds, began defending her US 200m crown by advancing to the final in 22.50, slowing before the finish line but owning the fastest qualifying time."The biggest thing today was to come out here and focus on getting out hard, holding it and feeling my frequency through the turn and once I come off the turn just trust in the ability I'm strong enough to conserve as much energy as possible," Jefferson-Wooden said. "I think I did a good job of that."Sandi Morris, a four-time world pole vault runner-up who took silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics, won the women's crown at age 34 by clearing 4.90m.She set the bar at 5.01, trying to break her American outdoor record of 5.00 set in 2016 at Brussels, but failed on three attempts.Chase Jackson, a two-time world champion, captured her fifth US women's shot put title in a row and sixth overall with an effort of 20.55m. She has also won four US indoor crowns.- 'It means the world' -Alia Armstrong captured the women's 100m hurdles in 12.38 seconds, edging Alaysha Johnson by .04 of a second."It means the world to me," she said. "I've been grinding. I've been doing everything I'm supposed to do in practice. The work is showing."Anna Cockrell, the Paris Olympic runner-up, led women's 400 hurdles finalists in 53.65.Aaliyah Butler, a member of the reigning world and Olympic champion US 4x400 relays, won her first US 400m crown in 49.93, beating Alexis Holmes by .54 of a second.Chris Bailey, a world and Olympic champion in the 4x400 relay, won the men's 400m crown in 44.39 after Justin Robinson crossed the line in 44.31 but was disqualified for stepping on the lane lines.Curtis Thompson won the javelin with a throw of 87.59m.Nathan Green, a two-time US college champion, won his first US 1,500m crown in 3:50.27, edging Vincent Ciattei by .05 of a second.js/amz

BLAINE, Minn. (AP) PGA Tour rookie Jackson Koivun shot a 61 in the third round of the 3M Open on Saturday to take a three-stroke lead at 20-under par, setting a tournament record with a 28 on the back nine at the TPC Twin Cities.Emiliano Grillo and Ben Kohles each had a 65 and are tied for second at 17 under. Michael Brennan shot a 63 and shared fourth with Chandler Phillips at 16 under. Denny McCarthy, Billy Horschel and Michael Kim were in sixth at 15 under.Scottie Scheffler, the world's top-ranked player, was six strokes behind Koivun in a four-way tie for ninth place with Davis Thompson, Seamus Power and Brian Harman.The 21-year-old Koivun, who was the top-ranked amateur player after a standout college career at Auburn and turned pro last month following the U.S. Open, had two eagles and six birdies to separate from the pack on a steamy and still afternoon that was ideal for low scores.Koivun sank a 12-foot putt on the 12th green and an 14-footer on the 18th to eagle two of the three par-5s on the lake-filled course, which joined the tour schedule in 2019. Koivun, who tied for 10th two weeks ago at the ISCO Championship in Kentucky, shot a 64 on Thursday and a 68 on Friday.___AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) Carlos Beltrn was destined for the Baseball Hall of Fame even before he played a full season in the major leagues. At least thats what Kansas City Royals great George Brett thought.On the eve of his induction, Beltrn recounted a story from 1999 when the Royals visited Cooperstown and Brett introduced him to Hall of Famer and fellow Puerto Rican Orlando Cepeda.I have a baseball and Im approaching Cepeda for him to sign my baseball, and George said, Let me introduce you to the next Hall of Famer from Puerto Rico. His name is Carlos Beltrn, the nine-time All-Star outfielder said Saturday. And Im going like, what is he doing? I havent played a game and youre introducing me as a Hall of Famer. I dont think thats a good statement.George said, `Well, Carlos, everything is possible in life. If you play hard and if you continue to play good and if you continue to develop yourself, this is an opportunity and this is a chance that you could be here.Twenty-seven years later, Bretts prediction came true. Beltrn will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Sunday alongside Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent, just as Brett and Cepeda were enshrined together as part of the 1999 class.Never went through my mind, Beltrn said. But I did imagine myself as a baseball player. I did imagine myself as a professional baseball player. I come from a very humble family. I got to see my parents doing a lot of work to push us forward.Beltrn was the 1999 AL Rookie of the Year with Kansas City and went on to play 20 years in the majors, including seven seasons apiece with both the Royals and New York Mets. He made the Hall in his fourth year of eligibility on the Baseball Writers' Association of America ballot, securing 84.2% of the vote. Joining him from the BBWAA ballot is former Atlanta Braves center fielder Andruw Jones, who reached 78.4% in his ninth year. Jones nearly dropped off the ballot after his 2018 debut, when he received only 7.3% of the vote just above the 5% threshold to get another try.For Jones, the induction represents the culmination of a patient climb that was supported by his defensive brilliance in center field, where he won 10 straight Gold Gloves from 1998-2007.And like Beltrn, Jones fondest baseball memory came when he was young.Just getting that call to make it to the major leagues in 96. Getting on that plane, flying into Philadelphia and walking into the clubhouse and seeing all these guys that you watch on TV who won the World Series in 95 and trying to win another one in 96, he said. That was the best moment of my career, to be honest with you.Beltrn and Jones werent elected to the Hall immediately during their BBWAA eligibility, but their call eventually came. For Kent, it never did.A five-time All-Star second baseman, the 2000 NL MVP fell off the BBWAA ballot in 2023 after exhausting his 10 years of eligibility and falling well short each time of the 75% needed for induction. He was elected by a much smaller panel in December 2025, the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee.Though his path was different, after speaking with other Hall of Famers this weekend, Kent now knows he belongs just the same.Im walking around, talking to guys and Im getting hugs and Im getting, Congratulations, and Im getting, You should have been in a long time ago, and all those things, Kent said. And Im seeing in their eyes that theyre not saying it just to be nice to me because they want something from me, or theyre just trying to be nice because the cameras are on and it was real. And thats probably the first time I was able to relax.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

WORCESTER Before Franklin Arias made his Triple-A debut, WooSox acting manager Iggy Suarez had a simple message for the organization's No. 1 prospect."He just needs to be Franklin Arias," Suarez said on Friday. "And do what he does."On Saturday, Arias didn't waste much time showing fans at Polar Park what he's been doing all season long on the diamond. Batting leadoff and playing shortstop for the WooSox, Arias went 0 for 4 with an RBI and strikeout in his first AAA game while making a handful of solid plays on the field.After the 20-year-old prospect was promoted from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Arias showed some early signs of why he's a star on the rise in the Red Sox organization."We're all excited to see him play," Suarez said prior to the WooSox' 5-0 win over the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. "He's an electric player."Currently ranked as Baseball Americas No. 4 prospect, and Boston's top prospect, Arias was signed by the Red Sox in 2023 as a 17-year-old international free agent out of Venezuela.After being named the Florida Complex League MVP in 2024, the 5-foot-11, 170-pound shortstop had a solid 2025 season split between three Red Sox affiliates (Salem, Greenville and Portland) hitting .278 with 8 homers and 66 RBIs across 116 games.This year, Arias dominated in Double A from the chute and was named the Eastern League Player of the Month for April (batting .375 with 8 HR and 20 RBIs in 20 games) and slashed .318 with 19 homers, 52 RBIs and an .994 OPS across 75 games with the Sea Dogs.He can do things that you just cant teach, Portland Sea Dogs acting manager Kyle Sasala told the T&G in June.On Thursday, Sasala brough Arias inside his office following a road game in Binghamton to tell his star player that he was being promoted to Triple A.Now that Im here, Im really living my dream being a phone call away [from the big leagues], Arias told the media Friday via translator Juan Montero.Two days later, Arias made his WooSox debut at Polar Park. Despite not getting a hit on Saturday, it's easy to see why Arias has shot up the rankings in the Red Sox farm system."I'm sure he knows the buzz that he's created, and he's earned, and that's totally deserved," Suarez said. "But I want him to feel like you don't need to do more (now) that you're here."And all Suarez says Arias needs to do now is be himself after his promotion to Triple-A Worcester."Just keep doing what he's doing," Suarez said.Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44.This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Red Sox top prospect Franklin Arias makes Triple-A debut with WooSox

Jun 27, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) throws against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn ImagesIts game 2 of the St. Louis Cardinals weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds Saturday night. The Cardinals will hand the ball to Andre Pallante while the Reds will have Hunter Greene to make the start. First pitch is set for 6:15pm central time and the TV broadcast will be available through Cardinals.tv.Join the conversation!Sign up for a user accountand get:Fewer adsCreatecommunity postsComment on articles, community postsRec comments, community postsNew, improved notifications system!

Why MLB teams are wearing different hats today originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.All weekend, MLB teams are breaking out different hats.It's a pretty awesome vibe for those who have been fans of baseball for a long time, and there's a good reason for it, too.Tampa Bay is wearing Devil Rays garb.Toronto has the old-school Blue Jays logo.Arizona is wearing the throwback Diamondbacks colors.All around the league, there are fun looks, a blast from the past.MORE:Yankees' Jose Caballero is pushing the limit of the rulesWhy are MLB hats different today and this weekend?The hats are meant as throwback looks because this is Hall of Fame Induction Weekend.On Sunday, Hall of Famers are being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.To honor the game's history, everyone is turning back the clock with their hats, and some teams with their uniforms, too:Starting today, all 30 MLB teams will wear throwback caps for Hall of Fame Weekend. Brewers' "Motre Bame" logo, the Rays' green era, Angels with a halo on top, green underbrims across the board.Here's every retro cap you'll see across MLB this weekend: https://t.co/EFMrhvmgD2 Chris Creamer | SportsLogos.net (@sportslogosnet) July 24, 2026Baseball uniform changes are always particularly cool because the season is daily. You see similar things day in and day out, and then it swings around to a new look, and it's pretty fun.This weekend, it's turning back the clock, and it's great.More MLB news:How Aaron Judge is the real focus of the Yankees' trade deadline plansHave you ever seen a bounce throw to turn a double play?The Braves let their pitcher hit, and it worked out surprisingly wellHow Rays turned Tim Beckham bust draft pick into Junior CamineroBarry Bonds' nephew has a chance to be key pick in 2026 MLB Draft

The Carolina Panthers made a handful of roster moves on Saturday.As announced this afternoon, the team has signed defensive tackle Kyon Barrs. Barrs was one of seven players who was brought in for a workout following Friday's practice.A Murrieta, Calif. native, the 6-foot-1, 309-pound Barrs split his five-year collegiate career between the University of Arizona (2019 to 2022) and the University of Southern California (2023). Over a combined 51 games, he amassed 120 tackles (12.5 for a loss) and 5.0 sacks.He'd crack into the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Seattle Seahawks in 2024. Barrs also picked up a brief offseason stint with the Arizona Cardinals in 2025.In addition to his NFL stops, Barrs took two trips through the United Football Leagueone with the Dallas Renegades in 2025 and the second with the Houston Gamblers in 2026. This past spring saw Barrs record 27 total tackles, half a sack and four pass breakups.Carolina also signed defensive tackle Elijah Garcia and cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson. Garcia has appeared in 17 regular-season games since 2022 while Nicholson, an undrafted rookie, comes over after spending the spring with the Cleveland Browns.To make room for the new trio, the Panthers waived offensive tackle Derrell Bailey, linebacker Jared Bartlett and cornerback Michael Reid.Follow@ThePanthersWireon Twitter/X for more Panthers content.This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers sign 3 players, part ways with 3 others on Saturday

Andoni Iraola will be banging on FSGs door on Sunday after instant pre-season Liverpool setbackLiverpool were dealt an early setback in their first pre-season friendly on their tour of the United States, with Joe Gomez going off injured inside the opening 10 minutes against Sunderland.The Reds longest-serving current player was selected as captain for the game in Nashville, partnering youngster Mor Talla Ndiaye at centre-back, but his evenings work was over almost as soon as it started.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ONAPPLE&GOOGLE PLAYGomez suffers early injury blow for LiverpoolThere were only eight minutes on the clock when the 29-year-old went to ground and required treatment, and it was instantly apparent that he wouldnt be able to continue.(Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)Although Gomez picked himself up from the turf, he walked straight off the pitch as Andoni Iraola took no chances by substituting him to bring on Ifeanyi Ndukwe, with Kostas Tsimikas assuming the captains armband.As Lewis Steele observed on X, the sight of Liverpools number 2 sitting on the ground was one that no Reds supporter wanted to see, adding: The need for a defender gets even bigger.Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as apreferred source on Googleto your favourites list for news you can trustLiverpool MUST buy another defender this summer no excusesIraola put his cards on the table straight away in his introductory press conference earlier this month when openly stating that more signings are needed at Anfield this summer, and his pleas to FSG are se to grow even louder on Sunday once tonights match is out of the way.Liverpool had suffered another defensive injury blow before kick-off when it emerged that new arrival Jeremy Jacquet wold miss the Sunderland match due to a minor knock, although its expected that hell resume training during the tour to the USA (Liverpool Echo).We havent even reached half-time in the first pre-season friendly of the summer and the Reds have already had injuries to two centre-backs, while Virgil van Dijk is yet to return to the fold after his World Cup involvement with Netherlands, and Giovanni Leoni is continuing his recovery from an ACL rupture.Matches such as this may well be the perfect setting in which to try out young players and assess how they perform at first-team level, but the presence of Ndiaye and Ndukwe as our centre-back partnership after just a few minutes in Nashville lays bare the dearth of options available to Iraola.Hopefully the knock which forced Gomez off tonight isnt serious and hell soon be able to resume playing. Nevertheless, the need for defensive reinforcements in the remaining weeks of the transfer window must now be screaming at FSG in the face.

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - JULY 25: Anthony Joshua and Kristian Prenga exchange punches during the Heavyweight contest fight between Anthony Joshua and Kristian Prenga in the Anthony Joshua v Kristian Prenga: The Comeback fight night at Jeddah Superdome on July 25, 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesWatch Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga full fight video highlights from their main event clash in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday afternoon, courtesy of multiple outlets.Joshua vs. Prenga took place July 25 at the Jeddah Superdome in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Anthony Joshua (29-4) and Kristian Prenga (20-1) squared off in the main event. The fight aired live on DAZN pay-per-view.Official result: Anthony Joshua def. Kristian Prenga via KO 2:43, Round 2Catch all the video highlights below.ANTHONY JOSHUA WITH THE COMEBACK CINEMA pic.twitter.com/7Ojh99mtbu Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) July 25, 2026Anthony Joshua dropped 20 seconds into round 1 of his return fight pic.twitter.com/XPoV5hfOIH Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) July 25, 2026THE COMEBACK HAS STARTED! AJ IS MAKING HIS RING WALK NOW Buy #JoshuaPrenga NOW at https://t.co/FoiaUucafv | Live now | Danger Before Destiny pic.twitter.com/rsTfjuESP1 DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) July 25, 2026KRISTIAN PRENGA IS NOW ENTERING THE RING! Buy #JoshuaPrenga NOW at https://t.co/FoiaUucafv | Live now | Danger Before Destiny pic.twitter.com/xz913lAxLO DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) July 25, 2026AJ Loading.#JoshuaPrenga | Exclusively on DAZN pic.twitter.com/NQcP9iFBes Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) July 25, 2026Can Prenga pull off the upset? #JoshuaPrenga | Exclusively on DAZN pic.twitter.com/LuuKtJjxV1 Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) July 25, 2026AJ IS HERE #JoshuaPrenga | Exclusively on DAZN pic.twitter.com/vEmN1RPeGK Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) July 25, 2026For more on Joshua vs. Prenga, check out the live blog below.Round 1Joshua really is a specimen. The kind of fighter youd build on EA Fight Night. Looks like he came out of a 3D Printer.OHHHH!!!!!!! Prenga drops Joshua almost immediately!!!!!!!!!! Cant tell if that was more a slip, or if he got really clipped! He beat the counts and looks OK but the right hand got him.And Joshua running after him now, trying to grab. And OH!!!!!!! Prenga cracked him again! Hes held up by the ropes! Hes in trouble here!I have no idea whats going on but Prengas right hand keeps hitting him. And then thrown to the canvas. Thats not a knockdown but hes in so much trouble. His legs look completely gone. And down again!!!!!!! That was almost a push down, but ref counts it! Prengas right hand is thumping Joshua up but he makes it to the end of the round and then smiles at Prenga. What a crazy round.MMA Fighting scores the round 10-7 Prenga.Round 2Credit to Joshua, his eyes seem clear. But Prenga is hurting him with every right hand. Joshua tries to jump in this round with a big shot, and Prenga cracks him again as they collide. But now Joshua settling in more, and getting his long right hand going. Two land and that gets Prenga backing up. And hes backing up badly now! Joshua may have hurt him with one of those as Prenga is on the retreat. Clinch for a break and then Prenga tries to come after him.Eddie Hearn is screaming at Joshua from ringside, as hes starting to control the pace. And he narrowly misses a monster right hand. Joshua jabs and Prenga is looking to load the right hand up. But OH!!!!! Right hand down the pipe FLOORS Prenga. Clean shot down the middle cracks him, and a right hook sends him through the ropes and theres no way hes getting up from that.Nope. Joshua stops him in the most fun two-round fight youll ever see.

Like Shawn Michaels when he sweet-chin music'd Ric Flair at WWE WrestleMania, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander almost sent LeBron James into NBA retirement for good. Over three weeks later, the 41-year-old finally made his much-anticipated free agent decision.James has ditched the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons. He signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. Arguably the biggest name basketball has ever had will extend his career to a possible NBA-record quarter-century.The NBA offseason has lived up to the hype and then some. While the West has remained mostly quiet with blockbuster moves, the East has had complete renovations. The power dynamics have altered with fireworks popping off every other day. To what end remains to be seen.The Sixers added Jaylen Brown and James; Giannis Antetokounmpo heads to the Miami Heat; Kawhi Leonard returned to the Toronto Raptors maybe; Paul George is now on the Boston Celtics.Of the group, Philadelphia has the most radical changes. The Sixers now have two former MVP winners, another recent MVP candidate, a near 30-point scorer and someone who flirted with Rookie of the Year. Expect it to become must-watch TV that borders a reality show for hoop heads with dramatic locker room vibes.In his detailed explanation, James referenced the Oklahoma City Thunder as one of the sneakier influences for his last big-time decision to choose the Sixers over familiar spots in the Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers. They weren't ever in the conversation, but the 22-time NBA All-Star revealed their recent playoff series affected how he wanted to write out the final chapter of his Hall-of-Fame career."Ithought I was done when the season ended. I wasn't ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide, but I was pretty sure I played my last game," James wrote on social media. "I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and decide if I still love this game. I still truly love this game, and I have more to give."Paired with The Athletic's reporting that James felt 'incomplete' when OKC sent Los Angeles home in a non-competitive Round 2 series sweep, the Thunder making light work of the Lakers left a sour taste in his mouth. The 41-year-old didn't want to ride off into the sunset in such a mundane way.On the Sixers, he'll have the NBA world's attention for good or bad. Either James wins an NBA championship on a fourth different franchise. Or things spectacularly fail in a blaze alongside Joel Embiid, Brown and Tyrese Maxey. Remains to be seen. But Philadelphia has been promoted to a main character in the NBA world.Ithought I was done when the season ended. I wasn't ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide, but I was pretty sure I played my last game. I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and deicide if I still love LeBron James (@KingJames) July 24, 2026This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: How OKC Thunder influenced LeBron James' decision to join Sixers