By Caitlin Phelan
The sports world saw many instances of women making history this week, and it was highlighted by many record-breaking performances. From Jalen Hurts’ all-female management team securing a deal to make him the highest-paid NFL player in history, to Hellen Obiri winning The Boston Marathon women’s race in just her second marathon, and Trinity Thomas tying the perfect 10 record at the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships, women in sports made history this week. Additionally, the NCAA announced that South Carolina and Notre Dame women’s basketball teams will open the 2023-24 season in Paris, the first-ever NCAA regular-season basketball game to be played in Paris, mens or womens.
Running:
In the 127th Boston Marathon, Hellen Obiri, a native Kenyan, won the women’s race with a time of 2:21:38. Obiri, who is a two-time Olympic silver medalist in the 5,000 meters, was running in just her second marathon. Obiri went on to say after the race that she made a “last second decision” to run in the marathon. Obiri’s victory completed the third straight Kenyan sweep after defending champion Evans Chebet won Monday’s men’s race.
American Emma Bates earned fifth place, the best finish ever by an American woman. Bates, from Elk River, Minnesota, crossed the finish line with a time of 2:22:10, setting a personal best for herself. With the fifth place finish, Bates secured a qualifying time for the 2024 Olympics.
Football:
This week it was announced that Nicole Lynn, Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Jalen Hurts’ agent, secured a deal to make him the highest-paid player in NFL history. Lynn, the President of Football Operations at Klutch Sports Group, made history when it was announced she secured Hurts a five-year, $255 million extension with the Eagles. The deal also includes a no-trade clause, a first-ever in Eagles history. Lynn also made history earlier this year when she became the first black woman to represent a starting QB in a SuperBowl.
It is also important to mention that Hurts has an all-female management team. Nicole Lynn is his agent, Shakeemah Simmons-Winter and Chantal Romain handle his communications, Rachel Everett handles his marketing, and Jenna Malphrus runs his management.
Basketball:
The NCAA announced last week that South Carolina and Notre Dame will open the 2023-24 season in Paris. The Nov. 6 matchup will be the first time a NCAA regular-season basketball game will be played in Paris, for mens or womens. It is also important to note that these two teams are coached by Dawn Staley and Nielle Ivey, two black women.
Iowa women’s basketball star Caitlin Clark just made more history this week, sweeping National Player of the Year Awards. Clark now becomes the first unanimous National Player of the Year in Big 10 women’s basketball history. In order to achieve this impressive feat, Clark had to win the Associated Press Player of the Year, Honda Sports Award by the Collegiate Women Sports Award, Wade Trophy, Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, Naismith Trophy, The Athletic Player of the Year, Dawn Staley Award, and the Nancy Lieberman Award.
In transfer portal news, former Louisville star Hailey Van Lith went on an official visit to LSU Tuesday, April 18. Van Lith announced that she’d be entering the transfer portal after the conclusion of the 2022-23 season, to many fans’ surprise. Van Lith averaged 19.7 PPG, and is a two-time all-ACC first teamer and led Louisville to three Elite Eights.
Gymnastics:
As predicted by the experts, the Oklahoma Sooners won their second consecutive national title. The Sooners lived up their No. 1 ranking Saturday, winning the championship by .150. The Sooners took control on vault during the first rotation and never looked back, maintaining the lead for the rest of the championship. This is Oklahoma’s sixth NCAA championship title since 2014.
Although Oklahoma won the title, Florida’s Trinity Thomas made history of her own in the final meet of her career. Competing in just two events due to a leg injury, the fifth-year senior earned her 28th perfect 10 score, tying the NCAA record for the most ever. Thomas earned a perfect 10 with a flawlessly executed Yurchenko 1½ on vault.
The championship also made history by drawing in 1.2 million viewers, making it ESPN’s most-watched gymnastics telecast ever.
Soccer:
In a highly anticipated announcement, Julie Ertz announced that she will be signing with Angel City FC to a one-year contract. USA’s star midfielder will be making her National Women’s Soccer League return after a two-year hiatus, following the birth of her son she shares with star NFL tight end Zach Ertz.
In other USA womens soccer news, Alyssa Thompson started in last week’s international friendly with Ireland, making her the youngest player to start for the U.S. since Mallory Swanson in 2016. Thompson, at just 18 years old, recently graduated from high school and is now also signed with Angel City FC.
