Kentucky

Avery Skinner, who starred for Kentucky Wildcats, wins silver with Team USA volleyball

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2 years ago

August 11, 2024

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Avery Skinner, who starred for Kentucky Wildcats, wins silver with Team USA volleyball

The first Olympics appearance of Avery Skinner’s career was a memorable one. As well as a successful debut.

Skinner, the first former Kentucky volleyball player to ever compete in the Olympic Games, won silver with Team USA on Sunday in Paris. The U.S. lost to Italy, 25-18, 25-20, 25-17, in the championship match. Skinner finished the gold-medal match with seven points on a team-leading 22 attacks.

Starring as an outside hitter for the Wildcats from 2017 to 2021, Skinner was a key cog for UK’s national title-winning squad in 2020, which was held in 2021 after the coronavirus pandemic delayed NCAA championship events in fall sports to the spring.

She won SEC championships all four seasons at Kentucky, earning first-team All-America laurels from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) during her senior season after hitting .366 with 3.77 kills per set. She also was an All-SEC and AVCA Southeast All-Region selection that season. In her maiden campaign with the Wildcats in 2017, Skinner landed on the SEC All-Freshman Team after notching 363 kills, averaging 3.32 kills per set.

A native of Katy, Texas, the 6-foot-1 Skinner comes from a family of athletes.

Her father, Brian Skinner, spent 14 seasons in the NBA. Skinner’s younger sister, Madi Skinner, was part of Kentucky’s volleyball program for two seasons — including winning the NCAA championship with Avery in 2020 — before transferring to Texas.

Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.

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Kentucky

Northern Kentucky claims 4 titles at Class 3A indoor track state meet

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2 hours ago

March 5, 2026

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Northern Kentucky claims 4 titles at Class 3A indoor track state meet

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association indoor state track meet rolled on on Wednesday, March 4. One day after Beechwood claimed the Class 1A boys team title, three Northern Kentucky big schools combined for four individual state titles in Class 3A.

Cooper’s Paul Van Laningham won the 3,200-meter run in 9:09.49 and took second place in the 1,600-meter run in 4:07.88. It was a reversal of his results at the 2025 indoor state meet and earned him his fifth overall state title. He scored all of Cooper’s points, good for ninth place in the team standings with 18 points.

Van Laningham’s teammate, Ava Dunn, got the day started with a shot put title, throwing the 8.82-pound ball 39 feet, 3.25 inches.

Simon Kenton’s Alexis Howard won the long jump with an attempt of 18 feet, 7.25 inches, then claimed the triple jump title with a distance of 37 feet, 4.25 inches. It is her second straight indoor long jump title and third overall as she also claimed the 2024 outdoor title. Taking fifth place in the 55-meter dash, she scored all 24 points for SK, finishing in a tie for eighth place. Cooper was right behind with 22 points.

Finally, Conner’s Avery Vanlandingham win the 800-meter run in 2:17.55, out-leaning North Oldham’s Millie Huang at the line.

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Kentucky

Arkansas women’s basketball blown out by Kentucky in season-ending loss at SEC Tournament | Whole Hog Sports

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14 hours ago

March 4, 2026

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Arkansas women’s basketball blown out by Kentucky in season-ending loss at SEC Tournament | Whole Hog Sports

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Kentucky

Hardley Gilmore returns to Kentucky Football

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2 days ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Hardley Gilmore returns to Kentucky Football

A wide receiver from Belle Glade, Florida, Gilmore totaled 28 receptions for 313 yards and one touchdown for the Wildcats during the 2025 season. The 6-foot-1 sophomore has had a very interesting offseason as he entered the portal, flipped a commitment, and is now back in Lexington.

After the 2025 season, Gilmore committed to Louisville when he entered the transfer portal, then flipped his commitment to Baylor, and ultimately signed with the Bears. To end Gilmore’s portal saga, he’s now back in a familiar place with the Wildcats.

When the 2026 season begins, Gilmore will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Gilmore had a solid sophomore campaign with the Wildcats, appearing in all 12 games. His best game of the season came in the late-season loss against Vanderbilt. He tallied six catches for 55 yards in the game.

With Kentucky losing most of its wide receiver production from last season, this is a significant pickup, and it won’t be surprising if Gilmore is back in the starting lineup this fall.

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