Washington
Washington State Picks Up California HS State Champion Audrey Hill For 2026
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Best of the rest ranked recruit Audrey Hill has verbally committed to Washington State University for the fall of 2026 to continue her swimming career. A butterfly specialist, Hill currently attends Clovis West High School and grew up training with the Clovis Swim Club.
In 2022, Hill helped break the 13–14 National Age Group Record in the mixed 200-meter medley relay. She swam the butterfly leg with a split of 29.14, contributing to the relay’s final time of 1:55.34. The previous record, held by the Metro Aquatic Club of Miami, was 1:57.56.
“It is an honor and privilege to announce my verbal commitment to further my academic and athletic journey at Washington State University! I would like to thank my family for always supporting me and cheering me on, and my club and high school coaches who have devoted so much time to growing me as an athlete. A big thank you to the Washington State coaching staff who helped make this possible! GO COUGS!!❤️🤍🐾”
Hill was recently the 2025 CIF Central Section D1 Champion (SCY) in the 100 fly (54.82) last month. She also contributed to victories in the 200 free relay, where she split 23.59, and the 400 free relay, where she split 50.53. She finished 5th in the 50 free (23.82). Clovis West came out on top at the championship.
Hill was a 2024 CIF State Champion (SCY) in the 200 medley relay, where she split 24.10 on the fly leg. She led off the 400 free relay in 50.88, helping her team place 2nd. In the 200 free relay, which finished 5th, she again led off, clocking 23.53. Individually, Hill posted a lifetime best in the 100 fly (54.07) during prelims and went on to place 7th in the final (54.71). Her times in the 50 free, 100 free, and 100 fly from the meet remain her personal bests.
At the 2024 Speedo Winter Junior Championships – West (SCY), Hill posted her fastest 200 fly time of 2:03.86, qualifying for the Futures Championships in Sacramento. She also earned Futures cuts in the 50 free (23.64), 100 free (51.72), and 100 fly (55.92) at the meet.
Top Yard Times
- 50 Free – 23.53
- 100 Free – 50.88
- 100 Fly – 54.07
- 200 Fly – 2:03.86
Washington State placed 5th overall out of 10 teams at the 2025 Women’s Mountain West Conference Championships. Based on last season’s results, Hill would have been the 3rd fastest in both the 100 fly and 200 fly on the team. The top two swimmers in the 100 fly, Emily Lundgren (52.60) and Dori Hathazi (53.75), will be seniors next season. Both made the ‘A’ final in the event at the 2025 conference championships.
Hill will join Ivy Ladrow, Marlee Winser, and Lauren Sexton as part of Washington State’s 2026 recruiting class. Ladrow also holds a strong time in the 100 fly (55.82).
By swimming on a Division I team, Hill will be following in the footsteps of her sister, Abby Hill, a sophomore and Division I swimmer at Utah Tech University. Outside of the pool, Hill enjoys spending time with her family and dog. Together, they love spending time outdoors.
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Washington
Inside Woodlawn Cemetery’s mission to preserve history
The iron gate to Woodlawn Cemetery is almost always locked shut, but Toni White-Richardson was more than happy to let News4 inside.
As president of the Woodlawn Cemetery Perpetual Care Association, she was excited to talk about what makes this resting place so special.
“It is major D.C. history, first. Then it’s also major Black history, second,” White-Richardson said.
More than 30,000 people, mostly African Americans, are buried among the 22 acres of Woodlawn Cemetery, which opened in Southeast D.C. in 1895. And like so many cemeteries that date back to the 1800s, particularly African American cemeteries, this one has fallen into disrepair, is overgrown and has headstones tumbled over, like those of Wilhelmina and her husband James, and Eliza Spencer, a mother who died in 1887.
“Let me do a very upfront disclaimer,” White-Richardson said. “We have no idea where these stones go. And when we looked at the grid, it became even clear as mud, it became less clear as to where these stones should really go. Unfortunately, when we look back, we can tell there was a plan, but we could see we never got totally completed. Even back then, there are no markers saying this is Section H or this is Section G or this is 102 and this is, none of that.”
One of the most notable Washingtonians laid to rest here is John Mercer Langston, Virginia’s first Black congressman.
“Langston University came one year because they had a grand reunion in D.C., and we arranged for them to come to see […] John Mercer Langston, the university that was named after this man,” White-Richardson said.
And Blance Bruce, the first Black U.S. senator to serve a full term and register of the treasury, is also buried in the cemetery.
“He’s the signature on our dollar bill, you know, back in the late 1800s,” White-Richardson said. “So, oh, it’s history. It’s capital letters. No getting around it.”
Woodlawn is also the resting place of several of the original founders of two of the country’s most prominent Black sororities, Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta. Both organizations volunteer to help with clean ups.
The Perpetual Care Association recently received a grant from the D.C. Office of Planning to help with upkeep of the grounds and preserving the history here.
“These are important individuals who’ve made contributions to the District a century ago, but today still their history and their stories reverberate and really influence the trajectory of our city,” said Anita Cozart, director of the D.C. Office of Planning.
The cemetery tucked away off Benning Road is only open to the public five days a year, but groups can request tours anytime. The next chance to visit Woodlawn when it will be open to the public is Labor Day.
They’re always looking for volunteers and donors to help with the upkeep of this sacred ground.
Washington
Parsing Trump’s claims about Washington’s reflecting pool
US President Donald Trump wanted to mark the US’s 250th birthday with a renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on the National Mall.
The makeover, including a new coat of “American Flag blue,” cost taxpayers $16 million (€14.1 million).
But the water is covered in green algae. The blue paint is already peeling. Trump has blamed vandals, while his critics question the project’s transparency and cost.
DW’s Brent Goff and Washington correspondent Janelle Dumalaon unpack the whole fiasco.
Washington
Social media reacts to former BYU star AJ Dybantsa going No. 1 in 2026 NBA draft
Former BYU basketball star AJ Dybantsa fulfilled his dream of going No. 1 overall in the 2026 NBA draft.
The Washington Wizards selected Dybantsa with the first pick.
Immediately after the pick, reactions poured in on social media about the Wizards drafting Dybantsa.
Social media reactions to the Washington Wizards selecting BYU star AJ Dybantsa
The Washington Wizards make it official, selecting BYU wing AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1️⃣ pick in the 2026 @NBA Draft. 🥳🎉
How does Dybantsa fit with the Wizards?#NBA #NBADraft #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/IqgikGpxbJ
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 24, 2026
WELCOME TO THE DYSTRICT🧙♂️ #ForTheDistrict | @AJ_Dybantsa pic.twitter.com/ACZhphmTnq
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) June 24, 2026
NO. 1 OVERALL 🔒
AJ Dybantsa 🤝 @WashWizards
📺 2026 #NBADraft on ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/WO7RxMqQyK
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) June 24, 2026
BYU star AJ Dybantsa goes No. 1 to the Washington Wizards.
First former BYU basketball player to be selected No. 1 overall.
He was the best player in his class since he was 14. This was a moment he had been chasing for years, and he got better along the way. pic.twitter.com/ugT9ITd2NP
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) June 24, 2026
OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL 😈 #ForTheDistrict | @AJ_Dybantsa pic.twitter.com/YaOyAI48Ji
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) June 24, 2026
WITH THE FIRST PICK IN THE 2026 NBA DRAFT
THE WASHINGTON WIZARDS SELECT
ANICET DYBANTSA JR. ‼️ pic.twitter.com/po8oTm6B9T
— NBA (@NBA) June 24, 2026
With the 1st pick of the NBA Draft the @WashWizards select AJ Dybantsa!
The 2026 NBA Draft is LIVE on ABC & ESPN. pic.twitter.com/ONGDMv9WZ7
— NBA (@NBA) June 24, 2026
Yer a Wizard, AJ 🌟
AJ Dybantsa is heading to the District at No. 1 🔥 pic.twitter.com/42atCNr441
— ESPN (@espn) June 24, 2026
AJ Dybantsa is headed to Washington with the #1 overall pick in the NBA Draft 🚨 @AJ_Dybantsa pic.twitter.com/HnFsgcqMgX
— SLAM HS Hoops (@SLAM_HS) June 24, 2026
NUMBER ONE. pic.twitter.com/XJDFzK8dpK
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) June 24, 2026
AJ Dybantsa is headed to @WashWizards with the first pick in the @NBA Draft 🚨 pic.twitter.com/IhNM2AjxLy
— Sports (@Sports) June 24, 2026
Picture perfect moment for AJ Dybantsa 📷 pic.twitter.com/rN8zbJr3cB
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 24, 2026
AJ DYBANTSA GOES NO. 1 🧙♂️🔥
AD. Trae. AJ.
It’s up in Washington. pic.twitter.com/F1rAmF1Qb4
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 24, 2026
FIRST LOOK AJ Dybantsa as a wizard pic.twitter.com/3kwGDX31cl
— PFT Commenter (@PFTCommenter) June 24, 2026
“Dybantsa, high volume player, high usage player.” 💪@KevinOConnor reacts to AJ Dybantsa being drafted No. 1 overall to D.C. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OZWDO0DKBJ
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 24, 2026
With the 1st pick of the NBA Draft the @WashWizards select AJ Dybantsa (@AJ_Dybantsa)!
The 2026 NBA Draft is LIVE on ABC & ESPN.
— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) June 24, 2026
The #WashingtonWizards selected AJ Dybantsa at No. 1 this year, continuing to stack up their roster with talent. He will play alongside Trae Young and Anthony Davis, and form a three-headed monster.
Will he take home the 2027 Rookie of the Year award? Or will Darryn Peterson,… pic.twitter.com/EP1eJJJxPw
— The Big Lead (@TheBigLead) June 24, 2026
Washington D.C.’s reaction to AJ Dybantsa being taken first overall by the @WashWizards. #dcsports #ajdybantsa #wizards #nba pic.twitter.com/Dst5qW8tHr
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) June 24, 2026
AJ Dybantsa led ALL of college basketball in scoring last season 🔥
Wizards got a bucket. pic.twitter.com/XYSWaBtLfj
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) June 24, 2026
🚨 THE NO. 1 PICK IS IN 🚨
AJ Dybantsa joins NBA royalty at the top of the draft 🤩#NBAonPrimeVideoPH pic.twitter.com/R3oRZ9DEgr
— NBA on Prime Video Philippines (@NBAPrimeVideoPH) June 24, 2026
WIZARDS TAKE AJ DYBANTSA #1 OVERALL 🚨 pic.twitter.com/NceGfeVcq6
— Chalkboard (@ChalkboardHQ) June 24, 2026
AJ Dybantsa goes No. 1 overall to the Wizards👀
During his freshman season at BYU:
25.5 PPG
6.8 RPGpic.twitter.com/N6UHFgnXOK— RotoWire (@RotoWire) June 24, 2026
AJ IS A WIZARD 🪄
Dybantsa is the 1st player to lead the NCAA in scoring and go 1st in the NBA Draft since 1994. pic.twitter.com/SEpYf7Ausp
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) June 24, 2026
With the 1st Pick of the 2026 NBA Draft…. AJ DYBANTSA is heading to Washington 👏👏#Big12MBB | @BYUMBB pic.twitter.com/zNjaL98hoS
— Big 12 Studios (@big12studios) June 24, 2026
AJ DYBANTSA IS A WIZARD AND THEY’RE GOING WILD IN WASHINGTON D.C. 🎉🎉 pic.twitter.com/rmVqL0rWuy
— SleeperWizards (@SleeperWizards) June 24, 2026
A walk to remember for AJ Dybantsa.
He’s a Wizard. pic.twitter.com/if8cCn8GIp
— Jackson Payne (@jackson5payne) June 24, 2026
#HOFSeries Alum AJ Dybantsa. 🤝 #NBADraft | #HoophallU pic.twitter.com/C19N6j4vCR
— Hall of Fame Series (@hofseries) June 24, 2026
AJ Dybantsa at BYU:
25.5 PPG
6.8 RPG
1.1 SPG
51.0 FG%What will he average as a rookie? pic.twitter.com/jv5ujz6AHz
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 24, 2026
John Wall 🤝 AJ Dybantsa
Dybantsa is the latest No. 1 pick to head to the Wizards 👏 pic.twitter.com/cFCLPn4cmN
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 24, 2026
AJ Dybantsa (BYU) A 2026 Wooden Award All American and Top 5 Finalist from BYU, AJ Dybantsa’s talent and dedication have made him one of the game’s brightest stars. Congratulations on being selected No. 1 overall by the Washington Wizards and taking the next step in your… pic.twitter.com/1ZlAaGJdxU
— John R. Wooden Award (@WoodenAward) June 24, 2026
Congratulations to AJ Dybantsa on being selected No. 1 overall by the @WashWizards in the @NBADraft 🏀
Dybantsa was a finalist for our 2026 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Men’s College POY. @jerseymikes | @BYUMBB | @AJ_Dybantsa pic.twitter.com/hzAQSOiHzc
— Naismith Awards (@NaismithTrophy) June 24, 2026
Oakland Soldiers alum AJ Dybantsa has been selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft 🏀@Soldiers_Salute ➡️ @NBADraft #NBADraft #EYBL @AJ_Dybantsa pic.twitter.com/lJWT0D4Fps
— The Circuit (@TheCircuit) June 24, 2026
AJ DYBANTSA TO THE WASHINGTON WIZARDS AHHHHHHHH 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/Z8pinO7KGQ
— Overtime (@overtime) June 24, 2026
Congrats to AJ Dybantsa who was just selected #1 overall by the Washington Wizards! pic.twitter.com/fCMAu3uhwN
— Grind Session (@thegrindsession) June 24, 2026
1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, BYU#2026NBADraft pic.twitter.com/62Y1tcdu9T
— RealGM (@RealGM) June 24, 2026
THE WASHINGTON WIZARDS SELECT AJ DYBANTSA WITH THE NO. 1 PICK IN THE 2026 NBA DRAFT 🪄🔥
The BYU star is heading to the District 👏 pic.twitter.com/cvcIHS0W34
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 24, 2026
AJ Dybantsa is headed to DC 🤩
BYU’s superstar freshman goes first overall in the 2026 #NBADraft 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OGgFv0Lm1K
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) June 24, 2026
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSL and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
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