Rochester's Alyssa Ustby selected for prestigious engagement group at North Carolina
Sep. 11—ROCHESTER — Rochester's Alyssa Ustby, who plays women's basketball for the University of North Carolina, has been selected as the Atlantic Coast Conference's representative to the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Student-Athlete Engagement Group.
Ustby, a Lourdes grad, is beginning her senior year at North Carolina. She is joining a group that was formed in 2020 and serves as an amplifying voice for women's basketball on key initiatives, legislation and various issues.
Ustby's term on the committee runs until June 30, 2024, and she will participate throughout the year in meetings and calls. A student-athlete from each conference is on the committee, which was formed in collaboration with the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.
"I'm excited to represent my Tar Heel family and the ACC as a member of the NCAA Women's Basketball Student-Athlete Engagement Group," Ustby said. "I am grateful for this responsibility to serve as an advocate for female athletes."
The 6-foot-1 guard/forward has excelled on and off the court at North Carolina. As a junior, she led North Carolina in rebounding (8.3 per game) and was third in scoring (13.2 points per game). She was a First-Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection in 2023 and was an honorable mention All-America selection by the WBCA.
Ustby has been named to the ACC All-Academic team in each of the past three years. She is majoring in advertising and public relations with a minor in business administration.
She is also currently taking part in the #DunkdChallenge, which is being sponsored by BSN SPORTS and is a fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
The challenge is part of a big splash leading up to National Coaches Day on Oct. 6.
The event is also a way to honor coaches nationwide for all they do for their athletes, schools and communities. The challenge features college athletes going on social media and "dunking" on one of their coaches with a bucket of water.
Ustby's dunk challenge can be seen on Instagram at:
Dunk Challenge
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Mayo senior Carson Beavers has had a change of heart about where he intends to play college baseball.
Beavers had committed to Division I Washington State University, but earlier this summer decommitted when the Cougars announced a coaching change.
The left-handed hitting outfielder recently announced his commitment to play at Division I Wichita State University. The Shockers play in the American Athletic Conference.
On a social media post, Beavers said: "God has given me the blessing to wake up everyday and play the game I love. Months ago my decision for the future was changed. God had a plan and guided me through this process.
"I would like to thank my family, friends, coaches, mentors, and anyone else who has helped me grow into the player and person I am today."
Beavers had a standout junior season at Mayo as he helped the Spartans win the Big Nine Conference title and finish as the runners-up in Section 1, Class 4A. He was named to the All-Section and All-Big Nine Conference teams as he hit .371 with six doubles, two triples, two home runs, 25 runs scored and 13 RBIs.
Beavers also helped the Rochester Redhawks earn a state tournament berth during the 2023 American Legion season this summer.
Guy N. Limbeck is a sports writer for the Post Bulletin. His Local Notebook appears each Tuesday. He can be reached at
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