Miles Hayford

Sports Editor

Miles Hayford '27 is a Communications Fellow studying journalism with a minor in sport management. Hayford currently serves as the Sports Editor. Hayford has an interest in all areas of journalism, but is especially passionate about sports journalism and political reporting. Find his best work on his portfolio.

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Recent Articles

SPORTS 4/18/25 10:13am

$6.6 billion bet in first year of legalized sports betting in North Carolina

By Miles Hayford

It’s been 13 months since sports betting was legalized in North Carolina, and the inaugural year was a success for the state and betting operators but led to an increase in gambling addiction. A total of $6.6 billion in bets were placed in the first year, with players winning more than $5.85 billion. The eight authorized sports betting operators — Underdog Sports Wagering, BETMGM, ESPN Bet, Draft Kings, bet365, Fanatics Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook and Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise — made more than $713 million in the first year and the state received $128 million in tax revenue.

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NEWS 4/16/25 9:09am

Contested ballots threaten to overturn North Carolina Supreme Court election

By Miles Hayford

North Carolinians are still talking about who might win in the race for the highest state court. North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs, a Democrat, was elected in November 2024, but her seat is still being contested by her opponent in the 2024 election, Republican Jefferson Griffin, after Riggs won by 734 votes after two recounts. Griffin challenged the ballots in November and claimed that 65,782 ballots should not be included in the election results because they failed to follow state law. This is the only statewide race from the November 2024 election that remains uncertified.

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SPORTS 4/15/25 7:41pm

Elon University men’s basketball lands two transfer guards

By Miles Hayford

After losing two of its best offensive players in TK and TJ Simpkins to the transfer portal, Elon University men’s basketball has finally made its first move in the portal. Bryson Cokley, a transfer from George Mason University and Randall Petus II, who played at Northern Kentucky University last year. Acquiring guard play was a crucial need for the Phoenix as it lost two of their best guards in the Simpkins brothers and potentially losing sophomore Nick Dorn who has also recently entered the transfer portal. 

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SPORTS 4/12/25 7:05pm

Elon University men’s basketball star transfers to Seton Hall University

By Miles Hayford

Elon men’s basketball’s star TJ Simpkins is transferring to Seton Hall University, according to an announcement on social media April 12. Simpkins was a key aspect of Elon’s offense as he averaged 14.6 points per game with the third most total points on the team. He had an average of 3.8 rebounds per game and the second most total assists with 85. He led the team in steals with 45 and added 11 blocks on the season. Simpkins was impressive against Power Four opponents this year, scoring 18 against North Carolina and 16 against Notre Dame.

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SPORTS 4/9/25 8:51pm

Elon University men’s basketball star guard transfers to University of Oregon

By Miles Hayford

Elon men’s basketball’s leading scorer in points per game from last season TK Simpkins is transferring to the University of Oregon. Simpkins announced on social media on April 9 that he is transferring. Simpkins was instrumental for the Phoenix this year as he made the All-CAA Second Team by leading the team in points with an average of 16.4 points per game. He was second on the team in 3-pointers with 58 and was third in assists with 70. He shot 36.7% from beyond the arc and 42.3% from the field.

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SPORTS 4/8/25 10:58pm

Elon baseball falls to top-ranked North Carolina in thrilling, high-scoring game

By Miles Hayford

Elon baseball fell just short of upsetting North Carolina in a high-scoring affair as it lost 12-10 on April 8. It was a grueling, three and half hour affair that saw multiple lead changes throughout the back-and-forth game. It was the second year in a row where Elon lost to North Carolina by two or less runs. Elon hasn’t beaten the Tar Heels since 2010. But Elon put up a valiant effort against the 16th ranked team in the country and one of the best pitching staffs in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

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SPORTS 4/4/25 9:07pm

Elon University softball beats Charleston in extra innings in top-ranked CAA clash

By Miles Hayford

Elon University softball defeated the College of Charleston 3-2 in an extra innings, walk-off thriller in a battle of the Coastal Athletic Association’s best. The two teams entered the game tied for first place in the CAA as they both boasted a 9-3 conference record, but it was Elon who came out on top after nine grueling innings of play that almost lasted three hours.  Both teams strangely mirrored each other in the first inning with a flurry of baserunners getting on base, but few runs were actually scored. Charleston started the game off hot with a leadoff double, followed by a walk. Sophomore pitcher Lia Miller looked shaky early on, triggering a mound visit from her coaches and her catches, hoping to settle her down and prevent any further damage. After getting one out, Miller walked another, loading the bases. Charleston drove one run in, but Miller got out of the jam, stranding two runners. 

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NEWS 4/4/25 2:24pm

Gov. Josh Stein’s first 100 days: Cautious and relief-focused

By Miles Hayford

As Gov. Josh Stein’s first 100 days in office come to a close, his administration has focused on three key areas: Hurricane Helene recovery, a two-year budget proposal and cautiously navigating a Republican-dominated North Carolina General Assembly. Stein released a budget proposal March 19, which is a recommended budget that the General Assembly will take into consideration before passing the budget themselves. After two years of a Republican supermajority, the General Assembly is heavily controlled by the GOP. Republicans currently hold a 30-20 advantage in the Senate and a 71-49 advantage in the House.

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SPORTS 4/2/25 9:40pm

Elon University women’s basketball leading scorer transfers to Wake Forest

By Miles Hayford

Elon University women’s basketball star Raven Preston announced on social media April 2 that she is transferring to Wake Forest for the 2025-26 season. Preston, a redshirt sophomore, led the team in scoring this season with 12.3 points per game and also led the team’s effort on the glass with a team-high 8.7 rebounds per game. She was also first in steals and second in assists. Freshman Alyssa Ervin announced on March 31 she will be transferring to Furman next season. Redshirt freshman Ava Leroux and juniors Regina Walton and Hannah Dereje have entered the transfer portal.

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SPORTS 3/30/25 6:37pm

Elon football stars hope to play in the NFL

By Miles Hayford

Six players including Chandler Brayboy and Kevin Burkett have declared for the NFL Draft and are hoping to make an NFL roster next season. Burkett excelled in his final year at Elon, earning first team All-CAA honors and being ranked by Pro Football Focus as the top pass protecting offensive lineman in all of FCS Football. Wide receiver and kick returner Chandler Brayboy also has his sights set on the NFL. Nationally recognized, he earned Second Team All-American honors from the Associated Press and was named the Phil Steele FCS Special Teams Player of the Year. 

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SPORTS 3/29/25 5:22pm

Elon University lacrosse holds off Campbell for 13-10 Senior Day win

By Miles Hayford

Despite a late comeback by Campbell, the Elon University lacrosse team held on to secure a 13-10 Senior Day victory, thanks to hat tricks from both freshman Lillian Austin and redshirt sophomore Ana Lee Vandiver. The win continued a 7-game conference win streak dating back to last season for Elon, the longest in program history. The Phoenix moves to 3-0 in conference play and remain atop the Coastal Athletic Association standings alongside Drexel and Stony Brook. Elon plays next at Delaware on April 4.

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SPORTS 3/28/25 4:04pm

9 Elon University men’s basketball players enter transfer portal, only two scholarship players left on roster

By Miles Hayford

Despite coming off one of their best seasons in years, Elon’s men’s basketball team has seen a flurry of activity in the transfer portal with nine players entering the portal since it opened March 24, leaving only two scholarship players on the roster. Junior TK Simpkins, sophomore TJ Simpkins, graduate student Matthew Van Komen and sophomore Nick Dorn have officially entered the transfer portal. Redshirt sophomore Andrew King, junior Jameel Rideout, redshirt freshman Brayden Crump, junior Deandre Smart and sophomore Kendall Campbell announced on social media that they have all also entered the transfer portal.

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SPORTS 3/25/25 6:19pm

6 Elon University men’s basketball stars enter the transfer portal

By Miles Hayford

Elon men’s basketball’s star duo, junior TK Simpkins and sophomore TJ Simpkins, have officially entered the transfer portal, and sophomore Nick Dorn is reportedly entering the transfer portal, he told the recruiting database On3. Both redshirt sophomore Andrew King and junior Deandre Smart announced on social media on March 25 that they have also entered the transfer portal. Entering the portal does not guarantee that they will leave Elon, but it would grant a release so that other schools are allowed to contact them about playing for other teams next season. 

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SPORTS 3/21/25 3:13pm

Art of the draw: Elon Lacrosse draw specialist poised for sophomore leap

By Miles Hayford

Elon Women's Lacrosse draw specialist MJ Santa Barbara is coming off a spectacular freshman campaign where she was one of the best draw specialists in the country. She was named the Coastal Athletic Association Rookie of the Year after breaking school and conference records with 151 draw controls on the season. She also broke Elon’s single-game draw control record with 15. She was ranked seventh in the country with 8.88 draw controls per game — which was the highest average for a freshman in the country. She was recently named an honorable mention preseason All-American.

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SPORTS 3/16/25 9:51pm

Elon University men’s basketball star brothers reportedly plan to enter the transfer portal

By Miles Hayford

Elon men’s basketball twin brothers TK and TJ Simpkins reportedly plan to enter the transfer portal, sources told the recruiting database On3. If the twin brothers were to leave Elon, the Phoenix would be losing a significant part of its offense as the two of them made up for almost 37% of Elon’s points this season. This is the first time either player has entered the portal since joining Elon, however both players transferred from Northwest Florida State College to Elon using the transfer portal. TJ transferred last offseason and TK joined Elon after the 2022-23 season.

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SPORTS 3/16/25 4:23am

Track & field transfers aim to break records, capitalize on Elon education

By Miles Hayford

After competing at Catawba College from 2021-24, Mikayla Jones was ready for something new. While looking for universities in North Carolina to transfer to, she discovered Elon University’s data analytics program and masters’ program and decided to take a visit to the campus and meet the coaches. Similarly, Arianna Alexander — a sprinter — was looking for a program to transfer to after spending five years at California State Northridge. Despite Elon offering her a full ride scholarship for her athletic ability, Elon’s academics is what really stood out to her and attracted to the university.

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SPORTS 3/15/25 9:51pm

Baseball looks to bounce back from 2024 season, rely on offensive weapons

By Miles Hayford

After starting the season in College Station against the No. 1 ranked team in the country in Texas A&M, the Elon baseball team is ready to compete for a regular season championship. The team has gotten off to a 5-6 start to the season after bouncing back from the A&M series in a big way by beating Presbyterian 16-3, and head coach Mike Kennedy has been impressed with what he’s seen so far. Elon’s strength lies in its offense and ability to score runs from the top of its lineup, led by seniors Charlie Granatell and Kenny Mallory Jr. Granatel.

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SPORTS 3/8/25 3:11pm

Elon University men’s basketball loses to Drexel in CAA Tournament, 23 point halftime deficit too much to overcome

By Miles Hayford

Despite one of its best regular seasons in years, the Elon University men’s basketball season ended early as it lost to Drexel in the second round of the CAA Tournament 91-74 where the Drexel Dragons dominated from opening tip off. Elon was coming off a 3-game losing streak amid the absence of two of its top three scorers this season in sophomores Nick Dorn and TJ Simpkins. Simpkins, sporting an ankle brace, made his return against Drexel, hoping to provide a spark to Elon. 

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SPORTS 2/27/25 10:56am

Former softball star returns to Elon in new role

By Miles Hayford

Carley Davis was getting ready for her final season of college softball last January, but bigger things were on her mind. She was thinking about life after her collegiate experience at Elon University. She was looking to become a graduate assistant coach and was exploring different opportunities at schools across North Carolina. She had been discussing her plans with Elon head coach Kathy Bocock throughout the entire process, and when the opportunity to stay at Elon after her final season presented itself, the choice was obvious.

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SPORTS 2/22/25 10:45pm

Elon University men’s basketball falls short in final home game, loses to William & Mary

By Miles Hayford

Despite almost coming back late in the second half, Elon University men’s basketball team fell just short in its final home game of the season, losing 79-70 to William & Mary. An 23-3 run going into the half for the Tribe proved too much to come back, despite Elon’s attempt to claw back late in the game. “Certainly, a lot of things that we could have done better, but in terms of our competitiveness, our fight, our defense in the second half, I was really pleased and hopeful for things to come,” said head coach Billy Taylor.

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