News

Connecticut high school wrestling teams will compete in the CIAC Divisional Class Wrestling Tournaments February 20-21, with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the CIAC State Open & Girls’ Championship Wrestling Tournaments the following week.

The divisional tournaments, held across four locations, are the first step in determining state champions. Class LL will be hosted at Trumbull High School, Class L at Wilton High School, Class M at Guilford High School, and Class S at Killingly High School. Competition begins Friday afternoon and continues through Saturday, culminating in championship finals.

The CIAC structures wrestling competition based on high school enrollment, using figures from the 2024-2025 school year. Class LL is for schools with 697 students or more, Class L for schools with 524-696 students, Class M for schools with 364-523 students, and Class S for schools with 363 students or fewer. The top six finishers in each weight class at the divisional meets will advance to the State Open and Girls’ Championship Tournaments, scheduled for February 27-March 2 at Hillhouse High School in New Haven.

The four divisional champions will be seeded based on state seeding placement points and criteria, with brackets determined by their placement. All divisional events, along with the State Open and Girls’ Championship Tournaments, will be broadcast live on FloWrestling and the FloSports app, with archived footage available to subscribers.

Girls wrestling is integrated into the high school system in Connecticut, with female athletes competing as members of their school’s wrestling teams and eligible to participate in the divisional tournaments. Girls who place in the top six at divisionals have the option to compete in either the CIAC State Open or the Girls’ Invitational Tournament, but not both. Entry into the girls-only state event is determined by past tournament performance, placement at this year’s divisional meets, or by defeating a previous state champion or divisional placer. Teams are limited to one girl per weight class at the state invitational.

Boys’ weight classes are: 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 144, 150, 157, 165, 175, 190, 215, and 285. Girls’ weight classes are: 100, 107, 114, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 165, 185, 235, and 285.

This year’s CIAC tournaments are dedicated to Steve Merlino, the recently retired chair of the CIAC Wrestling committee and a recent inductee into the New England Wrestling Hall of Fame, in recognition of his contributions to the sport, including his advocacy for girls’ wrestling and wrestler safety.

USAA is currently hiring for a Quality Assurance Advisor I – Quality Automation, a role focused on maintaining high standards within the financial services organization. This opening comes as USAA embarks on a significant five-year, $500 million initiative, “Honor Through Action,” designed to bolster support for the military community, focusing on careers, financial security and overall well-being. The position offers a hybrid work model, requiring four days a week in the office, and is available in Phoenix, Arizona; San Antonio, Texas; Plano, Texas; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Chesapeake, Virginia; Charlotte, North Carolina; or Tampa, Florida.

The Quality Assurance Advisor role is critical to ensuring USAA’s policies, processes, and procedures are consistently executed and compliant with both internal objectives and external regulations. This position will play a key role in delivering insights to stakeholders and recommending improvements. USAA’s commitment to the military community extends beyond financial products and services, aiming to be the number one choice for service members, veterans, and their families, and this role contributes directly to that mission.

Responsibilities and Required Skills

The Quality Assurance Advisor I will be responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining quality assurance programs. This includes delivering assessments, recommending improvements, and developing training materials to ensure compliance and alignment with company strategy. The role also involves analyzing data, partnering with peers to identify business solutions, and maintaining quality management governance standards, such as key performance indicators (KPIs). Candidates should demonstrate critical thinking skills and the ability to influence through subject matter expertise.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, or four years of related experience can be substituted for a degree (eight years in lieu of a degree). Four years of progressive operations or process experience in the financial services, insurance, or a relevant industry is also required. A strong proficiency in SQL development for data extraction, manipulation, and analysis is considered a key asset. Experience in process improvement and leading projects is highly valued, with Lean Six Sigma certifications being a plus.

Technical Expertise and Communication Skills

Beyond technical skills, the position demands excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal abilities, with the capacity to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences. Successful candidates will be able to work independently, proactively solve problems, and manage multiple tasks with a high degree of organization, and accuracy. Experience with call transcription, quality assurance, and insurance quality standards is preferred, as is familiarity with automated detection of quality standards for call transcripts. Proficiency in data visualization tools like Tableau or PowerPoint is also highly desirable.

USAA emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision-making, and the ideal candidate will have experience defining, tracking, and reporting on KPIs to measure business performance and the effectiveness of quality assurance processes. The ability to utilize effective keyword search strategies and leverage data visualization tools to interpret and present data insights is crucial.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for the Quality Assurance Advisor I position is $69,920 to $133,620, with actual compensation varying based on experience and location. Employees may also be eligible for pay incentives based on corporate and individual performance, as determined by the USAA Board of Directors.

USAA offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, a 401(k) and pension plan, life insurance, parental benefits, adoption assistance, paid time off (including 16 paid volunteer hours), and various wellness programs. The company also prioritizes career path planning and continuing education to support employee professional goals. More details on benefits are available on the USAAjobs.com benefits page.

USAA does not provide visa sponsorship for this role, and applicants who may require immigration support in the future are discouraged from applying.

The application process is ongoing, and the posting will remain open until the position is filled, encouraging interested candidates to apply promptly. USAA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to providing consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

As USAA continues its “Honor Through Action” commitment, investing $500 million over five years to support the military community, roles like this Quality Assurance Advisor are vital to ensuring the organization delivers on its promises of financial security and well-being. The next steps for USAA will involve continued collaboration with partners across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to create measurable change for veterans and their families.

What are your thoughts on USAA’s commitment to the military community? Share your perspective in the comments below.

TEMPE – As the Arizona State Sun Devils (13-12, 4-8 Substantial 12) navigate a critical stretch of their season, head coach Bobby Hurley has announced the starting lineup for Tuesday night’s matchup against the No. 13 Texas Tech Red Raiders (19-6, 9-3) at Desert Financial Arena. With only six regular-season games remaining, this contest carries significant weight for the Sun Devils as they strive to improve their standing in the Big 12 Conference.

Arizona State returns to action after a week off following a February 10th defeat of Oklahoma State, while Texas Tech is coming off a significant road victory over Arizona on Saturday. The Sun Devils face an uphill battle, compounded by the likely absence of Bryce Ford, a development that further constricts their already limited rotation.

The starting five for Arizona State will consist of senior point guard Frankie Odum, guard Jamiya Neeusen, forward Santiago Trouet, guard Shawn Grbovic and center Massamba Diop. This lineup aims to provide a balance of scoring, playmaking, and size against a formidable Texas Tech squad.

Odum, a consistent force for the Sun Devils, leads the team in scoring, assists, and steals, having started every game this season. Neeusen will be making his fourth career start, offering a different matchup for Texas Tech’s starting unit compared to Anthony “Pig” Johnson. Trouet is looking to build on his best performance of the season, where he recorded 16 points and 10 rebounds against Oklahoma State, a performance that proved pivotal in the win. Grbovic, starting his 20th game of the campaign, will be relied upon for timely shooting, while Diop is expected to be a key presence in the paint, having performed well in previous matchups against Arizona.

The Sun Devils anticipate utilizing two primary bench players – guard Anthony “Pig” Johnson and forward Allen Mukeba – with guard Trevor Best potentially seeing limited minutes. The team will necessitate contributions from its reserves to withstand the challenge posed by the Red Raiders.

Key Players to Watch

Frankie Odum’s leadership and scoring ability will be crucial for Arizona State. He has been the engine driving the Sun Devils’ offense throughout the season. As reported by Arizona Sports, Hurley is focused on the present, despite questions surrounding his future with the program. Santiago Trouet’s recent performance suggests he is finding his rhythm, and his rebounding prowess will be vital against Texas Tech’s size. Massamba Diop will be tasked with containing Texas Tech’s frontcourt and protecting the rim.

Texas Tech’s Momentum

Texas Tech enters the game with momentum following their impressive victory over Arizona. The Red Raiders boast a strong record of 19-6 overall and 9-3 in Big 12 play, establishing themselves as a contender in the conference. Big News Network notes that Texas Tech is a strong opponent for Arizona State.

Game Details

Arizona State and Texas Tech are scheduled to tip off shortly after 9:00 P.M. MST at Desert Financial Arena. The game will be a significant test for the Sun Devils as they attempt to secure a much-needed victory and improve their position in the Big 12 standings.

The outcome of this game could have significant implications for Arizona State’s postseason aspirations. A win against a ranked opponent like Texas Tech would provide a boost to their NCAA Tournament resume, while a loss would further complicate their path to March Madness. The Athletic reported on February 17, 2026, that Bobby Hurley’s contract is set to expire at the end of June, adding another layer of pressure to the team’s performance.

Looking ahead, the Sun Devils will need to maintain a consistent level of play and capitalize on their remaining opportunities to secure a favorable seed in the Big 12 Tournament. The team’s ability to overcome adversity and execute their game plan will be crucial as they navigate the final stretch of the season.

Share your thoughts on the upcoming game and Arizona State’s chances in the comments below. Don’t forget to share this article with fellow Sun Devil fans!