Latest news with #Cristobal
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Miami Football Preview 2025: Can Mario Cristobal's Hurricanes Win Everything?
X CFN, Fiu | CFN Facebook | Bluesky Fiu, CFNMiami Offense BreakdownMiami Defense Breakdown Season Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season Can Mario Cristobal finally become a College Football Playoff head coach?Everyone likes to dog the coaches who "can't win the big one" - James Franklin has, ridiculously, been a regular in that discussion. Even more insane is that Ryan Day is, in some circles, still in that mix when it comes to Michigan. But to get to the "big one," you have to beat everyone 13 full seasons as a head coach at FIU, Oregon, and Miami, Cristobal has been underappreciated as a builder of programs. It's lost in history, but Oregon went 11-14 before Cristobal turned everything back around. The Ducks went 35-12 with two Pac-12 Championships and another appearance in his four seasons. But there was always the one strange loss that messed everything 2021, it was to a 3-9 Stanford. In 2019, it was against a mediocre Arizona State. In 2018, it was at now at Miami, he's done a wonderful job of recruiting and developing talent. It took two seasons to push past the mediocrity and into a 2024 season that should've finished with an ACC Championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff, but … Syracuse 42, Miami 38. And just like that, it was all Ward pulled a few games out of the fire, the Hurricanes caught a whopper of a break to survive Virginia Tech, and they finished the season No. 1 in total and scoring offense, but it wasn't enough thanks to that date in year's team might be too good to let that happen talent level remains as strong as any in the ACC, the depth is strong, and Cristobal has the program humming. This is when the payoff should be coming, but the Hurricanes need to be amazing again on …Miami Offense BreakdownMiami Defense BreakdownSeason Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season © 2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
Miami Herald
19-05-2025
- Miami Herald
‘She is not a criminal,' says mother of college student in ICE detention
DALTON, Georgia - Ndahitha Cristobal was cleaning an office on May 5 to provide for her three daughters because, weeks earlier, her contractor husband had been arrested for a traffic violation and placed into immigration detention. Cristobal's oldest daughter, 19-year-old Ximena Arias-Cristobal, a Dalton State College student, told her she would swing by the office to help her clean ahead of a study date later in the day. "But Ximena never got there," Cristobal told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in Spanish during an interview in her home last week. While driving to meet her mother, Ximena was pulled over and arrested by a Dalton police officer who mistakenly believed she had made an illegal turn at a red light. Like both of her parents, Ximena is living in the country without legal status after the family moved to Dalton from Mexico 15 years ago, when she was 4 years old. Cristobal said she saw the arrest unfold in the office building's parking lot. "It hurts so much to see your daughter be handcuffed," she said. "As a mom, I wanted to run out and say: 'Hey, don't take her away.' But I couldn't. "I couldn't because I have two other girls at home (ages 12 and 9). And if I had gone down and said something, maybe they would have said: 'Well, you're coming with us.'" Shortly afterward, Cristobal went to the Whitfield County Jail to pay Ximena's traffic tickets, but she soon realized police were not going to let her daughter go. They had already contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "I was waiting for her outside, but she wasn't coming out. She called me crying and said: 'Mom, immigration is coming to take me.'" Once she entered ICE custody, Ximena was transferred to the Stewart Detention Center, a sprawling immigrant jail in South Georgiathat holds the second most detainees of any facility in the country. There, she joined her father, Jose Francisco Arias-Tovar. Like his daughter, Arias-Tovar was sent to ICE detention following a traffic stop in Whitfield County. Police arrested him for speeding. "I was still trying to come to terms with what happened to my husband, and then all of a sudden, Ximena," Cristobal said. "It was like a bomb going off for me." News of Ximena's arrest spread fast and wide, sparking national headlines and several rounds of protests in this majority Hispanic town in the northwest corner of the state. Outrage grew further following a Dalton police news conference Tuesday, where local authorities announced Ximena had been mistakenly pulled over and that they were dropping all charges against her. But that development does not affect the college student's status as an ICE detainee. "Because of one person's mistake, someone like Ximena can lose the life they had here," Cristobal said. She added that she felt angry and sad when she heard the police's statement, but not surprised. Ximena knew the risks of getting behind the wheel as an immigrant who lacked legal status and was careful, she said. "She was very cautious. She always put her phone on silent," Cristobal said. "We would tell her, 'Ximena, please, you know you're not supposed to drive.' And it wasn't because she wanted to do it, it was out of necessity, to get to school. "Most times friends would give her rides, but sometimes that couldn't happen and she had to drive." More Dalton residents picked up for deportation America Gruner is a longtime Dalton immigrant community advocate and president of the Coalition of Latino Leaders, a local Hispanic-serving nonprofit. She said arrests like Ximena's happen on a recurring basis in Dalton, even if most don't generate the same level of attention. "We receive calls almost every day about similar situations, from people who have been in Dalton for 30, 35 years, with children born here, and because of a traffic violation, they are now in a detention center or have been deported," she said. "In (Ximena's) case, what she has done is to draw attention to people who were not familiar with this type of situation, and they have given them visibility at a state level and national, right? "But, as I say, unfortunately, it is not the only case." Gruner explained ICE has not had to be physically present in Dalton this year for city residents to face deportation. Instead, a long-standing partnership between local law enforcement and federal immigration agents means that anyone without lawful status who is booked in Whitfield County Jail is flagged for ICE pickup. According to Gruner, most immigrants who are living in the Dalton area illegally wind up on ICE's radar because of traffic violations. "They stop people and tell them that were going too fast, or that they drove through a stop sign. But how do we really know if that's true or not?" Gruner said, referencing the police error that led to Ximena being pulled over. According to the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office, ICE lodged 98 "detainers," or requests to pick up immigrants arrested in the county, from January through March, up from 30 detainers sent from October through December 2024. To lower community members' exposure to detention and deportation, Gruner's nonprofit operates a long-running initiative dubbed Ruta de la Libertad, or Freedom Road, which organizes a network of volunteers with driver's licenses to give rides to people without status. The organization also has been distributing flyers asking immigrant residents to avoid getting behind the wheel. "A lot of people think that us telling people to not drive without a license means we are giving up. But we see it as the opposite," Gruner said. "Right now, they have the power to detain us if we don't have licenses. We take that power away from them if we don't put ourselves in that situation." Like Gruner, state Rep. Kasey Carpenter, a Republican from Dalton, says he gets multiple calls from constituents every week about ICE detention. He said he would like to see federal immigration policy address both border security and the needs of families like Ximena's, who don't currently have a clear pathway to legal residency. "Secure the borders, everybody's cool with that," Carpenter said. "Get the criminals out of here. Nobody's got heartburn with that. But let's figure out what we are going to do with the rest of these people. Because the economy can't handle hauling all these people off." Ximena, he said, "is not supposed to be without a license. I get that. And I'm not trying to downplay the reality of that, but I also know you got limited resources to detain and deport people. Let's focus our attention on the hardened criminals." Carpenter's views on immigration can make him a target of criticism in his district. Whitfield County is both heavily Hispanic and heavily conservative. He says he is used to it. "There's always flak but, I mean, it's the right thing to do," he said. "I can't be a Christian on Sunday and then haul a Christian off on Monday." Dalton's more high-profile Republican representative, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, offered a different perspective on Ximena's case. "While local Dalton officials dropped her charges, the facts remain: she was driving illegally without a license and has no legal basis to remain in the United States," Greene said in a statement. "Today, there are currently 1.6 million American citizens living and thriving in Mexico legally," Greene's statement says. "But if I moved to Mexico illegally with my children when they were young, Mexican authorities would enforce their laws. I would be arrested and deported. That's how sovereignty and the rule of law work." In a statement, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security echoed Greene: "Both father and daughter were in this country illegally and they have to face consequences … (They) will be able to return to Mexico together." 'She is not a criminal' According to Cristobal, her family moved to Dalton in 2010 because her brother had already settled in the area. That timeline locked Ximena out of the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which protects some undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children from deportation. To be DACA-eligible, young immigrants had to have lived continuously in the U.S. since 2007. Cristobal's husband got his start working odd jobs, then launched his own construction company. Ximena studies business administration at Dalton State and had hopes of teaming up with her father to help grow his company. She planned to get a real estate license and help sell the houses her father built. "Ximena would ask her father, 'Dad, do you think I can do it?' And he would say, 'Xime, for you, the sky's the limit. Whatever you set out to do, you'll make it happen.'" Memories like those come back to Cristobal when she spends time in her daughter's bedroom, looking through photos she has there. Shortly before speaking to the AJC, the family received some good news: Ximena's father had just been granted bail, meaning he will be able to leave detention and fight his deportation case from home. Ximena will have her own bail hearing Tuesday. Although she speaks on the phone with her daughter every day, Cristobal is not sure how she is coping with the conditions in the ICE jail. Ximena doesn't share too many details, probably so that her mother doesn't worry too much, Cristobal said. She has thought about traveling to the detention facility to visit her daughter, but worries doing so could put her in danger as someone who lacks legal status. "It would scare me to go near that place," she said. "I'll tell you again, and maybe this will sound repetitive, but this is my daughter. She is not a criminal. My daughter is just a young woman filled with dreams for the future." Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
USA Today
13-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Mario Cristobal has hilarious reaction to 5-star OT Jackson Cantwell commitment
In reality, the Oregon Ducks would have rather seen a video of Dan Lanning jumping up and down, celebrating the commitment of 5-star offensive lineman Jackson Cantwell on Tuesday afternoon. However, seeing Miami Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal, the former Ducks' coach, celebrate the news that he was landing the No. 1 ranked player in the 2026 class likely caused a few smiles to crack in Eugene. Cantwell, a 6-foot-8, 325-pound OT, chose the Hurricanes over Oregon, the Ohio State Buckeyes, and the Georgia Bulldogs on Tuesday. It was a rollercoaster of a recruitment, where the Ducks, Hurricanes, and Bulldogs all realistically felt like they led at some point in the past couple of months. In the end, Cantwell called the Hurricanes on Tuesday with the good news. After the announcement, a video started circulating on social media showing Cristobal talking to Cantwell on the phone and celebrating the commitment. "Let's go!" Cristobal exclaimed with a fist pump. This is undoubtedly the biggest recruiting win for Cristobal since he's been with the Hurricanes, and arguably the biggest recruiting win of his career, at least since he landed 5-star EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux with the Ducks back in the class of 2019. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle There are reports that it was Miami's NIL deal that helped put them over the edge in landing Cantwell. On3 reported on Tuesday that they are giving the 5-star OT in excess of $2.5 million in his first year with the team, and increasing that number throughout his tenure at Miami. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
Miami Herald
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Canes land one of nation's top prep prospects. What to know about Jackson Cantwell
Five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, considered one of the top prospects in the 2026 recruiting class, said Tuesday that he will attend the University of Miami, giving the Canes one of their biggest recruiting wins of the Mario Cristobal era. Cantwell -- who announced his commitment at a news conference at Nixa (Missouri) High -- visited Georgia over the weekend after previous visits to UM, Oregon and Ohio State. Those four schools were considered the finalists and had their hats on the table when Cantwell made his decision in the Nixa High gymnasium on Tuesday. Ducks coaches reportedly came to his high school to meet with him again on Monday. But UM won out after a persistent push in which they emphasized how Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal have developed offensive linemen into polished prospects and NFL players. That includes three-time Pro Bowl tackle Penei Sewell of the Detroit Lions. 'Relationships won in the end,' Cantwell said. UM's NIL offer also clearly helped. Pete Nakos said last week that UM offered Cantwell an NIL deal that would pay him $2 million as a freshman. His NIL deal was negotiated by South Florida-based Rosenhaus Sports. 'It's a blessing to get paid the game I love,' Cantwell said. 'I'm excited I get to earn money in college and the NFL.' Cantwell can sign with UM no earlier than mid-December and Cantwell said he will sign during that 'earlier' window. The current commitment is non-binding. 'I know coach Mirabal and coach Cristobal have spent so much time recruiting me over the past year,' he said. 'They've texted me every day. Talked so much about offensive line development. Their history with guys like Penei Sewell, Francis Mauogia, it's a place I can develop and be something great. I like Coral Gables, love the university a lot. 'You know you are going to be developed by the best out there. You look at the track records there. Coach Cristobal has turned every program he has been at into a winner. They will only keep getting better.' He said he decided in the past two days, on a flight home from Atlanta after his Georgia Bulldogs visit. He plans to enroll at UM in December. Cantwell, who is 6-7 and 325 pounds, is rated the nation's No. 2 overall Class of 2026 prospect by and the No. 3 prospect by ESPN and 247 Sports. He began his high school career at tight end before moving to offensive tackle. 247 Sports scouting analyst Gabe Brooks assessed him this way: 'Tall, big-framed offensive tackle prospect with a stellar athletic profile and pedigree who's an advanced mover at this stage of development. Quick off the ball and flashes hand violence and POA power. Bounce in his step and plays with active feet. Capable bender who gets hips involved. Further ahead as a run blocker than in pass protection, but displays encouraging footwork in the latter with immense potential in that category. 'More catcher than puncher in pass pro, but strength is there and power capacity is possibly limitless. Missouri state champion in shot put and discus, Nike Outdoor Nationals competitor. Rare multi-sport profile and genetic background (son of two former Olympics throws athletes). Can get more consistent use of length/extension. May ultimately possess a higher ceiling on the right side. Projects as a high-major multi-year starter with outstanding physical tools and athletic/genetic profile that suggests long-term early-round NFL Draft potential.' Besides Oregon and Georgia and Ohio State, Cantwell previously considered Michigan and Missouri. analyst Charles Power said Cantwell 'moves well laterally and plays with a good anchor. Has deep athletic bloodlines with both parents being Olympic track and field athletes as throwers' Cantwell is a multi-sport athlete who also excelled in track. In football, he was Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year in 2024 and a finalist for the Gatorade National Player of the Year. He had 158 pancake blocks last season, per In track, he was named Gatorade Missouri Boys Track & Field Player of the Year. He was a two-time Missouri Class 5A state champion in the shot put. He owns a personal-best 74-9.75 effort in the shot put – which is the national high school record for a sophomore – and a 205-4 in the discus. Cantwell said he's unsure if he will participate in track at UM. 'Not only has he dominated on the field, he has represented our school, community and family very well,' said his high school coach John Perry. 'He turned out to be something special. He has worked as hard as anyone in this school district.' Former UM elite offensive linemen Bryant McKinnie and Vernon Carey were among those who lobbied Cantwell to join UM, on social media, in recent days. This marks the third time during Cristobal's three-plus year UM tenure that he has landed recruits ranked among the top three offensive linemen in the country. He previously snagged Francis Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola, who were both top-three offensive line recruits in 2023. Mauigoa has started for UM at right tackle for two years; Okunlola is competing for playing time. The Canes entered Tuesday with the No. 11 ranked recruiting class for 2026, according to 247 Sports' composite rankings, and Cantwell's commitment is expected to jump UM into the top 10. UM has seven four-star commitments and two three-star commitments. UM's nine non-binding commitments so far are Miami Northwestern linebacker Jordan Campbell, Seffner Armwood cornerback Jaelan Waters, Jonesboro, Ga.-based cornerback Jontavius Wyman, Charlotte, N.C.-based cornerback Camdin Portis, Lakeland Jones High quarterback Dereon Coleman, West Boca High running back Javian Mallory, Ohio-based offensive tackle Ben Congdon, Fort Myers High interior lineman Joel Ervin and Jacksonville-based interior lineman J.J. Sparks.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Will hurricane season start early this year? Recent trends suggest yes
Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, but Mother Nature does not always follow that calendar – and it looks like this year could also defy the timeline. In recent days, some forecasting models have hinted at the possibility of a head start to the 2025 season, showing the potential for storm development—specifically in the western Caribbean where conditions appear more favorable. In seven of the last 10 years, at least one named storm has formed before June 1. For comparison, there were only three years with early named storms from 2005 to 2014. After six years of storms forming early, the National Hurricane Center decided in 2021 to start issuing tropical weather outlooks beginning May 15—two weeks earlier than previously done. Some years have even seen multiple prior to the season's start. There were two ahead-of-schedule named storms in 2012, 2016 and 2020 – and 2020 nearly had three, with Tropical Storm Cristobal forming on June 1. When a hurricane season starts early, it doesn't necessarily mean there will be more storms. But there could be cause for concern this year, as the season's poised to be a busy one, with an above-average 17 named storms predicted, according to hurricane researchers at Colorado State University. Early activity has largely been thanks to unusually warm waters in the Atlantic, Caribbean or Gulf basins during the spring. It's a trend meteorologists and climate scientists have been watching for years. As our climate continues to warm, so do the oceans, which absorb 90% of the world's surplus heat. That can have a ripple effect on tropical systems around the globe. Warm water acts as fuel for hurricanes, providing heat and moisture that rises into the storm, strengthening it. CNN Weather The hotter the water, the more energy available to power the hurricane's growth. And a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, which in turn means more fuel for the tropical systems to pull from. Sea surface temperatures are already incredibly warm for this time of year, especially in the Gulf and southern Caribbean. This means any system passing through those regions could take advantage if other atmospheric conditions are favorable and develop into an early named storm. In the Caribbean, water temperatures are among some of the warmest on record for early May, and more in line with temperatures found in late June and July. The green area is where most tropical systems originate on the front end of Atlantic hurricane season. - CNN Weather The Eastern Pacific hurricane season has also seen some preseason activity in recent years, though not as frequent as the Atlantic. Part of the reason is because the Eastern Pacific season begins two weeks earlier, on May 15. In the last 20 years, the Eastern Pacific basin has only had three named tropical systems prior to that date—Andreas in 2021, Adrian in 2017 and Aletta in 2012. Another reason is the relationship between the two basins and storm formation. Generally, when the Atlantic basin is more active, the Pacific is less so due to a number of factors, including El Niño and La Niña. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at
