🏹 July 2nd - The Chief Brief 🏹

Olympic Dreams and All-American Achievements

Welcome to The Chief Brief!

Happy Tuesday Seminole!

Here’s the docket for you today:

🍢 Morgane Metraux to Represent Switzerland at Paris Olympics 🍢
FSU's All-American golfer, Morgane Metraux, will make her Olympic debut in Paris, competing for Switzerland from August 7-10.

🍢 Alice Hodge Makes History with Fourth WCGA All-American Scholar Team Selection 🍢
Alice Hodge, FSU finance graduate, becomes the fifth player in school history to earn four WCGA All-American Scholar Team selections.

🎯 Alex Mastromanno Named Preseason First-Team All-American by Walter Camp Foundation 🎯
FSU senior punter Alex Mastromanno has been honored as a preseason first-team All-American following a stellar performance last season.

🌟 Ladarian Clardy Nears Decision with FSU Leading 🌟
Four-star defensive back Ladarian "Squirrel" Clardy plans to commit by late July or early August, with FSU currently leading in his recruitment.

🌟 Preston Ashley Shines as Mississippi State Courts Top 2026 CB Prospect 🌟
Mississippi State's new coaching staff targets cornerback Preston Ashley, with upcoming visits planned to MSU and Florida State.

🏈 Daylan McCutcheon Sets Decision Date with FSU in the Lead 🏈
Four-star wide receiver Daylan McCutcheon will announce his college decision on July 13th, with FSU currently the frontrunner.

🍢 Morgane Metraux to Represent Switzerland at Paris Olympics 🍢

Florida State women's golf All-American Morgane Metraux will make her Olympic debut in Paris, representing Switzerland in the upcoming Olympic Games from August 7-10.

A standout Seminole from 2015-18, Metraux’s decorated career includes two-time All-American, two-time All-NCAA Region, and two-time All-ACC selections.

Career Highlights:

  • Ranked 8th in FSU history with a 73.18 stroke average.

  • Holds the school record with a 12-under par total of 201 at the 2016 Schooner Fall Classic.

  • Won three individual championships during her FSU career.

Olympic Journey: Metraux, currently ranked 37th in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR), qualified as one of two representatives from Switzerland. "I'm so excited to become an Olympian. It's an honor to represent my country on the biggest stage," said Metraux.

Competition Details:

  • The tournament will take place at Le Golf National near Paris.

  • Four 18-hole stroke-play rounds.

  • Top three finishers will be awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals.

Seminole Legacy: Metraux follows in the footsteps of FSU golfers Matilda Castren and her sister Kim Metraux, who competed in Tokyo 2020.

Professional Achievements:

  • Plays on the LPGA and Ladies European Tours.

  • Won the Island Resort Championship in 2021, the Ladies Italian Open in 2022, and the Jabra Ladies Open in 2024.

🍢 Alice Hodge Makes History with Fourth WCGA All-American Scholar Team Selection 🍢

Alice Hodge, who earned her degree in finance from Florida State in May 2024, has made history by becoming the fifth player in school history to be named to the WCGA All-American Scholar Team for the fourth time.

Hodge was joined on the team by her FSU teammates Katherine Cook, Mirabel Ting, Kaylah Williams, and Lottie Woad.

Team Excellence:

  • This marks the fifth consecutive year, and seventh time in the last eight years, that at least three Seminoles have been named scholar All-Americans by the WGCA.

  • Florida State's five selections continue a streak of 11 consecutive years with at least one Seminole golfer named as a national academic standout.

Hodge’s Remarkable Academic Record:

  • Four-time Florida State Academic Dean's List honoree.

  • Four-time President's List honoree.

  • ACC Academic Honor Roll member.

  • WGCA Scholar Athlete team member four times.

  • 2022 Golden Torch Award for Academics recipient.

Hodge joins elite company, including Whitney Brummett, Kim Metraux, Morgane Metraux, and Amanda Doherty, as one of only five Seminoles to be named to the WGCA Scholar-Athlete team four times.

Teammates’ Achievements:

  • Lottie Woad (sport management) and Mirabel Ting (interior design) were named All-American Scholars for the second season.

  • Kaylah Williams (psychology) played in both the ACC and NCAA Las Vegas Regional Championships in 2024, earning her second selection.

  • Katherine Cook (hospitality and tourism management) played in a career-high five events in 2024, including her first ACC Championship, NCAA Regional, and NCAA Championship Finals.

Coach Amy Bond’s Perspective: "The WGCA Scholar-Athlete team is my most favorite team announcement of the awards season. It's the perfect combination of academic and golf success – it's where the two worlds come together. Academics is the cornerstone of our program, and we are excited to have five of our players named to this team."

Coach Bond, who was herself a WCGA Scholar Athlete in 1998, has coached 35 members of the team, including 13 in the last three seasons.

🎯 Alex Mastromanno Named Preseason First-Team All-American by Walter Camp Foundation 🎯

Florida State senior punter Alex Mastromanno has been honored as a preseason first-team All-American by the Walter Camp Foundation. This recognition follows his stellar performance last season, where he was named a second-team All-American and became FSU's first Ray Guy Award finalist.

Key Highlights:

  • Historic Achievement: Mastromanno's average of 45.5 yards per punt ranks fourth on FSU's single-season list, second in the ACC, and 15th nationally in 2023.

  • Consistent Performance: He helped FSU rank third in the nation with a net average of 43.28 yards per punt, dropping 26 punts inside the 20-yard line with only three touchbacks.

  • Impressive Stats: The Melbourne, Australia native forced fair catches on 37 of his 66 punts, including a career-high seven fair catches in the ACC Championship Game victory over No. 14 Louisville.

Memorable Games:

  • Against Clemson and Miami: Mastromanno kicked a career-high four 50-yard punts in wins over both teams. Notably, against Miami, he had punts downed at the 2, 18, 5, and 16-yard lines, showcasing his precision and power.

  • Consistent Long Punts: He achieved a season-high 59-yard punt three times last season, against Clemson, Virginia Tech, and Pitt. He maintained his form with at least one 50-yard punt in 10 of 14 games.

Career Overview:

  • High Ranking: Entering his final season, Mastromanno ranks second in FSU history with a career average of 43.64 yards per punt.

Alex Mastromanno’s exceptional punting skills and consistent performance have solidified his place as one of the top punters in the nation. As he enters his final season, FSU fans can look forward to more standout moments from this talented player.

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🌟 Ladarian Clardy Nears Decision with FSU Leading 🌟

Pensacola (Fla.) Escambia's four-star defensive back, Ladarian "Squirrel" Clardy, is close to making his college decision after visiting Washington, UCF, Florida State, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss. He plans to commit by late July or early August.

FSU Leads:

Following his June visit, Clardy confirmed, "Florida State is still my leader... talking to the staff again, getting a feel on how they can use me -- yeah, they're back on my No. 1."

Strong Relationships:

The relationships with Mike Norvell, Coach Pat Surtain, and Coach Greg Moss have been pivotal. "I'm a big relationship type of guy, so they've just been keeping the relationship with me," Clardy said.

Decision Factors:

Clardy values a school that can develop him on and off the field and make him a top priority. "I'm looking for a school that can get me to the next level—that's my goal," he emphasized.

Athletic Profile:

Clardy is ranked as the nation's No. 178 overall prospect, No. 15 safety, and No. 21 player in Florida for 2025. Scout Andrew Ivins describes him as an aggressive safety with strong instincts and potential as a multi-year starter at the Power Four level.

Ladarian Clardy's upcoming decision will be significant, with Florida State currently leading in his recruitment.

🌟 Preston Ashley Shines as Mississippi State Courts Top 2026 CB Prospect 🌟

Mississippi State’s new coaching staff, led by Corey Bell and Matt Barnes, is diligently working to bolster their secondary by attracting top talent. One standout target is Preston Ashley, a promising cornerback from Brandon, Mississippi.

Building Relationships:

Preston Ashley, son of former Mississippi State player Tyrone Ashley, has been feeling the love from the Bulldogs. "Everything has been going great this offseason," Ashley shared. "This summer has been fun, a lot of building with the team, and I feel we have a shot at taking this thing all the way."

Summer Visits:

Ashley has been making the rounds, building strong connections with multiple programs. He mentioned, "Coach Barnes hits me up a lot, and we are keeping our relationship strong." Ashley plans to attend Mississippi State’s summer BBQ/pool party on July 25th and visit Florida State on July 27th. He also has interest from Tennessee, Florida, Louisville, and Ole Miss.

Early Impact Potential:

Already a seasoned player, Ashley has been playing varsity since the end of his 9th grade season. His technical grasp and experience make him a prime candidate for an early impact at the college level.

Under Armour Future 50:

Ashley recently showcased his talents at the Under Armour Future 50 event, further solidifying his status as a top player in his class.

Preston Ashley's journey continues to be one to watch, with multiple programs vying for his commitment.

🏈 Daylan McCutcheon Sets Decision Date with FSU in the Lead 🏈

Four-star wide receiver Daylan McCutcheon from Lucas (Texas) Lovejoy has announced his decision date for Saturday, July 13th. The talented 5-foot-11, 175-pound receiver has narrowed his focus to five schools: Florida State, Ohio State, SMU, Texas, and USC.

Official Visits:

McCutcheon visited all five finalists, starting with SMU on May 10th, followed by consecutive weekends at Ohio State, USC, Texas, and concluding with Florida State on June 21st.

Impressive Junior Stats:

McCutcheon showcased his skills last season with 92 receptions, 1,423 receiving yards, and 19 touchdowns, highlighting his productivity and playmaking ability.

Recruitment Rankings:

  • 247Sports.com Ranking: No. 216 overall prospect, No. 24 wide receiver, No. 31 in Texas.

  • Composite Ranking: No. 102 overall, No. 14 wide receiver, No. 18 in Texas.

FSU in the Lead:

The lone prediction on the 247Sports Crystal Ball favors the Seminoles, making them the current frontrunner in McCutcheon's recruitment.

Stay tuned for his decision on July 13th, as McCutcheon finalizes his college choice among these top programs.

And that’s a wrap!

That's all for this edition of The Chief Brief!

Stay tuned for more updates and insights into our beloved Noles.

Go Noles!

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