Big sports scandals challenge even the most optimistic fan

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Wednesday, 08 August 2007 06:35

“Life is great,” said my agent I.M. Slick. “It doesn’t get much better than this.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked.


Slick: “Did you hear about the trouble Michael Vick is having, allegedly, with dog fighting? Why would anyone that talented and wealthy get involved in something so dumb? And did you hear about the pro basketball referee who allegedly has altered the point spread in some games for gambling purposes? Here’s someone at the top of his profession and he risks losing it all. And I won’t even begin to review the whole steroid controversy involving Barry Bonds, allegedly, and other Major League Baseball players.”

Joe: “I fail to see what’s so great about all of these controversies.”

Slick...

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Bluejays picked fifth in ’07 KCAC coaches, media polls

Written by Andrew Ottoson Wednesday, 08 August 2007 05:37

Friends University, winners of nine straight regular season games at the end of 2006, claimed the top spot in both the coaches and media polls at the annual Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference 2007 football media day Friday in Salina.

Tabor was rated fifth in both polls on the heels of a tumultuous season during which the Bluejays collected a 5-4 record in conference play and went 6-4 overall.

The consensus among KCAC coaches and media is that Friends, Kansas Wesleyan, Bethel and Sterling all have stronger teams than Tabor.

But preseason polls aren’t always accurate. Bethel College was picked seventh by the media and eighth by the coaches a year ago—but climbed to the top of the standings and defeated Friends in a post season...

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Shrine-time performance

Written by Don Ratzlaff Wednesday, 01 August 2007 08:36

Shrinebowl.jpg Click image to enlarge

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re a big school or a small school—anybody can play,” Lucas Hamm said following his solid performance at the 34th annual Kansas Shrine Bowl game Saturday in Hays.

The 6-foot, 4-inch, 215-pound standout from Hills­boro High more than held his own among fellow all-stars from across the state.

As the starting middle linebacker and special-teams player for the West squad, Hamm was a key contributor during his team’s 26-7 domination of the East team at Lewis Field.

The West defense held the East to 179 yards for the game—and only 75 yards in the second half, as the West took charge in the final two quarters after escaping with a 10-7 halftime lead on a...

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TC volleyball reloads with 10 recruits

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Wednesday, 01 August 2007 08:31

volleyball.jpg TOP (L-R) Colmia, Crosson, Heldenbrand, Hendricks, Hooten, ; BOTTOM (L-R): .Kelley, Large, Lawrence, Perrault, Witham. Click image to enlarge The Tabor College volleyball program has added 10 players for the 2007 season, according to Amy Ratzlaff, head coach.

“Tabor volleyball will certainly have a different face this year after graduating six key players,” Ratzlaff said.

“However, with 10 high- quality new players and talented returners, our goal is to play volleyball in such a way that we still look like Tabor volleyball. We are as excited as ever to get everyone together on one court.”

Of Ratzlaff’s 10 recruits, six are from Kansas, two from Colorado and one each from Nebraska and Arkansas.

Ashley...

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Local athletes places well at Lake Afton

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Wednesday, 01 August 2007 08:21

Two Hillsboro women competed at the Mud Water Triath­lon/Dualathlon at Lake Afton near Wichita on Saturday.

In the triathlon, Anna Woods finished second in the women’s 20-29 division in 1 hour, 27 minutes, 40 seconds. Her sister, Kate Robin­son of Hutchinson, placed first in 1:24.26.

The triathlon started with a 750-meter swim in Lake Afton, followed by a 12-mile bicycle ride and a five-kilometer run.

Meanwhile, Donna Spoon­moore placed third overall in the women’s division of the dualathlon in 2:04:51. The winning time was 1:57:12.

The dualathlon included a 5-K run, followed by a 30-K bicycle leg and another 5-K run.