Everett and Penn State graduate Natalie Dell advanced with her United States' teammates to the medal final in the Women's Rowing Quadruple Sculls competition. After a second place in Saturday's heat, the Americans finished second again in Monday's repechage race to make it into the final on Wednesday.
A report on Monday's action will be in Tuesday's edition of the Bedford Gazette.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Natalie Dell Olympic Update
Natalie Dell and her United States teammates finished second in their heat race on Saturday in the Olympic Women's Quadruple Sculls competition at Eton Dorney outside of London. Germany beat the Americans by about two seconds to secure a berth in Wednesday's final along with Heat 2 winner Ukraine.
Team USA posted the third fastest time, behind the two heat winners. Along with five other countries, the United States takes part in the repechage (semifinal) race on Monday. It can be seen live on nbcolympics.com at 4:40 a.m. Eastern Time (9:40 in London), while NBC is expected to show the rowing coverage at some point on Monday afternoon.
Dell is a 2003 graduate of Everett Area High School.
See Monday's Bedford Gazette for a report on Saturday's rowing action. Pick up a copy or subscribe online at www.bedfordgazette.com. Also, a special Olympics roundup page is added to the regular sports section for the remainder of the London Games.
Team USA posted the third fastest time, behind the two heat winners. Along with five other countries, the United States takes part in the repechage (semifinal) race on Monday. It can be seen live on nbcolympics.com at 4:40 a.m. Eastern Time (9:40 in London), while NBC is expected to show the rowing coverage at some point on Monday afternoon.
Dell is a 2003 graduate of Everett Area High School.
See Monday's Bedford Gazette for a report on Saturday's rowing action. Pick up a copy or subscribe online at www.bedfordgazette.com. Also, a special Olympics roundup page is added to the regular sports section for the remainder of the London Games.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Tuesday's Region 7 update
Bedford was eliminated with an 8-0 loss to Marion Center. The game was plagued by a rain delay that lasted well over three hours. The bad weather forced Somerset's game with Hempfield East to be postponed until Wednesday.
Bedford finishes the season at 21-11. Check out Codi Weyant's recap in Wednesday's print edition of the Bedford Gazette or online at www.bedfordgazette.com.
Bedford finishes the season at 21-11. Check out Codi Weyant's recap in Wednesday's print edition of the Bedford Gazette or online at www.bedfordgazette.com.
Well-deserved extension for Tomlin
As usual, the Pittsburgh Steelers got it right again.
Reports this afternoon have Mike Tomlin agreeing to a contract extension that will take him through the 2016 season. Well done as players are set to report to Latrobe for training camp on Wednesday.
Tomlin only had one year left on his current deal, and with this being perhaps the busiest offseason in recent Steelers history, this was one move they had to make.
The 40-year old Steelers boss deserves it. He's 55-25 in the regular season, including a record of 12-4 three times (2008, 2010, and 2011). Under Tomlin, Pittsburgh has made the playoffs in four of his five seasons, with two trips to the Super Bowl.
Reports this afternoon have Mike Tomlin agreeing to a contract extension that will take him through the 2016 season. Well done as players are set to report to Latrobe for training camp on Wednesday.
Tomlin only had one year left on his current deal, and with this being perhaps the busiest offseason in recent Steelers history, this was one move they had to make.
The 40-year old Steelers boss deserves it. He's 55-25 in the regular season, including a record of 12-4 three times (2008, 2010, and 2011). Under Tomlin, Pittsburgh has made the playoffs in four of his five seasons, with two trips to the Super Bowl.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Region 7 Legion Tourney
Heading into Day 4 on Tuesday, Somerset has clinched a spot in Wednesday's final afternoon of action by beating Bedford, 12-8, to improve to 3-0 in the tournament.
Tuesday's Schedule
1 pm - Bedford vs Marion Center (loser eliminated)
4 pm - Somerset vs Hempfield East (Hempfield East must win to stay alive)
Tuesday's Schedule
1 pm - Bedford vs Marion Center (loser eliminated)
4 pm - Somerset vs Hempfield East (Hempfield East must win to stay alive)
The NCAA is wrong
The NCAA is wrong. They overstepped on the Penn State scandal.
I think there is and has been a perception in the mainstream media and other areas that those who feel this is not a matter for the NCAA to deeply involve themselves in is somehow also saying that we are defending Jerry Sandusky, Joe Paterno or the rest of the Penn State hierarchy that was in place at the time of these crimes.
That could not be further from the truth!
Jerry Sandusky was convicted on 45 counts and deserves to be where he is right now. Tim Curley and Gary Schultz, the athletic director and vice president, are awaiting trial and should be convicted. Former school president Graham Spanier has not been charged yet, but could be. Paterno died in January. Per the results of the Freeh report, Curley, Schultz, and Spanier deserve to be punished severely for their actions, or non-actions if you will.
All of the above is being handled in the criminal and eventually the civil courts, as it should be. While Sandusky victims and their families will sadly never be the same in their lives, they deserve some sort of monetary compensation. But the NCAA should have stayed out of this. When Sandusky was arrested last November, Paterno was fired, and since, a new coaching staff with the exception of two assistants who remain was implemented to move the football program forward.
So now, with a four-year postseason ban and loss of numerous scholarships, more people are being punished than need to be. I fully understand when Bill O'Brien agreed to be the new coach that he knew that it was going to be a tough road and the NCAA could act. But did he deserve this?
In terms of the loss of all wins from 1998-2011, it doesn't really matter. The new record books might state that Paterno has 298 victories instead of 409, but will that erase memories from anybody that may have attended or watched the 300th, 400th, or 409th win? No. Everyone still remembers Memphis or Michigan playing for national basketball titles even though the history books don't show that anymore because of NCAA violations. Taking Paterno's name off the top of the college football career wins' list is something I really don't understand.
Players are allowed to freely transfer, and some will, which is indeed their right to do so. But it's not as easy as you might believe, sitting here on July 23. That's just weeks away from preseason camp and the start of the 2012 season. Any transfer now will have a tough time to adjust to a new school and football team for this year.
With future scholarships going ahead, the loss of double-digit ones per year for the next four years is unfair.
People are saying that because Penn State didn't receive the "Death Penalty", that now players have a choice. They can leave, or stay at Penn State and still play football. Yes they do have a choice, but if someone who always wanted to play there still wants to, why should they have to suffer any consequences of not playing in a bowl game or playing on a team that can't be as strong because a major amount of scholarships are taken away from potential players that have nothing to do with any of this?
This isn't the SMU case where the "Death Penalty" was imposed. That was pay for play, and after being caught, the Texas school continued its wrongful practices and was caught again. That was a violation of NCAA bylaws, where what SMU did was with clear intent to change competitive balance.
This isn't the USC case where improper benefits were handed out, notably to Reggie Bush. That changed competitive balance in college football. And there are countless other examples.
Many members of the media are saying these sanctions are just, or didn't go far enough. I heard one say that a multiple-year "Death Penalty" would suffice. I say to them, how do you justify then how people in the State College area that benefit from Penn State football and all athletics live then? Many rely on it for primary or supplemental income. That would include hotels, restaurants, and any stores that receive a huge influx of business on fall weekends. What about people that work at Beaver Stadium? The NCAA didn't impose this, but I feel those that believe this would have been appropriate are short-sighted, especially in these economic times.
While the actions of Penn State's upper administration, including Spanier, Curley, Schultz, and Paterno were appalling, did it change competitive balance on the football field?
Yes, this most definitely goes beyond the confines of the football program, but that is what our judicial system is for. So far, they've done their job.
The NCAA is wrong.
My thoughts and prayers continue to be and always will be with the victims of Sandusky, and all those who have suffered from sexual abuse.
I think there is and has been a perception in the mainstream media and other areas that those who feel this is not a matter for the NCAA to deeply involve themselves in is somehow also saying that we are defending Jerry Sandusky, Joe Paterno or the rest of the Penn State hierarchy that was in place at the time of these crimes.
That could not be further from the truth!
Jerry Sandusky was convicted on 45 counts and deserves to be where he is right now. Tim Curley and Gary Schultz, the athletic director and vice president, are awaiting trial and should be convicted. Former school president Graham Spanier has not been charged yet, but could be. Paterno died in January. Per the results of the Freeh report, Curley, Schultz, and Spanier deserve to be punished severely for their actions, or non-actions if you will.
All of the above is being handled in the criminal and eventually the civil courts, as it should be. While Sandusky victims and their families will sadly never be the same in their lives, they deserve some sort of monetary compensation. But the NCAA should have stayed out of this. When Sandusky was arrested last November, Paterno was fired, and since, a new coaching staff with the exception of two assistants who remain was implemented to move the football program forward.
So now, with a four-year postseason ban and loss of numerous scholarships, more people are being punished than need to be. I fully understand when Bill O'Brien agreed to be the new coach that he knew that it was going to be a tough road and the NCAA could act. But did he deserve this?
In terms of the loss of all wins from 1998-2011, it doesn't really matter. The new record books might state that Paterno has 298 victories instead of 409, but will that erase memories from anybody that may have attended or watched the 300th, 400th, or 409th win? No. Everyone still remembers Memphis or Michigan playing for national basketball titles even though the history books don't show that anymore because of NCAA violations. Taking Paterno's name off the top of the college football career wins' list is something I really don't understand.
Players are allowed to freely transfer, and some will, which is indeed their right to do so. But it's not as easy as you might believe, sitting here on July 23. That's just weeks away from preseason camp and the start of the 2012 season. Any transfer now will have a tough time to adjust to a new school and football team for this year.
With future scholarships going ahead, the loss of double-digit ones per year for the next four years is unfair.
People are saying that because Penn State didn't receive the "Death Penalty", that now players have a choice. They can leave, or stay at Penn State and still play football. Yes they do have a choice, but if someone who always wanted to play there still wants to, why should they have to suffer any consequences of not playing in a bowl game or playing on a team that can't be as strong because a major amount of scholarships are taken away from potential players that have nothing to do with any of this?
This isn't the SMU case where the "Death Penalty" was imposed. That was pay for play, and after being caught, the Texas school continued its wrongful practices and was caught again. That was a violation of NCAA bylaws, where what SMU did was with clear intent to change competitive balance.
This isn't the USC case where improper benefits were handed out, notably to Reggie Bush. That changed competitive balance in college football. And there are countless other examples.
Many members of the media are saying these sanctions are just, or didn't go far enough. I heard one say that a multiple-year "Death Penalty" would suffice. I say to them, how do you justify then how people in the State College area that benefit from Penn State football and all athletics live then? Many rely on it for primary or supplemental income. That would include hotels, restaurants, and any stores that receive a huge influx of business on fall weekends. What about people that work at Beaver Stadium? The NCAA didn't impose this, but I feel those that believe this would have been appropriate are short-sighted, especially in these economic times.
While the actions of Penn State's upper administration, including Spanier, Curley, Schultz, and Paterno were appalling, did it change competitive balance on the football field?
Yes, this most definitely goes beyond the confines of the football program, but that is what our judicial system is for. So far, they've done their job.
The NCAA is wrong.
My thoughts and prayers continue to be and always will be with the victims of Sandusky, and all those who have suffered from sexual abuse.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
And We Meet Again
Somerset and Bedford are the two unbeaten teams left in the Region 7 American Legion Tournament in Latrobe, and the pair of Cambria County league squads will play for a fifth time this season on Monday in the winner's bracket game at 4:30 pm.
Somerset defeated Marion Center 18-8 on Sunday. Earlier in the afternoon, Bedford beat Hempfield East, 8-4.
Somerset owns a 3-1 edge on Bedford this summer, but all three of the Businessmen's wins are by one run. Bedford beat Somerset last Saturday to keep their season alive in the league tournament.
Somerset defeated Marion Center 18-8 on Sunday. Earlier in the afternoon, Bedford beat Hempfield East, 8-4.
Somerset owns a 3-1 edge on Bedford this summer, but all three of the Businessmen's wins are by one run. Bedford beat Somerset last Saturday to keep their season alive in the league tournament.
Legion Region 7 update
Bedford 17, State College 5
Game played at Homer City with a 6:30 p.m. start. Kyle Droz with four hits, Cory Furry with a three-run homer. Bedford will play Hempfield East on Sunday at 12:30 at Latrobe.
Other scores
Somerset 15, Unity 1 (7 innings)
Hempfield East 5, Blairsville 4 (11 innings)
Marion Center 7, Latrobe 6 (10 innings)
Game played at Homer City with a 6:30 p.m. start. Kyle Droz with four hits, Cory Furry with a three-run homer. Bedford will play Hempfield East on Sunday at 12:30 at Latrobe.
Other scores
Somerset 15, Unity 1 (7 innings)
Hempfield East 5, Blairsville 4 (11 innings)
Marion Center 7, Latrobe 6 (10 innings)
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Gabriel still alive at Cadet Freestyle
Incoming Bedford freshman Jon Gabriel is still alive for a high finish at the Cadet National Freestyle Championships in Fargo, ND. Gabriel, in the 94-pound bracket, can gain a second medal this week after finishing second in the Greco-Roman competition.
Chestnut Ridge junior-to-be Austin Buttry was 1-2 in the Freestyle at 285 and was eliminated.
Chestnut Ridge junior-to-be Austin Buttry was 1-2 in the Freestyle at 285 and was eliminated.
Region 7 Legion Update
Central Penn runner-up Beech Creek was forced to withdraw after not having at least a 12-player roster which is mandatory at the regional tournament. District 31 runner-up Unity will replace Beech Creek. Here is the updated schedule for Saturday's games at Latrobe's Keener Park and Derry Area High School.
Game 1 - Hempfield East vs Blairsville, 9 am at Latrobe
Game 2 - Somerset vs Unity, 12 pm at Derry
Game 3 - Bedford vs State College, 12:30 pm at Latrobe
Game 4 - Latrobe vs Marion Center, 4 pm at Latrobe
Game 1 - Hempfield East vs Blairsville, 9 am at Latrobe
Game 2 - Somerset vs Unity, 12 pm at Derry
Game 3 - Bedford vs State College, 12:30 pm at Latrobe
Game 4 - Latrobe vs Marion Center, 4 pm at Latrobe
Monday, July 16, 2012
Fargo-riffic
Bedford's Jon Gabriel finished as national runner-up in the Cadet Greco-Roman Championships at 94 pounds in Fargo, North Dakota on Monday. Gabriel, expected to wrestle 106 for the Bison varsity this upcoming season, is believed to be the first-ever wrestler from Bedford to compete at the national tournament. He will compete in Freestyle later this week.
Also, Chestnut Ridge's Austin Buttry was 2-2 at 285, just missing the medal round. Buttry will also be involved in the Freestyle competition.
Also, Chestnut Ridge's Austin Buttry was 2-2 at 285, just missing the medal round. Buttry will also be involved in the Freestyle competition.
CCAL Tournament in the books
Somerset captured the Cambria County American Legion league championship on Monday night with a 2-1 win over Bedford. The hosts tallied two runs in the bottom of the seventh off of Bedford reliever Kyle Droz to take the dramatic victory.
Both teams advance into the Region 7 Tournament that begins Saturday. Somerset will play the Central Penn league runner-up at 12 p.m. at Derry Area High School. Bedford will play the Central Penn league champion at 12:30 p.m. at Legion-Keener Park in Latrobe, which is the main field for the tournament. The Central Penn representatives are Beech Creek and State College.
Both teams advance into the Region 7 Tournament that begins Saturday. Somerset will play the Central Penn league runner-up at 12 p.m. at Derry Area High School. Bedford will play the Central Penn league champion at 12:30 p.m. at Legion-Keener Park in Latrobe, which is the main field for the tournament. The Central Penn representatives are Beech Creek and State College.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Region 7 Matchups
Next Saturday, July 21, the Region 7 Tournament takes place in Latrobe. The other field to be used for two games is at Derry Area High School. Matchups have been released for the first day.
Game 1 - Blairsville (Indiana County regular season champ) vs District 31 champ, 9 am
Game 2 - Cambria County champion vs Central Penn #2, Noon at Derry
Game 3 - Cambria #2 vs Central Penn champion, 12:30 p.m.
Game 4 - Latrobe (Tournament host) vs Indiana County #2, 4 p.m.
Game 1 - Blairsville (Indiana County regular season champ) vs District 31 champ, 9 am
Game 2 - Cambria County champion vs Central Penn #2, Noon at Derry
Game 3 - Cambria #2 vs Central Penn champion, 12:30 p.m.
Game 4 - Latrobe (Tournament host) vs Indiana County #2, 4 p.m.
Down to Four
The playoffs in the Cambria County American Legion will enter their third day on Saturday with four teams remaining.
Somerset is 3-0 in the tournament and has already clinched a spot in the Region 7 Tournament in Latrobe. It will be Somerset's 15th regional appearance in the last 17 years. Somerset travels to Bedford, who is 2-1 and must win to keep its season going.
The other game on Saturday pits Claysburg at Patton, with the winner advancing on. If Somerset eliminates Bedford, the Businessmen will meet the Claysburg-Patton winner for the league title. If Bedford beats Somerset, the Hurricanes will play the Claysburg-Patton winner for the right to meet Somerset.
Both games on Saturday are at 3 p.m. Remember to look at the weekend Bedford Gazette for my story from Somerset-Claysburg, and Codi Weyant's gamer from Bedford-Richland.
Somerset is 3-0 in the tournament and has already clinched a spot in the Region 7 Tournament in Latrobe. It will be Somerset's 15th regional appearance in the last 17 years. Somerset travels to Bedford, who is 2-1 and must win to keep its season going.
The other game on Saturday pits Claysburg at Patton, with the winner advancing on. If Somerset eliminates Bedford, the Businessmen will meet the Claysburg-Patton winner for the league title. If Bedford beats Somerset, the Hurricanes will play the Claysburg-Patton winner for the right to meet Somerset.
Both games on Saturday are at 3 p.m. Remember to look at the weekend Bedford Gazette for my story from Somerset-Claysburg, and Codi Weyant's gamer from Bedford-Richland.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
View and order photos
My photos from Wednesday's CCAL playoff game between Bedford and Stoystown are now online at www.bedfordgazette.com for viewing and purchase.
You do not need to be a Gazette subscriber online to access the photos. To get to them, visit the homepage, then click on the Gazette Scrapbook icon that is along the top bar of the page. That should take you to the album selection, where you can click on whichever one you want. From there, click on the individual photos, which will take you to the ordering page.
You do not need to be a Gazette subscriber online to access the photos. To get to them, visit the homepage, then click on the Gazette Scrapbook icon that is along the top bar of the page. That should take you to the album selection, where you can click on whichever one you want. From there, click on the individual photos, which will take you to the ordering page.
CCAL Update
After the first day of the Cambria County American Legion playoff tournament, the top four seeds all advanced in the championship bracket. Here are the scores:
(1) Somerset 5, (8) Richland 3
(4) Patton 16, (5) Meyersdale 0
(2) Claysburg 6, (7) Cernics 1
(3) Bedford 17, (6) Stoystown 6
Thursday's Winner's Bracket games
(4) Patton at (1) Somerset
(3) Bedford at (2) Claysburg
Loser's Bracket games
(8) Richland at (5) Meyersdale
(7) Cernics at (6) Stoystown
Pick up a copy, or subscribe online to the Bedford Gazette, for my game story from Bedford's win over Stoystown as well as Codi Weyant's story from Claysburg's victory over Cernics.
www.bedfordgazette.com
(1) Somerset 5, (8) Richland 3
(4) Patton 16, (5) Meyersdale 0
(2) Claysburg 6, (7) Cernics 1
(3) Bedford 17, (6) Stoystown 6
Thursday's Winner's Bracket games
(4) Patton at (1) Somerset
(3) Bedford at (2) Claysburg
Loser's Bracket games
(8) Richland at (5) Meyersdale
(7) Cernics at (6) Stoystown
Pick up a copy, or subscribe online to the Bedford Gazette, for my game story from Bedford's win over Stoystown as well as Codi Weyant's story from Claysburg's victory over Cernics.
www.bedfordgazette.com
The greatest speech ever!
While on Facebook on Wednesday, I came across a post from Bedford High School boys basketball and boys tennis coach Mark Anderson. He had linked a Youtube version of Jimmy Valvano's 1993's speech from the ESPY Awards while accepting the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage.
I immediately commented to Mark's post that it was the greatest speech ever. But that got me thinking to some of the great sports-related speeches of all time. I've always thought of Valvano's speech as the best I've ever heard, in large part due to Valvano's losing battle with cancer at the time. After saying his famous "Don't give up, don't ever give up," he had to be helped off the stage by Coach K and Dick Vitale, having been so frail from the disease. I remember Jimmy V brushing off the light in front of him saying that his time with the speech was up. "Fanabla Baby." he said. Valvano, whose iconic dash around the court looking for someone to embrace after winning the 1983 NCAA Championship remains one of the great images ever, was gone not long after those ESPYs.
As long as sports have been around, there have been great speeches. Lou Gehrig's farewell speech and Muhammad Ali's "I am the Greatest" speech are two I was not alive for. Two more recent ones come from the NFL. After winning Super Bowl XL, Steelers running back Jerome Bettis ended his career in style in his hometown of Detroit. And while I was never a fan of Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin, his acceptance into the Pro Football Hall of Fame was a very poignant speech.
Another side to great sports speeches are the more humorous ones, such as Allen Iverson's "Practice" or Herman Edwards' "You play to win the game," and who can forget Jim Mora's famous "Playoffs."
Everyone has their favorite or most memorable. Mine is certainly Jimmy V's.
I immediately commented to Mark's post that it was the greatest speech ever. But that got me thinking to some of the great sports-related speeches of all time. I've always thought of Valvano's speech as the best I've ever heard, in large part due to Valvano's losing battle with cancer at the time. After saying his famous "Don't give up, don't ever give up," he had to be helped off the stage by Coach K and Dick Vitale, having been so frail from the disease. I remember Jimmy V brushing off the light in front of him saying that his time with the speech was up. "Fanabla Baby." he said. Valvano, whose iconic dash around the court looking for someone to embrace after winning the 1983 NCAA Championship remains one of the great images ever, was gone not long after those ESPYs.
As long as sports have been around, there have been great speeches. Lou Gehrig's farewell speech and Muhammad Ali's "I am the Greatest" speech are two I was not alive for. Two more recent ones come from the NFL. After winning Super Bowl XL, Steelers running back Jerome Bettis ended his career in style in his hometown of Detroit. And while I was never a fan of Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin, his acceptance into the Pro Football Hall of Fame was a very poignant speech.
Another side to great sports speeches are the more humorous ones, such as Allen Iverson's "Practice" or Herman Edwards' "You play to win the game," and who can forget Jim Mora's famous "Playoffs."
Everyone has their favorite or most memorable. Mine is certainly Jimmy V's.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Opening Thoughts
As many of you probably know, former Everett athlete Natalie Dell was recently selected to the U.S. Olympic Rowing Team, and she will race in the Women's Quadruple Sculls competition in London in a couple of weeks. This is an amazing accomplishment for her, as she did not take up rowing until she went to Penn State and felt like she wanted to be a part of a team after competing in soccer and track in high school.
It's even more amazing that the Everett/Northern Bedford corridor of Bedford County has produced an Olympian in back-to-back Games, as NBC grad Brian Sell finished 22nd in the men's marathon in Beijing four years ago. Sell and Dell are the only two countians to take part in the Summer Olympics.
For me, after Dell was named to the team, what could have been even better personally was having someone from my hometown reach it too. That was a distinct possibility with men's 400-meter hurdler Justin Gaymon. Gaymon attended the same high school I did, Phillipsburg NJ. (remember, that's Phillipsburg with two L's, not like Philipsburg, PA). Gaymon set many records in high school and went on to the University of Georgia, where he also excelled. Flash forward to 2012, where he took part in the Olympic Trials in Oregon. He had the fourth fastest time in the 400 hurdle heats before the finals, but wound up fifth in the final, two spots out of qualifying. Still, I have no doubt that Justin will be back trying to make the team that goes to Rio in 2016.
Sam Shuss' column about finding your niche in Tuesday's Bedford Gazette applies to everyone. For me, talking and writing about local sports is my niche. I was not gifted enough to be a great athlete, but I loved being part of teams growing up, and I was lucky to be a part of some pretty good ones. I have used that passion for high school athletics in my writing, and I hope that comes through to those of you out there that read my stuff.
Today is the first day of the double elimination Cambria County American Legion Tournament. Here is a look at the schedule. All games are seven innings and will begin at 5:30 p.m.
(8) Richland at (1) Somerset
(5) Meyersdale at (4) Patton
(6) Stoystown at (3) Bedford
(7) Cernics at (2) Claysburg
The top two teams in the tournament advance to the Region 7 Tournament in Latrobe beginning on July 21.
It's even more amazing that the Everett/Northern Bedford corridor of Bedford County has produced an Olympian in back-to-back Games, as NBC grad Brian Sell finished 22nd in the men's marathon in Beijing four years ago. Sell and Dell are the only two countians to take part in the Summer Olympics.
For me, after Dell was named to the team, what could have been even better personally was having someone from my hometown reach it too. That was a distinct possibility with men's 400-meter hurdler Justin Gaymon. Gaymon attended the same high school I did, Phillipsburg NJ. (remember, that's Phillipsburg with two L's, not like Philipsburg, PA). Gaymon set many records in high school and went on to the University of Georgia, where he also excelled. Flash forward to 2012, where he took part in the Olympic Trials in Oregon. He had the fourth fastest time in the 400 hurdle heats before the finals, but wound up fifth in the final, two spots out of qualifying. Still, I have no doubt that Justin will be back trying to make the team that goes to Rio in 2016.
Sam Shuss' column about finding your niche in Tuesday's Bedford Gazette applies to everyone. For me, talking and writing about local sports is my niche. I was not gifted enough to be a great athlete, but I loved being part of teams growing up, and I was lucky to be a part of some pretty good ones. I have used that passion for high school athletics in my writing, and I hope that comes through to those of you out there that read my stuff.
Today is the first day of the double elimination Cambria County American Legion Tournament. Here is a look at the schedule. All games are seven innings and will begin at 5:30 p.m.
(8) Richland at (1) Somerset
(5) Meyersdale at (4) Patton
(6) Stoystown at (3) Bedford
(7) Cernics at (2) Claysburg
The top two teams in the tournament advance to the Region 7 Tournament in Latrobe beginning on July 21.
Inaugural Address
Welcome to my new sports blog, "Spring Into Sports." Hope you are all enjoying the summer as I am. I plan to use this blog to talk about all things sports, national and local. Of course, my job as Sports Editor of the Bedford Gazette leads me to more local coverage during the high school season, and the seven schools in our coverage area will be a primary focus. But I do expect to chime in on other things from time to time.
In talking about the Gazette, I hope that you enjoy our coverage and stay tuned as I have a couple of things planned for the upcoming high school season. Thanks for checking in.
In talking about the Gazette, I hope that you enjoy our coverage and stay tuned as I have a couple of things planned for the upcoming high school season. Thanks for checking in.
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