Cradle of civilization is not so civilized
Just plain crazy - When I think sports craziness, I must admit I never think of Egypt and soccer. On Feb. 1, 2012, in the city of Port Said, a soccer riot at the stadium left 74 dead. Jan. 26 of this year, a judge sentenced 21 fans to death for their parts in the riot. That caused another same-day reactionary riot in which 37 people were killed. The mass funeral was on Sunday, and three self-riotous types were killed. World cultures classes in American schools depict Egypt as the cradle of civilization and drone on and on about the stupid Nile River overflowing its banks once a year, but the Egyptians don’t seem so civilized to me.
Digital delays - The Weather Channel app on an iPad is really cool. But it's only fun when low pressure is rolling like thunder in your direction. Everybody gets downright giddy and starts panic buying and canceling events because they want stay home and get fat. Twice in the last week, games and wrestling matches were cancelled for not much of anything. I know - better to err on the side of caution, but c’mon, yo!
Are you gay? - Ask a straight male athlete on a nationally televised interview “Are you gay?” and if he’s not he will jump out of his skin. And not because he doesn’t like gay people; it's just an out-of-left-field and strange question to ask any man. Katie Couric asking Manti Te’o that question on national television was ridiculous, and his answer as he smiled, “I am so not gay” just made me giggle. Remember in the movie "Stripes" when the army recruiter asks Bill Murray, “Are either of you guys now or have you ever been homosexual?’ Murray says, “No but we’re willing to learn.” This Manti story should be on Comedy Central with Chris Rock conducting the interview.
Rondo and Ratner - Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics and Claudia Ratner of Cape Henlopen both sustained ACL injuries while playing basketball. Females are three times as likely as males to tear or detach the ACL. Both Rondo and Ratner were in tremendous shape. It’s a non-contact injury, mostly caused by the knee twisting above an improperly planted foot, causing torque, then tear. There are prevention exercises involving balance, strengthening, plyometrics, stretching and agility drills, but sometimes action athletes just get hurt.
Santa Barbara Sam - A graduate student playing midfield for University of California Santa Barbara, Sam Coveleski scored two goals in a 19-3 win over Southern Cal. Sam inquired about officiating, was given a uniform and told "Show up when you can." She started four years of Division I field hockey at Villanova from 2005 through 2008, then went to Ohio State and earned a master's in communications. She is now at UCSB working on her PhD. UCSB is a non-scholarship program (translates to club level) in the Women's Collegiate Lacrosse Association Division I of U.S. Lacrosse, the national governing body for the sport. I asked Sam’s younger sister Jacki, a freshman field hockey player at Delaware, if she missed playing lacrosse. “Who am I to complain about not having enough lax? I had a fantastic run with the most incredible people. The teammates I had at Cape are some of my best friends, and I could not have asked for anything more. I am extremely thankful for my opportunity to play one of the many sports I love at the collegiate level. I may not be playing on a lacrosse team anymore, but it does not mean I am throwing my stick in a dusty corner and forgetting about it. Who knows, maybe I will try out for lacrosse spring of my senior year."
Snippets - Delaware freshman Shanel Dickens captured a first place in the 500 meters in 1:18 at Saturday's Thompson Indoor Track and Field Invitational at the University of Delaware. Paige Morris was second in the triple jump at 36-feet-11-inches. Thirty teams participated in the non-scoring meet. Delaware can’t afford a men’s team.
Alec Faust, former Cape track runner and a walk-on at University of North Carolina Wilmington, ran in the George Mason Invitational Jan. 26, placed sixth overall in the 500 meters and ran the 400-meter leg of the distance medley relay. Coach Jim Sprecher said, "If we had a team full of Alecs, we’d be conference champions."
Greene Turtle Lacrosse is creating a U-15 team this summer. They are looking for talented 13-, 14- and 15-year-olds to play on a competitive travel team. The team will be coached by Ben Sandlin and Matt McGinnis. All tournaments are weekends and played locally on the shore. Greene Turtle U-15 tryouts are 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, March 22, at Salisbury University. For more information go to www.gtlaxclub.com. Go on now, git!
