Action News means get off the couch and out of the house

Action News - The big story on Action News is not the retirement of broadcaster Jim Gardner, Trump’s tax returns, no defense played in the NCAA semifinal college football games or the roll-over Rover flophouse performance by the Eagles versus the Saints at the Missing Linc in Philly on Sunday. Action News for Athletes, who may appear in a local sports column, is for people who actually get up off the couch and bust a move in the name of self-improvement on a path to fitness. The Seashore Striders Race into the New Year 5K held Dec. 31 attracted 234 runners who finished on the slippery Rehoboth Boardwalk in a soupy fog. Friends hugged and mugged for photos, and wished each other a Happy New Year. On New Year's Day in Bethany Beach, Races2Run welcomed 353 runners who challenged a puddled course in the Hair of the Dog 5K. Another 200, encompassing couples and kids with dogs, elected the one-mile walk. All finished on the boardwalk at a common chute under bright sunlight. That amounts to 777 gregarious souls embracing two years one day apart.

Mighty Righties - Dover quarterback Nick Spadafino and Cape’s Diaz Nardo put on a show in 2011 at Legends Stadium, with the Senators winning 55-54 after Cape went for two points at the end of overtime. Jerome Johnson had four touchdown runs in the game while Sammy Mohr caught two touchdown passes. Spadafino and Nardo along with Calvin Scott would serve as captains on the 2018 Delaware baseball team. Joe Spadafino, Nick’s dad, was an All-American football player at Eastern Kentucky and played on the 1982 national championship team that beat Delaware 17-14 in the championship game. Gary Cannon (Gary’s Dewey Beach Grill) was a sophomore defensive end on that Delaware team.

Streaker and stopper - I’m a personality type who has established freakishly long streaks as an athlete and coach and sportswriter, and then suddenly I just stop and never look back. I share because I think a lot of “us” are realizing the future is in front of your face and not behind your head. And so if you don’t see me someplace – like polar bearing or Slam Dunk basketball tournament – don’t speculate as to the reasons why, because I don’t know myself. Runners are a gracious group, many telling me, “Thank you for always being out here supporting us with your stories and photos,” yet I know some morning my wife Susan will ask, “Isn’t this a race this morning – why are you still here?” She will jump in the time space between my deliberation and my answer, “You don’t know, do you?” 

Happy Harbaughs - Jack is the dad, and a former head coach of Western Kentucky where he won a national championship in 2002, a year before Delaware won the 2003 1AA National title. Jack’s sons are head coaches Jim of the Michigan Wolverines and John of the Baltimore Ravens. Jim gave a life lessons reference postgame after losing to TCU, while John looked like his cat had been run over by a steamroller after the Steelers stole a victory in the final minute. Sports is often not a happy place; there is always something to worry about.  

Hangability - Cape boys’ and girls’ track teams will compete at the Worcester County Recreation Center this Wednesday, Jan. 4, with the action beginning at 2 p.m. for some while the rest hang out and wait for an event. This is a long track meet sandwiched between two long drives. There are some sports, including wrestling invitationals and swim championships, that require the athlete to carry a bedroll on a backpack. Offshore fishing tournaments are mostly downtime; the difference is a fisherman will take two hours to tell you what happened in 10 minutes. 

Snippets - Cape football has dropped five opponents and picked up a new five for the 2023 schedule. Dropped are Sallies, Woodbridge, William Penn, Delmar and Appoquinimink. Teams added for 2023 with their 2022 records are Red Lion (7-3), Delcastle (0-10), Lake Forest (8-2), Hodgson (1-9) and Saint Mark’s (9-1). Cape boys’ basketball will play at Milford at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 5. Digital ticketing only; no phone, stay home. Go on now, git!