Sports – Page 498 – North Platte Post Archive

Tulowitzki Homers Twice as Rockies beat Padres

Posted on July 9, 2014

DENVER (AP) — Troy Tulowitzki hit two of Colorado’s five home runs, and the Rockies beat the San Diego Padres 6-3 on Wednesday.

Drew Stubbs, Charlie Blackmon and Wilin Rosario also went deep for the Rockies, who won a home series for the first time in nearly two months.

Colorado last won a home series taking two of three from San Diego in May. The Rockies managed to split a four-game set with Atlanta in June but lost five other series at Coors Field. They were swept twice.

They erased that mark with back-to-back homers off reliever Joaquin Benoit (3-1). Blackmon started the rally with a single and Stubbs followed with his ninth homer of the season and fifth in his last five games.

Tulowitzki then hit an 0-1 fastball into the left field seats. It was Tulowitzki’s second multihomer game this season and 10th of his career.

Vargas Scheduled for Appendectomy

Posted on July 9, 2014

ST. PETERBURG, Fla. (AP) — Kansas City Royals left-hander Jason Vargas has been taken to the hospital and will have an appendectomy.

Royals manager Ned Yost announced the news before Wednesday game against Tampa Bay and said surgery was planned for Wednesday night.

Yost says Vargas “started really having severe discomfort” around 4 a.m. Wednesday

There was no timetable given for how long Vargas will be out. Bruce Chen could replace Vargas in Sunday’s game against Detroit.

Royals All-Star outfielder Alex Gordon was scratched from Wednesday’s lineup due to a sprained right wrist. He will have an MRI exam and see a hand specialist Thursday when the team returns to Kansas City.

Yost said the injury could “very well” impact Gordon’s status for next week’s All-Star game.

Kansas City third baseman Mike Moustakas was also out of Wednesday’s lineup with the flu.

Green Takes Silver at University Worlds

Posted on July 9, 2014

Pecs, Hungary – Husker wrestler James Green earned the silver medal at 70 kg/154 pounds in the men’s freestyle division of the University World Championships on Wednesday.

Green (Titan Mercury WC/Nebraska RTC) opened the day with an 11-1 victory over Finland’s Jere Kunnas in the quarterfinals before taking down Russia’s Shamil Magomedov, 8-4, in the semifinals. In the finals, Evgheni Nedealco of Moldova pinned Green.

Green, Willingboro, N.J. native, earned a spot on the team by winning both of his matches at the University Nationals in Akron, Ohio on May 25. He defeated past All-American Adam Hall (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club), 4-1, 4-2.

This year’s competition marked the second consecutive year that Green competed in the University World Championships. Last summer Green posted a 1-1 record in Kazan, Russia.

Green will return to Nebraska’s lineup as a senior in 2014-15. He is a three-time All-American and the reigning Big Ten champion at 157 pounds. Green placed third at the 2014 NCAA Championships after taking seventh during both his sophomore and freshman seasons.

11th University World Wrestling Championships: Men’s Freestyle 70 kg/154 pounds
Round of 16: Bye
Quarterfinals: James Green (USA) def. Jere Kunnas (Finland), 11-1
Semifinals: James Green (USA) def. Shamil Magomedov (Russia), 8-4
Finals: Evgheni Nedealco (Moldova) def. James Green (USA), pin

Huskers Announce 2014 Schedule

Posted on July 9, 2014

The Nebraska soccer team released its 2014 schedule on Wednesday, which features three games against top 10 teams from the final 2013 RPI Rankings.

The defending Big Ten regular-season and tournament champions will compete in an exhibition match against Colorado College on Aug. 15 in Colorado Springs, Colo., before beginning the regular season at home on Aug. 22 against SMU. The game between the Huskers and Mustangs starts at 6 p.m., and will be the first of 12 home games for the Huskers at the Nebraska Soccer Field.

On Sunday, Aug. 24, NU hosts DePaul at 1 p.m. The following weekend, the Huskers will play Butler at home on Friday, Aug. 29 before traveling to Marquette for a Sundayshowdown on Aug. 31 at 1 p.m., in Milwaukee, Wis. The Golden Eagles finished the 2013 campaign with the No. 6 RPI ranking.

Nebraska returns home for the following two weekends to host four games, including the start of Big Ten play. On Friday, Sept. 5, Oklahoma takes on the Huskers at 5:30 p.m., before NU competes against North Dakota on Sept. 7. The Huskers’ Big Ten opener is against Northwestern on Thursday, Sept. 11 at 2:30 p.m. On Sunday, Sept. 14, NU hosts Illinois at 1 p.m.

The Huskers journey to Madison, Wis., on Saturday, Sept. 20 to face the Wisconsin Badgers at 7 p.m. The next weekend, NU will host the Big Ten’s two newest members at the Nebraska Soccer Field. The Huskers face Rutgers on Sept. 25 before taking on Maryland on Sept. 28.

NU hits the road for the next two weeks, first visiting Michigan before going to Minnesota. On Thursday, Oct. 2, the Huskers battle Michigan at 2:30 p.m., before taking on Michigan State on Sunday, Oct. 5 at noon. Nebraska plays Minnesota on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m., in Minneapolis, Minn.

On Friday, Oct. 17, Purdue comes to town for a 4 p.m. matchup. Nebraska will also host Indiana that weekend on Sunday, Oct. 19 at noon.

The Huskers’ final regular-season road trip is set for Oct. 24-26. On Friday, the Scarlet and Cream battles Penn State in University Park, Pa., before taking on Ohio State on Sunday in Columbus, Ohio.

Senior Day is slated for Oct. 31 at the Nebraska Soccer Field when the Huskers host Iowa at 3:30 p.m. Nebraska’s Big Ten Tournament defense begins Nov. 5 in West Lafayette, Ind. The tournament runs through Nov. 9.

Last season, Nebraska compiled a 19-4-1 record and went 10-1 in the Big Ten. The Huskers advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after winning the Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles.

NBA Salary Cap goes to All-Time High $63.1 Million

Posted on July 9, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA has set the 2014-15 salary cap at $63.1 million, an all-time high, paving the way for contracts to be signed.

Deals can become official starting at 12:01 EDT on Thursday. Players and teams could agree to contracts starting July 1, but they couldn’t be signed during the moratorium period.

The cap is a 7.5 percent increase from last season’s $58.7 million.

The league also says Wednesday that the tax level jumped 7.1 percent to $76.8 million. Teams exceeding that will have to pay a luxury tax.

62 Huskers Named Big Ten Distinguished Scholars

Posted on July 9, 2014

A total of 62 Nebraska student-athletes across all sports earned recognition as Big Ten Distinguished Scholars during the 2013-14 academic year, including 14 Huskers who posted perfect 4.0 grade-point averages.

The Husker honor winners were among 684 student-athletes across the Big Ten’s 12 participating schools in 2013-14 to earn the prestigious academic award, including 101 with perfect 4.0 GPAs. The award requires a 3.7 GPA or better for the academic year (excluding summer school). The student-athletes must also be in at least their second academic year at the institution and letterwinners in their sports.

Coach Gary Pepin’s track and field program was honored with 21 Big Ten Distinguished Scholars across the men’s and women’s sports. A total of 11 student-athletes from the women’s side, including five with 4.0 GPAs were joined by 10 Husker men, including a pair with 4.0 GPAs for the track and field team.

Coach John Walker’s Big Ten champion women’s soccer team added a strong contingent of seven Big Ten Distinguished Scholars, while Coach Pablo Morales’ swimming and diving program contributed seven more.

Big Ten Faculty Representatives established the Distinguished Scholar Award in 2008 to supplement the Academic All-Big Ten program.

Nebraska’s Big Ten Distinguished Scholars (2013-14)

(Bold indicates 4.0 GPA during academic year; Class year listed is athletic eligibility in 2013-14)

Blake Headley (Baseball), Jr., Criminology & Criminal Justice, Omaha, Neb.
Trevor Menke (Men’s Basketball), Jr., Social Science Education, Beatrice, Neb.
Jordan Hooper (Women’s Basketball), Sr., Psychology, Alliance, Neb.
Sadie Murren (Women’s Basketball), So., Business Administration, Colon, Neb.
Isabel Andrade (Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field), Sr., Elementary Education, Petaluma, Calif.
Tyler Evans (Football), Jr., Biological Sciences/Psychology, Waverly, Neb.
Lane Hovey (Football), RFr., Business Administration, Adel, Iowa
Brent Qvale (Football), Sr., Nutrition, Exercise and Health Science/Applied Science, Williston, N.D.
Ryan Grassel (Men’s Golf), Sr., Economics/Global Studies/Political Science, Chesterton, Ind.
Josh Reinertson (Men’s Golf), Jr., Business Administration, Gibbon, Neb.
Steffi Neisen (Women’s Golf), Sr., Social Science Education/Coaching, New Prague, Minn.
Ryan Irick (Men’s Gymnastics), So., Nutrition Science, Wichita, Kan.
Ethan Lottman (Men’s Gymnastics), So., Art, Omaha, Neb.
Eric Schryver (Men’s Gymnastics), Sr., Nutrition Science, Richardson, Texas
Amanda Lauer (Women’s Gymnastics), Jr., Nutrition Science, Sioux City, Iowa
Jennifer Lauer (Women’s Gymnastics), Jr., Nutrition Science, Sioux City, Iowa
Emily Wong (Women’s Gymnastics), Sr., Nutrition Science, Grand Forks, N.D.
Sunny Russell (Rifle), Sr., Child, Youth & Family Studies, Stratford, Texas
Stacy Bartels (Soccer), Sr., Elementary Education, Omaha, Neb.
Alyssa Flannery (Soccer), So., Child, Youth & Family Studies, Omaha, Neb.
Caroline Flynn (Soccer), So., Communication Studies, Lincoln, Neb.
Karlee Gansebom (Soccer), RFr., Pre-Nursing, Bennington, Neb.
Kylie Greischar (Soccer), Sr., Communication Studies, Overland Park, Kan.
Maritza Hayes (Soccer), Sr., Psychology/Advertising & Public Relations, O’Fallon, Mo.
Katie Kraeutner (Soccer), So., Nutrition, Exercise & Health Science, North Saanich, B.C.
Mattie Fowler (Softball), Jr., Finance, Tucson, Ariz.
Cecilia Hall (Volleyball), So., Biochemistry, Linkoping, Sweden
Michaela Cunningham (Swimming & Diving), So., Biological Sciences/Mathematics, Severna Park, Md.
Shannon Guy (Swimming & Diving), Sr., Psychology, Omaha, Neb.
Samantha Hardewig (Swimming & Diving), So., Art, Cincinnati, Ohio
Ciara Jenkins (Swimming & Diving), Jr., Elementary Education & Mild/Moderate K-6, Mesa, Ariz.
Rebekah Land (Swimming & Diving), Jr., Communication Studies, Hannibal, Mo.
Bailey Pons (Swimming & Diving), Sr., Geology/English, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Kristin Strecker (Swimming & Diving), Sr., Biological Sciences, Topeka, Kan.
Scott Elsass (Men’s Tennis), So., Finance, Eden Prairie, Minn.
Chris Schindler (Men’s Tennis), RFr., Business Administration/Economics, Frankfurt, Germany
Brandon Videtich (Men’s Tennis), Sr., Business Administration, Lincoln, Neb.
Bradford Zitsch (Men’s Tennis), So., Agronomy, Columbia, Mo.
Maggy Lehmicke (Women’s Tennis), So., Journalism, Kirkland, Wash.
Maike Zeppernick (Women’s Tennis), Sr., Economics, Hamburg, Germany
Nolan Border (Men’s Track & Field), So., Nutrition Science, Lincoln, Neb.
Travis Englund (Men’s Track & Field), Sr., Psychology, Grand Island, Neb.
Guy Fenske (Men’s Track & Field), RFr., Nutrition, Exercise & Health Science, Sargent, Neb.
Levi Gipson (Men’s Track & Field), So., Nutrition, Exercise & Health Science, Lincoln, Neb.
Jacob Griess (Men’s Track & Field), Jr., Psychology, Grand Island, Neb.
Mark Hilderbrand (Men’s Track & Field), Jr., Agricultural Engineering, Gothenburg, Neb.
Sean Pille (Men’s Track & Field), So., Elementary Education, Oakland, Neb.
Patrick Raedler (Men’s Track & Field), Sr., Biochemistry, Baiersbronn-Obertal, Germany
Cody Rush (Men’s Track & Field), So., Nutrition Science, Grand Island, Neb.
John Welk (Men’s Track & Field), Jr., Nutrition Science, Bismark, N.D.
Melanie Blum (Women’s Track & Field), RFr., Forensic Science, Wahoo, Neb.
Ellie Grooters (Women’s Track & Field), Sr., Speech-Language Pathology, Fargo, N.D.
Mary Lloyd (Women’s Track & Field), Sr., Hospitality, Restaurant & Tourism Management, San Diego, Calif.
Maggie Malone (Women’s Track & Field), So., Business Administration/Management, Geneva, Neb.
Anne Martin (Women’s Track & Field), Sr., Teaching, Learning & Teacher Education, Waverly, Neb.
Anna Minnick (Women’s Track & Field), Sr., Art Education K-12, Omaha, Neb.
Carlie Pinkelman (Women’s Track & Field), Jr., Elementary Education, Cozad, Neb.
Jillanna Scanlan (Women’s Track & Field), Sr., Communication Studies, Plattsmouth, Neb.
Tristen Sharp (Women’s Track & Field), So., Special Education, South Sioux City, Neb.
Lauren Welch (Women’s Track & Field), Jr., Animal Science, Papillion, Neb.
Eric Coufal (Wrestling), So., Agribusiness, Howells, Neb.
Tim Lambert (Wrestling), So., Environmental Restoration Science, Forest Hills, Mich.

The First Nationals Earn the No. 2 Seed in the A-7 District, will Host

Posted on July 9, 2014July 9, 2014

The North Platte First Nationals have earned the No. 2 seed for the A-7 district tournament and will host the tournament at Bill Wood Field July 18-22.

North Platte currently has a 26-17 record on the year and will play third-seeded Hastings. Scottsbluff earned the No. 1 seed for the tournament and has a first round bye. Kearney is the No. 4 seed and will play fifth-seeded Lexington for the right to play Scottsbluff.

The tournament begins Friday, July 18 with No. 5 Lexington Pinnacle Bank playing No. 4 Kearney Runza at 4:00 pm at Bill Wood Field. The second-seeded North Platte First Nationals will then play No. 3 Hastings at 7:00 pm that night.

It is a double elimination tournament that culminates on Tuesday, July 22 with a 4:00 pm championship game.

The First Nationals are 0-2 this season against Hastings. The two teams played a doubleheader in Hastings on June 10 and Hastings won 6-1 and 8-4.

North Platte’s record against the rest of the teams in the tournament are as follows:

2-2 vs. Scottsbluff- Lost at Scottsbluff 7-0 and 11-10; won in North Platte 12-4 and 10-1.

1-1 vs. Kearney- Won in North Platte 6-5; lost in Kearney 7-0.

1-0 vs. Lexington- Won in North Platte 9-0.

The cost of admission will be $6 for adults, $3 for students and veterans get in free.

The bracket can be seen below.

Larger version of the bracket: A-7 District Tournament Bracket

NCAA’s Emmert Calls for ‘Scholarships for Life’

Posted on July 9, 2014

WASHINGTON (AP) — NCAA President Mark Emmert says college athletes should receive “scholarships for life.”

Emmert also told a Senate panel Wednesday that scholarships should also cover full cost of attending college, not just the basics.

Emmert listed seven changes he favors in testimony before the Senate Commerce Committee. He said he hopes some will come about if Division I schools decide to remake their decision-making structure in the coming weeks.

The hearing comes as the NCAA faces pressure from multiple fronts to reform how athletes are treated and compensated.

Emmert said he feels college sports “works extremely well for the vast majority” and the overall current model of amateurism should be preserved.

Soccer Player Charged with Murder in Ref’s Death

Posted on July 9, 2014

DETROIT (AP) — A Detroit-area soccer player accused of killing a referee with a punch to his neck has been charged with second-degree murder.

Wayne County prosecutor Kym Worthy announced the charge Wednesday against 36-year-old Baseel Abdul-Amir Saad of Dearborn. He was previously charged with assault.

John Bieniewicz died last week from injuries sustained June 29 when he was hit while working as a referee at a men’s soccer game in Livonia. Saad is accused of striking the 44-year-old when the referee planned to eject him.

A message seeking comment was left for Saad’s attorney.

First Nationals Announce Schedule Changes

Posted on July 9, 2014

The North Platte First Nationals have announced changes to their schedule for the remaining games this week.

The First Nationals are down to their final week of the regular season and have added a game and changed the game time of this weekend’s games.

The North Platte Seniors (26-17) will now play Ogallala at 7:00 pm on Friday at Bill Wood Field. The First Nationals also changed the game times of the Saturday and Sunday games against Malcolm. The Seniors will now play Malcolm at 1:00 pm Saturday and 11:00 am Sunday both at Bill Wood Field.

The updated schedule for this week can be seen below:

Wednesday July 9^th– Junior/Senior doubleheader vs. Gering @ 5:30 and 8:00

Thursday July 10^th– Senior game vs. Hershey @ 7:00

Friday July 11^th– Senior game vs. Ogallala @ 7:00

Saturday July 12^th– Senior game vs. Malcolm @ 1:00

Sunday July 13^th– Senior game vs. Malcolm @ 11:00

Tonight’s game against Gering is the final regular season game for the North Platte Juniors (22-8). It is also Leadership Awards night for the First Nationals. The recipient of last year’s Seniors Leadership award was Drew Beyer and the Juniors award went to Kevin Hancock.