Sports – Page 525 – North Platte Post Archive

AD: Facility to Keep Creighton Nationally Relevant

Posted on June 6, 2014

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Creighton athletic director Bruce Rasmussen says the school’s new Championship Center will help the Bluejays be nationally relevant in men’s basketball and other sports every year.

The athletic department gave the media a tour of the $13 million facility on the east end of the campus Friday. The center houses a practice gym paid for by former Creighton and current NBA player Kyle Korver, a players’ lounge named for 2014 national player of the year Doug McDermott and offices for Rasmussen and men’s basketball coach Greg McDermott.

The building’s weight room, at 6,000 square feet, is nearly twice the size of the Bluejays’ old weight room. There also is an academic center for individual studying and tutoring.

Rasmussen said the facility is one of the best in the Big East.

Boating Safety Course to be Held in North Platte

Posted on June 6, 2014

North Platte – There will be boating safety course in North Platte for those needing to complete the course before operating any power boat. Don’t wait – get registered now.

The three-hour course will be held June 30 at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission office. This class is a home study class, which allows students to study online, then attend the shortened class for a review and test session. Class time is 9:00 am to noon. The fee is $10 and there are minimum student requirements for the class to be held. Pre-registration is required by calling the North Platte Game and Parks Commission office at 535-8025.

The Nebraska Boating Safety course is required of all power boat operators born after December 31, 1985, which includes operators of personal watercraft and all other motorboats. The minimum age to operate a motorboat in Nebraska is 14. Students must be at least 14, or turning 14 this calendar year to be certified.

Boat owners who complete the class may qualify for insurance discounts. Parents are encouraged to attend with their children and boaters of all ages are welcome.

For information on additional classes in Nebraska, visit www.boatsafenebraska.org or contact Boating Safety Officer Scott Eveland at (308) 289-0017 or scott.eveland@nebraska.gov.

Knighton: Defense Aims to Complement Manning

Posted on June 6, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — It’s not that they were jealous. More like embarrassed.

While Peyton Manning’s prodigious offense was scorching scoreboards all of last season, collecting records and accolades by the bundle, Denver’s depleted defense was giving up 25 points a game.

Run-stuffer Terrance Knighton, one of just three starters who made it from opening night to the Super Bowl, says the goal in 2014 is to see to it that Manning’s high-octane offense is a luxury and not a necessity.

A’s Acquire Minor League Reliever Marks from Royals

Posted on June 6, 2014

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics have acquired left-hander Justin Marks from the Kansas City Royals for cash considerations.

The A’s announced the deal Friday and said they optioned Marks to Triple-A Sacramento. Oakland still must make a corresponding move to the 40-man roster.

The 26-year-old Marks went 3-2 with a 5.64 ERA in 13 appearances with two starts for Triple-A Omaha. He posted a 3.42 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 26 1-3 innings in 11 relief outings.

Marks made his major league debut April 17 against Minnesota after being called up from the minors that day for a brief big league stint.

Uplifting Athletes Road Race Set for July 20

Posted on June 6, 2014

Runners can now register to be a part of the second Nebraska Football Uplifting Athletes Road Race. The event is set for Sunday, July 20, and includes both a one-mile fun run and a competitive 5K race.

In its inaugural year, the Nebraska Uplifting Athletes Road Race had approximately 700 runners participate and organizers are hoping to increase that to more than 1,000 participants this summer. All proceeds from the race benefit pediatric brain cancer research, and in 2013 the event helped raise approximately $15,000.

The Sunday morning event will start at 8 a.m. with the one-mile run, with the 5K to begin immediately following completion of the fun run. The race will start and finish on Stadium Drive near the 501 Building. Nebraska football student-athletes will be on hand to provide support and encouragement throughout both races and there will be a chance for interaction with players before and after each race. The Lincoln Track Club will help coordinate the event for the second straight year.

The 5K will travel through Innovation Campus and around the Devaney Center/Hendricks Training Complex, while the one-mile fun run will take place on the UNL campus. Registration is currently open at www.upliftingathletes.org. The cost is $25 for the one-mile run and $30 for the 5K. Each participant will receive a race-day T-shirt and wrist bracelet.

Those interested should register now to ensure a spot in running for a cure to battle pediatric brain cancer.

CWS Stadium Plaza Named in Honor of NCAA Official

Posted on June 6, 2014

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha is honoring the retired NCAA administrator who helped forge a long-term agreement to keep the College World Series in the city.

Mayor Jean Stothert and four former mayors attended a ceremony Friday to dedicate Dennis Poppe (POPE) Plaza on the southwest side of TD Ameritrade Park.

Poppe retired as vice president of championships and alliances in January after 39 years at the NCAA. He ran the College World Series from 1987 to 2013, with the tournament growing into a major national event.

Poppe, who lives in Indianapolis, called Omaha his family’s “second home.” He said it’s humbling to have the plaza named for him.

The 66-year-old Poppe is credited with helping secure a contract that keeps the CWS in the city through 2035.

Huskers Football and Baseball Commit Selected in Second Round by Brewers

Posted on June 6, 2014

Lincoln – Nebraska baseball and football signee Monte Harrison was selected 50^th overall in the MLB First-Year Player Draft on Thursday night by the Milwaukee Brewers. Harrison was the ninth pick in the second round and it’s the highest that an incoming Husker has been picked since Bubba Starling was selected fifth overall by the Kansas City Royals in 2011. Starling went on to sign a professional contract with the Royals.

Scheduled to play both football and baseball at Nebraska, Harrison was tabbed as a first-team All-American by Perfect Game in 2014. The 6-2 product of Lee’s Summit West High School in Lee’s Summit, Mo., was ranked as the 31^st best high school prospect in the country and the No. 4 outfielder nationally by Perfect Game.

As a junior in 2013, Harrison hit .457, while driving in 33 runs and scoring 36. He had 12 doubles, three triples and six home runs and also stole 25 bases.

On the football field, Harrison helped his team to a 13-1 record and a Class 5 state title. Harrison’s explosiveness helped Lee’s Summit West dominate during its playoff run, winning all five games by at least 28 points. Harrison finished the season with 60 receptions for 1,007 yards, an average of 16.8 yards per catch, and had 13 receiving touchdowns. Harrison also rushed for 198 yards and 12 touchdowns and threw a touchdown pass.

Harrison now has until July 18 to sign a contract with the Brewers.

Owings Leads D-backs to 12-7 Win over Rockies

Posted on June 6, 2014

DENVER (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt, Miguel Montero and Chris Owings homered as the Arizona Diamondbacks reached double-digits against the Colorado Rockies again, completing a sweep with a 12-7 win Thursday night.

Arizona took all three games at Coors Field for the first time since April 2008.

Bronson Arroyo (5-4) pitched effectively most of the evening before running out of steam. The 37-year-old allowed four runs and six hits in 6 1-3 innings.

Juan Nicasio (5-4) struggled with his command, allowing a season-high seven runs in 5 1-3 innings as the Rockies dropped their seventh straight game. It’s their longest skid since losing nine in a row late in the 2012 season.

Spurs Handle Heat, Win 110-95 in NBA Finals Game 1

Posted on June 6, 2014

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Tim Duncan had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Miami Heat 110-95 on Thursday night in Game 1 of the NBA Finals inside a sweltering AT&T Center.

With an air conditioning failure making it feel like basketball in a sauna and causing LeBron James to battle cramps that knocked him out of the game’s decisive stretch, the Spurs pulled away to win the opener of the first finals rematch since 1998.

Manu Ginobili had 16 points and 11 assists, and Tony Parker added 19 points and eight assists for the Spurs, who shot 59 percent and improved to 6 for 6 in NBA Finals Game 1s.

James finished with 25 points but played only 33 minutes, and Miami was outscored 36-17 in the fourth quarter.

Ventura Leads Royals to 3-2 Win over Cardinals

Posted on June 5, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Yordano Ventura threw six innings in his return from a sore elbow, and the Kansas City Royals rallied to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 Thursday night and end a string of eight straight home losses to their in-state rivals.

Ventura (3-5) was skipped his previous time through the rotation because of minor elbow pain, but he looked sharp in his return.

He pitched to contact and took advantage of some sharp defense, which helped him to limit the damage whenever he ran into trouble.

The Royals rallied for three runs off Michael Wacha (4-4) to take the lead in the sixth inning, and Francisley Bueno and Wade Davis each pitched a perfect inning in relief of Ventura.