Sports – Page 561 – North Platte Post Archive

Rat and Beaver Lakes Aquatic Habitat Project to Begin

Posted on April 17, 2014

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has recently installed a temporary control structure below Rat and Beaver lakes located in Cherry County. This structure will allow the lakes to be lowered 18 inches over several months in preparation for a complete lake rehabilitation project.

Improvements to the boat launch area, a complete fish renovation, and installation of two fish barriers below Rat and Beaver lakes will be completed by late 2014 or early 2015.

Currently, the Rat and Beaver fishery is dominated by common carp. A complete fish renovation is required to restore a more productive sport fish fishery. Fish barriers will be installed below the lakes to prevent common carp movement up into the lakes. Anglers, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts should see improved water quality, increased aquatic vegetation, increased waterfowl usage and an improved fishery. Once the project is completed, bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch, and black crappie will be stocked in the lake.

The Rat and Beaver lakes project will be funded by the Nebraska Aquatic Habitat Stamp, which is included in the cost of every fishing permit.

For more information about this project, contact Zac Brashears at the Valentine State Fish Hatchery at 402-376-8080.

Franklin Morales Helps Rockies Beat Padres 3-1

Posted on April 17, 2014

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Franklin Morales allowed four hits in six innings and Wilin Rosario hit a tiebreaking groundout in a three-run seventh, lifting the Colorado Rockies over the San Diego Padres 3-1 Thursday.

Morales (1-1) allowed a solo homer to Xavier Nady leading off the fourth, a drive off the facing of the second deck in left field, and Ian Kennedy (1-2) took a one-hit shutout into the seventh.

Corey Dickerson reached on a one-out double, Troy Tulowitzki walked and Justin Morneau lined a ball to right field. Chris Denorfia broke in, then retreated as the ball went over him for an RBI double.

Rosario grounded out to shortstop as Tulowitzki scored for a 2-1 lead, and Nolan Arenado followed with a run-scoring single.

Big Game Society to Auction Elk Tag May 2

Posted on April 17, 2014April 17, 2014

LINCOLN – An elk tag will be auctioned off at the Nebraska Big Game Society (NBGS) banquet May 2 in Lincoln. The banquet will be held at Wilderness Ridge Golf Club, 1800 Wilderness Woods Place.

Those who wish to bid but cannot attend may call in their bids for free. Call-in bidders must first notify the NBGS by 5 p.m. on April 29 at 402-430-9191 or 402-429-7181, or via email at NBGS11@gmail.com.

Only residents are eligible for the tag, which will be auctioned at 7:30 p.m. The high bidder will receive a bull elk tag valid in any elk management unit during a 2014 open bull elk season using any legal weapons for that season.

Proceeds from the elk tag auction will be used by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for the preservation of elk herds and hunting opportunities in the state.

Tickets for the banquet are $60 each or $500 for a table of eight. Dinner is at 6:15 p.m. Contact Jon Thomas 402-430-9191 or Rick Brandt 402-429-7181 for more information about the NBGS.

Kansas City’s Cain to DL with Groin Strain

Posted on April 17, 2014

HOUSTON (AP) — Kansas City outfielder Lorenzo Cain has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left groin strain.

Cain was injured trying to beat a throw to first base in the ninth inning on Wednesday night. He is hitting .333 with five RBIs and two stolen bases in 12 games this season.

Manager Ned Yost says Cain is: “still sore in his leg so … we’ll give him time to get this out of the way. Hopefully it won’t be any more than 15 days, but we’ll see.”

The team recalled left-hander Justin Marks from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday. Marks went 1-1 with a 3.24 ERA in one start and two relief appearances for the Storm Chasers.

NFL, Lawyers at Work on $765M Concussion Deal

Posted on April 17, 2014

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A judge overseeing thousands of NFL concussion-linked lawsuits says lawyers are still working to address her concerns about a proposed $765 million fund.

U.S. District Judge Anita Brody says she fears the fund may not be large enough to cover up to 20,000 retired players for 65 years.

Lawyers have given her more data to weigh since she rejected the deal on a preliminary basis in January.

The judge says in a Thursday order the parties are continuing to work with the court “to address the issues.” She also has clarified an order this week denying approval of the deal was not a new ruling. She says she was simply adding the January ruling to some case files.

The judge is expected to hold hearings in the case this year.

Johansson To Play Professionally In Sweden

Posted on April 17, 2014

KEARNEY, Neb. – After spending his final year of junior eligibility with the Tri-City Storm, goaltender Jacob Johansson has decided to return to Sweden to pursue a professional career, signing a two-year deal with Linköping HC of the Swedish Hockey League.

The netminder, who originally hails from Stockholm, Sweden, appeared in 42 games for the Storm during the 2013-14 season. Johansson racked up over 2,000 minutes in between the pipes, seventh most in the league.

“I loved every part of my year in Kearney,” Johansson said. “I want to thank the organization for giving me the opportunity to represent the team and I want to thank the fans for giving us their full support throughout the year even when we didn’t play our best hockey.”

Johansson also recorded three shutouts among his 14 total wins, which was fourth best in the USHL. His 1,174 saves were fifth most among all goaltenders.

The six-foot, one-inch goalie is excited about his contract with a team in what is considered the top pro league in Sweden. But Johansson expects he’ll need to prove himself and will likely start out on a loan with a team in the second-best pro league in the country.

After a bout with mono kept the goaltender on the bench for the final weeks of the season, Johansson said he is healthy now and will begin offseason workouts in the coming weeks.

The Linköping organization is nothing new for Johansson, as he played for their junior team before coming to the USHL.

“I actually spoke with Linköping throughout most of the year since I played there last season,” Johansson said. “We actually have two players from the U.S. and there are a lot of players from other countries so I don’t think the difference is going to be too big.”

Johansson said that the year spent in the USHL will help him because of how many games he played.

“I got used to playing a lot of games,” Johansson said. “The media coverage was great and I loved interacting with our loyal fans.”

His final USHL statistics included an overall record of 14-22-3, with a goals against average of 3.07 and a save percentage of .910.

“I want to thank my billet family (John and Robyn Schulthiess) for being amazing and providing me with everything I needed while in the U.S.,” Johansson said.

With the 2013-14 season in the books, Tri-City is now preparing for the two annual USHL Entry Drafts, which will take place May 5-6. The Storm will have the No. 3 overall pick in both drafts.

Ethan Montalvo Inks Letter of Intent with Division I Texas State

Posted on April 17, 2014

North Platte – Sophomore Ethan Montalvo signed a National Letter of Intent Wednesday afternoon on National Signing Day with the Texas State University Bobcats, a NCAA Division I school located in San Marcos, Texas.

“It’s an awesome feeling to be signed to a D1 school,” said Montalvo. “My dreams have come true and I am really excited for the next two years to compete at the highest level.”

Montalvo was named to the 2013-14 Honorable Mention All-American Team earlier this week, becoming 8th player in program history to be named an All-American.

Along with being named an All-American, Montalvo was named All-Region IX 1st Team, All-Region IX Tournament Team and All-NCCAC 1st Team. As a freshman, Montalvo was All-Region IX 2nd Team, All-Region IX Tournament Team and All-NCCAC 1st Team.

Texas State University competes in the Sun Belt Conference where they finished the year 8-23 under first-year head coach Danny Kaspar.

“We are extremely excited to add someone the caliber of Ethan Montalvo to the Texas State Basketball family,” said assistant coach Talvin Hester. “We expect Ethan to make an immediate impact in our backcourt with his overall basketball skill set.”

“In addition, he brings a great attitude, high basketball IQ and a competitive edge to Bobcat Nation. He’s a winner. Ethan won in high school and at NPCC. We look forward to Ethan instilling some of that winning culture and attitude to our team next season.”

This season Montalvo led the Knights in scoring at 18.9 points per game and in steals at 2.2 per game while also contributing 3.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.

Montalvo finishes his career with 1,173 points to finish 5th All-Time and ties Chase Grabau, Ben Wilson and Aboubacar Casse for most games played in a Knights uniform at 68. Montalvo started every single game of his Knights career.

“We will miss Ethan Montalvo here in North Platte,” said assistant coach Nathan Wieseler “but we are very excited for him to continue his career at Texas State. The staff at Texas State has done a great job recruiting him and has made sure he knew he was their top priority at his position since September. We know that Ethan will have a very successful career as a Bobcat!”

Montalvo has been a part of the most successful two year stretch in program history as the Knights compiled a 57-11 record during his career, including a Region IX Championship in 2013 and National Tournament appearance. The 57 wins are the most in program history in a two year stretch and the 11 losses are the fewest. Montalvo has never known defeat at McDonald-Belton Gymnasium finishing a perfect 28-0 in two years, also a school record.

Girl’s Memorial Being Held at Basketball Arena

Posted on April 17, 2014

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — An 8-year-old Michigan State basketball fan whose battle with cancer inspired the team’s players, coaches and many more beyond the hardwood is to be honored by thousands of her closest friends at a memorial service in East Lansing.

Lacey Holsworth’s family wants those attending the event Thursday at the Breslin Center basketball arena to wear bright colors and smiles in celebration of her life.

Lacey died at her home in nearby St. Johns on April 8. The little girl affectionately known as “Princess Lacey” had neuroblastoma, a nerve-cell cancer. She wore a blond wig because chemotherapy took her hair.

Lacey met Michigan State basketball star Adreian Payne during one of her hospital stays, and their friendship quickly blossomed. She became a valued member of the Spartan family.

Manning Holds on to Heartache of Super Bowl

Posted on April 17, 2014

DENVER (AP) — Broncos fans may want to move on from Denver’s Super Bowl debacle. Not Peyton Manning. He’s holding on to the heartache to stoke his competitive fire.

In his first public comments since the highest-scoring team in NFL history was destroyed by Seattle from the opening snap two months ago, Manning said the Broncos’ 43-8 loss will serve as motivation in 2014.

The Broncos gather next week for the official start of offseason workouts with a roster that looks a lot different from the one that lost by five TDs to the Seahawks.

Although Manning and the Broncos will view their loss to Seattle as a scar, much like they did their defeat to Baltimore in the playoffs a year earlier, Manning agreed the gathering will allow the Broncos to begin looking ahead.

Cashner Solid in Padres’ 4-2 Win over Rockies

Posted on April 17, 2014

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Andrew Cashner pitched into the eighth inning and Chris Denorfia drove in two runs to lift the San Diego Padres to a 4-2 win over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night.

Cashner (2-1) wasn’t nearly as sharp as he was in his previous start when he took a no-hitter into the sixth inning against Detroit on Friday before settling for a one-hitter with a career-best 11 strikeouts. But the righty was resourceful as he consistently pitched his way out of trouble.

Cashner gave up nine hits and allowed two runs — one earned — with five strikeouts in 7 1-3 innings. Huston Street pitched the ninth for his fifth save.

Justin Morneau went 3 for 3 and drove in both Rockies runs with a solo homer and a sacrifice fly. Jorge De La Rosa (0-3) pitched a season-high six innings, allowing three runs — two earned — and seven hits.