News and Notes

Marion Jones is now officially a member of the Tulsa Shock. I hope she is able to take advantage of her athletic second chance, though she has not played much organized ball since winning a national title with North Carolina in 1994.

Top swimmers recently competed in the Charlotte UltraSwim, the first long-course race of the season. In the upset of the meet, Nick Thoman beat Micheal Phelps in the 100m back. I am a huge Thoman fan and am always excited to see him win. I hope that he is able to make the major world or Olympic team that has always eluded him. Peter Vanderkaay won two individual races and captured the overall Grand Prix series title. Rebecca Soni and Chloe Sutton also captured individual titles to secured second and third place finishes in the overall Grand Prix standings respectively. Another personal favorite, Dagny Knutson, also took home two individual titles. Her short course swimming is generally better than her long course swimming, but I expect that to change once she begins college in the fall and has access to better training facilities. Other winners from the weekend included Phelps, Natalie Coughlin, Elizabeth Beisel, Eric Shanteau, Emily Brunemann, Missy Franklin, and Ryan Lochte.

Lindsey Vonn was named the US Ski and Snowboard Association Athlete of the Year, while Nordic Combined Coach Dave Jarrett was named the coach of the year. Other athletes recognized include Alana Nichols (adaptive athlete), Kikkan Randall (cross country), Hannah Kearney (freestyle), Johnny Spillane (Nordic combined), Sarah Hendrickson (ski jumping), and Seth Wescott (snowboarding).

Tyson Gay set a world record of 19.41 seconds on a 200m straight track.

Bobsled gold medalist Curt Tomasevicz got to play on stage with Pearl Jam at concert in Kansas City.

Pairs skaters Brooke Castile and Ben Okolski officially retired.

A friend of mine will be guest blogging about the World Cup. Get excited!

Weekend Update

At the Columbus Grand Prix, Eric Shanteau won the 200 breast, Caesar Cielo won the 50 and 100 free, Peter Vanderkaay won the 400 free, Nick Thoman won the 100 and 200 back, Tyler Clary won the 400 IM, and Arthur Frayler won the 1,500 free. In women's races, Chloe Sutton won the 400 free, Elizabeth Pelton won the 100 and 200 back, Corrie Clark won the 200 breast, Vanessa Garcia won the 50 free, Justine Mueller won the 400 IM, and Jasmine Tosky won the 200 fly.

The America's Cup circuit for bobsled and skeleton ended today. Annie O'Shea won women's skeleton while Matt Anoine won the men's race. Patrice Servelle drove the two man bobsled to victory with Ethan Albrecht won the four man.

The US women's field hockey team lost to Korea in the finals of the qualifier for the World Cup. Will Spear and Kat Holmes will represent the US in fencing at the Youth Olympics.