By BRANDON SMITH Barton Sports Info

The Barton Community College swimming programs returned to action this past weekend in Conway, Arkansas for the 61st Hendrix Relays and 55th Annual Hendricks Classic.

Entered as the lone NJCAA program, the Cougars were led behind&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wswimdive/2024-25/bios/contes_tribst_marcela_enxq">Marcela Contes Tribst</a>&nbsp;and Mateo Wallet's first place finishes over the two days of competition while also producing a trio of new program top 10 impacts and four new personal best times

Ahead for the Cougars is a weekend break before traveling to Kearney, Nebraska for the UNK Invitational held November 8-9 before concluding the first half of the semester at the Eagle Invitational held November 15-17 in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Women's Recap On the women's side, Barton produced one individual title, two new program top-10 times while four different Cougars made their first appearance over the 13 events.

Making her Barton debut, Contes Tribst fashioned the first of her two-program top 10 impacts, besting the 14-participant field in the 200 backstroke writting the programs fifth fastest stoppage 2:20.37. The freshman concluded her strong collegiate debut mending the program's 10th quickest time of 2:25.97 for a third-place finish in the 200 IM.

Sophomore Elana Lara and freshman&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wswimdive/2024-25/bios/alvarez_katy_w1y9">Katy Alvarez</a>&nbsp;fashioned the Cougars next highest placings individually with runner-up finishes.

Lara led a two-pack inside the top-4 in the 200 butterfly touching the wall second quickest in 2:25.50 while counterpart&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wswimdive/2024-25/bios/cicha_aleksandra_l8hj">Aleksandra Cicha</a>&nbsp;slipped two spots back with a 2:26.86.

Alvarez collected her runner-up placing behind a new personal best 200 breaststroke wall touch of 2:48.80 with teammate&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wswimdive/2024-25/bios/naldoza_mia_qk6f">Mia Naldoza</a>&nbsp;four spots back in sixth with a first ever time 3:01.16.

In the lone team event, the four pack of Contes Tribust, Alvarez, Lara and Cicha supplied a runner-up result in the 200 Medley with a 2:02.29 stoppage.

Men's Recap The Cougar men secured one individual title while producing five top-5 placings over the 13-events of competition.

Highlighting the competition was Wallet's pair of top-three finishes. The freshman manufactured the lone gold medal in the 200 freestyle, out pacing the 23 participant field with the programs sixth quickest stoppage 1:44.44 while teammate&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mswimdive/2024-25/bios/guimaraes_arnaldo_6ayy">Arnaldo Guimaraes</a>&nbsp;drew runner-up with a 1:46.72 stoppage.

Wallet secured his other top-three placing with his second personal best stoppage on the afternoon drawing a third place 4:54.49 in the 500 freestyle.

In the tightest race of the afternoon,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mswimdive/2024-25/bios/ribeiro_joao_m0f9">Joao Ribeiro</a>&nbsp;led a pair of Cougars inside the top-4 of the 50 freestyle with a runner-up 22.22 while teammate&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mswimdive/2024-25/bios/sein_cameron_yvef">Cameron Sein</a>&nbsp;fell five tenths back in fourth with a 22.27 wall touch.

The four pack of Wallet, Guimaraes, Sein and Ribeiro pieced together the best relay finish with a bronze medal in the 200 medley completing the four leg in a time of 1:39.35.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wswimdive/2024-25/files/61stHendrixRelays102524.pdf">Complete 61st Hendrix Relays Results</a>

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wswimdive/2024-25/files/55thHendrixClassic102524.pdf">Complete 55th Hendrix Classic Results</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730293120010.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BRANDON SMITH Barton Sports InfoThe Barton Community College swimming programs returned to action this past weekend in Conway, Arkansas for the 61st Hendrix Relays and 55th Annual Hendricks Classic.Entered as the lone NJCAA program, the Cougars were led behind&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wswimdive/2024-25/bios/contes_tribst_marcela_enxq">Marcela Contes Tribst</a>&nbsp;and Mateo Wallet's first place finishes over the two days of competition while also producing a trio of new program top 10 impacts and four new personal best timesAhead for the Cougars is a weekend break before traveling to Kearney, Nebraska for the UNK Invitational held November 8-9 before concluding the first half of the semester at the Eagle Invitational held November 15-17 in Edmond, Oklahoma.Women's Recap On the women's side, Barton produced one individual title, two new program top-10 times while four different Cougars made their first appearance over the 13 events.Making her Barton debut, Contes Tribst fashioned the first of her two-program top 10 impacts, besting the 14-participant field in the 200 backstroke writting the programs fifth fastest stoppage 2:20.37. The freshman concluded her strong collegiate debut mending the program's 10th quickest time of 2:25.97 for a third-place finish in the 200 IM.Sophomore Elana Lara and freshman&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wswimdive/2024-25/bios/alvarez_katy_w1y9">Katy Alvarez</a>&nbsp;fashioned the Cougars next highest placings individually with runner-up finishes.Lara led a two-pack inside the top-4 in the 200 butterfly touching the wall second quickest in 2:25.50 while counterpart&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wswimdive/2024-25/bios/cicha_aleksandra_l8hj">Aleksandra Cicha</a>&nbsp;slipped two spots back with a 2:26.86.Alvarez collected her runner-up placing behind a new personal best 200 breaststroke wall touch of 2:48.80 with teammate&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wswimdive/2024-25/bios/naldoza_mia_qk6f">Mia Naldoza</a>&nbsp;four spots back in sixth with a first ever time 3:01.16.In the lone team event, the four pack of Contes Tribust, Alvarez, Lara and Cicha supplied a runner-up result in the 200 Medley with a 2:02.29 stoppage.Men's Recap The Cougar men secured one individual title while producing five top-5 placings over the 13-events of competition.Highlighting the competition was Wallet's pair of top-three finishes. The freshman manufactured the lone gold medal in the 200 freestyle, out pacing the 23 participant field with the programs sixth quickest stoppage 1:44.44 while teammate&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mswimdive/2024-25/bios/guimaraes_arnaldo_6ayy">Arnaldo Guimaraes</a>&nbsp;drew runner-up with a 1:46.72 stoppage.Wallet secured his other top-three placing with his second personal best stoppage on the afternoon drawing a third place 4:54.49 in the 500 freestyle.In the tightest race of the afternoon,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mswimdive/2024-25/bios/ribeiro_joao_m0f9">Joao Ribeiro</a>&nbsp;led a pair of Cougars inside the top-4 of the 50 freestyle with a runner-up 22.22 while teammate&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/mswimdive/2024-25/bios/sein_cameron_yvef">Cameron Sein</a>&nbsp;fell five tenths back in fourth with a 22.27 wall touch.The four pack of Wallet, Guimaraes, Sein and Ribeiro pieced together the best relay finish with a bronze medal in the 200 medley completing the four leg in a time of 1:39.35.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wswimdive/2024-25/files/61stHendrixRelays102524.pdf">Complete 61st Hendrix Relays Results</a><a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wswimdive/2024-25/files/55thHendrixClassic102524.pdf">Complete 55th Hendrix Classic Results</a>

Barton Swimming led behind Contes Tribst and Wallet's golds at the Hendrix Classic

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

The 2024 prep volleyball season was a banner one for teams around the Golden Belt. Seven teams throughout Barton, Rice, and Rush Counties are headed to state at four different venues, each with their own set of rules for fans. Here are those rules as listed on the Kansas State High School Activities Association website.

Class 5A at Tony's Pizza Event Center in Salina (Great Bend, evening session on Friday, Nov. 1) 1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Clear Bag Policy in effect approved bags will include clear tote bags up to 12” x 12” x 6”, one-gallon plastic freezer bags, or small purses or clutches not to exceed 8.5” x 5.5”.&nbsp;Patrons whose bags exceed these dimensions will be asked to return belongings to their vehicles.&nbsp;

2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bags NOT ALLOWED&nbsp;include but are not limited to: backpacks, binoculars cases, camera cases, large purses, oversized tote bags, diaper bags, mesh bags, fanny packs or seat cushions. Diaper bags are allowed, though diaper bags will be subject to search by security team.

3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Video and/or photography is not allowed at most TONY’S® Pizza Events Center events without pre-approved media credentials. Media request must be made in advance and will not be accepted day of event.&nbsp; Absolutely&nbsp;no TRI-PODS&nbsp;are allowed into the facility unless they are on the approved media list and set up in designated media areas.

4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Banners and/or signs should only be&nbsp;hung from arena railing system (bottom rail only)&nbsp;and cannot be attached with tape. Zip ties and/or string is preferred. Size must not exceed 4ft. x 12ft. (page 15 of manual). Any banners taped to the arena rails, left over night or those that exceed the size limit will be taken down by arena staff.&nbsp;

IMPORTANT:&nbsp;All signs must be removed each day.&nbsp; Venue not responsible for any signs which are not removed.

5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No bands, artificial noisemakers or props are allowed at postseason volleyball tournaments (page 14 of your manual).

6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Helium balloons and confetti are not allowed in the arena.

7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Face/body paint application is not allowed in the building.

8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Guests/fans will not wear or bring signage with obscene or indecent messages.

9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Guests/fans will enjoy an event that is free of disruptive behavior, foul or abusive language or obscene gestures. All fans are to abide by Rule 52 and display good Sportsmanship.

10.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cheerleaders and school administrators are to see that students do not stand on chairs. Schools will be held responsible for any damage to chairs or other property where the damage is directly attributable to the school.&nbsp;

Class 3A at Hutchinson Sports Arena (Hoisington, evening session on Friday, Nov. 1)

No outside food or drink. Cash or credit card options available for concessions.

Class 2A and 1A, Div. I at Dodge City's United Wireless Arena (Ellinwood, morning session on Friday, Nov. 1 Little River and St. John evening session on Friday, Nov. 1)

Glitter, Confetti and Balloons filled with helium are NOT ALLOWED in the Arena. Artificial noise-makers (horns, cowbells, triangles, whistles, etc.) are not allowed. Banners and signs are acceptable as long as they are not derogatory. Signs can be attached to anything in the Arena other than the hockey dashers (as this is playable surface) and cannot obstruct the view of spectators or block Exit signs. Please use string or zip-ties not tape. Signs may not exceed 4’x 6’.&nbsp;&nbsp;Cash or credit card options available for concessions.

Class 1A, Div. II at Emporia's White Auditorium (Otis-Bison in morning session on Friday, Nov. 1)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730294087522.jpeg" alt="Fans at last weekend's Class 5A substate tournament in Great Bend brought energy and their Halloween costumes." />
 <figcaption>Fans at last weekend's Class 5A substate tournament in Great Bend brought energy and their Halloween costumes.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostThe 2024 prep volleyball season was a banner one for teams around the Golden Belt. Seven teams throughout Barton, Rice, and Rush Counties are headed to state at four different venues, each with their own set of rules for fans. Here are those rules as listed on the Kansas State High School Activities Association website.Class 5A at Tony's Pizza Event Center in Salina (Great Bend, evening session on Friday, Nov. 1) 1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Clear Bag Policy in effect approved bags will include clear tote bags up to 12” x 12” x 6”, one-gallon plastic freezer bags, or small purses or clutches not to exceed 8.5” x 5.5”.&nbsp;Patrons whose bags exceed these dimensions will be asked to return belongings to their vehicles.&nbsp;2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bags NOT ALLOWED&nbsp;include but are not limited to: backpacks, binoculars cases, camera cases, large purses, oversized tote bags, diaper bags, mesh bags, fanny packs or seat cushions. Diaper bags are allowed, though diaper bags will be subject to search by security team.3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Video and/or photography is not allowed at most TONY’S® Pizza Events Center events without pre-approved media credentials. Media request must be made in advance and will not be accepted day of event.&nbsp; Absolutely&nbsp;no TRI-PODS&nbsp;are allowed into the facility unless they are on the approved media list and set up in designated media areas.4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Banners and/or signs should only be&nbsp;hung from arena railing system (bottom rail only)&nbsp;and cannot be attached with tape. Zip ties and/or string is preferred. Size must not exceed 4ft. x 12ft. (page 15 of manual). Any banners taped to the arena rails, left over night or those that exceed the size limit will be taken down by arena staff.&nbsp;IMPORTANT:&nbsp;All signs must be removed each day.&nbsp; Venue not responsible for any signs which are not removed.5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No bands, artificial noisemakers or props are allowed at postseason volleyball tournaments (page 14 of your manual).6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Helium balloons and confetti are not allowed in the arena.7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Face/body paint application is not allowed in the building.8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Guests/fans will not wear or bring signage with obscene or indecent messages.9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Guests/fans will enjoy an event that is free of disruptive behavior, foul or abusive language or obscene gestures. All fans are to abide by Rule 52 and display good Sportsmanship.10.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cheerleaders and school administrators are to see that students do not stand on chairs. Schools will be held responsible for any damage to chairs or other property where the damage is directly attributable to the school.&nbsp;Class 3A at Hutchinson Sports Arena (Hoisington, evening session on Friday, Nov. 1)No outside food or drink. Cash or credit card options available for concessions.Class 2A and 1A, Div. I at Dodge City's United Wireless Arena (Ellinwood, morning session on Friday, Nov. 1 Little River and St. John evening session on Friday, Nov. 1)Glitter, Confetti and Balloons filled with helium are NOT ALLOWED in the Arena. Artificial noise-makers (horns, cowbells, triangles, whistles, etc.) are not allowed. Banners and signs are acceptable as long as they are not derogatory. Signs can be attached to anything in the Arena other than the hockey dashers (as this is playable surface) and cannot obstruct the view of spectators or block Exit signs. Please use string or zip-ties not tape. Signs may not exceed 4’x 6’.&nbsp;&nbsp;Cash or credit card options available for concessions.Class 1A, Div. II at Emporia's White Auditorium (Otis-Bison in morning session on Friday, Nov. 1)<ul>
 <li>No Helium filled balloons or confetti is permitted in the facility.</li><li>Spectators are assigned seating locations for team introductions according to a predetermined assignment made by the KSHSAA, not necessarily based on the seed of the team.&nbsp; Please observe these seating assignments during the team introductions portions of the tournament.</li><li>No artificial noisemakers are allowed in the facility.</li><li>Signs may not be taped to the railings.&nbsp; Use string or zip ties to attach signs.</li><li>All fans are to abide by Rule 52 and display good Sportsmanship.</li><li>Fans must stay off the court after the conclusion of all matches.</li><li>Coolers with food and drink for the players will only be allowed in the locker rooms.</li><li>Ticket booths open one hour prior to the first game.&nbsp; Credit and debit cards are accepted.</li><li>&nbsp;Updated results and brackets are available by going to kshsaa.org and clicking on the state tournament site, look for the icon - updated state results.</li><li>CASH ONLY for concessions.</li>
 </ul>

Clear bags and signs: what state volleyball fans need to know

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Texans receiver Stefon Diggs will miss the rest of the season after tearing the ACL in his right knee Sunday. Coach DeMeco Ryans made the announcement Tuesday, calling Diggs being out a huge loss. “It hurts our team to hear that news,” Ryans said. “He’s been such an important part to our team and just everything that he brought, not only on the field, but off the field. The energy, the leader, the way he worked every single day. He brought a lot to our team and we have to pick up the slack — a lot of guys have to pick up the slack.” Diggs suffered the non-contact injury in the third quarter of Houston’s win over the Colts on Sunday. He was running a route and pulled up and grabbed at his right knee before falling to the ground. The 30-year-old Diggs had 47 receptions for 496 yards and three touchdowns in eight games in his first season in Houston after a blockbuster trade from the Bills.

NEW YORK (AP) — Two fans at Yankee Stadium were ejected from Game 4 of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/mlb">World Series</a>&nbsp;after one pried a foul ball out of the glove of Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts on Tuesday night. Betts leaped at the wall in foul territory and initially caught Gleyber Torres’ pop up in the first inning, but a fan in the first row with a gray Yankees’ road jersey&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1851420322295128310" target="_blank">grabbed Betts’ glove</a>&nbsp;with both hands and pulled the ball out. Another fan grabbed Betts’ non-glove hand. Betts reacted angrily, and Torres was immediately called out on fan interference. “When it comes to the person in play, it doesn’t matter,” Betts said. “We lost. It’s irrelevant. I’m fine. He’s fine. Everything’s cool. We lost the game and that’s what I’m kind of focused on. We got to turn the page and get ready for tomorrow.”

The Indianapolis Colts are benching&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/colts-analysis-week-7-ff1f521f1994d84f381ddd6ff05f5e7d">Anthony Richardson</a>&nbsp;to start Joe Flacco at quarterback on Sunday at Minnesota, according to two people with knowledge of the decision. Both people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the team had not announced the change. Coach Shane Steichen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/colts-analysis-week-8-1807372c0ec5c38c4f5f47e77b28d31d">said Monday he was “evaluating”</a>&nbsp;whether Richardson would remain the starter — the first hint that a move might be coming for the 4-4 Colts. Richardson, the fourth pick in the 2023 NFL draft,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/anthony-richardson-indianapolis-colts-6587f0ae2bc00083dcb57d575c0e4200">was 10 of 32 passing</a>&nbsp;and got sacked five times in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texans-colts-score-stroud-richardson-c81741384083f956a324985508ffa190">23-20 loss to Houston</a>&nbsp;over the weekend. He also drew outside criticism for taking himself out of the game for a play because he said he was tired. Flacco came in relief earlier this season and started the next two games&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/colts-anthony-richardson-out-titans-ecee712adf157ca2ee1f23d295515754">when Richardson was out</a>&nbsp;with a right hip injury. The 39-year-old completed 71 of 108 passes for 716 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception, and Indianapolis went 2-1.&nbsp;The Colts are 2-3 in games Richardson has started and finished. The University of Florida product is 59 of 133 for 958 yards, four TDs and seven INTs.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Utah Jazz have been emphasizing that this season will be centered on developing their young building blocks like forward Taylor Hendricks, but now he’s likely gone for the season. On Monday night, Hendricks ran down the court toward the baseline,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-hendricks-leg-utah-jazz-4e11bfd072b862133fe1b9a4888b1dd7">stumbled and awkwardly fell</a>&nbsp;on top of his leg. Without anyone in his vicinity, he broke his right fibula, dislocated his ankle and yelped in disbelief as he saw his foot going one direction and his leg the other. Several Jazz players had tears in their eyes and covered their heads with towels during an extended break where the medical staff took Hendricks off on a stretcher. They&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mavericks-jazz-score-kyrie-irving-56784a333b85bf8f104e89c96d9c8a95">lost to the Mavericks 110-102</a>&nbsp;and now face a rebuilding season without a defensive centerpiece.

GENEVA (AP) — FIFA finally announced a first sponsor for its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/club-world-cup-2025-fifa-cbc0fa69ecff46972e775c1afc477a07">revamped Club World Cup</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday in a deal that will brand video review checks at the tournament in the United States next year. Chinese consumer electronics firm Hisense will have “branding appearing in the video operation room and on pitchside screens,”&nbsp;<a href="https://inside.fifa.com/about-fifa/commercial/media-releases/hisense-becomes-partner-for-new-fifa-club-world-cup" target="_blank">FIFA said in a statement</a>, when match officials study key incidents in the 32-team tournament being played in 11 American cities from June 15 to July 13. Though no previous FIFA tournament has had a sponsor for video reviews since the technology was approved before the men’s 2018 World Cup in Russia, Hisense&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hisense-usa.com/newsroom/more-than-a-sponsor-hisense-named-var-screen-provider-for-uefa-euro-2024" target="_blank">was the official “VAR Screen Provider”</a>&nbsp;for this year’s European Championship organized by UEFA in Germany.

TUESDAY SCORES Major League Baseball World Series NY Yankees 11, LA Dodgers 4&nbsp; &nbsp;(Dodgers lead best-of-seven series 3-1)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714991701059.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Texans receiver Stefon Diggs will miss the rest of the season after tearing the ACL in his right knee Sunday. Coach DeMeco Ryans made the announcement Tuesday, calling Diggs being out a huge loss. “It hurts our team to hear that news,” Ryans said. “He’s been such an important part to our team and just everything that he brought, not only on the field, but off the field. The energy, the leader, the way he worked every single day. He brought a lot to our team and we have to pick up the slack — a lot of guys have to pick up the slack.” Diggs suffered the non-contact injury in the third quarter of Houston’s win over the Colts on Sunday. He was running a route and pulled up and grabbed at his right knee before falling to the ground. The 30-year-old Diggs had 47 receptions for 496 yards and three touchdowns in eight games in his first season in Houston after a blockbuster trade from the Bills.NEW YORK (AP) — Two fans at Yankee Stadium were ejected from Game 4 of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/mlb">World Series</a>&nbsp;after one pried a foul ball out of the glove of Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts on Tuesday night. Betts leaped at the wall in foul territory and initially caught Gleyber Torres’ pop up in the first inning, but a fan in the first row with a gray Yankees’ road jersey&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1851420322295128310" target="_blank">grabbed Betts’ glove</a>&nbsp;with both hands and pulled the ball out. Another fan grabbed Betts’ non-glove hand. Betts reacted angrily, and Torres was immediately called out on fan interference. “When it comes to the person in play, it doesn’t matter,” Betts said. “We lost. It’s irrelevant. I’m fine. He’s fine. Everything’s cool. We lost the game and that’s what I’m kind of focused on. We got to turn the page and get ready for tomorrow.”The Indianapolis Colts are benching&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/colts-analysis-week-7-ff1f521f1994d84f381ddd6ff05f5e7d">Anthony Richardson</a>&nbsp;to start Joe Flacco at quarterback on Sunday at Minnesota, according to two people with knowledge of the decision. Both people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the team had not announced the change. Coach Shane Steichen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/colts-analysis-week-8-1807372c0ec5c38c4f5f47e77b28d31d">said Monday he was “evaluating”</a>&nbsp;whether Richardson would remain the starter — the first hint that a move might be coming for the 4-4 Colts. Richardson, the fourth pick in the 2023 NFL draft,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/anthony-richardson-indianapolis-colts-6587f0ae2bc00083dcb57d575c0e4200">was 10 of 32 passing</a>&nbsp;and got sacked five times in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texans-colts-score-stroud-richardson-c81741384083f956a324985508ffa190">23-20 loss to Houston</a>&nbsp;over the weekend. He also drew outside criticism for taking himself out of the game for a play because he said he was tired. Flacco came in relief earlier this season and started the next two games&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/colts-anthony-richardson-out-titans-ecee712adf157ca2ee1f23d295515754">when Richardson was out</a>&nbsp;with a right hip injury. The 39-year-old completed 71 of 108 passes for 716 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception, and Indianapolis went 2-1.&nbsp;The Colts are 2-3 in games Richardson has started and finished. The University of Florida product is 59 of 133 for 958 yards, four TDs and seven INTs.SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Utah Jazz have been emphasizing that this season will be centered on developing their young building blocks like forward Taylor Hendricks, but now he’s likely gone for the season. On Monday night, Hendricks ran down the court toward the baseline,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-hendricks-leg-utah-jazz-4e11bfd072b862133fe1b9a4888b1dd7">stumbled and awkwardly fell</a>&nbsp;on top of his leg. Without anyone in his vicinity, he broke his right fibula, dislocated his ankle and yelped in disbelief as he saw his foot going one direction and his leg the other. Several Jazz players had tears in their eyes and covered their heads with towels during an extended break where the medical staff took Hendricks off on a stretcher. They&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mavericks-jazz-score-kyrie-irving-56784a333b85bf8f104e89c96d9c8a95">lost to the Mavericks 110-102</a>&nbsp;and now face a rebuilding season without a defensive centerpiece.GENEVA (AP) — FIFA finally announced a first sponsor for its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/club-world-cup-2025-fifa-cbc0fa69ecff46972e775c1afc477a07">revamped Club World Cup</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday in a deal that will brand video review checks at the tournament in the United States next year. Chinese consumer electronics firm Hisense will have “branding appearing in the video operation room and on pitchside screens,”&nbsp;<a href="https://inside.fifa.com/about-fifa/commercial/media-releases/hisense-becomes-partner-for-new-fifa-club-world-cup" target="_blank">FIFA said in a statement</a>, when match officials study key incidents in the 32-team tournament being played in 11 American cities from June 15 to July 13. Though no previous FIFA tournament has had a sponsor for video reviews since the technology was approved before the men’s 2018 World Cup in Russia, Hisense&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hisense-usa.com/newsroom/more-than-a-sponsor-hisense-named-var-screen-provider-for-uefa-euro-2024" target="_blank">was the official “VAR Screen Provider”</a>&nbsp;for this year’s European Championship organized by UEFA in Germany.TUESDAY SCORES Major League Baseball World Series NY Yankees 11, LA Dodgers 4&nbsp; &nbsp;(Dodgers lead best-of-seven series 3-1)

Wednesday's Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/david-coit/15715">David Coit</a>&nbsp;scored 19 points,&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/zeke-mayo/15498">Zeke Mayo</a>&nbsp;had 16 points and&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/rylan-griffen/15499">Rylan Griffen</a>&nbsp;had 14 points as Kansas defeated Washburn 84-53 inside Allen Fieldhouse Tuesday night in the team's final exhibition contest of 2024-25.

The 70th season of Allen Fieldhouse kicked off as Kansas hosted their second and final exhibition game of the season and&nbsp;welcoming Washburn. Washburn is led by head coach Brett Ballard, who played for Kansas from 2000-02 and was a member of&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/bill-self/727">Bill Self</a>'s staff for the 2008 National Championship.

The top-ranked Jayhawks got off to an early 11-2 lead with 15:08 left in the first half. The Jayhawk lead stretched to 16 points thanks to a three-pointer from Coit, who had 13 first-half points and finished with 19 in the contest. Coit went 5-of-10 (50.0 percent) from beyond the arc in his first game at Allen Fieldhouse.

Kansas entered halftime up 38-22 after firing a 15-of-28 (53.6 percent) shooting. Five different Jayhawks hit a three-pointer in the opening half with&nbsp;Coit,&nbsp;who hit three from downtown.

Kansas shot 8-of-19 (42.1 percent) from beyond the arc in the first half.An alley-oop from&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/dajuan-harris-jr-/15490">Dajuan Harris Jr.</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kj-adams-jr-/15494">KJ Adams Jr.</a>&nbsp;led to a&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/flory-bidunga/15502">Flory Bidunga</a>&nbsp;block on the other end, resulting in a made three pointer by Griffen to force a Washburn timeout with 18:38 left in the second half.

Kansas' lead stretched to 63-28 with 13:30 left in the second half after Mayo drilled back-to-back three pointers. Kansas would cruise to the finish line from that point on, finishing the game shooting 30-of-59 (50.8 percent) from the field, and holding Washburn to just 34.4 percent shooting.

Bidunga&nbsp;was the fourth Jayhawk in double figures, adding 10 points, a game-high tying seven rebounds and a game-high four blocks. Adams&nbsp;shot a perfect 4-of-4 (100.0 percent) and logged eight points, six boards and four assists.

UP NEXT Kansas will host Howard in the 2024-25 regular-season opener inside Allen Fieldhouse next Monday, Nov. 4&nbsp;with tipoff set for 7 p.m. CT.

The game will be broadcast&nbsp;via ESPN+.The Howard game will mark the second annual McLendon Classic as KU begins the season hosting an HBCU opponent. The contest celebrates University of Kansas alum and legendary coach John McLendon and the McLendon Leadership Initiative.

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/david-coit/15715">David Coit</a>&nbsp;scored 19 points,&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/zeke-mayo/15498">Zeke Mayo</a>&nbsp;had 16 points and&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/rylan-griffen/15499">Rylan Griffen</a>&nbsp;had 14 points as Kansas defeated Washburn 84-53 inside Allen Fieldhouse Tuesday night in the team's final exhibition contest of 2024-25.The 70th season of Allen Fieldhouse kicked off as Kansas hosted their second and final exhibition game of the season and&nbsp;welcoming Washburn. Washburn is led by head coach Brett Ballard, who played for Kansas from 2000-02 and was a member of&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/bill-self/727">Bill Self</a>'s staff for the 2008 National Championship.The top-ranked Jayhawks got off to an early 11-2 lead with 15:08 left in the first half. The Jayhawk lead stretched to 16 points thanks to a three-pointer from Coit, who had 13 first-half points and finished with 19 in the contest. Coit went 5-of-10 (50.0 percent) from beyond the arc in his first game at Allen Fieldhouse.Kansas entered halftime up 38-22 after firing a 15-of-28 (53.6 percent) shooting. Five different Jayhawks hit a three-pointer in the opening half with&nbsp;Coit,&nbsp;who hit three from downtown.Kansas shot 8-of-19 (42.1 percent) from beyond the arc in the first half.An alley-oop from&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/dajuan-harris-jr-/15490">Dajuan Harris Jr.</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kj-adams-jr-/15494">KJ Adams Jr.</a>&nbsp;led to a&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/flory-bidunga/15502">Flory Bidunga</a>&nbsp;block on the other end, resulting in a made three pointer by Griffen to force a Washburn timeout with 18:38 left in the second half.Kansas' lead stretched to 63-28 with 13:30 left in the second half after Mayo drilled back-to-back three pointers. Kansas would cruise to the finish line from that point on, finishing the game shooting 30-of-59 (50.8 percent) from the field, and holding Washburn to just 34.4 percent shooting.Bidunga&nbsp;was the fourth Jayhawk in double figures, adding 10 points, a game-high tying seven rebounds and a game-high four blocks. Adams&nbsp;shot a perfect 4-of-4 (100.0 percent) and logged eight points, six boards and four assists.UP NEXT Kansas will host Howard in the 2024-25 regular-season opener inside Allen Fieldhouse next Monday, Nov. 4&nbsp;with tipoff set for 7 p.m. CT.The game will be broadcast&nbsp;via ESPN+.The Howard game will mark the second annual McLendon Classic as KU begins the season hosting an HBCU opponent. The contest celebrates University of Kansas alum and legendary coach John McLendon and the McLendon Leadership Initiative.

No. 1 Kansas routs Washburn in final exhibition contest

NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/anthony-volpe-hits-a-grand-slam-1-to-left-center-field-aaron-judge-scores?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share">Anthony Volpe’s third-inning grand slam</a>&nbsp;overcame Freddie Freeman's record-setting home run, and the New York Yankees avoided a World Series sweep with an 11-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night that forced a Game 5.

<a href="https://apnews.com/499d410be06593d753c919a259cdf332">Freeman homered for his sixth straight Series game</a>, hitting a two-run drive in the first inning for the second consecutive night and again stunning the Yankee Stadium crowd.

Seeking to become the first team to overcome a 3-0 Series deficit, New York surged ahead 5-2 on Alex Verdugo’s RBI grounder in the second and Volpe’s drive against Daniel Hudson in the third. Volpe turned on a first-pitch slider at the knees and drove it into the left-field seats.

“I was hustling. I didn’t know I got it,” Volpe said. “And then I blacked out.”

Volpe came across with New York's first run when he walked after falling behind 0-2 in the count in the second inning. He also doubled and stole two bases.

“Amazing. Volpe, he did it all tonight,” Gleyber Torres said.

Austin Wells and Torres added homers for the Yankees, who broke open the game with a five-run eighth. New York had scored just seven runs in the first three games.

“We’re down three, and really just went out there and said screw it,” Wells said.

Los Angeles closed within 6-4 in a two-run fifth that included Will Smith's homer off starter Luis Gil and an RBI grounder by Freeman. Despite a sprained right ankle, Freeman beat a relay to avoid an inning-ending double play on what originally was ruled an out but was reversed in a video review.

Wells hit a second-deck homer in the sixth against Landon Knack, and Verdugo added another run-scoring grounder in the eighth ahead of Torres' three-run homer off Brent Honeywell.

Tim Hill, winning pitcher Clay Holmes, Mark Leiter Jr., Luke Weaver and Tim Mayza strung together five innings of one-hit relief with seven strikeouts, and the Yankees avoided what would have been their first losing Series sweep since 1976.

Game 5 is Wednesday night, with the Yankees ace Gerrit Cole and the Dodgers’ Jack Flaherty meeting in a rematch of Game 1.

“Gerrit’s the best pitcher in the game. We really believe in him,” Torres said. “But we have to do the job like we did tonight so we don’t have to put all the pressure on him.”

New York's Aaron Judge drove in his first run of the Series with an RBI single in the eighth and is 2 for 15 in the four games. Dodgers sensation Shohei Ohtani also is 2 for 15 after going 1 for 4 with a single, his first hit since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-series-dodgers-yankees-ohtani-332dfab365b16f5f8ae607fcb5147a01">partially separating his left shoulder</a>&nbsp;in Game 2.

Twenty-one of the previous 24 teams to take 3-0 Series leads went on to sweeps, all but the 1910 Philadelphia Athletics against the Chicago Cubs, the 1937 Yankees against the New York Giants and the 1970 Baltimore Orioles against the Cincinnati Reds. All three of those Series ended in five games.

The 2004 Boston Red Sox, sparked by a stolen base from current Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, are the only team to overcome a 3-0 deficit in any round, beating the Yankees in the AL Championship Series.

New York stopped a seven-game Series losing streak against the Dodgers dating to 1981. The Yankees got their first seven RBIs from the bottom three hitters in their batting order, Volpe, Wells and Verdugo, who had entered 4 for 32 with three RBIs in the Series.

Freeman homered when he deposited a slider from Gil into the right-field short porch following Mookie Betts’ one-out double. He became the first player to homer in the first four games of a World Series and his streak of long balls in six straight games is one more than Houston's George Springer 2017 and '19.

Freeman’s walk-off grand slam with two outs in the 10th inning turned around the opener, giving the Dodgers a 6-3 win. The Yankees had not led since then.

Volpe walked in the second against rookie Ben Casparias, reached third on Wells’ double off the center-field wall and scored on Verdugo’s groundout.

Losing pitcher Hudson loaded the bases in the third when he Judge with a pitch with one out, Jazz Chisholm Jr. singled off the right-field wall and Giancarlo Stanton walked. Anthony Rizzo popped out and Volpe hit the record sixth slam of the postseason.

UP NEXT Cole allowed one run over six-plus innings in the opener -- Kiké Hernández tripled in the fifth as right fielder Juan Soto took a poor route, then scored on Smith’s sacrifice fly. Flaherty gave up two runs in 5 1/3 innings, a two-run homer by Stanton.

NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/anthony-volpe-hits-a-grand-slam-1-to-left-center-field-aaron-judge-scores?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share">Anthony Volpe’s third-inning grand slam</a>&nbsp;overcame Freddie Freeman's record-setting home run, and the New York Yankees avoided a World Series sweep with an 11-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night that forced a Game 5.<a href="https://apnews.com/499d410be06593d753c919a259cdf332">Freeman homered for his sixth straight Series game</a>, hitting a two-run drive in the first inning for the second consecutive night and again stunning the Yankee Stadium crowd.Seeking to become the first team to overcome a 3-0 Series deficit, New York surged ahead 5-2 on Alex Verdugo’s RBI grounder in the second and Volpe’s drive against Daniel Hudson in the third. Volpe turned on a first-pitch slider at the knees and drove it into the left-field seats.“I was hustling. I didn’t know I got it,” Volpe said. “And then I blacked out.”Volpe came across with New York's first run when he walked after falling behind 0-2 in the count in the second inning. He also doubled and stole two bases.“Amazing. Volpe, he did it all tonight,” Gleyber Torres said.Austin Wells and Torres added homers for the Yankees, who broke open the game with a five-run eighth. New York had scored just seven runs in the first three games.“We’re down three, and really just went out there and said screw it,” Wells said.Los Angeles closed within 6-4 in a two-run fifth that included Will Smith's homer off starter Luis Gil and an RBI grounder by Freeman. Despite a sprained right ankle, Freeman beat a relay to avoid an inning-ending double play on what originally was ruled an out but was reversed in a video review.Wells hit a second-deck homer in the sixth against Landon Knack, and Verdugo added another run-scoring grounder in the eighth ahead of Torres' three-run homer off Brent Honeywell.Tim Hill, winning pitcher Clay Holmes, Mark Leiter Jr., Luke Weaver and Tim Mayza strung together five innings of one-hit relief with seven strikeouts, and the Yankees avoided what would have been their first losing Series sweep since 1976.Game 5 is Wednesday night, with the Yankees ace Gerrit Cole and the Dodgers’ Jack Flaherty meeting in a rematch of Game 1.“Gerrit’s the best pitcher in the game. We really believe in him,” Torres said. “But we have to do the job like we did tonight so we don’t have to put all the pressure on him.”New York's Aaron Judge drove in his first run of the Series with an RBI single in the eighth and is 2 for 15 in the four games. Dodgers sensation Shohei Ohtani also is 2 for 15 after going 1 for 4 with a single, his first hit since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-series-dodgers-yankees-ohtani-332dfab365b16f5f8ae607fcb5147a01">partially separating his left shoulder</a>&nbsp;in Game 2.Twenty-one of the previous 24 teams to take 3-0 Series leads went on to sweeps, all but the 1910 Philadelphia Athletics against the Chicago Cubs, the 1937 Yankees against the New York Giants and the 1970 Baltimore Orioles against the Cincinnati Reds. All three of those Series ended in five games.The 2004 Boston Red Sox, sparked by a stolen base from current Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, are the only team to overcome a 3-0 deficit in any round, beating the Yankees in the AL Championship Series.New York stopped a seven-game Series losing streak against the Dodgers dating to 1981. The Yankees got their first seven RBIs from the bottom three hitters in their batting order, Volpe, Wells and Verdugo, who had entered 4 for 32 with three RBIs in the Series.Freeman homered when he deposited a slider from Gil into the right-field short porch following Mookie Betts’ one-out double. He became the first player to homer in the first four games of a World Series and his streak of long balls in six straight games is one more than Houston's George Springer 2017 and '19.Freeman’s walk-off grand slam with two outs in the 10th inning turned around the opener, giving the Dodgers a 6-3 win. The Yankees had not led since then.Volpe walked in the second against rookie Ben Casparias, reached third on Wells’ double off the center-field wall and scored on Verdugo’s groundout.Losing pitcher Hudson loaded the bases in the third when he Judge with a pitch with one out, Jazz Chisholm Jr. singled off the right-field wall and Giancarlo Stanton walked. Anthony Rizzo popped out and Volpe hit the record sixth slam of the postseason.UP NEXT Cole allowed one run over six-plus innings in the opener -- Kiké Hernández tripled in the fifth as right fielder Juan Soto took a poor route, then scored on Smith’s sacrifice fly. Flaherty gave up two runs in 5 1/3 innings, a two-run homer by Stanton.

Volpe slam sparks comeback after Freeman homer, Yanks beat Dodgers 11-4

&nbsp;- "Voice of the Cardinals" Cole Reif previews Friday's Week 9 matchup with Ellsworth at Elton Brown Field.

- Great Bend High School Athletic Director Matt Westerhaus

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693997740304.jpeg" alt="Tuesday show lineup with hosts Steve Webster, Mike Courson, and Mike Hesher" />
 <figcaption>Tuesday show lineup with hosts Steve Webster, Mike Courson, and Mike Hesher</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IQ4Cxfa9dlI?si=yMKw6ZYGulndPGVy" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>&nbsp;- "Voice of the Cardinals" Cole Reif previews Friday's Week 9 matchup with Ellsworth at Elton Brown Field.- Barton Volleyball coach Megan Besecker- Great Bend High School Athletic Director Matt Westerhaus- Tuesday Sports Headlines- Sounds of the past 24-hours

Tuesday on Sports Day(Watch)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Walking from his apartment to classes and then to the University of Florida’s basketball facility, Olivier Rioux poses for dozens — sometimes hundreds — of pictures a day.

Vertical shots, of course. Rioux won’t fit in the frame any other way.

At 7 feet, 9 inches, Rioux is the ultimate BMOC. He’s actually the Biggest Man On Campus — any campus.

The Florida freshman, a happy-go-lucky Canadian who&nbsp;<a href="https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2021/9/canadian-confirmed-as-tallest-teenager-in-the-world-675836">owns a spot in the Guinness record book as the world’s tallest teenager</a>, also will make basketball history when he plays for the 21st-ranked Gators this season. The cheerful guy known as “Oli” will become the tallest to play college hoops, supplanting 7-foot-7 Kenny George of UNC Asheville (2006-08).

He’s 2 inches taller than former NBA giants Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, and 3 inches taller than popular big men Yao Ming, Tacko Fall and Shawn Bradley.

“You get asked questions every day,” said Rioux, who likes to draw in his spare time. “You don’t have a single three seconds to yourself when you’re outside, which I was fine with because my brother and my dad are tall. And, as a family, we used to go out. That’s just how it was, and you can’t change that because people are curious.”

His college teammates have gotten used to it by now.

“It’s really weird looking up to someone,” said 7-foot-1 center Micah Handlogten. “But being around him just about every day, it’s just different when you’re out in public with him. People normally ask me, ‘You’re so tall. Do you play basketball?’ No one says a word to me (now). Everyone just looks to him. It’s kind of crazy. He doesn’t shy away from it.”

Rioux actually embraces it. He welcomes the stares, the questions and all the requests.

“It does help to be Canadian,” he quipped. “You just get used to it. Talking to people is nice because they are curious, and you can’t change that.”

Rioux has worked hard to prepare for Division I basketball, but no one expects him to be a star at this level, certainly not right away. The Gators do expect Rioux to be a fan favorite, beginning with their season opener against USF on Monday night. Coach Todd Golden predicts it will be like nothing he’s ever experienced, with chants for Rioux late in games.

“That one we can see coming from a mile away,” Golden said. "About 95% of my conversations with random people about our team are about him. It’s the first time we’ve been ranked since 2019 and it’s like, ‘Hey, Coach, we’re really excited to see Oli out there this year.’ And I get it, man. He’s a very unique individual.”

Rioux grew up in Terrebonne, Quebec, and realized at an early age he was different. He was taller than most of his teachers in elementary school, crossed the 6-foot mark by age 8 and topped 7 feet the summer before seventh grade.

His mom is 6-2, dad is 6-8 and his older brother is 6-9.

“At my meemaw’s house, we had the wall (where) me and my brother used to measure ourselves. And then one day, poof, my brother was gone,” Rioux said, recalling the day he “officially” outgrew his entire family.

Back home in Canada, Rioux has a number of custom-made items to make life more comfortable, most notably his bed. On campus, though, he barely fits diagonally across a queen-sized mattress.

He has to duck to get through near every doorway and often hits his head. He wears a size 20 shoe, gets most of his wardrobe from team gear and won’t dare ride a scooter because “I don’t trust myself.” And squeezing into a classroom desk is more comical than a point guard trying to box him out.

He started playing basketball at age 5 and ended up at IMG Academy in Sarasota, about three hours south of Gainesville, for high school. He had offers from UC Irvine and Morehead State but ended up at Florida as a preferred walk-on.

He’s one of six international players on Golden’s roster and a clear project despite having played in several FIBA events with the Canadian national team, including the 2024 U18 FIBA AmeriCup and the 2023 U19 World Cup.

“The great thing in our minds is we think he has potential to play at some point,” Golden said. “He’s more than just a 7-9 guy. He’s had some really good moments in practice, super coachable and I’m excited for him to get to this point next year and kind of see where we’re at."

Rioux has made strides in just a few months. His mobility and coordination have improved — he can wrap his leg around his head — along with his conditioning. Golden still wants him to use his 305-pound frame to become “more of a butt-kicker” in the low post.

“He has flashes in practice where he’ll make some plays and you’re like, ‘Whoa,’” Golden said. “Like, obviously, we can’t do that with anybody else.”

Rioux can dunk without leaving his feet and has a nearly unstoppable hook shot. He wears No. 32 because of his affection for Pro Basketball Hall of Famers Magic Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal, a fellow 7-footer.

He’d like to pattern his game after former Purdue center Zach Edey (7-4) and French superstar Victor Wembanyama (7-3), who is currently considered the gold standard for 7-footers.

Most people have the same reaction when seeing Rioux for the first time. He towers over teammates and classmates, and just about every picture taken of him goes viral.

“He doesn’t seek the attention, but he also doesn’t get annoyed at the people that ask,” Handlogten said. “He embraces it because it’s part of him, and he loves that. If someone comes up and asks for pictures, he’s like, ‘Yeah, of course.’ And he always has that bright smile on his face. It’s awesome.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730222465628.jpeg" alt="Olivier Rioux, 7-foot-9 NCAA college basketball player at Florida, poses for a photo after practice, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)" />
 <figcaption>Olivier Rioux, 7-foot-9 NCAA college basketball player at Florida, poses for a photo after practice, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)</figcaption>
 </figure>GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Walking from his apartment to classes and then to the University of Florida’s basketball facility, Olivier Rioux poses for dozens — sometimes hundreds — of pictures a day.Vertical shots, of course. Rioux won’t fit in the frame any other way.At 7 feet, 9 inches, Rioux is the ultimate BMOC. He’s actually the Biggest Man On Campus — any campus.The Florida freshman, a happy-go-lucky Canadian who&nbsp;<a href="https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2021/9/canadian-confirmed-as-tallest-teenager-in-the-world-675836">owns a spot in the Guinness record book as the world’s tallest teenager</a>, also will make basketball history when he plays for the 21st-ranked Gators this season. The cheerful guy known as “Oli” will become the tallest to play college hoops, supplanting 7-foot-7 Kenny George of UNC Asheville (2006-08).He’s 2 inches taller than former NBA giants Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, and 3 inches taller than popular big men Yao Ming, Tacko Fall and Shawn Bradley.“You get asked questions every day,” said Rioux, who likes to draw in his spare time. “You don’t have a single three seconds to yourself when you’re outside, which I was fine with because my brother and my dad are tall. And, as a family, we used to go out. That’s just how it was, and you can’t change that because people are curious.”His college teammates have gotten used to it by now.“It’s really weird looking up to someone,” said 7-foot-1 center Micah Handlogten. “But being around him just about every day, it’s just different when you’re out in public with him. People normally ask me, ‘You’re so tall. Do you play basketball?’ No one says a word to me (now). Everyone just looks to him. It’s kind of crazy. He doesn’t shy away from it.”Rioux actually embraces it. He welcomes the stares, the questions and all the requests.“It does help to be Canadian,” he quipped. “You just get used to it. Talking to people is nice because they are curious, and you can’t change that.”Rioux has worked hard to prepare for Division I basketball, but no one expects him to be a star at this level, certainly not right away. The Gators do expect Rioux to be a fan favorite, beginning with their season opener against USF on Monday night. Coach Todd Golden predicts it will be like nothing he’s ever experienced, with chants for Rioux late in games.“That one we can see coming from a mile away,” Golden said. "About 95% of my conversations with random people about our team are about him. It’s the first time we’ve been ranked since 2019 and it’s like, ‘Hey, Coach, we’re really excited to see Oli out there this year.’ And I get it, man. He’s a very unique individual.”Rioux grew up in Terrebonne, Quebec, and realized at an early age he was different. He was taller than most of his teachers in elementary school, crossed the 6-foot mark by age 8 and topped 7 feet the summer before seventh grade.His mom is 6-2, dad is 6-8 and his older brother is 6-9.“At my meemaw’s house, we had the wall (where) me and my brother used to measure ourselves. And then one day, poof, my brother was gone,” Rioux said, recalling the day he “officially” outgrew his entire family.Back home in Canada, Rioux has a number of custom-made items to make life more comfortable, most notably his bed. On campus, though, he barely fits diagonally across a queen-sized mattress.He has to duck to get through near every doorway and often hits his head. He wears a size 20 shoe, gets most of his wardrobe from team gear and won’t dare ride a scooter because “I don’t trust myself.” And squeezing into a classroom desk is more comical than a point guard trying to box him out.He started playing basketball at age 5 and ended up at IMG Academy in Sarasota, about three hours south of Gainesville, for high school. He had offers from UC Irvine and Morehead State but ended up at Florida as a preferred walk-on.He’s one of six international players on Golden’s roster and a clear project despite having played in several FIBA events with the Canadian national team, including the 2024 U18 FIBA AmeriCup and the 2023 U19 World Cup.“The great thing in our minds is we think he has potential to play at some point,” Golden said. “He’s more than just a 7-9 guy. He’s had some really good moments in practice, super coachable and I’m excited for him to get to this point next year and kind of see where we’re at."Rioux has made strides in just a few months. His mobility and coordination have improved — he can wrap his leg around his head — along with his conditioning. Golden still wants him to use his 305-pound frame to become “more of a butt-kicker” in the low post.“He has flashes in practice where he’ll make some plays and you’re like, ‘Whoa,’” Golden said. “Like, obviously, we can’t do that with anybody else.”Rioux can dunk without leaving his feet and has a nearly unstoppable hook shot. He wears No. 32 because of his affection for Pro Basketball Hall of Famers Magic Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal, a fellow 7-footer.He’d like to pattern his game after former Purdue center Zach Edey (7-4) and French superstar Victor Wembanyama (7-3), who is currently considered the gold standard for 7-footers.“Oh my God,” Rioux gushed.Most people have the same reaction when seeing Rioux for the first time. He towers over teammates and classmates, and just about every picture taken of him goes viral.“He doesn’t seek the attention, but he also doesn’t get annoyed at the people that ask,” Handlogten said. “He embraces it because it’s part of him, and he loves that. If someone comes up and asks for pictures, he’s like, ‘Yeah, of course.’ And he always has that bright smile on his face. It’s awesome.”

At 7 feet, 9 inches, Olivier Rioux is the world’s tallest teen and a new Florida Gator

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Caitlin Clark era at Iowa ended with her as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caitlin-clark-iowa-ncaa-record-8d2a9bc33a9fdc59177a5ca4fe7221a9">NCAA Division I overall scoring leader</a>&nbsp;and the Hawkeyes playing in two straight national championship games and being the hottest ticket in women’s basketball.

Clark recently finished her first pro season as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caitlin-clark-rookie-year-wnba-ecfc3070241f5c659402e0843c433808">WNBA rookie of the year</a>, and Iowa starts over with a new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jan-jensen-iowa-hawkeyes-ncaa-basketball-875bd1c008b9f1ca6acaeed230ef87ed">head coach</a>, new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-lucy-olsen-basketball-50479f7efb6b4101f16ea1ba020f5652">point guard</a>&nbsp;and considerably lower expectations.

Jan Jensen, the longtime assistant who succeeded the retired Lisa Bluder in May, delivered a simple message to her players as they began summer conditioning: “We’ve got next.”

“Coach J says it all of the time,” said Hannah Stuelke, the team’s top returning scorer.

The Hawkeyes will play without Clark for the first time since March 6, 2020, when they host Missouri Western in an exhibition Wednesday night.

After spending all of last season in the top 10 of The Associated Press poll, they are one spot outside the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll">preseason Top 25</a>&nbsp;as the team receiving the most votes among the unranked.

Iowa went 109-30 in Clark’s four years with four NCAA Tournament appearances, three Big Ten Tournament titles and a shared regular-season championship. Her 3,951 points stand as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caitlin-clark-iowa-ncaa-record-8d2a9bc33a9fdc59177a5ca4fe7221a9">most ever by a women’s or men’s DI player</a>&nbsp;in the NCAA. Her 1,293 field goals and 548 3-pointers are women’s records, as are her 480 points in NCAA Tournament games.

The Hawkeyes also lost sixth-year guard Kate Martin and fifth-year guard Gabbie Marshall, two starters who played key roles in Iowa’s postseason runs.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-lisa-bluder-retiring-d0f203e6e0b97d38c1d7d9d2ab9d3277">Bluder retired in May</a>&nbsp;after winning 528 games with 18 NCAA appearances in 24 years. Jensen, who had been with Bluder since their days at Drake in the 1990s, was named head coach the same day.

It’s a lot of change for a program that has been a mark of consistency under Bluder, and the success of the past four years with Clark has given way to questions about how good the Hawkeyes can be without her and the others.

“I think everybody wants to be the New York Yankees, right?” Jensen said. “It was kind of fun to be that the last couple of years, the favorite with those mature teams and the longevity, with Caitlin and Kate, Gabbie, in that starting lineup. But it’s also fun to be the underdog. I think a lot of America always cheers typically for the underdog.”

Still, there will be times when it feels like it will be hard to move on without Clark’s presence. The first two questions Stuelke and new teammate Lucy Olsen got at the Big Ten media days were about Clark, and at the Hawkeyes’ media day, Jensen fielded questions about Clark’s impact on the program.

Olsen, who was third in the nation in scoring last season at Villanova, is one of six newcomers. Stuelke and guard&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-hawkeyes-womens-basketball-62acea4457f0f0016f65029f12b1e918">Sydney Affolter, who will be out for the first few weeks</a>&nbsp;of the season as she recovers from offseason knee surgery, are the only returning starters.

Jensen has stressed to the players that the departures of Clark, Martin and Marshall will open playing time for others.

“There’s new roles, a few more shots,” Jensen said. “A few more big defensive assignments that they may now get. And I love to see them leaning in and being ready to hopefully surprise some people.”

Kylie Feuerbach, a fifth-year senior contending for a starting spot, sees a huge opportunity.

“But nothing’s a given,” she said, “and we’re going to have to earn it.”

The Hawkeyes are still popular. All season tickets at home are sold out for the second consecutive season.

Feuerbach said Jensen led the team to the top of Carver-Hawkeye Arena one day to illustrate the magnitude of the crowds that have shown up.

“Coach J had us sit up pretty high in one of the seats, and she just kind of explained to us, put into perspective, the arena that we’re selling out,” Feuerbach said. “And it really does put in perspective and how special it really truly is that there’s that many people that want to come and watch us every single game.”

Jensen said she tells the Hawkeyes to focus on “the windshield” and to forget about the “rear-view mirror.”

“I just keep reminding them to embrace this moment and who they are,” Jensen said.

Every season is a new beginning for every team, but never more than for Iowa as it goes into 2024-25.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730222258549.jpeg" alt="FILE - Iowa guard Caitlin Clark talks with assistant coach Jan Jensen during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Drake, Nov. 19, 2023, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, file)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - Iowa guard Caitlin Clark talks with assistant coach Jan Jensen during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Drake, Nov. 19, 2023, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, file)</figcaption>
 </figure>IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Caitlin Clark era at Iowa ended with her as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caitlin-clark-iowa-ncaa-record-8d2a9bc33a9fdc59177a5ca4fe7221a9">NCAA Division I overall scoring leader</a>&nbsp;and the Hawkeyes playing in two straight national championship games and being the hottest ticket in women’s basketball.Clark recently finished her first pro season as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caitlin-clark-rookie-year-wnba-ecfc3070241f5c659402e0843c433808">WNBA rookie of the year</a>, and Iowa starts over with a new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jan-jensen-iowa-hawkeyes-ncaa-basketball-875bd1c008b9f1ca6acaeed230ef87ed">head coach</a>, new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-lucy-olsen-basketball-50479f7efb6b4101f16ea1ba020f5652">point guard</a>&nbsp;and considerably lower expectations.Jan Jensen, the longtime assistant who succeeded the retired Lisa Bluder in May, delivered a simple message to her players as they began summer conditioning: “We’ve got next.”“Coach J says it all of the time,” said Hannah Stuelke, the team’s top returning scorer.The Hawkeyes will play without Clark for the first time since March 6, 2020, when they host Missouri Western in an exhibition Wednesday night.After spending all of last season in the top 10 of The Associated Press poll, they are one spot outside the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll">preseason Top 25</a>&nbsp;as the team receiving the most votes among the unranked.Iowa went 109-30 in Clark’s four years with four NCAA Tournament appearances, three Big Ten Tournament titles and a shared regular-season championship. Her 3,951 points stand as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caitlin-clark-iowa-ncaa-record-8d2a9bc33a9fdc59177a5ca4fe7221a9">most ever by a women’s or men’s DI player</a>&nbsp;in the NCAA. Her 1,293 field goals and 548 3-pointers are women’s records, as are her 480 points in NCAA Tournament games.The Hawkeyes also lost sixth-year guard Kate Martin and fifth-year guard Gabbie Marshall, two starters who played key roles in Iowa’s postseason runs.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-lisa-bluder-retiring-d0f203e6e0b97d38c1d7d9d2ab9d3277">Bluder retired in May</a>&nbsp;after winning 528 games with 18 NCAA appearances in 24 years. Jensen, who had been with Bluder since their days at Drake in the 1990s, was named head coach the same day.It’s a lot of change for a program that has been a mark of consistency under Bluder, and the success of the past four years with Clark has given way to questions about how good the Hawkeyes can be without her and the others.“I think everybody wants to be the New York Yankees, right?” Jensen said. “It was kind of fun to be that the last couple of years, the favorite with those mature teams and the longevity, with Caitlin and Kate, Gabbie, in that starting lineup. But it’s also fun to be the underdog. I think a lot of America always cheers typically for the underdog.”Still, there will be times when it feels like it will be hard to move on without Clark’s presence. The first two questions Stuelke and new teammate Lucy Olsen got at the Big Ten media days were about Clark, and at the Hawkeyes’ media day, Jensen fielded questions about Clark’s impact on the program.Olsen, who was third in the nation in scoring last season at Villanova, is one of six newcomers. Stuelke and guard&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-hawkeyes-womens-basketball-62acea4457f0f0016f65029f12b1e918">Sydney Affolter, who will be out for the first few weeks</a>&nbsp;of the season as she recovers from offseason knee surgery, are the only returning starters.Jensen has stressed to the players that the departures of Clark, Martin and Marshall will open playing time for others.“There’s new roles, a few more shots,” Jensen said. “A few more big defensive assignments that they may now get. And I love to see them leaning in and being ready to hopefully surprise some people.”Kylie Feuerbach, a fifth-year senior contending for a starting spot, sees a huge opportunity.“But nothing’s a given,” she said, “and we’re going to have to earn it.”The Hawkeyes are still popular. All season tickets at home are sold out for the second consecutive season.Feuerbach said Jensen led the team to the top of Carver-Hawkeye Arena one day to illustrate the magnitude of the crowds that have shown up.“Coach J had us sit up pretty high in one of the seats, and she just kind of explained to us, put into perspective, the arena that we’re selling out,” Feuerbach said. “And it really does put in perspective and how special it really truly is that there’s that many people that want to come and watch us every single game.”Jensen said she tells the Hawkeyes to focus on “the windshield” and to forget about the “rear-view mirror.”“I just keep reminding them to embrace this moment and who they are,” Jensen said.Every season is a new beginning for every team, but never more than for Iowa as it goes into 2024-25.

Iowa begins post-Caitlin Clark era with lower expectations and a new coach

Hear this week's Cougar Pause show with Eagle Media's Steve Webster and Barton Community College Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs that aired Oct. 28, 2024.

The Cougar Pause program airs every Monday at 11:30 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722361372574.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Hear this week's Cougar Pause show with Eagle Media's Steve Webster and Barton Community College Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs that aired Oct. 28, 2024.<div><iframe title="Cougar Pause: Barton CC Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=vbqqt-1722092-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=f6f6f6&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=60a0c8" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>The Cougar Pause program airs every Monday at 11:30 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.

🎙Post Podcast: Barton CC Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs acquired pass rusher Josh Uche from the New England Patriots for a 2026 sixth-round pick on Monday, giving one of the NFL's best defenses an upgrade at a position where it was looking for some help.

Uche will take the roster spot of tight end Jody Fortson, who is headed for injured reserve with a knee injury.

Uche was a second-round pick of the Patriots in 2020 and has 20 1/2 sacks over parts of five seasons, including two through the first seven games of this season. His best year was in 2022, when Uche had 11 1/2 sacks and forced two fumbles in 15 games.

He joins a pass rush group in Kansas City that is led on the edge by George Karlaftis, Mike Danna and Felix Anudike-Uzomah, and features defensive tackle Chris Jones providing pressure up the middle. Charles Omenihu is expected to return soon from a torn ACL that has kept him out all season, and that should further help the pass rush.

The deal is the second significant trade for Kansas City in less than a week. The Chiefs sent a conditional fifth-round pick to the Titans last week for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-deandre-hopkins-8532c8d35f768c4499bf35baa6303044">DeAndre Hopkins</a>, who had two catches for 29 yards in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-raiders-score-ed7fd1cce1609b9e0ea4396f303269e2">Sunday's 27-20 win over the Raiders</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730207966130.jpeg" alt="New England Patriots linebacker Joshua Uche, bottom middle right, and teammates tackle San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (24) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)" />
 <figcaption>New England Patriots linebacker Joshua Uche, bottom middle right, and teammates tackle San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (24) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs acquired pass rusher Josh Uche from the New England Patriots for a 2026 sixth-round pick on Monday, giving one of the NFL's best defenses an upgrade at a position where it was looking for some help.Uche will take the roster spot of tight end Jody Fortson, who is headed for injured reserve with a knee injury.Uche was a second-round pick of the Patriots in 2020 and has 20 1/2 sacks over parts of five seasons, including two through the first seven games of this season. His best year was in 2022, when Uche had 11 1/2 sacks and forced two fumbles in 15 games.He joins a pass rush group in Kansas City that is led on the edge by George Karlaftis, Mike Danna and Felix Anudike-Uzomah, and features defensive tackle Chris Jones providing pressure up the middle. Charles Omenihu is expected to return soon from a torn ACL that has kept him out all season, and that should further help the pass rush.The deal is the second significant trade for Kansas City in less than a week. The Chiefs sent a conditional fifth-round pick to the Titans last week for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-deandre-hopkins-8532c8d35f768c4499bf35baa6303044">DeAndre Hopkins</a>, who had two catches for 29 yards in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-raiders-score-ed7fd1cce1609b9e0ea4396f303269e2">Sunday's 27-20 win over the Raiders</a>.

Chiefs acquire pass rusher from the Patriots for a 2026 sixth-round draft pick

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730213610620.jpeg" alt="The Hoisington Junior Cardinals 5th &amp; 6th grade team won the Sunflower State Youth Football League championship on Sunday, Oct. 27 in Hays, KS. Hoisington defeated Russell, Phillipsburg and Beloit in the Tournament of Champions, including a 23-0 win over Beloit in the championship game." />
 <figcaption>The Hoisington Junior Cardinals 5th &amp; 6th grade team won the Sunflower State Youth Football League championship on Sunday, Oct. 27 in Hays, KS. Hoisington defeated Russell, Phillipsburg and Beloit in the Tournament of Champions, including a 23-0 win over Beloit in the championship game.</figcaption>
 </figure>

Hoisington Junior Cardinals 5th/6th grade team wins league title

NEW YORK (AP) — Honored with Major League Baseball's highest honor for character, community involvement and philanthropy, Salvador Perez wanted fellow major leaguers to know contributing even a little time to charitable work can go a long way.

“I know sometimes we’re tired and we like to enjoy the off day at home,” the Kansas City catcher said Monday after receiving the Roberto Clemente Award. “I get it. But just for two or three hours one day every month, just one day out of 30 days, 31 days, just one day go have fun, go make some kid happy. They’re never, never going to forget that.”

A nine-time All-Star and the 2015 World Series MVP, the 34-year-old Perez received the award before World Series Game 3 on Monday night at Yankee Stadium.

“The good works that this man does are really unbelievable,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said.

Perez and his family distribute bags of food and kitchen supplies to 2,000 homes each offseason in the neediest parts of his hometown of Valencia, Venezuela, directly impacting more than 10,000 families over the past decade. He has a youth baseball league there, providing equipment for the kids and financial support for their families.

“When I was growing up it was hard to buy supplies like bats and baseballs,” he said. “That’s the one me and my mom talked about, like we should create like a Little League team. We got 220 kids in Venezuela. So we bring everything. They don’t have to pay for anything. So I think that’s the one really near my heart. I know how hard it is to get things like that in Venezuela.”

Perez has paid for dozens of surgeries for kids with cleft lips, he's given more than 1,000 toys to children’s hospitals and has supported police officers. He regularly travels to Colombia to assist the Carlos Fortuna Foundation in helping adults be the best parents they can be, and he crossed the border on foot to get there when strict travel guidelines were in place during the COVID-19 shutdown.

In the United States, Perez has partnered with organizations fighting against Lou Gehrig’s disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and he works with Kansas-based Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer. Perez made a $1 million foundational donation to the Kansas City Urban Youth Academy, one of MLB’s 11 youth academies, matching the largest ever for the academy.

Clemente, a Hall of Fame outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, died in a plane crash on Dec. 31, 1972, while delivering aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

Perez batted .271 with 27 homers and 104 RBIs in 158 games this season for the Royals, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-salvador-perez-orioles-mlb-playoffs-63d2e7d0048592a46ca8ef6ce70e9694">made the playoffs for the first time since winning their second World Series title</a>&nbsp;in 2015. Perez is a five-time Gold Glove winner and .267 career hitter in 1,552 games, all with the Royals since his big league debut in 2011.

He intends to keep the award next to his bed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730208276274.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez, center, winner of the 2024 Roberto Clemente Award, poses with Clemente's sons, Luis, left, Roberto Clemente Jr. during a news conference before Game 3 of the baseball World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez, center, winner of the 2024 Roberto Clemente Award, poses with Clemente's sons, Luis, left, Roberto Clemente Jr. during a news conference before Game 3 of the baseball World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Honored with Major League Baseball's highest honor for character, community involvement and philanthropy, Salvador Perez wanted fellow major leaguers to know contributing even a little time to charitable work can go a long way.“I know sometimes we’re tired and we like to enjoy the off day at home,” the Kansas City catcher said Monday after receiving the Roberto Clemente Award. “I get it. But just for two or three hours one day every month, just one day out of 30 days, 31 days, just one day go have fun, go make some kid happy. They’re never, never going to forget that.”A nine-time All-Star and the 2015 World Series MVP, the 34-year-old Perez received the award before World Series Game 3 on Monday night at Yankee Stadium.“The good works that this man does are really unbelievable,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said.Perez and his family distribute bags of food and kitchen supplies to 2,000 homes each offseason in the neediest parts of his hometown of Valencia, Venezuela, directly impacting more than 10,000 families over the past decade. He has a youth baseball league there, providing equipment for the kids and financial support for their families.“When I was growing up it was hard to buy supplies like bats and baseballs,” he said. “That’s the one me and my mom talked about, like we should create like a Little League team. We got 220 kids in Venezuela. So we bring everything. They don’t have to pay for anything. So I think that’s the one really near my heart. I know how hard it is to get things like that in Venezuela.”Perez has paid for dozens of surgeries for kids with cleft lips, he's given more than 1,000 toys to children’s hospitals and has supported police officers. He regularly travels to Colombia to assist the Carlos Fortuna Foundation in helping adults be the best parents they can be, and he crossed the border on foot to get there when strict travel guidelines were in place during the COVID-19 shutdown.In the United States, Perez has partnered with organizations fighting against Lou Gehrig’s disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and he works with Kansas-based Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer. Perez made a $1 million foundational donation to the Kansas City Urban Youth Academy, one of MLB’s 11 youth academies, matching the largest ever for the academy.Clemente, a Hall of Fame outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, died in a plane crash on Dec. 31, 1972, while delivering aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.Perez batted .271 with 27 homers and 104 RBIs in 158 games this season for the Royals, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-salvador-perez-orioles-mlb-playoffs-63d2e7d0048592a46ca8ef6ce70e9694">made the playoffs for the first time since winning their second World Series title</a>&nbsp;in 2015. Perez is a five-time Gold Glove winner and .267 career hitter in 1,552 games, all with the Royals since his big league debut in 2011.He intends to keep the award next to his bed.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez wins MLB's Clemente Award for philanthropy

NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani wasn't on the team bus from Dodger Stadium to Los Angeles International Airport because he was getting tests Saturday night after partially separating his left shoulder in Game 2 of the World Series.

So the Japanese star reached out in a group chat with fellow Dodgers players to erase any doubts over his status.

“The text just like literally said: `I can play,'” infielder Max Muncy recalled Monday. “I mean, there was more to it than that.”

True to his word, Ohtani remained in the lineup in his regular leadoff slot as the designated hitter for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-series-yankees-dodgers-judge-7eaf9190ffcc2dec7951ab9a5111e1df">Game 3 of the World Series</a>. He walked leading off the game and scored on Freddie Freeman's two-run homer, starting the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d3099c04a70ae7732d69da0821e3f5dd">Dodgers to a 4-2 win</a>&nbsp;over the New York Yankees and a 3-0 World Series lead.

Ohtani was 0 for 3 with a walk and was hit by a pitch, looking uncomfortable as he winced and grimaced while swinging.

“Balls that were away that he chased a little bit, I saw a couple winces,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

Ohtani dropped to 1 for 11 with no RBIs in Series.

“If it was more of the right shoulder, then I think it would have impacted my swing,” he said through an interpreter. “Thankfully, it was my left, so I don’t think it really did.”

He was the only Dodgers starter wearing a warmup jacket during pregame introductions and high-fived teammates with his right hand. A black wrapping was visible over his left shoulder, which Ohtani said was there to help keep his shoulder warm.

He didn't swing in his first plate appearance, taking four balls from Clarke Schmidt. Ohtani kept his left arm at an angle over his chest while at first base, hand holding his collar, and held it there while rounding the bases on Freeman's homer.

Ohtani grounded out in the third and held the hand to his chest as he jogged back to the dugout. He struck out in the fourth and fouled out in the seventh.

"The reason why I was holding on to myself when I was running is to make sure that I wouldn’t use that same shoulder arm if I were to slide," he said.

Ohtani said he isn't sure whether he will need offseason surgery.

“I haven’t had further conversations about the future plan,” he explained. “I think it’s something that’s going to happen after the season is over, do additional testing. But in terms of how I feel now, I don’t think so.”

Muncy said Ohtani wrote the Saturday night text himself in English without assistance from interpreter Will Ireton.

“We all said: `All right, he’s got us. We'll be ready for him to be in the lineup,'” Muncy recalled.

Roberts didn't get the text message — “that group chat is for us — that’s for the players,” Muncy said — and wasn't aware of it until Monday.

“Would have been helpful if I was on that thread. I would have slept better Saturday night," the manager said with a smile.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-series-dodgers-yankees-ohtani-332dfab365b16f5f8ae607fcb5147a01">Ohtani got hurt</a>&nbsp;sliding into second base when he was caught stealing to end the seventh inning of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-series-yankees-dodgers-game-2-score-yamamoto-d672c41e864884be79f2629a749363a6">the 4-2 win in Game 2.</a>&nbsp;Roberts said Ohtani's shoulder was popped back into place by the athletic training staff at the ballpark and an MRI showed no structural damage.

“I was really concerned about whether I was safe or out,” Ohtani said. “It was only when I went back inside where we had to figure out what it was.”

Asked whether Ohtani received medication, an injection or was being taped up, Roberts said “it's all of the above on the treatment and stuff. The tape is just protecting and stabilizing, not really limiting.”

Ohtani took swings off a tee in a Yankee Stadium batting cage Sunday night and was hitting balls 102 mph, which changed Roberts' mood to “joy.”

“He was very adamant that he was going to play,” Roberts said. “Obviously, there’s some discomfort.”

A separated shoulder is subject to recurrence. Roberts said he doubted Ohtani will attempt any more stolen bases during the Series.

Ohtani is batting .245 with three home runs and 10 RBIs in his first MLB postseason. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohtani-al-most-valuable-player-2638ecdcef8ce75c9e72127d99cb9fd7#:~:text=Ohtani%20received%20all%2030%20first,Judge%20in%20voting%20last%20year.">two-time AL MVP</a>&nbsp;with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani joined the Dodgers last December for a record&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shohei-ohtani-dodgers-6cc91eb10170fcda38b4db7da0bee4fd">$700 million, 10-year contract</a>.

The 30-year-old slugger hit .310 with 54 homers, 130 RBIs and 59 stolen bases, becoming the first player with at least&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dodgers-shohei-ohtani-f8141d695112175fc2b695a0e9e748d9">50 homers and 50 stolen bases</a>&nbsp;in a season. The two-way star did not pitch this season while recovering from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shohei-ohtani-elbow-surgery-f05408238a4e8389ec500b52bec38154">elbow surgery on Sept. 19, 2023</a>, and has been limited to designated hitter.

Now he is one win from the goal he set when he signed with the Dodgers after six losing seasons with the Angels.

“It’s always been my childhood dream to be able to be in an important situation, to play in important games,” he said before the postseason started.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730203605604.jpeg" alt="Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani reacts during the third inning in Game 3 of the baseball World Series against the New York Yankees, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)" />
 <figcaption>Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani reacts during the third inning in Game 3 of the baseball World Series against the New York Yankees, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani wasn't on the team bus from Dodger Stadium to Los Angeles International Airport because he was getting tests Saturday night after partially separating his left shoulder in Game 2 of the World Series.So the Japanese star reached out in a group chat with fellow Dodgers players to erase any doubts over his status.“The text just like literally said: `I can play,'” infielder Max Muncy recalled Monday. “I mean, there was more to it than that.”True to his word, Ohtani remained in the lineup in his regular leadoff slot as the designated hitter for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-series-yankees-dodgers-judge-7eaf9190ffcc2dec7951ab9a5111e1df">Game 3 of the World Series</a>. He walked leading off the game and scored on Freddie Freeman's two-run homer, starting the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d3099c04a70ae7732d69da0821e3f5dd">Dodgers to a 4-2 win</a>&nbsp;over the New York Yankees and a 3-0 World Series lead.Ohtani was 0 for 3 with a walk and was hit by a pitch, looking uncomfortable as he winced and grimaced while swinging.“Balls that were away that he chased a little bit, I saw a couple winces,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.Ohtani dropped to 1 for 11 with no RBIs in Series.“If it was more of the right shoulder, then I think it would have impacted my swing,” he said through an interpreter. “Thankfully, it was my left, so I don’t think it really did.”He was the only Dodgers starter wearing a warmup jacket during pregame introductions and high-fived teammates with his right hand. A black wrapping was visible over his left shoulder, which Ohtani said was there to help keep his shoulder warm.He didn't swing in his first plate appearance, taking four balls from Clarke Schmidt. Ohtani kept his left arm at an angle over his chest while at first base, hand holding his collar, and held it there while rounding the bases on Freeman's homer.Ohtani grounded out in the third and held the hand to his chest as he jogged back to the dugout. He struck out in the fourth and fouled out in the seventh."The reason why I was holding on to myself when I was running is to make sure that I wouldn’t use that same shoulder arm if I were to slide," he said.Ohtani said he isn't sure whether he will need offseason surgery.“I haven’t had further conversations about the future plan,” he explained. “I think it’s something that’s going to happen after the season is over, do additional testing. But in terms of how I feel now, I don’t think so.”Muncy said Ohtani wrote the Saturday night text himself in English without assistance from interpreter Will Ireton.“We all said: `All right, he’s got us. We'll be ready for him to be in the lineup,'” Muncy recalled.Roberts didn't get the text message — “that group chat is for us — that’s for the players,” Muncy said — and wasn't aware of it until Monday.“Would have been helpful if I was on that thread. I would have slept better Saturday night," the manager said with a smile.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-series-dodgers-yankees-ohtani-332dfab365b16f5f8ae607fcb5147a01">Ohtani got hurt</a>&nbsp;sliding into second base when he was caught stealing to end the seventh inning of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-series-yankees-dodgers-game-2-score-yamamoto-d672c41e864884be79f2629a749363a6">the 4-2 win in Game 2.</a>&nbsp;Roberts said Ohtani's shoulder was popped back into place by the athletic training staff at the ballpark and an MRI showed no structural damage.“I was really concerned about whether I was safe or out,” Ohtani said. “It was only when I went back inside where we had to figure out what it was.”Asked whether Ohtani received medication, an injection or was being taped up, Roberts said “it's all of the above on the treatment and stuff. The tape is just protecting and stabilizing, not really limiting.”Ohtani took swings off a tee in a Yankee Stadium batting cage Sunday night and was hitting balls 102 mph, which changed Roberts' mood to “joy.”“He was very adamant that he was going to play,” Roberts said. “Obviously, there’s some discomfort.”A separated shoulder is subject to recurrence. Roberts said he doubted Ohtani will attempt any more stolen bases during the Series.Ohtani is batting .245 with three home runs and 10 RBIs in his first MLB postseason. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohtani-al-most-valuable-player-2638ecdcef8ce75c9e72127d99cb9fd7#:~:text=Ohtani%20received%20all%2030%20first,Judge%20in%20voting%20last%20year.">two-time AL MVP</a>&nbsp;with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani joined the Dodgers last December for a record&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shohei-ohtani-dodgers-6cc91eb10170fcda38b4db7da0bee4fd">$700 million, 10-year contract</a>.The 30-year-old slugger hit .310 with 54 homers, 130 RBIs and 59 stolen bases, becoming the first player with at least&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dodgers-shohei-ohtani-f8141d695112175fc2b695a0e9e748d9">50 homers and 50 stolen bases</a>&nbsp;in a season. The two-way star did not pitch this season while recovering from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shohei-ohtani-elbow-surgery-f05408238a4e8389ec500b52bec38154">elbow surgery on Sept. 19, 2023</a>, and has been limited to designated hitter.Now he is one win from the goal he set when he signed with the Dodgers after six losing seasons with the Angels.“It’s always been my childhood dream to be able to be in an important situation, to play in important games,” he said before the postseason started.Pain didn't stop him.

Ohtani returns after dislocating shoulder as Dodgers take 3-0 World Series lead

NEW YORK (AP) — After all that buildup, it’s been all Dodgers so far. Freddie Freeman homered for the third straight game and Walker Buehler pitched another World Series gem as Los Angeles beat the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-series-dodgers-yankees-8b47860d742778f3a2586ee9ba08acd0">slumping New York Yankees</a>&nbsp;4-2 on Monday night for a 3-0 lead in the Fall Classic. With superstar Shohei Ohtani playing despite a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-series-ohtani-dodgers-311bc657971726bc04028326dcf1cf72">partially dislocated left shoulder,</a>&nbsp;the Dodgers moved within one victory of a surprising sweep in this much-hyped matchup between traditional powers. “One more win. That’s all I care about right now,” Freeman said. Teoscar Hernández threw out a runner at home plate with a pinpoint peg from left field. Mookie Betts and Kiké Hernández each delivered an RBI single, and the Dodgers chased Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt in the third inning.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin pulled Calvin Austin III aside before the undersized wide receiver took the field for a punt return in the third quarter of a somewhat lifeless game against the New York Giants. The Steelers were scuffling. The offense was moving the ball, just not into the end zone. Tomlin knew the 5-foot-9, 162-pound Austin had come close to breaking a big return several times this season. And the NFL’s longest-tenured head coach had a feeling. “I thought it was his time,” Tomlin said. “And he thought it was his time. And he delivered.”&nbsp; Not once, but twice. Austin — who texted his friends over the weekend that he was due to break a big one — sprinted across the field&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/NFL/status/1851085571739025445" target="_blank">and raced 73 yards for a touchdown</a>&nbsp;after Tomlin’s little pep talk. He later added a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/NFL/status/1851090661833130456" target="_blank">29-yard, over-the-shoulder scoring grab</a>&nbsp;to give the Steelers the boost they needed to beat the Giants 26-18 on Monday night.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry will miss at least the next two games for the Golden State Warriors nursing an injured ankle that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/warriors-curry-ankle-233bebe356c9c236acdf167587d1f193">hurt in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers</a>&nbsp;on Sunday night. Curry had an MRI exam after the game and it showed no structural damage and revealed a left peroneal strain. The team said he would be reevaluated Friday. Golden State plays consecutive home games Tuesday and Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Their next game after Curry is examined again is Saturday at Houston. Curry exited for good with 7:55 remaining in the fourth quarter of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/warriors-clippers-score-curry-9699303db55c00a984e32533c3f32ca4">a 112-104 defeat.</a>&nbsp;Curry had briefly returned to the game with 8:08 to play and was along the key being defended by Kris Dunn when he cut away from Dunn toward the baseline and reinjured the ankle when it appeared to roll outward. It happened near the end of Golden State’s bench and he limped into the tunnel that goes to the locker room.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/penn-state-nittany-lions-football">Penn State</a>&nbsp;coach James Franklin isn’t sure if starting quarterback Drew Allar will be ready to play when the third-ranked Nittany Lions host No. 4&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ohio-state-buckeyes-football">Ohio State</a>&nbsp;on Saturday. Allar suffered an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/penn-state-drew-allar-69639a49c1a20b689f3df2c45661b4cc">apparent left knee injury</a>&nbsp;late in the first half of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/penn-state-wisconsin-score-cd641d470fd7f9e4a9265dc00b8dcf87">Penn State’s 28-13 win</a>&nbsp;over Wisconsin last weekend. He returned for the second half wearing a knee brace, but after a short, ineffective warm-up, yielded the offense to Beau Pribula. The strong-armed triggerman of Andy Kotelnicki’s dynamic offense, Allar has completed 117 of 164 passes for 1,640 yards with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions this year. He hasn’t missed a game yet since taking over the starting job at the start of the 2023 season. “It’s too early to tell at this point, but he’s played enough football that I think the decision will go all the way up to game time,” Franklin said.

MONDAY SCORES Major League Baseball World Series LA Dodgers 4, NY Yankees 2&nbsp; (Dodgers lead best-of-seven series 3-0)

National Football League Pittsburgh 26, NY Giants 18

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723542041782.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — After all that buildup, it’s been all Dodgers so far. Freddie Freeman homered for the third straight game and Walker Buehler pitched another World Series gem as Los Angeles beat the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-series-dodgers-yankees-8b47860d742778f3a2586ee9ba08acd0">slumping New York Yankees</a>&nbsp;4-2 on Monday night for a 3-0 lead in the Fall Classic. With superstar Shohei Ohtani playing despite a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-series-ohtani-dodgers-311bc657971726bc04028326dcf1cf72">partially dislocated left shoulder,</a>&nbsp;the Dodgers moved within one victory of a surprising sweep in this much-hyped matchup between traditional powers. “One more win. That’s all I care about right now,” Freeman said. Teoscar Hernández threw out a runner at home plate with a pinpoint peg from left field. Mookie Betts and Kiké Hernández each delivered an RBI single, and the Dodgers chased Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt in the third inning.PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin pulled Calvin Austin III aside before the undersized wide receiver took the field for a punt return in the third quarter of a somewhat lifeless game against the New York Giants. The Steelers were scuffling. The offense was moving the ball, just not into the end zone. Tomlin knew the 5-foot-9, 162-pound Austin had come close to breaking a big return several times this season. And the NFL’s longest-tenured head coach had a feeling. “I thought it was his time,” Tomlin said. “And he thought it was his time. And he delivered.”&nbsp; Not once, but twice. Austin — who texted his friends over the weekend that he was due to break a big one — sprinted across the field&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/NFL/status/1851085571739025445" target="_blank">and raced 73 yards for a touchdown</a>&nbsp;after Tomlin’s little pep talk. He later added a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/NFL/status/1851090661833130456" target="_blank">29-yard, over-the-shoulder scoring grab</a>&nbsp;to give the Steelers the boost they needed to beat the Giants 26-18 on Monday night.SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry will miss at least the next two games for the Golden State Warriors nursing an injured ankle that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/warriors-curry-ankle-233bebe356c9c236acdf167587d1f193">hurt in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers</a>&nbsp;on Sunday night. Curry had an MRI exam after the game and it showed no structural damage and revealed a left peroneal strain. The team said he would be reevaluated Friday. Golden State plays consecutive home games Tuesday and Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Their next game after Curry is examined again is Saturday at Houston. Curry exited for good with 7:55 remaining in the fourth quarter of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/warriors-clippers-score-curry-9699303db55c00a984e32533c3f32ca4">a 112-104 defeat.</a>&nbsp;Curry had briefly returned to the game with 8:08 to play and was along the key being defended by Kris Dunn when he cut away from Dunn toward the baseline and reinjured the ankle when it appeared to roll outward. It happened near the end of Golden State’s bench and he limped into the tunnel that goes to the locker room.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/penn-state-nittany-lions-football">Penn State</a>&nbsp;coach James Franklin isn’t sure if starting quarterback Drew Allar will be ready to play when the third-ranked Nittany Lions host No. 4&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ohio-state-buckeyes-football">Ohio State</a>&nbsp;on Saturday. Allar suffered an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/penn-state-drew-allar-69639a49c1a20b689f3df2c45661b4cc">apparent left knee injury</a>&nbsp;late in the first half of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/penn-state-wisconsin-score-cd641d470fd7f9e4a9265dc00b8dcf87">Penn State’s 28-13 win</a>&nbsp;over Wisconsin last weekend. He returned for the second half wearing a knee brace, but after a short, ineffective warm-up, yielded the offense to Beau Pribula. The strong-armed triggerman of Andy Kotelnicki’s dynamic offense, Allar has completed 117 of 164 passes for 1,640 yards with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions this year. He hasn’t missed a game yet since taking over the starting job at the start of the 2023 season. “It’s too early to tell at this point, but he’s played enough football that I think the decision will go all the way up to game time,” Franklin said.MONDAY SCORES Major League Baseball World Series LA Dodgers 4, NY Yankees 2&nbsp; (Dodgers lead best-of-seven series 3-0)National Football League Pittsburgh 26, NY Giants 18