KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Gabriel Moreno gave Arizona the lead in the ninth inning with a two-run double, Ketel Marte added a three-run homer and the Diamondbacks beat the Kansas City Royals 8-6 on Wednesday night.

“We never shut down. It was a character win. I think the guys dug as deep as they could,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. “It was a tough environment against a good team. We just got one guy on and kept the line moving.”

Eugenio Saurez homered for Arizona in the second and Joc Pederson and Christian Walker hit back-to-back shots in the fourth to make it 3-1. Pederson has 200 career homers.

With Arizona down 4-3 in the ninth against closer James McArthur (4-4), Lourdes Gurriel Jr singled with one out, Geraldo Perdomo walked and Moreno slashed the double that rolled to the wall in the right-center gap

“I was really looking for a pitch that I wouldn’t hit into a double play. I was able to stay within myself and go to my side, which is right center,” Moreno said through a translator.

After Corbin Carroll followed Moreno with a single, Marte blasted the three-run homer to center.

“That was a super frustrating inning,” MacArthur said. “I felt like I was pretty close at times of getting out of it and just didn’t make the pitch I needed to.”

Marte homered in all three games in the series.

“He’s a beast, I don’t know what else to say,” Lovullo said about Marte, Arizona's line All-Star this season. “He doesn’t surprise me. I’ve seen him do it over and over again. He wants to be in the middle of everything, that’s his personality, and it was a big knock for him.”

Joe Mantiply (4-2) pitched the eighth for the victory and Paul Sewald closed it out after allowing Vinnie Pasquantino’s two-run single in the ninth.

The Royals took the lead with a three-run fourth. Michael Massey doubled and scored on Maikel Garcia’s fielder’s choice. Kyle Isbel followed with a triple to tie it and scored on Ryne Nelson’s wild pitch.

“We left some guys on early, so to fight back and get the lead was big for us,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. "But you’ve got to give those guys credit for executing and getting balls in play.”

Bobby Witt Jr. went 3 for 4 for Kansas City to raise his average to .344.

Diamondbacks: Arizona returns home to face Pittsburgh on Friday night. The Diamondbacks hadn’t announced a starter.

Royals: RHP Brady Singer (6-6, 3.00 ERA) was set to start Friday night at home against the Chicago Cubs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721900198494.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte celebrates hitting a three-run home during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte celebrates hitting a three-run home during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Gabriel Moreno gave Arizona the lead in the ninth inning with a two-run double, Ketel Marte added a three-run homer and the Diamondbacks beat the Kansas City Royals 8-6 on Wednesday night.“We never shut down. It was a character win. I think the guys dug as deep as they could,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. “It was a tough environment against a good team. We just got one guy on and kept the line moving.”Eugenio Saurez homered for Arizona in the second and Joc Pederson and Christian Walker hit back-to-back shots in the fourth to make it 3-1. Pederson has 200 career homers.With Arizona down 4-3 in the ninth against closer James McArthur (4-4), Lourdes Gurriel Jr singled with one out, Geraldo Perdomo walked and Moreno slashed the double that rolled to the wall in the right-center gap“I was really looking for a pitch that I wouldn’t hit into a double play. I was able to stay within myself and go to my side, which is right center,” Moreno said through a translator.After Corbin Carroll followed Moreno with a single, Marte blasted the three-run homer to center.“That was a super frustrating inning,” MacArthur said. “I felt like I was pretty close at times of getting out of it and just didn’t make the pitch I needed to.”Marte homered in all three games in the series.“He’s a beast, I don’t know what else to say,” Lovullo said about Marte, Arizona's line All-Star this season. “He doesn’t surprise me. I’ve seen him do it over and over again. He wants to be in the middle of everything, that’s his personality, and it was a big knock for him.”Joe Mantiply (4-2) pitched the eighth for the victory and Paul Sewald closed it out after allowing Vinnie Pasquantino’s two-run single in the ninth.The Royals took the lead with a three-run fourth. Michael Massey doubled and scored on Maikel Garcia’s fielder’s choice. Kyle Isbel followed with a triple to tie it and scored on Ryne Nelson’s wild pitch.“We left some guys on early, so to fight back and get the lead was big for us,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. "But you’ve got to give those guys credit for executing and getting balls in play.”Bobby Witt Jr. went 3 for 4 for Kansas City to raise his average to .344.UP NEXTDiamondbacks: Arizona returns home to face Pittsburgh on Friday night. The Diamondbacks hadn’t announced a starter.Royals: RHP Brady Singer (6-6, 3.00 ERA) was set to start Friday night at home against the Chicago Cubs.

Moreno hits go-ahead double, Diamondbacks beat the Royals 8-6

KANSAS CITY, Mo.
(AP) — Gabriel Moreno gave Arizona the lead in the ninth inning
with a two-run double, Ketel Marte added a three-run homer and the
Diamondbacks beat the Kansas City Royals 8-6 on Wednesday night.
Eugenio Saurez homered for Arizona in the second and Joc Pederson and
Christian Walker hit back-to-back shots in the fourth to make it 3-1.
Pederson has 200 career homers. With Arizona down 4-3 in the ninth
against closer James McArthur (4-4), Lourdes Gurriel Jr singled with
one out, Geraldo Perdomo walked and Moreno slashed the double that
rolled to the wall in the right-center gap. After Corbin Carroll’s
single, Marte blasted a three-run homer to center. The All-Star
homered in all three games in the series.

PITTSBURGH (AP) —
Martín Pérez pitched six scoreless innings, Rowdy Tellez homered
into the Allegheny River and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat St. Louis
5-0 to take two of three games from the Cardinals. Pérez (2-5)
allowed four hits, three in his final two innings, and walked five
with two strikeouts. Tellez chased Matthew Liberatore (2-3) at the
start of the fourth inning by sending a fastball 447 feet into the
river beyond the wall in right field, extending the Pirates’ lead
to five runs. Liberatore allowed five runs on four hits in three
innings, walking three and striking out three.

SEATTLE (AP) — Los
Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout will not play Wednesday
night for Triple-A Salt Lake and is leaving his minor league rehab
assignment after one game to be re-evaluated in Southern California.
Trout began a rehab stint Tuesday with Salt Lake but exited after
just two innings because of soreness in his surgically repaired left
knee. Before the Angels’ game Wednesday in Seattle, manager Ron
Washington said Trout reported he was feeling better, and Washington
hoped the three-time MVP would be able to serve as the designated
hitter for Salt Lake that night. But later on Wednesday, the Angels
announced that Trout would not be in the lineup and was returning to
Southern California. Trout went on the injured list April 30 with a
torn meniscus.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) —
A new era of Big Ten football kicked off Wednesday when first-year
UCLA coach DeShaun Foster and Southern California coach Lincoln Riley
took the podium inside Lucas Oil Stadium. Both stepped up to the
microphone as their school fight songs played. They were joined by
new Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith, who also made the jump from
the Pac-12 to Michigan State. And now, the real transition begins.
The coaches from the previous Big Ten members are now figuring out
how to deal with the travel. Some hope to welcome the California
schools for November football games.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.
(AP) — Aaron Rodgers’ offseason excursion to Egypt during
mandatory minicamp made quite a few headlines. The New York Jets
quarterback has another trip in mind. And it would be even bigger
news. Rodgers said Wednesday the goal for the Jets is getting to New
Orleans, referring to the site of this season’s Super Bowl. The
40-year-old Rodgers is putting the torn left Achilles tendon that
abruptly ended his season last year after just four snaps behind him
and focusing on big dreams for a franchise that has the NFL’s
longest active playoff drought at 13 years.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) —
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts says he's in a great
place with head coach Nick Sirianni. The duo have had their
relationship scrutinized after a late-season collapse knocked the
Eagles from Super Bowl contender to one-and-done in the playoffs.
Sirianni says his relationship with Hurts is “good.” The
25-year-old Hurts accounted for a combined 38 touchdowns passing and
rushing last season. Hurts enters this season with his third straight
new offensive coordinator.

UNDATED (AP) — The
NBA signed its 11-year media rights deal with Disney, NBC and Amazon
Prime Video on Wednesday after saying it was not accepting Warner
Bros. Discovery’s $1.8 billion per year offer to continue its
longtime relationship with the league. The media rights deals were
approved by the league’s Board of Governors last week and will
bring the league about $76 billion over those 11 years. WBD had five
days to match a part of those deals and said it was exercising its
right to do so, but its offer was not considered a true match by the
NBA. It says it will now take appropriate action.

MARSEILLE, France
(AP) — Stunning goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Michael Olise
helped France to a 3-0 victory over the United States in the Olympic
men’s soccer tournament. Loic Bade added the third with a late
header to seal a win that had looked in doubt until former Arsenal
striker Lacazette struck with a long range effort in the 61st minute
in Marseille. Earlier, Morocco secured a wild 2-1 win over Argentina
at the start of the tournament — but not before furious fans
invaded the pitch to protest what appeared to be an equalizer by
Cristian Medina in the 16th-minute of stoppage time. Objects were
thrown onto the field and security had to restrain fans, causing the
game in Saint-Etienne to be suspended for nearly two hours.

SAINT-ETIENNE,
France (AP) — Morocco fans crashed the pitch to protest a late goal
by Argentina at the opening match of the Paris Olympics men’s
soccer tournament. It was an angry and bizarre scene that left the
game suspended for nearly two hours with only minutes remaining.
Moments before play resumed, the goal was disallowed by VAR for
offside, and Morocco held on for a 2-1 victory. But not before a
furious reaction from Morocco fans who thought they’d been denied a
critical win.

PARIS (AP) — Paris
has long been a city of dreamers: Just look at the Eiffel Tower, for
decades the world’s loftiest structure. But France’s capital is
aiming higher still with its first Olympic Games in a century, which
open Friday. The most audacious Olympic opening ceremony ever — a
gala spectacular on the River Seine that even French President
Emmanuel Macron says initially felt like “a crazy and not very
serious idea” — kicks off 16 days of competition that promise to
be ground-breaking. Expect a heady blend of Olympic sports, iconic
Paris monuments and France’s famous “savoir faire” in its
world-renowned capital of fashion, gastronomy and culture could help
secure the Games’ longer-term future. But Paris’ challenges are
huge, too.

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP)
— USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year NiJaree Canady will be
pitching for Texas Tech after two seasons at Stanford. Canady
announced her commitment on social media Wednesday. ESPN, citing
unnamed sources, reported that Canady will receive a name, image and
likeness deal worth seven figures. Canady helped Stanford reach the
Women’s College World Series the past two seasons. She had a
combined record of 41-10 and a 0.67 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 365 2/3
innings her freshman and sophomore seasons. Canady entered the
transfer portal last month and will have two years of eligibility
remaining.

UNDATED (AP) — A
federal judged has denied the first objection to a $2.77 billion
settlement of antitrust lawuits facing the NCAA and five power
conferences, ruling against Houston Christian University’s motion
to intervene. The small private school that has been a member of
NCAA’s Division I since 2013 was the first —- and so far only —
school to object to the settlement agreement that was announced in
May. The full-term sheet of the settlement is expected to be filed
with the U.S. District Court in Northern California by Friday, an
attorney for the plaintiffs’ told AP earlier this week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721294994442.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo.
(AP) — Gabriel Moreno gave Arizona the lead in the ninth inning
with a two-run double, Ketel Marte added a three-run homer and the
Diamondbacks beat the Kansas City Royals 8-6 on Wednesday night.
Eugenio Saurez homered for Arizona in the second and Joc Pederson and
Christian Walker hit back-to-back shots in the fourth to make it 3-1.
Pederson has 200 career homers. With Arizona down 4-3 in the ninth
against closer James McArthur (4-4), Lourdes Gurriel Jr singled with
one out, Geraldo Perdomo walked and Moreno slashed the double that
rolled to the wall in the right-center gap. After Corbin Carroll’s
single, Marte blasted a three-run homer to center. The All-Star
homered in all three games in the series.PITTSBURGH (AP) —
Martín Pérez pitched six scoreless innings, Rowdy Tellez homered
into the Allegheny River and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat St. Louis
5-0 to take two of three games from the Cardinals. Pérez (2-5)
allowed four hits, three in his final two innings, and walked five
with two strikeouts. Tellez chased Matthew Liberatore (2-3) at the
start of the fourth inning by sending a fastball 447 feet into the
river beyond the wall in right field, extending the Pirates’ lead
to five runs. Liberatore allowed five runs on four hits in three
innings, walking three and striking out three.SEATTLE (AP) — Los
Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout will not play Wednesday
night for Triple-A Salt Lake and is leaving his minor league rehab
assignment after one game to be re-evaluated in Southern California.
Trout began a rehab stint Tuesday with Salt Lake but exited after
just two innings because of soreness in his surgically repaired left
knee. Before the Angels’ game Wednesday in Seattle, manager Ron
Washington said Trout reported he was feeling better, and Washington
hoped the three-time MVP would be able to serve as the designated
hitter for Salt Lake that night. But later on Wednesday, the Angels
announced that Trout would not be in the lineup and was returning to
Southern California. Trout went on the injured list April 30 with a
torn meniscus.INDIANAPOLIS (AP) —
A new era of Big Ten football kicked off Wednesday when first-year
UCLA coach DeShaun Foster and Southern California coach Lincoln Riley
took the podium inside Lucas Oil Stadium. Both stepped up to the
microphone as their school fight songs played. They were joined by
new Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith, who also made the jump from
the Pac-12 to Michigan State. And now, the real transition begins.
The coaches from the previous Big Ten members are now figuring out
how to deal with the travel. Some hope to welcome the California
schools for November football games.FLORHAM PARK, N.J.
(AP) — Aaron Rodgers’ offseason excursion to Egypt during
mandatory minicamp made quite a few headlines. The New York Jets
quarterback has another trip in mind. And it would be even bigger
news. Rodgers said Wednesday the goal for the Jets is getting to New
Orleans, referring to the site of this season’s Super Bowl. The
40-year-old Rodgers is putting the torn left Achilles tendon that
abruptly ended his season last year after just four snaps behind him
and focusing on big dreams for a franchise that has the NFL’s
longest active playoff drought at 13 years.PHILADELPHIA (AP) —
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts says he's in a great
place with head coach Nick Sirianni. The duo have had their
relationship scrutinized after a late-season collapse knocked the
Eagles from Super Bowl contender to one-and-done in the playoffs.
Sirianni says his relationship with Hurts is “good.” The
25-year-old Hurts accounted for a combined 38 touchdowns passing and
rushing last season. Hurts enters this season with his third straight
new offensive coordinator.UNDATED (AP) — The
NBA signed its 11-year media rights deal with Disney, NBC and Amazon
Prime Video on Wednesday after saying it was not accepting Warner
Bros. Discovery’s $1.8 billion per year offer to continue its
longtime relationship with the league. The media rights deals were
approved by the league’s Board of Governors last week and will
bring the league about $76 billion over those 11 years. WBD had five
days to match a part of those deals and said it was exercising its
right to do so, but its offer was not considered a true match by the
NBA. It says it will now take appropriate action.MARSEILLE, France
(AP) — Stunning goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Michael Olise
helped France to a 3-0 victory over the United States in the Olympic
men’s soccer tournament. Loic Bade added the third with a late
header to seal a win that had looked in doubt until former Arsenal
striker Lacazette struck with a long range effort in the 61st minute
in Marseille. Earlier, Morocco secured a wild 2-1 win over Argentina
at the start of the tournament — but not before furious fans
invaded the pitch to protest what appeared to be an equalizer by
Cristian Medina in the 16th-minute of stoppage time. Objects were
thrown onto the field and security had to restrain fans, causing the
game in Saint-Etienne to be suspended for nearly two hours.SAINT-ETIENNE,
France (AP) — Morocco fans crashed the pitch to protest a late goal
by Argentina at the opening match of the Paris Olympics men’s
soccer tournament. It was an angry and bizarre scene that left the
game suspended for nearly two hours with only minutes remaining.
Moments before play resumed, the goal was disallowed by VAR for
offside, and Morocco held on for a 2-1 victory. But not before a
furious reaction from Morocco fans who thought they’d been denied a
critical win.PARIS (AP) — Paris
has long been a city of dreamers: Just look at the Eiffel Tower, for
decades the world’s loftiest structure. But France’s capital is
aiming higher still with its first Olympic Games in a century, which
open Friday. The most audacious Olympic opening ceremony ever — a
gala spectacular on the River Seine that even French President
Emmanuel Macron says initially felt like “a crazy and not very
serious idea” — kicks off 16 days of competition that promise to
be ground-breaking. Expect a heady blend of Olympic sports, iconic
Paris monuments and France’s famous “savoir faire” in its
world-renowned capital of fashion, gastronomy and culture could help
secure the Games’ longer-term future. But Paris’ challenges are
huge, too.LUBBOCK, Texas (AP)
— USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year NiJaree Canady will be
pitching for Texas Tech after two seasons at Stanford. Canady
announced her commitment on social media Wednesday. ESPN, citing
unnamed sources, reported that Canady will receive a name, image and
likeness deal worth seven figures. Canady helped Stanford reach the
Women’s College World Series the past two seasons. She had a
combined record of 41-10 and a 0.67 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 365 2/3
innings her freshman and sophomore seasons. Canady entered the
transfer portal last month and will have two years of eligibility
remaining.UNDATED (AP) — A
federal judged has denied the first objection to a $2.77 billion
settlement of antitrust lawuits facing the NCAA and five power
conferences, ruling against Houston Christian University’s motion
to intervene. The small private school that has been a member of
NCAA’s Division I since 2013 was the first —- and so far only —
school to object to the settlement agreement that was announced in
May. The full-term sheet of the settlement is expected to be filed
with the U.S. District Court in Northern California by Friday, an
attorney for the plaintiffs’ told AP earlier this week.WEDNESDAY SCORESMAJOR LEAGUE
BASEBALLINTERLEAGUEFinal	Minnesota	5	Philadelphia	4	Final	Colorado	20	Boston	7	Final	Miami	6	Baltimore	3	Final	N.Y.
Mets	12	N.Y. Yankees	3	Final	Arizona	8	Kansas
City	6	AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	Houston	8	Oakland	1	Final	L.A.
Angels	2	Seattle	1	Final	Cleveland	2	Detroit	1	Final	Toronto	6	Tampa
Bay	3	Final	Texas	10	Chicago
White Sox	2	NATIONAL LEAGUECincinnati	at	Atlanta	1
p.m.	(Postponed)Final	Pittsburgh	5	St.
Louis	0	Final	Cincinnati	9	Atlanta	4	Final	Milwaukee	3	Chicago
Cubs	2	Final	San
Diego	12	Washington	3

Thursday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Bob Marcum, who served as athletic director at Kansas, South Carolina, UMass and Marshall, has died a few days after suffering a stroke. He was 87.

South Carolina, UMass and Marshall's athletic departments all announced Marcum's death Wednesday, a day after he died. Arkansas coach John Calipari, who worked under Marcum at Massachusetts, posted on social media Sunday that Marcum was hospitalized after complications from a stroke.

C alipari posted about Marcum's death Tuesday, saying the two spent time together in the hospital.

“We talked about our time together at UMass, he as AD and me his coach,” Calipari wrote. "We laughed cried and prayed."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721867488149.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Bob Marcum laughs during a press conference, May 21, 2002 in Huntington, W.Va. Marcum, who served as athletic director at Kansas, South Carolina, UMass and Marshall, has died. He was 87. South Carolina, UMass and Marshall all posted about Marcum's death Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (Tim Johnson/The Herald-Dispatch via AP)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Bob Marcum laughs during a press conference, May 21, 2002 in Huntington, W.Va. Marcum, who served as athletic director at Kansas, South Carolina, UMass and Marshall, has died. He was 87. South Carolina, UMass and Marshall all posted about Marcum's death Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (Tim Johnson/The Herald-Dispatch via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Bob Marcum, who served as athletic director at Kansas, South Carolina, UMass and Marshall, has died a few days after suffering a stroke. He was 87.South Carolina, UMass and Marshall's athletic departments all announced Marcum's death Wednesday, a day after he died. Arkansas coach John Calipari, who worked under Marcum at Massachusetts, posted on social media Sunday that Marcum was hospitalized after complications from a stroke.C alipari posted about Marcum's death Tuesday, saying the two spent time together in the hospital.“We talked about our time together at UMass, he as AD and me his coach,” Calipari wrote. "We laughed cried and prayed."

Bob Marcum, AD at Kansas, has died at age 87

By TODD MOORE Barton Sports Info

Nearly half of student-athletes from Barton Community College achieved a 3.50 or better grade point average during the 2023-24 academic year.

Accumulating a Department wide 3.24 GPA, Barton was represented by 130 All-Academic honors announced by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) with an additional 33 coming through the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC).

Overall, within Barton's 302 student-athletes, 148 (49%) received either national and/or KJCCC honors including four earning their respective sport's Scholar Athlete of the Year awards. The academic year's achievements caps an academic year that also saw Barton cheer's Hayley Wise chosen as a 2024 Outstanding Barton graduate, sports medicine's Bradley Beck a Student Ambassador of the Year, and swimming's Rachel Sims on the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society All-State Academic team.

With the NJCAA and KJCCC having slightly different criteria, most notable the national's 3.60 standard versus the conference's 3.5 for academic honors, an additional 26 student-athletes gained conference distinction bringing Barton's total to 148 individuals and 163 classroom achievement recognized honors.

On the national level, Barton student-athletes were among 12,245 across the NJCAA earning a spot on one of three All-Academic teams for the academic year for obtaining a 3.60 or better GPA.

Thirty-six Cougars achieved a perfect 4.0 in the classroom, thirty-five of those meeting NJCAA requirements to join 3,424 nation-wide recipients earning 1st team NJCAA All-Academic distinction.

Falling into the 3.80-3.99 GPA category, Barton had thirty-eight in the range with thirty-seven of those meeting national requirements for 2nd team NJCAA honors. An additional forty-seven Cougars accumulated a GPA in the 3.60-3.79 range with forty-six of those receiving 3rd team national accolades.

In addition to the NJCAA honors, four Cougars have been recognized as Academic Scholars of the Year by their respective sport organizations.

Lucas Constante of the men's soccer team was named this past January as the United Soccer Coaches (USC) Junior College National Scholar Player of the Year with teammate Nicolas Galanis earning 2nd team recognition.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721865113223.jpeg" alt="Barton Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Barton Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>By TODD MOORE Barton Sports InfoNearly half of student-athletes from Barton Community College achieved a 3.50 or better grade point average during the 2023-24 academic year.Accumulating a Department wide 3.24 GPA, Barton was represented by 130 All-Academic honors announced by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) with an additional 33 coming through the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC).Overall, within Barton's 302 student-athletes, 148 (49%) received either national and/or KJCCC honors including four earning their respective sport's Scholar Athlete of the Year awards. The academic year's achievements caps an academic year that also saw Barton cheer's Hayley Wise chosen as a 2024 Outstanding Barton graduate, sports medicine's Bradley Beck a Student Ambassador of the Year, and swimming's Rachel Sims on the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society All-State Academic team.With the NJCAA and KJCCC having slightly different criteria, most notable the national's 3.60 standard versus the conference's 3.5 for academic honors, an additional 26 student-athletes gained conference distinction bringing Barton's total to 148 individuals and 163 classroom achievement recognized honors.On the national level, Barton student-athletes were among 12,245 across the NJCAA earning a spot on one of three All-Academic teams for the academic year for obtaining a 3.60 or better GPA.Thirty-six Cougars achieved a perfect 4.0 in the classroom, thirty-five of those meeting NJCAA requirements to join 3,424 nation-wide recipients earning 1st team NJCAA All-Academic distinction.Falling into the 3.80-3.99 GPA category, Barton had thirty-eight in the range with thirty-seven of those meeting national requirements for 2nd team NJCAA honors. An additional forty-seven Cougars accumulated a GPA in the 3.60-3.79 range with forty-six of those receiving 3rd team national accolades.In addition to the NJCAA honors, four Cougars have been recognized as Academic Scholars of the Year by their respective sport organizations.Lucas Constante of the men's soccer team was named this past January as the United Soccer Coaches (USC) Junior College National Scholar Player of the Year with teammate Nicolas Galanis earning 2nd team recognition.

Nearly half of Barton student-athletes earn All-Academic Awards

By GARY VAN CLEAVE Special to Great Bend Post

HOISINGTON - He stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 190 pounds, but Hoisington Cardinal incoming senior Teron Kraft sports a heart bigger than any football field.

“I like to think of myself as a power back,” said Kraft, who rushed for 1,228 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. “I will run hard and run you over. That's what we need in an offense, someone that's okay with running it up the middle for three yards, and sometimes breakout and make big plays.”

“Teron is a leader on the field, a confident young man who will fight and claw to get it done, loves the game and the guys around him,” graduated senior Mason Alderdice, who led the team with 15 total touchdowns, said. “He embodies what a football player is, he works hard, doesn’t complain and has a knack for the end zone.”

Kraft immediately gave credit where credit was due.

“First of all I owe all of my yards to the amazing offensive line that we had,” said Kraft, who runs a 4.77/40. “Secondly, I made a goal at the beginning of last season. That I need to run for 1,000 yards or more and help my team as much as I can.”

He produced five 100-yard games and added 107 receiving yards on nine receptions and one TD. On defense, he mustered 59 tackles, three sacks and 10 tackles for loss.

“I just try to follow my reads, and attack the play before it develops,” Kraft said of his TFL’s.

Kraft helped the Cardinals to a 12-1 season in which they advanced to the Class 2A state championship.

“Last year was the most fun I have had during football,” Kraft said. “We had a lot of characters to make it fun. It was also fun kicking ass and making it to the state championship game.”

Against Phillipsburg, he exploded for 269 yards rushing and four touchdowns on just six carries.

“Just everything was working, I couldn’t be stopped and the offensive line was kicking ass,” Kraft said. “I went out there to prove something, like I do every game.”

“Teron has helped the team tremendously the past few years, but last year he really stepped up with his starting spot at running back,” junior wide receiver Mason Martin said. “He dominated anything and everything. This year he’s gonna have a big load to carry as a senior and as a great leader to our team.”

“Dawg! He runs well and just has the mentality,” senior quarterback Rhen Galla said. “He has the ability to run through tackles and set up play action.”

“Definitely a very hard worker and is tough to bring down,” graduated senior Tony Moore noted. “He’s pretty diverse in what he brings as a running back.”

Kraft said the summer conditioning program has been high demanding.

“We focus on giving our best effort everyday. Because we know teams are working this summer too, but we need to work harder,” Kraft said.

He’s been focused on particular areas of his game this past offseason.

“I have been focusing on my speed and being more agile. I need to be able to burst through the gaps and make bigger plays for my team,” Kraft said.

“I've learned most from playing and watching Teron just how important it Is to run hard with forward lean,” senior running back Kyler Russell said. “If there's four plays and you get two yards each that's eight yards. If you get forward lean and fall&nbsp;&nbsp;forward you get maybe three or four yards. Football is truly a game of inches.”

“Teron is a guy you can rely on if you need some physicality,” senior defensive back Jason Robinson said. “He makes plays happen when others in his position wouldn’t know what to do.”

Galla described a particular play that preserved a Cardinal victory.

“It was third and 15 and we throw a screen pass to him. He got the first down after running through tackles and sealed the game against Southeast of Saline,” Galla noted.

“There is a reason Teron plays middle linebacker. He is the vocal leader on the defense and now is the vocal leader thoughout the whole entire team,” Alderdice said. “He works hard and does things the right way. A great football player and even better young man.”

“I credit my success to my coaches and my dad. They all have pushed me to be the best I can be,” Kraft said. “I grew up around football since I was born. I would watch my Dad coach great players, and the success he would have doing it. Watching that all the time I knew I needed to give my 110% all the time.”

He hopes to get a chance to play football at the next level.

“It would mean the world to me. I have been wanting to play college football since I started playing,” Kraft said. “I would also like to prove everyone wrong that’s said that I'm too small, and would never make it.”

“Not only did he get a lot stronger and bigger to make it easier to run the ball, but he also got a lot smarter on following blocks and making the cuts necessary to get the most yards out of the play,” Robinson said.

“I want to be known as a ‘dude that worked his ass off’. Someone that always fought for his teammates,” Kraft concluded.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721831470688.jpeg" alt="Hoisington High School's Teron Kraft (#5)&nbsp; /&nbsp; photo by Reif Photography" />
 <figcaption>Hoisington High School's Teron Kraft (#5)&nbsp; /&nbsp; photo by Reif Photography</figcaption>
 </figure>By GARY VAN CLEAVE Special to Great Bend PostHOISINGTON - He stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 190 pounds, but Hoisington Cardinal incoming senior Teron Kraft sports a heart bigger than any football field.“I like to think of myself as a power back,” said Kraft, who rushed for 1,228 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. “I will run hard and run you over. That's what we need in an offense, someone that's okay with running it up the middle for three yards, and sometimes breakout and make big plays.”“Teron is a leader on the field, a confident young man who will fight and claw to get it done, loves the game and the guys around him,” graduated senior Mason Alderdice, who led the team with 15 total touchdowns, said. “He embodies what a football player is, he works hard, doesn’t complain and has a knack for the end zone.”Kraft immediately gave credit where credit was due.“First of all I owe all of my yards to the amazing offensive line that we had,” said Kraft, who runs a 4.77/40. “Secondly, I made a goal at the beginning of last season. That I need to run for 1,000 yards or more and help my team as much as I can.”He produced five 100-yard games and added 107 receiving yards on nine receptions and one TD. On defense, he mustered 59 tackles, three sacks and 10 tackles for loss.“I just try to follow my reads, and attack the play before it develops,” Kraft said of his TFL’s.Kraft helped the Cardinals to a 12-1 season in which they advanced to the Class 2A state championship.“Last year was the most fun I have had during football,” Kraft said. “We had a lot of characters to make it fun. It was also fun kicking ass and making it to the state championship game.”Against Phillipsburg, he exploded for 269 yards rushing and four touchdowns on just six carries.“Just everything was working, I couldn’t be stopped and the offensive line was kicking ass,” Kraft said. “I went out there to prove something, like I do every game.”“Teron has helped the team tremendously the past few years, but last year he really stepped up with his starting spot at running back,” junior wide receiver Mason Martin said. “He dominated anything and everything. This year he’s gonna have a big load to carry as a senior and as a great leader to our team.”“Dawg! He runs well and just has the mentality,” senior quarterback Rhen Galla said. “He has the ability to run through tackles and set up play action.”“Definitely a very hard worker and is tough to bring down,” graduated senior Tony Moore noted. “He’s pretty diverse in what he brings as a running back.”Kraft said the summer conditioning program has been high demanding.“We focus on giving our best effort everyday. Because we know teams are working this summer too, but we need to work harder,” Kraft said.He’s been focused on particular areas of his game this past offseason.“I have been focusing on my speed and being more agile. I need to be able to burst through the gaps and make bigger plays for my team,” Kraft said.“I've learned most from playing and watching Teron just how important it Is to run hard with forward lean,” senior running back Kyler Russell said. “If there's four plays and you get two yards each that's eight yards. If you get forward lean and fall&nbsp;&nbsp;forward you get maybe three or four yards. Football is truly a game of inches.”“Teron is a guy you can rely on if you need some physicality,” senior defensive back Jason Robinson said. “He makes plays happen when others in his position wouldn’t know what to do.”Galla described a particular play that preserved a Cardinal victory.“It was third and 15 and we throw a screen pass to him. He got the first down after running through tackles and sealed the game against Southeast of Saline,” Galla noted.“There is a reason Teron plays middle linebacker. He is the vocal leader on the defense and now is the vocal leader thoughout the whole entire team,” Alderdice said. “He works hard and does things the right way. A great football player and even better young man.”“I credit my success to my coaches and my dad. They all have pushed me to be the best I can be,” Kraft said. “I grew up around football since I was born. I would watch my Dad coach great players, and the success he would have doing it. Watching that all the time I knew I needed to give my 110% all the time.”He hopes to get a chance to play football at the next level.“It would mean the world to me. I have been wanting to play college football since I started playing,” Kraft said. “I would also like to prove everyone wrong that’s said that I'm too small, and would never make it.”“Not only did he get a lot stronger and bigger to make it easier to run the ball, but he also got a lot smarter on following blocks and making the cuts necessary to get the most yards out of the play,” Robinson said.“I want to be known as a ‘dude that worked his ass off’. Someone that always fought for his teammates,” Kraft concluded.

Hoisington's Kraft likes running over defenders 

PARIS (AP) — What was expected to be a simple coronation of Salt Lake City as the 2034 Winter Olympic host turned into complicated Olympic politics Wednesday, as the IOC pushed Utah officials to end an FBI investigation into a suspected doping coverup.

The IOC formally awarded the 2034 Winter Games to Salt Lake in an 83-6 vote, but only after a contingent of Utah politicians and U.S. Olympic leaders signed an agreement pledging to lobby the federal government to end the investigation and to change the anti-conspiracy law that allows such a case.

The International Olympic Committee is angry about an ongoing U.S. federal investigation of suspected doping by Chinese swimmers who were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Games despite positive drug tests. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accepted Chinese explanations for the tests, and U.S. officials are now investigating that decision under an anti-conspiracy law passed after the Russian doping scandal at the Sochi Winter Games.

President Thomas Bach wants to make sure WADA is the sole authority on Olympic doping cases, especially with the Summer Olympics headed to Los Angeles in 2028. The IOC added a clause to Salt Lake's host contract, demanding that local organizers - including Utah Gov. Spencer Cox - push to shut down the investigation or risk losing the Olympics.

Cox and others promised to lobby the U.S. president and Congress.

“We agree that if the United States does not support or violates the World Anti-Doping Federation’s rules, that they can withdraw the Games from from us and from the United States, “ Cox said after the announcement. "That was the only way that that we could we could guarantee that we would get the Games.”

Even in the world of Olympic diplomacy, it was a stunning power move to force government officials to publicly agree to do the IOC's lobbying.

U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Chair Gene Sykes said some athletes and officials from other countries are worried that the anti-conspiracy law would allow the U.S. to arrest Olympic visitors.

Some officials “have been very anxious about what it would mean to the sports figures who came to the United States, somehow they were subject to uncertainty in terms of their freedom of travel," Sykes said. "And that is always concerning to people who don’t understand the United States.”

The capital city of Utah was the only candidate after the IOC gave Salt Lake City exclusive negotiating rights last year in a fast-tracked process.

The campaign team presenting the bid on stage to IOC members included Cox, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Alpine ski great Lindsey Vonn. Back home, a 3 a.m. public watch party gathered to see the broadcast from Paris.

The clause inserted into the contract requires Utah officials to to work with current and future U.S. presidents and members of Congress “to alleviate your concerns” about the federal investigation into doping.

WADA's role is under scrutiny for accepting a Chinese investigation that declared all 23 swimmers were contaminated by traces of a banned heart medication in a hotel kitchen. Three Chinese gold medals in the Tokyo Olympic pool were won by swimmers implicated in the case. Some are also competing in Paris next week.

The case an be investigated in the U.S. under federal legislation named for a whistleblower of Russian state doping at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.

The IOC and WADA lobbied against the law, known as the Rodchenkov Act, which gives U.S. federal agencies wide jurisdiction of doping enforcement worldwide.

“We will work with our members of Congress," Gov. Cox told Bach and IOC voters ahead of the 2034 vote, "we will use all the levers of power open to us to resolve these concerns.”

Salt Lake City first hosted the Winter Games in 2002. That bid was hit with a bribery scandal, which led to anti-corruption reforms at the IOC.

Future U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney was brought in to clean up the Games, which went off well despite tightened security. The Games were the biggest international sports event hosted by the U.S. following the Sept. 11 attacks five months earlier

It is an Olympic tradition for lawmakers and even heads of state to come to an IOC meeting and plead their case to be anointed as an host city.

Russian President Vladimir Putin did it in 2007, speaking in English to secure the 2014 Winter Games for Sochi. British Prime Minister Tony Blair made a key intervention in 2005 to help win the 2012 Olympics for London. U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Copenhagen in 2009 did not help in Chicago's losing cause for the 2016 Summer Games that went to Rio de Janeiro.

For its second turn, Salt Lake City will get almost 10 full years to prepare — the longest lead-in for a modern Winter Games — amid longer-term concerns about climate change affecting snow sports and reducing the pool of potential hosts.

It will be the fifth Winter Games in the U.S. Before Salt Lake City in 2002, there was Lake Placid in 1980 and 1932, and Squaw Valley — now known as Olympic Valley — in 1960.

In a separate decision earlier in Paris, the 2030 Winter Games was awarded to France for a regional project split between ski resorts in the Alps and the French Riviera city Nice.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721831122581.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Utah Gov. Spencer Cox speaks about Salt Lake City's bid to host the 2034 Winter Olympics, during the 142nd IOC session at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/David Goldman)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Utah Gov. Spencer Cox speaks about Salt Lake City's bid to host the 2034 Winter Olympics, during the 142nd IOC session at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/David Goldman)</figcaption>
 </figure>PARIS (AP) — What was expected to be a simple coronation of Salt Lake City as the 2034 Winter Olympic host turned into complicated Olympic politics Wednesday, as the IOC pushed Utah officials to end an FBI investigation into a suspected doping coverup.The IOC formally awarded the 2034 Winter Games to Salt Lake in an 83-6 vote, but only after a contingent of Utah politicians and U.S. Olympic leaders signed an agreement pledging to lobby the federal government to end the investigation and to change the anti-conspiracy law that allows such a case.The International Olympic Committee is angry about an ongoing U.S. federal investigation of suspected doping by Chinese swimmers who were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Games despite positive drug tests. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accepted Chinese explanations for the tests, and U.S. officials are now investigating that decision under an anti-conspiracy law passed after the Russian doping scandal at the Sochi Winter Games.President Thomas Bach wants to make sure WADA is the sole authority on Olympic doping cases, especially with the Summer Olympics headed to Los Angeles in 2028. The IOC added a clause to Salt Lake's host contract, demanding that local organizers - including Utah Gov. Spencer Cox - push to shut down the investigation or risk losing the Olympics.Cox and others promised to lobby the U.S. president and Congress.“We agree that if the United States does not support or violates the World Anti-Doping Federation’s rules, that they can withdraw the Games from from us and from the United States, “ Cox said after the announcement. "That was the only way that that we could we could guarantee that we would get the Games.”Even in the world of Olympic diplomacy, it was a stunning power move to force government officials to publicly agree to do the IOC's lobbying.U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Chair Gene Sykes said some athletes and officials from other countries are worried that the anti-conspiracy law would allow the U.S. to arrest Olympic visitors.Some officials “have been very anxious about what it would mean to the sports figures who came to the United States, somehow they were subject to uncertainty in terms of their freedom of travel," Sykes said. "And that is always concerning to people who don’t understand the United States.”The capital city of Utah was the only candidate after the IOC gave Salt Lake City exclusive negotiating rights last year in a fast-tracked process.The campaign team presenting the bid on stage to IOC members included Cox, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Alpine ski great Lindsey Vonn. Back home, a 3 a.m. public watch party gathered to see the broadcast from Paris.The clause inserted into the contract requires Utah officials to to work with current and future U.S. presidents and members of Congress “to alleviate your concerns” about the federal investigation into doping.WADA's role is under scrutiny for accepting a Chinese investigation that declared all 23 swimmers were contaminated by traces of a banned heart medication in a hotel kitchen. Three Chinese gold medals in the Tokyo Olympic pool were won by swimmers implicated in the case. Some are also competing in Paris next week.The case an be investigated in the U.S. under federal legislation named for a whistleblower of Russian state doping at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.The IOC and WADA lobbied against the law, known as the Rodchenkov Act, which gives U.S. federal agencies wide jurisdiction of doping enforcement worldwide.“We will work with our members of Congress," Gov. Cox told Bach and IOC voters ahead of the 2034 vote, "we will use all the levers of power open to us to resolve these concerns.”Salt Lake City first hosted the Winter Games in 2002. That bid was hit with a bribery scandal, which led to anti-corruption reforms at the IOC.Future U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney was brought in to clean up the Games, which went off well despite tightened security. The Games were the biggest international sports event hosted by the U.S. following the Sept. 11 attacks five months earlierIt is an Olympic tradition for lawmakers and even heads of state to come to an IOC meeting and plead their case to be anointed as an host city.Russian President Vladimir Putin did it in 2007, speaking in English to secure the 2014 Winter Games for Sochi. British Prime Minister Tony Blair made a key intervention in 2005 to help win the 2012 Olympics for London. U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Copenhagen in 2009 did not help in Chicago's losing cause for the 2016 Summer Games that went to Rio de Janeiro.For its second turn, Salt Lake City will get almost 10 full years to prepare — the longest lead-in for a modern Winter Games — amid longer-term concerns about climate change affecting snow sports and reducing the pool of potential hosts.It will be the fifth Winter Games in the U.S. Before Salt Lake City in 2002, there was Lake Placid in 1980 and 1932, and Squaw Valley — now known as Olympic Valley — in 1960.In a separate decision earlier in Paris, the 2030 Winter Games was awarded to France for a regional project split between ski resorts in the Alps and the French Riviera city Nice.

IOC awards 2034 Winter Games to Utah with conditions

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

Mark it seven straight years that Barton Community College has finished
as one of the top three most successful athletic programs in the country. 

The
National Alliance of Two Year College Athletics Administrators (NATYCAA) judges
all community colleges across the country on how their teams finish at national
competitions. Barton Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs said the Cougars athletic
department finished second in the nation for the 2023-2024 school year.


"Congratulations really needs to go to our coaching staffs and staff members," said Rolfs. "Certainly, you don't win if you don't have good student athletes that buy in. Most student athletes that come here understand the success levels we expect at Barton. They're willing to put in the work to make those successes happen."

Each college is allowed to score points from their top-five programs, per
gender, at their national championships. The champion in each sport is given 20
points, second place 19 points, and so forth. Barton finished behind Iowa
Western Community College as the college in Council Bluffs won their third
consecutive NATYCAA Cup.


"I continue to be blessed with really good people," said Rolfs. "You don't have success without good people. You don't have success without hard work. You don't have the successes we have academically, athletically and socially unless coaches have the mindset of the mission and push their kids to be successful in all of those areas."

Barton athletes also ranked third out of the 21 community colleges in Kansas
for overall GPA during the 2023-2024 school year.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

The press release can be found at <a href="https://nacda.com/news/2024/7/22/natycaa-iowa-western-community-college-rcsj-gloucester-and-mt-san-antonio-college-win-2023-24-daktronics-cup-championships.aspx">nacda.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721747138913.jpeg" alt="The Barton Community College athletic department was ranked #2 in the nation among all community colleges for overall success in the 2023-2024 school year." />
 <figcaption>The Barton Community College athletic department was ranked #2 in the nation among all community colleges for overall success in the 2023-2024 school year.</figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostMark it seven straight years that Barton Community College has finished
as one of the top three most successful athletic programs in the country. The
National Alliance of Two Year College Athletics Administrators (NATYCAA) judges
all community colleges across the country on how their teams finish at national
competitions. Barton Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs said the Cougars athletic
department finished second in the nation for the 2023-2024 school year.
"Congratulations really needs to go to our coaching staffs and staff members," said Rolfs. "Certainly, you don't win if you don't have good student athletes that buy in. Most student athletes that come here understand the success levels we expect at Barton. They're willing to put in the work to make those successes happen."Each college is allowed to score points from their top-five programs, per
gender, at their national championships. The champion in each sport is given 20
points, second place 19 points, and so forth. Barton finished behind Iowa
Western Community College as the college in Council Bluffs won their third
consecutive NATYCAA Cup.
"I continue to be blessed with really good people," said Rolfs. "You don't have success without good people. You don't have success without hard work. You don't have the successes we have academically, athletically and socially unless coaches have the mindset of the mission and push their kids to be successful in all of those areas."Barton athletes also ranked third out of the 21 community colleges in Kansas
for overall GPA during the 2023-2024 school year.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;The press release can be found at <a href="https://nacda.com/news/2024/7/22/natycaa-iowa-western-community-college-rcsj-gloucester-and-mt-san-antonio-college-win-2023-24-daktronics-cup-championships.aspx">nacda.com</a>.

Barton ranked #2 in the nation for best athletic department

Four student-athletes from Barton Community College received Academic Scholars of the Year by their respective sport organizations for the 2023-24 academic year.

Nicolas Galanis, Head Coach Rafael Simmons, and Lucas Constante at the 2023 USC ConventionLucas Constante of the men's soccer team was recognized this past January in Anaheim, California, by the United Soccer Coaches (USC) Junior College National Scholar Player of the Year with teammate Nicolas Galanis earning 2nd team national recognition.

The track and field team had three garner Field Scholar Athlete of the Year awards by the U.S. Track &amp; Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) at the conclusion of the year.

Trevon Hamer of the men's team was awarded the Indoor Field Athlete Scholar of the Year helping lead the Cougars to a third place national standing in NJCAA classroom achievement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721815275039.jpeg" alt="Barton Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Barton Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>By TODD MOORE Barton Sports InfoFour student-athletes from Barton Community College received Academic Scholars of the Year by their respective sport organizations for the 2023-24 academic year.Nicolas Galanis, Head Coach Rafael Simmons, and Lucas Constante at the 2023 USC ConventionLucas Constante of the men's soccer team was recognized this past January in Anaheim, California, by the United Soccer Coaches (USC) Junior College National Scholar Player of the Year with teammate Nicolas Galanis earning 2nd team national recognition.The track and field team had three garner Field Scholar Athlete of the Year awards by the U.S. Track &amp; Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) at the conclusion of the year.Trevon Hamer of the men's team was awarded the Indoor Field Athlete Scholar of the Year helping lead the Cougars to a third place national standing in NJCAA classroom achievement.

Four Cougars earn national scholar of the year awards

AMERICAN LEAGUEEast DivisionW	L	Pct	GBBaltimore	60	40	.600	—New
York	60	43	.583	1½Boston	54	46	.540	6Tampa
Bay	51	50	.505	9½Toronto	45	55	.450	15Central DivisionCleveland	60	40	.600	—Minnesota	55	45	.550	5Kansas
City	56	46	.549	5Detroit	50	52	.490	11Chicago	27	76	.262	34½West DivisionSeattle	53	50	.515	—Houston	52	49	.515	—Texas	49	52	.485	3Los
Angeles	44	57	.436	8Oakland	41	62	.398	12NATIONAL LEAGUEEast DivisionW	L	Pct	GBPhiladelphia	64	37	.634	—Atlanta	54	45	.545	9New
York	52	48	.520	11½Washington	47	54	.465	17Miami	36	65	.356	28Central DivisionMilwaukee	58	43	.574	—St.
Louis	53	48	.525	5Pittsburgh	51	50	.505	7Chicago	49	54	.476	10Cincinnati	48	53	.475	10West DivisionLos
Angeles	61	41	.598	—San
Diego	53	50	.515	8½Arizona	52	50	.510	9San
Francisco	48	54	.471	13

MLB Standings

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid has a good idea of four of the five spots on his team's offensive line.

Joe Thuney will be at left guard, Creed Humphrey at center, Trey Smith at right guard and Jawaan Taylor at right tackle.

The biggest question now falls on left tackle, where second-year pro Wanya Morris and rookie Kingsley Suamataia are locked in a training camp competition.

And with a little less than a week of seeing the two players work without pads, Reid knows it’s too early to declare a winner.

“We’ll just see how it goes,” Reid said. “You obviously want to get the guys reps in there and all that, but you also want to make sure you get the best guy in there.

“So, you give them a chance to play with one another as far as the guards and tackles go and see what the best match is there and how they fit together.”

The Chiefs have rotated Morris and Suamataia with the first-team offense during the early stages of training camp.

But the 6-foot-6, 307-pound Morris, the Chiefs’ third-round pick in 2023, appeared to get all the first-team repetitions during Tuesday’s practice, which emphasized a lot of passing during 11-on-11 team drills.

“He’s doing a nice job,” Reid said of Morris, who started four games in 2023. "Everything is kind of pass; you’re not doing a ton of running here. But from what we’re asking him to do, he’s done a nice job."

The 6-foot-4, 326-pound Suamataia worked mostly with the second-team offense. But the Chiefs’ second-round pick in the 2024 draft has done his share of impressing.

“He’s a great listener,” Taylor said of Suamataia. “He’s definitely willing to soak in anything that we give him, any coaching points. I think he’s doing well; he’s definitely meshing well with the offense."

Whichever player emerges as the eventual starter will represent a positional transition for the Chiefs.

The Chiefs hardly worried about the left tackle position with Eric Fisher, who was a mainstay at the spot from 2014 to 2020.

Then, the Chiefs traded for Orlando Brown in 2021, and Brown handled the left tackle position for two seasons before signing a four-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2023 offseason.

The past season produced uncertainty, as the Chiefs brought in veteran Donovan Smith on a one-year deal to play left tackle last season. Smith, however, is now a free agent, which opened the door for Morris and Suamataia to compete for the job.

But as Reid points out, the early stages of training camp won’t determine the eventual winner. There is no contact allowed during the unpadded practices of camp, and the Chiefs have mostly stuck with pass-heavy sessions during the morning workouts.

Where Morris and Suamataia will need to stand out — and perhaps separate from each other — occurs when full pads come on Friday.

And with it, a more diverse playbook with balanced practices for the competitors to show what they can do.

“Once you mix the pass and the run in, that’s what you got to get in going here,” Reid said. “The run is all curbed down to where it’s almost just fits, so it’s not quite the same.”

NOTES: Reid said rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy is ill and has not fully recovered for practice. “He’s getting better, but not ready to practice yet,” Reid said of the Chiefs’ 2024 first-round pick … Defensive lineman BJ Thompson, who suffered a cardiac arrest in early June, was present observing his teammates practice. “It was great to see him standing around and watching, but he’s not ready to go,” Reid said. “But it’s good to see him standing upright, right? That’s a positive thing.” … Guard Joe Thuney (pectoral) remains on the physically unable to perform list, but Thuney’s absence has allowed the Chiefs to give Lucas Niang, who normally plays tackle, some reps there. “This is a good time to do that, during this ramp-up period,” Reid said. “When they’re not in pads, just get them familiar with those areas.”

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid has a good idea of four of the five spots on his team's offensive line.Joe Thuney will be at left guard, Creed Humphrey at center, Trey Smith at right guard and Jawaan Taylor at right tackle.The biggest question now falls on left tackle, where second-year pro Wanya Morris and rookie Kingsley Suamataia are locked in a training camp competition.And with a little less than a week of seeing the two players work without pads, Reid knows it’s too early to declare a winner.“We’ll just see how it goes,” Reid said. “You obviously want to get the guys reps in there and all that, but you also want to make sure you get the best guy in there.“So, you give them a chance to play with one another as far as the guards and tackles go and see what the best match is there and how they fit together.”The Chiefs have rotated Morris and Suamataia with the first-team offense during the early stages of training camp.But the 6-foot-6, 307-pound Morris, the Chiefs’ third-round pick in 2023, appeared to get all the first-team repetitions during Tuesday’s practice, which emphasized a lot of passing during 11-on-11 team drills.“He’s doing a nice job,” Reid said of Morris, who started four games in 2023. "Everything is kind of pass; you’re not doing a ton of running here. But from what we’re asking him to do, he’s done a nice job."The 6-foot-4, 326-pound Suamataia worked mostly with the second-team offense. But the Chiefs’ second-round pick in the 2024 draft has done his share of impressing.“He’s a great listener,” Taylor said of Suamataia. “He’s definitely willing to soak in anything that we give him, any coaching points. I think he’s doing well; he’s definitely meshing well with the offense."Whichever player emerges as the eventual starter will represent a positional transition for the Chiefs.The Chiefs hardly worried about the left tackle position with Eric Fisher, who was a mainstay at the spot from 2014 to 2020.Then, the Chiefs traded for Orlando Brown in 2021, and Brown handled the left tackle position for two seasons before signing a four-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2023 offseason.The past season produced uncertainty, as the Chiefs brought in veteran Donovan Smith on a one-year deal to play left tackle last season. Smith, however, is now a free agent, which opened the door for Morris and Suamataia to compete for the job.But as Reid points out, the early stages of training camp won’t determine the eventual winner. There is no contact allowed during the unpadded practices of camp, and the Chiefs have mostly stuck with pass-heavy sessions during the morning workouts.Where Morris and Suamataia will need to stand out — and perhaps separate from each other — occurs when full pads come on Friday.And with it, a more diverse playbook with balanced practices for the competitors to show what they can do.“Once you mix the pass and the run in, that’s what you got to get in going here,” Reid said. “The run is all curbed down to where it’s almost just fits, so it’s not quite the same.”NOTES: Reid said rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy is ill and has not fully recovered for practice. “He’s getting better, but not ready to practice yet,” Reid said of the Chiefs’ 2024 first-round pick … Defensive lineman BJ Thompson, who suffered a cardiac arrest in early June, was present observing his teammates practice. “It was great to see him standing around and watching, but he’s not ready to go,” Reid said. “But it’s good to see him standing upright, right? That’s a positive thing.” … Guard Joe Thuney (pectoral) remains on the physically unable to perform list, but Thuney’s absence has allowed the Chiefs to give Lucas Niang, who normally plays tackle, some reps there. “This is a good time to do that, during this ramp-up period,” Reid said. “When they’re not in pads, just get them familiar with those areas.”

Morris, Suamataia in camp competition for Chiefs starting spot at left tackle

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jordan Montgomery allowed one run over five innings to win in his return from a layoff of nearly one month caused by a knee injury, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 Tuesday night.

Ketel Marte hit a two-run homer and scored three runs.

Montgomery (7-5) allowed three hits, walked one and struck out two, throwing 39 of 67 pitches for strikes. The 31-year-old left-hander, signed by the NL champions to a $25 million, one-year contract in March, had been sidelined since June 27 by right knee inflammation. He won for the first time since June 21 at Philadelphia.

“I felt comfortable out there and pain free, and that was nice to be pain free,” Montgomery said. “I think it just messed with my delivery a little bit, where I was yanking everything and I didn’t want to put any pressure on my legs, but I grinded it out and I’m glad to be here now.”

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Montgomery was nearing his pitch count when he finished a 1-2-3 fifth inning.

“His changeup was in play, and that’s a very key pitch for him,” Lovullo said. “The first go-round before he got banged up, it was a pitch he was leaving out over the plate. The pitch was very, very effective and he had a lot of confidence in it.”

Montgomery got four swings and misses on 19 changeups and six foul balls.

“It got me through the game,” Montgomery said. “I was a little wild with everything else. My four-seam and my changeup really got me through, got me some swing and miss when I needed it.”

Bryce Jarvis pitched two shutout innings, and Joe Mantiply, Ryan Thompson and Kevin Ginkel finished as Arizona stopped the Royals’ four-game winning streak. Kansas City had won eight of 10 coming in.

Bobby Witt Jr. went 1 for 4 with an RBI double in the first, ending his streak of four straight three-hit games.

Marte hit a two-run homer off the right-field foul pole in the fifth against Alec Marsh (7-7), who gave up five runs, five hits and two walks in five innings. Marte followed Geraldo Perdomo’s leadoff double with his 21st home run.

“I was trying to down and away with a changeup and he just jumped it,” Marsh said.

Christian Walker’s sacrifice fly and Gabriel Moreno’s two-out, two-run single built a 3-0 lead in the first.

Witt’s double was his 13th hit in 16 at-bats since the All-Star Game, his sixth for extra bases. Salvador Perez had an RBI single in the ninth.

Arizona optioned right-hander Humberto Castellanos to Triple-A Reno and activated Montgomery.

Kansas City agreed to a minor league contract with the sixth overall draft pick Jac Caglianone, a two-way player from the University of Florida.

Arizona RHP Ryne Nelson (7-6, 4.78) starts Wednesday night’s series finale against Kansas City RHP Michael Wacha (7-6, 3.55).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721813983299.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jordan Montgomery throws from the mound during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jordan Montgomery throws from the mound during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jordan Montgomery allowed one run over five innings to win in his return from a layoff of nearly one month caused by a knee injury, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 Tuesday night.Ketel Marte hit a two-run homer and scored three runs.Montgomery (7-5) allowed three hits, walked one and struck out two, throwing 39 of 67 pitches for strikes. The 31-year-old left-hander, signed by the NL champions to a $25 million, one-year contract in March, had been sidelined since June 27 by right knee inflammation. He won for the first time since June 21 at Philadelphia.“I felt comfortable out there and pain free, and that was nice to be pain free,” Montgomery said. “I think it just messed with my delivery a little bit, where I was yanking everything and I didn’t want to put any pressure on my legs, but I grinded it out and I’m glad to be here now.”Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Montgomery was nearing his pitch count when he finished a 1-2-3 fifth inning.“His changeup was in play, and that’s a very key pitch for him,” Lovullo said. “The first go-round before he got banged up, it was a pitch he was leaving out over the plate. The pitch was very, very effective and he had a lot of confidence in it.”Montgomery got four swings and misses on 19 changeups and six foul balls.“It got me through the game,” Montgomery said. “I was a little wild with everything else. My four-seam and my changeup really got me through, got me some swing and miss when I needed it.”Bryce Jarvis pitched two shutout innings, and Joe Mantiply, Ryan Thompson and Kevin Ginkel finished as Arizona stopped the Royals’ four-game winning streak. Kansas City had won eight of 10 coming in.Bobby Witt Jr. went 1 for 4 with an RBI double in the first, ending his streak of four straight three-hit games.Marte hit a two-run homer off the right-field foul pole in the fifth against Alec Marsh (7-7), who gave up five runs, five hits and two walks in five innings. Marte followed Geraldo Perdomo’s leadoff double with his 21st home run.“I was trying to down and away with a changeup and he just jumped it,” Marsh said.Christian Walker’s sacrifice fly and Gabriel Moreno’s two-out, two-run single built a 3-0 lead in the first.Witt’s double was his 13th hit in 16 at-bats since the All-Star Game, his sixth for extra bases. Salvador Perez had an RBI single in the ninth.Arizona optioned right-hander Humberto Castellanos to Triple-A Reno and activated Montgomery.Kansas City agreed to a minor league contract with the sixth overall draft pick Jac Caglianone, a two-way player from the University of Florida.UP NEXTArizona RHP Ryne Nelson (7-6, 4.78) starts Wednesday night’s series finale against Kansas City RHP Michael Wacha (7-6, 3.55).

Jordan Montgomery returns and pitches Diamondbacks over Royals 6-2

KANSAS CITY, Mo.
(AP) — Jordan Montgomery allowed one run over five innings to win
in his return from a layoff of nearly one month caused by a knee
injury, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2.
Ketel Marte hit a two-run homer and scored three runs. Montgomery
(7-5) allowed three hits, walked one and struck out two. The
31-year-old left-hander, had been sidelined since June 27 by right
knee inflammation. Bryce Jarvis pitched two shutout innings, and Joe
Mantiply, Ryan Thompson and Kevin Ginkel finished as Arizona stopped
the Royals' four-game winning streak.

PITTSBURGH (AP) —
Rookie Paul Skenes lost for the first time in 12 career major league
starts, giving up Alec Burleson’s tiebreaking single in the ninth
inning that lifted the St. Louis Cardinals over the Pittsburgh
Pirates 2-1. Pitching for the first time since starting for the
National League in last week’s All-Star Game, the 22-year-old
right-hander pitched past the seventh inning for the first time in
the major leagues. Nolan Arenado put St. Louis ahead with a
fifth-inning home run on a first-pitch curveball, and Nick Gonzales
tied the score with an RBI single in the eighth off JoJo Romero.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)
— Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout lasted just two innings
of his first rehab start in the minors due to soreness in his
surgically-repaired left knee. The three-time MVP struck out in his
only at-bat for Triple-A Salt Lake making his first rehab appearance
since tearing the meniscus in his left knee in late April. Trout was
pulled after two innings and the Angels said it was due to knee
soreness and that he was day-to-day. Angels manager Ron Washington
said before their game on Tuesday in Seattle that the plan was for
Trout to play five innings in his first game, would be the designated
hitter on Wednesday and hopefully be ready to play seven innings in
the field on Thursday.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP)
— Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid has a good idea of four of the
five spots on his team’s offensive line. Joe Thuney will be at left
guard, Creed Humphrey at center, Trey Smith at right guard and Jawaan
Taylor at right tackle. The biggest question now falls on left
tackle, where second-year pro Wanya Morris and rookie Kingsley
Suamataia are locked in a training camp competition. And with a
little less than a week of seeing the two players work without pads,
Reid knows it’s too early to declare a winner.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.
(AP) — The San Francisco 49ers have no intention of granting star
receiver Brandon Aiyuk his trade request and remain committed to
getting a long-term extension done with one of their most important
offensive players. General manager John Lynch says there are no
absolutes but that the 49ers expect Aiyuk to be an “integral part
of our team.” The 49ers arrived at training camp on Tuesday, with
Aiyuk showing up with the rest of his teammates, a person familiar
with the situation told The Associated Press on condition of
anonymity because the team didn’t make an announcement. Aiyuk had
skipped the entire offseason program, including a mandatory minicamp.
Aiyuk would have been subject to potential fines if he didn’t show
up.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) —
Ohio State coach Ryan Day sounds confident and comfortable discussing
this year’s football team. Never mind the three Michigan banners
hanging over his head and slightly behind the podium where he’s
speaking in Indianapolis. It’s also a not-so-subtle reminder about
the looming stakes when he heads home to Columbus, Ohio. Three
straight losses to Michigan have put Day squarely on the hot seat
despite being 39-3 in conference play since taking over the Buckeyes
program in 2018. Whether it's fair or not, Day understands that
wining every game is the expectation at one of college football's
most storied programs — and beating Michigan is the No. 1 goal
every season.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) —
Defending national champion Michigan and 2023 East Division runner-up
Ohio State dominated the Big Ten preseason, claiming a total of seven
of the 12 top positional honors. A media panel selected the players.
It was announced Tuesday as the first of three days of the league's
media days began in Indianapolis. Ohio State safety Caleb Downs,
receiver Emeka Egbuka, running back TreVeyon Henderson and defensive
end JT Tuimoloau joined Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham,
defensive back Will Johnson and tight end Colston Loveland on the
list. Dillon Gabriel, who left Oklahoma for Oregon, was named the
league’s top quarterback.

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP,
Mich. (AP) — Tiger Woods watched his son, Charlie, shoot a 10-over
80 on Tuesday and miss the cut at 22 over through two rounds at the
U.S. Junior Amateur. The 15-year-old Woods, who earned a spot in the
264-player field last month, finished near the bottom of the pack.
The top 64 players advance to match play, which begins Wednesday. The
36-hole championship match is Saturday. Woods did fare better on the
Oakland Hills South Course, which Ben Hogan dubbed “The Monster,”
than he did with an opening 12-over 82 on the North Course.

UNDATED (AP) — An
attorney for the defendants tells The Associated Press the full
settlement agreement of antitrust lawsuits involving the NCAA and
college sports’ wealthiest conferences is expected to be filed with
a federal court by Friday. Seattle-based attorney Steve Berman says
just a few details remain to be worked out. The NCAA along with the
Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and Southeastern
Conference agreed on May 23 to the framework of a $2.77 billion
settlement of multiple antitrust lawsuits that challenged limits on
college athlete compensation. The settlement includes a plan to allow
schools to pay athletes.

UNDATED (AP) —
More than a decade ago, college sports video games were identified as
an entry point to challenge NCAA rules that prevented college
athletes from being compensated. The lawsuits led to the games going
away as the NCAA and college sports leaders tried to defend
amateurism. Now the games are back. And not only can college athletes
be compensated for being included in the games, a model is in the
works that will allow schools to share millions in revenue with them.

PARIS (AP) — The
French Alps bid to host the 2030 Winter Games has been approved by
the International Olympic Committee with conditions attached. French
President Emmanuel Macron helped present the bid to IOC members and
gave assurances that the national government being formed in office
after the 2024 Summer Games in Paris will underwrite all the
organizational guarantees that must still be signed. IOC members
accepted his guarantees and voted their approval. The French bid was
the only candidate and is a project centered on ski resorts in the
French Alps and ice sports venues in the coastal city Nice.

DEATH VALLEY
NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — Ninety-seven runners have pushed off
in desolate Death Valley for an annual ultramarathon billed as the
world’s toughest foot race. The men and women ranging in age from
19 to 69 and hailing from 21 countries and 26 U.S. states started the
Badwater 135 on Monday amid an excessive heat warning. Over 48 hours,
the participants will run amid daytime temperatures reaching over 120
degrees Fahrenheit and night heat above 100 F. They will travel over
roadways open to traffic and pass through places with names like
Furnace Creek and Devil’s Golf Course. The race started in 1987 and
is always run when temperatures peak in mid-July.

Cincinnati	at	Atlanta	6:05
p.m.	(Postponed)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721294994442.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo.
(AP) — Jordan Montgomery allowed one run over five innings to win
in his return from a layoff of nearly one month caused by a knee
injury, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2.
Ketel Marte hit a two-run homer and scored three runs. Montgomery
(7-5) allowed three hits, walked one and struck out two. The
31-year-old left-hander, had been sidelined since June 27 by right
knee inflammation. Bryce Jarvis pitched two shutout innings, and Joe
Mantiply, Ryan Thompson and Kevin Ginkel finished as Arizona stopped
the Royals' four-game winning streak.PITTSBURGH (AP) —
Rookie Paul Skenes lost for the first time in 12 career major league
starts, giving up Alec Burleson’s tiebreaking single in the ninth
inning that lifted the St. Louis Cardinals over the Pittsburgh
Pirates 2-1. Pitching for the first time since starting for the
National League in last week’s All-Star Game, the 22-year-old
right-hander pitched past the seventh inning for the first time in
the major leagues. Nolan Arenado put St. Louis ahead with a
fifth-inning home run on a first-pitch curveball, and Nick Gonzales
tied the score with an RBI single in the eighth off JoJo Romero.SALT LAKE CITY (AP)
— Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout lasted just two innings
of his first rehab start in the minors due to soreness in his
surgically-repaired left knee. The three-time MVP struck out in his
only at-bat for Triple-A Salt Lake making his first rehab appearance
since tearing the meniscus in his left knee in late April. Trout was
pulled after two innings and the Angels said it was due to knee
soreness and that he was day-to-day. Angels manager Ron Washington
said before their game on Tuesday in Seattle that the plan was for
Trout to play five innings in his first game, would be the designated
hitter on Wednesday and hopefully be ready to play seven innings in
the field on Thursday.ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP)
— Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid has a good idea of four of the
five spots on his team’s offensive line. Joe Thuney will be at left
guard, Creed Humphrey at center, Trey Smith at right guard and Jawaan
Taylor at right tackle. The biggest question now falls on left
tackle, where second-year pro Wanya Morris and rookie Kingsley
Suamataia are locked in a training camp competition. And with a
little less than a week of seeing the two players work without pads,
Reid knows it’s too early to declare a winner.SANTA CLARA, Calif.
(AP) — The San Francisco 49ers have no intention of granting star
receiver Brandon Aiyuk his trade request and remain committed to
getting a long-term extension done with one of their most important
offensive players. General manager John Lynch says there are no
absolutes but that the 49ers expect Aiyuk to be an “integral part
of our team.” The 49ers arrived at training camp on Tuesday, with
Aiyuk showing up with the rest of his teammates, a person familiar
with the situation told The Associated Press on condition of
anonymity because the team didn’t make an announcement. Aiyuk had
skipped the entire offseason program, including a mandatory minicamp.
Aiyuk would have been subject to potential fines if he didn’t show
up.INDIANAPOLIS (AP) —
Ohio State coach Ryan Day sounds confident and comfortable discussing
this year’s football team. Never mind the three Michigan banners
hanging over his head and slightly behind the podium where he’s
speaking in Indianapolis. It’s also a not-so-subtle reminder about
the looming stakes when he heads home to Columbus, Ohio. Three
straight losses to Michigan have put Day squarely on the hot seat
despite being 39-3 in conference play since taking over the Buckeyes
program in 2018. Whether it's fair or not, Day understands that
wining every game is the expectation at one of college football's
most storied programs — and beating Michigan is the No. 1 goal
every season.INDIANAPOLIS (AP) —
Defending national champion Michigan and 2023 East Division runner-up
Ohio State dominated the Big Ten preseason, claiming a total of seven
of the 12 top positional honors. A media panel selected the players.
It was announced Tuesday as the first of three days of the league's
media days began in Indianapolis. Ohio State safety Caleb Downs,
receiver Emeka Egbuka, running back TreVeyon Henderson and defensive
end JT Tuimoloau joined Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham,
defensive back Will Johnson and tight end Colston Loveland on the
list. Dillon Gabriel, who left Oklahoma for Oregon, was named the
league’s top quarterback.BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP,
Mich. (AP) — Tiger Woods watched his son, Charlie, shoot a 10-over
80 on Tuesday and miss the cut at 22 over through two rounds at the
U.S. Junior Amateur. The 15-year-old Woods, who earned a spot in the
264-player field last month, finished near the bottom of the pack.
The top 64 players advance to match play, which begins Wednesday. The
36-hole championship match is Saturday. Woods did fare better on the
Oakland Hills South Course, which Ben Hogan dubbed “The Monster,”
than he did with an opening 12-over 82 on the North Course.UNDATED (AP) — An
attorney for the defendants tells The Associated Press the full
settlement agreement of antitrust lawsuits involving the NCAA and
college sports’ wealthiest conferences is expected to be filed with
a federal court by Friday. Seattle-based attorney Steve Berman says
just a few details remain to be worked out. The NCAA along with the
Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and Southeastern
Conference agreed on May 23 to the framework of a $2.77 billion
settlement of multiple antitrust lawsuits that challenged limits on
college athlete compensation. The settlement includes a plan to allow
schools to pay athletes.UNDATED (AP) —
More than a decade ago, college sports video games were identified as
an entry point to challenge NCAA rules that prevented college
athletes from being compensated. The lawsuits led to the games going
away as the NCAA and college sports leaders tried to defend
amateurism. Now the games are back. And not only can college athletes
be compensated for being included in the games, a model is in the
works that will allow schools to share millions in revenue with them.PARIS (AP) — The
French Alps bid to host the 2030 Winter Games has been approved by
the International Olympic Committee with conditions attached. French
President Emmanuel Macron helped present the bid to IOC members and
gave assurances that the national government being formed in office
after the 2024 Summer Games in Paris will underwrite all the
organizational guarantees that must still be signed. IOC members
accepted his guarantees and voted their approval. The French bid was
the only candidate and is a project centered on ski resorts in the
French Alps and ice sports venues in the coastal city Nice.DEATH VALLEY
NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — Ninety-seven runners have pushed off
in desolate Death Valley for an annual ultramarathon billed as the
world’s toughest foot race. The men and women ranging in age from
19 to 69 and hailing from 21 countries and 26 U.S. states started the
Badwater 135 on Monday amid an excessive heat warning. Over 48 hours,
the participants will run amid daytime temperatures reaching over 120
degrees Fahrenheit and night heat above 100 F. They will travel over
roadways open to traffic and pass through places with names like
Furnace Creek and Devil’s Golf Course. The race started in 1987 and
is always run when temperatures peak in mid-July.TUESDAY SCORESMAJOR LEAGUE
BASEBALLINTERLEAGUEFinal	Miami	6	Baltimore	3	Final	N.Y.
Mets	3	N.Y. Yankees	2	Final	Philadelphia	3	Minnesota	0	Final	Arizona	6	Kansas
City	2	Final	Boston	6	Colorado	0	AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	Cleveland	5	Detroit	4	Final	Tampa
Bay	4	Toronto	2	Final	Texas	3	Chicago
White Sox	2	Final	L.A.
Angels	5	Seattle	1	Final	Oakland	8	Houston	2	NATIONAL LEAGUECincinnati	at	Atlanta	6:05
p.m.	(Postponed)Final	San
Diego	4	Washington	0	Final	St.
Louis	2	Pittsburgh	1	Final	Milwaukee	1	Chicago
Cubs	0

Wednesday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

Sonny Vaccaro knew nothing about the law. He did know a lot about college sports and was sure the athletes who were driving millions of dollars in revenue to their schools should be paid.

Michael Hausfeld knew nothing about college sports, but it didn't take long for the attorney who built his reputation challenging oil companies and Swiss banks to conclude the way the NCAA was doing business looked illegal.

“I went to him and said, ‘I think these (athletes) are getting screwed,’” said Vaccaro, the former sports executive perhaps best known for helping Nike sign Michael Jordan out of college. “Then (Hausfeld) said to me something that really wasn’t on my mind. He said, ‘Well, now you gotta find me a guy who’s gonna sue.'”

Searching for an entry point to challenge a system they viewed as unfair to college athletes, Vaccaro and Hausfeld found it in former All-America basketball player Ed O'Bannon, the MVP of UCLA's 1995 national championship team. He signed on as lead plaintiff of a lawsuit in 2009 after seeing his image in a popular video game from EA Sports authorized by the NCAA that he was not being paid for.

O'Bannon challenged the NCAA's right to make money off the use of athletes' names, images and likenesses and other plaintiffs in the antitrust case included Oscar Robertson and Bill Russell. Vaccaro was there in 2014 when they won.

“I just wanted to right a wrong,” O’Bannon said then.

The games went away; EA Sports didn't want to risk further legal exposure. But after a 10-year hiatus, the college football version of the game has returned with great fanfare. EA Sports said more than 2.2 million users had played College Football 25 even before its official broad release last week.

The athletes in the game are clearly identified — and they are being compensated.

A decade after that court ruling, the NCAA's longstanding collegiate model of amateurism is pretty much dead, with the association and five major conferences agreeing in May to a $2.8 billion antitrust settlement that includes a plan to share revenue with athletes.

The settlement announcement and the return of EA Sports within weeks of each other was a coincidence, but symbolically it couldn't be more appropriate.

“We knew from the very beginning that we were going to be undertaking a challenge to the concept of amateurism as it was masqueraded by the NCAA,” Hausfeld recently told The Associated Press.

O'Bannon's complaint was born from playing EA's college basketball game and noticing a nameless avatar suiting up for UCLA that looked and played an awful lot like him. Because of the lawsuit in his name, O'Bannon has become synonymous with the demise of the NCAA and the unmasking of big-time college athletics as a billion-dollar industry running on unsalaried labor.

It's not a legacy O'Bannon actively embraces, and he declined an interview request by the AP.

“I knew something had to be done,” he told Sportico in May. “I figured once people began to look under the hood of NCAA rules, they’d realize those rules really didn’t add up. Why can’t a video game company pay college athletes to be in a video game, when that same company pays NBA and NFL players? It just doesn’t make any sense.”

A college football player also played a vital role: Quarterback Sam Keller noticed when he transferred from Arizona State to Nebraska that the avatar that represented him in the video game also appeared to switch schools. Keller filed suit a few months before O'Bannon.

Robert Carey, an attorney at Hagens Berman, said it was a former Michigan football player named Chris Horne who first tipped him off to how the video game was using the players' likenesses without permission. Carey and his colleagues dug into the details and figured they had a potential class-action lawsuit.

“We put in a ton of time matching up (real) rosters with (video) game rosters, and had an understanding that you had to be within 1 inch of the height or X percent of the weight, so that it would exclude anyone who doesn’t match up, because there were people that didn’t match up," Carey said. "That was a tremendous undertaking."

Carey said they quickly realized a case would be about more than just a video game. He said the firm was cautious about taking on the NCAA and the beloved enterprise of American college sports.

“The NCAA ... they were not minor litigators. They went in full, full bore, with high-powered firms and high-cost lawyers, high-dollar lawyers," Carey said.

The Keller lawsuit sought damages for players whose images had been used in the game for years, differing from the O'Bannon approach of challenging NCAA rules that prevented the players from being compensated.

“This was a theft of property case," Carey said. “Theirs was a market constraint case.”

The two cases were merged, but the Keller case ultimately settled for $20 million. The O'Bannon attorneys pushed ahead and found U.S. Judge Claudia Wilken from the Northern District of California unsentimental about preserving the status quo of college sports.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721756209049.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;FILE - Ed O'Bannon arrives at the world premiere of "Air" on March 27, 2023, at the Regency Village Theatre in Los Angeles. O'Bannon challenged the NCAA's right to make money off the name, image and likeness of athletes in college sports video games. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;FILE - Ed O'Bannon arrives at the world premiere of "Air" on March 27, 2023, at the Regency Village Theatre in Los Angeles. O'Bannon challenged the NCAA's right to make money off the name, image and likeness of athletes in college sports video games. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>Sonny Vaccaro knew nothing about the law. He did know a lot about college sports and was sure the athletes who were driving millions of dollars in revenue to their schools should be paid.Michael Hausfeld knew nothing about college sports, but it didn't take long for the attorney who built his reputation challenging oil companies and Swiss banks to conclude the way the NCAA was doing business looked illegal.“I went to him and said, ‘I think these (athletes) are getting screwed,’” said Vaccaro, the former sports executive perhaps best known for helping Nike sign Michael Jordan out of college. “Then (Hausfeld) said to me something that really wasn’t on my mind. He said, ‘Well, now you gotta find me a guy who’s gonna sue.'”Searching for an entry point to challenge a system they viewed as unfair to college athletes, Vaccaro and Hausfeld found it in former All-America basketball player Ed O'Bannon, the MVP of UCLA's 1995 national championship team. He signed on as lead plaintiff of a lawsuit in 2009 after seeing his image in a popular video game from EA Sports authorized by the NCAA that he was not being paid for.O'Bannon challenged the NCAA's right to make money off the use of athletes' names, images and likenesses and other plaintiffs in the antitrust case included Oscar Robertson and Bill Russell. Vaccaro was there in 2014 when they won.“I just wanted to right a wrong,” O’Bannon said then.The games went away; EA Sports didn't want to risk further legal exposure. But after a 10-year hiatus, the college football version of the game has returned with great fanfare. EA Sports said more than 2.2 million users had played College Football 25 even before its official broad release last week.The athletes in the game are clearly identified — and they are being compensated.O'Bannon case impactA decade after that court ruling, the NCAA's longstanding collegiate model of amateurism is pretty much dead, with the association and five major conferences agreeing in May to a $2.8 billion antitrust settlement that includes a plan to share revenue with athletes.The settlement announcement and the return of EA Sports within weeks of each other was a coincidence, but symbolically it couldn't be more appropriate.“We knew from the very beginning that we were going to be undertaking a challenge to the concept of amateurism as it was masqueraded by the NCAA,” Hausfeld recently told The Associated Press.O'Bannon's complaint was born from playing EA's college basketball game and noticing a nameless avatar suiting up for UCLA that looked and played an awful lot like him. Because of the lawsuit in his name, O'Bannon has become synonymous with the demise of the NCAA and the unmasking of big-time college athletics as a billion-dollar industry running on unsalaried labor.It's not a legacy O'Bannon actively embraces, and he declined an interview request by the AP.“I knew something had to be done,” he told Sportico in May. “I figured once people began to look under the hood of NCAA rules, they’d realize those rules really didn’t add up. Why can’t a video game company pay college athletes to be in a video game, when that same company pays NBA and NFL players? It just doesn’t make any sense.”Building a caseA college football player also played a vital role: Quarterback Sam Keller noticed when he transferred from Arizona State to Nebraska that the avatar that represented him in the video game also appeared to switch schools. Keller filed suit a few months before O'Bannon.Robert Carey, an attorney at Hagens Berman, said it was a former Michigan football player named Chris Horne who first tipped him off to how the video game was using the players' likenesses without permission. Carey and his colleagues dug into the details and figured they had a potential class-action lawsuit.“We put in a ton of time matching up (real) rosters with (video) game rosters, and had an understanding that you had to be within 1 inch of the height or X percent of the weight, so that it would exclude anyone who doesn’t match up, because there were people that didn’t match up," Carey said. "That was a tremendous undertaking."Carey said they quickly realized a case would be about more than just a video game. He said the firm was cautious about taking on the NCAA and the beloved enterprise of American college sports.“The NCAA ... they were not minor litigators. They went in full, full bore, with high-powered firms and high-cost lawyers, high-dollar lawyers," Carey said.The Keller lawsuit sought damages for players whose images had been used in the game for years, differing from the O'Bannon approach of challenging NCAA rules that prevented the players from being compensated.“This was a theft of property case," Carey said. “Theirs was a market constraint case.”The two cases were merged, but the Keller case ultimately settled for $20 million. The O'Bannon attorneys pushed ahead and found U.S. Judge Claudia Wilken from the Northern District of California unsentimental about preserving the status quo of college sports.“She got it. She understood what the arguments the NCAA were trying to make and shut down almost all of them, all their defenses related to amateurism,” said Jon Solomon, who was a reporter at the time covering the trial and now works for the Aspen Institute Sports &amp; Society Program.On Aug. 8, 2014, Wilken ruled against the NCAA. It took a year for the ruling to be upheld by an appeals court and another six months before the Supreme Court decided to not hear the case.The falloutThe NCAA at the time framed the decision as losing a battle but not the war. That spin and the slow pace of the legal system seemed to shield the enormity of the ruling from public perception.Those following closest understood a significant domino had been tipped.“I thought eventually there would be a reckoning,” Solomon said.Not until 2021 did the NCAA finally lift its ban on athletes earning money from their celebrity. Now thousands of athletes are earning millions of dollars in endorsement deals big and small. But while NIL has become something of a stand-in for athlete salaries, more antitrust lawsuits followed and a 2021 Supreme Court ruling essentially stripped college sports of all its defenses and made clear athlete compensation is here to stay.Finally, the NCAA and leaders of college sports conceded. Concerned that another court loss could potentially bankrupt the industry, college athletes are on course to receive a cut of the billions in revenue their sports generate, perhaps as soon as 2025.“Now, it’s over. The game is over,” Vaccaro said, referring to NCAA amateurism.Ironically, for many, the game is back and better than ever.