Surfers get Fender Trophies

Fender took part in last week’s 11th annual Toyota Surfercross, a two-day pro/am sporting event that pairs a pro surfer and pro motocross rider together to compete in both sports. Created by Jeremy Albrecht and Mike Parsons, Surfercross has become an event that many pros look forward to each year. “It’s a laid-back, no-pressure event that combines the overlapping interests of many surf and moto athletes,” said Albrecht. This year’s pro class included professional surfers and motocross/freestyle riders Justin Brayton, Robbie Madison, Tara Geiger, Sarah Whitmore, Sean Borkenhagen, Michael Sleeter and former champion Jeff Emig. On Aug. 9, the competitors headed to Starwest MX Park in Perris, Calif., for the motocross race, and then traveled south to San Onofre State Beach the following day for the surf portion. Surfing legend Sunny Garcia and recent X-Games gold medals and Toyota/JGR motocross rider Josh Grant won the competition, which received some television play on NBC during Saturday’s broadcast of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship. The segment included the awards ceremony, which featured Fender Mustang guitar trophies.

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Wrestling Trophies: Learning to Win From the Mat Up

Everyone wants to wrestle their way through to the trophies. But, short-term, results-oriented thinking does not very often lead to long-term sports success – or winning Wrestling trophies. Worse, such thinking can lead to grave consequences for anyone; children and professionals alike. What does lead to success is finding the proper balance between acquiring a skill set and motivation. Despite the fact that this can be applied to any sport, or any topic in general, this is crucially true when it comes to wrestlers. Wrestling is not for everyone; the characteristics one must possess include persistent physical fitness and a mental tenacity that cannot be compared to any other sport or activity.  

The sport of wrestling, that we continue to engage in today, dates back as long and as old as the most ancient of written stories and trophies. Although numerous versions are engaged in throughout the world similar objectives connect them all. It is played when two opponents try to hold each others shoulders down on a mat on the ground. A winner is declared upon one pinning the opponent or scoring more points through various movements.  

Trophies are (normally) rewards for winners. There are numerous trophies awarded in wrestling over the many different organizations that have come to represent the sport. Yet for these individual wrestlers nothing is more rewarding than winning a Championship or "title". In professional wrestling a title is a recognition promoted by professional wrestling organizations. It is as fulfilling as winning the MVP award for individual athletes or being named champions of the world. We’ve talked before about how trophies can be represented by other means than a figure and a marble base – and wrestling may be one of the greatest examples of them all.

Every wrestler enjoys receiving an award or trophy; and professionals are no exception – except they would rather see their trophy around their waist than up on a mantle. One of the most literally, fought over wrestling trophies is The Big Gold Belt. The Big Gold Belt is a historic professional wrestling championship belt that has represented multiple world championships throughout its history. Awarded to the champion this wrestling belt “trophy” has three large gold plates and was the first championship belt to feature a name plate onto which the champion's name was etched. It was originally designed in 1985 by silversmith Charles Crumrine and commissioned by Jim Crockett Promotions for NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair. The original belt design was known for being unbranded as it only read "World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion" and bore no initials or trademark of its owner. In 2003, World Wrestling Entertainment, commonly referred to as WWE, added its logo to the design for copyright purposes.

Sports Trophies play an important role in all athlete lives. Wrestling trophies can serve as powerful reminders to keep wrestlers focused on the philosophy that they have demonstrated that shows they can and will work. Many educators have preached before about how sports can teach those involved about the values and disciplines that help people succeed in life. Wrestling trophies certainly have their own proponents.

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Hero Medals

Heroic actions in 2009 were recognized Wednesday when he received a Carnegie Medal. The medals are given only to those who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. Michael Sharpe, 35, was one of only two Canadians among this year's 21 recipients. Sharpe had previously received the Stanhope Gold Medal and the Royal Canadian Humane Association's Silver Medal for saving Marc Bissonette from the cab of a burning tractor trailer on Sept. 29, 2009. Sharpe, originally from Inuvik, N.W.T., could not be reached for comment Wednesday. His home base was Spruce Grove at the time of the accident, but he worked in Fort McMurray for Syncrude. He and co-worker Chelsea McPhee saw the fuel tanker swerve to avoid an oncoming vehicle near Wandering River. The truck and its two trailers overturned into a ditch, skidded 200 metres and burst into flames, according to the Stanhope Medal account of the incident. Bissonnette, the driver, was trapped inside.

While McPhee ran to another vehicle, which she thought would have an extinguisher, Sharpe climbed onto the overturned cab and tried to open the door. He received third-degree burns. He pulled the crumpled mirror assembly away from the door but was still unable to open it. He next bent back the exhaust stack, burning his hands. He was eventually able to open the door enough for the driver to get out. The cab by then was engulfed in flames. Pittsburgh industrialist Andrew Carnegie established the Carnegie Hero Fund in 1904. So far, 9,412 heroes have received the award.

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Wheres Petes Trophies?

Pete Sampras was in the news over the last few weeks, when it was reported some of his Grand Slam trophies and other memorabilia were stolen from a Los Angeles storage warehouse. However, it was recently revealed that some of the stolen property was recovered in an LA area park.

One of the trophies and a scrapbook cataloging major events were picked up within just a few miles of the warehouse, but most of the Grand Slam trophies and other achievements are still missing. Thus far, the Los Angeles police department is staying relatively quiet on the matter, and updates will be posted when further information is divulged.

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Go Lex Get those Trophies

Lexington Eagles will try to win a new trophy. The hardware would be more impressive than the two district championship trophies from the 2006 cross country season that greet visitors when they walk into the high school. It would be more important than the framed picture of former Eagle and San Francisco 49er Earl Cooper, and more significant than the numerous plaques and trophies that celebrate the school's past achievements in basketball, baseball and even some volleyball trophies. The trophy would probably even shine a little more than the trophies that honor Lexington's 1978 appearance in the Class A state championship game. This afternoon, Lexington will try to win its first state championship in football. The Eagles face Idalou at Newsom Stadium in Mansfield for the Class 2A, Division II championship .

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Going for the Trophies

United have a three point lead over the champions with a game in hand going into their Stamford Bridge showdown on Sunday, a position Rooney admits is much better than he was expecting when looking to the match a month ago. But Rooney said Chelsea's current form slump could happen to United or any other team if they drop their guard, telling his team-mates not to relent in their pursuit of trophies after a relatively barren season last term. "The Carling Cup was it for us in terms of trophies this year and, in terms of trophies, a club like ours should be winning more," Rooney said in the Sun. "We have worked hard to put that right for next year. When you have not won them you get that hunger and desire to win them. "Chelsea started really strongly so it was important not to get too far behind because they are a hard team to catch up. So we stayed in behind and then four weeks ago we said that if we could be just three points behind going into this game we would be happy. Now we are three points ahead of them with a game in hand. We are in a great position. But the way the tables have turned in the last month we know how quickly things can happen so we don't want to be complacent. We have to keep going and getting those results." Chelsea won the domestic double last season as United's season petered out in conjuction with Rooney's ankle injury. He said the frustration of missing those crucial games made it the "worst time", but having now come through his headline-grabbing contract saga and regained full fitness, he's hoping he can find top form once again.

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First annual Shoot out

The first annual Hoop Shoot Contest in memory of Rutherford resident Andrew Ortega will be held on Sunday, Dec. 19 at Rutherford High School. The contest is sponsored by Rutherford Recreation, the Rutherford Municipal Alliance and the Rutherford Elks Club. All proceeds from the entrance fee of $5 and a non-perishable food items will benefit the Andrew Ortega Foundation and Municipal Alliance. The non-perishable food items will be donated to the Rutherford Food Pantry. The Andrew Ortega Foundation was established with a philanthropic mission to give back to the community in which Andrew was so active. The Hoop Shoot Contest will be held in the Rutherford High School #100 gym. Open to boys and girls ages 8 through 14, the winner in each group will be eligible to participate in the Elks National Free Throw Contest. The first group, 8 and 9-year-old boys and girls begin shooting at noon. The second group, 10 and 11-year-old boys and girls follows at 1 p.m. The third group, 12-14-year-old boys and girls, begins shooting at 2 p.m. Basketball Trophies will be awarded for first and second place holders in each division and age group. For more information, please contact: Rutherford Recreation at 201-460-3015 or Rutherford Jr. Football at 201-615-3126.

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Two first place trophies?

The Fort Campbell High School Raider teams won two first-place trophies at the Campbell County HS Raider Competition near Knoxville on Nov. 20, competing against 20 Raider teams from 15 schools from Kentucky and Tennessee. The Falcon Battalion Raider teams, Team A, led by Cadet Major John Michael Caseja, and Team B, led by Cadet 1st Lieutenant Charles Cusic, took first place in the Raider Cross Country Obstacle Course and 1st place in the First Aid academic test. High school Raider competitions can include rappelling, rock climbing, rope bridge, physical fitness testing, drill and ceremony, leadership skills testing, map reading, orienteering, first aid and knot tying. Colonel Mitch Sartain, the Raider coach, and Senior Army Instructor, says the FCHS JROTC Falcon Battalion has been 180 cadets strong since school year 2009.

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Big Ten Trophies List

Check out the full list of new Big Ten Conference annual football trophies, named for past Big Ten coaches and players.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME TROPHIES

Stagg-Paterno Championship
Trophy Amos Alonzo Stagg, Chicago
Joe Paterno, Penn State

Grange-Griffin Championship Game MVP
Harold Edward “Red” Grange, Illinois
Archie Griffin, Ohio State

POSTGRADUATE AWARDS

Ford-Kinnick Leadership Award
Gerald R. Ford, Michigan
Nile Kinnick, Iowa

Dungy-Thompson Humanitarian Award
Tony Dungy, Minnesota
Anthony Thompson, Indiana

ANNUAL AWARDS/TROPHIES

Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year
Otto Graham, Northwestern
Eddie George, Ohio State

Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year
Bronislau “Bronko” Nagurski, Minnesota
Charles Woodson, Michigan

Hayes-Schembechler Coach of the Year
Wayne Woodrow “Woody” Hayes, Ohio State
Glenn Edward “Bo” Schembechler, Michigan

Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year
Darrell Thompson, Minnesota
Antwaan Randle El, Indiana

Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year
Dave Rimington, Nebraska
Orlando Pace, Ohio State

Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year
Charles Aaron “Bubba” Smith, Michigan State
Courtney Brown, Penn State

Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year
Bob Griese, Purdue
Drew Brees, Purdue

Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year
Alan Ameche, Wisconsin
Ron Dayne, Wisconsin

Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year
Jack Tatum, Ohio State
Rod Woodson, Purdue

Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year
Dick Butkus, Illinois
Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern

Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year
Pat Richter, Wisconsin
Desmond Howard, Michigan

Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year
Ted Kwalick, Penn State
Dallas Clark, Iowa

Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year
Jim Bakken, Wisconsin
Morten Andersen, Michigan State

Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year
Thomas Dwight “Dike” Eddleman, Illinois
Brandon Fields, Michigan State

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Swimming Away with the Trophies

4 of Pershore Swimming Club's youngsters competed over two days at Boldmere Swimming Club's exciting dual Level 2/3 meet in Birmingham and returned with trophies galore in their hands. Ten-year-old Tyler Mclean, from Charlton, and the Jones brothers - Drew (10) and Angus (13) - from Eckington, were joined for one event by Alison Seward. During the first day Mclean recorded five personal bests (PBs) together with two first placings with 1:33.35 and 3:19.54 in the 100m and 200m breaststroke. Mclean also won two second placed trophies in the 100m freestyle (1:20.68) and 100m backstroke (1:32.75) and recorded PBs in the 200m Individual Medley (IM) with 3:05.94 and 50m backstroke with 43.34. Seward swam to a superb PB of 2.53.11 in the 200m backstroke in the intermediate girls' division. Angus Jones set three new PBs in the 100m freestyle (1.15.68), 50m backstroke (39.04) with second placed trophy and 100m backstroke (1:24.68). His brother Drew recorded five PBs from his six events with 1:38.29 in the 100m backstroke, 1:17.75 in the 100m freestyle, 3:07.89 in the 200m IM, 3:31.30 in the 200m breaststroke and a first placed trophy and a fine new PB of 1:30.54 in the 100m backstroke. Once again the 12 PBs from the second day told their own story as Angus Jones set his first one in the 400m freestyle in swimming to a third placed trophy with 5:37.43, whilst brother Drew also collected a second placed trophy with 5:43.71. Angus swam to his second PB in the 200m freestyle with 2:42.50 and Drew swam PBs in the 50m fly (43.06), collecting another second placed trophy, 50m breaststroke (46.37), 200m freestyle (2:45.57) and the 100m fly (1:41.66). On the second day of the meet the above were joined by Tazmin Pugh (10) and Harry Sykes (12), fresh from their victorious and record-breaking National ISA Championships the day before. Straight away Sykes collected a great second place trophy in the difficult Level 2 intermediate division, recording 38.60 in the 50m breaststroke, with another PB coming his way in the 200m freestyle with 2:34.04. Pugh, competing in the higher Level 2 junior girls division (9/10-year-olds), set three new PBs in the 100m breaststroke with 1:35.53 to take third place, the 200m fly in 3.02.00 and first placed trophy and, in her final swim and best performance of the day in the 100m backstroke, recorded 1:18.39 for another first placed trophy which clocked up another Midlands Championships Qualifying time for next July. This time also pushes Tazmin back up into first place in the UK for the end of year rankings, as too did her times on the Saturday for the 50m backstroke (36.47) and 50m fly at Coventry's long course National Championships. Pugh's other trophies came from her first place in the 200m fly and two second placings in the 200m IM and 50m backstroke. It was a weekend to remember for one of Pershore's most successful sports clubs with two National School ISA champions and National records, together with trophies for the ISA's 'two most outstanding swimmers' and 17 trophies from five of its members swimming in the Boldmere Open Meet.

Rams take home wrestling trophies

The tournament is contested in dual meet format and when all of the matches were completed, it was the Rams who were victorious after a 4-0 day. The rams not only won the tourament yet they get to take home the wrestling trophies. "We wrestled great today," said Ram head coach Brian Richardson. "I couldn't have been more proud of the way we performed. Some of our kids met some great competition and came out on top, and some of our kids fell just short against quality opponents." The day began with Rockford posting a 49-22 triumph over Coopersville. They followed that up with a resounding 78-6 victory over Central Montcalm. All before defeating the host Panthers 45-24. Those three wins sent Rockford into the tournament final where the team conquered a game Otsego squad 37-25 to garner the trophy. Three Ram wrestlers, Jake Banaszak (215), Peter Nugent (145) and Mick DeBoer (140), were a perfect 4-0 on the day. Six other Ram grapplers, Stephen Jondritz (103), Nate Rojas (112), Tyler VanRooyen (119), Austin Scogg (152) and Solomon Gant (160), posted a 3-1 mark for the tourney. "We have got a lot of things to work on," Richardson said. "And this tourney was all about getting ready for Jenison on Wednesday. They have been one of our fiercest rivals of late and this year won't be any different." After squaring off with the Wildcats, the Rams will compete in the Kent County Invitational at Grand Rapids Union High School Saturday.

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Team takes three first place gymnastics trophies

Young athletes from Moberly Gymnastics Academy returned home from Gymzzouri Gymnastics meet held Nov. 6 at Jefferson City having won three first place team gymnastics trophies and a pair of second place team finishes. In addition, several individuals performed well earning high marks reported Vicki Howard, MGA owner/instructor. Moberly’s Level 4, 5 and 7 teams all earned first place finishes. The Level 3 and the boys’ Level 4 teams received second place gymnastics trophies. Howard reported the following gymnasts earned first place in their respective divisions of competition. • Kacy Moenick at Level 4 Older Division also placed first in beam event. She was second place in both vault and her floor routine. • Molly Green at Level 4 Younger Division also won her floor routine. She finished second in vault, bars and beam.

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18 Gymnastics Trophies

The University of Michigan women's gymnastics program is ranked ninth in the GymInfo Preseason Coaches Poll, receiving 696 points from voters. Four Big Ten programs earned spots in the top 25 with the Wolverines ranking ahead of No. 14 Penn State, No. 17 Illinois and No. 23 Minnesota. Michigan State, Ohio State and Iowa received votes in the poll. Michigan returns eight letterwinners and five All-Americans from a 2010 squad that won the Big Ten title and finished the season 10th in the nation. The Wolverines have won 17 of the last 19 Big Ten titles and 18 gymnastics trophies in all -- the most of any Big Ten women's program in any sport -- while advancing to 19 consecutive NCAA Regional Championships and 18 of the last 19 NCAA Championships. Defending national champion UCLA was picked to finish first in the preseason poll with 32 first-place votes, with Alabama, Florida Oklahoma and Utah rounding out the top five. Michigan faces eight preseason top-20 programs in the regular season, hosting No. 2 Alabama (March 4), No. 4 Oklahoma (Feb. 26), No. 6 Stanford (Feb. 13), No. 10 Nebraska (Feb. 13), No. 14 Penn State (Jan. 14) and No. 17 Illinois (Jan. 14). The Wolverines also visit No. 5 Utah (Feb. 18) and No. 7 Georgia (March 12).

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These Wrestling Trophies are not going anywhere!

Trey Zimmerman, Nathan Stangel, Josh Brown, Kaden Spurgeon and Lincoln Johnson won individual titles, leading the Nikiski wrestling team to its second consecutive Denali-Kachemak Conference tournament championship Saturday in Valdez. The Bulldogs finished the two-day, 14-team event with 204 points. Runner-up Cordova had 151.5 points, while third-place Valdez notched 142. The top five finishers in each weight class earned berths to the Class 1-2-3A state championships, which begin Dec. 10 at Nikiski. There will be a large contingent of Bulldogs wrestling for state wrestling  trophies on their home mat thanks to the effort in Valdez, where the squad sent athletes to title matches in seven of the 14 weight classes.

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College Hockey Season Trophy Showdown

In 11 of the last 16 years, the NCAA Division III men’s hockey season has ended with a Vermont college celebrating a national championship hockey trophy . The Panthers of Middlebury College own eight of those titles and the Cadets of Norwich University have the other three trophies, including the one they seized in March. While the Division III world grows more competitive every year, Norwich and Middlebury will again be among the contenders for the 2011 championship. The Cadets and the Panthers begin their winter’s journey tonight, as do St. Michael’s College and Castleton State College. St. Michael’s cannot win a national championship; it’s a Division II school and therefore ineligible for a national title since the NCAA holds only Divisions I and III tournaments. Castleton is still searching for its first NCAA appearance.

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The Holy Grail of Hockey Trophies

The championship trophy for the NHL, a.k.a. "The Holy Grail" or "Lord Stanley's Mug." Unlike the trophies awarded by the other three major professional sports leagues of North America, a new Stanley Cup is not made annually; unless the Cup winners repeat as champions in the following season, they only keep it until the new champion is crowned. It is also the only trophy in professional sports that has the name of the winning players, coaches, management, and club staff engraved upon it. It is so revered players will not touch it unless they win it. The Stanley cup is the king of all hockey trophies and is a prize every hockey player dreams of.

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