Where’s the Rickey Henderson Award?

It's not like Major League Baseball doesn’t award enough plaques and trophies in November, but one more couldn't hurt. The Rickey Henderson Award for Leadoff Excellence would be an easy and logical addition to the list.

It’s about time these table-setting catalysts got their just due, since they so rarely are recognized with the existing awards. A great idea would be to shape the trophies in the form of home plate, every leadoff man's desired destination.

The men at the top of the lineup jump-start the offense, setting a tone. They work counts. They bunt, run and steal. They do whatever it takes to generate offense and excitement. They are crucial to any team's scoring, but they generally find themselves overshadowed by the big men muscling their way to glory behind them.

Consider Henderson, universally recognized as the greatest leadoff hitter in the game's history. The Man of Steal is the all-time leader in runs scored with 2,295. He stole 1,406 bases -- 468 more than anyone else in history -- including a record 130 in 1982. That's two seasons worth for a steals king these days.

Opposing managers frequently called him the most impactful, intimidating player in the game, even when he played alongside Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco with the A's. Henderson was the American League's Most Valuable Player in 1990, one of just three seasons in which he was named a Silver Slugger Award winner for offensive excellence.
Those trophies usually go to bash brothers, guys who pound 30-plus homers and drive in 100 or more runs. A player who scores in triple digits gets overlooked even though logic suggests it's much harder to score 100 than drive in 100. RBIs can come in bunches. But you score one run at a time.

That's something Rickey liked to point out whenever he was asked to talk about Rickey.
"Scoring runs is the most important part of the game, right?" Henderson told a reporter during his time with the Yankees in the 1980s, during which he crossed home plate 146 and 130 times in consecutive seasons. "Who scores more than Rickey?"

The answer is unchanged all these years later. Nobody.

"I always said that Rickey's the greatest player I ever played with," said Dodgers manager and former Yankees superstar Don Mattingly. "He influenced a game in so many ways. Rickey was a force, one of the all-time greats."

"Rickey was my favorite player growing up," said Oakland-born Jimmy Rollins, the 2007 National League MVP as the Phillies' leadoff generator. "He's the guy I wanted to be like, play like. I loved the way he attacked the game."

A trophy honoring his abilities, accomplishments and dedication to the game would soon be one of the most coveted awards in baseball.  Think about it, commish.

also see: trophies, custom pins and corporate awards

MIAA Ends Competition for All-Sports Trophy

The University of Nebraska at Kearney won’t have to build any more trophy cases to house the conference all-sports trophies.

The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, which UNK has joined, doesn’t have one.

The Lopers won 14 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference All-Sports trophies, including 11 straight from 1995 to 2006, and survived numerous tweaks to the scoring system. The MIAA took a simpler route, giving up in 2003 after six years ¾ and six Central Missouri championships that reflect the Mules’ and Jennies’ desire to succeed.

“If you look at us across the board, we have a really well-rounded program,” UCM Athletics Director Jerry Hughes said. “We have 16 sports, and we typically have 13 or 14 of those go to national competition.”

Central Missouri won or shared MIAA championships in seven sports this past year. Nationally, the Mules and Jennies finished 10th in the Directors Cup standings, cashing in on fourth-place finishes in women’s track and field and fifth-place finishes in women’s volleyball and men’s golf.

“Our history in the Director’s Cup is better than anybody else’s in the league,” said Hughes, who has been the driving force behind Central Missouri’s athletic department since 1983. Prior to that, he was the assistant AD for two years.

Under Hughes’ leadership UCM’s men and women won the Division II basketball championships in 1984 and national baseball championships in 1994 and 2003. The Jennies also won the Intercollegiate Bowling Association championship in 2003. They lost to the Nebraska Cornhuskers in this year’s bowling quarterfinals.

Class 5A All-Sports Award Goes to Starkville High

Starkville High School athletic director Stan Miller does not believe in symbolic awards.

After being named the state's top athletic program for the 2011-12 school year in Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A, Miller got his legal pad out and started making plans.  Miller was already planning a trophy to recognize the Yellow Jackets' achievements.

"I'm going to Tally's Trophies (in Raleigh) right after the Fourth of July," Miller said. "They make the gold ball basketball trophies for the state champions. We are going to develop this all-sports trophy."

For more than two decades, the Clarion-Ledger has compiled an annual listing of the top athletic programs in each of the MHSAA's six classes. Each school receives points for different levels of postseason advancement in each of the MHSAA's 22 sanctioned sports.

Starkville High paced the state's 32 Class 5A schools with a total of 397 points. The Jackets outpaced Oxford by a total of 23.5 points. Overall, Starkville finished third in the state behind Class 6A powers Tupelo (437.5 points) and Madison Central (431).

Tupelo won the overall title for the 18th time in 25 seasons. The Golden Wave had an amazing eight state championships. Madison Central has won the other seven all-sports titles.

"As I have always said before, athletic directors do not win all-sports trophies, so it's the coaches and players who do that," Miller said. "My job was to make sure our coaches were working as hard as they could with our kids and making sure they are working with their programs in the summer."

Starkville High received some credit in 19 different varsity sports. Only Tupelo, Madison Central and Starkville scored in that many. Few Class 5A teams were close to that total.

Of the major sports, SHS football played for the state championship, boys basketball lost in the state semifinal round, girls basketball lost in the first round of the playoffs, while baseball lost in the second round of the playoffs.

The Yellow Jackets won their lone state championship in boys soccer, which was the first ever for that program. Girls soccer also advanced to the second round of the playoffs.

"Our goal this year was to win that all-sports trophy, since it's never been done before here in Starkville. So I knew moving down to 5A, we had a tremendous chance to do it.”

Dareta Supports Abesan Tourney with Trophies

Chairman of Dareta Restaurant and Bar, Abesan Estate, Dare Faneye, has donated trophies for the maiden Abesan U-18 tournament.

The donations Faneye made during his meeting with Abesan Football Development Union, led by its co-ordinator, Tayo Adeyemo, included five trophies and the sum of N500,000 towards making the event a success.

Faneye said the gesture was part of his social responsibility to Nigerian youths, using sports as a platform. According to him, “the trophies are for the top three teams while the other two are for the most valuable player and highest goal scorer in the tournament. Apart from this, the winner and the first two runners-up will share N300,000.”

The donor, whose relationship with the organizers began in 1999 when he sponsored the first two editions of their tournaments, urged the organizers to ensure that only players below 18 years participate in the championship.

Official Football Hospitality Awards Recognize Aston Villa with Six Trophies

Aston Villa Football Club was the big winner at this year's Official Football Hospitality Awards, netting six hospitality trophies including the 2012 Overall Match-day Hospitality Experience title.

The in-house catering team at Villa Park took home top prizes in three other categories: Chef Team of the Year, the Green Award and Match-day Hospitality Experience in the Premier League.

Aston Villa also scooped silver for the Media Choice Award and bronze for Conference & Events Sales & Marketing, building on the club's success at last year's ceremony, when it took home five awards.

The trophies and awards presentation, which took place last week at the American Express Community stadium - home to Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club - are now in their eighth year and recognize the efforts shown by the catering, conference and events teams at every UK football club.

Each club that took part in the awards was independently visited by a professional catering judge from Salon Culinaire over a period of six months and marked on criteria including service efficiency, food quality and venue standards.

Abramovich Wants More Trophies for Chelsea

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck has said the team's Champions League triumph might spur the club's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich to go to another level in injecting cash to help the Blues win more soccer cups and trophies.

Sources close Abramovich feel that the Champions League win could mean end of his interest in the club. The Russian tycoon has already invested around one billion in the club over nine years, and the Champions League triumph could prompt an eventual sale of the club, but Buck refuted this claims.

"We've seen him, year after year, invest and put his hand in his pocket and spend big money. He may go to another level now. I don't know his thought process," The Telegraph quoted Buck, as saying.

Asked whether there were still targets and trophies for the club to aim for, Buck added: "Of course”. He explained that there were a lot of teams with three and four stars above their club badge, which are awarded for winning the Champions League, but "we have one".

Grand Champions at Great Britain Regional Championships a Family Affair

A father and son from Chipping Sodbury Tang Soo Do Club were crowned Grand Champions at the Great Britain Regional Championships in Birmingham. Connor Townsley, 16, received the colored belt Grand Champion trophy with a maximum 30 points and his father Paul Townsley, as the only people of 360 competitors from all over the country to score maximum points in the individual events.

Chipping Sodbury were the most successful club there as they racked up more points than any other club and took home 20 winning individual trophies, with 14 second place trophies and 13 third place martial arts trophies.

Nathan Manchett, Gemma Rallison, Owen Robertson, Christopher May, William Townsley, Lauren Perrett, Beverley Sadier, Katie Goldhawk, Lucia Sadler, Phil Rawlinson, Samantha Skoplljak and Ryan Newland-James also won individual events for the club.

The various categories of weapons, forms, team forms and sparring were judged, with competitors of all ages and abilities taking part, and the 33 students from Chipping Sodbury acquitted themselves admirably in every event.

They celebrated a 1-2-3 in the senior belt team category as William Townsley, Owen Robertson and Katie Goldhawk triumphed with Beverely Sadier, Sue Marchant and Kay Ashfield finishing as runners-up, and Connor Townsley, Lauren Perrett and Gemma Rallison in third.

In the junior belt category, first place went to Chris May, Rob Varga and Joe Lock, while Natasha Sadier, Lucia Sadier and Samantha Skopljak taking third place.

Instructor Paul Townsley said: “The club has a fantastic group of students. They are just a great bunch who help each other to achieve and continually make me proud.”

City Fighters Score Martial Arts Trophies

Peterborough BCKA fighters shone in the second round of the Boston Series.

The club’s talented bunch roared to 18 martial arts trophy successes at the event in Kirton which featured kickboxing, karate, kung-fu and freestyle.

BCKA club chief Andy Whitwell highlighted the performances of Courtney Brown (who won the under 74kg men’s advanced title), Harry Nunn (second in the under 5ft 4ins boys’ fighting black-belts despite only being a blue belt himself) and Freya Molloy (the girls’ under 5ft 2ins champion) for special praise. Molloy beat a world and European champion in the final of her section win her championship trophy.

Whitwell said: “I’m very proud of my fighters’ achievements. The standard was very high and every trophy was earned the hard way.

“I hope we can continue our success at the BCKA National Championships later this month.”

BCKA are keen to attract new students to their local clubs at Whittlesey, Stanground and Bushfield.

2012 Sonic Trophy Won by Missouri Southern

It went down to the final race in the final event of the season, but the Missouri Southern athletic department can once again claim another Sonic Sports Trophy over Pittsburg State by a margin of 7-6.

With the men's track Sonic Trophy point being decided already before the 4x400m relays at the MIAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships today, the score stood tied at six points each for both the Lions and Pittsburg State.

Coming down the the last event of the day, the Lions' women led PSU by one point in the final team standings and needed to simply run a faster time than the Gorillas. The Lions did that and more, placing fourth in the event, four seconds in front of PSU.

That gave the third-straight Sonic Trophy to MSSU, as the Lions have now won all three of the sports trophies in a contest between the two athletic departments that puts the schools up against each other in each sport they participate in.

Pitt started things off in the fall by winning the Miners Bowl and earning the point in football. The Lions then got the point in volleyball and men's cross country, before taking the point in men's basketball in the winter. Southern swept the points in men's and women's indoor track and field, while the Lions also picked up the point in baseball, before today's point in women's outdoor track and field.

Both the Missouri Southern and Pittsburg State athletic departments would like to thank Sonic for their generous sponsorship of this series between the two schools.

Missouri Southern Takes 2012 Sonic Trophy

It went down to the final race in the final event of the season, but the Missouri Southern athletic department can once again claim another Sonic Sports Trophy over Pittsburg State by a margin of 7-6.

With the men's track Sonic Trophy point being decided already before the 4x400m relays at the MIAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships today, the score stood tied at six points each for both the Lions and Pittsburg State.

Coming down the the last event of the day, the Lions' women led PSU by one point in the final team standings and needed to simply run a faster time than the Gorillas. The Lions did that and more, placing fourth in the event, four seconds in front of PSU.

That gave the third-straight Sonic Trophy to MSSU, as the Lions have now won all three of the sports trophies in a contest between the two athletic departments that puts the schools up against each other in each sport they participate in.

Pitt started things off in the fall by winning the Miners Bowl and earning the point in football. The Lions then got the point in volleyball and men's cross country, before taking the point in men's basketball in the winter. Southern swept the points in men's and women's indoor track and field, while the Lions also picked up the point in baseball, before today's point in women's outdoor track and field.

Both the Missouri Southern and Pittsburg State athletic departments would like to thank Sonic for their generous sponsorship of this series between the two schools.

also see: trophies, custom pins and corporate awards

Custom Sam Bass Trophies for Aaron's Talladega Dream Weekend Winners

Aaron's, Inc. will present one-of-a-kind, hand-painted Sam Bass trophies to the winners of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 and Nationwide Series Aaron's 312 at Talladega Superspeedway May 5 and 6.

This will be the third time Aaron's has contracted with renowned motorsports artist, Sam Bass of Concord, N.C., to design and produce a unique trophy that will be coveted by drivers and racing teams. Aaron's and Bass together developed this year's concept - the trophy will feature an image of the driver standing atop a custom painting of the winning car.

"Aaron's Dream Weekend at Talladega features some of the most exciting, exceptional racing seen in the sport, and we wanted to create a trophy that exemplifies this unique event," said Ken Butler, Chief Operating Officer of Aaron's, Inc. "Sam Bass consistently delivers original, matchless designs every driver dreams of putting in their trophy case, so he was the natural choice in designing this year's trophy."

Bass will begin his painting in Victory Lane at the close of the race and will be present with the winners when they receive their custom trophies. He will complete the process in his studio, then deliver and insert the painting into the trophy at the winning team's shop.

"I am honored that Aaron's has chosen me once again to design the winning trophies for such a prestigious event in the sport of racing," said Bass, NASCAR's first officially licensed artist. "This is truly an opportunity to combine my passion for both art and motorsports, and I'm especially looking forward to painting the winning moment live in Victory Lane."

Past Aaron's Dream Weekend at Talladega winners and recipients of Sam Bass racing trophies include Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch. Aaron's 499 2010 winner Harvick said, "It's always a great feeling to win a race and add the trophy to your collection, but to be presented with a special one-of-a-kind trophy always adds a little extra special meaning. Sam does an amazing job creating his designs, that it's more of a piece of art than an actual trophy. To know you have a trophy of that caliber in your collection always makes it a little more special."

Manor’s 10th Division One Crown Retires Trophy

Champions of champions! That's the Manor Building netball team. When the Torbay Netball League held their annual netball awards night at the Pavilions Restaurant in Torquay, Manor Building took centre.

The champions in the League's top division were unbeaten in all 18 games of the season. It was the tenth time in 11 years, which meant they got to keep the trophy. Manor Building also won the Paula Tournament and the Versatility Tournament. Team member Kriss Westacott also won the player of the year in the 25-40 age group.

The evening included netball trophies and medals for the top three placed teams from Division One, Two and Three. There were also two cup competition awards as well as an award for the best umpire from each division.

There were player of the year awards in each age group from under 25 to over 40 from each division, the Outstanding Contribution to Netball in Torbay and the Fairplay Award.
Other winners included Pink Panthers from Division One, who finished runners up after starting in Division Three only three years ago.

Pink Panthers came in third in the Paula Smith Tournament and finished second in the Versatility Tournament. And their player Helena Wykes-Dart also picked up the under-25 player of the year award amongst three others.

The Outstanding Contribution award went to Beryl D'Alessandro who has done so much for the sport in the area, including running her own league and many teams including the Plainmoor Gulls.

Fairplay Award, which was created this year in memory of Dawn Wotton who was ever-present in netball in Torbay whether it was on the court or off it, was won by Plainmoor Gulls C.

Howling Diablos Clean Up at Detroit Music Awards

It was a big night for a veteran band at the Detroit Music Awards.

Funk-rock stalwarts the Howling Diablos and front man Tino Gross snared eight trophies to dominate the proceedings at the 21st annual DMAs, staged Friday night at the Fillmore Detroit.

Gross took outstanding record producer honors, while the Diablos scored trophies across a variety of categories, including R&B group, urban-funk group and rock-pop recording for the album "Ultra Sonic Gas Can."

Winners in 72 categories were recognized Friday. Last year's six-time winner, Ty Stone, swept his three nominations, including outstanding country artist and songwriter.

also see: trophies, custom pins and corporate awards

Crown Trophy Hosts Chamber Mixer

Members of the Cypress Chamber of Commerce came together after regular working hours to mix and mingle at Crown Trophy.

Al Umbarila, owner of Crown Trophy and a member of the Chamber, welcomed everyone with a smile, a handshake and a buffet spread that included shrimp, salami, cheese and wine. He also took special care to point out a new acrylic wall fixture at the front of his shop: a community display that allows Chamber members and others to place flyers and business cards in a prominent position that walk-in customers will notice. Orange County Breeze took advantage immediately.

Crown Trophy takes up two adjacent locations at 4698 and 4694 Lincoln Avenue in Cypress, between Moody and Denni Streets, in a light industrial center that fronts ExtraSpace Storage. Crown started in the storefront at 4698, then expanded into the next door space as business grew.

In addition to trophies for sports competitions and business awards, Crown can also provide pins, medallions, plaques and ribbons. Their seasonal gifts include tree ornaments, stemware, a wine gift box (wine not included!) and a wooden pen case. Specialty items cover 4H, Boy Scouts, military, fire and police, recognition medals styled like dog tags, and championship sport rings.

also see: trophies, custom pins and corporate awards

Scholarship Fund to Benefit from Car Show

A tradition that began 15 years ago continues to raise money for the Emporia State University General Academic Scholarship fund. Commercial Street from 10th and 11th Avenues will become a display for various vehicles during the 15th Annual Custom Car Show. The 2010 event raised $1,000. This year’s goal is $2,000.

Show director Gilbert Rodriguez founded the car show after assisting with a car club in Wichita. “Latino Dreams used to have car shows there every year,” Rodriguez said. “The money they raised they used to give it to Big Brothers Big Sisters. They used to have it in Century II and Lowrider Magazine was there.” From that show the idea of the Emporia show was formed.

The annual event presented by the Emporia Brown Express Athletic Club, the ESU Karate Club and the ESU Newman Kansas Association of nursing students will feature categories of antique, classic, domestic 1980 to 1995, domestic 1996-2012, corvette, street rod, hot rod, low rider, muscle car, imports, Camaro, trucks, sport utility vehicles, under construction and miscellaneous vehicles. The Camaro category is new this year.

First and second place winners will receive awards. There will also be a Dan Tebbetts Memorial Trophy, best of show awards, two foot trophy and the new Cashiuss Sky Becker Memorial Camaro Trophy. There will also be first place trophies in the paint, graphics and interior club participation, first and second place trophies in the sound off stereo contest, SPL competition classes including competition for one to two 10, 12, and 15 inch subwoofers, and the Ultimate Class.

Family entertainment will also be provided including Neil Tebbetts’s DJ T6 Entertainment, DJ Boris Monster Sound, National anthem sung by Stephanie Cervantes and Jaime Izaguirre, pinatas, mystery face and body painting, photographer, Jennifer Abbasi, Latin Illution performance dancing with Mickey Enriqez and Katy Garcia instructors, singing by Stephanie Cervantes, Angela Felipe and Jaime Izaguirre from the Sandra Burden School of Dancing, a performance by local hip-hop artist C-Major and a Zumba dance class by Genesis Health Club.

Shelvey 'We Exist To Win Trophies'

Jonjo Shelvey believes Liverpool Football Club exists to win trophies and victory in the FA Cup final would mean 2011/12 has been a good season for the Reds. A patchy campaign in the league has been offset by the club landing the Carling Cup - the first silverware brought back to Anfield in six years.

If Kenny Dalglish's men can secure the FA Cup as well, Shelvey believes the season can be viewed as a success. “If we are to win two cups in a season we must have been doing okay,” said the former Charlton midfielder in an exclusive interview with LFC magazine. If we win the FA Cup it will have been a very good season. Liverpool Football Club is about winning trophies and two out of three wouldn’t be bad, would it?”

Shelvey, 20, is ambitious to be a regular starter in the Premier League and is eyeing a place in Dalglish's plans for the cup final against Chelsea. He hopes to do enough in the next two games to prove he's worth a place in the Wembley squad on May 5.

“I would like chances in the next few league games to try and force my way into the squad for the final but it’s down to the manager. I’ll just keep doing everything I can in training and in the game time that I get to prove to him I’m worth a place.”

Oratory Contest Has Sponsors for 71 Trophies

Encourage children and watch them do wonders.

The comment was made by the chief executive officer of Save the Children Fiji, Chandra Shekhar as he acknowledged the presentation of 71 trophies for the national oratory contest.

The trophies were given by the competition core sponsor, Life Insurance Corporation of India yesterday at SC Fiji's headquarters in Suva.

"Competitions begin next week with 148 schools having registered for the oratory contest," Mr Shekhar said.

The CEO acknowledged the contribution of partners who have helped the efforts of the non-governmental organization. LICI's Fiji operations General Manager, Krishnan Narasimhan said his corporation was always happy to partner with SCFiji in their efforts towards helping children in the country.

"There is an abundance of good talent that needs to be brought forward in competitions like these," Mr Narasimhan said. Mr Shekhar sad the finals of the contest would be held in the west.

Prince Harry to Present Marathon Trophies

Prince Harry will present trophies to the winners of Sunday's Virgin London Marathon, a spokeswoman for the race has announced.

The prince, who became patron of the London Marathon Charitable Trust this year, will hand trophies to the first three finishers in the men's and women's races, and those in the men's and women's wheelchair events.

He will also present prizes to winners in the Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon. The event involves young runners aged 11 to 17 from across the country in races over the final three miles of the course.

Joint race director David Bedford said: "We are delighted to have Prince Harry with us to present awards to our runners this year. Prince Harry is a great supporter of the event and it is especially fitting to have a royal presence during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee year."

Some of the runners will be started from Blackheath on their 26.2-mile journey through the capital by British Olympic medallist Dorothy Tyler. Tyler won silver medals in the high jump at the Berlin Olympic Games in 1936, when she was only 16, and at the London Games in 1948, making her the only woman to to win Olympic athletics medals before and after the Second World War. She also competed at the 1952 and 1956 Olympic Games.

"I still love athletics and look forward to starting the London Marathon," said the 92-year-old who lives in south London. "It's nice to still be involved even at my age."
She will set off elite women, elite men and wheelchair athletes from the blue start between 9am and 9.45am.

Mr Bedford added: "It's fantastic to have Dorothy with us to start the race. She is a true legend of the sport and it's fitting to have a great Olympian with us just three months before the London Olympic Games."

At 9.45am, Sir Steve Bullock, Mayor of the London Borough of Lewisham, will set off runners at the green start and Jim Gillman, Mayor of the London Borough of Greenwich, will start those at the red start. A total of 36,000 runners have registered for this year's marathon.

Spring Show Celebrates Corvette Club’s 20 Years

The Twin Rivers Corvette Club celebrates its 20th anniversary with a special Corvette event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Joe Alcoke Chevrolet Dealership at 3405 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in New Bern.

Registration is from 9 to 10 a.m. in either the Trophy or Certificate categories.
There is an entry fee of $20, which includes a commemorative T-shirt, goody bag, hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, drink and cake.

There will also be a 50/50 drawing and door prizes.

Registration Trophy Category will have first- and second-place trophies for C1, C2, C3, C4, C5 and C6, as well as trophies for People’s Choice and Children’s Choice.
The Certificate of Participation Category allows you to drive your car in and park.
The event goes will be held rain or shine, and it will help support the club’s charities.

The TRCC supports the Wounded Warriors, MADD, The Food Bank of Eastern North Carolina, the Honor Flight, Carteret Community College and the club’s own GYSGT Michael S. Casey Annual Toy Run to the Marines and their families at the New River Air Station.

Beckman and Trophies Go Together at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Jack Beckman cherishes each of the 12 trophies he's won in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. But when pressed, admits that two are a little closer to his heart.
And each is from zMAX Dragway at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.

The first was earned when he won the inaugural Funny Car event title at the track in 2008. The other was won a year ago in the Four-Wide NHRA Nationals, which will be held this weekend for the third straight year.

"The two trophies in my collection I value the most are both from Charlotte. I won the inaugural race there, and you'll only ever have one of those. And I won the Four-Wide last year and it's such a unique event that it makes that trophy special."

When Beckman and his Freightliner/Valvoline NextGen Dodge Charger R/T arrive at Charlotte for Friday qualifying the team will be ranked third in Funny Car points after finishing second last season to Don Schumacher Racing teammate Matt Hagan for the series championship.

The unique format or four-car heats throughout qualifying and Sunday's championship eliminations is another challenge for the veteran racer and drag racing instructor.

"When my friends say they're going to take a vacation and want to go to an NHRA event they've never attended I tell them the Four-Wide has to be on top of their list. It's so different. When you think how on earth can you top two 8,000-horsepower cars well, there are two choices: You either put a jump or Hot Wheels loop halfway down the track, which is not a good idea, or you put four cars side by side."

Beckman seems to thrive on a challenge and that's what the Four-Wide presents with two pairs of lanes being separated by a guardwall. "You can't see the other track because of the other wall so staging is something you have to think about. It has been challenging to synchronize how you can start four cars with engines that that only have a maximum of 2 minutes and 15 seconds to run."

Once NHRA and CompuLink developed a unique starting system for the Four-Wide concept, drivers faced new challenges in championship eliminations on Sunday when two cars advanced in each four-car heat.

"Qualifying is the same as two-wide racing but not eliminations," Beckman said. "At every other NHRA event there is one winner and one loser, now two advance. If you smoke the tires in eliminations and know you can't catch the car next to you normally you shut off. But in the Four-Wide, you can finish second and move onto the next round. Because you can't see the cars in the adjacent par of lanes you don't know if either of them had bigger trouble so you have to get your car to the finish line.”

NISD Schools Ace Junior ROTC National Championship

Twenty-eight schools throughout the United States competed at the 2012 Air Force Junior ROTC National Drill Championship on March 17 in Macon, Ga., but it was three Northside Air Force Junior ROTC programs — from Brandeis, Clark and Jay high schools — that won the majority of trophies and all four titles.

Of the 28 trophies on display in each division, NISD's armed teams won 21 trophies, the championship and the top four spots. NISD unarmed teams won 16 trophies, the championship and the top three spots.

Maj. Donald Shackelford, the senior aerospace science instructor at Clark High School, reported “A cadet from another competing school was asked by his instructor, ‘What happened? Last year, we did well. This year, we didn't win anything.'

The cadet's response was, “Sir, Texas showed up.”

“We congratulate the cadets and instructors for their outstanding performances. Hard work and dedication always pay big dividends,” Shackelford added.

Kyle Bush Looking for 1st Win at Martinsville

One look at Kyle Busch’s ever-growing trophy case reveals an assortment of trophies for his now 104 overall wins among NASCAR’s top three series, which includes 23 Sprint Cup Series wins. In fact, one whole trophy case features 12 trophies alone from the high-banked Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway half-mile oval.

But even though Busch, driver of the No. 18 M&M’s Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), has more trophies than he probably knows what to do with, there’s one glaring omission from another famous half-mile short track – the traditional, seven-foot-tall clock that Martinsville (Va.) Speedway president Clay Campbell’s late grandfather and track founder, H. Clay Earles, began awarding Martinsville race winners more than five decades ago.

Needless to say, Busch, the talented 26-year-old driver, has his sights set on getting that long-awaited maiden victory at Martinsville, the site of Sunday’s Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.

Of the 23 venues that will host Sprint Cup events in 2012, Busch has won at least once at 20 of those venues in at least one of NASCAR’s top three divisions – Sprint Cup, Nationwide, and Camping World Truck. There are only three current Sprint Cup tracks – Martinsville, Pocono (Pa.) Raceway, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway – where Busch has not scored a victory in any of NASCAR’s top three series.

Despite the lack of a Martinsville grandfather clock, Busch has plenty of reasons for optimism this weekend, considering how he has been able to pick up his game at the .526-mile paperclip-shaped oval ever since being paired with crew chief Dave Rogers.
During a three-race stretch starting when he joined Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) in the spring of 2008, the Las Vegas native never finished better than 24th at Martinsville. But Busch’s fortunes there began to turn around with a solid fourth-place finish in the fall of 2009.

Four National Trail Riding Awards Won by Craig Resident

In 51 years of North American Trail Ride Conference competitions, no horse and rider team has ever won the organization’s top four national trophies in the same year.

That changed in 2011 when Craig resident Ken Wolgram, 47, and his 12-year-old half Arabian, half quarter horse, Awesomes Fire N Ice, blazed a new standard. Wolgram, a native Coloradan and Craig resident since he was 12, has been riding since he was 5 and competitively for the last 15 years. He took home the NATRC President’s Cup for high point horse in the nation and the Jim Menefee award for combined horse and horsemanship in 2002.

Nine years later, he won those two trophies again and added two additional pieces of hardware to the collection — the Polly Bridges Memorial Trophy for high average horsemanship and the Bev Tibbetts Award for high average horse — to complete the organization’s first ever grand slam.

“That’s the first time anyone has ever won those top four awards in NATRC history,” Wolgram said. “I’m really proud of our accomplishments. I probably won’t be able to top this again, but I guess I can always try.”

Yucca Valley Dancers Turn in Trophy Performances

Dancers from Yucca Valley have brought home armloads of first- and second-place trophies from two meets this month as their competition season begins.

Star Struck Dance Studio teams and the Yucca Valley Heat attended Ayala High School’s Festival in the Hills 20th annual court dance competition March 3 and the NRG Western Regional dance competition at Knott’s Berry Farm March 10. The dancers competed for trophies in categories including jazz, hip hop, pom and novelty.

“We have some really great teams this season. Each year my teams bring me great joy and we always have such a blast during competitions,” coach and studio owner Shannon Bantley/Lamoreux said. The coach said she was proud of how well all her teams performed at both competitions. Star Struck Dance Studio has been taking dancers to competitions for six years now and the Heat Dance Team has been competing for 12 years, she pointed out.

Lisa Parker, mother to dancer Courtney Parker, said she, too, was proud of how well the Yucca Valley teams did. “This year is extra special as it will be Courtney’s last year as a Star Struck competition team dancer. We will be moving in late spring,” Parker said. “Courtney has made great memories and friendships while dancing with Star Struck’s competition teams. It is going to be really hard to say goodbye.”

Star Struck Dance and Yucca Valley Heat plan five to seven competitions for their 2012 season, including Sharp’s Nationals in Las Vegas, Nev., in late April. “It’s always lots of fun to watch the teams’ confidence and performance skills grow as the season progresses,” dance mom Shannon Benstead said.

Rugby Trophies Touring NZ

A national road trip will give Wakatipu residents and visitors the chance to share in Rugby World Cup glory when the coveted Webb Ellis Cup and a cabinet full of New Zealand's prestigious rugby trophies are brought to Queenstown.

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and Otago Rugby Football Union announced they were taking "the Great Rugby Road Trip" around the country to say "Thank you, New Zealand".

The free public event stops by the Queenstown Events Centre on Saturday, March 31, from 10am to 2pm.Rugby players and fans can have their photograph taken with the Webb Ellis and Bledisloe cups, as well as see the International Rugby Board Women's Rugby World Cup and the IRB Junior World Championship Trophy. Fun rugby-orientated activities and entertainment and spot prizes will be laid on for the whole family.

"We're thrilled that so many of rugby's top trophies are coming to town to be shared with our community," Otago Rugby Football Union community rugby manager Richard Perkins said in a statement. Knowing that the All Blacks are world champions just adds to what will be a great occasion for the Central Otago region."

NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said support during the tournament came from all corners of New Zealand, including Central Otago, so to be able to bring the cup there was "fantastic".

Malaysia Grand Prix Winners to get Precious Trophies

The winners at the 14th Petronas Formula One at the Sepang Circuit next weekend will hold aloft some of the most precious trophies ever seen in Malaysian sport.

Handcrafted in New York by famed silversmith Tiffany & Co, the silver trophies offer a classic look with depictions of the Sepang Circuit as their highlights.

Described as "priceless" by Tiffany & Co Malaysia general manager Maryanne Liow, the trophies each took eight months to craft.

"We are in a three-year partnership as trophy producer for the Sepang International Circuit.

"The trophies for the F1 Malaysian Grand Prix are of classic design with depictions of the circuit carefully engraved in silver," said Maryanne.

"In terms of work, it took eight months to produce each trophy, but if you ask me the price, I would say they are priceless."

Under the three-year agreement, Tiffany & Co also supplies the trophies for the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix and the Malaysia Merdeka Endurance Race held at the Sepang Circuit.

Frost Students Win Three Trophies at Mathcounts

Pencils ready, no calculators allowed for this question: The product of a set of distinct, positive integers greater than 1 is 84. What is the least possible sum of these integers?
The annual Detroit chapter Mathcounts competition was held at U of M Dearborn Feb. 18. Twelve middle schools and one elementary school from Wayne County were represented.

Livonia had teams from Webster Elementary and Frost Middle schools. Frost brought home three trophies from the competition, third place team, third place highest individual score and second place individual in the countdown round.

The contest is for sixth- through eighth-grade students. Individuals and teams compete in Target, Sprint and team rounds before scores are tallied and the top 10 individuals are called up to compete in the fast-paced countdown round. (Imagine a math-themed “Jeopardy” on steroids where two competitors go head-to-head on questions.) Frost was represented by two students in the countdown round. (Imagine a math-themed “Jeopardy” on steroids where two competitors go head-to-head on questions.) Frost was represented by two students in the countdown round, Brendan Vande Kieft and Zach Obsniuk. They will both go on to compete in the state competition in March. Zach also took home the second-place individual countdown round and third-place high score trophies at the end of the event.

All of the kids are now finding school math tests and MEAP math tests much easier, said Frost parent coach Glenn Obsniuk. The team has had a dedicated core of 17 mathletes in attendance for after-school and Saturday math since September. “The kids had fun challenging themselves and those who have done this multiple years have seen their scores in the competition and in school increase with every year,” Obsniuk said. While the competition is only for 6-8th grade, some of the retiring eighth graders are already talking about being student coaches for the Livonia teams next year.
Got the answer yet? The least possible sum is 14.

Bardin Brothers Win Big at Soap Box Derby

La Mesa brothers Declan and Aidan Bardin were top finishers in last weekend's Drew Ford/Kiwanis Club of La Mesa Soap Box Derby Rally Races along Junior High Drive at La Mesa Middle School.

Between the two, the Bardin brothers, both of whom are students at Literacy First Charter School in El Cajon, snagged four first-place trophies, two second-place trophies and two third-place trophies. Rally Races allow kids a combination of single elimination and double elimination races in stock and super stock races.

“This gives the kids numerous opportunities to run down the course as they move through the brackets," said Dennis Wilkes, the derby's director. "In the end, it’s all about earning points, and a driver can earn enough points to be eligible to go to the National Soap Box Derby Race in Akron, Ohio.”

The Kiwanis Club conducts two rally races each year, in March and November, and one annual local race (to be held May 19) at which top finishers qualify for the national derby. Other top finishers over the weekend included Sam Ferguson, Allanna Porter and Kyle Olin of Alpine.

Filmmaking Careers Launched by The Keller ISD Film Fest

The Keller ISD Film Fest has turned Jake Wangner into a filmmaker.

The Fossil Ridge junior not only took home trophies Thursday night for all three categories he entered, one of them will be shown Saturday at the South by Southwest Film Fest in Austin. Wangner's brief documentary "Julian Edmondson - Who I am," featuring a 2011 Ridge grad and basketball standout, is a finalist in the High School Short Films at the Austin contest. "SAFE," a Film Fest entry from Ridge students Reece and Pierce Harvell, also will show in Austin.

Wangner took part in the Keller ISD Film Fest for the third consecutive year after taking an audio/video production class from Manuel Vasquez. "Mr. Vasquez made me make a video for this my freshman year, and I liked it so much I just kept doing it," Wangner said. Wangner also won trophies in the music video and story categories. He plans to pursue a career in media production.

Joel Carter, a Central senior, also has been inspired by participating in the Film Fest and in broadcasting classes. Carter had his hand in several entries in the comedy category, including the winning Indiana Jones spoof "Jack Stone and the Curse of the Black Plague," a film he made with classmates Mitchell Santiago and Cody Hallford.
"It took us two weeks to film it, and we kind of got into trouble because we took too many people out of class to participate in mass battles," Carter said.

He only took two days to make "The Most Uninteresting Man in the World," another finalist entry in comedy. Carter plans to turn his passion into his vocation. He received a scholarship to study film production at the San Francisco Art Institute.

First Woman to Win Olympic Gold’s Trophy Up for Auction

A magnificent 76cm wide, solid silver 'tray' has come up for sale at the London Silver Vaults, the UK's largest retailer of antique silver. The tray was originally awarded to the winners of the Irish Lawn Tennis mixed doubles in 1896, Charlotte Cooper of London and Harold Segerson Mahoney of Ireland. They both went on to win Wimbledon and medals in the 1900 Paris Olympics, where Charlotte became the first woman to win an Olympic gold. Charlotte (in her ankle-length dress) won Wimbledon five times between 1895 and 1908.

Charlotte never got to display the trophy, it went to Dromore Castle, Mahoney's home and was subsequently sold by his family. Now 116 years later, with its London hallmark, it is for sale at William Walter and expected to fetch in the region of £15,000.
The tray is one of probably the largest collection of sporting trophies for sale in the UK and other famous prizes have passed through the doors of the Silver Vaults including replicas of Wimbledon Ladies' Singles' Rosewater Bowl and the Jules Rimet-designed World Cup.

Trophies for sport and other competitions became popular in Britain's industrialising 18th and 19th centuries. This gives us a rich source of wonderful hand-crafted and decorated antique silver vases, cups, bowls, shields and trays for use today.
Styles range from the traditional two-handled cup and cover to bespoke designs often featuring cast models of animals, sporting figures, boats or sports gear (such as oars, tennis racquets, golf clubs, cricket balls & stumps).

Antique trophies can be re-engraved with new inscriptions and due to the rising costs of silver bullion, can be much less expensive than new ones. But commissions are undertaken by several shops at the Vaults. Langfords recently produced a replica of New York's Seawanhaka International Challenge Cup for small yachts after it was lost in hurricane Katrina.

Prices range from about £200 for a small, two handled cup and cover, and might rise to £8,000 and above for a large or intricate design.

See http://www.thesilvervaults.com/shops for illustrated catalogues or visit The London Silver Vaults, Southampton Buildings, WC2A 1QS and call into Vault 7, Steven Linden (chairman of the Dealers) will provide useful advice.

Changes in Domestic Cricket Structure Suggested

Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes that "meaningless" tournaments like Duleep and Deodhar trophies should be done away with to improve the domestic cricket structure of the country. Chopra, who is a key member of Ranji Trophy champions Rajasthan, also advocated the need to introduce points for batting and bowling as is the case in England, in place of teams getting three points for securing a first-innings lead in drawn games.

"The domestic calendar needs to be reworked...do away with meaningless tournaments so as to make it less crowded. A couple of tournaments may have to be done away with like Duleep, Deodhar and Syed Mushtaq Ali trophies. They all are not serving any purpose."

"These three tournaments can actually make way for Ranji Trophy to become a slightly longer tournament, Vijay Hazare one-day tournament to become slightly longer. We already have a Twenty20 tournament, IPL, then why (do) we need two domestic T20 tournaments," Chopra told PTI. "The first-innings lead points lead to mediocrity. We need to do away with that. It should not have a huge impact towards the end of the season."

Chopra, who was asked by the BCCI's technical committee chaired by former India captain Sourav Ganguly to send in his suggestions and recommendations to improve the domestic structure, also said that the quality of pitches and playing Ranji Trophy league matches at neutral venues should be considered seriously.

"Though I am not a huge fan of this but I know from where the BCCI is coming. The BCCI has entrusted the state associations to come up with sporting wickets but that hasn't happened. It's the state associations who have not taken the responsibility of producing good surfaces," said the veteran domestic cricketer.

Eight Trophies for MHS Show Choirs

The Mundelein High School show choirs took part in the Main Event Show Choir Invitational in Manteno, IL February 11 and brought home eight trophies to show for it. The Mundelein Lights earned the title of Best Single Gendered Choral Group.


The show choirs will compete this weekend in El Paso, IL and look forward to the Grand River National Show Choir Invitational March 16-18 in LaCrosse, WI. The choirs will all perform March 1 at the Winter Choral Concert at 7 pm in the MHS Auditorium. John Neubauer and Cory Thompson are the vocal directors for the groups.


The trophies from the Manteno Invitational include:

• Charity Moody, Top Female Soloist

• SoundFX, Second Place in Single Gendered Choral Group

• SoundFX Combo, Best Instrumental Ensemble

• Lights, Best Single Gendered Choral Group

• Lights, Best Choreographed Single Gendered Choral Group
• Lights, Single Gendered Champions

• Sound, Third Place in Large High School Division

• Sound Crew, Best Stage Crew

Droitwich Dolphins Awards Distributed at Gala

Droitwich Dolphins kicked off their 50th anniversary celebrations by holding their presentation evening. Town mayor Councillor Mike Barratt JP attended to say a few words and awarded a host of trophies to deserving club members.

He was accompanied by special guests Gareth Holliday and John Kelly, both previous chairmen of the club, at Droitwich High School’s theatre. Certificates were awarded for achievements at the club’s Age Group and Championship galas while Holliday, who was chairman from 1992 to 2001, regaled those present with stories of the club’s history, including how it moved from the Lido to Droitwich Leisure Centre.

New head coach Chris Hadley thanked his predecessor Sue Marsh and revealed his plans to take the club forward.

After trophies for the Betty George and Frank Hawkins diddy gala, it was time for the club’s special awards chosen by the coaches.

Teenager Ruth Hadley, aged 13, was given a special mention after a fantastic year.
Hadley represented Dolphins in all galas, set 17 new records and broke her own personal best times on several occasions. She also regained her ladies club title and won 19 trophies.

Rosalien Biddle, club chairman, also presented a special award to Mandy Gerwitz for 30 years of outstanding service to Dolphins.

Awards: Megan Oswell - Zenalan Girls Trophy (junior endeavour and improvement); Callam Turner – Zenalan Boys Trophy; Jessica Biddle – The Harrison Trophy (best newcomer – girls); Fraser Burgess – Hillson Trophy (best newcomer – boys); Aaron Biddle/Anthony Redfern (joint) – Egglesfield Shield (most successful county performance); Rachel Bradley – Wright Girls Trophy (senior improvement, commitment to training and attitude); Sam Cave/Adam McConnell – George Boys Trophy; Tom Dean - Lloyd Trophy (most improved swimmer of the year); Ruth Hadley – Victrix Ludorum (most championship points – ladies); Ben Gallant – Victor Ludorum (most championship points – men).

RYA Powerboat Racing Association Presents Awards

On Saturday 04 February, over 350 racers, supporters, friends and family, turned up to celebrate the success of British Powerboat racers from across the sports many disciplines at the RYA Powerboat Racing awards ceremony 2011.

A staggering 52 trophies were presented to the crème-de-la-crème of powerboat racers who last year clinched a whole host of British, European, World and Speed records across the sports many racing classes.

Hosted by world renowned powerboat racer Shelley Jory-Leigh and RYA Powerboat Racing Manager John Puddifoot, the evening proved to be truly inspiring for everyone attending including Geoff Holt from the Disability Powerboating Trust who came along to present the awards.

“I am really honored to be here and to present the trophies to all these worthy winners. There are so many that it took nearly an hour and half to present them all!” commented Geoff.

The awards ceremony is a highlight in the powerboat racing calendar when racers from across the disciplines get together and celebrate their successes. “It’s great to see the sport so healthy and alive” concluded Geoff.

Trophies Awarded at A5 Cycling Club Dinner

The A5 Rangers Cycling Club recently honored its 2011 prizewinners at its annual dinner at the Saracens Head in Towcester. The various trophies and awards were presented by the guest of honor Kevin Ackerman, manager of Towcester Racecourse.

Last year was a good one for the Club. A big increase in membership saw greater competition in the Club’s races throughout the season. Once again the F J Snelson Trophy for the Senior Best Allrounder was won by Dave Lazenby along with the 10, 25 and 50 mile Trophies. He also broke four club records. The 12 hour time trial record now stands at 257 miles. A first full season of racing for Ian Mead resulted in him winning the 30 mile trophy, 10 mile handicap series and 15 mile hilly event along with several runner up awards.

Sue Holliday received the ladies 10 mile award and the 5 mile shield. Liam Barbour took three trophies and a runner up award. Other prize winners included Craig Hamilton, Jane Warner, Ian Ellis, Kyle Kirton, Chris Brown and Joseph Wood.

In addition to the Club’s awards several members received medals for performances in regional and national events. Keith Gelder took top spot in the 75 years and over category of the British Time Trial Championship. In the season long Midland Veteran Time Trial Association series Murray Kirton took second place overall. Juvenile members Alasdair and Rhona Grant and Elizabeth Ruffley received their medals for finishing third, first and first respectively in their age categories in British Cycling’s Central Division cyclo-cross league.

This year’s club run and racing program has just been finalized. It includes several ‘come and try it’ 5 mile time trial races open to the general public. If anyone would like to take part in any of these taster events please ring Mick Holliday on 01327 350498.

Rugby’s Abendanon Signs New Deal

Bath have announced a new three-year contract for their England full-back Nick Abendanon.

Abendanon, who made his Test debut against South Africa in 2007, has made more than 150 appearances for Bath and is a current member of the England Saxons squad.
"I am extremely happy to sign another contract at Bath," Abendanon said. "This is where my home is, and I love being involved with a club that has huge ambitions to win trophies both in England and in Europe. "I have real faith in the team we are building here, and I feel that in the coming years we will have trophies to prove it."

Bath rugby director Sir Ian McGeechan added: "Nick is a very important member of the squad, both on and off the field, and his performances in the last two seasons, especially, have been consistently excellent."

YMCA Gymnasts Do Well at Island Adventure Meet

The North Suburban YMCA Gymnastics Team carried home first place trophies from the first annual Island Adventure Meet held at the College of Lake County on Jan. 15. The YMCA’s Level 4 and 5 teams both earned first place team honors, with a number of gymnasts shining in individual competition.

In the 7-9 year old Level 4 division, Shea McCarthy placed first on beam, floor and all-around with a score of 36.650. Tess Benson finished first on vault and bars and had second place finishes on beam, floor and all-around. Katie Kempff placed third on vault, floor and all-around, and Christine Jablonsky placed fourth on vault. Molly Fraser had a third place finish on beam.

In the 10-years-and-up Level 4 division, Carly Anderson placed first on bars, floor and all-around with a score of 36.3. Brianne Barbakoff placed first on vault and beam, and had second place finishes on floor and all-around. In her first meet appearance, Emily MacDonald earned a second place finish on bars, and third place on floor and all-around.

The YMCA team’s Level 5 gymnasts continued the trophies winning trend with Riley McCarthy placing first on bars, floor and all-around with a score of 34.8. Liat Berkowitz added a first place award with a 9.1 on beam, and second place finishes on bars, floor and all-around. Bridget Billig helped the Level 5 team with third place on floor and in the all-around.

The North Suburban YMCA Gymnastics Team is coached by Rachel Elfant, Jenna Norman and Carol Sassorossi.

Nikki Huber On the Road to Success

Nikki Huber admits she's always had a little bit of "a hyper personality." Let's see if the resume of this 2004 Schaumburg High School graduate supports that claim:

. She makes TV and Web commercials.

. She acts in network TV shows. (She has appeared in "CSI: New York" and the Chicago-based series "The Playboy Club.")

. She models.

. She hosts the half-time shows for the Chicago Slaughter indoor football games at the Sears Centre.

. She runs marathons for charities.

. She reigns as the current Miss Earth Illinois. (Yes, there is a Miss Earth Illinois.)

. She presents award show trophies (such as the recent Chicago Film Critics Awards where she gave trophies to James Earl Jones, Dennis Farina and Jason Segel).

Yep, we'd have to agree. Schaumburg native Nikki Huber has a bit of a hyper personality.

"It takes a lot to keep me amused," she said. "I think that performing, singing, dancing and acting gave me an outlet to really focus my energies and enabled me to become who I am."

The best way to describe Nikki Huber might well be a work in progress. That work began when Huber, 11, signed up to be in the musical "Annie," the first production mounted by the Schaumburg on Stage theater group under the auspices of Dorothy's Dancing Unlimited. "That experience made me realize that I had a funny bone," Huber said.

Her bone was funny enough to motivate Huber, at 14, to enroll at the Arlington Heights campus of The Second City to learn comedy. She was one of only two 19-year-olds to be accepted into the Second City's conservatory program. Huber identified comic timing as her strong suit, "but I never even knew I had that until I went to Second City."

But how did a Columbia College graduate with a B.A. in acting wind up in the world of beauty pageants? Huber said that in her senior year of high school, she received a letter asking her to compete for Miss Teen USA.

Bowler Brian Waliczek Looking for Repeat in Open City Championships

Adorning the walls of Kingpin Pro Shop are the many accolades and awards Brian Waliczek has bowled his way to throughout his career. Waliczek, the owner of the shop, often uses them as positive reinforcement. “They boost my ego, when I’m having a bad day,” Waliczek said of the trophies. “I put the trophies that I’ve been fortunate enough to win on my wall in my shop. I’m proud of those trophies.”

Some of the trophies that deck the wall of his shop were earned in the Saginaw USBC Open City Championships. Waliczek has performed well in the past, a part of a Kingpin team that captured several accolades during the Third Open City Championship in 2010. That year, Waliczek earned all-events, singles, doubles and team titles. “That year, we had it at Candlelite. That obviously helped,” Waliczek said. “It was fun. It’s only nine games, so a lot of good can happen quickly and a lot of bad can happen quickly as well.”

He and his Kingpin team of Dan Weigandt, Greg Kuehnl and Garrett Shovan are searching for more of the same this year. The Fifth Men’s and Women’s Open City Championships begin Saturday and Sunday at State Lanes. While Waliczek and Weigandt were winners of the doubles title in the Third Open City Championship in 2010, Kuehnl and Shovan were the winners last year in 2011. All of the team members are in a sport league at Candlelite, which helps prepare them for the tournament-type conditions.

“All of the guys on my team bowl in the league and it definitely helped with tournaments,” Waliczek said. “With the tough (lane) conditions, you can look silly in that league, but you still get used to making adjustments, wrong ones and right ones. It just gets you comfortable moving around. You have to make adjustments or else the wheels can come off. “Making adjustments is so key in today’s game.”

Waliczek alone bowls in numerous tournaments throughout the year, filling up his weekends with tournaments around the Midwest. “Last weekend I was in Kentucky and I did really well in the tournament until I went up against a small, angry fellow named Tom Smallwood, who beat me,” Waliczek said. “The Saginaw guys did really strongly. I led most of the way, until it cut to the top eight. I lost to Smallwood and he went to the finals. J.R. Raymond, who is also from Saginaw, lost to Tommy in the finals. Saginaw dominated that weekend.”

In league play, Waliczek is also having a robust season, sporting scores of 248 at Stardust and 240 at Candlelite for his two leagues.Waliczek doesn’t always get a chance to bowl with the guys in his shop, but when they do, it’s usually fun and successful. He hopes for more of that in the Open City Championship. “If I give them a little push in the right direction, they can put up good numbers,” he joked. “When we are together, they get that little push. Then I ride their coattails.”

Experienced Badminton Duo Lift Trophy

Experienced pairing Unni and Salesh claimed victory in the top Flight I category of the latest Syed Modi monthly badminton tournament at Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam (BKS).

The duo saw off the challenge of Jain and Simin, 21-16, in the showpiece final, having earlier been put through their paces in a grueling semi-final against Nahas and Subash.
Flight II trophies went to Anoop and Shanto following their 21-19, 21-17 win over Priyan and Thulasi, while Ajay and Shibu took the spoils in Flight III with a 21-18, 21-10 victory over Mujeeb and Vinod.

Elsewhere, Rajasekhar and Shyji enjoyed a convincing 21-8, 21-12 win over Biju and Wincent in the Flight IV final, with the Flight V final going the way of Vineeth and Vishnu after their 21-18, 21-17 victory against Ben and Nithin.

Category winners were presented with their trophies by BKS acting general secretary, Santosh Babu and other officials.

Aging Competitively for Wilmington ‘Strongman’

In 1969, Larry Readman held the Will County record in discus throwing. Today, the 60-year-old Readman still works out two hours a day and runs an hour on Sundays. And, Readman is still earning trophies.

In November, he competed in the 2011 North American Strongman Master’s Championship and Texas Strongest Man competition in Houston, pulling a six-and-a-half ton Army truck from a dead stop. With no idea of how the pull would go, he said, his goal was just to get the truck to move. Before the start of the truck’s roll he had the tow line “just as tight and low as possible.” With the tire pressure reduced to 20 pounds there “was also a lot of drag,” he said. But, when he felt the truck take its initial move, “It was the greatest feeling.” While the event would allow 60 seconds for the pull of 50 feet, Readman’s time was just 25 seconds. “It surprised me,” he said.

Readman has competed for trophies in strongman events for the past five years, and Houston was his third national competition. He and his wife, Joyce, enjoy the traveling that the competitions require. “We’ve been to every state and to quite a few countries,” Readman said.

Age is a factor, he said. Readman was one of two competing in his age category: “There are only three in the United States that compete. “I’m very proud that I’m one of three that can do it — the training is hard,” he said.

When training, it’s hard for him to gain weight. He normally weighs around 195 pounds and competes at the 175-200 pound level. He builds endurance by flipping a 500-pound tire as far as he can for as long as he can. “At this age and weight, it’s more challenging,” he said.

Readman is retired from his job at a chemical plant, and is a fourth-generation farmer still living on the farm four miles outside of Wilmington along the Kankakee River where he was raised. For the past 17 years, he has also coached the Wilmington High School powerlifting team. “It’s a very big part of the football program,” Readman said.
He tries to have the Wilmington High School students challenge themselves “to set a goal and work towards it.”

The student’s initial interest in some of the strongman events sparked his own interest in competing in the sport. During the time right before competitions, he said he feels his endurance and powerlifting skills are at their height. “It gives me a feeling of accomplishment,” he said.

Stolen Trophies Set to be Returned to Idle Cricket Club

A cricket club is hoping to retrieve some of the irreplaceable trophies that burglars stole from its prize cabinet. Police have told Idle Cricket Club that at least seven of the stolen trophies have been recovered and are ready to be reclaimed.

On Thursday, promising teenage rugby league player Dean O’Toole admitted breaking into the club in Cavendish Road, Idle, stealing trophies and £1,500 in cash. The 18-year-old was one of a group of burglars who forced their way into the club and smashed their way into the trophy cabinet.

O’Toole, of Leafield Crescent, Eccleshill, was warned by magistrates he could now face a custodial sentence and his case was adjourned until January 19 for a probation report. The burglars had forced a double padlocked safe and rifled the trophy cabinet and O’Toole, who played scrum-half for Huddersfield Giants under-18s team, was arrested and interviewed on Christmas Eve after a police sergeant recognised him from CCTV stills of the break-in.

Speaking about the burglary, club steward David English said news that some of the trophies had been found was a relief after fears they could have been sold for scrap metal. He said: “Some of those trophies were very old, the club’s been here since 1906. They would have been irreplaceable.”

The burglary was the third in 12 months, which has cost the club a fortune in putting bars up at the windows and fitting CCTV. “It’s money we don’t really have but we’ve had no choice but to spend it. We are struggling anyway, the insurance has gone up. It’ll get to the stage when they won’t insure us and then we’ll have to shut,” said Mr English.

Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race Trophy Presentation

The 2011 Optus Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race prize giving will take place at the Derwent Sailing Squadron, Marieville Esplanade, Sandy Bay at 5:00pm today. All media are invited to attend when major winners will receive their trophies.

In addition to line honor winner Helsal3 and overall winner Masquerade, trophies will go to Allusive (PHS) and Archie (AMS and IRC). Archie was skippered by Sally Rattle, a member of the DSS and now Tasmania’s most successful yachtswoman with previous wins in the Melbourne to Hobart, Maria Island and Bruny Island races.