Russia Tops With Olympics Medals In Sochi; U.S. Is 4th
February 24, 2014
The 22nd Olympic Winter Games have ended. Here are some highlights of the two plus weeks of action.
Only three gold medals were awarded on the final day and two of them went to host Russia. The Russians swept the medals in Sunday’s first event, the men’s 50-kilometer cross-country ski race. Alexander Legkov won it with a time of 1:46.55.2
That was 0.7 of a second faster than teammate Maxim Vylegzhanin (1:46.55.9) and 0.8 better than bronze medalist Ilia Chernousov (1:46.56.0).
Russia won its first-ever gold medal in the four-man bobsled, as driver Alexander Zubkov made it a clean sweep, after earlier in the games winning the two-man event.
Russia unexpectedly ended up on top of the medals table, with 13 gold, 11 silver and nine bronze for a total of 33. At the 2010 Vancouver Olympics the Russians were back in 11th place with three gold, and sixth in total medals won with 15.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said he was pleased to see the Russians do so well before enthusiastic fans.
“It is not just enough to organize the Games, but you also need a good home team. So they were working hard after the shock they had in Vancouver ,” Bach said. “And I think it is just remarkable the progress that has been made within four years from Vancouver until today, so can we only congratulate the Russian team for this great success.”
Also at his closing news conference, Bach said the response from all the participants – athletes, National Olympic Committees, international sports federations, sponsors and broadcasters – has been overwhelmingly positive.
He added that in speaking to many athletes, after spending four nights in different Olympic villages, he did not hear one complaint.
“They loved the sports facilities, the quality of the Olympic villages,” Bach said. “What impressed (them) the most was the proximity of the Olympic villages and their venues.”
Second to Russia in the gold medal count was Norway with 11. Canada was third with 10, one more than the United States, by successfully defending its men’s ice hockey title with a 3-0 win over Sweden. That was the final sporting event of the Games.
The United States was second behind Russia in total medals with 28, while Norway had 26 and Canada 25.
In all, 26 nations won medals at the Sochi Olympics, the same number as in Vancouver.
Bach said that even though so much attention has been given to the huge cost to stage these Olympics, estimated at $50 billion, Sochi’s operational costs were about the same as Vancouver.
He emphasized that the investment in the region for infrastructure will be here a long time – new roads, railroads, housing, sports venues, winter training facilities and more. Sochi will host a Formula One auto race and 2018 World Cup football games.
“This project was not limited to just building a winter sports center,” Bach said. “It was about the transformation of a whole region into a modern destination for tourists, for conventions and for sports. And it was amazing what happened here.”
Five athletes tested positive for banned substances during the Sochi Games, including Austrian cross-country skier Johannes Duerr on the final day. His expulsion for the red blood cell booster EPO prevented him from competing in Sunday’s 50-kilometer race.
The other four testing positive were a Ukrainian cross-country skier (Marina Lisogor), a German biathlete (Evi Sachenbacher-Stehle), a Latvian ice hockey player (Vitalijs Pavlovs) and an Italian bobsledder (William Frullani). Those four other cases involved minor stimulants that can be found in food supplements. None of the five had won medals.
As for the United States, a number a favorites like two-time Olympic snowboard halfpipe champion Shaun White failed to make the podium, while other underdogs came through. Alan Ashley is the chief of sport performance for the USOC.
“There is always at the Olympics times when you are like going, ‘Oh my gosh, I wish so and so had done better,’ but just as many times there is like a whole new generation of athletes or a new group of athletes that surprise you, and that is the beauty of the Games,” Ashley said.
But the U.S. figure skating team had its worst Olympics showing since 1936 with no medals in men’s, women’s or pairs, and the long track speed skating team had its worst Olympics ever.
“Our job now is to say, OK, what went wrong, what went right?,” said Ashley. “How do we improve so that the next generation, when we go into Pyeongchang (in 2018) that we have corrected some things and moved this forward so that that group of athletes and that group of skaters that goes with us to the next Olympic Games has an even better opportunity to perform?”
The United States did come through with one notable performance in figure skating, as Meryl Davis and Charlie White won the first-ever Olympic gold medal for their country in ice dancing.
[VOA]
Northview Shuts Out Washington
February 23, 2014
The varsity Northview Chiefs beat Washington High 8-0 Saturday in Pensacola.
Winning pitcher Brannon Freeman pitched for seven, allowing two hits, two walks and eight strike outs. He is 1-0 as a starting pitcher with one save.
Stats: Jody Bonner 1-3 with a double, one RBI and a run scored; Chasen Freeman 3-3 with a triple, 2 RBI and a run scored; Thomas Moore 1 -4 with a double and one run scored; Aaron McDonald 1-4 with a double , one RBI and one run scored; RJ Pritchett 2-4 with two doubles, two RBI; Kevin Barrow 1-3 with one run scored; and Roman Manning 1-3 with two runs scored.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs shut out Washington Saturday in Pensacola, 8-0. Photos by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NHS Dance Team Qualifies For State With Superior Rating
February 22, 2014
The Northview High School Dance Team was rated Superior at the Florida Bandmasters Association District 1 Auxiliary Solo and Ensemble MPA event Friday night at Gulf Breeze High School. With the top rating, the group qualified to attend the upcoming state competition. Pictured: Northview High School Dance team members are (front L-R) Danielle Scott, Bethany Reynolds, Morgan Digmon, Shelby Nielson, (back, L-R) Leah Fischer, Anna Fischer, Rebekah Sepulveda, Chloe Leonard, Lily Townson and Jessica Lowery. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Thomas Inks Graceland Football Scholarship
February 22, 2014
Northview High School senior La’Quan Thomas signed a football scholarship Friday with Graceland University, a NAIA school in Iowa. Graceland University is a private liberal arts university of about 2300 students and 150 faculty. Pictured top: Thomas signs his college scholarship as family members look on Friday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Scores: Baseball Wins For Tate JV, Flomaton; Softball Wins For Northview
February 22, 2014
In junior varsity baseball, Tate downed Northview 10-4. Tate took an 8-0 lead early in the game, with the Chiefs coming up short after rallying to score four runs in the fourth inning. The JV Aggies will host Washington at 4:30 next Tuesday, while the JV Chiefs will host Flomaton in Bratt at 4:00 Monday.
The Flomaton Hurricanes shut out Escambia County High School of Atmore Frida, 15-0. The ‘Canes will travel to Bratt on Monday to face the Chiefs of Northview. T he JV takes the mound at 4:00, followed by the varsity at 6:00.
In softball action, the Northview junor varsity beat Baker 12-5, the varsity Chiefs beat the Gators 8-6. In varsity action, Mallory Ryan recorded five strikeouts and 16 hits for the Chiefs. The Chiefs hit the road on Monday to take on Holmes County.
Pictured: The JV Tate Aggies defeated the Northview Chiefs Friday night 10-4. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Baseball: Northview, Tate, Flomaton
February 21, 2014
Here are select high school baseball scores from around the area Thursday:
Northview
The junior varsity Northview Chiefs beat Baker, 4-3. The the varsity Chiefs earned their first district win over the Baker Gators 12-5. For the varsity, Brannon Freeman was 4-4 with four runs scored; Thomas More was 1-4 with one run; Aaron McDonald was 2-5; Kevin Barrow was 2-2 with two run scored; Brett Weeks was 2-2 with two runs scored; Roman Manning was 1-2 with one run. Daulton Tullis earned the win in seven innings, allowing three hits, five runs, one error, nine strikeouts and a double.
The varsity Chiefs (3-0, 1-0) will travel to Washington High in Pensacola on Saturday at 1:00. The JV Chiefs will head to Tate Friday night for a 6:00 game.
Tate
The junior varsity Tate Aggies beat Pace 6-3 Thursday, while the varsity Aggies fell to Pace 5-0. The junior varsity is now 2-2-1, while the varsity Aggies are 2-2. The junior varsity Aggies will host Northview Friday at 6:00, and the varsity Aggies will host Washington next Tuesday at 7 p.m..
Flomaton
J.U. Blacksher defeated the Flomaton Hurricanes 10-4. The next game for Flomaton is Friday at 5 p.m. against Escambia County (Atmore) High School in the W.S. Neal tournament.
Pictured top: Pitcher Josh Neese earned the win for the JV Northview Chiefs Thursday against the Gators in Baker. Picture inset and below: Northview’s varsit and junior varsity beat Baker Thursday in Baker. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
High School All-Star Soccer Rosters Announced
February 20, 2014
Tonight, the best boys and girls senior soccer players from Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Counties will play in the 7th annual Subway High School All-Star Soccer game at Asthon Brosnaham Park. The Pensacola Sports Association is pleased to announce this year’s coaches and rosters.
The coaching staff for the west teams, comprised of Escambia County schools, consists of Gerald Praylow from Pensacola High School for the girls’ team and Felipe Lawall from Washington High School leading the boys’ team.
Okaloosa and Santa Rosa County Schools make up the east team. Jeff Klug from Milton High School will lead the girls’ team while Navarre High School’s Zac Preston will coach the boys’ team.
Girls West Team:
- Catholic Kaitlyn Lockridge, Holey Sherman, Mallory Hermann
- West FL Olivia Griffin, Andrea Rivera, Kaysi Roberts
- East Hill Meghan Doyle
- Tate Brittany Barth, Samantha Flaherty, Anna Del Gallo, Carlie Del Gallo
- Washington Megan Sauer, Haley Burgess, CJ Gascoigne
- Escambia Rori Cassedy
- Pensacola Tianna Little, Molly Ambrose, Lauren Scott
- Pine Forest Danielle Corda, Kayla Hall
Girls East Team:
- FWB Kerri Andre
- Gulf Breeze Alyssa Pejic, Kylie Feltenberger, Frances Harpole
- Niceville Brooke Sneller
- Crestview Baylee O’Marra
- Rocky Bayou Amber Smith
- Navarre Hannah Gullickson, Hunter Moorer, Ella Burkhart, Bri Young, Gabby Armstrong, Jade Whitley
- Pace Katelyn Burkhart, Taylor Burkhart, Jenna Dilauro
- Milton Keely McNeal, Alexia Tzagakis, Megan Melendez
- Choctaw Maggie VanHusan, Sam Shaw, Rachyl Sutton
Boys West Team:
- East Hill Stephen Churchill
- Escambia Jesus Perez, Augustine Maldonado, Patrick Land, Max Schnieder
- Catholic William Keegan, Marcus Valles, Brandon Wiley
- Pensacola Aron Byrd, Long Le
- Pine Forest Jordan McBride, Thomas Aadnanes, Augusto Bustamante
- West FL Christopher King, Austin Broussard
- Tate Michael DeMars, Keenan Grace, Brandon Jenkins, Paul Shelton
- Washington Mitchell Lipham, Holder Hudson, Antonio Collins
Boys East Team:
- Choctaw Kevin Sanchez
- Crestview David Born, Blake Brooks
- FWB Josh Popoy, Merle Thumma, Tristan Tiegan
- Gulf Breeze Lucas Zalar, Josh Ceravolo
- Milton Brian Abenojar, Jacob Schiowitz, Adrian Dunn
- Navarre Ricardo Hidalgo, Cameron Smith, Noah Hughson, Cody White, Edward Layne
- Niceville Mikey Swiercz, Lucas Van Decar, Andy Rodriguez
- Pace Luke Breland, Chandler Castleman
- Rocky Bayou Joe Neau
Final game rosters are subject to change.
Tickets to the SUBWAY High School All-Star Game are $7 at the gate and $5 with a canned good item dontation. The PSA is teaming with Manna Food Bank for a canned good drive and encouraging everyone to help families by bringing a canned good item.
Basketball: Northview Eliminated In State Semis
February 19, 2014
The Northview Chiefs lost to West Gadsden 61-54 Tuesday night in the state regional semi-finals.
The Chiefs were able to tie the game at 44 in the fourth quarter, but were unable to hold onto the momentum through the end of the game. West Gadsden advances to play Chipley in the regional finals after a 66-41 Chipley win over Port St. Joe Tuesday night.
Northview finished the season at 17-3.
Chiefs Beat Rocky Bayou
February 19, 2014
The Northview Chiefs beat Rocky Bayou Monday night in Bratt, 4-2.
The Chiefs (2-0) will be action again Thursday night on the road for district game at Baker before returning home to face the Flomaton Hurricanes on February 24. Both games begin at 6 p.m.
For a bonus photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com and Ramona Preston photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Honors Winning Football Team, Cheerleaders
February 18, 2014
The state champion Northview Chiefs honored their football players and cheerleaders during their annual banquet Monday night.
For a bonus photo gallery, click here.
The following football players and cheerleaders were awarded:
FOOTBALL
- Academic Award - Austin Cunningham
- Chief Award – Tristan Portwood, Andrew Edwards
- Leadership Award – Nathan Shipps, Dalton Daniel
- Most Improved Award - Keondre Lett, Nick Lambert
- Head Hunter Award - Emmanuel Etheridge
- Mr. Intensity Award – Tristen Creamer
- Mr. Versatile Award – Cameron Newsome, Tydre Bradley
- Outstanding Offensive Lineman - Baccari Ramar, Danny Slay
- Outstanding Defensive Lineman – La’Quan Thomas
- Outstanding Back - LaDarius Thomas
- All-Purpose Back – Brannon Freeman
- Most Valuable Defensive Player – Jeffrey Taylor, Hunter Sherouse
- Most Valuable Offensive Player – Neino Robinson, Daulton Tullis
- Senior Award – Nathan Shipps, Dalton Daniel, Tristen Creamer, Baccari Ramar, Danny Slay, La’Quan Thomas, Brannon Freeman, Jeffrey Taylor, Neino Robinson, Daulton Tullis, Andrew Edwards, holden Moore, Tony Haynie.
- Subway All-Star Team members – Jeffrey Taylor, La’Quan Thomas, Neino Robinson, Daulton Tullis and Brannon Freeman.
- All-State team – 1st Team – Neino Robinson; 2nd Team – Brannon Freeman, La’Quan Thomas; honorable mention, Daulton Tullis, Jeffrey Taylor
- All-Area – 1st Team – Neino Robinson
- All-Panhandle Elite – 1st Team – Neino Robinson; honorable mention, Daulton Tullis, La’Quan Thomas, Jeffrey Taylor and Hunter Sherouse.
JV CHEERLEADERS
- Most Improved - Mallarie Rigby
- Most Spirited – Mallory Gibson, Peighton Dortch
- Most Dedicated – Dariane Guy
VARSITY CHEERLEADERS
- Most Versatile – Mariah Albritton
- Perseverance Award – Chloe Leonard
- Squad Strength – Hannah Gibson
- Spirit Award - Madison Arrington
- Best All Around - Katelynn Calloway
Pictured top: (L-R) Most Valuable Defensive Players Hunter Sherouse and Jeffrey Taylor; Most Valuable Offensive Players Daulton Tullis and Neino Robinson. Pictured below: Cheerleaders Mariah Albritton, Chloe Leonard, Ali Martin, Olivia Neal, Courtney Weaver, Anna Fischer and Katelynn Calloway. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
