News sports 2008-08-15 Andanh.com

Walk-on earns last scholarship Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:30:47 -0500
When Western Kentucky coach David Elson called out redshirt senior cornerback Chris Franklin after practice last Saturday, many thoughts ran through Franklin’s head. Wondering if he had somehow gotten himself in the coach’s dog house, Franklin reluctantly stood before his teammates - and received the shock of his young life. The walk-on was awarded the final football scholarship for the 2008 season, rewarding him in front of the players he’s worked so hard to make his peers. “A lot of things were going through my head - at first I thought I was in trouble,” Franklin said. “And I was wondering what I did to get myself in trouble, but it was just a big shock. “I was just at a loss for words. This is what I prayed for and hoped for. I’m a very believing person in the Lord and he really answered my prayers.” At just 5-foot-6, Franklin is not the most imposing player on the WKU roster, but his tenacity earned him a walk-on spot in the fall of 2004. After redshirting and battling through early classroom struggles, Franklin made the active roster during the 2006 season but did not see game time. Persistence paid off. Franklin earned significant special teams time last season, becoming a regular on the punt return team. And after a strong spring and summer, Elson said the decision to reward Franklin was a no-brainer. “You’re always analyzing your depth chart and scholarship situation and it’s very fluid, and if a guy leaves and a scholarship is freed up, you ask who is the guy that deserves one - and really even is there one - because you’re not just going to give them out just to do it,” Elson said. “And Chris has been just a great kid who has persevered through coming here as a walk-on, as an unknown, undersized, but always positive and always upbeat. “He struggled academically early, but he got that straightened out and as much as anybody around here, he loves this program and loves his teammates.” Being a college walk-on can be a pretty daunting job. To say Franklin started at the bottom of the depth chart might not be entirely accurate - he might not even have been on the depth chart at all. “Coming in as a walk-on, those guys have an uphill battle as soon as they step on campus,” first-year defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson said. “They’ve got 85 guys on scholarship in front of them, and that’s a hard, hard, hard mountain to climb. “But he did a great job of persevering through it all. He went through all the adversity that went with being a walk-on and he fought to the end - and that’s a great example to the young guys who get to see that and that gives them inspiration to have the same success he had.” Franklin said at certainly times during his career, he thought about letting football go. Instead, he opted to stay focused on helping out the team and the program. “Walking on is a struggle because you’re always overlooked. You’ve got to keep with the grind and always have to prove yourself,” he said. “There was a couple times where I felt like I just wanted to be a regular student. “But I just love this game and I don’t care what it takes, I was going to make it, get my scholarship and get on the field to play.” Elson said he had never previously awarded a scholarship to a player in front of the entire team. But Elson said it was a special moment. “I thought it might be kind of cool to present it that way, because he has the respect of his teammates and they like him as much as anybody around,” he said. “They respect him because of what he’s been through and a lot of other guys have earned them that are on this team that can certainly appreciate that. “They were fired up and gave him a great ovation - it was the right thing to do and I thought it would be a positive thing for our team to see a guy like that being rewarded.” While Franklin will receive a free ride for the rest of his WKU career, he said the same old player who fought for everything is still here. “I’ve always played full-tilt,” Franklin said. “It won’t be any different for me whether I had a scholarship or I didn’t. I’ll always play hard and give my all.”

Lawyer: Brown unaware cash was fake Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:30:48 -0500
Western Kentucky Lady Topper sophomore Arnika Brown pleaded not guilty in a Christian County courthouse Wednesday - the same day a second suspect was arrested in the case - to charges stemming from her alleged possession of counterfeit money. Hopkinsville police arrested Yolanda Trice, 37, of Hopkinsville and charged her with the same charges facing Brown - 11 counts of possession of a forged instrument and five counts of theft by deception under $300 In light of Trice’s arrest, Brown’s Hopkinsville-based attorney, Rick Boling, told the Daily News today that he is hopeful Brown, 21, will be exonerated. “It’s our belief that once everything flushes itself out, we’ll show she did not know this money was counterfeit and was an unwilling participant ... but for her being with this other person, she would never be in this position of being involved,” Boling said. According to Boling, Brown, Trice and Trice’s children went to several fast food restaurant drive-throughs Saturday. At each location, Trice handed Brown the counterfeit bill and Brown handed the bill to the cashier, Boling said. It wasn’t until the final stop, when the cashier told Brown the bill was fake, that Brown realized the money was counterfeit, he said. Boling said Brown then returned the food to the cashier, ending the transaction. The cashier recognized Trice and called police, who began searching for Trice. Boling said that when Brown heard the police were looking for Trice, she contacted police herself. “In essence, by cooperating with the police, she implicated herself as being an accomplice,” Boling said. Brown now faces a preliminary hearing Aug. 27, two days after classes begin at WKU. Boling said Brown’s bond conditions will allow her to attend school. Brown is a former Miss Kentucky Basketball at Christian County and was the Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year at WKU last season. Her future with the Lady Toppers is undetermined. Boling said he hopes to keep the case from going any further than district court. “Our goal is, first and foremost, to clear her name to some degree,” Boling said. “I would love to see us be able to resolve this in district court. The likelihood of that I don’t think is very good, because - since they are felony charges - there’s a probability that the case will go to the grand jury. ... “If that’s the case it could not be a felony. It would have to be a misdemeanor disposition. The charges would have to be amended for any type of resolution (in district court).”

BG team name to be up for vote soon Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:30:49 -0500
Possible names for Bowling Green’s minor league baseball team could be announced by next week, with fans voting for the winner, according to general manager and CEO Brad Taylor. The organization recently held an online name-the-team contest, and according to Taylor, about 1,000 names were submitted. The list will be whittled down to about eight finalists next week. Fans will then be able to vote at www.bowlinggreenprobaseball.com. “The response was awesome,” Taylor said. “We collected what I think is probably going to be an interesting, fun list of about six to nine names.” Taylor didn’t divulge the final name possibilities, but said a wide range of options includes plenty of regionally based names. “There are a whole bunch that are interesting,” Taylor said. “I don’t want to tip my hat. There were a lot of fun things. There are some that if you think very regionally, you can probably figure out on your own.” After voting is complete, Taylor said it will take a couple of months to finalize the process, which includes trademarking. But once the Class A team has a name, the organization can start building an identity. “We’ll go from there on creating a look based off of that,” Taylor said. “That will certainly help us establish our mark. Hopefully we’re starting to get our brand out there, which is affordable family fun.” Work also continues on the organization’s downtown home stadium. Taylor said the facility is expected to have about 4,000 hard seats. Attendance could rise to 6,000 with hospitality picnic areas, suites and berm seating. Steel frames for the stadium could go up in September. Taylor, who is not yet in Bowling Green after spending the last nine seasons with the Class AA Trenton (N.J.) Thunder, did visit the stadium site last week. The trip made Bowling Green minor league baseball seem like a reality. “I can’t tell you the feeling I had when I drove there and I saw the picture of the stadium and I saw the land and I could just see where the foul poles are going to be,” Taylor said. “It became very real, absolutely.” Taylor said the stadium is still expected to be ready by opening day in April. “That’s the plan,” Taylor said. “We’re hoping that Kentucky doesn’t have a New England winter.” The organization also continues to search for personnel. Staff interviews and hirings have begun, and an employee is in Bowling Green handling ticket sales and other aspects of the team. On-field personnel won’t be decided for some time, according to Taylor. An announcement on a manager will likely come around January. “We’re starting to put it all together,” Taylor said. “And I think when we launch the team name campaign, I think that’s going to re-raise the awareness level that this is really happening.”

BG girls top Greenwood Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:30:49 -0500
The Bowling Green girls’ golf team beat Greenwood 190-197 on Monday at CrossWinds Golf Course. Maria Goff led the way for Bowling Green with a 40 in the nine-hole event. Kristen Taulbee shot a 48 and Katie White finished with a 50 for Bowling Green. Greenwood was led by Jackie Van Meter, who shot a 45. Morgan Elliott finished with a 47 for the Lady Gators. Bowling Green also finished ninth in tournaments at Russellville and Pulaski County earlier this month. White led the way with a 99 at the Russellville Tournament and a 93 at the Pulaski County Tournament.

Tops sign Serbian point guard Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:30:50 -0500
Western Kentucky men’s basketball coach Ken McDonald is hoping an overseas product will bolster the Hilltoppers’ backcourt. Point guard Dejan Cvoro of Serbia has officially signed with the Hilltoppers and will be eligible this fall, McDonald said this morning. The 6-foot-4 Cvoro most recently played for the club team Partizan II in Belgrade, Serbia. “I think he’s got a chance to come in and have an impact,” McDonald said. “He’s played against men every day (on his club team). He’s bringing a really good background and he’s developed.” Cvoro will arrive at WKU as a freshman. He is McDonald’s fourth recruit and is expected to arrive in Bowling Green on Aug. 24. He joins a signing class that includes junior college transfers Sergio Kerusch - a guard-forward from Memphis - and point guard Anthony Sally, along with incoming freshman Jameson Tipping. The Hilltoppers’ backcourt has taken a personnel hit from last year. Three of their four leading scorers from last year - Courtney Lee, Tyrone Brazelton and Ty Rogers - were all seniors. “It’s huge,” McDonald said. “I think he’s going to have a really good career on the Hill. It worked out really well, especially with us losing guards and needing guards.” Read more in Friday’s Daily News.

Bronze for Burckle in her Olympic debut Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:41:00 EST
Caroline Burckle earned a bronze medal in her first Olympics. The 22-year-old Louisville native swam a strong third leg for the U.S. 800-meter freestyle relay team this morning (last night EDT), and her performance helped the team secure a medal for the fourth straight time since the event was introduced in 1996.

It finally starts to sink in for Phelps Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:38:00 EST
Michael Phelps finally seems to be grasping what it all means. Maybe it started to sink in when the president showed up at the Water Cube and came back for an encore.

Making a bad impression Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:37:00 EST
Players on Spain's Olympic basketball team defended a photo in an ad showing them using their fingers to pull their eyes back in an attempt to make them look Chinese.

Politics collides with sports; warring nations storm beach Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:41:00 EST
The bombers and tanks have had their chance in the war between Russia and Georgia, and yesterday the fighting was turned over to four women in bikinis.

Armstrong on top? Of course Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:36:00 EST
This is why you should like Kristin Armstrong. She is a world-class cyclist -- and as of yesterday an Olympic gold medalist -- but she chuckles when she Googles herself and finds more references to Lance Armstrong's first wife than to herself.

Federer avenges Olympic loss Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:35:00 EST
Signaling his recent tailspin may be over, Roger Federer avenged a defeat four years ago at the Olympics by beating Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) yesterday in Beijing to reach the quarterfinals.

Men's soccer elbowed out Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:42:00 EST
An elbow thrown in anger and a header just a few inches too high. That, yesterday, was what separated the U.S. men's Olympic soccer team from a place in the quarterfinals.

Individual gold now the goal for U.S. Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:33:00 EST
They are the smiling co-favorites for the Olympic gymnastics individual all-around gold medal, a competition set for tomorrow morning (tonight EDT) at National Indoor Stadium.

UK freshman adds strength Thu, 14 Aug 2008 03:26:00 EST
Growing up, the UK freshman defensive end, Chandler Burden, was always bigger and stronger than the other kids. And he grew up in football-crazed Ohio, where big, strong kids are guided to the gridiron beginning in kindergarten. Blog: Dawson's Blog Blog: UK fan blog Video: UK Media Day

Smyth makes preseason soccer All-Big East team Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:25:00 EST
University of Louisville senior forward Shannon Smyth has been named to the All-Big East preseason women's soccer team in a vote of the league's 16 head coaches.

Iavarone turns down challenge Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:20:00 EST
The chance of Big Brown and Curlin meeting on the racetrack is starting to look like a long shot.

Horse panel weighs ban on steroids Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:26:00 EST
A Kentucky Horse Racing Commission committee is expected to vote this afternoon to effectively ban anabolic steroids in thoroughbred racing at the state's tracks.

PREP BASEBALL: Elizabethtown upends Central Hardin Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:08 -0500
ELIZABETHTOWN What a difference two weeks can make.

PREP BASEBALL: John Hardin sweeps North Hardin Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:06 -0500
RADCLIFF It’s been said that hitting is contagious and the John Hardin Bulldogs certainly had a bad case of it spread through the team Thursday night.

PREP SOFTBALL: Krupinski, Central Hardin shut out John Hardin Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:06 -0500
CECILIA Having been shut out in their previous two games, the Central Hardin Lady Bruins were in a little bit of a funk.

PREP SOFTBALL/BASEBALL ROUNDUP: Lady Panthers fall; Mayfield moves to 7-1 Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:07 -0500
The slumping Elizabethtown Lady Panthers lost for the 10th time in 13 games, falling to visiting Warren Central on Thursday, 3-1.

BOYS'/GIRLS' PREP TENNIS RESULTS: Thursday's Matches Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:07 -0500
Results from Thursday's area high school tennis matches:

Can this year’s Eagles stack up?
Fairview is hoping it can make up for some of its lost talent from last season’s defense with heart and desire.

Son of former Reds manager killed in Tampa crash
The teenage son of former Cincinnati Reds manager Dave Miley was killed when his car veered off a Tampa roadway and struck a tree, police said.

Phelps wins 10th, 11th golds of Olympic career
For Michael Phelps, it's not enough to just set a new standard. He has to demolish the old one.

MARK MAYNARD: Webb’s status? Best in baseball 081308
Brandon Webb doesn’t have a super-sized contract — at least not yet — nor does he have a super-sized ego.

KCU names new basketball coach
Corey Mullins likes the situation he’s stepping into at Kentucky Christian University.

A new attitude, an old tradition
When Luke Salmons took over as the head football coach at Lawrence County in February, he emphasized change.

Dunn to D-Backs
Adam Dunn had no idea the Cincinnati Reds were about to trade him to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday.

Walker works hard for top prize
The past two years, Patrick Walker hardly broke a sweat in the Men’s Open singles final of the Ashland City Tennis Championships.This time, it wasn’t so easy.

Kim's eagle on 18 lifts her to title
Mindy Kim recorded an eagle on the final hole of play to win the Duramed FUTURES Tour golf tournament at Crooked Creek.

Rough start for Wade
Whitney Wade, the face of the Falls Auto Group Classic, shot a six over par on Friday's opening day.

Ferrero, Hurst share first round lead
Lisa Ferrero and Vicky Hurst were tied for the lead after the first round of the Duramed FUTURES Tour event at Crooked Creek on Friday.

Glasgow girls, Monroe boys win district golf
The Glasgow girls and the Monroe County boys each came away with the district golf title on Wednesday.

Crappie is best bet at Barren
With dove and squirrel seasons just around the corner — both excellent experiences to introduce young people to hunting — we offer one last reminder this week that a hunter safety course begins tonight at the Park City Lions clubhouse.

LOCAL SPORTS BRIEF
Bulle tied for seventh after two days at Kentucky Open

Lady Scotties defeat Lady Colonels
Glasgow used a pair of runs to defeat Caverna 2-0 on Tuesday night.

Wade wins Ohio Women’s Open
The fifth competitive round in five days turned out to be the best one for Whitney Wade.

LOCAL SPORTS BRIEFS
Lady Scotties roll to 5-0 win in scrimmageMeet the Scotties is Thursday nightGHS Athletic Booster Club meeting set for Monday

Wade leads at Ohio Women’s Open
Glasgow’s Whitney Wade shot an opening round 73 to take the lead after the first day of the Ohio Women’s Open at Kettenring Country Club in Defiance, Ohio.

Turner ties for 31st, Wade 55th at London tourney
Glasgow’s Whitney Wade and Tompkinsville’s Marci Turner each shot a 2-over-par 74 in the final round of the Duramed FUTURES Tour’s Falls Auto Group Classic Sunday at Crooked Creek Golf Community.

Lady Scotties win at Pulaski
The Glasgow girls golf team kept its season-opening winning streak alive Saturday.

Chinese Dir