February 28, 2026 Issue, Page 3 of 14

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SPORTS The Elk City News SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2026 • 3 Viviann Morse. Sayre Teacher - Staci Barker a BIG FAN! Saige Underwood Reagan Spitzer Allie Westreicher going over her opponent Emma Keahey. Memphis Silk. Sloan Damron Berkely Slife. Libby Lewman Kodi James Winter Olympics By Alex Alvarez spheres, iconic venues and giving no strangers to winning or losing minutes before regulation time USA in the tournament and into 41. The top five countries were: each competition a distinct charac- while displaying great sportsman- ended, when Hilary Knight the semifinals, which they won 6-2 Norway 41 Total (12-Gold, 12-Sil- It isn’t what you see every year, ter. Hosting the games is an honor, ship. scored the equalizing goal. Then, versus Slovakia. ver, 11-Bronze, U.S.A. 33 total (12- it happens every four years. That is but also a big responsibility towards Federica Brignone, Francesca in over-time, Megan Keller scored The games also gave us some sad G, 12-S, 9-B), Italy 30 total (10-G, how important it is. The best win- the athletes and visiting countries. Lollobrigida, Simone Deromedis, the winning goal. Then on Sun- moments, two specific ones: Lind- 6-S, 14-B), Germany 26 Total (8-G, ter Olympics athletes in the world This time, the 2026 Winter Federico Tomasoni, Lisa Vittozzi, day, U.S.A. faced Canada for the sey Vonn, who at 41 years of age 10-S, 8-B) and Japan 24 total (5-G, get together for competitions. The Olympics were hosted by Milan Arianna Fontana and others, were third time in the finals. U.S.A. had qualified for the downhill race and 7-S, 12-B). gathering began in 1934, in Cham- and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, waiting not only to compete, but lost both finals against Canada. slalom, and who had recently won The 12 golds for the U.S.A. were: onix, France. A celebration of win- blending Italy’s rich cultural her- to show great sportsmanship and U.S.A. took the lead 1-0, but on two World Cup races after coming Jordan Stolz (Men 500 & Men ter sports and international unity. itage with the thrill of competi- quality hosting. Italy won 30 med- the second period, Canda tied the back from injury, crashed on the 1,000 speedskating); Mikaela Shif- Since then, the event has grown tion in the mountains. Italy is no als, one third of them gold! game, then proceeded to attack way down, just a few seconds after frin (Women’s Slalom); Breezy to include disciplines such as ski- stranger to world championships, United States won 32 medals, and attack, and saves by Connor she started the race, injuring herself Johnson (Women’s Downhill); Aly- ing, skating, snowboarding, and with their soccer team winning 12 of these Gold! Their best overall Hallebuyck kept the game tied once more, and necessitating a heli- sa Liu (Figure Staking individual); curling, welcoming athletes from the World Cup four times and medal count and best Gold count to the end of regulation. Anoth- copter to lift her and take her to the U.S.A. Team (Figure Skating team); around the globe. being runner up twice, great ath- as well in Winter Olympics. er over-time, but this time, Jack hospital; and American freestyle Elana Meyers (Women’s Mono- The “Games” have showcased letes in motorsports, athletics and Probably what defined the Hughes scored the winning goal skier Nick Goepper suffered a ter- bob); Alex Ferreira (Men’s Half remarkable feats, memorable rival- swimming, Cycling and fencing. U.S.A.’s great performance was the just under 2 minutes of over-time rifying crash on his final run in the Pipe); Liz Lemly (Women’s Mo- ries, and moments of pure sports- And let’s not forget the Italian hockey games for men and women, period, giving the USA its first men’s halfpipe final at the 2026 Mi- guls); Team U.S.A. (Mixed Team manship, have drawn millions of American athletes like Rocky both against Canada and both for gold in 46 years, and its first win lan Cortina Winter Olympics on Aerials); Women’s Hockey and viewers and shaped the history of Marciano, Joe DiMaggio, Yogi the gold medal. The women’s game over Canada in a Winter Olym- February 20, 2026. Sitting in a po- Men’s Hockey. winter sports. Berra, Dan Marino, Joe Montana came on Friday before the closing pics final. Hellebuyck was so dium position, he attempted a nev- Two more years and in 2028, the Every four years, the games and Gino Marcheti. And, in win- of the games on Sunday, and the good that our Secretary of War, er-before-seen trick to win gold but Los Angeles Coliseum will host the have included innovations and ex- ter Olympics greats like Alberto men’s game was on Sunday, right Pete Hegseth gave him the title of hit the lip of the pipe, resulting in opening ceremonies for the 50th citement, from the introduction Tomba (Skying), Arianna Fontana before closing ceremonies, so both “Secretary of Defense!” a 4th place finish and injury to his Summer Olympic Games…with of new sports to advancements in (Short Track), Carolina Kostner became the best late memories of Jack Hughes’ brother, Quinn knee and shin, Oklahoma City hosting Softball athletic performance and Olympic (Figure Skating). In short, athletes the games. Hughes, scored another winning U.S.A. came in second place and Canoe Slalom! GET READY! technology. Host cities have played from all over the world will visit a On Friday, the women’s team goal in overtime against Sweden in total medals and gold medals, Sources: ESPN, MSN Sports, On- a vital role in creating unique atmo- place with great athletic heritage, trailed by one all the way to 2 in the quarterfinals which kept the while Norway had the most with Line media sports. Sports Tidbits By Alex Alvarez round and looking “human”, Scot- and a lot more for first place: NFL WINTER OLYMPICS the great memories you gave the tie Scheffler came back with a 68 to Over $4,000,000! Leave on top or with tears of Lindsey Vonn’s double pain: It U.S.A.! NBA make the cut “on the number” at disappointment? How many was reported that Leo, a rescued Thriller Golds! U.S.A. Women’s Stephen A. Smith: “tanking is not the Genesis Invitational at Riviera NCAA BASKETBALL players have stayed “one more dog she adopted around 2013 Hockey and then Men’s Hockey, as big a problem as lower manage- C.C. in Los Angeles. He fought SURPRISES year” in order to extend their and whose company was para- beat Canada in the golf medal ment in the losing teams. I’m not in back and played the next three In the men’s side, Nebraska’s career: “I still have it!” Ask one mount during the recovery of her game. Both teams won 2-1 in over- favor of ‘tanking’ to get a better draft rounds in -14 to finish in a tie for 18-0 start turned the team from man by the name of Emmett recovery of knee replacement in time! In the women’s game, USA position, but problems start with 12th. a non-tournament team to a top Smith, who was let go by Dal- 2024, died the day after her crash trailed 0-1 until 2 minutes before lower management.” Yes, it is ridicu- Jacob Bridgeman, a consistent sixteen contender (currently las because of salary cap at the in the Milan-Cortina Winter the end of regulation, but Hila- lous for teams to not do their best for player since his ascent to the #11). Another surprise is Van- age of 34 and decided to sign up Olympics. The question is, “did ry Knight scored the equalizing their fans, “sandbagging” at its worst! PGA Tour from the Korn Ferry derbilt, with a 16-0 start and with the Arizona Cardinals for she know the dog was seriously goal, then Megan Keller scored the Charles Barkley calls the Clip- Tour in 2023, took the lead at current #15. 2 years. He was never the same, ill before the crash, and she was “golden” goal in over-time to win. pers and Lakers “mediocre” and the Genesis Open by six shots In the women’s side, TCU went and in his heart, he was a Cow- distracted coming down the hill?” The Men’s Hockey team also contests that the ceiling isn’t high on Saturday and needed every from #17 to #12 in the past two boy, so, after his contract with One thing is for sure: in a sport went to overtime, and Jack Hughes for either team in Los Angeles. If one of those, as he finished with weeks and Maryland went from Arizona expired, he signed a like coming down the hill at 70- scored the golden goal less than 2 in the playoffs, “they can’t get past 72 to win by only one! It was #20 to #14. one-day contract with the Cow- 80mph you need to have absolute minutes into the overtime, giving the first round.” his first win ever, and a good Oklahoma Sooners were not a boys and retired as a Cowboy… concentration on the task at hand the team its first gold medal in 46 one since the tournament is an surprise in the women category, but not as “on top” as he had and any small distraction on the years. GOLF: elevated tournament that gives and they continue to be in the top wanted. Who is next in the re- way down can cause a mental er- Sources: ESPN, Personal Library, After starting with a 3-over par more points in the FedEx Cup 15 at #11 tirement in the NFL? ror. Thank you, Lindsey, for all of MSN Sports, On-Line media. Professional Team Sports By Alex Alvarez will make the team: Cooper Flagg, Meanwhile, Oklahoma City New York Knicks 37-21, Cleveland NHL Western Conference: Colora- Kon Knueppel, Jalen Duren, Amen Thunder continues to have the best Cavaliers 36-22; Toronto Raptors Standings as of last Monday. No do Avalanche 83-points, Minne- NBA: Thompson, Scottie Barnes, Cade record in both conferences with a 34-23; Philadelphia 76ers 31-26. changes since many players were at sota Wild 78-points, Dallas Stars I guess after the Winter Olym- Cunningham, Anthony Edwards, 44-14 record. Detroit Pistons are Western Conference: Oklahoma the Olympics. 77-points, Vegans Golden Knights pics, some people are already think- Chet Holmgrem, Jalen Williams, leading the Eastern Conference City Thunder 44-14; San Atonio Eastern Conference: Tampa Bay 68-points, Utah Mamooth and Ed- ing who should be in the basketball Tyrese Haliburton, Bam Adebayo, with 42-14. Not much changed in Spurts 41-16; Denver Nuggets 36- Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes monton Oilers 64-points. team for the 2028 Summer Olym- Jayson Tatum. They did not men- the standings the last week. Here 22; Houston Rockets 34-21; Los 78-points, Montreal Canadiens and Sources: ESPN, MSN Sports, On- pics. Too many things can happen tion who should be the coach. I’m are the conference leaders: Angeles Lakers 34-22; Minnesota Detroit Red Wings 72-points, Pitts- Line media sports. between now and then, but this for Mark Daigneault or Joe Mazzu- Eastern Conference: Detroit Pis- Timberwolves 35-23. burgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres is the roster some “experts” think lla. Speaking for a friend. tons 42-14; Boston Celtics 37-19; 70-points. Professional Golf By Alex Alvarez and Tiger Woods 2000). which for a first-time 54-hole lead- second place. It was Bridgeman’s Adam Scott had a 63 to climb to continents. This year coincided with the er is always difficult, especially if first win on the PGA Tour, and 4th at -16, Aldrich Potgieter had 68 PGA TOUR: GENESIS 100th anniversary of both the Los you are paired with the #2 player while the tournament was pretty for -15, Jake Knapp was at -13, and LPGA TOUR: HONDA LPGA INVITATIONAL AKA LOS Angeles Open and Riviera Country in the world. A couple of bogeys by exciting for the viewers, it was prob- four players at -12. Scottie Scheffler, THAILAND ANGELES OPEN Club. The first Los Angeles Open the leader and a couple of birdies by ably not that exciting for Bridge- who began the tournament with a Jenno Thitkul, from Thailand Riviera Country Club has a lot was played at Los Angeles Country the pursuer, and you only have two- man whose lead was shrunk to one 3-over 74, fought back and finished and ranked #1 in the world ahead of history. After a one year absence Club in 1926, the same year that shot lead, and that is pretty much over Kitayama after 17 holes and by at -11, tied for 12th. of Nelly Korda by almost four from Los Angeles because of the Riviera Country Club opened, and what happened adding a third con- two over McIlroy who had birdied points, won her country’s open terrible fires last year, the Genesis as time went by, Riviera has hosted tender that started the round nine #17. On the 501 yard #18, Kitayama DP WORLD TOUR: KENYA with a score of 24 under par. Invitational came back to its home, the most Los Angeles Open events. back, American Kurt Kitayama. parred, while McIlroy birdied, and OPEN She was followed by Chizzy Iwai Riviera Country Club in Los Ange- American Jacob Bridgeman, Bridgeman scored 35 on the a nervous Bridgeman parred for his Casey Jarvis, from South Afri- (-23), Hyo Jo Kim (-22), Somi Lee les, also known as “Hogan’s Alley” who qualified for the PGA Tour front nine as did McIlroy, but Kita- first PGA Tour victory. Afterwards, ca, beat American Davis Bryant by (-21), Lydia Ko and Nanna Koer- since Ben Hogan won there four in 2023 and who has been a con- yama had a 32, getting three closer. the winner said, “I thought it would three shots to win the Kenya Open stz Madse (-20) and Hanna Green times, three times winning the Los sistent contender, tied for first af- Kitayama added birdies on #10 and be easier midround, but after #16, at Karen Country Club in Nairobi, (-19). American Allisen Corpuz, Angeles Open, and one time win- ter the first round of 66 with three #11 while McIlroy birdied #11 and it really got difficult”. Yes indeed, a Kenya. Jarvis finished at 25 under who began the day in second place, ning the U.S. Open Championship other players, then shot rounds of #12, while Bridgeman parred. A nervous first-time winner, hit a me- par, Bryant finished at 22 under. scored an even par round of 72 and played at the same course. Hogan is 64 on Friday and Saturday to sep- late charge by Kitayama and McIl- diocre putt from 20 feet to 3 ½ feet They were followed by Hennie Du fell to a tie for 10th at 17 under par, one of three players who have won arate himself by six shots from his roy was one stroke too late. While short, then after collecting him- Plessis (-21), Francesco Laporta while the worst score of all of the twice at the same course, in the closest pursuer, Rory McIlroy and Bridgeman scored 72 and fell back self, he made it for his par. He not (-20), Nathan Kimsey and Jacob other top ten players was 68. same year, once in the regular tour seven shots ahead of South Afri- to 18 under par, McIlroy shot 67 to only won the tournament but also Skob Olesen (-19), and Matthew Sources: ESPN, PGA Tour.com, stop and once the U.S. Open (Ben can Aldrich Potgieter after three get to 17 under and Kitayama had a took the lead in the FedEx by three Jordan (-18). The DP World Tour LPGA.com, AP Tennis, Personal Li- Hogan 1948, Jack Nicklaus 1972 rounds. Then came Sunday round, 64 to also finish at 17 under, tied for points over Chris Gutterup. is truly a world tour, going on four brary, MSN Sports, On-Line media.