Month: December 2016

Allrounder Starc propels Australia to innings win at MCG

A brilliant all-round performance by Mitchell Starc propelled Australia to series-clinching victory over Pakistan by an innings and 18 runs in the second test as the visitors crumbled under pressure on the fifth day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday. The rain-interrupted test had long seemed destined for a draw, with only 18 wickets falling in total up until lunch on the last day, but Australia took Pakistan’s final nine wickets in a hurry, clinching the win with an hour to spare.

Smith lauds Starc, Lyon after Australia’s sensational Test win

Winning skipper Steve Smith paid tribute to Mitchell Starc’s match-turning impact to spur Australia to a sensational last-day series victory over Pakistan in Melbourne on Friday. Australia’s Mitchell Starc is congratulated by teammates after dismissing Pakistan batsman Sarfraz Ahmed as fellow bastman Sohail Khan looks on on the final day of the second Test in Melbourne on December 30, 2016 The Australians, leading by just 22 runs going into the fifth day, mustered a 181-run quickfire lead before declaring and bowling out Pakistan in just 53.2 overs to grab a famous victory.

Runnin’ with Rani: Simply the Best of Swim-Bike-Run in 2016

As we approach the final days of the 2016, now is a perfect time to reflect upon a year filled with many great sports stories, memories and outstanding performances. From watching the epic performances at Rio’s Summer Olympics, to the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series and ending a 108-year drought, to the retirements of NFL and NBA icons Peyton Manning and Kobe Bryant, 2016 has been full of highlights.

Participate in Global Attitude Awareness Day

Glenn Bill, Global Authority on Attitude; Speaker, Serial Entrepreneur, Author and World Class Coach launches Attitude Awareness Day on April 15, 2017. The Attitude Movement seeks to inspire community collaboration, corporate team building, and give an individual the opportunity to better the world one attitude at a time.

Alan Curtis urges return to Swansea’s traditional style under new manager

Bayern Munich assistant Paul Clement has emerged as the favourite to succeed Bob Bradley after number one target Chris Coleman, the Wales manager and a former Swansea player, closed the door on an emotional return to his home town club. But Curtis will take charge of Saturday’s home game against Bournemouth, with Swansea 19th in the Premier League and four points from safety.

Gobbler boys lose at Staples

The Aitkin Gobbler boys were no match for the Staples-Motley Cardinals, losing 79-47 Dec. 20 in a rare boy-girl doubleheader at Staples. The Gobblers were out matched in the paint by the Cardinals 6’7″ Trey Skeesick who scored 21 points.

Today in History

On Dec. 30, 1916, Grigory Rasputin, the so-called “Mad Monk” who wielded considerable influence with Czar Nicholas II, was killed by a group of Russian noblemen in St. Petersburg. In 1853, the United States and Mexico signed a treaty under which the U.S. agreed to buy some 45,000 square miles of land from Mexico for $10 million in a deal known as the Gadsden Purchase.

Wild win 12th in a row, 6-4 against Islanders

… the first time in NHL history two teams have had concurrent win streaks of at least 12 games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. “They have a will to win,” Minnesota coach Bruce Boudreau said of his team. “I mean, they like this. I’m sure …

Abhay Singh Chautala to resign if IOC disapproves decision

New Delhi: Embattled Abhay Singh Chautala yesterday offered to relinquish the life presidency of the Indian Olympic Association, but only if the International Olympic Committee has reservations about his elevation to the position. Chautala, who has been chargesheeted in a disproportionate assets case, and 2010 CWG corruption scandal tainted Suresh Kalmadi were made Life Presidents at the IOA’s Annual General Meeting in Chennai on December 27, leaving the Sports Ministry fuming.

Cal State Northridge snaps 4 game skid, beats Morgan State

Kendall Smith scored 19 points and Cal State Northridge built an insurmountable early lead and cruised in the second half to an 82-61 win over Morgan State on Thursday night. Tavrion Dawson had 16 points while Aaron Parks and Rakim Lubin each added 12 for the Matadors , who snapped a four-game losing streak.

Bucs want to finish strong, despite only slim playoff hopes

Tampa Bay’s slender playoff prospects are not foremost on Jameis Winston’s mind heading into what’s likely to be his team’s season finale against the Carolina Panthers . What matters more to the young quarterback is the Buccaneers not only finish strong against the defending NFC champions, but play with a fervor that doesn’t reflect the disappointment of letting a potential postseason berth slip away.

Smith, Ravens seek a rare upbeat ending in Cincinnati

What feels like the end of the road for Steve Smith isn’t at all what he or the Baltimore Ravens expected. They were mere seconds away from taking control of the AFC North when the Steelers snatched it away from them, scoring a touchdown with 9 seconds left for a 31-27 win that ended Baltimore ‘s chances last week.

Brandon Robinson plays first game in Atlanta

… North Carolina has won two straight since a Dec. 17 loss to Kentucky, 100-103, in Las Vegas as part of the CBS Sports Classic. The Tar Heels only other loss was 76-67 at Indiana in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Robinson has played in all 14 of the Tar …

Raiders-Broncos finale represents a role reversal

Spoiler is an unfamiliar role for Von Miller and Chris Harris Jr., who get to see what it’s like to play for nothing but pride Sunday when the Denver Broncos host the Oakland Raiders . The Broncos were eliminated from playoff contention last week, so they won’t get a chance to defend their Super Bowl 50 title.

KC seeks AFC West title; Chargers face possible SD finale

Already in the playoffs for the third time in four years, Alex Smith and the Chiefs need to beat the Chargers and have the Denver Broncos beat the Oakland Raiders in order to clinch the AFC West title and a first-round bye. The games kick off at the same time, and it’ll be tempting for the Chiefs to check the antiquated Jumbotron at the aging stadium for Raiders-Broncos updates.

Blue Jackets win 14th straight, on to historic game vs. Wild

Columbus Blue Jackets’ Brandon Saad scores on Winnipeg Jets goaltender Michael Hutchinson as Dustin Byfuglien and Mathieu Perreault defend during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky makes a save against the Winnipeg Jets during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.