Colorado, N.H. skiers capture U.S. ski titles
CARRABASSETT VALLEY – With light snow falling steadily throughout the day and clouds hampering visibility, Wiley Maple of Aspen, Colorado, took the home the title of U.S. National Champion in the men’s downhill at Sugarloaf Tuesday, while Julia Ford of Holderness, New Hampshire, took home the women’s national title.
Carrabassett Valley native Sam Morse finished in fourth place among Americans on the men’s side with a time 1:18.18, missing a spot on the podium by nine one-hundredths of a second.
The national championship downhill race was held today on the Narrow Gauge trail as part of the North American Tour speed finals, and served as a prelude to the full U.S. Alpine Championship program that will take place March 25-29.
Despite the challenging weather conditions, Maple was able to top the field with a final time of 1:16.90. Kipling Weisel of San Francisco crossed the finish line with the second fastest time among American men, with a time of 1:18.00, while Bryce Bennett of Squaw Valley, California, rounded out the top three for the Americans with a time of 1:18.90.
On the women’s side, Ford overcame the heavier snow during the morning hours to take home the title with a time of 1:19.55. Jacqueline Wiles of Aurora, Oregon, and Breezy Johnson of Victor, Indiana, finished in second and third place for American women with times of 1:19.57 and 1:20.48, respectively.
Sports Legends accepting athlete awards applications
Applications for the Maine Sports Legends Student Athlete Awards are now available and can be obtained by contacting Maine Sports Legends, 28 Colony Road, Augusta, ME 04330, by email to PaulMcClay@msn.com or by calling 622-1539.
Eight scholar athletes, one male and one female from each of four regions, north, east, central and south, will receive cash awards to help with their college education costs.
Winners are introduced at the organization’s annual banquet which is scheduled for Oct. 4 at the Alfond Youth Center in Waterville. Tickets must be purchased by Sept. 24 and can be obtained through McClay.
Patriots sign pass-catching running back
The New England Patriots signed running back Travaris Cadet on Tuesday.
Cadet, a pass-catching specialist, played for the New Orleans Saints last year, compiling 38 receptions for 296 yards. For his career, the three-year veteran only has 11 carries.
The Saints signed Cadet as a free agent out of Appalachian State in 2012.
Morgan State players injured in stabbing
A Morgan State football player was seriously injured and two teammates also were stabbed during an on-campus incident on Tuesday afternoon in Baltimore.
Police and university officials reported that the suspect was seen swinging a knife outside a cafeteria and that one of the injured players was transported to a local hospital in very serious condition after being stabbed in the chest.
The other victims also were stabbed, but their injuries did not appear to be as serious.
Police commissioner Anthony W. Batts told the Baltimore Sun after visiting the site that there was a fourth person involved at the crime scene who could be a considered a suspect or person of interest. One suspect was reported to be in custody.
Duke’s Okafor honored as national freshman of the year
Duke center Jahlil Okafor was named the Wayman Tisdale Freshman of the Year on Tuesday in voting by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.
Okafor has averaged 17.7 points and 9.0 rebounds and shot nearly 70 percent from the field field this season while leading Duke to a 29-4 record and the No. 1 seed in the South Regional of the NCAA Tournament.
The 6-foot-11 Okafor was the first freshman to win player of the year honors in the ACC. He also was chosen as the ACC freshman of the year, first-team All-ACC and first-team USBWA All-American.