By Bill Turner
The countdown is on, with high school football openers set for two weeks from tonight. Virtually every ‘Big-11’ squad will have a pair of games under their belt before September 1st arrives, and conditioning will be a key factor to see who survives the dog days of August.
If late August temperatures hit the mid-90s, fans themselves may need to consider fluid intake as games will reach halftime before the sun sets.
North Cross gets no relief. Their home opener, Saturday, September 1st will kickoff at 2:00 PM. Raider fans better bring the suntan lotion. Any volunteers to be the Wild Bill sideline, Japanese fan assistant?
The London Olympics continue to take center stage, and the competition has been incredible. Thumbs-up to swimming, gymnastics, track events and volleyball. Throw in the lesser known sports and it’s hard not to get hooked on the athleticism on display. Great job by NBC on the round-the-clock coverage.
The Olympic Games have not been without their own comedy act. Nothing could beat the badminton stunt that got four teams disqualified. Geniuses from South Korea, China and Indonesia (8 female players making up 4 2-woman teams) tried to fix the matches by intentionally losing to get an easier opponent in a future match. Nothing worse than fixed badminton.
Spectators were outraged, and justifiably so, by the blatent mockery of the Olympic spirit. If you had the opportunity to watch this charade, it was a pathetically amateurish attempt by eight fools. Everyone got the shuttlecock.
Thank goodness the teams were kicked totally out for, as the Olympic committee noted, “conducting themselves in a manner clearly detrimental to the sport.”Reportedly, the teams were allowed to remain in London to watch ther remainder of the competition. And, I suppose, to learn how to play badminton.
High school golf is in full swing, with two key tournaments this week. Cave Spring won the Heritage Invitational Monday at London Downs with the help of brother-sister act Drew and Meagan Board each firing even-par 72 to lead the Knights to a two-shot win. Nick Brediger followed with a 73 and a second girl, Jessie Hart, posted a 78 to round out the 295 Cave Spring total.
Kristin Hearp, 14, of Hidden Valley toured London Downs in 68, losing to big-gun Korey Watts, winner of the Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame men’s and junior’s titles, in a playoff. Salem finished third in team play, three shots off the pace. The prestigious Metro Golf Tournament played out Wednesday and Thursday at Hunting Hills and Blue Hills.
We finish this week with a Wild Bill late night product super-saver. There’s one being pitched for three payments of $29.95 that’s for the person that “likes their food, but hates to diet.” I’ll save you the money and still get you what you want. Two easy steps – don’t make the call and keep on eating.
Until next week, let your belt out and send your questions to: [email protected]