Sports - The Salt Lake Tribune

Kyle Busch wins All-Star pole

Fri, 18 May 2012 18:34:02 MDT

Kyle Busch wins All-Star pole

By Steve Reed The Associated Press

Published May 18, 2012 06:34PM MDT

Charlotte, N.C. • Kyle Busch captured the pole for the Sprint All-Star race for the second straight year. Busch completed the unique three-lap qualifying that included a mandatory four-tire pit stop in 1 minute, 19.11 seconds. He was the last qualifier on the track and knocked Ryan Newman to the outside of the front row. While winning the pole puts Busch and his No. 18 Toyota in great position to win his first All-Star race, it certainly doesn’t guarantee a first-place finish and the accompanyin...

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

NFL notes: Ex-linebacker Ted Johnson speaks out about concussion dangers

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:59:02 MDT

NFL notes: Ex-linebacker Ted Johnson speaks out about concussion dangers

The Associated Press

Published May 18, 2012 05:59PM MDT

Boston • Junior Seau’s death got former New England Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson thinking again about his own career in the NFL and his struggles with post-concussion syndrome after he retired in 2005. “It’s corrode or explode,” Johnson told a conference on pediatric concussions at Boston Children’s Hospital on Friday. “And it all exploded by killing [himself].” Seau shot himself in the chest on May 2, echoing last year’s suicide of former Chicago Bears defensive back Dave Duerson. Duerson le...

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

I’ll Have Another takes aim at Preakness win

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:14:02 MDT

I’ll Have Another takes aim at Preakness win

By RICHARD ROSENBLATT The Associated Press

Published May 18, 2012 05:14PM MDT

Baltimore • No one is loving the run up to Saturday’s Preakness more than Doug O’Neill. The trainer of Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another has spent nearly two weeks in Baltimore, hanging with Ravens coach John Harbaugh, throwing out the first ball at an Orioles game, and hammering away at Maryland crabs for the first time. He also huddled with Secretariat’s jockey Ron Turcotte about racing strategy, held daily news briefings at the stakes barn and was forthcoming when asked about his histo...

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Sports briefs: Big 12, SEC announce deal for regular-season champions

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:04:02 MDT

Sports briefs: Big 12, SEC announce deal for regular-season champions

Published May 18, 2012 05:04PM MDT

The Big 12 and the Southeastern conferences have announced a deal that will pit their football regular-season champions against each other in a New Year’s Day bowl game for five years beginning in 2014, positioning themselves for the expected switch to a four-team playoff. The agreement between two of the most successful BCS conferences was announced Friday. Ohio St. reports minor violations Ohio State, already under probation for players getting cash, tattoos and too-high summer wages, comm...

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Saturday’s sports TV/radio programming

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:04:02 MDT

Saturday’s sports TV/radio programming

Published May 18, 2012 05:04PM MDT

Television — Auto racing • IRL, IndyCar, pole qualifying for Indianapolis 500, 9 a.m., NBCSN • NHRA, qualifying for Summernationals, 3 p.m. (same-day tape), ESPN2 • NASCAR, Sprint Cup, Sprint All-Star Race, 5 p.m., SPEED College baseball • Kansas St. at Texas Tech, noon, FSN College softball playoffs • Regionals, TBA, 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m. & 6 p.m., ESPN Cycling • Tour of California, stage 7, 5 p.m., NBCSN Golf • European PGA Tour, Volvo World Match Play, last 16 matches, 4:30 a.m., TGC • Nationwi...

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Kragthorpe: Jazz showed Pacers how to beat the Heat

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:53:14 MDT

Kragthorpe: Jazz showed Pacers how to beat the Heat

By Kurt kragthorpe Tribune Columnist

Published May 18, 2012 04:53PM MDT

The Jazz can say they provided part of the formula for beating the Miami Heat. It takes inside scoring and relentless rebounding — and an absence of one of the Heat’s stars never hurts. Between now and Sunday’s Game 4 of the Indiana-Miami series, the world will be buzzing about what’s wrong with the Heat and how this could be happening. Actually, we all probably should have seen it coming. Chris Bosh, who’s injured, means a lot to Miami. And the Pacers are constructed and coached to give Miami ...

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

NJCAA softball: SLCC advances to semifinals

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:55:02 MDT

NJCAA softball: SLCC advances to semifinals

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 18, 2012 02:55PM MDT

St. George • Salt Lake Community College is one game away from the NJCAA National Tournament championship game, thanks to a 6-1 semifinal victory against Blinn College on Friday afternoon. The Bruins will play Chattanooga at 7 p.m. Friday for the right to enter Saturday’s championship game, scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Canyons Complex. MaCauley Flint and Ariel Zimmerman combined to throw a four-hitter for SLCC, while Meagan Neilson provided the big blast with a two-run homer. Blinn took a short-l...

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

NCAA Softball: Oregon sends BYU to loser’s bracket

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:23:52 MDT

NCAA Softball: Oregon sends BYU to loser’s bracket

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 18, 2012 02:23PM MDT

Eugene, Ore. • Oregon exploded for five runs in the third inning and held on to take a 6-4 victory over BYU on Friday afternoon in the Eugene Regional of the NCAA Women’s Softball Tournament. Christie Nieto’s two-out grand slam at Howe Field capped the Ducks’ third inning rally. While Oregon (40-15) advances to Saturday’s final, BYU (44-14) now plays either Mississippi State or Portland State at 6 p.m. Friday in the loser’s bracket of the double-elimination region. The Cougars must win three con...

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Hole-in-one

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:23:01 MDT

Hole-in-one

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 18, 2012 02:23PM MDT

Fox Hollow • Connie Tedrow, No. 3, 146 yards, 3-wood. With Zach Tedrow, Brian Jenison and Dan Micheli. Hobble Creek • Bryan R. Blanchard. No. 6, 162 yards. With Richard Wright, Dan Ashauer and Mark Blanchard.

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Red Sum Beach tops field for Beehive Futurity

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:16:01 MDT

Red Sum Beach tops field for Beehive Futurity

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 18, 2012 02:16PM MDT

South Jordan -- Fastest qualifer Red Sum Beach drew the No. 1 post position for Saturday's $43,100 Beehive Futurity at the Salt Lake Equestrian Park. The 300-yard Beehive highlights a nine-race card, which starts at noon. Trained by Orlando Olivas, Red Sum Beach will be running for the third time in three weeks. After posting the fastest qualifying time of 15.249 seconds in the Beehive trials on April 28, Red Sum Beach ran fifth in a Bitterroot Futurity trial in Boise last Saturday. I...

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Weber State unveils new logo

Fri, 18 May 2012 13:16:02 MDT

Weber State unveils new logo

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 18, 2012 01:16PM MDT

Weber State unveiled a new look Friday, creating a new logo as part of a rebranding effort for Wildcat athletics. “We are excited about this new logo and new look for Wildcat Athletics,” WSU athletic director Jerry Bovee said. “This new approach gives us greater flexibility in branding Weber State Athletics in a variety of different platforms. This is a fresher, more marketable look that will assist us to create consistency in marketing Wildcat Athletics.” The primary logo features the Wildcat...

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

UVU baseball: Goose Kallunki named semifinalist for Dick Howser Trophy

Fri, 18 May 2012 13:05:02 MDT

UVU baseball: Goose Kallunki named semifinalist for Dick Howser Trophy

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 18, 2012 01:05PM MDT

Utah Valley first baseman Goose Kallunki has been named a semifinalist for the 2012 Dick Howser Trophy by the National College Baseball Writers Association. The award, given to the top player in collegiate baseball, is based on two rounds of national voting. The award will be presented at noon on June 15, the opening day of the 2012 College World Series. Kallunki received the NCBWA National Hitter of the Week award May 7 and is also a two-time Collegiate Baseball “Louisville Slugger” National Pl...

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cubs’ Kerry Wood expected to retire

Fri, 18 May 2012 13:01:00 MDT

Cubs’ Kerry Wood expected to retire

By Rick gano The Associated Press

Published May 18, 2012 01:01PM MDT

Chicago • Kerry Wood, who electrified baseball with a 20-strikeout game as a rookie in 1998 and then became a reliever after his career was slowed by injuries, is expected to retire after pitching one more time for the Chicago Cubs. The 34-year-old Wood was in uniform Friday against the White Sox in the opener of their first interleague series of the season. The Cubs declined comment after multiple media outlets reported Wood’s decision, though manager Dale Sveum said Wood was available to pitch...

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Weber State unveils 2012 football schedule

Fri, 18 May 2012 11:10:03 MDT

Weber State unveils 2012 football schedule

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 18, 2012 11:10AM MDT

Three of Weber State’s five home football games in 2012 will be played under the lights at Stewart Stadium, including the home opener Sept. 15 when the Wildcats host McNeese State at 6 p.m. Weber State announced its football schedule for the upcoming season, including games at BYU and Southern Utah. WSU’s Big Sky Conference home opener is Sept. 22 against Eastern Washington, also beginning at 6 p.m. The Wildcats host Cal Poly on Oct. 5, their first game played on a Friday, home or away. Weber St...

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

3A baseball: Spanish Fork, Snow Canyon advance

Fri, 18 May 2012 11:06:38 MDT

3A baseball: Spanish Fork, Snow Canyon advance

By Kyle Goon The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 18, 2012 11:06AM MDT

Kearns • Spanish Fork wasn’t about to give up on Hayden Nielsen. The senior pitcher had left one hanging in the third — just one pitch — that had been blasted over the fence. But in the top of the seventh with the lead, the Dons wouldn’t turn to anyone else to close out. “Coach asked me how I was feeling,” Nielsen said. “I said, ‘Send me out there, coach.’ ” Nielsen asked for the ball and got the win, pitching a complete game in an 8-4 win against Carbon in the Class 3A baseball quarterfinals Th...

Skier Ted Ligety goes to extremes this offseason

Fri, 18 May 2012 10:19:13 MDT

Skier Ted Ligety goes to extremes this offseason

By pat Graham The Associated Press

Published May 18, 2012 10:19AM MDT

Just as Ted Ligety was about to soar over the edge of a colossal cliff, his ski hit a rock jutting out of the snow. Not enough to knock him down, yet enough to throw him off balance as he went over the side. What happened next, well, the camera attached to Ligety’s helmet captured the stylishness of his spill: The three-time World Cup giant slalom champion frantically waving his arms in midair as he plummeted over the cliff. The thud into the powdery snow below. The tips of his skis popping in a...

NJCAA Softball: SLCC advances to Friday quarterfinal game

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:29:02 MDT

NJCAA Softball: SLCC advances to Friday quarterfinal game

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 18, 2012 09:29AM MDT

St. George • With a pair of victories Thursday, the second-seeded Salt Lake Community College women’s softball teams plays Blinn College on Friday at 1 p.m. for a chance to advance to the semifinals in the NJCAA National tournament. The Bruins (57-7) won their first two games, pummeling 15th seed Western Nebraska 20-1 then beating Howard College, 9-5. In the opener, Salt Lake connected on 18 hits in five innings. Tanisha Anderson was 3 for 4 with five RBIs, including a three-run home run. Mea...

What’s on TV in Utah tonight

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:22:51 MDT

What’s on TV in Utah tonight

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 18, 2012 09:22AM MDT

The NBA Playoffs continue tonight on ESPN with Boston at Philadelphia at 6 p.m. with the L.A. Lakers hosting Oklahoma City at 8:30 p.m. Boston and Philadelphia hook up tonight in baseball as well. The MLB Network is broadcasting either the Red Sox or Cincinnati at the New York Yankees at 5 p.m.

Wade loses cool in Heat’s 94-75 loss to Pacers

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:10:14 MDT

Wade loses cool in Heat’s 94-75 loss to Pacers

By tom withers AP Sports Writer

Published May 18, 2012 09:10AM MDT

Indianapolis • Dwyane Wade lashed out in frustration during the worst playoff game of his career. His target wasn’t wearing an Indiana uniform. Wade confronted his coach as the Miami Heat melted. The star had an animated exchange with Erik Spoelstra on the sideline in the third quarter, a disturbing low point on a night when nothing went Miami’s way, and the Heat were throttled 94-75 by the Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Indiana center Roy Hibbert had 19 points and 18 reb...

Kragthorpe: So long WAC — it was fun while it lasted

Fri, 18 May 2012 08:59:21 MDT

Kragthorpe: So long WAC — it was fun while it lasted

By Kurt Kragthorpe Tribune Columnist

Published May 18, 2012 08:59AM MDT

If the 2012 season serves as the end of Western Athletic Conference football, the league’s obituary will be filled with all kinds of obvious exaggerations. The reports will describe how the league at various times covered four time zones from Hawaii to Louisiana and stretched almost from Canada to Mexico. They will say the WAC produced a national championship team, a Heisman Trophy winner and three Bowl Championship Series contestants. The WAC will be remembered for 26 schools — more than one-f...